SHOE WITH THE FUNCTIONS OF SHOCK ABSORPTION AND AIRING AND MANUFACTURING METHOD OF THE SAME

Technical Field

[1] The present invention relates to a shock-absorbing shoe having a ventilation function. More particularly, the present invention relates to a shock-absorbing shoe having a ventilation function, in which an elastic sole is embedded between an outer sole and an upper, the elastic sole elastically moving and an air bag being expanded or contracted when the shoe touches the surface of ground, so that fresh air can be introduced into the shoe and shocks can be mitigated, and a method of manufacturing the same. Background Art

[2] Generally, if a user wears footwear such as shoes for a long time, the inside of the footwear is dampened by sweat from a user's foot, so that bacteria and mold grow in the shoe and the shoe becomes smelly. The smelly shoe, wet with sweat and having mold therein, gives people an unpleasant feeling, and can give its user athlete's foot.

[3] Accordingly, there is still a need to develop a shoe capable of letting external fresh air permeate thereinto so that the foot of a wearer does not easily sweat.

[4] In order to solve this problem, a shoe was developed by the applicant of the present invention and has been disclosed and assigned Korean Utility Model Registration Number 327676. The shoe is capable of allowing external fresh air to be introduced thereinto and warm air therein to be vented out, but is not excellent in absorbing shocks.

[5] In order to solve this problem, a shock-absorbing shoe having high air permeability was developed by the applicant of the present invention and has been disclosed in Korean Patent No. 341100.

[6] Referring to FlG. 1, the shock-absorbing shoe having high air permeability according to the related art comprises uppers 100, a sole 110 comprised of a mid-sole 111 and an outer sole 112, and an air inlet member 120 provided to the front part of the uppers 100 and having an air inlet passage through which external air is introduced into the shoe and flows. The shoe further comprises a first air passage 130 provided in the sole 110 and connected to the air inlet passage, an elastic member 190 installed between the rear part of the mid-sole 111 and the outer sole 112, elastically moving in the vertical direction when external shocks are applied thereto, thereby absorbing the shocks, and providing a pumping space connected to the first air passage installed between the outer sole 112 and the mid-sole 111, and a second air passage 140

installed in the sole 110, connected to the pumping space, and having a through hole extending to the inside of the uppers 100, so that air flows into the sole 100 when the elastic member 190 is contracted.

[7] The above-described shoe is disadvantageous in that a first depression 170 and a second depression 180 are separately formed in the outer sole 112 and the mid-sole 111, respectively, and the first and second depressions 170 and 180 are provided with the elastic member 190 serving as the pumping space, so that only the amount of air contained in the pumping space formed by the elastic member 190 can be introduced into the shoe. Accordingly, not enough air is introduced into the shoe.

[8] Further, in this shoe, in order to solve this problem, that is, in order to increase the amount of air that can be introduced into the shoe, the volume of the pumping space must be increased. However, if the pumping space becomes too large, the shock- absorbing efficiency is deteriorated.

[9] There is a still further problem that the elastic member can be ruptured by sharp objects.

Disclosure of Invention Technical Problem

[10] Accordingly, the present invention has been devised in consideration of the aforementioned problems and situations, and it is an object of the present invention to provide a shock-absorbing shoe having a ventilation function, in which external fresh air can be continuously introduced into the shoe when a wearer walks or runs wearing the shoe, and to provide a method of manufacturing the same.

[11] It is another object of the present invention to provide a shock-absorbing shoe having a ventilation function, capable of absorbing shocks by performing elastic motions when the shoe touches the surface of the ground, and to provide a method of manufacturing the same.

[12] It is a further object of the present invention to provide a shock-absorbing shoe having a ventilation function, capable of preventing an air bag from being ruptured by external sharp objects, absorbing shocks and ventilation the inside thereof.

