Shoe with detachable heel

Abstract

A shoe including a sole and an upper portion positioned atop the sole. A number of pins extend downwardly from the sole. Two of the pins are flat plates positioned parallel to one another on opposite sides of the sole. Another one of the pins is positioned rearwardly of the first two at the center of the sole. A heel has a number of slots that snugly, yet releasably, receiving the pins.

Description

FIELD OF THE INVENTION

[0001] The present invention relates generally to shoes with detachable heels.

BACKGROUND OF THE INVENTION

[0002] Shoes are a source of pleasure and pain for all. Shoes protect our feet, glamorize our outfits, and accessorize our lives. Shoes, however, occupy a great deal of our closet space and shopping time. Surprisingly, many individuals are so attracted to, and dependent upon, shoes that they that they continue to buy them despite the fact that they own dozens of pairs.

[0003] In order to meet the demands of modern life, some individuals start their days with two pairs of shoes in their possession. Perhaps a pair of shoes with low heels will be worn while commuting to work in comfort and a pair with high heels will be worn at work to alter the appearance of the wearer and increase his stature. Having a single pair of shoes whose heel height can be adjusted would present a welcome relief to these shoe wearers.

[0004] Many designs for shoes with changeable heels have been proposed in the past; but, they have been complex, costly and cumbersome in their construction and have not seen widespread acceptance in the marketplace. A need remains for shoes whose heels can be rapidly detached and replaced by others of any desired height.

SUMMARY OF THE INVENTION

[0005] In light of the problems associated with the known footwear, it is a principal object of the invention to provide a shoe having a heel that can be swiftly and easily detached and exchanged with another of different height. When comfort is needed, a user would select a heel of low height. When more height is required, however, a tall heel would be selected. One shoe will now suffice where two or more were required in the past.

[0006] It is another object of the present invention to provide a shoe of the type described whose heel can be removed and replaced in a matter of seconds, without any tools, special training or extraordinary effort. Thus, the shoe is of practical use to both adults and children.

[0007] It is a further object of the invention to provide a shoe with a detachable heel that is symmetrical about its longitudinal axis to facilitate even wear when exchanged between the right and left shoes of a wearer who pronates or walks with his feet turned outward. Rather than disposing of shoes whose heels are unevenly worn as is now commonplace, the shoes of the present invention permit heel rotation much like the rotation performed with automobile tires to greatly extend their useful lives.

[0008] It is an object of the invention to provide improved elements and arrangements thereof in a shoe for the purposes described which is lightweight in construction, inexpensive to manufacture and dependable in use.

[0009] Briefly, the shoe in accordance with this invention achieves the intended objects by featuring a sole with heel and toe ends. An upper portion extends upwardly from the top of the sole for encircling a foot positioned atop the sole. Three pins extend downwardly from the heel end of the sole. Two of the pins are narrow plates arranged side-by-side on opposite sides of the sole. A third pin is positioned rearwardly of the first two. A heel having slots sized and positioned to snugly receive the pins is detachably joined to the heel end of the sole. A recess in the front of the heel permits such to be easily grasped by a user.

[0010] The foregoing and other objects, features and advantages of the present invention will become readily apparent upon further review of the following detailed description of the preferred embodiment as illustrated in the accompanying drawings.

BRIEF DESCRIPTION OF THE DRAWINGS

[0011] The present invention may be more readily described with reference to the accompanying drawings, in which:

[0012] FIG. 1 is a perspective view of a shoe with a detachable heel in accordance with the present invention.

[0013] FIG. 2 is a side elevational view of the shoe of FIG. 1 with portions broken away.

[0014] FIG. 3 is a top view of a detachable heel for use in the present invention.

[0015] FIG. 4 is a perspective view of a shoe in accordance with the present invention with a heel of extended height, said shoe having portions broken away.

[0016] Similar reference characters denote corresponding features consistently throughout the accompanying drawings.

DETAILED DESCRIPTION OF THE PREFERRED EMBODIMENT

[0017] Referring now to the FIGS., a shoe in accordance with the present invention is shown at 10. Shoe 10 includes a sole 12 with a heel end 14 and a toe end 16. An upper portion 18 extends upwardly from the top of sole 12 for encircling the foot of a user positioned atop sole 12. Three pins 20, 22 and 24 extend downwardly from heel end 14 of sole 12. A heel 26 having slots 28, 30 and 32 sized and positioned to snugly receive pins 20, 22 and 24 is detachably joined to heel end 14 of sole 12. A recess 34 in the front of heel 26 permits heel 26 to be easily grasped and manipulated by a wearer.

[0018] Sole 12 and upper portion 18 are formed of conventional materials and are secured together in a normal manner. Upper portion 18, although illustrated as enclosing only toe end 16 of sole 12 and as having a heel strap 36, may be provided in a form that also fully encloses heel end 14. Upper portion 18 may also be extended upwardly from heel end 14 to enclose the ankle of a wearer in the manner of a boot.

