The present invention is concerned with an article of footwear, and in particular an article of footwear in which the climate therein can be more effectively controlled. The present invention is also concerned with components which may be used for constructing such a footwear article.
During the course of a day, a foot, trapped within the confines of a conventional article of footwear, has a tendency to become hot and sweaty. This can cause a number of issues including poor foot odour and fungal infections such as athlete's foot. In these situations, an article of footwear that is better ventilated can cool and help to remove moisture, thus improving the unhealthy conditions within the footwear.
The prior art contains a number of examples of ventilated footwear; both those that employ a selectively permeable membrane and those that are provided with a pump. In both cases, the conventional designs have their drawbacks.
Footwear with selectively permeable membranes are limited in their effectiveness because the same qualities that make the membrane impervious to water also limit the amount of air that can pass through them. These designs usually include a membrane that is mounted above a perforated outsole and are susceptible to blockage as mud and dirt build up on the bottom surface of the sole.
Conventional pump-ventilated footwear is characterized by a pump mounted in a cavity within the sole and comprising a resilient chamber in communication with inlet and outlet check valves. In particular, the inlet valve controls the supply of air from outside the footwear while the outlet valve controls flow into one or more ventilation passages for distributing the air through the footwear. Due to the wearer's weight, during walking the sole of the footwear tends to be downwardly pressed and this pressure acts to compress the chamber in the sole, forcing air through the outlet valve into the shoe cavity. When the footwear is raised from the ground, the chamber is restored by the inherent resilience of the pump such that is will return to its default undeformed state, drawing in another charge of air.
U.S. Pat. No. 1,660,698 describes a prior art shoe where the pump chamber is formed as a resilient bellows or bladder received in a recess in a conventional relatively rigid heel, adjacent a flexible inner sole. U.S. Pat. No. 4,601,441 provides another example of prior art but where the pump chamber is formed as a cavity directly in a resilient sole.
In conventional pump-ventilated footwear, such as the aforementioned examples, the wearer's weight is supported by an air chamber in the sole; and the amount of ventilation is largely dependent on the amount of deformation of the sole during walking. For increased ventilation, the air chamber must be made larger or be made to deflect more, and thus the vertical movement of the foot within the shoe body sole must be increased or the lateral (horizontal) size of the pump increased, or both. All of these factors disadvantageously decrease the stability of the shoe, particularly in the lateral direction. To avoid this lack of stability with this type of footwear article, the amount of deflection and the size of the chamber, and consequently the displacement of the pump, are often relatively small in designs that are commercially available.
Another drawback associated with conventional pump-ventilated footwear articles is that they typically provide ventilation only when the wearer's body weight is forced against the heel; and not during any other part of the walking motion.
A further disadvantage of conventional ventilated footwear is that they may not be suitable for wearing in cold climates. This is because external cold air would be undesirably drawn to the shoe cavity by the pump or through the selectively permeable membrane.
The present invention seeks to address the aforementioned problems in ventilated footwear. Furthermore, the invention seeks to take advantage of the air circulation in the footwear by introducing improvements which include means to circulate warm air, a deodorant, antiperspirant and/or fragrance.
According to a first aspect of the present invention, there is provided with an article of footwear comprising a shoe body including a shoe upper and a bendable sole which together define a first cavity, wherein the sole is provided with a second cavity therein for housing at least one pump operable by means actuable thereon located inside the sole, wherein the actuation means contains at least one portion movable within the second cavity against said pump in response to bending or unbending of the sole.
Preferably, the sole may include a front portion, a mid portion and a rear portion, and may be bendable at or near said mid portion in response to or during walking motion, and wherein the actuation means may generally be of an elongate profile, and may include a front segment generally residing in the front portion, a rear segment generally residing in the rear portion and a pivotal region connecting the front segment and the rear segment, wherein the pivotal region may be arranged at or near the bendable mid-portion.
Suitably, the pump may reside between an insole and an outsole at or near the rear portion. Alternatively, the pump may reside between an insole and an outsole at or near the front portion. Further, the pump may include a front region and a rear region, and wherein the front region may be substantially thinner than the rear region. The pump may also be provided with air passageways and valves in communication with the first cavity and/or the surroundings of the footwear article. Specifically, the pump may be enclosed in a generally airtight chamber arranged in the sole and wherein the chamber may be provided with air passageways and control valves in communication with the first cavity and/or the surroundings of the footwear article.
Advantageously, the pump may be engaged with the actuation means at one end thereof. There may be provided with two said pumps, one of which is located above the one end of the actuation means and the other pump is located below the one end of the actuation means.
Preferably, the pivotal region may include a spring, a springboard or a rigid board.
