FI117315B - Ventilated footwear or insole - Google Patents

Description

117315

VENTILATED FOOTWEAR OR FOOT FIELD OF THE INVENTION

The invention relates to a ventilated footwear or sole as defined in the preamble of claim 1.

BACKGROUND OF THE INVENTION

A number of technical implementations have long been known for ventilating various types of footwear to lower the temperature of the foot and to remove the perspiration and moisture it produces. Typical solutions include, for example, different combinations of pump members and airflow prevention valves, whereby the pump member transfers fresh air from the back or outside of the footwear to the front of the footwear. However, due to their complex structure, such devices are laborious and expensive to manufacture and thus not suitable for mass production of cost-critical consumer products. Valves, in particular, incur additional costs and are also susceptible to breakage and • 1 1 ···· boiling over time, after which ventilation is no longer effective. Simpler winding structures without real pumps and valves have also been proposed.

M1 • GB997950 describes, for example, t1 · i .1 · 1. a footwear-based solution consisting of two spaced apart ones. a leaky layer with a uniform air gap 30 between them. The action is based on the collapse of the air gap • · * ·· ** caused by the weight of the foot, which forces the air to move in the air gap. The upper layer has holes in the base of the heel for the air intake and outflow. In addition, the structure includes a stop member between the base and the toe member to prevent airflow m t m · 1. There are a number of 117315 2 problems with the practical operation of the structure. The wide air gap of the standard height shown is difficult to implement so that it compresses under the weight of the foot tightly to its edges, so that part of the air gap volume is easily missed.

5 In addition, if the air gap closes along its entire width, the air flow can also be directed backwards, significantly reducing the efficiency of the ventilation. The solutions disclosed in the publication for preventing backflow, however, require additional structures to be made more complex. A particular disadvantage of the solution proposed is that air intake cannot be carried out directly from the outside of the footwear, which would be necessary, in particular for high-heeled boots, to ensure effective ventilation.

Another solution is disclosed in US5010661. The pump member acts as a cavity in the heel of the shoe or sole, arranged in an elastic material, the curved upper part of which under the weight of the foot bends downwardly, partially compressing the cavity, whereby air from the cavity protrudes into a separate air channel. In the solution shown, air is drawn from behind the cavity of the pump member via a separate air inlet ···:. As the foot presses against the upper surface of the air inlet duct, the air inlet duct closes the vertical wall of the rear of the structure, preventing air flow to the rear. There are significant shortcomings in the solution. The efficiency of • pumping air relative to cavity size remains poor in the structure of the publication, · because the cavity of the pump member shown is shaped such that it does not sink. 3 0 stacked all the way to the edges. The solution is also • 1 sensitive to complete closure of the air intake duct.

j 1 *; 1 'Partially open channel will cause pump member * · «1" ^ to collapse without leaking air intake channel:: 1 ·; backwards. Space required by pump member cavity. 35 will inevitably make the structure large. / 3 117315. The large space required by the cavity, also in the horizontal direction, also makes it impossible to fit the same footwear, especially in hard on the substrate and while running 5, additional damping elements such as air cushions are relatively uncomfortable for the wearer, especially when running. These factors significantly reduce the ventilation performance.

US2725646 and US1696457 disclose ventilation structures based on air ducts that are partially compressed under foot weight, forcing air to move in the duct. However, the efficacy of the solutions presented is modest, since the air can also flow backwards due to the incomplete compression of the duct.

US 1852883 discloses a ventilation structure for footwear, in which the air-transporting channels consist of grooves arranged in the lower foot and the protrusions arranged in the grooves in the upper foot. When walking down the heel, the pressure on the heel of the upper step • e "s causes the projections to sink to the bottom of the grooves, squeezing • the back of the air structure towards the front -» * · · «** ·; that depending on the mass of the footwear user and the style of walking, channels may not always close completely.

• · · * /. * Partially open ducts significantly reduce ventilation * · efficiency.

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PURPOSE OF THE INVENTION

····· 35 It is an object of the invention to eliminate the above-V. the disadvantages mentioned.

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In particular, it is an object of the present invention to provide a ventilated footwear or insole having a very simple, low elimination, easy-to-implement, low-cost effective wind-up structure that is very versatile for a wide variety of footwear and insoles.

SUMMARY OF THE INVENTION

The ventilated footwear 10 or insole of the invention is characterized in what is set forth in claim 1.

