Footwear and vibration generation unit as well as footwear or insole including vibration generation unit

Abstract

To provide novel footwear or the like capable of applying vibration to a foot of a user without using an electrically-driven vibrator.SOLUTION: Storage spaces (recesses 72a, 73a) are formed in the inside of soles 72, 73. In this storage spaces, a vibration generation member is provided which includes elastic materials (leaf spring parts 75b, 75c, 75d, 75e, 75f) arranged substantially horizontally and weights 75g, 75h, 75i, 75j, 75k fixed to distal ends of the elastic materials respectively. When a user walks, the weight 75i moves up and down and vibration is applied to a foot of the user.SELECTED DRAWING: Figure 8

Description

[Technical field]

[0001] The present invention contributes to improving the health of a user by generating vibrations from the impact of the user's walking and applying the vibrations to the user's feet. Vibration generating unit and This concerns footwear, etc. [Background technology]

[0002] To date, there have been disclosed devices that, for the purpose of improving the health of users, have a vibrator connected to a battery placed inside shoes (sneakers), slippers, or other footwear, and when a switch is turned on, the vibrator is activated to give vibrations to the user (to give a massage effect) (see Patent Documents 1 and 2). [Prior art documents] [Patent documents]

[0003] [Patent Document 1] JP 2002-085102 A [Patent Document 2] Utility Model Registration No. 3069602 Summary of the Invention [Problem to be solved by the invention]

[0004] However, footwear including the above-mentioned vibrator as a component has various problems as described below, since the vibrator is driven by a power source. (1) Since not only the vibrator but also the power source (battery) connected to the vibrator must be placed inside the footwear, it is not only not possible to manufacture it inexpensively, but also the structure becomes complicated and there is a high possibility that the cord electrically connecting the electric device and the power source (battery) will break as the user walks repeatedly. If the drive of the electric device is turned on and off by a switch, the risk of the wire breaking increases. (2) When the electricity stored in the power source (storage battery) is depleted, the power source (storage battery) must be replaced or, if the storage battery is a secondary battery, it must be recharged, which is extremely inconvenient for the user.

[0005] Therefore, the present invention has been proposed to solve the above problems, and has an object to provide new footwear etc. that can impart vibration to the user's feet without using an electrically powered vibrator. [Means for solving the problem]

[0006] The present invention has been proposed to solve the above problems, and the first invention (the invention described in claim 1) is: The vibration generating unit is provided with an elastic member arranged substantially horizontally and a weight fixed to the tip of the elastic member, and the weight moves in accordance with the vertical movement. The device is characterized in that vibration is applied to the user.

[0007] This first invention relates to The vibration generating unit generates vibrations by vertically moving the weight, and these vibrations are transmitted to the user, thereby improving the user's blood circulation and providing other health benefits.

[0008] In addition, the second invention (the invention described in claim 2) is characterized in that, in the first invention, there are multiple elastic materials, and the weights are fixed to the tips of these elastic materials, respectively.

[0009] As in the second invention, this vibration generating unit has multiple pairs of elastic material and weight pairs arranged in one unit, which generates even more vibrations, which are transmitted to the user and have health benefits such as improving blood circulation.

[0010] Furthermore, the invention described in the third invention (Claim 3) is characterized in that, in the first or second invention, the single or multiple elastic materials and the single or multiple weights are arranged in a case, and the weights are made of magnets, and the case has one repelling magnet arranged above the weights and the other repelling magnet arranged below the weights, and the magnetic poles of the upper surface of the magnet that is the weight and the lower surface of the one repelling magnet are made identical to each other, and the magnetic poles of the lower surface of the magnet that is the weight and the upper surface of the other repelling magnet are made identical to each other.

[0011] In the vibration unit according to the third invention, the weight arranged in the case is made of a magnet, one repelling magnet is arranged above the weight, and the other repelling magnet is arranged below the weight. The magnetic poles of the upper surface of the weight and the lower surface of the one repelling magnet are the same, and the magnetic poles of the lower surface of the weight and the upper surface of the other repelling magnet are the same. That is, if the upper surface of the weight is a magnet, for example, a N pole, the lower surface of the one repelling magnet is also a N pole, and in this case, the lower surface of the weight is a S pole, and the upper surface of the other repelling magnet is a S pole. Therefore, according to the vibration generating unit according to this configuration, when vibration is applied to the weight, which is a magnet, and the weight moves upward, a downward repelling force is applied to the weight by the one repelling magnet, and when the weight moves downward in this way, an upward repelling force is applied to the weight by the other repelling magnet. As a result, the magnet weight repeats subtle up and down movements over a long period of time due to the repelling magnets on one side and the repelling magnet on the other side, and these up and down movements act as vibrations on the user. Therefore, the vibration generating unit according to the third aspect of the invention can further contribute to promoting blood flow.

