Abstract:
Disclose embodiments include shoes with interchangeable heels permitting a plurality of heel heights and styles, addressing the need for aesthetic appeal, ease of use, comfort, simplicity of design, and sturdiness. More particularly, disclose embodiments include a modifiable shoe heel consisting of a fixed heel part and an interchangeable heel part removably attachable by a system of magnets.

Description:
CROSS-REFERENCE TO RELATED APPLICATIONS 
       [0001]    This application claims the benefit of U.S. Provisional Application No. 61/430,992 filed on Jan. 8, 2011 by the present inventors, which is incorporated herein by reference. 
     
    
     TECHNICAL FIELD 
       [0002]    Disclosed embodiments relate to shoes with interchangeable heels, and more particularly to modifiable shoe heels. 
       BACKGROUND 
       [0003]    The selection of a shoe to wear is often influenced by the height or style of the shoe heel, with low wide heels primarily used for comfort and mobility, and tall narrow heels for elegance. Active lifestyles often involve long periods of walking or standing, and prolonged wearing of high heels causes tiredness, discomfort, and health problems for the feet. For that reason, the ability to flexibly change shoe heel depending on one&#39;s environment and activity is desirable. 
         [0004]    Numerous designers have attempted to create a shoe with variable heel height and style, yet such designs have not proven successful in addressing the need for aesthetic appeal, ease of use, comfort, simplicity of design, and sturdiness. 
         [0005]    U.S. Pat. No. 5,133,138 discloses a shoe with a replaceable high heel; however, the disclosed design has a number of drawbacks. Typically, the greatest stress on a shoe&#39;s heel is at the top of the heel where it attaches to the sole, and therefore a wide join is advisable. As is evident from FIG. 1 of the aforementioned disclosure the fixed-heel insert attached to the sole is of lesser width than the top surface of the detachable-heel, and consequently provides less strength than the shoe&#39;s non-replaceable heel counterpart provides. Furthermore, the need to maximize the width of the fixed-heel insert for strength, conflicts with the design of narrow heels, since the interchangeable-heel part must house the fixed-heel insert. In addition, due to the wide top surface of the detachable-heel even a slight movement of the heel relative to the sole will result in a noticeable gap between the sole and top edge of the detachable-heel. Moreover, the use of a retractable pin to manually lock and unlock the detachable-heel makes detachable-heel replacement awkward for a wearer of the shoes. 
         [0006]    WO91108685 discloses a shoe with a detachable heel. The disclosed design has all of the drawbacks of U.S. Pat. No. 5,133,138, except that the retractable pin is not required. However, in addition to the shoe upper, sole, fixed-heel insert, detachable-heel, and magnets, all embodiments (shown in  FIGS. 1-3 ) require additional parts for attachment of the detachable heel, such as the metallic insert and associated parts. Due to the non-conical form of the metallic insert, a slight variation in the mechanical tolerances (such as due to temperature) of the metallic insert or its housings will result in either an overly tight join or a loose join with resulting loss of stability. Furthermore, the embodiment shown in  FIG. 1  utilizes annular magnets which exhibit less magnetic force that their similarly-sized non-annular counterparts exhibit, and the embodiment shown in  FIG. 2  utilizes a hollow cylindrical magnet to retain the detachable-heel even though the resulting magnetic field will inadequately retain the detachable-heel. 
         [0007]    US Pub. No. 20070000152 discloses a bowling shoe with interchangeable plate-type heels with magnetic attachment. This disclosure only addresses the attachment of interchangeable heels that are shallow friction plates, and therefore the manifest challenge of attaching low and high heels to shoes is unanswered by that disclosure. 
       SUMMARY 
       [0008]    Disclosed embodiments of the shoe with interchangeable heel include: a) a fixed heel part adapted on one end for attachment to a shoe sole and on the other end for removable attachment of an interchangeable heel part; and b) an interchangeable heel part adapted on one end for removable attachment to the fixed heel part and on the other end for contact with the ground. Consequently, the height and style of the heel of a shoe may be adjusted by attachment of the desired interchangeable heel part to the fixed heel part of the shoe. 
