Patent application title: SHOE SOLE HAVING DETACHABLE EDGE COMPRESSING BAND
Inventors:
Youdal Choi (Daegu, KR)
IPC8 Class: AA43B706FI
USPC Class:
Class name:
Publication date: 2015-08-13
Patent application number: 20150223555
Abstract:
A shoe sole includes the edge compressing bands which surround the outer
peripheral edge of the sole so as to be capable of selectively opening
and closing vent holes, and the edge compressing bands and the sole have
fastening means corresponding to one another. The vent holes formed in
the outer peripheral edge of the shoe sole can be conveniently open and
closed, thus the outer shape of a typical sole can be maintained when
worn, or ventilation can be achieved so as to remove moisture from the
shoe and eliminate athlete's foot or foot odor. The outer shape of the
general sole can be maintained while being worn, or alternatively, the
outer shape of the shoe can be maintained while being worn. The use
convenience of the shoe can be increased, and the penetration of water,
dust, or foreign substances through the vent holes can be completely
prevented.Claims:
1. A shoe sole comprising: a sole having air passages formed at the
interior thereof, first vent holes formed along the outer peripheral edge
thereof to communicate with the air passages, and second vent holes
formed on the top surface thereof to communicate with the air passages;
and edge compressing bands made of an elastic material and detachably
coupled to the outer peripheral edge of the sole along which the first
vent holes are formed in such a manner as to extendedly compress the
outer peripheral edge of the sole by means of elasticity and tensile
force thereof and to close the first vent holes therewith.
2. The shoe sole according to claim 1, wherein each edge compressing band has first fastening means disposed on both ends thereof, and the sole has second fastening means coupled to the first fastening means of each edge compressing band in such a manner as to be escaped from the first vent holes of the sole, so that in the state where the edge compressing bands are extended, the first fastening means and the second fastening means are coupled to each other so as to allow the outer peripheral edge of the sole along which the first vent holes are formed to be compressed and closed by the edge compressing bands having the elasticity and tensile force.
3. The shoe sole according to claim 1, wherein a circular edge compressing band is detachably fastened to the entire outer peripheral edge of the sole in such a manner as to extendedly compress and close the outer peripheral edge of the sole along which the first vent holes are formed by means of the elasticity and tensile force thereof.
4. The shoe sole according to claim 1, wherein the sole comprises an outsole as a lower body having no vent holes formed thereon and a midsole as an upper body located above the lower body having the second vent holes formed thereon, placing a plurality of posts between the lower body and the upper body, and the air passages formed at the interior of the sole are spaces formed between the lower body and the upper body, so that the first vent holes are formed by means of the plurality of posts along the outer peripheral edge of the lower body and the upper body and communicate with the second vent holes of the upper body through the air passages formed between the upper body and the lower body.
5. The shoe sole according to claim 1, wherein the sole comprises first and second band insertion grooves formed along the top and underside peripheral edges thereof around the first vent holes in the width direction thereof, and each edge compressing band has caps formed on the top and bottom ends thereof in such a manner as to be inserted into the first and second band insertion grooves of the sole and fastened to the outer peripheral edge of the sole along which the first vent holes are formed.
6. The shoe sole according to claim 1, wherein the sole comprises protruding portions formed by depressedly engraving the portion around the first vent holes formed on the outer peripheral edge thereof in such a manner as to protrude the adjacent portion to the first vent holes, except the portion by a given width adjacent to the first vent holes, so that the protruding portions are formed on the portion adjacent to the first vent holes, and each compressing band is extended and fastened to the outer peripheral edge of the sole on which the protruding portions including the first vent holes are formed, so that the edge compressing bands are fastened to the outer peripheral edge of the sole along which the first vent holes are formed and compressingly contacted therewith by means of the elasticity and expandability thereof.
7. The shoe sole according to claim 2, wherein a plurality of second fastening means is formed on given positions of the outer peripheral edge thereof to adjust the tension of the edge compressing bands.
8. The shoe sole according to claim 2, wherein the second fastening means is made of a material of the sole itself or comprises a rotating fastener separately mounted on the sole.
Description:
TECHNICAL FIELD
[0001] The present invention relates to a shoe sole, and more particularly, to a shoe sole that has detachable edge compressing bands fastened to the outer peripheral edge thereof to selectively open and close vent holes formed along the sole and to obtain decorating and reinforcing effects, wherein the edge compressing bands are exchanged with new ones.
