A footwear upper assembly having a cushioned lateral side, a shoe

Abstract

The utility model provides a kind of vamp assembly with buffer on foot outer side, shoe, which includes: tongue;Vamp, it is equipped with the shoe mouth for setting tongue, and it is equipped with the mounting groove outwardly opening in corresponding metatarsal region of foot forefoot outer side;Shoe mouth reinforcing part, it is fixed in the outer side surface of vamp, and at least be equipped with in the mouth door position of shoe mouth front end;At least one forefoot reinforcing strip, it is strip-shaped film, and it is extended from the shoe mouth reinforcing part located mouth door to the bottom edge of vamp, and corresponding to the phalanx region of foot forefoot outer side;Buffering member, it is equipped in mounting groove and shape is adapted with mounting groove, and buffering member is covered by forefoot reinforcing strip, to hold buffering member by the cooperation of forefoot reinforcing strip and vamp;Buffering member is sheet material with buffering energy-absorbing function.The shoe using the vamp assembly can provide good buffer for the forefoot outer side of foot.

Description

Technical Field

[0001] This utility model relates to the field of footwear technology, specifically to a shoe upper component and shoe with cushioning on the outer side of the foot. Background Technology

[0002] Traditional volleyball shoes often use fabric or leather for the uppers. While these materials offer some breathability, they don't provide enough cushioning on the outer side of the foot, which is crucial for blocking in volleyball where quick lateral movements are required. This can cause the outer toe area of ​​the athlete's foot to be subjected to excessive pressure due to compression, potentially affecting athletic performance or leading to injury. Utility Model Content

[0003] The purpose of this invention is to overcome the aforementioned defects or problems in the prior art and to provide an upper component and a shoe with lateral support for the forefoot, which can provide good cushioning for the outer side of the forefoot.

[0004] To achieve the above objectives, the present invention adopts the following technical solution: Technical Solution 1: A shoe upper assembly with cushioning on the lateral side of the foot, comprising: a shoe tongue; a shoe upper having an opening for mounting the shoe tongue and an outwardly opening mounting groove in the metatarsal region corresponding to the lateral side of the forefoot; an opening reinforcement fixed to the lateral surface of the shoe upper and at least at the opening position at the front end of the opening; at least one forefoot reinforcement strip, which is a strip-shaped film extending from the opening reinforcement strip located at the opening to the bottom edge of the shoe upper and corresponding to the metatarsal region on the lateral side of the forefoot; a cushioning member disposed in the mounting groove and adapted to the shape of the mounting groove, and the cushioning member being covered by the forefoot reinforcement strip to clamp and fix the cushioning member through the forefoot reinforcement strip and the shoe upper; the cushioning member being a sheet material with cushioning and energy absorption function.

[0005] Technical Solution 2, based on Technical Solution 1: The size of the cushioning component gradually increases from top to bottom along the length of the shoe upper.

[0006] Technical solution three based on technical solution two: The cushioning element protrudes from the outer surface of the shoe upper.

[0007] Technical solution four based on technical solution three: The cushioning element protrudes from the inner surface of the shoe upper.

[0008] Technical solution five based on technical solution four: The shoe upper also includes a shoe upper body and an inner lining; the inner lining is fixed inside the shoe upper body and cooperates with the forefoot reinforcing strip to clamp and fix the cushioning component; the shoe upper body is provided with a through hole for installing the cushioning component.

[0009] Technical solution six based on technical solution five: the cushioning component is sewn to the lining; the upper body is sewn to the lining.

[0010] Technical solution seven based on technical solution one: The buffer is one of ethylene-vinyl acetate copolymer foam material, thermoplastic polyurethane elastomer foam material, thermoplastic polyester elastomer foam material or polyether amide block copolymer foam material.

[0011] Technical solution eight based on technical solution one: The forefoot reinforcing strip is made of thermoplastic polyurethane elastomer material.

[0012] In addition, the present invention also provides a ninth technical solution: a shoe, characterized in that it includes an upper assembly with cushioning on the outer side of the foot based on any one of technical solutions one to eight; and further includes a sole, wherein the upper assembly is attached to the sole.

[0013] Technical solution ten based on technical solution nine: The sole includes a sole body and a sole reinforcement; the sole reinforcement is disposed on the outer foot side surface of the sole body and extends along the front-back direction corresponding to the position of the metatarsal bone on the outer foot side of the forefoot to the posterior position of the arch of the foot.

