Shoe

Abstract

A shoe includes a sole, an upper and a strap. The upper is attached to the sole. The strap extends in a width direction of the shoe. The strap includes a proximal end fixed to the upper and a distal end located on an opposite side of the proximal end in the width direction of the shoe. One of the upper and the strap includes at least one first engaging portion, whereas the other of the upper and the strap includes at least one second engaging portion that is engaged with the at least one first engaging portion while extending in a direction intersecting with a longitudinal direction of the shoe where the distal end is held against the upper.

Claims

1. A shoe comprising: a sole; an upper attached to the sole; and a strap extending in a width direction of the shoe, the strap including a proximal end and a distal end, the proximal end fixed to the upper, the distal end being located on an opposite side of the proximal end in the width direction of the shoe, one of the upper and the strap including at least one first engaging portion, the at least one first engaging portion includes at least one first protrusion, and the other of the upper and the strap including at least one second engaging portion, the at least one second engaging portion being engaged with the at least one first engaging portion while extending in a direction intersecting with a longitudinal direction of the shoe where the distal end is held against the upper, the at least one second engaging portion includes a plurality of second protrusions arranged in the longitudinal direction of the shoe, and the at least one first protrusion is configured to be engaged between adjacent two of the plurality of second protrusions where the distal end is held against the upper.

2. The shoe according to claim 1, wherein the at least one second engaging portion includes at least one groove, and the at least one first protrusion is configured to be engaged with the at least one groove where the distal end is held against the upper.

3. The shoe according to claim 1, wherein the at least one first engaging portion extends in the direction intersecting with the longitudinal direction of the shoe when the distal end is held against the upper.

4. The shoe according to claim 1, further comprising: a tightening structure configured to apply a tension to the strap.

5. The shoe according to claim 4, wherein the at least one second engaging portion is provided on the upper, and the tightening structure applies the tension to the strap such that the tension is directed along the at least one second engaging portion.

6. The shoe according to claim 2, wherein the tightening structure includes a lace member attached to one of the upper and the strap, and a reel-up member attached to the other of the upper and the strap, the reel-up member is configured to reel up the lace member.

7. The shoe according to claim 1, wherein one of the at least one first engaging portion and the at least one second engaging portion is made of a mesh material.

8. The shoe according to claim 7, wherein the one of the at least one first engaging portion and the at least one second engaging portion is provided on the strap.

Description

BRIEF DESCRIPTION OF THE DRAWINGS

(1) Referring now to the attached drawings which form a part of this original disclosure.

(2) FIG. 1 is a side perspective view of a shoe according to one embodiment.

(3) FIG. 2 is a perspective view of a portion of the shoe illustrated in FIG. 1 and showing a condition that engagement between an upper and a strap of the shoe has been released.

(4) FIG. 3 is a schematic diagram of a portion of the shoe illustrated in FIG. 1 for explaining the engagement between the upper and the strap.

(5) FIG. 4 is a schematic diagram of a portion of the shoe illustrated in FIG. 1 for explaining the engagement between the upper and the strap.

(6) FIG. 5 is a cross-sectional view of a portion of the shoe illustrated in FIG. 4 taken along section line V-V of FIG. 4.

(7) FIG. 6 is a schematic diagram of a portion of a shoe for explaining engagement between an upper and a strap according to another embodiment.

(8) FIG. 7 is a cross-sectional view, similar to FIG. 4, of the shoe illustrated in FIG. 6 taken along section line V-V of FIG. 6 according to another embodiment.

(9) FIG. 8 is a side perspective view of a shoe according to another embodiment.

(10) FIG. 9 is a perspective view of a portion of the shoe showing a condition that engagement between an upper and a strap of the shoe has been released according to another embodiment.

(11) FIG. 10 is a perspective view of a portion of the shoe showing a condition that engagement between an upper and a strap of the shoe has been released according to another embodiment.

(12) FIG. 11 is a perspective view of a portion of the shoe showing a condition that engagement between an upper and a strap of the shoe has been released according to another embodiment.

(13) FIG. 12 is a bottom view of a shoe according to another embodiment.

