Shoe comfort strap devices and methods of manufacture

Abstract

A shoe comfort device including a flexible length, a fixing end, and a detachable heel attachment, constructed to support a shoe substantially against the bottom of a human foot.

What is claimed is: 
     
         1 . A strap configured to support a shoe substantially against the bottom of a human foot, comprising:
 a flexible length comprising at least two ends, the flexible length being of no more than 2 inches in width and no more than 18 inches in length;   a fixing end on at least at one end of the flexible length; and   a heel attachment configured to detachably connect to a heel of the shoe;   wherein the fixing end is configured to connect to the flexible length around a human foot or ankle area, with the heel attachment connected to the heel of the shoe, to support the shoe substantially against the bottom of a human foot.   
     
     
         2 . The strap of  claim 1 , wherein:
 the heel attachment includes a heel protector that substantially encapsulates the heel of the shoe from near ground level to at least the point where the heel attaches to the bottom of the shoe.   
     
     
         3 . The strap of  claim 1 , comprising:
 an elastic portion connected with the heel attachment and configured to stretch around or against a rear, upper structure of the shoe, to create tension for the heel attachment against the heel and to hold the heel attachment in an attached position on the heel.   
     
     
         4 . The strap of  claim 1 , wherein:
 the flexible length has a tensile ultimate strength of 2000 megapascals or less, 1200 megapascals or less, 500 megapascals or less, and preferably 200 megapascals or less.   
     
     
         5 . The strap of  claim 1 , wherein:
 at least one of the fixing end, the flexible length, and the heel attachment comprise(s) at least one of leather and metal.   
     
     
         6 . The strap of  claim 1 , wherein:
 at least one of the flexible length and the fixing end comprise(s) ribbon.   
     
     
         7 . The strap of  claim 2 , wherein:
 the heel protector comprises lace material.   
     
     
         8 . The strap of  claim 3 , wherein:
 the elastic portion comprises lace material.   
     
     
         9 . A method of manufacturing a strap configured to support a shoe substantially against the bottom of a human foot, the strap comprising: (i) a flexible length comprising at least two ends, the flexible length being of no more than 2 inches in width and no more than 18 inches in length, (ii) a fixing end on at least at one end of the flexible length, and (iii) a heel attachment configured to detachably connect to a heel of the shoe, wherein the fixing end is configured to connect to the flexible length around a human foot or ankle area, with the heel attachment connected to the heel of the shoe, to support the shoe substantially against the bottom of a human foot, the method comprising:
 braiding or linking the flexible length, the fixing end, and the heel attachment into a unitary configuration comprising the strap.   
     
     
         10 . The method of  claim 9 , further comprising braiding or linking a heel protector with the heel attachment, wherein the heel protector substantially encapsulates the heel of the shoe from near ground level to at least the point where the heel attaches to the bottom of the shoe. 
     
     
         11 . The method of  claim 9 , further comprising braiding or linking an elastic portion to the heel attachment, wherein the elastic portion is configured to stretch around or against a rear, upper structure of the shoe, to create tension for the heel attachment against the heel and to hold the heel attachment in an attached position on the heel. 
     
     
         12 . The method of  claim 9 , wherein:
 the flexible length has a tensile ultimate strength of 2000 megapascals or less, 1200 megapascals or less, 500 megapascals or less, and preferably 200 megapascals or less.   
     
     
         13 . The method of  claim 9 , wherein:
 at least one of the fixing end, the flexible length, and the heel attachment comprise(s) at least one of leather and metal.   
     
     
         14 . The method of  claim 9 , wherein:
 at least one of the flexible length and the fixing end comprise(s) ribbon.   
     
     
         15 . The method of  claim 9 , wherein:
 the heel protector comprises lace material.   
     
     
         16 . The method of  claim 9 , wherein:
 the elastic portion comprises lace material.