Patent Publication Number: US-2023137872-A1

Title: Modular Heel Footwear System

Description:
BACKGROUND OF THE INVENTION 
     The global footwear market is estimated to be in the range of $500 billion annually. Each year, consumers globally purchase around 15 billion pairs of shoes or roughly two pairs per person on the planet. Further, only 10 national markets account for roughly 2/3 of the global sales in footwear which means the per capita rate of footwear sales is even higher in these markets. Moreover, new pairs of shoes are often bought when a user finds a defect in their old pair of shoes that the user cannot fix. Not only does this drive the cost of shoes up for those who can least afford them, but it also creates a need in the market for sustainable footwear design and manufacturing. 
     Often, the first portion of an article of footwear to break down is the heel. Some articles of footwear are designed for athletic use and the traction on the outsole of the shoe wear down making the shoe unsafe in certain conditions. Further, when the heel of athletic shoes wears down enough, the midsole and insole may become exposed and allow environmental elements such as water and dirt to penetrate through to the user&#39;s foot. Additionally, some users walk in such a way that they apply uneven pressure to the outsole of the shoe. In such cases, the heel of the shoe will wear unevenly over time, thus creating misalignment in the user&#39;s gait which can lead to chronic joint problems. 
     Some articles of footwear are designed for fashion and aesthetic appeal where the heel of the shoe is a large part of the shoe&#39;s design. Often, these types of shoes are not designed for durability and the heels of such shoes are prone to breaking. For example, high-heel shoes are known to break when the user accidentally steps upon a utility grate or the like which lodges the heel into the grate and subsequently snaps the heel off as the user attempts to continue walking. Further, misstepping in high-heel shoes can also lead to the heel snapping off from the remainder of the shoe. 
     Generally, there is a need in the market to provide a footwear article that is reusable in nature even after the heel of the footwear article becomes faulty as the remainder of the footwear article still retains value. Therefore, it would be advantageous to provide a footwear article that allows a user to replace the heel of the footwear article in a manner that is manageable for all users without the need of professionals having footwear expertise. Further, it would be advantageous to provide a footwear article that allows a user to replace the heel of the footwear article for purely aesthetic reasons even if the heel is not physically defective in any way. Such a footwear article would provide the user the ability to increase the longevity of their footwear articles while simultaneously offering expanded aesthetic flexibility for the user in crafting their desired fashion style. 
    
    
     
       BRIEF DESCRIPTION OF THE DRAWINGS 
         FIG.  1    is a side view of a modular heel device to be used within a modular heel footwear system in accordance with some embodiments of the present invention. 
         FIG.  2    is a side view of a modular heel device inserted into a modular heel footwear system in accordance with some embodiments of the present invention. 
         FIG.  3 A  is a bottom view of a modular heel device removed from a modular heel footwear system in accordance with some embodiments of the present invention. 
         FIG.  3 B  is a bottom view of a modular heel device inserted into a modular heel footwear system in accordance with some embodiments of the present invention. 
         FIG.  4 A  is a perspective view of a modular heel device removed from a modular heel footwear system in accordance with some embodiments of the present invention. 
         FIG.  4 B  is a perspective view of a modular heel device inserted into a modular heel footwear system in accordance with some embodiments of the present invention. 
         FIG.  5 A  is a rear view of a modular heel device inserted into a modular heel footwear system in accordance with some embodiments of the present invention. 
         FIG.  5 B  is a rear view of a modular heel device removed from a modular heel footwear system in accordance with some embodiments of the present invention. 
     
    
    
     DETAILED DESCRIPTION OF THE INVENTION 
     Before describing the present invention in detail, it is to be understood that the invention is not limited to any one of the particular embodiments, which of course may vary. It is also to be understood that the terminology used herein is for the purpose of describing particular embodiments only, and therefore is not necessarily intended to be limiting. As used in this specification and the appended claims, terms in the singular and the singular forms “a,” “an,” and “the” include plural referents unless the context clearly dictates otherwise. Thus, for example, reference to “a modular heel footwear system” also includes a plurality of modular heel footwear systems, and the like. 
