US20100024246A1

US20100024246A1 - Insole with shock-absorbing function and manufacturing method thereof

Info

Publication number: US20100024246A1
Application number: US12/515,927
Authority: US
Inventors: Jung Sik Park
Original assignee: HAN SHIN KOREA Co Ltd
Current assignee: HAN SHIN KOREA Co Ltd
Priority date: 2006-12-21
Filing date: 2007-04-18
Publication date: 2010-02-04
Also published as: JP2010512933A; KR100758023B1; WO2008075820A1

Abstract

The present invention relates to a shock-absorbing insole for a footwear and a method of manufacturing the same wherein the shock-absorbing insole is disposed on the bottom surface in a footwear for absorbing and reducing the shocks applied from the ground to a wearer's sole during running, jogging, walking, etc. The shock-absorbing insole includes: a bottom plate made of a synthetic resin and having fabric attached on the top surface thereof; and a shock-absorbing member made of an elastic synthetic resin for absorbing shocks applied to the footwear in such a manner as to be contracted and restored from/to its original state in accordance with the load applied during walking, the shock-absorbing member being formed integrally with a bottom surface of a heel portion of the bottom plate.

Description

TECHNICAL FIELD

The present invention relates to a shock-absorbing insole for a footwear and a method of manufacturing the same, and more particularly, to a shock-absorbing insole for a footwear and a method of manufacturing the same wherein the shock-absorbing insole is disposed on the bottom surface in a footwear for absorbing and reducing the shocks applied from the ground to a wearer's sole during the walking.

BACKGROUND ART

Generally, a footwear like general shoes, athletic shoes, and so on has an upper disposed to form the outer shape thereof, an outsole adapted to be in contact with the ground, a mid-sole disposed on the top side of the outsole, and an insole adapted to be in contact with a wearer's sole. Further, since the footwear should be worn all the time during the wearer's activity, it has a variety of functions of absorbing the shocks applied thereto, improving the wearing feeling, and developing the sanitary conditions.
As shocks are applied from the ground to the outsole of the footwear during a wearer's walking, especially, he or she feels fatigued, and in some cases, he may have muscular skeletal diseases. To solve these problems, therefore, there have been developed various kinds of footwear capable of efficiently absorbing the shocks applied thereto, as will be described below. There are proposed Korean Utility Model Laid-Open Publication No. 87-12954 entitled “shock-absorbing device of a footwear”, Korean Utility Model Laid-Open Publication No. 1991-0001788 entitled “footwear outsole”, Korean Utility Model Registration No. 20-0290570 entitled “footwear with shock-absorbing device”, Korean Utility Model Corrected-Publication No. 20-0330641 entitled “shock-absorbing footwear”, Korean Utility Model Registration No. 20-0343775 entitled “functional footwear with spring embedded therein”, Korean Utility Model Registration No. 20-0360286 entitled “air circulating type of shock-absorbing footwear”, Korean Utility Model Registration No. 20-0374026 entitled “shoes”, Korean Utility Model Registration No. 20-0261981 entitled “pad structure for absorbing shocks in footwear”, Korean Patent Laid-Open Publication No. 10-2006-0069980 entitled “shock-absorbing device for footwear having shock-absorbing function”, and Korean Utility Model Registration No. 20-0400116 entitled “mid-sole of footwear with a shock-absorbing device”.
According to the conventional practices, however, the shock-absorbing structure is formed integrally with the footwear during the manufacturing, and it is a part of the mid-sole or the outsole fixed to the footwear. Therefore, the entire footwear should be purchased if the shock-absorbing function is to be needed.
On the other hand, there has been proposed a shock-absorbing insole that is easily mounted in a general footwear, even though the entire footwear having the shock-absorbing function is not purchased.
As the shock-absorbing insole prior art, there is disclosed in Korean Patent Registration No. 10-0576381 entitled “footwear with a shock-absorbing insole” wherein the insole includes an insole pad fitted insertedly to the inside of the footwear, the insole pad having a plurality of air-ventilating holes formed continuously to communicate with one another and a shock absorber-receiving recess formed at the bottom surface for mounting a wearer's heel portion in such a manner as to communicate with the plurality of air-ventilating holes, and a shock absorber having an elastic case mounted at the shock absorber-receiving recess and having an air-supplying hole adapted to supply air to the plurality of air-ventilating holes, and having an elastic member housed in the case for absorbing the shocks applied from the wearer's heel.
According to the prior art, however, the insole is selectively disposed at the inside of the footwear, and as the elastic member is operated, the shock-absorbing function is exerted, thereby making a wearer's fatigue released. Since the shock absorber having the shock-absorbing function is separately provided in such a manner as to be inserted at the inside of the insole pad (the bottom plate), however, it can not be easily disposed at the process of manufacturing the insole pad. Furthermore, the internal structure of the footwear may be damaged or the wearer's sole may be injured when the case or the elastic member is broken. Additionally, according to the conventional insole the shock absorber is moved in the shock absorber-receiving recess of the insole pad, and as a result, the elastic member in the shock absorber works and gets friction with the elastic case, thereby causing noise therefrom, which makes the wearer feel uncomfortable.

