Board, sole and shoe

Abstract

The present disclosure relates to a plate, a sole, and a shoe. A plate (300) includes a curved portion (310) provided in a forefoot region and having a shape curved in a convex manner toward a flat surface, a midfoot portion support portion (320) provided in a midfoot region, and a rearfoot portion support portion (330) provided in a rearfoot region. The curved portion (310) has a wide-width region including a wide-width portion having a largest dimension in a width direction among the curved portion (310). The midfoot portion support portion (320) has a narrow-width region including a narrow-width portion having a smallest dimension in the width direction among the midfoot portion support portion (320). A ratio of a flexural rigidity of the narrow-width region to a flexural rigidity of the wide-width region is 0.4 or more and 0.85 or less.

Description

TECHNICAL FIELD

[0001] The present disclosure relates to a plate, a sole, and a shoe. BACKGROUND

[0002] For shoes worn in sports and the like, it is required to reduce fatigue of a foot at the time of walking or the like. For example, in International Publication No. 2020 / 136916, a shoe capable of reducing a load on an ankle joint is disclosed. The sole of the shoe includes a rear bottom surface portion that comes into contact with an imaginary flat surface when placed on the imaginary flat surface, a toe portion that is 170% or more and 250% or less of a height from the imaginary flat surface with respect to a thickness dimension of the rear bottom surface portion, and a front bottom surface portion that is continuous with a front portion of the rear bottom surface portion, extends curvedly to the toe portion, and is away from the imaginary flat surface. SUMMARY

[0003] In the shoe as described in International Publication No. 2020 / 136916, it is desirable to further reduce a load on a foot by suppressing a motion of an ankle joint during a period from the time of landing to the time of kicking.

[0004] An object of the present disclosure is to provide a plate, a sole, and a shoe capable of reducing an angle change of an ankle joint during a period from the time of landing to the time of kicking.

[0005] A plate according to an aspect of the present disclosure is used in a sole that constitutes a part of a shoe, and the plate includes a curved portion provided in a forefoot region of the sole that overlaps a forefoot portion of a wearer of the shoe in a thickness direction of the sole, and having a shape curved in a manner of protruding toward a flat surface when the sole is placed on the flat surface, a midfoot portion support portion provided in a midfoot region of the sole that overlaps a midfoot portion of the wearer in the thickness direction, and supporting the midfoot portion, and a hindfoot portion support portion provided in a hindfoot region of the sole that overlaps a hindfoot portion of the wearer in the thickness direction, and supporting at least a part of the hindfoot portion, the curved portion has a wide region including a wide width portion in which a dimension in a width direction is largest among the curved portion, the midfoot portion support portion has a narrow region including a narrow width portion in which a dimension in the width direction is smallest among the midfoot portion support portion, and a ratio of a flexural rigidity of the narrow region to a flexural rigidity of the wide region is 0.4 or more and 0.85 or less.

[0006] Further, a shoe sole according to one aspect of the present disclosure includes the plate and a midsole having the forefoot region, the midfoot region, and the heel region, the plate being disposed in the midsole with the curved portion in the forefoot region and the midfoot support portion in the midfoot region, the midsole having a lower midsole disposed below the plate and an upper midsole disposed above the plate, the lower midsole having a support portion that supports the curved portion over an entire region of the curved portion, the support portion being elastically deformable to allow the curved portion to deform with a curvature of the wide region being reduced, a portion of the support portion overlapping the plate in the thickness direction and a portion overlapping a position in the thickness direction that is forward of at least the wide portion having a fixed thickness.

[0007] Further, a shoe according to one aspect of the present disclosure includes the shoe sole and an upper connected to the shoe sole and positioned above the shoe sole.

[0008] The above and other objects, features, aspects and advantages of the present application will become more apparent from the following detailed description of the present application when taken in conjunction with the accompanying drawings. BRIEF DESCRIPTION OF DRAWINGS

[0009] Figure 1 is a cross-sectional view of a shoe that schematically shows one embodiment of the present application.

[0010] Figure 2 is a plan view of a shoe sole.

[0011] Figure 3 is a perspective view of a plate.

[0012] Figure 4 is a view that schematically shows a process from landing to kicking out.

[0013] Figure 5 is a plan view of a shoe sole that shows a modification example of a plate.

[0014] Figure 6 is a plan view of a shoe sole that shows a modification example of a plate.

[0015] Figure 7 is a plan view of a shoe sole that shows a modification example of a plate.

[0016] Figure 8 is a plan view of a shoe sole that shows a modification example of a plate.

[0017] Figure 9 is a plan view of a shoe sole that shows a modification example of a plate.

[0018] Figure 10 is a plan view of a shoe sole that shows a modification example of a plate.

[0019] Figure 11 is a plan view of a sole of a variation of the plate.

[0020] Figure 12 is a plan view of a sole of a variation of the plate.

[0021] Figure 13 is a plan view of a sole of a variation of the plate.

[0022] Figure 14 is a plan view of a sole of a variation of the plate.

[0023] Figure 15 is a plan view of a sole of a variation of the plate.

