Crescent-shaped core and footwear equipped therewith

Abstract

To provide a crescent-shaped core that improves the fit (ease of wearing) and durability (lifespan) of footwear, and footwear equipped with such core. [Solution] The crescent-shaped core 5, which is installed inside the heel portion 42 and heel guide portion 44 of the footwear 1, is integrally formed with a core body portion 50, in which both left and right ends extend forward so that the horizontal cross-sectional shape in plan view is arch-shaped and the rear surface curves and protrudes toward the rear in side view; a core peak portion 51, which is continuous with the upper part of the core body portion 50 and in which the rear surface curves and protrudes toward the forward in side view and the upper end curves and extends toward the upward diagonal rear; and a core rib portion 52 which protrudes along at least the periphery of the core peak portion 51.

Description

Technical Field

[0001] The present invention relates to the technology of a moon core and footwear provided with the same, and more particularly to a moon core provided inside the heel part and the heel guide part of footwear and footwear provided with the same.

Background Art

[0002] Conventionally, footwear is composed of a sole having anti-slip irregularities formed on the bottom surface, an upper disposed above the sole so that a foot can be inserted and removed through an opening, and a predetermined moon core is provided inside the heel part of the upper. In particular, in recent years, in this type of footwear, in order to be able to easily insert the foot into the footwear without using a shoehorn or bending down to put on the footwear, a configuration has been proposed in which the shape of the footwear (heel part) and the shape of the moon core are improved.

[0003] As conventional footwear, for example, as disclosed in Patent Document 1 or Patent Document 2, a configuration is proposed in which a heel guide part that is continuous with the upper part of the heel part and whose upper end curves and extends obliquely upward and backward in a side view is provided. In such a configuration, by providing a moon core inside the heel part and the heel guide part, the foot can be slid obliquely downward and forward while the heel load is supported by the heel guide part imparted with rigidity by the moon core, so that the operation of widening the opening to the rear becomes unnecessary, and when inserting the heel into the opening, the foot can be smoothly inserted into the footwear without the heel part or the heel guide part being caught or folded into the footwear.

[0004] However, in the conventional footwear configurations disclosed in Patent Document 1 or Patent Document 2 mentioned above, the upper edge of the core was formed with sharp corners, as in Patent Document 1, or the upper edge was formed with a thinner, pointed shape than the inner central part, as in Patent Document 2. As a result, when inserting the heel into the opening, the heel guide area did not feel comfortable against the foot, and the upper material and lining material that make up the footwear's upper rubbed against the upper part of the core at the heel guide area, causing them to tear. This resulted in problems with the footwear's wearability (ease of wearing) and durability (lifespan). [Prior art documents] [Patent Documents]

[0005] [Patent Document 1] Special Publication No. 2024-535159 [Patent Document 2] Japanese Patent Publication No. 2024-160524 [Overview of the project] [Problems that the invention aims to solve]

[0006] Therefore, the present invention aims to solve the aforementioned problems with respect to a crescent-shaped core and footwear equipped therewith, and to provide a crescent-shaped core and footwear equipped therewith that improve the wearability (ease of wearing) and durability (lifespan) of the footwear. [Means for solving the problem]

[0007] The problems that this invention aims to solve are as described above, and the means for solving these problems will now be explained.

[0008] In other words, in claim 1, the crescent-shaped core to be installed inside the heel and heel guide portions of footwear comprises a core body portion having an arched horizontal cross-sectional shape in plan view, with both left and right ends extending forward and the rear surface curving and protruding backward in side view, a core peak portion continuous with the upper part of the core body portion, with the rear surface curving and protruding forward in side view and the upper end curving and extending upward diagonally backward, and a core rib portion projecting at least along the periphery of the core peak portion, all integrally formed.

[0009] In claim 2, the core rib portion is provided projecting laterally from the edge of the core peak portion.

[0010] In claim 3, the core rib portion is provided projecting in a direction closer to the horizontal direction than the extension direction of the upper end of the core peak portion.

[0011] In claim 4, the core rib portion is formed such that the height of the protrusion from the edge of the core peak portion gradually decreases from the left and right center toward the left and right ends.

