THREE DIMENSIONAL SHOE VAMP AIR CUSHION

Abstract: A three dimensional shoe vamp air cushion (1, 20) having an upper sheet and a lower sheet, with all pheripheral edges sealed to form a hollow interior. An upper area of the air cushion is larger than the interior area, permitting the air cushion body to have three dimensions instead of two dimensions. The three dimensional shoe vamp air cushion has one or more air chambers and a similar curvature as the upper surface of a foot, so as to have excellent adaptability and shock absorbing characteristics.

Description: THREE DIMENSIONAL SHOE VAMP AIR CUSHION Field of the Invention This invention concerns a three dimensional shoe vamp air cushion, particularly having a three dimensional structure, excellent shock-absorbing characteπstics and a curvature to fit on an upper surface of a foot. Background of the Invention A conventional shoe vamp is usually provided with sponge or foam rubber so as to reduce pressure of shoe laces against an upper surface of a foot. However, its thickness is limited, and so is its elasticity, which may be gradually lost by use over a long period of time. Summary of the Invention This invention provides a three dimensional shoe vamp air cushion having excellent shock-absorbing characteristics. One of the features of the invention is an air cushion having an upper sheet and a lower sheet sealed together at peripheral edges to form a three-dimensional hollow interior and one or more air chambers to be filled with a gas or the like. Further, the upper sheet and/or the lower sheet can be formed with a plurality of recessed lines or recessed holes. An air valve can also be attached to the air cushion for inflating it. Brief Description of the Drawings This invention will be better understood by referring to the accompanying drawings, wherein: Figure 1 is a perspective view of a first preferred embodiment of a shoe vamp air cushion of the present invention; Figure 2 is a cross-sectional view taken along line 2-2 in Figure 1; Figure 3 is a cross-sectional view taken along line 3-3 in Figure 1; Figure 4 is a perspective view of a second preferred embodiment of a shoe vamp air cushion of the present invention; Figure 5 is a cross-sectional view taken along line 5-5 in Figure 4; Figure 6 is a cross-sectional view taken along line 6-6 in Figure 4; Figure 7 is a perspective view of a third preferred embodiment of a shoe vamp air cushion of the present invention; Figure 8 is a cross-sectional view taken along line 8-8 in Figure 7; Figure 9 is a cross-sectional view taken along line 9-9 in Figure 7; Figure 10 is a cross-sectional view of the first shoe vamp air cushion, as shown in Figure 3, filled with fiber; Figure 11 is a cross-sectional view of the first shoe vamp air cushion, as shown in Figure 2, filled with fiber; and Figure 12 is a cross-sectional view of the first shoe vamp air cushion, filled with foam material. Detailed Description of the Preferred Embodiments The first preferred embodiment, the second preferred embodiment and the third preferred embodiment of the three dimensional shoe vamp air cushion of the present invention, all commonly have a three dimensional hollow structure, of any elevational shape. The cushions can have recessed lines 2 or recessed holes 3 or can have no such lines 2 or holes 3 in an upper sheet and/or a lower sheet, as a shoe vamp air cushion itself has low inner pressure. The first preferred embodiment of a shoe vamp air cushion 1 of the invention, as shown in Figures 1-3, has an upper sheet and a lower sheet sealed at all peripheral edges to form a three dimensional hollow interior so that an upper surface area of the shoe vamp air cushion 1 is larger than the inner surface of the hollow area. The upper and the lower sheets are curved inwardly to form a cross-section of curved lines. A hollow passageway 10, as shown in Figures 4 and 7, can be additionally provided in the shoe vamp air cushion 1 for attaching an air valve or an air pump for inflating the air cushion 1. Of course, this hollow passageway can be omitted, permitting the formed air cushion 1 to be sealed. Figures 4-6 show a second preferred embodiment of a three dimensional shoe vamp air cushion 20, having an upper sheet and a lower sheet and all circumferential edges sealed to form a three dimensional hollow interior. The upper surface area of the shoe vamp air cushion 20 is larger than the inner surface of the hollow area. Further, the upper sheet and the lower sheet are curved inward to form a cross-section of curved lines. The upper sheet and/or the lower sheet are provided with a plurality of recessed lines 2 or recessed holes 3, which have not only memory capacity for supporting the air cushion 20 three dimensionally but also give flexibility to bend sidewise and lengthwise. In addition, the shoe vamp air cushion 20 has a curvature extending between two sides in such a way that it can fit on a curved upper surface of a foot. A hollow passageway 10 may be additionally provided in the air cushion 1 for attaching an air valve or an air pump for inflating it. Of course, the hollow passageway 10 can be omitted. Figures 7-9 show a third preferred embodiment of a shoe vamp air cushion, which also has an upper sheet and a lower sheet and all the peripheral edges sealed. The upper sheet and/or the lower sheet are(is) provided with a plurality of recessed lines 2 and/or recessed holes 3, which have not only memory capacity for supporting the air cushion 30 three dimensionally but also give flexibility to bend sidewise and lengthwise. In addition, the shoe vamp air cushion 30 has a curvature extending between two sides in such a way that it can fit on a curved upper surface of a foot. Further, a plurality of air chambers 11 are formed in this shoe vamp air cushion 30, extending between two sides in accordance with the three dimensional hollow shape of the air cushion 1. A hollow passageway 10 can be additionally provided in this shoe vamp air cushion 30 for attaching an air valve or an air pump for inflatting it, but also can be omitted. The shoe vamp air cushion 30 of the invention has a structure of a curved three dimensional hollow shape, and a curvature to suit an upper surface and either side of a foot, with the air chambers 11 formed therein also extending in the same direction as the curvature to rest on the upper surface and the two sides of a foot, thereby producing good shock-absorbing function for a large area. If the shoe vamp air cushion 1, 20, 30 is compressed or receives a shock, the air contained therein disperses to the two sides evenly. In other words, shock force dispersed to two sides, and dispersed air pressure is concentrated in the two side areas of the air cushion 1, producing an effect of clamping the upper surface of a foot by means of the two sides. When the shock force disappears, air pressure immediately moves back to the center portion between the two sides, forming an automatic bouncing-back elasticity. The shoe vamp air cushion of the present invention thereby has good shock-absorbing effect, secure stability, excellent elasticity, comfortableness and adaptability. The interior of the shoe vamp air cushion 1, 20, 30 can not only be filled with a gas, but with foam material, powder material, fiber, liquid, semi-liquid, or low-percolating large particle gas such as SF6, C2F6, etc. can also be used. If the shoe vamp air cushion 20, 30 is not provided with recessed lines 2 or recessed holes 3, as in air cushion 1, a layer of fiber or foam with an uneven thickness can be added between the upper sheet and the lower sheet as shown in Figures 10 - 12. As can be understood from the above description, the three dimensional shoe vamp air cushion of the present invention not only has an excellent shock-absorbing effect but a curvature similar to an upper surface of a foot so to be worn with comfort. While the preferred embodiments of the invention have been described above, it will be recognized and understood that various modifications may be made therein and the appended claims are intended to cover all such modifications which may fall within the spirit and scope of the invention.

