Shoe Having Active Air Ventilation

Abstract

The invention relates to a shoe, comprising a sole construction, which has an upper sole part and a lower outsole part and an air-pumping device having a pumping vol-ume, an air-supplying device, which is connected to the air-pumping device, an air-discharging device, which is connected to the air-pumping device, wherein the upper sole part, the lower outsole part, and the air-pumping device are de-signed in such a way that air in the amount of the pumping volume can be sucked into the air-pumping device through the air-supplying device from outside the shoe and above the upper sole part due to the unloading of the sole con-struction during the walking motion of a user, air in the amount of the pumping volume can be discharged into the interior of the shoe through the air-discharging device due to the loading of the sole construction during the walking motion of the user, and the pumping volume of the air-pumping device is at least 5 ml, in particular at least 10 ml.

Description

FIELD OF THE INVENTION

The present invention relates to a shoe with a sole construction which during every step of the walking motion of a user enables efficient air circulation in the shoe, and thereby directly at the foot of a user of the shoe.

BACKGROUND OF THE INVENTION

A shoe is composed of two main parts, namely the upper part called the upper, and the lower part called the base. The upper can comprise an inner upper (lining), intermediate upper (interlining) and outer upper (vamp). The base is composed of a sole and can comprise an inner sole (insole) and an outsole. One or more midsoles can be provided between the insole and the outsole.

Nowadays, shoes are known that are equipped with devices in the sole which promote the circulation of air in the shoe, whereby the internal moisture in the shoe is to be reduced to improve foot comfort of the user of the shoe. This known type of shoe generally provides hollow connections which are accommodated interconnected in the interior of the sole. According to a common variant, the air is in prior art via openings of the sole to be directed from the outside to the interior. The openings are sealed with membranes to protect against water. However, it has been found that no efficient supply of fresh air is possible in this manner.

It can according to another variant be provided to suck in air from the outside by an air-pumping device via an air guide whose open end is led upwardly in an upper. The drawback of this type of shoe is the lack of effectiveness of the air circulation in the shoe due to inefficient air intake by use of the air-pumping device. It is proposed in WO 00/01268 to incorporate an air-pumping device in a cavity of a heel of an outsole which is to suck in air from the exterior via an air supply which is led along the rear upper of the shoe towards the top and to pump it through the sole body. However, it has shown that the pumping mechanism by merely having the heel of a user In the shoe load the air-pumping device during the walking motion operates so inefficiently that no significant ventilation of the interior of the shoe is possible.

WO 2008/158880 proposes a ventilation device for insertion into a shoe in which ventilation of an interior of the shoe into which the ventilation device is inserted is to be achieved by use of a rotatable pump hinged on a flange. The ventilation device, however, is with the movable pumping device very complex and in mechanical terms very susceptible to failure.

It is there the object of the present invention to provide a shoe with a sole construction which ensures more efficient and more continuous air circulation in a more simple structural configuration than this could to date be achieved in prior art.

DESCRIPTION OF THE INVENTION

The above-mentioned object is satisfied by a shoe according to claim 1, i.e. by a shoe comprising

a sole construction having an upper sole part, a lower outsole part and an air-pumping device,

where the air-pumping device is formed either by a cavity substantially embedded in the upper sole part, or formed separately as an independent entity fully or partially embedded in a cavity of the upper sole part;

an air-supplying device which is connected to the air-pumping device,

an air-discharging device which is connected to the air-pumping device,

wherein the upper sole part, the lower outsole part, and the air-pumping device are configured in such a way that

air can from outside the shoe and above the upper sole part be sucked into the air-pumping device through the air-supplying device due to the unloading of the sole construction during the walking motion of a user,

air can be discharged into the interior of the shoe through the air-discharging device due to the loading of the sole construction during the walking motion of the user, and where the air-pumping device can be compressed by a pumping volume corresponding to the amount of air discharged,

where the pumping volume is at least 5 ml, in particular at least 10 ml.

The sole construction, or the upper sole part, the lower outsole part and the air-pumping device, respectively, are according to the invention configured such that it enables at least 5 ml, in particular at least 10 ml, of air (fresh air) to be sucked in from the outside (outside the sole construction or the shoe with the sole construction) during the expansion of the air-pumping device and at least 5 ml, in particular at least 10 ml, air is discharged into the interior of the shoe during the compressing of the air-pumping device. Only in this manner can significant ventilation of the interior of the shoe perceived by a user of the shoe be achieved. In contrast to prior art, the shoe according to the invention therefore enables efficient ventilation of the interior of the shoe.

