Firefox Posted July 12, 2003 Share Posted July 12, 2003 This was scanned from the Daily Mail: I've often thought myself about how this would work. My idea was for a 3 inch heel with a lockable telescopic piece so you could have any height between 3 inches and 4.5 inches. The pictured design uses a folding heel from 1 inch to 4 inches. Because of the angle at the vamp, it 's only applicable to sandal styles really, but you could do boots with stretch fabric in that area. Would you wear them? Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Laurieheels Posted July 12, 2003 Share Posted July 12, 2003 I think the idea is great! No I wouldn't need them, but here is the basic thing I was thinking of. They are perfect for high heeled training. You go out there, four inch stilettos, but sometimes when starting out, maybe you can't wear them for quite as long. So being able to go to a one inch heel just like that, well, this makes sense as a training shoe. Sandals are fine, of course, great for training in these warm summer months Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
J-Nation Posted July 12, 2003 Share Posted July 12, 2003 I've often thought myself about how this would work. My idea was for a 3 inch heel with a lockable telescopic piece so you could have any height between 3 inches and 4.5 inches. The pictured design uses a folding heel from 1 inch to 4 inches. Because of the angle at the vamp, it 's only applicable to sandal styles really, but you could do boots with stretch fabric in that area. Would you wear them? I prefer your idea, Firefox - maybe a gas-lift like you get in height adjustable office chairs could be inorporated for extra bounce! Emma Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Firefox Posted July 12, 2003 Author Share Posted July 12, 2003 Thanks Emma! Maybe I should take out a patent... Most people who visit these forums will have no problem with 3 inch heels all day, so I thought the experienced wearers would prefer adjustment in the 3-5" range. You could wear 5" for dinner and click them down to 3's for some dancing afterwards. The possibilities are endless! Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
jo Posted July 13, 2003 Share Posted July 13, 2003 From the image above I don't understand how the sole is made rigid in the angled shape when the heel is extended and then rigid again in the flat shape when the heel is retracted. If it isn't rigid, then it would be unwearable. Any ideas? Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Firefox Posted July 13, 2003 Author Share Posted July 13, 2003 That is a problem. It would need to be material stiff enough to retain it's shape in the high heeled model, but flexible enough to be pushed flat under pressure in the low version. I agree it would make the high version less than ideal where upon some additional strapping round the instep might be handy to lend the semi flexible sole some more support from the foot in the high version. Anyway, assuming this concept is workable, I've had a go at some more design: In this model, the pivot concept is used in combination with telescopic or click on extension idea which give four different heights in the same shoe: 1", 4", 4.5", and 5". Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Alex Posted July 13, 2003 Share Posted July 13, 2003 She deserves an award for this I wish I was a size 10 Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Laurieheels Posted July 13, 2003 Share Posted July 13, 2003 Maybe we could create an award for her? Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Yamyam Posted July 13, 2003 Share Posted July 13, 2003 How about creating her as a honourary hh goddess? Obsessed is such a strong word. I prefer to think of myself as "differently enthusiastic" Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Laurieheels Posted July 13, 2003 Share Posted July 13, 2003 Like, no way, if she can't walk home in heels after the party, she cannot become a goddess, even honourary. We need something like a High Heeled Princess award. Since a princess is as interested in comfort and luxury as she is looking good, it seems perfect as a title, rank, or award. But to be a goddess means kicking, balancing, jumping, and just getting into those heels and staying in them once you're wearing them. That's what makes a true goddess. I say we send her some sort of High Heeled Princess award. Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Firefox Posted July 13, 2003 Author Share Posted July 13, 2003 Maybe we should invite her over to comment on her ideas and our discussion of them. And I don't think an award would be out of place too! Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Laurieheels Posted July 13, 2003 Share Posted July 13, 2003 Yes, please do invite her. She can help to create a whole new generation of High Heeled Princesses, and maybe even one or two more Goddess types... I think having her over for a chat would be great! Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Firefox Posted July 13, 2003 Author Share Posted July 13, 2003 So .... anyone have her email to hand? Maybe I could ask the Daily Mail for her contact details. Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Laurieheels Posted July 13, 2003 Share Posted July 13, 2003 At the very least, the Daily Mail may be able to pass along something to her, even if they will not give out her contact information. Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Firefox Posted July 13, 2003 Author Share Posted July 13, 2003 Hopefully. Mind you, we only want her email. Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
jo Posted July 13, 2003 Share Posted July 13, 2003 They are not allowed to give it out. All you can do is ask them to pass your details on. Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Firefox Posted July 13, 2003 Author Share Posted July 13, 2003 Mind you hving read around about I shouldn't imagine she's very interested in a place like this. She's already got £2,500 sponsorship form Audi and an award from AOL: Check it out: http://www.google.com/search?num=100&hl=en&lr=&ie=UTF-8&oe=UTF-8&safe=off&q=%22Ella+Kilgour%22&spell=1 The answer to the sole angle problem is that a metal cable pulls the shoe flat when the heel is retracted. They've built a protoype which works thus answering the concerns of the person who doubted it. Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Alex Posted July 13, 2003 Share Posted July 13, 2003 And maybe she could even create something like this for men(preferably in all large sizes) I wish I was a size 10 Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Firefox Posted July 14, 2003 Author Share Posted July 14, 2003 For my part, I should think that would be the last thing on her mind. The men's issue thing is somewhat of a distortion of what actually happens in real life. These shoes were designed for women who wanted to wear heels for a night out and walk home. I can't imagine any male equivelant of that or any sizeable market attached thereto. Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
