Abstract:
A shoe ventilation system for footwear that includes a shoe and a shoe ventilation device. The shoe includes a fitting for connecting to a pressurized air or gas source, such as refrigerated air from a refrigeration source, and the shoe ventilation device includes a fitting to connect to the shoe and a user-actuated valve for controlling the flow of air or gas.

Description:
BACKGROUND OF THE INVENTION 
     1. Field of the Invention 
     The present invention generally relates to the ventilation of footwear and, more specifically, to a device for providing on-demand pressurized air to shoes and to a shoe that is configured to be ventilated while worn by a user. 
     2. Description of the Related Art 
     During vigorous athletic activity the temperature of an athlete&#39;s foot may rise. The increase in foot temperature is uncomfortable, as well as possibly harmful. When foot temperature rises, the foot swells and edema may occur. Further, neuro-muscular responsiveness of the foot decreases, thereby lowering athletic performance and increasing the potential for injury. 
     Previous methods and devices for cooling shoes include air-conditioning and ventilation systems integrated within the shoe at the time of manufacture. For example, Siegel (U.S. Pat. No. 5,375,430) and Ricco et al. (U.S. Pat. No. 6,594,917), disclose air-conditioning devices integrated within a shoe. While these devices may increase the comfort of a shoe, the integration of the air-conditioning device increases the size, weight, and cost of manufacture of the shoe. 
     Landry (U.S. Pat. No. 5,918,381), Ortiz (U.S. Patent Application 2002/0069552), and Ichigaya (U.S. Patent Application 2003/0047301) disclose integrated ventilation fans for the ventilation of shoes. Like the integrated air-conditioning devices discussed above, integrated ventilation fans increase the size, weight, and cost of the shoe. 
     Buttigieg (U.S. Pat. No. 6,463,679) discloses a compressible air chamber integrated into the sole of a shoe. While the air chamber is designed to force air into the interior of the shoe, the placement of the air chamber necessarily affects the elasticity of the sole. Accordingly, the performance of the shoe is affected. 
     Therefore, it is desirable to have a simple, lightweight system for the cooling of feet that is adaptable to existing shoes and incorporated into new shoes. 
     BRIEF SUMMARY OF THE INVENTION 
     The disclosed embodiments of the invention are directed to a shoe ventilation system and to a corresponding shoe. In accordance with one embodiment of the invention, a shoe cooling device is provided that includes a supply port for receiving a supply of pressurized air or gas; an output port for connection to a ventilated shoe; and a pressure-actuated valve for the control of the air or gas supply from the input port to the output port. 
     In accordance with another embodiment of the invention, a shoe is provided having an input port for receiving pressurized air or gas from an external source, such as the above-mentioned shoe ventilation device, the input port in fluid communication with an interior of the shoe. 
     In accordance with yet another embodiment of the invention, a shoe ventilation system is provided that includes the shoe cooling device and shoe wherein the input port on the shoe is sized and shaped to couple to the output port of the shoe cooling device and to activate the pressure actuated valve to introduce pressurized gas into the shoe. 
     In accordance with a further embodiment of the invention, a ventilation device for providing pressurized gas to the footwear of a user while worn by the user is provided, the device including an input for receiving pressurized gas, an output for distributing the pressurized gas received from the input, the output configured to provide the pressurized gas to the footwear, and a user-actuated device for controlling the output of pressurized gas to the footwear. 
     In accordance with yet a further embodiment of the invention a ventilation device is provided for providing pressurized gas to the shoe of the user while worn by the user, the device including an input for receiving pressurized gas, an output for delivering pressurized gas, and a user-actuated valve for controlling the supply of pressurized gas from the input to the output. 
     In accordance with another embodiment of the invention, a system for ventilating shoes is provided. The system includes a shoe ventilation device for providing pressurized gas to the shoe of a user while worn by the user, the shoe ventilation device including an input for receiving pressurized gas, an output for delivering pressurized gas, and a user-actuated valve for controlling the supply of pressurized gas from the input to the output, the system further including a shoe having an input for receiving the pressurized gas, the input formed on a portion of the shoe and in fluid communication with an interior of the shoe, the input configured to prevent introduction of water and dirt to the interior of the shoe while selectively admitting the pressurized gas to the interior of the shoe. 
    
    
     
       BRIEF DESCRIPTION OF THE SEVERAL VIEWS OF THE DRAWINGS 
       The foregoing and other aspects of the present invention will be better appreciated with reference to the following detailed description of the invention in conjunction with the accompanying drawings, wherein: 
         FIG. 1  is an isometric view of a shoe ventilation system formed in accordance with the present invention; 
         FIG. 2  is a partial cross-sectional view of a base plate formed in accordance with the present invention; 
         FIG. 3  is a schematic view of the pneumatic system of the present invention in first operational configuration; 
         FIG. 4  is a schematic view of the pneumatic system of the present invention in a second operational configuration; 
         FIGS. 5A-5C  are cross-sectional views of an inlet valve in the heel of a shoe in accordance with another embodiment of the invention; and 
         FIGS. 6A-6B  are a cross-section side view and a top view, respectively, of an alternative embodiment. 
     
