GB974254A - Shock-absorbent heel construction - Google Patents

Abstract

974,254. Shock-absorbent heels. R. J. HAUG. July 13, 1962, No. 27115/62. Heading A3B. A shock absorbent heel construction for shoes comprises a heel 1 having a lower relatively thin stem portion 2 terminating in a bottom surface 6 and and upper relatively thick flared-out portion 3 terminating in a top surface 4, a recess 11 formed in the flared-out portion extending from the top surface 4, a bore 5 of smaller crosssection extending from the recess to the bottom surface, a block of resilient compressible material 12 secured in the recess 11, a load-transmitting means slidably received in the bore, extending downwardly from the bottom surface, to transmit dynamic loads to said block. In one embodiment shown the load-transmitting means comprise a pin member 7, having a portion 8 at reduced diameter at its upper end, and an enlarged lift portion 9, which is inserted into the bore 5. A flat washer member 13, of larger diameter than the bore 5 is placed in the recess 11 on the reduced portion 8 of the pin 7, and is secured in place by a flexible retaining washer 14. The resilient member 12, which may be of rubber is then inserted in the recess 11 and is fixed in position by a serrated dished washer 15 pressed in a recess of slightly greater width than recess 11, and having an opening 18 for guiding a screw nail securing the heel to the main body of the shoe. The pin member 7 may be formed of steel and the heel itself of plastic, wood &c. The resilient member may be spherical in which case the recess 12 is approximately hemispherical. A washer 10 of rubber may be inserted between the lift 9 and the surface 6. The load transmitting means may be modified at the lower end to accommodate a resilient lift of rubber, leather or other soft material.