CONVERTIBLE SHOE

The present invention relates to a convertible shoe, which is convertible between a high heel mode and a low heel mode, the convertible shoe comprising a front part, a first rear part having a heel, and a second rear part having a heel which is lower than the heel of the first rear part, wherein the first and second rear parts are exchangeable, allowing the shoe to be converted between the high heel mode and the low heel mode, wherein the convertible shoe comprises a coupling between the front part and the rear part which allows coupling and uncoupling of the front part and rear part and exchanging the rear part, wherein the coupling comprises a front coupling part provided at a rear end of the front part and a rear coupling part provided at a forward end of the rear part.

FIELD OF THE INVENTION

The present invention relates to footwear for women, in particular footwear which can be converted between a high heel and a low heel, and to this end has exchangeable rear parts. Footwear which is convertible from a high heel to a low heel is known.

BACKGROUND OF THE INVENTION

Many women who visit a party, date or other event wish to look feminine and sexy. For this purpose, women often wear shoes with high heels. The high heels provide the feminine and sexy look. However, shoes with high heels are not very comfortable, and often cause pain after a few hours. Generally, when the woman in question goes home at the end of the event, she would prefer to take off her shoes immediately after leaving the event because they hurt her feet. She would prefer to put on more comfortable shoes for the trip back home.

However, even with comfortable shoes the lady in question often still wishes to look quite feminine and sexy. Many temporary shoes which are available (e.g. flip-flops) do not meet that demand, because they have no heels, no stylish look and a general lack of quality. For that reason, many women prefer to continue walking on shoes which hurt above walking on shoes which makes them feel ugly.

There is a demand for shoes which are convertible between a high heel mode (or party mode) and a low heel mode (or travel mode) and which are also stylish and provide a feminine look to the user both in the party mode and in the travel mode, and which do not comprise parts which are too heavy or large to be to be carried around in a ladies bag, for instance during a party. Apart from these requirements, the shoe also needs to meet the requirements of high quality and a long lifetime. These requirements apply both in the party mode and in the travel mode. The conversion between high heel mode and low heel mode needs to be easy and quick.

At present such shoes do not exist. Various attempt have been made, but none of these attempts has resulted in a shoe which meets the requirements. For instance, U.S. Pat. No. 3,225,462 discloses a woman's shoe which can be disassembled in a front part and a rear part. There are two versions of the rear part. A first version of the rear part has a high heel and therefore makes a woman look feminine. This is the “party mode”. A second version of the rear part has a low heel and provides more comfort. This is the travel mode. Because of the low heel, the woman still looks reasonably feminine and in any case much better than she would on flip-flops or the like.

The shoe according to U.S. Pat. No. 3,225,462 has several problems. One problem is that the coupling between the rear part and the front part is quite complex. The rear part comprises a metal plate which protrudes horizontally in a forward direction from a main section of the rear part. The front past comprises a slot which is open to the rear side. The metal horizontal plate is inserted into the slot. This coupling is not very strong, because the metal plate is quite thin. It needs to be quite thin, because the sole of the front part of the shoe is quite thin. There is no space in the front part for a thicker plate. The overall construction is also difficult to manufacture and therefore not very-cost effective. The operation of coupling and uncoupling the front part and rear part is also quite cumbersome.

The metal plate may damage other goods inside a ladies bag. This makes the shoe impractical and unsuitable. Because of the thin construction of the metal plate, any other material than metal cannot be applied because it is simply not strong enough.

OBJECT OF THE INVENTION

It is an object of the invention to provide a shoe which can be converted between a high mode in which it has a high heel and a low mode in which it has a low heel, and to this end has exchangeable rear parts, wherein a coupling between the front part and rear part is strong and reliable.

It is an object of the invention to provide a shoe which can be converted between a high heel mode and a low heel mode, and to this end has exchangeable rear parts, which has a coupling which can be manufactured at relatively low costs, in particular with injection moulding.

It is an object of the invention to provide a shoe which can be converted between a high heel mode and a low heel mode, and to this end has exchangeable rear parts, wherein the conversion process is relatively easy and quick for a user, and wherein the shoe is of high quality and has a stylish look.

It is an object of the invention to provide a shoe which can be converted between a high mode in which it has a high heel and a low mode in which it has a low heel, and to this end has exchangeable rear parts, wherein the shoe is an alternative to the prior art.