[0012] The fourth invention (the invention described in claim 4) is the third invention, wherein the case comprises an upper case half having a top plate portion and an upper frame portion hanging down from the outer periphery of the top plate portion, and a lower case half having a bottom plate portion and a lower frame portion standing up from the outer periphery of the bottom plate portion, and the elastic material comprises a leaf spring, and the base end of the leaf spring is continuous with the frame plate portion sandwiched between the upper frame portion constituting the upper case half and the lower frame portion constituting the lower case half.

[0013] In the vibration generating unit according to the fourth aspect of the invention, the case is made up of an upper case half and a lower case half, and the elastic member is a leaf spring. The base end of the leaf spring is continuous with a frame plate portion that is sandwiched between an upper frame portion that constitutes the upper case half and a lower frame portion that constitutes the lower case half. This not only simplifies the process of fixing the elastic member (leaf spring) to the case, but also makes it possible to reduce the overall thickness of the vibration generating unit.

[0014] Furthermore, the fifth invention (the invention described in claim 5) is characterized in that, in the fourth invention, an upper recess is formed above the weight on the top plate portion constituting the upper case half, in which one of the repelling magnets is arranged from above the top plate portion, and a lower recess is formed below the weight, which is the magnet, on the bottom plate portion constituting the lower case half, in which the other of the repelling magnets is arranged from below the bottom plate portion, and the depths of these upper and lower recesses are approximately equal to the thicknesses of the one and the other of the repelling magnets, respectively.

[0015] In the vibration generating unit according to the fifth aspect of the invention, the one repelling magnet and the other repelling magnet are disposed in the upper recess or the lower recess, and the depth of the upper recess and the lower recess are approximately equal to the thickness of the one and the other repelling magnets, respectively. In other words, the one and the other repelling magnets are not disposed or housed in the case, respectively, and therefore the overall thickness can be made even shorter.

[0016] Furthermore, the sixth invention (the invention described in claim 6) is characterized in that, in either the fourth or fifth invention, a pillar hangs down or stands up on the underside of the top plate portion constituting the upper case half or on the upper surface of the bottom plate portion constituting the lower case half, the lower end or upper end of which abuts or is close to the upper surface of the bottom plate portion or the lower surface of the top plate portion, or an upper pillar half hangs down from the underside of the top plate portion and a lower pillar half stands up from the upper surface of the bottom plate portion, the upper surface of which abuts or is close to the lower surface of the upper pillar half.

[0017] The vibration generating unit according to the sixth aspect of the present invention includes the following aspects (1) to (3): (1) A support pillar with its lower end abutting or approaching the upper surface of the bottom plate hanging down from the underside of the top plate constituting the upper case half, (2) A support pillar with its lower end abutting or approaching the lower surface of the top plate standing up from the upper surface of the bottom plate constituting the lower case half, (3) An upper support half hanging down from the underside of the top plate and a lower support half standing up from the upper surface of the bottom plate with its upper surface abutting or approaching the lower surface of the upper support half.

[0018] Therefore, according to the vibration generating unit of the sixth invention, the case is accommodated in a storage space formed in footwear by the support or both the upper support half and the lower support half, and even if a large load is applied to the case, the entire case can be prevented from being damaged or deformed.

[0019] Furthermore, the seventh invention (the invention described in claim 7) relates to footwear, and is characterized in that a storage space is formed inside the sole, and a vibration-generating member is disposed within this storage space, and the vibration-generating member includes an elastic material arranged approximately horizontally and a weight fixed to the tip of the elastic material, and when the user walks, the weight moves up and down, imparting vibration to the user's foot.

[0020] In the footwear of the seventh invention, the weight fixed to the tip of the elastic material moves up and down as the user walks, generating vibrations. These vibrations are transmitted to the soles of the user's feet, thereby improving blood circulation in the user's feet and providing other health benefits.

[0021] In the seventh invention, the footwear includes all footwear worn on the foot when the user walks, such as sneakers, boots, rain boots, sandals, slippers, etc. The elastic material constituting the invention may be any type, whether a leaf spring or a helical spring, as long as the weight is fixed and supported at its tip and has an elastic action. The weight is fixed and supported at the tip of the elastic material and has a mass that can move up and down as the user walks, and the shape of the weight is not particularly limited. Since the elastic material and the weight are placed in the storage space formed inside the sole, it is preferable that the elastic material is a leaf spring, and the weight has a flat shape such as a disk. The position of the storage space formed in the sole is not particularly limited, and may be on the heel side or toe side of the user who uses the footwear, or both, or in the center of the length of the sole.

