WO2007089122A1

WO2007089122A1 - A sole structure of footwear

Info

Publication number: WO2007089122A1
Application number: PCT/KR2007/000580
Authority: WO
Inventors: Byung Hun Lee
Original assignee: Byung Hun Lee
Priority date: 2006-02-03
Filing date: 2007-02-02
Publication date: 2007-08-09

Abstract

A sole structure of footwear is disclosed. The sole structure of footwear according to the present invention can provide an exercise effect, such as that obtained when climbing an upward slope, regardless of the kind of the footwear, and may be used as normal footwear merely by replacing the insole with an insole having a thick rear foot part. Furthermore, the sole structure of the present invention has superior shock absorbing ability, thus making it possible to protect the joints of the user, including the ankles. To achieve the above-mentioned purpose, the sole structure of the present invention includes a main sole (10), which has a shape corresponding to the shape of the foot, and has a front-raised inclination such that a rear foot part (14) thereof is lowermost, so that a front foot part (12) thereof is higher than the rear foot part (14).

Description

Description A SOLE STRUCTURE OF FOOTWEAR

Technical Field

[1] The present invention relates, in general, to sole structures of footwear and, more particularly, to a sole structure of footwear which can provide an exercise effect, such as that obtained when climbing an upward slope, regardless of the kind of footwear, and which may be used as normal footwear merely by replacing an insole thereof, and which has superior shock absorbing ability, thus making it possible to protect the joints of the user, including the ankles. Background Art

[2] Generally, footwear serves to protect the feet of a user from shocks transmitted to the user when the user walks. Depending on the intended purposes of footwear and the places in which the footwear is used, there are several types of footwear having various external designs and structures.

[3] For example, sandals are used for light walking, sneakers or dress shoes are used for daily life, and, to enjoy sports, sports shoes to be used exclusively for the associated sport are used. Recently, functional footwear for special purposes has widely spread.

[4] Particularly, in response to the increase in the public's interest in health, functional footwear, which can provide an exercise effect even when the user walks on level ground, has been developed. However, in the case of most conventional functional footwear, as a result of regarding only the exercise effect as being important, the footwear has an unusual external shape and thus has failed to arouse consumers' interest.

[5] Furthermore, there is a problem in that, even when the user suffers the unusual external shape of the conventional functional footwear and uses it to obtain the exercise effect, after the exercise is finished, or, in conditions of daily life, for which the footwear having the unusual external shape is not suitable, the footwear cannot be used further. Disclosure of Invention

Technical Problem

[6] Accordingly, the present invention has been made keeping in mind the above problems occurring in the prior art, and an object of the present invention is to provide a sole structure which can be applied to all kinds of footwear and can have a normal shape, similar to typical footwear, such that a user can wear the footwear without attracting the attention of others, and which can provide an exercise effect, such as that obtained when climbing an upward slope, even when the user walks on level ground, and which may be used as normal footwear, without having the mountain climbing effect, merely by replacing an insole, and which has superior shock absorbing ability, thus making it possible to protect the joints of the user, including the ankles. Technical Solution

[7] In order to accomplish the above object, the present invention provides a sole structure of footwear, comprising: a main sole, including an edge part coupled to an upper of the footwear, the edge part having a rear-raised inclination such that a rear foot part of the edge part is higher than a front foot part thereof, the main sole including an upper surface part having a shape corresponding to a shape in which a foot of a user is formed thereon, the upper surface part having a front-raised inclination such that a rear foot part of the upper surface part is lowermost, so that a front foot part of the upper surface part is higher than the rear foot part of the upper surface part.

[8] The sole structure may further comprise an insole placed on the main sole and having a shape corresponding to the shape of the foot and a constant thickness. The sole structure may further comprise a subsidiary insole placed on the main sole and including an upper surface part having a shape corresponding to a shape of a part of the foot, and a lower surface part having a shape corresponding to a shape of an associated part of the upper surface part of the main sole, the subsidiary insole being increased in thickness from a front foot part thereof to a rear foot part, such that the rear foot part is higher than the front foot part.

