cycling shoes

Abstract

According to one aspect of the present invention, there is provided a cycle shoe comprising a sole portion that forms the sole, which is the contact surface, and that has a transmission portion formed thereon that contacts with the pedal of a pedal exercise device in which the user rotates the pedal with the lower leg and transmits pedaling force to the pedal, the transmission portion being located within the area of ​​the sole between the arch and the calcaneus of the user's foot when the shoe is worn by the user.

Description

[Technical Field]

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

[0002] For example, cycle shoes that are connected to the pedals are widely known in racing bicycles to improve the efficiency of pedaling. Patent Document 1 listed below discloses cycle shoes with cleats attached to the front of the sole that can be connected to the pedals. [Prior art documents] [Patent documents]

[0003] [Patent Document 1] Patent Publication No. 2018-47031 Summary of the Invention [Problem to be solved by the invention]

[0004] When pedaling a bicycle via cleats, if force is transmitted to the cleat via the front of the sole of the foot, the contribution of the muscles around the ankle joint increases, especially in beginners or inexperienced riders, and the muscles around the hip and knee joints seen in experienced riders are less activated, which raises concerns that movement may become unstable and that riders may be more susceptible to injury.

[0005] The problem that this disclosure aims to solve is to provide cycle shoes that enable beginners or inexperienced people to pedal a bicycle in the usual way, by activating the muscles around the hips and knee joints in the same way as experienced people, thereby enabling stable exercise. [Means for solving the problem]

[0006] According to one aspect of the present invention, there is provided a cycle shoe comprising a sole portion that forms the sole, which is the contact surface, and that has a transmission portion formed thereon that contacts with the pedal of a pedal exercise device in which the user rotates the pedal with the lower leg and transmits pedaling force to the pedal, the transmission portion being located within the area of ​​the sole between the arch and the calcaneus of the user's foot when the shoe is worn by the user.

[0007] According to the present disclosure, a more beneficial technique can be provided. [Brief explanation of the drawings]

[0008] [Figure 1] Fig. 1A is a perspective view of a cycle shoe according to an embodiment, and Fig. 1B is a perspective view of a bicycle pedal to which the cycle shoe shown in Fig. 1A is connected. [Figure 2] Fig. 2A is a bottom view of the cycle shoe shown in Fig. 1A. Fig. 2B is a diagram showing the position of force applied to the user's foot when using the cycle shoe shown in Fig. 2A. Fig. 2C is a diagram showing the cycle shoe shown in Fig. 1A with the attachment member positioned differently. [Figure 3] Fig. 3A is a perspective view of a conventional cycle shoe, and Fig. 3B is a diagram showing the position of forces acting on a user's foot when using the cycle shoe shown in Fig. 3A. [Figure 4] Fig. 4A is a schematic diagram showing a cycle shoe according to an example in use, and Fig. 4B is a schematic diagram showing a cycle shoe according to a comparative example in use. [Figure 5] Fig. 5A is a diagram showing the correspondence relationship between pedal position and phase number during pedaling motion, and Fig. 5B is a diagram showing myoelectric activity of the gluteus maximus during pedaling motion in an example and a comparative example. [Figure 6] Figure 6A shows myoelectric activity of the biceps femoris during pedaling in an example and a comparative example, Figure 6B shows myoelectric activity of the rectus femoris during pedaling in an example and a comparative example, and Figure 6C shows myoelectric activity of the semitendinosus during pedaling in an example and a comparative example. [Figure 7] Figure 7A shows myoelectric activity of the vastus lateralis during pedaling in an example and a comparative example, Figure 7B shows myoelectric activity of the lateral calf muscles during pedaling in an example and a comparative example, and Figure 7C shows myoelectric activity of the vastus medialis during pedaling in an example and a comparative example. [Figure 8] Figure 8A shows myoelectric activity of the medial calf muscle during pedaling in an example and a comparative example, Figure 8B shows myoelectric activity of the tibialis anterior muscle during pedaling in an example and a comparative example, and Figure 8C shows myoelectric activity of the soleus muscle during pedaling in an example and a comparative example. [Figure 9] FIG. 9 is a diagram showing an increase and decrease in muscle activity in the muscles of the lower limbs during pedaling. [Figure 10] FIG. 10 is a table summarizing the phases of exercise and increases and decreases in myoelectric activity for each muscle region. [Figure 11] 11A is a side view of a cycle shoe according to another embodiment, and FIG. 11B is a perspective view of a bicycle pedal to be used with the cycle shoe 2. [Figure 12] Figure 12A shows a modified example of a cycle shoe according to a conventional structure in use, and Figure 12B shows a cycle shoe according to the present disclosure in use. [Figure 13] Fig. 13A is a diagram showing a first example of another modified example, Fig. 13B is a diagram showing a second example of another modified example, and Fig. 13C is a diagram showing a third example of another modified example. DETAILED DESCRIPTION OF THE INVENTION

[0009] <1. Structure of cycling shoes 1> A cycle shoe 1 according to an embodiment of the present disclosure will now be described with reference to the drawings. Fig. 1A is a perspective view of the cycle shoe 1 according to the embodiment. Fig. 1B is a perspective view of a bicycle pedal 100 (hereinafter simply referred to as pedal 100) to which the cycle shoe 1 shown in Fig. 1A is connected.

