SHOE HAVING AIR-PERMEABLE TONGUE

Abstract

A shoe (2) having an air-permeable tongue, according to the present invention, comprises: a tongue outer cover (131) having a plurality of vent holes (135); a tongue inner cover (133) provided under the tongue outer cover (131); and a spacer structure (132) having a main body part (132b) fitted between the tongue outer cover (131) and the tongue inner cover (133), and a wing part (132a) extending from the main body part (132b) toward the front of the shoe so as to be positioned under a vamp (140), which is an upper forming the front portion of the shoe. The spacer structure (132) comprises: an air-permeable part (132-1) upwardly formed from the wing part (132a); an air-permeable part (132-3) downwardly formed from the main body part (132b); and a space passage (132-2) formed in the wing part (132a) and the main body part (132b) so as to enable air to pass between the wing part (132a) and the main body part (132b). According to the present invention, heat or smell, which is generated at the front portion of the shoe, naturally passes through the space passage of the spacer structure and is discharged to the outside through the vent holes of the tongue.

Description

TECHNICAL FIELD

The present invention relates to a shoe having an air-permeable tongue and more specifically, to a shoe having an air-permeable tongue such that the front portion of a shoe may be air-permeable through the tongue.

DESCRIPTION OF THE RELATED ART

The feet has 50,000 sweat glands which account for 20% of the entire sweat glands in the human body and sweat more than any other parts of the body. Even when people do not engage in physical activity, the sweat glands of the feet produce a large amount of sweat. When people engage in intense physical activity, the amount of sweat is increased by 12 times.

Various methods for ensuring permeability have been suggested so as to discharge heat and a smell generated in shoes to the outside.

South Korean Utility Model Registration No. 0192510 (disclosed on Aug. 16, 2000, hereinafter referred to as “Document 1”) titled “Air exhaust footwear” has a structure in which an insole includes a plurality of vent holes, and a lateral portion of an outsole includes a plurality of air holes in the state where a space is ensured between the insole and the outsole. By doing so, when a user wears the footwear and walks, the space between the insole and outsole is compressed, air filling the space between the insole and outsole is compressed and then the air is discharged to the outside through the air holes in the process of applying the weight of the user to the upper portion of the insole.

However, according to the invention in Document 1, ventilation is performed through the bottom of the footwear. Thus, water may permeate into the footwear when stagnating on the ground. This is not advantageous for rain boots.

South Korean Patent Laid-Open Publication No. 2000-35118 (published on Oct. 5, 2000, hereinafter referred to as “Document 2”) titled “Installed air hose insole for shoes” has a structure in which air is introduced into the lateral portion of an insole of the shoes through an air hose where a check valve is installed and then is discharged out of an outsole of the shoes.

According to the invention in Document 2, ventilation is performed through the bottom of the footwear.

However, water permeates into the shoes when stagnating on the ground. Thus, a check valve has to be used to prevent water on the ground from smearing into the shoes.

South Korean Patent No. 470751 (disclosed on Mar. 8, 2005, hereinafter referred to as “Document 3”) titled “SHOES HAVING A GOOD AIR CIRCULATION” has a structure which enables air to circulate. However, water smears through the bottom of the shoes.

As described above, various methods for ensuring permeability have been suggested. According to such methods, the outsoles of shoes are configured to be air-permeable. Thus, such shoes are not appropriate for places where water stagnates on the ground.

This applicant has applied the theory of an automatic ventilation of a termite nest to the tongue of shoes instead of the outsole and embodied a shoe having an air-permeable tongue according to the present invention.

Termite nests are usually 1 to 2 m high. However, the height of a large one is 9 m corresponding to the height of a 3-to-four story apartment building. As illustrated in FIG. 1, the temperature inside a termite nest is kept at about 29 to 30° C. all the time thanks to thermal convection according to the structure of a termite nest and the holes of a termite nest as although the temperature in African prairie known as a termite habitat rises to 38 or more ° C. during the day, and the diurnal temperature variation in African prairie is big.

