Abstract:
An aerated shoe with cushioning effect includes a double sole ( 3, 5 ) with border ( 10 ) defining a hollow space between the two soles. The lower sole ( 5 ) does not have holes; the upper sole ( 3 ) has holes or micro-holes, allowing the passage of the atmospheric air towards the shoe interior, air which first crossed through the slits ( 12 ) on the border ( 10 ). Elements ( 7 ) are provided between the soles for ensuring the suspension and the movement of the air (ventilation) during walking. An air flow regulator, lockable in the desired position, selectively opens the slits ( 12 ). The regulator is preferably inserted in a continuous perimeter slot ( 11 ) of the border ( 10 ). The shoe ensures a natural entering/exiting air flow, quantifiable in a precise manner.

Description:
FIELD OF THE ART 
       [0001]    The present invention refers to the industrial field of footwear, and in particular of aerated shoes, i.e. those provided with means which permit atmospheric air to enter, naturally in a limited manner, inside the shoe, so to give a feeling of comfort to the user&#39;s foot. 
       PRIOR ART 
       [0002]    Shoes of every type and form are already known in this sector that have ventilated or aerated sole. 
         [0003]    The aeration inside the shoe by means of the entrance of air from the sole or laterally makes the foot comfortable and determines a secure remedy against sweating. Nevertheless, it is also true that in the shoes whose aeration is obtained by means of sole perforation, there is always the problem of passage of moisture inside the shoe and towards the foot—even if the air is “filtered” by means of a membrane, since the sole is in contact with the underlying ground. 
         [0004]    On the other hand, it has been shown that the air which enters the shoe for remedying the sweat problem should preferably enter from below the sole, and then “rise” towards the foot. Indeed, if the system is such that the air enters from the sole, it naturally rises towards the foot, while if it enters laterally with respect to the foot it has a hard time flowing downward, i.e. under the foot. 
         [0005]    In addition, in both technical solutions, the volume of air which flows inside the shoe towards the foot cannot be modified by the user. In other words, currently there are no practical and functional systems which allow for a regulation of the air flow rate. 
         [0006]    The disadvantage of this state of the art is easily illustrated. 
         [0007]    In case of even high variations of the outside temperature, the shoe always preserves the same air flow. 
         [0008]    In addition, even with the heat, it does not always make the foot comfortable, since sensitivity varies from person to person. Indeed, if a person prefers an air flow of “X”, for example, another person enjoys an air flow five times that, i.e. “5X”, in order to feel comfortable. 
         [0009]    Thus, even more so, in cold weather, the impossibility of regulating the air flow rate constitutes a real problem, since with the entrance of cold air there is inevitably a lowering of the temperature inside the shoe, which is immediately felt by the sole of the foot (being a sensitive area). 
         [0010]    One could object that an aerated shoe is in any case not usable in winter or late fall, however this is false, since the effect on the foot produced by the aeration first of all depends—as said—on the specific sensitivity of the individual; in addition, in case of a sports shoe, a shoe with high ventilation is however preferable for the sport activity undertaken, in order to oppose the odors produced by sweating and thus benefit the foot. 
         [0011]    Returning to the problem of individual sensitivity, it has actually been proven that every user feels a different sensation with regard to the entering air temperature: some people really enjoy warm air on their feet, while others prefer lower, medium or higher temperatures. 
         [0012]    A non-suitable air flow also causes foot discomfort. An uncontrolled air flow towards the foot is like the classical “draught”, always annoying and possibly even harmful. 
         [0013]    In general, the ideal would be a warm shoe in the winter and a cool shoe in the summer; thus closed or semi-closed in the winter, and open or semi-open in the summer. 
         [0014]    One object of the present invention is that of making a shoe which is aerated from the sole, which blocks the entrance of moisture towards the foot, which is suitably cushioned, and which has a system for adjusting the quantity of entering/exiting air, allowing the air to carry out its natural beneficial. ‘conditioning effect’. Particular mechanical expedients are avoided for modifying the entering air temperature, which in addition to being costly and hard to apply would not bring about the desired benefits, but rather, considering the foot&#39;s sensitivity, could even prove to be harmful. 
       DESCRIPTION OF THE INVENTION 
       [0015]    The aforesaid objects of the invention are obtained by means of the characteristics contained in claim  1  of the patent. 
         [0016]    According to this claim, the shoe is characterized in that it comprises the following characteristics:
       a lower sole ( 5 ) and an upper sole ( 3 ) joined together along their perimeter by a border ( 10 ) bearing fixed slits ( 12 ), preferably equidistant and distributed all around said border ( 10 ); said lower sole ( 5 ), said border ( 10 ) and said upper sole ( 3 ) forming an inner chamber or hollow space for the circulation of atmospheric air which entered from the fixed slits ( 12 );   the lower sole ( 5 ) lacking holes or micro-holes, while the upper sole ( 3 ) has holes or micro-holes ( 4 ) adapted to allow the air coming from said hollow space to pass through;   an air flow regulator ( 13 ,  14 ,  15 ,  16 ,  17 ,  18 ,  19 ), operable manually or directly by the user&#39;s finger or with a special tool, and comprising a movable part ( 13 ) bearing a plurality of movable slits ( 15 ) that are superimposable in all or part of said fixed slits ( 12 ) so to ensure an adjustable flow rate of the atmospheric air towards said hollow space;   a plurality of elements ( 7 ), arranged in said hollow space between the lower surface of the upper sole ( 3 ) and the upper surface of the lower sole ( 5 ), said elements ( 7 ) being made of a hard material that is however provided with a certain elasticity, so as to ensure a suspension and a “pump effect” for the natural cyclic suction and expulsion of the atmospheric air during walking;   the air freely circulating in the hollow space, between and/or through said elements ( 7 ), since said elements ( 7 ) have interstices which separate them, or openings made thereon.       
 
