VACUUM RELEASE MECHANISM FOR A FOOTWEAR ARTICLE

Abstract

A footwear article having a vacuum release mechanism is disclosed. The vacuum release mechanism is configured to equalize pressure and release a vacuum created beneath a sole of the footwear article. The vacuum release mechanism mitigates undesired retention of the footwear article in high-viscosity materials such as mud or concrete. The vacuum release mechanism includes at least one sleeve fixedly secured within at least one fluid passageway formed in the sole, which fluidly connects an exterior environment to an interior of the footwear article. A replaceable check valve is removably disposed within the at least one sleeve. An installation and removal tool may be used to engage and disengage the check valve from the at least one sleeve.

Claims

1. A vacuum release mechanism for a footwear article, comprising: at least one sleeve fixedly secured within at least one passageway formed in a sole of the footwear article; and at least one replaceable check valve removably disposed within the at least one sleeve.

2. The vacuum release mechanism of claim 1, wherein the at least one replaceable check valve is a spring-type check valve, comprising: a valve body; a movable valve piston disposed within the valve body, the valve piston positionable between a closed position to militate against a flow of fluid through the at least one passageway and an open position to permit the flow of fluid through the at least one passageway; and a biasing element configured to urge the movable valve piston towards the closed position.

3. The vacuum release mechanism of claim 1, wherein an outer surface of the at least one sleeve includes one or more projections formed thereon and configured to engage an inner surface of the at least one passageway.

4. The vacuum release mechanism of claim 1, wherein the at least one replaceable check valve is releasably coupled to the at least one sleeve by threaded engagement.

5. The vacuum release mechanism of claim 1, wherein the valve body is configured to cooperate with a tool for installation and removal from the at least one sleeve.

6. The vacuum release mechanism of claim 1, wherein the valve body includes one or more slots configured to cooperate with one or more teeth of a tool for installation and removal from the at least one sleeve.

7. A footwear article, comprising: a sole including an insole, an outsole, and a heel; an upper coupled to the sole, wherein the insole and the upper defines an interior of the footwear article; at least one passageway formed in the sole, the at least one passageway fluidly connects an exterior environment with the interior of the footwear article; and at least one vacuum release mechanism disposed within the at least one passageway of the sole, comprising: at least one sleeve fixedly secured within at least one passageway formed in the sole; and at least one replaceable check valve removably disposed within the at least one sleeve.

8. The footwear article of claim 7, wherein the at least one replaceable check valve is a spring-type check valve, comprising: a valve body; a movable valve piston disposed within the valve body, the valve piston positionable between a closed position to militate against a flow of fluid through the at least one passageway and an open position to permit the flow of fluid through the at least one passageway; and a biasing element configured to urge the movable valve piston towards the closed position.

9. The footwear article of claim 7, wherein the footwear article forms part of a waterproof garment.

10. The footwear article of claim 7, wherein a side face of the heel intersects and is formed at an angle relative to an outer contact surface of the outsole, and wherein a first end opening of the at least one passageway is formed in the side face of the heel and a second end opening of the at least one passageway is formed in the insole.

11. The footwear article of claim 7, wherein an entirety of the at least one fluid passageway is formed in the sole of the footwear article.

12. The footwear article of claim 7, wherein the at least one fluid passageway is formed at an angle through the sole of the footwear article.

13. The footwear article of claim 7, wherein the at least one fluid passageway forms a linear flow path through the sole of the footwear article.

14. The footwear article of claim 7, wherein the first end opening of the at least one fluid passageway is oblique to the outsole of the footwear article.

15. The footwear article of claim 7, wherein the second end opening of the at least one fluid passageway is relatively coplanar with an interior surface of the insole of the footwear article.

16. The footwear article of claim 7, wherein the at least one check valve is maintained in the closed position when the footwear article is not subjected to a vacuum force, and wherein the at least one check valve transitions to the open position when the vacuum force acting on the at least one check valve exceeds a biasing force exerted by the biasing element on the movable valve piston so that the flow of fluid through the at least one passageway is permitted when the footwear article is restrained by a vacuum.

