Abstract: A sport shoe having an upper, a sole having at least an outer sole having a mobile portion at least at the heel portion of the sole which is pivotable about a lateral axis forward of the heel portion. A midsole insert member is insertable between the mobile portion and the upper. The mobile portion includes upper engaging projections cooperating with the upper to prevent the midsole insert from moving laterally relative to the upper when the midsole insert member is introduced between the mobile portion and the upper.

Abstract: A two-piece shoe bottom system including a platform structure and a hollow interchangeable heel structure. The platform structure comprises a lower forepart portion, a raised rear heel portion, and a middle wedge portion connecting the forepart portion to the raised rear heel portion. The raised rear heel portion is elevated substantially above the forepart portion so that it will correspond to a particular height of the interchangeable heel structure. A reinforcing bolt member is molded to the underside of the raised heel portion of the platform structure. The hollow interchangeable heel structure is detachably attached to the reinforcing bolt member.

Abstract: A shoe includes a rear sole support for receiving a replaceable rear sole to provide longer wear. The shoe may also include a flexible plate supported by the rear sole support between the heel and the rear sole to reduce midsole compression and provide additional spring. A mounting member secures the rear sole to the rear sole support, and a locking member prevents rotation of the rear sole relative to the rear sole support during use. The replaceable rear sole and the flexible plate allow the shoe to be adapted to different desired performance characteristics depending upon the intended activity and terrain or playing surface.

Abstract: A rigid midsole structure for footwear extends from the metatarsal area to a rear-most portion proximate the heel of a wearer. The rigid midsole accepts any form of replaceable undercarriage structure, and includes means for attaching the undercarriage structure to the bottom side of the rigid midsole. The rigid midsole is preferably formed with an upper surface configured to conform with the bottom of a wearer's foot to provide sufficient rigidity and comfort.

Abstract: A shoe includes a heel support for receiving a rotatable and replaceable rear sole to provide longer wear. The shoe may also include a graphite insert supported by the heel support between the heel and the rear sole to reduce midsole compression and provide additional spring. The replaceable rear sole and the graphite insert allow the shoe to be adapted to different desired performance characteristics depending upon the intended activity and terrain or playing surface.

Abstract: A shoe includes a rear sole support for receiving a replaceable rear sole to provide longer wear. The shoe may also include a flexible plate supported by the rear sole support between the heel and the rear sole to reduce midsole compression and provide additional spring. A mounting member secures the rear sole to the rear sole support, and a locking member prevents rotation of the rear sole relative to the rear sole support during use. The replaceable rear sole and the flexible plate allow the shoe to be adapted to different desired performance characteristics depending upon the intended activity and terrain or playing surface.

Abstract: The present invention provides a cushioned shoe sole having an outer sole layer for contacting the ground surface and a midsole layer disposed above the outer sole layer including an opening formed vertically through at least the top surface thereof. An inflatable bladder element having an unobstructed interior cavity is inflatable with a fluid medium and removably positioned in the opening in the midsole layer. When inflated and snapped into position in the opening, the bladder is therefore visible through at least the top surface of the midsole.The present invention also provides a method of making a cushioned shoe sole by forming an inflatable bladder with a hollow interior cavity defined within the perimeter of the bladder forming a foam midsole having an opening generally extending in the vertical plane and a peripheral cavity around at least a portion of the perimeter of the opening.

Abstract: A shoe with an interchangeable heel. The heel can be interchangeably attached to the heel portion of the outsole of the shoe by extending a large bolt through an opening on the rear portion of the outsole, such that it is threadedly engaged with a sleeve permanently mounted within a recess on top of the heel. A device is provided for anchoring and orientation of the heel.

Abstract: An improved athletic shoe sole with rotatable and replaceable rear soles and replaceable cleats to provide the user with longer wear. The invention also provides the user with the ability to quickly and easily adapt the sole to different desired performance characteristics depending upon the intended activity and terrain or playing surface.

