Abstract:
A shoe with a detachable heel includes: a heel post; a heel cladding including an aperture shaped to receive the heel post; and an attachment mechanism secured to the heel cladding, the attachment mechanism including seated within the heel cladding wherein the attachment mechanism includes a button biased towards first position in which the attachment mechanism secures the heel post within the heel cladding and when a force is applied to overcome the bias towards the first position the button translates approximately perpendicular to the heel post to place the attachment mechanism in a second position wherein the heel post is released from within the heel cladding.

Description:
BACKGROUND OF THE INVENTION 
       [0001]    The present subject matter relates generally to a shoe with a detachable heel. More specifically, the present invention relates to a woman&#39;s high heel shoe, wherein the upper is attached to a sole that includes a heel post, which is releasably secured to a detachable heel. 
         [0002]    High heels are ubiquitous in women&#39;s fashion and are a popular choice when dressing for many occasions. High heels come in many different styles and colors. While typically considered a dressier shoe, many women own numerous pairs of high heels that may be suitable for a variety of different occasions. Women commonly purchase a variety of styles of high heels shoes to coordinate with various outfits and meet various needs. It would be advantageous to provide a high heel shoe in which the heel portion may be replaced to provide a more versatile shoe. 
         [0003]    Due to the inherent structure of a high heel, a lot of pressure is placed on the heel portion of the shoe. Therefore, the heel portion of high heels commonly wears down more quickly than the shoe upper. Accordingly, it would be beneficial to be able to replace just the heel portion of the shoe instead of the entire shoe. 
         [0004]    Accordingly, a need exists for a shoe with detachable heel as described and claimed herein. 
       BRIEF SUMMARY OF THE INVENTION 
       [0005]    The present subject matter meets these needs and others by providing a woman&#39;s high heel shoe, wherein the upper is attached to a sole that includes a heel post, which the heel post is releasably secured to a detachable heel cladding. The shoe provided herein is functional, sturdy and stylish, and enables the user to detach and replace any of a number of heel claddings to a given shoe upper using a push-button release mechanism. 
         [0006]    The heel post is securely fixed to the sole of the shoe. The heel post is the main structural element of the heel and may be formed from a strong structural material, such as steel, titanium, etc. There are two specific variations of the heel post that are used as examples herein. The first heel post is adapted to interlock with a torsion spring attachment mechanism. The second heel post is adapted to interlock with a ratchet attachment mechanism. Both heel posts and their corresponding attachment mechanisms are described in further detail herein. 
         [0007]    While also providing some structural support, the detachable heel cladding is primarily an aesthetic element that further provides the elements of the heel most likely to need replacement due to wear. The attachment mechanism for securing the heel cladding to the heel post is incorporated into the detachable heel cladding. The attachment mechanism includes a spring loaded push button release mechanism triggered by a button located within the heel cladding. 
         [0008]    As described above, two examples of attachment mechanisms are specifically described herein, though there are numerous alternative attachment mechanisms contemplated and taught by the disclosure provided herein. 
         [0009]    The first detailed attachment mechanism is a torsion spring attachment mechanism. The torsion spring attachment mechanism includes a torsion spring having an axial aperture through which the heel post is inserted. The torsion spring cooperates with a push button to open and close the axial aperture to secure and release the heel post. The continuous connection between the torsion spring and the heel post (i.e., there is no specific engagement point, the torsion spring may secure to the heel post anywhere along a given length of the heel post) helps to mitigate any tolerance issues in the manufacturing process and help to close any gap that forms when the user places weight on the shoe thereby pushing the heel post further into the heel cladding. 
         [0010]    The second detailed attachment mechanism is a linear ratchet attachment mechanism. The ratchet attachment mechanism includes a ratchet pawl that cooperates with a spring loaded push button to move the pawl between an engaged position and a disengaged position. The cooperating heel post includes ratchet teeth that mate with the ratchet pawl when the pawl is in the engaged position. As the heel cladding is secured to the heel post the ratchet pawl slips over the ratchet teeth on the heel post providing an audible sound, which may help a user identify when the attachment mechanism is making a secure connection. 