17. The footwear article of claim 7, wherein a plurality of vacuum release mechanisms is disposed in a plurality of fluid passageways formed in the sole of the footwear article, and wherein each of the fluid passageways is separate and fluidly disconnected from one another.

18. The footwear article of claim 7, wherein the sole of the footwear article is produced from a self-sealing material that forms a substantially fluid-tight seal between the at least one sleeve and an inner surface of the at least one fluid passageway.

19. The footwear article of claim 7, further comprising a sealing element to form a substantially fluid-tight seal between the at least one sleeve and an inner surface of the at least one fluid passageway.

20. A footwear article, comprising: a sole including an insole, an outsole, and a heel having a side face, wherein the side face of the heel intersects and is formed at an angle relative to an outer contact surface of the outsole; an upper coupled to the sole, wherein the insole and the upper defines an interior of the footwear article; at least one passageway formed in the sole, the at least one passageway fluidly connects an exterior environment with the interior of the footwear article, wherein a first end opening of the at least one passageway is formed in the side face of the heel and a second end opening of the at least one passageway is formed in the insole; and at least one vacuum release mechanism disposed within the at least one passageway of the sole, comprising: at least one sleeve fixedly secured within at least one passageway formed in a sole of the footwear article; and at least one replaceable check valve removably disposed within the at least one sleeve, wherein the at least one replaceable check valve is a spring-type check valve, comprising: a valve body; a movable valve piston disposed within the valve body, the valve piston positionable between a closed position to militate against a flow of fluid through the at least one passageway and an open position to permit the flow of fluid through the at least one passageway; and a biasing element configured to urge the movable valve piston towards the closed position.

Description

BRIEF DESCRIPTION OF THE DRAWINGS

[0043] The drawings described herein are for illustrative purposes only of selected embodiments and not all possible implementations, and are not intended to limit the scope of the present disclosure.

[0044] FIG. 1 is a side perspective view of a footwear article having a vacuum release mechanism according to an embodiment of the present disclosure.

[0045] FIG. 2 is a side elevational view of the footwear article of FIG. 1.

[0046] FIG. 3 is a bottom plan view of the footwear article of FIGS. 1 and 2.

[0047] FIG. 4 is a section view of the footwear article of FIGS. 1-3 taken along section line 4-4 of FIG. 3.

[0048] FIG. 5 is a partially exploded bottom perspective view of the footwear article of FIGS. 1-4.

[0049] FIG. 6 is a partially exploded enlarged detailed view of a portion of the footwear article of FIGS. 1-5 depicted within Circle Area 6 of FIG. 5.

[0050] FIG. 7 is a fragmentary front elevational view of the footwear article of FIGS. 1-6, wherein a lower limb portion of a wearer is disposed in the footwear article and the lower limb portion is in a first position.

[0051] FIG. 8 is a fragmentary section view of the footwear article of FIGS. 1-7 taken along section line 8-8 of FIG. 7, wherein the lower limb portion of the wearer is disposed in the footwear article and the lower limb portion is in the first position.

[0052] FIG. 9 is a fragmentary front elevational view of the footwear article of FIGS. 1-8, wherein a lower limb portion of a wearer is disposed in the footwear article and the lower limb portion is in a second position.

[0053] FIG. 10 is a fragmentary section view of the footwear article of FIGS. 1-9 taken along section line 10-10 of FIG. 9, wherein the lower limb portion of the wearer is disposed in the footwear article and the lower limb portion is in the second position.

[0054] FIG. 11 is an enlarged detailed view of a portion of the footwear article of FIGS. 1-10 depicted within Circle Area 11 of FIG. 10.

[0055] FIG. 12 is a top plan view of a check valve of the vacuum release mechanism of the footwear article of FIGS. 1-11.

[0056] FIG. 13 is a side elevational view of the check valve of FIG. 12.

[0057] FIG. 14 is a cross-sectional view of the check valve of FIGS. 12 and 13 taken along section line 14-14 of FIG. 13, wherein the check valve is depicted in a closed or first position.

[0058] FIG. 15 is a bottom plan view of the check valve of FIGS. 12-14.

