Shoe

Abstract

To provide a shoe achieving both of easiness to put on and fitness to the shape of a foot.SOLUTION: A shoe 10 includes a sole 60, an upper 20 to be joined to the sole 60, and a shoe tongue 50 provided in an internal space 40 formed by the sole 60 and the upper 20. The shoe tongue 50 is formed of a knit member, and has a mountain-folded ridge line part 56 along a longitudinal direction of the shoe 10. The shoe tongue 50 is formed of a single knit member, and side ends of a medial side and a lateral side thereof are respectively joined near tangent lines between a bottom portion and side portions in the internal space 40. A part of a region of the shoe tongue 50 from the ridge line part 56 to the side end of the medial side or the lateral side is formed to have higher elasticity than at least another part adjacent thereto.SELECTED DRAWING: Figure 2

Description

Technical Field

[0001] This invention relates to shoes.

Background Art

[0002] Conventionally, the purpose of providing a shoe tongue on shoes is mainly to cover the instep part of the wearer to prevent soil and dust from entering the shoe interior and to protect the instep part from the tightening pressure by the shoelace (see, for example, Patent Documents 1 and 2).

Prior Art Documents

Patent Documents

[0003]

Patent Document 1

Patent Document 2

Summary of the Invention

Problems to be Solved by the Invention

[0004] When trying to improve the fit of the shoe tongue to the instep, depending on the design method, there is a risk that the shoe tongue may be drawn into the shoe due to friction with the instep during foot insertion, or the foot insertion may become cramped.

[0005] This invention has been made in view of such problems, and its object is to provide a shoe that achieves both ease of foot insertion and fit to the foot shape.

Means for Solving the Problems

[0006] In order to solve the above problems, a shoe according to an aspect of the present invention includes a sole, an upper joined to the sole, and a shoe tongue provided in a space formed by the sole and the upper. The shoe tongue is formed of a knit member and has a ridge line portion in a mountain-fold shape along the front-rear direction of the shoe.

[0007] The "shoe" referred to here may be a type of shoe that is tied by tightening the shoelaces, such as running shoes. The "upper" may be formed of, for example, a mesh member or a knit member. The "ridge line portion" may be in a mountain-fold shape that is folded upward along the front-rear direction at the center of the upper surface of the shoe tongue. The mountain-fold portion may be folded sharply so that the fold is distinct, or may be folded in a curved shape so that the fold is not prominent.

[0008] According to this aspect, since the shoe tongue is formed in a mountain-fold shape with an upward peak, the width of the foot entry can be widened compared to a conventional flat shoe tongue, the area where the shoe tongue and the foot rub against each other during foot entry can be reduced, and it is possible to make it difficult to get the shoe tongue caught. Also, even though the mountain-fold shape is formed, since it is made of a flexible knit member, it can be flattened and fitted to the instep when the foot is inserted and the shoelaces are tightened.

[0009] The shoe tongue is formed of a single sheet-like knit member, and the respective side end portions on the inner foot side and the outer foot side may be joined near the tangent line of the bottom and the side in the space. "Joining" may be achieved by connecting, for example, by methods such as sewing, adhesion, vapor deposition, etc. According to this aspect, since both side end portions of the shoe tongue are joined near the tangent line of the bottom and the side in the space, it is possible to easily fit the shoe tongue to the instep by wrapping the entire middle foot portion with the shoe tongue.

[0010] A part of the region from the ridge line portion to the side end portion on the inner foot side or the outer foot side of the shoe tongue may be formed to have higher stretchability than at least a part of the adjacent other part. According to this aspect, by providing a highly stretchable region from the ridge line in the foot width direction, it is possible to easily fit to the foot width of each wearer.

[0011] The shooter has a concave portion formed in an arc shape on a part of the peripheral edge that continues from its tip to the respective side edges on the inner foot side and the outer foot side, and the radian of the arc forming the concave portion is less than π radians. According to this aspect, it is possible to ensure the ease of movement of the tip portion without providing a deep cut as in the prior art, and it is possible to easily move the tip portion only by providing a shallow depression formed by an arc with a radian less than π radians. In addition, the area covering the instep becomes wider because there is no deep cut, and it is also possible to improve the fit to the instep.

[0012] The shooter may have a thickness greater than at least a part of the other adjacent part at its tip. According to this aspect, it is possible to improve the foot strike on the shooter and suppress the feeling of tightness around the ankle.

[0013] The portion having the thickness at the tip is formed in a crescent shape in plan view, and both ends of the crescent shape may extend in the direction of the toe tip. Both ends of the tip may be in a position where they overlap and are hidden by the upper, and may be in a position close to the ankle, that is, a position overlapping the eyelet hole closest to the top when the shoelace is tightened and tied. According to this aspect, it becomes difficult for the uppermost eyelet hole (especially a metal eyelet) where it is easy to feel the tightening of the shoelace to directly hit the instep, and an improvement in the wearing feeling due to instep protection can be expected.

Advantages of the Invention

[0014] According to the present invention, it is possible to provide a shoe that achieves both ease of putting on the foot and a good fit to the foot shape.

Brief Description of the Drawings

[0015]

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Mode for Carrying Out the Invention

[0016] Hereinafter, the present invention will be described with reference to each drawing based on preferred embodiments. In the embodiments and modification examples, the same or equivalent components and members are denoted by the same reference numerals, and repeated explanations are omitted as appropriate. The dimensions of the members in each drawing are appropriately enlarged or reduced for easy understanding. In each drawing, some of the members that are not important for explaining the embodiments are omitted.

[0017] (First Embodiment) FIG. 1 is a top view schematically showing a shoe according to the first embodiment. Hereinafter, with reference to the drawings, the configuration of the shoe 10 according to the present embodiment will be described. In the following drawings including FIG. 1, unless otherwise specified, the left-foot shoe or its parts are shown, but the description in this specification is equally applicable to the right-foot shoe or its parts.

