Vacuum Release Mechanism for a Footwear Article

The present invention relates generally to the field of footwear, and more particularly to a vacuum release mechanism for a footwear article such as work, hiking and military style footwear for wet service.

When wearing boots in wet areas often these conditions can create a high viscosity mixture of soil or man-made mixtures such as concrete. This can cause the boot to become extremely hard or impossible to pull out when stepping into these mixtures. This is caused by vacuum created on the sole of the boot as the user tries to lift their feet. This will cause a lack of mobility, is annoying and in some circumstances can be dangerous. A construction worker may not be able to avoid moving equipment or a soldier may not be able to find cover from gun fire in time to avoid harm.

In concordance and agreement with the present disclosure, a vacuum release mechanism for a footwear article, has surprisingly been designed.

A need exists to provide footwear, for example boots, which can minimize and/or eliminate vacuum thereby preventing the footwear from becoming stuck when walking or working in high viscosity materials. The addition of one or more check valves placed in the footwear relieves this vacuum. The check valves allow higher atmospheric pressure to equalize pressure between the top of the footwear and vacuum on the sole of the footwear. This destroys the vacuum that sticks the footwear in the viscous fluid. When the footwear is worn in low viscosity areas such as water, the check valves keep water or other low viscosity liquids from entering the footwear.

In one embodiment, a vacuum release mechanism for a footwear article, comprises: at least one check valve disposed in at least one fluid passageway formed in a sole of a footwear article, wherein the at least one fluid passageway fluidly connects an exterior environment with an interior of the footwear article.

In another embodiment, a footwear article, comprises: a sole including an insole and an outsole; an upper coupled to the sole, wherein the insole and the upper defines an interior of the footwear article; and a vacuum release mechanism disposed in the sole, the vacuum release mechanism comprising: at least one check valve disposed in at least one fluid passageway formed in the sole of the footwear article, wherein the at least one fluid passageway fluidly connects an exterior environment with the interior of the footwear article.

As aspects of some embodiments, the footwear article forms part of a waterproof garment.

As aspects of some embodiments, the at least one fluid passageway is fluidly connected to a tube having an end open to the exterior environment.

As aspects of some embodiments, an entirety of the at least one fluid passageway is formed in the sole of the footwear article.

As aspects of some embodiments, the at least one fluid passageway is formed at an angle through the sole of the footwear article.

As aspects of some embodiments, a plurality of check valves is disposed in a plurality of fluid passageways formed in the sole of the footwear article, and wherein each of the fluid passageways is separate and fluidly disconnected from one another.

As aspects of some embodiments, a plurality of check valves is disposed in a plurality of fluid passageways formed in the sole of the footwear article, and wherein at least two of the fluid passageways are fluidly connected to one another.

As aspects of some embodiments, the at least one fluid passageway forms a linear flow path through the sole of the footwear article.

As aspects of some embodiments, an end opening of the at least one fluid passageway is formed in a face of a heel of the footwear article.

As aspects of some embodiments, an end opening of the at least one fluid passageway is at an angle to an outsole of the footwear article.

As aspects of some embodiments, an end opening of the at least fluid passageway is oblique to an outsole of the footwear article.

As aspects of some embodiments, an end opening of the at least one fluid passage way is relatively coplanar with an interior surface of an insole of the footwear article.

As aspects of some embodiments, the at least one check valve in a first position militates against a flow of fluid therethrough when the footwear article is unrestrained, and wherein the at least one check valve in a second position permits the flow of fluid therethrough when the footwear article is restrained by a vacuum.

As aspects of some embodiments, the at least one check valve is one of a piston-type check valve, a ball-type check valve, a diaphragm-type check valve, a swing-type check valve, a spring-type check valve, and a duckbill-type check valve.

As aspects of some embodiments, the at least one check valve is retained in the at least one fluid passageway by one of an interference fit, a threaded engagement, and at least one retaining element.

As aspects of some embodiments, a substantially fluid tight seal is formed between the at least one check valve and an inner surface of the at least one fluid passageway.

