shoes

Abstract

To provide shoes in which the counter is less likely to be deformed or broken than conventional shoes. [Solution] The shoe disclosed herein is configured such that a tread area is provided above the counter, and a flexion area is provided at a position on the tread area that does not come into contact with the counter. When a force is applied to the tread area in the stepping direction, the tread area flexes backward with the flexion area as a fulcrum. The tread area may have elasticity that allows it to return to its original position when the force in the stepping direction is released. The counter may be provided between the upper and the lining in the heel area, with part of the tread area positioned between the upper and the lining. The tread area may be sewn to the upper and lining above its lower end, with the sewn area functioning as the flexion area.

Description

[Technical Field]

[0001] The present invention relates to shoes. [Background technology]

[0002] Conventionally, shoes have been known that have a guide section above the heel section that guides the foot into the shoe opening. This shoe has a core material built into the heel section and a cushioning material built into the guide section, and is configured so that when the user's foot is not placed on the guide section, the cushioning material of the guide section and the upper end of the core material are in contact, and when the user's foot is placed on the guide section, the upper end of the inner side of the core material is covered by the cushioning material (Patent Document 1).

[0003] According to the shoe of Patent Document 1, the guide portion is unlikely to cause discomfort to the wearer's (user's) feet, and the guide portion is used to ensure that the convenience of putting on the footwear is not impaired. [Prior art documents] [Patent documents]

[0004] [Patent Document 1] Patent No. 7530133 Summary of the Invention [Problem to be solved by the invention]

[0005] Incidentally, the core material (so-called counter) built into the heel section plays a role in maintaining the shape of the shoe and protecting the foot. If the counter becomes deformed or damaged, it may no longer be able to perform its role of maintaining the shape of the shoe and protecting the foot, so it is desirable for the shoe counter to be constructed in a way that makes it resistant to deterioration.

[0006] However, in cases where the shoe is configured so that the upper end of the inside of the counter is covered with cushioning material when the user places their foot on the guide portion, as in the shoe of Patent Document 1, when the user places their foot on the guide portion and puts their weight on it, a load is placed on the counter, which may hasten deformation or breakage, and there is room for improvement in this regard.

[0007] The present invention has been made in view of the above circumstances, and the problem to be solved is to provide a new shoe in which the counter is less likely to be deformed or damaged. [Means for solving the problem]

[0008] The shoe of the present application is configured such that a stepping part is provided above the counter, a bending part is provided at a position of the stepping part that does not come into contact with the counter, and when a force is applied to the stepping part in the stepping direction, the stepping part bends backward with the bending part as a fulcrum. Note that in this application, "bending" means the degree of bending or warping, and is a concept that includes curving in a curved line. [Effects of the Invention]

[0009] The shoes disclosed in this application have a bending portion at a position that does not come into contact with the counter of the tread area, and are configured to bend backward using that bending portion as a fulcrum, so that the counter is less likely to be loaded and is less likely to deform or break compared to conventional shoes. [Brief explanation of the drawings]

[0010] [Figure 1] FIG. 1 is a perspective view showing an example of a shoe. [Figure 2] Cross-section of the shoe in Figure 1. [Figure 3] Enlarged view of a portion of Figure 2. [Figure 4] (a) to (c) are explanatory diagrams of the operation of the stepping part. DETAILED DESCRIPTION OF THE INVENTION

[0011] (Embodiment) An example of an embodiment of the shoe of the present application will be described with reference to the drawings. As an example, the shoe shown in Fig. 1 is a low boot having an upper 10 and a sole (outsole) 20. The low boot here refers to a shoe that is deep enough to expose the ankle.

[0012] The upper 10 is a member that covers the top side of the wearer's foot. The upper 10 includes an instep portion 10a that covers the instep, a toe portion 10b that covers the toes, a heel portion 10c that covers the heel, and an opening 11 through which the wearer puts their foot in and out.

