Abstract:
A removable heel assembly, a shoe having a removable shoe assembly and kit containing a shoe body having a heel base and a plurality a assorted removable and interchangeable heels. The heel assembly includes the heel base and a removable and interchangeable heel. The removability relies upon at least one tapered groove ending in a dimple. The heel utilizes a locking connector which contains components which fit within a cavity within the heel base and which locks in place upon engagement thereof when the components engage the at least one tapered, groove and dimple.

Description:
CROSS-REFERENCE TO RELATED APPLICATIONS 
     The present application is a continuation-in-part application and claims priority of co-pending U.S. patent application Ser. No. 13/607,920 filed on Sep. 10, 2012 entitled SHOE HAVING REMOVABLE AND INTERCHANGEABLE HEEL ASSEMBLIES WITH KIT and further claims priority of U.S. Provisional Patent Application No. 61/533,354, filed on Sep. 12, 2011, entitled REMOVABLE SHOE HEEL ASSEMBLY, both applications being incorporated herein by reference in their entirety and for all purposes. 
    
    
     BACKGROUND OF THE INVENTION 
     Through the selection of one&#39;s attire, one can choose to project a certain image or impression, whether professional, powerful, casual, approachable, fun-loving, athletic, etc. Essential tools in anyone&#39;s wardrobe are the shoes. Typically, one has different styled shoes for different “looks”. Having different styles and colors for shoes can be an expensive undertaking. Further, providing different shoes for use in travel is even more expensive. For example, during travel, to anticipate needing different attires for different occasions, one typically has to carry multiple pairs of shoes. These shoes take up a disproportionate amount of luggage space and add to its weight. With most airlines charging baggage fees and imposing weight limits, saving luggage space and weight may prove to be advantageous. 
     Heretofore there has been a lack of providing for different shoes for different occasions, especially, shoes which can provide various heels of different sizes, configurations and colors, and to do so interchangeably in a safe manner. 
     BRIEF SUMMARY OF THE INVENTION 
     A removable and interchangeable heel assembly including a heel base, the heel base having a first surface and a second surface, a cavity formed within the heel base and having an opening within the second surface, the opening being of a predetermined configuration, an inner side of the second surface of the heel base having at least one tapered groove, the at least one tapered groove having a greater depth at one end thereof and a lesser depth at the other end thereof, and a dimple indentation at the other end of the at least one tapered groove, a heel the dimple having a depth substantially the same or greater than the greater depth of the tapered groove, the a heel being removably and interchangeably connected to the heel base, the heel having a first surface at one end thereof and a second surface at the other end thereof, a locking connector extending from the first surface of the heel and having a locking member of a predetermined configuration, said predetermined configuration of said locking member being substantially the same size as the second opening in the heel base, the locking member having a surface having at least one biased component extending therefrom, the at least one biased component being configured such that it substantially at least partially fits within the tapered groove and dimple indentation, and the removable and interchangeable heel engages the second surface of the heel base, and upon movement of the heel, the at least one biased component moves within the at least one tapered groove from a greater depth to the lesser depth until each the biased component is biased within the respective, dimple indentation to lock the heel in place. 
     A shoe including a shoe body having a sole, a heel assembly attached to a heel portion of the sole, the heel assembly including a heel base; the heel base having a first surface and a second surface, the first surface of the heel base attached adjacent to an exterior of the heel portion of the sole, a cavity formed within the heel base, the cavity having an opening within the second surface, the second opening being of a predetermined configuration, an inner side of the second surface of the heel base having at least one, tapered groove, the at least one tapered groove having a greater depth at one end thereof and a lesser depth at the other end thereof, and a dimple indentation at the other end of the at least one tapered groove, a heel being removably and interchangeably connected to the heel base, the heel having a first surface at one end thereof and a second surface at the other end thereof, a locking connector extending from the first surface of the heel and having a locking member of a predetermined configuration, the locking member having an undersurface including at least one biased component extending therefrom, each of the biased components being configured such that it substantially at least partially fits within the at least tapered groove and dimple indentation, and the removable and interchangeable heel being movable within the heel base, where upon movement of the locking member the first surface of the heel engages the second surface of the heel base, and the at least one biased component moves within the at least one tapered groove from a greater depth to the lesser depth until the at least one biased component is biased within the respective, dimple indentation to lock the heel in place. 
