footwear

Abstract

The present invention provides footwear that can suppress the deterioration of the biomechanical characteristics of the foot. The footwear of the present invention has a downwardly protruding convex portion at the bottom of the ball of the foot that corresponds to the portion of the sole on which the balls of the first and little toes rest, and has a band-shaped biasing member in at least the entire area from the bottom of the ball of the foot to the bottom of the toe side, and when the convex portion comes into contact with the ground, the bottom on the toe side is raised, and when the toes kick off the toe side, the bottom comes into contact with the ground, and the biasing force of the biasing member provides forward propulsion to the foot.

Description

[Technical field]

[0001] The present invention relates to footwear. [Background technology]

[0002] Conventionally, there have been footwear that improves walking performance by curving the toe side of the sole upward (toe spring). The toe spring has the advantage of keeping the toes higher than the ground, preventing tripping when walking or running. [Prior art documents] [Patent documents]

[0003] [Patent Document 1] JP 2015-002850 A Summary of the Invention [Problem to be solved by the invention]

[0004] However, in the conventional structure, the toe spring function causes the toes to be used less when walking or running, which may result in a deterioration of the biomechanical characteristics of the foot. SUMMARY OF THE PRESENT EMBODIMENT An object of the present invention is to provide footwear that can solve the above-mentioned problems of the conventional art and suppress the deterioration of the biomechanical characteristics of the foot. [Means for solving the problem]

[0005] The present invention has a downwardly protruding convex portion at the base of the ball of the foot corresponding to the portion of the sole on which the ball of the big toe and the ball of the little toe rest, and has a band-shaped biasing member in at least the entire area from the base of the ball of the foot to the first bottom portion on the toe side of the sole, and when the convex portion comes into contact with the ground, the first bottom portion on the toe side is raised, and when the toes kick off the toe side and step forward while walking, the first bottom portion on the toe side comes into contact with the ground, and the biasing force of the biasing member provides forward propulsion to the foot.

[0006] In the present invention, a first bottom portion on the toe side of the shoe sole and a second bottom portion on the heel side are substantially flush with each other, and a third bottom portion between the first bottom portion and the second bottom portion is It has an upwardly convex curved shape. The third bottom portion has a protruding portion protruding downward at the bottom of the ball of the foot corresponding to the portion on which the ball of the big toe and the ball of the little toe rest. When weight is applied during walking, the protruding portion touches the ground, and the first bottom portion on the toe side is raised. When the toes kick off the toe side, the first bottom touches the ground, The weight is no longer applied to the convex portion and the second sole, and the third sole assumes an upwardly convex curved shape, and a sole restoring force is applied to return the state of the sole to this state. It has a structure that obtains forward propulsion from the feet. Effect of the Invention

[0007] According to the invention, the biomechanical properties of the foot can be influenced positively. [Brief description of the drawings]

[0008] [Figure 1] FIG. 1 is an exploded perspective view of a footwear according to an embodiment of the present invention. [Diagram 2] FIG. 2 is a perspective view of a shoe sole according to an embodiment of the present invention. [Diagram 3] FIG. 3 is a side view of a shoe sole according to an embodiment of the present invention. [Figure 4] FIG. 4 is a bottom view of a shoe sole according to an embodiment of the present invention. [Diagram 5] FIG. 5 is a top view of a shoe sole according to an embodiment of the present invention. [Figure 6] FIG. 6 is a side view of a footwear according to an embodiment of the present invention. [Figure 7] FIG. 7 is a side view of the footwear according to the embodiment of the present invention when worn. [Figure 8] FIG. 8 is a side view of footwear in a late stance phase according to an embodiment of the present invention. DETAILED DESCRIPTION OF THE PREFERRED EMBODIMENTS

[0009] [Embodiment 1] Hereinafter, a first embodiment of the present invention will be described with reference to the drawings. Fig. 1 is an exploded perspective view of footwear 1. In Fig. 1, UP indicates up, FR indicates front, and IN indicates inside. Footwear 1 comprises an upper 2 and a sole 3. The upper 2 constitutes the upper and side portions of footwear 1, and has a bag-like shape that covers the wearer's foot. A sole 3 on which the wearer's foot rests is adhered to the bottom of the upper 2. The sole 3 is a member that covers the bottom of the foot and has a generally flat shape. The sole 3 has an outsole 50 and a midsole 60 supported on an upper portion of the outsole 50.