DISCLOSURE OF INVENTION

Technical Problem

Accordingly, the present invention has been proposed to solve these problems occurring in the conventional prior art, and it is an object of the present invention to provide a shock-absorbing insole for a footwear and a method of manufacturing the same wherein a shock-absorbing member is formed integrally with the bottom surface of a bottom plate upon manufacturing the insole, thereby providing more stable shock-absorbing capability and the easiness of manufacturing.
It is another object of the present invention to provide a shock-absorbing insole for a footwear and a method of manufacturing the same wherein a spring and a spring-supporting structure are all molded integrally to a bottom plate during the molding process of the bottom plate upon manufacturing the insole, thereby providing more stable shock-absorbing and spring-supporting capabilities.
It is still another object of the present invention to provide a shock-absorbing insole for a footwear and a method of manufacturing the same wherein a shock-absorbing member is manufactured separately, but it is formed integrally with the bottom surface of a bottom plate by means of heat fusion like high frequency fusion upon manufacturing the insole, thereby providing more stable shock-absorbing capability and the easiness of manufacturing.
It is yet another object of the present invention to provide a shock-absorbing insole for a footwear that adopts a heel cup, as a frame of a shock-absorbing member, for supporting a wearer's heel portion, thereby having good shock-absorbing efficiencies.
It is still another object of the present invention to provide a shock-absorbing insole for a footwear wherein a shock-absorbing member is configured based upon the shape of a wearer's sole, thereby absorbing the shocks applied through the footwear and gently transmitting the absorbed shocks to the wearer's sole.

Technical Solution

To achieve the above objects, according to an aspect of the present invention, there is provided a shock-absorbing insole for a footwear including a bottom plate 110 made of a synthetic resin and having fabric attached on the top surface thereof, and a shock-absorbing member 10 made of an elastic synthetic resin for absorbing shocks applied to the footwear in such a manner as to be contracted and restored from/to its original state, the shock-absorbing member 10 formed integrally with a bottom surface 114 of a heel portion 112 of the bottom plate 110.
According to the present invention, preferably, the shock-absorbing member 10 has a plurality of first protrusions 12 formed integrally with the bottom plate 110 upon the molding of the bottom plate 110 in such a manner as to be protruded downwardly from the bottom surface 114 of the bottom plate 110, each of the plurality of first protrusions 12 having a plurality of folds 13 formed along the outer periphery thereof in such a manner as to be contracted and restored in the upward and downward direction thereof.
According to the present invention, preferably, the shock-absorbing member 10 has a second protrusion 14 formed integrally with the bottom plate 110 upon the molding of the bottom plate 110 in such a manner as to be protruded inclinedly toward the front side of the bottom plate 110 in front of the first protrusions 12, the second protrusion 14 having a plurality of folds 15 formed along the outer periphery thereof in such a manner as to be contracted and restored in the upward and downward direction thereof.
The shock-absorbing insole of this invention further includes a plurality of springs 19 disposed at the inside of the shock-absorbing member 10 in such a manner as to be contracted and restored in the upward and downward direction thereof, each of the springs 19 being disposed at the inside of the shock-absorbing member 10 before the molding of the shock-absorbing member 10 in such a manner as to be formed integrally with the shock-absorbing member 10 upon the molding of the shock-absorbing member 10.
According to the present invention, preferably, the shock-absorbing member 10 further comprises: a frame 11 having a plurality of receiving grooves 18 formed downwardly from the top surface thereof, and a plurality of protrusions 12 and 14 protruded downwardly from the bottom surface thereof at the positions corresponding to each of the plurality of receiving grooves 18, the frame 11 being attached integrally to the bottom surface 114 of the bottom plate 110 by means of heat fusion; and a plurality of springs 19 insertedly coupled to the plurality of receiving grooves 18.
According to the present invention, preferably, the frame 11 has a main recess 16 formed to a lower depth than that of each of the plurality of receiving grooves 18, for forming the plurality of receiving grooves 18 at the inside thereof, and the shock-absorbing member 10 further has a supporter 20 adapted to be insertedly coupled with the main recess 16 and having a plurality of insertion holes 22 formed at the inside thereof for inserting the springs 19 thereto and a holding plate 30 adapted to be coupled to the top surface of the frame 11 for compressing the springs 19.
According to the present invention, preferably, the shock-absorbing member 10 further has a base plate 40 attached integrally on the bottom surface 114 of the heel portion 112 of the bottom plate 10 by means of heat fusion, a plurality of protrusions 12 and 14 molded integrally to the base plate 40 in such a manner as to be protruded downwardly from the base plate 40, and a plurality of springs 19 molded integrally to the plurality of protrusions 12 and 14 in such a manner as to be inserted into the inside of the plurality of protrusions 12 and 14.
To achieve the above objects, according to another aspect of the present invention, there is provided a shock-absorbing insole for a footwear including a bottom plate 110 made of a synthetic resin and having fabric attached on the top surface thereof, and a shock-absorbing member 10 formed integrally with a bottom surface 114 of a heel portion 112 of the bottom plate 110, the shock-absorbing member being made of an elastic synthetic resin for absorbing shocks applied to the footwear in such a manner as to be contracted and restored from/to its original state, the shock-absorbing member 10 comprising: a heel cup 11′ made of a synthetic resin in such a manner as to be formed integrally with the bottom surface 114 of the heel portion 112 of the bottom plate 110 by means of heat fusion and having a main recess 16 formed downwardly from the top surface thereof at the inside thereof, a plurality of receiving grooves 18 formed downwardly from the main recess 16, and a plurality of protrusions 12′ protruded downwardly from the bottom surface at the positions corresponding to the plurality of receiving grooves 18; a plurality of springs 19 disposed at the plurality of receiving grooves 18 of the heel cup 11′ in such a manner as to make the heel cup 11′ attached supportedly to the bottom surface 114 of the bottom plate 110 to apply an elastic force to the bottom plate 110; and a supporter 20 adapted to be insertedly coupled with the main recess 16 and made of an elastic synthetic resin for supporting the surroundings of the springs 19, the supporter 20 having a plurality of insertion holes 22 formed at the inside thereof for inserting the springs 19 thereto.
To achieve the above objects, according to still another aspect of the present invention, there is provided a method of manufacturing a shock-absorbing insole having a bottom plate made of a synthetic resin and having fabric attached on the top surface thereof, the method including the steps of molding a shock-absorbing member with a synthetic resin, the shock-absorbing member having a plurality of protrusions formed protruded downwardly from the bottom surface (at a step S520); and coupling the shock-absorbing member with a bottom plate by means of heat fusion (at a step S530).
According to the present invention, the shock-absorbing member molding step further includes the step of insertedly coupling a plurality of springs correspondingly to the inside of the plurality of protrusions.