This applicant has embodied the present invention by applying the theory of ondol, the Korean traditional floor heating system in addition to a termite nest. That is, when people are wearing shoes, the feet themselves serve as agungi, a part of the traditional floor heating system. Thus, heat or a smell in shoes is naturally transferred from a lower place to an upper place and discharged to the outside without any external reactions.

PRIOR ART

Document 1. South Korean Utility Model Registration No. 0192510 (disclosed on Aug. 16, 2000)

Document 2. South Korean Patent Laid-Open Publication No. 2000-35118 (published on Oct. 5, 2001)

Document 3. South Korean Patent No. 470751 (disclosed on Mar. 8, 2005)

DETAILED DESCRIPTION OF THE INVENTION

Technical Problems

The present invention is directed to providing a shoe having an air-permeable tongue which can discharge heat or smell, generated at the front portion of a shoe, to the outside through a tongue unlike traditional shoes where air ventilation is performed through the sole thereof.

Technical Solutions

As a means to solve the above-described problems, a shoe having an air-permeable tongue includes a tongue outer cover having a plurality of vent holes; a tongue inner cover provided under the tongue outer cover; and a spacer structure provided with a main body part fitted between the tongue outer cover and the tongue inner cover, and a wing part extending from the main body part toward a front of the shoe so as to be positioned under a vamp that is an upper constituting the front portion of a shoe.

The spacer structure includes an air-permeable part formed on the bottom surface of the wing part; an air-permeable part formed on the top surface of the main body part so as to be linked with the vent holes of the tongue outer cover; and a space passage formed in the wing part and the main body part so as to enable air to pass between the wing part and the main body part.

Part of edges of the tongue outer cover and the tongue inner cover is coupled so as to form a tongue pocket that has an entrance towards the front portion of the shoe, the main body part of the spacer structure is inserted into the tongue pocket through the entrance of the tongue pocket, and an end of the tongue outer cover positioned at the entrance of the tongue pocket is preferably coupled to the vamp.

The length of the tongue inner cover is larger than that of the tongue outer cover so as to extend to the vamp. In this case, the tongue inner cover is divided into a wing part that will be positioned under the vamp and a main body part that will be positioned under the tongue outer cover, and the wing part of the tongue inner cover preferably includes a plurality of vent holes. Further, the wing part of the spacer structure is preferably coupled to the wing part of the tongue inner cover. In this case, an edge of the wing part of the tongue inner cover and the vamp are preferably coupled to a sole.

The spacer structure may consist of double-layered air mesh.

The double-layered air mesh preferably includes an upper net which has a mesh structure; a lower net which is spaced apart from the upper net and has a mesh structure; and a vent member installed between the upper net and the lower net so as to provide a space passage. In this case, the vent member may consist of tangled elastic fibers.

Air-permeable parts and protrusions may be formed on a flat body of the spacer structure. In this case, if the protrusions are installed upwards, the air-permeable parts are preferably formed at the wing part of the spacer structure. If protrusions are installed downwards, air-permeable parts are preferably formed at the main body part of the spacer structure.

Advantageous Effects

According to the present invention, heat or a smell, generated at the front portion of the shoe, naturally passes through the space passage of the spacer structure and is discharged to the outside through the vent holes of the tongue. Thus, even though the vamp consists of non-permeable materials, air permeability is ensured. In this case, water may not come through the vamp since only the vent holes of the tongue outer cover are exposed to the outside, thereby ensuring water resistance.

If the vamp consists of an air-permeable material such as a net, water resistance may not be significantly improved. However, in this case, the air permeability of the present invention may be higher than that of traditional ones whose vamp simply consists of a mesh material, since the vamp and the tongue as well serve as an air discharging passage.

BRIEF DESCRIPTION OF THE DRAWINGS

FIG. 1 is a view illustrating an automatic ventilation system of a termite nest.

FIG. 2 is a view illustrating an appearance of a shoe 2 having an air-permeable tongue according to the present invention.

FIG. 3 is a view illustrating a tongue 130 according to the first embodiment of the present invention.

