Soles and footwear

Abstract

To provide a sole for easily keeping an arch shape of a foot sole.SOLUTION: A sole 10 includes: an elastically deformable upper layer 14 where a vertical direction V, a front and rear direction L, and a width direction W are orthogonal to one another; and a lower layer 16 having a hardness higher than that of the upper layer 14 and provided on a lower side of the upper layer 14. The upper layer 14 has a foot receiver 18 for receiving the foot of a wearer. The lower layer 16 has: a foot receiver correspondence part 28 corresponding to the foot receiver 18; and a peripheral edge part 30 provided in a peripheral edge of the foot receiver correspondence part 28 and projected upward from a front surface of the foot receiver correspondence part 28. The peripheral edge part 30 includes: an inner peripheral edge part 38 provided at a position in the front and rear direction L corresponding to the arch of the foot and also on an inner side in the width direction W; and an outer peripheral edge part 40 provided on an outer side in the width direction W. A length H1 in the vertical direction V of the inner peripheral edge part 38 is greater than a length H2 in the vertical direction V of the outer peripheral edge part 40.SELECTED DRAWING: Figure 6

Description

Technical Field

[0001] The present invention relates to soles and footwear.

Background Art

[0002] In order to reduce the burden on the feet, a sole having a multi-layer structure is known. For example, Patent Document 1 discloses an insole having a multi-layer structure composed of a first layer using a relatively hard elastic material compared to the upper layer and a second layer using a relatively soft elastic material compared to the first layer which is the lower layer, and the first layer has a multi-layer structure in which the entire outer edge corresponding to the peripheral part of the sole is higher than the foot receiving part corresponding to the central part of the sole.

Prior Art Documents

Patent Documents

[0003]

Patent Document 1

Summary of the Invention

Problems to be Solved by the Invention

[0004] However, the insole of the above Patent Document 1 has a problem that it is difficult to sufficiently hold the arch shape of the wearer's sole because the amount of deformation in the vertical direction is not sufficient. An object of the present invention is to provide a sole that easily holds the arch shape of the sole.

Means for Solving the Problems

[0005] A sole according to one aspect of the present invention comprises an elastically deformable upper layer having mutually orthogonal vertical, front-rear, and width directions, and a lower layer having a higher hardness than the upper layer and provided below the upper layer, wherein the upper layer has a foot support portion for receiving the wearer's foot, and the lower layer has a foot support corresponding portion corresponding to the foot support portion, and a peripheral portion provided on the periphery of the foot support corresponding portion and projecting upward from the surface of the foot support corresponding portion, wherein the peripheral portion includes an inner peripheral portion provided on the inside in the width direction at a position in the front-rear direction corresponding to the arch of the foot, and an outer peripheral portion provided on the outside in the width direction, and the vertical length of the inner peripheral portion is greater than the vertical length of the outer peripheral portion. [Effects of the Invention]

[0006] According to the present invention, it is easier to maintain the arch shape of the sole of the foot. [Brief explanation of the drawing]

[0007] [Figure 1] This is a front view of a sole according to one embodiment. [Figure 2] This is an end view of the sole according to one embodiment, taken along line II-II in Figure 1. [Figure 3] This is a left side view of a sole according to one embodiment. [Figure 4] This is a right side view of the sole according to one embodiment. [Figure 5] Figure 1 shows a VV line end view of a sole according to one embodiment. [Figure 6] This is an end view of the sole along line VI-VI in Figure 1, according to one embodiment. [Figure 7] This is an end view of the sole according to one embodiment, taken along the line VII-VII in Figure 1. [Modes for carrying out the invention]

[0008] Embodiments of the present invention relate to the following aspects. [Aspect 1] Having mutually orthogonal vertical, front-to-back, and width directions, An elastically deformable upper layer, A sole comprising a lower layer having a higher hardness than the upper layer and provided below the upper layer, The upper layer has a foot rest that receives the wearer's feet, The aforementioned lower layer is, A foot support corresponding to the aforementioned foot support portion, It has a peripheral edge provided on the periphery of the foot support portion, which protrudes upward from the surface of the foot support portion, The aforementioned peripheral portion is located at the position in the front-to-back direction corresponding to the arch of the foot, The inner peripheral edge portion provided on the inside in the width direction, Including an outer peripheral edge portion provided on the outside in the width direction, A sole in which the vertical length of the inner peripheral edge is greater than the vertical length of the outer peripheral edge.

