WO2003043454A2 - Improvements in footwear - Google Patents

Improvements in footwear Download PDF

Info

Publication number
WO2003043454A2
WO2003043454A2 PCT/GB2002/005161 GB0205161W WO03043454A2 WO 2003043454 A2 WO2003043454 A2 WO 2003043454A2 GB 0205161 W GB0205161 W GB 0205161W WO 03043454 A2 WO03043454 A2 WO 03043454A2
Authority
WO
WIPO (PCT)
Prior art keywords
valve
air
chamber
footwear item
layer
Prior art date
Application number
PCT/GB2002/005161
Other languages
French (fr)
Other versions
WO2003043454A3 (en
Inventor
Chris Towns
Paul Armstrong
Original Assignee
C & J Clark International Limited
Priority date (The priority date is an assumption and is not a legal conclusion. Google has not performed a legal analysis and makes no representation as to the accuracy of the date listed.)
Filing date
Publication date
Application filed by C & J Clark International Limited filed Critical C & J Clark International Limited
Priority to AU2002343025A priority Critical patent/AU2002343025A1/en
Publication of WO2003043454A2 publication Critical patent/WO2003043454A2/en
Publication of WO2003043454A3 publication Critical patent/WO2003043454A3/en

Links

Classifications

    • A—HUMAN NECESSITIES
    • A43—FOOTWEAR
    • A43B—CHARACTERISTIC FEATURES OF FOOTWEAR; PARTS OF FOOTWEAR
    • A43B7/00—Footwear with health or hygienic arrangements
    • A43B7/06—Footwear with health or hygienic arrangements ventilated
    • A43B7/08—Footwear with health or hygienic arrangements ventilated with air-holes, with or without closures
    • A43B7/081—Footwear with health or hygienic arrangements ventilated with air-holes, with or without closures the air being forced from outside
    • A—HUMAN NECESSITIES
    • A43—FOOTWEAR
    • A43B—CHARACTERISTIC FEATURES OF FOOTWEAR; PARTS OF FOOTWEAR
    • A43B17/00—Insoles for insertion, e.g. footbeds or inlays, for attachment to the shoe after the upper has been joined
    • A43B17/08—Insoles for insertion, e.g. footbeds or inlays, for attachment to the shoe after the upper has been joined ventilated
    • A—HUMAN NECESSITIES
    • A43—FOOTWEAR
    • A43B—CHARACTERISTIC FEATURES OF FOOTWEAR; PARTS OF FOOTWEAR
    • A43B7/00—Footwear with health or hygienic arrangements
    • A43B7/06—Footwear with health or hygienic arrangements ventilated
    • A43B7/08—Footwear with health or hygienic arrangements ventilated with air-holes, with or without closures
    • A43B7/082—Footwear with health or hygienic arrangements ventilated with air-holes, with or without closures the air being expelled to the outside

