U.S. patent application number 16/750206 was filed with the patent office on 2020-05-21 for transformable shoe.
The applicant listed for this patent is Cinthia Karely Duarte. Invention is credited to Cinthia Karely Duarte.
Application Number | 20200154828 16/750206 |
Document ID | / |
Family ID | 70728473 |
Filed Date | 2020-05-21 |
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United States Patent
Application |
20200154828 |
Kind Code |
A1 |
Duarte; Cinthia Karely |
May 21, 2020 |
Transformable Shoe
Abstract
A transformable shoe is an apparatus that allows a user to
customize the height of the shoe. The apparatus includes a shoe
body, at least one interchangeable heel, and a lift-receiving bed.
The shoe body surrounds and supports the foot against the ground.
The interchangeable heel uplifts the shoe body above the ground.
More specifically, the interchangeable heel uplifts a heel seat
above the ground and defines an arch of the foot. The
interchangeable heel may be a collapsible heel and solid wedge
body. The height of the apparatus is dependent on the arrangement
of the plurality of anthropomorphic members for the collapsible
heel and the fixed height of the solid wedge body. The
interchangeable heel includes a heel-bracing portion. The
lift-receiving bed is integrated into a shank of the shoe body, and
the heel-bracing portion is mounted adjacent to a heel seat of the
shoe body.
Inventors: |
Duarte; Cinthia Karely;
(Greenfield, CA) |
|
Applicant: |
Name |
City |
State |
Country |
Type |
Duarte; Cinthia Karely |
Greenfield |
CA |
US |
|
|
Family ID: |
70728473 |
Appl. No.: |
16/750206 |
Filed: |
January 23, 2020 |
Related U.S. Patent Documents
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Application
Number |
Filing Date |
Patent Number |
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15973094 |
May 7, 2018 |
10609985 |
|
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16750206 |
|
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62501900 |
May 5, 2017 |
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Current U.S.
Class: |
1/1 |
Current CPC
Class: |
A43B 21/36 20130101;
A43B 3/24 20130101; A43B 3/246 20130101; A43B 21/42 20130101; A43B
23/02 20130101; A43B 21/03 20130101; A43B 21/52 20130101; A43B
3/244 20130101; A43B 21/37 20130101 |
International
Class: |
A43B 21/52 20060101
A43B021/52; A43B 21/03 20060101 A43B021/03; A43B 23/02 20060101
A43B023/02 |
Claims
1. A transformable shoe comprises: a shoe body; at least one
interchangeable heel; a lift-receiving bed; the shoe body comprises
an outsole, a shank, a heel seat, and a counter; the at least one
interchangeable heel comprises a heel-bracing portion; the
lift-receiving bed being integrated into the shank, adjacent to the
outsole; and, the heel-bracing portion being mounted adjacent to
the heel seat, opposite the counter.
2. The transformable shoe as claimed in claim 1 comprises: the at
least one interchangeable heel being a collapsible heel; the
collapsible heel comprises a plurality of anthropomorphic members;
the plurality of anthropomorphic members comprises a proximal
member and a distal member, wherein the proximal member is the
heel-bracing portion; the plurality of anthropomorphic members
being positioned in series with each other; and, the plurality of
anthropomorphic members being configured to discretely offset the
heel seat from the outsole.
3. The transformable shoe as claimed in claim 2 comprises: wherein
the plurality of anthropomorphic members is arranged into a
high-heel configuration; the plurality of anthropomorphic members
further comprises at least one intermediate member; the at least
one intermediate member being positioned in between the proximal
member and the distal member; and, the proximal member, the at
least one intermediate member, and the distal member being
positioned collinear to each other.
4. The transformable shoe as claimed in claim 2 comprises: wherein
the plurality of anthropomorphic members is arranged into a wedge
configuration; the plurality of anthropomorphic members further
comprises at least one intermediate member; the at least one
intermediate member being positioned in between the proximal member
and the distal member; the proximal member and the at least one
intermediate member being positioned collinear to each other; and,
the proximal member and the at least one intermediate member being
positioned perpendicular to the distal member.
