footwear

Abstract

To provide footwear allowing a wearer to easily put on / take off while standing without using a hand or a shoehorn, capable of preventing a foot from slipping off or floating during walking, preventing accidentally coming-off by being appropriately held without any load on the foot, and capable of improving a support property to Achilles tendon by being formed into a shape fitted to a shape from the heel to the ankle.SOLUTION: Footwear includes a heel guide upwardly bent toward a rear side of a shoe opening, a cushion part made of an elastic member, formed into a shape curved forward, on an inner surface of a heel part and coming into contact with the Achilles tendon part of a wearer, and a heel support part formed into a horizontally-smooth arch shape, on the inner surface of the heel part and thickening toward the top. The footwear can thus improve a foot holding property and an ankle fitting property by defining an inclination of an external curve of the heel rear wall inclined forward the footwear from the shoe sole toward the ankle, within a range of 50° to 60° from the front of the footwear.SELECTED DRAWING: Figure 3

Description

[Technical field]

[0001] To provide a new type of footwear that can be easily put on and taken off without using hands or a shoehorn, that can hold the footwear properly without putting strain on the foot so that the footwear does not come off accidentally while walking, and that can improve support for the Achilles tendon by fitting the shape from the heel to the ankle. [Background technology]

[0002] There was a demand for footwear that could be easily put on and taken off without using the hands, even when both hands were full, and footwear that elderly people suffering from foot swelling could put on and take off without having to sit or bend over.

[0003] In view of this, the following footwear has been proposed: Patent Document 1 discloses footwear in which a hard protrusion extending diagonally upward and backward is formed on the upper end of the heel part at the rear end of the upper so that the footwear can be easily put on without using hands. As a result, the protrusion reliably guides the heel of the foot into the footwear, making it easy to put on the footwear without using hands or a shoe horn. However, since the protrusion is only formed long and diagonally upward and backward, the heel holding effect is only obtained by the pad part located on the side of the heel part, and the feeling of holding the foot is weak.

[0004] Patent Document 2 discloses footwear that has zippers on both the instep and heel of the footwear, allowing them to be opened to the left and right. This allows the instep and heel of the footwear to be opened to the left and right, making it easy to put on and take off. However, opening and closing the zippers on the instep and heel requires the wearer to sit or bend down.

[0005] Patent Document 3 discloses footwear in which a heel guide that guides the underside of the heel when the foot is put on is integrally formed with a reinforcing member provided in the heel, and the height of the heel guide is specified. This makes it easy to put on the foot, can adequately hold the foot, and allows the ankle to bend freely. However, because the height of the heel guide is limited to the height of the calcaneus at most, the foot is not held firmly by the calcaneus.

[0006] Patent Document 4 discloses a shoe with a protrusion on at least one side or the other side of the inner circumferential surface of the heel. This makes it difficult for the footwear to slip off while walking. However, because the protrusion structure using an elastic body on the side of the heel is too strong, it is difficult to obtain a proper hold on the foot.

[0007] While these prior art technologies allow footwear to be easily put on and taken off without using hands or a shoehorn, they have problems such as the foot slipping out or floating when walking, causing the footwear to come off accidentally, and the elastic members designed to prevent the footwear from coming off easily apply too much pressure. As a result, it has not been possible to create footwear that is easy to put on and take off and that properly holds the foot without putting strain on the foot and prevents the footwear from coming off accidentally. [Prior art documents] [Patent documents]

[0008] [Patent Document 1] Patent Publication No. 2022-139151 [Patent Document 2] JP 2012-019953 A [Patent Document 3] Patent No. 6569154 [Patent Document 4] JP 2011-041590 A Summary of the Invention [Problem to be solved by the invention]

[0009] The present invention has been made in consideration of the above circumstances, and its objective is to provide footwear that can be easily put on and taken off while standing without using hands or a shoehorn, that prevents the foot from slipping out or floating when walking, that can hold the foot properly without putting strain on the foot so that the footwear does not come off accidentally, and that has a shape that fits the shape from the heel to the ankle, thereby improving support for the Achilles tendon. [Means for solving the problem]