High Surprise Posted July 14, 2003 Share Posted July 14, 2003 What a fanrastic invention. I've often wondered why no one invents a screw on and screw off pencil type stileto heel (which you could carry differing heights of in your handbag and swap and change as you see fit) - so start off in 5 inch heels and maybe swap over to a 1 or 2 inch if you are tired. Just an idea.... Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Alex Posted July 15, 2003 Share Posted July 15, 2003 For my part, I should think that would be the last thing on her mind. The men's issue thing is somewhat of a distortion of what actually happens in real life. These shoes were designed for women who wanted to wear heels for a night out and walk home. I can't imagine any male equivelant of that or any sizeable market attached thereto. Well I want to go do stuff in the day then walk home in heels I wish I was a size 10 Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
onyourtoes Posted July 15, 2003 Share Posted July 15, 2003 Over the years, I’ve seen several “adjustable heel shoe invented” type stories. A couple were telescoping other had different heel extensions you could attach. This is the first one I’ve seen where the heel folds underneath. This one seems to have gotten more attention than most, maybe it will actually get marketed. Personally I once played around with a design for a sandal with adjustable height. I used a linkage to keep the angles correct, but didn’t really have the right skills to build the shoes themselves, and they probably would have weighed 5 pounds each… I recently saw a pair of sandals in a shop with detachable platforms. Search around the US Patent Office web site and you’ll see quite a few different ones. Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Skirted-UK Posted July 15, 2003 Share Posted July 15, 2003 What a fanrastic invention. I've often wondered why no one invents a screw on and screw off pencil type stileto heel (which you could carry differing heights of in your handbag and swap and change as you see fit) - so start off in 5 inch heels and maybe swap over to a 1 or 2 inch if you are tired. Just an idea.... The big problem is the steel spine in the base of the shoe which is at a fixed angle for the heel hight. This spine has to be very strong to give the heel stability, making it adjustable would be a problem. "You can check out anytime you like, but you can never leave ! " The Eagles, "Hotel California" Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Heelfan Posted July 15, 2003 Share Posted July 15, 2003 Ah yes, High Surprise, that's all very well, but if your suggested exchangeable-height heels were in common use, you wouldn't have seen your recent incredible sighting of the petite Oriental girl in Barnet looking so tired in her ultra high heels that she couldn't walk! She'd have screwed-in her lowest kitten accessory heels and would have blended into the boring crowd of also-rans and non-starters! Genuine heel-wearers take the rough with the smooth and wear them for the entire duration, whatever the obstacles. That's the whole fun and challenge of being a through-and-through heel-wearer. Whenever I see a girl travel to and from a party in ugly flat loafers and only change into her high heels to socialise for a limited time, I always think it's "cheating" and have more respect for the GENUINE high-heel ladies who wear them for the whole round-trip experience. Cheerfully yours, Heelsfan. Onwards and upwards! Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
RubberVicki Posted July 15, 2003 Share Posted July 15, 2003 I like the idea of different height screw in heels, but how about upwards, 5in, 6in, 6.5in mmmmmmh Vicki X Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Firefox Posted July 15, 2003 Author Share Posted July 15, 2003 The steel "spine" or shank remains constant (there is some compromise between the most effective shape for different heights). However, the angle between the sole and instep is in a stiffish semi flexible material. In the "Declic" (original design by Ella) the sole instep angle is naturally in the flat position, but when the heel is extended, a small cable pulls it into the angled position. Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Julietta Posted July 15, 2003 Share Posted July 15, 2003 I wonder if our little fury friend has seen these in their low state they look like kittens I like the idea of these shoes for training the foot as I guess it could be more economical (can't believe I just said that as I quickly hide all 40 pairs + of my shoes under a bed that is now balancing on bricks ) but yeah I'd like them for training and perhaps in a pump (red ahhh) would be nice! Let calm be widespread May the sea glisten like greenstone And the shimmer of summer Dance across your pathway "Communication is a two way thing" Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Yamyam Posted July 15, 2003 Share Posted July 15, 2003 I like this idea too, as I could be all subtle, then burst out in spiky heels! I'd buy some! Obsessed is such a strong word. I prefer to think of myself as "differently enthusiastic" Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
PJ Posted July 15, 2003 Share Posted July 15, 2003 Although this is a unique idea and could sell, the potential for injury if the heel collapses bothers me. Just make sure you purchase lots of liability insurance if you choose to market such a product. click .... click .... click .... The sensual sound of stiletto heels on a hard surface. Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Alex Posted July 16, 2003 Share Posted July 16, 2003 You could get hurt wearing heels of any size. However, these aren't a typical pair. As long as it remains stable when screwed in you shouldn't have a problem I wish I was a size 10 Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
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