[0022] In addition, the eighth invention (the invention described in claim 8) is characterized in that, in the seventh invention, there are multiple elastic materials, and the weights are fixed to the tips of these elastic materials, respectively.

[0023] In the footwear according to the eighth invention, the elastic material and the weight are arranged in a plurality of pairs, and compared with a single pair, it is possible to apply more vibration to the user. Note that in the footwear according to the second invention, the elastic material and the weight are arranged in a plurality of pairs, and the elastic materials are arranged in a line in a certain direction (for example, in a direction having a length from the left to the right in a top view of the footwear) and the weight is fixed to the tip of each elastic material. The elastic materials may extend from the left and right directions, and the weights may be located between the elastic materials without being arranged in a line. The length of each elastic material does not necessarily have to be uniform, and the size, shape, and mass of the weights may also be different from each other.

[0024] In addition, the ninth invention (the invention described in claim 9) relates to a vibration generating unit, which is contained in a storage space formed inside the sole that constitutes the footwear, and is characterized in that it comprises an elastic material arranged approximately horizontally and a weight fixed to the tip of the elastic material, and when a user of the footwear walks, the weight moves up and down to impart vibration to the user's foot.

[0025] By using footwear having the vibration generating unit of the ninth invention housed in a storage space, just like the first invention above, the weight fixed to the tip of the elastic material moves up and down as the user walks, generating vibrations, and these vibrations are transmitted to the soles of the user's feet, thereby improving blood circulation in the user's feet, thereby having health benefits.In addition, because the elastic material and weight are formed into a unit, it can be easily fitted into the storage space formed in the footwear.

[0026] In addition, the tenth invention (the invention described in claim 10) is characterized in that, in the ninth invention, there are multiple elastic materials, and the weights are fixed to the tips of these elastic materials, respectively.

[0027] As in the tenth invention, this vibration generating unit has multiple pairs of elastic material and weight pairs arranged in one unit, making it even easier to install in the storage space formed in the footwear.

[0028] In addition, the eleventh invention (the invention described in claim 11) is characterized in that, in either the ninth or tenth invention, the single or multiple elastic materials and the single or multiple weights are arranged in a case, and the weights are made of magnets, and the case has one repelling magnet arranged above the weights and the other repelling magnet arranged below the weights, and the magnetic poles of the upper surface of the magnet that is the weight and the lower surface of the one repelling magnet are made identical to each other, and the magnetic poles of the lower surface of the magnet that is the weight and the upper surface of the other repelling magnet are made identical to each other.

[0029] In the vibration generating unit according to the eleventh aspect of the present invention, the weight disposed in the case is made of a magnet, one repelling magnet is disposed above the weight, and the other repelling magnet is disposed below the weight. The magnetic poles of the upper surface of the weight and the lower surface of the one repelling magnet are the same, and the magnetic poles of the lower surface of the weight and the upper surface of the other repelling magnet are the same. That is, if the upper surface of the weight is a magnet, for example, a N pole, the lower surface of the one repelling magnet is also a N pole, and in this case, the lower surface of the weight is a S pole, and the upper surface of the other repelling magnet is a S pole. Therefore, when a user walks wearing footwear in which a vibration generating unit according to this configuration is disposed, vibration is applied to the weight, which is a magnet, and when the weight moves upward, a downward repulsive force is applied to the weight by the one repelling magnet, and when the weight moves downward in this way, an upward repulsive force is applied to the weight by the other repelling magnet. As a result, the magnetic weight repeats subtle up and down movements over a long period of time due to the one repelling magnet and the other repelling magnet, and these up and down movements act as vibrations on the user's feet. Therefore, footwear equipped with the vibration generating unit according to the eleventh invention (footwear according to claim 15) can apply vibrations to the user for a long period of time, further contributing to the promotion of blood flow.

[0030] The twelfth invention (the invention described in claim 12) is the eleventh invention described above, wherein the case comprises an upper case half having a top plate portion and an upper frame portion hanging down from the outer periphery of the top plate portion, and a lower case half having a bottom plate portion and a lower frame portion standing up from the outer periphery of the bottom plate portion, and the elastic material comprises a leaf spring, and the base end of the leaf spring is continuous with the frame plate portion sandwiched between the upper frame portion constituting the upper case half and the lower frame portion constituting the lower case half.