[0009] The upper layer is elastically deformable and less rigid than the lower layer, making it more easily deformed. The lower layer is harder than the upper layer, making it less susceptible to deformation under the wearer's weight. As a result, the sole is more likely to maintain a higher position on the inner side of the foot's width than on the outer side. Therefore, the sole is more likely to maintain the height of the arch of the foot, thus better maintaining the arch shape of the sole.

[0010] [Aspect 2] The sole according to embodiment 1, wherein the height of the surface of the foot support portion that contacts the foot is higher than the height of the inner peripheral edge portion. The surface of the foot support area is higher than the inner periphery, allowing for greater freedom of deformation under the wearer's weight. Because the inner periphery is higher than the outer periphery, the foot support area deforms more easily on the outer side of the foot than on the inner side in the width direction due to the wearer's weight. Therefore, the sole deforms along the wearer's foot due to their weight, making it easier to maintain the arch height and thus the arch shape of the sole.

[0011] [Aspect 3] The ratio (H1 / H2) of the length H1 in the vertical direction of the inner peripheral portion to the length H2 in the vertical direction of the outer peripheral portion is 2 to 4, the sole according to aspect 1 or 2. The sole can easily maintain the height of the arch of a wearer with a large height difference in the unevenness of the sole of the foot because the ratio (H1 / H2) of the length in the vertical direction of the inner peripheral portion to the length in the vertical direction of the outer peripheral portion is within the above range.

[0012] [Aspect 4] The peripheral portion has a toe peripheral portion provided at the periphery of the foot receiving corresponding portion corresponding to the toe of the foot from the base of the toe of the foot. The length in the vertical direction of the toe peripheral portion is larger than the length in the vertical direction of the outer peripheral portion and smaller than the length in the vertical direction of the inner peripheral portion, the sole according to any one of aspects 1 to 3. The sole can limit the sinking of the foot receiving portion corresponding to the toe because the length in the vertical direction of the toe peripheral portion is within the above range. Therefore, the sole can give a good repulsive force to the wearer's foot at the time of kicking out during walking.

[0013] [Aspect 5] The peripheral portion has a heel peripheral portion provided at the periphery of the foot receiving corresponding portion corresponding to the heel of the foot. The length in the vertical direction of the heel peripheral portion is less than or equal to the length in the vertical direction of the outer peripheral portion, the sole according to any one of aspects 1 to 4. Since the length in the vertical direction of the heel peripheral portion is less than or equal to the length in the vertical direction of the outer peripheral portion, the foot receiving portion is easily deformed in the same manner as the outer peripheral portion at the position corresponding to the heel. Therefore, the sole can obtain good cushioning properties at the time of stepping in during walking.

[0014] [Aspect 6] Footwear provided with the sole according to any one of aspects 1 to 5. It is possible to provide footwear having the effects of the above sole.

[0015] (Overall configuration) Hereinafter, an embodiment of the present invention will be described in more detail with reference to the drawings. Figure 1 is a front view of the sole according to one embodiment, Figure 2 is an end view of the sole according to one embodiment along the line II-II in Figure 1, Figure 3 is a left side view of the sole according to one embodiment, Figure 4 is a right side view of the sole according to one embodiment, Figure 5 is an end view of the sole according to one embodiment along the line VV in Figure 1, Figure 6 is an end view of the sole according to one embodiment along the line VI-VI in Figure 1, and Figure 7 is an end view of the sole according to one embodiment along the line VII-VII in Figure 1.

[0016] One embodiment of the sole 10 is applied to footwear such as sandals and shoes. Figure 1 shows the sole 10 applied to a flip-flop 12 having a thong 11. Only the sole for the right foot is shown. The sole for the left foot is symmetrical to the sole for the right foot 10. In the following description, only the sole for the right foot 10 will be described, and the description of the sole for the left foot will be omitted.

