footwear

Abstract

The aim is to provide comfortable footwear that can be put on while standing without using a shoehorn or hands. [Solution] This footwear comprises a first core material located inside the upper, positioned at the heel, and including a portion whose cross-section, when cut horizontally to enclose the heel, is formed in a semi-circular arc shape; and a second core material located inside the upper, positioned above the first core material, characterized in that there is a portion where the lower parts of the first core material and the second core material overlap, and a portion where the material constituting the upper is interposed between the first core material and the second core material.

Description

Technical Field

[0001] The present invention relates to footwear having two types of core materials.

Background Art

[0002] When wearing conventional footwear with heels such as sneakers or business shoes, if worn without using a shoehorn or the like, the heel of the shoe may be crushed or damaged by hitting the heel.

[0003] Therefore, in order to wear the shoes without crushing the heels, it is necessary to use a shoehorn or hands when putting on the shoes, but it is necessary to bend or sit down every time, which is troublesome.

[0004] On the other hand, footwear that can be worn without using hands and without a shoehorn has been proposed (for example, Patent Document 1). The footwear of Patent Document 1 is characterized in that a protruding piece portion extending obliquely upward and rearward is formed at the upper end of the heel portion, and the protruding piece portion includes a single moon core having a moon core extension portion extending from the moon core provided in the heel portion as a core.

[0005] Specifically, the footwear of Patent Document 1 forms a hard protruding piece portion 16 extending obliquely upward and rearward at the upper end of the heel portion 14 in a low shoe 11a having a heel portion 14 at the rear end. The protruding piece portion 16 includes a moon core extension portion 17b extending from the moon core 17 provided in the heel portion 14 as a core to obtain hardness. The tip height of the protruding piece portion 16 is made higher than the front end height of the opening edge 15. Further, the protruding piece portion 16 has a curved shape in which the inner surface side is concave in the cross-sectional shape, and the contour shape of the tip 16a of the protruding piece portion 16 is rounded to increase the strength and soften the contact with the heel.

Prior Art Documents

Patent Documents

[0006]

Patent Document 1

Summary of the Invention

[0007] However, in the footwear described in Patent Document 1, the core portion and the projection portion are made of a single core material, which limits the range of motion of the core portion as it can tilt backward. Furthermore, due to the aforementioned structure, the crescent-shaped core is firmly fixed to the heel and hardly any movement is permitted, resulting in a lack of flexibility in the heel when walking and feeling cramped.

[0008] Therefore, the present invention has been made in view of the above-mentioned points, and aims to solve the problems of the prior art described above. Specifically, by combining two core materials to provide flexibility above the heel, the present invention aims to provide footwear that can be put on while standing without bending down or sitting down, without using a shoehorn or hands, and that is easier to put on and take off than conventional footwear, and that fits the foot well when worn, making it easy to walk in. [Means for solving the problem]

[0009] Footwear according to one aspect of the present invention comprises a first core material located inside the upper, positioned at the heel, and including a portion whose cross-section, when cut horizontally to enclose the heel, is formed in a semi-circular arc shape; and a second core material located inside the upper, positioned above the first core material, characterized in that there is a portion where the lower parts of the first core material and the second core material overlap, and a portion where the material constituting the upper is interposed between the first core material and the second core material.

[0010] With this configuration, the core material is placed up to the top of the heel of the footwear, so the heel does not twist when putting on the shoes, allowing for smooth putting on. In addition, because it is composed of two core materials, an upper second core material and a lower first core material, and the material that makes up the upper is interposed between them, the heel does not become too stiff as in the case of a single core material, and it has flexibility, making it easier to put on and take off than conventional shoes.

[0011] Furthermore, even when wearing the footwear, the two-part core structure with a material in between prevents the heel from becoming too stiff, unlike with a single core material, making it less likely to interfere with walking and easier to walk in. In addition, the placement of the upper material between the upper and lower core materials results in a well-fitting footwear overall and superior aesthetics.

[0012] Furthermore, this footwear is characterized in that a portion of the lower part of the second core material is bonded to the first core material. With this configuration, the lower part of the second core material is bonded to the lower part of the first core material, making the second core material more flexible around this bonding point.

[0013] Furthermore, this footwear is characterized in that the material is interposed between the first core material and the second core material above the portion where the first core material and the second core material overlap. With this configuration, the interposition of the material above the adhesive portion below a part of the second core material improves the flexibility of the upper portion of the second core material and allows for smooth bending.

