U.S. patent application number 11/604723 was filed with the patent office on 2007-12-27 for footwear.
This patent application is currently assigned to NIHON HEALTH SHOES CO., LTD.. Invention is credited to Tsutomu Hayakawa.
Application Number | 20070294923 11/604723 |
Document ID | / |
Family ID | 38904740 |
Filed Date | 2007-12-27 |
United States Patent
Application |
20070294923 |
Kind Code |
A1 |
Hayakawa; Tsutomu |
December 27, 2007 |
Footwear
Abstract
The present invention provides footwear capable of alleviating
the effects of sweating feet. The footwear A includes: an outsole 1
including a chamber 1a having a recessed portion at a site to be
located under a heel; an elastic member 4 for closing an upper
surface of the chamber 1a having the recessed portion into an
air-tight state, and including an expanded portion 4a expanding
upward; an insole 2 having a covering portion 2a which is a
recessed portion for covering the expanded portion of the elastic
member 4, and having an opening 2b on its upper surface; an
outside-air intake opening 1b provided on a side wall of the
outsole 1; an outside-air passage 1c provided to the outsole 1 and
establishing communication between the outside-air intake opening
1b and the chamber 1a; a first check valve G1 for incorporating
outside air, provided inside the outside-air passage 1c to allow
the air to flow toward the chamber la and to enter therein, whereas
to block the flow of the air from the chamber 1a to the side of
outside air; a discharge passage P for establishing communication
between the chamber 1a and the opening 2b; and a second check valve
G2 for exhausting the air, provided inside the discharge passage P
to allow the air to flow out of the chamber 1a, whereas to block
the flow of the air into the chamber 1a.
Inventors: |
Hayakawa; Tsutomu;
(Shizuoka, JP) |
Correspondence
Address: |
KANESAKA BERNER AND PARTNERS LLP
1700 DIAGONAL RD, SUITE 310
ALEXANDRIA
VA
22314-2848
US
|
Assignee: |
NIHON HEALTH SHOES CO.,
LTD.
Shizuoka
JP
|
Family ID: |
38904740 |
Appl. No.: |
11/604723 |
Filed: |
November 28, 2006 |
Current U.S.
Class: |
36/3B |
Current CPC
Class: |
A43B 7/081 20130101;
A43B 17/08 20130101; A43B 17/10 20130101; A43B 13/181 20130101 |
Class at
Publication: |
36/3.B |
International
Class: |
A43B 7/06 20060101
A43B007/06 |
Foreign Application Data
Date |
Code |
Application Number |
Jun 27, 2006 |
JP |
UM2006-005066 |
Oct 31, 2006 |
JP |
2006-295036 |
Claims
1. Footwear comprising: an outsole including a chamber having a
recessed portion at a site to be located under a heel; an elastic
member for closing an upper surface of said chamber having said
recessed portion into an air-tight state, and including an expanded
portion expanding upward; an insole having a covering portion which
is a recessed portion for covering the expanded portion of the
elastic member, and having an opening on its upper surface; an
outside-air intake opening provided on a side wall of said outsole;
an outside-air passage provided to said outsole and establishing
communication between said outside-air intake opening and said
chamber; a first check valve for incorporating outside air,
provided inside the outside-air passage to allow the air to flow
toward said chamber and to enter therein, whereas to block the flow
of the air from said chamber to the side of outside air; a
discharge passage for establishing communication between said
chamber and said opening; and a second check valve for exhausting
air, provided inside the discharge passage to allow the air to flow
out of said chamber, whereas to block the flow of the air into said
chamber.
