Boot

Abstract

Provided is a shoe that is not easily fatigued even after being worn for a long time. 【Solution means】A shoe comprising a plate-shaped sole portion 2 and an upper portion 3 disposed on the sole portion 2, wherein the upper portion 3 includes an opening 4 for inserting the user's foot, a vamp portion 5 covering the instep of the user's foot, a pair of left and right wing portions 6 formed so as to cover both end sides in the width direction of the vamp portion 5, and an elastomeric resin sheet 7 that is stretchable and fastens the pair of left and right wing portions 6 to each other.

Description

Technical Field

[0001] The present invention relates to shoes, and more particularly to shoes that are not easily fatigued even after long-term use.

Background Art

[0002] Conventionally, various shoes used for various purposes such as sports, fashion, and daily life have been known. The structure of a shoe generally includes a plate-shaped sole portion that serves as the sole of the shoe, and an upper portion that wraps around the user's foot. The upper portion is a member disposed on the sole portion, and includes an opening that serves as an entrance for inserting the foot, a vamp portion that covers the instep of the user's foot, and a pair of left and right wing portions formed so as to cover both ends in the width direction of the vamp portion. A plurality of through holes for passing a string are formed in the pair of left and right wing portions, and by tying the string passed through the through holes, the foot inserted into the shoe is prevented from coming out of the shoe.

Summary of the Invention

Problems to be Solved by the Invention

[0003] The conventional shoes as described above have a problem that fatigue accumulates in the feet when worn continuously for a long time.

[0004] The present invention has been made to solve the above problems, and an object thereof is to provide shoes that are not easily fatigued even after long-term use.

Means for Solving the Problems

[0005] The above object of the present invention is achieved by a shoe including a plate-shaped sole portion and an upper portion disposed on the sole portion, wherein the upper portion includes an opening for inserting the user's foot, a vamp portion that covers the instep of the user's foot, a pair of left and right wing portions formed so as to cover both ends in the width direction of the vamp portion, and a stretchable elastomer resin sheet that tightens the pair of left and right wing portions.

[0006] Regarding this shoe, it is preferable that the elastomer resin sheet is detachably disposed on the pair of left and right blade portions.

[0007] Further, it is preferable that the elastomer resin sheet is formed of a styrenic thermoplastic elastomer.

[0008] Further, a plurality of the elastomer resin sheets can be configured to be arranged between the pair of left and right blade portions at predetermined intervals.

[0009] Alternatively, the entire area between the pair of left and right blade portions may be configured to be covered by a single elastomer resin sheet.

[0010] Alternatively, it may be configured to include a stretchable connecting piece that connects the inner surface of the opening for inserting the user's foot and the vamp portion that covers the instep of the user's foot. This connecting piece is preferably formed of an elastomer resin, and particularly preferably formed of a styrenic thermoplastic elastomer resin.

Advantages of the Invention

[0011] According to the present invention, it is possible to provide shoes that are not easily fatigued even after being worn for a long time.

Brief Description of the Drawings

[0012]

Figure 1

Figure 2

Figure 3

Figure 4

Figure 5

Figure 6

Figure 7

Figure 8

Figure 9

Mode for Carrying Out the Invention

[0013] Hereinafter, the shoe according to the present invention will be described with reference to the accompanying drawings. Note that each figure is partially enlarged or reduced for easy understanding of the configuration.

[0014] As shown in the schematic configuration plan view of FIG. 1, the shoe 1 according to the present invention includes a plate-like sole portion 2 that serves as a shoe sole, and an upper portion 3 that wraps around the user's foot. The sole portion 2 has a function of cushioning the impact received from the ground when the user walks or runs, and is formed of a material such as rubber or resin. Further, an appropriate anti-slip is formed on the bottom surface of the sole portion 2.

[0015] The upper portion 3 is a member disposed on the sole portion 2, and includes an opening 4, a vamp portion 5, a pair of side portions 6 on the left and right, and an elastomer resin sheet 7.

