Plates, soles and shoes

Abstract

To provide a plate, sole, and a shoe that can reduce angular variation of the ankle joint during the time from grounding to stepping out.SOLUTION: The plate 300 includes: a curved part 310 that is provided in a forefoot region and that has a shape curved convexly toward a flat surface; a metatarsal support part 320 provided in the metatarsal region; and a heel support part 330 provided in the rear region. The curved part 310 has a wide width region containing a wide width part in which a size in the width direction is largest in the curved part 310. The metatarsal support part 320 has a narrow width region containing a narrow width part in which a size in the width direction is smallest in the width direction of the metatarsal support part 320. The ratio of flexural rigidity of the narrow width region relative to the flexural rigidity of the wide width region is equal to or more than 0.4 and less than 0.85.SELECTED DRAWING: Figure 1

Description

Technical Field

[0001] This disclosure relates to plates, soles, and shoes.

Background Art

[0002] For shoes worn in sports and the like, it is required to reduce foot fatigue during running or exercise. For example, International Publication No. 2020 / 136916 discloses a shoe capable of reducing the burden on the ankle joint. The sole of this shoe includes a rear sole portion that contacts a virtual surface when placed on a flat virtual surface, a toe portion whose height from the virtual surface is 170% or more and 250% or less with respect to the thickness dimension of the rear sole portion, and a front sole portion that is continuous with the front portion of the rear sole portion, curves and extends to the toe portion, and is spaced apart from the virtual surface.

Prior Art Documents

Patent Documents

[0003]

Patent Document 1

Summary of the Invention

Problems to be Solved by the Invention

[0004] In shoes such as those described in International Publication No. 2020 / 136916, it is desirable to further reduce the burden on the foot by suppressing the movement of the ankle joint from landing to kicking.

[0005] An object of the present disclosure is to provide a plate, a sole, and a shoe capable of reducing the angular change of the ankle joint from landing to kicking.

Means for Solving the Problems

[0006] A plate according to one aspect of this disclosure is a plate used in the sole of a shoe which constitutes part of a shoe, and comprises: a curved portion provided in the forefoot region of the sole which overlaps with the forefoot of the wearer of the shoe in the thickness direction of the sole, and having a shape that curves so as to be convex toward the flat surface when the sole is placed on a flat surface; a midfoot support portion provided in the midfoot region of the sole which overlaps with the midfoot of the wearer in the thickness direction, and supporting the midfoot; and a rearfoot support portion provided in the rearfoot region of the sole which overlaps with the rearfoot of the wearer in the thickness direction, and supporting at least a part of the rearfoot, wherein the curved portion has a wide region which includes the widest portion which has the largest dimension in the width direction of the curved portion, and the midfoot support portion has a narrow region which includes the narrowest portion which has the smallest dimension in the width direction of the midfoot support portion, and the ratio of the bending stiffness of the narrow region to the bending stiffness of the wide region is 0.4 or more and 0.85 or less.

[0007] Furthermore, a sole according to one aspect of this disclosure comprises a plate and a midsole having a forefoot region, a midfoot region and a rearfoot region, wherein the plate is provided within the midsole such that the curved portion is located in the forefoot region and the midfoot support portion is located in the midfoot region, and the midsole has a lower midsole located below the plate and an upper midsole located above the plate, wherein the lower midsole has a support portion that supports the curved portion over the entire area of ​​the curved portion, and the support portion is elastically deformable to allow the curved portion to deform so that the curvature of the wide region becomes smaller, and the thickness of the support portion in the part that overlaps with the plate in the thickness direction, and at least the part that overlaps with the part in front of the wide portion in the thickness direction, is constant.

[0008] Furthermore, a shoe according to one aspect of this disclosure comprises the sole and an upper connected to the sole and located above the sole. [Effects of the Invention]

[0009] According to this disclosure, it is possible to provide a plate, sole, and shoe that can reduce the change in angle of the ankle joint from landing to push-off. [Brief explanation of the drawing]

