Patent Application
20250082066
The invention relates to a height adjustable shoe. More particularly, the invention relates to a shoe heel formed by modular pieces which are stackable and interchangeable to allow for customization of the shoe heel height.
Women often require a variety of shoes for different occasions and needs, from casual wear to formal events. It is not uncommon for a woman to change shoes a few times in a day to match her outfit or the activity she is engaged in. This means carrying multiple pairs of shoes can become quite cumbersome. Among the various types of shoes, high-heeled shoes are one of the most popular styles worn by women. These shoes typically feature a raised shoe heel at the back of the shoe, which can range from a few inches to several inches in height. The heel can be made of various materials, such as plastic, wood or metal, and can be designed in various shapes and styles. The added height can create an illusion of longer legs, improve posture and enhance the overall appearance of a wearer.
However, high-heeled shoes also have their limitations. A conventional heel for such shoes is typically a fixed-height heel that is permanently affixed to the shoe. The main drawback is that such a heel is not customizable in height or replaceable with other designs to fit different types of activities and occasions. The fixed height of the heel can also cause discomfort or pain when worn for extended periods and may even cause injury or long-term damage to the feet and legs. In addition, some activities, such as walking on uneven surfaces or participating in athletic activities, may not be practical or safe in high heels. Furthermore, the fixed-height heel is more likely to wear down or break over time. This can be particularly problematic for shoes that are worn frequently or for extended periods of time.
To address these issues, there is a growing demand for height-adjustable shoes that can provide the benefits of high heels while also allowing the wearer to customize the height of the heel based on their needs and preferences.
Over the years, there are several height adjustable shoes available in the market. These shoes typically feature a one-piece removable heel that can be switched out as needed, providing greater flexibility and versatility for women who value both fashion and function. However, there is still a need to carry multiple one-piece heels of various heights for a woman who needs to change shoes of different heights a few times in a day to match her outfit or the activity she is engaged in, and this is quite cumbersome.
There are also several patents related to customizable high heels. US20080263898A1 discloses a shoe with a heel which itself is height adjustable. The heel comprises a heel base and a plurality of identical rectangular heel columns which are stacked on one another in a vertical manner to form a length of the desired heel height. The heel height can be customized by varying the number of stacked heel columns. A sliding lock and secure mechanism are provided to allow easy attachment or detachment of the heel components. However, such straight heel has a shortcoming in that it is ergonomically and anatomically impossible for a person's heel or back portion of the sole to be horizontally flattened after elevation. Such design of shoe sole does not conform to the shape of a human foot and therefore creates pressure points on the foot, leading to pain, discomfort and an increased risk of injury. Moreover, it cannot provide the same level of stability and balance at different heights. For certain heights, the foot is forced to balance on a narrower base, which can be challenging and increase the risk of tripping or falling.
Accordingly, it would be desirable to provide a height-adjustable shoe that is capable of overcoming the aforementioned drawbacks. This invention provides such a shoe heel.
In a first aspect of the invention, there is provided a height adjustable modular heel for use in a shoe, comprises a heel body having a first end detachably attached to a heel base that is affixed to the shoe and a second end detachably attached with a heel cap to protect the heel body from wear and tear, wherein the heel body is formed by identical heel body pieces that are detachably attached together in a stacking manner to form a desired height for the heel depending on a number of the heel body pieces stacked, and wherein the heel body pieces are interchangeable and stackable in any sequence to allow for customization of the heel height, characterised in that the heel, assembled by the heel base, the heel body and the heel cap, forms an arc of a predetermined radius to achieve same or similar level of ergonomics at different heights.
Preferably, the heel base, the heel cap and the identical heel body pieces each may include at least one joint surface which is slanted at a predetermined degree such that the assembled heel forms the arc of the predetermined radius.
Preferably, the at least one joint surface may include a snap fit mechanism or a twist lock mechanism to connect two adjacent components of the heel together.
Preferably, the snap fit mechanism may include a protrusion and a recess for receiving the protrusion, one of which is provided with at least one locking tab and the other is provided with at least one corresponding groove, wherein when in use, the locking tab snaps into place in the groove for securing the protrusion in the recess.
Preferably, the twist lock mechanism may include a male component having at least one tab and a female component having at least one corresponding slot, wherein when in use, the tab engages with the slot and being rotated in a predetermined direction to connect and lock the male and female components, and being rotated in an opposite direction to release and unlock the male and female components.
In a second aspect of the invention, there is provided a shoe comprises an upper portion which at least partially covers a foot, a sole disposed beneath the upper portion to come into contact with the ground, and a height adjustable modular heel connected to the sole to raise part of the sole off the ground, wherein the heel includes a heel body having a first end detachably attached to a heel base that is affixed to the sole of the shoe and a second end detachably attached with a heel cap to protect the heel body from wear and tear, wherein the heel body is formed by identical heel body pieces that are detachably attached together in a stacking manner to form a desired height for the heel depending on a number of the heel body pieces stacked, and wherein the heel body pieces are interchangeable and stackable in any sequence to allow for customization of the heel height, characterised in that the heel, assembled by the heel base, the heel body and the heel cap, forms an arc of a predetermined radius to achieve same or similar level of ergonomics at different heights.
Preferably, a shank can be provided to which the heel can be connected thereto to distribute weight and reduce fatigue by providing additional support to an arch of the foot.
Preferably the heel base, the heel cap and the identical heel body pieces each may include at least one joint surface which is slanted at a predetermined degree such that the assembled heel forms the arc of the predetermined radius.
Preferably, the at least one joint surface may include a snap fit mechanism or a twist lock mechanism to connect two adjacent components of the heel together.