Claims: CLAIMS WHAT IS CLAIMED IS: 1. A three dimensional shoe vamp air cushion comprising an upper sheet and a lower sheet having all peripheral edges sealed to form a hollow interior, said sheets forming two lengthwise surfaces extending to form a curved inward air cushion, and said upper sheet and said lower sheet each having cross-sections of curved lines. 2. A three dimensional shoe vamp air cushion comprising an upper sheet and a lower sheet having a hollow interior therebetween, said sheets forming two lengthwise surfaces extending in the form of an inward curved air cushion, said upper sheet and said lower sheet each having cross-sections of curved lines, and at least one of said upper sheet and said lower sheet being provided with a plurality of depressions selected from the group consisting of recessed lines and recessed holes. 3. A three dimensional shoe vamp air cushion comprising an upper sheet and a lower sheet, a layer of soft material located in a hollow interior formed between said upper sheet and said lower sheet and attached between said sheets, said sheets each having lengthwise surfaces shaped so as to be curving inwardly, and said upper sheet and said lower sheet each having cross-sections of curved lines. 4. The three dimensional shoe vamp air cushion as claimed in claim 1, wherein said hollow interior is filled with one of the fluids selected from the group consisting of a gas, liquid, a semi-fluid, and a low-percolating large particle gas. 5. The three dimensional shoe vamp air cushion as claimed in claim 2, wherein said hollow interior is filled with one of the fluids selected from the group consisting of a gas, liquid, a semi-fluid, and a low-percolating large particle gas. 6. The three dimensional shoe vamp air cushion as claimed in claim 3, wherein said hollow interior is filled with one of the fluids selected from the group consisting of a gas, liquid, a semi-fluid, and a low-percolating large particle gas. 7. The three dimensional shoe vamp air cushion as claimed in claim 1, wherein said air cushion is provided with a hollow passageway for attachment to one of an air valve or an air pump communicating with ambient air for inflating said air cushion. 8. The three dimensional shoe vamp air cushion as claimed in claim 2, wherein said air cushion is provided with a hollow passageway for attachment to one of an air valve or an air pump communicating with ambient air for inflating said air cushion. 9. The three dimensional shoe vamp air cushion as claimed in claim 3, wherein said air cushion is provided with a hollow passageway for attachment to one of an air valve or an air pump communicating with ambient air for inflating said air cushion. 10. The three dimensional shoe vamp air cushion as claimed in claim 3, wherein said layer of soft material disposed between said upper sheet and said lower sheet is selected from the group consisting of fiber or foam. 11. The three dimensional shoe vamp air cushion as claimed in claim 1, wherein at least one of said upper or lower sheets is provided with a plurality of depressions selected from a group consisting of recessed lines and recessed holes. 12. The three dimensional shoe vamp air cushion as claimed in claim 3, wherein at least one of said upper or lower sheets is provided with a plurality of depressions selected from a group consisting of recessed lines and recessed holes. 13. The three dimensional shoe vamp air cushion as claimed in claim 1, wherein a layer of soft material is attached between said upper sheet and said lower sheet, and said soft material is selected from the group consisting of foam and fiber. 14. The three dimensional shoe vamp air cushion as claimed in claim 2, wherein a layer of soft material is attached between said upper sheet and said lower sheet, and said soft material is selected from the group consisting of foam and fiber.

Inventors: HUANG ING-JING, HUANG, ING-JING
Applicants: HUANG ING JING, IDEA INC, HUANG, ING-JING, IDEA, INC.
Application year: 1998
Main classification: A43B23
IPC codes: A43B23