Footwear upper structure and heel core

Abstract

To provide a footwear upper structure and heel core, capable of enhancing shape holding property of an upper side of an opening of a heel part, so as to facilitate an operation of wearing shoes, with design property.SOLUTION: A footwear upper structure in which an opening 14b from which a heel of a foot is exposed, is formed on a heel part 11a, comprises: a decoration member 16 which surrounds the opening 14b and formed into an arch shape in view from the rear side, the decoration member being provided on the upper side of the opening 14b on the external surface of the heel part 11a. On a portion having the decoration member 16 on the heel part 11a of the upper 14, a heel core 19 formed of a flexible curve surface plate is included. The heel core 19 has: a pair of fixation support parts 91 which is fixed to a footwear base 12 in a state in which the inner surfaces of the fixation support parts are directed to inside in a lateral direction; a pair of curve surface side plate parts 92 which extends upward and rearward in a curved state, from the fixation support parts, in a state in which the inner surfaces of the curve surface side plate parts are directed to inside in the lateral direction; and a rear end continuous part 93 which connects the fixation support parts and the curve surface side plate parts and is formed in an arc shape in plan view.SELECTED DRAWING: Figure 2

Description

Technical Field

[0001] This invention relates to the structure of the heel part of the upper of footwear such as ankle boots and sandals.

Background Art

[0002] There is footwear having a back band (also referred to as a back strap, heel strap, etc.) on the heel part of the upper. There is also footwear in which an opening showing the heel of the foot is formed in the heel part of the upper (see Patent Document 1). This opening is relatively wide and penetrates both inside and outside, and is a flat semi-circular shape when viewed from the rear. And above the opening on the outer surface of the heel part, a mainly decorative decorative member in the shape of a band is provided. The decorative member is arch-shaped when viewed from the rear, and both left and right lower ends are fixed to the sole of the footwear, and the middle part in the longitudinal direction is fixed to the outer surface of the heel part, respectively.

[0003] Footwear provided with a decorative member can obtain a unique design due to the presence of the opening and the decorative member, and the decorative member can give a certain degree of waist strength to the heel part where the opening is formed, so the holding function for the heel of the foot can be sufficiently obtained. However, since there is an opening in the heel part, like footwear with a back band, it is necessary to use the hand when putting it on. This is because if the heel part is not held with the hand or a spatula, the heel cannot be inserted even if one tries. For this reason, the above-mentioned footwear is not footwear that can be quickly put on with simple operations.

[0004] Patent Document 2 discloses something having a hole (opening) similar to the above-mentioned footwear, but this means that even if the heel part is stepped on and worn, the shape can be restored and it can be used as a shoe. That is, there is a hole in the center of the crescent-shaped cover, and the crescent-shaped cover surrounding the hole and the wearing mouth pad continuous with this are formed of a material having a high expansion and contraction rate and excellent resilience. This does not consider the smoothness of the wearing operation. Moreover, in this configuration, even if the shape of the heel part is restored without fail, since it is composed of a material with a high expansion and contraction rate, it is necessary to use the hand or a spatula when inserting the foot.

Prior Art Documents

Patent Documents

[0005]

Patent Document 1

Patent Document 2

Summary of the Invention

Problems to be Solved by the Invention

[0006] The main problem of this invention is to enhance the form - holding property above the opening of the heel part so that ease of movement can be obtained along with the design property.

Means for Solving the Problems

[0007] Therefore, this invention provides the following instep - covering structure.

[0008] That is, in the instep - covering structure of footwear with an opening for exposing the heel of the foot formed in the heel part, above the opening on the outer surface of the heel part, there is a decorative member surrounding the opening in an arch shape when viewed from the rear. In the part of the instep covering overlapping with the decorative member in the heel part, a heel core made of a flexible curved panel is incorporated. And the heel core is provided with a pair of fixed support parts whose inner surfaces face the inside in the left - right direction and are fixed to the sole of the footwear, a pair of curved side plate parts that curve upward and rearward from the fixed support parts and whose inner surfaces face the inside in the left - right direction, and a rear - end continuous part that is arcuate in plan view and connects the curved side plate parts.

