CONVERTIBLE SHOE

Abstract

The present invention relates to a convertible shoe, which is convertible between a high heel mode and a low heel mode, the convertible shoe comprising a front part, a first rear part having a heel, and a second rear part having a heel which is lower than the heel of the first rear part, wherein the first and second rear parts are exchangeable, allowing the shoe to be converted between the high heel mode and the low heel mode, wherein the convertible shoe comprises a coupling between the front part and the rear part which allows coupling and uncoupling of the front part and rear part and exchanging the rear part, wherein the coupling comprises a front coupling part provided at a rear end of the front part and a rear coupling part provided at a forward end of the rear part.

Claims

1.-20. (canceled)

21. A convertible shoe, which is convertible between a high heel mode and a low heel mode, the convertible shoe comprising: a front part, a first rear part having a first heel, and a second rear part having a second heel which is lower than the heel of the first rear part, wherein the first and second rear parts are exchangeable, allowing the shoe to be converted between the high heel mode and the low heel mode, wherein the convertible shoe comprises a coupling between the front part and anyone of the rear parts which allows coupling, uncoupling and exchanging of the first or second rear part, wherein the coupling comprises a front coupling part provided at a rear end of the front part and a rear coupling part provided at a forward end of the first and second rear part, wherein the front coupling part comprises at least one recess and wherein the rear coupling part comprises at least one protrusion which fits in the recess, and wherein the coupling comprises a locking device for locking the first or second rear part to the front part, wherein the locking device comprises an operating member for unlocking the coupling and allowing the front part and the first or second rear part to be taken apart.

22. The convertible shoe according claim 21, wherein each of the rear parts comprises a right and left protrusion which define a gap between them, and wherein the front part comprises a right and left recess into which the right and left protrusion fit, wherein the protrusions protrude in particular horizontally from the forward end of the rear part.

23. The convertible shoe according to claim 21, wherein in the locked state of the front part and rear part the locking device is located centrally between the left and right protrusion.

24. The convertible shoe according to claim 21, wherein the operating member is provided on a top side of the convertible shoe and is accessible for a user from the top side of the convertible shoe when the front part and rear part are interconnected.

25. The convertible shoe according to claim 21, wherein the front part comprises the locking device.

26. The convertible shoe according to claim 21, wherein in the locked state the locking device is positioned centrally on the shoe, wherein the locking device is in particular positioned between the left and right protrusion.

27. The convertible shoe according to claim 21, wherein the operating member is configured to be pushed downwards by a user to unlock the coupling and allow the front or second rear part to be removed from the front part, and wherein in particular the operating member is biased by a spring member in an upward direction, wherein the user pushes the operating member downwards against the biasing force to unlock the coupling.

28. The convertible shoe according to claim 21, wherein the operating member is a push button which extends upwards.

29. The convertible shoe according to claim 21, wherein the locking device comprises at least one locking pin, wherein each of the rear parts and in particular the at least one protrusion thereof comprises at least one locking recess into which the locking pin is inserted in a locked state of the convertible shoe, wherein in particular the right and left protrusion each comprise a locking recess and the locking device comprises a first and second locking pin which fit into respectively the first and second locking recesses.

30. The convertible shoe according to claim 21, wherein in top view the locking pin extends over a horizontal distance away from the operating member.

31. The convertible shoe according to claim 21, wherein the front part comprises a first abutment surface at a rear end thereof, which first abutment surface faces in a rearward and upward direction, and wherein each of the rear parts comprises a second abutment surface at a forward end thereof which faces in a forward and downward direction and which is configured to abut the first abutment surface, wherein in side view the first and second abutment surface are tilted in a forward direction over an angle α.

32. The convertible shoe according to claim 21, wherein the front part comprises a rear lower end on which the rear part rests in the assembled state, wherein the rear part does not touch a ground surface at the coupling and only touches the ground surface with a lower end of the heel.

33. The convertible shoe according to claim 29, wherein the at least one locking recess faces downwardly.

34. The convertible shoe according to claim 29, wherein the at least one protrusion comprises a locking portion positioned forward of the at least one locking recess, wherein the at least one locking portion is configured to slide under the at least one locking pin, wherein the locking pin is biased in an upward direction and clicks into the at least one locking recess once the locking portion has slid over the locking pin.

35. The convertible shoe according to claim 21, comprising a right locking pin and a left locking pin which in top view protrude to the left and to the right from the operating member, each of the rear parts comprising a left protrusion having a left locking recess and a right protrusion having a right locking recess, wherein the left locking pin fits in to the left locking recess and the right locking pin fits into the right locking recess.

36. The convertible shoe according to claim 21, wherein each of the rear parts comprises a central rear recess into which the locking device fits.

37. The convertible shoe according to claim 21, wherein the at least one recess is only open at the rear end of the front part and is covered at the top side by a top layer of the front part and is covered on a bottom side by a lower layer of the front part.

