WO1999021449A1

WO1999021449A1 - A ventilated shoe provided with an anti-rain cover and adapted to discharge static electricity to ground

Info

Publication number: WO1999021449A1
Application number: PCT/IT1998/000294
Authority: WO
Inventors: Silvano Del Gatto
Original assignee: Silvano Del Gatto
Priority date: 1997-10-23
Filing date: 1998-10-23
Publication date: 1999-05-06
Also published as: ITMC970101A0; AU9760298A; ITMC970101A3

Abstract

A ventilated shoe provided with an anti-rain cover and adapted to discharge static electricity to ground, characterised in that it comprises in combination: means (10, 11, 12, 20; 15, 19) for discharging and dispersing static electricity charges, substantially consisting of a first platelet (10) designed for electric contact with the foot of the wearer, a second platelet (11), designed for contact with ground, both platelets being of electrically conductive material, interconnected with one another by electrically conductive means (12; 20) received within the heel portion (14) of the shoe; ventilation means, substantially consisting of arrays of transversal (21), longitudinal (25) and vertical (23) channels or chambers (29; 33) intercommunicating with one another by means of channel (31) which establish a communication between the inner room of the shoe and the external environment through vertical channels (27) arranged within the side wall of the shoe, between the lining and the outer leather, and coming outwardly through holes (28) located near the upper side edge of the vamp, and anti-rain protection means (37, 37A, 38A) substantially consisting of a sole cover (37) that can be superposed to the sole (38) of the shoe and formed with a peripheral projecting rib (37A) which is received within a peripheral groove (38A) formed in said sole (38) of the shoe.

Description

A VENTILATED SHOE PROVIDED WITH AN ANTI- RAIN COVER AND ADAPTED TO DISCHARGE STATIC ELECTRICITY TO GROUND

This invention broadly relates to the shoe field and more particularly relates to a ventilated shoe provided with an anti-rain cover and adapted to discharge static electricity to ground.

Even more particularly, the shoe according to this invention is provided with three sets of structural characteristics which make it adapted to any kind of uses and to fulfil the requirements of circumstances of various types.

First of all, the shoe according to this invention is provided with ventilation characteristics. In fact, it is known that one of the most troublesome problems to be solved in the shoe field is in general the ventilation of the foot within the shoe in order to aid transpiration.

A second problem, which is not directly raised by the shoe itself, but which can be made more severe by modern shoes having to an ever increasing extent soles or bottoms in rubber or plastic material, is caused by build up of static electricity charges on the human body, that some times results into small but troublesome breakdowns. Aiming at remedying this problem, a shoe according to this invention is provided with a system for discharging the static electricity charges possibly built up on the body of the wearer to ground or anyway for dispersing them out of the wearer's body. A third characteristic of the shoes according to this invention consists in that the shoe is provided with a waterproof anti-rain protection sole cover.

This invention specifically relates to a ventilated shoe provided with an anti-rain cover and adapted to discharge static electricity to ground, comprising: means for discharging and dispersing static electricity charges, substantially consisting of a first platelet designed for electric contact with the foot of the wearer, a second platelet, designed for contact with ground, both platelets being of electrically conductive material, interconnected with one another by electrically conductive means received within the heel portion of the shoe; ventilation means, substantially consisting of arrays of transversal, longitudinal and vertical channels or chambers intercommunicating with one another by means of channel which establish a communication between the inner room of the shoe and the external environment through vertical channels arranged within the side wall of the shoe, between the lining and the outer leather skin, and coming outwardly through holes located near the upper side edge of the vamp, and anti-rain protection means substantially consisting of a sole cover that can be superposed to the sole of the shoe and formed with a peripheral projecting rib which is received within a peripheral groove formed in said sole of the shoe. Further particulars and advantages as well as characteristics and construction details will be evident from the following description with reference to enclosed drawings wherein the preferred embodiments are shown by way of illustration and not by way of limitation. In the drawings: Figure 1 is a schematic view of a possible electric circuitry that can be embedded in a shoe according to this invention to aid discharging the static electricity charges to ground or dispersing them,

Figure 2 is a fragmentary cross-section view of a shoe taken through the chamber housing the ground body of the static electricity discharge device,

Figure 3 is a comprehensive side elevation view of a shoe showing both the static electricity discharge device housing chamber, and an inner sole provided with an assembly of transversal ventilation channels, Figure 4 is a plan view of a self-ventilating inner sole according to this invention with vertical holes and horizontal transversal channels,

Figure 5 shows the details of an embodiment of the static electricity discharge device,

