阅读说明：本技术 可转换高跟和平底鞋及其使用方法 (Convertible high-heel and flat-bottom shoes and method of use thereof ) 是由 阿兰娜·伊利斯·福萨罗 杰克·莫尔戴夫 于 2020-03-18 设计创作，主要内容包括：一种可转换的高跟和平底鞋,包括：鞋底,包括鞋跟部分；以及高跟件,能够在高跟鞋模式与平底鞋模式之间进行定位,在高跟鞋模式,高跟件支承鞋跟部分,在平底鞋模式,高跟件接收在鞋底内。(A convertible high-heel and flat-bottom shoe, comprising: a sole including a heel portion; and a high heel piece positionable between a high heel mode, in which the high heel piece supports the heel portion, and a flat shoe mode, in which the high heel piece is received within the sole.)

1. A convertible high-heel and flat-bottom shoe, comprising:

a sole including a heel portion;

a high heel piece positionable between a high heel mode in which the high heel piece supports the heel portion and a flat shoe mode in which the high heel piece is received within the sole.

2. The convertible high heel and flat-bottom shoe of claim 1, further comprising an articulation mechanism hingeably connecting said high heel piece to said shoe sole.

3. The convertible high heel and midsole shoe of claim 2, wherein the high heel piece, the heel portion, and the hinge mechanism form a triangular stability and support structure.

4. The convertible high heel and midsole shoe of claim 1, wherein the heel portion comprises a high heel receiving member to secure the high heel receiving member to the heel portion in the high heel mode.

5. The convertible high heel and midsole shoe of claim 4, wherein the heel portion includes a rear region, and the high heel piece receiving member is located in the rear region of the heel portion.

6. The convertible high heel and midsole shoe of claim 4, wherein the heel portion includes a central region and the high heel piece receiving member is located in the central region of the heel portion.

7. The convertible high heel and midsole shoe of claim 4, wherein the high heel piece receiving member is a tube that receives a top portion of the high heel piece.

8. The convertible high heel and midsole shoe of claim 4, wherein the high heel piece comprises a top threaded portion threadably received in the high heel piece receiving member.

9. The convertible high heel and midsole shoe of claim 4, wherein said high heel piece comprises a pull release mechanism, whereby said high heel piece unlocks from said high heel piece receiving member when said high heel piece is pulled away from said heel portion.

10. The convertible high heel and midsole shoe of claim 1, further comprising a high heel locking mechanism for locking said high heel into a high heel position, said high heel locking mechanism comprising a pin and an engaging member, said pin having an overhang portion, and said engaging member having a cage portion and a gap, whereby rotation of at least one of said pin and said engaging member causes said overhang portion to be retained on said cage portion such that said high heel is locked in said high heel position and aligned with said gap such that said overhang portion falls through said gap such that said high heel is unlocked from said high heel position.

11. The convertible high heel and midsole shoe of claim 1, further comprising a high heel piece locking mechanism, whereby rotation of the heel portion locks and unlocks the high heel piece into and out of the high heel position.

12. The convertible high heel and midsole shoe of claim 1, further comprising a high heel piece locking mechanism, whereby rotation of said high heel piece causes said high heel piece to be locked into and unlocked from said high heel position.

13. The convertible high heel and midsole shoe of claim 1, wherein the sole comprises a receiving portion that receives the high heel piece within the sole, and further comprising a guide linkage that guides the high heel piece toward the receiving portion of the sole.

14. The convertible high heel and flat-bottom shoe according to claim 1, wherein said shoe sole comprises a receiving portion for receiving said high heel piece within said shoe sole, and an openable sole cover for covering and uncovering said receiving portion of said shoe sole.

15. The convertible high-heel and flat-bottom shoe of claim 1, further comprising: a shorter heel separate from and shorter than the high heel piece; and a linkage movably coupling the shorter heel to the heel portion and the high heel, whereby the shorter heel moves forward and rearward with movement of the high heel.

16. The convertible high heel and midsole shoe of claim 1, further comprising a shorter heel that is separate from and shorter than the high heel piece and that is linearly and movably coupled to the heel portion, whereby the shorter heel moves forward and rearward in a linear manner.