Suitably, the footwear article may comprise a control valve connected to a passageway of the pump for controlling the ratio of the amount of air receivable from the first cavity and the amount of air receivable from the surroundings of the footwear article.
Advantageously, the footwear article may comprise a chamber for accommodating a temperature-regulating or substance dispensing member, wherein the chamber is connected to the first and/or second cavity. The footwear article may comprise a temperature-regulating or substance dispensing member.
Preferably, the sole may include an insole and an outsole together defining the second cavity therebetween and having a front portion and a rear portion, with the pump residing in the rear portion, and wherein the sole is made of relatively rigid material whereby in use the relative distance between the insole and the outsole at the rear portion remains essentially constant during movement of air into and/or out of the cavity.
According to a second aspect of the present invention, there is provided an article of footwear comprising a shoe body including a shoe upper and a sole which together define a first cavity and means for pumping air into and/or out of the first cavity, wherein a second cavity is defined in the sole and the second cavity is provided with a chamber divided into at least two generally airtight cells by a barrier, and each of the cells is provided with intake and outtake valves and in fluid communicable relationship with the first cavity and/or the surroundings of the footwear article, and wherein the barrier is movable towards or away from a wall within said chamber whereby on movement of said barrier at least one of the cells expands while at least the other cell collapses, simultaneously drawing in air to the expanding cell from the first cavity and/or from the surroundings of the footwear article and pumping air from the collapsing cell to the first cavity and/or the surroundings of the footwear article.
Preferably, the barrier may be in the form of a piston slidable within the chamber, causing the simultaneously expansion of one of the cells and the collapsing of the other of the cells. Alternatively, the barrier may be in the form of a bladder contained in the chamber, and wherein the two cells define one cavity in the chamber but external to the bladder, and another cavity internal to the bladder, respectively.
Suitably, the footwear article may comprise two or at least two of said bladders.
According to a third aspect of the present invention, there is provided an article of footwear comprising a shoe body including a shoe upper and a sole, wherein the shoe upper and the sole together define a first cavity, with said sole provided with a second cavity for housing pump for pumping air into and/or out of the first cavity in response to relative downward displacement of the sole, and wherein the footwear article further comprises means for amplifying action of relative downward displacement of the sole and acting on the pump, with the action amplification means provided with a pivotal or buckling region whereby in use a relatively small downward displacement action of the sole is translated into a comparatively larger displacement action on said pump.
Preferably, the sole may be provided with a relatively high heel, and wherein the pumping means may reside in the heel.
Suitably, the amplification means may have a generally elongate profile and may be generally vertically disposed on a side in the heel, and wherein in use on the relative downward displacement of the sole the action amplification means or the pivotable region bends towards and acts on the pump. In particular, the footwear article may comprise two said amplification means generally vertically disposed on opposite sides in the heel.
Advantageously, the sole may be provided with a front portion and a rear portion and the pumping means may reside at or near the front portion.
Preferably, the amplification means may comprise a torsion spring having a helical coil portion at the buckling portion
Suitably, the pump may be provided with inlet and outlet valves in communication with the first cavity and/or the surroundings of the footwear article.
Advantageously, the amplification means may have an elongate profile and may be generally horizontally disposed across a length of the footwear article.
Preferably, the footwear article may comprise a control valve connected to an intake of the pump for controlling the ratio of the amount of air receivable from the surroundings of the footwear article and the amount of air receivable from the first cavity of the footwear article.
Suitably, the footwear article may comprise a chamber for accommodating a temperature-regulating or substance dispensing member, wherein the chamber may be connected to the first and/or second cavity. In particular, the footwear article may comprise a temperature-regulating or substance dispensing member.
Although three aspects of the present invention have been summarized above, the present invention can also be classified based on their characteristics, to be explained as follows.
The first characteristic “Leveraged displacement of a pump” is designed to address the stability problems found in pump-ventilated footwear in the prior art. This characteristic of the invention introduces the concept of amplifying a tiny displacement of the sole into a much more significant displacement of a pump through the use of leverage. Thus even in pump ventilated footwear actuated by weight, it can be envisaged that a small deformation of the support surface can be amplified into a large displacement of a pump thereby reducing the stability issues to a point where they are no longer a problem.
The second characteristic “Pump actuated on bending force” is different from the prior art in that the prior art covers pump-ventilated footwear actuated by the weight of a wearer against a support surface that deforms. All soles deform to some extent during walking, but the soles of conventional pump-ventilated footwear deform to a far greater extent than regular footwear as this deformation is relied on to actuate the pump.
