Vibrating health shoe for helping blood circulation and muscle pain relief

Abstract

The present invention provides a structure which enables a vibration device in a shoe to easily generate and transmit vibrations.

Description

Vibrating health shoes that help improve blood flow and relieve muscle pain

[0001] The present invention relates to shoes equipped with a vibration device. In particular, the present invention relates to vibrating health shoes that help improve blood flow and relieve muscle pain.

[0002] A technology is known for embedding a vibration device, primarily in the sole of a shoe. When the wearer walks, the vibration element inside the device vibrates due to the impact, transmitting this vibration to the sole of the foot. Since most human nerves and blood vessels pass through the sole of the foot, stimulating, vibrating, or applying pressure to the sole of the foot can improve health.

[0003] A representative vibration device utilizes the repulsive force of magnets. A magnet is placed on a vibration plate at the middle of the height of the vibration device case, and upper and lower magnets are placed on the top and bottom of the case to face the magnet. Therefore, when the shoe is shocked by walking, stepping, or running, the magnets on the vibration plate shake, and at this time, the repulsive force with the upper and lower magnets provides additional vibration to the magnets so that this vibration is transmitted to the soles of the feet. However, almost all prior technologies are of the biased type, which has a structure in which the side ends of the vibration plate are fixed to form a cantilever structure and the magnets are placed at the ends of the vibration plate. This structure has the advantage of vertical vibration of the magnet, but the disadvantage is that the part of the vibration plate above the middle where the magnet is not located becomes a kind of "blind spot" and does not contribute to the vibration and wastes space.

[0004] The applicant has filed many patents regarding vibration devices for shoes, including Patent Nos. 10-1978880, 10-2037241, and 10-2494468. In Patent No. 10-2557301, the applicant disclosed a vibration unit mounted in a recess of a midsole of a shoe. The vibration unit comprises a case, a vibration frame, a first vibration plate, a second vibration plate, and a vibration means. The other end of the first vibration plate is connected to the vibration frame and one end is disposed in a receiving portion of the case, and the other end of the second vibration plate is connected to the vibration frame and one end is disposed in the receiving portion of the case. The first and second vibration plates each comprise a support connected to the vibration frame, a pair of branches branching into two from an end of the support, and a pair of disks formed at the ends of the branches.

[0005] A U-shaped recess is formed inwardly at the connection between the branch and the disc to facilitate the up-and-down amplitude movement of the disc. A pair of U-shaped neck grooves are formed at the connection between the vibration frame and the supports of the first and second vibration plates to assist the up-and-down amplitude movement of each vibration plate.

[0006] A floating magnet is installed on the disk, and an upper magnet is placed on the upper case facing the floating magnet, and a lower magnet is placed on the lower case. When the floating magnet is pushed by the repulsive force of the upper magnet due to an impact from an external force of the shoe, the vibration frame moves downward. This time, the vibration frame moves upward due to the repulsive force of the lower magnet. This up-and-down movement of the vibration frame is repeated in a minute cycle, so that a periodic and even vibration is transmitted to the sole of the wearer's foot through the case.

[0007] The above patent has been implemented into a real product, demonstrating excellent vibration effects. The present invention aims to further improve this structure, maintaining and further enhancing the excellent vibration effects.

[0008]

[0009] Therefore, the present invention aims to provide a vibration device installed inside a shoe, which has an excellent vibration effect, can improve health through vibration of the sole of the foot, and stimulate the interest of the wearer, and is sturdy and economical, and a shoe equipped with the vibration device.

[0010] In order to achieve the above object, the present invention provides a vibration device mounted inside a shoe, the vibration device including a first fixing part fixed to one side of a case accommodating the vibration device, a second fixing part fixed to the other side of the case, and a vibration frame connecting the first and second fixing parts, wherein a weight having a weight is installed on the vibration frame so that the vibration frame is always horizontal due to an impact of the shoe, and the weight does not include a magnet.

[0011] The above vibration frame includes a support bar crossing the first and second fixed parts, and the weights of the first vibration frame and the second vibration frame, which are divided based on the support bar, are equal, and each of the first and second vibration frames can include its own weight.

