Abstract:
A shoe including a sole and an upper portion positioned atop the sole. A number of pins extend downwardly from the sole. Two of the pins are flat plates positioned parallel to one another on opposite sides of the sole. Another one of the pins is positioned rearwardly of the first two at the center of the sole. A heel has a number of slots that snugly, yet releasably, receiving the pins.

Description:
FIELD OF THE INVENTION  
         [0001]    The present invention relates generally to shoes with detachable heels.  
         BACKGROUND OF THE INVENTION  
         [0002]    Shoes are a source of pleasure and pain for all. Shoes protect our feet, glamorize our outfits, and accessorize our lives. Shoes, however, occupy a great deal of our closet space and shopping time. Surprisingly, many individuals are so attracted to, and dependent upon, shoes that they that they continue to buy them despite the fact that they own dozens of pairs.  
           [0003]    In order to meet the demands of modern life, some individuals start their days with two pairs of shoes in their possession. Perhaps a pair of shoes with low heels will be worn while commuting to work in comfort and a pair with high heels will be worn at work to alter the appearance of the wearer and increase his stature. Having a single pair of shoes whose heel height can be adjusted would present a welcome relief to these shoe wearers.  
           [0004]    Many designs for shoes with changeable heels have been proposed in the past; but, they have been complex, costly and cumbersome in their construction and have not seen widespread acceptance in the marketplace. A need remains for shoes whose heels can be rapidly detached and replaced by others of any desired height.  
         SUMMARY OF THE INVENTION  
         [0005]    In light of the problems associated with the known footwear, it is a principal object of the invention to provide a shoe having a heel that can be swiftly and easily detached and exchanged with another of different height. When comfort is needed, a user would select a heel of low height. When more height is required, however, a tall heel would be selected. One shoe will now suffice where two or more were required in the past.  
           [0006]    It is another object of the present invention to provide a shoe of the type described whose heel can be removed and replaced in a matter of seconds, without any tools, special training or extraordinary effort. Thus, the shoe is of practical use to both adults and children.  
           [0007]    It is a further object of the invention to provide a shoe with a detachable heel that is symmetrical about its longitudinal axis to facilitate even wear when exchanged between the right and left shoes of a wearer who pronates or walks with his feet turned outward. Rather than disposing of shoes whose heels are unevenly worn as is now commonplace, the shoes of the present invention permit heel rotation much like the rotation performed with automobile tires to greatly extend their useful lives.  
           [0008]    It is an object of the invention to provide improved elements and arrangements thereof in a shoe for the purposes described which is lightweight in construction, inexpensive to manufacture and dependable in use.  
           [0009]    Briefly, the shoe in accordance with this invention achieves the intended objects by featuring a sole with heel and toe ends. An upper portion extends upwardly from the top of the sole for encircling a foot positioned atop the sole. Three pins extend downwardly from the heel end of the sole. Two of the pins are narrow plates arranged side-by-side on opposite sides of the sole. A third pin is positioned rearwardly of the first two. A heel having slots sized and positioned to snugly receive the pins is detachably joined to the heel end of the sole. A recess in the front of the heel permits such to be easily grasped by a user.  
           [0010]    The foregoing and other objects, features and advantages of the present invention will become readily apparent upon further review of the following detailed description of the preferred embodiment as illustrated in the accompanying drawings. 
       
    
    
     BRIEF DESCRIPTION OF THE DRAWINGS  
       [0011]    The present invention may be more readily described with reference to the accompanying drawings, in which:  
         [0012]    [0012]FIG. 1 is a perspective view of a shoe with a detachable heel in accordance with the present invention.  
         [0013]    [0013]FIG. 2 is a side elevational view of the shoe of FIG. 1 with portions broken away.  
         [0014]    [0014]FIG. 3 is a top view of a detachable heel for use in the present invention.  
         [0015]    [0015]FIG. 4 is a perspective view of a shoe in accordance with the present invention with a heel of extended height, said shoe having portions broken away.  
         [0016]    Similar reference characters denote corresponding features consistently throughout the accompanying drawings. 
     
