Replaceable Heel System
A Replaceable Heel System comprised of a stub attached to the lower surface rearward portion of the sole of a shoe, a plurality of replaceable heels of various heights, sizes and colors, end caps configured to attach to the stub or the heels and a coupling assembly configured to removably couple the stub and the replaceable heels.
1. Field of the Invention
The present invention relates to a Replaceable Heel System and more particularly pertains to providing a system for removably coupling a heel to a sole of a high heel shoe and for changing the heel on the sole of the high heel shoe at the discretion of the wearer as a function of a wearer's comfort and style preference. The changing being performed in a quick, convenient and economical manner.
2. Description of the Prior Art
The use of changeable heels for shoes is known in the prior art. More specifically, changeable heels previously devised and utilized for the purpose of changing the heel height and style of a shoe are known to consist basically of familiar, expected, and obvious structural configurations, notwithstanding the myriad of designs encompassed by the crowded prior art which has been developed for the fulfillment of countless objectives and requirements.
By way of example, U.S. Pat. No. 4,805,320 to Goldenberg et al. discloses a shoe with exchangeable heel. U.S. Pat. No. 5,347,730 to Rodriguez Colon discloses a low heel to high heel shoe and vice versa with an adjustable shank. U.S. Pat. No. 7,185,448 to Schupbach discloses a shoe with interchangeable heel members. Lastly, U.S. Pat. No. 6,700,835 to Militello discloses a shoe and replaceable heel.
While these devices fulfill their respective, particular objectives and requirements, the aforementioned patents do not describe a replaceable heel system that allows for removably coupling a heel to a sole of a high heel shoe and for changing the heel on the sole of the high heel shoe at the discretion of the wearer as a function of a wearer's comfort and style preference. The removably coupling and changing being performed in a quick, convenient and economical manner.
In this respect, the Replaceable Heel System according to the present invention substantially departs from the conventional concepts and designs of the prior art, and in doing so provides an apparatus primarily developed for the purpose of removably coupling a heel to a sole of a high heel shoe and for changing the heel on the sole of the high heel shoe at the discretion of the wearer as a function of a wearer's comfort and style preference. The removably coupling and changing being performed in a quick, convenient and economical manner.
Therefore, it can be appreciated that there exists a continuing need for a new and improved Replaceable Heel System which can be used for removably coupling a heel to a sole of a high heel shoe and for changing the heel on the sole of the high heel shoe at the discretion of the wearer as a function of a wearer's comfort and style preference. The removably coupling and changing being performed in a quick, convenient and economical manner. In this regard, the present invention substantially fulfills this need.
SUMMARY OF THE INVENTIONIn view of the foregoing disadvantages inherent in the known types of changeable heel systems now present in the prior art, the present invention provides an improved Replaceable Heel System. As such, the general purpose of the present invention, which will be described subsequently in greater detail, is to provide a new and improved Replaceable Heel System and method which has all the advantages of the prior art and none of the disadvantages.
To attain this, the present invention essentially comprises a sole having an upper surface and a lower surface. The lower surface has a forward portion positionable on ground and a rearward portion spaced a first distance above ground. A stub is attached to the lower surface rearward portion of the sole. The stub has an upper end and a lower end separate by a first length of between 25 percent and 90 percent of the first distance. The stub has an exterior surface with a planar front face in the form of a truncated triangle. A replaceable heel is provided having an interior and an exterior surface. The replaceable heel is hollow with a second length, longer than the first length of the stub. The interior of the replaceable heel is of a size and shape corresponding to the exterior surface of the stub. A coupling assembly removably couples the stub and the replaceable heel. A heel cap is attached to the bottom of the heel.
There has thus been outlined, rather broadly, the more important features of the invention in order that the detailed description thereof that follows may be better understood and in order that the present contribution to the art may be better appreciated. There are, of course, additional features of the invention that will be described hereinafter and which will form the subject matter of the claims attached.
In this respect, before explaining at least one embodiment of the invention in detail, it is to be understood that the invention is not limited in its application to the details of construction and to the arrangements of the components set forth in the following description or illustrated in the drawings. The invention is capable of other embodiments and of being practiced and carried out in various ways. Also, it is to be understood that the phraseology and terminology employed herein are for the purpose of descriptions and should not be regarded as limiting.
