HEEL TIP CUSHION WITH ANCHORING MECHANISM INSIDE HEEL STEM

Abstract

A high heel footwear including a top lift having any one or more of a securing feature, an anti-rotation feature, an alignment feature, and a cushioning feature. The securing feature secures the top lift to the heel of the footwear so that during usage, the top lift remains securely in place against the heel stem. The anti-rotation feature prevents rotation of the top lift relative to the heel, particularly when a twisting force is applied to the top lift by the footwear wearer. The alignment feature co-aligns the top lift to the heel, a particularly useful feature when the heel has an irregular or non-regular cross-section. A cushioning feature is also provided, for example, in the form of a honeycomb structure composed of a tire tread material and/or a top composed of a tire tread material having a tire tread pattern for added grip and traction.

Description

FIELD OF THE INVENTION

The present disclosure relates to high heel footwear, and more particularly to a top lift assembly of a heel stem having an anchoring mechanism and a cushioning feature.

BACKGROUND

Existing designs of the heel tip for a high heel have many drawbacks and flaws, including the materials used, design and engineering of the heel tip, and how it is attached to the heel. Heel tips are used for protection against the severe abrasive pressure on the heel during normal walking. Various types of heel tips have been devised, but at the present time, conventional heel tips consist of a hard polyurethane or plastic/rubber mix molded around a metal nail head with the nail stem protruding beyond the polyurethane material. To securely fasten the heel tip to the heel, the nail stem is driven into a bore extending along the inside of the heel.

A large amount of stress and pressure is concentrated on a heel tip from the impact against the ground, especially when walking on uneven or high-friction surfaces such as concrete. Such forces, coupled with the small surface area of the heel, often cause heel tips to wear out or get pulled out of or dislodged from the heel within a few weeks of wear.

When heel tips need to be replaced, most people delay the replacement and continue to walk on worn out heel tips, sometimes wearing the heel tips away completely until remnants of the metal nail head are all that remain. Walking on worn out heel tips involves a variety of adverse and potentially dangerous side effects.

First, the harmful shock waves that are transmitted through the body as the metal nail head hits the surface can cause damage ranging from the feet all the way up to the neck. Second, the nail head can mark, scrape and damage floors. Also, the metal nail head is very smooth, which increases the risk of slipping or falling while walking. As a result, walking on a worn-out heel tip can cause damage to the heel by fraying, erosion, and other destruction from friction. Lastly, the exposed metal nail makes a loud, distinct clicking sound as it strikes the ground during walking which is audibly distracting to the wearer and to others.

Aspects of the present disclosure overcome these and other problems.

BRIEF SUMMARY

Aspects of the present disclosure solve or overcome at least the above-stated problems and disadvantages. Currently, there is no commercially available heel tip that does not wear out within a few weeks of use. A wearer must or ought to replace the heel tips, on average, every 30 days if that heel tip can even stay attached to the heel that long. An objective of aspects of the present disclosure is to provide a stronger heel tip that can take years of use and abuse before it starts to deteriorate, cannot get pulled out of the heel when worn and used and will help to absorb the harmful shock waves that are sent throughout the entire body with every step.

The heel tip is made of longer-wearing, resilient materials. One of these materials protects the body from the harmful shockwaves that are caused by every step, jump or stride that the high-heel wearer takes. It has been demonstrated in several studies that the rubber material of this invention stops the harmful shock waves that accumulate over time as damage to the body from our feet to the base of our skull from the repeated exposure the shock waves caused by daily activity.

Conventional heel tips are made of solid polyurethane, which does not deter the damage from the exposure of the shock waves that can cause numerous chronic injuries. By contrast, according to the present disclosure, some aspects provide a micro honeycomb internal structure in the heel tip to decrease the shock waves the body is absorbing as the high-heel wearer walks, runs or jumps. The micro honeycomb significantly decreases both the amplitude of the high frequency forces and their ability to propagate up into the body thus eliminating chronic pain and injuries that can diminish the high-heel wearer's ability to function at a normal level.

Furthermore, conventional heel tips have a nail or a steel pin that protrudes from the polyurethane material and is hammered or driven into the bore of the heel to hold the heel tip in place against the heel. By contrast, aspects of the present disclosure provide various combinations of anti-rotation, securing, and alignment promoting features to prevent rotation or slippage of the heel tip, secure the heel tip to the heel in a fixed, unmovable manner, and align the heel tip to the heel. According to some aspects of the present disclosure, a threaded insert or expansion anchor can be set in the heel and the heel tip, which can include a square or propeller head screw, with the micro honeycomb structure, is then rotated until the threaded insert locks the screw into place or the expansion anchor opens, locking the screw and heel tip securely into the heel. Optionally, the heel tip can be removed easily, by counter-rotating it, for example, to replace it with a new one or swap it entirely out for a different style.

