WO2003055342A1

WO2003055342A1 - A moccasin with improved function

Info

Publication number: WO2003055342A1
Application number: PCT/KR2001/002305
Authority: WO
Inventors: Tae-Moon Jung
Original assignee: Tae-Moon Jung
Priority date: 2001-12-29
Filing date: 2001-12-29
Publication date: 2003-07-10

Abstract

Disclosed herein is a moccasin with improved cushion layers formed therein, and more particularly to satisfy the human being who is wearing shoes by choosing a structure for middle sole between the uppers of the leather and the outsole leather in moccasin, forming a integrated plurality of air-cushioned embossments, enlarged type cushioning parts and circulation path of outer air corresponding to the sole of a foot in human being for reducing weariness by finger-press effect, shock absorbing in walking and sanitation for example removing nasty smells.

Description

A MOCCASIN WITH IMPROVED FUNCTION

BACKGROUND OF THE INVENTION 1. Field of the Invention

The present invention relates to a moccasin with improved functions having an air cushion layer therein. More particularly, the present invention relates to a moccasin employing a structure of a midsole between a bottom surface of uppers and an outsole of the moccasin, wherein a plurality of air cushioning bosses, expanded cushioning portions and air circulation paths are integrally formed in such a manner that they indirectly correspond to the sole of a foot of a wearer, thereby reducing fatigue by means of acupressure, absorbing an impact exerted during walking and providing sanitary functions such as removal of bad smells to improve satisfaction of the wearer of the moccasin.

2. Description of the Prior Art

Moccasin generally refers to a soft leather heelless shoe. In most moccasins, each moccasin is completed by forming uppers and a bottom surface of the uppers into one piece using a single large sheet of leather, and then sewing the uppers on an outsole of the moccasin while wrapping additional fixing uppers around the whole external appearance of the uppers except for the bottom surface of the uppers such that the uppers can be securely united with the outsole.

However, such a structure in which the bottom surface of the uppers and the outsole are united with each other cannot properly discharge heat, sweat, moisture and the like, which are generated from the foot in the moccasin during walking, through the outsole. Therefore, when a wearer wears such a moccasin for a long time, bad smells and disease germs, which may cause various kinds of skin diseases, are inevitably generated. In view of hygiene, such problems of the conventional moccasins have been pointed out as problems that should be urgently solved.

That is, when the wearer wears the moccasin, the interior of the moccasin is kept in a sealed state so that harmful substances, which should be discharged through the outsole, cannot be essentially discharged due to such structural features of the moccasin.

Of course, general footwear such as typical shoes or sneakers except for moccasins partially overcomes such problems by changing its structure or by utilizing additional functional insole. But, such solutions are not desirable to a moccasin due to its inherent tradition and characteristics since addition of such an additional insole to the moccasin may give incoherent feeling to a wearer of the moccasin.

In addition, since a moccasin has no cushioning features, severe fatigue may occur or repetitive impacts may be transmitted to adversely affect a knee joint of a wearer of the moccasin when the wearer walks for a long time while wearing the moccasin.

Accordingly, in order to relieve wearer's fatigue and to cushion impacts, other footwear except for moccasins have been modified by changing the material of an insole to a resilient material and by then attaching small magnets or bosses for acupressure on a surface of the insole to facilitate the blood circulation of the wearer or by then providing the outsole with an additional cushioning function to absorb the impacts.

However, as mentioned above, there are various limitations on application of these approaches to the moccasin due to negative aspects of the application. Further, since insoles of most moccasins take the shape of a thin film, it is difficult to provide a sufficient cushioning function thereto. There is also a problem in that magnets employed for blood circulation on such a thin film-shaped insole may be easily separated therefrom.

In addition, most of bosses for acupressure obtained through an embossing process take the shape of small projections. Accordingly, when the bosses are subjected to compression for a long time, they may not be restored to their original shapes or may not uniformly perform acupressure on the entire sole of a wearer's foot, so that there is a possibility that the acupressure effects are locally limited or the effects of the bosses can hardly meet the wearer's expectations.