Advantageous Effects

According to the present invention, there is provided a shock-absorbing insole for a footwear and a method of manufacturing the same wherein the shock-absorbing member is molded integrally with the bottom plate or attached integrally to the bottom plate by means of heat fusion, thereby preventing escaping and breaking while in use.
Unlike the conventional practices, further, the shock-absorbing member is formed integrally with the bottom surface of the bottom plate, thereby having more improved durability when compared with the conventional practices and continuously carrying out more stable shock-absorbing performance. Moreover, the shock-absorbing member is molded integrally to the bottom plate upon molding the bottom plate or attached to the bottom plate by means of heat fusion, thereby making manufacturing easily carried out, and the shock-absorbing member has an assembling structure where springs are stably fixed at the inside thereof, thereby preventing the generation of noise therefrom.

BRIEF DESCRIPTION OF THE DRAWINGS

FIG. 1 is a perspective view showing a shock-absorbing insole for a footwear according to a first embodiment of the present invention;

FIG. 2 is a sectional view showing the shock-absorbing insole for a footwear according to the first embodiment of the present invention;

FIG. 3 is a perspective view showing a shock-absorbing insole for a footwear according to a second embodiment of the present invention;

FIGS. 4 to 8 are views showing the assembling processes of the parts of the insole of FIG. 3;

FIG. 9 is a sectional view showing the shock-absorbing insole of FIG. 3;

FIG. 10 is a perspective view showing a shock-absorbing insole for a footwear according to a third embodiment of the present invention;

FIG. 11 is an exploded perspective view showing the shock-absorbing insole of FIG. 11;

FIG. 12 is a sectional view showing the shock-absorbing insole of FIG. 10;

FIG. 13 is a sectional view showing a variation of the shock-absorbing insole of FIG. 10;

FIGS. 14 to 16 are perspective views showing a shock-absorbing insole for a footwear that is applied to a heel cup used for protecting a heel portion according to a fourth embodiment of the present invention;

FIG. 17 is a perspective view showing the state where the shock-absorbing insole is coupled to the heel cup in a bottom direction; and

FIG. 18 is a flowchart showing the processes for manufacturing a shock-absorbing insole for a footwear according to the preferred embodiment of the present invention.

