GB2340728A

GB2340728A - Footwear adapted to receive a temporary heel

Info

Publication number: GB2340728A
Application number: GB9818735A
Authority: GB
Inventors: Elaine Byrne
Original assignee: Individual
Current assignee: Individual
Priority date: 1998-08-27
Filing date: 1998-08-27
Publication date: 2000-03-01
Also published as: GB9818735D0

Abstract

An article of footwear 1 having a permanent heel 2 is adapted to receive a temporary heel (3, Figs. 2 and 4), wherein the base of the temporary heel is wider than that of the permanent heel. When fitted, the height of the temporary heel is typically the same as the permanent heel. Preferably, the temporary heel comprises a cavity 4 into which the permanent heel may be fitted, wherein the cavity may be sufficiently deep to accommodate the whole of the permanent heel. The base of the permanent heel may comprise an internally threaded hole in the base thereof which may be aligned with a corresponding hole 5 in the temporary heel such that a bolt may be threaded through the holes in order to attach the temporary heel to the permanent heel. A sleeve adapted to fit over at least part of the heel of an article of footwear is also disclosed, wherein the sleeve is of a different appearance to the heel.

Description

2340728 ADJUSTABLE FOOTWEAR The present -1-nvention relates to a device

for providing a temporary heel for an item of footwear, and in particular to a device which provides a temporary heel which is wider than the permanent heel of the footwear. The invention also relates to a kit including such a device and an item of footwear.

Most shoes have a body and a heel. Ladies shoes in particular can have a heel that is relatively high and narrow. The heel is an integral part of the shoe, as the height of the heel will determine the curve of the insole of the body of the shoe. When purchasing shoes, factors to 1,5 be taken into account include the colour and design of the body of the shoe and the design, height and width of the heel. In the case of ladies shoes, often the body of the sh-ce fits the buying criteria, but the heel is too narrow to be practical except for special occasions when not much walking is required.

Shoes or boots having detachable heels are known. For example, the following references disclose footwear with detachable heels which are, in use, either attached directly to the sole of the footwear, or which are attached to a lug or post which projects from the sole and which fits into a corresponding hole in the heel: GB 194911; GB 470312; GB 504564; GB 3004176; GB 2105174; GB 2276805; WC91/8635; and EP 314411.

The disadvantage of such syster,-s is that they are relatively complex, both to manufacture and to use. When 2 the heel is detached from the footwear, the footwear cannot be used because it does not have a permanent heel. The danger, therefore, is that the detachable heel may become detached and be lost, in which case body of the footwear is 5 useless.

In accordance with the present invention there is provided a kit comprising an item of footwear having a permanent heel, a device for attaching to the footwear in order to provide a temporary heel, wherein the base of the temporary heel is wider than the base of the permanent heel, and means for attaching the device to the footwear.

one advantage of the present invention is that the footwear has a permanent heel, so that it can be worn without the device's being attached. Typically, the permanent heel will be relatively narrow, for example a stiletto heel, which is suitable for evening wear. The device which attaches to the shoe provides a temporary heel of greater width, either in the longitudinal direction, or in the transverse direction, i.e. across the heel, or both. A temporary heel which is wider in at least the transverse direction advantageously results in a shoe which is more stable and which can be worn when more practical footwear is required, for example during the day at work.

In a preferred environment, the arrangement is such that, When the said device is attached to the footwear, the height of the temporary heel is substantially equal to that of the permanent heel, so that the balance of the footwear and the curve of the insole is not significantly altered by the attachment of the device.

3 The arrangement may be such that, when said device is attached to the footwear, the outer surface of the resulting temporary heel matches that of the permanent heel. In other words, the colour and/or pattern of the device (or at least the part of the device which is visible when the device is in place) is the same as that of the permanent heel, so that the only alteration to the footwear is to the width and/or profile of the heel. However, a device may be provided which has a different pattern or colour so that the temporary heel is differently coloured or patterned to the permanent heel. In this manner, the appearance of the shoe can be altered to suit the desire of he wearer.

In a particularly preferred embodiment, said device has a cavity into which the permanent heel can fit. This embodiment is especially convenient to use. Preferably, the cavity is sufficiently deep to accommodate the whole of the permanent heel, so that, in use, the permanent heel is completely surrounded by the device, which forms the temporary heel.

In an alternative embodiment, the arrangement may be such that the device can attach to the side of the perrr,,aner- heel.

Any suitable means may be employed for attaching the device to footwear. For example, said means may include a spring, a catch, a bolt, a clip, a magnet or any combination thereof.

In the preferred embodiment in which the permanent heel fis into a cavity in said device, there is preferably an internally threaded hole in the base of the permanent heel and a hole in the device which aligns with the hole in the permanent heel when the device is in place. The means for attaching the device to the footwear preferably comprises a bolt which can be threaded through the hole in the device and into the hole in the permanent heel in order to attach the device to the footwear. Preferably, there is a recess in the device so that the head of the bolt does not protrude below the base of the temporary heel.

