WO2004105530A1

WO2004105530A1 - Improved shoe

Info

Publication number: WO2004105530A1
Application number: PCT/NZ2004/000105
Authority: WO
Inventors: Louise Heather Averill
Original assignee: Louise Heather Averill
Priority date: 2003-05-30
Filing date: 2004-05-28
Publication date: 2004-12-09

Abstract

The invention comprises a shoe having a sole comprising a first layer and a second layer. The first layer is located parallel and superior to the second layer. The first and second layer are substantially joined forming an air space between the two layers. The shoe of the invention also includes a shoe upper attached or attachable to a shoe sole, and a sock insert for receiving a human foot, wherein the sock insert is configured to be received into the space defined by the shoe upper and the shoe sole. The invention also encourages a kit comprising a shoe according to the invention with a plurality of sock inserts.

Description

IMPROVED SHOE

FIELD OF INVENTION

This invention relates to footwear.

BACKGROUND

Prior art inventions relating to footwear have predominantly been focused on providing improved support and comfort. There has been no attempt to date, which provides the unique sensation of "walking on air" to the wearer of the shoe.

Additionally, prior art attempts to keep feet healthy, clean and dry have been focused on improving the ventilation in a shoe. There have been no attempts to date which provide the ability to remove the entire inner of a shoe allowing for the shoe inner to be washed, dried, and then be replaced into the shoe.

OBJECT

It is an object of the present invention to provide an improved shoe or one which will at least provide the public with a useful choice.

STATEMENT OF INVENTION

In one aspect the present invention provides a shoe having a sole comprising;

a first layer, and a

second layer, wherein the first layer is located parallel and superior to the second layer and are substantially joined forming an air space between the two layers.

Preferably the first layer is adapted to support a human foot in use. Preferably the second layer is attached or attachable to a third layer which, in use, will contact a ground surface.

Alternatively the second layer is adapted to, in use, contact a ground surface.

Preferably the first layer is made from a material conferring sufficient strength to support the weight of a human foot whilst allowing some deformation into the shape of a foot.

Preferably the first layer is made from a plastic having a Shore A rating of substantially 80.

In a further aspect the present invention provides a shoe including a shoe upper attached or attachable to a shoe sole, and

a sock insert for receiving a human foot, wherein the sock insert is configured to be received into the space defined by the shoe upper and the shoe sole.

Preferably the sock insert is selectively removable from the space defined by the shoe upper or the shoe sole.

Preferably the shoe upper is made from a durable rubber or plastic material.

Preferably the sock insert is made from a material which absorbs moisture and is capable of being washed.

More preferably the sock insert is made from or contains cotton.

Alternatively the sock insert is made from a rubber material.

Preferably the shoe upper contains perforations allowing for the space between the shoe upper and shoe sole to be ventilated.

In a still further aspect the invention consists in a kit comprising a shoe according to any one of the preceding paragraphs and a plurality of sock inserts according to any one of the preceding paragraphs.

To those skilled in the art to which the invention relates, many changes in construction and widely differing embodiments and applications of the invention will suggest themselves without departing from the scope of the invention as defined in the appended claims. The disclosures and the description herein are purely illustrative and are not intended to be in any sense limiting.

BRTEF DESCRIPTION OF THE DRAWINGS

Embodiments of the invention will now be described, by way of example only, with reference to the accompanying drawings in which:

Figure 1 is a schematic perspective view of the preferred embodiment.

Figure 2 is a cross section of the shoe seen in Figure 1.

PREFERRED EMBODIMENTS

I refer to the drawings, wherein like numerals designate corresponding parts throughout the several figures.

As can be seen in Figure 1 the invention relates to a shoe (1). Although the present example relates to a casual style of footwear, the invention may be adapted for use in any style or type of shoe.

The shoe (1) can be seen to generally comprise a shoe upper (9) which runs from the first end (2) to the second end (3) of the shoe and a sole (4). Located inside the shoe upper (9) is a sock insert (10). The sock insert (10) is of a configuration and size to be received into the space defined by the shoe upper (9) and the shoe sole (4). The shoe upper (9) in this example is transparent allowing for the sock insert (10) to be clearly seen but transparency of the upper (9) is not essential to the invention. However a transparent upper had advantages as will be herein further described.

The sole (4) comprises a first layer (5) and a second layer (6) which are joined around their edges forming an air cushion in a chamber (8) between the layers. The air cushion is formed by filling the chamber (8) with compressed air and the first and second layers forming the surround of the air cushion will be made from or contain a material having a minimum permeability to air. Synthetic materials such as plastic and rubber materials will be most suitable. The dimensions of the chamber (8) and thickness of side sole walls (7) will depend on the materials used, the degree of pressure in the chamber (8) and the "feel" of the shoe in use. Generally speaking however the chamber should cover a substantial proportion of the area of the sole (4). A typical area of the sole (4) to be covered by the chamber (8) is about 90% although a less area may also give the advantages of the invention.

