|Publication number||US7918041 B2|
|Application number||US 11/849,512|
|Publication date||Apr 5, 2011|
|Filing date||Sep 4, 2007|
|Priority date||Sep 4, 2007|
|Also published as||US8191284, US20090056172, US20110099855|
|Publication number||11849512, 849512, US 7918041 B2, US 7918041B2, US-B2-7918041, US7918041 B2, US7918041B2|
|Inventors||Jang Rae Cho|
|Original Assignee||Nike, Inc.|
|Export Citation||BiBTeX, EndNote, RefMan|
|Patent Citations (178), Referenced by (10), Classifications (10), Legal Events (2)|
|External Links: USPTO, USPTO Assignment, Espacenet|
1. Field of the Invention
The present invention relates generally to footwear, and in particular a cooling system for an article of footwear.
2. Description of Related Art
Articles of footwear with ventilation systems have been proposed. In general, cooling or ventilation systems included in articles of footwear may be divided into two categories: those passively allowing air exchange and those including a mechanism for actively facilitating air exchange.
The following references teach passive systems. Moretti (U.S. Pat. No. 5,992,052) discloses a shoe with a vapor permeable insole that also includes a waterproof membrane. Polegato (U.S. Pat. No. 5,983,524) discloses a similar vapor-permeable shoe that is also water proof. Lechhart et al. (U.S. patent number 2005/0172513) disclose a breathable sole structure for footwear. The footwear sole structure includes an insole, an outsole, and a functional membrane system.
Berger et al. (U.S. Pat. No. 6,817,112) teaches an article of footwear that includes openings for ventilation and vapor exchange. The sole of Berger's design includes at least three layers. Each of the layers has one or more openings, so that ventilation and air exchange may occur within the article of footwear. The partial overlapping of these holes provides a substantially larger number of openings without reducing the mechanical stability of the shoe. Although these references teach the concept of allowing air to be transferred through the insole or a membrane in the article of footwear, there is no mechanism for facilitating the flow of air.
Articles of footwear including provisions for actively facilitating air exchange have been disclosed. Pfander (U.S. Pat. No. 6,976,319) discloses an article of footwear that includes a midsole having a front portion with a plurality of spaced holes that are vertically aligned to allow airflow through the midsole. In particular, the plurality of spaced holes are aligned with a set of moguls in the outsole for the purpose of providing air flow through the midsole when the moguls are deformed by the weight and walking action of the wearer. Generally, however, the holes in the midsole are positioned only in the forefoot region. Furthermore, the air is not channeled directly to the holes, but rather the holes are in contact with a large space, and the moguls deform within that large space. This design lacks an efficient means of circulating the air directly throughout the entirety of the midsole.
Huang (U.S. Pat. No. 5,341,581) discloses a compression cooling system of a shoe midsole comprising mainly a main body, an air sac and an air duct. During typical use, the air duct of the Huang device, which is disposed along the heel, is compressed and circulates air through the air duct. Air is transported through the air duct to an air slot and four air holes, disposed along the forefoot of the midsole. This design requires an air admitting one-way valve and an air discharging one-way valve. In addition, the air holes in the midsole are not distributed throughout the midsole, but only in the forefoot portion. The design of Huang requires a large number of components in order to achieve ventilation of the foot through the midsole and outsole and does not include holes for ventilation throughout the entirety of the midsole.
There is a need in the art for an article of footwear incorporating a simple design, eliminating the need for multiple layers and valves, and a design that simultaneously incorporates multiple holes disposed along the midsole to provide ventilation to the entire length of the article of footwear.
A footwear cooling system is disclosed. In one aspect, the invention provides an article of footwear comprising: an upper; an upper sole portion including an upper sole portion body and a projecting portion extending from a first side of the upper sole portion body; the upper sole portion including at least one aperture; a lower sole portion including a hole, configured to receive the upper sole portion; a compression chamber defined by a lower surface of the projecting portion and at least one side wall of the hole disposed in the outsole; the compression chamber having a first volume; and where the compression chamber has a second volume after being compressed and wherein the change in volume forces air through the at least one aperture.
In another aspect, the upper sole portion includes a first projecting portion and a second projecting portion.
In another aspect, the first projecting portion corresponds to a forefoot region of the upper sole portion.
In another aspect, the second projecting portion corresponds to a heel region of the upper sole portion.
