EP0625012A1

EP0625012A1 - Shoe sole designed as a separate insert or as a sole element joined to the shoe.

Info

Publication number: EP0625012A1
Application number: EP93902073A
Authority: EP
Inventors: Ute Juergens
Original assignee: Individual
Current assignee: Individual
Priority date: 1992-02-07
Filing date: 1993-02-02
Publication date: 1994-11-23
Anticipated expiration: 2013-02-02
Also published as: EP0625012B1; DE4203461A1; CZ189794A3; DE59306677D1; JPH07503390A; WO1993015623A1; RU94045969A; ES2105214T3; AU3344493A; ATE153835T1; CA2129424A1; HUT69115A; HU9402259D0

Abstract

The shoe sole proposed is made of flexible to stiff elastic material. It has a generally smooth surface which is shaped to match the sole of the foot. The sole has a reservoir (20) for a substance which produces a cooling effect. The reservoir (20) is connected via a line (22) to an outlet (34) located in the surface (28) of the sole. Fitted in the line (22) is a valve (24) associated with a control element (26) which, when the temperature exceeds a given threshold value, opens the valve (24) and is located in such a position on the surface (28) of the sole that it comes in contact with the sole of the foot.

Description

Description: footbed of a shoe in the form of a separate footbed insert or a footbed part connected to a shoe

The invention relates to a footbed according to the preamble of patent claim 1. It relates to a footbed of the individual movement space shoe in the form of a separate footbed insert or a footbed part connected to a shoe, which is made from a resilient to hard rubber-elastic material and has a generally smooth surface adapted to the sole of the human foot and which ensures blood circulation around the foot, especially in the toes, in order to permit general and specific metabolic processes with their interaction mechanisms. Due to the individual body weight and the individual body statics, this footbed gives the impression of the individual footprint of the user and maintains it in order to locate the positive effect on general and specific metabolic processes as individually as possible (see FIG. 7 of DE-A- 39 02 207). The invention is based on the phylogenetic-energetic preparation and continuation of the topic "walking" of a cultural-historical nature.

Footbeds of shoes are generally, like the footbed of the type mentioned, provided with a smooth surface which is more or less well adapted to the shape of a human foot sole. They serve to support the foot as evenly as possible over the entire surface of the footbed, but at the same time to give the foot a certain guidance and thus a supportive hold. A footbed insert made of a resilient material can take part in the rolling process of the foot with every step, dampen or absorb the tread energy, convert or reduce excess movement energy into another form of energy. In this way it can distribute the still existing potential of kinetic energy, kinetic energy, over the foot in order to use it again for the next step. to be able to use horse riding specifically. The supporting parts of the sole of the foot are supported. The footbeds made of stiff material do not make this possible, with them at least the heel of a foot lifts off with every step and then comes back into contact with the footbed. In the case of footbeds of the type mentioned at the beginning, the sole of the foot is in constant contact with the footbed, the more adapted it is.

The term "shoe" is understood to mean footwear in its most general form, for example street shoes, sneakers, boots, sandals, slippers, gymnastic shoes, etc. The footbed is normally in one piece for a shoe and extends from the heel to the toes However, it is also possible to subdivide the footbed into two or more sections, one of which, for example, supports the heel, the other the area of the toes, etc. The footbed can be exchangeable or firmly connected to the shoe.

From the documents US-A-4 109 661, GB-A-1 553 415 and GB-A-2 046 579, footbeds of the type mentioned at the outset are known which have projections on their surface at selected areas. These are assigned to vital points on the sole of a foot. Furthermore, from DE-A 39 02 207, a footbed of the type mentioned, in which the all¬ common smooth surface has at least one trough-like design and with respect to the (undisturbed) surface recessed, local Vertie ^¬ Fung, which along its entire Edge softly rounded opens into the surface and has a base a few millimeters lower than the undisturbed surface. A nub protrudes from this base, the free tip of which lies essentially in the course of the (undisturbed) surface.

