Split heel counter for shoes and shoes

Abstract

We provide a split heel counter for shoes and shoes that achieve both support performance and comfort. [Solution] The split heel counter for shoes comprises a counter body fixed within the heel section and two outer soft sections. The counter body has a curved structure that conforms to the contour of the heel, forming an open position-regulating section. The heel section has a first cut section and a second cut section that are fixedly connected to each other. The two outer soft sections are fixed to the upper end of the first cut section and the upper end of the second cut section, respectively. The bottom of the outer soft sections is fixed to the upper side of the counter body. The two outer soft sections form a guide structure that guides the heel to smoothly fit into the position-regulating section. The counter body can provide stable lateral support to the heel. The two outer soft sections are fixed to the upper part of the counter body to form a guide structure. Because the guide structure is made of a soft material, it avoids the pressure on the heel caused by conventional hard counter bodies and improves comfort when worn.

Description

TECHNICAL FIELD

[0001] The present invention relates to the technical field of footwear, and in particular to a split-type heel counter for footwear and a shoe.

BACKGROUND ART

[0002] In the prior art, mainstream shoes including sports shoes and casual shoes generally adopt a lace-tightening structure, which requires the wearer to repeatedly bend down to loosen and tighten the shoelaces for putting on and taking off the shoes. This structure imposes a heavy physical burden on wearers with a large body weight, not only increasing the load on the waist and legs, but also involving the risk of an unstable center of gravity leading to falls.

[0003] In recent years, to reduce the burden of bending down for putting on and taking off shoes, footwear that is easy to put on and take off and adopts elastic TPU uppers or slip-in structures has been available on the market.

[0004] The present applicant has found that the prior art has at least the following technical problems. In the heel counter of conventional easy-to-wear shoes, if the counter body is soft, sufficient lateral supporting force cannot be obtained, and the heel will swing significantly inside the shoe. In addition, the heel portion is prone to collapsing and deforming, which leads to reduced wearing comfort and shortened service life of the shoe. On the other hand, if a hard counter body is arranged at the heel portion, the wearing feel is poor, and the calcaneal attachment site of the plantar fascia is repeatedly pressed by the hard member. Furthermore, the rigid heel counter structure cannot adapt to the unique walking pattern of wearers with a large body weight.

SUMMARY OF THE INVENTION

MEANS FOR SOLVING THE PROBLEMS

[0005] The present invention aims to provide a split-type heel counter for footwear and a shoe, so as to solve the technical problem that the heel counter of shoes in the prior art cannot achieve both supporting performance and wearing comfort. Among the multiple technical means provided by the present invention, the technical effects brought by the preferred embodiments will be described in detail below.

[0006] To achieve the above objective, the technical solution of the present invention is as follows: The split heel counter for shoes provided by the present invention comprises a counter body fixed within the heel portion and two outer soft parts, wherein, The counter body has a curved structure that conforms to the contour of the heel, and forms an open position-regulating portion, the position-regulating portion is configured to accommodate the heel portion. The heel portion has a first cut portion and a second cut portion that are fixedly connected to each other, and the two outer soft portions are fixed to the upper end of the first cut portion and the upper end of the second cut portion, respectively, and the bottom of the outer soft portions is fixed to the upper side of the counter body and is located on the counter body and on the side facing outwards from the shoe, and the two outer soft portions form a guide structure that guides the heel to fit smoothly into the position regulating portion.

[0007] Preferably, the width of the counter body is greater than the combined width of the two outer soft parts.

[0008] Preferably, the counter body comprises a shell-shaped body portion and a lateral extension portion, where, The aforementioned lateral extensions are fixed to opposing sides of the shell-shaped main body, and the two are integrally molded. The shell-like main body encloses the rear of the heel, and the lateral extensions enclose both the left and right sides of the heel.

[0009] Preferably, the split heel counter for the shoe further comprises an inner soft portion, The inner soft portion is fixed to the counter body on the side facing the inside of the shoe, and the inner soft portion completely covers the counter body and the outer soft portion.

[0010] Preferably, both the outer soft portion and the inner soft portion are made of sponge material.