BEST MODE FOR CARRYING OUT THE INVENTION

Hereinafter, an explanation on preferred embodiments of the present invention will be in detail given with reference to FIGS. 2 to 18 as the attaching drawings, wherein the parts corresponding to those of FIGS. 1 to 18 are indicated by corresponding reference numerals. On the other hand, the illustration and detailed description on the technical contents with reference to the insole parts and an insole-manufacturing method in the drawings are easily understood by those skilled in the art, and an explanation on them will be brief or avoided. Therefore, an explanation on the related parts of the invention will be chiefly given.
FIG. 2 is a sectional view showing the shock-absorbing insole for a footwear according to a preferred embodiment of the present invention.
Referring to FIG. 2, a shock-absorbing insole 100 according to the present invention includes a bottom plate 110 formed having a cushion force, a fabric piece attached on the top surface of the bottom plate 110, and a shock-absorbing member 10 formed protruded downwardly from a bottom surface 114 of a heel portion 112 of the bottom plate 110. At this time, the shock-absorbing member 10 has a plurality of first protrusions 12 formed protruded downwardly from the bottom surface 114 of the bottom plate 110, a second protrusion 14 formed protruded inclinedly toward the front side of the bottom plate 110 in front of the first protrusions 12, and a plurality of springs 19 insertedly formed integrally with the inside of the shock-absorbing member 10. Each of the plurality of protrusions 12 and the second protrusion 14 have a plurality of folds 13 and 15 formed along the outer periphery thereof in such a manner as to be contracted and restored in the upward and downward direction thereof.
The shock-absorbing insole 100 according to the present invention is formed integrally with the bottom plate 110, upon molding the bottom plate 110, at a state where the plurality of springs 19 are inserted thereto. Of course, even though the detailed description is not given in the preferred embodiments of the present invention, a variety of injection processes and bubbling techniques may be adopted so as to form the shock-absorbing insole 100 of the present invention. In a case where double injection is adopted, for example, the bottom plate 110 and the shock-absorbing member 10 may have different materials or colors.
The shock-absorbing insole 100 according to the preferred embodiment of the present invention has an integral structure where the plurality of springs 19 are inserted correspondingly into the plurality of first protrusions 12 (or into the second protrusion 14 like another preferred embodiment as will be described below), thereby greatly releasing the shocks applied from the ground during walking. The shock-absorbing insole 100 according to the preferred embodiment of the present invention has a structure where the plurality of springs 19 are nested into the first protrusions 12, without any escaping from the first protrusions 12, thereby continuously carrying out more stable shock-absorbing function, while preventing escaping or breaking of the springs that easily occurs in the conventional practices. Further, the first protrusions 12 and the second protrusion 14 are formed during the manufacturing process of the bottom plate 110, and the springs 19 are inserted into the first protrusions 12 and the second protrusion 14 during the molding process of the first protrusions 12 and the second protrusion 14, thereby having more stable supporting structure and easier manufacturing when compared with the conventional practices.
FIG. 3 is a perspective view showing a shock-absorbing insole for a footwear according to another embodiment of the present invention, FIGS. 4 to 8 are views showing the assembling processes of the parts of the shock-absorbing insole of FIG. 3, and FIG. 9 is a sectional view showing the shock-absorbing insole of FIG. 3.
Referring to FIGS. 3 to 9, the shock-absorbing insole 100 according to another embodiment of the present invention includes the bottom plate 110 formed having a cushion force, the fabric piece attached on the top surface of the bottom plate 110, and the shock-absorbing member 10 formed attached on the bottom surface 114 of the heel portion 112 of the bottom plate 110.
The shock-absorbing member 10 includes a frame 11, a plurality of caps 17 adapted to insertedly mount a plurality of springs 19 thereto, and a supporter 20 and a holding plate 30 formed at the inside of the frame 11 for enhancing the shock-absorbing effects.
At this time, the frame 11 of the shock-absorbing member 10 has a plurality of receiving grooves 18 formed downwardly from the top surface thereof, and a plurality of first protrusions 12 and the second protrusion 14 protruded downwardly from the bottom surface thereof at the positions corresponding to the plurality of receiving grooves 18. Each of the plurality of protrusions 12 and the second protrusion 14 have a plurality of folds 13 and 15 formed along the outer periphery thereof, thereby having a function of absorbing the shocks applied from the ground during walking. Further, the frame 11 has a main recess 16 formed downwardly from the top surface thereof to form the plurality of receiving grooves 18 at the inside thereof to a lower depth than that of each of the plurality of receiving grooves 18.
On the other hand, each of the caps 17 is of a semispherical shape and forms a groove for inserting each of the springs 19 thereto in such a manner as to be inserted into each of the receiving grooves 18 at the inside of the shock-absorbing member 10. Thus, the caps 17 serve to support the springs 19 for preventing the frame 11 made of a relatively weak synthetic resin from being broken.
