U.S. patent application number 13/206677 was filed with the patent office on 2011-12-01 for functional shoe.
This patent application is currently assigned to FOOT BALANCE CO., LTD.. Invention is credited to HYUN-YOUNG JUNG, Jong-Kook Kim.
Application Number | 20110289798 13/206677 |
Document ID | / |
Family ID | 46799341 |
Filed Date | 2011-12-01 |
United States Patent
Application |
20110289798 |
Kind Code |
A1 |
JUNG; HYUN-YOUNG ; et
al. |
December 1, 2011 |
FUNCTIONAL SHOE
Abstract
Disclosed is a functional shoe, comprising a foot arch support,
wherein said foot arch support includes a support body accommodated
and fixed in a shoe body, a slider tightened to the support body by
a screw, and a contact member which is coupled to the top of the
slider and projects toward the inside of the shoe to contact the
arch of the foot. The slider moves in the upward and downward
directions by means of the rotation of the contact member.
Inventors: |
JUNG; HYUN-YOUNG;
(Bucheon-si, KR) ; Kim; Jong-Kook; (Seoul,
KR) |
Assignee: |
FOOT BALANCE CO., LTD.
Seoul
KR
|
Family ID: |
46799341 |
Appl. No.: |
13/206677 |
Filed: |
August 10, 2011 |
Related U.S. Patent Documents
|
|
|
|
|
|
Application
Number |
Filing Date |
Patent Number |
|
|
PCT/KR2010/000815 |
Feb 10, 2010 |
|
|
|
13206677 |
|
|
|
|
Current U.S.
Class: |
36/91 |
Current CPC
Class: |
A43B 7/1465 20130101;
A43B 7/146 20130101; A43B 7/22 20130101; A43B 7/142 20130101 |
Class at
Publication: |
36/91 |
International
Class: |
A43B 7/22 20060101
A43B007/22 |
Foreign Application Data
Date |
Code |
Application Number |
Feb 11, 2009 |
KR |
10-2009-0011039 |
Claims
1. A shoe having functionality and provided with an arch support,
the arch support comprising: a supporting member inserted and fixed
at a position corresponding to a foot arch in a body of the shoe; a
slider screw-coupled to the supporting member, to be raised and
lowered through rotation thereof; and a contacting member coupled
at a top of the slider to project inward in the shoe and contact
the foot arch.
2. The shoe of claim 1, wherein the supporting member is
cylindrical and defines screw threads in an inside thereof, and the
slider is inserted inside the supporting member.
3. The shoe of claim 1, wherein the contacting member is formed of
a rubber material in a semispherical shape.
4. The shoe of claim 1, wherein the contacting member is separably
coupled to the slider, and the rotation of the slider separate from
the contacting member raises and lowers the slider.
5. The shoe of claim 4, wherein the contacting member is formed in
a shape corresponding to the foot arch.
6. The shoe of claim 1, wherein the arch support further comprises
a pair of supporting rods that projects from a surface of the
contacting member that couples to the slider, and inserts in the
shoe body.
7. A shoe having functionality and provided with an arch support,
the arch support comprising: a cylindrical housing inserted and
fixed at a position corresponding to a foot arch in a body of the
shoe; a bolt fixed in the housing and including a head at a bottom
thereof; a cylindrical slider inserted in the housing to be
slidable and raised and lowered, and having the bolt screw-coupled
therein; and a contacting member coupled to a top of the slider to
project inward in the shoe and contact the foot arch, wherein the
slider is raised and lowered by rotating the head of the bolt from
outside through a floor of the shoe body.
8. The shoe of claim 7, wherein the arch support further comprises
a pair of supporting rods that projects from a surface of the
contacting member that couples to the slider, and inserts in the
shoe body.
9. A shoe having functionality and provided with an arch support,
the arch support comprising: a cylindrical housing inserted and
fixed at a position corresponding to a foot arch in a body of the
shoe; a cylindrical slider inserted in the housing to be slidable
and raised and lowered; a height-adjusting tab inserted and
screw-coupled in the slider; and a contacting member coupled to a
top of the slider to project inward in the shoe and contact the
foot arch, wherein the slider is raised and lowered by adjusting a
length by which the height-adjusting tab projects from the
slider.
10. The shoe of claim 9, wherein the arch support further comprises
a pair of supporting rods that projects from a surface of the
contacting member that couples to the slider, and inserts in the
shoe body.
