Soles and shoes

Abstract

To provide a sole which can achieve both reduction of impact when contacting the ground and suppression of excessive deformation of a midsole body when kicked out, and a shoe.SOLUTION: A sole 10 has: a midsole body 210; an elastic part 250; and a pressing member 300. The midsole body 210 has a housing part 212. The elastic part 250 is housed in the housing part 212 in a compressed state. The pressing member 300 has elasticity modulus higher than that of the elastic part 250 in the compressed state and presses the elastic part 250 so that the elastic part 250 is maintained in the compressed state. Elasticity modulus of the elastic part 250 in the compressed state is larger than that of the midsole body 210.SELECTED DRAWING: Figure 1

Description

[Technical field]

[0001] This disclosure relates to soles and shoes. [Background technology]

[0002] Conventionally, shoes having a plate provided in a midsole are known. For example, U.S. Patent No. 9,833,038 discloses a sole structure including an upper midsole member, a lower midsole member, and a plate. The upper midsole member has an upper surface, a lower surface, and a through hole. The lower midsole member has an upper surface that contacts the lower surface of the upper midsole member, and a raised portion that rises from the upper surface and is located in the through hole of the upper midsole member. The raised portion has an upper surface that is flush with the upper surface of the upper midsole member. The plate contacts the upper surface of the upper midsole member and the upper surface of the raised portion. The plate is bonded to the upper surface of the raised portion, but not to the upper surface of the upper midsole member. [Prior art documents] [Patent documents]

[0003] [Patent Document 1] U.S. Patent No. 9,833,038 Summary of the Invention [Problem to be solved by the invention]

[0004] Shoes used for sports involving movements such as running are required to reduce the impact when the foot touches the ground and to suppress excessive deformation of the midsole when pushing off.

[0005] An object of the present disclosure is to provide a sole and shoe that can simultaneously reduce impact when landing on the ground and suppress excessive deformation of the midsole body when pushing off. [Means for solving the problem]

[0006] A sole according to one aspect of this disclosure comprises a midsole body, an elastic portion made of an elastic material and disposed within the midsole body, and a presser member that presses the elastic portion, wherein the midsole body has a storage portion that stores the elastic portion, and the elastic portion is stored within the storage portion in a compressed state in which the volume of the elastic portion is smaller than the volume in an unloaded state in which no external force is acting on the elastic portion, and the presser member has an elastic modulus higher than the elastic modulus of the elastic portion in the compressed state and presses the elastic portion so that the elastic portion is maintained in the compressed state, and the elastic modulus of the elastic portion in the compressed state is greater than the elastic modulus of the midsole body.

[0007] A shoe according to one aspect of the disclosure also includes the sole, and an upper that is directly or indirectly connected to the sole and positioned above the sole. Effect of the Invention

[0008] According to this disclosure, it is possible to provide a sole and a shoe that can simultaneously reduce the impact when landing and suppress excessive deformation of the midsole body when pushing off. [Brief description of the drawings]

