EP3267829B1 - Shoe provided with removable soles - Google Patents

Description

Object of the invention

The present invention relates to a low-heeled shoe that can be quickly converted into a high-heeled shoe and vice versa, through a system of removable insoles.

State of the art

In the field of footwear, there is a large number of patents relating to shoes having interchangeable heels so as to convert a low-heeled shoe into a high-heeled shoe.

The patent US 5,675,916 describes a shoe with interchangeable heels in which the heel is screwed into the rear part of the shoe.

However, in these prior patents, the end of the heel of the shoe is provided with mounting means on which the heels of different heights can be attached.

In addition to the lack of aesthetics of the shoe due to the presence of these fastening means, such a device has the following functional problem. When we go from a low heel to a high heel (or vice versa), it does not take into account the change of curvature of the shoe that must adapt to the curvature of the foot. This is particularly problematic for closed and rigid shoes.

Indeed, when we go from a low heel where the grip is optimal to a high heel, the shoe will tilt forward, the grip is no longer optimal at the front of the shoe. Conversely, when you go from a high heel where the grip is optimal to a low heel, the shoe will tilt by straightening the front of the shoe, making it curve. In both cases, the adhesion to the ground is not optimal for at least one position of the heel either high or low.

The patent US5,347,730 proposed a solution to this problem. It refers to a device able to convert a low-heeled shoe into a high-heeled shoe. In this device, the low heel is permanently attached to the shoe and has attachment means to a removable high heel. This document discloses an extensible band incorporated in the sole of the shoe which, when the shoe is modified between a high and low heel, can be manually adjusted by bending the sole at a low or high heel level so that the upper maintains the shape of the shoe corresponding to the state of the heel either high or low.

The patent application US 2014/0215852 A1 offers a comfortable low-heel shoe whose flexible leather sole allows flexion of the shoe and has a reinforcement at the bending point to support the wearer's arch. The heel has a fastening system complementary to that of a removable high heel.

The patent application US2014 / 0137436 also offers a high heel shoe with exchangeable walking soles.

Finally, if it is necessary to be able to adapt the shape of the stem and the sole in contact with the sole of the foot to the curvature, depending on the height of the heel, in the case of high heel, it is also essential to maintain a significant stiffness of the sole to avoid a rotation of the heel relative to the vertical. The prior art does not solve both imperatives simultaneously.

Goals of the invention

The present invention aims to provide a shoe for moving from a low heel to a high heel without the disadvantages of the state of the art.

The shoe of the invention has the technical characteristics to adapt the curvature of the shoe to the curvature of the foot when moving from a low heel to a high heel or vice versa ensuring a good grip on the ground and respect the morphology of the foot regardless of the height of the heel.

The shoe of the invention must also allow sufficient support of the arch and avoid rotation of the heel.

Main characteristic elements of the invention

• une semelle souple comprenant un moyen de fixation à l'avant de la semelle souple et un moyen de fixation à l'arrière de la semelle souple ainsi qu'une tige; et
• au moins une première semelle de marche rigide interchangeable avec une seconde semelle de marche rigide, la seconde semelle de marche rigide ayant un talon de hauteur différente de celui de la première semelle de marche rigide, chaque semelle de marche rigide s'étendant sur toute la longueur du pied et comprenant un moyen de fixation à l'avant de la semelle rigide complémentaire du moyen de fixation à l'avant de la semelle souple et un moyen de fixation à l'arrière de la semelle rigide complémentaire du moyen de fixation à l'arrière de la semelle souple, au moins une des semelles de marche rigide comprenant un talon d'au moins 3 cm de haut, de préférence d'au moins 5 cm de haut.

A first aspect of the present invention relates to a shoe adaptable in height comprising:

• a flexible sole comprising a fixing means at the front of the flexible sole and a fixing means at the rear of the flexible sole and a rod; and
• at least one rigid first outsole interchangeable with a second rigid outsole, the second rigid outsole having a heel height different from that of the first outsole rigid, each outsole rigid extending over the entire length of the foot and comprising a fixing means at the front of the rigid sole complementary to the fastening means at the front of the flexible sole and a fixing means at the rear of the rigid soleplate complementary to the fastening means to the rear of the flexible sole, at least one of the rigid walking soles comprising a heel at least 3 cm high, preferably at least 5 cm high.