5. The transformable shoe as claimed in claim 2 comprises: wherein
the plurality of anthropomorphic members is arranged into a flat
configuration; the plurality of anthropomorphic members further
comprises at least one intermediate member; the at least one
intermediate member being positioned in between the proximal member
and the distal member; the distal member and the at least one
intermediate member being positioned collinear to each other; and,
the distal member and the at least one intermediate member being
positioned perpendicular to the proximal member.
6. The transformable shoe as claimed in claim 2 comprises: a
telescopic extrusion; and, the telescopic extrusion being
integrated into the distal member.
7. The transformable shoe as claimed in claim 6 comprises: the
telescopic extrusion being engaged into the lift-receiving bed.
8. The transformable shoe as claimed in claim 2 comprises: the
collapsible heel further comprises a flat platform; the flat
platform being integrated along the plurality of anthropomorphic
members; and, the flat platform being positioned opposite to the
shank about the collapsible heel.
9. The transformable shoe as claimed in claim 2 comprises: the
collapsible heel further comprises a plurality of snap locks; each
adjacent pair from the plurality of anthropomorphic members being
hingedly connected to each other; and, a corresponding lock from
the plurality of snap locks being operatively integrated into the
hinged connection between each adjacent pair from the plurality of
anthropomorphic members, wherein the corresponding lock is used to
fix a collinear positioning for each adjacent pair from the
plurality of anthropomorphic members.
10. The transformable shoe as claimed in claim 1 comprises: a
plurality of structurally-stabilizing pieces; the plurality of
structurally-stabilizing pieces being made of bamboo; and, the
plurality of structurally-stabilizing pieces being integrated
throughout the at least one interchangeable heel.
11. The transformable shoe as claimed in claim 1 comprises: the at
least one interchangeable heel being a solid wedge body; the solid
wedge body further comprises a ball-bracing portion; and, the
ball-bracing portion being engaged into the lift-receiving bed.
12. The transformable shoe as claimed in claim 1 comprises: a
boot-mimicking sleeve; the shoe body further comprises a
foot-receiving hole; the boot-mimicking sleeve comprises a first
open end and a second open end; and, the first open end being
attached onto the shoe body, around the foot-receiving hole.
13. The transformable shoe as claimed in claim 12 comprises: a
zipping mechanism; the zipping mechanism comprises a first set of
zipper teeth and a second set of zipper teeth; the first set of
zipper teeth being connected around the first open end; the second
set of zipper teeth being integrated into the shoe body, around the
foot-receiving hole; and, the first set of zipper teeth being
releasably engaged with the second set of zipper teeth.
14. The transformable shoe as claimed in claim 13 comprises: an
annular flap; the annular flap being laterally connected around the
boot-mimicking sleeve, adjacent to the first open end; and, the
annular flap being positioned across the zipping mechanism.
15. The transformable shoe as claimed in claim 1 comprises: an
attachment mechanism; the attachment mechanism comprises a first
interlocking piece and a second interlocking piece; the first
interlocking piece being connected adjacent to the heel-bracing
portion; the second interlocking piece being connected adjacent to
the heel seat, opposite the counter; and, the first interlocking
piece being releasably engaged with the second interlocking piece.
Description
[0001] The current application is a continuation-in-part (CIP)
application of a U.S. non-provisional application Ser. No.
15/973,094 filed on May 7, 2018. The U.S. non-provisional
application Ser. No. 15/973,094 claims a priority to a U.S.
provisional application Ser. No. 62/501,900 filed on May 5, 2017.
The U.S. non-provisional application Ser. No. 15/973,094 was filed
on May 7, 2018 while May 5, 2018 was on a weekend.
FIELD OF THE INVENTION
[0002] The present invention generally relates to heeled footwear.
