Shoes equipped with heel guard members

Abstract

This improves the comfort of wearing shoes by preventing heel deformation caused by the wearer stepping on the heel. [Solution] A shoe equipped with a heel guard member that is attached to the outer surface of the heel of the shoe, The tip 53T of the rear heel end surface 53 of the heel portion 51 of the shoe is a flexible and recoverable part where the heel guard member 100 of the shoe is not provided. A flexible transverse suture portion 53BS is provided on the inner and outer surfaces 53TI, 53TO of the tip portion 53T of the heel rear end surface 53 of the heel portion 51 of the shoe, at a position above or overlapping with the upper edge 11 of the heel rear end surface protection portion 10 of the heel guard member 100 of the shoe, and is sewn in accordance with the shape of the upper edge 11 of the heel rear end surface protection portion 10 of the heel guard member 100 of the shoe.

Description

Technical Field

[0001] As one of the factors causing shoe deterioration, there is a shape deformation of the heel part (hereinafter referred to as "heel deformation") in which the shape of the heel part collapses due to the wearer stepping on the heel part of the shoe. Conventionally, there are shoes in which a heel guide part provided above the heel part and extending obliquely backward exhibits a shoe stretching function, making it easier to wear (Utility Model Registration No. 3195071). In such shoes, due to stepping on the side of the heel that does not exhibit the shoe stretching function, the heel deformation progresses every time the shoes are worn by stepping on the heel part. Also, in shoes without a heel guide part and without exhibiting a shoe stretching function, the elderly, children, etc. often step on the heel part, and the heel deformation progresses.

[0002] Regarding the heel deformation caused by stepping on the heel part, shoes equipped with a member (heel guard member of the shoe) that protects the heel part from the outside to maintain the shape of the heel part have been developed. For example, there are shoes provided with a heel support 142 in addition to a shoe upper having a plurality of welded parts at selected positions on the upper of the shoe (Patent Document 1, Abstract, Paragraph

[0067] , each figure). Also, there are shoes provided with a heel counter 115 in addition to a footwear 100 provided with a shoelace engaging element (slot sets 265A to D arranged on the inner side 205A of the upper, loop sets 245A to D arranged on the outer side 205B of the upper) that engages with a shoelace for selectively adjusting the fit of the upper around the width of the foot with respect to the upper of the shoe (Patent Document 2, Abstract, Paragraphs

[0043] to

[0046] , each figure). Furthermore, the structure comprises a sole portion 110, a midsole 120 located above the sole portion 110, a bump portion 130 located above the sole portion 110 and the midsole 120, and a cushioning structure 140 provided at the heel of the bump portion 130, comprising a cushioning portion provided at the heel, a left side portion 142 extending from the first side of the cushioning portion 141 to the midsole 120, and a left side portion extending from the second side of the cushioning portion 141 to the midsole 120. One example is a footwear 100 comprising a cushioning structure 140 which includes a right side portion 143 used to support the cushioning portion 141 together with portion 142, and a shoehorn portion 144 which extends from the upper edge of the cushioning portion 141 to the opening 131 of the bump portion 130, and is used to allow an object to enter the footwear 100 by receiving an external force from the object when the object enters the footwear 100, thereby allowing the object to pass through the shoehorn portion 144 (Patent Document 3). [Prior art documents] [Patent Documents]

[0003] [Patent Document 1] U.S. Patent Application Publication No. 2014 / 0223768 [Patent Document 2] U.S. Patent Application Publication No. 2016 / 0324269 [Patent Document 3] Utility Model Registration No. 3243108 (Publication) [Overview of the project] [Problems that the invention aims to solve]

[0004] The shoes described in Patent Documents 1 and 2 have reinforcing members (heel support 142 in Patent Document 1 and heel counter 115 in Patent Document 2) attached to the outer circumferential surface of the heel (the rear end surface of the heel, and the side surfaces of the heel (left side of the heel, right side of the heel)). However, because the reinforcement is applied from the outside of the heel, the width of the heel from the opening to the outsole is considerably restricted, which presents a problem as there is still room for improvement in terms of ease of wearing. The shoe described in Patent Document 3 has a shoehorn member (shoehorn part 144) with a shoehorn function adopted in conventional shoe inventions attached to the outer circumferential surface of the heel (the rear end surface of the heel, the side surface of the heel (left side of the heel, right side of the heel)), but like Patent Documents 1 and 2, there is still room for improvement in terms of ease of putting on.

[0005] The inventors of this invention have diligently conducted research to solve the above problems and have now completed this invention.

[0006] This invention has been made in view of the above-mentioned problems, and aims to provide a shoe equipped with a heel guard member that improves the ease of wearing the shoe by preventing heel deformation that occurs when the wearer steps on the heel. [Means for solving the problem]

[0007] The characteristic configuration of the shoe equipped with a heel guard member of the present invention, which solves the above problems, is as follows: A shoe equipped with a heel guard member that is attached to the outer surface of the heel of the shoe, The tip of the rear end surface of the heel of the shoe is a part that can be bent and restored and is not provided with a heel guard member. The key feature is that a flexible transverse suture is provided on the inner and outer surfaces of the tip of the rear heel end surface of the heel portion of the shoe, at a position above the upper edge of the rear heel end surface of the heel rear end surface protection portion of the shoe's heel guard member, or at a position overlapping with the upper edge of the rear heel end surface of the heel rear end surface protection portion, and is sewn in accordance with the shape of the upper edge of the rear heel end surface of the heel rear end surface protection portion.

[0008] According to the shoe equipped with the heel guard member of this configuration, The flexible transverse seam exhibits a flexing action that makes it easier to bend in response to an upward load at the tip of the heel end surface of the heel portion of the shoe. Therefore, when the wearer steps in a way that bends the tip towards the heel end in the longitudinal direction of the shoe, the tip begins to bend along the flexible transverse seam and simultaneously bends towards the heel end in the longitudinal direction of the shoe, and is more easily supported by the upper edge of the heel end surface of the heel rear end surface protection part of the heel guard member of the shoe, which is positioned below or overlapping with the flexible transverse seam and is formed to conform to the shape of the flexible transverse seam. As a result, the tip of the shoe that the wearer steps on deforms into a sloping tip in a side view, which acts as a guide member that guides the wearer's heel down into the opening of the shoe. The wearer's heel, placed on the sloping surface of the sloping tip on the rear end of the heel of the shoe which has deformed into a sloping shape in a side view, can easily slide down the sloping surface and into the opening of the shoe, thus improving the ease of putting on the shoe by preventing heel deformation. Furthermore, the flexural lateral suture exhibits a shape-retaining effect, so even if the wearer steps on the shoe in a way that bends the toe area towards the heel end along the length of the shoe, it will easily return to its original shape before bending. As a result, after the wearer's heel enters the opening, the tip, which has deformed into a sloping tip when viewed from the side, smoothly returns to its original shape before deformation without maintaining the deformed state, thereby maintaining the rearward holding force, which is the tightening force from the rear provided by the tip.

[0009] In a shoe equipped with a heel guard member according to the present invention, Preferably, the widthwise length of the flexing transverse seam is formed to be shorter than the line connecting both ends of the heel rear end opening provided in the heel rear end protection portion of the heel guard member of the shoe.

[0010] According to the shoe equipped with the heel guard member of this configuration, The longest portion in the width direction of the tip of the rear end surface of the heel of the shoe is set to be longer than or approximately equal to the line connecting both ends (left end and right end) of the opening of the rear end surface of the heel of the heel guard member. Therefore, by making the widthwise length of the flexing transverse suture shorter than the line connecting both ends of the heel rear end opening of the heel guard member, the flexing transverse suture is reliably formed within the area of ​​the tip without protruding in the widthwise direction from the tip. As a result, the bending and shaping effects of the transverse suture for flexion can be reliably exerted only on the tip portion, which is the part that is stepped on.

[0011] In a shoe equipped with a heel guard member according to the present invention, Preferably, the flexural transverse seam is provided at a predetermined distance from the tip edge of the posterior end surface of the heel portion of the shoe, in the direction in which the outsole is provided.

[0012] According to the shoe equipped with the heel guard member of this configuration, The bending action of the flexing transverse suture, which deforms into a sloping tip when viewed from the side, is exerted from the area where the flexing transverse suture is provided. Therefore, by leaving a predetermined gap between the tip edge of the upper part of the rear end surface of the heel of the shoe and the lower part of the rear end surface of the heel of the shoe where the outsole is provided, the area of ​​the sloping surface of the sloping tip when viewed from the side can be made wider by the amount of the predetermined gap. As a result, the wearer's heel can be more easily placed on the inclined surface of the sloping tip, which has a wider surface area due to the predetermined gap, thus further improving the ease of wearing the shoe that prevents heel deformation.

