U.S. patent application number 09/764757 was filed with the patent office on 2001-07-12 for transpiring sole structure for footwear.
Invention is credited to Attilieni, Attilio.
Application Number | 20010007176 09/764757 |
Document ID | / |
Family ID | 11380020 |
Filed Date | 2001-07-12 |
United States Patent
Application |
20010007176 |
Kind Code |
A1 |
Attilieni, Attilio |
July 12, 2001 |
Transpiring sole structure for footwear
Abstract
Transpiring sole structure comprising a sole provided with holes
and means which are selectively permeable to air but not to water,
wherein said holes open along all or part of the external edge of
said sole and open either into at least one cavity provided inside
said sole or on the upper surface of said sole, said means which
are selectively permeable to air but not to water being attached
for hermetic closure of said holes.
Inventors: |
Attilieni, Attilio; (Tofori,
IT) |
Correspondence
Address: |
ABELMAN FRAYNE & SCHWAB
Attorneys at Law
150 East 42nd Street
New York
NY
10017
US
|
Family ID: |
11380020 |
Appl. No.: |
09/764757 |
Filed: |
January 18, 2001 |
Related U.S. Patent Documents
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Application
Number |
Filing Date |
Patent Number |
|
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09764757 |
Jan 18, 2001 |
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09304845 |
May 5, 1999 |
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Current U.S.
Class: |
36/3B ;
36/3R |
Current CPC
Class: |
A43B 7/125 20130101;
A43B 7/08 20130101 |
Class at
Publication: |
36/3.00B ;
36/3.00R |
International
Class: |
A43B 007/08 |
Foreign Application Data
Date |
Code |
Application Number |
May 14, 1998 |
IT |
MI98A001053 |
Claims
What is claimed is:
1. Transpiring sole structure comprising a sole provided with holes
and means which are selectively permeable to air but not to water,
wherein said holes open along all or part of the outer edge of said
sole and wherein at least one cavity is provided inside said sole
wherein said holes open, said means which are selectively permeable
to air but not to water being attached for hermetic closure of said
holes.
2. Transpiring sole structure according to claim 1, wherein said
means which are selectively permeable to air but not to water,
attached for a water proof hermetic closure of said hole are
attached on the outlet of said holes.
3. Transpiring sole structure according to claim 1, wherein said
means which are selectively permeable to air but not to water,
attached for a water proof closure of said holes are attached
inside said holes.
4. A transpiring sole structure according to claims 1 and 2,
wherein said one cavity at least is in the form of a front cavity
wherein the holes provided on the front part of the sole open, and
a rear cavity wherein the holes provided on the heel of the sole
open.
5. A transpiring sole structure according to claims 1 and 2,
wherein said one cavity at least is in the form of a pair of right
and respectively left front cavities, in which the holes provided
on the right and respectively left front part of the sole open, and
a pair of right and respectively left rear cavities, in which the
holes provided on the right and respectively left rear part of the
sole open.
6. A transpiring sole structure according to claims 1 and 2, in
which said sole is of the cellular sole type, wherein said one
cavity at least is in the form of perimetrical cells of said
cellular sole, said series of holes opening on the external lateral
walls of said cells.
7. A transpiring sole structure according to the previous claim,
wherein passages are provided through the internal lateral walls of
the internal cells of the cellular structure, said passages placing
said cells in direct communication one with the other.
8. A transpiring sole structure according to claims 1 and 2, in
which said sole is of the solid sole type, wherein said one cavity
at least is in the form of a slot, extending substantially parallel
to the outer edge of said solid sole, said series of holes opening
on the external lateral wall of said slot.
9. A transpiring sole structure according to any one of claims 4 to
8, wherein said means which are selectively permeable to air but
not to water are in the form of a strip of a microporous membrane
which is permeable to air but not to water, covering the internal
end of said series of holes which open inside said one cavity at
least, said strip being attached to the external lateral wall of
said one cavity at least by any known technique chosen from among
gluing, sealing and waterproofed stitching.
10. A transpiring sole structure according to any one of claims 4
to 8, wherein said means which are selectively permeable to air but
not to water are in the form of a series of microporous membranes
which are permeable to air but not to water, each membrane of said
series of membranes covering the internal end of a corresponding
hole of said series of holes which open in said one cavity at
least, said series of membranes being attached to the external
lateral wall of said one cavity at least by any known technique
chosen from among gluing, sealing and waterproofed stitching.
