Abstract: A new shoe having removable heels for permitting a user to wear a single pair of shoes which can be used in high heel form and in a flat form. The inventive device includes a sole having opposite heel and toe ends. The lower surface of the sole has a hole therein located towards the heel end of the sole. The hole has a perimeter with a number of sides. Each of the sides of the perimeter of the hole has an aperture into the sole. A heel is also provided and has a block outwardly extended from its upper end. The block also has a number of sides with each of the sides of the block associated with a side of the perimeter of the hole. The block is removably inserted into the hole of the lower surface of the sole and each of the sides of the block has a detent which are inserted into the aperture of their associated side of the perimeter of the hole.

Abstract: A shoe having an upper, a sole and an adjustable heel including a first heel member connected to the sole at a rear portion thereof and a second heel member arranged at least partially within the first heel member. The second heel member is movable relative to the first member between a first position in which the first and second heel members provide the heel with a first height and a second position in which the first and second heel members provide the heel with a second height greater than the first height. In the first position of the second heel member, the second heel member is arranged partially within the first heel member whereas in the second position of the second heel member, the second heel member is arranged below the first heel member.

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: Combination athletic shoes and plyometric training devices are disclosed. The said shoes having removable heels that include a snap-lock track slide retainer fixedly disposed in the sole at the instep of the athletic shoe, a heel track slide retainer fixedly disposed in the sole at the heel of the athletic shoe and having a lower surface with a female portion of a dovetail joint therein, and a heel track slide with integral forward snap-lock insert fixedly attached to the heel of the athletic shoe and having a male portion of a dovetail joint on the top thereof that slidably engages the female portion of the dovetail joint in the lower surface of the heel track slide retainer and which is releasibly retained thereto by a release disposed on the bottom of the athletic shoe. This arrangement allows for the athletic shoe to function in a combination use in that without the heel in place the shoe can be used as plyometric type strength training device for the lower leg muscles.

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 athletic shoe is provided having a plurality of interchangeable soles which may be attached or removed by a push-button spring release mechanism located on the heel. This push-button element, when actuated, permits the interchangeable sole to be removed or attached. In the preferred embodiment, this push-button element causes a pair of flexible spring type capture elements to flex, permitting a pin member located on the sole to either be inserted or withdrawn. The shoe and sole have a plurality of other novel interfitting elements and mechanisms which permit the sole to be securely affixed to the shoe as well as prevent any movement of the sole with respect to the shoe. Shoe soles may be provided which have a variety of cleats, treads or other designs which may be utilized for diverse uses such as sport or leisure. By utilizing the invention, one may employ one shoe for a variety of athletic or other activities by simply attaching the desired sole.

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 shoe (10) is disclosed including a pin member (18) projecting outwardly from a head portion (20) secured to the sole (12) by a screw (256) extending through a bore (254) and threaded in a nut (252) imbedded in the head portion (20), with the bore (254) and the screw (256) being preferably at an obtuse angle to the pin member (18). An exchangeable heel (16) includes a preassembled capsule lock (200) secured in a bore (24). The capsule lock (200) includes a housing formed by a bottom cup (202) being press fit in a top insert (222). A washer member (214) of a lock member (50) is biased against the lower surface of a plate (230) integrally formed in the cylindrical portion (224) of the top insert (222) by a compression spring (48), with the plate (230) being at an acute angle to the axis of the housing and to the pin member (18).

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: 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: A shoe which is provided with a permanently attached low heel can be converted to a high heel shoe by attaching the high heel bodily to the low heel. Additionally, there is an adjustable shank for retaining the shoe in a shape conforming to its high heel condition or in a shape conforming to its low heel condition.

Abstract: Transformable shoe frames are described wherein the heel of the shoe can be extended downwardly in a high heel position or converted to a low heel position. The shoe frame is made in sections that are pivotally connected to each other and mechanisms have been provided to lock the sections together in varying positions, so that the angle between the toe portion and the remainder of the shoe can be adjusted to maximize the comfort of the wearer depending on whether the heel is in a high heel or a low heel position. Additional mechanisms are illustrated to change the contour of the arch when the heel height is changed. In a preferred embodiment the heel is stowable under the sole of the shoe and the sole will have a well defined flexible region in the distal metatarsal region of the shoe, either by having a hinged joint or built in flexibility.

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 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: 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: A shoe, in particular a ladies high-heeled shoe, has a heel tap (3) fastened by means of a pin (4) to the heel (1), the pin having a head (13) which passes, secured against rotation, through a hole in the heel tap. The pin extends, with an expansion seat, within an expansion sleeve (6) of the heel and has a longitudinal bore (17) of circular cylindrical shape into which an expansion nail is driven. The expansion nail (18) has a non-circular cross section.