11. A shoe having functionality and provided with an arch support,
the arch support comprising: a contacting member projecting inward
in the shoe to contact a foot arch; a cylindrical slider coupled to
a reverse surface of the contacting member; and a height-adjusting
tab inserted and screw-coupled in the slider, wherein a body of the
shoe defines a receptacle for receiving the arch support, and a
supporting niche defined into and around a sidewall of the
receptacle at a mouth of the receptacle, a perimeter of the
contacting member being forcibly inserted in the supporting niche,
and the arch support is adjusted in height by adjusting a length by
which the height-adjusting tab projects from the slider.
Description
REFERENCE TO RELATED APPLICATIONS
[0001] This is a continuation of pending International Patent
Application PCT/KR2010/000815 filed on Feb. 10, 2010, which
designates the United States and claims priority of Korean Patent
Application No. 10-2009-0011039 filed on Feb. 11, 2009, the entire
contents of which are incorporated herein by reference.
FIELD OF THE INVENTION
[0002] The present invention relates to a shoe having
functionality, and more particularly, to a shoe having the
functionality of a height-adjustable arch support.
BACKGROUND OF THE INVENTION
[0003] One of the general functions of shoes is alleviating stress
relayed to the spine and other body parts from body weight-induced
impacts while walking.
[0004] So-called "3-step" walking is a well-known, purportedly
optimal walking method that involves stepping on the ground in the
sequence of heel-sole-toes and moving forward.
[0005] However, typical shoes employ flat soles that are
prohibitive of the 3-step walking method, so that body
weight-induced impacts are relayed to the spine and other body
parts while walking, stressing the torso, shoulders, neck, etc.,
causing not only discomfort or pain, but also deformation of toes
and progression toward flat-footedness from deficient support of
foot joints, and are thus manifested with a wide array of intrinsic
limitations such as increased fatigue.
[0006] To solve these limitations, Korean Patent Registration No.
239854 proposes a shoe with cutout portions at the front and rear
of the sole, respectively, in order to make 3-step walking natural
and substantially reduce fatigue, while providing the benefits of
acupressure and improved blood circulation. However, limitations
exist in that arch support is lacking and wearers experience
difficulty in maintaining balance due to reduced ground contacting
area at the rear.
[0007] Korean Patent Registration No. 536050 proposes a shoe that
enables exact 3-step walking, with a rear sole section stepped at
two levels to provide a first ground contact surface and a second
ground contact surface, and having the sole surface at boundaries
between the front and rear sole sections and between the first and
second ground contact surfaces recessed a predetermined depth
upward. However, the limitation of the foot arch not being
supported is again inherent.
[0008] To solve these limitations, Korean Patent Registration No.
851537 proposes a shoe sole including a front portion, a rear
portion, and a connecting portion that connects the front portion
and the rear portion, for naturally maintaining a rolling motion of
the foot, and distributing load from body weight in order to
prevent ailments and deformation. The connecting portion has an
arch support inserted therein to correctly support the arch and
induce proper development of the wearer's foot when walking. The
connecting portion has the arch support inserted therein, and the
arch support is disposed from the inner end to the center of the
connecting portion.
[0009] Because the arch support is predetermined in height,
however, it involves the limitation of being unable to fit all
wearers who have different sized arches.
SUMMARY OF THE INVENTION
[0010] An object of the present invention is to provide a shoe
having functionality with a height-adjustable arch support.
[0011] According to an aspect of the present invention, there is
provided a shoe having functionality provided with an arch support,
the arch support including: a supporting member received and fixed
in a body of the shoe; an insert screw-coupled to the supporting
member; and a contacting member coupled at a top of the insert to
project inward in the shoe and contact a foot arch, wherein the
insert is raised and lowered by rotation of the contacting
member.
[0012] The supporting member may be cylindrical and define screw
threads in an inside thereof, and the insert may be inserted inside
the supporting member.
[0013] The contacting member may be formed of a rubber material in
a semispherical shape.
[0014] According to another aspect of the present invention, there
is provided a shoe having functionality provided with an arch
support, the arch support including: a supporting member received
and fixed in a body of the shoe; an insert screw-coupled to the
supporting member; and a contacting member separably coupled at a
top of the insert to project inward in the shoe and contact a foot
arch, wherein the insert separable from the contacting member is
raised and lowered by being rotated.
[0015] According to a further aspect of the present invention,
there is provided a shoe having functionality provided with an arch
support, the arch support including: a cylindrical housing received
and fixed in a body of the shoe; a cylindrical insert inserted in
the housing and raised and lowered; a bolt inserted and
screw-coupled in the insert; and a contacting member coupled to a
top of the insert to project inward in the shoe and contact a foot
arch, wherein the insert is raised and lowered by rotating the bolt
from an outside through a floor of the shoe body.
