Instep protection device

Abstract

To provide an instep protection device capable of reducing a burden on an instep caused when a shoe is worn.SOLUTION: An instep protection device 100 is disposed between a shoe F and an instep of a user wearing the shoe F, and covers at least a part of the instep of the user. The instep protection device 100 includes an upper edge located on an ankle side of the user, the upper edge having a concave shape extending from the ankle side toward the toe side of the user. The instep protection device 100 has a thin shape, which can reduce a burden on the instep when the shoe is worn.SELECTED DRAWING: Figure 1

Description

[Technical Field]

[0001] FIELD OF THE INVENTION The present invention relates to instep protection devices, particularly those that are placed between the shoe and the top of the instep. [Background technology]

[0002] A conventional instep protection device will be described using a blister prevention pad (1) shown in Figure 5. As shown in Figure 5(a), the blister prevention pad (1) according to this embodiment has a generally trapezoidal shape in plan view. In other words, when worn on the instep, the width of the toe side is slightly shorter than the width of the heel side. As shown in Figure 6, the instep of a human foot is inclined, with the heel side positioned higher than the toe side. Therefore, by making the pad trapezoidal, when the pad is worn on both sides of the foot, it is possible to cover the sides from the toe side to the heel side without excess or deficiency.

[0003] The material of the blisters prevention pad according to this embodiment is made of transparent silicone resin. Regarding the thickness of the pad, if it is too thick, it loses flexibility and cannot bend freely. On the other hand, if it is too thin, it loses elasticity and cannot adequately protect the area where the foot comes into contact with the shoe. Therefore, the thickness of the pad is preferably 1 to 5 mm, and most preferably 1 to 2 mm.

[0004] In addition, the entire back surface of the pad is coated with a pressure-sensitive adhesive (PSA). Pressure-sensitive adhesive has high adhesion to silicone resin and is water-resistant and easy to re-adhere. Therefore, if a pad with pressure-sensitive adhesive becomes dirty, it can be reused by simply washing it with water without losing its adhesive strength.

[0005] As mentioned above, the material for the blisters prevention pad is not limited to transparent silicone resin; polyurethane resin, styrene-based elastomer resin, flexible thermoplastic film such as polyethylene, rubber, woven fabric, molded nonwoven fabric, etc. may also be used. The color is preferably transparent so that it is not noticeable even if the area where the pad is attached is visible, but coloring is also acceptable. Furthermore, instead of applying a pressure-sensitive adhesive to the back of the pad, a double-sided sticker may be applied, and the sticker itself may be replaced when the adhesive strength weakens. This also applies to the following examples.

[0006] As described above, the back surface of the pad is formed with an adhesive surface over a wide area, so that when it is stuck to the top and both sides of the foot, it will not easily slip off or come off.

[0007] As shown in FIG. 5(b), the vertical width of the blisters prevention pad according to this embodiment is large enough to cover the area from just below the big toe nail to the base of the big toe (B), and the horizontal width is large enough to cover both sides of the foot as shown in FIG. 6. Specifically, the vertical width of the pad is preferably approximately 3 cm to 7 cm, and the horizontal width is preferably approximately 10 cm to 15 cm. When using the pad, it is worn from the inner side to the outer side so that the area from below the big toe nail to the base of the big toe is covered. Furthermore, this pad can be easily cut with scissors or a cutter. Therefore, the user can adjust the size and shape of the pad by cutting it to fit the size and shape of their foot.

[0008] This allows the base of the big toe and the middle of the toe to be protected by elastic resin, preventing blisters and calluses and alleviating the pain associated with hallux valgus. Some people have a steeply sloping instep or a bulging base of the little toe, which can cause blisters on the instep or little toe side. This pad also covers the instep and the side of the little toe with resin, preventing blisters in these areas (see Patent Document 1). [Prior art documents] [Patent documents]

[0009] [Patent Document 1] Japanese Patent Application Laid-Open No. 2012-115341 Summary of the Invention [Problem to be solved by the invention]

[0010] The above-mentioned shoe blister prevention pad (1) has the following points that need improvement. Due to its structure, shoes have a component (hereinafter referred to as the upper) that covers all or part of the instep of the user's foot. When a user walks wearing shoes, the instep suspends the shoe upper when pulling the foot up, which places a strain on the instep, especially the instep on the ankle side. The accumulation of this strain is one of the causes of fatigue.

