U.S. patent application number 13/265484 was filed with the patent office on 2012-03-08 for heel for a shoe.
This patent application is currently assigned to Veronica HAUPT. Invention is credited to Pieter Etienne Dreyer, Veronica Haupt.
Application Number | 20120055048 13/265484 |
Document ID | / |
Family ID | 43011543 |
Filed Date | 2012-03-08 |
United States Patent
Application |
20120055048 |
Kind Code |
A1 |
Haupt; Veronica ; et
al. |
March 8, 2012 |
HEEL FOR A SHOE
Abstract
The invention provides a heel (1) for a shoe (2) including a
butt-end (3) securable to a shoe and a base (7) providing a heel
tip (8) at its free end. The base is movable in relation to the
butt-end, with the base and butt-end connected through telescopic
components (9). A cooperating sleeve (11) within the heel is
provided with a keyway profiled to fit over a key (14) on the end
of a pin (12) when the keyway and key are aligned. The sleeve and
pin are configured to hold the heel in a retracted condition when
the pin is in the sleeve and to hold the heel in an extended
condition when the pin is withdrawn from the sleeve. The invention
further provides a mechanism to rotate the pin with its key and the
sleeve with its keyway, into alignment to enable movement of the
heel between the retracted and extended conditions.
Inventors: |
Haupt; Veronica; (Bryanston,
ZA) ; Dreyer; Pieter Etienne; (Edenvale, ZA) |
Assignee: |
HAUPT; Veronica
Bryanston
ZA
|
Family ID: |
43011543 |
Appl. No.: |
13/265484 |
Filed: |
April 23, 2010 |
PCT Filed: |
April 23, 2010 |
PCT NO: |
PCT/IB2010/051795 |
371 Date: |
November 22, 2011 |
Current U.S.
Class: |
36/34R |
Current CPC
Class: |
A43B 21/437 20130101;
A43B 3/24 20130101; A43B 21/48 20130101; A43B 21/30 20130101 |
Class at
Publication: |
36/34.R |
International
Class: |
A43B 21/24 20060101
A43B021/24 |
Foreign Application Data
Date |
Code |
Application Number |
Apr 24, 2009 |
ZA |
2009/02849 |
Claims
1. A heel for a shoe, comprising: a butt-end securable to a shoe;
and a base providing a heel tip at its free end, the base movable
in relation to the butt-end, with the base and butt-end connected
through telescopic components, a cooperating sleeve and pin mounted
coaxially within the heel, the sleeve having a keyway profiled to
fit over a key on the end of the pin when the keyway and key are
aligned and the sleeve and pin configured to hold the heel in a
retracted condition when the pin is in the sleeve and to hold the
heel in an extended condition when the pin is withdrawn from the
sleeve, and a mechanism to rotate the pin with its key and the
sleeve with its keyway, into alignment to enable movement of the
heel between the retracted and extended conditions.
2. The heel of claim 1, further comprising at least one spring
between the base and butt-end to bias the heel into the extended
condition.
3. The heel of claim 2, wherein the spring is a coil spring guided
within the heel.
4. The heel of claim 1, wherein the mechanism includes a spring to
bias the passage of the sleeve and the key of the pin out of
alignment.
5. The heel of claim 4, wherein the mechanism further includes an
operating lever with a torsion spring, extending laterally from the
pin or sleeve.
6. The heel of claim 4, wherein the mechanism includes an operating
rack with a coil spring, which engages a pinion connected to the
pin or sleeve.
7. The heel of claim 1, further comprising a first telescopic
component to extend from the butt-end and a second telescopic
component to extend from the base, with a third telescopic
component received slidably within the first component and
extending slidably over the second component.
8. The heel of claim 1, wherein the tip of the heel is configured
to engage the ground with the heel in the retracted condition and
in the extended condition.
9. The heel of claim 8, wherein the tip is provided with a curved
round engaging surface.
10. The heel of claim 8, wherein the tip is provided with first and
second ground engaging surfaces which are provided on the tip at a
suitable angle in relation to each other.
11. A shoe, comprising: a heel comprising: a butt-end securable to
a shoe; and a base providing a heel tip at its free end, the base
movable in relation to the butt-end, with the base and butt-end
connected through telescopic components, a cooperating sleeve and
pin mounted coaxially within the heel, the sleeve having a keyway
profiled to fit over a key on the end of the pin when the keyway
and key are aligned and the sleeve and pin configured to hold the
heel in a retracted condition when the pin is in the sleeve and to
hold the heel in an extended condition when the pin is withdrawn
from the sleeve, and a mechanism to rotate the pin with its key and
the sleeve with its keyway, into alignment to enable movement of
the heel between the retracted and extended conditions.
