US20150157087A1

US20150157087A1 - Adjustable shoe

Info

Publication number: US20150157087A1
Application number: US14/407,087
Authority: US
Inventors: Daphna Blumenthal; Nahum Cohen
Original assignee: ELEVATE FASHION Ltd
Current assignee: ELEVATE FASHION Ltd
Priority date: 2012-06-13
Filing date: 2013-06-13
Publication date: 2015-06-11
Also published as: WO2013186729A1; IL236211A0; EP2861093A4; CN104427900A; EP2861093A1

Abstract

A shoe comprising an extendable and retractable heel; a heel adjustment mechanism to maintain at least a section of the heel in contact with a walking surface substantially perpendicular to the walking surface; and a control mechanism including a controller to automatically control the heel adjustment mechanism

Description

CROSS-REFERENCE TO RELATED APPLICATIONS

This application claims benefit from U.S. Provisional Patent Application No. 61/658,935 filed 13 Jun. 2012, which is hereby incorporated in its entirety by reference.

FIELD OF THE INVENTION

The present invention relates to footwear generally and to shoes with adjustable heels in particular.

BACKGROUND OF THE INVENTION

Shoes may generally be found of varied heel heights, particularly women's shoes. Some women's shoes may have low heels, while others may have high heels, while still others may have medium heels. Frequently, a woman's selection of a shoe to be worn is influenced by the heel size of the shoe. For example, for walking over a relatively long distance or on a non-smooth surface, many times a low-heeled shoe may be selected, while for walking over short distances a medium-heel or long-heel shoe may be selected. The selection may also be influenced by a woman's dressing, frequently selecting a low-heel shoe as part of a casual dressing while selecting a medium-heel or high-heel shoe for more elegant dressing.
Shoes with adjustable heel heights allow a user to switch between a low-heel shoe and a high-heel shoe. These shoes have been devised in an attempt to provide women with the convenience of not having to switch shoes when a low-heel shoe is desired to be worn and when a high-heel shoe is to be worn. This may be the case, for example, when a woman walks to and from work when she may prefer to wear a low-heel shoe, and when in work where she may prefer to wear a high-heel shoe. Some examples of these shoes with adjustable heel heights are described in U.S. Pat. No. 8,322,053 to Handel et al.; U.S. Pat. No. 2,934,840 to M. Mistarz; U.S. Pat. No. 4,416,072 to Sarkissian; U.S. Pat. No. 8,453,351 to Hale; U.S. Pat. No. 5,347,730 to Rodriguez Colon; and US Patent Application Publication No. 2012/0085000 to Alaimo.
Other related art includes CN201726942 (U), CN1849956 (A), CN201905308 (U), CN2419856(Y), US2008/184598(A1), U.S. Pat. No. 2,258,265 (A), U.S. Pat. No. 3,464,126 (A), and U.S. Pat. No. 5,309,651 (A).