The pumping volume of an air-pumping device is there for a respective predetermined sole construction determined as follows:

A PC-controlled machine PFI DSPM H 3035 (PFI Hydraulic Shock Absorption Testing Machine), to be acquired via the “Prüf-und Forschungsinstitut Pirmasens”, Marie-Curie-Straβe 19, 66953 Pirmasens, is used for the procedure. The contact pressure of the annular plunger with a diameter of 40 mm during the measurement of the pump volume according to the invention amounts to 1200 N. The plunger is positioned as follows (see FIGS. 6a to 6d).

The straight line g1 along the lower outsole part with the greatest length of all straight lines extending from the outermost edge of the heel region of the lower outsole part to the outermost edge of the toe region of the lower outsole part is first determined. At 27-hundredth of its length, measured from point P1 at the outermost edge of the heel region through which the determined line g1 runs, the line s1 perpendicular to the determined straight line g1 is determined (FIG. 6a). The center M1 of this perpendicular line s1 with respect to points P2 and P3 at which it cuts the lateral edges of the lower outsole member is then determined (FIG. 6b). The distance of 27 hundredths is motivated by the fact that the length of a foot of 270 mm (shoe size 42 EU) according to DIN EN 12743: 1999 corresponds to a heel length of 72.5 mm (cf. Jens Heidenfeider, “Entwickiung eines dynamischen Tests zur Prüfung der Rückfuβdämpfung von Laufschuhen mittels biomechanischer Messmethoden”, dissertation, Technical University of Chemnitz, Department of Humanities and Social Sciences, November 2010, page 97 et. seqq.).

Straight line g2 (first test axis) is then defined by points P1 and M1. Half the distance from P1 to M1 on straight line g2 defines the center M2 (positioning point) (FIG. 6c). The test plunger is positioned centrally on this center M2 (positioning point). This is done, for example, by using a second test axis g3 drawn in in addition to the first test axis g2 and extending perpendicular to the first test axis g2 and through its center M2 (positioning point). The radius of the test plunger can then be marked on test axes g2 and g3 (FIG. 8d). By slowly lowering the test plunger prior to the test, the outsole can be precisely positioned, where care is to be taken that the test plunger does not apply any pressure onto the material. If the position of the plunger corresponds to the markings drawn in, then the outsole part is fixed with brackets such that no movement of the outsole part is any longer possible.

An air intake tube, Festo (pneumatic 10 bar at RT) PUN−8×1.25 (inner diameter: 8 mm/outer diameter: 8 mm) is introduced through an opening in the outsole part and completely sealed at the outsole. An air-pumping device embedded in the heel region sucks in air through the air intake tube via an air intake valve. In the forefoot region, 8 cm from the outsole edge tip (towards the heel), at the ball center, an air outlet tube, Festo (pneumatic 10 bar at RT) PUN−8 ×1.25 (inner diameter: 8 mm/outer diameter: 8 mm) is attached through a further opening prepared in the outsole through which the air-pumping device discharges air via a discharge valve. The forefoot region of the sole construction is during the continuous load test sealed for examining the amount of air flow. The air throughflow is measured using a Burkert mass flow meter Type 8701 with a nominal flow rate range from 1 l/min, to be acquired via Christian Burkert GmbH & Co. KG, Christian-Bürkert-Strasse 13-17, 74853 Ingelfingen.

The air can in exemplary developments of the shoe according to the invention be discharged in particular along air guides, such as channels or mesh fabric, of the sole construction which are connected to the air-pumping device, and via openings of the air guides (channels) in the interior of the shoe with the sole construction. Mesh fabric is presently understood to be a textile or plastic insert with a net-like structure, for example, a so-called “MATATZEN” structure.

The air-pumping device can be formed substantially in the upper sole part. The feature that the air-pumping device is formed substantially in the upper sole part means that the air-pumping device is at least by more than 50% formed in the upper sole part (and less than 50% in the lower outsole part), even if it may be overall formed by a cooperation of the upper sole part and the lower outsole part. This feature can in particular indicate that the air-pumping device is formed in the upper sole part by at least more than 80%, in particular more than 90%, in particular more than 95%.

In the present application, the terms up, upper etc. refer to positions that are further distanced from a ground being contacted by the sole construction during use in a shoe than positions which are referred to by terms such as down, lower, etc.

