UPPER FOR SHOE

Abstract

An upper is provided for a shoe. The upper is basically provided with a base layer, a first reinforcement layer and a second reinforcement layer. The base layer includes a toe portion and a heel portion. The base layer has a joint free three-dimensional shape at least partly defining an interior foot receiving space. The first reinforcement layer is disposed on an outer side of a centerline of a toe-heel direction of the upper. The first reinforcement layer overlies a first heel area of the heel portion. The second reinforcement layer is disposed on an inner side of the centerline. The second reinforcement layer overlies a second heel area of the heel portion. The first reinforcement layer and the second reinforcement layer are separated at the heel portion.

Claims

1. An upper for a shoe, the upper comprising: a base layer including a toe portion and a heel portion, the base layer having a joint free three-dimensional shape at least partly defining an interior foot receiving space; a first reinforcement layer disposed on an outer side of a centerline of a toe-heel direction of the upper, and overlying a first heel area of the heel portion; and a second reinforcement layer disposed on an inner side of the centerline, and overlying a second heel area of the heel portion, the first reinforcement layer and the second reinforcement layer being separated at the heel portion.

2. The upper according to claim 1, wherein the first reinforcement layer overlies a first toe area of the toe portion, the second reinforcement layer overlies a second toe area of the toe portion, and the first reinforcement layer and the second reinforcement layer are separated at the toe portion.

3. The upper according to claim 1, wherein the first reinforcement layer extends continuously from the heel portion to the toe portion as a single strip.

4. The upper according to claim 1, wherein the second reinforcement layer extends continuously from the heel portion to the toe portion as a single strip.

5. The upper according to claim 1, further comprising an instep portion integrated with the base layer, and the first reinforcement layer and the second reinforcement layer are separated at the instep portion.

6. The upper according to claim 1, further comprising a third reinforcement layer overlying the base layer and at least one of the first reinforcement layer and the second reinforcement layer.

7. The upper according to claim 1, wherein the first reinforcement layer includes at least one of a rubber material, a resin material and a leather material, and the second reinforcement layer includes at least one of a rubber material, a resin material and a leather material.

8. The upper according to claim 1, wherein the base layer is a fabric material.

9. The upper according to claim 1, further comprising a closing arrangement provided to the base layer.

10. The upper according to claim 9, wherein the closing arrangement includes a shoelace.

11. The upper according to claim 10, wherein the closing arrangement includes a tightener coupled to the shoelace.

12. The upper according to claim 11, wherein the closing arrangement includes a first strap provided to the outer side of the centerline, and a second strap provided to the inner side of the centerline, and the tightener is provided to one of the first strap and the second strap.

13. The upper according to claim 11, wherein the tightener includes a reel based tightener.

14. The upper according to claim 10, wherein the closing arrangement includes a lace guide provided to the base layer, and the shoelace is laced through the lace guide.

15. The upper according to claim 1, wherein the base layer further includes a middle portion, and the toe portion, the heel portion and the middle portion define a sock shape.

16. The upper according to claim 1, wherein a top edge of the first reinforcement layer is disposed above a most outwardly protruding point of the heel portion in a width direction perpendicular to the toe-heel direction and extending between the outer side and the inner side.

17. The upper according to claim 1, wherein a top edge of the second reinforcement layer is disposed above a most outwardly protruding point of the heel portion in a width direction perpendicular to the toe-heel direction and extending between the outer side and the inner side.

18. A shoe comprising the upper according to claim 1, and further comprising a sole attached to the upper.

Description

BRIEF DESCRIPTION OF THE DRAWINGS

[0041] Referring now to the attached drawings which form a part of this original disclosure.

[0042] FIG. 1 is an outer side elevational view of a shoe having an upper in accordance with a first embodiment.

[0043] FIG. 2 is an inner side elevational view of the shoe illustrated in FIG. 1.

[0044] FIG. 3 is a bottom plan view of the shoe illustrated in FIGS. 1 and 2.

[0045] FIG. 4 is a front end oblique view of the shoe illustrated in FIGS. 1 to 3.

[0046] FIG. 5 is a rear end oblique view of the shoe illustrated in FIGS. 1 to 4.

[0047] FIG. 6 is an outer side elevational view of the upper of the shoe illustrated in FIGS. 1 to 5.

[0048] FIG. 7 is an inner side elevational view of the upper illustrated in FIG. 6.

