Patent ID: 6581303
Filing Date: 2003-06-24
Classification: A43B

Abstract:
A ventilating arrangement for a shoe, comprising:a) an outsole extending between heel and toe regions and having an outer ground-engaging surface, an inner surface, raised wall portions located above the inner surface and bounding an interior space, and a heel opening extending between the outer and inner surfaces at the heel region; b) a molded insert of resilient material and mounted in the interior space, the insert extending between heel and toe portions that overlie the heel and toe regions of the outsole, the insert having a deformable pumping portion of one-piece molded construction with the heel portion, an air channel formed in the insert and extending between the heel and toe portions, and apertures extending through the insert into open communication with the air channel; and c) a pumping element mounted on the outsole and extending through the heel opening to be exposed at the outer surface of the outsole, the pumping element being pressed against and deforming the pumping portion during use of the shoe for urging air to flow along the air channel to and through the apertures to ventilate the shoe.