[0013] In a shoe equipped with a heel guard member according to the present invention, The aforementioned transverse suture for bending is preferably curved in a plan view.

[0014] According to the shoe equipped with the heel guard member of this configuration, By making the shape of the horizontal stitching part for bending curved when viewed from the front, the shape of the horizontal stitching part for bending easily follows the shape of the upper edge of the rear heel end surface of the heel rear end surface protection part in the heel guard member of the shoe. Therefore, when the wearer of the shoe steps in such a way that the tip of the rear heel end surface of the heel of the shoe bends in the direction of the rear heel end in the shoe length direction, the tip is more likely to be supported by the upper edge of the rear heel end surface of the heel rear end surface protection part in the heel guard member of the shoe (the upper side outer contour line of the heel rear end surface protection part). As a result, the tip part stepped on by the wearer of the shoe is likely to be deformed into an inclined tip part with an inclined shape when viewed from the side, and the ease of wearing the shoe with the prevention of heel deformation can be further improved.

[0015] In a shoe provided with a heel guard member according to the present invention, It is preferable that the upper edge of the rear heel end surface of the heel rear end surface protection part of the heel guard member of the shoe is set to a predetermined thickness.

[0016] According to the shoe provided with the heel guard member of the shoe having this configuration, If the upper edge of the rear heel end surface of the heel rear end surface protection part of the heel guard member of the shoe is of a predetermined thickness, the tip of the rear heel end surface of the heel of the shoe is supported by the upper edge of the rear heel end surface of the heel rear end surface protection part whose area has become wider by the predetermined thickness. Therefore, when the wearer of the shoe steps in such a way that the tip bends in the direction of the rear heel end in the shoe length direction, the tip bends at the horizontal stitching part for bending and bends in the direction of the rear heel end in the shoe length direction, and is more likely to be supported by the upper edge of the rear heel end surface of the heel rear end surface protection part in the heel guard member of the shoe (the upper side outer contour line of the heel rear end surface protection part). As a result, by maintaining a stable shape of the inclined tip part with an inclined shape when viewed from the side, which is deformed by the tip part stepped on by the wearer of the shoe, the ease of wearing the shoe with the prevention of heel deformation can be further improved. Also, by setting it to the predetermined thickness, the wearer can achieve weight reduction without feeling the weight of the heel guard member of the shoe when wearing the shoe, and can prevent heel deformation generated when the wearer of the shoe steps on the heel more by the predetermined thickness.

[0017] In a shoe provided with a heel guard member according to the present invention, A tensioning vertical stitching portion is provided which intersects with the bending horizontal stitching portion provided on the inner and outer surfaces of the tip portion of the rear end surface of the heel of the shoe, or forms a substantially T-shape with the bending horizontal stitching portion, and is stitched in a direction from the tip edge of the tip portion at the inner and outer surfaces of the tip portion of the rear end surface of the heel of the shoe toward the direction in which the outsole is provided. This is preferable.

[0018] According to the shoe provided with the heel guard member of the shoe having this configuration, The tensioning vertical stitching portion exhibits a tensioning action in which the fabric is pulled inward along the vertical direction at the tip portion of the inner surface of the rear end surface of the heel of the shoe, so that the tip portion forms an arcuate shape in plan view. As a result, when the wearer wears the shoe, the wearer can obtain a fitting feeling such that the tip portion forming an arcuate shape in plan view wraps around the Achilles tendon of the wearer facing the tip portion.

[0019] In a shoe provided with a heel guard member according to the present invention, The heel guard member of the shoe is A rear end surface protection portion that is attached to the rear end surface of the heel of the shoe, and A heel side surface protection portion (heel left side surface protection portion and heel right side surface protection portion) that extends left and right from the rear end surface protection portion and is attached to the heel side surface of the heel of the shoe. It is preferable that the heel guard member of the shoe is provided with a rear end surface opening portion that extends along the width direction of the rear end surface protection portion with respect to the upper portion of the rear end surface protection portion.

[0020] According to the shoe equipped with the heel guard member of the shoe having this configuration, Even if the wearer steps on the heel of the shoe in a way that causes the area around the tip of the heel, including the tip of the rear end of the heel surface, to bend in the toe direction along the length of the shoe, the line connecting the left and right ends of the rear end opening of the heel surface becomes a bending line, and as a result of elastic deformation, the area around the rear end opening of the heel surface becomes more prone to bending in the toe direction along the length of the shoe. Consequently, heel deformation is prevented in the heel portion of the shoe below the rear end opening of the heel surface protection part, thus preventing heel deformation. [Brief explanation of the drawing]

[0021] [Figure 1] This is a front view of a shoe equipped with a heel guard member according to Embodiment 1 of the present invention. [Figure 2] This is a front view of the heel guard member of a shoe in a shoe equipped with a heel guard member according to Embodiment 1 of the present invention. [Figure 3] This is an enlarged view from the rear of a shoe equipped with a heel guard member according to Embodiment 1 of the present invention, showing the tip of the rear end surface of the heel of the shoe indicated by a thick line. [Figure 4] This is a view from the left rear of a shoe in which the wearer has stepped on the shoe so that the area around the tip of the rear end surface of the heel of the shoe bends in the toe direction along the length of the shoe, in a shoe equipped with a heel guard member according to Embodiment 1 of the present invention. [Figure 5] This is a view from the right rear of a shoe equipped with a heel guard member according to Embodiment 1 of the present invention, showing a flexing transverse stitch provided on the outer surface of the posterior end surface of the heel of the shoe. [Figure 6] This is a front view of a modified example of a heel guard member for shoes, which is a modified example of the heel guard member for shoes according to Embodiment 1 of the present invention. [Figure 7] This is an enlarged front view of a shoe equipped with a heel guard member according to Embodiment 1 of the present invention, in which a flexible transverse stitching portion provided on the inner surface of the rear heel end surface of the heel portion of the shoe is provided at a position above the upper edge of the rear heel end surface of the heel rear end surface protective portion of the heel guard member of the shoe. [Figure 8]This is an enlarged view from the rear of a shoe equipped with a heel guard member according to Embodiment 1 of the present invention, in which the heel rear end protection portion of the shoe's heel guard member is attached to the heel rear end surface of the heel portion of the shoe, and the flexing transverse stitching portion is provided at a position above the upper edge of the heel rear end surface of the heel rear end protection portion of the shoe's heel guard member. [Figure 9] This is an enlarged front view of a shoe equipped with a heel guard member according to Embodiment 1 of the present invention, in which a flexible transverse stitching portion provided on the inner surface of the rear heel end surface of the heel portion of the shoe is provided at a position that overlaps with the upper edge of the rear heel end surface of the heel rear end surface protection portion of the heel guard member of the shoe. [Figure 10] This is an enlarged view, seen from diagonally above, of a flexing transverse stitching portion provided on the inner surface of the posterior end surface of the heel of a shoe, in a shoe equipped with a heel guard member according to Embodiment 1 of the present invention. [Figure 11] This is a front view of a shoe equipped with a heel guard member according to Embodiment 1 of the present invention, illustrating how the tip of the rear end surface of the heel changes to an inclined tip of the rear end surface of the heel when the wearer's heel is placed on it, resulting in an inclined tip of the rear end surface of the heel that is inclined in a side view. [Figure 12] This is a perspective view enlarged of the inclined tip of the rear heel surface, which has been deformed into an inclined shape in a side view, by tilting the tip of the rear heel surface of the heel portion of the shoe toward the rear heel side in the longitudinal direction of the shoe, in a shoe equipped with a heel guard member according to Embodiment 1 of the present invention. [Figure 13] This is an enlarged front view of a shoe equipped with a heel guard member according to Embodiment 1 of the present invention, showing the state in which the wearer's heel is placed on the inclined surface around the inclined tip of the rear end surface of the heel of the shoe, which has been deformed to be inclined in a side view. [Figure 14] This is a view from the right rear of a shoe equipped with a modified heel guard member, which is a modified example of the heel guard member 100 of the shoe according to Embodiment 1 of the present invention, showing a flexing transverse stitch provided on the outer surface of the rear end surface of the heel of the shoe. [Figure 15]This is an enlarged view from the rear of a shoe equipped with a modified heel guard member, which is a modified example of the heel guard member 100 of the shoe according to Embodiment 1 of the present invention, showing the tip of the rear end surface of the heel of the shoe indicated by a thick line. [Figure 16] This is an enlarged front view of a shoe equipped with a heel guard member according to Embodiment 2 of the present invention, showing a tightening longitudinal stitching portion provided so as to intersect with a bending transverse stitching portion provided on the inner surface of the posterior end surface of the heel portion of the shoe. [Figure 17] This is an enlarged front view of a shoe equipped with a heel guard member according to Embodiment 2 of the present invention, showing a flexing transverse seam and a tightening longitudinal seam provided on the inner surface of the posterior end surface of the heel of the shoe, forming a substantially T-shape. [Modes for carrying out the invention]

[0022] Hereinafter, an example of an embodiment for carrying out the present invention will be described with reference to Figures 1 to 15.