FIGS. 4 to 8 are views illustrating a process of manufacturing a tongue 130 according to the first embodiment of the present invention.

FIG. 9 is a view illustrating a tongue 130 according to the second embodiment of the present invention.

FIGS. 10 to 15 are views illustrating a process of manufacturing a tongue 130 according to the second embodiment of the present invention.

FIGS. 16 to 21 are views illustrating a spacer structure 132.

DESCRIPTION OF THE SYMBOLS

• • 2: Shoe having an air-permeable tongue
  • 110: Upper 120: Sole
  • 130: Tongue 130a: Tongue pocket
  • 131: Tongue outer cover 132: Spacer structure
  • 132-1, 132-3: Air-permeable part 132-2: Space passage
  • 132-4: Protrusion 132-5: Body
  • 132-6: Upper net 132-8: Lower net
  • 132-7: Vent member 132a, 133a: Wing part
  • 132b, 133b: Main body part 133: Tongue inner cover
  • 135, 136: Vent holes
  • 137a: Portion where a tongue outer cover 131 and a tongue inner cover 133 are coupled
  • 137b: Portion where a tongue outer cover 131 and a vamp 140 are coupled
  • 137c: Portion where a spacer structure 132 and a tongue inner cover 133 are coupled
  • 140: Vamp 150: Tightening means
  • A: Entrance of pocket

MODE FOR CARRYING OUT THE INVENTION

Preferred embodiments of the present invention will be described in detail with reference to the attached drawings. The embodiments that will be described hereunder is provided only for a better understanding of the present invention and the present invention may be modified in various forms without departing from the technical spirit of the present invention by one of ordinary skill in the art to which the present invention pertains. Thus, the scope of the right to the present invention should not be construed as being limited to the embodiments.

FIG. 2 is a view illustrating an appearance of a shoe 2 having an air-permeable tongue according to the present invention. According to a shoe 2 having an air-permeable tongue of the present invention, an upper 110 is installed on a sole 120 so as to form an entire appearance, as illustrated in FIG. 2. A tongue 130 is installed at a portion where a tightening means 150 such as a shoestring or Velcro is installed, so as to cover the bridge of a foot, and a plurality of vent holes 135 are installed at the tongue 130. According to the present invention, the front of the upper 110 of a shoe is also referred to as a vamp 140 as in other cases.

First Embodiment

FIG. 3 is a view illustrating a tongue 130 according to the first embodiment of the present invention. The tongue 130, as illustrated in FIG. 3, has a structure in which a spacer structure 132 is fitted between a tongue outer cover 131 and a tongue inner cover 133. The length of the tongue outer cover 131 is similar to that of the tongue inner cover 133 while the spacer structure 132 is longer than the tongue outer cover 131 and extends to the vamp 140 that is the front portion of the shoe.

A spacer structure 132 according to the present invention will be described below with reference to FIGS. 15 to 20, and FIG. 3 illustrates double-layered air mesh as an example of the spacer structure.

The double-layered air mesh has a structure in which a vent member 132-7 is installed between an upper net 132-6 and a lower net 132-8. The vent member 132-7 may consist of a porous material such as a sponge or tangled elastic fibers. In the case of an elastic fiber, the thickness and strength of the elastic fiber is determined depending on the gap and the degree of the buffering between the upper net 132-6 and the lower net 132-8. The gap between the tangled elastic fibers is configured as a space passage (132-2 in FIG. 16).

Heat or smell, which is generated at the front portion of the shoe, naturally passes through the space passage 132-2 of the spacer structure 132, is diffused towards the vent holes 135 of the tongue outer cover 13, and is discharged to the outside.

A manufacturing process is described as follows with reference to FIGS. 4 to 8.

First, a tongue outer cover 131, a spacer structure 132, and a tongue inner cover 133 are prepared, as illustrated in FIG. 4. The length of the spacer structure 132 is larger than that of the tongue outer cover 131 and the tongue inner cover 133.