[0010] As shown in FIG. 1A, cycle shoes 1 comprise a sole 11 that forms the contact surface, and a sole 10 that abuts against pedals 100 of a pedaling exercise device that the user rotates with their lower legs and has transmission parts 12 formed thereon that transmit pedaling force to the pedals 100. Cycle shoes 1 comprise a shoe body 15 and sole 10. Shoe body 15 accommodates the user's feet. Sole 10 is attached to the bottom of shoe body 15.

[0011] The underside of the sole 10 constitutes the sole 11, which is the ground contact surface. The sole 10 is formed with a transmission part 12 that contacts a bicycle pedal 100 that the user rotates with their lower leg to transmit pedaling force to the pedal 100. The transmission part 12 is located in the area of ​​the sole 11 between the arch and the calcaneus of the user's foot when the shoe is worn by the user. The transmission part 12 is a cleat 20 that is attached to the area of ​​the sole 11 between the arch and the calcaneus of the user's foot when the shoe is worn by the user.

[0012] As shown in Figure 1B, the cycling shoes 1 are used on racing bicycles, and pedals 100 (commonly known as binding pedals) have metal fittings called cleats 20 that fit into the pedals 100 to connect the cycling shoes 1 to the pedals 100. This allows the pedals 100 to be used not only for pedaling but also for pedaling up, improving the efficiency of pedaling movements.

[0013] A connecting fitting 50 is attached to the pedal 100 and is connected to the cleat 20. When a user of the cycle shoes 1 rides a racing bicycle, the user connects the cleat 20 of the cycle shoes 1 to the connecting fitting 50 of the pedal 100. This causes the cleat 20 to act as a transmission unit 12 that transmits the user's pedaling force to the pedal 100.

[0014] As shown in FIG. 1A, the cycle shoe 1 includes an attachment member 21. The attachment member 21 is a plate-shaped member extending in the front-to-rear direction. The attachment member 21 is made of a lightweight, high-strength material such as an aluminum alloy. The attachment member 21 is provided with a fixing portion 22 that is located in front of the attachment member 21 and fixes the attachment member 21 to the sole 11.

[0015] The fixing portions 22 are disposed at the front and rear of the mounting member 21. In this embodiment, the fixing portions 22 are slits 22A that extend in the front-to-rear direction in the mounting member 21 (see FIG. 2A). Fixing screws 40 that fix the mounting member 21 to the sole 11 are attached to the slits 22A. A plurality of slits 22A are disposed side by side in the horizontal direction in the mounting member 21.

[0016] Furthermore, two sets of slits 22A are formed in the mounting member 21 at a distance from each other in the front-to-back direction. Specifically, the two sets of slits 22A are located at the front (toe side of the sole 11) and rear (heel side of the shoe floor 11) of the mounting member 21, respectively. The two sets of slits 22A are arranged in the front-to-rear direction of the mounting member 21 so as to sandwich the cleat 20 therebetween. Therefore, the mounting member 21 is fixed to the sole 11 with a total of four fixing screws 40. In this way, by arranging the four fixing screws 40 so as to surround the cleat 20, which is subjected to load when the cycle shoe 1 is in use, it is possible to effectively prevent the mounting member 21 from shifting from the sole 11.

[0017] The cleat 20 is attached to a plate-shaped mounting member 21 that extends in the front-to-rear direction. The cleat 20 is positioned behind the mounting member 21. The cleat 20 is a fitting that is connected to a connecting fitting 50 of the pedal 100. The cleat 20 has a first protrusion 20A that protrudes forward and a second protrusion 20B that protrudes rearward. The cleat 20 is connected to the connecting fitting 50 of the pedal 100 by inserting and engaging the first protrusion 20A and the second protrusion 20B into the inside of the connecting fitting 50. The cleat 20 is attached to the mounting member 21 so that, when worn by a user, it is located within the region of the sole 11 between the arch and the calcaneus of the user's foot.

[0018] Fig. 2A is a bottom view of the cycle shoe 1 shown in Fig. 1A. As shown in Fig. 2A, a groove 11A for receiving a cleat 20 is formed in the sole 11 of the cycle shoe 1. The groove 11A extends in the front-to-rear direction and is located in the center of the sole 11 in the width direction. The groove 11A extends in the front-to-rear direction over at least the region of the sole 11 from the arch of the user's foot to the area below the head of the first metatarsal bone when the shoe is worn by the user.

[0019] Figure 2B is a diagram showing the position of forces acting on a user's foot when using the cycle shoe 1 shown in Figure 2A. As shown in Figure 2B, when a user is using the cycle shoe 1, the transmission part 12 (i.e., the cleat 20) is preferably located in the area between the arch and the calcaneus of the user's foot. Ideally, the cleat 20, i.e., the transmission part 12, is more preferably located below the lateral malleolus and medial malleolus when the user is using the cycle shoe 1. When the user is wearing the cycle shoe 1 and standing upright, the transmission part 12 is located in an area that includes a point vertically below the axis of rotation of the user's ankle joint.

