Shoe component and shoe

Abstract

The present invention relates to a shoe component and a shoe, comprising: a tongue (121) covering the instep of a wearer; an inner flap (122) covering the medial midfoot of the wearer; and an outer flap (123) covering the lateral midfoot of the wearer, a tongue eyelet (23) through which a shoelace is passed being provided in at least one of an inner tongue portion (21) having a portion of the tongue (121) on the inner side of the center in the width direction of the foot and the inner flap (122), and an outer tongue portion (22) having a portion of the tongue (121) on the outer side of the center in the width direction of the foot and the outer flap (123). The present invention can obtain a shoe component capable of forming an upper having high fit to the foot of a wearer.

Description

Technical Field

[0001] The present invention relates to a shoe component for the upper of a shoe and a shoe having the upper using the shoe component. Background Technology

[0002] Shoes consist of an upper that covers the wearer's foot and a sole that covers the sole of the foot. When a person pushes off the ground while walking or running, the metacarpophalangeal joints of the foot bend, causing the foot to slip off the upper. Therefore, the upper of the shoe must conform to the wearer's foot even when the metacarpophalangeal joints are bent, to prevent the foot from slipping off.

[0003] To improve the fit of the shoe upper to the wearer's foot, a lacing system is incorporated into the upper. Patent Document 1 discloses a shoe with eyelets on the side panels that are not bonded to the outer material of the main upper. The shoe disclosed in Patent Document 1 allows for adjustment of the fit according to the wearer's preference, as it allows for either the side panels to fit snugly against the wearer's foot or both the side panels and the main upper to fit snugly against the foot.

[0004] Patent Document 1: Japanese Patent No. 5444558 Summary of the Invention

[0005] Shoes with a lace-up design have a tongue that covers the instep of the wearer. The shoe disclosed in Patent Document 1 cannot adjust the fit of the tongue to the instep of the wearer, thus leaving room for further improvement in the fit to the wearer's foot.

[0006] The present invention was made in view of the above-mentioned problems, and its object is to provide a shoe component that can form an upper that fits the wearer's foot very well.

[0007] To address the aforementioned problems and achieve the objective, the present invention relates to a shoe component comprising: a shoe tongue covering the instep of the wearer; an inner wing covering the inner midfoot of the wearer; and an outer wing covering the outer midfoot of the wearer. At least one of the inner and outer shoe tongue portions is provided with a shoe eyelet for laces to pass through. The inner shoe tongue portion has a portion of the tongue on the inner foot side relative to the center of the foot width direction and an inner wing, while the outer shoe tongue portion has a portion of the tongue on the outer foot side relative to the center of the foot width direction and an outer wing.

[0008] According to the shoe component of the present invention, the following effect is achieved: it is possible to form an upper that fits the wearer's foot very well. Attached Figure Description

[0009] Figure 1 This is a perspective view of the shoe according to Embodiment 1 of the present invention.

[0010] Figure 2 This is a plan view of the shoe component according to Embodiment 1.

[0011] Figure 3 This is a top view of the shoe according to Embodiment 1.

[0012] Figure 4 This diagram shows the fixed state of the shoe components, main upper, and sole according to Embodiment 1.

[0013] Figure 5 This is a plan view of the shoe component according to Embodiment 2 of the present invention.

[0014] Figure 6 This is a plan view of the shoe component according to Embodiment 3 of the present invention.

[0015] Figure 7 This is a plan view of the shoe component according to Embodiment 4 of the present invention.

[0016] Figure 8 This is a plan view of the shoe component according to Embodiment 5 of the present invention.

[0017] Figure 9 This is a plan view of the shoe component according to Embodiment 6 of the present invention.

