Footwear

Abstract

To provide a shoe capable of bringing a wearer's walking style close to an ideal walking style and reducing a burden on bones and joints of lower limbs.SOLUTION: A shoe 1 comprises a sole 3 and an upper 2, where the sole 3 includes a midsole 5 as an impact suppressing part made of an impact suppressing material for suppressing a burden on a lower limb. Lower surface parts B2 and B3 of the sole 3 are inclined upward toward a toe side and a heel side, while an upper surface part F1 of the sole 3 is gently lowered from the heel side to an intermediate side and further an upper surface part F2 is formed to be gently inclined upward toward the toe side. A reinforcing member 10 harder than the midsole 5 is provided inside the sole 3.SELECTED DRAWING: Figure 3

Description

Technical Field

[0001] The present invention relates to footwear for the treatment and prevention of joint diseases of the lower limbs such as osteoarthritis of the knee and osteoarthritis of the hip joint.

Background Art

[0002] Conventional walking footwear allows the knees to easily extend during walking, and the toes are in a floating state while supporting the heels without weight transfer from the heels to the toes. Many people walk while supporting their weight with the bones of the lower limbs without much utilization of the muscles of the lower limbs. When walking without much utilization of the muscles of the lower limbs, muscle strength may decline, leading to progression of knee joint and hip joint deformities, or causing flat feet or hallux valgus. Therefore, the number of people suffering from pain in the lower limbs due to osteoarthritis of the knee and osteoarthritis of the hip joint is increasing.

[0003] Ideal walking is to support the weight with the toes at the moment when the weight is most applied, without creating a moment when the knees are fully extended during walking. However, most people suffering from pain in the lower limbs due to osteoarthritis of the knee and osteoarthritis of the hip joint have a narrow stride and walk with the knees extended while keeping the heels on the ground without weight transfer from the heels to the toes. As a result, they are unable to support their weight with the toes before they know it, the muscles of the entire lower limbs decline, and sufficient contraction cannot be performed, increasing the load of the weight on the bones and joints. In addition, the area where the femur and tibia collide becomes larger, and the articular cartilage is rubbed by the force applied from above and below, resulting in wear of the articular cartilage and easy progression of joint diseases.

[0004] As walking footwear used for the treatment of this type of joint disease, for example, there is one in which a heel with a raised front part is provided on the shoe sole to lift the toes, and the width and height of the toe box are sufficiently provided to enable the opening and closing movement of the toes (see, for example, Patent Document 1).

Prior Art Documents

Patent Documents

[0005]

Patent Document 1

Summary of the Invention

Problems to be Solved by the Invention

[0006] However, in the footwear described in Patent Document 1 above, in order to dorsiflex the ankle joint during walking for better support of the rear foot and improvement of the walking posture during walking, it becomes difficult to shift the body weight from the heel to the toe, and there is a problem that the burden on the bones and joints of the lower limbs cannot be sufficiently reduced.

[0007] The present invention has been made paying attention to such problems, and an object thereof is to provide footwear that can approach an ideal walking style and reduce the burden on the bones and joints of the lower limbs.

Means for Solving the Problems

[0008] In order to solve the above problems, the footwear of the present invention is footwear having at least a sole, the sole has a shock-absorbing portion made of a shock-absorbing material that suppresses the burden on the lower limbs, the lower surface portion of the sole is inclined upward toward the toe side and the heel side, the upper surface portion of the sole gently descends from the heel side to the middle side, and further gently inclines upward toward the toe side, and inside the sole, a reinforcing portion harder than the shock-absorbing portion is provided. According to this feature, during walking, the knee becomes in a slightly flexed position without hyperextension or full extension, and it becomes difficult to walk while supporting the heel, so the area where the femur and tibia, which are the causes of osteoarthritis, collide decreases and wear of the articular cartilage is suppressed. Also, each time the legs are crossed, the footwear easily rolls forward, so the body weight is smoothly shifted from the heel side to the toe side. In addition, while the shock-absorbing portion secures the cushioning property when the body weight is applied to the sole, the reinforcing member can prevent deformation of the inclination of the lower surface portion and the upper surface portion of the sole. Therefore, anyone can approach an ideal walking style and suitably reduce the burden on the bones and joints of the lower limbs.

[0009] The lower surface portion of the sole is inclined upward in the range of 10° to 20° toward the toe side and inclined upward in the range of 13° to 30° toward the heel side. According to this feature, the weight transfer from the heel side to the toe side is smoothly performed.

