Plates, soles and shoes

Abstract

To provide a plate capable of suppressing sinking of an arch part and a heel during the time from landing to kicking, and to provide a sole and a shoe.SOLUTION: A plate 300 is used for a sole constituting a part of a shoe. The plate 300 has a shape extending in a thickness direction of the sole from a position overlapped on a rear end portion 1 of a metatarsal bone of a wearer of the shoe to a position overlapped on a calcaneus of the wearer, and includes a middle rear foot support part 310 for supporting a middle foot portion and a rear foot portion of the wearer. The middle rear foot support part 310 has a shape upward projecting in a cross section in a foot width direction.SELECTED DRAWING: Figure 2

Description

[Technical Field]

[0001] This disclosure relates to a plate, a sole and a shoe. [Background technology]

[0002] Shoes with a plate disposed within a midsole are known. For example, Japanese Patent Publication No. 6598384 discloses a sole structure for footwear that includes an upper sole portion, a lower sole portion, and a plate member disposed between the upper and lower sole portions. The plate member includes a rear foot portion that faces the rear foot of the user. The cross section of the rear foot portion in the foot width direction is formed to be convex downward. [Prior art documents] [Patent documents]

[0003] [Patent Document 1] Patent No. 6598384 Summary of the Invention [Problem to be solved by the invention]

[0004] In shoes such as those described in Japanese Patent No. 6598384, it is conceivable to reduce the weight and hardness of the material forming the midsole in order to improve shock absorption when landing. In this case, greater stability is required for the shoe from the viewpoint of preventing injury to the wearer and maintaining performance. This objective can be achieved, for example, by suppressing sinking of the arch and heel from the time of landing to the time of pushing off.

[0005] An object of the present disclosure is to provide a plate, a sole, and a shoe that can suppress sinking of the arch and heel from the time of landing to the time of pushing off. [Means for solving the problem]

[0006] A plate according to one aspect of this disclosure is a plate used in a sole that forms part of a shoe, and has a shape that extends in the thickness direction of the sole from a position that overlaps the rear end of the metatarsal bone of the wearer of the shoe to a position that overlaps the calcaneus of the wearer, and is provided with a mid-hindfoot support portion that supports the wearer's midfoot and hindfoot, and the mid-hindfoot support portion has a shape that is convex upward in a cross section in the foot width direction.

[0007] Also, a sole according to one aspect of this disclosure comprises the plate and a midsole constituting part of the sole, the midsole having a lower midsole and an upper midsole connected onto the lower midsole, the mid-rear foot support portion being disposed between the lower midsole and the upper midsole, the lower midsole including a lower heel region that overlaps with the heel of the wearer in the thickness direction, and the upper midsole including an upper heel region that overlaps with the heel of the wearer in the thickness direction, the thickness of the lower heel region being greater than the thickness of the upper heel region.

[0008] A sole according to another aspect of the present disclosure includes the plate and a midsole that forms part of the sole, the midsole having a housing portion that defines a space for housing the plate.

[0009] A shoe according to one aspect of the present disclosure also includes the sole and an upper connected to the sole and positioned above the sole. [Effects of the Invention]

[0010] According to this disclosure, it is possible to provide a plate, a sole, and a shoe that can suppress sinking of the arch and heel from the time of landing to the time of pushing off. [Brief explanation of the drawings]

