Abstract:
Disclosed is a functional shoe, comprising a foot arch support, wherein said foot arch support includes a support body accommodated and fixed in a shoe body, a slider tightened to the support body by a screw, and a contact member which is coupled to the top of the slider and projects toward the inside of the shoe to contact the arch of the foot. The slider moves in the upward and downward directions by means of the rotation of the contact member.

Description:
REFERENCE TO RELATED APPLICATIONS 
       [0001]    This is a continuation of pending International Patent Application PCT/KR2010/000815 filed on Feb. 10, 2010, which designates the United States and claims priority of Korean Patent Application No. 10-2009-0011039 filed on Feb. 11, 2009, the entire contents of which are incorporated herein by reference. 
     
    
     FIELD OF THE INVENTION 
       [0002]    The present invention relates to a shoe having functionality, and more particularly, to a shoe having the functionality of a height-adjustable arch support. 
       BACKGROUND OF THE INVENTION 
       [0003]    One of the general functions of shoes is alleviating stress relayed to the spine and other body parts from body weight-induced impacts while walking. 
         [0004]    So-called “3-step” walking is a well-known, purportedly optimal walking method that involves stepping on the ground in the sequence of heel-sole-toes and moving forward. 
         [0005]    However, typical shoes employ flat soles that are prohibitive of the 3-step walking method, so that body weight-induced impacts are relayed to the spine and other body parts while walking, stressing the torso, shoulders, neck, etc., causing not only discomfort or pain, but also deformation of toes and progression toward flat-footedness from deficient support of foot joints, and are thus manifested with a wide array of intrinsic limitations such as increased fatigue. 
         [0006]    To solve these limitations, Korean Patent Registration No. 239854 proposes a shoe with cutout portions at the front and rear of the sole, respectively, in order to make 3-step walking natural and substantially reduce fatigue, while providing the benefits of acupressure and improved blood circulation. However, limitations exist in that arch support is lacking and wearers experience difficulty in maintaining balance due to reduced ground contacting area at the rear. 
         [0007]    Korean Patent Registration No. 536050 proposes a shoe that enables exact 3-step walking, with a rear sole section stepped at two levels to provide a first ground contact surface and a second ground contact surface, and having the sole surface at boundaries between the front and rear sole sections and between the first and second ground contact surfaces recessed a predetermined depth upward. However, the limitation of the foot arch not being supported is again inherent. 
         [0008]    To solve these limitations, Korean Patent Registration No. 851537 proposes a shoe sole including a front portion, a rear portion, and a connecting portion that connects the front portion and the rear portion, for naturally maintaining a rolling motion of the foot, and distributing load from body weight in order to prevent ailments and deformation. The connecting portion has an arch support inserted therein to correctly support the arch and induce proper development of the wearer&#39;s foot when walking. The connecting portion has the arch support inserted therein, and the arch support is disposed from the inner end to the center of the connecting portion. 
         [0009]    Because the arch support is predetermined in height, however, it involves the limitation of being unable to fit all wearers who have different sized arches. 
       SUMMARY OF THE INVENTION 
       [0010]    An object of the present invention is to provide a shoe having functionality with a height-adjustable arch support. 
         [0011]    According to an aspect of the present invention, there is provided a shoe having functionality provided with an arch support, the arch support including: a supporting member received and fixed in a body of the shoe; an insert screw-coupled to the supporting member; and a contacting member coupled at a top of the insert to project inward in the shoe and contact a foot arch, wherein the insert is raised and lowered by rotation of the contacting member. 
         [0012]    The supporting member may be cylindrical and define screw threads in an inside thereof, and the insert may be inserted inside the supporting member. 
         [0013]    The contacting member may be formed of a rubber material in a semispherical shape. 
         [0014]    According to another aspect of the present invention, there is provided a shoe having functionality provided with an arch support, the arch support including: a supporting member received and fixed in a body of the shoe; an insert screw-coupled to the supporting member; and a contacting member separably coupled at a top of the insert to project inward in the shoe and contact a foot arch, wherein the insert separable from the contacting member is raised and lowered by being rotated. 
         [0015]    According to a further aspect of the present invention, there is provided a shoe having functionality provided with an arch support, the arch support including: a cylindrical housing received and fixed in a body of the shoe; a cylindrical insert inserted in the housing and raised and lowered; a bolt inserted and screw-coupled in the insert; and a contacting member coupled to a top of the insert to project inward in the shoe and contact a foot arch, wherein the insert is raised and lowered by rotating the bolt from an outside through a floor of the shoe body. 