[9] Preferably, a tube may be provided in the main sole and be connected between the front foot part and the rear foot part of the main sole, an air supply slot having a predetermined size may be formed through the insole at a position corresponding to an end of the tube adjacent to the front foot part of the main sole, and a pumping recess may be formed in the subsidiary insole to have a shape concave upwards from the lower surface part of the subsidiary insole.

[10] Furthermore, the tube may be inserted into a tube seating groove formed in the main sole between the front foot part and the rear foot part of the main sole to provide wearing comfort to the user. The sole structure may further comprise a cushioning support provided in the pumping recess.

[11] Alternatively, the sole structure may further comprise an insole including an upper surface part having a shape corresponding to the shape of the foot and a lower surface part having a shape corresponding to the shape of the upper surface part of the main insole, the insole being increased in thickness from a front foot part thereof to a rear foot part, so that, when the insole is placed on the main sole, the rear foot part of the sole of the footwear is higher than the front foot part of the sole. [12] In this case, preferably, a tube may be provided in the main sole and be connected between the front foot part and the rear foot part of the main sole, and a pumping recess may be formed in the rear foot part of the insole, and an air supply slot may be formed through the insole at a position corresponding to an end of the tube adjacent to the front foot part of the main sole. [13] Furthermore, an uneven surface may be formed under a lower surface of the rear foot part of the subsidiary insole or the insole to prevent the subsidiary insole or the insole from slipping relative to the main sole. [14] In addition, it is preferable that the insole and the subsidiary insole be made of highly elastic material.

Brief Description of the Drawings [15] FIG. 1 is a perspective view showing the external shape of footwear having a sole structure, according to the present invention; [16] FIG. 2 is an exploded perspective view of the sole structure having an insole placed on a main sole according to the present invention; [17] FIG. 3 is a longitudinal sectional view showing the sole structure in which the insole is placed on the main sole according to the present invention; [18] FIG. 4 is an exploded perspective view showing a sole structure in which a subsidiary insole is interposed between the main sole and the insole according to the present invention; [19] FIG. 5 is a longitudinal sectional view showing the sole structure in which the subsidiary insole is interposed between the main sole and the insole according to the present invention; [20] FIG. 6 is an exploded perspective view of a sole structure having another insole placed on the main sole according to the present invention; [21] FIG. 7 is a longitudinal sectional view showing the sole structure in which the insole of FIG. 6 is placed on the main sole according to the present invention; [22] FIG. 8 is an exploded perspective view of a sole structure having a pump structure, which is provided in a main sole and a subsidiary insole, according to the present invention; [23] FIG. 9 is a longitudinal sectional view showing the pump structure provided in the main sole and the subsidiary insole of the sole structure, according to the present invention; [24] FIG. 10 is an exploded perspective view of a sole structure having another pump structure, which is provided in a main sole and an insole, according to the present invention; [25] FIG. 11 is a longitudinal sectional view showing the pump structure provided in the main sole and the insole of the sole structure, according to the present invention;

[26] FIG. 12 is an exploded perspective view of a sandal having the sole structure of the present invention; and

[27] FIG. 13 is an exploded perspective view of the sandal having the sole structure of the present invention. Best Mode for Carrying Out the Invention

[28] Hereinafter, preferred embodiments of a sole structure of footwear according to the present invention will be described in detail with reference to the attached drawings.

[29] FIG. 1 is a perspective view showing the external shape of footwear having the sole structure according to the present invention. FIG. 2 is an exploded perspective view of the sole structure showing an insole placed on a main sole, according to the present invention. FIG. 3 is a longitudinal sectional view showing the sole structure, in which the insole is placed on the main sole, according to the present invention. FIG. 4 is an exploded perspective view showing a sole structure, in which a subsidiary insole is interposed between the main sole and the insole, according to the present invention. FIG. 5 is a longitudinal sectional view showing the sole structure, in which the subsidiary insole is interposed between the main sole and the insole, according to the present invention. FIG. 6 is an exploded perspective view of a sole structure having another insole placed on the main sole, according to the present invention. FIG. 7 is a longitudinal sectional view showing the sole structure, in which the insole of FIG. 6 is placed on the main sole, according to the present invention. FIG. 8 is an exploded perspective view of a sandal having the sole structure of the present invention. FIG. 9 is an exploded perspective view of the sandal having the sole structure of the present invention.