[0016] According to a still further aspect of the present
invention, there is provided a shoe having functionality provided
with an arch support, the arch support including: a cylindrical
housing received and fixed in a body of the shoe; a cylindrical
insert inserted in the housing and raised and lowered; a
height-adjusting tab inserted and screw-coupled in the insert; and
a contacting member coupled to a top of the insert to project
inward in the shoe and contact a foot arch, wherein the insert is
raised and lowered by adjusting a length by which the
height-adjusting tab projects from the insert.
[0017] The contacting member may be formed in a shape similar to a
foot arch, and the arch support may further include a pair of
supporting rods that projects from a surface of the contacting
member that couples to the insert, and inserts in the shoe
body.
[0018] According to a yet further aspect of the present invention,
there is provided a shoe having functionality provided with an arch
support, the arch support including: a contacting member projecting
inward in the shoe to contact a foot arch; a cylindrical insert
coupled to a reverse surface of the contacting member; and a
height-adjusting tab inserted and screw-coupled in the insert,
wherein a body of the shoe defines a receptacle for receiving the
arch support, and a supporting niche defined into and around a
sidewall of the receptacle at the mouth of the receptacle, a
perimeter of the contacting member being forcibly inserted in the
supporting niche, and the arch support is adjusted in height by
adjusting a length by which the height-adjusting tab projects from
the insert.
BRIEF DESCRIPTION OF THE DRAWINGS
[0019] FIG. 1 is a sectional view showing an arch support applied
to a shoe having functionality according to a first embodiment of
the present invention.
[0020] FIG. 2 shows the arch support in FIG. 1, each of which is a
sectional view and a perspective view.
[0021] FIG. 3 a sectional view of an arch support according to a
second embodiment of the present invention.
[0022] FIG. 4 shows an arch support according to a third embodiment
of the present invention, each of which a perspective view and a
sectional view.
[0023] FIG. 5 is a perspective view of an arch support according to
a fourth embodiment of the present invention.
[0024] FIG. 6 is a sectional view of an arch support according to a
fifth embodiment of the present invention.
[0025] FIG. 7 is a perspective view of an arch support modified
from the fifth embodiment of the present invention.
DETAILED DESCRIPTION OF THE INVENTION
[0026] Now, preferred embodiments of the present invention will be
described in detail with reference to the accompanying
drawings.
First Embodiment
[0027] FIG. 1 is a sectional view showing an arch support applied
to a shoe having functionality according to a first embodiment of
the present invention.
[0028] Referring to FIG. 1, an outsole 100 is disposed at the
bottom, and a midsole 130, an insole board 140, and an insole 150
are stacked on the outsole 100.
[0029] According to the present invention, receptacles 142, 132,
and 102 are defined corresponding to a wearer's foot arch and
communicate the insole board 140 with the midsole 130 and the
outsole 100, and an arch support 200 is inserted sequentially into
the receptacles 142, 132, and 102.
[0030] An opening 152 is defined in a portion of the insole 150
that is disposed uppermost to correspond to the arch support 200,
and a contacting member 230 of the arch support 200 may be exposed.
Alternatively, an opening may not be defined to provide a tidier
exterior. In the latter case, the portion of the insole 150
corresponding to the contacting member 230 of the arch support 200
may be thinly formed to heighten contacting sensation with the
contacting member 230 of the arch support 200 or facilitate
elevation of the contacting member 230.
[0031] FIG. 2 shows the arch support in FIG. 1, each of which is a
sectional view and a perspective view.
[0032] The arch support 200 is formed of a cylindrical housing 210
defining screw threads 212 in an inner sidewall thereof, an insert
220 defining screw threads 222 in an outer sidewall thereof and
being screw-coupled to the screw threads 212 of the housing 210,
and the contacting member 230 coupled to the top of the insert
220.
[0033] A stopper 214 may be formed on the outer wall of the housing
210 to prevent rotation of the housing 210, and the housing 210 may
be formed of a metal or plastic material. The housing 210 of this
configuration, as described above, may be press-fitted and fixed in
the receptacles 142, 132, and 102. A holding niche 102a may be
defined in the outer sole 100 to hold the stopper 214.
[0034] Also, the insert 220 may be formed of a metal or plastic
material in a cylindrical columnar shape. An approximately
semispherical head 224 is integrally formed at the upper portion of
the insert 220 and coupled to the contacting member 230. The
coupling of the insert 220 and the contacting member 230 may be
performed with an adhesive to be completely bonded or coupled to
enable the contacting member 230 to be separated from the insert
220.
