Vibration generating unit and footwear or insole equipped with this vibration generating unit

Abstract

To provide novel footwear or the like capable of applying vibration to a foot of a user without using an electrically-driven vibrator.SOLUTION: Storage spaces (recesses 72a, 73a) are formed in the inside of soles 72, 73. In this storage spaces, a vibration generation member is provided which includes elastic materials (leaf spring parts 75b, 75c, 75d, 75e, 75f) arranged substantially horizontally and weights 75g, 75h, 75i, 75j, 75k fixed to distal ends of the elastic materials respectively. When a user walks, the weight 75i moves up and down and vibration is applied to a foot of the user.SELECTED DRAWING: Figure 8

Description

Technical Field

[0001] The present invention relates to a vibration generating unit and footwear that generate vibrations from the impact of a user's walking and contribute to improving the user's health by applying the vibrations to the user's feet.

Background Art

[0002] Hitherto, for the purpose of improving the health of users, a vibrator connected to a battery has been disposed inside shoes (athletic shoes), slippers, and other footwear, and the vibrator is driven by turning on a switch to apply vibrations to the user (to give a massage effect) (see Patent Documents 1 and 2).

Prior Art Documents

Patent Documents

[0003]

Patent Document 1

Patent Document 2

Summary of the Invention

Problems to be Solved by the Invention

[0004] However, footwear having the above-described vibrator as a component has various problems described below because the vibrator is driven by a power source. (1) Inside the footwear, not only the above-described vibrator but also a power source (storage battery) connected to the vibrator must necessarily be disposed. Therefore, not only can it not be manufactured at a low cost, but the configuration becomes complicated, and as the user's walking is repeated, there is a high possibility that the electric wire electrically connecting the electric motor and the power source (storage battery) will be disconnected. When the driving of the electric motor is turned on and off by a switch, the risk of such disconnection increases further. (2) When the electricity stored in the above power source (battery) is depleted, the power source (battery) must be replaced, or if the battery is a secondary battery, it must be recharged, which is extremely inconvenient for the user.

[0005] Therefore, the present invention was proposed to solve the above problems and aims to provide novel footwear, etc., that can apply vibration to the user's feet without using an electrically powered vibrator. [Means for solving the problem]

[0006] The present invention was proposed to solve the above problems, and the first invention (the invention described in claim 1) relates to a vibration generating unit, which is arranged inside a case and positioned substantially horizontally. First to third leaf spring section And these First to third leaf spring section The device comprises a weight made of a magnet fixed to its tip, one repulsive magnet positioned above the weight and arranged in the case, with its lower surface having the same magnetic pole as the upper surface of the weight, and another repulsive magnet positioned below the weight and with its upper surface having the same magnetic pole as the lower surface of the weight, and the case comprises an upper case half having a top plate and an upper frame portion hanging down from the outer circumference of the top plate, and a lower case half having a bottom plate and a lower frame portion rising from the outer circumference of the bottom plate. the law of nature From the underside of the top panel mentioned above The first upper support half and the second Upper strut half and but In a face-to-face position It hangs down, and the upper surface of the bottom plate portion is above The first upper support half and the second Upper strut half and Contacting or approaching the lower surface The first lower support half and the second The lower half of the support column is erected. along , The first leaf spring portion and the third leaf spring portion each extend in one direction from their base end and are parallel to each other, the second leaf spring portion extends from its base end in the opposite direction to the extension direction of the first leaf spring portion and the third leaf spring portion, and the middle portion of the second leaf spring portion is located between the first upper support half and the first lower support half and the second upper support half and the second lower support half. The above-mentioned weight is characterized by the fact that vibrations are transmitted to the user as it moves up and down.

[0007] The vibration generating unit according to this first invention generates vibrations by the up-and-down movement of a weight, and these vibrations are transmitted to the user, thereby promoting blood circulation and other health benefits. In particular, according to the vibration generating unit of this invention, The first and second above Upper half of the support column and The first and second above By both the lower half of the support column and the lower half , applicable Even when a large load is applied to the case, it is possible to prevent the entire case from being damaged or deformed.

[0008] Furthermore, the second invention (the invention described in claim 2) relates to footwear, characterized in that the vibration generating unit described in claim 1 is arranged in a housing space formed inside the sole, and the weight moves up and down as the user walks, thereby applying vibration to the user's foot.