As aspects of some embodiments, the sole of the footwear article is produced from a self-sealing material that forms a substantially fluid-tight seal between the at least one check valve and an inner surface of the at least one fluid passageway.

As aspects of some embodiments, the vacuum release mechanism further comprises a sealing element to form a substantially fluid-tight seal between the at least one check valve and an inner surface of the at least one fluid passageway.

As aspects of some embodiments, the check valve is replaceable.

Further areas of applicability will become apparent from the description provided herein. The description and specific examples in this summary are intended for purposes of illustration only and are not intended to limit the scope of the present disclosure.

The following description of technology is merely exemplary in nature of the subject matter, manufacture and use of one or more disclosures, and is not intended to limit the scope, application, or uses of any specific disclosure claimed in this application or in such other applications as may be filed claiming priority to this application, or patents issuing therefrom. Regarding methods disclosed, the order of the steps presented is exemplary in nature, and thus, the order of the steps can be different in various embodiments. “A” and “an” as used herein indicate “at least one” of the item is present; a plurality of such items may be present, when possible. Except where otherwise expressly indicated, all numerical quantities in this description are to be understood as modified by the word “about” and all geometric and spatial descriptors are to be understood as modified by the word “substantially” in describing the broadest scope of the technology. “About” when applied to numerical values indicates that the calculation or the measurement allows some slight imprecision in the value (with some approach to exactness in the value; approximately or reasonably close to the value; nearly). If, for some reason, the imprecision provided by “about” and/or “substantially” is not otherwise understood in the art with this ordinary meaning, then “about” and/or “substantially” as used herein indicates at least variations that may arise from ordinary methods of measuring or using such parameters.

All documents, including patents, patent applications, and scientific literature cited in this detailed description are incorporated herein by reference, unless otherwise expressly indicated. Where any conflict or ambiguity may exist between a document incorporated by reference and this detailed description, the present detailed description controls.

Although the open-ended term “comprising,” as a synonym of non-restrictive terms such as including, containing, or having, is used herein to describe and claim embodiments of the present technology, embodiments may alternatively be described using more limiting terms such as “consisting of” or “consisting essentially of.” Thus, for any given embodiment reciting materials, components, or process steps, the present technology also specifically includes embodiments consisting of, or consisting essentially of, such materials, components, or process steps excluding additional materials, components or processes (for consisting of) and excluding additional materials, components or processes affecting the significant properties of the embodiment (for consisting essentially of), even though such additional materials, components or processes are not explicitly recited in this application. For example, recitation of a composition or process reciting elements A, B and C specifically envisions embodiments consisting of, and consisting essentially of, A, B and C, excluding an element D that may be recited in the art, even though element D is not explicitly described as being excluded herein.

As referred to herein, all compositional percentages are by weight of the total composition, unless otherwise specified. Disclosures of ranges are, unless specified otherwise, inclusive of endpoints and include all distinct values and further divided ranges within the entire range. Thus, for example, a range of “from A to B” or “from about A to about B” is inclusive of A and of B. Disclosure of values and ranges of values for specific parameters (such as amounts, weight percentages, etc.) are not exclusive of other values and ranges of values useful herein. It is envisioned that two or more specific exemplified values for a given parameter may define endpoints for a range of values that may be claimed for the parameter. For example, if Parameter X is exemplified herein to have value A and also exemplified to have value Z, it is envisioned that Parameter X may have a range of values from about A to about Z. Similarly, it is envisioned that disclosure of two or more ranges of values for a parameter (whether such ranges are nested, overlapping or distinct) subsume all possible combination of ranges for the value that might be claimed using endpoints of the disclosed ranges. For example, if Parameter X is exemplified herein to have values in the range of 1-10, or 2-9, or 3-8, it is also envisioned that Parameter X may have other ranges of values including 1-9, 1-8, 1-3, 1-2, 2-10, 2-8, 2-3, 3-10, 3-9, and so on.

