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  Shoe ventilation systemUSPTO Application #: 20070051013Title: Shoe ventilation system Abstract: The forefoot portion of a shoe bottom includes at least one independent open air cavity composed by complementing concave arcs found in the lower midsole and upper midsole. The upper midsole includes at least one ventilation hole for the passage of air to and from the wearer's foot. During compression of the shoe bottom, caused by the wearer's foot, the open air cavity forces air through the ventilation hole, and through the insole hole introducing air into the shoe interior. (end of abstract)
Agent: Marshall A. Lerner Kleinberg & Lerner, LLP - Los Angeles, CA, US Inventor: Eval Akhidime USPTO Applicaton #: 20070051013 - Class: 03600300B (USPTO) The Patent Description & Claims data below is from USPTO Patent Application 20070051013. Brief Patent Description - Full Patent Description - Patent Application Claims
BACKGROUND OF THE INVENTION [0001] 1. Field of the Invention [0002] The present invention relates to footwear, more particularly to shoe bottoms for active and sport footwear, and especially a ventilation system for the circulation of air in the forefoot of a shoe. [0003] 2. Description of the Related Art [0004] The modern consumer of sport footwear expects a comfortable, supportive, functional, tastefully ornamented product. Footwear designers have responded with products combining new materials and performance engineering features. The present invention relates to a ventilation system for a shoe. Prior art such as U.S. Pat. Nos. 6,393,732 and 6,338,206 have attempted to introduce an effective ventilation system for an athletic shoe with minimal success. These prior art devices have grooves for the introduction of air to the shoe which extend substantially laterally through the forefoot of the shoe in the midsole. The present invention provides a substantial improvement over the prior art. The introduction of an independent open air cavity in the present invention induces air into the interior of the shoe by trapping air in the open air cavity upon compression and forcing it through the ventilation hole. The independent open air cavity created by opposing arcs in the upper midsole and lower midsole, is closed upon compression trapping the air and forcing the air to the interior of the shoe. [0005] The present invention recognizes and addresses a particular need for such refinement by providing a innovative performance shoe containing a laminated shoe bottom portion with a functional, breathable forefoot sole allowing for the circulation of air providing added comfort to the consumer. SUMMARY OF THE INVENTION [0006] It is an object of the present invention to provide a shoe bottom portion with an air circulation system allowing for added comfort and breathability. [0007] In accordance with this object and with others which will be described and which will become apparent, a preferred exemplary embodiment of a shoe bottom portion in accordance with the present invention includes an upper midsole with at least one independent concave arc extending outwards near the center of the sole. A lower midsole with at least one independent concave arc extending outwards near the center of the sole and which corresponds with the upper midsole concave arc. The upper midsole contains a hole at the top of the at least one independent concave arc, and an insole contains at least one hole associated with the at least one upper midsole hole at the top of each independent concave arc. The joining of the upper midsole and lower midsole creates at least one independent open air cavity at the corresponding concave arc. Each independent open air cavity allows for the circulation of air into the shoe through the ventilation hole at the top of the upper midsole and through the associated hole in the insole. [0008] The upper midsole and the lower midsole includes an compression molded portion, which may be, for example, formed of ethylene vinyl acetate (EVA). In a preferred embodiment, the upper midsole and lower midsole are formed of approximately 65 shore C durometer hardness. [0009] The upper midsole and the lower midsole are adjoined at contact points. The upper midsole and lower midsole may have opposing concave arcs intermediate the contact points, thereby forming an open air cavity intermediate the contact points. The open air cavity compacts upon compression caused by the wearer's foot, forming an enclosed chamber of air and forcing the air through the upper midsole to the wearer's foot. The intermediate contacts found between the open air cavity extend throughout the shoe and support the structure of the shoe. Additionally, the concave arcs also provide added cushioning to the wearer of the shoe. [0010] The upper midsole may have a first edge. The lower midsole may have a second edge, with the first edge at least partially surrounding and embracing the second edge to increase adhesion area between the two and to resist lateral displacement. The contacts may be substantially permanent and may be bonded by an adhesive. BRIEF DESCRIPTION OF THE DRAWINGS [0011] For a further understanding of the objects and advantages of the present invention, reference should be had to the following detailed description, taken in conjunction with the accompanying drawing, in which like parts are given like reference numbers and wherein: [0012] FIG. 1 is a right side elevational view of the shoe bottom portion in accordance with the present invention. [0013] FIG. 2 is a cross sectional view thereof taken along the line 2-2 in FIG. 1. [0014] FIG. 3 shows the embodiment as seen in FIG. 2, with the exception that force has been applied to the top of the sole so as to imitate compression caused by a wearer's foot. [0015] FIG. 4 is a right side cross sectional view thereof taken along the line 4-4 in FIG. 1. [0016] FIG. 5 shows the embodiment as seen in FIG. 4, with the exception that force has been applied to the top of the sole so as to imitate compression caused by a wearer's foot. [0017] FIG. 6 is an unfolded perspective view of the forefoot of the shoe bottom including the lower midsole, upper midsole and insole. The upper midsole and insole portions being inverted, the lower midsole portion being rotated approximately ninety degrees. The lower midsole, upper midsole, and insole portions are all separated from one another to show the concave arcs, the ventilation holes, and the insole holes. [0018] FIG. 7 is a side view of the shoe bottom portion with the insole being separated from the adjoined lower midsole and upper midsole portions. [0019] FIG. 8 is an exploded view of the forefoot of the shoe bottom portion with the lower midsole and upper midsole portions adjoined. DESCRIPTION OF THE PREFERRED EMBODIMENTS [0020] The invention will now be described with reference to FIG. 1, which illustrates a side view of the preferred embodiment of a shoe bottom portion in accordance with the present invention. As shown in FIG. 1, a shoe 32 has a shoe upper 34 and a shoe bottom 36 including a forefoot portion 38, an arch portion 40 and a heel portion 42. The forefoot portion 38 is assembled from discretely formed elastic material including an outsole 44, a lower midsole 46, and an upper midsole 48. The arch portion 40 of the shoe bottom 36 includes a shank 70 which extends forward into the forefoot portion 38 and rearward into the heel portion 42, being inserted between the lower midsole 46 and the upper midsole 48. In the finished shoe bottom 36, the upper midsole 48, the lower midsole 46, and the outsole 44 are permanently bonded together. The upper midsole 48 and the lower midsole 46 absorb impact, as well as form the chamber from which air is introduced into the forefoot of the shoe. The outsole 44 provides traction and resists abrasion. At least one open air cavity 66 is formed between the upper midsole 48 and the lower midsole 46. Continue reading... Full patent description for Shoe ventilation system Brief Patent Description - Full Patent Description - Patent Application Claims Click on the above for other options relating to this Shoe ventilation system patent application. ###  How KEYWORD MONITOR works... a FREE service from FreshPatents1. Sign up (takes 30 seconds). 2. Fill in the keywords to be monitored. 3. Each week you receive an email with patent applications related to your keywords. Start now! - Receive info on patent apps like Shoe ventilation system or other areas of interest. ### Previous Patent Application: Appliance door having see-through portion Next Patent Application: Overshoe for sports Industry Class: Boots, shoes, and leggings ### FreshPatents.com Support Thank you for viewing the Shoe ventilation system patent info. IP-related news and info Results in 0.97841 seconds Other interesting Feshpatents.com categories: Canon USA , Celera Genomics , Cephalon, Inc. , Cingular Wireless , Clorox , Colgate-Palmolive , Corning , Cymer , |
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