     A kit having a box containing a shoe body, a plurality of removable and interchangeable heels, a support located within the box, the support having indentations therein, the indentations being configured to at least partially enclose the shoe body and the plurality of removable and interchangeable heels, the shoe body having a heel base, and further, the heel body having a first surface and a second surface, cavity formed within the heel base, the cavity having an opening within the second surface, the second opening being of a predetermined configuration, an inner side of the second surface of the heel base having at least one tapered groove, the at least one tapered grooves having a greater depth at one end thereof and a lesser depth at the other end thereof, and a dimple indentation at the other end of the at least one tapered groove, each of the heels being removably and interchangeably connected to the heel base, each of the heels having a first surface at one end thereof and a second surface at the other end thereof a locking connector extending from the first surface of the heel and having a locking member of a predetermined configuration, the locking member connecting to the heel base having an undersurface including at least one biased component extending therefrom, the at least one biased component being configured such that it substantially at least partially fits within each the tapered groove and dimple indentation, and each the removable and interchangeable heel being movable, whereupon insertion of the locking member within the opening until the first surface of each of the heel engages the second surface of the heel base, and upon movement of each of the heels, each of the at least one biased component moves within a respective, at least one tapered groove from a greater depth to the lesser depth until each the biased component is biased within the respective, dimple indentation to lock each of the replaceable and interchangeable heels in place. The kit for containing a shoe body having a plurality of removable and interchangeable heels wherein each of the heels may be of a different color, size and configuration. 
    
    
     
       BRIEF DESCRIPTION OF THE SEVERAL VIEWS OF THE FIGURES 
         FIGS. 1A-1D  illustrate embodiments of a removable heel assembly for a shoe according to the present invention; 
         FIGS. 2A-2E  illustrate in more detail various views of the removable heel assembly according to the present invention; 
         FIGS. 3A-3C  illustrate in more detail various views of the heel inner mount of the removable heel assembly according to the present invention; 
         FIGS. 4A-4G  illustrate in more detail various views of the heel base of the removable heel assembly according to the present invention; 
         FIGS. 5A-5H  illustrate in more detail various views of the pin assembly of the removable heel assembly according to the present invention; 
         FIGS. 6A-6D  illustrate in more detail various views of the heel pin cap of the pin assembly according to the present invention; 
         FIGS. 7A-7F  illustrate in more detail various views of the heel pin of the pin assembly according to the present invention; and 
         FIG. 8  illustrates a kit containing a shoe body, heel body and a plurality of heel portions. 
     
    
    
     DETAILED DESCRIPTION OF THE INVENTION 
     One embodiment provides a shoe having a removable and interchangeable heel assembly. The removable and interchangeable heel assembly includes a heel base and a heel. Another embodiment is directed to the heel assembly. A further embodiment relates to a kit that is made up of box, a shoe body and the shoe body includes a heel base and a plurality of removable and interchangeable assorted heels. The following description is presented to enable one of ordinary skill in the art to make and use the invention and is provided in the context of a patent application and its requirements. Various modifications to the embodiment will be readily apparent to those skilled in the art and the generic principles herein may be applied to other embodiments. Thus, the present invention is not intended to be limited to the embodiments shown but is to be accorded the widest scope consistent with the principles and features described herein. 
     The terminology used herein is for the purpose of describing particular embodiments only and is not intended to be limiting of the invention. As used herein, the singular forms “a”, “an” and “the” are intended to include the plural forms as well, unless the context clearly indicates otherwise. It will be further understood that the terms “comprises” and/or “comprising,” when used in this specification, specify the presence of stated features, elements, and/or components, but do not preclude the presence or addition of one or more other features, elements, components, and/or groups thereof. 
