U.S. patent application number 11/223696 was filed with the patent office on 2007-03-08 for shoe ventilation system.
This patent application is currently assigned to Skechers U.S.A. Inc. II. Invention is credited to Eval Akhidime.
Application Number | 20070051013 11/223696 |
Document ID | / |
Family ID | 37828746 |
Filed Date | 2007-03-08 |
United States Patent
Application |
20070051013 |
Kind Code |
A1 |
Akhidime; Eval |
March 8, 2007 |
Shoe ventilation system
Abstract
The forefoot portion of a shoe bottom includes at least one
independent open air cavity composed by complementing concave arcs
found in the lower midsole and upper midsole. The upper midsole
includes at least one ventilation hole for the passage of air to
and from the wearer's foot. During compression of the shoe bottom,
caused by the wearer's foot, the open air cavity forces air through
the ventilation hole, and through the insole hole introducing air
into the shoe interior.
Inventors: |
Akhidime; Eval; (Playa del
Rey, CA) |
Correspondence
Address: |
Marshall A. Lerner;Kleinberg & Lerner, LLP
2049 Century Park East
Los Angeles
CA
90067
US
|
Assignee: |
Skechers U.S.A. Inc. II
|
Family ID: |
37828746 |
Appl. No.: |
11/223696 |
Filed: |
September 8, 2005 |
Current U.S.
Class: |
36/3B |
Current CPC
Class: |
A43B 7/088 20130101 |
Class at
Publication: |
036/003.00B |
International
Class: |
A43B 7/06 20060101
A43B007/06 |
Claims
1. A shoe bottom portion which provides ventilation to the interior
of the shoe, comprising: an upper midsole; a lower midsole; and a
plurality of contacts of said upper midsole with said lower
midsole, said contacts being arranged to form at least one
independent open air cavity on the side of the forefoot of the shoe
bottom, to thereby provide ventilation to the interior of the
shoe.
2. A shoe bottom portion as set forth in claim 1, wherein said
upper midsole contains at least one ventilation hole in said upper
midsole.
3. A shoe bottom portion as set forth in claim 1, further
comprising an insole formed above said upper midsole, said insole
having at least one insole hole formed therein and wherein said
midsole contains at least one ventilation hole associated with said
at least one ventilation hole in said insole.
4. A shoe bottom portion as set forth in claim 1, wherein said
upper midsole and said lower midsole are adjoined.
5. A shoe bottom portion as set forth in claim 1, wherein said
upper midsole and said lower midsole each contain at least one
concave form.
6. A shoe bottom portion as set forth in claim 1, wherein said at
least one upper midsole concave form is in correspondence with said
at least one lower midsole concave form, to thereby form said at
least one open air cavity.
7. A shoe bottom portion as set forth in claim 5, wherein said open
air cavity does not extend through the shoe bottom.
8. A shoe bottom heel portion as set forth in claim 1, wherein said
upper midsole is formed of EVA of approximately 65 shore C
durometer hardness, and said lower midsole is formed of EVA of
approximately 65 shore C durometer hardness.
9. A shoe bottom portion which provides ventilation to the interior
of the shoe, comprising: an upper midsole; a lower midsole; a
plurality of contacts of said upper midsole with said lower
midsole, said contacts being arranged to form at least one
independent open air cavity on the side of the forefoot of the shoe
bottom; and at least one ventilation hole in said upper midsole, to
thereby provide ventilation to the interior of the shoe.
10. A shoe bottom portion as set forth in claim 9, further
comprising an insole formed above said upper midsole, said insole
having at least one insole hole formed therein and wherein said
midsole contains at least one ventilation hole associated with said
at least one ventilation hole in said insole.
11. A shoe bottom portion as set forth in claim 9, wherein said
upper midsole and said lower midsole are adjoined.
12. A shoe bottom portion as set forth in claim 9, wherein said
upper midsole and said lower midsole each contain at least one
concave form.
13. A shoe bottom portion as set forth in claim 9, wherein said at
least one upper midsole concave form is in correspondence with said
at least one lower midsole concave form, to thereby form said at
least one open air cavity.
14. A shoe bottom portion as set forth in claim 13, wherein said
open air cavity does not extend through the shoe bottom.
15. A shoe bottom portion which provides ventilation to the
interior of the shoe, comprising: an upper midsole; a lower
midsole; and a plurality of contacts of said upper midsole with
said lower midsole, said contacts being arranged to form a
plurality of independent open air cavities on the sides of the
forefoot of the shoe bottom, to thereby provide ventilation to the
interior of the shoe.
