Heel insert

Abstract

The heel insert is an insert for an article of footwear, such as a shoe or a boot. The heel insert includes a main body member having an arcuate cross-sectional contour and defining a concave inner surface and a convex outer surface. The concave inner surface is adapted for contacting and supporting the wearer's heel, ankle and Achilles tendon, and the convex outer surface is adapted for contacting a rear, inner surface of the article of footwear. The main body member has opposed top and bottom ends, with an inwardly extending flange being formed on the bottom end. One or more recesses or notches are formed in the flange. The main body member is preferably formed from a high-density polyethylene hydrophobic material with a thickness of about 0.5 mm.

I claim: 
     
         1 . A heel insert, comprising a main body member having an arcuate cross-sectional contour and defining a concave inner surface and a convex outer surface, the main body member having opposed top and bottom ends, an inwardly extending flange being formed on the bottom end, and at least one notch being formed in the flange. 
     
     
         2 . The heel insert as recited in  claim 1 , wherein the main body member comprises a high-density polyethylene hydrophobic material. 
     
     
         3 . The heel insert as recited in  claim 2 , wherein the main body member has a thickness of about 0.5 mm. 
     
     
         4 . The heel insert as recited in  claim 1 , wherein the at least one notch comprises a plurality of notches. 
     
     
         5 . A heel insert, comprising a main body member having an arcuate cross-sectional contour and defining a concave inner surface and a convex outer surface, the main body member having opposed top and bottom ends, an inwardly extending flange being formed on the bottom end, a plurality of notches being formed in the flange, wherein the main body member comprises a high-density polyethylene hydrophobic material. 
     
     
         6 . The heel insert as recited in  claim 5 , wherein the main body member has a thickness of about 0.5 mm.