[0010] In the present embodiment 1, an insole 70, which is the middle sole of the footwear 1, is supported on the upper part of the sole 3. A biasing member 100 is disposed between the midsole 60 and the insole 70. The outsole 50, the midsole 60, and the insole 70 are formed into a shape following the internal contour of the footwear 1.

[0011] Fig. 2 is a perspective view of the shoe sole 3 as viewed from the front side. Fig. 3 is a side view of the shoe sole 3, Fig. 4 is a rear view of the same, and Fig. 5 is a front view of the same.

[0012] The outsole 50 includes a first bottom portion 10 on the toe side, a second bottom portion 20 on the heel side, and a third bottom portion 15 between the first bottom portion 10 and the second bottom portion 20. As shown in Fig. 3, when the outsole 50 is placed on a flat surface M, the first bottom portion 10 on the toe side and the second bottom portion 20 on the heel side contact the flat surface M. The first bottom portion 10 and the second bottom portion 20 are substantially flush. When placed on the flat surface M, the third bottom portion 15 between the first bottom portion 10 and the second bottom portion 20 is suspended above the flat surface M. In the outsole 50, the first bottom portion 10 and the second bottom portion 20 are substantially flush with each other, and the third bottom portion 15 has an upwardly convex curved shape.

[0013] The third bottom portion 15 includes a ball bottom portion 40, and a first support protrusion (protrusion) 51 that protrudes downward is formed on the ball bottom portion 40. When the outsole 50 is placed on a flat surface M, the first support protrusion 51 is in a state of floating above the flat surface M. The ball bottom portion 40 corresponds to the front part of the third bottom portion 15, and corresponds to the portion on which the ball of the foot and the ball of the little toe rest. Note that the ball of the foot and the ball of the little toe are not shown in the figure. The first support protrusion 51 is formed as an integral part on the back surface of the outsole 50. As shown by the dashed line in Fig. 5, the first support protrusion 51 extends almost fully in the width direction of the footwear 1 and supports the balls of the first and second toes. The predetermined width W in the front-to-rear direction of the first support protrusion 51 may be a width that allows the balls of the first and second toes to rest on.

[0014] The outsole 50 has a heel bottom 55 corresponding to the portion on which the heel of the foot rests, and a second support protrusion 52 protruding downward. The second support protrusion 52 is formed integrally with the back surface of the outsole 50.

[0015] 1, a midsole 60 is placed on the surface of the outsole 50. The midsole 60 has a portion corresponding to the toe cut off, and when the midsole 60 is placed on the outsole 50, the surfaces of the soles 50, 60 become flush with each other. A plurality of grooves 61 extending in the width direction of the footwear 1 and recessed downward are formed on the surfaces of the outsole 50 and midsole 60 from the front end to between the first support protrusions 51. The provision of the grooves 61 reduces the rigidity of the first bottom 10, making it easier to bend. The grooves 61 are composed of an inner groove 62 formed on the inside in the width direction, and an outer groove 63 formed from the center to the outside in the width direction. In this embodiment, the inner groove 62 is formed in two stripes, and the outer groove 63 is formed in three stripes.

[0016] In the present embodiment 1, as shown in Fig. 2, a biasing member 100 is disposed on the surface of the sole 3. A material having excellent bending strength and rigidity is used for the biasing member 100. In the present embodiment 1, the biasing member 100 is made of carbon and is formed of a band-shaped plate material. The biasing member 100 is formed into a shape following the internal contour of the sole 3, and as shown in Figure 5, has a first portion 100a covering the area from the base of the ball of the foot 40 to the first sole 10 on the toe side, and a second portion 100b continuing from the rear end of the first portion 100a. The second portion 100b covers the rear region of the ball of the foot bottom 40. The second portion 100b covers only the middle portion of the sole 3 in the width direction. The first portion 100a extends across the entire width of the sole 3, and the second portion 100b is formed to be narrower than the first portion 100a.

[0017] Fig. 6 is a side view of the footwear 1. Figs. 7 and 8 are views showing a part of a walking motion. Walking has a "stance phase" in which the foot touches the ground. The stance phase is divided into "early stance phase" when only the heel touches the ground, "middle stance phase" when almost the entire foot touches the ground (see Figure 7), "late stance phase" when the heel leaves the ground (see Figure 8), and "final stance phase" when the toes leave the ground. By transitioning through these stages in order, the foot pushes off the ground and obtains forward thrust.