Definitions

  • This invention concerns improvements in footwear.
  • Patent number US 5,282,324 discloses a shoe having a foot-actuated, positive displacement pump located in the heel of the midsole thereof.
  • the inlet of the pump is connected to draw fresh air from the atmosphere via a vent.
  • the outlet of the pump is connected to pump fresh air into a flow channel interconnecting the heel and toe portions of the midsole.
  • the pumped air passes via a series of throttling orifices into an air flow channel, that is connected to atmosphere at a location remote from the toe end of the midsole.
  • the first of these relates to the flexibility of the materials of many sports and leisure shoes, and to the variability in the gaits of wearers thereof.
  • the shoe of US 5,282,324 conveys air around the toes at a considerably lower velocity than that at which the entraining air emits from the pump.
  • Many wearers of a shoe such as that shown in US 5,282,324 may find the sensation of aeration to be largely imperceptible as a result of the comparatively low velocity at which the air passes around the toes.
  • Patent number US 6,041,519 discloses another shoe in which the heel of the midsole portion incorporates a series of voids defining a suction pump.
  • the suction pump is connected via a plurality of air flow channels to the ball/toe region of the midsole, from where it draws stale air via perforations passing through the midsole in the in-use vicinity of the wearer's toes.
  • footwear items such as shoes (including but not limited to leisure shoes, walking shoes and sports shoes such as running shoes and training shoes), boots (including but not limited to Wellington boots, walking/hiking boots and various boots designed for use in particular sports) and other items of footwear.
  • a footwear item comprising one or more members defining an upper, including a ball/toe region that is secured to a sole including at least one sole layer, the upper and the sole defining a foot chamber that contains an under-foot layer; the under-foot layer comprising a first air chamber and a second air chamber, the footwear item further comprising a gas pump comprising an inlet, a pumping chamber and a pressure plenum, the inlet being connectable to the pumping chamber via a first valve so as to permit a flow of gas from the inlet to the pumping chamber and prevent the flow of gas from the pumping chamber to the inlet; the pumping chamber being connectable to the pressure plenum via a second valve so as to permit the flow of gas from the pumping chamber to the pressure plenum and prevent the flow of gas from the pressure plenum to the pumping chamber; the inlet of the gas pump being operatively connected to the first air chamber of the under-foot layer and the outlet of the gas pump being
  • the pressure plenum includes an outlet, for pressurised gas, that is normally closed by a pressure operated openable valve having a predetermined operating pressure.
  • the sole may include the under-foot layer and therefore the first and second air chambers may be positioned within the sole.
  • the under-foot layer is distinct from the sole, and the first and second chambers are positioned within the under-foot layer.
  • Such a gas pump may advantageously be arranged so that pressurised gas discharges from the pressure plenum only when the pressure therein corresponds to a gas discharge velocity that is perceptible at the toes of a wearer of a footwear item incorporating the gas pump. Accordingly, the gas pump of the invention advantageously obviates the disadvantages evident in the prior art, of the aeration of the wearer's toes being substantially imperceptible.
  • the gas pressure required to cause opening of the pressure operated valve is greater than the pressure required to maintain the pressure operated valve in an open state after opening.
  • This arrangement advantageously ensures complete or substantially complete emptying of the pressure plenum after opening of the pressure operated, openable valve. This in turn advantageously ensures that a maximal volume of pressurised air is conveyed to the toes of the wearer of a footwear item incorporating the pump.
  • the pressure operated valve is a so-called septum valve, that is a valve comprising a perforated, deformable membrane.
  • the material and dimensions of the membrane are selected so as to permit opening of the perforation therein only when the pressure acting on the membrane exceeds a threshold value.
  • the pump chamber includes a housing having at least one resiliently deformable portion defining a said moveable member, deformation of the said deformable portion in a first direction against the resilience thereof causing pressurisation of gas in the pumping chamber and expulsion of gas via the second valve to the pressure plenum; and restoration of the deformable portion in a second direction that is assisted by the resilience thereof causing ingestion of gas into the pumping chamber via the inlet and the first valve.
  • This arrangement suits the gas pump of the invention for foot actuation within a shoe or other footwear item.
  • the septum valve includes a resiliently deformable membrane that is secured about its periphery across an aperture, the membrane being discontinuous so as to include a multi-cuspid valve flap arrangement that in the closed condition of the valve defines a dome that protrudes towards the pressure plenum of the gas pump and that in the open condition of the valve projects away from the pressure plenum.
  • the dome in the closed condition of the septum valve the dome preferably protrudes approximately 5mm towards the pressure plenum when measured from the said aperture and is circular having a base diameter of approximately 16mm, the membrane being formed from an approximately 4.5mm thick, laminar vulcanised rubber having a Young's Modulus of approximately 3Mpa (3x10 6 N/m 2 ).
  • the gas pump includes a perforated mounting plate, the inlet and the pressure plenum being defined adjacent one another by respective housing members that are upstanding on one side of the mounting plate; and the pumping chamber being defined by one or more housing members that are upstanding on the opposite side of the mounting plate, the inlet being connectable to the pumping chamber via a first perforation through the mounting plate and the pumping chamber being connectable to the pressure plenum via a second perforation through the mounting plate.
  • first and second valves are operable to valve respectively the first and second perforations.
  • This arrangement is advantageously compact and simple.
  • the first and second valves each comprise a septum valve.
  • each septum valve is a so-called "duck-bill" valve.
  • the footwear item includes a heel having a recess having received therein the gas pump.
  • a face of the under-foot layer that is in use remote from the said foot chamber has fo ⁇ ned therein a plurality of air flow channels extending between the ball/toe portion and a portion of the layer remote therefrom for conveying air between the said portions, at least one said channel communicating with one or more further channels that perforate the layer in the ball/toe region and at least one said channel in use of the layer being connectable to the pump for causing conveyance of air to the ball/toe portion from the said portion of the layer remote therefrom via a flow path defined in the said plurality of channels.
  • the first air chamber is spaced from the said ball/toe region and is in fluid communication with the said plurality of air flow channels, the first air chamber being connectable to the inlet side of the pump for conveying air.
  • the under-foot layer includes formed therein at least one supply channel for supplying air to the pump.
  • the under-foot layer includes a plurality of the supply channels formed in the said face of the layer that is in use remote from the said foot chamber of the footwear item in which the under-foot layer is used.
  • each said supply channel interconnects a periphery of the layer and the second air chamber that is connectable to the inlet side of a pump for conveying air.
  • This arrangement allows the drawing of air for pumping towards the ball/toe portion, eg. via the side of an under-foot layer of a shoe.
  • the pump and the air flow channels comprise a substantially closed system in which air is circulated around the system.
  • the air flow channels may extend to a surface of the footwear item in contact with its surroundings. In such embodiments air from the surroundings may be used to replenish air flowing through the air flow channels.
  • the plurality of air flow channels may include a primary air flow channel that is in communication with the first air chamber and that extends therefrom towards the ball/toe region, the primary air flow channel comprising a semi-rigid pipe.
  • the pipe is made from elastic material that ensures the pipe is flexible enough to withstand a wearer's weight without collapsing.
  • the pipe is shaped to fit within an air channel, and could extend through the sole of the shoe, over, under or inside the inside, or even through the shoe upper, as required.
  • the ratio of the volume of air ingested in this way to the volume of air pumped by the pump is of the order of 1 :1, which contrasts significantly with the 20:1 ratio specified in US 5,282,324.
  • Aerodynamic losses can be minimised by making the air channels as big as possible and by creating as many air channels as possible. against this, the designer must weigh the space available and the need to support the foot effectively.
  • each said flow channel preferably includes a recess formed in a face of the layer that is in use remote from the said foot chamber, the said face in use of the layer overlying a further face of the footwear item so as to define substantially closed air flow channels.
  • the forming of the air flow channels as open recesses in the underside of an under-foot layer advantageously permits their formation by impress moulding into a surface of eg. a midsole.
  • the air flow channels may then be formed as substantially closed channels (that are open essentially only at their ends) once the under-foot layer is assembled into a shoe such that the face of the under-foot layer that is in use remote from the foot chamber of the shoe overlies eg. an upper surface of an outer sole.
  • the second air chamber includes an interior surface having formed thereon one or more formations for reducing turbulence in air in the first chamber.
  • the formations may include one or more ribs that protrude from the said interior surface. It is also preferable that the interior surface lies in the path of air conveyed from said pump when the second air chamber is connected to the outlet thereof.
  • the formations on the aforesaid interior surface of the second air chamber increase the flow of air into the primary air flow channels by up to 15%, compared with an air chamber that omits the ribs.
  • the material of the under-foot layer is or includes blown polyurethane, ethyl vinyl acetate and/or polyethylene.
  • This material is highly suitable for use in the manufacture of eg. under-foot layers such as footbeds.
  • a septum valve to control the release of pressurised gas in a chamber forming part of a footwear item, the septum valve preventing release of the pressurised gas until the pressure reaches a predetermined value, when the septum valve allows a single release of the pressurised gas in the chamber.
  • Figure 1 is a respective view from- underneath of a first embodiment of under-foot layer according to the invention
  • Figure 2 shows in cross sectional view a gas pump in an item of footwear according to the invention
  • Figure 3 shows in partly sectioned view a septum valve forming part of the Figure 2 pump
  • Figures 4a and 4b are cross sectional views of a duck-bill valve forming part of the pump of Figure 2;
  • FIGS. 5 a and 5b show details of the mounting forming part of the pump Figure 2;
  • Figures 5 c, 5 d and 5e show details of an internal valve assembly formed in the mounting of Figures 5a and 5b;
  • Figures 6a and 6b show details of part of the top casing forming part of the pump of Figure 3;
  • FIGs 7a and 7b show details of the septum valve assembly formed in the top casing of Figures 6a and 6b;
  • Figure 8 shows a detail of part of the septum valve assembly of Figures 7a and 7b;
  • Figures 9a, 9b, 9c and 9d show details of the moveable member forming part of the pump of Figure 2;
  • Figure 10 is a schematic representation of the outsole button forming part of the present invention and which activates the pump of Figure 2;
  • Figure 11 is a cross sectional representation of a footwear item according to the present invention showing the construction of the outsole button of Figure 10;
  • Figure 12 shows a partially assembled footwear item according to the invention
  • Figure 13 shows preferred embodiment of the footwear item according to the invention incorporating a manifold over the outlet valve
  • Figures 14a and 14b show an alternative embodiment of the manifold forming part of the present invention mounted in the foot bed of the footwear item.
  • Figure 15 is a schematic representation of a further embodiment of the manifold forming part of the present invention formed as an insert moulding.
  • Under-foot layer 10 is in the embodiment shown a so-called footbed, ie. a flexible, resiliently deformable layer that in a completed shoe lies above e.g an insole, and comprises an upper face defining a surface of a foot chamber within the shoe.
  • footbed ie. a flexible, resiliently deformable layer that in a completed shoe lies above e.g an insole, and comprises an upper face defining a surface of a foot chamber within the shoe.
  • the under-foot layer of the invention need not be constructed as a footbed.
  • the features of the invention may readily be incorporated into eg. a midsole an insole, or an outer sole.
  • Figure 1 shows an underneath perspective view of the underfoot layer 10.
  • Layer 10 includes a ball/toe portion 11 and a heel portion 12, the portions 11, 12 being interconnected by an arch portion 13.
  • Under-foot layer 10 is, as indicated, in use intended to define a lower surface of a foot chamber further defined in a footwear item by one or more uppers that typically are stitched or otherwise secured together and secured to a sole.
  • the underside face 14 of under-foot layer 10 that is in use remote from the foot chamber has formed therein an air flow channel 16 that extends between the ball/toe region 11 and the heel portion 12, ie. a portion of the under-foot layer 10 that is remote from the ball/toe region 11.
  • the under-foot layer 10 is perforated by one or more further channels 17.
  • the air flow channel 16 communicates with each said further channel so as to provide an air flow path from the underside of the under-foot layer 10 to the upper side thereof.
  • the air flow channel is shaped substantially to follow the outline of the under-foot layer 10.
  • the further channels 17 comprise a series of four perforations, although of course other arrangements and patterns of the primary air flow channels 16 and the perforations 17 are possible within the scope of the invention.
  • the air flow channel 16 shown in Figure 1 is operatively connected to the pump forming part of the invention and described in detail herein below (not shown in Figure 1) for conveying air along the air flow channel 16 and via the further channels 17 to the ball/toe portion of the under-foot layer 10 from eg. the heel portion 12.
  • the air flow channel 16 extends to the heel portion 12 and into a second air chamber 21 defined as a recess formed in face 14 so that it is spaced from the ball/toe region 11.
  • Second air chamber 21 is thereby in fluid communication with the air flow channel 16. Second air chamber 21 is shaped for connection to the outlet of the pump forming part of the present invention.
  • Under-foot layer 10 includes formed therein in face 14 a plurality of air supply channels 19 for supplying air to such a pump.
