High heel shoe sole construction

Abstract

A sole construction (10) for use in a high heel shoe (60) comprises at least a first skeleton sole (11) formed from a composite material such as a carbon fibre material. The skeleton sole (11) has lasting allowances (15) defined around the perimeter thereof and adapted to receive the edges of a shoe upper (61) when incorporated in a high heel shoe (60). The skeleton sole (11) is further shaped so as to define one or more recesses (16) generally centrally therein. When incorporated into a high heel shoe (60), the enhanced strength, rigidity and flexibility of the sole construction (10) allow for the use of a range of interchangeable heel constructions (30,40,50) having different heel heights.

1 . A sole construction for a high heel shoe, comprising at least a first skeleton sole formed from a composite material and having lasting allowances defined around the perimeter thereof and adapted to receive the edges of a shoe upper, and wherein said skeleton sole is further shaped so as to define one or more recesses generally centrally therein. 
     
     
         2 . A sole construction as claimed in  claim 1 , further comprising a second skeleton sole arranged to underlie said first skeleton sole. 
     
     
         3 . A sole construction as claimed in  claim 2 , wherein said second skeleton sole has a shape complementary to that of the first skeleton sole, and is adapted to engage therewith. 
     
     
         4 . A sole construction as claimed in  claim 2 , wherein said first skeleton sole constitutes an insole and said second skeleton sole constitutes a midsole. 
     
     
         5 . A sole construction as claimed in  claim 1 , wherein said first skeleton sole comprises a substantially flat forefoot area at a first end thereof, a raised heel area at a second end thereof, and an arch area extending therebetween and rising from said forefoot area to said heel area. 
     
     
         6 . A sole construction as claimed in  claim 5 , further comprising a second skeleton sole arranged to underlie said first skeleton sole, wherein said second skeleton sole comprises at least a heel area and optionally an arch area corresponding respectively to the heel area and arch area of the first skeleton sole. 
     
     
         7 . A sole construction as claimed in  claim 5 , wherein said recesses are formed in at least said arch area, and extend generally longitudinally thereof. 
     
     
         8 . A sole construction as claimed in  claim 1 , wherein said composite material is or includes a carbon fibre material. 
     
     
         9 . A sole construction as claimed in  claim 1 , wherein the at least one skeleton sole is further shaped so as to define one or more strengthening ribs, generally centrally therein, said ribs are formed in at least said arch area, and extend generally longitudinally thereof. 
     
     
         10 . (canceled) 
     
     
         11 . A sole construction as claimed in  claim 9 , wherein the height of the one or more ribs is substantially equal to the depth of the one or more recesses. 
     
     
         12 . A sole construction as claimed in  claim 1 , wherein the first skeleton sole is formed from one or more layers of the composite material. 
     
     
         13 . A sole construction as claimed in  claim 12 , wherein said first skeleton sole comprises a substantially flat forefoot area at a first end thereof, a raised heel area at a second end thereof, and an arch area extending therebetween and rising from said forefoot area to said heel area, and wherein the forefoot area is formed from fewer layers of the composite material than is the arch area. 
     
     
         14 . A sole construction as claimed in  claim 1 , further comprising a footbed arranged to overlie said at least one skeleton sole, said footbed being formed of a cushioning material. 
     
     
         15 . A high heel shoe formed with a sole construction as claimed in  claim 1 . 
     
     
         16 . A high heel shoe as claimed in  claim 15 , wherein said shoe does not comprise a metal shank. 
     
     
         17 . A high heel shoe as claimed in  claim 15 , comprising
 a sole construction including at least a first skeleton sole formed from a composite material and having lasting allowances defined around the perimeter thereof and adapted to receive the edges of a shoe upper, and wherein said skeleton sole is further shaped so as to define one or more recesses generally centrally therein,   an upper,   an outsole, and   a heel construction.   
     
     
         18 . A high heel shoe as claimed in  claim 17 , wherein the height of the lasting allowance of the sole construction is substantially equal to the thickness of the upper. 
     
     
         19 . A high heel shoe as claimed in  claim 17 , wherein the heel construction is removeable. 
     
     
         20 . A high heel shoe as claimed in  claim 19 , wherein the heel construction is interchangeable with one or more alternative heel constructions. 
     
     
         21 . A high heel shoe as claimed in  claim 20 , wherein said alternative heel constructions comprise a range of heel constructions of differing height. 
     
     
         22 . (canceled)