[0031] In the vibration generating unit according to the twelfth aspect of the invention, the case is made up of an upper case half and a lower case half, and the elastic member is a leaf spring. The base end of the leaf spring is continuous with a frame plate portion that is sandwiched between an upper frame portion that constitutes the upper case half and a lower frame portion that constitutes the lower case half. This not only simplifies the process of fixing the elastic member (leaf spring) to the case, but also allows the overall thickness of the vibration generating unit to be reduced, thereby enabling the storage space to be formed in the sole of the footwear to be reduced in height.

[0032] The thirteenth invention (the invention described in claim 13) is characterized in that, in the twelfth invention, an upper recess is formed above the weight on the top plate portion constituting the upper case half, in which one of the repelling magnets is arranged from above the top plate portion, and a lower recess is formed below the weight, which is the magnet, on the bottom plate portion constituting the lower case half, in which the other of the repelling magnets is arranged from below the bottom plate portion, and the depths of these upper and lower recesses are approximately equal to the thicknesses of the one and the other of the repelling magnets, respectively.

[0033] In the vibration generating unit according to the thirteenth aspect of the invention, the one repelling magnet and the other repelling magnet are disposed in the upper recess or the lower recess, and the depth of the upper recess and the lower recess are approximately equal to the thickness of the one and the other repelling magnets, respectively. In other words, the one and the other repelling magnets are not disposed or housed in the case, respectively, and therefore the overall thickness can be made even shorter.

[0034] The 14th invention (the invention described in claim 14) is characterized in that, in either the 12th or 13th invention, a support pillar hangs down or stands up on the underside of the top plate portion constituting the upper case half or the upper surface of the bottom plate portion constituting the lower case half, the lower end or upper end of which abuts or is close to the upper surface of the bottom plate portion or the lower surface of the top plate portion, or an upper support pillar half hangs down from the underside of the top plate portion and a lower support pillar half rises up from the upper surface of the bottom plate portion, the upper surface of which abuts or is close to the lower surface of the upper support pillar half.

[0035] The vibration generating unit according to the fourteenth aspect of the present invention includes the following aspects (1) to (3): (1) A support pillar with its lower end abutting or approaching the upper surface of the bottom plate hanging down from the underside of the top plate constituting the upper case half, (2) A support pillar with its lower end abutting or approaching the lower surface of the top plate standing up from the upper surface of the bottom plate constituting the lower case half, (3) An upper support half hanging down from the underside of the top plate and a lower support half standing up from the upper surface of the bottom plate with its upper surface abutting or approaching the lower surface of the upper support half.

[0036] Therefore, according to the vibration generating unit of the 14th invention, the case is accommodated in a storage space formed in footwear by the above-mentioned support or both the upper support half and the lower support half, and even if a large load is applied to the case, the entire case can be prevented from being damaged or deformed.

[0037] The fifteenth invention (invention described in claim 15) relates to footwear, characterized in that any one of the vibration generating units according to the ninth to fourteenth inventions is disposed in a storage space formed inside the sole. The sixteenth invention (invention described in claim 16) relates to an insole, characterized in that any one of the vibration generating units according to the ninth to fourteenth inventions is disposed in a storage space formed inside the insole. Effect of the Invention

[0038] The vibration generating unit and footwear, and footwear or insole equipped with this vibration generating unit according to the present invention, can impart vibration to the user without using an electrically powered vibrator. [Brief description of the drawings]

[0039] [Figure 1] 1 is an exploded perspective view showing an upper and a sole of an athletic shoe according to a first embodiment. FIG. [Diagram 2] 2 is a cross-sectional view of the sneaker shown in FIG. 1. [Diagram 3] 2 is an exploded perspective view of the vibration generating unit shown in FIG. 1. [Figure 4] 2 is a cross-sectional view of the vibration generating unit shown in FIG. 1. [Diagram 5] This is a plan view of the vibration generating unit shown in Figure 1 with the upper half of the case removed. [Figure 6] FIG. 11 is a perspective view showing an insole according to a second embodiment. [Figure 7] FIG. 7 is a cross-sectional view of the insole shown in FIG. [Figure 8] FIG. 11 is a side view showing a partly cutaway view of a sandal according to a third embodiment. [Figure 9] FIG. 9 is a partially cutaway plan view of the sandal shown in FIG. 8. DETAILED DESCRIPTION OF THE PREFERRED EMBODIMENTS

[0040] Hereinafter, footwear according to the best mode for carrying out the present invention will be described in detail with reference to the drawings. First, as a first embodiment, an example in which the present invention is applied to a type of footwear, a sneaker, will be described with reference to the drawings.