In particular, the upper sole part can comprise channels connected to the air-pumping device being connected to the channels and formed substantially in the upper sole part. Air is then pumped by the air-pumping device along the channels. Openings can be provided along the channels in the upper sole part such that air flowing through the channels can pass through the openings to above the upper sole part, i.e. into the interior of a shoe. For example, the air can pass through a perforated insole into the interior of the shoe. Due to the pumping effect of the air-pumping device when the user applies pressure with his foot, air (at least 5 ml, in particular at least 10 ml) is then pumped through the channels and the openings provided therein for ventilation of the foot in the interior of the shoe in which the foot is located.

The lower surface of the lower outsole part therefore contacts the ground trodden on by a user of the shoe when using a shoe with the sole construction according to the invention. Said first upper sole part and the lower outsole part of the sole construction can be formed separately, but they can also form parts of an integrally formed sole body so that they form an integral block.

According to the invention, air is by the air-pumping device sucked in from outside the sole construction and outside the shoe, in particular from above the upper sole part, and distributed in the channels. The air-supplying device can there be led upwardly through a correspondingly provided opening of the upper sole part. The air-pumping device is adapted to perform an air-pumping function in response to a walking motion of a user of the shoe with the sole construction according to the invention such that it alternatingly sucks in air (at least 5 ml, in particular at least 10 ml) via at least one air guide (air-supplying device) from the outside of the sole construction or the shoe, respectively, when the foot of the user relieves a load, and distributes the air (at least 5 ml, in particular at least 10 ml) via channels in the shoe when the foot of the user loads (puts weight on) the air-pumping device. The air-pumping device can be provided from the heel region extending from the end of the foot to the Joint region, in the central joint region and/or the bail region (forefoot region), extending from the front end of the foot up to the joint region.

In the sole construction, at least the portion of the upper sole part, in which the air -pumping device is formed, can be formed more resilient than the lower outsole part. This portion is formed more resilient than the lower outsole part such that the air-pumping device is well compressible when being loaded (weight is put on) by the foot of a user. An efficient pumping effect can be achieved by this resilient configuration.

An efficient pumping effect is achieved due to the fact that the portion of the upper sole part in which the air-pumping device is formed is formed more resilient than the lower outsole part. When being loaded by the user's foot, this more resilient portion is pushed downwardly (towards the tread area) and can thereby operate the air-pumping device to the effect that it forces air from the air-pumping device and through the channels.

The pumping effect can be further enhanced in that the lower outsole part at the outer tread area (which in the course of a walking motion is in contact with the ground on which a user of a shoe with the sole construction according to the invention is walking) in the region of the air-pumping device comprises a raised portion which is adapted to be pressed in the direction of the upper sole part when being loaded by the user's foot. The raised portion can be formed thinner than the other regions of the lower outsole part. Not only efficient air circulation is ensured by the fact that the raised portion is compressed during loading, but walking comfort is also increased due to the shock-absorbing function of the air-pumping device.

For example, particularly efficient air ventilation of the shoe is in fact achieved by a combination of a) providing the air-pumping device, for example, substantially in the upper sole part, b) providing the portion of the upper sole part in which the air-pumping device is formed in such a way that it is more resilient than the lower outsole part, and c) providing the raised portion at the lower outsole part at the outer tread area in the region of the air-pumping device.

According to alternative developments, the air-pumping device is formed substantially by a cavity embedded into the upper sole part, or the air-pumping device is formed separately as an independent entity and is fully or partially embedded in a cavity of the upper sole part. The volume content of the cavity formed in the upper sole part is greater than that which is provided by the lower outsole part when forming the cavity acting as the air-pumping device. The cavity can in particular be formed in the upper sole part by more than 80%, in particular more than 90%, in particular more than 95%. According to one development, the air-pumping device is provided in the form of a cavity filled with resilient filling material permeable to air.

The use of only one cavity formed as an air-pumping device simplifies the manufacturing process, reduces production costs and can Increase reliability and durability of the air-pumping device. The use of a separate air-pumping device formed as a separate entity can improve efficiency of the air circulation.

