EP3345499A1 - Shoe with an air pump device with a spring element which surrounds a bellow - Google Patents

Abstract

A shoe (1) comprises an air pumping device for blowing air into the shoe inner space, which comprises a bellows (4) formed in the sole construction and enclosing a cavity, a suction channel for transporting air from a suction opening (6) into the bellows (4). , A formed in the sole construction air supply means for forwarding air from the bellows (4) in the shoe interior and a the bellows (4) embracing V- or U-shaped spring element (9). An upper leg of the spring element (9) comprises an upper pressure plate arranged above the bellows (4) and under an insole of the sole construction, and a lower leg a lower pressure plate arranged under the bellows (4) and above an outsole layer (16) so that a the two legs connecting connecting portion (14) in the sole structure next to the bellows (4) is arranged. The air pumping means is arranged such that during a running movement under load of the sole construction, the spring element (9) is elastically deformed by compressing the pressure plates, the deformation taking place substantially at or near the connecting portion (14), so that the pressure plates substantially maintain their shape and the bellows (4) is compressed.

Description

The invention relates to a shoe with a sole construction and at least one air pumping device for blowing air into the interior of the shoe, wherein each air pumping means formed in the sole construction, a cavity enclosing bellows made of a resilient plastic material, a suction channel for transporting air from a suction port in the bellows and formed in the sole construction air supply means for conveying air from the bellows into the interior of the shoe.

Such a shoe is for example from the publications EP 2 218 348 A1 and WO 2012/126489 A1 known. In the known shoes of the aforementioned type, the sole construction in the heel region may have a multi-layer construction, wherein an intermediate layer containing the cavity is made of a material (for example, soft polyurethane foam) which is to be more elastic or more compressible than the material of the outsole. The cavity and the surrounding compressible plastic layers form a bellows. The air pumping device is adapted, in response to a walking movement of a user, alternately during discharge (lifting of the shoe from the ground) sucking air through the suction channel from outside the shoe into the cavity of the bellows and under load (at the occurrence and the load by the weight of the User) to blow air from the bellows through channels of an air supply device in the shoe interior. In the intake passage, a first valve is arranged, which is designed such that it passes air only in the direction from outside the sole construction into the cavity. In the air supply device, a second valve is arranged, which is designed such that it allows air only in the direction of the cavity to the channels. The pumping effect is further supported by that the outsole on the outer tread in the region of the bellows has a raised portion that is forced towards the upper sole portion when loaded by the user's foot. In the EP 2 218 348 A1 Among other things, it is suggested to arrange the midsole between a hard outsole and another sole, the midsole being made of a material that is more compressible (more elastic / softer) than that of the outsole and that of the other sole.

Essential for achieving a good ventilation of the shoe interior, that is, a high air flow, it is that during running at each step, on the one hand a sufficiently large amount of air from the outside sucked into the bellows and on the other hand then blown from the bellows into the shoe interior. In order to inject the largest possible amount of air into the shoe interior at each loading step, not only the volume of the bellows must be maximized; it must also be ensured that the bellows is almost completely or at least largely compressed during loading, so that the air contained is pushed out. Complete or extensive compression can be achieved by the sole construction surrounding the cavity being very pliable or soft, so that it is completely compressed by the action of the body weight. However, after and before the next occurrence (in the next step), the bellows must expand as far as possible and fill with air. Such recovery is achieved with a resilient sole material as possible, which surrounds the cavity. However, this is one of the aforementioned requirement for a soft material contrary requirement.

To support the return of the bellows, it is for example from the EP 1 093 729 A1 and the EP 0 624 322 A1 known to arrange spiral springs vertically within the cavity so that they are compressed in a compression of the bellows. These constructions are complex to produce, require a relatively large amount of space and have under heavy use of the shoe a short life.

Based on the above considerations, it is an object of the invention to provide a shoe with a sole construction and with at least one air pumping device for blowing air into the interior of the shoe, the highest possible air flow at every step of a walking or running motion and a high Lifetime even under heavy use (as occurs especially in running shoes) allows.

This object is achieved by a shoe with the features of claim 1.