[0041] As shown in Fig. 1 or 2, the athletic shoe 1 according to this embodiment includes a sole 2 and an upper 3, and in this embodiment, the sole 2 includes an outsole 21, the lower surface of which is a contact surface with the ground, and a midsole 22 formed on the outsole 21. A recess 22a with an open upper side is formed on the upper surface of the midsole 22, midway toward the heel of the user, and a vibration generating unit 4, which will be described later, is housed within the recess 22a, which is closed by an inner sole 31 formed on the upper 3, as shown in Fig. 2. The recess 22a is a space in which the vibration generating unit 4 is housed.

[0042] The vibration generating unit 4 housed in the recess 22a, as shown in Figure 3, comprises a case 41 molded from synthetic resin and consisting of an upper case half 42 and a lower case half 43, a leaf spring member 44, first to third weights 45, 46, 47, first to third upper repulsive magnets 48, 49, 50, and first to third lower repulsive magnets 51, 52, 53.

[0043] The upper case half 42 constituting the case 41 has a top plate portion 42a and an upper frame portion 42b that is suspended from the outer periphery of the top plate portion 42a and is formed in a frame shape, and the lower case half 43 is composed of a bottom plate portion 43a that faces the top plate portion 42a and a lower frame portion 43b that stands up from the outer periphery of the bottom plate portion 43a and is formed in a frame shape. The top plate portion 42a and the bottom plate portion 43a are formed in the same shape, and the upper frame portion 42b and the lower frame portion 43b are formed in plane symmetry. The top plate portion 42a of the upper case half 42 has a first upper recess 42c, a second upper recess 42d, and a third upper recess 42e formed on the upper surface. The second upper recess 42d is formed from the center of the top plate portion 42a toward the heel side of the sneaker 1, and the first upper recess 42c and the third upper recess 42e are formed side by side in the width direction of the sneaker 1. In addition, a first lower recess 43c, a second lower recess 43d, and a third lower recess 43e are formed on the lower surface of the bottom plate portion 43a of the lower case half 43. The second lower recess 43d is formed from the center of the bottom plate portion 43a toward the heel side of the sneaker 1 and is located below the second upper recess 42d, and the first lower recess 42c and the third lower recess 43e are formed side by side in the width direction of the sneaker 1, with the first lower recess 43c being located below the first upper recess 42c and the third lower recess 43e being located below the third upper recess 42e.

[0044] In addition, a first upper support half 42f and a second upper support half 42g hang down facing each other from approximately the center of the top plate portion 42a that constitutes the upper case half 42, and a first lower support half 43f, the upper end of which faces or abuts against the first upper support half 42f, and a second lower support half 43g, the upper end of which faces or abuts against the second upper support half 42g, stand upright on the upper surface of the bottom plate portion 43a that constitutes the lower case half 43.

[0045] The leaf spring member 44 is formed into a plate shape by a magnet as a whole, and as shown in Fig. 3 or 5, is composed of a frame plate portion 44a formed into the same shape as the shape of the lower surface of the upper frame portion 42b constituting the upper case half 42 and the lower frame portion 43b constituting the lower case half 43, and a first leaf spring portion 44b, a second leaf spring portion 44c, and a third leaf spring portion 44d protruding substantially horizontally from the inside of the frame plate portion 44a. The first leaf spring portion 44b and the third leaf spring portion 44d are each extended slightly toward the toe side of the sneaker 1 from their base ends (the inner circumference of the frame plate portion 44a) and are parallel to each other. The second leaf spring portion 44c extends from its base end (the inner circumference of the frame plate portion 44a) slightly toward the heel side of the sneaker 1 and is located between the first leaf spring portion 44b and the third leaf spring portion 44d. The middle portion of the second leaf spring portion 44c is located between the first upper support half 42f and the first lower support half 43f and the second upper support half 42g and the second lower support half 43g. In this embodiment, the first to third leaf spring portions 44b, 44c, 44d are provided at their tips with disk-shaped (first to third) weight mounting plate portions 44e, 44f, 44g each having a plurality of fixing claw portions (reference numbers omitted), and the first weight 45 is attached to the first weight mounting plate portion 44e, and as shown in FIG. 4, the second weight 46 is attached to the second weight mounting plate portion 44f, and the third weight 47 is attached to the third weight mounting plate portion 44g.

[0046] The first to third weights 45, 46, 47 are each formed into a disk-like overall shape and made of a magnet, and in this embodiment, the polarity of the upper surface side of the first to third weights 45, 46, 47 is an S pole and the polarity of the rear surface side is an N pole.

