US3170249A

US3170249A - Shoe construction with improved heel portion

Info

Publication number: US3170249A
Application number: US337797A
Authority: US
Inventors: Leonard L Taicher
Original assignee: CARESSA Inc
Current assignee: CARESSA Inc
Priority date: 1964-01-15
Filing date: 1964-01-15
Publication date: 1965-02-23
Anticipated expiration: 1982-02-23

Description

Feb. 23, 1965 L. l. 'mici-IER 1 3,170,249

y SHOE CONS-'I'RHC'ITGN WITH IMPROVEIDV HEEL. PORTION Filed Jan. 151, 1964 5 Sheets-Sheet 1 l.. L. TAICHER 3,170,249 'SHOE CONSTRUCTION WITH IMPROVEO'HEEL lPORTION Feb. 23, 1965 5 Sheets-Sheet 2 Filed Jan. 15, 1964 'Leonard L. 72J/'cher ATTORN EYS Feb. 23, 1965 L. l.. 'rAlcHER sHoE CONSTRUCTION WITH IMPRovEo HEEL PORTION Filed Jan. 15, 1964 3 Sheets-Sheet 5 Leonard L. Taicher INVENTOR ATTORNEYS United States Patent 3,170,249 SHOE CONSTRUCTION WITH IMPROVED HEEL PORTION Leonard L. Taicher, Miami, Fla., assigner to Caressa, Inc., a corporation of Florida Filed Jan. 15, 1964, Ser. No. 337,797 I Claims. (Cl. 36-2.5)

when employed in the construction of ladies high-heeledl shoes. Thus, for convenience, the invention is described in connection with such a shoe, subject to the understanding that the invention may be employed with other types of shoes.

In the normal fabrication of shoes, and particularly dress shoes, including high-heeled shoes, the heel area or portion of the shoe is made comparatively rigid to insure maintenance of the desired heel-contour or shape. To this end, it is conventional to employ a stiffening insert or member between the layers or components used in forming the heel of the shoe. Whether a stiffening member or insert is used, or whether some other type of stiffening agent is incorporated, the provision of stiffeners in the heel area generally results in discomfort to the wearer due to rubbing and the like. There thus remains a need for an attractive shoe construction which yields a dress shoe, such as ladys high-heeled shoe, with proper support and appearance in the heel area but without stiffness and resulting discomfort.

The primary object of the present invention is to satisfy the aforesaid need and to provide a shoe wherein the heel forming components render the heel generally soft, but still serve to maintain the proper shape and contour thereof.

Still further, it is a primary object of the present invention to provide an overall ladies high-heeled shoe which insures comfort with continued use through the incorporation in and on the upper of flexible and foot-conforming components made froma suitable conventional material,

such as, of example, leather.

In line with the foregoing objects, it is a specic object of the present invention to achieve the desired results by utilizing a cooperation between respective overlying and underlying heel seam structures of an upper and heel covering member therefor. Still further, in this regard, it is a significant specific object of the present invention to provide such a construction wherein the ,upper and the heel `cover member can be formed of a flexible material such as leather, and can be joined together over the major interface therebetween with the respective heel seam structures thereon disposed in generally abutting alignment whereby the respective seam structures render the desired support in the heel area while still permitting flexibility thereof.

Aside from the preceding general objects, but consistent therewith, it is a further object hereof to provide a shoe construction of the above prescribed type having an upwardly facing opening therein through which the foot of a user can be inserted, and further having elastic means disposed about such opening, but hiddenfrom view by a suitable banding, which elastic `means serves to insure conformity of the shoe to .the footV of ajuser.

