Adjustable heel assembly and shoe including the same

Information

  • Patent Grant
  • 6785987
  • Patent Number
    6,785,987
  • Date Filed
    Wednesday, October 16, 2002
    22 years ago
  • Date Issued
    Tuesday, September 7, 2004
    20 years ago
Abstract
A shoe having an upper, a sole and an adjustable heel assembly including a first heel member connected to the sole at a rear portion thereof and a second heel member arranged at least partially within the first heel member. The second heel member is movable relative to the first member between a first position in which the first and second heel members provide the heel with a first height and a second position in which the first and second heel members provide the heel with a second height greater than the first height. An improved locking mechanism is provided for releasably locking the heel members to each other.
Description




FIELD OF THE INVENTION




The present invention relates to adjustable heel assemblies and shoes having adjustable heel assemblies which enable shoes to be worn at multiple heel heights and, more particularly, to adjustable heel assemblies of the type which include a first heel member having an interior compartment and a second heel member at least partially receivable within the interior compartment for movement between at least first and second positions providing the heel assembly with respective first and second heights.




BACKGROUND OF THE INVENTION




Currently available high-heel shoes for women have a relatively large heel which is fixed to the sole and have a single, predetermined height. This fact has some significant disadvantages for the wearer. In particular, individuals wearing high-heel shoes often experience fatigue or discomfort in their feet because the high heel requires the foot to be bent into an unnatural position. It is also known that prolonged wearing of high-heel shoes can lead to more serious foot problems. Furthermore, some women prefer to wear shoes with relatively low heels at one time of the day, for example, while commuting to work, and then change to shoes with relatively high heels while at work and again back to the shoes with low heels after work.




In order to relieve foot fatigue or discomfort, prevent the development of foot problems or meet personal preferences, a woman is therefore compelled to change from shoes having a relatively high heel to another pair of shoes with a different, lower heel height. It is inconvenient to carry another such pair of shoes and the process of changing shoes is very time consuming.




Applicants have proposed several arrangements of adjustable heel assemblies in their U.S. Pat. Nos. 5,887,360 and 6,021,586, the disclosures of which are incorporated herein by reference, which include first outer heel members having interior compartments and second inner heel members at least partially receivable within the interior compartments for movement between at least first and second positions relative to the first heel member. Various locking mechanisms for releasably locking the heel members to each other when the inner heel member is at either the first or the second position are disclosed which releasably fix the heel assemblies to each other at either the first or the second position to provide the heel assembly with a respective first or second height.




These locking mechanisms are not, however, entirely satisfactory. Several of the illustrated embodiments provide the releasable locking of the inner and outer heel members to each other at only a single point so that during use, a concentrated, asymmetric force is applied to the outer heel member which tends to separate the outer heel member from the sole of the shoe and which tends to twist the inner heel member within the outer heel member.




Other embodiments are inconvenient since they require the user to simultaneously utilize two fingers or pins to apply force in coaxially opposed directions. This action is awkward to do while grasping the heel and moving it between first and second positions.




For example, the embodiment of the locking mechanisms of the adjustable heel shown in FIGS. 1C and 2C of applicants' prior U.S. Pat. No. 6,021,586, utilizes two outwardly biased pins situated in axially aligned diametrically opposed bores in the inner heel member which lock the inner and outer heel members to each other at either the first or the second positions at which corresponding vertically spaced pairs of apertures are formed in the front and rear facing wall sections of the outer heel member, which align with the pins when the heel members are adjusted to one of the first and second positions. While this locking mechanism provides a two-point connection which uniformly distributes the force applied by the inner heel member to the outer heel member and avoids the tendency of the inner heel member to twist within the outer heel member, there are still disadvantages to this locking mechanism. For example, it is necessary to depress both pin members simultaneously to unlock the heel members for adjustment which itself is quite difficult, making it necessary to utilize two fingers to accomplish this simultaneous procedure thereby requiring each shoe to be removed from the foot. Moreover, at least one of the pins extending through at least one of the apertures formed in the wall of the heel member will generally be facing outwardly and be readily visible, along with the other vertically aligned aperture, thereby detracting from the appearance of the heel assembly.




OBJECTS AND SUMMARY OF THE INVENTION




Accordingly, it is an object of the present invention to provide new and improved adjustable heel assemblies and shoes incorporating the same.




Another object of the present invention is to provide new and improved adjustable heel assemblies of the type which include a first heel member having an interior compartment and a second heel member at least partially receivable within the interior compartment for adjustable movement between the two height positions, and shoes incorporating the same.




Still another object of the present invention is to provide a new and improved adjustable heel assembly and shoes incorporating the same, having a new and improved locking mechanism which overcomes the drawbacks of prior locking mechanisms.




A further object of the present invention is to provide a new and improved adjustable heel assembly and shoes incorporating the same, of the type having inner and outer heel members, having a locking mechanism which is easy to use, which provides two points of connection between the inner and outer heel members, does not detract from the appearance of the heel assembly, which provides improved mechanical stability between the inner and outer heel members effectively eliminating any rocking or twisting between the inner and outer heel members and which provides a simultaneous unlocking of the two points of connection with a single hand motion.