[0009] In the footwear according to this second invention, a weight fixed to the tip of the elastic material moves up and down as the user walks, generating vibrations, and these vibrations are transmitted to the soles of the user's feet, thereby promoting blood circulation in the user's feet and having other health benefits.

[0010] In this second invention, the term "footwear" includes all footwear worn on the feet while walking, such as athletic shoes, sneakers, boots, rain boots, sandals, and slippers. The elastic material constituting this invention can be a leaf spring or a coil spring, as long as it has an elastic function and the weight is fixed and supported at its tip. The weight is fixed and supported at the tip of the elastic material and has a mass that can move up and down with the wearer's walking, and its shape is not particularly limited. Since these elastic material and weight are arranged in a housing space formed inside the sole, it is preferable that the elastic material be a leaf spring and the weight be flattened, such as in the shape of a disc. The location of the housing space formed in the sole is not particularly limited and may be on the heel side, the toe side, or both sides of the wearer, or in the center along the length of the sole.

[0011] Further, the third invention (the invention described in claim 3) relates to an insole, and is characterized in that the vibration generating unit according to the first invention is disposed within an accommodation space formed inside.

Advantages of the Invention

[0012] According to the vibration generating unit, footwear, and the footwear or insole provided with this vibration generating unit according to the present invention, vibration can be imparted to a user without using an electric vibrator.

Brief Description of the Drawings

[0013] [Figure 1] Fig. 1 is an exploded perspective view showing a sports shoe according to the first embodiment, with the upper and sole disassembled. [Figure 2] Fig. 1 is a cross-sectional view of the sports shoe shown in Fig. 1. [Figure 3] Fig. 1 is an exploded perspective view of the vibration generating unit shown in Fig. 1. [Figure 4] Fig. 1 is a cross-sectional view of the vibration generating unit shown in Fig. 1. [Figure 5] Fig. 1 is a plan view showing the state of the vibration generating unit shown in Fig. 1 with the upper case half removed. <00,00087>Fig. 6 is a perspective view showing an insole according to the second embodiment. [Figure 7] Fig. 6 is a cross-sectional view of the insole shown in Fig. 6. [Figure 8] Fig. 8 is a side view showing a sandal according to the third embodiment, partially broken away. [Figure 9] Fig. 8 is a plan view showing the sandal shown in Fig. 8, partially broken away. [[ID=4,2]]

Embodiments for Carrying Out the Invention

[0014] Hereinafter, footwear according to the best mode for carrying out the present invention will be described in detail with reference to the drawings. First, as a first embodiment, an example in which the present invention is applied to a sports shoe, which is a type of footwear, will be described with reference to the drawings.

[0015] As shown in Figure 1 or Figure 2, the athletic shoe 1 in this embodiment comprises a sole 2 and an upper 3. In this embodiment, the sole 2 comprises an outsole 21 whose lower surface is the contact surface with the ground, and a midsole 22 formed on the outsole 21. A recess 22a is formed on the upper surface of the midsole 22, midway towards the heel of the wearer, and an open recess 22a is housed in this recess 22a. A vibration generating unit 4, which will be described later, is housed in this recess 22a, and as shown in Figure 2, the recess 2a is closed by an insole 31 formed in the upper 3. The recess 22a is a housing space in which the vibration generating unit 4 is housed.

[0016] The vibration generating unit 4 housed in the recess 22a, as shown in Figure 3, comprises a case 41 made of synthetic resin and consisting of an upper case half 42 and a lower case half 43, a leaf spring member 44, first to third weights 45, 46, 47, first to third upper repulsion magnets 48, 49, 50, and first to third lower repulsion magnets 51, 52, 53.

