US3050877A

US3050877A - Reinforced heel and tap

Info

Publication number: US3050877A
Application number: US36654A
Authority: US
Inventors: Fernando M Ronci
Original assignee: Individual
Current assignee: Individual
Priority date: 1960-06-16
Filing date: 1960-06-16
Publication date: 1962-08-28
Anticipated expiration: 1979-08-28

Description

Aug. 28, 1962 F. M. RONCl 3,050,877

REINFORCED HEEL AND TAP Filed June 16, 1960 FIG.|

INVENTOR.

FERNANDO M. RONCI BY r ATTo Y I tester: Patented Aug. 28, 1962 REINFORCED HEEL AND TAP Fernando M. Ronci, Providence, R.I. (2 Atlantic Blvd., Centredale, RI.) Filed June 16, 1960, Ser. No. 36,654 4 Claims. (Cl. 36-34) My present invention relates to the shoe making art and more particularly to anovel construction of a heel and tap.

The present invention constitutes a continuation in part of my copending application entitled Reinforced Heel and Tap, Serial Number 756,329, filed August 21, 1958.

, ing movement of the shank 15 in the hole, the shank 15 The principal object of the present invention is to provide a reinforcing core and novel tap for a narrow elongated high heel for a womans shoe.

Another object of the present invention is to provide a tap construction which is rigid, tough and scuff proof.

A further object of the present invention is to provide a combination tap and reinforcing core wherein the tap is long wearing and has great resistance to loosening.

Another object of the present invention is to provide a heel and tap construction which is easy and economical to manufacture and assemble.

With the above and other objects and advantageous features in view, my invention consists of a novel arrangement of parts more fully disclosed in the detailed description following, in conjunction with the accompanying drawings, and more particularly defined in the appended claims.

In the drawings,

FIG. 1 is a perspective view of a womans shoe having the heel and tap of the present invention.

FIG. 2 is a side elevation partly in section of theheel and tap.

FIG. 3 is a perspective view of the combination tap In certain types of womens shoes a very narrow spike heel has become extremely popular. These'heels are normally molded of plastic material and taper from a broad top to a main heel portion which is extremely narrow in diameter. To reinforce these heels, a central veru'cal opening has been made therein extending through the narrow portion and a metal reinforcing core or dowel has been forced into the opening. This reinforcing core or dowel is roughened, fluted or provided with threads to prevent movement in the opening. More recently a top lift made of metal has been secured to the end of the reinforcing dowel, This has been found objectionable because of the danger of damaging persons, clothing, furniture, rugs and floors.

The present invention is designed to overcome these defects by providing the reinforcing core or dowel with a top lift which is tough, long wearing but sufliciently resilient to prevent scufling and other damage and designed to enclose the head of the dowel so. that it will not be exposed.

Referring more in detail to the drawings, the shoe 10 is provided with a heel 11 having a broad top heel-seat portion 12 tapering to an elongated narrow portion 13 which forms a narrow tread end. The heel 11 is made of plastic material and is provided with a vertical hole 14 which extends from the tread end of the heel upwardly through the narrow portion and well into the top portion. If desired the hole 14 may be extended completely through the heel; Referring to FIGS. 3 and 4, I now provide an elongated reinforcing shank 15 preferably of tempered steel. The reinforcing shank 15'is provided with a tapered snubbed end 16 at one end and an enlarged head 17 at the other end. The shank '15, which constitutes a reinforcing core or dowel is approximately the same diameter as the hole 14 or perhaps slightly greater to produce a tight fit. To prevent turnis illustrated as provided with surface flutings. Other holding means such as a self-driving screw or knurlings can also be used. The shank 15 canthus be forced into the hole 14 as shown in FIG. 2 until the shoulders on the enlarged head 17 abut the tread end of the heel.