[0014] As can be seen from the above description of this utility model, compared with the prior art, this utility model has the following beneficial effects: In existing technologies for athletic shoes, especially volleyball shoes, the cushioning design in the forefoot and lateral side of the foot typically relies solely on the natural elasticity of the base upper material or simple thickening. While this structure may provide a certain soft feel in a static state, in high-intensity sports scenarios such as rapid lateral movement and sudden stops and changes of direction, the lateral metatarsal area of ​​the foot will bear concentrated pressure due to repeated compression and impact, causing traditional cushioning structures to be unable to effectively absorb dynamic loads. At the same time, deformation of the upper can easily cause the independently bonded cushioning pads to shift or fail, not only reducing cushioning stability but also causing metatarsal pain, soft tissue damage, and even affecting the athlete's push-off force and change of direction agility due to excessive local pressure.

[0015] This design features a specially designed upper component with cushioning on the outer side of the foot. The upper has an outward-facing mounting groove in the area corresponding to the metatarsal bone on the outer side of the forefoot. The cushioning component is embedded in this groove and its shape is adapted to the groove. A shoe collar reinforcement is fixed at the front opening of the shoe collar, providing a structural basis for the connection of the forefoot reinforcement strip. At least one forefoot reinforcement strip extends from the shoe collar reinforcement at the opening to the bottom edge of the upper, completely covering the outer surface of the cushioning component. This allows the forefoot reinforcement strip to engage with the inner wall of the upper, clamping and fixing the cushioning component in the mounting groove. The cushioning component uses a sheet material with cushioning and energy absorption functions, which can absorb impact energy through material deformation under pressure. The forefoot reinforcement strip, as a flexible film, can dynamically conform to the bending changes of the upper and constrain the deformation range of the cushioning component through its own tension.

[0016] This design creates a stable cushioning constraint structure in the outer forefoot region. When an athlete moves laterally, the metatarsals exert lateral pressure on the cushioning component, which absorbs the impact through material rebound. Simultaneously, the tension of the forefoot reinforcement strip dynamically changes with the pressure. Under light stress (such as slow walking or small movements), the reinforcement strip remains relaxed, allowing the cushioning component to fully exhibit its softness and provide a comfortable fit. Under heavy stress (such as blocking, pushing off, or sudden stops), the tension of the reinforcement strip increases significantly, forming a radial constraint on the cushioning component, limiting excessive deformation and increasing overall stiffness, thus absorbing impact while preventing excessive pronation of the outer foot. This dynamic response mechanism avoids the problems of traditional fixed cushioning structures failing under high pressure or becoming rigid under low pressure, allowing the cushioning performance to be precisely matched to the demands of the movement. Furthermore, the clamping and fixing method ensures that the cushioning component has no risk of displacement in three-dimensional space. Even if the upper bends and deforms due to exercise, the cushioning component can still maintain its position and continue to perform effectively. The thin film shape of the forefoot reinforcement strip minimizes structural weight, avoids overall upper thickness, and ensures the flexibility of the forefoot's natural flexion. Therefore, the lateral foot cushioning upper component provided by this solution can provide efficient, stable, and adaptive cushioning protection for the lateral metatarsal area of ​​the forefoot, significantly reducing the risk of metatarsal pressure injury during exercise and improving athlete performance.

[0017] In technical solution two, the size of the cushioning component gradually increases from top to bottom along the length of the shoe upper, forming an equilateral triangle or frustum-shaped structure. This means it is wider closer to the sole and narrower closer to the shoe opening reinforcement. This structure provides a larger contact area at the lower end of the cushioning component to disperse and absorb impact, directly corresponding to the area on the outer side of the foot where the lateral pressure on the shoe upper is greatest during movement. Compared to a cushioning component of uniform width, this structure further optimizes the restraining force exerted by the second reinforcing strip on the cushioning component while providing the same support and cushioning effect. Specifically, the second reinforcing strip, based on the shape of the cushioning component, concentrates pressure more directly on the lower section of the cushioning component, which is more aligned with the outer side of the foot's phalanx area, thereby improving the cushioning and support effect of the cushioning component.

[0018] In technical solution three, the protrusion of the cushioning element onto the outer surface of the shoe upper can improve the effectiveness of the contact between the cushioning element and the second reinforcing strip, so that the tension changes of the second reinforcing strip can be better transmitted to the cushioning element, and the thickness of the cushioning element can be increased, so that the cushioning element can provide a better cushioning effect.

