Footwear including a heel portion with a heel support member

Abstract

This invention provides footwear that can be easily put on while standing and without bending over, without using one's hands, at a low cost. [Solution] The footwear is fitted with a heel support member 100 that has the support capacity and elastic properties to withstand the pressure received from the heel of the foot, and this heel support member 100 can be mass-produced from a sheet-like flat body with simple processing. When the footwear is worn, the front end of the foot is inserted into the footwear and the heel of the foot is pressed against the heel holding part 103, the heel support member 100 tilts backward, widening the opening of the footwear and making it easier for the heel of the foot to slide into the footwear along the inclined surface of the heel holding part 101.

Description

Technical Field

[0001] The present invention relates to the technical field of footwear manufacturing, and particularly to footwear that can be easily put on while standing without bending over, without using hands.

Background Art

[0002] With the accelerating pace of modern society, demands for comfort and convenience are increasing, and easy-to-wear footwear is becoming an important product category in the footwear market. This demand is particularly prominent among the elderly, people with disabilities, or people engaged in specific occupations. Conventional footwear usually requires assistance from both hands; especially at the heel portion of the footwear, the heel of the foot cannot slide smoothly into the shoe, making it necessary to use hands to adjust the shoe opening, particularly the heel portion.

[0003] Several types of easy-to-wear footwear have appeared on the market, which improve the convenience of putting on and taking off by using specific structural designs, such as elastic shoelaces, hook-and-loop fasteners, and rubber bands. However, these generally have the following problems.

[0004] First, they are costly, second, installation is complicated, and furthermore, the design and appearance are monotonous, which has the disadvantage of not being able to meet the diversifying needs of consumers. In recent years, technologies for mounting a heel counter on the heel portion of footwear have emerged, such as Japanese Patent Application Laid-Open No. 2024-116124, Japanese Patent Application Laid-Open No. 2022-139151, Japanese Patent Application Laid-Open No. 2024-128061, Japanese Patent No. 7569114. These technologies allow the heel of the foot to slide into the shoe more smoothly.

Prior Art Literature

Patent Literature

[0005]

Patent Literature 1

Patent Literature 2

Patent Literature 3

[0006] However, Patent Document 1 describes a pear-shaped heel cup with an S-wave shape and varying thicknesses in each section, allowing it to fit the shape of the foot. However, this requires an expensive three-dimensional molding die, which increases manufacturing costs and poses challenges in reducing costs during mass production. Furthermore, the middle and lower parts of the heel cup are formed into a concave structure similar to the heel of the foot, and an internal foam layer is attached to the middle part, protruding into the shoe opening. As a result, when the shoes are worn for extended periods, the heel cup may no longer fit the foot properly, and this protruding internal foam layer may constantly press against the upper part of the heel, potentially causing discomfort.

[0007] Patent document 2 describes a crescent-shaped core formed by hot melt, but the formation method is not described. However, because it is hot melt, heat shaping is required, which may lead to process complexity and additional costs.

[0008] Patent Document 3 provides footwear that improves comfort and convenience when putting on and taking off footwear by attaching a footwear strap having a convex curved portion and an L-shaped anchor to the heel of the sandal. However, since the footwear strap is originally three-dimensional, it requires a fairly expensive mold capable of three-dimensional molding. In addition, there is a risk of process complexity and additional costs when attaching it to footwear.

[0009] Patent document 4 describes a rigid, non-deformable shoe heel stiffener made of synthetic resin. While durable, the upper receiving portion is designed to be smaller in plan view than the shape of the human heel, making it difficult for the heel to fit. This necessitates designing shoes larger, which can worsen the fit for the user and detract from the aesthetics.

[0010] While these technologies aim to improve design innovation and convenience, each faces challenges in areas such as cost, manufacturing processes, and usability.

[0011] Therefore, there is a need for new technology that allows people to easily put on shoes without using their hands. This requires a cleverly designed heel support component with both support and elasticity to enable hands-free shoe-wearing. This technology would significantly improve ease of wear and practicality, especially for the elderly and people with disabilities, reduce shoe manufacturing costs, and contribute to improved welfare for low- and middle-income groups.