[0017] The sole 10 has a vertical direction V, a front-to-back direction L, and a width direction W, all of which are perpendicular to each other. The vertical direction V refers to the vertical direction when a wearer is wearing footwear equipped with the sole 10, and is synonymous with the vertical direction. The front-to-back direction L is perpendicular to the vertical direction V and is the direction connecting the wearer's toes and heels when a wearer is wearing footwear equipped with the sole 10, and is synonymous with the length direction. The width direction W is perpendicular to the vertical direction V and the front-to-back direction L. The sole 10 is defined as having the direction and side closest to the wearer's sole facing upwards and upwards, and the direction and side closest to the ground facing downwards and downwards. The length of the vertical direction V of the component of interest is also called the "thickness". The sole 10 is defined as having the direction and side facing forward when viewed from the wearer facing forwards and the direction and side facing backwards facing backwards. When viewed from the wearer, the sole 10 is defined as having the side closer to the wearer's arch facing inwards, and the side opposite the arch facing outwards, starting from the center in the width direction.

[0018] As shown in Figure 2, the sole 10 comprises an upper layer 14 and a lower layer 16. The upper layer 14 has a foot support portion 18 that receives the wearer's foot. The foot support portion 18 is positioned to correspond to the entire sole of the wearer's foot. The foot support portion 18 includes a surface 19 that contacts the sole of the wearer's foot and a lower surface 21 opposite to the surface 19. As shown in Figure 5, the foot support portion 18 may have a curved shape in which the approximate center of the width direction W is recessed downwards in a cross-section in the width direction W.

[0019] The foot support portion 18 has an inner portion 20, an outer portion 22, a toe portion 24, and a heel portion 26 positioned along the outer circumference of the foot support portion 18 (Figure 1). The inner portion 20 is positioned to correspond to the arch of the wearer's foot. The outer portion 22 is positioned to the outside in the width direction W relative to the position L in the front-to-back direction of the inner portion 20. The toe portion 24 is positioned to correspond to the area from the base of the wearer's toes to the toes. The heel portion 26 is positioned to correspond to the heel of the wearer's foot.

[0020] The inner portion 20, outer portion 22, toe portion 24, and heel portion 26 do not need to be strictly demarcated. The inner portion 20, outer portion 22, toe portion 24, and heel portion 26 each have a certain width extending inward from the outer edge of the foot support portion 18, and each is a certain area centered on a corresponding position. For example, the inner portion 20 is an area with a certain extension in the front-to-back direction L and width direction W, centered on the arch of the wearer's foot. The outer portion 22 is an area with a certain extension in the front-to-back direction L and width direction W, centered on a position outside the width direction W corresponding to the front-to-back direction L of the inner portion 20. The toe portion 24 is an area with a certain extension from the outer circumference of the foot support portion 18 to the inside of the foot support portion 18, centered on a position corresponding to the base of the wearer's toes to the toes. The heel portion 26 is an area with a certain extension from the outer circumference of the foot support portion 18 to the inside of the foot support portion 18, centered on the heel of the wearer's foot.

[0021] As shown in Figures 3 and 4, the thickness h1 of the inner portion 20 is preferably smaller than the thickness h2 of the outer portion 22. The thickness h3 of the toe portion 24 is preferably thinner than the thickness h2 of the outer portion 22 and thicker than the thickness h1 of the inner portion 20. The thickness h4 of the heel portion 26 is preferably thicker than the thickness h3 of the outer portion 22. Thicknesses h1, h2, h3, and h4 refer to the thickness at the position where they contact the top of the peripheral edge (described later) of the corresponding lower layer 16.

[0022] Preferably, the thickness of the foot support portion 18 at the center of the width direction W at each position corresponding to the arch, toes, and heel of the wearer's foot, i.e., the length between the surface 19 and the bottom surface 21 of the foot support portion 18 at each position, is greater than the thicknesses h1, h2, h3, and h4. Because the thickness of the foot support portion 18 is greater than the thicknesses h1, h2, h3, and h4, the amount of vertical deformation of the foot support portion 18 is greater than the amount of vertical deformation of the inner portion 20, outer portion 22, toe portion 24, and heel portion 26.

[0023] The thickness h1 of the inner part 20 is smaller than the thickness h2 of the outer part 22, resulting in less deformation in the vertical direction V compared to the outer part 22. It is preferable that the thickness h1 of the inner part 20 is the smallest compared to thicknesses h2, h3, and h4. The thickness h1 of the inner part 20 is the smallest compared to thicknesses h2, h3, and h4, resulting in less deformation in the vertical direction V compared to the outer part 22, toe part 24, and heel part 26. It is preferable that the thickness h4 of the heel part 26 is the largest compared to thicknesses h2, h3, and h4. The thickness h4 of the heel part 26 is the largest compared to thicknesses h2, h3, and h4, resulting in a greater deformation in the vertical direction V compared to the inner part 20, outer part 22, and toe part 24.

