Boot construction

Abstract

The present invention provides a shoe structure that makes it easy to bend one's toes while wearing a shoe.　A shoe structure according to the present invention comprises an outsole, wherein, of the outsole, a first lower surface on the reverse side of a portion where the heel of the foot is placed and a second lower surface on the reverse side of a portion where the inner ball and the outer ball of the foot are placed are formed flush, and a third lower surface on the reverse side of a portion where the toes of the foot are placed is formed flat, with a stepped part, so as to be positioned higher than the second lower surface.

Description

[Technical Field]

[0001] The present disclosure relates to shoe construction. [Background technology]

[0002] Patent Document 1 discloses shoes that can improve fit. The shoes have a sole on which the foot rests and an upper that covers the foot, and a loose portion in the sole ensures stretchability in the front-to-back direction. [Prior art documents] [Patent documents]

[0003] [Patent Document 1] Japanese Patent Application Laid-Open No. 2015-002850 Summary of the Invention [Problem to be solved by the invention]

[0004] This type of shoe uses a structure called a toe spring, in which the bottom surface of the sole toward the toes curves upward. Wearers of these shoes land on their heels and roll their feet forward, shifting their center of gravity forward as they walk. This makes it difficult for wearers of conventional shoes to grip their toes while walking. This can lead to insufficient use of the muscles in the lower legs and feet, potentially resulting in reduced physical function. Therefore, the present invention provides a shoe structure that allows the toes to easily grip the shoe when worn. [Means for solving the problem]

[0005] The shoe structure of the present invention comprises an outsole, in which a first underside surface on the underside of the part where the heel of the foot rests and a second underside surface on the underside of the part where the ball of the big toe and the ball of the little toe rest are formed flush with each other, and a third underside surface on the underside of the part where the toes rest is formed flat with a step portion so that it is positioned higher than the second underside surface. [Effects of the Invention]

[0006] According to the present invention, a step is provided between the third lower surface and the second lower surface, and the third lower surface has a flat shape, so that the third lower surface on which the toes rest easily bends downward, making it easier for the wearer to grip the toes. [Brief explanation of the drawings]

[0007] [Figure 1] FIG. 1 is an exploded perspective view schematically showing a shoe according to an embodiment. [Figure 2] FIG. 2 is a bottom view of the skeletal structure of the foot. [Figure 3] FIG. 3 is a bottom view of the outsole according to the embodiment. [Figure 4] FIG. 4 is a cross-sectional view taken along line IV-IV in FIG. [Figure 5] FIG. 5 is a plan view of the outsole. [Figure 6] FIG. 6 is a side view of the outsole. [Figure 7] FIG. 7 is an enlarged view of FIG. [Figure 8] FIG. 8 is a plan view of an outsole according to another embodiment. [Figure 9] FIG. 9 is a side view of an outsole according to another embodiment. [Figure 10] FIG. 10 is a side view of an outsole according to another embodiment 2. As shown in FIG. DETAILED DESCRIPTION OF THE INVENTION

[0008] [1. Configuration] Hereinafter, an embodiment of the present invention will be described with reference to the drawings. FIG. 1 is an exploded perspective view showing a shoe 1 according to this embodiment. The following description will be given with reference to a right-foot shoe 1, but the same explanation applies to a left-foot shoe. Also, FR, UP, and IN in the figure refer to the front, top, and inner sides of the foot, respectively. The inner side of the foot in the width direction is the left side for the right foot and the right side for the left foot. Furthermore, the outer side of the foot in the width direction is the right side for the right foot and the left side for the left foot.

[0009] The shoe 1 is footwear that protects the wearer's foot from the toes to around the ankles. The shoe 1 of this embodiment is specifically a golf shoe. The shoe 1 has an upper 3, an inner sole 5, a midsole 7, and an outsole 70. The upper 3 covers the wearer's foot horizontally and from above in the shoe 1. The inner sole 5 is the part on which the wearer's foot directly rests, absorbing shock to the foot and improving the fit of the shoe 1 to the foot. The midsole 7 is the part provided between the inner sole 5 and the outsole 70, and mainly absorbs shock to the foot. The outsole 70 is the part of the shoe 1 that comes into contact with the ground, and is located below the midsole 7. The outsole 70 protects the wearer's foot from shocks received from the ground and from unevenness in the ground. For this reason, it is generally desirable for the outsole 70 to have a sufficient thickness.