2. Footwear according to claim 1, wherein said check valve includes
a first cylinder body, a second cylinder body to be inserted into
said first cylinder body, and a valve interposed between said
second cylinder body and said first cylinder body, wherein said
first cylinder body includes a first cylinder, a second cylinder
connected to said first cylinder and having an inner diameter
larger than an inner diameter of said first cylinder, and a first
passage for establishing communication between said second cylinder
and said first cylinder, wherein said second cylinder body includes
a first' cylinder having an outer diameter smaller than an inner
diameter of said cylinder body so that said first' cylinder is in
contact with an inner wall of said second cylinder, a second'
cylinder connected to said first' cylinder and having an outer
diameter smaller than an outer diameter of said first' cylinder,
and a second passage for establishing communication between said
second' cylinder and said first' cylinder, wherein said valve
includes a ring portion, and a cover supported by said ring portion
and having a size larger than the inner diameter of said first
cylinder and smaller than the inner diameter of said ring portion
and inner diameter of said first' cylinder, wherein, when air flows
to said cover from said first passage toward said second passage,
said cover moves into said first' cylinder, and said air is
introduced into said second passage, wherein, when air flows to
said cover from said second passage toward said first passage, said
cover closes said first passage of said first cylinder, wherein
said first check valve for incorporating outside air moves said
first cylinder body of said check valve to the side of outside air
whereas said second' cylinder body to the side of the chamber, and
wherein said second check valve for exhausting air moves said first
cylinder body of said check valve to the side of said chamber.
3. Footwear according to claim 2, wherein said outsole is made of
polyurethane, wherein said first check valve for incorporating
outside air is press-fit into the outside-air passage, and the end
surface of the second' cylinder of said first check valve for
incorporating outside air faces said chamber, wherein said insole
includes a plurality of openings, wherein said discharge passage
for establishing communication between said chamber and said
openings include: a linear guide groove provided to said outsole
and communicating with said chamber and extending toward a toe; a
branched groove provided to said outsole, branched from said linear
guide groove into left and right sides, and communicating with said
openings; and a pipe accommodated in said guide groove, wherein one
end of said pipe is inserted so as to be in contact with the outer
wall of the second' cylinder of the second check valve for
exhausting air, the end surface of the first cylinder of the second
check valve for exhausting air faces said chamber, and the other
end of said pipe faces said branched groove.
4. Footwear according to claim 1, wherein a detachable cover is
provided to the outside-air intake opening.
5. Footwear according to claim 1, further comprising a supporting
member having an elastic force, located below the elastic member
and within the chamber having a recessed portion, and supporting
the elastic member as it moves down.
6. Footwear according to claim 2, wherein said discharge passage
comprises: a linear guide groove provided to the outsole,
communicating with the chamber, and extending toward the toe; an
enlarged groove provided to the outsole and enlarged from the top
end of said linear guide groove; and a pipe accommodated in said
guide groove, wherein one end of said pipe is inserted so as to be
in contact with the outer wall of the second' cylinder of the
second check valve for exhausting air, the end surface of the first
cylinder of the second check valve for exhausting air faces said
chamber, and the other end of said pipe faces said enlarged groove,
and wherein the opening of the insole faces said enlarged groove
and the opening of said insole enlarges toward the top end located
at the toe side.
Description
BACKGROUD OF THE INVENTION
[0001] 1. Field of the Invention
[0002] The present invention relates to footwear, and especially
relates to footwear capable of alleviating the effects of sweating
feet.
[0003] 2. Description of the Related Art
[0004] Conventionally, there has been footwear capable of
alleviating the effects of sweating feet (for example, see Patent
Document 1).
[0005] This is "footwear capable of ventilation during walking",
wherein the volume inside a pump chamber is changed by utilizing
the change in loads applied to a heel during walking so as to force
the air out of the footwear to the outside.
[0006] However, the footwear described above has problems as
follows. That is, since the expanded portion of the air-tight cover
(elastic member) is exposed outside from the insole, the expanded
portion of the air-tight cover (elastic member) is easy to wear out
from use. Further, a clearance is formed between the insole and the
surrounding of the expanded portion of the air-tight cover (elastic
member), and dusts and the like easily come into the clearance.
Further, since the expanded portion of the air-tight cover (elastic
member) is projected from the insole, the appearance is not
good.
[0007] [Patent Document 1] Japanese Patent No. 2918836 (FIGS. 1 and
2)
SUMMARY OF THE INVENTION
[0008] An objective of the present invention is to provide footwear
which has overcome the problems described above.
EFFECT OF THE INVENTION
[0009] According to the footwear recited in claim 1, since the
elastic member has an expanded portion expanding upward, a large
amount of deformation is created to increase the pumping action by
incorporating and exhausting air into and from the chamber.