     In some embodiments, a modular heel footwear system is provided comprising an outsole portion of a footwear article comprising a first interlocking groove, wherein: the first interlocking groove comprises a plurality of cavities disposed therein, and the plurality of cavities are disposed symmetrically along the length of the first interlocking groove relative one another; and a modular heel device comprising a second interlocking groove, wherein: the second interlocking groove comprises a plurality of locking tabs protruding therefrom that quantitatively correspond to the plurality of cavities, the plurality of locking tabs are disposed symmetrically along the length of the second interlocking groove relative one another, and the first interlocking groove structurally corresponds to the second interlocking groove. 
     In some embodiments, the outsole portion comprises at least a portion of a midsole, an insole or a shank of the footwear article. 
     In some embodiments, the outsole portion and the modular heel device are shaped to couple together in an inserted state and to separate from one another in a removed state. 
     In some embodiments, the outsole portion comprises a plurality of release actuators that enable transition from the inserted state to the removed state. 
     In some embodiments, in the inserted state, at least one of the plurality of release actuators, at least one of the plurality of locking tabs and at least one of the plurality of cavities are collectively aligned along a common axis. 
     In some embodiments, in the inserted state, each of the plurality of locking tabs are disposed within a corresponding cavity of the plurality of cavities. 
     In some embodiments, each of the plurality of locking tabs comprises a default state where the locking tab is fully extended out of one or more exterior surfaces of the second interlocking groove. 
     In some embodiments, each of the plurality of locking tabs comprises a depressed state where the locking tab is fully inserted into one or more exterior surfaces of the second interlocking groove. 
     In some embodiments, each of the plurality of locking tabs moves between an extended state and a depressed state via force being applied to one or more springs. 
     In some embodiments, the outsole portion comprises a plurality of release actuators that, when actuated, place the plurality of locking tabs into the depressed state. 
     In some embodiments, the modular heel device is disposed within a rear half portion of the outsole portion. 
     In some embodiments, the modular heel device is disposed within a front half portion of the outsole portion. 
     In some embodiments, the first interlocking groove comprises a semicircular concave shape. 
     In some embodiments, the first interlocking groove comprises a U-shaped groove facing an interior of the outsole portion. 
     In some embodiments, the first interlocking groove is disposed about a perimeter of the outsole portion. 
     In some embodiments, the second interlocking groove comprises a semicircular convex shape. 
     In some embodiments, the second interlocking groove comprises a U-shaped groove facing a perimeter of the outsole portion. 
     In some embodiments, the second interlocking groove is disposed about a perimeter of the modular heel device. 
     In some embodiments, a modular heel footwear system is provided comprising an outsole portion of a footwear article comprising a first interlocking groove, wherein: the first interlocking groove comprises a plurality of cavities disposed therein, and the plurality of cavities are disposed symmetrically along the length of the first interlocking groove relative one another; a modular heel device comprising a second interlocking groove, wherein: the second interlocking groove comprises a plurality of locking tabs protruding therefrom that quantitatively correspond to the plurality of cavities, the plurality of locking tabs are disposed symmetrically along the length of the second interlocking groove relative one another, the first interlocking groove structurally corresponds to the second interlocking groove; and the outsole portion and the modular heel device are shaped to couple together in an inserted state and to separate from one another in a removed state, wherein: the outsole portion comprises a plurality of release actuators that enable transition from the inserted state to the removed state, in the inserted state, at least one of the plurality of release actuators, at least one of the plurality of locking tabs and at least one of the plurality of cavities are collectively aligned along a common axis, and in the inserted state, each of the plurality of locking tabs are disposed within a corresponding cavity of the plurality of cavities. 
     In some embodiments, a modular heel footwear system is provided comprising an outsole portion of a footwear article comprising a first interlocking groove, wherein: the first interlocking groove comprises a plurality of cavities disposed therein, and the plurality of cavities are disposed symmetrically along the length of the first interlocking groove relative one another; and a modular heel device comprising a second interlocking groove, wherein: the second interlocking groove comprises a plurality of locking tabs protruding therefrom that quantitatively correspond to the plurality of cavities, the plurality of locking tabs are disposed symmetrically along the length of the second interlocking groove relative one another, and the first interlocking groove structurally corresponds to the second interlocking groove; and the outsole portion and the modular heel device are shaped to couple together in an inserted state and to separate from one another in a removed state, wherein: each of the plurality of locking tabs moves between an extended state and a depressed state via force being applied to one or more springs, the outsole portion comprises a plurality of release actuators that, when actuated, place the plurality of locking tabs into the depressed state, and in the inserted state, each of the plurality of locking tabs are disposed within a corresponding cavity of the plurality of cavities. 