[0018] Symbol Explanation

[0019] 1. Upper, 1A. First opening, 1B. Second opening, 2. Sole, 3. Lace, 11. Main upper, 12A, 12B, 12C, 12D, 12E, 12F. Shoe components, 21. Inner tongue, 22. Outer tongue, 23. Tongue eyelet, 24. Gap, 31. First part, 32. Second part, 50. Shoe, 111. Upper eyelet, 121. Tongue, 122. Inner wing, 123. Outer wing. Detailed Implementation

[0020] Hereinafter, embodiments of the shoe components and shoes according to the present invention will be described in detail based on the accompanying drawings. However, the present invention is not limited to these embodiments. Furthermore, in the embodiments shown below, the same or common parts are given the same reference numerals and will not be described repeatedly.

[0021] In the embodiments shown below, the direction in which the central axis of the heel extends when the shoe is viewed from above is called the front-to-back direction. The central axis of the heel is a vertical line passing through the center of the heel on the sole of the shoe. The direction orthogonal to the aforementioned front-to-back direction when the shoe is viewed from above is called the foot width direction.

[0022] In addition, the direction from the heel to the toes in the shoe is called the front, and the direction from the toes to the heel in the shoe is called the back.

[0023] Furthermore, the side closest to the center of the standard anatomical position of the foot is called the inner foot side, and the side opposite to the center of the standard anatomical position of the foot is called the outer foot side. That is, the side closer to the center of the standard anatomical position is called the inner foot side, and the side furthest from the center of the standard anatomical position is called the outer foot side.

[0024] Furthermore, unless otherwise specified, the height direction refers to the direction orthogonal to both the front-back direction and the foot width direction; unless otherwise specified, the thickness refers to the dimension in the height direction.

[0025] Implementation Method 1

[0026] Figure 1 This is a perspective view of a shoe according to Embodiment 1 of the present invention. The shoe 50 includes: an upper 1 covering the wearer's foot; and a sole 2 covering the sole of the wearer's foot. The upper 1 includes: a main upper 11 covering the wearer's forefoot, midfoot, and heel; and a shoe component 12A covering the wearer's instep.

[0027] The main upper 11 has a first opening 1A for the wearer's foot to pass through, and a second opening 1B connected to the first opening 1A at the front of the first opening 1A. An eyelet 111 for the shoelace 3 to pass through is provided at the edge of the second opening 1B in the main upper 11. The main upper 11 has an insole (not shown).

[0028] Figure 2 This is a plan view of the shoe component according to Embodiment 1. The shoe component 12A includes: a shoe tongue 121 covering the instep of the wearer; an inner wing 122 covering the inner midfoot of the wearer; and an outer wing 123 covering the outer midfoot of the wearer. The portion of the shoe tongue 121 closer to the inner foot side relative to the center in the foot width direction and the inner wing 122 constitute an inner tongue portion 21. The inner wing 122 is a tongue-shaped member extending from the shoe tongue 121 towards the inner foot side in the foot width direction. Furthermore, the portion of the shoe tongue 121 closer to the outer foot side relative to the center in the foot width direction and the outer wing 123 constitute an outer tongue portion 22. The outer wing 123 is a tongue-shaped member extending from the shoe tongue 121 towards the outer foot side in the foot width direction. The inner tongue portion 21 and the outer tongue portion 22 are provided with eyelets 23 for the shoelaces 3 to pass through. In shoe component 12A, the inner wing 122 and the outer wing 123 can be seamlessly connected to the shoe tongue 121, or the inner wing 122 and the outer wing 123 can be independent components sewn onto the shoe tongue 121.

[0029] The eyelets 23 are located on the inner side of the tongue 121 relative to the center of the foot width direction and on the outer side of the tongue 121 relative to the center of the foot width direction. Two eyelets 23 are located on the inner tongue 21, and one is located on the outer tongue 22. The eyelets 23 formed on the inner tongue 21 and the eyelets 23 formed on the outer tongue 22 are arranged alternately in the front-to-back direction. The shoe component 12A is formed of a material with different elasticity than the main upper 11.