[0035] As a portion that directly contacts a wearer's foot arch,
the contacting member 230 may be formed of silicon or rubber
material in a semispherical shape with projections 232 formed on
the entire surface thereof. The perimeter of the contacting member
230 may form a graded portion 231 that is gradually graded to a
thin, flexible edge that forms a minimal gap with the insole board
130.
[0036] To assemble the above-structured arch support 200, with the
outsole 100, midsole 130, and insole board 140 stacked, the housing
210 is press-fitted and fixed in sequence in the receptacles 142,
132, and 102.
[0037] Then, after the insert 220 having the contacting member 230
coupled to the top thereof is inserted in the housing 210, the
contacting member 230 is rotated to screw-couple the screw threads
222 of the insert 220 with the screw threads 212 of the housing 210
and lower the insert 220.
[0038] When the insert 220 descends to its lowermost position, the
insole 150 is positioned on top to complete the assembly.
[0039] After a wearer purchases a finished shoe assembled and
manufactured thusly, the wearer can customize the height of the
arch support 200 to fit his/her arch size. Specifically, by
grasping and rotating the contacting member 230 of the arch support
200 by hand, the insert 220 screw-coupled to the housing 210 can be
raised and fixed at a height suitable for the wearer's arch
size.
[0040] Through this configuration, an arch support of a suitable
height can be provided, regardless of a wearer's arch size.
[0041] While the shape of the contacting member 230 of the arch
support has been exemplarily described above as semispherical, it
may be made in various shapes including semi-cylindrical and
elliptical semispherical shapes, or in a shape similar to that of
an average foot arch. The height or shape of the projections 232 on
the contacting member 230 may also be varied to increase
acupressure effects.
Second Embodiment
[0042] FIG. 3 a sectional view of an arch support according to a
second embodiment of the present invention.
[0043] The second embodiment may be applied when performing height
adjustment by rotating a contacting member 330 itself proves
difficult.
[0044] Referring to FIG. 3, an insert 240 is coupled to a surface
of a contacting member 330 having a shape (refer to FIG. 4) similar
to an actual foot arch. The insert 240 is cylindrical with screw
threads 242 defined in the inside of its sidewall, and has a head
244 at an upper portion thereof that is coupled and fixed to the
contacting member 330.
[0045] A bolt 250 is inserted and screw-coupled in the insert 240,
a slot 254 is defined in the head 251 of the bolt 250 so that the
bolt 250 may be rotated using the slot 254, and screw threads 252
of the bolt 250 and screw threads 242 of the insert 240 are
screw-coupled to raise the insert 240.
[0046] A through-hole 216 is defined in the center of the
undersurface of the housing 210 corresponding to the slot 254 on
the head 251 of the bolt 250, and a through-hole (not shown) is
also defined in the outsole 100 corresponding to the through-hole
216, enabling the slot 254 of the bolt 250 to be accessed from
outside.
[0047] A stopper ring 216 may be inserted around the inner sidewall
of the housing 210 to restrict elevation of the bolt 250.
[0048] To describe the operation of the above-structured arch
support, the bolt 250 is rotated when a wearer uses a screwdriver,
etc. to rotate the slot 254 in the head 251 of the bolt through the
through-hole defined in the floor of the outsole 100. Here, because
the insert 240 coupled to the non-rotating contacting member 330
does not rotate, the height of the arch support is increased or
reduced by the raising and lowering of the bolt 250 through
rotation of the same.
[0049] In the second embodiment, when the housing 210 is configured
as a cylinder without a bottom, there is no need for a separate
through-hole 216.
Third Embodiment
[0050] FIG. 4 shows an arch support according to a third embodiment
of the present invention, each of which a perspective view and a
sectional view.
[0051] This embodiment, like the second embodiment, may be applied
in cases where rotating the contacting member 330 itself for height
adjustment proves difficult.
[0052] Referring to FIG. 4, a pair of supporting rods 333 and 334
is formed on the reverse surface of the contacting member 330
having a shape similar to an actual foot arch. The distance between
the rods 333 and 334 may be greater than the diameter of the
housing 210.
[0053] According to the present embodiment, guide holes 134 and 135
are defined in the midsole 130, in which the supporting rods 333
and 334 are inserted.
[0054] As in the first embodiment, the insert 220 is cylindrical
and has an approximately semispherical head 224 integrally formed
with the top of the insert 220 and is separably coupled to the
contacting member 330.
[0055] To describe the operation of the above-structured arch
support, after a wearer separates the contacting member 330 from
the head 224 of the insert 220, the wearer adjusts the height by
grasping the head 224 of the insert 220 and rotating and inserting
it in the housing 210.
[0056] Then, after the supporting rods 333 and 334 of the
contacting member 330 are inserted in the guide holes 134 and 135,
pressure is exerted to couple the contacting member 330 and the
head 224 of the insert 220.