According to an aspect of the present disclosure, a heel tip assembly is disclosed. The heel tip assembly is configured to be coupled with a heel of a high heel footwear. The heel tip assembly includes a top lift portion having a top portion made of a tire tread material, a central portion arranged as a honeycomb pattern, and a base portion configured to abut an end of the heel of the high heel footwear. The central portion is configured to compress under a load. The top heel tip assembly includes a rigid shaft member extending away from the base portion and configured to be received in a corresponding hole having an opening in the end of the heel. The heel tip assembly includes an anti-rotation feature configured to prevent the top portion from rotating relative to the heel when the top lift portion is fully secured to the heel by a securing feature part that is configured to secure the shaft member within the hole.

The assembly can further include an alignment feature part configured to align the top lift portion relative to the heel to an orientation such that an irregular outer profile of the top lift portion co-aligns with a corresponding irregular outer profile of the heel at an interface between the top lift portion and the heel.

The anti-rotation feature can include an alignment feature configured to align the top lift portion relative to the heel in an orientation such that an irregular outer profile of the top lift portion co-aligns with a corresponding irregular outer profile of the heel at an interface between the top lift portion and the heel.

The base portion can correspond to the anti-rotation feature that is composed of a material that includes a metal, and the securing feature part corresponds to threads on the shaft member.

The assembly can further include a threaded insert that is inserted into the hole in the heel, the threaded insert threadably receiving the threads of the securing feature part as the shaft is rotated until the base portion abuts the end of the heel to fully secure the shaft member within a hole of the threaded insert.

The top portion can lie on a horizontal plane below a horizontal plane of a bottommost part of a sole of the high heel footwear in an unloaded configuration to an extent such that at least the central portion compresses under a loaded configuration so that the top portion lies on the same horizontal plane as the bottommost part of the sole.

The anti-rotation feature can include a head portion that terminates the shaft member within the base portion, the head portion including a mechanism that opposes anti-rotation of the shaft relative to the heel in a manner that would cause the top lift portion from separating away from the heel.

The base portion can be composed of a tire tread material.

The shaft member can include a generally conical tapered portion that tapers toward a seat of the heel and a base portion that has a non-circular cross-section to form the anti-rotation feature.

The base portion of the shaft member can form an alignment feature configured to align the top lift portion relative to the heel in an orientation such that an irregular outer profile of the top lift portion co-aligns with a corresponding irregular outer profile of the heel at an interface between the top lift portion and the heel.

The base portion can have a square-shaped cross-section, and the tapered portion can have dimensions relative to the hole of the heel to produce an interference fit inside the hole of the heel.

The shaft member can have a first spring element and a second spring element. The first and second spring elements can protrude away from an elongated surface of the shaft member. The first and second spring elements can form the securing feature part and being biased away from the elongated surface of the shaft member.

The assembly can further include a threaded insert in the hole of the heel. The threaded insert can include a threaded portion and a non-threaded portion. The shaft member can include a threaded portion threadably received in threads of the threaded portion of the threaded insert, the non-threaded portion including a first detent and a second detent configured to receive therein the first spring element and the second spring element, respectively, of the securing feature part.

The assembly can further include a screw-actuated anchor threadably engaging threads on the shaft member. The anchor can have an arm configured to flare outwardly away from the shaft member as the shaft member is rotated in situ within the hole of the heel until the arm presses against an inner surface of the hole to form the anti-rotation feature.

The shaft member can include a head, and the top lift portion can include a hole extending through the top portion to access the head externally from the heel tip assembly.

The assembly can further include a hollow, threaded self-tapping insert tapped into the heel to form the hole. The shaft member can include threads that threadably engage corresponding threads inside the self-tapping insert.

The shaft member can include a first receptacle and a second receptacle formed along an elongated curved surface of the shaft member. The shaft member can include a base portion having a non-circular cross-section. The assembly can further include an insert assembly forming the hole having a narrow portion and a wider portion relative to the narrow portion. The narrow portion can receive the elongated curved surface and the wider portion receiving the base portion of the shaft member. The insert assembly can further include a first spring and a second spring. A first plunger element can be held in tension between the first spring and a first opening in a wall of the hole. A second plunger element can be held in tension between the second spring a second opening in the wall of the hole, such that in response to receiving the shaft member into the hole. The first and second plunger elements can retract against the first and second springs, respectively, until the first and second plunger elements are received in the first and second receptacles, respectively, thereby securing the shaft member inside the insert assembly.

The first and second plunger elements can include a ball-shaped portion that protrudes into the hole of the insert assembly.

