Footwear heel structure

Abstract

This provides a lightweight heel structure for footwear that prevents wrinkles and deformation, even in shoes with thick or high heels, or shoes with thick soles, allowing for stable walking. [Solution] A heel structure for footwear comprising an upper portion formed integrally from the top to the heel portion and a sole portion having a heel portion, wherein a fitting portion is formed in the heel portion of the sole portion, the fitting portion is formed in a shape that allows a reinforcing material to be fitted into the fitting portion, the reinforcing material fitted into the fitting portion is made of a material harder than the material forming the sole portion, the reinforcing material is fitted into the fitting portion of the heel portion of the sole portion, and the upper surface of the sole portion and the upper portion are joined together.

Description

Technical Field

[0001] The present invention relates to a heel structure for lightweight footwear with a thick heel.

Background Art

[0002] Footwear that bears the weight of the entire body during walking and is worn for a long time causes a burden on various parts of the body such as the feet and waist and a sense of fatigue due to its weight, so efforts have been made to reduce the weight. However, although the weight of the footwear is mainly contributed by the weight of the heel part at the bottom of the shoe, the heel part often has a robust structure using cowhide, wood, natural rubber, metal, etc. to withstand the load due to the weight and long-term use, making it difficult to reduce the weight.

[0003] In recent years, the technology of forming the bottom and heel parts of footwear with synthetic resin has become widespread, enabling the bottom of the footwear including the heel to be integrally molded, and the weight reduction of footwear has been promoted. For example, lightweight synthetic rubber, foamed polyurethane (PU), foamed ethylene-vinyl acetate copolymer (EVA), foamed polyethylene, foamed PVC, etc. are used, and particularly, foamed polyurethane (PU) and foamed ethylene-vinyl acetate copolymer (EVA) which are easy to process and lightweight are preferably used.

[0004] Since the materials listed above each have their own characteristics, various improvements have been made to make them suitable for the bottom and heel parts according to the use and type of footwear. For example, in Patent Document 1, in order to compensate for the weak wear resistance of the synthetic resin foam material and the heavy weight of the rubber material, the shoe sole is composed of a back layer and a surface layer. The back layer is made of a lightweight synthetic resin foam material and has a bottom surface and a peripheral surface, and the surface layer is made of a rubber material of wear-resistant material and covers the bottom surface and the peripheral surface of the back layer and is attached to the back layer. A shoe sole with such a structure is disclosed.

Prior Art Documents

Patent Documents

[0005]

Patent Document 1

[0006] In the case of the sole described in Patent Document 1, the lining, which is made of a lightweight synthetic resin foam material with poor abrasion resistance, is covered with a heavy rubber material surface that has abrasion resistance. Therefore, compared to cases where the entire sole is made of rubber material, it is possible to reduce the weight and make the sole highly abrasion resistant. However, even if only the surface layer is made of rubber, using rubber for the entire sole inevitably makes the shoe heavier overall. Furthermore, in the case of footwear with thick or high heels, such as women's shoes, or platform shoes with thick soles, the amount of rubber material increases even more, making them even heavier.

[0007] To address these issues and further reduce weight, some footwear uses synthetic resins containing lightweight foam materials to form the entire sole. For example, foamed polyurethane (PU) and foamed ethylene-vinyl acetate copolymer (EVA) are flexible, easy to process, and contribute to weight reduction. However, synthetic resins containing foamed materials have low abrasion resistance and high flexibility, so if they are thick, they can compress and deform or wrinkle under load, severely damaging their appearance. In addition, the low rigidity and softness of the sole can cause problems such as sinking in while walking, or being flimsy and unstable, making walking difficult. Therefore, the present invention aims to provide a lightweight heel structure for footwear that can prevent wrinkles and deformation even in footwear with thick or high heels, or footwear with a thick sole, and that allows for stable walking. [Means for solving the problem]

[0008] The heel structure of the footwear according to the present invention for achieving the above objective is as follows. In order to aid in understanding this invention, the main components constituting the solution are denoted by the same reference numerals used in the drawings of the embodiments described later. However, this invention is not limited to the means specified by these reference numerals, and it goes without saying that various modifications can be made within the scope of the technical concept of this invention.

[0009] The heel structure of footwear according to the present invention is a heel structure of footwear (1) comprising an upper part (2) integrally formed from the top (2a) to the heel part (2b) and a sole part (3) having a heel part (3a), wherein a fitting part (4) is formed on the heel part (3a) of the sole part (3), the fitting part (4) is formed in a shape that allows a reinforcing material (5) to be fitted, the reinforcing material (5) that fits into the fitting part (4) is made of a material harder than the material forming the sole part (3), the reinforcing material (5) is fitted into the fitting part (4) of the heel part (3a) of the sole part (3), and the upper surface (3b) of the sole part and the bottom surface (2c) of the upper part (2) are joined together.

