US20040093760A1

US20040093760A1 - Air-permeable waterproof device shoe

Info

Publication number: US20040093760A1
Application number: US10/294,603
Authority: US
Inventors: Wei-Jei Tuan
Original assignee: Individual
Current assignee: Individual
Priority date: 2002-11-15
Filing date: 2002-11-15
Publication date: 2004-05-20

Abstract

An air-permeable waterproof device for a shoe has a shoe sole and non-return pieces. Air outlets are disposed at the bottom of the shoe sole, and air vent holes are disposed at the top thereof. Receiving rooms are disposed in the shoe sole and located between the air outlets and air vent holes to connect them together. Bumps are disposed on inner surfaces at the air outlet side of the receiving rooms. The non-return pieces are disposed in the receiving rooms. Foot heat and moisture in a shoe are discharged out from the air vent holes through the air outlets. Exterior water is blocked by the non-return pieces and cannot permeate the shoe through the air vent holes. A filter net is disposed at the shoe sole to prevent the air outlets from being blocked. Moreover, the filter net is skidproof and can absorb moisture in the shoe.

Description

FIELD OF THE INVENTION

The present invention relates to an air-permeable waterproof device and, more particularly, to a device which can let air flow in a shoe, can prevent water from entering, can absorb moisture in the shoe, and is also skidproof.

BACKGROUND OF THE INVENTION

Most people wear shoes at almost all times, except during sleep, in their everyday lives. Activities such as walking, running, jumping, working, or resting usually entail shoes. However, because the feet, like other parts of the human body, are covered with skin, bad odors and germs caused by heat and moisture of the feet will arise if they are enclosed in shoes for a long time due to lack of interflow of moisture with the exterior and difficult radiation of heat, causing the soles of feet to be damp and thus easily infected. It is necessary for the soles of feet to contact natural air so as to remain comfortable and healthy. Therefore, since the feet must be sheathed by shoes, it is necessary to cause an interflow of air in the shoe with exterior air in the design of shoes.

FIG. 1 shows a conventional air-permeable device for a shoe. The shoe 1 a comprises a shoe sole 2 a and a shoe vamp 3 a. The shoe sole 2 a has an outer sole 20 a, whereupon a middle sole 21 a is disposed. A lining 22 a is disposed on the middle sole 21 a. The bottom edge of the shoe vamp 3 a is connected with the shoe sole 2 a. The outer sole 20 a, the middle sole 21 a, and the lining 22 a have connected sole air-permeable holes 23 a and lining air holes 24 a. The shoe vamp 3 a has vamp air-permeable holes 30 a. All these holes are used for interflow of air in the shoe 1 a with exterior air.

In the above conventional air-permeable device for a shoe, all the sole air-permeable holes and the vamp air-permeable holes penetrate through the inside of the shoe so that heat and moisture generated by the foot sole enclosed in the shoe can be discharged to the outside. Therefore, air in the shoe can interflow with exterior air to avoid foot diseases because fewer germs can breed in the lining. However, because the sole air-permeable holes and the vamp air-permeable holes directly penetrate through the inside of the shoe, and air in the shoe can be discharged out and exterior air can naturally flow into the shoe, water will also permeate the shoe from the sole air-permeable holes and the vamp air-permeable holes when one walks on wet ground, dampening the lining and resulting in more dampness and worse foot odor. The lining instead becomes a breeding ground of germs. Because the foot stays in a damp and cold environment, discomfort of the foot arises, and related diseases are easily caused. Moreover, the lifetime of use of the shoe is shortened. Because the shoe sole directly contacts the ground, the sole air-vent holes are easily blocked by objects like stones on the ground, causing a lossof functionality of the air-permeable device.

Accordingly, the conventional air-permeable device for a shoe has inconveniences and drawbacks in practical use. The present invention aims to resolve the problems in the prior art.

SUMMARY OF THE INVENTION

The primary object of the present invention is to provide an air-permeable waterproof device for a shoe, which device can discharge air in a shoe out to keep the foot sole cool and thus avoid breeding of germs.

Another object of the present invention is to provide an air-permeable waterproof device for a shoe, whereby exterior water cannot enter into a shoe therethrough, hence keeping the foot sole dry and avoiding foot diseases.