[30] Typically, the footwear includes a sole, which forms the bottom of the footwear and comes into contact with the foot of a user, and an upper, which covers the top side of the foot of the user to protect the foot and prevent the footwear from coming off.

[31] The upper is made of material, such as natural leather or synthetic leather, which is soft and sturdy, to promote the wearing comfort of the footwear. In contrast, the sole is made of material, such as rubber, polyurethane, or other cushioning substances to absorb shocks resulting from walking.

[32] The footwear can be variously embodied as sandals, sneakers, dress shoes or mountain-climbing boots, depending on the structure and material of the upper and the sole thereof. Although the sole structure of the present invention can be applied to all kinds of footwear, the sole structure of a typical sport shoe will be taken as an example in the following embodiments.

[33] Referring to FIG. 1, footwear A of an embodiment of the present invention is also constructed such that an upper 30 is adhered to the edge of a main sole 10. As shown in FIGS. 2 and 3, the footwear A is further provided with an insole 20, which has a consistent thickness and is placed on the main sole 10 and has a shape corresponding to that of the upper surface part of the main sole 10 so as to be replaceable with another one, thus absorbing shocks transmitted to the user more effectively.

[34] The upper surface part of the main sole 10 has a shape corresponding to the shape of the foot, as if the foot of the user is engraved on the upper surface part. Therefore, the main sole contacts the foot of the user to have a shape wrapping the foot, thus providing superior wearing comfort.

[35] Referring to FIG. 3 showing the longitudinal sectional view to illustrate the sole structure in more detail, a rear foot part 14 and a front foot part 12 are not level with each other, and a sole arch part 13, which protrudes upwards from the rear foot part 14 and the front foot part 12, is defined therebetween. Furthermore, a frontmost foot part 11 and a rearmost foot part 15 are oriented upwards, so that the main sole generally has a smooth 'W shape.

[36] Particularly, the main sole 10 of the present invention has a front-raised structure such that the height thereof is increased towards the front foot part 12, and the rear foot part 14 is the lowest part.

[37] Therefore, when the user wears the footwear having the sole structure of the present invention, the upper part of the sole contacts the foot of the user in a shape in which the foot is wrapped with the upper part of the sole, thus providing wearing comfort. While the user walks, the front foot part 12 maintains the state of being raised with respect to the rear foot part 14.

[38] As such, because the front foot part 12 maintains the state of being raised relative to the rear foot part 14, the center of gravity of the user is moved backwards, in a manner similar to that when a user wearing typical footwear climbs a mountain. In response, the body of the user instinctively tends to attempt to stand upright. Therefore, even when the user, who wears the footwear having the sole structure of the present invention, which maintains the above-mentioned state, walks on level ground, the user can have an exercise effect, such as that obtained when climbing a mountain having the inclination defined by the sole structure of the present invention.

[39] Furthermore, in the main sole 10 of the present invention, as the angle at which the front foot part 12 is raised relative to the rear foot part 14, is increased, the exercise effect is increased, as if the user were climbing a mountain having a still greater inclination. Hence, preferably, when designing and manufacturing the main sole 10, the angle of inclination of the main sole 10 is appropriately adjusted depending on the intended purpose of the footwear and the exercise effect.

[40] Meanwhile, as shown in FIGS. 3 and 4, the footwear having the sole structure of the present invention may be used as a structure similar to that of typical footwear by interposing a separate subsidiary insole 21 between the main sole and the insole.