[0023] <Shoe equipped with a heel guard member according to Embodiment 1 of the present invention> As shown in Figure 1, the shoe 200 equipped with a heel guard member according to Embodiment 1 of the present invention is provided with the heel guard member 100 on the rear end surface 53 of the heel portion 51 of the shoe.

[0024] <Shoe heel guard component> As shown in Figure 2, the heel guard member 100 of the shoe is an elastically deformable member for attachment to the outer circumferential surface of the heel of the shoe (the rear heel surface 53 of the shoe, and the heel side surface 52 of the shoe (left heel side surface 52LS, right heel side surface 52RS)), and comprises a rear heel surface protection portion 10 that is attached to the rear heel surface 53 of the heel 51 of the shoe, and heel side protection portions 20 that extend to the left and right from the left side edge 13 and the right side edge 14 of the rear heel surface protection portion 10, respectively, which are attached to the heel side surface 52 of the heel 51 of the shoe.

[0025] The "heel rear end protection part 10" refers to the part that protects the heel rear end surface 53 of the shoe, which is the surface of the shoe facing the toe when the heel portion 51 of the shoe is viewed from directly behind the shoe. The heel rear end protection part 10 prevents deformation of the heel rear end surface 53 of the shoe when the wearer's heel 60 presses down on the heel portion 51 of the shoe. "Shoe heel 51" refers to the outer periphery of the heel (shoe heel rear end 53, shoe heel side 52 (heel left side 52LS, heel right side 52RS)). The "heel side protection part 20" refers to the part that protects the heel side 52 of the shoe when the heel portion 51 of the shoe is viewed from the side of the shoe. The heel side protection part 20 prevents deformation of the heel side 52 of the shoe caused by the wearer's heel 60 pressing down on the heel portion 51 of the shoe. The heel lateral protection portion 20 includes a left heel lateral protection portion 20A, which protects the left side of the left heel lateral surface 52LS and extends to the left from the left side edge 13 of the rear heel surface protection portion 10, and a right heel lateral protection portion 20B, which protects the right side of the right heel lateral surface 52RS and extends to the right from the right side edge 14 of the rear heel surface protection portion 10.

[0026] ≪Back heel end protection part≫ The heel posterior end protection portion 10 is the portion enclosed by the upper edge 11 of the heel posterior end surface, the left edge 13 of the heel posterior end surface which connects to the left end 11a of the upper edge 11 and extends downward, the lower edge 12 of the heel posterior end surface which connects to the lower end of the left edge 13 and extends opposite to the upper edge 11 of the heel posterior end surface, and the right edge 14 of the heel posterior end surface which connects to the right end 11b of the upper edge 11 of the heel posterior end surface. The "upper edge 11 of the posterior heel surface" refers to the upper side of the posterior heel surface protection portion 10, that is, the edge of the posterior heel surface protection portion 10 opposite to the shoe's outsole 58 side, and specifically means the upper outer shape of the posterior heel surface protection portion 10. The upper edge 11 of the posterior heel surface includes not only those that are arc-shaped in a front view (see Figure 2) but also those that are straight in a front view. "Lower edge 12 of the posterior heel surface" refers to the lower side of the posterior heel surface protection part 10, that is, the edge of the posterior heel surface protection part 10 on the side of the shoe's outsole 58, and specifically means the lower outer shape of the posterior heel surface protection part 10. The "left side edge 13 of the posterior heel surface" is a line connecting the left end 11a of the upper edge 11 of the posterior heel surface and the left end 12a of the lower edge 12 of the posterior heel surface. At the same time, it is also the right side edge 24A (described later) of the left side heel surface protection part 20A, or the boundary line 25 between the posterior heel surface protection part 10 and the left side heel surface protection part 20A, and is also the bending line when the left side heel surface protection part 20A is attached to the left side heel surface 52LS of the shoe. Furthermore, when the heel guard member 100 of the shoe is attached to the outer surface of the shoe (heel side surface 52, heel rear end surface 53), the "left side edge 13 of the heel rear end surface" is located on a straight line 61L connecting the left end 12a of the lower edge 12 of the heel rear end surface 53, the left end 41L of the heel rear end surface opening 40 (described later), and the end of the left inclined edge 54LTi of the tip (see Figure 3). Therefore, the straight line 61L includes the left side edge 13 of the heel posterior end surface protection portion 10, the right side edge 24A of the heel left side protection portion 20A (described later), and the boundary line 25 between the heel posterior end surface protection portion 10 and the heel left side protection portion 20A. The "right side edge 14 of the posterior heel surface" is a line connecting the right end 11b of the upper side edge 11 of the posterior heel surface and the right end 12b of the lower side edge 12 of the posterior heel surface. At the same time, it is also the left side edge 23B (described later) of the right side heel surface protection part 20B, or the boundary line 26 between the posterior heel surface protection part 10 and the right side heel surface protection part 20B, and is also the bending line when the right side heel surface protection part 20B is attached to the right side heel surface 52RS of the shoe. Furthermore, when the heel guard member 100 of the shoe is attached to the outer surface of the shoe (heel side surface 52, heel rear end surface 53), the "right side edge 14 of the heel rear end surface" is located on a straight line 61R connecting the "right end 12b of the lower edge 12 of the heel rear end surface 53, the right end 41R of the heel rear end surface opening 40 (described later), and the end of the right inclined edge 54RTi of the tip" (see Figure 3). Therefore, the straight line 61R includes the right side edge 14 of the heel posterior end surface protection portion 10, the left side edge 23B of the heel right side protection portion 20B (described later), and the boundary line 26 between the heel posterior end surface protection portion 10 and the heel right side protection portion 20B.

[0027] ≪Heel left side protection section≫ The heel left side protection portion 20A is the portion enclosed by the heel left upper side 21A, which connects to the left end 11a of the heel rear end upper side 11 of the heel rear end protection portion 10 and slopes diagonally downward to the left; the heel left lower side 22A, which extends over a certain range from the left end 21Aa of the heel left upper side 21A toward the heel rear end lower side 12h of the heel rear end protection portion 10; and the heel left right side 24A, which extends diagonally upward in an arc toward the heel rear end left side 13 from the right end 22Ab of the heel left lower side 22A and connects with the heel rear end left side 13. The heel left side protection portion 20A has a heel left side cutout portion 30L between the lower edge 12 of the heel rear end protection portion 10 and the lower edge 22A of the heel left side protection portion 20A.

[0028] "The upper left side edge 21A of the heel" refers to an inclined edge that connects to the left end 11a of the upper edge 11 of the heel posterior end surface protection part 10 and extends with a gradual slope downward to the left. In a configuration where the upper edge 21A of the left side of the heel is an inclined edge, when the heel guard member 100 of the shoe is attached to the outer circumferential surface of the heel of the shoe (the rear heel end surface 53 of the heel 51 of the shoe, and the heel side surface 52 of the heel 51 (left side of the heel 52LS, right side of the heel 52RS)), on the left side of the heel 52LS of the shoe, the upper edge 21A of the left side of the heel extends diagonally downward in a front view from the left end 11a of the upper edge 11 of the rear heel end surface protection part 10 of the heel Because the inclined edge extends in a sloping manner, compared to a configuration where it extends straight in the toe-side direction 50LdTd along the length of the shoe without sloping, the portion of the heel side surface 52 of the heel portion 51 of the shoe that is not covered by the heel guard member 100 is more likely to spread out to the left in the width direction of the shoe 50WdLd from the opening (topline) 57 toward the outsole 58 when the wearer puts on the shoe. As a result, the pressure exerted on the left side of the shoe by the heel guard member 100 when putting on or taking off the shoe is reduced, making it easier for the wearer's heel 60 to be inserted into the opening (topline) 57, thus improving ease of wearing. "Lower left side edge 22A of the heel" refers to the lower side of the heel left side protection portion 20A, that is, the line on the edge of the heel left side protection portion 20A on the side of the shoe's outsole 58. The "right side edge 24A of the left side of the heel" is a line connecting the right end 21Ab of the upper side edge 21A of the left side of the heel and the left end 12a of the lower side edge 12 of the rear side of the heel, and at the same time, it is the left side edge 13 of the rear side of the heel of the heel protection part 10 or the boundary line 25 between the rear side of the heel protection part 10 and the left side of the heel protection part 20A, and is also the bending line when the left side of the heel protection part 20A is attached to the left side of the heel of the shoe 52LS.

