Lock For Shoe With Interchangeable Heels

Abstract

A locking system for interchangeable shoes heels, each having an axial upper integral extension, includes a substantially horizontal system platform and thereabove an integral heel extension enclosure having opposing lateral sides including void spaces within the sides and internal therewith, to secure the axial extension of a heel to be selectably attached to a bottom rear of a shoe. The system also includes a pair of substantially horizontal and symmetric locking ramps, each having (i) a front and rear portion, the front portion of each ramp having a plurality of gear teeth opposing to, and interlockable with, each other; (ii) vertically disposed key receivers integral with the front portion of each locking ramp and proximal to the gear teeth; and (iii) the rear portion of each ramp moveable through the void spaces of a heel engagement structure engagement structure complemental to the heel extension enclosure, ends of the rear portions of the locking ramps normally biased in contact with each other.

1 . A locking system for interchangeable shoe heels, each having an axial upper integral extension thereof, the system comprising:
 a. a substantially horizontal system platform and thereabove an integral heel extension having opposing lateral sides thereof including void spaces within said sides and internal therewith, to secure said integral extension of a heel to be selectably attached to a bottom rear of a shoe;   b. a pair of substantially horizontal and symmetric locking ramps, each having:
 i. a front and rear portion, the front portion of each ramp having a plurality of gear teeth opposing to, and interlocking with, each other; 
 ii. vertically disposed key receivers integral with each of said front portions of each locking ramp and proximal to said gear teeth; and 
 iii. said rear portion of each ramp moveable through said void spaces of a heel engagement structure complemental to said heel extension enclosure, ends of said rear portions of said locking ramps normally biased in contact with each other; 
   c. a gear axle within a forward portion of each locking ramp, defining a surface of rotation of said ramps relative to each other, and facilitating selectable interlock of respective pluralities of opposing gear teeth of respective locking ramps;   d. spring means connected in a leveraging relationship at a rear portion of one of said locking ramps, said means employing a fulcrum defined by said gear axle of said one locking ramps and its surface of rotation of said one ramp; and   e. a system enclosure above said system platform and said locking ramps, said enclosure including a top surface and lateral exterior surfaces surrounding the system, a front surface of said heel extension including a recess proportioned for receipt of a key which, upon turning thereof, engages one of said key receivers, incrementally urging said opposing gear teeth out of contact with each other, assisted by said spring means, releasing said integral heel extension of the shoe heel as the rear portions of said symmetric locking ramps are urged out of contact with the heel engagement structure by rotationally opposite direction movement of said key receivers.   
     
     
         2 . The system as recited in  claim 1 , in which said heel extension enclosure defines, in horizontal cross-section, a substantially trapezoidal geometry. 
     
     
         3 . The system as recited in  claim 1 , in which a frontal position of said heel extension enclosure defines a recess complemental to a distal end of said key inserted into said system platform to define a bearing surface between said key and said recess. 
     
     
         4 . The system as recited in  claim 1 , in which said spring means comprises a substantially vertically oriented torsion spring disposed upon a post secured to said upper surface of said system enclosure. 
     
     
         5 . The system as recited in  claim 4 , in which said post depends downwardly from said upper surface. 
     
     
         6 . The system as recited in  claim 1 , in which said system enclosure surrounds said locking ramps. 
     
     
         7 . The system as recited in  claim 1 , further comprising:
 a heel extension receiver depending integrally downwardly from an interior of said top surface of said system enclosure, said receiver proportioned for complemental receipt of said heel extension, said extension receiver including void spaces complemental to said void spaces of said integral heel extension.   
     
     
         8 . A shoe and interchangeable heel system, wherein said interchangeable heels each have a locking mechanism incorporated therein permitting said interchangeable heels to be rigidly attached to said shoe, said shoe and interchangeable heel system comprising:
 a. a keyhole located on said interchangeable heel, said keyhole defining a particular shape;   b. a key having a distal end to fit within said keyhole, where said key distal end has an associated shape to fit within said particular shape of said keyhole;   wherein with said key fitting into said associated keyhole said locking mechanism may be actuated to release said interchangeable heel from said shoe.   
     