[0018] In the present embodiment 1, the footwear 1 is an arch-shaped footwear in which the first sole 10 and the second sole 20 are in contact with the ground and the third sole 15 is in a floating state, as shown in FIG. 6. When the wearer wears the footwear 1, as shown in FIG. 7, the footwear 1 is in a substantially flat state in which the first sole 10 on the toe side is floating while the first support convex portion 51 and the second support convex portion 52 are in contact with the ground. This state corresponds to the "middle stance phase". The heel of the wearer's foot applies a load to the second support convex portion 52, the ball of the big toe and the ball of the little toe apply a load to the first support convex portion 51, and the toes are in a free state.

[0019] When the user starts walking, as shown in Fig. 8, the second support protrusion 52 on the heel side moves away from the ground surface, causing a load to be applied to the toe side of the footwear 1, and the first bottom 10 and first support protrusion 51 on the toe side come into contact with the ground. At this time, the footwear 1 deforms into an inverted arch shape and transitions from the middle stance phase to the late stance phase. As the user continues walking, the first support protrusion 51 and the second support protrusion 52 on the heel side move even further away from the ground surface, while the first bottom 10 on the toe side remains in contact with the ground. Next, by kicking off the toe side during walking, the toe leaves the ground (not shown in the figure). This state corresponds to the "final stance phase."

[0020] At the stage of kicking off the toe side in walking, the first support convex portion 51 and the second support convex portion 52 on the heel side are largely separated from the ground surface, so that the weight is no longer applied to the first support convex portion 51 and the second support convex portion 52, and a restoring force to the state shown in Fig. 6 is applied to the sole 3, providing a forward propulsive force to the foot. At the same time, in the present embodiment 1, a sole restoring force is applied to the sole 3 by the biasing member 100, providing a further forward propulsive force. The biasing member 100 is supported by the sole 3 of the footwear 1. The biasing member 100, like the footwear 1, changes shape during the stance phase, and a biasing force is applied when the biasing member 100 returns to its original shape, thereby providing the foot with a forward propulsive force.

[0021] This footwear 1 has the following four walking configurations. The first configuration is the configuration when the footwear 1 is placed on a flat surface M. In the first configuration, as shown in Fig. 6, the first bottom portion 10 on the toe side and the second bottom portion 20 on the heel side are substantially flush with each other, and the third bottom portion 15 is floating above the flat surface M. In other words, the footwear 1 and the biasing member 100 have an arch shape.

[0022] The second form is the form when the footwear 1 is worn. In the second form, as shown in Fig. 7, the sole 3 is in a substantially flat state, the first support protrusion 51 and the second support protrusion 52 are in contact with the ground, and the first bottom portion 10 and the third bottom portion on the toe side are in a floating state. In other words, the footwear 1 and the biasing member 100 are in a substantially flat shape.

[0023] The third mode is the mode when the user starts walking. In the third mode, as shown in Fig. 8, the first bottom 10 on the toe side and a part of the first support protrusion 51 are in contact with the ground, and the second support protrusion 52 on the heel side is separated from the ground surface. In other words, the footwear 1 and the biasing member 100 are in a shape that extends upward and rearward, forming an inverted arch shape.

[0024] The fourth form is the form when walking has progressed further. In the fourth form, the first bottom part 10 on the toe side and the first support protrusion 51 are in contact with the ground, and the second bottom part 20 on the heel side is farther away from the ground than in the state of Fig. 8. In other words, it has a more curved inverse arch shape than the third form.

[0025] According to the first embodiment, the rigidity and flexibility of the sole 3 are set so that the sole 3 can deform to follow the first to fourth shapes when walking while wearing the footwear 1.

[0026] As shown in Figure 6, the sole 3 of the footwear 1 has the first bottom portion 10 and the second bottom portion 20 which are approximately flush with each other, and the third bottom portion 15 has an upwardly convex curved shape. Therefore, when the footwear 1 is worn, as shown in Figure 7, when the first support convex portion 51 touches the ground, the first bottom portion 10 on the toe side is slightly raised, leaving the toes free.

[0027] Since the toes are free, when starting to walk, the toes can grip the ground, which helps prevent a decline in the biomechanical properties of the foot.

[0028] In the state shown in Fig. 8, except for the first bottom portion 10 on the toe side, no weight is applied to the first support convex portion 51 and the second bottom portion 20 on the heel side. Therefore, a sole restoring force acts on the sole 3 to return it to the state shown in Fig. 6, that is, the state in which the first bottom portion 10 and the second bottom portion 20 are substantially flush and the third bottom portion 15 has an upwardly convex curved shape. According to the first embodiment, when the toe side is kicked off during walking, a restoring force of the shoe sole is applied, and a forward propulsive force is obtained for the foot. Similarly, a restoring force that tries to return the biasing member 100 to its original shape is applied to the biasing member 100 in the same manner as the shoe sole, so that a stronger forward propulsive force is obtained. Since the second portion 100b of the biasing member 100 is provided only at the center of the sole width of the footwear 1, the rigidity on the left and right sides is prevented from becoming too strong, and the shift of weight from side to side while walking is not impeded.

