Shoe sole having air circulation structure

Abstract

The present invention, with respect to the technical subject matter, comprises: a midsole including, on the upper surface thereof, a first bottom space part recessed in a forefoot area, a second bottom space part recessed in a heel area, and a bottom space connection part having a straight flow path shape and connecting the first bottom space part and the second bottom space part; a reinforcing plate which is provided on top of the midsole and which has an air intake space recessed at a position corresponding to the first bottom space part; a pressing plate which is disposed in the air intake space and which has a fitting hole penetrating the central portion thereof; a seat valve fitted into the fitting hole so as to control the opening / closing of the flow of the air; and a check valve which is provided on the side surface of the midsole so as to allow the second bottom space part to communicate with the outside, and which controls the air to flow in one direction, wherein, when a load of a foot is not applied to the pressing plate during walking, a space through which the air flows is formed between the fitting hole and the seat valve such that the air flows into the air intake space and then moves to the second bottom space part along the first bottom space part and the bottom space connection part, and, when the load of the foot is applied to the pressing plate, the seat valve is pressed downward to come into contact with the upper surface of the air intake space and a gap between the fitting hole and the seat valve is sealed such that the air moved to the second bottom space part is discharged to the outside through the check valve.

Description

Shoe sole with an air circulation structure

[0001] The present invention relates to a shoe sole having an air circulation structure.

[0002] Shoes play a crucial role in maintaining foot freshness by protecting the wearer's feet, reducing fatigue, and providing comfort. Conventional shoe sole structures have primarily focused on absorbing shock applied to the feet. While recent research has focused on air circulation technologies capable of effectively managing heat and moisture inside the foot, the discomfort caused by excessive heat and sweat during prolonged wear has yet to be resolved.

[0003] Examples of structures proposed to reduce foot fatigue and induce air circulation, such as inserting shock absorbers into the soles or forming internal air passages to guide airflow, are as follows.

[0004] For example, there is a method that forms simple air passages inside the sole to circulate air according to the movement of the foot, but there were limitations in circulating air throughout the entire interior of the shoe because the airflow was restricted or effective only in specific areas.

[0005] Another example involves a method that circulates air by utilizing foot pressure or load; however, such structures fail to efficiently utilize the foot's load, and the complex design of specific components, such as valves, complicates the shoe manufacturing process. This leads to increased production costs and reduced durability, hindering commercialization.

[0006] As mentioned above, various attempts have been made to solve the problem of air circulation inside conventional shoes; however, structural deficiencies, such as valves or air passages designed to efficiently circulate air, have resulted in issues where airflow is restricted or limited to only certain areas.

[0007] In particular, in structures containing valves, incomplete opening and closing operations or failure to prevent air backflow were frequent. There were also issues where the sealing mechanism inside the valve was deformed or damaged by repetitive loads and airflow, leading to long-term performance degradation; this resulted in a failure to ensure airflow stability, ultimately reducing the performance and lifespan of the shoes.

[0008] As such, air circulation structures applied to shoe soles have focused on removing moisture and dissipating heat from within the shoe; however, no practical method has been presented to naturally expel and circulate air to the outside by utilizing the weight of the foot. Therefore, there is an urgent need for a new shoe sole that can effectively utilize the weight and movement of the foot to improve internal air circulation performance and maximize wearer comfort.

[0009] The present invention was developed to resolve the aforementioned problems, and its technical solution is to provide a shoe sole having an air circulation structure that utilizes the load applied to the wearer's foot to circulate air inside the shoe, thereby providing excellent ventilation.