[0029] ≪Heel right side protection section≫ The heel right side protection portion 20B is the portion enclosed by the heel right upper side 21B which slopes diagonally downward to the right and connects to the right end 11b of the heel rear end upper side 11 of the heel rear end protection portion 10, the heel right lower side 22B which extends over a certain range from the right end 21Bb of the heel right upper side 21B toward the heel rear end lower side 12h of the heel rear end protection portion 10, and the heel right left side 23B which extends diagonally upward in an arc toward the heel rear end right side 14 from the left end 22Ba of the heel right lower side 22B toward the heel rear end right side 14 and connects with the heel rear end right side 14. The heel right side protection portion 20B has a heel right side cutout portion 30R between the lower edge 12 of the heel rear end surface protection portion 10 and the lower edge 22B of the heel right side protection portion 20B.

[0030] "Upper right side edge 21B of the heel" refers to an inclined edge that connects to the right end 11b of the upper edge 11 of the heel posterior end surface protection part 10 and extends with a gradual slope downward to the right. In the configuration where the upper right side edge 21B of the heel is an inclined edge, when the heel guard member 100 of the shoe is attached to the heel 51 of the shoe, on the right side of the heel 52RS of the shoe, the upper right side edge 21B of the heel is an inclined edge that extends diagonally downward in a front view from the right end 11b of the upper rear end edge 11 of the heel rear end protection part 10. Compared to a configuration where it extends straight in the toe direction 50LdTd in the length direction of the shoe without inclination, the portion of the heel side 52 of the heel 51 of the shoe that is not covered by the heel guard member 100 of the shoe is more likely to spread to the right in the width direction of the shoe 50WdRd from the opening (topline) 57 toward the outsole 58 when the wearer puts on the shoe. As a result, the pressure exerted on the right side by the heel guard member 100 when putting on or taking off shoes with the heel guard member 100 attached is reduced, making it easier for the wearer's heel 60 to be inserted into the opening (topline) 57, thus improving ease of wearing. "Lower right side edge 22B of the heel" refers to the lower side of the right side heel protection portion 20B, that is, the line on the edge of the right side heel protection portion 20B on the side of the shoe's outsole 58. The "left side edge 23B of the right side of the heel" is a line connecting the left end 21Ba of the upper side edge 21B of the right side of the heel and the right end 12b of the lower side edge 12 of the rear side of the heel, and at the same time, it is the right side edge 14 of the rear side of the heel of the heel protection part 10 or the boundary line 26 between the rear side of the heel protection part 10 and the right side of the heel protection part 20B, and is also the bending line when the right side of the heel protection part 20B is attached to the right side of the heel of the shoe 52RS.

[0031] The upper outer contour lines of the heel posterior end protection portion 10 and the heel left side protection portion 20A, respectively (heel posterior end upper edge 11 and heel left side upper edge 21A), extend in a gradually sloping downward and to the left as lines connected to the center point 11c of the heel posterior end protection portion 10, which is the center point of the upper outer contour line (heel posterior end upper edge 11). The upper outer contour lines of the heel posterior end protection portion 10 and the heel right side protection portion 20B, respectively (heel posterior end upper edge 11 and heel right side upper edge 21B), extend in a gradually sloping downward and to the right as lines connected to the center point 11c of the heel posterior end protection portion 10, which is the center point of the upper outer contour line (heel posterior end upper edge 11). Specifically, the line connecting the upper edge 11 of the posterior end surface of the heel and the upper edge 21A of the left side surface of the heel extends gradually inclined downward to the left from the central point 11c of the upper edge of the posterior end surface of the heel The term "upper outer contour line" refers to the upper outer contour line (the side opposite to the outsole 58 when the heel guard member 100 of the shoe is attached) of each protective part (heel rear end protective part 10, heel left side protective part 20A, heel right side protective part 20B). "Center point 11c of the upper edge of the posterior heel surface" refers to the center point of the upper edge 11 of the posterior heel surface, and means the point where the axis of symmetry 10X of the posterior heel surface protection part 10 (the axis of symmetry 100X of the heel guard member 100 of the shoe) intersects with the upper edge 11 of the posterior heel surface.

[0032] ≪Posterior heel opening≫ The heel guard member 100 of the shoe has a heel rear end opening 40 that extends along the width direction of the heel rear end protection portion 10 (the width direction of the shoe 50Wd) relative to the upper part 10T of the heel rear end protection portion 10. "The upper part 10T of the heel posterior end protection portion 10" means the area within 5.0 mm to 4.0 cm in the direction from the center point 11c of the upper edge of the heel posterior end surface of the heel posterior end surface protection portion 10 toward the lower edge 12 of the heel posterior end surface.

[0033] The left end portion 41L of the heel posterior end surface opening 40 is located at a position where it is in contact with the left side edge 13 of the heel posterior end surface protection portion 10 (the boundary line 25 between the heel posterior end surface protection portion 10 and the left side heel protection portion 20A, the bending line when the left side heel protection portion 20A is attached to the left side heel of the shoe 52LS, and the right side edge 24A of the left side heel protection portion 20A), and a straight line 61L. The right end portion 41R of the heel posterior end surface opening 40 is located in contact with the right side edge 14 of the heel posterior end surface protection portion 10 (the boundary line 26 between the heel posterior end surface protection portion 10 and the right side heel protection portion 20B, the bending line when the right side heel protection portion 20B is attached to the right side heel surface 52RS of the shoe, and the left side edge 23B of the right side heel protection portion 20B), and the straight line 61R.

[0034] In this way, when the left end 41L of the heel rear end opening 40 is positioned to contact the left side edge 13 of the heel rear end of the heel rear end protection part 10, and the right end 41R of the heel rear end opening 40 is positioned to contact the right side edge 14 of the heel rear end of the heel rear end protection part 10, the heel rear end opening 40 widens in the width direction 50Wd of the shoe, and the area of ​​the opening becomes larger. As a result, even if the wearer steps on the heel portion 51 of the shoe so that the area around the tip 53T, including the tip 53T, bends in the toe-side direction 50LdTd along the length of the shoe, the area of ​​the heel rear end surface opening 40 is not protected by the heel guard member 100 of the shoe, and the heel rear end surface opening 40 widens in the width direction 50Wd of the shoe, making the area of ​​the opening larger, so the left of the heel rear end surface opening 40 The lines connecting the left end 41L and the right end 41R of the heel posterior end opening 40, which are the right ends, form a bending line. As a result of elastic deformation, including the area surrounding the heel posterior end opening 40, the heel becomes more prone to bending in the toe-side direction 50LdTd along the length of the shoe. Consequently, heel deformation in the heel posterior end surface 53 of the shoe, which corresponds to the area below the heel posterior end opening 40 (outsole 58 side) of the heel posterior end protection part 10, can be better prevented.

[0035] ≪The tip of the rear end surface of the heel of the shoe≫ "The tip portion 53T of the rear heel end surface 53 of the heel portion 51 of the shoe" refers to a part of the rear heel end surface 53 of the heel portion 51 of the shoe that is flexible and can return to its original shape and where the heel guard member 100 of the shoe is not provided. When the heel guard member 100 of the shoe is attached to the outer surface of the shoe (heel side surface 52, rear heel end surface 53), it generally refers to the area from the tip edge 54 of the tip portion 54 of the rear heel end surface 53 to the upper edge 11 of the rear heel end surface of the heel rear end surface protection portion 10 of the heel guard member 100 of the shoe. Furthermore, the portion of the heel guard member 100 of the shoe that overlaps with the upper edge 11 of the heel rear end surface of the heel rear end surface protective portion 10 shall be included in the tip portion 53T. "The tip edge 54 of the rear heel surface 53 of the heel portion 51 of the shoe" refers to the edge that widens in the width direction at the upper tip of the rear heel surface 53 of the heel portion 51 of the shoe, in the direction opposite to the outsole 58, and is the tip edge of the tip portion 53T of the rear heel surface 53. The tip edge 54 is connected to the inclined tip edges (left inclined tip edge 54LTi, right inclined tip edge 54RTi) that extend downward from the left and right ends, respectively.

