Insole for an Item of Footwear and an Item of Footwear Comprising the Same

Abstract

A shoe has a sole, at least a portion of the sole of the shoe comprising a compressible material, the material being such that the application of a pressure above a threshold pressure causes the electrical conductivity of the material to change. There is also provided a shoe comprising a sole; a display means operable by the wearer of the shoe to provide a display on the exterior surface of the shoe; wherein the sole of the shoe comprises a compressible material, the material being such that the application of pressure causes the electrical conductivity of the material to change, whereby the display means may be controlled by the application of pressure to the compressible material in the sole of the shoe. An insole for use in a shoe is also disclosed, the insole comprising a compressible material, the material being such that the application of a pressure above a threshold pressure causes the electrical conductivity of the material to change.

1 . A shoe having a sole, at least a portion of the sole of the shoe comprising a compressible material, the material being such that the application of a pressure above a threshold pressure causes the electrical conductivity of the material to change. 
     
     
         2 . A shoe comprising:
 a sole;   a display means operable by the wearer of the shoe to provide a display on the exterior surface of the shoe;   wherein the sole of the shoe comprises a compressible material, the material being such that the application of pressure causes the electrical conductivity of the material to change, whereby the display means may be controlled by the application of pressure to the compressible material in the sole of the shoe.   
     
     
         3 . The shoe according to either of  claims 1  or  2 , wherein the compressible material is non-conducting in the quiescent position and is caused to conduct electricity upon the application of pressure to the compressible material. 
     
     
         4 . The shoe according to  claim 3 , wherein the compressible material becomes an electrical conductor above a threshold applied pressure. 
     
     
         5 . The shoe according to any preceding claim, wherein the compressible material is a quantum tunneling composite (QTC). 
     
     
         6 . The shoe according to any preceding claim, wherein the compressible material comprises a filler of conductive particles in a polymer matrix. 
     
     
         7 . The shoe according to  claim 6 , wherein the filler comprises nickel, titanium, zirconium, copper or a mixture thereof. 
     
     
         8 . The shoe according to either of  claims 6  or  7 , wherein the filler comprises a powder of a conductive element or material. 
     
     
         9 . The shoe according to any of  claims 6  to  8 , wherein the filler comprises a layer of a conductive element or material on a carrier of powder, grains, fibres or other shaped forms. 
     
     
         10 . The shoe according to any of  claims 6  to  9 , wherein the filler comprises granules of a conductive element or material. 
     
     
         11 . The shoe according to any of  claims 6  to  10 , wherein the granules have a diameter of up to 2 mm, more preferably up to 1 mm, especially 0.04 to 0.2 mm. 
     
     
         12 . The shoe according to any of  claims 6  to  11 , wherein the particles of conductive element or material are dendritic, filamentous or spiked in form. 
     
     
         13 . The shoe according to any of  claims 6  to  12 , wherein the filler comprises granules of a conductive element or material coated in a polymer, in particular an elastomer. 
     
     
         14 . The shoe according to any of  claims 6  to  13 , wherein the polymer matrix comprises an elastomer, in particular a silicone elastomer. 
     
     
         15 . The shoe according to any of  claims 6  to  14 , wherein the compressible material further comprises a modifier to improve the elastic response of the material, in particular fumed silica. 
     
     
         16 . The shoe according to any preceding claim, wherein the compressible material is in a layer having a thickness of from 0.5 to 3 mm, more preferably from 1 to 2 mm. 
     
     
         17 . The shoe according to any preceding, wherein the sole comprises a plurality of discrete portions of compressible material. 
     
     
         18 . The shoe according to  claim 17 , wherein each of the discrete portions has a different composition and/or property, to tailor the portion to its location with respect to the foot of the wearer of the shoe. 
     
     
         19 . An insole for use in a shoe, the insole comprising a compressible material, the material being such that the application of a pressure above a threshold pressure causes the electrical conductivity of the material to change. 
     
     
         20 . The insole according to  claim 19 , further comprising a connection to a display device. 
     
     
         21 . The insole according to  claim 20 , wherein the display device is mounted on an insole extension extending from the insole such that, when the insole is in position in a shoe, the display device provides a display on the exterior of the shoe. 
     
     
         22 . The insole according to any of  claims 19  to  21 , wherein the compressible material is non-conducting in the quiescent position and is caused to conduct electricity upon the application of pressure to the compressible material. 
     
     
         23 . The insole according to  claim 22 , wherein the compressible material becomes an electrical conductor above a threshold applied pressure. 
     
     
         24 . The insole according to any of  claims 19  to  23 , wherein the compressible material is a quantum tunneling composite (QTC). 
     
     
         25 . The insole according to any of  claims 19  to  24 , wherein the compressible material comprises a filler of conductive particles in a polymer matrix. 
     
     
         26 . The insole according to  claim 25 , wherein the filler comprises nickel, titanium, zirconium, copper or a mixture thereof. 
     
     
         27 . The insole according to either of  claims 25  or  26 , wherein the filler comprises a powder of a conductive element or material. 
     
     
         28 . The insole according to any of  claims 25  to  27 , wherein the filler comprises a layer of a conductive element or material on a carrier of powder, grains, fibres or other shaped forms. 
     
     
         29 . The insole according to any of  claims 25  to  28 , wherein the filler comprises granules of a conductive element or material. 
     
     
         30 . The insole according to any of  claims 25  to  29 , wherein the granules have a diameter of up to 2 mm, more preferably up to 1 mm, especially 0.04 to 0.2 mm. 
     
     
         31 . The insole according to any of  claims 25  to  30 , wherein the particles of conductive element or material are dendritic, filamentous or spiked in form. 
     
     
         32 . The insole according to any of  claims 25  to  31 , wherein the filler comprises granules of a conductive element or material coated in a polymer, in particular an elastomer. 
     
     
         33 . The insole according to any of  claims 25  to  32  wherein the polymer matrix comprises an elastomer, in particular a silicone elastomer. 
     
     
         34 . The insole according to any of  claims 25  to  33 , wherein the compressible material further comprises a modifier to improve the elastic response of the material, in particular fumed silica. 
     
     
         35 . The insole according to any of  claims 19  to  34 , wherein the compressible material is in a layer having a thickness of from 0.5 to 3 mm, more preferably from 1 to 2 mm. 
     
     
         36 . The insole according to any of  claims 19  to  35 , wherein the sole comprises a plurality of discrete portions of compressible material. 
     
     
         37 . The insole according to  claim 36 , wherein each of the discrete portions has a different composition and/or property, to tailor the portion to its location with respect to the foot of the wearer of the shoe.