[0059] FIG. 16 is an exploded side perspective view of the check valve of FIGS. 12-15.

[0060] FIG. 17 is a top plan view of a check valve of another exemplary embodiment of a vacuum release mechanism for the footwear article of FIGS. 1-11.

[0061] FIG. 18 is a bottom perspective view of the check valve of FIG. 17.

[0062] FIG. 19 is a side elevational view of the check valve of FIGS. 17-18.

[0063] FIG. 20 is a bottom plan view of the check valve of FIGS. 17-19.

[0064] FIG. 21 is an exploded side perspective view of the check valve of FIGS. 17-20.

[0065] FIG. 22 is a front elevational view of a sleeve of the vacuum release mechanism with the check valve of FIGS. 17-21.

[0066] FIG. 23 is a sectional view of the sleeve of FIG. 22 taken along section line 23-23 in FIG. 22.

[0067] FIG. 24 is a top plan view of the sleeve of FIGS. 22 and 23.

[0068] FIG. 25 is a bottom plan view of the sleeve of FIGS. 22-24.

[0069] FIG. 26 is a bottom perspective view of the sleeve of FIGS. 22-25.

[0070] FIG. 27 is a top perspective view of the sleeve of FIGS. 22-26.

[0071] FIG. 28 is a bottom plan view of the footwear article of FIGS. 1-11 including two vacuum release mechanisms, each comprising the check valve of FIGS. 17-21 and the sleeve of FIGS. 22-27.

[0072] FIG. 29 is a sectional view of the footwear article of FIGS. 1-11 and 28 taken along section line 29-29 in FIG. 28, wherein the lower limb portion of the wearer is disposed in the footwear article and the lower limb portion is in the first position.

[0073] FIG. 30 is an enlarged detailed view of a portion of the footwear article depicted within Circle Area 30 of FIG. 29.

[0074] FIG. 31 is a perspective view of a tool for the footwear article of FIGS. 1-11 and 28-30 for installation and removable of the check valve shown in FIGS. 17-21 of the vacuum release mechanism.

[0075] FIG. 32 is a top plan view of the tool of FIG. 31.

DETAILED DESCRIPTION

[0076] The following description of technology is merely exemplary in nature of the subject matter, manufacture and use of one or more disclosures, and is not intended to limit the scope, application, or uses of any specific disclosure claimed in this application or in such other applications as may be filed claiming priority to this application, or patents issuing therefrom. Regarding methods disclosed, the order of the steps presented is exemplary in nature, and thus, the order of the steps can be different in various embodiments. A and an as used herein indicate at least one of the item is present; a plurality of such items may be present, when possible. Except where otherwise expressly indicated, all numerical quantities in this description are to be understood as modified by the word about and all geometric and spatial descriptors are to be understood as modified by the word substantially in describing the broadest scope of the technology. About when applied to numerical values indicates that the calculation or the measurement allows some slight imprecision in the value (with some approach to exactness in the value; approximately or reasonably close to the value; nearly). If, for some reason, the imprecision provided by about and/or substantially is not otherwise understood in the art with this ordinary meaning, then about and/or substantially as used herein indicates at least variations that may arise from ordinary methods of measuring or using such parameters.

[0077] All documents, including patents, patent applications, and scientific literature cited in this detailed description are incorporated herein by reference, unless otherwise expressly indicated. Where any conflict or ambiguity may exist between a document incorporated by reference and this detailed description, the present detailed description controls.

[0078] Although the open-ended term comprising, as a synonym of non-restrictive terms such as including, containing, or having, is used herein to describe and claim embodiments of the present technology, embodiments may alternatively be described using more limiting terms such as consisting of or consisting essentially of. Thus, for any given embodiment reciting materials, components, or process steps, the present technology also specifically includes embodiments consisting of, or consisting essentially of, such materials, components, or process steps excluding additional materials, components or processes (for consisting of) and excluding additional materials, components or processes affecting the significant properties of the embodiment (for consisting essentially of), even though such additional materials, components or processes are not explicitly recited in this application. For example, recitation of a composition or process reciting elements A, B and C specifically envisions embodiments consisting of, and consisting essentially of, A, B and C, excluding an element D that may be recited in the art, even though element D is not explicitly described as being excluded herein.