[0011] Preferably, a first stitching allowance is provided on the connecting side of the first cut portion, and the corresponding outer soft portion is positioned to the side of the first stitching allowance. A second seam allowance is provided on the connecting side of the second cut portion, and the corresponding outer soft portion is positioned to the side of the second seam allowance. The first and second seam allowances are used to connect the first and second cut sections by being sewn together and fixed after they are joined.

[0012] Preferably, the outer soft portion has a lower arc-shaped edge, and the counter body covers the lower arc-shaped edge.

[0013] Preferably, the outer soft portion has an upper arc-shaped edge. The two upper arc-shaped edges located in each of the outer soft portions join together to form an upper guide edge. The shape of the upper guide edge conforms to the shape of the opening of the shoe.

[0014] Preferably, the counter body is molded from one of the following materials: thermoplastic polyurethane, polyethylene, or polypropylene.

[0015] The present invention provides a shoe comprising a split heel counter for the shoe described above. [Effects of the Invention]

[0016] The split heel counter and shoes provided by the present invention have the following advantages compared to the prior art. The counter body is fixed inside the heel section and forms a position-regulating section that conforms to the shape of the heel. This structure provides stable lateral support to the heel and can effectively suppress heel wobble inside the shoe. Two outer soft parts are fixed to the upper side of the counter body and form a guide structure. The guide structure is made of a soft material that guides the heel to the position-regulating section while simultaneously avoiding the hard pressure on the heel caused by conventional hard heel counters, thereby improving comfort when worn. The split structure of the hard counter body and outer soft parts achieves both support and comfort in shoes that are easy to put on and take off, and is particularly suitable for the putting on and taking off needs of people with a large body weight. [Brief explanation of the drawing]

[0017] In order to more clearly describe the technical means in the embodiments of the present invention or the prior art, the drawings used in the description of the embodiments or the prior art are briefly introduced below. Obviously, the drawings described below are only some embodiments of the present invention, and those skilled in the art can obtain other drawings based on these drawings without creative efforts. [Figure 1] It is a schematic structural diagram of an embodiment of a shoe provided with a split heel counter for shoes. [Figure 2] It is a schematic structural diagram of a split heel counter for shoes. [Figure 3] It is a schematic structural diagram before the joining of the first cutting part and the second cutting part. [Figure 4] It is a schematic structural diagram after the outer flexible part is joined to the first cutting part and the second cutting part. [Figure 5] It is a schematic diagram of the combined structure of the counter main body, the outer flexible part, the first cutting part and the second cutting part. [Figure 6] It is a schematic structural diagram before the inner flexible part is fixed to the counter main body and the outer flexible part. [Figure 7] It is a schematic structural diagram after the inner flexible part is fixed to the counter main body and the outer flexible part. Modes for Carrying Out the Invention

[0018] In order to make the objectives, technical means and advantages of the present invention clearer, the technical means of the present invention will be described in detail below. Apparently, the described embodiments are only some, but not all, of the embodiments of the present invention. Based on the embodiments of the present invention, all other embodiments obtained by those skilled in the art without creative efforts shall fall within the protection scope of the present invention.

[0019] In the description of the present invention, the orientations or positional relationships indicated by terms such as "center", "length", "width", "height", "upper", "lower", "front", "rear", "left", "right", "vertical", "horizontal", "top", "bottom", "inner", "outer", and "side" are based on the orientations or positional relationships shown in the drawings, which are only for the convenience of describing the present invention and simplifying the description, and do not indicate or imply that the corresponding apparatus or component must have a specific orientation, or be structured and operated in a specific orientation. Therefore, they should not be construed as a limitation to the present invention. In the description of the present invention, unless otherwise specified, the meaning of "a plurality of" is two or more.

[0020] The embodiments of the present invention provide a split-type heel counter for footwear and a shoe, which achieves a balance between support and comfort in easily put-on and take-off shoes, and is particularly suitable for the putting on and taking off needs of people with heavy body weight.

[0021] Hereinafter, the technical means provided by the present invention will be described in more detail with reference to Figure 1 to Figure 7.

