Self-ventilating shoe assembly
A self-ventilating shoe assembly includes an upper, an outsole attached to the upper, and an insole located between the upper and the outsole. A resilient ventilation body is located between the outsole and the insole, and has an intake communicating with an exterior of the shoe assembly and an exhaust communicating with an interior of the shoe assembly. Upon application of pressure against the resilient body, air is discharged outwardly through the exhaust to the interior of the shoe assembly, thereby ventilating the shoe assembly. Upon release of pressure from the resilient body, air is drawn inwardly from outside of the shoe assembly through the intake as the body expands to its original form.
This invention relates to a self-ventilating shoe assembly. The invention is applicable in footwear designed for running, sports, hiking, walking, and other related activities. The invention operates to repeatedly ventilate the interior of the shoe assembly, thereby creating a comfortable, healthy, and dry environment for the foot of the wearer. In further applications, the invention may be designed especially for construction workers, landscapers, and others requiring special footwear in order to safely and effectively perform their jobs.
One primary object of the invention is to reduce the amount of sweat that collects in the shoe during wear. This sweat promotes bacteria growth, and results in conditions ranging from relatively minor foot odor to more serious fungal infections, including painful athlete's foot.
Almost 70% of the population will be affected by athlete's foot at some time in their lives. In most cases, this condition can be cured with over-the-counter antifungal powder and basic good hygiene. If not treated properly and promptly, the infection can be very stubborn. Even when treated with antifungal drugs, the infection may take several weeks to disappear. As a means of preventing athlete's foot, physicians recommend wearing shoes that breathe. In addition, to control the bacteria population on the feet, it is also recommend that shoes be allowed to air out for at least 24 hours before wearing them again.
SUMMARY OF INVENTIONTherefore, it is an object of the invention to provide a self-ventilating shoe assembly which reduces foot odor and the incidence of fungal infections.
It is another object of the invention to provide a self-ventilating shoe assembly which maintains a comfortable, healthy, and dry environment for the foot of the wearer.
It is another object of the invention to provide a self-ventilating shoe assembly is relatively inexpensive to manufacture.
It is another object of the invention to provide a self-ventilating shoe assembly which can be safely worn everyday without increased risk of fungal infection.
These and other objects of the present invention are achieved in the preferred embodiments disclosed below by providing a self-ventilating shoe assembly. The shoe assembly includes an upper, an outsole attached to the upper, and an insole located between the upper and the outsole. A resilient ventilation body is located between the outsole and the insole, and has an intake communicating with an exterior of the shoe assembly and an exhaust communicating with an interior of the shoe assembly. Upon application of pressure against the resilient body, air is discharged outwardly through the exhaust to the interior of the shoe assembly, thereby ventilating the shoe assembly. Upon release of pressure from the resilient body, air is drawn inwardly from outside of the shoe assembly through the intake as the body expands to its original form.
According to another preferred embodiment, the intake includes a one-way valve operating to control passage of air inwardly and outwardly through the intake.
According to another preferred embodiment, the exhaust includes a one-way valve operating to control passage of air inwardly and outwardly through the exhaust.
According to another preferred embodiment, the ventilation body includes a plurality of exhausts adapted for ventilating the interior of the shoe assembly.
According to another preferred embodiment, the ventilation body has a plurality of bellows.
According to another preferred embodiment, the ventilation body includes visco-elastic foam.
According to another preferred embodiment, the ventilation body includes a compression spring.
According to another preferred embodiment, a the vent communicates with the ventilation body, and is adapted for discharging air beneath the toes of a wearer.
In another preferred embodiment, the invention is a self-ventilating shoe assembly having an upper, an outsole attached to the upper, and an insole located between the upper and the outsole. First and second resilient ventilation bodies are located between the outsole and the insole, and in respective heel and ball regions of the shoe assembly. Each ventilation body has an intake communicating with an exterior of the shoe assembly and an exhaust communicating with an interior of the shoe assembly. Upon application of pressure against the resilient body, air is discharged outwardly through the exhaust to the interior of the shoe assembly, thereby ventilating the shoe assembly. Upon release of pressure from the resilient body, air is drawn inwardly from outside of the shoe assembly through the intake as the body expands to its original form.
In yet another preferred embodiment, the invention is a method for ventilating a shoe assembly having an upper, an outsole attached to the upper, and an insole located between the outsole and the upper. The method includes the steps of locating a resilient ventilation body between the outsole and the insole of the shoe assembly. The ventilation body has an intake communicating with an exterior of the shoe assembly and an exhaust communicating with an interior of the shoe assembly. The ventilation body is compressed to discharge air outwardly through the exhaust to the interior of the shoe assembly, thereby ventilating the shoe assembly.
According to another preferred embodiment, the method includes releasing pressure from the resilient body, whereby air is drawn inwardly from outside of the shoe assembly through the intake as the body expands to its original form.
According to another preferred embodiment, the method includes discharging air through the exhaust to a ball and toe region of the shoe assembly.
According to another preferred embodiment, the method includes discharging air through the exhaust to a heel region of the shoe assembly.
