WO2000060971A1

WO2000060971A1 - Cushion insole

Info

Publication number: WO2000060971A1
Application number: PCT/IT2000/000126
Authority: WO
Inventors: Artemio Menicucci
Original assignee: Artemio Menicucci
Priority date: 1999-04-13
Filing date: 2000-04-07
Publication date: 2000-10-19
Also published as: ITPI990021A1; AU4311600A

Abstract

This invention consists of an insole for footwear realized separately from it or incorporated with it, formed by an inner body equipped with a system of elastic suspensions, which ensures a continuous massage of the foot during walk. Moreover, this insole has a series of holes that make the ventilation of the foot possible.

Description

"CUSHION INSOLE"

Description Technical Field

The present invention relates to the technical sector of the production of footwear in general and the relative accessories .

In particular, it relates to an insole, meant as the lining in leather, cork, felt, or other synthetic materials, put directly inside shoes or inserted through the manufacturing of any kind of footwear in order to allow the foot to Detter adhere the sole. Background Art

Insoles realized in various materials already exist, which are normally thin, even if they can be up to half a centimetre thick, and are stuck or sewn inside the footwear above the sole in order to make the foot rest more comfortable. Said insoles are formed by a single layer or even padded, but have the only function to make said rest soft and comfortable, without any further function. In addition, insoles separated from the footwear already exist, which can be put inside shoes. These insoles as well are realized in soft or stiff material, or even lined with material set to provide the foot with a cold or warm support, both in wool and synthetic materials, and may be perforated in order to allow the skin to breath. Said insoles are put inside the footwear in order to increase its comfort for the people wearing it or even to reduce the space inside the shoe and so allow its user to wear t even if it's larger than his/her foot. Nevertheless, the cited insoles do not supply any other comfort and do not allow people wearing them to get further benefits than the ones provided.

Particularly, the insoles nowadays in use allow neither a graded rest of the foot, nor a massage under the sole, nor the other benefits that a rest of the foot on an elastic cushion support may give. Disclosure of invention

The present invention aims at eliminating the above-mentioned and other drawbacks, supplying a cushion insole, incorporated with the footwear or put inside it. We reached this result adopting the technical solution of realizing an insole with the characteristics described in the separate claims. Other characteristics of this invention are the object of dependent claims.

The advantages resulting from the present invention essentially consist of the fact that it' s possible to rest the foot on a cushion support without suffering from the shock due to the rest on a stiff support; that the user wearing it benefits from a natural massage under the foot' s sole while he/she is walking; that especially whoever practices sport and uses trainers, takes advantage of a natural foot cushion that benefits the sports activity; that the sole massage helps blood circulation and produces benefits on the whole body, particularly to diabetics; that the foot benefits also from a ventilation effect unαer the sole, thanks to a series of holes made on the sole and inside it; that it has a low manufacturing cost and can be easily incorporated or put into footwear of any k nd; that it makes people standing up for long hours more comfortable, diminishing their tiredness. Reduced to its essential structure ana with reference to the figures of the enclosed drawings, an insole for footwear according to the invention, comprises : - means to allow the foot to get a cushion rest, with a system of elastic suspensions realized inside its body; means to isolate the inner system from the shoe and the foot, with an external covering consisting of two parallel horizontal surfaces (3, 9), naving the same shape as the foot's sole, and possibly of a side covering (2) combining the other two; means to make the ventilation of the foot possible, with a series of holes made at least on the upper surface of the insole and communicating with its inner part (5) . Conveniently, the system of elastic suspensions is realized by inserting between the upper surface (3) and the lower surface

(9) of the insole a series of springs (6) joint to both the surfaces .

Conveniently, the springs (6) are fixed above (7) and below (8) the two surfaces (3) (9) by sticking, welding, sewing or other system capable of fixing them firmly. Conveniently, tne springs (6) may be manufactured with any material, preferably steel or plastic material.