[0020] Positioning the cleats 20 in this way eliminates the moment arm from the rotation axis of the ankle joint to the position of the cleat 20, which is the point of force application, during pedaling. The moment arm refers to the distance between the rotation axis and the point below which the force is applied. In other words, this means that the reaction force to the rotational force acting on the ankle joint is zero, allowing the crank to rotate using only the force around the hip and knee joints. Furthermore, the position of the cleats 20 can be adjusted within a certain range depending on the user.

[0021] FIG. 2C is a diagram showing the cycle shoe 1 shown in FIG. 1A with the position of the mounting member 21 changed. As shown in FIG. 2C, the position of the cleat 20 in the front-to-rear direction on the sole 11 can be adjusted by displacing the mounting member 21 in the front-to-rear direction relative to the fixing screw 40 so that the fixing screw 40 slides within the slit 22A. In the illustrated example, the front-to-rear position of the cleat 20 shown in FIG. 2C has shifted forward relative to the sole portion 10 compared to the state shown in FIG. 2A. In this way, the user can adjust the position of the cleat 20. The adjustable position of the cleat 20 is in the area between the arch and the calcaneus.

[0022] Next, the structure of a conventional cycle shoe 1 will be described. Fig. 3A is a perspective view of a conventional cycle shoe S. Fig. 3B is a diagram showing the position of force applied to the user's foot when using the cycle shoe S shown in Fig. 3A.

[0023] As shown in Figures 3A and 3B, in conventional cycling shoes S, the cleat 20 is fixed to the sole 11 so as to be located around the head of the first metatarsal bone, or the ball of the foot. In other words, in conventional cycling shoes S, the cleat 20 is located on the sole of the foot, the part of the foot that is most likely to receive the most force during walking. In this case, pedaling requires complex movements involving three joints, including the ankle. This tends to emphasize excessive ankle extension, which can lead to concerns about reduced pedaling stability and efficiency, especially for beginner competitive cyclists. Furthermore, excessive use of the ankle can lead to unnecessary muscle fatigue and poor form.

[0024] Furthermore, when the cleats 20 are attached to the front of the shoe sole, as in conventional cycling shoes S, the combined force exerted by the muscles around the feet, knees, and hips is transmitted to the pedals, but for experienced riders, the contribution of the force from the muscles around the hip and knee joints is large.On the other hand, for beginners or inexperienced riders, the contribution of the muscles around the ankles is relatively large, making it difficult to pedal stably and raising concerns about injury.

[0025] As mentioned above, in the cycle shoe 1 according to the present disclosure, ideally the cleat 20 is positioned directly below the rotation axis of the ankle joint, minimizing the involvement of the ankle joint in pedaling and limiting it to a stable two-joint movement led by the hip joint and knee joint. This is expected to result in efficient and stable pedaling. To confirm this effect, the applicant evaluated the activity of the major muscle groups in the user's lower limbs when wearing the cycle shoe 1 according to the present disclosure and a cycle shoe 1 with a conventional structure.

[0026] <2. Example> Below, we will explain an example in which the amount of muscle activity of a user wearing a cycle shoe 1 according to the present disclosure (example) and a cycle shoe S with a conventional structure (comparison example) is evaluated. Fig. 4A is a schematic diagram showing a cycle shoe 1 according to the present disclosure in use. Fig. 4B is a schematic diagram showing a cycle shoe S with a conventional structure, serving as a comparison example, in use.

[0027] As shown in Figure 4A, when cycle shoes 1 according to the present disclosure are in use, the cleat 20 is positioned directly below the rotation axis of the ankle joint. This creates a mechanical feature in which no rotational moment is generated at the ankle joint when the pedal 100 is rotated, and the pedal 100 can be driven primarily by extension of the hip and knee joints. This simplifies the kinetic chain, increasing the stability of movement and making it easier to achieve coordinated movement of the entire lower limbs.

[0028] On the other hand, as shown in Figure 4B, when cycle shoes S with a conventional design are used as a comparative example, the cleat 20 is positioned under the head of the first metatarsal, so when the pedal 100 is rotated, a rotational moment is applied to the ankle joint, resulting in movement at three joints, including the ankle joint. This increases the involvement of the ankle joint, and there is a concern that excessive use of the ankle joint, especially in beginners, may lead to unstable movement. It may also cause imbalances in muscle activity, reducing pedaling efficiency.

[0029] In this evaluation, we compared the electromyographic activity of the major muscles in the lower limbs during pedaling movements for subjects wearing these two types of shoes. The results are explained below.

[0030] 5A is a diagram showing the correspondence between the position of the pedal 100 during a pedaling motion and the phase number. That is, in FIG. 5A, phase regions are defined on the horizontal axis of a graph of myoelectric activity, which will be described later as an evaluation result. Specifically, a pedaling motion starts from an angle of 0 degrees and is classified into phase 1, which is from 0° to 90°, phase 2, which is from 90° to 180°, phase 3, which is from 180° to 270°, and phase 4, which is from 270° to 360°.

[0031] 5B shows myoelectric activity of the gluteus maximus during pedaling in the example and the comparative example. In this graph, the X-axis represents the change in rotation angle (°) of the pedal 100, and the Y-axis represents muscle activity (μA). The items on the X-axis and Y-axis are the same in the graphs shown in FIGS. 6 to 8.