Abstract: A shoe with an interchangeable heel. The heel can be interchangeably attached to the heel portion of the outsole of the shoe by extending a large bolt through an opening on the rear portion of the outsole, such that it is threadedly engaged with a sleeve permanently mounted within a recess on top of the heel. A device is provided for anchoring and orientation of the heel.

Abstract: A shoe includes a heel support for receiving a rotatable and replaceable rear sole to provide longer wear. The shoe may also include a graphite insert supported by the heel support between the heel and the rear sole to reduce midsole compression and provide additional spring. The replaceable rear sole and the graphite insert allow the shoe to be adapted to different desired performance characteristics depending upon the intended activity and terrain or playing surface.

Abstract: A bowling shoe construction includes a shoe upper, and a shoe sole mounted to the shoe upper. The shoe sole has a tread surface and a slide area on the tread surface extending longitudinally from a toe end of the shoe sole rearwardly to an arch portion thereof, and extending laterally across the entire width of the tread surface. The bowling shoe construction further includes a removable slide pad having a peripheral margin substantially equal to the peripheral margin of the slide area on the tread surface. The slide pad is removably secured to the tread surface by means of interlocking hook and pile fastener materials attached to the slide area of the tread surface and to the slide pad. The shoe construction still further include a removable heel which is removably secured to the heel portion of the tread surface with hook and pile fastener materials.

Abstract: A structure for engaging a heel to a shoe, the heel having a tongue disposed to an underside thereof and the tongue having a first opening defined therein, the heel having a projection extending upwardly from a top thereof and a recess defined in the top, the projection having a groove defined in an inner portion thereof, a mediate element engaged to an underside of the tongue and having flanges extending laterally therefrom for being inserted into the groove, the mediate element having a second opening defined therein through which a hook element passes which is pivotally engaged between two inner sides defining the second opening and a hook portion of the hook element inserted into the recess of the heel.

Abstract: A conversion device for ladies shoes which permits heels and straps to be changed. A heel (2) which is screwed into a heel chamber (8) is secured by a stretch strap (6). Stretch strap (6) is snapped into position at the intersection of a receptor (10) and a connector (15). A screw top (5) is housed in a rubber filler (4). Rubber filler (4) is topped by a protective strip (3) and a leather sole (9).

Abstract: The present invention is a shoe with an interchangeable heel. It comprises a latch member mounted to the bottom surface of the heel portion of the outsole of the shoe, and a frame member mounted to the top surface of the heel within a recess thereof. The latch member includes a wedge and a leaf-spring attached to the wedge. The leaf-spring has a stepped detent and a lever biased by a spring tension away from the wedge. The frame member has a wedge shaped slot for receiving the wedge of the latch member in a dove-tail connection, and an internal cavity connected to the wedge shaped slot for housing the leaf-spring of the latch member and having a front crossbar.

Abstract: A screw on shoe heel enables anyone to quickly and easily replace their own worn shoe heels using only a simple screwdriver without the need for taking the shoes to a shoe repair professional. The screw on heel has a set of holes running therethrough. The shoe has an arch support plate traversing its length and both the shoe and the support plate have a set of screw holes (corresponding to the holes in the screw on heel) in the heel area. The screw holes in the support plate are threaded. A cushion covers the arch support plate to keep the shoe comfortable to wear. When the heel is screwed onto the shoe, the heads of the screws are recessed into the heel shielding them from contact with the ground.

Abstract: A shoe with detachable heel structure. The shoe readily replaces a worn or damaged heel by a new one due to the detachable heel structure. The shoe has a detachable heel, a heel mounting block and a cushion sandwitched between the heel and the block. The heel has a coupling recess and a pair of coupling arms. The heel mounting block has a projecting insert engaged with the coupling recess, a pair of sliders, a pair of receptacle holes receiving the coupling arms, a pair of arm hooks fixed in the sliders and engaged with the coupling arms, a small diameter shaft telescopically received in a larger diameter shaft with a slider returning spring fitted over the shafts, a guide pin for guiding the rectilinear movement of each slider, and a predetermined length of guide slot receiving the guide pin therein. The shafts couple the sliders to each other so that the sliders are elastically moved in opposed directions.

