GB2238706A

GB2238706A - A breathing sole for footwear

Info

Publication number: GB2238706A
Application number: GB8922933A
Authority: GB
Inventors: Harold Bayliff
Original assignee: C&J Clark International Ltd
Current assignee: C&J Clark International Ltd
Priority date: 1989-10-11
Filing date: 1989-10-11
Publication date: 1991-06-12
Also published as: GB8922933D0

Abstract

A sole unit (10) forms a reservoir (22) for air, underneath the instep (14) of a resiliently flexible sole element (18), and has a valve (30) which, when open, allows air to be pumped, as a result of the flexure of the sole element (18), through the valve (30), distribution channels, a mattress (36) and an inner sole (38) to the wearer's foot. In wet weather the valve can be closed. <IMAGE>

Description

A BREATHING SOLE UNIT FOR USE IN FOOTWEAR This invention relates to a breathing sole unit for use in footwear.

According to the invention, there is provided a breathing sole unit for use in footwear as claimed in each of the claims, to which reference is directed.

The invention will be described by way of example with reference to the drawings, wherein: FIG. 1 is a longitudinal section through a shoe incorporating a sole unit embodying the invention; FIG. 2 is a plan view of the sole unit alone of Fig. 1: FIG. 3 is an underneath plan view of the sole unit of Figs. 1 and 2: FIG. 4 is a longitudinal section (corresponding to that of Fig. 1) through a sole element in the sole unit of Figs. 1 to 3; FIG. 5 is a side elevation of the sole element of Figs. 1 to 4 as if compressed under the weight of a wearer's foot; FIG. 6 is a section on VI-VI of Fig. 4; FIG. 7 is an underneath plan view of a rotary valve in the sole unit of Figs. 1 to 6, in its "open" position: FIG. 8 is a section through the valve of Fig. 7, also in the open position; FIGS. 9 and 10 correspond respectively to Figs. 7 and 8, but showing the valve in its "closed" position:: FIGS. 11, 12, 13 and 14 are respectively a side elevation, a section, an underneath plan view and a plan view of a fixed element of the valve; FIGS. 15, 16 and 17 are respectively a side elevation, a section and an underneath plan view of a rotary disk-like element of the valve; FIGS. 18, 19 and 20 illustrate three layers of different closely woven materials of a three-layer "mattress" in the sole unit of the preceding Figs.; FIG. 21 shows a perforated upper sole element or insole of the sole unit:: FIGS. 22, 23 are respectively a partial longitudinal section, and a section on XXIII-XXIII of Fig. 22, of the sole unit with the weight of the wearer's foot "off", or removed; FIGS. 24, 25 (corresponding to Figs. 22, 23) are respectively a partial longitudinal section, and a section on XXV-XXV of Fig. 24, of the sole unit with the weight of the wearer's foot "on", or applied; FIG. 26 is a diagram of the displaced volume, related to the difference between Figs. 22 and 24; and FIG. 27 is a plan view of the displaced volume shown diagrammatically in Fig.26.

Referring to the drawings, the shoe S shown in Fig.

1 comprises a conventional "upper" U and a sole unit 10 embodying the invention.

The sole unit 10 is, as normal, a "long" sole unit comprising a sole "proper" 12, an instep 14 and a heel 16.

The illustrated sole unit 10 comprises a molded, resiliently flexible, sole element 18 of elastomeric material. Underneath the sole "proper" 12, the sole element 18 is formed with short transverse grooves 20 which are longitudinally staggered as shown in Fig. 3.

Underneath part of the sole 12, the instep 14 and the heel 16, the sole element 18 is formed with a cavity 22. The cavity 22 is bounded by a region 24 of the sole element 18, the region 24 being in the form of a planar, closed-loop around the periphery of the cavity 22. The closed-loop region 24 extends at 24a across the sole "proper" 12 (where lands 26 between the grooves 20 provide unbroken ground contact) and at 24b along the sides of the instep 14 and at 24c across the back of the heel 16. Hence, when the sole unit 10 is on flat ground, with the planar closed-loop region 24 in contact with the ground all around the cavity 22, the cavity forms a reservoir (22) for air. When the weight of a wearer's foot applies pressure upon the instep 14 of the sole unit 10, the cavity 22 is compressed.When the weight is removed, the shape of the cavity 22 becomes substantially restored due to the resiliency of the elastomeric material of which the sole element 18 is made. The displacement volume is shown in Figs. 26 and 27.

