The US design patents covering the ornamental aspects of the TIEKS™ ballerina flats do not explain why TIEKS™ ballerina flats are so comfortable, practical, and stylish. Such aspects of the TIEKS™ re-invented ballerina flats are the purview the United Nations, World Intellectual Property Organization (WIPO) utility patent WO2013022466A1, titled Split sole footwear.
The WIPO patent recites how TIEKS™ ballerina shoes were invented to reconcile modern women’s shoe dilemmas, such as the tradeoff between comfort and style, or between lightweight portability and support or durability. In other words, the inventors found a need for much improvement in the design of existing foldable-portable ballerina-type shoes. Improvements in terms of being able to use these types of shoes on hard or rugged surfaces, without wearing out the soles, thereby extending their durability and also enhancing both comfort and style. For example, TIEKS™ foldable ballerinas have a greater overall spring constant, preferably comprised between 0.55 kilogram-force/inch and 0.65 kilogram-force/inch, designed to provide more support and comfort for prolonged periods of wear. Using augmented manufacturing processes, such improvements thus informed the re-invention of the TIEKS™ split sole ballerina flats. A ballerina flat where the toe cavity tucks into the heel cavity, when the shoe is folded on an axis running between the two parts of the split sole.
For improved comfort, durability and style, specifically designed to resolve the abovementioned dilemmas, TIEKS™ ballerina flats comprise three soles: the signature, Robin’s egg-blue split sole, comprising a forefoot outsole patch and a heel outsole patch; a midsole stitched to the upper, and a separately inserted insole, with foam inlay, tapered cushioning and arch support, enabling the possibility of further bypassing the elasticized upper rim, around the heel portion, in view of enhancing comfort.
The above patent Figure 6, shows a cross-sectional view of the invention ballerina flat, in an extended state. Figure 6 further depicts a toe portion 70 and a heel portion 68, with a section 32 between the two, enabling the ballerina flat to fold on an axis within the space 32. Below the Figure 6, two additional cross-sectional views, each respectively detailing the sole regions 6A-6A in the toe section 70, and 6B-6B of the heel section 68, indexed in Figure 6.
Specifically, from top to bottom, the Figures 6A and 6B show the insole 30, with an added foam inlay 44, running the full length of the ballerina flat (shown in Figure 6), the midsole 8, and between the midsole 8 and foam inlay 44, on the heel portion 68 of the ballerina flat, a tapered cushion insert 46, designed to further absorb impact when walking on hard surfaces. The cushion insert 46, wedged between the midsole 8 and foam inlay 44, has a maximum thickness of 8 mm, at the one end 78 (indexed in Figure 6), of the heel portion 68, of the ballerina flat. The tapered engineering of the cushion insert 46 provides added lift and comfort, whereas the rigidity of the cushion insert 46 provides added durability. The cushion insert has a Shore A hardness, preferably comprised between 60 and 70, and a density, preferably comprised between 0.50 g/cm3 and 0.70 g/cm3. Finally, the two Figures 6A and 6B, depict the two separate outsole patches 26 and 24 of the split sole, directly interfacing the ground. For added durability, the outsole patches 26 and 24 are designed with grooves (non- depicted), within which to accommodate the seam stitching, and thereby protect the stitching from wear.
The patent also discloses the black drawstring pouch designed for stowing the folded ballerina flats. The signature blue tote for carrying an extra pair of shoes is also recited in this patent.
Below, a YouTube video highlighting a few testimonials in regard to the TIEKS™ re-invented ballerina flats.
Below, the abstract of the TIEKS split sole footwear invention.
A shoe comprising an upper forming an interior portion for a foot, the interior portion including toe and heel cavities, is provided. The shoe further comprises a midsole having toe and heel ends and inner and outer sides. The midsole is stitched to the upper thereby forming a bottom to the interior portion. Heel and toe outsole patches are respectively stitched onto the midsole. An insole is affixed to the bottom of the interior portion. A spacing between the heel and toe outsole patches extends from the inner to the outer side and occupies a position intermediate the toe and heel ends thereby permitting the shoe to fold about an axis running through the spacing. The shoe folds between an extended state, in which the shoe is worn, and a folded state in which a portion of the upper comprising the toe cavity is tucked into the heel cavity. [Abstract WO2013022466A1]
Reference
TIEKS by Gavrieli (website)
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