Shoe ventilation system
The forefoot portion of a shoe bottom includes at least one independent open air cavity composed by complementing concave arcs found in the lower midsole and upper midsole. The upper midsole includes at least one ventilation hole for the passage of air to and from the wearer's foot. During compression of the shoe bottom, caused by the wearer's foot, the open air cavity forces air through the ventilation hole, and through the insole hole introducing air into the shoe interior.
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1. Field of the Invention
The present invention relates to footwear, more particularly to shoe bottoms for active and sport footwear, and especially a ventilation system for the circulation of air in the forefoot of a shoe.
2. Description of the Related Art
The modern consumer of sport footwear expects a comfortable, supportive, functional, tastefully ornamented product. Footwear designers have responded with products combining new materials and performance engineering features. The present invention relates to a ventilation system for a shoe. Prior art such as U.S. Pat. Nos. 6,393,732 and 6,338,206 have attempted to introduce an effective ventilation system for an athletic shoe with minimal success. These prior art devices have grooves for the introduction of air to the shoe which extend substantially laterally through the forefoot of the shoe in the midsole. The present invention provides a substantial improvement over the prior art. The introduction of an independent open air cavity in the present invention induces air into the interior of the shoe by trapping air in the open air cavity upon compression and forcing it through the ventilation hole. The independent open air cavity created by opposing arcs in the upper midsole and lower midsole, is closed upon compression trapping the air and forcing the air to the interior of the shoe.
The present invention recognizes and addresses a particular need for such refinement by providing a innovative performance shoe containing a laminated shoe bottom portion with a functional, breathable forefoot sole allowing for the circulation of air providing added comfort to the consumer.
SUMMARY OF THE INVENTIONIt is an object of the present invention to provide a shoe bottom portion with an air circulation system allowing for added comfort and breathability.
In accordance with this object and with others which will be described and which will become apparent, a preferred exemplary embodiment of a shoe bottom portion in accordance with the present invention includes an upper midsole with at least one independent concave arc extending outwards near the center of the sole. A lower midsole with at least one independent concave arc extending outwards near the center of the sole and which corresponds with the upper midsole concave arc. The upper midsole contains a hole at the top of the at least one independent concave arc, and an insole contains at least one hole associated with the at least one upper midsole hole at the top of each independent concave arc. The joining of the upper midsole and lower midsole creates at least one independent open air cavity at the corresponding concave arc. Each independent open air cavity allows for the circulation of air into the shoe through the ventilation hole at the top of the upper midsole and through the associated hole in the insole.
The upper midsole and the lower midsole includes an compression molded portion, which may be, for example, formed of ethylene vinyl acetate (EVA). In a preferred embodiment, the upper midsole and lower midsole are formed of approximately 65 shore C durometer hardness.
The upper midsole and the lower midsole are adjoined at contact points. The upper midsole and lower midsole may have opposing concave arcs intermediate the contact points, thereby forming an open air cavity intermediate the contact points. The open air cavity compacts upon compression caused by the wearer's foot, forming an enclosed chamber of air and forcing the air through the upper midsole to the wearer's foot. The intermediate contacts found between the open air cavity extend throughout the shoe and support the structure of the shoe. Additionally, the concave arcs also provide added cushioning to the wearer of the shoe.
The upper midsole may have a first edge. The lower midsole may have a second edge, with the first edge at least partially surrounding and embracing the second edge to increase adhesion area between the two and to resist lateral displacement. The contacts may be substantially permanent and may be bonded by an adhesive.
BRIEF DESCRIPTION OF THE DRAWINGSFor a further understanding of the objects and advantages of the present invention, reference should be had to the following detailed description, taken in conjunction with the accompanying drawing, in which like parts are given like reference numbers and wherein:
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The lower midsole 46 and upper midsole 48 may be formed of any suitable material. In the preferred embodiment the lower midsole 46 and upper midsole 48 are formed of is composed of compression molded EVA which has a 65 shore C durometer hardness, which is a higher value than the 55 durometer hardness that is commonly used in cushioning elements of footwear. At a hardness of 65 shore C, the lower midsole 46 and upper midsole 48 in this exemplary embodiment of the present invention is stiffer and harder, i.e., more resistant to compression, than it would be at a hardness of 55. The material is therefore more capable of retaining its originally molded shape and dimensions for the lifetime of the product. In particular, at a durometer hardness of 65 shore C, the shoe bottom portion 36 has greater structural definition and durability than it would have at a hardness of 55.