[0024] Figure 16 is a plan view of a sole of a variation of the plate.

[0025] Figure 17 is a plan view of a sole of a variation of the plate.

[0026] Figure 18 is a plan view of a sole of a variation of the plate.

[0027] Figure 19 is a plan view of a sole of a variation of the plate.

[0028] Figure 20 is a plan view of a sole of a variation of the plate. Figure 19 is a sectional view at line XX-XX in FIG.

[0029] Figure 21 is a plan view of a sole of a variation of the plate.

[0030] Figure 22 is a sectional view at line XXII-XXII in FIG. Figure 21

[0031] is a sectional view at line XXII-XXII in FIG. Figure 23 is a sectional view at line XXII-XXII in FIG.

[0032] Figure 24 is a sectional view at line XXII-XXII in FIG. DETAILED DESCRIPTION

[0033] Embodiments of the present disclosure are described with reference to the accompanying drawings. In addition, in the drawings referred to below, the same or equivalent components are denoted by the same reference numerals. In the following description, the terms length direction, width direction, front, rear, and the like are used. These terms indicating directions indicate directions observed from the viewpoint of the wearer of the shoe 1 placed on a flat surface P (refer to FIG. 1) or the like in a worn state. For example, the front refers to the toe side, and the rear refers to the heel side. In addition, the inner side refers to the width direction (the direction of the arrow A in FIG. 1) of the shoe 1, and the outer side refers to the opposite direction. Figure 1 )Figure 2 The inner side of the foot (the side of the first toe) in the left-right direction, and the outer side refers to the outer side of the foot in the width direction.

[0034] Figure 1 This is a schematic cross-sectional view of a shoe according to one embodiment of the present invention. Figure 2 It's a flat diagram of the shoe sole. Furthermore, in Figure 2 The image shows a sole 10 for the right foot, but the sole 10 can also be applied to the left foot, in which case it is symmetrical to the sole 10 for the right foot. The shoe 1 of this embodiment is suitable for running, for example, but can be used as other athletic or walking shoes; the use of the shoe is not limited.

[0035] like Figure 1 As shown, shoe 1 includes a sole 10 and an upper 20.

[0036] The upper 20 is connected to the sole 10 and is located above the sole 10. Together, the upper 20 and the sole 10 form a space to accommodate the foot.

[0037] like Figure 1 and Figure 2 As shown, the sole 10 has an outsole 100, a midsole 200, and a plate 300.

[0038] The outsole 100 forms the ground contact portion. The outsole 100 includes rubber and the like. The outsole 100 is mainly provided in the range from the forefoot region 201 (described later) to the midfoot region 202 (described later). The range of the outsole 100 is not limited to this; it may extend to the heel region 203 (described later). Alternatively, a structure may be adopted in which the outsole is provided in the forefoot region 201 and the heel region 203 but not in the midfoot region 202.

[0039] A midsole 200 is disposed on the outsole 100. An upper 20 is disposed on the midsole 200. That is, the midsole 200 is disposed between the upper 20 and the outsole 100. The midsole 200 is formed of a resin-based foam material or the like. The midsole 200 has a forefoot region 201, a midfoot region 202, and a heel region 203.

[0040] The forefoot region 201 is the area that overlaps with the forefoot of the wearer in the thickness direction of the sole 10. The forefoot is the part of the wearer's foot located along the length direction of the shoe 1. Figure 2 The forefoot region 201 is the area located at approximately 0% to 30% of the total length of the shoe 1, extending from the front end to the rear end.

[0041] The midfoot region 202 is a region overlapping with a midfoot of a wearer of the shoe 1 in the thickness direction of the sole 10. The midfoot is a portion of the wearer's foot located in the center in the length direction. The midfoot region 202 is a region located in a range of about 30% to 80% from the front end portion of the shoe 1 toward the rear end portion with respect to the overall length of the shoe 1.

[0042] The rearfoot region 203 is a region overlapping with a rearfoot of a wearer of the shoe 1 in the thickness direction of the sole 10. The rearfoot is a portion of the wearer's foot located in the rear in the length direction. The rearfoot region 203 is a region located in a range of 80% to 100% from the front end portion of the shoe 1 toward the rear end portion with respect to the overall length of the shoe 1.

[0043] The plate 300 is provided in the midsole 200. The plate 300 has rigidity higher than that of the midsole 200. The plate 300 contains a fiber-reinforced resin, a non-fiber-reinforced resin. As the fiber for the fiber-reinforced resin, carbon fiber, glass fiber, aramid fiber, dyneema fiber, zylon fiber, boron fiber, or the like can be cited. As the non-fiber-reinforced resin, a polymer resin such as thermoplastic polyurethane (TPU) or thermoplastic polyamide (TPA) can be cited.

[0044] The plate 300 has a curved portion 310, a midfoot portion support portion 320, and a rearfoot portion support portion 330.

[0045] The curved portion 310 is provided in the forefoot region 201. The curved portion 310 has a shape curved in a manner to protrude toward the flat surface P (refer to Figure 1 ) when the sole 10 is placed on the flat surface P. The curved portion 310 supports the forefoot portion.