Thus the motivation for this characteristic of the invention is to introduce features that do not require the sole to deform any more than typical footwear thus preserving the stability of the footwear.
The third characteristic “Dual-action pump” refers to a pump design that aims to maximize the efficiency of pumps of a given size. In a fixed space, there can be envisaged multiple airtight cells, each fitted with intake and outtake check valves. These airtight cells function in complementary phases such that when a first cell, or group of cells, are depressed a second cell, or group of cells, are expanded. Thus because a first cell and a second cell are never fully expanded at the same time, they can occupy the same fixed space without interfering with the function of the other. There are certain space limitations, in footwear, if the general appearance of the footwear is to be preserved, so the motivation for this characteristic of the invention is to increase the amount of airflow that can be provided by a pump mechanism of a given size.
Implementation of the above mentioned characteristics are described in the following:
Weight Actuated Mechanisms
According to this classification of embodiments, there is provided an article of footwear comprising a shoe body including a shoe upper and a sole, wherein the shoe upper and the sole together define a first cavity, wherein the sole is provided with a second cavity for housing means for pumping air into and/or out of the first cavity in response to change of pressure on the sole, and wherein the pumping means includes at least one pump member and one pivoting member having a buckling or pivotal region and is buckling or pivotal on an increased pressure on the sole whereby the pump is acted on to pump air into and/or out of the first cavity.
From an alternate perspective, this aspect of the invention can be described as follows: there is provided a ventilated footwear article, comprising a sole defining a reference portion and a moving portion, in which walking causes oscillating movement of the moving portion relative to the reference portion, a displacement-amplifying mechanism within the sole for amplifying an input displacement to produce an output displacement, the input displacement being provided by the relative movement between the moving portion and the reference portion, a pump actuated by the output displacement to supply an airflow for ventilating the footwear.
The sole between the reference portion and moving portion may be resilient or an air gap and the relative oscillating movement may be the result of compression of the sole between the wearer's foot and a support surface and expansion of the sole when the foot is raised from the support surface. The sole may be integrally formed or formed from one or more parts to provide the resiliency.
According to a first embodiment of the invention the relative oscillating movement may be the result of compression of the sole between a foot of the wearer and a support surface and expansion of the sole when the foot is raised away from the support surface and the displacement-amplifying mechanism may include a spring member having opposing ends joined by a buckling portion offset from a line joining the ends and presented toward the pump, the ends of the spring member being mounted between the reference portion and the moving portion such that the ends are substantially free to rotate, whereby movement of the moving portion with respect to the reference portion produces amplified displacement of the spring member at the buckling portion for actuating the pump. Preferably the spring member has a shallow V-shape biased towards straightening, the base of the V-shape constituting the buckling portion.
The pump preferably may comprise a bellows or bladder received in a pump cavity in the sole. The bellows preferably may have a generally oblate shape. Optionally the walls may be pleated. Preferably a pair of spring members may be mounted on either side of the bellows, each with its respective buckling portion presented towards opposing sides of the bellows such that the bellows is compressed therebetween. The spring member may comprise a torsion spring having a helical coil portion at the buckling portion. Alternatively, the spring member may comprise a springboard or another mechanism with a bias for straightening. This example encompasses designs where the spring members provide a horizontal compression of a bladder as well as an angular compression of a bladder as may be the case in a ladies high heel shoe or boot.
A second embodiment is similar to the first but utilizes a lever as the displacement-amplifying member in place of a spring or spring member. In a second embodiment—and second example of a leveraged, weight actuated mechanism—the displacement-amplifying mechanism may include one or more vertically arranged levers fixed to the reference portion, the lever having a first part for engaging the actuating face and a second part for engaging the bellows, whereby movement of the moving portion with respect to the reference portion presses the actuating face to engage the first part and pivot the lever, producing amplified displacement of the second part for actuating the pump.
In a third embodiment—and third example of a leveraged, weight actuated mechanism—there is a lever arranged along the length of an article of footwear; instead of the vertical arrangement as in the second embodiment. A tiny movement of the lever close to the fulcrum is amplified to produce a larger angular displacement at an end of the lever in order to cause amplified displacement of a pump.
The three embodiments may optionally include a temperature-regulating or substance dispensing mechanism, wherein the chamber may be in fluid-communicable relationship with the first and/or second cavity.
Weight Actuated Mechanism with Dual-Action Pump
In the first three embodiments, the pump member may be enclosed in a chamber arranged in the sole. The chamber may serve a number of functions, one of which is to protect the relatively fragile pump member therein; a second which would provide support for the foot. Further, the chamber may be fitted with intake and outtake channels and check valves; and be made otherwise airtight except through these channels. With this arrangement a “dual-action pump” is created, as air is forced out of the pump member when the pump is depressed simultaneously drawing air into the chamber; and forces out air from the chamber when the pump returns to its non-depressed state.