[0017] The upper case half 42 constituting the case 41 has a top plate portion 42a and an upper frame portion 42b that hangs down from the outer circumference of the top plate portion 42a and is formed in a frame shape. The lower case half 43 consists of a bottom plate portion 43a that faces the top plate portion 42a and a lower frame portion 43b that rises up from the outer circumference of the bottom plate portion 43a and is formed in a frame shape. The top plate portion 42a and the bottom plate portion 43a are formed to the same shape, and the upper frame portion 42b and the lower frame portion 43b are formed symmetrically. The upper surface of the top plate portion 42a of the upper case half 42 has a first upper recess 42c, a second upper recess 42d, and a third upper recess 42e. The second upper recess 42d is formed from the center of the top plate portion 42a toward the heel side of the athletic shoe 1, and the first upper recess 42c and the third upper recess 42e are formed side by side in the width direction of the athletic shoe 1. In addition, the lower surface of the bottom plate portion 43a of the lower case half 43 has a first lower recess 43c, a second lower recess 43d, and a third lower recess 43e formed therein. The second lower recess 43d is formed from the center of the bottom plate portion 43a toward the heel side of the athletic shoe 1 and is located below the second upper recess 42d. The first lower recess 42c and the third lower recess 43e are formed side by side in the width direction of the athletic shoe 1, with the first lower recess 43c located below the first upper recess 42c and the third lower recess 43e located below the third upper recess 42e.

[0018] Furthermore, a first upper support half 42f and a second upper support half 42g hang down approximately in the center of the top plate portion 42a constituting the upper case half 42, facing each other. Also, a first lower support half 43f, whose upper end faces or abuts against the first upper support half 42f, and a second lower support half 43g, whose upper end faces or abuts against the second upper support half 42g, are erected on the upper surface of the bottom plate portion 43a constituting the lower case half 43.

[0019] Furthermore, the leaf spring member 44 is formed entirely into a plate shape by a magnet, and as shown in Figure 3 or Figure 5, it consists of a frame plate portion 44a formed to the same shape as the lower surface of the upper frame portion 42b that constitutes the upper case half 42 and the lower frame portion 43b that constitutes the lower case half 43, and a first leaf spring portion 44b, a second leaf spring portion 44c, and a third leaf spring portion 44d that protrude substantially horizontally from the inside of the frame plate portion 44a. The first leaf spring portion 44b and the third leaf spring portion 44d each extend slightly toward the toe side of the athletic shoe 1 from their base ends (the inner circumference of the frame plate portion 44a) and are parallel to each other. Furthermore, the second leaf spring portion 44c extends slightly toward the heel of the athletic shoe 1 from its base end (the inner circumference of the frame plate portion 44a) and is located between the first leaf spring portion 44b and the third leaf spring portion 44d. The middle portion of the second leaf spring portion 44c is located between the first upper support half 42f and the first lower support half 43f and the second upper support half 42g and the second lower support half 43g. In this embodiment, the tips of the first to third leaf spring portions 44b, 44c, and 44d are each formed with a plurality of fixing claw portions (reference numerals omitted), and the first to third weight-bearing plate portions 44e, 44f, and 44g are formed thereon. The first weight 45 is attached to the first weight-bearing plate portion 44e, the second weight 46 is attached to the second weight-bearing plate portion 44f as shown in Figure 4, and the third weight 47 is attached to the third weight-bearing plate portion 44g.

[0020] Furthermore, the first to third weights 45, 46, and 47 described above are each formed in a disc shape and made of magnets. In this embodiment, the polarity of the upper side of the first to third weights 45, 46, and 47 is the south pole and the polarity of the lower side is the north pole.

[0021] Furthermore, a first upper repulsion magnet 48 is positioned (fitted or bonded) from above the upper case half 42 into the first upper recess 42c, a second upper repulsion magnet 49 is positioned (fitted or bonded) from above the upper case half 42 into the second upper recess 42d, and a third upper repulsion magnet 50 is positioned (fitted or bonded) from above the upper case half 42 into the third upper recess 42e. These first to third upper repulsion magnets 48, 49, and 50 are each one of the repulsion magnets that constitute the present invention. Furthermore, these first to third upper repulsion magnets 48, 49, and 50 are all formed in a disc shape, and their thickness is approximately the same as the depth of the first to third upper recesses 42c, 42d, and 42e, and the polarity of their lower surfaces is the same as the south pole polarity of the upper surfaces of the first to third weights 45, 46, and 47. In addition, the first lower repulsion magnet 51 is positioned (fitted or glued) from below the lower case half 43 in the first lower recess 43c, the second lower repulsion magnet 52 is positioned (fitted or glued) from below the lower case half 43 in the second lower recess 43d, and the third lower repulsion magnet 53 is positioned (fitted or glued) from below the lower case half 43 in the third lower recess 43e. These first to third lower repulsion magnets 51, 52, and 53 are each the other repulsion magnets that constitute the present invention. These first to third lower repulsion magnets 51, 52, and 53 are molded to the same shape (disk shape) as the first to third upper repulsion magnets 48, 49, and 50, and their wall thickness is approximately the same as the depth of the first to third lower recesses 43c, 43d, and 43e. Furthermore, the polarity of the upper surface of the first to third lower repulsion magnets 51, 52, and 53 is the same as the N pole polarity of the lower surface of the first to third weights 45, 46, and 47.