[0009] [Figure 1] 1 is a cross-sectional view of a shoe according to a first embodiment of the present disclosure. [Diagram 2] FIG. 2 is a plan view showing a portion of a sole in relation to the bones of the foot of a wearer of the shoe. [Diagram 3] FIG. 2 is a cross-sectional view taken along line III-III in FIG. [Figure 4] FIG. 11 is a cross-sectional view of a portion of a sole taken along a plane perpendicular to the longitudinal direction of the foot, the cross-sectional view illustrating a schematic diagram of a modified example of a presser member. [Diagram 5] FIG. 11 is a cross-sectional view of a portion of a sole taken along a plane perpendicular to the longitudinal direction of the foot, the cross-sectional view illustrating a schematic diagram of a modified example of a presser member. [Figure 6]FIG. 11 is a cross-sectional view of a portion of a sole taken along a plane perpendicular to the longitudinal direction of the foot, and is a cross-sectional view that illustrates a modified example of a midsole. [Figure 7] FIG. 11 is a cross-sectional view of a portion of a sole taken along a plane perpendicular to the longitudinal direction of the foot, the cross-sectional view illustrating a modified example of an elastic portion. [Figure 8] FIG. 13 is a plan view illustrating a modified example of the elastic portion. [Figure 9] FIG. 13 is a plan view illustrating a modified example of the elastic portion. [Figure 10] FIG. 13 is a plan view illustrating a modified example of the elastic portion. [Figure 11] FIG. 13 is a plan view illustrating a modified example of the elastic portion. [Figure 12] FIG. 11 is a cross-sectional view of a shoe sole according to a second embodiment of the present disclosure. [Figure 13] 13 is a cross-sectional view showing a state before an elastic portion is pressed by a pressing member in the sole shown in FIG. 12. FIG. [Figure 14] FIG. 11 is a cross-sectional view of a portion of the sole taken along a plane perpendicular to the longitudinal direction of the foot, showing a modified example of the midsole. [Figure 15] FIG. 11 is a cross-sectional view of a portion of the sole taken along a plane perpendicular to the longitudinal direction of the foot, showing a modified example of the midsole. [Figure 16] FIG. 13 is a cross-sectional view of a shoe sole according to a third embodiment of the present disclosure. [Figure 17] 17 is a cross-sectional view taken along line XVII-XVII shown in FIG. 16. [Figure 18] FIG. 18 is a cross-sectional view showing a state in which the midsole is removed from FIG. 17. [Figure 19] FIG. 11 is a cross-sectional view of a portion of the sole taken along a plane perpendicular to the longitudinal direction of the foot, showing a modified example of the midsole. [Figure 20] FIG. 11 is a cross-sectional view of a portion of the sole taken along a plane perpendicular to the longitudinal direction of the foot, showing a modified example of the midsole. [Figure 21] FIG. 11 is a cross-sectional view of a portion of the sole taken along a plane perpendicular to the longitudinal direction of the foot, showing a modified example of the midsole. [Figure 22]21 is a cross-sectional view showing a state in which the pressing member is removed from FIG. 20. FIG. [Figure 23] FIG. 11 is a cross-sectional view showing a modified example of the sole. DETAILED DESCRIPTION OF THE PREFERRED EMBODIMENTS

[0010] An embodiment of the present disclosure will be described with reference to the drawings. In the drawings referred to below, the same or equivalent components are given the same numbers. In the following description, terms such as foot length direction, foot width direction, forward, and backward are used. These directional terms indicate directions seen from the viewpoint of a wearer wearing the shoe 1 placed on a flat surface such as the ground. For example, forward refers to the toe side, and backward refers to the heel side. In addition, medial refers to the inside of the foot in the foot width direction (the side of the first toe), and lateral refers to the outside of the foot in the foot width direction.

[0011] (First embodiment) 1 is a cross-sectional view of a shoe according to a first embodiment of the present disclosure. The shoe 1 according to the present embodiment can be used as, for example, a sports shoe or a walking shoe, and the shoe 1 can be used in any purpose.

[0012] As shown in FIG. 1, the shoe 1 includes a sole 10 and an upper 20 .

[0013] The upper 20 is directly or indirectly connected to the sole 10 and, together with the sole 10, forms a space for accommodating the wearer's foot.

[0014] As shown in FIG. 1 and FIG. 3, the sole 10 has an outer sole 100, a midsole 200, and a presser member 300.

[0015] The outer sole 100 constitutes the ground contact portion. The outer sole 100 is made of rubber or the like.

[0016] The midsole 200 is provided on the outer sole 100. The upper 20 is disposed on the midsole 200. In other words, the midsole 200 is provided between the upper 20 and the outer sole 100. As shown in Fig. 2, the midsole 200 has a forefoot region R1, a midfoot region R2, and a rearfoot region R3. Note that Fig. 2 shows a portion of the sole 10 for the right foot, but the sole for the left foot has a shape symmetrical to the sole 10 for the right foot or a shape roughly similar thereto.

[0017] The forefoot region R1 is a region that overlaps with the forefoot of the wearer of the shoe 1 in the thickness direction of the sole 10. The forefoot is a part of the wearer's foot that is located in the longitudinal direction of the shoe 1, i.e., the front part in the foot length direction (the up-down direction in FIG. 2). The forefoot region R1 is a region that is located in a range of about 0% to 30% of the total length of the shoe 1 from the front end to the rear end of the shoe 1.

[0018] The foot length direction is a direction parallel to the shoe center SC (see FIG. 2). Note that the shoe center SC is not limited to the center line of the shoe 1, but may be a line corresponding to a straight line connecting the center of the calcaneus and the space between the first toe and the second toe of a typical wearer of the shoe 1.

[0019] The midfoot region R2 is a region that overlaps with the midfoot of the wearer of the shoe 1 in the thickness direction of the sole 10. The midfoot is a part that is located in the center of the wearer's foot in the longitudinal direction. The midfoot region R2 is a region that is located in a range of about 30% to 80% of the total length of the shoe 1 from the tip end to the rear end of the shoe 1.