DETAILED DESCRIPTION OF EMBODIMENTS

(14) Selected embodiments will now be explained with reference to the drawings. It will be apparent to those skilled in the footwear 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.

(15) FIG. 1 is a side perspective view of a shoe 10 according to the present disclosure. As shown in FIG. 1, the shoe 10 is configured to be put on a foot F. The shoe 10 according to the present disclosure is applicable as well to footwear such as shoes for sport use, sneakers, or slippers with straps. It should be noted that the present specification explains a shoe to be put on the left foot but omits explanation of a shoe to be put on the right foot. The shoe 10 basically includes a sole 12, an upper 14, and a strap 16. The shoe 10 preferably further includes a tightening structure 18 (i.e., a strap tightener).

(16) The sole 12 supports the foot sole. The sole 12 includes an outsole 12a. Also, the sole 12 includes an insole (not shown in the drawings). Regarding the sole 12, the insole is provided on the opposite side of the outsole 12a. The outsole 12a faces outside the shoe 10. For example, the outsole 12a touches the ground. The insole faces inside the shoe 10. The insole touches the foot sole.

(17) The upper 14 covers the top of the foot F. The upper 14 is attached to the sole 12. The upper 14 is attached to the insole side of the sole 12. The upper 14 includes a left upper portion 14a located on the left side of the shoe 10 and a right upper portion 14b located on the right side of the shoe 10. It should be noted that the terms “right” and “left” of the shoe 10 herein refer to those in a view of the shoe 10 as seen from behind (heel side) looking toward the toe of the shoe 10. Also, a top side of the upper 14 of the shoe 10 corresponds to the upper side of the shoe 10, whereas a bottom side of the sole 12 of the shoe 10 corresponds to the lower side of the shoe 10. The upper 14 further includes a front upper portion 14c and a rear upper portion 14d. The front upper portion 14c is located on the front side of the shoe 10. The rear upper portion 14d is located on the rear side of the shoe 10. The front side of the shoe 10 corresponds to the toe side of the shoe 10. The rear side of the shoe 10 corresponds to the heel side of the shoe 10. For example, the front upper portion 14c covers a toe region and a top region of the foot. For example, the rear upper portion 14d covers a heel region of the foot. The front upper portion 14c and the rear upper portion 14d connect the left upper portion 14a and the right upper portion 14b. The upper 14 further includes an opening 14e. The opening 14e is a portion that the foot F is inserted when the shoe 10 is put on. For example, the opening 14e is defined by a topline (a top edge of the upper 14).

(18) The opening 14e is provided on the rear upper portion 14d side. The opening 14e is opened upward. For example, the opening 14e is surrounded by the left upper portion 14a, the right upper portion 14b, the front upper portion 14c, and the rear upper portion 14d. The opening 14e is provided on the opposite side of the sole 12 with respect to the upper portions 14a, 14b, 14c, and 14d. For example, when the shoe 10 is of a type without the rear upper portion 14d, the opening 14e is surrounded by the left upper portion 14a, the right upper portion 14b, the front upper portion 14c, and the sole 12. The shoe 10 of the type is, for example, a sandal. On the other hand, for example, when the shoe 10 is of a type covering the foot up to the ankle, the left upper portion 14a, the right upper portion 14b, the front upper portion 14c, and the rear upper portion 14d extend to the ankle. When the shoe 10 is of a type covering the foot up to a region above the ankle, the left upper portion 14a, the right upper portion 14b, the front upper portion 14c, and the rear upper portion 14d extend to the region above the ankle. The shoe 10 of the type is, for example, a boot. It should be noted that the strap is additionally provided on a portion of the shoe 10 that covers the region above the ankle. Besides, several engaging portions 20 and 30 (to be described) in the present embodiment are additionally provided on the portion of the shoe 10 that covers the region above the ankle.

(19) FIG. 2 is a perspective view of a portion of the shoe 10 showing a condition that engagement between the upper 14 and the strap 16 has been released. FIGS. 3 and 4 are schematic diagrams of portion of the shoe 10 for explaining the engagement between the upper 14 and the strap 16. FIG. 5 is a cross-sectional view of a portion of the shoe 10 taken along section line V-V of FIG. 4.

