Sports shoes

Abstract

This invention relates to an athletic shoe, comprising: a midsole located below the insole, wherein the midsole includes a heel region, a midfoot region, and a forefoot region; an upper, comprising a front portion located on the front side and a rear portion located on the rear side along the longitudinal direction; wherein the midsole is made of a foam material with a Shore hardness between 38 and 45 degrees, and the thickness of the midsole in the forefoot region is less than its thickness in the heel region, wherein the heel difference between the forefoot region and the heel region is in the range of 6 to 12 millimeters. This achieves a "four-dimensional balance" of adaptive balance, hardness balance, pressure balance, and gravity balance, thereby effectively meeting the unmet technical needs of improving user comfort, reducing fatigue, and minimizing the possibility of injury during prolonged standing or walking in application scenarios.

Description

Technical Field

[0001] The technology described in this invention relates to the field of athletic footwear. Generally, various aspects of this invention relate to a shoe that assists the user during the gait cycle. Specifically, this invention helps the user maintain balanced plantar pressure and proper adjustment during the gait cycle. More specifically, the athletic shoe according to this invention, by adjusting gravity distribution, stiffness, heel drop, and self-adaptation to achieve suitable values ​​or ranges, results in a more rational distribution of body pressure and center of gravity, further reducing physical fatigue and repairing the body's fatigue mechanisms. Background Technology

[0002] As is generally known, footwear, including athletic shoes, typically comprises two main parts: the upper and the sole. The upper provides coverage for the wearer's foot, securely housing, wrapping, and positioning it relative to the sole. Furthermore, the upper can protect the foot and provide satisfactory breathability, keeping the foot cool and wicking away sweat. The sole is attached to the underside of the upper and is typically positioned between the foot and the surrounding ground. In addition to mitigating ground reaction forces and absorbing energy, the sole also provides forward propulsion and controls potentially harmful foot movements.

[0003] The applicant of this application previously proposed an athletic shoe in which the sole structure organically combines high-mechanical polymers (rigid molecules), hyperbranched polymers (flexible molecules), and modified polyurethane (tough molecules) to provide a "just-right" comfortable feel under selected hardness adjustments. This perfect balance of softness and hardness not only effectively reduces foot impact during running but also maintains foot comfort and stability during prolonged exercise. Meanwhile, to compensate for any shortcomings in stability, the previously proposed athletic shoe incorporated numerous optimizations to enhance shoe stability. For example, the TPU heel support block and heat-fused film design enhance the shoe's stability, providing better protection for runners. Whether accelerating, turning, or descending hills, the previously proposed athletic shoe provides stable support for the runner's feet, reducing the risk of sprains caused by uneven ground or sudden changes in direction.

[0004] While walking or running in athletic shoes may seem like a simple and natural activity, it requires the coordinated effort of the human skeleton, muscles, and nervous system. Therefore, behavioral research on human gait is crucial for a deeper understanding of foot function. Walking or running can be viewed as a cyclical movement, widely referred to as the gait cycle. Generally, a complete gait cycle can be simply divided into two phases: the stance phase and the swing phase. The term "stance phase" can be defined as the period from heel strike to forefoot liftoff, while the term "swing phase" can be defined as the period from heel liftoff to forefoot strike. Typically, the stance phase accounts for 60% of the gait cycle, during which one leg and one foot bear most or all of the body weight. The swing phase accounts for only 40%, during which the foot does not touch the walking surface, and the body weight is borne by the other leg and foot. In a complete two-step cycle, both feet are in contact with the floor for approximately 25% of the time. This part of the cycle is called the double stance phase. For a more detailed description of the gait cycle, please refer to the relevant provisions of this application. Figure 1 The content shown.

[0005] The inventors of this application have discovered that, although the aforementioned athletic shoes are effective in improving consumers' athletic performance, there is still room for improvement to meet the needs of consumers or runners for comfort during daily walking and to further reduce physical fatigue and repair the body's fatigue mechanisms.

[0006] In summary, there remains an unmet technological need in this field to improve the consumer experience of athletic shoes by optimizing their design. Summary of the Invention

[0007] Therefore, the object of the present invention is to provide an athletic shoe that at least partially overcomes the disadvantages of the prior art described above.

[0008] To accomplish the above-mentioned tasks, the present invention provides an athletic shoe comprising: a lower midsole, wherein the midsole has, in a longitudinal direction from back to front, a heel region corresponding to the heel, a midfoot region corresponding to the arch of the foot, and a forefoot region corresponding to the front of the foot; and an upper operatively connected to the midsole, comprising a front portion and a rear portion in a longitudinal direction; wherein the midsole is made of a foam material having a Shore hardness between 38 and 45 degrees, and the thickness of the midsole in the forefoot region is less than its thickness in the heel region, wherein the heel difference between the forefoot region and the heel region is in the range of 6 to 12 millimeters.