     Exemplary embodiments of the present invention are illustrated in the accompanying figures. As shown in  FIG.  1   , a side view of a modular heel device  100  is provided. The modular heel device  100  may comprise any suitable shape that a heel portion of a footwear article may take. While the modular heel device  100  is shown in  FIG.  1    to be generally a solid semicircular shape, the modular heel device  100  may be vertically elongate, cylindrical, rectangular, triangular, conical and the like or any combination thereof. 
     The modular heel device  100  may further comprise an upper portion  110   a  and a lower portion  110   b  separated by at least one first interlocking groove  120 . The upper portion  110   a  may comprise a vertical thickness that is between 1/20 and 1/2 of a vertical thickness of the lower portion  110   b,  but preferably between 1/15 and 1/4, and more preferably between 1/10 and 1/5. 
     Moreover, the first interlocking groove  120  may comprise any suitable shape including, but not limited to, rectangular, cylindrical, triangular and the like or any combination thereof. Therefore, the first interlocking groove  120  may comprise an upper surface adjacent the upper portion  110   a,  an inner surface adjacent an interior portion of the modular heel device  100 , and a lower surface adjacent the lower portion  110   b.  The first interlocking groove  120  may be formed within an outer surface of the modular heel device  100  such that the first interlocking groove  120  is formed around between 1/2 and 4/5 of a total outer surface horizontal surface length of the modular heel device  100 . The first interlocking groove  120  may comprise a vertical thickness that is between 1/2 and 3/2 of the vertical thickness of the upper portion  110   a,  but preferably between 3/5 and 5/4, and more preferably between 3/4 and 11/10. 
     Further, the modular heel device  100  may comprise at least one locking tab  130  that may be disposed upon the upper portion  110   a  of the modular heel device  100 . Alternatively, the locking tab  130  may be disposed upon the lower portion  110   b  of the modular heel device  100 . Further, the locking tab  130  may alternatively be disposed upon the upper surface, inner surface and/or lower surface of the first interlocking groove  120 . 
     The locking tab  130  may move between a default depressed state and an extended state. In the depressed state the locking tab  130  is fully depressed into the upper portion  110   a  such that it is flush with the outer surface of the upper portion  110   a.  If the locking tab  130  is disposed within the interlocking groove  120 , then in the depressed state the locking tab  130  would be fully depressed into the upper portion  110   a  such that it is flush with the upper surface, inner surface and/or lower surface of the first interlocking groove  120 . In the extended state the locking tab  130  is fully extended out of the upper portion  110   a  such that it protrudes from the outer surface of the upper portion  110   a.  If the locking tab  130  is disposed within the interlocking groove  120 , then in the extended state the locking tab  130  would be fully extended out of the upper portion  110   a  such that it protrudes from the upper surface, inner surface and/or lower surface of the first interlocking groove  120 . 
     As shown in  FIG.  2   , a side view of a modular heel footwear system  200  is provided. The modular heel footwear system  200  comprises an outsole portion  210  having a modular heel device  220  inserted therein. In this and every other embodiment, the outsole portion may comprise any part of one or more of a heel, an outsole, a midsole, an insole, a shank and the like of the footwear system  200 . The modular heel footwear system  200  may further comprise a footwear securement portion  230  and a footwear material portion  240  disposed upon the outsole portion  210 . The outsole portion  210  further comprises a release actuator  250 . 
     The outsole portion  210  may receive insertion of the modular heel device  220  via the first interlocking groove  120  illustrated in  FIG.  1   . Specifically, the outsole portion  210  may have a complimentary structure to that of the first interlocking groove  120  to securely receive the modular heel device  220  therein. The complimentary structure of the outsole portion  210  may utilize frictional engagement with the first interlocking groove  120  to retain the modular heel device  220  therein. Additionally, the complimentary structure of the outsole portion  210  may comprise a recess disposed as a cavity therein that is structured to receive the locking tab  130  of  FIG.  1    therein as the modular heel device  220  is inserted into the outsole portion  210 . 
