Footwear Vacuum Release Device

Abstract

A vacuum release for footwear includes an air check valve coupled to a length of tubing, which extends downward into at least one hollow channel within the sole of the footwear. The hollow channel features at least one hole through the sole of the footwear into the channel. By allowing air at atmospheric pressure to travel through the air check valve, through the length of tubing, into the hollow channel and through at least one hole connecting the channel to the outside of the sole, the present invention breaks the vacuum created when a user lifts his foot from a viscous surface, allowing for easy travel.

We claim: 
     
         1 . A vacuum release device for footwear, integrated within the footwear, said device comprising:
 a one-way air check valve,   a length of hollow tubing having an upper opening and a lower portion,   at least one hollow channel within the sole of the footwear,   at least one hole passing through the sole of the footwear, linking the hollow channel to the area external to the sole.   
     
     
         2 . The device of  claim 1 , wherein the check valve is fluidly connected to the upper opening of the hollow tubing, wherein the lower portion of the hollow tubing is connected fluidly to at least one hollow channel within the sole of the footwear. 
     
     
         3 . The device of  claim 1 , wherein there is a network of hollow channels within the sole of the footwear featuring holes placed intermittently throughout the network of hollow channels and extending through the sole of the footwear. 
     
     
         4 . The device of  claim 1 , wherein the air check valve is a duckbill valve. 
     
     
         5 . The device of  claim 1 , wherein the air check valve is an in-line check valve. 
     
     
         6 . The device of  claim 1 , wherein the air check valve is a diaphragm check valve. 
     
     
         7 . The device of  claim 1 , wherein the air check valve is a ball check valve. 
     
     
         8 . The device of  claim 1 , wherein the air check valve is a spring check valve. 
     
     
         9 . A vacuum release device for footwear, external to the footwear, said device comprising:
 a one-way air check valve,   a length of hollow tubing having an upper opening and a lower portion,   at least one hollow channel within the sole of the footwear,   at least one hole passing through the sole of the footwear, linking the hollow channel to the area external to the sole,   a method of attachment of the device to the external body of the footwear.   
     
     
         10 . The device of  claim 9 , wherein the check valve is fluidly connected to the upper opening of the hollow tubing, wherein the lower portion of the hollow tubing is connected fluidly to at least one hollow channel within the sole of the footwear. 
     
     
         11 . The device of  claim 9 , wherein there is a network of hollow channels within the sole of the footwear featuring holes placed intermittently throughout the network of hollow channels and extending through the sole of the footwear 
     
     
         12 . The device of  claim 9 , wherein the air check valve is a duckbill valve. 
     
     
         13 . The device of  claim 9 , wherein the air check valve is an in-line check valve. 
     
     
         14 . The device of  claim 9 , wherein the air check valve is a diaphragm check valve. 
     
     
         15 . The device of  claim 9 , wherein the air check valve is a ball check valve. 
     
     
         16 . The device of  claim 9 , wherein the air check valve is a spring check valve.