In the top surface 26 (Fig. 2) of the sole element 18, there are formed a series of air-distribution channels 28.

Embedded in the sole element 18 is a rotary valve 30, comprising a disk-like rotary element 32 of metal or high impact polystyrene which is rotatably mounted in a fixed metal (or high impact polystyrene) element 34.

One half 32a of rotary element 32 is perforated with through-holes 32b, whilst the other half 32c is imperforate. The fixed element 34 has a tubular air passage 34a on one side, extending through a transverse wall 34b. When the rotary element 32 is rotated one half-turn to its "open" position, the holes 32b are aligned with the tubular passage 34a. In its "open" position, Figs. 7 and 8, the valve 30 provides intercommunication through passage 34a between the cavity/reservoir 22 and the air-distribution channels 28. so that compression of the cavity/reservoir 22 causes air to be pumped to the air-distribution channels 28. When the rotary element 32 is rotated one half-turn to its "closed" position, Figs. 9 and 10, the tubular air passage 34a is aligned with the imperforate portion 32c of rotary element 32, so that no air can pass through.

Overlying the top surface 26 of sole element 18 is a substantially incompressible "mattress" 36 of three layers 36a (Fig. 18, lowermost), 36b (Fig. 19, middle) and 36c (Fig. 20, uppermost) of three closely woven materials of mutually different weaving patterns (or possibly of three closely knitted materials of different knitting patterns). The air from the distribution channels 28 is further dispersed through the mattress 36 and through the perforations of an upper sole element or insole 38 (Figs. 1 and 21) before coming into contact with the underneath of the wearer's foot.

If the ground is wet, the valve 30 may be closed to prevent ingress of water.

The shoe 10 is worn in the normal way. If the valve 30 is open, walking or running will cause air to be pumped from the cavity 22, through the valve 30, the distribution channels 28 and the mattress 36 to the wearer's foot. If the valve 30 is shut off, there is no such airflow.

Claims

Claims: -

1. A breathing sole unit for use in footwear, the sole unit comprising a resiliently flexible sole element formed with a cavity in its underside, the cavity being bounded by a ground-engageable, closed-loop, planar region of the sole element, whereby an air reservoir is formed in the cavity when the sole unit is on flat ground, the sole unit being adapted so that application of the weight of a wearer's foot upon the sole unit tends to compress the cavity, the sole element being adapted to tend to restore the cavity to its original shape after such compression, upon removal of said weight, the sole unit further comprising air-distributing means for distributing air in said footwear and a valve which can be selectively opened and closed, the valve being adapted and arranged so that, when opened, air from the reservoir is pumped by the compression of the cavity to the air-distribution means.

2. A breathing sole unit for use in footwear as claimed in Claim 1, wherein said air-distribution means comprises at least one substantially incompressible layer of porous material which overlies said sole element.

3. A breathing sole unit for use in footwear as claimed in Claim 2, wherein the, or at least one said, incompressible layer of porous material is in the form of woven or knitted material.

4. A breathing sole unit for use in footwear as claimed in any preceding Claim, wherein said air-distribution means comprises channels formed in an upper surface of said sole element.

5. A breathing sole unit for use in footwear as claimed in any preceding Claim, wherein said valve is a rotary valve.

6. A breathing sole unit for use in footwear as claimed in Claim 5, wherein the valve is adapted to be rotated one half-turn from its closed position to its opened position and vice versa.

7. A breathing sole unit for use in footwear as claimed in any preceding Claim. wherein said valve is operable from underneath the sole unit.

8. A breathing sole unit for use in footwear as claimed in any preceding Claim, wherein said cavity is underneath at least the instep.