11. A transpiring sole structure according to any one of claims 4
to 8, wherein said means which are selectively permeable to air but
not to water are in the form of at least one plug provided at said
one cavity at least, said one plug at least having an external
shape identical to said one corresponding cavity at least so as to
be inserted perfectly therein, and wherein the external lateral
wall of said one plug at least in contact with the external lateral
wall of said one corresponding cavity at least is covered with a
microporous membrane which is selectively permeable to air but not
to water.
12. A transpiring sole structure according to the previous claim,
wherein said one plug at least is made in a material which is
permeable to air but not to water so as to allow a passage of air
from and to the external environment.
13. A transpiring sole structure according to claim 11, wherein
said one plug at least is hollow internally and has at least the
external lateral wall and the upperwall perforated to allow a
passage of air from and to the external environment.
14. A transpiring sole structure according to claims 11 to 13,
wherein said membrane which is selectively permeable to air but not
to water and which covers the external lateral wall of said one
plug at least is attached to said lateral wall of said one
corresponding cavity at least by any technique chosen from among
gluing, heat-sealing, water proofed stitching or waterproof thrust
joint.
15. A transpiring sole structure according to claims 1 and 3,
wherein said means which are selectively permeable to air but not
to water are in the form of a series of elements for transpiration
corresponding to said series of holes, each element of said series
of elements comprising an assembly of a first, a second and a third
part, said first part being in the form of a hollow plug with open
internal base and micro-perforated external base, and having such a
shape so as to adapt to the corresponding hole wherein it is
hermetically inserted, said second part being in the form of a
layer of material which is selectively permeable to air but not to
water, to be placed for a water proof closure of said open internal
base, said third part being in the form of a counter-plug, axially
open and inserted in said plug to block said layer between the
internal lateral wall of said plug and the external lateral wall of
said counter-plug.
16. A transpiring sole structure according to any one of the
previous claims, wherein an arch-support, transpiring or perforated
above, is provided, attached to the sole, wherein when said
arch-support is perforated, the holes must involve at least the
area above said one cavity at least.
17. A transpiring sole structure comprising a sole provided with
holes and means which are selectively permeable to air but not to
water, wherein said holes open along all or part of the external
edge of said sole and in that said holes open directly on the upper
surface of said sole, said means which are selectively permeable to
air but not to water being attached for a water proof hermetic
closure of said holes.
18. A transpiring sole structure according to the previous claim
wherein said holes opening directly on the upper surface of said
sole are covered by said means which are selectively impermeable to
air but not to water formed by a membrane in material which is
selectively impermeable to air but not to water, perimetrically
attached onto the outline of the upper surface of the sole by any
technique chosen from among gluing, sealing and waterproofed
stitching.
Description
FIELD OF THE INVENTION
[0001] The present invention relates to a structure of a sole which
allows transpiration of the item of footwear whereon it is
mounted.
BACKGROUND OF THE INVENTION
[0002] From the European patent EP 0382904 a transpiring sole
structure is known, composed of a tread with through holes via its
thickness, which holes are closed above by a microporous membrane
which is selectively permeable to air but not to water.
[0003] This type of perforated sole allows the expulsion of
stagnant air inside the footwear, but in actual fact its efficiency
could be affected by the fact that the micro holes of the tread are
subject to rapid blockage, therefore limiting or even preventing
the passage of air through them.
[0004] From the European patent EP 479183 another type of
transpiring sole structure is known where transpiration takes place
through a band extending peripherically upwards from the outer edge
of the tread.
[0005] In this solution provision is made for a second perforated
band inside the first band, to be superimposed and attached to the
latter by placing in between a microporous membrane which is
selectively permeable to air but not to water.
[0006] This structure also has a grid of diaphragms separated by
cracks, which grid, attached to the upper base of the tread,
extends perimetrically with the above mentioned internal band.
[0007] The grid is necessary so that the internal band
communicating with the interior of the footwear also in the area of
the sole of the foot ensures the passage of air coming also from
the sole of the foot.
[0008] The upper mounted on this sole structure must necessarily be
made in a transpiring material in such a way as not to jeopardise
transpiration through the portion of internal band attached
thereto.
[0009] In this structure moreover, although the passage of air
between the interior of the footwear and the outside environment is
ensured, the microporous membrane, during use, is exposed to the
risk of damage when one of its parts is uncovered due to wear or
breakage of the external perforated band, which represents for it
the only barrier for protection against the outside.
[0010] The process of manufacturing of a known this type of sole is
often significantly more complex and expensive compared to normal
practice.
[0011] In many case furthermore perspiration is only possible by
using a sole which appreciably modifies the original design of the
footwear, making it of little use in areas wherein great importance
is placed on the shape and outline of the footwear.