17. The convertible high heel and counter shoe of claim 1, further comprising a fixed shorter heel separate from and shorter than the high heel piece, and wherein the high heel piece includes a heel cover that covers the shorter heel when the convertible high heel and counter shoe is in the high heel mode.

18. The convertible high heel and midsole of claim 1, further comprising a tube that receives said high heel piece and a linkage that causes said tube to be covered when said high heel piece is moved out of said high heel mode.

19. The convertible high-heel and flat-sole shoe of claim 1, further comprising a toe portion, a region in which said toe portion is coupled to said sole portion, and a latch locking mechanism in said region for locking and unlocking said sole relative to said toe portion to thereby convert between said high-heel mode and said flat-sole mode.

20. The convertible high heel and counter shoe of claim 19, wherein said shoe sole includes a high heel piece receiving portion, and said latch locking mechanism is configured to disengage upon receipt of said high heel piece in said high heel piece receiving portion.

21. The convertible high heel and flat-bottom shoe according to claim 19, wherein said shoe sole comprises a receiving portion that receives said high heel piece within said shoe sole, and an openable shoe sole cover that covers and exposes said receiving portion of said shoe sole, and said latch locking mechanism is configured to disengage upon exposure of said receiving portion by said openable shoe sole cover.

22. The convertible high heel and flat-bottom shoe according to claim 1, wherein said sole comprises indentations to retain at least one of foam and flexible material for comfort.

23. The convertible high heel and midsole shoe of claim 1, wherein the high heel piece is part of a two-piece heel to which a heel cover is hingeably attached, and the heel cover comprises the high heel piece.

24. The convertible high heel and midsole shoe of claim 1, further comprising a heel portion having folded sides.

25. A convertible high-heel and flat-bottom shoe, comprising:

a sole including a heel portion and a pivot point;

a high heel piece positionable between a high heel mode in which the high heel piece supports the heel portion and a flat shoe mode in which the high heel piece is received within the sole, the high heel piece including a pivot point,

a linkage located between a pivot point on the sole and a pivot point on the high heel piece, whereby the high heel piece, the heel portion and the linkage form a triangular structure.

Technical Field

The present invention relates to a shoe that is convertible between a high-heeled shoe configuration and a flat-bottomed shoe configuration.

Disclosure of Invention

One aspect of the present invention relates to a convertible high-heel and flat-bottom shoe, comprising: a sole having a heel portion; and a high heel piece positionable between a high heel shoe mode in which the high heel piece supports the heel portion and a flat shoe mode in which the high heel piece is received in the sole.

One or more embodiments of this aspect of the invention described immediately above include one or more of the following: an articulation mechanism hingeably connecting the high heel piece to the sole; the high heel piece, the heel part and the hinge mechanism form a triangular structure; the heel portion including a high heel piece receiving member to secure the high heel piece receiving member to the heel portion in a high heel mode; the heel portion including a rear region, and a high heel receiving member located at the rear region of the heel portion; the heel portion including a central region, and a high heel receiving member located in the central region of the heel portion; the high heel piece receiving member is a tube that receives the top of the high heel piece; the high heel piece comprises a top threaded portion which is threadably received in the high heel piece receiving member; the high heel piece comprises a pull release mechanism whereby the high heel piece unlocks from the high heel piece receiving member when pulled away from the heel portion; a high heel locking mechanism for locking the high heel into the high heel position, the high heel locking mechanism having a pin with an overhang portion and an engagement member with a cage portion and a gap, whereby rotation of at least one of the pin and the engagement member causes the overhang portion to be retained on the cage portion such that the high heel is locked into the high heel position and aligned with the gap, thereby causing the overhang portion to fall through the gap to unlock the high heel from the high heel position; a high heel piece locking mechanism by which rotation of the heel portion causes the high heel piece to be locked to and unlocked from the high heel position; a high heel piece locking mechanism by which rotation of the high heel piece causes the high heel piece to be locked to and unlocked from the high heel position; the sole includes a receiving portion for receiving the high heel piece within the sole and further includes a guide linkage that guides the high heel piece toward the receiving portion of the sole; the sole comprises a receiving portion for receiving the high heel piece within the sole and an openable sole cover covering and uncovering the receiving portion of the sole; a shorter heel separate from and shorter than the high heel, and a linkage movably coupling the shorter heel to the heel portion and the high heel, whereby the shorter heel moves forward and backward with movement of the high heel; a shorter heel separate from and shorter than the high heel and linearly and movably coupled to the heel portion, whereby the shorter heel moves forward and rearward in a linear manner; a fixed shorter heel separate from and shorter than the high heel, and the high heel includes a heel cover that covers the shorter heel when the convertible high heel and low sole shoe is in the high heel mode; a tube receiving the high heel piece and the linkage mechanism, the linkage mechanism causing the tube to be covered when the high heel piece is moved out of the high heel shoe mode; a shorter heel, separate from and shorter than the high heel, and a sliding wedge between the shorter heel and the sole for assisting in distributing the weight load; a spring between the heel portion and the shorter heel for urging the shorter heel away from the heel portion to control movement of the shorter heel; a toe portion coupled to an area of the sole portion, and a latch locking mechanism in the area to lock and unlock the sole relative to the toe portion to transition between a high-heeled shoe mode and a flat-sole shoe mode; the sole comprising a high heel receiving portion and the latch locking mechanism being configured to disengage when the high heel is received in the high heel receiving portion; the sole comprises a receiving portion for receiving the high heel piece within the sole, an openable sole cover covering and uncovering the receiving portion of the sole, and the latch locking mechanism is configured to disengage when the openable sole cover uncovers the receiving portion; the latch locking mechanism is configured to be held out of engagement by a high heel disposed within a receiving portion in the sole; and/or the sole includes indentations to retain at least one of foam and flexible material for comfort.

