Spiraled heel for a shoe

Abstract

A spiraled shoe heel is disclosed which comprises a spiraled section having an upper end and a lower end, a lift portion positioned at the lower end, and an end portion positioned at the upper end, the end portion for being attached to a heel of a shoe.

Description

RELATED APPLICATION

[0001] This non-provisional patent application claims priority to the provisional patent application having Ser. No. 61/959,452, filed on Aug. 23, 2013, which claims priority to the U.S. design patent application having Ser. No. 29/442,170, filed on Dec. 26, 2012, the disclosure of which is incorporated herein by reference.

FIELD OF THE DISCLOSURE

[0002] This disclosure generally relates to footwear and more particularly to a shoe having a spiraled heel.

BACKGROUND

[0003] This disclosure generally relates to a spiraled heel for a shoe. The spiraled heel for a shoe of the present disclosure provides a different style of heel for footwear.

[0004] There are a number of different heel designs and constructions for shoes. Shoe heels may be constructed of plastic, leather, metal, and combinations thereof. Shoe heels may be formed of various shapes and sizes. It is also known that some shoe heels may be painted a color to further enhance the appearance of the shoe. However, paint is subject to fading, chipping, or scratching which would leave an undesirable appearance.

[0005] When walking, an individual produces impacts that are transmitted to the heel of the individual. Heels, such as high heels, do not attenuate the impact produced when walking in high heels. This causes discomfort during use and even during periods of standing. In view of this, the individual that wears high heels may complain about wearing high heels. Even though the individual may prefer the look of a high heel, the individual may refrain from wearing high heels due to the discomfort associated with their use.

SUMMARY OF THE DISCLOSURE

[0006] The spiraled heel for a shoe of the present disclosure comprises a spiraled section having an upper end and a lower end, a lift portion positioned at the lower end, and an end portion positioned at the upper end, the end portion for being attached to a heel of a shoe.

[0007] In another form of the present disclosure, a spiraled heel for a shoe comprises a spiraled section having an upper end and a lower end, a lift portion positioned at the lower end, an end portion positioned at the upper end, the end portion for being attached to a heel of a shoe, and a support rod connected between the upper end and the lower end.

[0008] In light of the foregoing comments, it will be recognized that the present disclosure provides a shoe heel that has a spiral appearance.

[0009] The present disclosure provides a spiraled heel for a shoe that is of simple construction and design and which can be easily employed with highly reliable results.

[0010] The present disclosure provides a spiraled heel for a shoe that can be constructed using readily available materials.

[0011] The present disclosure provides a spiraled heel for a shoe that is comfortable to wear.

[0012] The present disclosure provides a spiraled heel for a shoe that may be constructed of various sizes and colors.

[0013] The present disclosure provides a spiraled heel that may be used as a heel for many different styles of shoes, such as high heels, platform shoes, pumps, boots, and sandals.

[0014] The present disclosure also provides a spiraled heel for a shoe that provides extra support for the wearer and attenuates impacts produced when walking in the spiraled heel shoe.

[0015] These and other advantages of the present disclosure will become apparent to those skilled in the art after considering the following detailed specification in conjunction with the accompanying drawings.

BRIEF DESCRIPTION OF THE DRAWINGS

[0016] In referring to the drawings:

[0017] FIG. 1 is a perspective view of a spiraled heel for a shoe constructed according to the present disclosure;

[0018] FIG. 2 is a rear view;

[0019] FIG. 3 is a right side view;

[0020] FIG. 4 is a front view of the spiraled heel;

[0021] FIG. 5 is a top view of the spiraled heel;

[0022] FIG. 6 is a bottom view of the spiraled heel;

[0023] FIG. 7 is a bottom view of a modified spiraled heel;

[0024] FIG. 8 is a side view of another embodiment of a spiraled heel for a shoe constructed according to the present invention;

[0025] FIG. 9 is a perspective view of yet another embodiment for a spiraled heel for a shoe constructed according to the present invention;

[0026] FIG. 10 is a bottom view of a lift for a spiraled heel for a shoe; and

[0027] FIG. 11 is a partial perspective view of a part of the spiraled heel and another lift for the shoe of this disclosure.

