SOLE STRUCTURE AND SHOES USING SAME

Abstract

A sole structure includes: a base having a plate-like shape, and disposed near a ground; a plurality of pillars protruding upward from the base, and spaced apart from each other, the pillars being elastically deformable; and an upper plate portion disposed above the base. The pillars are disposed between the base and the upper plate portion with lower end portions of the pillars fixed to the base and with upper end portions of the pillars fixed to the upper plate portion.

Claims

1. A sole structure for a shoe, the sole structure comprising: a base having a plate-like shape, and disposed near a ground; a plurality of pillars protruding upward from the base, and spaced apart from each other, the pillars being elastically deformable; and a stack structure disposed above the base, the pillars being disposed between the base and the stack structure with lower end portions of the pillars fixed to the base and with upper end portions of the pillars fixed to the stack structure.

2. The sole structure of claim 1, wherein the plurality of pillars are arranged on the base at a position corresponding to a forefoot of a wearer, the position corresponding at least to a thenar of the wearer.

3. The sole structure of claim 1, wherein a wall is provided for a peripheral portion of a combination of the base and the stack structure to close a clearance between the base and the stack structure.

4. The sole structure of claim 1, wherein the base and the pillars are integrated together, and the base and the pillars form an outsole made of an elastic material.

5. The sole structure of claim 4, wherein the stack structure is made of an elastic material that is the same as the elastic material for at least either the base or the pillars.

6. The sole structure of claim 1, wherein the stack structure is a plate-like upper plate portion.

7. The sole structure of claim 1, wherein the stack structure is a film-like sheet material.

8. The sole structure of claim 4, wherein the stack structure is a midsole made of an elastic material softer than the elastic material for the outsole.

9. The sole structure of claim 1, wherein the stack structure is a lower portion of a shoe upper, the lower portion being arranged so as to correspond in position to a planta of a wearer.

10. The sole structure of claim 1, wherein elastic deformation of the plurality of pillars is anisotropic.

11. The sole structure of claim 1, wherein a density of the plurality of pillars arranged to occupy an upper surface of the base varies depending on positions of the pillars with respect to portions of a foot of a wearer.

12. The sole structure of claim 1, wherein heights of the plurality of pillars protruding from an upper surface of the base vary depending on positions of the pillars with respect to portions of a foot of a wearer.

13. A shoe comprising the sole structure of claim 1.

Description

BRIEF DESCRIPTION OF THE DRAWINGS

[0036] FIG. 1 is a side view of a whole configuration of a combination of a sole structure according to an embodiment of the present invention and a shoe including the sole structure, as viewed from a lateral side of the shoe.

[0037] FIG. 2 is a perspective view illustrating a configuration of an outsole.

[0038] FIG. 3 is an exploded perspective view illustrating the configuration of the outsole.

[0039] FIG. 4 is a cross-sectional view taken along line IV-IV shown in FIG. 1.

[0040] FIG. 5 schematically illustrates how pillars are deformed during a cutting maneuver, and corresponds to FIG. 4.

[0041] FIG. 6 is a side view of a whole configuration of a combination of a sole structure according to a first variation and a shoe including the sole structure, as viewed from a lateral side of the shoe.

[0042] FIG. 7 is a cross-sectional view taken along line VII-VII shown in FIG. 6.

[0043] FIG. 8 is a side view of a whole configuration of a combination of a sole structure according to a second variation and a shoe including the sole structure, as viewed from a lateral side of the shoe.

[0044] FIG. 9 is a perspective view illustrating a configuration of an outsole according to the second variation.

[0045] FIG. 10 is an exploded perspective view illustrating the configuration of the outsole according to the second variation.

[0046] FIG. 11 is a cross-sectional view taken along line XI-XI shown in FIG. 8.

[0047] FIG. 12 is a vertical cross-sectional view of a sole structure according to a fourth variation, and corresponds to FIG. 4.