[0010] Figure 2 is a bottom view of the foot skeletal structure 10. This drawing shows the foot skeletal structure 10 as seen from below, with some of the bones hidden because they overlap. The top view of the foot, as seen from the front, shows a different way in which the bones overlap than the bottom view of Figure 2.

[0011] 2, the skeletal structure 10 of the foot is composed of the calcaneus 12, talus 14, navicular bone 16, cuboid bone 18, first through third cuneiform bones 20, 22, and 24, first through fifth metatarsals 26, 28, 30, 32, and 34, first through fifth proximal phalanges 36, 38, 40, 42, and 44, second through fifth middle phalanges 46, 48, 50, and 52, and first through fifth distal phalanges 54, 56, 58, 60, and 62. The anterior ends of the first through fifth metatarsals 26, 28, 30, 32, and 34 are the first through fifth metatarsal heads 26A (also referred to as the ball of the foot 26A), 28A, 30A, 32A, and 34A (also referred to as the ball of the foot 34A). The stepped portion located at the front of the calcaneus 12 is the anterior calcaneus (also called the calcaneal tuberosity) 12A.

[0012] The skeleton of the big toe (also called the first toe) has a first proximal phalange 36 and a first distal phalange 54. The big toe flexes mainly at a first joint (also called an interphalangeal joint) 54B connecting the first proximal phalange 36 and the first distal phalange 54, and a second joint (also called a metatarsophalangeal joint) 36B connecting the first proximal phalange 36 and the first metatarsal 26. In other words, the big toe has two bones and two joints, and flexes at both joints.

[0013] On the other hand, the skeleton of the index finger, middle finger, ring finger, and little finger (also called the second, third, fourth, and fifth toes, respectively) has the second to fifth proximal phalanges 38, 40, 42, and 44, the second to fifth middle phalanges 46, 48, 50, and 52, and the second to fifth distal phalanges 56, 58, 60, and 62. The second to fifth distal phalanges 56, 58, 60, and 62 are connected to the second to fifth middle phalanges 46, 48, 50, and 52 via first joints (also called distal interphalangeal joints) 56B, 58B, 60B, and 62B. The second to fifth middle phalanges 46, 48, 50, 52 are connected to the second to fifth proximal phalanges 38, 40, 42, 44 via second joints (also called proximal interphalangeal joints) 46B, 48B, 50B, 52B. The second to fifth proximal phalanges 38, 40, 42, 44 are connected to the second to fifth metatarsal heads 28A, 30A, 32A, 34A via third joints (also called metatarsophalangeal joints) 38B, 40B, 42B, 44B. In other words, the index finger to the little finger each have three bones and three joints, and are flexed at the three joints.

[0014] Fig. 3 is a bottom view of the outsole 70. Fig. 4 is a cross-sectional view of the outsole 70 taken along the line IV-IV. In Fig. 3, the general positional relationship of the skeletal structure 10 of the foot relative to the outsole 70 is shown by superimposing imaginary lines. As shown in FIGS. 3 and 4, a first lower surface 71, a force pad (second lower surface) 73, and a third lower surface 75 are formed on a lower surface 70A of the outsole 70, which is the surface that comes into contact with the ground.

[0015] The first lower surface 71 is the back side of the first support portion 72, which is the portion of the outsole 70 on which the heel of the foot rests, i.e., the lower surface 70A side of the first support portion 72. More specifically, the first support portion 72 is the portion that roughly overlaps with the calcaneus 12 in a plan view when the wearer wears the shoe 1. The first lower surface 71 has a circular spike 71a and multiple spikes 71b and 71c formed around the spike 71a.

[0016] The spikes 71a are portions of the first lower surface 71 that support the load received from the heel of the foot and dig into the ground to prevent slippage between the outsole 70 and the ground. The spikes 71a have downward-protruding annular ridges that define the outer shape of the spikes 71a, and circular protrusions that protrude downward and are located in the center of the annular ridges. The annular ridges have circular protrusions that protrude downward arranged at equal intervals. Ribs extend from the side surfaces of the arranged protrusions toward the center of the annular ridges, with the thickness of the annular ridges decreasing in the height direction toward the center.

[0017] Spikes 71b and 71c are portions of the first lower surface 71 that dig into the ground to prevent slippage between the outsole 70 and the ground. Spikes 71b are trapezoidal protrusions arranged in a ring shape around spike 71a, and are inclined so that their height increases toward the center of spike 71a. Spikes 71c are roughly triangular prism-shaped protrusions arranged between spikes 71b, and protrude downward.