[0012] The objective of this invention is to provide footwear that allows for easy, hands-free putting on, equipped with a supportive and elastic heel support member, at a low cost. Furthermore, this invention aims to reduce shoe manufacturing costs, optimize the user experience, enhance the convenience and practicality of wearing the shoes, while simultaneously ensuring comfort and stability, and improving upon the shortcomings of conventional technology, through the use of innovative design and manufacturing techniques. [Means for solving the problem]

[0013] The heel support member of the present invention is originally a sheet-like, curved, one-piece flat body made of resin material. This is then processed by simple cutting or other methods to form a slightly V-shaped base, which is the first form. Of course, if a heel support member with rounded edges or a different thickness is required, it can be manufactured by injection molding using an inexpensive, thin, and simple mold. The shape of the first form of the flat heel support member can be adjusted according to various shoe specifications and usage scenarios. By fixing the fixing parts of the heel support member to both sides of the heel of the footwear, that is, by simply making the fixing parts at both ends facing each other and roughly parallel when attaching it to the heel of the footwear, a second form of a three-dimensional curved surface assembly can be obtained by bending force. Depending on the different shapes, widths, and angles of the first form of the flat heel support member, the inclination angle and width of the heel holding part of the three-dimensional second form can be made to differ.

[0014] The heel support member can be manufactured by simple methods such as punching, cutting, or laser cutting. When the fixing parts of the first form of the heel support member are pulled separately in the lateral direction, this tensile force is not uniformly distributed across the curved planar body but concentrates on specific parts. If the central part of the first form of the heel support member is designed to be narrower than the other parts, and the two fixing parts are pulled, the bending force does not cause the first form of the heel support member to deform uniformly, and the bending force concentrates on the central part of the heel support member. As a result, the central part of the first form of the heel support member can be transformed into a second form, a three-dimensional curved surface assembly with a "wavy" shape, i.e., an inclined shape. In this second form, the heel support member becomes three-dimensional, and the concentration of the bending force forms a heel-holding part with the upper part inclined backward. The heel-holding part is located at the upper end of the heel of the footwear, creating a structure that makes it easy for the heel of the foot to slide into the shoe. The heel support member also plays a role in reducing friction when the heel of the foot slides smoothly into the shoe. The heel support portion is designed to support the base of the Achilles tendon in the heel of the foot and has a concave shape suitable for the heel. The fixing portion is the end portion for fixing the heel support member to the footwear and is formed as a pair facing each other. The support portion is located between the heel support portion and the fixing portion and firmly supports the heel of the footwear, increasing the stability of the footwear. Furthermore, the heel support member can be customized according to the appearance of the footwear and the environment in which it is used.

[0015] The footwear of this invention includes parts such as the upper, sole, midsole, and tongue. A heel support member is attached to the heel of the footwear. When the foot is put on, the foot is inserted into the footwear and the heel of the foot is pressed against the heel support member, causing the heel support member to tilt, widening the opening of the footwear and making it easier for the heel of the foot to slide in. This design ensures that the footwear is very easy to put on and take off. [Effects of the Invention]

[0016] The technology of the present invention has the following beneficial effects compared to conventional technologies. 1. Easy to attach and detach The heel support member makes putting on and taking off shoes extremely easy. A user can put on the footwear just by sliding their foot in without using hands, which provides important convenience especially for elderly people and people with physical disabilities. 2. Comfort and Stability The dynamically deformable design of the heel support member improves comfort when putting on the footwear, and the heel of the foot is firmly fixed after the footwear is put on. 3. Reduction in Manufacturing Costs Since the heel support member made of resin material is a flat body before the footwear is molded, it can be formed by methods such as cutting; and for mold forming, a thin spatula-shaped mold is sufficient, and the expensive mold required in conventional techniques is unnecessary. This simplifies the manufacturing process and reduces mold costs and manual installation costs, thereby lowering the production cost of the footwear. 4. Various Designs The footwear of the present invention allows its exterior design to be changed according to various designs and market demands, so product development can be carried out to meet the aesthetic requirements of different age groups and consumers. BRIEF DESCRIPTION OF THE DRAWINGS