38. A pair of convertible shoes according to claim 21, comprising at least one right front part, at least one left front part, at least a first and second right rear part and at least a first and second left rear part, the convertible shoe being convertible between the high heel mode and the low heel mode by exchanging the first right and left rear parts for the second right and left rear parts or vice versa.

39. A set comprising multiple front parts of a left shoe, multiple front parts of a right shoe, multiple rear parts of a left shoe and multiple rear parts of a right shoe, allowing various combination of front part and rear part for both the left and the right shoe.

40. A method of manufacturing the convertible shoe according to claim 21, the method comprising manufacturing the front coupling member and rear coupling members from a synthetic material by injection moulding.

Description

BRIEF DESCRIPTION OF THE FIGURES

[0040] FIG. 1 shows an isometric view of a pair of convertible shoes according to the invention.

[0041] FIG. 2 shows an exploded isometric view of a convertible shoe according to the invention.

[0042] FIG. 3 shows another exploded isometric view of a convertible shoe according to the invention.

[0043] FIG. 4 shows a cross-sectional side view of a convertible shoe according to the invention.

[0044] FIG. 5 shows an isometric view of a front part of a convertible shoe according to the invention.

[0045] FIG. 6 shows an isometric view of a rear part of a convertible shoe according to the invention.

[0046] FIG. 7 shows an isometric view of a rear part having a low heel and a rear part having a high heel.

DETAILED DESCRIPTION OF THE FIGURES

[0047] Turning to FIG. 1, a pair of convertible shoes 10A, 10B, commonly denoted as 10, according to the invention is shown. The convertible shoe is a women's shoe. The shoe is convertible between a high heel mode and a low heel mode. The shoe has a top side on which a foot of the user may rest. It is noted that the top side 48 may be covered with a layer of material for providing extra comfort and a better appearance. The top layer is not shown.

[0048] Turning to FIGS. 2, 3, 4, 5 and 6, the convertible shoe comprises a front part 12, and a rear part 14 having a heel 16. The rear part has a relatively high heel. A second rear part having a lower heel is also included. The second rear part is of a similar construction as the first rear part but has a lower heel. One rear part may comprise a high heel of more than 5 cm and one rear part may comprise a heel of less than 5 cm.

[0049] The convertible shoe 10 comprises a coupling 20 between the front part and the rear part which allows coupling and uncoupling of the front part and rear part and exchanging the rear part. The coupling comprises a front coupling part 22 provided at a rear end 23 of the front part and a rear coupling part 24 provided at a forward end 25 of the rear part.

[0050] The front coupling part 22 comprises at least one recess 30, and in particular a right and left recess 30A, 30B. The at least one recess 30 is only open at the rear end of the front part and is covered at the top side by a top layer 38 of the front part and is covered on a bottom side by a lower layer 39 of the front part.

[0051] The rear coupling part 24 comprises at least one protrusion 32 which fits in the recess. The at least one protrusion extends in a forward direction from the rear part. The rear coupling part 24 may in particular comprise a right and left protrusion 32A, 32B which fit in the right and left recesses. A gap 33 is defined between the right and left protrusion.

[0052] The coupling 20 comprises a locking device 40 for locking the rear part to the front part, wherein the locking device comprises an operating member 42 for unlocking the coupling and allowing the front and rear part to be taken apart.

[0053] The protrusions 32 protrude, in particular horizontally, from the forward end 25 of the rear part. The protrusions 32 may protrude from the forward end in a direction which deviates from the horizontal direction.

[0054] In the locked state of the front part and rear part, the locking device 40 is located centrally on the shoe, in particular between the left and right protrusion. Centrally in this context means at a substantially same distance from a left side as a right side of the shoe.

[0055] The operating member is accessible for a user from a top side 48 of the convertible shoe when the front part and rear part are interconnected.

[0056] The front part 12 comprises the locking device. Alternatively, the locking device may be in the rear part 14.

[0057] The locking device 40 is positioned between the left and right recess, wherein the first and second protrusion are configured to be inserted on a left respectively a right side of the locking device.

[0058] The front par 12 comprises a depression 51 in the top side located forward of the coupling, the depression provides room for the foot bones to extend somewhat deeper than the upper elevation of the front coupling part 22.

[0059] The operating member 42 is configured to be pushed downwards by a user to unlock the coupling and allow the rear part to be removed from the front part. The operating member 42 may be biased by a spring member 43 in an upward direction. The user pushes the operating member 42 downwards against the biasing force to unlock the coupling. The operating member may be a push button which extends upwards. The operating member slides in a guide 44 having a guide recess 45. The guide 44 has a right opening 46 and a left opening 47 which are explained further below.

[0060] The locking device 40 comprises at least one locking pin 50. The at least one protrusion comprises a locking recess 52 into which the locking pin 50 is inserted in a locked state of the convertible shoe. The locking device 40 may comprise a right locking pin 50A and a left locking pin 50B, commonly denoted as 50. In case the rear part comprise right and left protrusion, the right and left protrusion each comprise a locking recess 52A, 52B (commonly denoted as 52). The right and left locking pin fit into respectively the right and left locking recesses. The locking recess(es) 52 may face downwardly.