[0047] In the first upper recess 42c, a first upper repulsive magnet 48 is arranged (fitted or adhered) from above the upper case half 42, in the second upper recess 42d, a second upper repulsive magnet 49 is arranged (fitted or adhered) from above the upper case half 42, and in the third upper recess 42e, a third upper repulsive magnet 50 is arranged (fitted or adhered) from above the upper case half 42. Each of the first to third upper repulsive magnets 48, 49, 50 is one of the repulsive magnets constituting the present invention. The first to third upper repulsive magnets 48, 49, 50 are all formed in a disk shape, the thickness of which is approximately the same as the depth of the first to third upper recesses 42c, 42d, 42e, and the polarity of the lower surface of each is the same S pole as the S pole of the upper surface side of the first to third weights 45, 46, 47. In the first lower recess 43c, a first lower repulsive magnet 51 is arranged (fitted or bonded) from below the lower case half 43, in the second lower recess 43d, a second lower repulsive magnet 52 is arranged (fitted or bonded) from below the lower case half 43, and in the third lower recess 43e, a third lower repulsive magnet 53 is arranged (fitted or bonded) from below the lower case half 43. These first to third lower repulsive magnets 51, 52, 53 are the other repulsive magnets constituting the present invention. These first to third lower repulsive magnets 51, 52, 53 are formed in the same shape (disk shape) as the first to third upper repulsive magnets 48, 49, 50, and their thickness is approximately the same as the depth of the first to third lower recesses 43c, 43d, 43e, and the polarity of the upper surfaces of the first to third lower repulsive magnets 51, 52, 53 is the same N pole as the N pole of the lower surface side of the first to third weights 45, 46, 47.

[0048] Therefore, according to the athletic shoe 1 of the first embodiment described above, when a user puts it on his / her foot and walks, and the impact caused by the walking is transmitted to the vibration generating unit 4, the first to third weights 45, 46, 47 move up and down via the first to third leaf spring portions 44b, 44c, 44d, and when the first to third weights 45, 46, 47 move upward, they are repelled downward by the first to third upper repulsive magnets 48, 49, 50, and when the first to third weights 45, 46, 47 move downward, they are repelled upward by the first to third lower repulsive magnets 51, 52, 53, and the first to third weights 45, 46, 47 that have moved upward due to this repulsive action are repelled downward again. In other words, due to the magnetic forces between the first to third upper repulsive magnets 48, 49, 50 and the first to third lower repulsive magnets 51, 52, 53, these first to third weights 45, 46, 47 continue to vibrate in small increments for a certain period of time without even generating an impact sound between the first to third upper repulsive magnets 48, 49, 50 and the first to third lower repulsive magnets 51, 52, 53, and this continued vibration is transmitted to the user's feet, effectively promoting blood flow in the user's feet.

[0049] In particular, the vibration generating unit 4 constituting the athletic shoe 1 of this first embodiment is configured with a total of three pairs of leaf springs (first to third leaf spring portions 44b, 44c, 44d) as elastic members constituting the present invention and weights (first to third weights 45, 46, 47) fixed to the tips of the leaf springs, thereby more effectively promoting blood flow in the user's feet. In addition, the first to third upper repulsive magnets 48, 49, 50 and the first to third lower repulsive magnets 51, 52, 53 constituting the vibration generating unit 4 are not disposed in the case 41, but are disposed in the first to third upper recesses 42c, 42d, 42e formed in the top plate portion 42a of the upper case half 42 and the first to third lower recesses 43c, 43d, 43e formed in the bottom plate portion 43a of the lower case half 43, so that the thickness of the entire vibration generating unit 4 can be made relatively short. Furthermore, since the vibration generating unit 4 is formed with the first and second upper support column halves 42f, 42g and the first and second lower support column halves 43f, 43g, damage such as cracking or chipping of the case 41 of the vibration generating unit 4 can be effectively avoided even when compressed in the direction of the user.

[0050] In the first embodiment, the present invention is applied to athletic shoes 1, but the present invention may be applied to athletic shoes other than such an athletic shoe 1, for example, an insole 61 (second embodiment) shown in Figures 6 and 7, in which the vibration generating unit 4 is housed in a recess 61a formed in the insole 61. The insole 61 may be configured such that an upper sole (not shown) is attached to close the recess 61a with the vibration generating unit 4 housed in the recess 61a.