[0009] Compared to existing technologies, this invention adjusts gravity distribution, stiffness, heel drop, and self-adaptation to achieve suitable values ​​or ranges, thereby making the distribution of body pressure center more reasonable and further reducing physical fatigue and repairing the body's fatigue mechanisms. Specifically, by optimizing the design of various parts of the athletic shoe, adaptive balance, stiffness balance, pressure balance, and gravity balance are achieved. This effectively meets the unmet technical needs of improving user comfort, reducing fatigue, and minimizing the possibility of injury during prolonged standing or walking in application scenarios.

[0010] As a preferred aspect of the invention, the portion of the forefoot area extending longitudinally from the forefoot of the shoe midsole is designed to curve upwards to form a forward-curving angle, wherein the forward-curving angle is in the range of 5 to 20 degrees, preferably in the range of 14 to 16 degrees.

[0011] As a preferred aspect of the invention, the portion of the rearmost end of the shoe midsole extending forward in the longitudinal direction past the heel area is designed to curve upward to form a rear upturn angle, wherein the rear upturn angle is in the range of 15 degrees to 30 degrees, preferably in the range of 20 degrees to 24 degrees.

[0012] As a preferred aspect of the invention, the upper includes a plurality of sides that converge at the rear and are operatively connected to the front, wherein the front includes an integrally formed top surface to form an insertion receiving space.

[0013] As a preferred aspect of the invention, the forefoot region extends rearward from the foremost point of the midsole for 25% to 30% of the total length of the midsole, and the heel region extends forward from the rearmost point of the midsole for 15% to 30% of the total length of the midsole, wherein the midfoot region extends between the heel region and the forefoot region.

[0014] As a preferred aspect of the invention, it also includes an insole made of EVA material or PU foam material, wherein the thickness of the insole is designed to be 1 to 8 mm, preferably 3 to 6 mm.

[0015] As a preferred aspect of the invention, the insole is designed as an elastic foam component, wherein the elastic foam component has a compression ratio of more than 75% and / or a rebound rate of more than 60%.

[0016] As a preferred aspect of the invention, the midsole is made of a foam material with a Shore hardness of about 45 degrees and the heel difference between the forefoot area and the heel area of ​​the midsole is about 8 to 10 millimeters.

[0017] As a preferred aspect of the invention, the shoe midsole is made of polyurethane foam or ethylene / vinyl acetate copolymer.

[0018] As a preferred aspect of the invention, the midsole of the athletic shoe is designed such that the path of the plantar pressure center is substantially within 22% to 85% of the total length of the midsole measured from front to back in the longitudinal X direction throughout the entire walking cycle. Attached Figure Description

[0019] Figure 1 It schematically shows the changes in the gait cycle of a person during walking or running;

[0020] Figure 2 A perspective side view of a feasible embodiment of the athletic shoe according to the present invention is shown;

[0021] Figure 3 A side view of another possible embodiment of the athletic shoe according to the present invention is shown;

[0022] Figure 4 A bottom view of a feasible embodiment of the athletic shoe according to the present invention is shown;

[0023] Figure 5 A rear view of a feasible embodiment of the athletic shoe according to the present invention is shown;

[0024] Figure 6-8 A schematic diagram illustrating the working principle of the athletic shoe according to the present invention is shown;

[0025] Figure 9 A comparison diagram showing the user experience of athletic shoes according to the present invention with different heel drops is presented;

[0026] Figure 10-11 A schematic diagram showing the pressure distribution of athletic shoes according to the present invention with different heel drops is illustrated;

[0027] Figure 12 A comparative graph showing electromyography (EMG) tests of athletic shoes according to the present invention with different heel discrepancies is presented;

[0028] Figure 13 A schematic diagram showing the coefficient of variation of the pressure center along the front-to-back direction for athletic shoes of the present invention with different heel heights is shown;

[0029] Figure 14 A schematic diagram showing the coefficient of variation of the pressure center along the left-right direction for athletic shoes of the present invention with different heel heights;

[0030] Figure 15 A comparison diagram showing the fatigue sensation of athletic shoes according to the present invention with different levels of softness and hardness is presented;

[0031] Figure 16 A comparison diagram showing the comfort of athletic shoes of different firmness according to the present invention is presented.

[0032] Reference numerals used repeatedly in this specification and drawings are intended to denote the same or similar elements of the invention.

[0033] Explanation of reference numerals in the attached figures

[0034] 10-Sports shoe; 11-Upper; 11A-Forefoot; 11B-Heel; 11C-Spine line;

[0035] 12-Midsole; 13-Outsole; 101-Forefoot area; 101A-Forefoot contact area;

[0036] 102 - Midfoot area; 103 - Heel area; 103A - Rear contact area;

[0037] 104 - Foot pressure center path; a - Forward tilt angle; b - Backward tilt angle;

[0038] X - Vertical; Y - Lateral; Z - Vertical; h - Forefoot height; H - Heel height;

[0039] 21-Phalangeal bone; 22-Metatarsophalangeal joint; 23-Metatarsal bone; 24-Intrinsic plantar muscle;

[0040] 25-Plane fascia; Detailed Implementation

[0041] Those skilled in the art will understand that the following detailed description of embodiments is merely an illustration of exemplary models and is not intended to limit the broader aspects of this disclosure.

