Uppers and shoes

Abstract

To provide a shoe capable of being easily attached / detached without using the hands.SOLUTION: An upper 20 comprises an upper body 21 having a shoe opening O opening in the periphery of the ankle of a wearer, and covering the foot of the wearer. At least one of an inner instep part 21i and an outer instep part 21o of the upper body 21 is formed with a parting part 30 comprising a notch extending in a front-downward direction X from the circumference of the shoe opening O. The front end part of the parting part 30 is positioned in front of the instep part of the upper body 21 and behind a waist part.SELECTED DRAWING: Figure 1

Description

[Technical Field]

[0001] The present invention relates to an upper and a shoe. [Background technology]

[0002] To make it easier to put on and take off shoes whose uppers cover the wearer's feet up to near the ankles, shoes with openings that can be widened when putting on and taking off have been proposed (see, for example, Patent Document 1 listed below). Patent Document 1 discloses an example of this type of shoe, in which a slit is formed around the periphery of the opening and a zipper is provided to open and close the slit. In the shoe, the opening opens when the zipper is opened, widening the opening when putting on and taking off the shoe. [Prior art documents] [Patent documents]

[0003] [Patent Document 1] Japanese Patent Publication No. 2022-112308 Summary of the Invention [Problem to be solved by the invention]

[0004] However, with the above-mentioned shoes, the wearer must bend down and manually open the fastener before putting on or taking off the shoes, which makes it difficult for wearers who have difficulty bending down to put on or take off the shoes.

[0005] In addition, in the above-mentioned shoes, the slit is arranged to extend diagonally downward and rearward from the inside edge of the opening. With such a slit, the opening widens slightly when the shoes are put on or taken off, but the opening cannot be widened enough to make putting on or taking off the shoes easier.

[0006] The present invention has been made in view of the above points, and its object is to provide shoes that can be easily put on and taken off without using the hands. [Means for solving the problem]

[0007] In order to achieve the above-mentioned object, the first form of the present invention is a shoe upper having an opening that opens around the wearer's ankle and an upper body that covers the wearer's foot, characterized in that a dividing portion consisting of a slit or notch extending forward and downward from the periphery of the opening is formed in at least one of the inner and outer upper portions of the upper body, and the front end of the dividing portion is located forward of the instep portion of the upper body and behind the waist portion.

[0008] Here, the instep portion of the upper body refers to the portion of the upper body that corresponds to the measurement line of the wearer's instep girth. In this application, as shown in Figure 1, when the rear end and front end of the sole support surface are respectively positioned at 0% and 100% in the front-to-back direction of the shoe, the instep portion is defined as the portion where the upper body intersects with a predetermined inclined plane Si that passes through a position at 35% in the front-to-back direction of the sole support surface of the sole. The inclination angle α of the predetermined inclined plane Si with respect to the horizontal plane is a predetermined angle between 50 degrees and 70 degrees, and is set for each shoe.

[0009] The waist portion of the upper body refers to the portion of the upper body that corresponds to the measurement line of the wearer's waist girth. In this application, as shown in Figure 1, when the rear end and front end of the sole support surface are respectively positioned at 0% and 100% in the front-to-back direction of the shoe, the waist portion is defined as the portion where the upper body intersects with a predetermined inclined plane Sw that passes through the 50% position in the front-to-back direction of the sole support surface of the sole. The inclination angle β of the predetermined inclined plane Sw with respect to the horizontal plane is a predetermined angle between 50 degrees and 70 degrees, and is set for each shoe.

[0010] The inclination angles α and β are set so that the instep portion and the waist portion do not intersect in the upper body.

[0011] In the first form of shoe upper, a dividing section consisting of a slit or notch extending downward from the periphery of the opening is formed in at least one of the medial and lateral upper sections of the upper body, and the dividing section divides a portion of the upper body into an instep section above the dividing section and a heel section below the dividing section. With this configuration, when putting on or taking off the shoe, the instep of the wearer's foot, which is tilted downward from the front, raises the instep section so that its angle of inclination with respect to the ground surface is larger than when the shoe is being worn or not, thereby widening the dividing section and widening the opening in the foot length direction. Furthermore, because the periphery of the opening is also divided into front and back by the dividing section and is not annular, the opening does not narrow in the foot width direction when it widens in the foot length direction, and the circumference of the opening increases, resulting in a wider opening. This prevents the wearer's foot from getting caught when putting on or taking off the shoes, and reduces frictional resistance, making it easier for the wearer to insert and remove their foot into and from the shoes. In other words, putting on and taking off the shoes becomes easier.

[0012] In the shoe upper of the first embodiment, the dividing portion extends from the periphery of the opening in a downward direction toward the front to a position forward of the instep portion of the upper body. Therefore, compared to when the dividing portion does not reach the instep portion, the length of the instep portion, which is raised by the instep of the wearer's foot when putting on or taking off the shoe, is longer in the foot length direction, and the opening is wider in the foot length direction. Furthermore, when putting on or taking off the shoe, the instep portion is raised and the width of the dividing portion is widened, which increases the periphery of the instep portion of the upper body, making it easier to put on or take off the shoe.

[0013] On the other hand, in the shoe upper of the first embodiment, the dividing portion does not extend to the waist portion of the upper body, and the waist portion of the upper body is not divided by the dividing portion. If the dividing portion were to extend to the waist portion of the upper body, the instep portion would stand up when walking, which could cause the shoe to slip off or come off when walking. However, with the above configuration, the waist portion of the upper body can firmly hold the area around the arch of the wearer's foot, so the shoe will not slip off or come off while walking, and the holding power is not impaired even if a dividing portion is formed in the upper body.

[0014] As described above, the shoe upper of the first embodiment can provide shoes that can be easily put on and taken off without using hands, without impairing holding power.

[0015] The second form is characterized in that, in the first form, a heel counter is provided in the heel portion of the upper body, and the heel portion of the upper body has an inclined portion above the heel counter that slopes upward toward the rear so that its upper end is located at the rearmost part of the heel portion, and a reinforcing member is provided in the inclined portion.

[0016] In the second embodiment of the shoe upper, a sloping portion is provided above the heel counter in the heel portion of the upper body, sloping upward at the rear so that its upper end is positioned at the rearmost point of the heel portion. With this configuration, when putting on the shoes, the wearer's foot, which is sloping downward at the front, is smoothly guided into the shoe by the sloping portion, and when taking off the shoes, the wearer's foot, which is sloping downward at the front, is smoothly guided out of the shoe without getting caught in the heel portion. Therefore, the second embodiment provides shoes that are easier to put on and take off.

