U.S. patent application number 09/728507 was filed with the patent office on 2001-10-04 for article of footwear with channel drainage system.
Invention is credited to Contreras, Guillermo A., Weishan, Edward C..
Application Number | 20010025432 09/728507 |
Document ID | / |
Family ID | 26863965 |
Filed Date | 2001-10-04 |
United States Patent
Application |
20010025432 |
Kind Code |
A1 |
Contreras, Guillermo A. ; et
al. |
October 4, 2001 |
Article of footwear with channel drainage system
Abstract
An insole for use in constructing a channel drainage component
includes a top surface and a bottom surface, and the insole defines
a first drainage canal that runs through the insole from the top
surface of the insole to the bottom surface of the insole. The
bottom surface of the insole defines a first drainage network that
includes a first groove that spirals outward from a first central
region in the bottom surface of the insole. The first drainage
canal runs from the top surface of the insole into the at least
first groove of the first drainage network. A channel drainage
component includes an insole and a midsole. The insole has a top
surface and a bottom surface and defines a first drainage canal
running from the top surface to the bottom surface. The bottom
surface of the insole defines a first drainage network that
includes a first groove, and the first drainage canal runs from the
top surface of the insole into the first groove of the first
drainage network defined in the bottom surface of the insole. The
midsole includes a top surface having a toe portion with an
end-of-toe region, and the midsole defines at least one discrete
channel having an inner end and an outer end connected to an
orifice on an exterior side surface of the midsole. The inner end
of the channel is closer to the end-of-toe region of the midsole
than is the outer end of the channel, and water entering the first
drainage canal from the top surface of the insole will enter the
groove in the bottom surface of the insole, drain into the channel
in the midsole, and exit the channel drainage component through the
orifice on the exterior side surface of the channel drainage
component.
Inventors: |
Contreras, Guillermo A.;
(Portland, OR) ; Weishan, Edward C.; (Molalla,
OR) |
Correspondence
Address: |
Mark A. Kassel
FOLEY & LARDNER
150 East Gilman Street
P.O. Box 1497
Madison
WI
53701-1497
US
|
Family ID: |
26863965 |
Appl. No.: |
09/728507 |
Filed: |
December 1, 2000 |
Related U.S. Patent Documents
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Application
Number |
Filing Date |
Patent Number |
|
|
60168292 |
Dec 1, 1999 |
|
|
|
Current U.S.
Class: |
36/3R ; 36/3B;
36/43; 36/8.1 |
Current CPC
Class: |
A43B 13/38 20130101;
A43B 7/08 20130101; A43B 13/125 20130101 |
Class at
Publication: |
36/3.00R ;
36/3.00B; 36/8.1; 36/43 |
International
Class: |
A43B 005/08; A43B
007/06; A43B 013/38; A43B 023/00 |
Claims
What is claimed is:
1. An insole for use in constructing a channel drainage component,
the insole comprising: a top surface and a bottom surface, wherein
the insole defines at least a first drainage canal that runs
through the insole from the top surface of the insole to the bottom
surface of the insole, further wherein the bottom surface of the
insole defines at least a first drainage network that comprises at
least a first groove that spirals outward from a first central
region in the bottom surface of the insole, and further wherein the
at least first drainage canal runs from the top surface of the
insole into the at least first groove of the first drainage
network.
2. The insole according to claim 1, wherein the insole further
comprises a toe portion and the first drainage network is defined
by the bottom surface of the toe portion of the insole.
3. The insole according to claim 1, wherein the insole further
comprises a heel portion and the first drainage network is defined
by the bottom surface of the heel portion of the insole.
4. The insole according to claim 1, wherein the insole defines a
plurality of drainage canals and each drainage canal runs from the
top surface of the insole into a groove of a drainage network
defined by the bottom surface of the insole.
5. The insole according to claim 1, wherein the insole defines at
least a second drainage canal that runs through the insole from the
top surface of the insole to the bottom surface of the insole,
further wherein the bottom surface of the insole defines at least a
second drainage network that comprises at least a second groove
that spirals outward from a second central region in the bottom
surface of the insole, and further wherein the at least second
drainage canal runs from the top surface of the insole into the at
least second groove of the second drainage network.