         [0011]    A shoe with a detachable heel may include: a heel post; a heel cladding including an aperture shaped to receive the heel post; and an attachment mechanism secured to the heel cladding, the attachment mechanism including seated within the heel cladding wherein the attachment mechanism includes a button biased towards first position in which the attachment mechanism secures the heel post within the heel cladding and when a force is applied to overcome the bias towards the first position the button translates approximately perpendicular to the heel post to place the attachment mechanism in a second position wherein the heel post is released from within the heel cladding. 
         [0012]    In one embodiment, the attachment mechanism may include a spring loaded button including a tab that contacts a leg of a torsion spring; the torsion spring may grasp a middle section of the heel post when the button is in the first position; the heel post may include a conically tapered section between the middle section and a lower section that mates with a conically tapered section of the aperture in the heel cladding; the aperture in the heel cladding may be an approximately vertical axial aperture; and the heel post may be integrally formed into the sole of the shoe. 
         [0013]    In another embodiment, the attachment mechanism may include a pawl arm that interacts with ratchet teeth on the heel post. The pawl arm may be integrally formed with the button. In another embodiment, the heel post may include off-set ratchet teeth on opposing sides of the heel post and the button may be integrally formed with two pawl arms, each pawl arm cooperating with the ratchet teeth on one side of the heel post. Further, the heel post may include a D-shaped section that mates with a D-shaped section in the aperture in the heel cladding. 
         [0014]    An advantage of the shoe provide herein is that it enables a user to replace the heel cladding for aesthetic or functional purposes. 
         [0015]    Another advantage of the shoe provided herein is that it provides a releasable attachment mechanism for securing the heel post to the heel cladding. 
         [0016]    A further advantage of the shoe provided herein is that the heel post, heel cladding and attachment mechanism provide a strong functional heel. 
         [0017]    Yet another advantage of the shoe provided herein is that it provides a detachable heel while being conscious of minimizing the additional weight added to the shoe. 
         [0018]    Another advantage of the shoe provided herein is that the spatial volume required is minimized to allow the most design flexibility for different heel sizes and fashions. 
         [0019]    A still further advantage of the shoe provided herein is that is provides an attachment mechanism where each step taken by the user acts to tighten the attachment of the heel cladding to the heel post. 
         [0020]    Additional objects, advantages and novel features of the examples will be set forth in part in the description which follows, and in part will become apparent to those skilled in the art upon examination of the following description and the accompanying drawings or may be learned by production or operation of the examples. The objects and advantages of the concepts may be realized and attained by means of the methodologies, instrumentalities and combinations particularly pointed out in the appended claims. 
     
    
     
       BRIEF DESCRIPTION OF THE DRAWINGS 
         [0021]    The drawing figures depict one or more implementations in accord with the present concepts, by way of example only, not by way of limitations. In the figures, like reference numerals refer to the same or similar elements. 
           [0022]      FIG. 1  is an exploded perspective view of a version of a torsion spring attachment mechanism for a shoe as provided herein. 
           [0023]      FIG. 2  is a perspective view of a shoe incorporating the torsion spring attachment mechanism illustrated in  FIG. 1 . 
           [0024]      FIG. 3  is a cross-sectional side view of the heel portion of the shoe shown in  FIG. 2 . 
           [0025]      FIG. 4  is a cross-sectional top view of the heel portion of the shoe shown in  FIG. 2 . 
           [0026]      FIG. 5  is an exploded perspective view of a version of a linear ratchet attachment mechanism for a shoe as provided herein. 
           [0027]      FIG. 6  is a perspective view of a shoe incorporating the linear ratchet attachment mechanism illustrated in  FIG. 5 . 