BACKGROUND ART
[0002] As shown in FIG. 1, a general shoe 10 includes a sole 11 brought into contact with the ground while a user is walking, an upper 12 coupled to top of the sole to protect the user's foot from the outside, and an insole 13 diposed selectively inside the upper 12 in such a manner as to be brought into direct contact with the user's foot.
[0003] So as to provide various functions to the shoe 10, by the way, a midsole, which is made of a different material from the sole, is generally disposed on top of the sole, and further, the midsole and the sole are bonded to each other to constitute one sole. Furthermore, an anti-slip sole is separately bonded to the underside of the sole.
[0004] Therefore, the sole used in the present invention means the sole including the midsole, and in this case, the sole includes the sole made by bonding upper and lower plates having different materials to each other and the sole made of one material. Accordingly, the sole may include the sole made of bonding different materials to each other up and down and having the midsole on top thereof and the sole made of one material.
[0005] That is, the sole is bonded to the midsole to form a unitary sole, and otherwise, the midsole is bonded simply to top of the sole. At this time, the midsole of the ventilated sole is the midsole having vent holes formed along the top surface thereof, not on the outer peripheral edge thereof, and otherwise, the midsole in the sole having the midsole made of a different material from the sole is the midsole having vent holes communicating with the vent holes formed along the outer edge of the sole and on the interior of the sole.
[0006] The sole 11 or the sole having the midsole is made of various materials having excellent durability so as to support a user's weight and to absorb the impact applied while the user is walking, and if the sole has the midsole formed thereon, the midsole made of the different material from the sole is bonded to top of the sole.
[0007] As the number of people enjoying leisure and exercise is increased, particularly, many people have paid attention to functional shoe soles having functions of impact absorption and ventilation, and accordingly, many studies and developments on the functional shoe soles have been made.
[0008] On the other hand, an edge is generally bonded to the outer peripheral edge of the sole to provide an outer design and various functions, and in some cases of the soles, the edge is bonded to the top peripheral edge of the sole, while being spaced apart from the outer peripheral edge of the sole to hide the outer peripheral edge of the sole. In case of the ventilated sole having wind passages or vent holes formed along the outer peripheral edge thereof, however, the edge is bonded to the sole, which unfortunately makes it impossible to open and close the wind passages or vent holes.
[0009] As one of examples of conventional ventilated soles, there is provided Korean Patent No. 10-0510087 disclosing a ventilated sole having wind passages or vent holes formed along the outer peripheral edge thereof, thus providing a functional shoe capable of exchanging the heat and water generated from a foot with the outside. In more detail, as shown in FIG. 1, vent holes 17 and 18 are formed along the outer peripheral edge of the sole 11 and on the top surface of the sole 11, and spaces are formed in the interior of the sole 11 by means of a plurality of support rods, thus performing heat and water exchanging with the outside.
[0010] By the way, the conventional sole 11 should make and couple separate vent chamber supporting members, which makes the structure and manufacturing process more complicated. Further, a metal net-shaped waterproofing member should be disposed inside the sole 11 to prevent water from entering the sole 11 from the outside. However, it is hard to obtain complete waterproofing effects through the metal net, and on the other hand, the ventilation performance of the sole 11 becomes reduced due to the installation of the metal net. Besides, it is impossible to prevent foreign substances and water from entering the sole 11, and because of the vent holes formed along the outer peripheral edge of the sole 11, the shoe has a bad outer appearance.
DISCLOSURE
Technical Problem
[0011] Accordingly, the present invention has been made in view of the above-mentioned problems occurring in the prior art, and it is an object of the present invention to provide a shoe sole that can open and close the outer peripheral edge of the sole, while maintaining the general outer shape of the sole, and provide edge compressing bands which are separable from and assemblable to the outer peripheral edge of the sole along which vent holes are formed, thus allowing the vent holes of the sole to be effectively open and closed.
[0012] It is another object of the present invention to provide a shoe sole that can achieve the diversity in design and change the shape or color of the outer peripheral edge of the sole in accordance with a user's preference, thus satisfying the aesthetic taste of the user.
[0013] It is a yet another object of the present invention to provide a shoe sole that can form vent holes or wind passages along the outer peripheral edge of the sole, so that while the outer shape of the general sole is being maintained, the wind passages are open to optimize the air circulation through convection, thus making the heat of foot cool and removing moisture from the interior of the shoe to eliminate athlete's foot or foot odor.