[0051] Furthermore, the present invention may also be configured, without including the above-mentioned vibration generating unit 4 as a component, such as a sandal 71 shown in Figures 8 and 9, in which first to fifth leaf spring portions 75b, 75c, 75d, 75e, 75f and first to fifth weights 75g, 75h, 75i, 75j, 75k are arranged at the tips of the first to fifth leaf spring portions 75b, 75c, 75d, 75e, 75f are arranged in a storage space (reference numerals omitted) consisting of a lower recess 72a formed on the upper surface of a lower sole 72 and an upper recess 73a formed on the underside of an upper sole 73 affixed to the lower sole 72.

[0052] That is, this sandal 71 is a third embodiment of the present invention applied to a sandal, which is a type of footwear, and includes first to fifth leaf spring parts 75b, 75c, 75d, 75e, and 75f, and first to fifth weights 75g, 75h, 75i, 75j, and 75k disposed at the tips of the first to fifth leaf spring parts 75b, 75c, 75d, 75e, and 75f, disposed in a sole (reference numerals omitted) consisting of the lower sole 72 and the upper sole 73, and in an accommodation space (reference numerals omitted) consisting of the lower recess 72a and the upper recess 73a. The first to fifth leaf spring parts 75b, 75c, 75d, 75e, and 75f each have a base end inside the frame-shaped plate part 75a formed in a frame shape, and each extends from the frame-shaped plate part 75a approximately in parallel. The first, third and fifth leaf spring parts 75b, 75d, 75f are extended from the heel side to the toe side, and the second and fourth leaf spring parts 75c, 75e are extended from the toe side to the heel side. The first to fifth weights 75g, 75h, 75i, 75j, 75k are formed to have the same shape and mass, and are welded or bonded to the tips of the first to fifth leaf spring parts 75b, 75c, 75d, 75e, 75f. The frame-shaped plate part 75a is fixed in a state of being sandwiched between the lower sole 72 and the upper sole 73.

[0053] Sandals 71 having such a configuration can also impart vibrations to the feet of a user by the user repeatedly walking without using an electrically-powered vibrator.

[0054] In addition, in the athletic shoes 1 and vibration generating unit 4 of the first embodiment, the insole 61 of the second embodiment, and the sandals 71 of the third embodiment, the leaf spring portion and weight as the elastic material constituting the present invention are arranged in multiple pairs, but the leaf spring portion and weight may be a single pair. In addition, in the vibration generating unit 4 constituting the sneaker 1 of the first embodiment, the first and second upper support half bodies 42f, 42g are respectively hanging down from the underside of the top plate portion 42a, and the first and second lower support half bodies 43f, 43g are standing up from the upper surface of the bottom plate portion 43a with their upper surfaces abutting or close to the underside of the first or second upper support half bodies 42f, 42g. However, these configurations may also be configured such that supports hang down or stand up with their lower or upper ends abutting or close to the upper surface of the bottom plate portion 43a or the underside of the top plate portion 42a or the upper surface of the bottom plate portion 43a. [Explanation of symbols]

[0055] 1 athletic shoes 2 Sole 3. Upper 4. Vibration generating unit 22 Midsole 22a Recess (storage space) 41 cases 42 Upper case half 42a Top plate 42b Upper frame 42c, 42d, 42e First to third upper recesses 42f, 42g First and second upper support halves 43 Lower case half 43a Lower frame 43c, 43d, 43e First to third lower recesses 43f, 43g First and second lower column halves 44 Leaf spring components 45, 46, 47 First to third weights 48, 49, 50 First to third upper repelling magnets 51, 52, 53 First to third lower repulsive magnets 61 Insole 61a Upper recess (accommodating space) 71 Sandals 72 Lower sole 72a Lower recess (storage space) 73 Upper sole 73a Upper recess (storage space) 75b, 75c, 75d, 75e, 75f First to fifth leaf spring parts 75g, 75h, 75i, 75j, 75k 1st to 5th weights

Claims

1. A device comprising an elastic member arranged substantially horizontally and a weight fixed to a tip of the elastic member, A vibration generating unit characterized in that vibration caused by the up and down movement of the weight is applied to a user.

2. A vibration generating unit as described in claim 1, characterized in that the elastic material is multiple, and the weight is fixed to the tip of each of these elastic materials.

3. The single or multiple elastic members and the single or multiple weights are disposed in a case, and the weights are made of magnets; In the case, one repelling magnet is disposed above the weight, and the other repelling magnet is disposed below the weight, A vibration generating unit as described in any of claims 1 or 2, characterized in that the magnetic poles of the upper surface of the magnet serving as the weight and the lower surface of one of the repelling magnets are identical to each other, and the magnetic poles of the lower surface of the magnet serving as the weight and the upper surface of the other repelling magnet are identical to each other.