Further, the supporter 20 is made of a polyurethane material that enhances the shock-absorbing operation at the inside of the shock-absorbing member 10. The supporter 20 has a plurality of insertion holes 22 formed at the positions corresponding to the plurality of receiving grooves 18 of the frame 11 and is fitted to the main recess 16 of the frame 11 to support the springs 19, thereby performing the shock-absorbing operation. Therefore, the supporter 20 has the same shape as the main recess 16 of the frame 11 and has a lower height than the main recess 16.
On the other hand, the holding plate 30 is compressed and coupled to the top surface of the frame 11, thereby preventing escaping of the caps 17, the supporter 20, and the springs 19, and it is also compressed and coupled at the top surface thereof to the bottom surface 114 of the heel portion 112 of the bottom plate 110 of the shock-absorbing insole 100.
Under the above structure, the assembling process of the shock-absorbing insole 100 according to the preferred embodiment of the present invention will be explained with reference to FIGS. 4 to 8. At the state as shown in FIG. 4, the caps 17 are inserted correspondingly into the plurality of receiving grooves 18 formed downwardly from the top surface of the frame 11, as shown in FIG. 5. As the caps 17 are inserted into the plurality of receiving grooves 18, the damages on the frame 11 caused by the springs 19 can be prevented. Further, as shown in FIG. 6, at the state where the caps 17 are inserted into the plurality of receiving grooves 18, the supporter 20 is inserted into the main recess 16. As shown in FIG. 7, then, the springs 19 are inserted through the insertion holes 22 formed on the supporter 20 in such a manner as to be mounted correspondingly in the grooves of the caps 17. At this state, as shown in FIG. 8, the holding plate 30 is coupled to the top surface of the supporter 20 by means of heat fusion. Finally, the shock-absorbing member 10 obtained through the above assembling process is compressed and coupled to the bottom surface 114 of the heel portion 112 of the bottom plate 110, thereby finishing manufacturing the shock-absorbing insole 100 having the coupled state as shown in FIG. 9.
The shock-absorbing insole 100 according to the preferred embodiment of the present invention is made by compressing and coupling the shock-absorbing member 10 to the bottom surface 114 of the heel portion 112 of the bottom plate 110.
FIG. 10 is a perspective view showing a shock-absorbing insole for a footwear according to still another embodiment of the present invention, FIG. 11 is an exploded perspective view showing the shock-absorbing insole of FIG. 11, FIG. 12 is a sectional view showing the shock-absorbing insole of FIG. 10, and FIG. 13 is a sectional view showing a variation of the shock-absorbing insole of FIG. 10.
Referring to FIGS. 10 and 11, the shock-absorbing insole 100 according to the still another embodiment of the present invention includes the bottom plate 110 formed having a cushion force, the fabric piece attached on the top surface of the bottom plate 110, and the shock-absorbing member 10 formed attached on the bottom surface 114 of the heel portion 112 of the bottom plate 110.
The shock-absorbing member 10 of the shock-absorbing insole 100 has a base plate 40 coupled to the bottom surface 114 of the heel portion 112 of the bottom plate 110, a plurality of first protrusions 12 formed protruded downwardly from the bottom surface of the base plate 40, each of the first protrusions 12 having a plurality of folds 13 formed along the outer periphery in the upward and downward direction thereof, a second protrusion 14 formed protruded inclinedly toward the front side of the bottom plate 110 in front of the first protrusions 12, the second protrusion 14 having a plurality of folds 15 formed along the outer periphery in the upward and downward direction thereof, and a plurality of springs 19 inserted integrally into the plurality of first protrusions 12 in such a manner as to be contracted and restored in the upward and downward direction thereof. At this time, the first protrusions 12 and the second protrusion 14 in the preferred embodiment of the present invention are made of a polyurethane material having an elastic force capable of absorbing the shocks applied from the ground during walking, and the base plate 40 is made of an EAV resin having an excellent shock-absorbing capability by means of expansion molding.
Unlike the above-mentioned preferred embodiments of the present invention, the shock-absorbing member 10 of the shock-absorbing insole 100 according to the present invention is configured wherein the first protrusions 12 and the second protrusion 14 are formed integrally with the bottom surface of the base plate 40, and the springs 19 are inserted into the first protrusions 12. At this time, a method of inserting the springs 19 is carried out by inserting only the springs 19 into the first protrusions 12, as shown in FIG. 12, or by fitting a plurality of caps 17 along the lower sides of the springs 19 as shown in FIG. 13, so as to stably support the springs 19 and effectively support the springs 19 in the molds.
FIGS. 14 to 16 are perspective views showing a shock-absorbing insole for a footwear that is applied to a heel cup used for protecting a heel portion according to a fourth embodiment of the present invention, and FIG. 17 is a perspective view showing the state where the shock-absorbing insole is coupled to the heel cup in a bottom direction.
Referring to FIGS. 14 to 17, the shock-absorbing insole 100 according to the fourth embodiment of the present invention has a similar structure to the second embodiment as shown in FIGS. 3 to 9, and in this embodiment, a heel cup 11′ as used generally is adopted in place of the frame 11. Generally, the heel cup 11′ is made of a high hardened synthetic resin like TPU, nylon, TPE, PVC, and so on, and it is attached on the bottom surface 114 of the rear side of the bottom plate 110, thereby supporting the rear portion of the foot in a cup-like shape. The shock-absorbing member 10 in the fourth embodiment of the present invention is characterized in that a plurality springs 19, a supporter 20′, and an auxiliary supporter 50 are disposed on the heel cup 11′.
