WO2013088113A2

WO2013088113A2 - Multiple use footwear

Info

Publication number: WO2013088113A2
Application number: PCT/GB2012/000911
Authority: WO
Inventors: Jabbar Shah
Original assignee: Individual
Current assignee: Individual
Priority date: 2011-12-16
Filing date: 2012-12-17
Publication date: 2013-06-20
Anticipated expiration: 2014-06-16
Also published as: WO2013088113A3; GB201121705D0; GB2497587A

Abstract

Increased working hours and flexibility, and increasing confusion or lack of distinction between work periods, and entertainment or social periods, has led to many people requiring different outfits or styles through- a day. For example many people commence a day in smart clothing, well suited to attending meetings, then continue to wear their same clothing, with little modification into a more relaxed entertainment period in the evening. Often high heels are worn for a business meeting, but the wearer may be tired of these later, when a more relaxed style is required. The invention provides multiple use footwear including a sole and upper, and a flippable heel that allows a high heel to be stowed in a recess, in the sole, and so providing a flatter more comfortable or casual shoe.

Description

MULTIPLE USE FOOTWEAR

Field of the Invention

The present invention relates to multiple use footwear, more particularly the invention relates to an item of footwear such as a shoe or boot, able to be altered from a high heeled item of footwear to a lowered heeled item.

Background

Increased working hours and the need for lifestyle flexibility, together with increased pressures on achieving an ideal 'work-life' balance' often leads to a lack of distinction between work periods, and entertainment or social periods. These and similar pressures lead to many people requiring a different outfits or styles through a day.

For example, many people may commence a day in smart business clothing, well suited to attending meetings and the workplace, then continue to wear the same clothes, with little to no modification, into a more relaxed social or entertainment period in an evening after leaving work.

More particularly many people may have chosen to wear high or stiletto heels for a smart appearance or business meetings but at the end of the day may be tired of wearing these high heels or stiletto heels later, when often a more relaxed style is required. Sometimes, due to commuting or the need for more practical footwear there is a need to carry a change of footwear as or stiletto heels may be problematic.

Prior Art

A number of solutions have been proposed in an attempt to resolve the problem, including the following. Some of these are described in the following: United States patent US 7 578 075 (Kemp) discloses a collapsible shoe, comprising: a sole having a heel mounting portion. An empty cavity comprises a ridge and a releasable button having a back retaining plate; and a removable heel having a heel head with a neck and a fillet raised edge and a front heel retaining plate. The fillet raised edge of the neck slides into the empty cavity and under the ridge of the empty cavity to be secured into the empty cavity of the sole with the front heel retaining plate resting against a back retaining plate when the releasable button is in a locked position.

In use the releasable button is depressed to allow the front retaining plate of the heel head to pass by the back retaining plate of the releasable button and fit into the empty cavity and lock into place by wedging against the button and the sole, and the releasable button is depressed again to allow the heal head to come out of the empty cavity.

WO-A-2006/113574 (Beaux Arts Du Soliel LLC) discloses a show having a portion of the heel folds, splitting partway down the heel revealing a lower heel, the lower heel being raised above the sole.

Chinese utility model CN 201 968 818 (Chen) appears to disclose a foldable heel that folds towards the sole but there is no reference to a recess into which it folds.

Chinese utility model CN 201 101 186 (Yuecong) discloses a foldable shoe heel, which includes a shoe heel upper body and a shoe heel lower body; the lower part of the shoe upper body is provided with a lug boss; the top end of the shoe heel lower body is provided with a flute. The shoe heel upper body is connected with the flute at the top end of the shoe heel lower body via the lug boss at the lower part. The inner side of the shoe heel upper body is provided with a shoe heel lower body slot. The shoe heel upper body is provided with a fixing piece which is connected with a torsion piece. The fixing pieces upon and at the side of the torsion piece are respectively provided with a fixed groove and a foldable groove. The torsion piece is provided with a chute. The centre of the shoe heel lower body is fixed with a steel core.