[0046] The curvature of the curved portion 310 is not fixed. Specifically, the curved portion 310 has a curvature increasing portion 314 (refer to Figure 1 ) that changes in a manner that the curvature increases in stages from the rear toward the front in the length direction. The curvature increasing portion 314 contributes to the change in stages in the repulsive force based on the curved portion 310. In addition, the curvature of a portion 316 of the curved portion 310 forward of the curvature increasing portion 314 is set to be smaller than the curvature of the curvature increasing portion 314. Not limited thereto, the curvature of the curved portion 310 can be set to be medium, large, and small from the rear toward the front in the length direction.

[0047] As Figure 2 and Figure 3As shown, the curved portion 310 has a wide region 310a. The wide region 310a is the region that includes the wide portion 312. The wide portion 312 is the largest portion in the width direction of the curved portion 310. The wide portion 312 is positioned to overlap with the metacarpophalangeal (MP) joint of the foot. The wide region 310a is set within a range of 25% to 75% of the total length of the plate 300 from the front end to the rear end. For example, in the case of a 26cm shoe 1, the total length of the plate 300 is 240mm, and the distance L1 from the front end of the plate 300 to the wide portion 312 is preferably set within a range of 60mm to 100mm.

[0048] A middle leg support 320 is provided in the middle leg region 202. The middle leg support 320 supports the middle leg. The middle leg support 320 has a shape that extends rearward from the rear end of the curved portion 310.

[0049] like Figure 2 and Figure 3 As shown, the midfoot support portion 320 has a narrow region 320b. The narrow region 320b is the region including the narrow portion 322. The narrow portion 322 is the smallest portion in the width direction of the midfoot support portion 320. In this embodiment, the narrow portion 322 includes the portion with the smallest width direction in the entire plate 300. The narrow region 320b is provided in the range of 50% to 80% of the total length of the plate 300 from the front end to the rear end. The length of the narrow region 320b in the length direction is set to be more than 10% of the total length of the plate 300. For example, in the case of a 26cm shoe 1, the total length of the plate 300 is 240mm, and the distance L2 from the wide portion 312 to the narrow portion 322 is preferably set in the range of 60mm or more and 84mm or less.

[0050] The narrow region 320b is formed to be flat. Here, "flat" means, for example, in the case of a 26cm shoe 1, that when the narrow region 320b is placed on a flat surface, the surface and back of the narrow region 320b are within a range of ±2mm from a reference plane that is parallel to the flat surface and passes through the narrow region 320b in a direction orthogonal to the flat surface.

[0051] The ratio of the flexural stiffness of the narrow region 320b to the flexural stiffness of the wide region 310a is 0.4 or more and 0.85 or less. More specifically, the ratio of the flexural stiffness of the narrow portion 322 to the flexural stiffness of the wide portion 312 is 0.4 or more and 0.85 or less.

[0052] Here, "flexural stiffness" refers to the stiffness of shoe 1 relative to a straight line parallel to its length direction. Specifically, flexural stiffness is determined by a three-point flexural test. Furthermore, in this test, the distance between the fulcrums and the pressure applied at each location are set to be fixed. The same applies to the determination of the flexural stiffness of the heel support area 330c and the heel support portion 332, which will be described later.

[0053] In this embodiment, the thickness of the middle leg support portion 320 is the same as the thickness of the curved portion 310. The curved portion 310 and the middle leg support portion 320 have a shape in which the dimensions of the curved portion 310 and the middle leg support portion 320 gradually decrease in the width direction as they move from the wide portion 312 towards the narrow portion 322. Specifically, the inner edge portion 301 of the plate 300 has a shape that gradually moves outward in the width direction as it moves from the wide portion 312 towards the narrow portion 322. The outer edge portion 302 of the plate 300 has a shape that gradually moves inward in the width direction as it moves from the wide portion 312 towards the narrow portion 322. The ratio of the dimension W2 of the narrow portion 322 in the width direction to the dimension W1 of the wide portion 312 in the width direction is 0.4 or more and 0.85 or less.

[0054] Furthermore, the ratio of the flexural stiffness of the narrow region 320b to the flexural stiffness of the wide region 310a can be adjusted by making the thickness of the middle leg support 320 different from the thickness of the bending portion 310, or by making the materials constituting the bending portion 310 different from the materials constituting the middle leg support 320, or by adding reinforcing structures to the wide region 310a or the narrow region 320b.

[0055] like Figure 2 As shown, the plate 300 has a middle portion 340 located exactly between the wide portion 312 and the narrow portion 322 in the length direction. The ratio of the size WM of the middle portion 340 in the width direction to the size W2 of the narrow portion 322 in the width direction is preferably less than 1.5. This ratio is further preferably a value close to 1.0.

[0056] The plate 300 has a curved portion 342. The curved portion 342 is the part where the curvature of the inner edge portion 301 changes direction when the plate 300 is viewed from above. The curved portion 342 is preferably formed between the wide portion 312 and the middle portion 340. However, the curved portion 342 may also be formed at a position overlapping with the middle portion 340, or it may be formed between the middle portion 340 and the narrow portion 322.