[0020] The rear foot region R3 is a region that overlaps with the rear foot of the wearer of the shoe 1 in the thickness direction of the sole 10. The rear foot is a part of the wearer's foot that is located at the rear in the longitudinal direction. The rear foot region R3 is a region that is located in a range of about 80% to 100% of the entire length of the shoe 1 from the front end to the rear end of the shoe 1.

[0021] As shown in FIG. 1 and FIG. 3, the midsole 200 has a midsole body 210 and an elastic portion 250.

[0022] The midsole body 210 is formed of a resin foam material, etc. The midsole body 210 has a lower midsole 201 and an upper midsole 202.

[0023] The lower midsole 201 is provided on the outer sole 100. In other words, the lower surface of the lower midsole 201 is covered by the outer sole 100. Note that only a portion of the lower surface of the lower midsole 201 may be covered by the outer sole 100, or the entire area of ​​the lower surface of the lower midsole 201 may be covered by the outer sole 100.

[0024] The upper midsole 202 is connected onto the lower midsole 201. The upper midsole 202 may have a stiffness higher than that of the lower midsole 201, or may have a stiffness equal to that of the lower midsole 201.

[0025] The midsole body 210 has a storage portion 212 that stores the elastic portion 250. In this embodiment, as shown in FIG. 1, the storage portion 212 is formed in the lower midsole 201. The lower midsole 201 has an upper surface 201S that faces the upper midsole 202, and the storage portion 212 has a shape that opens toward the upper surface 201S of the lower midsole 201. The storage portion 212 has a shape that is recessed downward from the upper surface 201S of the lower midsole 201. The storage portion 212 may be formed in a shape that spans the lower midsole 201 and the upper midsole 202.

[0026] The elastic portion 250 is disposed in the midsole body 210. Specifically, the elastic portion 250 is housed in the housing portion 212. The elastic portion 250 is made of an elastic body. The elastic portion 250 may be formed of the same material as the lower midsole 201 or the upper midsole 202, or may be formed of a material different from those materials.

[0027] The elastic portion 250 is accommodated in the accommodation portion 212 in a compressed state in which the volume of the elastic portion 250 is smaller than the volume in an unloaded state in which no external force is acting on the elastic portion 250. The elastic modulus of the elastic portion 250 in the compressed state is greater than the elastic modulus of the midsole body 210.

[0028] Here, the unloaded state means a state in which the wearer is not wearing the shoe 1 (a state in which no load from the wearer's foot is acting on the elastic portion 250) and in which the elastic portion 250 is not being pressed down by the pressing member 300 described later.

[0029] As shown in Figs. 1 and 2, the elastic part 250 is disposed at a position straddling the MP joint in the foot length direction. Specifically, the midsole body 210 has an MP joint support region 215 that supports the MP joint of the foot of the wearer of the shoe 1, and the elastic part 250 is provided in the MP joint support region 215. The MP joint support region 215 is formed in a range straddling the forefoot region R1 and the midfoot region R2. The length L1 of the elastic part 250 in the foot length direction is set to about 10% to 70% of the entire length of the shoe 1. The distance from the front end of the midsole body 210 to the front end of the elastic part 250 is set to about 10% to 30% of the entire length of the shoe 1.

[0030] The elastic portion 250 has a support surface 250S. The support surface 250S is configured by the upper surface of the elastic portion 250. The support surface 250S indirectly supports the wearer's foot via the upper midsole 202, an insole (not shown), etc. The support surface 250S is exposed from the storage portion 212.

[0031] The pressing member 300 is a member that presses the elastic portion 250. In this embodiment, the pressing member 300 is formed in a plate shape. However, as long as the pressing member 300 is capable of pressing the elastic portion 250, the pressing member 300 may be made of a wire or the like.

[0032] The pressing member 300 is provided in the midsole body 210. As shown in FIG. 1, in this embodiment, the pressing member 300 is disposed in the midsole body 210. More specifically, the pressing member 300 is disposed between the lower midsole 201 and the upper midsole 202. The midsole body 210 has a space for accommodating the pressing member 300. The space has a shape corresponding to the shape of the pressing member 300. The pressing member 300 is bonded to at least one of the lower midsole 201 and the upper midsole 202.

[0033] 2, the pressing member 300 has an outer shape larger than the outer shape of the support surface 250S in a plan view. The pressing member 300 is disposed so as to cover the entire support surface 250S. The pressing member 300 presses the elastic portion 250 from above. When the pressing member 300 is formed of a wire, the position at which the wire is fixed to the housing portion 212 may be located outside the elastic portion 250 in a plan view.

