COLLAPSIBLE SHOE HEEL

Abstract

A collapsible shoe heel configured to be received in a sole of a shoe is provided. The collapsible shoe heel features a support member having a first end and second end, a substantially u-shaped lifting member having a first end and a second end, an angle, formed by the support member and the lifting member, which has a natural position, a first hinge rotatably connecting the first end of the support member and the first end of the lifting member, and a second hinge rotatably connecting the second end of the support member and the second end of the lifting member. The first hinge and second are configured to retain the natural position of the angle.

Claims

1. A shoe comprising: a first member configured to be received at a first location in a sole of a shoe; a second member configured to be received at a second location in the sole of the shoe, wherein the first location differs from the second location; and a collapsible shoe heel configured to be received and integrated into the sole of the shoe, the collapsible shoe heel comprising: a support member having a first end disposed opposite a second end; a lifting member having a first end disposed opposite a second end, wherein the first end of the lifting member has a rounded curve and comprises a protrusion section, and wherein the first end of the lifting member is received by a tube portion; an angle formed between the second end of the support member and the second end of the lifting member; a first hinge rotatably connecting the second end of the support member and the second end of the lifting member, wherein the first hinge is received by a first cylindrical portion, and wherein the first hinge is received in the sole of the shoe at the first location on top of the first member; and a second hinge rotatably connecting the second end of the support member and the second end of the lifting member, wherein the second hinge is received by a second cylindrical portion, wherein the second hinge is received in the sole of the shoe at the second location on top of the second member, and wherein each of the first hinge and the second hinge are configured to define the angle.

2. The shoe of claim 1, wherein each of the first member and the second member comprise a cloth material or a fabric material.

3. The shoe of claim 1, wherein the tube portion comprises a silicone material.

4. The shoe of claim 1, wherein each of the first cylindrical portion and the second cylindrical portion comprise a plastic material.

5. The shoe of claim 1, wherein the second end of the support member comprises a support structure.

6. The shoe of claim 5, wherein the support structure is configured to provide support to the second end of the support member.

7. The shoe of claim 1, wherein the protrusion section is configured to provide support to a portion of the shoe being lifted by the lifting member.

8. The shoe of claim 1, wherein the second end of the lifting member comprises a support structure.

9. The shoe of claim 1, wherein the angle is a 30 degree angle when the lifting member is in an expanded position without an application of force.

10. The shoe of claim 1, wherein each of the first hinge and the second hinge comprise a torsional spring.

11. A shoe comprising: a first member configured to be received at a first location in a sole of a shoe; a second member configured to be received at a second location in the sole of the shoe, wherein the first location differs from the second location, and wherein each of the first member and the second member comprise a cloth material or a fabric material; and a collapsible shoe heel configured to be received and integrated into the sole of the shoe, the collapsible shoe heel comprising: a support member having a first end disposed opposite a second end; a lifting member having a first end disposed opposite a second end, wherein the first end of the lifting member has a rounded curve and comprises a protrusion section, wherein the protrusion section is configured to provide support to a portion of the shoe being lifted by the lifting member, wherein the first end of the lifting member is received by a tube portion, and wherein the tube portion comprises a silicone material; an angle formed between the second end of the support member and the second end of the lifting member; a first hinge rotatably connecting the second end of the support member and the second end of the lifting member, wherein the first hinge is received by a first cylindrical portion, and wherein the first hinge is received in the sole of the shoe at the first location on top of the first member; and a second hinge rotatably connecting the second end of the support member and the second end of the lifting member, wherein the second hinge is received by a second cylindrical portion, wherein the second hinge is received in the sole of the shoe at the second location on top of the second member, wherein each of the first hinge and the second hinge are configured to define the angle, and wherein each of the first cylindrical portion and the second cylindrical portion comprise a plastic material.

12. The shoe of claim 11, wherein each of the second end of the support member and the second end of the lifting member comprise a support structure.

13. The shoe of claim 12, wherein the support structure is configured to provide support to the second end of the support member.

14. The shoe of claim 11, wherein the angle is a 30 degree angle when the lifting member is in an expanded position without an application of force.

15. The shoe of claim 11, wherein, when the collapsible shoe heel is compressed, the angle moves towards a 0 degree angle.

16. The shoe of claim 11, wherein each of the first hinge and the second hinge comprise hinge springs.

17. The shoe of claim 11, wherein each of the support member and the lifting members comprise a perimeter with at least four sides.