           [0028]      FIG. 7  is a cutaway side view of the heel portion of the shoe shown in  FIG. 6 . 
       
    
    
     DETAILED DESCRIPTION OF THE INVENTION 
       [0029]      FIG. 1  illustrates an example of an attachment mechanism  10  for securing a heel post  12  and a detachable heel cladding  14 . As shown in the example provided in  FIG. 1 , the attachment mechanism  10  includes a torsion spring  16  having a pair of legs  18  that mate with a button  20 . The button  20  includes a pair of tabs  22  for contacting and interacting with the legs  18  of the torsion spring  16 . 
         [0030]    When assembled, the torsion spring  16  sits within a spring seat  24 , the button  20  sits within a button seat  26  and a cap  28  is secured to the heel cladding  14  to contain the elements of the attachment mechanism  10  within the heel cladding  14 . In the example shown in  FIG. 1 , the cap  28  is secured to the heel cladding  14  by way of screws threaded through the cap wings  30  and into the receiving holes  32  in the heel cladding  14 . The heel post  12  may then be inserted into the heel cladding  14  through the cap aperture  34 , through the spring aperture  36  in the torsion spring  16  and into the heel cladding aperture  38 . 
         [0031]    In use, the torsion spring  16  secures the heel post  12  within the heel cladding  14 . When the button  20  is depressed, the tabs  22  push against the legs  18  of the torsion spring  16  to expand the diameter of the spring aperture  36 , allowing the heel post  12  to be freely inserted or removed from the heel cladding aperture  38 . Then, when the button  20  is released, the legs  18  of the torsion spring  60  push the button  20  outward, which decreases the diameter of the spring aperture  36 . When the heel post  12  is inserted through the spring aperture  36 , the torsion spring  16  securely grasps the heel post  12  to retain the heel cladding  14  on the heel post  12 . While in the example shown in  FIG. 1  the button  20  is returned to the at rest position by the force of the torsion spring  16 , it is contemplated that in alternative versions, the button  20  may be biased to the at rest position by one or more dedicated basing springs. In another alternate embodiment, one leg  18  of the torsion spring  20  is fixed in position, such that only one tab  22  interacts with one leg  18  of the torsion spring  16 , thereby simplifying the operation of the attachment mechanism  10 . 
         [0032]    In the example shown in  FIG. 1 , the heel post  12  includes three distinct cylindrical sections with varied diameters. A narrow diameter lower section  40  transitions to a larger diameter middle section  42  along a conically tapered transition  44 . The heel cladding aperture  38  may be shaped to correspond to the conically tapered transition  44  to help align the heel post  12  within the heel cladding aperture  38 . However, it is contemplated that in other embodiments, the post  20  may have a different shape, as long as it corresponds to the space in the detachable heel  18 . Additional conical sections may be provided to assist in the alignment of the heel post  12  and the heel cladding  14 . 
         [0033]    Turning now to  FIG. 2 , the heel post  12 , the heel cladding  14  and the various elements of the attachment mechanism  10  are shown assembled at the bottom of the heel section  46  of a sole  48  of a high heel shoe  50 . Similarly,  FIG. 3  illustrates a cross-sectional side view of the assembled components.  FIG. 4  shows a top view of the assembled components. The views provided in  FIGS. 2-4  compliment the exploded view shown in  FIG. 1  and further illustrate how the components cooperate to form the assembled high heel shoe.  50 . 
         [0034]    In the example of the attachment mechanism  10  and heel post  12  shown in  FIGS. 1-4 , the heel post  12  is cylindrically symmetrical, which may cause some difficulty in aligning the heel cladding  14  appropriately on the sole  48  of the shoe  50 . Accordingly, as shown in  FIG. 1 , the cap  28  may include an alignment hole  52  through which a corresponding alignment pin  62  ( FIG. 7 ) attached at the heel section  46  of the sole  48  may be inserted to ensure proper alignment between the heel cladding  14  and the sole  48 . Of course, the alignment issues may be managed any of a number of ways, whether through other alignment hole/pin combinations or by varying the shape of the heel post  12  and the corresponding heel cladding aperture  38 . For example, the lower section  40  of the heel post  12  and corresponding heel cladding aperture  38  may be generally triangular in cross-section, while the middle section  42  may be generally circular to most appropriately mate with the torsion spring  16 . 
