INSOLE INCLUDING AN ACUPRESSURE MEMBER

Abstract

The present invention relates to an insole including an acupressure member for supporting the arch of the foot. The insole includes: a connector which protrudes from a top or bottom surface of the insole corresponding to the arch, and which includes a continuous uneven part on the outer surface thereof and a female screw in a central portion thereof; and said acupressure member which includes a male screw protruding from the bottom surface thereof so as to engage with the female screw, and an uneven recess which is shaped so as to correspond to the continuous uneven part and which is recessed in the to bottom surface thereof around the male screw.

Description

CROSS-REFERENCE TO RELATED APPLICATION

This application claims the benefit of Korean Patent Application No.10-2010-0099246, filed on Oct. 12, 2010 in the Korean Intellectual Property Office, the disclosure of which is incorporated herein by reference.

TECHNICAL FIELD

The present invention relates to shoes, and in particular to an insole to including an acupressure member which serves to support the arched portion of a sole.

BACKGROUND ART

A shoe consists of an upper leather and an insole. The shoes insole consists of an outsole, a midsole and an insole depending on its position and function. It may further include Texon depending on the kinds of shoes.

As long as an arched portion of a sole has an acupressure effect during walking, a human body may come to have various kinds of advantages.

Some of the insoles are configured in such a way that they are integrally formed in barrel shapes to support the arched portion of the soles, and some of shoes are configured to have height adjusting functions while supporting the arched portions.

Since the shapes of feet are different depending on the users, the user can feel best and less tired when he wears shoes or insoles which best fit the user.

In other words, the acupressure member used in the insole needs to be configured so that the position and height can be adjusted if necessary. It needs to be easily handled, and the position and height of the acupressure member should be adjusted only when a user applies an external force.

DISCLOSURE OF INVENTION

Accordingly, it is an object of the present invention to provide an insole including an acupressure member configured in that the acupressure member provided in the insole helps adjust the height and position movement, and the height can be adjusted only when a user applies an external force, and the position of the acupressure member can be accurately adjusted depending on the physique of the user.

To achieve the above object, there is provided an insole including an acupressure member, comprising a connector which protrudes from an upper surface or a lower surface corresponding to an arched portion of an insole and has continuously formed protrusions on its outer surface and a female screw formed at its center portion; and an acupressure member which has a male screw protruding from a bottom surface and engaged with the female screw and a convex and concave groove formed at the bottom surface around the male screw and concaved to match with the protrusions.

In addition, the connector can move its position within a limited range with respect to the insole.

In addition, the insole with the acupressure member comprises an installation part which is open at the arched portion of the insole or is formed in a concave shape; a flange which protrudes from an end portion of one side of the connector; and an installation pad which is fixedly engaged to the installation part and has a movement groove engaged with the protrusion of the connector for the sake of position movement and an engaging shoulder into which is inserted the flange for the same not to part.

In addition, the insole has a plurality of acupressure protrusions formed at the regions except for the arched portion of the upper surface and the lower surface.

In addition, the insole has a slope part which slope-protrudes from left and right sides of the protruding connector.

In addition, the movement groove has an attachment and detachment groove formed at a certain portion and expanded wider than other portions for thereby attaching and detaching the connector.

The insole is any one selected from the group consisting of an outsole, a midsole, an insole and Texon.

Advantageous Effects

The insole including an acupressure member according to the present invention has advantages in that it can be selectively installed at an outsole, a midsole, an insole or Texon, and it is easy to handle, and the position as well as height of the acupressure member can be adjusted, so a user can set an acupressure member in an optimum state when in use, which most fits the user himself.

In addition, the position of the acupressure member can be moved at the minimum interval units and can be fixed thanks to a unique type of a connector, and it is possible to prevent the acupressure member from randomly rotating.

BRIEF DESCRIPTION OF DRAWINGS

FIG. 1 is a schematic disassembled perspective view of a first embodiment of the present invention.

FIG. 2 is a perspective view illustrating the engagement of FIG. 1.

FIG. 3 is a disassembled perspective view illustrating an insole according to a second embodiment of the present invention.

FIG. 4 is a perspective view illustrating the engagement of FIG. 3.

FIG. 5 is a view of an operation state at a cross section taken along line A-A of FIG. 4.

FIG. 6 is a view of an operation state at a cross section taken along line B-B of FIG. 4.

FIG. 7 is a schematic disassembled perspective view of a third embodiment of the present invention.

FIG. 8 is a perspective view illustrating the engagement of FIG. 7.