In another aspect, the outsole includes at least one channel.
In another aspect, the channel corresponds to the aperture.
In another aspect, the invention provides an article of footwear, comprising: an upper; an upper sole portion including at least one projecting portion on a first side; a lower sole portion including a hole configured to receive the projecting portion; and
where a first side of the projecting portion includes at least one tread element.
In another aspect, a first surface of the projecting portion is composed of a similar material as the outsole.
In another aspect, the outsole includes at least one tread element disposed along a second side.
In another aspect, the tread element disposed along the projecting portion is composed of the same material as the tread element disposed along the outsole.
In another aspect, the first side of the projecting portion includes multiple tread elements.
In another aspect, the tread element disposed along a first side of the projecting portion increases traction between the article of footwear and a surface.
In another aspect, the upper sole portion includes a second projecting portion, including a second tread element disposed along a first side of the second projecting portion.
In another aspect, the invention provides an article of footwear, comprising: an upper and an upper sole portion; a hole disposed on a lower sole portion configured to receive a portion of the upper sole portion; the outsole including an outer surface on a first side; and where the first portion of the upper sole portion approaches the outer surface of the outsole when a predetermined force is applied to the upper sole portion.
In another aspect, the first portion of the upper sole portion is co-planar with the outer surface of the outsole.
In another aspect, the first portion of the upper sole portion corresponds to a projecting portion of the upper sole portion.
In another aspect, the predetermined force is applied by means of a wearer stepping down with an article of footwear.
In another aspect, the first portion of the upper sole portion recedes from the outer surface of the outsole once a predetermined force has been applied and then released.
In another aspect, the upper sole portion includes a second portion, and the outsole includes a second hole configured to receive the second portion of the upper sole portion.
In another aspect, the second portion of the upper sole portion approaches the outer surface of the outsole when a predetermined force is applied.
Other systems, methods, features and advantages of the invention will be, or will become apparent to one with skill in the art upon examination of the following figures and detailed description. It is intended that all such additional systems, methods, features and advantages be included within this description, be within the scope of the invention, and be protected by the following claims.
The invention can be better understood with reference to the following drawings and description. The components in the figures are not necessarily to scale, emphasis instead being placed upon illustrating the principles of the invention. Moreover, in the figures, like reference numerals designate corresponding parts throughout the different views.
An article of footwear with a cooling system is disclosed. The cooling system comprises an outsole, including channels, and an upper sole portion including apertures.
In a preferred embodiment, article of footwear 100 also includes lower sole portion 106. A first side 110 of lower sole portion 106 is preferably configured to contact second side 112 of upper sole portion body 115. A second side 114 of lower sole portion 106 is preferably configured to contact the ground. In a preferred embodiment, lower sole portion 106 includes a first hole 120 and a second hole 122. First hole 120 and second hole 122 may be different sizes. In a preferred embodiment, first hole 120 is slightly larger than second hole 122. In some embodiments, lower sole portion 106 may include more than two holes. In other embodiments, lower sole portion 106 may include only one hole.
In a preferred embodiment, first hole 120 and second hole 122 are configured to receive first projecting portion 116 and second projecting portion 118, respectively. That is, once upper sole portion 104 and lower sole portion 106 are assembled, first projecting portion 116 sits within first hole 120 and second projecting portion 118 sits within second hole 122. In a preferred embodiment, the depth of first hole 120 is preferably greater than the height of first projecting portion 116. Likewise, the depth of second hole 122 is preferably greater than the height of second projecting portion 118. With this arrangement second side 114 of lower sole portion 106 may be in contact with the ground. However, neither first projecting portion 116 nor second projecting portion 118 will initially contact the ground. Instead, a small gap will be left between each projecting portion and the ground.
It is common for outsoles to include provisions for providing traction between an article of footwear and a surface. In a preferred embodiment, lower sole portion 106 may include tread elements. The tread elements may be composed of a similar material to second side 114 of lower sole portion 106, or may be composed of a different material. In some embodiments, tread elements may be composed of rubber.
In a preferred embodiment, lower sole portion 106 may include one or more channels that facilitate the transport of air to various portions of the upper sole portion. In the exemplary embodiment, lower sole portion 106 includes first channel 302, second channel 304, and third channel 306. First channel 302 may be disposed closest to a medial side 310 of lower sole portion 106. Second channel 304 may be disposed along the center of lower sole portion 106. Third channel 306 may be disposed closest to a lateral side 312 of lower sole portion 106.
