A rapid-entry shoe having a rotating rear portion configured to be rotated around an axis of rotation and deflected at a fulcrum to create a stress in the rotating rear portion when the shoe is in a collapsed configuration to bias the shoe toward an uncollapsed configuration.

A rapid-entry shoe having a rotating rear portion configured to be rotated around an axis of rotation and deflected at a fulcrum to create a stress in the rotating rear portion when the shoe is in a collapsed configuration to bias the shoe toward an uncollapsed configuration.

A shoe assembly includes a front sole section, a rear sole section, a heel, and a hinge. The front sole section has a front sole section rear edge. The rear sole section includes a rear sole section front edge, a shank, and a release button. The heel may be removably attached to the shank and may be released from a locked position by the release button. The hinge connects the front sole section and the rear sole section. The hinge is perpendicular to a rear sole section axis.

A high heel footwear including a heel tip assembly and a heel assembly. The heel tip assembly includes a top lift abutting against the heel, a rigid shaft member having a threaded portion, and a first wedge-lock feature configured to prevent the top lift from rotating. The heel assembly includes a threaded insert, a spring, a hollow insert, and a second wedge-lock feature. The threaded insert is received inside an opening formed in the heel to receive the threaded portion of the rigid shaft member. The spring is also received inside the opening and abuts against the threaded insert. The hollow insert abuts against the spring. The rigid shaft member passes through the threaded insert, the spring, and the hollow insert. The second wedge-lock feature locks with the first wedge-lock feature to retain the top lift on the end of the heel.

A high heel footwear including a heel tip assembly and a heel assembly. The heel tip assembly includes a top lift abutting against the heel, a rigid shaft member having a threaded portion, and a first wedge-lock feature configured to prevent the top lift from rotating. The heel assembly includes a threaded insert, a spring, a hollow insert, and a second wedge-lock feature. The threaded insert is received inside an opening formed in the heel to receive the threaded portion of the rigid shaft member. The spring is also received inside the opening and abuts against the threaded insert. The hollow insert abuts against the spring. The rigid shaft member passes through the threaded insert, the spring, and the hollow insert. The second wedge-lock feature locks with the first wedge-lock feature to retain the top lift on the end of the heel.

A sole assembly for a convertible shoe configured to adopt a flat configuration in which a low heel is removably connected to a heel region, and a high heel configuration, in which a high heel is removably connected to the heel region, the convertible shoe including: a unitary midsole portion including a flexible forefoot support region at a front end, and a rigid hindfoot support region disposed adjacent the forefoot support region, the arrangement being such that the flexible forefoot support region is configured to flex between being substantially parallel with the rigid hindfoot support region in the flat configuration, and extending at an angle generally transverse to the rigid hindfoot support region in the high heel configuration; wherein the forefoot support region includes a substantially flexible midsole and the hindfoot support region includes a substantially rigid midsole, and the substantially flexible midsole forefoot is moulded over a portion of the rigid hindfoot support to facilitate in use the change in angle of the forefoot support relative to the hindfoot support region, and a bayonet-style quick connector fastening dock in a heel region of the hindfoot support region for selective quick release and mount of the high heel and flat heel.

A sole assembly for a convertible shoe configured to adopt a flat configuration in which a low heel is removably connected to a heel region, and a high heel configuration, in which a high heel is removably connected to the heel region, the convertible shoe including: a unitary midsole portion including a flexible forefoot support region at a front end, and a rigid hindfoot support region disposed adjacent the forefoot support region, the arrangement being such that the flexible forefoot support region is configured to flex between being substantially parallel with the rigid hindfoot support region in the flat configuration, and extending at an angle generally transverse to the rigid hindfoot support region in the high heel configuration; wherein the forefoot support region includes a substantially flexible midsole and the hindfoot support region includes a substantially rigid midsole, and the substantially flexible midsole forefoot is moulded over a portion of the rigid hindfoot support to facilitate in use the change in angle of the forefoot support relative to the hindfoot support region, and a bayonet-style quick connector fastening dock in a heel region of the hindfoot support region for selective quick release and mount of the high heel and flat heel.