Bending Actuated Mechanisms
In the fourth and preferred embodiment of the invention, there is provided an article of footwear comprising a shoe body including a shoe upper and a bendable sole which together define a first cavity, wherein said sole is provided with a second cavity for housing means for pumping air into and/or out of the first cavity in response to bending or straightening of the sole. This is advantageous because this construction avoids the reliance on the deformation of a rear end of the sole in response to the change of pressure during walking in conventional pump-ventilated footwear.
Preferably, the sole may include a front portion, a mid portion and a rear portion, and may be bendable at or near the mid portion in response to or during walking. During walking, due to the anatomy of a human foot the mid-portion of the footwear article is typically being bended and the provision of a bendable portion allows the footwear to bend more easily and consistently at a similar region. It is to be understood different persons with a similar size of feet wearing the same footwear article, according to this aspect of the present invention, would bend the shoe sole in a similar extent.
During bending or straightening of the sole, the angle between the rear portion of the footwear article and the front portion changes.
Suitably, the pumping means may include at least one pump member and means actuable on the pump member for pumping air into and/or out of the first cavity. The pumping of air into and/or out of the first cavity allows ventilation of the first cavity.
Advantageously, the pump member may reside between an insole and an outsole at the rear portion although it could also be located in the front portion. The rear of the sole is a region typically taking up a relatively large space. This space may be taken advantage of in providing room for the pump member.
If the pump member is located at the rear, the actuating means is preferably fixed in the front part but relatively free to move in the back part. If the pump member is located in the fore part, the actuating means is fixed in the back part but relatively free to move in the front part.
Preferably, the pump member may include a front region and a rear region, and wherein the front region may be substantially thinner than the rear region. This configuration is advantageous for maximizing the use of space within the sole because the angular displacement caused by bending is greater at the rear region than at the front region; which is closer to the bendable mid-portion of the footwear article.
Suitably, the pump member may be enclosed in a chamber arranged in the sole. The chamber may serve a number of functions, one of which is to protect the relatively fragile pump member therein; a second which would provide support for the foot. Further, the chamber may be fitted with intake and outtake channels and check valves; and be made otherwise airtight except through these channels. With this arrangement a “dual action” pump is created, as air is forced out of the pump member when the pump is depressed simultaneously drawing air into the chamber; and forces out air from the chamber when the pump returns to its non-depressed state.
An alternative “dual action” pump could be created with two pump members placed on top of one another, in the second cavity, and divided in the middle by an actuating member such as a springboard. The top and bottom of the cavity would be formed of relatively rigid walls. For an article of footwear in its default and straightened form, the position of the actuating member would ensure that the top of the two pumps is depressed against the ceiling of the cavity. Upon bending of the footwear, the actuating member depresses the lower pump and the upper pump starts to expand. When the footwear straightens, the upper pump is depressed and the lower pump expands.
Preferably, the actuating means may be of an elongate profile, and may include a front segment generally residing in the front portion, a rear segment generally residing in the rear portion and a pivotal region connecting the front segment and the rear segment, wherein the pivotal region may be arranged at or near the bendable mid portion. In particular the pivotal region may comprise a spring or springboard. A relatively rigid board may also be used but the use of this may not be ideal as it will restrict the amount of bending.
Suitably, the actuable means may be adapted to assume a first configuration in which the actuable means is straightened or generally straight, and/or not acting on a pump member under its rear segment.
When the article of footwear first bends during walking motion the actuating means is able to stay straight but shifts positions in the second chamber depressing the pump member located under its rear segment thus assuming a second configuration. When the angular rotation of the rear segment of the sole relative to the front segment becomes so great that the pump is fully depressed, bending the shoe further would cause the actuating means to bend as well so as to not restrict the walking characteristics of the wearer thus creating a third configuration.
Suitably, the footwear article may further comprise a tube or passageway for connecting the first cavity and the second cavity and a tube or passageway for connecting the second cavity to the external environment. In particular, there may be provided with a one-way valve adapted to control the direction of movement of air between the first cavity and the second cavity in the tube and another one-way valve in the passageway to control the movement of air between the second cavity and the external environment.
As an additional feature, the embodiment might also include a temperature-regulating or substance dispensing mechanism, wherein the chamber may be in fluid-communicable relationship with the first and/or second cavity.
In a fifth embodiment—and second incorporating a bending actuating pumping mechanism—there is a pump member enclosed in a chamber beneath the bendable mid portion of an article of footwear. Bending of the shoe causes “finger-like” members to pivot and engage the pump member, the details of which will be explained in more detail herein.
