EP2991522A1

EP2991522A1 - Shoe with a removable interchangeable heel and variable curvature

Info

Publication number: EP2991522A1
Application number: EP14727878.2A
Authority: EP
Inventors: Gregory Elie GUENOUN
Original assignee: Imp Shoes
Current assignee: Imp Shoes
Priority date: 2013-05-04
Filing date: 2014-05-01
Publication date: 2016-03-09
Anticipated expiration: 2034-05-01
Also published as: FR3005243A1; FR3005243B1; WO2014181058A1; EP2991522B1; JP2016518930A; CA2910056A1; US20160073725A1

Abstract

The shoe with a removable heel comprises an insole (1) and a removable heel (2) arranged to be rigidly and removably assembled with a rear part (11) of the insole. The heel is linked to an arch (4) extending in a longitudinal direction from the insole and engaging with guide means located in said central part (12) and rigidly connected to the insole, the arch having a longitudinal profile predefined so as to adapt the curvature of the insole in said central part on the basis of the height of the heel, and the guide and retaining means (51, 321) are concealed by a central part of the sole (9).

Description

Interchangeable removable heel shoe and camber

variable

The present invention relates to shoes with removable heel and variable camber, especially women's shoes with a fully removable and interchangeable heel, which can be disassembled and reassembled simply and quickly without the need for tools. The invention aims in particular to allow easy change of heel to adjust the height of the shoe as needed, while retaining the same footwear, which also requires adaptation of the camber.

It is recalled that a shoe generally comprises three parts:

- the rod which consists of the apparent top and its inner lining and any reinforcements,

- The first assembly, consisting of several layers, on which the rod is fixed, usually by gluing and / or stitching and which, together with the stem and completed by the first cleanliness which covers it, determines the internal volume receiving the foot, - the sole which is fixed under the first mounting, generally over the entire surface thereof, inserting between them the lower edge of the stem, partially folded under the first.

The heel, towards the back of the shoe is generally fixed under the sole or integrated with it. Therefore, most commonly, only the front portion of the sole is in contact with the ground, the heel ensuring contact with the ground at the rear of the shoe, and an intermediate portion of the sole, between the front part. and the heel, is elevated and normally without contact with the ground.

The heel plays an undeniable aesthetic role, mainly for women's shoes. In addition, the heel also responds to a need for stability and walking assistance. The heel is most often made of hard plastics and resistant to shocks and compressions (ABS or polystyrene).

The first of assembly constitutes in a way the frame of the boot and, in order to reinforce the rigidity of this frame, one commonly uses a shank, which is a rigid piece shaped according to the desired curve of the first mounting and fixed to that at the level of the arch. The intermediate portion of the sole is located substantially at the same level. The shank avoids a deformation of the curve, or camber shape profile, and thus allows a good maintenance of the rear part of the foot and a good stability of the heel. It can be made of steel, wood or rigid plastic, depending on the type of shoe, its use and the height of the heel.

We have already known for a long time shoes with removable heels, generally intended to allow the use of different heels adapted to the intended use of shoes. For example, US2795866 discloses a replaceable heel shoe, wherein the heel is assembled with the rod by a slide system arranged under the mounting first, and with a lock to lock the heel on this slide.

Removable heels are also known, designed to allow different heel heights to be used with the same rod. Because of these different heel heights, there is provided for each heel height a shank having a curve adapted to this height.

Thus, US2006075662 shows a removable heel shoe, wherein the heel is formed in one piece with the shank, whose shape is adapted to the height of the heel. The rear part of the first mounting, directly above the heel, is pivotable relative to the part before the first, and has a boss adapted to fit into a housing provided at the upper end of the heel. Furthermore, a longitudinal housing is formed in the first mounting or between the first mounting and the sole, to receive the shank. To set up the heel, the shank is inserted into said longitudinal housing, then the pivoting rear portion of the first mounting is folded down to insert the boss into the heel housing until it is snapped onto it by a spring lock. This system therefore requires a first assembly with an articulated rear part, which can create discomfort in the hinge hinge and which furthermore adversely affects the good rigidity of the connection, in particular in torsion, between the front part. shoe and heel, since only the shank ensures this connection. In addition, it is the hinge of the first assembly which must bear alone all efforts likely to be exerted in the longitudinal direction between the front part and the heel. And finally, the need for pivoting movement of the rear part of the first mounting, with the rear part of the rod, implies that the rod is adapted to allow this pivoting.

US20070256330 also shows a detachable heel shoe in which the heel is articulated on a shank, which is inserted into a housing arranged in a flexible element disposed under the upper of the shoe, and the heel is locked on a rear portion of this flexible element . To allow the insertion of the shank, this flexible element is thickened in the intermediate and rear part, and to allow the bending of the thickened intermediate portion, depending on the various possible shades, this thickened portion is notched so as to give it a capacity deformation required. A disadvantage of such a shoe is that the extra thickness formed by this element flexible is very visible in the middle and the back of the shoe, which affects the aesthetics of the shoe. Another disadvantage is that the notches are visible under the shoe and also detract from the aesthetics. Another disadvantage is that the camber is determined by the flexion of this flexible element, at a relatively low level, and therefore remote from the upper face of the first mounting, which can cause a lack of rigidity in this upper surface on which the wearer's foot rests.