12. The shoe of claim 11, further comprising at least one spring
between the base and butt-end to bias the heel into the extended
condition.
13. The shoe of claim 13, wherein the spring is a coil spring
guided within the heel.
14. The shoe of claim 11, wherein the mechanism includes a spring
to bias the passage of the sleeve and the key of the pin out of
alignment.
15. The shoe of claim 14, wherein the mechanism further includes an
operating lever with a torsion spring, extending laterally from the
pin or sleeve.
16. The shoe of claim 14, wherein the mechanism includes an
operating rack with a coil spring, which engages a pinion connected
to the pin or sleeve.
17. The shoe of claim 11, further comprising a first telescopic
component to extend from the butt-end and a second telescopic
component to extend from the base, with a third telescopic
component received slidably within the first component and
extending slidably over the second component.
18. The shoe of claim 11, wherein the tip of the heel is configured
to engage the ground with the heel in the retracted condition and
in the extended condition.
19. The shoe of claim 18, wherein the tip is provided or with first
and second ground engaging surfaces which are provided on the tip
at a suitable angle in relation to each other.
20. A heel for a shoe, comprising: a butt-end securable to a shoe;
and a base providing a heel tip at its free end, the base movable
in relation to the butt-end, with the base and butt-end connected
through telescopic components, a cooperating sleeve and pin mounted
coaxially within the heel, the sleeve having a keyway profiled to
fit over a key on the end of the pin when the keyway and key are
aligned and the sleeve and pin configured to hold the heel in a
retracted condition when the pin is in the sleeve and to hold the
heel in an extended condition when the pin is withdrawn from the
sleeve, and a mechanism to rotate the pin with its key and the
sleeve with its keyway, into alignment to enable movement of the
heel between the retracted and extended conditions, at least one
spring between the base and butt-end to bias the heel into the
extended condition, a first telescopic component to extend from the
butt-end and a second telescopic component to extend from the base,
with a third telescopic component received slidably within the
first component and extending slidably over the second component,
the tip of the heel being configured to engage the ground with the
heel in the retracted condition and in the extended condition, the
tip having first and second ground engaging surfaces which are
provided on the tip at a suitable angle in relation to each other.
Description
FIELD OF THE INVENTION
[0001] The invention relates to a heel of adjustable height for a
shoe; in particular, for a ladies high-heel shoe. The invention
extends to a shoe having such a heel.
BACKGROUND TO THE INVENTION
[0002] The state of the art is set out by a variety of heels for
ladies shoes of different construction which purport to offer
adjustment in height. Despite the many versions disclosed in
published documents, the applicant is not aware of any such product
which has been particularly well received or gained significant
commercial success.
[0003] The heel of a high-heel shoe is subjected to significant
forces and wear.
[0004] An adjustable heel would provide the comfort of a shorter,
"low heel" in its retracted condition. This is better suited for
walking, riding a bicycle and for general daily use, such as
standing in queues. In its extended condition, the heel would
provide extra height and other aesthetic appeal associated with
high-heel shoes. While the idea of incorporating this feature into
a shoe carries these and possibly other advantages, it would seem
that a suitable construction for a heel of this type has eluded
those who have attempted to do so.
OBJECT OF THE INVENTION
[0005] It is an object of the present invention to provide a heel
of adjustable height that is convenient to use and has a
construction and features which are suited to serve its
purpose.
SUMMARY OF THE INVENTION
[0006] In accordance with the invention there is provided a heel
for a shoe including a butt-end securable to a shoe and a base
providing a heel tip at its free end, the base movable in relation
to the butt-end, with the base and butt-end connected through
telescopic components, a cooperating sleeve and pin mounted
coaxially within the heel, the sleeve having a keyway profiled to
fit over a key on the end of the pin when the keyway and key are
aligned and the sleeve and pin configured to hold the heel in a
retracted condition when the pin is in the sleeve and to hold the
heel in an extended condition when the pin is withdrawn from the
sleeve, and a mechanism to rotate the pin with its key and the
sleeve with its keyway, into alignment to enable movement of the
heel between the retracted and extended conditions.
[0007] The invention further provides for at least one spring
between the base and butt-end to bias the heel into the extended
condition; and for the spring to be a coil spring guided within the
heel.
[0008] Further features of the invention provide for the mechanism
to include a spring to bias the passage of the sleeve and the key
of the pin out of alignment; and for the mechanism to include an
operating lever with a torsion spring, extending laterally from the
pin or sleeve; or an operating rack with a coil spring, which
engages a pinion connected to the pin or sleeve.