In addition to *thev preceding general and specific `obice jects of the present invention, there are certain further objects hereof including:

(a) The provision of a shoe conforming with the preceding objects which incorporates an insole having a medial area thereof cushioned so as to afford comfort to the ball of the users foot;

(b) The provision of such a shoe wherein the upper and heel covering associated therewith can easily be formed from two blanks, and preferably from three blanks by conventional techniques and at minimum cost so as to render the final shoe available within a price range which can be easily tolerated by a normal consumer;

(c) The provision of such a shoe wherein aligned and abutting seam structures, preferably stitched, insure adequate support in the heel area, and yet maintain their flexibility and avoid discomfort in the heel area;

(d) The provision of such a shoe wherein the respective aligned and abutting seam structures are covered with strips having greater flexibility than the material from which the upper and the heel covering are made, which strips prevent the aligned and abutting seam structures from having an overly stiff and harsh feel and which strips tend to distribute the reinforcement afforded by the abutting seamstructures, over a portion of the heel of the shoe;

(e) The provision of such a shoe wherein the upper has lower marginal edge portions secured between an insole member and an outsole member whereby the shoe can be formed on a normal last and in accordance with available mass production techniques;

(f) The provision of such a shoe wherein the upper has a continuous vertical heel seam structure, and the heel cover member has a somewhat shorter seam structure in the lower portion thereof whereby the ultimate shoe appears to have only a relatively short heel seam;

(g) The provision of such a shoe wherein the upper has a foot receiving opening therein, which opening is bound by a banding comprising folded under edge portions of the upper blank, and which banding encloses an elastic loop extending about the opening to cause the upper of the shoe to closely conform with the users foot and thereby increase the comfort of the shoe;

-(h) .T he provision of a shoe construction as prescribed ih (g) above wherein the elastic loop takes the form of a elastic ribbon extending entirely about the opening in the upper and being entirely hidden from view in the completed shoe; and,

` (i) The provision of such a shoe which is durable with continued use and attractive in overall appearance.

The invention resides in the combination and arrangement and disposition of the various components of a shoe constructed in accordance herewith, and particularly in the heel forming components thereof.V The invention will be better understood, and objects other than those specically set forth above will become apparent, when consideration is given to the following detailed'description. Such description refers to the annexed drawings presenting preferred andillustrative embodiments of the invention. In the drawings:

FIGURE 1 is a side elevational view of a high-heel shoe constructed in accordance with the present invention;

FIGURE 2 is a side elevational view, partially broken away, of the shoe shown in FIGURE l, FIGURE 2 having been taken from the opposite side of the shoe;

.FIGURE 3 is a bottom View of the shoe shown in FIG- URES 1 and 2;

FIGURE 4 is -a longitudinal sectional View of the sole portions of the shoe shown in FIGURES 1 through 3;

FIGURE 5 is a top plan view of the shoe shown in FIGURES 1 through 3;

FIGURE 6 isa plan View of blank components used 3 to form the upper of a shoe constructed in accordance herewith;

FIGURE 7 is a plan view of a blank used to provide a heel covering member utilized in a shoe constructed in accordance herewith;

FIGURE 8 is a fragmental elevational View of the heel portion of the shoe shown in FIGURESv 1 through 3 with the heel covering member partially folded back;

FIGURE 9 is a fragmental detailed bottom plan view of the heel portion of the shoe such as showing in FIG- URES 1 through 3 with the outsole and heel removed therefrom, and with the margin of a heel covering member partially removed;

FIGURE 10 is an enlarged fragmental detailed sectional view taken on the line 10-10 of FIGURE l;

FIGURE l1 is an enlarged fragmental detailed sectional view taken on the line 11-11 of FIGURE l;

FIGURE 12 is a fragmental detailed sectional view taken on the line 12-12 of FIGURE 2;

FIGURE 13 is a side elevational view of a high-heel shoe constructed in accordance with the modification of the present invention;

FIGURE 14 is a fragmental detailed side elevational view, partially broken away, of the shank portion of the upper shown in FIGURE 13;

FIGURE 15 is a fragmental view taken on the line 15-15 of FIGURE 13 and presenting the bending about the forward portion of the foot receiving opening in the shoe of FIGURE 13; and

FIGURE 16 is a fragmental detailed view partially in section, of a portion of the shoe of FIGURE 13 about the foot receiving opening therein, FIGURE 16 showing the disposition and arrangement of the elastic loop incorporated in the embodiment of FIGURE 13.