[0079] As referred to herein, all compositional percentages are by weight of the total composition, unless otherwise specified. Disclosures of ranges are, unless specified otherwise, inclusive of endpoints and include all distinct values and further divided ranges within the entire range. Thus, for example, a range of from A to B or from about A to about B is inclusive of A and of B. Disclosure of values and ranges of values for specific parameters (such as amounts, weight percentages, etc.) are not exclusive of other values and ranges of values useful herein. It is envisioned that two or more specific exemplified values for a given parameter may define endpoints for a range of values that may be claimed for the parameter. For example, if Parameter X is exemplified herein to have value A and also exemplified to have value Z, it is envisioned that Parameter X may have a range of values from about A to about Z. Similarly, it is envisioned that disclosure of two or more ranges of values for a parameter (whether such ranges are nested, overlapping or distinct) subsume all possible combination of ranges for the value that might be claimed using endpoints of the disclosed ranges. For example, if Parameter X is exemplified herein to have values in the range of 1-10, or 2-9, or 3-8, it is also envisioned that Parameter X may have other ranges of values including 1-9, 1-8, 1-3, 1-2, 2-10, 2-8, 2-3, 3-10, 3-9, and so on.

[0080] When an element or layer is referred to as being on, engaged to, connected to, or coupled to another element or layer, it may be directly on, engaged, connected or coupled to the other element or layer, or intervening elements or layers may be present. In contrast, when an element is referred to as being directly on, directly engaged to, directly connected to or directly coupled to another element or layer, there may be no intervening elements or layers present. Other words used to describe the relationship between elements should be interpreted in a like fashion (e.g., between versus directly between, adjacent versus directly adjacent, etc.). As used herein, the term and/or includes any and all combinations of one or more of the associated listed items.

[0081] Although the terms first, second, third, etc. may be used herein to describe various elements, components, regions, layers and/or sections, these elements, components, regions, layers and/or sections should not be limited by these terms. These terms may be only used to distinguish one element, component, region, layer or section from another region, layer or section. Terms such as first, second, and other numerical terms when used herein do not imply a sequence or order unless clearly indicated by the context. Thus, a first element, component, region, layer or section discussed below could be termed a second element, component, region, layer or section without departing from the teachings of the example embodiments.

[0082] Spatially relative terms, such as inner, outer, beneath, below, lower, above, upper, and the like, may be used herein for ease of description to describe one element or feature's relationship to another element(s) or feature(s) as illustrated in the figures. Spatially relative terms may be intended to encompass different orientations of the device in use or operation in addition to the orientation depicted in the figures. For example, if the device in the figures is turned over, elements described as below or beneath other elements or features would then be oriented above the other elements or features. Thus, the example term below can encompass both an orientation of above and below. The device may be otherwise oriented (rotated 90 degrees or at other orientations) and the spatially relative descriptors used herein interpreted accordingly.

[0083] FIGS. 1-11 illustrate a vacuum release mechanism for a footwear article 2 according to an embodiment of the present disclosure. Typically, the footwear article 2 includes a sole 4 and an upper 6 coupled to the sole 4. It is understood that the sole 4 and the upper 6 may be separate and distinct components of the footwear article 2 or be integrally formed as a single unit. The sole 4 may comprise an insole 8 and an outsole 10. The upper 6 and the insole 8 may define an interior 12 of the footwear article 2. A heel 14 may also be formed on a rear portion of the sole 4 of the footwear article 2. It is understood that the heel 14 may be integrally formed with and become a part of the sole 4 of the footwear article 2. In some embodiments, the footwear article 2 may be a shoe, a boot, or any type of footwear that may be worn in high-viscosity material. In other embodiments, the footwear article 2 may also form part of a waterproof garment such as waders, for example.

