Ventilated shoe sole

Abstract

A ventilated shoe sole is disclosed. This unique shoe sole is constructed with an elastic mid sole containing multiple cylindrical air spaces and multiple air vents arranged in parallel lines pattern across the sole, where the air vents communicates with their respective cylindrical air spaces underneath to allow air circulation around the bottom of the shoes. Therefore, heat and unpleasant foot odors can be rapidly expelled to the outside. In addition, the elastic mid sole provides an extra cushioning for the body weight. This shoe sole aids the design of comfortable and healthful footwear suitable for long time wearing.

Description

BACKGROUND OF THE INVENTION

[0001] 1. Field of the Invention

[0002] The present invention relates to a ventilated shoe sole, and in particular to a unique sole that can provide adequate ventilation as well as good cushioning at the same time.

[0003] 2. The Prior Arts

[0004] If someone continuously wears impermeable leather or rubber shoes for a certain period, the feet will start to perspire and heat will accumulate around the bottom of the shoes. These provide the conditions for the fungus to grow, which will penetrate the corneous layer of the feet to cause fungus infections, such as athlete's foot, itching or red spots around the infected areas.

[0005] The most commonly used preventive treatment is to use disinfectant/deodorant to spray around the bottom of the shoes to inhibit the growth of fungus and dispel unpleasant foot odors. The spray solution contains chemical composition that will inhibit the growth of mildew and fungus. Foot powder can be used instead of the aerosol sprays. But the best control of all is to keep the bottom of the feet fresh and dry all the time by wearing a pair of shoes with adequate ventilation and socks with good sweat absorbing capability.

[0006] Some manufacturers claim that their insoles and shoes can effectively control foot odor, while others claim to promote general fitness and improve air circulation, by which the risks for the fungus to grow are lowered. However, as a matter of fact, what they have claimed in their products is very difficult to be substantiated from actual data.

[0007] Yet, research efforts to make more comfortable footwear and even those with orthopedic support for the foot have never ceased. In these aspects, the ventilated shoe sole according to the present invention substantially reduces or obviates the limitations and disadvantages of the prior art.

SUMMARY OF THE INVENTION

[0008] The primary objective of the present invention is to provide a ventilated shoe sole that employs multiple cylindrical air spaces in the middle of the shoe sole and multiple air vents communicating with their respective cylindrical air spaces underneath to allow air circulation around the feet. Therefore, heat and foot odors can be rapidly expelled to the outside through air circulation around the bottom of the shoes.

[0009] The secondary objective of the present invention is to provide a mid sole that is constructed with an elastic structure including a heel portion to provide an extra cushioning for the body weight and improve the shock absorbing ability.

[0010] The tertiary objective of the present invention is to provide a ventilated shoe sole that aids the design of comfortable and healthful footwear suitable for long time wearing.

[0011] To attain the above-mentioned objectives, the shoe sole comprises an outer sole that is the bottom layer of the shoe sole; a mid sole that has multiple cylindrical air spaces in the elastic structure and multiple air vents atop, where the air vents communicates with their respective cylindrical air spaces underneath to allow air circulation around the feet; and an insole that is placed over the mid sole and the outer sole.

[0012] In accordance with the present invention, the air vents disposed in parallel lines pattern are able to communicate with their respective cylindrical air spaces underneath, through which heat and foot odors can be released to the outside by constant air circulation around the bottom of the shoes.

[0013] In accordance with the present invention, the elastic structure and the cylindrical air spaces of the mid sole together acts as an air pump. When a wearer steps on the ground with one foot, most of the body weight is transferred to the bottom of the foot. This downward pressure forces out the air originally contained in the cylindrical air spaces at the bottom of the shoes as the elastic sole is compressed. Afterwards, the elastic body bounces back to its normal form as soon as the wearer lifts the foot from the ground. Since this is a repetitive process of walking, the elastic sole allows adequate air circulation around the bottom of the shoes worn by the wearer for a certain period of time.