In this known arrangement (DE-A-39 02 207), a (area-insignificant) part of the sole of the human foot remains unsupported by the footbed. The recess is carried out so that, because of their soft rounded edge of a gradual transition from a Unterstüt¬ wetting takes place in a non-support, which energy storage of a Bewegungsener¬, kinetic energy, prevents or avoids these and ^'aimed so the overall strength development, Power development, strength maintenance is usable. The knobs create a specifically specified point or a small one The area of the sole of the foot is influenced in terms of pressure, here stimulation or positive motivation of metabolic processes takes place via main nerve massage. The area of the sole of the foot supported by the knobs receives essentially constant pressure when standing, which leads to continuous natural changes in posture. When walking or running, he receives repeated stimulation.

In the footbed of the type mentioned in the user shows a desired individual response, for. B. local warming. This heating preferably occurs in areas in which the sole of the foot is stimulated by protrusions, for example the knobs described. However, overheating, depending on the individual, may also be possible at other locations.

Excessive local heating, such as increased temperature of individual override, triggered by metabolic processes, affects the comfort when using the footbed and changes the feeling of comfort for the user. This in turn has an influence on the targeted treatment of partial areas of the sole of the foot due to their special design and shape.

The local heating occurs only after a certain time after putting on the shoe, which is equipped with a footbed of the type mentioned at the beginning. The targeted motivation of specific areas of the sole of the foot ensures the restoration and maintenance of the energy flow of kinetic energy, kinetic energy, due to the desired resolution of energy blockages / energy congestion. The user feels a gradual transition from an initially normal temperature to local warming. The local warming can basically occur through contact of the foot with the footbed, for example when standing, but it can also only occur when walking, running or the like. The local warming can be demonstrated on the basis of the increase in the temperature of the sole of the foot in the relevant area of the sole of the foot.

This is where the invention begins. It has set itself the task of developing a footbed of the type mentioned at the outset in such a way that the local heating above the body which occurs some time after the shoe, which is equipped with such a footbed, has been put on. - 4th -

temperature is eliminated.

Starting from the footbed of the type mentioned, this object is achieved in that the footbed has a storage container for a cooling (cold) generating substance, that this storage container is connected via a line to an outlet valve which opens onto the surface of the footbed and that a valve in this conduit is provided which is associated with a control organ, which is arranged on the surface of the foot ^¬ bed so that it comes into contact with the foot sole of a foot, and briefly the Tem¬ temperature the valve upon exceeding a predetermined threshold value opens.

In the footbed according to the invention, individual areas of the sole of a person are cooled in a very targeted manner. The cooling always takes place only when the control element of the valve detects a temperature in a first partial area of the sole of the foot which is above a threshold value. If such a temperature is detected, that is a local Erwär ^¬ before mung, the control member opens the valve for a short time and it occurs at the mouth of the conduit from a small amount of the cryogenic substance. This leads to local cooling, which is signaled to the specific organ via the central nervous system and where the information is processed, applied and converted and controlled accordingly.

The mouth of the line can be arranged in the immediate vicinity of the control ^element , but also at a distance from it. In any case, the point is that Tem ^¬ detected temperature of the sole of the means of the control member of the valve, in a close relationship to that location of the footbed, which is located above the mouth and is actively cooled, when the valve opens shortly.

The invention is based on the well-known idea that each ^¬ the portion of the sole of the foot of a human organ can be assigned. This makes use of the foot zone reflex massage, for example. The goal is to resolve energy blockages and optimal Ver ^¬ processing or stimuli and information to achieve the best possible Organ¬ circulation and thus an unhindered flow of life energy ^¬ to promote kinetic energy, kinetic energy. By Vermei ^¬ the local warming, heat accumulation and overheating of parts of the foot Sole remains the state that existed at the beginning of the wearing process of the footbed. There is therefore no excessive heating of parts of the sole of the foot, the symmetry-breaking processes of kinetic energy are not impaired but promoted. Due to the natural bone metabolism proceeds undisturbed through wo¬ also kratentwickelnde, kraftentfaltende, force-maintaining Abläu ^¬ fe are ensured. The feeling of wear that is initially available to the user during a wearing process is largely retained.