SUMMARY OF THE PRESENT INVENTION

There is provided, according to an embodiment of the present invention, a shoe including an extendable and retractable heel; a heel adjustment mechanism to maintain at least a section of the heel in contact with a walking surface substantially perpendicular to the walking surface; and a control mechanism including a controller to automatically control the heel adjustment mechanism.
According to an embodiment of the present invention, the shoe includes a heel extending and retracting mechanism.
According to an embodiment of the present invention, the shoe includes one or more sensors to detect a position of the at least a section of the heel.
According to an embodiment of the present invention, the shoe includes a vertical alignment mechanism to maintain the at least of a section of the heel substantially perpendicular to the walking surface.
According to an embodiment of the present invention, the shoe includes at least one vertical alignment sensor to sense an angle of the at least a section of the heel relative to the walking surface.
According to an embodiment of the present invention, the shoe includes a transceiver for communicating with a remote control device.
According to an embodiment of the present invention, the shoe includes a power supply.
According to an embodiment of the present invention, the shoe includes an electronic interface module to allow a user to manually activate the heel adjustment mechanism and the control mechanism.
According to an embodiment of the present invention, the shoe includes an electronic interface module for entering heel height adjustment data to the controller.
According to an embodiment of the present invention, the shoe includes an adjustable sole platform between an inner sole and an outer sole of the shoe.
According to an embodiment of the present invention, the shoe includes a sole adjustment mechanism for automatically displacing the at least first section relative to the second section.
There is provided, according to an embodiment of the present invention, heel adjustment system for use with a shoe including an extendable and retractable heel; a heel base to which the heel is attached and including a heel adjustment mechanism to maintain at least a section of the heel in contact with a walking surface substantially perpendicular to the walking surface; and a control mechanism including a controller to automatically control the heel adjustment mechanism.
According to an embodiment of the present invention, the heel adjustment system is configured to be positioned between an inner sole and an outer sole of a shoe.
According to an embodiment of the present invention, the heel adjustment mechanism includes a heel extending and retracting mechanism.
According to an embodiment of the present invention, the heel adjustment mechanism includes one or more sensors to detect a position of the at least a section of the heel.
According to an embodiment of the present invention, the heel adjustment mechanism includes a vertical alignment mechanism to maintain the at least of a section of the heel substantially perpendicular to the walking surface.
According to an embodiment of the present invention, the heel adjustment mechanism includes at least one vertical alignment sensor to sense an angle of the at least a section of the heel relative to the walking surface.
According to an embodiment of the present invention, the heel adjustment mechanism includes a transceiver for communicating with a remote control device.
According to an embodiment of the present invention, the heel adjustment mechanism includes a power supply.
According to an embodiment of the present invention, the heel adjustment mechanism includes an electronic interface module to allow a user to manually activate the heel adjustment mechanism and the control mechanism.
According to an embodiment of the present invention, the heel adjustment mechanism includes an electronic interface module for entering heel height adjustment data to the controller.
According to an embodiment of the present invention, the heel adjustment mechanism includes an adjustable sole platform attached to the heel base.
According to an embodiment of the present invention, the heel adjustment mechanism includes a sole adjustment mechanism for automatically displacing the at least first section relative to the second section.
According to an embodiment of the present invention, the one or more sensors include at least one of a pressure sensor, an optical sensor, an electro-magnetic sensor, a magnetic sensor, and a switch.
According to an embodiment of the present invention, the at least one vertical alignment sensor includes at least one of a pressure sensor, an optical sensor, an electro-magnetic sensor, a magnetic sensor, and a switch.
According to an embodiment of the present invention, the control mechanism includes a controller.
According to an embodiment of the present invention, the communicating with the remote control device is over a wireless network.
According to an embodiment of the present invention, the wireless network is at least one of a wireless local area network, a cellular network, and a personal area network.
According to an embodiment of the present invention, the electronic interface module includes a sensor for detecting wearing of the shoe.
According to an embodiment of the present invention, the sole platform includes at least a first section attached to a second section, and wherein the first section is angularly displaceable relative to the second section.
According to an embodiment of the present invention, the sole adjustment mechanism includes a locking mechanism to maintain the first section in a fixed position relative to the second section.

BRIEF DESCRIPTION OF THE DRAWINGS

The subject matter regarded as the invention is particularly pointed out and distinctly claimed in the concluding portion of the specification. The invention, however, both as to organization and method of operation, together with objects, features, and advantages thereof, may best be understood by reference to the following detailed description when read with the accompanying drawings in which:

FIG. 1 schematically illustrates a shoe including an exemplary heel adjustment system, according to an embodiment of the present invention;

FIGS. 2A-2C schematically illustrate shoe with different heel heights, according to an embodiment of the present invention;

FIG. 3 schematically illustrates a functional block diagram of the heel adjustment system of FIG. 1, according to an embodiment of the present invention;

FIGS. 4A-4G schematically illustrate exemplary extendable/retractable heels for use in the heel adjustment system, according to an embodiment of the present invention;

FIGS. 5A and 5B is a flow chart of an exemplary method of operating the heel adjustment system, according to an embodiment of the present invention; and

FIG. 6 is a flow chart of a method of adjusting the heel height of the shoe of FIG. 1 including the heel adjustment system, according to an embodiment of the present invention.

It will be appreciated that for simplicity and clarity of illustration, elements shown in the figures have not necessarily been drawn to scale. For example, the dimensions of some of the elements may be exaggerated relative to other elements for clarity. Further, where considered appropriate, reference numerals may be repeated among the figures to indicate corresponding or analogous elements.

