Shoe heel engagement support system and method for using the same

Abstract

A heel engaging support system for use in a shoe may include a heel backing portion; a tongue portion that is generally transverse to the heel backing portion; and at least one predetermined stress concentration line along at least one of the heel backing portion and the tongue portion to facilitate predictable bending of the at least one of the heel backing portion and the tongue portion at the at least one predetermined stress concentration line. The heel backing portion and the tongue portion may be formed from an elastomeric material having a modulus of elasticity for user comfort.

What is claimed is: 
     
         1 . A heel engaging support system for use in a shoe, comprising:
 a heel backing portion that is configured to engage a heel of a wearer of the shoe;   a tongue portion that is generally transverse to the heel backing portion; and   at least one predetermined stress concentration line along at least one of the heel backing portion and the tongue portion to facilitate predictable bending of the at least one of the heel backing portion and the tongue portion at the at least one predetermined stress concentration line, and   wherein the heel backing portion and the tongue portion are formed from an elastomeric material having a modulus of elasticity for user comfort.   
     
     
         2 . The heel engaging support system of  claim 1 , wherein: the heel backing portion includes one or more gripping elements, the one or more gripping elements being configured to engage a heel of a wearer. 
     
     
         3 . The heel engaging support system of  claim 2 , wherein: the one or more gripping elements are transitionable between an expanded state and a contracted state by application of an inflation pressure therein. 
     
     
         4 . The heel engaging support system of  claim 2 , wherein: the one or more gripping elements are releasably secured to the heel backing portion. 
     
     
         5 . The heel engaging support system of  claim 2 , wherein: the one or more gripping elements include a plurality of spaced gripping elements. 
     
     
         6 . The heel engaging support system of  claim 5 , wherein: one or more connecting ribs are disposed between adjacent ones of the plurality of spaced gripping elements. 
     
     
         7 . The heel engaging support system of  claim 1 , wherein: at least one of the heel backing portion and the tongue portion are formed from a material that emits a scent. 
     
     
         8 . The heel engaging support system of  claim 3 , wherein: the gripping elements are inflatable. 
     
     
         9 . The heel engaging support system of  claim 8 , wherein: the gripping elements are puncturable and self-sealing such that following being punctured, fluid within the gripping element remains within the gripping element. 
     
     
         10 . The heel engaging support system of  claim 1 , wherein: a tab extends from the heel backing portion, the tab being configured to fold over a back portion of the shoe to secure the heel engaging support system to the shoe. 
     
     
         11 . The heel engaging support system of  claim 1 , wherein: the tongue portion has a plurality of regions having a height that transitions from a minimum height to a maximum height in a direction toward a centerline extending lengthwise along a length of the tongue portion. 
     
     
         12 . A heel engaging kit comprising:
 a heel backing portion that is configured to engage a heel of a wearer of the shoe;   a tongue portion that is generally transverse to the heel backing portion; and   at least one predetermined stress concentration line along at least one of the heel backing portion and the tongue portion to facilitate predictable bending of the at least one of the heel backing portion and the tongue portion at the at least one predetermined stress concentration line, and   wherein the heel backing portion and the tongue portion are formed from an elastomeric material having a modulus of elasticity for user comfort.   
     
     
         13 . The kit, according to  claim 12 , wherein: the heel backing portion includes one or more gripping elements, the one or more gripping elements being configured to engage a heel of a wearer. 
     
     
         14 . The kit, according to  claim 13 , wherein: the one or more gripping elements are transitionable between an expanded state and a contracted state by application of an inflation pressure therein. 
     
     
         15 . The kit, according to  claim 14 , wherein: the one or more gripping elements are releasably secured to the heel backing portion.