Heel Attachment Device for Footwear

Abstract

A heel attachment device for footwear is provided that includes an elastic section that can stretch in a longitudinal direction of the device. An attachment section is also present that is contiguous with the elastic section. The elastic section can stretch a greater amount in the longitudinal direction than the attachment section.

What is claimed: 
     
         1 . A heel attachment device for footwear, comprising:
 an elastic section that can stretch in a longitudinal direction of the device; and   an attachment section that is contiguous with the elastic section, wherein the elastic section can stretch a greater amount in the longitudinal direction than the attachment section.   
     
     
         2 . The heel attachment device as set forth in  claim 1 , wherein the attachment section is a first attachment section, and further comprising a second attachment section that is attached to the first attachment section through releasable engagement, wherein the elastic section can stretch a greater amount in the longitudinal direction than the second attachment section. 
     
     
         3 . The heel attachment device as set forth in  claim 2 , wherein the first attachment section and the second attachment section have a hook and loop fastener that allows for releasable engagement between the first attachment section and the second attachment section, wherein the hooks of the hook and loop fastener are located on the second attachment section, and wherein the loops of the hook and loop fastener are located on the first attachment section. 
     
     
         4 . The heel attachment device as set forth in  claim 2 , wherein the elastic section is a first elastic section, and further comprising a second elastic section that is contiguous with the first attachment section and the second attachment section and is between the first attachment section and the second attachment section, wherein the second elastic section can stretch a greater amount in the longitudinal direction than the first attachment section and the second attachment section. 
     
     
         5 . The heel attachment device as set forth in  claim 4 , further comprising:
 a third elastic section;   a third attachment section that is contiguous with the first elastic section;   a fourth attachment section that is attached to the third attachment section through releasable engagement, wherein the third elastic section is contiguous with the fourth attachment section and is located between the third attachment section and the fourth attachment section, wherein the third elastic section can stretch a greater amount in the longitudinal direction than the third attachment section and the fourth attachment section.   
     
     
         6 . The heel attachment device as set forth in  claim 5 , wherein the third attachment section and the fourth attachment section have a hook and loop fastener that allows for releasable engagement between the third attachment section and the fourth attachment section, wherein the hooks of the hook and loop fastener are located on the fourth attachment section, and wherein the loops of the hook and loop fastener are located on the third attachment section, wherein the fourth attachment section is located at a terminal end of the device. 
     
     
         7 . The heel attachment device as set forth in  claim 2 , further comprising a tab that is contiguous with the second attachment section, wherein the tab is located at a terminal end of the device. 
     
     
         8 . The heel attachment device as set forth in  claim 1 , wherein the heel attachment device is attached to the footwear, wherein the footwear is worn by a foot of a user, wherein the attachment section and the elastic section directly contact the foot of the user. 
     
     
         9 . The heel attachment device as set forth in  claim 1 , wherein the elastic section has a lower surface that is elastic that directly engages skin of a user's foot when the device is attached to footwear that is worn by the foot of the user. 
     
     
         10 . The heel attachment device as set forth in  claim 1 , wherein a length (r) of the device in the longitudinal direction is determined based on the equation:
     r =[( d− 0.5 inches)+(2( w+ 0.5 inches))+1]*2   wherein the units are in inches;   wherein w is the width of a section of a toe attachment to which the device is attached measured from a front to a back of the section; and   wherein d is the distance from a base of a heel of the footwear to the back of the section.   
     
     
         11 . A heel attachment device for footwear, comprising:
 a first attachment section;   a second attachment section that is attached to the first attachment section through releasable engagement, wherein the first attachment section and the second attachment section have a hook and loop fastener to attach the first attachment section and the second attachment section through releasable engagement.   
     
     
         12 . The heel attachment device as set forth in  claim 11 , wherein the second attachment section is attachable along different areas of the first attachment section to render the attachment between the first and second attachment sections adjustable. 
     
     
         13 . The heel attachment device as set forth in  claim 11 , wherein all of the hooks of the hook and loop fastener are located on the first attachment section, and wherein all of the loops of the hook and loop fastener are located on the second attachment section. 
     
     
         14 . The heel attachment device as set forth  claim 11 , further comprising:
 a first elastic section that is contiguous with the first attachment section, wherein the first elastic section can stretch a greater amount in a longitudinal direction than the first attachment section and the second attachment section; and   a second elastic section that is contiguous with both the first attachment section and the second attachment section, wherein the second elastic section is located between the first attachment section and the second attachment section.   
     
     
         15 . The heel attachment device as set forth in  claim 14 , further comprising:
 a third attachment section that is contiguous with the first elastic section;   a fourth attachment section that is attached to the third attachment section through releasable engagement, wherein the third attachment section and the fourth attachment section have a second hook and loop fastener to attach the third attachment section and the fourth attachment section through releasable engagement; and   a third elastic section that is contiguous with both the third attachment section and the fourth attachment section, wherein third elastic section can stretch a greater amount in the longitudinal direction than the third attachment section and the fourth attachment section.   
     
     
         16 . The heel attachment device as set forth in  claim 15 , wherein the fourth attachment section is attachable along different areas of the third attachment section to render the attachment between the third and fourth attachment sections adjustable. 
     
     
         17 . The heel attachment device as set forth in  claim 11 , wherein the first attachment section elastic section has a lower surface that directly engages skin of a user's foot when the device is attached to footwear that is worn by the foot of the user. 
     
     
         18 . A heel attachment device for footwear, comprising:
 a first elastic section that can stretch in a longitudinal direction of the device, wherein the first elastic section has a lower surface that is elastic that directly engages skin of a user's foot when the device is attached to footwear that is worn by the foot of the user;   a first attachment section that is contiguous with the first elastic section, wherein the first elastic section can stretch a greater amount in the longitudinal direction than the first attachment section;   a second elastic section that can stretch in the longitudinal direction, wherein the second elastic section is contiguous with the first attachment section, wherein the first attachment section is located between the first and second elastic sections, wherein the second elastic section can stretch a greater amount in the longitudinal direction than the first attachment section;   a second attachment section that is contiguous with the second elastic section, wherein the second elastic section is located between the first and second attachment sections, wherein the second attachment section is attached to the first attachment section through releasable engagement, wherein the first attachment section and the second attachment section have a first hook and loop fastener to attach the first attachment section and the second attachment section through releasable engagement, wherein the second attachment section is attachable along different areas of the first attachment section to render the attachment between the first and second attachment sections adjustable;   a third attachment section that is contiguous with the first elastic section, wherein the first elastic section can stretch a greater amount in the longitudinal direction than the third attachment section, wherein the first elastic section is located between the first and third attachment sections;   a third elastic section that can stretch in the longitudinal direction, wherein the third elastic section is contiguous with the third attachment section, wherein the third attachment section is located between the first and third elastic sections, wherein the third elastic section can stretch a greater amount in the longitudinal direction than the third attachment section;   a fourth attachment section that is contiguous with the third elastic section, wherein the third elastic section is located between the third and fourth attachment sections, wherein the fourth attachment section is attached to the third attachment section through releasable engagement, wherein the third attachment section and the fourth attachment section have a second hook and loop fastener to attach the third attachment section and the fourth attachment section through releasable engagement, wherein the fourth attachment section is attachable along different areas of the third attachment section to render the attachment between the third and fourth attachment sections adjustable.