[0011] [Figure 1] 1 is a perspective view schematically showing a plate used in a shoe according to a first embodiment of the present disclosure. FIG. [Figure 2]FIG. 1 is a plan view showing the relationship between the plate and the bones of the foot of a shoe wearer. [Figure 3] FIG. 3 is a cross-sectional view taken along line III-III in FIG. 2. [Figure 4] FIG. 4 is a cross-sectional view taken along line IV-IV in FIG. [Figure 5] FIG. 3 is a cross-sectional view taken along line VV in FIG. [Figure 6] FIG. 3 is a cross-sectional view taken along line VI-VI in FIG. [Figure 7] FIG. 7 is a cross-sectional view taken along line VII-VII in FIGS. 2 and 3. [Figure 8] 10A and 10B are diagrams showing modified examples of the positional relationship between the midsole and the plate. [Figure 9] 10A and 10B are diagrams showing modified examples of the positional relationship between the midsole and the plate. [Figure 10] FIG. 10 is a plan view showing a modified example of the plate. [Figure 11] FIG. 10 is a plan view showing a modified example of the plate. [Figure 12] FIG. 10 is a plan view showing a modified example of the plate. [Figure 13] FIG. 10 is a perspective view of a plate used in a shoe according to a second embodiment of the present disclosure. [Figure 14] 3 is a cross-sectional view of the shoe of the second embodiment taken along the same line as that shown in FIG. 2. FIG. [Figure 15] FIG. 10 is a plan view showing the relationship between the lower midsole and the plate. [Figure 16] FIG. 16 is a cross-sectional view taken along line XVI-XVI in FIG. [Figure 17] FIG. 17 is an enlarged view of the area surrounded by the solid line XVII in FIG. [Figure 18] FIG. 4 is a cross-sectional view showing the relationship between the midsole and the forefoot support portion when a load is applied. [Figure 19] FIG. 2 is a plan view showing the positions of the top and apex portions. [Figure 20] FIG. 20 is a cross-sectional view taken along line XX-XX in FIG. 19. [Figure 21] FIG. 10 is a plan view showing a modified example of the position of the top and apex portions. [Figure 22] FIG. 22 is a cross-sectional view taken along line XXII-XXII in FIG. 21. [Figure 23] FIG. 10 is a plan view showing a modified example of the position of the top and apex portions. [Figure 24] FIG. 24 is a cross-sectional view taken along line XXIV-XXIV in FIG. 23. [Figure 25] FIG. 10 is a cross-sectional view showing a modified example of the forefoot support portion. [Figure 26] FIG. 10 is a cross-sectional view showing a modified example of the forefoot support portion. DETAILED DESCRIPTION OF THE INVENTION

[0012] An embodiment of the present disclosure will be described with reference to the drawings. Note that in the drawings referred to below, the same or equivalent components are assigned the same numbers. In the following description, terms such as foot length direction, foot width direction, front, and rear are used. These directional terms indicate directions as seen from the perspective of a wearer wearing shoe 1 placed on a flat surface such as the ground. For example, front refers to the toe side, and rear refers to the heel side. Furthermore, medial refers to the inside of the foot in the foot width direction (the side toward the first toe), and lateral refers to the outside of the foot in the foot width direction.

[0013] (First embodiment) Fig. 1 is a perspective view showing a plate used in a shoe according to a first embodiment of the present disclosure, Fig. 2 is a plan view showing the relationship between the plate and the bones of the foot of a shoe wearer, and Fig. 3 is a cross-sectional view taken along line III-III in Fig. 2.

[0014] 1 shows the plate 300 for the left foot, and FIG. 2 shows the plate 300 for the right foot. They have bilaterally symmetrical shapes. The same applies to the sole 10 and shoe 1 including the plate 300. The shoe 1 of this embodiment can be used as, for example, sports shoes for running or the like, or walking shoes, and the shoe 1 can be used for any purpose.

[0015] As shown in FIG. 3, the shoe 1 includes a sole 10 and an upper 20 .

[0016] The upper 20 is connected to the sole 10 and together with the sole 10 forms a space for accommodating the wearer's foot.

[0017] As shown in FIG. 3, the sole 10 includes an outer sole 100 , a midsole 200 , and a plate 300 .

[0018] The outer sole 100 constitutes the ground contact part and is made of rubber, thermoplastic resin, or the like.

[0019] The midsole 200 is provided on the outer sole 100. The midsole 200 is formed of a resin foam material or the like. 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. 3 , the midsole 200 has a forefoot region R1, a midfoot region R2, and a rearfoot region R3.

[0020] 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 the 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-and-down direction in FIG. 2). The forefoot region R1 is a region that is located in a range of approximately 0% to 30% of the total length of the shoe 1 from the front end to the rear end of the shoe 1.

[0021] 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 and second toes of a typical wearer of the shoe 1.

[0022] 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 of the wearer's foot that is located in the center in the longitudinal direction. The midfoot region R2 is a region that is located in a range of approximately 30% to 80% of the total length of the shoe 1 from the tip end to the rear end of the shoe 1.

[0023] 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 within a range of 80% to 100% of the overall length of the shoe 1 from the front end to the rear end of the shoe 1.

[0024] As shown in FIG. 3, the midsole 200 includes a lower midsole 210 and an upper midsole 220 .

[0025] The lower midsole 210 is provided on the outer sole 100. In other words, the lower surface of the lower midsole 210 is covered by the outer sole 100. Note that the lower surface of the lower midsole 210 may be covered by the outer sole 100 not entirely but only partially.

[0026] The lower midsole 210 is made of, for example, a foam of polyolefin resin, EVA, or polyamide-based thermoplastic elastomer (TPA, TPAE). The compressive modulus of elasticity of the lower midsole 210 is preferably set to 0.35 MPa or more and 2.5 MPa or less.