[0049] FIG. 8 is a bottom plan view of the upper illustrated in FIGS. 6 and 7.

[0050] FIG. 9 is a front end oblique view of the upper illustrated in FIGS. 6 to 8.

[0051] FIG. 10 is a rear end oblique view of the upper illustrated in FIGS. 6 to 9.

[0052] FIG. 11 is a side elevational view of an instep portion for the upper illustrated in FIGS. 6 to 9.

[0053] FIG. 12 is a side elevational view of a base layer for the upper illustrated in FIGS. 6 to 9.

[0054] FIG. 13 is a side elevational view of a first reinforcement layer for the upper illustrated in FIGS. 6 to 9.

[0055] FIG. 14 is a side elevational view of a second reinforcement layer for the upper illustrated in FIGS. 6 to 9.

[0056] FIG. 15 is an outer side elevational view of a shoe having an upper in accordance with a second embodiment.

[0057] FIG. 16 is an inner side elevational view of the shoe illustrated in FIG. 15.

[0058] FIG. 17 is a front end oblique view of the shoe illustrated in FIGS. 15 and 16.

[0059] FIG. 18 is a rear end oblique view of the shoe illustrated in FIGS. 15 to 17.

DETAILED DESCRIPTION OF EMBODIMENTS

[0060] Selected embodiments will now be explained with reference to the drawings. It will be apparent to those skilled in the shoe field from this disclosure that the following descriptions of the embodiments are provided for illustration only and not for the purpose of limiting the invention as defined by the appended claims and their equivalents.

[0061] Referring initially to FIGS. 1 to 3, a shoe 10 is illustrated in accordance with a first embodiment of the present disclosure. The shoe 10 is a left shoe of a pair of left-right symmetric ones, in which the right shoe is omitted. The right shoe is identical to the shoe 10 (the left shoe), except that the right shoe is a mirror image of the shoe 10 (the left shoe). Accordingly, description of the shoe 10 applies equally to the right shoe. Therefore, a description will be provided for only one of the shoes (the left shoe 10). The shoe 10 is especially suitable for cycling. However, the shoe 10 can be used for other actives other than cycling as explained below.

[0062] It should be understood from the drawings and the description herein that the terms inner side and inboard side refer to the right side of a shoe for the left foot, and the left side of a shoe for the right foot. In other words, the inner side or the inboard side is the side of the shoe facing the shoe on the other foot of the wearer. Similarly, the terms outer side and outboard side refer to the left side of the shoe for the left foot and the right side of the shoe for the right foot. The outer side or the outboard side is the side of the shoe facing away from the shoe on the other foot. As well, the terms inner side and inboard side are used interchangeably with respect to the present disclosure. Similarly, the terms outer side and outboard side are also used interchangeably with respect to the description of the present disclosure. Also, the term outer instep side refer to the left side of the shoe in the instep area for the left foot and the right side of the shoe in the instep area for the right foot. Similarly, the term inner instep side refer to the right side of the shoe in the instep area for the left foot and the left side of the shoe in the instep area for the right foot.

[0063] Basically, the shoe 10 comprises an upper 12 and a sole 14. In other words, the shoe 10 comprises the upper 12, and further comprises the sole 14 which is attached to the upper 12. The upper 12 for the shoe 10 is not limited to the illustrated sole 14. As shown in FIGS. 1 to 3, the shoe 10 includes a forefoot portion 16, a midfoot portion 18 and a rear portion 20. The forefoot portion 16 is located on a front end in a toe-heel direction D1 of the upper 12. The toe-heel direction D1 is parallel to a longitudinal direction of the shoe 10. The midfoot portion 18 located rearward of the forefoot portion 16 and forward of the rear portion 20. The rear portion 20 is located on a rear end side in the toe-heel direction D1. The forefoot portion 16 forms the front end side of the sole 14. The rear portion 20 forms the rear end side of the sole 14. The forefoot portion 16 is a region on which the toe of the wearer is placed. The rear portion 20 is a region on which the heel of the wearer is placed. The midfoot portion 18 is a region on which the central portion of the foot of the wearer (i.e., the central portion in the toe-heel direction D1) is placed.