The top end of the steel core is connected with the chute of the torsion piece. As the torsion piece along the rotating shaft is turned the steel core is inserted into the fixed groove or foldable groove. A positioning ball is arranged in the chute. The joint face of the steel core and the chute is provided with a positioning groove. The positioning ball connects with the positioning groove.

The foldable shoe heel has the beneficial effect that heels of different height that suit different occasion can be fitted to the shoe heel, which can also be folded to reduce the height so improving both appearance and comfort.

United States Patent US 5 887 360 (Buccalo) discloses a heel having two portions, a first of which fits within a second portion which is mounted on the heel and is adapted to spring outwards and lock in place to extend the height of the heel. In one embodiment a first heel portion is hinged to the second and folds back against the second to lower the height of the heel.

Korean Patent KR 100 805 349 (Kim) discloses height adjustable high-heeled shoes for woman. The shoes have foldable heels that are provided to facilitate height adjustment of shoes and to reduce fatigue.

Each height adjustable high-heeled shoe has foldable heels and includes: a main shoe body; a fixed heel established at a lower rear portion of the shoe, a main shoe body, which includes a receiving portion; a rotatable heel, formed on the bottom side of the fixed heel that is adapted to be folded and inserted into the receiving part of the fixed heel; and a hinged member established on the bottom side of the fixed heel, which enables the rotation heel to rotate and to be inserted into the receiving part of the fixed heel; and a wrinkle part. European Patent Application EP-A-1 928 608 (Joy For Ever BV) has a heel that is partially detachable from the sole in order to move it to a second position, and has two heel tread areas. When in the high heeled position the low heel tread is partly visible on the rear of the high heel which is probably unsightly and limits design options.

Chinese utility model CN 2 862 772 (Wei) refers to a foldaway high and flat- heeled dual-purpose shoe. It is characterized in that: two foldaway heels are divided into the front and back end of heel. A back portion and a back-portion joint are linked by locating a hinge on an edge of the back portion. Flat- heeled shoes, that may be needed for some occasions, are achieved by folding back-portions of a heel.

Chinese utility model CN 101 222 862 (Handel) discloses a shoe having a sole with a toe portion, a heel portion and an arch portion located between said heel and toe portions, the improvement comprised of a stowable heel comprising: a low heel block attached to the heel portion of said shoe sole, said low heel block having a slot formed therein that is open adjacent the bottom of said low heel block and continues through the forward part of said low heel block adjacent said arch portion of said shoe.

A high heel extension piece attached to said low heel block, said high heel extension piece having a support beam affixed therein and protruding upwardly from the top of said high heel extension piece, said support beam having a substantially rectangular cross-section and defining a substantially central axis of said high heel extension piece, said support beam being capable of limited axial and pivotal movement within said slot; the dimensions of said support beam. The slot prevents rotational movement of said high heel extension piece about its central axis relative to said low heel block, and means for allowing pivotal motion of said high heel extension piece relative to said sole so that said high heel extension piece can be moved between a first position wherein it underlies and is in substantial alignment with said low heel block creating a high heel and a second position wherein it lies substantially beneath said arch portion of said sole resulting in a low heel.

US Patent 4 910 885 (Hseih) discloses a shoe having a low spike heel and a spike heel extension hinged to the sole. When folded down, the low spike heel rests on the top of the spike heel extension and is supported by it so heightening the heel. When the spike heel extension is folded up against the sole, the wearer walks on the low spike heel. The shoe therefore has a higher and lower heel function.

Chinese utility model CN 2 653 932 (Zhou) relates to a foldable high-heel shoe, which comprises an upper and a sole. The utility model is characterized in that: a foldable heel consists of a moveable heel, a rotating shaft, a U- shaped heel outline; an operation and control mechanism consists of a switch key, a sliding film, a fixed pressing bar, a spring, a screen and a compressing spring; and the operation and control mechanism is arranged in the side face of the U-shaped heel outline.