[0027] The lower midsole 210 includes a lower heel region 211 that overlaps the wearer's heel in the thickness direction of the sole 10, and a lower midsole region 212 that overlaps the wearer's metatarsal B10 in the thickness direction of the sole 10. The lower heel region 211 is provided in the rear part of the midfoot region R2 or in the rearfoot region R3. The lower midsole region 212 is provided in the rear part of the forefoot region R1 or in the midfoot region R2. The thickness t11 of the lower heel region 211 is greater than the thickness t12 of the lower midsole region 212.

[0028] The upper midsole 220 is connected onto the lower midsole 210. The upper midsole 220 includes an upper heel region 221 that overlaps the heel of the wearer in the thickness direction, and an upper middle region 222 that overlaps the metatarsal B10 of the wearer in the thickness direction of the sole 10. The upper heel region 221 is formed directly above the lower heel region 211. The upper middle region 222 is formed directly above the lower middle region 212. A thickness t21 of the upper heel region 221 is smaller than a thickness t22 of the upper middle region 222.

[0029] The thickness t11 of the lower heel region 211 is greater than the thickness t21 of the upper heel region 221. The thickness t12 of the lower middle region 222 is less than the thickness t22 of the upper middle region 222.

[0030] The upper midsole 220 is made of, for example, a foam of polyolefin resin, EVA, or polyamide-based thermoplastic elastomer (TPA, TPAE). The upper midsole 220 may have a compressive elastic modulus greater than that of the lower midsole 210. The compressive elastic modulus of the upper midsole 220 is preferably set to 0.35 MPa or greater and 2.5 MPa or less, and more preferably set to 1 MPa or less. However, the upper midsole 220 may have a compressive elastic modulus equal to or smaller than that of the lower midsole 210. The upper midsole 220 and the lower midsole 210 are formed of the same material, but may be made of different materials depending on the desired characteristics.

[0031] The plate 300 constitutes a part of the sole 10. The plate 300 has a higher rigidity than the midsole 200. The plate 300 is made of a fiber-reinforced resin or a non-fiber-reinforced resin. Examples of fibers used in the 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-based thermoplastic elastomer (TPU) and amide-based thermoplastic elastomer (TPA).

[0032] The plate 300 is provided in the midsole 200. As shown in FIG. 3 , in this embodiment, the plate 300 is disposed within the midsole 200. Specifically, the plate 300 is disposed between the lower midsole 210 and the upper midsole 220. The plate 300 is bonded to at least one of the lower midsole 210 and the upper midsole 220. The midsole 200 has a housing portion that defines a space for housing the plate 300. The housing portion has a shape that corresponds to the shape of the plate 300.

[0033] The plate 300 has a middle and rear foot support portion 310 and a front foot support portion 320 .

[0034] The mid-hindfoot support portion 310 is a portion that supports the midfoot and hindfoot of the wearer. The mid-hindfoot support portion 310 has a shape that extends at least in the thickness direction from a position overlapping the rear end B11 of the metatarsal B10 of the wearer to a position overlapping the rear end B21 of the calcaneus B20 of the wearer. In this embodiment, the mid-hindfoot support portion 310 has a shape that extends from a portion of the plate 300 that overlaps the middle portion of the metatarsal B10 in the foot length direction in the thickness direction to the rear end of the plate 300.

[0035] As shown in Figures 4 to 6, the middle and hindfoot support part 310 has an upwardly convex shape (a single large upwardly convex arc shape as a whole) in a cross section in the foot width direction. The middle and hindfoot support part 310 has an edge part 311 formed at the end part in the foot width direction. In Figure 3, the edge part 311 is indicated by a dashed line.

[0036] The central and rearfoot support section 310 has a top section 312 located at the highest position in the thickness direction. The top section 312 is located on the heel center HC of the wearer. In this embodiment, the top section 312 is formed flat. This provides a good foot contact at the heel when landing. However, the top section 312 may be formed in a curved shape with a smaller curvature than the curvature of the portions of the central and rearfoot support section 310 other than the top section 312, or may be formed in a curved shape with a curvature equal to the curvature of the portions of the central and rearfoot support section 310 other than the top section 312 (a curved shape with a uniform curvature across the entire central and rearfoot support section 310 in a cross section in the foot width direction). In FIG. 2, the top section 312 is indicated by diagonal lines, and the outline of the top section 312 is indicated by thin lines.

[0037] The heel center HC means a straight line connecting the center of the calcaneus of a standard wearer of the shoe 1 and the space between the third and fourth toes.

