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US 6,305,100 B1Granted
Shoe ventilation
OwnerEugene Komarnycky, Adrian Pysariwskyinventors
Life of this patent
Estimating the term…
Abstract
A shoe which facilitates ventilation between the inner area of the shoe and its surrounding environment. An air cavity allowing foot heat and moisture to escape the immediate foot area and exhaust into free open space is used. A dual-layer sole system which is integrated in a manner to form an air cavity therebetween is also utilized. A series of perforations and/or cutouts are used to facilitate foot-air and moisture flow. A plurality of ventilation ports are used to facilitate bi-directional air exchange and circulation. Two anvil-shaped supports at the ball and foot area may serve as a framework to preserve the shape of the open-air cavity.
Claims22
An article of footwear having a ventilated sole system, comprising:
- a dual-layer sole system having an inner sole and an outer sole, said inner and said outer sole having a length and a width, said inner sole and said outer sole being integrated together and forming an air-cavity therebetween, said air cavity being continuous and having an unobstructed area encompassing a majority of said width and said length of said outer sole for acting as an interfacing medium, said dual-layer sole system including a plurality of bi-directional ventilation ports, said bi-directional ventilation ports extending from said air-cavity to an area outside said article of footwear, wherein said inner sole of said dual-layer sole system is integrated with said outer sole through (a) a plurality of concave-shaped structural ridges that are concave in a direction parallel to air flow that passes through said bi-directional ventilation ports and said inner sole, (b) a heel member and (c) a toe member;
- wherein said concave-shaped structural ridges, said heel member and said toe member are disposed along a periphery of said air cavity as well as a periphery of said dual-layer sole system, and wherein said inner sole is made of a flexible but non-stretchable material.
An article of footwear having a ventilated sole system, comprising:
- means for providing enhanced ventilation to a user's foot, said means comprising a dual-layer sole system including means for supporting a user's foot and means for engaging a ground surface upon which a user walks, said means for supporting a user's foot comprising an inner sole made of a flexible but non-stretchable material, said means for engaging comprising an outer sole, said inner and said outer sole having a length and a width, said inner sole being integrated with said outer sole to form therebetween an air cavity to provide ventilation to said user's foot, said air cavity being continuous and having an unobstructed area encompassing a majority of said width and said length of said outer sole for acting as an interfacing medium, said dual-layer sole system further comprising means for providing bi-directional air flow between said air cavity and an area outside said article of footwear, said dual-layer sole system further comprising means for ventilating said user's foot, said means for ventilating comprising a plurality of conduits, said means for ventilating extending from a surface on said inner sole through said inner sole into said air cavity;
- and
- means for enhancing structural rigidity of said dual-layer sole system, said means for enhancing structural rigidity comprising (a) concave-shaped ridges that are concave in a direction parallel to air flow that passes through said bi-directional means and said inner sole, (b) a heel portion and (c) a toe portion;
- wherein said concave-shaped ridges, said heel portion and said toe portion are disposed along a periphery of said air cavity, said means for enhancing structural rigidity being fused to said inner sole to maintain conduit continuity of said means for ventilating.
1 more element
A method of supporting a foot of a user, comprising:
- placing a center portion of the foot in direct contact with a flexible but non-stretchable inner sole while placing a peripheral portion of the foot to apply a force to outlying concave-shaped ridges of an outer sole;
- and
- applying foot pressure during ambulatory activity to said outer and inner sole to distribute force along an area ranging from a center of said inner sole to an outlining periphery of said inner sole, said application of foot pressure applying an inwardly directed force on said inner solo which is counter-acted by an outwardly directed force at a peripheral junction of said inner and outer soles, thereby preserving an air cavity underlying said flexible but non-stretchable inner sole.
An article of footwear having a ventilated sole system, comprising:
- a dual-layer sole system having an inner sole and an outer sole, said inner and said outer sole having a length and a width, said inner sole made of a flexible but non-stretchable material, said inner sole and said outer sole being integrated together and forming an air-cavity therebetween, said air cavity being continuous and unimpeded from a heel portion to a toe portion of said article of footwear, wherein said heel portion and said toe portion are disposed along a periphery of said air cavity, said air cavity encompassing a majority of said width and said length of said outer sole for acting as an interfacing medium, said dual-layer sole system including a plurality of structural ridges disposed along a periphery of said air cavity, said dual-layer sole system further including a plurality of bi-directional ventilation ports, said structural ridges being concave in a direction parallel to air flow that passes through said bi-directional ventilation ports and said inner sole, said bi-directional ventilation ports extending from said air cavity to an area outside said article of footwear, wherein said air cavity and said plurality of bi-directional ventilation ports form a pumping chamber which occupies a substantial volume of said dual-layer sole system such that air is pumped into, and pushed out of, said dual-layer sole system when an individual walks on said article of footwear.
An article of footwear having a ventilated sole system, comprising:
- a dual-layer sole system having an inner sole and an outer sole, said inner and said outer sole having a length and a width, said inner sole and said outer sole being integrated together and forming an air-cavity therebetween, said air cavity being continuous and having an unobstructed area encompassing a majority of said width and said length of said outer sole for acting as an interfacing medium, said dual-layer sole system including a plurality of bi-directional ventilation ports, said bi-directional ventilation ports extending from said air-cavity to an area outside said article of footwear, wherein said inner sole of said dual-layer sole system is integrated with said outer sole through (a) a plurality of concave-shaped structural ridges said structural ridges being concave in a direction parallel to air flow that passes through said bi-directional ventilation ports and said inner sole, (b) a heel member and (c) a toe member;
- wherein said concave-shaped structural ridges, said heel member and said toe member are disposed along a periphery of said air cavity as well as a periphery of said dual-layer sole system, and wherein said inner sole is made of a flexible but non-stretchable material, said inner sole further having at least one cutout and at least one perforation such that said cut out and said perforation provide a direct path for foot heat/moisture and air circulation.
Dependencies are inferred from the claim text.