[0057] When viewed from above on panel 300, the angle between the straight line connecting the wide portion 312 and the curved portion 342 and the straight line connecting the narrow portion 322 and the curved portion 342 is preferably 160 degrees or more and 176 degrees or less. This helps to suppress local buckling in the curved portion 310. Furthermore, when viewed from above, the portion between the curved portion 342 and the narrow portion 322 in the inner edge portion 301 is preferably smoothly connected without abrupt shape changes. For example, if this portion contains a composite curve with multiple curvatures, the difference between the maximum and minimum curvature is preferably 0.02 mm or less.

[0058] A curved portion (not shown) may also be formed on the outer edge 302 of the plate 300. In this case, it is preferable that the curved portion in the outer edge 302 also has the same characteristics as the curved portion 342 in the inner edge 301.

[0059] A rear foot support portion 330 is provided in the rear foot region 203. The rear foot support portion 330 supports at least a portion of the rear foot. The rear foot support portion 330 has a shape that extends rearward from the rear end of the midfoot support portion 320. The rear foot support portion 330 is formed flat.

[0060] The heel support portion 330 has a heel support region 330c. The heel support region 330c is a region that includes the heel support portion 332 at its center supporting the wearer's heel and extends in the width direction. Figure 2 As shown, the heel support portion 332 is located on the heel center HC. The heel center HC refers to the straight line connecting the center of the calcaneus of a standard wearer of shoe 1 to the third and fourth toes. The ratio of the flexural rigidity of the narrow region 320b to the flexural rigidity of the heel support region 330c is preferably 0.8 or more. More specifically, the ratio of the flexural rigidity of the narrow portion 322 to the flexural rigidity of the heel support portion 332 is preferably 0.8 or more.

[0061] The midsole 200 has a lower midsole 210 and an upper midsole 220.

[0062] The lower insole 210 is disposed below the plate 300. The outer sole 100 is attached to the lower surface of the lower insole 210. The lower insole 210 may be a foam comprising, for example, polyolefin resin, ethylene-vinyl acetate (EVA), or a polyamide thermoplastic elastomer (TPA, TPAE). The compressive elasticity coefficient of the lower insole 210 is preferably set to be 0.35 MPa or higher and 2.5 MPa or lower.

[0063] The lower midsole 210 supports the plate 300 in such a manner that the portion of the plate 300 located rearward of the curved portion 310 gradually departs from the flat surface P as it goes toward the rear in the length direction of the shoe 1. The lower midsole 210 preferably supports the plate 300 in such a manner that the angle formed by the portion of the plate 300 located rearward of the curved portion 310 and the flat surface P is, for example, 5 degrees or more. The lower midsole 210 supports the plate 300 in such a manner that the curved portion 310 gradually departs from the flat surface P as it goes toward the front in the length direction. In addition, the portion of the plate 300 located rearward of the curved portion 310 can also be non-flat and provided with a gentle curved surface or unevenness in the thickness direction.

[0064] The lower midsole 210 has a support portion 212. The support portion 212 supports the curved portion 310 over the entire area of the curved portion 310. The thickness of the portion of the support portion 212 that overlaps the plate 300 in the thickness direction and the portion that overlaps at least the portion located forward of the wide portion 312 in the thickness direction is fixed. Here, the "thickness of the portion of the support portion 212 that overlaps the plate 300 in the thickness direction and the portion that overlaps at least the portion located forward of the wide portion 312 in the thickness direction" refers to the actual thickness after removing the portion where the thickness is reduced, such as a groove. In addition, "fixed" here refers to a range in which the difference between the thinnest portion and the thickest portion is 25% or less. The support portion 212 is elastically deformable to allow the curved portion 310 to deform in such a manner that the curvature of the wide area 310a is reduced.

[0065] The upper midsole 220 is disposed on the plate 300. The upper 20 is provided on the upper midsole 220. The upper midsole 220 contains, for example, a foamed body of a polyolefin resin, EVA, a polyamide-based thermoplastic elastomer (TPA, TPAE). The upper midsole 220 can have a compression elastic coefficient that is greater than that of the lower midsole 210. The compression elastic coefficient of the upper midsole 220 is preferably set to 0.35 MPa or more and 2.5 MPa or less, and more preferably set to 1 MPa or less. However, the upper midsole 220 can have the same compression elastic coefficient as that of the lower midsole 210, or a compression elastic coefficient that is smaller than that of the lower midsole 210. The upper midsole 220 and the lower midsole 210 are formed of the same material, but can be composed of different materials in combination with the required characteristics.

[0066] Next, the shape changes of the plate 300 and the lower midsole 210 during the period from landing to kicking out will be described with reference to FIGS. 13A to 13C. Figure 4 The shape changes of the plate 300 and the lower midsole 210 during the period from landing to kicking out will be described with reference to FIGS. 13A to 13C.

