Lace-up shoes and tongue retainer

Abstract

To provide lace-up shoes that allow the tongue to be easily kept lifted, even in lace-up shoes without a loop on the tongue. [Solution] The lace-up shoe 1 includes a tongue 18 interposed between the shoelace and the eyelet 17 through which the shoelace passes, and an eyelet 16, and a tongue retaining member 40 provided on the tip side of the tongue, wherein the tongue retaining member is positioned along the inside of the tongue and both ends are fixed to the eyelet 16.

Description

Technical Field

[0001] The present invention relates to lace-up shoes and a tongue holding member that can be used for lace-up shoes.

Background Art

[0002] In lace-up shoes such as leather shoes and sneakers, in the upper part, a member called a tongue is provided in a portion sandwiched between the left and right eye stays.

[0003] When the tongue is made of a flexible material like in canvas lace-up shoes, the tongue hangs down when the shoes are not being worn. Therefore, when putting on the shoes, the tongue has to be lifted by hand, which is troublesome.

[0004] To address such a problem, for example, in Patent Document 1, a lace-up shoe is disclosed in which a loop is provided on the upper surface of the tongue, and the tongue can be kept in a lifted state by passing a shoelace through the loop.

Prior Art Documents

Patent Documents

[0005]

Patent Document 1

Summary of the Invention

Problems to be Solved by the Invention

[0006] However, in existing lace-up shoes without a loop provided on the tongue, it requires a certain technique and is very laborious for the user to provide a loop.

[0007] The present invention has been made in view of such problems, and an object thereof is to provide a lace-up shoe that can easily maintain the tongue in a lifted state even in a lace-up shoe without a loop provided on the tongue.

[0008] Furthermore, the objective is to provide a tongue-holding member that can hold the tongue up in lace-up shoes that do not have a loop on the tongue. [Means for solving the problem]

[0009] (1) The lace-up shoe according to the present invention includes a tongue interposed between the eyelet stay, which is provided with laces and eyelets through which the laces pass, and the foot, and a tongue retaining member provided on the tip side of the tongue, wherein the tongue retaining member is arranged along the inside of the tongue and both ends are fixed to the eyelet stay.

[0010] (2) In the lace-up shoe described above, both ends of the tongue retaining member may be folded back so as to sandwich the tongue.

[0011] (3) In the lace-up shoe described above, the tongue retaining member may have an insertion hole through which the laces are passed, and may be fixed to the eye stay by passing the laces through the insertion hole.

[0012] (4) The tongue retaining member according to the present invention is a plate-shaped tongue retaining member that holds the tip of the tongue of a lace-up shoe, and is arranged along the inside of the tongue and has both ends fixed to the eye stays of the lace-up shoe.

[0013] (5) The tongue retaining member may have a plate-shaped portion positioned along the tongue and an insertion hole through which the laces of the laced shoe are passed and fixed to the eyelet.

[0014] (6) In the tongue-holding member described above, the insertion holes may be arranged so as to be aligned on both ends of the plate-shaped portion.

[0015] (7) In the tongue retaining member described above, the tongue retaining member may have a projection on at least the surface facing the tongue. [Effects of the Invention]

[0016] According to the present invention, it is possible to provide a shoelace shoe that can easily maintain the state in which the tongue is lifted even in a shoelace shoe in which no loop is provided on the tongue.

[0017] Further, according to the present invention, it is possible to provide a tongue holding member that can put the tongue in a lifted state in a shoelace shoe in which no loop is provided on the tongue.

Brief Description of the Drawings

[0018] [Figure 1] FIG. 1 is a plan view of a shoelace shoe according to a first embodiment of the present invention. [Figure 2] FIG. 2 is a perspective view of the shoelace shoe according to the first embodiment. [Figure 3] FIG. 3 is a plan view of a tongue holding member used for the shoelace shoe according to the first embodiment. [Figure 4] FIG. 4 is a perspective view showing a usage state of the tongue holding member. [Figure 5] FIG. 5 is a cross-sectional view taken along line V-V of FIG. 1. [Figure 6] FIG. 6 is a plan view of a tongue holding member according to a second embodiment. [Figure 7] FIG. 7 is a perspective view of a tongue holding member according to a third embodiment. [Figure 8] FIG. 8 is a perspective view of a tongue holding member according to a fourth embodiment.