  • under-foot layer 10 is not constant.
  • the air supply channels 19 each terminate in a perforation 19a that extends upwardly and is open on edge 22 to provide for the ingestion of air towards first air chamber 23 in a manner shown below.
  • the thickness of the under-foot layer is substantially constant.
  • the air flow channel 16 is connected at the forwardmost end of the ball/toe region 11 to define the air flow channel 16 as a loop, the forwardmost part of which is in fluid communication with the further channels 17.
  • a typical construction of the under-foot layer 10 is of a soft, laminar layer having bonded to its underside a series of blown or foamed layers defining a lower face remote from the foot chamber and the features formed therein.
  • the materials from which the blown or foamed layers are made include but are not limited to so-called blown EVA and similar resiliently deformable, energy absorbing, flexible materials.
  • the lower face is placed in contact with a further layer such as the upper surface of a midsole, such that the latter presses against and closes the open channels defined by the recesses.
  • a further layer such as the upper surface of a midsole, such that the latter presses against and closes the open channels defined by the recesses.
  • the channels are open eg. only at their terminations at the edges of the under-foot layer 10, thereby providing for conveyance of air.
  • This method of defining the various air flow channels and chambers is advantageously simple and economical to achieve.
  • FIG. 2 there is shown in cross sectional view a gas pump, according to the invention, that is suitable for use in conjunction with an under-foot layer in a footwear item such as a shoe 81.
  • the flow of air through the shoe 81 is indicated by the arrows.
  • Shoe 81 includes a plurality of panels secured together to define an upper 82 defining foot chamber 83 including a. ball/toe region 84 at the forwardmost end thereof.
  • Upper 82 is secured to a sole 86 that includes one or more sole layers and (in the embodiment shown) a substantially conventionally shaped heel 87.
  • shoe 81 shown is for illustrative purposes only. The components thereof may take any of a wide range of other forms within the scope of the invention.
  • Under-foot layer 10 is received within the foot chamber 83 overlying the uppermost layer 88 of sole 86. Under-foot layer is inserted onto layer 88 with its lower face 14 in contact with layer 88.
  • Gas pump 54 is located in heel 87 and includes a housing 56 that is subdivided internally to define a series of chambers.
  • Housing 56 is formed protruding to either side of a laminar mounting plate
  • Gas pump 54 includes an inlet chamber 58 comprising a plurality of walls 59 that are upstanding from the in use upper side of mounting plate 57. Inlet chamber 58 terminates at its uppermost end in an opening 61 that is operatively connectable in use of the gas pump 54 to first air chamber 23 of under-foot layer 10 as shown in Figure 1.
  • a plurality of walls 62 protrude from the in use lower side of mounting plate 57 to define a pumping chamber 63 to which inlet chamber 58 is connectable via an aperture 64 that perforates mounting plate 57 adjacent the lowermost end of inlet chamber 58.
  • a first valve 66 that in the preferred embodiment is a septum valve of the type known as a duck bill valve normally closes perforation 64.
  • First valve 66 is a one way valve that is openable to permit air flow from inlet chamber
  • First valve 66 prevents the flow of gas in a reverse direction from pumping chamber 63 to inlet chamber 58.
  • a plurality of further walls 67 are upstanding from the in use upper side of mounting plate 57, adjacent inlet chamber 58, to define a pressure plenum 68.
  • Pumping chamber 63 is connectable via a second perforation 69 formed in mounting plate 57 to pressure plenum 68.
  • Second perforation 69 is normally closed by a second valve 71 that is of essentially the same construction as first valve 66.
  • Second valve 71 is arranged to permit one way flow of air from pumping chamber 63 into pressure plenum 68; and to prevent reverse flow of air from pressure plenum 68 to pumping chamber 63.
  • Peripheral portions 72 of the walls defining pumping chamber 63 are in the embodiments shown of flexible construction so as to define, with a resiliently deformable plate 73 forming the lowermost part of pump 54, a moveable member that is reciprocable towards and away from mounting plate 57 to operate the pump 54.
  • the resulting air pressure tends to open the valve 71 so that the pressurised air in pumping chamber 63 is expelled via second valve 71 into pressure plenum 68.
  • valve 66 remains closed and does not allow air to enter the pump 54 via the inlet valve 66.
  • Aperture 74 is normally closed by a pressure operated, openable valve indicated schematically in Figure 2 by reference numeral 76.
  • plate 73 On releasing of compressive force from the housing of pump 54, plate 73 is restored to the position visible in Figure 2 by virtue of the resilience of the walls 72 of the pressure chamber.
  • valve 71 remains closed.
  • the movement of plate 73 reduces pressure in pumping chamber 63. This in turn causes first valve 66 to open to allow re-charging of pumping chamber 63 via inlet chamber 58.
  • the pressure operated valve 76 is openable only when the pressure in pressure plenum 68 exceeds a threshold value.
  • valve 76 Through judicious choice of the design of valve 76 and the other components of the pump 54, it is possible to arrange for the valve 76 to open eg. following a single stroke of the pumping chamber 63 in the manner aforesaid.
  • the perforation 74 is connected to the second air chamber 21 of an under-foot layer 10 as described herein such an arrangement leads to the discharging of a high velocity stream of air into the primary air flow channels 16 for example every time (or some other number of times) that a user thereof plants his foot during a normal walking gait.
  • the pressure operated valve is openable only when the pressure in pressure plenum 68 exceeds a threshold value that is greater than the pressure attainable in pumping chamber 63 during the pumping stroke thereof.
  • valve 76 and the other components of the pump 54 may be designed so that the valve 76 opens only after a predetermined number of strokes of the pumping chamber, for example after five strokes. This leads to the discharging of a high velocity stream of air into the air flow channels 16, for example every five times (or some other number of times) that a user thereof plants his foot during a normal walking gait.
  • FIG. 3 shows in more detail the valve 76 of the Figure 2 arrangement.
  • Valve 76 is a so-called septum valve comprising a resiliently deformable membrane 77 that is secured eg. by means of an annular clamp 78 about its periphery, so as to close aperture 74 formed in the uppermost wall of pressure plenum 68.
  • Alternative means of securing the membrane 77 over aperture 74 include but are not limited to welding, adhesives or (in the case of compatible materials) co-moulding with the housing wall that defines the aperture 74.
  • Membrane 77 is formed from a dome-shaped lamina of resiliently deformable material such as a natural or synthetic rubber, a soft thermoplastic elastomer (TPE) (eg. Santoprene 55 Shore A) or a silicon (eg. Silastic 55 U).
  • TPE thermoplastic elastomer
  • silicon eg. Silastic 55 U
  • the protruding part of membrane 77 need not be domed, however.
  • Other shapes including but not limited to eg. conical, sectioned conical and pyramidal shapes are also possible.
  • Membrane 77 is in the embodiment shown divided in at least one plane 79 extending parallel to its minor dimension, so as to form at least two valve flaps 77a, 77b.
  • valve 76 is such that the threshold pressure necessary to open the valve flaps 77a, 77b is greater than the pressure needed to maintain the flaps in this position after opening. Consequently the valve 76 stays in an open condition even after the pressure in plenum 68 has started to decay as the air discharges.
  • the volume of the pressure plenum is approximately 6 cm .
  • the threshold pressure needed to open the valve 76 is usually within the range 100-250 kPa. However, for children's shoes for example the range will be lower.
  • the discharge coefficient is calculated as 0.6.
  • the thickness of the lamina 77 measured along its minor, transverse dimension is 4.5 mm and the diameter of aperture 74 is 16 mm.
  • membrane 77 is divided by two, mutually perpendicular planar cuts each similar to that represented by reference numeral 79, so as to define a quadrucuspid valve having four valve flaps.
  • valve that need not necessarily be of the so-called "septum” type, are possible within the scope of the invention.
  • valve 66 a duck bill valve of the type forming valves 66 and 71 is shown in more detail.
  • valve 66 a duck bill valve of the type forming valves 66 and 71 is shown in more detail.
  • the valve shown in these Figures has been identified as valve 66.
  • valve 66 When the pressure represented by arrows 600 on the outside of the valve 66 in area 100 builds up to a certain level, the valve will open to the position shown in Figure 4b and allow entry of pressurised gas into area 110 as represented by arrow 610.
  • the inlet valve 66 will remain in the closed position until the pressure of gas acting on the valve 66 externally of inlet chamber 58 reaches a certain level, at which point the valve will open to the position shown in Figure 4b and allow entry of the pressurised gas into the pressure chamber 63.
  • valve 71 connecting the pressure chamber to the plenum chamber will remain in a closed position until the pressure within the pressure chamber 63 reaches a certain predetermined level at which point it will open and allow expulsion of the pressurised gas into the plenum chamber.
  • the valves 66,71 are preferably formed from silicon rubber or vulcanised rubber.
  • the pump 54 comprises an upper casing, a mounting 57, and a lower moveable member 73.
  • the mounting 57 comprises perforation 64 through which air allowed into the chamber by valve 66 enters the pump chamber 63, and perforation 69 for retaining duck bill valve 71 allowing gas to exit the pump chamber.
  • Perforation 64 comprises part of the valve assembly and includes a retainer for first valve 66.
  • the retainer comprises a substantially cylinder-shaped protrusion 500 defined by outer wall 510.
  • the wall 510 is formed with a ledge forming a substantially annular shoulder 520.
  • the valve 66 is pushed into retainer 64 in the direction of arrow 530. This procedure is shown in more detail in Figures 5c and 5d. From these figures it can be seen that a flange 532 locates against shoulder 520 and is held in place by a sealing ring 534. As shown in Figure 5e, the material from which valve 66 is made mildly deforms under the pressure of the sealing ring 534.
  • the sealing ring comprises a protrusion 536 which causes deformation of the valve 66 completing the seal.
  • the sealing ring (or cap) and the retainer are made from TPU. This ensures integrity of the seal and enables the retainer and sealing ring to be heat welded together.
  • perforation 69 is formed as a retainer for second valve 71 and comprises a substantially cylindrical protrusion defined by wall 540.
  • the shape of wall 540 defines shoulder 550.
  • Second valve is pushed into retainer 69 in the direction of arrow 560 and is held in place by a sealing ring (or cap) (not shown) in a similar manner to that described with respect to valve 66.
  • top casing 120 comprises an aperture 150 through which retainer 64 extends and aperture 74 in which the septum valve 76 may be positioned and retained.
  • the aperture 74 comprises a retainer 595 as shown in more detail in Figures 6b, 7a, 7b and 8 and comprises flange 570 to allow attachment to central mounting 57 by heat welding.
  • the retainer 595 is defined by wall 580 which has a substantially semi-circular protrusion 590 formed on an inner surface thereof.
  • Valve 76 is inserted into retainer 595 by pushing the valve 76 in the direction of arrow 600 in Figure 7a.
  • the valve is then held in position by means of a sealing ring (or cap) 620 which is shaped to accommodate flange 300 of valve 76.
  • the sealing ring 620 is heat welded to the retainer 595.
  • the flange 300 deforms around the substantially semicircular protrusion 590.
  • the valve 76 is made from a substantially non elastic material having a high Poisson's ratio.
  • valve 76 may be adhesively bonded to the sealing ring 620 or the retainer 595 or both.
  • the moveable member 73 of the pump 54 comprises a resiliently deformable. housing 210.
  • the moveable member 73 has a domed shape shown more clearly in the cross sectional representation shown in Figure 9b.
  • FIG. 2 One way of retaining the assembled pump is visible in Figure 2, in which a peripheral rib 811 extending about the exterior of pump 54 approximately mid-way between its top and bottom surfaces is press or snap fitted into a complementary groove 812 formed in the adjacent portions of sole 86 and heel 87.
  • the moveable member 73 is heat welded to the mounting 57.
  • Figure 12 shows an exploded perspective view of a schematic representation of an under-foot layer 10 incorporating a pump according to the present invention for incorporation into a footwear item.
  • the under-foot layer 10 is received within a foot chamber 88 and shoe 81.
  • the pump 54 according to the invention is received within an aperture formed in heel 87.
  • the moveable member 73 engages with an outsole "button" 250 shown more clearly in Figures 11 and
  • the outsole button is fabricated from vulcanised rubber.
  • the remainder r of the shoe sole is made from polyurethane (PU).
  • Under-foot layer 10 is inserted onto layer 88 with its lower face 14 in contact with layer 88.
  • the inlet chamber 58 and outlet perforation 74 of pump 54 are positioned such that on placing of under-foot layer 10 as described the second air chamber 21 overlies and is in fluid communication with perforation 74; and first air chamber 23 overlies and is in fluid communication with air inlet 10 chamber 58.
  • under-foot layer 10 is not rigidly secured relative to the foot chamber defined in shoe 81, during a normal walking action the planting of the user's foot will cause compression of the 15 pump 54 to operate the pump. Lifting of the foot during the normal gait will allow restoration of the pump from its compressed state, to cause recharging of the pump via the inlet chamber 58.
  • the flow of air into the pump via the supply channels 19 and the inlet 20 chamber 58 is signified by arrow 89 in Figure 12.
  • the flow of pumped air that causes aeration of the ball/toe region 84 is signified by arrows 91 and 92.
  • air will flow as signified by arrow 89 with each step taken; and air will flow along the path represented by arrows 91 and 92 for every step (or at some other interval), determined by the precise design of the septum valve 74 and the pressure plenum 68.
  • the outlet of the pump 54 is protected by a manifold 300.
  • the manifold is domed shape as shown in Figure 13 and is attached to the pump 54 by means of a intermediate portion 310 having an aperture 320 formed therein which corresponds to the shape of the aperture in the upper casing of the pump 54 retaining septum valve 77.
  • the intermediate portion 310 also comprises a recess 330 for receiving a semi-rigid pipe.
  • the semi-rigid pipe extends along air channel 16 and ensures conveyance of air from the pump to the ball/toe region 84.
  • the use of a semi-rigid pipe ensures that airways do not become blocked due to the weight of the wearer.
  • the use of a pipe obviates the need to ensure air tightness of air channels.
  • FIG. 14a and 14b an alternative embodiment of the manifold 300 is shown.
  • the manifold 300 is mounted in the under layer 10.
  • the manifold 300 comprises an inset mould of the under layer 10.