[0024] The upper layer 14 is formed of an elastic material with lower hardness than the lower layer 16. Specifically, the material of the upper layer 14 can be a thermoplastic synthetic resin such as ethylene-vinyl acetate copolymer (EVA) or its foam, a thermosetting resin such as polyurethane (PU) or its foam, or rubber such as butadiene rubber or chloroprene rubber or its foam.

[0025] The lower layer 16 is provided on the underside of the upper layer 14. The lower layer 16 is provided on the lower surface 21 of the foot support portion 18 of the upper layer 14. The lower layer 16 is provided on the lower surface 21 of the upper layer 14 by adhesive or integral molding. The lower layer 16 is formed of a hard elastic material with a higher hardness than the upper layer 14. Specifically, the material of the lower layer 16 can be thermoplastic synthetic resins such as ethylene-vinyl acetate copolymer (EVA) or their foams, thermosetting resins such as polyurethane (PU) or their foams, or rubbers such as butadiene rubber or chloroprene rubber or their foams. The hardness of the lower layer 16 is set to, for example, 52-58 or 54-56 on durometer A. The durometer A hardness is the value measured using a durometer in accordance with JIS K6253, with a sample cut from the sole with a thickness of 6 mm or more, a width length of 25 mm, and a front-to-back length of 25 mm, at a measurement temperature of 23°C. The difference in hardness between the lower layer 16 and the upper layer 14 can be, for example, 32-45 or 35-42.

[0026] As shown in Figure 5, the lower layer 16 has a foot support portion 28 and a peripheral edge portion 30. The foot support portion 28 is positioned in a location corresponding to the foot support portion 18 of the upper layer 14. The foot support portion 28 has an upper surface 32 that contacts the lower surface 21 of the upper layer 14 and a ground contact surface 34 that is on the opposite side of the upper surface 32 and contacts the ground. The thickness of the foot support portion 28, i.e., the length between the upper surface 32 and the ground contact surface 34, is smaller than the thickness of the foot support portion 18. The peripheral edge portion 30 is provided on the periphery of the foot support portion 28. The peripheral edge portion 30 protrudes upward from the surface of the foot support portion 28. The peripheral edge portion 30 is annular and is provided continuously along the periphery of the foot support portion 28.

[0027] The height of the peripheral portion 30 is preferably lower than the surface of the foot support portion 18 along its entire circumference. In other words, it is preferable that the height of the surface of the foot support portion 18 is higher than the height of the peripheral portion 30. The peripheral portion 30 has a top portion 36 at the upper end in the vertical direction V. The peripheral portion 30 is in contact with the periphery of the foot support portion 18 at the top portion 36. In other words, the peripheral portion 30 supports the periphery of the foot support portion 18 from below.

[0028] As shown in Figures 3 and 4, the peripheral edge 30 has an inner peripheral edge 38, an outer peripheral edge 40, a toe peripheral edge 42, and a heel peripheral edge 44. The inner peripheral edge 38 is located at a position L in the anterior-posterior direction of the foot corresponding to the arch of the wearer's foot, and is provided on the inner edge in the width direction W of the foot support portion 28. The inner peripheral edge 38 supports the inner portion 20 of the foot support portion 18 from below. The inner peripheral edge 38 extends in the direction along the anterior-posterior direction L in Figure 1. The outer peripheral edge 40 is located at a position L in the anterior-posterior direction of the foot corresponding to the arch of the wearer's foot, and is provided on the outer edge in the width direction W of the foot support portion 28. The outer peripheral edge 40 supports the outer portion 22 of the foot support portion 18 from below. The outer peripheral edge 40 extends in the direction along the anterior-posterior direction L in Figure 1.

[0029] As shown in Figure 6, the thickness H1 of the inner periphery 38 is greater than the thickness H2 of the outer periphery 40. The thickness H1 of the inner periphery 38 is the length from the contact surface 34 of the inner periphery 38 to the top 36 of the inner periphery 38. The thickness H2 of the outer periphery 40 is the length from the contact surface 34 of the outer periphery 40 to the top 36 of the outer periphery 40. Because of the above relationship between the thickness H1 of the inner periphery 38 and the thickness H2 of the outer periphery 40, the sole 10 is more likely to hold the inner side of the foot in the width direction W higher than the outer side in the width direction W.

