Patent Publication Number: US-8112906-B2

Title: Article of footwear with interchangeable heels

Description:
BACKGROUND 
     The present invention relates generally to an article of footwear having interchangeable heels, and more particularly to an article of footwear configured to receive any one of a group of heels so that a wearer may select a heel for an intended activity. 
     It has long been the case that people wear different shoes for different activities: dress shoes for business or more formal occasions, casual shoes for every day, athletic shoes for the gym or sports, and specialized shoes for specialized activities. However, in daily life, the different activities are not necessarily distinctly separated, and a person is often faced with wearing a shoe designed for one activity while participating in another activity. For example, women in business often wear high-heeled dress shoes to work. However, during her commute to and from work, a woman may desire to wear a shoe that is more comfortable and more supportive to the feet while walking or running, such as athletic shoes. A woman may, therefore, carry spare shoes with her in her bag or maintain a supply of shoes in her work space in order to have appropriate shoes for work and the commute. Additionally, a woman may be faced with wearing walking shoes with a business-oriented or formal outfit, so she may not always be presenting herself as she would wish to do. Therefore, some women may choose to commute or otherwise walk long distances, uncomfortably, in high heels, particularly if the woman is carrying a small evening bag into which a spare pair of shoes will not fit. 
     Some solutions have been put forth for articles of footwear that can cross usage lines. For example, some manufacturers market high heels or formal-looking footwear that are designed to be worn comfortably while walking or even running. Another proposed solution is to have articles of footwear where different heels may be attached to a single upper so that a wearer can select 
     While there are articles of footwear having interchangeable heels, there exists a need in the art for features that improve the characteristics of articles of footwear with interchangeable heels. 
     SUMMARY OF THE INVENTION 
     An article of footwear includes a group of heels, were each heel in the group may be interchangeably associated with an upper to form the article of footwear. The upper includes a locking mechanism to retain a heel in position on the article of footwear. The upper also includes a tab configured to engage with a slot formed on each heel in the group of heels. 
     In one aspect, the invention provides an article of footwear comprising an upper configured to receive any of a group of heels, a locking mechanism disposed on the upper configured to retain a heel in position until intentionally removed by a user, the locking mechanism including a base and a vertical surface, and wherein the vertical surface is configured to abut a leading edge of the heel. 
     In another aspect, the invention provides a footwear system comprising an upper having a toe region and a heel region, a heel receiving surface disposed on the upper, a first protruding member extending away from the heel engaging surface, a first receiving portion disposed on a first heel, the first receiving portion configured to engage with the first protruding member, a second receiving portion disposed on a second heel, the second receiving portion configured to engage with the first protruding member, the heel receiving surface including a tab, wherein the tab is positioned at a point on the heel region furthest from the toe region, the first heel having a first slot configured to receive the tab, and the second heel having a second slot configured to receive the tab. 
     In another aspect, the invention provides a footwear system comprising an upper having a toe region and a heel region, a heel receiving surface disposed on the upper, a group of heels configured to be removably attached to the heel receiving surface, a locking mechanism disposed on the heel receiving surface, the locking mechanism comprising a spring and a vertical surface, wherein the spring is compressed into the upper to release the locking mechanism, and wherein the vertical surface is configured to abut a corresponding surface on each heel in the group of heels. 
     Other systems, methods, features and advantages of the invention will be, or will become, apparent to one of ordinary skill in the art upon examination of the following figures and detailed description. It is intended that all such additional systems, methods, features and advantages be included within this description and this summary, be within the scope of the invention, and be protected by the following claims. 
    
    
     
       BRIEF DESCRIPTION OF THE DRAWINGS 
       The disclosed embodiments of the invention can be better understood with reference to the following drawings and description. The components in the figures are not necessarily to scale, emphasis instead being placed upon illustrating the principles of the disclosed embodiments of the invention. Moreover, in the figures, like reference numerals designate corresponding parts throughout the different views. 
