GB2294628A - Heel top piece - Google Patents

Abstract

A top piece (110) for attachment to a heel body (121) comprises a first component comprising a plurality of spaced apart formations (113), each adapted to corporate with a respective opening in the heel body (123), and a second component (112) attached to the first component. The second component may be planar (see Fig 2 not shown) or it may have raised portions (112b) to engage in recesses (130) in the heel body. <IMAGE>

Description

Title: TOP PIECE Description of Invention This invention relates to a top piece for the heel of a shoe.

A top piece of a heel of a shoe is the heel tip in contact with the ground when the shoe is worn. However it is known as a top piece because shoes are made upside down and hence during manufacture the top piece is the top piece of the heel.

There are a number of known ways of attaching top pieces to the body of a heel. For stiletto heels the top piece in general includes a metal peg which is inserted into a metal lined hole in the heel. In addition the top piece may comprise a small plastic pin, moulded in one piece with the ground engaging part, which in use is located in a further hole in the heel body and prevents the top piece rotating with respect to the heel hody. Such a construction suffers from the disadvantage that it includes metal components and requires additional components such as the metal liner in the heel.

For ladies' shoe heels having a greater base area the top piece may include a substantially rectangular boss which locates in a recess in the heel body but does not hold the top piece firmly with respect to the heel body. Therefore additional fixings such as staples are required. Alternatively the top piece may simply comprise a ground engaging part which is stapled or nailed to the heel body.

The use of staples, and similar fixings, suffers from a number of disadvantages. Firstly, if the top piece is of relatively soft and compactable material then, when the staple or other fixing is inserted the top piece is deformed thus resulting in a less neat finish. Secondly, in use the cross-piece of a staple wears away rapidly leaving simply the inserted portions of the staple in place, the exposed ends of these portions can then snag on carpets or clothing.

It is an object of the invention to provide an improved form of top piece.

According to a first aspect of the invention, we provide a top piece for attachment to a heel body comprising a first component comprising a plurality of spaced apart formations, each adapted to cooperate with a respective opening in the heel body, and a second component attached to the first component.

The invention provides the advantage that the top piece is simple and cheap to make, is attached to the heel body simply by means of a push fit with no further fixings required.

Preferably the first component comprises a single moulding comprising the plurality of formations and an integral connecting means adjacent a first end of each formation.

Preferably the second component is formed of plastics material moulded around the connecting means and the first end of each formation.

Preferably the second component comprises a first generally planar portion and a second protruding portion within which the connecting means and first end of each formation of the first component are located.

Preferably each formation comprises an elongate member.

Preferably the first end of each elongate member comprises a portion of increased lateral dimensions with at least one recess therein. The at least one recess may comprise a plurality of holes through the portion of increased lateral dimensions.

The first end of each elongate member may further comprise a portion of intermediate lateral dimensions.

Each elongate member may further comprise a second end of reduced lateral dimensions.

Each elongate member may further comprise a plurality of longitudinal ridges and may be of substantially circular cross-section.

Preferably the first component is of plastics material comprising one of polycarbonate, nylon. In such an embodiment the invention provides the further advantage that no metal components are required.

Preferably the second component of plastics material comprises polyurethane.

According to a second aspect of the invention we provide a heel of a shoe comprising a top piece according to the first aspect of the invention and a heel body with a first end for attachment to the shoe and a second end for attachment of a top piece, the second end bearing a plurality of spaced apart openings each for receipt of a respective formation.

Preferably the plurality of spaced apart openings are located in a recess for receipt of the protruding portion.

Each of the spaced apart openings may comprise a substantially cylindrical opening. Each opening may further comprise an annular recess about the mouth of the cylindrical opening with an annular ridge therebetween.

According to a third aspect of the invention we provide a shoe comprising a heel according to the second aspect of the invention.

According to a fourth aspect of the invention we provide a method of making a top piece for attachment to a heel body comprising the steps of making a first component comprising a plurality of spaced apart formations and a connecting means therebetween adjacent a first end of each formation, inserting the first component into a mould and moulding a second component of plastics material around the connecting means and the first end of each formation.