[0011] However, while the aforementioned shoe blister prevention pad (1) can prevent blisters and calluses on the base of the big toe and the middle of the toes, and can also relieve pain associated with hallux valgus, it has an area that needs improvement: it cannot prevent the accumulation of fatigue on the top of the foot.

[0012] Also, there is a product that is different from the aforementioned anti-blister pad (1), which is a part that is placed between the shoe and the instep as a part to adjust the fit of the shoe. However, while this part can adjust the fit of the shoe, it has an area that needs improvement: it does not prevent the accumulation of fatigue that occurs from the instep.

[0013] SUMMARY OF THE INVENTION It is therefore an object of the present invention to provide an instep protection device that reduces the burden on the instep that occurs when wearing shoes. [Effects of the Invention]

[0014] The means for solving the problems in the present invention and the effects of the invention are as follows.

[0015] The instep protection device system of the present invention is an instep protection device that is placed between a shoe and the instep of a user wearing the shoe, and covers at least a portion of the instep of the user, and is characterized by having an upper edge portion located on the ankle side of the user, the upper edge portion having a concave shape extending from the ankle side toward the toes of the user, and the instep protection device having a thin shape.

[0016] This reduces the strain on the instep of the foot that occurs when wearing shoes, and also reduces the discomfort felt when wearing the shoes.

[0017] The instep protection device according to the present invention is characterized in that it is made of nonwoven fabric.

[0018] This makes it possible to easily absorb and reduce the force acting on the instep when wearing shoes.

[0019] The instep protection device according to the present invention is characterized by having a laminated structure made up of a plurality of the nonwoven fabrics.

[0020] This allows you to freely adjust the pressure on the instep of your foot when wearing the shoes, and also the comfort of the shoes. [Brief explanation of the drawings]

[0021] [Figure 1] 1 is a diagram showing an outline of an instep protection device 100 according to one embodiment of the present invention; [Figure 2] 1 is a six-view diagram (excluding the rear view) of an instep protection device 100. FIG. [Figure 3] 1A to 1C are diagrams illustrating how to use the instep protection device 100. [Figure 4] 10A and 10B are diagrams showing other embodiments of the instep protection device. [Figure 5] 1 is a diagram illustrating a conventional instep protection device. [Figure 6] 1 is a diagram illustrating a conventional instep protection device. DETAILED DESCRIPTION OF THE INVENTION

[0022] The instep protection device according to the present invention will be described in detail below with reference to the drawings. [Example]

[0023] No. 1 Instep protection device 100 An instep protection device according to the present invention will be described using an instep protection device 100 shown in Fig. 1 as an example. Shoe F shown in Fig. 1 is a type of athletic shoe in which shoelaces are used to fasten the instep of an upper U to secure the shoe to the foot, and it has a component called a tongue T. The tongue T is a component located between the upper U and the instep, and it covers and protects the instep while adjusting the fit between the instep and the upper U.

[0024] The instep protection device 100 is placed between the shoe F and the instep of a user wearing the shoe F, and covers at least a portion of the instep of the user. The instep protection device 100 has an upper edge located on the ankle side of the user, which has a concave shape extending from the ankle side toward the toes of the user. The instep protection device 100 also has a thin shape.

[0025] This reduces the strain on the instep of the foot that occurs when wearing shoes.

[0026] Second configuration The configuration of the instep protection device 100 is shown in Figure 2. Since the front and back views of the instep protection device 100 appear to have the same shape, the back view is omitted in Figure 2. In Figure 2, the upper side of the page corresponds to the ankle side when the instep protection device 100 is in use, and similarly, the lower side of the page corresponds to the toe side.

[0027] The instep protection device 100 has an upper edge 101, a lower edge 103, a right edge 105, and a left edge 107. The upper edge 101 has a concave shape extending from the ankle toward the toes. The concave shape of the upper edge 101 is formed to take into account the shape of the front of the user's ankle when in use, and to fit that shape.

[0028] The lower edge 103 has a curved shape that convexly extends from the ankle to the toe. The right edge 105 connects the right end of the upper edge 101 to the right end of the lower edge 103. The left edge 107 connects the left end of the upper edge 101 to the left end of the lower edge 103.

[0029] The instep protection device 100 has a thin shape, which can reduce the discomfort felt when wearing the instep protection device 100. The instep protection device 100 is also made of nonwoven fabric, which can easily absorb and reduce the force acting on the instep when wearing shoes.