[0010] The footwear according to the present invention, which has been made to solve the above problems, comprises an upper in which an opening, a main body into which the toes are inserted and a heel with which the heel comes into contact are integrally formed, and a sole, the upper being formed with a heel guide section curved upward toward the rear of the opening, a cushion section made of an elastic member formed in a shape curved forward on the inner surface of the heel section and coming into contact with the wearer's Achilles tendon, and a heel support section formed in a smooth arch shape in the horizontal direction on the inner surface of the heel section and thickening upward, the heel guide section and the heel support section both including a heel core made of a hard material which is integral with each other, the heel core section rising upward while gradually inclining forward from the sole, being formed in an arch shape so as to surround the heel in the horizontal direction, and the inclination angle between the horizontal plane and the contour curve of the rear wall of the heel section being minimized. The place where the footwear begins to curl backwards The heel support has a shape that is thicker toward the top so as to protrude maximally forward at the point where the ankle protrudes maximally, and above the point where the ankle protrudes maximally, the ankle protrudes backward in the footwear to conform to the shape of the ankle, and below the point where the ankle protrudes backward in the footwear, the heel core of the heel support abuts against the heel to hold it in place, and the cushion section covers the thick part of the heel core that protrudes maximally forward. The heel core material comes into contact with the wearer's ankle above the point where the footwear starts to bend backward. The present invention is characterized in that it is provided as follows.

[0012] The heel portion has an inclination angle of a contour curve of the heel rear wall rising from the sole and inclining toward the ankle toward the front of the footwear. Horizontal plane from Measure Preferably in the range of 50 to 60 degrees upward.

[0013] before A part or the whole of the main body of the upper is stretchable. is preferred .

[0014] before Main body of the upper teeth The hues of the materials and structures that make up the upper are complementary or accent colors. is preferred .

[0015] before Recording shell Side wall part in A strip-shaped reinforcing member containing a fluorescent material or a reflective material is attached in the vertical direction to the boundary between the heel part and the is preferred . Effect of the Invention

[0016] The footwear of the present invention has a heel support part formed in a smooth horizontal arch shape on the inner surface of the heel part and which is thickened toward the top, and the thick arch part on the inner surface of the heel part can firmly press down on the calcaneal protuberance from all sides, improving the hold on the foot.

[0017] In particular, the effect is further enhanced by providing the thick portion in the heel core material made of a hard material in the heel support portion. This makes it possible to hold the foot extremely well when wearing the footwear, suppress the foot from slipping out or floating when walking, and prevent the footwear from accidentally coming off, making it possible to realize footwear that can be easily put on and taken off while standing hands-free, and that can hold the foot properly without putting strain on the foot when walking, etc. [Brief description of the drawings]

[0018] [Figure 1] 1 is a side view of footwear according to a first embodiment of the present invention; [Diagram 2] 1 is a front view of a footwear according to a first embodiment of the present invention, as viewed from above. [Diagram 3] 3 is a cross-sectional view of the rear heel wall of the footwear according to the first embodiment of the present invention taken along line AA in FIG. 2. [Figure 4]2 is a diagram illustrating the cross-sectional structure of the rear heel wall of the footwear according to the first embodiment of the present invention, and the inclination angle α of the outer curve of the rear heel wall. FIG. [Diagram 5] FIG. 2 is a side view of footwear according to a second embodiment of the present invention, in which two types of stretchable materials are used in the upper cover portion. DETAILED DESCRIPTION OF THE PREFERRED EMBODIMENTS

[0019] The present invention will now be described with reference to the drawings. EXAMPLES

[0020] 1 to 4 are diagrams that show a footwear according to a first embodiment of the present invention.