[0034] 1, the outer sole 100 is disposed on the opposite side (lower side) of the elastic portion 250 from the side where the pressing member 300 is disposed. The outer sole 100 has a support portion 102 that supports the elastic portion 250 from the opposite side of the elastic portion 250 from the side where the pressing member 300 is disposed. The support portion 102 may be formed in a shape that overlaps the entire elastic portion 250 in the foot length direction in the thickness direction, or may be formed in a shape that overlaps a part of the elastic portion 250 in the foot length direction in the thickness direction. The outer sole 100 has a higher elastic modulus than that of the elastic portion 250 in the compressed state.

[0035] The presser member 300 has a higher elastic modulus than the elastic modulus of the elastic portion 250 in the compressed state. The presser member 300 presses the elastic portion 250 so that the elastic portion 250 is maintained in the compressed state. The presser member 300 has a function of suppressing excessive deformation of the midsole body 210, particularly when pushing off.

[0036] The pressing member 300 is made of fiber-reinforced resin or non-fiber-reinforced resin. Examples of fibers used in fiber-reinforced resin include carbon fiber, glass fiber, aramid fiber, Dyneema fiber, Zylon fiber, and boron fiber. Examples of non-fiber-reinforced resin include polymer resins such as polyurethane thermoplastic elastomer (TPU) and amide thermoplastic elastomer (TPA). The pressing member 300 is preferably made of fiber-reinforced plastic containing synthetic resin and the above-mentioned fibers, and more preferably made of carbon fiber-reinforced plastic containing synthetic resin and carbon fiber.

[0037] As described above, in the sole 10 of this embodiment, the elastic portion 250 is housed in the housing portion 212 of the midsole body 210 in a compressed state, and the elastic modulus of the elastic portion 250 in the compressed state is greater than the elastic modulus of the midsole body 210, so that when pushing off, the elastic portion 250 suppresses excessive deformation of the midsole body 210. Furthermore, when the foot hits the ground, the midsole body 210 mainly exerts shock absorption properties.

[0038] Modifications to the above embodiment will now be described.

[0039] (First Modification) As shown in FIG. 4, the presser member 300 may have a base portion 310 and at least one protrusion 312.

[0040] The base portion 310 has a pressing surface 310S that presses downward the elastic portion 250. The pressing surface 310S has a shape corresponding to the support surface 250S and the upper surface 201S of the lower midsole 201.

[0041] The protruding portion 312 protrudes from the pressing surface 310S toward the elastic portion 250. The protruding portion 312 has a shape extending in the foot length direction. More specifically, the protruding portion 312 is preferably formed in a rib shape having the same shape in the foot length direction. The length of the protruding portion 312 in the foot width direction (left and right direction in FIG. 3) may be formed so as to gradually decrease as it moves away from the pressing surface 310S. In the example shown in FIG. 3, at least one protruding portion 312 includes a plurality of protruding portions 312. The protruding portions 312 are arranged so as to be spaced apart in the foot width direction. Although not shown, the protruding portion 312 may be formed in a rib shape extending in the foot width direction.

[0042] In this embodiment, the protruding portion 312 prevents the elastic portion 250 from expanding outward in the foot width direction, so that the elastic portion 250 is effectively maintained in a compressed state.

[0043] (Second Modification) 5, the pressing member 300 may have a base portion 310 and a pair of restraining walls 330. The shape of the base portion 310 is the same as that of the first modified example. A pressing surface 310S of the base portion 310 is bonded to the support surface 250S.

[0044] The pair of restraining walls 330 extend downward from both ends of the pressing surface 310S in the foot width direction (left and right direction in FIG. 5). The pair of restraining walls 330 restrain the elastic portion 250 from both sides in the foot width direction. The inner surface of each restraining wall 330 is not bonded to the elastic portion 250. It is preferable that the restraining walls 330 extend in a rib-like manner in the foot length direction, for example. It is more preferable that the restraining walls 330 are formed in a ring shape (a polygon such as a rectangle, a circle, an ellipse, or a closed figure surrounded by straight lines and curves in a plan view) surrounding the periphery of the elastic portion 250.

[0045] In this embodiment, the elastic portion 250 is constrained from both sides in the foot width direction, so that the elastic portion 250 is effectively maintained in a compressed state. Also, since the inner side surface of the constraining wall 330 and the side surface of the elastic portion 250 are not bonded, the elastic portion 250 can smoothly deform so as to enter the constraining wall 330 when a load is applied.