The kit may comprise a second device for attaching to the footwear in order to provide an alternative temporary heel, wherein the arrangement is such that the profile, width or surface pattern of the alternative temporary heel. is different to the that of the temporary heel which is provided when the first device is attached. Indeed, the kit may include a plurality of devices to provide a choice of alternative temporary heels of different profiles, widths and surface patterns.

The device for use in the aforementioned kit may be provided separately, and is encompassed within the scope of the invention. Footwear adapted to receive such a device Js also encompassed within the scope of the invention.

In a second aspect of the invention, there is provided a device for attaching to an item of footwear having a permanent heel, in order to provide a temporary heel, wherein the base of the temporary heel is wider than the base of the permanent heel, either in the longitudinal direction, or in the transverse direction, or both, and wherein the device includes means for attaching the device to the footwear.

In a third aspect of the invention, there is provided a sleeve for the heel of an item of footwear, which sleeve has a different surface pattern or colour to said heel, wherein the sleeve is adapted to fit over at least part of said heel in order to provide a temporary heel of different appearance.

A specific embodiment of the invention will now be described, with reference to the drawings, in which:- Figure 1 shows a plan view of a stiletto shoe; Figure 2 shows a plan view of an outer heel for the shoe of Figure 1; Figure 3 shows the outer heel of Figure 2 in cross section; and Figure 4 shows the shoe of Figure 1 with the outer heell of Figure 2 attached thereto.

2-5 Referring to the Figures, the shoe shown in Figure 1 has body 1 and stiletto heel 2. OUter heel 3, which is wider in cross-section than stiletto heel 2, has a cavity in which stiletto heel 2 can be fitted. Figure 4 shows the shoe with the outer heel 3 in place. The pattern on outer '-eel 3 is different to that on stiletto heel 2.

6 Stiletto hleel 2 has an internally threaded hole in its base, and outer heel 3 has a corresponding hole at position 5 (holes not shown). A bolt is threaded through the hole in outer heel 3 and into the internally threaded hole in stiletto heel 2 in order to fixably attach outer heel 3 to the shoe. The hole at position 5 is recessed so that the bolt does not protrude below the base of the outer heel 3 when it is placed (recess not shown).

The shoe can be converted back to a stiletto shoe simply by unscrewing the bolt and removing outer heel 3.

j 7

Claims

1. A kit comprising an item of footwear having a permanent heel, a device for attaching to the footwear in order to provide a temporary heel, wherein the base of the temporary heel is wider than the base of the permanent heel, and means for attaching the device to the footwear.

2. A kit as claimed in Claim 1, wherein the arrangement is such that the temporary heel in wider than the permanent heel in at least the transverse direction.

3. A kit as claimed in Claim 1 or Claim 2, wherein the is arrangement is such that, when said device is attached to the footwear, the height of the temporary heel is substantially equal to that of the permanent heel.

4. A kit as claimed in any one of the preceding claims, wherein the arrangement is such that, when said device is attached to the footwear, the outer surface of the temporary heel matches that of the permanent heel.

5. A kit as claimed in any one of the preceding claims, wherein the means for attaching the device to the footwear comprises a spring, a catch, a bolt, a clio, a magnet, or any combination thereof.

6. A kit as claimed in any one of the preceding claims, wherein said device has a cavity into which the permanent heel can fit.

8 7. A kit as claimed in Claim 6, wherein the cavity is sufficiently deep to accommodate the whole of the permanent heel.

8. A kit as claimed in Claim 6 or Claim 7, wherein there is an internally threaded hole in the base of the permanent heel and a hole in the device which aligns with the hole in the permanent heel when the device is in place, and wherein the means for attaching the device to the footwear comprises a bolt which can be threaded through -the hole in the device and into the hole in the permanent heel in order to attach the device to the footwear.

9. A kit as claimed in any one Claims 1 to 5, in which the arrangement is such that the device can attach to the side of the permanent heel.

10. A kit as claimed in any one of the preceding claims, additionally comprising a second device for attaching to the footwear in order to provide an alternative temporary heel, wherein the arrangement is such that the profile, width or surface pattern of the alternative temporary heel is different to that of the temporary heel which is provided when the first device is attached.

1Jt as claimed in any one of the preceding cla' k- Ims, comprising a plurality of devices to provide a choice of alternative temporary heels of different profiles, widths and surface patterns.

9 12. A device for use in a kit as claimed in any one of the preceding claims.

13. A device for attaching to an item of footwear having a permanent heel, in order to provide a temporary heel, wherein the base of the temporary heel is wider than the base of the permanent heel, and wherein the device includes means for attaching the device to the footwear.

14. A sleeve for the heel of an item of footwear, which sleeve has a different surface pattern or colour to said heel, wherein the sleeve is adapted to fit over at least part of said heel in order to provide a temporary heel of different appearance.

1). A kit substantially as hereinbefore described, with reference to the drawings.

16. A device substantially as hereinbefore described, with reference to the drawings.