Multifunctional boots

Abstract

We offer multi-functional shoes suitable for both everyday walking and running. [Solution] The multi-functional shoe 1 comprises an upper layer 10 having a foot rest portion 11 that conforms to the sole and toes of the user's foot and a thong portion 12 connected to the foot rest portion 11, forming a thong-type sandal structure; a reinforcing intermediate layer 20 that is thin and plate-like, has high bending strength, and is bonded to the upper layer 10; a sole layer 30 having an upper surface 31 and a lower surface, the upper surface 31 of which is bonded to the lower surface of the upper layer 10 and the lower surface of the reinforcing intermediate layer 20, and having a plurality of anti-slip protrusions and a plurality of anti-slip grooves formed on its lower surface; a first anti-slip pad 40 that is bonded to the lower surface of the sole layer 30 located below the user's forefoot and has a plurality of anti-slip protrusions formed on it; and a second anti-slip pad 50 that is bonded to the lower surface of the sole layer 30 located below the user's heel and has a plurality of anti-slip grooves formed on it.

Description

Technical Field

[0001] The present invention relates to shoes, and particularly to multifunctional shoes that can be used for daily walking and running.

Background Art

[0002] In summer in Taiwan, it is hot and humid. Due to the climatic characteristics of high temperature, heavy rain and high humidity, several specific needs arise when users choose shoes. These needs mainly include the following. First, the shoes should have good breathability. Since the temperature is high in summer and heat easily accumulates in the feet, causing sweating, users prefer shoes made of breathable materials such as mesh, or even open-type designs without a vamp, which makes it easier to discharge sweat. Second, the shoes should have the function of drying quickly when wet. In a humid environment, the feet are likely to be in a wet and hot state for a long time, so the shoe material preferably has quick-drying and mildew-proof properties. Third, it should be a lightweight design. Since people are more active in summer, lightweight shoes are preferred. Fourth, the shoes should be easy to clean. Since shoes are easily soiled in rainy weather, this problem can be avoided by choosing materials that are easy to wash or wipe. For these reasons, footwear such as sandals and slippers are suitable choices when going out in summer.

Summary of the Invention

Problems to be Solved by the Invention

[0003] On the other hand, when considering exercise such as jogging or prolonged walking while wearing shoes, users demand further performance from the shoes they wear. For example, shoes need shock absorption that can protect the joints of the human body and maintain a balance between flexibility and rebound force during exercise. Shoes also need sufficient support and stability to prevent inversion or eversion of the foot and stabilize the gait when walking or running. When these exercise needs are added to the material needs to cope with the climate mentioned above, there are not many shoes that can adequately meet all of them. This invention was made to provide an innovative shoe that can simultaneously meet all of these needs in the market. [Means for solving the problem]

[0004] This section summarizes some of the features of the present invention. Other features will be disclosed in subsequent paragraphs. The purpose of this is to include various modifications and similar configurations that are included in the intent and scope of the attached utility model registration claims.

[0005] To meet the diverse needs of users for footwear as described above, this invention provides a multi-functional shoe. This multi-functional shoe comprises an upper layer having a foot rest portion that conforms to the sole and toes of the user's foot and a thong portion connected to the foot rest portion, forming a thong-type sandal structure; a reinforcing intermediate layer that is thin and plate-like, has high bending strength, and is bonded to the upper layer; a sole layer having an upper surface and a lower surface, the upper surface of the sole layer being bonded to the lower surface of the upper layer and the lower surface of the reinforcing intermediate layer, and having a plurality of anti-slip protrusions and a plurality of anti-slip grooves formed on the lower surface of the sole layer; a first anti-slip pad having a plurality of anti-slip protrusions formed on the lower surface of the sole layer, which is bonded to the portion of the lower surface of the sole layer located below the user's forefoot; and a second anti-slip pad having a plurality of anti-slip grooves formed on the lower surface of the sole layer, which is bonded to the portion of the lower surface of the sole layer located below the user's heel.