DETAILED DESCRIPTION OF THE PRESENT INVENTION

In the following detailed description, numerous specific details are set forth in order to provide a thorough understanding of the invention. However, it will be understood by those skilled in the art that the present invention may be practiced without these specific details. In other instances, well-known methods, procedures, and components have not been described in detail so as not to obscure the present invention.
Applicants have realized that prior art shoes with adjustable heels do not allow a user to remotely adjust the heel height and accordingly, the shape of the sole to conform to the heel height, while standing on the shoes. Most prior art shoes with adjustable heels require that the user sit down and physically adjust the height, for example, by folding or extending a section of the heel; by removing or adding a section of the heel; or by inserting and retracting a section of the heel in and out of another heel section using a screwing action, a pumping action, or other physically related mechanical action. Some of the prior art shoes with adjustable heels allow for remote adjustment of the heel height, which may allow the user to stand while adjusting the height. Nevertheless, these remote-controlled shoes tend to be unsteady and uncomfortable when standing or walking with high heels as the change in the shape of the sole may cause the heel to be slightly angled relative to the walking surface. In many, if not all of the prior art shoes, the user's foot shapes the sole (and the shoe) to conform to the adjusted heel height, which may be rather uncomfortable for the user, particularly when wearing high heels.
Applicants have realized that the drawbacks in prior art shoes may be overcome with a shoe with an adjustable heel which may be maintained substantially perpendicular to the walking surface while the user is standing or walking, and which may include an adjustable sole which adjusts the shape of the shoe to the adjusted heel height. The height of the heel may be remotely selected or controlled by the user and communicated to a controller in the shoe which may activate a heel mechanism which adjusts the height of the heel and the angle of the heel relative to the walking surface. The controller may also activate a sole mechanism which adjusts the shape of the sole of the shoe to conform to the selected heel height. Additionally or alternatively, the height of the heel may be manually selected by the user through an electronic interface on the shoe.
Applicants have further realized that a shoe with an adjustable heel, according to an embodiment of the present invention, may have potentially beneficial applications additionally or alternatively to allowing a user to switch between a low heel shoe and a high heel shoe. One example may be to allow a user to adjust the height of the heel of one or both shoes in a pair of shoes to compensate for differences in leg lengths of the user. This may be potentially beneficial, for example, for users with leg length differences resulting from a genetic deformity or from an accident, or who may be wearing a leg cast (e.g. fractured ankle), or who may have a natural difference in leg lengths. This may also be potentially beneficial, for example, to allow a user who may be concerned with being of a short stature to increase his/her height by adjusting the height of the heels.
Reference is now made to FIG. 1 which schematically illustrates a shoe 10 including an exemplary heel adjustment system 100, according to an embodiment of the present invention. Heel adjustment system 100 may allow a user (wearer) to adjust a heel height of shoe 10 while standing in the shoe. Heel adjustment system 100 may additionally maintain the heel of shoe 10 substantially perpendicular to a walking surface during the heel height adjustment, and while the user is standing or walking. Heel adjustment system 100 may additionally adjust a shape of a sole of shoe 10 responsive to changes in the heel height of the shoe. Alternatively, the shape of the sole is adjusted by the user's foot exerting pressure during heel height adjustments. Heel adjustment system 100 may additionally interface with a remote control unit 150 to allow the user to remotely adjust the heel height of shoe 10 while standing and/or walking in the shoe. Additionally, remote control unit 150 may allow the user to substantially simultaneously remotely adjust the heel heights of both shoes of a pair of shoes worn by the user.
Heel adjustment system 100 includes a heel base 102 and an extendable/retractable heel 104. Heel adjustment system 100 may additionally include a sole platform 106. Heel base 102 and sole platform 106 may be positioned inside shoe 10 between outer sole 12 and inner sole 14. Heel base 102 may serve as a base for heel 104 and is preferably positioned in a rear section of the shoe, the heel extending from the heel base through outer sole 12 in a direction towards the walking surface. Sole platform 106 may be attached at one end to heel base 104 and may extend from the heel base towards the front of the shoe. Sole platform 106 may be mechanically adjustable to allow outer sole 12 and inner sole 14 to assume a shape which conforms to the adjusted heel height. Shoe 10 may be any type of shoe suitable to be used with heel height adjustment, and may include men, women, and children shoes.
Heel base 102 may include a heel mechanism 108, a control mechanism 110, and a heel pivot mechanism 112. Heel mechanism 108 may adjust the height of heel 104, and may include use of electrical, mechanical, electro-mechanical, hydraulic, pneumatic, or other means, or combination of means, suitable to make height adjustments. Heel mechanism 108 may additionally maintain an angle of heel 104 substantially perpendicular to the walking surface for all adjusted heel heights. Heel mechanism 108 may maintain the heel's perpendicularity by angularly shifting heel base 102 around heel pivot mechanism 112 relative to heel 104.
Extendable/retractable heel 104 may include a telescopic heel and may include a base section 114, a first extension 116, and a second extension 118. A height of heel 104 may be adjusted by heel mechanism 108 so that any one or both of first extension 116 and second extension 118 may be partially or wholly extended. A maximum heel height for shoe 10 is achieved when first extension 116 and second extension 118 is fully extended, and a minimum height when the first and second extension are fully retracted inside base section 114. Although heel 104 is shown having three sections (114, 116, 118), a skilled person may realize that the heel may be implemented having less than three sections or more than three sections.