[0038] 3 is a cross section of the shoe 1 taken along the semi-line AB (see FIG. 2) and the semi-line AC (see FIG. 2). The semi-line AB extends from the rear end A of the fourth metatarsal bone toward the intersection B of the heel center HC and the rear end of the plate 300. The semi-line AC extends from the rear end A toward the intersection C of the front end of the plate 300 and the shoe center SC.

[0039] For example, in the cross section of the mid-rear foot support portion 310 in the foot width direction at a position overlapping with the wearer's heel (cross section shown in Figure 6), the length W12 of the top portion 312 in the foot width direction is preferably 0.3 to 0.8 times the length W11 between the edge portions 311 in the foot width direction, and more preferably 0.45 to 0.65 times.

[0040] The forefoot support section 320 is a section that supports the forefoot of the wearer. The forefoot support section 320 deforms mainly in the foot length direction when landing or pushing off. The forefoot support section 320 is formed in front of the middle and rearfoot support section 310. FIG. 7 shows a cross section of the shoe 1 in the foot width direction at a position passing through the forefoot support section 320. As shown in FIG. 7, the cross section of the forefoot support section 320 in the foot width direction is formed flat. In this embodiment, the cross section of the plate 300 in the foot width direction is formed flat over the entire area forward of the middle and rearfoot support section 310. Note that "out" in FIG. 7 means the outside in the foot width direction, and "in" means the inside in the foot width direction. This also applies to other figures.

[0041] As shown in FIG. 7, the lower surface of lower midsole 210 in the foot width direction at a position passing through forefoot support portion 320 is formed flat.

[0042] The plate 300 of this embodiment described above has the mid- and rearfoot support portion 310 that has an upwardly convex shape in a cross section in the foot width direction, so that the midfoot and rearfoot of the wearer are effectively supported from the time of landing to the time of pushing off, thereby suppressing sinking of the arch and heel from the time of landing to the time of pushing off.

[0043] Modifications of the above embodiment will now be described.

[0044] (First Modification) 8, the thickness t12 of the lower middle region 212 may be greater than the thickness t22 of the upper middle region 222. However, in this case as well, it is preferable that the thickness t11 of the lower heel region 211 be greater than the thickness t21 of the upper heel region 221, as in the above embodiment.

[0045] (Second Modification) 9, the front portion of the plate 300 may be disposed between the lower surface of the midsole 200 and the outer sole 100. In this embodiment, stability in the forefoot is improved.

[0046] (Third Modification) As shown in Fig. 10, notches 302 may be provided in the edge portion of the front of the plate 300. In the example shown in Fig. 10, a plurality of notches 302 are provided at intervals in the foot length direction on both the outer edge and the inner edge in the foot width direction of the front of the plate 300. In this embodiment, the plate 300 becomes more deformable, thereby improving shock absorption.

[0047] (Fourth Modification) As shown in FIG. 11, a plurality of slits S may be provided on both the outer and inner edges of the front part of the plate 300 in the foot width direction, so as to be spaced apart in the foot length direction.

[0048] (Fifth Modification) 12, a through hole 300h may be provided in the plate 300. In this embodiment, the rigidity of the plate 300 is maintained while the weight of the plate 300 is reduced.

[0049] (Second embodiment) Next, a shoe 1 according to a second embodiment of the present disclosure will be described with reference to Figures 13 to 20. In the second embodiment, only the parts that differ from the first embodiment will be described, and the description of the same structure, action, and effect as the first embodiment will not be repeated.

[0050] In this embodiment, the forefoot support section 320 has an upwardly convex shape in a cross section in the foot width direction. As shown in FIG. 16, the forefoot support section 320 has an upwardly convex curved shape. In this embodiment, the top section 312 of the middle and hindfoot support section 310 also has an upwardly convex curved shape. The middle and hindfoot support sections 310 and 320 are curved upwardly convex and have shapes that are continuously connected in the foot length direction. In this embodiment, the degree of deformation at the boundary between the middle and hindfoot support section 310 and the forefoot support section 320 is suppressed. However, the top section 312 may be formed flat as in the first embodiment.

[0051] In FIG. 14, an edge 311 of the middle and rear foot support portion 310 and an edge 321 of the forefoot support portion 320 in the foot width direction are indicated by dashed lines.

[0052] 16, the portion of the lower midsole 210 located below the forefoot support portion 320 has a shape that is curved so as to be convex upward. This makes the portion of the lower midsole 210 below the forefoot support portion 320 more likely to deform. Therefore, the forefoot support portion 320 of the plate 300 also becomes more likely to deform. However, the shape of the portion of the lower midsole 210 located below the forefoot support portion 320 is not limited to the above and may be formed flat, for example.

