US20140352178A1 - Ventilated footwear - Google Patents

Abstract

Embodiments of a ventilated footwear are generally described herein. The ventilated footwear generally includes a shoe and a sock insertable into the shoe. The shoe includes an upper and an outsole mounted to the upper. The upper and outsole are collectively associated with a toe portion, a heel portion opposite the toe portion, and a flexible joint portion extending between the toe and heel portions. The flexible joint portion includes at least one ventilation port. The sock includes a toe portion, a heel portion opposite the toe portion, and a flexible joint portion extending between the toe and heel portions. The flexible joint portion of the sock includes a plurality of moisture wicking panels that are separated from one another. At least one of the moisture wicking panels is superposable to and in fluid communication with the ventilation port of the shoe.

Description

CROSS-REFERENCE TO RELATED APPLICATIONS
• This claims priority to U.S. Patent Application No. 61/827,935, filed on May 28, 2013, the entire contents of which are fully incorporated herein by reference.
FIELD
• The present disclosure relates to footwear, and in particular ventilated footwear.
BACKGROUND
• In several types of sports, such as golf, tennis, hockey, baseball, softball, running, basketball, football, tee ball, and cricket, an individual may wear a sock and/or a shoe on a foot. Moisture or perspiration may form in and around the foot area because of activities in connection with the sports. If not dried, excess moisture may develop in and around the foot area, which can become uncomfortable to the individual engaged in the sports. Many socks on the market are bulky and do not allow the wearer's foot to breathe and remain dry. On the other hand, socks including ventilation systems may not be designed to be worn in combination with a corresponding ventilated shoe, thus, potentially compromising their performance.
BRIEF DESCRIPTION OF THE DRAWINGS
• FIG. 1 is a schematic view of a shoe according to one embodiment of the apparatus, methods, and articles of manufacture described herein;
• FIG. 2 is a side view of a sock according to one embodiment of the apparatus, methods, and articles of manufacture described herein;
• FIG. 3 is a side view of the sock ofFIG. 2 illustrating an inner foot portion;
• FIG. 4 is a top view of the sock ofFIG. 2;
• FIG. 5 is a bottom view of the sock ofFIG. 2; and
• FIG. 6 is an exploded side view of a ventilated footwear according to one embodiment of the apparatus, methods, and articles of manufacture described herein, the ventilated footwear including the shoe ofFIG. 1 and the sock ofFIG. 2;
• FIG. 7 is a side view of the ventilated footwear ofFIG. 6.
• Corresponding reference characters indicate corresponding elements among the various views of the drawings. The headings used in the figures should not be interpreted to limit the scope of the claims.
DESCRIPTION
• As described herein, ventilated socks in some embodiments comprise a toe portion, a heel portion opposite the toe portion, and a flexible joint portion extending between the toe and heel portions. The flexible joint portion includes at least one moisture wicking panel. In other embodiments, ventilated shoes comprise an upper, an outsole mounted to the upper, and at least one ventilation port positioned approximately on an interface extending between the upper and the outsole. In still other embodiments, ventilated footwear comprises a shoe and a sock insertable into the shoe. The shoe includes an upper and an outsole mounted to the upper. The upper and outsole are collectively associated with a toe portion, a heel portion opposite the toe portion, and a flexible joint portion extending between the toe and heel portions. The flexible joint portion includes at least one ventilation port. The sock includes a toe portion, a heel portion opposite the toe portion, and a flexible joint portion extending between the toe and heel portions. The flexible joint portion of the sock includes at least one moisture wicking panel. The moisture wicking panel is superposable to and in fluid communication with the ventilation port of the shoe.
• When the shoe and sock are worn in combination, a ventilation system is created. This circulation system may allow cool air to enter through the lower outsole panel of the shoe. Warm air and moisture from the sock may then be driven up and through a tongue in the upper portion of the shoe. In warmer weather, the moisture wicking panels may help keep an individual's foot cool and dry, and in colder weather, they may prevent the individual's foot from sweating and getting cold. The number of moisture wicking panels may vary depending on the use requirements or preferences for the particular footwear. For example, a sock adapted for seasonal use during summertime may include more moisture wicking panels relative to a sock adapted for seasonal use during wintertime.