[0067] At the time of landing, the shape of the bent portion 310 of the plate 300 and the support portion 212 of the lower midsole 210 is substantially the same as that at the time when no load is applied to the bent portion 310 and the support portion 212, because the load is applied to the sole 10 from the vicinity of the heel of the foot.

[0068] During the process of transition from the time of landing to the time of kicking, the load applied to the bent portion 310 and the support portion 212 gradually increases.

[0069] Then, at the time of kicking, the maximum load is applied to the bent portion 310 and the support portion 212. As the load applied to the bent portion 310 and the support portion 212 increases, the bent portion 310 opens in a manner that the curvature of the wide area 310a decreases, and the narrow area 320b protrudes in a direction away from the flat surface P (upward), whereby the plate 300 deforms, and the support portion 212 is compressed to allow the above deformation of the bent portion 310.

[0070] Thus, the angle of the ankle joint of the wearer at the time of kicking can be suppressed from decreasing, and thus the change in the angle of the ankle joint during the period from the time of landing to the time of kicking can be suppressed from increasing. Therefore, the burden on the foot at the time of walking or the like can be reduced.

[0071] Specifically, by the ratio of the flexural rigidity of the narrow area 320b to that of the wide area 310a being 0.4 or more, the plate 300 can be suppressed from deforming in a manner that only the narrow area 320b protrudes in a direction away from the flat surface P, in a case where the bent portion 310 does not open in a manner that the curvature of the wide area 310a decreases. Therefore, the angle of the ankle joint, particularly at the time of kicking, can be suppressed from decreasing.

[0072] Further, by the ratio of the flexural rigidity of the narrow area 320b to that of the wide area 310a being 0.85 or less, the bent portion 310 effectively opens in a manner that the curvature of the wide area 310a decreases at the time of kicking, and thus the angle of the ankle joint of the wearer at the time of kicking can be suppressed from decreasing.

[0073] Hereinafter, the embodiments will be described with reference to the drawings. Figures 5 to 24 A modification of the embodiments will be described. Further, in the following description, the same reference numerals are assigned to the same components as those of the embodiments. Figures 5 to 15 In Figs. 1 to 3, the outline of the plate 300 in the embodiments is indicated by a double dotted line. Figure 17 In Figs. 4 and 5, the outline of the plate 300 shown in Fig. 3 is indicated by a double dotted line. Figure 18 In Figs. 6 and 7, the outline of the plate 300 shown in Fig. 3 is indicated by a double dotted line. Figure 16 In Figs. 8 and 9, the outline of the plate 300 shown in Fig. 3 is indicated by a double dotted line.

[0074] As shown in Figs. 10 and 11, the plate 300 shown in Fig. 3 can be modified in a manner that the width of the narrow area 320b is increased. Figure 5As shown in FIG. 16, a cutout can also be provided on the lateral side of the curved portion 310 of the plate 300. In this embodiment, the cutout is provided in the lateral edge portion 302 in such a manner that the portion of the lateral edge portion 302 forward of the wide portion 312 is shaped to gradually face the medial side as it faces forward. In this configuration, repulsive force effective for kicking out on the medial side can be obtained.

[0075] As shown in FIG. 17, a cutout can also be provided on the medial side of the curved portion 310 of the plate 300. In this embodiment, the cutout is provided in the medial edge portion 301 in such a manner that the portion of the medial edge portion 301 forward of the wide portion 312 is shaped to gradually face the lateral side as it faces forward. In this configuration, repulsive force effective for kicking out on the lateral side can be obtained. Figure 6 As shown in FIG. 18, a cutout can also be provided on the lateral side of the curved portion 310 of the plate 300. In this embodiment, the cutout is provided in the lateral edge portion 302 in such a manner that the portion of the lateral edge portion 302 rearward of the wide portion 312 is formed on the medial edge portion 301 side and passes through the heel support portion 332. This configuration is suitable for a wearer (a runner, etc.) who lands on the lateral side of the heel.

[0076] Figure 7 As shown in FIG. 19, a cutout can also be provided on the medial side of the curved portion 310 of the plate 300. In this embodiment, the cutout is provided in the medial edge portion 301 in such a manner that the portion of the medial edge portion 301 rearward of the wide portion 312 is formed on the lateral edge portion 302 side and passes through the heel support portion 332. This configuration is suitable for a wearer who lands on the medial side of the heel.

[0077] As shown in FIG. 20, a cutout can also be provided on the medial side of the curved portion 310 of the plate 300. In this embodiment, the cutout is provided in the medial edge portion 301 in such a manner that the portion of the medial edge portion 301 rearward of the wide portion 312 is formed on the lateral edge portion 302 side and passes through the heel support portion 332. This configuration is suitable for a wearer who lands on the medial side of the heel. Figure 8 As shown in FIG. 21, a cutout can also be provided on the lateral side of the curved portion 310 of the plate 300. In this embodiment, the cutout is provided in the lateral edge portion 302 in such a manner that the portion of the lateral edge portion 302 rearward of the wide portion 312 is formed on the medial edge portion 301 side and passes through the heel support portion 332. This configuration is suitable for a wearer who lands on the lateral side of the heel.