[0017] In addition, in the shoe upper of the second embodiment, a heel counter is provided in the heel portion of the upper body, and a reinforcing member is provided in the inclined portion above the heel counter. By increasing the strength of the heel portion of the upper body in this way, the instep portion is more easily deformed than the heel portion when putting on or taking off the shoe, and the upper body assumes a shape that is suited to the forward downward curve of the wearer's foot when putting on or taking off the shoe. Therefore, according to the second embodiment, putting on or taking off the shoe can be done more smoothly.

[0018] The third form is characterized in that, in the first or second form, a restoring mechanism is further provided around the dividing portion of the upper body that applies a restoring force so that the width of the dividing portion returns to its original state when the width of the dividing portion widens.

[0019] The shoe upper of the third embodiment further includes a restoring mechanism that applies a restoring force to the periphery of the divided portion of the upper body to return the width of the divided portion to its original size when the width of the divided portion widens. Therefore, even if the instep side portion is raised by the instep of the wearer's foot when putting on or taking off the shoe, widening the width of the divided portion, the restoring mechanism quickly restores the width of the divided portion to its original size after putting on or taking off the shoe (whether the shoe is being worn or not), and the circumference of the opening becomes shorter than the widest part of the heel girth of the wearer's foot (the part corresponding to the measurement line of the heel girth of the foot). This improves the fit when the shoe is worn, and allows the shoe to quickly return to its original shape when not being worn.

[0020] The fourth form is characterized in that, in the third form, the restoring mechanism has a first elastic member that extends in a first direction upward at the front across the dividing portion from a lower end attached below the dividing portion around the dividing portion of the upper body, and an upper end attached above the dividing portion around the dividing portion of the upper body, and the first elastic member is configured to stretch when the width of the dividing portion widens, thereby exerting a contraction force on the dividing portion around the dividing portion of the upper body.

[0021] In a fourth embodiment of the shoe upper, the restoring mechanism includes a first elastic member whose lower and upper ends are attached to the upper body around the divided portion, respectively above and below the divided portion, and which extends in a first direction upward toward the front across the divided portion, and the first elastic member is configured to stretch when the width of the divided portion widens, thereby exerting a contractile force on the periphery of the divided portion of the upper body. Therefore, when putting on or taking off the shoe, if the instep side portion is raised by the wearer's instep and the width of the divided portion widens, the first elastic member stretches, and the contractile force (restoring force) of the stretched first elastic member acts on the periphery of the divided portion of the upper body. Therefore, with the shoe upper of the fourth embodiment, the instep side portion raised by the wearer's instep can be quickly returned to its original position or nearby (at least to a position where the circumference of the opening is shorter than the heel girth portion of the wearer's foot) after putting on or taking off the shoe (whether the shoe is being worn or not).

[0022] The fifth form is characterized in that, in the fourth form, the restoring mechanism further has a second elastic member that extends from a lower end attached below the dividing portion of the upper body around the dividing portion in a second direction that is upward toward the front and spans the dividing portion, and whose upper end is attached above the dividing portion around the dividing portion of the upper body, and the second elastic member is configured to stretch when the width of the dividing portion widens and apply a contractile force to the dividing portion around the dividing portion of the upper body, and the second direction is upward relative to the first direction.

[0023] In a fifth embodiment of the shoe upper, the restoring mechanism includes, in addition to the first elastic member, a second elastic member whose lower and upper ends are attached to the upper body around the divided portion, respectively above and below the divided portion, and which extends in a second direction upward in front across the divided portion, and the second elastic member is configured to stretch when the width of the divided portion increases, thereby exerting a contraction force on the periphery of the divided portion of the upper body. Therefore, when putting on or taking off the shoe, when the instep side portion is raised by the instep of the wearer's foot and the width of the divided portion increases, the first and second elastic members stretch, and contraction forces (restoring forces) in two different directions (first and second directions) act on the periphery of the divided portion of the upper body by the stretched first and second elastic members. Therefore, according to the fifth form of shoe upper, after putting on or taking off the shoe (when worn or not worn), the instep side portion raised by the instep of the wearer's foot can be returned more quickly and accurately to its original position or nearby (at least to a position where the circumference of the opening is shorter than the heel girth portion of the wearer's foot).

[0024] In addition, in the fifth form of shoe upper, in addition to the first elastic member, a second elastic member is further provided which extends in a second direction upward from the extension direction (first direction) of the first elastic member and exerts a contractile force in the second direction around the dividing portion of the upper body, making it easier for the shoe to fit the wearer's foot after wearing, improving fit.

[0025] The sixth form is characterized in that, in the fifth form, the restoring mechanism further has a support member having at least a rod-shaped portion attached to the periphery of the dividing portion of the upper body and above the dividing portion so as to protrude to the dividing portion, and the first elastic member and the second elastic member are configured as a single elastic member that is hooked onto the rod-shaped portion of the support member and folded back at the rod-shaped portion, and both ends are fixed at positions shifted in front and behind the lower portion.

[0026] In the sixth embodiment of the shoe upper, the first elastic member and the second elastic member are formed by a single elastic member that is hooked onto and folded back on a rod-shaped portion of a support member that is attached to the upper periphery of the divided portion of the upper body so as to protrude from the divided portion. This allows the restoration mechanism to be provided more compactly than when the first elastic member and the second elastic member are separately attached to the periphery of the divided portion of the upper body.

[0027] The seventh form is characterized in that, in the third form, the dividing portion is a wide V-shaped or U-shaped cutout on the opening side, and the restoring mechanism is attached to the boundary between the upper body and the dividing portion, and has a edging portion that borders two sides of the dividing portion, and a connecting portion made of an elastic material that connects the two sides of the edging portion so that when the angle between the two sides of the edging portion expands, an elastic restoring force acts on the edging portion to return it to its original angle.

[0028] In a seventh form of shoe upper, the dividing portion is formed by a wide V- or U-shaped notch on the opening side, and the restoring mechanism is configured to have a edging portion that is attached to the boundary of the dividing portion of the upper main body and that outlines two sides of the V- or U-shaped dividing portion, and a connecting portion made of an elastic material that connects the two sides of the edging portion so that when the angle between the two sides of the edging portion expands, an elastic restoring force (rotational force) acts on the edging portion to return it to its original angle. Therefore, when putting on or taking off the shoe, if the instep side portion is raised by the instep of the wearer's foot and the width of the dividing portion expands, the angle between the two sides of the edging portion expands, and an elastic restoring force is applied to the edging portion by the connecting portion to return the angle between the two sides to its original angle. Therefore, according to the seventh form of shoe upper, after putting on or taking off the shoe (when worn or not worn), the instep side portion raised by the instep of the wearer's foot can be quickly returned to its original position or nearby (at least to a position where the circumference of the opening is shorter than the heel girth portion of the wearer's foot).