Another aspect of the present invention relates to a convertible high heel and flat-bottom shoe, comprising: a sole including a heel portion and a pivot point; a high heel member positionable between a high heel mode in which the high heel member supports the heel portion and a flat sole mode in which the high heel member is received within the sole, the high heel member including a pivot point; and a linkage between a pivot point on the sole and a pivot point on the high heel piece, whereby the high heel piece, the heel portion and the linkage form a triangular structure.

One or more embodiments of this aspect of the invention described immediately above include one or more of the following: an articulation mechanism hingeably connecting the high heel piece to the sole; the high heel piece, the heel part and the hinge mechanism form a triangular structure; the heel portion including a high heel piece receiving member to secure the high heel piece receiving member to the heel portion in a high heel mode; the heel portion including a rear region, and a high heel receiving member located at the rear region of the heel portion; the heel portion including a central region, and a high heel receiving member located in the central region of the heel portion; the high heel piece receiving member is a tube that receives the top of the high heel piece; the high heel piece comprises a top threaded portion threadably receivable in the high heel piece receiving member; the high heel piece comprises a pull release mechanism whereby the high heel piece unlocks from the high heel piece receiving member when pulled away from the heel portion; a high heel locking mechanism for locking the high heel into the high heel position, the high heel locking mechanism having a pin with an overhang portion and an engagement member with a cage portion and a gap, whereby rotation of at least one of the pin and the engagement member causes the overhang portion to be retained on the cage portion such that the high heel is locked into the high heel position and aligned with the gap, thereby causing the overhang portion to fall through the gap to unlock the high heel from the high heel position; a high heel piece locking mechanism by which rotation of the heel portion causes the high heel piece to be locked to and unlocked from the high heel position; a high heel piece locking mechanism by which rotation of the high heel piece causes the high heel piece to be locked to and unlocked from the high heel position; the sole includes a receiving portion for receiving the high heel piece within the sole and further includes a guide linkage that guides the high heel piece toward the receiving portion of the sole; the sole comprises a receiving portion for receiving the high heel piece within the sole and an openable sole cover covering and uncovering the receiving portion of the sole; a shorter heel separate from and shorter than the high heel, and a linkage movably coupling the shorter heel to the heel portion and the high heel, whereby the shorter heel moves forward and backward with movement of the high heel; a shorter heel separate from and shorter than the high heel and linearly and movably coupled to the heel portion, whereby the shorter heel moves forward and rearward in a linear manner; a fixed shorter heel separate from and shorter than the high heel, and the high heel includes a heel cover that covers the shorter heel when the convertible high heel and low sole shoe is in the high heel mode; a tube receiving the high heel piece and the linkage mechanism, the linkage mechanism causing the tube to be covered when the high heel piece is moved out of the high heel shoe mode; a shorter heel, separate from and shorter than the high heel, and a sliding wedge between the shorter heel and the sole for assisting in distributing the weight load; a spring between the heel portion and the shorter heel for urging the shorter heel away from the heel portion to control movement of the shorter heel; a toe portion coupled to an area of the sole portion, and a latch locking mechanism in the area to lock and unlock the sole relative to the toe portion to transition between a high-heeled shoe mode and a flat-sole shoe mode; the sole comprising a high heel receiving portion and the latch locking mechanism being configured to disengage when the high heel is received in the high heel receiving portion; the sole comprising a receiving portion for receiving the high heel piece within the sole, an openable sole cover covering and uncovering the receiving portion of the sole, and a latch locking mechanism configured to disengage when the removable sole cover uncovers the receiving portion; the latch locking mechanism is configured to be held out of engagement by a high heel disposed within a receiving portion in the sole; and/or the sole includes indentations to retain at least one of foam and flexible material for comfort.