Briefly, these and other objects are attained by providing a heel assembly including a first outer heel member having an interior compartment, a second heel member at least partially situated in the compartment so as to be movable between a first position providing the heel assembly with the first height and a second position providing the heel assembly with a second height and a new and improved locking mechanism for locking the inner heel member at the first and second positions. The locking mechanism includes a pair of axially aligned bore regions formed in the inner heel member opening onto diametrically opposed outer surface regions of the inner heel member, upper and lower pairs of axially aligned cavities formed in the outer heel member, and an elongate rod member including first and second pin portions at its end regions. The rod member has a locking position in which the two pin portions are situated in the respective bore regions formed in the inner heel member and, depending upon which position the inner heel member is in, either the upper or the lower pair of cavities formed in the outer heel member. The rod member is movable to an unlocked position in which one pin portion is removed from its respective bore region in the inner heel member and the second pin portion is situated entirely within the other bore region of the inner heel member. A slot formed in the wall of the outer heel member between two of the vertically spaced cavities is receivable of the portion of the rod member between the pin portions and permits movement of the inner heel member between the first and second positions with the locking pin in its unlocked position. Biasing means in the form of a spring bias the rod member towards the locked position, and grasping means are provided at one end of the rod member to enable the rod member to be grasped and pulled in an axial direction from the locked position to the unlocked position against the biasing force of the spring. This new locking mechanism provides a secure two point connection of the inner and outer heel members to each other and can be unlocked with a single hand by the wearer grasping and pulling on the elongate rod member to move it from the locked to the unlocked position.




The adjustable heel assemblies according to a second embodiment of the present invention includes a pin which has as its first pin portion shaped like a rectangular bar.











BRIEF DESCRIPTION OF THE DRAWINGS




A more complete appreciation of the present invention and many of the attendant advantages thereof will be readily understood by reference to the following detailed description when considered in connection with the accompanying drawings, in which:





FIGS. 1A and 1B

are side elevation views in section showing a prior art adjustable heel assembly in which an inner heel member is shown in a first position in FIG.


1


A and in a second position in

FIG. 1B

;





FIG. 2

is a side elevation view in section of a heel assembly in accordance with a preferred embodiment of the present invention with the elongate rod member omitted for purposes of clarity;





FIG. 3

is a front elevation view in section of the heel assembly shown in

FIG. 2

;





FIG. 4A

is a side elevation view in section of the embodiment of the heel assembly shown in

FIG. 2

showing the elongate rod member in its locked position with the inner heel member in a first position;





FIG. 4B

is a side elevation view in section of the embodiment of the heel assembly shown in

FIG. 2

showing the rectangular elongate rod member in its unlocked position and with the inner heel member still in the first position;





FIG. 4C

is a side elevation view in section of the embodiment of the heel assembly shown in

FIG. 2

showing the elongate rod member in its unlocked position with the inner heel member in a second position;





FIG. 4D

is a side elevation view in section of the embodiment of the-heel assembly shown in

FIG. 2

showing the elongate rod member in its locked position with the inner heel member in the second position;





FIG. 5

is a side elevation view in section of the heel assembly showing the rectangular elongate rod member in its unlocked position and with the inner heel member still in the first position according to another embodiment of the invention;





FIG. 6

is a side elevation view in section of the heel assembly showing the rectangular elongate rod member in its locked position with the inner heel member in the second position according to another embodiment of the invention;





FIG. 7

is a front elevation view in section of the heel assembly shown in

FIG. 5

;





FIG. 8

is a perspective view of the elongate rod member of the heel assembly shown in

FIG. 5

; and





FIG. 9

is an exploded view of the elongate rod member of the heel assembly shown in FIG.


5


.











DETAILED DESCRIPTION OF THE PREFERRED EMBODIMENT




Referring now to the drawings wherein like reference characters designate identical or corresponding parts throughout the several views and more particularly to

FIGS. 1A and 1B

, a shoe


4


incorporating an adjustable heel assembly


10


according to the prior art is illustrated. The shoe comprises an upper


6


and a flexible sole


8


made from typical materials therefor, e.g., a stiff but somewhat flexible material, whereby the upper


6


is arranged in connection with and above the sole


8


. The stiffness and flexibility of the sole


8


may vary along different points of its length. The shoe


4


also includes an adjustable heel assembly


10


in accordance with the prior art which comprises a downwardly oriented outer heel casing


12


defined by a wall


13


having a forward facing wall section


13




a


, a rearward facing wall section


13




b


, side facing wall sections and a roof section


12


′ cooperating to provide the desired shape of the heel and which is mounted to the downwardly facing surface of the sole


8


. The roof section


12


′ of the outer heel casing


12


is operatively connected to downward facing surface of sole


8


. This connection may be in the form of nails, screws and/or adhesive.