DETAILED DESCRIPTION OF PREFERRED EMBODIMENTS

[0028] Referring now to the drawings, wherein like numbers refer to like items, number 10 identifies a preferred embodiment of a spiraled heel shoe constructed according to the present disclosure. With reference now to FIG. 1, the spiraled heel for a shoe 10 comprises a spiraled heel assembly 12 that is attached to a shoe 14. The shoe 14 may be a causal or dress shoe that has an upper portion 16, a vamp portion 18, a quarter portion 20, a counter portion 22 at a rear 24 of the shoe 14, a top line 26 forming an opening 28 through which a foot of an individual may be inserted. The shoe 14 also has a sole 30 to which the upper portion 16 is attached. A heel seat 32 is also provided with the spiraled heel assembly 12 being attached or connected to the shoe 14 at the heel seat 32.

[0029] The spiraled heel assembly 12 comprises a spiraled section 34 having an upper end 36 and a lower end 38, a lift portion 40 at the lower end 38, and an end portion 42 at the upper end 36. The spiraled section 34 may include a number of spiral elements 44 that are twisted to form the spiraled section 34. By way of example only, four spiral elements 44 are shown. However, it is possible and contemplated to have more or less spiral elements 44. Due to the particular configuration of the spiraled section 34, the spiral elements 44 may flex under use which tends to act as a shock absorber to provide comfort to the individual wearing the shoe 14 having the spiral heel assembly 12. The spiral elements 44 may be constructed of metal, iron, steel, or other metallic material. The spiral elements 44 may be twisted in any desired formation or appearance. It is also possible that the spiral elements 44 may have different colors such as one spiral element 44 being gold in color and another spiral element being silver in color.

[0030] Referring now to FIG. 4, the spiraled heel assembly 12 is illustrated removed from the shoe 14. The spiral heel assembly 12 has the spiraled section 34 having the upper end 36 and the lower end 38. The lift portion 40 is connected at the lower end 38 by use of any suitable means such as adhesive, screws, or other type mechanical connectors. The spiraled section 34 has four spiral elements 44 with each element 44 terminating at an upper end portion 46. Each of the upper end portions 46 may have an aperture or a screw hole (not shown) for receiving a screw (also not shown) through the heel seat 32 of the shoe 14 for connecting or attaching the spiraled heel assembly 12 to the shoe 14. The upper end portions 46 may also be welded to each other to provide more strength to the assembly 12. It is also possible that the elements 44 at the lower end 38 may be welded to each other.

[0031] FIG. 5 depicts a top view of the spiral heel assembly 12 removed from the shoe 14. The spiraled section 34 has the four spiral elements 44 with each of the elements 44 terminating at the respective upper end portions 46. Further, each of the upper end portions 46 may have a threaded aperture or a screw hole 48 for adapted for receiving a screw or other connecting device inserted through the heel seat 32 of the shoe 14 for connecting or attaching the spiraled heel assembly 12 to the shoe 14. The upper end portions 46 may also be welded to each other.

[0032] With reference now to FIG. 8, a perspective view of another embodiment of a spiraled heel for a shoe 60 is shown. The spiraled heel for a shoe 60 comprises a spiraled heel assembly 62 that is attached to a shoe assembly 64. The spiraled heel assembly 62 comprises a spiraled section 66 having an upper end 68 and a lower end 70, a lift portion 72 at the lower end 70, and an end portion 74 at the upper end 68. The end portion 74 may be connected to a heel block 76 which is attached to the shoe 64. It is also possible that the heel block 76 is part of the spiraled heel assembly 62. The spiraled heel assembly 62 also comprises a support rod or post 78 that is connected to the upper end 68 and the lower end 70. The support post 78 provides added structure and support to the spiraled heel assembly 62. The support post 78 may have threaded ends that thread into threaded apertures in the ends 68 and 70. The support post 78 may be centrally located within the spiraled section 66. Although one support post 78 is shown, it is possible to have more than one support post 78 positioned within the spiraled section 66. The spiraled section 66 may include a number of spiral elements 80 that are twisted to form the spiraled section 66. By way of example only, four spiral elements 80 are shown. However, it is possible and contemplated to have more or less spiral elements 80. Further, the spiral elements 80 may be a tighter spiral or a looser spiral to provide a different appearance to the spiraled heel assembly 62.

[0033] The spiraled heel assembly 62 may be attached to the heel block 76 in any suitable manner. For example, the spiral elements 80 may be formed into a single screw shape which is screwed into a threaded aperture formed in the heel block 76. It is also possible that the spiral elements 80 at the upper end 68 may be adhered to the heel block 76.

