A shoe having a heel elastic support

Abstract

This invention provides a shoe with a heel elastic support, comprising a heel elastic support disposed on the surface of the heel. The heel elastic support is made of TPEE through injection molding. The inner surface of the heel elastic support is adapted to the contour of the outer surface of the heel and is fastened to the outer surface of the heel. This invention optimizes the heel structure by using a TPEE elastic support, preventing heel collapse and deformation through the material's rebound properties, improving ease of putting on and taking off the shoe. Its cushioning support design effectively distributes foot pressure, alleviating fatigue from prolonged walking, and the material's elasticity / hardness is adjustable to meet individual needs. This invention, through a unique structure combined with chemically stable materials, enhances the shoe's support and resistance to deformation, ensuring long-term durability and wearing stability in complex environments.

Description

Technical Field

[0001] This invention belongs to the field of footwear manufacturing technology, and specifically relates to a shoe with an elastic heel support. Background Technology

[0002] As an indispensable item in people's daily lives, the rationality of the structure and function of shoes directly affects the wearing experience. The upper structure plays a crucial role in the overall construction of a shoe, affecting not only its stability but also the ease of putting on and taking off. Typically, the upper structure needs to deform to allow the foot to smoothly enter and exit the shoe during the putting-on and taking-off process. However, existing footwear products have many areas for improvement.

[0003] In actual use, the heel area of ​​the shoes frequently causes issues that affect the user experience. During walking, the force exerted by the heel on the shoe can cause the heel to be stepped on and pushed inside the shoe. This requires bending over to lift the heel and manually adjust it, which is difficult and inconvenient for the elderly, patients with disabilities, and those who have difficulty bending over due to physical limitations, reducing the shoes' ease of use. Furthermore, putting on the shoes involves either bending over or squatting to manually widen and then tighten the slip opening on the shoe, a tedious and time-consuming process; or pushing the foot into the shoe by stepping on the heel, which can easily cause irreversible damage to the heel, affecting the shoe's subsequent normal use.

[0004] In traditional shoemaking, heel reinforcement is a crucial step in ensuring the overall quality and performance of the shoe, affecting key aspects such as whether the heel remains upright, fits the wearer's heel, and prevents it from slipping off while walking.

[0005] There are many heel reinforcement materials available on the market, each with its own characteristics. To achieve the ideal heel reinforcement effect, it is necessary to precisely control factors such as the material's softness, hardness, and shape. Materials that are too soft cannot provide sufficient support and are prone to collapse; materials that are too hard may cause blisters. Currently, in actual shoe manufacturing, finding and appropriately applying suitable heel reinforcement materials while meeting requirements such as good heel support, preventing blisters, and withstanding external forces without collapsing remains a significant challenge.

[0006] The structure of the heel counter significantly affects the shoe's ability to wrap around the heel and its overall comfort. Traditional shoe counters rely on the curvature of the last to bend the heel counter and foam pads of the upper into an upright arc structure to fit the heel. While this initially provides good support, over time, due to the characteristics of the materials, the upper part may loosen and crease, causing it to lose its upright position and resulting in poorer heel support.

[0007] To improve this situation, a design has emerged in the market that uses a one-piece injection-molded heel counter, then wraps it with upper material. This allows the heel counter to remain upright, preventing deformation. However, this rigid heel counter is not easily deformable, and when the foot is put on, it cannot deform, causing discomfort and hindering quick foot insertion, resulting in poor wearing comfort. On the other hand, many patent documents propose solutions using various shaped heel rebound components. These rebound components are typically made of one or more materials such as hot melt adhesive, TPU, carbon fiber, and graphene, and can quickly return to their original shape under pressure, providing good cushioning and moderate support. However, these rebound materials may experience a decrease in rigidity and toughness, aging, discoloration, or premature wear, and shape memory failure after prolonged use, washing, and under different environmental conditions.

[0008] Therefore, ensuring the excellent performance of spring components during long-term use is a crucial issue in practical applications. Footwear manufacturers are continuously exploring new materials, technologies, and optimizing production processes to overcome these challenges. Summary of the Invention

[0009] The purpose of this invention is to provide a shoe with an elastic heel support. This elastic support effectively solves a series of problems such as the heel being easily stepped into the shoe, inconvenience in putting on and taking off the shoe, easy damage, deformation of the heel counter, or discomfort to the foot. At the same time, it improves the comfort of the sole, so that the shoe can not only provide a stable fit for the heel, but also have the advantages of easy putting on and taking off, durability, and comfort.