[0013] The upper 10 is formed by sewing together a plurality of parts such as an instep, wings, a tongue, a waist, etc. The upper 10 can be formed from various materials such as natural leather, synthetic leather, patent leather, knit material, etc.

[0014] As shown in Fig. 2, a lining material 12 is provided on the inside of the upper 10. The lining material 12 can be made of various materials such as natural leather, synthetic leather, natural fiber, synthetic fiber, nylon, etc. In this embodiment, the lining material 12 is a tabi-shaped member made of a waterproof and breathable material.

[0015] As shown in Figures 2 and 3, a counter 13 is built into the heel portion 10c between the upper 10 and the lining 12. The counter 13 protects the heel of the wearer and maintains the shape of the heel portion 10c of the shoe. In this embodiment, the counter 13 is a generally U-shaped member in a plan view, with a recess that covers the heel. There are no restrictions on the height of the counter 13, but it can be, for example, about 45 to 50 mm.

[0016] The counter 13 can be made of various materials. It is preferable to use a material (high hardness material) that has a hardness that does not deform (is difficult to deform) even when a load from the wearer is applied to the counter 13.

[0017] An example of a high-hardness material is a hard TPR material (thermoplastic rubber) having a hardness of 50D to 55D according to JIS K6253-3. In this embodiment, the counter 13 is made of a hard TPR material having a hardness of 53D according to JIS K6253-3. However, the counter 13 can also be made of various high-hardness materials other than the hard TPR material.

[0018] Above the counter 13 is provided a stepping portion 14 that is stepped on near the heel of the wearer when inserting the foot into the shoe opening 11. The stepping portion 14 shown in Figure 3 is equipped with an elastically deformable body 14a. The elastically deformable body 14a has an elastic force that causes it to bend backward when stepped on and return to its original position (standing position) when the stepping is released.

[0019] As shown in Figure 2, the stepping part 14 is tilted backward from a reference line L that is perpendicular to the shoe's ground surface B when the wearer is in a standing position. This backward tilt has the advantage of making the stepping part 14 less likely to be rolled inward when stepped on by the wearer's foot. There are no restrictions on the backward tilt angle θ of the stepping part 14, and it can be, for example, approximately 10 to 45 degrees. However, these values ​​are merely examples, and the backward tilt angle θ may be greater or less than this.

[0020] The elastically deformable body 14a in this embodiment is a tongue-shaped member with a curved surface on the inside that follows the shape of the heel. The elastically deformable body 14a is shaped so that it gradually becomes thinner toward its lower end. The elastically deformable body 14a can be made of various elastically deformable materials, including EVA (ethylene-vinyl acetate copolymer).

[0021] When using an EVA material, for example, one having a resilience of 30% or more, preferably about 30 to 40%, based on JIS K6400-3, and a hardness of C50 or more, preferably about C50 to C55, based on JIS K7312 can be used. The values ​​given here are merely examples, and other resilience and hardness values ​​may also be used.

[0022] The elastically deformable body 14a is covered together with the periphery of the opening 11 by a stretchable covering material 15 that covers the periphery of the opening 11. Various materials can be used for the stretchable covering material 15. In this embodiment, a material containing CR rubber (chloroprene rubber), a type of synthetic rubber (hereinafter referred to as "CR rubber material") is used as the stretchable covering material 15.

[0023] An example of a CR rubber material is one in which CR rubber material containing air bubbles is sandwiched between fabrics such as nylon, in other words, a material in which the outside (surface) of a CR rubber material containing air bubbles is covered with fabric such as nylon. CR rubber material has properties such as elasticity, abrasion resistance, water resistance, weather resistance, heat resistance, and cold resistance.

[0024] The bending of the stepping part 14 causes the length of the opening 11 to increase in the front-to-back direction (widen in the front-to-back direction), making it easier to put the foot into the opening 11. In particular, if the elastically deformable body 14a is covered with a material with a certain degree of stretchability that covers the periphery of the opening 11, as in this embodiment, when the stepping part 14 is stepped on by the wearer, the stepping part 14 tilts backward and the opening 11 is pulled backward, making it easier for the length of the opening 11 in the front-to-back direction to increase.