[0019] Pins 20, 22 and 24 extend downwardly in parallel fashion from a base plate 38 affixed to heel end 14 of sole 12. Pins 22 and 24 are narrow plates arranged side-by-side on opposite sides of the centerline of sole 12. Pin 20, however, is provided with a D-shaped cross section and is positioned on the centerline of sole 12 rearwardly of pins 22 and 24. Such a pin arrangement provides fore, aft and lateral stability to heel 26 resisting its detachment from sole 12 during wear of shoe 10.

[0020] To further resist the detachment of heel 26 from sole 12, the bottoms of pins 22 and 24 are specially configured. Pin 22 is provided with a pair of fore and aft fins as at 40 so that it is relatively wider at its bottom than at its top. It is believed that positioning pin 22 at the outside of shoe 10 as shown (shoe 10 being configured for the right foot of a wearer) provides greatest opposition to forces generated by twisting or turning. On the other hand, pin 24 is tapered for relatively easy insertion into heel 26. Both pins 22 and 24 are provided with holes as at 42 at their bottoms to somewhat reduce the weight of shoe 10.

[0021] Detachable heel 26 is formed of rubber or other suitable material. The top of heel 26 is planar and is adapted to engage heel end 14 of sole 12. Apertures 28, 30 and 32 penetrate the top of heel 26 and are spaced and sized to snugly receive pins 20, 22 and 24 therein. Recess 34, positioned remote from apertures 28, 30 and 32, permits a user to grasp heel 26 and pull such from sole 12 when desired. The bottom of recess 34 is provided with a planar lip 44 oriented parallel to the bottom of heel 26 that further facilitates the grasping of heel 26.

[0022] Heel 46 may be substituted for heel 26. Heel 46 is like heel 26 in all respects except that the height of heel 46 is greater than that of heel 26. Thus, heel 46 has apertures in its top for the snug receipt of pins 20, 22 and 24 as well as a recess 48 in its front for ease in grasping.

[0023] Use of shoe 10 is straightforward. Assuming heel 26 is at first detached from sole 12, pins 20, 22 and 24 are aligned with apertures 28, 30 and 32 in heel 26. Then, heel 26 is pressed toward sole 12 until the top of heel 26 is flush with the bottom of sole 12. A snug frictional engagement formed between pins 20, 22 and 24 and heel 26 retains heel 26 in place-no additional fasteners are required for secure heel retention. Shoe 10 is now ready to wear.

[0024] When a shoe 10 of greater height is desired, heel 26 is replaced by heel 46. To accomplish this task, a wearer places his thumb within recess 34 against lip 44 and pulls heel 26 away from sole 12. With moderate effort, pins 20, 22 and 24 are withdrawn from apertures 28, 30 and 32. Heel 46 is, then, substituted for heel 26 and pressed into place upon pins 20, 22 and 24 as illustrated in FIG. 4. Shoe 10, now providing greater stature for a wearer, may be worn normally.

[0025] From the foregoing it will be appreciated that shoe 10 provides great versatility and comfort to a wearer. These benefits, it is believed, will lead many individuals to make shoes with detachable heels a part of their everyday lives.

[0026] While the invention has been described with a high degree of particularity, it will be appreciated by those skilled in the art that modifications may be made thereto. Therefore, it is to be understood that the present invention is not limited to the single embodiment described above, but encompasses any and all embodiments within the scope of the following claims.

Claims

1. A shoe, comprising:

a sole;

an upper portion positioned atop said sole;

a plurality of pins extending downwardly from said sole, two of said pins being flat plates positioned parallel to one another on opposite sides of said sole, and another of said pins being positioned rearwardly of said first two pins at the center of said sole; and,

a heel having a plurality of slots snugly, yet releasably, receiving said pins.

2. A shoe, comprising:

a sole having opposite sides and a center;

an upper portion positioned atop said sole for enclosing the foot of a wearer;

a base plate affixed to said sole;

a plurality of pins extending downwardly from said base plate in parallel fashion, two of said pins being flat plates positioned parallel to one another on opposite sides of said sole, and another of said pins being positioned rearwardly of said first two pins at the center of said sole; and,

a heel having a plurality of slots snugly, yet releasably, receiving said pins.

3. A shoe, comprising:

a sole having opposite sides and a center;

an upper portion positioned atop said sole for enclosing the foot of a wearer;

a base plate affixed to said sole;

a plurality of pins extending downwardly from said base plate in parallel fashion, two of said pins being flat plates positioned parallel to one another on opposite sides of sole, and another of said pins being positioned rearwardly of said first two pins at the center of said sole; and,

a heel having a plurality of slots snugly, yet releasably, receiving said pins, said heel also having a recess in its front permitting such to be easily grasped and manipulated.