U.S. patent application number 11/762079 was filed with the patent office on 2008-12-18 for insole with ventilation arrangement.
Invention is credited to Syn-chuan Chen, Ming-chung Chiang.
Application Number | 20080307679 11/762079 |
Document ID | / |
Family ID | 40131031 |
Filed Date | 2008-12-18 |
United States Patent
Application |
20080307679 |
Kind Code |
A1 |
Chiang; Ming-chung ; et
al. |
December 18, 2008 |
Insole with ventilation arrangement
Abstract
In one embodiment a shoe insole includes a top ventilation
fabric, a bottom ventilation fabric, and a plurality of spaced
resilient pillars (e.g., EVA, PU, or PVC) with a channel network
formed among the pillars. The invention can effectively remove air
and condensation between a wearer's sole and the bottom ventilation
fabric to the atmosphere through a plurality of escape paths
through the channel network. In another embodiment, a mesh
structure is completely filled in the channel network.
Inventors: |
Chiang; Ming-chung;
(Taichung, TW) ; Chen; Syn-chuan; (Taichung,
TW) |
Correspondence
Address: |
SAM CHEN
7F-1, 293, ROOSEVELT ROAD, SEC 3
TAIPEI
TW
|
Family ID: |
40131031 |
Appl. No.: |
11/762079 |
Filed: |
June 13, 2007 |
Current U.S.
Class: |
36/3B ; 36/28;
36/44 |
Current CPC
Class: |
A43B 1/0009 20130101;
A43B 17/08 20130101 |
Class at
Publication: |
36/3.B ; 36/28;
36/44 |
International
Class: |
A43B 7/06 20060101
A43B007/06; A43B 13/00 20060101 A43B013/00; A43B 13/38 20060101
A43B013/38 |
Claims
1. An insole for shoe comprising: a top ventilation fabric; a
bottom ventilation fabric; and a plurality of spaced elastomeric
members secured between the top ventilation fabric and the bottom
ventilation fabric to form a channel network.
2. The insole of claim 1, wherein each elastomeric member has a
cross-section of hexagon.
3. The insole of claim 1, wherein each elastomeric member has a
cross-section of L.
4. The insole of claim 1, further comprising a mesh structure
filled in the channel network and secured between the top
ventilation fabric and the bottom ventilation fabric.
Description
BACKGROUND OF THE INVENTION
[0001] 1. Field of Invention
[0002] The invention relates to insoles for shoes, and more
particularly to such an insole having an improved ventilation
arrangement.
[0003] 2. Description of Related Art
[0004] Shoe insoles have ventilation arrangement are well known. A
conventional insole 1 is shown in FIGS. 1 and 2. A plurality of
independent openings 2 arranged in rows are formed on a top surface
of the insole 1. The insole 1 is secured onto a midsole 3
thereunder. Both the midsole 3 and the insole 1 are formed of a
plastic material such as EVA (ethylene vinyl acetate), PU
(polyurethane), or PVC (polyvinyl chloride).
[0005] However, the well known insole 1 suffers from a
disadvantage. In detail, the bottom of each opening 2 is blocked by
the midsole 3. Hence, air is defined to circulate within each
opening 2 when a wearer's foot presses on the insole 1. This can
hinder ventilation, thereby undesirably causing smell (i.e., not
hygienic). Thus, the need for improvement still exists.
SUMMARY OF THE INVENTION
[0006] It is therefore one object of the invention to provide a
shoe insole comprising a top ventilation fabric, a bottom
ventilation fabric, and a plurality of spaced resilient pillars
with a channel network formed among the pillars. By utilizing this,
air and condensation between a wearer's sole and the bottom
ventilation fabric can be sufficiently and effectively removed to
the atmosphere through a plurality of escape paths including the
channel network.
[0007] The above and other objects, features and advantages of the
invention will become apparent from the following detailed
description taken with the accompanying drawings.
BRIEF DESCRIPTION OF THE DRAWINGS
[0008] FIG. 1 is a top plan view of a conventional shoe insole with
ventilation arrangement;
[0009] FIG. 2 is a cross-sectional view of the insole of FIG.
1;
[0010] FIG. 3 is a top plan view of a first preferred embodiment of
insole with ventilation arrangement according to the invention;
[0011] FIG. 4 is a fragmentary view taken along line A-A' of FIG. 3
with the second ventilation fabric being partially lifted to show
details thereunder;
[0012] FIG. 5 is a cross-sectional view of the insole of FIG.
4;
[0013] FIG. 6 is a sectional view taken along line B-B' of FIG.
5;
[0014] FIG. 7 is a view similar to FIG. 5 where a wearer's foot
presses on the insole for showing air and condensation escape
paths;
[0015] FIG. 8 is a view similar to FIG. 6 for further showing the
air and condensation escape paths of FIG. 7;
[0016] FIG. 9 is a view similar to FIG. 6 for showing another
configuration of the resilient pillars;
[0017] FIG. 10 is a cross-sectional view of a second preferred
embodiment of insole with ventilation arrangement according to the
invention; and
[0018] FIG. 11 is a sectional view taken along line C-C' of FIG.
10.
DETAILED DESCRIPTION OF THE INVENTION
[0019] Referring to FIGS. 3 to 8, a shoe insole in accordance with
a first preferred embodiment of the invention is shown. The insole
comprises a first ventilation fabric 10 on a bottom surface, a
second ventilation fabric 30 on a top surface, and a plurality of
spaced, hexagonal resilient pillars 20 adhesively secured between
the first ventilation fabric 10 and the second ventilation fabric
30. Each component is discussed in detail below.
[0020] A channel 21 is formed between two adjacent sides of any two
adjacent resilient pillars 20. That is, a channel network is
formed. The resilient pillars 20 are formed of a plastic material
such as EVA, PU, or PVC. Also, the resilient pillars 20 can be
divided into a plurality of zones in which the resilient pillars 20
in one zone may have a softness (or stiffness) different from the
resilient pillars 20 in another zone so as to be adapted to
different areas of the foot sole. This can be achieved by producing
the zones with different compositions of plastic.
[0021] As shown in FIGS. 7 and 8 specifically, in response to
exerting a force upon the second ventilation fabric 30 by a
wearer's foot, the resilient pillars 20 are flexibly deformed in
different degrees. Air and condensation between the sole and the
first ventilation fabric 10 are sufficiently and effectively
removed through a plurality of escape paths as indicated by arrows.
The escape paths begin at the channels 20 and end at periphery of
the foot. Further, the removed air and condensation escape to the
atmosphere through perforations of vamp and sides of the shoe.
[0022] Referring to FIG. 9, in another configuration the resilient
pillars 20A are of L-shaped section as viewed from top.
[0023] Referring to FIGS. 10 and 11, a shoe insole in accordance
with a second preferred embodiment of the invention is shown. The
characteristics of the second preferred embodiment are detailed
below. The channels 20 are filled with a mesh structure 40 formed
of cotton. The mesh structure 40 is adhesively secured between the
first ventilation fabric 10 and the second ventilation fabric 30.
Moreover, the mesh structure 40 is adapted to not only allow air
and condensation to substantially move freely but also increase the
structural strength of the insole.
[0024] While the invention herein disclosed 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.
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