[0009] A further feature of the invention provides for a first
telescopic component to extend from the butt-end and a second
telescopic component to extend from the base, with a third
telescopic component received slidably within the first component
and extending slidably over the second component.
[0010] In accordance with another aspect of this invention there is
provided a heel for a shoe as defined above wherein the tip of the
heel is configured to engage the ground with the heel in the
retracted condition and in the extended condition.
[0011] The tip will either be provided with a curved ground
engaging surface; or with first and second ground engaging surfaces
which are provided on the tip at a suitable angle in relation to
each other.
[0012] In accordance with another aspect of this invention there is
provided a shoe including a heel as defined above.
BRIEF DESCRIPTION OF THE DRAWINGS
[0013] These and other features of the invention will now be
described, by way of example only, with reference to the
accompanying drawings, in which:
[0014] FIG. 1 shows a cross-sectional side view of a shoe with an
adjustable heel in an extended condition with a first embodiment of
an operating mechanism;
[0015] FIG. 2 shows the shoe in FIG. 1 with the heel in a retracted
condition;
[0016] FIG. 3 shows an exploded perspective view of the components
of the heel;
[0017] FIG. 4 shows a cross-section of the heel in extended
condition;
[0018] FIG. 5 shows a perspective view of the heel;
[0019] FIG. 6 shows a cross-section of the heel in retracted
condition;
[0020] FIG. 7 shows an exploded perspective view of the components
of a heel with an alternative operating mechanism;
[0021] FIG. 8 shows a cross-section of the heel in FIG. 7 in
extended condition; and
[0022] FIG. 9 shows a perspective view of the heel in FIG. 7.
DETAILED DESCRIPTION OF THE INVENTION
[0023] Referring to FIGS. 1 to 6, a first embodiment of a heel (1)
for a high-heel shoe (2) is shown. The heel (1) has a butt-end (3)
which is secured to the shoe (2). A bridge support (4) extends from
the butt-end (3). The support (4) is secured between an outer sole
(5) and an inner sole (6) of the shoe (2).
[0024] A base (7) is provided with a heel tip (8) at its free outer
end. The base (7) is movable in relation to the butt-end (3), with
the base (7) and butt-end (3) connected through telescopic
components (9). More specifically, a first telescopic component
(9.1) extends downwardly from the butt-end (3) and a second
telescopic component (9.2) extends upwardly from the base (7). A
third telescopic component (9.3) is received slidably within the
first component (9.1) and extends slidably over the second
component (9.2). The third telescopic component (9.3) is smaller
than the first (9.1) and larger than the second (9.2). Inwardly
extending lips (10) on the ends of components (9.1) and (9.3) are
provided to limit the extended telescopic relationship of the
components (9) by engagement with shoulders projecting from
components (9.3) and (9.1).
[0025] A cooperating sleeve (11) and pin (12) are provided
coaxially within the heel (1). The sleeve (11) is formed in the
second component (9.2), which extends from the base (7).
[0026] A hollow spigot (13) extends from the butt-end (3) and the
pin (12) is positioned for axial rotation within the spigot (13).
The pin (12) is a close fit to the inside of the spigot (13). A key
(14) extends laterally from the pin (12), at its operatively lower
end. In this embodiment, a pair of oppositely extending keys (14)
is provided. The keys (14) locate against the free end of the
spigot (13) when the pin (12) is in place.
[0027] The sleeve (11) provides a longitudinal keyway (15) profiled
to fit over the keys (14) on the end of the pin (12) when the
keyway (15) and keys (14) are aligned. An operating mechanism (16)
to rotate the pin (12), for alignment of the keys (14) with the
keyway (15) is provided at the other end of the pin (12), adjacent
the butt-end (3).
[0028] A chamber (17) is provided in the second component (9.2) at
the lower end of the keyway (15). The chamber (17) allows for
rotation of the keys (14) out of alignment with the keyway (15),
once the keys (14) have passed through and the pin (12) is located
inside the keyway (15).
[0029] The mechanism (16) includes a lever (18) with an opening
(19) provided to fit onto the end of the pin (12), which is
provided with a corresponding flat (20). A torsion spring (21) fits
over the pin (12) with its ends secured to the lever (18) and to an
anchor (22) on the butt-end (3), respectively. The spring (21)
serves to bias the pin (12) into a position where the keys (14) are
out of alignment with the keyway (15). A circlip (23) holds the
components on the end of the pin (12). The lever (18) projects from
the rear of the heel (1) at the butt-end (3).