         [0016]    According to a still further aspect of the present invention, there is provided a shoe having functionality provided with an arch support, the arch support including: a cylindrical housing received and fixed in a body of the shoe; a cylindrical insert inserted in the housing and raised and lowered; a height-adjusting tab inserted and screw-coupled in the insert; and a contacting member coupled to a top of the insert to project inward in the shoe and contact a foot arch, wherein the insert is raised and lowered by adjusting a length by which the height-adjusting tab projects from the insert. 
         [0017]    The contacting member may be formed in a shape similar to a foot arch, and the arch support may further include a pair of supporting rods that projects from a surface of the contacting member that couples to the insert, and inserts in the shoe body. 
         [0018]    According to a yet further aspect of the present invention, there is provided a shoe having functionality provided with an arch support, the arch support including: a contacting member projecting inward in the shoe to contact a foot arch; a cylindrical insert coupled to a reverse surface of the contacting member; and a height-adjusting tab inserted and screw-coupled in the insert, wherein a body of the shoe defines a receptacle for receiving the arch support, and a supporting niche defined into and around a sidewall of the receptacle at the mouth of the receptacle, a perimeter of the contacting member being forcibly inserted in the supporting niche, and the arch support is adjusted in height by adjusting a length by which the height-adjusting tab projects from the insert. 
     
    
     
       BRIEF DESCRIPTION OF THE DRAWINGS 
         [0019]      FIG. 1  is a sectional view showing an arch support applied to a shoe having functionality according to a first embodiment of the present invention. 
           [0020]      FIG. 2  shows the arch support in  FIG. 1 , each of which is a sectional view and a perspective view. 
           [0021]      FIG. 3  a sectional view of an arch support according to a second embodiment of the present invention. 
           [0022]      FIG. 4  shows an arch support according to a third embodiment of the present invention, each of which a perspective view and a sectional view. 
           [0023]      FIG. 5  is a perspective view of an arch support according to a fourth embodiment of the present invention. 
           [0024]      FIG. 6  is a sectional view of an arch support according to a fifth embodiment of the present invention. 
           [0025]      FIG. 7  is a perspective view of an arch support modified from the fifth embodiment of the present invention. 
       
    
    
     DETAILED DESCRIPTION OF THE INVENTION 
       [0026]    Now, preferred embodiments of the present invention will be described in detail with reference to the accompanying drawings. 
       First Embodiment 
       [0027]      FIG. 1  is a sectional view showing an arch support applied to a shoe having functionality according to a first embodiment of the present invention. 
         [0028]    Referring to  FIG. 1 , an outsole  100  is disposed at the bottom, and a midsole  130 , an insole board  140 , and an insole  150  are stacked on the outsole  100 . 
         [0029]    According to the present invention, receptacles  142 ,  132 , and  102  are defined corresponding to a wearer&#39;s foot arch and communicate the insole board  140  with the midsole  130  and the outsole  100 , and an arch support  200  is inserted sequentially into the receptacles  142 ,  132 , and  102 . 
         [0030]    An opening  152  is defined in a portion of the insole  150  that is disposed uppermost to correspond to the arch support  200 , and a contacting member  230  of the arch support  200  may be exposed. Alternatively, an opening may not be defined to provide a tidier exterior. In the latter case, the portion of the insole  150  corresponding to the contacting member  230  of the arch support  200  may be thinly formed to heighten contacting sensation with the contacting member  230  of the arch support  200  or facilitate elevation of the contacting member  230 . 
         [0031]      FIG. 2  shows the arch support in  FIG. 1 , each of which is a sectional view and a perspective view. 
         [0032]    The arch support  200  is formed of a cylindrical housing  210  defining screw threads  212  in an inner sidewall thereof, an insert  220  defining screw threads  222  in an outer sidewall thereof and being screw-coupled to the screw threads  212  of the housing  210 , and the contacting member  230  coupled to the top of the insert  220 . 
         [0033]    A stopper  214  may be formed on the outer wall of the housing  210  to prevent rotation of the housing  210 , and the housing  210  may be formed of a metal or plastic material. The housing  210  of this configuration, as described above, may be press-fitted and fixed in the receptacles  142 ,  132 , and  102 . A holding niche  102   a  may be defined in the outer sole  100  to hold the stopper  214 . 
         [0034]    Also, the insert  220  may be formed of a metal or plastic material in a cylindrical columnar shape. An approximately semispherical head  224  is integrally formed at the upper portion of the insert  220  and coupled to the contacting member  230 . The coupling of the insert  220  and the contacting member  230  may be performed with an adhesive to be completely bonded or coupled to enable the contacting member  230  to be separated from the insert  220 . 
         [0035]    As a portion that directly contacts a wearer&#39;s foot arch, the contacting member  230  may be formed of silicon or rubber material in a semispherical shape with projections  232  formed on the entire surface thereof. The perimeter of the contacting member  230  may form a graded portion  231  that is gradually graded to a thin, flexible edge that forms a minimal gap with the insole board  130 . 