More specifically, the present invention is a transformable shoe
that allows the height of a heeled shoe to be adjusted.
BACKGROUND OF THE INVENTION
[0003] Numerous studies have shown that wearing high heeled
footwear can have adverse effects on the wearer's body. Various
studies have linked to feet, knee, back and spice injuries. Because
women are willing to sacrifice their body to look good they do not
see the fact that they are injuring themselves through daily wear
of high heels. It is important that my customers do not sacrifice
an injury for fashion trends. The present invention enables women
to have both comfort and fashion.
[0004] The present invention is a transformable shoe utilizing a
collapsible heel. The height of the present invention varies in
height while sufficiently supporting the weight of the foot of the
user as well as the weigh of the user. The present invention
specifically allows a user to adjust the collapsible heel between a
high-heel configuration, a wedge configuration, and a flat
configuration. The present invention balances the user while
wearing the present invention as the preferred embodiment of the
present invention comprises a lift-receiving bed and a flat
platform. As the user is able to immediately reduce the height of
the present invention, the present invention helps alleviate pain
and prevent possible feet, knee and back problems. As the user is
able to immediately increase the height of the present invention,
the present invention serves as an essential stylistic accessory to
the overall outfit of the user. Thus, the present invention
presents a clear improvement on the prior arts currently available
in the public domain.
BRIEF DESCRIPTION OF THE DRAWINGS
[0005] FIG. 1 is a rear perspective view of the present
invention.
[0006] FIG. 2 is a side schematic view of the present invention
wherein a plurality of anthropomorphic members is arranged into a
high-heel configuration.
[0007] FIG. 3 is a side schematic view of the present invention
wherein the plurality of anthropomorphic members is arranged into a
wedge configuration.
[0008] FIG. 4 is a side schematic view of the present invention
wherein the plurality of anthropomorphic members is arranged into a
flat configuration.
[0009] FIG. 5 is a side schematic view of the preferred embodiment
of the present invention with a flat platform.
[0010] FIG. 6 is a side schematic view of the preferred embodiment
of the present invention with a plurality of structurally
stabilizing pieces.
[0011] FIG. 7 is a side schematic view of a first alternate
embodiment of the present invention with a collapsible heel
separated from a shoe body and a first interlocking piece
disconnected from a second interlocking piece.
[0012] FIG. 8 is a side schematic view of the present invention
wherein the at least one interchangeable heel is a solid wedge
body.
[0013] FIG. 9 is a side schematic view of the present invention
with a boot-mimicking sleeve attached with the shoe body and an
annular flap covering a zipping mechanism.
[0014] FIG. 10 is a rear exploded view of the present invention
with the boot-mimicking sleeve.
[0015] FIG. 11 is a schematic view of the boot-mimicking sleeve
attached to the shoe body with the zipping mechanism.
DETAIL DESCRIPTIONS OF THE INVENTION
[0016] All illustrations of the drawings are for the purpose of
describing selected versions of the present invention and are not
intended to limit the scope of the present invention.
[0017] The present invention is a transformable shoe that allows a
user to adjust the height to transformable shoe immediately. The
present invention provides a stable structure for which the user
may walk upon. In order for the height of the shoe to be altered,
the present invention comprises a shoe body 1, at least one
interchangeable heel 19, and a lift-receiving bed 12. The shoe body
1 surrounds and contains the foot of the user. The shoe body 1
supports the foot of the user, specifically the arch of the user.
The shoe body 1 positions the foot of the user above the at least
one interchangeable heel 19. The shoe body 1 comprises an outsole
2, a shank 3, a heel seat 4, and a counter 5. The outsole 2 uplifts
and supports the ball of the foot from the ground. The shank 3
supports the arch of the foot. The shank 3 preferably comprises
materials that sufficiently support the arch of the user while
being flexible enough to accommodate the varying height of the
present invention as a result of the at least one interchangeable
heel 19. The heel seat 4 suspends and supports the heel of the foot
against the at least one interchangeable heel 19. The counter 5
surrounds the heel of the foot and positions the heel of the foot
against the at least one interchangeable heel 19. The at least one
interchangeable heel 19 uplifts the shoe body 1 above the ground,
and consequently uplifts the foot of the user as well. The at least
interchangeable heel 19 comprises a heel-bracing portion 20. The
heel-bracing portion 20 connects the at least one interchangeable
heel 19 to the shoe body 1.