[0006] According to this invention, above the footrest portion, an ankle portion can be further provided, which is connected to the thong portion and surrounds and protects the user's ankle. The ankle portion can be further provided with a plurality of ventilation holes to improve breathability around the ankle.

[0007] According to this invention, a portion of the lower surface of the upper layer and a portion of the upper surface of the sole layer have curved surfaces that approximate the shape of the user's sole and extend to the arch of the foot.

[0008] Preferably, the material of the upper layer and the sole layer is ethylene-vinyl acetate (EVA) copolymer foam. The material of the reinforcing intermediate layer is carbon fiber. The material of the first anti-slip pad and the second anti-slip pad is rubber.

[0009] According to this invention, a plurality of annular anti-slip grooves are further formed on the upper surface of the upper layer at positions where the user's forefoot and heel come into contact, respectively, to increase the frictional force with the sole of the user's foot. Furthermore, a toe-fitting projection is further formed on the upper surface of the upper layer, positioned in the gap formed between the user's toes and forefoot, to provide a comfortable fit along the user's toes. [Effects of the Invention]

[0010] The multi-functional shoes of this invention are lightweight overall due to the use of EVA as the main material. EVA is resistant to dirt and easy to clean, and dries quickly even when wet. The ventilation holes in the ankle area allow for good breathability not only in the open area where the toes are placed, but also in other parts of the shoe. Therefore, the multi-functional shoes of this invention can be used throughout the year, and are particularly suitable for summer wear. Furthermore, by providing a reinforcing intermediate layer, the multi-functional shoes of this invention also possess some of the functions of jogging shoes. When the user runs while wearing the multi-functional shoes of this invention, they will experience a light and comfortable fit, while the shoes will not easily slip off the feet, and sufficient shock absorption, support, and stability will be achieved. Therefore, this invention can effectively meet the diverse needs that users in Taiwan seek in shoes for everyday walking and running during the summer. [Brief explanation of the drawing]

[0011] [Figure 1] This is a side view showing the appearance of a multi-functional shoe according to one embodiment of the present invention. [Figure 2] This is an exploded perspective view of the aforementioned multi-functional shoe. [Figure 3] This is a plan view showing the top surface of the upper layer. [Figure 4] This is a bottom view showing the underside of the sole layer. [Modes for carrying out the invention]

[0012] The present invention will be described more specifically below with reference to embodiments.

[0013] Please refer to Figures 1 and 2. Figure 1 is a side view showing the appearance of a multi-functional shoe 1 according to one embodiment of the present invention, and Figure 2 is an exploded perspective view of the multi-functional shoe 1. The multi-functional shoe 1 has a laminated structure including an upper layer 10, a reinforcing intermediate layer 20, a sole layer 30, a first anti-slip pad 40, and a second anti-slip pad 50. The technical features of the present invention will be further described below with reference to the relevant drawings.

[0014] The upper layer 10 is the part that the user's sole directly contacts, and has a foot rest 11 that follows the sole of the foot (the area from the forefoot to the heel) and the toes, and a thong portion 12 connected to the foot rest 11. The thong portion 12 is positioned between the big toe (first toe) and the second toe. As shown in Figure 2, the upper layer 10 forms a thong sandal structure. Furthermore, an ankle portion 13 is provided above the foot rest 11 and connected to the thong portion 12. The ankle portion 13 has the function of surrounding and protecting the user's ankle. However, when the ankle portion 13 is in close contact with the user's ankle, moisture and heat tend to accumulate in that area. To solve this problem, the ankle portion 13 is further provided with multiple ventilation holes 131 to improve breathability around the ankle and keep the foot dry and comfortable.