4. The case comprises an upper case half having a top plate portion and an upper frame portion hanging down from the outer periphery of the top plate portion, and a lower case half having a bottom plate portion and a lower frame portion standing up from the outer periphery of the bottom plate portion, The elastic member is a leaf spring, 4. The vibration generating unit as described in claim 3, characterized in that the base end of the leaf spring is continuous with a frame plate portion sandwiched between an upper frame body constituting the upper case half and a lower frame body constituting the lower case half.

5. A top plate portion constituting the upper case half and above the weight is formed with an upper recess in which one of the repelling magnets is arranged from above the top plate portion, and a bottom plate portion constituting the lower case half and below the weight which is the magnet is formed with a lower recess in which the other repelling magnet is arranged from below the bottom plate portion, 5. The vibration generating unit according to claim 4, wherein the depths of the upper and lower recesses are approximately equal to the thicknesses of the first and second repelling magnets, respectively.

6. A support pillar, the lower end or upper end of which is in contact with or close to the upper surface of the bottom plate portion or the lower surface of the top plate portion of the upper case half, hangs down or stands up from the lower surface of the top plate portion of the upper case half or the upper surface of the bottom plate portion of the lower case half, Or, a vibration generating unit as described in any of claims 4 or 5, characterized in that an upper support half-body hangs down from the underside of the top plate portion, and a lower support half-body stands up from the upper surface of the bottom plate portion, with its upper surface abutting or close to the lower surface of the upper support half-body.

7. Footwear characterized in that a storage space is formed inside the sole, and a vibration generating member is disposed within this storage space, the vibration generating member comprising an elastic material arranged approximately horizontally and a weight fixed to the tip of the elastic material, and when the user walks, the weight moves up and down to impart vibration to the user's foot.

8. Footwear as described in claim 7, characterized in that the elastic material is multiple and the weight is fixed to the tip of each of these elastic materials.

9. A vibration generating unit accommodated in an accommodation space formed inside a sole constituting footwear, the vibration generating unit comprising an elastic material arranged substantially horizontally and a weight fixed to a tip of the elastic material, A vibration generating unit characterized in that, when a user of the footwear walks, the weight moves up and down, imparting vibrations to the user's feet.

10. A vibration generating unit as described in claim 9, characterized in that the elastic material is multiple, and the weight is fixed to the tip of each of these elastic materials.

11. The single or multiple elastic members and the single or multiple weights are disposed in a case, and the weights are made of magnets; In the case, one repelling magnet is disposed above the weight, and the other repelling magnet is disposed below the weight, A vibration generating unit as described in any of claims 9 or 10, characterized in that the magnetic poles of the upper surface of the magnet serving as the weight and the lower surface of one of the repelling magnets are identical to each other, and the magnetic poles of the lower surface of the magnet serving as the weight and the upper surface of the other repelling magnet are identical to each other.

12. The case comprises an upper case half having a top plate portion and an upper frame portion hanging down from the outer periphery of the top plate portion, and a lower case half having a bottom plate portion and a lower frame portion standing up from the outer periphery of the bottom plate portion, The elastic member is a leaf spring, The vibration generating unit as described in claim 11, characterized in that the base end of the leaf spring is continuous with a frame plate portion sandwiched between an upper frame body constituting the upper case half and a lower frame body constituting the lower case half.

13. A top plate portion constituting the upper case half and above the weight is formed with an upper recess in which one of the repelling magnets is arranged from above the top plate portion, and a bottom plate portion constituting the lower case half and below the weight which is the magnet is formed with a lower recess in which the other of the repelling magnets is arranged from below the bottom plate portion, 13. The vibration generating unit according to claim 12, wherein the depths of the upper and lower recesses are approximately equal to the thicknesses of the first and second repelling magnets, respectively.

14. A support pillar, the lower end or upper end of which is in contact with or close to the upper surface of the bottom plate portion or the lower surface of the top plate portion of the upper case half, hangs down or stands up from the lower surface of the top plate portion of the upper case half or the upper surface of the bottom plate portion of the lower case half, Or, a vibration generating unit as described in any of claims 12 or 13, characterized in that an upper support half-body hangs down from the underside of the top plate portion, and a lower support half-body stands up from the upper surface of the bottom plate portion, with its upper surface abutting or close to the lower surface of the upper support half-body.

15. Footwear characterized in that any one of the vibration generating units described in claims 9 to 14 is disposed within an accommodating space formed inside the sole.

16. An insole characterized in that any one of the vibration generating units described in claims 9 to 14 is disposed in a storage space formed therein.

Images