[0018] The shoe 10 of the present embodiment is a laced shoe used for sports such as running and walking. The shoe 10 includes an upper 20, a shoelace 30, a shooter 50, and a sole 60. The right side of the drawing from the center line C in the foot width direction of the shoe 10 is referred to as the "inner foot side", and the left side of the drawing from the center line C is referred to as the "outer foot side". In the case of a right-foot shoe, the inner foot side and the outer foot side are reversed left and right. The arrow W facing in the left-right direction of the drawing indicates the foot width direction, and the arrow L facing in the up-down direction of the drawing indicates the front-rear direction of the shoe 10.

[0019] The upper 20 forms an internal space 40 for accommodating the wearer's foot by joining its hem portion to the sole 60, forms a toe opening 41 at a position corresponding to the wearer's toe in the upper front of the shoe 10, and forms a foot insertion opening 42 through which the wearer inserts the foot in the upper rear of the shoe 10. The upper 20 wraps around the entire upper part of the foot when the wearer wears the shoe 10. The upper 20 and the sole 60 are joined by a method such as adhesion.

[0020] The shooter 50 is provided so as to close the instep opening 41 from the back side of the upper 20, that is, from the side of the internal space 40, and covers from the front part of the wearer's ankle to the instep. The shooter 50 is an independent part from the upper 20, and the end part of the shooter 50 is sewn to the opening end 21 of the upper 20 that forms the front end of the instep opening 41. The tip of the shooter 50 will contact the front of the ankle when the foot is inserted.

[0021] The shoelace 30 is passed through a plurality of eyelet holes 23 and crossed over the shooter 50. When tightened, the downward pressing force generated by the tightening force is applied to the wearer's instep through the shooter 50, and the shooter 50 fits to the wearer's instep. In this figure, a type of shoe in which the shoelace 30 is tightened by passing it through the eyelet holes 23 is illustrated, but it may also be a type of shoe in which the shoelace 30 is hooked on a hook and tightened, a type of shoe tightened with a dial-type shoelace, or a type of shoe tightened with a hook-and-loop fastener.

[0022] The shooter 50 is formed by knitting a plurality of types of knitting yarns with different properties such as material and thickness into a single knitted member. The shooter 50 has a ridge line portion 56 that extends in the front-rear direction L at a position approximately along the center line C, that is, at a position approximately in the center in a top view. The ridge line portion 56 has a mountain-fold shape folded upward like a mountain, and the shooter 50 is formed by a knitting method such that such a mountain-fold shape remains in the center. The mountain-fold shape of the ridge line portion 56 may be a shape folded sharply so that the fold is clear, or a curved shape where the fold is not prominent.

[0023] When the shooter 50 tightens the shoelace 30, when a tightening force from both the inner foot side and the outer foot side to the center line C as shown in the tightening direction T in the drawing is generated, the tightening force becomes a downward pressing force and is applied to the upper surface of the shooter 50, pressing the shooter 50 against the instep. Further, the shooter 50 is a component independent of the upper 20, and as will be described later, both side ends of the shooter 50 are sewn to the insole of the sole 60 in the internal space 40 and are pulled in the foot width direction W, and in combination with the stretchability and flexibility of the knit member, it fits the entire instep side of the wearer's midfoot. Here, in the case of an integrated structure in which the upper 20 and the shooter 50 are integrally formed as in the conventional case, when the shoelace is tightened, there is no escape space for the upper or the shooter under the shoelace, and there is a risk of wrinkles forming on the instep. On the other hand, in the shooter 50 of the present embodiment, since the side ends extending on the inner foot side and the outer foot side are joined to the insole and spread in the foot width direction, it is possible to prevent deformation such that the shooter 50 is pulled and gathered near the center line C by the tightening of the shoelace 30.

[0024] Figure 2 is a perspective view of the shoe seen from the front left obliquely. In this figure, the state where the shoelace 30 is removed is shown. The sole 60 is configured such that the midsole 60b and the insole 60c are sequentially stacked and adhered on the outsole 60a that becomes the grounding portion, and a heel counter 60d is adhered at the position of the heel. Since the insole 60c is inside the upper 20 and not visible from the outside, it is shown by a broken line in the figure. The shooter 50 is shown by a solid line for the portion exposed from the instep opening 41, and the portion hidden by the upper 20 is shown by a broken line. Also, the upper surface contour of the midsole 60b is shown by a broken line for the inner foot side portion hidden by the upper 20. In an actual product, an insole (not shown) is inserted into the internal space 40 and laid on the bottom, that is, on the insole 60c.

[0025] The shooter 50 forms a mountain-fold shape at the ridge line portion 56 located at the center of the upper surface. In a state where the foot is not inserted into the shoe 10, the mountain-fold shape of the ridge line portion 56 has a shape that warps from the toe direction toward the tip portion 51 as shown in the figure. As a result, the width of the foot insertion opening 42 is likely to naturally widen, facilitating the wearer to insert their foot into the foot insertion opening 42. The tip portion 51 is formed to have a greater thickness than other adjacent portions of the shooter 50.

[0026] The inner-foot side end of the upper 20 and the sole 60 are joined at the inner-foot side tangent line 24a, and the outer-foot side end of the upper 20 and the sole 60 are joined at the outer-foot side tangent line 24b. The inner-foot side end portion 52a of the shooter 50 is sewn to the upper 20 in the vicinity of the inner-foot side tangent line 24a, and the outer-foot side end portion 52b of the shooter 50 is sewn to the upper 20 in the vicinity of the outer-foot side tangent line 24b. The outer diameter of the midsole 60c is slightly smaller than the outer diameter of the midsole 60b, and the broken line indicating the outer diameter line of the midsole 60c is drawn inside the inner-foot side tangent line 24a and the outer-foot side tangent line 24b. The inner-foot side end portion 52a of the shooter 50 is sewn to the midsole 60c at the position of the inner-foot side tangent line 62a along the outer diameter of the midsole 60c, and the outer-foot side end portion 52b of the shooter 50 is sewn to the midsole 60c at the position of the outer-foot side tangent line 62b along the outer diameter of the midsole 60c.