[0014] It is a still another object of the present invention to provide a shoe sole that can optimize the prevention of the invasion of water or foreign substances thereinto through vent holes formed along the outer peripheral edge thereof.
[0015] It is a still yet another object of the present invention to provide a shoe sole that can selectively open and close vent holes by means of a user' manipulation in accordance with use circumstances thereof.
Technical Solution
[0016] To accomplish the above objects, according to the present invention, there is provided a shoe sole including a sole having air passages formed at the interior thereof, first vent holes formed along the outer peripheral edge thereof to communicate with the air passages, and second vent holes formed on the top surface thereof to communicate with the air passages; and edge compressing bands made of an elastic material and detachably coupled to the outer peripheral edge of the sole along which the first vent holes are formed in such a manner as to extendedly compress the outer peripheral edge of the sole by means of elasticity and tensile force thereof and to close the first vent holes therewith.
[0017] According to the present invention, desirably, each edge compressing band has first fastening means disposed on both ends thereof, and the sole has second fastening means coupled to the first fastening means of each edge compressing band in such a manner as to be escaped from the first vent holes of the sole, so that in the state where the edge compressing bands are extended, the first fastening means and the second fastening means are coupled to each other so as to allow the outer peripheral edge of the sole along which the first vent holes are formed to be compressed and closed by the edge compressing bands having the elasticity and tensile force.
[0018] According to the present invention, desirably, a circular edge compressing band is detachably fastened to the entire outer peripheral edge of the sole in such a manner as to extendedly compress and close the outer peripheral edge of the sole along which the first vent holes are formed by means of the elasticity and tensile force thereof.
[0019] According to the present invention, desirably, the sole includes an outsole as a lower body having no vent holes formed thereon and a midsole as an upper body located above the lower body having the second vent holes formed thereon, placing a plurality of posts between the lower body and the upper body, and the air passages formed at the interior of the sole are spaces formed between the lower body and the upper body, so that the first vent holes are formed by means of the plurality of posts along the outer peripheral edge of the lower body and the upper body and communicate with the second vent holes of the upper body through the air passages formed between the upper body and the lower body.
[0020] According to the present invention, desirably, the sole includes first and second band insertion grooves formed along the top and underside peripheral edges thereof around the first vent holes in the width direction thereof, and each edge compressing band has caps formed on the top and bottom ends thereof in such a manner as to be inserted into the first and second band insertion grooves of the sole and fastened to the outer peripheral edge of the sole along which the first vent holes are formed.
[0021] According to the present invention, desirably, the sole includes protruding portions formed by depressedly engraving the portion around the first vent holes formed on the outer peripheral edge thereof in such a manner as to protrude the adjacent portion to the first vent holes, except an adjacent portion by a given width to the first vent holes, so that the protruding portions are formed on the portion adjacent to the first vent holes, and each compressing band is extended and fastened to the outer peripheral edge of the sole on which the protruding portions including the first vent holes are formed, so that the edge compressing bands are fastened to the outer peripheral edge of the sole along which the first vent holes are formed and compressingly contacted therewith by means of the elasticity and expandability thereof.
[0022] According to the present invention, desirably, a plurality of second fastening means is formed on the given positions of the outer peripheral edge thereof to adjust the tension of the edge compressing bands.
[0023] According to the present invention, desirably, the second fastening means is made of a material of the sole itself or includes a rotating fastener separately mounted on the sole.
Advantageous Effects
[0024] According to the present invention, the ventilated shoe sole according to the present invention can open and close the vent holes formed along the outer peripheral edge thereof in a convenient manner, so that while the outer shape of the sole is being maintained, ventilation is provided to remove moisture from the interior of the shoe, thus eliminating athlete's foot or foot odor.
[0025] Also, the outer shape of the general sole can be maintained while being worn, or alternatively, the outer shape of the ventilated shoe can be maintained while being worn, thus improving the use convenience of the ventilated shoe and completely preventing water, dust, or foreign substances from entering the vent holes.
[0026] Furthermore, the shape or color of the outer peripheral edge of the sole can be selected in accordance with a user's preference through the exchange of the edge compressing bands, thus satisfying the aesthetic taste of the user, and also, the edge compressing bands located on the portion of the sole much worn out are exchanged with new ones, thus extending the life span of the shoe.
DESCRIPTION OF DRAWINGS
[0027] FIG. 1 is an exploded perspective view showing a conventional shoe.
[0028] FIG. 2 is an exploded perspective view showing a shoe with a sole mounted thereon according to a first embodiment of the present invention.