The heel assembly


10


also includes a movable inner heel block


18


positionable at least partially within an interior compartment of the outer heel casing


12


as shown in

FIGS. 1A and 1B

. Inner heel block


18


is defined by a body having outer surfaces providing a suitable shape for the heel. A portion of the inner heel block


18


extends through the open lower end of the outer heel casing


12


.




A rubber heel


26


is arranged on the lower surface of inner heel block


18


and constitutes the lowermost surface of the heel assembly


10


which contacts the ground regardless of the position of the inner heel block


18


relative to the outer heel casing


12


.




The inner heel block


18


is movable within the interior compartment of outer heel casing


12


between a first raised position shown in

FIG. 1A

which provides the heel assembly with a first decreased height and a second lowered position shown in

FIG. 1B

which provides the heel assembly with a second increased height.




A locking mechanism is provided for selectively releasably locking the inner heel block


12


to the outer heel casing in the first and second positions. The locking mechanism comprises first and second pins


22


,


22


′ situated in axially aligned, diametrically opposed first and second bores


20


,


20


′ formed in the inner heel block


18


. Upper and lower pairs of axially aligned apertures


14


,


14


′ and


16


,


16


′ are formed through the forwardly and rearwardly facing wall sections


13




a


,


13




b


. When the inner heel block


18


is in the first raised position shown in

FIG. 1A

, the first and second pins,


22


,


22


′ are urged under the biasing force of first and second springs


24


,


24


′ to extend outwardly from holes


20


,


20


′ through the upper first and second apertures


14


,


14


′ thereby locking the inner heel block


18


and the outer heel casing


12


to each other, providing the heel assembly


10


with a decreased height.




In order to adjust the height of heel assembly


10


, both first and second pins


22


,


22


′ are simultaneously pushed inwardly against the force of springs


24


,


24


′ until both completely clear the thickness of wall sections


13




a


,


13




b


. The pins


22


,


22


′ are simultaneously pushed inwardly by pushing on the heads


28


,


28


′ of pins


22


,


22


′, either through the use of two pointed objects, such as a pen or a pencil, or with two finger tips. The inner heel block


18


is then grasped and pulled outwardly from the interior compartment of outer heel casing


12


with the pins being held within holes


20


,


20


′ against the force of springs


24


,


24


′ by the inner surfaces of wall sections


13




a


,


13




b


. When the inner heel block


18


reaches the second position shown in

FIG. 1B

, the first and second pins


22


,


22


′ become aligned with the lower first and second apertures


16


,


16


′ and snap outwardly under the force of springs


24


,


24


′ so that they extend from bores


20


,


20


′ through the lower first and second apertures


16


,


16


′ thereby locking the inner heel block


18


and the outer heel casing


12


to each other with the inner heel block


18


in its second lowered position, thereby providing the heel assembly


10


with an increased height. To readjust the height of the heel assembly, the pins


20


,


20


′ are pushed simultaneously inwardly again to unlock the inner heel block from the outer heel casing and then moving the inner heel block back to the first position.




The prior art locking mechanism is not entirely satisfactory for the reasons noted above. It is necessary to utilize two separate pointed objects to unlock the inner heel block


18


from the outer heel casing


12


. It is quite difficult to use two finger tips to simultaneously push the two pins


20


,


20


′ through the small diameter apertures


14


,


14


′;


16


,


16


′ in the outer heel casing. Moreover, the visibility of the upper and lower second apertures


14


′,


16


′ and the head


28


′ of the second pin


20


′ extending through one of the apertures at the rearwardly facing wall section


13




b


, detracts from the appearance of the heel assembly.




Referring now to

FIGS. 2-4

, an improved adjustable heel assembly in accordance with the invention, generally designated


100


, comprises a first outer heel casing


120


having an interior compartment


122


within which a second inner heel block


180


having a solid body is at least partially situated so as to be slidingly movable between a first position shown in

FIG. 4A and a

second position shown in

FIG. 4C

in order to provide the heel assembly with a first reduced height and a second increased height respectively. The outer heel casing


120


is defined in part by a wall


130


having a forward facing wall section


130


A, a rearward facing wall section


130


B, and side facing wall sections.




In accordance with the invention, a locking mechanism is provided for selectively releasably locking the inner heel block


180


within the outer heel casing


120


at the first and second positions. The locking mechanism comprises a bore


190


formed diametrically through an upper portion of the inner heel block


180


, opening at diametrically opposed outer surface regions of the inner block


180


. The two end regions of bore


190


comprise bore regions


190


A and


190


B having enlarged diameters relative to a reduced diameter interconnecting bore region


190


C, thereby forming seating surfaces


200


A,


200


B at the inner ends of bore regions


190


A,


190


B. It is understood that the inner heel block need not necessarily comprise a solid body and that the bore regions can be formed by other structures, so long as there is an open space between the bore regions for reasons which will become clear below.




