Method and System for Combining High Heel and Flat Shoe

Prolonged wearing of high heels, a type of shoe typically worn by women with an upward-angled sole, is associated with greater risk of falls and musculoskeletal pain. Many women carry a second pair of shoes, ones with a low heel, to avoid having to wear high heeled shoes for an extended period of time.

However, carrying a completely of shoes, for example, a pair of sneakers is inconvenient for many women when wearing heels. A simple method of converting between a high heel and a comfortable low heel would fulfill a long felt need in the footwear industry. Height-adjustable shoes have been described however the height adjustment is often cumbersome and is an inadequate solution.

Prior art designs are limited at least in versatility, ease of use and convenience.

Therefore, the present invention provides simple and aesthetically pleasing system and method for interchanging between a flat shoe and a high heeled shoe.

According to an aspect of the present invention disclosed herein, there is provided a system for combining a flat shoe and a high heel shoe, comprising: a flat shoe; a high heel shoe; and a lip seal on the high heel shoe, wherein the lip seal runs circumferentially along the top of the high heel shoe and provides an envelope into which the flat shoe can insert.

According to another aspect of the present invention disclosed herein, there is provided a method of combining a flat shoe and a high heel shoe, comprising: affixing a lip seal circumferentially along the top of a high heel shoe; and inserting a flat shoe into the lip seal on the high heel shoe.

Embodiments of the present invention will be described with reference to the following drawings.

is an illustration of the system of the present invention with the flat shoe and the high heel shoe separate.

The flat shoerefers to a style of shoe that is flat through the midfoot or the innersole of the shoe. This means it has no support in the arch of the shoe (the sole of the shoe does not contour the arch). It may also include shoes that have no heel to toe drop (HTT drop).

The high heel shoeis a type of shoe with an upward-angled sole. The heel in such shoes is raised above the ball of the foot. However, in other embodiments the high heel shoecould be a platform shoe. Platform shoes are shoes with a thick sole and can provide added height without the discomfort of spike heels. However, platform shoes still could be desired to be used with embodiments of the present invention as using platform shoes increases the risk of a sprained ankle.

The high heel shoe has lip seal. Lip sealruns circumferentially along the top of the shoe. Lip sealprovides an envelope into which the flat shoe can insert.

is an illustration of the system of the present invention with the flat shoe being inserted into the high heel shoe.

The flat shoeis seen being inserted into the lip sealof high heel shoe. The flat shoeis typically inserted starting with the toe of the flat shoe inserting into the toe of the high heeled shoe, but it could be inserted in the back or on the side.

The wearer's foot may be in the flat shoe when it is being inserted or the wearer may take their foot out of the flat shoe before inserting into the high heel shoe.

The lip sealcan be made of an elastomeric material. Elastomeric materials are characterized by a polymer-based construction with high elasticity. Some lip seals are made of TFE/P rubber, whereas others are made of fluorosilicone or Neoprene.

The lip sealcan be provided with the high heeled shoe during the original manufacturing or can be added after the shoe is manufactured as a retrofit.

is an illustration of the system of the present invention with the flat shoe being inside into the high heel shoe.

In, the flat shoeis depicted fully inserted into the lip sealof high heel shoeand the flat shoeis secured inside the high heel shoe by the lip seal.

Certain versions of the present invention will have one or more straps additionally. The straps for example could be to the top around the ankle on the heel.

The illustrations of embodiments described herein are intended to provide a general understanding of the structure of various embodiments, and they are not intended to serve as a complete description of all the elements and features of apparatus and systems that might make use of the structures described herein. Other embodiments may be utilized and derived therefrom, such that structural and logical substitutions and changes may be made without departing from the scope of this disclosure.

Thus, although specific embodiments have been illustrated and described herein, it should be appreciated that any arrangement calculated to achieve the same purpose may be substituted for the specific embodiments shown. This disclosure is intended to cover any and all adaptations or variations of various embodiments. Combinations of the above embodiments, and other embodiments not specifically described herein, will be apparent to those of skill in the art upon reviewing the above description. Therefore, it is intended that the disclosure not be limited to the particular embodiment(s) disclosed.

Figures are also merely representational and may not be drawn to scale. Certain proportions thereof may be exaggerated, while others may be minimized. Accordingly, the specification and drawings are to be regarded in an illustrative rather than a restrictive sense.