• Referring toFIG. 1-7, for example, a ventilatedfootwear10 comprises ashoe12 and asock14 insertable into theshoe12. Theshoe12 includes an upper16 and anoutsole18 mounted to the upper16. In the illustrated embodiment, theoutsole18 includescleats20 coupled thereto. In other embodiments, thecleats20 may be omitted. The apparatus, methods, and articles of manufacture described herein are not limited in this regard. The upper16 and theoutsole18 are collectively associated with atoe portion22, aheel portion24 opposite thetoe portion22, and a flexiblejoint portion26 extending between the toe andheel portions22,24. For example, the flexiblejoint portion26 of theshoe12 can be approximately at a ball portion and/or arch portion of the wearer's foot (not shown). In the illustrated embodiment, the upper16 and theoutsole18 are also collectively associated with aninner foot portion28 and anouter foot portion30.
• With continuing reference toFIG. 1, the illustrated flexiblejoint portion26 of theshoe12 includes a pair of ventilation ports orwindows32, one on each of the inner andouter foot portions28,30 and positioned approximately on aninterface34 extending between the upper16 and theoutsole18. In the illustrated embodiment, a longitudinal axis36 (seeFIGS. 6 and 7) extends between the toe andheel portions22,24 of theshoe12, and eachventilation port32 extends substantially parallel to thelongitudinal axis36. In other embodiments, one ormore ventilation ports32 may extend substantially nonparallel to thelongitudinal axis36. In some embodiments, theinterface34 is associated with a shoe thickness, and eachventilation port32 extends through the entire shoe thickness of theinterface34. In other embodiments, one ormore ventilation ports32 may extend into at least a part of the shoe thickness of theinterface34. In some embodiments, one ormore ventilation ports32 may be covered at least in part by GoreTex® fabric or other waterproof and breathable mesh materials such as Neoshell, OmniDry, HyVent, H2No, MemBrain and eVent. In other embodiments, the cover may be omitted. AlthoughFIG. 1 illustrates theshoe12 as including twoventilation ports32, in other embodiments theshoe12 may include one ormore ventilation ports32. For example, theshoe12 may include one or more, two or more, three or more, four or more, five or more, six or more, seven or more, eight or more, nine or more, or ten ormore ventilation ports32. The apparatus, methods, and articles of manufacture described herein are not limited in this regard.
• In the illustrated embodiment, theshoe12 further includes atongue38 extending between the toe andheel portions20,22. In some embodiments, thetongue38 is fixedly attached to theshoe12, and may include a single-layer waterproof andbreathable panel40, for example, a single-layer Gore-Tex® fabric or other waterproof and breathable materials. Theventilation ports32 andtongue38, together with thesock14, can create a ventilation system for the wearer's foot, as explained below.
• Referring alsoFIGS. 2-5, for example, thesock14 includes atoe portion42, aheel portion44 opposite thetoe portion42, and a flexiblejoint portion46 extending between the toe andheel portions42,44. The flexiblejoint portion46 of thesock14 includes aninstep portion48 and asole portion50 opposite theinstep portion48. Furthermore, the flexiblejoint portion46 of thesock14 includes aninner foot portion52 and anouter foot portion54. In some embodiments, thesock14 may comprise cotton, wool, alpaca, alpaca blended with Merino wool, cotton, silk, etc., or a combination thereof, or can be made from other man-made and naturally occurring hydrophilic materials.
• The illustrated flexiblejoint portion46 of thesock14 includes a pair ofmoisture wicking panels56, one on each of the inner andouter foot portions52,54 and positioned approximately on aninterface58 extending between the instep andsole portions48,50. In addition, the illustratedinstep portion48 of thesock14 includes amoisture wicking panel56. In other embodiments, thesock14 may include one or more moisture wickingpanels56 in other suitable positions that may not necessarily be within the flexiblejoint portion46 or theinterface58 between the instep andsole portions48,50. Themoisture wicking panels56 may comprise Merino wool, CoolMax® polyester (available from Invista in Wichita, Kan.), SmartWool® (available from Timberland in Stratham, N.H.), Wonder-Wick® (available from Wigwam in Sheboygan, Wis.), or a combination thereof, or can be made from other man-made and naturally occurring hydrophobic materials. In some embodiments, themoisture wicking panels56 may be formed with a more open weave pattern relative to other portions of thesock14 to allow surrounding air to be drawn to thesock14 efficiently.