[41] In detail, in the subsidiary insole 21, which is applied to the sole structure of the present invention and is interposed between the main sole 10 and the insole 20, the upper part thereof has a shape corresponding to the shape of a portion of the foot, and the lower part thereof has a shape corresponding to the shape of the upper part of the main sole 10. The subsidiary insole 21 is placed at a corresponding position on the upper part of the main sole and is increased in thickness from the front end thereof to the rear part of the rear foot part 14. Thus, when the subsidiary insole is placed on the main sole 10, the sole including the subsidiary insole is shaped such that the rear foot part 14 is higher than the front foot part 12.

[42] As such, when the subsidiary insole 21 is placed on the main sole 10, the footwear

A having the sole structure of the present invention has the same structure as that of typical footwear, in which the front foot part 12 thereof is lower than the rear foot part 14. Thus, when it is not necessary to obtain a mountain climbing effect, the footwear A according to the present invention may be used as normal footwear merely by inserting the subsidiary insole 21 between the main sole 10 and the insole 20.

[43] Furthermore, in the above-mentioned embodiments, the insole 20 need not be provided on the main sole 10 and/or the subsidiary insole 21, that is, it can be omitted depending on the intended purpose of the embodiment.

[44] Meanwhile, as another embodiment, as shown in FIGS. 6 and 7, the sole structure of the present invention may be provided with an insole 20' having a shape in which the subsidiary insole is integrated with the insole of the prior embodiments.

[45] This insole 20' has a shape such that the upper part thereof has a shape corresponding to the shape of the foot and the lower part thereof has a shape corresponding to the shape of the main sole 10, in the same manner as that of the insole 20 of the prior embodiments. However, unlike the insole 20 of the prior embodiments, the insole 20' of this embodiment is increased in thickness from the front foot part 12 to the rear foot part 14, such that, when the insole 20' is placed on the main sole 10, the rear foot part 14 is higher than the front foot part 12. As such, the insole 20', which is placed on the main sole 10, has the same effect as that of the embodiment in which the subsidiary insole 21 is interposed between the main sole 10 and the insole 20.

[46] The insole 20, 20' according to the present invention is made of highly elastic material, such as polyure thane. Thus, the rear foot part 14, which is relatively thick, has superior shock absorbing ability, thus protecting the joints of the user, including the ankles, and reduces physical fatigue resulting from walking. In addition, thanks to the superior cushioning ability of the rear foot part 14, when the user walks, the rear foot part 14 is sufficiently elastically depressed, so that the arch part of the foot of the user can be reliably supported, thus having an acupressure effect. As well, the footwear is prevented from slipping relative to the foot of the user, thanks to the frictional force on the sole arch part 13.

[47] Meanwhile, preferably, an uneven surface 22 is formed under the lower surface of each of the insole 20 and the subsidiary insole 20', to prevent it from slipping relative to the main sole 10. Furthermore, the uneven surface 22 may be formed under the rear foot part 14, which is relatively thick.

[48] Meanwhile, the main sole 10 may be formed into a single integrated structure using a single material or, alternatively, may be formed into a multilayered structure, including an outsole and a midsole. This structure of the main sole 10 is defined by a technique well-known to those skilled in this art.

[49] Unlike the main sole 10, having the front-raised structure shown in the longitudinal sectional view thereof, thus having the special effect of the present invention, an edge part 16, which is raised to facilitate a final assembly step and is adhered to the upper 30 in the same manner as that of the frontmost foot part 11 and the rearmost foot part 15, is configured such that the part thereof that is adjacent to the rear foot part 14 is thicker than the part thereof adjacent to the front foot part 12, as shown in the side view of FIG. 1. Therefore, the external shape of the finished product of footwear A is the same as that of the typical footwear. Thus, because the internal sole structure is not exposed outside, it does not attract people's attention.

[50] To manufacture the footwear having the sole structure of the present invention, the main sole 10 is first coupled to the subsidiary insole 21, and the insole 20 is placed on the subsidiary insole 21 and is coupled to the main sole 10.

[51] Alternatively, the main sole 10 is first coupled to the upper, and the subsidiary insole 21 and the insole 20 are consecutively coupled to the main sole, thus completing the footwear.