[0014] Furthermore, this footwear is characterized in that the aforementioned material is not exposed on the outside of the footwear. With this configuration, since the core material and the aforementioned material are not exposed on the outside, the overall aesthetic appearance of the footwear is superior.

[0015] Furthermore, this footwear is characterized in that the aforementioned material is the fabric that constitutes the upper, and the aforementioned fabric is covered with an outer shell. With this configuration, the outer surface of the fabric is covered with an outer shell, so the fabric inside the upper is not exposed to the outside, resulting in a superior overall appearance of the footwear. Here, the outer shell refers to the outer material that constitutes the upper of the footwear, and the material is not limited to leather.

[0016] Furthermore, this footwear is characterized in that a portion of the lower part of the second core material is bonded to the first core material. With this configuration, the core material can be made as one piece, thus improving the stability of the heel. In addition, since only the lower part of the second core material is bonded to the first core material and the upper part is not bonded, the flexibility of the second core material can be maintained.

[0017] Furthermore, this footwear is characterized by having a cushioning material positioned closer to the opening than the second core material. With this configuration, the cushioning material positioned closer to the opening allows the foot to be inserted into the shoe smoothly, and the elasticity of the cushioning material improves the feel of the opening against the foot.

[0018] Furthermore, this footwear is characterized in that the cushioning material is attached to the second core material. This configuration allows the cushioning material to fit well.

[0019] Furthermore, these shoes are characterized by having a higher cushioning material at the rear of the opening than at the sides of the opening. This configuration allows the foot to be inserted into the shoe smoothly, and the elasticity of the sponge material improves the feel of the opening against the foot. In addition, because the cushioning material is higher at the rear of the opening, i.e., at the heel, the foot is less likely to slip out of the shoes after putting them on, making them easy to put on and difficult to slip off.

[0020] Furthermore, this footwear is characterized in that the second core material is narrower at the bottom than at the top. This configuration minimizes the area where the foot contacts the core material during walking, thereby improving comfort while walking. In addition, because the second core material is narrower at the bottom than at the top, the flexibility of the second core material can be maintained even when the bottom is bonded to the first core material.

[0021] Furthermore, these footwear are characterized in that the second core material has a shape resembling a mortar cut in the height direction, with the upper end rounded into a roughly fan-shaped shape that widens upwards and forms a curved shape that convex backwards. With this configuration, the second core material acts as a shoehorn, making it easy to insert the foot.

[0022] Furthermore, the footwear is characterized in that the left and right edges of the second core material are inclined backward from top to bottom. With this configuration, because the left and right edges of the upper second core material are inclined backward, the footwear is less likely to interfere with the foot when putting it on compared to when the edges of the second core material are inclined forward.

[0023] Further, this footwear is characterized in that the second core material is formed thinner than the first core material. According to this configuration, by making the first core material thick, the strength of the heel part and the shoe can be ensured, and by making the second core material thin, the flexibility of the second core material can be ensured. Thereby, the balance between the bending of the second core material backward and the strength of the sole and the core material supporting the core material can be achieved, so that it is easy to put on and take off and the stability during walking can be ensured.

[0024] Further, this footwear is characterized in that the thickness of the second core material is in the range of 0.1 mm to 2.0 mm, and the thickness of the first core material > the thickness of the second core material. According to this configuration, the balance between the bending of the second core material backward and the strength can be achieved, so that it is easy to put on and take off and easy to walk. Note that if the thickness is less than 0.1 mm, the function as a core is impaired, and if it exceeds 2.0 mm, the core material is too hard and the flexibility is impaired.

[0025] Further, this footwear is characterized in that the thickness of the first core material is in the range of 0.1 mm to 2.0 mm. According to this configuration, for the first core material that supports the heel, the balance between flexibility and strength can be achieved, improving the wearing comfort and holding the heel during walking.

[0026] Further, this footwear is characterized in that at least the second core material among the first core material and the second core material is formed of a hot-melt resin.

[0027] Generally, the core material (counter) used for the heel is a hard resin such as polypropylene (PP) or polyethylene (PE). By making the second core material a softer hot-melt resin than this, the flexibility of the second core material increases and the wearing comfort is good. Also, by using a hot-melt resin, a core material thinner than PE or PP can be made, so the designability of the entire footwear can also be improved.

[0028] Alternatively, the second core material may be made of hot-melt resin, and the first core material may be made of PP or PE to provide strength to the heel and firmly hold it in place, or the first core material may also be made of hot-melt resin. By using hot-melt resin for both the first and second core materials, flexibility is further increased and the wearing comfort is improved.