[0019] In technical solution four, the cushioning element is set to protrude from the inner surface of the shoe upper, which can improve the effectiveness of the contact between the cushioning element and the human foot, and provide better cushioning performance for the human foot.

[0020] In technical solution five, the shoe upper includes the shoe upper body and the inner lining. After the cushioning component is set in the through hole on the shoe upper body, the cushioning component is firmly set on the shoe upper by fixing the inner lining to the inner side of the shoe upper body and fixing the second reinforcing strip to the outer side of the shoe upper body, so that the displacement of the cushioning component in all directions is effectively constrained and the cushioning component is prevented from falling off.

[0021] In technical solution six, by stitching the cushioning component to the lining and simultaneously stitching the upper body to the lining, the stitching process enhances structural stability while maintaining the overall flexibility and breathability of the upper.

[0022] In technical solution seven, the cushioning component can be selected from a variety of foam materials with excellent cushioning performance. Compared with conventional foam and other cushioning materials, this foam material has a lower density, better cushioning effect, and better resistance to deformation.

[0023] In technical solution eight, the forefoot reinforcement strip is made of thermoplastic polyurethane elastomer material. This material has high tensile strength and high elasticity, can dynamically deform with the shoe upper without restricting foot movement, and can automatically increase tension to compress the cushioning component when subjected to lateral force. It also has the characteristics of being wear-resistant and lightweight, which can prevent wear of the cushioning component.

[0024] Technical solution nine provides a shoe that uses the above-mentioned upper component with lateral support for the forefoot, which can provide better lateral support performance through the upper component itself and its cooperation with the sole.

[0025] In technical solution ten, the sole includes a sole body and a sole reinforcement. The sole reinforcement is located on the outer side surface of the sole body and extends along the front-to-back direction corresponding to the position of the metatarsal bone on the outer side of the forefoot to the rear end of the arch of the foot. The sole reinforcement can cooperate with the second reinforcement strip to receive the stress transmitted by the second reinforcement strip. At the same time, the sole reinforcement itself can prevent the sole from twisting, thereby providing a more stable foundation for the shoe during lateral movement. Attached Figure Description

[0026] To more clearly illustrate the technical solutions of the embodiments of this utility model, the drawings used in the following description of the embodiments will be briefly introduced. Obviously, the drawings described below are some embodiments of this utility model. For those skilled in the art, other drawings can be obtained based on these drawings without creative effort.

[0027] Figure 1 This is a schematic diagram of the structure of an embodiment of the shoe according to this utility model. Figure 1 ; Figure 2 This is a schematic diagram of the structure of an embodiment of the shoe according to this utility model. Figure 2 ; Figure 3 for Figure 1 A partial sectional view of the midshoe upper component.

[0028] Explanation of key figure labels: Upper assembly 100; Tongue 110; Upper 120; Opening 121; Gate 1211; Mounting slot 122; Upper body 123; Lining 124; Opening reinforcement 130; Forefoot reinforcement 140; Reinforced wing 141; Forefoot reinforcement strip 150; First reinforcement strip 151; Second reinforcement strip 152; Third reinforcement strip 153; Cushioning component 160; Side reinforcement strip 170; Heel reinforcement 180; Heel reinforcement 190; Sole 200; Sole reinforcement 210; Forefoot area 310; Arch area 320; Heel area 330. Detailed Implementation

[0029] The technical solutions of the present utility model will be clearly and completely described below with reference to the accompanying drawings of the embodiments. Obviously, the described embodiments are preferred embodiments of the present utility model and should not be considered as excluding other embodiments. All other embodiments obtained by those skilled in the art based on the embodiments of the present utility model without creative effort are within the scope of protection of the present utility model.

[0030] Unless otherwise expressly defined, the use of terms such as "first," "second," or "third" in the claims, description, and drawings of this utility model is for distinguishing different objects and not for describing a specific order.

[0031] Unless otherwise expressly defined, in the claims, description and accompanying drawings of this utility model, the use of directional terms such as "center", "lateral", "longitudinal", "horizontal", "vertical", "top", "bottom", "inner", "outer", "upper", "lower", "front", "rear", "left", "right", "clockwise", "counterclockwise" to indicate orientation or positional relationship is based on the orientation and positional relationship shown in the accompanying drawings, and is only for the convenience of describing this utility model and simplifying the description, and is not intended to indicate or imply that the device or element referred to must have a specific orientation or be constructed and operated in a specific orientation, and therefore should not be construed as limiting the specific protection scope of this utility model.