The present invention aims to solve the problems mentioned above, and aims in particular to provide a shoe keeping a strong aesthetic appearance, despite the means implemented to allow its adaptability to different heel heights. It also aims to provide a removable heel shoe having the same comfort as a classic shoe, regardless of the height of the heel used. And it is still to propose a new system of assembling a removable heel on a shoe, which is simple and fast handling, the replacement of a heel with another can be done virtually without the need to remove.

With these objectives in view, the invention relates to a removable heel shoe comprising

- A first mounting and a rod attached to the first mounting, the first mounting having a flexible central portion to adapt its camber at the height of the heel,

- A removable heel, the latter being arranged to be fixed under a rear portion of the first mounting and form with said rear portion a rigid separable assembly, - A sole fixed under the first mounting in front of the heel, to cover a front portion of the ground support, the first mounting and having a rear portion to cover a central portion of the first mounting, located between the front part and heel.

The heel is also connected to a shank extending in a longitudinal direction of the first mounting and engaging, without substantial play transversely to said longitudinal direction, with guiding and holding means located in the central portion of the first mounting and secured to it, the shank having a predetermined longitudinal profile so as to adapt the camber of the first mounting in said central portion according to the height of the heel by fixing the shapes and relative positions of said means of guiding and holding, said guiding and holding means being embedded in an envelope of flexible material integrally connected to the first mounting and leaving a free passage for the insertion of the shank in said guiding and holding means, said means of guiding and holding and said envelope being concealed by said rear portion of the sole.

By the arrangement associating the guiding and holding means directly to the first assembly, is minimized, in the central part of the shoe, the extra thickness inevitably generated by these means and the need to place the shank. The overlap of these guiding and holding means by the sole makes their presence almost imperceptible, especially on the edges of the shoe where only the edge of the sole appears, as in a shoe not having such means. At the heel too, there is no apparent extra thickness and, because the sole does not cover the rear portion of the first mounting, the upper edge of the heel comes directly into contact with the upper of the shoe, as will be seen later.

An important aspect of the invention is that, contrary to the prior art of US2006075662 cited above, the first mounting extends continuously to the rear end of the boot, above the heel, without structural break such than the hinge of this prior art. As a result, no discontinuity of the first mounting can be felt and therefore the comfort is improved. In addition, the continuity of the first mounting ensures rigidity thereof equivalent to that obtained in a conventional shoe with fixed heel, while allowing, as in such conventional shoes, a certain flexibility of the front part, required for a comfortable walk. Also, as will be seen better later, the first assembly will also have a certain deformability in its central part, at the level of the arch and thus the shank, to allow the adaptation of the arch to the shape of each shank associated with the various heels that can be mounted on the shoe.

Unlike the previously described example of US20070256330, the invention associates the shank directly to the first assembly and not to an element attached thereto, which greatly improves the aesthetics since on the one hand the extra thickness which results overall under the central part of the first mounting is less and that, on the other hand, the visible part under this central part is quite similar to the appearance of a conventional sole, without the extra thicknesses and notches of the shoe of US20070256330. This aesthetic aspect of the shoe according to the invention is also reinforced by the fact that the heel is fixed directly under the first mounting, and not under a rear portion of the insert. As will be better understood later, this makes it possible to bring the upper edge of the heel directly into contact with the rod, without presenting the intermediate layer formed by the rear portion of the flexible element of the aforementioned prior art.

The envelope of flexible material is bonded to the first mounting and, by coating the guiding and holding means, determines a housing receiving without significant play the shank. The envelope of flexible material thus participates in the proper maintenance of the first mounting ensuring a good connection of the guide and holding means with the first mounting. It also allows to stick the rod and the sole to the first assembly.

By an adequate choice of its constituent material, this envelope can thus constitute by itself the guiding and holding means, and thus directly ensure the function of guiding and maintaining the shank. A guide integrated in said envelope, for example by overmolding the envelope on said guide, may also advantageously constitute said guide and holding means or a complementary means for guiding the shank.

According to a particular alternative arrangement, the guide means receiving the front portion of the shank comprise a plurality of guide pieces integral with the first mounting and distributed in the longitudinal direction being spaced from each other, each guide piece. extending transversely and having a bore of suitable shape to allow insertion without game of the shank. It is the insertion of the shank in all of these guide pieces which leads to conform the first mounting with a curvature corresponding to the camber adapted to the height of the heel used. The spacing between the guide pieces allows their relative pivoting movement required to adapt the curvature of the first mounting to the longitudinal profile of the shank.

These guide pieces are rigid and, being fitted without play on the shank, stiffen the structure and allow to distribute the entire shank the efforts of the foot when walking, preventing or at least limiting the twists of the first of assembly. In addition, preferably, each of the guide pieces extends transversely to the longitudinal direction over a majority of the width of the first mounting, which reinforces the transverse rigidity of the first mounting, avoiding sagging of the edges. this one, on both sides of the shank.