[0029] FIG. 3 is a sectional view taken along the line A-A' of FIG. 2.
[0030] FIGS. 4a and 4b are sectional views showing various examples of loops formed on the sole according to the present invention.
[0031] FIGS. 5a to 5c are sectional views showing various examples of a rotating fastener formed of the material of the sole according to the present invention.
[0032] FIGS. 6a to 6c are sectional views showing various examples of another rotating fastener like a bolt fixing an edge compressing band to the sole according to the present invention.
[0033] FIG. 7 is a perspective view showing the sole according to the first embodiment of the present invention, to which the edge compressing bands are coupled.
[0034] FIG. 8 is a sectional view taken along the line B-B' of FIG. 7.
[0035] FIG. 9 is a perspective view showing the shoe to which the edge compressing bands are coupled.
[0036] FIG. 10 is a perspective view showing a plurality of loops formed on the outer peripheral edge of the sole according to the present invention.
[0037] FIG. 11 is a perspective view showing reinforcements formed on both ends of the edge compressing band.
[0038] FIGS. 12a and 12b are perspective views showing a shoe with a sole mounted thereon according to a second embodiment of the present invention is mounted, to which edge compressing bands are coupled.
[0039] FIGS. 13a to 13c are sectional views showing various methods for fastening the edge compressing band to the sole.
[0040] FIGS. 14a and 14b are sectional views showing the processes for coupling edge compressing bands to a sole according to a third embodiment of the present invention.
[0041] FIGS. 15a and 15b are sectional views showing the state where edge compressing bands are coupled to the sole if protruding portions are formed to surround the entire first vent hole.
[0042] FIGS. 16a and 16b are sectional views showing the state where edge compressing bands are coupled to the sole if protruding portions are formed correspondingly to surround the first vent holes.
[0043] FIGS. 17a and 17b are perspective views showing the states wherein the edge compressing band is mounted to cover the first vent holes and kept, while avoiding the first vent holes.
[0044] FIGS. 18a and 18b are perspective views showing the states wherein the edge compressing band is selectively mounted on the sole through the rotating fastener.
[0045] FIGS. 19a and 19b are perspective views showing a circular edge compressing band and the state wherein the circular edge compressing band is coupled to the sole.
[0046] FIG. 20 is a perspective view showing the state wherein vent holes are formed on the front sole portion and the back sole portion of the sole, respectively.
[0047] FIGS. 21a to 22b are perspective views showing the states wherein the edge of the sole is replaced with the edge compressing band.
BEST MODES FOR INVENTION
[0048] Hereinafter, an explanation on a shoe sole having detachable edge compressing bands according to preferred embodiments of the present invention will be in detail given with reference to the attached drawings.
[0049] FIG. 2 is an exploded perspective view showing a shoe with a sole mounted thereon according to a first embodiment of the present invention. As shown in FIG. 2, a shoe 100 according to the present invention includes a sole 110, an upper 120 coupled to top of the sole 110, an insole 130 selectively disposed inside the upper 120, and edge compressing bands 150 mounted on the sole 110, and in this case, the shoe 100 according to the present invention is distinguished from the conventional shoe in that the edge compressing bands 150 are mounted on the sole 110.
[0050] The sole 110 has a plurality of first vent holes 116 formed along the outer peripheral edge thereof and a plurality of second vent holes 117 formed on the top surface thereof, and the first vent holes 116 and the second vent holes 117 communicate with each other through air passages 115 (See FIG. 3) formed inside the sole 110.
[0051] On the other hand, as mentioned above, the sole 110 according to the present invention may include the sole made of one material, the sole made of two materials attached up and down to each other, and the sole to which a midsole is attached. If the midsole is attached to the top of the sole 110, the second vent holes 117 are formed even on the midsole, and further, the insole 130 desirably has vent holes 132 communicating with the second vent holes 117.
[0052] FIG. 3 is a sectional view taken along the line A-A' of FIG. 2. As shown in FIG. 3, the sole 110 includes a lower body 111 and an upper body 112 spaced apart from the lower body 111 in the state of being supported against posts 113.
[0053] The spaces formed between the lower body 111 and the upper body 112 serve as the air passages 115, and in view of the sole 110, the portions where the air passages 115 communicate with the outside constitute the first vent holes 116. The second vent holes 117 of the sole 110 are formed on the upper body 112.