         [0022]    The dependant claims specify several preferred, but more particular embodiment variants. By making the movable part ( 13 ) of the flow regulation device in the shape of a closed belt, semi-rigid but flexible, which extends along the entire side of the shoe and is slidable within a perimeter groove ( 11 ) of said border ( 10 ), the shoe assumes an improved aesthetic appearance. 
         [0023]    Indeed, the flow regulation device remains inside the perimeter groove or slot ( 11 ), or at most remains flush with the outer profile of the soles ( 3 ,  5 ). In order to simplify the production process, the entire sole, comprising the two soles ( 3 ,  5 ) and the border ( 10 ), is made of a single piece together with the inner cushioning elements ( 7 ). 
         [0024]    Preferably, a positioning lock (locking means) is provided for, adapted to prevent undesired movements of the semi-rigid belt. 
         [0025]    Further characteristics and advantages of the invention are clear from the following detailed description, or they will be fully understood when the invention itself is practically actuated. 
     
    
     
       BRIEF DESCRIPTION OF THE DRAWINGS 
         [0026]    The present invention will now be illustrated in more detail, with reference to some embodiments thereof shown in the attached drawings, having merely exemplifying, non-limiting or non-binding character, wherein: 
           [0027]      FIG. 1  is a very schematic general perspective view of the shoe of the present invention; 
           [0028]      FIG. 2  is a perspective view of the body of the sole of the shoe of  FIG. 1 , sectioned and with parts partially removed only for description purposes; 
           [0029]      FIG. 3  is an overall view analogous to  FIG. 2 , in which however a large part of the upper sole  3  was removed for description purposes, creating a window in order to view the structure of the inner aeration and cushioning system, arranged between the upper sole and the lower sole; 
           [0030]      FIG. 4  separately shows the semi-rigid belt of the air flow regulation device, ideally taken off the shoe for description purposes; 
           [0031]      FIG. 5  shows a detail of the semi-rigid belt of  FIG. 4 , which is assumed to be mounted on the shoe and is found in completely open position; 
           [0032]      FIG. 6  is analogous to  FIG. 5 , but shows a position of the semi-rigid belt such to ensure an only-partial entrance of the air; 
           [0033]      FIG. 7  shows the details of the means for locking in position the semi-rigid belt of the air flow regulation device, so to prevent its accidental movement during the use of the shoe; 
           [0034]      FIG. 8  shows a breathable band of protection from dirt and water; 
           [0035]      FIG. 9  shows, in a partial perspective view of the sole, a special hole that allows the outward downflow of possible water formations. 
       
    
    
