U.S. patent application number 10/458273 was filed with the patent office on 2004-01-22 for shoes having ventilation devices.
Invention is credited to Lin, Hsien Yu, Lin, Ta Hsiang, Liu, Chang Yuen, Liu, Pei Chieh.
Application Number | 20040010939 10/458273 |
Document ID | / |
Family ID | 30444518 |
Filed Date | 2004-01-22 |
United States Patent
Application |
20040010939 |
Kind Code |
A1 |
Liu, Chang Yuen ; et
al. |
January 22, 2004 |
Shoes having ventilation devices
Abstract
A ventilation device is provided in a shoe. The device includes
a porous member fitted in a receiving means in a rear of the
insole, an intake pipe interconnected between a first check valve
and the porous member, and a discharge pipe interconnected between
a second check valve and porous member. Foul air is driven from
porous member to the outside through the intake pipe and second
check valve when the porous member is compressed by a foot.
Conversely, fresh air is drawn into the porous member from the
outside through the first check valve and intake pipe when the
porous member is returned from the compressed state to an original
state as the foot stops exerting force thereon.
Inventors: |
Liu, Chang Yuen; (Taipei,
TW) ; Lin, Ta Hsiang; (Taipei, TW) ; Lin,
Hsien Yu; (Taipei, TW) ; Liu, Pei Chieh;
(Taipei, TW) |
Correspondence
Address: |
BACON & THOMAS, PLLC
625 SLATERS LANE
FOURTH FLOOR
ALEXANDRIA
VA
22314
|
Family ID: |
30444518 |
Appl. No.: |
10/458273 |
Filed: |
June 11, 2003 |
Related U.S. Patent Documents
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Application
Number |
Filing Date |
Patent Number |
|
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10458273 |
Jun 11, 2003 |
|
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09960319 |
Sep 24, 2001 |
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Current U.S.
Class: |
36/29 ;
36/3B |
Current CPC
Class: |
A43B 7/081 20130101;
A43B 17/08 20130101 |
Class at
Publication: |
36/29 ;
36/3.00B |
International
Class: |
A43B 013/20 |
Claims
What is claimed is:
1. A structure of a ventilating insole, wherein said ventilating
insole comprises fore, arch, and heel portions, comprising: a
bladder at said heel portion of said ventilating insole; an air
intake passage coupled with said bladder, wherein said air intake
passage is in a first surface of said ventilating insole; an intake
valve coupled with said air intake passage; an air discharge
passage coupled with said bladder, wherein said air discharge
passage is in a second surface of said ventilating insole; and a
discharge valve coupled with said discharge passage.
2. The structure according to claim 1, wherein said intake passage
is in an upper surface os said ventilating insole.
3. The structure according to claim 1, wherein said discharge
passage is in a lower surface of said ventilating insole.
4. The structure according to claim 1, wherein said bladder further
comprises an elastic means for providing said bladder with
elasticity.
5. The structure according to claim 1, further comprising at least
one ventilating capillary opening on said second surface of said
ventilating insole, wherein said ventilating capillary opening is
in communication with said discharge passage.
6. The structure according to claim 1, wherein said intake valve is
a one-way valve.
7. The structure according to claim 1, wherein said discharge valve
is a one-way valve.
8. The structure according to claim 1, wherein said air intake
passage is at said arch portion of said ventilating insole.
9. The structure according to claim 1, further comprising a cover
layer on the second surface of said ventilating insole.
Description
[0001] This application is a continuation-in-part of U.S. patent
application Ser. No. 09/960,319, filed Sep. 24, 2001.
FIELD OF THE INVENTION
[0002] The present invention relates to shoes and more particularly
to a pair of shoes having improved ventilation devices.
BACKGROUND OF THE INVENTION
[0003] It is known that microorganisms may grow inside a shoe after
wearing because salty components of sweat secreted from the foot
accumulate therein. It is also understood that such shoes full of
foul air are not hygienic. Hence, an endless array of shoes having
ventilation arrangements are commercially available for eliminating
the above drawback.