A combination of the cooling arrangement according to the invention with the teaching of DE-A-39 02 207 by the applicant has proven to be very advantageous. The content of the disclosure of this patent application is part of the disclosure of the present application. After that, the individual footbed has a local depression in which a pimple protrudes. It has now proven to be advantageous to arrange the control element for the valve in the top of this projection. The mouth of the line, can flow out from the cold-generating substance is advantageously provided in the Vertie ^¬ evaporation and therefore in the vicinity of the knob, but it may be at another location of the footbed, be arranged Fung, for example, at another Vertie¬.

The storage container for the substance is preferably located in the sole itself and, if it is emptied, can be replaced together with it. The reservoir has transparent in a preferred Ausfüh¬ approximate shape, flexible walls, for example it is made of abbauba ^¬ rer (environmentally friendly) clear plastic film. The substance itself is colored or stained. The reservoir is at least partly visible, it is preferably left a ^¬ into the bottom of the footbed. In this way it can be determined at any time that is still filled before ^¬ storage container or if it is empty. When the reservoir is empty, the foot bed (in the form of an insole) or at least the Kühlvor ^¬ direction is exchanged.

The substance that is responsible for the generation of cold consists of one or two components. In the case of a one-component substance, a chemically largely neutral compound is chosen that has a low boiling point, for example difluorodichloromethane or difluorochloromethane. In the case of a two-component substance, the Both components are supplied to the valve under pressure and brought together in the valve. You then flow to the mouth via the common remaining piece of the line. Cold is maintained here by a chemical reaction between the two components and / or by heat of vaporization. The pressure can be generated by the substance or component itself, by a propellant and / or by loading the storage container by the weight of the user.

The line between the storage container and the mouth is chosen so narrow or the passage through the valve is dimensioned so small that each time the valve is opened, which takes place only over a short period of time, only a small amount, but sufficient for cooling Substance can leak from the mouth. The storage container, line and valve are permanently sealed so that no leaks can occur during normal operation. It is not intended to be able to refill or replace the storage container separately.

It has proven to be particularly advantageous to design the valve as a metering or portioning valve. When the valve is triggered by the control element, a metered amount of the substance (or mixture of substances) is dispensed. Valves which are constructed, for example, in the manner of a vane pump, a gear pump, etc., are suitable for this. This ensures that the valve normally closes to the outlet, so that the substance cannot evaporate or react chemically as long as the valve is closed. Only when the valve is opened is a predetermined amount of the substance released to the outlet.

Further advantages and features of the invention emerge from the remaining claims and the following description of a non-restrictive exemplary embodiment which is explained in more detail with reference to the drawing. In this show:

, Tung Fig. 1 is a perspective view of a footbed of a shoe, which is made rial here for clarity from a completely transparen th Mate ^¬ with inventive Kühlvorrich,

Fig. 2 is a perspective view of a cooling device, as used in the embodiment of FIG. 1 and Fig. 3 is a perspective view of a cooling device with two storage containers.

The footbed acc. 1 is shown in a completely transparent manner in order to be able to better illustrate and recognize the cooling device embedded in the footbed and to be discussed in more detail below. Normally, foot beds are not made of transparent material, but of leather, rubber, a non-transparent plastic or the like. The structure of a footbed is known per se and is fundamentally not changed by the present invention. For a description of the footbed, reference is made, for example, to DE-A-39 02 207, already mentioned at the beginning.

In the body of the footbed acc. 1, which is designed as an insole in the exemplary embodiment shown, a storage container 20 is embedded in the heel area. As can be seen from FIG. 1, it has an essentially pillow shape with almost square dimensions, which are approximately 45 by 45 mm. The storage container 20 is made of flexible plastic film, which forms a closed, sealed container by bending and welding. The storage container 20 is filled with a substance which has a high heat of vaporization and / or reacts endothermically when exiting with a second substance from a further storage container (see FIG. 3) or from the environment (air, sweat). The storage container 20 is permanently incorporated into the footbed (FIG. 1) or can be exchanged together with the complete cooling device (FIG. 2) in such a way that at least part of its downward-facing surface remains visible. The substance has a color or is colored. By looking at the lower surface of the footbed, one can check whether the storage container 20 is still filled.