[0032] As shown in Figure 5B, a significant difference in overall muscle activity can be seen in the gluteus maximus when using cycle shoes 1 according to the present disclosure and cycle shoes 1 with a conventional design. In other words, active gluteus maximus activity is observed throughout all phases of pedaling with the configuration of the present disclosure. In contrast, activity in the conventional design is kept low except in phase 4, indicating limited involvement of the gluteus maximus in the overall pedaling motion. This confirms that with the configuration of the present disclosure, the gluteus maximus, which is involved in hip joint extension, operates cyclically and stably, resulting in efficient force transmission.

[0033] Figure 6A shows myoelectric activity of the biceps femoris during pedaling in an example and a comparative example, Figure 6B shows myoelectric activity of the rectus femoris during pedaling in an example and a comparative example, and Figure 6C shows myoelectric activity of the semitendinosus during pedaling in an example and a comparative example.

[0034] As shown in Figure 6A, in the biceps femoris configuration of the present disclosure, a steep and high peak is observed in Phase 1, indicating that knee flexion is strongly involved. In contrast, in the conventional configuration, activity peaks are dispersed across multiple phases, suggesting a lack of consistency in movement. This indicates that the configuration of the present disclosure elicits activity in the biceps femoris.

[0035] As shown in Figure 6B, the configuration of the present disclosure confirmed a significant increase in rectus femoris activity from phase 3 to phase 4, demonstrating the clear contribution of knee extension to pedaling. In contrast, muscle activity was suppressed overall with the conventional design. Therefore, it can be said that the configuration of the present disclosure achieves efficient knee extension movement in the latter phase of pedaling.

[0036] As shown in Figure 6C, in the configuration of the present disclosure, a clear peak appears in the semitendinosus muscle from phase 1 to 2, indicating that knee joint flexion functions as a propulsive force in the early stages of pedaling. In contrast, it was confirmed that activity in the conventional structure was suppressed compared to the configuration of the present disclosure, except for phase 4. From this, it is believed that the configuration of the present disclosure appropriately induces activity in the semitendinosus muscle, enabling stable force generation.

[0037] Figure 7A shows myoelectric activity of the vastus lateralis during pedaling in an example and a comparative example, Figure 7B shows myoelectric activity of the lateral calf muscles during pedaling in an example and a comparative example, and Figure 7C shows myoelectric activity of the vastus medialis during pedaling in an example and a comparative example.

[0038] As shown in Figure 7A, the vastus lateralis muscle activity increases from phase 3 to phase 4 in the configuration of the present disclosure, confirming the strong involvement of the knee joint extension movement. On the other hand, in the conventional structure, muscle activity is slower than in the configuration of the present disclosure, except for phase 3. This shows that the configuration of the present disclosure efficiently guides the output timing of the knee joint and achieves a clearer propulsive movement.

[0039] As shown in Figure 7B, in the lateral gastrocnemius muscle, high activity was observed in Phase 1 with the conventional structure, whereas activity was generally suppressed with the configuration of the present disclosure. This result indicates that ankle-driven movement is suppressed and overload on the muscles around the ankle is reduced, suggesting that the configuration of the present disclosure contributes to highly stable two-joint-driven movement.

[0040] As shown in Figure 7C, the vastus medialis muscle exhibits a clear peak at phases 3 and 4 in the configuration of the present disclosure, highlighting its role as an important muscle supporting the output of the anterior thigh. In contrast, the conventional configuration exhibits continuous activity over a wide range, with no concentration at any particular phase. From this, it can be concluded that the configuration of the present disclosure promotes efficient contraction of the vastus medialis muscle, realizing concentrated transmission of force to the pedal 100.

[0041] Figure 8A shows myoelectric activity of the medial calf muscle during pedaling in an example and a comparative example, Figure 8B shows myoelectric activity of the tibialis anterior muscle during pedaling in an example and a comparative example, and Figure 8C shows myoelectric activity of the soleus muscle during pedaling in an example and a comparative example.

[0042] As shown in Figure 8A, the medial gastrocnemius muscle exhibits particularly high activity in Phase 1 with the conventional structure, indicating that the ankle joint is the driving force, whereas the configuration of the present disclosure significantly suppresses muscle activity. This demonstrates that the configuration of the present disclosure eliminates excessive involvement of the ankle joint and promotes stable force generation by other major muscle groups.

[0043] As shown in Figure 8B, the tibialis anterior muscle in the configuration of the present disclosure exhibits two clear activity peaks from phases 2 to 3, demonstrating its efficient function as a muscle contributing to ankle joint stabilization. In contrast, the conventional configuration exhibits low overall activity and unclear activity in specific phases, resulting in a tendency for lack of stability in ankle joint control. Therefore, the configuration of the present disclosure is also advantageous in foot postural control.

[0044] As shown in Figure 8C, in the soleus muscle, a large peak of activity was observed from phases 4 to 1 in the conventional structure, whereas activity was suppressed overall in the configuration of the present disclosure. This indicates that plantar flexion of the ankle joint is moderated and propulsion from the knee and hip joints is emphasized, making it clear that the configuration of the present disclosure achieves efficient movement while suppressing excessive use of the triceps surae.