Drawings

The accompanying drawings, which are incorporated in and form a part of this specification, illustrate embodiments of the invention and, together with the description, serve to explain the principles of the invention.

Figure 1A is a front view of an embodiment of a convertible high-heel and flat-bottom shoe.

Figure 1B is a front view of another embodiment of a convertible high-heel and flat-bottom shoe.

Fig. 2A is a front view of the convertible high heel and flat sole shoe of fig. 1A and shows the high heel piece detached from the heel and pivoted toward the sole.

Figure 2B is a cross-sectional view of an embodiment of a high heel piece for a convertible high heel and midsole shoe.

Figure 2C is a perspective view of an embodiment of a high heel lock mechanism.

Figure 2D is a rear perspective view of an embodiment of the convertible high-heel and flat-bottom shoe, with portions not shown for clarity, and with tubes on the heel shown for receiving the high-heel elements.

Figure 2E is a perspective view of another embodiment of a high heel lock mechanism.

Fig. 3A is a front view of an embodiment of a convertible high heel and flat-bottom shoe, shown without portions for clarity, and showing a two-piece heel in the form of a heel cover (with a high heel piece) hingeably attached to the heel.

Fig. 3B is a bottom perspective view of an embodiment of a convertible high-heel and flat-bottom shoe, with portions not shown for clarity, and showing a heel cover hingeably attached to a heel portion.

Figure 4 is a front view of one embodiment of a convertible high heel and midsole shoe, with portions not shown for clarity, and showing a guide linkage that directs the high heel piece toward a receiving portion of the sole.

Figure 5 is a rear perspective view of an embodiment of a convertible high heel and flat sole shoe, with portions not shown for clarity, and showing a sole cover covering the high heel receiving portion, the sole cover shown slightly retracted from the sole.

Fig. 6 is a rear view of an embodiment of a convertible high heel and flat sole shoe, with portions not shown for clarity, and with a high heel piece receiving portion or aperture shown in the sole.

Figure 7A is a partial side view of the convertible high heel and flat bottom shoe of figure 1A and illustrates one embodiment of a linkage that moves the shorter heel portion forward/backward with movement of the high heel piece.

Figure 7B is a side view of an embodiment of a linkage that moves the shorter heel portion forward/backward with the movement of the high heel piece.

Fig. 7C is a side view of an embodiment of a convertible high-heel and flat-bottom shoe, with portions not shown for clarity, and showing an embodiment of a sliding mechanism that allows the heel to move forward/backward in a linear sliding manner.

Fig. 8A is a partial side view of the convertible high heel and flat bottom shoe shown in fig. 1A, similar to fig. 7A, and showing the linkage mechanism shown in fig. 7A and a shorter heel portion, wherein the shorter heel portion is moved rearward, covering a tube for receiving the high heel member.

Fig. 8B is a partial side view of the heel portion of a convertible high-heeled and flat-bottomed shoe, and shows a sliding wedge actuated between the heel and sole to help distribute weight loads, and showing an optional spring or springs to control movement of the shorter heel.

Figure 9A is a partial side view of an embodiment of the heel portion of a convertible high heel and flat sole shoe and showing a linkage covering a tube for receiving a high heel piece.

