EP1495689A1

EP1495689A1 - Sole for footwear

Info

Publication number: EP1495689A1
Application number: EP04380036A
Authority: EP
Inventors: Antonio Saenz Garrido
Original assignee: Garridosa SL
Current assignee: Garridosa SL
Priority date: 2003-07-09
Filing date: 2004-02-17
Publication date: 2005-01-12
Also published as: ES2253033A1; ES2253033B1

Abstract

It includes an aeration system for ventilating the wearer's feet, in such a way that the sole includes at least in one area of the support surface some through holes (5) that correspond with some projecting portions (4) located in an inside cavity (1) where a main piece (3) that has hollow projections (7) that are complemented with the projecting portions (4) is coupled and located. At the same time from the inside of the hollow projections (7) some elongated lugs that are located in the through holes (5) originate.

The main piece (3) includes other holes (11) in order to permit the flow of a stream of air that reaches the wearer's feet through other holes (13) of an insole (12) where the wearer's feet rest.

Hence, the intake and discharge of air is produced thanks to the slight upward and downward movement of the main piece when the wearer walks.

Description

OBJECT OF THE INVENTION

As expressed in the title of this specification, the present invention refers to a sole for footwear with some structural characteristics that permit the renewal of air, in order to achieve good transpiration of the feet and thus avoid to a large degree bad odors, as well as possible discomfort.

BACKGROUND OF THE INVENTION

There are soles for footwear that include aeration systems that permit the feet to transpire in virtue of a perforated area with small through holes that communicate the outside and the inside of the footwear.
Hence, for example Patent of Invention no. P-9902140 includes a perforated area located at the height of the shank that is surrounded by a perimetric partition, which in turn includes holes that permit the flow of air towards the front part of the sole, the toe piece and the heel.
Utility model no. U-200000560 consists of a sole for footwear that includes channels to change the air, although it does not have holes that communicate with the outside. The flow and change of the air is achieved by the pressure exerted by the wearer's foot.
European patent of invention EP 0713658 consists of an insole of multiple layers wherein there is a intermediate layer made out of a material that permits the free passing of vapor but that blocks liquids, such as for example, gore-tex, adapted at least, manufactured from a first soft impermeable non-absorbent material in contact with the foot, and at least a second layer that fastens and retain the moisture produced by the condensation of sweat. Said second layer being made out of latex foam preferably provided with activated carbon and/or suitable antibacterial compounds.
European patent of invention no. 0780063 consists basically of a sole for footwear with ventilation protuberances.
These protuberances are hollow spaces that are communicated with the inside space of the footwear by means of some small holes, in such a way that when the wearer's foot presses on such protuberances, these protuberances are deformed and a flow of air that originates inside these protuberances is produced.
In this case there is no communication with the outside in order to change the air.
Other registrations have aeration systems with holes in the sole that communicate with the outside. Among them, we should point out the following registrations: utility models nos. 1321, 1389, 185564, 268553 and 289326.
Utility model no. 109666 is footwear that has through holes in the inside part of the cut, right in the connecting area of the cut with the sole.

DESCRIPTION OF THE INVENTION

The sole for footwear that constitutes the object of the invention includes an aeration and ventilation system that permits air to enter and come out from the inside of the footwear under the wearer's foot in correspondence with the top surface of the sole, in one or several areas, or on the entire surface of the sole.
Therefore, the sole includes, in principle, an assembly of through holes that communicate the outside with the inside of the sole where there is a cavity limited by a staggered perimetric partition where a main piece adjusts in this perimetric partition.
This main piece includes some top hollow projections that in turn correspond with some bottom cavities coincides with the hollow spaces of the cited top projections.
In turn from the bottom of said cavities respective elongated lugs originate.
On the other hand, in correspondence with the through holes, on the inside surface of the sole there are some projections where the continuity of said through holes is maintained, in such a way that these projections fit in at least partially or at the beginning, in the cavities of the top projections of the main piece, whereas the lugs stay located inside the through holes.
In turn, the main piece includes other holes arranged between the projections and opposite the spaces or channels that limit the projections of the sole, channels that also coincide with the spaces or channels limited by the projections of the main piece.
On the support surface of the sole there are some recesses arranged in correspondence with the through holes and opposite the projecting portions of the sole and with the projections of the main piece.
On the inside surface of the sole there is at least one insole with perforations, located at least above the area opposite the main piece that also rests thereon.
With this described arrangement, upon the foot is supported thereon, there is a small movement downward of the assembly of the main piece, in such a way that the hollow projections will fit to a larger degree in the projections or projecting portions of the sole, there being movement of the lugs inside the holes. On the other hand, upon lifting the foot or putting less pressure on the sole this same movement of the main piece will be produced but in the opposite direction.
Hence, during this continued movement of the main piece upward and downward when the wearer walks an intake and discharge of air (suction and expulsion) is produced which provide a stream of inside air that acts on the wearer's foot cooling it off and facilitating transpiration.
This stream of air will flow through the holes of the main piece, holes of the insole, this air also obviously flowing through the inside spaces existing between the insole and the bottom of the cavity where the main piece is located.
The intake and discharge of air is carried out through the holes of the sole where the elongated lugs fit with a certain amount of play, that permits the intake of air but not that of water.
The recesses of the support surface facilitate the intake and discharge of air and also prevent, at least partially, the intake of water, since the bottom of these recesses is somewhat above the floor.
Hereinafter to provide a better understanding of this specification and forming an integral part of thereof, some figures wherein the object of the invention has been represented in an illustrative and non-restrictive manner are accompanied.

