Modular Heel Footwear System

Abstract

A modular heel footwear system is provided which may comprise an outsole portion of a footwear article having a first interlocking groove which may comprise a plurality of cavities disposed therein. The plurality of cavities may be disposed symmetrically along the length of the first interlocking groove relative one another. Further, the system may comprise a modular heel device which may comprise a second interlocking groove, having a plurality of locking tabs protruding therefrom that may quantitatively correspond to the plurality of cavities. The plurality of locking tabs may be disposed symmetrically along the length of the second interlocking groove relative one another. Additionally, the first interlocking groove may structurally correspond to the second interlocking groove.

1 . A modular heel footwear system, comprising:
 an outsole portion of a footwear article comprising a first interlocking groove, wherein:
 the first interlocking groove comprises a plurality of cavities disposed therein, and 
 the plurality of cavities are disposed symmetrically along the length of the first interlocking groove relative one another; and 
   a modular heel device comprising a second interlocking groove, wherein:
 the second interlocking groove comprises a plurality of locking tabs protruding therefrom that quantitatively correspond to the plurality of cavities, 
 the plurality of locking tabs are disposed symmetrically along the length of the second interlocking groove relative one another, and 
 the first interlocking groove structurally corresponds to the second interlocking groove. 
   
     
     
         2 . The modular heel footwear system of  claim 1 , wherein the outsole portion comprises at least a portion of a midsole, an insole or a shank of the footwear article. 
     
     
         3 . The modular heel footwear system of  claim 1 , wherein the outsole portion and the modular heel device are shaped to couple together in an inserted state and to separate from one another in a removed state. 
     
     
         4 . The modular heel footwear system of  claim 3 , wherein the outsole portion comprises a plurality of release actuators that enable transition from the inserted state to the removed state. 
     
     
         5 . The modular heel footwear system of  claim 4 , wherein, in the inserted state, at least one of the plurality of release actuators, at least one of the plurality of locking tabs and at least one of the plurality of cavities are collectively aligned along a common axis. 
     
     
         6 . The modular heel footwear system of  claim 3 , wherein, in the inserted state, each of the plurality of locking tabs are disposed within a corresponding cavity of the plurality of cavities. 
     
     
         7 . The modular heel footwear system of  claim 1 , wherein each of the plurality of locking tabs comprises a default state where the locking tab is fully extended out of one or more exterior surfaces of the second interlocking groove. 
     
     
         8 . The modular heel footwear system of  claim 1 , wherein each of the plurality of locking tabs comprises a depressed state where the locking tab is fully inserted into one or more exterior surfaces of the second interlocking groove. 
     
     
         9 . The modular heel footwear system of  claim 1 , wherein each of the plurality of locking tabs moves between an extended state and a depressed state via force being applied to one or more springs. 
     
     
         10 . The modular heel footwear system of  claim 9 , wherein the outsole portion comprises a plurality of release actuators that, when actuated, place the plurality of locking tabs into the depressed state. 
     
     
         11 . The modular heel footwear system of  claim 1 , wherein the modular heel device is disposed within a rear half portion of the outsole portion. 
     
     
         12 . The modular heel footwear system of  claim 1 , wherein the modular heel device is disposed within a front half portion of the outsole portion. 
     
     
         13 . The modular heel footwear system of  claim 1 , wherein the first interlocking groove comprises a semicircular concave shape. 
     
     
         14 . The modular heel footwear system of  claim 1 , wherein the first interlocking groove comprises a U-shaped groove facing an interior of the outsole portion. 
     
     
         15 . The modular heel footwear system of  claim 1 , wherein the first interlocking groove is disposed about a perimeter of the outsole portion. 
     
     
         16 . The modular heel footwear system of  claim 1 , wherein the second interlocking groove comprises a semicircular convex shape. 
     
     
         17 . The modular heel footwear system of  claim 1 , wherein the second interlocking groove comprises a U-shaped groove facing a perimeter of the outsole portion. 
     
     
         18 . The modular heel footwear system of  claim 1 , wherein the second interlocking groove is disposed about a perimeter of the modular heel device. 
     
     
         19 . A modular heel footwear system, comprising:
 an outsole portion of a footwear article comprising a first interlocking groove, wherein:
 the first interlocking groove comprises a plurality of cavities disposed therein, and 
 the plurality of cavities are disposed symmetrically along the length of the first interlocking groove relative one another; 
   a modular heel device comprising a second interlocking groove, wherein:
 the second interlocking groove comprises a plurality of locking tabs protruding therefrom that quantitatively correspond to the plurality of cavities, 
 the plurality of locking tabs are disposed symmetrically along the length of the second interlocking groove relative one another, 
 the first interlocking groove structurally corresponds to the second interlocking groove; and 
   the outsole portion and the modular heel device are shaped to couple together in an inserted state and to separate from one another in a removed state, wherein:
 the outsole portion comprises a plurality of release actuators that enable transition from the inserted state to the removed state, 
 in the inserted state, at least one of the plurality of release actuators, at least one of the plurality of locking tabs and at least one of the plurality of cavities are collectively aligned along a common axis, and 
 in the inserted state, each of the plurality of locking tabs are disposed within a corresponding cavity of the plurality of cavities. 
   
     
     
         20 . A modular heel footwear system, comprising:
 an outsole portion of a footwear article comprising a first interlocking groove, wherein:
 the first interlocking groove comprises a plurality of cavities disposed therein, and 
 the plurality of cavities are disposed symmetrically along the length of the first interlocking groove relative one another; and 
   a modular heel device comprising a second interlocking groove, wherein:
 the second interlocking groove comprises a plurality of locking tabs protruding therefrom that quantitatively correspond to the plurality of cavities, 
 the plurality of locking tabs are disposed symmetrically along the length of the second interlocking groove relative one another, and 
 the first interlocking groove structurally corresponds to the second interlocking groove; and 
   the outsole portion and the modular heel device are shaped to couple together in an inserted state and to separate from one another in a removed state, wherein:
 each of the plurality of locking tabs moves between an extended state and a depressed state via force being applied to one or more springs, 
 the outsole portion comprises a plurality of release actuators that, when actuated, place the plurality of locking tabs into the depressed state, and 
 in the inserted state, each of the plurality of locking tabs are disposed within a corresponding cavity of the plurality of cavities.