[0048] FIG. 13 is a vertical cross-sectional view of a sole structure according to a fifth variation, and corresponds to FIG. 4.

[0049] FIG. 14 is a perspective view illustrating configurations of a base and pillars according to a sixth variation.

[0050] FIG. 15 is a perspective view illustrating configurations of a base and pillars according to a seventh variation.

[0051] FIG. 16 is a perspective view illustrating configurations of a base and pillars according to an eighth variation.

[0052] FIG. 17 is a perspective view illustrating configurations of a base and pillars according to a ninth variation.

[0053] FIG. 18 is a perspective view illustrating configurations of a base and pillars according to a tenth variation.

[0054] FIG. 19 is a perspective view illustrating configurations of a base and pillars according to an eleventh variation.

[0055] FIG. 20 is a perspective view illustrating configurations of a base and pillars according to a twelfth variation.

[0056] FIG. 21 is a cross-sectional view taken along line XXI-XXI shown in FIG. 20.

DESCRIPTION OF EMBODIMENTS

[0057] Embodiments of the present invention will now be described in detail with reference to the drawings. Note that the following description of the embodiment is merely an example in nature, and is not intended to limit the scope, applications, or use of the present invention.

[0058] FIG. 1 illustrates a whole structure of a combination of a sole structure 1 according to an embodiment of the present invention and a shoe S including the sole structure 1. A pair of shoes S may be used, for example, as athletic shoes for use in indoor sports, such as badminton and table tennis, sneakers for daily use, or rehabilitation shoes.

[0059] The drawings show the sole structure 1 for a left shoe only. A sole structure for a right shoe is symmetrical to the sole structure 1 for the left shoe. Thus, only the sole structure for the left shoe will be described in the following description, and the description of the sole structure for the right shoe will be omitted herein.

[0060] In the following description, the expressions above, upward, on a/the top of, below, under, and downward, represent the vertical positional relationship between components of the sole structure 1. The expressions front, fore, forward, rear, back, hind, behind, and backward represent the positional relationship in the longitudinal direction between components of the sole structure 1. The expressions medial side and lateral side represent the positional relationship in the foot width direction between components of the sole structure 1.

[0061] As shown in FIGS. 1 and 4, the sole structure 1 has a midsole 2. The midsole 2 supports an entire planta of a wearer. The midsole 2 is made of a soft elastic material. Non-limiting suitable examples of the material for the midsole 2 include thermoplastic synthetic resins such as ethylene-vinyl acetate copolymer (EVA) and foams of the thermoplastic synthetic resins, thermosetting resins such as polyurethane (PU) and foams of the thermosetting resins, and rubber materials such as butadiene rubber and chloroprene rubber and foams of the rubber materials.

[0062] An upper surface of the midsole 2 is configured as a planta support surface supporting the entire planta of the wearer. A shoe upper 3 covering the wearer's foot is attached to a peripheral portion of the midsole 2.

[0063] Next, as shown in FIGS. 1 to 4, the sole structure 1 has an outsole 4. The outsole 4 is layered on the lower side of the midsole 2. In this embodiment, the outsole 4 is arranged over a region extending from the forefoot to the hindfoot of the wearer's foot.

[0064] The outsole 4 is made of a hard elastic member having greater hardness than the midsole 2. Specifically, non-limiting suitable examples of the material for the outsole 4 include thermoplastic resins such as ethylene-vinyl acetate copolymer (EVA), thermosetting resins such as polyurethane (PU), and rubber materials such as butadiene rubber and chloroprene rubber.

[0065] The outsole 4 has a base 5 made of the hard elastic material described above. The base 5 is disposed near the ground. The base 5 has substantially a plate-like shape.

