shoes

Abstract

To provide shoes that can be easily put on without using a shoehorn or the like and that can suppress fatigue of the feet. [Solution] The shoe (10) includes an upper (12) that defines an interior space (S) of the shoe, and a reinforcing structure (14). The upper (12) includes a heel portion (20) and a heel guide portion (22) that extends obliquely upward and rearward from an upper end (20a) of the heel portion (20) and defines a guide surface (22a) that guides the heel of the foot into the interior space (S). The reinforcing structure (14) includes a plate-shaped first core material (38) joined to the inner surface of the heel portion (20) and a plate-shaped second core material (40) that is spaced apart from the first core material (38) and joined to the guide surface (22a). The upper edge (38a) of the first core material (38) is formed so as to descend from the center in the left-right direction toward the front left and front right, and the lower edge (40b) of the second core material (40) is formed so that the distance from the upper edge (38a) of the first core material (38) is shortest at the center in the left-right direction and the distance from the lower edge (40b) of the second core material (40) to the upper edge (38a) increases toward both left-right ends.

Description

[Technical Field]

[0001] This invention relates to shoes that can be easily put on without using a shoehorn or the like. [Background technology]

[0002] An example of a conventional shoe that can be easily put on without using a shoehorn or the like is disclosed in Patent Document 1 below. This shoe (shoe with a shoehorn function) has a heel section that covers the periphery of the heel of the foot and a heel guide section that extends diagonally upward and rearward from the upper end of the heel section. The heel section and heel guide section contain plate-shaped cores to reinforce them. The lower core contained in the heel section and the upper core contained in the heel guide section are integrally formed from synthetic resin.

[0003] The shoe disclosed in Patent Document 1 allows the heel of the user to slide along the heel guide, making it easy for the user to put on the shoe. However, because the lower core contained in the heel portion and the upper core contained in the heel guide are formed continuously and integrally, the upper part of the heel portion is hard, which causes the user's feet to tire easily when wearing the shoe.

[0004] In other words, when a user walks downhill, the ankle tilts backward, causing it to hit the hard part at the top of the heel, while when the user walks uphill, the foot slides downward in the shoe space, causing the ankle to hit the hard part at the top of the heel, resulting in the problem that the feet get tired easily in either case. [Prior art documents] [Patent documents]

[0005] [Patent Document 1] Utility Model Registration No. 3195071 Summary of the Invention

[0006] The purpose of this invention is to provide shoes that can be easily put on without using a shoehorn or the like and that can reduce foot fatigue.

[0007] In order to achieve the above-mentioned object, the shoe of the present invention is characterized in that it comprises an upper that forms an interior space of the shoe and a reinforcing structure that reinforces the upper, wherein the upper has a sheet-like heel portion that is curved to fit the heel of the user's foot, and a sheet-like heel guide portion that extends diagonally upward and rearward from the upper end of the heel portion and forms a guide surface that guides the heel of the user's foot into the interior space of the shoe, and the reinforcing structure has a plate-like first core material joined to the inner surface of the heel portion and a plate-like second core material joined to the guide surface at a distance from the first core material, the upper edge of the first core material is formed to descend from the center in the left-right direction toward the front left and front right, and the lower edge of the second core material is formed so that the distance from the upper edge of the first core material is shortest at the center in the left-right direction and the distance from the upper edge of the first core material becomes longer toward both ends in the left-right direction.

[0008] In this shoe, the heel portion is reinforced by the first core, and the heel guide portion is reinforced by the second core. Therefore, even when the heel guide portion is stepped on by the user's foot, the heel portion and heel guide portion are less likely to deform, allowing the user to easily put on the shoe without using a shoehorn or the like. Furthermore, because the second core portion is spaced apart from the first core portion, flexibility of the upper is ensured between the first core portion and the second core portion. In other words, flexibility of the upper part of the heel portion is ensured. Therefore, whether going uphill or downhill, the user's foot can be prevented from hitting hard against the hard part of the upper part of the heel portion, reducing foot fatigue.