[0012] In claim 5, the core rib portion is smoothly continuous with the edge portion of the core peak portion without any step difference.

[0013] Claim 6 is a footwear comprising a crescent-shaped core as described in Claim 1 or Claim 2, the heel portion having the core body portion housed inside, and a heel guide portion that curves and extends diagonally upward and backward toward the heel portion, and has the core peak portion and the core rib portion housed inside. [Effects of the Invention]

[0014] One of the effects of this invention is that it can improve the wearability (ease of putting on) and durability (lifespan) of footwear. [Brief explanation of the drawing]

[0015] [Figure 1] This is a side view showing the overall structure of footwear according to one embodiment of the present invention. [Figure 2] It is a perspective view of the moon-shaped core. [Figure 3] It is a side view of the moon-shaped core. [Figure 4] It is a side cross-section of the moon-shaped core in FIG. 3. [Figure 5] It is a plan view of the moon-shaped core. [Figure 6] It is a rear view of the moon-shaped core. [Figure 7] It is an enlarged view of the core rib portion of the moon-shaped core. [Figure 8] It is an enlarged cross-sectional view of the heel portion and the heel guide portion of the footwear. [Figure 9] It is also an enlarged cross-sectional view of the heel portion and the heel guide portion of the footwear.

Mode for Carrying Out the Invention

[0016] Next, a mode for carrying out the invention will be described.

[0017] First, the overall configuration of the footwear 1 of this embodiment will be outlined below. As shown in FIG. 1, the footwear 1 of this embodiment is composed of a sole 2 having anti-slip irregularities formed on the bottom surface, an upper 4 disposed above the sole 2 so that the foot can be inserted and removed through the opening 3, etc. In this embodiment, as will be described later, a predetermined moon-shaped core 5 is provided inside the heel portion 42 and the heel guide portion 44 of the upper 4, so that the heel portion 42 and the heel guide portion 44 are not easily bent or crushed, and the foot can be smoothly inserted into the footwear (see FIG. 9).

[0018] The upper 4 is integrally formed with a main body portion 4 covering mainly a part of the front foot, middle foot, and rear foot of the wearer, an opening portion 41 constituting the opening 3, a heel portion 42 covering mainly the heel of the rear foot of the wearer, etc. The upper 4 is formed so as to cover the front region from the opening 3 to the toe tip at the main body portion 40, and is formed so as to cover the rear region by surrounding the heel from the side of the opening 3 at the heel portion 42.

[0019] The upper 4 is formed from an upper material 4a disposed on the outside of the footwear 1 and a lining material 4b disposed on the inside of the footwear, with a crescent-shaped core 5, described later, installed between the upper material 4a and the lining material 4b (see Figures 8 and 9). The upper material 4a and the lining material 4b may be made from the same material throughout the entire footwear, or they may be made from different materials depending on the part of the footwear 1, or the upper material 4a and the lining material 4b.

[0020] The footwear 1 of this embodiment can be given elasticity by using an elastic material in part or all of the upper 4 (upper material 4a and lining material 4b). As the elastic material, for example, known elastic mesh material, knit material, and synthetic leather can be used. As for the material of the upper 4, depending on the purpose and use of the footwear 1, it is possible to appropriately combine materials with different elasticity or different directions of stretch, or to appropriately change the parts and proportions of use of these materials.

[0021] The main body portion 40 has a tongue portion 43 attached by sewing, which extends diagonally upward toward the rear end of the opening 3 and mainly covers the upper surface of the wearer's midfoot. The tongue portion 43 is configured to further expose the opening 3 in the front-to-back direction of the footwear 1. The opening 41, together with the heel guide portion 44 described later, forms the opening 3 at its upper end for inserting and removing the foot.

[0022] The heel portion 42 is formed in a shape where the posterior surface curves and protrudes toward the rear when viewed from the side, and a heel guide portion 44 is provided at the upper center, which is continuous with the aforementioned opening 41 to form the opening 3. The heel portion 42 and the heel guide portion 44 have a crescent-shaped core 5, which will be described later, installed in the space between the upper material 4a and the lining material 4b (see Figures 8 and 9).