[0054] Through the first vent holes 116, the air passages 115 and the second vent holes 117, accordingly, the fresh air from the outside is supplied to the interior of the shoe 100 and the heat and water existing in the interior of the shoe 100 are discharged to the outside.
[0055] The lower body 111, the upper body 112 and the posts 113 constituting the sole 110 are desirably formed unitarily with each other by means of injection molding, but they may be made, without any limitation thereto. For example, the upper body 112 and the posts 113 are molded unitarily with each other, and next, the lower body 111 is bonded or coupled to them. Otherwise, the lower body 111, the upper body 112 and the posts 113 are molded independently of each other, and next, they are coupled to each other.
[0056] Under the above-mentioned configuration of the sole 110, the air passages 115 formed between the lower body 111 and the upper body 112 directly communicate with the outside, thus optimizing air circulation effects. Further, the first vent holes 116 formed on the outer peripheral edge of the sole 110 are closed by means of the edge compressing bands 150, thus preventing water or foreign substances from entering the sole 110.
[0057] As shown, the air passages 115 and the first vent holes 116 and the second vent holes 117 communicating with the air passages 115 are formed just on the front and back portions of the sole 110 and not formed on the middle portion of the sole 110.
[0058] However, their formation is just exemplary and freely determined.
[0059] For example, the posts 113 may be formed on the entire interior of the sole 110 to form the air passages 115 over the entire surface of the sole 110, thus providing the light weight of the shoe and the material reduction. In this case, the first vent holes 116 or the second vent hole 117 communicating with the air passages 115 may be formed over the outer peripheral edge of the sole 110 or the entire upper body 112, and if necessary, the first vent holes 116 or the second vent hole 117 may be formed over the outer peripheral edge of the sole 110 or only a portion of the upper body 112.
[0060] The sole 110 has loops 118 formed on given positions of the outer peripheral edge thereof in such a manner as to be coupled to hangers 152 formed on both ends of each edge compressing band 150.
[0061] The loops 118 are desirably made of the material of the sole 110 itself. At this time, as shown in FIG. 4a, an incised portion 110a is formed on the outer peripheral edge of the sole 110 to allow each loop 118 to be not protruded outwardly from the sole 110, and on the other hand, as shown in FIG. 4b, the loop 118 is protruded outwardly from the sole 110.
[0062] The edge compressing bands 150 serve to strongly compress the outer peripheral edge of the sole 110 to prevent water from entering the first vent holes 116, and so as to prevent the edge compressing bands 150 from being taken off from the sole 110 while a user walks or exercises, on the other hand, they are desirably made of a material having excellent expandability and elasticity like rubber, urethane, silicone and so on.
[0063] However, if the edge compressing bands 150 are used just to decorate or reinforce the edge of the sole 110, they may be made of other materials. For example, they may be made of the material of the sole 110.
[0064] Each edge compressing band 150 has the hangers 152 formed on both ends thereof in such a manner as to be coupled to the loops 118 of the sole 110. The hangers 152 are formed of holes formed on both ends of each edge compressing band 150, and otherwise, other materials or parts are disposed on both ends thereof.
[0065] By the way, the fastening means for coupling the edge compressing bands 150 to the sole 110 is not limited to the loops 118 and the hangers 152. For example, male and female hooks, snap fasteners, male and female buckles and so on may be formed correspondingly on the edge compressing bands 150 and the sole 110. Of course, other fastening means may be freely used.
[0066] If the loops 118 are formed as shown in FIGS. 4a and 4b, on the other hand, the edge compressing bands 150 cannot rotate in a desired direction. By the way, as shown in FIG. 5a, if each edge compressing band 150 rotates in a desired direction in the state of being fastened to the sole 110, the conveniences in use of the edge compressing bands 150 are improved.
[0067] So as to rotate each edge compressing band 150 in a desired direction, as shown in FIG. 5b, a rotating fastener 191 made of the material of the sole 110 itself is protruded from the outer peripheral edge of the sole 110, and the hanger 152 of the edge compressing band 150 is just coupled to the rotating fastener 191. At this time, the rotating fastener 191 desirably has a head 191a having a relatively large diameter formed on the top end thereof.
[0068] The rotating fastener 191 made of the material of the sole 110 itself is protruded outwardly from the outer peripheral edge of the sole 110, and otherwise, as shown in FIG. 5c, the incised portion 110a is formed around the rotating fastener 191 to prevent the head 191a from being protruded outwardly from the outer peripheral edge of the sole 110.