[0078] Figure 9 As shown in FIG. 22, a cutout can also be provided on the medial side of the curved portion 310 of the plate 300. In this embodiment, the cutout is provided in the medial edge portion 301 in such a manner that the portion of the medial edge portion 301 rearward of the wide portion 312 is formed on the lateral edge portion 302 side and passes through the heel support portion 332. This configuration is suitable for a wearer who lands on the medial side of the heel. Figure 5 Figure 7 As shown in FIG. 23, a cutout can also be provided on the lateral side of the curved portion 310 of the plate 300. In this embodiment, the cutout is provided in the lateral edge portion 302 in such a manner that the portion of the lateral edge portion 302 rearward of the wide portion 312 is formed on the medial edge portion 301 side and passes through the heel support portion 332. This configuration is suitable for a wearer who lands on the lateral side of the heel.

[0079] As shown in FIG. 24, a cutout can also be provided on the medial side of the curved portion 310 of the plate 300. In this embodiment, the cutout is provided in the medial edge portion 301 in such a manner that the portion of the medial edge portion 301 rearward of the wide portion 312 is formed on the lateral edge portion 302 side and passes through the heel support portion 332. This configuration is suitable for a wearer who lands on the medial side of the heel. Figure 10 Figure 5 ​​​​The illustrated form is also provided with a cutout in a portion of the lateral edge portion 302 that is forward of the wide portion 312 in a manner that the shape gradually faces the big toe side as it faces forward, and a cutout in a portion of the lateral edge portion 302 that is on the medial edge portion 301 side and is supported by the heel support portion 332. The form is suitable for a wearer who lands on the medial side of the heel and kicks out on the big toe side.

[0080] As Figure 11 illustrated, a cutout can also be provided on the big toe side of the curved portion 310 and on the medial side of the midfoot support portion 320 and the rear foot support portion 330. In comparison with the embodiment, a cutout is provided in a portion of the medial edge portion 301 that is forward of the wide portion 312 in a manner that the shape gradually faces the little toe side as it faces forward, and a cutout is provided in a portion of the medial edge portion 301 that is on the lateral edge portion 302 side and is supported by the heel support portion 332. Figure 6 The illustrated form is also provided with a cutout in a portion of the medial edge portion 301 that is forward of the wide portion 312 in a manner that the shape gradually faces the little toe side as it faces forward, and a cutout in a portion of the medial edge portion 301 that is on the lateral edge portion 302 side and is supported by the heel support portion 332. The form is suitable for a wearer who lands on the lateral side of the heel and kicks out on the little toe side.

[0081] As Figure 12 illustrated, a cutout can also be provided on the big toe side of the curved portion 310 and on the lateral side of the midfoot support portion 320 and the rear foot support portion 330. In comparison with the embodiment, a cutout is provided in a portion of the medial edge portion 301 that is forward of the wide portion 312 in a manner that the shape gradually faces the little toe side as it faces forward, and a cutout is provided in a portion of the medial edge portion 301 that is on the lateral edge portion 302 side and is supported by the heel support portion 332. Figure 6 The illustrated form is also provided with a cutout in a portion of the medial edge portion 301 that is forward of the wide portion 312 in a manner that the shape gradually faces the little toe side as it faces forward, and a cutout in a portion of the medial edge portion 301 that is on the lateral edge portion 302 side and is supported by the heel support portion 332. The form is suitable for a wearer who lands on the lateral side of the heel and kicks out on the little toe side.

[0082] As Figure 13 illustrated, a cutout can also be provided on the medial side and the lateral side of the midfoot support portion 320 and the rear foot support portion 330. In comparison with the embodiment, a cutout is provided in a portion of the medial edge portion 301 that is between the narrow portion 322 and the heel support portion 332 on the lateral edge portion 302 side, and a cutout is provided in a portion of the lateral edge portion 302 that is between the narrow portion 322 and the heel support portion 332 on the medial edge portion 301 side.

[0083] As Figure 14 illustrated, a cutout can also be provided on the little toe side of the curved portion 310 and on the medial side and the lateral side of the midfoot support portion 320 and the rear foot support portion 330. The form has a shape that combines the forms of Figure 5 and Figure 13 . In the form, repulsive force effective for kicking out on the big toe side can be obtained.

[0084] As Figure 15 shown, a cutout can also be provided on the big toe side of the curved portion 310, and on the inner side and the outer side of the midfoot portion support 320 and the rear foot portion support 330. This form has a shape that combines the Figure 6 and Figure 13 forms. In this form, repulsive force effective for kicking out at the little toe side can be obtained.

[0085] As Figure 16 shown, the rear foot portion support 330 of the plate 300 can also be omitted. This form is suitable for a wearer who lands on the forefoot portion. Furthermore, in this example, in cross-sectional observation of the sole 10, the lower midsole 210 preferably supports the plate 300 in a manner such that the angle formed by the straight line connecting the wide portion 312 and the narrow portion 322 and the flat surface P, or the angle formed by the straight line connecting the narrow portion 322 and the rear end portion of the plate 300 and the flat surface P, is 5 degrees or more.

