Modular heel system
View Patent ↗In some implementations, a modular heel system may include a heel having a heel body and a shaft. The heel body may be configured for attachment to a sole of a shoe. The shaft may extend from the heel body and may have at least one flat side along its longitudinal axis for retention of interchangeable modular elements. The modular elements may be configured to be detachably affixed to the heel, each modular element having a through-hole having a geometry which is complementary to the longitudinal geometry of the shaft. The modular heel system may include a retention element configured to secure the modular elements when attached to the heel and to serve as a durable base which is in contact with the ground during use.
1 . A modular heel system comprising:
a heel comprising:
a heel body configured to be attached to a sole of a shoe; and
a shaft extending from the heel body, the shaft having at least one flat side along its longitudinal axis, wherein a lower portion of the shaft comprises a locking member;
one or more modular elements configured to be detachably positioned on the shaft, each modular element comprising a through-hole having a geometry which is complementary to a longitudinal geometry of the shaft; and
a retention element comprising:
a core configured to mechanically mate with the locking member; and
a body configured to retain the one or more modular elements on the shaft, the body further configured for interaction with a ground surface.
2 . The modular heel system of claim 1 , wherein the heel body and the shaft comprise a unitary structure.
3 . The modular heel system of claim 1 , wherein the heel comprises a metal material or a polymer material.
4 . The modular heel system of claim 1 , wherein the one or more modular elements comprise one or more materials selected from the group consisting of: polymer, metal, wood, resin, epoxy, fabric, leather, rubber, or a combination thereof.
5 . The modular heel system of claim 1 , wherein the heel consists of a metal material and the one or more modular elements consist of a polymer material.
6 . The modular heel system of claim 1 , wherein the shaft and each through-hole have similar or congruent form.
7 . The modular heel system of claim 6 , wherein the shaft and each through-hole have an obround geometry.
8 . The modular heel system of claim 1 , wherein the shaft and each through-hole have respective dimensions which ensure frictional retention of the modular elements when positioned on the shaft.
9 . The modular heel system of claim 1 , wherein at least one of the one or more modular elements comprises a body having an exterior form of an alphanumeric character, a symbol, a logo, a crest, or a geometric shape.
10 . The modular heel system of claim 1 , wherein the one or more modular elements comprise one or more pairs of modular elements configured to be affixed to the heel in a horizontal arrangement.
11 . The modular heel system of claim 1 , wherein the one or more modular elements comprise a pair of modular elements having one or more sets of complementary fastening members configured to secure the modular elements of said pair to one another in a horizontal arrangement.
12 . The modular heel system of claim 1 , wherein the one or more modular elements comprise a first modular element and a second modular element, wherein:
the first modular element has a first engagement channel;
the second modular element has a second engagement channel; and
when the first modular element and the second modular element are secured to one another, the first engagement channel and the second engagement channel mate to form a through-hole through which the shaft may be inserted.
13 . The modular heel system of claim 1 , further comprising one or more spacer elements configured to provide an expanded contact surface for interfacing with one or more adjacent modular elements.
14 . The modular heel system of claim 1 , wherein at least one of the locking member and the core of the retention element comprises a threaded surface.
15 . The modular heel system of claim 1 , wherein a mating surface of the locking member is complementary to a mating surface of the core of the retention element.
16 . The modular heel system of claim 1 , wherein the core of the retention element comprises a cavity configured to receive at least a portion of the locking member.
17 . The modular heel system of claim 1 , wherein the core of the retention element comprises a projecting member configured to be inserted into at least a portion of the locking member.
18 . The modular heel system of claim 1 , wherein the one or more modular elements comprise at least two modular elements configured to be arranged in a vertical sequence on the shaft.
19 . A modular heel system comprising:
a heel comprising:
a heel body configured to be attached to a sole of a shoe; and
a shaft extending from the heel body, the shaft having at least one flat side along its longitudinal axis;
a pair of modular elements configured to be detachably positioned on the shaft, the pair of modular elements comprising:
a through-hole having a geometry which is complementary to a longitudinal geometry of the shaft; and
one or more sets of complementary fastening members configured to secure the modular elements of said pair to one another in a horizontal arrangement; and
a retention element configured to secure the pair of modular elements on the shaft.
20 . A modular heel system comprising:
a heel comprising:
a heel body configured to be attached to a sole of a shoe; and
a shaft extending from the heel body, the shaft having at least one flat side along its longitudinal axis;
a first modular element and a second modular element configured to be detachably positioned on the shaft, wherein:
the first modular element has a first engagement channel;
the second modular element has a second engagement channel; and
when the first modular element and the second modular element are secured to one another, the first engagement channel and the second engagement channel mate to form a through-hole through which the shaft may be inserted, the through-hole having a geometry which is complementary to a longitudinal geometry of the shaft; and
a retention element configured to secure the first modular element and the second modular element on the shaft.