[0029] Furthermore, this footwear is characterized in that the upper part of the heel portion extends at an angle diagonally backward from the vertical direction. With this configuration, the upper part of the heel portion containing the second core material is angled diagonally backward, which makes it less likely for the heel portion to twist when putting on the footwear and allows for smooth putting on and taking off of the footwear.

[0030] Furthermore, these shoes are characterized by the fact that the inner surface of the upper is made of a material that is more slippery than the outer surface. This configuration allows the foot to be inserted into the shoe smoothly.

[0031] Furthermore, this footwear is characterized by having a tongue, with one side of the tongue sewn to the upper. With this configuration, because the tongue is sewn to the upper, it does not shift when putting the foot in, so the footwear can be put on without using hands. In addition, because only one side of the tongue is sewn and the other side is not, the front opening where the shoelaces are placed is not restricted by the tongue and can open easily, making the footwear easier to put on.

[0032] Furthermore, this footwear is characterized in that one side of the tongue is attached to the upper via an elastic material. With this configuration, one side of the tongue is sewn in place, and the other side is attached via an elastic material such as rubber, so the tongue expands due to the elastic material when the foot is inserted, making it easy to put on.

[0033] Furthermore, these shoes are characterized in that the tongue is switched midway along the front-to-back direction of the shoe, with the rear side being more vertically inclined than the front side. With this configuration, the rear side of the tongue, i.e., the side facing the opening, is more upright than the front side, so the foot can be smoothly inserted into the shoe without the tongue lying flat and blocking the opening. Also, even after putting them on, the rear side of the tongue is upright, so it is less likely to interfere with the foot when walking.

[0034] Furthermore, this footwear is characterized by the fact that the tongue is switched by sewing the boundary between the rear and front sides. This configuration eliminates discomfort to the foot and allows the tongue to be fixed in place. Therefore, it becomes footwear that is easy to put on and take off and comfortable to walk in.

[0035] Furthermore, these footwear are further equipped with shoelaces, and the shoelaces are made of rubber. With this configuration, there is no need to tie shoelaces when putting on or taking off the shoes, and they can be put on and taken off without using hands. In addition, the movement of the rubber widens the gap for inserting the foot, making it easy to put on the shoes.

[0036] Furthermore, these footwear features a slit formed on the side of the upper, extending from the opening, and a rubber material provided on the inner surface of the upper that biases in the direction of closing the slit. This configuration widens the space for inserting the foot, making it easier to put on the foot.

[0037] Furthermore, these footwear features an elastic belt or elastic cord positioned on the side of the opening, with gathers formed in the opening portion where the elastic belt or elastic cord is located. This configuration allows the sides of the opening to stretch, widening the space for inserting the foot and making it easier to put on. Additionally, after putting on the footwear, the foot is less likely to slip off, resulting in footwear that is easy to put on but difficult to take off. [Effects of the Invention]

[0038] According to the footwear of the present invention, one can put on shoes smoothly while standing, without bending down or sitting down, and without using a shoehorn or hands. [Brief explanation of the drawing]

[0039] [Figure 1] A side view of footwear according to the first embodiment of the present invention. [Figure 2] Perspective view of the tongue portion of footwear 10. [Figure 3] A side view showing a partial cross-section of the heel portion of the upper. [Figure 4] A side view (a) showing the first core material and the second core material separated, and a side view (b) showing the first core material, the second core material, and the upper fabric overlapping. [Figure 5] Rear view (a), central cross-section (b), and cross-section (c) of the overlapping first and second core materials with the upper fabric removed. [Figure 6] A side view of footwear 100 according to a second embodiment of the present invention. [Figure 7] A side view of footwear 200 according to a third embodiment of the present invention. [Figure 8] A side view of footwear 300 according to a fourth embodiment of the present invention. [Modes for carrying out the invention]

[0040] The following describes in detail footwear 10 according to one embodiment of the present invention. However, the present invention is not limited by this embodiment. Furthermore, the components in the following embodiment include those that are easily substituted or substantially identical to those that are easily substituted by those skilled in the art. Moreover, the configurations described below can be combined as appropriate. In addition, various omissions, substitutions, or modifications of the configuration can be made without departing from the spirit of the present invention.

[0041] <First Embodiment> (Overall structure) Figure 1 is a side view of footwear 10 according to a first embodiment of the present invention. Figure 2 is a perspective view of the tongue portion of footwear 10.