As such, those skilled in the art will appreciate that the conception, upon which this disclosure is based, may readily be utilized as a basis for the designing of other structures, methods and systems for carrying out the several purposes of the present invention. It is important, therefore, that the claims be regarded as including such equivalent constructions insofar as they do not depart from the spirit and scope of the present invention.
It is therefore an object of the present invention to provide a new and improved Replaceable Heel System which has all of the advantages of the prior art changeable heel systems and none of the disadvantages.
It is another object of the present invention to provide a new and improved Replaceable Heel System which may be easily and efficiently manufactured and marketed.
It is further object of the present invention to provide a new and improved Replaceable Heel System which is of durable and reliable constructions.
It is a still further object of the present invention to provide a new and improved Replaceable Heel System which has a coupling mechanism of durable and reliable constructions providing a safe and simple means of coupling the replaceable heel to the shoe.
An even further object of the present invention is to provide a new and improved Replaceable Heel System which is susceptible of a low cost of manufacture with regard to both materials and labor, and which accordingly is then susceptible of low prices of sale to the consuming public, thereby making such Replaceable Heel System economically available to the buying public.
Even still another object of the present invention is to provide a Replaceable Heel System for removably coupling a heel to a sole of a high heel shoe and for changing the heel on the sole of the high heel shoe at the discretion of the wearer as a function of a wearer's comfort and style preference without the need for special tools. The changing being performed in a quick, convenient and economical manner.
A feature of the present invention is to provide a replaceable heel system allowing for the replacement of the heel caps by the wearer as a function of style or in the event of damage caused by normal wear.
Another feature of the system is to provide a heel stub which with the addition of a heel cap can be worn without a heel attached.
Lastly, it is an object of the present invention to provide a new and improved replaceable heel system in which the wearer can safely and easily exchange heels of different heights, styles or colors without the need for special tools.
These together with other objects of the invention, along with the various features of novelty which characterize the invention, are pointed out with particularity in the claims annexed to and forming a part of this disclosure.
For a better understanding of the invention, its operating advantages and the specific objects attained by its uses, reference should be had to the accompanying drawings and descriptive matter in which there is illustrated the preferred embodiments of the invention.
The invention will be better understood and objects other than those set forth above will become apparent when consideration is given to the following detailed description thereof. Such description makes reference to the annexed drawings wherein:
The same reference numerals refer to the same parts throughout the various Figures.
With reference now to the drawings, and in particular to
The present invention, the Replaceable Heel System 10 is comprised of a plurality of components. Such components in their broadest context include a stub attached to the lower surface rearward portion of the sole of a shoe, a plurality of replaceable heels of various heights, sizes and colors, end caps configured to attach to the stub or the heels and a coupling assembly configured to removably couple the stub and the replaceable heels. Such components are individually configured and correlated with respect to each other so as to attain the desired objective.
The preferred embodiment is a replaceable heel system 10 for a high heel shoe. The system is adapted for removably coupling a heel 12, 14, 58 to a sole 16 of a high heel shoe and for changing the heel on the sole of the high heel shoe as a function of a wearer's comfort and style preference. The system comprising, in combination, a sole having a front end 20 forwardly and a rear end 22 rearwardly separated by a length, an interior edge and an exterior edge separated by a width. The sole has a periphery encompassing the front end and rear end and interior edge and exterior edge and an upper surface 28 and a lower surface 30. The upper surface is adapted to receive a foot of a wearer. The lower surface has a forward portion 32 positionable on a ground surface and a rearward portion 34 spaced above the ground by a first height equal to a first distance of between 1 and 4 inches. Next provided is an upper 38 having a lower peripheral opening 40 and an upper peripheral opening 42. The lower peripheral opening is attached to the periphery of the sole and is adapted to accommodate a foot of a wearer when the putting on and taking off the shoe. A stub 46 is attached to the lower surface of the sole and has an upper end 48 and a lower end 50 separated by a length of between 25 percent and 90 percent of the first distance. The stub has an exterior surface with a planar front face 52 in the form of a truncated triangle.
A plurality of replaceable heels 12, 14, 58 are provided, each replaceable heel configured with an interior 60 and an exterior 62. Each replaceable heel is hollow forming an interior chamber. The interior of each replaceable heel being of a size and shape corresponds to the exterior surface of the stub. Each replaceable heel has a top 64 and a bottom 66 separated by a second height of a second distance less than the first distance. Each replaceable heel has an upwardly extending chamber located at the bottom of the heel.