BRIEF DESCRIPTION OF THE DRAWINGS

FIG. 1 is a perspective view of an example high heel footwear having a relatively narrow heel that incorporates a heel tip assembly according to an aspect of the present disclosure.

FIG. 2 is a perspective view of another example high heel footwear having a wider heel compared to the high heel footwear shown in FIG. 1, and which incorporates a heel tip assembly according to another aspect of the present disclosure.

FIGS. 3A and 3B illustrate two different sized heel tip assemblies according to an aspect of the present disclosure.

FIG. 4A illustrates an exemplary elongated threaded insert having a hole or bore through the center of a threaded insert, which is inserted into a heel according to aspects of the present disclosure.

FIG. 4B illustrates an example threaded hole or bore formed within or tapped into the heel with threads to receive threads of a top lift according to aspects of the present disclosure.

FIGS. 5A and 5B illustrate two example implementations of a heel tip assembly having a top lift with a honeycomb or micro honeycomb pattern made from tire material.

FIG. 6A illustrates a heel having a threaded shaft 502 threaded into a threaded insert that is secured into a hole or bore of a heel.

FIG. 6B illustrates a heel having a threaded shaft threaded into the threaded hole or bore that is tapped into the heel

FIGS. 7A and 7B illustrate two examples of a heel tip assembly having a top lift including two types of honeycomb patterns.

FIG. 8 is an example of another top lift having a base portion made of a solid tire tread material.

FIGS. 9A and 9B illustrate side and end views, respectively, of a top lift having rotation, securing, and alignment features.

FIGS. 10A and 10B illustrate two additional implementations of a heel tip assembly according to the present disclosure, featuring a different anti-rotation and alignment feature than disclosed in connection with FIGS. 9A and 9B.

FIG. 11 illustrates a top lift having a screw-actuated anchor to secure the top lift within the heel of the top lift assembly.

FIGS. 12A and 12B illustrate another way of securing a top lift to a heel of a wider heel, such as shown in FIG. 2.

FIGS. 13A and 13B illustrate yet another way of securing any top lift into any heel disclosed herein using springs inside the heel.

FIG. 14 shows two example isometric views of the top lift disclosed in connection with FIGS. 13A and 13B.

FIG. 15 illustrates another example where a heel includes ball bearings to receive corresponding detents formed in a shaft of a top lift but lacks a square base feature.

FIG. 16 illustrates two exemplary regularly and non-regularly shaped top lifts having shafts with slots to lock into corresponding features in the heel.

FIGS. 17A and 17B illustrate how the top lift can be slightly longer than the outsole of the high heel footwear when no load is present in the footwear.

DETAILED DESCRIPTION

FIG. 1 is a perspective view of an example high heel footwear 100 having a relatively narrow heel that incorporates a heel tip assembly 102 according to an aspect of the present disclosure. The term “footwear” encompasses shoes, boots, sandals, flip flops, and any other apparatus worn on the foot and designed or intended to be worn by either men or women or both. The term “high heel” has its ordinary meaning to those skilled in the art of footwear, and those of ordinary skill in the art of footwear will appreciate the dimensions and characteristics of a footwear item having a high heel. For example, stiletto type heels can have a heel height of about 4-6 inches or even higher. Squatter, high heel boots (including those worn by men), for example, can have a heel height of about 3-4 inches. According to some aspects, a minimum heel height to qualify as a high heel is about 2 inches. The present disclosure also contemplates so-called platform footwear, so long as there is a distinct outsole portion and distinct heel portion. As shown in FIG. 1, the various parts of a high heel footwear 100 are conventionally labeled as an outsole 106, a toe box 108, a counter 110, a breast 112 of the heel, a heel 114, a seat 116, a shank 118, and a top lift 120. The top lift 120 can variously also be referred to as the top piece, the heel tip, the heel lift, or the heel cap, and these terms are used interchangeably herein. The width of the top lift 120 can vary, from narrow in the case of a stiletto heel, to relatively wide as used on a boot or a platform shoe, and aspects of the present disclosure can be used on any top lift 120, from narrow to wide.

For reading convenience, the same reference numbers are used throughout this disclosure to refer to the same item or feature even though they might appear in different embodiments. Where that item or feature differs, a different reference number or an apostrophe is used to indicate that the disclosure is describing a different item or feature. The terms used in this description have their ordinary meaning as understood by those skilled in the art of footwear, tire technology, and mechanical devices.

FIG. 2 is a perspective view of another example high heel footwear 100′ having a wider heel 114′ compared to the high heel footwear shown in FIG. 1, and which incorporates a heel tip assembly 102′ according to another aspect of the present disclosure. The same reference numbers are used to refer to the same parts. The high heel footwear 100′ has a thicker heel 114′ compared to the heel 114 of the high heel footwear 100 shown in FIG. 1. The cross-section of the heel 114, 114′ can be regular, such as circular such as shown in FIGS. 14 and 16A, or irregular such as shown in FIGS. 14 and 16B. Throughout this disclosure, for reading convenience, each heel tip assembly 102, 102′ will be referred to with these reference numbers even though different embodiments may be described.