Further, the expanded portion of the elastic member does not
project beyond the insole unlike the conventional footwear, and the
insole has a covering portion which is a recessed portion covering
the expanded portion of the elastic member. Due to this structure,
the expanded portion of the elastic member can be protected. In
addition, since the expanded portion never projects beyond the
insole unlike the conventional footwear, the appearance is not
degraded.
[0010] Further, according to the footwear recited in claim 2, in
addition to the effect of the invention recited in claim 1
described above, unlike the conventional check valve in which the
pipe is closed at the closed middle portion, and a slit and an
opening are provided on one side of the closed middle portion
whereas another slit and another opening are provided on the other
side thereof with the closed middle portion interposed
therebetween, one and the same check valve can alone serve as a
first check valve for incorporating outside air and also as a
second check valve for exhausting air by changing the orientation
of the check valve.
[0011] Further, according to the footwear recited in claim 3, in
addition to the effect of the invention recited in claim 2
described above, one end of the pipe accommodated in the guide
groove is inserted so as to be in contact with the outer wall of
the second' cylinder of the second check valve for exhausting air,
whereas the other end of the pipe is structured so as to face the
branched groove branched from the guide groove into the left and
right sides. Thus, outside air can be introduced in an air-tight
state.
[0012] If the outside-air intake opening is always open, when rain
falls, the rain will enter the footwear via the outside-air intake
opening. According to the footwear recited in claim 4, in addition
to the effect of the invention recited in claim 1 described above,
by covering the outside-air intake opening with the cover, entry of
rain into the footwear can be prevented.
[0013] When the site of the heel is put onto the elastic member,
the elastic member will be depressed into the chamber having the
recessed portion, and this causes uncomfortable feeling during
walking. However, according to the footwear recited in claim 5, in
addition to the effect of the invention recited in claim 1
described above, even if the site of the heel is put onto the
elastic member, the supporting member receives the elastic member
as it descends, and reduces the descending amount of the elastic
member. As a result, the uncomfortable feeling during walking can
be reduced.
[0014] Further, according to the footwear recited in claim 6, in
addition to the effect of the invention recited in claim 2
described above, the other end of the pipe faces the enlarged
groove, and said enlarged groove faces the opening of the insole.
Further, the opening of the insole is enlarged toward the top end
located at the toe side. Thus, the resistance to the air supplied
from the pipe is reduced, and sufficient outside air can be
introduced into the footwear.
BRIEF DESCRIPTION OF THE DRAWINGS
[0015] FIG. 1 is a schematic perspective view of footwear according
to an embodiment of the present invention;
[0016] FIG. 2 is a schematic cross-sectional view in an exploded
state taken along the line 2-2 in FIG. 1;
[0017] FIG. 3 is a schematic exploded perspective view showing the
footwear of FIG. 1 with its upper removed;
[0018] FIG. 4 is a schematic exploded perspective view of a first
check valve for incorporating outside air (or a second check valve
for exhausting air) mounted to the footwear of FIG. 1;
[0019] FIG. 5 is a schematic cross-sectional view taken along the
line 5-5 of FIG. 3;
[0020] FIG. 6 is a schematic cross-sectional view before the first
check valve for incorporating outside air of FIG. 5 is mounted;
[0021] FIG. 7 is a schematic cross-sectional view for illustrating
the function of the first check valve for incorporating outside air
of FIG. 5;
[0022] FIG. 8 is a schematic cross-sectional view taken along the
line 8-8 of FIG. 3;
[0023] FIG. 9 is a schematic cross-sectional view before the pipe
is mounted to the second check valve for exhausting air of FIG.
8;
[0024] FIG. 10 is a schematic plan view of the elastic member of
FIG. 3;
[0025] FIG. 11 is a schematic cross-sectional view taken along the
line 11-11 of FIG. 10;
[0026] FIG. 12 is a schematic cross-sectional view in a state where
the elastic member of FIG. 11 closes the recessed portion of the
outsole in an air-tight state;
[0027] FIG. 13 is a schematic plan view of the insole of FIG.