Control mechanism 110 may control the operation of heel mechanism 108, activating and deactivating the height adjustment means responsive to the heel height selection of the user. Control mechanism 110 may additionally control the operation of heel mechanism 108 to adjust the angle of heel 104 perpendicular to the walking surface. Control mechanism 110 may additionally control the operation of a sole mechanism 120 which may adjust the shape of sole platform 106 responsive to changes in the heel height.
Sole platform 106 may include sole mechanism 120, a rear section 122, a front section 124, and a platform pivot mechanism 126. Sole platform 106 may adjust the shape of outer sole 12 and inner sole 14 (and shoe 10) to accommodate heel height adjustments. Sole mechanism 120 may adjust an angle of rear section 122 relative to front section 124, and may include use of electrical, mechanical, electro-mechanical, hydraulic, pneumatic, or other means, or combination of means, suitable to make the angular adjustments. Front section 124 may generally remain in a direction substantially parallel to the walking surface while rear section 122 is angularly shifted relative to the front section around platform pivot mechanism 126 to adjust the shape of the sole.
Sole platform 106 is shown in the figure having rear section 14 and front section 12 and platform pivot mechanism 126. Nevertheless, an ordinary person skilled in the art may realize that sole platform 106 may be divided into a number of sections, each separated by a platform pivot mechanism 126 to allow one or more sections to be angularly shifted by sole mechanism 120. This may allow the shape of sole platform 106 to be more precisely adjusted to the shape of the user's foot, and may allow more precise adjustment of the shape of outer sole 12 and inner sole 14 (and consequently shoe 10) to conform to heel height adjustments. More precise adjustment of the shape of shoe 10 may potentially result in greater user comfort.
Sole platform 106 may be made from a relatively strong, flexible material suitable for exerting pressure on, and flexing, outer sole 12 and inner sole 14. The material may include, for example, plastic, metal, cellulose, cork, leather, rubber, among other suitable materials. Alternatively, sole platform 106 may be made from a relatively soft material so that the shape of outer sole 12 and inner sole 14 are adjusted by the action of the heel height adjusting, and the user's foot inside shoe 10. A soft sole platform may obviate sole mechanism 120 and platform pivot mechanism 126.
Remote control device 150 may allow the user to control adjusting of heel height while standing in shoe 10. Remote control device 150 may include means to allow the user to interface with heel adjustment system 100, for example, to input data to the system and to view data from the system. Data input may be through buttons or a touch screen on remote control device 150; or verbally through a microphone on the device; or downloaded to the device from a computer device such as a PC, tablet, laptop, or from a storage device such as a flash memory device; or downloaded from the Internet over a wired and/or wireless communications network. Remote control device 150 may include a display which may allow the user to view the data input to heel adjustment system 100 and to view data processed by the system. Data may include a desired heel height which may be input by the user or by medically-related personnel such as for example, a physician, a physiotherapist, a chiropractor, among others. The data may include a shoe type, model, user personal data, activity to be performed (for example, a long walk over rough terrain), date and time information, among many other data which may be of interest to the user, or which may facilitate user operation of the shoes, including automatic operation. The displayed data may include the desired heel heights for a pair of shoes, the actual heel heights of the shoes, and a visual alarm in case of disparity between the adjusted heel heights and the desired heel height. Also displayed may be a battery charge status, which may include a visual alarm when the battery charge is low. Also displayed may be an operational status of heel adjustment system 100 as reported by a built-in-test (BIT) included in the heel adjustment system, and which may include a visual warning when a fault is detected by the BIT. Remote control device 150 may include means to audibly transmit information to the user, which may include the input data, the displayed data, and an audible warning alarm which may be associated with the visual alarms. Remote control device 150 may include means to pair each remote control device with a particular pair of shoes, for example, by means of an identifier code which is transmitted by the remote control device to each pair of shoes and is processed by control mechanism 110 in each shoe. If the identifier code received by control mechanism 110 is recognized by the control mechanism, then pairing is established between each shoe 10 and remote control device 150.
Remote control device 150 may be implemented in a dedicated remote control device. Additionally or alternatively, remote control device 150 may be implemented in a smart phone, a tablet computer, or any other type of mobile device with communication capability and which may allow downloading of an application program over a communication network for interfacing with heel adjustment system 100. Additionally or alternatively, remote control device 150 may include a computing device such as, for example, a personal computer or a laptop computer in which a software program may be installed or downloaded over a communication network for interfacing with heel adjustment system 100.
Reference is now also made to FIGS. 2A-2C which schematically illustrate shoe 10 with different heel heights, according to an embodiment of the present invention.