Abstract: A high heel shoe designed such that the bottom of the foot of a wearer will contact the sole of the shoe along the same points that said foot would contact a smooth, level floor if standing with feet flat on said floor, providing the foot of a wearer with the same support surface in a high heel shoe that would be present in a flat shoe. The shoe sole structure hinges a forward sole section to a rigid rear sole section with a planar upper surface such that the straight hinge line passes below the lowest points of the first and fifth metatarsal heads of the foot of the wearer. The sole of the invention does not apply pressure in the sensitive arch area of the foot due to the planar nature of the upper surface of the rear sole section and it supports the ball and heel of the foot in the same manner as if the foot were standing on a flat surface. The rigid coupling between the forward and rear sole sections permits balancing forces from the toes to immediately counteract instability in the heel area.

Abstract: A plate is molded into the lift of a heel. Resilient material is interposed between the lower surface of the heel block and the lift. Primary and secondary posts pass through the plate in a moveable manner. The primary post is joined to a primary shaft received in the heel block. The upper end of the shaft is in engagement with a compressible material. The secondary post is received in a secondary shaft and adapted for movement therein. The dual post arrangement in combination with the plate prevents the lift from being torn from the heel block. Alternatively, ribbed washers may be used in lieu of the plate.

Abstract: Sports shoes having exchangeable heels. Each the exchangeable heel is detachably attached to a heel section of a sole such that it is exchanged with the other heel. The heel is axially recessed on its top center to have a trapezoidal recessed rail and has a pair of inserts. The inserts protrude forward from a front end of the heel and is spaced apart from and parallel to each other and have downward wedges at their ends. The sole is recessed at its rear section to form the heel section which has an trapezoidal protruding rail for substantially meeting with the trapezoidal recessed rail of the heel. A pair of snap units is movably provided in the sole for snapping up the downward wedges of the inserts of the heel respectively.

Abstract: For use with a shoe having an upper and a sole and with a block downwardly extending from the lower portion of the sole adjacent to the heel and with a magnetic plate facing downwardly from the block, an improved replaceable heel having an upper surface with an upwardly facing recess therein and a magnetically responsive plate face upwardly on the lower surface of the recess.

Abstract: A shoe having a detachable heel. The shoe includes a foot receptacle portion having a threaded stem extending downwardly from the foot receptacle portion and a locking pin slot, and a shoe heel threadedly engageable to the stem and having a locking pin assembly which engages the locking pin slot to secure the heel in a fixed position.

Abstract: A plate is molded into the lift of a heel. Resilient material is interposed between the lower surface of the heel block and the lift. Primary and secondary posts pass through the plate in a moveable manner. The primary post is joined to a primary shaft received in the heel block. The upper end of the shaft is in engagement with a compressible material. The secondary post is received in a secondary shaft and adapted for movement therein. The dual post arrangement in combination with the plate prevents the lift from being torn from the heel block. Alternatively, ribbed washers may be used in lieu of the plate.

Abstract: A high heel shoe with a self seating removable heel portion includes a shoe body having a sole portion with a toe and a heel area, the heel area being elevated substantially above the toe area so that the shoe sole is inclined between the toe and the heel and at the heel area. The heel portion of the shoe sole has a socket with a forwardly facing open end and a closed rear end, the socket having a side wall forming a continuous dove-tail joint portion. The high heel has an enlarged upper end portion with an inclined upper surface and a dove-tail locking member extends upwardly from the high heel upper end portion inclined surface, the locking member including a pedestal with a dove-tail side wall that corresponds to and registers with the socket so that the heel can be attached to the socket by moving the heel pedestal into the socket into a fore to aft direction, and wherein the heel is constantly loaded rearwardly during use insuring a seating of the heel upon the socket during use.