[0009] In this configuration, the decorative member provided above the opening in the heel part of the instep covering gives a unique design property in cooperation with the opening in terms of appearance, provides an apparent thickness to the part surrounding the opening above, and gives an impression similar to a sense of solidity. And the heel core incorporated in the back - side position of the decorative member in the heel part imparts rigidity and elasticity with flexibility, supports the heel when putting the foot in, and guides it into the footwear.

Effects of the Invention

[0010] According to the present invention, a heel core built above the opening of the heel portion imparts rigidity on the back side having a decorative member to enhance the shape retention property, so that the operation of putting on the shoes can be simplified. Moreover, even if the upper part of the opening is in a thin form such as a back band, the shape retention property by the heel core prevents it from sagging, and a good appearance can be obtained in this regard as well.

Brief Description of the Drawings

[0011]

Figure 1

Figure 2

Figure 3

Figure 4

Figure 5

Figure 6

Figure 7

Figure 8

Embodiments for Carrying Out the Invention

[0012] One embodiment for carrying out the present invention will be described below with reference to the drawings.

[0013] Fig. 1 shows an example of the footwear 11. Fig. 1 is a perspective view of the footwear 11 seen from obliquely above and behind, and Fig. 2 shows a schematic cross-sectional view of the main part thereof, with a part schematically drawn. The footwear 11 is a sandal-like short shoe, and is composed of a sole 12 and an upper 14 with a midsole 13 fixed thereon, and the upper 14 has a structure with a plurality of openings 14a, 14b. The openings 14a, 14b are formed between a plurality of parts 15 joined to form the upper 14, and there are an opening 14a in the part corresponding to the instep of the foot and an opening 14b in the part corresponding to the heel of the foot.

[0014] In the following description, "opening" shall refer to "the opening 14b of the heel part".

[0015] The opening 14b exposes the lower rear part of the heel of the foot when worn, and is a flat semi-circular shape when viewed from the rear. It is formed in a portion below the position corresponding to the upper part of the heel of the foot. In the footwear 11 of the illustrated example, since the opening 14b is formed by joining the part 15b that forms a wall part surrounding the back surface part of the heel of the foot under the part 15a that constitutes the rear from the part near the ankle of the foot in the heel part 11a, the opening 14b has a design that appears thinner. Like the footwear disclosed in the aforementioned Patent Document 1, the opening 14b may be formed in the entire lower rear end of the instep cover 14.

[0016] Also, the portion above such an opening 14b, which exists so as to surround the upper part of the opening 14b and has an arch shape when viewed from the rear, shall be referred to as the "upper part of the opening 14c". This portion may be a back band that contacts and holds the upper part of the heel of the foot, and the back band may have its open end fastened with a hook-and-loop fastener or a buckle, or may partially include stretchable rubber.

[0017] A decorative member 16 that has an arch shape when viewed from the rear and surrounds the opening 14b is provided on the outer surface of the upper part of the opening 14c, that is, above the opening 14b on the outer surface of the heel part 11a.

[0018] The decorative member 16 is formed in a strip shape with an appropriate thickness made of synthetic resin, synthetic rubber, synthetic leather, etc., and is curved along the upper part 14c of the opening. The lower end parts on both the left and right sides are formed to be the widest in the whole, and the middle in the left-right direction is formed to be the narrowest. And, the upper edge 16a forming the front and upper contour and the lower edge 16b forming the rear and lower contour both draw an arc-shaped curve and are smoothly continuous. On the plate surface part 16c surrounded by the upper edge 16a and the lower edge 16b, unevenness 17 for decoration is formed. The unevenness 17 in this example is a border line 17a formed at a position close to the edge and a rectangular through-hole 17b penetrating in the thickness direction. A plurality of through-holes 17b are arranged. The unevenness 17 may be constituted by non-penetrating concave parts, protrusions such as characters, etc. in addition to those as shown in the illustrated example. The decorative member 16 has flexibility and is preferably one that exerts a repulsive force against deformation, but it may not be so.

[0019] Both ends in the longitudinal direction of the decorative member 16, that is, both lower end parts, are fixed to the instep covering 14 and the sole 12 of the footwear and are integrated. The middle in the left-right direction is fixed at the middle position in the left-right direction on the outer surface of the upper part 14c of the opening. This fixing is performed via a rear-end gripping part 18 attached to the upper part of the rear end of the footwear as shown in FIG. 2. That is, the rear-end gripping part 18 is wound around and fixed to the decorative member 16, and the part having this rear-end gripping part 18 is fixed to the outer surface of the upper part 14c of the opening by sewing, adhesion, etc.