[0029] The eighth form is a shoe comprising a sole having a contact surface that comes into contact with the road surface, and an upper that is fixed to the top of the sole and covers the wearer's foot, characterized in that the upper is a shoe upper related to the first form.

[0030] According to the eighth aspect, by including the shoe upper according to the first aspect, it is possible to provide shoes that can be easily put on and taken off without using hands, without impairing holding ability. [Effects of the Invention]

[0031] As described above, the present invention can provide shoes that can be easily put on and taken off without using hands. [Brief explanation of the drawings]

[0032] [Figure 1] FIG. 1 is a side view of the outer instep side of a shoe having an upper according to a first embodiment. [Figure 2] FIG. 2 is a side view of the medial side of a shoe having the upper of the first embodiment. [Figure 3] FIG. 3 is a plan view of a shoe having the upper of the first embodiment. [Figure 4] FIG. 4 is a side view of the outer instep side of a shoe having an upper according to the second embodiment. [Figure 5] FIG. 5 is a side view of the outer instep side of a shoe having an upper according to the third embodiment. DETAILED DESCRIPTION OF THE INVENTION

[0033] Hereinafter, embodiments of the present invention will be described in detail with reference to the drawings. The following embodiments are merely preferred examples in nature and are not intended to limit the scope of the present invention, its applications, or its uses.

[0034] First Embodiment of the Invention 1 to 3 show a shoe 1 according to a first embodiment of the present invention. This shoe 1 is applicable to sports shoes for various sports such as running, various ball games, and badminton, sneakers for everyday use, rehabilitation shoes, etc. Below, the left shoe shown in Figs. 1 to 3 will be described, and a description of the left shoe configured symmetrically to the left shoe will be omitted.

[0035] In the following description, the terms "upper" (top side) and "lower" (bottom side) refer to the vertical positional relationship of the shoe 1 (the positional relationship in the height direction perpendicular to the surface on which the shoe 1 is placed when placed on a flat surface). The terms "forward" (front side) and "back" (rear side) refer to the positional relationship of the shoe 1 in the foot length direction. The terms "medial side" and "lateral side" refer to the positional relationship of the shoe 1 in the foot width direction.

[0036] -Shoe composition- The shoe 1 includes a sole 10 and an upper (vamp) 20 disposed above the sole.

[0037] <Sole> 1 to 3, the sole 10 includes an outsole 11 and a midsole 12. The sole 10 is provided at the bottom of the shoe 1 and has a ground contact surface 10g that comes into contact with the road surface G.

[0038] The outsole 11 is provided over a range from the front end to the rear end of the sole 10. The outsole 11 is made of a hard elastic material that is harder than the midsole 12. Specifically, suitable materials for the outsole 11 include thermoplastic resins such as ethylene-vinyl acetate copolymer (EVA), thermosetting resins such as polyurethane (PU), or rubber materials such as butadiene rubber and chloroprene rubber. In the first embodiment, the outsole 11 is divided into multiple sections. The lower surfaces of the multiple sections that make up the outsole 11 form a ground contact surface 10g that comes into contact with the road surface G when walking or running.

[0039] The midsole 12 is provided over the entire range from the front end to the rear end of the sole 10, and from the medial end to the lateral end in the foot width direction of the sole 10. The upper surface of the midsole 12 is formed in a curved shape so as to fit along the sole of the shoe wearer's foot, and serves as a sole support surface S that supports the sole of the shoe wearer's foot via an insole (not shown).

[0040] The midsole 12 is formed of a soft elastic material that is lower in hardness than the outsole 11. Specifically, suitable materials for the midsole 12 include, for example, thermoplastic synthetic resins such as ethylene-vinyl acetate copolymer (EVA) and foams thereof, thermosetting resins such as polyurethane (PU) and foams thereof, and rubber materials such as butadiene rubber and chloroprene rubber and foams thereof. The midsole 12 is laminated on the upper side of the outsole 11 by being fixed to the outsole 11 with an adhesive or the like.

[0041] In the first embodiment, the outsole 11 and midsole 12 constitute a sole 10 having a ground contact surface 10g that comes into contact with the road surface.

[0042] <upper> The upper 20 includes an upper body 21 that covers the wearer's foot, a heel cover 22, and a reinforcing core material 23.

[0043] The upper body 21 is provided over a range from the medial side to the lateral side of the upper 20 from the front end to the rear end in the longitudinal direction, and integrally covers the wearer's foot. The material of the upper body 21 is not particularly limited, but it can be made of a stretchable material. Specifically, the upper body 21 can be made of, for example, knitted fabric, woven fabric, nonwoven fabric, mesh material, synthetic leather, artificial leather, natural leather, etc. In the present embodiment 1, the upper body 21 is made in a bag shape using multiple layers of fabric so that cushioning material, a heel counter 24 (described later), and a reinforcing member 25 can be provided inside. The upper body 21 has an opening O that opens around the wearer's ankle.

[0044] In the following description, as shown in Figure 3, the medial side of the medial side of the medial plane M (a vertical plane passing through the center of the foot width direction of the shoe 1) of the upper body 21 is referred to as the medial part 21i of the upper body 21, and the lateral side of the medial side of the medial plane M is referred to as the lateral part 21o of the upper body 21.

[0045] In the first embodiment, the upper body 21 is formed so that the height of the rear end is relatively high. Specifically, the rear end of the upper body 21 is formed so that the upper end covers the wearer's ankle. The upper body 21 is also configured to have an inclined portion 21R that is inclined upward toward the rear, above a heel counter 24 (described later) that is provided in the heel portion. The inclined portion 21R is inclined upward toward the rear, and is provided so that its upper end protrudes rearward so that it is located at the rearmost position in the heel portion of the upper body 21. By providing such an inclined portion 21R in the upper body 21, the inclined portion 21R smoothly guides the wearer's foot from the outside to the inside of the upper body 21 or from the inside to the outside when putting on or taking off the shoe 1.

[0046] Although Figures 1 to 3 show the upper body 21 without shoelaces, the upper body 21 of the upper 20 according to the present invention may have a notch in the center in the width direction of the foot, and the inner upper portion 21i and the outer upper portion 21o may be fastened together by shoelaces above the tongue portion.

[0047] The heel cover 22 covers the heel portion of the upper body 21 from the medial side through the rear end to the lateral side. In this embodiment 1, the heel cover 22 is made of synthetic leather, but the material of the heel cover 22 may be any material as long as it has enough rigidity to reinforce the heel portion of the upper body 21. The heel cover 22 is formed in a downward-sloping shape, with each portion covering the heel portion of the lateral upper portion 21o and medial upper portion 21i of the upper body 21 having a height that decreases toward the front.