Upper and lower pairs of axially aligned first and second cavities


220


A,


220


B;


240


A,


240


B are formed in the outer heel casing


120


. Each of the first cavities


220


A,


240


A comprise apertures formed through the forwardly facing wall section


130


A of outer heel casing


120


. While each of the second cavities


220


B,


240


B preferably comprise recesses formed in the inner surface of the rearwardly facing wall section


130


B only partly through the thickness of the wall section


130


B as shown, it is possible to form the second cavities


220


B,


240


B in the form of apertures which extend through the entire thickness of the wall section. When the inner heel block


180


is situated in its first position as seen in

FIG. 4A

, the bore


190


is axially aligned with the upper pair of first and second cavities,


220


A,


220


B. When the inner heel block


180


is situated in its second position, the bore


190


is aligned with the lower pair of first and second cavities


240


A,


240


B. The diameter of the upper and lower first cavities,


220


A,


240


A is about the same as the diameter of the first bore region


190


A, while the diameter of the upper and lower second cavities,


220


B,


240


B is about the same as the diameter of the second bore region


190


B.




Referring to

FIG. 3

, a thin slot


280


extends between and opens into the first upper and lower cavities


220


A and


240


A, in the forwardly facing wall section


130


A of the outer heel casing


120


for purposes which will become clear below.




Referring to

FIGS. 4A-4D

, and more particularly to

FIG. 4A

, an elongate rod member


300


is slidably situated in bore


190


and comprises first and second pin portions


320


A,


320


B at its ends and a reduced diameter interconnecting rod portion


320


C. As seen in

FIG. 4A

, the rod member


300


is sized and positioned such that when the inner heel block


180


is in its first position and the rod member is positioned so that it extends to the maximum extent possible into the second upper cavity


220


B (to the right in FIG.


4


A), the first pin portion


320


A is positioned in both the first bore region


190


A and the aligned first upper cavity


220


A, the second pin portion


320


B is positioned in both the second bore region


190


B and the aligned second upper cavity


220


B and the reduced diameter rod portion


320


C extends through interconnecting bore region


190


C. The second pin portion


320


B and second bore region


190


B are sized so that in this position, a cylindrical space


340


is defined between the seat


200


B at the inner end of the second bore region


190


B and the inner end surface of the pin portion


320


B. A compressed spring


360


is situated in the space


340


having its ends bearing against the seat


200


B and the inner end surface of second pin portion


320


B, thereby normally urging the rod member


300


to the position shown in FIG.


4


A. The rod member


300


is provided with an enlarged head


380


on the outer end of the first pin portion


320


A. The head


380


is spaced a small distance d from the outer surface of wall section


130


A when the rod member


300


is in the position shown in FIG.


4


A.




When rod member


300


is in the position shown in

FIG. 4A

, the inner heel block


180


is prevented from movement from its first raised position (

FIG. 4A

) by virtue of the pin portion


320


A being positioned in both the inner heel block bore region


190


A and the aligned outer heel casing cavity


220


A, and by virtue of the pin portion


320


B being positioned in both the inner heel block bore region


190


B and the aligned outer heel casing cavity


220


B. This two-point locking connection more uniformly distributes forces from the inner heel block to the outer heel casing and eliminates the tendency of the inner heel block to twist during normal walking.




Referring to

FIG. 3

in conjunction with

FIG. 4B

, it is noted that when the rod member is pulled to the position shown in

FIG. 4B

, the first pin portion


320


A not only is withdrawn from the first inner bore region


190


A, but also clears the first upper cavity


220


A so that the adjacent end region


320


C′ of the interconnecting rod portion


320


C is situated above the vertical slot


280


formed in the forwardly facing wall section


130


A of outer heel casing


120


between the upper and lower first cavities


220


A,


240


A. The width w (

FIG. 3

) of slot


280


is greater than the diameter of the end region


320


C′ of the interconnecting rod portion


320


C. It will therefore be seen that when the elongate rod member


300


has been pulled to the position shown in

FIG. 4B

, i.e. the unlocking position, the inner heel block


180


is completely unlocked from the outer heel casing


120


.




With the elongate rod member


300


in its unlocked position shown in

FIG. 4B

, the inner heel block


180


is grasped and pulled in the direction designated D whereupon the inner heel block


180


is moved downwardly, with end region


320


C′ of the interconnecting rod portion


320


C sliding through slot


280


, until in reaches the second position shown in FIG.


4


C. It is noted that it is not necessary for the user to continue to pull on the rod member


300


during movement of the inner heel block from the first to the second position since the inner end surface


320


A′ (

FIG. 4B

) of the first pin portion


320


A will engage the regions of the outer surface of wall section


130


A adjacent to the slot


280


under the force of spring


360


, thereby maintaining the rod member


300


in its unlocked position as the inner heel block is moved to the second lower position.




