Footwear

Abstract

To provide footwear including a guide part for guiding a foot into a shoe opening, provided in a heel part, the footwear preventing the guide part from causing discomfort to a wearer's foot without compromising convenience when wearing the footwear using the guide part.SOLUTION: Footwear including an upper part with a heel part covering a heel of a wearer's foot and a shoe opening, includes a guide part extending from an upper end of the heel part and having a shape for guiding the foot to the shoe opening, where the heel part incorporates a core material, the guide part incorporates a cushion material, and the guide part is configured to be more flexible than the heel part. The footwear is so configured that when a user puts the foot on the guide part, an upper end inside the core material is covered with the cushion material incorporated in the guide part.SELECTED DRAWING: Figure 1

Description

[Technical Field]

[0001] The present invention relates to footwear having a guide portion at the upper end of the heel portion. [Background technology]

[0002] Patent Document 1 describes footwear having a hard protrusion formed at the top end of the heel. The heel, including the protrusion, is equipped with a hard crescent-shaped core sandwiched between an exterior material and an interior material. [Prior art documents] [Patent documents]

[0003] [Patent Document 1] Patent No. 7317385 Summary of the Invention [Problem to be solved by the invention]

[0004] In the footwear of Patent Document 1, when a person steps off the footwear, the heel of the foot comes into contact with the protruding piece and slides the foot toward the opening. The protruding piece guides the heel into the footwear, allowing the person to put on the footwear correctly without using their hands or a shoehorn.

[0005] In the footwear of Patent Document 1, a hard core is placed in the area where the wearer's Achilles tendon is located. When the wearer walks, the area around the Achilles tendon moves vigorously. If a hard core is placed in the protruding portion of the footwear, the rear end of the footwear may interfere with the wearer's foot when walking, causing discomfort to the wearer. Even if the rear end of the footwear does not interfere with the wearer's foot, the footwear tends to feel stiff and uncomfortable.

[0006] To prevent discomfort to the wearer, the protrusions may be made soft. However, if the protrusions are simply made soft, there is a concern that the protrusions may bend when the weight of the foot is applied to them, making the footwear less comfortable to wear.

[0007] To provide footwear having a guide part at the heel for guiding the foot to the opening, which guide part is unlikely to cause discomfort to the wearer's foot and does not impair convenience when wearing the footwear by utilizing the guide part. [Means for solving the problem]

[0008] The above-mentioned problem is solved by a footwear having an upper part with a heel part that covers the heel of the wearer's foot and an opening, the footwear also having a guide part that extends from the upper end of the heel part and is shaped to guide the foot into the opening, the heel part incorporating a core material, the guide part incorporating a cushioning material, and the guide part being configured to be more flexible than the heel part, so that when the user places their foot on the guide part, the upper end of the inner side of the core material is covered by the cushioning material incorporated in the guide part. When the foot is placed on the opening, the guide part incorporating the cushioning material forms a slope that guides the heel of the foot into the opening. Although the guide part does not incorporate a core material, it is supported by the upper end of the core material. Therefore, even though the guide part does not incorporate a core material, when the heel of the foot is placed on the guide part, it can support the heel of the foot and guide it into the opening.

[0009] In the footwear, it is preferable that the cushioning material is positioned on the inside of the shoe and the core material is positioned on the outside of the shoe, which prevents the core material from directly contacting the foot when the foot is placed on the guide part, thereby reducing discomfort caused by contact with the foot and improving the durability of the guide part.

[0010] In the footwear, it is preferable that the heel portion has a first material arranged on the outside of the shoe, a second material arranged on the inside of the shoe, and the core material sandwiched between the first and second materials, and the guide portion has the first material, the second material, and the cushion material sandwiched between the first and second materials. By arranging the cushion material and the core material on the inside of the first and second materials, the aesthetic appearance of the footwear can be improved.

[0011] In the footwear, it is preferable that no cushioning material is provided between the core material and the first material in the portion that comes into contact with the wearer's heel, allowing the core material to more reliably hold the heel of the foot.

[0012] In the footwear, the edge of the opening of the upper part is preferably made of a stretchable material. With this configuration, the guide part can be used to more easily slide the foot into the opening.

[0013] In the footwear, the cushioning material may be made of one or more materials selected from the group consisting of foamed resin, nonwoven fabric, laminated woven or knitted fabric, and aggregate of fibers.

[0014] In the footwear, the guide portion may be shaped to extend obliquely upward from the heel portion toward the rear of the wearer's foot.

