EP2688435B1 - Sole construction having an air pumping device - Google Patents

Description

Field of the invention

The present invention relates to a sole construction for footwear, which allows efficient air circulation in the shoe and thus directly at the foot of a wearer of the shoe at each step of the running movement.

State of the art

Nowadays, shoes are known which are equipped in the sole with devices which promote the air circulation in the shoe, which reduces the internal moisture, whereby the foot comfort of the user is to be improved. This known type of shoe suffers from lack of efficiency of air circulation in the shoe.

In the DE 600 12 874 T2 is described a shoe in which air is sucked from the inside of the shoe and the so-sucked air is discharged to the outside of the shoe. In the US Pat. No. 6,581,303 B1 describes the ventilation of a shoe by means of a pump which is part of an insert provided between an outer sole and inner sole. In the DE 93 17 522 U1 describes a shoe sole with air inlets inside the shoe.

In the DE 76 11 551 U a boot with a rubber sole and a shaft is described. The one-piece rubber sole has an upper sole portion with an air pumping means in the form of a lenticular cavity formed in a heel of the sole, and a lower sole portion. Along the shaft of the boot, a fresh air intake passage 16 (feature 5.1) is performed. In the DE 697 10 492 T2 For example, an air-circulated footwear having compressible chambers provided between an outsole and a comfort pad is described. In the US Pat. No. 7,238,525 B2 and EP 2 218 348 A1 describes a sole construction in which air passes from outside through an air duct into an air chamber and an air passage. In the DE 20 2005 013 490 U1 a sole insert for air circulation is described.

It is therefore the object to provide a shoe with a sole construction, which ensures a more efficient and durable air circulation, as could be achieved in the prior art.

Description of the invention

• einen oberen Sohlenteil, der Kanäle aufweist;
• einen unteren Laufsohlenteil; und
• eine Luftpumpeinrichtung, die mit den Kanälen verbunden ist und im wesentlichen in dem oberen Sohlenteil ausgebildet ist; wobei das untere Laufsohlenteil an der äußeren Lauffläche in dem Bereich der Luftpumpeinrichtung einen erhobenen Bereich aufweist, der dazu ausgebildet ist, bei Belastung durch den Fuß eines Nutzers in Richtung des oberen Sohlenteils gedrückt zu werden; und deren Wirkung durch Zusammenwirken des oberen Sohlenteils und des unteren Laufsohlenteils ausgebildet ist;
• zumindest eine mit der Luftpumpeinrichtung verbundene erste Luftführung; und
• zumindest eine auf einer Seite mit der Luftpumpeinrichtung und auf einer gegenüberliegenden Seite mit den Kanälen verbundene zweite Luftführung umfasst,

und wobei

• die Luftpumpeinrichtung dazu ausgebildet ist, in Reaktion auf eine Gehbewegung eines Nutzers des Schuhs eine Luftpumpfunktion derart auszuführen, dass sie abwechselnd
• Luft über die zumindest eine erste Luftführung von außerhalb der Sohlenkonstruktion einsaugt und
• Luft in die mit der Luftpumpeinrichtung über die zumindest eine zweite Luftführung in Verbindung stehenden Kanäle presst;
• und wobei, in der zumindest einen ersten Luftführung ein erstes Ventil angeordnet ist, dass derart ausgebildet ist, dass es Luft lediglich in Richtung von außerhalb der Sohlenkonstruktion in die Luftpumpeinrichtung hinein durchlässt; und/oder
• in der zumindest einen zweiten Luftführung ein zweites Ventil angeordnet ist, dass derart ausgebildet ist, dass es Luft lediglich in Richtung von der Luftpumpeinrichtung zu den Kanälen durchlässt;

und

• wobei der Schaft einen der Sohlenkonstruktion nahen Teil und einen der Sohlenkonstruktion fernen Teil aufweist, und in dem die erste Luftführung sich derart teilweise entlang des Schafts, insbesondere durch ein Innenfutter des Schafts von dem Fuß des Trägers des Schuhs getrennt, von dem nahen Teil zu dem fernen Teil erstreckt, dass Luft von dem fernen Teil aus in die Luftpumpeinrichtung gepumpt werden kann.

