Source: https://patents.google.com/patent/US5044096
Timestamp: 2018-02-19 16:29:20
Document Index: 5917466

Matched Legal Cases: ['art 2', 'art 2', 'art 6', 'art 2', 'art 6', 'art 2', 'art 2', 'art 6', 'art 2', 'art 6', 'art 6', 'art 2', 'art 6']

US5044096A - Sole structure for footwear - Google Patents
Sole structure for footwear
US5044096A
US5044096A US07448393 US44839389A US5044096A US 5044096 A US5044096 A US 5044096A US 07448393 US07448393 US 07448393 US 44839389 A US44839389 A US 44839389A US 5044096 A US5044096 A US 5044096A
US07448393
Pol Scarpe Sportive Srl
The sole structure comprises a lower part with a tread, preferably made of rubber or other synthetic material, and having holes formed therein which traverse its thickness. The lower part is covered by a membrane made of microporous, waterproof material which permits transpiration. The structure is completed by an upper part adapted for having a foot rested thereon and being made of rubber or other synthetic material. Holes which traverse the thickness of the upper part are provided at the portion thereof affected by the membrane.
The present invention relates to a sole structure for footwear.
The current widespread use of footwear with soles made of synthetic material or rubber is known.
Such footwear has undoubted advantages from the point of view of production and economy as well as from the point of view of being very practical in use.
The soles are in fact waterproof, wear-resistant, antislip, and can be produced in various shapes with desirable aesthetic effects, as well as being easy to use and economical.
However, such known types of soles have a considerable disadvantage, which resides in the fact that no outward transpiration of the sole of the foot is allowed, causing discomfort for the user or even giving rise to the condition known as "athelete's foot".
The aim of the present invention is to provide a sole structure made of synthetic material or rubber, which is produced in such a manner as to allow the transpiration of the foot despite being waterproof.
A consequent primary object of the invention is to provide a sole structure which has the same advantages as those currently commercially available, as well as being waterproof and allowing transpiration.
Another important object of the invention is to provide a sole structure which can be manufactured at low cost and which can therefore be sold at a competitive price.
A further object of the invention is to provide a sole structure which can be manufactured with known devices and methods.
A further object of the invention is to increase the user's comfort.
This aim, these objects and others which will become apparent hereinafter are achieved by a sole structure for footwear, characterized in that it comprises at least one lower part having a tread, a plurality of holes traversing the thickness of said at least one lower part and being covered by at least one membrane made of waterproof microporous material capable of permitting transpiration, and at least one upper part attached to said lower part and having through holes which traverse its thickness.
Further characteristics and advantages of the invention will become apparent from the detailed description of a preferred embodiment thereof, illustrated only by way of non-limitative example in the accompanyingg drawings, wherein:
FIG. 1 is a longtitudinal sectional view of a preferred embodiment of the parts which compose the sole structure according to the invention;
FIG. 2 is an exploded view of a sole structure according to the invention;
FIG. 3 is a longitudinal sectional view of the sole structure according to the invention when assembled.
With reference to the above described figures, a sole structure for footwear according to the invention, which permits transpiration while being waterproof, comprises an outside sole or outsole structure generally indicated by the reference numeral 1 which essentially comprises a lower part 2, with a tread 3, made of synthetic material or rubber or similar material and provided with a series of fine holes or micro-pores 4 which transverse its thickness and are conveniently arranged in its inner regions or areas 2a.
A waterproof microporous membrane 5, which permits transpiration, is arranged above said part 2. The membrane 5 is preferably made of material such as the material known by the Trade Mark "Gore-Tex" or another equivalent material.
The structure is completed by an upper part 6 on which the foot rests. The upper part is attached to the lower part 2 and has a series of holes 7 which traverse its thickness and which are arranged in the zone 6a.
Said upper part 6 is also made of synthetic material or rubber or similar material and is assembled and coupled to the lower part 2 in the regions 2b and 6b which are defined perimetrically respectively to the area 2a and zone 6a and which are not affected by said microporous membrane 5 such perimetric regions 2b and 6b thus act as coupling regions between the lower part 2 and the upper part 6.
The structure according to the invention can be manufactured by means of current methods without any difficulty. The assembly of the lower part 2 and the upper part 6 must be effected to finally form a monolithic structure so as to prevent the infiltration of water through the joint define between the two parts.