[0084] As illustrated, the footwear article 2 may further include a vacuum release mechanism 16. The vacuum release mechanism 16 may include one or more check valves 18 disposed in one or more fluid passageways 20 formed in the sole 4 and/or the heel 14 of the footwear article 2. An entirety of the fluid passageways 20 may be formed in the sole 4 and/or heel 14 of the footwear article 2. In some embodiments, the fluid passageways 20 may be formed at an angle through the sole 4 and/or the heel 14. The fluid passageways 20 form flow paths through the sole 4 and/or heel 14 of the footwear article 2 and fluidly connect the interior 12 of the footwear article 2 to an exterior environment. Although the flow paths depicted are generally linear flow paths, it is understood that each of the flow paths formed by the fluid passageways 20 may have any shape, size, and configuration as desired.

[0085] Each of the fluid passageways 20 may be separate and fluidly disconnected from one another as more clearly shown in FIG. 3. It is understood, however, that in certain embodiments, at least two of the fluid passageways 20 may be fluidly connected within the sole 4 and/or the heel 14 of the footwear article 2. End openings 22 of the fluid passageways 20 may be formed in a face 24 of the heel 14 of the footwear article 2. Such location is advantageous to keep the end openings 22, the check valves 18, and the fluid passageways 20 free of undesired material and debris that may cause blockage thereof. In certain embodiments, the end openings 22 may be formed at an angle to the outsole 10 of the footwear article 2, and more particularly, the end openings 22 may be oblique to the outsole 10. Opposing end openings 26 of the fluid passageways 20 may be relatively coplanar with an interior surface of the insole 8 of the footwear article 2. In some embodiments, the fluid passageways 20, and more particularly the end openings 26 thereof, may be fluidly connected to a tube having an end open to the exterior environment.

[0086] In the embodiment shown in FIGS. 6-11, each of the check valves 18 may be disposed into a respective one of the fluid passageways 20. The check valves 18 may be retained in the fluid passageways 20 by one of an interference fit, a threaded engagement, and at least one retaining element. It is understood that the check valves 18 may be any type of check valves as desired such as a piston-type check valve, a ball-type check valve, a diaphragm-type check valve, a swing-type check valve, a spring-type check valve, and a duckbill-type check valve, for example. The check valves 18 may be replaceable if desired. A substantially fluid tight seal is formed between the check valves 18 and an inner surface 28 of the fluid passageways 20. In some embodiments, the sole 4 and/or heel 14 of the footwear article 2 is produced from a self-sealing material (e.g., rubber, silicone) that forms a substantially fluid-tight seal between the check valves 18 and the inner surface 28 of the fluid passageways 20. In other embodiments, a sealing element may be disposed between the check valves 18 and the inner surface 28 of the fluid passageways 20 to form a substantially fluid-tight seal therebetween.

[0087] An exemplary embodiment of one of the check valves 18 is shown in FIGS. 12-16. The check valve 18 comprises a valve body 32, a movable valve piston 34, a sealing element 36 (e.g., an O-ring), and a biasing element 38 (e.g., a helical spring). As depicted, the valve body 32 may have a generally cylindrical shape with a bore 40 formed therethrough from a first end 42 to a second end 44 of the valve body 32. A seat 46 may be formed on an inner surface 48 of the valve body 32 to perform as a stop for the biasing element 38. One or more barbs 50 may be integrally formed on an outer surface 52 of the valve body 32 to engage the inner surface 28 of the fluid passageway 20 to maintain a position of the check valve 18 therein. The biasing element 38 is biased between a retainer portion 54 of the valve piston 34 and the seat 46 of the valve body 32. The biasing element 38 positions the valve piston 34 in a closed first position, as shown in FIG. 14, causing the sealing element 36 to seal against a valve body sealing surface 56 and a valve piston sealing surface 58. The check valves 18 in the first position militates against a flow of fluid therethrough when the footwear article 2 is unrestrained.

[0088] FIGS. 17-21 illustrate a replaceable check valve 118 for a vacuum release mechanism 116 according to another embodiment of the disclosure. The check valve 118 of FIGS. 17-21 is substantially similar to the check valve 18 of FIGS. 12-16, with the primary distinction being the retaining method used to retain the check valves 118 in the fluid passageways 20. Corresponding structural elements in FIGS. 17-21 are identified using reference numbers with a prime symbol (). For simplicity and brevity, a detailed description of the corresponding structural elements is not repeated herein. New structural elements in FIGS. 17-21 are identified using reference numbers in the one-hundred series.