[0048] The reinforcing core 23 is formed of a strip-shaped member extending in the front-to-rear direction along the median plane M in the midfoot region in the middle of the front-to-rear direction of the upper body 21, and is sewn to the upper body 21. In the present embodiment 1, the reinforcing core 23 is formed of a fabric that is more rigid than the upper body 21, but the material of the reinforcing core 23 may be any material as long as it has a strength sufficient to prevent an instep side portion 31 (described later) of the upper body 21 from being caught in the interior when the wearer puts on the shoe 1.

[0049] In this embodiment 1, the rear foot portion of the upper body 21 is reinforced to make it less likely to deform. Specifically, a heel counter 24 is provided in the heel portion of the upper body 21, and a reinforcing member 25 is provided in the inclined portion 21R above the heel counter 24 of the upper body 21. In this embodiment 1, the heel counter 24 is provided inside the heel portion of the upper body 21, and the reinforcing member 25 is provided inside the inclined portion 21R.

[0050] The heel counter 24 can be made of, for example, a thermoplastic resin such as thermoplastic polyurethane (TPU), polyamide elastomer (PAE), ABS resin, or ethylene-vinyl acetate copolymer (EVA), a thermosetting resin such as epoxy resin or unsaturated polyester resin, thermoplastic rubber (TPR), or natural or synthetic leather.

[0051] The heel counter 24 is formed in a curved shape that fits along the heel of the wearer's foot, extending from the medial side through the rear end to the lateral side in the heel portion of the upper body 21. In this embodiment 1, the heel counter 24 is formed in the heel portions of the lateral and medial portions 21o and 21i of the upper body 21 in a shape that corresponds to the heel cover 22, that is, a shape that decreases in height toward the front.

[0052] The reinforcing member 25, like the heel counter 24, can be made of a thermoplastic resin such as thermoplastic polyurethane (TPU), polyamide elastomer (PAE), ABS resin, or ethylene-vinyl acetate copolymer (EVA), a thermosetting resin such as epoxy resin or unsaturated polyester resin, thermoplastic rubber (TPR), or natural or synthetic leather.

[0053] The reinforcing member 25 is formed in a curved shape that fits the wearer's ankle, extending from the medial side through the rear end to the lateral side in the inclined portion 21R of the upper body 21. In the present embodiment 1, the reinforcing member 25 is formed in a shape that corresponds to the inclined portion 21R of the upper body 21, i.e., in a rear-rising shape.

[0054] By providing the heel counter 24 and reinforcing member 25 as described above, the rear foot portion of the upper body 21 is reinforced, making it less likely for the rear foot portion of the upper body 21 to deform when putting on or taking off the shoe 1. Although not shown in the drawings in this embodiment 1, cushioning material is provided inside the heel portion of the upper body 21, on the inner side of the heel counter 24 and reinforcing member 25.

[0055] [Divided part] In the upper 20 according to the present invention, a dividing section 30 is formed in at least one of the medial upper section 21i and the lateral upper section 21o of the upper body 21, dividing the medial upper section 21i and the lateral upper section 21o into an instep section 31 and a heel section 32. As shown in FIGS. 1 to 3, in this embodiment 1, the dividing section 30 is formed in both the medial upper section 21i and the lateral upper section 21o of the upper body 21.

[0056] The dividing portion 30 extends in a predetermined downward direction X from the periphery of the opening O in each of the inner instep portion 21i and the outer instep portion 21o of the upper body 21. The predetermined downward direction X is a direction that forms a predetermined angle θ of 30 degrees or more and 50 degrees or less with the horizontal plane, and in this embodiment 1, the angle θ is set to 40 degrees.

[0057] The dividing portion 30 is configured as a U-shaped notch whose width narrows toward the tip. The dividing portion 30 is formed so that its front end is located forward of the instep portion of the upper body 21 and rearward of the waist portion.

[0058] Here, the instep portion of the upper body 21 refers to the portion of the upper body 21 that corresponds to the measurement line of the wearer's instep girth. In the present application, as shown in Fig. 1, when the rear end and front end of the sole supporting surface S are respectively positioned at 0% and 100% in the front-to-back direction of the shoe 1, the instep portion is defined as the portion where the upper body 21 intersects with a predetermined inclined plane Si that passes through a position at 35% in the front-to-back direction of the sole supporting surface S of the sole 10. The inclination angle α of the predetermined inclined plane Si with respect to the horizontal plane is a predetermined angle between 50 degrees and 70 degrees, inclusive, and is 60 degrees in the first embodiment.

[0059] The waist portion of the upper body 21 refers to the portion of the upper body 21 that corresponds to the measurement line of the wearer's waist girth. In the present application, as shown in Fig. 1, when the rear end and front end of the sole supporting surface S are respectively positioned at 0% and 100% in the front-to-back direction of the shoe 1, the waist portion is defined as the portion where the upper body 21 intersects with a predetermined inclined plane Sw that passes through a 50% position in the front-to-back direction of the sole supporting surface S of the sole 10. The inclination angle β of the predetermined inclined plane Sw with respect to the horizontal plane is a predetermined angle between 50 degrees and 70 degrees, inclusive, and is 60 degrees in the first embodiment.

[0060] The inclination angles α and β are set so that the instep portion and the waist portion do not intersect in the upper body 21. Specifically, the inclination angles α and β are set so that the upper end of the instep portion (the portion on the median plane M) is located behind the upper end of the waist portion (the portion on the median plane M).

[0061] [Restoration mechanism] The upper 20 according to the present invention further includes a restoring mechanism 40 that, when the width of the divided portion 30 formed in the upper main body 21 increases, applies a restoring force to the periphery of the divided portion 30 of the upper main body 21 so that the width of the divided portion 30 returns to its original state. In the first embodiment, the restoring mechanism 40 includes a first elastic member 41 and a second elastic member 42.

[0062] The first elastic member 41 and the second elastic member 42 are both strip-shaped members made of an elastic material. The lower ends of both the first elastic member 41 and the second elastic member 42 are attached around the dividing portion 30 of the upper main body 21 below the dividing portion 30, and extend in a direction upward toward the front across the dividing portion 30. The first elastic member 41 extends in a first direction Y1 upward toward the front, and the second elastic member 42 extends in a second direction Y2 upward from the first direction Y1. The upper ends of both the first elastic member 41 and the second elastic member 42 are attached around the dividing portion 30 of the upper main body 21 above the dividing portion 30.

[0063] The first elastic member 41 and the second elastic member 42 are configured to stretch when the width of the divided portion 30 increases, and to exert a contraction force (the first elastic member 41 exerts a contraction force in the first direction Y1, and the second elastic member 42 exerts a contraction force in the second direction Y2) on the periphery of the divided portion 30 of the upper body 21. In the first embodiment, the contraction forces of the first elastic member 41 and the second elastic member 42 serve as the restoring force.