[0045] Figure 9 is a diagram showing the increase and decrease in muscle activity in the muscles of the lower limbs during the operation of the pedal 100. As shown in Figure 9, first, in the gluteus maximus, an average increase of 92% in activity was observed throughout the entire rotation of the pedal 100, with a particularly high peak at phase 4, confirming that the muscle's contribution to the hip joint extension movement was increasing.

[0046] Next, in the biceps femoris, an increase in activity of 47% in Phase 1 and 61% in Phase 2 was observed, and a decrease of 79% in Phase 3 and 65% in Phase 4 was observed. This is thought to increase the involvement of the knee joint in flexion movement and improve the stability of force at the beginning of propulsion movement.

[0047] Additionally, in the semitendinosus muscle, there was an overall average increase of 47%, with particularly large increases of 42% in phase 1 and 331% in phase 2. This indicates that the output of the knee flexor muscles is strong during the initial movement of lifting the pedal 100.

[0048] Additionally, a 74% increase was observed in the rectus femoris, particularly in phase 3. This indicates that the force transmission of the rectus femoris, which is responsible for knee extension, has become more efficient in the latter phase.

[0049] Additionally, the vastus lateralis showed an increase of 172% in phase 1 and 45% in phase 3, indicating an increased role for the muscle group supporting the extension of the knee joint.

[0050] Additionally, the vastus medialis muscle showed a 180% increase in phase 1, which is thought to promote coordinated output from the quadriceps muscle.

[0051] Additionally, there was an overall 24% increase in the tibialis anterior muscle, which contributes more to ankle joint stabilization and posture maintenance.

[0052] In addition, in the lateral gastrocnemius muscle, a 53% decrease was observed in phase 1, a 103% increase was observed in phase 2, and a 71% decrease was observed in phase 3.

[0053] In addition, in the medial gastrocnemius muscle, there was a decrease of 19% in phase 1 and 85% in phase 3, while there was an increase of 180% in phase 2.

[0054] In addition, in the soleus muscle, a 200% increase was observed in phase 1 and an 81% decrease in phase 4.

[0055] Figure 10 is a table summarizing the increase and decrease in myoelectric activity for each phase of exercise and muscle region. As is clear from the table, when the configuration of the present invention is used and the cleats are positioned under the center of the ankle, there is an overall increase in activity of muscles involved in the extension of the hip and knee joints, such as the gluteus maximus and quadriceps muscle group (rectus femoris, vastus lateralis, vastus medialis).

[0056] On the other hand, the activity of the triceps surae (lateral and medial gastrocnemius, soleus), which is involved in plantar flexion of the ankle, is significantly reduced in certain phases, and excessive ankle extension is particularly suppressed from phase 4 to phase 1. From this, it can be said that this configuration naturally induces two-joint movement, primarily of the hip and knee joints, and is effective in reducing unstable ankle movement often seen in beginners and low-performance athletes.

[0057] These results demonstrate that the use of cycle shoes 1 according to the present disclosure reduces excessive use of the ankle joint and instead induces a powerful and stable pedaling motion primarily using the hip and knee joints. Thus, cycle shoes 1 according to the present disclosure have a distinctive feature that differs from conventional designs in that the cleat 20 is ideally positioned directly below the axis of rotation of the ankle joint. This simplifies pedaling to a two-joint movement, limiting the joints involved in the rotation of the pedal 100 to the hip and knee joints, thereby localizing and stabilizing muscle activity. This configuration makes it easier to achieve stable output, even for users with unstable ankle control, such as beginners.

[0058] <3.Summary> As explained above, cycle shoes 1 according to the present disclosure are equipped with a transmission part 12 that is located between the arch and the calcaneus when worn by a user. This positions the input point of pedaling force directly below the axis of rotation of the ankle joint, eliminating unnecessary moment loads acting on the ankle joint and enabling stable two-joint movement primarily involving the hip and knee joints. For example, even when a beginner or inexperienced person pedals a bicycle in the usual way, they can activate the muscles around the hip and knee joints and achieve stable movement, just like an experienced person.

[0059] In addition, in the cycle shoe 1, the transmission part 12 is positioned vertically below the rotation axis of the ankle joint, thereby minimizing the rotational moment caused by the ankle joint and efficiently activating the major muscle groups of the lower limbs (gluteus maximus, quadriceps, etc.) while suppressing unnecessary muscle activity.

[0060] Furthermore, in the cycle shoe 1, the transmission part 12 is a cleat 20 attached to the sole 11, which provides a high degree of integration with the binding pedals used on racing bicycles, enabling accurate downward transmission of pedaling force from the center of the ankle, making it suitable for highly competitive users.

[0061] Furthermore, in the cycle shoe 1, the groove 11A that houses the cleat 20 is formed to extend in the front-to-rear direction from the arch to the calcaneus, which allows the cleat 20 to be positioned optimally below the center of the ankle over a wider range, allowing for flexible adjustments to suit the shape of each user's foot and their intended use.

[0062] In addition, in the cycle shoe 1, the cleat 20 is attached to a plate-shaped mounting member 21, and this mounting member 21 is fixed to the sole 11 at the front fixing portion 22, which makes it easy to attach, remove, and adjust the cleat 20, improving maintainability and applicability.

