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Title:
DRESS SHOES FOR ABSORBING SOCK
Document Type and Number:
WIPO Patent Application WO/2006/009350
Kind Code:
A1
Abstract:
Disclosed herein are dress shoes for absorbing shocks and a method of manufacturing the dress shoes, intended to smoothly absorb shocks acting on a wearer's foot when walking or running. The dress shoe includes a holding chamber formed by concavely recessing an upper surface of a heel region of an outsole to be secured to an edge of an upper, an elastic pad unit inserted into the holding chamber and comprising a plurality of coil springs supported by upper and lower plates, a compression pad unit having a dome-shaped compression part, covering the holding chamber, with a wing of the compression pad unit being attached to an enlarged surface of the holding chamber, and an opening formed in a heel region of an insole mounted on the outsole such that the compression part of the compression pad unit contacts a heel of a foot.

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Inventors:
SON MOON-SU (KR)
Application Number:
PCT/KR2005/001813
Publication Date:
January 26, 2006
Filing Date:
June 14, 2005
Export Citation:
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Assignee:
STRAS CORP (KR)
SON MOON-SU (KR)
International Classes:
A43B7/06; A43B13/18; A43B17/06; A43B21/32; (IPC1-7): A43B13/18
Foreign References:
KR200248630Y12001-10-31
JP2001275708A2001-10-09
US4071963A1978-02-07
KR19980059495A1998-10-07
KR20000063150A2000-11-06
Attorney, Agent or Firm:
Jong-il OH. (642-6 Yeoksam-Don, Gangnam-Gu Seoul 135-717, KR)
Download PDF:
Description:
Description

DRESS SHOES FOR ABSORBING SOCK Technical Field [1] The present invention relates to dress shoes for absorbing shocks and a method of manufacturing the dress shoes, intended to smoothly absorb shocks acting on a wearer's foot when walking or running, and to remove foul odors from the shoes, and to supply air containing a sterilizer to the shoes. Background Art [2] Generally, a shoe functions to protect the sole from the ground when walking or running, in addition to allowing a person to comfortably walk. Further, the shoe absorbs shocks generated when the foot is set on the ground, thus protecting ankles, knees, joints, and other parts from the shocks, in addition to serving as a fashion item, like clothes. [3] Thus, the bottom of a shoe is configured to increase frictional force between the shoe and the ground, thus preventing a wearer from slipping on the ground. For accurate walking, a heel region of a rubber outsole is raised. An upper is sewn on the outsole through a general sewing method to protect the toes and instep. In order to stably seat the sole of the foot in a space defined between the outsole and the upper, a midsole and an insole are installed. [4] When a user wears the conventional shoes constructed in this way and steps forwards, the rear surface of the heel region touches the ground, whereby shocks are generated. Subsequently, the outsole touches the ground. In such a state, the heel region is raised and the next step follows. When the heel region touches the ground, the user's weight concentrates on the heel, so that the most friction is generated at the rear surface of the heel region. Thereby, the rear surface of the heel region becomes severely worn. Conversely, repulsive force upon walking acts on the anterior region of the outsole, so that the abrasion of the anterior region is less than that of the heel region. [5] As such, when the foot touches the ground, the shocks applied to the heel are insuf¬ ficiently absorbed by the heel region made of rubber, because the heel region is man¬ ufactured by compactly compressing the rubber. For such a reason, some of the shocks are not absorbed but are transmitted through the bone of the foot to the ankle and the knee. Subsequently, the shocks are transmitted from the knee through the spine to the head. Thus, when a user walks for a lengthy period of time with the shoes on, con¬ tinuously transmitted shocks fatigue the user's body, including the brain. Further, the continuously transmitted shocks overstrain the joints of the ankle and knee, so that it becomes uncomfortable to walk or stand. Disclosure of Invention Technical Problem [6] Accordingly, the present invention has been made keeping in mind the above problems occurring in the prior art, and an object of the present invention is to provide a shoe and a manufacturing method thereof, intended to absorb most shocks, which are generated when the heel region of the shoe touches the ground. [7] Another object of this invention is to provide a shoe and a manufacturing method