[0030] The ratio (H1 / H2) of the thickness H1 of the inner peripheral edge 38 to the thickness H2 of the outer peripheral edge 40 is preferably 2 to 4, and more preferably 2 to 4. By having the ratio (H1 / H2) of the thickness H1 of the inner peripheral edge 38 to the thickness H2 of the outer peripheral edge 40 within the above range, the sole 10 can easily maintain the height of the arch of the foot of a wearer with a large difference in height between the contours of the sole.

[0031] The thickness H1 of the inner peripheral portion 38 is preferably greater than the thickness h1 of the inner portion 20. The ratio (H1 / h1) of the thickness H1 of the inner peripheral portion 38 to the thickness h1 of the inner portion 20 is preferably 2 to 4, and more preferably 2 to 4. By having the ratio (H1 / h1) of the thickness H1 of the inner peripheral portion 38 to the thickness h1 of the inner portion 20 within the above range, the inner portion 20 of the sole 10 is less likely to deform due to the wearer's weight.

[0032] The thickness H2 of the outer peripheral portion 40 is preferably smaller than the thickness h2 of the outer portion 22. In other words, the thickness h2 of the outer portion 22 is preferably larger than the thickness H2 of the outer peripheral portion 40. The ratio (H2 / h2) of the thickness H2 of the outer peripheral portion 40 to the thickness h2 of the outer portion 22 is preferably 2 to 4, and more preferably 2 to 4. The sole 10 is such that the outer portion 22 is easily deformed by the wearer's weight because the ratio (H2 / h2) of the thickness H2 of the outer peripheral portion 40 to the thickness h2 of the outer portion 22 is within the above range.

[0033] The foot support portion 18 is supported from below by the inner peripheral portion 38 at the inner portion 20 corresponding to the arch of the foot. The foot support portion 18 has a thickness H1 of the inner peripheral portion 38 which is greater than the thickness H2 of the outer peripheral portion 40, and a thickness h1 of the inner portion 20 which is smaller than the thickness h2 of the outer portion 22. As a result, the inner portion 20 is less prone to deformation in the vertical direction than the outer portion 22. Therefore, the inner portion 20 is more likely to be maintained at a higher position than the outer portion 22.

[0034] As shown in Figure 6, the surface 19 of the foot support portion 18 may be inclined downward from the inside to the outside in a cross-section in the width direction W at a position corresponding to the arch of the wearer's foot. The inclination of the surface 19 of the foot support portion 18 downward from the inside to the outside in the above cross-section allows the sole 10 to conform easily to the sole of the wearer's foot.

[0035] As shown in Figure 5, the toe periphery portion 42 is provided on the periphery of the foot support portion 28, which corresponds to the area from the base of the wearer's toes to the toes. The toe periphery portion 42 is in an inverted U shape in Figure 1. The toe periphery portion 42 supports the toe portion 24 of the foot support portion 18 from below. It is preferable that the thickness H3 of the toe periphery portion 42 is greater than the thickness H2 of the outer periphery portion 40 and less than the thickness H1 of the inner periphery portion 38. The thickness H3 of the toe periphery portion 42 is the length from the contact surface 34 of the toe periphery portion 42 to the top 36 of the toe periphery portion 42. The above relationship between the thickness H3 of the toe periphery portion 42 and the thickness h2 of the outer periphery portion 40 makes it difficult for the toe portion 24 to deform under the wearer's weight.

[0036] The thickness H3 of the toe perimeter 42 is preferably greater than the thickness h3 of the toe portion 24. The ratio (H3 / h3) of the thickness H3 of the toe perimeter 42 to the thickness h3 of the toe portion 24 is preferably 1.2 to 2.0, and more preferably 1.4 to 1.8. By having the ratio of the thickness H3 of the toe perimeter 42 to the thickness h3 of the toe portion 24 within the above range, the toe portion 24 is less likely to deform due to the wearer's weight.

[0037] The foot support portion 18 is supported from below by the toe periphery portion 42 at the toe portion 24, which corresponds to the wearer's toes. The thickness H3 of the toe periphery portion 42 of the foot support portion 18 is higher than the thickness H2 of the outer periphery portion 40, and the thickness H3 of the toe periphery portion 42 is greater than the thickness h3 of the toe portion 24, so that the toe portion 24 is less susceptible to compressive deformation in the vertical direction.