When an element or layer is referred to as being “on,” “engaged to,” “connected to,” or “coupled to” another element or layer, it may be directly on, engaged, connected or coupled to the other element or layer, or intervening elements or layers may be present. In contrast, when an element is referred to as being “directly on,” “directly engaged to,” “directly connected to” or “directly coupled to” another element or layer, there may be no intervening elements or layers present. Other words used to describe the relationship between elements should be interpreted in a like fashion (e.g., “between” versus “directly between,” “adjacent” versus “directly adjacent,” etc.). As used herein, the term “and/or” includes any and all combinations of one or more of the associated listed items.

Although the terms first, second, third, etc. may be used herein to describe various elements, components, regions, layers and/or sections, these elements, components, regions, layers and/or sections should not be limited by these terms. These terms may be only used to distinguish one element, component, region, layer or section from another region, layer or section. Terms such as “first,” “second,” and other numerical terms when used herein do not imply a sequence or order unless clearly indicated by the context. Thus, a first element, component, region, layer or section discussed below could be termed a second element, component, region, layer or section without departing from the teachings of the example embodiments.

Spatially relative terms, such as “inner,” “outer,” “beneath,” “below,” “lower,” “above,” “upper,” and the like, may be used herein for ease of description to describe one element or feature's relationship to another element(s) or feature(s) as illustrated in the figures. Spatially relative terms may be intended to encompass different orientations of the device in use or operation in addition to the orientation depicted in the figures. For example, if the device in the figures is turned over, elements described as “below” or “beneath” other elements or features would then be oriented “above” the other elements or features. Thus, the example term “below” can encompass both an orientation of above and below. The device may be otherwise oriented (rotated 90 degrees or at other orientations) and the spatially relative descriptors used herein interpreted accordingly.

illustrate a vacuum release mechanism for a footwear articleaccording to an embodiment of the present disclosure. Typically, the footwear articleincludes a soleand an uppercoupled to the sole. It is understood that the soleand the uppermay be separate and distinct components of the footwear articleor be integrally formed as a single unit. The solemay comprise an insoleand an outsole. The upperand the insolemay define an interiorof the footwear article. A heelmay also be formed on a rear portion of the soleof the footwear article. It is understood that the heelmay be integrally formed with and become a part of the soleof the footwear article. In some embodiments, the footwear articlemay be a shoe, a boot, or any type of footwear that may be worn in high-viscosity material. In other embodiments, the footwear articlemay also form part of a waterproof garment such as waders, for example.

As illustrated, the footwear articlemay further include a vacuum release mechanism. The vacuum release mechanismmay include one or more check valvesdisposed in one or more fluid passagewaysformed in the soleand/or the heelof the footwear article. An entirety of the fluid passagewaysmay be formed in the soleand/or heelof the footwear article. In some embodiments, the fluid passagewaysmay be formed at an angle through the soleand/or the heel. The fluid passagewaysform flow paths through the soleand/or heelof the footwear articleand fluidly connect the interiorof the footwear articleto an exterior environment. Although the flow paths depicted are generally linear flow paths, it is understood that each of the flow paths formed by the fluid passagewaysmay have any shape, size, and configuration as desired.

Each of the fluid passagewaysmay be separate and fluidly disconnected from one another as more clearly shown in. It is understood, however, that in certain embodiments, at least two of the fluid passagewaysmay be fluidly connected within the soleand/or the heelof the footwear article. End openingsof the fluid passagewaysmay be formed in a faceof the heelof the footwear article. Such location is advantageous to keep the end openings, the check valves, and the fluid passagewaysfree of undesired material and debris that may cause blockage thereof. In certain embodiments, the end openingsmay be formed at an angle to the outsoleof the footwear article, and more particularly, the end openingsmay be oblique to the outsole. Opposing end openingsof the fluid passagewaysmay be relatively coplanar with an interior surface of the insoleof the footwear article. In some embodiments, the fluid passageways, and more particularly the end openingsthereof, may be fluidly connected to a tube having an end open to the exterior environment.

