Collapsible shoe heel

Abstract

A collapsible shoe heel configured to be received in a sole of a shoe is provided. The collapsible shoe heel features a support member having a first end and second end, a substantially u-shaped lifting member having a first end and a second end, an angle, formed by the support member and the lifting member, which has a natural position, a first hinge rotatably connecting the first end of the support member and the first end of the lifting member, and a second hinge rotatably connecting the second end of the support member and the second end of the lifting member. The first hinge and second are configured to retain the natural position of the angle.

What is claimed is: 
     
         1 . A shoe comprising:
 a first member configured to be received at a first location in a sole of a shoe;   a second member configured to be received at a second location in the sole of the shoe, wherein the first location differs from the second location; and   a collapsible shoe heel configured to be received and integrated into the sole of the shoe, the collapsible shoe heel comprising:
 a support member having a first end disposed opposite a second end; 
 a lifting member having a first end disposed opposite a second end,
 wherein the first end of the lifting member has a rounded curve and comprises a protrusion section, and 
 wherein the first end of the lifting member is received by a tube portion; 
 
 an angle formed between the second end of the support member and the second end of the lifting member; 
 a first hinge rotatably connecting the second end of the support member and the second end of the lifting member,
 wherein the first hinge is received by a first cylindrical portion, and 
 wherein the first hinge is received in the sole of the shoe at the first location on top of the first member; and 
 
 a second hinge rotatably connecting the second end of the support member and the second end of the lifting member,
 wherein the second hinge is received by a second cylindrical portion, 
 wherein the second hinge is received in the sole of the shoe at the second location on top of the second member, and 
 wherein each of the first hinge and the second hinge are configured to define the angle. 
 
   
     
     
         2 . The shoe of  claim 1 , wherein each of the first member and the second member comprise a cloth material or a fabric material. 
     
     
         3 . The shoe of  claim 1 , wherein the tube portion comprises a silicone material. 
     
     
         4 . The shoe of  claim 1 , wherein each of the first cylindrical portion and the second cylindrical portion comprise a plastic material. 
     
     
         5 . The shoe of  claim 1 , wherein the second end of the support member comprises a support structure. 
     
     
         6 . The shoe of  claim 5 , wherein the support structure is configured to provide support to the second end of the support member. 
     
     
         7 . The shoe of  claim 1 , wherein the protrusion section is configured to provide support to a portion of the shoe being lifted by the lifting member. 
     
     
         8 . The shoe of  claim 1 , wherein the second end of the lifting member comprises a support structure. 
     
     
         9 . The shoe of  claim 1 , wherein the angle is a 30 degree angle when the lifting member is in an expanded position without an application of force. 
     
     
         10 . The shoe of  claim 1 , wherein each of the first hinge and the second hinge comprise a torsional spring. 
     
     
         11 . A shoe comprising:
 a first member configured to be received at a first location in a sole of a shoe;   a second member configured to be received at a second location in the sole of the shoe,
 wherein the first location differs from the second location, and 
 wherein each of the first member and the second member comprise a cloth material or a fabric material; and 
   a collapsible shoe heel configured to be received and integrated into the sole of the shoe, the collapsible shoe heel comprising:
 a support member having a first end disposed opposite a second end; 
 a lifting member having a first end disposed opposite a second end,
 wherein the first end of the lifting member has a rounded curve and comprises a protrusion section, 
 wherein the protrusion section is configured to provide support to a portion of the shoe being lifted by the lifting member, 
 wherein the first end of the lifting member is received by a tube portion, and 
 wherein the tube portion comprises a silicone material; 
 
 an angle formed between the second end of the support member and the second end of the lifting member; 
 a first hinge rotatably connecting the second end of the support member and the second end of the lifting member,
 wherein the first hinge is received by a first cylindrical portion, and 
 wherein the first hinge is received in the sole of the shoe at the first location on top of the first member; and 
 
 a second hinge rotatably connecting the second end of the support member and the second end of the lifting member,
 wherein the second hinge is received by a second cylindrical portion, 
 wherein the second hinge is received in the sole of the shoe at the second location on top of the second member, 
 wherein each of the first hinge and the second hinge are configured to define the angle, and 
 wherein each of the first cylindrical portion and the second cylindrical portion comprise a plastic material. 
 
   
     
     
         12 . The shoe of  claim 11 , wherein each of the second end of the support member and the second end of the lifting member comprise a support structure. 
     
     
         13 . The shoe of  claim 12 , wherein the support structure is configured to provide support to the second end of the support member. 
     
     
         14 . The shoe of  claim 11 , wherein the angle is a 30 degree angle when the lifting member is in an expanded position without an application of force. 
     
     
         15 . The shoe of  claim 11 , wherein, when the collapsible shoe heel is compressed, the angle moves towards a 0 degree angle. 
     
     
         16 . The shoe of  claim 11 , wherein each of the first hinge and the second hinge comprise hinge springs. 
     
     
         17 . The shoe of  claim 11 , wherein each of the support member and the lifting members comprise a perimeter with at least four sides. 
     
     
         18 . The shoe of  claim 11 , wherein each of the support member, the lifting member, the first hinge, and the second hinge are constructed out of a single continuous material. 
     
     
         19 . The shoe of  claim 11 , wherein each of the support member, the lifting member, the first hinge, and the second hinge are constructed out of a plurality of wave springs. 
     
     
         20 . The shoe of  claim 11 , wherein the shoe is selected from the group consisting of: a moccasin, a sneaker, a dress shoe, a high heel shoe, and a sandal.