[0016] The opening 4 serves as an entrance for the user to insert the foot when putting on the shoe 1, and is defined by a part of the outer edge of the vamp portion 5 and the outer edges of the pair of side portions 6.

[0017] The vamp portion 5 covers the instep of the user's foot when the user puts on the shoe 1, and its lower end side is connected to the upper portion 3, and its upper end side is a free end.

[0018] The pair of blade parts 6 are formed so as to cover both end sides in the width direction of the lip part 5, and are formed so as to extend from the lower end side of the lip part 5 to the front end side of the opening 4. Each blade part 6 is formed to be substantially line-symmetric (left-right symmetric) with respect to the center in the width direction of the upper part 3.

[0019] The elastomer resin sheet 7 is a member that clamps the pair of left and right blade parts 6, and is configured to be flexible and stretchable. Further, the elastomer resin sheet 7 is formed in a rectangular shape in plan view. This elastomer resin sheet 7 can be composed of a thermoplastic resin material, and for example, urethane-based thermoplastic elastomers, styrene-based thermoplastic elastomers, and polyester-based thermoplastic elastomers can be preferably cited. Note that the thickness of the elastomer resin sheet 7 is changed according to its stretching strength, but it is preferably set to about 1 mm to 2 mm, for example. Both end parts of this elastomer resin sheet 7 are respectively fixed to the blade part 6. Further, it is configured to include a plurality of elastomer resin sheets 7, and each elastomer resin sheet 7 is arranged along the longitudinal direction of the lip part 5.

[0020] Further, the elastomer resin sheet 7 is preferably detachably disposed between a pair of left and right blade portions 6. The method of detachably attaching the elastomer resin sheet 7 between the pair of blade portions 6 is not particularly limited. For example, as shown in the schematic configuration plan view of FIG. 2, through holes 71 are formed at both ends of the elastomer resin sheet 7, and a method of fixing them to the through holes 61 formed in the pair of left and right blade portions 6 by the locking members 72 shown in FIG. 3 can be mentioned. As shown in FIG. 3, this locking member 6 includes a base portion 72a, an insertion portion 72b, and a shaft portion 73c connecting the base portion 72a and the insertion portion 72b. The insertion portion 72b is configured in a conical shape whose diameter decreases as it separates from the base portion 72a side, and a shaft portion is provided so as to connect the central portion of the bottom surface portion and the central portion of one surface of the base portion 72a. It is preferable that the tip of the insertion portion 72b is configured to be gently curved. Also, the diameter of the shaft portion 72c is set to be smaller than the diameter of the bottom surface of the insertion portion 72b formed in a conical shape. Here, FIG. 3(a) is a schematic configuration cross-sectional view of the locking member 72, and FIG. 3(b) is a plan view seen from the arrow B direction thereof. Also, the diameter of the through holes 71 formed at both ends of the elastomer resin sheet 7 is preferably configured to be approximately the same size as the diameter of the shaft portion 72c of the locking member 72. Further, the through hole 61 formed in the blade portion 6 is configured to expand in diameter when the insertion portion 72b is pushed in so that the insertion portion 72b can pass through, but after the insertion portion 72b has passed through, it contracts in the radial direction and is set to a size such that the insertion portion 72b cannot be easily removed. Generally, shoes (the blade portions of shoes) are formed from natural leather, artificial leather, suede, natural fibers, synthetic fibers, etc., so the through hole 61 formed in the blade portion 6 expands in diameter when something larger than its diameter is inserted and contracts in diameter when it is withdrawn.