         [0035]    Turning now to  FIG. 5 , another example of an attachment mechanism  10  for securing a heel post  12  and a detachable heel cladding  14  is shown. In the example provided in  FIG. 5 , the attachment mechanism  10  relies on a linear ratchet mechanism rather than a torsion spring mechanism to effect the releasable engagement between the heel post  12  and the detachable heel cladding  14 . However, many of the elements from the example shown in  FIGS. 1-4  are also used in the example shown in  FIG. 5 . Such elements are marked with the same numbers used in  FIGS. 1-4 . The features and functions of many of these elements will not be described again with reference to  FIG. 5  to avoid unnecessary repetition. 
         [0036]    As shown, the attachment mechanism  10  shown in  FIG. 5  includes a button  20  including a pawl arm  54  fixed to the body of the button  20 . In addition, the attachment mechanism  10  includes a pair of springs  56  which are used to bias the button within the button seat  26  in the heel cladding  14 . Each of the springs  56  seat within corresponding spring chambers  58  in the button  20  such that the springs  56  extend outward out from the spring chambers  58  from the back of the button  20  when no force is applied to the button  20  and then compress within the spring chambers  58  when a user applies force to the button  20 . 
         [0037]    The middle section  42  of the heel post  12  shown in  FIG. 5  includes a series of ratchet teeth  60  for mating with the pawl arm  54 . When the heel post  12  is inserted into the heel cladding  14 , the pawl arm  54  engages one of the ratchet teeth  60  to secure the heel post  12  to the heel cladding  14 , as shown in  FIG. 6 . Then, when a user applies force to the button  20  to compress the springs  56  and disengage the pawl arm  54 , as shown in  FIG. 7 , the heel post  12  may be removed from the heel cladding  14 . 
         [0038]    The number and spacing of the ratchet teeth  60  dictate the degree to which the attachment mechanism  10  may fine tune the interface between the heel cladding  14  and the sole  48 . A greater number of ratchet teeth  60  within a given distance may help to decrease backlash. The size of the teeth  60  may also affect the strength of the connection between the heel post  12  and the heel cladding  14 . Accordingly, it may be impractical to have too finely spaced ratchet teeth  60 . Therefore, it is contemplated that the button  20  may include a pair of pawl arms  54  adapted to interact with a corresponding two sets of ratchet teeth  60  on opposite sides of the heel post  12  (i. e. , dual out-of-phase pawl arms  54 ). The two sets of ratchet teeth  60  may be offset from each other to effectively improve the adjustability by a factor of two, without sacrificing the size of the ratchet teeth  60 . 
         [0039]    As further shown in  FIG. 5 , the lower portion  40  of the heel post  12  may be approximately D-shaped in cross-section, to mate with a corresponding D-shaped heel cladding aperture  38 . Accordingly, the heel post  12  and heel cladding aperture  38  may aid in alignment of the heel cladding  14  on the shoe  50 . As additionally shown in  FIG. 7 , and described above with respect to  FIGS. 1-4 , an alignment pin  62  may be used to align the heel cladding  14  through cooperation with a corresponding alignment hole  52  in the cap  28 . 
         [0040]    The examples of the attachment mechanism  10  described with respect to  FIGS. 1-7  are merely illustrative examples of the attachment mechanisms taught herein. It is understood that many variations are possible without departing from the scope and teachings provided herein. It should be noted that various changes and modifications to the presently preferred embodiments described herein will be apparent to those skilled in the art. Such changes and modifications may be made without departing from the spirit and scope of the present invention and without diminishing its attendant advantages.