6. A channel drainage component for use in constructing an article
of footwear that prevents water from remaining around the foot of a
wearer, the channel drainage component comprising: (a) an insole
comprising: a top surface and a bottom surface, wherein the insole
defines a first drainage canal running from the top surface of the
insole to the bottom surface of the insole, further wherein the
bottom surface of the insole defines a first drainage network that
comprises a first groove, and further wherein the first drainage
canal runs from the top surface of the insole into the first groove
of the first drainage network defined in the bottom surface of the
insole; and (b) a midsole comprising: a top surface having a toe
portion with an end-of-toe region, wherein the midsole defines at
least one discrete channel having an inner end and an outer end
connected to an orifice on an exterior side surface of the midsole,
wherein the inner end of the channel is closer to the end-of-toe
region of the midsole than is the outer end of the channel, and
further wherein water entering the first drainage canal from the
top surface of the insole will enter the groove in the bottom
surface of the insole, drain into the channel in the midsole, and
exit the channel drainage component through the orifice on the
exterior side surface of the channel drainage component.
7. The channel drainage component according to claim 6, further
comprising an outsole attached to a bottom surface of the midsole,
wherein the outsole comprises an exterior bottom surface and the
orifice on the exterior side surface of the midsole is at least
about 0.5 cm from the closest part of the exterior bottom surface
of the outsole.
8. The channel drainage component according to claim 7, wherein the
orifice is at least about 0.7 cm from the closest part of the
exterior bottom surface of the outsole.
9. The channel drainage component according to claim 8, wherein the
orifice is at least about 1.0 cm from the closest part of the
exterior bottom surface of the outsole.
10. The channel drainage component according to claim 7, wherein
the outsole comprises a material selected from the group consisting
of a fibrous material suitable for use in a wader and rubber.
11. The channel drainage component according to claim 6, wherein
the insole defines a plurality of drainage canals running from the
top surface of the insole to the bottom surface of the insole.
12. The channel drainage component according to claim 6, wherein
the bottom surface of the insole defines a second drainage network
comprising a second groove.
13. The channel drainage component according to claim 12, wherein
the first groove spirals outward from a first central region in the
bottom surface of the insole and the second groove spirals outward
from a second different central region in the bottom surface of the
insole.
14. The channel drainage component according to claim 6, wherein
the first groove spirals outward from a first central region in the
bottom surface of the insole.
15. The channel drainage component according to claim 6, wherein
the midsole defines at least two separate discrete channels and
each channel has an inner end and an outer end connected to an
orifice on the exterior side surface of the midsole, wherein the
inner end of each channel is closer to the end-of-toe region of the
midsole than is the outer end of each channel.
16. The channel drainage component according to claim 6, wherein
the midsole defines a plurality of separate discrete channels and
each channel has an inner end and an outer end connected to an
orifice on the exterior side surface of the midsole, wherein the
inner end of each channel is closer to the end-of-toe region of the
midsole than is the outer end of each channel.
17. The channel drainage component according to claim 16, wherein
each channel is arcuate.
18. An article of footwear, comprising: an upper main body attached
to the channel drainage component according to claim 7.
19. An article of footwear, comprising: an upper main body attached
to the channel drainage component according to claim 14 and an
outsole attached to a bottom surface of the midsole.
20. An article of footwear, comprising: an upper main body attached
to the channel drainage component according to claim 15 and an
outsole attached to a bottom surface of the midsole.
Description
CROSS-REFERENCES TO RELATED APPLICATIONS
[0001] This application claims priority to U.S. Provisional
Application Ser. No. 60/168,292, filed Dec. 1, 1999, the complete
disclosure of which is incorporated herein.
FIELD OF THE INVENTION
[0002] This invention generally relates to articles of footwear and
methods for constructing articles of footwear. This invention more
particularly relates to articles of footwear having a channel
system or system of channels for removing water from the interior
of the article of footwear.
BACKGROUND OF THE INVENTION
[0003] Articles of footwear have long been worn by humans to
protect their feet while walking or running over uneven surfaces.