FIGS. 3A and 3B illustrate two different sized heel tip assemblies 102, 102′ according to an aspect of the present disclosure. The heel tip assembly 102, 102′ generally includes a securing feature part 300, 300′, respectively. In this example, the securing feature takes the form of threads 302. Generally, a securing feature refers to a feature, such as a tangible feature, that permanently or removably secures one part to another in a manner that inhibits movement (by rotation, twisting, or otherwise) of the two parts relative to each other. The securing feature part 302, 302′ also has a shaft portion those threads 302, 302′ are threaded by rotation into a corresponding threaded insert inside the heel 114, 114′ as described herein. In FIG. 3B, the top lift 120′ of the heel tip assembly 102′ has an irregular contour to match the contour of the heel 114′ to which the top lift 120′ is secured. As described here, an alignment feature can also be present to ensure that the contours of the top lift and the heel co-align. As the top lift 120′ is screwed into place, depending on the alignment of the threads, the top lift 120′ may have a tendency to stop rotating at a point where its outer contour is misaligned relative to the heel 114′. To avoid this scenario, various aspects of the present disclosure describe alignment features that aid in co-aligning the top lift with the heel in a facile way during assembly or construction of the footwear 100, 100′.

Turning now to the heel side of the footwear, FIG. 4A illustrates an exemplary elongated threaded insert 400 having a hole or bore 402 through the center of a threaded insert 400, which is inserted through a hole or bore 410 of the heel 114, 114′. The threaded insert 400 is inserted into the hole or bore 410 of the heel 114, 114′ so that an end opening 404 of the threaded insert 400 can receive the securing feature part 300, 300′ of a heel tip assembly 102, 102′. The threaded insert 400 can be secured to the heel 114, 114′ by glue or interference fit, for example. Alternately, in FIG. 4B, a threaded hole or bore 410 is formed within or tapped into the heel 114, 114′ with threads 406 that are configured to receive the threads 302 of the securing feature part 300, 300′.

FIGS. 5A and 5B illustrate two example implementations of a heel tip assembly 102, 102′ having a top lift 120, 120′ with a honeycomb or micro honeycomb pattern made from tire material, including a rubber compound and fillers such as fiber or textiles. Any of the honeycomb or micro honeycomb patterns or structures disclosed herein can be printed by a 3D printing technique, such as digital light synthesis. The top lift 120, 120′ has a base portion 504, a central portion 506, and a top portion 508. The cross-section of the central portion 506 has a honeycomb pattern. The illustrations are not schematic representations of the actual honeycomb pattern. Indeed, the honeycomb pattern is shown for ease of illustration so that the reader can readily see the pattern; however, the size of the honeycombs can vary from the size actually shown. For example, the honeycombs can be made larger, or the walls of the honeycomb can be thicker. The honeycomb pattern allows the top lift 120, 120′ to compress or deform slightly under load, and more so than if the top lift 120, 120′ were made from a solid material such as rubber. The honeycombs of the pattern are arranged to so as to compress along a vertical direction when a load is presented at the top of the honeycomb, thereby providing a cushioning effect to the wearer of the high heel footwear. The top portion 508 (i.e., the part that contacts the ground surface) can be a tire tread material or composed of solid rubber having a tread-like pattern facing the ground to enhance the grip and friction coefficient relative to the ground surface. The base portion 504 can be composed of, for example, metal, such as the same metal as a threaded shaft 502 that extends away from the base portion 504, and the central portion 506 can be secured or attached permanently to the base portion 504 by an adhesive or any other conventional process to permanently affix the two different interface materials together. Another interface 510 is present between the exposed surface of the base portion 504 and the exposed surface of the bottom of the heel 114, 114′ before the top lift 120, 120′ is secured to the heel 114, 114′. At this interface, an adhesive or other method of permanently affixing the base portion 504 to the bottom of the heel 114, 114′ can be used after the securing feature in the form of a threaded shaft 502, 502′ is screwed into the corresponding threaded insert 400 or threads 406 inside the bore 410 of the heel 114, 114′. As the wearer walks with the heel top assembly 102, 102′ installed in the footwear 100, 100′, the honeycomb structure of the central portion 506 will compress and bulge outwardly, providing a soft cushion for the wearer and absorb and dissipate shock waves emitted each time the top portion 508 contacts the ground surface.