    
    
     DETAILED DESCRIPTION OF THE INVENTION 
     Referring initially to  FIG. 1 , shown therein is a shoe ventilation system  10  in accordance with one embodiment of the invention that includes a base plate  12  configured to be coupled to a source of pressurized gas (not shown) by an input fitting  14  communicating with an inlet port  16 , and further including an outlet port  18 . The system  10  further includes footwear, in this embodiment a shoe  20  having an interior  22  (shown in  FIG. 3 ) configured to be in fluid communication with the outlet port  18 . The source of pressurized gas can be a remotely-located supply terminal or a portable tank that can be built in, attached to, or associated with the base plate  12 . 
     A valve  24  is positioned adjacent to and in fluid communication with the outlet port  18  and configured to be activated by pressure of the shoe  20 . In this embodiment, the shoe  20  includes an inlet port  26  configured to provide fluid communication, and in particular a gas, vapor, or air, between the exterior of the shoe  20  and the interior  22  thereof. The inlet port  26  is configured to be slideably received over a cone-shaped nozzle  28  formed over the outlet port  18  to direct air into the shoe  20 . Although the nozzle  28  is shown as having a cone shape, it is to be understood that other shapes may be used. 
     Also shown in  FIG. 1  is an optional hand wand  30  coupled to the base plate  12  via an air hose  32  and fitting  34  to be in fluid communication with the inlet port  16 , which is described in more detail herein below. The wand includes a handle  36  coupled at one end to the air hose  32  and having extending from the other end a tubular nozzle  38  that is preferably rigid for insertion into the shoe  20  to provide localized user-directed pressurized gas. The shape of the nozzle  38  can be matched to the shape of the inlet port  26  or it can be configured to disburse the pressurized gas into other areas of the shoe. Thus, the nozzle  38  can be round, cone-shaped, flat, or have another shape, and can be adjustable for volume or it can include a diffuser attachment. A trigger  40  formed on the handle  36  activates the hand wand  30 . The trigger can be a simple on-off switch or a proportional valve to control volume or pressure or both or an electro-mechanically actuated valve  41 . In use, the hand wand muzzle  38  can be inserted between the user&#39;s foot and a sidewall of the shoe, at the heel of the shoe, or on the top forward portion of the shoe near the toe as well as at any other location selected by the user where gas or air can be introduced into the interior  22  of the shoe. 
     Referring next to  FIG. 2 , shown therein is a partial cross-sectional view of the base plate  12  having a top surface  42 , bottom surface  44 , and sidewall  46 . Ideally, the base plate  12  is formed of solid, rigid material  48 , preferably acrylic, although lightweight metal, such as aluminum may also be used. However, it is to be understood that any solid, rigid material, including wood, metal, or other plastics will suffice. Acrylic is generally more economical and easier to machine, as well as being wear resistant, and hence this material or one possessing similar properties is preferred. On the bottom wall  44  of the base plate  12  are skid pads  50 , such as self-adhesive non-skid pads, to prevent the base plate  12  from slipping on a supporting surface (not shown). 
     The input fitting  14  is in fluid communication with the inlet port  16  that is formed from a first horizontal passageway  52  that intersects with a first vertical passageway  54  extending through the base plate  12  to provide fluid communication from the bottom wall  44  to the top wall  42 . A second horizontal passageway  56  is formed above the first horizontal passageway  52  and opens to the sidewall  46  and terminates at a second vertical passageway  58  that terminates in the outlet port  18  in the top wall  42  of the base plate  12 . The cone-shaped nozzle  28  is preferably threadably engaged with the outlet port  18 . However, it is to be understood that other means of securing the nozzle  28  to the outlet port  18  may be used, as will be readily known to those of ordinary skill in this technology. 
     The first vertical passageway  54  has an enlarged section  60  sized and shaped to receive the body  62  of the air valve  24 . The enlarged section  60  of the first vertical passageway  54  is closed off at the bottom surface  44  of the base plate  12  with a plug  66 . A stem  64  extends upward from the valve body  62  and extends out of the base plate  12  above the top surface  42 . Ideally, the stem  64  is biased to have the valve body  62  seat against a matching upper wall  68  of the enlarged portion  60  of the first vertical passageway  54 . A biasing member, such as a spring  72 , is positioned between the top surface  42  of the base plate  12  and a horizontal plate  70  on the stem  64  to urge the valve  24  into the closed position. A plug  74  closes off the second vertical passageway  56  at the sidewall  46 . 
     In operation, pressurized fluid, such as a gas, vapor, or air, is provided at the inlet port  16  through the input fitting  14  and into the enlarged portion  60  of the first vertical passageway  54 . The valve  24  is biased in the closed position by the spring  72  until pressure from the heel of the shoe  22  on the horizontal plate  70  forces the valve body  62  downward past the first horizontal passageway  52 . 