Bending Actuated Mechanisms with Dual-Action Pump
In embodiments 4 and 5, the pump member may be enclosed in a chamber arranged in the sole. The chamber may serve a number of functions, one of which is to protect the relatively fragile pump member therein; a second which would provide support for the foot. Further, the chamber may be fitted with intake and outtake channels and check valves; and be made otherwise airtight except through these channels. With this arrangement a “dual action” pump is created, as air is forced out of the pump member when the pump is depressed simultaneously drawing air into the chamber; and forces out air from the chamber when the pump returns to its non-depressed state.
An alternative “dual action” pump could be created with two pump members placed on top of one another, in the second cavity, and divided in the middle by an actuating member such as a springboard. The top and bottom of the cavity would be formed of relatively rigid walls. For an article of footwear in its default and straightened form, the position of the actuating member would ensure that the top of the two pumps is depressed against the ceiling of the cavity. Upon bending of the footwear, the actuating member depresses the lower pump and the upper pump starts to expand. When the footwear straightens, the upper pump is depressed and the lower pump expands.
Additional Features
In addition to the defining characteristics of the invention, there remain a number of supplementary features that allow the invention to function more effectively and/or comfortably than the prior art.
In one aspect of the invention there is pump-ventilated footwear comprising a pump for pumping air to an outlet for ventilation of the footwear and a recirculation valve connected to an intake of the pump for controlling the ratio of air to be received from an internal inlet within the footwear, and the ratio of air to be received from an external inlet outside the footwear.
Preferably the recirculation valve is a modulating type including a housing having an aperture with a first inlet port opposite a second inlet port and an outlet port, a valve member sealingly received for linear sliding movement in the aperture, the valve member having an internal passage for connecting either or both the first and second inlet ports to the outlet port.
Additionally there are a number of different designs for various other components such as a springboard and a pump.
Embodiments of footwear articles and their components according to the present invention will now be described, by way of examples of, and with reference to the accompanying drawings, in which:
a and 1b show cross section views of two shoe soles in which is shown a prior art pump-ventilated sole;
a and 2b show cross section views of two shoe soles using an amplified displacement mechanism as in the current invention;
a, 8b, 8c, and 8d illustrate a cross sectional view of a sole under the current invention that is actuated by bending;
a, 9b, 10a, 10b, 11a, 11b, and 11c illustrate cross sectional views of 3 different examples of a “dual-action pump”
a is a schematic longitudinal section of a footwear article according to an embodiment of the present invention;
b is a schematic section along line A-A′ of
a, 13b, 13c, 13d are schematic sections along line B-B′ of
a and 14b are schematic sections generally corresponding to those of
a, 15b, 15c and 15d are schematic sections similar to 13a, 13b, 13c, 13d in principle although the detailed operations thereof are different;
a and 16b show schematic longitudinal sections of a footwear article according to an embodiment of the present invention;
a, 17b, 17c, 17d and 17e illustrate examples of lever mechanisms suitable for use in 16a and 16b;
a is a schematic longitudinal section of a footwear article in a first configuration according to another embodiment of the present invention;
b is a schematic longitudinal section of the footwear article of
c is a schematic longitudinal section of the footwear article of
a is a schematic longitudinal section of a footwear article in a first configuration according to another embodiment of the present invention;
b is a schematic longitudinal section of the footwear article of
a and 25b illustrates the general deformation of a chamber and bladder under the mid-portion of a footwear article similar to that in
a, 28b and 28c illustrate a schematic view of recirculation control valve;
a and 29b illustrate a pump member suitable for use in certain embodiments of the current invention;
a and 30b illustrate an alternative design for a pump member suitable for use in certain embodiments of the current invention;
a and
a and
Characteristic #1: Amplified Displacement of Pump
In this characteristic we aim to show how a large volume of air flow can be achieved while preserving the walking stability and comfort of conventional footwear.
In conventional pump-ventilated footwear articles, the operation of ventilation and in particular the squeezing of the pump member is dependent to a large extent on the deformation of the shoe sole by the foot. A large pump and therefore extensive motion of compression would adversely affect the stability of the footwear.
Alternatively
The concept of amplified displacement of a pump relies on a mechanism for translating a small movement, which when applied to an amplification mechanism, is translated into a large movement to more fully actuate or compress a pump. In this manner it is believed that the problem of stability is avoided because the size of deformation of the sole is too small to pose a problem.
which equals the amplification.
For example if LO=5 LI then the amplification is five fold in the displacement, or DO=5 DI.
