GB2360927A - Ventilated footwear - Google Patents

Abstract

An article of ventilated footwear comprises at least one chamber 4 connected by tubular elements 3, 6 to both the atmosphere and to air ducts 7 within the footwear. Typically, the tubular elements are provided with non-return valves 2, 5. The footwear may include an air intake vent 1 through with air enters the tubular element connecting the chamber(s) to the atmosphere, wherein the vent comprises a shut-off valve. The preferred mode of operation is such that when a load compresses the chamber(s), air is expelled into the interior of the footwear and when the load is released from the chamber(s), air is drawn into the chamber(s) from the atmosphere.

Description

2360927 1 FOOTWEAR VENTILATION SYSTEM.

This invention relates to a ventilation system for footwear. (All types of shoes.) Particularly for shoes commonly known as training shoes.

Training shoes are well known footwear apparel.

Footwear has the inherent problem of little or no ventilation due to its configuration and resultant confinement of the foot inside a receptacle known as a shoe.

According to the present invention there is provided ventilated footwear.

Preferably the footwear comprises at least one resiliently compressible chamber or more in fluid flow communication with the exterior and interior of the footwear, such as when the compressive load is removed from the sole of the shoe, air is drawn into the at least one chamber.

Advantageously the at least one or more chamber is also in fluid flow communication with the interior of the footwear, such that as when the compressive load is increased on the sole of the footwear, air is pumped from the chamber(s) into the interior of the footwear. The resulting ingress of fresh external air may expel moist air from the shoe through various vent holes in the upper fabric of the shoe.

Preferably and advantageously one or more unidirectional valves are provided for directing the flow of air towards the interior of the footwear, therefore duct(s) leading to the chamber(s) from the exterior andlor interior duct(s) leading from the chamber(s) to the footwear interior. This provides the desired pumping action.

Preferably there are multiple inlets into the footwear, either from multiple chamber(s) or from a branched duct.

Plastic tubing may be used to provide internal or external ducts. The ducts may be formed within the shoe in the process of moulding to and from the compressible chamber(s). Valving may be provided by means of flexible flap valves, e.g. using flaps formed integrally with chamber or duct components for strength and simplicity.

Preferably a shut off valve is incorporated at the exterior of the communicating channels to which are connected to the one or more chamber(s).

2 A specific embodiment of the invention will now be described by way of example with reference to the accompanying drawings in which:- FIGURE 1 Shows in perspective, the shoe with the internal view of the chamber situated in the heel of the shoe. The chamber can be situated equally effectively in the front of the sole of the shoe, or both heel and front of shoe providing at least one or more possibly segmented chamber(s).

These chamber(s) can be connected with as many ducts as is wished to each other, and the internal and external areas of the shoe.

FIGURE 2 Shows the direction of airflow when the compressive load is applied to the one or more chainber(s).

FIGURE 3 Shows the direction of the airflow when the compressive load is released from the one or more chamber(s).

FIGURE 4 Shows the shut off valve which can be applied to the external area of the shoe. This valve can be manually opened or closed to regulate the airflow.

FIGURE 5 Shows one of the many possible variations for the arrangement of compressible chambers and ventilation ducts.

3 Referring to the drawing the footwear ventilation system comprises of chamber(s) 4.

The chamber(s) can be formed within the sole of the shoe so as to be visible or formed within the sole of the shoe as to be invisible. They can also take any shape or form.

The chamber(s) 4 are connected by tubular elements 3 and 6 which contain non return valves, 2 and 5.

When a compressive load is released from the chamber(s) 4 as in the action of walking, external air enters the chamber(s) 4 through vent 1.

The air is drawn through a tubular element 3, which contains a non return valve 2, into the pump chamber(s) 4.

When a compressive load is applied to the chamber(s) 4, air is expelled through the tubular element 6, containing a second non return valve 5.

This air is expelled into the internal areas of the shoe through air ducts 7.

This cycle is repeated through the action of walking or running and so the footwear is ventilated with fresh air.

4

Claims (1)

1. CLAIMS.

   (1) A footwear ventilation system comprising of chamber(s) within a shoe connected via tubular elements to the external air and to the air ducts within the shoe.

   (2) A footwear ventilation system as claimed in claim 1 wherein unidirectional valves are provided within the connecting tubular elements.

   (3) A footwear ventilation system as claimed in claim 1 or claim 2, wherein a shut off system exists at the air entry vent 1.

   (4) A footwear ventilation system as claimed in claim 2 or claim 3, wherein the tubular elements can be situated within the sole of the shoe or situated externally along the shoe.

   (5) A footwear ventilation system as claimed in clahn 4 wherein the tubular elements provided to ventilate the internal area of the footwear can be situated anywhere within the internal area of the footwear.

   (6) A footwear ventilation system substantially as described herein with reference to figures 1-4 of the accompanying drawings.