The above object is achieved by a shoe with a sole construction and a shaft, wherein the sole construction comprises:

• an upper sole portion having channels;
• a lower outsole part; and
• an air pumping device connected to the channels and formed substantially in the upper sole portion; wherein the lower outsole portion on the outer tread in the region of the air pumping means has a raised portion adapted to be urged towards the upper sole portion when loaded by a user's foot; and whose effect is formed by cooperation of the upper sole part and the lower sole part;
• at least one first air duct connected to the air pump device; and
• comprises at least one second air duct connected to the air pump device on one side and to the ducts on an opposite side,

and where

• the air pumping device is adapted to perform an air pumping function in response to a walking movement of a user of the shoe such that they alternate
• Air over the at least one first air duct from outside the sole construction sucks and
• Pressing air into the channels communicating with the air pumping device via the at least one second air duct;
• and wherein, in the at least one first air duct, a first valve is arranged, which is designed such that it only allows air to pass in the direction from outside the sole construction into the air pump device; and or
• in the at least one second air guide, a second valve is arranged, which is designed such that it only allows air to pass in the direction from the air pump device to the channels;

and

• the stem having a part near the sole construction and a part remote from the sole construction, and in which the first air guide is so partially separated along the stem, in particular by an inner lining of the stem from the foot of the wearer of the shoe, from the near part to the sole remote part extends that air can be pumped from the remote part in the air pumping device.

In the present application, the terms upper, upper, etc., refer to positions farther from a substrate contacted by the sole construction when used in a shoe than positions referred to by terms such as below, lower, and so on.

The lower surface of the lower sole portion thus contacted in the use of a shoe with the sole construction according to the invention the trodden by a user of the shoe surface. Said first and second sole parts of the sole construction may be formed separately, but they may also form parts of an integrally formed sole body, so that they form an integral block.

According to the invention, air is sucked in from outside the shoe by the air pump device and distributed into the channels. The air pump device is adapted to carry out an air pumping function in response to a walking movement of a user of the shoe with the sole construction according to the invention such that it alternately sucks in air through at least one air guide from outside the sole construction or the shoe when being relieved by the user's foot and, upon loading of the air pumping device by the user's foot, air is distributed throughout the channels in the shoe. The air pumping device may be provided in the heel region extending from the foot end to the hinge region in the middle hinge region and / or the ball region (forefoot region) extending from the foot front to the hinge region.

The feature that the air pumping device substantially in the upper sole part is formed is that the air pumping device is formed at least more than 50% in the upper sole part (and less than 50% in the lower sole part), although it may be formed by cooperation of the upper sole part and the lower sole part. In particular, this feature may state that the air pump device is formed in the upper sole part at least more than 80%, in particular more than 90%, in particular more than 95%.

In the sole construction, at least the part of the upper sole part in which the air pump device is formed may be formed more elastically than the lower sole part. This more elastic training a pumping effect over the entire sole, ie from the heel on the joint to the bale can be achieved.

By making the part of the upper sole part, in which the air pump device is formed, more elastic than the lower sole part, an efficient pumping action can be achieved. When loaded by a user's foot, this more resilient area is forced downwards (towards the tread) and thus can actuate the air pumping device to push air out of the air pumping device and through the channels. The pumping effect is further assisted in that the lower outsole part on the outer running surface (which in the course of a walking movement is in contact with the ground on which a user of a shoe runs with the sole construction according to the invention) has a raised area in the area of the air pumping device, which is adapted to be pressed under load by the foot of a user in the direction of the upper sole part. The raised area may be thinner than the remaining areas of the lower outsole part. Thus, by the fact that the raised area is pressed under load, not only ensures an efficient air circulation, but it is also increased by the shock-absorbing function of the air pump device running comfort.

According to alternative developments, the air pump device is formed by a cavity substantially embedded in the upper sole part, or the air pump device is designed separately as an independent entity and is completely or partially embedded in a cavity of the upper sole part. The volume fraction of the cavity formed in the upper sole portion is greater than that provided by the lower sole portion in the formation of the cavity functioning as the air pumping means. In particular, the cavity can be formed to more than 80%, in particular more than 90%, in particular more than 95%, in the upper sole part be. According to a development, the air pump device is provided in the form of a cavity filled with an air-permeable elastic filling material.

The use of only one formed cavity as the air pumping device simplifies the manufacturing process, reduces the manufacturing cost and can increase the reliability and life of the air pumping device. The use of a separately designed as an independent entity air pump device can improve the efficiency of air circulation.

For example, the air pump device may comprise a plastic pump reservoir as an independent entity. This is compressed when a user's foot rests on it, which squeezes air out of the plastic pump reservoir. If, during walking, the plastic pump reservoir is again relieved of the foot, it expands and, due to the negative pressure previously created, draws in air from the outside, which is freshly available for the subsequent ventilation of the shoe interior and hence the foot of a user. Furthermore, the air pump device can be integrally formed in one piece with the plastic pump reservoir and the air ducts. The formation of the air pump device as a separate entity allows an independent of the sole construction or the sole body material selection and in particular material strength.