[0042] Terminology Definition

[0043] In this article, the term "athletic shoes" can be applied to a wide range of footwear suitable for various everyday or sporting occasions, including but not limited to: walking shoes, running shoes, casual shoes, tennis shoes, soccer shoes, American soccer shoes, basketball shoes, cross-training shoes, spiked shoes, golf shoes, etc.

[0044] The term "longitudinal" refers to the direction in which a component extends a certain length. For example, the longitudinal direction of an athletic shoe extends between the forefoot and heel areas. The terms "forward" or "forward-facing" are used to refer to the general direction from the heel area toward the forefoot area, and the terms "backward" or "rearward-facing" are used to refer to the opposite direction, i.e., from the forefoot area toward the heel area. In some cases, a component can be identified by a longitudinal axis and the forward and backward longitudinal directions along that axis. The longitudinal direction or axis can also be referred to as the fore-rear direction or axis.

[0045] The term "lateral" refers to the direction in which a component extends a certain width. For example, the lateral direction of an athletic shoe extends between the outer and inner sides of the shoe. The lateral direction or axis can also be referred to as the lateral direction or axis, or the mid-outer direction or axis.

[0046] The term "vertical" or "upright" refers to a direction that is approximately perpendicular to both the horizontal and vertical directions. For example, in the case where the sole structure is laid flat on the ground surface, the vertical direction can extend upwards from the ground surface. It will be understood that each of these directional adjectives can be applied to an individual component of the sole structure. The term "upwards" or "facing upwards" refers to a vertical direction pointing towards the top of the component. The term "downwards" or "facing downwards" refers to a vertical direction opposite to the upwards direction, pointing towards the bottom of the component, and can generally point towards the bottom of the sole structure of the athletic shoe.

[0047] Furthermore, for consistency and convenience, directional adjectives may be used throughout this detailed description corresponding to the illustrated embodiments. Those skilled in the art will recognize that terms such as “above,” “below,” “upward,” “downward,” “top,” and “bottom” may be used descriptively with respect to the drawings without implying a limitation on the scope of the invention as defined by the claims. The term “horizontal” refers to a plane extending in both the longitudinal and transverse directions and perpendicular to the vertical direction.

[0048] Unless the context explicitly or clearly indicates otherwise, all numerical values ​​of parameters (e.g., quantities or conditions) in this specification and claims should be understood to be modified in all cases by the terms “about” or “approximately”, regardless of whether “about” or “approximately” actually precedes the numerical value. “About” implies that the stated numerical value allows for some slight imprecision (approximately close to the exact value; approximately or moderately close to the value; almost). If the imprecision provided by “about” or “approximately” is not understood in this ordinary sense in the art, then “about” or “approximately” as used herein at least indicates variations that may arise from ordinary methods of measuring and using these parameters.

[0049] sneakers

[0050] See Figure 2 In the following description, reference numeral 10 generally refers to the athletic shoe according to the invention, which has an upper 11 operatively connected to a midsole 12. This upper 11 runs along... Figure 2The shoe 10 shown has a front portion 11A on the front side and a rear portion 11B on the rear side in the longitudinal X direction. The upper 11 shown here is designed to generally conform to the shape or contour of the user's foot. It is envisioned that any of a variety of styles and designs can be used on the upper 11 of the athletic shoe 10 to provide the athletic shoe 10 with an aesthetically pleasing and attractive appearance.

[0051] See also Figure 2 and Figure 4 The upper 11 of the athletic shoe 10 according to the present invention includes a plurality of sides, wherein the plurality of sides are in Figure 4 The rear portion 11B shown in the diagram merges and is operationally connected to the front portion 11A. For example... Figure 2 As shown, the top surface of the upper 11 in the front region 11A is integrally formed with the tongue. Thus, multiple sides, the rear 11B, the top surface in the front region 11A, and the tongue keep the athletic shoe 10 on the wearer's foot.

[0052] The upper 11 of the athletic shoe 10 and the midsole 12 can be connected by adhesive or any other suitable means, providing an aesthetic transition between the upper 11 and the midsole 12. Here, an outsole 13 made of a non-slip material, such as rubber, is also included below or on the underside of the midsole 12, so that the outsole 13 contacts the ground when the athletic shoe 10 is in use.