[0010] To solve the above technical problem, the present invention comprises: a midsole including a first floor space formed recessed in the forefoot region of the foot on the upper surface, a second floor space formed recessed in the rearfoot region of the foot, and a floor space connecting portion having a straight flow path shape connecting the first floor space and the second floor space; a reinforcing plate installed on the upper part of the midsole and having an air intake space formed recessed at a position corresponding to the first floor space; a pressure plate disposed in the air intake space and having a fitting hole formed through the center; and a seat valve fitted into the fitting hole to control the opening and closing of airflow. The present invention provides a shoe sole having an air circulation structure, comprising: a check valve installed on the side of the midsole so as to be in communication with the outside of the second floor space and controlling air to flow in one direction; wherein, when no load of the foot is applied to the pressure plate during walking, a space for air to flow is formed between the fitting hole and the seat valve, so that air flows into the air intake space and then moves to the second floor space along the first floor space and the floor space connection part, and when the load of the foot is applied to the pressure plate, the seat valve is pressed downward and contacts the upper surface of the air intake space and seals the space between the fitting hole and the seat valve, thereby allowing the air moved to the second floor space to be discharged to the outside through the check valve.

[0011] In the present invention, the check valve comprises: a first check valve body installed to communicate with the second floor space and having a first air channel and a second air channel extending therefrom formed with a diameter smaller than that of the first air channel; a second check valve body coupled to the first check valve body and having an air discharge passage formed therein; and a rubber pin disposed in the first air channel to open and close the space between the first air channel and the second air channel according to the flow of air.

[0012] In the present invention, the rubber pin is characterized by moving in the direction of the air discharge passage to open the space between the first air channel and the second air channel when air flows into the interior of the check valve through the second bottom space, and moving in the direction of the second air channel to seal the space between the first air channel and the second air channel when external air attempts to be sucked into the interior of the check valve.

[0013] According to the present invention, which provides a means for solving the above problem, there is an advantage in providing a shoe sole that implements a novel structure for circulating air inside the shoe by efficiently utilizing the load of the foot. As a result, heat and moisture accumulated inside the shoe are naturally expelled, allowing the foot to maintain comfort even during prolonged wear. In particular, the air circulation structure of the present invention operates automatically according to the movement of the foot, so it does not require additional external power and is energy efficient.

[0014] Furthermore, the seat valve and check valve effectively control airflow to prevent backflow, thereby ensuring stable and consistent air circulation. Specifically, the seat valve operates in conjunction with the pressure plate according to the load on the foot to control the inflow and blockage of air, while the check valve prevents backflow during air expulsion, maintaining a smooth overall circulation process. As a result, the stability and efficiency of airflow inside the shoe are significantly improved compared to conventional designs.

[0015] In addition, the structure of the first floor space, second floor space, and floor space connecting section of the midsole allows for the even distribution of air between the forefoot and heel, thereby resolving the problem of air concentrating in specific areas. Furthermore, since uniform air circulation can be achieved throughout the entire interior of the shoe, it has the advantage of maximizing wearer comfort and satisfaction by removing heat and moisture from the entire foot.

[0016] Furthermore, the seat valve, check valve, and pressure plate are functionally optimized, ensuring high durability and maintaining stable performance even under repetitive loads and wear. This offers the advantage of enabling air circulation without increasing the weight of the shoe sole. Consequently, it has the advantage of being widely applicable as a sole for various types of footwear requiring both waterproofing and ventilation, such as Gore-Tex shoes, golf shoes, safety shoes, ski boots, and winter boots.

[0017] FIG. 1 is an exploded perspective view illustrating the overall configuration of a shoe sole having an air circulation structure according to the present invention.

[0018] FIG. 2 is an enlarged perspective view illustrating the structure of a reinforcing plate, a pressure plate, and a seat valve according to the present invention.

[0019] FIG. 3 is a perspective view illustrating the combined configuration of a check valve according to the present invention.

[0020] FIG. 4 is an exploded cross-sectional view illustrating the configuration of a check valve according to the present invention.

[0021] The present invention is susceptible to various modifications and may have various embodiments, and specific embodiments are illustrated in the drawings and described in detail. However, this is not intended to limit the invention to specific embodiments, and it should be understood that the invention includes all modifications, equivalents, and substitutions that fall within the spirit and scope of the invention. Similar reference numerals have been used for similar components in the description of each drawing.