[0010] This invention provides a shoe with a heel elastic support, comprising an upper disposed above the sole, the rear end of the upper being a heel, and a heel elastic support disposed on the surface of the heel. The upper edge of the heel elastic support does not extend beyond the upper edge of the heel, and the lower edge of the heel elastic support is flush with or extends beyond the upper edge of the sole.

[0011] The heel elastic support is made of thermoplastic polyester elastomer by injection molding. The inner surface of the heel elastic support is adapted to the outer surface contour of the shoe heel and is fastened to the outer surface of the shoe heel.

[0012] The thermoplastic polyester elastomer (TPEE) selected in this invention is a linear block copolymer, which is usually composed of polyester hard segments such as PBT (polybutylene terephthalate) and aliphatic polyester or polyether soft segments. Its hardness can vary from Shore D32 to D80, and its elasticity and strength are between those of rubber and plastic. It exhibits good chemical stability under external conditions such as water mist, ozone, and outdoor atmosphere.

[0013] According to the present invention, a shoe with a heel elastic support is provided, wherein the thermoplastic polyester elastomer is composed of 70-85 parts by weight of a hard segment and 15-30 parts by weight of a soft segment, wherein the hard segment component is polybutylene terephthalate and the soft segment component is tetrahydrofuran ether diol.

[0014] Preferably, the thermoplastic polyester elastomer is composed of 70-80 parts by weight of hard segments and 20-30 parts by weight of soft segments.

[0015] In this invention, the selected thermoplastic polyester elastomer (TPEE) has specific tensile properties, with a tensile modulus between 220-300 MPa, preferably 260-290 MPa. The selection of the tensile modulus is crucial for the heel support component of the shoe: when the tensile modulus is below 220 MPa, the material becomes too soft, lacking sufficient support and failing to effectively maintain the shape and structure of the heel, making it prone to deformation during wear and affecting the shoe's stability and wearing experience; when the tensile modulus exceeds 300 MPa, the material becomes too rigid, with significantly reduced elasticity, failing to provide adequate cushioning for the heel, potentially causing discomfort during wear and even pressure and injury to the foot.

[0016] Furthermore, the yield point tensile strain of the selected TPEE is controlled within 20%-40%, preferably 25%-35%. This parameter reflects the degree of deformation the material can withstand before reaching its yield point. A suitable yield point tensile strain means that the material can deform to a certain extent under external force without immediately failing, thus better adapting to foot movement and stress changes during wear. Simultaneously, it can quickly return to its original shape after exceeding the yield point, maintaining the stability and support of the heel. The tensile stress at 100% strain of the selected TPEE is set at 15-30 MPa, further ensuring the material's mechanical properties under significant deformation. During the use of the shoe heel, various complex stress conditions may occur, such as the compression and stretching of the heel against the shoe during walking, running, and jumping. The tensile stress range of 15-30 MPa allows the TPEE material to maintain stable mechanical properties under these conditions, ensuring sufficient support without being too weak or premature fatigue or damage due to excessive stress.

[0017] Regarding fracture performance, the TPEE selected in this invention exhibits a tensile stress at fracture of not less than 35 MPa, preferably 40-50 MPa, and a tensile strain at fracture greater than 300%. These indicators reflect the material's durability and toughness under extreme stress conditions. High tensile stress at fracture and high elongation at fracture mean that the material can withstand significant energy without easily breaking under extreme tensile force, thereby greatly improving the service life and reliability of the heel support component. Even during prolonged use and repeated stress, the TPEE material maintains its structural integrity and functional stability, effectively preventing damage and deformation of the heel.

[0018] From a materials science perspective, TPEE's ability to meet the aforementioned performance requirements stems from its unique structure. TPEE is a linear block copolymer, typically composed of polyester hard segments such as polybutylene terephthalate (PBT) and aliphatic polyester or polyether soft segments. This structure endows TPEE with excellent mechanical properties. Under tensile loads, the polyester hard segments provide the material's strength and modulus, while the polyether soft segments impart good elasticity and toughness. This synergistic effect of hard and soft segments allows TPEE to ensure sufficient support while maintaining flexibility and cushioning performance. In the shoe with an elastic heel support provided by the present invention, the selected TPEE has a Shore hardness of 45-70, preferably 55-65. The Shore hardness test method is ISO 868. This selection of hardness ensures that the material possesses sufficient rigidity to support the heel while also exhibiting good elasticity and flexibility, thereby providing ideal support and cushioning for the heel.