Fig. 9B is a perspective view of an embodiment of a latch lock mechanism in the ball or other area of a convertible high-heel and flat-bottom shoe for locking and unlocking the shoe sole relative to the toe to convert between a high-heel configuration and a flat-bottom configuration.

Fig. 9C is another perspective view of the latch locking mechanism of fig. 9A and illustrates how receiving a high heel in a sole slot disengages the latch locking mechanism.

Fig. 9D illustrates an embodiment of a sole release latch locking mechanism for a convertible high heel and flat bottom shoe for locking and unlocking the sole relative to the toe to convert between a high heel configuration and a flat bottom configuration.

Figure 10 shows a partial perspective view of the sole elements of a convertible high-heel and flat-bottom shoe.

Detailed Description

Referring to fig. 1A-10, embodiments of convertible high-heel and flat-bottom shoes ("shoes") that are convertible between a high-heel shoe configuration and a flat-bottom shoe configuration will be described. The shoe solves the problem of being uncomfortable with high-heeled shoes by providing the user with the option of converting the heel of the shoe to a flat bottom when the shoe inevitably becomes painful. Such shoes are well suited for use whenever the advantages of both high-heeled and flat-bottom shoes are exchanged or desired.

Fig. 1A is a front view of an embodiment of a convertible high-heel and flat-sole shoe 100. The shoe 100 includes a high heel piece 110 hingeably connected to a heel portion 120 by a hinge mechanism 130, allowing the high heel piece 110 to be folded into a sole 140 to form a flat shoe. The high heel piece 110, heel portion 120 and hinge mechanism form a triangular structure or triangular support 150 (e.g., for stability and to support weight loads, for aesthetics). Fig. 1A shows shoe 100 in a locked position with triangular supports 150 located in rear portion 160 of heel portion 120. In an alternative embodiment, high heel piece 110 may be removably attached to heel portion 120. In such embodiments, high heel piece 110 is completely removable and is positionable to support heel portion 120 in a high heel mode and is positionable to be positioned in a flat shoe mode within sole 140.

Fig. 1B shows another embodiment of a convertible high-heel and flat-bottom shoe 200, wherein a triangular support 210 is shown in the middle 220 of the heel portion 230. As shown in fig. 1A, 1B, triangular supports 210 may be placed in a plurality of positions.

Fig. 2A shows how the high heel piece 240 is separated from the heel portion 230 by the torsion release mechanism 250 and pivoted towards the sole 260. The torsion release mechanism 250 uses a threaded rod or pin 270 that passes through the entire high heel piece 240. The threaded rod or pin 270 is twisted to release the high heel piece 240 from the heel portion 230.

Fig. 2B shows an embodiment of the high heel 280 with a pull release mechanism 290, the pull release mechanism 290 having a ball bearing 300 to hold the central heel pin 310 in place. Ball bearing 300 is located on the inside of the heel/sole or on pin 310. When the user directly pulls down on the pull member 320, the ball bearing 300 will flex (via the spring) and the pin 310 can be removed from the shoe.

With reference to fig. 2C and 2E, an embodiment of the high heel lock mechanism 330 will be described. The high heel lock mechanism 330 comprises a pin 340, the pin 340 having a flexible cantilever/overhang 350 to lock the high heel into the high heel position. To unlock the high heel relative to the heel portion, pin 340 is rotated from the position shown in fig. 2C to the position shown in fig. 2E, wherein depending portion 350 is aligned with gap 360 through which depending portion 350 passes. The pin 340 can be rotated by twisting the heel cap 370 at the bottom 380 or by twisting the entire heel portion.

Fig. 2D shows the tube/cap 400 on the heel portion 410, the tube/cap 400 being adapted to receive the end 420 of the high heel piece 430. The cap tube 400 may comprise a telescoping tube.

Fig. 3A, 3B illustrate a heel cover 450 hingeably attached to a heel portion 460. The heel cover 450 is a solid body that also serves as a second link. The heel cover 450 covers the pony heel portion 460 in a flat mode/configuration and creates the appearance of a traditional heel. The heel has two parts: a heel cap/cover 450 covering the heel of a pony shoe, and a high piece of retaining bar/support structure. The "triangular support" links may or may not be visible on the medial side of the heel.