In FIG. 2A, shoe 10 is shown with a low heel 104 having a height of H1, base section 114 resting substantially perpendicularly to a floor 20. First extension 116 and second extension 118 are retracted inside of base section 114. Heel mechanism 108 may adjust and lock base section 114 substantially perpendicular to floor 20 so that the user may adjust the heel height while standing, and may maintain the base section locked perpendicularly while the user is standing or walking. Sole mechanism 120 may adjust and lock rear section 122 in sole platform 106 at an inclination relative to front section 124 which is substantially parallel to floor 20. The inclination is determined by the height H1 of heel 104. Outer sole 12 and inner sole 14 may be flexed and their shape adjusted to follow sole platform 106.
In FIG. 2B, shoe 10 is shown with a medium heel 104 having a height of H2, first extension 116 fully extended from base section 114 by heel mechanism 108 and resting substantially perpendicularly to a floor 20. Although shown as fully extended in the figure, first extension 116 may be partially extended so that the height of heel 104 is greater than H1 but less than H2. Second extension 118 is retracted inside of base section 114. Heel mechanism 108 may adjust and lock base section 114 in a position so that first extension 116 is substantially perpendicular to floor 20. Although first extension is perpendicularly arranged relative to floor 20, base section 114 may be angled with respect to floor 20. Sole mechanism 120 may lock rear section 122 at an inclination relative to front section 124 determined by the height H2 of heel 104. Outer sole 12 and inner sole 14 are flexed and their shape adjusted to follow sole platform 106.
In FIG. 2C, shoe 10 is shown with a high heel 104 having a height of H3, first extension 116 and second extension 118 fully extended from base section 114 by heel mechanism 108, the second extension resting substantially perpendicularly to a floor 20. Although shown as fully extended in the figure, any one or both of first extension 116 and second extension may be partially extended so that the height of heel 104 is greater than H1 but less than H3. Heel mechanism 108 may adjust and lock base section 114 in a position so that second extension 118 is substantially perpendicular to floor 20. Although second extension 118 is perpendicularly arranged relative to floor 20, base section 114 and/or first extension 116 may be at an angle with respect to floor 20. Sole mechanism 120 may adjust and lock rear section 122 at an inclination relative to front section 124 determined by the height H3 of heel 104. Outer sole 12 and inner sole 14 may be flexed and their shape adjusted to follow sole platform 106.
Reference is now also made to FIG. 3 which schematically illustrates a functional block diagram of heel adjustment system 100, according to an embodiment of the present invention. Heel mechanism 108 includes an extend/retract drive mechanism 130, an extend/retract sensor 132, a vertical alignment mechanism 134, a vertical alignment locking mechanism 135, and a vertical alignment sensor 136. Control mechanism 110 includes a controller 151, a power supply 152, an on-shoe activator 154, and a transceiver 156. Sole mechanism 120 includes a sole adjustment mechanism 140 and a sole locking mechanism 142.
Extend/retract drive mechanism 108 may extend and retract first extension 116 and second extension 118 in a direction away from, and towards, heel base 102. Extend/retract drive mechanism 108 may additionally lock first extension 116 and second extension 118 in position in order to maintain heel 104 at a desired (user selected) heel height. Extend/retract drive mechanism 108 may include electrical components, mechanical components, electromechanical components, hydraulic components, or pneumatic components, or any combination thereof. These components may include, for example, motors, gears, pumps, valves, fluid chambers, pistons, tubes, switches, relays, solenoids, springs, screws, and other moving and/or stationary components as may be realized by a skilled person to arrive at a drive mechanism configured to extend and retract first extension 116 and second extension 118.
Extend/retract sensor 132 may include one or more sensors for detecting/sensing a distance first extension 116 and second extension 118 extend from heel base 102 and/or from base section 114. Extend/retract sensor 132 may include magnetic sensors, electromagnetic sensors, optical sensors, light sensors, micro-switches, or other types of sensors known in the art and suitable to provide the distance detection/sensing.
Vertical alignment mechanism 134 may shift a position of base section 114 relative to base heel 102 in order to maintain heel 104 substantially perpendicular to floor 20. Heel 104 may be considered to be substantially perpendicular to floor 20 under the following conditions:
a. when first extension 116 and second extension 118 are fully retracted in base section 114, the base section is substantially perpendicular to the floor;
b. when first extension 116 is partially or fully extended, and second extension 118 is fully retraced in the first extension, the first extension is substantially perpendicular to floor 20 (base section may be inclined with respect to the floor);
c. when second extension 118 is partially or fully extended, the second extension is substantially perpendicular to floor 20 (base section and/or first extension may be inclined with respect to the floor).
Interacting with vertical alignment mechanism 134 may be a vertical alignment locking mechanism 135 which may lock a position of heel 104 so that at least the extension making contact with floor 20 is perpendicular to the floor.
Vertical alignment mechanism 134 may include electrical components, mechanical components, electromechanical components, hydraulic components, or pneumatic components, or any combination thereof. These components may include, for example, motors, gears, pumps, valves, fluid chambers, pistons, tubes, switches, relays, solenoids, springs, screws, and other moving and/or stationary components as may be realized by a skilled person to arrive at an alignment mechanism configured to align and lock heel 104 substantially perpendicular to the floor.
Vertical alignment sensor 136 may include one or more sensors for detecting/sensing an angle of heel 104 relative to heel base 102 and/or relative to floor 20. Vertical alignment sensor 136 may include magnetic sensors, electromagnetic sensors, optical sensors, light sensors, micro-switches, or other types of sensors known in the art and suitable to provide the vertical alignment sensing.