The foldable high-heel shoe is able to convenient realize mutual conversion of a flatty and a high-heel shoe through the operation and control mechanism that the operation and control mechanism is able to change a flatty to a high- heel shoe, or change a high-heel shoe to a flatty through the operation and control mechanism according to realistic needs.

UK Patent Application GB-A-2 483 900 (Harrison Griffiths) has a foldable heel having a bracing bar that is hinged to the sole and permanently fixed to the heel; the bracing bar slides up the heel when the heel is folded towards the sole and back down the heel when that is folded into the high heel position. When in position at the lower point of the heel this acts to brace the heel in the high heeled position. A flexible sole optionally folds into a different configuration through the action of the bracing bar. United States Patent US 3 464 126 (Sarkissian) discloses a shoe having an adjustable height heel. The shoe comprises: a front shoe member for receiving the front or toe portion of a wearer's foot, an upper shank and heel member for supporting the rear or heel portion of a wearer's foot, a rigid ground engaging portion extending heelward from said front shoe member beneath said shank and heel member.

A hinge means connects the upper shank and heel member to the front shoe member and the ground engaging portion whereby said shank and heel member may be raised or lowered relative to said ground engaging portion, and locking means between the shank and heel member; and the ground engaging portion (for locking the relative position of the shank and heel member); and the ground engaging portion for determining the height of the heel end of said shank and heel member.

United States Patent US 5 309 651 (Handel) discloses a shoe frame adapted to be used with a covering, has a hinged heel member mounted on a sole plate that folds up against the sole plate.

In contrast the present invention provides a means of easily converting a daytime outfit into a more relaxed evening outfit, or vice versa, without carrying additional parts, pieces or portions.

An object of the present invention is to provide a dual nature shoe that is comfortable and suitable for formal and informal occasions.

Summary of the Invention

According to the present invention there is provided a shoe comprising: a sole, an upper, a heel and a recess which receives the heel and a hinge means, the heel being mounted on the sole by the hinge means and being deployable in a first position, in which the heel is at a first angle with respect to the sole; and in a second position, in which the heel is at a second angle with respect to the sole, the second angle being such that when the heel is folded towards the sole, the heel is received in the recess.

Ideally a heel is hinged to the sole and adopts a first position at a first angle to the sole and a second position at a second, smaller angle to the sole, that is so that the sole is folded towards the sole.

Preferably a cover is provided. An advantage of this aspect of the invention, over existing dual nature shoes, is that, for example, each recess in the sole of each shoe (into which the heel is completely received) is closed by way of the cover and is sealed against the ingress of dirt, sand and debris.

Ideally the recess in the sole into which the heel is folded, in the second position, is shaped and dimensioned so as to conceal the heel and provide a flat-soled shoe. A small aperture in the cover may have an aperture to window that is shaped and configured to abut an upper portion of the heel and abut it when the heel is folded thereby be completely closing the recess.

A lower heel region is preferably formed as part of the sole so that it surrounds the hinge and supports the user's heel when the shoe heel is folded away.

Preferably a cover is mounted on the sole and is operable to cover all or part of the recess. In the arrangement where the cover does not fully cover the recess, the recess is closed completely by a face of the heel.

Advantageously a locking means locks the heel in place in the first position and prevents it from inadvertently folding or unlocking.

Ideally a locking arm is flexibly mounted or hinged to the sole that may be detachably engaged with the heel, or the hinge, in order to lock the heel or hinge against movement when the heel is in the first position Optionally a cover for the recess also forms the locking arm as described above.

Unlike in some prior art dual shoes, the heel of the present invention is hinged to the sole rather than directly to a lower heel, and the lower heel is formed as part of the sole - the heel is hinged at its base.

The heel is ideally hinged about a rearward point of the sole in use. This hinge ideally allows up to a 90 degree flipping angle.

