US20140259756A1

US20140259756A1 - Multi-function ventilated insole

Info

Publication number: US20140259756A1
Application number: US14/291,043
Authority: US
Inventors: Wan-Fu Pan
Original assignee: Individual
Current assignee: Individual
Priority date: 2014-05-30
Filing date: 2014-05-30
Publication date: 2014-09-18

Abstract

A multi-function ventilated insole is provided with an elastic airbag disposed within a heel and including upper and bottom layer sections; a check valve on the rear of the elastic airbag; two spaced channels each extending from the elastic airbag to a plantar arch portion, each channel including vent holes disposed from a front end to an intermediate portion, and a rear concealed tunnel extending to communicate with one outlet; a flexible main support in the top layer section; two spaced flexible auxiliary supports in the top layer section and contacting both sides of the main support; recesses on top of a front portion of the insole, each recess having a knob; a curve protrusion on the insole; a protuberance on the insole between the front ends of the channels; and a cavity on the insole between the protrusion and the protuberance.

Description

BACKGROUND OF THE INVENTION

1. Field of the Invention
The invention relates to shoes and more particularly to a multi-function insole capable of bringing about the effects of ventilation, anti-slippery, shock absorbing, steadying walk, and foot massaging while walking.
2. Description of Related Art
A conventional shoe includes an insole having front vent holes; and an outsole including a heel having an open cavity, a first check valve extending from the cavity to the external, and a flexible protrusion on the heel bottom; a cover fitted on the cavity and including grooves and a second check valve communicating with the grooves and the cavity; front projections on the insole top; and a channel on the arch top. Foot stepping compresses the protrusion to close the first check valve and open the second check valve such that air within the cavity is expelled to a insole of the foot via the second check valve, the grooves, the channel, and the vent holes. Foot lifting returns the protrusion to its original shape with the first check valve open and the second check valve closed, thereby drawing air into the cavity.
Notwithstanding the conventional shoe, the invention is neither taught nor rendered obvious thereby.

SUMMARY OF THE INVENTION

It is principal object of the invention to provide a multi-function ventilated insole capable of ventilating the air inside of shoe when walking.
It is another object of the invention to provide a multi-function ventilated insole capable of preventing slipping when walking.
It is further object of the invention to provide a multi-function ventilated insole capable of absorbing shock when walking.
It is further object of the invention to provide a multi-function ventilated insole capable of steadying walk when walking.
It is still further object of the invention to provide a multi-function ventilated insole capable of massaging the foot when walking.
A primary feature of the multi-function ventilated insole according to the present invention is to provide a multi-function ventilated insole comprising an elastic airbag disposed on the heel and including an top layer section a bottom layer section and an air chamber forming between the top layer section and the bottom layer section and an air chamber forming between the top layer section and the bottom layer section; a check valve disposed on the rear of the elastic airbag and communicating with the air chamber; two outlets formed on the front of the elastic airbag and communicating with the air chamber; two spaced channels each extending from the elastic airbag to a plantar arch portion, each of the channels including a plurality of vent holes disposed from a front end to an intermediate portion, and a rear concealed tunnel extending to communicate with one of the outlet; a flexible main support disposed in the air chamber and connected to both the top layer section and the bottom layer section; two spaced flexible auxiliary supports disposed in the air chamber and connected to both the top layer section and the bottom layer section and forming on one side of the flexible main support respectively; a plurality of recesses disposed on top of a front portion of the insole; a curve protrusion disposed on the insole proximate to the recesses; a protuberance disposed on the insole between the front ends of the channels; and a cavity disposed on the sole between the protrusion and the protuberance; wherein in response to a wearer's foot stepping on the insole, the main support, the auxiliary supports, and the elastic airbag are compressed, pressure of air in the air chamber increases to close the check valve, and draw the air from the air chamber to the vent holes via the outlet, the tunnels, and the channels, thereby expelling the air; and wherein in response to the wearer's foot lifting the insole, the main support, the auxiliary supports, and the air chamber return to its original shape, draw atmospheric air into the air chamber via the check valve, and draw air above the insole into the air chamber via the vent holes, the channels, the tunnels, and the outlet.
Preferably, the top layer section of the heel and the bottom layer section of the heel are formed integrally of a flexible material but having a different hardness as a dual density unit.
Preferably, the top layer section has a hardness of 30-35 to provide comfort to the feet, and the bottom layer section has a hardness of 50-55 to provide steadying walk.
Preferably, further comprises an integral inlet formed on the rear of the elastic airbag and communicating with the check valve.
Preferably, each of the outlets are connected to one of the channels extending toward a toe of the shoe.
Preferably, each of the channels includes a rear concealed tunnel communicating with one of the outlet.
Preferably, each of the channels further includes a plurality of vent holes disposed forward of the tunnel.
Preferably, further comprising a plurality of recesses formed on top of a front portion of the sole corresponding to the toes of the foot of a wearer, and a cavity formed on the top of the sole corresponding to the plantar arch of the foot of the wearer.
Preferably, each of the recesses has a knob on a central portion of its top, and a protrusion formed on the top of the sole between proximate to the recesses and the cavity.
Preferably, further comprising a plantar arch on each of both sides of the insole, and a protuberance formed on the top of insole between the plantar arches.
Preferably, the bottom layer section of the heel is formed as an outer of the insole.
The invention further has the following advantages:

- Shock absorbing to the feet is obtained due to the provision of the main support and the auxiliary supports by flexibly returning to its original shape after lifting the foot.
- Check valve is provided on the heel so that fresh air can be drawn into the shoe and foul air can be expelled via outlet in the heel. As a result, ventilation is achieved.

