Patent ID: 9232830
Filing Date: 2016-01-12
CPC Classification: A43B

Claim Text:
1. A ventilation system for an article of footwear, comprising: a sole layer having a forefoot region, a heel region disposed opposite the forefoot region, and a midfoot region disposed between the forefoot region and the heel region, wherein the sole layer has a first groove inlet extending through an edge of the sole layer, a first groove formed in a top surface of the sole layer, a second groove formed in a top surface of the sole layer, and a first reservoir formed in the top surface of the sole layer, wherein the first groove inlet is disposed in the heel region and the first groove extends from the first groove inlet and terminates at a first side of the first reservoir, and wherein the second groove extends from a second side of the first reservoir that is opposite the first side of the first reservoir and terminates between the second side of the first reservoir and a forward edge of the sole layer; the first reservoir being disposed in the midfoot region of the sole layer and the first reservoir being spaced from the heel region; the first groove extending through the heel region such that the first groove is configured to receive a compressive force from a heel strike of a wearer; wherein the first groove is configured to close a connection between the first reservoir and the first groove inlet when the first groove is compressed; wherein the compressive force forces air to flow from the first reservoir to the second groove.