[0015] Please refer to Figure 3. Figure 3 shows the upper surface of the upper layer 10. Multiple annular anti-slip grooves 111 are formed on the upper surface of the upper layer 10 to prevent slippage between the user's sole and the upper layer 10, and to improve the wearing comfort of the multi-functional shoe 1. The annular anti-slip grooves 111 are provided at positions where the user's forefoot and heel come into contact, respectively, and increase the frictional force with the user's sole. In addition, one toe-fitting protrusion 112 is further formed on the upper surface of the upper layer 10. The toe-fitting protrusion 112 is positioned in the gap formed between the user's toes and forefoot, and by conforming to the user's toes, it provides a comfortable fit.

[0016] Regarding the materials, in order to reduce the burden on the user's feet when wearing the multi-functional shoe 1, the upper layer 10 is formed from a thermoplastic foam material such as ethylene-vinyl acetate copolymer (EVA) foam. EVA foam is lightweight, flexible, and tough, and does not easily retain heat. In addition, it provides a comfortable feel against the skin and good cushioning, so the user will feel less fatigued when wearing the multi-functional shoe 1.

[0017] The reinforcing intermediate layer 20 is in the form of a thin plate, has high bending strength, and is bonded to the underside of the upper layer 10. The material of the reinforcing intermediate layer 20 is carbon fiber, that is, the reinforcing intermediate layer 20 is a carbon fiber plate. The reinforcing intermediate layer 20 has the following features: Firstly, it is lightweight. Because the reinforcing intermediate layer 20 itself is very lightweight, it can reduce the weight of the multi-functional shoe 1. Secondly, it has high strength. Because carbon fiber is stronger than metal, it is less likely to deform or break. Thirdly, it has excellent propulsion assistance. Because the reinforcing intermediate layer 20 has high bending strength, it also has strong elasticity. When a load of 10 tons is applied to a 1 mm thick carbon fiber plate, the reinforcing intermediate layer 20 generates a unique elastic force due to the pressure. The reinforcing intermediate layer 20, like a spring, provides a rebound force, similar to a reaction force, when the user's foot lands. Furthermore, by combining it with the structure of the upper layer 10 and the sole layer 30, the multi-functional shoe 1 also has the characteristics of a jogging shoe. Furthermore, by providing a carbon fiber plate to the multi-functional shoe 1, the support capacity can be improved. Scientific experiments have confirmed that the carbon fiber plate has propulsion-assisting properties and torsional strength, thereby enabling optimal performance during exercise.

[0018] Please also refer to Figures 2 and 4. Figure 4 shows the lower surface 32 of the sole layer 30. The sole layer 30 has an upper surface 31 and the aforementioned lower surface 32. The upper surface 31 is bonded to the lower surface of the upper layer 10 and the lower surface of the reinforcing intermediate layer 20. The sole layer 30 and the upper layer 10 sandwich the reinforcing intermediate layer 20 between them, and therefore the reinforcing intermediate layer 20 cannot be seen in Figure 1. Multiple anti-slip protrusions P and multiple anti-slip grooves G are formed on the lower surface 32, which can improve the grip and slip resistance of the multi-functional shoe 1. In order to bond the three components of the upper layer 10, the reinforcing intermediate layer 20, and the sole layer 30 more firmly, a part of the lower surface of the upper layer 10 and a part of the upper surface 31 of the sole layer 30 have a curved surface that approximates the shape of the user's sole and extends to the arch of the foot. This prevents the wearer from feeling as if they are in contact with a hard object due to the curved surface of the reinforcing intermediate layer 20.

[0019] Regarding the material, EVA foam is also used for the shoe sole layer 30. The shoe sole structure composed of two layers of high-elastic EVA can mitigate impacts and reduce vibrations, absorb the impact force exerted from the ground during exercise, and alleviate the damage to the feet and joints. Additionally, it provides a footrest with flexibility and elasticity, improving comfort during walking or exercise such as running.