     As described with reference to  FIG.  1   , the locking tab  130  may move between the depressed state and the extended state via magnetic force, spring force or other restorative force. Therefore, upon the modular heel device  220  being initially inserted into the outsole portion  210 , the locking tab  130  in the default extended state comes into contact with an interior surface of the outsole portion  210 . The interior surface of the outsole portion  210  will depress the locking tab  130  from the default extended state into the depressed state to allow the locking tab  130  to move along the interior surface as the modular heel device  220  is inserted into the outsole portion  210 . 
     As the modular heel device  220  is fully inserted into the outsole portion  210 , the locking tab  130  in the depressed state will reach the recess of the complimentary structure of the outsole portion  210  which will allow the locking tab  130  to extend back into the default extended state and thereby be inserted within the cavity of the recess. The recess may be structured in such a way as to not allow the locking tab  130  to escape the recess once it is disposed therein. 
     The release actuator  250  may be utilized to release the modular heel device  220  from its coupling to the outsole portion  210 . This process may be executed by a user depressing the release actuator  250  which may be aligned with the recess of the outsole portion  210  and the locking tab  130  of the modular heel device  220 . Depressing the release actuator  250  will cause the release actuator  250  to enter the recess and depress the locking tab  130  from the default extended state into the depressed state. Once the locking tab  130  is depressed into the depressed state, the modular heel device  220  is free to to be removed from the outsole portion  210  via the first interlocking groove  120  of the modular heel device  220  sliding relative the complimentary structure of the outsole portion  210 . 
     As shown in  FIG.  3 A , a bottom view of a modular heel footwear system  300  is provided having an outsole portion  310  removed from a modular heel device  320 . The outsole portion  310  may comprise an interior structure that is complementary to an exterior structure of the modular heel device  320 . Specifically, the modular heel device  320  may comprise a plurality of locking tabs  330   b  that are structured to be received by a corresponding plurality of recesses  330   a  of the outsole portion  310 . Further, the modular heel device  320  may comprise a first interlocking groove  340   b  that is structured to physically interlock with a complimentary second interlocking groove  340   a.    
     Some or all of the plurality of locking tabs  330   b  may be disposed within the first interlocking groove  340 b. Alternatively and with reference to  FIG.  1   , some or all of the plurality of locking tabs  330   b  may be disposed within the upper portion  110   a  of the modular heel device  320 . Alternatively, some or all of the plurality of locking tabs  330   b  may be disposed within the second interlocking groove  340   a  or any structural portion of the second interlocking groove  340   a  that at least in part defines the space within the groove  340   a.    
     Further, some or all of the plurality of recesses  330   a  may be disposed within the second interlocking groove  340   a.  Alternatively, some or all of the plurality of recesses  330   a  may be disposed within any structural portion of the second interlocking groove  340   a  that at least in part defines the space within the groove  340   a.  Alternatively, some or all of the plurality of recesses  330   a  may be disposed within the first interlocking groove  340   b  or, with reference to  FIG.  1   , within the upper portion  110   a  of the modular heel device  320 . In this and every other embodiment, the plurality of recesses  330   a  and the plurality of locking tabs  330   b  may be disposed along any portion of any exterior surface of the first interlocking groove  340   b  or the second interlocking groove  340   a.    
     The locking tabs  330   b  may each move between a default depressed state and an extended state. In the depressed state each locking tab  330   b  is fully depressed into the first interlocking groove  340   b  such that it is flush with an outer surface of the first interlocking groove  340   b.  Specifically, in the depressed state each locking tab  330   b  may be fully depressed into the first interlocking groove  340   b  such that it is flush with an upper surface, inner surface and/or lower surface of the first interlocking groove  340   b.  In the extended state each locking tab  330   b  is fully extended out of the first interlocking groove  340   b  such that it protrudes from the outer surface of the first interlocking groove  340   b.  Specifically, in the extended state each locking tab  330   b  may be fully extended out of the first interlocking groove  340   b  such that it protrudes from the upper surface, inner surface and/or lower surface of the first interlocking groove  340   b.    