• au moins une des semelles de marche rigides comprend un cambrion, comprenant de préférence un matériau sélectionné parmi le groupe consistant en métal, bois et résine thermo durcie de préférence renforcée par des fibres, de préférence de verre ou de carbone ;
• la première semelle de marche rigide présente une cambrure différente de celle de la seconde semelle de marche rigide ;
• la semelle souple comporte en outre un moyen de fixation essentiellement au milieu de la semelle et la semelle de marche rigide comprend un moyen de fixation essentiellement au milieu de la semelle rigide complémentaire du moyen de fixation essentiellement au milieu de la semelle souple. De préférence, ces moyens de fixation essentiellement au milieu de la semelle sont, de manière interchangeable, une fixation mâle apte à coulisser dans une gouttière complémentaire. De plus, ils s'étendent sur 5 à 80% de la longueur de la semelle, de préférence sur 10 à 50%;
• les moyens de fixation de la semelle souple et les moyens de fixation des semelles de marche rigides comportent en outre un élément de jonction apte à relier les moyens de fixation correspondant entre eux ;
• le moyen de fixation à l'avant de la semelle souple est une bordure mâle en périphérie de la semelle souple apte à se glisser dans une encoche femelle du moyen de fixation à l'avant de la semelle rigide. De préférence, la bordure mâle et son complément encoche femelle s'étendent sur au moins 5 cm de l'avant de la semelle ;
• le moyen de fixation à l'arrière de la semelle souple et le moyen de fixation à l'arrière de la semelle rigide sont un système d'emboîtage élastique complémentaire par clips ;
• l'épaisseur de la semelle souple est comprise entre 1 et 10 mm ;
• l'épaisseur de la semelle de marche rigide est comprise entre 1 et 150 mm ;
• la semelle souple est une semelle orthopédique
• la chaussure comporte en outre une semelle de protection ou une semelle orthopédique ;
• la chaussure est fermée et la tige comporte de préférence un élément expansible à un point de pivot entre la partie de la semelle rigide adhérant au sol et la partie s'en détachant ;
• les semelles de marche rigides comprennent de préférence des éléments de tige partiels, de préférence à l'arrière, de façon à apporter un maintien plus important du talon, et éventuellement de la cheville.

Preferred embodiments of the invention further comprise in combination one or more of the following features:

• at least one of the rigid walking shoes comprises a shank, preferably comprising a material selected from the group consisting of metal, wood and thermosetting resin preferably reinforced with fibers, preferably glass or carbon;
• the first rigid walking sole has a camber different from that of the second rigid walking sole;
• the flexible sole further comprises a fastening means substantially in the middle of the sole and the rigid running sole comprises a fastening means essentially in the middle of the rigid sole complementary to the fastening means essentially in the middle of the flexible sole. Preferably, these fastening means essentially in the middle of the soleplate are, interchangeably, a male fastener capable of sliding in a complementary gutter. In addition, they extend over 5 to 80% of the length of the sole, preferably from 10 to 50%;
• the fastening means of the flexible sole and the fixing means of the rigid step insoles further comprise a connecting element adapted to connect the fastening means corresponding to each other;
• the fastening means at the front of the flexible sole is a male edge at the periphery of the flexible soleplate capable of sliding in a female notch of the fastening means at the front of the rigid soleplate. Preferably, the male edge and its female notch complement extend at least 5 cm from the front of the sole;
• the attachment means at the rear of the flexible sole and the fastening means at the rear of the rigid sole are a complementary elastic locking system by clips;
• the thickness of the flexible sole is between 1 and 10 mm;
• the thickness of the stiff running sole is between 1 and 150 mm;
• the flexible sole is an orthopedic insole
• the shoe further comprises a protective sole or an orthopedic sole;
• the boot is closed and the upper preferably comprises an expandable member at a pivot point between the portion of the rigid sole adhering to the ground and the detaching portion;
• the rigid walking soles preferably comprise partial rod elements, preferably at the rear, so as to provide greater support for the heel, and possibly the ankle.