[0030] The tongue 121, inner wing 122, and outer wing 123 have an outer surface material constituting the outer surface and an inner surface material constituting the inner surface. The tongue eyelet 23 is formed by a portion sandwiched between slits 24 arranged in the outer surface material. In the tongue eyelet 23, a shoelace 3 is passed through one slit 24 to pass between the outer and inner surface materials, and then through the other slit 24 to exit between the outer and inner surface materials. By forming the tongue eyelet 23 with a portion of the outer surface material of the shoe component 12A, a component-free structure can be achieved compared to a structure where a ring-shaped component is installed on the outer surface material to form the tongue eyelet 23. However, the tongue eyelet 23 is not limited to the portion sandwiched between slits 24 arranged in the outer surface material. That is, it can also be a tongue eyelet 23 formed by installing ring-shaped components on the inner tongue 21 and outer tongue 22 respectively. The slits 24 extend in the foot width direction. By setting the extension direction of the slit 24 along the width of the foot, the resistance when passing the shoelace 3 through the eyelet 23 of the tongue can be reduced. Alternatively, the slit 24 can also extend in the front-to-back direction.

[0031] Figure 3 This is a top view of the shoe according to Embodiment 1. As described above, an eyelet 111 is provided at the edge of the second opening 1B in the main upper 11, but no eyelet 111 is provided at the same position in the front-back direction of the inner foot side edge of the second opening 1B as the eyelet 23 of the tongue on the inner tongue 21. Furthermore, no eyelet 111 is provided at the same position in the front-back direction of the outer foot side edge of the second opening 1B as the eyelet 23 of the tongue on the outer tongue 22 in the main upper 11. The shoelace 3 alternately passes through the eyelet 23 of the tongue on the inner tongue 21 and the eyelet 23 of the tongue on the outer tongue 22, and then passes through the eyelet 111. Here, when the shoelace 3 is divided into two parts, with the middle of the part that passes through the foremost eyelet 111 on the inner side of the shoe and the part that passes through the foremost eyelet 111 on the outer side of the shoe as the starting point, the half that only passes through the eyelet 111 is called the first part 31, and the half that passes through the eyelet 111 on the shoe and the eyelet 23 on the tongue is called the second part 32.

[0032] Figure 4This diagram illustrates the fixed state of the shoe component, main upper, and sole according to Embodiment 1. The front edge of the tongue 121 of the shoe component 12A is connected to the front edge of the second opening 1B of the main upper 11 by means of sewing or welding. Furthermore, the front end of the outer wing 123 of the shoe component 12A is sewn to the lower end of the midfoot portion of the main upper 11 and the insole. Figure 4 Part A in the text is the stitching point where the front edge of the tongue 121 of the shoe component 12A and the front edge of the second opening 1B of the main upper 11 are joined. Figure 4 Part B in the text refers to the front end of the outer wing 123 of shoe component 12A, the lower end of the midfoot portion of the main shoe upper 11, and the seam of the insole. Additionally, although in... Figure 4 (Illustration omitted) The front end of the inner wing 122 of the shoe component 12A is sewn to the lower end of the midfoot portion of the main upper 11 and the insole. Therefore, the shoe component 12A forms an arch in the width direction of the foot.

[0033] After the wearer puts on the shoes 50, if the first part 31 of the shoelace 3 is tightened, the inner and outer edges of the second opening 1B in the main shoe upper 11 move towards the center in the foot width direction, so that the main shoe upper 11 tightens around the wearer's foot from the foot width direction. On the other hand, if the second part 32 of the shoelace 3 is tightened, the inner and outer edges of the second opening 1B in the main shoe upper 11 move towards the center in the foot width direction, and at the same time, the inner tongue 21 and outer tongue 22 of the shoe component 12A move towards the center in the foot width direction. The front ends of the inner wing 122 and outer wing 123 of the shoe component 12A are sewn to the insole. Therefore, if the inner tongue 21 and outer tongue 22 move towards the center in the foot width direction, the arch formed by the shoe component 12A becomes lower, thereby fixing the instep of the wearer with the shoe component 12A. Therefore, if the second part 32 of the shoelace 3 is tightened, the shoe part 12A fixes the instep of the wearer, and the main shoe upper 11 tightens the wearer's foot from the width direction of the foot. The shoe part 12A is formed of a material with different elasticity than the main shoe upper 11, so the feeling of fixation on the wearer's foot is different when the first part 31 of the shoelace 3 is tightened and when the second part 32 is tightened.