In the shoe according to the invention with a sole construction and with at least one air pumping device for blowing air into the interior of the shoe, each air pumping device comprises a bellows made of a resilient plastic material and formed in the sole construction, a suction channel for transporting air from a suction opening into the cavity Bellows and formed in the sole construction air supply means for passing air from the bellows in the interior of the shoe. The intake duct and / or the air supply means may in some embodiments comprise a plurality of parallel-acting conduits (eg tubes or hoses). On the other hand, in some embodiments, the intake passage and the air supply means may include a common duct portion that opens into the cavity. Preferably, the intake duct and the air supply means comprise one-way valves which provide the desired direction of air transport. A "bellows" should be understood to mean functionally a device which encloses an air volume on all sides (with the exception of the openings to the intake duct and to the air supply device) and which expels air through at least one opening during compression of the bellows and sucks during expansion. The bellows may for example be formed solely by the walls of the cavity or by a introduced into the cavity bladder (eg, made of a soft, elastic plastic). Furthermore, the (or each) air pumping device of the shoe according to the invention comprises a V-shaped or U-shaped spring element encompassing the bellows. An upper leg of the V-shaped or U-shaped A spring element comprises an upper pressure plate disposed above the bellows and under an insole of the sole structure, and a lower leg of the V-shaped or U-shaped spring element comprises a lower pressure plate arranged under the bellows and above an outsole layer of the sole structure, one connecting the two legs Connecting portion of the spring element is arranged in the sole structure adjacent to the bellows. The term "V-shaped or U-shaped spring element" is not to be interpreted as limiting that the legs should always be exactly the same length and straight; they can also be different lengths or slightly curved. Arranging "over an outsole layer" is also intended here to include placement over one of several outsole layers or within an outsole layer. The air pumping device (or each of a plurality of air pumping devices) is arranged such that during a running movement under load of the sole structure by the weight of the wearer of the shoe, the V-shaped or U-shaped spring element is elastically deformed by compressing the pressure plates, the deformation substantially takes place at or near the connecting portion so that the pressure plates above and below the at least one bellows substantially maintain their shape and the bellows located between the pressure plates is compressed. The air pumping means (or each of the air pumping means) with bellows, intake duct, air supply means and spring element is thus embedded in the sole construction (in preferred embodiments except for a part of the intake duct going upwards from the sole construction, preferably in or along the shank) a suction or more suction is performed). This sole construction, in which the air pumping device (or each of the air pumping devices) is embedded, may for example be made of a single plastic material. Preferably, however, the sole construction has a multi-layer structure. This multilayer structure preferably comprises at least one insole, at least one of the bellows and the spring element containing intermediate layer of a compressible material (midsole) and at least one underlying sole layer. Under the "insole" should thus be understood here any uppermost sole layer between shoe interior and upper pressure plate. In some embodiments, the insole may be multi-layered. The insole is to be functionally considered as part of the sole construction, although it is usually part of the shoe in terms of footwear technology. The combination of the insole with the shaft can be of any type (eg, tweaked, glued, glued, welted or double stitched). Intermediate layer (midsole) and outsole layer are preferably made of different materials (each adapted to their different functions), but in one embodiment may also be made of the same material.

The solution according to the invention provides a shoe which allows a high air flow rate at every step of a walking or running movement and a long service life even under heavy use (as occurs especially in running shoes). The solution according to the invention not only ensures a faster and more complete recovery during the expansion of the bellows; it also assists in compressing the bellows due to the areal distribution of compressive force by means of the upper and lower pressure plates, which substantially retain their shape when compressed.

Preferably, the shoe has an air pump device. The bellows of the air pumping device is disposed in the heel region of the shoe and the V or U-shaped spring element extends substantially over the entire surface of the heel region. In this case, the connecting section is arranged in a joint region of the shoe and / or in an edge region of the heel region adjoining the joint region. This preferred arrangement of the bellows with the spring element encompassing it enables a high pumping capacity with simultaneous cushioning of the running movement and impact absorption when it occurs in the heel area, in particular in a running shoe.

A preferred embodiment is characterized in that at the connecting portion in the direction opposite to the legs direction, a support portion is formed so that the spring element is Y-shaped, wherein the support portion in the hinge region of the shoe to a maximum of about 10 mm in front of a ball area in Forefoot area protrudes. This stabilizes the position of the spring element in the sole construction and distributes the forces acting on the adjoining sole material during the deformation of the spring element at the front edge of the spring element, so that a lower load of the sole material and thus a longer life of the shoe results.

In a preferred development, at least one stabilizer spring element (preferably one stabilizer spring element in each case) is arranged on both sides in addition to the bellows. Each of the stabilizer spring members is connected to lateral edge portions of the upper and lower pressure plates so as to be elastically compressed upon compression of the pressure plates, and the elasticity of the stabilizer spring members disposed on both sides of the shoe is adjusted (dimensioned) so as to be effective Compression upon compression of the sole construction by the weight of the wearer of the shoe during a running motion are compressed approximately equally, so that a rotation of the upper pressure plate against the lower pressure plate is counteracted about an axis parallel to the longitudinal direction of the shoe axis. This stabilizes the position of the foot during running compression of the sole construction in the heel area and reduces the risk of lateral kinking (distortion) of the foot. Due to the fact that the force acting on the outside of the shoe on the stabilizer spring element (s) disposed thereon, from the one on the inside of the shoe to the one (s) there If necessary, the elasticity of the stabilizer spring elements arranged on both sides of the shoe can be adjusted differently. The necessary (different) elasticities of the outer and inner stabilizer spring elements can be calculated on the basis of models or determined experimentally.