FIG. 9 is a perspective view of a fourth embodiment of the present invention.

FIG. 10 is a perspective view illustrating the underneath of an insole according to a fifth embodiment of the present invention.

FIG. 11 is a perspective view illustrating an upper side of an insole.

FIG. 12 is a perspective view illustrating an insole according to a seventh embodiment of the present invention.

FIG. 13 is a schematic disassembled perspective view of an eighth embodiment of the present invention.

FIG. 14 is a perspective view of the engagement of FIG. 13.

BEST MODES FOR CARRYING OUT THE INVENTION

The preferred embodiments of the present invention will be described with reference to the accompanying drawings for those who skilled in the art to implement easily the embodiments. The present invention may be implemented in various forms and is not limited to the embodiments that are provided in this specification. The portions which are not directly related with the descriptions of the present invention will be omitted for better understanding of the present invention. Similar elements appearing through the specification are given the same reference numerals.

The term “comprise” used to describe that a certain element includes another element throughout the specification means that there may be another further element unless otherwise stated, not excluding the further element.

The insole including an acupressure member according to a preferred embodiment of the present invention will be descried.

The term “shoes insole” of the present invention represents one selected among an outsole, a midsole, an insole, Texon or a non-woven member which is combined with at least one of them. Depending on the kinds of shoes, the shoes insole may be formed of only an outsole, or an insole may be included, or Texon could be further included. The insole used in the embodiments of the present invention may be formed of at least one of the above listed elements.

The acupressure member of the present invention may be provided at the upper side or the underneath of the insole.

First Embodiment

FIG. 1 is a schematic disassembled perspective view of a first embodiment of the present invention. FIG. 2 is a perspective view illustrating the engagement of FIG. 1.

The first embodiment of the present invention is featured in that the technology of the present invention is substantially adapted to the outsole in the shoes insole. Here, the shoes insole and the outsole, the midsole, the insole and Texon are given the same reference numeral.

As shown therein, from a region corresponding to the arched portion of the outsole 100 protrudes a connector 200, and the outer surface of the connector 200 is formed of continuously formed protrusions 210, and at the center is formed a female screw 220.

In the first embodiment of the present invention, the connector 200 is integrally fixed at the outsole 100. In the other embodiments of the present invention which will be described later, the connector 200 may be configured to be movable within a certain range.

The protrusions 210 formed on the outer surface of the connector 200 may be formed in a continuous semi-circular shape or the protrusions of different shapes may be continuously formed.

The acupressure member 300 connected to the connector 200 comprises a male screw 310 protruded from the bottom of the acupressure member 300. The male screw 310 is thread-engaged with the female screw 220 of the connector 200 for the purpose of adjusting the height in the up and down directions. At the bottom surface of the acupressure member 300 are provided convex and concave grooves 320 which are grooved around the male screw 310 to fit the protrusions 210 of the connector 200.

The convex and concave groove 320 of the acupressure member 300 is engaged like surrounding the protrusions 210 of the connector 200, and the male screw 310 may be engaged to the female screw 220. In other words, when the acupressure member 300 is inserted in the connector 200 and is rotated, the installation height of the acupressure member 300 can be adjusted depending on the rotation direction due to the relationship between the male screw 310 and the female screw 220. In particular, since the convex and concave grooves 320 of the acupressure member 300 and the protrusions 210 of the connector 200 are engaged each other, a user may rotate, with a certain force level, the convex and concave grooves 320 can rotate traveling over the protrusions 210.

If only a screw engagement is adapted for the sake of the height adjustment of the acupressure member 300, the screw engagement may be disengaged during the actual use, so the first set height of the acupressure member 300 may change; however like the embodiment of the present invention, the construction that the protrusions 210 are formed on the outer surface of the connector 200, and the convex and concave grooves 320 are formed at the acupressure member 300 may advantageously help prevent the acupressure member 300 from rotating randomly.

More preferably, the acupressure member 300 is made from a certain material which has cushion like a rubber material or a synthetic resin and is formed in a flat plate shape or a convex dome shape or a curved shape looking similar to the arched portion of the sole.

The male screw 310 can be provided in an integrated type as it is insert-formed during the formation of the acupressure member 300; however it may be provided in another form of the acupressure member like other embodiments which will be described later.

More preferably, a plurality of acupressure protrusions 110 are provided in protruding shapes in the regions except for the arched portion of the insole 100 from which protrudes the connector 200. The above mentioned acupressure protrusions 110 can stimulate other regions except for the ached portion of the sole when the user walks.