[0057] Through this configuration, the supporting rods 333 and 334
prevent the contacting member 330 from rotating.
Fourth Embodiment
[0058] FIG. 5 is a perspective view of an arch support according to
a fourth embodiment of the present invention.
[0059] The present embodiment is a modified example of the fourth
embodiment, and can be applied to cases where height adjustment
through rotating the contacting member itself proves difficult.
[0060] Referring to FIG. 5, an insert 240 is coupled to a reverse
surface of a contacting member 330 formed in a shape similar to an
actual foot arch. The insert 240 is cylindrically shaped with screw
threads 242 defined in its inner sidewall, and is coupled and fixed
at the top to the contacting member 330.
[0061] A height adjusting tab 260 is inserted and screw-coupled in
the insert 240, and the height adjusting tab 260 may be rotated to
adjust its projecting length from the insert 240.
[0062] Then, the insert 240 that has been adjusted in its
projecting length on a preinstalled housing 210 may be inserted to
adjust the height of the arch support 200. That is, because the
projecting length of the height adjusting tab 260 is ultimately
determined by its height within the housing 210, the height is thus
adjusted.
[0063] Supporting rods 333 and 334 of the contacting member 330 are
inserted in guide holes 134 and 135 of a midsole 130 to prevent
rotation of the contacting member 330 while a shoe is worn.
Fifth Embodiment
[0064] FIG. 6 is a sectional view of an arch support according to a
fifth embodiment of the present invention.
[0065] The present embodiment depicts the configuration of the
fourth embodiment from which the housing 210 is removed.
[0066] Referring to FIG. 6, an arch support 200, as in the fourth
embodiment, has an insert 240 coupled to the reverse surface of a
contacting member 230, and the insert 240 has screw threads defined
in its inner sidewall, in which a height adjusting tab 260 is
inserted and screw-coupled. The height adjusting tab 260 may be
rotated to project from the insert 240 and be adjusted in
length.
[0067] The arch support 200 is housed in a receptacle 132 of a
midsole 130, and a supporting niche 136 is defined annularly into
and around the sidewall at the mouth of the receptacle 132.
[0068] The periphery of the contacting member 230 constituting the
arch support 200 is forcibly press-fitted and fixed in the
supporting niche 136.
[0069] Accordingly, after the projecting length of the height
adjusting tab 260 of the arch support 200 is adjusted, the
periphery of the contacting member 230 of the arch support 200 is
forcibly inserted and mounted in the supporting niche 136 of the
receptacle 132 of the midsole 130.
[0070] FIG. 7 is a perspective view of an arch support modified
from the fifth embodiment of the present invention.
[0071] This modified embodiment applies a housing 210 to the
structure of the fifth embodiment. Thus, referring to FIG. 7, a
housing 210 with a flange 218 projecting therefrom is inserted at a
bottom of a receptacle 132 of a midsole 130, then the projecting
length of a height adjusting tab 260 is adjusted, after which the
insert 240 is inserted in the housing 210, and then the periphery
of the contacting member 230 of the arch support 200 is forcibly
inserted and mounted in the supporting niche 136 of the receptacle
132 of the midsole 130.
[0072] According to this modified embodiment, because the insert
240 is reliably supported by the housing 210, movement of the arch
support 200 while walking can be prevented. Also, by applying the
flange 218, a larger area can be used for support and the size of
the housing 210 can be reduced, thereby reducing manufacturing
costs.
[0073] Although embodiments have been described with reference to a
number of illustrative embodiments thereof, it should be understood
that numerous other modifications and embodiments can be devised by
those skilled in the art that will fall within the spirit and scope
of the principles of this invention.
[0074] For example, in a shoe of the type provided with only an
outsole and not a midsole, the receptacle that holds the housing
may be defined only in the outsole. Accordingly, the portion in
which an arch support is mounted may be collectively referred to as
a shoe body. Also, a stopper, etc. may be omitted, and an adhesive
or other means may easily be used instead to fix the arch
support.
[0075] In addition, as opposed to the above embodiments, the screw
threads may be formed in the outer sidewall of the housing, and the
insert may be cylindrically configured to obtain the same
results.
[0076] According to the above configuration, an arch support of a
suitable height can be provided, regardless of the wearer's arch
size.
[0077] Accordingly, the scope of the present invention should not
be construed as limited to the above embodiments, and should be
interpreted on the basis of the appended claims below.
[0078] While the present invention has been described in detail, it
should be understood that various changes, substitutions and
alterations can be made hereto without departing from the spirit
and scope of the invention as defined by the appended claims.
* * * * *