Preferably, each of the stabilizer spring elements with side edge regions of the upper and lower pressure plate is so torsionally connected, that a relative movement of the upper and lower pressure plate is suppressed in lateral directions or at least hindered. This also contributes to the stabilization of the position of the foot. In a preferred embodiment, the stabilizer spring elements arranged on the two sides of the bellows are connected to one another via a web arranged on the rear edge of the heel region. This stabilizes the torsion-resistant connection with the lateral edge regions.

The stabilizer spring elements preferably each comprise at least one V-shaped or U-shaped spring portion, which is arranged such that its legs approach during compression of the stabilizer spring element. In a simple embodiment, each of the stabilizer spring elements may consist only of a V- or U-shaped spring element whose upper leg is connected to the upper pressure plate and whose lower leg is connected to the lower pressure plate. Other embodiments may include webs arranged in a lattice-like manner in a vertical plane, wherein a plurality of pairs of such webs or web sections each form V- or U-shaped spring elements.

In one embodiment, the lateral edge regions of the upper and lower pressure plates, with which the stabilizer spring elements are connected, form bearing surfaces for upper and lower ends of the stabilizer spring elements. The voltage applied to these edges ends of the stabilizer spring elements have corresponding contact surfaces which are glued to the bearing surfaces of the edge regions or firmly connected in other ways.

Preferably, the edge regions arranged on both sides of the lower pressure plate are each arranged by a gap open to the shoe back from that above the bellows separated central region of the lower pressure plate, so that form the two edge regions of the lower pressure plate separate spring legs. The arranged between the two columns, the central region of the lower pressure plate projects downwards, so that the compression of the bearing surfaces and thus the stabilizer spring elements only begins after the middle region of the lower pressure plate and the upper pressure plate have already been compressed a predetermined way. This makes it possible for a part of the bellows volume to be compressed already without the action of the stabilizer spring elements, so that the bellows volume can be partially increased at the expense of stabilization. The optimum between a bellows volume to be maximized (wide protrusion of the central region) and sufficient stabilization of the foot (early onset of the effect of the spring elements due to slight protrusion of the central region) may be calculated or experimentally determined on the basis of models.

A preferred embodiment is characterized in that the stabilizer-spring elements are removably attached or replaceable. In a further preferred embodiment, the stabilizer spring elements have a device for adjusting the spring force. Both embodiments allow adaptation to the body weight of the wearer of the shoe.

An advantageous development of the shoe according to the invention is characterized in that folds are formed in the side walls of the bellows on the open sides of the V-shaped or U-shaped spring element. The targeted arrangement of these folds allows a defined specification of the type of deformation of the bellows during its compression at a low wall thickness, which in turn allows a larger bellows volume.

Preferably, the shoe according to the invention is characterized in that the suction channel connected to the bellows for transporting air from a suction opening in the bellows a minimum cross-sectional area of 3 mm ² , for shoe sizes from about 25 cm in length has a minimum cross-sectional area of 4 mm ² . This minimum cross-section ensures a lower flow resistance during the intake of the air and thus contributes to a faster and thus (against the background of limited by the step time restoring time) extensive recovery in the expansion of the bellows. In this case, the suction opening is preferably spanned with a dirt deflector grid (eg plastic grid or net) and has a minimum surface area larger than the minimum cross-sectional area of the intake channel, thereby compensating for the increase in the flow resistance caused by the dirt deflector grid.

Advantageous and / or preferred developments of the invention are characterized in the subclaims.

• Fig. 1 eine schematische Ansicht einer Innenseite eines erfindungsgemäßen Schuhs;
• Fig. 2 eine separate Ansicht des in dem Schuh nach Fig. 1 enthaltenen, den Balg umgreifenden Federelements;
• Fig. 3 eine Unteransicht des Schuhs gemäß Fig. 1;
• Fig. 4 eine Rückansicht des Schuhs gemäß Fig. 1;
• Fig. 5 eine Perspektivansicht einer alternativen Ausführungsform eines Balgs, eines V-förmigen Federelements und von beidseitig des Balgs angeordneten Stabilisator-Federelementen einer Luftpumpeinrichtung;
• Fig. 6 eine separate Ansicht des Balgs gemäß Fig. 5;
• Fig. 7A bis 7C schematische Schnittansichten eines erfindungsgemäßen Schuhs in verschiedenen Belastungsphasen während einer Laufbewegung zur Veranschaulichung der Luftpumpfunktion;
• Fig. 8A bis 8C schematische Seitenansichten einer Luftpumpeinrichtung mit einem Balg, einem V-förmigen Federelement und beidseitig des Balgs angeordneten Stabilisator-Federelementen in verschiedenen Belastungsphasen während einer Laufbewegung zur Veranschaulichung der Kompression des Balgs und des Einsetzens der Kompression der Stabilisator-Federelemente; und
• Fig. 9 eine schematische Seitenansicht einer alternativen Ausführungsform mit drei Luftpumpeinrichtungen, die im Fersenbereich, im Gelenkbereich und im Vorfußbereich des Schuhs angeordnet sein können.

