INSOLE WITH ADJUSTABLE VENTILATION FOR FOOTWEAR

Abstract

 The invention relates to an insole with adjustable ventilation for footwear made up of a rubber base (1) that is recessed on the top apart from the perimeter edge (5), the bottom of said recess containing a lower semi-rigid sheet (2), while an upper semi-rigid sheet (3) is provided on the thickened perimeter edge (5), with an air chamber (4) being formed between the two sheets, the upper semi-rigid sheet (3) having at least one pair of patches (9) aligned with zones in which air-passage openings (11) are established, where the patches (9) include a pair of resilient membranes pivoting on a vertical axis (10), arranged below and above said upper semi-rigid sheet (3), where said membranes can adopt three positions: one sealing the openings (11), another sealing them only on the top of the upper semi-rigid sheet (3) and another sealing them only on the bottom.

Description

PURPOSE OF THE INVENTION

[0001] This invention relates to an insole with adjustable ventilation for footwear, which has a number of specific features that establish an air chamber inside the insole, with the option for this air to flow in one direction or another, therefore achieving forced ventilation through the footwear, or alternatively to generate a sealed air chamber that increases the shock absorption capacity of the footwear.

[0002] The insole is preferably designed to be used in sports footwear, although it can also be used in a wide range of types of footwear.

BACKGROUND OF THE INVENTION

[0003] There are many and varied types of well-known sports footwear with a means of ventilation. The solution included in invention patent ES 2580805 T3, held by the applicant, can be cited as one of the most advanced and effective solutions. This patent describes self-ventilating footwear in which the sole includes a chamber created by the insole itself, with connecting openings between the interior and exterior of the chamber, as well as one-way valves to connect this chamber to the exterior, allowing the circulation of the air from inside the footwear and preventing the passage of air in the opposite direction by means of elastic patches located on the inside face of the insole.

[0004] This document had the drawback that the passage of air is only in one direction, out of the footwear, and it required the presence of openings in the footwear itself to connect to the exterior.

DESCRIPTION OF THE INVENTION

[0005] The proposed insole with adjustable ventilation for footwear very satisfactorily solves the aforementioned problems with a simple but effective solution.

[0006] To do this, the insole invented is characterised by having, in addition to the base of rubber or similar which is the support surface on the ground, the particular feature that this base has a recess that covers almost all of it, apart from one of its perimeter ridges. In its ridge there is also, aligned with the heel, a perimeter flap that tapers until it is very thin toward the exterior, to adapt to different types of footwear.

[0007] There is a recess on this base, the bottom of which is a lower semi-rigid sheet. A second upper semi-rigid sheet is supported on the thickened edge, being connected to that edge through a tongue-and-groove joint, through a lower and perimeter shoulder of this upper semi-rigid sheet that fits into a perimeter groove on the edge of the aforementioned base.

[0008] A chamber is established between the two semi-rigid sheets, through which air can enter and exit by means of two patches, one in the front part and another in the heel area, in such a way that in these areas, the upper semi-rigid sheet has openings that can be closed or kept open using a pair of pivoting membranes in which the patches are materialised, and which are mounted pivoted on a perpendicular axis, both membranes pivoting independently to offer a choice of which openings to close and which to keep open, forcing the passage of air in one direction or the other. Alternatively, they can be closed on both sides, in which case the chamber formed by the two semi-rigid sheets is air sealed, with the air chamber acting as a shock-absorbing element.

[0009] The upper semi-rigid sheet is removable, allowing access to the inside of the insole in order to adjust the patches using their internal side so that, according to their position, as mentioned above, the air can circulate in one direction or another, or this flow is prevented, forming a pneumatic cushion.

[0010] The attachment of the semi-rigid sheet to the base can be achieved by means of adhesive substances instead of the previously mentioned tongue-and-groove joint.

[0011] It is also worth noting that the upper semi-rigid sheet is slightly larger than the perimeter rim of the base on which it is supported. This means that, when assembled, there is a bulge or upward convexity of that upper semi-rigid sheet, generating under it a mass of air that will enhance the effect of the insole when it is deformed by the user's footstep, whilst forcing a widening of the inside of the footwear to give it greater clearance, with a consequent increase in comfort for the user.

