Aerated shoe having cushioning effect, with air flow regulator

Abstract

An aerated shoe with cushioning effect includes a double sole ( 3, 5 ) with border ( 10 ) defining a hollow space between the two soles. The lower sole ( 5 ) does not have holes; the upper sole ( 3 ) has holes or micro-holes, allowing the passage of the atmospheric air towards the shoe interior, air which first crossed through the slits ( 12 ) on the border ( 10 ). Elements ( 7 ) are provided between the soles for ensuring the suspension and the movement of the air (ventilation) during walking. An air flow regulator, lockable in the desired position, selectively opens the slits ( 12 ). The regulator is preferably inserted in a continuous perimeter slot ( 11 ) of the border ( 10 ). The shoe ensures a natural entering/exiting air flow, quantifiable in a precise manner.

1 - 10 . (canceled) 
     
     
         11 . A shoe comprising the following characteristics:
 a lower sole ( 5 ) and an upper sole ( 3 ) joined together along their perimeter by a border ( 10 ) bearing fixed slits ( 12 ) that are preferably equidistant and distributed all around said border ( 10 ); said lower sole ( 5 ), said border ( 10 ) and said upper sole ( 3 ) forming an inner chamber or hollow space for the circulation of atmospheric air that has entered from the fixed slits ( 12 );   the lower sole ( 5 ) lacking holes or micro-holes, while the upper sole ( 3 ) has holes or micro-holes ( 4 ) adapted to allow the air coming from said hollow space to pass through;   an air flow regulator ( 13 ,  14 ,  15 ,  16 ,  17 ,  18 ,  19 ), manually or directly operable by the user's finger or with a special tool, and comprising a movable part ( 13 ) bearing a plurality of movable slits ( 15 ) superimposable over all or part of said fixed slits ( 12 ) so as to ensure an adjustable flow rate of the atmospheric air towards said hollow space;   a plurality of elements ( 7 ), arranged in said hollow space between the lower surface of the upper sole ( 3 ) and the upper surface of the lower sole ( 5 ), said elements ( 7 ) being made of a material provided with a certain degree of elasticity, so as to ensure a suspension and a “pump effect” for the natural cyclic suction and expulsion of the atmospheric air during walking;   the air freely circulating in the hollow space, between and/or through said elements ( 7 ), since said elements ( 7 ) have interstices which separate them, or openings made thereon, characterized in that the air flow regulator ( 13 ,  14 ,  15 ,  16 ,  17 ,  18 ,  19 ) comprises a flexible, closed semi-rigid belt ( 13 ) constituting said movable part ( 13 ), which laterally extends around the entire shoe and is slidable within a perimeter groove ( 11 ) of said border ( 10 ), and has said movable slits ( 15 ).   
     
     
         12 . A shoe according to  claim 11 , wherein said movable slits ( 15 ) are geometrically matching with the fixed slits ( 12 ). 
     
     
         13 . A shoe according to  claim 11 , wherein said air flow regulator ( 13 ,  14 ,  15 ,  16 ,  17 ,  18 ,  19 ) comprises a locking means ( 16 ,  17 ,  18 ,  19 ) which prevents accidental movements thereof. 
     
     
         14 . A shoe according to  claim 11 , wherein said upper sole ( 3 ), said lower sole ( 5 ) and said border ( 10 ), form a single piece, for example made by means of a single molding process. 
     
     
         15 . A shoe according to  claim 14 , wherein said upper sole ( 3 ), said lower sole ( 5 ), said border ( 10 ), and said elements ( 7 ) arranged in the hollow space form a single piece, for example made by means of a single molding process. 
     
     
         16 . A shoe according to  claim 11 , wherein said elements ( 7 ) are fixed between the upper sole ( 3 ) and the lower sole ( 5 ) and possibly form a single molded block. 
     
     
         17 . A shoe according to  claim 11 , wherein said elements ( 7 ) form separate elements or continuous vertical walls that are however perforated in order to ensure the air passage, having for example triangular, hexagonal, square or other structure. 
     
     
         18 . A shoe according to  claim 11 , wherein a shaped breathable material layer ( 6 ), called shoe liner and preferably of removable type, is provided for, situated atop the upper sole ( 3 ). 
     
     
         19 . A shoe according to  claim 11 , wherein holes ( 23 ) are provided for on the lower sole, communicating with the aforesaid hollow space or with the shoe interior, and which extend through the border in an oblique and upward direction. 
     
     
         20 . A shoe according to  claim 12 , wherein said air flow regulator ( 13 ,  14 ,  15 ,  16 ,  17 ,  18 ,  19 ) comprises a locking means ( 16 ,  17 ,  18 ,  19 ) which prevents accidental movements thereof.