[0053] exist Figures 3 to 4 As shown in the most detailed illustration, the midsole 12 of the athletic shoe 10 according to the present invention can be sequentially divided from back to front along the longitudinal direction X into a heel region 103 corresponding to the heel of the human foot, a midfoot region 102 corresponding to the arch of the human foot, and a forefoot region 102 corresponding to the forefoot of the human foot. As an example, the midsole 12 has a total length L along the longitudinal direction X, for example, approximately 22 to 35 centimeters. As an example, for instance, in... Figure 3 The forefoot region 102 may extend a certain length from the foremost part of the midsole 12, accounting for 25-30% of the total length in the longitudinal direction (X direction). Simultaneously, the heel region 103 extends forward from the rearmost part of the midsole 12, for example, accounting for 15-20% of the total length in the longitudinal direction (X direction). The midfoot region 102 extends directly between the heel region 103 and the forefoot region 102, such that the longitudinal length of the midfoot region 102 constitutes the remaining portion of the total length, particularly from 50% to 60%.

[0054] It is particularly noteworthy that the thickness of the forefoot region 102 is less than the thickness of the heel region 103, so that the heel difference between the forefoot region 102 and the heel region 103 is between 6 and 12 millimeters (mm), preferably between 8 and 10 millimeters, and most preferably 10 millimeters. In the art, heel difference generally refers to the height difference between the upper surface of the sole corresponding to the contact point of the forefoot region 102 and the upper surface of the sole corresponding to the contact point of the heel region 103. More specifically, the sole has a lower surface for ground contact and an upper surface for foot support. The lower surface of the sole has a first contact area 101A that preferentially contacts the ground when the forefoot area 102 contacts the ground, and a second contact area 103A that preferentially contacts the ground when the heel area 103 contacts the ground. When the forefoot area 102 contacts the ground, the first contact area 101A contacts the ground first; when the heel area 103 contacts the ground, the second contact area 103A contacts the ground first. The distance from the first contact area 106 to the upper surface of the sole is set as h, and the distance from the second contact area 107 to the upper surface of the sole is set as H. Here, the heel difference is defined as... Figure 3 The difference between H and h described above is shown in the figure.

[0055] exist Figure 2 The image shows the ridge line 11C at the rear 11B of the upper 11 of the athletic shoe 10 (in... Figure 2 The design is shown in the middle frame. The ridge line 11C is smoothly and continuously arranged from top to bottom on the rear part 11B of the upper 11. The design of the ridge line 11C can be determined as follows:

[0056] Starting from the approximate center of the midsole 12, draw a first circle with a radius of approximately 150 mm. This first circle, from top to bottom, defines an arc length corresponding to a central angle of approximately 30 degrees at the rear of the midsole 12. Subsequently, bisect this approximately 30-degree central angle and draw a second circle with a diameter of approximately 64 mm at the extension of the angle bisector. From the point of tangency with the first circle, draw a third arc length with a central angle of approximately 40 degrees, starting from the top of the upper 11. The lowest point of the third arc length intersects the circumference of the first circle and has a length of approximately 40 to 46 mm.

[0057] Furthermore, the lower half of the central angle of the 30-degree angle is bisected again, and a third circle with an inscribed diameter of approximately 50 mm is drawn on the angle bisector. This results in a second arc length with a central angle of approximately 24 degrees, originating from the highest point of the rearmost part of the midsole 12, starting from the point of inscribed with the first circle. The highest point of the second arc length intersects the circumference of the first circle and has a length of approximately 18 to 22 mm. Finally, the third arc length and the second arc length are smoothly connected to form a ridge line 11C by means of an arc length segment of the circumference of the first circle (referred to as the first arc length, with a length of approximately 19 to 23 mm) located between the intersection of the first circle and the third arc length and the intersection of the first circle and the second arc length. Preferably, the total length of this ridge line 11C is approximately 80 to 90 mm.

[0058] See now Figures 2 to 3 The midsole 12 is designed to support the wearer's foot from the initial contact phase to the mid-position phase of the gait cycle using a multi-density foam material. In this invention, the midsole 12 of the athletic shoe 10 is designed to be made of a foam material with a Shore C hardness between 38 and 45 degrees. It is envisioned that materials such as polyurethane foam, ethylene / vinyl acetate copolymer (EVA), or other foam-based materials could be used. It should be noted that hardness is a performance indicator that measures the degree of softness or hardness of a material, and there are various testing methods, such as Brinell hardness and Shore hardness. The unit of hardness described in this application is °, and it is tested using a Shore C hardness tester, conforming to the requirements of HG / T2489—2007 standard.

[0059] As a further preferred aspect, the athletic shoe 10 of the present invention may also employ a highly elastic EVA insole or a PU foam insole (not shown). The thickness of this insole can be 1-8 mm, preferably 3-6 mm. The insole can be designed as an elastic foam component with a compression ratio of over 75% and a rebound rate greater than 60% (e.g., 64%). According to the inventors' experiments, this designed insole not only provides a comfortable feel but also allows for a larger contact area between the foot and the insole during walking, reducing fatigue caused by stress concentration on the foot. It should be noted that the "compression ratio" test standard is HG / T2876-2009 "Test Method for Compression Deformation of Microporous Materials for Rubber and Plastic Shoes"; the "rebound rate" test standard is GB / T 1681-2009 "Determination of Resilience of Vulcanized Rubber". Furthermore, the present invention does not impose special limitations on other structural parameters, color, or appearance of the insole, and insoles with various colors and patterns can be used.