[0014] In accordance with the present invention, the central part of the insole has an open area that allows the air vents underneath to be exposed, so that the flow of air can be produced through the air vents and the cylindrical air spaces.

[0015] These along with other features of novelty, which characterize the invention, are pointed out with particularity in the claims annexed to and forming a part of this disclosure. For a better understanding of the present invention, the operating advantages and the specific objectives attained by its uses, references should be made to the accompanying drawings and descriptive matter illustrated in preferred embodiments of the present invention.

BRIEF DESCRIPTION OF THE DRAWINGS

[0016] FIG. 1 is a perspective view of a ventilated shoe sole in accordance with a preferred embodiment of the present invention;

[0017] FIG. 2 is a sectional view of the ventilated shoe sole;

[0018] FIG. 3 is a side view of an actual shoe incorporating with the shoe sole of the present invention;

[0019] FIG. 4 is a side view of a ventilated shoe sole in accordance with another preferred embodiment of the present invention; and

[0020] FIG. 5 is a top view of another preferred embodiment of the present invention.

DETAILED DESCRIPTION OF THE PREFERRED EMBODIMENT

[0021] Referring to FIGS. 1 and 2, a ventilated shoe sole in accordance with the present invention comprises an outer sole 1, a mid sole 2, and an insole 3.

[0022] The outer sole 1 is a bottom layer of the shoe sole that is contoured to the shape of the sole.

[0023] The mid sole 2 is a middle layer between the outer sole 1 and the insole 3, which is a supporting structure having multiple air vents 22 on top and multiple cylindrical air spaces 21 in the middle thereof, disposed in parallel lines pattern widthwise. The mid sole 2, having a heel portion, is an elastic structure containing multiple cylindrical air spaces 21 in the middle thereof. The mid sole 2 is formed in the shape of a wedge in this embodiment, or a bow or other shapes as long as the shape of the body can fit the contour of foot.

[0024] In this embodiment, the mid sole 2 is placed over the outer sole 1 in such a way that the thickness of the mid sole 2 progressively increases from the back of the toes to the heel. The multiple cylindrical air spaces 21 inside the mid sole 2 are arranged in parallel lines widthwise, all of which extend to two sidewalls with open ends. The diameters of the cylindrical air spaces 21 also progressively increase to correspond with the sloping shape of the mid sole 2. The structure of the mid sole 2 that is used to support the body weight can take on any shape. Other possible shapes include cone, ball, and rhombus shapes.

[0025] The multiple air vents 22 on the top surface of the mid sole 2 communicates with their respective cylindrical air spaces 21 underneath, so that air circulation can be built and heat can be rapidly expelled to the outside through the air vents 22 and the cylindrical air spaces 21. Therefore, the bottom part of the shoes can be kept fresh and dry all the time.

[0026] In addition to the ventilation use, the mid sole 2 also serves as a supporting structure. The mid sole 2 is constructed with elastic material and perforated to form the cylindrical air spaces 21. The elastic structure of the mid sole 2 provides an extra cushioning for the foot, and lessens the pressure as a result of constant pounding of the wearer's feet on the ground.

[0027] The mid sole 2 can be formed of thermoplastic or thermal foamed plastic material. Suitable thermoplastic plastic material includes thermoplastic polyurethane (TPU), thermoplastic rubber (TPR), and nylon, while thermal foamed plastic material includes polyurethanes (PU), and ethylene-vinyl and acetate copolymers (EVA).

[0028] The insole 3 is placed over the mid sole 2 and the outer sole 1, which is designed to distribute the body weight evenly over the entire surface of the shoe sole, and also to facilitate the flow of air around the bottom of the shoes. The mid sole 2 has a bevel edge on one end and is attached on top of the outer sole 1. The thickness of the mid sole 2 progressively increases from the back of the toes to the heel. The insole 3 is constructed to fit the shape of the foot. The front part of the insole 3 is attached to the mid section of the outer sole 1, while two sides and a rear end of the insole 3 are slightly raised to form a protective flap 31 wrapping around the foot. Alternatively, the front part of the insole 3 can be attached to the front end of the outer sole 1.