     The outsole portion  310  may receive the modular heel device  320  via the first interlocking groove  340   b  being inserted into the second interlocking groove  340   a.  Specifically, the second interlocking groove  340   a  may have a complimentary structure to that of the first interlocking groove  340   b  in order to securely receive the modular heel device  320  therein. The complimentary structure of the second interlocking groove  340   a  may utilize frictional engagement with the first interlocking groove  340   b  to retain the modular heel device  320  therein. For example, if the first interlocking groove  340   b  comprises a cavity that is rectangular in shape formed in part by a protruding upper ridge that is also rectangular (for example, the upper portion  110   a  of  FIG.  1   ), then the second interlocking groove  340   a  may comprise a complimentary cavity that is rectangular in shape to receive the protruding upper ridge while further comprising a protruding lower ridge that is rectangular in shape to be received by the cavity of the first interlocking groove  340   b.    
     Each locking tab  330   b  may move between the depressed state and the default extended state via magnetic force, spring force or other restorative force. Therefore, upon the modular heel device  320  being initially inserted into the outsole portion  310 , each locking tab  330   b  in the default extended state comes into contact with an exterior surface of the second interlocking groove  340   a  of the outsole portion  310 . The exterior surface of the second interlocking groove  340   a  will depress each locking tab  330   b  from the default extended state into the depressed state to allow each locking tab  330   b  to move along the exterior surface the second interlocking groove  340   a  as the modular heel device  320  is inserted into the outsole portion  310 . 
     As shown in  FIG.  3 B , a bottom view of a modular heel footwear system  300  is provided having the outsole portion  310  coupled to the modular heel device  320 . As the modular heel device  320  is fully inserted into the outsole portion  310 , each locking tab  330   b  in the depressed state will reach an associated recess  330   a  of the plurality of recesses  330   a  which will allow each locking tab  330   b  to extend back into the default extended state and thereby be inserted within the associated recess  330   a  of the plurality of recesses  330   a.  Each recess  330   a  may be structured in such a way as to not allow the associated locking tab  330   b  to escape the recess  330   a  once it is disposed therein. 
     As shown in  FIG.  4 A , a perspective view of a modular heel footwear system  400  is provided having an outsole portion  410  removed from a modular heel device  420 . The outsole portion  410  may comprise an interior structure that is complementary to an exterior structure of the modular heel device  420 . Specifically, the modular heel device  420  may comprise a plurality of locking tabs  430   b  that are structured to be received by a corresponding plurality of recesses  430   a  of the outsole portion  410 . Further, the modular heel device  420  may comprise a first interlocking groove  440   b  that is structured to physically interlock with a complimentary second interlocking groove  440   a.  Additionally, the outsole portion  410  may comprise a plurality of release actuators  450  to release the coupling between the plurality of locking tabs  430   b  from the plurality of recesses  430   a.  The number of release actuators  450  utilized on the outsole portion  410  may correspond directly to the number of locking tabs  430   b  and recesses  430   a  utilized. Further, the shape of the release actuators  450  utilized may correspond directly to the shape of the locking tabs  430   b  and recesses  430   a  utilized. 
     The locking tabs  430   b  may each move between a default depressed state and an extended state. In the depressed state each locking tab  430   b  is fully depressed into the first interlocking groove  440   b  such that it is flush with an outer surface of the first interlocking groove  440   b.  Specifically, in the depressed state each locking tab  430   b  may be fully depressed into the first interlocking groove  440   b  such that it is flush with an upper surface, inner surface and/or lower surface of the first interlocking groove  440   b.  In the extended state each locking tab  430   b  is fully extended out of the first interlocking groove  440   b  such that it protrudes from the outer surface of the first interlocking groove  440   b.  Specifically, in the extended state each locking tab  430   b  may be fully extended out of the first interlocking groove  440   b  such that it protrudes from the upper surface, inner surface and/or lower surface of the first interlocking groove  440   b.    
     The outsole portion  410  may receive the modular heel device  420  via the first interlocking groove  440   b  being inserted into the second interlocking groove  440   a.  Specifically, the second interlocking groove  440   a  may have a complimentary structure to that of the first interlocking groove  440   b  in order to securely receive the modular heel device  420  therein. The complimentary structure of the second interlocking groove  440   a  may utilize frictional engagement with the first interlocking groove  440   b  to retain the modular heel device  420  therein. Additionally, the first interlocking groove  440   b  and second interlocking groove  440   a  may utilize any suitable means of maintaining engagement therebetween including, but not limited to, magnets, hook and loop fasteners, clips, clasps, snaps, buttons and the like or any combination thereof. 