Brief description of the figures

• The figure 1 represents open shoe profile views according to the invention in which a flexible sole comprising the rod is combined with a rigid running sole comprising alternately a high heel ( Figure 1A ) or low ( Figure 1B ).
• The Figure 2A represents a view from above of a shoe of the invention in which the rod is not shown. The soles are fixed to one another by means of complementary fastening means located at the front of the sole and at the rear. A sectional view along the axis AA is shown in FIG. Figure 2B .
• The figure 3A represents a top view of a flexible sole according to the invention comprising fastening means at the front and rear of the sole. A sectional view along the axis BB is shown in FIG. figure 3B .
• The Figure 4A represents a top view of a rigid tread according to the invention comprising fastening means at the front and rear of the sole. A sectional view along the axis CC is shown in FIG. Figure 4B .
• The Figure 5A represents a view from above of a shoe of the invention in which the rod is not shown. The soles are fixed to each other by means of fastening means in the front, in the middle and at the rear of the sole. A sectional view along the axis DD is shown in FIG. Figure 5B and a sectional view along the axis D'-D 'is presented at Figure 5A .
• The Figure 6A represents a top view of a flexible sole according to the invention comprising fastening means at the front, in the middle and at the rear of the sole. A sectional view along the EE axis is shown in FIG. Figure 6B .
• The Figure 7A represents a top view of a rigid walking shoe according to the invention comprising fastening means at the front, in the middle and at the rear of the sole. A sectional view along the FF axis is shown in FIG. Figure 7B .
• The figure 8 represents closed shoe-type footwear profile views according to the invention. The rod has an elastic element at the bend of the shoe. The flexible sole comprising the upper is combined with a rigid running sole comprising alternately a high heel (top figure) or a low heel (bottom figure).

Detailed description of the invention Definitions

The sole consists of the different elements that are between the foot and the ground.

By "essentially in the middle" we mean in the present invention a central zone, included in the arch of the shoe, in the zone normally off contact with the ground, situated between the heel at the rear and the front zone of contact with the shoe. floor.

The "outsole" is the part in contact with the ground. It is conventionally fixed according to the case to the first mounting (welded), the midsole or directly to the rod (mounting moccasin). In the context of the invention, the walking sole corresponds to the rigid running sole. It is removably attached to the first mounting. By "rigid" is meant that the sole is made of a material conferring a certain rigidity as opposed to a flexible type of sole. The rigidity of a material depends on its Young's modulus. The Young's modulus (MY) is the mechanical stress that would give rise to an elongation of 100% of the initial length of a material (it would therefore double in length), if it could actually be applied. In fact, the material permanently deforms, or breaks, well before this value is reached. A material whose Young's modulus is very high is said to be rigid. Steel (MY = 200 Gpa or gigapascal), diamond (MY = 1000 Gpa), are very rigid materials, wood (oak MY = 12 Gpa) is less so. Plastics and organic materials, foams are generally not rigid, they are said to be flexible, elastic or flexible (for a bending effort). The rigid running sole is preferably made of a plastic or rigid composite material possibly enriched with carbon fiber to increase rigidity (Young's modulus for high strength carbon fiber = 240 Gpa). The outsole can also be made of wood.

The "first of assembly" is the part on which is mounted the stem. In the context of the invention, the first mounting corresponds to the flexible sole. The flexible sole is preferably made of a flexible material such as natural or synthetic rubber (MY between 0.007 and 0.004 Gpa), polyethylene (MY between 0.2 and 0.7 Gpa), polyurethane (including MY). between 0.002 and 0.02 Gpa).

In the context of the invention we can consider that a material is considered rigid if its Young's modulus is greater than 1 Gpa and flexible if its Young's modulus is less than 1 Gpa. Preferably, the Young's modulus of the rigid sole is greater than 5GPa. In particular, the shank preferably has a module greater than 5GPa, while the rest of the outsole has a more flexible module (for example between 1 and 5GPa).

