FR3062035A1 - DEVICE FOR FASTENING REMOVABLE INTERCHANGEABLE HEELS FOR SHOES - Google Patents

Abstract

The invention relates to the use of a locking system and unlocking interchangeable heels to change at will heels while keeping the same pair of shoes. It consists of a housing (1), under the sole of the shoe, on which a heel (10) is fitted and is machined to contain an elastic system mobilizing a locking lug (9) which protrudes housing and is housed in a notch (13) of the heel locking it. This elastic system is accessible by the user, through an opening (3) of the housing. It can act on its end (8) to raise the lug and unlock the heel. The lug automatically returns to its original position thanks to the elasticity of the system, when the user releases it. The device according to the invention is particularly intended for the manufacture of shoes with interchangeable heels.

Description

© Holder (s): CHERIF CHEIKH MARGAUX.

O Extension request (s):

© Agent (s): CHERIF CHEIKH MARGAUX.

(54) DEVICE FOR FIXING REMOVABLE INTERCHANGEABLE HEELS FOR FOOTWEAR.

FR 3 062 035 - A1 (57) The invention relates to the use of an interchangeable heel locking and unlocking system making it possible to change heels as he pleases while keeping the same pair of shoes.

It consists of a housing (1), under the sole of the shoe, on which a heel (10) fits and is machined so as to contain an elastic system mobilizing a locking lug (9) which protrudes from the housing and is housed in a notch (13) of the locking heel. This elastic system is accessible by the user, through an opening (3) of the housing. It can act on its end (8) to raise the lug and unlock the heel. The lug automatically returns to its initial position thanks to the elasticity of the system, when the user releases it.

The device according to the invention is particularly intended for the manufacture of shoes with interchangeable heels.

i

The present invention relates to the field of shoes, and more particularly, to shoes with heels. It aims to allow the interchangeability of heels in order to be able to easily and quickly vary heights, colors and heel shapes, according to the user's desire, while keeping the same pair of shoes, thanks to a mechanism fixed on the sole at the back of the shoe.

The invention relates to a device for fixing removable interchangeable heels for shoes with a simple and inexpensive mechanism under the sole of the shoe, at the heel.

The method of manufacturing a shoe will not be discussed since it is already known by those skilled in the art. Only the system allowing interchangeability of the heels will be described. Any shoe can be used to carry out the invention, which implies that the shoe must meet different technical constraints related to the guarantee of comfort and aesthetics.

Classically produced shoes are fitted with heels fixed under the sole or integrated into it, thus not allowing the interchangeability of the latter.

Thus, when the user wishes to change heights, colors and shapes of heels for aesthetic or comfort reasons, he must change pair of shoes.

On the move, the person may therefore have to bring several pairs of shoes, which is restrictive.

Many interchangeable heel systems have been known since the beginning of the twentieth century.

However, these mechanisms are most often complex, expensive, impractical and sometimes seem not very solid.

For example, US2015010363 shows a device for locking and unlocking heels using a key or an external element of this type, which is inconvenient for the user.

FR2613598 watch a device for the unlocking thanks to a push button located sure the heel. This involves the stake in place of a mechanism in the heel, which increases the cost of part removable.

US4805320 shows several embodiments of a mechanism for locking and unlocking the heel in the heel, which involves a significant cost for the heel. Another embodiment shows a latch produced by a leaf spring nested in a projecting part under the shoe. There is a lack of information about the installation of this spring, which leads us to doubt the solidity of the fixing and therefore of this embodiment.

US5519950 presents a device for locking the heel by means of a hook mounted under the shoe. The heel is here easy and inexpensive to machine, however, in order to unlock the device, it is necessary to lift the inner sole of the shoe, which is restrictive for the user.

FR2907318, addresses these various problems by presenting a device produced under the shoe and accessible at the front of the heel. However, a drawback of this system is that the flexible part allowing the locking and unlocking of the device is carried out directly on the base under the shoe, by cutting the latter. The necessity of the pivoting movement when using the mechanism can eventually lead to a rupture at the level of the fixed part which serves as an axis of rotation. Another drawback is that the user must keep the accessible part of the flexible blade, when placing the heel on the shoe, to raise the spike, which is impractical.