16. A shoe bottom portion as set forth in claim 15, wherein said
upper midsole contains at least one ventilation hole in said upper
midsole.
17. A shoe bottom portion as set forth in claim 15, further
comprising an insole formed above said upper midsole, said insole
having at least one insole hole formed therein and wherein said
midsole contains at least one ventilation hole associated with said
at least one ventilation hole in said insole.
18. A shoe bottom portion as set forth in claim 15, wherein said
upper midsole and said lower midsole are adjoined.
19. A shoe bottom portion as set forth in claim 15, wherein said
upper midsole and said lower midsole each contain at least one
concave form.
20. A shoe bottom portion as set forth in claim 15, wherein said at
least one upper midsole concave form is in correspondence with said
at least one lower midsole concave form, to thereby form said
plurality of open air cavities.
21. A shoe bottom portion as set forth in claim 20, wherein said
plurality of open air cavities does not extend through the shoe
bottom.
Description
BACKGROUND OF THE INVENTION
[0001] 1. Field of the Invention
[0002] The present invention relates to footwear, more particularly
to shoe bottoms for active and sport footwear, and especially a
ventilation system for the circulation of air in the forefoot of a
shoe.
[0003] 2. Description of the Related Art
[0004] The modern consumer of sport footwear expects a comfortable,
supportive, functional, tastefully ornamented product. Footwear
designers have responded with products combining new materials and
performance engineering features. The present invention relates to
a ventilation system for a shoe. Prior art such as U.S. Pat. Nos.
6,393,732 and 6,338,206 have attempted to introduce an effective
ventilation system for an athletic shoe with minimal success. These
prior art devices have grooves for the introduction of air to the
shoe which extend substantially laterally through the forefoot of
the shoe in the midsole. The present invention provides a
substantial improvement over the prior art. The introduction of an
independent open air cavity in the present invention induces air
into the interior of the shoe by trapping air in the open air
cavity upon compression and forcing it through the ventilation
hole. The independent open air cavity created by opposing arcs in
the upper midsole and lower midsole, is closed upon compression
trapping the air and forcing the air to the interior of the
shoe.
[0005] The present invention recognizes and addresses a particular
need for such refinement by providing a innovative performance shoe
containing a laminated shoe bottom portion with a functional,
breathable forefoot sole allowing for the circulation of air
providing added comfort to the consumer.
SUMMARY OF THE INVENTION
[0006] It is an object of the present invention to provide a shoe
bottom portion with an air circulation system allowing for added
comfort and breathability.
[0007] In accordance with this object and with others which will be
described and which will become apparent, a preferred exemplary
embodiment of a shoe bottom portion in accordance with the present
invention includes an upper midsole with at least one independent
concave arc extending outwards near the center of the sole. A lower
midsole with at least one independent concave arc extending
outwards near the center of the sole and which corresponds with the
upper midsole concave arc. The upper midsole contains a hole at the
top of the at least one independent concave arc, and an insole
contains at least one hole associated with the at least one upper
midsole hole at the top of each independent concave arc. The
joining of the upper midsole and lower midsole creates at least one
independent open air cavity at the corresponding concave arc. Each
independent open air cavity allows for the circulation of air into
the shoe through the ventilation hole at the top of the upper
midsole and through the associated hole in the insole.
[0008] The upper midsole and the lower midsole includes an
compression molded portion, which may be, for example, formed of
ethylene vinyl acetate (EVA). In a preferred embodiment, the upper
midsole and lower midsole are formed of approximately 65 shore C
durometer hardness.
[0009] The upper midsole and the lower midsole are adjoined at
contact points. The upper midsole and lower midsole may have
opposing concave arcs intermediate the contact points, thereby
forming an open air cavity intermediate the contact points. The
open air cavity compacts upon compression caused by the wearer's
foot, forming an enclosed chamber of air and forcing the air
through the upper midsole to the wearer's foot. The intermediate
contacts found between the open air cavity extend throughout the
shoe and support the structure of the shoe. Additionally, the
concave arcs also provide added cushioning to the wearer of the
shoe.
[0010] The upper midsole may have a first edge. The lower midsole
may have a second edge, with the first edge at least partially
surrounding and embracing the second edge to increase adhesion area
between the two and to resist lateral displacement. The contacts
may be substantially permanent and may be bonded by an
adhesive.
