Footwear

Abstract

Footwear of the type comprising a midsole (12) and an outer outsole (11) and a heel counter, wherein the heel counter is formed, from the inside out, by a lining (33), a main piece (31), and an outer reinforcement (32), the lower part of which is disposed between the midsole (12) and the outsole (11), characterized in that it comprises an insert (34) between the main piece (31) and the reinforcement (32), wherein the insert (34) comprises a concave vertical section (341) with an approximately vertical upper portion, and a U-shaped base (342) disposed between the midsole (12) and the lower portion of the reinforcement (32).

Description

Footwear TECHNICAL SECTOR The present invention relates to footwear comprising a sole, a front upper and a heel, and including an elastic element in the heel for the user's comfort. STATE OF THE ART ES1306951U describes a footwear component comprising a heel counter with a heel protector inside. This rigid heel protector, in conjunction with a compressible area at the user's Achilles tendon, is designed to facilitate foot entry. Similar products are described in ES1307137U and ES1310527U. This solution has several drawbacks, as it requires various foams and linings that perform part of the removal function, but these wear out and become deformed with use. Therefore, footwear designed with these utility models has a limited lifespan. The applicant does not know of a solution that is as applicable as the invention. BRIEF EXPLANATION OF THE INVENTION The invention consists of footwear according to the claims. Specifically, the footwear is of the type that includes a heel counter. This counter is formed, from the inside out, by a lining, a main piece that forms the body of the shoe, an insert, and an external reinforcement. The lower part comprises an outsole and a midsole that generally serves as the base for an insole. In turn, the insert comprises a concave vertical section and a U-shaped or horseshoe-shaped base positioned between the outsole and the midsole. More specifically, the lower end of the reinforcement is folded and fixed to the outsole, and the base of the insert is placed over this part of the reinforcement to adhere to both the outsole and the midsole. The downward movement of the heel as it enters the shoe impacts the upper part of the insole, pushing it directly backward. This causes the vertical section to retract, deforming the base like a spring, so the return force is distributed through the protected area of ​​the sole. This protected location of the return force allows the shoe to have a long lifespan. To control the elasticity of the base, it can have a series of cuts, for example triangular ones. The manufacturing process comprises placing the lining and the main piece on a last, attaching the midsole, attaching the base of the insert to the outside of the midsole, applying the reinforcement covering the insert, including its base, and applying and adhering the outsole and the base of the insert. Other solutions are described later. DESCRIPTION OF THE DRAWINGS To this end, and with the idea of ​​complementing the description being made and in order to help a better understanding of the characteristics of the invention, a set of drawings is included as an integral part of said description, in which, for illustrative and non-limiting purposes, the following has been represented. Figure 1: Example of an insert. Figure 2: Section of an example of footwear showing the parts of the heel counter, and the outline of an example of an insert in a dashed line. Figure 3: Deformation graph when performing efforts similar to putting a foot into a shoe. MODES OF REALIZING THE INVENTION Next, a brief description is given of one way of carrying out the invention, as an illustrative and non-limiting example thereof. Figure 2 shows one embodiment in which the footwear comprises a sole (11), an insole (2), and a heel counter, among other elements. The heel counter consists of a main piece (31), an external reinforcement (32), usually approximately triangular in shape, an inner lining (33), and an insert (34). The user's foot makes contact with the lining (33), behind which is the main piece (31), then the insert (34), held in place by the reinforcement (32). The lining (33) consists of a non-slip layer (331) on the underside, preferably with sweat absorption, and an optional upper portion (332), usually textile, to cover a pad. The insert (34) is shown in Figure 1. It consists of a vertical section (341), located between the main piece (31) and the reinforcement (32), and a U-shaped or horseshoe-shaped base (342). The interior of the base (342) may have a series of cuts to control the flexibility of the insert (34). The cuts may be triangular, curved, or simply lines, among other shapes. The base (342) of the insert (34) is positioned between the outsole (11) and the midsole (12), such that the midsole (12) helps to retain the insert (34) and modify its elastic behavior. The outer edge of the base (342) is directed upwards, so that the cross-section of the base (342) is L-shaped. The vertical section (341) has a concave shape to adapt to the shape of the user's heel, with the upper part or tip having a small angle (generally less than 25º, preferably less than 20º) of opening with respect to the vertical (perpendicular to the base (342)). At its lower part it is narrower, and at its upper part it has two lateral wings (3411). Figure 3 shows an example of a dynamometer test of the system to determine the force-deformation relationship