       FIGS. 1A-D  illustrate pictorial views of embodiments highlighting a shoe, shoe body and the removable heel assembly for a shoe according to the present invention. One embodiment, illustrated in  FIG. 1A , comprises a shoe  100  made up of a shoe body  101 , with a sole  102 , detachably coupled to a removable heel assembly  103  at the heel area of the shoe body  101 . The heel assembly  103  includes an internal heel mounting plate  201  residing under an inner sole liner of the shoe body  101 , a heel base  202  for attachment thereto and a removable and replaceable heel  205 . The heel base  202  may be made of various colors (for example, silver, gold, and other colors), materials, such as metals, composites, etc., but not limited to stainless steel, and configurations. The removable and replaceable heel  205  may also be made of various colors, materials, configurations and lengths.  FIG. 1B  illustrates pictorially from the rear, shoe  100  including heel assembly  103 . In another embodiment, illustrated in FIG,  1 C, the sole  102  is laminated with a material (such as, but not limited to, leather) over a core (such as, but not limited to, a steel core) (not shown). Here, the heel mounting plate  201  may not be needed as the heel assembly  103  may be detachably coupled directly to the base of the shoe body  101 . The heel assembly  103  need not be permanently affixed to the shoe body  101 , but instead can be decoupled from the shoe body  101  in the manner described below, in another embodiment as shown in  FIG. 1D , magnetized material or material  104  which is capable of adhering to a magnet may be used to line the shoe body or the heel portions. As a consequence, decorative substances, materials or designs which contain magnetized material or material which is capable of adhering to magnetized material can be used to alter the design of the shoe body  101 . The heel assembly  103  firmly attaches to the shoe body  101  so that the weight of a person wearing the shoe is safely supported. 
       FIGS. 2A-E  illustrate in more detail an embodiment of the removable heel assembly  103  according to the present invention. The heel assembly  103  includes a heel inner mount or mounting plate  201 , a heel base  202 , a heel  205  containing a pin assembly  203  having a locking connector  503  and connector member  504 , and fastening components described further below. In this embodiment, the heel inner mount  201  and the heel base  202  are affixed to the shoe body  101 . The locking connector  503  and therefore the locking member of heel is not permanently affixed to the shoe body  101  but instead can be readily removed and be interchanged with respect to the heel base  202  in the manner described below. 
       FIGS. 3A-C  illustrate in more detail the embodiment of the heel inner mount or mounting plate  201  of the removable heel assembly  103  according to the present invention. The heel inner mount  201  resides within the shoe body  101  under the sole  102 . The heel inner mount  201  provides a structure within the shoe body  101  for supporting and affixing of the heel base  202  of the heel assembly  103  thereto, Further, the surface of the heel inner mount  201  would reside under the heel portion of a wearer&#39;s foot, distributing the wearer&#39;s weight across the surface. As illustrates in  FIG. 3B , the heel inner mount  201  includes a plate having a plurality of holes  301 . In this embodiment, the heel inner mount  201  has, but is not limited thereto, four holes  301  for countersunk head screws ( 204 ,  FIG. 2A ). Preferably, each of the four holes  301 , but not limited thereto, are beveled to accommodate the countersunk heads of the screws  204 . 
       FIGS. 4A-G  illustrate in more detail the embodiment of the heel base  202  of the removable heel assembly  103  according to the present invention. The heel base  202  comprises a first end  401  and a second end  402 . The first end  401  comprises a plurality of internally threaded holes  407  for the screws  204 . The screws  204  affix the heel base  202  to the heel inner mount  201  with the sole of the shoe  102  residing in-between. Alternative mechanisms for coupling the heel inner mount  201  and the heel base  202  may be used without departing from the spirit and scope of the present invention. As with the heel inner mount  201 , the heel base  202  distributes the weight from the heel of the wearer over the surface of the first end  401 . The second end  402  of the heel base  202  has a surface that abuts a surface of the pin assembly  203  (described further below) of heel  205 . A cavity  403  traverses through the heel base  202  from the first end  401  to the second end  402 . As an alternative, the cavity  403  may only open at the second end  402 . At the second end  402 , the cavity terminates adjacent an inner surface of second end  402  in a predetermined configured opening  404  having a predetermined shape to accommodate locking member  504  of locking connector  503  illustrated in more detail in  FIGS. 5A-H . Along the inner surface of the second end  402  there is formed a lip portion. On the inner surface of the second end  402  and inside the cavity  403  are a pair, but not limited thereto, of curved, tapered indentations or grooves  405 . Each of the tapered grooves  405  comprise deep portions or indentations of a predetermined depth proximate to the opening  404  and shallow portions of as depth less than the predetermined depth that are located distal to the opening  404  used to assist in locking the pin assembly  203  in place in a manner described in greater detail below. Proximate to or connected to the shallow ends of the tapered grooves  405  are cupped portions or dimples  406 . The dimples  406  or indentations have a depth greater than the shallow end and substantially or even greater than the depth of the deep portion. In this embodiment, locking connector  503  or the pin assembly  203  has a connector member  504  that substantially matches the specific shape of the opening  404  and is inserted there through into the cavity  403  through the opening  404 . Once so positioned, the heel  205  and therefore the locking connector  503  is rotated therein with ball bearings  508  in the tapered grooves  405  to lock into dimples  406  so as to engage and securely lock the heel  205  to the heel base  202  as described below. 
