Shoes

Abstract

A shoe includes a sole, a shoe upper attached to the sole, and a string member disposed at the sole and the shoe upper such that the string member extends over an area from a forefoot to a hindfoot of a foot, the string member being movable relative to the sole and the shoe upper. The string member is configured such that when the foot is bent at metatarsophalangeal joints and an MP area of the sole is bent and warped in a vertical direction and stretched, a second extension portion is pulled toward a front portion by bending of a first extension portion.

Claims

1. A shoe comprising: a sole made of an elastic material and having a ground surface configured to contact ground; a shoe upper attached to the sole and configured to cover a foot of a wearer; and a string member disposed at the sole and the shoe upper such that the string member extends over an area from a forefoot to a hindfoot of the foot, the string member being movable relative to the sole and the shoe upper, wherein the shoe upper has an ankle opening an edge portion of which is configured to cover a periphery of an ankle of the wearer, the sole includes a tiptoe area corresponding to a region located forward of metatarsophalangeal joints in the forefoot, an MP area corresponding to the metatarsophalangeal joints in the forefoot, and a heel area corresponding to a heel in the hindfoot, the string member includes a front portion held on the ground surface of the sole in the tiptoe area, a first extension portion having a front end which is continuous with the front portion and extending rearward and substantially parallel to the ground surface of the sole in the MP area, and a second extension portion having a front end which is continuous with a rear end of the first extension portion and extending rearward, in the heel area, from the ground surface of the sole to pass through both side portions and a rear portion of the shoe upper, and when the metatarsophalangeal joints of the forefoot are bent and the MP area of the sole is bent and warped in a vertical direction and stretched, the second extension portion is pulled toward the front portion by bending of the first extension portion.

2. The shoe of claim 1, wherein the first extension portion is disposed more adjacent to the ground surface than a substantial middle of the sole in a thickness direction.

3. The shoe of claim 1, wherein the front portion includes a pair of left and right front portions which are spaced apart from each other in the foot width direction, the string member includes a third extension portion which is continuous with the front portions and extends from the front portions in the longitudinal direction and substantially parallel to the ground surface of the sole, and the third extension portion extends in the longitudinal direction and includes an intermediate portion which meanders between the tiptoe area and a portion located rearward of the MP area while making at least one turn.

4. The shoe of claim 3, wherein the sole is provided with a turnaround hook for holding a turning portion of the intermediate portion, of the third extension portion, that meanders.

5. The shoe of claim 3, wherein the shoe upper is provided with a throat opening which is continuous with the ankle opening and extends in the longitudinal direction, and a shoelace for adjusting a degree of opening of the throat opening, and the string member is coupled to the shoelace with the third extension portion attached to the shoelace.

6. The shoe of claim 1, wherein the sole is provided with a holding member configured to hold the string member such that the string member extends along the ground surface.

Description

BRIEF DESCRIPTION OF THE DRAWINGS

[0020] FIG. 1 is a perspective view of a shoe according to a first embodiment of the present invention.

[0021] FIG. 2 is a plan view illustrating a shoe, together with the skeletal structure of a foot.

[0022] FIG. 3 is a side view, as viewed from a lateral side, illustrating a shoe, together with the skeletal structure of a foot.

[0023] FIG. 4 is a bottom view of a shoe, and schematically illustrates a sole, together with the skeletal structure of a foot.

[0024] FIG. 5 is a side view of a shoe as viewed from a lateral side, and schematically illustrates the shoe and a string member when the sole of the shoe is in contact with the ground.

[0025] FIG. 6 corresponds to FIG. 5, is a side view of the shoe as viewed from a lateral side, and schematically illustrates the shoe and the string member when the wearer's heel is raised away from the ground and the MP joints of the forefoot are bent.

[0026] FIG. 7 corresponds to FIG. 4 and illustrates a shoe according to a second embodiment of the present disclosure.

[0027] FIG. 8 corresponds to FIG. 3, and illustrates the shoe according to a variation of the second embodiment.

DETAILED DESCRIPTION

[0028] Embodiments of the present disclosure will now be described in detail with reference to the drawings. Note that the following description of the embodiments is a mere example in nature, and is not intended to limit the scope, application, or uses of the present invention.

First Embodiment

[0029] FIGS. 1 to 3 illustrate a whole structure of a shoe S according to a first embodiment of the present disclosure. A pair of shoes S may be used, for example, as athletic shoes for running, badminton, and various sports, sneakers for daily use, or rehabilitation shoes.