    
     DETAILED DESCRIPTION OF THE PREFERRED EMBODIMENT  
       [0017]    Referring now to the FIGS., a shoe in accordance with the present invention is shown at  10 . Shoe  10  includes a sole  12  with a heel end  14  and a toe end  16 . An upper portion  18  extends upwardly from the top of sole  12  for encircling the foot of a user positioned atop sole  12 . Three pins  20 ,  22  and  24  extend downwardly from heel end  14  of sole  12 . A heel  26  having slots  28 ,  30  and  32  sized and positioned to snugly receive pins  20 ,  22  and  24  is detachably joined to heel end  14  of sole  12 . A recess  34  in the front of heel  26  permits heel  26  to be easily grasped and manipulated by a wearer.  
         [0018]    Sole  12  and upper portion  18  are formed of conventional materials and are secured together in a normal manner. Upper portion  18 , although illustrated as enclosing only toe end  16  of sole  12  and as having a heel strap  36 , may be provided in a form that also fully encloses heel end  14 . Upper portion  18  may also be extended upwardly from heel end  14  to enclose the ankle of a wearer in the manner of a boot.  
         [0019]    Pins  20 ,  22  and  24  extend downwardly in parallel fashion from a base plate  38  affixed to heel end  14  of sole  12 . Pins  22  and  24  are narrow plates arranged side-by-side on opposite sides of the centerline of sole  12 . Pin  20 , however, is provided with a D-shaped cross section and is positioned on the centerline of sole  12  rearwardly of pins  22  and  24 . Such a pin arrangement provides fore, aft and lateral stability to heel  26  resisting its detachment from sole  12  during wear of shoe  10 .  
         [0020]    To further resist the detachment of heel  26  from sole  12 , the bottoms of pins  22  and  24  are specially configured. Pin  22  is provided with a pair of fore and aft fins as at  40  so that it is relatively wider at its bottom than at its top. It is believed that positioning pin  22  at the outside of shoe  10  as shown (shoe  10  being configured for the right foot of a wearer) provides greatest opposition to forces generated by twisting or turning. On the other hand, pin  24  is tapered for relatively easy insertion into heel  26 . Both pins  22  and  24  are provided with holes as at  42  at their bottoms to somewhat reduce the weight of shoe  10 .  
         [0021]    Detachable heel  26  is formed of rubber or other suitable material. The top of heel  26  is planar and is adapted to engage heel end  14  of sole  12 . Apertures  28 ,  30  and  32  penetrate the top of heel  26  and are spaced and sized to snugly receive pins  20 ,  22  and  24  therein. Recess  34 , positioned remote from apertures  28 ,  30  and  32 , permits a user to grasp heel  26  and pull such from sole  12  when desired. The bottom of recess  34  is provided with a planar lip  44  oriented parallel to the bottom of heel  26  that further facilitates the grasping of heel  26 .  
         [0022]    Heel  46  may be substituted for heel  26 . Heel  46  is like heel  26  in all respects except that the height of heel  46  is greater than that of heel  26 . Thus, heel  46  has apertures in its top for the snug receipt of pins  20 ,  22  and  24  as well as a recess  48  in its front for ease in grasping.  
         [0023]    Use of shoe  10  is straightforward. Assuming heel  26  is at first detached from sole  12 , pins  20 ,  22  and  24  are aligned with apertures  28 ,  30  and  32  in heel  26 . Then, heel  26  is pressed toward sole  12  until the top of heel  26  is flush with the bottom of sole  12 . A snug frictional engagement formed between pins  20 ,  22  and  24  and heel  26  retains heel  26  in place-no additional fasteners are required for secure heel retention. Shoe  10  is now ready to wear.  
         [0024]    When a shoe  10  of greater height is desired, heel  26  is replaced by heel  46 . To accomplish this task, a wearer places his thumb within recess  34  against lip  44  and pulls heel  26  away from sole  12 . With moderate effort, pins  20 ,  22  and  24  are withdrawn from apertures  28 ,  30  and  32 . Heel  46  is, then, substituted for heel  26  and pressed into place upon pins  20 ,  22  and  24  as illustrated in FIG. 4. Shoe  10 , now providing greater stature for a wearer, may be worn normally.  
         [0025]    From the foregoing it will be appreciated that shoe  10  provides great versatility and comfort to a wearer. These benefits, it is believed, will lead many individuals to make shoes with detachable heels a part of their everyday lives.  
         [0026]    While the invention has been described with a high degree of particularity, it will be appreciated by those skilled in the art that modifications may be made thereto. Therefore, it is to be understood that the present invention is not limited to the single embodiment described above, but encompasses any and all embodiments within the scope of the following claims.