[0063] In addition, in the cycle shoe 1, the fixing portion 22 is composed of a slit 22A extending in the front-to-rear direction, and by attaching a fixing screw 40 to the slit 22A, the fixing position between the mounting member 21 and the sole 11 can be adjusted, allowing fine adjustment of the position of the cleat 20.

[0064] Furthermore, in the cycle shoe 1, the slits 22A are arranged in multiple rows horizontally, allowing the mounting member 21 to be more stably fixed to the sole 11, suppressing shifting and rattle during pedaling and ensuring reliable power transmission.

[0065] Furthermore, in cycle shoes 1, cleats 20 are supported by mounting members 21 that are slidable relative to fixing screws 40, allowing for adjustment of the position in the front-to-rear direction. This allows the cleat 20 to be finely adjusted to the optimal position below the center of the ankle, depending on the user's physique and preferences, achieving dynamically ideal pedaling force transmission.

[0066] Furthermore, electromyographic evaluation of the examples and comparative examples showed that activity of the gluteus maximus, which is involved in hip joint extension, increased across all phases, with an overall increase of 92%. Furthermore, the rectus femoris, vastus lateralis, and vastus medialis, which contribute to knee joint extension, also showed increases of up to 74%, 45%, and 180%, respectively, suggesting that the configuration of the present disclosure primarily activates the thigh muscles. Meanwhile, activity of the gastrocnemius (internal and external) and soleus muscles, which are involved in ankle joint extension, significantly decreased depending on the phase, demonstrating that excessive involvement of the triceps surae was suppressed, making the ankle less prone to instability.

[0067] It is particularly noteworthy that during phase 4 of the pedaling arc, where the foot returns to its highest point, electromyographic activity in the lateral and medial gastrocnemius and soleus muscles decreased by an average of approximately 79%. This result indicates that these muscles suppress the application of force in the opposite direction that would push the pedal back forward, thereby maintaining forward kinetic energy without interfering with the pedal's smooth rotational motion. This demonstrates that the position of the cleats 20 disclosed herein reduces excessive engagement of the triceps surae, enabling a more efficient and stable pedaling motion.

[0068] Furthermore, a 24% increase in overall activity was confirmed in the tibialis anterior, indicating that it contributes to ankle joint stabilization. This demonstrates that the disclosed configuration achieves efficient output, primarily in the thigh and gluteal muscles, while suppressing unstable movement of the lower leg. These results not only improve overall movement efficiency and performance, but also prevent overload caused by improper form.

[0069] In this way, it has been confirmed that positioning the cleat 20 under the center of the ankle promotes a style of movement that primarily focuses on the hip and knee joints, and makes it possible to construct a more rational and stable kinetic chain in the lower limbs. This configuration is useful not only for racing bicycles but also for ergometers and recumbent exercise machines, and is believed to be an effective means of achieving both safety and performance for a wide range of users, from beginners to the elderly and those with low physical fitness.

[0070] <4. Other embodiments> Next, another embodiment of the present disclosure will be described. Fig. 11A is a side view of a cycle shoe 2 according to another embodiment, and Fig. 11B is a perspective view of a bicycle pedal 100B that can be used with the cycle shoe 2.

[0071] As shown in Figure 11A, in the cycle shoe 2 of this embodiment, a recess 30 is formed in the sole 11 as the transmission part 12, into which a pedal 100B is fitted. The recess 30 is formed in the sole 11 in the region between the arch and the calcaneus of the user's foot when the cycle shoe 2 is worn by a user. The pedal 100B is fitted into the recess 30, thereby connecting the cycle shoe 2 and the pedal 100B. As shown in Figure 11B, in this embodiment, the cycle shoe 2 is connected to a pedal 100B of a typical bicycle.

[0072] 11A, recess 30 is located in the area of ​​sole 11 between the arch and calcaneus of the user's foot when the cycle shoes 2 are worn by the user. It is desirable that transmission unit 12 be located in an area that includes a line vertically below the axis of rotation of the user's ankle joint when the user is wearing cycle shoes 2 and standing upright.

[0073] In the cycling shoes 2, the recesses 30 formed in the sole 11 engage with the pedals 100B, functioning as the transmission unit 12. This eliminates the need for dedicated binding pedals or cleats 20, and allows pedaling with the pedal 100 axis positioned directly under the rotation axis of the ankle, even with the flat pedals 100B of a typical bicycle. This ensures the fundamental mechanical advantage of the present disclosure, which is that moment loads are not applied to the ankle joint and bi-articular movement, primarily of the hip and knee joints, is promoted. Furthermore, because the position of the recesses 30 formed in the sole 11 facilitates passive determination of the position of the pedals 100B, even beginners and non-athletes can naturally ensure appropriate foot positioning and achieve stable pedaling.

[0074] That is, cycle shoe 2 is compatible with standard bicycle pedals 100B, while providing the same functional benefits as cycle shoe 1 attached to binding pedals in that it enables the transmission of force downward from the center of the ankle, which is the focus of this disclosure. As such, while this embodiment and the previous embodiments differ structurally in that they both include cleats 20, they share the common feature of positioning the force input point directly below the axis of rotation of the ankle. This provides the common benefits of optimizing lower limb joint movement and stabilizing pedaling.