[0021] Fig. 1 is a side view of the footwear according to the first embodiment, and Fig. 2 is a front view of the footwear according to the first embodiment. The footwear according to the present embodiment is composed of an opening 1, an upper 4 having a main body 2 into which the toes are inserted and a heel part 3 with which the heel comes into contact, which are integrally formed, and a sole 5.

[0022] The main body 2 of the upper 4 is composed of an instep cover 7 that covers the instep from the opening 1 to the toe 6, a tab 8 for lifting the instep cover 7, and a side wall 9 that extends from the side of the opening 1 to the heel 3. The heel 3 is attached to the heel, with a reinforcing material 10 interposed between the instep cover 7 and the side wall 9 that continues from the opening 1, and has a heel rear wall 11 at the rear end of the opening 1.

[0023] Fig. 3 is a cross-sectional view of the heel rear wall 11 taken along line AA in Fig. 2. The upper 4 is formed of an outer skin 12 disposed on the outside of the footwear and an inner skin 13 disposed on the inside of the footwear. The material may be the same for the entire footwear, or different materials may be used depending on the part of the footwear, or between the outer skin 12 and the inner skin 13.

[0024] In the rear heel wall 11, a heel core material 14 made of a hard material such as synthetic resin is provided inside, sandwiched between the outer skin 12 and the inner skin 13, to reinforce the heel 3 and maintain the shape of the shoe opening 1.

[0025] A heel guide 15 is formed integrally with the heel core 14 at the upper end of the heel core 14, and when the foot is inserted into the opening 1, the heel is slid along the upper surface of the heel guide 15, thereby guiding the toes into the opening 1. The heel guide 15 is formed to curve upward toward the rear of the footwear at the opening 1, making it possible to prevent the end of the heel guide 15 from being caught or folded inside the footwear when the heel is inserted.

[0026] The inner surface of the heel part 3 of the heel core 14 is provided with a cushion part 16 made of an elastic material that is curved forward and comes into contact with the wearer's Achilles tendon. When the foot is inserted through the opening 1, the cushion part 16 is compressed and deformed to allow the foot to pass through, and after the foot is inserted, the restoring force of the cushion part 16 presses against the Achilles tendon, making it possible to hold the ankle appropriately without putting strain on it. The elastic material for the cushion part 16 can be sponge, urethane, rubber, silicon, felt, memory foam, or other elastic material.

[0027] Here, the heel support 17 is formed in an arch shape in the horizontal direction of the heel 3 and thickens upward. The heel support 17 is formed by making the heel core 14 arch-shaped so as to surround the heel in the horizontal direction, with the cushion part 16 at the center, and making the heel support 17 thicker in the vertical direction than other parts. This emphasizes the vertical step on the inside of the heel support 17, and the calcaneal protuberance of the heel is inserted below the step provided in the heel support 17 and is wrapped in the heel support 17, so that the foot is appropriately held in the footwear without any burden and the effect of preventing the footwear from accidentally coming off can be further improved.

[0028] When forming a heel support portion 17 on the inner surface of the heel portion 3, which is thicker toward the top, if the heel support portion 17 is protruded only by the thickness of the heel core material 14 or the cushion portion 16, this is not preferable from the viewpoint of smooth putting on and taking off of the footwear. Therefore, it is preferable to make the inner surface of the heel portion 3 smooth by utilizing a curved structure in a substantially S-shape (inverted S) formed on the cross section of the heel rear wall 11. As shown in FIG. 4, the cross section of the heel rear wall 11 rises upward from the sole 5 to accommodate the heel and hold the ankle, then inclines toward the front of the footwear along the ankle, and after the inclination angle α between the horizontal plane and the contour curve of the heel rear wall reaches a minimum angle, it curves backward to fit the shape of the ankle.

[0029] In this embodiment, as shown in FIG. 4, the footwear rises upward from the sole 5, tilts forward along the heel, and then begins to curve backward along the shape of the ankle, i.e., the point where the inclination angle α between the horizontal plane and the contour curve of the rear wall 11 is minimum. It is preferable that below this point, the heel core 14 of the heel support portion 17 abuts against the heel, and above this point, the cushion portion 16 abuts against the ankle.