[0023] The heel guide portion 44 is continuous with the upper central part of the heel portion 42, and in a side view, its upper end curves upward and diagonally backward, forming a shape that widens the opening 3. In this way, the footwear 1 of this embodiment is configured such that when inserting the heel into the opening 3, the angle at which the toes are bent is reduced, allowing the foot to be smoothly inserted into the footwear via the heel guide portion 44.

[0024] In this embodiment, the footwear 1 has cushion members 45 and 46 made of an elastic material such as urethane resin installed between the upper material 4a and the lining material 4b of the opening 41 and the heel guide portion 44. The cushion members 45 and 46 are positioned so that the opening 41 and the heel guide portion 44 protrude inward toward the inside of the opening 3, and the elasticity of the cushion members 45 and 46 improves the feel of the foot when inserting the foot into the footwear. As will be described later, in the heel guide portion 44, the cushion member 46 is installed between the lining material 4b and the crescent-shaped core 5 (the core peak portion 51), and a part of the crescent-shaped core 5 (the core peak portion 51) is covered by the cushion member 46 (see Figures 8 and 9).

[0025] Next, the configuration of the moon-shaped lead 5 in this embodiment will be described in detail below. As shown in Figures 2 to 9, the crescent-shaped core 5 is formed to conform to the overall shape of the heel portion 42 and the heel guide portion 44. Specifically, in a side view, a downward curved portion 5a is formed, which is convexly curved so that the rear surface bulges outwards towards the rear as it moves from bottom to top. An upward curved portion 5b is formed that is curved forward, continuous with the downward curved portion 5a, and an upward extension portion 5c is formed, with the upper end curving diagonally upward and backward. The vertical cross-sectional shape perpendicular to the horizontal direction at the left-right center is formed to be approximately S-shaped. In addition, the crescent-shaped core 5 is formed so that it gradually narrows in width from bottom to top when viewed from the rear.

[0026] The crescent-shaped core 5 of this embodiment consists of a core body portion 50 whose left and right ends extend forward so that the horizontal cross-sectional shape in plan view is arch-shaped, and whose rear surface curves and protrudes toward the rear in side view, a core guide portion 51 which is continuous with the upper part of the core body portion 50 and whose rear surface curves and protrudes toward the forward in side view, and whose upper end curves and extends toward the upward diagonal rear, and a core rib portion 52 etc. which protrudes along the periphery of at least the core peak portion 51.

[0027] The core body portion 50 is formed so that both the left and right ends are slightly flared in a plan view, and in a side view it is formed in a roughly trapezoidal shape with the lower end protruding further forward. Both the left and right ends of the core body portion 50 are located at the foremost position within the crescent-shaped core 5. The lower end of the core body portion 50 is formed in a horizontal straight line in a side view, and when the crescent-shaped core 5 is installed inside the heel portion 42 of the footwear 1 in a horizontal or near-horizontal position, the core body portion 50 is formed to wrap around the wearer's heel.

[0028] The core body portion 50, when viewed from the side, has its rear surface curved and protruding toward the rear, forming the lower curved portion 5a of the crescent-shaped core 5, and the lower curved portion 5a is formed in a curved shape that covers the heel. Furthermore, when viewed from the rear, the core body portion 50 is formed so that the width of the upper end is narrower than the width of the lower end, and the width gradually narrows from the bottom to the top.

[0029] The core peak portion 51 extends upward from the upper part of the left and right center of the core body portion 50, and is formed so that both the left and right ends are slightly flared in a plan view, and is formed in a roughly triangular shape with the upper end converging upward in a side view. In this embodiment, the upper end of the core peak portion 51 is located in front of the rear surface of the core body portion 50 (the downward curved portion 5a of the crescent-shaped core 5) (see Figure 3, etc.), but the upper end of the core peak portion 51 may be configured to extend further toward the rear so that it is located at the rearmost position within the crescent-shaped core 5.

[0030] The core portion 51 is continuous with the upper part of the core body portion 50 and curves forward to form an upper curved portion 5b, and the upper curved portion 5b is formed in a curved shape that protrudes forward to correspond to the constriction of the wearer's heel. Furthermore, the upper end of the core portion 51 curves and extends upward diagonally backward to form an upper extension portion 5c, and the upper extension portion 5c is shaped to widen behind the upper end of the crescent-shaped core 5. When viewed from the rear, the width of the upper end of the core portion 51 is narrower than the width of the lower end, and the width gradually narrows from bottom to top.