         FIG. 1  is a perspective view of an embodiment of an article of footwear configured to receive any of a group of interchangeable heels; 
         FIG. 2  is a perspective view of an embodiment of an article of footwear having received a first embodiment of a heel selected from a group of interchangeable heels; 
         FIG. 3  is an exploded perspective view of an embodiment of an article of footwear having received a first embodiment of a heel selected from a group of interchangeable heels; 
         FIG. 4  is an exploded perspective view of an embodiment of an article of footwear having received a second embodiment of a heel selected from a group of interchangeable heels; 
         FIG. 5  is a perspective view of an embodiment of an article of footwear having received a first embodiment of a heel selected from a group of interchangeable heels; 
         FIG. 6  is an exploded perspective view of an embodiment of an article of footwear having received a second embodiment of a heel selected from a group of interchangeable heels; 
         FIG. 7  is a side view of an embodiment of an article of footwear and a second embodiment of a heel selected from a group of interchangeable heels showing how a user may position the article of footwear to receive the second embodiment of a heel; 
         FIG. 8  is a cross-sectional view of the article of footwear shown in  FIG. 7  showing the alignment of the attachment mechanisms of the article of footwear and the second embodiment of a heel; 
         FIG. 9  is a side view of an embodiment of an article of footwear and a second embodiment of a heel selected from a group of interchangeable heels showing how a user may position the heel on the article of footwear prior to securing the heel to the article of footwear; 
         FIG. 10  is a cross-sectional view of the article of footwear shown in  FIG. 9  showing the initial insertion of the attachment mechanisms of the article of footwear into the heel; 
         FIG. 11  is a side view of an embodiment of an article of footwear and a second embodiment of a heel selected from a group of interchangeable heels showing the heel in a fully inserted positioned; 
         FIG. 12  is a partial cross-sectional view of the article of footwear shown in  FIG. 11  showing the interlocking of the attachment mechanisms of the article of footwear and the heel when the heel is in a fully inserted position; 
         FIG. 13  is a side view of an embodiment of an article of footwear and a second embodiment of a heel selected from a group of interchangeable heels showing how a user initially releases the heel from the article of footwear; 
         FIG. 14  is a partial cross-sectional view of the article of footwear shown in  FIG. 13 ; 
         FIG. 15  is a side view of an embodiment of an article of footwear and a second embodiment of a heel selected from a group of interchangeable heels showing how a user removes the heel from the article of footwear; 
         FIG. 16  is a partial cross-sectional view of the article of footwear shown in  FIG. 15 ; and 
         FIG. 17  is a side view of an embodiment of an article of footwear and a second embodiment of a heel selected from a group of interchangeable heels showing the heel fully removed from the article of footwear. 
     
    
    
     DETAILED DESCRIPTION 
     An article of footwear is provided with a plurality of interchangeable heels. A user may select a heel so that the article of footwear may be tailored to a particular look or type of activity. 
       FIG. 1  shows one embodiment of an article of footwear  100  having an upper  102  configured to receive any one of a group of interchangeable heels. Upper  102  may be any type of upper known in the art. Upper  102  is depicted as having a substantially conventional configuration incorporating a plurality of material elements (e.g., textiles, foam, leather, and synthetic leather) that are stitched or adhesively bonded together to form an interior void for securely and comfortably receiving a foot. Given that various aspects of the present application primarily relate to the interchangeable heels, upper  102  may exhibit the general configuration discussed above or the general configuration of practically any other conventional or non-conventional upper. Accordingly, the structure of upper  102  utilized with the interchangeable heels or variants thereof may vary significantly. 
     The group of interchangeable heels may contain any number of heels, with each heel providing a different look, a different level of support, and/or are tailored to different activities. In the embodiment shown in  FIG. 1 , three different heels are provided: a first heel  116 , a second heel  118 , and a third heel  120 . First heel  116  is generally configured as a casual or athletic shoe heel. Second heel  118  is generally configured as a casual or athletic shoe heel containing a cushioning airbag. Third heel  120  is generally configured as a high heel, shown in the figures as a “kitten” heel. The shapes and styles shown in the figures are meant to be representative only, and other shapes, styles, and/or configurations of the different heels in the group may be provided. 