18. The shoe of claim 11, wherein each of the support member, the lifting member, the first hinge, and the second hinge are constructed out of a single continuous material.

19. The shoe of claim 11, wherein each of the support member, the lifting member, the first hinge, and the second hinge are constructed out of a plurality of wave springs.

20. The shoe of claim 11, wherein the shoe is selected from the group consisting of: a moccasin, a sneaker, a dress shoe, a high heel shoe, and a sandal.

Description

BRIEF DESCRIPTION OF THE DRAWINGS

[0036] FIG. 1 is a perspective view of an embodiment of the present invention when integrated with a women's dress shoe.

[0037] FIG. 2 is a perspective view of an alternative embodiment of the present invention when integrated with a casual shoe.

[0038] FIG. 3 is a bottom perspective view of yet another alternative embodiment of the present invention when integrated with a shoe.

[0039] FIG. 4 is a perspective view of a rendering of a preferred embodiment of the present invention.

[0040] FIG. 5 is a callout view of the embodiment shown in FIG. 4.

[0041] FIGS. 6A and 6B show two perspective view of an embodiment of the slider of the present invention.

[0042] FIGS. 7A and 7B show two perspective view of an embodiment of the base of the present invention.

[0043] FIG. 8 is a perspective view of an embodiment of the bar of the present invention.

[0044] FIG. 9 is a perspective view of an embodiment of the integration member.

[0045] FIG. 10 and FIG. 11 depict perspective views of a tube portion, a first cylindrical portion, and a second cylindrical portion of an embodiment of the present invention.

[0046] FIG. 12 depicts a perspective view of a first cylindrical portion and a second cylindrical portion of an embodiment of the present invention.

[0047] FIG. 13 depicts a perspective view of a first member and a second member of an embodiment of the present invention.

[0048] FIG. 14 depicts a perspective view of a first member received at a first location in a sole of a shoe and a second member received at a second location in the sole of the shoe of an embodiment of the present invention.

[0049] FIG. 15 and FIG. 16 depict perspective views of a collapsible shoe heel received in a sole of a shoe of an embodiment of the present invention.

DESCRIPTION OF THE PREFERRED EMBODIMENTS

[0050] The preferred embodiments of the present invention will now be described with reference to the drawings. Identical elements in the various figures are identified with the same reference numerals.

[0051] Reference will now be made in detail to each embodiment of the present invention. Such embodiments are provided by way of explanation of the present invention, which is not intended to be limited thereto. In fact, those of ordinary skill in the art may appreciate upon reading the present specification and viewing the present drawings that various modifications and variations can be made thereto.

[0052] Referring to FIG. 1, an embodiment of the present invention is shown. Here, collapsible shoe heel 100 features support member 101, lifting member 102, and angle 103. The support member 101 has a first end 120 disposed opposite a second end 121. The first end 120 of the support member 101 has a rounded curve, as shown in FIG. 1. According to an embodiment, the support member 101 further includes a support structure 116 of FIG. 1 extending across the second end 121 of the support member 101 and configured to provide additional support to the support member 101. It should be appreciated that the support member 101 and the support structure 116 are located within a sole 123 of a shoe, as depicted. It should be appreciated that the present invention may be integrated into any type of shoe, such as a moccasin, a sneaker, a dress shoe, a high heel shoe, or a sandal, among other types of shoes not explicitly described herein. Further, the present invention can accommodate all sizes of shoes by varying the size of the present invention. The present invention is suitable for use in children's shoes, as well as adult shoes.

[0053] The lifting member 102 of FIG. 1 has a first end 122 disposed opposite the second end 121. The first end 122 of the lifting member 102 has a rounded curve and comprises a protrusion section 117A (of FIGS. 1) and 117B (of FIG. 3). The protrusion section 117A (of FIGS. 1) and 117B (of FIG. 3) is affixed to and is configured to protrude outward from the first end 122 of the lifting member 102 towards the support structure 116. The protrusion section 117A (of FIGS. 1) and 117B (of FIG. 3) is configured to provide a substantially flat or a flat surface, allowing the protrusion section 117A (of FIG. 1), 117B (of FIGS. 3), and 117C (of FIG. 4) to provide support to a portion of a shoe being lifted by the lifting member 102. The second end 121 of the lifting member 102 comprises the support structure 116.

[0054] Here, in FIG. 1, collapsible shoe heel 100 is shown in the natural position. Upon application of a compressive load at the top of the lifting member 102, the lifting member 102 arm rotates in a downward direction as the load is applied, with the support member 101 biased against the bottom insole surface of the shoe, and essentially does not move. Preferably, the present invention operates by a person's hand squeezing against and compressing a shoe back which contains the lifting member 102.