[0012] Moreover, the patches will be arranged in a complementary way to allow the air to flow through them in one direction or the other within the insole, in order for air to enter the insole from the front and exit through the rear, or the other way round, or, as mentioned, both patches can be left in a sealed position, forming a pneumatic cushion.

[0013] Finally, in the area corresponding to the heel, the insole will be supplemented with a piece of rubber to protect the corresponding patch, with openings or grooves aligned with its rear, where air will circulate between the inside of the insole and the outside, evacuating this air or allowing it into the insole, depending on how the patches are arranged and, therefore, the direction in which the air is circulating.

[0014] Deodorising, anti-fungal or antibacterial substances can be added to the air chamber established between the two semi-rigid sheets, and the upper sheet being removable means that there is access to the inside of the sole so that the insole can be cleaned and these substances can be replaced.

DESCRIPTION OF THE DRAWINGS

[0015] To supplement the following description and in order to help achieve a better understanding of the invention's features, a set of drawings are provided as an integral part of a practical example for which at least the following has been represented:

Figure 1. Shows a plan view of the three fundamental elements making up an insole with adjustable ventilation for footwear, in accordance with the purpose of this invention.

Figure 2. Shows a plan view of the upper sheet with its patches.

Figure 3. Shows details, in longitudinal section reflecting the A-A cutting line in figure 2, of the different positions that may be occupied by the two membranes in the patches of the insole.

Figure 4. Shows a sectional view reflecting the C-C cutting line in figure 2.

Figure 5. Shows a sectional view reflecting the B-B cutting line in figure 2.

Figure 6. Shows a detailed perspective view of the supplementary piece that is arranged aligned with the heel, to protect the patch in that area.

Figure 7. Shows, finally, a sectional view reflecting the D-D cutting line in figure 6.

PREFERENTIAL EMBODIMENT OF THE INVENTION

[0016] From the figures it can be observed how the insole with adjustable ventilation for footwear is made up of three parts corresponding to a base (1) of rubber or similar, a lower semi-rigid sheet (2) and an upper semi-rigid sheet (3). The base (1) has a hollow whose bottom consists of the lower semi-rigid sheet (2), while the top this hollow is covered with the upper semi-rigid sheet (3), establishing an air chamber (4) between these sheets.

[0017] The lower semi-rigid sheet (2) occupies the entire bottom of the recess of this base (1), whereas the upper semi-rigid sheet (3) is mounted on a thickened edge (5) corresponding to the base (1), an edge in which the area corresponding to the heel is prolonged by perimeter flaps (6) with a progressive decrease in thickness, as shown in figure 4, and which allow the insole to adapt to different types of footwear.

[0018] In accordance with one of the preferred ways to mount the upper semi-rigid sheet (3) on the base (1), this is performed using a tongue-and-groove joint, including a perimeter edge or ledge (7) that fits perfectly into a perimeter groove (8) in the rim (5) of the base (1), as shown in figures 4 and 5, where we can observe the convex upward shape of the upper semi-rigid sheet (3).

[0019] Two patches (9) are mounted on this semi-rigid sheet (3) in such a way that each patch has two elastic membranes, preferably semi-circular and pivoting on a vertical axis (10), arranged below and above this sheet so that, according to the position of these membranes, and as shown in figure 3, the air may either be prevented from circulating, as shown in the upper detail, forming an air cushion, or allowed to circulate in an upward or downward direction, as shown in the other two examples in this figure.

[0020] For this, aligned with the areas of the patches (9), the upper semi-rigid sheet (3) has openings (11) that can be closed using the membranes that form part of the patches (9) at both the top and the bottom.

[0021] In this way, the patches from the front and rear areas will be synchronised in terms of their positions, so that the air enters through one of these points and exits through the other.

[0022] The upper semi-rigid sheet (3) will have a workable nature in order to allow access to the lower membrane of the patches (9) and position this as deemed appropriate.

[0023] Likewise, this workable nature allows deodorising, anti-fungal or antibacterial substances to be added to the chamber created between the two sheets.

[0024] Finally, in the area corresponding to the heel, the insole will be supplemented with a piece of rubber (12) to protect the corresponding patch (9), which has a hole (14) on its lower part and has openings (13) or grooves aligned with its rear part allowing air to circulate between the inside of the insole and the outside, evacuating that air or allowing it into the insole, depending on how the patches are arranged and, therefore, the direction of circulation of this air.