[0009] The upper edge of the first core is formed so that it descends from the left-right center toward the left front and right front, and the lower edge of the second core is formed so that the distance from the upper edge of the first core is shortest at the left-right center and becomes longer toward both left and right ends. Therefore, when a user puts on the shoe, the second core and heel guide can swing left and right in accordance with the movement of the foot, and the heel of the foot can be smoothly guided into the shoe interior.

[0010] Another feature of the shoe of the present invention is that the upper has a stitching portion that stitches the edges of the heel portion and the heel guide portion together while they are overlapped, and the stitching portion is located between the upper edge of the first core material and the lower edge of the second core material.

[0011] In this shoe, the heel guide of the upper is flexible at the edge along the seam, and external forces acting from the heel of the foot on the heel guide and second core are firmly absorbed by the seam and first core, preventing undesired deformation of the upper due to such external forces.

[0012] Another feature of the shoe according to the present invention is that the heel guide and the second core are curved so as to bulge obliquely downward and rearward.

[0013] In this shoe, the heel guide and second core are curved so that they bulge diagonally downward toward the rear. Therefore, even when the rear end of the heel guide is stepped on by the user's foot, the heel guide and second core are less likely to bend, allowing the user to easily put on the shoe without using a shoehorn or the like.

[0014] Another feature of the shoe according to the present invention is that the upper end of the first core is formed so that the thickness gradually decreases toward the upper edge.

[0015] This shoe can prevent a step from occurring between the inner surface of the heel portion and the inner surface of the upper end of the first core, so the heel of the user's foot will not get caught in the step, allowing the user to wear the shoe without feeling uncomfortable.

[0016] Another feature of the shoe of the present invention is that the upper has a sheet-like tongue portion that covers the instep of the user's foot, the reinforcing structure has a plate-like third core material arranged along the underside of the tongue portion, and the tongue portion and the third core material are curved so that the center portion in the left-right direction bulges upward.

[0017] If the tongue were not reinforced with the third core material, the tongue would bend when pressed by the toes of the user when putting on the shoes. In this case, the user would need to manually stretch the bent tongue. In the above-described shoe, the tongue is reinforced with the third core material, so it is less likely to deform even when pressed by the toes, allowing the user to easily put on the shoes without using their hands. Furthermore, the tongue and the third core material are curved so that the center portions in the left-right direction bulge upward, so that the user's toes are less likely to get caught on the rear end of the tongue when putting on the shoes. [Brief explanation of the drawings]

[0018] [Figure 1] 1 is a perspective view showing a configuration of a shoe according to an embodiment. [Figure 2] 1A and 1B are diagrams showing the configuration of a shoe according to an embodiment, in which (A) is a plan view and (B) is a front view. [Figure 3] (A-1) is a front view showing the configuration of the first core material before suturing, (A-2) is a front view showing the configuration of the first core material after suturing, (B) is a front view showing the configuration of the second core material, and (C) is a front view showing the configuration of the third core material. [Figure 4] FIG. 2 is a front view showing a cutting pattern for a core material defined in a single thermoplastic resin sheet. [Figure 5] FIG. 10 is a front view showing another cutting pattern of the core material defined in one thermoplastic resin sheet. DETAILED DESCRIPTION OF THE INVENTION

[0019] Hereinafter, a shoe according to an embodiment of the present invention will be described with reference to the drawings.

[0020] (Shoes according to the embodiment) FIG. 1 is a perspective view showing the configuration of a shoe 10 according to an embodiment. FIG. 2 shows the configuration of the shoe 10, with FIG. 2(A) being a plan view and FIG. 2(B) being a front view. FIG. 3(A-1) is a front view showing the configuration of a first core 38 before sewing, FIG. 3(A-2) is a front view showing the configuration of the first core 38 after sewing, FIG. 3(B) is a front view showing the configuration of a second core 40, and FIG. 3(C) is a front view showing the configuration of a third core 42. FIG. 4 is a front view showing a cutout pattern for the cores set in a single thermoplastic resin sheet 46.