     
         9 . The shoe and interchangeable heel system, as recited in  claim 8 , wherein said key is also a jewelry piece. 
     
     
         10 . The shoe and interchangeable heel system, as recited in  claim 9 , wherein said key jewelry piece is a necklace pendant. 
     
     
         11 . The shoe and interchangeable heel system, as recited in  claim 9 , wherein said key jewelry piece is a bracelet charm. 
     
     
         12 . The shoe and interchangeable heel system, as recited in  claim 8 , wherein said particular shape of said keyhole and said key distal end, is an alphanumeric character. 
     
     
         13 . The shoe and interchangeable heel system, as recited in  claim 8 , wherein said particular shape of said keyhole and said key distal end, is a diamond shape. 
     
     
         14 . The shoe having interchangeable heels, with an accompanying locking key, as recited in  claim 8 , wherein said particular shape of said keyhole and said key distal end, is a heart shape. 
     
     
         15 . The shoe having interchangeable heels, with an accompanying locking key, as recited in  claim 8 , wherein said particular shape of said keyhole and said key distal end, is a star shape. 
     
     
         16 . The shoe having interchangeable heels, with an accompanying locking key, as recited in  claim 8 , wherein said particular shape of said keyhole and said key distal end, is a crown shape. 
     
     
         17 . The shoe having interchangeable heels, with an accompanying locking key, as recited in  claim 8 , wherein said particular shape of said keyhole and said key distal end, is a flower shape. 
     
     
         18 . The shoe having interchangeable heels, with an accompanying locking key, as recited in  claim 8 , wherein said particular shape of said keyhole and said key distal end, is a shape of a four-leaf clover. 
     
     
         19 . The shoe having interchangeable heels, with an accompanying locking key, as recited in  claim 8 , wherein said particular shape of said keyhole and said key distal end, is an anchor shape. 
     
     
         20 . The shoe having interchangeable heels, with an accompanying locking key, as recited in  claim 8 , wherein said particular shape of said keyhole and said key distal end, is a martini glass shape. 
     
     
         21 . The shoe having interchangeable heels, with an accompanying locking key, as recited in  claim 8 , wherein said particular shape of said keyhole and said key distal end, is a tiger head. 
     
     
         22 . The shoe having interchangeable heels, with an accompanying locking key, as recited in  claim 8 , wherein said particular shape of said keyhole and said key distal end, is a cupcake. 
     
     
         23 . The shoe having interchangeable heels, with an accompanying locking key, as recited in  claim 8 , wherein said particular shape of said keyhole and said key distal end, is a skull and crossbones. 
     
     
         24 . The shoe having interchangeable heels, with an accompanying locking key, as recited in  claim 8 , wherein said particular shape of said keyhole and said key distal end, is a horseshoe. 
     
     
         25 . The shoe having interchangeable heels, with an accompanying locking key, as recited in  claim 8 , wherein said particular shape of said keyhole and said key distal end, is a horse bit. 
     
     
         26 . The shoe having interchangeable heels, with an accompanying locking key, as recited in  claim 8 , wherein said particular shape of said keyhole and said key distal end, are lips. 
     
     
         27 . The shoe having interchangeable heels, with an accompanying locking key, as recited in  claim 8 , wherein said particular shape of said keyhole and said key distal end, is a lipstick shape. 
     
     
         28 . The shoe having interchangeable heels, with an accompanying locking key, as recited in  claim 8 , wherein said particular shape of said keyhole and said key distal end, is an ace of spades. 
     
     
         29 . The shoe having interchangeable heels, with an accompanying locking key, as recited in  claim 8 , wherein said particular shape of said keyhole and said key distal end, are wings. 
     
     
         30 . The shoe having interchangeable heels, with an accompanying locking key, as recited in  claim 8 , wherein said particular shape of said keyhole and said key distal end, is a butterfly shape.