3;
[0028] FIG. 14 is a schematic cross-sectional view taken along the
line 14-14 of FIG. 13;
[0029] FIG. 15 is a schematic cross-sectional view taken along the
line 15-15 of FIG. 13;
[0030] FIG. 16 is a schematic cross-sectional view of footwear
different from the footwear of FIG. 2 according to another
embodiment;
[0031] FIG. 17 is a schematic exploded perspective view showing the
footwear of FIG. 16 in an exploded state;
[0032] FIG. 18 is a schematic cross-sectional view of the outsole
of FIG. 17;
[0033] FIG. 19 is a schematic partially enlarged cross-sectional
view showing a part of FIG. 18 in an enlarged state;
[0034] FIG. 20 is a schematic cross-sectional view taken along the
line 20-20 of FIG. 16;
[0035] FIG. 21 is a schematic cross-sectional view taken along the
line 21-21 of FIG. 16; and
[0036] FIG. 22 is a schematic cross-sectional view of FIG. 16.
DETAILED DESCRIPTION OF THE PREFERRED EMBODIMENTS OF THE
INVENTION
[0037] Footwear according to an embodiment of the present invention
will be described referring to the drawings.
[0038] In FIGS. 1 to 15, the reference numeral A denotes footwear.
The footwear A schematically includes an outsole 1, an insole 2,
and an upper 3.
[0039] The outsole 1 is made of polyurethane for example, and
includes a chamber 1a having a recessed portion at the site to be
located under the heel. The reference numeral 4 shown in FIG. 3
denotes an elastic member. The elastic member 4 is, for example,
made of vinyl chloride, and includes an expanded portion 4a for
closing in an air-tight state the upper surface of the chamber 1a
having the recessed portion (for example, the recessed portion of
the chamber 1a is covered with the elastic member 4, and the
elastic member 4 is adhered to the upper surface of the chamber 1a
by an adhesive agent), and at the same time, has an expanded
portion 4a which expands upward. Further, as shown in FIGS. 13 to
15, the insole 2 includes a covering portion 2a which is a recessed
portion for covering the expanded portion 4a of the elastic member
4, and at the same time, includes a plurality of openings 2b over
the upper surface.
[0040] The reference numeral 1b shown in FIG. 1 denotes an
outside-air intake opening provided on the side wall of the
outsolel. The outside-air intake opening 1b is also provided on the
back surface side of the illustrated outside-air intake opening 1b
shown in FIG. 1.
[0041] Further, the reference numeral 1c shown in FIG. 6 denotes an
outside-air passage provided to the outsole 1 and establishing the
communication between the outside-air intake opening 1b and the
chamber 1a.
[0042] Inside the outside-air passage 1c, a first check valve G1
for incorporating outside air is provided. The first check valve G1
for incorporating outside air operates to allow the air to flow
toward the chamber 1a and to be introduced therein, whereas to
prevent the flow of the air from the chamber 1a toward the side of
outside air (see FIG. 7).
[0043] The first check valve G1 for incorporating outside air is
press-fit into the outside air passage 1c, and is disposed at a
position where the end surface of a later-described second'
cylinder 20b of the first check valve G1 for incorporating outside
air faces the chamber 1a.
[0044] Specifically, as shown in FIG. 4, the check valve of the
first check valve G1 includes a first cylinder body 10, a second
cylinder body 20 to be inserted into the first cylinder body 10,
and a valve 30 interposed between the second cylinder body 20 and
the first cylinder body 10.
[0045] The first cylinder body 10 includes a first cylinder 10a, a
second cylinder 10b connected to the first cylinder 10a and having
an inner diameter larger than the inner diameter of the first
cylinder 10a, and a first passage 10c for establishing
communication between the second cylinder 10b and the first
cylinder 10a. For example, the first cylinder 10a and the second
cylinder 10b are integrally formed into a one-piece unit by
plastic.
[0046] Further, the second cylinder body 20 includes a first'
cylinder 20a having an outer diameter smaller than the inner
diameter of the second cylinder 10b in such a manner as to be in
contact with the inner wall of the second cylinder 10b, a second'
cylinder 20b connected to the first' cylinder 20a and having an
outer diameter smaller than the outer diameter of the first'
cylinder 20a, and a second passage 20c for establishing
communication between the second' cylinder 20b and the first
cylinder 20a'. For example, the first' cylinder 20a and the second'
cylinder 20b are integrally formed into a one-piece unit by
plastic.