[0031] The core rib portion 52 is arranged along the periphery of the crescent-shaped core 5 and protrudes laterally from the edge of the core peak portion 51 (in the rearward and left-right directions along the periphery of the core peak portion 51 in a plan view), at least along the periphery of the core peak portion 51. As described above, the core peak portion 51 of the crescent-shaped core 5 has a shape in which the upper end is widened laterally, so the core rib portion 52 is arranged to follow the widened shape of the upper end of the core peak portion 51. The direction in which the core rib portion 52 protrudes is in a direction closer to the horizontal than the upward diagonal rearward direction which is the extension direction of the upper end (upward extension portion 5c) of the core peak portion 51 in a side view, and the core rib portion 52 is arranged so that the upper end of the core peak portion 51 is bent in a direction closer to the horizontal in a side view.

[0032] The core rib portion 52 is continuously projected from the edge of the core peak portion 51, and there are no sharp corners at the point where the core peak portion 51 and the core rib portion 52 are connected, with the end face of the core peak portion 51 and the upper surface of the core rib portion 52 being smoothly continuous without any steps. Furthermore, the core rib portion 52 is formed such that the cross-sectional shape of the perpendicular cut perpendicular to the side surface of the edge of the core peak portion 51 is substantially rectangular, and the corners of the protruding end of the core rib portion 52 are chamfered to be rounded.

[0033] The core rib portion 52, together with the core peak portion 51, forms a thickened portion where the thickness of the periphery of the crescent-shaped core 5 is thicker than the inner central portion. At the location where the core rib portion 52 protrudes, the thickness is increased by the amount of the protrusion height H and protrusion width W of the core rib portion 52 from the edge of the core peak portion 51 (see Figure 7). The protrusion height H and protrusion width W of the core rib portion 52 can be appropriately set according to the shape and thickness of the crescent-shaped core 5 (core body portion 50 and core peak portion 51) so as not to hinder the feel of the foot when inserting the heel into the opening 3.

[0034] The protruding height H of the core rib portion 52 is the length from the edge of the core peak portion 51 to the protruding end of the core rib portion 52 in a plan view. In this embodiment, the protruding height H of the core rib portion 52 is not uniform along the periphery of the core peak portion 51. In a plan view, the left and right centers are higher than the left and right ends, and the height gradually decreases from the left and right centers towards the left and right ends. In this embodiment, the core rib portion 52 is formed so that the continuous surface with the side surface of the crescent-shaped core 5 (core peak portion 51) at the left and right ends is smooth and continuous without any steps. In other words, the protruding height H at the left and right ends is "0 (zero)".

[0035] The protruding width W of the core rib portion 52 is the vertical length of the core rib portion 52 in a side view. In this embodiment, the core rib portion 52 is formed such that the protruding width W is uniform along the periphery of the core peak portion 51, and in a plan view, the protruding width W is the same from the left and right center to the left and right ends.

[0036] As shown in Figures 1, 8, and 9, in this embodiment, the crescent-shaped core 5 has a downward curved portion 5a formed by the core body portion 50, and an upward curved portion 5b and an upward extension portion 5c formed by the core peak portion 51. In footwear 1 in which the crescent-shaped core 5 is installed inside the heel portion 42 and heel guide portion 44, the heel portion 42, which is given rigidity by the core body portion 50, is held in a curved shape that covers the heel, and the heel guide portion 44, which is given rigidity by the core peak portion 51, is held in a shape that conforms to the shape of the ankle and whose upper end is curved backward.

[0037] When the crescent-shaped core 5 (specifically the core peak portion 51) is installed inside the heel guide portion 44, a cushioning member 46 is positioned between the core peak portion 51 and the lining material 4b. The cushioning member 46 covers a portion of the surface of the core peak portion 51 facing the opening 3, and a portion or all of the surface of the core rib portion 52 that is continuous with the surface of the core peak portion 51 facing the opening 3. In particular, the crescent-shaped core 5 is positioned so that the upper part of the core rib portion 52 is covered by the cushioning member 46, and the edges of the core peak portion 51 and the core rib portion 52 do not come into contact with the lining material 4b of the heel guide portion 44.