[0004] But such conventional shoes are unsatisfactory for the
purpose for which the invention is concerned for the following
reasons: a) Its ventilation performance is not high because air
brought in is mixed with air given out in the ventilation cycle. In
fact, most of such products are merely a gimmick of one sort or
another. b) Manufacturing cost is high due to its complex
construction. c) The design of one type of shoe is not aesthetic
because a discharge pipe is projected from the toe of shoe. d) Poor
adaptability with respect to various sizes of shoes.
[0005] Thus, it is desirable to provide a pair of shoes having
improved ventilation devices in order to overcome the above
drawbacks of the prior art.
SUMMARY OF THE INVENTION
[0006] It is therefore an object of the present invention to
provide a ventilation device in either one of a pair of shoes, an
insole of each shoe having receiving means, the device comprising a
porous member fitted in the receiving means; an intake pipe having
one end coupled to the porous member; a discharge pipe having one
end coupled to the porous member; a first check valve connected to
the other end of the intake pipe being in communication with the
outside; a second check valve connected to the other end of the
discharge pipe being in communication with the outside; wherein air
is driven from the porous member to the outside through the intake
pipe and the second check valve when the porous member is
compressed by foot; and air is brought in the porous member from
the outside through the first check valve and the intake pipe when
the porous member expands, i.e., is returned from the compressed
state to an original state, as the user's foot stops exerting force
thereon.
[0007] The above and other objects, features and advantages of the
present invention will become apparent from the following detailed
description taken with the accompanying drawings.
BRIEF DESCRIPTION OF THE DRAWINGS
[0008] FIG. 1 is an exploded view of an insole incorporating a
first preferred embodiment of a ventilation device according to the
invention;
[0009] FIG. 2 is a perspective view of the assembled insole of FIG.
1;
[0010] FIG. 3 is a cross-sectional view of FIG. 2;
[0011] FIG. 4 is a cross-sectional view of the porous member,
intake pipe, and discharge pipe of FIG. 1;
[0012] FIGS. 5A and 513 are perspective views showing the FIG. 1
insole mounted in two different types of shoes;
[0013] FIGS. 6A and 6B are views similar to FIG. 4 showing air
giving off by the porous member and air sucked into the porous
member, respectively;
[0014] FIG. 7 is a perspective view showing the provision of holes
on the base of the insole;
[0015] FIG. 8 is a perspective view of a second preferred
embodiment of a ventilation device for a shoe according to the
invention;
[0016] FIG. 9 is a cross-sectional view of the porous member,
intake pipe, and discharge pipe of FIG. 8;
[0017] FIG. 10 is a perspective view showing the provision of
branch pipes in the discharge pipe of FIG. 8;
[0018] FIG. 11 is a perspective view showing the insole being
adapted to different sizes of shoes;
[0019] FIG. 12 is a perspective view showing the insole mounted in
a shoe;
[0020] FIG. 13 is an exploded view showing the FIG. 8 ventilation
device mountable in a double insole;
[0021] FIG. 14 is a perspective view showing the assembled
ventilation device and double insole of FIG. 13;
[0022] FIG. 15 is a cross-sectional view of FIG. 14;
[0023] FIG. 16 is an exploded view showing another configuration of
the lower insole of FIG. 13;
[0024] FIG. 17 is a perspective view showing another configuration
of the discharge pipe of the invention; and
[0025] FIG. 17A is an enlarged fragmentary view of the discharge
pipe of FIG. 17.
[0026] FIG. 18 is a bottom view of a ventilating insole of an
alternative preferred embodiment of the invention.
[0027] FIG. 19 is a top view of the ventilating insole of FIG.
18.