[0069] Like this, if the rotating fastener 191 is made of the material of the sole 110 itself, the edge compressing band 150 can be rotated and further separated and exchanged.
[0070] In this case, one end outer peripheral edge of the ventilated sole may have the rotating fasteners and the other end outer peripheral edge thereof may have the loops.
[0071] On the other hand, the edge compressing bands 150 may be fixedly coupled to the sole 110 by means of rotating fasteners made separately from the sole 110, without any unexpected separation from the sole 110.
[0072] For example, as shown in FIGS. 6a and 6b, each edge compressing band 150 is fixedly coupled to the corresponding outer peripheral edge of the sole 110 by means of a rotating fastener 192 like a bolt, a Y-shaped pin and a rivet.
[0073] The end portion of the rotating fastener 192 like a bolt, a Y-shaped pin and a rivet is passed through the hanger 152 of each edge compressing band 150 and insertedly fastened to a nut hole or a coupling hole formed on the outer peripheral edge of the sole 110, so that each edge compressing band 150 is fixedly coupled to the outer peripheral edge of the sole 110.
[0074] In this case, a head 192a of the rotating fastener 192 is desirably spaced apart from the outer peripheral edge of the sole 110 by a given distance. This allows the edge compressing band 150 to gently rotate between the sole 110 and the head 192a.
[0075] If the rotating fasteners 191 and 192 are adopted, on the other hand, the rotating fasteners 191 and 192 are passed through the hanger 152 of the edge compressing band 150, and accordingly, as shown in FIG. 6c, an eyelet 158 is desirably mounted on each hanger 152 of the edge compressing band 150 to prevent the edge compressing band 150 from being damaged.
[0076] FIG. 7 is a perspective view showing the sole according to the first embodiment of the present invention, to which the edge compressing bands are coupled, FIG. 8 is a sectional view taken along the line B-B' of FIG. 7, and FIG. 9 is a perspective view showing the shoe to which the edge compressing bands are coupled.
[0077] As shown, the hanger 152 formed on one end of each edge compressing band 150 is locked onto one side loop 118 of the sole 110, and next, if the other side hanger 152 pulls, the edge compressing band 150 becomes extended to some extent. In this state, if the other side hanger 152 is locked onto the other side loop 118 of the sole 110, the edge compressing band 150 is fixed to the outer peripheral edge of the sole 110, while strongly compressing the sole 110.
[0078] The positions of the loops 118 on the sole 110 are determined upon the lengths and elasticity of the edge compressing bands 150. Due to the use of long hours, if the elasticity of the edge compressing bands 150 may be lowered or if the tension adjustment of the edge compressing bands 150 may be needed, a plurality of loops 118 may be disposed on given positions of the outer peripheral edge of the sole 110 in the longitudinal direction of the sole 110, as shown in FIG. 10. The tension applied to the edge compressing bands 150 is varied in accordance with the positions of the loops 118 coupled to the edge compressing bands 150.
[0079] So as to enhance the durability of the edge compressing bands 150, on the other hand, reinforcements 154 are formed on both ends of each edge compressing band 150, as shown in FIG. 11.
[0080] For example, the reinforcements 154 may be formed by additionally connecting a different material like a fabric to both ends of each edge compressing band 150 or by attaching a different material like a fabric to both ends of each edge compressing band 150.
[0081] In this case, desirably, the hooks 152 are formed on the reinforcements 154.
[0082] Further, a device for easily pulling the edge compressing bands 150 may be additionally provided to efficiently couple the edge compressing bands 150 to the sole 110.
[0083] So as to prevent water or foreign substances from entering the sole 110 through the first vent holes 116, the edge compressing bands 150 should be brought into strong contact with the outer peripheral edge of the sole 110 to completely close the first vent holes 116, and accordingly, the outer peripheral edge of the sole 110 or the portion around the first vent holes 116 should be formed through various injection molding to improve the contact force with the edge compressing bands 150.
[0084] According to the first embodiment of the present invention, as mentioned above, the edge compressing bands 150 are compressed just against the outer peripheral edge of the sole 110, so that they may be escaped up and down from the sole 110, while in use.
[0085] So as to prevent the edge compressing bands 150 from being escaped and to more efficiently allow them to be compressed against the sole 110, desirably, the outer peripheral edge of the sole 110 should be molded to various shapes.
[0086] Hereinafter, various methods wherein the edge compressing bands 150 can more efficiently close the outer peripheral edge of the sole 110 will be explained.