In the examples described above, openings may be provided along the channels in the upper sole portion such that air passing through the channels passes through the openings to above the upper sole portion, i. into the interior of a shoe, which has the sole construction according to the invention, can get. Thus, by the pumping action of the air pumping device under load from a user's foot, air is pumped through the channels and the openings provided therein for aeration of the foot into the shoe interior in which the foot is located.

According to one example, hoses may also be provided by the air pumping device along the channels in which air flows from the air pumping device. In this case, the hoses must have openings corresponding to those which may be provided in the upper sole part. The hoses can be made of silicone, for example.

As already mentioned, the upper sole part and the lower sole part can be separate may be formed or the upper sole portion and the lower sole portion may be integrally formed in one piece, so as an integral block. In the first case, the upper sole portion and the lower sole portion may be formed of different materials, or may be formed of the same material. In the latter case, the sole structure can be formed around a separate, independently formed air pumping device, such that the upper sole part is more elastic (due to different thicknesses) than the lower sole part at least in the area of the air pumping device. The sole construction is made here of an elastic material, for example by plastic injection.

In a further development, the sole construction according to the invention can furthermore comprise plastic hoses which are arranged in the channels, wherein the plastic hoses have openings along their longitudinal axes and are in fluid communication with the air pump device.

According to the invention, outside air can be sucked in by the air pump device, depending on the walking phase, and the previously sucked air can be expelled into the channels. If in the appropriate walking phase the foot of a user does not load on the air pump device, this sucks air from outside the sole structure via the corresponding first air supply, when the foot loads on her, it pumps the air through the corresponding second air supply into the channels, from where they are pressed upwards to the foot of a user, for example through openings provided in the channels at the top, for effective ventilation of the user's foot.

Thus, there is provided a sole construction which provides improved air circulation in a simple configuration, solely by movement during walking, without the need for significant enlargement over conventional sole constructions without air circulation. In this development, the valves provided allow efficient control of the air flows through the air ducts into and out of the air pump device.

The second air duct may be in the form of a hose or channel; it can also be provided only in the form of an outlet of the air pump device, in particular an air reservoir of the air pump device. In particular, the at least one first and / or the at least one second air duct can comprise a flexible hose and / or a covered duct or in each case from a flexible duct Hose, for example made of plastic, exist. If a plurality of first and / or second air ducts are provided, they may all comprise or consist of a hose, or some and not all of the air ducts may each comprise or consist of a hose. Furthermore, the air ducts may be formed integrally with a plastic pump reservoir of the air pump device. According to these examples, the air ducts can permanently and tightly direct the air to the air pump device and from there to ventilate at least a part of the sole body and finally the shoe interior in a simple and cost-effective manner. The first air duct can be guided upwards, where it ends, for example, in a shaft region of a shoe which comprises the sole construction according to the invention, in order to allow the intake of fresh air there by the air pump device.

According to the invention, in principle fresh air can be sucked in from the air pump device over a relatively large area. In particular, water ingress into the shoe from the outside is avoided if the end of the first air duct, through which air is drawn in from the outside, is higher from the outsole than the lowest shaft end of the shoe.

• Figur 1 die Sohlenkonstruktion mit einem oberen Sohlenteil und einem unteren Laufsohlenteil gemäß einem Beispiel der Erfindung darstellt;
• Figur 2 ein oberes Sohlenteil einer Sohlenkonstruktion gemäß einem Beispiel der Erfindung darstellt;
• Figur 3 im Querschnitt Sohlenkonstruktionen gemäß unterschiedlicher Beispiele der Erfindung darstellt; und
• Figur 4 eine Luftpumpeinrichtung mit Schläuchen, die entlang ihrer Längsachse Öffnungen aufweisen, darstellt.

Further characteristics and advantages of the invention will become apparent from the detailed but non-limiting description of embodiments illustrated with the aid of the attached drawings, in which:

• FIG. 1 Figure 5 illustrates the sole construction with an upper sole portion and a lower sole portion in accordance with an example of the invention;
• FIG. 2 Fig. 10 illustrates an upper sole portion of a sole construction according to an example of the invention;
• FIG. 3 in cross-section sole constructions according to different examples of the invention; and
• FIG. 4 an air pump device with hoses having openings along its longitudinal axis represents.