[0020] As shown in FIG. 4, the first anti-slip pad 40, that is, the upper gray area in the figure, is adhered to the portion of the lower surface 32 that is located below the front foot of the user and has a plurality of anti-slip protrusions P. The second anti-slip pad 50, that is, the lower gray area in the figure, is adhered to the portion of the lower surface 32 that is located below the heel of the user and has a plurality of anti-slip grooves G. The anti-slip protrusions P and anti-slip grooves G formed on the first anti-slip pad 40 and the second anti-slip pad 50 come into contact with the ground, further improving the grip force and anti-slip performance of the multifunctional shoe 1.

[0021] Regarding the material, either the first anti-slip pad 40 or the second anti-slip pad 50 can be formed of rubber. The rubber anti-slip pad enhances the grip force against the ground to prevent slipping. Since the rubber material itself has a good friction coefficient, it provides a stable grip force on various road surfaces, reduces the risk of lateral falls, and ensures safety during walking. Moreover, the rubber material is excellent in abrasion resistance and durability. Due to the high abrasion resistance of the rubber, the first anti-slip pad 40 and the second anti-slip pad 50 can withstand long-term friction, extending the service life of the entire multifunctional shoe 1.

[0022] As described above, the present invention has been disclosed based on the embodiments, but the present invention is not limited thereto. Those skilled in the art can make various changes and modifications without departing from the spirit and scope of the present invention. Therefore, the technical scope of the present invention is defined by the appended claims for utility model registration.

Explanation of Reference Numerals

[0023] 1 Multifunctional shoe 10 Upper layer 11 Foot placement part 111 Annular anti-slip groove 112 Toe fitting protrusion 12 Nose strap part 13 Ankle part 131 Ventilation hole 20 Reinforcement intermediate layer 30 Shoe sole layer 31 Upper surface 32 Lower surface 40 First anti-slip pad 50 Second anti-slip pad G Anti-slip groove P Anti-slip protrusion

Claims

1. An upper layer having a foot rest portion that conforms to the user's sole and toes, and a thong portion connected to the foot rest portion, the foot rest portion and the thong portion forming a thong-type sandal structure, A thin, plate-like reinforcing intermediate layer, having high bending strength, is bonded to the upper layer, A sole layer having an upper surface and a lower surface, wherein the upper surface of the sole layer is bonded to the lower surface of the upper layer and the lower surface of the reinforcing intermediate layer, and a plurality of anti-slip protrusions and a plurality of anti-slip grooves are formed on the lower surface of the sole layer, A first anti-slip pad, which has multiple anti-slip protrusions formed on the lower surface of the sole layer, is attached to the portion located below the user's forefoot, A second anti-slip pad, which has multiple anti-slip grooves formed on the lower surface of the sole layer, is attached to the portion located below the user's heel. A multi-functional shoe equipped with these features.

2. The multi-functional shoe according to claim 1, further comprising an ankle portion above the footrest portion, which is connected to the thong portion and surrounds and protects the user's ankle.

3. The multi-functional shoe according to claim 2, wherein the ankle portion is further provided with a plurality of ventilation holes to improve breathability around the user's ankle.

4. The multi-functional shoe according to claim 1, wherein a portion of the lower surface of the upper layer and a portion of the upper surface of the sole layer have curved surfaces that approximate the shape of the user's sole and extend to the arch of the foot.

5. The multi-functional shoe according to claim 1, wherein the material of the upper layer and the sole layer is ethylene-vinyl acetate copolymer (EVA) foam.

6. The multi-functional shoe according to claim 1, wherein the material of the reinforcing intermediate layer is carbon fiber.

7. The multi-functional shoe according to claim 1, wherein the material of the first anti-slip pad and the second anti-slip pad is rubber.

8. The multi-functional shoe according to claim 1, wherein a plurality of annular anti-slip grooves are further formed on the upper surface of the upper layer at positions where the user's forefoot and heel come into contact, respectively, to increase the frictional force with the sole of the user's foot.

9. The multifunctional shoe according to claim 1, wherein the upper surface of the upper layer is further formed with a toe-fitting projection that is positioned in the gap formed between the user's toes and forefoot and provides a comfortable fit along the user's toes.

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