[0018] The force pad 73 is on the back side of the second support portion 74 of the outsole 70, which is the portion on which the ball of the big toe 26A and the ball of the little toe 34A rests, i.e., on the underside 70A side of the second support portion 74. The force pad 73 has spikes 73a, 73b and multiple spikes 73c.

[0019] The spikes 73a and 73b are parts of the force pad 73 that support the load received from the ball of the big toe 26A and the ball of the little toe 34A, respectively, and dig into the ground to prevent slipping. The spikes 73a and 73b have the same shape as the spike 71a, but their sizes vary depending on the magnitude of the load they will receive. That is, the spike 71a, which supports the largest load from the heel, is the largest of the spikes 71a, 71a, and 73b. The spike 73a, which supports the load from the ball of the big toe 26A, is the second largest of the spikes 71a, 73a, and 73b. The spike 73b, which supports the load from the ball of the little toe 34A, is the smallest of the spikes 71a, 73a, and 73b.

[0020] The spikes 73c are parts of the force pad 73 that prevent slipping by digging into the ground. The spikes 73c are triangular prism-shaped protrusions arranged in a circle around each of the spikes 73a and 73b, and protrude downward.

[0021] The third lower surface 75 is the back side of the third support portion 76, which is the portion of the outsole 70 on which the toes of the foot rest, i.e., the lower surface 70A side of the third support portion 76. Specifically, when a wearer wears the shoe 1, the first to fifth proximal phalanges 36, 38, 40, 42, 44, the second to fifth middle phalanges 46, 48, 50, 52, and the first to fifth distal phalanges 54, 56, 58, 60, 62 generally overlap with the third support portion 76 in a plan view. The third lower surface 75 has a big toe support portion 75a and a little toe support portion 75b.

[0022] The hallux support portion 75a is the portion that mainly overlaps the wearer's big toe in a plan view. Numerous spikes 75c are formed on the hallux support portion 75a. Each spike 75c is formed by two consecutive oval protrusions that protrude downward. Each spike 75c formed on the hallux support portion 75a is inclined so that its front side is positioned outward in the width direction of the foot.

[0023] The little toe support portion 75b is the portion that generally overlaps the wearer's index to little toes in a plan view. Many spikes 75d are formed on the little toe support portion 75b. Each spike 75d is formed by two consecutive oval protrusions that protrude downward. Each spike 75d formed on the little toe support portion 75b is tilted so that its front side is positioned inward in the width direction of the foot.

[0024] A groove 75e is formed between the big toe support portion 75a and the little toe support portion 75b by recessing the lower surface 70A of the outsole 70 upward, which allows the big toe support portion 75a and the little toe support portion 75b to move easily independently of each other.

[0025] 4, the lower ends of spikes 71a and 71b and 71c of first lower surface 71 are formed to be substantially flush with each other in the height direction, so first lower surface 71 can be considered to be a flat surface formed at the same height as the lower ends of spikes 71a and 71b and 71c.

[0026] Similarly, the bottom ends of spikes 73a and 73b and the bottom end of spike 73c of force pad 73 are formed to be approximately flush with each other in the height direction, so force pad 73 can be considered to be a flat surface formed at the same height as the bottom ends of spikes 73a and 73b and the bottom end of spike 73c.

[0027] Furthermore, the lower ends of spikes 75c and 75d of third lower surface 75 are formed to be approximately flush with each other in the height direction, so third lower surface 75 can be considered to be a flat surface formed at the same height as the lower ends of spikes 75c and 75d.

[0028] As shown in Figures 3 and 4, a step portion 77 extending in the width direction of the foot is formed on the underside 70A of the outsole 70 between the force pad 73 and the third underside 75. The step portion 77 has a recess 77a and steps 77b and 77c. The recess 77a is a portion where the underside 70A is recessed upward. The step 77b is a step that connects the recess 77a to the force pad 73. The step 77c is a step that connects the recess 77a to the third underside 75. The height difference between the recess 77a and the force pad 73 caused by the step 77b is larger by a difference d than the height difference between the recess 77a and the third underside 75 caused by the step 77c. In other words, by forming the step portion 77, the third underside 75 is positioned higher than the force pad 73 by the difference d.