     
    
     
       BRIEF DESCRIPTION OF THE DRAWINGS 
         [0009]    Disclosed embodiments are illustrated by way of example, and not by way of limitation, in the figures of the accompanying drawings. 
           [0010]      FIG. 1  illustrates a side elevation of an embodiment of a shoe with interchangeable heel, with an attached high heel. 
           [0011]      FIG. 2  illustrates a side elevation of an embodiment of a shoe with interchangeable heel, with a detached high heel. 
           [0012]      FIG. 3  illustrates a side elevation of an embodiment of a shoe with interchangeable heel, with an attached low heel. 
           [0013]      FIG. 4  illustrates a side elevation of an embodiment of a shoe with interchangeable heel, with a detached low heel. 
           [0014]      FIG. 5  illustrates a side elevation of an embodiment of the modifiable shoe heel with an attached low heel. 
           [0015]      FIG. 6  illustrates a perspective view of an embodiment of the modifiable shoe heel with an attached low heel. 
           [0016]      FIG. 7  illustrates a side elevation of an embodiment of the modifiable shoe heel with an attached high heel. 
           [0017]      FIG. 8  illustrates a perspective view of an embodiment of the modifiable shoe heel with an attached high heel. 
           [0018]      FIG. 9-41  illustrate all the views of the modifiable shoe heel according to a particular embodiment. 
       
    
    
     DETAILED DESCRIPTION 
       [0019]    According to one particular embodiment of the shoe with interchangeable heel ( 10 ), shown in  FIGS. 1-4 , and without limitation, the fixed heel part ( 106 ) of the modifiable shoe heel ( 100 ) is bonded to the sole ( 102 ) with nails and adhesive in the customary manner employed with standard heeled shoes. An interchangeable heel part ( 108 ,  110 ) may then be removably attached to the fixed heel part ( 106 ), as shown in  FIGS. 2 &amp; 4  in order to modify the height and style of the shoe with interchangeable heel ( 10 ). In this embodiment, the sole ( 102 ) is constructed of materials that permit flexing of the sole to provide proper foot position and support with both high and low heels. As a result, the heel of the shoe with interchangeable heel ( 10 ) can be adjusted quickly and easily for maximum comfort and elegance. 
         [0020]    The fixed heel part ( 106 ), socket ( 126 ), insert ( 128 ), upper magnet ( 112 ), and lower magnet ( 114 ) of the embodiment shown in  FIGS. 1-8  are identical, however the height and style of the interchangeable heel parts ( 108 ,  110 ) vary. The overall height and style of the shoe with interchangeable heel ( 10 ) is determined by the design of the lower exposed portion of the interchangeable heel part ( 108 ,  110 ), and such designs can include unique heights, shapes, colors, textures, and so forth. 
         [0021]    According to the embodiment of the fixed heel part ( 106 ) shown in  FIGS. 1-8 , and without limitation, the fixed heel part ( 106 ) is composed of molded ABS plastic injected around the upper magnet ( 112 ). The top surface ( 124 ) of the fixed heel part ( 106 ) has a surface shape to match the shoe sole to which it is designed to attach. Socket wall surfaces will hereafter refer to both the upper wall surfaces ( 116 ) and lower wall surfaces ( 118 ) of the socket ( 126 ). The socket wall surfaces of the fixed heel part ( 106 ) are substantially conical or with the upper wall surfaces ( 116 ) converging gradually and the lower wall surfaces ( 118 ) converging markedly) to improve stability and attachability. 
         [0022]    According to the embodiment of the interchangeable low heel part ( 110 ) shown in  FIGS. 3-6 , the interchangeable low heel part ( 110 ) is composed of molded polyurethane plastic injected around the lower magnet ( 114 ). The shape of the insert ( 128 ) of the interchangeable low heel part ( 110 ) closely matches the shape of the socket ( 126 ) of the fixed heel part ( 106 ) in order to provide an exact fit of the insert ( 128 ) when fully inserted in the socket ( 126 ). When the interchangeable low heel part ( 110 ) is fully inserted, there is virtually no air gap between the lower magnet ( 114 ) and the upper magnet ( 112 ). Insert wall surfaces will hereafter refer to both the upper wall surfaces ( 116 ) and lower wall surfaces ( 118 ) of the insert ( 128 ). 