[0022] Therefore, according to the athletic shoe 1 of the first embodiment described above, when the athletic shoe is worn on the foot by the user and they walk, and the impact from walking is transmitted to the vibration generating unit 4, the first to third weights 45, 46, 47 move up and down via the first to third leaf spring parts 44b, 44c, 44d. When the first to third weights 45, 46, 47 move upward, they are repelled downward by the first to third upper repulsion magnets 48, 49, 50. When the first to third weights 45, 46, 47 move downward, they are repelled upward by the first to third lower repulsion magnets 51, 52, 53. As a result of this repulsive action, the first to third weights 45, 46, 47 that have moved upward are again repelled downward. In other words, these first to third weights 45, 46, 47 vibrate continuously for a certain period of time at small intervals between the first to third upper repulsive magnets 48, 49, 50 and the first to third lower repulsive magnets 51, 52, 53, without even generating a loud noise. This continuous vibration is transmitted to the user's feet, effectively promoting blood flow in the user's feet.

[0023] In particular, the vibration generating unit 4 that constitutes the athletic shoe 1 according to this first embodiment is composed of a total of three pairs of leaf springs (first to third leaf spring parts 44b, 44c, 44d) which are elastic members constituting the present invention, and weights (first to third weights 45, 46, 47) fixed to the tips of these leaf springs, which allows for even more effective promotion of blood flow in the user's feet. Furthermore, since the first to third upper repulsion magnets 48, 49, 50 and the first to third lower repulsion magnets 51, 52, 53 constituting the vibration generating unit 4 are not located inside the case 41, but rather inside the first to third first upper recesses 42c, 42d, 42e formed in the top plate portion 42a of the upper case half 42 and the first to third lower recesses 43c, 43d, 43e formed in the bottom plate portion 43a of the lower case half 43, the overall thickness of the vibration generating unit 4 can be made relatively short. Moreover, since the vibration generating unit 4 has the first and second upper support halves 42f, 42g and the first and second lower support halves 43f, 43g formed therein, damage such as cracking or breaking of the case 41 of the vibration generating unit 4 can be effectively avoided even when compressed in the direction of the user.

[0024] In the first embodiment described above, the present invention is applied to athletic shoes 1. However, the present invention may also be applied to an insole 61 (the second embodiment) as shown in Figures 6 and 7, in which the vibration generating unit 4 is housed in a recess 61a formed in the insole 61. In addition, the insole 61 may be formed by attaching an upper sole (not shown) that closes the recess 61a, with the vibration generating unit 4 housed in the recess 61a.

[0025] Furthermore, the present invention may also be constructed without the aforementioned vibration generating unit 4, for example, as shown in Figures 8 and 9, by arranging first to fifth leaf spring portions 75b, 75c, 75d, 75e, 75f and first to fifth weights 75g, 75h, 75i, 75j, 75k positioned at the tips of these first to fifth leaf spring portions 75b, 75c, 75d, 75e, 75f within a housing space (reference numerals omitted) consisting of a lower recess 72a formed on the upper surface of a lower sole 72 and an upper recess 73a formed on the lower surface of an upper sole 73 attached to the lower sole 72.

[0026] In other words, the sandal 71 is a third embodiment of the present invention applied to a sandal, which is a type of footwear, and has a sole (reference numerals omitted) consisting of a lower sole 72 and an upper sole 73, and a housing space (reference numerals omitted) consisting of a lower recess 72a and an upper recess 73a, in which first to fifth leaf spring parts 75b, 75c, 75d, 75e, and first to fifth weights 75g, 75h, 75i, 75j, 75k are arranged at the tips of these first to fifth leaf spring parts 75b, 75c, 75d, 75e, and 75f. The first to fifth leaf spring parts 75b, 75c, 75d, 75e, and 75f each have their base ends on the inside of a frame-shaped plate part 75a and extend from the frame-shaped plate part 75a in a substantially parallel manner. Furthermore, the first, third, and fifth leaf spring sections 75b, 75d, and 75f extend from the heel side to the toe side, while the second and fourth leaf spring sections 75c and 75e extend from the toe side to the heel side. The first to fifth weights 75g, 75h, 75i, 75j, and 75k are molded to have the same shape and mass, and are welded or bonded to the tips of the first to fifth leaf spring sections 75b, 75c, 75d, 75e, and 75f. The frame-shaped plate section 75a is fixed in a sandwiched state between the lower sole 72 and the upper sole 73.