[0064] In the first embodiment, the first elastic member 41 and the second elastic member 42 are configured by an elastic member 43, which is a single strip-shaped member made of an elastic material. The restoring mechanism 40 also has an annular member (support member) 44 attached to the periphery of the separated portion 30 of the upper main body 21, above the separated portion 30, so as to protrude into the separated portion 30. The annular member 44 is attached to the tip of a strip-shaped support member 45, the base end of which is attached to the upper main body 21 above the separated portion 30. The elastic member 43 is hooked onto a rod-shaped portion of the annular member 44 and folded back at the rod-shaped portion, with the portion extending in the first direction Y1 configuring the first elastic member 41 and the portion extending in the second direction Y2 configuring the second elastic member 42.

[0065] -Upper performance- (Easy to put on and take off) When putting on or taking off the shoes 1, the wearer's foot is tilted downward at the front, and the thickest heel girth part of the foot (the part corresponding to the measurement line of the heel girth of the foot) passes through the opening O. Therefore, if the circumference of the opening O is shorter than the heel girth part of the wearer's foot, the heel girth part of the wearer's foot will get caught near the opening O when putting on or taking off the shoes 1, which will increase frictional resistance and make it difficult to insert the foot into the shoes 1 and also difficult to remove the foot from the shoes 1.

[0066] In this embodiment 1, a dividing section 30 is formed in the medial instep section 21i and the lateral instep section 21o of the upper body 21, and the dividing section 30 divides a portion (the rear half) of the medial instep section 21i and the lateral instep section 21o into an instep section 31 above the dividing section 30 and a heel section 32 below the dividing section 30. With this configuration, when putting on or taking off the shoe 1, the instep section 31 is raised by the wearer's instep, which is tilted downward from the front, so that the inclination angle with respect to the ground surface 10g is larger than when the shoe is being worn or not. This widens the dividing section 30, and the opening O widens in the foot length direction. At this time, because the periphery of the opening O is also divided front and back by the dividing section 30 and is not annular, the opening O does not narrow in the foot width direction when it widens in the foot length direction, and the circumference of the opening O increases, widening the opening O. This prevents the wearer's foot from getting caught in the heel girth when putting on or taking off the shoe 1, and reduces frictional resistance, making it easier for the wearer to insert or remove their foot into or from the shoe 1. In other words, putting on or taking off the shoe 1 becomes easier.

[0067] Furthermore, in this embodiment 1, the dividing portion 30 extends from the periphery of the opening O in the downward-forward direction X to a position forward of the instep portion of the upper body 21. Therefore, compared to when the dividing portion 30 does not reach the instep portion, the length in the foot length direction of the instep side portion 31, which is raised by the instep of the wearer when putting on or taking off the shoe, is longer, and the opening O is wider in the foot length direction. Furthermore, when putting on or taking off the shoe 1, the instep side portion 31 is raised and the width of the dividing portion 30 is widened, which increases the periphery of the instep portion of the upper body 21, making it easier to put on or take off the shoe 1.

[0068] Furthermore, in this embodiment 1, the upper body 21 is configured to have an inclined portion 21R above the heel counter 24 that is inclined upward at the rear so that its upper end is located at the rearmost part of the heel. With this configuration, when putting on the shoes 1, the wearer's foot, which is inclined downward at the front, is smoothly guided into the shoes 1 by the inclined portion 21R, and when taking off the shoes 1, the wearer's foot, which is inclined downward at the front, is smoothly guided out of the shoes 1 by the inclined portion 21R without getting caught in the heel. In other words, putting on and taking off the shoes 1 becomes smooth.

[0069] (holding ability, fit) If the dividing portion 30 extends too far in the front downward direction X and reaches the waist portion, the instep portion 31 will stand up even when walking, which may cause the shoe 1 to slip off or come off when walking.

[0070] In the first embodiment, the dividing portion 30 does not extend to the waist portion of the upper body 21, and the waist portion of the upper body 21 is not divided by the dividing portion 30. Therefore, the waist portion of the upper body 21 can firmly hold the area around the arch of the wearer's foot, preventing the shoe 1 from slipping or coming off while walking, and even if the dividing portion 30 is formed in the upper body 21, the holding ability is not impaired.

[0071] Furthermore, in the present embodiment 1, the upper 20 further includes a restoring mechanism 40 that applies a restoring force to the periphery of the divided portion 30 of the upper main body 21 so that the width of the divided portion 30 returns to its original width when the width of the divided portion 30 increases. Therefore, even if the instep side portion 31 is raised by the instep of the wearer's foot and the width of the divided portion 30 increases when the shoe 1 is put on or taken off, the restoring mechanism 40 quickly restores the width of the divided portion 30 to its original width after the shoe 1 is put on or taken off (when the shoe 1 is being worn or not). Specifically, in the present embodiment 1, when the instep side portion 31 is raised by the instep of the wearer's foot and the width of the divided portion 30 increases when the shoe 1 is put on or taken off, the elastic members 43 (the first elastic members 41 and the second elastic members 42) stretch, and contractile forces (contractile forces in the first direction Y1 and the second direction Y2) of the stretched elastic members 43 act on the periphery of the divided portion 30 of the upper main body 21. Therefore, in the first embodiment, the instep portion 31, which is raised by the instep of the wearer when putting on or taking off the shoes 1, quickly returns to its original position or to a position close to it (at least a position where the circumference of the opening O is shorter than the heel girth portion of the wearer's foot) after putting on or taking off the shoes 1 (when the shoes are worn or not worn). This improves the fit of the shoes 1 when they are worn, and allows the shoes 1 to quickly return to their original shape when not worn.

[0072] Furthermore, as described above, if the upper 20 includes the divided portion 30, when the wearer's foot lifts the upper 20 after putting on the shoe 1, for example, while walking, the width of the divided portion 30 increases, causing the instep portion 31 to rise, which could result in the shoe 1 slipping off or coming off while walking. However, in this embodiment 1, the restoration mechanism 40 is provided. Even if the width of the divided portion 30 attempts to increase when the wearer's foot lifts the upper 20, the contractile force of the elastic members 43 (the first elastic member 41 and the second elastic member 42) acts to prevent the width of the divided portion 30 from increasing and the instep portion 31 from rising. Therefore, the upper main body 21 can firmly hold the wearer's foot, preventing the shoe 1 from slipping off or coming off while walking. In particular, by providing the second elastic member 42, which exerts a contractile force in the second direction Y2, around the divided portion 30 of the upper main body 21, the shoe 1 can more easily fit the wearer's foot after wearing, improving fit.