SUMMARY OF THE INVENTION

In order to achieve at least one object the invention provides a convertible shoe, which is convertible between a high heel mode and a low heel mode, the convertible shoe comprising:a front part,a first rear part having a first heel, anda second rear part having a second heel which is lower than the heel of the first rear part,

wherein the first and second rear parts are exchangeable, allowing the shoe to be converted between the high heel mode and the low heel mode,

wherein the convertible shoe comprises a coupling between the front part and anyone of the rear parts which allows coupling, uncoupling and exchanging of the first or second rear part, wherein the coupling comprises a front coupling part provided at a rear end of the front part and a rear coupling part provided at a forward end of the first and second rear part,

wherein the front coupling part comprises at least one recess and wherein the rear coupling part comprises at least one protrusion which fits in the recess, and

wherein the coupling comprises a locking device for locking the first or second rear part to the front part, wherein the locking device comprises an operating member for unlocking the coupling and allowing the front part and first or second rear part to be taken apart.

The convertible shoe according to the invention is easy to convert from a high heel mode to a low heel mode. The convertible shoe is strong and easy to manufacture. The convertible shoe can be made in high quality and can have a stylish look.

In an embodiment, each of the rear parts comprises a right and left protrusion which define a gap between them, and wherein the front part comprises a right and left recess into which the right and left protrusion fit, wherein the protrusions protrude in particular horizontally from the forward end of the rear part. It was found that this embodiment results in a high quality coupling which is strong and reliable.

In an embodiment, in the locked state of the front part and rear part the locking device is located centrally between the left and right protrusion. The central position allows easy coupling and uncoupling.

In an embodiment, the operating member is provided on a top side of the convertible shoe and is accessible for a user from the top side of the convertible shoe when the front part and rear part are interconnected. This makes it very easy to uncouple the front and rear part.

In an embodiment, the front part comprises the locking device. It was found that this location is very effective. The locking device may be integrated into the front part.

In an embodiment, in the locked state the locking device is positioned centrally on the shoe. The locking device may in particular be positioned between the left and right protrusion. This results in a compact and sturdy coupling.

In an embodiment, the operating member is configured to be pushed downwards by a user to unlock the coupling and allow the front or second rear part to be removed from the front part, and wherein in particular the operating member is biased by a spring member in an upward direction, wherein the user pushes the operating member downwards against the biasing force to unlock the coupling. This allows a very easy operation.

In an embodiment, the operating member is a push button which extends upwards. A push button provides a very simple operation.

In an embodiment, the locking device comprises at least one locking pin, wherein each of the rear parts and in particular the at least one protrusion thereof comprises a locking recess into which the locking pin is inserted in a locked state of the convertible shoe, wherein in particular the right and left protrusion each comprise a locking recess and the locking device comprises a first and second locking pin which fit into respectively the first and second locking recesses, wherein in particular the locking recess(es) face downwardly. The locking pin provides a reliable coupling and uncoupling.

In an embodiment, in top view the locking pin extends over a horizontal distance away from the operating member. This provides an effective mechanism.

In an embodiment, the front part comprises a first abutment surface at a rear end thereof which first abutment surface faces in a rearward and upward direction, and wherein each of the rear parts comprises a second abutment surface at a forward end thereof which faces in a forward and downward direction and which is configured to abut the first abutment surface, wherein in side view the first and second abutment surface are tilted in a forward direction over an angle α. This allows the rear part to rest on the front part, and provides an effective transfer of the forces between the front part and rear part when the shoe is used.

In an embodiment, the front part comprises a rear lower end on which the rear part rests in the assembled state, wherein the rear part does not touch a ground surface at the coupling and only touches the ground surface with a lower end of the heel. In this embodiment the rear part does not need to be provided with any sole, which is advantageous.

In an embodiment, the at least one locking recess in the at least one protrusion faces downwardly, and wherein the at least one protrusion comprises a locking portion positioned forward of the at least one locking recess, wherein the at least one locking portion is configured to slide over the at least one locking pin, wherein the locking pin is biased in an upward direction and clicks into the at least one locking recess once the locking portion has slid over the locking pin. This effectively allows coupling of the front and rear part without any operation of the operating member. The rear part can be simply clicked into the front part.

In an embodiment, the locking device comprises a right locking pin and a left locking pin which in top view protrude to the left and to the right from the operating member, each of the rear parts comprising a left protrusion having a left locking recess and a right protrusion having a right locking recess, wherein the left locking pin fits in to the left locking recess and the right protrusion fits into the right locking recess. This embodiment provides a strong coupling.