The above mentioned type of the insole can be substantially adapted to the shoes which are configured for the user's sole to feel the ground by making the thickness of the insole as thin as possible.

Second Embodiment

The insole including an acupressure member according to the present invention makes it possible to adjust basically the height of the acupressure member 300 and further makes it possible for the position of the acupressure member 300 to be movable. Here, the position of the acupressure member 300 is movable within a limited range which means the region of the arched portion.

The second embodiment of the present invention is directed to the insole 100 featuring in that the acupressure member is formed at one portion among the outsole, the midsole, the insole or Texon. FIG. 3 is a disassembled perspective view illustrating an insole according to a second embodiment of the present invention. FIG. 4 is a perspective view illustrating the engagement of FIG. 3. FIG. 5 is a view of an operation state at a cross section taken along line A-A of FIG. 4. FIG. 6 is a view of an operation state at a cross section taken along line B-B of FIG. 4.

As shown therein, at the arched portion of the insole 100 such as the outsole, the midsole, the insole, and Texon is provided an installation part 120. Here, the installation part 120 may be formed like an opening or may be formed a grooved shape with a certain depth. Namely, the installation part 120 can be formed like an opening which is formed in consideration of the thickness of the insole 100 or can be formed in a grooved shape.

In the second embodiment of the present invention, the arched portion of the insole is fully opened so as to form consequently a track shaped installation part 120.

An installation pad 130 is fixedly connected to the installation part 120. At the installation pad 130 is formed an engaging shoulder 132 configured to prevent a movement groove 131 and the connector 200 from parting so that the protrusions 210 of the connector 200 can be engaged for the movement of the position.

At one portion of one side of the connector 200 connected to the installation pad 130 is formed a flange 230 which is formed in a protruding shape. The portion of the flange 230 is engaged at the engaging shoulder 132 which is a certain space formed at the lower side of the movement groove 131, so the connector 200 can move along the movement groove 131 without parting from the installation pad 130.

The movement grooves 131 are continuously formed grooves for the engagement with the protrusions 210. When the user pushes or pulls by providing an external force, the protrusions 210 can move by the minimum distance along the movement grooves 131 and are fixed.

Different from the first embodiment, the second embodiment of the present invention is featured in that the acupressure member is formed of a few elements.

Namely, the acupressure member 300 comprises an acupressure body 300a with a convex and concave groove 320, an installation plate 300b with a male screw 310, and an acupressure cover 300c which covers the installation plate 300a which is put at the top of the acupressure body 300a and is engaged, for thereby being engaged with the acupressure body 300a.

Third Embodiment

FIG. 7 is a schematic disassembled perspective view of a third embodiment of the present invention. FIG. 8 is a perspective view illustrating the engagement of FIG. 7.

In the third embodiment of the present invention, the acupressure member 300 is formed at the upper surface of the insole 100, and the acupressure member 300 is formed of a curved surface in the same shape as a foot arch and an arched portion for thereby supporting the foot arch which is the center of the foot and the arched portion.

Fourth Embodiment

FIG. 9 is a perspective view of the fourth embodiment of the present invention. As shown therein, the width of the end of one side of the movement groove 131 of the installation pad 130 is made wider for thereby attaching and detaching the connector 200.

When it needs to exchange the connector 200 for the sake of the height adjustment depending on the user's physique or exchanging the acupressure member 300, the user can easily exchange the connector 200 with the aid of an attachment and detachment groove 133 widely formed in the movement groove 131.

Seventh Embodiment

FIG. 10 is a perspective view illustrating the underneath of an insole according to a fifth embodiment of the present invention. FIG. 11 is a perspective view illustrating an upper side of an insole.

As shown therein, in the fifth embodiment of the present invention, the connector 200 and the acupressure member 300 are connected to the outsole 100 of the insole like the first embodiment; however in this embodiment the protrusion 210 and the female screw 220 belonging to the connector 200 are separated from each other.

In other words, the female 220 protrudes from the region of the arched portion of the insole 100, and the protrusion 210 is formed around the female screw 220. Here, the female screw 220 is made from a metallic material, and the protrusion 210 is made from the same materials as the outsole 100.

It is preferred that at the upper surface of the outsole 100 are provided a plurality of acupressure protrusions 110 which are configured to stimulate the sole.

Sixth Embodiment

The sixth embodiment of the present invention will be described with reference to FIGS. 1, 2 and 10.

As shown therein, the insole according to the sixth embodiment of the present invention, there is further provided a slope part 140 which slope-protrudes from the left and right sides of the connector 200 protruding toward the upper surface or the lower surface of the insole 100.