In response to a wearer's foot stepping on the sole, the main support, the auxiliary supports, and the elastic airbag are compressed, pressure of air in the air chamber increases to close the check valve, and draw the air from the air chamber to the vent holes via the outlet, the tunnels, and the channels, thereby expelling the air. In response to the wearer's foot lifting the insole, the main support, the auxiliary supports, and the air chamber return to its original shape, draw atmospheric air into the air chamber via the check valve, and draw air above the insole into the air chamber via the vent holes, the channels, the tunnels, and the outlet. As a result, foot hygiene can be obtained by sufficiently ventilating the air inside of shoe.
The at least one recessed and raised portions from a front end to an intermediate portion of the sole can increase traction and comfort while walking in addition to the wearer's foot massaging.
The bottom layer section can be formed as a part of outsole. It is envisaged by the invention that ventilation, anti-slippery, shock absorbing, foot massaging, and steadying walk are brought about to the feet while walking.
The above and other objects, features and advantages of the invention will become apparent from the following detailed description taken with the accompanying drawings.

BRIEF DESCRIPTION OF THE DRAWINGS

FIG. 1 is a perspective view of a multi-function insole according to the invention;

FIG. 2 is a top view of the insole;

FIG. 3 is a bottom view of the insole;

FIG. 4 is a sectional view taken along line A-A of FIG. 3; and

FIG. 5 is a side elevation of the insole.

DETAILED DESCRIPTION OF THE INVENTION

Referring to FIGS. 1 to 4, a multi-function ventilated insole 1 in accordance with the invention comprises the following components as discussed in detail below.
An elastic airbag 2 is disposed on the heel of the insole 1 and the said elastic airbag 2 includes a top layer section 23, a bottom layer section 24 and an air chamber 3 forming between the top layer section 23 and the bottom layer section 24. A check valve 20 and an integral inlet 10 are disposed on the rear of the elastic airbag 2 and both are communicated each other with the air chamber 3. Two outlets 21 is formed on the front of the elastic airbag 2 and communicated with the air chamber 3. The said top layer section 23, a bottom layer section 24, air chamber 3, check valve 20, inlet 10, and two outlets 21 are integrally formed with the elastic airbag 2. The air chamber 3 is formed of a flexible material the same as that of the top layer section 23 but having a different hardness. For example, the top layer section 23 has a hardness of 30-35, and the bottom layer section 24 has a hardness of 50-55 are formed as a dual density unit.
Two spaced channels 11 each extend from the elastic airbag 2 to a plantar arch portion 4 of the insole 1. The channel 11 includes a plurality of vent holes 12 disposed from a front end to an intermediate portion, and a rear concealed tunnel 110 extending to communicate with one of two outlets 21 to the air chamber 3 and the check valve 20.
An oval, flexible main support 22 is disposed in the air chamber 3 and connected to the top layer section 23 and bottom layer section 24. Two spaced flexible auxiliary supports 25 are disposed in the air chamber 3 and connected to the top layer section 23 and the bottom layer section 24 and formed on one side of the flexible main support 22 respectively. The main support 22 and the auxiliary supports 25 are integrally formed. The main support 22 and the auxiliary supports 25 are formed of a flexible material which has hardness less than that of the bottom layer section 24.
The ventilation effect of the invention will be described in detail below. The elastic airbag 2 is compressed when a wearer's foot wearing the shoe puts the most pressure down on the insole 1 in a stepping action of walking. And in turn, the main support 22 and the auxiliary supports 25 are flexibly compressed and the space of the air chamber 3 is reduced. The pressurized air within the air chamber 3 forces the check valve 20 to close. Also, this forms a mechanism that expels air from within the air chamber 3 to the vent holes 12 via the outlet 21, the tunnels 110, and the channels 11. As a result, foul air is expelled out of the insole 1 via the vent holes 12.
The elastic airbag 2 is expanded to return to its original shape when the person lifts his or her feet in a lifting action of walking. And in turn, both the main support 22 and the auxiliary supports 25 return to its original shape. The air pressure within the air chamber 3 decreases sharply. This means that the air pressure within the air chamber 3 is less than the atmospheric pressure. Further, this forms a mechanism that draws atmospheric air into the air chamber 3 via the inlet 10 of the open check valve 20. At about the same time, air inside of insole 1 trapped is drawn into the air chamber 3 via the vent holes 12, the channels 11, the tunnels 110, and the outlet 21. As a result, the air chamber 3 returns to its original state.
Weight of the wearer can be sufficiently supported by both the main support 22 and the auxiliary supports 25 return to its original shape. Thus, a ventilation effect to the insole 1 is carried out by repeating the stepping and lifting actions of the foot in walking. As a result, breathability of the shoe greatly increases and unpleasant odors no longer exist.
A plurality of recesses 13 are formed on top of a front portion of the insole 1 corresponding to the toes of the foot of a wearer. Each recess 13 has a knob 14 on a central portion of its top. A curve protrusion 15 is formed on the top of the insole 1 proximate to the recesses 13. A heart shaped protuberance 17 is formed on the top of insole 1 between the front ends of the channels 11. A cavity 16 is formed on the top of the insole 1 between the protrusion 15 and the protuberance 17. Thus, a wearer can feel a degree of comfort on the feet when wearing shoes incorporating the insole of the invention.
As shown in FIG. 5 specifically, the bottom layer section 24 is formed as a part of outsole 5. It is envisaged by the invention that ventilation, shock absorbing, foot massaging, anti-slippery, and steadying walk are brought about to the feet while walking.
The invention further has the following advantages:

- 1. Shock absorbing to the feet is obtained due to the provision of the main support and the auxiliary supports by flexibly returning to its original shape after lifting the foot.
- 2. Check valve is provided on the heel so that fresh air can be drawn into the shoe and foul air can be expelled via outlet in the heel. As a result, ventilation is achieved.
- 3. In response to a wearer's foot stepping on the insole, the main support, the auxiliary supports, and the elastic airbag are compressed, pressure of air in the elastic airbag increases to close the check valve, and draw the air from the elastic airbag to the vent holes via the outlet, the tunnels, and the channels, thereby expelling the air. In response to the wearer's foot lifting the sole, the main support, the auxiliary supports, and the elastic airbag return to its original shape, draw atmospheric air into the elastic airbag via the check valve, and draw air above the insole into the elastic airbag via the vent holes, the channels, the tunnels, and the outlet. As a result, foot hygiene can be obtained by sufficiently ventilating the air inside of shoe.
- 4. The at least one recessed and raised portions from a front end to an intermediate portion of the insole can increase traction and comfort while walking in addition to the wearer's foot massaging.
- 5. The bottom layer section can be formed as a part of outsole. It is envisaged by the invention that ventilation that ventilation, shock absorbing, foot massaging, anti-slippery, and steadying walk are brought about to the feet while walking.

While the invention has been described in terms of preferred embodiments, those skilled in the art will recognize that the invention can be practiced with modifications within the spirit and scope of the appended claims.

Claims

What is claimed is:

1. A multi-function ventilated insole comprising:

an elastic airbag disposed on the heel of the insole and including an top layer section, a bottom layer section and an air chamber forming between the top layer section and the bottom layer section;

a check valve disposed on the rear of the elastic airbag and communicating with the air chamber;

two outlets formed on the front of the elastic airbag and communicating with the air chamber;

two spaced channels each extending from the elastic airbag to a plantar arch portion;

a flexible main support disposed in the air chamber and connected to both the top layer section and the bottom layer section;

two spaced flexible auxiliary supports disposed in the air chamber and connected to both the top layer section and the bottom layer section and forming on one side of the flexible main support respectively;

a plurality of recesses disposed on top of a front portion of the insole;

wherein in response to a wearer's foot stepping on the insole, the main support, the auxiliary supports, and the elastic airbag are compressed, pressure of air in the air chamber increases to close the check valve, and draw the air from the air chamber to the vent holes via the outlet and the channels, thereby expelling the air; and

wherein in response to the wearer's foot lifting the insole, the main support, the auxiliary supports, and the air chamber return to its original shape, draw atmospheric air into the air chamber via the check valve, and draw air above the insole into the air chamber via the vent holes, the channels and the outlet.

2. The multi-function ventilated insole of claim 1, wherein the top layer section of the heel and the bottom layer section of the heel are formed integrally of a flexible material but having a different hardness.

3. The multi-function ventilated insole of claim 2, wherein the top layer section has a hardness of 30-35, and the bottom layer section has a hardness of 50-55, both are formed as a dual density unit.

4. The multi-function ventilated insole of claim 2, further comprising an integral inlet formed on the rear of the elastic airbag and communicating with the check valve.

5. The multi-function ventilated insole of claim 1, wherein each of the outlet are connected to one of the channels extending toward a toe of the shoe.

6. The multi-function ventilated insole of claim 5, wherein each of the channels includes a rear concealed tunnel extending to communicate with one of the outlet, and a plurality of vent holes disposed from a front end to an intermediate portion.

7. The multi-function ventilated insole of claim 1, further comprising a plurality of recesses formed on top of a front portion of the insole corresponding to the toes of the foot of a wearer, and a cavity formed on the top of the insole corresponding to the plantar arch of the foot of the wearer.

8. The multi-function ventilated insole of claim 7, wherein each of the recesses has a knob on a central portion of its top, and a protrusion formed on the top of the insole between proximate to the recesses and the cavity.

9. The multi-function ventilated insole of claim 8, further comprising a plantar arch portion on each of both sides of the insole, and a protuberance formed on the top of the insole between the plantar arch portions.

10. The multi-function ventilated insole of claim 2, wherein the bottom layer section of the heel is formed as an outer of insole