[0046] (Third Modification) As shown in FIG. 6, the sole 10 may further include a support member 350. The support member 350 is disposed on the opposite side (lower side in the example of FIG. 6) of the elastic portion 250 from the side on which the pressing member 300 is disposed, and supports the elastic portion 250. The support member 350 holds the elastic portion 250 together with the pressing member 300. The support member 350 may be formed of the same material as the pressing member 300. The support member 350 has a higher elastic modulus than that of the elastic portion 250 in the compressed state. Although not shown, the midsole body 210 may not be provided below the support member 350. In this case, the outer sole 100 functions as the support member.

[0047] (Fourth Modification) 7, the elastic portion 250 may have a plurality of elastic elements 251. The elastic elements 251 are in contact with each other. The elastic elements 251 can be elastically deformed independently in the thickness direction of the sole 10. The elastic elements 251 may be made of the same material or different materials.

[0048] In this embodiment, by adjusting the elastic modulus of each elastic element 251, it becomes possible to adjust the elastic modulus for each region in the elastic part 250. Also, each elastic element 251 can deform independently, and the part to which a load is applied can deform appropriately.

[0049] (Fifth Modification) As shown in Fig. 8, the elastic part 250 may have a shape that extends longer in the foot length direction on the outer side in the foot width direction (the right side in Fig. 8) than on the inner side. The length L2 of the elastic part 250 in the foot length direction is set to, for example, about 10% to 70% of the total length of the shoe 1. In this way, it is possible to simultaneously suppress excessive deformation of the midsole body when a wearer who strikes the ground with the forefoot pushes off.

[0050] (Sixth Modification) 9, the elastic part 250 may be disposed at a position overlapping in the thickness direction with a region spanning the rearfoot region R3 and the midfoot region R2. The elastic part 250 has a shape that gradually moves toward the lateral side of the foot as it moves forward in the foot length direction, and the length in the foot width direction becomes smaller. The length L3 of the elastic part 250 in the foot length direction is set to, for example, about 10% to 70% of the total length of the shoe 1. In this way, excessive deformation of the midsole body is suppressed when a wearer who strikes the ground with his heel pushes off.

[0051] (Seventh Modification) As shown in Fig. 10, the elastic part 250 may be disposed at a position biased toward the medial side of the MP joint supporting region 215. The length L4 of the elastic part 250 in the foot length direction is set to, for example, about 10% to 70% of the total length of the shoe 1. In this way, it is possible to simultaneously suppress excessive deformation of the midsole body when a wearer who strikes the ground with the medial side of the forefoot pushes off. In addition, since the forming area of ​​the elastic part 250 is small, manufacturing is easy.

[0052] (Eighth Modification) As shown in Fig. 11, the elastic part 250 may be disposed in the center of the MP joint supporting region 215 in the foot width direction. The length L5 of the elastic part 250 in the foot length direction is set to, for example, about 10% to 70% of the total length of the shoe 1. In this way, it is possible to simultaneously suppress excessive deformation of the midsole body when a wearer who strikes the ground near the center of the forefoot pushes off. In addition, since the formation area of ​​the elastic part 250 is small, manufacturing is easy.

[0053] Second embodiment Next, a sole 10 according to a second embodiment of the present disclosure will be described with reference to Fig. 12 and Fig. 13. In the second embodiment, only the parts different from the first embodiment will be described, and the same structure, action, and effect as the first embodiment will not be described repeatedly. In the second embodiment, each of the modified examples in the first embodiment can be applied.

[0054] In this embodiment, the elastic part 250 is made of the same material as the midsole body 210 and is integrally formed with the midsole body 210 so as to be connected to the midsole body 210. Specifically, the elastic part 250 is made of the same material as the lower midsole 201 and is integrally formed with the lower midsole 201 so as to be connected to the lower midsole 201. In addition, in Fig. 12 and Fig. 13, the boundary between the elastic part 250 and the lower midsole 201 in the thickness direction is shown by a two-dot chain line. In Fig. 12, the two-dot chain line representing the boundary extends linearly, but in reality, this two-dot chain line has a curved shape that is slightly convex downward. More strictly, with the compression of the elastic part 250, the part of the lower midsole 201 between the outer sole 100 and the elastic part 250 is also compressed, and the boundary line may be deformed into a shape different from that described above.

[0055] Fig. 13 shows the elastic portion 250 in a state before the elastic portion 250 is pressed by the pressing member 300, i.e., in the unloaded state, and Fig. 12 shows the elastic portion 250 in the compressed state. As shown in Fig. 13, the support surface 250S of the elastic portion 250 in the unloaded state protrudes upward from the upper surface 201S of the lower midsole 201. The support surface 250S of the elastic portion 250 in the compressed state is flush with the upper surface 201S of the lower midsole 201.