[0087] As shown in FIG. 12a, first, first and second band insertion grooves 119a and 119b are formed on the top and underside of the first vent holes 116 along the outer peripheral edge of the sole 110 to allow the portion where the first vent holes 116 are formed to be protruded.
[0088] As shown in FIG. 12b, the upper end of each edge compressing band 150 around the direction of the width thereof is inserted into the first band insertion groove 119a and the lower end thereof is inserted into the second band insertion groove 119b. Accordingly, the edge compressing band 150 surrounds the upper and lower peripheral edges of the first vent holes 116 by means of its own expandability and elasticity, while strongly compressing the first vent holes 116, thus achieving more complete closing.
[0089] On the other hand, the shapes, widths and depths of the first and second band insertion grooves 119a and 119b are not specially limited thereto.
[0090] For example, the first and second band insertion grooves 119a and 119b have square sectional shapes as shown in FIGS. 12a and 12b, but they may have round sectional shapes as shown in FIG. 13a.
[0091] As shown in FIGS. 12a and 12b, further, the first and second band insertion grooves 119a and 119b are formed along the underside peripheral edge of the upper body 112 and along the top peripheral edge of the lower body 111, but as shown in FIG. 13b, the first and second band insertion grooves 119a and 119b may be formed spaced apart by a given distance from the underside peripheral edge of the upper body 112 and along the top peripheral edge of the lower body 111. In this case, the upper and lower ends of the first vent holes 116 are protruded from the outer peripheral edge of the sole 110 by a given width, so that the edge compressing band 150 can close the first vent holes 116 more efficiently.
[0092] Further, as shown in FIG. 13c, each edge compressing band 150 has caps 156 formed on the top and bottom ends thereof, and the first and second band insertion grooves 119a and 119b are formed narrow and deep enough to insert the caps 156 thereinto.
[0093] Instead of the first and second band insertion grooves 119a and 119b formed along the outer peripheral edge of the sole 110, as shown in FIGS. 14a and 14b, protruding portions 114 are formed along the top side peripheral edge of the upper body 112 and the underside peripheral edge of the lower body 111, and each edge compressing band 150 is inserted between the protruding portions 114.
[0094] Further, as shown in FIGS. 15a and 15b, protruding portions 119d are formed on the outer peripheral edge of the sole 110 to surround the entire first vent hole 116.
[0095] That is, if the entire portion around the first vent holes 116 is depressedly engraved to form a depressed portion 119c, the protruding portions 119d are formed around the first vent holes 116 in such a manner as to be relatively protruded when compared with the depressed portion 119c.
[0096] Like this, the rectangular protruding portions 119d including the first vent holes 116 are formed along the outer peripheral edge of the sole 110, and if the edge compressing bands 150 having high expandability and elasticity are fastened to the sole 110, they compress the protruding portions 119d, while forming a given angle with respect to the outer peripheral edges of the protruding portions 119d, thus more efficiently closing the entire first vent hole 116.
[0097] At this time, the loops 118 may be formed on given positions of the depressed portion 119c, and otherwise, they may be protruded from the depressed portion 119c.
[0098] Further, as shown in FIGS. 16a and 16b, the depressed portion 119c is formed around each first vent hole 116, except the portion by a given width adjacent to the first vent hole 116, so that the protruding portions 119d including the first vent holes 116 are formed correspondingly on the portions adjacent to the first vent holes 116.
[0099] The first and second band insertion grooves 119a and 119b, the protruding portions 114 and 119d, and the depressed portions 119 are desirably formed at the same time when the sole 110 is injection-molded, but they may be formed through post-processes.
[0100] Hereinafter, examples in use of the edge compressing bands 150 according to the present invention will be explained.
[0101] When the first vent holes 116 formed along the outer peripheral edge of the sole 110 should be closed from rain, as shown in FIG. 17a, they are closed with the edge compressing bands 150.
[0102] Accordingly, the hangers 152 formed on both ends of each edge compressing band 150 are coupled to the loops 118 formed on both side peripheries of the sole 110 to allow the edge compressing band 150 to surround and strongly compress the outer peripheral edge of the sole 110.
[0103] If ventilation is needed, the edge compressing bands 150 are separated from the sole 110. By the way, it is very inconvenient to keep the separated edge compressing bands 150 in a user's pocket, bag or the like, and therefore, as shown in FIG. 17b, a keeping loop 118' is desirably additionally formed on the sole 110.