The "sockliner" is a thin leather slat that is glued to the first fitting and is of a fine finish. She is in direct contact with the foot. The manufacturer's or retailer's mark and the shoe size are often branded. A thin layer of foam can be slid underneath to improve comfort. When it covers only the back of the shoe, it is called heel.

The "welt" is a small leather band that is sewn or glued around the perimeter of the shoe and covers the lower part of the upper for a few millimeters. It can be decorative with a fancy cut edge. In dress shoes, when not a bump to hide the junction of the stem and the sole, it is called welt bead.

The "shank" is a wooden rod (not to rust), metal or resin that keeps the curve of the camber in front of the heel. On some very tall models, this one can be very thick. It has a very important role in the comfort of the shoe.

In particular, the rigid sole of the invention must maintain the high heel perfectly vertical, to avoid twisting of the ankle, or more generally an imbalance of the user. The rigid sole must therefore both prevent torsional movements and bending movements. To do this, the rigid sole of the invention preferably comprises a shank.

The "heel" gives height to the back of the shoes.

The "good end" is the thin layer of rubber or plastic that is under the heel (for women) or the back of the heel (for men) and is intended to be changed when worn.

The "stem" is the outer part of the shoe that covers the foot. It is composed of several parts.

The "vamp" or slap is the piece of leather or fabric that is on the forefoot. The "quarters" are the inner and outer parts of the shoe.

The "baguette" is the narrow band of leather that hides, on the heel, if necessary, the seam that brings together the two neighborhoods.

"Means of closure" embellish the stem to allow foot in the shoe and then hold it in place. They therefore have a function of comfort but also aesthetic because they give each shoe a different style.

On the figure 1 are represented open shoe profile views 1 according to the invention in which a flexible sole 2 comprising a rod 10 (consisting of a upper 17 and a quarter 18) is combined alternately with a rigid tread 3, 3 'comprising a high heel 11 ( Figure 1A ) or low ( Figure 1B ). The rigid sole 3,3 'is removable and covers the entire length of the foot. It adapts perfectly to the curvature of the foot and the grip at ground level is optimal.

The Figure 2A represents a top view of a shoe of the invention according to a first embodiment. The rod is not shown so that the fastening means are visible. The soles 2, 3 are fixed to each other by means of complementary fastening means located at the front of the sole plate 4.7 and at the rear 6, 9. A sectional view along the axis AA is shown in FIG. Figure 2B .

The flexible sole 2 shown in FIG. figure 3A comprises a first fixing means at the front of the sole 4 and a first fastening means at the rear of the sole 6. A sectional view along the axis BB is shown in FIG. figure 3B .

The rigid walking sole 3 shown in FIG. Figure 4A comprises a first attachment second to the front of the sole 7 and a second fastening means at the rear of the sole 9. A sectional view along the axis CC is shown in FIG. Figure 4B .

The fastening means 4 situated at the front of the flexible sole 2 consists, for example, of a male edge 14 covering the periphery of the sole capable of sliding in a female notch 15, the second complementary fastening means 7 of the rigid sole 3 .

The complementary fastening means 6, 9 located at the rear of the flanges 2, 3 correspond, for example, to a system of elastic casing by clips. This is for example the case of a rounded element located on the flexible soleplate 2 which is able to snap into a complementary notch on the rigid tread sole 3. The fastening means 6, 9 may also include a junction element 19 connecting them to each other. An example of joining element 19 is shown on the Figure 4A and 4B . Its lower part slides in a notch of the rigid sole 3 and its upper part is clipped into a complementary notch located in the flexible sole 2.

The Figure 5A represents a top view of a shoe of the invention according to a second embodiment. The rod is not shown so that the fastening means are visible. The soles 2, 3 are fixed to each other by means of complementary fixing means located at the front of the soleplate 4,7, essentially at the middle 5.8 and at the rear 6.9. A sectional view along the axis D'-D 'shows that the first fastening means 5 located essentially in the middle of the flexible sole 2 is for example a male fastener 12 able to slide in a channel 13, second complementary fastening means 8 of the rigid sole 3. A sectional view along the axis DD is shown in FIG. Figure 5B .