[0017] [Figure 1] 1 shows footwear according to an embodiment of the present invention. [Figure 2] 2 is a front view of a heel support member according to an embodiment of the present invention. [Figure 3] 3 shows a cutting die pattern of a heel support member according to an embodiment of the present invention [Figure 4] 4 is a front view of a heel support member manufactured by integral injection molding according to an embodiment of the present invention. [Figure 5] 5 is a side view of a second form of a heel support member according to an embodiment of the present invention. [Figure 6] 6 is a perspective view of a second form of a heel support member according to an embodiment of the present invention. [Figure 7] 7 shows the deformation process from a first form to a second form of a heel support member according to an embodiment of the present invention. [Figure 8]This shows the deformation of the support portion 102 when the heel support member in one embodiment of the present invention is subjected to a stepping force. [Figure 9] This shows a side view of a foot being inserted into a shoe in one embodiment of the present invention. [Figure 10] This shows a side view of a sandal in one embodiment of the present invention. [Figure 11] This image shows an example of increasing the support portion 102 of the heel support member in one embodiment of the present invention. [Modes for carrying out the invention]

[0018] The embodiments of the present invention will be described in detail below with reference to the drawings. However, the following embodiments represent only a part of the present invention and do not encompass all embodiments of the present invention.

[0019] The heel support member of the present invention is originally a sheet-like, curved, one-piece flat body made of resin material. This is then processed by simple cutting or other methods to form a slightly V-shaped base, which is the first form. Of course, if heel support members with rounded edges or different thicknesses are required, they can be manufactured by injection molding using inexpensive, thin, and simple molds. The shape of the first form of the flat heel support member can be adjusted according to various shoe specifications and usage scenarios. By fixing the fixing parts of the heel support member to both sides of the heel of the footwear, that is, when attaching it to the heel of the footwear, the second three-dimensional form can be obtained by bending force simply by making the fixing parts at both ends facing each other and being roughly parallel. Depending on the different shapes, widths, and angles of the first form of the flat heel support member, the inclination angle and width of the heel holding part of the second three-dimensional form can be made to differ.

[0020] Referring to Figure 1, an embodiment of the present invention provides footwear that utilizes the concentration of bending force. This shoe consists of an upper part comprising an opening 10 and instep side parts 13 on the inside and outside of the opening 10, an instep front part 11 in front of the opening 10, and a heel part 12 behind the opening 10, as well as an insole part, a midsole part, and an outsole part. The heel part 12 is composed of a heel support member 100 sandwiched between the upper material and the lining material.

[0021] Figure 2 shows a front view of the heel support member 100. The heel support member 100 consists of one heel holding portion 101, two symmetrical support portions 102, and a fixing portion 103.

[0022] Specifically, the heel support member 100 is initially a flat, sheet-like structure made of resin, with a flat shape. Its thickness is preferably 0.2 to 0.3 cm. As a processing step, cutting is performed to create a curved base as shown in Figure 2, which becomes the first form. This invention can be realized with only simple cutting, and this technological improvement reflects novelty and creativity in the footwear field. Of course, the cutting method can be changed depending on the equipment used, such as a die, cutter, scissors, or laser cutter, but it is required that the cut surface be smooth and free of burrs.

[0023] Figure 3 shows an example of a die pattern for cutting, with eight heel support members 100 arranged on it. A large number of bases can be manufactured in a single cutting step, allowing for efficient work and thus cost reduction.

[0024] Of course, if a heel support member 100 is required with varying thicknesses or with rounded edges to avoid discomfort to the foot, it can be manufactured using an inexpensive, thin, and simple mold, for example, by injection molding as shown in Figure 4.

[0025] The heel support member 100 can be deformed into a second form of a three-dimensional curved surface assembly by bending force simply by aligning the two fixing parts 103 opposite each other and approximately parallel. That is, when the two fixing parts 103 are aligned opposite each other and approximately parallel, the width of the heel holding part 101 is set to be narrower than the support part 102. As a result, the bending force applied to the support part 102 and the heel holding part 101 is not uniformly distributed, and the bending force concentrates on the narrower heel holding part 101. This causes the heel holding part 101 to twist backward and change into an inclined shape, so that the heel support member 100 switches from a planar body in the first form to a curved surface assembly in the second form. In one embodiment, the shape of the second form is as shown in Figure 5 when viewed from the side, and as shown in Figure 6 when viewed from the perspective.

