Convertible sole assembly and shoe

Abstract

A sole assembly for a convertible shoe configured to adopt a flat configuration in which a low heel is removably connected to a heel region, and a high heel configuration, in which a high heel is removably connected to the heel region, the convertible shoe including: a unitary midsole portion including a flexible forefoot support region at a front end, and a rigid hindfoot support region disposed adjacent the forefoot support region, the arrangement being such that the flexible forefoot support region is configured to flex between being substantially parallel with the rigid hindfoot support region in the flat configuration, and extending at an angle generally transverse to the rigid hindfoot support region in the high heel configuration; wherein the forefoot support region includes a substantially flexible midsole and the hindfoot support region includes a substantially rigid midsole, and the substantially flexible midsole forefoot is moulded over a portion of the rigid hindfoot support to facilitate in use the change in angle of the forefoot support relative to the hindfoot support region, and a bayonet-style quick connector fastening dock in a heel region of the hindfoot support region for selective quick release and mount of the high heel and flat heel.

Description

CONVERTIBLE SOLE ASSEMBLY AND SHOETechnical Field

[0001] The present invention relates generally to shoes that convert between flat and high heel configurations.Background Art

[0002] Some convertible heel shoe assemblies exist. Some involve complex arrangements that are difficult to use. Some require feats of strength to perform a conversion from flat to high heel and vice versa; others are too flimsy.

[0003] When changing from low heel to high heels, one of the problems is ease of removal and ease of replacement of the heel. There is also a problem with secure mounting of the heels.

[0004] There is, in addition, a further difficulty in moving the shoe from flat to stiletto, in that the hindfoot section of the sole of the shoe becomes increasingly angled relative to the forefoot section, the latter of which remains parallel to the ground. Some complex arrangements exist to facilitate the change in angle, with cables and the like. All seem to fail and seem to be inadequate for the reliability required, and forces encountered.

[0005] The present inventors have invented a shoe, sole assembly and new convertible shoe kit which substantially ameliorates one or more of the abovementioned disadvantages, or provides a new shoe, a new sole assembly and a new convertible shoe kit.Summary of Invention

[0006] In accordance with one aspect of the present invention there is provided a sole assembly for a convertible shoe configured to adopt a flat configuration in which a low heel is removably connected to a heel region, and a high heel configuration, in which a high heel is removably connected to the heel region, the sole assembly including: an unitary midsole portion including a flexible forefoot support region at a front end, and a rigid hindfoot support region disposed adjacent the forefoot support region, the arrangement being such that the flexible forefoot support region is configured to flex between being substantially parallel with the rigid hindfoot support region in the flat configuration, and extending at an angle generally transverse to the rigid hindfoot support region in the high heel configuration; wherein the forefoot support region includes a substantially flexible midsole and the hindfoot support region includes a substantially rigid midsole, and the substantially flexible midsole forefoot is moulded over a portion of the rigid hindfoot support to facilitate in use the change in angle of the forefoot support relative to the hindfoot support region, and a bayonet-style quick connector fastening dock in a heel region of the hindfoot support region for selective quick release and mount of the high heel and flat heel.

[0007] In accordance with another aspect of the present invention there is provided a convertible shoe configured to adopt a flat configuration in which a low heel is removably connected to a heel region of a sole assembly, and a high heel configuration, in which a high heel is removably connected to the heel region of a sole assembly, the convertible shoe including: an unitary midsole portion including a flexible forefoot support region at a front end, and a rigid hindfoot support region disposed adjacent the forefoot support region, the arrangement being such that the flexible forefoot support region is configured to flex between being substantially parallel with the rigid hindfoot support region in the flat configuration, and extending at an angle generally transverse to the rigid hindfoot support region in the high heel configuration; wherein the forefoot support region includes a substantially flexible midsole and the hindfoot support region includes a substantially rigid midsole, and the substantially flexible midsole forefoot is moulded over a portion of the rigid hindfoot support to facilitate in use the change in angle of the forefoot support relative to the hindfoot support region, and a bayonet-style quick connector fastening dock in a heel region of the hindfoot support region for selective quick release and mount of the high heel and flat heel.