• In the illustrated embodiment, themoisture wicking panels56 are separated from one another. That is, instead of being interconnected, the illustratedmoisture wicking panels56 are formed as islands and surrounded by hydrophilic materials of thesock14. In some embodiments, themoisture wicking panels56 are coupled or interwoven to the surrounding hydrophilic materials via sewing, riveting, a snap, a hook-and-loop fastener, or other suitable fasteners. For example, a textile thread such as polypropylene may extend from themoisture wicking panel56 and into or across the surrounding hydrophilic material of thesock14 such that the surfaces of themoisture wicking panel56 and the surrounding hydrophilic material of thesock14 are in contact with each other.
• In the illustrated embodiment, alongitudinal axis60 extends between the toe andheel portions42,44 of thesock14, and eachmoisture wicking panel56 extends substantially parallel to thelongitudinal axis60. In other embodiments, one or moremoisture wicking panels56 may extend substantially nonparallel to thelongitudinal axis60. AlthoughFIGS. 2-5 illustrate thesock14 as including threemoisture wicking panels56, in other embodiments thesock14 may include one or moremoisture wicking panels56. For example, asock14 adapted for seasonal use during summertime may include moremoisture wicking panels56 relative to asock14 adapted for seasonal use during wintertime. Accordingly, thesock14 may include one or more, two or more, three or more, four or more, five or more, six or more, seven or more, eight or more, nine or more, or ten or moremoisture wicking panels56 depending on the use requirements or preferences for theparticular sock14. In contrast to other socks, thesock14 may include a plurality of separatemoisture wicking panels56 that are formed as islands and surrounded by hydrophilic materials of thesock14, instead of being interconnected to othermoisture wicking panels56.
• As illustrated inFIGS. 6 and 7, for example, themoisture wicking panels56 are superposable to and in fluid communication with theventilation ports32 of theshoe12. That is, the threemoisture wicking panels56 correspond to theventilation ports32 of the inner andouter foot portions28,30 and thetongue38 of theshoe12, respectively. Theventilation ports32 andtongue38, together with themoisture wicking panels56 of thesock14, can create a ventilation system for the foot to maintain suitable temperature and humidity levels.
• Theventilation ports32 on theinterface34 extending between the upper16 and theoutsole18 of theshoe12 receive surrounding air. Referring also toFIG. 1, when theshoe12 andsock14 are worn together, the air through theventilation ports32 is ventilated, drawn, or driven through themoisture wicking panels56 of thesock14. The air is then ventilated to the surrounding hydrophilic material of thesock14, and to themoisture wicking panel56 within theinstep portion48 of thesock14. Subsequently, the air is ventilated to thetongue38 of theshoe12, and then outside theshoe12 in the illustrateddirections62,64, all on a substantially rapid and continuous basis. The arrangement of themoisture wicking panels56 within thesock14 can create a “push-pull” effect, e.g., via capillary action, wherein body heat “pushes” moisture along the fibers of themoisture wicking panels56 away from the skin and into the “pull” of the surrounding hydrophilic yarns. Once transported and dispersed in the hydrophilic yarns, the moisture can be readily drawn or driven to themoisture wicking panel56 within theinstep portion48 of thesock14, and evaporate therefrom through thetongue38 of theshoe12 with the aid of air coming in from theventilation ports32. Thus, in warmer weather, themoisture wicking panels56 may help keep an individual's foot cool and dry, and in colder weather, they may prevent the individual's foot from sweating and getting cold.
• It should be understood from the foregoing that, while particular embodiments have been illustrated and described, various modifications can be made without departing from the spirit and scope of the disclosure as will be apparent to those skilled in the art. Such changes and modifications are within the scope and teachings of this disclosure as defined in the claims appended hereto.