[0075] 11B are actually commercially available in a variety of shapes and sizes, but most are approximately 7 to 10 cm long in the direction perpendicular to the pedal rotation axis (front-to-back direction). Therefore, to fit these pedals, it is desirable to design the recess 30 formed in the sole 10 of the shoe 2 to be approximately 11 to 12 cm long and to fit within the area between the arch and the calcaneus, with its center directly below the rotation axis of the ankle joint.

[0076] Furthermore, while the structure in which the pedal 100B is fitted into the recess 30 allows for a stable connection, in some cases it may be difficult to remove the pedal 100B from the recess 30. To avoid this, it is practical from the standpoint of ease of attachment and detachment to make the shape of the recess 30 easier to remove by, for example, cutting the toe side at an angle rather than making it a simple rectangle.

[0077] Furthermore, since some pedals are large, measuring more than 12 cm in the front-to-back direction, it is also possible to apply a configuration in which an anti-slip treatment is applied to the area of ​​the sole 11 centered vertically below the rotation axis of the ankle joint (i.e., between the arch and the calcaneus) in addition to the configuration with the recess 30. Even with this configuration, the pedal can stably contact the area in question, thereby minimizing the moment of the ankle joint and promoting dynamically rational two-joint movement led by the hip joint and knee joint, achieving the same technical effect as the present invention.

[0078] In other words, the present invention uses three approaches: (1) a structure that uses cleats to secure the binding pedals, (2) a structure that fits flat pedals into recesses, and (3) a structure that stabilizes the pedal position using anti-slip pads.All of these are based on the common idea of ​​maintaining the contact point between the pedal and the shoe under the center of the ankle joint rather than at the toes, and this achieves more efficient muscle activity and stabilizes pedaling movements.

[0079] <5. Variations> Next, modified examples will be described. Fig. 12A shows a modified example of a cycle shoe S according to a conventional structure in use. Fig. 12B shows a cycle shoe 1 according to the present disclosure in use.

[0080] As shown in Figure 12A, when cycle shoes S with a conventional design are used on a recumbent bicycle ergometer, the cleat 20 is positioned under the head of the first metatarsal, resulting in a three-joint movement in which the ankle joint is also involved in addition to the hip and knee joints when rotating the pedal 100. This configuration can easily lead to excessive movement of the ankle joint and overactivity of the triceps surae, potentially reducing movement stability. Particularly in a recumbent position, it can be difficult to control the ankle joint, potentially hindering efficient propulsion.

[0081] In contrast, as shown in FIG. 12A, when cycle shoes 1 according to the present disclosure are used on a recumbent bicycle ergometer, the cleat 20 is positioned directly below the ankle joint rotation axis. This limits the joints involved in the rotation of the pedal 100 to the hip and knee joints, simplifying the movement to a two-joint movement. This stabilizes the movement of the lower limbs while pedaling, making it easier for beginners and the elderly to pedal. Furthermore, eliminating unnecessary stress on the ankle joints is expected to improve posture and power balance.

[0082] <6. Other Modifications> Next, other modified examples will be described with reference to Fig. 13. Fig. 13A is a diagram showing a first example of another modified example. Fig. 13B is a diagram showing a second example of another modified example. Fig. 13C is a diagram showing a third example of another modified example. In this explanation, explanations of the same configurations as those in the above-described embodiment will be omitted.

[0083] 13A, training shoe 3, which is a first example of another modification, has multiple sets of screw holes 41 (two sets in this example) formed in sole 11, and is configured so that cleat 20 can be selectively fixed to one of the screw holes 41 located closest to the rotation axis of the user's ankle. This configuration makes it possible to flexibly adjust the position of cleat 20 below the center of the ankle according to the shape of the user's foot and the purpose of exercise, while using the same structure as the above embodiment.

[0084] As shown in Figure 13B, training shoe 4, which is a second example of another modification, has one set of screw holes 41 (i.e., the same number as slits 22A) to which cleats 20 are fixed, and slits 22A are formed in cleat 20 as elongated holes extending in the front-to-rear direction. The cleat 20 can be moved in the front-to-rear direction by fine-tuning the position of the fixing screw inside slit 22A. This configuration has the advantage that even if the position of screw holes 41 is limited, the position of the cleat 20 can be precisely adjusted below the center of the ankle joint.

[0085] 13C, training shoe 5, a third example of another modification, also has one set of screw holes 41 (i.e., the same number as slits 22A), but by forming slits 22A as elongated holes extending in the front-to-rear direction in cleat 20, a range of movement in the front-to-rear direction of cleat 20 is ensured, and the cleat position is adjusted to the range below the center of the ankle joint. In this way, a wide range of adjustment can be ensured even with a small number of holes.

[0086] 13 are similar to the embodiments of the present invention in that they are configured based on the basic idea of ​​aligning the attachment position of the cleat 20 directly below the rotation axis of the ankle joint, i.e., in the area between the arch and the calcaneus. In this way, by positioning the cleat 20 below the center of the ankle joint, it is possible to obtain the same technical effect as the previously described embodiments of the present invention of eliminating unnecessary moments at the ankle joint and inducing stable two-joint movement led by the hip joint and knee joint.

[0087] <7.Other> The cycle shoes 1 of the present disclosure are not limited to bicycles, but can be widely used in a variety of pedal exercise devices that are driven by the rotation of pedals 100 by the lower legs, such as general bicycles, racing bicycles, exercise bikes (registered trademark), and ergometers.