Modes for Carrying Out the Invention

[0019] 〈First Embodiment〉 The shoelace shoe according to the first embodiment of the present invention will be described below based on the drawings. <�

[0020] Figure 1 is a plan view of the lace-up shoe according to this embodiment. Figure 2 is a perspective view of the lace-up shoe according to this embodiment. Figure 3 is a plan view of the tongue retaining member used in the lace-up shoe according to this embodiment. Figure 4 is a perspective view showing the tongue retaining member in use. Figure 5 is a cross-sectional view taken along line VV in Figure 1.

[0021] The sneaker 1 (lace-up shoe) according to this embodiment comprises a lower member 20 having an insole 21 on which the user places their foot and a sole (not shown) that contacts the ground, an upper member 10 that covers the user's foot from above, a mudguard 3 that fixes the upper member 10 and the lower member 20 and protects the sides of the sneaker 1, and laces 5 attached to the upper member 10.

[0022] The upper member 10 includes a toe guard 12 provided on the toe side of the sneaker 1, a pair of eye stays 16 provided on both sides of the lace-up shoe 1, eyelets 17 provided on the eye stays 16 for passing the laces 5 through, and a tongue 18 whose one end (base end) is fixed to the toe guard 12 and which extends between the pair of eye stays 16 toward the heel side with the lower side of the laces 5.

[0023] The eye stay 16 has an inner eye stay 16a provided on the inner side when both feet are together, and an outer eye stay 16b provided on the outer side. Multiple eyelets 17 are provided on both the inner eye stay 16a and the outer eye stay 16b, arranged in a line from the front to the rear of the sneaker 1. The laces 5 are threaded alternately through the eyelets 17 of the inner eye stay 16a and the outer eye stay 16b.

[0024] The tongue 18 is positioned between the eyelet 16 and the foot when the shoe is worn by the user. As described above, the base end of the tongue 18 is fixed to the toe guard 12. The other end (tip) of the tongue 18 extends further towards the heel than the eyelet 17 located closest to the heel, preventing the top of the user's foot from directly contacting the eyelet 17 and the lace 5.

[0025] The lace-up shoe 1 according to this embodiment further includes a tongue retaining member 40 provided on the tip side of the tongue 18, as shown by the dashed line in Figure 2. As shown in Figure 5, the tongue retaining member 40 is positioned along the inside of the tongue 18 and both ends are fixed to the eye stay 16 by laces 5.

[0026] The tongue retaining member 40 will now be described in detail. As shown in Figure 3, the tongue retaining member 40 has a shape that extends in one direction and has a plate-like portion 41 that is arranged along the tongue 18, through-holes 42 provided at both ends in the longitudinal direction of the plate-like portion 41 through which the string 5 is passed, and bent portions 43 provided inside the through-holes 42 at both ends. The tongue retaining member 40 has a plurality of through-holes 42 at each end of the plate-like portion 41, and the plurality of through-holes 42 are arranged in a direction perpendicular to the longitudinal direction (short direction) of the plate-like portion 41.

[0027] In this embodiment, two through-holes 42 are provided side by side in the short direction of the plate-shaped portion 41. One of these two through-holes 42 has a longer diameter in the short direction than the other. This allows the tongue retaining member 40 to be used even if the distance between the centers of the eyelets 17 provided on the sneaker 1 is different from the distance between the centers of these two through-holes 42.

[0028] As shown in Figure 4, the tongue-holding member 40 has both ends of the plate-shaped portion 41 folded back at the bent portion 43. Furthermore, the insertion hole 42 of the bent portion 43 is on the upper side, and the plate-shaped portion 41 is used in a curved state so that it is convex upwards.

[0029] Specifically, as shown in Figure 5, both ends of the tongue retaining member 40 are folded back so as to sandwich the tongue 18. A string 5, which is threaded through the eyelet 17, is passed through the insertion hole 42. This allows the tongue retaining member 40 to be fixed to the eye stay 16 in a position along the inside of the tongue 18. In addition, this allows the tongue retaining member 40 to maintain the tongue 18 in an upward-lifted position.