As indicated from the preceding description of the figures, two embodiments of the present invention are illustrated in the annexed drawings. The first embodiment is presented in FIGURES l through 12 and the second embodiment in FIGURES 13 through 16. Actually, the basic construction of both embodiments is identical, and the difference between the embodiments resides in the provision of an elastic loop in the construction of FIGURES 13 through 16. Such loop can well be used with the construction of FIGURES 1 through 12, however. Because of such circumstances and in order to facilitate description of the invention, attention is rst directed to the embodiment of FIGURES 1 through 12, and thereafter consideration is given to the modified embodiment.

By referring to FIGURE 1, it will be noted that the shoe shown therein is generally designated by the numeral 2. Such shoe comprises an upper generally designated 4 having a heel covering member generally designated 6 secured to the heel portion thereof, and also having an outsole means generally designated 8 secured to the bottom thereof. The outsole S carries a heel generally designated 10 thereon at the rear end thereof, and further carries, if desired, a steel tap button 12 at the forward or toe end thereof. The particular type of outsole used, like the particular type of heel used, can be varied. In fact, the invention is not concerned with the particular type of outsole or heel, but instead is primarily concerned with the formation of the upper and with the formation of other components associated therewith.

Still, in any event, the outsole Shes a generally ilat forward toe portion 14, a shank portion 16 and a heel portion 18. As shown, and as conventional in ladies high-heeled shoes, the shank portion 16 of the outsole slopes upwardly from the toe portion 14 'and merges into the generally horizontally disposed heel portion 18.

Like the outsole 8, the upper 4 alsophas three portions, namely, a toe enclosing portion 2), a shank portion 22, and a heel portion 24. The upper 4 is preferably formed by a pair of upper sections such as the sections 26 and 2S shown in FIGURE 6. rThe section 26 comprises a leather blank extending from a heel edge 36 forwardly and then into a toe enclosing portion 20, and then rearwardly to the edge 30. The other section 2S comprises an elongate body having respectively

opposite edges

32 and 34 which are ultimately joined to the respective

free edges

30 and 36 of the section 26, as explained more fully below.

By referring to FIGURES 1, 2, 5 and 6 it will be noted that when the edge 32 of the upper section 28 is joined to the edge 30 of the upper section 26, the upper generally comprises a toe enclosing forward body portion and a pair of spaced apart rearwardly extending elongated portions. Consistent with this description, the elongated portions terminate at the respective rear and edges 34 and 36.

The lower marginal portions or margins 38 of the upper sections, or of the sections forming the upper, are turned inwardly in conventional manner. For example, in the heel area, as shown in FIGURE 9, the margins 38 are inwardly turned and gathered or shirred. Disposed in normally overlying relation to the in-turned margins 38 is an insole 40. The insole 40 also has a toe portion, a shank portion, and a heel portion respectively designated in the drawings by the

numerals

42, 44 and 46. The insole 40, however, as shown in FIGURE 4, preferably comprises a generally stiff rear element 48 which merges into a medial softer element 50 at the lower front portion of the shank. Moreover, the insole 40 preferably has a comparatively stiff element 52 which merges with the soft element 5t) at the forward end of the toe portion. It will be noted that the respective stiff, soft and stiff elements 48, Stb and 52 mate with one another in interlocking fashion with the respective elements being tapered and recessed so as to form interts at the junctions between these respective members. Adhesive is used at such junctions to maintain the elements in fixed position or connection with one another.

Secured to the underside of the insole 40 is a conventional shank stiifener 58 formed of some generally nonflexible material, such as steel, wood, or the like. Also, a sock liner 60 is disposed in overlying relation to the insole 40.