Another object of the present invention is to provide an air-permeable waterproof device for a shoe, whereby the lining of a shoe can ventilate and will not become dampen, hence keeping the foot comfortable and also lengthening the lifetime of use of the shoe.

Another object of the present invention is to provide an air-permeable waterproof device for a shoe, whereby the air-permeable waterproof function is not affected by objects like stones on the ground.

Another object of the present invention is to provide an air-permeable waterproof device for a shoe to make a shoe sole skidproof and capable of absorbing moisture in a shoe.

To achieve the above objects, the present invention provides an air-permeable waterproof device for a shoe, which comprises a shoe sole, a plurality of non-return pieces, and a filter net. Air outlets are disposed at the bottom of the shoe sole, and air vent holes are disposed at the top thereof. Receiving rooms are disposed in the shoe sole and located between the air outlets and the air vent holes to connect them together. Bumps are disposed on the inner surfaces at the air outlet side of the receiving rooms. The non-return pieces are disposed in the receiving rooms in the shoe sole. The filter net is disposed at the bottom side of the shoe sole.

BRIEF DESCRIPTION OF THE DRAWINGS

The various objects and advantages of the present invention will be more readily understood from the following detailed description when read in conjunction with the appended drawing, in which: [0012]
FIG. 1 is planar view of a conventional air-permeable device for a shoe; [0013]
FIG. 2 is a planar view of the present invention; [0014]
FIG. 2A is an enlarged view of part A in FIG. 2; [0015]
FIG. 3 is a cross-sectional view of the present invention; [0016]
FIG. 4 is a bottom view of the present invention; [0017]
FIG. 5 is a diagram showing flow of fluid in the present invention; [0018]
FIG. 6 is a diagram showing a situation where flow of fluid is blocked in the present invention; and [0019]
FIG. 7 is an exploded perspective view of another embodiment of the present invention.[0020]