Sole adjustment mechanism 140 may adjust a position of rear section 122 in sole platform 106 relative to front section 124 to adjust the shape of outer sole 12 and inner sole 14 to conform with the adjusted heel height of heel 104. Additionally or alternatively, sole adjustment mechanism 140 may cause flexing or straightening of rear section 122 to adjust the shape of outer sole 12 and inner sole 14. Sole adjustment mechanism 140 may include electrical components, mechanical components, electromechanical components, hydraulic components, or pneumatic components, or any combination thereof. These components may include, for example, motors, gears, pumps, valves, fluid chambers, pistons, tubes, switches, relays, solenoids, springs, screws, and other moving and/or stationary components as may be realized by a skilled person to arrive at an adjustment mechanism configured to adjust the shape of outer sole 12 and inner sole 14. Interacting with sole adjustment mechanism 140 may be a sole locking mechanism 142 which may lock a position of rear section 122 relative to front section 124 to maintain the adjusted sole shapes.
Controller 151 may control the operation of heel adjustment system 100 responsive to heel height adjustment commands received through remote control unit 150 or directly input to the controller through on-shoe activator 154. Controller 151 may control the operation of extend/retract drive mechanism 130, vertical alignment mechanism 134, vertical alignment locking mechanism 135, sole adjustment mechanism 140, and sole locking mechanism 142. Controller 151 may synchronize operation of one or more of mechanisms 130, 134, 135, 140 and 142, including their simultaneous activation and deactivation. Controller 151 may control the operation of mechanisms 130, 134, 135, 140 and 142 responsive to data received from extend/retract sensor 132 and vertical alignment sensor 136. An exemplary description of the operation of heel adjustment system 100 including controller 151 is provided further on below with reference to FIGS. 5A and 5B.
Power supply 152 may be a DC voltage supply source and may include one or more replaceable batteries. Alternatively, power supply 152 may include rechargeable batteries and means to recharge the batteries by connecting the power supply to an AC power line. The connection to the AC power line may be through an external AC/DC converter to which power supply 152 may be connected. Additionally or alternatively, power supply 152 may be connected to any DC power supply source suitable for recharging the batteries using through USB connection. For example, by connecting to a USB port in a PC or laptop computer, or to a smartphone/mobile charger, among other suitable DC supply sources.
On-shoe activator 154 may include an electronic interface module to allow the user to input heel height adjustment data directly without use of remote control device 150 and to perform other operations associated with the use of shoe 10 and heel adjustment system 100. On-shoe activator 154 may additionally allow the user to input some of the data which may be input through remote control device 150, and may include means to display some of the information which may be displayed on the remote control device, for example incorrect heel heights, weak battery status, among other information. On-shoe activator 154 may additionally include means for automatically sensing when a user first puts on the shoes, activating controller 151 and other select components in control mechanism, for example, transceiver 156. On-shoe activator 154 may trigger controller 151 to go from a sleep state to a wait state or other active state upon sensing the user putting on the shoes, and may cause transceiver 156 to be activated for receiving commands from remote control device 150. On-shoe activator 154 may additionally or alternatively include means to manually activate heel adjustment system 100, for example, by the user pressing a button on the activator.
Transceiver 156 may communicate over wireless means 158 with remote control device 150 for sending and receiving the data associated with the operation of heel adjustment system 100. The wireless means may include a Wi-Fi communications network, a personal area network (e.g. Bluetooth, ZigBee), a cellular phone network, among other suitable communication networks.
Reference is now made to FIGS. 4A-4G which schematically illustrate exemplary extendable/retractable heels 400-460 for use in heel adjustment system 100, according to an embodiment of the present invention. A skilled person may realize that the following shapes described herein are for exemplary purposes, and that the extendable/retractable heels may be implemented in numerous other shapes.
FIG. 4A schematically illustrates an exemplary telescopic, rectangular-shaped heel 400 including a base section 402, a first extension 404, and a second extension 406. FIG. 4B schematically illustrates an exemplary telescopic, circular-shaped heel 410 including a base section 412, a first extension 414, and a second extension 416. FIG. 4C schematically illustrates an exemplary telescopic, pentagonal-shaped heel 420 including a base section 422, a first extension 424, and a second extension 426. FIG. 4D schematically illustrates an exemplary telescopic, chevron-shaped heel 430 including a base section 432, a first extension 434, and a second extension 436. FIG. 4E schematically illustrates an exemplary telescopic, badge-shaped heel 440 including a base section 442, a first extension 444, and a second extension 446. FIG. 4F schematically illustrates an exemplary telescopic, triangular-shaped heel 450 including a base section 452, a first extension 454, and a second extension 456. FIG. 4G schematically illustrates an exemplary extendable/retractable heel 460 attached to a heel base 462 and having two opposing walls 464 and 466 and a central rectangular section 468 which may be extended and retracted along the two opposing walls.
Reference is now made to FIGS. 5A and 5B which is a flow chart of an exemplary method of operating heel adjustment system 100, according to an embodiment of the present invention. A skilled person may realize that the exemplary method described herein may be implemented using more steps or less steps, and may include different sequences of steps.
