GB2500257A

GB2500257A - Reconfigurable footwear

Info

Publication number: GB2500257A
Application number: GB1204675.1A
Authority: GB
Inventors: Denys Cronin
Original assignee: Individual
Current assignee: Individual
Priority date: 2012-03-16
Filing date: 2012-03-16
Publication date: 2013-09-18
Anticipated expiration: 2032-03-16
Also published as: WO2013136048A1; GB201204675D0; GB2500257B

Abstract

A reconfigurable footwear item comprising a sole 11 and a heel 14, the sole comprising a rear portion 11b which is arranged to support a rear portion of a user's foot and a front portion 11a which is arranged to support a front portion of the user's foot. The heel comprises a heel base 15 which is rigidly coupled to the rear sole portion of the sole and a heel extension 16 which is arranged to detachably couple with the heel base. The item further comprises reconfiguring means which is arranged to reconfigure the configuration of the rear sole portion with respect to the front sole portion, between a first configuration and a second configuration as the heel extension couples and uncouples from the heel base. The sole is preferable resiliently biased to the first configuration. The coupling means may comprise a well 17 formed within the heel base, and there may be locking means for locking the base and the extension together. The reconfiguring means may comprise a tongue (26, fig.4) extending from the rear sole portion to the front sole portion, the tongue being displaceable by a rod.

Description

Reconfiqurable Footwear Item

The present invention relates to a reconfigurable footwear item.

Footwear items typically comprise a sole and a heel which extends from 5 the underside of the sole at the rear thereof, to raise the rear of the sole with respect to the front of the sole. So-called "high heel" shoes however, which are often the favoured footwear items of women, raise the rear portion of the sole approximately 5-1 Ocm with respect to the front of the sole. The size of the heel is typically used to make the wearer appear taller, however, large heels are found 10 to severely limit the wearer's ability to perform a variety of functions, such as drive a car, descend staircases, walk for prolonged periods or walk on uneven terrain, for example.

High-heeled shoes force the wearer to walk predominantly on the balls of their feet. As a result, the wearers' toes often become constricted at the front of 15 the shoe, and the muscles in the lower legs of the wearer remain tense for long periods, which can strain the muscles. Moreover, since the wearer does not securely plant their feet on the ground when walking in high heel shoes, then it is common for the wearer to trip or fall.

In light of the above, it is common for women for example, to wear shoes 20 with a low heel or no heel, such as trainers, while travelling to a venue or driving for example, and to change their footwear for high heel shoes on arrival.

In accordance with the present invention there is provided a reconfigurable footwear item comprising a sole and a heel,

the sole comprising a rear portion which is arranged to support a rear 25 portion of a user's foot and a front portion which is arranged to support a front portion of the user's foot, the heel comprising a heel base which is rigidly coupled to the rear sole portion of the sole and a heel extension which is arranged to detachably couple with the heel base,

the item further comprising reconfiguring means which is arranged to 30 reconfigure the rear sole portion with respect to the front sole portion, between a first configuration and a second configuration as the heel extension couples and uncouples from the heel base..

Advantageously, the footwear item enables a wearer to remove the heel during periods of prolonged walking, and then reposition the heel upon arriving at

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a function or event, for example, thereby minimising the periods when the high heel is required and also the requirement for the wearer to carry an additional pair of shoes.

The sole is preferably resiliently biased to the first configuration, in which 5 the rear sole portion and the front sole portion extend in substantially the same plane. Preferably, in the second configuration, the rear sole portion is raised with respect to the front sole portion.

The item preferably further comprises coupling means for enabling the heel extension to detachably couple with the heel base. The coupling means 10 preferably comprises a well formed within the heel base, which is arranged to receive a proximal end of the heel extension. Preferably, the coupling means further comprises locking means for releasably locking the heel extension to the heel base.

The reconfiguring means preferably comprises a tongue which is 15 arranged to extend from the rear sole portion to the front sole portion, and is arranged to move relative to the sole to pull the front and rear sole portions together to reconfigure the sole from the first to the second configurations.

Preferably, the tongue comprises a proximal portion which is arranged to extend adjacent the rear sole portion and a distal portion which is arranged to 20 extend adjacent the front sole portion. A distal portion of the tongue preferably comprises a boss having a width which increases in a direction which is along the tongue toward the distal end.