In an embodiment, each of the rear parts comprises a central rear recess into which the locking device fits. This provides a compact coupling.

In an embodiment, the at least one recess is only open at the rear end of the front part and is covered at the top side by a top layer of the front part and is covered on a bottom side by a lower layer of the front part. Advantageously, in the coupled state the coupling is completely concealed.

The present invention further relates to a pair of convertible shoes according to the invention, comprising at least one right front part, at least one left front part, at least a first and second right rear part and at least a first and second left rear part, the convertible shoe being convertible between the high heel mode and the low heel mode by exchanging the first right and left rear parts for the second right and left rear parts or vice versa.

The present invention may further relate to a set comprising multiple front parts of a left shoe, multiple front parts of a right shoe, multiple rear parts of a left shoe and multiple rear parts of a right shoe, allowing various combination of front part and rear part for both the left and the right shoe.

The present invention further relates to a method of manufacturing the convertible shoe according to the invention, the method comprising manufacturing the front coupling member and rear coupling members from a synthetic material by injection moulding.

These and other aspects of the invention will be more readily appreciated as the same becomes better understood by reference to the following detailed description and considered in connection with the accompanying drawings in which like reference symbols designate like parts.

DETAILED DESCRIPTION OF THE FIGURES

Turning toFIG. 1, a pair of convertible shoes10A,10B, commonly denoted as10, according to the invention is shown. The convertible shoe is a women's shoe. The shoe is convertible between a high heel mode and a low heel mode. The shoe has a top side on which a foot of the user may rest. It is noted that the top side48may be covered with a layer of material for providing extra comfort and a better appearance. The top layer is not shown.

Turning toFIGS. 2, 3, 4, 5 and 6, the convertible shoe comprises a front part12, and a rear part14having a heel16. The rear part has a relatively high heel. A second rear part having a lower heel is also included. The second rear part is of a similar construction as the first rear part but has a lower heel. One rear part may comprise a high heel of more than 5 cm and one rear part may comprise a heel of less than 5 cm.

The convertible shoe10comprises a coupling20between the front part and the rear part which allows coupling and uncoupling of the front part and rear part and exchanging the rear part. The coupling comprises a front coupling part22provided at a rear end23of the front part and a rear coupling part24provided at a forward end25of the rear part.

The front coupling part22comprises at least one recess30, and in particular a right and left recess30A,30B. The at least one recess30is only open at the rear end of the front part and is covered at the top side by a top layer38of the front part and is covered on a bottom side by a lower layer39of the front part.

The rear coupling part24comprises at least one protrusion32which fits in the recess. The at least one protrusion extends in a forward direction from the rear part. The rear coupling part24may in particular comprise a right and left protrusion32A,32B which fit in the right and left recesses. A gap33is defined between the right and left protrusion.

The coupling20comprises a locking device40for locking the rear part to the front part, wherein the locking device comprises an operating member42for unlocking the coupling and allowing the front and rear part to be taken apart.

The protrusions32protrude, in particular horizontally, from the forward end25of the rear part. The protrusions32may protrude from the forward end in a direction which deviates from the horizontal direction.

In the locked state of the front part and rear part, the locking device40is located centrally on the shoe, in particular between the left and right protrusion. Centrally in this context means at a substantially same distance from a left side as a right side of the shoe.

The operating member is accessible for a user from a top side48of the convertible shoe when the front part and rear part are interconnected.

The front part12comprises the locking device. Alternatively, the locking device may be in the rear part14.

The locking device40is positioned between the left and right recess, wherein the first and second protrusion are configured to be inserted on a left respectively a right side of the locking device.

The front par12comprises a depression51in the top side located forward of the coupling, the depression provides room for the foot bones to extend somewhat deeper than the upper elevation of the front coupling part22.

The operating member42is configured to be pushed downwards by a user to unlock the coupling and allow the rear part to be removed from the front part. The operating member42may be biased by a spring member43in an upward direction. The user pushes the operating member42downwards against the biasing force to unlock the coupling. The operating member may be a push button which extends upwards. The operating member slides in a guide44having a guide recess45. The guide44has a right opening46and a left opening47which are explained further below.

The locking device40comprises at least one locking pin50. The at least one protrusion comprises a locking recess52into which the locking pin50is inserted in a locked state of the convertible shoe. The locking device40may comprise a right locking pin50A and a left locking pin50B, commonly denoted as50. In case the rear part comprise right and left protrusion, the right and left protrusion each comprise a locking recess52A,52B (commonly denoted as52). The right and left locking pin fit into respectively the right and left locking recesses. The locking recess(es)52may face downwardly.