Next provided is a cap 70 formed with an upwardly extending projection 72 positionable in the chamber at the bottom of an associated replaceable heel. The cap has a downwardly extending component 74 adapted to provide an appearance of an extension of the associated replaceable heel. The downwardly extending component has a third height of a third distance. The first distance being the sum of the second distance and the third distance.
Lastly provided is a coupling assembly between the stub and each replaceable heel. The coupling assembly including a cavity 78 in a rectangular configuration formed in the planar front face of the stub. The coupling assembly includes an outer aperture 80 in a rectangular configuration formed through the planar front face of each replaceable heel. The coupling assembly also includes a button 82 with a leaf spring 84. The leaf spring extends upwardly from the button resiliently coupling the button to the interior surface of the stub. The button has a left edge and a parallel right edge, a top edge and a parallel bottom edge. The button is movable between an extended locking orientation and a depressed unlocked orientation. The button is in the locking position when with the button spring is urged outwardly extending the button through the outer aperture of the replaceable heel. The interior unlocking orientation is achieved by a wearer pushing the button into the cavity of the stub interiorly of the outer aperture of the heel.
In an alternate embodiment shown in
Shoes are an important part of most women's wardrobes. Balancing style and comfort has often caused women to carry additional shoes or suffer from discomfort or frustration from shoes that do not meet their changing fashion and comfort needs during the course of the day or during travel. The replaceable heel system of the current invention will allow the wearer of the shoes to change the style of the shoe to adapt to various situations to which the wearer is exposed quickly and without the need for special tools. For example, when travelling, the wearer could carry one pair of shoes with replaceable heels of various, heights and styles to adapt to the different environments encountered such as airports, business meetings, and entertainment. Heels of different colors could be used to coordinate with daily outfits. The replaceable heel system allows the wearer to wear one base shoe and carry multiple, easily changeable heels that fit easily into smaller spaces such as purses, handbags or carry on cases. The replaceable heel system of the current invention also allows for the replacement of the heel cap for style or as the result of damage caused by wear.
As to the manner of usage and operation of the present invention, the same should be apparent from the above description. Accordingly, no further discussion relating to the manner of usage and operation will be provided.
With respect to the above description then, it is to be realized that the optimum dimensional relationships for the parts of the invention, to include variations in size, materials, shape, form, function and manner of operation, assembly and use, are deemed readily apparent and obvious to one skilled in the art, and all equivalent relationships to those illustrated in the drawings and described in the specification are intended to be encompassed by the present invention.
Therefore, the foregoing is considered as illustrative only of the principles of the invention. Further, since numerous modifications and changes will readily occur to those skilled in the art, it is not desired to limit the invention to the exact construction and operation shown and described, and accordingly, all suitable modifications and equivalents may be resorted to, falling within the scope of the invention.
Claims
1. A replaceable heel system comprising:
- a sole having an upper surface and a lower surface, the lower surface having a forward portion positionable on ground, the lower surface having a rearward portion spaced a first distance above ground;
- a stub coupled to the lower surface, at the rearward portion of the sole, the stub having an upper end and a lower end separate by a first length of between 25 percent and 90 percent of the first distance, the stub having an exterior surface with a planar front face.
- a replaceable heel having an interior and an exterior, the replaceable heel being hollow with a second length, the interior of the replaceable heel being of a size and shape corresponding to the exterior surface of the stub; and
- a coupling assembly between the stub and the replaceable heel.
2. The system as set forth in claim 1 wherein the coupling assembly includes a cavity in a rectangular configuration formed in the planar front face of the stub, the coupling assembly including an outer aperture in a rectangular configuration formed through the planar front face of each replaceable heel, the coupling assembly also including a button with a leaf spring, the leaf spring extending upwardly from the button resiliently coupling the button to the planar front face of the stub adjacent to the cavity, the button being rectangular and movable between an extended locking orientation and a depressed unlocked orientation, the extended locking orientation being with the button spring urged outwardly extending the button to exterior of the outer aperture, the interior unlocking orientation being achieved by a wearer pushing the button into the cavity of the stub interiorly of the outer aperture of the heel.
3. The system as set forth in claim 2 wherein the heel has an upper latitudinal length measured at an area of contact with the sole, and wherein the second length is a vertical longitudinal length measured at a central axis of the heel, and wherein the second length is 110 percent to 350 percent of the first length of the stub.