At 500, control mechanism 500 is activated. Activation may be by the user activating a button on on-shoe activator 154 or by the on-shoe activator sensing the user first putting on the shoes.
At 502, the desired heel height data is input to controller 151. The data may be input manually by the user through on-shoe activator 154 or may be remotely sent from remote control device 150. When sent from remote control device 150, transceiver 156 may receive the data over wireless means 158 and may transfer the information to controller 151 for processing.
At 504A, controller 151 operates heel extend/retract drive mechanism 130 to adjust the heel height of heel 104. Substantially simultaneously with operation of extend/retract drive mechanism 130, at 504B controller 151 operates vertical alignment mechanism 134 to maintain heel 104 substantially perpendicular to floor 20. Substantially simultaneous with operation of heel extend/retract drive mechanism 130, at 504C controller 151 operates sole adjustment mechanism 140 to adjust the shape of outer sole 12 and inner sole 14 in shoe 10.
At 506A, extend/retract sensor 132 may continuously sense the length of heel 104 by detecting the position of first extension 116 and second extension 118. Substantially simultaneously at the same time, at 506B vertical alignment sensor 136 continuously senses the alignment of heel 104 relative to base heel 102, or to base section 114, or relative to floor 20. Sensors 132 and 136 continuously transmit sensing/detection signals to controller 151.
At 508, controller 508 is continuously processing the data received from sensors 132 and 136. Step 508 may be included as part of steps 506A and 506B as the processing by controller 151 may be done substantially simultaneously with the sensing/detection.
At 510, controller 151 determines if the selected heel height has been reached. If not reached, steps 504A (B), 506A (B) and 508 are repeated. If yes, continue to 512. It may be noted that steps 510 and 512 may be simultaneously performed by controller 151.
At 512, controller 151 determines if heel 104 is perpendicular to floor 20. If not, steps 504A (B), 506A (B) and 508 are repeated. If yes, continue to 514.
At 514, controller 151 stops the operation of extend/retract drive mechanism 130, vertical alignment mechanism 134, and sole adjustment mechanism 140.
At 516, controller 151 activates sole locking mechanism 142 to maintain the adjusted shape of outer sole 12 and inner sole 14 (i.e. shoe 10). Controller 151 additionally activates vertical alignment locking mechanism 135 to lock heel 104 so that the extension making contact with floor 20 is perpendicular to the floor.
At 518, the method is completed. Heel 104 in shoe 10 has been adjusted to the required heel height and the shape of the sole adjusted accordingly.
Reference is now made to FIG. 6 which is a flow chart of a method of adjusting the heel height of shoe 10 including heel adjustment system 100, according to an embodiment of the present invention. A skilled person may realize that the exemplary method described herein may be implemented using more steps or less steps, and may include different sequences of steps.
At 600, the user puts on a pair of shoes 10 which include heel adjustment system 100. The user may be sitting during the placing of shoes 10. The user may manually activate heel adjustment system 100 in each shoe. Alternatively, heel adjustment system is automatically activated in each shoe upon user putting on shoes 10.
At 602, the user activates remote control device 150.
At 604, the user inputs the desired heel height into remote control device 150. The desired heel height for each shoe (or for both if same heel height) may be input by pressing buttons, by touching on a screen, or by selecting from a menu which may include shoe type and model, possible heel lengths, among other input data which may be selected by the user. Additionally or alternatively, the user may download the heel height to the remote control device from a website or as a message from another person, for example, medical-related personnel.
At 606, the user instructs remote control device 150 to upload the data to heel adjustment system 100 in shoes 10.
At 608, the user may stand with shoes on, if not previously standing, and/or may walk with shoes on. Heel height of shoes has been adjusted according to uploaded data. User may view heel height data and other information on display of remote control device 150.
At 610, the user may adjust the heel height in either one or both shoe 10 if not comfortable standing or walking.
Unless specifically stated otherwise, as apparent from the preceding discussions, it is appreciated that, throughout the specification, discussions utilizing terms such as “processing,” “computing,” “calculating,” “determining,” or the like, refer to the action and/or processes of a computer, computing system, or similar electronic computing device that manipulates and/or transforms data represented as physical, such as electronic, quantities within the computing system's registers and/or memories into other data similarly represented as physical quantities within the computing system's memories, registers or other such information storage, transmission or display devices.
Embodiments of the present invention may include apparatus for performing the operations herein. This apparatus may be specially constructed for the desired purposes, or it may comprise a general-purpose computer selectively activated or reconfigured by a computer program stored in the computer. Such a computer program may be stored in a computer readable storage medium, such as, but not limited to, any type of disk, including floppy disks, optical disks, magnetic-optical disks, read-only memories (ROMs), compact disc read-only memories (CD-ROMs), random access memories (RAMs), electrically programmable read-only memories (EPROMs), electrically erasable and programmable read only memories (EEPROMs), magnetic or optical cards, Flash memory, or any other type of media suitable for storing electronic instructions and capable of being coupled to a computer system bus.
While certain features of the invention have been illustrated and described herein, many modifications, substitutions, changes, and equivalents will now occur to those of ordinary skill in the art. It is, therefore, to be understood that the appended claims are intended to cover all such modifications and changes as fall within the true spirit of the invention.