     DETAILED DESCRIPTION OF THE PREFERRED EMBODIMENT 
       [0036]    The invention concerns an aerated shoe of the type indicated as a non-limiting or non-binding example in the attached figures,  FIGS. 1-9 . 
         [0037]    The shoe represented in these figures, as will be seen from the following description, attains all the aforesaid objects. 
         [0038]    It is essential to understand that in the description, all details are omitted that may be already known to those skilled in the art but which do not specifically regard the invention. This is not an incorrect omission, but rather a way of focusing the description on the most pertinent details of the invention, such that a man skilled in the art will be able to actuate the core of the invention, as well as allowing full freedom with regard to possible variants. In particular, the present description does not intend to place any limits on the materials, configurations and technical production specifications employed in the footwear sector and which could be validly applied to the invention. Keeping in mind the above considerations,  FIG. 1  schematically shows the overall appearance, at the end of the production and assembly phase, of a shoe incorporating the air flow regulation device, and inside, not visible in  FIG. 1 , the inner aeration and cushioning system arranged between the upper sole and the lower sole. 
         [0039]      FIG. 2  and  FIG. 3  show, in detail, only the inner aeration and cushioning system according to the present invention, incorporated in the sole body. 
         [0040]    The body  2  of the sole, made of any suitable material known to the man skilled in the art (but preferably leather or rubber), comprises the upper sole  3  bearing holes or micro-holes  4  over its entire surface, and a lower sole  5  which is placed in contact with the ground and which does not have holes. 
         [0041]    Preferably, the body  2  of the sole is made of a single piece. Specifically, in the present preferred embodiment, the lower sole  5  and the upper sole  3 , suitably spaced (separated from each other) by the inner aeration and cushioning system, as described below, form a single piece since there are joined along their outer perimeter by a border or vertical wall  10  in order to give rigidity and support to the structure. The border  10  laterally forms a slot or groove  11 , such that it is recessed with respect to the outer perimeter profile of the two soles  3  and  5  which are of matching geometric form. On the border, or vertical wall  10  joining the upper  3  and lower  5  soles, equidistant (rectangular) slits  12  are made such to allow the entrance of the air inside the hollow space between the two upper  3  and lower  5  soles. 
         [0042]    As can be seen in  FIGS. 2 and 3 , atop the upper sole  3  (and thus directly in contact with the sole of the user&#39;s foot), there is a so-called shoe liner  6  composed of a shaped layer of material that is breathable by means of holes or micro-holes, which allow the passage of the rising air coming from the upper sole  3 . 
         [0043]    The inner aeration and cushioning system is arranged so to join the two soles  3  and  5  in a uniform manner, and it also functions as a spacer adapted to create an aeration hollow space between the two soles. Such inner aeration and suspension system has constituent elements  7  which have the function of air circulation and suspension, placed at suitable mutual distances from each other. In the shown embodiment, the elements  7  are made of a single body with the soles, i.e. they are integral with the two soles  3  and  5 . In such a manner, the body  2  of the sole could comprise, forming a single piece—for example in rubber—also the inner aeration and suspension system formed by the components  7  uniformly distributed between the soles. In the drawing, these components  7  which join the two soles form a plurality of “Arch of Titus”—like elements, whose central holes ensure the air circulation, laterally coming from the outside through the slits  12 , into the hollow space created between the two soles  3  and  5 . Of course, the components  7  of the aeration and suspension system could also be composed of small cylinders or have any other form, possibly also especially designed for ensuring maximum durability and optimal suspension of the entire system. 
         [0044]    Preferably, the elements  7  are obtained from a single melting (molding) together with the two soles, but they could also be fixed between the two soles; alternatively, the soles could be made of leather, and the system formed by the elements  7  could be separately made of a single block by means of melting (molding) and then fixed to the soles in a suitable manner (for example, by means of gluing, etc.). It is clear that a man skilled in the art can choose from various, equally feasible possible solutions, and could possibly prefer a solution that ensures the greatest durability, or the greatest aeration, or the best suspension, or he could choose the optimal solution that leads to the best compromise between all these requirements. Of course, the speed and simplicity of the production process can also be important factors in order to limit the costs of the final product. 
         [0045]    The air flows upward, i.e. towards the sole of the foot, passing through the (micro-) holes  4  of the upper sole  3  and then through the shoe liner, or shaped breathable material layer  6 . 
         [0046]    The elements  7  then “give a cushioning effect” to the feet during walking; the hardness degree of the material (for example rubber) will determine the desired elasticity. In addition, this suspension system caused by the body of the sole  2  in sandwich form, with its above-described cushioning elements  7 , also produces an air compression and suction “pump effect” in the hollow space, in such a manner favoring the natural circulation of the air in the hollow space and thus in the shoe. Above all, the hollow space also acts as a “trap” for a possible condensate, preventing it from reaching the foot. 
         [0047]    Naturally, the shape of the elements  7  could be of any type, as long as it is suitable for the purpose. Their arrangement could be as squares, like in  FIG. 2  and  FIG. 3 , or as hexagons (known for being the shape with the most material savings), triangles, etc., of continuous form (as in the drawing) i.e. with continuous walls, or with interrupted form (separated cylinders, etc.) as said above, etcetera. 
         [0048]    The air flow regulation device will now be described, another fundamental element of the present invention. 
         [0049]    In the shown embodiment, close to the slot  11  and covering the same along the entire perimeter, there is a semi-rigid belt  13 :
       see  FIG. 2  which shows—for description purposes—only a small section of belt  13  visible in its seat  11 , the remaining belt part being covered by a breathable band  20  (see below), and   see  FIG. 4 , which shows the entire semi-rigid belt  13 , for description purposes separated from the shoe in order to better describe its structure and components.       
 