[0060] As will be described in further detail below, the midsole 12 of the athletic shoe 10 according to the invention is designed to have metatarsal compression acceleration characteristics. That is, the engagement of different areas of the midsole with a certain heel drop defines a lever with a seesaw effect, which helps the wearer to have a more natural gait than typical in conventional shoes. This construction of the midsole 12 provides the wearer with a natural barefoot-type gait, allowing for rapid knee flexion as the wearer's center of gravity shifts above the upper 11 of the athletic shoe.

[0061] exist Figure 2 As best shown in the image, the foremost part of the midsole 12 extends rearward over a portion of the forefoot area 101 and curves upward off the ground at a certain angle α, thereby forming what is described below as a so-called toe spring with a winch mechanism to reduce the total range of rotation of the metatarsophalangeal joint 22 (MTP). The degree of this toe spring angle α is expected to be in the range of 5 to 20 degrees, preferably in the range of 14 to 16 degrees. Meanwhile, as... Figure 2 and 5 As shown, the rearmost part of the midsole 12 extends forward over a portion of the heel area 103 and also curves upward off the ground at a certain angle b, thereby creating a silky effect that prevents the heel from leaving the ground during the wearer's walking. The angle b is expected to be in the range of 15 to 30 degrees, preferably in the range of 20 to 24 degrees.

[0062] When a user is standing or supporting their weight, the pressure on the sole of their foot is concentrated on the first metatarsal head, the fifth metatarsal head, and the calcaneus (heel bone). During sustained walking, these prominent areas of the sole can experience significant fatigue. Anatomically, the human foot is generally shaped with a larger medial arch than lateral arch, resulting in more concentrated pressure on the lateral longitudinal arch during walking. In other words, regarding the movement of pressure on the sole, during standing, the center of pressure moves from the calcaneus along the lateral longitudinal arch towards the fifth and first metatarsal heads. This path of pressure center movement is called the COP (Center of Pressure) path, which runs along the lateral line of the foot from the calcaneus to the fifth metatarsal head.

[0063] The inventors of this invention were the first to recognize that in many application scenarios of athletic shoes 10, users or wearers spend a considerable amount of time standing or walking naturally while wearing athletic shoes 10. Therefore, improving user comfort, reducing fatigue, and minimizing the possibility of injury during prolonged standing or walking are unmet technical needs in these scenarios. To address this, the inventors of this invention aim to achieve a reasonable distribution and path of body pressure centers and plantar pressure centers (COPs) during prolonged standing or walking by comprehensively optimizing parameters such as the hardness of the upper 11 and midsole 12 of the athletic shoe 10, the heel drop of the midsole 12, and the forefoot and heel lift angles α and β. That is, the athletic shoe 10 of this invention is generally designed to support the wearer's weight and help return the wearer's body to an angle that promotes an improved natural gait cycle, thus engaging the user's muscular system and reducing pressure on the skeletal system.

[0064] Specifically, in this invention, the upper 11 of the athletic shoe 10 is designed to conform to and fit the user's foot in a 3D-molded, three-dimensional wrapping manner. Due to the elasticity of the fabric of the upper 11, the upper 11 of the athletic shoe 10 according to this invention can achieve "self-adaptive balance".

[0065] Meanwhile, by designing the midsole 12 to be made of foam material with a Shore C hardness between 38 and 45 degrees, users can enjoy a lightweight, flexible, and fatigue-free experience even after standing for a long time, thus achieving "hardness balance".

[0066] Furthermore, the heel difference between the forefoot area 102 and the heel area 103 of the midsole 12 is designed to be between 6 and 12 millimeters (mm), preferably between 8 and 10 millimeters, and most preferably 10 millimeters, so that the center of pressure (COP) of the foot has a better path distribution during standing or walking, that is, to achieve "pressure balance".

[0067] Finally, based on the combination of the above factors, the center of pressure (COP) of the foot during standing or walking is distributed in a specific area along the longitudinal X direction of the midsole 12 (see details below), thus achieving "gravity balance".

[0068] The following detailed description will illustrate the various beneficial technical effects that the sports shoe 10 of the present invention, which has the above four-dimensional balance (i.e., four-dimensional balance), can achieve.

[0069] Here, firstly, in combination Figures 6 to 8 The illustrations shown illustrate the winch mechanism formed by the fore-end angle a of the athletic shoe 10 according to the present invention and the benefits thereof.

[0070] When a user walks or exercises while wearing the athletic shoe 10 according to the present invention, the point of force for the forefoot when taking a step is in the heel area, while the point of force for the rear foot when pushing forward is in the forefoot area. At this time, the metatarsophalangeal joint 22 of the big toe of the rear foot will actively sink (see...). Figure 6 and 8 Therefore, the forward-curving angle 'a' not only facilitates the forefoot area of ​​the rear foot to generate power and enhances traction, but also guides the big toe of the rear foot to automatically curve backward (see...). Figure 8 ).