DETAILED DESCRIPTION OF THE PREFERRED EMBODIMENTS

As shown in FIGS. [0021] 2 to 4, an air-permeable waterproof device of the present invention comprises a shoe sole 2 and a plurality of non return pieces 4.
An [0022] outer sole 20 is disposed at the bottom of the shoe sole 2. Air outlets 21 are disposed at the outer sole 20. Outer sole receiving grooves 22 with enlarged hole faces are disposed at the top of the air outlets 21. A middle sole 23 is disposed at the top of the shoe sole 2. The middle sole 23 has air vent holes 24 corresponding to the air outlets 21 of the outer sole 20. The middle sole 23 and the outer sole 20 are joined together to let the outer sole receiving grooves 22 form receiving rooms 25 in the shoe sole 2. The receiving rooms 25 are located between the air outlets 21 and the air vent holes 24 to connect them together. Bumps 27 are disposed on inner surfaces 26 at the air outlet side of the receiving rooms 25. A lining 28 is disposed on the middle sole 23. The lining 28 has lining air holes 29 corresponding to the air vent holes 24 of the middle sole 23. A filter net 5 made of any air-permeable fiber cloth like non-woven cloth, cotton cloth, or air-permeable nylon cloth is disposed at the bottom side of the outer sole 20 of the shoe sole 2. The filter net 5 is stuck onto the range of the air outlets 21, and is integrally formed with the shoe sole 2.
The [0023] non-return pieces 4 are disposed in the receiving rooms 25 in the shoe sole 2.
As shown in FIG. 5, the [0024] non-return pieces 5 can move in the receiving rooms 25. When air enters into the receiving rooms 25 via the air vent holes 24 to push the non-return pieces 4, the non-return pieces 4 are shored up by the bumps 27 on the inner surfaces 26 at the air outlet side of the receiving rooms 25 to keep passable gaps 30. The non-return pieces 4 thus do not contact the inner surfaces 26 at the air outlet side of the receiving rooms 25, and the air outlets 21 of the outer sole 20 of the shoe sole 2 are not blocked by the non-return pieces 4. Therefore, air can be discharged out of the receiving rooms 25 through the air outlets 21 from the passable gaps 30 between the non-return pieces 4 and the inner surfaces 26 at the air outlet side of the receiving rooms 25.
As shown in FIG. 6, when fluid enters into the [0025] receiving rooms 25 via the air outlets 21 to push the non-return pieces 4, the non-return pieces 4 are pushed by the fluid to contact inner surfaces 31 at the air vent hole side of the receiving rooms 25. The air vent holes 24 of the middle sole 23 of the shoe sole 2 are blocked by the non-return pieces 4 so that fluid cannot flow out of the receiving rooms 25 from the air vent holes 24 into the shoe 1.
Heat and moisture of foot residues in the [0026] shoe 1 are discharged out of the shoe 1 from the air vent holes 24 of the shoe sole 2 through the air outlets 21 so that ventilation can be accomplished in the shoe 1. When one walks on a wet ground, water is blocked by the non-return pieces 4 and does permeate the shoe 1 through the air vent holes 24 to dampen the lining 28. Therefore, the inside of the shoe 1 stays dry, allowing comfort of wear and thus avoid breeding of germs and foot diseases. Moreover, the filter net 5 made of any air-permeable fiber cloth like non-woven cloth, cotton cloth, or air-permeable nylon cloth can screen out objects flowing toward the air outlets with fluid to prevent the air outlets 21 of the shoe sole 2 from being blocked. Moreover, it is skidproof and can absorb moisture in the shoe.
FIG. 7 shows another embodiment of the present invention, wherein the [0027] air outlets 21 are disposed at the outer sole 20 of the shoe sole 2. Middle sole receiving grooves 32 with enlarged hole faces are disposed at the bottom of the air vent holes 24. The middle sole 23 and the outer sole 20 are joined together to let the middle sole receiving grooves 32 form receiving rooms 25 in the shoe sole 2. The receiving rooms 25 are located between the air outlets 21 and the air vent holes 24 to connect them together. Bumps 27 are disposed on inner surfaces 26 at the air outlet side of the receiving rooms 25. Similarly, air in the shoe 1 can flow out from the air vent holes 24 of the shoe sole 2. The bumps 27 on the inner surfaces at the air outlet side of the receiving rooms can shore up the non-return pieces to let air flow out of the shoe 1 through the air outlets 21. The non-return pieces 4 can also block the air vent holes 24 to avoid permeation of water on the ground. The air-permeable waterproof device of the present invention can apply to various kinds of shoes to accomplish comfortable wearing of shoes.
To sum up, the air-permeable waterproof device for a shoe of the present invention has the following characteristics. [0028]
(1) Disposition of the air vent holes, the bumps of the receiving room, and the air outlets lets air in the shoe be successfully discharged out to keep the foot sole cool, hence avoiding breeding of germs in the shoe. [0029]
(2) Disposition of the non-return pieces in the receiving rooms prevents exterior water from entering the shoe through the air outlets and the air vent holes, hence keeping the foot sole dry and thus avoiding foot diseases. [0030]
(3) Disposition of the air vent holes and the air outlets matched with movable disposition of the non-return pieces lets fluid unidirectionally flow out of the shoe from the inside of the shoe, hence keeping the lining comfortable and also lengthening the lifetime of use of the shoe. [0031]
(4) Disposition of the filter net of the shoe sole prevents the air outlets of the shoe sole from being blocked by objects to loss the ventilation function. [0032]
(5) Disposition of the filter net made of air-permeable fiber cloth makes the shoe sole skidproof and capable of absorbing moisture in the shoe. [0033]
Although the present invention has been described with reference to the preferred embodiment thereof, it will be understood that the invention is not limited to the details thereof. Various substitutions and modifications have been suggested in the foregoing description, and other will occur to those of ordinary skill in the art. Therefore, all such substitutions and modifications are intended to be embraced within the scope of the invention as defined in the appended claims. [0034]

Claims

What is claimed is:

1. An air-permeable waterproof device for a shoe comprising:

a shoe sole having air outlets at a bottom thereof and air vent holes at a top thereof, receiving rooms being disposed in said shoe sole and located between said air outlets and said air vent holes to connect therebetween, and bumps being disposed on inner surfaces at said air outlet side of said receiving rooms; and

a plurality of non-return pieces disposed in said receiving rooms in said shoe sole.