[0030] Two oppositely arranged stops (11.1) are provided at the top
of the sleeve (11). The keys (14), under influence of the spring
(21) biasing the pin (12), come to rest against the stops (11.1)
when they are withdrawn from the keyway (15) and the lever (18) is
released. When the lever (18) is operated, the keys (14) contact
the opposite sides of the stops (11.1) when in alignment with the
keyway (15). The chamber (17) below the keyway (15) is configured
to limit movement of the keys (14) in the same manner as the stops
(11.1).
[0031] A pair of coil springs (24) is provided between the base (7)
and butt-end (3). The springs (24) are located on prongs (25)
extending from butt-end (3) and in cylindrical recesses (26) in the
second component (9.2) on the base (7). The prongs (25) and
recesses (26) serve as guides for the springs (24).
[0032] In this embodiment, the second component (9.2) is solid with
the sleeve (11) and recesses (26) formed therein. The chamber (17)
is provided by the component (9.2) and the heel tip (8) which is
fixed to the ground engaging end.
[0033] The keys (14) lock the heel (1), either located against the
operatively upper end of the sleeve (11) when the heel is in an
extended condition or at the lower end of the sleeve (11) where
they locate in the chamber (17) when the heel (1) is in a retracted
condition. The springs (24) bias the heel (1) into an extended
condition.
[0034] Moving the operating lever (18), against the bias of the
spring (21) will align the keys (14) with the keyway (15) when the
heel (1) is in its retracted condition, and the springs (24) will
automatically move the heel (1) into its extended condition
(provided a user is not placing any weight on the heel). To adjust
the heel (1) from the extended condition into the retracted
condition, the lever (18) is again moved against the torsion spring
(21) and a slight force applied to the base (7) of the heel (1) to
overcome the resistance of the springs (24).
[0035] In the retracted condition, the top of the second component
(9.2) abuts the butt-end (3) with the stops (11.1) received in
recesses (3.1). Whereas, when the heel (1) is in its extended
condition the second component (9.2), keys (14) and spigot (13)
bear the load.
[0036] The invention also provides for the combination of the heel
(1) and the outer sole (5) as shown in FIGS. 1 and 2. These
components can be supplied to existing shoe manufacturers who will
construct and fit them with their own uppers.
[0037] A bridge portion (27) of the outer sole (5) extends from the
heel (1) to a ground engaging portion (28) at the front of the shoe
(2). An integral hinge (29) is formed in the outer sole (5) between
the bridge portion (27) and ground engaging portion (28). The hinge
(29) is preferably provided by transverse grooves (30) formed in
the lower surface of the outer sole (5). The result of an integral
hinge (29) can also be achieved using materials with greater
properties of flexibility than those used for the remainder of the
outer sole (5).
[0038] The hinge (29) serves to accommodate the change in angle
between the bridge portion (27) and ground engaging portion (28)
which results from adjustment of the height of the heel (1). The
different constructions and materials will be within the design
competence of a person suitably skilled in the art.
[0039] Also to accommodate this change in angle, the tip (8) of the
heel (1) is configured to engage the ground with the heel (1) both
in a retracted condition and in an extended condition. To this end,
the tip (8) is provided with a curved ground engaging surface (31).
As an alternative, the tip (8) may have first and second ground
engaging surfaces which are provided at a suitable angle in
relation to each other.
[0040] Referring now to FIGS. 7 to 9, a heel (100) of essentially
the same construction as that already described is fitted with an
alternative operating mechanism (102).
[0041] In this embodiment, a pinion (103) is secured to the pin
(104). A pair of cooperating racks (105) is provided, one on either
side of the pinion (103). The racks (105) extend from operating
press-buttons (106) which project on each side of the heel (100) at
the butt-end (107). The buttons (106) are biased outwardly by coil
springs (108). Like the torsion spring (21) of the first
embodiment, these springs (108) bias the keys (109) out of
alignment with the keyway (110). It will be understood that by
pressing the buttons (106) inwardly, the heel (100) can similarly
be adjusted between its extended and retracted condition.
[0042] In a preferred embodiment of the invention, the heel (1)
will be provided with the butt-end (3) moulded as an integral part
on the underside of a shoe sole. In this case, the entire sole
replaces the bridge support (4).
[0043] As an alternative, the sleeve with its keyway may be
rotatable through an operating mechanism to cooperate as required
with a pin and key that are fixed in the heel. In this case, the
pin can be mounted below the sleeve which will be movably connected
to the butt-end.
[0044] A person skilled in the art will appreciate that a number of
variations may be made to the features of the embodiments described
without departing from the scope of the present invention.
* * * * *