U.S. patent number 3,871,117 [Application Number 05/351,867] was granted by the patent office on 1975-03-18 for fluid filled insoles.
Invention is credited to Rex E. Richmond, George Spector.
United States Patent |
3,871,117 |
Richmond , et al. |
March 18, 1975 |
Fluid filled insoles
Abstract
An insole for a shoe which is hollow and filled with a fluid.
Means in the insole prevent surges of fluid between toe and heel as
the wearer walks.
Inventors: |
Richmond; Rex E. (New York,
NY), Spector; George (New York, NY) |
Family
ID: |
23382760 |
Appl.
No.: |
05/351,867 |
Filed: |
April 17, 1973 |
Current U.S.
Class: |
36/43; 36/29 |
Current CPC
Class: |
A43B
17/035 (20130101) |
Current International
Class: |
A43B
17/03 (20060101); A43B 17/00 (20060101); A43b
013/38 () |
Field of
Search: |
;36/43,71,2.5AA,28,29 |
References Cited
[Referenced By]
U.S. Patent Documents
Primary Examiner: Scanlan, Jr.; Richard J.
Claims
We claims as follows:
1. A hollow fluid filled insole with toe and heel portions formed
from resilient material having spaced upper and lower surfaces
peripherally sealed in combination with a duct extending externally
from the insole connecting the toe and heel portions including a
valve extending transversely across the interior of the insole
connecting between opposing portions of the peripheral seal, said
valve permitting flow only in one direction responsive to pressure
in said insole generated by the user's foot.
2. An insole as in claim 1 including ribs extending from one of the
surfaces towards the other forming substantially defined pockets
through which fluid flow is restricted preventing large surges
therethrough.
3. An insole as in claim 2 in further combination with a shoe upper
having an external radiator with an inlet and outlet connected to
the duct.
4. An insole as in claim 3, wherein the radiator has fluted
coils.
5. An insole as in claim 1 in further combination with a shoe upper
having an external radiator with an inlet and outlet connected to
the duct.
Description
SUMMARY OF THE INVENTION
My invention is directed toward shoes having insoles specially
designed to provide full uniform resilient support for the feet of
the user whether the user is moving or standing still. To this end
the insole is hollow and filled with a suitable fluid. Means are
provided in the sole to prevent surges of fluid between toe and
heel as the user walks or runs and exerts pressure on different
parts of the foot. Additional means can be provided to produce a
pumping action to circulate the fluid through special cooling ducts
and vents in the shoe whereby the fluid is cooled and produces a
cooling action on the shoe itself thus providing enhanced
comfort.
FIG. 1 is a bottom view of the Invention.
FIG. 2 is a cross section on line 2--2 of FIG. 1
FIG. 3 is a cross section on line 3--3 of FIG. 1
FIG. 4 is a cross section on line 4--4 of FIG. 1
FIG. 5 is a view of a shoe showing a modified design of the
invention incorporated therewith in which the lift and fall of the
foot over the inner sole causes a pumping action of the fluid so it
travels past vent holes in the shoe so to cool the liquid.
FIG. 6 is a plan view of the inner sole and its cooling ducts
integral therewith, shown removed from the shoe and laid out
flat.
FIG. 7 is a detail on cross section 7--7 of FIG. 6, showing the one
way flap valves for the fluid.
FIG. 8 is an enlarged framentary view of a cooling tube used in the
construction illustrated in FIG. 5.
DETAILED DESCRIPTION OF PREFERRED EMBODIMENTS
Referring now to FIGS. 1-4, a hollow insole has a flat horizontal
top surface 10 and a bottom surface 12 with inwardly extending ribs
14 which extend longitudinally and transversely as well as
diagonally and which reach surface 10. The peripheral edges 16 of
both surfaces extend downward from surface 10 and upward from
surface 12 into horizontal mating sealing engagement. The ribs and
edges thus define boundaries of a plurality of hollow chambers
disposed side by side and filled with a fluid 18 such as water or
gases. Surface 10 is sur mounted by a flat yielding horizontal top
layer 20.
When a user steps on the sole or merely stands thereon all portions
of the foot have uniform full resilient support. The ribs prevent
surges of fluid between toe and heel as the user walks and exerts
pressure on different parts of the foot.
In FIGS. 5-7, shoe 50 has an insole 30 with elevated ducts 34
connected thereto that as the user walks, the fluid is circulated
around the sides of the shoe. One way valves 36 integral with top
and bottom flat surfaces 30A and 30B of the sole insure circulation
paths for the fluid which travels as shown. The ducts provide a
cooling action cooperating with air cooling vents 32 formed in the
shoe upper as the rise and fall of the foot over the inner sole
causes a pumping action for the fluid.
As shown in FIG. 5 a heel 37 is cooled by a spiral fluted or finned
coil 38 formed in a small radiator 39 located on the outer side of
the shoe or boot. Nipples 40 and 41 at opposite ends of the
radiator communicate with duct 34, thereby providing for flow of
fluid from duct 34 through the radiator-coils and back to the duct
34.
in FIG. 8 there is illustrated a detail of the cooling coil 38
which includes a wall that is spiral-fluted as shown at 35 and
which includes fins 36, in order for a quick heat exchange action
so to dissipate heat and cool the coolant liquid moving through the
coil. The fins 36 extend through the inside of the tube and to the
outside thereof as well, as shown.
As shown in FIGS. 1 and 3 it is to be noted that a self sealing
filler valve 42 is installed at the toe end of the insole, and a
self sealing air purge valve 43 is installed at the heel end of the
insole. The filler valve 42 is provided for the purpose of fluid
being injected therethrough into the sole. The air purge valve 43
is provided for the purpose of allowing entrapped air to escape
from the interior of the insole.
The filler valve is similar to those used on footballs, basket
balls, volley and beach balls, and serves to provide a proper
resiliance in order to support the weight of the feet thereupon.
Each size of insole might require a different amount of fluid
therewithin accordingly for ideal support.
The air purge valve is essential so that all trapped air is removed
otherwise a bulbous effect would result and the fluid would not be
evenly distributed throughout the insole cavity so that a perfect
cushioning would be prevented.
One way valve 36 (FIG. 7) is a conventional flap valve which is
secured to the surfaces 10, 30A and 30B (or surfaces 10 and 12 of
FIG. 2). With the open end serving as an inlet and flexible closure
flaps at the outlet end. Pressure from the weavers foot expands the
outlet flaps causing them to open and permit the flow of fluid in
the desired direction. One or more of valves 36 may be located in
series transversely across the width of insole 30 as indicated
diagramatically by the V-shaped lines of FIG. 6. It is to be
understood that similar valves can be provided between the ends of
the diagonal ribs 14, whereby flow can occur only from sole to
heel, provided that a return flow duct such as 34 of FIG. 6 is
provided in the shoe upper.
It is to be understood that the ribs 14 do not restrict flow
completely but merely restrain or impede flow whereby surging of
large quantities of fluid from one compartment to another is
prevented.
While certain novel features of our invention have been shown and
described and are pointed out in the annexed claims, it will be
understood that various omissions, substitutions and changes in the
forms and details of the device illustrated and in its operation
can be made by those skilled in the art without departing from the
spirit of the invention.
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