The spacer structure 132 is divided into a wing part 132a and a main body part 132b. Herein, the main body part 132b is fitted between the tongue outer cover 131 and the tongue inner cover 133, and contributes to the formation of a tongue 130. The wing part 132a extends from the main body part 132b towards the front of the shoe so as to be positioned under a vamp 140 that is an upper constituting the front portion of the shoe.

Preferably, the width of the wing part 132a is larger than that of the main body part 132b at a boundary between the wing part 132a and the main body part 132b and becomes narrower towards the front thereof, thereby having a streamlined shape considering a shoe structure.

The tongue outer cover 131 includes a plurality of vent holes 135. If the tongue outer cover 131 consists of a non-water or non-air permeable material such as leather, artificial leather, waterproof fabric, a synthetic resin etc., holes are made at the tongue outer cover 131 such that vent holes 135 are formed. If the tongue outer cover 131 itself is configured to be air-permeable like a mesh, the tongue outer cover 131 has vent holes 135 without the need to make holes.

Next, as illustrated in FIG. 5, part of edges of the tongue outer cover 131 and the tongue inner cover 133 is coupled so as to form a tongue pocket 130a that has an entrance A towards the front of the shoe. Reference numeral 137a indicates a portion where the tongue outer cover 131 and the tongue inner cover 133 are coupled. Such a portion 137a has the approximate shape of “⊏”. The tongue outer cover 131 and the tongue inner cover 133 are coupled via various methods such as sewing, adhering with an adhesive, welding etc.

Next, an end of the tongue outer cover 131 positioned at the entrance of the tongue pocket 131a is coupled to the vamp 140 of the upper 110 via sewing, adhering, welding etc. as illustrated in FIG. 6. Reference numeral 137b indicates a portion where the tongue outer cover 131 and the vamp 140 are coupled. In this case, since the tongue inner cover 133 is not coupled to the vamp 140, the entrance A of the tongue pocket 130a stays open.

Next, the main body part 132b of the spacer structure 132 is inserted into the tongue pocket 130a through the entrance A of the tongue pocket 130a, as illustrated in FIG. 7.

Finally, the spacer structure 132 is wound under a sole 120 and coupled to the sole 120 while the spacer structure 132 and the vamp 140 are pulled laterally, as illustrated in FIG. 8. Unless the spacer structure 132 and the vamp 140 are coupled to the sole 120, the spacer structure 132 is not fixed in place in the shoe. Thus, the spacer structure 132 and the vamp 140 preferably are coupled to the sole 120. Otherwise, a job of coupling the spacer structure 132 to the vamp 140 needs to be performed.

Second Embodiment

FIG. 9 is a view illustrating a tongue 130 according to the second embodiment of the present invention. Unlike the first embodiment, a tongue inner cover 133 according to the second embodiment extends to a vamp 140 that is the front portion of the shoe.

A manufacturing process is described as follows with reference to FIGS. 10 to 15.

First, a tongue outer cover 131, a spacer structure 132, and a tongue inner cover 133 are prepared, as illustrated in FIG. 10. Unlike the first embodiment, the length of the tongue inner cover 133 according to the second embodiment is larger than that of the tongue outer cover 131 so as to extend to a vamp 140 that is the front portion of the shoe. Thus, the tongue inner cover 133 is divided into a wing part 133a that will be positioned under the vamp 140 and a main body part 133b that will be positioned under the tongue outer cover 131. The wing part 133a of the tongue inner cover 133 includes a plurality of vent holes 136.

Preferably, the width of the wing part 133a is larger than that of the main body part 133b at a boundary between the wing part 133a and the main body part 133b and becomes narrower towards the front thereof, thereby having a streamlined shape considering a shoe structure.

At the time of manufacturing a shoe, the tongue inner cover 133 are gently curved and positioned under the vamp 140. Thus, vent holes are preferably distributed in a streamlined shape such that the vent holes 136 are distributed at the portion where there are toes and at the front portion of the bridge of a foot, which is adjacent to the toes.