Example dimensions of the top lift 120, 120′ are as follows. The length, width, or diameter of the top lift 120, 120′ match the corresponding length, width, or diameter of the heel 114, 114′ to which the heel tip assembly 102, 102′ is attached so that the outer contour of the heel at the interface 116 matches the outer contour of the top lift 120, 120′. Beyond the interface, the contour of the top lift 120, 120′ can diverge from that of the heel 114, 114′. For example, the top lift 120, 120′ can flare outwardly or taper inwardly starting from the interface 116 toward the top portion 508.

FIGS. 6A and 6B illustrate two examples where the top lift 120, 120′ has a top portion 606 made of a solid rubber material that is glued or otherwise permanently affixed to a base portion 604 of a heel tip assembly 102, 102′. The base portion 604 can be made of the same material as the threaded shaft 502, such as metal, to form an anti-rotation feature and a securing feature for the top lift 120, 120′. The outer contour of the base portion 604 and the top portion 606 matches the outer contour of the exposed end of the heel 114, 114′ at the interface 116, 510 so that at the interface 116, 510, there is no perceptible discontinuity from the heel 114, 114′ to the top lift 606. In FIG. 6A, the threaded shaft 502 is threaded into the threaded insert 400 that is secured into the hole or bore 410 of the heel 114, 114′. In FIG. 6B, the threaded shaft 502′ is threaded into the threaded hole or bore 410 that is tapped into the heel 114, 114′ with threads 406 that are configured to receive the threads of the threaded shaft 502′, which provides a securing feature and an anti-rotation feature relative to the heel 114, 114′. This embodiment is particularly suited for thicker diameter heels, such as the heel 114′ shown in FIG. 2.

FIGS. 7A and 7B illustrate two examples of a heel tip assembly 102, 102′ having a top lift including two types of honeycomb patterns 703, 705, 706 such as shown as honeycomb pattern 506 in FIGS. 5A and 5B. The top lift has a central portion 706 made from a tire material and having a honeycomb pattern. On either side of the central portion 706, there are encapsulating portions 703, 705 also made from a tire material and having a denser honeycomb pattern compared to that of the central portion 706. Thus, the central portion 706 has more “give” under compression, whereas the denser surrounding encapsulating portions 703,705 have less give, thereby providing more cushioning against shocks and vibrations that would otherwise be transmitted up the leg of the wearer. The top portion 708 can be made of a tire tread material or composed of solid rubber having a tread-like pattern facing the ground to enhance the grip and friction coefficient relative to the ground surface and to provide a softer or quieter interface with the surface on which the footwear is traversing compared to conventional materials used for a high heel top. A base portion 704 fixed to the encapsulating portion 703 can be composed of, for example, metal, such as the same metal as a threaded shaft 502 that extends away from the base portion 704, and the encapsulating portion 703 can be secured or attached permanently to the base portion 704 by an adhesive or any other conventional process to permanently affix the two different interface materials together. The threaded shaft 502 is screwed into an elongated threaded insert 400 having a hole or bore 402 through the center of a threaded insert 400, which is inserted through a hole or bore 410 of the heel 114, 114′, to form an anti-rotation feature and a securing feature. When fully screwed in place at the interface 116, 510, the outer contour of the top lift matches an outer contour of the heel 114, 114′ at the interface 116, 510 so that no visual discontinuities can be perceived. The colors of the top lift and heel can also be matched to further the visual effect. The embodiment of FIG. 7B is identical except that the heel 114, 114′ is wider and can accommodate a larger top lift and therefore more tire tread and honeycomb material.

The drawings shown herein are not necessarily shown to scale and some features may be exaggerated so that the various layers can be seen by the reader. The top lifts of the present disclosure can have the same dimensions as conventional top lifts used in high heel footwear.

FIG. 8 is an example of another top lift 120, 120′ that can be used with any heel 114, 114′ disclosed herein. Here, a base portion 804 of the top lift shown in FIG. 8 can be made of a solid tire tread material, for example, or of a material that includes rubber. A threaded shaft 802 extends from the base portion 804 and includes a head 803 having teeth 805 around a diameter of the head which prevent the shaft 802 from rotating relative to the base portion 804 when the threaded shaft 802 is screwed into a corresponding threaded hole or bore in the heel 114, 114′. The teeth 805 provide an anti-rotation and a securing feature to prevent rotation of the base portion 804 and to secure it to the heel 114, 114′. The head 803 and teeth 805 are embedded within the base portion 804 so only the threaded shaft 802 can be seen emerging from the base portion 804.