According to a complementary arrangement, a guide, for example formed of a sheet metal or plastic sheet, may be arranged to connect the holes of the different guide parts of the first mounting, the guide determining a passage of form internal corresponding to the shape of the shank section, and having sufficient flexibility to adapt to different curvatures of the first mounting. This guide makes it possible in particular to facilitate the insertion of the shank by a continuous sliding, without risk that the front end of the latter comes up against one of the guide pieces.

According to an alternative embodiment, the guide and the guide parts can be made of a single piece of plastic material, for example by injection.

According to another variant, the guide pieces are made of plastic material overmolded on the guide by injection.

According to a complementary arrangement, the envelope of flexible material is overmolded simultaneously on the guide parts and on the guide. The envelope of flexible material encapsulating the guide pieces leaves a free passage for the insertion of the shank in said guide pieces, while allowing changes in their relative positions according to the different heel heights and therefore the different possible shades. The envelope of flexible material also participates in the good maintenance of the first mounting by completing the connection of the guide parts with the first mounting. The envelope of flexible material also contributes to improving the visual aesthetic of the shoe by covering the guide pieces and smoothing their shapes, to provide a smooth bearing surface to the sole.

This envelope can also participate directly in guiding the shank between the guide pieces in the absence of a specific guide as indicated above.

According to another particular arrangement, the rear portion of the first mounting comprises a fixing assembly for fixing the heel, this fixing assembly preferably extending over a fastening zone of shape and area corresponding to that of the interface. between the heel and the first mounting, the fastening assembly being secured to the first mounting vertically above the heel and comprising on the one hand means for fixing the heel and on the other hand, forwards, a rear guide piece having a bore of suitable shape to allow insertion of the shank and in alignment with the guide means of the central zone of the first mounting. This fastening assembly, rigidly linked to the first mounting, allows to come firmly attach the heel, and thus also ensure a rigid and reliable connection of the heel with the first mounting. The rear guide piece, integral with this assembly, receives without play the shank and is thus linked without games to other guide pieces by said shank. And since this rear guide piece is rigidly connected to the rear portion of the first mounting, this results in good rigidity between the heel and the rear and central parts of the first mounting, as the shank is in place.

Preferably, the fixing assembly comprises:

- A base insert extending substantially in the plane of the rear portion of the first mounting, at least partially covering said rear portion, and integrating the rear guide piece, and

a base located under said rear part, rigidly assembled with the base insert by sandwiching between them the first mounting, and carrying the heel fixing means.

This embodiment makes it possible to easily and rigidly assemble the fastening assembly on the first mounting, while also participating in the proper maintenance of the rear of the rod with the first mounting by tightening the lower edge of this rod between the first mounting and the edge of the base, as will be seen later.

To be fixed under the rear part of the first mounting, the heel comprises locking means for maintaining the assembly with the first mounting and unlocking means to be able to separate the bead of the first mounting.

Preferably, the shank is connected to the heel by a pivot connection having an axis perpendicular to the longitudinal direction and located towards the front of the heel, the pivot connection being arranged so that, after the shank is inserted into the guide means of the first of mounting, the heel can pivot towards the rear part of the first mounting to be pressed under this rear part and to anchor simultaneously, directly or following a complementary sliding, thanks to the locking means, while immobilizing a rear end portion of the shank with respect to the heel.

According to a particular provision to ensure this immobilization between heel and shank when anchoring the heel under the first mounting, the shank comprises a front elongated portion configured to engage with said guide means, and the rear end portion the shank is formed of a tongue which extends rearwardly from the axis of the pivot and which is arranged so that said tongue is locked between the heel and the rear part of the first mounting when the anchoring the heel on said rear portion.

According to a particular embodiment, the locking of the heel on the first mounting takes place, as indicated above, directly when the heel is pivoted backwards and upwards after insertion of the shank into the guide means of the first mounting. It virtually results that this locking can be done automatically by simply pressing the heel on the floor, simply under the weight of the person using the shoe. In addition, as will be seen later, as a result of the immobilization of the heel on the rear end of the shank, any games, which may appear when using the shoe, between the heel, the shank and the first mounting, are automatically compensated by the catch-up effect and complementary locking simply obtained by the weight of the user pressing on the heel.

According to a particular arrangement, the fastening means comprise at least one pin integral with the fastening assembly and extending downwards, and the bead comprises at least one pivoting locking plate associated with said pin, the locking plate extending in a direction transverse to that of the pin and being biased towards a base position by elastic return means, the locking plate having a hole passing the pin and being arranged to co-operate in abutment on the pin when said locking plate is inserted on the pin following the pivoting of the heel towards the rear part of the first mounting. Furthermore, the heel comprises an unlocking pusher for pivoting the locking plate against the elastic return means and release accordingly the pin of its engagement in abutment with the locking plate.

This method of assembling and locking the heel on the shoe is particularly simple and allows the establishment and locking by a simple support on the back of the shoe after setting up the heel by inserting the shank in the guiding means, as indicated above. In addition, if a game tends to be created during use, it is automatically compensated as soon as the sole effort resulting from the weight of the person on the back of the shoe tends to bring the heel and the first mounting. To further improve this clearance, a compression membrane of compressible material is preferably placed between the fixing assembly and the heel. By its elastic compressibility, this membrane guarantees the absence of play, while adapting to small deformations that can occur between the heel and the first assembly. In addition it also ensures a damping effect between the heel and the first mounting.