[0029] Additionally, the first lower surface 71 is substantially flush with the force pad 73. Therefore, when a wearer is wearing the shoe 1 and standing upright on flat ground, the portions of the lower surface 70A of the outsole 70 that come into contact with the ground are the first lower surface 71 and the force pad 73, and the third lower surface 75 is spaced apart from the ground by the difference d. In this way, there is likely to be room for the shoe 1 to curve downward below the third lower surface 75 on which the toes rest.

[0030] In this embodiment, the front side of the outsole 70, i.e., the upper surface 70B of the outsole 70, is gently inclined so that the rear side is higher than the front side. Therefore, the first upper surface 72B, which is the front side of the first support portion 72, is located higher than the second upper surface 74B, which is the front side of the second support portion 74, and the third upper surface 76B, which is the front side of the third support portion 76. This configuration in which the first upper surface 72B is located at a higher position within the upper surface 70B is considered suitable for, for example, a golf swing, because it keeps the wearer's calcaneus 12 in a higher position, making it easier for the pelvis to tilt forward. Furthermore, on the upper surface 70B, the front portion of the second upper surface 74B and the third upper surface 76B are formed flat.

[0031] 5 is a plan view of outsole 70, showing the configuration of upper surface 70B. In outsole 70, third upper surface 76B on which the toes rest is formed with two first lateral grooves 81 and 82 and three second lateral grooves 83, 84, and 85, which are lateral grooves extending in the width direction so as to increase the range of motion of the big toe and the index finger to the little finger.

[0032] The first transverse grooves 81 and 82 are each formed in the thumb rest portion 80A, which is the portion of the third upper surface 76B on which the thumb rests, and are grooves that are recessed downward. The first transverse grooves 81 and 82 each extend in the width direction and are gently curved in a direction that convexes toward the front. In a plan view, the first transverse groove 81 is provided at a position that aligns with the first joint 54B of the big toe when the wearer is wearing the shoe 1. The first transverse groove 82 is provided at a position that aligns with the second joint 36B of the big toe when the wearer is wearing the shoe 1. In this way, the thumb rest portion 80A is provided with two first transverse grooves 81 and 82 aligned in the front-to-back direction of the foot, corresponding to the number of joints in the big toe.

[0033] The first transverse grooves 81, 82 are arranged in an order in which their front-to-rear widths gradually increase toward the front of the foot (toward the tips of the toes). That is, the front-to-rear width W1 of the first transverse groove 81 that is positioned closer to the front of the foot than the first transverse groove 82 is wider than the front-to-rear width W2 of the first transverse groove 82. Specifically, in this embodiment, the width W1 is set to 3.0 mm, and the width W2 is set to 2.0 mm.

[0034] The second transverse grooves 83-85 are each formed in the toe placement portion 80B of the third upper surface 76B, which is a portion on which the index finger to little finger rest, and are recessed downward. Each of the second transverse grooves 83-85 extends in the width direction and is gently curved in a direction convex toward the front in accordance with the arrangement of the respective joints. The second transverse groove 83 is located, in a plan view, along the first joints 56B, 58B, 60B, and 62B of the index finger to little finger when the wearer is wearing the shoe 1. The second transverse groove 84 is located, in a plan view, along the second joints 46B, 48B, 50B, and 52B of the index finger to little finger when the wearer is wearing the shoe 1. The second transverse groove 85 is located, in a plan view, along the third joints 38B, 40B, 42B, and 44B of the foot when the wearer is wearing the shoe 1. In this way, the other finger placement portion 80B is provided with three second horizontal grooves 83 to 85 aligned in the front-to-back direction of the foot, corresponding to the number of joints of each of the index finger to the little finger. In addition, the first horizontal grooves 81 and 82 are located on the extensions of the second horizontal grooves 84 and 85.

[0035] Like the first transverse grooves 81 and 82, the second transverse grooves 83 to 85 are arranged in an order in which their front-to-rear widths gradually increase toward the front of the foot. That is, the front-to-rear width W3 of the second transverse groove 83 is wider than the front-to-rear width W4 of the second transverse groove 84. The width W4 is also wider than the front-to-rear width W5 of the second transverse groove 85. Specifically, in this embodiment, the width W3 is set to 2.0 mm, the width W4 is set to 1.5 mm, and the width W5 is set to 1.0 mm. The widths W1 and W2 of the first transverse grooves 81 and 82 are set to be equal to or greater than the widths W3 to W5 of the second transverse grooves 83 to 85. In particular, the width W1 of the first transverse groove 81, which is located on an extension of the second transverse groove 84, is wider than the width W4 of the second transverse groove 84. Furthermore, the width W2 of the first transverse groove 82 located on the extension line of the second transverse groove 85 is wider than the width W5 of the second transverse groove 85.