[0029] As described above, according to this embodiment 1, by providing a biasing member 100 on the sole 3 of the footwear, the reaction force from the biasing member 100 can be obtained as a forward propulsion force, and footwear 1 can be provided that is less tiring even when walking for long periods of time.

[0030] The biasing member 100 comprises a first portion 100a that covers the entire area from the ball of the toe bottom portion 40 to the first bottom portion 10 on the toe side, and a second portion 100b that is continuous with the rear end portion of the first portion 100a and covers the bottom area located behind the ball of the toe bottom portion 40 of the sole 3, and the second portion 100b covers only the middle portion of the sole 3 in the width direction. According to this configuration, by suppressing the stiffness generated on the left and right sides, it is possible to reduce the load applied when weight is shifted from side to side during walking.

[0031] The rear end of the second portion 100b terminates short of the heel bottom portion of the sole 3 that supports the heel. According to this configuration, by providing the biasing member 100 from the tip of the toe part of the sole 3 to the bottom of the heel, the reaction force from the biasing member 100 can be obtained as a forward propulsion force, and footwear 1 can be provided that does not tire the wearer even when walking for a long time.

[0032] In the above embodiment, the footwear 1 has an arch shape. However, the present invention may be applied to footwear with a toe side that is raised at the front, or to footwear with a toe side that is flat. The shape of the footwear 1 may be such that the first bottom 10, the second bottom 20, and the third bottom 15 are approximately flush, and the toe side is raised by the convex portion 51 on the third bottom 15 and the second bottom 20 coming into contact with the ground.

[0033] In the above embodiment, the grooves 61 are provided in the sole 3. However, the number, shape, size, and depth of the grooves 61 can be modified as appropriate. Also, the grooves 61 do not have to be provided.

[0034] The above-mentioned biasing member 100 forms the first portion 100a and the second portion 100b, and is provided from the first bottom portion 10 to the third bottom portion 15. However, the biasing member 100 may be provided on the entire surface of the midsole 60 as long as it can obtain a repulsive force during walking.

[0035] In the above-described embodiment, the biasing member 100 is attached to the upper part of the midsole 60. However, the biasing member 100 may be attached to any part of the sole, for example, the outsole 50 or the insole 70. Moreover, the biasing member 100 may be attached not only by adhesion but also by embedding or the like.

[0036] In the present embodiment, the outsole 50 and the midsole 60 are provided as separate bodies to form the sole 3, but the outsole 50 and the midsole 60 may be formed as a single body. Also, the insole 70 may be formed as a single body, or the insole 70 and the midsole 60 may be formed as a single body.

[0037] [Embodiment 2] In the above-mentioned embodiment 1, the biasing member 100 is attached to the upper part of the midsole 60. In embodiment 2, the biasing member 100 of the sole 3 is omitted. Other configurations are the same as those of embodiment 1 shown in Figures 1 to 8. Note that embodiment 2 will be described below with reference to Figures 6 to 8.

[0038] In the second embodiment, the footwear 1 is an arch-shaped footwear in which the first sole 10 and the second sole 20 are in contact with the ground and the third sole 15 is in a floating state, as shown in FIG. 6. When the wearer wears the footwear 1, as shown in FIG. 8, the footwear 1 is in a substantially flat state in which the first sole 10 on the toe side is floating while the first support convex portion 51 and the second support convex portion 52 are in contact with the ground. This state corresponds to the "middle stance phase" described above. The heel of the wearer's foot applies a load to the second support convex portion 52, the ball of the big toe and the ball of the little toe apply a load to the first support convex portion 51, and the toes are in a free state.

[0039] Since the toes are free, when starting to walk, the toes can grip the ground, which helps prevent a decline in the biomechanical properties of the foot.

[0040] When the user starts walking, as shown in Fig. 8, the second support protrusion 52 on the heel side moves away from the ground surface, causing a load to be applied to the toe side of the footwear 1, and the first bottom 10 and first support protrusion 51 on the toe side come into contact with the ground. At this time, the footwear 1 deforms into an inverted arch shape and transitions from the middle stance phase to the late stance phase. As the user continues walking, the first support protrusion 51 and the second support protrusion 52 on the heel side move even further away from the ground surface, while the first bottom 10 on the toe side remains in contact with the ground.