[0056] A cut S may be provided at the boundary between the lower midsole 201 and the elastic portion 250. In this way, the elastic portion 250 can be easily accommodated in the accommodation portion 212 in a compressed state.

[0057] In this embodiment, the area surrounded by the cutout S, the plane passing through the upper end of the cutout S, and the plane passing through the lower end of the cutout S (the boundary between the elastic portion 250 and the lower midsole 201 in the thickness direction) corresponds to the storage portion 212.

[0058] Next, a modification of the second embodiment will be described.

[0059] (Ninth Modification) 14, a groove 214 may be provided at the boundary between the lower midsole 201 and the elastic portion 250. It is preferable that the width of the groove 214 gradually decreases from the upper surface 201S of the lower midsole 201 downward. The width of the groove 214 means the distance between the outer circumferential surface of the elastic portion 250 and the lower midsole 201 in the no-load state. In this embodiment as well, the elastic portion 250 is more likely to be accommodated in the accommodation portion 212 in a compressed state.

[0060] In FIG. 14 as well, the boundary between the elastic portion 250 and the lower midsole 201 in the thickness direction is indicated by a two-dot chain line.

[0061] (Tenth Modification) 15, the elastic portion 250 may have end faces 252 connected to both ends of the support surface 250S in the foot width direction. The end faces 252 have a shape that gradually slopes downward from the support surface 250S toward the outside in the foot width direction in the no-load state.

[0062] In FIG. 15 as well, the boundary between the elastic portion 250 and the lower midsole 201 in the thickness direction is indicated by a two-dot chain line.

[0063] Third embodiment Next, a sole 10 according to a third embodiment of the present disclosure will be described with reference to Figs. 16 to 18. In the third embodiment, only the parts different from the first embodiment will be described, and the same structure, action, and effect as those in the first embodiment will not be described repeatedly. In the third embodiment, each of the modified examples in the first embodiment can be applied.

[0064] In this embodiment, the sole 10 has a midsole 200 , a presser member 300 , and an inner sole 400 .

[0065] The midsole 200 has a midsole body 210 and an elastic portion 250. In this embodiment, the midsole body 210 has a first body portion 203 and a second body portion 204.

[0066] The first main body portion 203 has a shape extending from the front end to the rear end in the foot length direction. The thickness of the first main body portion 203 is smaller than the thickness of the midsole body 210 in the first embodiment. The first main body portion 203 is provided with a storage portion 212. As shown in Figs. 16 and 17, the storage portion 212 opens toward the upper and lower surfaces of the first main body portion 203. In other words, the storage portion 212 penetrates the first main body portion 203 in the thickness direction.

[0067] The second main body portion 204 is connected to the underside of the rear part in the foot length direction of the first main body portion 203. The second main body portion 204 is disposed at a position overlapping the heel part of the wearer's foot in the thickness direction.

[0068] The elastic portion 250 is accommodated in the accommodation portion 212 in the compressed state. The elastic portion 250 may be formed of the same material as the first main body portion 203 or the second main body portion 204, or may be formed of a material different from these. The elastic portion 250 is configured as a separate body from the first main body portion 203.

[0069] Fig. 17 shows a cross-sectional view taken along line XVII-XVII in Fig. 16, and Fig. 18 shows a state in which the midsole 400 has been removed from Fig. 17. Fig. 18 shows the elastic part 250 in the unloaded state. As shown in Fig. 18, the support surface 250S of the elastic part 250 in the unloaded state is located above the upper surface 203S of the first main body part 203.

[0070] The pressing member 300 is connected to the lower surface of the first main body portion 203. In this embodiment, the pressing member 300 constitutes an outer sole. The pressing member 300 is made of resin. The pressing member 300 presses the elastic portion 250 from below. As shown in FIG. 16 , the rear portion of the pressing member 300 is disposed between the first main body portion 203 and the second main body portion 204.

[0071] The midsole 400 is connected onto the midsole 200. The midsole 400 is connected to the upper surface of the first main body portion 203 and covers the support surface 250S. The midsole 400 is preferably bonded to the support surface 250S. The midsole 400 has a support portion 402 that supports the elastic portion 250 from the opposite side (upper side) to the side where the pressing member 300 is arranged, with the elastic portion 250 as a reference.

[0072] Below, a modification of the third embodiment will be described.

[0073] (Eleventh Modification) As shown in FIG. 19, the first main body portion 203 may have a lower intermediate portion 217 interposed between the elastic portion 250 and the pressing member 300.