Abstract

A footwear item (81) includes a pump (54) for conveying air to the toe/ball region of the footwear item (81). The pump (54) comprises a pressure operated openable valve for controlling release of pressurised gas from the valve (54) and having a predetermined operating pressure.

Description

This invention concerns improvements in footwear.
In the field of footwear it is known to make use of volumes of air or other gases typically in compartments formed in the midsole or footbed portions of eg. a shoe, for various purposes.
For example it is known to provide in the midsole of a running shoe or a training shoe one or more chambers that are filled with air that is in some cases pressurised. The primary purpose of such chambers is to provide shock absorption in shoes that typically suffer repeated impacts in use.
It is also known to incorporate within a footwear item apparatus for circulating air within a chamber that is in use occupied by the foot of a wearer.
In particular it is desirable to provide an arrangement for aerating with comparatively fresh air the region of a footwear item that in use surrounds a wearer's toes. Such an arrangement enhances the comfort of the footwear item, reduces moisture in the vicinity of the wearer's toes and reduces the incidence of bacterial growth.
Patent number US 5,282,324 discloses a shoe having a foot-actuated, positive displacement pump located in the heel of the midsole thereof.
The inlet of the pump is connected to draw fresh air from the atmosphere via a vent. The outlet of the pump is connected to pump fresh air into a flow channel interconnecting the heel and toe portions of the midsole.
The pumped air passes via a series of throttling orifices into an air flow channel, that is connected to atmosphere at a location remote from the toe end of the midsole.
The passing of air via throttling orifices into the air flow channel causes the pumped air to accelerate dramatically. According to US 5,282,324, such acceleration causes jet entrainment of a large volume of fresh air that enters the flow channel via the vent. The entrainment action is such as to propel the large volume of fresh air towards the toe end of the midsole, where it exits the flow channel via a series of apertures passing through the toe portion of the midsole, to aerate the toes of a wearer of the shoe.
By the planting of the heel of the shoe a wearer with every step compresses the pump to cause the above-described action. A restoring spring causes the pump to expand on the lifting of the heel between each step, so that the pump is re-charged ready for the next subsequent step.
Although the arrangement of US 5,282,324 apparently is capable of forcing a large volume of air past the wearer's toes in use, it suffers from several disadvantages.
The first of these relates to the flexibility of the materials of many sports and leisure shoes, and to the variability in the gaits of wearers thereof.
Depending on the precise circumstances of use of a shoe as shown in US 5,282,324, and on the gait of the wearer, it is possible for the air flow to cease by virtue of the wearer's weight deforming the air flow channel sufficiently to block the flow of air therethrough. This problem rarely manifests itself in the case of a wearer whose gait is normal. However significant proportions of the population are so-called "pronators" and "supinators", whose gaits are much more likely to block the air flow channel. Such deformation of the air flow channel constricts the air flow channel to a greater or lesser amount. If blocking of the channel occurs as the wearer plants his foot with every step, the aeration of the toes would substantially cease because the air flow channel would be blocked each time the pump ejects air into the air flow channel.
In addition the shoe of US 5,282,324 conveys air around the toes at a considerably lower velocity than that at which the entraining air emits from the pump. Many wearers of a shoe such as that shown in US 5,282,324 may find the sensation of aeration to be largely imperceptible as a result of the comparatively low velocity at which the air passes around the toes.
Patent number US 6,041,519 discloses another shoe in which the heel of the midsole portion incorporates a series of voids defining a suction pump.
The suction pump is connected via a plurality of air flow channels to the ball/toe region of the midsole, from where it draws stale air via perforations passing through the midsole in the in-use vicinity of the wearer's toes.
The suction pump in US 6,041,519 works, like the pump in US 5,282,324, by entraining a volume of air in an air flow channel. Nonetheless the arrangement of US 6,014,519 is also believed not to provide a readily perceptible feeling to a user of aeration of the toes and/or the ball of the foot.
In view of the foregoing defects in the prior art arrangements, there is a need to improve the aeration of the ball/toe regions of footwear items such as shoes (including but not limited to leisure shoes, walking shoes and sports shoes such as running shoes and training shoes), boots (including but not limited to Wellington boots, walking/hiking boots and various boots designed for use in particular sports) and other items of footwear.
According to a first aspect of the invention there is a provided a footwear item comprising one or more members defining an upper, including a ball/toe region that is secured to a sole including at least one sole layer, the upper and the sole defining a foot chamber that contains an under-foot layer; the under-foot layer comprising a first air chamber and a second air chamber, the footwear item further comprising a gas pump comprising an inlet, a pumping chamber and a pressure plenum, the inlet being connectable to the pumping chamber via a first valve so as to permit a flow of gas from the inlet to the pumping chamber and prevent the flow of gas from the pumping chamber to the inlet; the pumping chamber being connectable to the pressure plenum via a second valve so as to permit the flow of gas from the pumping chamber to the pressure plenum and prevent the flow of gas from the pressure plenum to the pumping chamber; the inlet of the gas pump being operatively connected to the first air chamber of the under-foot layer and the outlet of the gas pump being operatively connected to the second air chamber thereof, the gas pump being arranged so that the gait of a wearer of the footwear item causes movement of a moveable member thereof to cause:
(i) conveyance of air, between the ball/toe region of the footwear item and the said portion of the under-foot layer that is remote from the ball/toe portion thereof; and
(ii) ingestion of air for conveyance between the ball/toe region and the portion that is remote from the ball toe region.
The pressure plenum includes an outlet, for pressurised gas, that is normally closed by a pressure operated openable valve having a predetermined operating pressure.
The sole may include the under-foot layer and therefore the first and second air chambers may be positioned within the sole.
Preferably, however, the under-foot layer is distinct from the sole, and the first and second chambers are positioned within the under-foot layer.
Such a gas pump may advantageously be arranged so that pressurised gas discharges from the pressure plenum only when the pressure therein corresponds to a gas discharge velocity that is perceptible at the toes of a wearer of a footwear item incorporating the gas pump. Accordingly, the gas pump of the invention advantageously obviates the disadvantages evident in the prior art, of the aeration of the wearer's toes being substantially imperceptible.
Preferably the gas pressure required to cause opening of the pressure operated valve is greater than the pressure required to maintain the pressure operated valve in an open state after opening.
This arrangement advantageously ensures complete or substantially complete emptying of the pressure plenum after opening of the pressure operated, openable valve. This in turn advantageously ensures that a maximal volume of pressurised air is conveyed to the toes of the wearer of a footwear item incorporating the pump.
In particularly preferred embodiments of the invention the pressure operated valve is a so-called septum valve, that is a valve comprising a perforated, deformable membrane. The material and dimensions of the membrane are selected so as to permit opening of the perforation therein only when the pressure acting on the membrane exceeds a threshold value.
Conveniently the pump chamber includes a housing having at least one resiliently deformable portion defining a said moveable member, deformation of the said deformable portion in a first direction against the resilience thereof causing pressurisation of gas in the pumping chamber and expulsion of gas via the second valve to the pressure plenum; and restoration of the deformable portion in a second direction that is assisted by the resilience thereof causing ingestion of gas into the pumping chamber via the inlet and the first valve.
This arrangement suits the gas pump of the invention for foot actuation within a shoe or other footwear item.
In preferred embodiments the septum valve includes a resiliently deformable membrane that is secured about its periphery across an aperture, the membrane being discontinuous so as to include a multi-cuspid valve flap arrangement that in the closed condition of the valve defines a dome that protrudes towards the pressure plenum of the gas pump and that in the open condition of the valve projects away from the pressure plenum.
More specifically, in the closed condition of the septum valve the dome preferably protrudes approximately 5mm towards the pressure plenum when measured from the said aperture and is circular having a base diameter of approximately 16mm, the membrane being formed from an approximately 4.5mm thick, laminar vulcanised rubber having a Young's Modulus of approximately 3Mpa (3x106 N/m2).
These features are particularly desirable in a pump intended for use within a footwear item.
Conveniently the gas pump includes a perforated mounting plate, the inlet and the pressure plenum being defined adjacent one another by respective housing members that are upstanding on one side of the mounting plate; and the pumping chamber being defined by one or more housing members that are upstanding on the opposite side of the mounting plate, the inlet being connectable to the pumping chamber via a first perforation through the mounting plate and the pumping chamber being connectable to the pressure plenum via a second perforation through the mounting plate.
This arrangement confers ease of manufacture and robustness on the gas pump, the components of which may be secured together eg. by welding.
Conveniently the first and second valves are operable to valve respectively the first and second perforations. This arrangement is advantageously compact and simple.
Preferably, the first and second valves each comprise a septum valve. Conveniently, each septum valve is a so-called "duck-bill" valve.
The principle of using the gait of the wearer of the footwear item to operate the gas pump is, known in itself. The use of such an arrangement in a footwear item having an under-foot layer and a pump as specified herein is nonetheless advantageous with respect to the prior art, for the reasons stated herein.
Preferably the footwear item includes a heel having a recess having received therein the gas pump.
This advantageously utilises a conventional feature of the shoe (the heel) for containing a functional component (the pump).
Preferably, a face of the under-foot layer that is in use remote from the said foot chamber has foπned therein a plurality of air flow channels extending between the ball/toe portion and a portion of the layer remote therefrom for conveying air between the said portions, at least one said channel communicating with one or more further channels that perforate the layer in the ball/toe region and at least one said channel in use of the layer being connectable to the pump for causing conveyance of air to the ball/toe portion from the said portion of the layer remote therefrom via a flow path defined in the said plurality of channels.
Preferably the first air chamber is spaced from the said ball/toe region and is in fluid communication with the said plurality of air flow channels, the first air chamber being connectable to the inlet side of the pump for conveying air.
Conveniently the under-foot layer includes formed therein at least one supply channel for supplying air to the pump. In preferred embodiments the under-foot layer includes a plurality of the supply channels formed in the said face of the layer that is in use remote from the said foot chamber of the footwear item in which the under-foot layer is used.
These arrangements advantageously permit the supply of recirculating air to the pump in the footwear item.
More specifically, each said supply channel interconnects a periphery of the layer and the second air chamber that is connectable to the inlet side of a pump for conveying air.
This arrangement allows the drawing of air for pumping towards the ball/toe portion, eg. via the side of an under-foot layer of a shoe.
In preferred embodiments of the invention the pump and the air flow channels comprise a substantially closed system in which air is circulated around the system. This has the advantage that the item of footwear can be made substantially waterproof. In other embodiments, however, the air flow channels may extend to a surface of the footwear item in contact with its surroundings. In such embodiments air from the surroundings may be used to replenish air flowing through the air flow channels.