(20) The strap 16 extends in a width direction of the shoe 10. The strap 16 includes a proximal end 16a and a distal end 16b. The proximal end 16a is fixed to the upper 14. In the present embodiment, the proximal end 16a is fixed to the right upper portion 14b. The distal end 16b is located on the opposite side of the proximal end 16a in the width direction of the shoe 10. The distal end 16b is a free end of the strap 16. The distal end 16b is configured to be held against the upper 14. In the present embodiment, the distal end 16b is configured to be held against the left upper portion 14a. In the present embodiment, as described below, the upper 14 is provided, as a part thereof, with a second engaging portion 30. However, the second engaging portion 30 is attachable to the upper 14 as a discrete component.

(21) One of the upper 14 and the strap 16 includes at least one first engaging portion 20. The other of the upper 14 and the strap 16 includes at least one second engaging portion 30. When the distal end 16b is held against the upper 14, the at least one second engaging portion 30 is engaged with the at least one first engaging portion 20. The at least one second engaging portion 30 extends in a direction intersecting with a longitudinal direction X of the shoe 10. The longitudinal direction X of the shoe 10 is a direction indicating the entire toe-to-heel length of the shoe 10. In the present embodiment, the strap 16 includes the at least one first engaging portion 20, whereas the upper 14 includes the at least one second engaging portion 30.

(22) One of the at least one first engaging portion 20 and the at least one second engaging portion 30 is preferably made of a mesh material. Also, the one of the at least one first engaging portion 20 and the at least one second engaging portion 30 is provided on the strap 16. The mesh is the whole or a part of a material made of strings or wires interlaced like a net. The net is formed by interlacing the yarns or wires with one another at regular intervals. In the present embodiment, the at least one first engaging portion 20 is made of the mesh material. It should be noted that the at least one first engaging portion 20 can be integrally provided on the strap 16.

(23) The at least one first engaging portion 20 includes at least one first protrusion 20a. In the present embodiment, the at least one first protrusion 20a is disposed on a back surface 16c side of the distal end 16b of the strap 16. The back surface 16c is opposed to the upper 14 where the distal end 16b is held against the upper 14. Also, in the present embodiment, the at least one first protrusion 20a comprises part of a mesh member 32. The at least one first protrusion 20a protrudes in a direction from the strap 16 to the upper 14 in a condition of engagement between the upper 14 and the strap 16. The condition of engagement between the upper 14 and the strap 16 refers to a condition of engagement between the at least one first protrusion 20a and the at least one second engaging portion 30. In other words, the condition of engagement between the upper 14 and the strap 16 refers to a condition that the distal end 16b is held against the upper 14. The at least one first protrusion 20a extends in the direction intersecting with the longitudinal direction X of the shoe 10 where the distal end 16b is held against the upper 14. It should be noted that the at least one first protrusion 20a may not necessarily extend in the direction intersecting with the longitudinal direction X of the shoe 10 where the distal end 16b is held against the upper 14. It should be noted that in the present embodiment, the at least one first engaging portion 20 includes a plurality of first protrusions 20a. When the distal end 16b is held against the upper 14, the first protrusions 20a extend along a plurality of second protrusions 30a (to be described), while being arranged in the longitudinal direction X of the shoe 10.

(24) The at least one second engaging portion 30 includes the plurality of second protrusions 30a arranged in the longitudinal direction X of the shoe 10. The plurality of second protrusions 30a are provided on, for example, the surface of the left upper portion 14a or that of the right upper portion 14b. In the present embodiment, the plurality of second protrusions 30a are provided on the surface of the left upper portion 14a. For example, the plurality of second protrusions 30a are formed by modifying at least the surface of the upper 14. The plurality of second protrusions 30a are formed by, for example, embossing. The plurality of second protrusions 30a protrude in a direction from the upper 14 to the strap 16 in the condition of engagement between the upper 14 and the strap 16. The plurality of second protrusions 30a extend in the direction intersecting with the longitudinal direction X of the shoe 10. The plurality of second protrusions 30a extend in a circular-arc shape in approximately the width direction of the shoe 10. It should be noted that the plurality of second protrusions 30a may extend in a straight shape.

