Shoe sole and interchangeable heel

Abstract

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

What is claimed is: 
     
         1 . A shoe sole and heel assembly, comprising
 (a) a sole including an upper surface, a lower surface, a toe area, a heel area, and a wall extending from said lower surface about the perimeter of said heel area to define a cavity in said heel area;   (b) a heel for connection with said sole, said heel having an upper surface, a lower surface, and side walls; and   (c) a connection assembly for removably connecting said heel with said sole, said connection assembly including
 i. a projection extending from one of an inner surface of said sole cavity wall or an external surface of said heel; 
 ii. a channel arranged in one of an external surface of said heel or an inner surface of said cavity wall for receiving said track when said heel is connected with said sole; and 
 iii. at least one locking device for fixing said heel to said sole. 
   
     
     
         2 . A shoe sole and heel assembly as defined in  claim 1 , wherein said locking device includes
 (a) a latch connected with said lower surface of said sole; and   (b) said heel upper surface including a notch for receiving said latch whereby when said latch engages said notch, said heel is prevented from moving relative to said sole.   
     
     
         3 . A shoe sole and heel assembly as defined in  claim 1 , wherein said locking device further comprises at least one screw passing through aligned threaded openings in said heel and said sole for further fixing said heel with said sole. 
     
     
         4 . A shoe sole and heel assembly as defined in  claim 1 , wherein said locking device includes
 (a) a latch connected with said lower surface of said sole;   (b) said heel upper surface including a notch for receiving said latch whereby when said latch engages said notch, said heel is prevented from moving relative to said sole; and   (c) at least one screw passing through aligned threaded openings in said heel and said sole for further fixing said heel with said sole.   
     
     
         5 . A shoe sole and heel assembly as defined in  claim 1 , and further comprising a percussive tap connected with a lower surface of said heel. 
     
     
         6 . A shoe sole and heel assembly as defined in  claim 1 , wherein said sole comprises a split sole including
 (a) a toe portion;   (b) a heel portion; and   (c) at least one support band connecting said sole and heel portions.   
     
     
         7 . A shoe sole and heel assembly as defined in  claim 1 , wherein said heel is hollow. 
     
     
         8 . A heel for removable connection with a shoe sole, said heel comprising
 (a) an upper surface, a lower surface and side walls;   (b) a connection assembly for removably connecting said heel with the shoe sole, said connection assembly includes
 i. a projection extending from an external surface of said heel, whereby said projection engages with a channel arranged on a shoe sole; and 
 ii. at least one locking device for fixing said heel to a shoe sole. 
   
     
     
         9 . A heel as defined in  claim 8 , wherein said locking device includes a notch for receiving a latch arranged on a shoe sole. 
     
     
         10 . A heel as defined in  claim 8 , wherein said locking device includes at least one screw passing through aligned threaded openings in said heel and a shoe sole. 
     
     
         11 . A heel as defined in  claim 8 , wherein said locking device includes
 (a) a notch for receiving a latch arranged on a shoe sole; and   (b) at least one screw passing through aligned threaded openings in said heel and a shoe sole   
     
     
         12 . A heel as defined in  claim 8 , wherein said heel is hollow. 
     
     
         13 . A heel as defined in  claim 8 , and further comprising a percussive tap connected with a lower surface of said heel.