For example, the air-pumping device as a separate entity can comprise a plastic pump reservoir. When it is loaded by the user's foot if is compressed whereby air is forced out of the plastic pump reservoir. When the plastic pump reservoir is during the walking motion again unloaded by the foot (weight is put off), then it expands and, due to the negative pressure previously generated, draws in air from the outside, which is then freshly available for subsequent ventilation of the interior of the shoe and thereby of the user's foot. Furthermore, the air-pumping device can be integrally formed in one piece with the plastic pump reservoir and the air guides. Forming the air-pumping device as a separate entity allows selecting material and in particular material strength independent of the sole construction or the sole body, respectively.

According to one example, tubes can also be provided from the air-pumping device along the channels in which air from the air-pumping device flows. In this case, the tubes must have openings corresponding to those which can be provided in the upper sole part. The tubes can be manufactured, for example, from silicone. Plastic tubes can generally be used having openings along their longitudinal axes and being In fluid communication with the air-pumping device.

As already mentioned, the upper sole part and the lower outsole part can be formed separately, or the upper sole part and the lower outsole part can be formed integrally, i.e. in one piece. In the first case, the upper sole part and the lower outsole part can be formed from different materials, or they can be formed from the same material. In the latter case, the sole construction can be formed around a separate independently formed air-pumping device such that the upper sole part is more resilient at least in the region of the air-pumping device (due to different thicknesses) than the lower outsole part. The sole construction is in this case produced from resilient material, for example, by plastic injection molding.

The shoe described in the above examples can in the air-supplying device comprise a first valve that is configured such that it allows air to pass only in the direction from the outside of the sole construction info the air-pumping device and/or a second valve is arranged in the air-discharging device which is configured such that if allows air to pass only in the direction from the air-pumping device to the channels.

Depending on the walking phase, outside air can be sucked in by the air-pumping device, and the previously sucked-in air can be discharged to the air guides, for example, the channels. When, in the corresponding walking phase, the user's foot is not pressing down on the air-pumping device, the latter sucks in air (at least 5 ml, in particular at least 10 ml) from outside the sole construction (in particular from above the upper sole part) via the respective air-supplying device, when the foot is pressing down on it, it pumps the air (at least 5 ml, in particular at least 10 ml) via the respective air-discharging device into the channels from where it is forced upwardly to the user's foot, for example, through openings that are provided in the upward direction in the channels for effective ventilation of the user's foot.

A shoe with a sole construction is thereby made available which provides improved air circulation in a simple design merely by the walking motion or the running motion without the need for any significant increase in size as compared to conventional sole constructions without air circulation. In this development, the valves provided allow for efficient regulation of the air flow via the air guides into the air-pumping device and out from there.

Instead of two valves regulating the air flow, a single directional valve can be provided, so as to allow air to pass only in the direction from outside the sole construction into the air-pumping device and air only in the direction from the air-pumping device to the air guides, for example, the channels. The directional valve can in particular be an alternating check valve that regulates the air flow depending upon the load application by the user's foot as described above.

The air-discharging device can be embodied in the form of a tube or a channel; it can also be provided only in the form of an outlet of the air-pumping device, in particular, of an air reservoir of the air-pumping device. In particular, the at least one air-supplying device and/or the at least one air-discharging device can comprise a flexible tube and/or a covered channel, or respectively be made of a flexible tube, for example, be made of plastic. If several air-supplying devices and/or air-discharging devices are provided, then they can each comprise a tube or be made thereof, or some and not all of the air guides can each comprise a tube or be made thereof. Furthermore, the air guides can be formed integrally with a plastic pump reservoir of the air-pumping device. According to these examples, the air guides can continuously and in an airtight manner in a simple and inexpensive way supply air to the air-pumping device and from there lead to ventilating at least a portion of the sole body, and ultimately of the interior of the shoe.

The air-supplying device can be led upwardly so that air can be sucked in from the outside from a position above the upper sole part. For example, the air-supplying device can terminate in an upper region of the shoe comprising the sole construction according to the invention, to have fresh air be sucked in there by the air-pumping device. When the air-supplying device terminates above the upper sole part, it is substantially avoided that dirt and/or moisture is sucked info the air-pumping device.

For example, particularly efficient air ventilation of the shoe is in fact achieved by a combination of a) providing the air-pumping device, for example, substantially in the upper sole part, b) providing the portion of the upper sole part in which the air-pumping device is formed in such a way that it is more resilient than the lower outsole part, and c) providing the raised portion at the lower outsole part at the outer tread area in the region of the air-pumping device and d) providing the first air guide such that it is led upwardly, in particular into a region of the upper of a shoe so that air can be sucked in from the outside from a position above the upper sole part.