[0089] In this embodiment, the check valve 118 comprises a valve body 132, a movable valve piston 34, a sealing element 36 (e.g., an O-ring), and a biasing element 38 (e.g., a helical spring). As depicted, the valve body 132 may have a generally cylindrical shape with a bore 140 formed therethrough from a first end 142 to a second end 144 of the valve body 132. The valve body 132 may also include one or more slots 172 formed at the second end 144, each slot 172 extending longitudinally into the valve body 132 towards the first end 142. The slots 172 may take any geometric form as desired. As illustrated in FIGS. 17-21, the slots 172 may be generally rectangular as a non-limiting example.

[0090] A seat (not illustrated) may be formed on an inner surface 148 of the valve body 132 to perform as a stop for the biasing element 38. The biasing element 38 is biased between a retainer portion 54 of the valve piston 34 and the seat of the valve body 132. The biasing element 38 positions the valve piston 34 in a closed first position, as illustrated in FIGS. 29 and 30, causing the sealing element 36 to seal against a valve body sealing surface 56 and a valve piston sealing surface 58. The check valve 118 in the first position militates against a flow of fluid therethrough when the footwear article 2 is unrestrained.

[0091] FIGS. 22-27 illustrate a sleeve 166 which is provided to retain the check valve 118 within the fluid passageway 20. Preferably, the check valve 118 is removably disposed within the sleeve 166. As illustrated, the sleeve 166 may have a generally cylindrical shape with a bore 182 formed therethrough from a first end 184 to a second end 186 of the sleeve 166. The sleeve 166 also has an inner surface 174 and an outer surface 176. The sleeve 166 may be configured to be releasably coupled with the valve body 132 of the check valve 118. In some embodiments, the sleeve 166 and the valve body 132 of the check valve 118 are releasably coupled by threaded engagement. In this exemplary embodiment, the check valve 118 includes a plurality of external threads 168 integrally formed on an outer surface 170 of the valve body 132. Additionally, the inner surface 174 of the sleeve 166 may include one or more internal threads 178 integrally formed on the inner surface 174 of the sleeve 166. In this embodiment, the internal threads 178 may be formed to engage with the external threads 168 on the outer surface 170 of the valve body 132. It should be understood, however, that the sleeve 166 and the valve body 132 of the check valve 118 may be releasably coupled by any other suitable means and method as desired.

[0092] The sleeve 166 is configured to be fixedly secured within the fluid passageway 20. In some embodiments, the outer surface 176 of the sleeve 166 may include one or more projections 180, for example, barbs integrally formed on and extending outwardly from the outer surface 176 of the sleeve 166. The one or more projections 180 may be configured to engage the inner surface 28 of the fluid passageway 20 to maintain a position of the sleeve 166, and therefore the check valve 118, therein. However, it should be understood that the sleeve 166 can be fixedly secured in the fluid passageway 20 by any suitable means and method as desired. In some embodiments, a sealing element (not illustrated) may be provided to form a substantially fluid-tight seal between the at least one sleeve 166 and the inner surface 28 of the at least one fluid passageway 20.

[0093] FIGS. 28-30 further illustrate an exemplary embodiment of the vacuum release mechanism 116 for the footwear article 2 having check valves 118. In this embodiment, the sleeves 166 are placed within the fluid passageways 20, lining the inner surface 28 of the fluid passageways 20. The sleeves 166 are fixedly secured within the fluid passageways 20 through the one or more projections 180 which engage the inner surface 28 of the fluid passageways 20 to maintain the position of the sleeve 166 within the fluid passageways 20. The check valves 118 are also placed within the fluid passageways 20 and are releasably coupled with the sleeves 166. In this embodiment, the external threads 168 disposed on the outer surface 170 of the valve body 132, and therefore the check valves 118, are configured to interact with the internal threads 178 integrally formed on the inner surface 174 of the sleeves 166.