[0026] Figure 7 shows the transformation from the first form to the second form. Figure 7a is a front view of the first form, and Figure 7b is a side view thereof. When the two fixing parts 103 are placed opposite each other and approximately parallel, it transforms from the intermediate form shown in Figures 7c and 7d to the curved surface assembly of the second form. Figure 7e is a front view thereof, and Figure 7f is a side view thereof.

[0027] Specifically, for a men's size 26.0cm, if the thickness of the heel support member 100 is set to 0.3cm, the width of the heel holding part 101 to 1.5cm, the width of the middle part of the support part 102 to 3.0cm, and the bottom width of the fixing part 103 to 4.5cm, the inclination angle of the heel holding part 101 in the second form will be approximately 60 degrees with respect to the horizontal plane. Switching to the second form with this dimensional balance allows the applied force to be concentrated appropriately on the heel holding part 101, and the expected optimal inclination angle (50-70 degrees) can be formed. Furthermore, by changing the dimensional balance, the heel holding part 101 can be deformed to various different inclination angles.

[0028] This inclination angle can be adjusted according to the wearing scene and design. By changing the dimensions, shape, width, and thickness of each part of the heel support member 100, the inclination angle can be changed, allowing it to accommodate footwear of different specifications and sizes.

[0029] In a front view, the curved composite body of the second form exhibits a V-shape, which is wider at the front and narrower at the rear, formed by the support portion 102 and the heel holding portion 101.

[0030] Both ends of the heel support member 100 (fixing parts 103 in the second form) are fixed to the part of the upper part 10 closer to the heel part 12 on the instep side part 13 by sewing or adhesive.

[0031] The heel support member 100 corresponds to various parts of the heel portion 12 of the footwear, with the heel holding portion 101 corresponding to the upper end portion of the heel portion 12, the support portion 102 corresponding to the instep side portion 13 and the heel portion 12, and the fixing portion 103 corresponding to the heel area of ​​the instep side portion 13.

[0032] The heel support member 100 tilts backward at its upper end due to the concentration of bending force, forming a heel holding portion 101. The heel holding portion 101 supports the upper end of the heel portion 12 and widens the opening diameter of the shoe opening 10. It is desirable that the ratio of the two lengths, from the top of the tongue to the toe and from the top of the tongue to the rear top of the heel, be approximately 3:2.

[0033] In this embodiment, referring to Figure 9, the heel support portion 101 is located below the Achilles tendon of the heel of the foot and has a concave shape toward the foot. The surface is linear in side view and slopes backward, forming a surface that slopes toward the middle of the shoe. The heel support portion 101 is a structure that supports the upper end portion of the heel portion 12 of the footwear, and the upper end portion of the heel portion 12 is lower in the center and higher on the outer edge. This design is inspired by the hemispherical concave shape of the bottom of the heel of the foot and aims to simulate the shape and size of the heel. As a result, the upper end portion of the heel portion 12 more effectively supports the pressure from the heel of the foot, providing stability and a comfortable fit.

[0034] Furthermore, when viewed from the side, the shoe slopes towards the midfoot, making it easier for the heel to slide along the upper edge of the heel portion 12. Even when the heel touches the upper edge of the heel portion 12, there is almost no discomfort or feeling of catching, and this design improves comfort, reduces strain on the foot, and allows the heel to slide smoothly into the midfoot of the shoe.

[0035] In this embodiment, the heel support member 100 has a fixing part 103 at its lower part. The fixing part 103 is fixed to the instep bottom part 14, which is the heel portion of the instep side part 13 of the upper part 10, by sewing. The fixing part 103 is part of the entire heel support member 100, and by fixing the fixing part 103 to the instep bottom part 14, the entire footwear body becomes one. This structure has the effect of reinforcing the structure of the heel support member 100 and the entire footwear, not only increasing the durability and stability of the footwear but also contributing to extending the lifespan of the footwear.