[0022] The terms used in this invention are used merely to describe specific embodiments and are not intended to limit the invention. Singular expressions include plural expressions unless the context clearly indicates otherwise. In this invention, terms such as "comprising" or "having" are intended to specify the presence of the features, numbers, steps, reactions, components, or combinations thereof described in the specification, and should be understood as not precluding the existence or addition of one or more other features, numbers, steps, reactions, components, or combinations thereof.

[0023] Unless otherwise defined, all terms used herein, including technical or scientific terms, have the same meaning as generally understood by those skilled in the art to which the present invention pertains. Terms such as those defined in commonly used dictionaries should be interpreted as having a meaning consistent with their meaning in the context of the relevant technology, and should not be interpreted in an ideal or overly formal sense unless explicitly defined in this application.

[0024] The present invention relates to a shoe sole having an air circulation structure. In this regard, FIG. 1 is an exploded perspective view illustrating the overall configuration of a shoe sole having an air circulation structure according to the present invention, and FIG. 2 is an enlarged perspective view illustrating the structure of a reinforcing plate (2000), a pressure plate (3000), and a seat valve (4000) according to the present invention. As shown in FIG. 1 and FIG. 2, the shoe sole having an air circulation structure according to the present invention is configured to include a midsole (1000), a reinforcing plate (2000), a pressure plate (3000), a seat valve (4000), and a check valve (5000).

[0025] The shoe sole formed by the above configuration has the characteristic that when no load of the foot is applied to the pressure plate (3000) during walking, a space for air to flow is formed between the fitting hole (3100) and the seat valve (4000), so that air flows into the air intake space (2100a) and then moves to the second floor space (1130) along the first floor space section (1110) and the floor space connecting section (1120), and when the load of the foot is applied to the pressure plate (3000), the seat valve (4000) is pressed downward and comes into contact with the upper surface of the air intake space (2100a), thereby sealing the space between the fitting hole (3100) and the seat valve (4000), so that the air moved to the second floor space (1130) is discharged to the outside through the check valve (5000).

[0026] The midsole (1000) of the present invention is configured to include a first bottom space portion (1110) formed by being recessed in the forefoot area of ​​the foot on the upper surface, a second bottom space portion (1130) formed by being recessed in the rearfoot area of ​​the foot, and a bottom space connecting portion (1120) having a straight channel shape connecting the first bottom space portion (1110) and the second bottom space portion (1130).

[0027] The midsole (1000) may be formed as a single unit as the midsole itself, or it may be composed of an upper midsole (1100) and a lower midsole (1200) installed on the rear lower side of the upper midsole (1100).

[0028] In the interior of the first bottom space (1110) formed by being recessed in the forefoot area of ​​the upper midsole (1100), seating protrusions (1111) are formed protruding at regular intervals along the perimeter. At this time, a round step (1111a) is formed by being bent downward inward from a certain part of the upper surface of the seating protrusion (1111), and the fitting storage structure (2100) of the reinforcing plate (2000) is seated on this round step (1111a). The round step (1111a), formed in a rounded shape by the downwardly bent structure, provides a space for the third storage part (2130) and the fourth storage part (2140) of the fitting storage structure (2100) to be seated.

[0029] The second bottom space (1130) may be formed by being recessed into the upper surface of the lower midsole (1200). A plurality of support protrusions (1210) may be formed protruding upward in the second bottom space (1130), and the support protrusions (1210) serve to support the rear heel area of ​​the reinforcing plate (2000) while maintaining the space for air to move in the second bottom space (1130).

[0030] The floor space connecting portion (1120) is formed by being recessed in the shape of a straight flow path in the arch area between the first floor space portion (1110) and the second floor space portion (1130), thereby providing a passage through which air can smoothly move from the first floor space portion (1110) to the second floor space portion (1130). That is, the floor space connecting portion (1120) can naturally transfer air introduced from the first floor space portion (1110) to the second floor space portion (1130) according to the movement of the foot, thus maintaining the directionality of the airflow and ensuring stable air circulation inside the shoe.