In top view the locking pin50and in particular the left and right locking pins50A,50B extend over a horizontal distance away from the operating member. The locking device comprises a right locking pin50A and a left locking pin50B which in top view protrude to the left and to the right from the operating member42. The rear part14comprises a right protrusion32A having a right locking recess52A and a left protrusion32B having a left locking recess32B, wherein the right locking pin fits in to the right locking recess and the left protrusion fits into the left locking recess. Obviously in an alternative embodiment a single locking pin may be provided. In one embodiment the single locking pin may extend to the rear and may fit in a single recess in the rear coupling part24.

The front part12comprises a first abutment surface60at a rear end23thereof which first abutment surface faces in a rearward and upward direction. The rear part14comprises a second abutment surface62at a forward end25thereof which faces in a forward and downward direction and which is configured to abut the first abutment surface. In side view the first and second abutment surface are tilted in a forward direction over an angle α.

The abutment surfaces are configured to transfer a horizontal and a vertical force between the front part and the rear part.

The front part12comprises a rear lower end64on which the rear part14rests in the assembled state. The rear part14does not touch a ground surface at the coupling20and only touches the ground surface with a lower end66of the heel16. This provides an advantage in that the rear part does not need to be provided with a sole.

A reinforcing tube67made of steel or carbon fits in the heel16.

The at least one locking recess52in the at least one protrusion32faces downwardly. The at least one protrusion32comprises a locking portion70positioned forward of the at least one locking recess32. The at least one locking portion is configured to slide over the at least one locking pin50. The at least one locking pin is provided with a sloping upper surface which allows the locking pin to slide beneath the locking portion. The locking pin is biased in an upward direction and clicks into the at least one locking recess52once the locking portion70has slid over the locking pin.

In an alternative embodiment, the locking recesses may be provided on a top side of the protrusions or even in a top side of the rear part. The locking pin(s) then slides over the locking portion(s) and clicks into the locking recess(es). In such an embodiment, the locking pin may be embodied as a lever which pivots about a horizontal pin axis. The operating member pushes down on the opposite end of the locking pin to lift the locking end of the locking pin from the locking recess in an upward direction.

The rear part14comprises a central rear recess74into which the locking device40fits.

Turning toFIG. 7, two rear parts14are shown, one with a high heel16and one with a low heel16. The rear parts have a same rear coupling part.

The convertible shoe will generally be provided as a pair of convertible shoes. The pair comprises comprising at least one right front part, at least one left front part, at least two right rear parts and at least two left rear parts. One set of rear parts will have a high heel and one set will have a low heel. The convertible shoe is convertible between a high mode and a low mode by exchanging the right and left high rear parts for the right and left low rear parts or vice versa.

A set of shoes may comprise multiple front parts of a left shoe, multiple front parts of a right shoe, multiple rear parts of a left shoe and multiple rear parts of a right shoe, allowing various combination of front part and rear part for both the left and the right shoe. The front parts and rear parts may for instance be of various colour and various design, allowing lively combinations.

It will be understood that the shown embodiments are not complete shoes. In order to complete the shoe, both the front part and the rear part are provided with a top part which may comprise straps which extend over the foot of the user and around the ankle of the user.

Operation

The female user may walk on the high heels and carry the low rear part in her bag when she goes to a party, date or other event. When the event is over, the user may take off the shoes, exchange the high rear parts with the low rear parts and go home while comfortably walking on low heels. The woman in question will still feel feminine and rather sexy because of the (low) heels and also because of the overall high quality of the shoes.

Manufacturing

The front and rear coupling may be manufactured from a synthetic material such as a hard plastic. In a method of manufacturing the convertible shoe according to the invention, the front coupling member and rear coupling member are manufactured from a synthetic material by injection moulding.

The coupling20is user friendly, does not have sharp edges and does not damage other items in a ladies bag. The overall shoe is relatively light weight.

The terms “a” or “an”, as used herein, are defined as one or more than one. The term plurality, as used herein, is defined as two or more than two. The term another, as used herein, is defined as at least a second or more. The terms including and/or having, as used herein, are defined as comprising i.e., open language, not excluding other elements or steps.

Any reference signs in the claims should not be construed as limiting the scope of the claims or the invention. It will be recognized that a specific embodiment as claimed may not achieve all of the stated objects.