[0042] As shown in Figure 1, footwear 10 according to one embodiment of the present invention comprises an outsole 30 that constitutes the sole of the shoe and an upper 20 that covers the instep of the foot, the upper 20 having a heel portion 40 at the rear end that covers the area around the heel.

[0043] In this embodiment, the outsole 30 is made of a relatively hard rubber material, for example, and is equipped with a rolling sole that supports the foot to move forward naturally. In addition, the outsole 30 may be made of materials other than rubber, such as leather or sponge. Furthermore, the thickness of the outsole and the pattern of the sole are not specified.

[0044] The upper 20 comprises an upper body 21 that covers the user's forefoot, part of the midfoot, and heel. The design and material of the upper body 21 are not specified.

[0045] (Composition of the tongue) The upper 20 is equipped with a tongue 22. The tongue 22 is positioned to cover the opening that closes forward from the opening 23. As shown in Figure 2, the tongue 22 has a lower tongue 22a from the front end to a seam 22c created by stitching, and an upper tongue 22b from the seam 22c to the top of the tongue. The seam created by stitching prevents the tongue 22 from lying flat and blocking the opening. Also, because the upper tongue 22b stands upright, it is less likely to interfere with the foot when walking.

[0046] In this embodiment, the tongue 22 is sewn to the upper body 21 on one side and attached to the upper body on the other side via an elastic rubber belt. This allows the tongue 22 to open easily without restricting the opening of the opening 23 and the front opening, making the shoes easier to put on. The tongue 22 can also be configured with only one side sewn on and the other side not sewn, or with both sides sewn to the upper body 21 with some slack, or with the tongue 22 made of a stretch material and bonded to the upper body 21 on both sides.

[0047] The upper 20 has a lace portion 50 that connects to the opening 23 of the upper body 21 so as to cover the lower part 22a and the upper part 22b of the tongue. In this embodiment, the lace portion 50 is made of rubber so that the opening at the front of the opening widens when the foot is inserted. The lace portion 50 may be made of cotton, polyester, hemp, acrylic, silicone, suede, or ribbon, for example.

[0048] In this embodiment, the upper 20 consists of the lower tongue 22a, the upper tongue 22b, and the upper body 21, all made of the same material. However, it is not limited to this, and each part may be made of a different material.

[0049] The upper 20 has an open opening 23 into which the foot is inserted. The forefoot is housed in the part in front of the opening 23, and the rear part of the opening 23, i.e., the heel part 40, supports the heel of the person's foot.

[0050] In this embodiment, the upper 20 is made of a material on the inside that is more slippery than the outer material, allowing the foot to be smoothly inserted into the footwear 10.

[0051] Furthermore, the heel portion 40 of the upper body 21 contains a lower first core material 60 and an upper second core material 70, allowing the shoe to be worn smoothly without crushing the heel portion 40.

[0052] (Composition of the heel and core material) Next, the heel portion and core material of the footwear 10 of this embodiment will be described. Figure 3 is a side view showing a partial cross-section of the heel portion of the upper. Figure 4(a) is a side view of the first core material and the second core material separated from each other, and Figure 4(b) is a side view of the state in which the first core material, the second core material and the upper fabric overlap (only the rear portion of the upper fabric is shown in the cross-section). Figure 5 shows the overlapping first core material and second core material with the upper fabric removed, (a) is a rear view, (b) is a central cross-sectional view, and (c) is a cross-sectional view.

[0053] As shown in Figure 3, in the heel portion 40 of the footwear 10, the lower first core material 60 and the upper second core material 70 partially overlap, and a portion of the lower part of the second core material 70 is bonded to the first core material 60. Above this bonded portion, the upper fabric 25 that constitutes the upper body 21 is interposed between the second core material 70 and the first core material 60.

[0054] Furthermore, as an example of this embodiment, the thickness of the first core material 60 is 1.2 mm, and the thickness of the second core material 70 is 0.8 mm, so that the thickness of the second core material 70 is thinner than that of the first core material 60. This configuration allows the second core material to flex backward, while the thinner first core material 60 can provide the strength to support the heel and the core material.

[0055] The above is merely an example of this embodiment. The thickness of the first core material 60 may be in the range of 0.1 mm to 2.0 mm, preferably 0.4 mm to 1.5 mm, and the thickness of the second core material 70 may be in the range of 0.1 mm to 2.0 mm, preferably 0.4 mm to 1.5 mm, provided that the second core material 70 is thinner than the first core material 60.