[0018] The overall configuration of the aforementioned components
allows the height and support of the present invention to be
adjusted while effectively supporting the foot of the user. The
lift-receiving bed 12 is integrated into the shank 3, adjacent to
the outsole 2. This arrangement supports the arch of the foot for a
user. The heel-bracing portion 20 is mounted adjacent to the heel
seat 4, opposite the counter 5, thereby defining the arch of the
foot for the user.
[0019] In the first embodiment of the present invention, the at
least one interchangeable heel 19 is a collapsible heel 6. The
collapsible heel 6 uplifts the shoe body 1 above the ground, and
consequently uplifts the foot of the user as well. The collapsible
heel 6 comprises a plurality of anthropomorphic members 7. The
plurality of anthropomorphic members 7 defines the height of the
present invention, as well as, supports and suspends the heel seat
4 above the ground. More specifically, the plurality of
anthropomorphic members 7 comprises a proximal member 8 and a
distal member 9. The proximal member 8 connects the plurality of
anthropomorphic members 7 to the shoe body 1. The distal member 9
presses against the ground and connects the plurality of
anthropomorphic members 7 to the lift-receiving be depending on the
height of the present invention. Alternate embodiments of the
present invention may also comprise a friction-inducing layer that
traverses across the distal member 9 and is positioned opposite the
proximal member 8. The friction-inducing layer prevents the distal
member 9 from losing traction with the ground. The lift-receiving
bed 12 connects the collapsible heel 6 the shank 3. The plurality
of anthropomorphic members 7 is positioned in series with each
other in order to structurally support the shoe body 1 and arch of
the foot for the user. The plurality of anthropomorphic members 7
is configured to discretely offset from the heel seat 4 from the
outsole 2.
[0020] In the preferred embodiment of the present invention, the
variable height of the present invention is defined by three
configurations. The plurality of anthropomorphic members 7 further
comprises at least one intermediate member 10 in order to support
the heel seat 4 and offset the proximal member 8 from the distal
member 9. Moreover, the at least one intermediate member 10 is
positioned in between the proximal member 8 and the distal member
9. Wherein the plurality of anthropomorphic member is arranged into
a high-heel configuration, the height of the present invention is
at maximum, as shown in FIG. 2. The proximal member 8, the at least
one intermediate member 10, and the distal member 9 is positioned
collinear to each other. Wherein the plurality of anthropomorphic
members 7 is arranged into a wedge configuration, the height of the
present invention is shortened. While in the wedge configuration,
the shoe body 1 is still elevated above the ground and the foot for
the user is slightly arched, as shown in FIG. 3. While in the wedge
configuration, the proximal member 8 and the at least one
intermediate member 10 are positioned collinear to each other.
Moreover, the proximal member 8 and the at least one intermediate
member 10 are positioned perpendicular to the distal member 9.
Wherein the plurality of anthropomorphic members 7 is arranged into
a flat configuration, the height of the height of the present
invention is at a minimum, as shown in FIG. 4. While in the flat
configuration, the distal member 9 and the at least one
intermediate member 10 are positioned collinear to each other.
Moreover, the distal member 9 and the at least one intermediate
member 10 are positioned perpendicular to the proximal member
8.
[0021] In order to accommodate the various configurations of
anthropomorphic members, specifically the wedge configuration, the
present invention further comprises a telescopic extrusion 13, as
seen in FIG. 3. The telescopic extrusion 13 connects the distal
member 9 to the lift-receiving bed 12 regardless of the length of
the shoe body 1. The distal member 9 is directly connected to the
lift-receiving bed 12, thereby stabilizing the shoe body 1 as the
telescopic extrusion 13 is integrated into the distal member 9.