[0030] The material of the tongue retaining member 40 can be, for example, a resin such as plastic, and it is preferable to use a shape memory polymer (SMP). By wearing sneakers 1 fitted with a tongue retaining member 40 made of shape memory polymer, the tongue retaining member 40 conforms to the shape of the user's instep due to body temperature, providing a comfortable fit and reducing discomfort caused by using the tongue retaining member 40.

[0031] The tongue-retaining member 40 is curved in the longitudinal center such that its width narrows in the direction perpendicular to the longitudinal direction. This curves the area that comes into contact with the instep of the foot, which is most likely to come into contact with the tongue-retaining member 40, thereby reducing irritation to the instep.

[0032] The thickness of the tongue retaining member 40 is preferably 0.8 mm or less. In particular, a thickness of 0.6 mm or less can further reduce the discomfort caused by using the tongue retaining member 40. There is no lower limit specified for the thickness of the tongue retaining member 40, but it is preferable to have a thickness of 0.4 mm or more from the viewpoint of strength and durability. The size of the tongue retaining member 40 should be appropriate to the size of the sneaker 1, and it is preferable that it be sized so that it is not exposed to the outside as much as possible when fixed to the eye stay 16.

[0033] The lace-up shoes according to the embodiment of the present invention may be leather shoes, jogging shoes, or the like, in addition to the sneakers described above.

[0034] <Second Embodiment> Figure 6 is a plan view of the tongue retaining member 40 according to the second embodiment of the present invention. In the tongue retaining member 40 according to the second embodiment, additional preliminary insertion holes 44 are provided on both ends of the plate-shaped portion 41, outside of the insertion holes 42. Furthermore, a cutting line 45 is provided between the insertion holes 42 and the preliminary insertion holes 44, which allows the portion of the plate-shaped portion 41 containing the preliminary insertion holes 44 to be separated by applying a predetermined force.

[0035] According to the tongue retaining member 40 of this embodiment, the length of the tongue retaining member 40 can be adjusted according to the size of the user's foot by either leaving the portion with the pre-insertion holes 44 intact, or by leaving one or both portions with the pre-insertion holes 44 separated. The tongue retaining member 40 of this embodiment is similar in structure and usage to the tongue retaining member 40 of the first embodiment, except for the presence of the pre-insertion holes 44 and the cutting line 45. Therefore, components that are substantially the same as those shown in Figures 1 to 5 are denoted by the same reference numerals, and their descriptions are omitted.

[0036] <Third Embodiment> Figure 7 is a perspective view of a tongue-holding member 40 according to a third embodiment of the present invention. In the tongue-holding member 40 according to the third embodiment, a projection 46 is provided on the surface of the plate-shaped portion 41 facing the tongue 18 (see Figures 1, 2, and 5). In this embodiment, the projection 46 has a first projection portion 46a in which a plurality of protrusions extending in one direction are arranged parallel to each other at equal intervals, and a second projection portion 46b in which a plurality of protrusions extending in a direction intersecting the first projection portion 46a are arranged parallel to each other at equal intervals. The projection 46 is lattice-shaped due to the first projection portion 46a and the second projection portion 46b intersecting it.

[0037] By providing the protrusions 46, the friction of the plate-shaped portion 41 against the tongue 18 is increased. This prevents the tongue retaining member 40 from shifting away from the tongue 18 while the user is wearing the sneakers 1. Furthermore, by making the protrusions 46, as in this embodiment, for example, lattice-shaped, the tongue retaining member 40 can be given a design aesthetic. The protrusions 46 are not limited to lattice-shaped ridges, but may also consist of a number of conical protrusions arranged regularly or irregularly, or a combination of lattice-shaped ridges and conical protrusions.

[0038] In this embodiment, the tongue retaining member 40 has a flat portion 47 in the center of the plate-shaped portion 41, which does not have a projection 46. The flat portion 47 can be used to provide, for example, the brand logo or explanatory text for the tongue retaining member 40.

[0039] No protrusions are provided on the surface of the plate-shaped portion 41 opposite to the surface facing the tongue 18. If protrusions were provided on these surfaces and positioned to face the instep of the user's foot, the friction between the tongue retaining member 40 and the instep would increase, making it difficult to put on the sneakers 1 with the tongue retaining member 40 attached.