[0021] 1 includes an upper 12 that defines an interior space S, a reinforcing structure 14 that reinforces the upper 12, a lining 16 that covers the inner surface of the upper 12, and a sole 18. Note that although the shoe 10 of this embodiment is a lace-up shoe, the laces are omitted from the drawing.

[0022] As shown in Figure 2(A), the upper 12 includes a heel portion 20 curved to fit the heel of the user's foot, a heel guide portion 22 that forms a guide surface 22a that guides the heel of the user into the shoe interior space S, a medial portion 24 that covers the medial side of the user's foot, a lateral portion 26 that covers the lateral side of the user's foot, a toe portion 28 that covers the user's toes, and a tongue portion 30 that covers the instep of the user's foot. Each of these portions is formed in a sheet shape. Note that because the guide surface 22a is covered with the lining 16, when the user puts on the shoe 10, the heel of the user's foot contacts the guide surface 22a via the lining 16.

[0023] The upper 12 shown in Figures 2(A) and (B) is constructed by sewing together a plurality of sheet-like components such as leather. As shown in Figure 2(A), the center of the upper 12 is formed with an opening 32 for inserting the user's foot into the shoe interior space S, and a cutout 34 continuous with the opening 32. A plurality of lace holes 36 for threading shoelaces (not shown) are formed on both the left and right sides of the cutout 34 in the center of the upper 12.

[0024] As shown in FIG. 2(A), heel portion 20 is formed in a sheet shape, curved so that it bulges backward in a U-shape when viewed from above. Heel guide portion 22 is formed in a sheet shape, extending diagonally upward and backward from upper end 20a (FIG. 2(B)) of heel portion 20 and then curved so that it bulges backward in a U-shape. The sheet-like components that make up heel portion 20 and heel guide portion 22 are prepared independently and sewn together. That is, as shown in FIG. 2(B), upper 12 has a stitching portion 48 that sews together the edges of heel portion 20 and heel guide portion 22 while they are overlapping.

[0025] Since heel guide 22 extends obliquely upward and rearward, the upper edge of heel guide 22 is also the rear edge, and the lower edge of heel guide 22 is also the front edge. Furthermore, since heel guide 22 is curved to bulge in a U-shape, guide surface 22a is also the inner surface of heel guide 22.

[0026] The inclination angle θ of the center portion of the heel guide 22 (guide surface 22a) in the left-right direction relative to the vertical line L shown in Figure 2(B) is set to 15 degrees. Note that this inclination angle θ is not limited to 15 degrees and can be changed appropriately taking into consideration the ease of heel slippage, etc., but it is desirable for it to be within the range of 10 to 45 degrees.

[0027] 2(A) and (B) is formed in a rectangular shape (not shown) so as to close the cutout 34. In other words, the tongue 30 is made of a rectangular sheet-like part. One end in the length direction of the tongue 30, i.e., the front end, is sewn to the toe portion 28 of the upper 12.

[0028] As shown in FIG. 2(B), the tongue portion 30 is inclined so that its rear end is higher than its front end. The tongue portion 30 is also curved so that its central portion in the left-right direction bulges upward in a U-shape. At least a region of the tongue portion 30 extending 10 to 15 mm from its rear end is inclined obliquely upward and rearward. Therefore, when a user puts on the shoe 10, the user's toes are less likely to get caught on the rear end of the tongue portion 30.

[0029] The material of the upper 12 is not particularly limited, but it is desirable that it has the property of softening when heated and hardening when cooled, and specifically, natural leather or thermoplastic synthetic leather is desirable.

[0030] The reinforcing structure 14 shown in Figure 1 has a plate-shaped first core material 38 provided between the heel portion 20 and the lining 16 along the inner surface of the heel portion 20, a plate-shaped second core material 40 provided between the heel guide portion 22 and the lining 16 along the guide surface 22a of the heel guide portion 22, and a plate-shaped third core material 42 provided between the tongue portion 30 and the lining 16 along the underside of the rear end portion of the tongue portion 30.