[0012] In addition, the present invention is a vibration device mounted inside a shoe, the vibration device including a first fixing part fixed to one side of a case accommodating the vibration device, a second fixing part fixed to the other side of the case, and a support bar connecting the first and second fixing parts, the support bar divides a space (S) in which the vibration device is accommodated into a first space (S1) and a second space (S2) along the longitudinal direction, the first and second spaces (S1, S2) have the same volume, the space (S) is divided into two by a vertical line crossing the space (S) at an arbitrary point along the longitudinal direction of the support bar, the first space (S1) is divided into a first quadrant (S11) on one side and a second quadrant (S12) on the other side, and the second space (S2) is divided into a third quadrant (S21) on one side and a fourth quadrant (S22) on the other side, the vibration device is disposed in the first space (S1). A vibration device is provided, which further includes a first vibration frame and a second vibration frame arranged in a second space (S2), and provides a balancing structure in which the vibration device is always horizontal to the left and right.

[0013] Each of the four quadrants has the same spatial size, and the first vibration subframe placed in the first quadrant (S11) of the first space (S1) and the second vibration subframe placed in the second quadrant (S12) are symmetrical with respect to the boundary line and have the same weight, and similarly, the third vibration subframe placed in the third quadrant (S21) of the second space (S2) and the fourth vibration subframe placed in the fourth quadrant are symmetrical with respect to the boundary line and have the same weight, so that the first space (S1) and the second space (S2) can have a mutually symmetrical structure.

[0014] Each vibration subframe arranged in each of the quadrants includes a weight, which is a weight body, and the weight can be formed in a biased position when viewed from above in the space of each quadrant.

[0015] The first vibration frame includes a connecting portion extending vertically upwardly from a midpoint of a support bar to an outer side for a predetermined length, a pair of downwardly inclined portions extending downwardly in the left and right directions toward the support bar from ends of the connecting portions, a pair of upwardly inclined portions extending upwardly backward from ends of the downwardly inclined portions, a pair of support segments extending outward in a longitudinal direction from ends of the upwardly inclined portions, and a pair of support weights formed at ends of the support segments, wherein a weight that is a weight chain can be installed on the support weights.

[0016] The angle (α) formed by the connecting portion and the downward slope, the angle (β) formed by the upward slope and the downward slope, and the angle (γ) between the support segment and the upward slope can provide a curved recess with the relationship γ > α > β.

[0017] The second vibration frame of the above vibration frame may be symmetrical with respect to the support bar and have the same structure as the first vibration frame.

[0018] The first vibration frame above forms a connecting portion extending vertically upwardly from a midpoint of a support bar to an outer side, a pair of downwardly inclined portions extending downwardly in the left and right directions from the ends of the connecting portions toward the support bar, a pair of upwardly inclined portions extending upwardly backward from the ends of the downwardly inclined portions, a pair of second downwardly inclined portions extending downwardly symmetrically with respect to the upwardly inclined portions, and a pair of support segments extending briefly from the ends of the second downwardly inclined portions, and a pair of support weights are formed at the ends thereof, and a weight, which is a weight chain, can be installed on the support weights.

[0019] The second vibration frame of the above vibration frame is symmetrical with the first vibration frame based on the support bar and has the same structure, and the width of the support bar is 1 to 6 mm, the total length of the connection part of the first and second vibration frames is 1.0 cm to 5.0 cm, and the width of the upward and downward inclined parts of the first and second vibration frames is 0.5 mm to 4.0 mm, which may be smaller than the width of the support bar.

[0020] A weight is installed on each of the first vibration frame and the second vibration frame, and each weight is a magnet, and a magnet of the same polarity that exerts a repulsive force on at least one of the upper surface and the lower surface of the case facing the magnet can be further installed.

[0021] The present invention also provides a shoe including the above vibration device.

[0022] The present invention provides a vibration device installed inside a shoe, which has an excellent vibration effect, can improve health through vibration of the sole of the foot, stimulates the interest of the wearer, is sturdy, and does not require a magnet, so it is economical, and provides a shoe equipped with the vibration device.

[0023] Figure 1 is a drawing for explaining the basic principle of the vibration device of the present invention;

[0024] Figure 2 is a plan view of the vibration frame of the present invention;

[0025] Fig. 3 is a perspective view of the vibration frame of the present invention;

[0026] Fig. 4 is a drawing explaining the case of the vibration device of the present invention;

[0027] Fig. 5 is a drawing of a case equipped with a vibration device of the present invention mounted on a shoe;

[0028] Fig. 6 is a drawing explaining the vibration of the vibration frame of the present invention; and

[0029] Figure 7 is a drawing of another embodiment of the vibration frame of the present invention.