Advantageously, the shank is pivotally mounted on a binding plate attached to the heel, with a set predetermined at the pivot axis in the vertical and longitudinal directions, the rear tab of the shank cooperating with the attachment plate according to an oblique bearing plane and the area of the front portion of the shank located at the piece of rear guide having a skew in the opposite direction to that of the tongue, in an arrangement adapted to ensure a clearances between the shanks and the rear guide piece. In combination with the compressibility of the compression membrane, this arrangement makes it possible to compensate for complementary play between the heel and the fixing assembly, as will be explained later. According to another embodiment, the heel is connected to the first mounting by a sliding guide system of the current type, for example dovetail, and a lock ensures the immobilization of the heel after assembly. The locking of the heel on the first mounting then takes place, after the heel has been pivoted backwards and upwards after insertion of the shank in the guide means of the first mounting, by a sliding of the heel to the front, the heel being then slidably guided substantially parallel to the first mounting by the guide system.

Other features and advantages will become apparent in the description that will be made of an interchangeable high-heeled women's shoe according to the invention, as well as various variants.

Reference is made to the accompanying drawings in which: - Figure 1 is a side view of a shoe according to the invention, FIG. 2 is a perspective view of the shoe, without the upper,

FIG. 3 is a view with partial longitudinal section of the boot,

FIG. 4 is a sectional view along the line

IV-IV of Figure 3,

FIG. 5 is a sectional view along line V-V of FIG. 3,

FIG. 6 is a sectional view along the line VI-VI of FIG. 3;

- Figure 7 is a partial view from below, in perspective, without the heel, in the case of a first embodiment of the assembly of the heel on the first mounting with interlocking locking,

FIG. 8 is a perspective view from above of the sole bead and shank, in this first embodiment,

- Figure 9 is a partial view from below, in perspective, with the heel in place, but having removed from the drawing the body of the heel for mounting the locking means by buttressing,

FIG. 10 illustrates the beginning of the operation of placing the heel, by inserting the shank in the guiding means,

FIG. 11 illustrates the phase of pivoting of the heel after insertion of the shank in the guiding means,

FIG. 12 is a detail view in section along a longitudinal plane showing the pivot connection of the shank on the heel and the connection and locking of the heel on the first mounting,

FIG. 13 is a corresponding view, in cross-section,

FIG. 14 illustrates the unlocking of the heel, FIGS. 15 to 17 illustrate three possible variants of the attachment and locking means by buttressing the heel, and unlocking means,

FIG. 18 is a perspective view in longitudinal section of a second embodiment of the connection of the heel with the first assembly, by a sliding assembly,

Fig. 19 is a cross-sectional view at the latch, showing the dovetail guide of the heel of this second embodiment;

Figures 20 to 25 illustrate the successive phases of the mounting of the heel in the case of this second embodiment,

Figures 26 and 27 illustrate a complementary variant of the fixing and locking means in the case of the first embodiment.

The shoe shown in FIGS. 1 and 3 comprises a mounting first 1 on which the heel 2 and the rod 10 are fixed, and a sole 9 fixed below the first mounting, comprising a front portion 91 covering the front portion 11 of the first mounting and intended to come into contact on the ground, and a rear portion 92 to cover a central portion 12 of the first mounting, located between the front portion 11 and the heel 2.

Figure 4 shows the assembly of the front portion 10a of the rod with the first mounting 1, the edges 101 of the rod being folded and glued under the front portion 11 of the first mounting and the sole 9 covering all by below, so that the edges 101 are inserted between the first mounting and the front portion 91 of the sole 9.

In the central part, shown in section 5, the edges 101 of the central portion 10b of the rod are folded under the casing 6, integral with the central portion 12 of the first mounting and covering the guide parts 51, which are described in more detail later. The rear portion 92 of the sole covers the casing 6 and the edges 101 of the rod.

In the rear portion, at the heel, shown in section 6, the edges 101 of the rear portion 10c of the rod are folded under the rear portion 13 of the first mounting, and held therebetween and a base 31 , secured to the first mounting and intended to receive the heel 2, as will be explained later.

As can be seen in FIGS. 1 and 5, the central portion 92 of the sole forms only a slight extra thickness 921 under the boot, with respect to the edges of said sole, this excess thickness 921 only existing in the longitudinally portion. median of the shoe, and therefore virtually invisible in common use of the shoe, which preserves the aesthetic appearance of the shoe. It will be noted further, as seen in Figures 1 and 3, that the upper edge 210 of the heel directly adjoins the rod 10c, also participating in the overall aesthetics of the shoe.

The first mounting 1 is typically made of one or more plates of different thicknesses bonded together, having in the rear portion 13 a cutout arranged to receive a fixing assembly 3 comprising a base 31 and a base insert 32, only the latter being visible in Figure 2 where the shoe is shown without the rod or the first cleanliness. The base insert 32 is flush with the upper face of the first mounting. The plates forming the first mounting can be made of cellulosic material, leather, textile, and also in technical materials such as polypropylene. This plate assembly is relatively flexible, similar in this a classic assembly first before the shank is fixed there.