The present invention aims to solve the problems mentioned above by proposing a new removable heel assembly system on the shoe, simpler, less expensive, solid, aesthetic, discreet and easy to use for the consumer.

The present invention consists in the use of an interchangeable heel locking and unlocking system under the shoe comprising a tenon base, which will be called a housing in which there is an elastic system, of the flat spring type, also called clip. , extended by a tongue or lever type with elastic body such as a spring. This elastic system mobilizes a lug which protrudes from the case and is housed in a notch of suitable shape on the heel, locking it when it is fitted onto the case. This elastic system is discreetly and easily accessible by the user, at one of the faces of the housing. The accessibility of the system at the level of the anterior face is privileged in order to guarantee the aesthetics of the shoe. The user can act on the end of the elastic system (tongue or end of the lever) to raise the lug and unlock the heel. The locking lug automatically returns to its initial position thanks to the elasticity of the system, when the user releases it.

According to particular embodiments:

the case fixed under the sole of the shoe in the heel area, on which the removable heel fits, may contain an elastic system mobilizing a locking pin. The interior of the housing can be provided so as, on the one hand, to adapt to the shape of the elastic system in the rest position, when the lug is out, and on the other hand, to allow movement of the system. elastic during use.

The case, in a rigid and solid material, can either be directly machined with the sole or fixed to it by bolts or any other fixing system. It can be provided to allow precise sliding of the heel, from back to front, along a guide path, such as fins and to allow a tenon-mortise type assembly with the heel, having a role of tenon.

This housing can have two openings: an anterior opening through which the elastic system is accessed (this opening can also be machined laterally or posteriorly) and a lower opening through which the locking pin comes out.

The elastic system can consist of a single piece such as a flat spring, also called a clip, or of two elements such as an elastic body (spring or other) fixed to a lever.

Advantageously, the elastic system can be a flat spring blocked in the housing by means of an axis fixed transversely and by means of a locking elbow, at its upper part, which allows its exact positioning in the housing. The flat spring can be extended by a tongue making it exit towards one of the faces of the housing, favorably towards the front, in order to allow the user to access it.

An angular or rounded lug, fixed under the flat spring, may or may not be part of this part, and is intended to lock the system by engagement in a suitable notch in the heel. This lug can protrude under the housing under the action of the elastic thrust of the spring in the rest position and can be raised by the action of the user's finger when it acts on the tongue outside the housing.

The resistance of the flat spring must be less than the force applied by the user's finger on the tongue to allow movement.

Advantageously, the lug may have a slope which makes it possible to avoid blocking the movement when the heel is placed on the housing by sliding.

The heel can be machined so as to slide from rear to front on the case by means of slides and to fit into it without play, in a solid and stable manner, thanks to suitable machining, of the mortise type.

Locking in the end position is ensured by the presence of a suitable notch receiving the lug protruding under the housing. Unlocking is achieved by acting on the end of the elastic system such as the tongue, accessible at one of the faces of the case, favorably on the front part of the heel and therefore of the case, allowing the heel to be withdrawn towards the back.

Advantageously, a cavity, which will be called uneven, can be dug on the heel, under the end of the elastic system which protrudes, in order to be able to access it by concealing it as much as possible inside the heel, in an aesthetic concern.

In another embodiment, the elastic system can be a lever with an elastic body. The lever can consist of a rigid body rotating around a transverse horizontal axis fixed, advantageously, on the rear part of the housing and accessible, advantageously, towards the front of the housing by the user. This lever can be of the “inter-resistant” type, for example, the support (axis of rotation) lying rearward, the driving force for lifting the lever being the finger of the user and the intermediate resistance being produced. by an elastic body (spring or other).

An angular or rounded lug fixed under the lever may or may not be part of this part and is intended to lock the system by engagement in a suitable notch in the heel. This lug can come out under the housing under the elastic pushing action of the intermediate resistance such as the spring and can go up by the action of the user's finger when he pushes up the end of the lever located at the front of the housing.