[0025] As an example, in this embodiment (lace-up shoes of size 25 cm), the length of the opening 11 in the front-to-back direction is approximately 110-120 mm when the stepping part 14 is not pressed down, and the length of the opening 11 in the front-to-back direction is approximately 130-140 mm when the stepping part 14 is pressed down. The length (width) of the stepping part 14 when pressed down is about the same as that of a typical slip-on shoe, and is a length (width) that can be easily put on without using hands.

[0026] When the rear side of the opening 11 is pulled and the length of the opening 11 in the front-to-back direction increases, the length of the opening 11 in the width direction decreases slightly (the width decreases), but this does not significantly affect the ease of putting on the shoe. After the foot is placed inside the shoe, the periphery of the opening 11 returns to its original shape due to the contraction force of the stretch covering material 15, providing a comfortable fit.

[0027] Figure 3 is an enlarged detailed view of the internal structure of the heel portion 10c of the shoe. As shown in Figure 3, the tread portion 14 is sandwiched between the upper 10 and the lining 12, and the upper 10 and the lining 12 are sewn together above the lower end of the tread portion 14.

[0028] Specifically, of the elastic covering material 15 that covers the elastically deformable body 14a, the outer lower end of the elastically deformable body 14a is sewn to the upper 10, and the inner lower end of the elastically deformable body 14a is sewn to the upper end side of the lining material 12, and the elastically deformable body 14a inside the elastic covering material 15 is positioned between the counter 13 and the upper 10 so that its lower end side is located behind the heel side of the counter 13.

[0029] The stepping portion 14, positioned in this manner, is sewn to the upper 10 and the lining 12 above the lower end of the stepping portion 14, specifically above the lower end of the elastically deformable body 14a and above the upper end of the counter 13. As an example, the stepping portion 14 is sewn about 5 to 10 mm, preferably about 5 to 7 mm, from the upper end of the counter 13.

[0030] This sewn portion functions as a bending portion 16 at which the stepping portion 14 bends. The stepping portion 14 configured in this manner stands upright when no force is applied in the stepping direction, and when the wearer steps on it and a force is applied in the stepping direction, it bends backward from the sewn portion (bending portion 16).

[0031] In addition, when the lower end of the elastically deformable body 14a is positioned on the back side of the counter 13 as in this embodiment, the internal shape of the shoe can be maintained according to the last, so that the elastically deformable body 14a is less likely to come into contact with the wearer when worn, which has the advantage of preventing blisters and providing a comfortable fit without any discomfort.

[0032] The bottom side of the upper 10 configured as described above is open, and a sole 20 that protects the sole of the wearer's foot is attached to this opening. There are no particular restrictions on the type of sole 20, and sole 20 made of, for example, rubber, PVC, EVA, leather, or the like, similar to existing soles 20, can be used.

[0033] A midsole 30 is provided inside the shoe (above the sole 20), and an insole 40 is provided above the midsole 30. Although not shown in the figures, various necessary components such as a shank, a midsole, etc. can be provided between the midsole 30 and the sole 20, and a heel can be provided below the sole 20. Existing components can be used for the midsole 30, insole 40, shank, midsole, heel, etc.

[0034] Finally, the operation of the stepping part 14 when putting on shoes will be described. (1) Figure 4(a) shows the shoes before wearing. (2) When the wearer puts his / her foot into the shoe opening 11 from the state (1) as shown in FIG. 4(b), the back of the wearer's heel presses against the tread portion 14, causing the tread portion 14 to bend with the bending portion 16 as a fulcrum. (3) In the state (2) above, the foot can be further inserted into the shoe to put on the shoe (Fig. 4(c)). When the shoe is put on, the force acting in the stepping direction on the stepping part 14 is released, and the elastic force of the elastic deformation body 14a causes the stepping part 14 to return to its original position (standing position).