[0036] Therefore, as shown in Figure 3, specifically, "the tip portion 53T of the rear heel surface 53 of the heel portion 51 of the shoe" refers to the area enclosed by the tip edge 54 of the rear heel surface 53 of the heel portion 51 of the shoe, the left and right tip inclined edges (left tip inclined edge 54LTi, right tip inclined edge 54RTi), and the upper edge 11 of the rear heel surface of the heel rear surface protection portion 10 of the heel guard member 100 of the shoe, and furthermore, the area enclosed in the vertical, horizontal, and vertical directions (see the thick lines in Figure 3) when the left and right tip inclined edges (left tip inclined edge 54LTi, right tip inclined edge 54RTi) and the upper edge 11 of the rear heel surface protection portion 10 are connected by straight lines 61L and 61R. "Line 61L" refers to the line formed when the extension of the line connecting the left end 12a of the lower edge 12 of the heel posterior end surface 53 and the left end 41L of the heel posterior end surface opening 40 (described later) intersects with the upper edge 11 of the heel posterior end surface and the left inclined edge 54LTi of the tip. Therefore, the intersection point 62L of the upper edge 11 of the heel posterior end surface that intersects with line 61L and the intersection point 63L of the left inclined edge 54LTi of the tip are identified by line 61L. "Line 61R" refers to the line formed when the extension of the line connecting the right end 12b of the lower edge 12 of the heel posterior end surface 53 and the right end 41R of the heel posterior end surface opening 40 (described later) intersects with the upper edge 11 of the heel posterior end surface and the right sloping edge 54RTi of the tip. Therefore, the intersection point 62R of the upper edge 11 of the heel posterior end surface that intersects with line 61R and the intersection point 63R of the left sloping edge 54RTi of the tip are identified by line 61R.

[0037] Furthermore, the longest portion in the width direction of the tip 53T of the rear heel end surface 53 of the heel portion 51 of the shoe is set to be approximately equal to the length of the upper side 11 of the rear heel end surface of the rear heel end surface protection portion 10 of the heel guard member 100 of the shoe, and to be longer than or approximately equal to the length of the line connecting both ends (left end 41L, right end 41R) of the rear heel end surface opening 40 (described later) in the rear heel end surface protection portion 10 of the heel guard member 100 of the shoe. Furthermore, the area around the tip 53T of the rear heel surface 53 of the heel portion 51 of the shoe, including the tip 53T, is a part that is prone to causing blisters because it comes into contact with the area corresponding to the wearer's Achilles tendon. Therefore, a thick, elastic cushioning material or a slightly firm material is included inside. As a result, the tip 53T of the rear heel surface 53 of the heel portion 51 of the shoe is a part that flexes simultaneously with the wearer's heel pressing down and returns to its original shape as soon as the wearer's heel separates from the tip 53T.

[0038] Furthermore, the shape of the heel rear end opening 40 may be other than a square or a roughly elliptical shape. For example, the area of ​​the opening of the heel rear end opening 40 may increase as it approaches the axis of symmetry 100X of the heel guard member of the shoe from both ends 41L and 41R of the heel rear end opening 40. For example, the opening portion of the heel rear end opening 40 may be formed to gradually widen along the axis of symmetry 100X of the heel guard member of the shoe. In this case, the area of ​​the opening portion of the heel rear end surface opening 40 increases as it approaches the axis of symmetry 100X of the heel guard member of the shoe, and the area of ​​the opening portion becomes even larger compared to when the opening portion of the heel rear end surface opening 40 is not formed to gradually widen. As a result, as shown in Figure 4, even if the wearer steps on the heel portion 51 of the shoe so that the area around the tip 53T, including the tip 53T, bends in the toe-side direction 50LdTd along the length of the shoe, the area of ​​the heel rear end surface opening 40 is not protected by the heel guard member 100 of the shoe, and the area of ​​the heel rear end surface opening 40 increases as it approaches the axis of symmetry 100X of the heel guard member of the shoe, and the area of ​​the opening becomes even larger. As it becomes larger, the line connecting the left end 41L and the right end 41R of the heel posterior end opening 40, which are the left and right ends of the heel posterior end opening 40, becomes a bending line, and as a result of elastic deformation, the area including the surrounding region of the heel posterior end opening 40 becomes even more prone to bending. Consequently, heel deformation in the heel posterior end protection part 10, which corresponds to the part of the heel posterior end surface 53 of the shoe below the heel posterior end opening 10 (outsole 58 side), can be further prevented.

[0039] The material for the heel guard member 100 of the shoe is not particularly limited as long as it is elastically deformable in terms of the need to cushion pressure and vibration caused by external forces, and has excellent physical resistance to heel deformation caused by repeated stepping on the heel 51 by the shoe wearer. However, an elastomer is preferred in terms of being a polymer material that is flexible, elastic, and can be injection molded. Furthermore, among elastomers, KPU, a thermoplastic elastomer that possesses flexibility, abrasion resistance, water resistance, and the property of rapid recovery from bending, is particularly preferred. If the material of the heel guard member 100 of the shoe is KPU, then, considering that KPU combines the durability of textiles with the elasticity and flexibility of polyurethane (PU), even if the heel guard member 100 of the shoe is repeatedly bent by the wearer stepping on the heel 51, the restorative force of KPU will allow it to quickly return to its original shape, and it will also have durability in terms of abrasion resistance against bending.

[0040] The size of the heel guard member 100 of the shoe varies with the shoe size, but the length in the width direction (length in the direction perpendicular to the axis of symmetry 100X of the heel guard member 100 of the shoe) is in the range of approximately 10.0 cm to 30.0 cm, and the length in the height direction (length along the axis of symmetry 100X of the shoe) is in the range of approximately 3.0 cm to 10.0 cm. The upper edge 11 of the heel rear end surface of the heel rear end surface protection portion 10 of the heel guard member 100 of the shoe is set to a predetermined thickness. "Specified thickness" refers to a thickness in the range of 1.0 mm to 10.0 mm. In other words, the thickness of the heel guard member 100 of the shoe is set to a range of 1.0 mm to 10.0 mm. If the thickness of the heel guard member 100 of the shoe is between 1.0 mm and 10.0 mm, the tip 53T of the rear heel end surface 53 of the heel portion 51 of the shoe is supported by the upper edge 11 of the rear heel end surface of the heel rear end surface protection portion 10, which has an area increased by the predetermined thickness. Therefore, when the wearer of the shoe places the tip 53T of the rear heel end surface 53 of the heel portion 51 of the shoe in the direction 50LdH towards the rear heel in the length direction of the shoe. When stepping in such a way that the foot bends to d, the tip 53T of the rear heel end surface 53 of the heel portion 51 of the shoe bends at the bending transverse seam 53BS and bends in the direction 50LdHd toward the rear heel end in the length direction of the shoe, and is further supported by the upper edge 11 of the rear heel end surface of the rear heel end surface protection portion 10 of the heel guard member 100 of the shoe (the upper outer shape of the rear heel end surface protection portion 10). As a result, the tip portion 53T of the rear heel end surface 53 of the heel portion 51 of the shoe that the wearer steps on becomes deformed, and the inclined tip portion 55Ti, which is sloping in a side view, becomes stabilized in shape, thereby preventing heel deformation and further improving the ease of wearing the shoe. Furthermore, the wearer does not feel the weight of the heel guard member 100 when wearing the shoes, thus achieving weight reduction, and the deformation of the heel portion 51 caused by the wearer stepping on it can be prevented by the thickness within the above range. Considering both further weight reduction and prevention of heel deformation, a thickness of 0.5 mm to 5.0 mm is preferable. If the thickness of the heel guard member 100 of the shoe is 0.3 mm to 5.0 mm, the wearer will feel less weight from the heel guard member 100 when wearing the shoe, further weight reduction can be achieved, and heel deformation caused by the wearer stepping on the heel 51 can be prevented by the thickness within the above range.

