Adjustable Shoes

Abstract

An adjustable shoe having an extendible heel and flexible sole section is provided. In some embodiments, the flexible sole section can comprise one, two or even three or more layers. Where multiple layers are included, the sole can comprise a flexible spacer layer comprising neoprene or other flexible material(s), and another layer including an accordion-like material that can collapse or extend depending on desired arches.

What is claimed is: 
     
         1 . An adjustable shoe having a toe end and a heel end, comprising:
 a sole coupled to an upper and a heel;   a flexible mid-portion positioned between the toe end and the heel end;   wherein the heel comprises a housing portion adjustably coupled to a telescoping portion, and an end piece that is coupled to a bottom of the telescoping portion;   wherein the heel is configured to adjust between an extended position and a retracted position via an adjustment mechanism comprising an adjustment screw;   wherein at least a portion of the heel is covered by an outer material, the outer material having a first end positioned between the telescoping portion and the end piece, and a second end coupled to at least one of the sole and the upper of the shoe; and   wherein the flexible mid-portion comprises:
 a first pleated portion extending along a width of the sole; 
 a second pleated portion extending along at least a portion of the upper; and 
 wherein the first pleated portion and the second pleated portion form an angle of between 70-110 degrees. 
   
     
     
         2 . The adjustable shoe of  claim 1 , wherein the housing portion comprises a spacer that is (a) sized and dimensioned to receive at least a portion of the adjustment screw, and (b) maintain a spacing between the at least the portion of the adjustment screw and an inner wall of the housing portion. 
     
     
         3 . The adjustable shoe of  claim 2 , wherein the heel further comprises an outer heel, and wherein the housing portion is disposed therein via a plurality of anchoring tabs that maintain a position of the housing portion within the outer heel. 
     
     
         4 . The adjustable shoe of  claim 2 , wherein the adjustment screw is affixed within a lumen of the housing portion, and wherein the adjustment screw mates with at least a first threading affixed within a lumen of the telescoping portion. 
     
     
         5 . The adjustable shoe of  claim 4 , wherein the sole comprises an opening that aligns with the adjustment screw, and is sized and dimensioned to receive a key that is configured to cause the heel to adjust between the extended position and the retracted position. 
     
     
         6 . The adjustable shoe of  claim 5 , wherein a rotation of the key in a first direction causes the telescoping portion to at least partially retract within the housing portion, and wherein a rotation of the key in a second direction causes the telescoping portion to at least partially extend from the housing portion. 
     
     
         7 . The adjustable shoe of  claim 1 , wherein the sole comprises a plurality of layers. 
     
     
         8 . The adjustable shoe of  claim 7 , wherein at least one layer of the plurality of layers comprises a mid-portion having less rigidity than the at least one layer in the heel end. 
     
     
         9 . The adjustable shoe of  claim 1 , wherein the flexible mid-portion is made at least in part of neoprene. 
     
     
         10 . The adjustable shoe of  claim 1 , wherein the housing portion comprises a slot sized and dimensioned to receive a protrusion of the telescoping portion to prevent a rotation of the telescoping portion relative to the housing portion. 
     
     
         11 . The adjustable shoe of  claim 1 , wherein a first length of the heel at the extended position is at least one inch greater than a second length of the heel at the retracted position. 
     
     
         12 . The adjustable shoe of  claim 11 , wherein the second length is at least two inches. 
     
     
         13 . The adjustable shoe of  claim 11 , wherein the first length is at least two inches greater than the second length. 
     
     
         14 . The adjustable shoe of  claim 1 , wherein the end piece is coupled to the bottom of the telescoping portion via a snap fit.