[0053] The forefoot support portion 320 has an apex 322. As shown in Figures 19 and 20, the apex 322 is located on a half line AC.

[0054] As shown in FIG. 16, the accommodation portion 230 of the midsole 200 has a contact portion 234 , a recessed portion 236 , and a facing portion 238 .

[0055] The contact portion 234 is a portion that comes into contact with the forefoot support portion 320. The contact portion 234 is adhered to the forefoot support portion 320 via an adhesive member (not shown). In other words, the contact portion 234 constitutes an "adhesive portion" that is adhered to the forefoot support portion 320. As shown in FIG. 17 , the contact portion 234 has a lower contact portion 214 and an upper contact portion 224. The lower contact portion 214 is formed in the front portion of the lower midsole 210 in the foot length direction and in the center portion in the foot width direction. The lower contact portion 214 has a shape that extends in the foot length direction.

[0056] The upper contact portion 224 is formed directly above the lower contact portion 214. The upper contact portion 224 has a shape that extends in the leg length direction.

[0057] The recess 236 has a shape that is recessed from the contact portion 234 in a direction away from the forefoot support portion 320 in the thickness direction. The recess 236 is formed at a position adjacent to the contact portion 234 in the foot width direction. The recess 236 is not bonded to the forefoot support portion 320. In other words, the recess 236 constitutes a "non-bonded portion." The recess 236 has a lower recess 216 and an upper recess 226.

[0058] The lower recess 216 is formed in the lower midsole 210 at a position adjacent to the lower contact portion 214 in the foot width direction. As shown in Fig. 17, the lower recess 216 has a shape that is recessed downward from the lower contact portion 214. The lower recess 216 extends outward in the foot width direction beyond the edge portion 321 of the forefoot support portion 320.

[0059] The upper recess 226 is formed in the upper midsole 220 at a position facing the lower recess 216 in the thickness direction. As shown in Fig. 17, the upper recess 226 has a shape that is recessed upward from the upper contact portion 224. The upper recess 226 extends outward in the foot width direction beyond the edge portion 321 of the forefoot support portion 320.

[0060] The facing portion 238 is a portion facing the forefoot support portion 320 in the foot width direction. The facing portion 238 faces the edge portion 321 of the forefoot support portion 320. As shown in FIGS. 15 to 17, the facing portion 238 is spaced apart from the edge portion 321 of the forefoot support portion 320 in the foot width direction when no load is applied to the forefoot support portion 320. The facing portion 238 connects the outer end of the lower recess 216 in the foot width direction and the outer end of the upper recess 226 in the foot width direction.

[0061] 18 , when a load is applied to the forefoot support portion 320, the forefoot support portion 320 deforms so as to expand outward in the foot width direction. In this embodiment, when no load is applied to the sole 10, a gap is formed between the forefoot support portion 320 and the opposing portion 238, which prevents the forefoot support portion 320 from deforming in the foot width direction when a load is applied to the forefoot support portion 320.

[0062] Furthermore, in this embodiment, the deformation of the forefoot support portion 320 acts on the forefoot when kicking off, so shock absorption with stability is expected.

[0063] A modification of the second embodiment will be described below.

[0064] (Sixth Modification) As shown in FIGS. 21 and 22, the peak 322 may be located more inward in the foot width direction than on the half line AC.

[0065] Moreover, the top portion 312 may be located inside the half line AB in the foot width direction. This also applies to the first embodiment.

[0066] In FIG. 21, the half lines AB and AC shown in the same positions as in FIG. 19 are indicated by two-dot chain lines.

[0067] (Seventh Modification) As shown in FIGS. 23 and 24, the peak 322 may be located on the outer side in the foot width direction from the half line AC.

[0068] Moreover, the top portion 312 may be positioned outside the half line AB in the foot width direction. This also applies to the first embodiment.

[0069] In FIG. 23, the half lines AB and AC shown in the same positions as in FIG. 19 are indicated by two-dot chain lines.

[0070] (Eighth Modification) 25, the apex 322 may be located on the half line AC, and the thickness of the outer portion of the apex 322 in the foot width direction of the forefoot support part 320 may be smaller than the thickness of the inner portion of the apex 322. In this embodiment, the same effect as in the sixth modification example can be obtained. In this case, it is preferable that the thickness of the outer portion of the apex 322 in the foot width direction of the forefoot support part 320 is gradually reduced toward the outer side in the foot width direction, and the thickness of the inner portion of the apex 322 in the foot width direction of the forefoot support part 320 is gradually increased toward the outer side in the foot width direction.