         [0023]    According to the embodiment of the interchangeable high heel part ( 108 ) shown in  FIGS. 1 ,  2 ,  7 ,  8 , the interchangeable high heel part ( 108 ) is composed of molded ABS plastic injected around both the lower magnet ( 114 ) and the metal cylinder ( 120 ), capped by a polyurethane heel base ( 122 ). The shape of the insert ( 128 ) of the interchangeable high heel part ( 108 ) closely matches the shape of the socket ( 126 ) of the fixed heel part ( 106 ) in order to provide a perfect fit of the insert ( 128 ) when fully inserted in the socket ( 126 ). When the interchangeable high heel part ( 108 ) is fully inserted, there is virtually no air gap between the lower magnet ( 114 ) and upper magnet ( 112 ). The metal cylinder ( 120 ) and heel base ( 122 ) are parts of the heel part ( 108 ). 
         [0024]    Alternate embodiments of the fixed heel part ( 106 ), interchangeable low heel part ( 110 ), and interchangeable high heel part ( 108 ) are composed of any type of plastic, or any other strong and lightweight material suitable for use in the shoe with interchangeable heel ( 10 ). Alternate embodiments of the fixed heel part ( 106 ), permit other attachment methods to the sole ( 102 ) which achieve a secure and durable bond. 
         [0025]    According to the embodiment of the shoe with interchangeable heel ( 10 ) shown in  FIGS. 1-4 , the sole ( 102 ) is made of flexible leather to provide the requisite flexibility, and the shoe upper ( 104 ) primarily consists of a Lycra® and leather combination. The front flexible part of the insole is slightly longer than in a normal shoe in order to permit flexing of the sole ( 102 ) for adjustment to high and low heel heights. 
         [0026]    Alternate embodiments of the sole ( 102 ) include a sole ( 102 ) made of flexible leather, rubber, a mixture of the aforegoing materials, or any other suitable material. Alternative embodiments of the shoe upper ( 104 ) include a shoe upper ( 104 ) comprising leather, cloth, Lycra®, a mixture of the aforegoing materials, or any other suitable material. In some shoe designs it is advantageous for the upper ( 104 ) to be constructed of a flexible material to facilitate proper foot position and support with both high and low heels. 
         [0027]    According to the embodiment of the modifiable shoe heel ( 100 ) shown in  FIGS. 1-8 , the upper magnet ( 112 ) and lower magnet ( 114 ) are neodymium magnets. The use of solid neodymium magnets permits a compact design with sufficient strength to securely attach the interchangeable heel part ( 108 ,  110 ) to the fixed heel part ( 106 ) during normal use of the shoe with interchangeable heel ( 10 ). An interchangeable heel part ( 108 ,  110 ) can simply be dropped into the fixed heel part ( 106 ) for instant attachment, and only a quick tug is required to detach the interchangeable heel part ( 108 ,  110 ) from the fixed heel part ( 106 ). 
         [0028]    The simplicity of design of this magnetic attachment mechanism permits quick and easy replacement of the interchangeable heel part ( 108 ,  110 ) by a wearer of the shoe with interchangeable heel ( 10 ) without the need for manipulating additional locking mechanisms such as retractable pins. Furthermore, the simplicity of design considerably improves manufacturability of the modifiable shoe heel ( 100 ). 
         [0029]    Alternate embodiments of the upper magnet ( 112 ) and lower magnet ( 114 ) include magnetic materials of any composition and shape that provide secure retention of the interchangeable heel part ( 108 ,  110 ) to the fixed heel part ( 106 ). 