[52] Meanwhile, as shown in FIGS. 8 through 11, the sole structure of the footwear according to the present invention may have a pumping structure such that air is pumped into the footwear when the user walks, thus improving comfort.

[53] As an example of footwear having the pumping structure, as shown in FIGS. 8 and

9, a tube 17, which is connected between a rear foot part 14 and a front foot part 12, is provided in a main sole 10. An air supply slot 25, through which air is supplied into the footwear, is formed through the insole 20 at a position corresponding to the end of the tube 17 adjacent to the front foot part 12. A pumping recess 23 is formed in the subsidiary insole 21 and has a shape concave upwards from the lower surface of the subsidiary insole 21. A plurality of cushioning supports 24 is provided in the pumping recess 23.

[54] Here, preferably, the tube 17 is inserted into a tube seating groove 18, which is formed in the main sole 10 between the rear foot part 14 and the front foot part 12, to ensure superior wearing comfort.

[55] Furthermore, the end of the tube 17 adjacent to the rear foot part 14 extends into a space which is defined by the pumping recess 23 of the subsidiary insole 21 when the main sole 10 and the subsidiary insole 21 are coupled to each other. Preferably, the space, which is defined by the pumping recess 23 of the subsidiary insole 21 coupled to the main sole 10, is reliably sealed, other than where it communicates with the tube 17.

[56] In the sole structure of the footwear, shown in FIGS. 8 and 9, when the weight of the user, who is walking, is applied to the heel part of the footwear, the space, which is defined by the pumping recess 23 of the subsidiary insole 21 coupled to the main sole 10, is compressed, so that air is pumped into the footwear through the tube 17.

[57] Particularly, in the present invention, because the tube 17 is seated into the tube seating groove 18 formed in the main sole 10, the wearing comfort of the footwear is prevented from being deteriorated when the user wears the footwear and walks. Preferably, the end of the tube 17 adjacent to the front foot part 12 is disposed adjacent to the air supply slot 25, so that air pumped when the user walks is supplied towards the toes of the user, thus enhancing the pleasant feeling.

[58] Furthermore, preferably, the pumping recess 23 of the subsidiary insole 21 is filled with healthy substances (not shown), such as water vein wave-intercepting material, natural jade, clay, bioceramic material, hard charcoal, etc., which generate components which are beneficial to health and remove moisture and odors, so that the healthy substances influence the pumped air, thus being good for the health of the user.

[59] In addition, to prevent the heel part of the sole from being excessively depressed by the pumping structure, the cushioning supports 24 are provided in the pumping recess 23, such that the weight of the user can be supported and the heel part of the sole can be depressed to an appropriate degree.

[60] As another example of the footwear having the pumping structure, as shown in

FIGS. 10 and 11, the part of the insole 20' that corresponds to the rear foot part 14 has a sufficient thickness, without having the subsidiary insole 10. A pumping recess 23 is formed in the part of the insole 20' that corresponds to the rear foot part 14. Furthermore, a plurality of cushioning supports 24 is provided in the pumping recess 23, and an air supply slot 25 is formed through the insole 20' at a position corresponding to the end of the tube 17, which is adjacent to the front foot part 12.

[61] In the sole structure of the present invention, illustrated in FIGS. 10 and 11, when the weight of the user, who is walking, is applied to the heel part of the footwear, the space, which defined by the pumping recess 23 of the insole 20' coupled to the main sole 10, is compressed, so that air is pumped into the footwear through the tube 17 and the air supply slot 25. Therefore, air pumped when the user walks is discharged towards the toes of the user, thus enhancing the pleasant feeling.