[0036] In this embodiment, the fixing portion 103 of the heel support member 100 employs a roughly triangular shape for stability. The purpose of this design is to enhance the fixing effect within the upper part of the footwear and provide sufficient support and stability during wear. The roughly triangular structural form effectively distributes external forces and improves the rigidity of the overall structure, thereby maintaining the stability of the footwear's shape and function during use.

[0037] In other embodiments of the present invention, the fixing portion 103 of the heel support member 100 may have a different shape. It may also be a shape that is directly continuous with the width of the support portion 102. Other shapes of the fixing portion 103 are also included within the scope of protection of the present invention, as long as the fixing portion 103 ensures a fixing effect within the upper portion 10 of the footwear.

[0038] In this embodiment, the support portion 102 is connected to both ends of the heel holding portion 101. When the footwear is worn normally, the support portions 102 positioned on both sides of the heel portion 12 firmly secure the heel portion 12 during wear, improving comfort and stability while reducing the possibility of the heel portion 12 moving.

[0039] In this embodiment, the heel support member 100 is manufactured from a resin material with excellent support and recovery capabilities. Recommended resin materials include TPU (thermoplastic polyurethane), TPE (thermoplastic elastomer), or TPEE (thermoplastic polyester elastomer). These materials possess excellent elasticity and toughness, providing sufficient support, as well as properties such as abrasion resistance, durability, and high temperature resistance. Therefore, elastic heel support components for footwear made from these highly elastic new materials can effectively meet the structural requirements of footwear while ensuring comfort and durability during wear.

[0040] In this embodiment, referring to Figure 8, the heel support member 100 deforms and bends backward when the external force exceeds its support strength. If the external force is less than the support strength, the heel support member 100 returns to its original shape and maintains that shape. This heel support member 100 is a support for the heel portion 12, and when the upper end of the heel portion 12 is pressed against the heel of the foot, the internal support portion 102 receives the force and bends backward. Due to this deformation, the heel slides smoothly down along the heel support portion 101, passes through the opening 10, and enters the footwear smoothly, as shown in Figure 9, completing the wearing process.

[0041] When the heel of the foot slides inside the footwear, the force acting on the support part 102 instantly disappears, and the support part 102 instantly returns to its original shape due to its recovery force. As a result, the opening 10 becomes smaller, and the V-shape formed by the support part 102 and the heel holding part 101, which is wider at the front and narrower at the back, firmly secures the heel and makes it less likely to slip out. This structural design ensures the comfort of wearing the footwear and strengthens the fixation of the heel part 12, providing the user with a better experience.

[0042] In some embodiments of the present invention, as shown in Figure 11a, one or more support parts 102 may be set on the bottom of the heel support part 101 of the first form of the planar body. In this case, as shown in Figure 11b, when it is transformed into the second three-dimensional form, the support parts 102 at the bottom of the heel support part 101 are located at the rear of the heel part 12 and act as pillars that support the heel part 12. The width of the support parts 102 at the bottom of the heel support part 101 may be adjusted according to the specifications.

[0043] In this embodiment, the thickness of the heel support member 100 is basically uniform, but if it is made by injection molding using an inexpensive, thin, and simple mold, the thickness can be made non-uniform. By adjusting the shape of the heel holding portion 101 and the support portion 102, and the width and angle of their connection portion, the inclination angle of the heel holding portion 101 can be effectively changed, making it adaptable to various designs and wearing situations. When the heel support member 100 switches from the first form to the second form, the narrower heel holding portion 101 of the same thickness deforms first due to the concentration of bending force. The wider the heel holding portion 101, the larger the area over which the bending force can be distributed, that is, the wider the width of the inclined surface. Furthermore, the change in the width of the inclined surface affects the angle of the approximately V-shape formed by the two support portions and the heel holding portion. That is, the wider the width of the inclined surface, the rounder and wider the angle of the approximately V-shape becomes. This elastic heel support member 100 for footwear flexibly utilizes bending forces and provides a dynamic response under the influence of bending forces.