[0038] As shown in Figure 7, the heel periphery 44 is provided on the periphery of the foot support portion 28, which corresponds to the wearer's heel. The heel periphery 44 is U-shaped in Figure 1. The heel periphery 44 supports the heel portion 26 of the foot support portion 18 from below. The thickness H4 of the heel periphery 44 is preferably less than or equal to the thickness H2 of the outer periphery 40. The thickness H4 of the heel periphery 44 is the length from the contact surface 34 of the heel periphery 44 to the top 36 of the heel periphery 44. The above relationship between the thickness H4 of the heel periphery 44 and the thickness H2 of the outer periphery 40 makes the heel portion 26 easily deformed by the wearer's weight.

[0039] The ratio (H4 / h4) of the thickness H4 of the heel periphery 44 to the thickness h4 of the heel portion 26 is preferably 2 to 4, and more preferably 2 to 4. When the ratio of the thickness H4 of the heel periphery 44 to the thickness h4 of the heel portion 26 is within the above range, the heel portion 26 is more easily deformed by the wearer's weight.

[0040] The foot support portion 18 is supported from below by the heel periphery portion 44 at the heel portion 26, which corresponds to the heel of the wearer's foot. The heel portion 26 is easily compressed and deformed in the vertical direction because the thickness H4 of the heel periphery portion 44 is less than or equal to the thickness H2 of the outer periphery portion 40, and the thickness h4 of the heel portion 26 is greater than the thickness H4 of the heel periphery portion 44.

[0041] (Mechanism of Action and Effects) Next, the operation and effects of the sole 10 of the above embodiment will be explained. The sole 10 is worn on the wearer's foot with the sole of the wearer's foot in contact with the surface of the foot support portion 18. That is, the toes of the wearer's foot may be in contact with the toe portion 24 of the foot support portion 18, the arch of the wearer's foot may be in contact with the inner portion 20, the outer side of the sole of the wearer's foot in the width direction may be in contact with the outer portion 22, and the heel of the wearer's foot may be in contact with the heel portion 26. In this case, the sole 10 receives a downward load (body weight) from the wearer's foot and an upward reaction force from the ground corresponding to that load.

[0042] Generally, the arch of the foot is supported by muscle groups. The medial arch, in particular, tends to collapse inward when the tension of the muscle groups weakens due to continuous load and reaction forces.

[0043] The sole 10 compresses and deforms under the load and reaction force from the wearer and the ground, causing the surface 19 of the foot support portion 18 to move downward. The foot support portion 18, which is the upper layer 14, is supported from below by the foot support corresponding portion 28 of the lower layer 16, which is harder than the upper layer 14. The thickness H2 of the inner peripheral portion 38 of the lower layer 16 is higher than the thickness H1 of the outer peripheral portion 40. As a result, the inner portion 20 of the upper layer 14 is less prone to deformation in the vertical direction V than the outer portion 22, and is more likely to maintain a higher height than the outer portion 22. Therefore, the sole 10 can easily maintain the height of the arch of the foot, and thus easily maintain the shape of the inner arch of the wearer's sole.

[0044] Because the thickness h2 of the outer part 22 of the foot support portion 18 is greater than the thickness H2 of the outer peripheral edge 40 of the lower layer 16, the upper layer 14 is more prone to deformation, and the outer foot support portion 18 in the width direction W is more prone to deformation downward. As a result, the sole 10 can more easily maintain the inner side of the wearer's sole in the width direction W higher than the outer side. Therefore, the sole 10 can more easily maintain the inner arch shape of the wearer.

[0045] In this embodiment, the sole 10 supports the sole of the foot by having its inner peripheral edge 38 support the inner portion 20 from below. Furthermore, the outer portion 22 of the sole 10 sinks lower than the inner portion 20, thereby maintaining the inner side of the wearer's sole in the width direction W higher than the outer side. Therefore, the sole 10 is better able to maintain the shape of the wearer's inner arch.

[0046] The sole 10 receives a load (body weight) from the wearer and a reaction force from the ground corresponding to that load during the wearer's walking, both when the heel lands and when the toes lift off the ground.

