WO2005082189A1

WO2005082189A1 - Rotationally detachable low to high heel shoes

Info

Publication number: WO2005082189A1
Application number: PCT/US2004/002496
Authority: WO
Inventors: Lisa Walker
Original assignee: Lisa Walker
Priority date: 2004-01-30
Filing date: 2004-01-30
Publication date: 2005-09-09
Also published as: CA2552605A1

Abstract

A structure of a low to high heel shoe wherein a sole (figure 1) having two demicircular “D” shaped punched holes on either side of the shank it formed in the rear of the shoe area, to receive a bolt fitting (figure 2) having a bight slot (A) and two opposing distal members, fitting through the punched holes and over the shoe shank thereby adjoining to the heel.

Description

TΓΓLE QF INVENΉON

Rotationally Detachable low to high heel shoes Inventor: Lisa Walker

FIELD OF I-SrVE ΗON

The Rotationally Detachable low to high heel shoe facilitates a means to create individual style regarding footwear, using a mode that is interchangeable and detachable. Providing a necessary means for change by the consumer in its unyielding desire to create individual style of shoes or boots in relation to clothing.

BACKGROUND OR RELATED ART The following listed prior art has come to the attention of applicant The prior art is believed relevant to, but patentably distinguishable from, the present invention and is being cited pursuant to Rule 91. A copy of each prior art publication is enclosed and its relevance is discussed below.

# 4,219,946 Shoe w/ an interchangeable heel, Uwe Baum, Sept 2, 1980

# 4363,177 Style convertible footwear, Leslie Boros, Dec. 14, 1982 #4,400,893 Shoe w/ removably mounted heel, Nicola Musei, Aug. 30,

1983

# 5,477,625 Interchangeable shoe, Michael Goldsmith, Dec. 26, 1995 Baum creates his design with a rigid plate in the sole of the heel. This could potentially come away from the shoe because of the dissimilar materials, one of rigidity and one of flexibility. Alδo, much work and excess manufacture would constitute this design, leaving the cost of the product exorbitant. My invention solves this problem due to the use of conventional materials in making the shoe, there are no pieces, which could come away from the shoe, and the easy motion of rotating the heel on and off serves the consumer with a very low change-over time.

Boros creates a similar design to that of Baum having the added cutout and insertion of a square like notch and indention mounted to the heel and shoe respectively. There is a notch like protrusion, which could break off during normal wear. This leaves the design unfavorable. The addition of an extra pin like feature leaves the design unsightly with multiple parts to keep inventory of. And also creates a time consuming style changeover. My invention uses no protrusions, which could break off during normal, wear and have no extra pieces which could become lost, and the easy motion of rotating the heel on and off serves the consumer with a very low changeover time.

Musei uses a small, slim screw that one must insert down through the sole and into the heel with an additional tool. This design is also flawed due to the small screw, which will split firom the heel because of direct pressure by wearer, during normal wear. The design is mostly time consuming for consumer. In addition, he uses a simi-rigid plastic sole that is unmanageable for lowering the heel. My invention uses a very thick bolt- fitting that could not potentially break, there are no tools needed to change heels, and the easy motion of rotating the heel on and off serves the consumer with a very low change-over time.

Goldsmith created a design totally unstable and unsightly. This design uses rubber which is extremely flexible lending no support to the wearer. An added inconvenience is the nuisance of a strap that purportedly secures the heel. This strap is objectionable due to the apparent volatility of movement from normal wear. The snap provides easy disengagement of the wearer from the shoe during normal wear. My invention solves these problems by creating a conventional looking shoe using the conventional shoemaking materials, already in use and the easy motion of rotating the heel on and off serves the consumer with a very low changeover time. Rotationallv Detachable Low to High Heel Shoe DETAILED DESCRIPTION OF THE INVENTION

Referring to the drawings for a skilled artisan to manufacture and give a layperson a definitive narrative, FIG 1 shows a view of the shoe sole area

4 and punched "D" shaped holes B and Bl near the back of the shoe where the

5 heel of the wearer will rest. FIG 3 and FIG 4 shows aviewofthe backofa completely constructed rotationally detachable low to high heel show with the 7 bolt fitting 2 bonded to the shoe sole FIG 1, and a view of the injection molded shoe heel which will adjoin with the bolt fitting 2 by a simple

10 rotation, connection the two.