[0040] The tongue retaining member 40 according to this embodiment is similar in structure and usage to the tongue retaining member 40 according to the first embodiment, except that it is provided with a projection 46. Therefore, components that are substantially the same as those shown in Figures 1 to 5 are denoted by the same reference numerals, and their descriptions are omitted. The same applies to the fourth embodiment described below.

[0041] <Fourth Embodiment> Figure 8 is a perspective view of a tongue-holding member 40 according to a fourth embodiment of the present invention. In addition to having projections 46 on the surface of the plate-shaped portion 41 facing the tongue 18, similar to the third embodiment, the tongue-holding member 40 according to the fourth embodiment also has projections 46 on the surfaces opposite to the surface facing the tongue 18 at both ends of the plate-shaped portion 41 that are folded back at the bending portion 43 (hereinafter also referred to as the "folded portion").

[0042] According to the tongue retaining member 40 of this embodiment, by providing a projection 46 on the surface of the folded portion of the plate-shaped part 41 opposite to the surface facing the tongue 18, the friction between the eye stay 16 and the folded portion of the plate-shaped part 41 is also increased. This further suppresses the tongue retaining member 40 from shifting away from the tongue 18 while the user is wearing the sneaker 1. Furthermore, the design of the tongue retaining member 40 can be further enhanced.

[0043] <Variations> In the above embodiment, multiple insertion holes 42 are provided at both ends of the plate-shaped portion 41 of the tongue retaining member 40. However, even if only one insertion hole 42 is provided at each end, the tongue retaining member 40 can be fixed to the eye stay 16 by the string 5. However, it is preferable to provide multiple insertion holes 42 because this stabilizes the position of the tongue retaining member 40.

[0044] Furthermore, in each of the above embodiments, a tongue retaining member 40 is used in which both ends are folded back and an insertion hole 42 is provided through which the lace 5 is passed. However, the tongue retaining member can also be used in a state in which both ends are not folded back and an insertion hole is not provided. In this case, for example, when the user is wearing the sneaker 1, the length of the tongue retaining member 40 should be such that it extends from the lower end of the inner eye stay 16a along the inside of the tongue 18 to the lower end of the outer eye stay 16b.

[0045] Alternatively, the tongue retaining member 40 may be fixed to the inner surface of the inner eye stay 16a and the outer eye stay 16b using fasteners such as hook-and-loop fasteners.

[0046] In either of these cases, even when the user is not wearing the sneakers 1, the tongue retaining member 40 can be kept curved inside the sneakers 1, and the tongue 18 can be kept lifted upward. [Industrial applicability]

[0047] This invention can be used in lace-up shoes. [Explanation of Symbols]

[0048] 1. Sneakers (lace-up shoes) 5 strings 16 Ice Stay 17 eyelets 18 Tan 40 Tongue retaining member 41 Plate-like part 42 Through hole

Claims

1. They are lace-up shoes, A tongue interposed between the eyelet, which is provided with a lace and an eyelet through which the lace passes, The tongue includes a tongue retaining member provided on the tip side of the tongue, The tongue retaining member is positioned along the inside of the tongue and both ends are fixed to the eye stays, in a lace-up shoe.

2. The lace-up shoe according to claim 1, wherein both ends of the tongue-holding member are folded back so as to sandwich the tongue.

3. The tongue-holding member has an insertion hole through which the string is passed, The lace-up shoe according to claim 1, wherein the lace is fixed to the eyelet by passing it through the insertion hole.

4. A plate-shaped tongue retaining member that holds the tip of the tongue of a lace-up shoe, It is positioned along the inside of the tongue, A tongue retaining member, with both ends fixed to the eyelets of the aforementioned lace-up shoe.

5. A plate-shaped portion arranged along the tongue, The tongue retaining member according to claim 4, having an insertion hole through which the laces of the laced shoe are passed and which is fixed to the eye stay.

6. The tongue-holding member according to claim 5, wherein the insertion holes are provided so as to be aligned on both ends of the plate-like portion.

7. The tongue retaining member according to claim 4 or claim 6, wherein the tongue retaining member has a projection on at least the surface facing the tongue.

Images