[0056] As shown in Figures 4 and 5, the first core material 60 and the second core material 70 are formed by hardening hot-melt resin, with the first core material 60 being shaped to conform to the curve of the heel portion 40. The first core material 60 is a relatively thin and flexible hot-melt resin, but its cross-section, cut horizontally to enclose the heel, is formed in a semi-circular shape. This allows it to firmly bond with the outsole 30, maintaining the strength to securely hold the heel, ensuring the strength of the heel portion 40 and the entire footwear, as well as making walking easier.

[0057] Furthermore, the second core material 70 has a roughly fan-shaped form that extends upward from approximately 90 to 120 degrees, with the upper end rounded so that it forms a convex arc towards the rear, resembling a mortar cut in the height direction, and extending at an angle diagonally backward rather than vertically. In addition, the second core material 70 is constructed to become narrower from top to bottom, with a curved lower end, and the left and right edges are inclined backward from top to bottom.

[0058] Furthermore, because the second core material 70 has the above configuration, it is easy to insert the foot. In addition, because the lower part of the second core material 70 is narrower than the upper part, the area where the foot touches the core material during walking is minimized, improving comfort while walking.

[0059] The structure of the first core material 60 and the second core material 70 allows the first core material 60 to firmly hold the heel and stabilize walking, while the second core material 70 acts like a shoehorn, making it easier to insert the foot. In addition, since the first core material 60 and the second core material 70 are made of thin hot-melt resin, the weight can be reduced.

[0060] As shown in Figures 3 and 4, inside the heel portion 40, the lower first core material 60 and the lower part of the upper second core material 70 are bonded together so that they overlap. In addition, the upper part of the bonded portion is not bonded to the first core material 60 and the second core material 70, and the upper fabric 25 that makes up the upper body 21 is interposed between them, with the upper fabric 25 being bonded to the first core material 60 and the second core material 70.

[0061] Furthermore, the upper fabric 25 extends from between the first core material 60 and the second core material 70 to near the upper end of the heel portion 40, and in the portion where the first core material 60 is absent, it is bonded to the outside of the second core material 70 (the rear side in Figure 3).

[0062] Furthermore, an outer shell 26, which constitutes the appearance of the footwear 10, is attached to the outside of the upper fabric 25 (the rear side in Figure 3), and an outer shell 27, which also constitutes the appearance, is attached to the outside of the first core material 60 (the rear side in Figure 3). In this embodiment, the outer shell 26 covers the outside of the upper fabric 25 and is interposed between the first core material 60 and the second core material 70 together with the upper fabric 25, and the lower part of the outer shell 26 is covered from the outside by the outer shell 27 together with the first core material 60.

[0063] On the other hand, a cushioning material 80 is attached to the opening side (front side in Figure 6) of the second core material 70, and a lining fabric 28 that comes into contact with the foot is attached to the opposite side of the cushioning material 80 from the second core material 70 (front side in Figure 3). The lining fabric 28 extends from the top to the bottom of the opening side.

[0064] As a result, the periphery of the opening where a person inserts their foot is enclosed with cushioning material 80, allowing the foot to be inserted smoothly into the footwear, and the elasticity of the cushioning material 80 also improves the feel against the foot. In this embodiment, the periphery of the opening is enclosed with sponge, but any material with cushioning properties will suffice, and it is not limited to sponge.

[0065] Furthermore, the cushioning material 80 is thicker at the back of the opening than at the sides. This makes it less likely for your feet to slip out of the shoes after putting them on, resulting in shoes that are easy to put on and difficult to slip off.

[0066] With the above configuration, the first core material 60 and the second core material 70 become a single core material, ensuring a certain level of strength throughout and a certain level of stability in the heel area. Since only the lower part of the second core material 70 is bonded, a certain degree of flexibility can be given to the upper part of the second core material relative to the bonded portion. In addition, the upper fabric 25 is interposed above the bonded portion of the first core material 60 and the second core material 70, increasing flexibility and improving comfort, while the overall fit of the footwear 10 is good and the aesthetic appearance is not compromised.

[0067] In the first embodiment, the footwear 10 was described using lace-up sneakers as an example, but it may be other sports shoes or other forms of footwear.

[0068] <Second Embodiment> Next, a second embodiment of the present invention will be described. In the first embodiment described above, lace-up sneakers were used as an example, but the present invention is not limited to sneakers and can also be applied to loafers, business shoes, and the like. Hereafter, the same reference numerals will be used for components similar to those in the first embodiment, and the differences from the first embodiment will be described in detail.