Referring to fig. 4 and 5, the second link 470 guides the high heel piece 480 to move into the aperture or receiving portion 510 of the sole 490. The plastic sole cover 500 is removed from the sole 490 so that the receiving portion/aperture 510 in the insole is exposed and the high heel piece 480 fits into the receiving portion/aperture. The sole cover 500 has a hinge point and is held locked and unlocked using a ball lock and spring (e.g., spring loaded, with a regular or compliant spring biasing the sole cover 500 to a closed and/or open position). The openable/partially removable sole cover 500 extends around the sides of the sole 490 or within the interior of the sole 490 to form a sealed/waterproof seal. The sole cover 500 is unlocked by the user pulling the sole cover 500 directly downward or pressing the side by the pull ring, or unlocking the latch. Additional fasteners that may be used to removably attach the sole cover 500 to the sole 490 include velcro, magnets, elastics, and snaps. In the flat bottom configuration/mode, the sole cover 500 is adhered/fastened to the insole 506, covering the sole 490 up to the heel portion 508, enabling the shoe to be used as a flat shoe. Leather or fabric covers all of the mechanical components, making it appear indistinguishable from conventional high-heeled shoes. Around the gap 510, the insole 506 has a rib structure for weight load support. In an alternative embodiment, the high-heel and flat-bottom shoes do not have receiving portions or apertures. In other embodiments of the sole cover 500, the sole cover 500 includes a zipper down the center of the sole 490 or on the sides of the sole 490 for opening and exposing the slits 510 for heel fitting.

Fig. 6 shows an embodiment of a convertible high heel and flat-bottom shoe 550, wherein a high heel piece receiving portion or aperture 560 is shown in the sole 562 for receiving a collapsible high heel piece 570 and a heel cover for securing a shorter heel. The heel may have foldable sides (rubber, fabric, leather, etc.) that fold in one or more ways as shown.

Fig. 7A illustrates an embodiment of a linkage 600 that moves the linkage 600 forward/backward with a shorter heel as the high heel piece 610 moves. The linkage mechanism 600 includes a first link 620, a second link 630, a third link 640, a fourth link 650, and pivot points 660, 670, 680, 690, 700, 710, 720. First link 620 connects high heel piece 610 to forward portion 730 of heel portion 740. The first link 620 is pivotally/hingedly connected to the front portion 730 of the heel portion 740 at pivot point 670, whereby pivoting of the high heel piece 610 into the aperture of the sole 750 pushes the short heel member/cap rearwardly under the bottom of the rear portion 760 of the heel portion 740. Conversely, pivoting/retraction of high heel piece 610 from the aperture of sole 750 back toward heel portion 740 forces short heel member/cap 760 forward toward front portion 730 of heel portion 740 and below front portion 730. Thus, the pivotal movement of the high heel piece 610 toward the sole 750 engages the attached linkage 600 to rotate and push the pony heel member/cap downward and push the pony heel member/cap rearward toward the rear portion 760 of the heel portion 740.

Fig. 7B illustrates another embodiment of the linkage 800, the linkage 800 moving the shorter heel/cap 810 forward/backward with the movement of the high heel piece 820.

Fig. 7C is an embodiment of a convertible high heel and flat-bottom shoe 850 having a linear slide mechanism 860, the linear slide mechanism 860 allowing the shorter heel/cap 870 to move forward/backward in a linear slide fashion via the linear slide mechanism 860. The pivoting motion of the high heel piece 890 directly pushes or transmits the motion of the heel/cap 870 heel of the shorter heel/toe cap back and forth on a linear slide via the linear slide mechanism 860.

Fig. 8A shows an embodiment in which the shorter heel member/cap 900 covers the cap tube 910 for receiving the high heel piece when the shorter heel member/cap 900 is moved backwards.

Fig. 8B illustrates an embodiment of an actuated sliding wedge 920, the sliding wedge 920 being disposed between a shorter heel member/cap 930 and a heel portion 940 to help distribute weight loads, and an optional spring or springs 950 to control movement of the shorter heel member/cap 930.

Fig. 9A is a link 970 embodiment of a linkage 980, the linkage 980 configured to cover a cap tube 990 for receiving a high heel component when the shorter heel member/cap 930 is moved rearward (e.g., in a flat bottom configuration/mode) relative to the heel portion 1000 when the high heel component is not in use.