[0032] Unless otherwise expressly defined, the terms "fixed connection" or "fixed connection" used in the claims, description and drawings of this utility model shall be interpreted broadly to refer to any connection in which there is no displacement or relative rotation relationship between the two parties, including non-removable fixed connection, detachable fixed connection, integral connection and fixed connection through other devices or components.

[0033] In the claims, description and accompanying drawings of this utility model, the terms "comprising", "having", and variations thereof are used to mean "including but not limited to".

[0034] Example This utility model relates to a shoe, which includes a sole 200 and an upper assembly 100 with cushioning on the outer side of the foot. The upper assembly 100 is attached to the sole 200 to form a shoe with cushioning on the outer side of the foot. (See also...) Figure 1 and Figure 2 The shoe is designed to divide the human foot into three regions: the forefoot region 310, the arch region 320, and the heel region 330. It should be understood that the above division of regions is only a general division based on the shape and composition of the human foot and does not represent a strict boundary. Those skilled in the art can correctly understand this division of regions based on common knowledge in the field.

[0035] First, let's describe the upper component 100.

[0036] Reference Figure 1 , Figure 2 and Figure 3 The upper assembly 100 includes a tongue 110, an upper 120, an opening reinforcement 130, a front reinforcement 140, a forefoot reinforcement strip 150, a cushioning component 160, a side reinforcement strip 170, a heel reinforcement 180, and a heel reinforcement 190.

[0037] The upper 120 includes an upper body 123 and a lining 124. The upper 120 has an opening 121 for mounting the tongue 110 and a mounting groove 122 in the phalanx region corresponding to the forefoot. The upper body 123 is primarily made of fabric, which can be a high-density woven mesh, engineered mesh, or multi-layer composite fabric to provide basic structural support while ensuring lightweight and breathability. A through-hole is provided in the upper body 123 at the phalanx region corresponding to the forefoot area 310. The lining 124 is positioned on the inside of the upper body 123 corresponding to this through-hole, thus forming a non-through mounting groove 122 on the upper 120. The shape and dimensions of the mounting groove 122 are adapted to the shape and dimensions of the cushioning element 160. The lining 124 can be made of foam composite fabric or antibacterial knitted fabric. In addition, sponge or other soft materials can be added to the heel area of ​​the upper body 123 to improve the fit and shape stability of the upper body 123 in the heel area 330.

[0038] The shoe opening 121 formed on the upper 120 includes a portion corresponding to the tongue 110 and a portion for the foot to enter the shoe cavity. The shoe cavity is formed by the upper 120, the sole 200, and the tongue 110. The portion of the shoe opening 121 corresponding to the tongue 110 is an elongated strip of a certain width extending along the length of the shoe. The front end of this portion of the shoe opening 121 is the opening gate 1211, and the two sides of this portion of the shoe opening 121 in the width direction are areas for shoelace eyelets. A shoe opening reinforcement 130 is provided along the edge of the portion of the shoe opening 121 corresponding to the tongue 110. The shoe opening reinforcement 130 can be made of leather or thermoplastic polyurethane sheet, and is fixed to the outer surface of the shoe upper 120 by means of hot pressing, sewing, etc. It is located at least at the opening 1211 at the front end of the shoe opening 121, and further extends at least across the left and right ends of the opening 1211, that is, completely covers all parts of the opening 1211 in the width direction. It is also located in the shoelace hole area of ​​the shoe opening 121, so that the shoelace hole can have higher structural strength and avoid being damaged by the shoelace.

[0039] The front reinforcement 140 is fixed to the outer surface of the upper 120 and is located at least at the front end of the upper 120. Simultaneously, the front reinforcement 140 extends towards the rear end of the upper 120, corresponding to the outer foot side of the upper 120 in the width direction, to form a reinforcing wing 141. Specifically, the front reinforcement 140 can be made of leather or thermoplastic polyurethane sheet, fixed to the outer surface of the front end of the upper 120 by means of heat pressing, sewing, etc., and the covering shape of the front reinforcement 140 is... Figure 1 In the top view shown, it is roughly inverted "U" shaped to expose the instep body 123 corresponding to the toes, thereby ensuring good breathability. At the same time, the front reinforcement 140 extends rearward on both sides in the width direction to form reinforcement wings 141. There are two reinforcement wings 141, located on the outer foot side and the inner foot side of the upper 120, respectively. The reinforcement wing 141 on the outer foot side extends rearward for a longer length than the reinforcement wing 141 on the inner foot side.