thereof, constructed such that a capsule unit containing a deodorizing/sterilizing material is compressed when an elastic pad unit is compressed, thus allowing the de¬ odorizing/sterilizing material contained in the capsule unit to flow into the shoe along with the flow of air, thus purifying the internal air of the shoe. Technical Solution [8] In order to accomplish the objects, the present invention provides a method of man¬ ufacturing a shoe, including the steps of producing an outsole through molding, cutting an upper according to a predetermined pattern, sewing cut pieces according to the pre¬ determined pattern, applying a bond to the circumference of the outsole and the cir¬ cumference of the sewn upper and curing the bond, contacting and compressing the bond-applied surfaces of the outsole and the upper, and layering an insole and a midsole in the shoe. In this case, the process of manufacturing the outsole includes the steps of forming a concave air ventilating groove and a holding chamber on the upper surface of the outsole and applying an adhesive around the bottom and mouth of the holding chamber, applying an adhesive to upper and lower surfaces of an elastic pad unit having a coil spring which bears a person's load, absorbs shocks, and is installed between upper and lower plates such that the elastic pad unit has a predetermined height, applying an adhesive both to the lower surface of a compression pad unit covering the elastic pad unit and to the upper surface of the elastic pad unit, curing the adhesive, applied to the holding chamber of the outsole, the elastic pad unit, and the compression pad unit, in a general curing furnace, and sequentially placing the elastic pad unit on the holding chamber of the outsole, placing the compression pad unit on the elastic pad unit, and placing an insole on the upper surface of the outsole, prior to compressing the layered parts under a predetermined pressure. [9] The object of this invention is achieved by a shoe for absorbing shocks, including a holding chamber formed by concavely recessing an upper surface of a heel region of an outsole to be secured to an edge of an upper, an elastic pad unit inserted into the holding chamber, and comprising a plurality of coil springs supported by upper and lower plates, a compression pad unit having a dome-shaped compression part, covering the holding chamber, with a wing of the compression pad unit being attached to an enlarged surface of the holding chamber, and an opening formed in a heel region of an insole mounted on the outsole such that the compression part of the compression pad unit contacts a heel of a foot. [10] Further, the object of this invention is achieved by a shoe for absorbing shocks, including an air path provided on a surface of an outsole to be secured to an edge of an upper, a holding chamber formed by concavely recessing a surface of a heel region of the outsole, a transparent window provided on a bottom of the holding chamber, an elastic pad unit inserted into the holding chamber, and comprising a plurality of coil springs and a capsule unit supported by upper and lower plates, a compression pad unit having a dome-shaped compression part, covering the holding chamber, with a wing of the compression pad unit being attached to an enlarged surface of the holding chamber, and an opening formed in a heel region of a midsole mounted on the outsole such that the compression part of the compression pad unit contacts a heel of a foot. Advantageous Effects [11] According to the present invention, when a user walks with shoes on, a compression pad unit is primarily compressed, and an elastic pad unit is secondarily compressed, so that shocks are absorbed by a coil spring, thus dramatically reducing the shocks transmitted to the user's foot joints, therefore protecting the joints from shocks generated while walking. [12] Particularly, an opening is formed on a midsole of a shoe, thus allowing a compression pad unit coupled to an elastic pad unit to be in direct contact with the user's heel, therefore reliably preventing the transmission of shocks. Thereby, when the user walks, he or she feels comfortable, as if a cushion were provided in the shoe. [13] Further, when an elastic pad unit is compressed by impact force generated while walking, a capsule unit installed in the elastic pad unit is also compressed, so that air laden with a deodorizing/sterilizing material contained in the capsule unit is diffused through a holding chamber and an air ventilating groove into a shoe. Thus, the shoe of this invention advantageously purifies and sterilizes air in the shoe. Further, the shoe of this invention includes a transparent plug