In the following the invention will be explained in more detail with reference to preferred embodiments illustrated in the drawings. In the drawings show:

• Fig. 1 a schematic view of an inside of a shoe according to the invention;
• Fig. 2 a separate view of the inside of the shoe Fig. 1 contained, the bellows embracing spring element;
• Fig. 3 a bottom view of the shoe according to Fig. 1 ;
• Fig. 4 a rear view of the shoe according to Fig. 1 ;
• Fig. 5 a perspective view of an alternative embodiment of a bellows, a V-shaped spring element and arranged on both sides of the bellows stabilizer spring elements of an air pumping device;
• Fig. 6 a separate view of the bellows according to Fig. 5 ;
• Figs. 7A to 7C schematic sectional views of a shoe according to the invention in different loading phases during a running movement to illustrate the air pumping function;
• 8A to 8C schematic side views of an air pump device with a bellows, a V-shaped spring element and both sides of the bellows arranged stabilizer spring elements in different load phases during a running motion to illustrate the compression of the bellows and the onset of compression of the stabilizer spring elements; and
• Fig. 9 a schematic side view of an alternative embodiment with three air pumping devices, which can be arranged in the heel area, in the joint area and in the forefoot of the shoe.

A first preferred embodiment of the shoe 1 according to the invention is in the FIGS. 1 to 4 shown. FIG. 1 shows a schematic side view of the inside, FIG. 3 a bottom view and FIG. 4 a rear view of the shoe 1. FIG. 2 shows a separate view of the shoe contained in the shoe, the bellows embracing spring element 9. The shoe 1 comprises a sole construction and a shaft 2, wherein an air pumping device is provided for blowing fresh air into the interior of the shoe 1. The fresh air is in this case preferably sucked from outside the shoe 1, but can also - in an embodiment not shown here - be sucked at a location remote from the sole location on the inside of the shaft 2. The air is preferably blown out through openings in the upper layer or layers of the sole construction, preferably in the region of the forefoot or the toes. The components of the air pumping device, with the exception of the portion of the intake duct adjoining an intake opening 6, are arranged inside the sole construction.

The air pump device in the FIGS. 1, 3 and 4 illustrated shoe 1 comprises a cavity enclosing bellows 4 made of a resilient plastic material which is housed in a heel region 17 of the shoe 1. The cavity enclosed by the plastic wall of the bellows 4 extends essentially over the entire length and over a large part of the width of the heel region 17.

The bellows 4 surrounds a V-shaped spring element 9, which in the embodiment shown here is Y-shaped (see FIG. 2 ). The V-shaped spring element 9 has an upper leg 10 and a lower leg 11, which at a connecting portion 14 with each other and with a Support portion 19 are connected. The position of the V-shaped spring element 9 within the sole construction of the shoe 1 is in FIG. 1 shown. The upper leg 10 of the V-shaped spring element 9 comprises an upper pressure plate 12 arranged above the bellows 4. Above the upper pressure plate 12 is a (in the FIGS. 1 to 4 not shown) insole arranged. Further, over the upper pressure plate and over the entire V-shaped spring element 9 further sole layers may be arranged, for example intermediate layers between the V-shaped spring element 9 and the insole or cover layers over the insole. The lower leg 11 comprises a lower pressure plate 13, which is arranged below the bellows 4 and above an outsole layer 16. In this case, the outsole layer 16 can rest directly on the underside of the V-shaped spring element 9. But it can also be provided that the lower leg 11 of the V-shaped spring element 9 is completely embedded in a midsole layer, on the underside then the outsole layer is applied. In yet another embodiment, the lower leg 11 of the V-shaped spring element 9 may also be completely embedded in the material of an outsole layer 16.

As in particular in FIG. 3 can be seen, the lower pressure plate 13 of the lower leg 11 is divided into three areas, which are each separated by a gap, namely in a central region 33, disposed on the inside of the shoe edge region 24, through the gap 31 of is separated from the middle region 33, and an edge region 25 arranged on the outside of the shoe 1, which is separated from the middle region 33 by the gap 32. The bellows 4 is located substantially between the central region 33 of the lower pressure plate 13 and the upper pressure plate 12. Between the edge region 24 of the lower pressure plate 13 and an overlying edge region of the upper pressure plate 12, a first stabilizer spring element 22 is arranged. Between the edge region 25 of the lower pressure plate 13 and the overlying edge region of the upper pressure plate 12, a second stabilizer spring element 23 is arranged. The Stabilizer spring elements 22 and 23 have on their underside bearing surfaces which are fixed to corresponding bearing surfaces 29 of the edge regions 24 and 25, for example, glued, are. The tops of the stabilizer spring elements 22, 23 are attached to the edge regions of the upper pressure plate 12. On the back of the shoe, the two stabilizer spring elements 22 and 23 are connected by means of a web 26.