[0044] In this embodiment, a center position mark aligned with the center of the heel portion 12 can be displayed on the upper surface of the heel support member 100. By visually or tactilely recognizing this center position mark during the footwear manufacturing process, the elastic footwear support component can be accurately aligned with the center of the heel portion 12. The center position mark can be a hole, notch, or other shape that can be identified during the process. This allows the heel support component to be correctly positioned, providing even support, preventing distortion of the heel portion 12, and improving the aesthetic appearance and wearing comfort.

[0045] In this embodiment, the heel support member 100 is attached between the upper material and the lining material of the heel portion 12. The attachment method is simple and similar to the conventional methods of attaching hot melt or chemical sheets. To prevent the heel support member 100 from moving between the upper material and the lining material, it is desirable to apply a small amount of adhesive to fix it in place during attachment. A soft filling material such as sponge is selected to absorb shock and improve the feel against the foot. In this embodiment, a sponge with a thickness of 1.0 to 2.0 cm is used, and the filling material is covered on the foot-facing side of the heel support member 100 to prevent discomfort when it comes into contact with the foot.

[0046] In this embodiment, the surface of the heel support member 100 may be coated with a fine texture to improve the adhesion of the adhesive. The depth of these textures does not exceed 0.5 millimeters, and they can take various forms, such as linear, mesh, dotted, matte, rough, wavy, spotted, uneven, spiral, or granular. These textures are distributed on the surface of the heel support member 100, and by increasing the contact area and frictional force, the adhesion performance of the adhesive is greatly improved. This design differs significantly from the smooth surfaces of current technology and provides a superior bonding effect.

[0047] In another embodiment of the present invention, the heel support member 100 can also be applied to a sandal having a back band. Referring to Figure 10, the heel support member 100 is embedded inside the back band of the sandal. In this case, the heel holding portion 101 of the heel support member 100 is positioned at a location corresponding to the highest point in the center of the rear surface of the back band. The support portion 102 serves as a support that supports the shape of the entire back band. The fixing portion 103 is located at the bottom of the back band and is directly fixed to the bottom of the back band itself by methods such as sewing or adhesive, and constitutes the rigidity and support frame of the entire back band. As an embodiment of the mounting method, a groove is provided on the inside (foot-facing side) of the fixing portion 103, where it connects to the support portion 102, to make it easier to bend. By curving the fixing portion 103 toward the foot and inserting and fixing it between the midsole and outsole on both sides of the heel of the sandal, it can also integrally constitute the rigidity and support frame of the entire back band of the sandal.

[0048] When a user puts on these sandals, the built-in heel support member 100 receives an external force when the heel of the foot presses down on the rear center of the back strap. In particular, the support part 102 elastically curves downward and backward in an arc shape due to the force of the foot pressing down from the heel. As the support part 102 bends, the back strap opens backward, and as a result the opening of the sandal expands. At the same time, the heel of the foot slides downward along the surface of the inclined heel support part 101, easily passing through the expanded opening and smoothly sliding into the shoe cavity of the sandal.

[0049] When the heel of the foot slides completely into the shoe cavity, the expansion force acting on the support part 102 instantly disappears. Due to the unique elastic recovery force of its material, the support part 102 instantly restores to its original shape, i.e., the second three-dimensional shape. As a result, the opening returns to its original size, and the roughly V-shape formed by the two support parts 102 and the heel holding part 101, which is wider in the front and narrower in the rear toward the foot, holds the bottom of the Achilles tendon of the foot by wrapping it from below. This structure prevents the heel from slipping out unexpectedly while wearing the shoes, and allows for stable wear.

[0050] This design simultaneously satisfies the conflicting requirements of hands-free ease of putting on and taking off sandals, as well as stability when worn.

[0051] In another embodiment of the present invention, it is attached to the back strap of a clog with a back strap to provide a hands-free putting-on and taking-off function similar to a sandal. Furthermore, by attaching a rotating part to the support part 102, the support part 102 can be folded back toward the instep. The back strap can also be overlapped on the instep in front of the opening, allowing for a two-way wearing style as a slip-on sandal.