In the past, articles of footwear were typically constructed of
natural materials such as leather. However, as technology has
provided new materials such as vulcanized rubber and polymeric
materials, the variety of materials from which articles of footwear
have been constructed has increased.
[0004] Articles of footwear have been designed for use in a wide
variety of environments. For example, some articles of footwear
have been designed for use in wet environments including wading,
where the footwear will be submerged in water at some point during
use.
[0005] Articles of footwear for use in wet conditions have
conventionally been designed to be impermeable to water such that
no water may enter the article of footwear through the bottom
portion of the shoe or boot. One problem with such design is that
water that does enter such a shoe or boot will be trapped and
remain around the foot of a wearer leading to wearer discomfort and
conditions favorable for the development of fungus, bacteria, and
odors associated with these. Although some conventional forms of
footwear designed for use in wet or moist terrain are designed to
be breathable, water that enters such articles of footwear is again
trapped and tends to remain around the foot of a wearer because
water that enters such footwear will only slowly leave unless the
shoe or boot is removed from the foot.
[0006] A need thus remains for an article of footwear that can be
submerged in streams, ponds, lakes and other wet conditions, and
which provides a drainage system to remove water from the article
of footwear so that it can be worn under varying conditions and
remain comfortable on the foot of the wearer.
SUMMARY OF THE INVENTION
[0007] The invention relates to an article of footwear for use in
varying conditions that has a channel system designed to allow
water to run out the article of footwear and prevent it from
remaining around the foot of a wearer.
[0008] An article of footwear that prevents water from remaining
around the foot of a wearer, includes: an upper main body having a
bottom and a top portion; and a sole portion attached to the bottom
of the upper main body. The sole portion includes an outsole; an
insole; and a midsole having a top and a bottom surface and
attached to the outsole and the insole. The sole portion also
includes a bottom exterior surface and an exterior side surface
that includes a heel portion, a toe portion, and a midfoot portion.
The midfoot portion of the exterior side surface of the sole
portion defines at least one orifice and the midsole defines at
least one channel that is connected to the orifice such that water
in the liquid form will flow out the article of footwear through
the orifice on the exterior side surface of the sole portion.
[0009] In a preferred article of footwear according to the present
invention, the exterior side surface of the midfoot portion of the
sole portion defines at least two orifices and the midsole defines
at least two channels connected to the orifices on the exterior
side surface of the midfoot portion of the sole portion of the
article of footwear.
[0010] In more preferred articles of footwear according to the
present invention, the exterior side surface of the sole portion
defines a plurality of orifices and the midsole defines a channel
system that connects to each of the orifices on the exterior side
surface of the sole portion of the article of footwear.
[0011] In various preferred articles of footwear, the midsole is
made of rubber.
[0012] In more preferred articles of footwear, the insole is
positioned over the midsole and forms a top surface of the channels
in the midsole. In still more preferred articles of footwear, the
insole defines at least one drainage canal, but more preferably
defines a plurality of drainage canals, wherein at least one of the
drainage canals is in communication with at least one channel in
the midsole.
[0013] An article of footwear with a drainage system, includes: an
upper main body having a bottom portion and a top portion; and a
sole portion attached to the bottom portion of the upper main body.
The sole portion of the article of footwear includes: an outsole; a
channel drainage component having a top and a bottom surface; a
bottom exterior surface; and an exterior side surface including a
heel portion, a toe portion, and a midfoot portion. The channel
drainage component is attached to the upper main body and the
outsole. The midfoot portion of the exterior side surface of the
sole portion defines at least one orifice and the channel drainage
component defines at least one channel connected to the orifice.
Water in the liquid form will flow out the article of footwear
through the orifice on the exterior side surface of the sole
portion.
[0014] In certain preferred articles of footwear with a drainage
system, the channel drainage component is a one-piece component
whereas in other preferred such articles of footwear, the channel
drainage component includes at least two separate parts.
[0015] In more preferred articles of footwear with a drainage
system, the top surface of the channel drainage component defines
at least one drainage hole that allows water to drain from an
inside portion of the article of footwear into the channel of the
channel drainage component and out the orifice on the exterior side
surface of the sole portion. In still more preferred articles of
footwear with a drainage system, the top surface of the channel
drainage system defines a plurality of drainage holes that allow
water to drain from an inside portion of the article of footwear
into the channel of the channel drainage component.