[13] It is a still further object of the present invention to provide a shock-absorbing shoe having a ventilation function, in which an elastic sole is embedded between am outer sole and an upper, the elastic sole elastically moving and an air bag being expanded or contracted when the shoe touches the surface of the ground, so that fresh air can be introduced into the shoe and shocks can be mitigated, and to provide a method of manufacturing the same shoe. Technical Solution

[14] In order to achieve the above objects and advantages, in one aspect, there is

provided a method of manufacturing a shock-absorbing show having a ventilation function, comprising the steps of preparing an air bag having an air inlet pipe and an air outlet pipe, preparing an elastic object to cover the air bag by placing the air bag in a mold and introducing polyurethane liquid into the metal mold, coupling an auxiliary frame to an outer surface of the elastic object, and preparing an elastic sole by placing an outer sole in a lower mold, coupling the auxiliary frame coupled to the elastic object onto the upper surface of the lower mold, pouring polyurethane liquid into a mold, coupling an upper mold to the lower mold by placing an upper, to which a shoe last is coupled, on an upper surface of the elastic object, and foaming the polyurethane liquid, wherein the elastic sole, the outer sole and the upper are integrated into a single body through this step, the elastic sole being disposed between the outer sole and the upper.

[15] In the above-method, the air inlet pipe may extend outside the upper, and have a first check valve therein for enabling external air to flow in a single direction, and the air outlet pipe may extend inside the upper and have a second check valve therein for enabling air to flow into the upper.

[16] In order to achieve the above objects and advantages, in another aspect, there is provided a shock-absorbing shoe having a ventilation function, comprising an upper disposed on a sole of the shoe for covering a wearer's food, an outer sole serving as a bottom of the shoe and being brought into contact with a ground surface, an elastic sole combined with and disposed between the upper and the outer sole through a foaming process, and an elastic object disposed in the elastic sole, and having an air bag therein, the air bag having an air inlet pipe extending outside the upper and an air outlet pipe extending inside the upper.

[17] The elastic object may comprise the air bag and polyurethane covering the air bag.

The shock-absorbing shoe having the ventilation function may further comprise a first check valve for enabling external fresh air to flow in a single direction into the elastic object, and a second check valve for enabling air in the elastic object to flow into the upper.

[18] Accordingly, the shock-absorbing shoe having the ventilation function according to the present invention has advantages in that external fresh air is continuously introduced into the shoes whenever the shoes touches the ground surface if a wearer walks or runs while wearing the shoes, shocks are absorbed because the shoes performs elastic motions, and an air bag of the shoe is prevented from being ruptured by sharp objects. On the other hand, the manufacturing method according to the present invention has advantages in that an elastic sole of the shoe is securely bonded with an upper and an outer sole, because the bonding is performed through a foaming process, and manufacturing cost can be reduced and productivity is increased because a separate bonding process for bonding the elastic sole to the upper and the outer sole

is not necessary thanks to the foaming process.

Advantageous Effects

[19] The shoe according to the present invention has an advantage in that external fresh air can be continuously introduced into the shoe when a wearer walks or runs, while wearing the shoe.

[20] The shoe according to the present invention has the advantage of absorbing shocks when the shoe touches the surface of the ground, because the shoe performs elastic motions.

[21] The shoe according to the present invention has the advantage of being capable of preventing the elastic sole thereof from being ruptured by sharp objects, absorbing shocks, and ventilating the inside of the shoe.

[22] The shoe according to the present invention has an advantage in that an elastic sole having a pumping space is disposed between an outer sole and an upper, and the elastic sole is exposed at outer edges because it is the same size as the uppers and the outer soles, so that the elastic sole elastically moves when the shoe touches the surface of the ground. Accordingly, the shoe can be continuously ventilate air and absorb shocks. Brief Description of the Drawings

[23] FlG. 1 is an exploded perspective view illustrating an air permeable shock- absorbing shoe according to the related art;

[24] FlG. 2 shows a perspective view and a cross-sectional view taken along the line A-

A, illustrating an air bag of a shock-absorbing shoe having a ventilation function, according to one embodiment of the present invention;

[25] FlG. 3 shows a perspective view and a cross-sectional view taken along the line A-

A, illustrating an air bag disposed in a mold, in which polyurethane liquid is applied to the air bag and the air bag is foamed;

[26] FlG. 4 shows a perspective view and cross-sectional views taken along respective lines A-A and B-B, illustrating an elastic object;

[27] FlG. 5 shows a perspective view and a cross-sectional view taken along the line A-

A, illustrating an auxiliary frame;

[28] FlG. 6 shows a perspective view and a cross-sectional view taken along the line A-

A, illustrating an auxiliary frame combined with an elastic object;