The concept of an amplified displacement using the principle of leverage is further illustrated in
Another type of amplification mechanism is illustrated in
Characteristic #2: Pump Actuated on Bending Force
In pump ventilated footwear actuated by bending, there is an actuating member fixed on one end but free to move in a cavity located on its other end. A change in the angle θ, caused by the bending, brings a pump member located in the cavity into a state of engagement with the actuating member so that it is depressed. That is to say, during bending of an article of footwear the free end of the actuating member changes positions in the cavity and thereby actuates a pump member located at its free end.
a, 8b, 8c, and 8d illustrate the concept of a spring member 800 that is fixed in position on the left side but free to move in a cavity 801 on the other end. As the angle θ increases, caused by the raising of 803, a pump member 802 is compressed further and further by the spring member 800 until a point where the pump member 802 is fully depressed and the pump member 802 strikes the bottom of the cavity 801 and starts to bend as well. The motion of 803 in the figure is made to resemble the motion of the heel of an article of footwear during bending.
Characteristic #3: Dual-Action Pump
As previously mentioned, a “Dual-action” pump refers to a pump design that aims to maximize the efficiency of pumps of a given size. In a fixed space, there can be envisaged multiple airtight cells, each having passageways and valves in communication with the first cavity and the exterior of the footwear.
These airtight cells function in complementary states such that when a first part of cell or cells are depressed a second part of cell or cells, are expanded.
For the purposes of this specification, a cell can be considered to be an airtight enclosure having passageways and valves in communication with the first cavity and the exterior of the footwear. Therefore being cells, both the chamber and the bladder are fitted with check valves controlling the flow of air into and out of them. When the bladder or first part is depressed (i.e., pumping air out), it shrinks in size and air is sucked into the chamber or second part to fill the void left by it. As pressure is removed from the bladder or first part, the resilience of it causes it to expand against the walls of the chamber or second part pushing air out of the chamber. Thus air can be pumped into the footwear both when the first part is depressed and when the first part expands.
In a similar example
It should be noted that there can be multiple cells in a part but there must be at least one cell in each of the two parts. Each part expands and contracts in unison.
In another example,
a and 12b illustrate a first embodiment of a footwear article 1200 in which a ventilated system is provided. The footwear article 1200 has a shoe upper 1202 and a sole 1204 which together define a first cavity 1206 for accommodating the foot of a wearer. The sole 1204 comprises an insole 1208, a mid sole 1210 and an outsole 1220, and a pump mechanism resides in the midsole 1210. Alternatively the mid sole 1210 can be formed as part of the outsole 1220.
The pump mechanism includes a pump member 1222 and is provided at the mid sole 1210 between the insole 1208 and the outsole 1220. In particular, the sole 1204 has a front portion 1224 and a rear portion 1226. In this embodiment, the midsole 1210 is provided with a second cavity 1228 in the form of an air-tight chamber housing the pump member 1222 at the rear portion 1226. The pump member 1222 includes inlet check valve 1232 and outlet check valve 1236 while the air-tight chamber 1228 includes inlet check valve 1230 and outlet check valve 1234. The inlet check valves 1230, 1232 are mounted in an inlet passage 1238 terminating in an opening 1240 external to the sole 1204. Outlet passages 1242, 1244 extend longitudinally from the outlet check valves 1234, 1236 and terminate in outlet opening 1246 in the front portion 1224 of the sole 1204, for ventilating the shoe cavity 1206.
a, 13b, 13c and 13d depict the pump mechanism in Embodiment 1.
The pump cavity 1350 is provided with a pump member 1364 and actually operates with a displacement-amplifying mechanism including a pair of displacement amplifying spring members 1366, 1368 elongated to extend generally uprightly adjacent the side walls 1358, 1360 as show in
It can thus be envisaged that with the heel 1252 of the sole 1204 being resilient, during walking, specifically upon heel strike, the heel 1252 is compressed between the wearer's foot which abuts an inner surface 1278 and a support surface abutting an outer surface 1280. The heel 1252 expands again when the foot is raised. The oscillating expansion and contraction produced in this way is used to actuate the pump member 1364 drawing in fresh air and forcing it through the shoe for ventilation, in particular the pump member 1364 is actuated on action of the pivoting or bending of the spring members 1366, 1368. The presence of the above mentioned displacement-amplifying mechanism is advantageous because the extent of performance of the pump member 1364 depends to a large extent on a relatively small compression of the shoe sole 1204. During normal walking motion this small compression of the shoe sole 1204, means that the addition of a pump-ventilated mechanism will not affect the wearer's comfort or ankle support.