[0021] When installing the elastomer resin sheet 7 between a pair of left and right blade parts 6 using such a locking member 72, for example, as shown in Fig. 4(a), in advance, the elastomer resin sheet 7 is arranged on the shaft part 72c so that the insertion part 72b of the locking member 72 passes through the through-hole 71 in the elastomer resin sheet 7. Next, with the insertion part 72b side of the locking member 72 facing forward, the insertion part 72b is passed through the through-hole 61 formed in the blade part 6 (Figs. 4(b) and 4(c)). As described above, the through-hole 61 formed in the blade part 6 has a diameter that expands when the insertion part 72b is pushed in so that the insertion part 72b can pass through, but after the insertion part 72b has passed through, it contracts in the radial direction and is configured to have a dimension such that the insertion part 72b cannot be easily removed. Therefore, the base part 72a of the locking member 72 and the elastomer resin sheet 7 are prevented from falling off the blade part 6 while being attached to the surface of the blade part 6. Further, when removing the elastomer resin sheet 7 from the blade part 6, it can be done by gripping the base part 72a and pulling out the insertion part 72b of the locking member 72 from the through-hole 61 of the blade part 6. Here, the length of the shaft part 72c of the locking member 5 is preferably set to be approximately the same as the total dimension of the thicknesses of the elastomer resin sheet 7 and the blade part 6, or slightly shorter than the total dimension, as shown in Fig. 4(c). Note that Fig. 4(c) shows the A-A cross-section in Fig. 1.

[0022] Note that the specific configuration of the locking member 72 used for attaching the elastomer resin sheet 7 to the blade part 6 is not particularly limited to the form shown in Fig. 3. For example, the locking member 72 may be formed in a configuration such as a bolt and nut.

[0023] Also, the elastomer resin sheet 7 can have its expansion and contraction strength adjusted by changing its material and hardness. The expansion and contraction strength can also be adjusted by changing its shape, thickness, width, length, etc. Further, for example, the expansion and contraction strength can be adjusted by changing the number of thin sheets (thin thicknesses such as 0.2 mm or 0.3 mm) stacked in the thickness direction.

[0024] As described above, the shoe 1 according to the present invention is configured to include an elastomer resin sheet 7 that fastens the pair of left and right blade portions 6 together. Therefore, it is possible to put on and take off the shoe 1 extremely easily. When putting on or taking off a conventional shoe using laces, one has to bend down low, bend the knees, squat, or lower the waist so that one can reach the laces, and then tie or untie the laces. For example, for the elderly, it may be difficult to assume such postures as bending the waist, bending the knees, or stooping. On the other hand, in the case of the shoe 1 configured to include the elastomer resin sheet 7 that fastens the pair of left and right blade portions 6 together as in the present application, when putting on the shoe, one can easily put it on by sliding the foot in while standing upright and pressing a long-handled shoehorn against the heel of the shoe 1. Also, when taking off the shoe, one can easily pull the foot out of the shoe 1 by placing the opposite foot against the heel of the shoe 1 to be taken off while standing upright and stopping the movement of the shoe 1, effectively preventing any burden on the waist and knees. Further, after putting on the shoe 1, the left and right directions of the foot are held by the pair of blade portions 6 due to the fastening force of the pair of left and right blade portions 6 by the stretchable elastomer resin sheet 7, so the shoe 1 does not fall off the foot during walking or running.

[0025] Further, instead of tightening the pair of blade parts 6 together with a string as in the conventional case, since it is configured to tighten the pair of blade parts 6 together with an elastomeric resin sheet 7 that can expand and contract, even if the shoes 1 are worn for a long time and walking or running is performed, it is possible to effectively prevent fatigue from accumulating in the feet. Specifically, the circumference of the instep is minimized when no weight is applied to the foot, that is, when the foot that was in contact with the ground during walking is extended forward and the foot is floating in the air, and the dimension around the foot when the foot is in contact with the ground and the weight is fully borne by the foot is maximized. In the device of the present application configured to tighten the pair of blade parts 6 together with the elastomeric resin sheet 7 that can expand and contract, when the foot touches the ground and the weight rides over the foot, and the instep deforms so as to bulge in the left-right direction, the elastomeric resin sheet 7 extends according to the degree of deformation, and the interval between the pair of blade parts 6 that hold the left and right directions of the foot widens, and the pair of blade parts 6 smoothly follow the deformation and fit to the foot deformation. Further, when the foot that was in contact with the ground is extended forward and the foot is floating in the air, the circumference of the instep becomes shorter, but in the device of the present application configured to tighten the pair of blade parts 6 together with the elastomeric resin sheet 7, the elastomeric resin sheet 7 contracts following the shortened circumference of the instep, and the pair of blade parts 6 maintains a state of fitting to the instep. That is, in the case of the shoes 1 according to the present application, during walking or running, since the pair of blade parts 6 smoothly follow the deformation, even if walking or running is continued for a long time, it is possible to effectively prevent fatigue from accumulating in the feet.