[29] FlG. 7 sequentially illustrates a method of foaming polyurethane, (a) in FlG. 7 shows a perspective view and a cross-sectional view illustrating an outer sole and a lower mold in which the outer sole is installed, (b) in FlG. 7 shows a perspective view and a cross-sectional view taken along the line A-A, illustrating a lower mold and an auxiliary frame installed on the upper surface of the lower mold, (c) in FlG. 7 shows a perspective view and a cross-sectional view taken along the line A-A illustrating an

upper mold combined with uppers, and (d) in FlG. 7 shows a perspective view and a cross-sectional view taken along the line A-A, illustrating an upper mold and a lower mold; [30] FlG. 8 shows a perspective view illustrating an integrated shock-absorbing shoe having a ventilation function, in which an air inlet pipe and an air outlet pipe are installed; and [31] FlG. 9 shows a cross-sectional view illustrating contracted and restored states of a main part of the shock-absorbing shoe having a ventilation function according to the present invention.

[32] *Description of reference characters of important parts*

[33] 100: elastic object 101: penetration hole

[34] 110: air bag 111 : air inlet pipe

[35] 112: air outlet pipe 113: first check valve

[36] 114: second check valve 120: polyurethane layer

[37] 130: auxiliary frame 131: through hole

[38] 200: upper 300: outer sole

[39] 300: lower mold 401 : protruding pin

[40] 410: upper mold 500: elastic sole

[41] 501: pillar part

Best Mode for Carrying Out the Invention [42] Hereinafter, the characteristics and other advantages of the present invention will be more apparent from the following description with reference to the accompanying drawings. [43] With reference to the drawings, a method of manufacturing a shock-absorbing shoe having a ventilation function comprises the steps of preparing an air bag, preparing an elastic object, combining an auxiliary frame to a main mold, and foaming polyurethane.

[44] First, the step of preparing an air bag will be described below.

[45] Referring to FlG. 2, the air bag 110 is prepared. The air bag 110 has an inner space filled with air, an air inlet pipe 111, and an air outlet pipe 112. Ends of the air inlet 111 and the air outlet 112 of the air bag 110 are sealed through a thermocompression bonding method, so that the pressure inside the air bag is maintained at a value that is higher than atmospheric pressure. [46] The sealed part of the air inlet pipe 111 is removed after the manufacture of the shoe has been completed, and the end from which the sealed part is removed extends outside the upper 200. The sealed part of the air outlet pipe 112 is removed after completion of manufacture of the shoe and the end from which the sealed part is

removed extends inside the upper 200.

[47] A first check valve 113 for enabling air to flow in a single direction from the outside to the air bag 110 is installed in the air inlet pipe 111, and a second check valve 114 for enabling air to flow in a single direction from the air bag 110 to the upper 200 is installed in the air outlet pipe 112.

[48] Next, referring to FlG. 3, the elastic object is prepared. That is, the air bag 110 is installed in a mold, and polyurethane liquid is applied to the air bag 110, thereby causing foaming of the air bag 110.

[49] Through the process shown in FlG. 3, referring to FlG. 4, the elastic object 100 comprising the air bag 110 and the foamed polyurethane covering the air bag 110 is completed. The elastic object 100 has a through hole 101 in the center portion thereof, the through hole 101 penetrating the body of the air elastic object 100.

[50] The foamed polyurethane 120 enclosing the air bag 110 serves to absorb shocks and prevent the air bag 110 from rupturing.

[51] Next, referring to FlG. 5, an auxiliary frame 130, which is elastic and rigid and is made of rubber, is prepared. Next, referring to FlG. 6, the auxiliary frame 130 is coupled to the sides of the elastic object 100.

[52] The auxiliary frame 130 serves to prevent the elastic object 100 installed between the upper 200 and the outer sole 300 from being distorted, and to help the elastic object 100 remain fixed in its determined position. The auxiliary frame 130 has a plurality of through holes 131 penetrating the upper and lower surfaces thereof. The through holes 131 engage with respective protruding pins of the lower mold 400, so that the auxiliary frame 130 can be stably coupled to the lower mold 400.