Claims

1. Insole with adjustable ventilation for footwear, characterised by being made up of a base (1) of elastic material, such as rubber or similar, a base that is recessed on the top, occupying its entire space apart from the thickened perimeter edge (5), with the particular feature that the bottom of that recess contains a lower semi-rigid sheet (2), occupying the entire bottom of that recess, while an upper semi-rigid sheet (3) is on the thickened perimeter edge (5) of the base (1), with an air chamber (4) being formed between the two sheets, the upper semi-rigid sheet (3) having at least one pair of patches (9) aligned with zones in which air-passage openings (11) are established, where the patches (9) include a pair of elastic membranes, preferably semi-circular and pivoting on a vertical axis (10), arranged below and above that upper semi-rigid sheet (3), where said membranes can adopt three positions: one sealing the openings (11) from the passage of air, another sealing them only on the top of the upper semi-rigid sheet (3) and another sealing these openings (11) only on the bottom of the upper semi-rigid sheet (3).

2. Insole with adjustable ventilation for footwear, according to claim 1, characterised by the upper semi-rigid sheet (3) having a curved-convex configuration.

3. Insole with adjustable ventilation for footwear, according to claim 1, characterised by the upper semi-rigid sheet (3) being of a workable nature.

4. Insole with adjustable ventilation for footwear, according to claim 1, characterised by the upper semi-rigid sheet (3) being connected to the thickened perimeter edge (5) of the base (1) by a tongue-and-groove joint.

5. Insole with adjustable ventilation for footwear, according to claim 1, characterised by the possibility of adding a deodorising, anti-fungal or antibacterial product between the two sheets (2,3).

6. Insole with adjustable ventilation for footwear, according to claim 1, characterised by the insole in the area corresponding to the heel being supplemented by a protection piece (12) for the corresponding patch (9), which has a hole (14) on its lower part and has openings (13) or grooves aligned with its rear part for the circulation of air.

7. Insole with adjustable ventilation for footwear, according to claim 1, characterised by the thickened edge (5) of the base (1) what in the area corresponding to the heel being prolonged by perimeter flaps (6) with a progressive decrease in thickness.

Amended claims

Amended claims under Art. 19.1 PCT

1. Insole with adjustable ventilation for footwear, characterised by being made up of a base (1) of elastic material, such as rubber or similar, a base that is recessed on the top, occupying its entire space apart from the thickened perimeter edge (5), with the particular feature that the bottom of that recess contains a lower semi-rigid sheet (2), occupying the entire bottom of that recess, while an upper semi-rigid sheet (3) is on the thickened perimeter edge (5) of the base (1), with an air chamber (4) being formed between the two sheets, the upper semi-rigid sheet (3) having at least one pair of patches (9) aligned with zones in which air-passage openings (11) are established, where the patches (9) include a pair of elastic membranes, preferably semi-circular and pivoting on a vertical axis (10), arranged below and above that upper semi-rigid sheet (3), where said membranes can adopt three positions: one sealing the openings (11) from the passage of air, another sealing them only on the top of the upper semi-rigid sheet (3) and another sealing these openings (11) only on the bottom of the upper semi-rigid sheet (3).

2. Insole with adjustable ventilation for footwear, according to claim 1, characterised by the upper semi-rigid sheet (3) having a curved-convex configuration.

3. [Amended] Insole with adjustable ventilation for footwear, according to claim 1, characterised by the upper semi-rigid sheet (3) being of a removable nature.

4. Insole with adjustable ventilation for footwear, according to claim 1, characterised by the upper semi-rigid sheet (3) being connected to the thickened perimeter edge (5) of the base (1) by a tongue-and-groove joint.

5. Insole with adjustable ventilation for footwear, according to claim 1, characterised by the possibility of adding a deodorising, anti-fungal or antibacterial product between the two sheets (2,3).

6. Insole with adjustable ventilation for footwear, according to claim 1, characterised by the insole in the area corresponding to the heel being supplemented by a protection piece (12) for the corresponding patch (9), which has a hole (14) on its lower part and has openings (13) or grooves aligned with its rear part for the circulation of air.

7. [Amended] Insole with adjustable ventilation for footwear, according to claim 1, characterised by the thickened edge (5) of the base (1) in the area corresponding to the heel being prolonged by perimeter flaps (6) with a progressive decrease in thickness.

Drawing