[0034] FIG. 9 illustrates a perspective view of another spiraled heel for a shoe 100 constructed according to the present disclosure. The spiraled heel 100 comprises a spiraled section 102 having an upper end 104 that is fitted into an upper end portion 106. The upper end portion 106 has an upper surface 108 which is mated to or attached to a shoe (not shown) by any suitable attachment structure, such as adhesive, screws, nails, or bolts. The upper end portion 106 may take on many different forms or designs. The spiraled section 102 also has a lower end 110 which is fitted into a lift portion 112. The lift portion 112 may be formed in many different designs and shapes. The spiraled section 102 may include a number of spiral elements 114 that are twisted to form the spiraled section 102. By way of example only, four spiral elements 114 are shown with each of the elements 114 being fitted into both the upper end portion 106 and the lift portion 112. However, it is possible and contemplated to have more or less spiral elements 114. Due to the particular configuration of the spiraled section 102, the spiral elements 114 may flex under use which tends to act as a shock absorber to provide comfort to the individual during use.

[0035] With reference now to FIG. 10, a bottom view of a lift portion 130 is shown. The lift portion 130 has a generally rectangular or square shape. The lift portion 130 has a tread pattern 132 formed therein to assist an individual using the lift portion 130. The lift portion 130 may be constructed of any suitable material such as plastic, rubber, metal, or wood.

[0036] FIG. 11 depicts another lift portion 140 that may be used with the spiraled heel 100. The lift potion 140 has an upper end 142 that has fitted therein the elements 114 of the spiraled section 102. The lift portion 140 has a bottom surface 144 that is adapted to contact the ground when using the spiraled heel 100. The lift portion 140 may include various design elements, such as a beveled base section 146, a concave section 148, a beveled upper section 150, and a square cap section 152. The concave section 148 may include an indentation 154 for having a gemstone (not shown) inserted therein. The bottom surface 144 may also have another lift portion (not shown) attached thereto to protect the bottom surface 144. The lift portion 140 may be manufactured from any suitable material such as plastic, rubber, metal, or wood, with plastic being a preferred material.

[0037] From all that has been said, it will be clear that there has thus been shown and described herein a spiraled heel shoe. It will become apparent to those skilled in the art, however, that many changes, modifications, variations, and other uses and applications of the subject spiraled heel shoe are possible and contemplated. All changes, modifications, variations, and other uses and applications which do not depart from the spirit and scope of the disclosure are deemed to be covered by the disclosure, which is limited only by the claims which follow.

Claims

1. A spiraled heel for a shoe comprising: a spiraled section having an upper end and a lower end; a lift portion positioned at the lower end; and an end portion positioned at the upper end, the end portion for being attached to a heel of a shoe.

2. The spiraled heel for a shoe of claim 1 wherein the spiraled section comprises spiral elements with each spiral element being twisted.

3. The spiraled heel for a shoe of claim 2 wherein each of the spiral elements terminates at a respective upper end portion.

4. The spiraled heel for a shoe of claim 3 wherein each of the respective upper end portions comprises a threaded aperture adapted for receiving a screw.

5. The spiraled heel for a shoe of claim 1 wherein the spiraled section comprises spiral elements which are constructed of iron.

6. A spiraled heel for a shoe comprising: a spiraled section having an upper end and a lower end; a lift portion positioned at the lower end; an end portion positioned at the upper end, the end portion for being attached to a heel of a shoe; and a support rod connected between the upper end and the lower end.

7. The spiraled heel for a shoe of claim 6 wherein the support rod is centrally located within the spiraled section.

8. The spiraled heel for a shoe of claim 6 wherein the support rod comprises an upper end and a lower end and each of the ends is threaded.

9. The spiraled heel for a shoe of claim 8 wherein the upper end has a threaded aperture adapted to receive the upper end of the support rod and the lower end has a threaded aperture adapted to receive the lower end of the support rod.

10. The spiraled heel for a shoe of claim 6 further comprising a second support rod connected between the upper end and the lower end.

11. The spiraled heel for a shoe of claim 6 wherein the spiraled section comprises spiral elements with each spiral element being twisted.

12. The spiraled heel for a shoe of claim 6 wherein the spiraled section comprises spiral elements which are constructed of iron.