[0010] [Figure 1] This is a schematic cross-sectional view of a shoe according to one embodiment of the present invention. [Figure 2] This is a plan view of the sole of a shoe. [Figure 3] This is a perspective view of the plate. [Figure 4] This diagram provides a schematic overview of the process from landing to pushing off. [Figure 5] This is a plan view of a shoe sole showing a modified version of the plate. [Figure 6] This is a plan view of a shoe sole showing a modified version of the plate. [Figure 7] This is a plan view of a shoe sole showing a modified version of the plate. [Figure 8] This is a plan view of a shoe sole showing a modified version of the plate. [Figure 9] This is a plan view of a shoe sole showing a modified version of the plate. [Figure 10] This is a plan view of a shoe sole showing a modified version of the plate. [Figure 11] This is a plan view of a shoe sole showing a modified version of the plate. [Figure 12] This is a plan view of a shoe sole showing a modified version of the plate. [Figure 13] This is a plan view of a shoe sole showing a modified version of the plate. [Figure 14] This is a plan view of a shoe sole showing a modified version of the plate. [Figure 15] This is a plan view of a shoe sole showing a modified version of the plate. [Figure 16] This is a plan view of a shoe sole showing a modified version of the plate. [Figure 17] This is a plan view of a shoe sole showing a modified version of the plate. [Figure 18] This is a plan view of a shoe sole showing a modified version of the plate. [Figure 19]It is a plan view of a shoe sole showing a modified example of the plate. [Figure 20] It is a cross-sectional view taken along the line XX-XX in FIG. 19. [Figure 21] It is a plan view of a shoe sole showing a modified example of the plate. [Figure 22] It is a cross-sectional view taken along the line XXII-XXII in FIG. 21. [Figure 23] It is a cross-sectional view of a shoe sole showing a modified example of the plate. [Figure 24] It is a cross-sectional view of a shoe sole showing a modified example of the plate.

Mode for Carrying Out the Invention

[0011] Embodiments of this disclosure will be described with reference to the drawings. In the drawings referred to below, the same or corresponding members are given the same numbers. In the following description, terms such as the longitudinal direction, the width direction, the front, and the rear are used. The terms indicating these directions indicate the directions as viewed from the perspective of a wearer wearing the shoe 1 placed on a flat surface P (see FIG. 1) such as the ground. For example, the front refers to the toe side, and the rear refers to the heel side. Also, the inside refers to the inside of the foot (the first toe side of the foot) in the width direction (the left-right direction in FIG. 2), and the outside refers to the outside of the foot in the width direction.

[0012] [[ID=2,6]] FIG. 1 is a cross-sectional view schematically showing a shoe according to an embodiment of the present invention. FIG. 2 is a plan view of the shoe sole. Although the shoe sole 10 for the right foot is shown in FIG. 2, this shoe sole 10 is also applicable to the left foot, and in this case, it is symmetrical to the shoe sole 10 for the right foot. The shoe 1 of this embodiment is suitable for, for example, running, but can also be applied as other sports shoes or walking shoes, regardless of the use of the shoes.

[0013] As shown in FIG. 1, the shoe 1 includes a shoe sole 10 and an upper 20.

[0014] The upper 20 is connected to the shoe sole 10 and is located above the shoe sole 10. The upper 20 forms a space for accommodating the foot together with the shoe sole 10.

[0015] As shown in Figures 1 and 2, the sole 10 has an outsole 100, a midsole 200, and a plate 300.

[0016] The outsole 100 constitutes the contact area. The outsole 100 is made of rubber or the like. The outsole 100 is mainly provided from the forefoot area 201 (described later) to the midfoot area 202 (described later). The area where the outsole 100 is provided is not limited to this, and may extend to the rearfoot area 203 (described later), or a configuration may be adopted in which it is provided in the forefoot area 201 and rearfoot area 203 but not in the midfoot area 202.

[0017] The midsole 200 is provided on the outsole 100. The upper 20 is provided on the midsole 200. In other words, the midsole 200 is provided between the upper 20 and the outsole 100. The midsole 200 is made of a resin foam material or the like. The midsole 200 has a forefoot region 201, a midfoot region 202, and a rearfoot region 203.

[0018] The forefoot region 201 is the area of ​​the sole 10 that overlaps with the wearer's forefoot in the thickness direction. The forefoot is the part of the wearer's foot located at the front in the longitudinal direction (vertical direction in Figure 2) of the shoe 1. The forefoot region 201 is located in a range of approximately 0% to 30% of the total length of the shoe 1, from the front end to the rear end.

[0019] The metatarsal region 202 is the area of ​​the sole 10 that overlaps with the midfoot of the wearer of the shoe 1 in the thickness direction. The midfoot is the part of the wearer's foot located in the central part in the longitudinal direction. The metatarsal region 202 is located in a range of approximately 30% to 80% of the total length of the shoe 1, from the toe end to the posterior end.

[0020] The rearfoot region 203 is the region of the sole 10 that overlaps with the rearfoot of the wearer of the shoe 1 in the thickness direction. The rearfoot is the part of the wearer's foot located at the rear in the longitudinal direction. The rearfoot region 203 is located in the range of 80% to 100% of the total length of the shoe 1, from the front to the rear.