[0026] Further, in the case of shoes of the type that tighten the pair of left and right blade parts 6 together with a string as in the conventional case, for example, if walking exceeding 10,000 steps per day is continued, the string will break in approximately 3 to 4 months, and string replacement work will be required. However, for example, when the elastomeric resin sheet 7 is formed from a styrene-based thermoplastic elastomer, since this styrene-based thermoplastic elastomer has extremely high strength, it has durability, and the elastomeric resin sheet 7 will not be damaged, etc. for a period of about one year, and it is possible to use the shoes 1 for a long period of time.

[0027] Further, by configuring the pair of blade portions 6 to be tightened by the elastomer resin sheet 7, as described above, when the foot touches the ground, the pair of blade portions 6 can smoothly follow the deformation of the foot. Also, when the foot leaves the ground upward, the pair of blade portions 6 can smoothly follow the deformation of the foot returning from the swollen state in the left - right direction to the normal state. In this way, the blade portions 6 following the deformation of the foot during landing and leaving means that the pair of blade portions 6 holding the foot repeatedly apply pressing with an appropriate force to the foot, creating a situation of so - called massaging the foot during walking or running. As a result, the blood circulation of the foot is improved, and the accumulation of fatigue in the foot can be effectively prevented.

[0028] As described above, the shoe 1 according to an embodiment of the present invention has been described, but its specific configuration is not limited to the above - described embodiment. For example, in FIG. 1, a configuration is shown in which one through - hole 71 is provided at each of both ends of the elastomer resin sheet 7. However, as shown in the schematic configuration plan view of FIG. 5, a plurality of through - holes 71 may be formed at each end along the longitudinal direction of the elastomer resin sheet 7. In FIG. 5, three through - holes 71 are formed at each end. When a plurality of through - holes 71 are provided along the longitudinal direction of the elastomer resin sheet 7 in this way, since the position of the through - hole 71 through which the locking member 72 passes can be changed and attached to the blade portion 6, the user can appropriately set the tightening force between the pair of blade portions 6 to a preferable state according to the size and shape of their own foot. Also, for example, even if a just - right fit is felt at a stage before walking or running, when actually walking or running, a sense of discomfort regarding the fit, such as being slightly loose or tight, may occur. In such a case, by changing the through - hole 71 of the elastomer resin sheet 7 through which the locking member 72 is inserted, the user can easily obtain an expansion - contraction strength and a fit state that seem just right.

[0029] Also, as described above, for example, when the elastomer resin sheet 7 is configured in a thin form with a thickness of 0.2 mm or 0.3 mm, when walking or running, by bringing a plurality of such elastomer resin sheets 7, when actually walking or running, when a sense of discomfort regarding the fit feeling such as being slightly loose occurs, after removing the locking member 72 and the elastomer resin sheet 7 from the blade portion 6, the elastomer resin sheets 7 are stacked on top of each other, and again through the locking member 72, the stacked elastomer resin sheets 7 are installed on the blade portion 6, so that it is possible to easily obtain the expansion and contraction strength and the fitting state that the user feels just right, and it becomes possible to walk or run. Also, at a stage prior to walking or running, the elastomer resin sheets 7 are stacked on top of each other and installed on the blade portion 6, the fit feeling of the shoe at the stage when actually walking or running is confirmed, when it is tight, the locking member 72 and the elastomer resin sheet 7 are removed from the blade portion 6, after removing the desired number of elastomer resin sheets 7, again through the locking member 72, the elastomer resin sheet 7 is installed on the blade portion 6, so that it is possible to easily obtain the expansion and contraction strength and the fitting state that the user feels just right.