[0030] The present invention is susceptible to various modifications and embodiments. Specific embodiments are illustrated in the drawings and described in detail in specific details for carrying out the invention. However, this is not intended to limit the present invention to specific embodiments, but rather to encompass all modifications, equivalents, and alternatives falling within the spirit and technical scope of the present invention.

[0031] First, with reference to Fig. 1, the basic configuration and principle of the vibration device (1) of the present invention will be described.

[0032] As shown in Fig. 1a, the vibration device (1) is placed in a space (S) of, for example, a square shape. The first fixing part (10a) on one side of the vibration device (1) is fixed to the side of the space (S), and the second fixing part (10b) on the other side is fixed to the other side of the space (S). The first fixing part (10a) and the second fixing part (10b) face each other at a certain distance. A support bar (12) is connected to the middle height of the two members and suspended between the first and second fixing parts (10a, 10b). The support bar (12) is connected to the center of the first and second fixing parts (10a, 10b), and the support bar (12) divides the space (S) into a first space (S1) and a second space (S2) along the longitudinal direction. Therefore, it is preferable that the first and second spaces (S1, S2) have the same volume.

[0033] The space (S) is divided into two by a vertical line crossing the space (S) at the midpoint along the length direction of the support bar (12). Then, the first space (S1) is divided into the first quadrant (S11) on the right and the second quadrant (S12) on the left, and the second space (S2) is divided into the third quadrant (S21) on the left and the fourth quadrant (S22) on the right. It is preferable that each of the four quadrants has the same space size.

[0034] In the present invention, the first vibration frame (2a) arranged in the first space (S1) and the second vibration frame (2b) arranged in the second space (S2) are symmetrical with respect to each other and have the same weight. In addition, the first vibration sub-frame (20a) arranged in the first quadrant (S11) of the first space (S1) and the second vibration sub-frame (22a) arranged in the second quadrant (S12) are symmetrical with respect to each other and have the same weight. Similarly, the third vibration sub-frame (20b) arranged in the third quadrant (S21) of the second space (S2) and the fourth vibration sub-frame (22b) arranged in the fourth quadrant (S22) are symmetrical with respect to each other and have the same weight.

[0035] Since the weight in each space is the same, all subframes (20a, 22a, 20b, 22b) will always try to maintain equilibrium like a seesaw with the support bar (12) as the central axis. In other words, the first vibration frame (2a) and the second vibration frame (2b) will always try to maintain equilibrium like a seesaw with the support bar (12) as the central axis.

[0036] When walking or moving even slightly while wearing shoes, the shoes are subjected to an external force and undergo a tilting movement. Therefore, the seesaw-type vibration device (1) of the present invention can always provide a constant vibration. This effect cannot be expected from a spherical cantilever-type vibration device with a single fixed part.

[0037] Fig. 1b conceptually illustrates the vibration frame of the present invention connected to a support bar (12). Each subframe (20a, 22a, 20b, 22b) extends from the support bar (12). The weight (w) is the same, and the shape and size are also the same. The shape and size of the vibration frame of the present invention are not limited, but it is preferable to design and manufacture it so as to bring about the maximum vibration effect.

[0038] In particular, in order to enhance the vibration effect, a large weight (30) is installed in each subframe (20a, 22a. 20b, 22b). The weights (30) are installed at biased positions in each quadrant space for the vibration effect. However, they are at the same distance from each other with respect to the center (O) of the space (S), which is necessary for automatic weight adjustment and balance functions. The weights (30) have a heavy weight and are essential for vibration generation. The main feature of the present invention is that the weights (30) are not magnets as in the past.

[0039] The vibration frame of the present invention can be manufactured in various shapes, but a preferred example will be described with reference to the plan view of Fig. 2 and the perspective view of Fig. 3. The vibration frame will be described by dividing it into individual elements, but, except for the weight portion, it is manufactured integrally from a thin plate-shaped metal or plastic.