[0021] The plate 300 is located within the midsole 200. The plate 300 has higher rigidity than the midsole 200. The plate 300 is made of fiber-reinforced resin or non-fiber-reinforced resin. Fibers used in the fiber-reinforced resin include carbon fiber, glass fiber, aramid fiber, Dyneema fiber, Zylon fiber, and boron fiber. Non-fiber-reinforced resins include polymer resins such as polyurethane thermoplastic elastomer (TPU) and amide thermoplastic elastomer (TPA).

[0022] The plate 300 has a curved portion 310, a midfoot support portion 320, and a rearfoot support portion 330.

[0023] The curved portion 310 is provided in the forefoot area 201. The curved portion 310 has a shape that curves so as to be convex toward the flat surface P (see Figure 1) when the sole 10 is placed on the flat surface P. The curved portion 310 supports the forefoot.

[0024] The curvature of the curved portion 310 is not constant. Specifically, the curved portion 310 has a curvature increasing portion 314 (see Figure 1) in which the curvature gradually increases from the rear to the front in the longitudinal direction. The curvature increasing portion 314 contributes to the gradual change in the repulsive force due to the curved portion 310. Furthermore, the curvature of the portion 316 in front of the curvature increasing portion 314 of the curved portion 310 is set to be smaller than the curvature of the curvature increasing portion 314. However, the curvature of the curved portion 310 may be set to be medium, large, and small from the rear to the front in the longitudinal direction.

[0025] As shown in Figures 2 and 3, the curved portion 310 has a wide area 310a. The wide area 310a is the area that includes the wide portion 312. The wide portion 312 is the part of the curved portion 310 with the largest dimension in the width direction. The wide portion 312 is positioned to overlap with the MP joint of the foot. The wide area 310a is set to a range of 25% to 75% of the total length of the plate 300, from the front end to the rear end. For example, in the case of a 26cm shoe 1, the total length of the plate 300 is 240mm, and the distance L1 from the front end of the plate 300 to the wide portion 312 is preferably set to a range of 60mm to 100mm.

[0026] The midfoot support portion 320 is provided in the midfoot region 202. The midfoot support portion 320 supports the midfoot. The midfoot support portion 320 has a shape that extends rearward from the rear end of the curved portion 310.

[0027] As shown in Figures 2 and 3, the midfoot support portion 320 has a narrow region 320b. The narrow region 320b is a region that includes a narrow section 322. The narrow section 322 is the part of the midfoot support portion 320 with the smallest dimensions in the width direction. In this embodiment, the narrow section 322 is composed of the part of the plate 300 with the smallest dimensions in the width direction. The narrow region 320b is provided in a range of 50% to 80% of the total length of the plate 300, from the front end to the rear end. The length of the narrow region 320b in the longitudinal direction is set to 10% or more of the total length of the plate 300. For example, in the case of a 26cm shoe 1, the total length of the plate 300 is 240mm, and the distance L2 from the wide section 312 to the narrow section 322 is preferably set in the range of 60mm to 84mm.

[0028] The narrow region 320b is formed flat. Here, "flat" means, for example, in the case of a 26cm shoe 1, when the narrow region 320b is placed on a flat surface, the front and back surfaces of the narrow region 320b are within a range of plus or minus 2 mm from a reference plane that is parallel to the flat surface and passes through the narrow region 320b, in a direction perpendicular to the flat surface.

[0029] The ratio of the bending stiffness of the narrow region 320b to the bending stiffness of the wide region 310a is between 0.4 and 0.85. More specifically, the ratio of the bending stiffness of the narrow region 322 to the bending stiffness of the wide region 312 is between 0.4 and 0.85.

[0030] Here, "bending stiffness" refers to the stiffness against bending along a straight line parallel to the longitudinal direction of the shoe 1. Specifically, bending stiffness is measured by a three-point bending test. In this test, the distance between the support points and the pressing force at each part are set to a constant value. This is also the case when measuring the bending stiffness of the heel support area 330c and the heel support part 332, which will be described later.

[0031] In this embodiment, the thickness of the midfoot support portion 320 and the thickness of the curved portion 310 are the same. The curved portion 310 and the midfoot support portion 320 have a shape in which the dimensions of the curved portion 310 and the midfoot support portion 320 in the width direction gradually decrease as they move from the wide portion 312 to the narrow portion 322. Specifically, the inner edge portion 301 of the plate 300 has a shape that gradually moves outward in the width direction as it moves from the wide portion 312 to the narrow portion 322. The outer edge portion 302 of the plate 300 has a shape that gradually moves inward in the width direction as it moves from the wide portion 312 to the narrow portion 322. The ratio of the dimension W2 of the narrow portion 322 in the width direction to the dimension W1 of the wide portion 312 in the width direction is 0.4 or more and 0.85 or less.

