Shoe Heel Counter

Abstract

A counter for a shoe having an upper, a lining configured to be connected with the upper along a top edge of the shoe, a cushioning heel pillow arranged in a position opposite the heel of a wearer's foot, and an insole forming a foot bed of the shoe. The counter includes a member having an upper edge having a cut-out region forming a valley, a lower edge forming an anchor region, and first and second side wings. The counter is configured to be positioned between the lining and the upper at a heel portion of the shoe such that, in an assembled shoe, the first and second side wings wrap around the heel of the shoe and the valley accommodates an extension of the heel pillow therethrough.

What is claimed is: 
     
         1 . A counter for a shoe having an upper, a lining configured to be connected to the upper along a top edge of the shoe, a cushioning heel pillow arranged in a position opposite the heel of a wearer's foot, and an insole forming a foot bed of the shoe, the counter comprising:
 a member having:
 an upper edge having a cut-out region forming a valley, 
 a lower edge forming an anchor region, and 
 first and second side wings, 
   wherein the counter is configured to be positioned between the lining and the upper at a heel portion of the shoe such that, in an assembled shoe, the first and second side wings wrap around the heel of the shoe and the valley accommodates an extension of the heel pillow therethrough.   
     
     
         2 . The counter of  claim 1 , wherein the counter, after molding for fitting into the shoe has, on each of the first and second side wings, an inner concavity. 
     
     
         3 . The counter of  claim 1 , wherein the member comprises leather. 
     
     
         4 . The counter of  claim 1 , wherein the member comprises a synthetic material. 
     
     
         5 . The counter of  claim 1 , wherein member comprises fiberboard. 
     
     
         6 . The counter of  claim 1 , wherein the member comprises a thermoplastic material. 
     
     
         7 . A shoe comprising:
 an upper;   a lining configured to be connected to the upper along a top edge of the shoe;   a cushioning heel pillow arranged in a position opposite the heel of a wearer's foot;   an insole forming a foot bed of the shoe; and   a counter comprising:
 a member having:
 an upper edge having a cut-out region forming a valley, 
 a lower edge forming an anchor region, and 
 first and second side wings, 
 
   wherein the counter is configured to be positioned between the lining and the upper at a heel portion of the shoe such that, in an assembled shoe, the first and second side wings wrap around the heel of the shoe and the valley accommodates an extension of the heel pillow therethrough.   
     
     
         8 . The shoe of  claim 7 , wherein the counter, after molding for fitting into the shoe, has, on each of the first and second side wings, an inner concavity. 
     
     
         9 . The shoe of  claim 7 , wherein the member comprises leather. 
     
     
         10 . The shoe of  claim 7 , wherein the member comprises a synthetic material. 
     
     
         11 . The shoe of  claim 7 , wherein the member comprises fiberboard. 
     
     
         12 . The shoe of  claim 7 , wherein the member comprises a thermoplastic material.