[0036] 6 is a side view of the outsole 70, showing the outsole 70 as seen from the front of the foot. As shown in FIG. 6, the lengths L1 and L2 of the first transverse grooves 81 and 82 corresponding to the big toe are shorter than the lengths L3 to L5 of the second transverse grooves 83 to 85 corresponding to the index finger to the little finger.

[0037] 6, the first transverse grooves 81, 82 are arranged in an order in which their vertical depths gradually increase toward the front of the foot. That is, the depth D1 of the first transverse groove 81 on the front side of the foot from the first transverse groove 82 is greater than the depth D2 of the first transverse groove 82. Specifically, in this embodiment, the depth D1 is set to 4.0 mm, and the depth D2 is set to 3.0 mm.

[0038] Similarly, the second transverse grooves 83-85 are arranged in order of increasing vertical depth toward the front of the foot. That is, the depth D3 of the second transverse groove 83, which is located furthest forward of the foot among the second transverse grooves 83-85, is greater than the depths D4 and D5 of the second transverse grooves 84 and 85. The depth D4 of the second transverse groove 84, which is located further forward of the foot than the second transverse groove 85, is greater than the depth D5 of the second transverse groove 85. Specifically, in this embodiment, the depth D3 is set to 3.0 mm, the depth D4 is set to 2.0 mm, and the depth D5 is set to 1.0 mm. The depths D1 and D2 of the first transverse grooves 81 and 82 are set to be greater than the depths D3 to D5 of the second transverse grooves 83-85. More specifically, the first transverse grooves 81 and 82 are located on the extension lines of the second transverse grooves 84 and 85, respectively, but the depths D1 and D2 of the first transverse grooves 81 and 82 located on the inner side of the foot in the width direction are greater than the depths D4 and D5 of the second transverse grooves 84 and 85.

[0039] The formation of the first transverse grooves 81, 82 and the second transverse grooves 83 to 85 locally reduces the thickness of the third support portion 76. As a result, the bending rigidity in the up-down direction is locally reduced in the portions of the third support portion 76 where the first transverse grooves 81, 82 and the second transverse grooves 83 to 85 are formed.

[0040] The amount of reduction in local bending rigidity of the third support portion 76 due to the first transverse grooves 81, 82 and the second transverse grooves 83-85 increases as the widths W1-W5 in the front-to-rear direction increase. Similarly, the amount of reduction in local bending rigidity of the third support portion 76 due to the first transverse grooves 81, 82 and the second transverse grooves 83-85 increases as the depths D1-D5 increase. Therefore, the portion of the third support portion 76 where the first transverse groove 81 is formed, located on the front side, has lower bending rigidity in the up-down direction than the portion where the first transverse groove 82 is formed, located on the rear side. Similarly, the portion of the third support portion 76 where the second transverse groove 83 is formed, located forward of the second transverse groove 84, has lower bending rigidity in the up-down direction than the portion where the second transverse groove 84 is formed. Furthermore, the portion of the third support portion 76 where the second transverse groove 84 is formed, located forward of the second transverse groove 85, has lower bending rigidity in the up-down direction than the portion where the second transverse groove 85 is formed.

[0041] Furthermore, the depths D1 and D2 of the first transverse grooves 81 and 82 are greater than the depths D4 and D5 of the second transverse grooves 84 and 85. Therefore, the portion of the third support part 76 where the first transverse grooves 81 and 82 are formed tends to have lower bending rigidity than the portion where the second transverse grooves 83 to 85 are formed. As a result, when the wearer bends their thumb, the force of the thumb is less likely to escape outward in the width direction, and the portion of the third support part 76 where the first transverse grooves 81 and 82 are formed tends to bend easily.

[0042] [2. Action, action] Fig. 7 is an enlarged view of Fig. 4. In Fig. 7, the approximate positions of the index fingers of a wearer wearing the shoe 1 are indicated by imaginary lines.