[0010] The reinforcing portion extends along the upper surface portion of the sole from the toe side to the heel side. According to this feature, a substantially uniform shock-absorbing portion is secured between the sole and the upper surface portion, so that the deformation of the sole can be prevented without impairing the cushioning property.

[0011] A grounding portion that contacts the ground when the footwear is placed is provided between the toe side and the heel side on the lower surface portion of the sole, and the front-rear dimension of the grounding portion is in the range of 20% to 50% of the front-rear dimension of the entire lower surface portion of the sole. According to this feature, while ensuring the stability during standing in a natural posture, smooth weight transfer from the heel side to the toe side during walking can be realized.

Brief Description of the Drawings

[0012]

Figure 1

Figure 2

Figure 3

Figure 4

Mode for Carrying Out the Invention

[0013] A mode for carrying out the footwear according to the present invention will be described below based on examples.

Example

[0014] Shoe 1 as an example of the present invention will be described with reference to FIGS. 1 to 4. Note that FIG. 1 is a right side view showing a footwear for the right foot. In the following description, the left side of FIG. 1 is defined as the front side (front) of the footwear, and the right side is defined as the back side (rear) of the footwear.

[0015] As shown in FIGS. 1 to 3, shoe 1 as a footwear mainly includes an upper 2 and a sole 3. The sole 3 includes an outsole 4 which is a part that contacts the ground G, a midsole 5 provided between the outsole 4 and the upper 2, an insole 6 sewn to the upper surface of the midsole 5, and an inner sole 7 removably placed on the upper surface of the insole 6. Note that in this embodiment, an inner sole 7 is provided separately from the insole 6, but the inner sole 7 is not necessarily provided.

[0016] The outsole 4 is made of a highly durable rubber or the like and has a maximum thickness of about 5 mm, and is provided so as to cover the lower surface portion of the midsole 5.

[0017] The midsole 5 is made of a lightweight, soft and elastic EVA sponge (foam material) or the like and has a maximum thickness of about 50 mm, and constitutes a shock-absorbing portion having a function of alleviating the impact on the joints of the lower limbs (especially the knee joint) and suppressing the burden on the lower limbs. Further, inside the midsole 5, a reinforcing member 10 that constitutes a reinforcing portion for preventing the deformation of the inclination of the sole 3 described later is provided.

[0018] As shown in FIG. 3, the sole 3 is composed of a central portion 3a located at the central portion in the front-rear direction, a front portion 3b in front of the central portion 3a, and a rear portion 3c behind the central portion 3a.

[0019] The central portion 3a extends in the front-rear direction. The lower surface portion B1 is formed in a substantially flat shape so as to contact the ground G when the shoe 1 is placed on the ground G. The upper surface portion F1 gently slopes downward from the rear portion 3c side toward the front portion 3b side. The inclination angle θ1 of the upper surface portion F1 with respect to the horizontal plane is 11° (θ1 = 11°). Note that this inclination angle θ1 is not limited to 11°, and preferably ranges from 10° to 15°.

[0020] Also, the central portion 3a is a portion that supports from near the ball of the thumb to near the heel at the sole. As shown in FIG. 4, the front-rear dimension L1 of the lower surface portion B1 is in the range of about 50% of the front-rear dimension L4 in the horizontal direction of the entire lower surface portions B1 to B3. Note that the front-rear dimension L1 is not limited to 50% of the front-rear dimension L4, and preferably ranges from 20% to 50%.

[0021] As shown in FIG. 3, the front portion 3b extends obliquely upward from the central portion 3a toward the front. The lower surface portion B2 and the upper surface portion F2 slope obliquely upward toward the front so that the thickness dimension gradually tapers. Also, the inclination angle θ2 of the lower surface portion B2 with respect to the ground G is 18° (θ2 = 18°). Note that this inclination angle θ2 is not limited to 18°, and preferably ranges from 10° to 20°. Also, the front portion 3b is a portion that supports near the ball of the thumb and the toes at the sole. As shown in FIG. 4, the front-rear dimension L2 in the horizontal direction of the lower surface portion B2 is shorter than the front-rear dimension L1 of the lower surface portion B1 (L1 > L2).