       FIGS. 5A-H  illustrate in more detail the pin assembly  203  of the removable heel  205 . The pin assembly  203  comprises a heel pin  501 / 701  made of a solid material, such as, but not limited to steel or composite material (partially hidden) which is incorporated within heel  205 . Part of the heel pin  501 / 701  resides within the pin assembly housing  502  and may be affixed therein by an adhesive, screwing or both, but not limited thereto. The pin assembly housing  502  provides the aesthetic shape of the heel  205  of the shoe. The heel pin  501  comprises locking connector  503  comprising a connector member  504 , holes  505 , an abutting surface  506 , springs or biasing members  507 , ball bearings  508  which extend partially from openings in the bottom of key  504 , and a heel pin cap  509 . The heel pin cap can be eliminated leaving a closed top surface. The shape of member  504  substantially matches the shape of the opening  404  of the heel base  202  such that the member  504  may fit and traverse through the opening  404  into the cavity  403  so as to be rotated therein. The locking member  504  may be uniquely shaped such that only a pin assembly with a member  504  substantially matching the shape of opening  404  may be used with the heel base  202 . The holes  505  traverse the member  504  either all the way through and are capped or otherwise manufactured in a conventional manner. or only partially therethrough along the C-C′ axis. The springs  507  reside within the holes  505  and compress along the C-C′ axis (see  FIGS. 5A  and B). The ball bearings  508  also reside within the holes  505  and are coupled to the springs  507  at the ends proximate to the abutting surface  506 . The ball bearings  508  partially protrude from the holes  505  when the springs  507  by the force generated by the compressed springs so as to engage the dimples  406 . The holes end openings  505  are slightly smaller than the ball hearings  508  so that the ball bearings  508  do not fall out of the holes  505 . As illustrated in  FIGS. 6A-D , the heel pin cap  509 , if utilized, includes a plate having a plurality of holes  601  that traverse through the heel pin cap  509 . Screws  510  ( FIG. 5A ) are inserted through the holes  601  of the heel pin cap  509 . Another plurality of internally threaded holes  511  partially traverse through the member  504  (see  FIGS. 5E-H ). The holes  511  are positioned to align with the holes  601  in the heel pin cap  509 , such that when the screws  510  are inserted through the holes  511  and  601 , the heel pin cap  509  securely abuts the springs  507  at the ends opposite the ball bearings  508 , giving the springs  507  a surface upon which to compress. Alternative mechanisms for coupling the heel pin cap  509  to the key  504  may be used without departing from the spirit and scope of the present invention. 