[0061] In top view the locking pin 50 and in particular the left and right locking pins 50A, 50B extend over a horizontal distance away from the operating member. The locking device comprises a right locking pin 50A and a left locking pin 50B which in top view protrude to the left and to the right from the operating member 42. The rear part 14 comprises a right protrusion 32A having a right locking recess 52A and a left protrusion 32B having a left locking recess 32B, wherein the right locking pin fits in to the right locking recess and the left protrusion fits into the left locking recess. Obviously in an alternative embodiment a single locking pin may be provided. In one embodiment the single locking pin may extend to the rear and may fit in a single recess in the rear coupling part 24.

[0062] The front part 12 comprises a first abutment surface 60 at a rear end 23 thereof which first abutment surface faces in a rearward and upward direction. The rear part 14 comprises a second abutment surface 62 at a forward end 25 thereof which faces in a forward and downward direction and which is configured to abut the first abutment surface. In side view the first and second abutment surface are tilted in a forward direction over an angle α.

[0063] The abutment surfaces are configured to transfer a horizontal and a vertical force between the front part and the rear part.

[0064] The front part 12 comprises a rear lower end 64 on which the rear part 14 rests in the assembled state. The rear part 14 does not touch a ground surface at the coupling 20 and only touches the ground surface with a lower end 66 of the heel 16. This provides an advantage in that the rear part does not need to be provided with a sole.

[0065] A reinforcing tube 67 made of steel or carbon fits in the heel 16.

[0066] The at least one locking recess 52 in the at least one protrusion 32 faces downwardly. The at least one protrusion 32 comprises a locking portion 70 positioned forward of the at least one locking recess 32. The at least one locking portion is configured to slide over the at least one locking pin 50. The at least one locking pin is provided with a sloping upper surface which allows the locking pin to slide beneath the locking portion. The locking pin is biased in an upward direction and clicks into the at least one locking recess 52 once the locking portion 70 has slid over the locking pin.

[0067] In an alternative embodiment, the locking recesses may be provided on a top side of the protrusions or even in a top side of the rear part. The locking pin(s) then slides over the locking portion(s) and clicks into the locking recess(es). In such an embodiment, the locking pin may be embodied as a lever which pivots about a horizontal pin axis. The operating member pushes down on the opposite end of the locking pin to lift the locking end of the locking pin from the locking recess in an upward direction.

[0068] The rear part 14 comprises a central rear recess 74 into which the locking device 40 fits.

[0069] Turning to FIG. 7, two rear parts 14 are shown, one with a high heel 16 and one with a low heel 16. The rear parts have a same rear coupling part.

[0070] The convertible shoe will generally be provided as a pair of convertible shoes. The pair comprises comprising at least one right front part, at least one left front part, at least two right rear parts and at least two left rear parts. One set of rear parts will have a high heel and one set will have a low heel. The convertible shoe is convertible between a high mode and a low mode by exchanging the right and left high rear parts for the right and left low rear parts or vice versa.

[0071] A set of shoes may comprise multiple front parts of a left shoe, multiple front parts of a right shoe, multiple rear parts of a left shoe and multiple rear parts of a right shoe, allowing various combination of front part and rear part for both the left and the right shoe. The front parts and rear parts may for instance be of various colour and various design, allowing lively combinations.

[0072] It will be understood that the shown embodiments are not complete shoes. In order to complete the shoe, both the front part and the rear part are provided with a top part which may comprise straps which extend over the foot of the user and around the ankle of the user.

Operation

[0073] The female user may walk on the high heels and carry the low rear part in her bag when she goes to a party, date or other event. When the event is over, the user may take off the shoes, exchange the high rear parts with the low rear parts and go home while comfortably walking on low heels. The woman in question will still feel feminine and rather sexy because of the (low) heels and also because of the overall high quality of the shoes.

Manufacturing

[0074] The front and rear coupling may be manufactured from a synthetic material such as a hard plastic. In a method of manufacturing the convertible shoe according to the invention, the front coupling member and rear coupling member are manufactured from a synthetic material by injection moulding.

[0075] The coupling 20 is user friendly, does not have sharp edges and does not damage other items in a ladies bag. The overall shoe is relatively light weight.

[0076] The terms “a” or “an”, as used herein, are defined as one or more than one. The term plurality, as used herein, is defined as two or more than two. The term another, as used herein, is defined as at least a second or more. The terms including and/or having, as used herein, are defined as comprising i.e., open language, not excluding other elements or steps.

[0077] Any reference signs in the claims should not be construed as limiting the scope of the claims or the invention. It will be recognized that a specific embodiment as claimed may not achieve all of the stated objects.

[0078] The mere fact that certain measures are recited in mutually different dependent claims does not indicate that a combination of these measures cannot be used to advantage.