provided on the lower surface of an outsole, thus allowing a person to easily confirm whether the elastic pad unit is present in the holding chamber, therefore enhancing reliability. Brief Description of the Drawings [14] FIG. 1 is a block diagram to show a process of producing a shoe, according to the present invention; [15] FIG. 2 is an exploded sectional view to show a midsole and an outsole of the shoe, according to this invention; [16] FlG. 3 is a sectional view to show the interior of the shoe, according to this invention; [17] FlG. 4 is an enlarged view of a heel region shown in FlG. 1 ; [18] FlG. 5 is a sectional view to show the operation of an elastic pad unit provided in the heel region of this invention; [19] FlG. 6 is a sectional view to show another embodiment of an outsole of this invention; [20] FlG. 7 is an enlarged view of a heel region of FlG. 6; [21] FlG. 8 is a sectional view to show the state where air flows into a capsule unit to be coupled to an elastic pad unit provided in the heel region of FlG. 7; and [22] FlG. 9 is a sectional view to show the flow of air from the capsule unit of FlG. 8. [23] *Description of reference characters of important parts* [24] 100 : shoe 101 : upper 110 : outsole [25] 111 : anterior region 113 : heel region 114 : pad seat [26] 115 : holding chamber 117 : enlarged surface 118 : hole [27] 120 : elastic pad unit 121 : upper plate 123 : lower plate [28] 125 : coil spring 140 : compression pad unit 141 : wing [29] 142 : activation part 143 : compression part 144 : plate seat [30] 150 : insole 160 : midsole 200 : capsule unit [31] 210 : upper cap 211 : compression chamber 212 : protrusion [32] 215 : outlet hole 220 : lower cap 222 : cover [33] 223 : protrusion 224 : exhaust hole 225 : inlet hole [34] 230 : deodorizing/sterilizing material 300 : transparent plug Best Mode for Carrying Out the Invention [35] Hereinafter, the preferred embodiments of the present invention will be described in detail with reference to the accompanying drawings. [36] As shown in FlG. 1, a method of manufacturing shoes for absorbing shocks, includes the steps of forming a concave air ventilating groove and a holding chamber in an upper surface of an outsole which is produced using a general outsole forming mold, cutting an upper according to a predetermined pattern, and sewing the cut pieces to each other, thus defining an appearance of a shoe, assembling an elastic pad unit having a size large enough to be accommodated in the holding chamber, the elastic pad unit comprising upper and lower plates configured to resist a spring compression force, and a plurality of coil springs installed between the upper and lower plates, boring an opening in a heel region of a midsole of the shoe, the opening having a size cor¬ responding to a mouth of the holding chamber, applying an adhesive to a cir¬ cumference of the upper, a circumference of the outsole, the holding chamber, the upper and lower plates of the elastic pad unit, and a lower surface of a compression pad unit, curing the adhesive applied to the upper, the outsole, the elastic pad unit, and the compression pad unit using general curing means, attaching the elastic pad unit to the holding chamber of the outsole, attaching the compression pad unit to an upper surface of the elastic pad unit, and attaching a wing to an enlarged surface provided around the holding chamber, compressing an adhesive applied portion of the sewn upper against the circumference of the outsole such that they are in close contact with each other, and attaching the insole to an upper surface of the outsole which has been attached to the upper, passing the compression pad unit through the opening, and layering the midsole on the insole and the compression pad unit. The processes are se¬ quentially carried out. [37] The shoe of this invention manufactured through the above-mentioned method has the following structure. [38] The shoe 100 includes an upper 101 which defines a space to receive the foot therein, and an outsole 110 which is secured to the upper 101 and protects the foot from the ground. [39] Generally, the outsole 110 is manufactured using rubber to have the shape of a foot. An anterior region 111 of the outsole is thin, whereas a heel region 113 is thick. An air ventilating groove 118 is concavely formed on the surface of the outsole 110 in such a way as to extend from the anterior region 111 to the heel region 113. A rectangular holding chamber 115 is formed in the heel region 113. A portion around the mouth of the holding chamber 115 is cut at an incline, thus providing an enlarged surface 117. [40] Further, the bottom of the holding chamber 115 is shallowly recessed to