[0027] The tip portion 51 is formed in a crescent shape with both ends extending downward. The downward-facing both ends of the tip portion 51 are in a position that overlaps and is hidden by the upper 20, and overlap with the eyelet hole 23 closest to the ankle, that is, the uppermost end, when the shoe lace 30 is tightened and tied. As a result, the uppermost eyelet hole 23 (especially a metal eyelet) where it is easy to feel the tightening of the shoe lace 30 is less likely to directly hit the instep, and an improvement in the wearing comfort due to instep protection can be expected.

[0028] Incidentally, as a modification, the inner-foot-side end portion 52a and the outer-foot-side end portion 52b may be joined to the sole 60 by a method such as adhesion instead of sewing. Further, as another modification, the inner-foot-side end portion 52a and the outer-foot-side end portion 52b may be joined to the upper 20 instead of the sole 60 in the vicinity of the tangent line between the sole 60 and the upper 20.

[0029] The end portion of the shooter 50 located in the front is sewn to the opening end portion 21 that forms the instep opening 41 of the upper 20. The outer edge portion 57 adjacent to the outer-foot-side end portion 52b of the shooter 50 is sewn to the inner fabric 22 of the mesh member in the vicinity of the foot insertion opening 42, and the shooter 50 and the inner fabric 22 are integrated to form the inner wall of the internal space 40 in the vicinity of the opening end portion 21.

[0030] FIG. 3 is a perspective view showing the joined state of the sole 60 and the shooter 50. In this figure, the state where the upper 20, the shoe lace 30, and the heel counter 60d are removed is shown. The inner-foot-side tangent line 24a and the outer-foot-side tangent line 24b substantially coincide with the upper surface contour of the midsole 60b. On the upper surface of the midsole 60b, the insole 60c is adhered slightly inside the inner-foot-side tangent line 24a and the outer-foot-side tangent line 24b to form the bottom of the internal space 40 formed by the upper 20. Although not shown, the hem portion of the upper 20 adhered along the upper surface contour of the midsole 60b is adhered in a form sandwiched between the outer periphery of the lower surface of the insole 60c and the midsole 60b, and is sewn to the insole 60c along the upper surface contour of the insole 60c together with the inner-foot-side end portion 52a and the outer-foot-side end portion 52b. In FIG. 3, the inner-foot-side tangent line 62a where the inner-foot-side end portion 52a and the insole 60c are sewn and the outer-foot-side tangent line 62b where the outer-foot-side end portion 52b and the insole 60c are sewn are indicated by hatching, but are actually sewn to the insole 60c together with the hem portion of the upper 20 not shown.

[0031] In a state where the foot is not inserted into the shoe 10, the mountain-fold shape of the ridge line portion 56 is shaped such that it bends upward from the distal end portion 59 on the front side (toe side) to the tip portion 51 as indicated by the emphasized line S. As a result, the width of the foot insertion opening 42 is likely to naturally expand, facilitating the wearer to insert their foot into the foot insertion opening 42.

[0032] The shooter 50 is a component independent of the upper 20, and is knitted with a three-dimensional shape that fits the instep alone. The inner-side end portion 52a and the outer-side end portion 52b are joined to the sole 60 to stand independently. Also, by wrapping not only the instep but also the entire middle foot portion with the highly stretchable knit member shooter 50, the fit of the shooter 50 to the middle foot portion can be enhanced. Further, since the ridge line portion 56 has a shape that bends from the toe direction to the tip portion 51, the width of the foot insertion opening 42 is likely to expand, reducing the possibility that the shooter 50 is caught inside the shoe 10 due to friction with the foot when the wearer inserts their foot, and facilitating foot insertion. Furthermore, when the shooter 50 stands upright, the pressing force on the wearer's instep is alleviated. Since the three-dimensional shape is given at the manufacturing stage of the shooter 50, seams that are inevitable when adding a three-dimensional shape by secondary processing can be eliminated from the ridge line portion, improving the foot strike. Also, demerits such as the manufacturing process becoming complicated or material loss due to cutting when adding a three-dimensional shape by secondary processing can be avoided in this embodiment.

[0033] FIG. 4 is a side view showing a state where the wearer has inserted their foot into the shoe. When the wearer bends the joint of the ankle 70 forward, that is, when the joint of the ankle is bent so that the angle between the ankle and the instep becomes smaller, the front surface of the ankle 70 hits the back surface of the tip portion 51 of the shooter 50. At this time, depending on the material, shape, and hardness of the shooter 50, the wearer may feel a strong constriction on the ankle. The tip portion 51 of the present embodiment is formed to have a greater thickness than other adjacent portions of the shooter 50, improving the foot strike on the shooter 50 and suppressing the constriction feeling on the ankle due to the stretchability and elasticity of the shooter 50.

[0034] FIG. 5 is a bottom view of the shoe tongue 50 of the first embodiment in an expanded state. The shoe tongue 50 of the present embodiment includes a tip portion 51 that extends upward in a semi-circular shape in the drawing, an inner foot side end portion 52a that extends inward in a square shape, an outer foot side end portion 52b that extends outward in a square shape, a terminal portion 59 that extends downward in a wave shape in the drawing, and a portion near the ridge line portion 56. The inner foot side end portion 52a is sewn to the midsole 60c at the inner foot side tangent line 62a, and the outer foot side end portion 52b is sewn to the midsole 60c at the outer foot side tangent line 62b. The terminal portion 59 is sewn to the upper 20 at the opening end portion 21. The outer edge portion 57a, which is the upper side of the inner foot side end portion 52a adjacent to the inner foot side tangent line 62a, and the outer edge portion 57b, which is the upper side of the outer foot side end portion 52b adjacent to the outer foot side tangent line 62b, are sewn to the inner fabric 22 in the internal space 40.

[0035] By changing the material, thickness, knitting method, etc. of the knitting yarn used for each region, the shoe tongue 50 of the present embodiment can integrally form a plurality of regions with different stretchability and different thicknesses within one shoe tongue 50. The shoe tongue 50 of the present embodiment integrally forms a plurality of regions divided into a high stretch region, a medium stretch region, and a low stretch region according to the difference in the stretchability height. Also, by changing the knitting method according to the part, it has a mountain-fold shape that forms ridges along the center line.

