SELF-CLEANING FOOTWEAR SYSTEM

Abstract

The invention described herein is a self-cleaning footwear system comprising a sole, where a plurality of check valves are located within said sole. The plurality of check valves are preferably configured between an upper sole and a lower sole to allow debris to flow downwards but not upwards. The plurality of check valves preferably further comprise flap assemblies, where a length of flexible material preferably further comprises a semi-circular flap on one end. The flexible material is preferably a rubber-type material. The sole could be attached to normal footwear, as shown in a sandal. Alternately, the sole could be attached to any type of footwear.

Description

BRIEF DESCRIPTION OF THE DRAWINGS

FIG. 1 is a perspective view for a SELF-CLEANING FOOTWEAR SYSTEM according to a preferred embodiment of the present invention.

FIG. 2 is a perspective view of the upper sole for a SELF-CLEANING FOOTWEAR SYSTEM according to a preferred embodiment of the present invention.

FIG. 3 is a perspective view of the lower sole for a SELF CLEANING FOOTWEAR SYSTEM according to a preferred embodiment of the present invention.

FIG. 4a is a detailed view showing the check valve flap assembly for a SELF-CLEANING FOOTWEAR SYSTEM according to a preferred embodiment of the present invention. FIG. 4B is a detail view of the open check valve flap. FIG. 4C is a closed view of the check valve flap.

DETAILED DESCRIPTION OF THE INVENTION

The following description of the preferred embodiments of the invention is intended to enable someone skilled in the prior art to make and use this invention, but is not intended to limit the invention to these preferred embodiments.

Now referring to FIG. 1, the invention described herein is a self-cleaning footwear system comprising a sole 100, where a plurality of check valves are located within said sole 100. The plurality of check valves are preferably configured between an upper sole 120 and a lower sole 130 to allow debris to flow downwards but not upwards. The plurality of check valves preferably further comprise flap assemblies, where a length of flexible material preferably further comprises a semi-circular flap on one end. The flexible material is preferably a rubber-type material. The sole 100 could be attached to normal footwear, as shown in a sandal. Alternately, the sole could be attached to any type of footwear.

The sole 100 further comprises a plurality of holes 110 in an upper sole and a plurality of holes in a lower sole, where the plurality of holes 110 in the upper sole are preferably smaller in diameter than the plurality of holes in the lower sole, where the plurality of holes 110 in the upper sole are preferably in line with the plurality of holes in the lower sole; and where the plurality of check valves are preferably positioned in line with the plurality of holes 110 between said upper sole and said lower sole.

As shown in FIG. 2, the upper sole 200 preferably comprises a plurality of perpendicular holes 210 preferably extending vertically through the thickness of the upper sole 200. The plurality of perpendicular holes 210 are preferably arranged through-out the surface of the upper sole 200. The plurality of perpendicular holes 210 are preferably smaller than the plurality of perpendicular holes in the lower sole. The plurality of perpendicular holes 210 in the upper sole 200 are preferably approximately in the range of 3 millimeters (mm) and 8 mm in diameter; however, the plurality of perpendicular holes 210 in the upper sole 200 may be any size that are preferably large enough to allow debris from inside the footwear to flow down through the plurality of perpendicular holes 210. Debris comprises various types of liquids, such as water, and solids, such as relatively small particles of sand.

As shown in FIG. 3, the lower sole 300 preferably comprises a plurality of perpendicular holes 310 extending vertically through the thickness of the lower sole 300. The plurality of perpendicular holes 310 are preferably arranged through-out the surface of the lower sole 300. The plurality of perpendicular holes 310 in the lower sole 300 are preferably larger than the plurality of perpendicular holes in the upper sole 200. The plurality of perpendicular holes 310 in the lower sole 300 are preferably in the range of 7 millimeters (mm) to 15 mm in diameter; however, the plurality of perpendicular holes 310 in the lower sole 300 may be any size so long as they are larger than the plurality of perpendicular holes 210 in the upper sole 200. The plurality of holes in the upper sole 210 are preferably in line with the plurality of holes in the lower sole 300 when the upper sole 120 is placed onto the lower sole 130. The plurality of check valves are preferably further comprised of flap assemblies 320 arranged through-out the surface of the lower sole 300.

As shown in FIG. 4, the check valve flap assembly 400 is preferably one continuous piece of a flexible elastomer rubber-type material. The flap assembly 400 preferably comprises a length of flexible rubber-type material 410 and a semi-circular flap 420 preferably positioned at one end of the length of flexible rubber-type material 410. The flap 420 is preferably in the shape of a semi-circle. The flap 420 is preferably allowed to freely move and flex on the length of flexible rubber-type material 410. The diameter of the semi-circular flap 420 is preferably in the range of 5 millimeters (mm) to 12 mm; however, the diameter of the semi-circular flap 420 could be any size that is preferably larger than the plurality of holes in the upper sole and smaller than the plurality of holes in the lower sole.