Here, the left and right sides of the connector 200 represent the length direction of the insole 100, with the connector 200 being disposed at the intermediate portion between two slope parts 140 for thereby connecting the acupressure member 300.

The slope part 140 of the present invention is provided for the purpose of preventing over stimulations of the foot arch of the insole due to the acupressure member 300 while obtaining a smooth rolling operation while the user walks.

Seventh Embodiment

FIG. 12 is a schematic perspective view of the seventh embodiment of the present invention. As shown therein, at the upper surface of the outsole 100 are provided a connector 200 and an acupressure member 300 which are movable.

Eighth Embodiment

FIG. 13 is a schematic disassembled perspective view of an eighth embodiment of the present invention. FIG. 14 is a perspective view of the engagement of FIG. 13.

The eighth embodiment of the present invention has features in that the technology of the present invention is applied to the insole 100 of a high heel for women of the shoe of the present invention. Like other embodiments, the installation pad 130 with the movement groove 131 is provided at the upper surface of the insole 100, and the connector 200 which can move along the movement groove 131 is engaged thereto. To the connector 200 is engaged the acupressure member 300 the height of which can be adjusted.

The features and the operations of the installation pad 130, the movement groove 131, the attachment and detachment groove 133, the connector 200 and the acupressure member 300 are same as the other embodiments, so the descriptions thereof will be omitted.

As described above, the insole including an acupressure member according to the present invention has features in that the height adjustment of the acupressure member is possible, and since the convex and concave grooves of the acupressure member keep on in engagement with the protrusions of the connector, it is possible to prevent the height from randomly changing as the acupressure member rotates randomly when the external force form the user causes the acupressure member to rotate.

In addition, with the protrusion of the connector, the connector can move along the movement groove formed in the installation pad, so the positions of the acupressure member can be changed.

The above descriptions of the present invention are for illustrative purposes, and it is understood that those who skilled in the art can easily change the present invention to other detailed embodiments without departing from the technical concepts or necessary items of the present invention.

Therefore, the described embodiments are provided for illustrative purposes in all aspects, not limiting to the same. For example, each element described as a singular form may be implemented as distributed, and the elements described as distributed may be implemented as connected.

The scope of the present invention may be claimed by the claims rather than the detailed descriptions of the invention, and all changes or modifications from the meaning and scope and equivalents of the claims should be included within the scope of the present invention.

INDUSTRIAL APPLICABILITY

The present invention can be applied to the insoles of the shoes.

Claims

1. An insole including an acupressure member, comprising:

a connector which protrudes from an upper surface or a lower surface corresponding to an arched portion of an insole and has continuously formed protrusions on its outer surface and a female screw formed at its center portion; and

an acupressure member which has a male screw protruding from a bottom surface and engaged with the female screw and a convex and concave groove formed at the bottom surface around the male screw and concaved to match with the protrusions.

2. The insole of claim 1, wherein the connector can move its position within a limited range with respect to the insole.

3. The insole of claim 2, wherein the insole with the acupressure member comprises:

an installation part which is open at the arched portion of the insole or is formed in a concave shape;

a flange which protrudes from an end portion of one side of the connector; and

an installation pad which is fixedly engaged to the installation part and has a movement groove engaged with the protrusion of the connector for the sake of position movement and an engaging shoulder into which is inserted the flange for the same not to part.

4. The insole of claim 1, wherein the insole has a plurality of acupressure protrusions formed at the regions except for the arched portion of the upper surface and the lower surface.

5. The insole of claim 1, wherein the insole has a slope part which slope-protrudes from left and right sides of the protruding connector.

6. The insole of claim 3, wherein the movement groove has an attachment and detachment groove formed at a certain portion and expanded wider than other portions for thereby attaching and detaching the connector.

7. The insole of claim 1, wherein the insole is any one selected from the group consisting of an outsole, a midsole, an insole and Texon.

8. The insole of claim 2, wherein the insole is any one selected from the group consisting of an outsole, a midsole, an insole and Texon.

9. The insole of claim 3, wherein the insole is any one selected from the group consisting of an outsole, a midsole, an insole and Texon.

10. The insole of claim 4, wherein the insole is any one selected from the group consisting of an outsole, a midsole, an insole and Texon.

11. The insole of claim 5, wherein the insole is any one selected from the group consisting of an outsole, a midsole, an insole and Texon.

12. The insole of claim 6, wherein the insole is any one selected from the group consisting of an outsole, a midsole, an insole and Texon.