[0040] Since the first vibration frame (2a) and the second vibration frame (2b) have a symmetrical structure, the first vibration frame (2a) will be mainly described, and the second vibration frame (2b) will be given a different drawing reference number and duplicate descriptions will be omitted. In addition, in the description of the first vibration frame (2a), since the structure of the first quadrant (S11) and the structure of the second quadrant (S12) are the same symmetry, the same reference numbers will be given to corresponding identical parts and described together.

[0041] In the drawing, the horizontal direction along the length of the support bar (12) is sometimes referred to as the length direction, or left and right, and the vertical direction is sometimes referred to as the width direction, or up and down. However, this is for convenience of explanation and does not limit the direction or position.

[0042] A connecting portion (24a) extends vertically for a certain length from the middle point of the support bar (12) to the upper outer side. A pair of downwardly inclined portions (26a) are formed from the ends of the connecting portions (24a) and extending downward in the left and right directions toward the support bar (12). The angle (α) formed by the connecting portions (24a) and the downwardly inclined portions (26a) may be 30° to 60°, for example, 45°. If the angle (α) is too small, the overall longitudinal length of the vibration frame becomes shorter, and the connecting angle becomes narrow. If the angle (α) is too large, the overall longitudinal length must be longer, and the vibration effect may not be large.

[0043] From the end of the downwardly inclined portion (26a), a pair of upwardly inclined portions (28a) are formed, which extend backwards, that is, toward the connecting portion (24a) and extend upwards. The angle (β) formed by the upwardly inclined portion (28a) with the downwardly inclined portion (26a) is preferably smaller than the angle (α). For example, it may be 20° to 40°, preferably 30°. A sharp bend forming an acute angle, that is, a U- or V-shaped recess, is more effective in inducing and transmitting vibration than the opposite case. The end point of the upwardly inclined portion (28a) is located at a position sufficiently higher than the upper end of the connecting portion (24a). This not-so-short length is also advantageous in inducing and transmitting vibration. The end point of the upwardly inclined portion (28a) ends at a position not exceeding half of the total length of the downwardly inclined portion (26a).

[0044] From the end of the upwardly inclined portion (28a), a support segment (30a) is formed that extends horizontally outward along the longitudinal direction. The angle (γ) between the support segment (30a) and the upwardly inclined portion (28a) is greater than the angles (α, β). The length and extension angle of the support segment (30a) can be appropriately selected.

[0045] A support weight (32a) is formed at the end of the support segment (30a). The support weight (32a) is formed in a disk shape with a larger unit area than other members. In the present invention, a weight (30) is installed on the support weight (32a). The weight (30) has a relatively heavy weight, and therefore, the support weight (32a) functions as the heaviest weight part in each subframe (20a, 22a. 20b, 22b). If only the support weight (32a) separated in the first quadrant exists, the subframe will tilt toward the part where the weight (30) is located. However, in the present invention, since the weights (30) located in each quadrant are distributed based on the exact center of the vibration device (1), the vibration frame does not tilt to one side and always tends to be horizontal.

[0046] The weight (30) may include a heavy metal or a plastic laminate structure including metal or a ceramic molded body.

[0047] The vibration device (1) of the present invention is housed in a case (100) and installed inside a shoe. The case (100) can be manufactured in various ways as long as it provides a space in which the vibration device (1) can vibrate.

[0048] Fig. 4 illustrates an example of a case (100) of the present invention. The case (100) includes an upper case (102) and a lower case (104). The case (100) is made of plastic or metal. The upper and lower cases (102, 104) are forcibly pressed together and are separable, but may be integrated, for example, by welding.

[0049] In order to attach the first fixing part (10a) and the second fixing part (10b) of the vibration device, receiving grooves (108) corresponding to the two slots of each fixing part are formed on the opposite side surfaces of the upper case (102). Protrusions (106) for engaging with the receiving grooves (108) are formed on opposite sides of the lower case (104) to face these. The protrusions (106) pass through the respective slots of the fixing part of the vibration device (1) and are forcibly pressed into the receiving grooves (108) to assemble the case (100). A protruding and recessed joining structure (not shown) may be further formed on the edge of the case (100). However, this is an example, and various changes are possible, such as fusing the first and second fixing parts (10a, 10b) to the side surfaces of the case (100).