The fact should furthermore be stressed that during assembly, no adhesive or other material must affect the regions provided with holes 4, with the holes 7 and the regions occupied by the membrane 5.
Examples of methods usuable to produce the structure of sole according to the invention can be injection-molding or press-glueing.
In the case of injection moulding, once the lower part is injected into the mold, the membrane 5 can be positioned and the upper part 6 can then be injected.
The resultant structure is monolithic and the microporous membrane 5 is embedded therein.
In the case of press-glueing, the lower part 2 and the upper part 6 are molded beforehand and are subsequently coupled by means of adhesives after interposing said membrane 5.
The final result is a structure which, by virture of the presence of the membrane, is waterproof in one direction while allowing the foot to transpire, through the various perforations and the membrane, in opposite direction.
In practice it has thus been observed that the invention has brilliantly achieved the intended aim and objects, a sole structure having been provided which can be produced with current methods and devices and is suitable for achieving a greater comfort of the foot by permitting transpiration while remaining waterproof, thereby completely eliminating the main disadvantage of known sole structures.
The invention thus conceived is susceptible to numerous modifications and variations, all of which are within the scope of the inventive concept; all the details may furthermore be replaced with technically equivalent elements.
In practice, any materials, shapes and dimensions may be employed, providing that they are compatible with contingent requirements and the intended use.
1. Sole structure for footwear, comprising an outsole which comprises at least one lower part and at least one upper part which are mutually united to form said outsole, said lower part defining an area at which a plurality of holes is provided which transverse said lower part, said upper part defining a zone at which through holes are provided which traverse said upper part, said outsole further comprising at least on microporous waterproof membrane means sandwiched between said mutually united upper and lower parts, wherein said lower part defines a lower part perimetric region encompassing said area and said upper part defines an upper part perimetric region encompassing said zone, said lower part perimetric region being a lower part coupling region and said upper part perimetric region being an upper part coupling region, said lower part and said upper part being mutually united at said upper part coupling region and said lower part coupling region in a manner to create a fluid-tight seal at said coupling regions, said membrane means being arranged between said upper part and said lower part inside said coupling regions thereof.
2. Sole structure according to claim 1, wherein said membrane means of said outsole is comprised of waterproof material which permits transpiration.
3. Sole structure according to claim 1, wherein said lower part and said upper part of said outsole are united by press-glueing in which a separately molded said lower part and a separately molded said upper part are united at said coupling regions by means of adhesives.
4. Sole structure according to claim 1, wherein said outsole is obtained by injection molding in which said lower part and said upper part are mutually monolithic, said membrane means being embedded therein.
5. Sole structure for footwear, comprising an outsole which comprises at least one lower part and at least one upper part which are mutually monolithic, said lower part defining an area at which a plurality of holes is provided which traverse said lower part, said upper part defining a zone at which through holes are provided which traverse said upper part, said lower part defining a lower part perimetric region encompassing said area and said upper part defining an upper part perimetric region encompassing said zone, said lower part perimetric region being a lower part coupling region and said upper part perimetric region being an upper part coupling region, said lower part and said upper part being mutually monolithic at said upper part coupling region and said lower part coupling region thereby creating a fluid-tight seal at said coupling regions, said outsole further comprising at least one microporous waterproof membrane means sandwiched between said mutuallly monolithic upper and lower parts, at least a portion of said microporous waterproof membrane means being arranged between said area of said upper part and said zone of said lower part.