provide a pad seat 116. The pad seat 116 determines the position where an elastic pad unit that will be described later is attached. [41] The elastic pad unit 120 inserted into the holding chamber 115 has a size to be ac¬ commodated in the holding chamber 115. The elastic pad unit 120 includes an upper plate 121, a lower plate 123, and coil springs 125. [42] The upper and lower plates 121 and 123 of the elastic pad unit 120 are made of a material different from that of the outsole, and function to support the coil springs. It is preferable that the upper and lower plates 121 and 123 be made of urethane to suf¬ ficiently resist intense pressure which is applied by the coil springs. However, the upper and lower plates may be made of any material, as long as the material resists intense pressure which is applied by the coil springs. [43] Spring support steps 121a and 123a are provided at predetermined positions on the upper and lower plates 121 and 123, respectively, so as to support the coil springs 125. The spring support steps 121a and 123a surround the outer circumferences of the coil springs. Each of the coil springs 125 installed between the upper and lower plates 121 and 123 has a length suitable to be accommodated in the holding chamber 115. Since shocks are changed according to a wearer's weight, the thickness and the outer diameter of each coil spring 125 may vary without changing the inner diameter and the height of the coil spring. The outer surface of each coil spring 125 may be plated to prevent the coil spring from oxidizing. In order to be easily distinguished, a luminous paint or a color paint may be applied to each coil spring 125. [44] A compression pad unit 140 is provided on the concavely recessed portion of the holding chamber 115 of the outsole 110. [45] The compression pad unit 140 includes a compression part 143 having a dome shape that allows the wearer's heel to stably and easily contact the compression part. A wing 141 is provided around the compression part 143, and is secured to the enlarged surface 117 of the holding chamber 115. Further, a plate seat 144 is provided on the lower surface of the compression part 143 so that the upper plate 121 of the elastic pad unit 120 is seated on the plate seat 144. A portion between the compression part 143 and the wing 141 is formed to be thin, thus providing an activation part 142 having a space that allows the compression part to be smoothly operated. [46] The midsole 150 is placed on the bottom in a space defined in the shoe 100, and protects the foot from the outsole 110, in addition to allowing the wearer to stably walk. An opening 152 is bored through the heel region of the midsole 150 so that the compression part 143 of the compression pad unit 140 passes through the opening 152. [47] Reference numeral 160 of the drawings denotes an insole to be placed on the midsole 140. The insole allows the foot to be easily inserted into the shoe, and minimizes friction between the heel region of the shoe and the foot upon walking. Reference numerals 161 and 162 denote an inlet and an outlet which are bored through the insole 160. Mode for the Invention [48] (First Embodiment) [49] When the elastic pad unit 120 is formed, the coil springs 125 are installed between the upper and lower plates 121 and 123. At this time, a space is defined between the springs. Thus, the capsule unit 200 may be installed in the space, and discharges air when the elastic pad unit 120 is compressed. [50] The upper cap 210 of the capsule unit 200 has a compression chamber 211 defining a space therein. A locking protrusion 212 is provided on the upper portion of the upper cap 210, and is fastened to the upper plate 121. Outlet holes 215 are bored on the cir¬ cumference of the upper cap 210 to discharge air. [51] The lower cap 220 has the shape of a cylinder having a filling chamber therein. An inlet hole 225 is bored in the upper surface of the lower cap 220 such that the air flows into the filling chamber. Exhaust holes 224 are bored in the outer circumference of the lower cap 220 to discharge the air from the filling chamber. Further, a locking protrusion 223 is provided on the lower surface of the lower cap 220, and is fastened to the lower plate 123. [52] Preferably, a cover 222 is provided on the lower surface of the lower cap 220 to hold a deodorizing/sterilizing material 230 in the filling chamber. The protrusion 223 is provided on the lower surface of the cover 222 to be fastened to the lower plate 123. While the capsule unit 200 is compressed, the outlet holes 215 of the upper cap 210 are aligned with the exhaust holes 224 of the lower cap 220. Conversely, when the capsule unit 200 