Preferably, the plurality of air flow channels may include a primary air flow channel that is in communication with the first air chamber and that extends therefrom towards the ball/toe region, the primary air flow channel comprising a semi-rigid pipe. Preferably the pipe is made from elastic material that ensures the pipe is flexible enough to withstand a wearer's weight without collapsing. The pipe is shaped to fit within an air channel, and could extend through the sole of the shoe, over, under or inside the inside, or even through the shoe upper, as required.
The ratio of the volume of air ingested in this way to the volume of air pumped by the pump is of the order of 1 :1, which contrasts significantly with the 20:1 ratio specified in US 5,282,324.
Aerodynamic losses can be minimised by making the air channels as big as possible and by creating as many air channels as possible. Against this, the designer must weigh the space available and the need to support the foot effectively.
Regardless of the precise arrangement of the plurality of air flow channels, each said flow channel preferably includes a recess formed in a face of the layer that is in use remote from the said foot chamber, the said face in use of the layer overlying a further face of the footwear item so as to define substantially closed air flow channels.
The forming of the air flow channels as open recesses in the underside of an under-foot layer advantageously permits their formation by impress moulding into a surface of eg. a midsole. The air flow channels may then be formed as substantially closed channels (that are open essentially only at their ends) once the under-foot layer is assembled into a shoe such that the face of the under-foot layer that is in use remote from the foot chamber of the shoe overlies eg. an upper surface of an outer sole.
Conveniently the second air chamber includes an interior surface having formed thereon one or more formations for reducing turbulence in air in the first chamber.
The formations may include one or more ribs that protrude from the said interior surface. It is also preferable that the interior surface lies in the path of air conveyed from said pump when the second air chamber is connected to the outlet thereof.
The foregoing features advantageously minimise air turbulence in the second air chamber, in a manner described in more detail below.
The formations on the aforesaid interior surface of the second air chamber increase the flow of air into the primary air flow channels by up to 15%, compared with an air chamber that omits the ribs.
Preferably the material of the under-foot layer is or includes blown polyurethane, ethyl vinyl acetate and/or polyethylene. This material is highly suitable for use in the manufacture of eg. under-foot layers such as footbeds.
According to a second aspect of the present invention there is provided the use of a septum valve to control the release of pressurised gas in a chamber forming part of a footwear item, the septum valve preventing release of the pressurised gas until the pressure reaches a predetermined value, when the septum valve allows a single release of the pressurised gas in the chamber.
There now follows a description of preferred embodiments of the invention, by way of non-limiting example, with reference being made to the accompanying drawings in which:
Figure 1 is a respective view from- underneath of a first embodiment of under-foot layer according to the invention; Figure 2 shows in cross sectional view a gas pump in an item of footwear according to the invention;
Figure 3 shows in partly sectioned view a septum valve forming part of the Figure 2 pump;
Figures 4a and 4b are cross sectional views of a duck-bill valve forming part of the pump of Figure 2;
Figures 5 a and 5b show details of the mounting forming part of the pump Figure 2;
Figures 5 c, 5 d and 5e show details of an internal valve assembly formed in the mounting of Figures 5a and 5b; Figures 6a and 6b show details of part of the top casing forming part of the pump of Figure 3;
Figures 7a and 7b show details of the septum valve assembly formed in the top casing of Figures 6a and 6b;
Figure 8 shows a detail of part of the septum valve assembly of Figures 7a and 7b;
Figures 9a, 9b, 9c and 9d show details of the moveable member forming part of the pump of Figure 2;
Figure 10 is a schematic representation of the outsole button forming part of the present invention and which activates the pump of Figure 2; Figure 11 is a cross sectional representation of a footwear item according to the present invention showing the construction of the outsole button of Figure 10;
Figure 12 shows a partially assembled footwear item according to the invention;
Figure 13 shows preferred embodiment of the footwear item according to the invention incorporating a manifold over the outlet valve;
Figures 14a and 14b show an alternative embodiment of the manifold forming part of the present invention mounted in the foot bed of the footwear item; and
Figure 15 is a schematic representation of a further embodiment of the manifold forming part of the present invention formed as an insert moulding.
Referring to the drawings there is shown in Figure 1 an under-foot layer 10 that is suitable for use in a footwear item according to the present invention is described in more detail hereinbelow.
Under-foot layer 10 is in the embodiment shown a so-called footbed, ie. a flexible, resiliently deformable layer that in a completed shoe lies above e.g an insole, and comprises an upper face defining a surface of a foot chamber within the shoe.
The under-foot layer of the invention need not be constructed as a footbed. The features of the invention may readily be incorporated into eg. a midsole an insole, or an outer sole.
Figure 1 shows an underneath perspective view of the underfoot layer 10. Layer 10 includes a ball/toe portion 11 and a heel portion 12, the portions 11, 12 being interconnected by an arch portion 13.
Under-foot layer 10 is, as indicated, in use intended to define a lower surface of a foot chamber further defined in a footwear item by one or more uppers that typically are stitched or otherwise secured together and secured to a sole.
The underside face 14 of under-foot layer 10 that is in use remote from the foot chamber has formed therein an air flow channel 16 that extends between the ball/toe region 11 and the heel portion 12, ie. a portion of the under-foot layer 10 that is remote from the ball/toe region 11.
In the ball/toe region the under-foot layer 10 is perforated by one or more further channels 17. The air flow channel 16 communicates with each said further channel so as to provide an air flow path from the underside of the under-foot layer 10 to the upper side thereof.
In the embodiment shown in Figure 1 the air flow channel is shaped substantially to follow the outline of the under-foot layer 10. The further channels 17 comprise a series of four perforations, although of course other arrangements and patterns of the primary air flow channels 16 and the perforations 17 are possible within the scope of the invention.
The air flow channel 16 shown in Figure 1 is operatively connected to the pump forming part of the invention and described in detail herein below (not shown in Figure 1) for conveying air along the air flow channel 16 and via the further channels 17 to the ball/toe portion of the under-foot layer 10 from eg. the heel portion 12.
In the embodiment shown in Figure 1, the air flow channel 16 extends to the heel portion 12 and into a second air chamber 21 defined as a recess formed in face 14 so that it is spaced from the ball/toe region 11.
Second air chamber 21 is thereby in fluid communication with the air flow channel 16. Second air chamber 21 is shaped for connection to the outlet of the pump forming part of the present invention.
Under-foot layer 10 includes formed therein in face 14 a plurality of air supply channels 19 for supplying air to such a pump.
In the arrangement shown there are two such air supply channels 19, that extend from an edge 22 of under-foot layer 10 towards a first air chamber 23 that is, like air chamber 21, formed as a recess in face 14.
The thickness of under-foot layer 10 is not constant.
In the vicinity of edge 22 the thickness is at its greatest. The air supply channels 19 each terminate in a perforation 19a that extends upwardly and is open on edge 22 to provide for the ingestion of air towards first air chamber 23 in a manner shown below.
In other embodiments the thickness of the under-foot layer is substantially constant.
Although in Figure 1 there are shown two supply channels 19, in other embodiments of the invention different numbers and patterns of the supply channels 19 are possible.
As shown in Figure 1, the air flow channel 16 is connected at the forwardmost end of the ball/toe region 11 to define the air flow channel 16 as a loop, the forwardmost part of which is in fluid communication with the further channels 17.
A typical construction of the under-foot layer 10 is of a soft, laminar layer having bonded to its underside a series of blown or foamed layers defining a lower face remote from the foot chamber and the features formed therein. The materials from which the blown or foamed layers are made include but are not limited to so-called blown EVA and similar resiliently deformable, energy absorbing, flexible materials.
In use of the under-foot layer the lower face is placed in contact with a further layer such as the upper surface of a midsole, such that the latter presses against and closes the open channels defined by the recesses. As a result the channels are open eg. only at their terminations at the edges of the under-foot layer 10, thereby providing for conveyance of air.
This method of defining the various air flow channels and chambers is advantageously simple and economical to achieve.
Referring now to Figure 2 there is shown in cross sectional view a gas pump, according to the invention, that is suitable for use in conjunction with an under-foot layer in a footwear item such as a shoe 81. The flow of air through the shoe 81 is indicated by the arrows.
Shoe 81 includes a plurality of panels secured together to define an upper 82 defining foot chamber 83 including a. ball/toe region 84 at the forwardmost end thereof. Upper 82 is secured to a sole 86 that includes one or more sole layers and (in the embodiment shown) a substantially conventionally shaped heel 87.
The precise shape of shoe 81 shown is for illustrative purposes only. The components thereof may take any of a wide range of other forms within the scope of the invention.
An under-foot layer 10 according to the invention is received within the foot chamber 83 overlying the uppermost layer 88 of sole 86. Under-foot layer is inserted onto layer 88 with its lower face 14 in contact with layer 88.
Gas pump 54 is located in heel 87 and includes a housing 56 that is subdivided internally to define a series of chambers.
Housing 56 is formed protruding to either side of a laminar mounting plate
57 that in preferred embodiments of the invention facilitates construction thereof.
Gas pump 54 includes an inlet chamber 58 comprising a plurality of walls 59 that are upstanding from the in use upper side of mounting plate 57. Inlet chamber 58 terminates at its uppermost end in an opening 61 that is operatively connectable in use of the gas pump 54 to first air chamber 23 of under-foot layer 10 as shown in Figure 1.
A plurality of walls 62 protrude from the in use lower side of mounting plate 57 to define a pumping chamber 63 to which inlet chamber 58 is connectable via an aperture 64 that perforates mounting plate 57 adjacent the lowermost end of inlet chamber 58.
A first valve 66 that in the preferred embodiment is a septum valve of the type known as a duck bill valve normally closes perforation 64. First valve 66 is a one way valve that is openable to permit air flow from inlet chamber
58 to pumping chamber 63. First valve 66 prevents the flow of gas in a reverse direction from pumping chamber 63 to inlet chamber 58.
A plurality of further walls 67 are upstanding from the in use upper side of mounting plate 57, adjacent inlet chamber 58, to define a pressure plenum 68. Pumping chamber 63 is connectable via a second perforation 69 formed in mounting plate 57 to pressure plenum 68.
Second perforation 69 is normally closed by a second valve 71 that is of essentially the same construction as first valve 66.
Second valve 71 is arranged to permit one way flow of air from pumping chamber 63 into pressure plenum 68; and to prevent reverse flow of air from pressure plenum 68 to pumping chamber 63.
Peripheral portions 72 of the walls defining pumping chamber 63 are in the embodiments shown of flexible construction so as to define, with a resiliently deformable plate 73 forming the lowermost part of pump 54, a moveable member that is reciprocable towards and away from mounting plate 57 to operate the pump 54.
On compression of the entire pump 54, as would occur during walking when the pump 54 is incorporated into shoe 81, resiliently deformable plate 73 moves towards mounting plate 57 against the resilient deformability of walls 72 to pressurise air in pumping chamber 63.
The resulting air pressure tends to open the valve 71 so that the pressurised air in pumping chamber 63 is expelled via second valve 71 into pressure plenum 68.
On the other hand, because the pressure within the pumping chamber is greater than the pressure outside of the pump 54, the valve 66 remains closed and does not allow air to enter the pump 54 via the inlet valve 66.
The uppermost wall of pressure plenum 68 is perforated by an aperture 74 defining an outlet for pressurised gas. Aperture 74 is normally closed by a pressure operated, openable valve indicated schematically in Figure 2 by reference numeral 76.