[0064] The sole 14 supports the upper 12. Specifically, the sole 14 is attached to the upper 12 in a conventional manner, such as with stitching, adhesives, and/or molding onto of the upper 12. Thus, the upper 12 and the sole 14 are integrated together. The material of the sole 14 and the tread of the sole 14 will depend on the particular use of the shoe 10. Here, for example, the sole 14 includes an elastic polymer material such as synthetic rubber or polyurethane (e.g., a thermoplastic polyurethane). The sole 14 can be formed by injection molding and adhesively attached to the upper 12. While the sole 14 is illustrated as a single layer, the sole 14 is not limited to being a single layer. Rather, the sole 14 can have multiple layers of different materials as needed and/or or desired. Here, the sole 14 includes a plurality of cleat attachment openings 14a for attaching a bicycle shoe cleat. In the illustrated embodiment, the sole 14 is configured so that the shoe 10 can be used with either an off-road (MTB) cleat or a road cleat. The cleat attachment openings 14a can be omitted if not needed.

[0065] As seen in FIGS. 6 to 10, the upper 12 is illustrated without the sole 14. Here, the upper 12 is a low-cut style of upper. However, the upper 12 is not limited to the low-cut style, but may be of any style. The upper 12 basically comprises a base layer 22, a first reinforcement layer 24 and a second reinforcement layer 26. As explained below, the first reinforcement layer 24 is attached to a first lateral side of the upper 12, and the second reinforcement layer 26 is attached to a second lateral side of the upper 12. The second lateral side is the opposite side from the first lateral side.

[0066] The base layer 22 includes a toe portion 22a and a heel portion 22b. The base layer 22 further includes a middle portion 22c. The middle portion 22a is disposed between the toe portion 22a and the heel portion 22b. The toe portion 22a, the heel portion 22b and the middle portion 22c define a sock shape. Preferably, the base layer 22 has a joint free three-dimensional shape at least partly defining an interior foot receiving space FS.

[0067] As seen in FIG. 6, the first reinforcement layer 24 is disposed on an outer side of a centerline CL of the toe-heel direction D1 of the upper 12. Here, the first reinforcement layer 24 overlies a first toe area of the toe portion 22a. Also, here, the first reinforcement layer 24 overlies a first heel area of the heel portion 22b. Preferably, the first reinforcement layer 24 extends continuously from the heel portion 22b to the toe portion 22a as a single strip.

[0068] Similarly, as seen in FIG. 7, the second reinforcement layer 26 is disposed on an inner side of the centerline CL. Here, the second reinforcement layer 26 overlies a second toe area of the toe portion 22a. Also, here, the second reinforcement layer 26 overlies a second heel area of the heel portion 22b. Preferably, the second reinforcement layer 26 extends continuously from the heel portion 22b to the toe portion 22a as a single strip.

[0069] Referring now to FIGS. 8 to 10, the first reinforcement layer 24 is a separate member from the second reinforcement layer 26 with a portion of the base layer 22 separating the first reinforcement layer 24 from the second reinforcement layer 26. In particular, as seen in FIG. 8, the first reinforcement layer 24 and the second reinforcement layer 26 are separated at along the bottom of the toe portion 22a, the heel portion 22b and the middle portion 22c. As seen in FIG. 9, the first reinforcement layer 24 and the second reinforcement layer 26 are separated at the toe portion 22a. As seen in FIG. 10, the first reinforcement layer 24 and the second reinforcement layer 26 are separated at the heel portion 22b. Also, as seen in FIG. 10, a top edge 24a of the first reinforcement layer 24 is disposed above a most outwardly protruding point P1 of the heel portion 22b in the width direction D2 perpendicular to the toe-heel direction D1 and extending between the outer side and the inner side. Likewise, a top edge 26a of the second reinforcement layer 26 is disposed above a most outwardly protruding point P2 of the heel portion 22b in the width direction D2 perpendicular to the toe-heel direction D1 and extending between the outer side and the inner side.

[0070] Preferably, the base layer 22 is a fabric material. More preferably, the base layer 22 is preferably a knitted fabric material or a woven fabric material. The base layer 22 can be formed of an expandable or stretchable material or a non-expandable material. Preferably, the base layer 22 is formed of an expandable or stretchable material such that the base layer 22 follows the wearer's foot.