[0040] The forefoot reinforcement strip 150 is a strip-shaped film, preferably made of thermoplastic polyurethane elastomer. The tensile strength of the shoe collar reinforcement 130 and the forefoot reinforcement 140 must be higher than that of the forefoot reinforcement strip 150. The forefoot reinforcement strip 150 can use the same thermoplastic polyurethane material as the shoe collar reinforcement 130 and the forefoot reinforcement 140, but its thickness must be significantly less than that of the shoe collar reinforcement 130 and the forefoot reinforcement 140 to ensure sufficient flexibility and dynamic change with the upper 120. Multiple forefoot reinforcement strips 150 are provided and can be fixed to the outer surface of the upper 120 by heat pressing. All forefoot reinforcement strips 150 extend from the shoe collar reinforcement 130 located at the opening 1211 towards the outer side of the upper 120. A portion of the forefoot reinforcement strips 150 extends and connects to the reinforcement wing 141, and this portion of the forefoot reinforcement strip 150 is defined as the first reinforcement strip 151. A portion of the forefoot reinforcement strips 150 extends to the bottom edge of the upper 120 and corresponds to the metatarsal region on the outer side of the forefoot, and this portion of the forefoot reinforcement strip 150 is defined as the second reinforcement strip 152. The second reinforcement strip 152 covers the mounting groove 122. In this embodiment, there are three forefoot reinforcement strips 150, one of which is the first reinforcement strip 151, one of which is the second reinforcement strip 152, and one of which is the third reinforcement strip 153. The first reinforcement strip 151 is the most forward among all the forefoot reinforcement strips 150, referring to... Figure 1 The first reinforcing strip 151, located at the foremost side, connects to the end of the shoe collar reinforcement 130 located at the opening 1211 and near the inner foot side. Simultaneously, the other end of the first reinforcing strip 151 connects to the reinforcing wing 141 on the outer foot side of the front reinforcement 140. The second reinforcing strip 152 is located furthest back among all the forefoot reinforcing strips 150, as shown in the reference section. Figure 1The second reinforcing strip 152, located on the rearmost side, connects to the end of the shoe collar reinforcement 130 located at the opening 1211 and near the outer foot side. Simultaneously, the other end of the second reinforcing strip 152 connects to the bottom edge of the upper 120. After the upper assembly 100 is attached to the sole 200, the second reinforcing strip 152 connects to the sole 200. The third reinforcing strip 153 is located between the first reinforcing strip 151 and the second reinforcing strip 152. The third reinforcing strip 153 connects to the part of the shoe collar reinforcement 130 located at the opening 1211 and in the middle of the width direction. Simultaneously, the other end of the third reinforcing strip 153 connects to the junction of the reinforcing wing 141 on the outer foot side and the bottom edge of the upper 120. In other words, the third reinforcing strip 153 simultaneously connects the front reinforcement 140 and the sole 200. One end of the foremost first reinforcing strip 151 is connected to the end of the shoe opening 121 reinforcement member located near the inner foot side of the opening 1211, and one end of the rearmost second reinforcing strip 152 is connected to the other end of the shoe opening 121 reinforcement member located near the outer foot side of the opening 1211. This completely connects the shoe opening 121 reinforcement member at the opening 1211 position with the forefoot reinforcing strip 150, and avoids stress concentration at a certain position of the shoe opening 121 reinforcement member. Instead, the tensile force is transmitted to the shoe opening 121 reinforcement member in a more regular manner, and the stress is dispersed by the stronger shoe opening 121 reinforcement member.

[0041] The cushioning element 160 is a sheet material with cushioning and energy absorption functions, which can be one of ethylene-vinyl acetate copolymer foam, thermoplastic polyurethane elastomer foam, thermoplastic polyester elastomer foam, or polyether amide block copolymer foam. The cushioning element 160 is disposed in the mounting groove 122 and its shape and size are adapted to the mounting groove 122. The cushioning element 160 is covered by a second reinforcing strip 152, which, in conjunction with the shoe upper 120, clamps and fixes the cushioning element 160. Specifically, refer to... Figure 3 The mounting groove 122 on the upper 120 is formed by the upper body 123 and the lining 124. The cushioning member 160 can be embedded into the mounting groove 122, and then fixed to the outer surface of the upper 120 by heat pressing with the second reinforcing strip 152, while simultaneously clamping and fixing the cushioning member 160 to the upper 120 in cooperation with the lining 124. Preferably, the cushioning member 160 can be sewn to the lining 124 first, then the upper body 123 can be sewn to the lining 124, and then the second reinforcing strip 152 can be heat-pressed onto the cushioning member 160 using a mold.