In some embodiments, first channel 302, second channel 304 and third channel 306 are all narrow grooves formed into first side 110 of lower sole portion 106. In some embodiments, first channel 302, second channel 304, and third channel 306 may be tubes or ducts that are fitted to lower sole portion 106. Generally, any conduit or medium that permits this transfer of air can be used as a channel. In a preferred embodiment, first channel 302, second channel 304, and third channel 306 each extend between second hole 122 and first hole 120. Additionally, each channel preferably extends through forward portion 320 of recession region 318.
In general, lower sole portion 106 may include any number of channels. These channels are preferably configured to allow air to flow through them. As air initially enters article of footwear 100 through first hole 120 and second hole 122, first channel 302, second channel 304 and third channel 306 distribute the air across the entire length of article of footwear 100. In a preferred embodiment, each channel is configured to be open prior to the insertion of upper sole portion 104 into lower sole portion 106. Once upper sole portion 104 and lower sole portion 106 have been assembled, first channel 302, second channel 304, and third channel 306 are closed along their open side by upper sole portion 104. With this configuration, air is transported through the channels and air is delivered to predetermined locations that correspond to various apertures along upper sole portion 104.
As previously disclosed, upper sole portion 104 preferably includes first projecting portion 116 and second projecting portion 118. First projecting portion 116 preferably includes provisions for applying traction to the ground. In a preferred embodiment, first projecting portion 116 may include tread elements 502. Tread elements 502 may be composed of a similar material to first projecting portion 116 or they may be composed of a different material than first projecting portion 116. In some embodiments, second projecting portion 118 may also include tread elements.
In some embodiments, first projecting portion 116 and second projecting portion 118 may include provisions for receiving and distributing air across upper sole portion 104. Referring to
In the exemplary embodiment, first projecting portion 116 may include first air distribution system 621 disposed on first upper surface 617. Preferably, first air distribution system 621 includes first air inlet portions 623 and intersecting channels 625. Intersecting channels 625 may include first set of air distribution channels 627 that are oriented longitudinally and second set of air distribution channels 629 that are distributed laterally. Intersecting channels 625 may be disposed just under first aperture set 633 of apertures 504.
In this preferred embodiment, first air inlet portions 623 are semi-circular and are configured to place outside air in fluid communication with intersecting channels 625 as well as first air distribution cavity 631 disposed between first projecting portion 116 and upper sole portion 104 (see
In a preferred embodiment, second projecting portion 118 may include second air distribution system 622 disposed on second upper surface 619. This arrangement is preferably similar to the arrangement of first air distribution system 621 on first upper surface 617 of first projecting portion 116. Preferably, second air distribution system 622 includes second air inlet portions 624 and intersecting channels 626. Intersecting channels 626 may include third set of air distribution channels 628 that are oriented longitudinally and fourth set of air distribution channels 630 that are distributed laterally. Intersecting channels 626 may be disposed just under second aperture set 634 of apertures 504.
In this preferred embodiment, second air inlet portions 624 are semi-circular and are configured to place outside air in fluid communication with intersecting channels 626 as well as second air distribution cavity 632 disposed between second projecting portion 118 and upper sole portion 104 (see
In this specification and throughout the claims, a combination of the lower sole portion with the upper sole portion is referred to as a sole system.
In addition to being disposed along lines, apertures 702 may be divided into aperture regions. First aperture region 704 is preferably disposed along forefoot region 204 of lower sole portion 106. Second aperture region 706 is preferably disposed along middle region 710 of lower sole portion 106. Third aperture region 706 is preferably disposed along heel region 206 of lower sole portion 106. Each aperture region may function to exchange air at a different portion of the article of footwear.
As previously discussed, a system for facilitating air exchange between outside air and the air enclosed within the upper of an article of footwear is provided. This system preferably includes a set of compression chambers that are formed in the sole system.
In a preferred embodiment, first projecting portion 116 and second projecting portion 118 of upper sole portion 104 are preferably set within first hole 120 and second hole 122 of lower sole portion 106. First lower surface 826 of first projecting portion 116 preferably defines a top portion of first compression chamber 820. Along the sides, first compression chamber 820 is preferably bounded by a first wall 822 and a second wall 824 of first hole 120. A third and fourth wall of first hole 120, not shown here, also bound first compression chamber 820.