Abstract: The replaceable tread portion of a shoe heel assembly is detachably secured to the fixed portion of the assembly through a dovetail connection defined by a retaining tongue extending rearwardly of a transverse block carried by the fixed portion and a corresponding recess formed in the tread portion for receiving the tongue, whereby the fixed and tread portions are secured together by a pair of screws. The fixed and tread portions are also provided with corresponding edge and surface areas disposable in engagement when the tread portion is fully secured to the fixed portion to further prevent movement and inadvertent detachment of the tread portion.

Abstract: A releasable retainer for a replaceable top lift (30) of a shoe heel (10) includes a threaded wedge (25) threaded into a retainer hole (18) that intersects a mounting hole (15) for the top lift. There, a dowel rod or tube (20) holding the top lift at its bottom end (23) has a slot (21) at its upper end (22) engaged by a conical wedge tip (26) of threaded wedge (25) threaded into retainer hole (18). The wedging action of conical tip (26) in slot (21) of tube (20) or rod (50) spreads the tube and holds it firmly in mounting hole (15), against both rotary and axial movement.

Abstract: An antiwear and nonskid protective element for a shoe heel comprising (a) an outside first part having a through opening therein, the cross section surface of which increases from the surface contacting the heel to the free end surface; (b) an inside second part that can be fitted into the through opening; and (c) a connecting element for connection between the second part and the heel. The head of the connecting element is buried in the top of the inside part while the body is driven into the shoe heel.

Abstract: A heel device for shoes having a heel and a heel lift detachably attached to the heel. An insertion hole is formed longitudinally at the heel, and an inserting rod of the shape corresponding to that of the insertion hole is stood on the heel lift. The inserting rod is detachably inserted into the insertion hole of the heel to attach or detach the heel lift to or from the heel. The inserting rod is rigidly held by a clamping member formed of a material having expansible and contractible properties and strong frictional force.

Abstract: Women's high heel shoes and men's shoes are provided with unidirectionally compressible resilient heels and internal cushioning pads that absorb shock forces when the shoes are worn while walking, thereby reducing stress on the wearer's feet and legs and on the shoe heels themselves. The stiffness or compliance of the heels can be selected or adjusted to suit the wishes of the wearer.

Abstract: An article of footware comprising a shoe having a removable and replaceable heel. Attached to the sole surface of the shoe's upper is a outwardly projecting shaft which is adapted to fit into an internal bore formed in the core of the shoe's heel member. A latch mechanism is provided for inhibiting unintended separation of the heel from the upper.

Abstract: A women's shoe with flexible shank for use with replaceable heels of different height includes a sole with a forward support portion and a raised heel portion and an overlying insole. An elongated flexible spring steel shank is nested within a slot between the insole and sole and at one end anchored thereto. A high heel registers with the heel portion and interlocking fasteners upon the heel and heel portion upon limited rotation of the heel relative to the shoe removably anchors the heel upon the shoe. The heel upon limited angular rotation and disengagement of the fasteners is adapted for removal and replacement by a low heel having similar fasteners. The shank moves within the slot to compensate for the change in height. The interlocking fasteners include opposed interconnected lock segments and anchor flanges secured respectively to the heel and heel portion.

Abstract: A running sole for a shoe comprising a sole body 1, having a generally longitudinally extending first recess 5 extending from the one edge of the sole and at least one laterally extending second recess 6, 7, extending from the side edges of the sole in the heel region, said at least one second recess intersecting the first recess, a first supporting body 10 of springably compressible and/or flexible supporting material exchangeably inserted in said first recess and having at least one opening 11 inside thereof aligned with the second recess 6, 7, and at least one second similar supporting body 16, 17 inserted in said second recess(s) 6, 7 and engaging in said opening or openings to lock said supporting bodies in position.