SUMMARY OF THE INVENTION The present invention is conceived to solve the aforementioned problems. An object of the present invention is to provide a traditional moccasin with good durability, wherein discharge passages through which harmful substances such as heat, sweat, moisture and the like can be vented outside via a midsole between a bottom surface of the uppers and an outsole are provided so as to present a wearer with comfortable and agreeable walking conditions for a long time, the discharge passages are configured to perform multiple functions including a function of introducing and circulating outside air into and in the moccasin, repetitive and permanent air cushioning bosses are formed on a portion of a surface of a midsole corresponding to a front part of the bottom of the moccasin subjected to large impacts during walking so that sufficient cushioning effects can be indirectly transmitted to the wearer through the bottom surface of the uppers, and separate cushioning portions are formed integrally with the midsole to have configurations corresponding to the shape of an arch of the wearer's foot at positions corresponding thereto so that the cushioning effects can also be indirectly transmitted to the wearer through the bottom surface of the uppers at the positions corresponding to the arch, whereby the multiple functions of discharging harmful substances, circulating air and absorbing impacts are integrally imparted to the moccasin upon manufacture thereof so that bad smells and disease germs can be eliminated, skin diseases such as athlete's foot can be prevented, and comfortable and safe conditions for the foot can be always maintained through effective absorption of sweat. Another object of the present invention is to provide a moccasin, wherein various functional means are not optionally but originally incorporated into the moccasin to maintain their consistency and to minimize their exposure to the outside so that change of the external appearance can be prevented.

According to the present invention for achieving the objects, there is provided a moccasin including predetermined air circulation paths visually exposed to the outside and defined between an arch portion of a bottom surface of uppers and a midsole by putting fixing uppers over front and rear portions of the uppers except for the arch portion of the bottom surface of the uppers and by uniting the fixing uppers with the midsole, comprising a midsole including a plurality of protruding air-cushioning bosses with enclosed hollow spaces defined therein which are formed integrally with a front portion of a top surface of the midsole so as to perform an air cushioning function while being resiliently operated with compression generated during walking, separate left and right cushioning portions with single enclosed hollow spaces defined therein or with a plurality of cushioning pieces which are formed integrally with the midsole at positions and in the shape corresponding to the position and the curved shape of the arch portion so as to perform another air cushioning function, and one or more communicating space portions formed in a longitudinal direction of the midsole along a space between the left and right cushioning portions, and an outsole with guide grooves formed on a top surface of the outsole so as to traverse bottom faces of the communicating space portions directly below the communicating space portions so that the communicating space portions can communicate with the exterior of the moccasin. The fixing uppers, midsole and outsole are integrally bonded and sewed with one another.

At this time, it is preferred that air from the communicating space portions circulate even through spaces between the respective bosses.

Furthermore, it is also preferred that the bosses be arranged in such a spacing range that each of the respective bosses does not interfere with adjacent bosses due to its expanded diameter upon maximum compression thereof.

BRIEF DESCRIPTION OF THE DRAWINGS

The above and other objects and features of the present invention will become apparent from the following description of a preferred embodiment given in conjunction with the accompanying drawings, in which:

FIG. 1 is an exploded perspective view showing the overall configuration of a moccasin according to the present invention;

FIG. 2 is a perspective view showing the external appearance of a finished moccasin according to the present invention;

FIG. 3 is a side view of the moccasin shown in FIG. 2;

FIG. 4a is a sectional view of the moccasin taken along line B-B in FIG. 2; FIG. 4b is a sectional view of the moccasin take along line C-C in FIG. 2; FIG. 5 is a side view of a midsole showing bosses on an enlarged scale; and FIG. 6 is an enlarged view of a midsole of the moccasin shown in FIG. 1.

DESCRIPTION OF THE PREFERRED EMBODIMENTS

Hereinafter, a preferred embodiment of the present invention will be explained in detail with reference to the accompanying drawings.

FIG. 1 is an exploded perspective view showing the configuration of a moccasin according to the present invention. As shown in the figure, a moccasin 100 comprises an upper part 10 and a lower part 20 which are separately manufactured. The upper part 10 is constructed in such a manner that uppers 11 and a bottom surface of the uppers 11 defining the external appearance of the moccasin are integrally formed by processing a large sheet of leather, reinforcing portions 12a for a shoelace are provided on both sides of an instep of a wearer's foot, and additional fixing uppers 12 for reinforcement are put over front/rear portions of the uppers 11 (e.g., toe and heel portions of a shoe) except for an arch portion A (air circulation portion). The lower part 20 comprises an outsole 12 that is made of a strong and durable material and has nonskid features on the bottom thereof facing the ground, and a midsole 22 that will be intimately sewn with the fixing uppers 12 of the upper part 10 and bonded to the outsole 21. FIGS. 2 and 3 are perspective and side views showing, by way of example, the external appearance of the moccasin constructed as above, respectively.