is not compressed, the upper and lower caps must be arranged such that the outlet holes 215 alternate with the exhaust holes 224. Further, the upper and lower caps 210 and 220 are preferably formed of flexible and transparent resin, thus allowing a person to see the interior of the caps. [53] A hole 118 is bored in the lower surface of the outsole 110, that is, in the bottom of the holding chamber 115 that holds the elastic pad unit 120 therein. A plug 300 made of a transparent material is inserted into the hole 118, thus allowing a person to see the interior of the holding chamber 115 via the transparent plug 300. [54] The center of the transparent plug 300 inserted into the hole 118, which is bored in the holding chamber 115 of the outsole 110, is formed to be concave. A lens 320 is provided in the concave center to magnify an image. [55] In order to prevent the transparent plug 300 from being removed from the hole 118 of the holding chamber 115, a locking groove 118a is provided in the hole 118, and a locking step 310 is provided on the transparent plug 300. [56] The shoe 100 manufactured through the above-mentioned method is provided with the holding chamber 115, and the elastic pad unit 120 is inserted into the holding chamber 115, thus absorbing shocks in the heel region 113 of the outsole 110. When the dome-shaped compression pad unit 140 is placed on the elastic pad unit 120 and is compressed, the wing 141 of the compression pad unit 140 is attached to the enlarged surface 117 which is provided on the mouth of the holding chamber 115, and the plate seat 144 is attached to the upper plate 121 of the elastic pad unit 120, via an adhesive applied to contacting portions. Further, the lower plate 123 of the elastic pad unit 120 inserted into the holding chamber 115 is attached to the pad seat 116 provided on the bottom of the holding chamber 115. Thereby, the outsole 110, the elastic pad unit 120, and the compression pad unit 140 are integrated into a single structure. [57] As such, after the elastic pad unit 120 and the compression pad unit 140 are integrated with the outsole 110, the sewn upper 101 is attached to the outsole 110. By ataching the upper 101 to the outsole 110, the appearance of the outsole 110 is completed. Next, the midsole 150 is inserted into the shoe 100 and is attached to the outsole 110. At this time, the dome-shaped compression part 143 of the compression pad unit 140 passes through the opening 151 which is bored in the heel region of the midsole 150, so that the compression part 143 is exposed to the interior of the shoe. [58] The insole 160 is put into the shoe such that the insole covers the heel region, that is, the exposed compression part 143 of the compression pad unit 140. [59] When a person wears the shoe 100 of this invention which is constructed as described above, the bottom of the wearer's heel contacts the compression part 143 of the compression pad unit 140. In this case, since the compression part 143 is made of an elastic material, the compression part is primarily compressed by the weight of the wearer, and the elastic pad unit 120 is also primarily compressed. [60] When the wearer walks in such a state, the heel region 113 of the outsole 110 of the shoe 100 touches the ground, and shocks are generated by the person's weight. Due to the shocks, the heel region 113 of the outsole 110 is compressed, and the elastic pad unit 120 is also compressed through the compression pad unit 140. [61] During such a process, the compression part 143 of the compression pad unit 140 is compressed, and the coil springs 125 of the elastic pad unit 120 are compressed. While the compression pad unit 140 is compressed, some of shocks are absorbed. When the springs are compressed, the remaining shocks are absorbed due to the mechanical properties of the springs. [62] Thus, the first impact force, generated when the shoe touches the ground, is absorbed by the heel region 113. Thus, very small shocks are transmitted to the wearer's foot. [63] Thereafter, the anterior region 111 of the outsole 110 touches the ground, and the heel region 113 is spaced apart from the ground. At this time, the load applied to the heel region 113 is eliminated, so that the compressed coil springs 125 and the compression part 143 return to their original state. [64] As such, when the person walk with the shoes on, most of the impact force caused by the user's weight is eliminated by the shoes due to the compressing and restoring action of the elastic pad unit 120 and the compression pad unit 140. [65] However, when a person wears the shoe 100 having the elastic pad unit 120 which absorbs impact force generated during a walk, air