[0031] The first core 38 is a so-called "moon-shaped core" and is curved to bulge backward in a U-shape in a plan view so as to fit along the inner surface of the heel portion 20. The second core 40 is curved to bulge obliquely downward and backward in a U-shape so as to fit along the guide surface 22a of the heel guide 22. The third core 42 is curved so that its left-right central portion bulges upward in a U-shape so as to fit along the underside of the rear end of the tongue portion 30, at least in a region 10 to 15 mm from the rear end.

[0032] First core 38, second core 40, and third core 42 are cut into flat plates from thermoplastic resin sheet 46 shown in Figure 4, heated to deform, and then cooled to set their shapes. Therefore, heel section 20, heel guide section 22, and tongue section 30 shown in Figure 1 are not only reinforced by first core 38, second core 40, and third core 42, but also help maintain their shapes.

[0033] As shown in Fig. 3(A-1), the flat-plate-shaped first core 38 is formed to correspond to almost the entire heel portion 20 (Fig. 1). In other words, the upper edge 38a of the first core 38 is curved downward from the center toward both ends in the left-right direction, so as to follow the upper edge of the heel portion 20. When focusing on the shoe 10 shown in Fig. 2(B), the upper edge 38a of the first core 38 is curved downward from the center toward the left front and right front.

[0034] 3(A-1), the lower edge 38b of the first core 38 is formed in a straight line so as to gradually rise from the center in the left-right direction toward both ends, along the lower edge of the heel portion 20. An inverted V-shaped notch 38c is formed in the lower part of the center in the left-right direction of the first core 38.

[0035] The upper edge 38a of the first core 38 may be formed in a straight line that descends from the center in the left-right direction toward the front left and front right.

[0036] 3(A-2), the left and right portions of the first core 38 that face each other across the cutout 38c are sewn together with thread 44, thereby giving the first core 38 a three-dimensional shape with a bulging center. Therefore, when manufacturing the shoe 10, it is easy to fit the entire first core 38 into the inner surface of the heel portion 20.

[0037] The upper end, left end, and right end (portions outside the dashed dotted line) of the first core 38 are formed so that the thickness gradually decreases toward these edges.

[0038] As shown in Figure 3(B), the flat second core 40 is formed to correspond to almost the entire heel guide 22 (Figure 1). In other words, the upper edge (rear edge) 40a of the second core 40 is curved so as to descend from the center toward both ends in the left-right direction, so as to follow the upper edge (rear edge) of the heel guide 22. The lower edge (front edge) 40b of the second core 40 is linearly formed so as to descend gradually from the center toward both ends in the left-right direction, so as to follow the lower edge (front edge) of the heel guide 22.

[0039] As shown in Figure 2(B), the lower edge 40b of the second core material 40 is formed so that the distance between it and the upper edge 38a of the first core material 38 is shortest at the center in the left-right direction, and the distance between it and the upper edge 38a becomes longer as you move toward both ends in the left-right direction.

[0040] The upper end, left end, and right end (portions outside the dashed dotted line) of the second core 40 are formed so that the thickness gradually decreases toward these edges.

[0041] 3(C), the flat third core material 42 is formed in a rectangular shape so as to cover almost the entire left-right area of ​​the rear end of the tongue section 30 (FIG. 1). In other words, the length of the third core material 42 in the left-right direction (longitudinal direction) is set to be slightly shorter than the length of the rear end of the tongue section 30 in the left-right direction, and the length of the third core material 42 in the front-rear direction (transverse direction) is set to be sufficiently shorter than the length in the left-right direction.

[0042] The first core 38 shown in Figure 3(A-1), the second core 40 shown in Figure 3(B), and the third core 42 shown in Figure 3(C) are formed by cutting a thermoplastic resin sheet 46 shown in Figure 4, and are adhered to corresponding portions of the upper 12 (Figure 1) using a hot melt adhesive.