Since aperture 74 is normally closed, the pumping stroke of the pumping chamber 63 tends to charge pressure plenum 68 with pressurised air.
On releasing of compressive force from the housing of pump 54, plate 73 is restored to the position visible in Figure 2 by virtue of the resilience of the walls 72 of the pressure chamber.
As this happens the pressurised air in pressure plenum 68 ensures valve 71 remains closed. The movement of plate 73 reduces pressure in pumping chamber 63. This in turn causes first valve 66 to open to allow re-charging of pumping chamber 63 via inlet chamber 58.
The pressure operated valve 76 is openable only when the pressure in pressure plenum 68 exceeds a threshold value.
Through judicious choice of the design of valve 76 and the other components of the pump 54, it is possible to arrange for the valve 76 to open eg. following a single stroke of the pumping chamber 63 in the manner aforesaid. When the perforation 74 is connected to the second air chamber 21 of an under-foot layer 10 as described herein such an arrangement leads to the discharging of a high velocity stream of air into the primary air flow channels 16 for example every time (or some other number of times) that a user thereof plants his foot during a normal walking gait.
This in turn leads to the periodic aeration of the ball/toe region of the footwear item in which the pump is installed, with a readily perceptible, fast-moving volume of air. Consequently the disadvantage in the prior art, of the flow of aerating air being imperceptible to a wearer, is overcome.
In other embodiments the pressure operated valve is openable only when the pressure in pressure plenum 68 exceeds a threshold value that is greater than the pressure attainable in pumping chamber 63 during the pumping stroke thereof.
This means that the valve 76 and the other components of the pump 54 may be designed so that the valve 76 opens only after a predetermined number of strokes of the pumping chamber, for example after five strokes. This leads to the discharging of a high velocity stream of air into the air flow channels 16, for example every five times (or some other number of times) that a user thereof plants his foot during a normal walking gait.
The regular, weak air pulses that are characteristic of the prior art aiτangements, are inadequate to displace moist air from a shoe wearer's sock in the vicinity of his toes. This is principally the result of a boundary layer effect. Consequently the shoe wearer does not feel the air pulses.
However a periodic gust of greater volume and higher velocity destroys the boundary layer of moist air. This allows the wearer to feel the gust and also produces a cooling effect caused by evaporation of moisture.
Figure 3 shows in more detail the valve 76 of the Figure 2 arrangement.
Valve 76 is a so-called septum valve comprising a resiliently deformable membrane 77 that is secured eg. by means of an annular clamp 78 about its periphery, so as to close aperture 74 formed in the uppermost wall of pressure plenum 68. Alternative means of securing the membrane 77 over aperture 74 include but are not limited to welding, adhesives or (in the case of compatible materials) co-moulding with the housing wall that defines the aperture 74.
Membrane 77 is formed from a dome-shaped lamina of resiliently deformable material such as a natural or synthetic rubber, a soft thermoplastic elastomer (TPE) (eg. Santoprene 55 Shore A) or a silicon (eg. Silastic 55 U). The dome of membrane 77 protrudes into pressure plenum 68 in the closed position of the valve 76.
The protruding part of membrane 77 need not be domed, however. Other shapes including but not limited to eg. conical, sectioned conical and pyramidal shapes are also possible.
Membrane 77 is in the embodiment shown divided in at least one plane 79 extending parallel to its minor dimension, so as to form at least two valve flaps 77a, 77b.
The edges of the valve flaps 77a, 77b, abut one another in the closed position of the valve 76.
When the pressure in pressure plenum 68 exceeds a threshold value determined by the design of the components of valve 76, the dome shape reverses against the resilient deformability of the material of membrane 77 so that the valve flaps 77a, 77b separate from one another and protrude externally of the pressure plenum 68, as indicated in dotted lines in Figure 3.
In this open condition of the valve 76 the pressurised air discharges from the pressure plenum 68 into the network of air flow channels.
The design of the valve 76 is such that the threshold pressure necessary to open the valve flaps 77a, 77b is greater than the pressure needed to maintain the flaps in this position after opening. Consequently the valve 76 stays in an open condition even after the pressure in plenum 68 has started to decay as the air discharges.
Once complete or substantially complete discharge of the air from plenum 68 has occurred, the resilient nature of the flaps 77a, 77b defined in membrane 77 causes them to revert to the domed, closed position.
In one embodiment of gas pump 54 according to the invention the volume of the pressure plenum is approximately 6 cm . The threshold pressure needed to open the valve 76 is usually within the range 100-250 kPa. However, for children's shoes for example the range will be lower. The discharge coefficient is calculated as 0.6. The thickness of the lamina 77 measured along its minor, transverse dimension is 4.5 mm and the diameter of aperture 74 is 16 mm.
In practice the membrane 77 is divided by two, mutually perpendicular planar cuts each similar to that represented by reference numeral 79, so as to define a quadrucuspid valve having four valve flaps.
Other designs of valve, that need not necessarily be of the so-called "septum" type, are possible within the scope of the invention.
Referring to Figures 4a and 4b a duck bill valve of the type forming valves 66 and 71 is shown in more detail. For the sake of clarity the valve shown in these Figures has been identified as valve 66. As can be seen in Figure 4a when the valve is in a closed position it forms a slit and has a substantially triangular cross sectional shape reminiscent of a duck bill. When the pressure represented by arrows 600 on the outside of the valve 66 in area 100 builds up to a certain level, the valve will open to the position shown in Figure 4b and allow entry of pressurised gas into area 110 as represented by arrow 610.
In other words, the inlet valve 66 will remain in the closed position until the pressure of gas acting on the valve 66 externally of inlet chamber 58 reaches a certain level, at which point the valve will open to the position shown in Figure 4b and allow entry of the pressurised gas into the pressure chamber 63.
Similarly, valve 71 connecting the pressure chamber to the plenum chamber will remain in a closed position until the pressure within the pressure chamber 63 reaches a certain predetermined level at which point it will open and allow expulsion of the pressurised gas into the plenum chamber.
The valves 66,71 are preferably formed from silicon rubber or vulcanised rubber.
The pump 54 comprises an upper casing, a mounting 57, and a lower moveable member 73.
Details of the mounting are shown in Figures 5a and 5b. The mounting 57 comprises perforation 64 through which air allowed into the chamber by valve 66 enters the pump chamber 63, and perforation 69 for retaining duck bill valve 71 allowing gas to exit the pump chamber.
Perforation 64 comprises part of the valve assembly and includes a retainer for first valve 66. The retainer comprises a substantially cylinder-shaped protrusion 500 defined by outer wall 510. The wall 510 is formed with a ledge forming a substantially annular shoulder 520. To assemble the valve, the valve 66 is pushed into retainer 64 in the direction of arrow 530. This procedure is shown in more detail in Figures 5c and 5d. From these figures it can be seen that a flange 532 locates against shoulder 520 and is held in place by a sealing ring 534. As shown in Figure 5e, the material from which valve 66 is made mildly deforms under the pressure of the sealing ring 534. The sealing ring comprises a protrusion 536 which causes deformation of the valve 66 completing the seal.
The sealing ring (or cap) and the retainer are made from TPU. This ensures integrity of the seal and enables the retainer and sealing ring to be heat welded together.
Similarly perforation 69 is formed as a retainer for second valve 71 and comprises a substantially cylindrical protrusion defined by wall 540. The shape of wall 540 defines shoulder 550. Second valve is pushed into retainer 69 in the direction of arrow 560 and is held in place by a sealing ring (or cap) (not shown) in a similar manner to that described with respect to valve 66.
Details of part of the top casing 120 are shown in Figures 6a and 6b. The top casing 120 comprises an aperture 150 through which retainer 64 extends and aperture 74 in which the septum valve 76 may be positioned and retained.
The aperture 74 comprises a retainer 595 as shown in more detail in Figures 6b, 7a, 7b and 8 and comprises flange 570 to allow attachment to central mounting 57 by heat welding. The retainer 595 is defined by wall 580 which has a substantially semi-circular protrusion 590 formed on an inner surface thereof.
Valve 76 is inserted into retainer 595 by pushing the valve 76 in the direction of arrow 600 in Figure 7a. The valve is then held in position by means of a sealing ring (or cap) 620 which is shaped to accommodate flange 300 of valve 76. The sealing ring 620 is heat welded to the retainer 595. When held in position by the sealing ring 620, the flange 300 deforms around the substantially semicircular protrusion 590. The valve 76 is made from a substantially non elastic material having a high Poisson's ratio.
In order to improve the seal between valve 76 and the top casing, the valve 76 may be adhesively bonded to the sealing ring 620 or the retainer 595 or both.
Turning now to Figures 9a, 9b, 9c, and 9d, the moveable member 73 of the pump 54 is shown in more detail. The moveable member 73 comprises a resiliently deformable. housing 210. The moveable member 73 has a domed shape shown more clearly in the cross sectional representation shown in Figure 9b.
One way of retaining the assembled pump is visible in Figure 2, in which a peripheral rib 811 extending about the exterior of pump 54 approximately mid-way between its top and bottom surfaces is press or snap fitted into a complementary groove 812 formed in the adjacent portions of sole 86 and heel 87.
The moveable member 73 is heat welded to the mounting 57.
Figure 12 shows an exploded perspective view of a schematic representation of an under-foot layer 10 incorporating a pump according to the present invention for incorporation into a footwear item. The under-foot layer 10 is received within a foot chamber 88 and shoe 81.
As can be seen from Figure 12, the pump 54 according to the invention is received within an aperture formed in heel 87. The moveable member 73 engages with an outsole "button" 250 shown more clearly in Figures 11 and
12. The outsole button is fabricated from vulcanised rubber. The remainder r of the shoe sole is made from polyurethane (PU).
Under-foot layer 10 is inserted onto layer 88 with its lower face 14 in contact with layer 88.
5
The inlet chamber 58 and outlet perforation 74 of pump 54 are positioned such that on placing of under-foot layer 10 as described the second air chamber 21 overlies and is in fluid communication with perforation 74; and first air chamber 23 overlies and is in fluid communication with air inlet 10 chamber 58.
Since in the preferred embodiment the under-foot layer 10 is not rigidly secured relative to the foot chamber defined in shoe 81, during a normal walking action the planting of the user's foot will cause compression of the 15 pump 54 to operate the pump. Lifting of the foot during the normal gait will allow restoration of the pump from its compressed state, to cause recharging of the pump via the inlet chamber 58.
The flow of air into the pump via the supply channels 19 and the inlet 20 chamber 58 is signified by arrow 89 in Figure 12. The flow of pumped air that causes aeration of the ball/toe region 84 is signified by arrows 91 and 92.
Through the action of the gas pump 54 and related components as described 25 herein, air will flow as signified by arrow 89 with each step taken; and air will flow along the path represented by arrows 91 and 92 for every step (or at some other interval), determined by the precise design of the septum valve 74 and the pressure plenum 68.
30 In order to avoid the perforation 74 becoming blocked by the weight of a wearer, the outlet of the pump 54 is protected by a manifold 300. The manifold is domed shape as shown in Figure 13 and is attached to the pump 54 by means of a intermediate portion 310 having an aperture 320 formed therein which corresponds to the shape of the aperture in the upper casing of the pump 54 retaining septum valve 77. The intermediate portion 310 also comprises a recess 330 for receiving a semi-rigid pipe. The semi-rigid pipe extends along air channel 16 and ensures conveyance of air from the pump to the ball/toe region 84. The use of a semi-rigid pipe ensures that airways do not become blocked due to the weight of the wearer. In addition, the use of a pipe obviates the need to ensure air tightness of air channels.
Referring to Figures 14a and 14b an alternative embodiment of the manifold 300 is shown. In this embodiment the manifold 300 is mounted in the under layer 10.
Referring now to Figure 15 a further embodiment of the manifold 300 is shown. In this embodiment the manifold 300 comprises an inset mould of the under layer 10.