The sole preferably comprises an upper and lower sole layer and the front sole portion preferably comprises a first and second sole wing which extend 25 between the layers and which are pivotally coupled at a front portion thereof. The relative rotation of the wings about the pivot is preferably dependent upon the relative movement of the tongue along the sole, such that as the sole reconfigures to the second configuration, the wings are arranged to rotate away from each other as the boss becomes pulled toward the rear of the sole, to 30 increase the width of the sole at the front thereof. In this respect, the width of the shoe for example is arranged to increase at the front as the heel extension couples to the heel base, to accommodate the wearer's foot and toes which are known to spread as the wearer raises their heel.

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The reconfiguring means preferably further comprises means for moving the tongue along the channel as the heel extension couples and uncouples with the heel base. Preferably the means for displacing the tongue comprises a rod which is arranged to extend from the proximal end of the heel extension, 5 substantially along a longitudinal axis of the heel extension, and is arranged to engage with the tongue.

The rod and thus the heel extension is arranged to pivot about a side wall of the well to draw the tongue along the channel formed within the sole toward the rear sole portion, to reconfigure the footwear item. Once the tongue has been 10 suitably displaced relative to the sole, the proximal end of the heel extension is inserted fully in to the well so that the locking means can lock the heel extension within the well.

Preferably, the item further comprises an upper which is arranged to conform with a wearer's foot.

15 An embodiment of the present invention will now be described by way of example only and with reference to the accompanying drawings in which:

Figure 1 is a side view of a footwear item according to an embodiment of the present invention;

Figure 2a is a cross-sectional view of the sole and heel and tongue of the 20 footwear item illustrated in figure 1, with the upper removed, arranged in a second configuration;

Figure 2b is an exploded, cross-sectional view of the sole, heel and tongue of the footwear item illustrated in figure 1, with the upper removed, arranged in a second configuration;

25 Figure 3 is an exploded, cross-sectional view of the sole and heel of the footwear item illustrated in figure 1, with the upper removed, arranged in a first configuration;

Figure 4a is a view from the underside of the footwear item illustrated in figure 1; and,

30 Figure 4b is a view from the underside of the footwear item illustrated in figure 1 with the sole grip and lower sole layer removed to expose the first and second sole wings and the tongue boss.

Referring to figures 1 of the drawings, there is illustrated a footwear item, such as a high heel shoe 10 according to an embodiment of the present

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invention. The shoe 10 comprises a sole 11, which may comprise a leather or rubber material, for example, an upper 12 disposed upon the sole 11 which is arranged to conform with the wearers' foot (not shown) to enclose the foot, and a sole grip 13 which extends along the underside of the sole and which is arranged 5 to contact the ground to provide the wearer of the item 10 with grip.

The shoe 10 further comprises a heel 14 which extends from the underside of the sole 11 at the rear thereof, which is arranged to raise the rear portion 11b of the sole 11 with respect to the front portion 11a and as such the front or toe portion 11a of the sole 11 is typically angularly orientated with respect 10 to the rear of the sole 11b at an angle of 0, as illustrated in figure 1 of the drawings. Referring to figures 2 of the drawings, the heel 14 comprises a heel base 15 which is rigidly coupled to the underside of the rear portion 11b of the sole 11 and a heel extension 16, which is arranged to detachably couple with the heel base 15. The heel extension 16 comprises a rubber cap 14a disposed at a 15 distal end thereof to provide the wearer (not shown) with grip at the underside of the heel 14.

The proximal end 16a of the heel extension 15 is arranged to extend within a well 17 disposed within the heel base 15 and comprises a barb 18 which is arranged to locate within a slot 19 disposed adjacent the well 17 within the 20 heel base 15. The barb 18 is arranged to lock the orientation of the heel extension 16 relative to the heel base 15, to minimise any rotational movement of the heel extension 16 within the well 17. To prevent the heel extension 16 from falling from the heel base 15, the proximal end 16a of the heel extension 16 comprises a recess 20 which extends into the heel extension 16 substantially 25 transverse a longitudinal axis thereof. The recess 20 is arranged to receive a locking member 21 from a channel 22 disposed within the heel base 15 and which is arranged to align with the recess 20, when the proximal end 16a of the heel extension 16 is fully inserted in the well 17. The channel 22 extends into the heel base 15 from a rear surface thereof and the member 21 comprises a 30 keyway which is resiliently biased outwardly of the channel 22 into the well 17 by a spring 23. The lock further comprises a bearing 24 disposed in the channel 22 which is disposed at the side of the spring 23 opposite the keyway 21 and is similarly biased outwardly of the channel toward the rear of the heel base 15 by the spring 23. The bearing 24 is prevented from passing out of the channel 22

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however by an actuator 25 which is slidingly coupled to the rear of the heel base 15 such that upon sliding the actuator 25, the bearing 24 is permitted to move along the channel 22 toward the rear of the heel base 15 to permit the keyway 21 to move along the channel 22 and thus out from the well 17, for example.