US5044096B1 1989-02-17 1989-12-11 Sole structure for footwear Expired - Lifetime US5044096B1 (en)
IT41525A/89 1989-02-17
IT4152589 1989-02-17
US5044096A true US5044096A (en) 1991-09-03
US5044096B1 US5044096B1 (en) 1998-12-29
ID=11250645
US5044096B1 Expired - Lifetime US5044096B1 (en) 1989-02-17 1989-12-11 Sole structure for footwear
US (1) US5044096B1 (en)
DE (2) DE68915427D1 (en)
EP (1) EP0382904B1 (en)
ES (1) ES2051966T3 (en)
US6508015B1 (en) 1996-02-08 2003-01-21 Max Rauch Breathing sole
US20030106240A1 (en) * 2001-01-10 2003-06-12 Jui-Te Wang Water drainable sole for footwear
US20050172513A1 (en) * 2004-02-10 2005-08-11 Celgard Inc. Breathable sole structure for footwear
WO2007137604A1 (en) 2006-05-29 2007-12-06 Geox S.P.A. Vapor-permeable and waterproof sole for shoes, shoe manufactured with the sole, and method for manufacturing the sole and the shoe
WO2007144073A1 (en) 2006-06-14 2007-12-21 Geox S.P.A. Sole for shoes of the waterproof and vapor-permeable type, and shoe provided with said sole
WO2008003375A1 (en) 2006-07-06 2008-01-10 Geox S.P.A. Waterproof vapor-permeable shoe
EP1918090A2 (en) 2004-01-22 2008-05-07 Geox S.p.A. Method for manufacturing a shoe with breathable and waterproof sole and upper
WO2008061710A1 (en) 2006-11-23 2008-05-29 Geox S.P.A. Vapor-permeable waterproof sole for shoes, shoe which uses said sole, and method for manufacturing said sole and said shoe
CN100475073C (en) 2003-07-22 2009-04-08 健乐士有限公司 Vapor-permeable and waterproof sole for shoes, particularly but not exclusively for open shoes such as sandals, sabots and the like, and shoe provided with the sole
DE202004021584U1 (en) 2003-12-30 2009-05-07 Geox S.p.A., Montebelluna Località Biadene Breathable waterproof sole for shoes
US20100126041A1 (en) * 2008-11-17 2010-05-27 Altama Footwear Foot-Bed
WO2011042112A1 (en) 2009-10-06 2011-04-14 Immobiliare Bibo S.R.L. Shoe sole that allows breathability of the foot
WO2014166014A1 (en) * 2013-04-08 2014-10-16 叶伟良 Waterproof air pervious shoe sole
US20150230542A1 (en) * 2014-02-14 2015-08-20 W. L. Gore & Associates, Gmbh Conformable Booties, Shoe Inserts, and Footwear Assemblies Made Therewith, and Waterproof Breathable Socks
EP0479183B1 (en) 1990-10-03 1996-07-31 POL SCARPE SPORTIVE S.r.l. Waterproof and transpiring outsole
ES2082685B1 (en) * 1993-03-18 1996-11-16 Ernesto Segarra S A complex shoe sole.
EP0792594A1 (en) * 1996-03-19 1997-09-03 W.L. GORE &amp; ASSOCIATI S.r.l. Improved vapor-permeable footwear
DE69806915T2 (en) 1997-04-18 2003-07-03 Valleverde S P A Breathable shoe sole which the enter prevents liquids from the outside
ES2236631T3 (en) 1997-05-09 2005-07-16 Geox S.P.A. Footwear improved vapor permeable.
DE69917710D1 (en) 1998-05-14 2004-07-08 Stefcom Spa Breathable sole assembly for shoe works
DE202004000307U1 (en) 2004-01-09 2004-10-14 Tendenza Schuhhandelsgesellschaft Mbh & Co. Kg Shoe with breathable sole and breathable unit therefor, and apparatus for producing a breathable sole
EP1721536B1 (en) 2005-05-12 2009-07-01 Michael C. Dehn Massagesole for a shoe
ES2262443B2 (en) * 2006-02-07 2008-03-01 Desarrollo Integral Del Molde, S.L. Process for manufacturing footwear and flooring product obtained.
WO2007104803A1 (en) * 2006-03-14 2007-09-20 Reig Luis Gonzalo Breathable footwear sole and footwear with said sole
DE102008027856A1 (en) 2008-06-11 2009-12-24 W. L. Gore & Associates Gmbh Shoe with ventilation in the lower shaft area and for usable air permeable spacer structure
DE102008029296A1 (en) 2008-06-20 2009-12-24 W. L. Gore & Associates Gmbh Sole unit for footwear
DE102009009117A1 (en) 2009-02-16 2010-09-02 Deichmann Se Clothing piece for shoes, has air-permeable layer, particularly mid-sole, where air-permeable layer is formed partly from air-permeable, sintered plastic
ES2528106T3 (en) 2010-11-19 2015-02-04 Geox S.P.A. vapor-permeable waterproof footwear sole vapor permeable
CN105120699B (en) 2013-03-15 2017-03-08 W.L.戈尔有限公司 Footwear with an air-permeable layer and air in a lower region of the upper periphery of the permeable structure portion
DE202014100250U1 (en) 2013-08-30 2014-03-06 W.L. Gore & Associati S.R.L. Footwear comprising an air-permeable sheet and an air-permeable portion in a lower peripheral portion of the shaft assembly
DE202014100249U1 (en) 2013-08-30 2014-03-14 W.L. Gore & Associati S.R.L. Footwear comprising an air-permeable sheet and an air-permeable portion in a lower peripheral portion of the shaft assembly
DE202013009049U1 (en) 2013-10-11 2013-10-21 W. L. Gore & Associates Gmbh footwear
DE202014100248U1 (en) 2014-01-22 2014-03-05 W.L. Gore & Associati S.R.L. Footwear comprising an air-permeable sheet and an air-permeable portion in a lower peripheral portion of the shaft assembly
US878039A (en) * 1907-09-13 1908-02-04 George R Stetson Arch-supporter.