Figure 6 is a plan view of a sole or inner sole provided with arrays of transversal, longitudinal and vertical ventilation channels and Figure 6A illustrates a connection between horizontal and vertical channels,

Figure 7 is a schematic side elevation view of a shoe equipped with an anti-rain protection removable sole cover, Figure 8 is a perspective view of a shoe provided with a locking groove for a removable anti-rain cover and Figure 8A shows a cross- section view thereof, Figure 9 is a perspective view of a removable anti-rain cover applicable to the sole of Figures 8, 8A and Figure 9A shows a cross- section view thereof,

Figure 9B is a perspective view of a modification of the removable sole cover of Figures 9, 9A,

Figure 10 is a schematic side elevation view showing the connection between the transversal ventilation tubular channels and the side vertical pipelet arranged within the side wall of the shoe for external communication and Figure 10A shows a telescopically extendible embodiment thereof to fit shoes of different heights,

Figure 11 is a plan view of a shoe sole provided with a ventilation system comprising an array of mutually as well as externally communicating, circular pockets and Figure 11A shows a modification of said pocket made with square shape. By referring now to the drawings, a detailed description will be set forth in respect of a ventilated shoe adapted to discharge the static electricity charges to ground, with or without a removable or fixed self- ventilated inner sole, equipped with an anti-rain protection sole cover.

As far as the discharge of the static electricity charges or their dispersion is concerned, this invention is based upon the concept to realise an electrically conductive connection between the foot of a wearer of the shoe and the external ground or a body of electrically conductive material having a sufficient mass to store said charges, contained in the heel portion of the shoe and possibly also electrically connected to the external ground.

By referring to Figure 1 , it shows an electrical device comprising, as basic elements, a first platelet 10 of electrically conductive material, particularly a metal material, designed so as to make electrical contact with the foot of the wearer, and a second platelet 11 , also made of an electrically conductive material, adapted to make electrical contact with the external ground. Said platelet 10 and 11 are directly interconnected with one another by means of a conductive wire or by means of a small circuit board 12 including an electrical circuitry, for instance filter circuits, to promote discharging the electrical charges to ground and to prevent any electrical charge flow in opposite direction, namely to the foot of the wearer, when he or she walks upon particular electrically dangerous environments. Figure 2 shows a cross-section view of a shoe sole 13 having a heel portion 14 with a pocket 15. Pocket 15 can be closed by a cover lid member 16 of rubber material or like and receives a printed circuit board 12 or a certain mass of an electrically conductive material in bulk, constipated or solid form, for instance steel, metal particulates, carbon, graphite, conductive soil, mineral salts and like, in such an amount as to be sufficient to store any static electricity charges dispersed therein. It should be remarked that the electrically conductive material received in said pocket 15 can be employed not only in stead of the printed circuit board 12, but also in addition thereto, in order to cope with particular employment circumstances, for instance the use of the concerned shoes on insulated floors, such as in aircrafts or generic vehicles, on wooden pavements or a floor covered with carpets or insulating plastic covers.

As far as the internal ventilation of the shoe is concerned, Figure 3 shows a shoe 17 equipped with an inner sole 18 having a set of transversal channels 21 arranged all over the extension of the inner sole 18 as well as a set of vertical holes, not shown, all intended for internal ventilation, all operable by foot movements, in pressure-vacuum cycles, as determined by walking. The shoe according to Figure 3 is additionally equipped with a pocket 15 embedded in the heel portion and containing the above described electrically conductive material in suitable amount 19 for eventual dispersion of the static electricity charges. The shoe as shown in Figure 3 is also equipped with a device for dispersing the static electricity charges to the external ground, such device comprising a platelet 10 internally arranged in the shoe and adapted to be in electric contact with the foot of the wearer, a platelet 11 externally arranged under the sole of the shoe and adapted to be in electric contact with the external ground, as well as a direct interconnection 20 between said platelets 10 and 11. Figure 4 illustrates a detailed view of the sole shown in Figure

3. As above mentioned, said inner sole 18 includes a set of transversal channels 21 and a set of vertical holes 23. Reference numeral 22 designates an interconnection means between the upper surface of said inner sole 18 and its lower surface, so as to allow an electrical interconnection between the foot of the wearer and the underlying metal platelet 11 of the electric charge dispersing device. It should be additionally remarked that said inner sole 18 can be mobile, namely it can be removably arranged within the shoe, but it can also be fixedly arranged therein. Furthermore, as it will be illustrated henceforth, the shoe can also be used without said inner sole, but, anyhow, it can be provided with a ventilation system embedded in its bottom sole, with horizontal and vertical ventilation channels and holes, operable by foot movements.

