Footwear heel

Abstract

To provide a heel part of footwear that can withstand long-term use by suppressing early deterioration caused by separation of a heel counter from a cushion or moisture accumulation inside the cushion. [Solution] A footwear heel part that is enclosed in the fabric of the footwear, comprising a heel counter and a cushion placed on top of the heel counter, the heel counter being highly rigid and having a brim-like guide surface with a slightly outwardly extending upper end so that when the user inserts their foot, the heel slides along the guide surface and is guided into the shoe, the cushion being positioned to correspond to the Achilles tendon, the central part being thicker than the two ends in the horizontal direction, and being temporarily compressed when the user inserts their foot, and then recovering after insertion is complete, pressing the rear of the heel forward and preventing the heel from lifting or slipping out while walking, the heel counter and the cushion being joined together with an adhesive.

Description

[Technical Field]

[0001] The present invention relates to a footwear heel portion that is built into footwear. [Background technology]

[0002] In recent years, various footwear designs have been proposed that can be easily put on and taken off without bending over. For example, a well-known technology uses a hard core material built into the heel, whose top opens diagonally to function as a built-in shoe horn, allowing the heel of the foot to slide in.

[0003] Japanese Patent Application Laid-Open Publication No. 2024-160524 (hereinafter referred to as Document 1) discloses a heel pad for shoes that consists of a lower support part that encases the heel and an upper support part that receives the heel above the lower support part. In this publication, inclined guide parts are provided on the left and right edges of the upper support part to make it easier to put on the foot, and the edges are made thinner to reduce the corners that come into contact with the heel. [Prior art documents] [Patent documents]

[0004] [Patent Document 1] Japanese Patent Application Laid-Open No. 2024-160524 Summary of the Invention [Problem to be solved by the invention]

[0005] However, with conventional structures, the interface between the heel core (hereafter referred to as the heel counter) and the cushion is subjected to repeated alternating shear loads generated by the back-and-forth sliding of the heel along the guide surface when the foot is inserted, which can damage the integrity of the two components. Also, sweat and moisture can accumulate around the heel, causing stuffiness and odor, reducing hygiene and comfort. As these factors progress, cushioning performance deteriorates, resulting in a rapid deterioration of heel retention and comfort.

[0006] The present disclosure aims to provide a footwear heel part that suppresses the above-mentioned factors that cause early deterioration, maintains the sound integrity or dry state of the heel counter and cushion for a long period of time, and ensures ease of putting on and taking off, heel retention, and wearing comfort for a long period of time. [Means for solving the problem]

[0007] In order to solve the above problem, for example, the following configuration is adopted. A footwear heel portion enclosed in the fabric of the footwear, A heel counter and a cushion placed inside the heel counter, The heel counter has high rigidity, When a user inserts their foot, the heel slides along the guide surface and is guided into the shoe. The guide surface has a flange-like shape with an upper end that opens slightly outward. The cushion is disposed corresponding to the Achilles tendon, The thickness is greater in the center than at both ends in the horizontal direction. It is temporarily compressed when the user inserts their foot, and then restored to its original shape after insertion, pressing the back of the heel forward and preventing the heel from lifting or slipping out while walking. The heel counter and the cushion are joined together by adhesive. A heel portion of footwear characterized by:

[0008] A heel portion of a footwear, characterized in that a plurality of horizontally extending grooves are formed in the contact portion of the heel counter.

[0009] A heel portion of footwear, characterized in that the contact portion of the heel counter has a higher surface roughness than other areas.

[0010] A heel portion of footwear, characterized in that the contact portion of the heel counter has a meniscus shape with the central portion in the vertical direction convex toward the cushion, and the cushion has a shape corresponding to the meniscus shape.

[0011] A heel portion of a footwear, characterized in that a plurality of through holes extending in the foot length direction are formed in the contact portion of the heel counter.

[0012] The cushion has a foam structure in which the central portion in the horizontal direction has a higher foam density than both end portions.

[0013] A heel portion of footwear, wherein the lower edge of the cushion has a meniscus shape with a central portion in the horizontal direction concave upward.