     As shown in  FIGS. 1-6 , any of the three heels  116 ,  118 , and  120  may be interchangeably associated with upper  102 . Upper  102  includes provisions in a heel region  104  to associate heels  116 ,  118 , and  120  with upper  102 . In some embodiments, these provisions generally include a heel engagement plate  106  disposed in heel region  104  and one or more protruding members configured to engage with heels  116 ,  118 , and  120 . In the embodiment shown in the figures, heel engagement plate  106  includes a first protruding member  108  and a second protruding member  110 . In other embodiments, any number of protruding members may be provided, from one to three or more. 
     Heel engagement plate  106  generally provides a smooth surface onto which heels  116 ,  118 , and  120  may be passed over in order to attach heels  116 ,  118 , and  120  to upper  102 . Heel engagement plate  106  may, in some embodiments, be relatively stiff and durable so that repeatedly attaching and removing heels  116 ,  118 , and  120  to upper  102  does not cause significant deterioration of heel engagement plate  106 . In some embodiments, heel engagement plate  106  may be formed from any rigid material, i.e., a stiff material that is generally not pliable or flexible. Heel engagement plate  106  may be made from a plastic material, a metal, or a composite material. Heel engagement plate  106  may be attached to upper  102  using any method known in the art, such as with an adhesive, co-forming, over-molding, stitching, or the like. 
     Heel engagement plate  106  also forms an anchoring surface for the heel attachment provisions, first protruding member  108  and second protruding member  110 . Protruding members  108  and  110  generally extend away from the surface of heel engagement plate  106  and away from upper  102 . Protruding members  108  and  110  may be generally rigid members formed of a similar material to that of heel engagement plate  106 . In some embodiments, such as those shown in the figures, protruding members  108  and  110  are integrally formed with heel engagement plate  106 , such as by molding. In other embodiments, protruding members  108  and  110  may be associated with heel engagement plate  106 , such as with mechanical fasteners such as screws, with adhesives, or with any other method known in the art. 
     As shown in  FIG. 6 , protruding members  108  and  110  may be generally configured to be inserted into corresponding receiving compartments  122  and  124  formed on heels  116 ,  118 , and  120 . These receiving compartments  122  and  124  are sized and shaped to receive protruding members  108  and  110 . Because heels  116 ,  118 , and  120  are interchangeable with each other, each heel in the group of heels includes similarly shaped and sized receiving compartments  122  and  124 . In other words, all of the heels in the group of heels capable of being associated with upper  102  include receiving compartments  122  and  124  keyed to receive protruding members  108  and  110 . 
       FIG. 8  shows one embodiment of the shape of protruding members  108  and  110  and the corresponding shape of receiving compartments  122  and  124 . In the embodiment shown in  FIG. 8 , protruding members  108  and  110  have generally the same or a similar shape. In other embodiments, protruding members  108  and  110  may have different shapes so that a heel such a heel  120  may be associated with upper  102  in only one orientation. For clarity, only protruding member  108  and receiving compartment  122  will be described. 
     Protruding member  108  may generally have an L-shape: a stem  140  and an extension  138 . In some embodiments, stem  140  and extension  138  may be integrally formed. In other embodiments, extension  138  may be attached or affixed to stem  140 . In some embodiments, extension  138  is generally parallel to heel engagement plate  106  while stem  140  is generally perpendicular to heel engagement plate  106 . In other embodiments, stem  140  may be positioned at an acute or obtuse angle to heel engagement plate  106  while extension  138  may be angled toward or away from heel engagement plate  106 . 
     Stem  140  generally holds extension  138  a certain distance away from heel engagement plate  106 . Extension  138  extends away from stem  140  toward a toe region  105  of article of footwear so that a gap  142  is formed. Gap  142  is defined by extension  138 , stem  140 , and the surface of heel engagement plate  106 . Gap  142  is generally configured to receive a portion of receiving portion  122  when a heel like heel  120  is associated with heel engagement plate  106 . 