         [0052]    The semi-rigid belt  13  can be made of any suitable material, flexible but semi-rigid, joined by means of a so-called regulator plate  14 , which firmly joins the two opposite ends of the semi-rigid belt  13 , as clearly shown in  FIG. 4 . The semi-rigid belt  13  bears rectangular slits  15 , or in general slits  15  with shape identical to that of the slits  12  of the above-described border  10 , belonging to the body  2  of the sole. In addition, the inter-spaces between the slits  15  exactly correspond to those of the slits  12  of the vertical wall of the border  10 . The semi-rigid nature of the belt  13  is necessary in order to not create “hardenings” at the outer perimeter of the body  2  of the sole, which could be felt, even slightly, by the sole of the foot. 
         [0053]    In the inner/outer part (i.e. right/left) of the sole, in any position, at the same level of the regulator belt  13 , or air flow regulation device, there is a centrally open plate  16 , having a plurality of locking teeth on its inner edge (see in particular  FIG. 7 ). The centrally open plate  16  is a particular non-binding embodiment of a possible means for temporarily locking the belt  13  in position, so as to prevent accidental longitudinal movements of the belt  13  in the slot  11  during shoe use. 
         [0054]    In detail, the centrally open plate  16  is fixed in the border  10  (for example during the molding process, in the upper and lower sole, respectively) while the semi-rigid belt  13  can slide below the plate  16 . In addition, the plate  14  of the semi-rigid belt  13  has a small lever or projection  18  which crosses through the central opening of plate  16  and is adapted to be engaged in different positions with the teeth  17  of the plate  16  itself (see  FIG. 7 ). By laterally moving, with the simple action of a finger, the lever  18  which is integral with the plate  14  and thus also with the belt  13 , there will be (due to the sliding of the semi-rigid belt  13  within the groove  11 ) a gradual opening or closing of the slits  12  of the body  2  of the sole, by virtue of the superimposition between the slits  12  and  15 . In such a manner, one is able to quantify a desired air flow rate towards the shoe interior. 
         [0055]    The reference number  19  shows the upper tip of the lever  18 , which is engaged with a respective tooth  17  of the centrally open plate  16 . 
         [0056]    In summary, the air flow regulation device (or regulator) comprises the components  13 ,  14 ,  15 ,  16 ,  17 ,  18 ,  19 , and in particular the locking means (or positioning lock) of the regulator, which prevents accidental movements thereof, comprises the components  16 ,  17 ,  18 ,  19 . 
         [0057]    Of course, a man skilled in the art could make other types of regulators and positioning locks, which allow the zero-partial-total superimposition between the lateral openings, selected by the user, in which the lateral openings associated with the regulator are “movable” and those associated with the aeration and suspension system are “immobile”. 
         [0058]    A breathable band  20  (which always remains immobile on the shoe unlike the semi-rigid belt  13 ), having an access slot  21  for the lever  18  of the regulator, has the object of protecting from dirt and water—see FIG.  8 —and therefore externally covers, along the entire perimeter, both the slot  11  and the semi-rigid belt  13  contained therein.  FIG. 2  shows the breathable band  20  in its position, assembled on the shoe. In order to not overly complicate  FIGS. 2 and 3 , these figures do not show the illustrative details which are instead shown in  FIGS. 5 ,  6 ,  7  (even if, of course, all of these details could be found on the side not in view for the observer of  FIG. 2 , as already said above). Finally, the slightly hump-like form  22  of the lower sole  5  allows the outward downflow of possible water formations by means of the opposite holes  23 , i.e. situated with one on the right and one on the left in the lower sole  5 , in suitable position. Said holes  23  communicate with the inside of the shoe, or with the hollow space that acts as a trap of condensate between the two soles  3  and  5 , being extended in an oblique and upward direction. Of course, such holes  23  are only optional. 
         [0059]    The regulator could be of various type, also not directly operable by the finger but with a special tool or simple screwdriver. 
         [0060]    It is also clear that the slot  11  which houses the regulator could also be not closed/continuous, i.e. it could extend only on part of the perimeter of the double sole, so that the regulator, in this case not a closed belt but—for example—a slider/sliding block possibly housed in the slot  11 , could regulate the flow only on one side of the shoe. However, it is preferable that the regulator acts in a uniform manner over the entire shoe, for example according to the solution defined in claim  2 .