[0032] The ratio of the bending stiffness of the narrow region 320b to the bending stiffness of the wide region 310a may be adjusted by making the thickness of the midfoot support portion 320 different from the thickness of the curved portion 310, by making the materials constituting the curved portion 310 and the materials constituting the midfoot support portion 320 different from each other, or by adding a reinforcing structure to the wide region 310a or the narrow region 320b.

[0033] As shown in Figure 2, the plate 300 has an intermediate section 340 located exactly midway between the wide section 312 and the narrow section 322 in the longitudinal direction. The ratio of the dimension WM of the intermediate section 340 in the width direction to the dimension W2 of the narrow section 322 in the width direction is preferably less than 1.5. A value closer to 1.0 is even more preferable.

[0034] The plate 300 has a curved portion 342. The curved portion 342 is the part of the plate 300 where the direction of curvature of the inner edge portion 301 changes in a plan view. Preferably, the curved portion 342 is formed between the wide portion 312 and the intermediate portion 340. However, the curved portion 342 may be formed in a position that overlaps with the intermediate portion 340, or it may be formed between the intermediate portion 340 and the narrow portion 322.

[0035] In a plan view of the plate 300, the angle between the straight line connecting the wide portion 312 and the curved portion 342, and the straight line connecting the narrow portion 322 and the curved portion 342, is preferably 160 degrees or more and 176 degrees or less. This suppresses local bending in the curved portion 310. In addition, in a plan view, the portion of the inner edge 301 between the curved portion 342 and the narrow portion 322 is preferably smoothly connected without abrupt changes in shape. For example, if this portion is composed of a complex curve having multiple curvatures, the difference between the maximum curvature and the minimum curvature is preferably 0.02 mm or less.

[0036] A curved portion (not shown) may also be formed on the outer edge 302 of the plate 300. In this case, it is preferable that the curved portion on the outer edge 302 has the same characteristics as the curved portion 342 on the inner edge 301.

[0037] The rearfoot support portion 330 is provided in the rearfoot region 203. The rearfoot support portion 330 supports at least a portion of the rearfoot. The rearfoot support portion 330 has a shape that extends rearward from the rear end of the midfoot support portion 320. The rearfoot support portion 330 is formed flat.

[0038] The rearfoot support portion 330 has a heel support region 330c. The heel support region 330c is a region that extends in the width direction and includes a heel support portion 332 that supports the center of the wearer's heel. As shown in Figure 2, the heel support portion 332 is located on the heel center HC. The heel center HC is the straight line connecting the center of the calcaneus of a standard wearer of shoe 1 to the space between the third and fourth toes. The ratio of the bending stiffness of the narrow region 320b to the bending stiffness of the heel support region 330c is preferably 0.8 or more. More specifically, the ratio of the bending stiffness of the narrow region 322 to the bending stiffness of the heel support portion 332 is preferably 0.8 or more.

[0039] The midsole 200 has a lower midsole 210 and an upper midsole 220.

[0040] The lower midsole 210 is positioned beneath the plate 300. The outsole 100 is connected to the underside of the lower midsole 210. The lower midsole 210 is made of, for example, a foam of polyolefin resin, EVA, or polyamide thermoplastic elastomer (TPA, TPAE). The compression modulus of the lower midsole 210 is preferably set to 0.35 MPa or more and 2.5 MPa or less.

[0041] The lower midsole 210 supports the plate 300 such that the portion of the plate 300 behind the curved portion 310 gradually moves away from the flat surface P as it moves towards the rear in the longitudinal direction of the shoe 1. Preferably, the lower midsole 210 supports the plate 300 such that the angle between the portion of the plate 300 behind the curved portion 310 and the flat surface P is, for example, 5 degrees or more. The lower midsole 210 supports the plate 300 such that the curved portion 310 gradually moves away from the flat surface P as it moves towards the front in the longitudinal direction. Note that the portion of the plate 300 behind the curved portion 310 may not be flat, but may have a gently curved surface or irregularities in the thickness direction.

[0042] The lower midsole 210 has a support portion 212. The support portion 212 supports the curved portion 310 over its entire length. Of the support portion 212, the thickness of the portion that overlaps with the plate 300 in the thickness direction, and at least the portion that overlaps with the portion forward of the wide portion 312, is constant. Here, "of the support portion 212, the thickness of the portion that overlaps with the plate 300 in the thickness direction, and at least the portion that overlaps with the portion forward of the wide portion 312, and the portion that overlaps with the portion that overlaps with the thickness direction" means the actual thickness excluding portions where the thickness is locally reduced, such as grooves. Also, "constant" here means a range where the difference between the portion with the minimum thickness and the portion with the maximum thickness is 25% or less. The support portion 212 is elastically deformable to allow the curved portion 310 to deform so that the curvature of the wide region 310a decreases.