[0019] According to the present invention, the shoe with a heel elastic support member has a thermoplastic polyester elastomer with an abrasion resistance of 80-140 mm³, preferably 90-120 mm³, as tested by ISO 4649. This abrasion resistance index indicates that the thermoplastic polyester elastomer has appropriate abrasion resistance when subjected to friction. In everyday wearing situations, although the heel elastic support member does not directly contact the ground, it inevitably experiences friction between its own components and with other surrounding objects during actual use. Therefore, the defined abrasion resistance effectively prevents the thermoplastic polyester elastomer from wearing out too quickly due to frequent friction, ensuring that it maintains good physical properties and structural integrity throughout long-term use.

[0020] In various embodiments of the present invention, the thickness of the heel elastic support can be 0.5-15 mm, preferably 1-10 mm. The thickness of the heel elastic support in the present invention can be adjusted according to the design requirements of different shoes to achieve optimal support and cushioning effects. The heel elastic support can adopt different thickness distribution forms; it can be a consistent overall thickness, or different thicknesses can be set in different parts according to the stress conditions of different parts of the heel, to achieve more targeted support and cushioning effects.

[0021] In some preferred embodiments of the present invention, the heel elastic support member is provided with a plurality of support protrusions extending outward along the outer surface of the heel elastic support member, the plurality of support protrusions being arranged parallel to each other in a horizontal direction. Preferably, the plurality of support protrusions preferably form a wave-like or serrated structure on the outer surface of the heel elastic support member. This structural design helps to better disperse and absorb impact force when subjected to force, reducing direct impact on the heel and providing a more comfortable wearing experience. It not only provides excellent support and cushioning performance functionally, but also brings a unique aesthetic appeal to the shoe. This design allows the shoe to satisfy practicality while also possessing a sense of style and attractiveness, providing users with a footwear product that is both comfortable and beautiful.

[0022] In various embodiments of the present invention, a thermoplastic polyester elastomer (TPEE) material with the properties required by the present invention is selected according to the specific size and contour of the shoe heel, and the heel elastic support is manufactured by injection molding. During the injection molding process, the shape and size of the mold are precisely controlled so that the inner surface of the molded support fits the contour of the outer surface of the shoe heel, and the two are tightly and firmly bonded together. This can be achieved by using appropriate adhesives or by structural design to better secure the two together, such as by setting up fasteners, slots, or other connecting structures (the specific connection method can be selected according to the actual production process and material properties). Preferably, an adhesive is used to fasten the heel elastic support to the outer surface of the shoe heel.

[0023] When putting on the shoes, users simply insert their feet normally. Upon contact with the heel support, the TPEE material's properties cause the support to deform according to foot pressure, allowing the foot to smoothly enter the shoe. As the foot is fully inside, the heel support quickly rebounds to a tightened state, fitting snugly against the heel area. This prevents the heel from being stepped into the shoe while maintaining good support and comfort. Similarly, the elastic deformation of the heel support allows the foot to easily exit the shoe. The entire process is convenient and comfortable. Furthermore, during daily wear, walking, and exercise, the shoe provides a stable and comfortable wearing experience thanks to the coordinated action of the heel support and other components.

[0024] The technical solution provided by this invention has the following beneficial effects:

[0025] 1. Solve the heel problem of shoes

[0026] By incorporating the elastic support at the heel and utilizing the rebound properties of TPEE material, the heel is effectively prevented from being stepped into the shoe, ensuring that the heel maintains a good shape and position during wear. This avoids various problems caused by heel deformation in traditional shoes, improves the ease of putting on and taking off shoes, and makes the process smoother, saving users time and effort. This is especially beneficial for people with mobility impairments or those who need to frequently put on and take off shoes (such as athletes and outdoor workers).

[0027] 2. Improve comfort

[0028] The presence of the TPEE heel support provides excellent cushioning and support for the heel, reducing pressure on the wearer's feet, especially during prolonged walking, standing, or exercise. This effectively alleviates foot fatigue and improves wearing comfort. The elasticity and stiffness of the material can be flexibly adjusted according to needs, adapting to different user preferences and usage scenarios to meet diverse comfort requirements.

