Vacuum release mechanism for a footwear article

A footwear article, comprising:

• a sole including an insole, an outsole, and a heel having a side face, wherein the side face of the heel intersects and is formed at an angle relative to an outer contact surface of the outsole;
• an upper coupled to the sole, wherein the insole and the upper defines an interior of the footwear article;
• at least one passageway formed in the sole, the at least one passageway fluidly connects an exterior environment with the interior of the footwear article, wherein a first end opening of the at least one passageway is formed in the side face of the heel and a second end opening of the at least one passageway is formed in the insole;
• and
• a vacuum release mechanism disposed in the at least one passageway of the sole, the vacuum release mechanism comprising:
• at least one check valve disposed between the end openings of the at least one fluid passageway, wherein the at least one check valve is a spring-type check valve, the spring-type check valve comprises a valve body including an outer surface provided with one or more barbs, a movable valve piston disposed in the valve body, a sealing element disposed on the movable valve piston, and a biasing element biased between a retainer portion of the movable valve piston and a seat formed on the valve body, wherein the one or more barbs engage an inner surface of the at least on passageway to secure the at least one check valve therein, wherein the biasing element positions the movable valve piston in a closed position, and wherein the at least one check valve in a first position militates against a flow of fluid therethrough and in a second positon permits the flow of fluid therethrough.

A footwear article, comprising:

• a sole including an insole, an outsole, and a heel having a side face, wherein the side face of the heel intersects and is formed at an angle relative to an outer contact surface of the outsole;
• an upper coupled to the sole, wherein the insole and the upper defines an interior of the footwear article;
• at least one passageway formed in the sole, the at least one passageway fluidly connects an exterior environment with the interior of the footwear article, wherein a first end opening of the at least one passageway is formed in the side face of the heel and a second end opening of the at least one passageway is formed in the insole;
• and
• a vacuum release mechanism disposed in the at least one passageway of the sole, the vacuum release mechanism comprising:
• at least one check valve disposed in the at least one fluid passageway of the sole, wherein an entirety of the at least one check valve is accessible from the exterior environment and replaceable, wherein the at least one check valve is a spring-type check valve, the spring-type check valve comprises a valve body, a movable valve piston, a sealing element, and a biasing element, wherein the biasing element positions the movable valve piston in a closed position to seal against a valve body sealing surface and a valve piston sealing surface, wherein the at least one check valve in a first position militates against a flow of fluid therethrough and in a second positon permits the flow of fluid therethrough, and wherein the entirety of the at least once check valve is contained in the at least on passageway when both the first positon and second position.