[0030] The drawings illustrate a left shoe S only as an example. Since the right shoe is symmetrical to the left shoe, only the left shoe will be described in the following description, and the description of the right shoe will be omitted herein.

[0031] In the following description, the expressions above, upward, on a/the top of, below, under, and downward, represent the vertical positional relationship between respective components of the shoe S. The expressions front, fore, forward, anterior, rear, hind, behind, backward, and posterior represent the positional relationship in the longitudinal direction between respective components of the shoe S. The expressions medial side and lateral side represent the positional relationship in the foot width direction between respective components of the shoe S.

[0032] As illustrated in FIGS. 1 to 3, the shoe S includes a sole 1 made of an elastic material. The sole 1 includes an outsole 2 extending over a region from the forefoot F to the hindfoot H of a foot of a person wearing the shoe S (hereinafter referred to as the wearer). The outsole 2 is made of a hard elastic material which is harder than the material for a midsole 3, which will be described later. Examples of suitable materials for the outsole 2 include, but not are limited to, 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. The outsole 2 has, on its lower surface, a ground surface 2a configured to contact a ground surface (e.g., the ground, a floor, etc.).

[0033] The sole 1 further includes the midsole 3 which supports a region, of the wearer's plantar surface, extending from the forefoot F to the hindfoot H. The midsole 3 is made of a soft elastic material. Suitable examples of the material for the midsole 3 include, but are not limited to, 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.

[0034] The midsole 3 is stacked on the outsole 2, while having a lower portion thereof bonded to an upper portion of the outsole 2 with an adhesive or other means. The midsole 3 is divided into portions arranged in the vertical direction. Specifically, the midsole 3 is a multilayer including an upper midsole 4 and a lower midsole 5 stacked below the upper midsole 4. The upper midsole 4 has, on its upper portion, a planta support (not shown) which is configured to support the plantar surface of the foot of the wearer.

[0035] A reinforcing plate 6 is disposed between the upper and lower midsoles 4 and 5 so as to correspond to the hindfoot H of the foot. The reinforcing plate 6 is comprised of a thin layer which is harder than the upper and lower midsoles 4 and 5, and has a corrugated shape having projections and depressions alternating with each other in the longitudinal direction. Note that the reinforcing plate 6 is not limited to the corrugated shape, and may have a flat shape, for example.

[0036] As shown in FIG. 4, the sole 1 includes a tiptoe area A corresponding to a tiptoe region located forward of the metatarsophalangeal joints (the so-called MP joints) in the forefoot F, an MP area B corresponding to the positions of the MP joints in the forefoot F, and a heel area C corresponding to the hindfoot H. The sole 1 is provided with a front hook 12 configured to hold a front portion 20 of a string member 19 at a ground surface 2a in the tiptoe area A. The string member 19 will be described later.

[0037] A shoe upper 7 configured to cover the wearer's foot is provided on the periphery of the upper midsole 4. The shoe upper 7 is configured to cover the wearer's foot, from the tiptoe of the forefoot F to the rear side of the heel of the hindfoot H. The shoe upper 7 has a lower portion coupled to an upper portion of the midsole 3. Specifically, the periphery of the lower portion of the shoe upper 7 is integrally fixed to the entire periphery of the upper midsole 4 with an adhesive or the like.

[0038] The shoe upper 7 is made of a stretchable material. Specifically, examples of suitable materials for the shoe upper 7 include, but are not limited to, knitted fabric, woven fabric, unwoven fabric, synthetic leather, artificial leather, and natural leather. For example, the shoe upper 7 is suitably made of a mesh fabric having meshes and produced by warp-knitting (i.e., double-raschel knitting) a polyester yarn.

[0039] The shoe upper 7 has, in its upper portion, an ankle opening 7a through which a wearer inserts his/her foot. When the wearer wears the shoe S, an edge portion of the ankle opening 7a covers the periphery of the wearer's ankle.

[0040] Further, the shoe upper 7 has, in its upper portion, a throat opening 7b which is continuous with the ankle opening 7a and extends in the longitudinal direction. In the upper portion of the shoe upper 7, an eyelet trimming part 8 is fixed along the throat opening 7b by, for example, sewing. The eyelet trimming part 8 has, in its left and right edge portions, eyelet holes 8a, 8a, . . . which are arranged at intervals in the longitudinal direction and penetrate the eyelet trimming part 8. A shoelace 9 is passed through the eyelet holes 8a. The shoelace 9 is provided to adjust a degree of opening of the throat opening 7b. A tongue 10 is attached to a front edge of the throat opening 7b to open and close the throat opening 7b.