[0052] When a user puts on footwear, the front of the foot is inserted into the shoe and the heel is pressed down. The heel support member 100 receives a downward pressing force, causing the support portion 102 to bend backward and downward. This increases the space for inserting the foot at the opening, allowing the heel to slide into the shoe along the inclined surface of the heel support portion 101. Once the heel is fully inside the shoe, the support portion 102 quickly returns to its original shape, and the heel portion 12 also returns to its original shape at the same time, thus firmly holding the heel and making it less likely for the heel to slip out.

[0053] The footwear of this invention has a simple design and manufacturing process, and can be mass-produced using conventional production equipment. As a result, it has high market competitiveness due to its low cost and great application value.

[0054] The footwear of the present invention is suitable for a wide range of applications and is particularly useful for consumer groups such as the elderly, people with disabilities, and pregnant women. For these users, putting on and taking off footwear is often a cumbersome task, and the footwear of the present invention can significantly improve their agility. Furthermore, the present invention is particularly suitable for groups such as healthcare workers and athletes who need to change their footwear frequently, and these groups have a high demand for ease of putting on and taking off footwear and comfort, so they can enjoy the benefits of the present invention.

[0055] Furthermore, the design of the footwear can also be applied to the children's footwear market. By adding highly aesthetic design elements, the hands-free function not only improves the convenience of putting on and taking off the shoes, but also increases the enjoyment of wearing them. [Explanation of symbols]

[0056] 1. Footwear 10 Opening 11 Front section 12 Heel 13. Instep side 14 Bottom of instep 100 Heel support member 101 Heel holding part 102 Support part 103 Fixed part

Claims

1. A heel support member that is attached to the heel of footwear, The heel support member includes a heel holding portion, a support portion, and a fixing portion. The heel support member is formed by cutting a flat resin sheet or by direct injection molding to create a first form of a planar body. When the heel support member is attached to the heel of footwear, it can be transformed into a second form of a three-dimensional curved surface assembly by bending force simply by making the fixing portions at both ends face each other and be roughly parallel. When the fixing part is fixed to the upper part of the footwear, it transforms from the first form to the second form, The heel support member has a supporting capacity to withstand pressure from the heel of the foot and elastic properties that deform under said pressure and return to their original state when said pressure is removed. The heel-holding portion has an inclined surface that allows the heel of the foot to slide into the footwear. A heel support member characterized in that the heel holding portion and the support portion are formed in a substantially V-shape, which is wider in the front and narrower in the rear, in the direction of the foot.

2. The heel support member according to claim 1, characterized in that the inclined surface of the heel holding portion has a straight rear portion when viewed from the side.

3. The heel support member according to claim 1, characterized in that the inclination angle of the inclined surface is 50 to 70 degrees with respect to the horizontal plane.

4. The heel support member according to claim 1, characterized in that the width of the heel holding portion is narrower than the width of the support portion.

5. The heel support member according to claim 1, characterized in that it has one or more of the support parts at the bottom of the heel holding part.

6. Footwear characterized by including the heel support member described in claim 1 in the heel portion.

7. Footwear including a heel portion having a heel support member, The heel support member includes a heel holding portion, a support portion, and a fixing portion. The heel support member is formed by cutting a flat resin sheet or by direct injection molding to create a first form of a planar body. When the heel support member is attached to the heel of footwear, it can be transformed into a second form of a three-dimensional curved surface assembly by bending force simply by making the fixing portions at both ends face each other and be roughly parallel. The aforementioned fixing part is provided with a groove to facilitate bending. When the fixing portion is curved toward the foot and fixed between the midsole and outsole on both sides of the heel of the footwear, it transforms from the first form to the second form. The heel support member has a supporting capacity to withstand pressure from the heel of the foot and elastic properties that deform under said pressure and return to their original state when said pressure is removed. The heel-holding portion has an inclined surface that allows the heel of the foot to slide into the footwear. Footwear characterized in that the heel-holding portion and the support portion have a roughly V-shape with a wider front and narrower rear arc in the direction of the foot, and these together form a support frame for the back strap of the sandal.

Images