[0022] As shown in FIG. 3, the rear portion 3c extends from the central portion 3a toward the rear. The lower surface portion B3 extends obliquely upward toward the rear. The upper surface portion F3 gently slopes downward toward the rear. Also, the inclination angle θ3 of the lower surface portion B3 with respect to the ground G is 25° (θ3 = 25°). Note that this inclination angle θ3 is not limited to 25°, and preferably ranges from 13° to 30°. Also, the rear portion 3c is a portion that supports the heel of the sole. As shown in FIG. 4, the front-rear dimension L3 in the horizontal direction of the lower surface portion B3 is shorter than the front-rear dimension L1 of the lower surface portion B1 and the front-rear dimension L2 of the lower surface portion B2 (L1 > L3).

[0023] Thus, the lower surface portion B2 on the front side of the sole 3 is inclined upward toward the toe side, the lower surface portion B3 is inclined upward toward the heel side, the upper surface portion F1 of the sole 3 gently descends from the heel side to the middle side (arch side), and further, the upper surface portion F2 is gently inclined upward toward the toe side.

[0024] Therefore, due to the rearwardly rising inclined lower surface portion B3, the rear portion 3c of the sole 3 is less likely to contact the ground G during walking, and the lower surface portion B1 of the central portion 3a in front of it contacts the ground. Also, due to the forwardly descending inclined upper surface portion F2, it becomes difficult to support the heel as the weight is applied to the toe side, and the floating finger is prevented as the toes firmly contact the forwardly rising upper surface portion F1. Further, due to the forwardly rising inclined lower surface portion B2, when the feet are alternately crossed, the shoe 1 is likely to roll forward, so the weight transfer from the heel side to the toe side is smoothly performed.

[0025] Also, as shown in FIGS. 3 and 4, the reinforcing member 10 is formed of an aluminum plate that is harder than the midsole 5 and has a plate shape that is substantially rectangular in plan view. It has a left - right dimension that is shorter than the left - right dimension of the sole 3 and extends from the front portion to the rear portion of the sole 3. Further, the reinforcing member 10 is formed by being slightly curved up and down in the front - rear direction along the upper surface portions F1 to F3 of the sole 3 and is disposed at a substantially central position in the thickness direction of the midsole 5, so that an impact - suppressing portion with a substantially uniform thickness is secured between the upper surface portions F1 to F3. Also, as shown in FIG. 2, the left - and - right side edges are inclined upward toward the outer side, so that the bending strength in the longitudinal direction is increased.

[0026] In this way, since the reinforcing member 10 extends from the front portion 3b where the toes are located, through the central portion 3a where the arch is located, to the rear portion 3c where the heel is located, when a load due to body weight is applied to the sole 3, it is suppressed that the front portion 3b deforms so as to hang downward with respect to the central portion 3a or the rear portion 3c deforms so as to hang downward with respect to the central portion 3a. Therefore, even when a load is applied, the inclination angles θ2 and θ3 are maintained.

[0027] At present, the reinforcing member 10 is made of an aluminum plate, but the present invention is not limited thereto, and any material harder than the midsole 5 may be used, for example, other metals such as steel, synthetic resin, hard rubber, etc. may be used. Also, the thickness dimension and the outer shape are arbitrary and can be variously changed.

[0028] Further, the front-back dimension L1 of the central portion 3a, the front-back dimension L2 of the front portion 3b, and the front-back dimension L3 of the rear portion 3c are shortened in the order of the front-back dimension L1, the front-back dimension L2, and the front-back dimension L3, but the length of each is arbitrary. For example, the front-back dimensions L1, L2, and L3 may be substantially the same.

[0029] As described above, the shoe 1 as an embodiment of the present invention includes at least a sole 3, and the sole 3 has a midsole 5 as a shock-absorbing portion made of a shock-absorbing material that suppresses the burden on the lower limbs. The lower surface portions B2 and B3 of the sole 3 are inclined upward toward the toe side and the heel side, the upper surface portion F1 of the sole 3 gently descends from the heel side to the middle side, and the upper surface portion F2 is gently inclined upward toward the toe side. A reinforcing member 10 harder than the midsole 5 is provided inside the sole 3.