[0036] A low stretch region 53 having a crescent shape in plan view is formed at the tip portion 51 of the shoe tongue 50. The crescent shape of the low stretch region 53 is a shape in which the left and right ends extend downward in the drawing, that is, in the toe direction, in a semi-circular shape. The low stretch region 53 is formed by knitting a knitting yarn of a synthetic fiber with low stretchability. In the low stretch region 53, the low stretch knitting yarn is knitted thickly and tightly so as to have a greater thickness than other adjacent portions.

[0037] As the high stretch region 55, a vertically long triangular central high stretch region 55c extending downward along the ridge line portion 56 from near the center of the shooter 50, and an inner foot side high stretch region 55a and an outer foot side high stretch region 55b extending to the inner foot side and the outer foot side on both sides thereof are provided. The inner foot side high stretch region 55a is disposed on the inner foot side of the ridge line portion 56, starts from between the right lower end portion of the low stretch region 53 and the ridge line portion 56, extends downward and to the right, and has a shape extending horizontally toward the inner foot side. The outer foot side high stretch region 55b is disposed on the outer foot side of the ridge line portion 56, starts from between the left lower end portion of the low stretch region 53 and the ridge line portion 56, extends downward and to the left, and has a shape extending horizontally toward the outer foot side.

[0038] The high stretch region 55 is formed to have higher stretchability than the surrounding adjacent regions. The high stretch region 55 is formed by knitting, as a stretchable knitting yarn, for example, a knitting yarn of polyurethane elastic fiber (so-called spandex). As the thickness of the spandex used for the high stretch region 55, for example, 100 to 350 denier is suitable. The high stretch region 55 is knitted at a coarse density so as to be thinner than the low stretch region 53.

[0039] Among the shooter 50, the region excluding the low stretch region 53 and the high stretch region 55 is the medium stretch region 54. The medium stretch region 54 has higher stretchability than the low stretch region 53 and lower stretchability than the high stretch region 55. The medium stretch region 54 may be formed by knitting a knitting yarn of spandex thinner than the spandex used in the high stretch region 55. Even for the same spandex, the thinner one has relatively lower stretchability, and particularly the shrinkage force is relatively weak. The medium stretch region 54 is knitted at a density such that the thickness is intermediate between the high stretch region 55 and the low stretch region 53.

[0040] By making the low stretch region 53 into a crescent shape with a concave bottom, most of the ridge line portion 56 near the tip portion 51 can be made into a stretchable portion thinner than the low stretch region 53, and thus the three-dimensional shape can be more easily maintained. By providing a highly stretchable region in the foot width direction from the ridge line portion 56, it can be easily fitted to different foot widths for each wearer.

[0041] The shooter 50 has a recess 58 formed in an arc shape in a part of the periphery continuous from its tip 51 to the side ends on the inner foot side and the outer foot side respectively. The radian of the arc forming the recess 58 is smaller than π rad. In the case of a conventional shooter formed of a material with low stretchability, it was necessary to provide a deep cut at a position corresponding to the recess 58 of the present embodiment to make it easier to pull and move the tip. Also, in the case of such a shooter shape, the fit to the toenail may be reduced by the amount of the deep cut. On the other hand, since the shooter 50 in the present embodiment is formed of a knit member with excellent stretchability, it is possible to ensure the ease of movement of the tip 51 without providing a deep cut as in the conventional case. The recess 58 is a shallow depression formed by an arc with a relatively large radius of curvature and a radian less than π rad, which is sufficient. In this case, the area covering the toenail is widened by the amount of the absence of the deep cut, and the fit to the toenail can also be improved.

[0042] FIG. 6 schematically shows a cross-section of the shooter along the line A-A in FIG. 5. The shooter 50 is a knit member in which a surface is formed by continuous loops obtained by hooking the next knitting loop on a minute loop of the knitting yarn. From the left in the figure, a low stretch region 53, a medium stretch region 54, a high stretch region 55, and a medium stretch region 54 are shown. The low stretch region 53 is formed by using knitting yarn with lower stretchability than other regions and knitting it tightly so as to have a greater thickness than other regions. In a conventional shooter using a knit material, there may be a case where, for example, a plurality of layers such as two layers are stacked in a portion having a particular thickness and a cavity is formed between the plurality of layers. In contrast, in the present embodiment, even in the portion of the thick low stretch region 53, it is knitted so as to be a single knit member instead of forming it with a plurality of layers that would cause a cavity to occur in between.

[0043] The highly stretchable region 55 is formed by incorporating knitted yarns of highly stretchable spandex. The highly stretchable region 55 is knitted with a coarse density so as to be thinner than the low stretchable region 53. The medium stretchable region 54 is formed to have higher stretchability than the low stretchable region 53 and lower stretchability than the highly stretchable region 55. The medium stretchable region 54 may be formed by incorporating knitted yarns of spandex thinner than the spandex used in the highly stretchable region 55. The medium stretchable region 54 is knitted with a density such that it has a thickness intermediate between that of the highly stretchable region 55 and the low stretchable region 53.

[0044] In this way, by continuously knitting the low stretchable region 53, the medium stretchable region 54, and the highly stretchable region 55 with knitted yarns of different materials and thicknesses so as to have different thicknesses, the plurality of regions are integrally formed into a single knitted member.

[0045] (Second Embodiment) In this embodiment, the arrangement of the stretchable regions of the shooter 50 is different from that of the first embodiment. Hereinafter, the description will focus on the differences from the first embodiment, and the description of the common points will be omitted. As in the second to nineteenth embodiments described below, by changing the shape and arrangement of the stretchable regions included in the shooter, shooters having different functions can be realized with a single shooter.

[0046] FIG. 7 is a bottom view of the shooter 50 of the second embodiment in an expanded state. It is different from the first embodiment in that there is no inner foot side highly stretchable region on the inner foot side (the right side in the figure). The position where the inner foot side highly stretchable region 55a was provided in the first embodiment is, in this embodiment, a part of the medium stretchable region 54 and has lower stretchability than the outer foot side highly stretchable region 55b at a symmetric position. Thereby, by suppressing the stretchability on the inner foot side compared to the outer foot side and increasing the rigidity, it is possible to suppress excessive pronation due to the collapse of the arch.