5 The sole 11 comprises an upper sole layer 11c and a lower sole layer 11 d and is resiliently biased to adopt a substantially flattened configuration, in which the front and rear sole portions 11a, 11b extend in substantially the same plane (0 -180°), as illustrated in figure 3 of the drawings. The sole 11 further comprises an elongate channel (not shown) which extends along the sole 11, between the 10 upper and lower layers 11c, 11 d, between the front and rear portions 11a, 11b thereof. The sole 11 is arranged to reconfigure between the flattened configuration and a raised configuration (as illustrated in figure 2 of the drawings), in which the rear portion 11b is raised relative to the front sole portion 11a, in dependence of the movement of a tongue 26 which extends along the 15 channel (not shown).

Referring to figure 4 of the drawings, the tongue 26 comprises a proximal portion which is arranged to extend adjacent the rear portion 11b of the sole 11, and a distal portion which is arranged to extend adjacent the front sole portion 11a. The tongue 26 comprises a plurality of tabs 27 formed on the underside of 20 the proximal portion thereof which are separated longitudinally of the tongue 26, and a tongue boss 28 at the distal portion thereof. The boss 28 comprises a width which increases in a direction which is toward the distal end of the tongue 26 and is secured between a first and second sole wing 11 e, 11f at the front of the sole 11. The first and second sole wings 11 e, 11f are substantially triangular 25 in plan view and are pivotally coupled at a distal end thereof by a pin 29, which extends between the first and second wings 11 e, 11f and which is coupled to the upper and lower sole layers 11c, 11 d. Accordingly, the divergent profile of the boss 28 between the sole wings 11 e, 11f is arranged to cause the wings 11 e, 11f to rotate away from each other about the pivot 29 as the tongue 26 moves along 30 the channel (not shown) toward the rear of the shoe 10.

The movement of the tongue 26 rearwardly of the channel (not shown) is actuated upon coupling the heel extension 16 to the heel base 15. The heel extension 16 comprises an actuating rod 30 which extends substantially along a longitudinal axis of the heel extension 16 and which is biased outwardly from the

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proximal end of the heel extension 16 by a spring 31. The spring 31 is disposed within a spring chamber 32 which is located at the distal end of the heel extension 16 and the rod 30 comprises an abutment (not shown) formed thereon which is arranged to abut a wall of the chamber 32 to limit the extension of the 5 rod 30 out from the proximal end of the heel extension 16.

The rod 30 is arranged to pass into the well 17 within the heel base 15 and through the lower sole portion 11 d to locate with the tongue 26 and in particular, one or more of the tabs 27 formed at the underside thereof. Upon locating a tab 27, the rod 30 and thus the heel extension 16 is pivoted against a 10 side wall of the well 17 to draw the tongue 26 rearwardly of the sole 11 within the channel (not shown). As the tongue 26 is drawn along the channel (not shown), wing portions 11 e, 11f rotate about the pivot 29 to cause the front sole portion 11a to increase in width. In this respect, the wings portions 11 e, 11f are arranged to move outwardly from between the upper and lower sole layers 11c, 11 d, 15 however, this relative rotation is restricted to a maximum rotation. Upon reaching a maximum separation, further movement of the tongue 26 along the channel (not shown) is arranged to cause the rear sole portion 11b to reconfigure with respect to the front sole portion 11a to raise the rear sole portion 11b relative to the front sole portion 11 a.

20 As the longitudinal axis of the heel extension 16 becomes substantially aligned with the longitudinal axis of the well 17, the proximal end 16a of the heel extension 16 is inserted into the well 17, whereupon the rod 30 is arranged to move longitudinally of the heel extension 16 into the spring chamber 32. However, the rod 30 remains engaged with the tab 27 on the tongue 26 owing to 25 the bias of the spring 31, to hold the position of the tongue 26 within the channel (not shown) and thus the configuration of the shoe 10. To further maintain the position of the tongue 26 within the channel (not shown) however, the underside of the tongue 26, proximate the boss 28, comprises a plurality of serrations 33 (only two of which are illustrated) which are arranged to engage with a plurality of 30 serrations 34 disposed upon an upper surface of the lower sole layer 11 d. The serrations 33 are angled to enable the tongue 26 to slide easily in a direction which is rearwardly of the shoe 10, but which restrict the movement of the tongue 26 toward the front of the shoe 10. As the proximal end 16a of the heel extension 16 becomes fully inserted into the well 17, the resiliently biased keyway 21 is

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arranged to locate within the recess 20 to lock the heel extension 16 to the heel base 15, and the barb 18 is arranged to locate within the slot 19 to minimise any rotation of the heel extension 16 within the well 17.