[0020] A heel core 19 is incorporated in the upper part 14c of the opening of the footwear 11 having such a configuration in appearance. That is, the heel core 19 is inserted into the part having the decorative member 16 in the heel part 11a of the instep covering 14. The heel core 19 has a function of maintaining the form of the heel part 11a as the core of the heel part 11a and is covered with the part 15 constituting the instep covering 14. In FIG. 2, the part 15 covering the heel core 19 in the instep covering 14 is drawn only in the part shown in cross-section, and is omitted in other parts.

[0021] The heel core 19 is composed of a flexible curved plate, and the part that forms the general outline of its shape is common to the decorative member 16 held at the upper part 14c above the opening. A perspective view of the heel core 19 is shown in Fig. 3, and its plan view, front view, and left side view are shown in Fig. 4. In Fig. 3, (a) shows the state of viewing the heel core 19 from the front, obliquely upward, and (b) shows the shape viewed from the back, obliquely upward. In Fig. 4, (a) is a plan view with the front facing downward, (b) is a front view seen from the front side, and (c) is a left side view with the front facing right.

[0022] As shown in these figures, the heel core 19 is made of a thin plate, and its basic structure consists of a fixed support part 91, a curved side plate part 92, and a rear end continuous part 93 that are integrally formed with each other. In this example, a tongue piece 94 protrudes from the upper end of the rear part of the heel core 19. The thickness of each of these parts is the same except for the edges. The thickness of the heel core 19 except for the edges may be about 1 mm.

[0023] The fixed support part 91 is the part that forms the base of the heel core 19 and has the function of being fixed to the sole 12 of the footwear 11 to support the whole. A pair is provided with the inner surfaces facing the inner side in the left - right direction. The curved side plate part 92 is the part that has the function of connecting the rear end continuous part 93 to the fixed support part 91, and it curves and extends upward and backward from the fixed support part 91. Similar to the fixed support part 91, a pair of curved side plate parts 92 are provided with the inner surfaces facing the inner side in the left - right direction. The rear end continuous part 93 is the part where the heel hits most when putting the foot in, and mainly has the function of maintaining the shape of the upper part 14c above the opening. It connects the pair of curved side plate parts 92 and is formed in an arc shape in plan view. Although a pair of fixed support parts 91 and curved side plate parts 92 are provided, they do not necessarily face each other completely directly in the left - right direction. Even if there are such parts partially, the fact that the inner surfaces face the inner side in the left - right direction means that the inner surfaces face the inner side in the left - right direction as the shape of the heel part 11a that forms a three - dimensional shape in the footwear 11.

[0024] Any of the fixed support portion 91, the curved side plate portion 92, and the rear end continuous portion 93 basically has a surface that extends in the vertical direction. The front view shape and the plan view shape of the heel core 19 are both approximately horseshoe-shaped, and the side view shape is approximately a shape in which the central part of a sector is cut out in an arc shape.

[0025] Specifically describing the shape of each part, the lower end 91a of the fixed support portion 91 is linear, extends horizontally, and as seen in the plan view (Fig. 4(a)) and the front view (Fig. 4(b)), the pair of lower ends 91a are inclined with respect to the front-rear direction so that the front part spreads slightly. The portion from the fixed support portion 91 to the middle of the curved side plate portion 92 is formed to have the widest spread in the surface direction, that is, the widest width, among the heel core 19, and the rear end continuous portion 93 is formed narrower than that. And, as seen in Fig. 4(c) which is a side view, both the upper edge 95 that curves in an arc shape forward and upward and the lower edge 96 that curves in an arc shape backward and downward are formed in such a way that the inclination angle approaches horizontally from an angle that is vertical or nearly vertical toward the upper or rear direction. Here, "approaches horizontally" means that it may be horizontal.

[0026] The curves of the upper edge 95 and the lower edge 96 are not in the same manner as arranging concentric arcs with different radii. A protruding portion 95a is formed on the upper edge 95 so that it protrudes slightly forward and obliquely upward compared to the lower edge 96. From this protruding portion 95a, the upper edge 95 and the lower edge 96 approach each other backward, and the rear end continuous portion 93 has a narrow-width shape as described above.