[0041] As illustrated in FIGS. 1 to 3, the shoe S is provided with the string member 19, which constitutes a feature of the present disclosure. The string member 19 is disposed at the sole 1 and the shoe upper 7 such that the string member 19 extends over an area from the forefoot F to the hindfoot H of the wearer's foot. The string member 19 is movable relative to the sole 1 and the shoe upper 7. For example, the string member 19 is made of a metal material or a resin material. Specifically, a wire, a band-shaped belt, or the like is suitable as the string member 19.

[0042] As shown in FIG. 4, the string member 19 has the front portion 20 that is held at the ground surface 2a in the tiptoe area A. For example, the front portion 20 is positioned to correspond to the second distal phalanx of the wearer's foot. The front portion 20 is held by a front hook 12 provided in the tiptoe area A, and exposed at the ground surface 2a. With the front hook 12, the front portion 20 can be easily positioned in the tiptoe area A.

[0043] The string member 19 includes a first extension portion 21 front ends of which are continuous with the front portion 20. The first extension portion 21 extends rearward in the MP area B and substantially parallel to the ground surface 2a. In other words, the first extension portion 21 extends rearward along the ground surface 2a and passes over an area including the tiptoe area A and the MP area B.

[0044] In a preferred embodiment, the first extension portion 21 is disposed more adjacent to the ground surface 2a than a substantial middle of the sole 1 in the thickness direction (see the dot-dash line Y shown in FIGS. 5 and 6). Specifically, in this embodiment, the first extension portion 21 is disposed so as to be exposed at the ground surface 2a.

[0045] The string member 19 includes a second extension portion 22 front ends of which are continuous with the rear ends of the first extension portion 21. The second extension portion 22 extends rearward, in the heel area C, from the ground surface 2a to pass through both side portions and a rear portion of the shoe upper 7. In this embodiment, the second extension portion 22 is disposed so as to extend on the outer surface of a side portion of the sole 1 and within the rear portion of the shoe upper 7 (see FIGS. 1 to 3).

[0046] When the wearer of the shoe S moves in straight line by walking or running or jumps, for example, in other words, when the wearer moves his/her foot, from a state in which the sole 1 is entirely in contact with the ground (see FIG. 5), such that the wearer raises his/her heel away from the ground and bends his/her metatarsophalangeal joints of the forefoot F (see FIG. 6), the MP area B of the sole 1 is bent and warped in the vertical direction and stretched. At this time, as illustrated in FIG. 6, the first extension portion 21 of the string member 19 is bent and warped in the vertical direction in the MP area B, together with the sole 1. The second extension portion 22 is pulled toward the front portion 20 due to the bending of the first extension portion 21. Specifically, the second extension portion 22 is pulled toward the front portion 20 of the string member 19 (see the arrow P in FIG. 6) in accordance with the length of a portion, in the MP area B, located more adjacent to the ground surface 2a than the substantial middle of the sole 1 in the thickness direction, the portion being stretched in the longitudinal direction (see the arrow L in FIG. 6).

Effects of First Embodiment

[0047] As can be seen, the string member 19 is configured such that when the MP joints of the forefoot F are bent and the MP area B of the sole 1 is bent and warped in the vertical direction and stretched, the second extension portion 22 is pulled toward the front portion 20 due to the bending of the first extension portion 21. When the second extension portion 22 is pulled toward the front portion 20, the ankle opening 7a of the shoe upper 7 is tightened inward in the foot width direction. As a result, even when a foot of wearer is bent at the MP joints, the ankle opening 7a of the shoe upper 7 is substantially prevented from being widened outward in the foot width direction. That is, even when the wearer bends the MP joints of the forefoot F, the shape of the ankle opening 7a can be kept in a state where the edge portion of the ankle opening 7a remains covering the periphery of the wearer's ankle. Thus, according to the shoe S of the first embodiment of the present disclosure, the shoe upper 7 is allowed to exhibit enhanced fitting properties for the periphery of the wearer's ankle even when the wearer moves in straight line or jumps, for example.

[0048] When the MP joints of the forefoot F are bent, a portion of the sole 1 adjacent to the ground surface 2a is stretched more than a portion located at the substantial middle of the sole 1 in the thickness direction. For this reason, disposing the first extension portion 21 more adjacent to the ground surface 2a than the substantial middle of the sole 1 in the thickness direction enables the first extension portion 21 to bend to a higher degree. As a result, the second extension portion 22 is strongly pulled toward the front portion 20, causing the shoe upper 7 to exhibit further enhanced fitting properties for the periphery of the wearer's ankle.