[0043] As described above, by forming the step portion 77 on the lower surface 70A of the outsole 70, the third lower surface 75 is positioned higher than the force pad 73 by the difference d. Furthermore, the force pad 73 is in contact with the ground when the wearer wearing the shoe 1 stands upright. For this reason, as shown in FIG. 7 , a gap with a height equivalent to the difference d is created between the third lower surface 75 and the ground G. Because a gap is created between the third lower surface 75 and the ground G in this way, the wearer can bend the big to little toes of their foot to bend the third support portion 76 downward. Furthermore, because the third lower surface 75 is formed flat, the wearer can easily bend the third support portion 76 downward.

[0044] When the wearer bends the big toe through the little toe, the portions of the big toe that correspond mainly to the first through fifth distal phalanges 54-62, which are the bones closest to the tip, press against the third upper surface 76B. The first lateral grooves 81, 82 and the second lateral grooves 83-85 are formed along the joints of the big toe through the little toe. Therefore, the portions of the big toe through the little toe that press against the third upper surface 76B are located on the front side of the lateral grooves 81, 82 and the second lateral grooves 83-85. Specifically, in the case of the index finger illustrated in FIG. 7, the second toe pad 56C corresponding to the second distal phalange 56 presses against the load region P on the third upper surface 76B, which is located on the front side of the second lateral groove 83. This causes a downward force to be applied to the load region P on the third upper surface 76B, causing the third support portion 76 to bend downward.

[0045] As described above, bending rigidity is locally reduced in the portions of the third support portion 76 where the first transverse grooves 81, 82 and the second transverse grooves 83 to 85 are formed. Therefore, when the wearer bends their thumb through little finger and the third upper surface 76B receives a downward force, the third support portion 76 is likely to bend from the first transverse grooves 81, 82 and the second transverse grooves 83 to 85 as starting points.

[0046] As described above, the first transverse grooves 81, 82 and the second transverse grooves 83-85 are formed at positions along the joints of the thumb through little finger, respectively. Therefore, the third support portion 76 curves starting from the first transverse grooves 81, 82 and the second transverse grooves 83-85, which allows the third upper surface 76B to easily follow the bending of the thumb through little finger.

[0047] As described above, the areas of the third upper surface 76B where the thumb through little finger primarily press are located forward of the first lateral grooves 81, 82 and the second lateral grooves 83-85. Therefore, the bending moment acting on the third support portion 76 is smaller in the areas of the third support portion 76 where the first lateral grooves 81, 82 and the second lateral grooves 83-85 are located closer to the front. In contrast, the amount of reduction in the local bending rigidity of the third support portion 76 due to the first lateral grooves 81, 82 and the second lateral grooves 83-85 is larger in the areas of the third support portion 76 where the first lateral grooves 81, 82 and the second lateral grooves 83-85 are located closer to the front. Therefore, the first lateral grooves 81 and the second lateral grooves 83, which are less likely to be subjected to a large bending moment, are easily bent significantly in the outsole 70. Furthermore, the first joints 54B, 56B, 58B, 60B, and 62B of the thumb through little finger bend significantly when the toes are gripped. Therefore, by making the portions of the third support portion 76 where the first lateral grooves 81 and the second lateral grooves 83 that are aligned with the first joints 54B, 56B, 58B, 60B, and 62B easy to bend, the third upper surface 76B becomes easy to bend in accordance with the bending of the thumb through little finger.

[0048] [3. Effects, etc.] As described above, the shoe 1 of this embodiment has an outsole 70, and the first lower surface 71 on the back side of the first support portion 72, which is the portion on which the heel of the foot rests, and the force pad 73 on the back side of the second support portion 74, which is the portion on which the ball of the big toe 26A and the ball of the little toe 34A of the foot rests, are formed flush, and the third lower surface 75 on the back side of the third support portion 76, which is the portion on which the toes rest, is formed flat with a step portion 77 so that it is positioned higher than the force pad 73. Therefore, the step portion 77 tends to create a gap between the flat third lower surface 75 and the ground, and the third lower surface 75 on which the toes rest tends to bend downward, making it easier for the wearer to grip the toes.

[0049] In the shoe 1 of this embodiment, the third upper surface 76B, which is the outer side of the third support portion 76 that is the part of the outsole 70 on which the toes of the foot rest, is formed with a plurality of first transverse grooves 81, 82 and second transverse grooves 83-85 that extend in the width direction of the third support portion 76 and are aligned with the joints of the big toe and other toes so as to increase the range of motion of the big toe and other toes. Therefore, the first transverse grooves 81, 82 and the second transverse grooves 83 to 85 make it easier for the third lower surface 75 to bend. This makes it easier for the wearer to grip their toes. Furthermore, the first transverse grooves 81, 82 and the second transverse grooves 83 to 85 make it easier for the wearer to grip their toes while minimizing the thinned portions of the outsole 70. This makes it easier for the wearer to grip their toes while adequately protecting their feet.