SUMMARY OF THE INVENTION
[0012] The object of the present invention is that of remedying the
problems suffered in traditional embodiments and in particular that
of providing a structure of a sole which ensures efficient exchange
of air between the interior of the footwear and the external
environment, in any context.
[0013] A further object of the present invention is that of
providing a transpiring sole structure which allows protection of
the delicate microporous membrane which is selectively permeable to
air but not to water.
[0014] Another object of the present invention is that of producing
a transpiring sole structure which can be used universally for any
type of upper, transpiring or non-transpiring, and for any type of
sole, solid or "cellular".
[0015] Yet another object of the present invention is that of
providing a structure of a sole whose device for transpiration does
not substantially modify either the shape or the area of intended
use of the shoe itself.
[0016] A further object of the present invention is that of
providing a simplified transpiring sole structure, which for this
reason has a low cost of manufacture.
[0017] All the foregoing objects are achieved by providing a
perforated sole structure with means which are selectively
permeable to air but not to water for transpiration in accordance
with the present invention, wherein said holes open along all or
part of the external edge of said sole and open into at least one
cavity provided inside said sole or on the upper surface of said
sole, said means which are selectively permeable to air but not to
water being attached for water proofed of said holes.
[0018] Advantageously the present invention enables a transpiring
sole structure to be produced without heavily modifying the
original design of the sole, instead leaving it virtually unaltered
when it is a cellular sole, the cells of the cellular structure
being exploited directly for insertion of the means which are
selectively permeable to air but not to water, and therefore only
perforation of the external edge of the sole is necessary.
[0019] Perforation of the external edge of the sole allows
excellent functioning of the mechanism of ventilation of the same,
given that the holes cannot be clogged by dust or particles found
on the ground.
[0020] The possibility of attaching the membrane for closure of the
holes in a vertical position inside the sole, in the case wherein
the holes open into cavities of the sole, enables the thick
perforated layer of the sole itself to be exploited to protect the
membrane from external agents.
[0021] The transpiring sole structure of the present invention can
finally be applied universally to any type of sole, both a solid
sole and a cellular type, and to any type of upper, in a
transpiring or non-transpiring material, in that the air passes
through the arch-support and the sole and does not involve the
upper itself. This transpiring sole structure therefore can be used
for any footwear model, from the classic type to a more sporty
one.
BRIEF DESCRIPTION OF THE DRAWINGS
[0022] The present invention may be understood better with the aid
of the description of some preferred embodiments of the invention
indicated hereinbelow, which must be read with reference to the
accompanying drawings, wherein:
[0023] FIG. 1 shows a plan view of a transpiring cellular sole
structure according to a first embodiment of the present
invention;
[0024] FIGS. 2 and 5 show a sectioned view of the sole structure of
FIG. 1 along lines 2-2 and 1-1 respectively;
[0025] FIG. 3 shows a plan view of a transpiring solid sole
structure according to another embodiment of the present
invention;
[0026] FIGS. 4 and 6 show a sectioned view of the sole structure of
FIG. 3 along lines 4-4 and 3-3;
[0027] FIGS. 7a and 7b show an enlarged perspective view, blown up,
of the parts forming the element of the device for transpiration on
insertion in the respective hole, and a schematic plan view of the
sole according to another preferred embodiment.
[0028] FIG. 8a shows a plan view of a transpiring sole structure
according to another embodiment of the present invention;
[0029] FIG. 8b shows the means which are selectively permeable to
air but not to water, provided for the embodiment of FIG. 8a;
[0030] FIG. 9a shows a plan view of a transpiring sole structure
according to another embodiment of the present invention;
[0031] FIG. 9b shows a perspective view and a sectioned plan view
of the means which are selectively permeable to air but not to
water, provided for the embodiment of FIG. 9a;
[0032] FIG. 10a shows another transpiring sole structure in
accordance with the present invention, seen in a plan view;
[0033] FIG. 10b shows a sectioned view along line 10b-10b of the
transpiring sole structure of FIG. 10a.
[0034] FIG. 10c shows an enlarged perspective view of the means
which are selectively permeable to air but not to water, provided
for the embodiment of FIGS. 10a and 10b;
[0035] FIG. 11 shows a front sectioned view of another embodiment
of the present invention wherein the holes of the sole open on the
upper surface of the sole itself.
DESCRIPTION OF PREFERRED EMBODIMENTS OF THE INVENTION
[0036] The shoe of FIGS. 1, 2 and 5 comprises a sole 1 with a
cellular structure 3 on whose outer edge 5 a series of through
holes 7 is formed which open directly on the external lateral wall
9 of the perimetrical cells of the cellular structure 3.