BRIEF DESCRIPTION OF THE DRAWINGSSome of the objects of the invention have been set forth above. Other objects and advantages of the invention will appear as the description proceeds when taken in conjunction with the following drawings, in which:
Referring now specifically to the drawings, a self-ventilating shoe assembly according to the present invention is illustrated in
As best shown in
First and second resilient ventilation bodies 16 and 17 are located between the outsole 12 and the insole 14, and within respective cutouts formed in a polyurethane midsole 18. The ventilation bodies 16, 17 reside in the heel and ball regions of the shoe assembly 10, and include respective tubular air intakes 21 and 22, and a number of strategically arranged air exhaust ports 23 and 24. The tubular intakes 21, 22 extends outwardly from the ventilation bodies 16, 17 through the midsole 18 and upwardly along the back of the heel to an exterior of the shoe assembly 10. Respective free ends of the intakes 21, 22 communicate with the exterior of the shoe assembly 10 a safe distance from any ground water, dirt or debris which may be encountered during normal wear. Standard one-way valves 21A, 22A are formed adjacent the mouths of the intakes 21, 22 to regulate and control air flow. The intake valves 21A, 22A allow one-way air flow inwardly from outside of the shoe assembly 10, and prevent the escape of fresh air from inside the ventilation bodies 16, 17. The exhaust ports 23, 24 have similar one-way valves 23A and 24A. The exhaust valves 23A, 24A allow air flow in only one direction outwardly from the ventilation bodies 16, 17 to the interior of the shoe assembly 10.
A self-ventilating shoe assembly is described above. Various details of the invention may be changed without departing from its scope. Furthermore, the foregoing description of the preferred embodiment of the invention and best mode for practicing the invention are provided for the purpose of illustration only and not for the purpose of limitation—the invention being defined by the claims.
Claims
1. A self-ventilating shoe assembly, comprising:
- (a) an upper;
- (b) an outsole attached to said upper;
- (c) an insole located between said upper and said outsole;
- (d) a resilient ventilation body located between said outsole and said insole, and comprising an intake communicating with an exterior of said shoe assembly and an exhaust communicating with an interior of said shoe assembly, such that: (i) upon application of pressure against said resilient body, air is discharged outwardly through said exhaust to the interior of said shoe assembly, thereby ventilating said shoe assembly; and (ii) upon release of pressure from said resilient body, air is drawn inwardly from outside of said shoe assembly through said intake as said body expands to its original form.
2. A self-ventilating shoe assembly according to claim 1, wherein said intake comprises a one-way valve operating to control passage of air inwardly and outwardly through said intake.
3. A self-ventilating shoe assembly according to claim 1, wherein said exhaust comprises a one-way valve operating to control passage of air inwardly and outwardly through said exhaust.
4. A self-ventilating shoe assembly according to claim 1, wherein said ventilation body comprises a plurality of exhausts adapted for ventilating the interior of said shoe assembly.
5. A self-ventilating shoe assembly according to claim 1, wherein said ventilation body comprises a plurality of bellows.
6. A self-ventilating shoe assembly according to claim 1, wherein said ventilation body comprises visco-elastic foam.
7. A self-ventilating shoe assembly according to claim 1, wherein said ventilation body comprises a compression spring.
8. A self-ventilating shoe assembly according to claim 1, and comprising a toe vent communicating with said ventilation body, and adapted for discharging air beneath the toes of a wearer.
9. A self-ventilating shoe assembly, comprising:
- (a) an upper;
- (b) an outsole attached to said upper;
- (c) an insole located between said upper and said outsole;
- (d) first and second resilient ventilation bodies located between said outsole and said insole, and in respective heel and ball regions of said shoe assembly, each ventilation body comprising an intake communicating with an exterior of said shoe assembly and an exhaust communicating with an interior of said shoe assembly, such that: (i) upon application of pressure against said resilient body, air is discharged outwardly through said exhaust to the interior of said shoe assembly, thereby ventilating said shoe assembly; and (ii) upon release of pressure from said resilient body, air is drawn inwardly from outside of said shoe assembly through said intake as said body expands to its original form.
10. A self-ventilating shoe assembly according to claim 9, wherein said intake comprises a one-way valve operating to control passage of air inwardly and outwardly through said intake.
11. A self-ventilating shoe assembly according to claim 9, wherein said exhaust comprises a one-way valve operating to control passage of air inwardly and outwardly through said exhaust.
12. A self-ventilating shoe assembly according to claim 9, wherein said ventilation body comprises a plurality of exhausts adapted for ventilating the interior of said shoe assembly.
13. A self-ventilating shoe assembly according to claim 9, wherein said ventilation body comprises a plurality of bellows.
14. A self-ventilating shoe assembly according to claim 9, wherein said ventilation body comprises visco-elastic foam.
15. A self-ventilating shoe assembly according to claim 9, wherein said ventilation body comprises a compression spring.
16. A self-ventilating shoe assembly according to claim 9, and comprising a toe vent communicating with said ventilation body, and adapted for discharging air beneath the toes of a wearer.
17. A method for ventilating a shoe assembly comprising an upper, an outsole attached to the upper, and an insole located between the outsole and the upper, said method comprising the steps of:
- (a) locating a resilient ventilation body between the outsole and the insole of the shoe assembly, the ventilation body comprising an intake communicating with an exterior of the shoe assembly and an exhaust communicating with an interior of the shoe assembly; and
- (b) compressing the ventilation body to discharge air outwardly through the exhaust to the interior of the shoe assembly, thereby ventilating the shoe assembly.
18. A method for ventilating a shoe assembly according to claim 17, and comprising the step of releasing pressure from the resilient body, whereby air is drawn inwardly from outside of the shoe assembly through the intake as the body expands to its original form.
19. A method for ventilating a shoe assembly according to claim 17, and comprising the step of discharging air through the exhaust to a ball and toe region of the shoe assembly.
20. A method for ventilating a shoe assembly according to claim 17, and comprising discharging air through the exhaust to a heel region of the shoe assembly.
Type: Application
Filed: Feb 17, 2004
Publication Date: Aug 18, 2005
Inventor: Jesse Hammonds (Charlotte, NC)
Application Number: 10/780,186