[62] Meanwhile, the sole structure of the present invention is characterized by the internal shape of the sole, rather than by the external shape. Accordingly, because the special shape of the sole structure is prevented from being exposed outside, the present invention can be applied to any kind of footwear, including sneakers and dress shoes. In particular, as shown in FIGS. 12 and 13, in the sole structure of a sandal, the upper of which is partially eliminated, although the special characteristic of the sole structure, in which the rear foot part thereof is lower than the front foot part, is exposed outside, when the user wears the sandal, the peculiar shape of the sole structure is prevented from being visible from outside, despite having the above-mentioned functional effects of the present invention. Industrial Applicability

[63] As described above, the present invention provides a sole structure which can be applied to all kinds of footwear and can retain a normal shape, similar to that of typical footwear, such that a user can wear the footwear without attracting the attention of others. Furthermore, the present invention provides an exercise effect, such as that obtained when climbing an upward slope, even when the user wears the footwear having the sole structure and walks on level ground. In addition, the footwear having the sole structure of the present invention may be used as normal footwear, without providing the mountain climbing effect, merely by replacing the insole thereof. In this case, the shock absorbing effect of the footwear is enhanced, thus making it possible to protect the joints of the user, including the ankles.

Claims

[1] A sole structure of footwear, comprising: a main sole, including an edge part coupled to an upper of the footwear, the edge part having a rear-raised inclination such that a rear foot part of the edge part is higher than a front foot part thereof, the main sole including an upper surface part having a shape corresponding to a shape in which a foot of a user is formed thereon, the upper surface part having a front-raised inclination such that a rear foot part of the upper surface part is lowermost, so that a front foot part of the upper surface part is higher than the rear foot part of the upper surface part.

[2] The sole structure of the footwear according to claim 1, further comprising: an insole placed on the main sole and having a shape corresponding to the shape of the foot and a constant thickness.

[3] The sole structure of the footwear according to claim 2, further comprising: a subsidiary insole placed on the main sole and including an upper surface part having a shape corresponding to a shape of a part of the foot, and a lower surface part having a shape corresponding to a shape of an associated part of the upper surface part of the main sole, the subsidiary insole being increased in thickness from a front foot part thereof to a rear foot part, such that the rear foot part is higher than the front foot part.

[4] The sole structure of the footwear according to claim 3, wherein a tube is provided in the main sole and is connected between the front foot part and the rear foot part of the main sole, an air supply slot having a predetermined size is formed through the insole at a position corresponding to an end of the tube adjacent to the front foot part of the main sole, and a pumping recess is formed in the subsidiary insole to have a shape concave upwards from the lower surface part of the subsidiary insole.

[5] The sole structure of the footwear according to claim 4, wherein the tube is inserted into a tube seating groove formed in the main sole between the front foot part and the rear foot part of the main sole to provide wearing comfort to the user.

[6] The sole structure of the footwear according to claim 4, further comprising: a cushioning support provided in the pumping recess.

[7] The sole structure of the footwear according to claim 1, further comprising: an insole including an upper surface part having a shape corresponding to the shape of the foot and a lower surface part having a shape corresponding to the shape of the upper surface part of the main insole, the insole being increased in thickness from a front foot part thereof to a rear foot part, so that, when the insole is placed on the main sole, the rear foot part of the sole of the footwear is higher than the front foot part of the sole. [8] The sole structure of the footwear according to claim 7, wherein a tube is provided in the main sole and is connected between the front foot part and the rear foot part of the main sole, and a pumping recess is formed in the rear foot part of the insole, and an air supply slot is formed through the insole at a position corresponding to an end of the tube adjacent to the front foot part of the main sole. [9] The sole structure of the footwear according to claim 8, wherein the tube is inserted into a tube seating groove formed in the main sole between the front foot part and the rear foot part of the main sole to provide wearing comfort to the user. [10] The sole structure of the footwear according to claim 8, further comprising: a cushioning support provided in the pumping recess. [11] The sole structure of the footwear according to claim 3 or 7, wherein an uneven surface is formed under a lower surface of the rear foot part of the subsidiary insole or the insole to prevent the subsidiary insole or the insole from slipping relative to the main sole. [12] The sole structure of the footwear according to any one of claims 2 through 11, wherein the insole and the subsidiary insole are made of highly elastic material.