In particularly preferred embodiments, when the heel is flipped towards the sole or away from it, the footwear will allow comfortable use on at least two angles, typically by formation of a profile that is suitable for use in at least two angle positions.

The upper therefore will comfortably accommodate the at least two angles.

The heel in preferred embodiments forms a rigid member with longitudinal and lateral structural strength.

The member is typically similar in appearance to the sole face downmost in use, and/or is provided with a cover as such, in order that the heel and sole are

The upper is typically a more flexible or elastic material, such as cloth.

Ideally the sole upper has panels that are relatively more flexible or elastic to allow comfort and homogenous appearance. In this way the sole upper may be able to flex sufficiently when the sole moves from one heel angle to another, ensuring comfort to a user.

In a|l preferred embodiments therefore the heel is able to be flipped or rotated from a first flat shoe usage to a second high heel usage. This enables a user to wear the shoe or boot item as a higher heeled shoe in preferred circumstances, easily and effectively allowing a user to change item as required.

In this way users having worn higher or elevated heel shoes for a time or until the sole becomes uncomfortable, and flip up the heel into the sole.

The shoe or boot then comes to a flat position, and is correspondingly improved to walk on for the user.

In preferred embodiments there is ideally a largely homogenous sole profile in the flat position. For example some embodiments may provide a large triangular wedge profile.

In such embodiments the heel is liable to have a triangular profile also, wherein the heel provides a segment of the larger profile, which detaches on flipping.

Ideally a cantilever arm is included to brace the heel. This arm may be displaced in order to brace the heel and/or move the heel. For example in some embodiments the arm may be disposed as a cover to prevent movement of the heel, when the heel is not in use or the footwear is in a non- elevated position.

In some further embodiments the arm and heel may be enabled to move in more than one direction or on more than one axis, wherein the heel may move along the sole.

Visible heel when the item is in an elevated position is typically able to hinge at a different point to the arm.

Furthermore in preferred embodiments the heel is sprung on a hinge, wherein it is predisposed to remain in a position. In such embodiments the user would be displace the arm in a first step and replace or otherwise brace the arm on the heel in a final step.

It may be envisaged that a resiliently deformable, click-fit, friction fit or elastic seal may be included to prevent accidental deployment or displacement of the arm, cover or heel; as may be a button or other release mechanism.

Said release mechanism forms a profile and heel area that is contiguous or preferably disposed in both preferred angle positions.

This may be achieved by recessing the button and/or mechanism.

In this way a first high heeled angle position will be easily flipped into a second flat angle that may be achieved with a click release mechanism.

This means that a user can choose whether to have a separate heel or flat sole, by easy adjustment of the sole, and without any need for extra parts, portions or pieces.

Additionally heel-sole configuration ideally provides a stable and less prone to damage or dislocation of the heel in a high heeled angler or profile.

In preferred embodiments there is ideally a largely homogeneous sole profile in the flat position. It is understood that the heel, when folded, does not (largely) project outwards past the sole profile. That is it is received within a recess within the sole profile.

In order to provide clear support for a recess, it may be considered an option to file a revised application having additional text describing the figures as having a recess. It is notable in the description of the figures that item (4) is referred to as a 'Cover/Brace', implying that it is a cover for a feature, namely the recess. With respect to the above description then, it is to be realised that the optimum dimensional relationships for the parts of the invention, to include variations in size, matena)s, shape, form, function and manner of operation, assembly and use, are deemed readily apparent and obvious to one skilled in the art, and all equivalent relationships to those illustrated in the drawings and described in the specification are intended to be encompassed by the present invention.

Variation may be made to the invention, for example by automating the locking and/or the unlocking of the cover. This may be achieved, for example, by way of an automated latch or catch mechanism, connected to an actuator and a power supply_^ Actuation may be achieved by way of a remote controller connected to the actuator, for example by way of a radio frequency (RF) connection such as a Bluetooth (Trade Mark) connector.