[0016] In various preferred articles of footwear with a drainage
system, the top surface of the channel drainage component is a
substantially planar insole that defines at least one drainage hole
that allows water to drain from an inside portion of the article of
footwear into the channel of the channel drainage component.
[0017] A channel drainage component for use in construction of an
article of footwear or sole assembly, includes: a main body
defining at least one channel; an exterior side surface configured
to serve an exterior side surface of an article of footwear or sole
assembly; a bottom surface adapted to be attached to another
component of a sole assembly; a top surface defining at least one
drainage hole that allows water to drain from an area above the top
surface and into the channel in the main body of the channel
drainage component. The exterior side surface of the channel
drainage component defines at least one orifice connected to the
channel, but preferably defines a plurality of orifices connected
to the channel.
[0018] In some preferred channel drainage components, the channel
drainage component is of one-piece construction, whereas in other
preferred channel drainage components, the channel drainage
component comprises at least two separate components attached to
one another. In some of these preferred channel drainage
components, the top surface of the channel drainage component
comprises an insole.
[0019] Various preferred sole assemblies according to the present
invention include an outsole attached to a channel drainage
component as described above. Various preferred articles of
footwear include an upper main body attached to a sole assembly
that includes an outsole attached to the channel drainage component
described above.
[0020] An insole for use in constructing a channel drainage
component is also provided. The insole includes a top surface and a
bottom surface, and the insole defines at least a first drainage
canal that runs through the insole from the top surface of the
insole to the bottom surface of the insole. Additionally, the
bottom surface of the insole defines at least a first drainage
network that includes at least a first groove that spirals outward
from a first central region in the bottom surface of the insole.
Furthermore, the first drainage canal runs from the top surface of
the insole into the at least first groove of the first drainage
network. Preferred such insoles include a toe portion or a heel
portion or both and the bottom surface of the toe portion or heel
portion define the first drainage network. In other preferred such
insoles, the insole defines a plurality of drainage canals and each
drainage canal runs from the top surface of the insole into a
groove of a drainage network defined by the bottom surface of the
insole.
[0021] In still other preferred insoles, the insole defines a
second drainage canal that runs through the insole from the top
surface of the insole to the bottom surface of the insole. In such
preferred insoles, the bottom surface of the insole defines a
second drainage network that includes a second groove that spirals
outward from a second central region in the bottom surface of the
insole. The second drainage canal in such insoles runs from the top
surface of the insole into the second groove of the second drainage
network.
[0022] The invention further provides a channel drainage component
that includes an insole and a midsole. The insole includes a top
surface and a bottom surface, and the insole defines a first
drainage canal running from the top surface of the insole to the
bottom surface of the insole. The bottom surface of the insole
defines a first drainage network that includes a first groove, and
the first drainage canal runs from the top surface of the insole
into the first groove of the first drainage network defined in the
bottom surface of the insole. The midsole includes a top surface
having a toe portion with an end-of-toe region, and the midsole
defines at least one discrete channel having an inner end and an
outer end connected to an orifice on an exterior side surface of
the midsole. The inner end of the channel is closer to the
end-of-toe region of the midsole than is the outer end of the
channel, and water entering the first drainage canal from the top
surface of the insole will enter the groove in the bottom surface
of the insole, drain into the channel in the midsole, and exit the
channel drainage component through the orifice on the exterior side
surface of the channel drainage component.
[0023] Preferred channel drainage components are also provided that
include an outsole attached to a bottom surface of the midsole. The
outsole includes an exterior bottom surface and the orifice on the
exterior side surface of the midsole is at least about 0.5 cm from
the closest part of the exterior bottom surface of the outsole. In
other preferred such channel drainage components the orifice on the
exterior side surface of the midsole is at least about 0.7 cm from
the closes part of the exterior bottom surface of the outsole while
in still other preferred channel drainage components this distance
is at least about 1.0 cm. Still other preferred such channel
drainage components are provided in which the outsole is a material
selected from a fibrous material suitable for use in a wader,
rubber, or a mixture of these.