     Receiving portion  122  is generally configured so that protruding member  108  may be inserted into receiving portion  122 . In some embodiments, such as those shown in the figures, receiving portion  122  may be configured so that protruding member  108  may be inserted into a first section of receiving portion  122  and then moved into a second section of receiving portion  122  to secure protruding member  108  within receiving portion  122 . As shown in  FIG. 8 , receiving portion  122  includes an insertion chamber  160  and a securing chamber  162 . Insertion chamber  160  is relatively large and open so that extension  138  may be completely and readily positioned within insertion chamber  160 , as shown in  FIG. 10 . 
     In contrast, securing chamber  162  is relatively small and includes a lip  164 . Lip  164  is configured to prevent extension  138  from being lifted out of securing chamber  162 . As shown in  FIG. 6 , lip  164  may not extend entirely across securing chamber  162 . Instead, lip  164  extends from the sides of securing chamber  162  but does not cover the center. This open center portion is configured to accommodate stem  140  when protruding member  108  is positioned within securing chamber  162 . As shown in  FIG. 14 , protruding member  108  may be positioned within receiving chamber  122  so that stem  140  abuts lip  164  and extension  138  is trapped beneath lip  164 . Receiving chamber  122  and extension  138  may be sized and dimensioned so that extension  138  is press-fitted or interference-fitted within receiving chamber  122  for a more secure fit. 
     In addition to protruding members  108  and  110 , the attachment provisions on heel receiving plate  106  may also include a locking mechanism  112 . Locking mechanism  112  is generally configured to retain the heel associated with heel receiving plate  106  in position until the heel is intentionally released from heel receiving plate. In some embodiments, such as those shown in the figures, locking mechanism  112  is configured to be finger-operated by the user. In other embodiments, locking mechanism  112  may be configured to be operated by a tool, such as a screwdriver, a pencil, or another type of tool either found as a regular household item or provided with article of footwear  100 . Even in the embodiments shown in the figures, in which locking mechanism  112  is intended to be operated by the fingers, a user may elect to operate locking mechanism  112  with a tool. For example, a user may wish to avoid breaking a fingernail while attaching or releasing a heel from heel receiving plate  106  or locking mechanism  112  may be stiff and somewhat difficult to operate when article of footwear  100  is new. 
     As best shown in  FIG. 8 , locking mechanism  112  generally includes a base  152  and a vertical portion  150  that extends away from base  152  and away from heel receiving portion  106 . Base  152  may be a spring, such as a flat cantilever spring or a leaf spring. In other embodiments, base  152  may be a flat portion of material that is spring-loaded to return to a neutral position. In some embodiments, base  152  may be a thin strip of material associated at one end with heel receiving plate  106 . In some embodiments, base  152  may be made from the same or a similar material as heel receiving portion  106 . For example, both base  152  and heel receiving portion  106  may be made from a molded plastic. In other embodiments, base  152  may be made from other materials. For example, heel receiving portion  106  may be made from a molded plastic material and base  152  may be made from metal. Base  152  may be associated with heel receiving portion  106  using any method known in the art, such as mechanical fasteners like screws, with an adhesive, or co-formed. In some embodiments, base  152  is formed integrally with heel receiving portion, such as in a mold. 
     Base  152  is generally configured to be pressed into a recess  154  formed in heel receiving plate  106 . Locking mechanism  112  is in a locked position when base  152  is not pressed into recess  154  and is in an unlocked position when base  152  is pressed into recess  154 . In the embodiments shown in the figures, base  152  has a neutral position in the locked position. 
     Locking mechanism vertical portion  150  is generally configured to be pressed into recess  154 . In a neutral position, vertical portion  150  extends a maximum distance away from a surface of heel receiving plate  106 . In this position, vertical portion  150  may act as a stop to prevent a heel attached to heel receiving plate  106  from moving past vertical portion  150  toward toe region  105 . 