Other auxiliary devices may be fitted to the show for example, impact measuring devices in order to detect paces, temperature sensors

Preferred embodiments of the invention will now be described by way of example only and with reference to the Figures in which:

Brief Description of Figures

Figure 1 shows a side view of a preferred embodiment of a shoe according to the present invention;

Figure 2 shows an overall isometric view of the embodiment of the shoe shown in Figure 1 ;

Figure 3 shows a view from underneath the shoe with heel extended; Figure 4 shows a rear view of the shoe and shows the heel extended and the recess;

Figure 5 shows a view from underneath of the shoe with heel housed in the recess;

Figure 6 shows a rear view of the shoe and shows the heel folded into the recess and recess cover slid closed;

Figure 7 shows a view from underneath of the shoe with heel folded into the recess and the recess cover open; and

Figure 8 is an overall isometric view of the embodiment of the shoe shown in Figure 7.

Detailed Description of Figures

Referring to the Figures generally, there is shown a shoe 10 comprising a sole 12, a heel 14, an upper 16 and a hinge means 18. The heel 14, has a heel tip 14A, and is mounted non-detachably on the sole 12 by way of the hinge 18. The hinge 18 deploys the heel 14 in one of two positions. A first position (shown in Figures 1 and 2), is one in which the heel 14 is held at a first angle with respect to the sole 12. In a second position (shown in Figures 5 and 6), in which the heel 14 is at a second angle with respect to the sole 12.

The second angle is smaller than the first angle so that practically the heel 14 is folded into a recess 20 that is formed in the sole 12. The sole 12 is formed with the recess 20, during the manufacturing stage or the recess is cut from the sole after the sole 12 has been formed.

A release mechanism (not shown) may take the form of a button or spring- loaded device and catch (not shown) which is housed in the recess 20 and is only accessible when cover 22 has been slid back or opened, so ensuring against inadvertent deployment of the heel 14.

The cover 20 may be hinged or arranged to slide over the recess. It is apparent from Figures 5 and 6 that the cover completely closes the recess so as to prevent ingress of any dirt and debris into the recess, for example when the wearer walks through puddles or on muddy terrain.

The sole 12 is ideally formed form a flexible material which adopts either of the 'high heel' or 'flat shoe' profiles. A particularly flexible region of the sole 12 is shown as region 'A' and is designed to stretch to accommodate the high heel. Optionally a hinge (not shown) may be provided within the sole or as part of the substrate of the shoe, in order to accommodate flexure when configured as a 'high heel' to a 'flat shoe'.

Reference has been made generally to women's shoes - such as stiletto heels - it is understood that the invention may be applied to men's adjustable shoes so as to make men appear taller.

Therefore, the foregoing is considered as illustrative only of the principles of the invention. Further, since numerous modifications and changes will readily occur to those skilled in the art, it is not desired to limit the invention to the exact construction and operation shown and described, and accordingly, all suitable modifications and equivalents may be resorted to, falling within the scope of the invention.

For example a shoe may have a sole formed from a single moulded member having substantially continuous thickness. Materials used to form the sole include: flexible rubber, synthetic plastics, leather and patent leather uppers or any other cloth or woven material. Stainless steel, wood, synthetic plastics, aluminium or any other rigid material may be used as part of the internal support. For example, a remote control can automatically retract the heel and close the cover in the recess or heel cavity. Other variations include a there could be a button on the remote that can massage your feet. Scented insoles are optionally provided in order to and cushion and provide optimal comfort.

The invention may be used to convert comfortable shoes - such as sandals, training shoes or 'sneakers' - to high heels. Optionally heels are detachable and replaceable as either boot heels or stiletto heels. Further variation may be made by proving various lengths and widths of heel, for example 3 inch heels for working women and 5 inch heels for leisure.

The invention has been described by way of examples only and it will be appreciated that variation may be made to the above-mentioned embodiments without departing from the scope of invention.