[0073] -Effects of the first embodiment- As described above, in the upper 20 of the first embodiment, the medial instep portion 21i and the lateral instep portion 21o of the upper body 21 are formed with a dividing section 30 consisting of a notch extending in the forward downward direction X from the periphery of the opening O, and the dividing section 30 divides a portion (the rear half) of the upper body 21 into an instep side portion 31 above the dividing section 30 and a heel side portion 32 below the dividing section 30. With this configuration, when putting on or taking off the shoe 1, the instep side portion 31 is raised by the wearer's instep, which is tilted downward in the forward direction, so that the inclination angle with respect to the ground surface 10g is larger than when the shoe is being worn or not, thereby widening the dividing section 30 and widening the opening O in the foot length direction. In addition, the periphery of the opening O is also divided into front and back by a dividing portion and is not annular, so that when the opening O widens in the foot length direction, the opening O does not narrow in the foot width direction, and the circumference of the opening O increases, widening the opening O. This prevents the wearer's foot from getting caught when putting on or taking off the shoes 1, and reduces frictional resistance, making it easier for the wearer to insert and remove their foot into and from the shoes 1. In other words, putting on and taking off the shoes 1 becomes easier.

[0074] Furthermore, in the upper 20 of this embodiment 1, the dividing portion 30 extends from the periphery of the opening O in the downward-forward direction X to a position forward of the instep portion of the upper body 21. Therefore, compared to when the dividing portion 30 does not reach the instep portion, the length in the foot length direction of the instep side portion 31, which is raised by the instep of the wearer when putting on or taking off the shoe, is longer, and the opening O is wider in the foot length direction. Furthermore, when putting on or taking off the shoe 1, the instep side portion 31 is raised and the width of the dividing portion 30 is widened, which increases the periphery of the instep portion of the upper body 21, making it easier to put on or take off the shoe 1.

[0075] On the other hand, in the upper 20 of the present embodiment 1, the dividing portion 30 does not extend to the waist portion of the upper body 21, and the waist portion of the upper body 21 is not divided by the dividing portion 30. If the dividing portion 30 were extended to the waist portion of the upper body 21, the instep portion 31 would stand up when walking, which could cause the shoe 1 to slip off or come off when walking. However, with the above configuration, the waist portion of the upper body 21 can firmly hold the area around the arch of the wearer's foot, preventing the shoe 1 from slipping off or coming off while walking, and even if the dividing portion 30 is formed in the upper body 21, the holding ability is not impaired.

[0076] As described above, according to the first embodiment, it is possible to provide shoes 1 that can be easily put on and taken off without using hands, without impairing holding ability.

[0077] Furthermore, in the upper 20 of the first embodiment, an inclined portion 21R is provided above the heel counter 24 in the heel portion of the upper body 21, inclined upward at the rear so that its upper end is located at the rearmost part of the heel portion. With this configuration, when putting on the shoes 1, the wearer's foot, which is inclined downward at the front, is smoothly guided into the shoes 1 by the inclined portion 21R, and when taking off the shoes 1, the wearer's foot, which is inclined downward at the front, is smoothly guided out of the shoes 1 without getting caught in the heel portion. Therefore, the first embodiment can provide a shoe 1 that is easier to put on and take off.

[0078] Furthermore, in the upper 20 of this embodiment 1, a heel counter 24 is provided in the heel portion of the upper main body 21, and a reinforcing member 25 is provided in the inclined portion 21R above the heel counter 24. By increasing the strength of the heel portion of the upper main body 21 in this way, the instep portion 31 is more easily deformed than the heel portion 32 when putting on or taking off the shoe 1, and the upper main body 21 assumes a shape that is suited to the forward downward shape of the wearer's foot when putting on or taking off the shoe. Therefore, the upper 20 of this embodiment 1 allows the shoe 1 to be put on or taken off more smoothly.

[0079] Furthermore, the upper 20 of the present embodiment 1 is further provided with a restoring mechanism 40 that applies a restoring force to the periphery of the separated portion 30 of the upper body 21 so that the width of the separated portion 30 returns to its original width when the width of the separated portion 30 widens. Therefore, even if the instep side portion 31 is raised by the instep of the wearer's foot when putting on or taking off the shoe 1, and the width of the separated portion 30 widens, the restoring mechanism 40 will quickly return the width of the separated portion 30 to its original width after putting on or taking off the shoe 1 (when wearing or not wearing the shoe 1).

[0080] Specifically, in the upper 20 of the first embodiment, the restoring mechanism 40 has a first elastic member 41 attached at its lower and upper ends to the periphery of the divided portion 30 of the upper main body 21, respectively above and below the divided portion 30, and extending in a first direction Y1 in a rising direction across the divided portion 30, the first elastic member 41 being configured to stretch when the width of the divided portion 30 increases, thereby exerting a contraction force on the periphery of the divided portion 30 of the upper main body 21. With this configuration, when the instep side portion 31 is raised by the instep of the wearer's foot and the width of the divided portion 30 increases when the shoe 1 is put on or taken off, the first elastic member 41 stretches, and the contraction force (restoration force) of the stretched first elastic member 41 acts on the periphery of the divided portion 30 of the upper main body 21. Therefore, according to the upper 20 of this embodiment 1, after putting on or taking off the shoe 1 (when worn or not worn), the instep side portion 31, which has been raised by the instep of the wearer's foot, can be quickly returned to its original position or nearby (at least to a position where the circumference of the opening O is shorter than the heel girth portion of the wearer's foot).

[0081] Furthermore, in the upper 20 of the first embodiment, the restoring mechanism 40 further includes, in addition to the first elastic member 41, a second elastic member 42 whose lower and upper ends are attached to the upper main body 21 around the dividing portion 30, respectively above and below the dividing portion 30, and which extends in the second direction Y2 so as to extend upward in the front across the dividing portion 30, and the second elastic member 42 is configured to stretch when the width of the dividing portion 30 increases, thereby exerting a contraction force on the periphery of the dividing portion 30 of the upper main body 21. With this configuration, when the instep side portion 31 is raised by the instep of the wearer's foot and the width of the dividing portion 30 increases when the shoe 1 is put on or taken off, the first and second elastic members 41, 42 stretch, and contraction forces (restoring forces) in two different directions (the first direction Y1 and the second direction Y2) act on the periphery of the dividing portion 30 of the upper main body 21 by the stretched first and second elastic members 41, 42. Therefore, according to the upper 20 of this embodiment 1, after putting on or taking off the shoe 1 (when worn or not worn), the instep side portion 31, which has been raised by the instep of the wearer's foot, can be more quickly and accurately returned to its original position or nearby (at least to a position where the circumference of the opening O is shorter than the heel girth portion of the wearer's foot).