[0043] The upper midsole 220 is positioned on the plate 300. The upper 20 is provided on this upper midsole 220. The upper midsole 220 is made of, for example, a foam of polyolefin resin, EVA, or polyamide thermoplastic elastomer (TPA, TPAE). The upper midsole 220 may have a greater compressive modulus than the lower midsole 210. The compressive modulus of the upper midsole 220 is preferably set to 0.35 MPa or more and 2.5 MPa or less, and more preferably to 1 MPa or less. However, the upper midsole 220 may have the same compressive modulus as the lower midsole 210, or it may have a smaller compressive modulus than the lower midsole 210. The upper midsole 220 and the lower midsole 210 are formed from the same material, but they may be made from different materials depending on the desired properties.

[0044] Next, referring to Figure 4, we will explain the changes in the shape of the plate 300 and the lower midsole 210 from landing to push-off.

[0045] When landing, the sole 10 is subjected to load from near the heel of the foot, so the shape of the curved portion 310 of the plate 300 and the support portion 212 of the lower midsole 210 are almost the same as the shape when no load is acting on the curved portion 310 and the support portion 212.

[0046] During the transition from landing to push-off, the load acting on the curved portion 310 and the support portion 212 gradually increases.

[0047] During kick-off, the greatest load is applied to the curved portion 310 and the support portion 212. As the load applied to the curved portion 310 and the support portion 212 increases, the curved portion 310 opens up so that the curvature of the wide region 310a decreases, and the plate 300 deforms so that the narrow region 320b becomes convex in a direction away from the flat surface P (upward), and the support portion 212 compresses to allow the above deformation of the curved portion 310.

[0048] This reduces the angle of the wearer's ankle joint during push-off, thus minimizing the change in ankle joint angle from landing to push-off. Consequently, the strain on the feet during running and other activities is reduced.

[0049] Specifically, by having a ratio of the bending stiffness of the narrow region 320b to the bending stiffness of the wide region 310a of 0.4 or more, the deformation of the plate 300 such that only the narrow region 320b becomes convex in a direction away from the flat surface P, without the curved portion 310 opening up to reduce the curvature of the wide region 310a during push-off, is suppressed. Therefore, the reduction in the ankle joint angle, especially during push-off, is suppressed.

[0050] Furthermore, because the ratio of the bending stiffness of the narrow region 320b to the bending stiffness of the wide region 310a is 0.85 or less, the curved portion 310 opens effectively so that the curvature of the wide region 310a decreases during push-off, thereby suppressing a decrease in the angle of the wearer's ankle joint during push-off.

[0051] Modifications of the above embodiment will be described below with reference to Figures 5 to 24. In Figures 5 to 15, the outer shape of the plate 300 in the above embodiment is shown by a dashed line. In Figures 17 and 18, the outer shape of the plate 300 shown in Figure 16 is shown by a dashed line.

[0052] As shown in Figure 5, a notch may be provided on the little finger side of the curved portion 310 of the plate 300. Compared to the above embodiment, the portion of the outer edge 302 from the wide portion 312 forward is notched so that it gradually curves toward the thumb side as it moves forward. In this embodiment, an effective rebound force can be obtained for pushing off with the thumb side.

[0053] As shown in Figure 6, a notch may be provided on the thumb side of the curved portion 310 of the plate 300. Compared to the above embodiment, the portion of the inner edge 301 from the wide portion 312 forward is notched so that it gradually curves toward the little finger side as it moves forward. In this embodiment, an effective rebound force can be obtained for pushing off with the little finger side.

[0054] As shown in Figure 7, notches may be provided on the inner side of the midfoot support portion 320 and the rearfoot support portion 330 of the plate 300. Compared to the above embodiment, the portion of the inner edge portion 301 posterior to the wide portion 312 is formed on the outer edge portion 302 side and has a notch that passes through the heel support portion 332. This embodiment is suitable for wearers (runners, etc.) who make contact with the ground from the outside of their heel.

[0055] As shown in Figure 8, notches may be provided on the outer sides of the midfoot support portion 320 and the rearfoot support portion 330 of the plate 300. Compared to the above embodiment, the portion of the outer edge portion 302 posterior to the wide portion 312 is located on the inner edge portion 301 side and has a notch that passes through the heel support portion 332. This embodiment is suitable for wearers who make contact with the ground with the inside of their heel.