[0042] The lower end of the cushioning member 160 is connected to the bottom edge of the upper 120, that is, it is connected to the sole 200, while the upper end of the cushioning member 160 is close to the shoe opening reinforcement 130. Furthermore, the cushioning member 160 has a certain thickness, and the thickness of the cushioning member 160 is greater than the thickness of the upper body 123, so that the cushioning member 160 can protrude from the outer and inner surfaces of the upper 120. Additionally, referring to… Figure 1 and Figure 2 The cushioning element 160 gradually increases in size from top to bottom along the length of the upper 120, making it triangular in side view. The cushioning element 160 is widest at its junction with the sole 200. This gradual increase in size along the length of the upper 120 forms an equilateral triangle or frustum-shaped structure, meaning it is wider closer to the sole 200 and narrower closer to the shoe opening reinforcement 130. This structure provides a larger contact area at the lower end of the cushioning element 160 to disperse and absorb impact, corresponding to the area on the outer side of the foot where the phalanx exerts the greatest lateral pressure on the upper 120 during movement. Compared to a cushioning element 160 with a uniform width, this structure can further optimize the restraining force exerted by the second reinforcing strip 152 on the cushioning element 160 while providing the same support and cushioning effect. Specifically, the second reinforcing strip 152 can concentrate pressure more directly on the lower section of the cushioning element 160, which is more aligned with the lateral metatarsal region of the foot, thereby improving the cushioning and support effect of the cushioning element 160. Protruding the cushioning element 160 from the outer surface of the upper 120 increases the effectiveness of contact between the cushioning element 160 and the second reinforcing strip 152, allowing changes in the tension of the second reinforcing strip 152 to be better transmitted to the cushioning element 160. It also increases the thickness of the cushioning element 160, enabling it to provide better cushioning. Simultaneously, protruding the cushioning element 160 from the surface of the inner lining 124 of the upper 120 increases the effectiveness of contact between the cushioning element 160 and the human foot, providing better cushioning performance. After the cushioning member 160 is installed in the through hole on the upper body 123, the cushioning member 160 is firmly installed on the upper body 120 by fixing the inner lining 124 to the inner side of the upper body 123 and fixing the second reinforcing strip 152 to the outer side of the upper body 123, so that the displacement of the cushioning member 160 in all directions is effectively constrained and the cushioning member 160 is prevented from falling off.

[0043] Reference Figure 1 and Figure 2The side reinforcement strip 170 is located on the outer surface of both sides of the midfoot of the upper 120, extending backward and downward from the front end of the shoe collar reinforcement 130 in the lacing eye area to the bottom edge of the upper 120. The side reinforcement strip 170 can be made of leather or thermoplastic polyurethane sheet, connecting the shoe collar reinforcement 130 and the sole 200 to provide a lateral force transmission path in the midfoot area. Furthermore, the side reinforcement strip 170 can be designed in a shape related to the brand logo, as long as its ends can connect the shoe collar reinforcement 130 and the sole 200. The tensile strength of the side reinforcement strip 170 can be higher than that of the forefoot reinforcement strip 150, which can be achieved by thickening the side reinforcement strip 170 relative to the forefoot reinforcement strip 150. The side reinforcement strip 170 connects to the front end of the shoelace eyelet area of ​​the shoe collar 121 reinforcement and extends rearward and downward to the bottom edge of the upper 120. When the upper assembly 100 is attached to the sole 200, the side reinforcement is also connected to the sole 200. This structure effectively adds another force transmission path from the shoe collar reinforcement 130 to the sole 200. When the side of the upper 120 is subjected to force, the side reinforcement can further improve the overall lateral support performance of the shoe by pulling the shoe collar reinforcement 130 and the sole 200 at both ends.

[0044] Reference Figure 1 and Figure 2 The heel reinforcement 180 is located on the outer surface of the upper 120 corresponding to the heel of the foot and is connected to the shoe collar reinforcement 130. The tensile strength of the heel reinforcement 180 is comparable to that of the forefoot reinforcement 140. The heel reinforcement 180 can be made of leather or thermoplastic polyurethane sheet, which wraps around most of the outer surface of the heel region 330 of the upper 120 to enhance the structural strength of the heel region 330. Simultaneously, the heel reinforcement 190 is located on the outer surface of the heel reinforcement 180 and extends backward and upward from the bottom edge of the upper 120 corresponding to the rear end of the arch. The heel reinforcement 190 has higher structural strength than the heel reinforcement 180 and can further reinforce the heel region 330 of the upper 120. The heel reinforcement 180 wraps around the heel region 330 of the upper 120, thereby providing good support for the heel area, preventing structural collapse and deformation, providing good shape stability, and further improving lateral support for the foot. The heel reinforcement 190 can connect the heel reinforcement 180 and the sole 200, thereby distributing the force on the heel reinforcement 180 to the sole 200, further improving lateral support for the foot.

