GB2262024A

GB2262024A - Ventilated footwear

Info

Publication number: GB2262024A
Application number: GB9224807A
Authority: GB
Inventors: David Alan Pearse
Original assignee: Individual
Current assignee: Individual
Priority date: 1991-12-03
Filing date: 1992-11-26
Publication date: 1993-06-09
Also published as: GB9224807D0

Abstract

A shoe (1) has a pump (5) in its heel with an inlet tube (6) including a one-way valve (7) and an outlet tube (8) also including a one-way valve (9), the outlet tube being connected to an air distribution pad (10) in the sole of the shoe. Pressure of the pump when the heel contacts the ground the pump and forces it into and through the pad to provide air circulation within the shoe. The pump may be deactivated by means of a valve or switch 11. <IMAGE>

Description

Title: Improvements in and relating to footwear DESCRIPTION This invention concerns improvements In and relating to footwear, especially shoes.

Foot odour is very common and particularly as a result of wearing so-cailed training shoes Such odour may be due to lack of air circulation In closely fitting shoes. In some circumstances it may be beneficial to provide means or losing heat from the foot.

An object of this invention is to provide a system for providing air circulation within a shoe or the like According to this in-vention there is provided a system for providing air circulation within a shoe or the like comprising pump means for drawing air into the shoe and for transferring the air drawn into means for distributiny the air to the inside of the shoe.

The pump means is preferably located in a part of the shoe that will be pressurised as a step is taken.

Preferably the pump means will be situated in the heel of the shoe so that as the heel is pressed onto the ground the pump means forces air therein to the air distribution means and when the heel is raised from the ground the pump sucks in air to replace the air previously forced into the air distribution means. The pump means preferably has an inlet which includes a oneway valve allowing air into the pump and an outlet including a one-way valve allowing air into the distribution means. The inlet for the pump conveniently comprises one or more tubes or pipes ideally situated in the instep of the shoe, especially extending upto to a top edge of the shoe where apertures may be provided through to the tube or tubes. The pump means may have means for deactivating same so that the air circulation systems does not function, if desired.

The air distribution means preferably comprises a pad having a plurality of apertures for distributing air therefrom The air distribution means is conveniently located in the sole of the shoe.

The system of-the invention, as well as providing air circulation within a shoe, may also provide additional comfort for the shoe wearer.

This invention will now be further described, by way of example only, with reference to the accompanying drawings, in which: Figure 1 is a schematic diagram of a system according to the invention; Figure 2 is a plan view of a sole of a shoe incorporating a system according to the invention; Figure 3 is a side view of the shoe of Figure 2; and Figure 4 is a section through the shoe of Figure 2 and 3.

Referring to Figure 1 of the accompanying drawings, a system for automatically pumping air to a sole of a shoe comprises an air pump 5 which is operated by heel pressure thereon. The pump 5 draws air into it via an air intake tube 6 and though a one-way valve 7 Air is then ejected from the pump 5 through an air pipe 8, past a one-way valve 9 and into a honeycomb pad 10 through which the air is released into the shoe.

The pump 5 operates by heel compression when the heel is on the ground, which forces the air in the pump into the pad 10. When the heel is raised from the ground, air is drawn into the pump, ready for the next time the heel of the shoe is in contact with the ground.

The pump 5 is provided with a switch o valve 11, whereby the pump can be deactivated.

Turning to Figures 2 to 4, the system of Figure 1 is shown installed in a shoe 1 having a sole 2. The pump 5 is fitted into the heel of the shoe and the pad 10 into the sole. The tube or tubes 6 are built into the instep of the shoe with apertures 12 there for at the top edge of the instep.

Claims

1. A system for providing air circulation within a shoe or the like comprising pump means for drawing air into the shoe and transferring the air drawn in to means for distributing the air to the inside of the shoe.

2. A system as claimed in claim 1, wherein the pump means is operated by pressure applied thereto when a step is taken.

3. A system as claimed in claim 1 or 2, wherein the pump means is connected to a tube that is open to the air via a one way valve.

4. A system as claimed in claim 3, wherein the tube is situated on the instep side of the shoe.

5. A system as claimed in any one of claims 1 to 4, wherein the pump means is connected to the air distribution means via a one-way valve.

6. A system as claimed in any one of claims 1 to 5, wherein the air distribution means comprises a pad having a plurality of apertures for distributing air therefrom.

7. A system as claimed in any one of claims 1 to 6, wherein the pump means is situated in the heel of the shoe.

8. A system as claimed in any one of claims 1 to 7, wherein the pump means has means for deactivating same.

9. A system as claimed in any one of claims 1 to 8, wherein the air distribution means is in the sole of the shoe.

10. A system for providing air circulation within a shoe substantially as hereinbef ore described with reference to and as illustrated in any of the accompanying drawings.

11. A shoe having an air circulation system as claimed in any one of claims 1 to 10.