2. The air-permeable waterproof device for a shoe as claimed in claim 1, wherein an outer sole is disposed at the bottom of said shoe sole, said air outlets of said shoe sole are disposed at said outer sole, outer sole receiving grooves with enlarged hole faces are disposed at tops of said air outlets, a middle sole is disposed at the top of said shoe sole, said air vent holes are disposed at said middle sole, and said middle sole and said outer sole are joined together to let said outer sole receiving grooves form said receiving rooms.

3. The air-permeable waterproof device for a shoe as claimed in claim 1, wherein said non-return pieces can move in said receiving rooms, and said non-return pieces are shored up by said bumps on the inner surfaces at said air outlet side of said receiving rooms to keep passable gaps.

4. The air-permeable waterproof device for a shoe as claimed in claim 1, wherein said non-return pieces can move in said receiving rooms, and said non-return pieces contact the inner surfaces at said air vent hole side of said receiving rooms to block said air vent holes.

5. The air-permeable waterproof device for a shoe as claimed in claim 1, wherein an outer sole is disposed at the bottom of said shoe sole, said air outlets of said shoe sole are disposed at said outer sole, a middle sole is disposed at the top of said shoe sole, said air vent holes are disposed at said middle sole, middle sole receiving grooves with enlarged hole faces are disposed at bottoms of said air vent holes, and said middle sole and said outer sole are joined together to let said middle sole receiving grooves form said receiving rooms.

6. An air-permeable waterproof device for a shoe comprising:

a shoe sole having air outlets at a bottom thereof and air vent holes at a top thereof, receiving rooms being disposed in said shoe sole and located between said air outlets and said air vent holes to connect them together, and bumps being disposed on inner surfaces at said air outlet side of said receiving rooms;

a plurality of non-return pieces disposed in said receiving rooms in said shoe sole; and

a filter net disposed at a bottom of said shoe sole.

7. The air-permeable waterproof device for a shoe as claimed in claim 6, wherein an outer sole is disposed at the bottom of said shoe sole, said air outlets of said shoe sole are disposed at said outer sole, outer sole receiving grooves with enlarged hole faces are disposed at tops of said air outlets, a middle sole is disposed at the top of said shoe sole, said air vent holes are disposed at said middle sole, and said middle sole and said outer sole are joined together to let said outer sole receiving grooves form said receiving rooms.

8. The air-permeable waterproof device for a shoe as claimed in claim 6, wherein said filter net is attached to a range of said air outlets, and is integrally formed with said shoe sole.

9. The air-permeable waterproof device for a shoe as claimed in claim 6, wherein said filter net is made of a cloth.

10. The air-permeable waterproof device for a shoe as claimed in claim 9, wherein said cloth is an air-permeable fiber cloth.

11. The air-permeable waterproof device for a shoe as claimed in claim 10, wherein said air-permeable fiber cloth is a non-woven cloth.

12. The air-permeable waterproof device for a shoe as claimed in claim 10, wherein said air-permeable fiber cloth is a cotton cloth.

13. The air-permeable waterproof device for a shoe as claimed in claim 10, wherein said air-permeable fiber cloth is an air-permeable nylon cloth.

14. The air-permeable waterproof device for a shoe as claimed in claim 6, wherein said non-return pieces moves in said receiving rooms, and said non-return pieces are shored up by said bumps on the inner surfaces at said air outlet side of said receiving rooms to keep passable gaps.

15. The air-permeable waterproof device for a shoe as claimed in claim 6, wherein said non-return pieces move in said receiving rooms, and said non-return pieces contact the inner surfaces at said air vent hole side of said receiving rooms to block said air vent holes.

16. The air-permeable waterproof device for a shoe as claimed in claim 6, wherein an outer sole is disposed at the bottom of said shoe sole, said air outlets of said shoe sole are disposed at said outer sole, a middle sole is disposed at the top of said shoe sole, said air vent holes are disposed at said middle sole, middle sole receiving grooves with enlarged hole faces are disposed at bottoms of said air vent holes, and said middle sole and said outer sole are joined together to let said middle sole receiving grooves form said receiving rooms.