[0041] As shown in Figure 5, when the heel guard member 100 of the shoe is attached to the outer surface of the shoe (heel side surface 52, heel rear end surface 53), the upper edge 11 of the heel rear end surface protection portion 10 of the heel guard member 100 is positioned at a predetermined distance 56S from the tip edge 54 of the tip portion 53T of the heel rear end surface 53 of the shoe. At the same time, the heel rear end surface protection portion 10 of the heel guard member 100 is positioned relative to the heel rear end surface 53 of the shoe, the left heel side protection portion 20A of the heel side protection portion 20 is positioned relative to the left heel side 52LS of the heel side surface 52 of the shoe, and the right heel side protection portion 20B of the heel side protection portion 20 is positioned relative to the right heel side 52RS of the heel side surface 52 of the shoe. In this case, the lower left side edge 22A of the heel left side protection portion 20A and the lower right side edge 22B of the heel right side protection portion 20B are positioned to be in contact with the outsole 58 of the shoe, but they may also be positioned so as not to be in contact with the outsole 58 of the shoe. As described above, the heel guard member 100 of the shoe is positioned against the outer circumferential surface of the heel of the shoe (the rear heel surface 53 of the shoe, and the side surfaces 52 of the shoe (left heel side 52LS, right heel side 52RS)) and is attached to the outer circumferential surface of the heel of the shoe by sewing or gluing it to the outer circumferential surface of the heel of the shoe along the outline of the heel guard member 100.

[0042] Furthermore, when the heel guard member 100 of the shoe is attached to the outer circumferential surface of the heel of the shoe (the left heel side 52LS, the right heel side 52RS, and the rear heel surface 53 of the shoe), the upper outer shape line (upper edge 11 of the rear heel surface) of the heel rear surface protection portion 10 of the shoe heel guard member 100 is positioned at a predetermined distance 56S from the tip edge 54 of the tip portion 53T of the rear heel surface 53 of the shoe in the direction in which the outsole 58 is provided. "A predetermined distance 56S from the tip edge 54 of the tip portion 53T of the rear heel surface 53 of the shoe toward the direction in which the outsole 58 is provided" means a range of 1.5 cm to 5.0 cm from the center point of the tip edge 54 of the rear heel surface 53 of the shoe toward the outsole 58 toward the lower side. In this regard, if the predetermined interval 56S is within the range of 1.5 cm to 5.0 cm, it becomes possible to form an inclined tip portion 55Ti of the rear heel end surface 53 of the shoe, which is deformed to be inclined in a side view, to serve as a guide member that guides the wearer's heel 60 to slide down into the inside of the opening 55. In contrast, if the predetermined interval 56S is 1.5 cm or less, it becomes difficult to form the inclined tip portion 55Ti of the heel rear end surface 53 of the shoe, which is deformed to be inclined in a side view, as a guide member that guides the wearer's heel 60 to slide down into the opening 55. If the predetermined interval 56S is 5.0 cm or more, when the inclined tip portion 55Ti of the heel rear end surface 53 of the shoe, which is deformed to be inclined in a side view, is formed as a guide member that guides the wearer's heel 60 to slide down into the opening 55, it spreads too much in the heel rear end direction 50LdHd in the length direction of the shoe, making it difficult for the wearer's heel 60 to rest on the inclined surface of the inclined tip portion 55Ti of the heel rear end surface 53, and it is conceivable that the above-mentioned role as a guide member will not be performed.

[0043] <Modified example of shoe heel guard member 100> As shown in Figure 6, the modified heel guard member 100' of the shoe, which is a modified version of the heel guard member 100, has a shape in which the upper edge 11 of the heel rear end surface protection part 10 gradually slopes from the left end 11a of the upper edge 11 of the heel rear end surface toward the center of the lower edge 12 of the heel rear end surface to the center point 11c of the upper edge 11 of the heel rear end surface, and then gradually slopes from the center point 11c of the upper edge 11 of the heel rear end surface toward the right end 11b of the upper edge 11 of the heel rear end surface on the opposite side from the lower edge 12 of the heel rear end surface to the right end 11b of the upper edge 11 of the heel rear end surface, that is, a U-shape 42 or a roughly U-shape 42 (U-shaped or roughly U-shaped upper edge 42 of the heel rear end surface) that gradually recesses toward the lower edge 12 of the heel rear end surface. Specifically, in modified example 100' of the heel guard member of the shoe, a recess 43 is formed by the upper edge 11 of the rear end surface of the heel being recessed toward the lower edge 12 of the rear end surface of the heel. "U-shaped 42 or roughly U-shaped 42 (U-shaped or roughly U-shaped upper edge 42 of the rear end surface of the heel)" means that the shape of the upper edge 42 of the rear end surface of the heel may be not only U-shaped, but also roughly U-shaped, which is a shape close to U-shaped.

[0044] The effect of the modified heel guard member 100' is that when the wearer of the shoe steps on the tip 53T of the rear heel surface 53 of the shoe 50 in the longitudinal direction toward the rear heel 50LdHd, the tip 53T of the rear heel surface 53 of the shoe 50 spreads out in the longitudinal direction toward the rear heel 50LdHd, and the tip 53T of the rear heel surface 53 enters into the recess 43, and at the same time, the upper part of the rear heel surface of the heel rear surface protection portion 10 of the heel guard member 100 As the edge 11 supports the load from above caused by the wearer stepping down, the shape of the tip 53T of the rear heel surface 53 of the shoe 50 becomes more easily deformed into a side-view inclined shape with a gentler inclination angle compared to when there is no recess 43. This inclined tip 55Ti (the inclined tip 55Ti of the rear heel surface that has been deformed into a side-view inclined shape) becomes more likely to act as a guide member that leads the wearer's heel 60 down into the opening 55. As a result, by placing the wearer's heel 60 on the inclined tip portion 55Ti of the heel rear end surface of the shoe, which is deformed in a lateral view, the wearer's heel 60 can slide down the inclined surface and more easily into the opening 55, thereby further improving the ease of wearing the shoe, which prevents heel deformation. Furthermore, the longest portion in the width direction of the tip 53T of the heel rear end surface 53 of the heel portion 51 of the shoe is approximately equal to the length of the U-shaped or roughly U-shaped upper side 42 of the heel rear end surface protection portion 10 of the modified heel guard member 100' of the shoe (that is, the length of the U-shaped or roughly U-shaped upper side 42 of the heel rear end surface that forms the recess 43 is formed to be approximately equal to the longest portion in the width direction of the tip 53T). In this case, the inclined tip portion 55Ti (the inclined tip portion 55Ti of the heel posterior end surface 53 of the shoe 50, which is deformed into an inclined shape when viewed from the side) is more easily housed inside the recess 43, so the inclined tip portion 55Ti is more likely to deform into an inclined shape when viewed from the side with an even gentler inclination angle.

[0045] <Lateral suture for bending> As shown in Figures 5, 7 to 9, the shoe 200 equipped with a heel guard member according to Embodiment 1 of the present invention is provided with a flexible transverse suture portion 53BS sewn to the inner and outer surfaces 53TI, 53TO of the tip portion 53T of the heel rear end surface 53 of the heel portion 51 of the shoe, at a position above the upper edge 11 of the heel rear end surface protection portion 10 of the heel guard member 100 (see Figures 7 and 8) or at a position overlapping with the upper edge 11 of the heel rear end surface protection portion 10 (see Figure 9), and in accordance with the shape of the upper edge 11 of the heel rear end surface protection portion 10 of the heel guard member 100.

[0046] "The inner and outer surfaces 53TI, 53TO of the tip portion 53T of the heel rear end surface 53 of the heel portion 51 of the shoe" can be rephrased as "the inner and outer surfaces 53TI, 53TO of the tip portion 53T of the heel rear end surface 53 of the shoe, which is roughly the area from the tip edge 54 of the tip portion 54 of the heel rear end surface 53 of the heel portion 51 of the shoe to the upper edge 11 of the heel rear end surface of the heel rear end surface protection portion 10 of the shoe heel guard member 100, when the heel guard member 100 of the shoe is attached," and more specifically, it means the inner surface 53TI, which is the inner surface, and the outer surface 53TO, which is the outer surface, of the tip portion 53T of the heel rear end surface 53 of the heel rear end surface 53 of the heel portion 51 of the shoe. "The inner surface 53TI of the tip 53T of the rear heel end surface 53 of the heel portion 51 of the shoe" refers to the side of the tip 53T of the rear heel end surface 53 that comes into contact with the wearer's heel 60, that is, the side of the shoe that is not provided with a heel guard member. "The outer surface 53TO of the tip 53T of the rear heel end surface 53 of the heel portion 51 of the shoe" refers to the side of the tip 53T of the rear heel end surface 53 that does not come into contact with the wearer's heel 60, that is, the side on which the heel guard member of the shoe is provided.