[0071] Furthermore, the shape of the front foot support portion 320 is formed to be the same as that of the second embodiment, and even if the outer portion of the top portion 322 of the front foot support portion 320 is formed of a material with lower rigidity than the inner portion of the top portion 322, the same effect as in the sixth modified example can be obtained.

[0072] (Ninth Modification) 26, the apex 322 may be located on the half line AC, and the thickness of the outer portion of the apex 322 in the foot width direction of the forefoot support part 320 may be greater than the thickness of the inner portion of the apex 322. In this embodiment, the same effect as in the seventh modification can be obtained. In this case, it is preferable that the thickness of the outer portion of the apex 322 in the foot width direction of the forefoot support part 320 is gradually increased toward the outer side in the foot width direction, and the thickness of the inner portion of the apex 322 in the foot width direction of the forefoot support part 320 is gradually decreased toward the outer side in the foot width direction.

[0073] Furthermore, the shape of the front foot support portion 320 is formed to be the same as that of the second embodiment, and even if the inner portion of the top 322 of the front foot support portion 320 is formed of a material with lower rigidity than the outer portion of the top 322, the same effect as in the seventh modified example can be obtained.

[0074] (Tenth Modification) In the second embodiment, an example has been described in which both the lower contact portion 214 and the upper contact portion 224 are adhered to the forefoot support portion 320, but the forefoot support portion 320 may be adhered to at least one of the lower midsole 210 and the upper midsole 220. For example, if the rigidity of the lower midsole 210 is lower than the rigidity of the upper midsole 220, the amount of deformation of the lower midsole 210 will be greater than the amount of deformation of the upper midsole 220 when a load is applied to the sole 10. For this reason, the upper surface of the forefoot support portion 320 may be adhered to the upper contact portion 224, and the lower surface of the forefoot support portion 320 may not be adhered to the lower contact portion 214.

[0075] Alternatively, recess 236 may be omitted, and the entire lower surface of forefoot support portion 320 may be in contact with lower midsole 210, and the entire upper surface of forefoot support portion 320 may be in contact with upper midsole 220. In this case as well, if the rigidity of lower midsole 210 is lower than the rigidity of upper midsole 220, only the upper surface of forefoot support portion 320 may be bonded to upper midsole 220, and the lower surface of forefoot support portion 320 may not be bonded to lower midsole 210.

[0076] It should be noted that the embodiments disclosed herein are illustrative in all respects and should not be considered limiting. The scope of the present invention is defined by the claims, not by the description of the above embodiments, and further includes all modifications within the meaning and scope of the claims.

[0077] [Aspect] It will be appreciated by those skilled in the art that the exemplary embodiments described above are examples of the following aspects.

[0078] A plate according to one aspect of this disclosure is a plate used in a sole that forms part of a shoe, and has a shape that extends in the thickness direction of the sole from a position that overlaps the rear end of the metatarsal bone of the wearer of the shoe to a position that overlaps the calcaneus of the wearer, and is provided with a mid-hindfoot support portion that supports the wearer's midfoot and hindfoot, and the mid-hindfoot support portion has a shape that is convex upward in a cross section in the foot width direction.

[0079] This plate has a mid- and rearfoot support section that is convex upward in cross section in the foot width direction, so that the wearer's midfoot and rearfoot are effectively supported from the time of landing to the time of pushing off, thereby suppressing sinking of the arch and heel from the time of landing to the time of pushing off.

[0080] It is also preferable that the middle and rear foot support portion has a top portion located at the highest position in the thickness direction.

[0081] In this case, the top portion may be located on the heel center of the wearer.

[0082] In this embodiment, when a vertically downward load is applied from the midfoot and rearfoot to the mid-rearfoot support section, the midfoot and rearfoot support section deforms substantially uniformly in the width direction of the foot, so that when the load is removed, a vertically upward restoring force is generated in the midfoot and rearfoot. Note that the heel center refers to the line connecting the center of the calcaneus and the space between the third and fourth toes of a standard shoe wearer.

[0083] Alternatively, the top portion may be located more inward than the heel center of the wearer in the foot width direction.

[0084] In this embodiment, the portion of the middle and rearfoot support with a relatively low bending stiffness is located on the outer side in the foot width direction, and the portion of the middle and rearfoot support with a relatively high bending stiffness is located on the inner side in the width direction. Therefore, when a load acts on the portion of the middle and rearfoot support that is outer than the heel center during foot landing, deformation of the middle and rearfoot support is promoted, thereby improving shock absorption. Furthermore, because the bending stiffness of the portion of the middle and rearfoot support that is inner than the heel center is increased, the occurrence of pronation during foot landing is suppressed.