[0014] A heel portion of footwear, wherein a plurality of horizontally extending grooves are formed in the contact portion of the cushion.

[0015] A heel portion of footwear, characterized in that the contact portion of the cushion has a higher surface roughness than other areas.

[0016] The heel portion of the footwear is characterized in that horizontally extending sawtooth grooves are formed in the opposing contact portions of the heel counter and the cushion, and these grooves are configured to interlock with each other.

[0017] The footwear heel portion is characterized in that the cushion has a plurality of through holes formed therein that extend in the longitudinal direction of the foot.

[0018] A plurality of through holes extending in the foot length direction are formed in the heel counter and the cushion, The footwear heel portion is characterized in that the through-hole of the cushion and the through-hole of the heel counter are arranged in corresponding positions.

[0019] A heel portion of footwear, characterized in that the through holes are arranged at a higher density in the central portion than at both ends in the horizontal direction.

[0020] A heel portion of footwear, characterized in that, in joining the heel counter and the cushion, no adhesive is applied to the center of the contact portion, but only to the peripheral edge portion.

[0021] A heel portion of a footwear, characterized in that a plurality of slits extending vertically are formed in an area of ​​the heel counter other than the contact portion. [Effects of the Invention]

[0022] The footwear heel portion of the present disclosure can prevent early deterioration caused by separation between the heel counter and the cushion or moisture accumulation inside the cushion, and can provide a footwear heel portion that can withstand long-term use. Problems, configurations, and effects other than those described above will become apparent from the following description of the embodiments. [Brief explanation of the drawings]

[0023] [Figure 1] FIG. [Figure 2] FIG. [Figure 3] FIG. [Figure 4] FIG. [Figure 5] FIG. [Figure 6] FIG. [Figure 7] FIG. 2 is a perspective view showing the heel portion of the footwear with the heel counter and cushion separated. [Figure 8] 2 is a vertical cross-sectional view of the heel portion of the footwear taken along line AA in FIG. 1. [Figure 9] 2 is a horizontal cross-sectional view of the heel portion of the footwear taken along line BB in FIG. 1. [Figure 10] 10 is a diagram showing an AA cross section of (a) the contact portion of the heel counter, (b) the contact portion of the cushion, and (c) the heel portion of the footwear, to explain an embodiment having a non-adhesive region. FIG. [Figure 11] 1A and 1B are diagrams showing the AA cross section of (a) the contact portion of the heel counter, (b) the contact portion of the cushion, and (c) the heel portion of the footwear, illustrating an embodiment having a groove. [Figure 12]1A and 1B are diagrams showing the AA cross section of (a) the contact portion of the heel counter, (b) the contact portion of the cushion, and (c) the heel portion of the footwear, to explain an embodiment having a through hole and a slit. DETAILED DESCRIPTION OF THE INVENTION

[0024] A footwear heel part 1 built into the footwear includes a heel counter 2 arranged in the heel part and a cushion 3 arranged inside the heel counter 2 in layers.

[0025] As shown in Figures 1 and 5, the heel counter 2 is an arc-shaped wall structure that surrounds the heel horizontally (left and right), and has a tapered structure in which the width is greatest at the bottom and gradually narrows toward the top. As shown in the vertical cross section of FIG. 8, the heel counter 2 is composed of a curved main body 2b that wraps around the heel vertically, and a flange-like guide surface 2a that opens slightly outward at the top end. As shown in FIG. 7 and other figures, the upper region (region corresponding to the Achilles tendon) on the inner surface of the heel counter 2 is a region (contact portion 2c) that directly contacts the cushion 3. The heel counter 2 is a highly rigid member, and is integrally injection molded from a highly rigid resin such as polypropylene, thermoplastic polyester elastomer, or glass fiber reinforced polycarbonate.