[0022] As shown in Figure 1 to Figure 7, the split-type heel counter for footwear provided by the present invention includes a counter body 1 fixed to the heel part and two outer flexible parts 2. Here, the counter body 1 is a curved surface structure adapted to the shape of the heel, and as shown in Figure 2, the counter body 1 forms a position restricting part 10 having an opening, and the position restricting part 10 is used for accommodating the heel part. As shown in Figure 3 to Figure 6, the heel part includes a first cut part 101 and a second cut part 102 which are fixedly connected, and the two outer flexible parts 2 are respectively fixed to the upper end of the first cut part 101 and the upper end of the second cut part 102. The bottom of the outer flexible part 2 is fixed to the upper side of the counter body 1, and is located on the side of the counter body 1 facing the outer side of the shoe. The two outer flexible parts 2 form a guide structure 4, which is used to guide the heel to the position restricting part 10.

[0023] As shown in Figures 2 to 7, the structure of the heel portion consists of a first cut portion 101 and a second cut portion 102 that are fixedly connected. The first cut portion 101 and the second cut portion 102 may be components of the upper material and are connected by methods such as stitching, bonding, or heat welding to form the overall contour of the heel portion. As shown in Figures 2 to 7, the first cut portion 101 and the second cut portion 102 correspond to the left and right sides of the heel portion, respectively, and may be connected by an intermediate stitching line.

[0024] As shown in Figure 2, the two outer soft parts 2 are fixed to the upper end of the first cut section 101 and the upper end of the second cut section 102, respectively. The outer soft parts 2 can be sewn or glued to the edge of the cut section so that their upper side is on the same plane as the edge of the shoe opening or slightly lower than the shoe opening.

[0025] As shown in Figures 1 and 2, the guide structure 4 formed by the two outer soft parts 2 creates a sliding passage, allowing the heel to smoothly slide into the position regulating part 10. The outer soft parts 2 are made of a flexible elastic material, providing natural guidance and significantly reducing resistance during attachment and removal. The split structure of inner hard and outer soft parts between the guide structure 4 and the counter body 1 solves the technical challenges of achieving both hardness and softness in conventional one-piece heel cups.

[0026] The counter body 1 has a curved structure that conforms to the shape of the heel. Based on ergonomic principles, this curved structure simulates the natural curvature of the heel and can provide a uniform, enveloping feel. The counter body 1 is manufactured using a molding press method, ensuring that its curved surface conforms closely to the physiological curve of the heel.

[0027] As shown in Figure 2, a position regulating section 10 with an opening is formed inside the counter body 1. The main function of the position regulating section 10 is to accommodate the heel portion and effectively position and restrain the heel when worn. The opening of the position regulating section 10 is oriented towards the shoe opening to facilitate the foot's entry, and its internal shape conforms to the contour of the heel, reducing unnecessary heel wobbling inside the shoe.

[0028] As shown in Figures 1 to 7, the upper edge of the counter body 1 is connected to the lower edge of the outer soft part 2 by methods such as stitching or bonding, ensuring structural stability between the counter body 1 and the outer soft part 2, allowing them to work together to provide both support and comfort to the heel. The two outer soft parts 2 are fixed to the upper side of the counter body 1 to form a guide structure 4. The guide structure 4 is made of a soft material and guides the heel to the position regulating part 10, while simultaneously avoiding pressure on the heel caused by the conventional hard counter body 1, thereby improving comfort during wear.

[0029] As an optional embodiment, as shown in Figures 1 to 3, the width of the counter body 1 is greater than the combined width of the two outer soft parts 2.

[0030] The counter body 1, which performs the main supporting function, can provide a larger lateral support area. Even when the heel is subjected to lateral pressure, the wide counter body 1 more effectively restricts the lateral movement of the heel, enhancing the overall wrap-around and stability of the split heel counter for shoes, and avoiding heel wobble or discomfort due to insufficient support.

[0031] As an optional embodiment, as shown in Figure 2, the counter body 1 includes a shell-shaped body portion 11 and a lateral extension portion 12. The lateral extension portion 12 is fixed to opposite sides of the shell-shaped body portion 11, and the two are integrally molded. The shell-shaped body portion 11 is used to enclose the heel portion, and the lateral extension portion 12 is used to enclose both the left and right sides of the heel.