         [0036]    To assemble the above-structured arch support  200 , with the outsole  100 , midsole  130 , and insole board  140  stacked, the housing  210  is press-fitted and fixed in sequence in the receptacles  142 ,  132 , and  102 . 
         [0037]    Then, after the insert  220  having the contacting member  230  coupled to the top thereof is inserted in the housing  210 , the contacting member  230  is rotated to screw-couple the screw threads  222  of the insert  220  with the screw threads  212  of the housing  210  and lower the insert  220 . 
         [0038]    When the insert  220  descends to its lowermost position, the insole  150  is positioned on top to complete the assembly. 
         [0039]    After a wearer purchases a finished shoe assembled and manufactured thusly, the wearer can customize the height of the arch support  200  to fit his/her arch size. Specifically, by grasping and rotating the contacting member  230  of the arch support  200  by hand, the insert  220  screw-coupled to the housing  210  can be raised and fixed at a height suitable for the wearer&#39;s arch size. 
         [0040]    Through this configuration, an arch support of a suitable height can be provided, regardless of a wearer&#39;s arch size. 
         [0041]    While the shape of the contacting member  230  of the arch support has been exemplarily described above as semispherical, it may be made in various shapes including semi-cylindrical and elliptical semispherical shapes, or in a shape similar to that of an average foot arch. The height or shape of the projections  232  on the contacting member  230  may also be varied to increase acupressure effects. 
       Second Embodiment 
       [0042]      FIG. 3  a sectional view of an arch support according to a second embodiment of the present invention. 
         [0043]    The second embodiment may be applied when performing height adjustment by rotating a contacting member  330  itself proves difficult. 
         [0044]    Referring to  FIG. 3 , an insert  240  is coupled to a surface of a contacting member  330  having a shape (refer to  FIG. 4 ) similar to an actual foot arch. The insert  240  is cylindrical with screw threads  242  defined in the inside of its sidewall, and has a head  244  at an upper portion thereof that is coupled and fixed to the contacting member  330 . 
         [0045]    A bolt  250  is inserted and screw-coupled in the insert  240 , a slot  254  is defined in the head  251  of the bolt  250  so that the bolt  250  may be rotated using the slot  254 , and screw threads  252  of the bolt  250  and screw threads  242  of the insert  240  are screw-coupled to raise the insert  240 . 
         [0046]    A through-hole  216  is defined in the center of the undersurface of the housing  210  corresponding to the slot  254  on the head  251  of the bolt  250 , and a through-hole (not shown) is also defined in the outsole  100  corresponding to the through-hole  216 , enabling the slot  254  of the bolt  250  to be accessed from outside. 
         [0047]    A stopper ring  216  may be inserted around the inner sidewall of the housing  210  to restrict elevation of the bolt  250 . 
         [0048]    To describe the operation of the above-structured arch support, the bolt  250  is rotated when a wearer uses a screwdriver, etc. to rotate the slot  254  in the head  251  of the bolt through the through-hole defined in the floor of the outsole  100 . Here, because the insert  240  coupled to the non-rotating contacting member  330  does not rotate, the height of the arch support is increased or reduced by the raising and lowering of the bolt  250  through rotation of the same. 
         [0049]    In the second embodiment, when the housing  210  is configured as a cylinder without a bottom, there is no need for a separate through-hole  216 . 
       Third Embodiment 
       [0050]      FIG. 4  shows an arch support according to a third embodiment of the present invention, each of which a perspective view and a sectional view. 
         [0051]    This embodiment, like the second embodiment, may be applied in cases where rotating the contacting member  330  itself for height adjustment proves difficult. 
         [0052]    Referring to  FIG. 4 , a pair of supporting rods  333  and  334  is formed on the reverse surface of the contacting member  330  having a shape similar to an actual foot arch. The distance between the rods  333  and  334  may be greater than the diameter of the housing  210 . 
         [0053]    According to the present embodiment, guide holes  134  and  135  are defined in the midsole  130 , in which the supporting rods  333  and  334  are inserted. 
         [0054]    As in the first embodiment, the insert  220  is cylindrical and has an approximately semispherical head  224  integrally formed with the top of the insert  220  and is separably coupled to the contacting member  330 . 
         [0055]    To describe the operation of the above-structured arch support, after a wearer separates the contacting member  330  from the head  224  of the insert  220 , the wearer adjusts the height by grasping the head  224  of the insert  220  and rotating and inserting it in the housing  210 . 
         [0056]    Then, after the supporting rods  333  and  334  of the contacting member  330  are inserted in the guide holes  134  and  135 , pressure is exerted to couple the contacting member  330  and the head  224  of the insert  220 . 