[0056] As shown in Figure 9, notches may be provided on the little toe side of the curved portion 310 and on the inner sides of the midfoot support portion 320 and the rearfoot support portion 330. This embodiment has a shape that combines the embodiments of Figures 5 and 7. This embodiment is suitable for wearers who make contact with the outside of their heel and push off with their big toe.

[0057] As shown in Figure 10, notches may be provided on the little toe side of the curved portion 310 and on the outer sides of the midfoot support portion 320 and the rearfoot support portion 330. Compared with the above embodiment, similar to the embodiment shown in Figure 5, the portion of the outer edge portion 302 from the wide portion 312 forward is provided with a notch so that it gradually becomes more towards the big toe side as it moves forward, and the portion of the outer edge portion 302 from the narrow portion 322 backward is provided with a notch so that it is located on the inner edge portion 301 side and passes through the heel support portion 332. This embodiment is suitable for wearers who make contact with the ground from the inside of the heel and push off with the big toe side.

[0058] As shown in Figure 11, notches may be provided on the big toe side of the curved portion 310 and on the inner sides of the midfoot support portion 320 and the rearfoot support portion 330. Compared with the above embodiment, similar to the embodiment shown in Figure 6, the portion of the inner edge portion 301 from the wide portion 312 forward is provided with a notch so that it gradually becomes shaped toward the little toe side as it moves forward, and the portion of the inner edge portion 301 from the narrow portion 322 backward is provided with a notch so that it is located toward the outer edge portion 302 and passes through the heel support portion 332. This embodiment is suitable for wearers who make contact with the outside of their heel and push off with the little toe side.

[0059] As shown in Figure 12, notches may be provided on the big toe side of the curved portion 310 and on the outer sides of the midfoot support portion 320 and the rearfoot support portion 330. Compared with the above embodiment, similar to the embodiment shown in Figure 6, the portion of the inner edge portion 301 forward from the wide portion 312 is provided with a notch so that it gradually becomes shaped toward the little toe side as it moves forward, and the portion of the outer edge portion 302 posterior to the wide portion 312 is provided with a notch so that it is located toward the inner edge portion 301 and passes through the heel support portion 332. This embodiment is suitable for wearers who make contact with the ground from the inside of the heel and push off with the little toe side.

[0060] As shown in Figure 13, notches may be provided on the inner and outer sides of the midfoot support portion 320 and the rearfoot support portion 330. Compared to the above embodiment, the portion of the inner edge portion 301 between the narrow portion 322 and the heel support portion 332 is notched so as to be located on the outer edge portion 302 side, and the portion of the outer edge portion 302 between the narrow portion 322 and the heel support portion 332 is notched so as to be located on the inner edge portion 301 side.

[0061] As shown in Figure 14, notches may be provided on the little toe side of the curved portion 310, and on the inner and outer sides of the midfoot support portion 320 and the rearfoot support portion 330. This embodiment has a shape that combines the embodiments of Figures 5 and 13. In this embodiment, an effective rebound force can be obtained for pushing off with the big toe side.

[0062] As shown in Figure 15, notches may be provided on the thumb side of the curved portion 310, and on the inner and outer sides of the midfoot support portion 320 and the rearfoot support portion 330. This embodiment has a shape that combines the embodiments of Figures 6 and 13. In this embodiment, an effective rebound force can be obtained for pushing off with the little toe side.

[0063] As shown in Figure 16, the rearfoot support portion 330 of the plate 300 may be omitted. This embodiment is suitable for wearers who make contact with the ground with their forefoot. In this example, it is preferable that, in a cross-sectional view of the sole 10, the lower midsole 210 supports the plate 300 such that the angle between the straight line connecting the wide portion 312 and the narrow portion 322 and the flat surface P, or the angle between the straight line connecting the narrow portion 322 and the rear end of the plate 300 and the flat surface P, is 5 degrees or more.

[0064] As shown in Figure 17, the rear foot support portion 330 of the plate 300 may be omitted, and a notch may be provided on the little toe side of the curved portion 310. In this embodiment, as with the embodiment shown in Figure 5, the portion of the outer edge portion 302 from the wide portion 312 forward is notched so that it gradually becomes shaped toward the big toe side as it moves forward. This embodiment is suitable for wearers who make contact with the ground with their forefoot and push off with their big toe.

[0065] As shown in Figure 18, the rear foot support portion 330 of the plate 300 may be omitted, and a notch may be provided on the big toe side of the curved portion 310. In this embodiment, as with the embodiment shown in Figure 6, the portion of the inner edge 301 from the wide portion 312 forward is notched so that it gradually becomes shaped toward the little toe side as it moves forward. This embodiment is suitable for wearers who make contact with the ground with their forefoot and push off with the little toe side.