The resistance of the elastic body must be less than the force applied by the user's finger on the lever. Advantageously, the lug may have a slope which makes it possible to avoid blocking the movement when the heel is placed on the housing by sliding.

According to a variant of this second embodiment, the lever can be of another type with, for example, a centered axis of rotation and a resistor (or elastic body) placed on its rear part, then implying a change in direction of rotation when using the device.

According to a variant of the invention, the housing and its elastic system can also be placed elsewhere in the mechanism. The mechanism can indeed operate by positioning these elements in the heel and by machining the female part, which can also be called a mortise, under the sole of the shoe.

The shapes and characteristics of the different elements can also vary while meeting the technical constraints of the invention.

An important aspect of the invention is that, unlike the aforementioned prior art of FR2907318, the flexible part, here being an elastic system, is a part added to the base, here being the housing. The advantage of this embodiment is the possibility of changing the elastic system if it were to be damaged or to break, without the need to change the entire housing, the elastic system being the most important part of the mechanism.

The present invention will be better understood by studying two particular embodiments taken by way of examples, in no way limiting and illustrated by the appended drawings, in which

The figure is a perspective view of an example of a case to be placed under the shoe

The figure is a perspective view of an example of an elastic system to be inserted into the housing, here being a flat spring, also called a clip

Figure 3 is a perspective view of an example of an interchangeable heel

The figure shows an embodiment of the device in perspective

The figure is a perspective view of the device when the heel fits onto the housing

- Figure 6 is a perspective view of the device representing the rise of the tongue, by pressure on the lug, during the sliding of the heel

- Figure 7 is a perspective view of the device when the case / heel assembly is locked by the elastic system (flat spring)

- Figure 8 is a perspective view of the device when the user unlocks the case / heel assembly by raising the tongue

- Figure 9 is a top view of the heel showing the cutting axis of the following figures

- Figure 10 is a section along the axis A-A 'of Figure 9 when the assembly with the first embodiment (flat spring) is locked

- Figure 11 is a section along the axis A-A 'of Figure 9 when the assembly with the first embodiment is unlocked

- Figure 12 shows a second embodiment of the elastic system, being here a lever with spring, perspective view

- Figure 13 is a section along the axis A-A 'of Figure 9 when the assembly with the second embodiment of the elastic system (lever with spring at rest) is locked

- Figure 14 is a section along the axis A-A 'of Figure 9 when the assembly with the second embodiment of the elastic system is unlocked (spring in compression)

Figures 1 to 14 illustrate two embodiments of the present innovation. Variant embodiments can take place with regard to the shapes, dimensions, assemblies and certain characteristics of the elements.

Figures 1, 2 and 3, on the one hand, and 12, 13 and 14, on the other hand, are not on the same scale in order to better understand the mechanism.

The shoe is not shown in the various figures. The housing (1), shown in FIG. 1, is fixed under the sole of the shoe at the place necessary so that the heel (10), represented in FIG. 3, when it is fitted onto the housing (1), is at the good position as on a shoe normally made.

The means of attachment to the shoes and the necessary holes in the housing (1) are not shown in the figures. By way of nonlimiting example, it is possible to fix the case (1) to the shoe by means of 4 bolts inserted vertically at the four corners of the latter and which come to be fixed in the shoe, on a part of the wider shank and machined for this purpose, for example.

Those skilled in the art will know from experience how to choose the best means of fixing the case (1) to the shoe.

According to a variant not illustrated, the box (1) can be of different shape: in order to improve its solidity, it can be wider and less high, for example.

Referring to Figure 1, The housing (1) consists of fins (2) on its lower part serving as a guide path, a front opening (3) and a lower opening (4) as well as 'A bore (5) adapted according to the elastic system.

By way of nonlimiting example, the box (1) can have dimensions of the order of 30mm for the width, 15mm for the height and 35mm for the length. On the lower part of the housing (or at another level), the fins (2) can protrude by 3 mm on each side, their thickness can be 3 mm and can vary depending on the material used.

The housing (1) must be able to be easily inserted into the heel (10). The dimensions of the case can also take into account the possibility of having thinner heels.

By way of nonlimiting example, the housing (1) can be machined in one piece, as for the first embodiment, which facilitates assembly.