[0074] (Twelfth Modification) As shown in FIG. 20, the first main body portion 203 may have an upper intermediate portion 218 interposed between the elastic portion 250 and the midsole 400 .

[0075] (13th Modification) As shown in Fig. 21, the first main body portion 203 has an upper intermediate portion 218 interposed between the elastic portion 250 and the midsole 400, and the elastic portion 250 may be made of the same material as the first main body portion 203 and formed integrally with the first main body portion 203 so as to be connected to the upper intermediate portion 218. In Fig. 21, the boundary portion between the elastic portion 250 and the upper intermediate portion 218 in the outer shape of the storage portion 212 is shown by a two-dot chain line. The definition of the storage portion 212 is the same as in the second embodiment.

[0076] Fig. 22 shows a state in which the pressing member 300 has been removed from Fig. 21. Fig. 22 shows the elastic portion 250 in the unloaded state. As shown in Fig. 22, a lower surface 250S2 of the elastic portion 250 in the unloaded state is located lower than a lower surface 203S2 of the first main body portion 203. A cut S may be provided at the boundary between the first main body portion 203 and the elastic portion 250.

[0077] (14th Modification) 23, the midsole body 210 may be configured as a single member. In this example, the thickness of the midsole body 210 is smaller than the thickness of the midsole body 210 in the third embodiment.

[0078] The presser member 300 is connected to the lower surface of the midsole body 210. In this example, the entire area of ​​the presser member 300 in the foot length direction forms a ground contact portion.

[0079] It should be noted that the embodiments disclosed herein are illustrative in all respects and should not be considered as limiting. The scope of the present invention is indicated by the claims, not by the description of the embodiments above, and further includes all modifications within the meaning and scope of the claims.

[0080] [Aspects] It will be appreciated by those skilled in the art that the exemplary embodiments described above are examples of the following aspects.

[0081] A plate according to one aspect of this disclosure comprises a midsole body, an elastic portion made of an elastic material and arranged within the midsole body, and a presser member that presses the elastic portion, wherein the midsole body has a storage portion that stores the elastic portion, and the elastic portion is stored within the storage portion in a compressed state in which the volume of the elastic portion is smaller than the volume in an unloaded state in which no external force is acting on the elastic portion, and the presser member has an elastic modulus higher than the elastic modulus of the elastic portion in the compressed state and presses the elastic portion so that the elastic portion is maintained in the compressed state, and the elastic modulus of the elastic portion in the compressed state is greater than the elastic modulus of the midsole body.

[0082] In this sole, the elastic portion is accommodated in a storage portion of the midsole body in a compressed state, and the elastic modulus of the elastic portion in the compressed state is greater than that of the midsole body, so that the elastic portion suppresses excessive deformation of the midsole body when pushing off, and the midsole body mainly exerts shock absorption properties when the shoe touches the ground.

[0083] The midsole body may have an upper surface, and the storage section may have a shape that opens toward the upper surface of the midsole body. In this case, the elastic section may have a support surface that is exposed from the storage section and indirectly supports the wearer's foot, and the pressing member may press the support surface while being fixed to the upper surface of the midsole body.

[0084] In this aspect, the pressing member presses the support surface of the elastic portion, so that the elastic portion is accommodated in the accommodating portion in a compressed state.

[0085] The elastic portion may be made of the same material as the midsole body and may be integrally formed with the midsole body so as to be connected to the midsole body. In this case, the elastic portion has a support surface that indirectly supports the wearer's foot, and the support surface in the no-load state protrudes above the upper surface of the midsole body.

[0086] In this aspect, the presser member is fixed to the upper surface of the midsole body, so that the elastic portion is accommodated in the accommodation portion in a compressed state.

[0087] In this case, the elastic portion may have end faces connected to both ends of the support surface in the foot width direction. It is preferable that the end faces have a shape that gradually slopes downward from the support surface toward the outside in the foot width direction in the no-load state.

[0088] In this embodiment, the elastic portion can be easily accommodated in the storage portion in a compressed state.

[0089] It is also preferable that a cut is provided at the boundary between the midsole body and the elastic portion.

[0090] In this embodiment as well, the elastic portion can be easily accommodated in the accommodation portion in a compressed state.

[0091] It is also preferable that the pressing member has an outer shape larger than an outer shape of the support surface in a plan view and is disposed so as to cover the entire support surface.

[0092] In this manner, the elastic portion is compressed uniformly.

[0093] The pressing member may have a pressing surface that presses the support surface downward.

[0094] In this case, the pressing member may further have a protruding portion protruding from the pressing surface toward the elastic portion. The protruding portion preferably has a shape extending in the foot length direction.