         [0030]    According to the embodiment of the modifiable shoe heel ( 100 ) shown in  FIGS. 1-8 , the substantially conical shape of the socket wall surfaces and insert wall surfaces permits the insert ( 128 ) to be inserted into the socket ( 126 ) with negligible friction. Only upon full insertion of the insert ( 128 ) into the socket ( 126 ) is full contact established between the socket wall surfaces and insert wall surfaces. Furthermore, the gradual convergence of the upper wall surfaces ( 116 ) facilitates a deep socket ( 126 ) for better lateral retention of the insert ( 128 ), and the marked downward divergence of the lower wall surfaces ( 118 ) facilitates a wider and stronger insert ( 128 ) base. Consequently, the substantially conical shape of the insert ( 128 ) and socket ( 126 ) facilitates an easy fit of the interchangeable heel part ( 108 ,  110 ) to the fixed heel part ( 106 ), eliminates mechanical play once fully attached, and provides a sturdy interchangeable heel part ( 108 ,  110 ). 
         [0031]    According to the embodiment of the modifiable shoe heel ( 100 ) shown in  FIGS. 1-8 , the substantially square cross-section of the insert ( 128 ) and socket ( 126 ) prevents rotation of an interchangeable heel part ( 108 ,  110 ) relative to the fixed heel part ( 106 ). This avoids the need for notch and key guides, which detract from simplicity of design and complicate the manufacturing process. 
         [0032]    Alternate embodiments of the insert ( 128 ) and socket ( 126 ) include inserts ( 128 ) and sockets ( 126 ) with any cross sectional design that prevents rotation of the interchangeable heel part ( 108 ,  110 ) relative to the fixed heel part ( 106 ). 
         [0033]    According to the embodiment of the modifiable shoe heel ( 100 ) shown in  FIGS. 1-8 , the ability to create highly accurate molds for the fixed heel part ( 106 ) and interchangeable heel part ( 108 ,  110 ) permits an almost undetectable surface join between the attached parts, and eliminates mechanical play of the attached interchangeable heel part ( 108 ,  110 ). In this way, a stable shoe with interchangeable heel ( 10 ) is achieved without sacrificing aesthetics. 
         [0034]    Alternate embodiments of the insert ( 128 ) and socket ( 126 ) include socket wall surfaces and insert wall surfaces of different conical designs, including substantially conical designs which are not entirely conical, that minimize friction between the socket wall surfaces and insert wall surfaces during insertion and removal of the interchangeable heel part ( 108 ,  110 ). 
         [0035]    According to the embodiment of the modifiable shoe heel ( 100 ) shown in  FIGS. 1-8 , the fixed heel part ( 106 ), which houses the female socket ( 126 ) in this gender orientation, is able to attach to the sole ( 102 ) over the same area as a standard heeled shoe. The region of maximum stress on a shoe is at the join of the heel with the sole, and the wider the area of attachment the greater the join strength. In addition, the naturally upward flaring of a shoe heel more effectively accommodates a deep socket ( 126 ) thereby providing greater support of the interchangeable heel part ( 108 ,  110 ). Furthermore, by housing the socket ( 126 ) in the fixed heel part ( 106 ), a rapid downward tapering of the modifiable shoe heel ( 100 ) is possible, thereby permitting narrower and more elegant designs for the modifiable shoe heel ( 100 ) that rival the aesthetics of standard heeled shoe designs. Moreover, the interchangeable heel part ( 108 ,  110 ), which includes the male insert ( 128 ) in this gender orientation, has a narrow form impossible to achieve with a reversed gender orientation. Consequently, the portability of alternate interchangeable heel parts ( 108 ,  110 ) is significantly enhanced, such that interchangeable heel parts ( 108 ,  110 ) can easily be carried in a purse or small bag. 
         [0036]    While particular embodiments have been described, it is understood that, after learning the teachings contained in this disclosure, modifications and generalizations will be apparent to those skilled in the art without departing from the spirit of the disclosed embodiments. It is noted that the foregoing embodiments and examples have been provided merely for the purpose of explanation and are in no way to be construed as limiting. While the article of manufacture and methods have been described with reference to various embodiments, it is understood that the words which have been used herein are words of description and illustration, rather than words of limitation. Further, although the invention has been described herein with reference to particular means, materials and embodiments, the actual embodiments are not intended to be limited to the particulars disclosed herein; rather, the system extends to all functionally equivalent structures, methods and uses, such as are within the scope of the appended claims. Those skilled in the art, having the benefit of the teachings of this specification, may effect numerous modifications thereto and changes may be made without departing from the scope and spirit of the disclosed embodiments in its aspects.