Referring to

FIGS. 4C and 4D

, when the inner heel block


180


reaches it second position in the compartment of the outer heel casing


120


, the first and second bore portions


190


A,


190


B align with the first and second lower cavities


240


A,


240


B of outer heel casing


120


. The end region


320


C′ of the interconnecting pin portion


320


of pin member


300


has left slot


280


and is situated in the first lower cavity


240


A. The pin portion


320


A is aligned with the aligned cavity


240


A and first bore region


190


A and the pin portion


320


B situated in the second bore region


190


B is aligned with the aligned cavity


240


B. When the inner heel block has reached this position, the rod member


300


will snap into its locking position shown in

FIG. 4D

under the force of spring


360


, whereupon the first pin portion


320


A becomes situated in the aligned first lower cavity and first bore region


240


A,


190


A, and the second pin portion


320


B becomes situated in the aligned second lower cavity and second bore region


240


B,


190


B, thereby locking the inner heel block


180


to the outer heel casing


120


. It is readily seen that unlocking the inner heel member


180


from the outer heel casing


120


and moving it to its first position requires essentially the same procedure including pulling on the rod member to move it to its unlocked position and then sliding the inner heel block upwardly into the outer heel casing.




Referring now to

FIGS. 5-9

, an improved adjustable heel assembly in accordance with another embodiment of the invention, generally designated


200


, comprises a first outer heel casing


420


having an interior compartment


422


within which a second inner heel block


480


having a solid body is at least partially situated so as to be slidingly movable between a first position shown in

FIG. 5 and a

second position shown in

FIG. 6

in order to provide the heel assembly with a first reduced height and a second increased height respectively. The outer heel casing


420


is defined in part by a wall


430


having a forward facing wall section


430


A, a rearward facing wall section


430


B, and side facing wall sections.




Referring to

FIGS. 5-6

, and more particularly to

FIG. 5

, a elongate rod member


600


is slidably situated in bore


490


and comprises first and second pin portions


620


A,


620


B at its ends and a reduced diameter interconnecting rod portion


620


C. As seen in

FIG. 5

, the rod member


600


is sized and positioned such that when the inner heel block


480


is in its first position and the rod member is positioned so that it extends to the maximum extent possible into a second upper cavity


520


B (to the right in FIG.


5


), the first pin portion


620


A is positioned in both a first bore region


490


A and an aligned first upper cavity


520


A, the second pin portion


620


B is positioned in both the second bore region


490


B and the aligned second upper cavity


520


B and the reduced diameter rod portion


620


C extends through interconnecting bore region


490


C. The second pin portion


620


B and second bore region


490


B are sized so that in this position, a cylindrical space


640


is defined between a seat


500


B at the inner end of the second bore region


490


B and the inner end surface of the pin portion


620


B. A compressed spring


660


is situated in the space


640


having its ends bearing against the seat


500


B and the inner end surface of second pin portion


620


B. The rod member


600


is provided with an enlarged head


680


on the outer end of the first pin portion


620


A. The head


680


is spaced a small distance d from the outer surface of wall section


430


A when the rod member


600


is in the position shown in FIG.


6


.




Referring to

FIGS. 5 and 6

, if it is desired to adjust the height of the heel assembly to an increased height, i.e. to the increased height shown in

FIG. 6

, in which the inner heel block is located in its second position, the user grasps the head


680


of the rod member


600


and pulls the rod member in the direction designated P to the position shown in

FIG. 5

against the force of the spring


660


. It is noted that in the position shown in

FIG. 5

, the second pin portion


620


B has been retracted entirely from the upper second cavity


520


B in outer heel casing


420


and becomes situated entirely within the second bore region


490


B, while the first pin portion


620


A has been retracted entirely from the first bore region


490


A in the inner heel block


480


, so that the pin portions no longer prevent sliding movement of the inner heel block within the outer heel casing.




Referring to

FIG. 7

, a thin slot


580


extends between and opens into the first upper and lower cavities


520


A and


540


A, in: the forwardly facing wall section


430


A of the outer heel casing


420


for purposes which will become clear below.




Referring to

FIG. 7

in conjunction with

FIG. 5

, it is noted that when the rod member is pulled to the position shown in

FIG. 5

, the first pin portion


620


A not only is withdrawn from the first inner bore region


4


.


90


A, but also clears the first upper cavity


520


A so that an adjacent end region


620


C′ of the interconnecting rod portion


620


C is situated above the vertical slot


580


formed in the forwardly facing wall section


430


A of outer heel casing


420


between the upper and lower first cavities


520


A,


540


A.




With the elongate rod member


600


in its unlocked position shown in

FIG. 5

, the inner heel block


480


is grasped and pulled in the direction designated D whereupon the inner heel block


480


is moved downwardly, with end region


620


C′ of the interconnecting rod portion


620


C sliding through slot


680


, until in reaches the second position shown in FIG.


6


. It is noted that it is not necessary for the user to continue to pull on the rod member


600


during movement of the inner heel block from the first to the second position since the inner end surface


620


A′ (

FIG. 5

) of the first pin portion


620


A will engage the regions of the outer surface of wall section


430


A adjacent to the slot


580


under the force of spring


660


, thereby maintaining the rod member


600


in its unlocked position as the inner heel block is moved to the second lower position.