     For example, if the first interlocking groove  440   b  comprises a cavity that is rectangular in shape formed in part by a protruding upper ridge that is also rectangular (for example, the upper portion  110   a  of  FIG.  1   ), then the second interlocking groove  440 a may comprise a complimentary cavity that is rectangular in shape to receive the protruding upper ridge while further comprising a protruding lower ridge that is rectangular in shape to be received by the cavity of the first interlocking groove  440   b.    
     Each locking tab  430   b  may move between the depressed state and the default extended state via magnetic force, spring force or other restorative force. Therefore, upon the modular heel device  420  being initially inserted into the outsole portion  410 , each locking tab  430   b  in the default extended state comes into contact with an exterior surface of the second interlocking groove  440   a  of the outsole portion  410 . The exterior surface of the second interlocking groove  440   a  will depress each locking tab  430   b  from the default extended state into the depressed state to allow each locking tab  430   b  to move along the exterior surface the second interlocking groove  440   a  as the modular heel device  420  is inserted into the outsole portion  410 . 
     As shown in  FIG.  4 B , a perspective view of a modular heel footwear system  400  is provided having the outsole portion  410  coupled to the modular heel device  420 . Each of the plurality of release actuators  450  may be utilized to release the modular heel device  420  from its coupling to the outsole portion  410 . Specifically, this process may be executed by a user depressing the plurality of release actuators  450  each of which may be aligned with a respective recess  430   a  of the plurality of recesses  430   a  and a respective locking tab  430   b  of the plurality of locking tabs  430   b.  Depressing each release actuator  450  may cause the release actuator  450  to enter the associated recess  430   a  and thereby depress the associated locking tab  430   b  from the default extended state into the depressed state. Once each locking tab  430   b  is depressed into the depressed state, the modular heel device  420  is free to to be removed from the outsole portion  410  via the first interlocking groove  440   b  of the modular heel device  420  sliding relative the second interlocking groove  440   a  of the outsole portion  410 . 
     While the release actuators  450  are described as being actuated via depression by a user, the release actuators  450  may be actuated via any suitable manner such as, but not limited to, downward actuation, sideways actuation, sliding motion, spring motion, removal, insertion and the like or any combination thereof. Further, while the release actuators  450  are depicted in  FIG.  4 A  as being cross-sectionally circular, the release actuators  450  may have any suitable cross-sectional shape including, but not limited to, rectangular, elliptical, triangular, concave, convex and the like or any combination thereof. 
     As shown in  FIG.  5 A , a rear view of a modular heel footwear system  500  is provided having an outsole portion  510  coupled to a modular heel device  520 . Both of the outsole portion  510  and modular heel device  520  are shown in cross-section in a coupled configuration. The outsole portion  510  comprises a plurality of release actuators  530  that may each be disposed along surfaces of the interlocking grooves  540 . The interlocking grooves  540  depicted in  FIG.  5 A  show both the grooves of the outsole portion  510  and modular heel device  520  being interlocked together. 
     Further, the interlocking grooves  540  of the outsole portion  510  and modular heel device  520  are shown in  FIG.  5 A  to have a generally rectangular dimensional form factor, but each set of grooves  540  may comprise any complimentary shape relative one another including, but not limited to, rectangular, cylindrical, triangular and the like or any combination thereof. Additionally,  FIG.  5 A  is illustrated such that the locking tabs (not shown) are disposed within the associated recesses (not shown) behind the interlocking grooves  540 . Springs are shown to be disposed within a cavity of the modular heel device  520  and specifically within a cavity of the upper portion  110   a  as referenced in  FIG.  1    of the modular heel device  520 . 
     As shown in  FIG.  5 B , a rear view of a modular heel footwear system  500  is provided having an outsole portion  510  removed from a modular heel device  520 . Both of the outsole portion  510  and modular heel device  520  are shown in cross-section in an uncoupled configuration. The outsole portion  510  is shown in  FIG.  5 B  to comprise a second interlocking groove  540   a  that is generally semicylindrical with a rectangular cross-sectional form factor. The modular heel device  520  is shown in  FIG.  5 B  to comprise a first interlocking groove  540   b  that has a generally semicylindrical shape with a rectangular cross-section form factor such that the first interlocking groove  540   b  is structurally complimentary to the second interlocking groove  540   a.    