(25) As shown in FIG. 5, each of the at least one first protrusion 20a is engaged between adjacent two of the second protrusions 30a where the distal end 16b of the strap 16 is held against the upper 14. In FIG. 5, a surface 14f is the surface of the left upper portion 14a. The second protrusions 30a protrude from the surface 14f. It should be noted that FIGS. 2 to 4 show a configuration that the at least one first engaging portion 20 includes the plurality of first protrusions 20a. However, a reference sign 20a is assigned to only a part of the plurality of first protrusions 20a without being assigned to the rest thereof. Likewise, in FIGS. 2 to 4, a reference sign 30a is assigned to only a part of the plurality of second protrusions 30a without being assigned to the rest thereof. Also, FIGS. 2 to 5 show the plurality of first protrusions 20a and the plurality of second protrusions 30a. However, engagement between the first protrusions 20a and the second protrusions 30a is realized by one of the first protrusions 20a and two of the second protrusions 30a. In this case, two of the second protrusions 30a form therebetween a recess that one of the first protrusions 20a is engaged. Likewise, engagement between the first protrusions 20a and the second protrusions 30a is realized by two of the first protrusions 20a and one of the second protrusions 30a. In this case, two of the first protrusions 20a form therebetween a recess that one of the second protrusions 30a is engaged.

(26) The tightening structure 18 applies a tension to the strap 16. The tightening structure 18 applies the tension to the strap 16 such that the tension is directed along the at least one second engaging portion 30. The at least one second engaging portion 30 is herein provided on the upper 14. The tightening structure 18, which is a heretofore known structure, includes a lace member 18a and a reel-up member 18b. The reel-up member 18b is configured to reel up the lace member 18a. The lace member 18a is attached to one of the upper 14 and the strap 16. The reel-up member 18b is attached to the other of the upper 14 and the strap 16. In the present embodiment, the lace member 18a is attached to the upper 14, whereas the reel-up member 18b is attached to the strap 16.

(27) In the present embodiment, the lace member 18a is attached to a position closer to the sole 12 than the plurality of second protrusions 30a on the left upper portion 14a. The left upper portion 14a is provided with a hook portion 40 for hooking the lace member 18a.

(28) As an example, the reel-up member 18b includes a reel-up portion, a one-way clutch, and a deactivation mechanism that are not shown in the drawings. The one-way clutch prevents the reel-up portion from turning in an unreeling direction. The deactivation mechanism deactivates the one-way clutch. The reel-up member 18b is a member that the lace member 18a is attached at both ends thereof. When the reel-up member 18b is operated to turn, the lace member 18a is wound up. Accordingly, the tension acting on the strap 16 is adjusted. It should be noted that in the present embodiment, a tightening structure 42 is provided in a position forward of the tightening structure 18. The tightening structure 42 is used for tightening the left upper portion 14a and the right upper portion 14b in directions approaching each other. The tightening structure 42 has a similar structure to the tightening structure 18. It should be noted that the tightening structure 42 can be omitted.

(29) In the shoe 10 configured as described above, when the distal end 16b of the strap 16 is held against the upper 14, the at least one second engaging portion 30 is engaged with the at least one first engaging portion 20. Accordingly, when the distal end 16b of the strap 16 is held against the upper 14, the strap 16 is unlikely to be displaced in position with respect to the upper 14.

(30) Also, the tightening structure 18 applies the tension to the strap 16 such that the tension is directed along the at least one second engaging portion 30. Accordingly, when the distal end 16b of the strap 16 is held against the upper 14, the strap 16 is further unlikely to be displaced in position with respect to the upper 14.

(31) Moreover, when the distal end 16b of the strap 16 is held against the upper 14, the at least one first protrusion 20a is engaged between adjacent two of the second protrusions 30a. When the tension acting on the strap 16 is adjusted by the tightening structure 18, the at least one first protrusion 20a is guided by adjacent two of the second protrusions 30a in the extending directions of the plurality of second protrusions 30a. Accordingly, when the tension acting on the strap 16 is adjusted by the tightening structure 18, the strap 16 is unlikely to be displaced in position with respect to the upper 14.