[0030] Furthermore, the instep protection device 100 has a laminated structure made of multiple nonwoven fabrics. This laminated structure made of multiple nonwoven fabrics makes it possible to freely adjust the pressure that the instep receives from the shoe F. Also, by using a material that feels good on the skin or has high moisture permeability on the back side of the instep protection device 100, the instep protection device 100 can be made more comfortable to use.

[0031] 3rd usage method A method of using the instep protection device 100 will be described with reference to Fig. 3. In Fig. 3, in order to make it easier to see the position of the instep protection device 100, the tongue T of the shoe F shown in Fig. 1 is shown partially rolled up toward the toe. Also, in Fig. 3, shoelaces are not shown.

[0032] A user of the instep protection device 100 positions the instep protection device 100 below the shoe's instep covering member and above the instep, i.e., between the instep and the shoe's instep covering member. In the case of shoes F such as the athletic shoes shown in Figure 3, the user positions the instep protection device 100 below the instep covering member U, known as the tongue, and above the instep.

[0033] In addition, as a method of positioning the instep protection device 100 between the instep and the member U that covers the upper surface of the instep of the shoe F, the user can insert the foot into the shoe F while maintaining the instep protection device 100 positioned below the member U that covers the upper surface of the instep of the shoe F.

[0034] By using the instep protection device 100 in this way, it is possible to easily reduce the strain on the instep that occurs when wearing shoes, and also to reduce the discomfort felt when wearing the device.

[0035] [Other embodiments] (1) Position of the instep protection device 100: In the above-described first embodiment, the instep protection device 100 only needs to be positioned between the instep of the user and the shoe F, and does not have to be positioned directly under the shoe F. For example, if the user wears socks, the instep protection device 100 may be positioned between the instep and the socks and then the shoe F is put on.

[0036] (2) Left Edge 105, Right Edge 107: In the above-described first embodiment, the left edge 105 and right edge 107 of the instep protection device 100 are not limited to those illustrated, as long as they connect one end of the upper edge 101 and one end of the corresponding lower edge 103. For example, as in the instep protection device 200 shown in FIG. 4, the left edge 205 may be formed into a shape having a left convex portion 205a that is positioned along the left side of the user's foot during use. Similarly, the right edge 207 may be formed into a shape having a right convex portion 207a. Alternatively, only one of the left convex portion 205a and the right convex portion 207a may be formed.

[0037] (3) Lower Edge 103: In the first embodiment, the lower edge 103 of the instep protection device 100 has a curved shape that is convex from the ankle side to the toe side, but the shape is not limited to the illustrated one as long as it can maintain the instep protection device 100 in a position that covers the upper surface of the instep of the user. For example, the lower edge may be formed in a straight line shape.

[0038] (4) Structure of the instep protection device 100: In the first embodiment, the instep protection device 100 has a laminated structure made of multiple nonwoven fabrics, but it is not limited to the illustrated structure as long as it can absorb the load on the instep. For example, it may be made of a single layer of nonwoven fabric having a predetermined thickness.

[0039] Although the instep protection device 100 is described as being made of multiple nonwoven fabrics, it is not limited to the examples provided that it can absorb the force acting on the instep. For example, it may be made of a material such as silicon that has a predetermined elasticity and absorbency.

[0040] (5) Shoes to be used: In the first embodiment described above, the instep protection device 100 is used in athletic shoes F, but it is not limited to the illustrated shoes. For example, the instep protection device 100 may be used in leather shoes such as wingtips or loafers. Furthermore, the instep protection device 100 may be used in hiking boots with a shape called high-cut that covers the foot above the ankle. [Industrial Applicability]

[0041] The instep protection device according to the present invention can be used in, for example, ordinary sports shoes or hiking boots. [Explanation of symbols]

[0042] 100 Instep protection device 101 upper edge 103 Lower edge 105 left edge 107 Right edge 200 Instep protection device 205 left side 205a Left convex part 207 Right side edge 207a Right convex part

Claims

1. An instep protection device that is disposed between a shoe and an instep of a user wearing the shoe and covers at least a portion of the instep of the user, an upper edge portion located on the ankle side of the user, the upper edge portion having a concave shape extending from the ankle side toward the toe side of the user; and The instep protection device is having a thin shape; An instep protection device characterized by:

2. 2. The instep protection device according to claim 1, It is made of nonwoven fabric, An instep protection device characterized by:

3. 3. The instep protection device according to claim 2, Having a laminated structure made of a plurality of the nonwoven fabrics; An instep protection device characterized by:

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