[0037] Along the external lateral wall 9 of the perimetrical cells
of the cellular structure 3, at the front part and the heel of the
sole 1 wherefrom the through holes 7 exit, a strip 11 of
Goretex.TM. 11 is attached, a material known to be selectively
permeable to air but not to water, or the like.
[0038] It is in any case always possible, as an alternative
solution, to close each hole 7 individually with a respective
membrane of the same type of material.
[0039] In the present embodiment the upper edge 53 and lower edge
51 of the strip 11 are glued near the upper end 13 and lower end 15
of the external lateral walls of the perimetrical cells of the
cellular structure 3.
[0040] Another type of attachment can however be foreseen, provided
that it guarantees total impermeability to water, for example by
waterproofed stitching or sealing.
[0041] Naturally all those materials having its same properties can
also be used, that is to say all those materials which counter the
passage of water but not of air.
[0042] These materials can finally have a variable thickness as
required in order to achieve the necessary strength.
[0043] On the sole 1 an arch-support 17 is fitted wherein a series
of openings 19 are formed perimetrically at a fixed distance from
its edge 21. This series of openings 19 allows the flowing of
stagnant air from the chamber limited by the lateral walls of the
upper (not shown) towards the selective membrane 11 and
subsequently towards the external environment. More specifically
every opening 19 formed on the arch-support 17 lies in a position
above the internal end 23 of a corresponding hole 7 of the sole 1
in such a way that the air to be discharged is preferably conveyed
into the cells 25 of the cellular structure 3 communicating with
the through holes 7.
[0044] According to a variant of the cellular sole described above,
it may be decided to perforate the lateral walls of all the cells
of the cellular structure 3 in such a way that they are made to
communicate one with the other, and to use a transpiring
arch-support, in order to allow a passage of air between the whole
area of the sole of the foot and the external environment through
the holes formed in the edge of the sole.
[0045] In accordance with another embodiment proposed for a solid
sole structure 2 and shown in FIGS. 3, 4 and 6, in order to allow
the selective passage of air a slot 4 is provided which penetrates
vertically the thickness of the sole 2 in order to leave a mark on
the upper surface of the sole 2 which runs parallel to the external
edge 6 of the sole 2 itself.
[0046] Moreover, along the external edge 6 on a front portion and
rear portion of the sole 2, holes 8 are formed consecutively and
which open on the external lateral wall 10 of the slot 4 and which
are covered by a strip 20 in Goretex.TM.. Fixed at upper and lower
edges on wall 10 in such a way as to allow a water proof
fixing.
[0047] In this case too an arch-support 12 is provided with
openings 14 which perfectly superimpose the outline of the slot 4,
in such a way that the air is directly channelled inside the slot 4
and therefore in an ideal position for being expelled to the
outside.
[0048] According to yet another embodiment of the present
invention, as illustrated in FIGS. 7a and 7b, it is possible to
obtain a transpiring sole structure by forming, starting from the
external edge 100 of the cellular sole 103, a succession of holes
102 with a circular section which open on the external lateral wall
104 of the perimetrical cells 105 of the cellular structure so that
the elements 107 with a cylindrical shape are hermetically inserted
in the respective holes 102. Each element 107 comprises a hollow
plug 106 having an external base 108 provided with micro holes 110
and an open internal base 112. An annular counter-plug 118 also
forms part of the element 107, which is attached for water proofed
closure of the internal end base 112 of each plug 106, interposing,
between each plug 106 and the respective counter-plug 118, a layer
120 of material which is permeable to air but not to water, in the
present case in Goretex.TM.. Whereas the peripheral portions of the
membrane are attached between the plug 106 and the corresponding
counter-tap 118, the central portion of the membrane 120 itself,
free from any impediment, can guarantee transpiration in optimum
conditions.
[0049] This solution advantageously offers the possibility of
removing individually each plug from the respective housing to
perform cleaning, maintenance or exchange of the assembly of the
plug-layer of material which is selectively permeable to air but
not to water-counter-tap, without having to intervene directly on
the overall structure of the sole, and therefore eliminates the
disadvantage of having to replace the entire sole in the case of
blockage or malfunctioning of one of its small parts.
[0050] Naturally the same principle applies to a solid sole, in
which case the holes 102 open on the external lateral wall of the
slot which extends parallel to the external edge of the solid sole
itself.
[0051] According to another possible variant, if a solid sole is
used, the holes 102 can be tilted upwards and open directly on the
upper surface of the sole itself.