[53] Next, a step of foaming polyurethane, for bonding the upper, the elastic object and the outer sole, is conducted. The outer sole 300 is installed in the lower mold 400 as shown in (a) in FlG. 7, and then the elastic object 100 to which the auxiliary frame 130 is coupled is disposed on the upper surface of the outer sole 300 as shown in (b) in FlG. 7, so that the elastic object 100 is combined with the lower mold 400. In this instance, since the protruding pins 401 of the lower mold 400 engage with the through holes 131 of the auxiliary frame 130, the auxiliary frame 130 can be stably disposed at the determined position of an lower mold. Here, the air bag 110 provided in the elastic object 100 holds air therein. Accordingly, although the upper 200, the elastic object 100 and the outer sole 300 are integrated into a single body through polyurethane foaming, the outer profile of the elastic object is not deformed, and a pumping space is formed in the elastic object.

[54] Next, referring (c) in FlG. 7, the upper 20, to which the shoe last is attached, is coupled to the upper mold 410 that can be cut at the center thereof. That is, the upper mold 410, which can be parted at the center thereof and is coupled to the upper 200, is

prepared.

[55] Next, referring (d) in FlG. 7, the upper mold 410 is disposed on the upper surface of the lower mold 400, and an elastic sole 500, whose upper surface is adhered to the upper 200, and whose lower surface is adhered to the upper surface of the outer sole 300 when the polyurethane liquid injected into the mold is foamed, is prepared. That is, the shoe in which the elastic sole 500 is disposed between the upper 200 and the outer sole 300 is completed.

[56] The elastic sole 500 helps the air bag 110 contract and be restored. The pillar part

501 formed in the penetration hole 101 provides the restoring force to the air bag 110 so that the air bag 110 is restored to its original shape after it contracts.

[57] In more detail, the polyurethane layer 120 enclosing the air bag 110 has rigidity in the range from 40 to 50, and the pillar part 501 has rigidity in the range from 55 to 65. Accordingly, the elastic sole 500 having the pillar part 501 serves to prevent over- contraction of the air bag 100, help the air bag 110 restore, and absorb shocks.

[58] Through the above-described sequence, the shoe is completed. As a result, a pumping space in which air can flow is formed in the air bag 110 of the elastic object 100, thereby being capable of absorbing shocks. Further, since the air bag 110 is enclosed by the polyurethane layer 120 and the elastic sole 500, it can absorb shocks and is prevented from being ruptured when it is brought into contact with sharp objects.

[59] The operation and advantages of the above-described shoe will be described below.

[60] Referring to FlGs. 8 and 9, the elastic sole 500 performing elastic motions is provided between the upper 200 and the outer sole 300 in the shoe, and the elastic sole 500 has the elastic object 100 in which the air bag 110 is disposed. Accordingly, the air bag 110 is contracted by pressure and is restored when the pressure is removed, thereby absorbing shocks.

[61] As described above, when the shoe touches the surface of ground, the elastic sole

500 contracts and air in the air bag 110 is transferred into the upper 200 through the air outlet pipe via the second check valve 114.

[62] On the other hand, when the shoe is separated from the surface of the ground, the elastic sole 500 is restored and the air bag 110 expands. At this time, external fresh air is introduced into the air bag 110 through the air inlet pipe 111 via the first check valve 113.

[63] External fresh air can be continuously introduced into the shoe whenever the air bag contracts in a manner such that the air introduced into the air bag 110 through the air inlet pipe 111 is transferred into the upper 200 through the air outlet pipe 112. The air introduced into the shoe ventilates the inside of the shoe, and is naturally exhausted, and fresh air is newly introduced into the shoe whenever the air bag 110 contracts.

[64] According to the embodiment described above, the upper 200 and the outer sole

300 are combined with the elastic sole 500 through a single bonding step in a manner of foaming polyurethane between the upper 200 and the outer sole 300. Accordingly, since a separate bonding process is not needed, the manufacturing process can be simplified and can be preferably used for stabilizing shoes requiring stability.

[65] Although preferred embodiments of the present invention have been described for illustrative purposes, those skilled in the art will appreciate that various modifications, additions and substitutions are possible, without departing from the scope and spirit of the invention as disclosed in the accompanying claims. Industrial Applicability

[66] The structure of the shock-absorbing shoe having a ventilation function according to the present invention and the method of manufacturing the same can be applied to general shoes ranging from sneakers to a variety of specialized shoes. Accordingly, the present invention is a very useful technology.

[67] Further, since the shoe has the shock-absorbing function and high ventilation capability, the present invention can be applied to specialized shoes such as value- added medical shoes.