Claims

1-39. (canceled)

40. A shoe comprising:

an extendable and retractable heel;

an adjustable sole platform between an inner sole and an outer sole of said shoe comprising at least a first section attached to a second section, and wherein said first section is angularly displaceable relative to said second section and angularly displaceable relative to said heel; and

a heel adjustment mechanism to maintain at least a portion of said heel in contact with a walking surface substantially perpendicular to the walking surface.

41. A heel adjustment system for use with a shoe comprising:

an extendable and retractable heel;

one or more sensors to detect a position of at least a portion of said heel;

a heel base to which said heel is attached and comprising a heel adjustment mechanism receiving the output of said one or more sensors to maintain at least said portion of said heel in contact with a walking surface substantially perpendicular to the walking surface; and

a control mechanism including a controller to automatically control said heel adjustment mechanism.

42. The shoe according to claim 40 and wherein said heel adjustment mechanism determines perpendicularity based on the retraction and extension states of said first and second sections.

43. The system according to claim 41 and wherein said heel adjustment mechanism determines perpendicularity based on the retraction and extension states of said first and second sections.

44. The shoe according to claim 40 and also comprising a transceiver for communicating with a remote control device over a wireless network.

45. The system according to claim 41 and also comprising a transceiver for communicating with a remote control device over a wireless network

46. The shoe according to claim 44 wherein said wireless network is at least one of a wireless local area network, a cellular network, and a personal area network.

47. The system according to claim 45 wherein said wireless network is at least one of a wireless local area network, a cellular network, and a personal area network.

48. The shoe according to claim 40 and also comprising an electronic interface module to allow a user to manually activate said heel adjustment mechanism.

49. The system according to claim 41 and also comprising an electronic interface module to allow a user to manually activate said heel adjustment mechanism.

50. The shoe according to claim 48 and also comprising a sensor for detecting pressure on at least one of said heel, said first section and said second section.

51. The system according to claim 49 and also comprising a sensor for detecting pressure on said heel.

52. The shoe according to claim 40 and also comprising an electronic interface module for providing heel height adjustment data to a controller.

53. The system according to claim 41 and also comprising an electronic interface module for providing heel height adjustment data to said controller.

54. The shoe according to claim 40 and comprising a sole adjustment mechanism for automatically displacing said at least first section relative to said second section.

55. The shoe according to claim 54 wherein said sole adjustment mechanism comprises a locking mechanism to maintain said first section in a fixed position relative to said second section.

56. The shoe according to claim 48 and wherein said electronic interface module is implemented in one of: a smart phone, a tablet computer and a mobile device with communication capability.

57. The system according to claim 49 and wherein said electronic interface module is implemented in one of: a smart phone, a tablet computer and a mobile device with communication capability.

58. The shoe according to claim 52 and wherein said electronic interface module is implemented in one of: a smart phone, a tablet computer and a mobile device with communication capability.

59. The system according to claim 53 and wherein said electronic interface module is implemented in one of: a smart phone, a tablet computer and a mobile device with communication capability.

60. The shoe according to claim 40 and wherein said heel adjustment mechanism comprises an axis at a top of said heel.

61. The system according to claim 41 and wherein said heel adjustment mechanism comprises an axis at a top of said heel.

62. The shoe according to claim 50 wherein said sensor comprises at least one of a pressure sensor, an optical sensor, an electro-magnetic sensor, a magnetic sensor, and a switch.

63. A system according to claim 51 wherein said sensor comprises at least one of a pressure sensor, an optical sensor, an electro-magnetic sensor, a magnetic sensor, and a switch

64. The shoe according to claim 40 wherein said adjustable sole platform comprises means to allow said outer sole and said inner sole to assume a shape which conforms to an adjusted heel height.