[0026] As shown in Figure 5, the cushion 3 is curved in an arc shape in the horizontal direction (left-right direction) to correspond to the contact portion 2c of the heel counter 2, and has a shape that surrounds the Achilles tendon. As with the heel counter 2, as shown in Figure 1, the cushion 3 has a tapered structure in which the width is widest at the bottom end and gradually narrows towards the top end. As shown in Figure 9, the cushion 3 is configured so that the thickness is greater at the center than at both ends in the horizontal direction. The "center in the horizontal direction" refers to the three central sections (approximately 60% of the horizontal length) excluding both ends when the cushion 3 is divided into five equal parts in a direction perpendicular to the horizontal direction. As shown in FIG. 7, the cushion 3 has a contact portion 3c having a shape corresponding to the contact portion 2c of the heel counter 2. The cushion 3 is a soft foam, and for example, EVA (ethylene vinyl acetate copolymer) foam, polyurethane foam, thermoplastic elastomer foam, or the like can be used.

[0027] Due to the above-mentioned positional relationship between the heel counter 2 and the cushion 3, when the user inserts their foot, the cushion 3 is temporarily compressed, and after the heel is set in the designated position, it quickly returns to its original state, pressing the rear of the heel forward. This prevents the heel from lifting or slipping out from the start of walking, providing a stable hold.

[0028] The heel counter 2 and the cushion 3 are joined together with an adhesive and then sewn into the fabric of the footwear (not shown) to enclose them. This configuration makes it possible to stably maintain a predetermined positional relationship between the heel counter 2 and the cushion 3 while preventing misalignment. The adhesive may be, for example, a hot-melt polyurethane adhesive or an ethylene vinyl acetate hot-melt adhesive.

[0029] When joining the heel counter 2 and cushion 3, as shown in Figure 10, adhesive may be applied only to the periphery of the contact areas 2c and 3c, with no adhesive in the center. In other words, the heel counter 2 and cushion 3 may be fixed with adhesive only around the periphery, with no adhesive in the center (non-adhesive area A). With this configuration, the non-adhesive area A absorbs the shear displacement in the approximately vertical direction that occurs at the contact area when the foot is inserted, reducing the peel stress on the adhesive area.

[0030] The non-adhesive area A of the cushion 3 may have a recess, and the recess may be filled with a desiccant, thereby preventing moisture buildup in an environment where the cushion 3 is used for a long period of time. The desiccant may be, for example, silica gel granules.

[0031] As shown in Figure 11, multiple horizontally extending grooves 2d and 3d may be formed in the contact portion 2c of the heel counter 2 and / or the contact portion 3c of the cushion 3. The grooves 2d and 3d increase the interfacial area with the adhesive layer, improving adhesive strength. Furthermore, the groove shape perpendicular to the foot insertion direction improves peel resistance against repeated shear loads. The grooves 2d and 3d may be formed simultaneously during molding, or added by cutting and melting after molding. As shown in Figure 11(c), the grooves 2d and 3d may have a V-shaped cross section. Multiple V-shaped grooves 2d and 3d may be regularly arranged, particularly multiple grooves arranged adjacent to each other to create a jagged cross section. If the center portion is designated as a non-bonded region A, grooves may not be formed in the non-bonded region A to allow for relative displacement between the two components.

[0032] As shown in Figure 11, the contact portion 2c of the heel counter 2 and the contact portion 3c of the cushion 3 each have a plurality of horizontally extending grooves 2d and 3d formed therein, and the sawtooth (jagged) shapes of both components may be formed in a staggered pattern so that they interlock with each other. With this configuration, the interlocking sawtooth grooves function as mechanical anchors and can suppress relative slippage between the components, improving the peel resistance life of the adhesive layer and maintaining heel hold for a long period of time.

[0033] The contact portion 2c of the heel counter 2 may have a higher surface roughness than other areas. The surface roughness may be approximately 6 to 50 μm in ten-point average roughness Rz. This configuration creates a fine mechanical anchor effect, further improving adhesive strength. Methods that can be used include imparting texture to the resin mold during molding, or performing sandblasting in post-processing. Similarly, the contact portion 3c of the cushion 3 may have a higher surface roughness than the other areas (exposed surfaces). When a non-bonded region A is provided in the center, the non-bonded region A may not be subjected to high surface roughness processing and may have a smoother surface than the peripheral edge in order to allow relative displacement between the two members.