[0010] Furthermore, the heel structure of the footwear according to the present invention is such that the reinforcing material (5) is made of a hard material that does not compress or deform under the force of stepping while walking, and the sole (3) is molded from a combination of one or more materials selected from foamed polyurethane (PU), foamed ethylene-vinyl acetate copolymer (EVA), polyvinyl chloride (PVC), and ethylene propylene rubber (EPR). [Effects of the Invention]

[0011] The heel structure of footwear according to the present invention has a fitting portion formed in the heel portion of the sole, the fitting portion is formed in a shape that allows a reinforcing material to be fitted into it, the reinforcing material fitted into the fitting portion is made of a material harder than the material forming the sole, the reinforcing material is fitted into the fitting portion of the heel portion of the sole, and the upper surface of the sole and the bottom surface of the upper are joined together. Therefore, even in footwear molded from lightweight materials such as foamed polyurethane (PU) or foamed ethylene-vinyl acetate copolymer (EVA), in which the heel portion is integrally molded with the sole for weight reduction, the reinforcing material fitted into the heel portion prevents deformation or wrinkling due to load.

[0012] Furthermore, since the reinforcing material fitted to the heel is made of a rigid material that does not compress or deform under the force of walking, stable walking is possible without the shoe sinking in. Furthermore, since the sole can be molded from a combination of one or more materials selected from foamed polyurethane (PU), foamed ethylene-vinyl acetate copolymer (EVA), polyvinyl chloride (PVC), and synthetic rubber, it is possible to provide lightweight and comfortable footwear. [Brief explanation of the drawing]

[0013] [Figure 1] This is an explanatory side view illustrating the heel structure of footwear according to the present invention. [Figure 2] Figure 1 is a front view of the sole of the footwear shown. [Figure 3] Figure 1 is a perspective view illustrating the sole and reinforcing material of the footwear shown. [Figure 4] Figure 1 is a cross-sectional diagram illustrating the manufacturing method of footwear. [Modes for carrying out the invention]

[0014] Hereinafter, an embodiment of the heel structure of footwear according to the present invention will be described with reference to one embodiment shown in the attached drawings. Hereinafter, taking women's shoes as an example, the structure of the heel structure of the footwear according to the present invention will be described. FIG. 1 is an explanatory side view for explaining the heel structure of the footwear according to the present invention, FIG. 2 is a front view of the shoe bottom of the footwear shown in FIG. 1, and FIG. 3 is an explanatory perspective view of the shoe bottom and the reinforcing material of the footwear shown in FIG. 1. In the figure, 1 is the footwear, 2 is the upper part, 2a is the top (of the upper part), 2b is the heel part (of the upper part), 2c is the bottom surface of the upper part, 3 is the shoe bottom, 3a is the heel part, 3b is the upper surface of the shoe bottom, 4 is the fitting part, and 5 is the reinforcing material.

[0015] As shown in the figure, in the footwear 1 in the heel structure of the footwear according to the present invention, the upper part 2 is integrally formed from the top 2a on the toe side to the heel part 2b, the shoe bottom 3 is configured to include a heel part 3a, and the bottom surface 2c of the upper part 2 is joined to the upper surface 3b of the shoe bottom 3 to form the structure. The upper part 2 shown in the figure takes a women's shoe as an example, in which the top (toe) 2a, the side surface, the instep, and the heel part 2b covering the heel of the foot are integrally formed. However, the upper part 2 may be a sandal without a part covering the top 2a or the side surface of the foot, or a footwear without a heel part 2b, and can be applied to footwear in general with thickness and height in the heel part 3a of the shoe bottom 3. Also, the material of the upper part 2 is not particularly limited, but it is preferably formed of a lightweight material.

[0016] In the explanatory side view for explaining the heel structure of the footwear according to the present invention shown in FIG. 1, in order to assist in understanding the heel structure, the reinforcing part 5 is shown by oblique lines. In the present invention, in the footwear 1, a fitting part 4 is formed in the heel part 3a of the shoe bottom 3. The fitting part 4 is formed in a shape that can fit the reinforcing material 5. The fitting part 4 may have a shape adapted to the shape of the heel part 3a, or may be formed in a cylindrical shape, a square columnar shape, etc., regardless of the shape of the heel part 3a, as long as the reinforcing material 5 adapted to the shape can be fitted into the heel part 3a without gaps. In the figure, the fitting part 4 is formed in a shape that can fit the reinforcing material 5 formed to fit along the shape of the heel part 3a.

[0017] The reinforcing member 5 is formed in a shape that can be fitted into the fitting portion 4. In this embodiment, as shown in FIG. 3, it is formed so as to fit along the shape of the heel portion 3a. Since the reinforcing member 5 supports the load applied to the heel portion 3a, it is preferably arranged so that it can widely receive the load within the heel portion 3a. In this embodiment, as shown in FIGS. 1 and 3, it is formed in accordance with the shape of the heel portion 3a that tapers downward toward the rear, and is configured such that the area of the horizontal cross-section of the reinforcing portion 5 becomes smaller as it goes downward, and is formed so as to have the widest surface on the uppermost surface. By changing the area ratio in accordance with the shape of the heel portion 3a so that the area ratio between the uppermost surface and the lowermost surface of the reinforcing member 5 is about 1.2:1 to 5.0:1, it can be easily fitted into the fitting portion 4 and the structure can be such that the stability during walking can be improved.