[0031] An external exposure hole (1000a) communicating with the outside and the second bottom space (1130) may be formed through the side of the midsole (1000). The external exposure hole (1000a) may be formed through the boundary portion between the upper midsole (1100) and the lower midsole (1200), providing a space into which a tightening fixing device (1300) is inserted.

[0032] The tightening fixing member (1300) is inserted into the externally exposed hole (1000a) to reinforce the durability of the shoe sole and provide overall structural stability. It consists of a hollow rotating tightening ring (1310) and a fixing piece (1320) located at the outer end of the rotating tightening ring (1310), which has a larger surface area than the rotating tightening ring (1310). The rotating tightening ring (1310) causes the fixing piece (1320) to be firmly pressed against the externally exposed hole (1000a) through rotational movement, thereby ensuring that the entire tightening fixing member (1300) is stably connected. The fixing piece (1320) is located on the outer side of the rotating tightening ring (1310) and supports the tightening fixing member (1300) so that it does not detach or shake due to external impact.

[0033] The reinforcing plate (2000) of the present invention is installed on the upper part of the midsole (1000), and is configured such that an air intake space (2100a) is formed by being recessed at a position corresponding to the first floor space (1110).

[0034] The reinforcing plate (2000), also called a tection board, can be made of plastic material and functions to prevent the sole from twisting on the upper part of the midsole (1000).

[0035] In the front axis area of ​​the reinforcing plate (2000), a fitting storage structure (2100) is formed in a recess at a position corresponding to the first bottom space (1110), and this fitting storage structure (2100) forms an air intake space (2100a). That is, the fitting storage structure (2100) is configured in a multi-stage structure with a first storage section (2110), a second storage section (2120), a third storage section (2130), and a fourth storage section (2140) so as to form an air intake space (2100a), thereby providing a space for air to be sucked in while stably supporting the pressure plate (3000).

[0036] The air intake space (2100a) is formed inside the insertable storage structure (2100) and acts as a passage for introducing air from inside the shoe into the shoe sole, thereby effectively assisting air circulation inside the shoe by allowing air to be drawn in and circulated according to the movement and load of the foot.

[0037] The first storage section (2110) is formed by bending downward from the cross-section of the reinforcing plate (2000). The second storage section (2120) is vertically bent inward from the first storage section (2110), and a pressure plate (3000) is seated on the stepped portions of the first storage section (2110) and the second storage section (2120). The third storage section (2130) is formed by bending downward vertically at the end of the second storage section (2120), and the fourth storage section (2140) is formed by bending horizontally inward at the end of the third storage section (2130). An air hole (2141) is formed through the center of the fourth storage section (2140) to serve as a passage connecting the air intake space (2100a) and the first floor space (1110).

[0038] The pressure plate (3000) of the present invention is positioned in the air intake space (2100a) and has a through hole (3100) formed in the center.

[0039] That is, the pressure plate (3000) is placed in the air intake space formed by the fitting storage structure (2100) and is seated on the stepped structure formed by the first storage part (2110) and the second storage part (2120). A fitting hole (3100) is formed through the central part of the pressure plate (3000) so that a seat valve (4000) can be fitted and installed.

[0040] The seat valve (4000) of the present invention is configured to be fitted into a fitting hole (3100) to control the opening and closing of airflow.

[0041] The seat valve (4000) may be made of a soft rubber material and is composed of a seat valve body (4100) that is fitted through a fitting hole (3100) and a disc-shaped seat valve disc (4200) at the bottom of the seat valve body (4100), and functions to open or close the airflow.

[0042] When the load of the foot is not applied to the pressure plate (3000), the seat valve disc (4200) maintains a gap between the seat valve body (4100) and the fitting hole (3100) to form a space through which air can flow freely.