       FIGS. 7A-F  illustrate in more detail the heel pin  501  of the pin assembly. The heel pin  501  comprises the locking connector  503 , the abutting surface  506 , and a heel pin shaft  701  or securing member threaded at an end distal to the abutting surface  506  as shown in  FIGS. 7A-7E . Matching internal threads exist within the pin assembly housing  502  (not shown) of heel  205 , although it should be realized that an adhesive may be used instead or in conjunction therewith. When the threads of the heel pin shaft  701  engage the threads within the pin assembly housing  502 , the heel pin shaft  701  securely fastens the heel pin  501  to the housing  502 , 
     As an alternative embodiment as shown in  FIGS. 7E and 7F , a further way of mounting locking connector  503  is to utilize a securing member such as a pin shaft  702  which can be molded within and form part of the heel  205 . Pin shaft  702  is made of metal, plastic, epoxy or composite material which is tapered and configuration having a series of modules  704  separated by grooves which allows for the embedding of locking connector  503  within a mold  707  of, for example a heel  205  as shown in  FIG. 7F . Pin shaft  702  also has a groove  703  running partially along its length and a hole or aperture  705  within, at least part way up the modules  704 , as shown in  FIG. 7E . The groove  703  is used to allow for the injection within a mold  707  as shown in  FIG. 7F  of substance  709 , such as but not limited to plastic or epoxy used to form a heel shape. This molded heel shape including heel pin  501  which includes locking connector  503  is removed from the mold and forms heel  205  when wrapped with material or painted or otherwise decorated to be aesthetically pleasing. 
     Referring to all views of  FIGS. 2 ,  4 , and  5 , when the heel  205  is attached to the heel base  202 , the member  504  of the heel pin  501  resides within the cavity  403  of the heel base  202 . The screws or other fastening components  204  are used to attach the heel mounting plate to the heel base of heel assembly  103 , to attach the heel  205  to heel base  202 , the member  504  is inserted through the opening  404  of the heel base  202 , and the pin assembly  203  is rotated along the D-D′ axis ( FIG. 2A ). During the rotation, the ball bearings  508  travel within the grooves  405  starting from the deep ends to the shallow ends. As the ball bearings  508  move, the fit between the pin assembly  203  and the heel base  202  become increasingly tighter, and the springs  507  become increasingly compressed. When the ball bearings  508  “fall” into the dimples  406 , the rotation of the pin assembly  203  stops, the compression of springs  507  hold the ball bearings  508  securely within the dimples  406 . Thus, through the combination of the tightness between the abutting surface of the pin assembly  203  and the second end  402  of the heel base  202 , and the ball bearings  508  being held within the dimples  406  by the springs  507 , the pin assembly  203  becomes locked to the heel base  202 . The level of force of this lock may be based on a combination of the amount of depth of the grooves  405 , the tension of the springs  507 , the strength of the ball bearings  508 , and the space clearance between the key  504  and the abutting surface  506 . In one embodiment, the locking force is such that the pin assembly  203  will not twist out of, or dislodge from, the heel base  202  during normal use of the shoe. 
     Although the embodiment of the present invention is illustrated in  FIG. 2  with the member  504  rotated 90° to reach the locking position, any amount of rotation may be used, or even a sliding movement may be used without departing from the spirit and scope of the present invention. 
     A removable heel assembly for a shoe has been disclosed wherein the heel base  202  of the heel assembly  103  is generally fixed to the shoe body and the heel  205  can be easily removed and attached (interchangeability) to the heel base  202  in a very secure and save manner. With the heel assembly  103  according to the present invention, a wearer can interchange heels  205  with different aesthetic designs, configurations, materials, lengths and/or colors with the same shoe body  101 . This gives the wearer the flexibility to choose shoe styles by changing the heel  205 . When traveling, the wearer can pack one shoe body having a removable heel assembly and multiple removable and interchangeable heels  205  to accommodate attire for different occasions, varying colors, designs, material, size and length, while saving luggage space. 
     A kit  800  as shown in  FIG. 8  which may come with, but is not limited to, a shoe body  101  having an attached heel base  202  and multiple heels  205 . For the embodiments described above, the wearer is not required to carry any specially designed keys for attachment and removal of the heels. Furthermore, as shown in  FIG. 8 , the kit  800  is made up of a support structure  802  having inserts  804  and made of, but not limited to, foam or plastic, for example, and may be provided with one or more shoe bodies  101  having different heel bases  202  and shoe heels  205 , if so desired. 
     Although the present invention has been described in accordance with the embodiments shown, one of ordinary skill in the art will readily recognize that there could be variations to the embodiments and those variations would be within the spirit and scope of the appended claims. Accordingly, many modifications may be made by one of ordinary skill in the art without departing from the spirit and scope of the appended claims.