Conveniently, the covering surfaces (3) (9) are manufactured with leather, simulated leather, felt, cork or other suitable material.

Conveniently, the insole has an inner hollow body (5) where springs are placed, different in shape, material and height, in order to obtain a gap between the two surfaces (3; (9) allowing the air to move inside it. Conveniently, at least the upper surface '3) of the insole has a series of holes (4) of different size, which allow the air to move over the insole, so ventilating the foot in resting phase . Conveniently, thanks to the holes (4) and the gap (5), the pressure exerted on the insole by the foot n resting phase and the relaxing of the springs in raising phase, makes it possible to get a continuous air movement that is fed at every step. Conveniently, the foot benefits from a massage given by the pressure put on the springs when it rests on the ground and the later relaxing of the springs when it' s raised in order to take another step.

Conveniently, this insole can be applied even on heeled sandals or mules (Fig. 3), only by changing its shape. In practice, the manufacturing details may, however, equally vary as regards shape, size, position of elements, and type of materials used, but still remain within tne range of the idea proposed as a solution and, consequently, within the limits of the protection granted by tnis patent for invention. Brief description of drawings - Fig. 1 shows a perspective external view of the insole (1) consisting of one or more surfaces (3) having a series of holes (4), which may vary as regards number and thickness (2) ; - Fig. 2 shows a section of the same insole, where surface (3) results visible, with the holes (4' and its inner part (5) comprising a series of springs (6 , which may vary as regards s ze or have a different diameter of their spirals. These springs are fixed above (7) and below (8) the upper surface (3) and the lower surface (9) of the insole; - Fig. 3 shows the insole applied on heeled sandals, fitting their shape.

Claims

1) Insole for footwear characterized by the fact that it comprises : means to allow the foot to get a cushion rest, with a system of elastic suspensions realized inside its body; means to isolate the inner system from the shoe and the foot, with an external covering consisting of two or more parallel horizontal surfaces (3, 9), having the same shape as the foot's sole, and possibly of a side covering (2) combining the other two; means to make the ventilation of the foot possible, with a series of holes made at least on the upper surface of the insole and communicating with its inner part (5) .

2) Insole according to claim 1, characterized by the fact that the system of elastic suspensions is realized by inserting between the upper surface (3 and the lower surface (9) of the insole a series of springs (6) joint to both the surfaces.

3) Insole according to claim 2, characterized by the fact that the springs (6) are fixed above (7) and below (8) the two surfaces (3) (9) by sticking, welding, sewing or other system capable of fixing them firmly.

4) Insole according to claim 2, characterized by the fact that the springs (6) may be manufactured w th any material, preferably steel or plastic material, and in different sizes, as they may vary as regards neight or diameter .

5) Insole according to claim 1, characterized by the fact that the covering surfaces (3) (9) are manufactured with leather, simulated leather, felt, cork or other natural or synthetic material.

6) Insole according to claim 1, characterized by the fact that it has an inner hollow body (5) where springs are placed in order to obtain a gap between the two surfaces (3) '9) allowing the air to move inside it.

7) Insole according to claim 1, characterized by the fact that at least the upper surface (3) of the insole has a series of holes (4) of different size, which allow the air to move over the msole, so ventilating the foot in resting phase.

8) Insole according to claim 1, characterized by the fact that, thanks to the holes (4) and the gap (5), the pressure exerted on the msole by the foot in resting phase and the relaxing of the springs in raising phase, makes it possible to get a continuous air movement that is fed at every step.

9) Insole according to claim 1, characterized by the fact that the foot benefits from a massage given by the pressure put on the springs when it rests on the ground and the later relaxing of the springs when it' s raised in order to take another step. 10) Insole according to claim 1, characterized by the fact that it may have a flat or slanting shape, as it can be fitted to footwear of any kind, comprising sandals, clogs and heeled shoes. 11) Insole according to claim 1, characterized oy the fact that it is produced separately from the footwear where it's inserted or incorporated.