[0082] Furthermore, in the upper 20 of this embodiment 1, in addition to the first elastic member 41, a second elastic member 42 is further provided which extends in a second direction Y2 upward from the extension direction (first direction Y1) of the first elastic member 41 and exerts a contraction force in the second direction Y2 around the dividing portion 30 of the upper main body 21, thereby making it easier for the shoe 1 to fit the wearer's foot after wearing, improving the fit.

[0083] Furthermore, in the upper 20 of this embodiment 1, the first elastic member 41 and the second elastic member 42 are configured from a single elastic member 43 that is hooked onto and folded back on a rod-shaped portion of an annular member 44 that is attached to the upper periphery of the divided portion 30 of the upper main body 21 so as to protrude into the divided portion 30. Therefore, the restoration mechanism 40 can be provided more compactly than when the first elastic member 41 and the second elastic member 42 are separately attached to the periphery of the divided portion 30 of the upper main body 21.

[0084] Second Embodiment of the Invention The shoe 1 of the second embodiment is obtained by partially modifying the configuration of the upper 20 of the shoe 1 of the first embodiment. Specifically, in the second embodiment, as shown in Fig. 4, the upper 20 does not include a restoring mechanism 40. Even with this configuration, by forming a separating portion 30 in the upper body 21, it is possible to provide a shoe 1 that can be easily put on and taken off without using hands, just like the first embodiment.

[0085] Third Embodiment of the Invention The shoe 1 of the third embodiment is obtained by partially modifying the configuration of the upper 20 of the shoe 1 of the first embodiment.

[0086] Specifically, in the third embodiment, as shown in Fig. 5, the dividing portion 30 is configured as a wide V-shaped notch on the opening O side. The restoring mechanism 40 is configured to have a edging portion 46 and a connecting portion 47. The other configurations are the same as those of the first embodiment.

[0087] The edging portion 46 is attached to the boundary between the upper body 21 and the dividing portion 30, and is composed of two strip-shaped members that hem two sides of the V-shaped dividing portion 30. In the third embodiment, the edging portion 46 is composed of an elastic material. Any material may be used as the elastic material that constitutes the edging portion 46 as long as it has a hardness that prevents it from bending when an elastic restoring force from the connecting portion 47, which will be described later, acts on it. Suitable examples of the elastic material that constitutes the edging portion 46 include thermoplastic resins such as ethylene-vinyl acetate copolymer (EVA), thermosetting resins such as polyurethane (PU), and rubber materials such as butadiene rubber and chloroprene rubber.

[0088] The connecting portion 47 is provided between the two sides 46a, 46b of the edging portion 46 and connects the two sides 46a, 46b. In the third embodiment, the connecting portion 47 is formed in a C-shape, and the two ends of the connecting portion 47 are connected to the two sides 46a, 46b of the edging portion 46. The connecting portion 47 is made of an elastic material so that, when the angle formed by the two sides 46a, 46b of the edging portion 46 increases, an elastic restoring force (rotational force) acts on the edging portion 46 to return it to its original angle. Note that, in the third embodiment, the edging portion 46 and the connecting portion 47 are integrally molded from the same elastic material. The elastic material constituting the connecting portion 47 may be any material that generates the elastic restoring force (rotational force). However, suitable elastic materials include thermoplastic resins such as ethylene-vinyl acetate copolymer (EVA), thermosetting resins such as polyurethane (PU), and rubber materials such as butadiene rubber and chloroprene rubber.

[0089] With the restoring mechanism 40 configured as described above, in the third embodiment, when the instep side portion 31 is raised by the wearer's instep and the width of the divided portion 30 increases during putting on or taking off the shoe 1, the angle formed by the two sides 46a, 46b of the edging 46 increases, and an elastic restoring force (rotational force) that returns the angle formed by the two sides 46a, 46b to its original angle acts on the edging 46 via the connecting portion 47. As a result, the upper body 21 is pulled by the edging 46, and the width of the divided portion 30 quickly returns to its original width. Therefore, with the upper 20 of the third embodiment as well, the instep side portion 31, which has been raised by the wearer's instep, can be quickly returned to its original position or nearby (at least to a position where the circumference of the opening O is shorter than the heel girth portion of the wearer's foot) after putting on or taking off the shoe 1 (when worn or not worn).

[0090] Other Embodiments In the first to third embodiments, the dividing portion 30 is configured as a notch. However, the dividing portion 30 may be configured as a slit extending from the periphery of the opening O in the downward direction X toward the front. Even if the dividing portion 30 is configured as a slit, as in the first to third embodiments, the opening O can be widened and the periphery of the instep portion of the upper body can be lengthened when putting on or taking off the shoe 1, making it easier to put on or take off the shoe 1. Furthermore, by positioning the tip of the slit (the front end of the dividing portion 30) behind the waist portion of the upper body 21, forming the dividing portion 30 in the upper body 21 does not impair holdability, as in the first to third embodiments. Therefore, even if the dividing portion 30 is configured as a slit, a shoe 1 can be provided that can be easily put on or taken off without using hands, without impairing holdability.

[0091] Furthermore, in the above-described embodiments 1 to 3, the dividing portion 30 was formed in both the medial upper portion 21i and the lateral upper portion 21o of the upper body 21, but it may be provided in only one of them. Even if the dividing portion 30 is formed in only one of the medial upper portion 21i and the lateral upper portion 21o of the upper body 21, as in the above-described embodiments 1 to 3, the opening O can be widened when putting on or taking off the shoe 1, and the perimeter of the instep portion of the upper body can be lengthened, making it easier to put on and take off the shoe 1. Note that, when forming the dividing portion 30 in only one of the medial upper portion 21i and the lateral upper portion 21o of the upper body 21, it is preferable to form it in the medial upper portion 21i.

[0092] Furthermore, in the above-described first to third embodiments, the dividing portion 30 is configured as a U-shaped or V-shaped notch, but the shape of the notch is not limited to a U-shape or a V-shape.

[0093] Furthermore, in the third embodiment, the dividing portion 30 is configured as a V-shaped notch, but the dividing portion 30 may be configured as a U-shaped notch. Furthermore, the two sides of the dividing portion 30 configured as a V-shaped or U-shaped notch and the two sides 46a, 46b of the edging portion 46 that borders the two sides of the dividing portion 30 do not necessarily have to be straight, and even if they are curved, the same effect as in the third embodiment can be achieved.

[0094] Furthermore, in the above-described first to third embodiments, the heel portion of the upper body 21 is configured to have the inclined portion 21R, but the heel portion of the upper body 21 does not have to have the inclined portion 21R.