The flexible sole 2 shown in FIG. Figure 6A comprises a first fixing means at the front of the sole 4, a first attachment means in the middle of the sole 5 and a first fixing means at the rear of the sole 6. A sectional view along the axis EE is represented at the Figure 6B .

The rigid walking sole 3 shown in FIG. Figure 7A comprises a first securing second to the front of the sole 7, a second fastening element in the middle of the sole 8 and a second attachment means at the rear of the sole 9. A sectional view along the FF axis is shown in FIG. Figure 7B .

The figure 8 represents closed shoe profile views 1 according to the invention. The rod 10 comprises an expandable member 16 at the pivot point between the part of the rigid sole 3 adhering to the ground and the part detaching. This expandable element, composed of a polymer having elastic properties such as an elastomer, makes it possible to adjust the rod to the curvature of the foot while avoiding a surplus of material of the upper (fold) in the presence of a high heel or a stretch weakens it in the presence of a low heel. The flexible sole 2 comprising the rod 10 is combined with a rigid walking sole 3 alternately comprising a high heel 11 (top figure) or a low heel (bottom figure).

Main advantages of the invention

• Le fait d'avoir une semelle rigide qui couvre tout le pied permet d'avoir des systèmes d'attache à trois endroits différents et ainsi améliorer la stabilité de la chaussure par rapport à un talon seul;
• Le fait d'avoir une semelle rigide qui couvre tout le pied permet de faire varier le dessin de la semelle à loisir de manière à répondre à des demandes fonctionnelles ou esthétiques. Par exemple la semelle pourrait comporter un revêtement antidérapant en hiver et un revêtement lisse en été. De plus, la semelle pourrait présenter des couleurs et textures variées (comportant un talon compensé par exemple) afin de répondre aux critères de la mode du moment.
• L'invention permet également de pouvoir s'entrainer au port d'un talon pour des personnes qui n'y sont pas habituées et de repasser aisément à un talon plat.
• Cela permet de garder un style homogène malgré une variation de hauteur de semelle tant au niveau du talon que de l'entièreté de la semelle puisque la tige est la même.
• L'invention est combinable avec des semelles orthopédiques qui recouvrent nécessairement toute la longueur du pied. La semelle orthopédique pourrait être combinée avec des semelles de marche rigides présentant des variantes esthétiques ou fonctionnelles;
• La semelle amovible permet de respecter les dimensions du pied en réduisant les tensions exercées sur lui lors d'un changement de hauteur mais également grâce à son adaptation à l'inclinaison du pied et sa compatibilité avec des semelles orthopédiques. En somme l'invention permet de respecter la morphologie du pied à travers chaque combinaison désirée.
• Le fait que toute la semelle soit amovible permet de garantir une très bonne adhérence au sol quelle que soit la hauteur du talon.

The fact that the entire rigid sole is removable and not only the heel provides several advantages which are summarized below:

• Having a rigid sole that covers the entire foot allows to have attachment systems in three different places and thus improve the stability of the shoe compared to a single heel;
• The fact of having a rigid sole that covers the entire foot allows to vary the design of the sole at leisure to meet functional or aesthetic demands. For example the sole could have a non-slip coating in winter and a smooth coating in summer. In addition, the sole could have varied colors and textures (including a wedge heel for example) to meet the criteria of fashion.
• The invention also allows to train to wear a heel for people who are not used to it and iron easily to a flat heel.
• This allows to keep a homogeneous style despite a variation in sole height both at the heel and the entire sole since the rod is the same.
• The invention is combinable with orthopedic insoles which necessarily cover the entire length of the foot. The orthopedic sole could be combined with rigid walking soles with aesthetic or functional variants;
• The removable sole makes it possible to respect the dimensions of the foot by reducing the tensions exerted on it during a change of height but also thanks to its adaptation to the inclination of the foot and its compatibility with orthopedic insoles. In short, the invention makes it possible to respect the morphology of the foot through each desired combination.
• The fact that the entire sole is removable ensures a very good grip on the ground regardless of the height of the heel.