[0024] In some preferred channel drainage components, the bottom
surface of the insole defines a second drainage network that
includes a second groove whereas in other preferred channel
drainage components, the insole defines a plurality of drainage
canals running from the top surface of the insole to the bottom
surface of the insole. In some preferred channel drainage
components, the first groove spirals outward from a first central
region in the bottom surface of the insole whereas in still other
preferred channel drainage components having a second drainage
network, a second groove spirals outward from a second different
central region in the bottom surface of the insole.
[0025] Other preferred channel drainage components are provided in
which the midsole defines at least two separate discrete channels
and each channel has an inner end and an outer end connected to an
orifice on the exterior side surface of the midsole. In still other
preferred channel drainage components, the midsole defines a
plurality of separate discrete channels and each channel has an
inner end and an outer end connected to an orifice on the exterior
side surface of the midsole. In such preferred channel drainage
components, the inner end of each channel is closer to the
end-of-toe region of the midsole than is the outer end of each
channel. Still further preferred such channel drainage components
are provided in which each channel defined in the top surface of
the midsole is arcuate.
[0026] The invention still further provides articles of footwear
constructed from the insoles and channel drainage components
according to the invention.
[0027] Further objects, features and advantages of the invention
will be apparent from the following detailed description when taken
in conjunction with the drawings.
BRIEF DESCRIPTION OF THE DRAWINGS
[0028] The preferred exemplary embodiment of the invention will
hereinafter be described in conjunction with the appended drawings,
wherein like numerals denote like elements and:
[0029] FIG. 1 is a right side view of an article of footwear
according to the present invention;
[0030] FIG. 2 is a left side view of the article of footwear shown
in FIG. 1;
[0031] FIG. 3 is an exploded partial view of the left side of the
article of footwear shown in FIG. 1;
[0032] FIG. 4 is a top view of a midsole used in an article of
footwear according to the present invention;
[0033] FIG. 5 is a top view of an insole attached to a midsole for
use in an article of footwear according to the present
invention;
[0034] FIG. 6 is a top view of an insole according to a first
preferred embodiment for use in constructing an article of footwear
according to the present invention;
[0035] FIG. 7 is a bottom view of the insole shown in FIG. 6;
and
[0036] FIG. 8 is a top side perspective view of a midsole/outsole
component according to a preferred embodiment for use in
constructing an article of footwear according to the present
invention.
DETAILED DESCRIPTION
[0037] An article of footwear that prevents water from remaining
around the foot of a wearer, generally appears similar to other
articles of footwear. Such an article of footwear may include
athletic sporting shoes, boots, and other types of footwear. An
article of footwear according to the present invention may be made
of a wide variety of materials conventionally used in the
construction of footwear such as, but not limited to, rubber and
other elastomeric materials, leather, suede, textiles, synthetic
polymeric materials and combinations of these materials.
[0038] An article of footwear having a channel drainage system
generally includes a sole assembly attached to an upper main body.
Generally, a sole assembly will include at least one outsole
component although it may contain a number of different outsole
components that make up the outsole. Various materials may be used
in the construction of the outsole component as this is not
critical to the construction of either the channel drainage system
component or the article of footwear with such a drainage
component.
[0039] The channel drainage component for use in the construction
of articles of footwear or sole assemblies generally includes
channels that connect to an orifice, or more preferably two or more
orifices so that water will exit an article of footwear or sole
assembly though the orifice or orifices rather than remaining
around the foot of a wearer within the interior part of the article
of footwear. The orifice or orifices are preferably located on the
side of a constructed article of footwear, most preferably in the
midfoot portion of the shoe or boot and above the outsole
component, although those skilled in the art will observe that the
positions of the orifices can be modified.
[0040] The channel drainage component may be of one-piece
construction or may be made of two or more pieces joined together.