     As shown in  FIG. 6 , heel receiving plate  106  may also be provided with a tab  114 . Tab  114  may be positioned on heel receiving plate  106  at a point furthest from a toe region  105 . Tab  114  is positioned, sized, and dimensioned to be received by a corresponding slot  126  formed on each heel, shown as heel  120  in  FIG. 6 . Tab  114  serves a two-fold purpose: aligning tab  114  with slot  126  helps a user position a heel for proper association with heel receiving plate  106  and the association of tab  114  and slot  126  helps to stabilize the heel on heel receiving plate  106 . The position of tab  114  and slot  126  at the rear of article of footwear  100  provides particular support of those users who press hard on the heels while walking. 
     The structure of tab  114  is more clearly shown in  FIG. 8 . Tab  114  generally includes a wall  135  and a flange  136  that extends away from wall  135 . Wall  135  is generally configured as a rearward-most point of heel receiving plate  106 . Flange  136  is generally sized and dimensioned to be received by slot  126  on the heels. 
     All of these attachment provisions are aligned in order to associate a heel with heel receiving plate  106 .  FIGS. 7-12  show one embodiment of how a heel may be associated with upper  102  to complete article of footwear  100 . First, a heel is selected from the group of heels. In this embodiment, the group of heels includes first heel  116 , second heel  118 , and third heel  120 , as shown in  FIG. 1 . As shown in  FIG. 7 , a user has selected third heel  120  to associate with upper  102 . However, any of the heels may be chosen, and third heel  120  is being shown here for demonstrative purposes only. All of the heels may be associated with upper  102  in a similar fashion. 
     The user grasps upper  102  in one hand  130  and third heel  120  in the opposite hand  130 . At this point, the user aligns protruding members  108  with receiving portions  122  and  124 , respectively, to prepare to begin associating third heel  120  with upper  102 . This alignment is most clearly shown in  FIG. 8 .  FIG. 8  also shows how heel  120  is positioned slightly toward toe region  105  (shown in  FIG. 7 ). This positioning aligns extension  138  of first protruding member  108  with insertion chamber  160  of first receiving portion  122 . Similarly, second extension  146  of second protruding member  110  is aligned with second insertion chamber  170  of second receiving portion  124 . Additionally, tab  114  is positioned to clear the rearward-most part of third heel  120  so that tab  114  does not interfere with the initial connection of third heel  120  to heel receiving plate  106 . Finally, at this point, locking mechanism  112  on heel receiving plate  106  is in a neutral position so that base  152  follows the contours of the surface of heel receiving plate  106  and vertical portion  150  is fully extended away from the surface of heel receiving plate  106 . 
       FIGS. 9 and 10  show a second step in the process of associating third heel  120  with upper  102 . At this point, the user&#39;s hands  130  have pressed third heel  120  against heel receiving plate  106  in the direction indicated by the arrows. First and second protruding members  108  and  110  have been positioned within insertion chambers  160  and  162 , respectively. An upper surface of third heel  120  is pressed flush against the surface of heel receiving plate  106 . Tab  114  is aligned with third heel  120  so that flange  136  of tab  114  is positioned to be inserted into slot  126  on third heel  120 . 
     In this position, a front portion  158  of third heel  120  presses against locking mechanism  112 . Front portion  158  pushes against vertical portion  150  so that base  152  bends. Vertical portion  150  and at least a portion of base  152  are rotated into cavity  154 . In this manner, locking mechanism  112  is positioned so as not to interfere with the attachment of third heel  120  onto heel receiving plate  106 . As indicated by the arrows, the user may begin to push third heel  120  toward the rear of article of footwear  100  to secure third heel  120  to upper  102 . 
       FIGS. 11 and 12  show third heel  120  in the secured position. Third heel  120  has been pushed rearward so that flange  136  of tab  114  fully inserted into slot  126  of third heel  120 . Similarly, protruding members  108  and  110  have been moved into securing chambers  162  and  172 , respectively. Lip  164  abuts a front surface  139  of stem  140 . A second lip  166  of second securing chamber  172  abuts a second front surface  145  of a second stem  144  of second protruding member  110 . 