If the tongue inner cover 133 consists of a non-air permeable material such as leather, artificial leather, waterproof fabric, a synthetic resin etc., holes are made at the tongue inner cover such that vent holes 136 are formed. If the tongue inner cover 133 itself consists of an air-permeable material such as a net or a non-woven fabric, the tongue inner cover 133 has vent holes 136 without the need to make holes.

Preferably, the spacer structure 132 has a shape and size so as not to escape from the tongue inner cover 133 while the spacer structure 132 and the vent holes 136 of the tongue inner cover 133 cover a main body part 133b.

Next, as illustrated in FIG. 11, part of edges of the tongue outer cover 131 and the tongue inner cover 133 is coupled so as to form a tongue pocket 130a that has an entrance A towards the front portion of the shoe. Reference numeral 137a indicates a portion where the tongue outer cover 131 and the tongue inner cover 133 are coupled. Such a portion 137a has the approximate shape of “⊏”. The tongue outer cover 131 and the tongue inner cover 133 are coupled via various methods such as sewing, adhering with an adhesive, welding etc.

Next, an end of the tongue outer cover 131 positioned at the entrance A of the tongue pocket 130a is coupled to the vamp 140 of the upper 110 via sewing, adhering, welding etc. as illustrated in FIG. 12. Reference numeral 137b indicates a portion where the tongue outer cover 131 and the vamp 140 are coupled. In this case, since the tongue inner cover 133 is not coupled to the vamp 140, the entrance A of the tongue pocket 130a stays open.

Next, the main body part 132b of the spacer structure 132 is inserted into the tongue pocket 130a through the entrance A of the tongue pocket 130a, as illustrated in FIG. 13. In this case, a wing part 132a of the spacer structure 132 is placed on an area where the vent holes 136 of the tongue inner cover 133 are distributed.

Next, the vamp 140, as illustrated in FIG. 14, is partially lifted, and then the wing part 132a of the spacer structure 132 is coupled to the wing part 133a of the tongue inner cover 133 through a method such as sewing, adhering, welding etc. Reference numeral 137c indicates a portion where the spacer structure 132 and the tongue inner cover 133 are coupled.

Finally, the wing part 133a of the tongue inner cover 133 is wound under a sole 120 and coupled to the sole 120 while an edge of the wing part 133a of the tongue inner cover 133, and the vamp 140 are pulled, as illustrated in FIG. 15. The spacer structure 132 is already coupled to the tongue inner cover 133. Thus, the spacer structure 132 does not need to be coupled to the sole 120.

[Spacer Structure 132]

FIGS. 16 to 21 are views illustrating a spacer structure 132.

A spacer structure 132 of the present invention, as illustrated in FIG. 16, includes an air-permeable part 132-1 formed at a bottom surface of the wing part 132a, an air-permeable part 132-3 formed at a top surface of the main body part 132b, and a space passage 132-2 formed in the wing part 132a and the main body part 132b so as to enable air to pass between the wing part 132a and the main body part 132b.

In the case of the first experiment, heat and a smell, as illustrated in FIG. 17, passes through the air-permeable part 132-1, the space passage 132-2, the air-permeable part 132-3 and the vent holes 135, and are discharged to the outside. In the case of the second experiment, heat or a smell, as illustrated in FIG. 18, passes through the vent holes 136, the air-permeable part 132-1, the space passage 132-2, the air-permeable part 132-3 and the vent holes 135, and are discharged to the outside.

FIG. 19 is a view illustrating one example of a spacer structure 132 in which protrusions 132-4 are installed upwards on the entire flat body 132-5 of the spacer structure 132, and air-permeable parts 132-1 are formed at a wing part 132a. In this case, even though a main body part 132b does not includes an air-permeable part 132-3, spaces between the protrusions 132-4 serve as an air-permeable part 132-3 and a space passage 132-2.