The air-supplying device can be provided, for example, by use of a heel part attached by injection molding. The heel region attached by injection molding can comprise an outer and an inner heel part. Air is then sucked in from outside the shoe by the air-pumping device between the outer and the inner heel part attached by injection molding. Air can then via an outer end of the air-supplying device in the outer part of the heel part attached by injection molding be sucked in between the outer and the inner part of the heel part attached by injection molding and through a respectively provided opening of the inner part of the heel part attached by injection molding towards the air-pumping device.

Furthermore, the present invention provides a shoe with the sole construction according to one of the previous examples with an air-supplying and air-discharging device, where the shoe comprises an upper for a foot of a wearer of the shoe to slip into, where the upper comprises a sole construction proximal part and a sole construction distal part, and in which the air-supplying device extends partially along the upper, in particular, separated by an inner lining of the upper from the foot of the wearer of the shoe, extending from the proximal part to the distal part such that air (at least 5 ml, in particular at least 10 ml) from the distal part can be pumped into the air-pumping device.

Fresh air can thereby be sucked in by the air-pumping device over a relatively large area. In particular, water ingress into the shoe from the outside is prevented when the end of the first air guide, through which air is sucked in from the outside, is from the perspective of the outsole located higher than the lowest upper end of the shoe.

Further features and advantages of the invention will become apparent from the detailed but not restricting description of embodiments which are illustrated using the accompanying drawings, wherein;

FIG. 1 shows a sole construction with an air-pumping device as well as an air-supplying and air-discharging device of a shoe with an upper sole part and a lower outsole part according to one example of the invention;

FIG. 2 shows an upper sole part of a sole construction with an air-pumping device as well as an air-supplying and air-discharging device of a shoe according to one example of the invention;

FIG. 3 shows a cross section of a sole construction with an air-pumping device as well as an air-supplying and air-discharging device of a shoe according to different examples of the invention;

FIG. 4 shows an air-pumping device with tubes that comprise openings along their longitudinal axis; and

FIG. 5 shows a heel part attached by injection molding showing an air-supplying device for one example of a shoe according to the invention.

FIGS. 6a to 8d show how a positioning point for a plunger is determined in a method for determining a discharged air volume.

As shown in FIG. 1, a sole construction of a shoe according to one example of the present invention comprises an upper sole part 1, which can be referred to as a midsole, and a lower outsole part 2. In the example shown, upper sole part 1 is formed from more resilient (more compressible) material than lower outsole part 2. An air-pumping device is formed In the heel region, for example, in the form of a cavity (illustration at the left) or a plastic pump reservoir (view at the right). FIG. 2 illustrates upper sole part 1 from below (from the perspective of the lower outsole part 2). For example, upper sole part 1 can be made from relatively soft polyurethane whereas outsole part 2 can be made from abrasion-resistant rubber. When loading (put load on) the heel region, the air-pumping device is compressed whereby air is forced out of it info channels 4 shown in FIG. 2 and comprising openings 3. The air forced through openings 3 then serves ventilation of an interior of the shoe and thereby of the foot of a wearer of a shoe comprising the sole construction with upper sole part 1 and lower outsole part 2.

During the process when the air-pumping device sucks in (when the heel region is unloaded) at least 5 ml of air, in particular at least 10 ml of air are according to the invention sucked in from the outside of the shoe. During the process when the air-pumping device discharges (when the heel region is loaded) at least 5 ml of air, in particular at least 10 ml of air are according to the invention discharged by the air-pumping device.

In the example of upper sole part 1 shown in FIG. 2, a cavity 5 is provided in the heel region. This cavity can be the air-pumping device, which according to this example of the invention is provided in upper sole part 1. Alternatively a separate air-pumping device can be provided in cavity 5 in the form of a plastic pump reservoir 10, as it is shown at the right in FIG. 1 and at the top in FIG. 2. At least the heel region of sole part 1 is sufficiently compressible, so that it is compressed when being loaded by the user's foot, i.e. when he during walking shifts his weight onto the heel region, and thereby the volume of the cavity is reduced and the air from the cavity or a plastic pump reservoir arranged therein is forced into channels 4. The air passes, for example, through a passage (in which a valve can be provided) embedded in intermediate portion 6, and via outlet 7 into the system of channels 4 (cf. FIG. 2).