[0095] In this aspect, the protruding portion prevents the elastic portion from expanding outward in the foot width direction, so that the elastic portion is effectively maintained in a compressed state.

[0096] The pressing member may further include a pair of restraining walls extending downward from both ends of the pressing surface in the foot width direction. It is preferable that the pair of restraining walls restrain the elastic portion from both sides in the foot width direction.

[0097] In this embodiment, the elastic portion is constrained from both sides in the foot width direction, so that the elastic portion is effectively maintained in a compressed state.

[0098] The elastic portion may include a plurality of elastic elements each capable of independently elastically deforming in a thickness direction of the sole.

[0099] In this embodiment, by adjusting the elastic modulus of each elastic element, it is possible to adjust the elastic modulus for each region in the elastic part. Also, each elastic element can deform independently, and the part to which a load is applied can deform appropriately.

[0100] The midsole body may have an MP joint support region that supports the MP joint of the foot of a wearer of the shoe. In this case, it is preferable that the elastic portion is provided in the MP joint support region.

[0101] The pressing member is preferably made of fiber reinforced plastic.

[0102] A shoe according to one aspect of the disclosure also includes the sole, and an upper that is directly or indirectly connected to the sole and positioned above the sole. [Explanation of symbols]

[0103] 1 shoe, 10 sole, 20 upper, 100 outer sole, 102 support part, 200 midsole, 201 lower midsole, 201S upper surface, 202 upper midsole, 210 midsole body, 212 storage part, 214 groove part, 215 MP joint support area, 250 elastic part, 250S support surface, 251 elastic element, 252 end surface, 300 pressing member, 310 base part, 310S pressing surface, 312 protrusion, 330 restraining wall, 400 midsole, 402 support part, R1 forefoot area, R2 midfoot area, R3 rearfoot area, S notch, SC shoe center.

Claims

1. A midsole body, An elastic portion made of an elastic body and disposed within the midsole body; A pressing member that presses the elastic portion, The midsole body has a housing portion that houses the elastic portion, the elastic portion is accommodated in the accommodation portion in a compressed state in which the volume of the elastic portion is smaller than the volume of the elastic portion in an unloaded state in which no external force is acting on the elastic portion, the pressing member has a higher elastic modulus than the elastic modulus of the elastic portion in the compressed state, and presses the elastic portion so as to maintain the elastic portion in the compressed state, The elastic modulus of the elastic portion in the compressed state is greater than the elastic modulus of the midsole body, The midsole body has an upper surface, The elastic portion has a support surface that indirectly supports the wearer's foot, The support surface in the unloaded state protrudes upward from the upper surface of the midsole body, The elastic portion has end faces connected to both ends of the support surface in the foot width direction, The end face of the sole has a shape that gradually slopes downward from the support surface toward the outside in the foot width direction in the no-load state.

2. the storage portion has a shape that opens toward the upper surface of the midsole body, The support surface is exposed from the housing portion, The sole according to claim 1 , wherein the presser member presses the support surface while being fixed to the upper surface of the midsole body.

3. The sole according to claim 1 , wherein the elastic portion is made of the same material as the midsole body and is integrally formed with the midsole body so as to be connected to the midsole body.

4. The sole according to claim 3 , wherein a cut is provided at a boundary between the midsole body and the elastic portion.

5. The sole according to claim 2 , wherein the pressing member has an outer shape larger than an outer shape of the support surface in a plan view and is disposed so as to cover the entire support surface.

6. The sole according to claim 2 , wherein the pressing member has a pressing surface that presses the support surface downward.

7. The pressing member further has a protruding portion protruding from the pressing surface toward the elastic portion, The sole according to claim 6 , wherein the protrusion has a shape extending in the longitudinal direction of the foot.

8. The pressing member further includes a pair of restraining walls extending downward from both ends of the pressing surface in the foot width direction, The sole according to claim 6 or 7, wherein the pair of restraining walls restrain the elastic portion from both sides in the foot width direction.

9. The sole according to claim 1 , wherein the elastic portion includes a plurality of elastic elements each capable of independently elastically deforming in a thickness direction of the sole.

10. The midsole body has an MP joint support area that supports the MP joint of the foot of a shoe wearer, The sole according to claim 1 , wherein the elastic portion is provided in the MP joint support region.

11. The sole according to claim 1 , wherein the presser member is made of fiber reinforced plastic.

12. A sole according to any one of claims 1 to 11, an upper connected directly or indirectly to the sole and positioned above the sole.

Images