[0071] On the other hand, the first reinforcement layer 24 includes at least one of a rubber material, a resin material and a leather material. Likewise, the second reinforcement layer 26 includes at least one of a rubber material, a resin material and a leather material. The leather material for the first reinforcement layer 24 and/or the second reinforcement layer 26 can be either a natural leather or a synthetic leather. The first reinforcement layer 24 can be the same material as the material of the second reinforcement layer 26. Alternatively, the first reinforcement layer 24 can be a different material from the material of the second reinforcement layer 26. Preferably, the first reinforcement layer 24 and the second reinforcement layer 26 are the same material. The first reinforcement layer 24 and the second reinforcement layer 26 are attached to an exterior surface of the base layer 22. For example, the first reinforcement layer 24 and the second reinforcement layer 26 are attached to the base layer 22 by stitching and/or an adhesive. In any case, the first reinforcement layer 24 and the second reinforcement layer 26 provide lateral support to the base layer 22.

[0072] In the first embodiment, as seen in FIGS. 6 to 10, the upper 12 further comprises an instep portion 28 integrated with the base layer 22. As seen in FIGS. 6 and 7, the first reinforcement layer 24 and the second reinforcement layer 26 are separated at the instep portion 28. In other words, the first reinforcement layer 24 and the second reinforcement layer 26 do not overlap with the instep portion 28. The instep portion 28 can be the same material as the base layer 22, or can be a different material from the base layer 22. The instep portion 28 is preferably a fabric material. More preferably, the instep portion 28 is a knitted fabric material that is resiliently stretchable or expandible. The instep portion 28 is attached to a top edge of the base layer 22. For example, the instep portion 28 is attached to the base layer 22 by stitching or bonding. Alternatively, the base layer 22 and the instep portion 28 can be a one-piece member that is knitted together.

[0073] The instep portion 28 is integrally formed with an ankle portion 29. The ankle portion 29 defines an opening 29a for entry and removal of the foot of the wearer. The ankle portion 29 is preferably made of a fabric material that can be the same material as the instep portion 28 or can be a different material from the instep portion 28. For example, the instep portion 28 and the ankle portion 29 can be a one-piece member that is knitted together. Alternatively, the ankle portion 29 can be a separate piece that is attached to the instep portion 28 by stitching or bonding. Preferably, the ankle portion 29 is a knitted fabric material that is resiliently stretchable or expandable. In this way, the ankle portion 29 is configured to grip the foot of the wearer.

[0074] Referring back to FIGS. 1 to 5, the upper 12 further comprises a closing arrangement 30 provided to the base layer 22. The closing arrangement 30 is a closure or a fastening structure for securing the shoe 10 to a wearer's foot. Preferably, the closing arrangement 30 includes a shoelace 32. The shoelace 32 is provided in the midfoot portion 18 of the shoe 10 in the area of the instep portion 28. In the first embodiment, the closing arrangement 30 includes a tightener 34 coupled to the shoelace 32. The tightener 34 is configured to pull the shoelace 32 to tighten the shoe 10 on a wearer's foot, and to loosen the shoelace 32 to loosen the shoe 10 on a wearer's foot.

[0075] Here, the closing arrangement 30 includes a first strap 36, and a second strap 38. The first strap 36 includes a first eyelet 36a, and the second strap 38 includes a plurality of second eyelets 38a. The shoelace 32 is threaded through the first eyelet 36a and the second eyelets 38a. The first strap 36 is provided to the outer side of the centerline CL. The first strap 36 is attached to the bottom of the upper 12. The second strap 38 is provided to the inner side of the centerline CL. The first strap 36 and the second strap 38 are disposed between the upper 12 and the sole 14. Here, the first strap 36 and the second strap 38 are separate pieces. Alternatively, the first strap 36 and the second strap 38 can be a single piece of material. The tightener 34 is provided to one of the first strap 36 and the second strap 38. Here, the tightener 34 is provided to the first strap 36. In the first embodiment, the tightener 34 includes a reel based tightener 34.

[0076] Still referring back to FIGS. 1 to 5, the upper 12 further comprises a third reinforcement layer 40 overlying the base layer 22 and at least one of the first reinforcement layer 24 and the second reinforcement layer 26. In the first embodiment, the third reinforcement layer 40 includes the first strap 36 and the second strap 38. Thus, the third reinforcement layer 40 overlies the base layer 22, the first reinforcement layer 24 and the second reinforcement layer 26. The third reinforcement layer 40 (the first strap 36 and the second strap 38) includes at least one of a rubber material, a resin material and a leather material. The leather material for the first strap 36 and the second strap 38 can be either a natural leather or a synthetic leather. The first strap 36 and the second strap 38 can be the same material as the material of the first reinforcement layer 24 and/or the second reinforcement layer 26. Alternatively, first strap 36 and the second strap 38 can be a different material from the materials of the first reinforcement layer 24 and the second reinforcement layer 26. Here, the first reinforcement layer 24, the second reinforcement layer 26, the first strap 36 and the second strap 38 are the same material such as a leather material.