FIGS. 9A and 9B illustrate side and end views, respectively, of a top lift 120, 120′ having rotation, securing, and alignment features. A base portion 904 forms an alignment feature, which can have a non-circular cross-section to co-align the base portion 904 relative to the heel 114, 114′ so that the outer contours of the base portion 904 and the heel 114, 114′ match. The base portion 904 also forms an anti-rotation feature, preventing the top lift 120, 120′ from rotating once fully inserted into the heel 114, 114′. The top lift 120, 120′ also includes a conical tapered portion 902 that tapers toward a seat or interface 116 of the heel 114, 114′ as shown in FIG. 9A. The conical tapered portion 902 is inserted into a bore 922 through a hole 920 that has a corresponding section that receives the base portion 904 (seen in FIG. 9B), and has a width W that is slightly smaller than a width W′ of the widest part of the conical tapered portion 902 to form an interference fit inside the bore 922 of the heel 114, 114′. The rest of the top lift 120, 120′ can be like any of the top lifts disclosed herein; however, in the example of FIG. 9A, the top lift 120, 120′ includes a central portion 908 having a honeycomb pattern made from tire material, including a rubber compound and fillers such as fiber or textiles. The cross-section of the central portion 908 has a honeycomb pattern. The top lift 120, 120′ also includes a top portion 910 (i.e., the part that contacts the ground surface) composed of a tire tread material or of solid rubber having a tread-like pattern facing the ground to enhance the grip and friction coefficient relative to the ground surface. The base portion 906 can be composed of, for example, metal, such as the same metal as the conical tapered portion 902 as shown by the cross section in FIG. 9A. To insert the top lift 120, 120′ into the bore 922, the top portion 910 can be tapped in, after aligning the non-circular base portion 904 with the hole 920 so that the (irregular) profiles of the heel and top lift match.

FIGS. 10A and 10B illustrate two additional implementations of a heel tip assembly according to the present disclosure, featuring a different anti-rotation and alignment feature than disclosed in connection with FIGS. 9A and 9B. Here, a shaft member 1002 of the top lift 120, 120′ includes a first spring element 1004a and a second spring element 1004b, which each protrudes away from an elongated surface of the shaft member 1002. The spring elements 1004a, 1004b form a securing feature part and are biased away from the elongated surface of the shaft member 1002. A base portion 1004 of the top lift 120, 120′ is attached to the shaft member 1002, or the base portion 1004 and the shaft member 1002 can be a unitary, integral piece.

The heel 114, 114′ includes a hole 1020 and a non-threaded bore 1012 having a first detent 1010a and a second detent 1010b arranged to receive the spring elements 1004a, 1004b, respectively, when the shaft member 1002 is inserted into the bore 1012 through the hole 1020. Because the spring elements 1004a, 1004b are biased outwardly, they will initially be forced inwardly against the shaft member 1002 until they snap outwardly into place within the detents 1010a, 1010b to form a securing feature but also an anti-rotation and an alignment feature. The rest of the top lift 120, 120′ in this example includes a central portion 1006 having a honeycomb pattern composed of a tire tread material, and a top portion 1008, which can be composed of a solid tire tread material or rubber.

In FIG. 10B, the shaft member 1002′ is threaded, and the threaded insert 1014 includes a threaded portion 1016 with threads and a non-threaded portion near a hole 1018 through which the threaded shaft member 1002′ is inserted. The threaded shaft member 1002′ is rotated into the threads of the threaded portion 1016 until the spring elements 1004a, 1004b click into place within the detents 1010a, 1010b of the non-threaded portion, to secure the top lift 120, 120′ to the heel 114, 114′, prevent it from rotating, and co-aligning the two parts so that the respective outer contours match around their entire circumference.

FIG. 11 illustrates a top lift having a screw-actuated anchor to secure the top lift within the heel of the top lift assembly. The screw-actuated anchor 1102 includes a first arm 1106a and a second arm 1106b that flare outwardly from a shaft member 1004 having threads. A base portion 1108 can be made of metal and includes a hole through which the shaft member 1004 extends and terminates at a head 1126 having a tool receiving portion 1128 to receive a tool that rotates the screw-actuated anchor 1102 inserted into the hole 1110. After the screw-actuated anchor 1102 is fully inserted into the hole 1110 of the heel 114, 114′, a tool is inserted into the tool receiving portion 1128 of the head 1126 and rotated in situ within the hole 1110, which rotation causes the arms 1106a,b to begin to extend outwardly toward the inner surface 1112 of the hole 1110 of the heel 114, 114′ until the arms 1106a,b press expand the width W of the hole 1110 to provide an anti-rotation feature, which prevents the top lift 120, 120′ from rotating or becoming mis-aligned during usage of the high heel footwear. The top lift portion 120, 120′ includes a hole 1124 so that a tool can be received in the tool receiving portion 1128. This hole can be plugged after installation with a material to match that of the top lift portion 120, 120′, such as a tire tread material. The top portion 1122 can be made of a tire tread material. An insert made from the same tire tread material can be used to plug the hole 1124. The central portion 1120 can have a honeycomb pattern to provide cushioning as discussed above. The arms 1106a,b allow minute adjustments of the top lift portion 120, 120′ within the heel 114, 114′ to co-align the two parts perfectly while the final position is determined by forcing the arms 1106a,b apart as much as the material of the heel 114, 114′ will allow without damage.