As seen in Figures 8 and 12 to 14, the heel 2 comprises a body 21 of external shape determined according to the desired style, and a fixing plate 22 is fixed on an upper face of the heel, for example by screws. The fixing plate 22 is intended to bear against the lower face 311 of the base 31, with the interposition of a compression membrane 23 bonded to the fixing plate, or on said base. Furthermore, it receives, pivotally mounted along the axis A perpendicular to the longitudinal direction of the shoe, a shank 4 whose front portion 45, in front of the axis A, has an elongated and curved shape, the curvature of the shank being determined to create the camber of the shoe, depending on the height of the heel and the size of the shoe. The shank 4 has a rectangular cross section, of greater width than the height. Its pivot axis is constituted for example by a mechanical pin 42 secured in bosses 221 formed on the fixing plate 22. As seen in Figure 12, the bore 41 of the shank traversed by the pin 42 has a diameter substantially greater than that of the pin, to provide a game typically of the order of 0.5 to 1 mm, allowing translations of the shank relative to the fixing plate in the plane orthogonal to the axis A. The shank 4 further comprises a tongue-shaped rear portion 43, which extends rearwardly from the axis A and whose lower face 431 has a slope, with respect to the overall longitudinal direction of the shank, adapted to cooperate in contact with a bearing zone 222 of similar slope formed on the fixing plate 22. The zone 46 of the front part of the shank close to the axis A thickens in the direction of the axis so as to also have a slope 461, inclined opposite that of the tongue 43.

The central portion 12 of the first mounting receives shank guide means 4, formed by several guide pieces 51, four in the example shown, pierced in their central portion by rectangular holes 511 of the same dimensions as the section of the shank. The guide pieces are rigid parts made for example of plastic or metal, in particular stainless steel or aluminum. They can be made either in the form of a thick piece or in folded sheet metal part. The guide pieces extend transversely over a large part of the first mounting so as to rigidify the latter transversely, and are fixed under the first mounting 1 at a distance from one another, for example by gluing.

The base insert 32 is fixed by screws on the base 31 by clamping together the first mounting. Note that the base comprises on its sides and its rear edge a recess 313 forming between the base and the first mounting a groove adapted to receive the extra thickness formed by the lower edge 101 of the rear portion 10c of the rod, comprising leather, lining and buttress, and to pinch the assembly in order to maintain the connection between the first mounting and the rod.

The base insert 32 has on its front edge a rear guide piece 321 in which a rectangular bore 322 is formed, in alignment with the holes 511 of the four guide pieces 51, to receive the shank 4. It will be noted that the the height of the bore 322 of this rear guide piece is greater than that of the other guide pieces, for be adapted to the upper height of the shank in the thickened zone 46 having the slope 461.

The base insert 32 consists of a folded sheet metal plate 1.5 mm thick, or a part 1.5 mm thick on the flat part and 3 mm at the level of the rear guide piece 321, made of plastic or metal, in particular stainless steel or aluminum. The base 31 is a thick piece made of plastic or metal such as aluminum, and whose edges 312 are chamfered at an inclination corresponding to that of a complementary chamfer 211 made on the upper edge 210 of the body of the heel 21 , so as to allow contact and centering between these parts even in case of wear.

The set of guide pieces 51 and the rear guide piece 321 can receive a guide 512 consisting for example of a thin and flexible piece, formed of a strip or metal foil folded on itself, as shown in FIG. , or plastic, which is positioned within the various holes of the guide pieces and which then serves as a guide facilitating the insertion of the shank in the sequence of guide pieces.

Furthermore, a casing 6 made of flexible material, for example polyurethane, is secured under the first mounting by gluing or molding directly in contact therewith, and covers all the guide parts 51 and 321, leaving a free passage for inserting the shank 4 into said guide pieces. The envelope 6 thus completes the spaces between the different guide pieces to complete the maintenance of the sole structure. It also makes it possible to stick the edges 101 of the rod, as shown in Figure 5. Depending on the hardness of the selected material, it is possible to adjust the flexibility or rigidity of the first mounting. This envelope 6 can be achieved by various methods such as injection or casting around the rest of the assembly. The guide 512 mentioned above can be integrated or not.

The fixing and locking means of the heel on the first mounting comprise, firstly, two cylindrical pins 71 rigidly fixed to the fixing assembly 3 by means of screws 72 ensuring the connection of said pins directly with the insert of base 32 and, secondly, in the heel, two pivoting locking plates 73 respectively associated with each pin, and arranged to engage in abutment on the pins when the heel is brought into contact under the base 31 of the fixing assembly. To this end, oblong holes 223 are formed in the fixing plate 22 facing the pins 71 to allow their insertion into the heel and each rectangular locking plate 73 is pivotally mounted at one end in a housing 212 formed in the body 21 of the heel, and is held there by a first boss 224, formed from the fixing plate 22 and the end holding in position in said housing the projecting ends of the pivot axis 732 of the locking plate. Moreover, each locking plate 73 has towards its other end a bore 731 with a diameter slightly greater than that of the pin 71. The locking plate 73 is arranged so that its bore 731 is in axial alignment with the associated pin, and a spring 74 pushes it upwards, in a base position in abutment with a second boss 225 formed on the fixing plate. Note that the body 21 of the heel, typically made of plastic material, can have a multiplicity of shapes, depending on the desired heel height and aesthetics. On the other hand, the internal shapes and the arrangement of the locking members are the same for all the heels likely to be adapted on the same shoe.