The structure of a midsole 22 comprises the most essential components of the present invention. The midsole 22 is made of soft polyurethane foam or phylon (ethylene vinyl acetate with a low specific weight). A plurality of protruding bosses 23 are formed integrally with and on a front portion of a top surface of the midsole corresponding to a front portion of a wearer's foot except for outer peripheral surface portions defined as attached and seamed surface portions and the arch and heel portions of the moccasin, so that the bosses 23 act as air cushioning means with enclosed hollow spaces defined therein by being resiliently operated with compression generated during walking and simultaneously perform acupressure on the sole of wearer's foot in response to compression force applied by the wearer's foot. The bosses 23 are required to have a structure enabling the bosses themselves to hold sufficient air therein. Each of the bosses 23 has a diameter d of about 8 mm and a height h of about 5 mm measured from the top surface of the midsole. The spacing distance e between edges of the bosses is 3 mm such that air in the enclosed spaces can also circulate through spaces defined between the bosses. Further, it should be considered that the bosses are arranged in such a spacing range that each of the bosses 23 does not interfere with adjacent bosses due to its expanded diameter upon maximum compression thereof in the course of compression of respective bosses. Moreover, as shown in FIG. 6, separate left and right cushioning portions 24 and

24a with sufficiently large sizes are formed integrally with and on the midsole 22 as single enclosed hollow spaces or a plurality of cushioning pieces so as to realize shock absorption of the air cushioning function in the same manner as the bosses 23 at the positions and in the shape corresponding to those of the arch that is a curved portion of the wearer's foot. Accordingly, the left and right cushioning portions 24 and 24a can stably support loads applied by the foot. Preferably, in the arch portion A, the size and height of the left cushioning portion 24 are about twice as large as those of the right cushioning portion 24a. It is preferred that the height / of the left cushioning portion 24 measured from a bottom surface of the midsole be about 20 mm, and that the height m of the right cushioning portion 24a measured from the bottom surface of the midsole be about 10 mm.

Furthermore, one or more communicating space portions 25 are formed in a longitudinal direction of the midsole along a space between both of the left and right cushioning portions 24 and 24a. For illustrative purposes, two communicating space portions are arranged in a middle section of the midsole and one in a heel section^' thereof. However, it will be apparent that it is not limited thereto.

A plurality of guide grooves 21a, which traverse bottom faces of the communicating space portions 25, are formed on a top surface of the outsole 21 that will be in close contact with the bottom faces of the communicating space portions 25, so that the communicating space portions can communicate with the exterior of the moccasin. Thus, discharge of foreign substances and circulation of air are facilitated. Such functions can be achieved by defining air circulation paths 30 between the midsole 22 and the arch portion A of the bottom surface 1 lb of the uppers 11.

FIG. 4a is a sectional view of the moccasin of the present invention taken along line B-B in FIG. 2, and FIG. 4b is a sectional view of the moccasin taken along line C-C in FIG. 2. The operations of the moccasin of the present invention will be described in more detail with reference to these figures.

The air cushioning bosses 23 and the communicating space portions 25 that are formed on the midsole 22 of the moccasin 100 according to the present invention are not exposed to the outside because the fixing uppers 12 and the midsole 22 are sewn with each other. Only the left and right cushioning portions 24 and 24a are exposed to the outside through side portions between the bottom surface of the uppers l ib and the top surface of the outsole. Ends of the guide grooves 21a are exposed to the outside at the bottom of the left and right cushioning portions 24 and 24a, i.e. at both sides of the top surface of the outsole 21.

The bosses 23 with the enclosed hollow spaces defined therein are formed integrally with the midsole 22 and resiliently operated to provide the cushioning function. It is preferred that the height h of each of the bosses 23 from the top surface of the midsole

22 to a top end of the boss be maintained to be about 5 mm. However, it will be apparent that it is not limited thereto.