[0086] As Figure 17 shown, the rear foot portion support 330 of the plate 300 can also be omitted, and a cutout can be provided on the little toe side of the curved portion 310. In this form, with respect to the form shown in Figure 16 , a cutout is provided in the same manner as in the form shown in Figure 5 , in which the portion of the outer edge portion 302 that is forward of the wide portion 312 has a shape that gradually faces the big toe side as it faces forward. This form is suitable for a wearer who lands on the forefoot portion and kicks out at the big toe side.

[0087] As Figure 18 shown, the rear foot portion support 330 of the plate 300 can also be omitted, and a cutout can be provided on the big toe side of the curved portion 310. In this form, with respect to the form shown in Figure 16 , a cutout is provided in the same manner as in the form shown in Figure 6 , in which the portion of the inner edge portion 301 that is forward of the wide portion 312 has a shape that gradually faces the little toe side as it faces forward. This form is suitable for a wearer who lands on the forefoot portion and kicks out at the little toe side.

[0088] As Figure 19 and Figure 20 shown, the portion 318 of the big toe side of the curved portion 310 can also be formed higher than the portion 319 of the little toe side of the curved portion 310. In this form, repulsive force effective for kicking out at the big toe side can be obtained.

[0089] As Figure 21 and Figure 22 shown, the portion 319 of the little toe side of the curved portion 310 can also be formed higher than the portion 318 of the big toe side of the curved portion 310. In this form, repulsive force effective for kicking out at the little toe side can be obtained.

[0090] As Figure 23 and Figure 24 shown, the curvature of the curved portion 310 can also be made small. In addition, as Figure 24 shown, the rear end portion of the curved portion 310 can also be set further back. In the example, the rear end portion of the curved portion 310 is preferably set at a position up to 65% of the full length of the plate 300 from the front end of the plate 300.

[0091] Furthermore, it should be considered that the embodiments disclosed herein are illustrative in all respects, rather than restrictive. The scope of the present application is shown by the claims rather than the above-described embodiments, and includes all modifications within the meaning and range equivalent to the claims.

[0092] [Mode]

[0093] As understood by those skilled in the art, the above-described exemplary embodiments are specific examples of the following modes.

[0094] A plate according to an aspect of the present disclosure is used in a sole that constitutes a part of a shoe, the plate including: a curved portion provided in the sole so as to overlap with a forefoot portion of a wearer of the shoe in a thickness direction of the sole, and having a shape that curves in a manner of protruding toward a flat surface when the sole is placed on the flat surface; a midfoot portion support portion provided in the sole so as to overlap with a midfoot portion of the wearer in the thickness direction, and supporting the midfoot portion; and a hindfoot portion support portion provided in the sole so as to overlap with a hindfoot portion of the wearer in the thickness direction, and supporting at least a part of the hindfoot portion, the curved portion having a wide width region including a wide width portion in which a dimension in the width direction is largest among the curved portion, the midfoot portion support portion having a narrow width region including a narrow width portion in which a dimension in the width direction is smallest among the midfoot portion support portion, a ratio of a flexural rigidity of the narrow width region to a flexural rigidity of the wide width region being 0.4 or more and 0.85 or less.

[0095] In the plate, at the time of kicking out, the plate deforms in such a manner that the curved portion opens in a manner of the curvature of the wide width region becoming small, and the narrow width region protrudes in a direction (upward) away from the flat surface, whereby it is possible to suppress the angle of the ankle joint of the wearer at the time of kicking out from becoming small, and thus it is possible to reduce the change in the angle of the ankle joint during the period from the time of landing to the time of kicking out. Therefore, it is possible to effectively reduce the fatigue of the foot at the time of walking or the like.

[0096] In addition, it is preferable that there be an intermediate portion located in the middle of the wide width portion and the narrow width portion in the length direction of the shoe, a dimension of the intermediate portion in the width direction being less than 1.5 times a dimension of the narrow width portion in the width direction.

[0097] Further, it is preferable that an inner side edge portion constituted by an edge portion of the inner side be provided, the inner side edge portion having a reverse curved portion formed between the wide portion and the intermediate portion, and a direction of curvature changes when the plate is viewed from above.

[0098] In this case, an angle formed by a straight line connecting the wide portion and the reverse curved portion and a straight line connecting the narrow portion and the reverse curved portion is preferably 160 degrees or more and 176 degrees or less.

[0099] Further, it is preferable that the thickness of the curved portion and the thickness of the midfoot portion support portion be the same as each other, the curved portion and the midfoot portion support portion have shapes in which the size of the curved portion and the size of the midfoot portion support portion in the width direction gradually decrease as the wide portion is approached toward the narrow portion, and the ratio of the size of the narrow portion in the width direction to the size of the wide portion in the width direction is 0.4 or more and 0.85 or less.

[0100] Further, it is preferable that the rearfoot portion support portion have a heel support region including a heel support portion supporting the center of the heel of the wearer and extending in the width direction, and the ratio of the flexural rigidity of the narrow region to the flexural rigidity of the heel support region be 0.8 or more.