As it is in FIG. 1 In the example shown, the upper sole part 1 is made of a more elastic (more compressible) material than the lower sole part 2 in the example shown, a sole construction according to an example of the present invention comprises an upper sole part 1, which may be referred to as a midsole educated. In the heel area an air pumping device, for example in the form of a cavity or a plastic pump reservoir, is formed, as it is in FIG. 2 is illustrated, in which the upper sole part 1 is shown from below (from the viewpoint of the lower outsole part 2). For example, the upper sole part 1 may be made of relatively soft polyurethane, while the outsole part 2 may consist of abrasion-resistant rubber. When loading the heel area, the air pump device is compressed, whereby air from this out in the in FIG. 2 shown channels 4, which have the openings 3, is pressed. The air forced through the openings 3 then serves to ventilate a shoe inner and thus the foot of a wearer of a shoe comprising the sole construction with the upper sole part 1 and the lower sole part 2.

In the in FIG. 2 shown example of the upper sole part 1, a cavity 5 is provided in the heel area. This cavity may represent the air pump device, which is provided according to the invention in the upper sole part 1. Alternatively, a separate air pump device in the form of a plastic pump reservoir may be provided in the cavity 5. At least the heel portion of the sole member 1 is sufficiently compressible so that it is pressed under load by the foot of a user, ie when he moves his weight on the heel area while walking, and so the volume of the cavity is reduced and air from the cavity or a Plastic pump reservoirs arranged therein are pressed into the channels 4. The air passes, for example, through a passage (in which a valve can be provided) in the intermediate region 6 and into the system of channels 4 via the outlet 7.

According to one example, the air from the cavity 5 or a plastic pump reservoir arranged therein can be led into plastic tubes which are provided in the channels 4 and have openings corresponding to the openings 3 of the upper sole part 1. A through the recessed passage in the intermediate region 6 and guided through the outlet 7 air supply can connect the cavity or a plastic pump reservoir embedded therein with the channels 4. A one-way valve provided in the air supply may be provided to ensure that air is only supplied from the air pumping means to the channels 4 and not can flow in reverse (see also description of FIG. 3 below). Also provided in the intermediate region 6 passage a single way valve for controlling the sucked by the air pump device and ejected air can be provided.

In the in FIG. 2 In the example shown, another air flow from the air pumping device is passed through the passage 8 upwardly in a shaft of a shoe including the sole construction with the upper sole part 1, through which fresh air is sucked into the air pumping device upon relieving the heel area during the walking movement of a user , The passage 8 is connected by a passage within the intermediate region 8 to the cavity 5 or a plastic pump reservoir arranged therein. This further air duct may also be provided with a one-way valve, which guarantees that air gets into the air pump device when the heel area is relieved, but that no air can escape to the outside when the heel area is loaded by this additional air duct.

In FIG. 3 three embodiments of the sole construction according to the invention by way of example cross section are shown. In the upper picture of FIG. 3 an upper sole portion 1 and a lower sole portion 2 form a sole construction. In the heel area a cavity is essentially formed by the upper sole part 1. The cavity is essentially completely filled by an air pump device in the form of a plastic pump reservoir 9. When loaded by the foot (heel) of a user, the air pumping device is compressed and air via the one-way valve 10 in the in FIG. 2 illustrated channels 4, from which it passes through the openings 3 in the shoe interior of a shoe, which is equipped with the sole construction.

In order to ensure this function of the plastic pump reservoir 9, the upper sole part 1 must be designed such that it yields (inwards) with respect to the pressure of the heel of a foot of a user. The material can be selected according to the gender of a user. An elevation provided in the heel region of the lower outsole part 2 can also be pressed inwards when the heel area is loaded by the weight of the user, so that the pumping action is assisted. If the heel area is relieved during the walking movement, creates a negative pressure in the plastic pump reservoir 9, through the air from the outside by an air duct (in FIG. 3 not shown) is sucked into the plastic pump reservoir 9. The one-way valve 10 prevents air from inside the shoe through the channels is sucked into the plastic pump reservoir 9.

In the middle picture of the FIG. 3 a similar construction as that of the upper figure is shown, in which case the plastic pump reservoir 9 is dispensed with. The air pump device is thus formed only by the cavity 5, which is pressed under load by the foot of a user, whereby air through the one-way valve 10 in the in FIG. 2 illustrated channels 4 is pressed, from which it passes through the openings 3 in the shoe interior of a shoe equipped with the sole construction.