[0047] (Third Embodiment) In this embodiment, the shape of the stretchable regions of the shooter 50 is different from that of the first embodiment. Hereinafter, the description will focus on the differences from the first embodiment, and the description of the common points will be omitted.

[0048] Figure 8 is a bottom view of the shooter 50 in the third embodiment in an expanded state. The shape of the low-expandable region 53 at the tip portion 51 is different from that of the first embodiment. That is, while the low-expandable region 53 of the first embodiment has a crescent shape, the low-expandable region 53 of the fourth embodiment has a central downward extension portion 53b in which the central portion of the crescent-shaped portion 53a extends downward along the ridge line portion 56 to the upper end of the central high-expandable region 55c, and is different from the first embodiment in that it has a shape close to a T shape as a whole. Thereby, the region having a thickness along the ridge line portion 56 can be expanded, and the tightening feeling of the instep when the shoelace 30 is tightened can be further suppressed.

[0049] (Fourth Embodiment) In the present embodiment, the arrangement of the expandable regions of the shooter 50 is different from that of the third embodiment. Hereinafter, the description will focus on the differences from the third embodiment, and the description of the common points will be omitted.

[0050] Figure 9 is a bottom view of the shooter 50 in the fourth embodiment in an expanded state. It is different from the third embodiment in that the inner-foot-side high-expandable region is not provided on the inner-foot side (the right side in the figure). In the third embodiment, the position where the inner-foot-side high-expandable region 55a is provided is a part of the medium-expandable region 54 in the present embodiment, and has lower expandability than the outer-foot-side high-expandable region 55b at a symmetric position. Thereby, by suppressing the expandability of the inner-foot side and increasing the rigidity compared to the outer-foot side, it is possible to suppress excessive pronation due to the collapse of the arch.

[0051] (Fifth Embodiment) In the present embodiment, the shape and arrangement of the expandable regions of the shooter 50 are different from those of the first embodiment. Hereinafter, the description will focus on the differences from the first embodiment, and the description of the common points will be omitted.

[0052] Figure 10 is a bottom view of the shooter 50 of the fifth embodiment in an expanded state. The high stretchable region 55 of this embodiment is not divided into a plurality of regions, and has a size, position, and shape that cover all of the inner foot side high stretchable region 55a, the outer foot side high stretchable region 55b, and the central high stretchable region 55c in the first embodiment. As a result, it is possible to exhibit stretchability equal to or higher than that of the first embodiment and achieve the same effects as the first embodiment.

[0053] Note that the low stretchable region 53 of this embodiment has a crescent shape as in the first embodiment. The low stretchable region 53 in the modification may have a shape close to a T-shape in which the central portion of the crescent shape extends downward along the ridge line portion 56 to near the center of the shooter 50 as in the low stretchable region 53 of the third and fourth embodiments. When exemplifying the crescent-shaped low stretchable region 53 in each subsequent embodiment, a T-shaped low stretchable region 53 may be used as a modification thereof, and when exemplifying the T-shaped low stretchable region 53 in each embodiment, a crescent-shaped low stretchable region 53 may be used as a modification thereof.

[0054] (Sixth Embodiment) In this embodiment, the shape and arrangement of the stretchable region of the shooter 50 are different from those of the fifth embodiment. Hereinafter, the description will focus on the differences from the fifth embodiment, and the description of the common points will be omitted.

[0055] Figure 11 is a bottom view of the shooter 50 of the sixth embodiment in an expanded state. It is different from the fifth embodiment in that no high stretchable region is provided on the inner foot side (the right side in the figure). That is, the high stretchable region 55 of this embodiment has a shape obtained by removing the region on the inner foot side from the high stretchable region 55 in the fifth embodiment, and covers the region on the outer foot side and the region along the central ridge line portion 56. The inner foot side region of this embodiment is a part of the medium stretchable region 54 and has lower stretchability than the outer foot side region and the central region. As a result, by suppressing the stretchability on the inner foot side and increasing the rigidity compared to the outer foot side and central regions, it is possible to suppress excessive pronation due to the collapse of the arch.

[0056] (Seventh Embodiment) In this embodiment, the shape and arrangement of the expansion / contraction region of the shooter 50 are different from those of the first embodiment. Hereinafter, the description will focus on the differences from the first embodiment, and the description of the common points will be omitted.

[0057] FIG. 12 is a bottom view of the shooter 50 in the expanded state of the seventh embodiment. The inner-foot-side high expansion / contraction region 55a of this embodiment is divided into a plurality of regions, and its shape is different from that of the inner-foot-side high expansion / contraction region 55a in the first embodiment. That is, the inner-foot-side high expansion / contraction region 55a of this embodiment generally has the same overall contour as the inner-foot-side high expansion / contraction region 55a of the first embodiment and is formed in substantially the same region. However, a plurality of strip-shaped slits are provided in the left-right direction at a position corresponding to the midfoot portion of the wearer, and it has a shape divided into a plurality of parts by these slits. Each slit portion is a part of the middle expansion / contraction region 54 and has lower stretchability than the inner-foot-side high expansion / contraction region 55a. As a whole on the inner-foot side, it has higher stretchability compared to the configuration where no high expansion / contraction region is provided on the entire inner-foot side as in the second and eighth embodiments, but the stretchability of the midfoot portion is slightly suppressed compared to the outer-foot side where the outer-foot-side high expansion / contraction region 55b is provided. Also, no high expansion / contraction region is provided in the central portion along the ridge line portion 56. Thereby, the tightening of the midfoot portion can be strengthened, and excessive pronation due to the collapse of the arch can be suppressed.

[0058] In this embodiment, no high expansion / contraction region is provided in the central portion along the ridge line portion 56. However, in a modified example, a central high expansion / contraction region similar to that of the first embodiment may be provided.

[0059] (Eighth Embodiment) In this embodiment, the shape and arrangement of the expansion / contraction region of the shooter 50 are different from those of the seventh embodiment. Hereinafter, the description will focus on the differences from the seventh embodiment, and the description of the common points will be omitted.