Fig. 9B, 9C show an embodiment of a latch locking mechanism 1030 in a ball 1040 or other region to lock and unlock the sole 1050 relative to the toe portion 1060 to transition between a high heel configuration/mode and a flat bottom configuration/mode. The hinge 1070 at the ball 1040 or other area locks in the high heel configuration/mode and unlocks in the flat bottom configuration/mode. Latch locking mechanism 1030 includes a latch 1080 having a spring 1090, the spring 1090 urging the latch 1080 in a locked position, thereby preventing movement of hinge 1070. When the high heel piece 1100 is retracted into the slit 1110, the high heel piece 1100 entering into the slit 1100 pushes the latch 1080 upward, thereby releasing the latch 1080 and unlocking the hinge 1070 and flattening the entire shoe. Notch 1120 prevents over travel.

Fig. 9D illustrates an embodiment of a sole release latch locking mechanism 1150, the sole release latch locking mechanism 1150 for locking and unlocking a sole 1160 relative to a toe portion 1170 to transition between a high heel configuration/mode and a flat bottom configuration/mode. In this embodiment, the opening and closing of the sole 1160 actuates the latch 1180 to unlock and lock. The sole 1160 is connected to the latch 1180 by a resilient, spring or catch member 1190 and pulls the latch 1180 downward when the sole 1160 is open, while the spring 1200 pushes the latch 1180 upward. In the flat bottom configuration/mode, the high heel piece in the aperture in the sole 1160 prevents the sole 1160 from accidentally locking into the high heel configuration/mode.

Figure 10 shows a partial perspective view of a sole member 1200 of a convertible high-heel and flat-bottom shoe. Sole piece 1200 has indentations to retain foam or flexible material for comfort.

Important aspects of convertible high heels and flat bottom shoes include a shorter heel member/cap that is hidden by the high heel/piece, which can be moved forward and backward to become smaller, or to cover an open space, the high heel including a triangular shape for weight-loaded structure and stability, the high heel having a material that can collapse to become flatter, the high heel locked to the heel portion of the back of the sole, the high heel using a movable top lift (or pull to release motion) to release the lock, the midsole locked in at least one position at the ball or other area of the foot, and the sole releasable to cover and expose the high heel.

The drawings may depict exemplary configurations for the present invention, which are used to facilitate an understanding of features and functions that may be included in the present invention. The invention is not limited to the illustrated architectures or configurations, but may be implemented using a variety of alternative architectures and configurations. In addition, while the present invention has been described above in terms of various exemplary embodiments and implementations, it should be appreciated that the various features and functionality described in describing one or more individual embodiments of the invention may be applied, alone or in some combination, to one or more other embodiments of the invention, whether or not such embodiments are described and whether or not such features are presented as being part of a described embodiment. Thus, the breadth and scope of the present invention, particularly in the following claims, should not be limited by any of the above-described exemplary embodiments.

The phraseology and terminology used in this document, and variations thereof, should be regarded as open ended and not as limiting unless otherwise expressly stated. As examples of the foregoing: the word "comprising" is to be understood as meaning "including but not limited to"; the term "example" is used to provide an illustrative example of the item in question, rather than to provide an exhaustive or limiting list of the items in question; adjectives such as "conventional," "traditional," "standard," "known," and words of similar import should not be construed as limiting the item described to a given time period or to an item available at a given time, but rather should be construed to encompass conventional, traditional, normal, or standard technologies that may be available or known at any time, now or in the future. Likewise, a group of items linked by the conjunction "and" should not be read as requiring that each and every one of those items be present in the grouping, but rather should be read as "and/or" unless expressly stated otherwise. Similarly, a group of items linked by the conjunction "or" should not be read as requiring mutual exclusivity among that group, but rather should be read as "and/or" unless expressly stated otherwise. Furthermore, although items, elements or components of the disclosure may be described or claimed in the singular, the plural is contemplated to be within the scope of the invention unless clearly stated to the contrary. The presence of broadening words and phrases such as "one or more," "at least," "but not limited to" or other like phrases in some instances shall not be read to mean that the narrower case is intended or required in instances where such broadening phrases may be absent.