Generally, the channel drainage component will have a top surface
defining one, and preferably more, channel drainage canals or holes
that allow water to drain from around the foot of a wearer into the
channels of a channel drainage system and then out the orifice or
orifices on the side of the channel drainage component or article
of footwear constructed therefrom. In multi-part channel system
drainage components, the top surface of the channel drainage
component may constitute a substantially planar insole component
such that the drainage holes in the insole of the channel drainage
component are located directly beneath the foot of a wearer.
Additionally, another part of the channel drainage component may
constitute a midsole with channels connected to the orifice or
orifices on the side of the channels drainage component or the
article of footwear. In this way, an article of footwear may be
constructed using the channel drainage component without departing
from standard methods of footwear construction. Thus, the invented
channel drainage system or component can be used with virtually any
conventional method of shoe or boot construction to provide an
article of footwear that prevents water from remaining around the
foot of a wearer by allowing it to drain out the article of
footwear.
[0041] Referring to FIGS. 1-3, an article of footwear 10 that
prevents water from remaining around the foot of a wearer generally
includes a sole portion 20 attached to an upper main body 30 that
includes a top 32 and bottom 36 portion. For simplicity and general
discussion, the article of footwear 10 can be divided into various
regions. Such regions include a toe portion 40, a heel portion 50,
and a midfoot portion 60 which is generally the area that extends
from the arch of the foot to the area where the metatarsal bones
meet the phalanges. The upper main body 30 of typical article of
footwear 10 in accordance with the present invention generally
includes a front toe piece 70; a rear heel piece 80; an achilles
piece 90 attached to a tab 100; a leg cushion 110; an eyehole piece
120 with eyeholes 130 for a shoelace; a tongue 140; ornamental
features such as upper orifices 150; and a main body webbing 160.
As those skilled in the art will quickly recognize, the
construction of the upper main body 30 of the article of footwear
10 of the present invention is not critical to the invention and
may be changed considerably depending on the design or intended use
of the article of footwear.
[0042] The sole portion 20 of the article of footwear 10 generally
includes a heel portion 170; an outsole 180; an optional
intermediary sole 190; and a midsole 200. As shown in FIGS. 1-3,
the sole portion 20 of the article of footwear 10 defines an
exterior side surface of the article of footwear 10 which can be
divided into a heel portion 50, a midfoot portion 60, and a toe
portion 40. As shown in FIGS. 1-3, the midfoot portion 60 of the
exterior side surface 205 of midsole 200 defines at least one
orifice 210. More preferably, the midfoot portion 60 of the
exterior side surface 205 defines two or more orifices 210. As
shown in FIG. 4, orifices 210 are connected to channels 220 defined
by the midsole 200. Although the midsole may be constructed of
various materials, it is preferred that it be made of rubber, or
another elastomeric material. The channels 220 defined by midsole
200 may have various orientations, but should connect with orifices
210 so that water in the liquid form may exit the article of
footwear 10 though the orifices 210 on the exterior side surface
205 of the sole portion 20 from the interior of the article of
footwear 10.
[0043] A shown in FIG. 5, an insole 230 is attached over the
midsole 200 so that it covers channels 220 (FIG. 4). The insole may
be constructed of various materials such as, but not limited to,
leather, rubber, or an elastomeric polymer and may be constructed
of both porous or non-porous materials. Preferably, insole 230
defines at least one drainage canal or drainage hole 240 in
communication with a channel 220 so that water may drain through
drainage canal or hole 240 into channel 220 and out orifice 210 in
the exterior side of the sole portion 20. More preferably an insole
230 will contain a plurality of drainage canals or holes 240 to
provide additional avenues though which liquid water, water in the
vapor form, or air can flow and exit the article of footwear 10.
The insole thus provides support for the foot of a wearer of the
article of footwear 10 and prevents water from remaining around the
foot of the wearer.
[0044] As described above, insole 230 and midsole 200 work together
to form a channel drainage component having at least two
components. However, in some preferred articles of footwear
including a channel drainage component, the channel drainage
component will be made of one-piece. In such alternative, but
preferred articles of footwear, the channel drainage system will
include a top surface which allows water to drain from inside the
article of footwear into a channel in the channel drainage
component and out the orifice of the exterior side surface of the
sole portion of the article of footwear.