[0069] Figure 6 is a side view of footwear 100 according to a second embodiment of the present invention. The footwear 100 of the second embodiment is in the shape of a loafer, but it may be other footwear such as business shoes, formal shoes, or slip-ons.

[0070] The footwear 100 of the second embodiment of the present invention comprises an outsole 130 that constitutes a so-called sole of a shoe and an upper 120 that covers the foot, the upper 120 having a heel portion 140 at its rear end that covers the area around the heel.

[0071] The upper 120 of the second embodiment includes an upper body 121, the outer surface of which is made of, for example, artificial leather so that it conforms to the foot as it is worn. The material of the upper body 121 may be genuine leather, synthetic leather, natural fibers, synthetic fibers, etc.

[0072] In the second embodiment, the inner material of the upper body 121 is made by combining multiple materials to improve durability, comfort, and appearance. For example, natural leather, synthetic leather, synthetic fibers, etc., may be used.

[0073] The upper 120 is equipped with a strap 124 on the instep. The strap 124 has the same artificial leather as the upper body 121 on the outside and a rubber material on the inside. This allows the rubber material to expand when the foot is inserted, reducing pressure on the foot.

[0074] The outer surface of strap 124 may be made of a different material than the outer surface of the upper body 121. Furthermore, designs with two or more straps on the instep, or designs without straps, are also permitted. Additionally, decorations such as metal fittings, ribbons, embroidery, fringes, or stones may be attached to the straps.

[0075] In this embodiment, the upper 120 has a straight cut at the opening 123, which allows the foot to be put on smoothly. Furthermore, elastic rubber can be added to the periphery of the opening 123 to make it even easier to put on.

[0076] The toe area of ​​the upper 120 in this embodiment is stitched. The stitching may be a horizontal line, U-shaped, W-shaped, or other decorative elements such as holes or jewels. The shape of the toe area may also be rounded, pointed, or angular.

[0077] The outsole 130 of the footwear 100 in the second embodiment is made of rubber material to prevent slipping. The outsole 130 may be made of rubber, leather, or sponge. Furthermore, the thickness of the outsole, the pattern on the bottom, and the presence or absence of a heel are not specified.

[0078] Furthermore, the footwear 100 is equipped with an insole 131. The insole 131 has a bulge that supports the arch of the foot to reduce foot fatigue while walking. The insole 131 is designed to support walking and has cushioning to alleviate the weight on the soles of the feet.

[0079] Furthermore, the insole 131 is made of a material with a certain degree of slipperiness. This makes it easier to put on the shoes. On the other hand, if the insole 131 is too slippery, the foot will slide around inside the shoe while walking, making it difficult to walk. Therefore, a material with a certain degree of slipperiness is preferable.

[0080] The upper 120 has an opening 123 into which the foot is inserted, with the forefoot being housed in the part in front of the opening 123, and the rear part of the opening 123, i.e., the heel part 140, supporting the heel of the person's foot.

[0081] Furthermore, the heel portion 140 of the upper 120 incorporates two core materials, a first core material 60 and a second core material 70, which are combined and encased within. The combination of these two core materials prevents the heel portion 140 from easily bending or collapsing, and also makes the footwear easy to slip on smoothly.

[0082] Furthermore, inside the heel portion 140, the lower first core material 60 and a portion of the lower part of the upper second core material 70 are bonded together so as to overlap. In addition, the upper part of the bonded portion is not bonded to the first core material 60 and the second core material 70, and the upper fabric 125 that makes up the upper body 121 is interposed between them, with the upper fabric 125 being bonded to the first core material 60 and the second core material 70.

[0083] Furthermore, the upper fabric 125 extends from between the first core material 60 and the second core material 70 to near the upper end of the heel portion 140, and in the portion where the first core material 60 is absent, it is bonded to the outside of the second core material 70 (the rear side in Figure 6).

[0084] This configuration, consisting of the first core material 60, the second core material 70, and the upper fabric 125 interposed between them, increases flexibility compared to a configuration using only core materials. This improves ease of wear and comfort, while also ensuring that the core materials are properly positioned and the overall aesthetic appearance of the footwear is not compromised.

[0085] Furthermore, rubber material 151 is embedded in both sides of the inside of the upper along the opening 123, forming gathered sections 150 on both sides of the opening 123. The gathered sections 150 stretch due to the inner rubber material 151. As a result, the stretching of the gathered sections 150 causes them to contract after the foot is inserted, improving the fit. This makes it less likely for the foot to slip out of the footwear while walking, making it easier to walk.