[0043] Since the seat valve (4000) is soft, conversely, when the load of the foot is applied to the pressure plate (3000), the seat valve disc (4200) is pressed downward together with the seat valve body (4100), thereby sealing the space between the fitting hole (3100) and the seat valve (4000), and the lower end of the seat valve disc (4200) is pressed against and blocked by the air hole (2141) formed through the center of the fourth storage part (2140), thereby blocking the air flow and maintaining a sealed state so that air is no longer introduced, thereby creating internal pressure and allowing air to be discharged through the check valve (5000).

[0044] The check valve (5000) of the present invention is installed on the side of the midsole (1000) so as to be in communication with the outside of the second floor space (1130), and is configured to control air to flow in one direction.

[0045] In this regard, FIG. 3 is a perspective view showing the combined configuration of a check valve (5000) according to the present invention, and FIG. 4 is an exploded cross-sectional view showing the configuration of a check valve (5000) according to the present invention. As shown in FIG. 3 and FIG. 4, the check valve (5000) is configured to include a first check valve body (5100), a second check valve body (5200), and a rubber pin (5300). The first check valve body (5100) and the second check valve body (5200) are combined to form a passage for discharging internal air, and the rubber pin (5300) moves according to the airflow to open or close the space between the first air channel (5110) and the second air channel (5120) formed in the first check valve body (5100), thereby preventing backflow of air. Thus, the check valve (5000) controls the air to flow in one direction during the air circulation process inside the shoe, and can stably discharge the air induced by the load of the foot.

[0046] The first check valve body (5100) is installed to communicate with the second floor space (1130), and a first air channel (5110) and a second air channel (5120) having a smaller diameter than the first air channel (5110) are extended and formed inside. The difference in internal diameter between the first air channel (5110) and the second air channel (5120) allows for smooth air circulation by appropriately adjusting the air pressure.

[0047] The inner wall protrusions (5121) are formed protruding at regular intervals on the inner wall of the second air channel (5120) in the boundary area between the first air channel (5110) and the second air channel (5120), and function to guide the position and limit the range of movement so as to maintain directionality when the rubber pin (5300) moves from the first air channel (5110) to the second air channel (5120) or vice versa.

[0048] The second check valve body (5200) is coupled with the first check valve body (5100), and an air discharge passage (5210) is formed inside to discharge air to the outside. The second check valve body (5200) has a recessed coupling groove (5200a) formed along one side of its circumference and is coupled with a coupling projection (5100a) protruding along one side of the first check valve body (5100), thereby maintaining a stable coupling state without deformation even during repeated air circulation operation.

[0049] The stopper (5220) is intended to restrict excessive movement of the rubber pin (5300) housed in the first air channel (5110) and is formed in such a way that it is connected in a direction facing each other at regular intervals along the inner circumference of the second check valve body (5200). That is, the stopper functions to support the rubber pin (5300) so that it can stop at an appropriate position when moving in the first air channel (5110).

[0050] A rubber pin (5300) is placed in the first air channel (5110) and controls the airflow by opening or closing the space between the first air channel (5110) and the second air channel (5120) according to the airflow. The rubber pin (5300) is made of a flexible material to respond sensitively to changes in foot load or air pressure, thereby preventing backflow of air and maintaining a unidirectional flow.

[0051] This rubber pin (5300) is composed of a column-shaped rubber body (5320) and a rubber disc (5310) formed as a disc at the end of the rubber body and rounded inward.

[0052] The rubber body (5320) is formed integrally with the rubber disc (5310) while having elasticity and flexibility, forming the central part of the rubber pin (5300), so that the rubber pin can move freely according to changes in air pressure between the first air channel (5110) and the second air channel (5120).

[0053] A rubber disc (5310) is formed at the end of the rubber body (5320) in the direction of the second check valve body (5200), allowing for sealing or opening between the first air channel (5110) and the second air channel (5120). This rubber disc (5310) reacts sensitively to air pressure to efficiently control the flow of air entering from the first air channel (5110) or the second air channel (5120), and in particular, quickly seals to maintain the directionality of the air flow when external air flows backward.