Now, if reference is made to FIGURE 2, it will be noted that the in-turned margins 38 of the upper underlie the respective peripheral edges of the insole 40 and are accordingly disposed between the peripheral edges of the insole and the peripheral edges of the outsole 8. At the heel area, where the margins 38 are in-turned and gathered or shirred, such margins are fixed in position by means of adhesive, as well as by mean-s of tacks, such as the tack 62. In the remaining areas of the shoe, no tacks need be used to secure the in-turned margins 38 of the upper to the insole except possibly, if desired, at the toe area.

Preferably, adhesive is used 'both in the securing between the upper face of the in-turned margins 38 and the underface of the insole, and the securing between the lower face of the in-turned margins 33 and the outsole. However, as explained more fully below, in the heel area, certain margins of the heel covering member 6 are interposed between the outsole and the margins 38 of the upper.

With the construction described above, the upper has a heel seam structure which is formed when the

edges

34 and 36 are secured together. It is assumed that the

edges

30 and 32 have already been secured together, as by stitching, to form the side shank seam structure 66. In this instance, the heel seam formed by the

edges

34 and 36, as sewn together, is designated by the numeral 68.

To form the heel seam structure 68, as shown in FIG- URE 10, the vertically extending or

upstanding edge portions

34 and 36 are turned outwardly, i.e., directed rearwardly of the shoe. The seam is then made by stitching joining the out-turned edges, with the out-turn being very small, and preferably as small as possible. The heel seam structure 68 thus includes both the stitching 70, or other suitable joining medium which joins the

portions

34 and 36 along a juncture line, and the out-turned edge portions extending beyond that line. Thus, since the edge portions beyond the juncture line extend toward the rear of the shoe, the seam structure 68 can be considered as facing rearwardly The heel seam structure 68, by virtue of its disposition and nature, serves to provide a certain amount of support in the heel of the shoe. Still, the lsupport provided by the seam structure 68 is insuicient alone to properly permit the construction to maintain its contour and shape with normal use. Moreover, an exposed seam, lsuch as the seam structure 68, is unattractive.

To provide lfor the desired attractive nature of the shoe, and further to insure proper support while still maintaining the heel area soft, the heel cover member 6 is incorporated. This heel cover member is formed from a blank 70 having a generally V-shaped cut-out ornotch 72 in the lower end thereof, and having a pair of

wing sections

74 and 76 disposed symmetrically on opposite sides of the notch 72. The notch 72 extends upwardly from the lower edge of the blank 70 and terminates short of the upper edge thereof. The

wing sections

74 and 76 have vertical edge-s 78 and 80 which extend first generally inwardly in converging sloped relation, then generally horizontally along curved upper portions, and then upwardly terminating at the top edge 84 of the blank 70. The respective

opposite edges

86 and 88 of the notch 72 meet, as at 90, and between this point at the top of the notch and the upper edge 84, the blank 72 is integral between the

respective wing sections

74 and 76.

In accordance with the invention, the respective

opposite edges

86 and 88 are inwardly turned land then stitched together to form a seam structure 92. In this regard, attention is specifically directed to FIGURE 11 Where it -will be noted that the

edges

86 and 88 face inwardly, i.e., toward the out-turned

edges

34 and 36 of the seam 68. The

edges

86 and 88 are sewn or stitched together just as the

edges

34 and 36 are sewn together, that is, along a juncture line with small out-turned portions of the edges extending beyond that line. Since the seam structure 92 includes both the stitching, or other suitable joining medium which joins the

portions

86 and 88 along the juncture line, and the out-turned edge portions beyond Ithat line which extend toward the toe or forward end of the shoe, the seam structure 92 can be considered as facing forwardly The heel cover member .6 also has margins 3S (FIG- URE 9) which are inwardly turned just as the margins 38 of the upper are `inwardly turned. The `margins 38 overlie the margins 38 in the heel area when the `shoe is finally constructed.

With the heel cover member 6 having the

respective edges

86 and 88 thereof stitched together to form the seam structure 92, the heel cover member 6 has a contour which generally conforms to the contour of the rear p ortion or heel section 24 of the upper 4. Accordingly, the

margins 38 are so disposed so'as to underlie the margins 38 of the upper, as explained. Moreover, the heel cover` member 6 is so dimensionedfthat the upper tab portion 94 thereof is adapted to be folded `over the top rear edge of the upper, i.e., the top edge portion 96 of the upper.