range necessary to activate the correct functioning of the self-locking system component. This was done by measuring the relationship between the horizontal backward force applied to the upper end of the vertical section (341) and its deformation in the same direction. This corresponds to a simulation of inserting a foot into a shoe with the insert (34). Forces of 82.4 N, 85.3 N, and 88.3 N were applied to the tip of the vertical section (341), producing maximum deformations of 14.5 mm, 15 mm, and 15.5 mm at the tip. These forces are easy for a user to apply, facilitating insertion of the foot into the shoe by placing it in the shoe opening. The insert (34) is made of plastic material, of relatively constant thickness except at the edges, where the edges are rounded to avoid damage to the rest of the footwear. Examples of dimensions for this insert (341) are: The shoe manufacturing process begins with a sole (11) and midsole (12), onto which the remaining elements of the upper are placed. For this purpose, the vamp and sides (made of leather, microfibers, polyurethane (PU), or technical fabrics) are cut, generally using dies or CNC (computer numerical control) lasers, and are integral to the main piece (31). The sides may have reinforcements in critical areas. The tongue is covered with an inner lining, usually textile, and attached to the vamp. The edges are preferably folded and adhered to themselves. The different pieces of the upper are assembled using single or double stitching on industrial machines, such as triple feed or column machines. If the seams are not to be visible, they can be joined by heat sealing. The lining is attached to the inside of the upper, taking care to avoid wrinkles. It is usually made of breathable textiles, microfibers, or fine leather. The heel can be formed from thermoformable plastics (PVC, TPU) or rigid reinforcements from Texon (registered trademark). These materials are heat-molded in thermoforming machines to conform to the curve of the foot and are attached to the upper with polyurethane adhesives and, in some cases, stitching. The insert (34) is positioned between the heel and the upper, which contains the main piece (31), before the two are attached together, so that it is held in place by them. Once the upper cut has been created, with its insert (34) it is placed on the last to shape the shoe during assembly to tension the cut and attach the sole. The lower part of the shoe is divided into the midsole (12) and the outsole (11), with an optional heel. The midsole (12) is usually made of Texon, impregnated cardboard, or rigid leather cut and perforated to fit the last. This insole is typically attached to the upper with polyurethane or rubber adhesives once it is on the last. The sole (11) is usually made of vulcanized rubber, TPU, leather, EVA, or nitrile rubber, manufactured by injection molding. It is typically attached to the upper and insole assembly using heat-activated adhesives and hydraulic pressing. To achieve this, the bonding surfaces are usually roughened and primed to ensure adhesion. The heeled footwear (ABS, laminated wood, rubber) is made by cutting, generally with a non-slip finish, and is nailed, screwed or glued to the corresponding part of the outsole. Generally, the structure of the shoe includes eyelets, laces, webbing, buckles, zippers, and other accessories, which are not relevant to the invention. In summary, once the different parts are prepared, the most common shoe manufacturing procedure includes the following stages: 1. Creation of the buttress by placing the insert (34) on the main piece (31) covered by the reinforcement (32). Placement of the lining (33) on the corresponding side of the main piece (31), before or after the rest of the buttress parts. The main piece (31) is attached to the reinforcement (32) and the lining (33). 2. Molding the upper on the last, where the assembled upper, with the complete counter (lining (33), main piece (31), insert (34), and reinforcement (32)), is fitted to the last and fixed to the midsole (12) with heat-activated adhesives. For this purpose, the base (342) of the insert (34) is positioned on the midsole (12), covered by the reinforcement (32), and both (reinforcement (32) and insert (34)) are bonded to the midsole (12). Thus, the insert (34) is sandwiched between the lower part of the reinforcement (32) and the midsole (12) with adhesive. 3. Mounting the sole (11) onto the cut, applying adhesives to both surfaces, they are aligned in a hydraulic pressing machine and, if necessary, vulcanized. 4. Finishing, with roughing out excess edges, sanding, polishing

Claims

1. Footwear of the type comprising a midsole (12) and an outsole (11) and a heel counter, wherein the heel counter is formed, from the inside out, by a lining (33), a main piece (31), and an outer reinforcement (32), the lower part of which is disposed between the midsole (12) and the outsole (11), characterized in that it comprises an insert (34) between the main piece (31) and the reinforcement (32), wherein the insert (34) comprises a concave vertical section (341) with an approximately vertical upper portion, and a U-shaped base (342) disposed between the midsole (12) and the lower portion of the reinforcement (32).

2. Footwear according to claim 1, characterized in that the interior of the base (342) has a series of cuts.

3. Footwear according to claim 2, characterized in that the cuts are triangular.

4. Footwear, according to claim 1, characterized in that the outer edge of the base (342) is arranged upwards.