[0045] Based on the aforementioned upper component 100, the shoe in this embodiment also includes a sole 200, as shown in the reference. Figure 1 and Figure 2The sole 200 includes a sole 200 body and a sole reinforcement 210. The sole reinforcement 210 is disposed on the outer side surface of the sole 200 body and extends along the front-to-back direction corresponding to the position of the metatarsal bone on the outer side of the forefoot to the rear end of the arch of the foot. Specifically, the sole 200 body can be a combination of a conventional foam midsole and a rubber outsole. The sole reinforcement 210 is disposed on the outer side surface of the sole 200 body and extends corresponding to the arch position. The front end of the sole reinforcement 210 extends beyond the front end of the bottom edge of the second reinforcement strip 152, and the rear end of the sole reinforcement 210 extends beyond the rear end of the bottom edge of the heel reinforcement 190. This arrangement connects the forefoot reinforcement strip 150 and the heel reinforcement 190 through the sole reinforcement 210, further constructing a force transmission path from the forefoot region 310 to the heel region 330, so that the lateral force on the upper 120 of the forefoot region 310 can also be transmitted to the heel region 330.

[0046] Among them, the shoe opening reinforcement 130, the front reinforcement 140, and the heel reinforcement 180 are preferably polyurethane artificial leather with good toughness and wear resistance; while the sole reinforcement 210 and the heel reinforcement 190 are preferably harder thermoplastic polyurethane resin sheets, which can provide better bending and torsion resistance.

[0047] In existing technologies for athletic shoes, especially volleyball shoes, the cushioning design in the forefoot and lateral side of the foot typically relies solely on the natural elasticity of the base 120 upper material or simple thickening. While this structure may provide a certain soft feel in a static state, in high-intensity sports scenarios such as rapid lateral movement and sudden stops and changes of direction, the lateral metatarsal area of ​​the foot will bear concentrated pressure due to repeated compression and impact, causing traditional cushioning structures to be unable to effectively absorb dynamic loads. At the same time, deformation of the 120 upper can easily cause the independently bonded cushioning pads to shift or fail, not only reducing cushioning stability but also causing metatarsal pain, soft tissue damage, and even affecting the athlete's push-off force and change of direction agility due to excessive local pressure.

[0048] This embodiment features a specially designed upper component 100 with cushioning on the outer side of the foot. The upper 120 of this component has an outward-facing mounting groove 122 corresponding to the metatarsal region on the outer side of the forefoot. A cushioning member 160 is embedded in the mounting groove 122 and its shape is adapted to the groove. A shoe opening reinforcement member 130 is fixed to the front opening 1211 of the shoe opening 121, providing a structural basis for the connection of the forefoot reinforcement strip 150. At least one forefoot reinforcement strip 150 extends from the shoe opening 1211. The fastener 130 extends from the bottom edge of the upper 120 and completely covers the outer surface of the cushioning component 160, so that the forefoot reinforcement strip 150 cooperates with the inner wall of the upper 120 to clamp and fix the cushioning component 160 in the mounting groove 122; wherein the cushioning component 160 is made of a sheet material with cushioning and energy absorption function, which can absorb impact energy through material deformation when under pressure, while the forefoot reinforcement strip 150 is a flexible film that can dynamically conform to the bending changes of the upper 120 and constrain the deformation range of the cushioning component 160 through its own tension.