According to one example, the air from cavity 5 or the plastic pump reservoir disposed therein can be passed Into plastic tubes that are provided in channels 4 and comprise openings being provided in correspondence with openings 3 of upper sole part 1. A passage embedded in intermediate portion 8 and an air guide (air discharge) led through outlet 7 can connect the cavity or the plastic pump reservoir embedded therein, respectively, to channels 4. The flow of air can be regulated by use of one-way valves 11. A one-way valve can be arranged in the air guide to ensure that air can flow only from the air-pumping device to channels 4 and can not vice versa (see also the description of FIG. 3 at the bottom). A single directional valve for regulating the air sucked in and discharged by the air-pumping device can also be provided in the passage which is provided in the intermediate portion 8.

In the example shown in FIG. 2, a further air guide 12 (air supply) is led from the air-pumping device through passage 8 and the upper sole part 2 upwardly in a upper of a shoe comprising the sole construction with upper sole part 1, via which fresh air is sucked into the air-pumping device during the walking motion of a user when the heel region is unloaded. Passage 8 is connected by a passage within the intermediate portion 8 to cavity 5 or the plastic pump reservoir disposed therein, respectively. This additional air guide can also be provided with a one-way valve which ensures that air enters the air-pumping device when the heel region is unloaded, but no air can escape to the outside through this further air guide when the heel region is loaded. As shown in FIGS. 1 and 2, the air guides can be in communication with the air-pumping device via a connecting member 9. Valves 11 can be arranged in connecting member 9.

The further air guide 12 led upwardly terminates at the upper end in an air inlet element 13. This air inlet element 13 can be visible in particular at the upper of the shoe and can be formed as a logo, a pattern, a trade mark, or the like or comprise the like.

FIG. 3 by way of example shows two embodiments of the sole construction according to the invention in cross-section. In the top drawing of FIG. 3, an upper sole part 1 and a lower outsole part 2 form a sole construction. A cavity is in the heel region formed substantially by upper sole part 1. The cavity is substantially completely filled by an air-pumping device in the form of a plastic pump reservoir 10. When being loaded by the foot (the heel) of a user, the air-pumping device is compressed and air is forced via one-way valve 11 into channels 4 illustrated in FIG. 2, from where it enters via openings 3 into the interior of the shoe being provided with the sole construction.

To ensure this function of plastic pump reservoir 10, upper sole part 1 must be configured such that it yields to the pressure of the heel of a user's foot (inwardly). The material can be selected according to the gender of a user. An elevation provided in the heel region of lower outsole part 2 can also be pressed inwardly under the user's weight, so that the pumping effect is supported when the heel region is loaded. When the heel region is during the walking motion unloaded, a negative pressure is created in plastic pump reservoir 10, due to which air from the outside is sucked in through air guide 12 and air inlet element 13 into plastic pump reservoir 10. One-way valve 10 then prevents air from being sucked in from the interior of the shoe through the channels into plastic pump reservoir 10.

The lower drawing in FIG. 3 shows a construction similar to that of the upper drawing, where plastic pump reservoir 10 is there omitted. The air-pumping device is therefore only formed by cavity 5 which is compressed when being loaded by the user's foot, whereby air is forced through one-way valve 11 into channels 4 illustrated in FIG. 2, from where it via openings 3 reaches the interior of the shoe equipped with the sole construction.

It should in general be noted that both channels with tubes disposed therein as well as channels without tubes can be provided in the embodiments shown in FIG. 3. A directional valve with two one-way valves can also be provided for air guides connected to the air-pumping device.

While the two embodiments illustrated in FIG. 3 comprise an upper sole part 1 and a tower outsole part 2 connected thereto, upper sole part 1 and lower outsole part 2 can alternatively in both embodiments be formed integrally together. In such an integrally formed sole construction, the upper sole part corresponds to the separately formed upper sole part 1 and the lower sole part to lower sole part 2 as shown respectively in FIG. 3.

The air-pumping device shown in FIG. 4 is formed by a plastic pump reservoir 10 from which air can be pumped into tubes 14. Tubes 14 comprise openings 15 corresponding to openings 3 in channels 4 of upper sole part 1 (as shown in FIGS. 1 to 3). A directional valve 16 with two one-way valves is in the example shown in FIG. 4 used to regulate the air guide. This directional valve 16 can in dependency of the pressure operation of the air-pumping device by the user's foot regulate the air flow such that the air is pumped only from the outside into the air-pumping device and only out into tubes 14. The configuration shown in FIG. 4 can also be used in the embodiment shown in the upper drawing of FIG. 3.