BRIEF DESCRIPTION OF THE DRAWINGS
[0011] For a further understanding of the objects and advantages of
the present invention, reference should be had to the following
detailed description, taken in conjunction with the accompanying
drawing, in which like parts are given like reference numbers and
wherein:
[0012] FIG. 1 is a right side elevational view of the shoe bottom
portion in accordance with the present invention.
[0013] FIG. 2 is a cross sectional view thereof taken along the
line 2-2 in FIG. 1.
[0014] FIG. 3 shows the embodiment as seen in FIG. 2, with the
exception that force has been applied to the top of the sole so as
to imitate compression caused by a wearer's foot.
[0015] FIG. 4 is a right side cross sectional view thereof taken
along the line 4-4 in FIG. 1.
[0016] FIG. 5 shows the embodiment as seen in FIG. 4, with the
exception that force has been applied to the top of the sole so as
to imitate compression caused by a wearer's foot.
[0017] FIG. 6 is an unfolded perspective view of the forefoot of
the shoe bottom including the lower midsole, upper midsole and
insole. The upper midsole and insole portions being inverted, the
lower midsole portion being rotated approximately ninety degrees.
The lower midsole, upper midsole, and insole portions are all
separated from one another to show the concave arcs, the
ventilation holes, and the insole holes.
[0018] FIG. 7 is a side view of the shoe bottom portion with the
insole being separated from the adjoined lower midsole and upper
midsole portions.
[0019] FIG. 8 is an exploded view of the forefoot of the shoe
bottom portion with the lower midsole and upper midsole portions
adjoined.
DESCRIPTION OF THE PREFERRED EMBODIMENTS
[0020] The invention will now be described with reference to FIG.
1, which illustrates a side view of the preferred embodiment of a
shoe bottom portion in accordance with the present invention. As
shown in FIG. 1, a shoe 32 has a shoe upper 34 and a shoe bottom 36
including a forefoot portion 38, an arch portion 40 and a heel
portion 42. The forefoot portion 38 is assembled from discretely
formed elastic material including an outsole 44, a lower midsole
46, and an upper midsole 48. The arch portion 40 of the shoe bottom
36 includes a shank 70 which extends forward into the forefoot
portion 38 and rearward into the heel portion 42, being inserted
between the lower midsole 46 and the upper midsole 48. In the
finished shoe bottom 36, the upper midsole 48, the lower midsole
46, and the outsole 44 are permanently bonded together. The upper
midsole 48 and the lower midsole 46 absorb impact, as well as form
the chamber from which air is introduced into the forefoot of the
shoe. The outsole 44 provides traction and resists abrasion. At
least one open air cavity 66 is formed between the upper midsole 48
and the lower midsole 46.
[0021] With reference to FIG. 2, the cross sectional view of the
shoe bottom portion 36 shows the insole 50 the outsole 44 the upper
midsole 48 adjoined to the lower midsole 46 and the resulting open
air cavities 66 formed by the upper midsole rear concave arcs 54
and lower midsole rear concave arcs 58.
[0022] With continued reference to FIG. 2, the upper midsole rear
concave arcs 54 contain a ventilation hole 60 and the insole 50
contains an insole hole 68 for the passage of air to and from the
wearer of the shoe. The means for the passage of air is through a
ventilation hole 60, through an insole hole 68 into the interior of
the shoe.
[0023] With continued reference to FIG. 2, the outsole 44 is
permanently attached to the lower midsole 46.
[0024] FIG. 3 shows the embodiment as seen in FIG. 2 with the upper
midsole 48 compressed against the lower midsole 46 due to
compression from the wearer's foot. The compression of the upper
midsole 48 and lower midsole 46 caused by a wearer applying
pressure when stepping encloses the open air cavity 66 trapping air
and forcing it through the ventilation holes 60 and insole holes 68
to the wearer of the shoe.
[0025] With reference to FIG. 4, the cross sectional view of the
shoe bottom portion 36 shows the insole 50 the upper midsole 48
adjoined to the lower midsole 46 and the resulting open air
cavities 66 formed by the upper midsole forward concave arcs 52 and
lower midsole forward concave arcs 56.