in the shoe is not circulated. Thus, as he or she wears the shoe 100 for a lengthy period of time, the foot emits a smell due to sweat or mold, and the person may develop athlete's foot. Therefore, air circulation is required. [66] According to an embodiment of this invention, the capsule unit 200 containing the deodorizing/sterilizing material 230 which is produced by mixing fragrance particles with a dermatophytosis care material is installed between the upper and lower plates 121 and 123 of the elastic pad unit 120, which is installed in the holding chamber 115 of the outsole 110. [67] The capsule unit 200 includes the upper and lower caps 210 and 220. After the upper cap 210 covers the lower cap 220, the deodorizing/sterilizing material 230 is charged in the lower cap 230 as though by a syringe. The inlet hole 225 drawing external air and the exhaust holes 224 discharging internal air are provided on the lower cap 220. The exhaust holes 224 are aligned with the outlet holes 215 of the upper cap 210 only when the compressing action is carried out. Thus, when air in the upper cap 210 is compressed, the air flows through the inlet hole 225 into the lower cap 220. The air is mixed with the fragrant particles or dermatophytosis care material, and thereafter the mixture flows through the aligned exhaust holes 224 and outlet holes 215 into the holding chamber 115. In such a state, the holding chamber 115 is compressed by the compressing force, so that the air mixed with the fragrant or der¬ matophytosis care material flows though the air ventilating groove 119 which extends to the anterior portion 111 of the outsole 110. The mixture is supplied into the shoe 100 through the outlet 162 which is bored in the anterior region of the midsole 150, and is dispersed into the shoe 100. [68] Further, when the anterior region 111 of the outsole 110 touches the ground, the heel region 113 is naturally spaced apart from the ground. At this time, the compressed elastic pad unit 120 and compression pad unit 140 return to their original states. Simul¬ taneously, the capsule unit 200 returns to its original state, so that external air flows into the capsule unit 200 through an inlet 213 of the upper cap 210, an inlet 146 of the compression pad unit 140, and the inlet 161 of the insole 160. [69] The elastic pad unit 120 absorbing the impact force generated while walking is installed in the holding chamber 115 of the outsole 110. However, a person confirms the interior of the holding chamber 115 through the transparent plug 300 which is mounted in the lower surface of the outsole 110. A person may see the state where the elastic pad unit 120 is installed in the holding chamber 115 through the transparent plug 300. Further, the upper and lower plates 121 and 123 of the elastic pad unit 120 may be formed to be transparent or translucent, thus allowing the person to check the coil springs 125 installed between the upper and lower plates 121 and 123. [70] As such, since a person can check the interior of the holding chamber 115 of the outsole 110 via the transparent plug 300, the consumers' confidence is increased. Further, color paint may be applied to the surface of each coil spring 125, thus allowing the person to more easily note the existence of the coil spring 125. Industrial Applicability [71] As described above, when a user walks with shoes on, a compression pad unit is primarily compressed, and an elastic pad unit is secondarily compressed, so that shocks are absorbed by a coil spring, thus dramatically reducing the shocks transmitted to the user's foot joints, therefore protecting the joints from shocks generated while walking. [72] Particularly, an opening is formed on a midsole of a shoe, thus allowing a compression pad unit coupled to an elastic pad unit to be in direct contact with the user's heel, therefore reliably preventing the transmission of shocks. Thereby, when the user walks, he or she feels comfortable, as if a cushion were provided in the shoe. [73] Further, when an elastic pad unit is compressed by impact force generated while walking, a capsule unit installed in the elastic pad unit is also compressed, so that air laden with a deodorizing/sterilizing material contained in the capsule unit is diffused through a holding chamber and an air ventilating groove into a shoe. Thus, the shoe of this invention advantageously purifies and sterilizes air in the shoe. Further, the shoe of this invention includes a transparent plug provided on the lower surface of an outsole, thus allowing a person to easily confirm whether the elastic pad unit is present in the holding chamber, therefore enhancing reliability. [74] [75] [76] [77] [78]