The first layer (5) of the sole is made from a strong material capable of withstanding the weight of an adult human yet providing some flexibility through movement. In this example the first layer (5) and second layer are also made from a transparent material, although again this is not essential to the invention.

In use, the first layer (5) is likely to be depressed in use into the chamber (8) however contact between the first layer (5) and second layer (6) will be substantially prevented due to the resistance of the first layer to a load and/or the use of compressed air in the chamber (8).

By preventing contact between the first layer (5) and second layer (6) the sensation of the shoe provided to the user is likened to "walking on air".

Although there are aesthetic advantages by having a shoe upper (9) that is transparent it will be recognised the shoe upper (9) can be opaque and coloured in a multitude of different colours.

The shoe upper (9) may optionally contain perforations such as perforation (12) located along its surface to allow ventilation of the foot in use.

The shoe upper (9) can be made of any material, however it is preferable the material is both durable and flexible. Various plastics and synthetic materials may be used as well as natural materials such as leather.

The sock insert (10) can be made of any material however it is preferable the material is capable of absorbing moisture and is easy to wash and dry. Cotton is a suitable material, the sock insert (10) desirably being wholly made form cotton material, or material including cotton. Alternative materials can be used such as a rubber material of which the type of rubber used to make wet suits is a suitable example.

The sock insert (10) can easily be removed from or inserted inside the shoe upper (9). By being able to selectively remove the sock insert (10) a user may clean the sock insert (10) as frequently as necessary to avoid excessive moisture and the proliferation of bacteria and fungi causing unwanted smells and skin infections.

The sock insert (10) is preferably made from a resilient material and can be patterned and coloured according to a desired appearance. The shoe (1) may optionally be sold with more than one insert (10) so that while one insert (10) is being washed the wearer conveniently has another insert to use. The sock insert (10) is also desirably shaped so that the insert (10) is a closefit into the space (14) defined by the sole (4) and upper (9).

A kit can be provided including a pair of shoes 1 and a plurality, say 3 or 4 sets of such inserts 10. Preferably the sock inserts in the kit differ in the characteristic such as colour, pattern or length up the user's calf. Where the upper (9) and/or sole (4) is wholly or partially transparent the use of a different sock insert (10) may markedly alter at least the apparent colour of the shoe.

The shoe upper (9) is fixedly attached to the sole (4) of the shoe. The sole (4) in this example comprises a number of layers which can best be seen with reference to Figure 2.

Located inferior to the second layer and attached thereto may be a third layer (11) of for example, (9) rubber material which will engage with the ground surface in use. Alternatively the second layer (6) itself can be designed to provide the ground contacting surface.

ADVANTAGES

The present invention provides a unique sensation to a user when wearing the shoe. The sensation provided by the unique design of the shoe is likened to "walking on air".

The present invention also provides consumers with a shoe allowing for the entire inner to be selectively removed and thereby washed before being replaced. By having a replaceable shoe inner, shoe odours and foot infections will be minimised.

VARIATIONS

The present invention may include one or more supports (13) located between the first and second layers of the sole. The invention may utilise compressed air in the air cushion. The air cushion may also contain a gel for example to assist in cushioning the sole.

Throughout the description and claims of this specification the word "comprise" and variations of that word, such as "comprises" and "comprising", are not intended to exclude other additives, components, integers or steps.

Claims

WHAT I CLAIM IS:

1. A shoe having a sole comprising;

a first layer, and a

2. A shoe as claimed in claim 1 wherein- the first layer is adapted to support a human foot in use.

3. A shoe as claimed in either claim 1 or claim 2 wherein the second layer is attached or attachable to a third layer which, in use, will contact a ground surface.

4. A shoe as claimed in either claim 1 or claim 2 wherein the second layer is adapted to, in use, contact a ground surface.

5. A shoe as claimed in any one of the preceding claims wherein the first layer is made from a material conferring sufficient strength to support the weight of a human foot whilst allowing some deformation into the shape of a foot.

6. A shoe as claimed in any one of the preceding claims wherein the first layer is made from a plastic having a Shore A rating of substantially 80.

7. A shoe including a shoe upper attached or attachable to a shoe sole, and

8. A shoe as claimed in claim 7 wherein the sock insert is selectively removable from the space defined by the shoe upper or the shoe sole.

9. A shoe as claimed in either claim 7 or claim 8 wherein the shoe upper is made from a durable rubber or plastic material.

10. A shoe as claimed in any one of claims 7 to 9 wherein the sock insert is made from a material which absorbs moisture and is capable of being washed.

11. A shoe as claimed in any one of claims 7 to 10 wherein the sock insert is made from or contains cotton.

12. A shoe as claimed in any one of claims 7 to 9 wherein the sock insert is made from a rubber material.

13. A shoe as claimed in any one of the preceding claims wherein the shoe upper contains perforations allowing for the space between the shoe upper and shoe sole to be ventilated.

14. A shoe substantially as herein described with reference to the accompanying drawings. A kit comprising a shoe according to any one of the preceding claims and a plurality of sock inserts according to any one of the claims 7 to 14.