[0030] According to this, during walking, the knee becomes in a slightly flexed position without hyperextension or full extension, and it becomes difficult to walk while supporting the heel. As a result, the area where the femur and the tibia, which are the causes of osteoarthritis, collide decreases, and the wear of the articular cartilage is suppressed. Also, each time the legs are alternately crossed, the shoe 1 easily rolls forward, so that the weight transfer from the heel side to the toe side is smoothly performed. Further, while the midsole 5 secures the cushioning property when the weight is applied to the sole 3, the reinforcing member 10 can prevent the deformation of the inclination of the lower surface portions B2 and B3 and the upper surface portions F1 and F2 of the sole 3 over a long period. Therefore, anyone can approach an ideal walking style and suitably reduce the burden on the bones and joints (especially the knee joint) of the lower limbs.

[0031] In addition, the lower surface portion B2 of the sole 3 is inclined upward in the range of 10° to 20° toward the toe side, and the lower surface portion B3 is inclined upward in the range of 13° to 30° toward the heel side, so that the weight transfer from the heel side to the toe side is smoothly performed.

[0032] In addition, since the reinforcing member 10 extends along the upper surface portions F1 to F3 of the sole 3 from the toe side to the heel side, a midsole 5 as a substantially uniform shock-absorbing portion is secured between the upper surface portions F1 to F3 of the sole 3, so that unintended deformation of the sole 3 can be prevented without impairing the cushioning property.

[0033] In addition, a lower surface portion B1 as a grounding portion that contacts the ground G when the shoe 1 is placed is provided between the toe side and the heel side on the lower surface of the sole 3, and the front-rear dimension L1 of the lower surface portion B1 is in the range of 20% to 50% of the front-rear dimension L4 of the entire lower surface portions B1 to B3, so that stability during standing in a natural state can be ensured and smooth weight transfer from the heel side to the toe side during walking can be realized.

[0034] As described above, the embodiments of the present invention have been described with reference to the drawings. However, the specific configuration is not limited to these embodiments, and modifications and additions within the scope not departing from the gist of the present invention are also included in the present invention.

[0035] For example, in the above embodiment, the sole 3 is exemplified in a form composed of an outsole 4, a midsole 5, and an insole 6. However, the present invention is not limited to this, and the sole 3 may be composed of an outsole 4 and a midsole 5, or may be formed of only the midsole 5. Further, at least two of the outsole 4, the midsole 5, and the insole 6 may be integrally molded.

[0036] In addition, in the above embodiment, as an example of the reinforcing portion, a form in which a reinforcing member 10 made of aluminum is applied is exemplified. However, the present invention is not limited to this, and a reinforcing portion made of hard rubber may be integrally provided inside the midsole 5 by two-color molding or the like.

[0037] In addition, in the above embodiment, the reinforcing member 10 as the reinforcing part is exemplified as being formed with a slight vertical curvature in the front-rear direction along the upper surface parts F1 to F3 of the sole 3. However, the present invention is not limited thereto, and the reinforcing member 10 may be extended substantially horizontally in the front-rear direction.

[0038] In addition, in the above embodiment, a form in which shoes are applied as an example of footwear is exemplified. However, the present invention is not limited thereto, and as long as it has at least a sole, it may include leather shoes, boots, over-the-knee boots, sandals, slippers, and the like.

Explanation of reference numerals

[0039] 1 Shoe (footwear) 2 Upper 3 Sole 3a Central part 3b Front part 3c Rear part 4 Outsole 5 Midsole 6 Insole 7 Inner sole 10 Reinforcing member (reinforcing part) B1, B3 Lower surface part B2 Lower surface part (ground contact part) F1 to F3 Upper surface part G Ground

Claims

1. Footwear comprising at least a sole, wherein the sole has a shock-absorbing portion made of a shock-absorbing material that suppresses the burden on the lower limbs, the lower surface portion of the sole slopes upward toward the toe side and the heel side, the upper surface portion of the sole gently descends from the heel side to the middle side, and further gently slopes upward toward the toe side, and a reinforcing portion harder than the shock-absorbing portion is provided inside the sole. The footwear is characterized by this.

2. The footwear according to claim 1, wherein the lower surface portion of the sole slopes upward in the range of 10° to 20° toward the toe side and slopes upward in the range of 13° to 30° toward the heel side.

3. The footwear according to claim 1, wherein the reinforcing portion extends along the upper surface portion of the sole from the toe side to the heel side.

4. Between the toe side and the heel side on the lower surface portion of the sole, a grounding portion that contacts the ground when the footwear is placed is provided, and the front-rear dimension of the grounding portion is in the range of 20% to 50% of the front-rear dimension of the entire lower surface portion of the sole. The footwear according to any one of claims 1 to 3 is characterized by this.

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