When thetab portion 94 is so disposed, as shown in FIGURES 2 and l2, then the seam structure 92 formed l between the

edges

86 and 88 is juxtaposed in substantial alignment and abutting overlying relation to the lower end portion or lower section of the seam structure 68. It will posed between the upper end 90 of the notch 72 and the top rear edge of the shoe.

To distribute the seam forces andto insure additional comfort, the

respective seam structures

68 and 92 are preferably covered with

strips

98 and 100. These strips have less flexibility than the material from which the upper blanks and heel covering blank are formed. Preferably, the upper blanks and heel covering blank are formed from leather, and the strips 98 and 18) are formed of pressure sensitive masking tape. Such strips cover the

respective seams

68 and 92 forming a very exible but force-distributing facing between such seams.

When the upper, the insole, the outsole, the heel and the heel covering member are assembled as described above, the ultimate shoe appears as shown in FIGURE l. It will be understood that the same appearance and construction Will result if the upperl blank comprises one section, rather than the two

sections

26 and 28, in which event the side shank seam would be eliminated. Moreover, while it is not necessary in every instance to provide a band about the opening to the shoe, the invention provides lfor folding over the inner edge 102 of the upper blank whether it be formed of one section or two sections, to form a banding about the opening 104 (FIGURE 5) of the iinal shoe. Further, for comfort and appearance, thesock liner 60 is disposed over the insole and such sock liner is made of the same color or of a compatible color with that used for the upper.

The opening 104 and the banding 102 extending thereabout are only generally discussed in this section of the specification. Such opening and such banding, however, are particularly significant with respect to the modified embodiment of the instant invention, as described specically below in connection with FIGURES 13 through 16 inclusive.

It has been found particularly desirable to adhesively secure the heel cover member 6 to the shoe and to also stitch the same to the shoe. To this end, as shown in FIGURE 8, an adhesive 106 is applied to the inside face of the heel cover member 6. This adhesive can be of the pressure sensitive type, but in any event it should be a flexible ltype adhesive, such as a rubber cement. If desired, or necessary, the outer face portion 106 or the rear end of the upper which underlies the heel cover member 6 can have adhesive applied thereto whereby the heel cover member is xed to the underlying portion of the upper with a flexible bond therebetween. For further securing, and for attractiveness in appearance, the heel cover member 6 is further secured to the upper, as along

seams

110 and 112 that extend across and adjacent the side edges of the

wing sections

70 and 72. This further stitching, when coupled with the flexible adhesive bond between the heel cover member and the rear underlying portion of the upper, and when further coupled with the support provided by the abutting

seam structures

68 and 92, insures adequate shape of the heel of the shoe and at the same time renders the heel flexible so as to conform with the foot of the user. Accordingly, the shoe constructed in accordance herewithn'ot only provides an attractive appearance, but in addition'provides maximum com-fort, particularly in the heel area. Further, however, comfort is rendered by the construction of the insole 40 with the soft portion thereof inthe ball portion of the shoe and with the' remaining portion of the insole being stil,A again to insure proper shapingand also, in this instance, to properly receive the in-turned margins of the upper and the heel cover member, and thelatter instance, to also receive tacks.

Still further, the heel section 458 of the insole 40,- being stiif and being made of a suitable material conventionally used for the purpose, provides adequate support for nails used in well known manner to secure the heel 10 to the insole as well as on y the outsole. y

For the ultimate in comfort, it has been found desirable to provide'the sock liner 60 with an elongate sponge or tion thereof-i.e., in that part of the shoe normally engaged by the heel and arch of the user. This pad 114 tends to eliminate any discomfort which may otherwise be encountered in the overlying area of the users foot.