Claims

1. A footwear item comprising one or more members defining an upper, including a ball/toe region that is secured to a sole including at least one sole layer, the upper and the sole defining a foot chamber that contains an under-foot layer; the under-foot layer comprising a first air chamber and a second air chamber, the footwear item further comprising a gas pump comprising an inlet, a pumping chamber and a pressure plenum, the inlet being connectable to the pumping chamber via a first valve so as to permit a flow of gas from the inlet to the pumping chamber and prevent the flow of gas from the pumping chamber to the inlet; the pumping chamber being connectable to the pressure plenum via a second valve so as to permit the flow of gas from the pumping chamber to the pressure plenum and prevent the flow of gas from the pressure plenum to the pumping chamber; the inlet of the gas pump being operatively connected to the first air chamber of the under foot-layer and the outlet of the gas pump being operatively connected to the second air chamber thereof, the gas pump being arranged so that the gait of a wearer of the footwear item causes movement of the moveable member thereof to cause: (i) conveyance of air, between the ball/toe region of the footwear item and the said portion of the under-foot layer that is remote from the ball/toe portion thereof; and
(ii) ingestion of air for conveyance between the ball/toe region and the portion that is remote from the ball/toe portion, the pressure plenum including an outlet, for pressurised gas, that is normally closed by a pressure operated openable valve having a predetermined operating pressure.
2. A footwear item according to Claim 1 wherein the gas pressure required to cause opening of the pressure operated valve is greater than the pressure required to maintain the pressure operated valve in an open state after opening.
3. A footwear item according to Claim 2 wherein the pressure operated valve is a septum valve.
4. A footwear item according to Claim 1 or any claim dependent therefrom, wherein the pump chamber includes a housing having at least one resiliently deformable portion defining a said moveable member, deformation of the said deformable portion in a first direction against the resilience thereof causing pressurisation of gas in the pumping chamber and expulsion of gas via the second valve to the pressure plenum; and restoration of the deformable portion in a second direction that is assisted by the resilience thereof causing ingestion of gas into the pumping chamber via the inlet and the first valve.
5. A footwear item according to Claim 4 wherein the septum valve includes a resiliently deformable membrane that is secured about its periphery across an aperture, the membrane being discontinuous so as to include a multi-cuspid valve flap arrangement that in the closed condition of the valve defines a dome that protrudes towards the pressure plenum of the gas pump and that in the open condition of the valve projects away from the pressure plenum.
6. A gas pump according to Claim 5 wherein in the closed condition of the septum valve the dome protrudes approximately 5mm towards the pressure plenum when measured from the said aperture and is circular having a base diameter of approximately 16mm, the membrane being formed from approximately 4.5mm thick, laminar, thermoplastic polyurethane having a Young's Modulus of approximately 3Mpa (3x106 N/m2).
7. A footwear item according to Claim 1 or any claim dependent therefrom including a perforated mounting plate, the inlet and the pressure plenum being defined adjacent one another by respective housing members that are upstanding on one side of the mounting plate; and the pumping chamber being defined by one or more housing members that are upstanding on the opposite side of the mounting plate, the inlet being connectable to the pumping chamber via a first perforation through the mounting plate and the pumping chamber being connectable to the pressure plenum via a second perforation through the mounting plate.
8. A footwear item according to Claim 28 wherein the first and second valves are operable to valve respectively the first and second perforations.
9. A footwear item according to any one of the preceding claims wherein the first and second valves each comprise a septum valve.
10. A footwear item according to Claim 9 wherein each of the first and second valves comprises a duck bill valve.
11. A footwear item according to any one of the preceding claims including a heel having a recess having received therein the gas pump.
12. A footwear item according to any one of the preceding claims wherein a face of the under-foot layer that is in use remote from the said foot chamber has formed therein a plurality of air flow channels extended between the ball/toe portion and a portion of the layer remote therefrom for conveying air between the said portions, at least one said channel communicating with one or more further channels that perforate the layer in the ball/toe region and at least one said channel in use of the layer being connectable to the pump for causing conveyance of air to the ball/toe portion from the said portion of the layer remote therefrom via a flow path defined by the one or more channels.
13. A footwear item according to any one of the preceding claims wherein the under-foot layer comprises a plurality of supply channels formed in the said face of the layer that is in use remote from the said foot chamber.
14. A footwear item according to Claim 13 wherein the one or more air flow channels includes a primary air flow channel that is in communication with the first air chamber and that extends therefrom towards the ball/toe region.
15. A footwear item according to Claim 14 wherein the primary air flow channel comprises a semi-rigid pipe.
16. A footwear item according to any one of the preceding claims wherein the or each said supply channel interconnects a periphery of the layer and the first air chamber.
17. A footwear item according to any one of the preceding claims wherein each said flow channel includes a recess formed in a face of the layer that is in use remote from the said foot chamber, the said face in use of the layer overlying a further face of the footwear item so as to define substantially closed air flow channels.
18. A footwear item according to any one of the preceding claims wherein the second air chamber includes an interior surface having formed thereon one or more formations for reducing turbulence in air in the second chamber.
19. A footwear item according to Claim 18 wherein the formations include one or more ribs that protrude from the said interior surface.
20. A footwear item according to Claim 19 wherein the said interior surface lies in the path of air conveyed from a said pump.
21. Use of a septum valve to control the release of pressurised gas in a chamber forming part of the footwear item, the septum valve preventing release of the pressurised gas until the pressure reaches a predetermined value, when the septum valve allows a single release of the pressurised gas in the chamber.
PCT/GB2002/005161 2001-11-16 2002-11-15 Improvements in footwear WO2003043454A2 (en)