In the embodiment shown in, each of the check valvesmay be disposed into a respective one of the fluid passageways. The check valvesmay be retained in the fluid passagewaysby one of an interference fit, a threaded engagement, and at least one retaining element. It is understood that the check valvesmay be any type of check valves as desired such as a piston-type check valve, a ball-type check valve, a diaphragm-type check valve, a swing-type check valve, a spring-type check valve, and a duckbill-type check valve, for example. The check valvesmay be replaceable if desired. A substantially fluid tight seal is formed between the check valvesand an inner surfaceof the fluid passageways. In some embodiments, the soleand/or heelof the footwear articleis produced from a self-sealing material (e.g., rubber, silicone) that forms a substantially fluid-tight seal between the check valvesand the inner surfaceof the fluid passageways. In other embodiments, a sealing element may be disposed between the check valvesand the inner surfaceof the fluid passagewaysto form a substantially fluid-tight seal therebetween.

An exemplary embodiment of one of the check valvesis shown in. The check valvecomprises a valve body, a movable valve piston, a sealing element(e.g., an O-ring), and a biasing element(e.g., a helical spring). As depicted, the valve bodymay have a generally cylindrical shape with a boreformed therethrough from a first endto a second endof the valve body. A seatmay be formed on an inner surfaceof the valve bodyto perform as a stop for the biasing element. One or more barbsmay be integrally formed on an outer surfaceof the valve bodyto engage the inner surfaceof the fluid passagewayto maintain a position of the check valvetherein. The biasing elementis biased between a retainer portionof the valve pistonand the seatof the valve body. The biasing elementpositions the valve pistonin a closed first position, as shown in, causing the sealing elementto seal against a valve body sealing surfaceand a valve piston sealing surface. The check valvesin the first position militates against a flow of fluid therethrough when the footwear articleis unrestrained

As a vacuum is created in a low pressure region under the footwear articleadjacent the end openingsof the check valves, a fluid from a high atmospheric pressure region within the interiorof the footwear articleovercomes a force of the biasing elementand urges the valve pistonaway from the first endand towards the second endthereof so that the check valveis in an open second position. When the check valveis in the second position, the sealing elementis no longer sealing engaged with at least one of the valve body sealing surfaceand the valve piston sealing surfaceand thereby permits the flow of fluid therethrough when the footwear articleis restrained by a vacuum. Thus, pressure may be equalized across the check valve.

As a wearer(depicted in) takes a step and the footwear articleis placed in a viscous material at an approximate fluid levelrelative to footwear article, a vacuum is created under the footwear article, causing resistance to a legof the wearer. As the wearerlifts the legto take another step, the vacuum would typically not allow the footwear articleto be easily pulled from the viscous material. However, the vacuum release mechanismof the footwear articleallows the footwear articleto be easily removed from the viscous material. In particular, the check valvesallow the fluid from the high atmospheric pressure region within the interiorof the footwear articleto flow through the fluid passagewaysto the low atmospheric pressure region under the soleand/or the heelto equalize the pressure difference therebetween and thereby eliminate the vacuum created in the low atmospheric pressure region. Referring to, as the wearertakes a step, the legis lifted to allow the end openingsof the fluid passagewaysenough space for the fluid at atmospheric air pressure to reach the end openingsof the fluid passageways, thereby eliminating the low pressure region creating the vacuum under the soleand/or the heelof the footwear article.

Example embodiments are provided so that this disclosure will be thorough, and willfully convey the scope to those who are skilled in the art. Numerous specific details are set forth such as examples of specific components, devices, and methods, to provide a thorough understanding of embodiments of the present disclosure. It will be apparent to those skilled in the art that specific details need not be employed, that example embodiments may be embodied in many different forms, and that neither should be construed to limit the scope of the disclosure. In some example embodiments, well-known processes, well-known device structures, and well-known technologies are not described in detail. Equivalent changes, modifications and variations of some embodiments, materials, compositions and methods can be made within the scope of the present technology, with substantially similar result.