(32) In the present embodiment, the at least one first protrusion 20a and the at least one second protrusion 30a extend continuously. However, at least one of the at least one first protrusion 20a and the at least one second protrusion 30a is not required to extend continuously. For example, the at least one of the at least one first protrusion 20a and the at least one second protrusion 30a can be composed of arranged circular protrusions. The protrusion extending continuously is guided by the protrusion disposed intermittently. Conversely, the protrusion disposed intermittently is guided by the protrusion extending continuously.

Other Embodiments

(33) One embodiment of the present disclosure has been explained above. However, the present invention is not limited to the embodiment described above, and a variety of changes can be made without departing from the gist of the present invention. Especially, a plurality of embodiments and modifications described in the present specification can be arbitrarily combined on an as-needed basis.

(34) The embodiment described above has explained that the strap 16 includes the at least one first engaging portion 20, whereas the upper 14 includes the at least one second engaging portion 30. However, as shown in FIG. 6, the at least one first engaging portion 20 and the at least one second engaging portion 30 can be reversed in arrangement. In other words, the strap 16 may include the at least one second engaging portion 30, whereas the upper 14 can include the at least one first engaging portion 20.

(35) The embodiment described above has explained that the at least one second engaging portion 30 includes the plurality of second protrusions 30a arranged in the longitudinal direction X of the shoe 10. However, as shown in FIG. 7, the at least one second engaging portion 30 can include at least one groove 130a. In FIG. 7, the surface 14f is the surface of the left upper portion 14a. The at least one groove 130a is recessed from the surface 14f. In this case, when the distal end 16b of the strap 16 is held against the upper 14, the at least one first protrusion 20a is engaged with the at least one groove 130a. Also, the at least one first protrusion 20a is not required to extend continuously. For example, the at least one first protrusion 20a can be composed of arranged circular protrusions. The at least one first protrusion 20a disposed intermittently is guided by the at least one groove 130a extending continuously.

(36) The embodiment described above has explained that the lace member 18a of the tightening structure 18 is attached to the upper 14, whereas the reel-up member 18b is attached to the strap 16. However, as shown in FIG. 8, the lace member 18a can be attached to the strap 16, whereas the reel-up member 18b can be attached to the upper 14.

(37) The embodiment described above has explained that the tightening structure 18 includes the lace member 18a and the reel-up member 18b. However, as shown in FIG. 9, the tightening structure 18 can be composed of touch fasteners 180a provided on the upper 14 and the strap 16, respectively. The touch fasteners 180a, each having a planer shape, are attachable to and detachable from each other. The touch fasteners 180a are, for example, made of specially treated cloths. The touch fasteners 180a are used for intention to bind fasteners in a repeatedly attachable and detachable manner. Touch fasteners are generally composed of a hook-raised fabric fastener and a loop-raised fabric fastener. When the both types of fasteners are pressed against each other, the hook-raised fabric and the loop-raised fabric are configured to attach to each other.

(38) The embodiment described above has explained that the tightening structure 18 includes the reel-up member 18b. However, the reel-up member 18b can be omitted from the tightening structure 18. For example, as shown in FIG. 10, the lace member 18a is inserted through at least one hole 46 provided in the distal end 16b of the strap 16. Then, both ends of the lace member 18a are tied, while the lace member 18a is hooked on the hook portion 40 provided on the upper 14 side. Accordingly, the lace member 18a can be fastened. Moreover, the hook portion 40 can be omitted. In this case, for example, as shown in FIG. 11, the upper 14 can be provided with at least one hole 48 for inserting the lace member 18a therethrough. The lace member 18a is inserted through the at least one hole 46 provided in the distal end 16b of the strap 16 and the at least one hole 48 provided in the upper 14. Then, both ends of the lace member 18a are tied, whereby the lace member 18a can be fastened. It should be noted that in the present embodiment, the lace member 18a is tied on a side with the upper 14. However, the lace member 18a can be tied on a side with the strap 16.

(39) The shoe 10 may be a cycling shoe. In this case, for example, as shown in FIG. 12, the shoe 10 can further include an attachment portion 50 that a cleat (not shown in the drawing) is attached. The cleat is a plate-shaped member attached to the sole of a cycling shoe. When the cleat is engaged with a bicycle pedal, the cycling shoe and the bicycle pedal are engaged.