In a similar manner to first compression chamber 820, the top of second compression chamber 830 is defined by second lower surface 836 of second projecting portion 118. The walls of second compression chamber 830 are defined by first wall 832 and second wall 834 of second hole 122. A third and fourth wall of first hole 122, not shown here, also bound second compression chamber 830.
In some embodiments, a compression chamber may not include four walls. In general, a compression chamber may be formed from a lower surface of a projecting portion and any number of walls of a hole disposed in an outsole. For example, a triangularly shaped compression chamber may include only three walls.
In a preferred embodiment, a bottom side of each compression chamber 820 and 830 is defined by surface 800. In other words, surface 800 serves as the bottom side of compression chambers 820 and 830. Furthermore, first compression chamber 820 and second compression chamber 830 each include an initial volume. Referring to
Likewise, second compression chamber 830 is preferably in fluid communication with heel region 852 of enclosure 840 via third aperture region 708. In addition, first compression chamber 820 and second compression chamber 830 are both in fluid communication with middle region 854 of enclosure 840 via second aperture region 706. In particular, second aperture region 706 is in fluid communication with first compression chamber 820 and second compression chamber 830 via first channel 302, second channel 304 and third channel 306.
In some embodiments, first projecting portion 116 includes first inlet 802 and second inlet 804. Preferably, first inlet 802 and second inlet 804 allow air to be exchanged between first aperture region 704 and first compression chamber 820. Likewise, second projecting portion 118 preferably includes third inlet 808 and fourth inlet 810. Third inlet 808 and fourth inlet 810 preferably allow air to be exchanged between third aperture region 708 and second compression chamber 830.
The reduction of the volume of air in second compression chamber 830 as a result of a force applied to the upper sole portion 104 is best understood by referring to
With this preferred arrangement, the motion of second lower surface 836 can assist in moving air to and from various parts of article of footwear 100. In particular, air enters at intake air passages 624 and moves through air distribution channels 626, including fourth set of air distribution channels 630. Preferably, air also moves through second air distribution cavity 632.
This reduction in volume, of both compression chambers 820 and 830, creates a pressure imbalance that facilitates the exchange of air between the inside of the upper and the outside air. In particular, this change in volume forces air through the apertures and channels disposed along upper sole portion 104.
The arrows in
Because first projecting portion 116 includes tread elements 502, first projecting portion 116 provides traction between the article of footwear and surface 800. In some embodiments, first projecting portion 116 need not contact surface 800. Instead, first projecting portion 116 may approach outer surface 1102 of lower sole portion 106 but fail to contact surface 800. In situations where first projecting portion 116 contact surface 800, lower surface 826 of first projecting portion 116 may be flush with outer surface 1102 of lower sole portion 106.
Additionally, as the force is removed from upper sole portion 104, the volume of air in first compression chamber 820 and second compression chamber 830 increases. This increase in the volumes of air creates another pressure difference that causes air to flow in the reverse direction. With each step the wearer of the article of footwear is imposing a force, and then releasing the force, creating an alternating exchange of air between first compression chamber 820, second compression chamber 830 and enclosed region 840 of article of footwear 100. Since wearer's foot 1100 is preferably disposed within enclosed region 840, the air proximate to wearer's foot 1100 is constantly being circulated and cooled.
While various embodiments of the invention have been described, the description is intended to be exemplary, rather than limiting and it will be apparent to those of ordinary skill in the art that many more embodiments and implementations are possible that are within the scope of the invention. Accordingly, the invention is not to be restricted except in light of the attached claims and their equivalents. Also, various modifications and changes may be made within the scope of the attached claims.
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|U.S. Classification||36/3.00B, 36/28|
|International Classification||A43B13/18, A43B7/06|
|Cooperative Classification||A43B7/081, A43B13/223, A43B13/12|
|European Classification||A43B7/08B, A43B13/22B, A43B13/12|
|Dec 11, 2007||AS||Assignment|
Owner name: NIKE, INC., OREGON
Free format text: ASSIGNMENT OF ASSIGNORS INTEREST;ASSIGNOR:CHO, JANG RAE;REEL/FRAME:020226/0207
Effective date: 20071018
|Sep 3, 2014||FPAY||Fee payment|
Year of fee payment: 4