As in FIG. 1 can be seen, the stabilizer spring elements 22, 23 V-shaped or U-shaped spring portions 27, the legs of which approximate the vertical compression of the stabilizer spring elements 22, 23. The stabilizer spring elements 22, 23 counteract the compression of a predetermined force that corresponds to their elasticity. The elasticities of the arranged on both sides of the shoe stabilizer spring elements 22, 23 are adjusted so that the stabilizer spring elements 22, 23 are compressed approximately equally when compressed under load of the sole structure by the weight of the wearer of the shoe 1 during a running movement, so that a rotation of the upper pressure plate 12 with respect to the lower pressure plate 13 is counteracted about an axis parallel to the longitudinal direction of the shoe 1 axis. In addition, each of the stabilizer spring elements 22, 23 with the associated lateral edge region 24, 25 of the lower pressure plate 13 and with the corresponding edge regions of the upper pressure plate 12 so torsionally connected that a relative movement of the upper and lower pressure plate suppressed in the lateral direction or at least hindered. The stabilization of the position of the stabilizer spring elements 22, 23 is also the already mentioned back web connection 26. The compression of the stabilizer spring elements under load is closer in FIG. 8C which will be discussed below.

Like that Figures 1 and 2 can be seen, the central region 33 of the lower pressure plate 13 with respect to the edge regions 24 and 25 protrudes downwards. As a result, only the middle region 33 of the lower pressure plate 13 is initially loaded when the heel region 17 is loaded that it is pressed in the direction of the upper pressure plate 12 while the bellows 4 is compressed. If then the middle region has been pushed so far that it is flush with the edge regions 24 and 25, subsequently all three regions 24, 33, 25 are pressed in the direction of the upper pressure plate 12. This is closer in connection with the FIGS. 8A to 8C received.

The V-shaped spring element 9 has a connecting portion 14 which connects the upper leg 10 and the lower leg 11 with each other. The V-shaped spring member 9 is deformed by compressing the pressure plates 13 and 12, which deformation takes place substantially at the connecting portion 14 or in those portions of the legs 10 and 11 located in the vicinity of the connecting portion 14. In this case, the printing plates essentially retain their shape, so that the printing plates 12 and 13 press as completely as possible over the top and bottom of the bellows 4. The pressure plates 12 and 13 should not be deformed in those areas in which they act on the top or bottom of the bellows 4, so that the bellows 4 can not be compressed over its entire horizontal extent. In particular, a selective impressions of the printing plates 12 and 13 should be avoided. The V-shaped spring element 9 additionally has a support portion 19 which serves for supporting and stabilizing the position of the V-shaped spring element 9 within a sole construction, in particular within a soft intermediate layer of the sole construction. As in FIG. 1 can be seen, is the connecting portion 14 in the joint region of the shoe and the support portion 19 extends in the direction of the forefoot portion 20, wherein it ends about 1 cm in front of the ball area 21. By providing the support portion 19, the load of the sole material is reduced by the forces acting from the V-shaped spring member 9, so that the life of the sole construction is prolonged.

The V-shaped spring element 9 is made of a resilient material, for example a resilient plastic material, in particular a thermoplastic elastic plastic material, for example a fiber-reinforced polyamide (for example nylon) or a polyether block amide (for example VESTAMID or PEBAX). In a preferred embodiment, the V-shaped spring element is made of a carbon fiber reinforced composite material. The bladder of the bellows 4 enclosing plastic bladder is made for example of a polypropylene or a polyurethane. The air pump device with bellows, V-shaped spring element 9, air supply device and intake duct is preferably embedded in a soft elastic (compressible) plastic material of an intermediate layer of the sole construction (midsole 38). The outsole layer 16 applied on the underside of the shoe is made of an abrasion-resistant plastic material. The materials of the bellows 4, the V-shaped spring element 9 and the intermediate layer of the sole structure and the outsole layer 16 are coordinated and interconnected so that a detachment of the materials at their interfaces is largely avoided even under heavy continuous load. The distribution of the occurring in particular on the spring element 9 forces serves the above-mentioned support portion 19th

In addition to the bellows 4, the air pump means comprises a suction passage for conveying air from a suction port 6 into the bellows 4 and an air supply means formed in the sole construction for passing air from the bellows 4 into the interior of the shoe 1. These passages are in the FIGS. 1, 3 and 4 not shown. In FIG. 1 only the suction opening 6 can be seen, which is arranged above the sole construction on the shaft 2 of the shoe 1. This increased suction of the inlet 6 relative to the sole serves the purpose of reducing the likelihood of suction of dirt and water from the running surface. In addition, the suction port 6 with an in FIG. 1 indicated grid overlaid, which serves the rejection of dirt particles.