[0027] Regarding the shape in the vertical direction, as seen in the plan view (Fig. 4(a)) and the front view (Fig. 4(b)), the lower end portion of the fixed support portion 91 is inclined inward in the left-right direction. From the portion where the pair of fixed support portions 91 are most spaced apart in the left-right direction upward, the width gradually narrows, but a curved surface is formed that spreads slightly in the left-right direction upward. The rear end continuous portion 93 is not linear in the vertical direction, but has a shape that warps slightly backward as seen in Fig. 4(c) and Fig. 5(a). Since each part is composed of a curved surface in this way, the surface rigidity of the heel core 19 is high.

[0028] The aforementioned tongue piece 94 has an inclined curved surface 94a that slopes obliquely downward in the front on its upper surface, is integrally formed from the rear end continuous portion 93, and the inclined curved surface 94a is continuously connected to the inner surface of the rear end continuous portion 93 and the curved side plate portion 92 without a step. The shape of the tongue piece 94 is approximately circular in plan view, and except for the corner of the lower end 91a of the fixed support portion 91, the entire heel core 19 including the portion having the tongue piece 94 is formed by a smooth curve without corners. Further, the inclined curved surface 94a of the tongue piece 94 is in the shape of a mortar bowl that curves convex upward.

[0029] A thin wall portion 19a is formed on the entire edge of the heel core 19 having such a three-dimensional shape. As shown in FIG. 5 which is a cross-sectional view, the thin wall portion 19a is configured by providing an inclined surface on the inner surface whose thickness becomes thinner toward the edge in the cross-sectional shape. In FIG. 5, (b) is an end view of the cut portion A-A, and (c) is an end view of the cut portion B-B.

[0030] Such a heel core 19, as shown in FIG. 2, after being incorporated into the part 15a that constitutes the heel portion 11a of the upper 14, is integrated with the midsole 13 together with the decorative member 16 and fixed to the shoe sole 12. In the figure, the schematically drawn x indicates the joint portion with the decorative member 16, and y indicates the joint portion with the midsole 13. These joint portions x and y are constituted by sewing or the like.

[0031] The upper structure of the footwear 11 having the above configuration can be expressed as follows from a different perspective. That is, it is an upper structure of the footwear 11 having a heel portion 11a incorporating a heel core 19 made of a flexible curved panel, and an opening 14a for exposing the heel of the foot is formed through the heel core 19 in the heel portion 11a. And above the opening 14b on the outer surface of the heel portion 11a, a decorative member 16 that surrounds the opening 14b in an arch shape when viewed from the rear is provided. The heel core 19 is formed in the shape as described above.

[0032] In the footwear 11 configured as described above, a unique appearance and breathability are obtained, and moreover, the operation when wearing is extremely easy and can be worn quickly, and the wearing comfort is also good.

[0033] That is, the opening 14b of the heel part 11a of the upper 14 and the decorative member 16 provided above it can obtain a desired design, and there are other openings 14a in the upper 14, so the air permeability is extremely good. Although the upper part 14c of the opening of the heel part 11a tends to have a lower height in the vertical direction due to the formation of the opening 14b, the presence of the decorative member 16 provides high form stability. Therefore, the decorative member 16 is in a non-slack state and does not sag, with a beautiful appearance. When it has flexibility, it can actively suppress deformation and enhance the form retention.

[0034] Moreover, since the heel core 19 made of a flexible material is built into the upper part 14c of the opening, the shape retention of the upper part 14c of the opening is extremely good. Therefore, when putting the foot in and wearing the shoe, even if the upper part 14c of the opening is pressed down by the heel, it can suppress the downward deformation and, moreover, exert a repulsive force to guide the heel forward. In particular, since the tongue piece 94 is formed at the upper rear end, the heel is guided to slide extremely smoothly along the inclined curved surface 94a. Therefore, the wearing operation is easy and the shoe can be put on quickly.

[0035] The heel core 19 that exhibits such functions is composed of a curved panel having a curved surface as a whole, so it has high surface rigidity. Therefore, even if it is formed thinly, the necessary rigidity can be obtained. Moreover, the upper edge 95 and the lower edge 96 of the heel core 19 in a side view are both shaped such that the inclination angle approaches horizontal from an angle close to vertical or vertical as it goes upward or backward. That is, it is a shape that changes its direction backward by almost 90 degrees in a side view. Moreover, since the width of the part from the fixed support part 91 to the curved side plate part 92 is wide, extremely high rigidity and high resilience can be obtained even with a thin wall thickness. In particular, since the protruding part 95a is formed on the upper edge 95, the rigidity of the heel core 19 is high.