[0029] 3. Enhanced stability and durability

[0030] The unique design of the heel support, including the chemical stability and thickness distribution of its materials, and the possible presence of support strips, contributes to improved overall shoe stability. This allows the shoe to firmly support the foot in various complex environments and activities, preventing deformation of the heel counter or discomfort. This unique structure and material composition resists a variety of external conditions, ensuring that the shoe's performance does not degrade over long-term use in different environments, demonstrating superior durability and providing users with a long-lasting and reliable wearing experience. Attached Figure Description

[0031] The embodiments of the present invention will now be described in detail with reference to the accompanying drawings, wherein:

[0032] Figure 1 A schematic diagram of the structure of a shoe with an elastic heel support provided in an embodiment of the present invention;

[0033] Figure 2 This is a schematic diagram of the structure of the elastic heel support member of the shoe provided in an embodiment of the present invention. Detailed Implementation

[0034] The present invention will be further described in detail below with reference to specific embodiments. The embodiments given are only for illustrating the present invention and are not intended to limit the scope of the present invention.

[0035] Example

[0036] like Figure 1 and Figure 2 As shown, this embodiment provides a shoe with a heel elastic support, including an upper 2 disposed above the sole 1, a heel 21 at the rear end of the upper 2, and a heel rebound support 3 disposed on the outer surface of the heel 21, which is aligned with the upper edge of the sole 1. The heel rebound support 3 is made of thermoplastic polyester elastomer Hytrel 6356 by injection molding and is fastened to the outer surface of the heel 21 by adhesive.

[0037] The upper edge 31 of the heel elastic support 3 does not exceed the upper edge of the shoe heel, and the lower edge 32 of the heel elastic support is flush with or extends beyond the upper edge of the sole 1. In this embodiment, the lower edge 32 of the heel elastic support is flush with the upper edge of the sole 1.

[0038] Figure 2 yes Figure 1 A detailed view of the heel elastic support 3 shows that it has an upper edge 31, a lower edge 32, and multiple support protrusions 33 that extend horizontally and form a wavy structure. The thinnest part of the heel elastic support 3 has a thickness of 1 mm, and the thickest part of the support protrusions 33 has a thickness of 3 mm.

[0039] Table 1 shows the formulation of Hytrel 6356 material.

[0040] Table 1

[0041]

[0042] Performance testing

[0043] Table 2 shows the test data for the heel elastic support 3 in this embodiment.

[0044] Among them, the rigidity and toughness test method J160 is a test method proposed by the Quality Management Department of Anta Group. Its principle is to use a fixture designed based on the three-point bending principle. The sample is placed at a designated position on two support columns of a specified width. A hammer is used to press down on the sample at a certain test speed, and the maximum force value during the pressing process and the pressing distance at a certain strength are recorded. The specific method is as follows:

[0045] <Rigidity Testing Methods>

[0046] 1. Equipment: A computer-controlled servo tensile testing machine with a load capacity ≥ 50kg and an accuracy within ±1%, equipped with a three-point bending fixture. The fixture includes:

[0047] - Lower clamp: Two support columns with semi-circular tops (12mm in diameter, R6 radius), column height 60mm, and center-to-center distance between the two columns 60mm;

[0048] - Punch: 80mm long × 20mm wide × 30mm high, with a pressure head at the front end having an R401 arc.

[0049] 2. Sample pretreatment: Place three undamaged samples at ambient temperature for at least 4 hours to equilibrate.

[0050] 3. Test parameter settings:

[0051] - Test speed: 500 mm / min;

[0052] -Strength limit: 1500N;

[0053] - Deformation limit: 30mm;

[0054] - Data acquisition: Record the maximum force value (unit: N).

[0055] 4. Test Operation:

[0056] - Place the sample face up with its length perpendicular to the support column to simulate actual bending conditions;

[0057] - Adjust the upper clamp to an initial contact force of 5N±0.3N and then begin the test. Press the hammer down until the sample breaks or reaches its deformation limit.

[0058] - Repeat the test 3 times and take the arithmetic mean as the rigid result, accurate to 1N.

[0059] <Toughness Testing Methods>

[0060] Based on the above three-point bending device, the toughness test is carried out through the following steps:

[0061] 1. Parameter settings:

[0062] -Preset the gripping point force value (25N) in the tensile testing machine control system;

[0063] - Data acquisition: Record the downward pressure distance (unit: mm) corresponding to this force value.

[0064] 2. Test Operation:

[0065] - The force value is monitored in real time during the downward pressing of the impact hammer, while the rigidity test is carried out simultaneously;

[0066] - When the force reaches the preset gripping point, record the corresponding displacement.

[0067] - Repeat the test 3 times and take the arithmetic mean as the toughness result, accurate to 0.1 mm.