Referring to

FIG. 6

, the heel assembly is shown in the locked position. When the inner heel block


480


reaches it second position in the compartment of the outer heel casing


420


, the first and second bore portions


490


A,


490


B align with the first and second lower cavities


540


A,


540


B of outer heel casing


420


. When the inner heel block has reached this position, the rod member


600


will snap into its locking position shown in

FIG. 6

under the force of spring


660


, whereupon the first pin portion


620


A becomes situated in the aligned first lower cavity and first bore region


540


A,


490


A, and the second pin portion


620


B becomes situated in the aligned second lower cavity and second bore region


540


B,


490


B, thereby locking the inner heel block


480


to the outer heel casing


420


. It is readily seen that unlocking the inner heel member


480


from the outer heel casing


420


and moving it to its first position requires essentially the same procedure including pulling on the rod member to move it to its unlocked position and then sliding the inner heel block upwardly into the outer heel casing.




Referring to

FIGS. 8 and 9

, the first portion


620


A of the elongate rod member


600


is a rectangular substantially flat plate which inserts in to the first lower cavity


540


A and the first upper cavity


520


A. Additionally, in this embodiment the first lower cavity


520


A and the second lower cavity


540


A are structured, arranged and dimensioned to receive the rectangular substantially flat plate that is the first portion


620


A of the elongate rod


600


. The reduced diameter interconnecting rod portion


620


C has a further reduced diameter portion


690


that has a smaller diameter than the reduced diameter interconnecting rod portion


620


C. The further reduced diameter portion


690


extends through the first portion


620


A and is adapted to connect to the enlarged head


680


of the elongate rod


600


.




The locking mechanism of the heel assembly according to the invention is advantageous in that a two-point connection of the inner heel block and the outer heel casing is achieved while making it quite simple for a person to unlock the inner and outer heel members. It is only necessary for the user to pull on the single rod member which can be accomplished with one hand without taking the shoe off the foot. Although not required in all embodiments of the invention, the upper and lower second cavities


220


B,


240


B may comprise recesses rather than through-apertures, so that these can be formed in the inner surfaces of visible wall sections of the outer heel casing without themselves being visible and therefore without detracting from the appearance of the heel assembly. While the heel assembly may be formed of conventional material, such as wood or a strong nylon, such as Delrin or polycarbonate, such as Lexan, those regions which are subjected to substantial forces during use may be formed by, or reinforced with, metallic material.




The embodiment with the rectangular insert as the first portion of the elongate member provides added strength and durability to the improved heel assembly. The rectangular insert provides additional stability to the heel assembly by providing a more stable plane for the inner heel block thereby reducing relative tilting and twisting movement of the inner heel block and the outer heel casing and vibration of the inner heel block.




In addition, the rectangular insert may be colored on one or more of its surfaces with a highly visible color, such as red. When the rectangular insert is completely seated in the locked position the red color would not be visible to the user. If the rectangular insert is not seated in a locked position the colored surface would be visible, thereby serving as a visual signal that the heel members were not properly locked together.




Obviously, numerous modifications and variations of the present invention are possible in the light of the above teachings. For example, rails can be formed on the inner surface of the outer heel casing and/or the outer surface of the inner heel block to facilitate the sliding movement of the heel block in the heel casing and the inner heel block and outer heel casing may have any suitable cross-sectional shape including rectangular, circular and variations thereof. It is therefore to be understood that within the scope of the claims appended hereto, the invention may be practiced otherwise than as specifically disclosed herein.