     Further, the outsole portion  510  comprises a plurality of recesses  530   a  that are shaped to accept the locking tabs  530   b  upon insertion of the modular heel device  520  into the outsole portion  510  via coupling of the second interlocking groove  540   a  with the first interlocking groove  540   b.  Advantageously, each locking tab  530   b  may terminate at a distal end, where the distal end of each locking tab  530   b  tapers at a first side towards an opposite second side. The first side may be the side closest to the second interlocking groove  540   a  upon insertion of the modular heel device  520  into the outsole portion  510 . Such a structural configuration allows the locking tabs  530   b  to easily transition from the default extended state into the depressed state upon contacting the second interlocking groove  540   a.  The tapered distal end contacting the second interlocking groove  540   a  creates an inward force component when a user applies force to insert the modular heel device  520  into the outsole portion  510  via alignment of the first and second interlocking grooves  540   a,    540   b.    
     With regard to various embodiments of  FIGS.  1 - 5 B , a modular heel footwear system disclosed therein may comprise an outsole portion of a footwear article which may itself comprise a first interlocking groove. The first interlocking groove may comprise a plurality of cavities disposed therein. The plurality of cavities may be disposed or positioned symmetrically along the length of the first interlocking groove relative one another such that, for example, they are equidistant from both a midpoint of the first interlocking groove and also the terminal ends thereof. The modular heel footwear system may further comprise a modular heel device which itself may comprise a second interlocking groove. The second interlocking groove may comprise a plurality of locking tabs protruding therefrom that quantitatively correspond to the plurality of cavities such that, for example, an equal number of locking tabs and cavities are utilized. The plurality of locking tabs may be disposed symmetrically along the length of the second interlocking groove relative one another such that, for example, they are equidistant from both a midpoint of the second interlocking groove and also the terminal ends thereof. The first interlocking groove may structurally correspond to the second interlocking groove such that, for example, the first and second interlocking grooves may physically interlock via complimentary interlocking shapes. The outsole portion and the modular heel device may be shaped to couple together in an inserted state and to separate from one another in a removed state. The outsole portion may comprise a plurality of release actuators that enable transition from the inserted state to the removed state. In the inserted state, at least one of the plurality of release actuators, at least one of the plurality of locking tabs and at least one of the plurality of cavities may be collectively aligned along a common axis. Further, in the inserted state, each of the plurality of locking tabs are disposed within a corresponding cavity of the plurality of cavities. Additionally, in some embodiments of  FIGS.  1 - 5 B , each of the plurality of locking tabs may move between an extended state and a depressed state via force being applied to one or more springs. The outsole portion may comprise a plurality of release actuators that, when actuated, place the plurality of locking tabs into the depressed state. 
     While one general type of footwear is illustrated throughout  FIGS.  1 - 5   , any suitable type of footwear may be utilized including, but not limited to, high-heels, wedges, shock-absorbing heels, air-cushioned heels, dress-shoe heels and the like or any combination thereof. Further, all elements described in  FIGS.  1 - 5    may be made from any suitable material including, but not limited to, leathers, textiles, synthetics, rubber, foam, plastic, wood, metals and the like or any combination thereof. 
     Additionally, while  FIGS.  1 - 5    illustrate an outsole portion at a rear part of the outsole of the footwear as the portion to receive a modular heel device, it is to be understood that the structure, functionality and materials utilized for each element of  FIGS.  1 - 5    may be implemented within other portions of the footwear including, but not limited to, the heel, the outsole, the insole, the midsole, the the quarter, the vamp, the toe spring, the shank, the feather edge, the toe cap, the welt and the like or any combinations thereof. Specifically, the same interlocking grooves, recesses, locking tabs and related components described within  FIGS.  1 - 5    may be utilized to turn the aforementioned portions of the footwear into modular removable portions in similar manner to the outsole portion and modular heel device. 