[0086] <Third Embodiment> Next, a third embodiment of the present invention will be described. In the first embodiment described above, lace-up sneakers were used as an example, but the present invention is not limited to lace-up shoes and can also be applied to slip-on type sneakers and the like. Hereafter, the same reference numerals will be used for the same components as in the first embodiment, and the differences from the first embodiment will be described in detail.

[0087] Figure 7 is a side view of footwear according to a third embodiment of the present invention. As shown in Figure 7, unlike the footwear 10 of the first embodiment, the footwear 200 does not have a lace portion 50.

[0088] Instead, the footwear 200 has slits 226 of a predetermined size that extend forward from the opening 223 and are formed on both sides of the upper body 221. A rubber belt 227 is sewn to the inside of the upper body 221 at a position corresponding to the slits 226 and biases in the direction of closing the slits 226.

[0089] The slit 226 and the rubber belt 227 allow the opening 223 to widen when putting on the footwear 200, making it easier to put on. After the foot is fully inserted into the footwear 200, the rubber belt 227 biases the slit 226 in a closing direction, preventing it from coming off while walking. Furthermore, even when the footwear 200 is not being worn, the rubber belt 227 biases the slit 226 in a closing direction, stabilizing the shape of the footwear 200.

[0090] Furthermore, when putting on the footwear 200, the opening of the opening 223 by the slit 226 and rubber belt 227 described above, along with the first core material 60 and second core material 70 enclosed in the heel portion 240 of the upper body 221 and the upper fabric 225 interposed between them, provide the same effects as in the first and second embodiments.

[0091] <Fourth Embodiment> Next, a fourth embodiment of the present invention will be described. In the first embodiment described above, lace-up sneakers were used as an example, but the present invention is not limited to sneakers and can also be applied to artificial leather flat pumps and the like. Hereafter, the same reference numerals will be used for the same components as in the first embodiment, and the differences from the first embodiment will be described in detail.

[0092] Figure 8 is a perspective view of footwear according to a fourth embodiment of the present invention. As shown in Figure 8, the footwear 300 is a flat pump, but it may also be other footwear such as formal shoes made of genuine leather, flat shoes, pumps, or ballet flats.

[0093] Furthermore, similar to the first and second embodiments, the heel portion 340 inside the upper is composed of a lower first core material 60, an upper second core material 70, and an upper fabric 325 interposed between them, thus providing the same effects as the first and second embodiments.

[0094] Furthermore, the footwear 300 has rubber material 351 embedded in both sides of the inside of the upper along the opening, forming gathered sections 350 on both sides of the opening. The gathered sections 350 stretch due to the inner rubber material 351. As a result of the stretching of the gathered sections 350, the gathers contract after the foot is inserted, improving the fit. This makes it less likely for the foot to slip out of the footwear while walking, making it easier to walk.

[0095] Furthermore, the heel portion 340 inside the upper contains cushioning material 341. The presence of cushioning material 341 makes the shoes easier to put on, less likely to slip off, and more comfortable against the foot. In particular, the gathered portion 350 causes the upper part of the heel portion 340 to tilt towards the foot, so the cushioning material 341 makes them more comfortable against the foot and prevents pain when worn.

[0096] Furthermore, the footwear 300 has a suede portion 342 attached to the inner side of the heel portion 340. This suede material improves comfort against the foot and also creates friction, making it less likely to slip off.

[0097] Furthermore, the footwear 300 has smooth leather on the upper surface 320, and a smooth portion 324 extending from near both ends of the gathered portion 350 on the inside of the upper to the opening. In this embodiment, the inner smooth portion 324 is made of thinner smooth leather than the smooth leather on the upper surface, so as not to feel uncomfortable when worn. In addition, the presence of the smooth portion 324 on the inside of the opening does not detract from the formal impression and provides excellent aesthetics.

[0098] Furthermore, the inside of the upper, excluding the smooth portion 324 and the suede portion 342, is made of polyester material, specifically the polyester portion 323. The polyester portion 323 makes the shoes easy to wear, comfortable against the foot, and highly durable. Note that polyester is just one example, and other synthetic fibers may be used. Also, the other materials mentioned above are just examples of this embodiment, and other materials may be used.

[0099] <5. Other Embodiments> As described above, preferred embodiments of the present invention have been explained with reference to the drawings. However, the present invention is not limited to the embodiments described above, and various modifications or alterations within the scope of the claims also fall within the technical scope of the present invention.

