UPPER STRUCTURE

Abstract

An upper structure adapted for engaging with a sole to form a shoe body includes a main body. The main body has an outer surface and an inner surface. The inner surface and the sole enclose an internal space. Each of at least two lateral sides of the inner surface has a gel layer. The two gel layers correspond to two longer sides of the sole respectively. Each of the gel layers is composed of a gel of non-Newtonian fluid to engage with the main body.

Claims

1. An upper structure, adapted for engaging with a sole to form a shoe body, the upper structure including a main body, the main body having an outer surface and an inner surface, the inner surface and the sole enclosing an internal space, each of at least two lateral sides of the inner surface having a gel layer, the two gel layers corresponding to two longer sides of the sole respectively, each of the gel layers being composed of a gel of non-Newtonian fluid to engage with the main body.

2. The upper structure of claim 1, wherein a front side of the inner surface of the main body also has one said gel layer connected to the gel layers at the lateral sides of the inner surface of the main body to be a U-shaped single piece.

3. The upper structure of claim 1, wherein the gel of non-Newtonian fluid is polyurethane gel with multifunctional groups.

4. The upper structure of claim 1, further including a top gel layer, the top gel layer including at least one stripe-shaped gel layer composed of said gel of non-Newtonian fluid, two ends of the at least one stripe-shaped gel layer being connected to the two lateral sides of the main body and corresponding to a top of the shoe body.

5. The upper structure of claim 4, wherein the top gel layer includes two said stripe-shaped gel layers crossing each other in X shape.

6. The upper structure of claim 4, wherein the top gel layer and the gel layers are connected as a single piece.

7. The upper structure of claim 1, wherein the gel layers are engaged with the main body by adhesive.

8. The upper structure of claim 4, wherein the top gel layer is engaged with the main body by adhesive.

9. The upper structure of claim 4, wherein the gel of non-Newtonian fluid of the top gel layer is polyurethane gel with multifunctional groups.

10. The upper structure of claim 1, wherein a length of each of the gel layers along the longer side of the sole is more than half a length of the longer side of the sole.

Description

BRIEF DESCRIPTION OF THE DRAWINGS

[0008] FIG. 1 is a stereogram of the present invention;

[0009] FIG. 2 is a development drawing of the present invention;

[0010] FIG. 3 is a partial profile of the present invention

[0011] FIG. 4 is a chart showing a tensile strength of the gel layer when receiving slow compression;

[0012] FIG. 5 is a chart showing a tensile strength of the gel layer when receiving sudden shock.

DETAILED DESCRIPTION OF THE PREFERRED EMBODIMENTS

[0013] Please refer to FIG. 1 to FIG. 3, the upper structure 11 of the present invention is adapted for engaging with a sole 12 to form a shoe body 10. The upper structure 11 includes a main body 111. The main body 111 has an outer surface and an inner surface. The inner surface and the sole 12 enclose an internal space. Each of at least two lateral sides of the inner surface has a gel layer 112 at a periphery thereof. The two gel layers 112 correspond to two longer sides of the sole 12 respectively. Each of the gel layers 112 is composed of a gel of non-Newtonian fluid to engage with the main body 111.

[0014] In the present embodiment, the inner surface of the main body 111 has another gel layer 112 at a front side thereof to connect to the gel layers 112 at two lateral sides of the inner surface to be a single piece which is U-shaped. Thereby, the gel layers 112 surround a front half of a foot. Preferably, a top gel layer can be included. The top gel layer includes at least one stripe-shaped gel layer 113 composed of said gel of non-Newtonian fluid. Two ends of the stripe-shaped gel layer 113 are connected to the two lateral sides of the main body 111 respectively, and the stripe-shaped gel layer 113 corresponds to the top of the shoe body 10. More preferably, the top gel layer includes two said stripe-shaped gel layers 113 crossing in X shape to provide better support. Specifically, the top gel layer and the gel layers 112 can be formed as a single piece to further improve the structure strength and durability. Besides, the top gel layer and the gel layers 112 are preferably engaged with the main body 111 by adhesive, such as glue or hot-melt adhesive.

[0015] Preferably, the gel of the gel layers 112 and the top gel layer are polyurethane gel (PU) gel with multifunctional groups to have a mesh-like microstructure and is able to resist high temperature over 200 degrees Celsius. When the gel is touched by human body, the gel may be slightly softened to provide better resilience.

[0016] Preferably, a length of each of the gel layers 112 along the longer side of the sole 12 is more than half a length of the longer side of the sole 12. That is, the gel layers 112 at least cover the front half of the foot to provide better support and fixation to the front half of foot which bears more impact. In other possible embodiments, the gel layers 112 can surround the whole sole 12 to completely cover the periphery of foot.

[0017] In the tensile strength tests on the gel layer which is exerted with slow compression, the results are shown in the following table. FIG. 4 is a chart made based on the following table.

TABLE-US-00001 Tensile Test Test Max. Load strength Elongation at break No. time kgf kgf/cm.sup.2 % 1 10:35:49 7.26 181.40 212.88 2 11:00:49 6.19 154.86 197.53 3 11:06:50 6.55 163.71 206.46 Average 6.67 166.66 205.62

[0018] In the tensile strength tests on the gel layer which is exerted with sudden (quick) shock, the results are shown in the following table. FIG. 5 is a chart made based on the following table.

TABLE-US-00002 Tensile Test Test Max. Load strength Elongation at break No. time kgf kgf/cm.sup.2 % 1 11:49:08 4.77 119.18 160.81 2 11:50:02 5.14 128.42 170.95 3 11:50:46 5.26 161.97 154.99 Average 5.06 136.52 162.25

[0019] In view of FIG. 4 and FIG. 5, it is easy to find out that the gel layer can provide cushion for slow compression and rebound for sudden shock.

[0020] The gel layers are made of non-Newtonian fluid, so the gel layers sink just like other material when pressed slowly. However, when the gel layers receive strong impact in a short time, the gel layers may not sink much. On the contrary, the gel layers provide a force of rebound. Thereby, when the user walks normally, the gel layers may sink to provide softness and cushion. However, when the user jumps or runs, the gel layers provide a force of rebound to prevent the upper structure from inclining toward lateral sides. Thus, the movements of jumping or running continuously become easier, and the feet are prevented from injury.