[0015] In the footwear, the guide portion can be shaped to be thicker than the thickness of the upper portion at the portion covering the instep of the wearer's foot.

[0016] In the footwear, the guide portion may be substantially arc-shaped in a plan view. [Effects of the Invention]

[0017] According to the present invention, it is possible to provide footwear having a guide part in the heel part that guides the foot into the opening, in which the guide part is unlikely to cause discomfort to the wearer's foot and the convenience of putting on the footwear is not impaired by using the guide part. [Brief explanation of the drawings]

[0018] [Figure 1] 1 is a perspective view showing an embodiment of footwear of the present invention. [Figure 2] FIG. 2 is a plan view of the footwear of FIG. 1. [Figure 3] FIG. 3 is a cross-sectional view taken along the line AA′ in FIG. 2. [Figure 4] 10 is an explanatory diagram showing the state in which the heel is pressed against the guide portion and the foot is slid into the opening. FIG. [Figure 5] 10 is a cross-sectional view showing a state in which the heel is pressed against the guide portion to tilt the guide portion. FIG. [Figure 6] FIG. 3 is a cross-sectional view showing the shape of the heel portion when the foot is inserted into the upper portion. [Figure 7] FIG. 2 is a side view of the footwear of FIG. 1. [Figure 8] FIG. [Figure 9] FIG. DETAILED DESCRIPTION OF THE INVENTION

[0019] An example of the footwear of the present invention will be described below. The embodiment described below is merely a limited example of the present invention, and the technical scope of the present invention is not limited to the illustrated example.

[0020] 1 to 7 show one embodiment of footwear. Footwear 1 in this embodiment is a low shoe, and includes an upper part 11 having a heel part 12 that covers the heel of the wearer's foot and an opening 14. Footwear 1 includes a guide part 13 that extends from the upper end of heel part 12 and is shaped to guide the foot into the opening. Heel part 12 incorporates a core material 121, and guide part 13 incorporates a cushioning material 131. Guide part 13 is configured to be more flexible than heel part 12. As shown in FIG. 5, when a user places their foot on guide part 13, the upper end of core material 121 is covered by cushioning material 131 incorporated in guide part 13.

[0021] The footwear 1 has a sole 15 fixed to the upper part 11 and a midsole 152 layered on top of the sole 15 .

[0022] The upper part 11 has a front part 16 that covers the area from the toes to the instep and the side of the foot from the toes to the ankle forward, and a heel part 12 that covers the area from the side of the foot behind the ankle to the heel. The upper part 11 widely covers and protects the foot except for the sole. The upper part 11 is provided with an opening 14 that is connected to the interior of the upper part 11.

[0023] In the footwear 1 of this embodiment, the front portion 16 and heel portion 12 of the upper portion 11 are formed from a single continuous piece of knit fabric. As a result, the footwear 1 is configured so that when a foot is inserted through the opening 14, the upper portion 11 stretches overall, making it easier to slide the foot into the opening 14. A rib 141 is provided around the edge of the opening 14. The rib 141 is formed from rib knitting, and when a foot is inserted into the opening 14, the rib 141 stretches in the width direction, allowing the foot to slide into the upper portion 11 without difficulty. A gripping portion 161 is provided on the front side of the opening 14 for widening the opening of the opening 14. For example, by pulling the gripping portion with one's fingers, the shape of the opening 14 can be adjusted to make it easier for the foot to slide into the opening 14.

[0024] As shown in Figure 3, the heel portion 12 has a first material 211 arranged on the outside of the shoe, a second material 212 arranged on the inside of the shoe, and the core material 121 arranged so as to be sandwiched between the first material 211 and the second material 212.

[0025] The first material 211 arranged on the outside of the shoe is a knitted fabric that is continuous with the knitted fabric that constitutes the front part 16 of the upper part 11. The second material 212 arranged on the inside of the shoe is a membrane-like member that covers and conceals the core material 121 and the cushioning material 131 so that they are not visible.

[0026] The first material can be made of, for example, a knitted fabric, a woven fabric, artificial leather, or leather. The second material can be made of, for example, a knitted fabric, a woven fabric, artificial leather, or leather. In the footwear 1 of this embodiment, the second material is a laminate of a woven fabric made of polyester fiber and a foamed resin sheet (sponge sheet). This improves the sliding of the foot in the guide portion and provides the second material with appropriate thickness and softness.

[0027] The first material 211, which is placed on the outside of the shoe, has its lower end fixed to the end of the midsole 152 by stitching. The second material 212, which is placed on the inside of the shoe, has its upper end fixed to the first material 211 by stitching and its lower end fixed to the end of the midsole 152 by stitching. The left and right ends of the second material are sewn to the first material 211 below the user's ankles in the vertical direction of the footwear. The midsole 152 is fixed onto the sole by any method, such as adhesive or stitching.