To produce the sole construction with an air pump device, a plastic bladder of the bellows 4 (also called "lung") is first provided, for example, and then inserted between the upper leg 10 and the lower leg 11 of the spring element 9, whereby the stabilizer spring elements are fastened. Subsequently, the entire assembly is overmolded with a soft elastic plastic material (thereby forming a midsole 38), followed by injection molding of further sole components (e.g., outsole layer) and gluing of the shaft to the insole. Alternatively, a prefabricated air pump device composed of bellows, intake duct, air supply device, V-shaped or U-shaped spring element and stabilizer spring elements can also be glued or otherwise connected to a prefabricated midsole or a plurality of prefabricated midsole parts, followed by application of the outsole layer and the shaft can connect with the insole.

The FIGS. 5 and 6 schematically show an alternative embodiment of the essential components of the air pump device, namely a bellows 4 (in FIG. 6 shown separately), an alternative embodiment of the V-shaped spring element 9 'and arranged between the legs of the spring element 9 stabilizer spring elements 22. In this embodiment of the V-shaped spring element 9' of the adjoining the connecting portion 14 'support portion is omitted. The bellows 4 has on its upper side an opening which is part of the intake duct 5, and on its front side a channel which is part of the air supply means 7. FIG. 5 It can be seen that the channel of the air supply means 7 is passed through an opening in the connecting portion 14 'of the V-shaped spring element 9'. Also, the upper pressure plate 12 'of the spring element 9' has a bore through which the intake passage 5 is passed. The between the upper pressure plate 12 'and the central portion 33' of the lower pressure plate 13 'exposed side walls of the bellows 4 have folds 34, the defined specification of the Allow deformation during compression at a low wall thickness of the bellows 4.

Based on FIGS. 7A to 7C the air pumping function of the shoe 1 according to the invention will be explained in more detail. The FIGS. 7A to 7C show schematic longitudinal sectional views along the central axis of a shoe.

FIG. 7A shows the unloaded shoe. The bellows 4, which encloses the cavity 3, is completely expanded. The schematically illustrated inlet one-way valve 35 of the intake passage 5 is closed. Likewise, the blow-off one-way valve 36 of the air supply device 7 shown schematically is also closed. The air supply means 7 extends from the one-way valve 36 closed opening of the bellows 4 through a cavity or channel within the sole intermediate layer 38 to below the openings 37 in the insole 15th

FIG. 7B shows the shoe in a state of loading the heel area, in which the bellows 4 is compressed. Upon compression of the bellows 4, the cavity 3 is compressed, whereby the pressure in the cavity 3 increases. This keeps the inlet one-way valve 35 closed, but opens the one-way blow-off valve 36, whereupon air from the cavity 3 flows through the one-way valve 36 into the channels located in the intermediate layer 38 and further from there through the openings 37 of the insole 15 into the interior 8 within the shaft 2 of the shoe. The air flow is indicated by the dashed arrows. FIG. 7B thus shows the state of the blowing out of the air in the shoe interior 8.

If the heel area is subsequently relieved, the condition according to FIG FIG. 7C. FIG. 7C illustrates the expansion of the bellows 4 due to its own restoring forces, but especially due to the restoring forces caused by the V-shaped spring element 9, ie due to the provision of the upper pressure plate 12 and the lower pressure plate 13 in their original positions. In this case, the cavity 3 of the bellows 4 is increased, resulting in a negative pressure in the cavity 3 results. Due to the negative pressure, the one-way blow-off valve 36 closes the air supply device 7 and opens the inlet one-way valve 35 of the intake passage 5, as shown schematically in FIG FIG. 7C is shown. The suction channel 5 is guided at the back of the shoe between sole construction and shaft 2 upwards and has an in FIG. 7C not shown suction port 6, is sucked through the fresh air from the outside.

During the normal running movements the in Figure 7C and Figure 7B shown states, so that at each step in the air from the cavity 3 of the bellows 4 pumped via the air supply 7 into the interior 8 of the shoe and with each lifting of the foot and relieving the heel area air from the bellows 4 via the intake passage 5 of sucked in outside.

The FIGS. 8A to 8C illustrate three phases of deformation of the air pump device, in particular the V-shaped spring element 9, the bellows 4 and the stabilizer spring elements 22, 23 during a running movement.