[0060] FIG. 13 is a bottom view of the shooter 50 in the expanded state of the eighth embodiment. In the seventh embodiment, the inner-foot-side high-stretch region 55a is divided into a plurality of regions, whereas in the eighth embodiment, the outer-foot-side high-stretch region 55b is also divided into a plurality of regions, which is different from the seventh embodiment. Similar to the inner-foot-side high-stretch region 55a, a plurality of strip-shaped slits are provided in the lateral direction at a position corresponding to the midfoot of the wearer in the outer-foot-side high-stretch region 55b of this embodiment, and the slits divide the region into a plurality of parts. Each slit part is a part of the mid-stretch region 54 and has lower stretchability than the inner-foot-side high-stretch region 55a and the outer-foot-side high-stretch region 55b. Also, no high-stretch region is provided in the central part along the ridge line part 56. Thereby, the tightening of the midfoot can be strengthened and the lateral sway of the foot can be suppressed.

[0061] Note that in this embodiment, no high-stretch region is provided in the central part along the ridge line part 56, but in a modified example, a central high-stretch region similar to that of the first embodiment may be provided.

[0062] (Ninth Embodiment) In this embodiment, the shape and arrangement of the stretch regions of the shooter 50 are different from those of the third embodiment. Hereinafter, the differences from the third embodiment will be mainly described, and the description of the common points will be omitted.

[0063] FIG. 14 is a bottom view of the shooter 50 of the ninth embodiment in an expanded state. The low stretch region 53 is composed of a crescent-shaped portion 53a and a central downward extension portion 53b, and is common to the low stretch region 53 of the third embodiment in that the whole has a T shape. On the other hand, the central downward extension portion 53b of the low stretch region 53 of the present embodiment extends downward to a position close to the lower end of the shooter 50, that is, a position close to the lower ends of the inner foot side high stretch region 55a and the outer foot side high stretch region 55b, which is different from the third embodiment. The central downward extension portion 53b of the present embodiment is formed in a strip shape that generally maintains the same width along the low stretch region 53 and extends downward to a position close to the lower ends of the inner foot side high stretch region 55a and the outer foot side high stretch region 55b. Further, the end portion on the ridge line portion 56 side of the inner foot side high stretch region 55a extends leftward to a position close to the ridge line portion 56, that is, a position adjacent to the central downward extension portion 53b without a gap. Similarly, the end portion on the ridge line portion 56 side of the outer foot side high stretch region 55b extends rightward to a position close to the ridge line portion 56, that is, a position adjacent to the central downward extension portion 53b without a gap.

[0064] Thereby, the region having a thickness along the ridge line portion 56 can be expanded from the tip portion 51 to a position close to the lower end portion on the toe side, and the tightening feeling of the instep when the shoelace 30 is tightened can be further suppressed.

[0065] (Tenth Embodiment) In the present embodiment, the shape and arrangement of the stretch region of the shooter 50 are different from those of the fifth embodiment. Hereinafter, the description will focus on the differences from the fifth embodiment, and the description of the common points will be omitted.

[0066] Figure 15 is a bottom view of the shooter 50 in the tenth embodiment in an expanded state. The overall contour of the highly stretchable region 55 in this embodiment is common to the overall contour of the highly stretchable region 55 in the fifth embodiment. On the other hand, it is different from the fifth embodiment in that two strip-shaped low stretchable regions intersecting obliquely are provided in the central portion of the highly stretchable region 55 of this embodiment. The intersecting strip portion 53c is two strip-shaped low stretchable regions that extend obliquely downward on the opposite side across the ridge line portion 56 from positions near the lower ends on both sides of the crescent-shaped portion 53a and intersect, and like the crescent-shaped portion 53a, it has a greater thickness than other adjacent parts.

[0067] The highly stretchable region 55 is divided into four regions by the intersecting strip portion 53c. The four divided regions are, in addition to the inner foot side highly stretchable region 55a located on the inner foot side and the outer foot side highly stretchable region 55b located on the outer foot side, a central upper highly stretchable region 55d located above along the ridge line portion 56 and a central lower highly stretchable region 55e located below along the ridge line portion 56.

[0068] This can relieve the tightening feeling in the upper part of the midfoot due to the tightening of the shoelace 30 and can more strongly wrap the midfoot to suppress lateral sway.

[0069] (Eleventh Embodiment) In this embodiment, the shape and arrangement of the stretchable region of the shooter 50 are different from those in the tenth embodiment. Hereinafter, the description will focus on the differences from the tenth embodiment, and the description of the common points will be omitted.

[0070] Figure 16 is a bottom view of the shooter 50 in the eleventh embodiment in an expanded state. In this embodiment, the intersecting strip portion 53c in the tenth embodiment is replaced with a medium stretchable region instead of a low stretchable region. That is, an intersecting strip portion 54a, which is two strip-shaped medium stretchable regions that extend obliquely downward on the opposite side across the ridge line portion 56 from positions near the lower ends on both sides of the crescent-shaped portion 53a and intersect, is provided.

[0071] The highly stretchable region 55 is divided into four regions by the intersecting strip portion 54a. The four divided regions are, in addition to the inner foot side highly stretchable region 55a located on the inner foot side and the outer foot side highly stretchable region 55b located on the outer foot side, a central upper highly stretchable region 55d located above along the ridge line portion 56, and a central lower highly stretchable region 55e located below along the ridge line portion 56.

[0072] Also in this embodiment, similar to the tenth embodiment, the middle foot portion can be more strongly wrapped to suppress lateral sway.

[0073] (The twelfth embodiment) In this embodiment, the shape and arrangement of the stretchable region of the shooter 50 are different from those of the third embodiment. Hereinafter, the description will focus on the differences from the third embodiment, and the description of the common points will be omitted.

[0074] FIG. 17 is a bottom view of the shooter 50 of the twelfth embodiment in an expanded state. In this embodiment, it is different from the third embodiment in that a hollow portion is formed in the inner foot side highly stretchable region 55a of the third embodiment, which occupies most of the region from the vicinity of the ridge line portion 56 toward the inner foot side end portion 52a, and an inner foot side partial medium stretchable region 54b, which is a medium stretchable region, is provided in the hollow portion.