Since the footbed is made of an elastic material and / or the reservoir 20 protrudes downward from the bottom surface of the footbed, pressure is applied to the reservoir 20 when the footbed is used. This pressure can occur continuously, namely when standing, but it can also occur periodically, for example when walking or running. This ensures that the substance in the reservoir 20 is under pressure, and only when the footbed is actually in use.

In another embodiment, the reservoir 20 is constantly under Pressure, for example under the pressure of the substance or an additional blowing agent. In this case, the footbed can also be largely rigid and it is not necessary for the storage container 20 to protrude downward from the lower surface of the footbed.

A line 22, which has relatively small dimensions, is permanently connected to the storage container 20, for example its inner cross section is less than 2 square millimeters. It is made of a flexible plastic. A material similar to the material for the reservoir 20 is used.

A valve 24 is inserted into line 22. This valve 24 is actuated by a control member 26. The control device 26 is wesentli ^¬ chen, a heat sensor. Above a predetermined temperature threshold value, for example 38 ° C., this heat sensor mechanically (preferably) or in some other way, for example electrically, issues a control command to the valve 24, which then carries out an opening and closing stroke, and thereby passes a predetermined amount of the substance.

In a preferred embodiment, the control element 26 is formed in a ^manner similar to that of the control elements of radiator thermostatic valves. In this case, the control member 26 consists of a small expansion tank which is connected to the valve 24 via a (flexible) pipeline. In the expansion vessel and in the pipeline there is a liquid with a high coefficient of thermal expansion, while the expansion coefficient of the expansion vessel and pipeline is as low as possible. The liquid column acts directly on the valve 24. If the temperature of the liquid in the expansion vessel now reaches a predetermined threshold value, this is associated with an expansion which leads to the valve 24 being actuated.

The valve 24 is designed as a portioning valve. It is actuated by the control member 26 for a short period of time. The valve has, for example, a tappet which is guided in a sleeve in a sealed manner. The plunger has a radial recess. In the closed position, the plunger is drawn to the line on the reservoir side such that the recess protrudes from the sleeve and is surrounded by the supply of substance. Due to the sealed guides of the plunger inside the sleeve, the substance cannot pass through the valve. When the valve is triggered _ _g _

If the plunger moves through the sleeve until the recess reaches the other end of the sleeve, then the amount of substance in it can flow out or react. After a certain period of time, which depends on how long the substance needs to flow out of the recess or volatilize, the plunger is withdrawn again. This allows the recess to fill again with substance, which is then released again during a further dispensing process.

In another embodiment, the valve has an impeller with a few chambers, which are rotated in succession from an inlet to an outlet, or a gearwheel.

The valve 24 is actuated by the pressure of the substance in the storage container 20. It is triggered by the control member 26. In another embodiment, the control member 26 also supplies the energy to actuate the valve, for example in the embodiment described above tion of the control member 26 with a liquid.

The control member 26 is arranged in the region of the surface 28 of the footbed so that the foot of a user comes into contact with the control member 26. Thereby, the control member 26 can detect the temperature of the sole of a user's foot at a predetermined point.

In a particularly preferred embodiment, which is not to be understood as restrictive, the control member 26 is arranged in the region of the free dome of a knob 30, which projects centrally in one of the local recesses 32 that spring back against the undisturbed surface of the footbed. For this, reference is made to the already mentioned DE-A-39 02 702. The tip of the knob 30 lies essentially in the course of the undisturbed surface of the footbed.

In another embodiment, the control member 26 is embedded in the surface of the footbed without a depression being provided in its vicinity.

The material of the footbed has low thermal heat conduction, for example it is made of electrically insulating material. To this Way is a rapid temperature equalization within the footbed ent ^¬ acted against, but 26 detects the control member locally tempera ture ^¬ a particular region of the sole of the foot of a user.