[0101] Further, it is preferable that the narrow region be formed to be flat.

[0102] Further, a sole according to one aspect of the present disclosure includes the plate and a midsole having the forefoot region, the midfoot region, and the rearfoot region, the plate being disposed in the midsole with the curved portion in the forefoot region and the midfoot portion support portion in the midfoot region, the midsole having a lower midsole disposed below the plate and an upper midsole disposed above the plate, the lower midsole having a support portion supporting the curved portion over the entire region of the curved portion, the support portion being elastically deformable to allow the curved portion to deform in a manner in which the curvature of the wide region decreases, a portion of the support portion overlapping the plate in the thickness direction and a portion overlapping a portion of the plate in the thickness direction further forward than the wide portion having a fixed thickness.

[0103] Further, it is preferable that the lower midsole support the plate in a manner in which a portion of the plate further rearward than the curved portion gradually moves away from the flat surface as it is approached toward the rear in the length direction of the shoe.

[0104] Further, a shoe according to one aspect of the present disclosure includes the sole and an upper connected to the sole and disposed above the sole.

[0105] While embodiments of the present application have been described, it is to be understood that the embodiments disclosed are merely exemplary of the application and are not intended to limit the scope of the application. The scope of the present application is to be limited solely by the claims set forth below.

Claims

1. A plate (300) for forming a sole (10) of a shoe (1), said plate (300) comprising: A bending portion (310) is provided in the forefoot region (201) of the sole that overlaps with the forefoot of the wearer in the thickness direction of the sole, and has a shape that bends toward the flat surface when the sole is placed on a flat surface; A midfoot support (320) is provided in the sole in a midfoot region (202) that overlaps with the wearer's midfoot in the thickness direction, and supports the midfoot. as well as A rear foot support (330) is disposed in the sole in a rear foot region (203) that overlaps with the wearer's rear foot in the thickness direction, and supports at least a portion of the rear foot. The curved portion (310) has a wide region (310a) including the widest portion (312) in the width direction of the curved portion. The middle foot support portion (320) has a narrow region (320b) including the narrow portion (322) with the smallest dimension in the width direction of the middle foot support portion. The ratio of the flexural stiffness of the narrow region (320b) to the flexural stiffness of the wide region (310a) is 0.4 or more and 0.85 or less.

2. The plate according to claim 1, having a middle portion (340) located precisely between the wide portion and the narrow portion in the length direction of the shoe. The ratio of the size of the middle portion (340) in the width direction to the size of the narrow portion (322) in the width direction is less than 1.

5.

3. The plate according to claim 2, having an inner edge portion (301) formed by the inner foot side edge portion, The inner edge has a curved portion (342) formed between the wide portion and the middle portion, and the orientation of the curvature changes when the plate is viewed from above.

4. The plate according to claim 3, wherein, The angle between the straight line connecting the wide portion (312) and the curved portion (342) and the straight line connecting the narrow portion (322) and the curved portion (342) is 160 degrees or more and 176 degrees or less.

5. The plate according to any one of claims 1 to 4, wherein, The thickness of the curved portion (310) is the same as the thickness of the middle foot support portion (320). The curved portion and the middle leg support portion have a shape in which the dimensions of the curved portion and the middle leg support portion gradually decrease in the width direction from the wide portion towards the narrow portion. The ratio of the size of the narrow portion (322) in the width direction to the size of the wide portion (312) in the width direction is 0.4 or more and 0.85 or less.

6. The plate according to any one of claims 1 to 4, wherein, The rear foot support (330) has a heel support area (330c), which includes a heel support (332) supporting the center of the wearer's heel and extends in the width direction. The ratio of the flexural stiffness of the narrow region (320b) to the flexural stiffness of the heel support region (330c) is 0.8 or more.

7. The plate according to any one of claims 1 to 4, wherein, The narrow region (320b) is formed to be flat.

8. A shoe sole (10), comprising: Plate (300) as described in any one of claims 1 to 7; as well as The midsole (200) has the forefoot region, the midfoot region, and the heel region. The plate (300) is disposed within the midsole such that the curved portion (310) is located in the forefoot region and the midfoot support portion is located in the midfoot region. The midsole (200) has: Lower middle sole (210), disposed below the plate; and Upper and middle sole (220), positioned on the plate, The lower insole (210) has a support portion (212) that supports the curved portion throughout the entire area of ​​the curved portion. The support (212) is elastically deformable to allow the curved portion to deform in such a way that the curvature of the wide region decreases. The thickness of the portion of the support (212) that overlaps with the plate in the thickness direction and the portion that overlaps with the portion at least in front of the width portion (312) in the thickness direction is fixed.

9. The sole according to claim 8, wherein, The lower midsole (210) supports the plate (300) in such a manner that the portion of the plate further back than the curved portion gradually moves away from the flat surface as it moves toward the rear in the length direction of the shoe.

10. A shoe (1), comprising: The sole (10) as described in claim 8 or 9; as well as The upper (20) is connected to the sole and is located above the sole.

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