[0075] Also in this embodiment, by suppressing the stretchability on the inner foot side and increasing the rigidity compared to the outer foot side, it is possible to suppress excessive pronation due to the collapse of the arch.

[0076] (The thirteenth embodiment) In this embodiment, the shape and arrangement of the stretchable region of the shooter 50 are different from those of the third embodiment. Hereinafter, the description will focus on the differences from the third embodiment, and the description of the common points will be omitted.

[0077] Figure 18 is a bottom view of the shooter 50 in the expanded state of the 13th embodiment. In this embodiment, it is different from the 3rd embodiment in that the inner foot side high stretchable region 55a is formed in a shape in which a plurality of slits are added obliquely to the inner foot side high stretchable region 55a of the 3rd embodiment. That is, the inner foot side high stretchable region 55a of this embodiment is divided into a plurality of regions by the slit-shaped middle stretchable region 54c which is three oblique slits. The three slit-shaped middle stretchable regions 54c form part of the middle stretchable region 54. As a result, the inner foot side of this embodiment has higher stretchability as a whole than the middle stretchable region 54, but the stretchability is suppressed compared to the outer foot side high stretchable region 55b. Also in this embodiment, by suppressing the stretchability of the inner foot side compared to the outer foot side and increasing the rigidity, it is possible to suppress excessive pronation due to the collapse of the arch.

[0078] (14th Embodiment) In this embodiment, the shape of the stretchable region of the shooter 50 is different from that of the 3rd embodiment. Hereinafter, the description will focus on the differences from the 3rd embodiment, and the description of the common points will be omitted.

[0079] Figure 19 is a bottom view of the shooter 50 in the expanded state of the 14th embodiment. The inner foot side high stretchable region 55a of this embodiment is about half the size of the inner foot side high stretchable region 55a in the 3rd embodiment. That is, it corresponds to the shape and size of the half on the ridge line portion 56 side when the inner foot side high stretchable region 55a in the 3rd embodiment is divided into two by the virtual vertical center line CM, and no high stretchable region is provided in the half on the inner foot side from the virtual vertical center line CM, and it forms part of the middle stretchable region 54. Also in this embodiment, by suppressing the stretchability of the inner foot side compared to the outer foot side and increasing the rigidity, it is possible to suppress excessive pronation due to the collapse of the arch.

[0080] (15th Embodiment) In this embodiment, the shape of the stretchable region of the shooter 50 is different from that of the 3rd embodiment. Hereinafter, the description will focus on the differences from the 3rd embodiment, and the description of the common points will be omitted.

[0081] Figure 20 is a bottom view of the shoe sole 50 of the 15th embodiment in an expanded state. The outer foot side high stretchable region 55b of the present embodiment is larger than the outer foot side high stretchable region 55b in the 3rd embodiment and extends leftward to the edge of the outer foot side end portion 52b. Also in the present embodiment, by suppressing the stretchability on the inner foot side and increasing the rigidity compared to the outer foot side where the area of the high stretchable region is large, it is possible to suppress excessive pronation due to the collapse of the arch.

[0082] (16th embodiment) In the present embodiment, the shape of the stretchable region of the shoe sole 50 is different from that of the 3rd and 14th embodiments. Hereinafter, the description will focus on the differences from the 3rd and 14th embodiments, and the description of the common points will be omitted.

[0083] Figure 21 is a bottom view of the shoe sole 50 of the 16th embodiment in an expanded state. The inner foot side high stretchable region 55a of the present embodiment is common to the 14th embodiment in that it is about half the size of the inner foot side high stretchable region 55a in the 3rd embodiment. However, while the boundary between the inner foot side end portion and the middle stretchable region of the inner foot side high stretchable region 55a in the 14th embodiment is clear, the inner foot side high stretchable region 55a of the 16th embodiment is different from the 14th embodiment in that it is formed to change in a gradient so that the boundary between the inner foot side end portion and the middle stretchable region becomes ambiguous. That is, the inner foot side high stretchable region 55a of the present embodiment is formed so that its stretchability gradually decreases from the ridge line portion 56 side toward the inner foot side. Also in the present embodiment, by suppressing the stretchability on the inner foot side and increasing the rigidity compared to the outer foot side, it is possible to suppress excessive pronation due to the collapse of the arch. Further, by configuring so that the stretchability changes stepwise from the high stretchable region to the middle stretchable region, it is possible to support the arch more comfortably and improve the fit.

[0084] (17th embodiment) In the present embodiment, the shape of the stretchable region of the shoe sole 50 is different from that of the 4th embodiment. Hereinafter, the description will focus on the differences from the 4th embodiment, and the description of the common points will be omitted.

[0085] Figure 22 is a bottom view of the Shoetan 50 of the 17th embodiment in an expanded state. This embodiment is common with the 4th embodiment in that no inner foot side high stretchable region is provided, but the outer foot side high stretchable region 55b is different from the shape of the outer foot side high stretchable region 55b in the 4th embodiment. The outer foot side high stretchable region 55b of this embodiment is formed to change in a gradient manner so that the boundary with the adjacent medium stretchable region becomes ambiguous from the outer foot side toward the ridge line portion 56, and its stretchability is formed to gradually decrease. Also in this embodiment, by suppressing the stretchability of the inner foot side compared to the outer foot side and increasing the rigidity, it is possible to suppress excessive pronation due to the collapse of the arch. Further, by configuring the stretchability to change stepwise from the high stretchable region to the medium stretchable region, it is possible to improve the stability of the midfoot and the fit without any more discomfort.

[0086] (18th Embodiment) In this embodiment, the shape and arrangement of the stretchable region of the Shoetan 50 are different from those of the 3rd embodiment. Hereinafter, the description will focus on the differences from the 3rd embodiment, and the description of the common points will be omitted.