[0050] In the shoe 1 of this embodiment, the first transverse grooves 81, 82 and the second transverse grooves 83-85 include a plurality of first transverse grooves 81, 82 formed in the thumb rest portion 80A, which is the portion on which the thumb rests, and a plurality of second transverse grooves 83-85 formed in the other toe rest portion 80B, which is the portion on which the other toes rest. Therefore, by forming the first transverse grooves 81, 82 and the second transverse grooves 83 to 85 separately, the wearer can easily move the big toe and other fingers independently, which makes it easier for the wearer to grip the toes.

[0051] In the shoe 1 of this embodiment, the number of first transverse grooves 81, 82 is two, corresponding to the number of joints of the big toe, and the number of second transverse grooves 83 to 85 is three, corresponding to the number of joints of the other toes. Therefore, the first transverse grooves 81 and 82 and the second transverse grooves 83 to 85 can bend easily to fit the joints between the big toe and other fingers, respectively, making it easier for the wearer to grip the toes.

[0052] In the shoe 1 of this embodiment, the plurality of first transverse grooves 81, 82 and second transverse grooves 83 to 85 are formed so that the widths W1 to W5 of the respective grooves become gradually wider toward the tip of the toe. Therefore, the outsole 70 is more likely to bend significantly at the first transverse grooves 81 and the second transverse grooves 83 on the tip side where a moment is less likely to be applied, which makes it easier for the wearer to grip the toes.

[0053] In the shoe 1 of this embodiment, the plurality of first transverse grooves 81, 82 and second transverse grooves 83 to 85 are curved along the joints of the big toe and other toes. Therefore, the first transverse grooves 81, 82 and the second transverse grooves 83 to 85 can be easily aligned with the positions of the toe joints, making it easier for the wearer to grip the toes.

[0054] 4. Other Embodiments The above-described embodiment merely shows one aspect of the present invention, and any modifications and applications are possible without departing from the spirit and scope of the present invention. Other embodiments are exemplified below.

[0055] In the above-described embodiment, the shoe 1 has the first lateral grooves 81, 82 formed in the big toe rest portion 80A and the second lateral grooves 83 to 85 formed separately from the first lateral grooves 81, 82 in the other toe rest portion 80B, but this is just one example.

[0056] FIG. 8 is a plan view of an outsole 70 according to another embodiment. As shown in Fig. 8, the outsole 70 may have lateral grooves 181-183 formed on the third upper surface 76B across the thumb rest portion 80A and the other toe rest portion 80B. Furthermore, as shown in Fig. 8, the lateral grooves 181-183 may be linear rather than curved. The lateral grooves 181-183 are formed such that the widths W11-W13 of the lateral grooves 181-183 in the front-to-rear direction gradually increase toward the tips of the toes.

[0057] Fig. 9 is a side view, seen from the front, of the outsole 70 according to another embodiment shown in Fig. 8. As shown in Fig. 9, the lateral grooves 181-183 are formed so that the depths D11b-D13b on the inner side of the toe in the width direction are inclined so that they are shallower than the depths D11a-D13a of the lateral grooves 181-183 on the outer side of the toe in the width direction. This makes it difficult for force to escape to the outer side in the width direction of the foot when the wearer bends the big toe, making it easier to bend the big toe.

[0058] That is, in the outsole 70 of this embodiment, the multiple lateral grooves 181 to 183 are formed so that the depth of each groove increases toward the inside in the width direction of the toe. This allows the wearer to bend their big toe more easily, which in turn tends to activate larger muscles than those that activate other toes.

[0059] 8 and 9, the case where three linear lateral grooves 181 to 183 are provided is described, but this is just an example. Two or more lateral grooves may be provided, and they may be curved along the joints of the toes.

[0060] In the above-described embodiment, the shoes 1 are described as golf shoes, but this is merely an example, and the shoes 1 may be any footwear. For example, the shoes 1 may be footwear suitable for paved surfaces, such as sneakers.