At this time, the heel cup 11′ has a main recess 16 formed downwardly from the top surface thereof at the inside thereof and a plurality of receiving grooves 18 formed downwardly from the top of the main recess 16. A plurality of protrusions 12′ (see FIG. 17) that are formed protruded downwardly from the bottom surface 114 at the positions corresponding to the plurality of receiving grooves 18 are attached integrally to the bottom surface 114, thereby supporting the rear portion of foot. Further, the springs 19 are mounted in the plurality of receiving grooves 18 of the heel cup 11′ and as the heel cup 11′ is attached to the bottom surface 114 of the bottom plate 110, it is supported on the bottom surface 114 of the bottom plate 110 to apply the elastic force to the bottom plate 110. In addition, the supporter 20 has a plurality of insertion holes 22 formed at the inside thereof for inserting the springs 19 thereto and is insertedly coupled with the main recess 16. And, the supporter 20 is made of an elastic synthetic resin for supporting the surroundings of the springs 19. According to the fourth embodiment of the present invention, moreover, a protrusion 14′ (see FIG. 17), which is formed protruded downwardly in a similar manner to the second protrusion 14 (see FIG. 3) according to the first to third embodiments as mentioned above, is formed in front of the main recess 16 in the heel cup 11′, and a receiving recess 52 is formed at the inside of the heel cup 11′ to the position corresponding to the protrusion 14′ in such a manner as to be coupled to the auxiliary supporter 50. At this time, the supporter 20 and the auxiliary supporter 50 are made of a material having a high cushion force like neoprene, silicon, and so on, thereby having a high shock-absorbing capability.
The shock-absorbing insole 100 according to the fourth embodiment of the present invention has the heel cup 11′ formed to a rigid structure, thereby having the shock-absorbing function at the inside of the heel cup 11′, unlike the first to third embodiments as mentioned above. The shock-absorbing insole 100 according to the fourth embodiment of the present invention is capable of improving the shock-absorbing function as well as obtaining the supporting function of the heel cup 11′.
The shock-absorbing insole 100 according to the fourth embodiment of the present invention has a foot sole shock-absorbing member 60 formed at the front side of the heel cup 11′, for absorbing the shocks applied to the front sole of the foot. The foot sole shock-absorbing member 60 has an auxiliary frame 62 having a plurality of receiving grooves 64 adapted to support a plurality of springs 19′ and a supporter 20′ in a similar manner to the heel cup 11′, and the supporter 20′ having a plurality of insertion holes 22′ for inserting the plurality of springs 19′ thereto, such that it has a similar structure to the shock-absorbing member 10, thereby absorbing the shocks applied to the front sole of the foot.
FIG. 18 is a flowchart showing the processes for manufacturing the shock-absorbing insole according to the preferred embodiment of the present invention.
Referring to FIG. 18, there is provided a method of manufacturing a shock-absorbing insole according to the preferred embodiments of the present invention includes the steps of: molding a bottom plate (at the step S500); bonding fabric on the top surface of the bottom plate (at the step S510); molding a shock-absorbing member (at the step S520); compressing and coupling the molded shock-absorbing member on a bottom surface of a heel portion of the bottom plate (at the step S530); and cutting the shock-absorbing insole (at the step S40).
In this case, the method of manufacturing a shock-absorbing insole for a footwear as mentioned above is related to the preferred embodiments mentioned with reference to FIGS. 3 to 9, FIGS. 10 to 13, and FIGS. 14 to 17. At this time, the preferred embodiments of the present invention include the springs 19.
On the other hand, according to the shock-absorbing member 10 as mentioned with reference to FIGS. 3 to 9, and FIGS. 14 to 17, the molded shock-absorbing member 10 is compressed and coupled on the bottom surface of the heel portion of the bottom plate (at the step S530), after the respective parts provided separately are assembled.
According to the shock-absorbing member 10 as mentioned with reference to FIGS. 10 to 13, the springs 19 formed contracted and restored in the upward and downward direction are inserted vertically into the grooves of the semispherical caps 17, and then, the springs 19 are inserted into a mold forming the base plate 40 at given intervals. Next, a polyurethane resin is poured to form the base plate 40, and at the same time, the base plate 40 is formed integrally with the caps 17 into which the springs 19 are inserted, thereby molding the shock-absorbing member 10 having the plurality of first protrusions 12.
The step of compressing and coupling the molded shock-absorbing member 10 on the bottom surface 114 of the heel portion 112 of the bottom plate 110 is achieved by coupling the top surface of the base plate 40 on the bottom surface 114 of the heel portion 112 of the bottom plate 110 by means of heat fusion, such that the shock-absorbing member 12 and the bottom plate 110 are formed integrally with each other, thereby forming the shock-absorbing insole 100.
While the present invention has been described with reference to the particular illustrative embodiments, it is not to be restricted by the embodiments but only by the appended claims. It is to be appreciated that those skilled in the art can change or modify the embodiments without departing from the scope and spirit of the present invention.