[0038] In the footwear 1 equipped with the crescent-shaped core 5 of this embodiment, when inserting the heel into the opening 3, the load of the heel is supported by the upper curved portion 5b and the upper extension portion 5c of the core portion 51, while the foot can be slid forward and diagonally downward by the heel guide portion 44, allowing the foot to be smoothly inserted into the footwear without the heel guide portion 44 being caught or folded inside the footwear. Furthermore, the upper curved portion 5b of the core portion 51 and the cushioning member 46 emphasize the vertical step on the inside of the heel guide portion 44, so that the heel guide portion 44 wraps around the calcaneal tuberosity of the wearer's heel, properly holding the heel inside the footwear and preventing the footwear 1 from coming off unintentionally.

[0039] In this embodiment, the crescent-shaped core 5 is integrally formed from a relatively hard resin, comprising the core body portion 50, core peak portion 51, and core rib portion 52 described above. As the material for the crescent-shaped core 5, for example, thermoplastic resins such as thermoplastic elastomer (TPE), polyester-based thermoplastic elastomer (TPEE), polyamide-based thermoplastic elastomer (TPAE), thermoplastic rubber (TPR), thermoplastic polyurethane, ethylene-vinyl acetate copolymer resin, and ABS resin, as well as thermosetting resins such as epoxy resin and unsaturated polyester resin, can be used.

[0040] As described above, the crescent-shaped core 5 of this embodiment is a crescent-shaped core 5 installed inside the heel portion 42 and heel guide portion 44 of the footwear 1, and has a core body portion 50 that extends forward at both left and right ends so that the horizontal cross-sectional shape in plan view is arch-shaped and the rear surface curves and protrudes toward the rear in side view, a core peak portion 51 that is continuous with the upper part of the core body portion 50 and has the rear surface curves and protrudes forward in side view and the upper end curves and extends toward the upward diagonal rear, and a core rib portion 52 that protrudes at least along the periphery of the core peak portion 51, and these are integrally formed, so that the wearability (ease of wearing) and durability (lifespan) of the footwear 1 can be improved.

[0041] In other words, in this embodiment, the crescent-shaped core 5 has a core rib portion 52 protruding from the edge along the periphery of the core peak portion 51, so that the corners of the edge of the core peak portion 51 are not sharp, and the thickness of the periphery of the core peak portion 51 can be made thicker than the inner central part. As a result, it does not hinder the feel of the foot when inserting the heel into the opening 3, improving the ease of wearing the footwear 1, and it can also reduce friction with the upper material 4 (upper material 4a and lining material 4b), thereby extending the lifespan of the footwear 1.

[0042] In particular, in this embodiment, the crescent-shaped core 5 has a core rib portion 52 that protrudes laterally from the edge of the core peak portion 51, and protrudes in a direction closer to the horizontal than the extension direction of the upper end of the core peak portion 51. Therefore, when inserting the heel into the opening 3, the core rib portion 52 does not obstruct the contact with the foot, and friction with the upper material 4 (upper material 4a and lining material 4b) can be effectively reduced.

[0043] Furthermore, in this embodiment, the crescent-shaped core 5 is formed such that the core rib portion 52 has a protrusion height H from the edge of the core peak portion 51 that gradually decreases from the left and right center towards the left and right ends. As a result, the left and right centers of the core peak portion 51, which are the points that support the most heel load when the heel is inserted into the opening 3, are formed thicker at the core rib portion 52, thereby further improving the fit and durability of the footwear 1.

[0044] Furthermore, in this embodiment, the core rib portion 52 of the crescent-shaped core 5 is smoothly continuous with the edge of the core peak portion 51 without any step, so when inserting the heel into the opening 3, the core rib portion 52 does not obstruct the feel against the foot, and friction with the upper material 4 (upper material 4a and lining material 4b) can be effectively reduced.

[0045] Furthermore, the configuration of the footwear 1 and the crescent-shaped core 5 is not limited to the embodiments described above, and various modifications are possible as long as they do not depart from the objective of the present invention.