DETAILED DESCRIPTION OF THE PREFERRED EMBODIMENTS
[0028] Referring to FIGS. 1 to 7, there is shown an insole 10
incorporating a first preferred embodiment of a ventilation device
constructed in accordance with the invention. Insole 10 comprises a
base 1 having an opening 11 on the rear, an intake pipe 3, a
discharge pipe 4, a porous member 2 with an inside formed of foam
23 or elastic elements, porous member 2 being fitted in the opening
11 and including an inlet connector 21 coupled to one end of intake
pipe 3, an outlet connector 22 coupled to one end of discharge pipe
4, a first check valve 51 interconnected between the other end of
intake pipe 3 and one of a plurality of holes 101 on the external
side of shoe 100 (FIG. 5A) or an appropriately meshed fabric member
102 for bringing in fresh air from outside (FIG. 5B), and a second
check valve 52 coupled to the other end of discharge pipe 4 (i.e.,
at the bottom of shoe) for letting air out. The ventilation
mechanism of the invention will be described in detail by referring
to FIGS. 6A and 6B specifically. As shown in FIG. 6A, air is driven
out of porous member 2 as the bottom of the wearer's foot presses
down on porous member 2 (i.e., porous member 2 is compressed). As a
result, foul air is driven out of second check valve 52 through
discharge pipe 4. Conversely, as shown in FIG. 6B, air is drawn
into intake pipe 3 through first check valve 51 as the bottom of
the foot stops exerting force on porous member 2 and porous member
2 expands (i.e., porous member 2 is returned to normal position).
As a result, fresh air is fed to porous member 2 through intake
pipe 3. Hence, air brought in is not mixed with air given out in a
ventilation cycle. Such ventilation cycle is repeated during
walking. As a result, a satisfactory ventilation effect is
achieved, thereby forestalling the growth of microorganisms in
shoes.
[0029] Referring to FIG. 7 specifically, for the purpose of
enhancing ventilation a plurality of additional holes 12 are
provided on base 1. As such, fresh air is brought in to contact the
bottom of the wearer's foot directly and foul air is driven out
through multiple holes 12 during walking.
[0030] Referring to FIGS. 8 to 12, there is shown a second
preferred embodiment of ventilation device of shoe 100. The
characteristics of the embodiment are detailed below. A third check
valve 53 is provided on a position on discharge pipe 4 other than
the other (i.e., external) end of discharge pipe 4. Also, first
check valve 51 is provided on a position on intake pipe 3 other
than the other (i.e., external) end of intake pipe 3. Further, a
plurality of short branch pipes 41 (three are shown) are
perpendicular to and in communication with discharge pipe 4 for
driving out more foul air the inside shoe (FIG. 10). Moreover, a
user may cut base 1 of insole 10 to fit the size of foot that may
be accommodated by the insole (FIG. 11). For mass production in a
factory, intake pipe 3 is embedded inside the compartmented outsole
104 with first check valve 51 at the other end of intake pipe 3
coupled to hole 103 on the external surface of outsole 104 (FIG.
12).
[0031] Referring to FIGS. 13 to 17, there is shown the FIG. 8
ventilation device mounted in a double insole 10 (i.e., upper
insole 1 and lower insole 6). As shown in FIG. 15, the ventilation
device is sandwiched between upper and lower insoles 1 and 6 with
porous member 2 projected above opening 11. This can bring a better
degree of comfort to a user since the buffering effect on the
bottom of foot is enhanced. For enhancing the securing of the
ventilation device between upper and lower insoles 1 and 6, a first
recess 13 with top slightly raised is provided on the rear of upper
insole 1 and a longer slit 61, a short slit 62, and a second recess
63 are provided on lower insole 6. Hence, porous member 2 is
received in recesses 13 and 63, discharge pipe 4 is received in
longer slit 61, and intake pipe 3 is received in shorter slit 63
respectively. This may also facilitate assembly in mass production.
Additionally, a slip resistant arrangement may be provided on the
bottom of lower insole 6.