Claims

1. A shoe comprising: a sole, an upper, a heel and a recess which receives the heel and a hinge means, the heel being mounted on the sole by the hinge means and being deployable in a first position, in which the heel is at a first angle with respect to the sole; and in a second position, in which the heel is at a second angle with respect to the sole, the second angle being such that when the heel is folded towards the sole, the heel is received in the recess.

2. A shoe according to claim 1 wherein the hinge is located at a rearward part of the sole.

3. A shoe according to claim 1 or 2 wherein the heel is cantilevered when the user is elevated.

4. A shoe according to any preceding claim wherein the first angle is larger than the second angle.

5. A shoe according to any preceding claim wherein a cover is provided for the recess.

6. A shoe according to claim 5 wherein the recess in the sole is closed by way of the cover and is sealed against the ingress of dirt, sand and debris.

7. A shoe according to any preceding claim wherein the recess in the sole into which the heel is folded, in the second position, is shaped and dimensioned so as to conceal the heel and provide a substantially flat- soled shoe.

8. A shoe according to any preceding claim wherein an aperture in the recess has a cover or window that is shaped and configured to abut an upper portion of the heel, when the heel is folded into the recess, thereby closing the recess.

9. A shoe according to claim 8 wherein the cover and face of the heel close the recess.

10. A shoe according to claim 1 wherein a lower heel region is formed as part of the sole so that it surrounds the hinge and supports the user's heel when the shoe heel is folded away.

11. A shoe according to any preceding claim wherein a locking means locks the heel in place in the first position so as to prevent inadvertent folding or unlocking.

12. A shoe according to any of claims 1 to 10 has a locking arm that is flexibly mounted or hinged to the sole and is adapted to be detachably engaged with the heel, or the hinge, in order to lock the heel, or hinge, against movement when the heel is in the first position. 3. A shoe according to any preceding claim wherein the hinge allows up to a 90 degree flipping angle of the heel.

14. A shoe according to any preceding claim wherein the heel is adapted to be flipped towards the sole or away from the sole.

15. A shoe according to any preceding claim wherein a rigid member provided in the sole provides longitudinal and lateral strength to the shoe. 6. A shoe according to any preceding claim wherein the upper is formed from a flexible or elastic material, such as a woven cloth or leather.

17. A shoe according to any preceding claim wherein the upper has panels that are relatively more flexible or elastic to allow comfort and homogenous appearance. 8. A shoe according to any preceding claim is in the form of a triangular wedge profile.

19. A shoe according to any preceding claim wherein the heel provides a segment of the profile, which detaches when the heel is flipped.

20. A shoe according to any preceding claim includes a cantilever arm to brace the heel.

21. A shoe according to any preceding claim wherein the heel is sprung on a hinge, so that the heel is predisposed to remain in a predetermined position.

22. A shoe according to any preceding claim includes a 'click-fit', friction fit or elastic seal to prevent accidental deployment or displacement of the arm, cover or heel.

23. A shoe according to claim 22 wherein a button or other release mechanism deploys the arm, cover or heel.

24. A shoe according to any preceding claim wherein the heel, when folded, does not project outwards beyond the sole profile.

25. A shoe according to any preceding claim has an actuator for locking and/or the unlocking of the cover.

26. A shoe according to claim 25 wherein the actuator is an automated latch or catch mechanism and is deployed by way of a remote controller.

27. A shoe according to claim 26 wherein the automated latch or catch mechanism is operated by way of a radio frequency (RF) connection such as a Bluetooth (Trade Mark) connector.

28. A shoe according to any preceding claim includes an impact measuring device, for example, adapted in order to detect number of paces trodden.

29. A shoe according to any preceding claim includes a temperature sensor.

30. A shoe according to any preceding claim wherein the sole comprises a single moulded member having a substantially continuous thickness.

31. A shoe according to claim 30 wherein the sole has a region of different flexibility to the main region of the sole so as to permit folding.

32. A replacement heel for use with the shoe according to any preceding claim.

33. A method of forming a shoe or boot according to any preceding claim.