[0047] Further, the valve 30 includes a ring portion 30a, and a
cover 30b supported by the ring portion 30a and having a size
larger than the inner diameter of the first cylinder 10a and
smaller than the inner diameter of the ring portion 30a and the
inner diameter of the first' cylinder 20a.
[0048] Further, the reference numeral S shown in FIG. 4 denotes a
stopper. The stopper S includes a ring portion S1, and a plurality
of claws S2 projecting inward of the ring portion S1. The ring
portion S1 serves as a stopper at the time when the first check
valve G1 or the second check valve G2 are attached in a state of
facing the chamber 1a. Further, the claws S2 are to engage with the
outer peripheral surface of the second' cylinder 20b or the second
cylinder 10b.
[0049] Therefore, as shown in FIG. 7, when air flows from the first
passage 10c toward the second passage 20c into the cover 30b, the
cover 30b moves into the first' cylinder 20a, and at the same time,
air is introduced into the second passage 20c. Contrarily, when air
flows from the second passage 20c toward the first passage 10c into
the cover 30b, the cover 30b operates to close the first passage
10c of the first cylinder 1a.
[0050] Further, the reference numeral P shown in FIG. 2 denotes a
discharge passage for establishing communication between the
chamber 1a and the opening 2b. Inside the discharge passage P, a
second check valve G2 for exhausting air is provided. The second
check valve G2 for exhausting air serves to allow the air to flow
toward the direction to be discharged from the chamber 1a, whereas
to prevent the air from flowing into the chamber 1a (see FIG. 9).
The second check valve G2 for exhausting air is structurally the
same as the first check valve G1 for incorporating outside air,
except for the orientation and the site to be in contact with the
stopper S, and therefore, its description will be omitted.
[0051] Specifically, as shown in FIG. 7, the first check valve G1
for incorporating outside air has a structure in which the first
cylinder 10a of the check valve is located at the side of outside
air, and the second' cylinder 20b is located at the side of the
chamber 1a, and the claws S2 of the stopper S are engaged with the
outer peripheral surface of the second' cylinder 20b. Contrarily,
as shown in FIG. 9, the second check valve G2 for exhausting air
has a structure in which the first cylinder body 10a of the check
valve is located at the side of the chamber 1a, and the claws S2 of
the stopper S are engaged with the outer peripheral surface of the
first cylinder body 10a.
[0052] Further, as shown in FIGS. 3 and 9, the discharge passage P
described above is provided to the outsole 1 and communicates with
the chamber 1a. The discharge passage P includes a linear guide
groove P1 extending toward the toe, a branched groove P2 provided
to the outsole 1 and branched from the linear guide groove P1 into
left and right sides and communicating with the opening 2b, and a
pipe P3 accommodated in the guide groove P1. One end of the pipe P3
is inserted so as to be in contact with the outer wall of the
second' cylinder 20b of the second check valve G2 for exhausting
air, whereas the end surface of the first cylinder 10a of the
second check valve G2 for exhausting air faces the chamber 1a. The
other end of the pipe P3 is structured to face the branched groove
P2 (see FIG. 8).
[0053] Therefore, according to the footwear A described above,
since the elastic member 4 has an expanded portion 4a expanding
upward, a large amount of deformation is created to increase the
pumping action by incorporating and exhausting air into and from
the chamber 1a. Specifically, when the weight is applied to a heel,
the expanded portion 4a of the elastic member 4 enters the chamber
1a to release air from the chamber 1a via the discharge passage P
and the opening 2b, thereby alleviating the effects of sweating
feet. When the application of the weight to the heel is stopped,
the elastic member 4 elastically deforms to incorporate air into
the chamber 1a via the outside-air passage 1c.
[0054] Further, the expanded portion 4a of the elastic member 4
does not project beyond the insole 2 unlike the conventional
footwear, and the insole 2 has a covering portion 2a which is a
recessed portion covering the expanded portion 4a of the elastic
member 4. Due to this structure, the expanded portion 4a of the
elastic member 4 can be protected. In addition, since the expanded
portion 4a never projects beyond the insole 2 unlike the
conventional footwear, the appearance is not degraded.