[0066] The outsole 4 includes a plurality of pillars 6, 6, . . . , which are elastically deformable. The pillars 6, 6, . . . are made of the same elastic material as that for the base 5, and are integrated with the base 5. The pillars 6, 6, . . . protrude upward from an upper surface of the base 5 to form a cylindrical shape. In this embodiment, the pillars 6 have the same size, and are cylindrical. In FIG. 1, the pillars 6, 6, . . . are marked and accentuated with dot hatching. Likewise, in FIGS. 4 and 5, the pillars 6, 6, . . . are marked and accentuated with dot hatching.

[0067] The pillars 6, 6, . . . are arranged at equal intervals on the upper surface of the base 5. The pillars 6, 6, . . . are arranged at a position of the base 5 corresponding to the entire planta of the wearer. The pillars 6, 6, . . . merely need to be arranged at a position of the base 5 corresponding to the forefoot of the wearer including at least the thenar of the wearer's foot.

[0068] The outsole 4 has a stack structure. In this embodiment, the stack structure is configured as a plate-like upper plate portion 7. The upper plate portion 7 is made of the same elastic material as that for the base 5 and the pillars 6, 6, . . . , and is disposed above the base 5. A lower surface of the upper plate portion 7 faces, and is spaced apart from, the upper surface of the base 5. Note that, in this embodiment, the upper plate portion 7 is configured as a different member from the pillars 6.

[0069] Lower end portions of the pillars 6 are fixed to the upper surface of the base 5. Upper end portions of the pillars 6 are fixed to a lower surface 7b of the upper plate portion 7. The pillars 6 are disposed between the base 5 and the upper plate portion 7 while being fixed to the base 5 and the upper plate portion 7. Note that, in this embodiment, the pillars 6, 6, . . . located in a clearance between the base 5 and the upper plate portion 7 are visible from the outside of the sole structure 1.

Advantages of Embodiment

[0070] As described above, the pillars 6 are disposed between the base 5 and the upper plate portion 7 with the lower end portions of the pillars 6 fixed to the base 5 and with the upper end portions of the pillars 6 fixed to the upper plate portion 7 (the stack structure). Here, for example, in a situation where the wearer performs a cutting maneuver from the left to the right while playing an indoor sport, such as badminton or table tennis, the wearer's weight shifts temporarily toward the lateral side of the left foot. At this moment, as shown in FIG. 5, each pillar 6 is elastically deformed so that its upper end portion fixed to the upper plate portion 7 moves toward the left relative to its lower end portion fixed to the base 5. The elastic deformation of the pillars 6, 6, . . . provides cushioning properties, and can reduce the load applied to the wearer's foot or knee during the cutting maneuver. When the wearer's weight shifts toward the right after finishing shifting toward the left, internal stress generated by the elastic deformation of the pillars 6 is transformed into a restoring force functioning to restore the pillars 6 to their original positions. This restoring force allows the upper end portions of the pillars 6 to move from the left toward the right, and allows the upper plate portion 7 fixed to the upper end portions of the pillars 6 to move so as to return from the left to the right. This increases the force generated when the wearer's foot kicks the ground to move from the left to the right. This enables a quick cutting maneuver. Thus, the elastic deformation and restoration of the pillars 6, 6, . . . of the sole structure 1 according to the embodiment of the present invention enables a smooth cutting maneuver.

[0071] The pillars 6, 6, . . . are arranged at a position of the base 5 corresponding to the forefoot of the wearer including at least the thenar of the wearer's foot. Thus, the advantages provided by the elastic deformation and restoration of the pillars 6, 6, . . . can be concentrated on the position of the forefoot of the foot including the thenar, which tends to receive the load in the cutting maneuver.

[0072] The base 5 and the pillars 6, 6, . . . are integrated together, and are configured as the outsole 4 made of an elastic material. Thus, the lower end portions of the pillars 6 can be stabilized relative to the base 5. Further, an impact on the wearer's foot contacting the ground is easily transferred through the base 5 to the pillars 6. This can enhance the advantages provided by the elastic deformation and restoration of the pillars 6.