While the foregoing detailed description sets forth exemplary embodiments of a shoe bottom portion in accordance with the present invention, it is to be understood that the above description is illustrative only and not limiting of the disclosed invention. Indeed, it will be appreciated that the embodiments discussed above and the virtually infinite embodiments that are not mentioned could easily be within the scope and spirit of the present invention. Thus, the present invention is to be limited only by the claims as set forth below.
Claims
1. A shoe bottom portion which provides ventilation to the interior of the shoe, comprising:
- an upper midsole;
- a lower midsole; and
- a plurality of contacts of said upper midsole with said lower midsole, said contacts being arranged to form at least one independent open air cavity on the side of the forefoot of the shoe bottom, to thereby provide ventilation to the interior of the shoe.
2. A shoe bottom portion as set forth in claim 1, wherein said upper midsole contains at least one ventilation hole in said upper midsole.
3. A shoe bottom portion as set forth in claim 1, further comprising an insole formed above said upper midsole, said insole having at least one insole hole formed therein and wherein said midsole contains at least one ventilation hole associated with said at least one ventilation hole in said insole.
4. A shoe bottom portion as set forth in claim 1, wherein said upper midsole and said lower midsole are adjoined.
5. A shoe bottom portion as set forth in claim 1, wherein said upper midsole and said lower midsole each contain at least one concave form.
6. A shoe bottom portion as set forth in claim 1, wherein said at least one upper midsole concave form is in correspondence with said at least one lower midsole concave form, to thereby form said at least one open air cavity.
7. A shoe bottom portion as set forth in claim 5, wherein said open air cavity does not extend through the shoe bottom.
8. A shoe bottom heel portion as set forth in claim 1, wherein said upper midsole is formed of EVA of approximately 65 shore C durometer hardness, and said lower midsole is formed of EVA of approximately 65 shore C durometer hardness.
9. A shoe bottom portion which provides ventilation to the interior of the shoe, comprising:
- an upper midsole;
- a lower midsole;
- a plurality of contacts of said upper midsole with said lower midsole, said contacts being arranged to form at least one independent open air cavity on the side of the forefoot of the shoe bottom; and
- at least one ventilation hole in said upper midsole, to thereby provide ventilation to the interior of the shoe.
10. A shoe bottom portion as set forth in claim 9, further comprising an insole formed above said upper midsole, said insole having at least one insole hole formed therein and wherein said midsole contains at least one ventilation hole associated with said at least one ventilation hole in said insole.
11. A shoe bottom portion as set forth in claim 9, wherein said upper midsole and said lower midsole are adjoined.
12. A shoe bottom portion as set forth in claim 9, wherein said upper midsole and said lower midsole each contain at least one concave form.
13. A shoe bottom portion as set forth in claim 9, wherein said at least one upper midsole concave form is in correspondence with said at least one lower midsole concave form, to thereby form said at least one open air cavity.
14. A shoe bottom portion as set forth in claim 13, wherein said open air cavity does not extend through the shoe bottom.
15. A shoe bottom portion which provides ventilation to the interior of the shoe, comprising:
- an upper midsole;
- a lower midsole; and
- a plurality of contacts of said upper midsole with said lower midsole, said contacts being arranged to form a plurality of independent open air cavities on the sides of the forefoot of the shoe bottom, to thereby provide ventilation to the interior of the shoe.
16. A shoe bottom portion as set forth in claim 15, wherein said upper midsole contains at least one ventilation hole in said upper midsole.
17. A shoe bottom portion as set forth in claim 15, further comprising an insole formed above said upper midsole, said insole having at least one insole hole formed therein and wherein said midsole contains at least one ventilation hole associated with said at least one ventilation hole in said insole.
18. A shoe bottom portion as set forth in claim 15, wherein said upper midsole and said lower midsole are adjoined.
19. A shoe bottom portion as set forth in claim 15, wherein said upper midsole and said lower midsole each contain at least one concave form.
20. A shoe bottom portion as set forth in claim 15, wherein said at least one upper midsole concave form is in correspondence with said at least one lower midsole concave form, to thereby form said plurality of open air cavities.
21. A shoe bottom portion as set forth in claim 20, wherein said plurality of open air cavities does not extend through the shoe bottom.
Type: Application
Filed: Sep 8, 2005
Publication Date: Mar 8, 2007
Applicant:
Inventor: Eval Akhidime (Playa del Rey, CA)
Application Number: 11/223,696
International Classification: A43B 7/06 (20060101);