Preferably, the snap fit mechanism may include a protrusion and a recess for receiving the protrusion, one of which is provided with at least one locking tab and the other is provided with at least one corresponding groove, wherein when in use, the locking tab snaps into place in the groove for securing the protrusion in the recess.
Preferably, the twist lock mechanism may include a male component having at least one tab and a female component having at least one corresponding slot, wherein when in use, the tab engages with the slot and being rotated in a predetermined direction to connect and lock the male and female components, and being rotated in an opposite direction to release and unlock the male and female components.
The preferred embodiment of the invention consists of novel features and a combination of parts hereinafter fully described and illustrated in the accompanying drawings and particularly pointed out in the appended claims; it being understood that various changes in the details may be effected by those skilled in the arts but without departing from the scope of the invention or sacrificing any of the advantages of the present invention.
For the purpose of facilitating an understanding of the invention, there is illustrated in the accompanying drawing the preferred embodiments from an inspection of which when considered in connection with the following description, the invention, its construction and operation and many of its advantages would be readily understood and appreciated.
Hereinafter, the invention shall be described according to the preferred embodiments of the present invention and by referring to the accompanying description and drawings. However, it is to be understood that limiting the description to the preferred embodiments of the invention and to the drawings is merely to facilitate discussion of the present invention and it is envisioned that those skilled in the art may devise various modifications without departing from the scope of the appended claims.
In a broader context, the drawings depict a shoe that has the ability to be adjusted in height according to the specific needs or desires of a wearer. Although the drawings depict only certain components of the shoe that are necessary for describing the invention, it is understood that other common components of a shoe that are not shown in the drawings could also be included in the invention without any difficulty depending on the style and purpose of the shoe. Such common components can include, but is not limited to, upper portion, lining, shank and counter.
The upper portion is the part of the shoe that covers a foot of the wearer. It can be made of a variety of materials, such as leather, suede or synthetic fabrics, and can be decorated with various embellishments, such as buckles, straps or studs.
The lining is the interior material of the shoe that covers the insole and surrounds the foot. It can be made of a variety of materials, such as leather, fabric or synthetic materials, and provides a comfortable and breathable environment for the foot.
The shank is a component located between the insole and the outsole, which provides structural support and stability to the shoe. It can be made of metal, composite materials or any other materials that possess sufficient flexibility in order for the shoe to bend according to the height of the heel. The shank is often used in high-heeled shoes to help distribute weight and reduce fatigue.
The counter is a component located at the back of the shoe that provides support and structure to the heel. It can be made of a variety of materials, such as plastic, fibreboard or leather, and helps to keep the foot in place.
Referring to
Preferably, the height adjustable modular heel (2) is connected to a rear portion of the sole (1). In a further embodiment, the height adjustable modular heel (2) is detachably attached to the sole (1) with a shank or support structure to provide additional support and stability to the foot, as well as to distribute the weight of the shoe more evenly. The shank is also sufficiently flexible to allow the show to bend according to the height of the heel (2). By way of example, the height adjustable modular heel (2) comprises a heel body (22), a heel base (21), and a heel cap (23). Preferably, the heel base (21) is affixed to the rear portion of the sole (1) to ensure that a first end of the heel body (22) is securely attached to the shoe in a detachable manner and can withstand the weight and movement of the wearer. The heel base (21) can be attached to the sole (1) via a threaded fastener (3) such as screw or nut and bolt. The heel base (21) can be made of various rigid materials, such as wood, plastic or metal. Preferably, the heel cap (23) is detachably attached to a second end of the heel body (22) to protect the heel body (22) from wear and tear. The heel cap (23) is the part that comes into contact with the ground and so it can be made from the same material of the outsole.
Preferably, the heel body (22) is formed by identical heel body pieces (22A) that are detachably attached together in a stacking manner. As shown in
It is important that the height adjustable modular heel (2), which is assembled by the heel base (21), the heel body (22) and the heel cap (23), forms an arc or curvature of a predetermined radius. The radius of the arc or curvature may vary depending on the size of the shoe. The arc-shaped heel (2) can achieve same or similar level of ergonomics for the shoe at different heights as compared to straight heel. Furthermore, the arc-shaped heel (2) can provide better stability and balance because the arc or curvature fits more snugly to the natural shape of the foot, thereby it can distribute weight more evenly. Moreover, the arc-shaped heel (2) can also help to improve posture by providing better support to the arch of the foot, which can help to prevent overpronation and other issues that can lead to poor posture. Last but not least, the arc-shaped heel (2) is often considered more stylish and trendier than straight heels.
In order to achieve the arc shape, the heel base (21), the heel cap (23) and the identical heel body pieces (22A) each includes at least one joint surface which is slanted at a predetermined degree such that the assembled heel (2) forms the arc shape. Preferably, the at least one joint surface may include a snap fit mechanism or a twist lock mechanism to connect two adjacent components (21, 22A, 23) of the height adjustable heel (2) together. The joint surface may also adopt other fastening mechanisms such as magnets, screws, nuts and bolts, rivets, hook and loop or tongue and groove.
Referring to
Referring to
The present disclosure includes as contained in the appended claims, as well as that of the foregoing description. Although this invention has been described in its preferred form with a degree of particularity, it is understood that the present disclosure of the preferred form has been made only by way of example and that numerous changes in the details of construction and the combination and arrangements of parts may be resorted to without departing from the scope of the invention.
| Number | Date | Country | Kind |
|---|---|---|---|
| PI2023002416 | Apr 2023 | MY | national |
| Filing Document | Filing Date | Country | Kind |
|---|---|---|---|
| PCT/SG2023/050469 | 7/4/2023 | WO |