[0073] The stack structure is configured as the plate-like upper plate portion 7 made of the same elastic material as that for the base 5 and the pillars 6, 6, . . . . This can increase the degree of integration of the upper plate portion 7 as the stack structure and the combination of the base 5 and the pillars 6, 6, . . . .

[0074] Further, providing the plate-like upper plate portion as the stack structure can improve the adhesiveness and workability.

First Variation of Embodiment

[0075] In this embodiment, the pillars 6, 6, . . . located in the clearance between the base 5 and the upper plate portion 7 are visible from the outside of the sole structure 1. However, this is merely a non-limiting example. For example, as in a first variation shown in FIGS. 6 and 7, a peripheral portion of the combination of the base 5 and the upper plate portion 7 (a stack structure) may be provided with a wall 8a to close a clearance between the base 5 and the upper plate portion 7. Specifically, the wall 8a is disposed all around the combination of the base 5 and the upper plate portion 7, and is integrated with the base 5. In the first variation as described above, a foreign substance can be prevented from entering an outsole 4 (i.e., the clearance between the base 5 and the upper plate portion 7) from the outside of the sole structure 1. Further, fixing an upper end portion of the wall 8a to a lower surface of the upper plate portion 7 can increase the fixing strength between the base 5 and the upper plate portion 7 through the pillars 6, 6, . . . and the wall 8a.

Second Variation of Embodiment

[0076] In the foregoing embodiment, the outsole 4 is disposed so as to correspond to the entire planta of the wearer. However, this is merely a non-limiting example. For example, as in a second variation shown in FIGS. 8 to 10, an outsole 4 may be divided into two portions corresponding in position to the forefoot and hindfoot of the wearer's foot. The second variation, too, can provide the advantages obtained by the elastic deformation and restoration of pillars 6, 6, . . . at the positions of the forefoot and hindfoot of the wearer's foot.

[0077] In the first variation, the wall 8a and the base 5 are integrated together. However, this is merely a non-limiting example. For example, as shown in FIGS. 8 to 11, a ring-shaped wall 8b may be attached to cover the outer periphery of one of bases 5 arranged to correspond in position to the forefoot of the wearer's foot. Even in the second variation, a foreign substance can be prevented from entering the clearance between the bases 5 and the upper plate portion 7. The wall 8b may be made of the same material as that for the bases 5 and the pillars 6, or may be made of a different material from that for the bases 5 and the pillars 6.

[0078] Further, in the first variation, the wall 8a is disposed all around the base 5. However, this is merely a non-limiting example. The wall 8a may be disposed on a predetermined portion of the outer periphery of the base 5. For example, as shown in FIGS. 8 to 10, walls 8a may be respectively disposed on front and rear end portions of one of the bases 5 corresponding in position to the hindfoot of the wearer's foot.

Third Variation of Embodiment

[0079] In the foregoing embodiment, the stack structure is the upper plate portion 7. However, this is merely a non-limiting example. For example, the upper plate portion 7 may be replaced with a film-like sheet material (not shown). Specifically, for example, the sheet material is fixed to upper end portions of pillars 6 with an adhesive agent or by hot pressing or any other process in advance. The resultant sheet material is bonded to the lower surface of the midsole 2. The third variation, too, can provide the same or similar advantages to those of the foregoing embodiment. The adhesiveness and workability can be improved as compared with those in a case where the pillars 6 are fixed directly to the lower surface of the midsole 2. Further, replacing the upper plate portion 7 with the sheet material allows the weight of the entire sole structure 1 to be lower than the weight in the case in which the stack structure is the upper plate portion 7.

Fourth Variation of Embodiment

[0080] In the foregoing embodiment, the stack structure is configured as the upper plate portion 7. However, this is merely a non-limiting example. For example, as in a fourth variation shown in FIG. 12, upper end portions of the pillars 6 may be fixed to the lower surface of the midsole 2 without providing an upper plate portion 7. In other words, the midsole 2 may be a stack structure. The fourth variation, too, can provide the same or similar advantages to those of the foregoing embodiment as long as the upper end portions of the pillars 6 are fixed to the lower surface of the midsole 2. Further, the number of components of the sole structure 1 can be reduced.