In the preceding paragraphs, attention has been directed to the basic embodiment of the instant invention. Such embodiment is incorporated in the modification hereof presented in FIGURES 13 through 16. By referring to FIGURE 13, it will be noted that the shoe shown therein is again generally designated by the numeral 2. Such shoe comprises an upper 4 having a heel covering member 6 secured to the heel portion thereof and also having an outsole 8 secured to the bottom thereof. The outsole 8 carries a heel 10 thereon at the rear end thereof, and again if desired, the outsole 8 carries a steel tap button at the forward or toe end thereof. In all other respects, the construction shown in FIGURE 13 conforms to the construction described above. The difference between this construction and the construction described above, however, resides in the provision of an elasticized or elastic loop or strip extending about the foot receiving opening 104 in the shoe.

Specifically, as possibly best shown in FIGURE 14, a iat elastic ribbon 110 is incorporated. This ribbon extends entirely and preferably freely through and about the banding 102 which surrounds the foot receiving opening 104 of the shoe. The banding 102 is formed by folding over and inwardly adjacent edge portions of the upper which surround the opening 164 therein. The banding 102 is thus a hollow banding and can be easily folded inwardly, as shown, along the shank and heel portions of the opening. Adjacent the toe portion of the yopening 194, however, the part of the upper which is folded inwardly to form the banding is successively slit at a plurality of closely spaced locations. More specifically, in this regard, attention is directed to FIGURE l5. From this figure, it will be noted that the inturned portion of the banding 1112 has its edges slit, the respective slits being designated by the numeral 112. The slits are disposed closely adjacent to one another and are provided so as to permit the inward folding described without Vwrinkling or bulging of the inwardly folded material.

In line with the preceding discussion, the banding 102 can be regarded as consisting of an outer portion 114 and an inner portion 116. The outer portion 114 and the inner portion 116 are integrally formed and both constitute part of the upper adjacent the foot receiving opening 104. However, consi-stent with this explanation, the portion 116 is folded inwardly over the portion 114i` so that a hollow banding is formed between the respective portions. To this end, the portion 116 is stitched at its lower edge to the underlying portion 114 as along the double seam 118. Prior to such stitching, and in fact prior to the inward folding if desired, the elastic band 110 is inserted in position. Thus, when the portion 116 is folded inwardly over the portion 114, the flat elastic band 11i) is sandwiched between the

respective portions

114 and 116. When the stitching along the double seam 118 is provided about. the shoe or the banding 162 thereof, then the elastic band 11@ is fixed in its desired position, and freely disposed within the banding 1112.

FIGURE 16 best presents the hollow construction of the banding 102. By referring to such figure, itwill be noted that the elastic band 11@ is essentially disposed within a hollow tube formed by the respective portions of the banding 102. Actually, FIGURE 16 is greatly exaggerated to illustrate the invention, and in actual practice, the inner portion 116, the elastic band 111i, and the outer portion 114 would be in contacting successive engagement without the spacing as shown in FIGURE 16.

It will be understood that the elast-ic band 110 has an elasticity which maintains the shoe in its desired normal shape. If stretched from such shape outwardly during insertion of the users foot, then the elastic band 11@ causes the shoe to tend to return to its original contour. The elastic band thus maintains the shape of the shoe, and fur-ther makes the same snug with the foot of the user so as to enhance the comfort thereof. Still, it will be appreciated that the shoe is completely operative without the elastic band, and that the same constitutes but a preferred modiiication of the basic arrangement.

The elastic band has been described immediately above and presented in FIGURES 13 through 16 as a dat band. However, it is to be understood that the band can be circular, oval, or of other desirable cross-sectional shape without departing from the invention and depending on the iiexibility of the leather and other structural conditions. Similarly, it is to be understood that while the banding 1&2 has been shown and described as having its lower edges stitches together (stitches 118), adhesives can be substituted for the stitching to secure the folded over portion 116 to the other underlying portion 114 of the banding.