[0047] The sole 10 is designed so that the heel portion 26 is easily compressed and deformed in the vertical direction V, thereby suppressing the transmission of the reaction force received from the ground to the wearer's heel when stepping down. In other words, the heel portion 26 absorbs a portion of the reaction force received from the ground by compressing and deforming. As a result, the sole 10 provides good cushioning when the wearer steps down while walking.

[0048] The sole 10 is designed so that the toe portion 24 is less susceptible to compressive deformation in the vertical direction V, thereby limiting the sinking of the wearer's toes during push-off. In other words, the toe portion 24 suppresses compressive deformation and efficiently transmits the reaction force received from the ground to the sole of the wearer's foot. As a result, the sole 10 can provide the wearer's foot with good rebound force when the wearer pushes off while walking.

[0049] (modified version) The present invention is not limited to the above-described embodiment and can be modified as appropriate within the scope of the spirit of the invention. For example, in the above embodiment, the sole was described as being applied to a beach sandal as footwear, but the present invention is not limited to this. The sole may also be applied to sports sandals having an ankle strap, slippers that cover the toes, and shoes that cover the instep and heel.

[0050] In the above embodiment, the height of the lower peripheral edge was described as being lower than the surface of the foot support over its entire circumference, but the present invention is not limited to this. For example, the height of a part of the peripheral edge, such as a part of the toe peripheral edge, may be higher than the surface of the foot support.

[0051] In the above embodiment, the case where the height of the toe periphery is higher than the height of the outer periphery has been described, but the present invention is not limited to this. For example, the height of the toe periphery may be lower than the height of the outer periphery, as long as the sinking of the toe portion can be limited by making it higher than the height of the toe portion.

[0052] In the above embodiment, the case where the height of the heel periphery is less than or equal to the height of the outer periphery has been described, but the present invention is not limited to this. For example, the height of the heel periphery may be higher than the height of the outer periphery if the heel can be easily compressed and deformed by making it lower than the height of the heel. [Explanation of Symbols]

[0053] 10 soles 11 Thong 12 Flip-flops 14 Upper layer 16 Lower layer 18 Foot support 19 Surface (foot support area) 20 Inner part 21. Bottom surface (foot support area) 22 Outer part 24 Toe area 26 Heel 28 Foot support section 30 Peripheral area 32 Top side 34 Ground plane 36 Top 38 Inner peripheral edge 40 Outer periphery 42 Toe area 44 Heel periphery V vertical direction L Anteroposterior direction W (width direction)

Claims

1. Having mutually orthogonal vertical, front-to-back, and width directions, An elastically deformable upper layer, A sole comprising a lower layer having a higher hardness than the upper layer and provided below the upper layer, The upper layer has a foot rest that receives the wearer's feet, The foot support portion is located along the outer circumference of the foot support portion, The inner part is positioned to correspond to the arch of the foot, It has an outer portion that is positioned outside the width direction with respect to the front-rear position of the inner portion, The aforementioned lower layer is, A foot support corresponding to the aforementioned foot support portion, It has a peripheral edge provided on the periphery of the foot support portion, which protrudes upward from the surface of the foot support portion, The aforementioned peripheral portion is located at the position in the front-to-back direction corresponding to the arch of the foot, An inner peripheral edge portion provided on the inside in the width direction and supporting the inner portion from below, It includes an outer peripheral edge portion provided on the outside in the width direction and supporting the outer portion from below, A sole in which the vertical length of the inner peripheral edge is greater than the vertical length of the outer peripheral edge, and the vertical length of the inner portion is less than the vertical length of the outer portion.

2. The sole according to claim 1, wherein the height of the surface of the foot support portion that contacts the foot is higher than the height of the inner peripheral edge portion.

3. The sole according to claim 1 or 2, wherein the ratio (H1 / H2) of the vertical length H1 of the inner peripheral edge to the vertical length H2 of the outer peripheral edge is 2 to 4.

4. The aforementioned peripheral portion has a toe peripheral portion provided on the periphery of the foot support corresponding to the area from the base of the toes to the toes, The sole according to claim 1 or 2, wherein the vertical length of the toe periphery is greater than the vertical length of the outer periphery and less than the vertical length of the inner periphery.

5. The aforementioned peripheral portion has a heel peripheral portion provided on the peripheral portion of the foot support corresponding to the heel of the foot, The sole according to claim 1 or 2, wherein the vertical length of the heel periphery is less than or equal to the vertical length of the outer periphery.

6. Footwear comprising the sole described in claim 1 or 2.

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