[0032] The shell-shaped main body 11 and the lateral extensions 12 can be manufactured using materials such as thermoplastic polyurethane (TPU), polyethylene (PE), or polypropylene (PP) by injection molding or hot press molding. The shell-shaped main body 11 is the main part that encloses and supports the heel.

[0033] The lateral extension portion 12 is a structure in which both sides of the shell-shaped main body portion 11 extend outward, and its main function is to enclose and support both sides of the heel. The lateral extension portion 12 may be a wing-shaped or flap-shaped structure with a certain degree of flexibility, and it conforms better to the lateral contour of the heel. The lateral extension portion 12 effectively restricts lateral movement of the heel and enhances the overall stability of the shoe.

[0034] By configuring the counter body 1 to include a shell-shaped body portion 11 and a lateral extension portion 12, more comprehensive heel support can be provided. The shell-shaped body portion 11 provides stable envelopment of the main area of ​​the heel, and the lateral extension portion 12 envelops both opposing sides of the heel, thereby effectively enhancing the lateral support and stability of the heel.

[0035] As an optional embodiment, as shown in Figures 6 and 7, the split heel counter for shoes further includes an inner soft portion 3. The inner soft portion 3 is fixed to one side of the counter body 1 facing the inside of the shoe, and the inner soft portion 3 completely covers the counter body 1 and the outer soft portion 2. The fixing method includes, but is not limited to, adhesive (such as the use of environmentally friendly adhesive or hot melt adhesive) and suture.

[0036] The inner soft layer 3 is a material layer with flexibility and elasticity, and its main functions are cushioning, shock absorption, and improved wearing comfort.

[0037] The inner soft part 3 completely covers the counter body 1 and the outer soft part 2. The inner soft part 3 may be an integrated pad structure, and its dimensions and shape conform to the inner surface contours of the counter body 1 and the outer soft part 2. When installed, as shown in Figures 6 and 7, the inner soft part 3 extends from the inside to the outside of the shoe, covering the entire inner surface of the counter body 1, and further extends upward to cover the inner surface of the outer soft part 2, covering until it smoothly transitions to the lining of the shoe upper leather or other internal structure.

[0038] The inner soft portion 3 effectively eliminates discomfort caused by the heel directly contacting the hard counter body 1, and acts as a buffer layer between the heel and the counter body 1, improving the overall comfort of the heel portion of the shoe and providing a more uniform pressure distribution.

[0039] In this embodiment, the outer soft part 2 and the inner soft part 3 may be made of foamed material (EVA, PU foam, etc.), silicone, gel, memory foam, or fiber material with excellent breathability and moisture absorption / sweating properties. Preferably, in this embodiment, both the outer soft part 2 and the inner soft part 3 are made of sponge material.

[0040] The sponge material has a porous structure and is soft and highly elastic. The interior of the sponge material contains numerous interconnected or independent pores, providing excellent cushioning, shock absorption, and breathability. Specifically, as the outer soft part 2, the sponge material can provide a soft feel and initial cushioning on the outside of the heel. As the inner soft part 3, the sponge material is in direct contact with the wearer's heel, effectively absorbing the impact force between the foot and the counter body 1, and improving the wearer's comfort.

[0041] As an optional embodiment, as shown in Figures 3 and 4, a first stitching allowance 103 is provided on the connecting side of the first cut portion 101, and the corresponding outer soft portion 2 is located beside the first stitching allowance 103. A second stitching allowance 104 is provided on the connecting side of the second cut portion 102, and the corresponding outer soft portion 2 is located beside the second stitching allowance 104. The first stitching allowance 103 and the second stitching allowance 104 are sutured and fixed after joining and are used to connect the first cut portion 101 and the second cut portion 102.

[0042] As shown in Figures 3 and 4, the first seam allowance 103 and the second seam allowance 104 are sutured and fixed after joining, connecting the first cut section 101 and the second cut section 102. Suturing and fixing after joining refers to precisely aligning the first seam allowance 103 and the second seam allowance 104 and firmly connecting them with suture thread. By performing the suturing at the seam allowances, direct suturing to the main part of the heel can be avoided, reducing the impact on the overall structure of the heel and wearing comfort.