[0071] At the same time, see Figure 7 As shown, the intrinsic plantar muscles 24 are dorsiflexed during the push-off phase of the gait cycle in walking and running to reduce the torque at the metatarsophalangeal joint 22, and an increased toe flexion angle may alleviate some of the workload on the intrinsic plantar muscles 24. Simultaneously, a higher toe flexion angle reduces the total range of rotation of the metatarsals 23 and the metatarsophalangeal joint 22, delays the time it takes for the center of pressure (COP) to pass through the metatarsophalangeal joint 22, and reduces the distance the COP travels before the metatarsophalangeal joint 22, thus reducing the corresponding joint torque and the resulting negative work. As a result, these small differences in muscle training of the intrinsic plantar muscles 24 accumulate over time to produce significant differences; habitually wearing shoes with a larger flexion angle may suppress the weakness of the intrinsic plantar muscles, increasing the long-term risk of flat feet, plantar fasciitis, and plantar aponeurosis strain under high load.

[0072] Taking all the above factors into consideration, the inventors of this invention have reached the following conclusions: For runners whose purpose is to exercise and maintain a healthy level, designers should try to choose running shoes with a forefoot lift angle of 14 to 16 degrees, which best matches the natural physiological curvature angle of the metatarsophalangeal joint 22 and provides the best subjective experience for runners; when the forefoot lift angle α is within the range of 5 to 20 degrees, the greater the lift of the running shoe, the shorter the stride length and the faster the stride frequency. Runners whose purpose is to compete can use running shoes with a forefoot lift angle greater than 15° and less than 20° to reduce the energy consumption of the intrinsic muscles of the foot 24, but the risk of plantar fascia 25 injury increases accordingly. Therefore, it is not recommended that the forefoot lift angle α be greater than 20° to avoid the risk of plantar fascia injury.

[0073] Next, we will combine consumer testing and electromyography (EMG) testing to comprehensively evaluate the subjective and objective performance of the different designs of the athletic shoe 10 of this invention in terms of user comfort and fatigue during the standing or support phases.

[0074] like Figure 9 As shown, the following were tested separately by the same consumer:

[0075] 1. Flat cloth shoes or monk strap shoes with no heel drop or a heel drop of 0 ( Figure 9 The black square in the picture (size 1 shoe);

[0076] 2. Sports shoes with a midsole hardness of 15C and a heel drop of 7 (10). Figure 9 The red circle in the picture (size 2 shoe);

[0077] 3. Sports shoes with a midsole hardness of 45C and a heel drop of 8 (10). Figure 9 The blue triangle in the picture (shoe size 3);

[0078] 4. Sports shoes with a midsole hardness of 45C and a heel drop of 10 (10) Figure 9 The green triangle in the picture (size 4 shoe);

[0079] 5. Sports shoes with a midsole hardness of 15C and a heel drop of 6 (10) Figure 9 The purple diamond shape in the picture (size 5 shoe).

[0080] The testing procedure involved the same consumer standing for approximately 60 minutes while wearing shoes of sizes 1 to 5. The fatigue level caused by the shoes was assessed based on the consumer's pain rating at 15, 30, 45, and 60 minutes.

[0081] See Figure 9 It can be seen that users experienced the highest pain when wearing size 1 shoes, with a pain score as high as 7 points. The pain was lowest when wearing size 3 shoes, with the pain remaining within an acceptable range when the midsole hardness was set to 45C. Meanwhile, consumers generally reported that the area where they first felt pain and experienced the most intense pain was mainly concentrated in the heel area (103).

[0082] Furthermore, in Figure 10-11 The diagram illustrates the distribution of plantar pressure in different areas of the soles of the left and right feet of athletic shoes 10 according to the invention with different heel heights. The plantar pressure distribution can be determined by taking footprints with plaster and judging the pressure intensity at different locations based on the color of the footprints, or it can be achieved using a plantar pressure measurement system. Such a plantar pressure measurement system can be, for example, existing plantar pressure measurement systems with trade names such as EMED-SF, Force Plate, and RS-scan.

[0083] The inventors of this invention discovered that, from the perspective of force analysis for standing balance, increasing the heel drop of the midsole 12 leads to a decrease in pressure in the heel region 103, and a shift in plantar pressure (COP) to the forefoot region 101 and midfoot region 102. Since prolonged standing pain primarily occurs in the heel region 103, the inventors conclude that appropriately increasing the heel drop, reducing heel pressure, and shifting heel pressure forward helps alleviate heel pain. Figures 10 to 11As shown in the comparison, when the heel drop of the midsole 12 reaches 8 to 10 mm, compared with a heel drop of 4 mm, the pressure in the heel area decreases from 52.32% to 47.68%, while the pressure in the forefoot accounts for 28.5%, close to the 29.81% of the barefoot. Therefore, preferably, the heel drop of the midsole 12 is kept within 10 mm.