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: An interchangeable shoe and slipper combination includes an upper having a front upper portion secured on a sole and a rear upper portion. A slide fastener couples or uncouples the front upper portion and the rear upper portion so as to assemble a shoe, or form a slipper by separating the rear upper portion from the front upper portion. A detachable heel is fixed under the sole, which includes several heel sections selectively fixed under the sole for adjusting the heel height of the shoe.

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: The shoe has a permanently affixed heel plate attached to the bottom of the heel support portion of the shoe. This heel plate contains a mortise having a decreasing transverse width from the front to the rear of the heel plate. A replaceable heel having a flat surface on one side and a dovetail on the reverse surface corresponding in shape to the opening in the mortise is slid into the mortise to be firmly seat by a friction fit on the heel plate.

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: An adjustable mechanically cushioned heel for a shoe comprises a recess adjacent one of the lateral borders of the heel area and ground-engaging members removably attached to the recess. Each of the ground-engaging members includes a relatively stiff spring element to provide a cushioning effect at the one lateral border of the heel area. Independent adjustable couplings between the ground-engaging members and the recess allow the user to independently alter the spring constant of each spring element to vary the cushioning effect at the lateral border of the heel.

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: The invention relates to a heel and sole assembly for an adjustable arch shoe. The assembly comprises a fixed nondeformable support element forming a heel portion and a sole portion, a pivoting element which covers a rear portion of the sole and heel portions and which is articulated upon the sole through an axis which is perpendicular to the length of the shoe so as to pivot between a lowered position and one or more elevated positions, a locking element to lock the pivoting element in any one of its positions and a prestressed spring arranged between the fixed support element and the pivoting element to force the latter upwardly to a desired elevated position. Such an assembly makes it possible to instantly change the heel height of the shoe without removal of the shoe from the wearer's foot.

Abstract: A shoe sole and heel construction. The heel consists of metal pins fixed to the sole by means of sockets. Each socket is provided with a cavity in which the enlarged head of a pin is locked by means of a screw. A deformable pad may be located between the screw and the pin head, or the head may be locked in the cavity by means of a hardenable material.

Abstract: A system is provided wherein a dress shoe may be fabricated by even small industrial enterprises or small groups of workers, using four basic components, namely an anatomically-shaped combination insole and heel jack unit, a removable heel with its securement device, an upper and a sole. By preference the insole/heel jack unit is constituted by a body of plastic material sandwiched between and united to upper and lower layers of sheet material. In the shoe assembly operation, the insole/heel jack unit is inserted into the upper and secured in place with the heel jack exposed below, a sole is laminated to the underside of the forward portion of the upper and a heel of selected height and style is removably secured in place.

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: Each of a plurality of readily detachably attachable heels and each of a plurality of readily detachably attachable uppers are selectively mounted upon a sole and offer a user the freedom of rapid facile changes in style of footwear.

Abstract: A shoe shank support suitable for being molded into a unit sole for a ladies high heel shoe provides increased stability and resistance to flexing and comprises a shank of metal strapping sufficiently long to extend from the heel area to approximately the beginning of the ball of the foot and a heel post which extends the height of the heel. The shank may be generally flattened and include a strengthening rib or it may be oval in shape. The heel post is attached to the heel area of the shank by being inserted through a hole and tightened in position by a reversed wing nut. The threaded end of the heel post extends the length of the heel and protrudes a small distance therefrom to provide a mounting for top lifts on the bottom of the heel. Additional holes may be provided in the shank for positioning the shank in a mold and preventing slippage of the shank during the molding process.

Abstract: A shoe with an interchangeable heel comprises two parts, a main sole part reinforced in its rear end section by a rigid plate and a separate heel part. The heel part is fitted to the reinforced section of the sole part by a ferrule, fixed to one part, having a projecting portion of non-circular cross-section which locates in an aperture of complementary shape in the other part so as to position and prevent rotation of the heel, and a removable locking element is provided to lock the heel part in place.

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 heel is longitudinally traversed by a threaded stem provided with a head which can be activated from the lower zone of the heel and whose free end is screwed into a blind hole made centrally in a projection of the lower face of a flat cover which is adjusted in a recess made in the upper zone of the heel. The flat cover is solidly fastened to a plate arranged on the upper face of the inner sole by fixing elements which pass through the inner sole and its inner shank.

Abstract: Footwear structure comprising essentially a lower portion and an upper portion or vamp, associated with said lower portion. The lower portion defines generally the sole and heel of the footwear. It comprises substantially a front element, a rear element and an intermediate supporting element or web. The web is associable rigidly, at its ends, with the front and rear elements for engagement therewith.

Abstract: This heel consists primarily of a magnetic spool which is imbedded within the heel of a woman's shoe, the magnetic spool serving to removably receive an extending magnetic rod of a heel extension which may be carried in one's purse when not in use.