In the present embodiment, the pump cavity 1350 is an air tight chamber surrounding the pump member and is fitted with intake and outtake check valves and pipes so as to serve as a second chamber in a “dual-action” pump; the details of which were described before. Thus when the pump member 1364 is depressed, the chamber 1350 fills with air and when the pump member 1364 expands, air is pumped out of the chamber 1350.
Optionally, this design may also incorporate a temperature-regulating or substance dispensing chamber and member for circulating warm or perhaps a scented air through the first cavity 1206.
The advantages of this embodiment are particularly prominent when applied to high-heeled footwears. Most high-heeled footwears (typically referred to footwears having a heel of at least 1.5 inches) are notoriously known to be uncomfortable for a number of reasons. Providing ventilation to high-heeled footwears has also been known to be difficult because they are typically smaller and with minimal space for accommodating a ventilation device.
The springs are provided with a helical coil portion 1470, which is preferred to be a buckling portion being able to perform a pivot function at a mid region thereof because it approximates a hinge thus providing a larger displacement. The sides of the V-shape are relative straight and the coil portion 1470 provides a distinct break, however this is not essential. The spring members 1466, 1468 may have a central reduced section providing the buckling portion or it may be of substantially uniform section such that a general, rather than localized bowing occurs upon compression as shown in
A second embodiment of a footwear article or shoe is generally similar to the first embodiment, except this embodiment adopts an alternative displacement amplifying mechanism. The pump mechanism comprises a pump member 1564 enclosed in an air-tight chamber 1580. As shown in schematic
The levers 1566, 1568 are fixed by respective pivots 1570 towards an upper region on opposite side walls of the chamber. The chamber is enclosed in a larger chamber, and there is provided an actuating member 1572 having an actuation face 1572a fixedly secured on the inner upper opposite sides of the larger chamber located in the heel of the footwear article. The actuating face 1572a is inclined relative to and is positioned above the levers 1566, 1568. When the sole positioned above the heel is not subject to pressure, there is a certain clearance 1574 between the actuating face 1572a and the levers 1566, 1568 (See
As depicted, the pump member 1564 can enclosed in an airtight chamber 1580 fitted with intake 1582 and outtake 1584 check valves and pipes so as to serve as a second part of cell or cells in a “dual-action” pump; the details of which were described before. Thus when the pump member 1564 is depressed, the chamber 1580 fills with air and when the pump member 1564 expands, air is pumped out of the chamber 1580 and into the footwear cavity.
Optionally, this design may also incorporate a temperature-regulating or substance dispensing chamber and member for circulating warm or perhaps a scented air through the footwear cavity.
a and 16b depict a third embodiment of a footwear article 1600 which utilizes the concept of a weight-based amplified displacement mechanism. As shown in 16a, there is a footwear article 1600 with a bladder 1602 residing in the mid part or front part 1603 on top of a lever 1604. At the back part 1605 of the footwear, and close to the fulcrum 1608, there is an interface 1606 that when pressed downward causes the lever 1604 to pivot and results in an amplified displacement for actuating a bladder 1602 located at an end of the lever 1604 far from the fulcrum 1608. In this example, the resilience of the lever 1604 is provided by a spring 1610.
In
17
a depicts the lever mechanism in use in
17
b and 17c depict a second lever mechanism that resembles a set of tweezers. When force is applied to a point close to the joining section of a top and bottom of the mechanism, it causes a downward angular motion of the top portion of the lever so that a bladder is compressed between.
17
d and 17e depict a third lever mechanism that resembles a pair of scissors. When force is applied to the shorter ends, it causes the actuating members to come together at the longer ends and compressing a bladder between them.
A fourth embodiment of a footwear article 1900—as shown in
As shown in
a shows the sole when both the front portion 1914 and the rear portion 1916 of the footwear article 1900 are both in contact with the ground; the pump member 1918 laying between the rear end of the actuation mechanism 1920 and the floor of the chamber. During walking, when the rear portion of the footwear article 1900 is lifted and the rear portion 1916 of the footwear sole 1904 rotates relative to the front portion, due to the resilience of the pivotable portion 1922, bending of the footwear sole 1904 causes the actuation mechanism 1920 to exert a downward force depressing the pump member 1918.
Preferably the second cavity 1912 enclosing the pump member 1918 is an airtight chamber provided with intake and outtake pipes and check valves (1934, 1938). Thus when the pump is depressed there is also an inflow of air to fill the chamber surrounding the pump. When the bending of the footwear article 1900 concludes, the actuating mechanism 1920 straightens restoring the pump member 1918 to its expanded state, causing air to be pumped out of the chamber to ventilate the footwear article similar to the “dual-action” pump described in previous sections.