At the other end of the line 22 there is an orifice 34. It is arranged in the surface of the footbed and directed upwards, towards the foot of a user. In the embodiment of Fig. 1 in the region of the mouth a small depression is hen vorgese ^¬ in the surface of the footbed, in the range of the mouth of a funnel shape to enlarge the outlet of the conduit.

In another embodiment, the mouth 34 is formed in the tip of a nub ^¬ pen 30, which is surrounded by a depression 32 in the sense discussed above, or in the depression 32 itself.

Fig. 2 shows the cooling device described. The storage container 20 has flexible walls and is completely flat in the emptied state, so it then has no internal volume. The conduit 22, which is seen on both sides of the valve 24 before ^¬ has any length and is permanently or connected before ^¬ storage container 20 with valve 24, for example by welding or gluing. The valve 24 is made as small as possible.

The reservoir is exhausted 20, the entire A ^¬ lay sole is usually discarded and replaced with a new one. But you can also provide the cooling device according to. 2 can be separated from the insole, for example by pressing into an undercut, elastically limited recess in the lower surface of the insole. Then it is not necessary to replace the body of the footbed.

3 finally shows an arrangement with two storage containers 20, 21. They are each connected to a valve 24 via a line belonging to them. This is carried out so that those substances contained in the two tern Vorratsbehäl ^¬ 20 21 just downstream of the valve 24 to come into contact with each other ^¬. For example, the valve has two sleeves and two plunger of the type described above. Downstream of the valve 24 to react the two substances in the two storage containers 20, 21 with ^¬ one another and form a mixture with high heat of vaporization and / or endothermic property. It is also possible in the exemplary embodiment according to FIGS. 1 and 2 to connect a plurality of storage containers 20 in parallel; the storage containers do not necessarily have to have a volume of zero in the emptied state, in particular when filled with environmentally harmless propellant gas.

Claims

Expectations

1. footbed of a shoe in the form of a separate sockliner or affiliated with a shoe Fußbetteils, which is made of a resilient to hard-rubber elastic material and a sole of the foot adapted, having generally smooth surface, since by gekennzeich ^¬ net that the footbed a reservoir ( 20) for a substance that generates cooling (cold), that this storage container (20) is connected via a line (22) to an outlet (34) which opens onto the surface (28) of the footbed and that line (22 ) a valve (24) is provided, to which a control element (26) is assigned, which opens the valve (24) when a predetermined threshold value of the temperature is exceeded and is arranged on the surface (28) of the footbed so that it comes into contact with the sole of a foot comes.

2. Footbed according to claim 1, characterized in that the footbed has at least one trough-shaped and recessed relative to the (undisturbed) surface (28), local depression (32) which is softly rounded along its edge into the surface ( 28) einmün ^¬ det and a few millimeters lower than the undisturbed surface lie¬ constricting base has, from a knob (30) projects, in its free tip, which is substantially in the course of the (undisturbed) surface (28), the Control member (26) is arranged.

3. A foot support according to claim 1 or 2, characterized is that the Vor¬ storage container (20) stoffolie of a flexible material, in particular an art ^¬ manufactured.

4. Footbed according to one of claims 1 to 3, characterized in that the storage container (20) is at a location below the Fußsoh le angeord¬ net, which is burdened by the sole of the foot when walking.

5. Footbed according to one of claims 1 to 4, characterized in that the mouth (34) of the line (22) is arranged at a different location on the surface (28) of the footbed than the control gate (26) of the valve ( 24).

6. Footbed according to one of claims 1 to 5, characterized in that the substance is a two-component substance, that a separate storage container (20, 21) is provided for each component, each of which has its own line (22) with the Valve (24) is connected and that the valve (24) is connected via a single line for the mixture of the two components to the mouth (34).

7. footbed according to one of claims 1 to 6, characterized in that the substance in the reservoir (20) is liquid to pasty-liquid sig.

8. Footbed according to one of claims 1 to 7, characterized in that the substance has a high specific heat of vaporization.

9. footbed according to one of claims 1 to 8, characterized in that it has only one mouth (34) of the line (22).

10. Footbed according to one of claims 1 to 9, characterized in that the valve (24) releases a predetermined amount of substance towards the mouth (34) with each actuation.