[0061] FIG. 10 is a side view of an outsole 270 according to another embodiment 2. The outsole 270 is used as the sole of a sneaker. As shown in FIG. 10, the outsole 270 according to another embodiment 2 does not have spikes or force pads on a lower surface 270A. Also, as shown in FIG. 10, an upper surface 270B of the sneaker outsole 270 is flatter and has a smaller upward slope at the rear than the upper surface 70B of the outsole 70 according to the above embodiment used for golf shoes. That is, a first upper surface 272B, which is the front side of a first support portion 272 on which the heel of the foot rests, is generally flat relative to a second upper surface 274B, which is the front side of a second support portion 274 on which the balls of the big toe and little toe rest, and a third upper surface 276B, which is the front side of a third support portion 276 on which the toes rest.

[0062] As with the above embodiment, an outsole 270 of another embodiment 2 that is applied to sneakers also has a first lower surface 271, a second lower surface 273, and a third lower surface 275. In the outsole 270, the third lower surface 275, which is the back side of the third support portion 276, is formed flat so as to be positioned higher than the second lower surface 273, which is the back side of the second support portion 274, due to a step portion 277. The outsole 270 of another embodiment 2 that is applied to sneakers may also be configured to have a plurality of lateral grooves, as shown in FIG. 5 or FIG. 8.

[0063] Furthermore, elements of the embodiment, other embodiment, and other embodiment 2 described so far can be combined to form a new embodiment. [Industrial Applicability]

[0064] The present invention is applicable to shoe structures with outsoles, specifically to shoes used for specific purposes such as specific sports, such as golf shoes, as well as everyday shoes such as sneakers. [Explanation of symbols]

[0065] 1. Shoes 3 Upper 5 Inner sole 7 Midsole 70 outsole 71 1st bottom surface 72 First support part (part where the heel of the foot rests) 73 Force Pad (2nd Lower Surface) 74 Second support part (the part where the ball of the foot and the ball of the little toe rest) 75 3rd bottom surface 76 Third support part (the part where the toes rest) 76B Third top surface (front side of the part where the toes rest) 77 Step 81 First Yokomizo (Yokomizo) 82 First Yokomizo (Yokomizo) 83 Second Yokomizo (Yokomizo) 84 Second Yokomizo (Yokomizo) 85 Second Yokomizo (Yokomizo) 181 Yokomizo 183 Yokomizo 270 outsole 271 1st bottom surface 272 First support part (part where the heel of the foot rests) 273 2nd bottom surface 274 Second support part (the part on which the ball of the foot and the ball of the little toe rest) 275 3rd bottom surface 276 Third support part (the part where the toes rest) 276B Third top surface (front side of the part where the toes rest) 277 Step

Claims

1. Equipped with an outsole, The outsole is formed with a first lower surface on the back side of a portion on which the heel of the foot rests and a second lower surface on the back side of a portion on which the ball of the big toe and the ball of the little toe rest, Of the outsole, a third lower surface on the back side of the portion on which the toes of the foot rest is formed flat with a step portion provided so as to be positioned higher than the second lower surface; On the front side of the part on which the toes rest, a plurality of horizontal grooves extending in the width direction of the part on which the toes rest are formed along the joints of the big toe and the other toes so as to widen the range of motion of the big toe and the other toes, and the width of each groove is gradually increased toward the tip end of the toes. shoe structure.

2. Equipped with an outsole, The outsole is formed with a first lower surface on the back side of a portion on which the heel of the foot rests and a second lower surface on the back side of a portion on which the ball of the big toe and the ball of the little toe rest, Of the outsole, a third lower surface on the back side of the portion on which the toes of the foot rest is formed flat with a step portion provided so as to be positioned higher than the second lower surface; On the front side of the part on which the toes rest, a plurality of lateral grooves extending in the width direction of the part on which the toes rest are formed along the joints of the big toe and the other toes so as to widen the range of motion of the big toe and the other toes, and the depth of each groove is increased toward the inside in the width direction of the toes. shoe structure.

3. The lateral grooves include a plurality of first lateral grooves formed in the portion on which the thumb rests and a plurality of second lateral grooves formed in the portion on which the other fingers rest. The shoe structure according to claim 1 or 2.

4. The number of the first transverse grooves is two, corresponding to the number of joints of the thumb, and the number of the second transverse grooves is three, corresponding to the number of joints of the other fingers. The shoe structure of claim 3.

5. the plurality of lateral grooves are curved along the joints of the thumb and the other fingers; The shoe structure according to claim 1 or 2.

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