     At this point, a front edge  159  of third heel  120  has been moved past locking mechanism  112 . Therefore, third heel  120  is no longer pressing locking mechanism  112  into cavity  154 . Base  152 , which is a cantilever spring in this embodiment, releases its stored energy and returns to its neutral position. In its neutral position, base  152  generally follows the contours of the surface of heel receiving plate  106  and vertical portion  150  extends a maximum length away from the surface of heel receiving plate  106 . In this position, vertical portion  150  abuts front edge  159  of third heel  120 . Vertical portion  150  acts as a stop to prevent third heel  120  from moving toward toe region  105  (shown in  FIG. 6 ). Therefore, until vertical portion  150  is moved so that front edge  159  can clear vertical portion  150 , third heel  120  remains locked into this position. 
       FIGS. 13-17  show one embodiment of how third heel  120  may be detached from upper  102 .  FIGS. 13 and 14  show the first step in removing third heel  120  from heel receiving plate  106 . As discussed above, locking mechanism  112  holds third heel  120  in position on heel receiving plate  106  by abutting vertical portion  150  against front edge  159  of third heel  120 . A user may rotate vertical portion  150  and a portion of base  152  into cavity  154  to release third heel  120  from heel receiving plate  106 . As shown in  FIG. 13 , a user may press against vertical portion  150  and/or base  152  with a finger or thumb in the direction indicated by arrow  182 . In other embodiments, a user may employ a tool to press against locking mechanism  112 . The pressure exerted by the user on locking mechanism  112  causes vertical portion  150  and a portion of base  152  to rotate into cavity  154 . As vertical portion  150  rotates into cavity  154 , eventually vertical portion  150  is sufficiently inserted into cavity  154  so that front edge  159  of third heel  120  may be moved past vertical portion  150 . It should be noted that a user would typically continue to press against vertical portion  150  as the other hand moves third heel  120  toward, and eventually, over, vertical portion  150 . 
     A second step in the removal or detachment process is shown in  FIGS. 15 and 16 . This step is essentially a reversal of the insertion step shown in  FIGS. 9 and 10 . The user grasps upper  102  in one hand  130  and third heel  120  in the other hand  130 . Front portion  158  of third heel  120  holds locking mechanism  112  within cavity  154  so that locking mechanism  112  cannot interfere with the removal process. 
     Third heel  120  is moved in the direction indicated by arrow  184 . Tab  114  is extracted from slot  126 . First protruding member  108  is moved from securing chamber  162  into insertion chamber  160  by extracting extension  138  from underneath lip  164 . Similarly, second protruding member  110  is moved from second securing chamber  172  into second insertion chamber  170  by extracting second extension  146  from underneath second lip  166 . Third heel  120  has, therefore, been freed from all provisions intended to secure third heel  120  into position on heel receiving plate  106 . 
     In a final step, as shown in  FIG. 17 , third heel  120  is lifted away from heel receiving plate  106  in the direction indicated by arrow  186 . Pulling or lifting third heel  120  in this direction removes first protruding member  108  from first receiving portion  122  through the open top of insertion chamber  160  (not shown in  FIG. 17 ). Similarly, second protruding member  110  is removed from second receiving portion  124  through the open top of second insertion chamber  170  (not shown in  FIG. 17 ). At this point, vertical portion  150  is returned to the neutral position and extends a maximum distance from the surface of heel receiving plate  106 . 
     In a similar manner as described above, any of the heels of the group of available heels may be interchangeably attached to upper  102  to form any number of configurations for article of footwear  100 . Thus, a user is spared the necessity of owning and/or transporting a number of different article of footwear for different occasions. A user may simply maintain a group of heels that may be exchanged for each other depending upon the desired look and/or use of the article of footwear. 
     While various embodiments of the invention have been described, the description is intended to be exemplary, rather than limiting and it will be apparent to those of ordinary skill in the art that many more embodiments and implementations are possible that are within the scope of the invention. Accordingly, the invention is not to be restricted except in light of the attached claims and their equivalents. Also, various modifications and changes may be made within the scope of the attached claims.