[0026] With continued reference to FIG. 4, the upper midsole
forward concave arcs 52 contain a ventilation hole 60 and the
insole 50 contains an insole hole 68 for the passage of air to and
from the wearer of the shoe. The outsole 44 is permanently attached
to the lower midsole 46. In the preferred embodiment the shape of
the ventilation hole 60 and insole hole 68 is a slit. However, the
holes can be any desired shape.
[0027] FIG. 5 shows the embodiment as seen in FIG. 4 with the upper
midsole 48 compressed against the lower midsole 46 due to
compression from the wearer's foot. The compression of the upper
midsole 48 and lower midsole 46 caused by a wearer applying
pressure when stepping encloses the open air cavity 66 trapping air
and forcing it through the ventilation holes 60 and insole holes 68
to the wearer of the shoe.
[0028] FIG. 6 shows an unfolded perspective view of the forefoot of
the upper midsole 48, the insole 50, and the lower midsole 46 of
the shoe bottom 36 (the upper midsole 48, and insole 50 being
inverted, the lower midsole 46 being uplifted and rotated). The
insole 50 is shown separated from the upper midsole 48. The upper
midsole 48 is shown separated from the lower midsole 46. The
forefoot portion 38 of the upper midsole 48 includes left and right
forward concave arcs 52, and left and right rear concave arcs 54,
these being arranged peripherally near the center of the shoe. The
forefoot portion of the lower midsole 46 has left and right forward
concave arcs 56 and left and right rear concave arcs 58, which are
arranged peripherally near the center of the shoe. The upper
midsole forward concave arcs and rear concave arcs each contain at
least one ventilation hole 60 for the passage of air. The insole 50
contains insole holes 68 corresponding to the upper midsole
ventilation holes 60. The insole 50 is shaped to conform to the
upper midsole 48.
[0029] FIG. 7 shows the assembled shoe bottom 36 with a separated
insole 50. The assembled show bottom 36 composed of the lower
midsole 46, upper midsole 48, and outsole 44 shows the open air
cavities 66 and the upper midsole ventilation holes 60. The
separated insole 50 shows the associated insole holes 68.
[0030] With reference to FIGS. 3, 5 and 8, the upper midsole
concave arcs 52 and 54, and lower midsole concave arcs 56 and 58,
create the open air cavities 66 which allow air to enters the shoe.
The assembled forefoot of the shoe bottom 36 shows the path of air
through the open air cavities 66 and ventilation holes 60. As the
wearer of the shoe exerts pressure on the shoe bottom 36 by
stepping, each upper midsole 48 is compressed against the lower
midsole 46 thus enclosing the open air cavity 66 and trapping air,
which is forced to travel through each ventilation hole 60 and
through each insole hole 68, to the interior of the shoe, thereby
provide ventilation to the wearer's foot.
[0031] With continued reference to FIGS. 2 and 4, the expansion of
each open air cavity 66, caused when the wearer of the shoe
releases pressure on the shoe bottom 36 by lifting their foot,
forces air to travel into each open air cavity 66 thus recreating
the entire ventilation process.
[0032] With reference to FIGS. 1 and 8, it is noted that the
forefoot outward edge 62 of the upper midsole 48 is indented
outward, and the forefoot inward edge 64 of the lower midsole 46 is
indented inward to create a larger bonding point. The any suitable
material.
[0033] The lower midsole 46 and upper midsole 48 may be formed of
any suitable material. In the preferred embodiment the lower
midsole 46 and upper midsole 48 are formed of is composed of
compression molded EVA which has a 65 shore C durometer hardness,
which is a higher value than the 55 durometer hardness that is
commonly used in cushioning elements of footwear. At a hardness of
65 shore C, the lower midsole 46 and upper midsole 48 in this
exemplary embodiment of the present invention is stiffer and
harder, i.e., more resistant to compression, than it would be at a
hardness of 55. The material is therefore more capable of retaining
its originally molded shape and dimensions for the lifetime of the
product. In particular, at a durometer hardness of 65 shore C, the
shoe bottom portion 36 has greater structural definition and
durability than it would have at a hardness of 55.
[0034] While the foregoing detailed description sets forth
exemplary embodiments of a shoe bottom portion in accordance with
the present invention, it is to be understood that the above
description is illustrative only and not limiting of the disclosed
invention. Indeed, it will be appreciated that the embodiments
discussed above and the virtually infinite embodiments that are not
mentioned could easily be within the scope and spirit of the
present invention. Thus, the present invention is to be limited
only by the claims as set forth below.
* * * * *