[0084] Meanwhile, the inventors also discovered that as the heel drop of the midsole 12 increases, leading to anterior shift of the plantar COP, the dorsiflexion torque generated by the plantar force on the ankle joint increases. It is known that the sum of the dorsiflexion torque of the plantar force and the dorsiflexion torque of the tibialis anterior muscle is equal to the plantarflexion torque of the gastrocnemius muscle. When the dorsiflexion torque of the plantar force increases, if the dorsiflexion torque of the tibialis anterior muscle remains constant, the gastrocnemius muscle needs to generate a larger torque, making it more prone to fatigue. If the dorsiflexion torque of the tibialis anterior muscle decreases, the plantarflexion torque of the gastrocnemius muscle may remain unchanged or decrease. Based on actual test results of muscle fatigue and simulation results, it was found that when the heel drop increases to 10 mm, both the activation level and fatigue level of the tibialis anterior and gastrocnemius muscles decrease.

[0085] exist Figure 12 The diagram illustrates the change in the median electromyographic frequency of the tibialis anterior muscle in an athletic shoe 10 with midsoles 12 having different heel drops and stiffnesses. Here, for example, the electromyographic sensing function of a Vicon three-dimensional gait analysis system can be used. Here, the electromyographic performance of a total of 55 points, including the gastrocnemius, tibialis anterior, erector spinae, rectus abdominis, gluteus medius, and biceps femoris muscles, can be measured while the wearer is standing statically for one hour.

[0086] from Figure 12 The results show that after standing for 1 hour, the median frequency of calf muscle fatigue (1h-0 time) decreased, indicating increased muscle fatigue. Specifically, when wearing size 1 shoes, the tibialis anterior muscle experienced the most fatigue, while the gastrocnemius muscle showed lower fatigue. Meanwhile, wearing size 2 shoes resulted in higher gastrocnemius muscle fatigue. Wearing size 4 shoes was beneficial in improving calf muscle fatigue.

[0087] exist Figure 13 and 14 The figure shows the coefficient of variation of the trajectory of the center of pressure (COP) of the foot in the anterior-posterior and lateral directions when wearing shoes of sizes 1 to 5.

[0088] The coefficient of variation (COP) was highest when barefoot at the end of the standing period (60 minutes), and relatively lower when wearing size 3 shoes. This indicates that the size 3 shoe's midsole design with a COP of 12 provides good support and has the lowest COP variability, demonstrating its ability to maintain ankle stability and reduce fatigue. Among the shoes with a midsole COP of 12 stiffness designed at 45c, size 3 shoes had the lowest COP variability. Similarly, among the shoes with a midsole COP of 12 stiffness designed at 25c, the 8mm heel drop insole also had the lowest COP variability, indicating that the 8mm heel drop insole provides better stability.

[0089] exist Figures 15-16 The diagram illustrates the relationship between the stiffness of the midsole 12 and comfort. The inventors of this application discovered that maintaining an upright posture is a subconscious and continuous adjustment process. Overly stiff support concentrates pressure on the soles of the feet and makes it difficult to achieve compatibility. Overly soft support makes it difficult to adjust the center of gravity, causing the pressure point to constantly shift, thus requiring constant muscle adjustment. Finding the right balance point is a complex and lengthy process, and varies from person to person. Therefore, testing is necessary to determine the appropriate stiffness.

[0090] Figures 15-16 The testing method is as follows: Multiple pairs of athletic shoes with different hardness were designed for the shoe midsole 12, all using the same type of insole. Simultaneously, subjects applied electromyography (EMG) and plantar pressure insoles. They stood statically on a pressure table for 60 minutes, with data collected for 90 seconds every 15 minutes. After standing, subjective fatigue and comfort scores, as well as plantar pain scores, were calculated. After a 24-hour rest, subjects changed to shoes of different hardness and stood in the same position for another 60 minutes.

[0091] from Figures 15-16 The inventors drew the following conclusions from the comparison charts:

[0092] 1. Considering all the data, the 52c is worse than the 45c and 38c in all aspects, and its hardness is too high. It is not recommended for people who stand for long periods of time.

[0093] 2. Considering the different purposes of people's activities, a hardness of 45c is more suitable for prolonged standing;

[0094] 3. For lighter subjects, 38c shoes were better than 45c shoes, which were better than 52c shoes in some indicators; however, overall analysis showed that 45c shoes were the best.

[0095] 4. When choosing a midsole hardness of 38c or 45c, it is recommended to consider factors such as the wearer's weight and activity purpose. For example, it is not recommended for overweight people to choose shoes with a hardness of less than 38c, and it is not recommended for people of normal weight to choose shoes with a hardness of more than 45c.

[0096] Finally, see Figure 3It is understood that, by utilizing the above-mentioned designs of hardness, heel drop, and forefoot and heel lift, the center of plantar pressure (COP) 104 of the midsole 12 of the athletic shoe 10 of this invention can be kept within 22% to 85% of the total length of the midsole 12 measured from front to back along the longitudinal X direction throughout the entire walking cycle. The inventors have discovered that maintaining the center of plantar pressure (COP) within 22% to 85% of the total length measured from front to back during the walking cycle helps improve stability during the transition from the load-bearing response period to the mid-support phase.

