Boot and shoe sole

Abstract

 A boot or shoe sole comprising a flat body (1) connectable, e.g. stitchable, to an upper (2) for forming a boot or shoe (3). The sole (1) is defined by a substantially flat upper surface (4) for supporting the foot, and presenting a number of openings (16) communicating with aerating conduits (13) extending inside the sole (1) and terminating in openings (14) formed in the peripheral lateral wall (5) of the flat body (1).

Description

[0001] The present invention relates to a boot and shoe sole.

[0002] Boots and shoes are known to comprise an upper connected, e.g. stitched, to a sole supporting the foot and defining the base of the boot or shoe.

[0003] With known boots and shoes, as opposed to being dissipated through the sole, the heat given off by the foot accumulates on the sole, thus resulting in further heating and discomfort in the form of heat and fatigue to the wearer.

[0004] For the same reason, known boots and shoes fail to provide for effective perspiration of the foot.

[0005] It is an object of the present invention to provide a sole enabling the production of boots and shoes designed to overcome the aforementioned drawbacks.

[0006] According to the present invention, there is provided a boot or shoe sole comprising a flat body defined by a substantially flat surface for supporting the foot; characterized by the fact that at least one aerating conduit extends inside said body; said conduit communicating with at least a first opening in said supporting surface.

[0007] The present invention also relates to a boot or shoe sole, characterized by the fact that said aerating conduit extends inside said body, between said first opening and at least a second opening formed in the lateral wall of the body.

[0008] A preferred, non-limiting embodiment of the present invention will be described by way of example with reference to the accompanying drawings, in which:

Fig.1 shows a side view of a boot or shoe sole in accordance with the teachings of the present invention;

Fig.2 shows a top plan view of the Fig.1 sole;

Fig.3 shows a section along line III-III in Fig.1.

[0009] Number 1 in Fig.1 indicates a boot or shoe sole comprising a flat body connectable (e.g. stitchable) in known manner to an upper 2 (shown by the dotted line) for forming a boot or shoe 3.

[0010] Sole 1 is defined by a substantially flat upper surface 4 supporting the foot (not shown); a peripheral lateral surface 5; and a lower surface 6 opposite surface 4.

[0011] Sole 1 consists of a leather outer sole 8; a leather intermediate sole 9 overlying and bonded to outer sole 8; and a rubber inner sole 10 overlying and bonded to intermediate sole 9.

[0012] As shown in Fig.s 1 and 3, intermediate sole 9 presents a number of inner grooves 12 defining, together with superimposed inner sole 10, a number of intercommunicating aerating conduits 13 communicating externally of sole 1 through two openings 14 terminating on either side of lateral surface 5. Conduits 13 also communicate with surface 4 via a number of through holes 15 formed through inner sole 10 and terminating in openings 16 in supporting surface 4.

[0013] Sole 1 thus provides for overcoming the drawbacks typically associated with known boots and shoes, by virtue of aerating conduits 13 enabling air to flow in and out of boot or shoe 3, and so dissipating the heat produced by the foot.

[0014] In particular, movement of the foot inside boot or shoe 3 and compression of sole 1 during walking provide for compressing and expanding conduits 13, which thus expel the air inside the conduits and draw in outside air for simultaneously cooling and ventilating boot or shoe 3.

[0015] Sole 1 may also be used to advantage in cold weather by closing (or eliminating) openings 14, e.g. by means of rubber plugs (not shown), so that the hot air inside conduits 13 forms an air cushion for better insulating sole 1.

[0016] Moreover, openings 16 in inner sole 10 also provide for massaging the underside of the foot.

[0017] To those skilled in the art it will be clear that changes may be made to the boot or shoe as described and illustrated herein without, however, departing from the scope of the present invention.

[0018] For example, provision may be made for more than two (e.g. six) openings 14.

Claims

1. A boot or shoe sole comprising a flat body (1) defined by a substantially flat surface (4) for supporting the foot; characterized by the fact that at least one aerating conduit (13) extends inside said body (1); said conduit (13) communicating with at least a first opening (16) in said supporting surface (4).

2. A sole as claimed in Claim 1, characterized by the fact that said aerating conduit (13) extends inside said body (1), between said first opening (16) and at least a second opening (14) formed in the lateral wall (5) of the body (1).

3. A sole as claimed in Claim 1 or 2, characterized by the fact that said body (1) presents internally a number of said conduits (13) communicating with one another and with a number of holes (15) terminating in respective openings (16) formed in said supporting surface (4).

4. A sole as claimed in Claim 3, characterized by the fact that said body comprises an outer sole (8), an intermediate sole (9), and an inner sole (10) superimposed one on top of the other; said intermediate sole (9) presenting a number of grooves (12) defining said conduits (13) together with said inner sole (10); and said holes (15) being formed through said inner sole (10).

5. A boot or shoe comprising an upper (2) and a sole (1), characterized by the fact that said sole (1) is formed as claimed in any one of the foregoing Claims from 1 to 4.

Drawing