[0035] In this way, in the shoe of this embodiment, the tread portion 14 bends from the bending portion 16 that is away from the counter 13, so the counter 13 itself does not deform, and deformation or damage to the counter 13 due to the load being applied to the counter 13 is unlikely to occur.

[0036] In addition, in the shoes of this embodiment, the opening 11 widens in the front-to-back direction when the foot is stepped on with the stepping part 14, making it easier to put on the shoes and allowing the wearer to put on the shoes without using their hands. Also, because the stepping part 14 is tilted slightly backward when in a standing position, there is no difficulty in putting on the shoes due to the stepping part 14 getting caught in the shoes.

[0037] The configuration of the present embodiment is an example, and the shoe of the present invention is not limited to the configuration of the above embodiment. The shoe of the present invention can be appropriately modified, such as by adding, replacing, or omitting components, within the scope of achieving the intended purpose.

[0038] Furthermore, the shoes of the present application may be short shoes, regardless of whether they are men's shoes, women's shoes, or children's shoes. The shoes of the present application may also be made of any material, including natural leather, synthetic leather, natural fibers, synthetic fibers, and the like.

[0039] There are also no restrictions on the manufacturing method of the shoes, and the shoes in this application include shoes manufactured using various methods such as Goodyear welted, cemented, McKay, stitch-down, California, vulcanized, and injection molded.

[0040] The embodiments disclosed in this application are merely examples and are not intended to limit the scope of the present invention. The technical scope of the present invention is defined by the claims. The technical scope of the present invention also includes equivalents to the claims. [Industrial Applicability]

[0041] The shoes of the present invention can be used as various types of shoes including men's shoes, women's shoes, and children's shoes, and can be particularly suitably used as low shoes. [Explanation of symbols]

[0042] 10 Upper 10a Upper part 10b Toe part 10c heel 11 Opening 12 Backing material 13 Counter 14 Trampling area 14a Elastically deformable body 15 Stretchable sheathing 16 Bend 20 Sole (outsole) 30 Insole 40 insoles B Ground plane L reference line

Claims

1. In shoes with a counter in the heel, The counter is provided between the upper and the lining of the heel portion, A stepping portion is provided on the upper side of the counter, the stepping portion is inclined so that, in a standing posture, the upper end side of the stepping portion is located rearward of a reference line perpendicular to the ground surface of the shoe, The stepping portion includes an elastically deformable body that is separate from the counter, The elastically deformable body is disposed between the upper and the lining material so that a lower portion of the elastically deformable body is located on the back side of the counter, the elastically deformable body is sewn together with the upper and the lining material at a position above the lower end of the elastically deformable body and not in contact with the counter; the sewn portion functions as a bending portion of the elastically deformable body, When a force in a stepping direction is applied to the elastic deformation body, the elastic deformation body bends rearward with the bending portion as a fulcrum. A shoe characterized by:

2. The shoe according to claim 1, The elastic deformation body of the stepping portion has an elastic force that allows it to return to its original position when the force in the stepping direction is released. A shoe characterized by:

3. The shoe according to claim 1 or 2, The elastically deformable body is covered with an elastic covering material that covers the periphery of the shoe opening. A shoe characterized by:

4. The shoe according to claim 1 or 2, As the elastic deformation body of the tread portion bends, the length of the shoe opening in the front-to-back direction increases. A shoe characterized by:

5. The shoe according to claim 3, The elastically deformable body has a rebound resilience of 30 to 40% based on JIS K6400-3. A shoe characterized by:

6. The shoe according to claim 3, The elastically deformable body has a hardness of C50 to C55 based on JIS K7312. A shoe characterized by:

7. The shoe according to claim 1 or 2, The counter has a hardness of 50D to 55D based on JIS K6253-3. A shoe characterized by:

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