Moreover, the telescopic extrusion 13 is engaged into the
lift-receiving bed 12. In the preferred embodiment of the present
invention, the telescopic extrusion 13 snaps into the
lift-receiving bed 12, thereby allowing the distal member 9 to be
securely attached to the lift-receiving bed 12 while being easily
separable by the user.
[0022] In the preferred embodiment of the present invention, the
shoe body 1 and the foot of the user is balanced regardless of the
height of the present invention as the collapsible heel 6 further
comprises a flat platform 14, seen in FIG. 5. The flat platform 14
stabilizes the plurality of anthropomorphic members 7 against the
ground. As the ground is positioned opposite to the shank 3, the
flat platform 14 is positioned opposite to the shank 3 about the
collapsible heel 6. Consequently, the flat platform 14 presses
against the ground and limits the tilt of the shoe body 1 while
being worn by the user.
[0023] In order to secure the variable height of the collapsible
heel 6, the collapsible heel 6 further comprises a plurality of
snap locks 11, seen in FIG. 1, FIG. 2, FIG. 3, FIG. 4, FIG. 5, and
FIG. 6. The plurality of snap locks 11 fixes the position of the
plurality of anthropomorphic members 7, unless purposefully
adjusted by the user. As the height of the present invention is
defined by the plurality of anthropomorphic members 7, each
adjacent pair from the plurality of anthropomorphic members 7 is
hingedly connected to each other. A corresponding lock from the
plurality of snap locks 11 is operatively integrated into the
hinged connection between each adjacent pair from the plurality of
anthropomorphic members 7, wherein the corresponding lock is used
to fix a collinear positioning for each adjacent pair from the
plurality of anthropomorphic members 7. Therefore, the collapsible
heel 6 does not collapse with the weight of the foot, moreover the
weight of the user.
[0024] In an alternate embodiment of the present invention, an
actuator and a release button are integrated into each of the
plurality of anthropomorphic members 7. The actuator is operatively
coupled in each of the plurality of anthropomorphic members 7 in
order to convert the collinear positioning for each adjacent pair
from the plurality of anthropomorphic members 7 into a
perpendicular orientation between adjacent pairs of anthropomorphic
members. The release button is externally integrated into each of
the anthropomorphic members in order to control the corresponding
actuator.
[0025] The structural integrity of the collapsible heel 6 is
enhanced, as well as the stability of the shoe body 1, as the
preferred embodiment of the present invention comprises a plurality
of structurally-stabilizing pieces 15, seen in FIG. 6. The
plurality of structurally-stabilizing pieces 15 is made of bamboo
and is integrated throughout the collapsible heel 6, reinforcing
each anthropomorphic member of the plurality of anthropomorphic
members 7.
[0026] In a further embodiment of the present invention, the at
least one interchangeable heel 19 is a solid wedge body 21, seen in
FIG. 8. The solid wedge body 21 also uplifts the shoe body 1 above
the ground, and consequently uplifts the foot of the user as well.
The solid wedge body 21 further provides stability and support for
the arch of the foot of the user as the solid wedge body 21 further
comprises a ball-bracing portion 22. The ball-bracing portion 22 is
engaged into the lift-receiving bed 12 in order for the solid wedge
body 21 to be securely oriented along the shank 3 of the shoe body
1. Moreover, the solid wedge body 21 is effectively connected
across shank 3 of the shoe body 1 so that the solid wedge body 21
does not get dislodged with the heal seat of the shoe body 1 while
walking with the present invention.
[0027] A further embodiment of the present invention, seen in FIG.
9 and FIG. 10, comprises a boot-mimicking sleeve 23, enhancing the
style of the present invention and providing further insulation for
a user while in cold environments. Moreover, the shoe body 1
further comprises a foot-receiving hole 23. A foot of the user
traverses into the shoe body 1 through the foot-receiving hole 23.