FIGS. 12A and 12B illustrate another way of securing a top lift 120′ to a heel 114′ of a wider heel, such as shown in FIG. 2. A hollow, self-tapping insert 1200 (shown in FIG. 12A) is screwed into a base of the heel 114′, which can be composed of plastic on its interior, making it suitable for receiving a self-tapping insert. The top lift 120′ includes a base portion 1206, which can be composed of a metal material, a central portion 1208 having a honeycomb pattern and composed of a tire tread material, and a top portion 1212, which can be composed of a tire tread material having a tread pattern facing the ground. A shaft member 1202 having threads 1204 can be made of metal and is threadably received within the self-tapping insert 1200 installed in the heel 114′, thereby providing an anti-rotation and securing feature for the top lift assembly.

FIGS. 13A and 13B illustrate yet another way of securing any top lift into any heel disclosed herein using springs inside the heel. The top lift 120, 120′ includes a shaft member 1302 having a first receptacle 1304a and a second receptacle 1304b formed along a curved surface 1305 of the shaft member 1302 and a non-circular base portion 1306 that forms an alignment and anti-rotation feature for the top lift 120, 120′. The heel 114, 114′ includes an insert assembly 1320 having a hole 1330 that narrows to a narrow portion 1322. The insert assembly 1320 includes a first spring 1328a and a second spring 1328b and a balls 1340a, 1340b that protrude from corresponding openings 1326a,b extending through a wall 1324 of the insert assembly 1320. The balls 1340a,b extend into the opening 1330 of the insert assembly 1320 until the shaft member 1302 is inserted through the opening 1330. When the balls 1340a,b align with the receptacles 1304a,b of the shaft member 1302, the springs 1328a,b allow the balls 1340a,b to compress the springs 1328a,b like a plunger element as the shaft member 1302 is inserted into the narrow portion 1322 of the insert assembly 1320 until the receptacles 1304a,b receive the balls 1340a,b and secure the top lift 120, 120′ relative to the heel 114, 114′. The non-circular base portion 1306 (e.g., square) fits into the non-circular opening 1330 (e.g., square) to maintain an alignment of the top lift 120, 120′, which can have a non-regular outer contour, relative to the heel 114, 114′ (shown in FIG. 13B).

FIG. 14 shows two example isometric views of the top lift 120, 120′ disclosed in connection with FIGS. 13A and 13B. One of the examples has a regular profile (circular), whereas the other has a non-regular or irregular profile. A round shaft 1402 has detents 1404 to be received in corresponding ball bearings inside the heel 114, 114′ as disclosed in connection with FIGS. 13A and 13B. A base 1406 has a square shape and can be made of metal along with the round shaft 1402. The top portion 1408 can include a honeycomb pattern composed of a tire tread material as disclosed above. The square base 1406 permits alignment of the top lift 120, 120′ relative to a heel 114, 114′ having a non-regular outer contour.

FIG. 15 illustrates another example where a heel includes ball bearings to receive corresponding detents formed in a shaft of a top lift but lacks a square base feature. The same reference numbers are used, except that the top lift 120, 120′ lacks the base 1406 shown in FIGS. 13A and 13B. This implementation is suitable, for example, for a round heel 114, 114′.

FIG. 16 illustrates two exemplary regularly and non-regularly shaped top lifts 120, 120′ having shafts 1602 with slots 1604 to lock into corresponding features in the heel 114, 114′ as disclosed above.

FIGS. 17A and 17B illustrate how the top lift 120, 120′ can be slightly longer than the outsole of the high heel footwear 100, 100′ when no load is present in the footwear 100, 100′. In FIG. 17A, the top lift 120, 120′ extends below the outsole by a distance, d, to provide a total distance from the base to top of the top lift corresponding to a distance D. However, under compression by a load 1700, the top lift 120, 120′ as shown in FIG. 17B compresses to reduce the overall distance, D′<D, so that the top lift 120, 120′ is aligned on a horizontal plane 1702 with the outsole of the high heel footwear 100, 100′. Because the top lift 120, 120′ can compress, such as due to the honeycomb tire tread material, designing the top lift 120, 120′ so that it is slightly longer under no compression allows the compression to keep the footwear level under compression.