[0043] That is, the first core 38 is bonded to the inner surface of the heel portion 20 with an adhesive, the second core 40 is bonded to the guide surface 22a with an adhesive, and the third core 42 is bonded to the underside of the rear end portion of the tongue portion 30 with an adhesive. The stitching 48 is provided between the upper edge 38a of the first core 38 and the lower edge 40b of the second core 40.

[0044] The type of thermoplastic resin sheet 46 is not particularly limited, but in this embodiment, a sheet in which polyester nonwoven fabric is impregnated with styrene butadiene (SBR latex) is used.

[0045] (Effects of the embodiment) The shoe 10 of this embodiment has the following advantages due to its configuration. As shown in Figure 1, the heel portion 20 is reinforced by the first core 38, and the heel guide 22 is reinforced by the second core 40. This makes it difficult for the heel portion 20 and the heel guide 22 to deform, even when the heel guide 22 is stepped on by the user's foot. This allows the user to easily put on the shoe without using a shoehorn or the like.

[0046] As shown in Figure 2(B), the second core 40 is provided away from the first core 38, ensuring flexibility of the upper 12 between the first core 38 and the second core 40. In other words, flexibility can be ensured in the upper part of the heel portion 20. Therefore, when going uphill or downhill, the user's foot can be prevented from hitting the upper part of the heel portion 20 hard, and fatigue in the user's foot can be reduced.

[0047] 2(B), the upper edge 38a of the first core 38 is formed so as to descend from the left-right center of the heel portion 20 toward the left front and right front, and the lower edge 40b of the second core 40 is formed so that the distance between it and the upper edge 38a of the first core 38 is shortest at the left-right center and becomes longer toward both left and right ends. Therefore, when a user puts on the shoe 10, the second core 40 and the heel guide portion 22 can be swung left and right in accordance with the movement of the foot, and the heel of the foot can be smoothly guided into the shoe interior space S.

[0048] 2(B), the distance between the left-right center of the lower edge 40b of the second core 40 and the upper edge 38a of the first core 38 is the shortest. Therefore, even when an external force is applied from above, the second core 40 is firmly supported by the stitching 48 and the first core 38 and is unlikely to displace downward. On the other hand, the distance between the left-right center of the lower edge 40b of the second core 40 and the upper edge 38a of the first core 38 is longer. Therefore, when an external force is applied from above, the second core 40 and the heel guide 22 are likely to displace downward. As a result, the second core 40 and the heel guide 22 can swing left and right around the left-right center of the lower edge 40b, allowing the heel of the foot to be smoothly guided into the in-shoe space S.

[0049] The heel guide portion 22 and the second core material 40 are formed to be curved so as to bulge in a U-shape diagonally downward and rearward, so that even when the rear end portion of the heel guide portion 22 is stepped on by the user's foot, the heel guide portion 22 and the second core material 40 are unlikely to bend, and the user can easily put on the shoes without using a shoehorn or the like.

[0050] As shown in FIG. 3(A-2), the upper end of the first core 38 is formed so that its thickness gradually decreases toward the upper edge 38a, thereby preventing a step from occurring between the inner surface of the heel portion 20 (FIG. 1) and the inner surface of the upper end of the first core 38. Furthermore, as shown in FIG. 3(B), the upper end (rear end) of the second core 40 is formed so that its thickness gradually decreases toward the upper edge (rear edge) 40a, thereby preventing a step from occurring between the guide surface 22a and the inner surface of the second core 40. Therefore, the heel of the user's foot will not get caught on these steps, allowing the user to wear the shoe 10 without any discomfort.

[0051] 1, the tongue 30 and the third core 42 are curved so that their left-right central portions bulge upward, making the tongue 30 less likely to deform even when pressed with the toes, allowing the user to easily put on the shoe 10 without using their hands. Furthermore, at least the regions of the tongue 30 and the third core 42 extending 10 to 15 mm from their rear ends are formed with a large upward and rearward inclination, which, combined with the curved shape, makes it less likely that the user's toes will get caught on the rear end of the tongue 30 when putting on the shoe 10. (Variation) It should be noted that the present invention is not limited to the above-described embodiment, and various modifications are possible without departing from the scope of the present invention. For example, in the shoe 10 of the above-described embodiment, the cutout portion 34 formed in the upper portion of the upper 12 shown in FIG. 2(A) is closed by a shoelace (not shown), but the cutout portion 34 may also be closed by a rubber belt or the like.