[0104] That is, if it is assumed that the first vent holes 116 are formed only on the front portion of the sole 110, as shown in FIG. 17b, the separated edge compressing band 150 is fixed to the sole 110 by means of the keeping loop 118' in the state of avoiding the first vent holes 116 and surrounding the back portion of the sole 110.
[0105] If the edge compressing band 150 is coupled to the outer peripheral edge of the sole 110 by means of the rotating fastener 191 or 192, it can rotate around the rotating fastener 191 or 192. Accordingly, as shown in FIG. 18a, the first vent holes 116 are closed with the edge compressing band 150, and if ventilation is needed, the edge compressing band 150 rotates and is fastened to the other side outer peripheral edge of the sole 110.
[0106] The above-mentioned preferred embodiments of the present invention are explained, but they may be freely changed and modified, while being limited thereto.
[0107] According to the above-mentioned preferred embodiments of the present invention, for example, the edge compressing bands 150 are mounted partially on the front and back portions of the sole 110, but as shown in FIGS. 19a and 19b, they are formed of one circle to strongly surround the entire outer peripheral edge of the sole 110.
[0108] According to the above-mentioned preferred embodiments of the present invention, for example, the sole 110 has a similar thickness over the entire shoe, but as shown in FIG. 20, the sole 110 is separated into a front sole 170 and a back sole 180. In this case, the first vent holes 116 are formed on the outer peripheral edge of the front sole 170 or the back hole 180, and the first vent holes 116 are selectively open and closed by means of the edge compressing bands 150.
[0109] At this time, of course, the first vent holes 116 communicate with the second vent holes 117 through the air passages formed inside the front sole 170 or the back sole 180, and the loops 118 are formed on the front sole 170 or the back sole 180 on which the first vent holes 116 are formed to lock the hangers 152 of the edge compressing band 150 thereonto.
[0110] So as to equally expand the upper and lower portions of each edge compressing band 150 in the width direction thereof to the left and right sides, further, the edge compressing bands 150 are injection-molded, and otherwise, the hangers 152 are formed to have the width of the edge compressing band 150 by applying a fabric having a larger width than the edge compressing band 150 thereto. Like this, the hangers 152 and the loops 118 fastened correspondingly to the hangers 152 are formed in various shapes.
[0111] According to the above-mentioned preferred embodiments of the present invention, the edge compressing bands 150 serve to selectively open and close the first vent holes 116, but they may be applied to the general shoe sole having no vent holes to decorate or reinforce the outer peripheral edge of the sole, so that all of configurations applied to the ventilated sole having the first vent holes 116 formed along the outer peripheral edge thereof can be applied to all of soles having no first vent holes formed thereon.
[0112] In this case, the edge compressing bands 150 may be compressedly coupled to the outer peripheral edge of the sole, and otherwise, incised portions corresponding to the widths and lengths of the edge compressing bands 150 are formed on the sole in such a manner as to insert the edge compressing bands 150 thereinto.
[0113] For example, as shown in FIGS. 21a and 21b, an incised portion 110b having a given width is formed along the front peripheral edge of the sole 110, and the edge compressing band 150 having the width and length corresponding to the incised portion 110b is insertedly fastened to the incised portion 110b.
[0114] Further, as shown in FIGS. 22a and 22b, the incised portion 110b having a given width is formed on the back peripheral edge of the sole 110, and the edge compressing band 150 having the width and length corresponding to the incised portion 110b is insertedly fastened to the incised portion 110b.
[0115] If the edge compressing bands 150 are coupled to the sole, as mentioned above, the front and back peripheral edges of the sole 110 are easily exchanged with new ones, and accordingly, the shape or color of the outer peripheral edge of the shoe can be selected in accordance with a user's preference. Further, the edge compressing bands 150 located on the portion of the sole much worn out are exchanged with new ones, thus extending the life span of the shoe.
[0116] Further, the upper 120 of the shoe 100 according to the present invention has a general shape of surrounding the entire foot like general sneakers or formal shoes, but the present invention may be applied to the upper having a shape of surrounding a portion of a foot, like sandals, slippers and so on.
[0117] Furthermore, the sole 110 according to the present invention may be applied to both of the sole made by bonding upper and lower plates having different materials and the sole coupled to the midsole.
[0118] While the present invention has been described with reference to the particular illustrative embodiments, it is not to be restricted by the embodiments but only by the appended claims. It is to be appreciated that those skilled in the art can change or modify the embodiments without departing from the scope and spirit of the present invention.
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