[0054] When air flows into the interior of the check valve (5000) through the second floor space (1130), the rubber pin (5300) moves toward the air discharge passage (5210) by the air flow. During this process, the space between the first air channel (5110) and the second air channel (5120) is opened, allowing air to be naturally discharged.

[0055] Conversely, if external air attempts to flow back into the interior of the check valve (5000), the rubber pin (5300) moves toward the second air channel (5120) to seal the space between the first air channel (5110) and the second air channel (5120), thereby blocking the backflow.

[0056] The check valve (5000) can efficiently circulate and discharge air inside the shoe to the outside through the above-described operating principle, and in particular, can maintain the direction of the airflow.

[0057] In summary, the present invention is characterized by providing a shoe sole having an air circulation structure capable of naturally circulating air inside the shoe by utilizing the load and movement of the foot. According to this feature, airflow is controlled through the load or pressure applied to the wearer's foot, and heat and moisture inside the shoe can be effectively expelled. This allows the foot to maintain freshness and comfort even during prolonged wear.

[0058] In particular, since air exhaust is synchronized with the load of the foot, air circulation is possible without a separate external power source, thereby increasing the energy efficiency of the shoe and simplifying the structure, ensuring ease of the manufacturing process and durability.

[0059] Therefore, since air circulation can be achieved without using heavy components, it is expected to be widely utilized as an outsole for various shoes requiring both waterproofing and ventilation, such as Gore-Tex shoes, golf shoes, safety shoes, ski boots, and winter boots.

[0060] The foregoing description is merely an illustrative explanation of the technical concept of the present invention, and those skilled in the art to which the present invention pertains will be able to make various modifications and variations within the scope of the essential characteristics of the present invention. Accordingly, the embodiments disclosed in the present invention are intended to explain, not to limit, the technical concept of the present invention, and the scope of the technical concept of the present invention is not limited by such embodiments. The scope of protection of the present invention shall be interpreted by the claims, and all technical concepts within an equivalent scope shall be interpreted as being included within the scope of rights of the present invention.

Claims

1. A midsole comprising a first bottom space formed by being recessed in the forefoot area of ​​the foot on the upper surface, a second bottom space formed by being recessed in the heel area of ​​the foot, and a bottom space connecting portion having a straight channel shape connecting the first bottom space and the second bottom space; A reinforcing plate installed on the upper part of the above midsole, with an air intake space formed by being recessed at a position corresponding to the first floor space; A pressure plate disposed in the above air intake space and having a through hole formed in the center; A seat valve installed by fitting into the above fitting hole to control the opening and closing of airflow; and A check valve installed on the side of the midsole so as to be in communication with the second floor space and the outside, and controlling air to flow in one direction; When the load of the foot is not applied to the pressure plate during walking, a space for air to flow is formed between the fitting hole and the seat valve, and air flows into the air intake space and then moves along the first floor space and the floor space connecting part to the second floor space, and A shoe sole having an air circulation structure, characterized in that when the load of a foot is applied to the pressure plate, the seat valve is pressed downward and comes into contact with the upper surface of the air intake space, thereby sealing the space between the fitting hole and the seat valve, so that air moved to the second floor space is discharged to the outside through the check valve.

2. In Paragraph 1, The above check valve is, A first check valve body installed to communicate with the second floor space, having a first air channel and a second air channel extending therefrom formed with a diameter smaller than that of the first air channel; A second check valve body coupled to the first check valve body and having an air discharge passage formed inside; and A shoe sole having an air circulation structure, characterized by including a rubber pin disposed in the first air channel and opening and closing the space between the first air channel and the second air channel according to the flow of air.

3. In Paragraph 2, The above rubber pin is, When air flows into the interior of the check valve through the second floor space, it moves in the direction of the air discharge passage, thereby opening the space between the first air channel and the second air channel. A shoe sole having an air circulation structure characterized by moving in the direction of the second air channel and sealing the space between the first air channel and the second air channel when external air attempts to be sucked into the interior of the check valve.

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