Figure 8A first shows the unloaded state in which the bellows 4 has its maximum extent. The bellows 4 is located between the upper pressure plate 12 'of the upper leg 10' and the central region 33 'of the lower pressure plate 13' of the lower leg 11 'of the V-shaped spring element 9'. The middle region 33 'of the lower pressure plate 13' protrudes downwards relative to the edge region 24 'of the lower pressure plate 13'.

After the appearance of the foot of the wearer of the shoe, first, the central portion 33 'of the lower pressure plate 13' is moved upward, wherein the bellows 4 is compressed, which - as with the FIGS. 7A to 7C has been explained - an expulsion of the air from the bellows 4 in the shoe inner space 8 result. After the middle region 33 'has been pressed to the level of the edge region 24', as shown in FIG FIG. 8B is shown, upon further loading of the shoe further pressing the lower pressure plate 13 'against the upper pressure plate 12'. The further deformation compared to the state of FIG. 8B is in FIG. 8C illustrated by the dotted lines 39. In FIG. 8C the subsequent deformation of the stabilizer spring element 22 can be seen.

Based on FIGS. 1 to 8C preferred embodiments of the shoe according to the invention have been described, in which the bellows 4 with the V-shaped spring element 9; 9 'in the heel area 17 of the shoe 1 is located. Alternative embodiments are conceivable in which alternatively or additionally further air pumping devices with respective bellows and V-shaped spring elements can be arranged in the sole. This is based on the schematic representation of FIG. 9 illustrating a sole construction with three air pumping means in the heel area, the hinge area and the forefoot area. FIG. 9 shows a bellows 4a with associated spring element 9a, which encloses a cavity 3a. One-way valves 35a and 36a of the intake duct and the air supply device are also shown schematically. Further shows FIG. 9 a bellows arranged in the hinge region 4b, which surrounds a cavity 3b and is encompassed by a spring element 9b. Finally, a third bellows 4c, which encloses the cavity 3c and is encompassed by a spring element 9c, is shown. In FIG. 9 In addition, the openings 37 are shown in the insole, through which the pressed out of the cavities 3a, 3b and 3c air is passed into the interior of the shoe. Not in FIG. 9 3, the intake ports 5 ending at the intake one-way valves 35a, 35b, and 35c, respectively, and the air supply devices between the one-way blow-off valves 36a, 36b, and 36c and the ports 37 are shown.

Numerous alternative embodiments are conceivable within the scope of the inventive concept. For example, the division of the lower pressure plate 13 of the V- or U-shaped spring element 9 in a force acting on the bellows 4 central region 33 and two acting on the stabilizer spring elements edge regions 24 and 25 also omitted, in which case the stabilizer spring elements 22, 23 may be constructed so as to initially oppose a compression in a first portion of the compression path a relatively small force and this force increases continuously with further compression. The V or U-shaped spring element 9 can have a plurality of different material layers. For others Embodiments, the spring element 9 and the stabilizer spring elements 22 and 23 may also be integrally formed.

Reference numerals of the drawings:

1

shoe

2

shaft

3

cavity

4

bellows

5

intake port

6

suction

7

air supply

8th

inner space

9

V-shaped or U-shaped spring element

10

upper leg of the spring element

11

lower leg of the spring element

12

upper pressure plate

13

lower pressure plate

14

Connecting portion of the spring element

15

insole

16

Outsole layer

17

heel area

18

joint area

19

Support section of the spring element

20

forefoot

21

ball area

22

Stabilizer spring element, inside

23

Stabilizer spring element, outside

24

Edge area of the lower pressure plate, inside

25

Edge area of the lower pressure plate, outside

26

web

27

V-shaped or U-shaped spring section

29

Bearing surfaces of the printing plates

31

Gap of the lower pressure plate, inside

32

Gap of the lower pressure plate, outside

33

middle area of the lower pressure plate

34

Folding the bellows

35

Inlet one-way valve

36

Blow-way valve

38

midsole

39

dashed - starting position according to Fig. 8B

Claims (13)