According to the present invention constructed as above, uniform pressure can be transmitted to the entire foot through the bottom surface lib of the uppers 11 by means of air compressive cushioning and acupressure effects when a wearer wears the moccasin according to the present invention. Thus, fatigue can be relieved and blood circulation can be facilitated during walking. Since changes in the heights of the compressed bosses

23 are different from one another, smooth expansion and contraction of the bosses are accomplished during walking. Thus, even though a wearer walks for a long time, he/she will feel comfortable without fatigue. Particularly, in addition to the cushioning function of the bosses, the compressive contact of the sole of foot with the bosses 23 prevents the sole of foot from being slipped thereon so that damage to or blister formation on skin of the sole of foot can be prevented. When the bosses 23 are pressed, the bosses 23 can completely exhibit their whole elasticity since they can volumetrically expand without interfering with adjacent bosses 23. It will be considered that the same functions can be performed by the left and right cushioning portions 24 and 24a of the arch portion A. Before or during walking, the left and right cushioning portions 24 and 24a support the arch of the wearer's foot so that more comfortable wearing conditions can be maintained. Further, fresh air can be introduced through the air circulation paths 30 so that bad smells, sweat, moisture and the like generated during walking for a long time can be adequately discharged or eliminated. On the other hand, in a case where other foreign substances are introduced through the air circulation paths 30, they are gathered in the communicating space portions 25 and then discharged to the outside through the guide grooves 21a. These operations can be smoothly carried out by the expansion and contraction of the moccasin 100 itself during walking.

Accordingly, the present invention has advantages in that comfortable and safe walking conditions can be ensured when a wearer wears the moccasin, reliability of the moccasin can be guaranteed and satisfaction of the wearer can be maximized by means of the midsole with the improved structure for performing multiple functions of discharging harmful substances, circulating air, absorbing impacts, performing acupressure and preventing a slip.

Although the present invention has been described in connection with the preferred embodiment thereof shown in the accompanying drawings, it is not limited thereto. It will be apparent that those skilled in the art can make various changes and modifications thereto without departing from the scope and spirit of the present invention defined by the claims.

Claims

What is claimed is:

1. A moccasin including predetermined air circulation paths exposed to the outside and defined between an arch portion of a bottom surface of uppers and a midsole by putting fixing uppers over front and rear portions of the uppers except for the arch portion of the bottom surface of the uppers and by uniting the fixing uppers with the midsole, comprising: a midsole including a plurality of protruding bosses formed integrally with a front portion of a top surface of the midsole so as to perform an air cushioning function while being resiliently operated with compression generated during walking, separate left and right cushioning portions formed integrally with the midsole at positions and in the shape corresponding to the position and the curved shape of the arch portion so as to perform another air cushioning function, and one or more communicating space portions formed in a longitudinal direction of the midsole along a space between the left and right cushioning portions, and an outsole with guide grooves formed on a top surface of the outsole so as to traverse bottom faces of the communicating space portions directly below the communicating space portions so that the communicating space portions can communicate with the exterior of the moccasin, wherein the uppers, midsole and outsole are integrally bonded and sewed with one another.

2. The moccasin as claimed in claim 1, wherein the bosses are arranged in such a spacing range that each of the bosses does not interfere with adjacent bosses due to its expanded diameter upon maximum compression thereof.

3. The moccasin as claimed in claim 1, wherein the bosses are constructed to have enclosed hollow spaces defined therein so as to hold sufficient air therein, whereby the bosses provide a cushioning function by being resiliently operated during walking.

4. The moccasin as claimed in claim 1, wherein the left and right cushioning portions are separately formed on portions of the top surface of the midsole corresponding to the arch portion, the midsole being bonded and sewn between and with the fixing uppers and the outsole.

5. The moccasin as claimed in claim 1, wherein the left and right cushioning portions are exposed to the outside through side portions between the bottom surface of the uppers and the top surface of the midsole.

6. The moccasin as claimed in claim 1, wherein the left and right cushioning portions are constructed to have single enclosed hollow spaces defined therein or to include a plurality of cushioning pieces that can hold sufficient air therein, whereby they can provide a cushioning function by being resiliently operated during walking.

7. The moccasin as claimed in claim 1, wherein the size and height of the left cushioning portion are about twice as large as those of the right cushioning portion.

8. The moccasin as claimed in claim 1, wherein the midsole is made of soft polyurethane foam or phylon (ethylene vinyl acetate with a low specific weight).