[0066] As shown in Figures 19 and 20, the thumb-side portion 318 of the curved portion 310 may be formed higher than the little-finger-side portion 319 of the curved portion 310. In this embodiment, an effective rebound force can be obtained for pushing off with the thumb side.

[0067] As shown in Figures 21 and 22, the little finger side portion 319 of the curved portion 310 may be formed higher than the thumb side portion 318 of the curved portion 310. In this embodiment, an effective rebound force can be obtained for pushing off with the little finger side.

[0068] As shown in Figures 23 and 24, the curvature of the curved portion 310 may be set to be small. Also, as shown in Figure 24, the rear end of the curved portion 310 may be set further rearward. In this example, it is preferable that the rear end of the curved portion 310 be set at a position from the front end of the plate 300 to 65% of the total length of the plate 300.

[0069] It should be noted that the embodiments disclosed herein are illustrative in all respects and not restrictive. The scope of the present invention is indicated by the claims rather than the description of the embodiments above, and all modifications within the meaning and scope equivalent to the claims are further included.

[0070] [Aspect] Those skilled in the art will understand that the above-described exemplary embodiments are specific examples of the following embodiments.

[0071] A plate according to one aspect of this disclosure is a plate used in the sole of a shoe which constitutes part of a shoe, and comprises: a curved portion provided in the forefoot region of the sole which overlaps with the forefoot of the wearer of the shoe in the thickness direction of the sole, and having a shape that curves so as to be convex toward the flat surface when the sole is placed on a flat surface; a midfoot support portion provided in the midfoot region of the sole which overlaps with the midfoot of the wearer in the thickness direction, and supporting the midfoot; and a rearfoot support portion provided in the rearfoot region of the sole which overlaps with the rearfoot of the wearer in the thickness direction, and supporting at least a part of the rearfoot, wherein the curved portion has a wide region which includes the widest portion which has the largest dimension in the width direction of the curved portion, and the midfoot support portion has a narrow region which includes the narrowest portion which has the smallest dimension in the width direction of the midfoot support portion, and the ratio of the bending stiffness of the narrow region to the bending stiffness of the wide region is 0.4 or more and 0.85 or less.

[0072] In this plate, during push-off, the curved section opens up to reduce the curvature of the wider section, while the narrower section deforms to become convex upwards, moving away from the flat surface. This suppresses the reduction in the angle of the wearer's ankle joint during push-off, thus reducing the change in the ankle joint angle from landing to push-off. Consequently, foot fatigue during running and other activities is effectively reduced.

[0073] Furthermore, the shoe has an intermediate portion located exactly midway between the wide portion and the narrow portion in the longitudinal direction, and it is preferable that the ratio of the dimensions of the intermediate portion in the width direction to the dimensions of the narrow portion in the width direction is less than 1.5.

[0074] Furthermore, it is preferable that the plate has an inner edge portion formed by the inner foot edge portion, and that the inner edge portion is formed between the wide portion and the intermediate portion, and has an inflection portion in which the direction of curvature changes when viewed in plan view of the plate.

[0075] In this case, it is preferable that the angle between the straight line connecting the wide portion and the curved portion and the straight line connecting the narrow portion and the curved portion is 160 degrees or more and 176 degrees or less.

[0076] Furthermore, the thickness of the curved portion and the thickness of the midfoot support portion are the same, and the curved portion and the midfoot support portion have a shape in which the dimensions of the curved portion and the midfoot support portion in the width direction gradually decrease from the wide portion toward the narrow portion, and the ratio of the dimensions of the narrow portion in the width direction to the dimensions of the wide portion in the width direction is preferably 0.4 or more and 0.85 or less.

[0077] Furthermore, the rear foot support portion includes a heel support portion that supports the center of the wearer's heel, and has a heel support region that extends in the width direction. Preferably, the ratio of the bending stiffness of the narrow region to the bending stiffness of the heel support region is 0.8 or more.

[0078] Furthermore, it is preferable that the narrow region is formed flat.

[0079] Furthermore, a sole according to one aspect of this disclosure comprises a plate and a midsole having a forefoot region, a midfoot region and a rearfoot region, wherein the plate is provided within the midsole such that the curved portion is located in the forefoot region and the midfoot support portion is located in the midfoot region, and the midsole has a lower midsole located below the plate and an upper midsole located above the plate, wherein the lower midsole has a support portion that supports the curved portion over the entire area of ​​the curved portion, and the support portion is elastically deformable to allow the curved portion to deform so that the curvature of the wide region becomes smaller, and the thickness of the support portion in the part that overlaps with the plate in the thickness direction, and at least the part that overlaps with the part in front of the wide portion in the thickness direction, is constant.