BRIEF DESCRIPTION OF THE DRAWINGS

Figure 1 shows an exploded perspective view of the sole for footwear, object of the invention.
Figure 2 is a top plan view of a main piece that forms part of the sole assembly of the invention.
Figure 3 is a sectional view of the sole.
Figure 4 shows a plan view of the support surface of the sole of the invention.

DESCRIPTION OF THE PREFERRED EMBODIMENT

Considering the numbering used in the figures, the sole for footwear comprises an aeration system located in the area of the front part of the sole, where there is an inside cavity (1) limited by a staggered partition (2) that permits the secure coupling of a main piece (3) that in principle occupies the inside cavity (1).
In the inside cavity (1) there are several projections or projecting portions (4) integral to the sole and that have respective through holes (5) that communicate with the outside. In turn, opposite these projections (4), the support surface includes some recesses (6).
On the other hand, the main piece (3) has some top hollow projections (7), whose bottom cavities (8) are complemented with the projections (4) of the sole, surrounding at least partially or in the beginnings thereof said projections (4). In turn, some lugs (9) that are located in and fit in the through holes (5) originate in the bottom of these cavities (8).
The free bases of the projections (4) includes some ring-shaped portions (10) where the bottoms of the cavities (8) of the hollow projections (7) will make contact when same is pressed by the foot when the wearer walks.
The main piece (3) includes some holes (11) arranged in correspondence with the free spaces or channels established between the top hollow projections (7).
The surface of the hollow projections (7) is practically level with the rest of the top surface of the sole, an insole (12) that includes other holes (13) sitting thereon and the hollow projections (7) in order to permit the ventilation and aeration by means of the stream of air that is produced inside the sole when walking.
Hence, when walking with footwear that includes the sole of the invention, then there is a small movement and deformation of the main piece upward and downward, obviously also moving the lugs (9) fit in the holes (5) of the sole, by means of which the intake (suction) and discharge (expulsion) of the air in order to achieve good ventilation of the foot will be produced.
During movement, a constant stream of renewed air that will flow between the inside spaces of the sole established between the insole (12) and the bottom of the cavity (1) of the sole, is produced. This stream of air will also pass through the holes (11) of the main piece (3), insole (12), the air reaching the wearer's foot through the holes (13) of the insole.

Claims

Sole for footwear, that including an aeration system for the ventilation of the wearer's feet, and the sole including through holes in the support surface, as part of the aeration system, characterized in that in correspondence with the through holes (5) there is at least one inside cavity (1) where a main piece (3) that has some top hollow projections (7) is located and fits in, in whose bottom cavities (8) at least partially in the beginning some projections or projecting portions (4) emerging from the bottom of the inside cavity (1) are located, in such a way that the through holes (5) will continue in the cited projections (4), some elongated lugs (9) emerging from the bottom of the cavities (8) of the hollow projections (7) integral to the main piece (3), which includes other intermediate holes (11) being located in these through holes (5), an insole (12) that includes other holes (13) sitting on the hollow projections (7), at least in the area opposite the inside cavity (1) and the main piece (3).
Sole for footwear, according to claim 1, characterized in that the support surface of the sole includes recesses (6) in correspondence with at least the through holes (5), which originate in the bottom of these recesses (6).
Sole for footwear, according to any of the preceding claims, characterized in that the inside cavity (1) is limited by some staggered partitions (2) where the main piece (3) is coupled and fastened by its perimetric edge.
Sole for footwear, according to any of the preceding claims, characterized in that the hollow projections (4) include on their top free surface ring-shaped elevations (10) that surround the top ends of the through holes (5).