Claims
  • 1. A heel assembly for a shoe, comprising:a first outer heel member having an interior compartment defined in part by a wall; a second inner heel member at least partially situated in said interior compartment, said second heel member being movable between a first position in said compartment providing said heel assembly with a first height and a second position in said compartment providing said heel assembly with a second height; a locking mechanism for selectively releasably locking said inner heel member at said first and second positions, including a pair of axially aligned first and second bore regions formed in said inner heel member opening onto diametrically opposed outer surface regions thereof; upper and lower pairs of axially aligned first and second cavities formed in said outer heel member, each of said first cavities comprising first apertures formed through said wall of said outer heel member situated at a first wall region thereof; and each of said second cavities situated at a second wall region diametrically opposite from a respective one of said first cavities; an elongate rod member including first and second pin portions at its end regions, said rod member having a locking position in which said first pin portion is situated in said first bore region of said inner heel member and one of said upper and lower first cavities formed in said outer heel member, said second pin portion situated in said second bore region of said inner heel member and the one of said upper and lower second cavities formed in said outer heel member to lock said inner heel member to said outer heel member in one of said first and second positions; said rod member having an unlocked position with said first pin portion situated outside of said first bore region of said inner heel member and said second pin portion situated within said second bore region of said inner heel member and outside of both said upper and lower second cavities and wherein said first pin portion comprises a substantially flat plate member; biasing means for applying a biasing force on said rod member toward said locking position; means for grasping said rod member for pulling the same in an axial direction from said locked position to said unlocked position against the biasing force of said biasing means; and a slot formed through said outer heel member wall extending between and opening into said upper and lower first apertures to receive a section of said rod member to permit movement of said inner heel member between said first and second positions when said rod member is said unlocked position.
  • 2. A heel assembly for a shoe, comprising:a first outer heel member having an interior compartment defined in part by a wall; a second inner heel member at least partially situated in said interior compartment, said second heel member being movable between a first position in said compartment providing said heel assembly with a first height and a second position in said compartment providing said heel assembly with a second height; a locking mechanism for selectively releasably locking said inner heel member at said first and second positions, including a pair of axially aligned first and second bore regions formed in said inner heel member opening onto diametrically opposed outer surface regions thereof; upper and lower pairs of axially aligned first and second cavities formed in said outer heel member, each of said first cavities comprising first apertures formed through said wall of said outer heel member situated at a first wall region thereof; and each of said second cavities situated at a second wall region diametrically opposite from a respective one of said first cavities; an elongate rod member including first and second pin portions at its end regions, said rod member having a locking position in which said first pin portion is situated in said first bore region of said inner heel member and one of said upper and lower first cavities formed in said outer heel member, said second pin portion situated in said second bore region of said inner heel member and the one of said upper and lower second cavities formed in said outer heel member to lock said inner heel member to said outer heel member in one of said first and second positions; said rod member having an unlocked position with said first pin portion situated outside of said first bore region of said inner heel member and said second pin portion situated within said second bore region of said inner heel member and outside of both said upper and lower second cavities and wherein said first upper and lower cavities are structured and arranged to receive said plate member; biasing means for applying a biasing force on said rod member toward said locking position; means for grasping said rod member for pulling the same in an axial direction from said locked position to said unlocked position against the biasing force of said biasing means; and a slot formed through said outer heel member wall extending between and opening into said upper and lower first apertures to receive a section of said rod member to permit movement of said inner heel member between said first and second positions when said rod member is said unlocked position.
  • 3. A heel assembly for a shoe, comprising:a first outer heel member having an interior compartment defined in part by a wall; a second inner heel member at least partially situated in said interior compartment, said second heel member being movable between a first position in said compartment providing said heel assembly with a first height and a second position in said compartment providing said heel assembly with a second height; a locking mechanism for selectively releasably locking said inner heel member at said first and second positions, including a pair of axially aligned first and second bore regions formed in said inner heel member opening onto diametrically opposed outer surface regions thereof; upper and lower pairs of axially aligned first and second cavities formed in said outer heel member, each of said first cavities comprising first apertures formed through said wall of said outer heel member situated at a first wall region thereof; and each of said second cavities situated at a second wall region diametrically opposite from a respective one of said first cavities; an elongate rod member including first and second pin portions at its end regions, said rod member having a locking position in which said first pin portion is situated in said first bore region of said inner heel member and one of said upper and lower first cavities formed in said outer heel member, said second pin portion situated in said second bore region of said inner heel member and the one of said upper and lower second cavities formed in said outer heel member to lock said inner heel member to said outer heel member in one of said first and second positions; said rod member having an unlocked position with said first pin portion situated outside of said first bore region of said inner heel member and said second pin portion situated within said second bore region of said inner heel member and outside of both said upper and lower second cavities; biasing means for applying a biasing force on said rod member toward said locking position; means for grasping said rod member for pulling the same in an axial direction from said locked position to said unlocked position against the biasing force of said biasing means; and a slot formed through said outer heel member wall extending between and opening into said upper and lower first apertures to receive a section of said rod member to permit movement of said inner heel member between said first and second positions when said rod member is said unlocked position wherein said elongate rod member has a first section and a second section, said second section having a smaller diameter than said first section.
  • 4. A heel assembly as recited in claim 3 wherein said second section of said elongate rod member is structured and arranged to pass through a bore in said first pin portion and said second section has a terminal end portion adapted to be coupled to said means for grasping said rod member.