The ventilated footwear or insole of the invention has a continuous and uniform air duct extending from the toe portion of the sole or insole to the outside of the footwear or to the outside of the footwear, and from the front end to the inside or upper surface of the footwear. According to the invention, the air duct is a substantially constant cross-section duct formed by an elastic support structure. Substantially standard cross-section means that there is nothing distinct about the duct like typical prior art solutions. expansion or cavity acting as a pump member. Steps · As the movement progresses, the air channel in the bottom of the footwear or in the insole * * ... ··· * under the foot closes in a step-by-step manner ♦ · · ί.ί: substantially throughout the entire journey. More specifically, when the heel of the footwear strikes, typically when first striking the ground, the duct initially closes at the rear-30 below the heel. Next, as the footwear descends to the ground for substantially the entire length of its sole *> »and as the center of gravity of the foot moves forward, the canal will continue to close, pushing air forward * toward the front of the air channel and finally to the front. 35 through toe toe. At the end of the move · ***. with the weight of the foot resting on the pads and toes and «* the back of the foot being released from the ground, the duct 5 closes to its front end and the rest of the air flows from the duct opening into the footwear. At the same time, the rear end of the resilient air duct opens, forcing replacement air to flow into the duct from the outside of the foot or insole through the opening of the rear air duct. Thus, a pumping mechanism based on air channel duct closure and propagation of the closure point along the duct is known e.g. hose pumps commonly used in the food, pharmaceutical and process industries. Solution 10 also works in the other direction, for example when walking backwards, transferring air from the front of the footwear along the air passage to the outside of the footwear. There may be several air ducts in the same footwear or insole. The footwear or insole ventilated in accordance with the invention further comprises, under the weight of the foot, undergoing horizontal deformation by closing the air channel closure member. The closure member ensures that the duct, regardless of the mass of the footwear or insole wearer and the walking style, is sealed to prevent air flow backwards through the duct. The vertical deformation barrier does not require more space in height than air ducts, which is a significant advantage, especially in the case of insoles of limited thickness. The closure member is preferably located at the base of the aftertube ***** or insole, which closes the channel *** sufficiently early at the start of the stroke •; * ·, ensuring the best possible ventilation efficiency. . den.

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Footwear footwear or footwear. . The upper surface of the insole is preferably shaped to conform to the curved shape of the foot • · * *** / sole. Such an ♦ · ** ·· * arrangement can distribute the weight of the foot unevenly on the footwear or sole due to the uneven shape of the sole so that the air channel is properly closed / closed at each step of the step movement.

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In one embodiment of the invention, the air channel is preferably formed by two resilient strips of material interconnected on the sides of the air channel, which are vertically spaced apart at the air channel and which are complementary in cross-section. Such are pressed against each other under the weight of the foot, closely sealing the air duct, whereby the air moves from the point of closure in the duct forward. The air channel forming material 10 is preferably cellular rubber or the like.

In another embodiment of the invention, the air channel is a hose of elastic material. The cross-section of the hose may be, for example, circular or elliptical. Even a hose of circular cross-section closes tightly when the elasticity of the material relative to the weight caused by the foot is appropriate. Such a ventilation structure, for example based on a conventional rubber hose, is particularly simple from the manufacturing point of view. For example, an elastic insole 20 having a hole in the toe end and a groove on the underside of the hose for holding the hose is sufficient.

., * · * In one embodiment of the invention, there is further provided a cushioning member for reducing the impact of the impact of a foot impacting the foot. Specially .···. Running Sports Shoes This Liri ·. weather footwear comfort. The air duct according to the invention provides a space-saving air duct of the desired shape, size and power of the same footwear or sole.

In one embodiment of the invention, the damping member is an air cushion structure made of a resilient material. In another embodiment of the invention, it is a solid female structure of elastic material.

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In a solution according to the invention, the damping member and the air duct are arranged and disposed so that the damping member together with the surrounding footwear sole or insole also forms under the weight of the foot by deforming the air duct closure closure member.

In one embodiment of the invention, the air duct opens into the outside air space of the footwear through an air intake duct 10 extending substantially to the upper edge of the footwear shoe. This prevents groundwater and other contaminants from entering the air duct. The solution is particularly useful in high-heeled rubber leather boots or other boots, generally used in wet or snowy conditions, 15 but also equally suitable for lower shoes.

In one embodiment of the invention, a terminal member is provided for opening the rear end of the air duct to connect an external ventilation device to the ventilation structure for blowing air into the air duct. Thus, the footwear having a ventilation structure according to the invention can be easily dried between applications * * * by blowing warm air through the air duct.

As described above, the invention provides numerous advantages over prior art solutions. No separate pumps are required for ventilated footwear or soles. Adequate ventilation is achieved with only a small amount of space in demanding air ducts because the invention utilizes ducts substantially throughout its length for pumping air.