The housing must be able to contain the elastic system such as the flat spring (6), shown in FIG. 2. As seen in FIGS. 10 and 11, it is preferable that the interior of the housing adapts to the flat spring (6). to ensure better stability.

The housing has two openings: a front opening (3) through which the end of the elastic system exits, the tongue of the flat spring (8) for the first embodiment, in order to be able to access it and a lower opening (4) through which the lug comes out of

blocking (9) . The previous opening ( (3) can also allow Insertion of flat spring (6) in the compressing when mounting. The box can have a hole (5) sure his left side

and its right side to insert a rigid axis to block the elastic system.

According to one embodiment, the elastic system can be a flat spring (6), also called a clip, as shown in FIG. 2.

This type of elastic system can be chosen since, thanks to its elasticity, the flat spring can deform and return to its rest position without external action. Advantageously, it can be machined in one piece. Its shape can, however, vary in order to best respond to the technical constraints of the device.

By way of nonlimiting example, it can be machined, as shown in FIG. 2, in a rounded shape with an upper locking elbow (7), an end which will be called a tongue (8) and a lower locking lug (9).

The upper locking elbow (7) makes it possible to block the spring (6) in the upper part of the housing (1), as shown in FIGS. 10 and 11, as well as helping to position the spring correctly when it is inserted into the housing. .

The tongue (8) can come out of the housing (1) through the front opening (3) and can be used to support the fingers of the user. Indeed, the latter can push up the tongue (8), which compresses the spring (6), in order to use the device.

The lower locking lug (9) must protrude from the housing (1) through the lower opening (4), when the spring is in the rest position. It is machined so as to snap into the notch (13) of the heel, which makes it possible to lock the assembly.

It can go back up in the housing, during the action upwards of the user on the tongue (8) which compresses the spring. It is also machined so as to fully enter the housing when the spring (6) is compressed.

The lug (9) can have any shape allowing an adapted cohesion and blocking.

The resistance of the spring (6) is such that a pressure exerted by the finger of the user makes it possible to raise the lug (9) (lever arm action).

The heel (10), shown in Figure 3, is the removable part of the device. The heel (10) can have many shapes and heights and can be covered with various materials.

The heel (10) is machined to slide easily around the housing (1): the fins (2) of the housing can slide in the slides (11) of the heel (10). The heel (10) fits without play on the housing (1), thanks to a machining (12) provided for this purpose, in adapted mortise.

The notch (13) of the heel must be machined to receive the lower locking pin (9) which locks there without play.

The height difference (14) of the heel may or may not be present, depending on the device. It can be used to raise the lug (9), effortlessly, at the start of the sliding of the heel (10) on the housing (1), according to the slope of the lug. It can also allow access to the tongue (8) of the spring (6) when the assembly is locked, in order to keep the assembly discreet by making the tongue (8) of the heel protrude as little as possible, as seen. figure 7.

We will describe the operation of the device during the placement of the heel followed by the change of heel.

The sliding of the heel (10) on the housing (1) is shown at different times in FIGS. 4, 5 and 6.

When the heel (10) slides forward on the housing (1), the lug (9) of the spring (6) meets the heel (10) at the slight drop (14), as shown in the figure 5. The lug (9) then rises effortlessly in the housing (1) by compression of the flat spring (6) around the axis passing through the bore (5). The raising of the lug (9) then causes the tongue (8) to rise, as visible in FIG. 6.

The lug (9), thus returned to the housing, no longer blocks the sliding of the heel (10) which can then continue its path until it completely fits on the housing (1).

When the lower opening (4) of the housing (1) arrives opposite the notch (13) of the heel by continuation of the movement, the lug (9) can then come out thanks to the elastic decompression of the flat spring (6) . The lug (9) is then positioned in the notch (13) of the heel, accompanied by an audible click by the user, which then locks the assembly, as shown in Figures 7 and 10.

The tongue (8) of the spring is then positioned downwards, which, in addition to the click, indicates to the user that the lug (9) is properly engaged in the heel.