[0094] When the threads 168, 178 engage, the check valves 118 are securely retained within the sleeve 166, and therefore within the fluid passageways 20 of the vacuum release mechanism 116. This provides the check valves 118 with a secure fit within the fluid passageways 20 when the external threads 168 of the valve body 132 are used to screw the check valve 118 into the internal threads 178 of the sleeves 166, which is retained in a position within the fluid passageways 20 though the one or more projections 180 which engage the inner surface 28 of the fluid passageways 20.

[0095] This embodiment allows for the check valves 118 to be removeable from the sleeves 166, and therefore the fluid passageways 20. This is because the check valves 118 may be disengaged from the sleeves 166 and removed from the fluid passageways 20.

[0096] FIGS. 31-32 illustrate a tool 188 according to an embodiment of the disclosure which may be used to install and remove the check valves 118 from the sleeves 166. The tool 188 may have any geometric shape as desired. In an exemplary embodiment, and as illustrated in FIGS. 31-32, the tool 188 is generally cylindrical. The tool 188 includes a first end 190 and a second end 192. The tool 188 may also include one or more surface features 194 integrally formed on the outer surface 196 of the tool 188. The one or more surface features 194 (e.g., ribs, grooves, protrusions, etc.) may provide the user of the tool 188 more grip while utilizing the tool 188. The tool 188 may also include a bore 198 formed therethrough from the first end 190 to the second end 192 of the tool 188 to reduce mass and manufacturing costs.

[0097] The first end 190 of the tool 188 may include one or more teeth 193 extending radially inwards from an outer circumferential wall formed within the first end 190 of the tool 188. As shown, each of the teeth 193 may be spaced apart from an adjacent one of the teeth 193 by a gap 191. Although an annular array of the teeth 193 is shown, it is understood that any number, shape, or configuration of teeth 193 may be employed. It is also understood that the tool 188 may employ other means and methods to install and remove the check valve 118 if desired.

[0098] The teeth 193 may be configured to correspond with and/or be substantially aligned with the slots 172 formed at the second end 144 of the valve body 132. This allows for the check valves 118 to be removable and replaceable while the sleeve 166 remains in position within the fluid passageways 20.

[0099] To remove the check valve 118 from the sleeve 166 while the sleeve 166 remains in position within the fluid passageway 20, the first end 190 of the tool 188 must be inserted into the fluid passageway 20, and more specifically the teeth 193 are received into the slots 172 of the second end 144 of the valve body 132. This creates a temporary engagement between the slots 172 of the check valve 118 and the teeth 193 of the tool 188, allowing the tool 188 to rotate the check valve 118 in either a clockwise or a counterclockwise direction as desired. Therefore, the tool 188 may be used to disengage the check valve 118 from the sleeve 166 and may remove the check valve 118 from the fluid passageway 20 as desired. The tool 188 may also be used to replace the check valve 118 within the fluid passageway 20 by using the tool 188 to insert the check valve 118 back into the fluid passageway 20 and rotate the check valve 118, thereby engaging the check valve 118 back into the sleeve 166. This reestablishes the secure fit of the check valve 118 within the sleeve 20, and therefore the fluid passageway 20.

[0100] The slots 172 of the check valve 118 and the teeth 193 of the tool 188, as well as the external threads 168 of the valve body 132 and the internal threads 178 of the sleeves 166, allow for the check valves 118 to be removeable and replaceable. This is particularly useful in situations where one of the check valves 118 fail or becomes damaged. If this occurs, then only the check valve 118 requires replacement as opposed to the entire footwear article 2 to keep the vacuum release mechanism 16 working properly.

[0101] As a vacuum is created in a low pressure region under the footwear article 2 adjacent the end openings 22 of the check valves 18, 118, a fluid from a high atmospheric pressure region within the interior 12 of the footwear article 2 and/or a vacuum force acting on the footwear article 2 overcomes a force of the biasing element 38 and urges the valve piston 34 away from the first end 42 and towards the second end 44 thereof so that the check valve 18, 118 is in an open second position. When the check valve 18, 118 is in the second position, the sealing element 36 is no longer sealing engaged with at least one of the valve body sealing surface 56 and the valve piston sealing surface 58 and thereby permits the flow of fluid therethrough when the footwear article 2 is restrained by a vacuum. Thus, pressure may be equalized across the check valve 18, 118.