[0041] Next, by kicking off the toe side during walking, the toe leaves the ground (not shown). This state corresponds to the "final stance phase" described above.

[0042] In the state shown in Fig. 8, except for the first bottom portion 10 on the toe side, no weight is applied to the first support convex portion 51 and the second bottom portion 20 on the heel side. Therefore, a sole restoring force acts on the sole 3 to return it to the state shown in Fig. 6, that is, the state in which the first bottom portion 10 and the second bottom portion 20 are substantially flush and the third bottom portion 15 has an upwardly convex curved shape. According to the second embodiment, when the toe side is kicked off during walking, a restoring force of the shoe sole is applied, and a forward propulsive force is obtained for the foot.

[0043] According to the second embodiment, the biasing member 100 is omitted, but since the third bottom portion 15 of the footwear 1 is convex upward and the underside of the sole 3 has an arch shape, a sole restoring force acts on the footwear 1 during walking to return the sole 3 from a flat state to the state shown in Fig. 6 in which the underside of the sole 3 has a curved shape, as shown in Fig. 7, and a forward propulsive force for walking is obtained, providing footwear 1 that does not tire the wearer when walking. According to the second embodiment, as in the first embodiment, the rigidity and flexibility of the sole 3 are set so that the sole 3 can deform to follow the first form to the fourth form when walking while wearing the footwear 1.

[0044] In the above-mentioned second embodiment, the configuration has been described using footwear 1 having an arch shape as the shape of the footwear 1. However, if the third bottom portion 15 of the sole 3 has an upwardly convex curved shape and the underside of the sole 3 has an arch shape, the present invention may be applied to footwear having a toe side with a rising shape at the front, and may also be applied to footwear having a flat toe side.

[0045] The above-described embodiment merely shows one aspect of the present invention, and any modification and application can be made without departing from the spirit and scope of the present invention. [Explanation of symbols]

[0046] 1. Footwear 2. Upper 3 Soles 10 1st bottom 15 3rd bottom 20 2nd bottom 40 Bottom of toe ball 50 Outsole 51 First support protrusion (protrusion) 52 Second support protrusion 55 Bottom of heel 60 Midsole 61 Groove 62 Inner groove 63 Outer groove 70 Insole 100 biasing member 100a 1st part 100b 2nd part M flat surface W Determined width

Claims

1. The shoe sole has a protrusion that protrudes downward at the bottom of the balls of the foot, which corresponds to the portion on which the balls of the big toe and little toe rest, and has a strip-shaped biasing member in the entire area from the bottom of the balls of the foot to a first bottom portion on the toe side of the shoe sole. When the protrusion touches the ground, the first bottom portion on the toe side is in a floating state, When the user steps out by kicking off the toe side with the toes during walking, the first bottom portion on the toe side comes into contact with the ground, and the biasing force of the biasing member imparts a forward propulsive force to the foot. footwear.

2. The first bottom portion and the second bottom portion on the heel side are substantially flush with each other. Footwear according to claim 1.

3. A third bottom portion between the first bottom portion and the second bottom portion is in a floating state, The third bottom portion has the convex portion at the bottom of the ball of the foot. Footwear according to claim 2.

4. The biasing member includes a first portion covering an area extending from the bottom of the ball of the foot to the bottom of the toe side, and a second portion continuous with a rear end of the first portion and covering an area of ​​the bottom of the shoe sole located behind the bottom of the ball of the foot, The second portion covers only a widthwise middle portion of the sole. Footwear according to any one of claims 1 to 3.

5. The rear end of the second portion terminates before the heel bottom portion that supports the heel of the shoe sole. Footwear according to claim 4.

6. The first bottom portion on the toe side of the shoe sole and the second bottom portion on the heel side are substantially flush with each other, a third bottom portion between the first bottom portion and the second bottom portion has an upwardly convex curved shape, The third bottom portion has a convex portion that protrudes downward at the bottom of the balls of the foot, corresponding to the portions on which the balls of the big toe and little toe rest. When weight is applied during walking, the convex portion comes into contact with the ground, and the first bottom portion on the toe side is raised. When the toes kick off the toe side, the first bottom part touches the ground, the weight is no longer applied to the convex part and the second bottom part, and the third bottom part assumes an upwardly convex curved shape, and a sole restoring force returns the sole to its original state, and the foot receives a forward propulsive force. footwear.

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