By referring now to Figure 5, it shows the implementation details of the connection between the metal platelet 10 internally arranged in the shoe and the body 19 of electrically conductive and charge accumulator material received in the internal pocket 15 of the heel portion of the shoe.

By referring to Figure 6 in so far as the ventilation aspect of the shoe according to this invention is concerned, an inner sole is schematically shown, comprising a set of transversal channels 21 , a set of longitudinal channels 25, intercommunicating with one another at the intersection sites 26, with addition of vertical channels 23. Figure 6A illustrates an example of interconnection between horizontal channels 21 , 25 and vertical channels 27 for external ventilation. Those skilled in the art will easily recognise that all above described ventilation means can be exploited in various different combinations. Not only in the sense that a ventilation system can be realised in a fixedly arranged or a removable inner sole, but also in the sense that an already ventilated mobile inner sole can be arranged in a shoe including, in turn, its own imbedded ventilation system. Furthermore, it should be understood that the ventilation channel sets can be exploited individually or in any combination, in the sense that a shoe can be provided with a ventilation system including only a set of transversal channels or only a set of longitudinal channels or only vertical channels, or any combination thereof.

As far as the anti-rain sole cover of a shoe according to this invention is concerned, reference can be made to Figures 7-9. Figure 7 shows a side elevation view of a shoe on the sole of which a sole cover has been overlaid and coupled, such sole cover having an integrally projecting edge, in order to protect the shoe from seepage of water along the whole junction line between the sole and the vamp, which is the weakness point and amenable to water seepage upon extended use. The sole cover is shown in Figure 9, with a cross-section illustrated in Figure 9A, comprising a base portion 37 with a peripheral projecting edge portion 37A for covering and coupling function. The shoe sole per se is designated by reference numeral 38 and it is shown in Figures 8 and 8A. As it can be observed in Figure 8A, sole 38 has a peripheral groove 38A which receives a peripheral projecting rib 37A of the anti-rain sole cover of Figures 9, 9A.

A modification of the above described anti-rain sole cover of Figures 9, 9A is shown in Figure 9B, where it can be observed that said coupling peripheral projecting edge 37B is not peripherally continuous, but it has an interruption that can be closed by means of a fast junction means, such as a VELCRO™ type, closure, aiming at aiding the application to or the removal of the anti-rain protection sole cover from the shoe, in rapid and easy manner. A very important characteristic of the present invention, again in respect of the ventilation aspect of the fixed inner sole or of the sole itself of the shoe is related to the external communication of the whole system of the transversal and longitudinal channels and of the ventilation holes. By referring to Figure 10, it can be observed that the outwardly coming out side holes of said two ventilation transversal channels 21 embedded within the sole of the shoe 17 are connected to a vertical pipelet 27 arranged in the side wall of the shoe, between the lining and the outer leather, and externally, coming out through hole 28, at a small distance from the upper edge of the vamp. The number of such ventilation pipelets 27 certainly is not binding for the present invention. It is not even necessary that each pipelet 27 be connected to two transversal channels 21 , as it is shown in Figure 10: in fact each pipelet 27 can be connected to just one or two or more than two transversal channels 21. Lastly, even if it has been mentioned that said vertical pipelets 27 are connected to the transversal channels of the sole of a shoe or of the ventilated inner sole, it should be understood that said pipelets 27 can be connected to the longitudinal channels or to the vertical holes provided therein.

Figure 10A illustrated a modification of a ventilation external communication pipelet which differentiates with respect to pipelet 27 of Figure 10 in that it has a stem 27 of telescopically variable length, in order to fit shoe vamps of different height, said pipelet 27 having a lower fixed portion and a telescopically extendible upper portion. A perimetral rib 27 can also be provided in the pipelet of Figure 10, in order to aid fixing the lower portion of the pipelet in the sole of the shoe.

By referring again to the ventilation aspect of the shoe according to this invention, Figure 11 illustrates an embodiment in which the sole or possibly the fixed or mobile inner sole 18 to be arranged within the shoe is provided with a plurality of small internal chambers 29 realised in the thickness of the cross-section 30 of the sole, intercommunicating with one another through channels 31 ending at their transition points 32 into said internal chambers 29.

The internal chambers can be of any shape, for instance, a circular shape, as it is shown in Figure 11 , but also of a square shape, as it is shown at 33 in Figure 11 A, or any other polygonal shape.

It could appear to be pleonastic to add that, both in these embodiments and in those modifications in which channel sets are provided, it is convenient that vertical holes be provided for communication with the inner room of the shoe to be ventilated, as well as vertical side pipelets for external communication, as above described by referring to Figures 10 and 10A. The preferred embodiments of this invention have been described and a number of variations have been suggested hereinbefore, but it should expressly be understood that those skilled in the art can make other variations and changes, without so departing from the scope thereof.