[0080] Furthermore, it is preferable that the lower midsole supports the plate such that the portion of the plate posterior to the curved portion gradually moves away from the flat surface as it moves towards the rear in the longitudinal direction of the shoe.

[0081] Furthermore, a shoe according to one aspect of this disclosure comprises the sole and an upper connected to the sole and located above the sole. [Explanation of symbols]

[0082] 1 shoe, 10 sole, 20 upper, 100 outsole, 200 midsole, 201 forefoot area, 202 midfoot area, 203 rearfoot area, 210 lower midsole, 212 support area, 220 upper midsole, 300 plate, 301 medial edge, 302 lateral edge, 310 curved area, 310a wide area, 312 wide area, 320 midfoot support area, 320b narrow area, 322 narrow area, 330 rearfoot support area, 330c heel support area, 332 heel support area, 340 middle section, 342 curved section.

Claims

1. A plate used in the sole of a shoe, which is part of the shoe. The sole of the shoe is provided in the forefoot region that overlaps with the forefoot of the wearer of the shoe in the thickness direction of the sole, and has a curved shape that curves so as to become convex toward the flat surface when the sole is placed on a flat surface, The sole of the shoe includes a midfoot support portion provided in the midfoot region that overlaps with the wearer's midfoot in the thickness direction, and which supports the midfoot; The sole of the shoe includes a rear foot support portion provided in the rear foot region that overlaps with the wearer's rear foot in the thickness direction, and which supports at least a portion of the rear foot, The curved portion includes the widest portion of the curved portion, which has the largest dimension in the width direction. The midfoot support portion includes the narrowest portion in the width direction of the midfoot support portion, A plate in which the ratio of the bending rigidity of the narrow portion to the bending rigidity of the wide portion is 0.4 or more and 0.85 or less.

2. The shoe has an intermediate portion located exactly midway between the wide portion and the narrow portion in the longitudinal direction, The plate according to claim 1, wherein the ratio of the dimension of the intermediate portion in the width direction to the dimension of the narrow portion in the width direction is less than 1.5 and greater than 1.

0.

3. It has an inner edge formed by the inner edge of the foot, The plate according to claim 2, wherein the inner edge portion is formed between the wide portion and the intermediate portion and has an inflection portion in which the direction of curvature changes when viewed in plan of the plate.

4. The plate according to claim 3, wherein the angle between the straight line connecting the intersection of the inner edge and the wide portion and the inflection portion, and the straight line connecting the intersection of the inner edge and the narrow portion and the inflection portion, is 160 degrees or more and 176 degrees or less.

5. The thickness of the curved portion and the thickness of the midfoot support portion are the same. The curved portion and the midfoot support portion have a shape in which the dimensions of the curved portion and the midfoot support portion in the width direction gradually decrease as you move from the wide portion to the narrow portion. The plate according to any one of claims 1 to 4, wherein the ratio of the dimension of the narrow portion in the width direction to the dimension of the wide portion in the width direction is 0.4 or more and 0.85 or less.

6. The rear foot support portion includes a heel support portion that supports the center of the wearer's heel, The plate according to any one of claims 1 to 5, wherein the ratio of the bending rigidity of the narrow portion to the bending rigidity of the heel support portion is 0.8 or more.

7. The plate according to any one of claims 1 to 6, wherein the narrow portion is formed flat.

8. A plate according to any one of claims 1 to 7, A midsole comprising the forefoot region, the midfoot region and the rearfoot region, The plate is provided within the midsole such that the curved portion is located in the forefoot region and the midfoot support portion is located in the midfoot region. The aforementioned midsole is A lower midsole positioned beneath the aforementioned plate, It has an upper midsole placed on the plate, The lower midsole has a support portion that supports the curved portion over the entire area of ​​the curved portion, The support portion is elastically deformable to allow the curved portion to deform so that the curvature of the wide portion becomes smaller. A sole in which, of the support portion, the portion that overlaps with the plate in the thickness direction, and the thickness of at least the portion in front of the wide portion and the portion that overlaps in the thickness direction are constant.

9. The sole of a shoe according to claim 8, wherein the lower midsole supports the plate such that the portion of the plate posterior to the curved portion is positioned to gradually move away from the flat surface as it moves posteriorly in the longitudinal direction of the shoe.

10. The sole according to claim 8 or 9, A shoe comprising: an upper connected to the sole and located above the sole.

Images