[0100] For example, in the embodiment described above, the upper part of the first core material 60 and the lower part of the second core material 70 are bonded together so that they overlap, but it is also possible to have a configuration in which the upper part of the first core material 60 and the second core material 70 overlap but are not bonded together. [Explanation of Symbols]

[0101] 10 Footwear 20 Upper 21 Upper Body 22 Tan 22a Lower part of the tongue 22b Upper part of the tongue 22c Turning point 23 Opening 24 Rubber belts 25 Upper fabric 26 Hull 27 Hull 28 Lining fabric 30 Outsole 40 Heel 50 Cord part 60. First core material 70 Second core material 80 cushioning material 100 footwear 120 Upper 121 Upper Body 123 Opening 124 straps 125 Upper fabric 130 Outsole 131 Insoles 140 Heel 150 Gathered section 151 Rubber material 200 footwear 220 Upper 221 Upper Body 223 Opening 225 Upper fabric 226 Slit 227 Rubber belt 240 Heel 300 footwear 320 Upper Body 323 Polyester part 324 Smooth section 325 Upper fabric 340 Heel 341 Cushioning material 342 Suede section 350 Gathered section 351 Rubber material

Claims

1. Within the upper, a first core material is positioned in the heel area, and includes a portion whose cross-section, when cut horizontally to enclose the heel, is formed in a semi-circular arc shape. The upper includes a second core material positioned above the first core material, The invention is characterized by having a portion where the lower parts of the first core material and the second core material overlap, and a portion where the material constituting the upper is interposed between the first core material and the second core material. footwear.

2. The second core material is characterized in that a portion of its lower part is bonded to the first core material. Footwear according to claim 1.

3. The material is characterized in that the first core material and the second core material are interposed between the first core material and the second core material above the portion where the first core material and the second core material overlap, Footwear according to claim 1 or 2.

4. The aforementioned material is characterized in that it is not exposed on the outside of the footwear. Footwear according to claim 1.

5. The aforementioned material is the fabric that makes up the upper. The aforementioned fabric is characterized by being covered with an outer layer. Footwear according to claim 4.

6. The cushioning material is positioned closer to the opening of the shoe than the second core material, Footwear according to claim 1.

7. The cushioning material is characterized in that it is attached to the second core material. Footwear according to claim 6.

8. The rear side of the opening is characterized by having a higher cushioning material than the side side of the opening. Footwear according to claim 6.

9. The second core material is characterized in that its lower section is narrower than its upper section. Footwear according to claim 1.

10. The second core material is characterized by having a shape that resembles a mortar-shaped structure cut in the height direction, with a roughly fan-shaped structure that widens upwards and has its upper end rounded so that it forms a convex arc that curves backwards. Footwear according to claim 9.

11. The second core material is characterized in that its left and right edges are inclined backward from top to bottom. Footwear according to claim 10.

12. The second core material is characterized by being formed to be thinner than the first core material. Footwear according to claim 1.

13. The thickness of the second core material is in the range of 0.1 mm to 2.0 mm. The thickness of the first core material is greater than the thickness of the second core material. Footwear according to claim 12.

14. The first core material is characterized in that its thickness is in the range of 0.1 mm to 2.0 mm. Footwear according to claim 13.

15. The invention is characterized in that, of the first core material and the second core material, at least the second core material is formed of a hot-melt resin. Footwear according to claim 1.

16. The upper part of the heel portion is characterized by extending in a diagonal backward direction rather than vertically. Footwear according to claim 1.

17. The inner surface of the upper is made of a material that is more slippery than the outer surface. Footwear according to claim 1.

18. Equipped with a tan, The tongue is characterized in that one side, either the left or right, is sewn to the upper. Footwear according to claim 1.

19. The tongue is characterized in that one side of the tongue is attached to the upper via an elastic member. Footwear according to claim 18.

20. The tongue is characterized in that it is switched midway along the front-to-back direction of the footwear, and the rear side is more vertically inclined than the front side. Footwear according to claim 18.

21. The tongue is characterized in that the switching is done by sewing the boundary between the rear and front sides. Footwear according to claim 20.

22. With additional shoelaces, The shoelaces are characterized in that they are made of rubber. Footwear according to claim 1.

23. A slit is formed on the side of the upper, extending from the opening. A rubber material that biases the slit in the closing direction is provided on the inner surface of the upper, characterized in that Footwear according to claim 1.

24. The shoe is characterized in that a rubber belt or elastic cord is positioned on the side of the opening, inside the upper, and gathers are formed in the opening portion where the rubber belt or elastic cord is positioned. Footwear according to claim 1

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