[0050] The first and second fixing members (10a, 10b) are merely examples, and may have one or no slots as long as they are fixed to the case (100) to provide a support point, and may be formed in a disk shape or a small square shape. However, the vertically elongated fixing members as illustrated have the advantage of being more firmly connected to the case and thus maintaining their position despite infinite vibration or impact.

[0051] In the present invention, the first and second fixing parts (10a, 10b) are covered by the side of the case (100) and are not visible from the outside after being combined.

[0052] Fig. 5 illustrates an example of mounting the case (100) of the present invention on a shoe (200). A vibration device (1) is built into the case (100). The exterior of the shoe (200) is largely divided into an upper (202) and a sole (204), the latter of which is sequentially composed of a middle sole, an insole, and an outsole from the top. The case (100) of the present invention is preferably mounted on the sole (204) at the back of the shoe. However, it may also be mounted on the sole (204) at the center of the shoe or the sole (204) at the front. In addition, installation on the inside of the upper (202) is not excluded.

[0053] In the present invention, shoes are a broad concept that includes, in addition to the illustrated sneakers, slippers, shoes, sandals, etc., and the description related to the above structure can be understood by appropriately changing it depending on the shoe.

[0054] Fig. 6 is a drawing for explaining the vibration concept of the vibration device (1) of Fig. 3 of the present invention. The balance of the shoe changes infinitely depending on the walking, running, and upright posture of the wearer of the shoe, the incline of the shoe, and the slope of the ground.

[0055] In this case, in the present invention, the first vibration frame (2a) and the second vibration frame (2b) move up and down to achieve mutual equilibrium with respect to the support bar (12). At the same time, the subframes (20a, 22b) of the first and fourth quadrants and the subframes (22a, 20b) of the second and third quadrants move up and down with respect to the connecting portions (24a, 24b) to achieve mutual equilibrium. That is, since the vibration device (1) of the present invention always receives a force to achieve equilibrium, even if there is a small shock or vibration of the shoe, at least one vibration frame vibrates, so it is effective in generating, transmitting, and maintaining vibration.

[0056] In addition, since the vibration device (1) is balanced in the width direction as well as left and right in the internal space of the case (100), and the weight is not biased to one side, it is advantageous for transmitting vibration. In contrast, the cantilevered structure has a disadvantage in that it is close to the fixed part, and the shock is not transmitted well to the fixed part even when the shock is applied to a location far from the magnet or a location near the magnet, but the present invention can fundamentally solve this problem.

[0057] In the present invention, the weight (30) need not be a heavy weight, such as a magnet. Therefore, unlike in the prior art, there is no need to place repulsive magnets on the upper and lower cases (102, 104) so ​​as to face the magnets of the vibration frame to generate vibration by the repulsive force of the magnets. In this respect, the vibration device (1) of the present invention is more economical, reduces costs, and is very easy to manufacture and assemble. In addition, the weight of the case (100) including the vibration device (1) can be reduced overall, thereby enhancing marketability.

[0058] However, the structure described above of the present invention does not exclude the use of a magnet as the weight (30). In this case, while using the same vibration device (1), a magnet having the same polarity as the surface of the weight (30) may be placed on the opposing upper and lower surfaces of the case (100), respectively.

[0059] Figure 7 discloses another embodiment of the vibration device (1) of the present invention.

[0060] This embodiment is the same as the previous embodiment, but the upwardly inclined portion (28a) is formed somewhat shorter to a height that partially overlaps the end of the connecting portion (24a), and a second downwardly inclined portion (260a) is formed that extends downwardly symmetrically with the upwardly inclined portion (28a) at an angle equal to or similar to the angle (γ), and a support segment (30a) that is formed that is inclined upwardly and briefly extended from the end of the second downwardly inclined portion (260a), and a support weight (32a) is formed at the end thereof. By forming three or more U- or V-shaped recesses, a more curved banding structure is provided compared to the first embodiment to further enhance the vibration effect. The present invention may have an additional zigzag structure in addition to FIG. 6 to highlight the vibration effect.

[0061] In the embodiment of Fig. 7, the height (width; w1) of the support bar (12) is about 1 to 6 mm, and the thickness (w2) of each segment is about 0.5 to 4.0 mm, so that the support bar (12) serves as a reference and is formed thin so that the segments vibrate. In addition, the total length of the connecting portions (24a, 24b) is designed to have a length that provides a second reference together with the support bar (12) of about 1.0 to 5.0 cm.