¹¹ The shoe sole FIG 1 is made of conventional materials; preferably

12 leather. By reference, the shoe sole comprises two "D" shaped punched B _j4 and Bl in juxtaposition forming a backward "D" shape and a forward TJ"

15 shaped at either side of the shoe's shank A, nearing the back of the sole area.

¹⁶ It is possible for the punched holes to be rounded or squared, however for the

17 aesthetic appeal of a finished product the "D" shape is preferred due to its

₁₉ corresponding shape to the bolt fitting's opposing distal ends C and Cl. 0 To form a complete shoe sole FIG 3 a male threaded bolt-fitting FIG 1 2 must pass through the two "D" shaped punched holes B and Bl. A bolt2 fitting in FIG 2 shows a bight slot D and two opposing distal ends C and Cl.₄ Bolt fitting FIG 2 is straddled over the shank A and through the two "D"5 shaped punched holes B and Bl which is permanently bonded using glue or⁶ other fastening options. It is preferable for the bolt-fitting FIG 2 to be7 manufactured of rigid plastic or polymer. o 9 The embodiment of a complete shoe sole FIG 3 with the shoe heel0 FIG 4, includes an injection molded shoe heel having female threads to¹ accept the bolt-fitting FIG 2 and its two opposing distal ends C and Cl. The2 shoe heel FIG 4 will be tapped having female threading with a downward3 4 circular fashion or countersunk depression so that the bolt fitting FIG 2 and5 6 7 g its opposing distal ends C and Cl are oriented inside the shoe heel joining 9 thereto. Preferably, this threading will remain at a static measurement after 0 the injection mold has been obtained. Finding the longitudinal axis extending j through the sole where the "D" shaped holes B and Bl will remain static2 allowing the connection of a bolt fitting FIG 2 and shoe heel FIG 5. One3 skilled in mathematics or engineering will be able to obtain such 4 measurement without difficulty. 5 FIG 6 shows a top sand side view of the thin flat horizontally roundedg head of the bolt-fitting FIG 2, which will cover a generous area of the shoe7 sole FIG 1, after the bolt fitting FIG 2 is permanently affixed to shoe soleg FIG 1. The rounded head FIG 6 is preferred as opposed to squared or other9 geometric shape. By rotating the shoe heel FIG 6 clockwise onto the bolt0 fitting FIG 2 until rotation is stopped, a complete shoe is read for wear. 1 Conversely, by rotating the shoe heel FIG 4 counter clockwise until the shoe heel is disjoined firom the shoe sole FIG 3 and exposing the bolt fitting FIG 2 will provide the wearer with a new option for joining a second differently styled shoe heel FIG 4. Figures 2- bolt fitting and 4- heel, may be formed of a rigid plastic or similar material. It is understood that for adjoining and disjoining, only the heel needs rotation.

Claims

CLAIMS I Claim:

1. A low to high heel shoe or boot with a composition of: a shoe sole having in a heel portion a backward "D" shape and forward "D" shape punched hole, said punched holes having juxtaposition on either side of shank near a heel portion of said shoe sole, a bolt fitting permanently bonded to said shoe sole, said bolt fitting having a bight and two threaded opposing distal ends, said opposing distal ends passing through and straddling said "D" shaped punched holes of said shoe sole, a rotationally-detachable shoe heel, said shoe heel having downwardly driven threads

2. A shoe or boot of composition in claim 1 , wherein said bolt fitting has a generally flat horizontally rounded head covering a generous portion of said shoe sole.

3. A shoe or boot of composition in claim 1 , in which said "D" shaped punched holes corresponds to the periphery measurement of said opposing distal ends of said bolt fitting so as to allow passage of said opposing distal ends.

4. A shoe or boot of composition in claim 1, wherein said threads are generally atop said shoe heel, extending in a downward circular fashion making a cavity such that receives said opposing distal ends of said bolt fitting.

5. A shoe or boot of composition in claim 1 , in which the circumference of said bolt fitting distal ends measure smaller to said threads of said shoe heel.

6. A shoe or boot of composition in claiml , in which said shoe heel is injection molded.