[0008] In one embodiment the heel region of the sole portion includes a mounting dock for one of the heels to be received therein.

[0009] In one embodiment there is provided a fastener portion disposed in the dock.

[0010] In one embodiment the fastener portion includes a quick connector portion.

[0011] In one embodiment the quick connector portion includes a bayonet fitting portion.

[0012] In one embodiment the bayonet fitting portion includes a plurality of lobe receivers.

[0013] In one embodiment the plurality of lobe receivers include tapered catches to provide a snug fit for a lobe, preferably within a turn of about 30 degrees.

[0014] In one embodiment there is provided a kit including a plurality of heels.

[0015] In one embodiment there is provided in the kit, a low heel and a high heel. Preferably the high heel is between about 3 inches high and about 6 inches high. Preferably the low heel is between about 10mm and 50mm high. A mid heel also may be available in the kit - say 30 mm to 75mm high.

[0016] In one embodiment there is provided a fastener portion in an upper portion of the heel.

[0017] In one embodiment the fastener portion is a bayonet fitting portion.

[0018] In one embodiment the bayonet fitting portion includes a plurality of lobes.

[0019] In one embodiment a lock is provided in the dock.

[0020] In one embodiment the lock includes a rotation inhibitor.

[0021] In one embodiment the lock includes a key to fit in a cooperating keyway.

[0022] In one embodiment the lock is movable by a button or a slide to move the key between the locked and unlocked positions.

[0023] In one embodiment the lock is biased to the locked position.

[0024] In one embodiment the key, in the locked position, is disposed flat in the recessed keyway in the bayonet fitting of the heel. When a button (actuator) is pressed, the key swings up and out of the recessed key way to allow rotation of the bayonet fitting and heel to move from the fastened to the released position.

[0025] In one embodiment the hindfoot support is a contoured plate for supporting the hindfoot of a user.

[0026] In one embodiment the hindfoot support is a material selected from the group consisting of steel, aluminium, plastic, GRP, Carbon Fibre-reinforced material, honeycomb, or any suitable substantially rigid material.

[0027] In one embodiment the plastic may be in the form of ABS.

[0028] In an embodiment the forefoot support portion is a flexible plate for supporting the ball and toes of a foot of a user, or the forefoot region of the foot.

[0029] In one embodiment the forefoot support portion may be any form of resilient or flexible material including those selected from the group consisting of: TPU, rubber, silicone, leather, vinyl, and like materials.

[0030] In one embodiment the forefoot support portion is TPU.

[0031] In one embodiment the forefoot support portion and the hindfoot support portions are fastened together.

[0032] In one embodiment the forefoot support portion and the hindfoot support portions are moulded together.

[0033] In one embodiment the hindfoot portion or plate includes a flange at a join region for facilitating grip of the forefoot material onto the hindfoot.

[0034] In an embodiment the flange includes apertures or a mesh for allowing the moulded forefoot material to bond to itself around one or more bars of the hindfoot flange.

[0035] In an embodiment the flange is a width of the hindfoot section is a full width of the hindfoot portion.

[0036] In an embodiment the flange is thinner than the hindfoot portion so that the moulded forefoot portion is flush with top and bottom surfaces of the hindfoot portion when moulded onto the hindfoot portion.

[0037] In an embodiment the flange is about a third of the thickness of the hindfoot portion. To increase flexibility at the join.

[0038] In one embodiment the sole includes an upper to form a foot cavity for receiving a foot.

[0039] In one embodiment the upper includes a strap for extending around a hindfoot. The strap may extend from the hindfoot support region of the sole. The strap may include a buckle for access and a length selectable portion to accommodate various sizes of foot.