Any of the top lifts disclosed herein can be used in connection with any of the heels, and any anti-rotation feature can be combined with any alignment feature and/or any securing feature and/or any cushioning feature disclosed herein. It is seen that the combination of these features contributes to the overall stability, wearer comfort, noise suppression, longevity, customizability or interchangeability, facile and expedient construction and manufacturability, and repairability or serviceability, to name a few benefits, of the high heel footwear, particularly over prolonged usage. The honeycomb pattern provides a cushioning effect, a tire tread top (facing the ground) provides a grip or anti-slipping feature while also suppressing the sound the heel makes when contacting a ground surface, such as a polished floor or tile, the various securing features provide a secure way of interfacing the top to the heel, sometimes in a way that is reversible, and the alignment features ensure that the outer contour of the top lift and heel at their interface match so that no visual artifacts are perceived. The alignment should be made blindly so that the manufacturer or installer can quickly secure the top lift to the heel without having to make minor adjustments to ensure co-alignment. The alignment feature also stands up to prolonged wear and tear over time, ensuring that the top lift and heel remain aligned. The anti-rotation features disclosed herein prevent rotation of the top lift relative to heel, which prevent twisting moments and misalignment of the top lift relative to the heel over prolonged use. The various materials used, such as tire tread material and metal, can be interfaced together securely or permanently by adhesive or any other technique for interfacing tire tread material to metal.

Claims

1. A heel tip assembly configured to be coupled with a heel of a high heel footwear, comprising:

a top lift portion having a top portion composed of rubber and a base portion configured to abut an end of the heel of the high heel footwear;

a rigid shaft member extending away from the base portion and configured to be received in a corresponding hole having an opening in the end of the heel, the rigid shaft member having a threaded portion adjacent to a non-threaded portion proximate the base portion;

an anti-rotation feature configured to prevent the top portion from rotating relative to the heel when the top lift portion is fully secured to the heel by a securing feature part that is configured to secure the shaft member within the hole,

where the base portion corresponds to the anti-rotation feature that is composed of a metal material, and where the securing feature part corresponds to threads on the threaded portion of the rigid shaft member,

the heel tip assembly further comprising a partially threaded insert configured to be inserted into the hole in the heel, the partially threaded insert having a threaded portion including threads configured to threadably receive the threads of the threaded portion of the rigid shaft member as the top lift portion is rotated until the base portion abuts the end of the heel to fully secure the rigid shaft member within a hole of the partially threaded insert, the heel tip assembly further having a non-threaded portion proximate the base portion, the non-threaded portion of the heel tip assembly being adjacent to the non-threaded portion of the rigid shaft member when the top lift portion is fully secured to the heel by rotating the top lift portion relative to the heel; and

a first spring element inside the hole in the heel and biased to retain the rigid shaft member within the partially threaded insert, the first spring element being adjacent to the non-threaded portion of the insert when the top lift portion is fully secured to the heel.

2. The assembly of claim 1, further comprising:

an alignment feature part configured to align the top lift portion relative to the heel to an orientation such that an irregular outer profile of the top lift portion co-aligns with a corresponding irregular outer profile of the heel at an interface between the top lift portion and the heel.

3. The assembly of claim 1, wherein the anti-rotation feature includes an alignment feature configured to align the top lift portion relative to the heel in an orientation such that an irregular outer profile of the top lift portion co-aligns with a corresponding irregular outer profile of the heel at an interface between the top lift portion and the heel.

4. The assembly of claim 1, further where the base portion corresponds to the anti-rotation feature composed of a metal material, and the securing feature part corresponds to threads on the shaft member.

5. The assembly of claim 4, further comprising a threaded insert that is inserted into the hole in the heel, the threaded insert threadably receiving the threads of the securing feature part as the shaft member is rotated until the base portion abuts the end of the heel to fully secure the shaft member within a hole of the threaded insert.

6. The assembly of claim 1, wherein the top portion lies on a horizontal plane below a horizontal plane of a bottommost part of a sole of the high heel footwear in an unloaded configuration to an extent such that at least the central portion compresses under a loaded configuration so that the top portion lies on the same horizontal plane as the bottommost part of the sole.

7. The assembly of claim 1, wherein the anti-rotation feature includes a head portion that terminates the shaft member within the base portion, the head portion including a mechanism that opposes anti-rotation of the shaft member relative to the heel in a manner that would cause the top lift portion from separating away from the heel.

8. The assembly of claim 7, wherein the base portion has a tread-like pattern facing the ground.

9-12. (canceled)

13. The assembly of claim 1, the non-threaded portion including a first detent configured to receive therein the first spring element.

14-15. (canceled)

16. The assembly of claim 1, wherein the insert is a hollow, threaded self-tapping insert tapped into the heel to form the hole.

17-18. (canceled)