Claims (20)

What is claimed is:

1. A ventilated sock comprising:

a toe portion;

a heel portion opposite the toe portion; and

a flexible joint portion extending between the toe and heel portions, wherein the flexible joint portion includes at least one moisture wicking panel.

2. The ventilated sock ofclaim 1, wherein the flexible joint portion includes an inner foot portion and an outer foot portion, and wherein each of the inner and outer foot portions includes a respective moisture wicking panel.

3. The ventilated sock ofclaim 1 further comprising an instep portion extending between the toe and heel portions, wherein the instep portion includes a moisture wicking panel.

4. The ventilated sock ofclaim 1, wherein the flexible joint portion includes a plurality of moisture wicking panels, and wherein the moisture wicking panels are separated from one another.

5. The ventilated sock ofclaim 1, wherein the flexible joint portion includes an instep portion, a sole portion opposite the instep portion, and wherein the moisture wicking panel is positioned on an interface extending between the instep and sole portions.

6. The ventilated sock ofclaim 1, wherein a longitudinal axis extends between the toe and heel portions, and wherein the moisture wicking panel extends substantially parallel to the longitudinal axis.

7. A ventilated shoe comprising:

an upper;

an outsole mounted to the upper; and

at least one ventilation port positioned approximately on an interface extending between the upper and the outsole, the at least one ventilation port configured to engage at least one of a plurality of moisture wicking panels associated with a sock, wherein the moisture wicking panels are separate from one another.

8. The ventilated shoe ofclaim 7, wherein the upper and the outsole are collectively associated with a toe portion, a heel portion opposite the toe portion, and a flexible joint portion extending between the toe and heel portions, and wherein the ventilation port is positioned substantially within the flexible joint portion.

9. The ventilated shoe ofclaim 7, wherein the interface is associated with an inner foot portion and an outer foot portion, and wherein a respective ventilation port is positioned substantially within each of the inner and outer foot portions.

10. The ventilated shoe ofclaim 7 further comprising a tongue extending between the toe and heel portions, wherein the tongue includes a single-layer waterproof and breathable panel.

11. The ventilated shoe ofclaim 7, wherein the upper and the outsole are collectively associated with a toe portion and a heel portion opposite the toe portion, wherein a longitudinal axis extends between the toe and heel portions, and wherein the ventilation port extends substantially parallel to the longitudinal axis.

12. The ventilated shoe ofclaim 7, wherein the interface is associated with a shoe thickness, and wherein the ventilation port extends through the entire shoe thickness of the interface.

13. The ventilated shoe ofclaim 7, wherein the outsole includes at least one cleat.

14. A ventilated footwear comprising:

a shoe including an upper and an outsole mounted to the upper, wherein the upper and outsole are collectively associated with a first toe portion, a first heel portion opposite the first toe portion, and a first flexible joint portion extending between the first toe and first heel portions, and wherein the first flexible joint portion includes at least one ventilation port; and

a sock insertable into the shoe, wherein the sock includes a second toe portion, a second heel portion opposite the second toe portion, and a second flexible joint portion extending between the second toe and second heel portions, wherein the second flexible joint portion includes a plurality of moisture wicking panels, wherein the moisture wicking panels are separated from one another, and wherein at least one of the moisture wicking panels is superposable to and in fluid communication with the ventilation port of the shoe.

15. The ventilated footwear ofclaim 14, wherein the first flexible joint portion is associated with a first inner foot portion and a first outer foot portion, wherein a respective ventilation port is positioned substantially within each of the first inner and first outer foot portions, wherein the second flexible joint portion is associated with a second inner foot portion and a second outer foot portion, and wherein each of the second inner and second outer foot portions includes a respective moisture wicking panel.

16. The ventilated footwear ofclaim 14, wherein the shoe includes a tongue extending between the first toe and first heel portions, wherein the tongue includes a single-layer waterproof and breathable panel, wherein the sock includes an instep portion extending between the second toe and second heel portions, and wherein the instep portion includes a moisture wicking panel.

17. The ventilated footwear ofclaim 14, wherein the second flexible joint portion includes a plurality of moisture wicking panels, and wherein the moisture wicking panels are separated from one another.

18. The ventilated footwear ofclaim 14, wherein the ventilation port is positioned approximately on an interface extending between the upper and the outsole, wherein the second flexible joint portion is associated with an instep portion, a sole portion opposite the instep portion, and wherein the moisture wicking panel is positioned on an interface extending between the instep and sole portions.

19. The ventilated footwear ofclaim 14, wherein the shoe is associated with a shoe thickness, and wherein the ventilation port extends through the entire shoe thickness.

20. The ventilated footwear ofclaim 14, wherein the outsole includes at least one cleat.

Images