[0032] Referring to FIGS. 17 and 17A, there is shown another
configuration of discharge pipe 4 of the invention in which a
plurality of apertures 42 are equally spaced along discharge pipe
4. This can also enhance the escape of foul air.
[0033] FIGS. 18 and 19 are, respectively, a bottom view and a top
view of a ventilating insole according to another preferred
embodiment of the invention. As shown in FIGS. 18 and 19, the
ventilating insole 200 includes a bladder 210, an air intake
passage 220, an intake valve 230, an air discharge passage 240, and
a discharge valve 250. The ventilating insole 200 includes fore,
arch, and heel portions 202, 204, and 206. The bladder 210 is at
the heel portion 206 of the ventilating insole 200. The ventilating
insole 200 further includes an elastic means, not shown in the
figures, which is situated in or makes up the bladder 210 to cause
the bladder 210 to be elastic. The elastic means may be latex or
other materials with good elastic properties.
[0034] The air intake passage 220 is in the lower surface of the
ventilating insole 200. The air intake passage 220 is coupled with
the bladder 210, and the other end of the air intake passage 220 is
coupled with the intake valve 230. In one preferred version of this
embodiment, the intake valve 230 is on the lower surface and at the
arch portion 204 of the ventilating insole 200, as shown in FIG.
18. The intake valve 230 is a one-way valve.
[0035] The discharge passage 240 is in the upper surface of the
ventilating insole 200. One end of the discharge passage 240 is
coupled to the bladder 210, while the other end of the discharge
passage 240 is coupled with the discharge valve 250. The discharge
valve 250 is a one-way valve, and is on the upper surface of the
ventilating insole 200. The ventilating insole 200 may further
comprise at least one ventilating capillary opening 260 on the
upper surface. The ventilating capillary opening 260 is coupled
with the discharge valve 250. Referring to FIG. 19, in a preferred
variation of this embodiment, the ventilating capillary opening 260
may be a trench on the upper surface of the ventilating insole 200.
The cover layer has many porous portions along the ventilating
capillary opening 260.
[0036] The basic operation of the ventilating insole of this
embodiment is as follows: according to the design of this
embodiment, when the heel strikes the ground, the bladder 210 is
compressed and air in the bladder 210 is expelled through the air
discharge passage 240 and out the ventilating capillary opening
260. During expulsion of air, the intake valve 230 closes and the
discharge valve 250 opens under pressure. As the foot is lifted
from the ground and pressure removed from the bladder 210, the
discharge valve 250 is closed and the intake valve 230 is opened by
the vacuum created by the expansion of the bladder 210. In other
words, when the heel strikes the ground, air in the bladder 210 is
expelled through the ventilating capillary opening 260 to the toes
and to the entire sole. When the foot is lifted from the ground,
fresh air is sucked from the outside of the shoe with the
ventilating insole 200 through the arch portion 204 and the intake
valve 230 into the bladder 210. Therefore, according to the design
of this embodiment, the insole can provide a breathable surrounding
to the foot, and made the foot comfortable and healthy. In the
above-mentioned breathable surrounding, the insole of the is
embodiment not only can lower the temperature in the shoe, but also
freshen and dry the inside of the shoe. Thus, many diseases, such
as mycetoma, or peculiar smells can be kept from the foot by
employing the insole of this embodiment.
[0037] Moreover, according to the design of this embodiment,
because the bladder is located at the heel portion, the bladder can
absorb shocks and provide a cushion function. Furthermore, due to
the design of this embodiment, the ventilating insole of this
embodiment can be easily trimmed to fit different foot sizes and
the ventilating function will not be decreased. Additionally, the
cost of producing or buying a pair of ventilating insoles
constructed in accordance with the principles of the invention is
far less than those of a conventional ventilating shoe, and one
pair of the ventilating insoles of the invention can be used in
many shoes. Thus, the ventilating insole of this invention is more
economical than a ventilating shoe.
[0038] While the invention has been described by means of specific
embodiments, numerous modifications and variations could be made
thereto by those skilled in the art without departing from the
scope and spirit of the invention set forth in the claims.
* * * * *