[0030] The optimal angle of inclination α of the contour curve of the rear wall 11 is preferably in the range of 50 degrees to 60 degrees measured from the horizontal plane at the front of the footwear. If the inclination angle α of the contour curve is less than 50 degrees, the space for the heel becomes narrow, making the foot less comfortable to wear, and if it is more than 60 degrees, the heel is not sufficiently caught. By setting the angle in the above range, the step of the heel support part 17 can more effectively catch the protruding calcaneal protuberance, thereby improving the foot hold, suppressing the foot from slipping out or floating when walking, and further improving the effect of preventing the footwear from accidentally coming off. Furthermore, the inclination angle α of the contour curve is more preferably in the range of 55 degrees to 60 degrees.

[0031] For this reason, the cross-sectional shape of heel core material 14 is made of a material of uniform thickness overall, with a smooth thick portion provided in heel core material 14 from the point where the inclination angle α of the outline curve exceeds the minimum angle upward to the heel guide portion, and by abutting cushion portion 16 against the thick portion of heel core material 14, a smooth structure is formed, resulting in footwear that is easy to put on and take off and has appropriate holding power without putting strain on the foot.

[0032] As another structure for realizing footwear that is easy to put on and take off, the upper cover part 7 of the upper leather can be made stretchable by using a stretchable material in part or the whole of the upper cover part 7. Specifically, mesh material, knit material, synthetic leather, etc. can be used, but are not limited to these. Depending on the purpose of the footwear, the stretchable material such as mesh material is not limited to one type, and multiple materials with different stretchability or materials with different stretchable directions can be combined, and further the locations and proportions of use can be appropriately combined.

[0033] In the first embodiment, only one type of material was used as the stretchable material for the upper cover part 7, but the application of the present invention is not limited to this. Figure 5 shows footwear according to a second embodiment of the present invention, and the basic structure is the same as that of the first embodiment. In the second embodiment, the upper cover part 7 is made of a first stretchable material 18 and a second stretchable material 19, and in order to make the footwear easier to wear, a more stretchable material is used for the first stretchable material 18 and a less stretchable material is used for the second stretchable material 19, thereby reinforcing the structure of the footwear.

[0034] As a result, even if the instep of the foot is pushed toward the front of the footwear when the toes are inserted through the opening 1 and the heel is slid along the heel guide portion 15 to put on the footwear, the elastic material of the instep cover portion 7 can absorb this deformation, and after the footwear is put on, the restoring force of the elastic material of the instep cover portion 7 can hold the foot properly within the footwear without putting any strain on it.

[0035] As another structure for making it easier to put on and take off, a marker can be provided to make it easier to see the position and orientation of the footwear when putting on the footwear in the dark. As an example of a method for providing a marker with a simple means, a fluorescent or reflective material can be provided on a part of the footwear, which can emit light to inform the wearer of the position and orientation of the footwear. For this reason, reinforcing members 10 containing a fluorescent or reflective material can be attached in the vertical direction as strip-shaped reinforcing materials provided at the boundary between the side wall portion 9 and the heel portion 3 of the upper 4, making it easier for the wearer to see the footwear.

[0036] To enhance the design, a mesh material is used as the second stretchable material 19 as an example. In this case, the mesh part of the mesh material is dark gray, and the base part is golden yellow, creating a contrasting color relationship. By placing the bright golden yellow in the overall calm color tone of dark gray, a single accent is added as a contrasting color, making it possible to create footwear with excellent design.

[0037] The hues of such accent colors are not limited to the color scheme disclosed herein, and for example, if one side is dark gray, the other side can be accented with light blue, pink, red, or green to create a vibrant impression. Other complementary color combinations that can be used include red and blue-green, orange and blue, yellow and purple, reddish purple and green, and light blue and vermilion.