[0030] Also, in the above-described embodiment, a plurality of elastomer resin sheets 7 having a rectangular shape in plan view are configured to be provided along the longitudinal direction of the tongue portion 5. However, for example, as shown in the schematic configuration plan view of FIG. 6, the elastomer resin sheet 7 may be configured so as to cover the entire area between a pair of left and right blade portions. Even when such a configuration is adopted, the above-described effects can be obtained. Further, the elastomer resin sheet 7 exhibits a shielding function, and it becomes possible to effectively prevent sand, dust, rainwater, etc. from entering between a pair of left and right blade portions. Note that the configuration shown in FIG. 6 is an aspect in which a single elastomer resin sheet 7 is used as shown in FIG. 7, but a plurality of elastomer resin sheets 7 may be used and a part of each elastomer resin sheet 7 may overlap so as to cover the entire area between a pair of left and right blade portions 6.

[0031] Also, as shown in the schematic enlarged partial configuration diagram of FIG. 8, it may be configured to include a stretchable connecting piece 8 that connects the inner surface of the opening 4 for inserting the user's foot and the instep portion 5 that covers the instep of the user's foot. The connecting piece 8 is formed in a rectangular shape in plan view, and is preferably provided on each of the inner ankle side and the outer ankle side. Also, one end of the connecting piece 8 is preferably connected to the corner portion of the instep portion 5. This connecting piece 8 is preferably formed from, for example, a urethane-based thermoplastic elastomer, a styrene-based thermoplastic elastomer, or a polyester-based thermoplastic elastomer. In particular, from the viewpoint of strength, it is preferably formed from a styrene-based thermoplastic elastomer. By providing such a connecting piece 8, when putting on the shoes, it is possible to effectively prevent the instep portion 5 from entering deeper inside the shoes following the movement of the instep of the inserted foot. Also, since the connecting piece 8 has elasticity, it is possible to prevent the movement of the foot when the user puts on the shoes from being hindered.

[0032] Also, as shown in the schematic configuration diagram of FIG. 9, it may be configured to include a connecting member 73 that connects the elastomer resin sheet 7 and the instep portion 5. In particular, as shown in FIG. 9, it is preferably configured so as to be able to connect the elastomer resin sheet 7 disposed on the upper end side of the instep portion 5 and the instep portion 5. As this connecting member 73, for example, the above-described locking member 72 can be diverted. Specifically, a through-hole is formed at a predetermined position of the instep portion 5, and a through-hole is also formed in the elastomer resin sheet 7, and the elastomer resin sheet 7 and the instep portion 5 are connected via the connecting member 73. By connecting the elastomer resin sheet 7 and the instep portion 5 using such a connecting member 73, when the user puts on the shoes, it is possible to effectively prevent the upper end side of the instep portion 5 from entering below the elastomer resin sheet 7.

Explanation of Reference Numerals

[0033] 1 Shoes 2 Sole portion 3 Upper portion 4 Opening 5 Instep portion 6 Blade roots 7 Elastomer resin sheet 71 Through-hole 72 Locking member 8 Connecting member

Claims

1. A shoe comprising a plate-shaped sole portion and an upper portion disposed on the sole portion, The shoe is characterized in that the upper portion comprises an opening for inserting the user's foot, a tongue portion covering the instep of the user's foot, a pair of left and right wing portions formed to cover both widthwise ends of the tongue portion, and an expandable elastomer resin sheet that fastens the pair of left and right wing portions together.

2. 2. The shoe according to claim 1, wherein the elastomer resin sheet is detachably disposed on the pair of left and right wing portions.

3. 3. The shoe according to claim 1, wherein the elastomer resin sheet is made of a styrene-based thermoplastic elastomer.

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