         [0057]    Through this configuration, the supporting rods  333  and  334  prevent the contacting member  330  from rotating. 
       Fourth Embodiment 
       [0058]      FIG. 5  is a perspective view of an arch support according to a fourth embodiment of the present invention. 
         [0059]    The present embodiment is a modified example of the fourth embodiment, and can be applied to cases where height adjustment through rotating the contacting member itself proves difficult. 
         [0060]    Referring to  FIG. 5 , an insert  240  is coupled to a reverse surface of a contacting member  330  formed in a shape similar to an actual foot arch. The insert  240  is cylindrically shaped with screw threads  242  defined in its inner sidewall, and is coupled and fixed at the top to the contacting member  330 . 
         [0061]    A height adjusting tab  260  is inserted and screw-coupled in the insert  240 , and the height adjusting tab  260  may be rotated to adjust its projecting length from the insert  240 . 
         [0062]    Then, the insert  240  that has been adjusted in its projecting length on a preinstalled housing  210  may be inserted to adjust the height of the arch support  200 . That is, because the projecting length of the height adjusting tab  260  is ultimately determined by its height within the housing  210 , the height is thus adjusted. 
         [0063]    Supporting rods  333  and  334  of the contacting member  330  are inserted in guide holes  134  and  135  of a midsole  130  to prevent rotation of the contacting member  330  while a shoe is worn. 
       Fifth Embodiment 
       [0064]      FIG. 6  is a sectional view of an arch support according to a fifth embodiment of the present invention. 
         [0065]    The present embodiment depicts the configuration of the fourth embodiment from which the housing  210  is removed. 
         [0066]    Referring to  FIG. 6 , an arch support  200 , as in the fourth embodiment, has an insert  240  coupled to the reverse surface of a contacting member  230 , and the insert  240  has screw threads defined in its inner sidewall, in which a height adjusting tab  260  is inserted and screw-coupled. The height adjusting tab  260  may be rotated to project from the insert  240  and be adjusted in length. 
         [0067]    The arch support  200  is housed in a receptacle  132  of a midsole  130 , and a supporting niche  136  is defined annularly into and around the sidewall at the mouth of the receptacle  132 . 
         [0068]    The periphery of the contacting member  230  constituting the arch support  200  is forcibly press-fitted and fixed in the supporting niche  136 . 
         [0069]    Accordingly, after the projecting length of the height adjusting tab  260  of the arch support  200  is adjusted, the periphery of the contacting member  230  of the arch support  200  is forcibly inserted and mounted in the supporting niche  136  of the receptacle  132  of the midsole  130 . 
         [0070]      FIG. 7  is a perspective view of an arch support modified from the fifth embodiment of the present invention. 
         [0071]    This modified embodiment applies a housing  210  to the structure of the fifth embodiment. Thus, referring to  FIG. 7 , a housing  210  with a flange  218  projecting therefrom is inserted at a bottom of a receptacle  132  of a midsole  130 , then the projecting length of a height adjusting tab  260  is adjusted, after which the insert  240  is inserted in the housing  210 , and then the periphery of the contacting member  230  of the arch support  200  is forcibly inserted and mounted in the supporting niche  136  of the receptacle  132  of the midsole  130 . 
         [0072]    According to this modified embodiment, because the insert  240  is reliably supported by the housing  210 , movement of the arch support  200  while walking can be prevented. Also, by applying the flange  218 , a larger area can be used for support and the size of the housing  210  can be reduced, thereby reducing manufacturing costs. 
         [0073]    Although embodiments have been described with reference to a number of illustrative embodiments thereof, it should be understood that numerous other modifications and embodiments can be devised by those skilled in the art that will fall within the spirit and scope of the principles of this invention. 
         [0074]    For example, in a shoe of the type provided with only an outsole and not a midsole, the receptacle that holds the housing may be defined only in the outsole. Accordingly, the portion in which an arch support is mounted may be collectively referred to as a shoe body. Also, a stopper, etc. may be omitted, and an adhesive or other means may easily be used instead to fix the arch support. 
         [0075]    In addition, as opposed to the above embodiments, the screw threads may be formed in the outer sidewall of the housing, and the insert may be cylindrically configured to obtain the same results. 
         [0076]    According to the above configuration, an arch support of a suitable height can be provided, regardless of the wearer&#39;s arch size. 
         [0077]    Accordingly, the scope of the present invention should not be construed as limited to the above embodiments, and should be interpreted on the basis of the appended claims below. 
         [0078]    While the present invention has been described in detail, it should be understood that various changes, substitutions and alterations can be made hereto without departing from the spirit and scope of the invention as defined by the appended claims.