The boot-mimicking sleeve 23 comprises a first open end 24 and a
second open end 25 in order to slip the foot through the
boot-mimicking sleeve 23 and wrap the lower leg of the user with
the boot-mimicking sleeve 23. The first open end 24 is attached
onto the shoe body 1, around the foot-receiving hole 23. This
arrangement connects the boot-mimicking sleeve 23 with the shoe
body 1 and elongates the present invention along the leg of the
user.
[0028] The boot-mimicking sleeve 23 is easily connected and
disconnected with the shoe body 1 as this further embodiment of the
present invention comprises a zipping mechanism 26, seen in FIG.
11. The zipping mechanism 26 allows the boot-mimicking sleeve 23 to
be securely attached and easily separated with the shoe body 1. The
zipping mechanism 26 comprises a first set of zipper teeth 27 and a
second set of zipper teeth 28. The first set of zipper teeth 27 is
connected around the first open end 24, and the second set of
zipper teeth 28 is integrated into the shoe body 1, around the
foot-receiving hole 23. Moreover, the first set of zipper teeth 27
is releasably engaged with the second set of zipper teeth 28. In
order to define a continuous exterior over the zipping mechanism
26, this embodiment further comprises an annular flap 29. The
annular flap 29 is laterally connected around the boot-mimicking
sleeve 23 and is positioned across the zipper mechanism. This
arrangement conceals the zipper mechanism, provides a finished look
between the shoe body 1 and the boot-mimicking sleeve 23, and
prevents the zipper mechanism from accidentally detaching the shoe
body 1 with the boot-mimicking sleeve 23.
[0029] The stylistic variability of the present invention is also
enhanced as the present invention further comprises an attachment
mechanism 16, shown in FIG. 7. The attachment mechanism 16 allows
the collapsible heel 6 to be removed or interchanged with the solid
wedge body 21, and vice versa. The attachment mechanism 16 securely
connects the collapsible heel 6 and the solid wedge body 21 to the
shoe body 1, as well as preserves the high-heel configuration, the
wedge configuration, and the flat configuration of the plurality of
anthropomorphic members 7 for the collapsible heel 6. The
attachment mechanism 16 comprises a first interlocking piece 17 and
a second interlocking piece 18.
[0030] The first interlocking piece 17 secures the collapsible heel
6 to the second interlocking piece 18. The second interlocking
piece 18 secures the first interlocking piece 17 to the shoe body
1. The first interlocking piece 17 and the second interlocking
piece 18 serve as a universal attachment between the shoe body 1
and the collapsible heel 6, as well as the shoe body 1 and the
interchangeable heel 19. In order for the collapsible heel 6 and
the solid wedge body 21 to be removably attached to the shoe body
1, the first interlocking piece 17 is connected adjacent to the
proximal member 8, opposite to the distal member 9. Moreover, the
second interlocking piece 18 is connected adjacent to the heel seat
4, opposite the counter 5. The first interlocking piece 17 is
releasably engaged with the second interlocking piece 18, this
arrangement allows the collapsible heel 6 and the solid wedge body
21 to be interchanged and while structurally supporting the shoe
body 1. The first interlocking piece 17 and the second interlocking
piece 18 preserve the overall structure and configuration of the
shoe body 1 such that attachment mechanism 16 does not cause any
discomfort for the user. Furthermore, the position of the foot of
the user is not altered by the attachment mechanism 16. It is
understood that various embodiments of the present invention may
comprise fasteners that securely attach the first interlocking
piece 17 to the second interlocking piece 18 while preserving the
structural integrity of the present invention and the overall
exterior of the present invention.
[0031] Although the invention has been explained in relation to its
preferred embodiment, it is to be understood that many other
possible modifications and variations can be made without departing
from the spirit and scope of the invention as hereinafter
claimed.
* * * * *