[0043] In the manufacturing process of the heel portion of the shoe, the first cut portion 101 and the second cut portion 102 are joined and sutured together via the first seam allowance 103 and the second seam allowance 104, thereby stably connecting them. This structure effectively avoids discomfort to the foot caused by the hardness or unevenness of the first cut portion 101 and the second cut portion 102, and significantly improves comfort.

[0044] As an optional embodiment, as shown in Figures 4 and 5, the outer soft portion 2 is provided with a lower arc-shaped edge 21, and the counter body 1 covers the lower arc-shaped edge 21.

[0045] As shown in Figures 4 and 5, the above structure provides additional fixing and support to the upper part of the counter body 1 and the outer soft part 2. By covering the lower arc-shaped edge 21 with the counter body 1, the structural stability of the outer soft part 2 is enhanced, preventing deformation or curling of the edge due to long-term use and extending the service life of the product.

[0046] As an optional embodiment, as shown in Figures 1 and 5 together, the outer soft part 2 is provided with an upper arc-shaped edge 22, and the two upper arc-shaped edges 22 of different outer soft parts 2 are joined together to form an upper guide edge 23, the shape of which conforms to the shape of the opening 105.

[0047] The upper arc-shaped edge 22 is ergonomically designed to reduce friction and pressure on the ankle area. As shown in Figure 5, the two independent outer soft parts 2 are fixed to the upper ends of the first cut section 101 and the second cut section 102, respectively, and their respective upper arc-shaped edges 22 are aligned during the assembly process of the shoe heel. The upper guide edge 23 is the final form of the upper edge of the heel and is used to guide the foot into the shoe. As shown in Figures 1 and 5, the overall contour of the upper guide edge 23 matches the shape of the shoe opening 105 (i.e., the opening of the upper edge of the shoe leather), allowing the foot to slide in or out smoothly when putting on or taking off the shoe, while also providing comfortable wrapping and support to the ankle area.

[0048] Preferably, the counter body 1 in this embodiment is made of TPU material. The moderate flexibility of the TPU material avoids localized pressure caused by rigid materials, and its toughness ensures that the counter body 1 is not easily deformed, maintaining the structural integrity of the heel portion and improving the overall wearing experience and lifespan of the shoe 100.

[0049] When applying the split heel counter for shoes of this embodiment to shoes, the following manufacturing method is adopted. As shown in Figure 3, the outer soft part 2 is fixed to the corresponding first cut part 101 or second cut part 102. As shown in Figure 4, the first cut part 101 and the second cut part 102 are joined and sewn together. As shown in Figure 5, the counter body 1 is fixed to the first cut part 101 and the second cut part 102, the lower edge of the counter body 1 is made flush with the lower edges of the first cut part 101 and the second cut part 102, and the upper side of the counter body 1 is covered with the lower part of the two outer soft parts 2. As shown in Figure 6, the inner soft part 3 is adhesively fixed to the inside of the counter body 1 and the outer soft part 2, and the inner soft part 3 completely covers the counter body 1 and the outer soft part 2. The above steps are the main steps of heel part manufacturing, and after that, manufacturing of the other parts of the shoe can be continued.

[0050] As shown in Figure 1, the present invention further provides a shoe 100 including the above-mentioned split heel counter for shoes.

[0051] The shoes 100 mentioned above refer to various products worn on the feet, and may include sports shoes, casual shoes, leather shoes, boots, etc. During the manufacturing process of the shoes 100, as shown in Figure 1, the split heel counter 1 for shoes is fixed to the heel portion of the shoes 100 and becomes part of the shoes 100. Before sewing or bonding the upper and sole of the shoes 100, the counter body 1 is fixed in advance to the lining or intermediate layer of the heel upper, so that the split heel counter for shoes can stably provide support, restraint, and protection to the heel, while not affecting the overall structure and wearing experience of the shoes 100.

[0052] In this specification, specific features, structures, or characteristics can be combined in an appropriate manner in any one or more embodiments or examples.