When pivoting the heel to the base, the pins 71 fit into the heel 2 through the holes 223 of the fixing plate 22 and engage in the holes 731 of the locking plates 73 after rotating these latest. The small thickness of the locking plates and the small clearance existing between the holes thereof and the pins lead to the fact that, under the effect of the springs 74, the locking plates 73 are arched on the pins 71 and lock them in position.

In order to ensure an effective arcbouting effect and to preserve it in time, the pins and the locking plates are made of a hard material, such as treated stainless steel, avoiding that the surface of the pions and the edges platelets in contact with the pions are deteriorated after many manipulations.

An unlocking button 8 slidably mounted back and forth in the bead body 21 and biased by a spring 81, has two inclined teeth 82 arranged to press the locking plates 73 to pivot them downward, as shown in FIG. 10, against the springs 74, when the button is pressed. This pivoting of the locking plates 73 makes it possible to disengage them from the abutment with the pins 71, and thus to remove the bead by pivoting it downwards away from the fixing assembly.

We will now describe the implementation of the system for the introduction of a heel on the shoe, illustrated in Figures 10 and 11.

This installation of the heel begins with the insertion of the shank 4 in the holes 322, 511 provided for this purpose in the guiding parts 321, 51. its passage in these guide parts, the shank comes impose its shape by imposing a deformation to the first mounting 1. This deformation is facilitated by the guide 512, between the sides of which the shank can slide without risk of abutting against one of the parts guidance.

When the heel comes into abutment, simply turn the heel around the axis A of the shank to bring it in the locked position under the rear part of the first mounting, the locking being performed automatically by the game the arcbout latch system.

It will be noted that the compression membrane 23, of elastically deformable thermoplastic material, or of rubber, is intended in particular to allow a flexible contact between the base 31 and the fixing plate 22 of the heel and thus makes it possible to absorb a portion of energy during the impact of the heel against the ground.

It further allows, depending on the operation of the user and wear, to compress and thus reduce the distance between the base 31 and the fixing plate 22; in this respect, it constitutes a key element of the mechanism for reducing play which makes it possible to compensate for the inevitable dimensional dispersions during the industrial production of the parts as well as the various games that may result from the natural wear of the locking members, and which could lead to poor stabilization of the foot and consequently a negative impact on comfort when walking.

This game reduction system is explained below, in connection with FIG. 12.

Keeping the heel in position relative to the first locking is in fact the combination of: plane-to-plane contact between the base 31 and the fixing plate 22, with the interposition of the compression membrane 23,

conical centering of the base 31 in the upper part of the body of the heel 21 thanks to the chamfers 312,

211

- Engagement of the thickened portion 46 of the shank 4 in the bore 322 of the guide piece 321 formed integrally with the base insert 32

- Locking pins 71, integral with the base

31 and the base insert 32, in the locking plates 73 connected to the body 21 of the heel by the boss 224.

The game reduction system therefore aims to compensate for the risks of games that the combination of these different means may entail. It acts as follows: when the heel is pivotally brought into its normal position under the rear portion of the first mounting, it is supported by the bearing zone 222 on the lower face 431 of the tongue 43, tightening it against the base 31. Thanks to the vertical clearance between the shank 4 and the pin 42 acting as pivot axis, this clamping can be performed without being upset by said pin. Moreover, because of the obliqueness of the contacting surfaces 431, 222, this clamping has a pushing effect of the shank forward, which ensures the insertion of the thickened portion 46 and bevel shank in the hole 322 from the rear guide piece 321, up to the complete stop of the shank in this guide piece. This forward movement of the shank is also authorized thanks to the horizontal clearance between the shank and the pin 42. This movement is admittedly limited but sufficient to ensure a perfect blocking of the shank in the rear guide piece 321, and therefore with respect to the first of assembly. Moreover, this displacement also leads to a corresponding displacement of the upward fixing plate, but because of the small slope of the contacting surfaces 431, 422, this vertical displacement remains low, and compensated by compression of the compression membrane 23, so as to always ensure a good plane contact between the fixing plate and the base via said compression membrane. Locking in position is always perfectly ensured by the arcbout locking system, which allows locking precisely in any relative position between the locking plates and the pins. Note also that this game reduction system not only acts at the time of setting up the heel, but also later, in use, as soon as a game appears, since it is automatically put into play soon that the heel can be closer to the base, if only slightly, by the clamping force provided by the support of the foot when walking.

As indicated above, the disassembly of the heel is effected simply by pressing the unlocking button 8 which pivots the locking plates 73 downward, thus releasing the pins from their arcboutement and allowing the pivoting of the heel downwards. As soon as the pins are released from the holes 223 of the attachment plate, the heel and the shank can be removed by sliding behind the shoe.

