Sole structure and an article of footwear

Abstract

A sole structure for an article of footwear. The sole structure comprises a sole component; and an insole, the insole being mounted to the sole component so as to define a cavity within the sole structure, the insole comprising a resiliently deformable diaphragm element that is constructed and arranged to force air through the cavity when depressed.

1 . A sole structure for an article of footwear, the sole structure comprising:
 a sole component; and   an insole, the insole being mounted to the sole component so as to define a cavity within the sole structure, the insole comprising a resiliently deformable diaphragm element that is constructed and arranged to force air through the cavity when depressed.   
     
     
         2 . A sole structure according to  claim 1 , wherein the sole component is a midsole. 
     
     
         3 . A sole structure according to  claim 1 , wherein the sole component is an outsole. 
     
     
         4 . A sole structure according to  claim 1 , wherein the resiliently deformable diaphragm element comprises a first surface that protrudes above the insole and a second surface recessed into the insole. 
     
     
         5 . A sole structure according to  claim 1 , wherein the resiliently deformable diaphragm element is located at a heel region of the insole. 
     
     
         6 . A sole structure according to  claim 1 , wherein the sole component comprises an air pump formation constructed and arranged to interact with the resiliently deformable diaphragm element when the resiliently deformable diaphragm element is depressed. 
     
     
         7 . A sole structure according to  claim 6 , wherein the air pump formation comprises one or more resilient pillars arranged on a first surface of the sole component. 
     
     
         8 . A sole structure according to  claim 1 , wherein the sole component comprises a plurality of resilient pillars arranged on a first surface of the sole component, the plurality of resilient pillars protruding into the cavity, thereby dividing the cavity into a series of air circulation channels. 
     
     
         9 . A sole structure according to  claim 8 , wherein the resiliently deformable diaphragm element forces air through the air circulation channels when depressed by deforming at least one of the plurality of resilient pillars, thereby generating a pumping action. 
     
     
         10 . A sole structure according to  claim 8 , wherein one or more of the plurality of resilient pillars is disposed in a first region of the sole structure, and one or more of the plurality of resilient pillars is disposed in a second region of the sole structure. 
     
     
         11 . A sole structure according to  claim 10 , wherein the one or more resilient pillars disposed in the first region comprise a generally teardrop shaped cross section. 
     
     
         12 . A sole structure according to  claim 9 , wherein the first region is a toe region and/or a midfoot region of the sole structure. 
     
     
         13 . A sole structure according to  claim 9 , wherein the one or more resilient pillars disposed in the second region comprise a generally lens shaped cross section. 
     
     
         14 . A sole structure according to  claim 13 , wherein the second region is a heel region of the sole structure. 
     
     
         15 . A sole structure according to  claim 1 , wherein the sole component comprises a plurality of air passages for increasing air flow into the cavity of the sole structure, and wherein the sole structure comprises an insert having a plurality of tubes, each tube being inserted into an air passage. 
     
     
         16 . A sole structure according to  claim 15 , wherein the insert comprises a base and the plurality of tubes is mounted onto the base. 
     
     
         17 . A sole structure according to  claim 15 , wherein the sole component comprises a hollow for housing the insert. 
     
     
         18 . An article of footwear comprising a sole structure for an article of footwear, the sole structure comprising:
 a sole component; and   an insole, the insole being mounted to the sole component so as to define a cavity within the sole structure, the insole comprising a resiliently deformable diaphragm element that is constructed and arranged to force air through the cavity when depressed.   
     
     
         19 . An article of footwear according to  claim 18 , wherein the sole component comprises an air pump formation constructed and arranged to interact with the resiliently deformable diaphragm element when the resiliently deformable diaphragm element is depressed. 
     
     
         20 . An article of footwear according to  claim 18 , wherein the sole component comprises a plurality of resilient pillars arranged on a first surface of the outsole, the plurality of resilient pillars protruding into the cavity, thereby dividing the cavity into a series of air circulation channels.