[0029] The central part of the insole 3 has an open area to allow the multiple air vents 22 to be exposed to the outside to facilitate air exchange between the bottom part of the shoes and the surrounding.

[0030] Referring to FIG. 3, which illustrates an actual shoe 4 incorporating with the shoe sole of the present invention, the shoe sole in accordance with the present invention aids the design of comfortable and healthful footwear suitable for long time wearing, which can be used to make various types of footwear such as sports shoes, casual shoes, sandals, loafers, and ladies' shoes.

[0031] Referring to FIG. 4, which illustrates another preferred embodiment of the present invention, the mid sole 2a is hollowed out in the shape of a bow creating a large air pocket 21a underneath the supporting structure. Obviously, the single air pocket 21a has a larger size than any one of the cylindrical air spaces 21 formed in the previous preferred embodiment. Furthermore, the mid sole 2a has multiple air vents 22 on the top surface thereof (refer to FIG. 5).

[0032] The insole 3 is placed over the mid sole 2a and the outer sole 1 with its front part attached to the mid section of the outer sole 1.

[0033] Referring to FIG. 5, the central part of the insole 3 has an open area that allows the multiple air vents 22 underneath to be exposed, so that the flow of air can be built through the air vents 22 and the air pocket 21a. It is noticed that the air vents on the top surface of the mid sole 2a are clustered around the center thereof, whereas in the previous preferred embodiment the air vents are arranged in parallel lines pattern widthwise.

[0034] The present invention provides a unique sole that promotes air circulation around the bottom of the shoes. In addition, the supporting structure having the cylindrical air spaces provides an extra cushioning. If footwear incorporates with this unique sole, the bottom part of the wearer's feet can be kept in a fresh and dry condition all the time. Hence, the present invention aids the design of comfortable and healthful footwear suitable for long time wearing.

[0035] Although the present invention has been described with reference to the preferred embodiments thereof, it is apparent to those skilled in the art that a variety of modifications and changes may be made with regard to different forms and shapes without departing from the spirit and scope of the present invention which is intended to be defined by the appended claims.

Claims

1. A ventilated shoe sole, comprising an outer sole that is a bottom layer of the shoe sole; a mid sole that is a supporting structure having a heel portion and having multiple air vents on top and multiple cylindrical air spaces in the middle thereof, disposed in parallel lines pattern widthwise, where the air vents communicates with their respective cylindrical air spaces underneath; and an insole that is placed over the mid sole, the central part thereof having an open area to allow the air vents to be exposed.

2. The shoe sole as claimed in claim 1, wherein the mid sole is constructed with a bevel edge on one end and progressively increases in thickness from the back of the toes to the heel.

3. The shoe sole as claimed in claim 1, wherein the mid sole has multiple cylindrical air spaces disposed in parallel lines pattern widthwise and extending to two sidewalls with open ends.

4. The shoe sole as claimed in claim 3, wherein the cylindrical air spaces are formed with diameters progressively increasing to correspond with the thickness of the sloping mid sole.

5. The shoe sole as claimed in claim 1, wherein the mid sole is a bow shape having one large air pocket underneath.

6. The shoe sole as claimed in claim 1, wherein the insole is placed over the mid sole and the outer sole, and the front part of the insole is attached to the mid section of the outer sole.

7. The shoe sole as claimed in claim 1, wherein the insole is placed over the mid sole and the outer sole, and the front part of the insole is attached to the front end of the outer sole.

8. The shoe sole as claimed in claim 1, wherein the mid sole is made of thermoplastic plastic materials.

9. The shoe sole as claimed in claim 1, wherein the mid sole is made of thermal foamed plastic materials.

10. The shoe sole as claimed in claim 1, wherein the insole is slightly raised on two sides and a rear end thereof to form a protective flap.