The tap or lift for the bottom of the heel is preferably made of a suitable tough plasticmaterial. It can be made of nylon, polyethylene, urethane or any of the modern moldable materials which combine toughness with some resiliency. In the form illustrated in FIGS. 2 and 3 the tap 18 is molded directly to the enlarged head 17 so that the head 17 is embedded in the tap and will be unexposed. after assembly. To further lock the tap to the head during the molding operation, the head 17 may be provided with flutings as shown in FIG. 2. In assembly the tap 18 is molded to the head 17 as shown in FIG. 3 and the shank 15 is then driven into the hole 14 as shown in FIG. 2. The shank 15 thus acts as a reinforcing core and also serves to hold the tap on the heel.

For additional interlocking of the tap and the head, the form.-shown in FIG. 4 may be used. In this form the heel 19 is provided with a central hole and a reinforcing shank 20 similar to the shank 15. However, the head 21 is grooved or undercut. When. the tap 22 is molded to the head 21 the grooved portion interlocks with I the tap to hold it in place.

In the form shown in FIG. 5 the head on the reinforcing shank is completely embedded in the tap material.

In this form the heel 23 is provided with the same central hole and the same reinforcing shank 24. However the shank head 25 is completely embedded in the-material of the tap 26. To avoid too much thickness, the head 25 should be thinner than in the forms shown in FIGS. 2 and 4. In all of the forms shown the interlocking of the head and the tap may be accomplished by alternative means such as providing a square head to prevent turning of the tap or by any other means.

I have thus provided an improved heel having a reinforcing core or dowel in which a tap is molded directly and securely to the dowel head so that no metal is exposed but the dowel serves to hold the tap on the heel. Other advantages of the present invention will be readily apparent to a person skilled in the art.

I claim:

l. A shoe heel lift attachment for insertion into ahole located in a shoe heel comprising a roughened elongated shank of a size adapted to be forced into said hole and to form a grip therein by means of the roughened portion, a head on said shank, and a solid synthetic-resin plastic lift molded to said head, the head being constituted by an interlocking form substantially embedded in said plastic lift, whereby the shank is strongly attached in the heel by said grip and the lift is interlockingly ad- I hered to the head.

2. A reinforced heel having a body portion of relatively weak material provided at its upper end with a relatively large heel-seat surface and at its lower end with a relatively small tread end, the body portion being interiorly provided with a hole extending longitudinally of the body portion from the tread end toward the heelseat surface, and an elongated reinforcing shank constituted of material much harder than that of the body portion driven into the hole, the reinforcing shank being roughened to grip therein, a head on said shank, and a in said plastic lift, whereby the shank is strongly attached in the heel by said grip and the lift is interlockingly adhe red to the head. 7

"3. A heel for-a womans shoe comprising a' broad top heel-seat portion tapering to an elongated very narrow bottom portion to form a narrow high heel having a very narrow tread end, said heel having a central vertical hole' extending from the tread end through said narrow porsaid hole through said narrow portion of said heel, means for-frictionally retaining said reinforcing shank in said hole,- said reinforcing shank having an enlarged flat head, a tap for the tread end of saidheel, said head being grooved and said tap being molded to said head.

4. A plastic heel for a womans shoe comprising a broad heel-seat top portion tapering to an elongated very 1 narrow bottom portion to form a narrow high heelhaving a very narrow tread end, said heel having a central 7 solid plastic lift molded to said head, the head being constituted by an interlocking form substantially embedded g r 4 a vertical hole extending from the tread end through said narrow portion, an elongatedrigid hardened steelreinforcing shank extending into said hole through said narrow portion of said heel, means for frictio'nally retaining said reinforcing shank in said hol e, sa.id means including longitudinal flutings onsaidshank, said reinforcing shank I having an enlarged flat head, a tap for the tread end of 'tion, an elongated rigid reinforcing shank extending into said heel, said head being grooved and said tap 'being molded to said head. I Y

References Cited in the file of this patent UNITED STATES PATENTS 7 Owen Apr. 23, 1929 France -Mar.- 7,

Disclaimer 3,050,877.Fe-7mmd0 111' Rzmci, Providence, RI. REINFORCED HEEL AND TAP. Patent dated Aug. 28, 1962. Disclaimer filed Aug. 4, 1972, by the invent-0r. Hereby enters this disclaimer to claims 1 and 2 of said patent.

[Oyficial Gazette January 16, 1,973.]