Foot aerating device

June 4, 1935.

M. DE BLASIO

FOOT AERATING DEVICE Filed Aug. 23, 1934

2,003,646

Sheets-Sheet 1

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Inventor

Michele Defflas/o

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June 4, 1935.

M. DE BLASIO

FOOT AERATING DEVICE Filed Aug. 23, 1934

2,003,646

Sheets-Sheet 2

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Attorney

Patented June 4, 1935

2,003,646

UNITED STATES PATENT OFFICE

2,003,646

FOOT AERATING DEVICE Michele De Blasio, Wilkes-Barre, Pa. Application August 23, 1934, Serial No. 741,155

Claim. (Cl. 36—3)

This invention relates to means for aerating the human foot and has more particular reference to a ventilating device such as is adapted to be built into a shoe for the purpose of circulating air to cool the foot and keep it substantially dry.

It is a matter of common knowledge that many persons suffer with foot troubles directly traceable to moist and perspiring feet. I have therefore discovered the need for the provision of means which is preferably built into a shoe and which is especially constructed for the purpose of circulating air in the shoe and around the foot in a manner to maintain the foot in a more comfortable condition less susceptible to so-called athlete’s foot and other annoying diseases.

Briefly, the preferred embodiment of the invention comprises an adapter plate which is designed for insertion in the shoe and which has the additional function of an arch rest or support which plate is equipped with a hose and which hose or tube is connected with a bulb mounted in the heel to function as a pump for forcing the air back and forth for ventilating and circulation purposes.

Other features and advantages will become more readily apparent from the following description and drawings.

In the drawings:

Fig. I is a view of a conventional shoe with the invention built into it.

Fig. 2 is a top plan view with the parts of the invention illustrated in elevation.

Fig. 3 is a detail perspective view of the adapter plate carrying the circulating tube through which the air is forced back and forth.

Fig. 4 is a view similar to Fig. 3 showing a slightly different embodiment of the invention, this being of the dual or duplex type.

Fig. 5 is a perspective view of the form of adapter plate used in the style of device shown in Fig. 4.

Fig. 6 is a detail perspective view of the pumpforming foot or heel depressed bulb.

Generically stated, in both forms of the invention, I use a bulb which is shaped to fit into a recess in the heel and which is located directly underneath the heel so that it is actuated during the process of walking. Attached to this is an air circulating tube which is in turn attached to an adapter plate and which is located to circulate the air back and forth at a convenient point within the limits of the shoe.

Referring first to the single form of the invention shown in Fig. 1, it will be observed that the numeral 7 designates a conventional shoe having an insole 8 which insole is here shown as provided with an aperture reinforced by a vent or eye 9. The heel 10 is recessed to accommodate the bulb I f. The bulb is here shown in the form of a hollow block-like body which is fashioned to fit neatly in the recess. The top wall thereof is 5 provided with a riser 12 here shown as of crossshaped form. The heel of the wearer is adapted to rest on this and to work it up and down in an obvious manner for pumping the air in and out. The air passes through a discharge neck 13 to 10 which the tube 14 is connected. This tube is carried by a longitudinally bowed adapter plate (5. At the forward end of the plate is an opening through which the discharge end 16 of the tube is projected so as to allow it to fit into the 15 eyelet 9 and to circulate the air. The adapter plate IS serves as a carrier for the tube and as a general proposition the sole of the shoe is formed with a groove to accommodate the tube as illustrated in Fig. 1. 20

In the duplex style of the invention illustrated in Figs. 4 to 6 inclusive, a slight variation in construction is resorted to. Fundamentally however, this structure is the same. As shown in Fig. 6 for example, the numeral 17 designates a hoi- 25 low block-like bulb which is shaped to fit into the recess in the heel and which is formed on its top with a segmental riser 18 which functions as a button to permit the requisite movement of the top wall of the bulb for the purpose of producing 30 the alternate pressure and suction strokes of the bulb. In a sense, the bulb, in either instance, performs in the capacity of a miniature pump. In this arrangement, it is shown as provided with a pair of nipples 19 to accommodate the adjacent 35 intake ends of the circulating tube 20. There are two of these tubes and they are mounted in tubular shields or sheaths 21 formed along opposite longitudinal edges of the adapter plate 22. The adapter plate is here shown as terminating in 40 a dove-tail extension or rest 23 bearing down upon and conforming in shape and proportions to the sole of the shoe. The discharge ends of the tubes or pipes are denoted by the numerals 24 and these are fitted into the complemental eyelets 45 25 in the insole 26.

It is obvious that the invention is adapted to be constructed either for original installation in the shoe at the time of manufacture or it can be employed as an attachment applicable to the 50 shoe after it is purchased by the desired liser. In either instance, however, we are concerned with the provision of a pump which is mounted in the sole and heel portion of the shoe and which includes a suction bulb depressible by the action 55

9,003,646 of the heel during walking which bulb is connected with either one or two pipes or tubes for circulating the air to the desired point. In the present instance, the discharge end of the tube is 5 located just beneath the transverse arch of the foot. This is believed to be the most appropriate place for taking in and discharging the air.

It is thought that persons skilled in the art to which the invention relates will be able to obtain 10 a clear understanding of the invention after considering the description in connection with the drawings. Therefore, a more lengthy description is regarded as unnecessary.

Minor changes in shape, size and rearranga ment of details coming within the field of invention claimed may be resorted to in actual practice, if desired.