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* in accordance with the hose pump principle. Because the air duct ···: (t ,: is secured by a closure member, ventilation efficiency is not significantly dependent on the mass or walking style of the 3 5 users. The ventilation structure ... can be implemented in the sole of the shoe, the insole * or * The invention is suitable for use in a wide variety of footwear, and the material, shape, size and quantity of the air ducts can be selected to suit the particular needs. The invention is very advantageous to manufacture, which makes it usable also for consumer products with low additional cost. is comfortable because it does not include 10 pump cavities loosely piled under the foot, and a low-volume ventilation design allows for the addition of separate damping elements to the same footwear. The air intake may be provided at the height of the upper part of the footwear sole, thereby significantly reducing the chances of air passages clogging. The air duct can also be connected to an external air duct blower to effectively dry the footwear.

2 0 LIST OF PHOTOS

In the following, the invention will be explained in detail by way of example embodiments with reference to the accompanying drawings, in which: ·· ** Figure 1 is a cross-sectional view of an embodiment of the invention;

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3a, 3b and 3c illustrate the principle of operation of the invention in three cross sections of footwear at different stages of the step, · »V 9. j, Fig. 4 is a sectional view of an embodiment of the invention, 1 Figs. 5a and 5b are cross-sectional views »1 ·. · 35 illustrates the structure and function thereof, 2: ·: • · 9 117315 Fig. 6a and Fig. 6b are cross-sectional views of a combined attenuation and closure member of one embodiment of the invention and its operation, and Fig. 7 is a schematic cross-sectional view of the ventilated long boots of the present invention.

DETAILED DESCRIPTION OF THE INVENTION

Figure 1 is a sectional view of a vented foot-10 shoe 1. It comprises a shoe upper part 2, a sole part 3 and an elastic material insole 4. The sole has an elastic air duct 5. The air duct extends uniformly from the heel part 6 to the toe part 7. from the back to the outside airspace of the footwear and from the front to the inside of the footwear. It would also be possible for the air channel to open into the outside air space of the footwear at the height of the upper edge of its shoe, as indicated by the dotted line in the figure. Figure 20 shows a situation in which the footwear is not subjected to weight. In this case, the elastic air duct is open for the whole • J. Kaitaa. The air duct is made so that the weight

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• below it closes tight, forcing air to move * ··· * / **. in the air duct from the point of closure.

The air channel 5 shown in Fig. 2 is formed by:, * ·· two strips 8 of elastic material facing each other which are vertically spaced apart by the air channel. On the sides of the air channel, the strips join together tightly; 30 ti. The cross-sections of the strips are complementary to each other. The function of the structure is based on the fact that, under the weight of the foot, the strips are · · accurately pressed against each other to close the air duct, ie. The material of the strips may be, for example, cellular rubber.

Γ · * ϊ Figures 3a, 3b, and 3c show the operation of a ventilated footwear. Fig. 3a shows the initial situation of the step movement 117315, in which the footwear has just hit the ground with the heel part forward. The weight of the foot 9 is applied to the footwear and the insole therein mainly through the heel 10, whereby the elastic air channel 5 closes at its rear under the heel. As the step moves, the sole 3 of the footwear descends to the ground for an ever longer distance as shown in Figure 3b. Also, the center of gravity of the foot and at the same time the air channel closure 11 moves forward, forcing air to flow forward toward the front of the air channel 10 and its opening 12. At the end of the step. The air channel closing point 11 has moved below the pad. Thus, as the stepping motion proceeds, the air channel duct closure has extended substantially from below the heel to the toe portion of the footwear, while pushing air forward through the opening 12 of the air duct front end into the footwear. As the weight of the foot and the accompanying air channel 20 closure point move forward, the resilient air channel will open again from the rear. This forces new air to flow from the outside of the footwear into the duct through the opening 14 at the back of its foot. The same steps are repeated \! · Again for the next step. This is how the air pump «*: **! In accordance with the principle of the hose pump, it is imprinted from the outside of the footwear to the inside of the footwear without any • separate pump elements.

1 · Φ ** ··. The application shown in Fig. 4 includes a • 1 · 1 · 1 foot of footwear fit 15. The insole is provided with two air channels extending from the back to the toe of the bottom • * / 1 The heel of each insole has air channel bend and narrowing. At bends, the air channels are ·; ··: shaped such that the part of the insole 3 5 between them forms a horizontal shape under the weight of the foot * *. By changing the ducts, the closing duct 16 closes the air duct 1117515 to ensure that, at the beginning of the step movement, the air duct 1117515 immediately closes properly under the heel and the air moves in the duct forward.