Fifth Variation of Embodiment

[0081] As in a fifth variation shown in FIG. 13, upper end portions of the pillars 6 may be fixed to a lower portion of the shoe upper 3 corresponding in position to the wearer's planta without providing the midsole 2 and the upper plate portion 7. In other words, the lower portion of the shoe upper 3 corresponding in position to the wearer's planta may be a stack structure. The fifth variation, too, can provide the same or similar advantages to those of the foregoing embodiment as long as the upper end portions of the pillars 6 are fixed to the lower portion of the shoe upper 3. Further, the sole structure 1 of the fifth variation simplified and reduced in weight can be used for soccer shoes, for example.

Sixth to Eleventh Variations of Embodiment

[0082] In the foregoing embodiment, the pillars 6 are cylindrical. However, this is merely a non-limiting example. The pillars may have any of various shapes. For example, as in a sixth variation shown in FIG. 14, pillars 6 may be substantially tubular. Alternatively, as in a seventh variation shown in FIG. 15, each of cylindrical pillars 6 may be formed such that the entire periphery is constricted, like a curve, at its vertically intermediate portion. Still alternatively, as in an eighth variation shown in FIG. 16, pillars 6 may be substantially elliptical. Yet alternatively, as in a ninth variation shown in FIG. 17, pillars 6 may be substantially rectangular in a plan view, and may be each tapered from its lower end toward its upper end in a side view to form a trapezoid. Further alternatively, as in a tenth variation shown in FIG. 18, pillars 6 may be substantially in the shape of a triangular prism. Further alternatively, as in an eleventh variation shown in FIG. 19, pillars 6 may be substantially in the shape of a cross in a plan view.

Twelfth Variation of Embodiment

[0083] In the foregoing embodiment, the pillars 6, 6, . . . have the same shape (cylindrical shape), and are arranged at equal intervals on the upper surface of the base 5. However, this is merely a non-limiting example.

[0084] Specifically, in a twelfth variation shown in FIG. 20, quadrangular prism-shaped pillars 6, 6, . . . are arranged on a region from an intermediate portion of the base in the foot width direction to the lateral side (hereinafter referred to as a lateral-side region). On the other hand, cylindrical pillars 6, 6, . . . are arranged on a region from the intermediate portion of the base in the foot width direction to the medial side (hereinafter referred to as a medial-side region).

[0085] In the lateral-side region, the cross-sectional areas of the pillars 6 are gradually reduced from a front end of the base 5 toward a rear end thereof, whereas in the medial-side region, the cross-sectional areas of the pillars 6 are gradually increased from the front end of the base 5 toward the rear end thereof. Thus, in the lateral-side region, the amounts of deformation of the pillars 6, 6, . . . are gradually increased from the front end toward the rear end of the base 5, whereas in the medial-side region, the amounts of deformation of the pillars 6, 6, . . . are gradually reduced from the front end toward the rear end of the base 5. In other words, the pillars 6, 6, . . . of the twelfth variation are elastically deformed by different amounts depending on their positions with respect to portions of the foot. This allows the degree of elastic deformation and restoration of the pillars 6 to vary depending on their positions with respect to the portions of the wearer's foot.

[0086] In the lateral-side region, first rows of the pillars 6 and second rows of the pillars 6 are alternately arranged in the foot width direction. The first rows of the pillars 6 are arranged such that side portions of each of these pillars 6 are oriented in the longitudinal direction. The second rows of the pillars 6 are arranged such that a corner of each of these pillars 6 is oriented in the longitudinal direction. Thus, the first rows of the pillars 6 tend to be elastically deformed in the longitudinal direction and the foot width direction, whereas the second rows of the pillars 6 tend to be elastically deformed in a direction inclined substantially 45 degrees with respect to the longitudinal direction and the foot width direction. In other words, in the twelfth variation, the elastic deformation of the pillars 6, 6, . . . arranged on the lateral-side region is anisotropic.