[0085] Alternatively, the top portion may be located outward of the wearer's heel center in the foot width direction.

[0086] In this configuration, the area of ​​the center and rearfoot support with relatively high bending stiffness is located on the outer side in the foot width direction, and the area of ​​the center and rearfoot support with relatively low bending stiffness is located on the inner side in the width direction, thereby increasing stability when a load acts on the area of ​​the center and rearfoot support that is outer than the heel center when landing.

[0087] Furthermore, it is preferable that the plate has a shape extending forward from the middle and rear foot support portion, further includes a forefoot support portion in the forefoot portion of the wearer, and that the forefoot support portion has a shape that is convex upward in a cross section in the foot width direction.

[0088] In this way, the deformation of the forefoot support portion acts on the forefoot when kicking off, and shock absorption with stability is expected.

[0089] It is also preferable that the front foot support portion has a top portion.

[0090] In this case, the apex may be located on a straight line connecting the intersection of the front end of the forefoot support portion and the shoe center with the front end of the middle and rear foot support portion.

[0091] In this configuration, when pushing off, a reaction force acts from the forefoot support part on approximately the center of the forefoot in the width direction of the foot. Note that the shoe center refers to the center line of the sole, or the line connecting the center of the calcaneus and the space between the first and second toes of a standard shoe wearer.

[0092] Alternatively, the apex may be located more inward in the foot width direction than a straight line connecting the intersection of the front end of the forefoot support portion and the shoe center with the front end of the middle and rear foot support portion.

[0093] Alternatively, the apex may be located outside in the foot width direction of a straight line connecting the intersection of the front end of the forefoot support portion and the shoe center with the front end of the middle and rear foot support portion.

[0094] Also, a sole according to one aspect of this disclosure comprises the plate and a midsole constituting part of the sole, the midsole having a lower midsole and an upper midsole connected onto the lower midsole, the mid-rear foot support portion being disposed between the lower midsole and the upper midsole, the lower midsole including a lower heel region that overlaps with the heel of the wearer in the thickness direction, and the upper midsole including an upper heel region that overlaps with the heel of the wearer in the thickness direction, the thickness of the lower heel region being greater than the thickness of the upper heel region.

[0095] In this sole, when a load is input from the heel to the midsole, the load is input directly from the heel to the upper heel region, and the load is transmitted to the lower heel region via the mid-rearfoot support portion. In other words, a large pressure acts on the upper heel region from a portion of the heel with a relatively small area, and a small pressure acts on the lower heel region from the mid-rearfoot support portion with an area larger than that of the portion of the heel. Therefore, because the thickness of the lower heel region is greater than that of the upper heel region, sinking of the rear foot from the time of landing to the time of pushing off is effectively suppressed.

[0096] A sole according to another aspect of the present disclosure includes the plate and a midsole that forms part of the sole, the midsole having a housing portion that defines a space for housing the plate.

[0097] In this case, the storage section may have an adhesive section that is adhered to the forefoot support section, and a non-adhesive section that is formed at a position adjacent to the adhesive section in the foot width direction and is not adhered to the forefoot support section.

[0098] In this embodiment, since the adhesive portion is adhered to the forefoot support portion, relative movement of the plate within the storage portion is suppressed, and since the non-adhesive portion is not adhered to the forefoot support portion, the deformation of the forefoot support portion in the foot width direction is prevented from being hindered when a load is applied to the forefoot support portion.

[0099] It is also preferable that the storage section has an opposing portion that faces the forefoot support section in the foot width direction, and that the opposing portion is spaced apart from the forefoot support section in the foot width direction when no load is acting on the forefoot support section.

[0100] This arrangement prevents the forefoot support portion from being hindered from deforming in the foot width direction when a load acts on the forefoot support portion.

[0101] The storage section may also have a contact section that comes into contact with the front foot support section, and a recess that is recessed from the contact section in the thickness direction away from the front foot support section.

[0102] This arrangement prevents the forefoot support portion from being hindered from deforming in the foot width direction when a load acts on the forefoot support portion.

[0103] A shoe according to one aspect of the present disclosure also includes the sole and an upper connected to the sole and positioned above the sole. [Explanation of symbols]

[0104] 1 shoe, 10 sole, 20 upper, 100 outer sole, 200 midsole, 210 lower midsole, 211 lower heel region, 212 lower middle region, 214 lower contact portion, 216 lower recess, 220 upper midsole, 221 upper heel region, 222 upper middle region, 224 upper contact portion, 226 upper recess, 230 storage portion, 234 contact portion, 236 recess, 238 opposing portion, 300 plate, 310 middle rear foot support portion, 312 top portion, 320 forefoot support portion, 322 top portion, B10 metatarsal, B20 calcaneus, HC heel center, R1 forefoot region, R2 midfoot region, R3 rearfoot region, SC shoe center.