[0045] Although the drainage canal or hole 240, channels 220, and
orifices 210 are shown in the midfoot portion 60 of the midsole 200
and insole 230, it will be readily apparent to those of skill in
the art of footwear design and construction that these structures
may also be present in the heel and toe portions of the article of
footwear.
[0046] A preferred embodiment of an insole for use in constructing
an article of footwear according to the present invention is shown
in FIGS. 6 and 7. As shown in FIG. 6, insole 300 has a top surface
310 which includes a toe portion 320 with an end-of-toe region 322,
a midfoot portion 325, and a heel portion 330. Insole 300 may be
made of various materials known to those skilled in the art, but is
preferably made of rubber which is rigid enough so that its surface
is not observably compressed when pressed on by hand. However,
insole 300 is preferably made of a rubber such that it will bend
when pressure is applied to end-of-toe region 322 and heel portion
330. Top surface 310 of insole 300 preferably defines at least one
drainage canal or hole such as toe portion drainage canal 340 or
heel portion drainage canal 345. Drainage canals 340 and 345 run
from top surface 310 through insole 300 to bottom surface 350 as
shown in FIG. 7. As shown in FIG. 6, top surface 310 of insole 300
preferably defines at least two drainage canals (340 and 345) and
still more preferably defines a plurality of drainage canals or
holes (340 and 345) through which water will drain away from the
inner area of an article of footwear constructed using insole 300
and into a drainage network on the bottom surface 350 of insole
300.
[0047] As shown in FIG. 7, insole 300 has a bottom surface 350
having a toe portion 320 with an end-of toe region 322, a midfoot
portion 325, and a heel portion 330. Toe portion drainage canals
340 preferably drain water from the foot of a wearer in a completed
article of footwear into a toe portion drainage network 360 defined
by the bottom surface 350 of insole 300. Toe portion drainage
network 360 is made up of at least one groove 370 defined by bottom
surface 350 of insole 300. In more preferred embodiments such as
that shown in FIGS. 6 and 7, toe portion drainage network 360 is
made up of at least one outwardly radiating groove which is more
preferably continuous such as groove 370. Most preferably, toe
portion drainage network 360 comprises a continuous groove 370
which radiates outward from a central region 380 of bottom surface
350 of toe portion 320 of insole 300. Therefore, in a most
preferred embodiment, toe portion drainage network 360 may be
described as made up of an outwardly radiating continuous groove or
channel that spirals outward from central region 380.
[0048] As shown in FIG. 7, bottom surface 350 of heel portion 330
of insole 300 may also include a drainage network such as heel
portion drainage network 390. Heel portion drainage canals 345
preferably drain water from the foot of a wearer in a completed
article of footwear into heel portion drainage network 390 defined
by the bottom surface 350 of heel portion 330 of insole 300. Heel
portion drainage network 390 generally has many of the same
characteristics as toe portion drainage network 360, and especially
preferred insoles for use in constructing articles of footwear
according to the present invention include both a toe portion
drainage network 360 and a heel portion drainage network 390 as
shown in FIG. 7. Heel portion drainage network 390 is made up of at
least one groove 400. In more preferred embodiments such as that
shown in FIG. 7, heel portion drainage network 390 is made up of at
least one outwardly radiating groove 400 which is more preferably
continuous. Most preferably, heel portion drainage network 390
comprises a continuous groove 400 which radiates outward from a
central region 410 of bottom surface 350 of heel portion 330 of
insole 300. Therefore, in a most preferred embodiment, heel portion
drainage network 390 may be described as made up of an outwardly
radiating continuous groove 400 that spirals outward from central
region 410.
[0049] As shown in FIG. 7, it is highly preferred that toe portion
drainage canals 340 are located in the bottom of groove 370 in toe
portion drainage network 360. It is also highly preferred that heel
portion drainage canals 345 are located in the bottom of groove 400
of heel portion drainage network 390. The proper placement of
drainage canals (340 and 345) in toe and heel portions (320 and
330) of insole 300 helps to insure that water draining from inside
an article of footwear constructed therefrom is directed through
drainage canals (340 and 345) into drainage networks (360 and 390).