[0053] In this specification, any reference to terms such as “one embodiment,” “some embodiments,” “example,” “specific example,” or “some example” means that the specific features, structures, materials, or characteristics described in relation to the embodiment or example are included in at least one embodiment or example of the present invention. In this specification, the schematic representations of the above terms do not necessarily refer to the same embodiment or example. Furthermore, the specific features, structures, materials, or characteristics described can be combined in an appropriate manner in any one or more embodiments or examples. In addition, a person skilled in the art can combine and combine different embodiments or examples and features of different embodiments or examples described herein, provided that they do not conflict with each other.

[0054] The above are merely specific embodiments of the present invention, but the scope of protection of the present invention is not limited thereto. Any modification or substitution that can be easily conceived by a person familiar with the art within the technical scope disclosed by the present invention is included within the scope of protection of the present invention. Therefore, the scope of protection of the present invention is based on the scope of protection of the claims. [Explanation of symbols]

[0055] 1. Counter body; 10. Position regulating part; 11. Shell-shaped body part; 12. Side extension part; 2. Outer soft part; 21. Lower arc-shaped edge; 22. Upper arc-shaped edge; 23. Upper guide edge; 3. Inner soft part; 4. Guide structure; 100. Shoe; 101. First cutting part; 102. Second cutting part; 103. First stitching allowance; 104. Second stitching allowance; 105. Opening.

Claims

1. A split heel counter for shoes, It comprises a counter body fixed within the heel section and two outer soft parts. The counter body has a curved structure that conforms to the contour of the heel, and forms an open position-regulating portion, the position-regulating portion is configured to accommodate the heel portion. The heel portion has a first cutting portion and a second cutting portion that are fixedly connected to each other. The two outer soft parts are fixed to the upper end of the first cut section and the upper end of the second cut section, respectively, and the bottom of each outer soft part is fixed to the upper side of the counter body and is located on the counter body and on the side facing outwards from the shoe, and the two outer soft parts form a guide structure that guides the heel to smoothly fit into the position regulating section, characterized in that the split heel counter for shoes.

2. The split heel counter for shoes according to claim 1, characterized in that the width of the counter body is greater than the sum of the widths of the two outer soft parts.

3. The counter body comprises a shell-shaped body portion and a lateral extension portion, where, The aforementioned lateral extensions are fixed to opposing sides of the shell-shaped main body, and the two are integrally molded. The split heel counter for shoes according to claim 1, characterized in that the shell-like main body encloses the rear of the heel, and the lateral extensions enclose both the left and right sides of the heel.

4. The aforementioned split heel counter for shoes further comprises an inner soft section, The split heel counter for shoes according to claim 1, characterized in that the inner soft portion is fixed to the counter body on the side facing the inside of the shoe, and the inner soft portion completely covers the counter body and the outer soft portion.

5. The split heel counter for shoes according to claim 4, characterized in that both the outer soft part and the inner soft part are made of sponge material.

6. A first seam allowance is provided on the connecting side of the first cut portion, and the corresponding outer soft portion is positioned to the side of the first seam allowance. A second seam allowance is provided on the connecting side of the second cut portion, and the corresponding outer soft portion is positioned to the side of the second seam allowance. The split heel counter for shoes according to claim 1, characterized in that the first and second stitching allowances are used to connect the first cut portion and the second cut portion by being stitched and fixed together after butting.

7. The split heel counter for shoes according to claim 1, characterized in that the outer soft portion has a lower arc-shaped edge, and the counter body covers the lower arc-shaped edge.

8. The aforementioned outer soft portion has an upper arc-shaped edge, The two upper arc-shaped edges located in each of the outer soft portions join together to form an upper guide edge. The split heel counter for shoes according to claim 1, characterized in that the shape of the upper guide edge conforms to the shape of the opening of the shoe.

9. The split heel counter for shoes according to claim 1, characterized in that the counter body is molded from one of the following materials: thermoplastic polyurethane, polyethylene, or polypropylene.

10. It is a shoe, A shoe characterized by comprising a split heel counter for shoes as described in any one of claims 1 to 9.

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