[0047] The flexible transverse stitching portion 53BS provided on the inner surface 53TI of the tip portion 53T of the heel end surface 53 of the heel portion 51 of the shoe, and the flexible transverse stitching portion 53BS provided on the outer surface 53TO, are formed together as a single flexible transverse stitching portion 53BS. In other words, the flexion lateral seam 53BS is constructed by sewing together the inner surface 53TI and the outer surface 53TO of the tip 53T of the heel end surface 53 of the heel portion 51 of the shoe with sewing thread so that the surfaces are integrated. Therefore, the stitches of the flexion lateral seam 53BS appear alternately on the respective surfaces of the inner surface 53TI and the outer surface 53TO. For this reason, the flexion lateral seam 53BS is provided separately from the sewing thread used when attaching the heel guard member 100 of the shoe to the heel end surface 53 of the shoe.

[0048] "The flexible transverse stitching portion 53BS provided on the inner and outer surfaces 53TI, 53TO of the tip portion 53T of the heel rear end surface 53 of the heel rear end surface 51 of the shoe is provided at a position above the line on the upper edge 11 of the heel rear end surface 10 of the heel rear end surface 10 (see Figures 7 and 8) or at a position overlapping with said line (see Figure 9). Furthermore, if the flexion lateral stitching portion 53BS is provided at a position that overlaps with the lines on the upper edge 11 of the heel posterior end surface of the heel posterior end surface protection portion 10 of the heel guard member 100 of the shoe, which is provided on the outer surface 53TO of the heel posterior end surface 53, then the flexion lateral stitching portion 53BS may be in a state where it is not visible from the outside, or a part of the flexion lateral stitching portion 53BS may be exposed to the outside from the lines on the upper edge 11 of the heel posterior end surface. "The position above the upper edge 11 of the heel posterior end surface protection part 10" means a region within, for example, 5.0 mm from the line of the upper edge 11 of the heel posterior end surface protection part 10 toward the tip edge 54 of the tip portion 53T of the heel posterior end surface 53 of the heel portion 51 of the shoe. Furthermore, regarding the statement "sewn to conform to the shape of the upper edge 11 of the rear heel surface of the heel rear end protection portion 10 of the heel guard member 100 of the shoe," if the shape of the upper edge 11 of the rear heel surface of the heel rear end protection portion 10 of the heel guard member 100 of the shoe is straight in front view (see Figures 2, 5, 7 to 9), then the lateral sewn portion 53BS for bending is sewn to conform to the shape of the upper edge 11 of the rear heel surface which is straight in front view.

[0049] The widthwise length of the flexural transverse suture portion 53BS is shorter than the line connecting both ends of the heel rear end opening 40 provided in the heel rear end protection portion 10 of the heel guard member 100 of the shoe, i.e., the left end 41L and the right end 41R (see Figures 5 and 8). Specifically, the left end of the flexion transverse suture portion 53BS is provided within the range of the heel posterior end surface opening 40 without protruding in the width direction from the left end portion 41L of the heel posterior end surface opening 40, and the right end of the flexion transverse suture portion 53BS is provided within the range of the heel posterior end surface opening 40 without protruding in the width direction from the right end portion 41R of the heel posterior end surface opening 40. Furthermore, as described above, the longest portion in the width direction of the tip 53T of the rear heel end surface 53 of the heel portion 51 of the shoe is set to be approximately equal to the length of the upper side 11 of the rear heel end surface of the rear heel end surface protection portion 10 of the heel guard member 100 of the shoe, and to be longer than or approximately equal to the length of the line connecting both ends (left end 41L, right end 41R) of the rear heel end surface opening 40 (described later) in the rear heel end surface protection portion 10 of the heel guard member 100 of the shoe. Therefore, by making the widthwise length of the flexing transverse seam 53BS shorter than the line connecting both ends of the heel rear end opening 40 provided in the heel rear end protection portion 10 of the heel guard member 100 of the shoe, i.e., the left end 41L and the right end 41R, the flexing transverse seam 53BS is reliably formed within the area of ​​the tip 53T without protruding in the widthwise direction from the tip 53T.

[0050] "The width direction of the flexural transverse seam 53BS" refers to the direction that is approximately parallel to the width direction 50W of the shoe. The "widthwise length of the flexing transverse seam 53BS" means a length of approximately 1.5 cm or more and approximately 5.0 cm or less when the left and right ends of the flexing transverse seam 53BS are connected by a straight line approximately parallel to the width direction 50Wd of the shoe, from the perspective that the flexing transverse seam 53BS is provided in a curved shape when viewed from the front or in plan, and the distance between the left and right ends of the flexing transverse seam 53BS is measured. "The line connecting both ends of the heel rear end opening 40 provided in the heel rear end protection portion 10 of the heel guard member 100 of the shoe, namely the left end 41L and the right end 41R" means a straight line connecting both ends of the heel rear end opening 40, namely the left end 41L and the right end 41R, in a manner that is approximately parallel to the width direction 50Wd of the shoe, from the perspective that the heel rear end opening 40 is provided in a curved shape in plan view.

[0051] The flexion transverse suture portion 53BS is provided at a predetermined distance 56SU from the tip edge 54 of the tip portion 53T of the heel rear end surface 53 of the heel portion 51 of the shoe, in the direction in which the outsole 58 is provided on the heel rear end surface 53 of the shoe. "The predetermined interval 56SU" means a range of 1.0 cm to 5.0 cm from the tip edge 54 of the rear heel surface 53 of the shoe toward the outsole 58 toward the lower side.

[0052] The following are the effects of providing a flexible transverse seam 53BS to a shoe 200 equipped with a heel guard member 100 according to Embodiment 1 of the present invention. As shown in Figures 10 and 11, the flexing transverse seam 53BS exhibits a flexing action that makes it easier to bend in response to an overhead load. Therefore, when a shoe wearer steps down in a way that bends the tip 53T of the heel posterior end surface 53 of the heel portion 51 of the shoe in the heel posterior end direction 50LdHd along the length of the shoe, the tip 53T of the heel posterior end surface 53 of the heel portion 51 of the shoe begins to bend along the flexing transverse seam 53BS and simultaneously bends in the heel posterior end direction 50LdHd along the length of the shoe, and is more easily supported by the upper edge 11 of the heel posterior end surface protection portion 10 of the heel guard member 100 of the shoe, which is positioned below the flexing transverse seam 53BS and formed to conform to the shape of the flexing transverse seam 53BS (the upper outer shape of the heel posterior end surface protection portion 10). As a result, as shown in Figures 12 and 13, the tip 53T of the rear heel end surface 53 of the heel portion 51 of the shoe, when stepped on by the shoe wearer, deforms into a sloping tip portion 55Ti in a side view, which is a guide member that guides the wearer's heel 60 to slide down into the opening 55. The wearer's heel 60, placed on the sloping surface of the sloping tip portion 55Ti of the rear heel end surface 53 of the shoe which has deformed into a side view, can easily slide down the sloping surface and into the opening 55, thus improving the ease of putting on the shoe by preventing heel deformation. Furthermore, the flexion lateral suture portion 53BS exhibits a shape-retaining effect, so even if the wearer steps on the shoe in a way that bends the tip portion 53T of the heel posterior end surface 53 of the heel portion 51 of the shoe in the heel posterior end direction 50LdHd along the length of the shoe, it will easily return to its original shape before bending. As a result, after the wearer's heel 60 enters the opening 55, the tip 53T of the heel rear end surface 53 of the heel portion 51 of the shoe, which has deformed into a sloping tip portion 55Ti in a lateral view, smoothly returns to its original shape before deformation without maintaining the deformed shape, thereby maintaining the rearward holding force, which is the tightening force from the rear by the tip 53T of the heel rear end surface 53 of the heel portion 51 of the shoe.

[0053] <Shoe equipped with a modified heel guard member according to Embodiment 1 of the present invention> As shown in Figures 14 and 15, the flexion lateral stitching portion 53BS in a shoe 200' equipped with a modified example of the heel guard member 100', which is a modified example of the heel guard member 100, is sewn to the inner and outer surfaces 53TI, 53TO of the tip portion 53T of the heel rear end surface 53 of the heel portion 51 of the shoe, at a position above the U-shaped upper edge 42 of the heel rear end surface protection portion 10 of the modified example of the heel guard member 100', or at a position overlapping with the U-shaped upper edge 42 of the heel rear end surface protection portion 10, and in accordance with the shape of the U-shaped upper edge 42 of the heel rear end surface protection portion 10 of the heel guard member 100.