[0052] In the shoe 10 of the above embodiment, the upper, left, and right ends (portions outside the dashed dotted line) of the first core 38 shown in FIG. 3(A-2) are formed so that their thickness gradually decreases toward these edges, but in addition, the lower end of the first core 38 may be formed so that its thickness gradually decreases toward the lower edge 38b. Alternatively, only the upper end of the first core 38 may be formed so that its thickness gradually decreases toward the upper edge 38a. In other words, at least the upper end of the first core 38 may be formed so that its thickness gradually decreases toward the upper edge 38a.

[0053] In the shoe 10 of the above embodiment, the upper, left, and right ends (portions outside the dashed dotted line) of the second core 40 shown in FIG. 3(B) are formed so that their thickness gradually decreases toward these edges, but in addition, the lower end of the second core 40 may be formed so that its thickness gradually decreases toward the lower edge 40b. Alternatively, only the upper end of the second core 40 may be formed so that its thickness gradually decreases toward the upper edge 40a. In other words, at least the upper end of the second core 40 may be formed so that its thickness gradually decreases toward the upper edge 40a.

[0054] The first core material 38 shown in Figure 3(A-1), the second core material 40 shown in Figure 3(B), and the third core material 42 shown in Figure 3(C) are cut out from the thermoplastic resin sheet 46 using the cutting pattern shown in Figure 4, but the cutting pattern may be changed as appropriate, as shown in Figure 5. [Explanation of symbols]

[0055] L...vertical line, Q...heating chamber, S...inner space of shoe, 10...shoe, 12...upper, 14...reinforcing structure, 16...lining, 18...sole, 20...heel portion, 20a...upper end, 22...heel guide portion, 22a...guide surface, 24...medial portion, 26...lateral portion, 28...toe portion, 30...tongue portion, 32...opening, 34...cutout portion, 36...lace holes, 38...first core material, 38a...upper edge, 38b...lower edge, 38c...cutout, 40...second core material, 40a...upper edge, 40b...lower edge, 42...third core material, 44...thread, 46...thermoplastic resin sheet, 48...stitching portion.

Claims

1. An upper that forms the space inside the shoe, A shoe comprising a reinforcing structure that reinforces the upper, The upper has a sheet-like heel portion curved to fit the heel of the user's foot, and a sheet-like heel guide portion extending obliquely upward and rearward from the upper end of the heel portion to form a guide surface for guiding the heel of the user's foot into the shoe interior space, the reinforcing structure includes a plate-shaped first core material joined to the inner surface of the heel portion, and a plate-shaped second core material joined to the guide surface at a distance from the first core material, an upper edge of the first core member is formed to descend from a center portion in the left-right direction toward the left front and the right front, The shoe is formed so that the distance between the lower edge of the second core material and the upper edge of the first core material is shortest at the center in the left-right direction and the distance between the lower edge of the second core material and the upper edge of the first core material becomes longer toward both ends in the left-right direction.

2. the upper has a stitching portion that stitches together edges of the heel portion and the heel guide portion in an overlapping state; The shoe according to claim 1 , wherein the stitching portion is provided between an upper edge of the first core and a lower edge of the second core.

3. The shoe according to claim 1 or 2, wherein the heel guide and the second core are curved so as to bulge obliquely downward and rearward.

4. The shoe according to claim 1 or 2, wherein the upper end of the first core is formed so that the thickness thereof gradually decreases toward the upper edge.

5. The upper has a sheet-like tongue portion that covers the instep of the user's foot, The reinforcing structure includes a plate-shaped third core member provided along the lower surface of the tongue portion, The shoe according to claim 1 or 2, wherein the tongue portion and the third core member are formed to be curved so that a central portion in the left-right direction bulges upward.

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