[0055] Referring to FIG. 2, another embodiment of the present invention is shown. As shown, the collapsible shoe heel 100 also includes a first hinge 104 and a second hinge 105. Here, the first hinge 104 and the second hinge 105 are located within the shoe to enable such recoverable shoe back compression, and are torsion springs. Specifically, the first hinge 104 and the second hinge 105 are located within the sole 123 of the shoe, as shown in FIG. 16.

[0056] The first hinge 104 rotatably connects the second end 121 of the support member 101 and the second end 121 of the lifting member 102. The second hinge 105 rotatably connects the second end 121 of the support member 101 and the second end 121 of the lifting member 102. Each of the first hinge 104 and the second hinge 105 are configured to define the angle 103 (of FIG. 1) between the second end 121 of the support member 101 and the second end 121 of the lifting member 102 when the lifting member 102 is in an expanded position without an application of force. Such expanded position is a non-compressed position. As explained previously, the preferred angle (e.g., the angle 103 of FIG. 1) is 30 degrees.

[0057] As the collapsible shoe heel 100 is collapsed or compressed, the angle 103 moves towards a 0 degree angle. The support member 101 extends along the insole of the shoe towards the heel. Thee lifting member 102 angles up from the torsion spring to a location at the top of the shoe back. The downward rotation of the lifting member 102 compresses the torsion spring. Removal of the compressive load from the lifting member 102 initiates torsion spring recovery.

[0058] The lifting member 102 upwardly rotates to its original position, fully extending the shoe back. In this regard, use of an exceedingly flexible material to fabricate the shoe back enables multiple compression and recovery cycles without experiencing cracking or other modes of material failure.

[0059] Referring to FIG. 3, an alternative embodiment of the present invention is shown. Here, the present invention features the support member 101, the lifting member 102, and the protrusion section 117B (of FIG. 3). As can be seen, support member 101 can have a variety of configurations, such as the configuration shown here. By varying the shape of the support member 101, one can vary the size and shape of the support member 101, permitting size adjustment to fit shoes of different sizes and styles.

[0060] Referring to FIG. 4, another alternative embodiment of the present invention is shown. Here, the collapsible shoe heel 100 features the lifting member 102 and an integration member 107. The integration member 107 of FIG. 4 is located on the first end 122 of the lifting member 102. In this embodiment, the present invention has two positions: an up position and a down position. This embodiment will retain whichever position it is in until some force is exerted on lifting member 102. When this happens, similar to the clicking of a ballpoint pen, collapsible shoe heel 100 will shift to the second position.

[0061] Referring to FIG. 5, the present invention features a bar 106, a slider 108, the integration member 107, a base 111, a first spring 114, and a second spring 115. This view shows how this particular embodiment functions. Specifically, upon force being applied to the lifting member 102, the lifting member 102 will actuate the integration member 107. From there, the integration member 107 will push the slider 108 such that the bar 106 travels along the notches of the slider 108. These notches are configured so that the end of the bar 106 that interfaces with the slider 108 will move counterclockwise along the notches. The first spring 114 forces the slider 108 towards the integrated end of the bar 106. When a user wants to toggle the position of the present invention, they merely need to exert force on the lifting member 102 to start this process.

[0062] FIG. 6A, FIG. 6B, FIG. 7A, FIG. 7B, FIG. 8, and FIG. 9 depict detailed views of the slider 108, the base 111, the bar 106, and the integration member 107, respectively. As shown in FIG. 7A and FIG. 7B, the base 111 features a sliding chamber 112 and an integration hole 113.

[0063] In a preferred embodiment, a different type of spring may be installed between the outer and inner shoe layers. A pair of metal extensions (such as steel) are connected to the lifting member 102. In a similar manner as discussed above, application of a compressive load on the lifting member 102 results in a bending of the lifting member 102, enabling the lifting member 102 to lower towards the support member 101. Removal of the compressive load enables recovery of the lifting member 102, and the raising of the lifting member 102 to the natural position.

[0064] In another preferred embodiment, the lifting member 102 may be fabricated out of a material, such as: zinc-plated steel, stainless steel, or such composite materials, such as Nylon 6/6 Glass reinforced or ABS Glass reinforced. Utilization of the lifting member 102 focuses flex and recovery characteristics on the material used to fabricate the lifting member 102, and not the steel extensions, which would permanently deform. Substitution of differently sized lifting members 102 and support members 101 enables the easy adaption to shoes of different size or style. The extension spring design offers long-term operational and structural stability.