Abstract: A heel member (10) for attachment to a heel stub has a ground engaging surface that matches in size and shape the heel stub surface to which it is to be attached and has a stub engaging surface 10b which is cut away (10c) in the rear curved region (10d) of the heel member so that, when attached, an open but confined space 14 is provided between the stub and a rear peripheral part of the heel member to allow flexing of said unsupported rear part. A plurality of peripherally spaced webs (10e) may be provided in the cut away region (10d) to support, and assist the return action of the rear part of the heel member during flexing.

Abstract: Shoe comprising an upper portion, a sole attached to the upper portion, a detachable heel engagable with the lower surface of the sole and having a keyway extending downwardly from the upper surface of the heel, and a retainer key mounted in the sole and adapted to extend into the keyway when the heel is applied to the sole for releasably locking the heel to the sole.

Abstract: A shoe replaceable heel device including a heel base including a replaceable heel mounted on the bottom of the heel portion of the sole of a shoe, a replaceable heel connecting means for removably screwing said replaceable heel to the underside of the heel base and fastening means for securing the heel base to the sole. The connecting means includes a circular base plate secured to the underside of the heel base and a circular replaceable plate secured to the top of said replaceable heel. The base plate has a male threaded perimeter and the replaceable plate has female screw threads adapted to mate with the threaded perimeter of the base plate. The connecting means for women's replaceable high heel is to secure base plate directly to heel portion of shoe sole and apply fastening means described.

Abstract: A shoe heel, particularly for a woman's shoe, has a body with a small cross-sectional end area and a wear piece or heelpiece of an abrasion-resistant material. The body and wear piece are connected by a pair of telescoping tubes having non-circular cross-sectional shapes, one of which is embedded in the body during molding thereof, and the lower end of the other is embedded in the wear piece. The tubes have aligned slots with material exposed to increase the frictional engagement for holding them together.

Abstract: An adjustable mechanically cushioned heel for a shoe comprises a heel insert attached to the heel area of the shoe and a ground-engaging member removably attached to the insert. The ground-engaging member includes a relatively stiff spring element to provide a cushioning effect in the heel area. An adjustable coupling between the ground-engaging member and the insert allows the user to alter the spring constant of the spring element to vary the cushioning effect of the heel.

Abstract: A heel lift comprises an elongated body portion having a blunt or pointed upper end for insertion into a shoe heel, a lock washer or ring member with inwardly directed projections fitted and locked about the body portion and a head portion connected to the lower end of the body portion, the head portion having a slot and an annular undercut which cooperate to form passages within the head portion through which a molding material forming a wearing portion can flow when the lock washer and the head portion are coated with the molding material whereby the wearing portion is firmly bonded to the head portion.

Abstract: A basic design of heel-needing shoe is provided having a sole member made of semi-rigid molded plastic material including a thickened heel stub or jack portion having a downwardly-tapering outer perimetrical sidewall extending about the back and the lateral sides, and a downwardly-opening cylindrically-walled centrally-located socket. The upper surface of the sole member overlying this thickened portion is preferably provided with a small-diameter opening axially communicating with the well. The upper end of the heel is provided with a centrally located axially upwardly projecting cylindrical boss, preferably centrally provided with an upwardly opening threaded bore. The boss is surrounded by a flat upper end surface. An upstanding flange extends about the back and sides of this end surface. The inner surface of this flange tapers to match the heel jack.

Abstract: A shoe has a first coupling element secured on a heel portion thereof and a second coupling element, defining a heel thereon, is slidably mounted in interlocking relationship on the first coupling element. A resilient locking tab on the second coupling element engages a locking groove formed on the first coupling element and is held in locked relationship therein by a removable wedge.

Abstract: A shoe and a detachable transparent heel therefor. A beveled portion on the bottom back of a shoe upper cooperates with a rim portion having beveled edges formed on the top of a transparent heel. A latching means on the shoe upper selectively allows or prevents movement of the heel -- when assembled with the shoe upper -- away from the shoe sole. A light bulb and associated electrical components mounted on a printed circuit board are readily insertable into a cavity formed in the heel and communicating with the top and front portions thereof. Bores for receipt of an e.m.f. source or sources may also be provided in the heel.