In order to remove the heel extension 16, the actuator 25 is moved along 5 the heel base 15 relative to the channel 22 so that the bearing 24 can move outwardly of the channel 22 to release the bias force applied to the keyway 21 so that the keyway 21 can move out from the recess 20. The heel extension 16 is then pulled out from the well 17 within the heel base 15 which results in the disengagement of the rod 30 with the tongue tabs 27. The resilient bias of the 10 sole 11 to adopt the first configuration, subsequently results in the sole reconfiguring to a flattened configuration whereupon, the tongue serrations 33 move out of engagement with the serrations 34 on the lower sole layer 11 d and the tongue 26 moves forwardly of the channel (not shown) relative to the sole 11. This results in the wing portions 11 e, 11f rotating toward each other and thus a 15 narrowing of the front sole portion 11a. The well 17 in the heel base 15 may then be closed with a heel plug 35 (as illustrated in figure 3 of the drawings) having a grip 36 disposed at the underside thereof, so that the shoe 10 can be worn without damaging the heel base 15.

From the foregoing therefore, it is evident that the reconfigurable footwear 20 item provides a simple yet effective means of enabling a wearer to tailor their footwear according to their activity or the terrain, for example.

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Claims

Claims

1. A reconfigurable footwear item comprising a sole and a heel,

the sole comprising a rear portion which is arranged to support a rear 5 portion of a user's foot and a front portion which is arranged to support a front portion of the user's foot, the heel comprising a heel base which is rigidly coupled to the rear sole portion of the sole and a heel extension which is arranged to detachably couple with the heel base,

the item further comprising reconfiguring means which is arranged to

10 reconfigure the rear sole portion with respect to the front sole portion,

between a first configuration and a second configuration as the heel extension couples and uncouples from the heel base.

2. A footwear item according to claim 1, wherein the sole is resiliently biased to the first configuration, in which the rear sole portion and the front sole

15 portion extend in substantially the same plane.

3. A footwear item according to claim 1 or 2, wherein in the second configuration, the rear sole portion is raised with respect to the front sole portion.

4. A footwear item according to any preceding claim, further comprising

20 coupling means for enabling the heel extension to detachably couple with the heel base.

5. A footwear item according to claim 4, wherein the coupling means comprises a well formed within the heel base, which is arranged to receive a proximal end of the heel extension.

25 6. A footwear item according to claim 4 or 5, wherein the coupling means comprises or further comprises locking means for releasably locking the heel extension to the heel base.

7. A footwear item according to any preceding claim, wherein the reconfiguring means comprises a tongue which is arranged to extend

30 from the rear sole portion to the front sole portion, and is arranged to move relative to the sole to pull the front and rear sole portions together to reconfigure the sole from the first to the second configuration

8. A footwear item according to claim 7, wherein the tongue comprises a proximal portion which is arranged to extend adjacent the rear sole

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portion and a distal portion which is arranged to extend adjacent the front sole portion.

9. A footwear item according to claim 8, wherein the distal portion of the tongue comprises a boss having a width which increases in a direction

5 which is along the tongue toward a distal end thereof.

10. A footwear item according to any of claims 7 to 9, wherein the sole comprises an upper and lower sole layer and the front sole portion comprises a first and second sole wing which extend between the layers and which are pivotally coupled at a front portion thereof.

10 11. A footwear item according to claim 10, wherein the relative rotation of the wings about the pivot is dependent upon the relative movement of the tongue along the sole.

12. A footwear item according to any of claims 7 to 11, wherein the reconfiguring means further comprises means for displacing the tongue

15 along the channel as the heel extension couples and uncouples with the heel base.

13. A footwear item according to claim 12, wherein the means for displacing the tongue comprises a rod which is arranged to extend from a proximal end of the heel extension and which is arranged to engage with the

20 tongue.

14. A footwear item according to claim 13, wherein the rod is arranged to pivot about a side wall of the well to draw the tongue along the sole toward the rear sole portion, to reconfigure the footwear item.

15. A footwear item according to any preceding claim, further comprising an

25 upper disposed upon the sole, which is arranged to conform with a wearer's foot.