[0040] In one embodiment the strap may extend around a forefoot.

[0041] In one embodiment the forefoot strap extends from the forefoot section on one side to the forefoot section on the other side.

[0042] In one embodiment there is a midfoot strap or mesh or web extending from the strap on the forefoot to the hindfoot support region of the sole, across a hinge line therebetween. This strap or mesh or web or combination thereof may be resilient and may facilitate automatic flex between the low heel position toward the high heel position. The midfoot strap or web or mesh may be adjustable manually or automatically.

[0043] There may be provided a shank in the midsole or adjacent thereto so as to form a spring or bias toward the high heel flexed position.

[0044] In one embodiment the sole includes foot retainers to keep the foot on the sole when walking.Brief Description of Drawings

[0045] To enable a clearer understanding, the present invention will now be described with reference to an embodiment shown in the attached Figures, and in those Figures:

[0046] Figure 1 is an exploded view of a convertible shoe assembly in a low heel configuration, in accordance with an embodiment of the present invention;

[0047] Figure 2 is an exploded view of a convertible shoe assembly in a high heel configuration, in accordance with an embodiment of the present invention;

[0048] Figure 3 is an underside exploded view of a sole assembly portion of the shoe shown in Figures 1 and 2;

[0049] Figure 4 is an underside perspective view of the sole assembly shown in Figure 3;

[0050] Figure 5 is a perspective view from above (with a midsole removed for clarity) of a sole portion of a bayonet fitting and lock for fitting in the sole shown in Figures 1 to 4;

[0051] Figure 6 is an exploded view of all the major components of the bayonet fitting;

[0052] Figure 7 is a plan view of the mid sole of the convertible shoe assembly;

[0053] Figure 8 is an underside view of the mid sole of the convertible shoe assembly;

[0054] Figures 9, 11 and 13 are side views of a complete shoe in a high heel position;

[0055] Figure 10, 12 and 14 is a side view of a complete shoe shown in Figure 9, 11 and 13 respectively in the low heel position; and

[0056] Figure 15 is an isometric view of a hindfoot support plate (or portion) of the midsole, showing a joining flange for grip of the moulded flexible plate (or portion).Description of Embodiments

[0057] Referring to the Figures there is shown a convertible shoe, which is generally indicated at 10. The convertible shoe 10 is configured to adopt both a flat configuration shown in Figures 1 and a high heel configuration shown in Figure 2.

[0058] The convertible shoe 10 includes a sole assembly 20 which includes an articulating sole 22 including a forefoot support region 24 disposed at the front 23 of the sole 22 and a hindfoot support region 25 disposed at a rear region 26 of the sole 22.

[0059] In the flat configuration, shown in Figure 1, a low heel 60 is connected to the rear region 26, and in the high heel configuration, shown in Figure 2, a high heel 160 is connected to the rear region 26.

[0060] The forefoot support region 24 includes a substantially flexible midsole and the hindfoot support region 25 includes a substantially rigid midsole, and the two support regions are connected together to facilitate articulating between the flat configuration and the high heel configuration.

[0061] The rear region 26 of the sole portion includes a mounting dock 50 for one of the heels to be received therein. There is a fastener portion 51 disposed in the dock 50. The fastener portion 51 includes a quick connector portion 52. The quick connector portion 52 includes a bayonet fitting portion 53. The bayonet fitting portion 53 includes a plurality of lobe receivers 54. The plurality of lobe receivers include tapered catches 55 to provide a snug fit for a lobe, preferably within a turn of about 30 degrees.

[0062] Cooperating fastener and bayonet fitting portions are provided in the heel, shown at 51a, 52a, 53, a, 54a, and the lobes are shown at 55a.