Figures 5a and 5b are a cross-sectional view of the bottom 15 of Figure 4 at the closure member 16. In Fig. 5a, the sole of elastic material is in a dormant state, i.e. not subject to foot weight. The open air ducts 5 are disposed on the sides of the closing member 16. When the foot presses the insole, the closure member and the entire insole are pressed vertically, spreading the Salo rack horizontally as shown in Figure 5b. The shape of the air ducts is such that, as a result of the horizontal spreading of the closing member, the edges of the ducts are tightly pressed against each other, closing the air ducts 5. The material of the bottom linkage may be, for example, cell-15.

The combined damping and closing member of Figures 6a and 6b comprises an insole 15 of resilient material, a damping member 17 which is a rigid air cushion and air ducts 5 between the bottom and damping member 20. The insole is flanked by an air cushion. When the insole is hit by the weight of the foot, the insole presses against the sides of the airbag in Figure 6b • ί! βΜ „, in such a way that j time extends into contact with · · · · · · · · · · · · · · · · · · · · · · · · · · As it collapses, the base * * · e ··· * spreads out horizontally, pushing only: against the deformable damping member so that the air ducts close.

The long-vented boot IB of Figure 7

: * * · 30 shows a cross section of the boot design 19 ** <«air passage 5. The air passage is formed by a hose 20 m, the rear end of which extends inside the boom with its handle • * ·“ * substantially open to the open air. at the top.

·; ·· $ 35 This arrangement prevents surface water and other impurities from entering the air channel. The solution is • »* particularly useful in wet boots or in winter snow boots for use on wet surfaces. Depending on the ventilation requirement, the air ducts shown in the picture may be provided in more than one footwear. The figure further shows a connector member 22 arranged at the end of the hose 5, by means of which a separate ventilation device can be connected to the air channel for blowing air through the air channel into the boot. This way the boot can be effectively dried between uses.

The invention is not limited solely to the above exemplary embodiments, but many modifications are possible within the scope of the inventive idea defined by the claims.

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Claims (9)

117315 1. Ventilated footwear (1) or insole (4) having a continuous and uniform protrusion from the sole (3) or the toe of the insole to the outside of the footwear or to the outside of the footwear and having an elastic support structure opening from its front end to the footwear or upper surface of the footwear. substantially constant cross-section, with the step movement under the weight of the foot (9) substantially stepwise throughout the entire distance, sealing the air channel (5) to transfer air according to the hose pump principle from the outside of the foot (1) or insole (4) to the foot or characterized in that, under the weight of the foot (9), the footwear or insole is horizontally deformed by changing the closing means (16) closing the air channel (5). Ventilated footwear (1) or insole (4) according to Claim 1, characterized in that the air duct (5) forms two elastic material strips of complementary cross-section which are vertically spaced on the sides of the air duct. (8). Ventilated footwear (1) or insole (4) according to claim 1, characterized in that the air channel is formed by a hose (20) of elastic material. A process according to any one of the preceding claims. 30-foot ventilated footwear (1) or insole (4), ···. characterized in that the footwear or insole] · 'includes a damping member (17) * * · * that hits the ground of the footwear. *: To reduce the impact on the foot. The ventilated IV of claim 4. 35 footwear (1) or insole (4), characterized by:. that the damping member (17) is an air-cushion structure of elastic material * · * * * 117315 or a closed structure of elastic material. Ventilated footwear (1) or insole (4) according to claims 4 to 5, characterized in that the cushioning element (17) and the air channel (5) are arranged and arranged so that the cushioning element together with the surrounding footwear part (3) or insole (4) also forms an air channel (5) with a closing member (16). Ventilated footwear (1) or insole (4) according to any one of the preceding claims, characterized in that the air channel (5) opens into the outside air space of the foot to substantially prevent the entry of water and other impurities into the air channel. Ventilated footwear (1) or insole (4) according to any one of the preceding claims, characterized in that at the rear opening of the air channel (5) a connector element (22) is provided for connecting an external ventilation device to the ventilation structure for blowing air into the air channel. · »·» M »• 9 4 9 4 9 9 999 * * 9 M * • 9 • 9 999 • 9 9 9 9 9 9 9 · «· 9 999 9 9 • 9 999 • 9 9 9 9 4 4 # 94 · *» • 9 • 9 • M • • 9 9 4 9 • 4 · 9 9 99 »9 9 9 9 9 9 9 9 99 9 9 9 9 9 9 9 9 999 9 9 9 9 9 9 9 117315