[0097] In summary, the inventors of this invention have adjusted the gravity distribution, hardness, heel difference, and self-adaptation to achieve appropriate values ​​or ranges, thereby making the distribution of body pressure center more reasonable and further reducing body fatigue and repairing the body's fatigue mechanism.

[0098] Hereinafter, embodiments of the present invention have been illustrated and described, but those skilled in the art should understand that various modifications, omissions, and additions can be made without departing from the spirit and scope of the invention. It should not be understood as limited to the specific embodiments described herein, but encompasses all possible embodiments embodied within the scope and equivalents of the features described in the appended claims.

[0099] The dimensions and values ​​disclosed herein should not be construed as strictly limited to the precise numerical values ​​stated. Rather, unless otherwise specified, each such dimension is intended to represent the value and a functionally equivalent range around that value. For example, a dimension disclosed as “40 mm” is intended to represent “approximately 40 mm”.

[0100] All documents referenced in the “Detailed Description” section are incorporated herein by reference in the relevant sections; any reference to any document should not be construed as an admission that it is prior art concerning the invention. In the event of any conflict between the meaning or definition of any term in this written document and any meaning or definition of a term in the incorporated documents, the meaning or definition assigned to the term in this written document shall prevail.

[0101] While specific embodiments of the invention have been shown and described, it will be apparent to those skilled in the art that many other changes and modifications can be made without departing from the spirit and scope of the invention. Therefore, the appended claims are intended to cover all such changes and modifications within the scope of the invention.

[0102] When describing elements of the present invention or preferred embodiments thereof, the articles “a,” “an,” “the,” and “the” are intended to indicate the presence of at least one element. The terms “comprising,” “including,” and “having” are intended to be inclusive and mean that additional elements may be present in addition to those listed. Many modifications and variations can be made to the invention without departing from its spirit and scope. Therefore, the above embodiments are not intended to limit the scope of the invention.

Claims

1. A sports shoe, comprising: The shoe midsole located below has, in the longitudinal direction from back to front, a heel area corresponding to the heel, a midfoot area corresponding to the arch of the foot, and a forefoot area corresponding to the front of the foot. The upper, which is operatively connected to the midsole, includes a front portion located on the front side and a rear portion located on the rear side in the longitudinal direction; The shoe is characterized in that the midsole is made of a foam material with a Shore hardness between 38 and 45 degrees and the thickness of the midsole in the forefoot area is less than its thickness in the heel area, wherein the heel difference between the forefoot area and the heel area is in the range of 6 to 12 millimeters.

2. The athletic shoe as described in claim 1, characterized in that, wherein... The foremost part of the midsole extending longitudinally backward through the forefoot area is designed to curve upward to form a forward-curving angle, wherein the forward-curving angle is in the range of 5 degrees to 20 degrees, preferably in the range of 14 degrees to 16 degrees.

3. The athletic shoe as described in claim 1, characterized in that, wherein... The rearmost part of the midsole extending forward along the longitudinal direction past the heel area is designed to curve upward to form a backward curve angle, wherein the backward curve angle is in the range of 15 degrees to 30 degrees, preferably in the range of 20 degrees to 24 degrees.

4. The athletic shoe as described in claim 1, characterized in that, The upper includes multiple sides that converge at the rear and operatively connect to the front, wherein the front includes an integrally formed top surface to form an insertion receiving space.

5. The athletic shoe as described in claim 1, characterized in that, The forefoot region extends rearward from the foremost point of the midsole for 25% to 30% of the total length of the midsole, and the heel region extends forward from the rearmost point of the midsole for 15% to 30% of the total length of the midsole, wherein the midfoot region extends between the heel region and the forefoot region.

6. The athletic shoe as described in claim 1, characterized in that, It also includes insoles made of EVA or PU foam, wherein the thickness of the insoles is designed to be 1 to 8 mm, preferably 3 to 6 mm.

7. The athletic shoe as described in claim 6, characterized in that, The insole is designed as an elastic foam component, wherein the elastic foam component has a compression ratio of more than 75% and / or a rebound rate of more than 60%.

8. The athletic shoe as described in claim 1, characterized in that, The midsole is made of foam material with a Shore hardness of about 45 degrees and the heel difference between the forefoot area and the heel area of ​​the midsole is about 8 to 10 millimeters.

9. The athletic shoe as described in claim 1, characterized in that, The insole of the shoe is made of polyurethane foam or ethylene / vinyl acetate copolymer.

10. The athletic shoe as described in any one of claims 1 to 9, characterized in that, The midsole design of athletic shoes ensures that the path of the foot's pressure center is within 22% to 85% of the total length of the midsole along the longitudinal X direction from front to back throughout the entire walking cycle.

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