Heel grip insert

Abstract

Heel grip inserts and related methods are disclosed herein. In some embodiments, a heel grip insert may include first and second receptacles. The first receptacle may be to receive a heel of a foot, and may be defined by an under-foot portion, a back portion extending away from the under-foot portion, and opposing side portions joining the under-foot and back portions. The second receptacle may be to receive a heel collar of a shoe, and may be defined by the back portion and a lip portion, the lip portion angled away from the first receptacle. Other embodiments may be described and/or claimed.

What is claimed is: 
     
         1 . A heel grip insert, comprising:
 a first receptacle for receiving a heel of a foot, the first receptacle defined by an under-foot portion, a back portion extending away from the under-foot portion, and opposing side portions joining the under-foot and back portions; and   a second receptacle for receiving a heel collar of a shoe, the second receptacle defined by the back portion and a lip portion, the lip portion angled away from the first receptacle.   
     
     
         2 . The heel grip insert of  claim 1 , wherein the lip portion includes an embellishment object. 
     
     
         3 . The heel grip insert of  claim 2 , wherein the embellishment object is positioned at least in part above the heel when the heel is received in the first receptacle. 
     
     
         4 . The heel grip insert of  claim 2 , wherein the embellishment object is positioned at least in part above the heel collar when the heel collar is received in the second receptacle. 
     
     
         5 . The heel grip insert of  claim 2 , wherein the embellishment object is formed integrally with the lip portion. 
     
     
         6 . The heel grip insert of  claim 2 , wherein the embellishment object is formed integrally with the back portion. 
     
     
         7 . The heel grip insert of  claim 2 , wherein the embellishment object is a three-dimensional representation of a heart shape, wings, bow, flower, jewel, studs, or spike. 
     
     
         8 . The heel grip insert of  claim 2 , further comprising a coating on the embellishment object, wherein the coating comprises paint, glitter, leather, fur, jewels, or one or more metallic elements. 
     
     
         9 . The heel grip insert of  claim 1 , wherein the back portion has a thickness between approximately 0.25 inches and 0.625 inches. 
     
     
         10 . The heel grip insert of  claim 1 , wherein the second receptacle is dimensioned to snugly secure a heel collar of a woman's dress shoe. 
     
     
         11 . The heel grip insert of  claim 1 , wherein the first and second receptacles are integrally formed. 
     
     
         12 . The heel grip insert of  claim 1 , wherein the first receptacle is formed from a rubber or rubber-like material. 
     
     
         13 . The heel grip insert of  claim 1 , wherein the first receptacle has a first surface oriented towards the heel when the heel is received in the first receptacle, and wherein the first surface has a grip-providing texture to help secure the first receptacle against the heel. 
     
     
         14 . The heel grip insert of  claim 1 , wherein the heel grip insert does not include an adhesive. 
     
     
         15 . A method of manufacturing a heel grip insert, comprising:
 providing a first receptacle in an assembly for receiving a heel of a foot, the first receptacle defined by an under-foot portion, a back portion extending away from the under-foot portion, and opposing side portions joining the under-foot and back portions; and   providing a second receptacle in the assembly for receiving a heel collar of a shoe, the second receptacle defined by the back portion and a lip portion, the lip portion angled away from the first receptacle.   
     
     
         16 . The method of  claim 15 , wherein providing the first receptacle and providing the second receptacle are performed as part of a single injection molding operation. 
     
     
         17 . The method of  claim 15 , further comprising:
 providing an embellishment object to the lip portion.   
     
     
         18 . The method of  claim 17 , wherein providing the second receptacle and providing the embellishment object are performed as part of a single injection molding operation. 
     
     
         19 . The method of  claim 17 , further comprising:
 providing a coating on the embellishment object, wherein the coating comprises paint, glitter, leather, fur, jewels, or one or more metallic elements.   
     
     
         20 . The method of  claim 15 , wherein the second receptacle is dimensioned to snugly secure a heel collar of a woman's dress shoe.