In the lower picture of the FIG. 3 Finally, a one-piece sole construction 20 is shown, in which therefore the upper sole part 1 and the lower sole part 2 are integrally formed in a block. The configuration shown includes a plastic pump reservoir 9 as an air pumping device. The air pump device may form part of the upper surface of the upper sole part 1. Alternatively, the plastic pump reservoir 9 may be completely enclosed by the material of the sole construction, as shown in the upper and middle illustration of FIG FIG. 3 is shown. In addition, a hose system 11 is indicated by which air which has passed from the plastic pump reservoir 9, the one-way valve 10 is passed through openings of the hoses through the openings 3 of the upper sole member 1 for ventilation of a shoe interior. An air pump device which can be used in this case is in FIG. 4 illustrated.

Generally, it should be noted that in the in the FIG. 3 shown embodiments, both channels can be provided with hoses laid therein or channels without hoses. Likewise, a directional control valve may be provided on air supply means connected to the air pump device.

In the FIG. 4 shown air pumping device is formed by a plastic pump reservoir 9, can be pumped from the air through the one-way valve 10 into the tubes 11. The hoses 11 have openings 12 which correspond to openings 3 in the channels 4 of the upper sole part 1. The valve 10 is adjoined by a distribution element 13 into which the hoses 11 open. Another one-way valve 14 is closed against air pumped from the plastic pump reservoir 9 and allows only the air supply from the outside into the plastic pump reservoir 9, when the plastic pump reservoir 9 is relieved during the walking movement of a user. Alternatively, a directional control valve may be used instead of two one-way valves 10 and 14 (that between the positions of the valves 10 and 14) 14 is positioned) use to control the air flow. This directional control valve may be provided in the form of a shuttle valve which, depending on the pressure actuation of the air pump device by the foot of a user, controls the air flow so that air is pumped into the air pump device only from the outside and only into the hoses 11. In the FIG. 4 The configuration shown can also be seen in the figure above FIG. 3 shown embodiment find use.

Claims (6)

1. Shoe with a sole construction and a shaft,
   wherein said sole construction comprises an upper sole part (1), a lower outsole part (2) and an air pumping device;
   wherein the upper sole part (1) has channels (4);
   wherein the lower outsole part (2) is formed separately from the upper sole part (1) and the lower outsole part (2) and the upper sole part (1) form the sole construction;
   wherein the air pumping device is connected to said channels (4) and formed between the upper sole part (1) and the lower outsole part (2), substantially in said upper sole part (1); where said lower outsole part (2) at the outer tread area in the region of said air pumping device comprises a raised portion which is adapted to be pressed in the direction of said upper sole part (1) when the user's foot applies pressure;
   wherein the sole construction comprises at least one first air guide connected with said air pumping device and at least one second air guide connected on one side with said air pumping device and on an opposite side with said channels (4);
   wherein said air pumping device is adapted to perform an air pumping function in response to a walking motion of a user of said shoe, such that it alternatingly
   sucks in air via said at least one first air guide from outside of said sole construction and
   forces air into said channels (4) which are in communication with said air pumping device via said at least one second air guide;
   wherein in said at least one first air guide a first valve is arranged that is configured to allow air to pass only in the direction from outside of said sole construction into said air pumping device; and/or
   wherein in said at least one second air guide a second valve is arranged that is configured to allow air to pass only in the direction from said air pumping device to said channels (4); and
   wherein said shaft comprises a sole construction proximal part and a sole construction distal part, and in which said first air guide extends partially along said shaft, in particular, separated by an inner lining of said shaft from said foot of the wearer of said shoe, from said proximal part to said distal part, such that air from outside of the shoe can be pumped from said distal part into said air pumping device.
2. Shoe according to claim 1, in which at least the portion of said upper sole part (1), in which said air pumping device is formed, is designed more elastically than said lower outsole part (2).
3. Shoe according to one of the preceding claims, in which said air pumping device is formed by a cavity (4) substantially embedded in said upper sole part (1).
4. Shoe according to one of the claims 1 and 2, in which said air pumping device is formed separately as an independent entity and is entirely or partially embedded in a cavity (5) of said upper sole part (1).
5. Shoe according to one of the preceding claims, in which openings (3) are provided along said channels (4) in said upper sole part (1), such that air flowing through said channels (4) can pass through said openings (3) to above said upper sole part (1).
6. Shoe according to one of the preceding claims, in which said sole construction further comprises plastic tubes which are arranged in said channels (4), where said plastic tubes further have openings (3) along their longitudinal axes and are in fluid communication with said air pumping device.

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