Priority Applications (1)

Application Number Priority Date Filing Date Title
AU2002343025A AU2002343025A1 (en) 2001-11-16 2002-11-15 Improvements in footwear

Applications Claiming Priority (2)

Application Number Priority Date Filing Date Title
GB0127466A GB2382017A (en) 2001-11-16 2001-11-16 Air channel arrangement in ventilated footwear
GB0127466.1 2001-11-16

Publications (2)

Publication Number Publication Date
WO2003043454A2 true WO2003043454A2 (en) 2003-05-30
WO2003043454A3 WO2003043454A3 (en) 2004-03-11

Family

ID=9925853

Family Applications (1)

Application Number Title Priority Date Filing Date
PCT/GB2002/005161 WO2003043454A2 (en) 2001-11-16 2002-11-15 Improvements in footwear

Country Status (3)

Country Link
AU (1) AU2002343025A1 (en)
GB (1) GB2382017A (en)
WO (1) WO2003043454A2 (en)

Cited By (3)

* Cited by examiner, † Cited by third party
Publication number Priority date Publication date Assignee Title
MD2970C2 (en) * 2005-02-07 2006-09-30 Владимир БЕЛОУСОВ Insole with ventilation
US8893403B2 (en) 2011-03-24 2014-11-25 Wilhelm Möhlmann Sole construction having an air pumping device
EP2398347B1 (en) * 2009-02-17 2015-10-07 ATMOS airwalk ag Sole construction for shoes with air pump device

Families Citing this family (7)

* Cited by examiner, † Cited by third party
Publication number Priority date Publication date Assignee Title
US20050120591A1 (en) 2003-11-12 2005-06-09 Andrew Terence S. Footwear
DE202005013490U1 (en) * 2005-08-25 2005-12-15 Lo, Chie-Fang, Tai Ping Hsiang Sole insert, has air sack, where air is filled in air sack, till air pressure in air sack reaches certain value then air is squirted out through air outlet opening of air circulation pipe, if air pump is pressed repeatedly
ES2293793B1 (en) * 2005-09-13 2008-11-16 Federico Sabatini TEMPLATE FOR FOOTWEAR.
ITTV20090148A1 (en) * 2009-07-17 2011-01-18 Rita Piazza STRUCTURE OF AERATED INSOLE, PARTICULARLY FOR FOOTWEAR.
ITVI20120011A1 (en) * 2012-01-13 2013-07-14 Engineering Team Srl PLANTARE FOR THE IMPROVEMENT OF THE REPLACEMENT OF THE AIR WITHIN FOOTWEAR AND ITS RELATED METHOD OF CONSTRUCTION
US8978693B2 (en) * 2013-01-28 2015-03-17 Windcatcher Technology LLC Inflation valve allowing for rapid inflation and deflation of an inflatable object
CZ2014615A3 (en) * 2014-09-09 2016-03-16 František Novák Shoe ventilation system

Citations (2)

* Cited by examiner, † Cited by third party
Publication number Priority date Publication date Assignee Title
US5282324A (en) 1992-06-29 1994-02-01 Cheng Peter S C Valveless ventilating arrangement for a shoe and method
US6041519A (en) 1997-06-25 2000-03-28 Cheng; Peter S. C. Air-circulating, shock-absorbing shoe structures

Family Cites Families (13)

* Cited by examiner, † Cited by third party
Publication number Priority date Publication date Assignee Title
US6014823A (en) * 1987-05-26 2000-01-18 Lakic; Nikola Inflatable sole lining for shoes and boots
JPH048801Y2 (en) * 1988-07-06 1992-03-05
US4860463A (en) * 1988-08-30 1989-08-29 Huang Pin Footwear having ventilation and shock-absorbing properties
US4999932A (en) * 1989-02-14 1991-03-19 Royce Medical Company Variable support shoe
DE3942777A1 (en) * 1989-12-23 1991-07-04 Fritz Dr Med Immeyer Shoe sole with air channel - has openings in toe area and heel area to form air pump
DE9104046U1 (en) * 1991-04-04 1991-06-13 Bender, Heinz, 7770 Ueberlingen, De
JPH0723802A (en) * 1993-05-12 1995-01-27 Fukuoka Kagaku Kogyo Kk Ventilation shoes
US5384977A (en) * 1993-06-25 1995-01-31 Global Sports Technologies Inc. Sports footwear
DE19524565A1 (en) * 1995-07-06 1997-01-09 Bayer Ag Ventilated street shoe
IT1296111B1 (en) * 1997-04-18 1999-06-09 Onifares Elpidio Squadroni SOLE FOR FOOTWEAR EQUIPPED WITH MEANS TO ENCOURAGE BREATHABILITY AVOIDING THE ENTRY OF LIQUIDS FROM THE OUTSIDE
EP0916274A1 (en) * 1997-11-11 1999-05-19 Gianfranco Mariotti Device for internal ventilation of shoes
KR200169025Y1 (en) * 1997-11-21 2000-02-01 조남석 The breathing shoes
JPH11187904A (en) * 1997-12-25 1999-07-13 Minoru Tagami Shoe insole member having flat valve device and ventilating function and shoe

Patent Citations (2)

* Cited by examiner, † Cited by third party
Publication number Priority date Publication date Assignee Title
US5282324A (en) 1992-06-29 1994-02-01 Cheng Peter S C Valveless ventilating arrangement for a shoe and method
US6041519A (en) 1997-06-25 2000-03-28 Cheng; Peter S. C. Air-circulating, shock-absorbing shoe structures

Cited By (3)

* Cited by examiner, † Cited by third party
Publication number Priority date Publication date Assignee Title
MD2970C2 (en) * 2005-02-07 2006-09-30 Владимир БЕЛОУСОВ Insole with ventilation
EP2398347B1 (en) * 2009-02-17 2015-10-07 ATMOS airwalk ag Sole construction for shoes with air pump device
US8893403B2 (en) 2011-03-24 2014-11-25 Wilhelm Möhlmann Sole construction having an air pumping device

Also Published As

Publication number Publication date
GB2382017A (en) 2003-05-21
AU2002343025A8 (en) 2003-06-10
GB0127466D0 (en) 2002-01-09
AU2002343025A1 (en) 2003-06-10
WO2003043454A3 (en) 2004-03-11

Similar Documents

Publication Publication Date Title
US11510458B2 (en) Foot support systems including fluid filled bladders with movement of fluid between bladders
US6430843B1 (en) Dynamically-controlled cushioning system for an article of footwear
US6988329B2 (en) Shoe having an inflatable bladder
US5477626A (en) Multifunctional shoe
US5515622A (en) Shoe construction
US5845417A (en) Air cooled shoe having an air exhaust pump
US6014823A (en) Inflatable sole lining for shoes and boots
US5564201A (en) Novelty footwear producing squirting action and having a toe activated pump
US7546696B1 (en) Inflation mechanism and outlet valve for an article of footwear incorporating an inflatable bladder
US7328525B2 (en) Shoe with ventilating opening
WO1987003789A1 (en) Article of footwear with variable cushioning
JPH11164706A (en) Structure of air circulating shock absorbing shoes
AU2003281263A1 (en) A sole for shoes including transpiration side valves formed by moulding
WO2003043454A2 (en) Improvements in footwear
US8230874B2 (en) Configurable fluid transfer manifold for inflatable footwear
JPH0744139U (en) Footwear sole with ventilation, cushioning and fashion
US6205680B1 (en) Self-ventilating footwear
US8858200B2 (en) Pump and valve combination for an article of footwear incorporating an inflatable bladder
WO1991019430A1 (en) Inflatable lining for footwear
WO1997004676A1 (en) Insole for shoe
JP3837426B2 (en) In-shoe ventilation device and ventilation shoes
WO2005039341A1 (en) Shoe for shock absorption and airing function
IL99518A (en) Ventilated inner sole

Legal Events

Date Code Title Description
AK Designated states

Kind code of ref document: A2

Designated state(s): AE AG AL AM AT AU AZ BA BB BG BR BY BZ CA CH CN CO CR CU CZ DE DK DM DZ EC EE ES FI GB GD GE GH GM HR HU ID IL IN IS JP KE KG KP KR KZ LC LK LR LS LT LU LV MA MD MG MK MN MW MX MZ NO NZ OM PH PL PT RO RU SC SD SE SG SI SK SL TJ TM TN TR TT TZ UA UG US UZ VC VN YU ZA ZM ZW

AL Designated countries for regional patents

Kind code of ref document: A2

Designated state(s): GH GM KE LS MW MZ SD SL SZ TZ UG ZM ZW AM AZ BY KG KZ MD RU TJ TM AT BE BG CH CY CZ DE DK EE ES FI FR GB GR IE IT LU MC NL PT SE SK TR BF BJ CF CG CI CM GA GN GQ GW ML MR NE SN TD TG

121 Ep: the epo has been informed by wipo that ep was designated in this application
DFPE Request for preliminary examination filed prior to expiration of 19th month from priority date (pct application filed before 20040101)
122 Ep: pct application non-entry in european phase
NENP Non-entry into the national phase in:

Ref country code: JP

WWW Wipo information: withdrawn in national office

Country of ref document: JP