[0102] As a wearer 60 (depicted in FIGS. 8 and 10) takes a step and the footwear article 2 is placed in a viscous material at an approximate fluid level 62 relative to footwear article 2, a vacuum is created under the footwear article 2, causing resistance to a leg 64 of the wearer 60. As the wearer 60 lifts the leg 64 to take another step, the vacuum would typically not allow the footwear article 2 to be easily pulled from the viscous material. However, the vacuum release mechanism 16 of the footwear article 2 allows the footwear article 2 to be easily removed from the viscous material. In particular, the check valves 18, 118 allow the fluid from the high atmospheric pressure region within the interior 12 of the footwear article 2 to flow through the fluid passageways 20 to the low atmospheric pressure region under the sole 4 and/or the heel 14 to equalize the pressure difference therebetween and thereby eliminate the vacuum created in the low atmospheric pressure region. Referring to FIG. 10, as the wearer 60 takes a step, the leg 64 is lifted to allow the end openings 26 of the fluid passageways 20 enough space for the fluid at atmospheric air pressure to reach the end openings 24 of the fluid passageways 20, thereby eliminating the low pressure region creating the vacuum under the sole 4 and/or the heel 14 of the footwear article 2.

[0103] Example embodiments are provided so that this disclosure will be thorough, and willfully convey the scope to those who are skilled in the art. Numerous specific details are set forth such as examples of specific components, devices, and methods, to provide a thorough understanding of embodiments of the present disclosure. It will be apparent to those skilled in the art that specific details need not be employed, that example embodiments may be embodied in many different forms, and that neither should be construed to limit the scope of the disclosure. In some example embodiments, well-known processes, well-known device structures, and well-known technologies are not described in detail. Equivalent changes, modifications and variations of some embodiments, materials, compositions and methods can be made within the scope of the present technology, with substantially similar result.

ITEM LIST

[0104] 2 Footwear article [0105] 4 Sole [0106] 6 Upper [0107] 8 Insole [0108] 10 Outsole [0109] 12 Interior [0110] 14 Heel [0111] 16, 116 Vacuum release mechanism [0112] 18, 118 Check valves [0113] 20 Fluid passageways [0114] 22 End openings of fluid passageways [0115] 24 Face of heel [0116] 26 End openings of fluid passageways [0117] 28 Inner surface of fluid passageway [0118] 32 Valve body [0119] 34, 34 Valve piston [0120] 36, 36 Sealing element [0121] 38, 38 Biasing element [0122] 40 Bore of valve body [0123] 42 First end of valve body [0124] 44 Second end valve body [0125] 46 Seat of valve body [0126] 48 Inner surface of valve body [0127] 50 Barb of valve body [0128] 52 Outer surface of valve body [0129] 54, 54 Retainer portion of valve piston [0130] 56, 56 Valve body sealing surface [0131] 58, 58 Valve piston sealing surface [0132] 60 Wearer [0133] 62 Approximate fluid level [0134] 64 Leg of wearer [0135] 132 Valve body [0136] 140 Bore of valve body [0137] 142 First end of valve body [0138] 144 Second end of valve body [0139] 166 Sleeve [0140] 168 External threads of valve body [0141] 170 Outer surface of valve body [0142] 172 Slots of valve body [0143] 174 Inner surface of sleeve [0144] 176 Outer surface of sleeve [0145] 178 Internal threads of sleeve [0146] 180 Projections of sleeve [0147] 182 Bore of sleeve [0148] 184 First end of sleeve [0149] 186 Second end of sleeve [0150] 188 Tool [0151] 190 First end of tool [0152] 191 Gap of tool [0153] 192 Second end of tool [0154] 193 Teeth of tool [0155] 194 Surface features of tool [0156] 196 Outer surface of tool [0157] 198 Bore of tool