Second Embodiment

[0049] FIG. 7 illustrates a shoe S according to a second embodiment of the present disclosure. The shoe S of this embodiment includes additional elements of a string member 19, and additional members for holding the string member 19 at a ground surface 2a, compared to the first embodiment. Note that except these elements and members, the components and configurations of the shoe S of this embodiment are the same as those of the shoe S of the first embodiment. Therefore, components that are the same as those shown in FIGS. 1 to 6 are denoted by the corresponding reference characters, and a detailed description thereof is omitted herein.

[0050] As illustrated in FIG. 7, a sole 1 is provided with a holding member 30 configured to hold the string member 19 such that the string member 19 extends along the ground surface 2a of the sole 1. The holding member 30 includes a front holding component 31 disposed in a tiptoe area A, central holding components 32, 32, . . . disposed in an area corresponding to a forefoot F and arranged at intervals in the longitudinal direction, and a rear holding component 33 disposed in an area corresponding to the hindfoot H. All of the holding components 31 to 33 are arranged on the ground surface 2a of the sole 1. Recessed grooves 40, 40, . . . are formed in a bottom portion of the holding components 31 to 33. In FIG. 7, each of the holding components 31 to 33 is marked and accentuated with dot hatching.

[0051] Each groove 40 of the front holding component 31 includes linear portions 41, 41 that extend in the longitudinal direction and a ring portion 42 that is continuous with front ends of the linear portions 41, 41 and has a substantial ring shape. Each groove 40 of the central holding components 32 extends in the longitudinal direction. Each groove 40 of the rear holding component 33 includes linear portions 41, 41 that extend in the longitudinal direction and a ring portion 42 that is continuous with rear ends of the linear portions 41, 41 and has a substantial ring shape.

[0052] In this embodiment, the string member 19 has a pair of left and right front portions 20, 20 that are spaced apart from each other in the foot width direction. The front portions 20, 20 are held by the ring portions 42 of the grooves 40, which are respectively adjacent to the medial side and the lateral side in the front holding component 31. That is, the ring portions 42 of the grooves 40 of the front holding component 31, which are adjacent to the medial side and the lateral side, correspond to the front hook 12 described in the first embodiment.

[0053] First extension portions 21, 21 are respectively disposed adjacent to the medial side and the lateral side to be spaced away from each other. The extension portion 21 adjacent to the medial side is continuous with a rear end of the front portion 20 adjacent to the medial side, and held by being fitted in the groove 40, of the central holding components 32, which is adjacent to the medial side. The extension portion 21 adjacent to the lateral side is continuous with a rear end of the front portion 20 adjacent to the lateral side, and held by being fitted in the groove 40, of the central holding components 32, which is adjacent to the lateral side.

[0054] The string member 19 includes a third extension portion 23 which is continuous with a rear end, of each front portion 20, located adjacent to the center of the ground surface. The third extension portion 23 is held in the grooves 40, 40, . . . of the central holding components 32, and extends from the front portions 20 in the longitudinal direction substantially parallel to the ground surface 2a.

[0055] The third extension portion 23 extends continuously in the longitudinal direction and includes an intermediate portion which meanders between the tiptoe area A and a portion located rearward of the MP area B while making two turns. In this embodiment, the configuration in which the intermediate portion of the third extension portion 23 meanders while making two turns is described as a non-limiting example. That is, it is suitable that the third extension portion 23 extends in the longitudinal direction such that the intermediate portion meanders between the tiptoe area A and the portion located rearward of the MP area B while making at least one turn.

[0056] The intermediate portion of the third extension portion 23 is held by the ring portion 42 of the groove 40 that is located at the center in the foot width direction in the front holding component 31, and by the ring portions 42 of the grooves 40 in the rear holding component 33. In other words, these ring portions 42, 42, . . . function as turnaround hooks for holding the turning portions of the meandering intermediate portion of the third extension portion 23.

Effects of Second Embodiment

[0057] As can be seen, in the shoe S of this embodiment, the third extension portion 23 extends in the longitudinal direction such that the intermediate portion meanders between the tiptoe area A and the portion located rearward of the MP area B while making at least one turn. In other words, the third extension portion 23 extends in the longitudinal direction and passes over the MP area B of the sole 1. Thus, in the string member 19, the third extension portion 23 is bent together with the first extension portion 21 when the MP joints of the forefoot F are bent and the MP area B of the sole 1 is bent and warped in the vertical direction and stretched. Consequently, the pulling force with which the second extension portion 22 is pulled toward the front portions 20 in this embodiment is stronger than in the first embodiment described above. As a result, the pulling force further strongly tightens the ankle opening 7a of the shoe upper 7 inward in the foot width direction. Thus, according to the shoe S of this embodiment, the shoe upper 7 is allowed to exhibit further enhanced fitting properties for the periphery of the ankle when the MP joints of the forefoot F are bent.