One skilled in the art will recognize that the midfoot portion 325
of insole 300 may also be equipped with drainage canals and a
complimentary channel drainage network.
[0050] Insole 300 is preferably used in conjunction with a
complimentary midsole such as midsole 460 of midsole/outsole
component 450 shown in FIG. 8. Midsole/outsole component 450
includes midsole 460 attached to outsole 470 which may be made of
various materials known to those skilled in the art. Fibrous
materials known to those skilled in the art are particularly
valuable in the construction of outsoles for use in waders whereas
rubber outsoles are highly preferred in many other types of
footwear construction. Midsole 460 includes a toe portion 480 with
an end-of-toe region 482, a midfoot portion 490 and a heel portion
500. The top surface 505 of midsole 460 of midsole/outsole
component 450 defines at least one channel 510, but preferably
defines at least two channels 510. More preferably, top surface 505
of midsole 460 defines a plurality of channels 510, most preferably
separate as shown in FIG. 8. Drainage channels 510 are preferably
discrete having an inner end 520 and an outer end 530 connecting to
and forming orifice 540 on the exterior side of an article of
footwear manufactured from midsole/outsole component 450. Thus,
highly preferred midsoles 460 according to the present invention
have a plurality of discrete channels 510 which are not connected
to one another as shown in FIG. 8. Furthermore, in highly preferred
midsoles 460 according to the present invention, each discrete
channel 510 will have an inner end 520 and an outer end 530
connected to an orifice 540 on the exterior side surface of the
midsole 460.
[0051] Preferred midsole/outsole components 450 such as that shown
in FIG. 8 include drainage channels 510 in both toe portion 480 and
heel portion 500 such that drainage canals (340 and 345 in FIGS. 6
and 7) and drainage networks (360 and 390 in FIG. 7) in these
regions of insole 300 will supply drained water to complimentary
drainage channels 510 defined in top surface 505 of midsole 460 of
midsole/outsole component 450. In other words, drainage canals (340
and 345) and drainage networks (360 and 390) of insole 300
preferably communicate with drainage channels 510 in top surface
505 of corresponding midsole 460. Thus, insole 300 and midsole 460
together form a channel drainage component that allows water to
drain away from around the foot of a wearer of an article of
footwear constructed therefrom and out orifices on the side or the
article of footwear.
[0052] In preferred midsoles such as midsole 460 shown in FIG. 8,
drainage channels 510 are designed so that inner ends 520 of
drainage channels 510 are closer to end-of toe region 482 of toe
portion 480 of midsole 460 than outer end 530 is. Such a design
allows water to drain from drainage channel 510 out orifice 540 yet
minimizes the amount of water and debris that may enter orifice 540
during forward movement such as when walking. In especially
preferred midsole/outsole components 450 such as that shown in FIG.
8, drainage channels 510 are arcuate and inner ends 520 are closer
to end-of toe region 482 of midsole 460 than outer ends 530 are.
The outwardly radiating grooves (370 and 400) of insole 300 direct
the water entering through drainage canals (340 and 345) of insole
300 outward until it is in proper placement to enter channels 510
and out orifices 540 in complimentary midsole 460 forming a
preferred channel drainage component.
[0053] In more preferred midsole/outsole components such as that
shown in FIG. 8, at least one orifice 540 on the exterior side
surface of midsole/outsole component 450 is at least 0.5 cm and
more preferably is at least 0.7 cm from the closest part of the
exterior bottom surface 550 of outsole 470. Still more preferably,
the orifice is at least about 1.0 cm from the closest part of
exterior bottom surface 550 of outsole 470. The distance between
orifice 540 and exterior bottom surface 550 of outsole 470 limits
the amount of water that may enter orifice 540 when walking over a
wet surface or through shallow puddles. Thus, in most preferred
embodiments each of the orifices is at least about 0.5 cm from the
surface of the ground, more preferably is at least about 0.7 cm
from the surface of the ground, and still more preferably is at
least about 1.0 cm from the surface of the ground when the finished
article of footwear is placed on the ground.
[0054] It is understood that the invention is not confined to the
particular embodiments set forth herein as illustrative, but
embraces all such modified forms thereof as come within the scope
of the following claims.
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