[0028] The sole may be made of a known material for making a shoe sole, such as an elastic material such as foamed synthetic resin or synthetic rubber, cork, or leather. In the footwear of this embodiment, the sole is made of a single layer of material, but it may also have a multilayer structure, such as a structure in which a midsole made of any material, such as cork, felt, or elastic resin, is layered on an outsole, or a stacked heel structure. The sole may also have a built-in shank.

[0029] In the footwear 1 of this embodiment, the sole 15 has a single-layer structure made of foamed resin. A convex portion 151 that protrudes upward is provided at the top end of the sole so that it goes around the edge of the sole. The upper portion 11 is fixed to the convex portion 151 by adhesive or the like, and the midsole 152 is fixed to the top surface of the sole 15 by adhesive or the like. The upper portion and the sole can be fixed by known methods such as adhesive or stitching.

[0030] A guide portion 13 is provided at the upper end of the heel portion 12. The guide portion 13 is shaped to protrude diagonally rearward from the foot, and is generally arc-shaped in front or rear view so that the height is greatest at the center, and is generally arc-shaped in plan view.

[0031] As shown in Figure 3, the guide section 13 incorporates a cushioning material 131. The guide section 13 is made up of the first material 211 arranged on the outside of the shoe, the second material 212 arranged on the inside of the shoe, and the cushioning material 131 arranged so as to be positioned between the first material 211 and the second material 212. In the footwear 1 of this embodiment, the cushioning material 131 is fixed to the second material 212 by adhesive.

[0032] The core material 121 is a component called a heel counter, and is shaped to encase the heel of the foot. In the footwear 1 of this embodiment, it is a semi-elliptical hard thin plate that is curved to fit the back of the heel of the foot. The lower end of the core material 121 is substantially linear and is fixed so that the lower end is in contact with the sole. The core material 121 holds the heel in place when the footwear 1 is worn, improving the durability and shape retention of the heel portion 12. The core material can be made of conventionally known synthetic resin materials such as polyethylene, leather, or other materials.

[0033] Heel portion 12 has a first material 211 arranged on the outside of the footwear, a second material 212 arranged on the inside of the shoe, and core material 121 sandwiched between first material 211 and second material 212. First material 211 constituting guide portion 13 is continuous with first material 211 constituting heel portion 12, and second material 212 constituting guide portion 13 is continuous with second material 212 constituting heel portion 12. In guide portion 13, cushioning material 131 is arranged toward the inside of footwear 1, and core material 121 is arranged toward the outside of footwear 1, as shown in FIG.

[0034] As shown in FIG. 9, the cushion material 131 has a shape including a substantially arc-shaped portion 131a located in the middle and left and right end portions 131b with a gentle inclination angle when viewed from the front or rear. The cushion material is preferably shaped like a plate. The detailed shape of the cushion material can be changed to match the shape of the guide portion. The cushion material 131 covers the area from below the wearer's ankles to the heel, and has the effect of obscuring the upper end portion of the core material 121 in the area from below the ankles to the heel.

[0035] As shown in FIG. 3, the outer side of cushioning material 131 of guide section 13 is shaped to contact the upper end of core material 121. When the foot is placed on the opening, as shown in FIG. 5, guide section 13 incorporating cushioning material 131 bends downward in footwear 1, with the upper end of core material 121 as the bending point. This allows guide section 13 to form a slope that guides the heel of the foot into opening 14. Although guide section 13 does not incorporate a core material, it is supported by the upper end of core material 121. Therefore, despite not incorporating a core material, guide section 13 can guide the heel of the foot into opening 14 in the direction indicated by the arrow in FIG. 5.

[0036] When the foot rests against guide portion 13, the upper end of core material 121 is cushioned by cushion material 131, as shown in Fig. 5. Because the upper end of core material 121 does not come into direct contact with the user's foot, discomfort caused by core material 121 coming into contact with the foot is reduced. In addition, because core material 121 is cushioned by cushion material 131, damage to core material 121, first material 211, or second material 212 due to the load applied by the foot is prevented.

[0037] Guide section 13 does not incorporate a core material, so the foot feels soft when the foot rests against guide section 13. Furthermore, the upper end of core material 121 is cushioned by cushioning material 131, and guide section 13 does not incorporate a core material, so the upper end of core material 121 does not come into strong contact with the user's foot when walking, which does not cause discomfort.