One embodiment of a top piece according to the invention will now be described, by way of example only, with reference to the accompanying drawings in which: FIGURE 1 illustrates a top piece according to the invention and a heel body; FIGURE 2 illustrates a cross-section through the top piece of Figure FIGURE 3 illustrates a first component of the top piece of Figure 1; FIGURE 4 illustrates a cross-section of a recess in the heel body of Figure 1; FIGURE 5 illustrates a step in the method of making the top piece of Figure 1; FIGURE 6 illustrates an alternative embodiment of a top piece according to the invention; and, FIGURE 7 illustrates a cross-section through the top piece of Figure 6.

Referring to Figures 1, 2 and 3 a top piece 10 comprises a first component 11 and a second component 12. The first component 11 comprises four elongate formations in the form of pegs 13 with a web 14 therebetween adjacent a first end of each peg 13. The first end of each peg 13 comprises a portion of increased lateral dimensions 15 with a number of small holes 16 around its periphery, and a portion of intermediate lateral dimensions 17. A second end of each peg 13 comprises a portion of reduced lateral dimensions 18.

Each peg 13 further comprises longitudinal ridges 19, as shown in Figure 1.

The first component 11 is preferably moulded from a plastics material which is relatively hard and has a high impact resistance, for example polycarbonate or nylon. The second component 12 is moulded around the web 14 and the first end 15, 17 of each peg 13, and preferably comprises polyurethane.

A heel body 20 comprises a first end 21 for attachment to a shoe and a second end 22 for attachment of the top piece 10. The second end 22 comprises four openings 23 as illustrated in Figure 4. Each opening 23 comprises a substantially cylindrical opening 24, an annular recess 25 around the mouth of opening 24 and an annular ridge 26 therebetween. The annular recess 25 and hence the ridge 26 may however be omitted.

The top piece 10 and heel body 20 are assembled as follows. The pegs 13 are located in the cylindrical openings 24 and the top piece 10 is pushed relative to the heel body 20 until the pegs 13 are fully within the openings 24.

The engagement of the pegs 13 in the openings 24 is facilitated by the portions of the pegs with reduced lateral dimensions 18, and by the presence of the ridges 26 around the openings 24. The retention of the pegs 13 within the openings 24 is facilitated by the presence of the longitudinal ridges 19 on the pegs 13. No additional fixings are required to retain the top piece 10 relative to the heel body 20.

Referring now to Figure 5, the method of construction of the top piece 10 is as follows. The first component 11 is moulded in a first mould (not shown) from which it is then released. The first component 11 is then inserted into a second mould 30 having a plurality of recesses 31 and a main portion 32. The lateral dimensions of each recess 31 are such that the majority of a peg 13 may be located within the recess 31 but the portion of intermediate lateral dimensions 17 rests around the lip 33 of the hole in the main portion 32 of the mould 30.

The material, for example polyurethane, from which the second component 12 is to be formed is then injected into the mould 30, filling the main portion 32 and is unable to enter the hole 31 due to the portions of intermediate lateral dimension 17. The material of the second component 12 flows into the small holes 16 formed around the periphery of the portion of increased lateral dimensions 15 of each peg 13. This ensures that the first component 11 is retained firmly within the second component 12 and in use the two components do not separate.

Referring now to Figures 6 and 7, an alternative embodiment of a top piece according to the invention is illustrated with like parts being like referenced with the addition of a prefix 1. The top piece 110 comprises a first component identical or substantially identical to component 11 of the previous embodiment, and a second component 112. The second component 112 comprises a first generally planar portion 112a and a second protruding portion 112b within which the web and first end of each peg 113 of the first component are located.

The heel body 120 comprises a first end 121 for attachment to a shoe and a second end 122 for attachment to the top piece 110. The second end 122 comprises a recess 130 of a corresponding shape to the protruding portion 1 12b of the top piece 110.

When the top piece 110 and heel body 120 are assembled, the protruding portion 112b of the top piece 110 is received completely within the recess 130 of the heel 120. Therefore, the first component 11 of the top piece 110 is received completely within the recess 130 in the heel 120. As the top piece 110 wears there is thus no possibility of the harder material from which the first component 11 is constructed, being exposed.