[0049] This design creates a stable cushioning constraint structure in the outer forefoot region. When an athlete moves laterally, the metatarsals exert lateral pressure on the cushioning element 160, which absorbs the impact through material rebound. Simultaneously, the tension of the forefoot reinforcing strip 150 dynamically changes with the pressure. Under light stress (such as slow walking or small movements), the reinforcing strip remains relaxed, allowing the cushioning element 160 to fully exhibit its softness and provide a comfortable fit. Under heavy stress (such as blocking, pushing off, or sudden stops), the tension of the reinforcing strip increases significantly, forming a radial constraint on the cushioning element 160, limiting excessive deformation and increasing overall stiffness, thereby absorbing impact while preventing excessive pronation of the outer foot. This dynamic response mechanism avoids the problems of traditional fixed cushioning structures failing under high pressure or becoming rigid under low pressure, ensuring a precise match between cushioning performance and athletic demands. Furthermore, the clamping and fixing method ensures that the cushioning component 160 has no risk of displacement in three-dimensional space. Even if the upper 120 bends and deforms due to movement, the cushioning component 160 can still maintain its position and continue to perform effectively. The thin film shape of the forefoot reinforcement strip 150 minimizes structural weight, avoids overall thickening of the upper 120, and ensures the flexibility of the forefoot's natural bending. Therefore, the lateral foot cushioning upper component 100 provided by this solution can provide efficient, stable, and adaptive cushioning protection for the lateral metatarsal area of ​​the forefoot, significantly reducing the risk of metatarsal pressure injury during exercise and improving athlete performance.

[0050] The foregoing description of the specifications and embodiments is intended to explain the scope of protection of this utility model, but does not constitute a limitation on the scope of protection of this utility model. Modifications, equivalent substitutions, or other improvements to the embodiments of this utility model or a portion thereof that can be obtained by those skilled in the art through logical analysis, reasoning, or limited experimentation, based on the teachings of this utility model or the foregoing embodiments, should all be included within the scope of protection of this utility model.

Claims

1. A cushioned upper assembly (100) on the lateral side of the foot, characterized in that, include: Shoe tongue (110); The upper (120) has an opening (121) for setting the tongue (110) and an outwardly opening mounting groove (122) in the metatarsal region corresponding to the outer side of the forefoot. A shoe opening reinforcement (130) is fixed to the outer surface of the shoe upper (120) and is provided at least at the opening (1211) position at the front end of the shoe opening (121); At least one forefoot reinforcement strip (150) is a strip-shaped film that extends from the shoe opening reinforcement (130) located at the opening (1211) to the bottom edge of the shoe upper (120) and corresponds to the metatarsal region on the outer side of the forefoot. A cushioning element (160) is disposed in the mounting groove (122) and its shape is adapted to the mounting groove (122), and the cushioning element (160) is covered by the forefoot reinforcement strip (150) so that the cushioning element (160) is clamped and fixed by the forefoot reinforcement strip (150) and the upper (120). The buffer (160) is a sheet material with buffering and energy absorption functions.

2. The shoe upper assembly (100) with cushioning on the outer side of the foot as described in claim 1, characterized in that, The size of the cushioning element (160) gradually increases from top to bottom along the length of the shoe upper (120).

3. A shoe upper assembly (100) with cushioning on the outer side of the foot as described in claim 2, characterized in that, The cushioning element (160) protrudes from the outer surface of the upper (120).

4. A cushioned upper assembly (100) on the lateral side of the foot as described in claim 3, characterized in that, The cushioning element (160) protrudes from the inner surface of the upper (120).

5. A cushioned upper assembly (100) on the lateral side of the foot as described in claim 4, characterized in that, The upper (120) also includes an upper body (123) and an inner lining (124); the inner lining (124) is fixed inside the upper body (123) and cooperates with the forefoot reinforcing strip (150) to clamp and fix the cushioning member (160); the upper body (123) is provided with a through hole for installing the cushioning member (160).

6. A cushioned upper assembly for the lateral side of the foot as described in claim 5, characterized in that, The cushioning element (160) is sewn to the lining (124); the upper body (123) is sewn to the lining (124).

7. A cushioned upper assembly (100) on the lateral side of the foot as described in claim 1, characterized in that, The buffer (160) is one of the following: ethylene-vinyl acetate copolymer foam material, thermoplastic polyurethane elastomer foam material, thermoplastic polyester elastomer foam material, or polyether amide block copolymer foam material.

8. A cushioned upper assembly for the lateral side of the foot as described in claim 1, characterized in that, The forefoot reinforcing strip (150) is made of thermoplastic polyurethane elastomer material.

9. A type of shoe, characterized in that, Includes an upper assembly (100) with cushioning on the outer side of the foot as described in any one of claims 1-8; Also includes: The sole (200) is to which the upper assembly (100) is attached.

10. A shoe as described in claim 9, characterized in that, The sole (200) includes a sole (200) body and a sole reinforcement (210); the sole reinforcement (210) is disposed on the outer foot side surface of the sole (200) body and extends along the front-back direction to the posterior end of the foot arch, corresponding to the position of the metatarsal bone on the outer foot side of the forefoot.

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