Ventilation System For An Article Of Footwear

Abstract

A ventilation system for an article of footwear is disclosed. The ventilation system may be configured to direct air from outside the article of footwear to the inside of the article of footwear. The ventilation system may include a sole layer and a sockliner configured to lie on top of the sole layer. One or more paths may be formed within the sole layer to provide a pumping mechanism during the normal course of providing cushioning for the user. The paths may be activated by forefoot or heel based pressure to force air from the exterior of the article of footwear to a sockliner directly above the sole layer. An air inlet extending through a sidewall of the sole layer may allow outside air to enter the path within the sole layer. An opening in the sockliner may allow air inside the path to enter inside the article of footwear.

What is claimed is: 
     
         1 . A ventilation system for an article of footwear, comprising:
 a sole layer having a forefoot region, a heel region disposed opposite the forefoot region, and a midfoot region disposed between the forefoot region and the heel region;   wherein the sole layer has a first groove inlet disposed in the forefoot region and extending through an edge of the sole layer, and a first groove on a top surface of the sole layer and extending from the first groove inlet and terminating in the forefoot region.   
     
     
         2 . The ventilation system according to  claim 1 , wherein the edge is a forward edge disposed in the forefoot region and the first groove inlet is disposed on the forward edge. 
     
     
         3 . The ventilation system according to  claim 2 , wherein the sole layer has a medial side, a lateral side disposed opposite medial side, and a longitudinal axis extending along a length of the sole layer;
 wherein the sole layer has a medial edge along the medial side and a lateral edge along the lateral side; and   wherein the first groove has a first portion extending from the first inlet to a point disposed in the forefoot region, the first portion being parallel with the longitudinal axis.   
     
     
         4 . The ventilation system according to  claim 3 , wherein first groove has a second portion extending from the point disposed in the forefoot region to one of the lateral edge and the medial edge. 
     
     
         5 . The ventilation system according to  claim 4 , wherein the sole layer has a second groove extending from a second groove inlet disposed in the forefoot region, the second groove inlet extending through the edge of the sole layer. 
     
     
         6 . The ventilation system according to  claim 5 , wherein the second groove is parallel to the first groove. 
     
     
         7 . The ventilation system according to  claim 5 , wherein the second groove is a mirror image of the first groove. 
     
     
         8 . The ventilation system according to  claim 5 , wherein the second groove includes a third portion and a fourth portion, the third portion of the second groove being parallel to the first portion of the first groove, and the fourth portion of the second groove being parallel to the second portion of the first groove. 
     
     
         9 . The ventilation system according to  claim 8 , wherein the first portion of the first groove is spaced a first distance from the third portion of the second groove and wherein the second portion of the first groove is spaced a second distance from the fourth portion of the second groove, wherein the second distance is greater than the first distance. 
     
     
         10 . The ventilation system according to  claim 1 , wherein the sole layer includes at least one hole overlying the first groove. 
     
     
         11 . The ventilation system according to  claim 10 , wherein the first groove is configured to receive a compressive force from a forefoot strike of a wearer;
 wherein the compressive force forces air to flow from the first groove through the at least one hole of the sole layer.   
     
     
         12 . A ventilation system for an article of footwear, comprising:
 a sole layer having a forefoot region, a heel region disposed opposite the forefoot region, and a midfoot region disposed between the forefoot region and the heel region;   wherein the sole layer has a first groove inlet extending through an edge of the sole layer, a first groove, a second groove, and a first reservoir each formed in a top surface of the sole layer;   wherein the first groove extends from the first groove inlet and terminates at the first reservoir;   wherein the first reservoir is disposed in the forefoot region of the sole layer in a position that aligns with a wearer's metatarsophalangeal joint; and   wherein a second groove extends from the first reservoir, the second groove terminating adjacent the edge of the sole layer.   
     
     
         13 . The ventilation system according to  claim 12 , further comprising:
 a second reservoir disposed in the forefoot region of the sole layer in a position that aligns with a wearer's metatarsophalangeal joint, and   a third groove connecting the first reservoir to the second reservoir.   
     
     
         14 . The ventilation system according to  claim 13 , wherein the first reservoir aligns with a wearer's first and second metatarsophalangeal joints and the second reservoir aligns with a wearer's second and third metatarsophalangeal joints. 
     
     
         15 . The ventilation system according to  claim 12 , wherein the sole layer includes a plurality of openings, wherein the plurality of openings overlie the first groove. 
     
     
         16 . The ventilation system according to  claim 12 , wherein the first groove inlet is located in the forefoot region of the sole layer. 
     
     
         17 . The ventilation system according to  claim 13 , wherein the sole layer includes a second groove inlet extending through the edge of the sole layer, the sole layer also including a fourth groove, wherein the fourth groove extends from the second groove inlet and terminates at the second reservoir. 
     
     
         18 . The ventilation system according to  claim 17 , wherein the first groove inlet is located on a lateral side of the sole layer and the second groove inlet is located on a medial side of the sole layer. 
     
     
         19 . The ventilation system according to  claim 13 , wherein the sole layer further includes a fourth groove, wherein the fourth groove extends from the second reservoir, the fourth groove terminating adjacent to the edge of the sole layer. 
     
     
         20 . The ventilation system according to  claim 12 , wherein the sole layer includes at least one hole overlying the first groove;
 wherein the first groove is configured to receive a compressive force from a forefoot strike of a wearer; and   wherein the compressive force forces air to flow from the first groove through the at least one hole of the sole layer.