MODE FOR THE INVENTION

FIG. 1 is a perspective view showing a shock-absorbing insole for a footwear according to a first embodiment of the present invention.
Referring to FIG. 1, the shock-absorbing insole 100 according to the present invention includes the bottom plate 110 made of a synthetic resin, the fabric (which has no reference numeral designated) attached on the top surface of the bottom plate 110, and the shock-absorbing member 10 formed on the bottom surface 114 of the heel portion 112 of the bottom plate 110. The shock-absorbing member 10 is made of an elastic synthetic resin for absorbing shocks applied to the footwear in such a manner as to be contracted and restored from/to its original state in accordance with the load applied during walking, and is formed integrally with the bottom surface 114 of the heel portion 112 of the bottom plate 110. On the other hand, the bottom plate 110 is formed of one of a variety of kinds. For example, the bottom plate 110 has a ventilating hole having various shapes (hexagonal and square honey combs) for absorbing and releasing the shocks applied thereto and for ventilating air upwardly and downwardly, thereby effectively removing the sweat generated from the sole of foot. The present invention may adopt various kinds of functional bottom plates as well as a general bottom plate.
On the other hand, the shock-absorbing insole 100 according to the present invention has the shock-absorbing member 10 integrally formed the bottom plate 110 by adopting various technologies. For example, the shock-absorbing insole 100 according to the present invention can adopt, as shown in FIGS. 1 and 2, the method where the shock-absorbing member 10 is formed integrally with the bottom plate 110 upon the molding of the bottom plate 110, and otherwise, can adopt, as shown in FIGS. 3 to 9, FIGS. 10 to 13, and FIGS. 14 to 17, the method where the shock-absorbing member 10 is separately made and then formed integrally with the bottom plate 110 separately molded by means of heat fusion. Especially, as shown in FIGS. 14 to 17, the shock-absorbing insole 100 is configured where the heel cup 11′ is attached on the bottom surface 114 of the bottom plate 110, and in this case, the springs 19, the supporter 20′, and the auxiliary supporter 50 are disposed in the heel cup 11′. As shown in FIGS. 14 to 17, the foot sole shock-absorbing member 60 is additionally formed at the front side of the heel cup 11′, for absorbing the shocks applied to the front sole of the foot.

INDUSTRIAL APPLICABILITY

According to a shock-absorbing insole for a footwear and a method of manufacturing a shock-absorbing insole for a footwear, the shock-absorbing member with the shock-absorbing function is molded integrally with the bottom plate or attached integrally therewith by means of heat fusion, thereby preventing escaping and breaking while in use.
Unlike the conventional practices, further, the shock-absorbing member is formed integrally with the bottom surface of the bottom plate, thereby having more improved durability when compared with the conventional practices and continuously carrying out more stable shock-absorbing performance. Moreover, the shock-absorbing member is molded integrally to the bottom plate upon molding the bottom plate or attached to the bottom plate by means of heat fusion, thereby making manufacturing easily carried out, and the shock-absorbing member has an assembling structure wherein springs are stably fixed at the inside thereof, thereby preventing the generation of noise therefrom.

Claims

1. A shock-absorbing insole for a footwear comprising:

a bottom plate (110) made of a synthetic resin and having fabric attached on the top surface thereof; and

a shock-absorbing member (10) made of an elastic synthetic resin for absorbing shocks applied to the footwear in such a manner as to be contracted and restored from/to its original state in accordance with the load applied during walking, the shock-absorbing member (10) being formed integrally with a bottom surface (114) of a heel portion (112) of the bottom plate (110).

2. The shock-absorbing insole according to claim 1, wherein the shock-absorbing member (10) has a plurality of first protrusions (12) formed integrally with the bottom plate (110) upon the molding of the bottom plate (110) in such a manner as to be protruded downwardly from the bottom surface (114) of the bottom plate (110), each of the plurality of first protrusions (12) having a plurality of folds (13) formed along the outer periphery thereof in such a manner as to be contracted and restored in the upward and downward direction thereof.

3. The shock-absorbing insole according to claim 2, wherein the shock-absorbing member (10) has a second protrusion (14) formed integrally with the bottom plate (110) upon the molding of the bottom plate (110) in such a manner as to be protruded inclinedly toward the front side of the bottom plate (110) in front of the first protrusions (12), the second protrusion (14) having a plurality of folds (15) formed along the outer periphery thereof in such a manner as to be contracted and restored in the upward and downward direction thereof.