[0055] Further, unlike the conventional check valve (see Patent
Document 1) in which the pipe is closed at the closed middle
portion, and a slit and an opening are provided on one side of the
closed middle portion whereas another slit and another opening are
provided on the other side thereof with the closed middle portion
interposed therebetween, the first check valve G1 for incorporating
outside air (or the second check valve G2 for exhausting air) can
alone serve as a first check valve G1 for incorporating outside air
and also as a second check valve G2 for exhausting air by changing
the orientation of the check valve.
[0056] Further, the first check valve G1 for incorporating outside
air and the second check valve G2 for exhausting the air may be
respectively attached in such a manner that the end surface of the
second' cylinder 20b of the first check valve G1 for incorporating
outside air faces the chamber 1a, and that the end surface of the
first cylinder 10a of the second check valve G2 for exhausting air
faces the chamber 1a. Thus, the check valves can be easily mounted.
Further, one end of the pipe P3 is inserted so as to be in contact
with the outer wall of the second' cylinder 20b of the second check
valve G2 for exhausting air, whereas the other end of the pipe P3
is structured so as to face the branched groove P2. Due to this
structure, the introduction of outside air can be easily achieved
and the pipe P3 can be kept in an air-tight state.
[0057] In the embodiment described above, the discharge passage P
includes the linear guide groove P1, the branched groove P2, and
the pipe P3 accommodated in the guide groove P1. However, the
present invention is not limited thereto. Alternatively, for
example, as shown in FIGS. 16 to 22, the discharge passage P may
include a linear guide groove P1 provided to the outsole 1 and
communicating with the chamber 1a and extending toward the toe, an
enlarged groove P2' provided to the outsole 1 and expanding from
the top end of the linear guide groove P1, and a pipe P3
accommodated in the guide groove P1. In this structure, the one end
of the pipe P3 is inserted so as to be in contact with the outer
wall of the second' cylinder 20b of the second check valve G2 for
exhausting air. The end surface of the first cylinder 10a of the
second check valve G2 for exhausting air faces the chamber 1a. The
other end of the pipe P3 faces the enlarged groove P2'.
[0058] According to the footwear of this embodiment, the other end
of the pipe P3 faces the enlarged groove P2' whereas said enlarged
groove P2' faces the opening 2b of the insole 2. Further, the
opening 2b of the insole 2 enlarges toward the top end located at
the toe side. Thus, the resistance to the air supplied from the
pipe P3 is reduced, and sufficient outside air can be introduced
into the footwear A.
[0059] Further, the reference numeral 2C shown in FIG. 17 denotes a
deodorant member made of cloth having a deodorant function. The
portion of the pipe P3 near the toe is in a flat shape as shown in
FIGS. 20 and 21. In the embodiment shown in FIGS. 16 to 22, the
constituent elements identical to those of the foregoing embodiment
are denoted by the same reference numerals and their description is
partially omitted.
[0060] Further, the reference numeral F shown in FIG. 22 denotes a
cover detachably attached to the outside-air intake opening 1b. If
the outside-air intake opening 1b is always open, when rain falls,
the rain will enter the footwear A via the outside-air intake
opening 1b. By covering the outside-air intake opening 1b with the
cover F, entry of rain into the footwear A can be prevented.
[0061] Further, the reference numeral 50 shown in FIG. 17 denotes a
supporting member having elastic force. The supporting member is
located within the chamber 1a having a recessed portion under the
elastic member 4, for supporting the elastic member 4 when it is
depressed. Without the supporting member 50, when the site of a
heel is put onto the elastic member 4, the elastic member 4 is
depressed into the chamber 1a having a recessed portion, and this
causes uncomfortable feeling during walking. Contrarily, according
to the footwear A of this embodiment formed with the supporting
member 50, when the site of a heel is put onto the elastic member
4, the supporting member 50 receives the elastic member 4 as it
descends and reduces the descending amount of the elastic member 4.
As a result, the uncomfortable feeling during walking can be
reduced.
* * * * *