[0065] In some other embodiments, the present invention is constructed with a ribbon spring. The spring preferably consists of a solid flat member configured into a double-loop. The lower or base loop would extend along the insole in the heel area of the shoe, the upper loop extending toward the top of the shoe back. Two substantially U-shaped segments connects the two loops, serving as the first hinge and second hinge of the present invention. Spring steel or a composite (Nylon 6/6 or ABS Glass reinforced) are materials suitable for fabricating the ribbon spring.

[0066] In other embodiments, the present invention is constructed with a tube-spring that utilizes a tubular member configured into a double-loop. The lower or base loop extending along the back of the shoe insole, and the upper loop extending toward the top of the shoe back. Two substantially u-shaped segments connects the two loops, serving as the first hinge and second hinge of the present invention. Composite materials such as Nylon 6/6 or ABS Glass reinforced are suitable for fabrication of the tube spring.

[0067] In still other embodiments, the present invention consists of two U-shaped members of spring steel or a composite material that are connected by extendable loop sections, serving as the support member 101 and the lifting member.

[0068] In other examples, and as depicted in FIG. 13 and FIG. 14, the present invention may also comprise a first member 127 configured to be received at a first location 125 in the sole 123 of a shoe and a second member 128 configured to be received at a second location 126 in the sole 123 of the shoe. It should be appreciated that the first location 125 differs from the second location 126. Moreover, in examples, each of the first member 127 and the second member 128 comprise a cloth material or a fabric material, among others not explicitly listed herein. In some examples, and as depicted, each of the first member 127 and the second member 128 may be square in shape. However, it should be appreciated that the shape of each of the first member 127 and the second member 128 is not limited to such.

[0069] The present invention may also include a tube portion 129 that is cylindrical in shape, comprising an opening disposed therein. The opening of the tube portion 129 is configured to receive the first end 122 of the lifting member 102, as shown in FIG. 10 and FIG. 11. It should be appreciated that the shape of the tube portion 129 is not limited to such and other shapes are contemplated. In examples, the tube portion 129 may comprise a silicone material, among others not explicitly listed herein. In some examples, the tube portion 129 may comprise two components (e.g., a first component 129A and a second component 129B) that together form the tube portion 129.

[0070] Moreover, in examples, and as depicted in FIG. 10, FIG. 11, FIG. 12, and FIG. 15, the present invention may also include a first cylindrical portion 130 and a second cylindrical portion 131. Each of the first cylindrical portion 130 and the second cylindrical portion 131 comprise an opening disposed therein. Moreover, each of the first cylindrical portion 130 and the second cylindrical portion 131 comprise a plastic material, among others not explicitly listed herein.

[0071] First, the first hinge 104 is received by the opening of the first cylindrical portion 130 and the second hinge 105 is received by the opening of the second cylindrical portion 131. Next, a first portion of the collapsible shoe heel 100 (e.g., the first hinge 104 received by the first cylindrical portion 130) is received in the sole 123 of the shoe at the first location 125 on top of the first member 127. Then, a second portion of the collapsible shoe heel 100 (e.g., the second hinge 105 received by the second cylindrical portion 131) is then received in the sole 123 of the shoe at the second location 126 on top of the second member 128. Doing so affixes the collapsible shoe heel 100 into the sole 123 of the shoe.

[0072] The descriptions of the various embodiments of the present invention have been presented for purposes of illustration, but are not intended to be exhaustive or limited to the embodiments disclosed. Many modifications and variations will be apparent to those of ordinary skill in the art without departing from the scope and spirit of the described embodiments. The terminology used herein was chosen to best explain the principles of the embodiments, the practical application or technical improvement over technologies found in the marketplace, or to enable others or ordinary skill in the art to understand the embodiments disclosed herein.

[0073] When introducing elements of the present disclosure or the embodiments thereof, the articles a, an, and the are intended to mean that there are one or more of the elements. Similarly, the adjective another, when used to introduce an element, is intended to mean one or more elements. The terms including and having are intended to be inclusive such that there may be additional elements other than the listed elements.

[0074] Although this invention has been described with a certain degree of particularity, it is to be understood that the present disclosure has been made only by way of illustration and that numerous changes in the details of construction and arrangement of parts may be resorted to without departing from the spirit and the scope of the invention.