[0062] Although the preferred embodiments of the present invention have been described above, it is obvious that various changes and modifications are possible for the present invention, and the scope of the rights of the present invention extends to an area identical or equivalent to the claims described below.

Claims

1. A vibration device mounted inside a shoe, wherein the vibration device includes a first fixing part fixed to one side of a case accommodating the vibration device, a second fixing part fixed to the other side of the case, and a support bar connecting the first and second fixing parts, wherein the support bar divides a space (S) in which the vibration device is accommodated into a first space (S1) and a second space (S2) along a longitudinal direction, wherein the first and second spaces (S1, S2) have the same volume, and the space (S) is divided into two by a vertical line crossing the space (S) at an arbitrary point along the longitudinal direction of the support bar, such that the first space (S1) is divided into a first quadrant (S11) on one side and a second quadrant (S12) on the other side, and the second space (S2) is divided into a third quadrant (S21) on one side and a fourth quadrant (S22) on the other side. The above vibration device further includes a first vibration frame arranged in a first space (S1) and a second vibration frame arranged in a second space (S2), and provides a balancing structure in which the vibration device is always horizontal, and each of the four quadrants has the same spatial size, and the first vibration subframe arranged in the first quadrant (S11) of the first space (S1) and the second vibration subframe arranged in the second quadrant (S12) are symmetrical with respect to a boundary line and have the same weight, and similarly, the third vibration subframe arranged in the third quadrant (S21) of the second space (S2) and the fourth vibration subframe arranged in the fourth quadrant are symmetrical with respect to a boundary line and have the same weight, so that the first space (S1) and the second space (S2) have a mutually symmetrical structure, Each vibration subframe arranged in each of the above quadrants includes a weight, which is a weight body, and the weight is formed in a biased position as viewed from above in the space of each quadrant, which is a vibration device.

2. In paragraph 1, The above first vibration frame, A vibration device comprising a connecting portion extending vertically upwardly from the middle point of a support bar to the outer upper portion, a pair of downwardly inclined portions extending downwardly in the left and right directions from the ends of the connecting portion toward the support bar, a pair of upwardly inclined portions extending upwardly backward from the ends of the downwardly inclined portions, a pair of support segments extending outward in the longitudinal direction from the ends of the upwardly inclined portions, and a pair of support weights formed at the ends of the support segments, wherein a weight, which is a weight chain, is installed in the support weights.

3. In paragraph 2, The angle between the connecting portion and the downward slope (α), the angle between the upward slope and the downward slope (β), and the angle between the supporting segment and the upward slope (γ) A vibration device providing a recess curved in the relationship γ > α > β.

4. In paragraph 2, A vibration device in which the second vibration frame of the vibration frame is symmetrical with respect to the support bar and has the same structure as the first vibration frame.

5. In paragraph 1, The above first vibration frame, A vibration device comprising a connecting portion extending vertically upwardly for a certain length from the middle point of a support bar to the outer upper portion, a pair of downwardly inclined portions extending downwardly in the left and right directions from the ends of the connecting portion toward the support bar, a pair of upwardly inclined portions extending upwardly backward from the ends of the downwardly inclined portions, a pair of second downwardly inclined portions extending downwardly symmetrically with respect to the upwardly inclined portions, and a pair of support segments extending briefly from the ends of the second downwardly inclined portions, a pair of support weights formed at the ends thereof, and a weight, which is a weight chain, installed in the support weights.

6. In paragraph 5, The second vibration frame of the vibration frame is symmetrical with respect to the support bar and has the same structure as the first vibration frame. A vibration device having a width of the support bar of 1 to 6 mm, a total length of the connecting portion of the first and second vibration frames of 1.0 cm to 5.0 cm, and a width of the upward and downward inclined portions of the first and second vibration frames of 0.5 mm to 4.0 mm, which is smaller than the support bar.

7. In paragraph 1, A vibration device in which a weight is installed on each of the first vibration frame and the second vibration frame, each weight being a magnet, and a magnet of the same polarity that exerts a repulsive force on at least one of the upper surface and the lower surface of the case facing the magnet is further installed.

8. Shoes including the vibration device of paragraph 1.

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