4. The system as set forth in claim 3, wherein the heel has an upwardly extending chamber formed at the bottom and further including a cap formed with an upwardly extending projection positionable in the upwardly extending chamber at the bottom of an associated replaceable heel, the cap having a downwardly extending component adapted to provide an appearance of an extension of the associated replaceable heel, the downwardly extending component having a third height of a third distance, the first distance being the sum of the second length and the third distance.
5. The system as set forth in claim 2, wherein the stub has an upwardly extending chamber at the bottom and further including a cap formed with an upwardly extending projection positionable in the upwardly extending chamber at the bottom of the stub, the cap having a downwardly extending component adapted to provide an appearance of an extension of the stub.
6. The system as set forth in claim 3, wherein the heel includes a cap, the cap having a downwardly extending component adapted to provide an appearance of an extension of the associated replaceable heel, the downwardly extending component having a third height of a third distance, the first distance being the sum of the second length and the third distance.
7. A replaceable heel system 10 for a high heel shoe, the system adapted for removably coupling a heel 14 to a sole 16 of a high heel shoe and for changing the heel on the sole of the high heel shoe as a function of a wearer's comfort and style preference, the system comprising, in combination:
- the sole having a front end 20 forwardly and a rear end 22 rearwardly separated by a length, the sole having an interior edge and an exterior edge separated by a width, the sole having a periphery encompassing the front end and rear end and interior edge and exterior edge, the sole having an upper surface 28 and a lower surface 30, the upper surface adapted to receive a foot of a wearer, the lower surface having a forward portion 32 positionable on a ground surface, the lower surface having a rearward portion 34 spaced above the ground by a first height equal to a first distance of between 1 and 4 inches;
- an upper 38 having a lower peripheral opening 40 and an upper peripheral opening 42, the lower peripheral opening attached to the periphery of the sole, the upper peripheral opening adapted to accommodate a foot of a wearer when the putting on and taking off the high heel shoe;
- a stub 46 attached to the lower surface of the sole at the rearward surface, the stub having an upper end 48 and a lower end 50 separate by a length of between 25 percent and 90 of the first distance, the stub having an exterior surface with a planar front face 52;
- a plurality of replaceable heels 12, 14, 58, each replaceable heel having an interior 60 and an exterior 62, the interior of each replaceable heel being hollow and forming a chamber, the interior of each replaceable heel being of a size and shape corresponding to the exterior surface of the stub, each replaceable heel having a top 64 and a bottom 66 separated by a second height of a second distance less than the first distance;
- a cap 70 positionable at the bottom of an associated replaceable heel, the cap having a downwardly extending component 74 adapted to provide an appearance of an extension of the associated replaceable heel, the downwardly extending component having a third height of a third distance, the first distance being the sum of the second distance and the third distance; and
- a coupling assembly between the stub and each replaceable heel, the coupling assembly including a cavity 78 in a rectangular configuration formed in the planar front face of the stub, the coupling assembly including an outer aperture 80 in a rectangular configuration formed through the planar front face of each replaceable heel, the coupling assembly also including a button 82 with a leaf spring 84, the leaf spring 84 extending upwardly from the button resiliently coupling the button to the planar front face of the stub, the button having a top edge and a parallel bottom edge, the button having a left edge and a parallel right edge, the button being movable between an extended locking orientation and a depressed unlocked orientation, the extended locking orientation being with the button spring urged outwardly extending the button to exterior of the outer aperture, the interior unlocking orientation being achieved by a wearer pushing the button into the cavity of the stub interiorly of the outer aperture of the heel.
8. The system of claim 7 wherein the replaceable heel has an upwardly extending chamber located at the bottom of the heel and the cap 70 formed with an upwardly extending projection 72 positionable in the upwardly extending chamber at the bottom of the associated replaceable heel, the cap having a downwardly extending component 74 adapted to provide an appearance of an extension of the associated replaceable heel, the downwardly extending component having a third height of a third distance, the first distance being the sum of the second distance and the third distance.
Type: Application
Filed: Jan 11, 2015
Publication Date: Jul 14, 2016
Inventors: Marcela Lopez-Velasquez (Tampa, FL), Ira D. Shandles (Tampa, FL)
Application Number: 14/594,135