[0034] In the shoe component 12A according to Embodiment 1, the number of eyelets 23 on the inner tongue 21 is greater than the number of eyelets 23 on the outer tongue 22. Therefore, when the second part 32 of the shoelace 3 is tightened, the inner tongue 21 moves more forcefully toward the center in the width direction of the foot compared to the outer tongue 22. Therefore, the shoe 50 using the shoe component 12A according to Embodiment 1 can more forcefully secure the inner side of the wearer's foot when the second part 32 of the shoelace 3 is tightened compared to the outer side.

[0035] As shown above, the shoe 50 using the shoe component 12A according to Embodiment 1 fits the wearer's foot differently depending on whether the first part 31 of the shoelace 3 is tightened or the second part 32 is tightened. Therefore, the wearer of the shoe 50 using the shoe component 12A according to Embodiment 1 can wear it at a tightness that suits their preference. Furthermore, the shoe component 12A according to Embodiment 1, in addition to the tongue 121, also has an inner wing 122 and an outer wing 123, thus enabling it to secure the wearer's instep in a wrap-around manner. As shown above, by using the shoe component 12A according to Embodiment 1, a shoe upper 1 with a high degree of fit to the wearer's foot can be formed.

[0036] Furthermore, the example given here shows a structure in which two eyelets 23 are provided on the inner tongue 21 and one on the outer tongue 22, but the number of eyelets 23 is not limited to the example. For example, a structure could be formed with three eyelets 23 on the inner tongue 21 and two on the outer tongue 22, resulting in a different number than the example.

[0037] Implementation Method 2

[0038] Figure 5 This is a plan view of the shoe component according to Embodiment 2 of the present invention. The difference between the shoe component 12B according to Embodiment 2 and the shoe component 12A according to Embodiment 1 is that the shoe tongue eyelet 23 has one formed in the inner tongue portion 21 and two formed in the outer tongue portion 22.

[0039] In the shoe component 12B according to Embodiment 2, the number of eyelets 23 on the outer tongue 22 is greater than the number of eyelets 23 on the inner tongue 21. Therefore, when the second part 32 of the shoelace 3 is tightened, the outer tongue 22 moves more forcefully toward the center in the width direction of the foot compared to the inner tongue 21. Therefore, the shoe 50 using the shoe component 12B according to Embodiment 2 can more forcefully secure the outer side of the wearer's foot compared to the inner side when the second part 32 of the shoelace 3 is tightened.

[0040] Implementation Method 3

[0041] Figure 6 This is a plan view of the shoe component according to Embodiment 3 of the present invention. The difference between the shoe component 12C according to Embodiment 3 and the shoe component 12A according to Embodiment 1 is that the eyelet 23 of the shoe tongue is provided in the outer wing 123 portion of the outer tongue portion 22.

[0042] In the shoe component 12C according to Embodiment 3, the eyelet 23 of the shoe tongue is provided on the outer wing 123 of the outer tongue portion 22. Since the eyelet 23 of the shoe tongue portion 22 is far from the center in the width direction of the foot, when the second part 32 of the shoelace 3 is tightened, the outer wing 123 of the outer tongue portion 22 of the shoe component 12C moves closer to the center in the width direction of the foot, so that the instep of the wearer is not pressed by the portion of the shoe tongue 121 that is closer to the outer foot side than the center in the width direction of the foot. Therefore, the contact between the shoe 50 using the shoe component 12C according to Embodiment 3 and the instep of the wearer becomes soft, thereby improving the comfort of the wearer.