[0063] A lock 75 is provided in the dock 50. The lock 75 includes a rotation inhibitor 76. The lock 75 includes a key 76 to fit in a cooperating keyway 77. The lock 75 is movable by a button 78 to move the key 76 between the locked and unlocked positions. The lock 75 is biased to the locked position by a pair of leaf springs 79. One can see that the lock is held against the base wall of the sole in the locked position so that it fits in a key way set into the heel bayonet to inhibit rotation. Then the heart shaped button is pressed so that the key pivots out of the key way to allow rotation. The leaf springs then draw the key back to the sole wall.

[0064] The hindfoot support 25 is a material selected from the group consisting of: steel, aluminium, plastic, GRP, Carbon Fibre-reinforced material, honeycomb, or any suitable substantially rigid material. The plastic is ABS because it is suitable for moulding with flexible materials like TPU and it is light and strong.

[0065] The forefoot support portion 24 may be any form of resilient or flexible material including those selected from the group consisting of: TPU, rubber, silicone, leather, vinyl, and like materials. The forefoot support portion in the embodiment shown is TPU.

[0066] To connect the forefoot support portion and the hindfoot support portions, they are moulded together. A hinge line or joint line can be seen at 99. There may be one or more fingers or flanges 85 of ABS or other hindfoot material extending from the hindfoot support around the joint line 99 to provide increased grip for the TPU to mould onto and a hinge line or region. The flanges 85 may include, as shown in Figure 15, a mesh 84 or apertures 83 for increased TPU mould grip. The flange 85 is thinner than the hindfoot main portion so that the forefoot TPU is flush with the top and bottom of the hindfoot main portion.

[0067] The sole includes an upper 95 to form a foot cavity 96 for receiving a foot. The upper includes foot retainers 97 in the form of front straps 93 to keep the foot on the sole when walking.

[0068] The sole further includes an outsole and an inner sole for comfort. These elements may be leather or other suitable material.

[0069] The upper 95 further includes, in the embodiment shown in Figures 11 to 14, a rear strap 98 for extending around a hindfoot. The strap 98 may extend from the hindfoot support region of the sole. The strap 98 may include a buckle 92 for access and a length selectable portion to accommodate various sizes of foot.

[0070] The front strap 93 may extend around a forefoot since it extends from the forefoot section on one side to the forefoot section on the other side.

[0071] There is shown in the Figures a midfoot strap or mesh or web 89 extending from the strap on the forefoot to the hindfoot support region 25 of the sole. This strap or mesh or web 89 or combination thereof may be resilient and may facilitate automatic flex between the low heel position toward the high heel position. The midfoot strap or web or mesh 89 may be adjustable manually or automatically; furthermore, it may be longer and broader on the outside than on the inside (as shown), to resist the foot falling off the sole outwards, and to provide more bias to the curved high heel configuration from the outside.

[0072] A kit may be provided which includes two or three heels for each sole.

[0073] Advantageously the heels may be removed and replaced by pressing the heart shaped actuator button, which pivots the key away from the outsole, twisting the heel, and then making the opposite twist to mount the other heel in position. Because of the sole material, and in some embodiments the upper strap / web / mesh across the forefoot / hindfoot hinge line, the sole then automatically flexes to adopt the position set by the heel height.

[0074] It will be understood to persons skilled in the art of the invention that many modifications may be made without departing from the spirit and scope of the invention.

[0075] It is to be understood that any prior art publication referred to herein does not constitute an admission that the publication forms part of the common general knowledge in the art.

[0076] In the claims which follow and in the preceding description of the invention, except where the context requires otherwise due to express language or necessary implication, the word “comprise” or variations such as “comprises” or “comprising” is used in an inclusive sense, i.e. to specify the presence of the stated features but not to preclude the presence or addition of further features in various embodiments of the invention.