FIG. 20 is a view illustrating another example of a spacer structure 132 in which protrusions 132-4 are installed downwards on the entire flat body 132-5 of the spacer structure 132, and an air-permeable part 132-3 is formed at a main body part 132b. In this case, even though a wing part 132a does not includes an air-permeable part 132-1, spaces between the protrusions 132-4 serve as an air-permeable part 132-1 and a space passage 132-2.

Certainly, if an air-permeable part 132-1 is formed at a wing part 132a and a main body part 132b as well, a spacer structure 132 may be installed regardless of the direction of protrusions 132-4.

FIG. 21 is a view illustrating double-layered air mesh as yet another example of a spacer structure 132. This has been described above and therefore will not be described.

According to the present invention, heat or a smell, generated at the front portion of the shoe, naturally passes through the space passage 132-2 of the spacer structure 132 and is discharged to the outside through the vent holes 135 of the tongue 130. Thus, even though the vamp 140 consists of non-permeable materials, air permeability is ensured. In this case, water may not come through the vamp 140 since only the vent holes 135 of the tongue outer cover 131 are exposed to the outside, thereby ensuring water resistance.

If the area where there is the vamp 140 consists of an air-permeable material such as a net, water resistance may not be significantly improved. However, in this case, the air permeability of the present invention may be higher than that of traditional ones whose vamp 140 simply consists of a mesh material, since the vamp 140 and the tongue 130 as well serve as an air discharging passage through the spacer structure 132.

Claims

1. A shoe having an air-permeable tongue comprising:

a tongue outer cover having a plurality of vent holes;

a tongue inner cover provided under the tongue outer cover; and

a spacer structure provided with a main body part fitted between the tongue outer cover and the tongue inner cover, and a wing part extending from the main body part toward a front portion of the shoe so as to be positioned under a vamp that is an upper constituting a front portion of a shoe,

the spacer structure comprising:

an air-permeable part formed on the bottom surface of the wing part;

an air-permeable part formed on a top surface of the main body part so as to be linked with the vent holes of the tongue outer cover; and

a space passage formed in the wing part and the main body part so as to enable air to pass between the wing part and the main body part,

wherein part of edges of the tongue outer cover and the tongue inner cover is coupled so as to form a tongue pocket that has an entrance towards the front portion of the shoe, the main body part of the spacer structure is inserted into the tongue pocket through the entrance of the tongue pocket, and an end of the tongue outer cover positioned at the entrance of the tongue pocket is coupled to the vamp.

2. The shoe having an air-permeable tongue according to claim 1,

wherein a length of the tongue inner cover is larger than that of the tongue outer cover so as to extend to the vamp, the tongue inner cover is divided into a wing part that will be positioned under the vamp and a main body part that will be positioned under the tongue outer cover, and the wing part of the tongue inner cover preferably comprises a plurality of vent holes.

3. The shoe having an air-permeable tongue according to claim 2,

wherein the wing part of the spacer structure is coupled to the wing part of the tongue inner cover.

4. The shoe having an air-permeable tongue according to claim 3,

wherein an edge of the wing part of the tongue inner cover and the vamp are coupled to a sole.

5. The shoe having an air-permeable tongue according to claim 1,

wherein the spacer structure consists of double-layered air mesh,

the double-layered air mesh comprising:

an upper net which has a mesh structure;

a lower net which is spaced apart from the upper net and has a mesh structure; and

a vent member installed between the upper net and the lower net so as to provide the space passage.

6. The shoe having an air-permeable tongue according to claim 5, wherein the vent member is configured as a tangled elastic fiber.

7. The shoe having an air-permeable tongue according to claim 1, wherein protrusions are formed on a flat body of the spacer structure, the protrusions are installed upwards on the body, an air-permeable part formed at the wing part is formed at the body of the spacer structure, and spaces opened upwards between the protrusions serve as an air-permeable part formed at the main body part.

8. The shoe having an air-permeable tongue according to claim 1, wherein protrusions are formed on a flat body of the spacer structure, the protrusions are installed downwards on the body, an air-permeable part formed at the main body part is formed at the body of the spacer structure, and spaces opened downwards between the protrusions serve as an air-permeable part formed at the wing part.