GB2193080A

GB2193080A - Ventilated footwear

Info

Publication number: GB2193080A
Application number: GB08612992A
Authority: GB
Inventors: Anthony Hemmings
Original assignee: Individual
Current assignee: Individual
Priority date: 1986-05-29
Filing date: 1986-05-29
Publication date: 1988-02-03
Also published as: GB8612992D0

Abstract

A positively ventilated form of footwear incorporates inlet and outlet valves and an air reservoir. Air is admitted into the reservoir 3 through inlet valves 1 which are situated on the side of the footwear or the heel, and expelled from the reservoir 3 through outlet valves 2. As the foot is pressed down air is expelled forcing away stale air within the toe area and as the foot is lifted valves 2 close and vacuum inside reservoir 3 draws air in through valves 1. <IMAGE>

Description

SPECIFICATION Improvement of foot health and comfort in all types of footwear The present invention relates to any kind of footwear, but is particularly efficient in sports footwear, loosely termed "trainers".

Hereafter, the term footwear shall encompass any type of foot covering.

Previously, the ventilation of footwear has been limited to the inclusion of small holes in the side of footwear, or channels with perforations through to the underside of the foot.

While this does allow the ingress of air, there is no positive throughput of air. Thus the foot is not subject to an airchange on a regular basis, since the designs available are nonfunctional.

The non-circulation of air in all footwear, but particularly in sports footwear, is a main contributing factor to the causing of "Athletes Foot" (Tinea Pedis). The stale and humid atmosphere within the footwear produced through heat and sweat through activity, is more pronounced in sports footwear, and this generates the the ideal situation for the growth of fungal spores, which develop into Athletes Foot.

Statistics show a high incidence of Athletes Foot among the population, as high as seventy five percent. Whiie there are many ways of treating it once it has occurred, this method will show an effective way of prevention.

This present invention seeks to provide a means of reducing fungal infections and odours, while offering greater foot comfort, by causing frequent and positive air changes within the footwear.

Principle:- The shaded area shown on Diagram (A) is an air reservoir or reservoirs. This could be divided by supports, as the manufacturing requirement dictates, to give rigidity.

As the foot is pushed downwards, the air inside the reservoir is pumped through the valves (2) forcing stale air within the toe area away.

As the foot is lifted, the valves that let air into the toe area will close, and the vacuum formed will allow fresh air from the outside to be drawn in through the inlet valves (1) shown situated on the side of the footwear, or on the heel, into the reservoir.

The amount of inlet valves, and their situations are flexible, inasmuch as they will suit the manufacturers requirements as to volume of air required to be pumped through. For example, a sports footwear application will need more air volume to be moved through than a piece of footwear with a more sedate use.

Diagram (B) shows a suggested layout from a plan view, with again, the shaded area showing the air reservoir.

There are many types of valves available.

Two simple ones are shown in Diagram (B).

These may be inserted after manufacture or integrally moulded during the manufacturing process.

Although the valves in Diagram (B) are shown as inlet and outlet, the designs are such that their roles may be reversed, since their principle would achieve the same results.

It would be reccomended that the valves(2) be situated at the base of the toes, since this is the area where Athletes Foot would form.

In both diagrams, the reservoir is also described as a pump, since the foot action turns the reservoir into a pump.

1. A positive action ventilating system for all forms of footwear 2. A self filling air reservoir controlled by simple flap valves incorporated within the footwear structure 3. Medical benefit through the ventilation and cushioning derived from this system.

**WARNING** end of DESC field may overlap start of CLMS **.

Claims

**WARNING** start of CLMS field may overlap end of DESC **. SPECIFICATION Improvement of foot health and comfort in all types of footwear The present invention relates to any kind of footwear, but is particularly efficient in sports footwear, loosely termed "trainers". Hereafter, the term footwear shall encompass any type of foot covering. Previously, the ventilation of footwear has been limited to the inclusion of small holes in the side of footwear, or channels with perforations through to the underside of the foot. While this does allow the ingress of air, there is no positive throughput of air. Thus the foot is not subject to an airchange on a regular basis, since the designs available are nonfunctional. The non-circulation of air in all footwear, but particularly in sports footwear, is a main contributing factor to the causing of "Athletes Foot" (Tinea Pedis). The stale and humid atmosphere within the footwear produced through heat and sweat through activity, is more pronounced in sports footwear, and this generates the the ideal situation for the growth of fungal spores, which develop into Athletes Foot. Statistics show a high incidence of Athletes Foot among the population, as high as seventy five percent. Whiie there are many ways of treating it once it has occurred, this method will show an effective way of prevention. This present invention seeks to provide a means of reducing fungal infections and odours, while offering greater foot comfort, by causing frequent and positive air changes within the footwear. Principle:- The shaded area shown on Diagram (A) is an air reservoir or reservoirs. This could be divided by supports, as the manufacturing requirement dictates, to give rigidity. As the foot is pushed downwards, the air inside the reservoir is pumped through the valves (2) forcing stale air within the toe area away. As the foot is lifted, the valves that let air into the toe area will close, and the vacuum formed will allow fresh air from the outside to be drawn in through the inlet valves (1) shown situated on the side of the footwear, or on the heel, into the reservoir. The amount of inlet valves, and their situations are flexible, inasmuch as they will suit the manufacturers requirements as to volume of air required to be pumped through. For example, a sports footwear application will need more air volume to be moved through than a piece of footwear with a more sedate use. Diagram (B) shows a suggested layout from a plan view, with again, the shaded area showing the air reservoir. There are many types of valves available. Two simple ones are shown in Diagram (B). These may be inserted after manufacture or integrally moulded during the manufacturing process. Although the valves in Diagram (B) are shown as inlet and outlet, the designs are such that their roles may be reversed, since their principle would achieve the same results. It would be reccomended that the valves(2) be situated at the base of the toes, since this is the area where Athletes Foot would form. In both diagrams, the reservoir is also described as a pump, since the foot action turns the reservoir into a pump. CLAIMS

1. A positive action ventilating system for all forms of footwear

2. A self filling air reservoir controlled by simple flap valves incorporated within the footwear structure

3. Medical benefit through the ventilation and cushioning derived from this system.