Removable ankle strap system for use with high heeled shoes

Abstract

A device, system and method of securing heeled footwear, and backless heeled footwear in particular, to a user's ankle in order to increase stability and enhance aesthetics. The device includes a heel loop having an elastic component that is positioned within the recessed portion of a shoe's sole, with the heel loop engaged with an ankle loop that encircles a wearer's ankle. The device is fully detachable from the footwear, and thus can be utilized with more than one shoe. The heel loop and ankle loop are semi-permanently attached in one embodiment, and fully separable in an alternative embodiment.

What is claimed is: 
     
         1 . A securing device for heeled shoes, said device including:
 a. An ankle loop including a fastener at one end and a distal end at another end, said fastener and distal end connectable; and   b. A heel loop including a segment of elastic, said heel loop engaged with said ankle loop.   
     
     
         2 . The securing device of  claim 1  wherein said fastener is a buckle. 
     
     
         3 . The securing device of  claim 1  wherein said heel loop is engaged with said ankle loop at a location on said heel loop that is between said fastener and a location equidistant between said fastener and said distal end. 
     
     
         4 . The securing device of  claim 1  wherein the length of said segment of elastic is less than half the circumference of said heel loop. 
     
     
         5 . The securing device of  claim 1  wherein the length of said segment of elastic is less than half the circumference of said heel loop. 
     
     
         6 . The securing device of  claim 1  wherein said ankle loop and said heel loop are semi-permanently connected at an interface. 
     
     
         7 . The securing device of  claim 6  wherein said segment of elastic is positioned the furthest possible distance from said interface. 
     
     
         8 . A heeled shoe system including:
 a. A heeled shoe that defines a recess inwardly adjacent to said heel;   b. A heel loop removably engaged with said recess; and   c. An ankle loop engaged with said heel loop.   
     
     
         9 . The heeled shoe system of  claim 8  wherein said heel loop includes a segment of elastic. 
     
     
         10 . The heeled shoe system of  claim 8  wherein said ankle loop includes a fastener. 
     
     
         11 . The heeled shoe system of  claim 10  wherein said fastener is selected from a buckle, a snap, a button, a zipper, a latch, a hook/loop fastener, and combinations thereof. 
     
     
         12 . The heeled shoe system of  claim 8  wherein the circumference of said ankle loop is greater than the circumference of said heel loop. 
     
     
         13 . The heeled shoe system of  claim 8  wherein said ankle loop is wider than said heel loop. 
     
     
         14 . A method of securing a heeled shoe to an ankle including the steps of:
 a. Positioning a heeled shoe on a foot;   b. Inserting the heel of said shoe through a heel loop of a securing device; and   c. Securing an ankle strap of said securing device around a wearer's ankle.   
     
     
         15 . The method of  claim 14  wherein said step of positioning a heeled shoe on a foot includes the step of positioning a backless shoe on said foot. 
     
     
         16 . The method of  claim 14  further including the step of stretching a segment of elastic incorporated with said heel loop prior to said step of securing said ankle strap. 
     
     
         17 . The method of  claim 14  wherein said step of securing an ankle strap includes the step of engaging a buckle with a distal end of said ankle strap.