List of reference symbols

1.

Shoe

2.

Soft sole

3.

(3,3 ') Rigid walking outsole

4.

Means of attachment to the front of the flexible sole

5.

Fastening means essentially in the middle of the flexible sole

6.

Means of attachment to the back of the flexible sole

7.

Fastening means at the front of the rigid sole

8.

Fastening means essentially in the middle of the rigid sole

9.

Means of attachment to the back of the rigid sole

10.

stem

11.

Heel

12.

Male fastener

13.

Gutter

14.

Male border

15.

Female notch

16.

Expandable element

17.

Upper

18.

District

19.

Junction element

Claims (14)

1. A shoe (1) of adaptable height such that it comprises:

   - a flexible insole (2) comprising a fastening means at the front (4) of the flexible insole and a fastening means at the rear (6) of the flexible insole as well as a rod (10);

   - at least one first rigid outsole (3') that is interchangeable with a second rigid outsole (3), the second rigid outsole having a heel (10) of different height from that of the first rigid outsole (3), each rigid outsole (3, 3') extending, during use, over the entire length of the foot and comprising a fastening means at the front (7) of the rigid insole that is complementary to the fastening means at the front of the flexible insole (4) and a fastening means at the rear (9) of the rigid insole that is complementary to the fastening means at the rear (6) of the flexible insole, at least one of the rigid outsoles comprising a heel of at least 3 cm.
2. The shoe (1) according to Claim 1, characterized in that the flexible insole (2) further comprises a fastening means essentially in the middle of the insole (5) and in that the rigid outsole (3, 3') comprises a fastening means essentially in the middle of the rigid outsole (8) that is complementary to the fastening means essentially in the middle of the flexible insole (5).
3. The shoe (1) according to Claim 2, characterized in that the fastening means essentially in the middle of the flexible insole (5) and the second fastening means essentially in the middle of the rigid outsole (8) are, interchangeably, a male fastener (12) intended to slide in a complementary trough (13).
4. The shoe (1) according to Claim 2 or Claim 3, characterized in that the first fastening means essentially in the middle of the flexible insole (5) extends over 5 to 80% of the length of the insole.
5. The shoe (1) according to any one of the preceding claims, characterized in that the fastening means (4, 5, 6) of the flexible insole and the fastening means (7, 8, 9) of the rigid outsole further comprise a junction element (19) intended to connect the two fastening means to one another.
6. The shoe (1) according to any one of the preceding claims, characterized in that the fastening means at the front of the flexible insole (4) is a male border (14) on the periphery of the flexible insole (2) intended to slide in a female notch (15) of the fastening means at the front of the rigid insole (7).
7. The shoe (1) according to Claim 6, characterized in that the male border (14) and its complementary female notch (15) extend over at least 5 cm from the front of the insole.
8. The shoe (1) according to any one of the preceding claims, characterized in that the fastening means at the rear of the flexible insole (6) and the fastening means at the rear of the rigid insole (9) are a complementary resilient nesting system by clips.
9. The shoe (1) according to any one of the preceding claims, characterized in that at least one of the rigid outsoles comprises a shank.
10. The shoe (1) according to Claim 9, characterized in that the shank comprises a material selected from the group consisting of metal, wood and thermosetting resin, preferably reinforced with fibers.
11. The shoe (1) according to any one of the preceding claims, characterized in that the flexible insole (2) is an orthopedic insole.
12. The shoe (1) according to any one of the preceding claims, characterized in that it further comprises a protective insole or an orthopedic insole.
13. The shoe (1) according to any one of the preceding claims, characterized in that the shoe is closed.
14. The shoe (1) according to Claim 13, characterized in that the rod (10) comprises an expansible element (16) at a pivot point between the part of the rigid insole (3) adhering to the ground and the part detaching therefrom.

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