A convertible high heel and flat shoe, comprising a sole including a heel section; and a high heel piece positionable between a high heel mode where the high heel piece supports the heel section and a flat shoe mode where the high heel piece is received within the sole.

An interchangeable shoe heel for a shoe having a shoe body with a heel part, the heel part having a metal rod extending over at least half the length of the shoe heel, and connected to the heel part, the rod protruding with its free end from the heel part. The shoe heel has a first part having an upper recess into which the rod engages with its free end and/or the heel part. The upper recess has a support surface, e.g., a collar or base wall, on its inner wall, on which the rod or a support area of the heel part is supported in the axial direction of the rod. A heel tip is arranged on the lower end of the first part, and the first part is covered by and connected to an encasing wall, extending from the heel tip up to the shoe body.

An interchangeable shoe heel for a shoe having a shoe body with a heel part, the heel part having a metal rod extending over at least half the length of the shoe heel, and connected to the heel part, the rod protruding with its free end from the heel part. The shoe heel has a first part having an upper recess into which the rod engages with its free end and/or the heel part. The upper recess has a support surface, e.g., a collar or base wall, on its inner wall, on which the rod or a support area of the heel part is supported in the axial direction of the rod. A heel tip is arranged on the lower end of the first part, and the first part is covered by and connected to an encasing wall, extending from the heel tip up to the shoe body.

A dual use women's shoe has a pivoting heel assembly. The heel assembly has a housing and a heel piece pivoting is controlled by use of a two stage bayonet latch that may be selectively manipulated to convert the shoe between a ladies court style with the heel fully extended as a high heel and another style of lesser height with the heel piece in a retracted positon down beneath the sole. The other style may be a wedge, loafer, mule or sandal. The heel assembly may include with a spring that biases the heel piece towards the fully extended high heel configuration, such that the retracted heel piece in the retracted configuration springs into the fully extended high heel configuration when a button of the bayonet latch is depressed.

A dual use women's shoe has a pivoting heel assembly. The heel assembly has a housing and a heel piece pivoting is controlled by use of a two stage bayonet latch that may be selectively manipulated to convert the shoe between a ladies court style with the heel fully extended as a high heel and another style of lesser height with the heel piece in a retracted positon down beneath the sole. The other style may be a wedge, loafer, mule or sandal. The heel assembly may include with a spring that biases the heel piece towards the fully extended high heel configuration, such that the retracted heel piece in the retracted configuration springs into the fully extended high heel configuration when a button of the bayonet latch is depressed.

A convertible shoe may include a sole portion and a plurality of interchangeable heel portions, each selectively attachable to the sole portion. The heel portions may each include a mounting surface configured to interface with a heel receiver of the sole, such that mounting the heel causes a support shank of the shoe to be secured in a longitudinal position relative to the sole.

A heel construction for a high heeled shoe 11 includes a sole plate 10 and a heel pin 12 projecting downwardly from the sole plate. A detachable heel component 16 is fitted to the heel pin and a releasable locking arrangement serves to secure the heel component to the heel pin. The locking arrangement may comprise a threaded region 20 on the pin and engageable by a nut 23 carried in the heel component 16 or may comprise snap fittings 52,57 on the heel pin and within the heel component, to secure the heel component to the heel pin.

A heel construction for a high heeled shoe 11 includes a sole plate 10 and a heel pin 12 projecting downwardly from the sole plate. A detachable heel component 16 is fitted to the heel pin and a releasable locking arrangement serves to secure the heel component to the heel pin. The locking arrangement may comprise a threaded region 20 on the pin and engageable by a nut 23 carried in the heel component 16 or may comprise snap fittings 52,57 on the heel pin and within the heel component, to secure the heel component to the heel pin.

A convertible shoe may include a sole portion and a plurality of interchangeable heel portions, each selectively attachable to the sole portion. The heel portions may each include a mounting surface configured to interface with a heel receiver of the sole, such that mounting the heel causes a support shank of the shoe to be secured in a longitudinal position relative to the sole.

A foot arch support device includes a base seat, a movable unit, high and low heel members, and an actuating unit. The base seat includes a first base plate. The movable unit includes a movable plate that is movable relative to the first base plate between high and low curvature positions. When the low heel member is coupled to the base seat, the movable plate is at the low curvature position. When the high heel member is coupled to the base seat, a support part of the high heel member abuts against the movable plate, and the movable plate is pushed by the high heel member to the high curvature position. The actuating unit is operable for permitting removal of a selected one of the high and low heel members from the base seat.