This assembly is solid and free of play. The heel (10) can remain fixed securely to the case (1) of the shoe thanks to the elastic thrust of the flat spring (6) which pushes and wedges the lug (9) in the notch. (13) of the heel, when it is at rest.

The heel (10) can then no longer move in the three directions. The sides of the housing (1) and the fins (2) strengthen the assembly, also blocking movement in all directions.

In order to separate the heel (10) from the housing (1) of the shoe, the user must push the tongue (8) of the flat spring upwards, which compresses it around the axis passing through the hole (5). , as shown in FIGS. 8 and 11. The lug (9) being thus raised, the user can slide the heel (10) backwards to remove it from the body of the shoe.

FIG. 12 illustrates a second embodiment of the elastic system: this can consist of two elements such as a spring (16) fixed to a lever (15).

By way of nonlimiting example, the lever can be machined with a hole (18) through which passes its axis of rotation, with an upper stud (17) on which the spring (16) is fixed, with one end (19) and with a lower locking lug (20).

As seen in Figures 13 and

14, the lever spring and on the other, it is inserted in a suitable notch on the upper part of the housing.

The spring can thus be compressed while keeping its axis, during the rotation of the lever (15). It tends to lower said lever (15) and therefore the lug (20) when it is in the rest position.

The end (19) of the lever is accessible to the user at the level of the front opening (3). The latter can push up the end (19), which turns the lever around its axis (18) and compresses the spring (16), in order to use the device, as shown in FIG. 14.

The lower locking lug (20) must protrude from the housing (1) through the lower opening (4), when the spring is in the rest position. It is machined so as to fit into the notch (13) of the heel (10), which allows the assembly to be locked, as shown in Figure 13. It can go back into the housing (1), when the upward action of the user on the end (19) of the lever. It is also machined so that it fully enters the housing when the lever (15) compresses the spring (16).

The lug (20) can have any shape allowing an adapted cohesion and blocking.

The length of the lever (15) relative to the axis of rotation (18) is such that a pressure exerted by the user's finger allows the lug (20) to be raised.

In order to insert and fix the lever (15) and the spring (16) in the housing (1), the housing can be machined in two parts in order to easily access the interior.

It is possible to machine the lower part of the housing with the fins (2) and then attach its upper face to it, or else machine the upper part of the latter and then attach its upper side to it. lower with the

As shown in the figures and

14, the interior of the elastic systems while guaranteeing their movements:

here for example, the the around this axis (18), while remaining in the housing (1).

The operation of the device is the same for this second embodiment. Figures 4, 5, 6, 7 and 8 therefore also illustrate it.

The sections of Figures 13 and 14 show the positioning and movement of the elastic system for this second embodiment, in particular.

The housing (1) of Figure 1, the heel (10) of Figure 3, the lever (15) of Figure 12 are machined from a hard, non-deformable material. The flat spring (6) of Figure 2 and the spring (16) of Figure 12 are machined from any metal that meets technical constraints. These materials must also be light so as not to make the shoe too heavy.

A foam or other compression material can be added to the edges of the heel (10) or to the housing (1) in order to allow better assembly by compression effect, if necessary.

Lower or higher heels can be chosen and inserted around the shoe boxes (1) since the user can quickly change heels without removing his shoe.

The invention is not limited to the embodiments described above which are only given by way of example.

of leverage differently.

According to a variant not shown, the lever rotation axis can be placed elsewhere:

it can be centered while the upper spring of the

The rotational movement is then reversed during

1 use:

The user must lower the end of the lever to unlock the device.

above or below the lever so

The positioning of to act as desired on the lever.

various parts of the invention may also be different.

its contents can be fixed in the heel (10) and the female part, also called a hollow (12), can be machined under the shoe.

The shapes and dimensions of the different elements may also differ.

The realization of the invention is therefore possible in different ways. We have chosen to expose, by way of examples, the simplest and most advantageous embodiments, the first embodiment being the simplest.

The present invention is in no way limited to the embodiments described and shown, but a person skilled in the art will know how to make any variant which conforms to his spirit.

The device according to the invention is particularly intended for the simple and inexpensive manufacture of a pair of shoes with interchangeable heels of easy use.