[0034] As shown in FIG. 12, the contact portion 2c of the heel counter 2 and / or the cushion 3 may be formed with a plurality of through holes H extending in the foot length direction. When through holes H are provided in both components, the through holes H in the cushion 3 and the through holes H in the heel counter 2 may be aligned as shown in FIG. 12 . Alignment can be achieved by drilling holes simultaneously while the components are joined together, or by drilling holes individually in each component and then aligning them and joining them. The diameter of the through holes H may be approximately 0.2 to 2.0 mm. The through holes may be denser in the central region than at the two ends in the horizontal direction, with a pitch of 4 to 8 mm in the central region and 8 to 15 mm in the two end regions. This configuration achieves both structural strength and weight reduction while ensuring sufficient ventilation. Furthermore, it allows moisture and heat that tend to accumulate around the heel of the footwear to be quickly expelled. As a result, stuffiness and odors are suppressed, even when worn for long periods of time, maintaining a comfortable fit.

[0035] As shown in Figure 12, multiple vertically extending slits 2s may be formed in areas of the heel counter other than the contact portion 2c (non-contact portion). The slits 2s ensure ventilation without significantly impairing the local bending rigidity of the heel counter 2, allowing for efficient dissipation of moisture and heat trapped inside while maintaining structural strength. The width of the slits 2s may be 0.3 to 5 mm, the length may be approximately 5 to 40 mm, and the pitch between the slits 2s may be approximately 5 to 30 mm. Note that the width of each slit 2s at both vertical ends (upper and lower ends) may be larger than that of the center, with the center being relatively smaller.

[0036] The lower edge 3e of the cushion 3 may have a meniscus shape with the horizontal center concave upward, as shown in Figure 1. This shape allows the vertical shear force that the cushion 3 receives in the up and down direction when putting your feet in and out or walking to be dissipated evenly over the entire curved surface, effectively dispersing the peeling stress that tends to concentrate at the lower edge compared to a straight lower edge.

[0037] As shown in Figure 8, the contact portion 2c of the heel counter 2 has a convex meniscus shape with its vertical center portion projecting toward the cushion, and the contact portion 3c of the cushion 3 may have a concave shape corresponding to the convex surface. The "vertical center portion" here refers to the three central sections (approximately 60% of the vertical length) excluding both ends when the contact portion 2c is divided into five equal parts perpendicular to the vertical direction. In other words, one of the central sections of the vertical portion of the contact portion 2c is located closest to the cushion. This configuration distributes the vertical shear load across the entire curved surface of the convex-concave mating surfaces through surface contact, reducing peeling stress at the contact interface and stabilizing heel retention over the long term.

[0038] The cushion 3 may have a foam structure in which the horizontal center (see, for example, Figure 1) has a higher cell density (i.e., porosity) than the two end portions. A high-cell density member and a low-cell density member may be bonded together, or a single material may be molded and then secondary compressed at only the two end portions to relatively reduce the cell density. With this configuration, the center becomes the main ventilation path, quickly dissipating moisture, while the two end portions are relatively dense and ensure rebound resilience, thereby achieving both reduced stuffiness inside the cushion and heel retention.

[0039] The footwear heel portion of the present disclosure is not limited to the above-described embodiments and includes various modifications. For example, the above-described embodiments have been described in detail to clearly explain the footwear heel portion of the present disclosure, and the present disclosure is not necessarily limited to a heel portion including all of the described configurations. Furthermore, it is possible to replace part of the configuration of one embodiment with the configuration of another embodiment, or to add the configuration of another embodiment to the configuration of one embodiment. Furthermore, it is possible to add, delete, or replace part of the configuration of each embodiment with other configurations. [Explanation of symbols]

[0040] 1: Footwear heel 2: Heel Counter 2a: Shaped guide surface 2b: Main body 2c: Contact part 2d: Groove 2s: Slit 3: Cushion 3c: Contact part 3e: lower edge A: Non-adhesive area H:Through hole