[0018] And, in the heel structure of the footwear according to the present invention, the reinforcing member 5 fitted into the fitting portion 4 is made of a material harder than the material forming the shoe sole portion 3. By forming the reinforcing member 5 of a hard material, even when the material forming the shoe sole portion 3 has low hardness and is easily deformed due to its characteristics for weight reduction, the reinforcing member 5 reinforces the heel portion 3a and prevents the heel portion 3a from deforming or wrinkling.

[0019] The material of the reinforcing member 5 is not particularly limited as long as it is a hard material capable of supporting the load applied to the heel portion 3 of the footwear 1, but it is preferable that the reinforcing member 5 is a hard material that does not compressively deform due to the stepping force during walking and is a lightweight material. The hard material forming the reinforcing member 5 only needs to have a higher hardness than the material forming the shoe sole portion 3, and can be the same material as the material forming the shoe sole portion 3, for example, synthetic resins such as foamed polyurethane (PU), ethylene-vinyl acetate copolymer (EVA), polyvinyl chloride (PVC), styrene-butadiene block copolymer (SBS), etc., or synthetic rubbers such as ethylene-propylene rubber (EPR), etc., with a hardness higher than that of the material of the shoe sole portion 3, and can be used as long as it is harder than the one forming the shoe sole portion 3. Furthermore, although not shown in the diagram, the reinforcing material 5 can be made lighter by providing one or more holes in it, without reducing its hardness. The holes may penetrate the reinforcing material 5 vertically or be drilled to a certain depth.

[0020] The sole portion 3 into which the reinforcing material 5 is fitted is made of a lightweight material with a heel portion 3a. In order to create a lightweight and comfortable footwear 1, the sole portion 3 may be molded from one material selected from, for example, foamed polyurethane (PU), foamed ethylene-vinyl acetate copolymer (EVA), polyvinyl chloride (PVC), ethylene propylene rubber (EPR), etc., or it may be molded from a combination of the above materials, and is not particularly limited. The effect of the heel structure of this invention will be more pronounced if the material has low rigidity in the heel portion 3a and is susceptible to compression deformation and wrinkle formation under load.

[0021] Figure 4 is a cross-sectional diagram illustrating the manufacturing method of the footwear shown in Figure 1. The heel structure of footwear according to the present invention is constructed by forming a fitting portion 4 on the heel portion 3a of a sole portion 3 which has a heel portion 3a. The fitting portion 4 is formed in a concave shape on the heel portion 3a and has a depth and width for fitting a reinforcing material 5. Then, the reinforcing material 5 is molded to match the shape of the fitting portion 4 so that it can be securely fitted into the concave fitting portion 4 (Figure 4(a)).

[0022] The reinforcing member 5 is fitted into the fitting portion 4 of the heel portion 3a (Figure 4(b)). The reinforcing material 5 may be fixed to the fitting portion 4 with adhesive, or it may simply be fitted in such a way that the reinforcing material 5 does not move due to compression during walking.

[0023] Then, the bottom surface 2c of the upper part 2 is joined to the upper surface 3b of the sole part 3 (Figure 4(c)), and the footwear 1 equipped with the heel structure according to the present invention is completed (Figure 4(d)). Since it can be manufactured using the above manufacturing method, it is easy to manufacture, the structure of the heel portion 3a is not complex, and manufacturing costs can be kept down.

[0024] Although the above-described embodiment uses women's shoes as an example, the heel structure of footwear according to the present invention can be applied to any footwear that has a thick or high heel, such as men's shoes, sandals, boots, or wellington boots. [Explanation of Symbols]

[0025] 1. Footwear 2 Upper part 2a (Top of the upper part) 2b Heel (of the upper part) 2c Bottom of the upper part 3 Sole part 3a Heel section 3b Upper surface of sole 4. Fitting part 5. Reinforcement material

Claims

1. The upper is formed as one piece from the top to the heel. A heel structure for footwear comprising a sole with a heel portion, A fitting portion is formed on the heel portion of the sole of the shoe. The mating portion in the United States is formed in a shape that allows for the mating of reinforcing material. A heel structure for footwear characterized in that the reinforcing material that fits into the fitting portion is made of a material harder than the material forming the sole, the reinforcing material is fitted into the fitting portion of the heel of the sole, and the upper surface of the sole and the upper are joined together.

2. The heel structure of footwear according to claim 1, characterized in that the reinforcing material is made of a rigid material that does not deform under compression due to the stepping force during walking.

3. The heel structure of footwear according to claim 1, characterized in that the sole portion of the shoe is molded from a combination of one or more materials selected from foamed polyurethane (PU), foamed ethylene-vinyl acetate copolymer (EVA), polyvinyl chloride (PVC), and ethylene propylene rubber (EPR).

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