Shoe sole and interchangeable heel

Abstract

A shoe sole and heel assembly includes a sole, an interchangeable heel removably connected with the sole, and at least one locking device for fixing the heel to the sole. The sole includes a wall extending from the heel area of the lower surface of the sole to define a cavity. The inner surface of the wall contains a channel. The heel includes a track extending from the side and rear portions of the heel. The heel is arranged adjacent to the sole with the heel track entering the sole channel. As the heel is displaced rearwardly, the track enters the channel of the sole and prevents vertical and lateral movement of the heel relative to the sole. A latch on the lower surface of the sole engages a notch on the upper surface of the heel to prevent longitudinal displacement of the heel. The sole and heel contain aligned threaded openings for receiving screws to secure the heel to the sole.

Description

BACKGROUND OF THE INVENTION[0001]In tap dancing, a dancer uses a series of percussive foot movements and placements to create sound. The sounds generated by the dancer depend on several variables including technique, weight placed on the foot, force exerted through the foot, type of shoe used, material of taps used, and other variables relating to the shoe heel, including but not limited to heel height and density. All of these variables can be modified in some way, technique can be learned, and weight distribution or force can be controlled by the dancer. The greater problem to solve lies in the shoes. While there are many brands and styles of tap shoes, dancers either have to buy multiple pairs of tap shoes in order to produce a variety of sounds for performances, or they have to physically alter the shoes to create the desired weight to sound ratio. Neither of these options allow for the dancer to have one pair of shoes that can be quickly and safely altered as desired.[0002]The ...

AI Technical Summary

Benefits of technology

The invention is a three-part dance shoe sole and heel assembly that allows a dancer to interchange their shoe heel without changing their dance technique, heel height, or risking injury. The assembly includes a sole with a cavity in the heel area and a track on the heel that engages with a channel on the sole. Once the track is fully arranged within the channel, a locking device fixes the heel to the sole, reducing the likelihood of injury due to incorrect execution of sequencing or structural failure of the shoe.

Problems solved by technology

Existing taps do not offer dancers the option of sound and weight modification to adjust or enhance a performance.

Current industry methods for adding weight to the heel of a tap shoe (to adjust the percussive quality), as well as aftermarket modifications made by a dancer, may produce both an immediate safety risk as well as long term stress related injury.

While this method is satisfactory, it produces two potentially undesirable problems.

By changing the height of the heel to the extent necessary to achieve the desired sound, a dancer is forced into postures that are potentially dangerous.

To compensate for the additional height, improper technique and body mechanics are used by a dancer, impacting both a dancer's balance and executed performance which over extended periods can lead to injury.

Delamination of the shoe heel is a form of structural breakdown which occurs when the many glued, or otherwise secured layers of a heel pull apart and begin to separate at the layered attachment points.

This creates another safety issue for a dancer as the shoe heel can literally pull apart while dancing.

Additionally, the layers of secured leather can add up to four pounds of weight to the heel, leading to stress related injuries from improper execution of dancing techniques.

Over time and with use, such alterations threaten the structural integrity of the shoe, leading to premature breakdown of the shoe.

Further, potential injury can result as a dancer must adjust the technique used by overcompensating for the additional weight, and negatively impacting the aesthetic of the performance.

Still further, if the added weight shifts during execution of dancing technique, improper landing or completion of the technique can result in injury.

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