Optionally, this design may also incorporate a temperature-regulating or substance dispensing chamber and member for circulating warm or perhaps a scented air through the footwear cavity.
It should be noted that this embodiment does not involve the compression or deformation of the rear end of the footwear sole to function thus preserving the stability of the footwear.
a to 27 illustrate a fifth embodiment of a footwear article 2300 according to the present invention. The footwear article 2300 similarly comprises a shoe upper 2302 and a shoe sole 2304 which together define a first cavity. The shoe sole 2304 includes an insole 2306, a mid sole 2308 and an outsole 2310. The footwear article 2300 also comprises a mechanism primarily housed in the mid sole 2308 for effecting ventilation or circulation of air through the first cavity. The ventilation mechanism comprises a pump member 2312 enclosed in an airtight chamber 2314, which is located at a bendable region of the shoe sole 2304. Preferably, there is a passageway between the pump member 2312 and the shoe cavity and a passageway between the airtight chamber 2314 and the shoe cavity. Similarly, there is a passageway between the exterior and the pump member 2312 and a passageway between the exterior and the airtight chamber 2314. Valves are provided at the channels in order to control the direction of movement through the passageways.
The chamber 2314 containing the pump member 2312 is located at a bendable region 2316 in the mid sole 2308. The chamber 2314 is provided with a resilient ceiling wall 2520 which is deformable when subjected to pressure, as best shown in simplified
The pump member 2312 is preferably enclosed in an airtight chamber 2314 provided with intake and outtake pipes and check valves, so that when the pump member 2312 to ventilate the first cavity the chamber 2314 sucks in air from the outside. When the bending of the footwear article concludes, the rib members return to their default form restoring the pump member 2312 to its expanded state, causing air to be pumped out of the chamber to ventilate the footwear article similar to the “dual-action” pump described in previous sections.
Optionally, this design may also incorporate a temperature-regulating or substance dispensing chamber and member for circulating warm or perhaps a scented air through the shoe cavity.
The footwear article in this embodiment is similar to the fourth embodiment in that the operation of the ventilation mechanism primarily depends on the bending of the shoe during walking motion. As shown in
Note:
In each of our embodiments 1-5, we pump air from the exterior into the footwear cavity. But we can also draw air from the footwear cavity and vent it outside by reversing the direction of the valves.
Feature: Recirculation Control Valve
As one of the supplementary features that help to extend the benefits of the current invention, a recirculation valve is included to regulate the amount of external air allowed for circulation into the footwear. In particular, it is envisaged that in cold weather the wearer may not want to circulate cold air from outside within the footwear.
Referring to
Feature: Pump Design
a and 29b depict the top and side views of a pump member 2902 that is particularly suitable for the third and fourth embodiment. The pump is of an elongated design has a back part with a pipe 2904 at the centre with a fore part with the pipe 2906 situated to one side. By situating the outtake pipe at one side, the pump can be more efficiently depressed as the outtake pipe will not block the movement of the spring or springboard acting on it as in the third and fourth embodiment.
a and 30b depict a similar pump member to that in
Feature: Spring Board
a and 31b depict a springboard that would be suitable for use in place of a spring, in the fourth embodiment. The springboard comprises two elongated and relatively rigid boards joined at their ends by one or more spring members biased towards straightening. This design is advantageous over a traditional spring because of its relatively thin profile.
a and 32b depict an alternative springboard, made up of a resilient yet relatively rigid material. This design is particularly suitable because it is thin and can be made up of a material other than metal thus rendering it airport safe.
Feature: Temperature-Regulating or Substance Dispensing Mechanism
This feature (
The present application is a 35 U.S.C. §§371 national phase conversion of PCT/US2007/008651, filed Apr. 6, 2007, which claims priority of U.S. Provisional Application No. 60/791,955, filed Apr. 14, 2006, and U.S. Provisional Application No. 60/842,509, filed Sep. 6, 2006, the disclosure of which has been incorporated herein by reference. The PCT International Application was published in the English language.
Filing Document | Filing Date | Country | Kind | 371c Date |
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PCT/US2007/008651 | 4/6/2007 | WO | 00 | 7/1/2008 |
Publishing Document | Publishing Date | Country | Kind |
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WO2007/120583 | 10/25/2007 | WO | A |
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International Search Report and Written Opinion dated Dec. 19, 2007 issued in corresponding PCT Application No. PCT/US2007/008651. |
Number | Date | Country | |
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20080263899 A1 | Oct 2008 | US |
Number | Date | Country | |
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60791955 | Apr 2006 | US | |
60842509 | Sep 2006 | US |