[0054] The effect of providing a flexible transverse suture 53BS to the modified heel guard member 100' of the shoe is that, due to the flexing action of the flexible transverse suture 53BS, the shape of the tip 53T of the rear heel end surface 53 of the shoe 50 is more easily deformed into a lateral inclined shape with a gentler inclination angle compared to when there is no recess 43 and flexible transverse suture 53BS. This inclined tip 55Ti (the inclined tip 55Ti of the rear heel end surface deformed into a lateral inclined shape) becomes a guide member that easily guides the wearer's heel 60 into the opening 55. As a result, by placing the wearer's heel 60 on the inclined tip portion 55Ti of the heel rear end surface of the shoe, which is deformed in a lateral view, the wearer's heel 60 can slide down the inclined surface and more easily into the opening 55, thereby further improving the ease of wearing the shoe that prevents heel deformation.

[0055] <Shoe equipped with a heel guard member according to Embodiment 2 of the present invention> <Longitudinal seam for tightening> As shown in Figures 16 and 17, the shoe 200 equipped with a heel guard member according to Embodiment 2 of the present invention has a tightening longitudinal stitch 53VS that intersects with or forms a substantially T-shape with the bending transverse stitch 53BS provided on the inner and outer surfaces 53TI, 53TO of the tip portion 53T of the heel rear end surface 53 of the heel portion 51 of the shoe, and is stitched from the tip edge 54 of the tip portion 53T of the inner and outer surfaces 53TI, 53TO of the heel rear end surface 53 of the shoe, toward the direction in which the outsole 58 is provided.

[0056] When the "tightening longitudinal seam 53VS" forms a roughly T-shape with the bending transverse seam 53BS, the end of the tightening longitudinal seam 53VS on the outsole 58 side is formed to overlap with the bending transverse seam 53BS.

[0057] In the shoe 200 equipped with a heel guard member according to Embodiment 2 of the present invention, the heel guard member 100 is attached to the outer circumferential surface of the heel of the shoe (the rear heel surface 53 of the shoe, and the heel side surfaces 52 of the shoe (left heel surface 52LS, right heel surface 52RS)). [Industrial applicability]

[0058] The heel guard member for shoes according to the present invention can be used in all types of shoes, including business shoes, athletic shoes, medical shoes such as nurse shoes and nursing shoes, and boots. [Explanation of symbols]

[0059] 100 Heel guard member for shoes 100' Modified example of heel guard member for shoes 100X Axis of symmetry of the heel guard member of the shoe in Embodiment 1 100'X Axis of symmetry of a modified shoe heel guard member, which is a modified example of the shoe heel guard member of Embodiment 1. 200 Shoes equipped with heel guard members 200' Shoes with modified heel guard members 10 Back heel protection part 10T Upper part of the heel posterior end protection section 11 Upper edge of the posterior end surface of the heel 11a Left end of the upper edge of the posterior end surface of the heel 11b Right end of the upper edge of the posterior surface of the heel 11c Center point of the upper edge of the posterior end surface of the heel 12 Lower edge of the posterior end surface of the heel 12a Left end of the lower edge of the posterior end surface of the heel 12b Right end of the lower edge of the posterior surface of the heel 13. Left side of the posterior end surface of the heel 14 Right side of the rear end of the heel 20 Heel side protection part 20A Heel left side protection area 21A Upper side of the left side of the heel 21Aa Left edge of the upper left side of the heel 21Ab Right end of the upper edge of the left side of the heel 22A Lower left side of the heel 22Aa Left edge of the lower left side of the heel 22Ab Right end of the lower left side of the heel 23A Left side of the heel 24A Heel left side right side 20B Heel right side protection part 21B Upper right side of the heel 21Ba Left end of the upper edge of the right side of the heel 21Bb Right edge of the upper side of the right side of the heel 22B Lower right side of the heel 22Ba Left end of the lower right side of the heel 22Bb Right edge of the lower right side of the heel 23B Right side of the heel, left side 24B Right side of heel 25 Boundary between the posterior heel protection area and the left side heel protection area 26 Boundary line between the posterior heel protection area and the right side heel protection area 30L Heel left side cutout 30R Heel right side cutout 40 Posterior heel opening 41L Left end of the opening on the posterior end surface of the heel 41R Right end of the opening on the posterior end surface of the heel 42. Upper side of the posterior end surface of the U-shaped heel 43 Recess 50Ld length of shoe 50LdTd Toe direction in the length direction of the shoe 50LdHd Length of the shoe, towards the posterior end of the heel 50Wd (width of shoe) 50WdLd (Left side in the width direction of the shoe) 50WdRd Right side in the width direction of the shoe 51 Heel of the shoe 52. Side of the heel of the shoe 52LS Heel left side 52RS Heel Right Side 53. Rear end surface of the heel of a shoe 53T The tip of the rear end surface of the heel of the shoe 53TI Inner side of the tip of the rear end of the heel of the shoe 53TO Outer edge of the rear end of the heel of the shoe 53BS Lateral suture for bending 53VS Vertical suture for tightening 54. The tip edge of the rear end surface of the heel (the tip edge of the rear end surface of the heel of the shoe) 54LTi Left-sloping edge at the tip of the posterior end surface of the heel 54RTi Left-sloping edge at the tip of the posterior end surface of the heel 55Ti Inclined tip portion (guide member) of the heel posterior end surface, which is deformed in a sloping manner when viewed from the side. 56S A predetermined distance from the tip edge of the rear end surface of the heel to the upper edge of the rear end surface of the heel. 56SU The predetermined distance from the tip edge of the posterior end surface of the heel to the transverse suture for flexion. 57 Opening (top line) 58 Outsole 60. The wearer's heel 61L A straight line connecting the left end of the lower edge of the posterior heel surface, the left end of the opening of the posterior heel surface, and the left sloping edge of the tip. 61R A straight line connecting the right end of the lower edge of the posterior heel surface, the right end of the opening of the posterior heel surface, and the right sloping edge of the toe. 62L is the intersection point where straight line 61L intersects with the upper edge of the posterior end surface of the heel. 62R is the intersection point where straight line 61R intersects with the upper edge of the posterior end surface of the heel. 63L Intersection where straight line 61L and the left-sloping edge of the tip intersect. 63R Intersection where straight line 61R and the left-sloping edge of the tip intersect.

Claims

1. A shoe equipped with a heel guard member that is attached to the outer surface of the heel of the shoe, The tip of the rear end surface of the heel of the shoe is a part that can be bent and restored and is not provided with a heel guard member. A shoe equipped with a heel guard member, characterized in that a flexible transverse suture portion is provided on the inner and outer surfaces of the tip of the rear end surface of the heel of the shoe, at a position above the upper edge of the rear end surface of the heel rear end surface protection portion of the heel guard member of the shoe, or at a position overlapping with the upper edge of the rear end surface of the heel rear end surface protection portion, and sewn in accordance with the shape of the upper edge of the rear end surface of the heel rear end surface protection portion.

2. The shoe equipped with the heel guard member of the shoe according to claim 1, characterized in that the length in the width direction of the bending transverse seam is formed to be shorter than the line connecting both ends of the heel rear end surface opening provided in the heel rear end surface protection portion of the heel guard member of the shoe.

3. The shoe equipped with a heel guard member according to claim 1, characterized in that the flexing transverse suture portion is provided at a predetermined distance from the tip edge of the tip of the rear end surface of the heel portion of the shoe toward the direction in which the outsole is provided.

4. The shoe is equipped with a heel guard member according to claim 1, characterized in that the flexing transverse seam is curved in plan view.

5. A shoe equipped with the heel guard member according to claim 1, characterized in that the upper edge of the heel rear end surface of the heel rear end surface protection portion of the heel guard member of the shoe is set to a predetermined thickness.

6. A shoe equipped with a heel guard member according to claim 1, characterized in that a tightening longitudinal stitch is provided so as to intersect with or form a substantially T-shape with the bending transverse stitch provided on the inner and outer surfaces of the tip of the rear end surface of the heel of the shoe, and is stitched from the tip edge of the tip of the inner and outer surfaces of the rear end surface of the heel of the shoe toward the direction in which the outsole is provided.

7. The heel guard member of the aforementioned shoe is A heel rear end surface protection part that is attached to the heel rear end surface of the heel portion of the aforementioned shoe, It comprises heel side protection parts (left heel side protection part and right heel side protection part) that extend to the left and right from the heel rear end protection part and are attached to the heel side of the heel part of the shoe, The shoe equipped with the heel guard member of the shoe according to claim 1, characterized in that the heel guard member of the shoe is provided with a heel rear end opening that extends along the width direction of the heel rear end protection portion with respect to the upper part of the heel rear end protection portion.

Images