FR1228239A (en) * 1959-03-10 1960-08-29 Shoe
US3205595A (en) * 1963-04-22 1965-09-14 Funck Kg Dr Ing Ventilated water-tight footwear
GB1407372A (en) * 1973-05-23 1975-09-24 Schwartz B Boot or shoe with tensioned insole member
WO2001010257A1 (en) 1999-08-04 2001-02-15 Opal Limited Ventilated footwear
CN100405945C (en) 1999-08-04 2008-07-30 奥帕尔有限公司 Ventilated footwear
US6553690B2 (en) * 1999-08-04 2003-04-29 Opal Limited Ventilated footwear
DE202004021785U1 (en) 2003-12-30 2011-03-17 Geox S.p.A., Montebelluna Località Biadene Breathable waterproof sole for shoes
EP2168448A2 (en) 2003-12-30 2010-03-31 Geox S.p.A. Waterproof and breathable shoe
EP2017069A1 (en) 2004-01-22 2009-01-21 Geox S.p.A. Shoe with breathable and waterproof sole and upper
EP1563750A1 (en) 2004-02-10 2005-08-17 Celgard Inc. Breathable sole structure for footwear
JP2009538646A (en) * 2006-05-29 2009-11-12 ジェオックス エス．ピー．エー．ＧＥＯＸ Ｓ．ｐ．Ａ． Vapor-permeable, waterproof bottom leather for shoes, shoes that are manufactured in the sole, method of manufacturing the bottom leather and shoes
US8205354B2 (en) * 2006-06-14 2012-06-26 Geox S.P.A. Sole for shoes of the waterproof and vapor-permeable type, and shoe provided with said sole
DE202007019189U1 (en) 2006-07-06 2011-02-10 Geox S.p.A., Montebelluna Località Biadene Waterproof, vapor-permeable shoe
DE68915427D1 (en) 1994-06-23 grant
EP0382904B1 (en) 1994-05-18 grant
DE68915427T2 (en) 1994-09-01 grant
EP0382904A3 (en) 1991-08-07 application
US5044096B1 (en) 1998-12-29 grant
ES2051966T3 (en) 1994-07-01 grant
EP0382904A2 (en) 1990-08-22 application
US4091472A (en) 1978-05-30 Prosthetic foot
US4023282A (en) 1977-05-17 Heated boot
USD298684S (en) 1988-11-29 Shoe sole
USD273246S (en) 1984-04-03 Shoe outsole
US20060162183A1 (en) 2006-07-27 Waterproof and breathable sole for shoes, and shoe manufactured with such sole
USD388596S (en) 1998-01-06 Bottom surface of a shoe outsole
USD344399S (en) 1994-02-22 Heel insert for a shoe sole
Owner name: POL SCARPE SPORTIVE S.R.L., VIA FELTRINA SUD 6/B -
Free format text: ASSIGNMENT OF ASSIGNORS INTEREST.;ASSIGNOR:POLEGATO, MARIO;REEL/FRAME:005192/0690
1995-08-25 SULP Surcharge for late payment
1996-03-05 RR Request for reexamination filed
1998-12-29 B1 Reexamination certificate first reexamination
Owner name: NOTTINGTON HOLDING B.V., NETHERLANDS
Free format text: ASSIGNMENT OF ASSIGNORS INTEREST;ASSIGNOR:POL SCARPE SPORTIVE S.R.L.;REEL/FRAME:010859/0664
Free format text: ASSIGNMENT OF ASSIGNORS INTEREST;ASSIGNOR:NOTTINGTON HOLDING B.V.;REEL/FRAME:014146/0418