Claims

CLAIMS 1.- A ventilated shoe provided with an anti-rain cover and adapted to discharge static electricity to ground, characterised in that it comprises: means (10, 11 , 12, 20; 15, 19) for discharging and dispersing static electricity charges, substantially consisting of a first platelet (10) designed for electric contact with the foot of the wearer, a second platelet (11 ), designed for contact with ground, both platelets being of electrically conductive material, interconnected with one another by electrically conductive means (12; 20) received within the heel portion (14) of the shoe; ventilation means, substantially consisting of arrays of transversal (21 ), longitudinal (25) and vertical (23) channels or chambers (29; 33) intercommunicating with one another by means of channel (31 ) which establish a communication between the inner room of the shoe and the external environment through vertical channels (27) arranged within the side wall of the shoe, between the lining and the outer leather, and coming outwardly through holes (28) located near the upper side edge of the vamp, and anti-rain protection means (37, 37A, 38A) substantially consisting of a sole cover (37) that can be superposed to the sole (38) of the shoe and formed with a peripheral projecting rib (37A) which is received within a peripheral groove (38A) formed in said sole (38) of the shoe.

2.- A shoe according to claim 1 , characterised in that it further comprises a pocket (15) formed within the heel portion (14) of the shoe for receiving said electrically conductive means (12; 19) for discharge and dispersion of static electricity charges.

3.- A shoe according to claim 1 , characterised in that said electrically conductive means are realised by a wire (20) for direct connection between said two platelets (10, 11 ).

4.- A shoe according to claim 2, characterised in that said electrically conductive means are realised by a printed circuit board (12) including electrical circuits, for instance filters, in order to aid discharging said static electricity charges to ground and also to prevent any electric charges reverse flow from ground to the foot of the wearer.

5.- A shoe according to claim 2, characterised in that said electrically conductive means are realised by a body of electrically conductive material (19), in solid or bulk form, selected among steel, metal grit, mineral salts, conductive soil, carbon, graphite and like.

6.- A shoe according to claim 1 , characterised in that said ventilation means comprise an inner sole (18) provided with a set of transversal channels (21 ) arranged all over its extension, as well as with a set of vertical holes (23), all designed for internal ventilation purposes, all operable by foot movements, in pressure - vacuum cycles, determined by walking action.

7.- A shoe according to claim 1 , characterised in that said ventilation means are received embedded within the sole of the shoe, with horizontal and vertical holes operable by foot movements.

8.- A shoe according to claim 7, characterised in that said ventilation means comprise a set of transversal channels (21 ), a set of longitudinal channels (25), intercommunicating with one another at their intersection points (26), with additional vertical channels (23)(Figure 6).

9.- A shoe according to claim 8, characterised in that the externally coming side holes of said ventilation transversal channels (21 ) embedded within the sole or the inner sole (18) of the shoe (17) are connected to vertical pipelets (27; 27 A) arranged within the side wall of the shoe between the lining and the leather skin of the shoe and coming outwardly, at a small distance from the upper side edge of the vamp, through a hole (28)(Figure 10).

10.- A shoe according to claim 9, characterised in that each vertical pipelet (27; 27 A) is connected to one only or to two or more than two transversal channels (21 ).

11.- A shoe according to claim 9 or 10, characterised in that said ventilation external communication vertical pipelets have a stem of a telescopically variable length (27A) in order to fit shoes having vamps of different heights (Figure 10A).

12.- A shoe according to claim 11 , characterised in that said vertical ventilation pipelets (27; 27 A) have at their base a perimetral rib (27B) to aid mounting the pipelet on the sole of the shoe.

13.- A shoe according to claim 1 , characterised in that said ventilation means are embedded within the sole of the shoe or possibly within a fixed (18) or removable inner sole arranged in the shoe and comprise a multiplicity of small internal chambers (29) formed within the thickness of the cross-section (30) of the sole or of the inner sole and intercommunicating with one another by channels (31 ) ending at the transition points (32) into said internal chambers (29).

14.- A shoe according to claim 13, characterised in that said internal chambers have circular shape (29) (Figure 11 ) or square shape (33) (Figure 11 A) or any other polygonal shape.

15.- A shoe according to claim 1 , characterised in that said peripheral projecting rib (37B) for coupling the sole cover (37) to the peripheral groove (38A) of said sole (38) is formed with an. interruption that can be closed by a fast coupling means, for instance of velcroΓäó type, in order to facilitate the application of the anti-rain sole cover and its removal.