The plurality of flap assemblies 320 are positioned such that the flap 420 covers each of the plurality of holes of the upper sole 210. Additionally, the plurality of flap assemblies 320 are positioned such that the flap 420 only partially covers, and is allowed to enter downwards, each of the plurality of perpendicular holes 430 of the lower sole 300. This configuration allows debris from inside the user's footwear to flow down through the plurality of holes in the upper sole 200 pushing the flap 420 of the flap assembly down and continuing through the plurality of holes in the lower sole 430 to the ground.

Preferably, the flap assembly is securely attached to said lower sole preferaby using glue or other securing means. The length of material connected to the flap is preferably secured to the lower sole such that when laid flat, the flap is centered over each of the plurality of holes in the upper and lower sole. Because the flap is smaller in diameter than the size of the holes in the lower sole, the flap will be allowed to extend into the holes of the lower sole. The flap will be held in place by being a part of the length of material securely attached to the lower sole. The flap assemblies will be securely attached to the lower sole using glues compatible to the material of the upper and lower soles. The upper sole will be located on the lower sole such that the plurality of holes in the upper sole will be lined up on center with the plurality of holes in the lower sole, and lined up on center with the flaps of the flap assemblies secured to the lower sole. Because the plurality of holes in the upper sole are smaller in diameter than the plurality of flaps, the flap will seal itself and completely cover each of the plurality of holes in the upper sole.

Alternatively, the length of material and the flap comprising the flap assembly may be comprised of different flexible materials and securely fastened to each other. Alternate materials may include, but is not limited to, flexible plastics, silicone rubber, flourosilicone rubber, polyurethane and natural rubber. This list of materials is not exclusive, and other materials may be used that are not enumerated herein. The flap 420 would be securely fastened to the length of material 410, which is further securely attached to the lower or upper sole. Means of attaching the flap to the length of material would include, but not be limited to, various bonding or fastening methods common with the types of materials. For example, various bonding or fastening means would include various types of rubber compatible glues and mechanical fasteners.

Preferably, the performance of the flap assembly is such that liquids and debris that enter into the user's footwear are allowed to drain from the top of the sole through the plurality of holes and check valves, but prevent liquids and debris from entering the user's footwear from the bottom of the sole. The size of the flap is preferably smaller than the holes in the lower sole to allow water and debris to flow down through the holes in the upper and lower soles and out of the self-cleaning footwear. The activation of the flap assembly occurs when the liquids and debris exert pressure downwards and the foot pushes air downwards through the plurality of holes when the user steps. This pressure pushes the flap down into the plurality of larger diameter holes in the lower sole along with the water and debris accumulated in the user's footwear on top of the upper sole under the user's foot.

Additionally, when the user steps down, the air pressure created under the bottom of the lower sole will push upwards through the plurality of holes in the lower sole and push the flap upwards to seal against the plurality of smaller holes in the upper sole. This prevents liquids and debris from entering the footwear, thus keeping the inside of the self-cleaning footwear free from collecting any liquids and debris being stepped upon.

Claims

1. A self-cleaning footwear system comprising a sole, wherein a plurality of check valves are located within said sole; wherein said plurality of check valves are configured to allow liquids and debris to flow downwards but not upwards.

2. The self-cleaning footwear system of claim 1 wherein said plurality of check valves are further comprised of flap assemblies, wherein a length of material further comprises a semi-circular flap on one end.

3. The self-cleaning footwear system of claim 2 wherein the diameter of the flap is in the range of 5 mm to 12 mm.

4. The self-cleaning footwear system of claim 2 wherein the flap assembly is comprised of a flexible rubber-type material.

5. The self-cleaning footwear system of claim 1 wherein said sole further comprise a plurality of holes in an upper sole and a plurality of holes in a lower sole; wherein said plurality of holes in said upper sole are smaller in diameter than said plurality of holes in said lower sole; wherein said plurality of holes in said upper sole are in line with said plurality of holes in said lower sole; and wherein said plurality of check valves are positioned in line with the plurality of holes between said upper sole and said lower sole.

6. The self-cleaning footwear system of claim 5 wherein the diameter of the plurality of holes in the upper sole is in the range of 3 mm to 8 mm.

7. The self-cleaning footwear system of claim 5 wherein the diameter of the plurality of holes in the lower sole is in the range of 7 mm to 15 mm.

8. The self-cleaning footwear system of claim 1 wherein said sole is a part of a shoe.

9. The self-cleaning footwear system of claim 1 wherein said sole is a part of a sandal.