[0038] The belt-shaped reinforcing member 10 attached to the boundary between the upper cover portion 7 and the heel portion 3 is preferably, but not limited to, an L-shape inclined toward the front of the footwear. Furthermore, a material containing fluorescent or reflective material can be used along the center of the belt portion, and the fluorescent or reflective material may be fixed with an adhesive, by thermocompression bonding, or by sewing.

[0039] The function of the footwear of the present invention will now be described. When putting on footwear, the foot is inserted into the opening 1 from the toe while standing, without using hands or a shoehorn. The instep of the foot is placed under the instep cover 7, the heel is placed on the heel guide 15, and the foot is slid along the upper surface of the heel guide 15 while applying body weight. The heel passes through the cushioning material 16 while pushing and deforming it, and the calcaneus of the heel slides into the heel support 17, fixing the foot in the footwear.

[0040] When the footwear of the present invention is worn, the calcaneal protuberance of the heel is recessed under the thick portion of heel support part 17 and is enveloped by heel part 3, so that the foot is held in place properly without putting any strain on the foot, and because the calcaneal protuberance is held down by the step of heel support part 17, it is possible to prevent the footwear from accidentally slipping off. Moreover, the shape of the footwear fits the shape from the heel to the ankle, making it possible to improve support for the Achilles tendon. [Industrial Applicability]

[0041] The present invention provides footwear that can be easily put on and taken off without using hands or a shoehorn, that can hold the foot properly without putting strain on the foot so that the footwear does not come off accidentally when walking, and that has a shape that fits the shape from the heel to the ankle, thereby improving support for the Achilles tendon. [Explanation of symbols]

[0042] 1. Opening 2 Main unit 3 Heel 4 Carapace 5 Soles 6 Toe 7. Upper cover 8 Knobs 9 Side wall 10 Reinforcement 11 Rear wall of heel 12 Hull 13 Endothelium 14 Heel core material 15 Heel guide 16 Cushion section 17 Heel support part 18 The first elastic material 19 The second elastic material

Claims

1. A shoe comprising an upper having an opening, a main body into which the toes are inserted, and a heel part with which the heel comes into contact, all of which are integrally formed, and a sole, A heel guide portion formed by bending upward toward the rear side of the shoe opening; a cushion portion formed on the inner surface of the heel portion in a shape curved forward and made of an elastic member that contacts the wearer's Achilles tendon; The heel support is formed in a smooth arch shape in the horizontal direction on the inner surface of the heel portion and is thickened toward the top. the heel guide portion and the heel support portion include a common, integrated heel core made of a hard material, the heel core rising upward from the sole while gradually inclining forward, and being formed in an arch shape so as to surround the heel horizontally, and being thickened upward so as to protrude maximally forward at a point where the inclination angle between the horizontal plane and the contour curve of the rear wall of the heel is minimum and where the heel core begins to curve backward of the footwear, above the point where it protrudes maximally, the heel core curves backward of the footwear in line with the shape of the ankle, and below the point where the heel core begins to curve backward of the footwear, the heel core of the heel support portion abuts against the heel to hold the heel, The footwear is characterized in that the cushion portion covers the thick portion that protrudes most forward of the heel core material and is arranged to abut against the wearer's ankle above the point where the heel core material begins to bend backward.

2. 2. The footwear according to claim 1, wherein the heel portion has an inclination angle of an outline curve of the rear wall of the heel portion that rises from the sole and slopes toward the ankle in a forward direction of the footwear, the inclination angle being in the range of 50 degrees to 60 degrees upward as measured from a horizontal plane in the front of the footwear.

3. 2. The footwear according to claim 1, wherein a part or all of the main body of the upper is stretchable.

4. 2. The footwear according to claim 1, wherein the hues of the materials and structures constituting the upper body are in a complementary or contrasting color relationship.

5. 2. The footwear according to claim 1, wherein a strip-shaped reinforcing member containing a fluorescent or reflective material is attached in the vertical direction to a boundary portion of the upper between the side wall portion and the heel portion.

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