[0043] Implementation Method 4

[0044] Figure 7 This is a plan view of a shoe component according to Embodiment 4 of the present invention. In the shoe component 12D according to Embodiment 4, multiple eyelets 23 for the tongue are provided at the same positions in the front-to-back direction but at different positions in the foot width direction. Specifically, in the shoe component 12D according to Embodiment 4, eyelets 23 for the tongue are arranged in the foot width direction in the inner part of the tongue 121, on the inner side of the tongue 121 relative to the center of the foot width direction and in the inner wing 122. Furthermore, in the shoe component 12D according to Embodiment 4, eyelets 23 for the tongue are arranged in the foot width direction in the outer part of the tongue 121, on the outer side of the tongue 121 relative to the center of the foot width direction and in the outer wing 123.

[0045] In the shoe 50 using the shoe component 12D according to Embodiment 4, the wearer can choose to pass the shoelace 3 through any one of the plurality of eyelets 23 arranged in the foot width direction. Among the plurality of eyelets 23 arranged in the foot width direction, if the shoelace 3 is passed through the eyelet 23 closest to the center in the foot width direction, the fixing force on the wearer's instep is stronger; conversely, if the shoelace 3 is passed through the eyelet 23 furthest from the center in the foot width direction, the fixing force on the wearer's instep is weaker. Therefore, the wearer of the shoe 50 using the shoe component 12D according to Embodiment 4 can freely select the fixing force on the instep. Furthermore, by changing the eyelet 23 through which the shoelace 3 passes in the forefoot-to-back direction, the fixing force on the wearer's instep in the forefoot-to-back direction can be changed. For example, it is possible to freely select a setting where the fixing force on the portion of the instep near the toes is weaker, while the fixing force on the portion near the ankle is stronger.

[0046] Implementation Method 5

[0047] Figure 8This is a plan view of a shoe component according to Embodiment 5 of the present invention. The shoe component 12E according to Embodiment 5 differs from the shoe component 12A according to Embodiment 1 in that it consists of a tongue 121 and an inner wing 122, and does not have an outer wing 123. The shoe 50 using the shoe component 12E according to Embodiment 5 can improve the fixation force on the instep of the wearer, specifically the portion on the inner side of the foot relative to the center in the width direction of the foot. Furthermore, since the shoe component 12E does not have an outer wing 123, the shoe 50 using the shoe component 12E according to Embodiment 5 can achieve lightweight design.

[0048] Furthermore, this description focuses on a shoe component 12E that lacks the outer wing 123 and is composed of the tongue 121 and the inner wing 122. However, the shoe component 12E can also be configured to lack the inner wing 122 and be composed of the tongue 121 and the outer wing 123. By making the shoe component 12E a structure composed of the tongue 121 and the outer wing 123, the fixing force of the shoe 50 using the shoe component 12E on the outer side of the instep of the wearer, relative to the center of the foot width direction, can be improved.

[0049] Implementation Method 6

[0050] Figure 9 This is a plan view of the shoe component according to Embodiment 6 of the present invention. The shoe component 12F according to Embodiment 6 differs from the shoe component 12A according to Embodiment 1 in that the eyelet 23 is formed only on the inner tongue portion 21, while no eyelet 23 is formed on the outer tongue portion 22. When the second portion 32 of the shoelace 3 is tightened in a shoe 50 using the shoe component 12F according to Embodiment 6, the inner tongue portion 21 moves closer to the center in the foot width direction, thereby securing the shoe component 12F to the inner side of the wearer's instep.

[0051] Similar to the shoe 50 using the shoe component 12A according to Embodiment 1, the shoe 50 using the shoe component 12F according to Embodiment 6 has a position that is not easily shifted because the outer wing 123 and the inner wing 122 are fixed to the main upper 11 and the insole.