[0038] As shown in FIG. 6, at the lower end of heel portion 12, which is the portion that comes into contact with the wearer's heel, no cushioning material 131 is provided between core material 121 and second material 212. For this reason, the lower end of heel portion 12 has a recessed shape compared to the upper end of heel portion 12. When footwear 1 is worn, the wearer's heel is accommodated in the recessed portion and is held in place by core material 121. When walking, the position of the user's heel is more reliably held by core material 121. Because cushioning material 131 is disposed above the recess, cushioning material 131 also helps to prevent the position of the user's heel from shifting.

[0039] In footwear 1 of this embodiment, as described above, the edge of opening 14 is made up of highly stretchable ribs 141. When the heel is pressed against guide section 13 and the foot slides into opening 14, opening 14 is pushed open by the foot, increasing the opening diameter of opening 14. Even without incorporating core material 121 into guide section 13, the foot can slide smoothly from the opening into the footwear.

[0040] It is preferable that the thickness of the cushioning material built into the guide part 13 is greater than the thickness of the upper part 11 in the part covering the instep. The thickness of the cushioning material is not particularly limited, but can be, for example, 5 to 25 mm.

[0041] The cushioning material is made of a material with a shock-absorbing effect, and can be made of, for example, one or more materials selected from the group consisting of foamed resin, nonwoven fabric, fiber aggregate, and laminate of woven or knitted fabric.

[0042] The guide portion 13 preferably extends obliquely upward from the heel portion 12 toward the rear of the wearer's foot, and is preferably inclined toward the rear of the footwear from the vertical angle and toward the upper side of the footwear from the horizontal angle. The angle of the guide portion is not particularly limited, but can be, for example, 10 to 85 degrees.

[0043] Of the protruding pieces provided on heel portion 12 of footwear 1, the portion above the upper end of core material 121 is called guide portion 13. Of the portion of footwear 1 that covers the heel, the portion below the upper end of core material 1211 is called heel portion 12.

[0044] The first material of the guide portion may be configured such that the same first material is continuous in the heel portion and the guide portion, or such that separate first materials are joined by stitching or the like in the heel portion and the guide portion.

[0045] The second material of the guide portion may be configured such that the same second material is continuous in the heel portion and the guide portion, or such that separate second materials are joined by stitching or the like in the heel portion and the guide portion.

[0046] The upper portion may be configured by laminating an exterior material such as another woven or knitted fabric, a leather sheet, a synthetic leather sheet, or a reflective sheet on the first material. The upper portion may also be configured by joining multiple fabrics. For example, another fabric may be laminated along the heel portion 12 for the purpose of reinforcement and adding design. [Explanation of symbols]

[0047] 1. Footwear 11 Upper part 12 Heel 14 Opening 13 Guide section 131 Cushioning material 121 Core material 211 1st material 212 Second material

Claims

1. Footwear comprising an upper part having a heel part covering the heel of a wearer's foot and an opening, The footwear includes a guide portion extending from an upper end of a heel portion and shaped to guide a foot into an opening; The heel portion has a built-in core material, The guide portion has a built-in cushioning material, The guide portion is configured to be more flexible than the heel portion, When a user places their foot on the guide section, the upper end of the inner side of the core material is covered with a cushioning material built into the guide section.

2. Footwear according to claim 1, wherein the cushioning material is disposed on the inside of the footwear, and the core material is disposed on the outside of the footwear.

3. The heel portion has a first material disposed on the outside of the shoe, a second material disposed on the inside of the shoe, and the core material sandwiched between the first material and the second material, 3. The footwear according to claim 1, wherein the guide portion includes the first material, the second material, and the cushion material sandwiched between the first material and the second material.

4. 3. The footwear according to claim 1, wherein no cushioning material is provided between the core material and the second material in a portion that comes into contact with the heel of the wearer.

5. 3. The footwear according to claim 1, wherein the edge of the upper part at the opening is made of a stretchable material.

6. 3. The footwear according to claim 1, wherein the cushioning material is made of one or more materials selected from the group consisting of foamed resin, nonwoven fabric, laminated woven or knitted fabric, and aggregate of fibers.

7. 3. The footwear according to claim 1, wherein the guide portion extends obliquely upward from the heel portion toward the rear of the wearer's foot.

8. 3. The footwear according to claim 1, wherein the guide portion has a thickness greater than a thickness of the upper portion at a portion covering the instep of the wearer's foot.

9. 3. The footwear according to claim 1, wherein the guide portion has a substantially arcuate shape in a plan view.

Images