The locking system described above by way of example is not limiting of the invention. It is possible, for example, to use systems that also use the principle of an arc lock but in other configurations, such as for example those represented in FIGS. 15 to 17.

The system shown in FIG. 15 uses a single pin 71a and a single locking plate 73a extending this time in the longitudinal direction, the unlocking being also controlled by a slider 8a slidable arranged to rotate the locking plate against a return spring, not shown.

The system shown in FIG. 16 uses two pins and two locking plates 73b extending in the longitudinal direction, the unlocking being also controlled by a sliding pusher 8b acting simultaneously on the two locking plates.

The system shown in FIG. 17 also uses a single pin and a single locking plate 73c also extending in the longitudinal direction but arranged with its axis of pivot towards the rear, the unlocking being here controlled by a pivoting lever 8c.

Yet another locking system is shown in FIGS. 26 and 27. In this case, the locking is no longer ensured by an arcbouting system as in the preceding examples, but by a sliding hook 73d mounted in the sliding heel parallel to the first one. of mounting and recalled by a spring, the hook 73d engaging with a locking plate 71d fixed under the base 31.

A second embodiment of the invention, as well as its implementation, is illustrated in FIGS. 18 to 25. In this second embodiment, the connection of the heel with the first mounting is carried out, after insertion of the shank into the guiding means, by a sliding of the heel from front to back in a slide arranged on the base of the fixing assembly, and a locking end sliding stroke.

The base 31 'comprises a slide 24, for example a dovetail, extending parallel to the plane of the rear portion 13 of the first mounting 1, and the heel 2 comprises a slider 25 adapted to slide in the slide. The locking of the heel is ensured by the engagement of a latch 75, guided sliding vertically in the heel, with corresponding notches 76 arranged on the lower face of the base 31 '. The latch 75 is pressed to the notches 76 by a spring 77 and an unlocking pusher 85 is arranged to be able to move the latch down by a bevel system 86, or other equivalent system, and disengage it with the notches 76.

Furthermore, the shank is pivotally mounted on the heel by a mechanical pin 42 inserted into a longitudinal slot 47 formed in the shank. As will be seen later, this light 47 allows in particular to insert the shank in the guide means of the first mounting without having to simultaneously exert a force to align the slider 25 of the heel in the slide 24 of the base. Indeed, because of the constraints necessary to adapt the camber of the shoe to the curvature of the shank 4, it would be difficult to ensure both, at least at the end of the race, penetration of the shank in the guide means according to a Curved trajectory and the sliding of the heel along a rectilinear trajectory. The light 47 thus makes it possible to insert the shank completely first by pushing it in position close to the stop by means of the heel, then to bring the heel backwards in order to bring it pivotally into alignment with the slide, and finally to slide in it until come abutting by the pin at the end of the light, thus ensuring the locking of the shank, and finally lock the heel in position on the base.

The successive phases of the mounting of the heel are illustrated in FIGS. 20 to 25. In the first place, as illustrated in FIG. 20, the shank 4, pivoted with respect to the heel 2, is brought under the base 31 ', then the end of the shank is inserted into the rear guide piece 321 (Figure 21). The shank is then pushed by means of the heel 2 through the rear guide piece 321 and the other guide pieces 51 secured to the first mounting, the shape of the heel allowing a grip to exercise the necessary effort to adapting the curvature of the first mounting to that of the shank, this force being transmitted from the heel to the shank by the abutment of the pin 42 at the end of the slot 47, as shown in Figure 22.

The shank being then in the position close to the stop, and already held in the guide pieces, the heel is moved backwards (FIG. 23) and then pivoted to bring it under the base 31 ', in alignment with the slide 24, as shown in FIG.

The heel 2 is then slid forward again until it stops and locks by engaging the latch 75 with the notches 76 of the base (FIG. 25). Note that, in doing so, the pin 42, returned to light bottom 47, pushed the shank in the final stop position and holding in this position. In addition, the rear portion 43 of the shank, which has an inclined lower face 431, bears against a corresponding inclined face 222 'of the heel, which provides, as a result of the movement of the heel forward, at the end of the race. , a wedge effect tending to remove the games between the rear portion 43 of the shank, the heel and 1 'base.

To remove the heel, simply press the unlocking button 85, which then moves the lock 75 down and the disengage notches 76, to allow the sliding of the heel rearward and its withdrawal, and that shank, shoe. The invention is not limited to the embodiments described above solely by way of examples. In particular, the fixing assembly 3 could be made differently, for example in a single piece combining the functions of the base, the base insert and the rear guide piece, the assembly then being rigidly connected. at the first mounting by any suitable fastening means, for example by gluing. Also, as indicated above, the individualized guide parts of the example described above may be replaced by equivalent guiding and holding means integrated in the flexible envelope, as well as the guide, the guide pieces or other sufficiently rigid guiding means and / or the guide, of small thickness to allow its deformation according to the various cambrures, may be made in one piece by injection molding for example of plastic.