Claims

CLAIMS:

1. A sole assembly for a convertible shoe configured to adopt a flat configuration in which a low heel is removably connected to a heel region, and a high heel configuration, in which a high heel is removably connected to the heel region, the sole assembly including: an unitary midsole portion including a flexible forefoot support region at a front end, and a rigid hindfoot support region disposed adjacent the forefoot support region, the arrangement being such that the flexible forefoot support region is configured to flex between being substantially parallel with the rigid hindfoot support region in the flat configuration, and extending at an angle generally transverse to the rigid hindfoot support region in the high heel configuration; wherein the forefoot support region includes a substantially flexible midsole and the hindfoot support region includes a substantially rigid midsole, and the substantially flexible midsole forefoot is moulded over a portion of the rigid hindfoot support to facilitate in use the change in angle of the forefoot support relative to the hindfoot support region, and a bayonet-style quick connector fastening dock in a heel region of the hindfoot support region for selective quick release and mount of the high heel and flat heel.

2. The sole assembly in accordance with claim 1, wherein the bayonet-style fitting portion includes a plurality of lobe receivers.

3. The sole assembly in accordance with claim 2, wherein the plurality of lobe receivers include tapered catches to provide a snug fit for a lobe, preferably within a turn of about 30 degrees.

4. The sole assembly in accordance with any one of the previous claims, wherein there is provided a plurality of heels to fit in the quick connector fastening dock.

5. The sole assembly in accordance with claim 4, wherein there is provided a low heel and a high heel.

6. The sole assembly in accordance with any one of the previous claims, wherein a lock to inhibit rotation of the heel is provided in the dock.

7. The sole assembly in accordance with claim 6, wherein the lock includes a key to fit in a cooperating key way.

8. The sole assembly in accordance with claim 7, wherein a lock actuator is movable by a button or a slide to move the key between the locked and unlocked positions in and out of the key way.

9. The sole assembly in accordance with any one of the previous claims, wherein the hindfoot support is a material selected from the group consisting of: steel, aluminium, plastic, GRP, Carbon Fibre-reinforced material, honeycomb, or any suitable substantially rigid material.

10. The sole assembly in accordance with claim 9, wherein the plastic may be in the form of ABS.

11. The sole assembly in accordance with any one of the previous claims, wherein the forefoot support portion may be any form of resilient or flexible material including those selected from the group consisting of: TPU, rubber, silicone, leather, vinyl, and like materials.

12. The sole assembly in accordance with any one of claims 1 to 10, wherein the forefoot support portion is TPU.

13. The sole assembly in accordance with any one of the previous claims, wherein the sole includes an upper to form a foot cavity for receiving a foot.

14. The sole assembly in accordance with claim 13, wherein the upper includes foot retainers to keep the foot on the sole when walking.

15. The sole assembly in accordance with claim 14, wherein the foot retainer includes a strap or web extending over a forefoot.

16. The sole assembly in accordance with claim 15, wherein the midfoot strap or web extends from the forefoot to the hindfoot support region of the sole.

17. The sole assembly in accordance with claim 16, wherein the strap or web is resilient and facilitates automatic bias toward the high heel position.

18. The sole assembly in accordance with any one of the previous claims wherein the hindfoot support includes fingers of rigid material at a join region at a forward end of the hindfoot support to facilitate increased grip between the moulded forefoot and hindfoot supports.

19. The sole assembly in accordance with any one of the previous claims wherein the hindfoot portion or plate includes a flange at a join region for facilitating grip of the forefoot material onto the hindfoot.

20. The sole assembly in accordance with any one of the previous claims wherein the flange includes apertures or a mesh for allowing the moulded forefoot material to bond to itself around one or more bars of the hindfoot flange.

21. The sole assembly in accordance with any one of the previous claims wherein the flange is a width of the hindfoot section is a full width of the hindfoot portion.

22. The sole assembly in accordance with any one of the previous claims wherein the flange is thinner than the hindfoot portion so that the moulded forefoot portion is flush with top and bottom surfaces of the hindfoot portion when moulded onto the hindfoot portion.

23. The sole assembly in accordance with any one of the previous claims wherein the flange is about a third of the thickness of the hindfoot portion to increase flexibility at the join.

Images