4. The shock-absorbing insole according to claim 1, further comprising a plurality of springs (19) disposed at the inside of the shock-absorbing member (10) in such a manner as to be contracted and restored in the upward and downward direction thereof, each of the springs (19) being disposed at the inside of the shock-absorbing member (10) before the molding of the shock-absorbing member (10) in such a manner as to be formed integrally with the shock-absorbing member (10) upon the molding of the shock-absorbing member (10).

5. The shock-absorbing insole according to claim 1, wherein the shock-absorbing member (10) further comprises: a frame (11) having a plurality of receiving grooves (18) formed downwardly from the top surface thereof, and a plurality of protrusions (12 and 14) protruded downwardly from the bottom surface thereof at the positions corresponding to each of the plurality of receiving grooves (18), the frame (11) being attached integrally to the bottom surface (114) of the bottom plate (110) by means of heat fusion; and a plurality of springs (19) insertedly coupled to the plurality of receiving grooves (18).

6. The shock-absorbing insole according to claim 5, wherein the frame (11) has a main recess (16) formed to a lower depth than that of each of the plurality of receiving grooves (18), for forming the plurality of receiving grooves (18) at the inside thereof, and the shock-absorbing member (10) further has a supporter (20) adapted to be insertedly coupled with the main recess (16) and having a plurality of insertion holes (22) formed at the inside thereof for inserting the springs (19) thereto and a holding plate (30) adapted to be coupled to the top surface of the frame (11) for compressing the springs (19).

7. The shock-absorbing insole according to claim 1, wherein the shock-absorbing member (10) further has a base plate (40) attached integrally on the bottom surface (114) of the heel portion (112) of the bottom plate (10) by means of heat fusion, a plurality of protrusions (12 and 14) molded integrally to the base plate (40) in such a manner as to be protruded downwardly from the base plate (40), and a plurality of springs (19) molded integrally to the plurality of protrusions (12 and 14) in such a manner as to be inserted at the inside of the plurality of protrusions (12 and 14).

8. A shock-absorbing insole for a footwear comprising:

a shock-absorbing member (10) formed integrally with a bottom surface (114) of a heel portion (112) of the bottom plate (110), the shock-absorbing member (110) being made of an elastic synthetic resin for absorbing shocks applied to the footwear in such a manner as to be contracted and restored from/to its original state, the shock-absorbing member (10) comprising:

a heel cup (11′) made of a synthetic resin in such a manner as to be formed integrally with the bottom surface (114) of the heel portion (112) of the bottom plate (110) by means of heat fusion and having a main recess (16) formed downwardly from the top surface thereof at the inside thereof, a plurality of receiving grooves (18) formed downwardly from the main recess (16), and a plurality of protrusions (12′) protruded downwardly from the bottom surface at the positions corresponding to the plurality of receiving grooves (18);

a plurality of springs (19) disposed at the inside of the plurality of receiving grooves (18) of the heel cup (11′) in such a manner as to make the heel cup (H′) attached supportedly to the bottom surface (114) of the bottom plate (110) to apply an elastic force to the bottom plate (110); and

a supporter (20) adapted to be insertedly coupled with the main recess (16) and made of an elastic synthetic resin for supporting the surroundings of the springs (19), the supporter (20) having a plurality of insertion holes (22) formed at the inside thereof for inserting the springs (19) thereto.

9. A method of manufacturing a shock-absorbing insole having a bottom plate made of a synthetic resin and having fabric attached on the top surface thereof, the method comprising the steps of:

molding a shock-absorbing member with a synthetic resin, the shock-absorbing member having a plurality of protrusions formed protruded downwardly from the bottom surface (S520); and

coupling the shock-absorbing member with a bottom plate by means of heat fusion (S530).

10. The method of manufacturing a shock-absorbing insole according to claim 9, further comprising the step of insertedly coupling a plurality of springs correspondingly to the inside of the plurality of protrusions.

11. The shock-absorbing insole according to claim 2, further comprising a plurality of springs (19) disposed at the inside of the shock-absorbing member (10) in such a manner as to be contracted and restored in the upward and downward direction thereof, each of the springs (19) being disposed at the inside of the shock-absorbing member (10) before the molding of the shock-absorbing member (10) in such a manner as to be formed integrally with the shock-absorbing member (10) upon the molding of the shock-absorbing member (10).

12. The shock-absorbing insole according to claim 3, further comprising a plurality of springs (19) disposed at the inside of the shock-absorbing member (10) in such a manner as to be contracted and restored in the upward and downward direction thereof, each of the springs (19) being disposed at the inside of the shock-absorbing member (10) before the molding of the shock-absorbing member (10) in such a manner as to be formed integrally with the shock-absorbing member (10) upon the molding of the shock-absorbing member (10).