[0036] In addition, since a thin-walled portion 19a formed by an inclined surface is formed on the entire circumference of the heel core 19 on the inner surface, even if it is incorporated in the part 15 constituting the instep covering 14, corners can be prevented from protruding. Therefore, not only can an aesthetic appearance be obtained, but it can also be made painless even when the foot hits it. Moreover, since it does not catch when putting the foot in, smooth wearing as described above can be ensured.

[0037] When worn, as described above, it has good breathability, and the form of the upper opening portion 14c is in a state with a waist and maintains a firm form, so a good fit can be obtained, and together with the good breathability, a good wearing comfort can be obtained.

[0038] The above configuration is one form for implementing the present invention, and the present invention is not limited to only the above-described configuration, and other configurations can be adopted.

[0039] For example, as shown in FIGS. 6 to 8, the heel core 19 may have a configuration in which the above-described tongue piece 94 is omitted. Since the tongue piece 94 is omitted, the height of the upper rear end of the instep covering 14 becomes lower. Since the structure other than the tongue piece 94 is the same as the above, the same reference numerals as those used in the previous description are attached, and the detailed description thereof is omitted.

[0040] In addition, for example, the heel core 19 may have a partial difference in wall thickness.

[0041] The heel core 19 does not need to cover the whole, and the necessary functions can be obtained even if it is exposed.

[0042] The decorative member 16 may be fixed to the entire upper opening portion 14c instead of being partially fixed thereto.

[0043] Regardless of the fixing mode of the decorative member 16, the rear-end grip portion 18 can be omitted.

Explanation of Reference Numerals

[0044] 11... Footwear 11a... Heel portion 12…Sole stand 14…Toe covering 14b…Opening 14c…Upper part above the opening 16…Decorative member 19…Heel core 91…Fixed support part 92…Curved side plate part 93…Rear end continuous part 94…Tongue piece 94a…Inclined curved surface 95…Upper edge 96…Lower edge

Claims

1. An upper covering structure of footwear having an opening for exposing the heel of the foot formed at the heel portion, above the opening on the outer surface of the heel portion, a decorative member surrounding the opening in an arch shape when viewed from the rear is provided, a heel core made of a flexible curved panel is built into the portion of the upper covering having the decorative member at the heel portion, the heel core includes a pair of fixed support portions fixed to the sole of the footwear with the inner surface facing inward in the left - right direction, a pair of curved side plate portions that curve upward and rearward from the fixed support portions and extend with the inner surface facing inward in the left - right direction, and a rear - end continuous portion having an arc shape in plan view connecting the curved side plate portions An upper covering structure of footwear.

2. An upper covering structure of footwear having a heel portion with a heel core made of a flexible curved panel, in the heel portion, an opening for exposing the heel of the foot is formed through the heel core, above the opening on the outer surface of the heel portion, a decorative member surrounding the opening in an arch shape when viewed from the rear is provided An upper covering structure of footwear.

3. A tongue piece having an inclined curved surface inclined obliquely downward forward on the upper surface is projected at the upper rear end of the heel core The upper covering structure of footwear according to Claim 1 or Claim 2.

4. The heel core has an upper edge that curves arcuately forward and upward and a lower edge that curves arcuately rearward and downward in side view, both the upper edge and the lower edge are formed in a shape such that the inclination angle approaches horizontal from an angle close to vertical or perpendicular as it goes upward or rearward The upper covering structure of footwear according to Claim 1 or Claim 2.

5. A heel core made of a flexible curved panel, including a pair of fixed support portions with the inner surface facing inward in the left - right direction, a pair of curved side plate portions that curve upward and rearward from the fixed support portions and extend with the inner surface facing inward in the left - right direction, a rear - end continuous portion having an arc shape in plan view connecting the curved side plate portions, having an upper edge that curves arcuately forward and upward and a lower edge that curves arcuately rearward and downward from the fixed support portions to the curved side plate portions and the rear - end continuous portion in side view, both the upper edge and the lower edge are formed in a shape such that the inclination angle approaches horizontal from an angle close to vertical or perpendicular as it goes upward or rearward A heel core.

Images