[0058] Further, the shoe S of this embodiment includes the turnaround hooks for holding the turning portions of the meandering intermediate portion of the third extension portion 23. This configuration allows the third extension portion 23 to be turned around at predetermined positions.

[0059] Further, the shoe S of this embodiment is provided with holding member 30 configured to hold the string member 19 such that the string member 19 extends along the ground surface 2a. This makes it possible to suitably hold the string member 19 such that the string member 19 extends along the ground surface 2a irrespective of stepping motion of the wearer's foot.

[0060] In a preferred embodiment, the ring portions 42 (i.e., the front hook and the turnaround hooks) of the grooves 40 that are respectively formed in the holding components 31 to 33 are formed to have a relatively large outside diameter. The ring portion 42 having a relatively large outside diameter can distribute friction generated by contact between the string member 19 and the ring portion 42 over the entire periphery of the ring portion 42. This makes the string member 19 easy to move relative to the sole 1 and the shoe upper 7.

Variation of Second Embodiment

[0061] FIG. 8 illustrates a shoe S according to a variation of the second embodiment described above. In the shoe S of this variation, the sole 1 has two insertion holes 50, each of which passes through the ground surface 2a and an associated side portion of the sole 1 (the upper midsole 4). On the other hand, the third extension portion 23 is divided into two parts, and each of the two parts is inserted into an associated one of the insertion holes 50 and extends from the ground surface 2a to the throat opening 7b of the shoe upper 7 through the associated side portion of the sole 1. An end of each of the two parts of the third extension portion 23 is formed into a ring-shaped coupling portion 24, which is attached to a shoelace 9.

[0062] As can be seen, the string member 19 of the shoe S of this variation is coupled to the shoelace 9 via the third extension portion 23. Specifically, the string member 19 is coupled to the shoelace 9 with the third extension portion 23 attached to the shoelace 9. Thus, if the shoelace 9 is tightened strongly, the throat opening 7b of the shoe upper 7 is narrowed, and at the same time, the third extension portion 23 is pulled toward the throat opening 7b of the shoe upper 7 to move relative to the sole 1 and the shoe upper 7. On the contrary, if the shoelace 9 is tightened less strongly, the throat opening 7b of the shoe upper 7 is widened, and at the same time, the third extension portion 23 shifts away from the throat opening 7b of the shoe upper 7 to move relative to the sole 1 and the shoe upper 7. In this manner, a degree of looseness of the string member 19 with respect to the sole 1 and the shoe upper 7 can be adjusted. In addition, a tightening force of the string member 19 with respect to the sole 1 and the shoe upper 7 can be kept constant before a wearer puts on the shoe S.

Other Embodiments

[0063] In the shoe S of each of the embodiments described above, the front portion(s) 20 and the first extension portion 21 that form the string member 19 are exposed at the ground surface 2a. However, this is merely a non-limiting example. For example, the front portion(s) 20 and the first extension portion 21 may be included within the sole 1 to be disposed more adjacent to the ground surface 2a than the substantially middle of the sole 1 in the thickness direction, and may be movable with respect to the sole 1. This applies also in the case of the third extension portion 23 of the second embodiment.

[0064] In the embodiments described above, the shoe S has the second extension portion 22 that extends on the outer surface of a side portion of the sole 1 and within the rear portion of the shoe upper 7. However, this is merely a non-limiting example. For example, the second extension portion 22 may be disposed in the shoe upper 7. Alternatively, the second extension portion 22 may be exposed on the outer surface of the shoe upper 7. In short, it is suitable that the second extension portion 22 is movable relative to the shoe upper 7.

[0065] The shoe S of the second embodiment includes the holding member 30. However, this is merely a non-limiting example. That is, the shoe S does not have to include the holding member 30. Alternatively, a portion of the holding member 30 may be omitted. In short, it is suitable for the shoe S that the first and third extension portions 21, 23 of the string member 19 extend in longitudinal direction along the ground surface 2a.

[0066] Note that the present disclosure is not limited to the embodiments described above, and various changes and modifications may be made without departing from the scope of the present disclosure.

[0067] The present disclosure is industrially applicable to, for example, athletic shoes for running and various sports such as badminton, sneakers for daily use, and rehabilitation shoes.