[0046] In other words, although the crescent-shaped core 5 of the above embodiment was described as having a configuration in which the core rib portion 52 protrudes along the periphery of the core peak portion 51, the arrangement of such core rib portion 52 only needs to be such that it protrudes along at least the periphery of the core peak portion 51. For example, in addition to the periphery of the core peak portion 51, it may also protrude along a part of the upper periphery of both the left and right ends of the core body portion 50 which is continuous with the core peak portion 51.

[0047] Furthermore, although the crescent-shaped core 5 of the above-described embodiment was described as having a substantially rectangular cross-sectional shape formed perpendicular to the side surface of the edge of the core peak portion 51 of the core rib portion 52, the shape of the core rib portion 52 may be any shape that provides wearability and durability for the footwear 1, and may be formed as, for example, a substantially semicircular shape or a shape in which the protruding end is chamfered into a curved surface.

[0048] Furthermore, although the crescent-shaped core 5 of the above-described embodiment was described as having a configuration in which the protruding height H of the core rib portion 52 is not uniform along the periphery of the core peak portion 51, but gradually decreases from the left and right center toward the left and right ends in a plan view, the shape of the core rib portion 52 is not limited to this, and for example, the protruding height H of the core rib portion 52 may be formed to be uniform along the periphery of the core peak portion 51, with the same protruding height H from the left and right center toward the left and right ends in a plan view. In addition, the protruding width W of the core rib portion 52 may also be formed differently from the above-described embodiment, for example, by gradually narrowing from the left and right center toward the left and right ends.

[0049] Furthermore, although the crescent-shaped core 5 in this embodiment is formed to have a uniform cross-sectional thickness, the shape of the crescent-shaped core 5 only needs to have a cross-sectional thickness that provides sufficient strength to maintain the shape of the heel portion 42 and heel guide portion 44 of the footwear 1. For example, the cross-sectional thickness of a part of the downward curved portion 5a may be formed to gradually become thinner than other parts, or the cross-sectional thickness near the upward curved portion 5b may be formed to gradually become thicker than other parts.

[0050] Furthermore, although the footwear 1 in the above-described embodiment has been described as having a tongue portion 43 on the main body portion 40, the shape of the footwear 1 is not limited to this, and may be configured as, for example, hands-free footwear without a tongue portion 43 or shoelaces. [Explanation of Symbols]

[0051] 1. Footwear 2 soles 3. Opening 4 Upper 4a Instep material 4b Backing material May-shaped core 5a Downward curved part 5a 5b Upper curved section 5b 5c Upper extension part 5c 40 Main body 41 Opening 42 Heel 43 Tongue 44 Heel guide section 45 Cushioning material 46 Cushioning material 50-core main body 51 Core Mountain Section 52 Core rib section

Claims

1. In the crescent-shaped core installed inside the heel and heel guide portion of footwear, The core body has an arched horizontal cross-sectional shape in plan view, with both left and right ends extending forward, and a curved rear surface that protrudes backward in side view. A core peak is provided which is continuous with the upper part of the core body, and whose rear surface curves forward and protrudes when viewed from the side, and whose upper end curves upward and diagonally backward, At least a core rib portion is provided protruding along the periphery of the core peak portion, A crescent-shaped core characterized by being formed as a single unit.

2. The crescent-shaped core according to claim 1, wherein the core rib portion is provided to protrude laterally from the edge of the core peak portion.

3. The crescent-shaped core according to claim 1 or claim 2, wherein the core rib portion is provided to protrude in a direction closer to the horizontal direction than the extension direction of the upper end of the core peak portion.

4. The crescent-shaped core according to claim 1 or claim 2, wherein the core rib portion is formed such that the height of the protrusion from the edge of the core peak portion gradually decreases from the left and right center toward the left and right ends.

5. The crescent-shaped core according to claim 1 or claim 2, wherein the core rib portion is smoothly continuous with the edge portion of the core peak portion without any step.

6. Footwear comprising a crescent-shaped core as described in claim 1 or claim 2, The heel portion in which the core body is housed, A heel guide portion is provided which curves and extends diagonally upward and backward toward the heel portion, and which contains the core peak portion and the core rib portion. Footwear characterized by being equipped with the following:

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