[0077] Referring now to FIGS. 15 to 18, a shoe 110 is illustrated in accordance with a second embodiment. The shoe 110 basically comprises an upper 112 and a sole 114. The sole 114 is identical to the sole 14, which is discussed above. The upper 112 basically comprises a base layer 122, a first reinforcement layer 124, a second reinforcement layer 126, an instep portion 128 with an ankle portion 129, and a closing arrangement 130. The base layer 122 is identical to the base layer 22, except that the base layer 122 has been modified to accommodate the closing arrangement 130, as explained below. The first reinforcement layer 124, the second reinforcement layer 126 and the instep portion 128 are identical to the first reinforcement layer 24, the second reinforcement layer 26 and the instep portion 28, which is discussed above. In view of the similarity between the first embodiment and the second embodiment, the descriptions of the second embodiment will focus only on the differences between the first embodiment and the second embodiment for the sake of brevity.

[0078] In the second embodiment, the closing arrangement 130 includes a shoelace 132. Here, the closing arrangement 130 further includes a lace guide 135 provided to the base layer 122. The shoelace 32 is laced through the lace guide 135. In particularly, in the second embodiment, the lace guide 135 includes a plurality of first eyelets 136a and a plurality of second eyelets 138a. The first eyelets 136a are provided to the base layer 122 on the outer side of the centerline CL. The second eyelets 138a are provided to the base layer 122 on the inner side of the centerline CL. The shoelace 32 is laced through the first eyelets 136a and the second eyelets 138a in a conventional manner.

[0079] In understanding the scope of the present invention, the term comprising and its derivatives, as used herein, are intended to be open ended terms that specify the presence of the stated features, elements, components, groups, integers, and/or steps, but do not exclude the presence of other unstated features, elements, components, groups, integers and/or steps. The foregoing also applies to words having similar meanings such as the terms, including, having and their derivatives. Also, the terms part, section, portion, member or element when used in the singular can have the dual meaning of a single part or a plurality of parts unless otherwise stated.

[0080] The phrase at least one of as used in this disclosure means one or more of a desired choice. For one example, the phrase at least one of as used in this disclosure means only one single choice or both of two choices if the number of its choices is two. For another example, the phrase at least one of as used in this disclosure means only one single choice or any combination of equal to or more than two choices if the number of its choices is equal to or more than three. Also, the term and/or as used in this disclosure means either one or both of.

[0081] Also, it will be understood that although the terms first and second may be used herein to describe various components, these components should not be limited by these terms. These terms are only used to distinguish one component from another. Thus, for example, a first component discussed above could be termed a second component and vice versa without departing from the teachings of the present invention.

[0082] The term attached or attaching, as used herein, encompasses configurations in which an element is directly secured to another element by affixing the element directly to the other element; configurations in which the element is indirectly secured to the other element by affixing the element to the intermediate member(s) which in turn are affixed to the other element; and configurations in which one element is integral with another element, i.e. one element is essentially part of the other element. This definition also applies to words of similar meaning, for example, joined, connected, coupled, mounted, bonded, fixed and their derivatives. Finally, terms of degree such as substantially, about and approximately as used herein mean an amount of deviation of the modified term such that the end result is not significantly changed.

[0083] While only selected embodiments have been chosen to illustrate the present invention, it will be apparent to those skilled in the art from this disclosure that various changes and modifications can be made herein without departing from the scope of the invention as defined in the appended claims. For example, unless specifically stated otherwise, the size, shape, location or orientation of the various components can be changed as needed and/or desired so long as the changes do not substantially affect their intended function. Unless specifically stated otherwise, components that are shown directly connected or contacting each other can have intermediate structures disposed between them so long as the changes do not substantially affect their intended function. The functions of one element can be performed by two, and vice versa unless specifically stated otherwise. The structures and functions of one embodiment can be adopted in another embodiment. It is not necessary for all advantages to be present in a particular embodiment at the same time. Every feature which is unique from the prior art, alone or in combination with other features, also should be considered a separate description of further inventions by the applicant, including the structural and/or functional concepts embodied by such feature(s). Thus, the foregoing descriptions of the embodiments according to the present invention are provided for illustration only, and not for the purpose of limiting the invention as defined by the appended claims and their equivalents.