GB2405780A - Ventilated footwear - Google Patents

Abstract

A ventilation system for footwear containing a self inflating air containment unit 3 with an inlet valve 4 and outlet valve 5, so that when the wearer walks in the footwear, the air containment unit is compressed and air is pumped into the shoe thereby ventilating the footwear. When the footwear contacts the ground, the air containment unit 3 is compressed and air is forced through the outlet valve 5 to the required parts of the footwear via air veins/ducts 7. When the footwear is lifted off the ground, the air chamber is inflated via an inlet valve 4. Preferably the air containment unit is self inflating/collapsible by either sponge type material, posts or memorable material with one or more units located at the pressure points of the wearer's foot such as the heel and ball of foot. The ventilation system may be contained in an individual inlay eg. insole that is inserted into existing footwear or incorporated into the footwear as a single entity.

Description

/d 2405780

ACTIVE AIR

This invention relates to footwear of the type that includes a sole.

Trainers are well known where the heal of the footwear comprises a form of sealed airbag as a primary function of cushioning. Alternatively inlay soles are available to insert into trainers and footwear alike to provide additional comfort and cushioning.

Although comfortable and suitably cushioned, however neither provides a secondary purpose to the wearer.

An objective of this invention is to provide the wearer with accumulative functions such as ventilation to the foot.

Accordingly, this invention provides a sole section of footwear whether constructed as an integrate part of the foot ware or in whole as an individual inlay sole comprising an air bag, veins thereof, inlet and outlet valve thereof. The airbag is suitably contained at pressure points of the active foot, the veins aperture supplied to the required sections of the foot.

A specific embodiment of the invention will now be described by way of example with reference to the accompanying drawing in which: Figure 1 shows in perspective, the sole in its individuality Figure 2 illustrates the sole on a lateral plain Figure 3 shows the air pocket in its inflated condition Figure 4 shows the air pocket in its deflating condition Referring to the drawing, the sole 6 comprises of an expanding / collapsible air containment unit 3 that self inflates under no pressure via an inlet valve 2 positioned at a suitable location, possibly inside or outside the footwear by use of an air vein 7. As example air containment expansion / collapse by means of sponge type material, posts, memorable material or similar means.

When the footwear contacts with ground or other surfaces, pressure concentrates on the air containment unit 3. Air is forced through an outlet valve 5, this connects to air veins that branch the pressured air supply, bellowing air to required parts of the footwear 1. The air containment unit is then inflated to its relaxed state by inlet valve 4. :

This inverition is possible by incorporating the system into a trainer, shoe or footwear or as a stand alone inlay sole that is inserted into the footwear.

Claims (4)

1 A footwear sole containing a self inflating air containment unit with an inlet and an outlet air valve.

2 The sole can be an individual inlay section as in claim 1 wherein the section is inserted into available footwear.

3 The sole can be an integrate section of the footwear as in claim 1.

4 A footwear sole as in claim 1 or claim 2 or claim 3, wherein air ways are provided by means of veins or ducts.

A sole substantially as herein described and illustrated in the accompanying drawings.