[0068] Table 2

[0069]

[0070] As can be seen from the data in Table 2, the heel elastic support component 3 made of thermoplastic polyester elastomer Hytrel 6356 possesses excellent comprehensive performance. Its tensile modulus is 280 MPa, indicating that the material has a certain degree of rigidity and can provide reliable support for the shoe heel; the yield point tensile strain reaches 20%, and the tensile strain at fracture is greater than 300%, demonstrating that the material can maintain stable deformation to a certain extent under tensile force, while also possessing high ductility and not easily breaking, thus adapting to various stretching movements of the foot on the shoe heel during walking or exercise.

[0071] The tensile stress at 100% strain is 19 MPa, and the tensile stress at fracture is 43 MPa, indicating that the material can withstand the corresponding tensile force under different strain states, further ensuring the reliability of the heel elastic support in actual use.

[0072] In terms of rigidity, the thickness is 15N at 1mm and 44N at 2mm. This means that the rigidity requirements of the heel can be met in different scenarios by adjusting the thickness of different positions of the elastic support component. In terms of toughness, the thickness is 5.2mm at 2mm, indicating that the material has good toughness while maintaining a certain level of rigidity, which can cushion the impact from the ground and improve wearing comfort.

[0073] With a Shore hardness (D) of 57-58, the material exhibits moderate hardness, avoiding both excessive stiffness leading to discomfort and excessive softness resulting in a lack of support. A density of 1.22 g / cm³ ensures good performance without making the heel support too heavy and negatively impacting the wearing experience. An abrasion resistance of 110 mm³ demonstrates the material's excellent wear resistance, extending the lifespan of the heel support and thus enhancing the overall durability of the shoe.

[0074] In summary, the heel elastic support 3 made of Hytrel 6356 material in this embodiment achieves a good balance in providing good support, cushioning, comfort and durability for the shoe, providing reliable performance assurance for shoes with heel elastic support and meeting consumers' needs for comfort and durability.

Claims

1. A shoe with a heel elastic support, comprising an upper disposed above a sole, the rear end of the upper being a heel, a heel elastic support disposed on the surface of the heel, the upper edge of the heel elastic support not exceeding the upper edge of the heel, and the lower edge of the heel elastic support being flush with or extending beyond the upper edge of the sole. in, The heel elastic support is made of thermoplastic polyester elastomer by injection molding. The inner surface of the heel elastic support is adapted to the outer surface contour of the shoe heel and is fastened to the outer surface of the shoe heel.

2. The shoe with a heel elastic support member according to claim 1, wherein, The thermoplastic polyester elastomer is composed of 70-85 parts by weight of hard segments and 15-30 parts by weight of soft segments, wherein the hard segment component is polybutylene terephthalate and the soft segment component is tetrahydrofuran ether diol.

3. The shoe with a heel elastic support member according to claim 2, wherein, The thermoplastic polyester elastomer consists of 70-80 parts by weight of hard segments and 20-30 parts by weight of soft segments.

4. The shoe with a heel elastic support member according to claim 1, wherein, The tensile modulus of the thermoplastic polyester elastomer is 220-300 MPa, preferably 260-290 MPa; Preferably, the yield point tensile strain of the thermoplastic polyester elastomer is 20%-40%, more preferably 25%-35%; Preferably, the tensile stress of the thermoplastic polyester elastomer at 100% strain is 15-30 MPa.

5. The shoe with a heel elastic support member according to claim 1, wherein, The tensile stress at fracture of the thermoplastic polyester elastomer is not less than 35 MPa, preferably 40-50 MPa, and the tensile strain at fracture is greater than 300%.

6. The shoe with a heel elastic support member according to claim 1, wherein, The thermoplastic polyester elastomer has a hardness of 45-70, preferably 55-65.

7. The shoe with a heel elastic support member according to claim 1, wherein, The thermoplastic polyester elastomer has an abrasion resistance of 80-140 mm³, preferably 90-120 mm³, as tested by ISO 4649.

8. The shoe with a heel elastic support according to any one of claims 1 to 7, wherein, The thickness of the heel elastic support is 0.5-15 mm, preferably 1-10 mm.

9. The shoe with a heel elastic support according to any one of claims 1 to 7, wherein, The heel elastic support member has a plurality of support protrusions extending outward along the outer surface of the heel elastic support member, and the plurality of support protrusions are arranged parallel to each other in the horizontal direction.

10. The shoe with a heel elastic support member according to claim 9, wherein, The plurality of support protrusions form a wave or sawtooth structure on the outer surface of the rear elastic support member.

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