Claims (10)

1. A device for fixing removable interchangeable heels for shoes, characterized in that it comprises a housing (1), under the sole of the shoe, on which a heel (10) is fitted. This case is machined so as to contain an elastic system (6; 15,16) mobilizing a locking lug (9; 20) which protrudes from the case (1) and which is received in a suitable notch (13) of the heel ( 10), locking it. The elastic system is easily accessible by the user, at one of the faces of the housing (1), favorably at the front (3) of the latter. The user can act on its end (8; 19) to raise the lug (9; 20) and unlock the heel (10). The locking lug (9; 20) automatically returns to its initial position thanks to the elasticity of the system, when the user releases it. 2. Device according to claim 1 characterized in that the housing (1) is machined either directly with the sole of the shoe, or fixed to the latter or to the shank by any means of attachment. It is machined so as to allow precise sliding of the heel (10), along a guide path, such as, for example, fins (2) and to allow a tenon-mortise type assembly with the heel, having a tenon role. The interior of the housing is provided so as, on the one hand, to adapt to the shape of the elastic system (6; 15,16) in the rest position, when the lug (9; 20) is out, and on the other hand, to allow the movement of the elastic system during use. 3. Device according to claim 1 where the claim 2 characterized in that the housing has two openings : an opening sure one of its faces such as, for example and advantageously, on the anterior face ( 3), through which the end (8; 19) of the elastic system is accessed and a lower opening (4) through which the locking pin (9; 20) exits. 4. Device according to one of the preceding claims, characterized in that the heel (10) is machined so as to slide from rear to front on the housing (1) by means of slides (11) and to be there interlock without play, in a solid and stable way, thanks to suitable machining of the mortise type (12). Locking in the final position is ensured by the presence of a notch (13) receiving the lug (9; 20) protruding under the housing (1). Unlocking is achieved by acting on the end (8; 19) of the elastic system accessible at one of the faces of the housing (1) such as the front, for example, when the heel is in place, this which allows the heel to be pulled back. 5. Device according to claim 4 characterized in that the heel has a drop (14) to allow the lug (9; 20) to go up effortlessly in the housing (1) when they meet. This drop (14) can also provide access to the end (8; 19) of the elastic system when the assembly is locked, in order to keep the assembly discreet by making the end (8; 19) of the heel protrude. the least possible. 6. Device according to one of the preceding claims characterized in that the elastic system is a flat spring (6), extended by a tongue (8) causing it to exit at one of the faces of the housing such that the before, for example, to allow the user to access it. The lug (9), of suitable shape, fixed under the flat spring (6), which may or may not be part of this part, is intended to lock the system by engagement in a suitable notch (13) of the heel (10). This lug (9) exits under the housing (1) under the action of the elastic thrust of the spring (6) in the rest position and rises by action of the user's finger which can act on the tongue (8) at the outside of the housing (1). 7. Device according to claim 6 characterized in that the flat spring (6) is locked in the housing thanks to a rigid axis fixed transversely (5) and thanks to a locking elbow (7), at its upper part which allows its exact positioning in the housing (1). 8. Device according to any one of claims 1 to 5 characterized in that the elastic system, in another embodiment, is a lever (15) with an elastic body such as a spring (16). The lever (15) consists of a rigid body rotating around a transverse horizontal axis (18) fixed on the housing (1) and accessible at one of the faces of the housing by the user, such as the before, for example. A lug (20), of suitable shape fixed under the lever (15), which may or may not be part of this part, is intended to lock the system by engagement in a suitable notch (13) of the heel (10). This lug (20) exits under the housing (1) under the elastic pushing action of the elastic body (16) and rises by action of the user's finger which can act on the end (19) of the lever (15) to the outside of the housing (1). 9. Device according to claim 1 characterized in that the spring (16) may as well be fixed above or below the lever (15) in order to act as desired on the lever. In order to separate the heel (10) from the housing (1) of the shoe, the user can either push the end (8; 19) of the elastic system upwards, or lower the end of the latter, when the rotational movement is reversed. 10. Shoe characterized in that it comprises the device claimed according to one of claims 1 to 9. 1/5