Claims

1. A plate used in a sole that constitutes a part of a shoe, a mid-rear foot support portion having a shape extending in a thickness direction of the sole from a position overlapping with an intermediate portion of a metatarsal bone of a wearer of the shoe to a position overlapping with a calcaneus of the wearer, the mid-rear foot support portion supporting a midfoot portion and a rearfoot portion of the wearer, The mid-hindfoot support portion has an upwardly convex shape in a cross section in the foot width direction in the entire region from the portion overlapping with the middle portion of the metatarsal bone to the portion overlapping with the calcaneus.

2. The middle and rear foot support portion has a top portion located at the highest position in the thickness direction, The plate according to claim 1 , wherein the top portion is located on a heel center, which is a straight line connecting the center of the calcaneus of the wearer and the space between the third and fourth toes.

3. The middle and rear foot support portion has a top portion located at the highest position in the thickness direction, 2. The plate according to claim 1, wherein the top portion is located more inward in the foot width direction than a heel center, which is a straight line connecting the center of the calcaneus of the wearer and the space between the third and fourth toes.

4. The middle and rear foot support portion has a top portion located at the highest position in the thickness direction, 2. The plate according to claim 1, wherein the top portion is located outward in the foot width direction from a heel center, which is a straight line connecting the center of the calcaneus of the wearer and the space between the third and fourth toes.

5. The shoe further includes a front foot support portion extending forward from the middle and rear foot support portion and supporting a front foot portion of the wearer, 5. The plate according to claim 1, wherein the forefoot support portion has a shape that is a single arc that is convex upward in a cross section in the foot width direction in the entire region from the part that overlaps with the calcaneus of the wearer to the forefoot support portion.

6. the forefoot support has a top; 6. The plate according to claim 5, wherein the apex is located on a straight line connecting an intersection of a front end of the forefoot support portion and a shoe center, which is a line corresponding to a line connecting the center of the calcaneus of the wearer and the space between the first and second toes, and a portion corresponding to a rear end of the fourth metatarsal of the wearer.

7. the forefoot support has a top; 6. The plate according to claim 5, wherein the apex is located more inward in the foot width direction than a straight line connecting an intersection of a front end of the forefoot support portion and a shoe center, which is a line corresponding to a line connecting the center of the calcaneus of the wearer and the space between the first and second toes, and a site corresponding to the rear end of the fourth metatarsal of the wearer.

8. the forefoot support has a top; 6. The plate according to claim 5, wherein the apex is located on the outer side in the foot width direction of a straight line connecting an intersection of a front end portion of the forefoot support portion and a shoe center, which is a line corresponding to a straight line connecting the center of the calcaneus of the wearer and the space between the first and second toes, and a site corresponding to the rear end portion of the fourth metatarsal of the wearer.

9. A plate according to any one of claims 1 to 8; a midsole that constitutes a part of the sole, The midsole is A lower midsole; an upper midsole connected on the lower midsole, the mid-rear foot support portion is disposed between the lower midsole and the upper midsole, the lower midsole includes a lower heel region that overlaps a heel portion of the wearer in the thickness direction, the upper midsole includes an upper heel region that overlaps a heel portion of the wearer in the thickness direction, The thickness of the lower heel region is greater than the thickness of the upper heel region.

10. A plate according to any one of claims 5 to 8; a midsole that constitutes a part of the sole, The midsole has a receiving portion that defines a space for receiving the plate.

11. The storage section is an adhesive portion adhered to the front foot support portion; The sole according to claim 10 , further comprising: a non-adhesive portion formed at a position adjacent to the adhesive portion in the foot width direction, the non-adhesive portion not being adhered to the forefoot support portion.

12. the storage section has an opposing section that faces the forefoot support section in the foot width direction, The sole according to claim 10 or 11, wherein the opposing portion is spaced apart from the forefoot support portion in the foot width direction when no load is applied to the forefoot support portion.

13. The storage section is a contact portion that comes into contact with the forefoot support portion; The sole according to claim 10 , further comprising: a recess having a shape recessed from the contact portion in the thickness direction in a direction away from the forefoot support portion.

14. A sole according to any one of claims 9 to 13; an upper connected to the sole and positioned above the sole.

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