[0027] Even with a sandal 71 having such a configuration, vibration can be applied to the user's feet by the user repeatedly walking, without the need for an electric vibrator.

[0028] In the athletic shoe 1, vibration generating unit 4 according to the first embodiment, or the insole 61 according to the second embodiment, or the sandal 71 according to the third embodiment, the leaf spring portion and weight, which constitute the elastic material of the present invention, are arranged in multiple pairs; however, the leaf spring portion and weight may be in a single pair. Furthermore, in the vibration generating unit 4 constituting the athletic shoe 1 according to the first embodiment, first and second upper support half halves 42f and 42g hang down from the lower surface of the top plate portion 42a, and first and second lower support half halves 43f and 43g stand upright from the upper surface of the bottom plate portion 43a, with their upper surfaces in contact with or approaching the lower surfaces of the first or second upper support half halves 42f and 42g. However, these configurations may also be such that the support halves hang down or stand upright, with their lower or upper ends in contact with or approaching the lower surface of the bottom plate portion 43a or the upper surface of the top plate portion 42a. [Explanation of symbols]

[0029] 1 athletic shoes 2 soles 3 Upper 4. Vibration generating unit 22 Midsole 22a Recess (accommodation space) 41 cases 42 Upper case half 42a Top panel 42b Upper frame section 42c, 42d, 42e First to third upper recess 42f, 42g First and second upper support halves 43 Lower case half 43a Lower frame section 43c, 43d, 43e First to third lower recess 43f, 43g First and second lower support halves 44 Leaf spring member 45, 46, 47 First to third weights 48, 49, 50 First to third upper repulsive magnets 51, 52, 53 First to third lower repulsive magnets 61 Insole 61a Upper recess (accommodation space) 71 Sandals 72 Lower sole 72a Lower recess (accommodating space) 73 Upper sole 73a Upper recess (accommodation space) 75b, 75c, 75d, 75e, 75f First to fifth leaf spring sections 75g, 75h, 75i, 75j, 75k - First to fifth weights

Claims

1. A first to third leaf spring section is placed inside the case and positioned approximately horizontally, and a weight made of a magnet is fixed to the tip of these first to third leaf spring sections. The above case is arranged and positioned above the weight which is the magnet, and the lower surface of the repulsive magnet has the same magnetic pole as the upper surface of the weight which is the magnet, and the other repulsive magnet is positioned below the weight which is the magnet, and the upper surface of the repulsive magnet has the same magnetic pole as the lower surface of the weight which is the magnet, The above case comprises an upper case half having a top plate and an upper frame portion hanging down from the outer periphery of the top plate, and a lower case half having a bottom plate and a lower frame portion rising from the outer periphery of the bottom plate. From the lower surface of the top plate, the first upper support half and the second upper support half hang down in a face-to-face manner, and from the upper surface of the bottom plate, the first lower support half and the second lower support half stand upright, with their upper surfaces in contact with or approaching the lower surfaces of the first upper support half and the second upper support half. The first leaf spring portion and the third leaf spring portion each extend in one direction from their base end and are parallel to each other, the second leaf spring portion extends from its base end in the direction opposite to the extension direction of the first leaf spring portion and the third leaf spring portion, and the middle portion of the second leaf spring portion is located between the first upper support half and the first lower support half and the second upper support half and the second lower support half. A vibration generating unit characterized in that vibrations are applied to the user as the above-mentioned weight moves up and down.

2. Footwear characterized in that the vibration generating unit described in claim 1 is arranged in a housing space formed inside the sole, and the weight moves up and down as the user walks, thereby applying vibration to the user's foot.

3. An insole characterized in that the vibration generating unit described in claim 1 is arranged in a housing space formed inside it.

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