[0052] The structures shown in the above embodiments are merely examples illustrating the content of this invention. Other known technologies can be combined, and some structures can be omitted or modified without departing from the spirit of this invention.

Claims

1. A shoe component, comprising: The tongue of the shoe covers the instep of the wearer. Inner wing, which covers the inner middle foot of the wearer; as well as The outer wing covers the outer midfoot of the person wearing the shoe. At least one of the inner tongue and the outer tongue is provided with a tongue eyelet for shoelaces to pass through. The inner tongue has a portion of the tongue that is closer to the inner foot side than the center in the width direction of the foot and the inner wing. The outer tongue has a portion of the tongue that is closer to the outer foot side than the center in the width direction of the foot and the outer wing. The number of eyelets on the inner tongue is greater than the number of eyelets on the outer tongue.

2. The shoe component according to claim 1, wherein the inner wing and the outer wing are seamlessly connected to the shoe tongue.

3. The shoe component according to claim 2, The tongue, the inner wing, and the outer wing have an outer surface material constituting the outer surface and an inner surface material constituting the inner surface. The eyelet of the shoe tongue is formed by the portion sandwiched between the slits formed side by side on the outer surface material.

4. The shoe component according to claim 3, wherein the gap extends in the front-to-back direction.

5. The shoe component according to claim 3, wherein the gap extends in the foot width direction.

6. The shoe component according to any one of claims 1 to 5, wherein the eyelets of the shoe tongue are provided in multiple positions that are the same in the front-to-back direction and different in the foot width direction.

7. A shoe component, comprising: The tongue of the shoe covers the instep of the wearer. Inner wing, which covers the inner middle foot of the wearer; as well as The outer wing covers the outer midfoot of the person wearing the shoe. At least one of the inner tongue and the outer tongue is provided with a tongue eyelet for shoelaces to pass through. The inner tongue has a portion of the tongue that is closer to the inner foot side than the center in the width direction of the foot and the inner wing. The outer tongue has a portion of the tongue that is closer to the outer foot side than the center in the width direction of the foot and the outer wing. The number of eyelets on the outer tongue is greater than the number of eyelets on the inner tongue.

8. The shoe component according to claim 7, wherein the inner wing and the outer wing are seamlessly connected to the shoe tongue.

9. The shoe component according to claim 8, The tongue, the inner wing, and the outer wing have an outer surface material constituting the outer surface and an inner surface material constituting the inner surface. The eyelet of the shoe tongue is formed by the portion sandwiched between the slits formed side by side on the outer surface material.

10. The shoe component according to claim 9, wherein the gap extends in the front-to-back direction.

11. The shoe component according to claim 9, wherein the gap extends in the foot width direction.

12. The shoe component according to any one of claims 7 to 11, wherein the eyelets of the shoe tongue are provided in multiple positions that are the same in the front-to-back direction and different in the foot width direction.

13. A shoe comprising: The shoe upper has a shoe component as described in any one of claims 1 to 12, and a main shoe upper, the main shoe upper having a first opening for a wearer's foot to pass through, and a second opening connected to the first opening in front of the first opening; The sole is mounted below the main upper; as well as Shoelaces, which adjust the opening and closing of the second opening; An eyelet is provided at the edge of the second opening. The front edge of the shoe tongue is fixed to the front edge of the second opening on the main shoe upper. The front ends of the inner wing and the outer wing are respectively fixed to the lower end of the midfoot portion of the main shoe upper and the insole. The shoelaces alternately pass through the eyelets on the inner and outer sides of the shoe tongue, and then through the eyelets on the upper.

14. The shoe according to claim 13, wherein the upper eyelet is not provided at the same position in the front-back direction of the inner foot side edge of the second opening as the eyelet of the tongue provided on the inner foot tongue, and at the same position in the front-back direction of the outer foot side edge of the second opening as the eyelet of the tongue provided on the outer foot tongue.

15. The shoe according to claim 13 or 14, wherein the elasticity of the shoe component is different from that of the main upper.

Images