Claims

1. A footwear heel portion enclosed in the fabric of the footwear, A heel counter and a cushion placed inside the heel counter, The heel counter has high rigidity, When the user inserts their foot, the heel slides along the guide surface and is guided into the shoe. This has a flange-like guide surface with a slightly open upper end. The cushion is disposed corresponding to the Achilles tendon, The thickness is greater in the center than at both ends in the horizontal direction. It is temporarily compressed when the user inserts their foot, and then restored to its original shape after insertion, pressing the back of the heel forward and preventing the heel from lifting or slipping out while walking. The heel counter and the cushion are joined together by adhesive, At least one of the contact portion of the heel counter and the contact portion of the cushion has a plurality of horizontally extending grooves formed therein. A heel portion of footwear characterized by:

2. A footwear heel portion enclosed in the fabric of the footwear, A heel counter and a cushion placed inside the heel counter, The heel counter has high rigidity, When the user inserts their foot, the heel slides along the guide surface and is guided into the shoe. This has a flange-like guide surface with a slightly open upper end. The cushion is disposed corresponding to the Achilles tendon, The thickness is greater in the center than at both ends in the horizontal direction. It is temporarily compressed when the user inserts their foot, and then restored to its original shape after insertion, pressing the back of the heel forward and preventing the heel from lifting or slipping out while walking. The heel counter and the cushion are joined together by adhesive, The cushion has a foam structure in which the central portion in the horizontal direction has a higher foam density than both end portions. A heel portion of footwear characterized by:

3. A footwear heel portion enclosed in the fabric of the footwear, A heel counter and a cushion placed inside the heel counter, The heel counter has high rigidity, When the user inserts their foot, the heel slides along the guide surface and is guided into the shoe. This has a flange-like guide surface with a slightly open upper end. The cushion is disposed corresponding to the Achilles tendon, The thickness is greater in the center than at both ends in the horizontal direction. It is temporarily compressed when the user inserts their foot, and then restored to its original shape after insertion, pressing the back of the heel forward and preventing the heel from lifting or slipping out while walking. The heel counter and the cushion are joined together by adhesive, a plurality of through holes extending in the foot length direction are formed in at least one of the heel counter and the cushion, and the through holes are arranged at a higher density in the central portion than at both ends in the horizontal direction; A heel portion of footwear characterized by:

4. 4. The footwear heel portion according to claim 1, wherein a plurality of horizontally extending grooves are formed in the contact portion of the heel counter.

5. 4. The footwear heel portion according to claim 1, wherein the contact portion of the heel counter has a higher surface roughness than other areas.

6. The heel portion of the footwear described in any one of claims 1 to 3, characterized in that the contact portion of the heel counter has a meniscus shape with the center in the vertical direction convex toward the cushion, and the cushion has a shape corresponding to the meniscus shape.

7. 4. The footwear heel portion according to claim 1, wherein a plurality of through holes extending in the foot length direction are formed in the contact portion of the heel counter.

8. 4. The footwear heel portion according to claim 1, wherein the lower edge of the cushion has a meniscus shape with a central portion in the horizontal direction concave upward.

9. 4. The footwear heel portion according to claim 1, wherein a plurality of horizontally extending grooves are formed in the contact portion of the cushion.

10. 4. The footwear heel portion according to claim 1, wherein the contact portion of the cushion has a higher surface roughness than other areas.

11. The heel portion of the footwear according to any one of claims 1 to 3, characterized in that horizontally extending sawtooth grooves are formed in the opposing contact portions of the heel counter and the cushion, and these grooves are configured to interlock with each other.

12. 4. The footwear heel portion according to claim 1, wherein the cushion has a plurality of through holes extending in the foot length direction.

13. The heel portion of the footwear according to any one of claims 1 to 3, characterized in that the heel counter and the cushion are formed with a plurality of through holes extending in the lengthwise direction of the foot, and the through holes of the cushion and the through holes of the heel counter are arranged in corresponding positions.

14. 4. The footwear heel portion according to claim 1, wherein the heel counter and the cushion are joined together by adhesive, with no adhesive applied to the center of the contact area, and only to the periphery.

15. 4. The footwear heel portion according to claim 1, wherein a plurality of slits extending vertically are formed in an area of ​​the heel counter other than the contact portion.

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