  • 5. A heel assembly for a shoe, comprising:a first outer heel member having an interior compartment defined in part by a wall; a second inner heel member at least partially situated in said interior compartment, said second heel member being movable between a first position in said compartment providing said heel assembly with a first height and a second position in said compartment providing said heel assembly with a second height; a locking mechanism for selectively releasably locking said inner heel member at said first and second positions, including a pair of axially aligned first and second bore regions formed in said inner heel member opening onto diametrically opposed outer surface regions thereof; upper and lower pairs of axially aligned first and second cavities formed in said outer heel member, each of said first cavities comprising first apertures formed through said wall of said outer heel member situated at a first wall region thereof; and each of said second cavities situated at a second wall region diametrically opposite from a respective one of said first cavities; an elongate rod member including first and second pin portions at its end regions, said rod member having a locking position in which said first pin portion is situated in said first bore region of said inner heel member and one of said upper and lower first cavities formed in said outer heel member, said second pin portion situated in said second bore region of said inner heel member and the one of said upper and lower second cavities formed in said outer heel member to lock said inner heel member to said outer heel member in one of said first and second positions; said rod member having an unlocked position with said first pin portion situated outside of said first bore region of said inner heel member and said second pin portion situated within said second bore region of said inner heel member and outside of both said upper and lower second cavities; biasing means for applying a biasing force on said rod member toward said locking position; means for grasping said rod member for pulling the same in an axial direction from said locked position to said unlocked position against the biasing force of said biasing means; and a slot formed through said outer heel member wall extending between and opening into said upper and lower first apertures to receive a section of said rod member to permit movement of said inner heel member between said first and second positions when said rod member is said unlocked position wherein said first portion of said elongate rod member exhibits at least one color.
  • 6. A heel assembly for a shoe, comprising:a first outer heel member having an interior compartment defined in part by a wall; a second inner heel member at least partially situated in said interior compartment, said second heel member being movable between a first position in said compartment providing said heel assembly with a first height and a second position in said compartment providing said heel assembly with a second height; a locking mechanism for selectively releasably locking said inner heel member at said first and second positions, including a pair of axially aligned first and second bore regions formed in said inner heel member opening onto diametrically opposed outer surface regions thereof; upper and lower pairs of axially aligned first and second cavities formed in said outer heel member, each of said first cavities comprising first apertures formed through said wall of said outer heel member situated at a first wall region thereof; and each of said second cavities situated at a second wall region diametrically opposite from a respective one of said first cavities; an elongate rod member including first and second pin portions at its end regions, said rod member having a locking position in which said first pin portion is situated in said first bore region of said inner heel member and one of said upper and lower first cavities formed in said outer heel member, said second pin portion situated in said second bore region of said inner heel member and the one of said upper and lower second cavities formed in said outer heel member to lock said inner heel member to said outer heel member in one of said first and second positions; said rod member having an unlocked position with said first pin portion situated outside of said first bore region of said inner heel member and said second pin portion situated within said second bore region of said inner heel member and outside of both said upper and lower second cavities; biasing means for applying a biasing force on said rod member toward said locking position; means for grasping said rod member for pulling the same in an axial direction from said locked position to said unlocked position against the biasing force of said biasing means; and a slot formed through said outer heel member wall extending between and opening into said upper and lower first apertures to receive a section of said rod member to permit movement of said inner heel member between said first and second positions when said rod member is said unlocked position wherein said elongate rod member, including first and second pin portions, exhibits more than one color or reflectivity on its surface.
  • 7. A heel assembly for a shoe, comprising:a first outer heel member having an interior compartment defined in part by a wall; a second inner heel member at least partially situated in said interior compartment, said second heel member being movable between a first position in said compartment providing said heel assembly with a first height and a second position in said compartment providing said heel assembly with a second height; a locking mechanism for selectively releasable locking said inner heel member at said first and second positions, including a pair of axially aligned first and second bore regions formed in said inner heel member opening onto diametrically opposed outer surface regions thereof; upper and lower pairs of axially aligned first and second cavities formed in said outer heel member, each of said first cavities comprising first apertures formed through said wall of said outer heel member situated at a first wall region thereof; and each of said second cavities situated at a second wall region diametrically opposite from a respective one of said first cavities; an elongate rod member including first and second pin portions at its end regions, said rod member having a locking position in which said first pin portion is situated in said first bore region of said inner heel member and one of said upper and lower first cavities formed in said outer heel member, said second pin portion situated in said second bore region of said inner heel member and the one of said upper and lower second cavities formed in said outer heel member to lock said inner heel member to said outer heel member in one of said first and second positions; said rod member having an unlocked position with said first pin portion situated outside of said first bore region of said inner heel member and said second pin portion situated within said second bore region of said inner heel member and outside of both said upper and lower second cavities; biasing means for applying a biasing force on said rod member toward said locking position; means for grasping said rod member for pulling the same in an axial direction from said locked position to said unlocked position against the biasing force of said biasing means; and a slot formed through said outer heel member wall extending between and opening into said upper and lower first apertures to receive a section of said rod member to permit movement of said inner heel member between said first and second positions when said rod member is said unlocked position wherein at least one of said pin portions of said elongate rod member is of a non-circular cross section.
CROSS REFERENCE TO RELATED APPLICATION

This application is a continuation-in-part of U.S. patent application Ser. No. 10/015,397 now U.S. Pat. No. 6,578,289, filed Dec. 12, 2001.

US Referenced Citations (7)
Number Name Date Kind
2439310 Mancuso Apr 1948 A
3805418 Matuka et al. Apr 1974 A
4416072 Sarkissian Nov 1983 A
4805320 Goldenberg et al. Feb 1989 A
5887360 Bucalo et al. Mar 1999 A
6021586 Bucalo et al. Feb 2000 A
6578289 Bucalo et al. Jun 2003 B1
Continuation in Parts (1)
Number Date Country
Parent 10/015397 Dec 2001 US
Child 10/272204 US