Santa Clara resident, Carol Allen has invented a product that will thrill high heel wearers every where. Allen’s “Heel-thyself“ a three-component kit allows women to repair worn heels on their own shoes. The idea was born out of frustration with constant trips to the cobbler’s.
“I’ve tried other repair kits but found them difficult to use, with unsatisfactory results,” Allen said. She claims that finding appropriate-sized taps were impossible. “I always ended up at the cobbler’s anyway.”
“Heel-thyself” supplies all the necessary tools for heel repairs at home; a hammer, taps, and shoe stand. In addition to servicing a wide variety of heel sizes, the product comes packaged in a self-containing fold up case.
Though the idea occurred to Allen seven years ago, it wasn’t until 1996 that she began the process of turning that dream into a reality. “I didn’t know anything about projection molding and manufacturing so I contacted a private patent attorney.” When his efforts proved unsatisfactory, she hired National Inventions Service Inc., an all-purpose product marketing company after seeing their television commercial. Allen expects “Heel-thyself” to be available to the public within a year.
What does this mother of two and former employee of National Semi-Conductors see in her future? More inventions of course, which she prefer to keep secret for now.
"I have a copyright and a few more patents pending. I would like to think that I can make life easier,“ she said.