[0087] FIG. 23 is a bottom view of the Shootan 50 of the 18th embodiment in an expanded state. The bone ridge portion on the human toenail usually has a ridgeline that slopes downward diagonally from around the center in the foot width direction in front of the ankle towards the thumb or the inner foot side with the apex. In this embodiment, the middle stretchable regions between the inner foot side high stretchable region 55a, the outer foot side high stretchable region 55b, and the central high stretchable region 55c are arranged so as to flow from the center of the toenail in front of the ankle towards the inner foot side toe tip along the bone ridge portion, which is different from the 3rd embodiment. That is, the inner foot side band portion 54d, which is the middle stretchable region located between the inner foot side high stretchable region 55a and the central high stretchable region 55c, is arranged to flow obliquely downward towards the inner foot side from near the central lower extension portion 53b. The central band portion 54e, which is the middle stretchable region located between the outer foot side high stretchable region 55b and the central high stretchable region 55c, is arranged to flow downward along the ridgeline portion 56 towards the center from below the central lower extension portion 53b. As a result, the inner foot side high stretchable region 55a, the outer foot side high stretchable region 55b, and the central high stretchable region 55c divided by the inner foot side band portion 54d and the central band portion 54e are configured in a shape and arrangement such that they flow towards the inner foot side from near the ridgeline portion 56 as a whole.

[0088] Thereby, the middle stretchable region is arranged along the bone ridge portion on the toenail, and by arranging the high stretchable regions on both sides with the middle stretchable region as the boundary, it is possible to arrange the stretchable regions while being conscious of the bones of the foot, and the fit of the toenail can be improved.

[0089] (19th embodiment) In this embodiment, the shape and arrangement of the stretchable region of the Shootan 50 are different from those of the 18th embodiment. Hereinafter, the description will focus on the differences from the 18th embodiment, and the description of the common points will be omitted.

[0090] FIG. 24 is a bottom view of the shooter 50 in the expanded state of the 19th embodiment. In this embodiment, it is common with the 18th embodiment in that the arrangement of the expansion / contraction region is arranged so as to flow from the center of the instep in front of the ankle toward the inner toe tip direction in accordance with the bone ridge portion in the human instep. In this embodiment, an inner instep band portion 54d that flows from the vicinity of the ridge line portion 56 toward the inner instep side is provided as a strip-shaped middle expansion / contraction region, but a region such as the central band portion 54e of the 18th embodiment is not provided. That is, the high expansion / contraction region of this embodiment is divided into two with the inner instep band portion 54d as a boundary, and is composed of an inner instep high expansion / contraction region 55a that occupies the inner instep side and an outer instep high expansion / contraction region 55b that occupies the outer instep side and the central portion.

[0091] Also in this embodiment, the middle expansion / contraction region is arranged along the bone ridge portion in the instep, and by arranging high expansion / contraction regions on both sides with the middle expansion / contraction region as a boundary, it is possible to arrange the expansion / contraction region while being conscious of the bones of the foot, and it is possible to improve the fit feeling of the instep.

[0092] As described above, the present invention has been described based on the embodiments. The embodiments are examples, and it is understood by those skilled in the art that various modifications are possible for each of these constituent elements and their combinations, and such modifications are also within the scope of the present invention.

Explanation of Reference Numerals

[0093] 10 Shoe, 20 Upper, 50 Shooter, 51 Tip portion, 52 Side end portion, 53 Low expansion / contraction region, 53a Crescent shape portion, 54 Middle expansion / contraction region, 55 High expansion / contraction region, 56 Ridge line portion, 58 Concave portion, 60 Sole, 62 Tangent line, L Front-rear direction.

Claims

1. A sole, an upper joined to the sole, and a shooter provided in a space formed by the sole and the upper, comprising: the shooter is formed of a knitted member and has a ridge line portion in a mountain-fold shape along the front-rear direction of the shoe, the sole is configured in a form where a midsole and an insole are sequentially stacked and adhered on an outsole, the outer diameter of the insole is smaller than the outer diameter of the midsole, the inner foot side end portion of the shooter is stitched to the insole at a position of a tangent line on the inner foot side along the outer diameter of the insole, or stitched to the upper in the vicinity of the inner foot side tangent line, the outer foot side end portion of the shooter is stitched to the insole at a position of a tangent line on the outer foot side along the outer diameter of the insole, or stitched to the upper in the vicinity of the outer foot side tangent line, characterized in that it is a shoe.

2. The shoe according to claim 1, wherein the shooter has a mountain-fold shape formed at the ridge line portion located at the center of the upper surface thereof, and the mountain-fold shape is a shape that bends back from the toe direction to the tip portion.

3. The shoe according to claim 1 or 2, wherein the shooter includes a plurality of regions divided into a high stretch region, a medium stretch region, and a low stretch region, and is continuously knitted so that the high stretch region, the medium stretch region, and the low stretch region have different thicknesses, and each region is integrally formed so as to be a single knitted member.

4. The shoe according to claim 3, wherein the shooter includes a crescent-shaped portion formed in a crescent shape and a central downward extension portion in which the central portion of the crescent-shaped portion extends downward to the upper end of the high stretch region located at the center along the ridge line portion, so that the low stretch region at the tip portion has a shape that is generally T-shaped in plan view.

5. The shoe according to claim 3 or 4, wherein the high stretch region on the outer foot side in plan view is formed so as to extend to the edge of the side end portion on the outer foot side.

6. The shooter includes a tip portion that extends upward in a semi-circular shape in plan view, an inner foot side end portion that extends inward in a square shape, an outer foot side end portion that extends outward in a square shape, a terminal portion that extends downward in a wave shape, and a vicinity portion of the ridge line portion. In the tip portion, the low-elasticity region having a crescent shape in plan view is formed, and the low-elasticity region is formed by thick and tightly knitting low-elastic knitting yarns so as to have a thickness greater than that of other adjacent portions. The shoe according to any one of claims 3 to 5, characterized in that.

7. The central downward extension of the low-elasticity region is located near the lower end of the shoe upper, and extends downward to a position near the lower ends of the high-elasticity region on the inner foot side and the high-elasticity region on the outer foot side. The shoe according to claim 4, characterized in that.

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