Shoe (1) with a sole construction and with at least one air pumping device for blowing air into the interior (8) of the shoe (1),
each air pump device a bellows (4) formed in the sole construction and enclosing a cavity (3) made of an elastic plastic material, an intake passage (5) for transporting air from a suction port (6) into the bellows (4) and a formed in the sole construction air supply means (7) for passing air from the bellows (4) in the interior (8) of the shoe having,
wherein each air pumping device comprises a V-shaped or U-shaped spring element (9, 9 ') encompassing the bellows (4), an upper leg (10, 10') of the spring element (9, 9 ') being provided above the bellows (4 ) and an upper leg (11; 11 ') of the spring element (9; 9') under the bellows (4) and above an outsole layer (11). 16) of the sole construction arranged lower pressure plate (13, 13 '), so that the two legs (10, 11, 10', 11 ') connecting connecting portion (14, 14') of the spring element (9, 9 ') in the Sole construction is arranged next to the bellows (4),
wherein each air pumping device is arranged such that during a running movement under load of the sole construction by the weight of the wearer of the shoe (1) the spring element (9; 9 ') is elastically deformed by compressing the pressure plates (12, 13; 12', 13 ') with the deformation taking place substantially at or near the connecting portion (14; 14 ') such that the pressure plates (12, 13; 12', 13 ') above and below the bellows (4) substantially maintain their shape and the between the Compression plates (12, 13, 12 ', 13') arranged bellows (4) is compressed. Shoe according to claim 1 with an air pump device, characterized
in that the bellows (4) of the air pump device is arranged in the heel region (17) of the shoe (1) and the spring element (9; 9 ') extends substantially over the entire surface of the heel region (17), and
in that the connecting section (14, 14 ') is arranged in a joint region (18) of the shoe (1) and / or in an edge region of the heel region (17) adjoining the joint region (18). Shoe according to claim 2, characterized in that on the connecting portion (14) in the direction opposite to the legs (10, 11) opposite direction, a support portion (19) is integrally formed, so that the spring element (9) is Y-shaped, wherein the Support section (19) projects into the joint region (18) of the shoe (1) to a maximum of about 10 mm in front of a ball area (21) in the forefoot (20). Shoe according to claim 2 or 3, characterized in that on both sides next to the bellows (4) at least one stabilizer spring element (22, 23) is arranged, each of the stabilizer spring elements (22, 23) with lateral edge regions (24 , 25) of the upper and lower pressure plate (12, 13, 12 ', 13') is connected such that it can be elastically compressed when compressing the pressure plates (12, 13, 12 ', 13'), wherein the elasticity of arranged on both sides of the shoe stabilizer spring elements (22, 23) is set so that they are compressed approximately equally during compression under load of the sole structure by the weight of the wearer of the shoe (1) during a running movement, so that a rotation of the upper pressure plate (12; 12 ') opposite the lower pressure plate (13; 13 ') is counteracted about an axis parallel to the longitudinal direction of the shoe (1). Shoe according to claim 4, characterized in that each of the stabilizer spring elements (22, 23) is connected torsionally fixed to lateral edge regions (24, 25) of the upper and lower pressure plates (12, 13, 12 ', 13') such that a Relative movement of the upper (12, 12 ') and lower (13, 13') pressure plate in the lateral directions is suppressed or at least obstructed. Shoe according to claim 4 or 5, characterized in that on both sides of the bellows (4) arranged stabilizer spring elements (22, 23) via a at the rear edge of the heel region (17) arranged web (26) are interconnected. Shoe according to one of claims 4 - 6, characterized in that the stabilizer spring elements (22, 23) each comprise at least one V-shaped or U-shaped spring portion (27) which is arranged so that its legs during compression of the Approximate stabilizer spring element (22, 23). Shoe according to one of claims 4 - 7, characterized in that the lateral edge regions of the upper and lower pressure plate (12, 13, 12 ', 13'), with which the stabilizer spring elements (22, 23) are connected, bearing surfaces (29 29 ') for upper and lower ends of the stabilizer spring elements (22, 23) form. Shoe according to claim 8, characterized
in that the edge regions (24, 25; 24 ', 25') arranged on both sides of the lower pressure plate (13; 13 ') are each separated by a gap (31, 32) open to the back of the shoe from the middle region arranged above the bellows (4) (33, 33 ') of the lower pressure plate (13, 13') are separated, so that the form both edge regions (24, 25, 24 ', 25') of the lower pressure plate (13, 13 ') separate spring legs, and
in that the middle region (33; 33 ') of the lower pressure plate (13; 13') protrudes downward, so that the compression of the bearing surfaces (29; 29 ') and thus of the stabilizer spring elements (22, 23) only begins after the central region (33; 33 ') of the lower pressure plate (13; 13') and the upper pressure plate (12; 12 ') have already been compressed by a predetermined path. Shoe according to one of claims 4 - 9, characterized in that the stabilizer-spring elements (22, 23) are removably attached or exchangeable. Shoe according to one of claims 4 - 10, characterized in that the stabilizer spring elements (22, 23) have a device for adjusting the spring force. Shoe according to one of claims 2 to 11, characterized in that folds (34) are formed in the side walls of the bellows (4) on the open sides of the spring element (9; 9 '). Shoe according to one of claims 1-12, characterized in that the suction channel (5) for transporting air from the suction port (6) into the bellows (4) has a minimum cross-sectional area of 3 mm ² , for shoe sizes from about 25 cm in length a minimum cross-sectional area of 4 mm ² , has.

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