Claims

1. Removable heel shoe comprising

a first mounting (1) and a rod (10) fixed to the first mounting, the first mounting having a central portion (12) flexible to adapt its camber to the height of the heel,

a removable heel (2), arranged to be fixed under a rear part (13) of the first mounting and to form with said rear part (13) a rigid separable joint,

- a sole (9) fixed under the first mounting in front of the heel, to cover a front portion (11) of the first mounting and having a rear portion (92) for covering a central portion (12) of the first of mounting, located between the front part and the heel,

the heel being furthermore linked to a shank (4) extending in a longitudinal direction of the first mounting and engaging without any substantial clearance transversely to said longitudinal direction with guiding and holding means (51, 321) located in said central portion (12) and integral with the first mounting, the shank having a predetermined longitudinal profile so as to adapt the camber of the first mounting in said central portion according to the height of the heel,

said guiding and holding means being embedded in an envelope (6) of flexible material integrally bonded to the first mounting and leaving a free passage for the insertion of the shank (4) in said guiding means,

said guiding and holding means and said casing being concealed by the rear part (92) of the sole.

2. Shoe according to claim 1, characterized in that the guide means receiving the front portion of the shank comprise a plurality of guide pieces (51, 321) integral with the first mounting and distributed in the longitudinal direction being spaced l one of the other, each guide piece having a bore (511, 322) of suitable shape to allow insertion without play of the shank (4).

Shoe according to claim 2, characterized in that each of the guide pieces (51, 321) extends transversely to the longitudinal direction over a major part of the width of the first mounting (1).

4. Shoe according to claim 2 or 3, characterized in that a guide (512) connects the bores (511, 322) of the different guide parts of the first mounting, the guide determining a passage of internal shape corresponding to the shape of the section of the shank (4), and having sufficient flexibility to adapt to different curvatures of the first assembly.

5. Shoe according to claim 4, characterized in that the guide (512) and the guide pieces (51, 321) are made of a single piece of plastic material.

6. Shoe according to claim 4, characterized in that the guide parts are made of plastic material overmolded on the guide by injection.

7. Shoe according to any one of claims 4 to 6, characterized in that the envelope of flexible material is overmolded on the guide parts and the guide.

8. Shoe according to claim 1, characterized in that said guiding and holding means comprise a guide integrated in said casing, for example by overmolding the casing on said guide, for guiding the shank.

9. Shoe according to claim 1, characterized in that the rear portion (13) of the first mounting comprises a fixing assembly (3) for fixing the heel, the fixing assembly being secured to the first mounting to the a heel and comprising on the one hand means (71; 24, 25) for fixing the heel and on the other hand, forwards, a rear guide piece (321) having a bore (322) of shape adapted to allow insertion of the shank and in alignment with the guide means (51) of the central zone (12) of the first mounting.

10. Shoe according to claim 9, characterized in that the fastening assembly (3) comprises

- a base insert (32) extending substantially in the plane of the rear portion (11) of the first mounting, at least partially covering said rear portion, and integrating the rear guide piece (321), and

a base (31) located under said rear part, rigidly assembled with the base insert by clamping together the first mounting, and carrying the means (71; 24,25) for fixing the heel.

11. Shoe according to claim 9, characterized in that the shank (4) is connected to the heel (2) by a pivot connection having an axis (A) located towards the front of the heel, the pivot connection being arranged so that, after the shank (4) is inserted into the guide means (51, 321) of the first mounting, the heel can pivot towards the rear part of the first mounting until 'to be pressed under this rear part and to anchor, directly following the pivoting or following a complementary sliding, thanks to the locking means (71, 73; 75, 76), while immobilizing a rear end part ( 43) of the shank relative to the heel.

12. Shoe according to claim 9, characterized in that the rear end portion of the shank is formed of a tongue (43) which extends rearwardly from the axis (A) of the pivot and which is arranged so that said tongue is locked between the heel and the rear portion of the first mounting during the anchoring of the heel on said rear portion.

13. Shoe according to claim 9, characterized in that the fixing means comprise at least one pin (71) integral with the fixing assembly (3) and extending downwards and the heel comprises at least one plate of pivoting lock (73) associated with said pin, the locking plate extending in a direction transverse to that of the pin and being biased towards a base position by elastic return means (74), the locking plate having a hole ( 731) for passing the pin and being arranged to co-operate in abutment on the pin when said locking plate is inserted on the pin following the pivoting of the heel towards the rear part of the first mounting.

14. Shoe according to claim 13, characterized in that a compression membrane (23) in compressible material is located between the fastening assembly (3) and the heel (2).

15. Shoe according to claim 12, characterized in that the shank (4) is pivotally mounted on a fixing plate (22) connected to the heel, with a predetermined play at the pivot axis ((A), the rear tongue (43) of the shank cooperating with the fixing plate (22) in an oblique bearing plane (222, 431) and the region (46) of the front part (45) of the shank located at the level of the rear guide (321) having a skew (461) in the opposite direction to that of the tongue, in an arrangement adapted to ensure a clearance clearance between the shank (4) and the rear guide piece, to ensure a clearance of play between the heel and the attachment assembly.

16. Shoe according to claim 12, characterized in that the heel (2) is connected to the first mounting (1) by a sliding guide system (24, 25), and a lock (75) ensures the immobilization of the heel relative to the first assembly after assembly.