     Reference is now made to two operational diagrams shown in  FIGS. 3 and 4 , wherein  FIG. 3  shows the valve  24  in the closed position and  FIG. 4  shows the valve  24  in the open position to admit pressurized air into the second horizontal passageway  56  and the intersecting second vertical passageway  58 , through the nozzle  28  and into the interior  22  of the shoe  20 . 
     In the embodiment shown in  FIGS. 3 and 4 , the heel  78  includes the inlet valve  26  formed therein. It is to be understood, however, that an inlet valve may be formed near the toe of the shoe or at other locations on the bottom surface, top surface, side walls, and front and rear sides of the shoe  20  as desired. The inlet valve can be configured to be a one-way valve, such as is used on basketballs and the like, admitting air into the interior  22  of the shoe  20  and closing off to prevent air or gas from escaping. In addition, the inlet valve  26  can be formed to prevent elements from the exterior of the shoe  20 , such as water or hot air, from being admitted into the interior  22  of the shoe  20 . 
       FIGS. 5A-5C  show another embodiment of the invention wherein a shoe  80  is shown having a valve  82  installed in the heel  84 . The valve  82  has a valve body  86  with a first opening  88  communicating with a second opening  90  that opens to the shoe&#39;s interior  92 . A ball  94  seals in a seat  96  at the second opening  90  and is held in place by a spring  98  mounted between the ball  94  and a retaining member  100 , as shown more clearly in  FIG. 5B . When pressurized gas  102  is introduced at the first opening  88  with sufficient force to overcome the spring  98 , the ball  94  is urged off the seat  96  to admit the gas  102  into the interior  92  of the shoe  80 . 
     So long as pressure from the heel  78  of the shoe  20  continues to push the valve  24  into the open position, pressurized air will continue to be injected into the interior  22  of the shoe  20 . It is to be understood that gases other than ordinary air may be used, such as a mixture of air and anti-fungal agent, scented air, or a combination of the foregoing or coolants and the like. 
     Although a preferred embodiment of the invention has been illustrated and described, it is to be understood that various changes may be made therein without departing from the spirit and scope of the invention. For example, a shell-shaped front air delivery system  100  shown in  FIGS. 6A-6B  can be used alone or in combination with the heel valve  26  to provide air to the toe of the shoe or to additional areas of the shoe  20 . A user would slip the toe  80  of the shoe into a shell-shaped receiver  102  that is in fluid communication with the source of pressurized air, such as with the inlet port  16 , and is activated by a valve similar to the inlet valve  24  or by a sensor, such as infrared or other proximity or presence sensor  104 . Air can be introduced through the sole  82  of the shoe in a manner similar to the inlet valve  26  in the heel  78  or toe  80  of shoe  20 . Air or gas can also be introduced through the top  84  of the shoe, which is generally ventilated and does not require modification of the shoe, or a combination of both. 
     With respect to the shoe  20 , existing shoes can be easily modified to accommodate the inlet valve  26 . If such a valve were in the toe  80  of the shoe  20 , activation of the inlet valve  24  would be accomplished by simply reversing the position of the shoe shown in  FIGS. 3 and 4  so that the sole  82  at the toe  80  of the shoe  20  presses down on the inlet valve  24  as shown in  FIG. 6A . 
     In another embodiment the valve  24  can be activated by either the foot pressure or a hand-actuated control or a combination of both. Optionally, the hand wand can be configured to control the foot valve alone, the hand wand alone without the presence of a foot valve in the base, or a combination of the hand wand and the foot valve. 
     As will be readily appreciated from the foregoing, those engaged in sports, such as baseball, basketball, football, and soccer, as well as other sports, and recreational users, such as walkers, and those who must stand and/or walk or run for substantial periods of time will find relief from fatigue and resistance to injury in the foot and ankle area for use of the present invention. As foot temperature rises, swelling of the foot can cause edema. Neurological responses in the foot are reduced, creating the potential for injury due to sluggish brain-to-foot communication. The cooler foot temperatures provided by the present invention will energize the foot, and the introduction of aromatherapy will enhance this effect. 
     It is anticipated that the present invention could be used on the sidelines or bench, allowing athletes to restore their foot temperature to pre-game conditions. In addition, where individuals or groups of people are walking or exercising, such as at shopping malls, theme parks, fairs, health clubs, home shows, airports, and the like, portable stations can be set up for use, which can be coin activated. 
     All of the above U.S. patents, U.S. patent application publications, U.S. patent applications, foreign patents, foreign patent applications and non-patent publications referred to in this specification and/or listed in the Application Data Sheet, are incorporated herein by reference, in their entirety. 
     From the foregoing it will be appreciated that, although specific embodiments of the invention have been described herein for purposes of illustration, various modifications may be made without deviating from the spirit and scope of the invention. Accordingly, the invention is not limited except as by the appended claims.