The air-supplying device of the shoe of the present invention can be provided, for example, by a heel part 30 attached by injection molding, as illustrated in FIG. 5. FIG. 5 by way of example shows a sole construction with a cavity. The cavity can serve as an air-pumping device or receive a separately formed air-pumping device. Air is sucked in from the outside via an opening of heel part 30. Sucking in air is in this example regulated by a one-way valve 11. A further one-way valve regulates the discharge of air into channels 4 shown in FIG. 2. The heel part comprises an element permeable to air as the outermost end of the overall air-supplying device which comprises one-way valve 11. It can be formed in the shape of a pattern, a logo, etc. Air is by unloading (put load off) the heel region In the course of the walking motion of a user through this element permeable to air sucked into the cavity or a separate air-pumping device provided therein. A relatively large amount of air can thereby be sucked in with every step and provided for ventilation of the interior of the shoe.

Claims

1. Shoe with

a sole construction having an upper sole part, a lower outsole part and an air-pumping device,

where said air-pumping device is formed either by a cavity substantially embedded in said upper sole part or formed separately as an independent entity fully or partially embedded in a cavity of said upper sole part;

an air-supplying device which is connected to said air-pumping device,

an air-discharging device which is connected to said air-pumping device,

wherein said upper sole part, said lower outsole part, and said air-pumping device are configured in such a way that air can from outside said shoe and above said upper sole part be sucked into said air-pumping device by said air-supplying device due to the unloading of said sole construction during the walking motion of a user, air can be discharged into the interior of said shoe by said air-discharging device due to the loading of said sole construction during the walking motion of the user, and said air-pumping device can there be compressed by a pumping volume corresponding to the amount of air discharged, where said pumping volume is at least 5 ml, in particular at least 10 ml.

2. Shoe according to claim 1 in which air guides, in particular channels or mesh fabric, are formed in said sole construction and are connected to said air-pumping device.

3. Shoe according to claim 2, where said air guides are formed in said upper sole part.

4. Shoe according to claim 2 in which said air guides are channels and openings are provided along said channels such that air flowing through said channels can be discharged through said openings into the interior of said shoe.

5. Shoe according to claim 1 in which openings are provided in said upper sole part through which air can be discharged info the interior of said shoe.

6. Shoe according to claim 2 comprising plastic tubes which are arranged in said air guides, where said plastic tubes comprise openings along their longitudinal axes.

7. Shoe according to claim 1, wherein a valve is arranged in said air-supplying device such that air can be sucked into said air-pumping device only in the direction from the outside of said shoe and above said upper sole part; and/or

a valve is arranged in said air-discharging device which is configured such that air can be discharged from said air-pumping device into the interior of said shoe.

8. Shoe according to claim 1, in which a directional valve is provided such that air can in a first direction of opening of said directional valve be sucked into said air-pumping device from the outside of said shoe and above said upper sole part and air can in a second direction of opening of said directional valve be discharged from said air-pumping device into the interior of said shoe.

9. Shoe according to claim 1 in which said air-pumping device is formed in a portion of said upper sole part and at least this portion is configured more resilient than said lower outsole part.

10. Shoe according to claim 1 in which said lower outsole part at an outer tread area in the region of said air-pumping device comprises a raised portion which is adapted to be pressed in the direction of said upper sole part when being loaded by the user's foot.

11. Shoe according to claim 1 in which said upper sole part and said lower outsole part are formed separately.

12. Shoe according to claim 1 in which said upper sole part and said tower outsole part are formed integrally together, in particular as an injection-molded part.

13. Shoe according to claim 1 in which said air-pumping device is formed by a cavity which is substantially embedded in said upper sole part and which is filled with elastic filling material permeable to air.

14. Shoe according to claim 1 in which said air-pumping device is provided in the heel region or in the joint region of said shoe.

15. Shoe according to claim 1 in which said air supply is provided by use of a heel part attached by injection molding.

16. Shoe according to claim 1 further with an upper tor slipping in a foot of a user of said shoe, where said upper comprises a sole construction proximal part and a sole construction distal part, and in which said air-supplying device extends from said proximal part to said distal part partially along said upper, in particular, separated by an inner lining of said upper from said foot of the user of said shoe, such that air from said distal part can be pumped into said air-pumping device.