This embodiment provides the advantage that, with the whole of the first component 11 protected within the heel 120, it is extremely unlikely that the pins 113 can be sheared off whatever forces the top piece may be subjected to.

This embodiment of a top piece according to the invention is particularly suitable for dance shoes where the top piece 110 must be thin and it is important that harder components do not come into contact with and scratch or otherwise damage dance floors or dancers. However, this embodiment of a top piece is also applicable to ordinary everyday shoes.

The embodiments described above incorporating four pegs is suitable for a lady's court shoe. However, the invention is equally applicable to other forms of shoe which would require alternative numbers of pegs. For example, other forms of lady's shoe will require top pieces of reduced ground engaging area which may require only two pegs, whilst other shoes, in particular mens' shoes, may require additional numbers of pegs.

In the embodiments described above, substantially cylindrical pegs 13 are engaged in substantially cylindrical openings in a heel body. However, the formations comprised in the top piece and adapted for cooperation with recesses in a heel body may take any suitable form. They may for instance be elongate members having an alternative cross-section, e.g. elliptical. Clearly, the openings in the heel body must be shaped appropriately to cooperate with the formations.

The features disclosed in the foregoing description, or the following claims, or the accompanying drawings, expressed in their specific forms or in terms of a means for performing the disclosed function, or a method or process for attaining the disclosed result, as appropriate, may, separately or in any combination of such features, be utilised for realising the invention in diverse forms thereof.

Claims (22)

1. A top piece for attachment to a heel body comprising a first component comprising a plurality of spaced apart formations, each adapted to cooperate with a respective opening in the heel body, and a second component attached to the first component.

2. A top piece according to claim 1 wherein the first component comprises a single moulding comprising the plurality of formations and an integral connecting means adjacent a first end of each formation.

3. A top piece according to claim 2 wherein the second component is formed of plastics material moulded around the connecting means and the first end of each formation.

4. A top piece according to claim 3 wherein the second component comprises a first generally planar portion and a second protruding portion within which the connecting means and first end of each formation of the first component are located.

5. A top piece according to any preceding claim wherein each formation comprises an elongate member.

6. A top piece according to claim 5 wherein the first end of each elongate member comprises a portion of increased lateral dimensions with at least one recess therein.

7. A top piece according to claim 6 wherein the at least one recess may comprise a plurality of holes through the portion of increased lateral dimensions.

8. A top piece according to claim 6 or 7 wherein the first end of each elongate member further comprises a portion of intermediate lateral dimensions.

9. A top piece according to any one of claims 6 to 8 wherein each elongate member further comprises a second end of reduced lateral dimensions.

10. A top piece according to any one of claims 6 to 9 wherein each elongate member further comprises a plurality of longitudinal ridges.

11. A top piece according to any one of claims 6 to 10 wherein each elongate member is of substantially circular cross-section.

12. A top piece according to any preceding claim wherein the first component is of plastics material comprising one of polycarbonate or nylon.

13. A top piece according to claims 3 or 4 wherein the second component of plastics material comprises polyurethane.

14. A heel of a shoe comprising a top piece according to any one of claims 1 to 13 and a heel body with a first end for attachment to the shoe and a second end for attachment of a top piece, the second end bearing a plurality of spaced apart openings each for receipt of a respective formation.

15. A heel according to claim 13 wherein the plurality of spaced apart openings are located within a recess for receipt of the protruding portion.

16. A heel according to claim 14 wherein each of the spaced apart openings comprises a substantially cylindrical opening.

17. A heel according to claim 14 wherein each spaced apart opening further comprises an annular recess about the mouth of the cylindrical opening with an annular ridge there between.

18. A shoe comprising a heel according to any one of claims 14 to 17.

19. A method of making a top piece for attachment to a heel body comprising the steps of making a first component comprising a plurality of spaced apart formations and a connecting means there between adjacent a first end of each formation, inserting the first component into a mould and moulding a second component of plastics material around the connecting means and the first end of each formation.

20. A top piece substantially as herein before described with reference to Figures 1 to 3 or Figures 3, 6 and 7.

21. A heel substantially as herein before described with reference to Figures 1 and 4 or Figures 6 and 4.

22. Any novel feature or novel combination of features described herein and/or in the accompanying drawings.