Since the disposition, arrangement and construction of the elastic band 11) has been described in considerable detail in the immediately preceding paragraphs, and since the shoe construction of the modification of FIGURES 13 through 16 corresponds to the basic construction previously described, it appears unnecessary to repeat the details. In general, the shoe of FIGURES 13 through 16 is made exactly in the same manner as the shoe of FIG- URES l through 12, but the elastic band 110 is incorporated and the banding 192 is formed so as to encase such elastic band hiding the same from view in normal use. Of course, the heel covering tab and heel seam structure emphasized above would be used in the construction of FIGURES 13 through 16, with the folding over operation connected therewith not in any way intel'- fering with the provision of the elastic band.

Having now described illustrative embodiments of the invention, it will be appreciated that the objects set forth at the outset of the present specification have been satisfactorily achieved. Accordingly, what is claimed is:

l. A shoe structure comprising:

(a) an outsole member;

(b) a heel secured to said outsole member at one end thereof;

(c) an insole overlying :the inner surface of said outsole member, said insole having a toe, shank and heel portion thereon;

(d) an upper having lower margins thereon secured ybetween said outsole member and said insole;

(e) said upper comprising first and second sections,

(l) said first section comprising a toe covering portion and rearwardly extending side portions,

(2) one of said side portions having an edge disposed above said heel along a medial longitudinal axis of said upper and the other side portion having an edge disposed laterally of said longitudinal axis and above said shank portion of said insole,

(3) said second section comprising a member having respectively opposite edges stitched to said first section along the edges of said one and said other side portions, to form respective heel and shank seam structures in said upper;

(f) an upper heel covering blank having a V-notch therein extending from the bottom portion thereof to the mid-section thereof and a pair of integral wings extending on opposite sides of said tl-notch,

(l) said V-notch being sewn along the edges thereof to form a seam structure so as to conform said heel covering blank to the contour of upper along the heel portion thereof; and,

g) said upper heel covering blank being stitched to said upper whereby said seam structure of said heel covering blank ovcrlies said heel scam structure of said upper, and the wings of said heel covering blank 'being attached to :said upper symmetrically about the medial longitudinal axis of said upper. 2. A shoe structure as defined in claim 1 wherein said upper includes al foot lreceiving opening therein, wherein the edge portions of said upper adjacent said foot receiving openingare folded over and inwardly to form a banding about said opening, wherein said over and inwardly folded portions of said upper adjacent' said opening are stitched together at the base of said banding, and wherein an elastic loop is disposed within said banding. Y

3. A shoe structure comprising: (a) a sole member; (b) va heel secured to said sole member at one end thereof; t v (c) an insole overlying the inner surface of said sole member, said insole having a toe, shank Vand heel portion thereon;

(d) an upper having margins at the lower portionV thereof inwardly bent and secured between said sole member and said insole;

(e) said upper having :first and second edges outwardly turned and sewn together above said heel and along the medial longitudinalaxis of the shoe;

(f) an upper heel covering member comprising a pair of integral laterally extending wing portions and a vertically extending top portion centrally disposed on said upper heel covering member,

(1) a notch in said upper heel covering member disposed below said top portion and having inwardly turned edges thereof sewn together so as to provideavertically extending inwardly turnedseam lstructurevoverlying said'V first and second edges of said upper;

(g) said upper heel covering member and said upper being sewn together along the outer edges of said laterally extending Wingportions so that the innerv surface of said upper heel covering member andu the outer surface` of said upper are in superposed relation. v

4. The shoe structure of claim 3 wherein:

(a) the vertically extending top portionof said upper `heel covering member is folded over and` secured to the inner surface of said upper so as to partially cover the inner side of said outwardly turned edges of said upper.

5. The shoe structure of claim 3 further including:

(a) a pressure sensitive'adhesive strip of greater flexibility than said upper heelV covering member secured thereto on the inner surface thereof in covering relation to said inwardly turned edges.'

6. The shoe structure of claimV 5 wherein said upper heel covering member is Jprovided with an adhesive coat-` Y FRANK i. COHEN, Examinar.

ing on the inner surface thereof for securing the same on the outer surface of said upper.