[0052] The transpiring sole structures illustrated in FIGS. 8a-10c
concern preferred embodiments of the invention wherein means are
provided which are selectively permeable to air but not to water in
the form of plugs covered in a microporous material which is
permeable to air but not to water, to be inserted in a
corresponding cavity provided in the internal area of the sole in
such a way as to allow a water proofed closure of the internal end
of the holes opening into the cavities themselves.
[0053] In FIGS. 8a and 8b the structure of the sole 200 comprises a
front cavity 201 wherein the holes 202 provided on the edge of the
front part of the sole 200 open, and a rear cavity 203 wherein the
holes 202 provided on the edge of the rear part of the sole 200
open.
[0054] The front plug 204 and rear plug 205 have an identical
outline and thickness to those of the corresponding cavities 201
and 203 and are made in a transpiring material.
[0055] The external lateral walls of the front plug 204 and the
rear plug 205 respectively are covered by membranes 206 and 207
respectively, selectively permeable to air but not to water, and
the edges of the membranes 206 and 207 respectively realise a water
proof attachment onto the external lateral walls of the cavities
201 and 203 respectively, in such a way as to close the end of the
holes 202 which opens into the cavities 204 and 205
respectively.
[0056] Attachment can be achieved for example by means of gluing,
heat-sealing water proof stitching or by pushing the plugs 204 and
205 inside the respective housings 201 and 203 until a perfectly
waterproof joint is achieved.
[0057] As an alternative solution the plugs 204 and 205 can have an
internally hollow structure in a material which is still
transpiring or perforated.
[0058] In FIGS. 9a and 9b the transpiring sole structure 300 is
provided with a pair of right and respectively left front cavities
301, wherein the holes 302 provided on the right and respectively
left front part of the sole 300 open, and a pair of right and
respectively left rear cavities 303, wherein the holes 302 provided
on the right and respectively left rear part of the sole 300
open.
[0059] In this case the pairs of front plugs 304 and rear plugs
305, in perforated plastic or transpiring material, are internally
hollow and also have the external lateral wall 306 and 307 and the
upper wall 308 and 309 open to allow the passage of air between the
perforated or transpiring arch-support (not shown) and the external
environment through the membrane 310 and 311 which is selectively
permeable to air but not to water and which covers the same
external lateral wall 306 and 307 of the aforementioned front plugs
304 and rear plugs 305.
[0060] In FIGS. 10a-c the transpiring sole structure 400 of a
further embodiment of the present invention comprises, similarly to
the solution illustrated in FIGS. 1, 2 and 5, a cellular structure
with communicating cells, the holes 402 opening on the external
lateral walls of the perimetrical cells 401.
[0061] Unlike the embodiment illustrated in FIGS. 1, 2 and 5,
wherein on the external lateral walls of the cells a simply
microporous membrane is simply attached, in the present embodiment
provision is made for insertion of a plug 403 in each cell 401,
each of which plugs 403 is a hollow cube with the lateral walls 404
and the upper wall 405 open.
[0062] Of all the plugs 403, only those relating to the
perimetrical cells 401 of the cellular structure have the external
lateral surface 406 covered with the microporous membrane 407, so
as to block the entrance of external water towards the interior of
the cellular structure.
[0063] Also with this sole structure 400 the exchange of air via
the whole sole of the foot is permitted, the structure being
completed simply by placing on the sole a transpiring or perforated
arch-support.
[0064] Naturally, as a variant solution, the plugs 403 can also be
solid but in a transpiring material, and it is also possible to
leave the central cells of the cellular structure free, maintaining
in any case the air exchange mechanism unaltered.
[0065] What is referred in the previous embodiments must not
restrict the more general principle claimed, it being possible for
example for the holes to involve a portion or even the whole edge
of the sole, for the shape and number of the cavities in the
internal part of the sole to be different from those shown and
consequently for the means which are selectively permeable to air
but not to water to be different from those shown and consequently
the means which are selectively permeable to air but not to water
to have a different shape, structure and dimensions and such as to
adapt to the cavity wherein they are inserted, without prejudice to
the presence of one or more microporous membranes for closure of
the holes for waterproofing the interior of the sole.
[0066] According to another embodiment of the present invention
shown in FIG. 11, the holes 500 of the sole 504 open directly on
the upper surface 501 of the sole 504 itself.
[0067] A membrane 502 in Goretex.TM. or the like is superimposed
and perimetrically attached to the outline 503 of the sole 504 by
any waterproofed attachment technique chosen from among gluing,
heat-sealing and stitching waterproofed.
[0068] Naturally the holes 500 can be formed on a portion but also
on the whole outer edge of the sole 504 and can extend inwards
along a rectilinear path, as shown in FIG. 11, and also curved
towards the upper surface 501 of the sole 504.
* * * * *