[0095] Furthermore, in the above embodiments 1 to 3, the heel counter 24 is provided inside the heel portion of the upper body 21, and the reinforcing member 25 is provided inside the inclined portion 21R, but the heel counter 24 may be provided outside the heel portion of the upper body 21, and similarly, the reinforcing member 25 may be provided outside the inclined portion 21R.

[0096] Furthermore, in the above-mentioned first to third embodiments, the heel counter 24 and the reinforcing member 25 are configured as separate members, but the heel counter 24 and the reinforcing member 25 may be configured as a single member. In this case, the heel counter 24 and the reinforcing member 25 configured as a single member may be provided inside the upper main body 21 or may be provided outside the upper main body 21.

[0097] Furthermore, in the above-described first embodiment, the first elastic member 41 and the second elastic member 42 of the restoring mechanism 40 are configured as a single elastic member 43, but they may be configured as separate elastic members and separately attached to the upper body 21. Furthermore, the restoring mechanism 40 may not have the second elastic member 42.

[0098] Furthermore, in the above-mentioned embodiment 1, the first elastic member 41 and the second elastic member 42 of the restoring mechanism 40 were strip-shaped members made of an elastic material, but they do not have to be strip-shaped members as long as they are made of an elastic material and extend in the first direction Y1 and the second direction Y2, respectively, and they may be rod-shaped members or string-shaped members.

[0099] Furthermore, in the above-described first embodiment, the elastic member 43 is hooked onto the rod-shaped portion of the annular member 44 and folded back to be supported by the annular member 44, but the member that folds back to support the elastic member 43 is not limited to the annular member 44. Any member that has a rod-shaped portion attached to the upper periphery of the dividing portion 30 of the upper body 21 so as to protrude into the dividing portion 30 does not have to be the annular member 44, and may be a simple rod-shaped member.

[0100] In addition, in the above embodiment 3, the restoration mechanism 40 may further have an opening portion that is formed integrally with the edging portion 46 so as to be continuous with the edging portion 46, and is attached to the opening O of the upper body 21 to edge the opening O.

[0101] Furthermore, in the above-mentioned embodiment 3, the shape of the connecting portion 47 is not limited to a C-shape, and may be any shape as long as it can apply an elastic restoring force (rotational force) to the edging portion 46 to return it to its original angle when the angle formed by the two sides 46a, 46b of the edging portion 46 increases. [Industrial Applicability]

[0102] As described above, the present invention is useful for uppers and shoes. [Explanation of symbols]

[0103] 1. Shoes 10 soles 10g ground plane 20 Upper 21 Upper body 21R Slope section 21i Medial instep 21o outer carapace 24 Heel Counter 25 Reinforcement member 30 Divided section 31 Instep side part 32 Heel side part 40 Restoration mechanism 41 First elastic member 42 second elastic member 43 Elastic member 44 Annular member (support member) 46 Edge 46a Edge of border 46b Edge of border 47 Connecting part G road surface X Extension direction of the dividing part (downward in front) Y1 1st direction Y2 2nd direction

Claims

1. A shoe upper has an opening that opens around the ankle of a wearer, and an upper body that is fixed to an upper part of a shoe sole and covers the wearer's foot, A dividing portion consisting of a cut or notch extending in a front downward direction from the periphery of the opening is formed on at least one of the inner and outer instep portions of the upper body, a front end of the dividing portion is located forward of an instep portion of the upper body and rearward of a waist portion; The instep portion is a portion where a first inclined surface, which passes through a position of 35% in the front-to-rear direction of the sole support surface and has an inclination angle of 50 degrees or more and 70 degrees or less with respect to a horizontal plane, intersects with the upper body, when the rear end of the sole support surface of the sole is positioned at 0% in the front-to-rear direction and the front end is positioned at 100% in the front-to-rear direction, the waist portion is a portion where a second inclined surface, which passes through a 50% position in the front-rear direction of the sole support surface and has an inclination angle of 50 degrees or more and 70 degrees or less with respect to a horizontal plane, intersects with the upper body; The upper body is configured so that the heel side portion below the dividing portion is stronger than the instep side portion, so that the instep side portion above the dividing portion is raised by the instep of the wearer, which is inclined downward in front, when putting on or taking off the shoe. A shoe upper characterized by:

2. 2. The shoe upper according to claim 1, A heel counter is provided on the heel portion of the upper body, The heel portion of the upper body has an inclined portion above the heel counter that is inclined upward toward the rear so that an upper end portion thereof is located at the rearmost position of the heel portion, The inclined portion is provided with a reinforcing member. A shoe upper characterized by the above.

3. The shoe upper according to claim 1 or 2, The shoe further includes a restoring mechanism that applies a restoring force to the periphery of the divided portion of the upper body so that the width of the divided portion returns to its original state when the width of the divided portion increases. A shoe upper characterized by:

4. The shoe upper according to claim 3, the restoring mechanism has a first elastic member that extends in a first direction upwardly to the front across the divided portion from a lower end attached to the upper body around the divided portion below the divided portion, and has an upper end attached to the upper body around the divided portion above the divided portion, The first elastic member is configured to stretch when the width of the divided portion increases, thereby exerting a contraction force on the periphery of the divided portion of the upper body. A shoe upper characterized by:

5. The shoe upper according to claim 4, the restoring mechanism further includes a second elastic member that extends in a second direction upwardly to the front across the dividing portion from a lower end attached to the upper body around the dividing portion below the dividing portion, and has an upper end attached to the upper body around the dividing portion above the dividing portion, the second elastic member is configured to stretch when the width of the divided portion increases, thereby exerting a contractile force on the periphery of the divided portion of the upper body; The second direction is upward relative to the first direction. A shoe upper characterized by:

6. 6. The shoe upper according to claim 5, the restoring mechanism further includes a support member having at least a rod-shaped portion attached to the periphery of the divided portion of the upper body and above the divided portion so as to protrude from the divided portion, The first elastic member and the second elastic member are configured as a single elastic member that is hooked onto the rod-shaped portion of the support member and folded back at the rod-shaped portion, and both ends of which are fixed to positions shifted forward and backward below the dividing portion of the upper body. A shoe upper characterized by:

7. The shoe upper according to claim 3, The dividing portion is a V-shaped or U-shaped cutout having a wide opening side, The above-mentioned restoration mechanism is a border portion attached to the boundary between the upper body and the divided portion and bordering two sides of the divided portion; and a connecting portion made of an elastic material that connects the two sides of the edging portion so that, when the angle between the two sides of the edging portion increases, an elastic restoring force that returns the angle to the original angle acts on the edging portion. A shoe upper characterized by:

8. A shoe comprising a sole having a ground contact surface that comes into contact with a road surface, and an upper that is fixed to an upper portion of the sole and covers a wearer's foot, The upper is a shoe upper according to claim 1. These shoes are characterized by:

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