7; A shoe comprising: sole meansY having respective forward and rearward I ends;

a heel secured at the rearward end of said sole means;

form a first rearwardly facing upstanding seamv structure;

an upper heel covering member having spaced apart upper and lower edges and a notch extending upwardly from said lower edge and terminating short of said upper edge; e

said notch dividing said member into a pair of wings disposed on opposite sides of said notch;

said notch edges being joined together facing forwardly to form a second upstanding seam structure;

said upper heelcovering member being attached at the rearward end of said shoe with said second seam structure facing forwardly and said wings secured to said upper;

said first and second seam structures thus being juxtaposed in substantial alignment at the rearward end of said shoe and above said heel.

8. A shoe as defined inclaim 7 wherein the lower edge of said upper heel coveringV member is folded for- Y wardly and is secured between said upper and said sole means. Y

9. A shoe asV defined in claimS, wherein the upper edge of said upper heel covering member is folded over e the top marginal edge of said upper and is secured along the interior surface of said upper.

10. A shoe as defined in claim 7 but further characterized by flexible pressure sensitive adhesive strip means interposed betweensaid iirst and second seam Examiner.

Huberrnan e L36--51 p. JORDAN FRANKLIN, Primary

Claims

1. A SHOE STRUCTURE COMPRISING: (A) AN OUTSOLE MEMEBR; (B) A HEEL SECURED TO SAID OUTSOLE MEMBER AT ONE END THEREOF; (C) AN INSOLE OVERLYING THE INNER SURFACE OF SAID OUTSOLE MEMBER, SAID INSOLE HAVING A TOE, SHANK AND HEEL PORTION THEREON; (D) AN UPPER HAVING LOWER MARGINS THEREON SECURED BETWEEN SAID OUTSOLE MEMBER AND SAID INSOLE; (E) SAID UPPER COMPRISING FIRST AND SECOND SECTIONS, (1) SAID FIRST SECTION COMPRISING A TOE COVERING PORTION AND REARWARDLY EXTENDING SIDE PORTION, (2) ONE OF SAID SIDE PORTIONS HAVING AN EDGE DISPOSED ABOVE SAID HEEL ALONG A MEDIAL LONGITUDINAL AXIS OF SAID UPPER AND THE OTHER SIDE PORTION HAVING AN EDGE DISPOSED LATERALLY OF SAID LONGIUTDINALLY AXIS AND ABOVE SAID SHANK PORTION OF SAID INSOLE, (3) SAID SECOND SECTION COMPRISING A MEMBER HAVING RESPECTIVELY OPPOSITE EDGES STITCHED TO SAID FIRST SECTION ALONG THE EDGES OF SAID ONE AND SAID OTHER SAID PORTIONS, TO FORM RESPECTIVE HEEL AND SHANK SEAM STRUCTURES IN SAID UPPER; (F) AN UPPER HEEL COVERING BLANK HAVING A V-NOTCH THEREIN EXTENDING FROM THE BOTTOM PORTION THEREOF TO THE MID-SECTION THEREOF AND A PAIR OF INTEGRAL WINGS EXTENDING ON OPPOSITE SIDES OF SAID V-NOTCH, (1) SAID V-NOTCH BEING SEWN ALONG THE EDGES THEREOF TO FORM A SEAM STRUCTURE SO AS TO CONFORM SAID HEEL COVERING BLANK TO THE CONTOUR OF UPPER ALONG THE HEEL PORTION THEREOF; AND, (G) SAID UPPER HEEL COVERING BLANK BEING STITCHED TO SAID UPPER WHEREBY SAID STEM STRUCTURE OF SAID HEEL COVERING BLANK OVERLIES SAID HEEL SEAM STRUCTURE OF SAID UPPER, AND THE WINGS OF SAID HEEL COVERING BLANK BEING ATTACHED TO SAID UPPER SYMMETRICALLY ABOUT THE MEDIAL LONGITUDINAL AXIS OF SAID UPPER.