     Further, a modular heel device is described as being the component that is modularly inserted into and removed from an outsole portion disposed within a rear half portion of the outsole. However, a front half portion of the outsole may comprise identical structural and functional features as that described with regard to the rear portion in  FIGS.  1 - 5   . Specifically, the front half portion of the outsole may comprise a plurality of locking tabs, a plurality of recesses, first and second interlocking grooves, a plurality of release actuators, a plurality of cavities and the structure and function associated with each of the aforementioned listed elements as particularly illustrated in  FIGS.  4 A &amp;  4 B  and described with reference to  FIGS.  4 A &amp;  4 B  in the preceding paragraphs. 
     The specification and drawings are to be regarded in an illustrative rather than a restrictive sense. However, it will be evident that various modifications and changes may be made thereunto without departing from the broader spirit and scope of the invention as set forth in the claims. Other variations are within the spirit of the present disclosure. Thus, while the disclosed techniques are susceptible to various modifications and alternative constructions, certain illustrated embodiments thereof are shown in the drawings and have been described above in detail. It should be understood, however, that there is no intention to limit the invention to the specific form or forms disclosed, but on the contrary, the intention is to cover all modifications, alternative constructions, and equivalents falling within the spirit and scope of the invention, as defined in the appended claims. 
     The use of the terms “a,” “an,” “the,” and similar referents in the context of describing the disclosed embodiments (especially in the context of the following claims) are to be construed to cover both the singular and the plural, unless otherwise indicated or clearly contradicted by context. The terms “comprising,” “having,” “including,” and “containing” are to be construed as open-ended terms (i.e., meaning “including, but not limited to,”) unless otherwise noted. The term “connected,” where unmodified and referring to physical connections, is to be construed as partly or wholly contained within, attached to, or joined together, even if there is something intervening. Recitation of ranges of values are merely intended to serve as a shorthand method of referring individually to each separate value falling within the range, unless otherwise indicated and each separate value is incorporated into the specification as if it were individually recited. The use of the term “set” (e.g., “a set of items”) or “subset” unless otherwise noted or contradicted by context, is to be construed as a nonempty collection comprising one or more members. Further, unless otherwise noted or contradicted by context, the term “subset” of a corresponding set does not necessarily denote a proper subset of the corresponding set, but the subset and the corresponding set may be equal. 
     Conjunctive language, such as phrases of the form “at least one of A, B, and C,” or “at least one of A, B and C,” is understood with the context as used in general to present that an item, term, etc., may be either A or B or C, or any nonempty subset of the set of A and B and C, unless specifically stated otherwise or otherwise clearly contradicted by context. For instance, in the illustrative example of a set having three members, the conjunctive phrases “at least one of A, B, and C” and “at least one of A, B and C” refer to any of the following sets: {A}, {B}, {C}, {A, B}, {A, C}, {B, C}, {A, B, C}. Thus, such conjunctive language is not generally intended to imply that certain embodiments require at least one of A, at least one of B and at least one of C each to be present. In addition, unless otherwise noted or contradicted by context, the term “plurality” indicates a state of being plural (e.g., “a plurality of items” indicates multiple items). The number of items in a plurality is at least two, but can be more when so indicated either explicitly or by context. 
     The use of any examples, or exemplary language (e.g., “such as”) provided, is intended merely to better illuminate embodiments of the invention and does not pose a limitation on the scope of the invention unless otherwise claimed. No language in the specification should be construed as indicating any non-claimed element as essential to the practice of the invention. 
     Embodiments of this disclosure are described, including the best mode known to the inventors for carrying out the invention. Variations of those embodiments may become apparent to those of ordinary skill in the art upon reading the foregoing description. The inventors expect skilled artisans to employ such variations as appropriate and the inventors intend for embodiments of the present disclosure to be practiced otherwise than as specifically described. Accordingly, the scope of the present disclosure includes all modifications and equivalents of the subject matter recited in the claims appended hereto as permitted by applicable law. Moreover, although above-described elements may be described in the context of certain embodiments of the specification, unless stated otherwise or otherwise clear from context, these elements are not mutually exclusive to only those embodiments in which they are described; any combination of the above-described elements in all possible variations thereof is encompassed by the scope of the present disclosure unless otherwise indicated or otherwise clearly contradicted by context. 
     All references, including publications, patent applications, and patents, cited are hereby incorporated by reference to the same extent as if each reference were individually and specifically indicated to be incorporated by reference and were set forth in its entirety.