Shoe and replaceable heel

Abstract

A shoe (100) includes a heel base (120) having a front surface (122); a plate (200) having a front portion (210) and a rear portion (220) adjoining at a angle (285) of less than 90 degrees; and at least one replaceable heel (500). The replaceable heel (500) has a slot (520) in which the rear portion (220) of the plate (200) may be inserted. The front portion (210) of the plate (200) is attached to the front surface (122) of the heel base (120) so the replaceable heel (500) can be slid on or off the rear portion (220) of the plate. In one embodiment, the sole (140) of the shoe (100) has one or more gaps (146, 142) to enable it to flex as heel height is changed. In one embodiment, the shoe's upper (160) has a flexible strip (180) to curtail the strain on the upper (160) caused by changing heel heights. In one embodiment, a sliding restraint (130) at the back of the shoe (100) prevents the heel (500) from slipping off during wear.

Dependencies are inferred from the claim text.