[0087] As shown also in FIG. 21, the heights of the pillars 6 located on the lateral-side region are greater than those of the pillars 6 located on the medial-side region. Further, in the medial-side region, the heights of the pillars 6 are gradually reduced from the intermediate portion in the foot width direction toward the medial side. In other words, in the lateral-side region, the amounts of deformation of the pillars 6 are relatively large, whereas in the medial-side region, the amounts of deformation of the pillars 6 are relatively small. This enhances the advantages obtained by the elastic deformation and restoration of the pillars 6, in particular, in the lateral-side region. This enables a smooth cutting maneuver. It is also possible to prevent the wearer's foot from protruding out of the sole structure due to excessive deformation of the shoe upper 3. Even if the density of the pillars 6 arranged is reduced from the lateral-side region toward the medial-side region, the same or similar advantages can be provided.

[0088] As shown in FIG. 20, the heights of the pillars 6 located at a portion of the medial-side region corresponding to the thenar are lower than those of the pillars 6 located at portions of the medial-side region except the portion corresponding to the thenar. Thus, the pillars 6 located at the portion corresponding to the thenar can be prevented from being excessively deformed in a vertical direction when the wearer's foot contacts the ground. This can maintain the stability. Even if the pillars 6 arranged to correspond in position to the thenar have a relatively high density, or have a relatively large cross-sectional area, the same or similar advantages can be provided.

[0089] As in the twelfth variation described above, the elastic deformation of the pillars 6, 6, . . . may be anisotropic. This anisotropy allows the degree of elastic deformation and restoration of the pillars 6 to vary depending on the direction of motion of the wearer.

[0090] Further, the density of the pillars 6, 6, . . . arranged to occupy the upper surface of the base 5 may vary depending on their positions with respect to the portions of the wearer's foot. Further, the heights of the pillars 6, 6, . . . protruding from the upper surface of the base 5 may vary depending on their positions with respect to the portions of the wearer's foot. This configuration allows the degree of elastic deformation and restoration of the pillars 6 to vary depending on their positions with respect to the portions of the wearer's foot.

OTHER EMBODIMENTS

[0091] In the foregoing embodiment, the upper end portions of the pillars 6 are fixed to the lower surface of the upper plate portion 7 configured as a different member from the pillars 6. However, this is merely a non-limiting example. In other words, the base 5 and the pillars 6, 6, . . . may be integrated with the upper plate portion 7.

[0092] In the foregoing embodiment, the base 5, the pillars 6, and the upper plate portion 7 are made of the same elastic material. However, this is merely a non-limiting example. For example, the base 5 may be made of a different elastic material from that for the pillars 6, and the upper plate portion 7 may be made of the same elastic material as that for either the base 5 or the pillars 6. Alternatively, the base 5 may be made of a non-elastic material, and the pillars 6 and the upper plate portion 7 may be made of the same elastic material. This configuration can increase the degree of integration of the upper plate portion 7 as the stack structure and either the base 5 or the pillars 6.

[0093] Note that the present invention is not limited to the embodiments described above, and various changes and modifications may be made without departing from the scope of the present invention.

INDUSTRIAL APPLICABILITY

[0094] The present invention is industrially applicable to, for example, a sole structure for athletic shoes for indoor sports, such as badminton and table tennis, and to shoes including the sole structure.

DESCRIPTION OF REFERENCE CHARACTERS

[0095] S Shoe [0096] 1 Sole Structure [0097] 2 Midsole [0098] 3 Shoe Upper [0099] 4 Outsole [0100] 5 Base [0101] 6 Pillar [0102] 7 Upper Plate Portion (Stack Structure) [0103] 8a, 8b Wall