[0088] Furthermore, it may be provided in the following aspects.

[0089] (1) A cycle shoe comprising a sole portion that constitutes the sole, which is the contact surface, and a transmission portion formed thereon that contacts with the pedal of a pedal exercise device in which the user rotates the pedal with the lower leg and transmits the pedaling force to the pedal, the transmission portion being located within the area of ​​the sole between the arch and the calcaneus of the user's foot when the shoe is worn by the user.

[0090] (2) A cycle shoe as described in (1) above, wherein the transmission part is located in an area that includes a vertically downward area of ​​the rotation axis of the user's ankle joint when the user is wearing the cycle shoe and standing upright.

[0091] (3) A cycle shoe as described in (1) or (2) above, wherein the sole has a recess formed therein as the transmission part into which the pedal is fitted, and the recess is formed in the area of ​​the sole between the arch and the calcaneus of the user's foot when the shoe is worn by the user.

[0092] (4) A cycle shoe according to (1) or (2) above, wherein the transmission part is a cleat attached to the sole of the shoe in the area between the arch and the calcaneus of the user's foot when the shoe is worn by the user.

[0093] (5) A cycle shoe as described in (4) above, wherein the sole has a groove formed therein in which the cleat is accommodated, and the groove extends in the front-to-back direction over at least the area of ​​the sole between the arch of the foot and the calcaneus when worn by the user.

[0094] (6) A cycle shoe according to the above (5), wherein the cleat is attached to a plate-shaped mounting member extending in the front-to-rear direction, the mounting member has a fixing portion disposed in front of the mounting member for fixing the mounting member to the sole, and the cleat is disposed behind the mounting member.

[0095] (7) In the cycle shoe described in (6) above, the fixing portion is a slit extending in the front-to-rear direction in the mounting member, and a fixing screw that fixes the mounting member and the sole is attached to the slit.

[0096] (8) The cycle shoe according to (7) above, wherein the slits are arranged in a plurality in the mounting member, aligned horizontally.

[0097] (9) A cycle shoe as described in (8) above, wherein the cleat's position in the front-to-rear direction on the sole can be adjusted by displacing the mounting member relative to the fixing screw in the front-to-rear direction so that the fixing screw slides within the slit. Of course, this is not the case.

[0098] Although several embodiments of the present disclosure have been illustrated above, these embodiments are presented as examples and are not intended to limit the scope of the present disclosure. These novel embodiments can be implemented in various other forms, and various omissions, substitutions, modifications, etc. can be made without departing from the spirit of the present disclosure. These embodiments and their modifications are included within the scope and spirit of the present disclosure, as well as within the scope of the present disclosure and its equivalents as set forth in the claims. Furthermore, the above-described embodiments can be implemented in combination with each other. [Explanation of symbols]

[0099] 1-5: cycling shoes, 10: sole, 11: sole, 12: transmission part, 20: cleat, 21: mounting member, 22: fixing part, 22A: slit, 30: recess, 40: fixing screw, 100, 100B: pedal

Claims

1. The sole portion forms a sole that is a ground contact surface, and has a transmission portion formed thereon that engages or fits with a pedal of a pedal exercise device in which a user rotates the pedal with their lower leg to transmit a pedaling force to the pedal; The transmission part is located in the sole of the cycle shoe in a region between the arch and the calcaneus of the user's foot when the cycle shoe is worn by the user.

2. The cycling shoe according to claim 1, A cycle shoe in which the transmission part is located in an area that includes a vertically downward area of ​​the axis of rotation of the user's ankle joint when the user is wearing the cycle shoe and standing upright.

3. The cycling shoe according to claim 1 or 2, The sole of the shoe is formed with a recess as the transmission part into which the pedal is fitted, The recess is formed in the sole of the cycle shoe in a region between the arch and the calcaneus of the user's foot when the cycle shoe is worn by the user.

4. The cycling shoe according to claim 1 or 2, The transmission part is a cleat that is attached to the sole of the cycle shoe within a region between the arch and the calcaneus of the user's foot when the cycle shoe is worn by the user.

5. The cycling shoe according to claim 4, The sole is formed with a groove for receiving the cleat, The groove portion extends in the front-to-rear direction of the sole of the cycle shoe over at least the region between the arch of the foot and the calcaneus when the cycle shoe is worn by the user.

6. The cycling shoe according to claim 5, The cleat is attached to a plate-shaped mounting member extending in the front-rear direction, The mounting member is provided with a fixing portion disposed in front of the mounting member and configured to fix the mounting member to the sole of the shoe, The cleat is disposed rearward of the mounting member.

7. The cycling shoe according to claim 6, the fixing portion is a slit extending in the front-rear direction in the mounting member, A fixing screw for fixing the mounting member to the sole of the cycle shoe is attached to the slit.

8. The cycling shoe according to claim 7, A cycle shoe in which the slits are arranged in a plurality in the mounting member in a horizontal direction.

9. The cycling shoe according to claim 8, In a cycle shoe, the cleat's position in the front-to-rear direction on the sole can be adjusted by displacing the mounting member in the front-to-rear direction relative to the fixing screw so that the fixing screw slides within the slit.

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