Footwear

Abstract

The present invention comprises a foot base 10, a front thong part 21, and a thong 20. The foot base 10 has a two-layer structure comprising an upper layer 11 and a lower layer 12. The upper layer 11 has an upper surface, a lower surface, and a plurality of peripheral wall surfaces. The peripheral wall surface comprises: a first wall surface 11f that extends between an inner-side side surface 10a and an outer-side side surface 10b of the foot base 10 closer to the heel side than the end of the thong 20; a second wall surface 11g that extends along the longitudinal direction from the toe-side end part of the foot base 10, the second wall surface 11g passing closer to the outer side than the front thong part 21 and furthermore passing a location closer to the toe side than the end of an outer lateral thong part 22b, and extending arcuately to the outer-side side part 10b of the foot base 10; and a remaining wall surface. The remaining wall surface is a footwear material having the same shape as the contour shape of the lower layer 12. The upper surface of the upper layer 11 has a horizontal part 11e that is positioned closer to the heel side than a portion abutted by the lateral head of the abuctor hallucis muscle, and an inclined part 11d that is inclined upward from the front edge 11j of the horizontal part 11e toward the toe side. The lower surface of the upper layer 11 has a reverse-side inclined part 32c that is gently inclined downward toward the toe side.

Description

footwear

[0001] The present invention relates to footwear that is open below the ankle, such as sandals or zori.

[0002] Open-type footwear, such as zori and sandals, which are open from the ankle down, generally consists of a flat sole shaped like the sole of the foot, with a belt or thong attached. Conventionally, zori and sandals with health-promoting features have been popular, such as protrusions on the sole that stimulate pressure points on the sole while walking, or a sideways tilt in the sole to correct bow legs or knock knees.

[0003] One such conventional technique is described in Patent Document 1. Patent Document 1 discloses health sandals in which the front part of the thong is attached in two positions to sandwich the index finger, so that the thumb is in a 1:3 ratio with the middle finger, ring finger, and little finger centered on the index finger, and the top part where the index finger rests is raised by 2 to 5 mm.

[0004] Utility Model Registration No. 3232282

[0005] Recently, there has been a demand for relatively inexpensive footwear such as beach sandals to have health benefits. In particular, there is a demand for beach sandals and other footwear that can correct bow legs and posture.

[0006] SUMMARY OF THE INVENTION In response to such demands, an object of the present invention is to provide footwear that has the function of correcting bow legs and posture.

[0007] In order to achieve the above object, the present invention has the following configuration: [1] An aspect of the present invention is footwear comprising a footstool and a thong attached to the footstool, the thong comprising a front part, an inner lateral part, and an outer lateral part, the footstool having a two-layer structure consisting of an upper layer and a lower layer, the lower layer having a contour that follows the outer circumference of the foot in a plan view, the upper layer having an upper surface, a lower surface, and a plurality of peripheral wall surfaces, the peripheral wall surfaces comprising a first wall surface extending between the inner and outer sides of the footstool on the heel side of the end of the thong, a second wall surface extending in an arc from the end of the footstool on the toe side, passing outside the front part, passing further to the toe side of the end of the outer lateral part, and the remaining wall surfaces, the remaining wall surfaces overlapping the contour of the lower layer in a plan view, The upper layer has a horizontal portion located on the heel side of the area where the transverse head of the adductor hallucis muscle abuts, and an inclined portion that slopes upward from the front edge of the horizontal portion toward the toe side, the anterior portion being positioned on the inclined portion, and the lower surface of the upper layer has a rear inclined portion that slopes gently downward toward the toe side.

[0008] [2] In the footwear of the above aspect [1], the lower layer is made of a plate material of uniform thickness, and the toe part of the lower layer is inclined along the inclined part on the back side of the upper layer.

[0009] [3] In the footwear of the above aspect [1], the upper surface of the lower layer has an inclined surface that slopes downward at the same gradient as the inclined back portion of the upper layer, and the lower surface of the lower layer extends horizontally.

[0010] [4] In the aspect [1] above, the height from the upper surface of the horizontal portion to the top of the inclined portion is 7 mm or more and 22 mm or less.

[0011] [5] In the above aspect [1], the upper layer has a two-layer structure consisting of an upper region of uniform thickness including the upper surface and a lower region fixed to the lower surface of the upper region, and the lower region has a lower region horizontal portion of uniform thickness and a lower region inclined portion that gradually becomes thicker from the front edge of the lower region horizontal portion toward the toe side.

[0012] [6] In the aspect [5] above, the upper region and the lower region are made of the same material and are colored differently from each other.

[0013] According to the above-mentioned aspects [1], [2], or [3] of the present invention, the upper layer of the footstool has the second wall surface of the above-mentioned shape. Therefore, when a user walks wearing the footwear of the present invention, the outer portion of the sole of the foot on the toe side is separated from the upper surface of the footstool, so that the user's weight is concentrated on the medial side of the sole of the user's foot. This makes it possible to correct the center of gravity of the user's leg inward. If the user has bow legs, it is possible to narrow the distance between the user's knees. Furthermore, since the upper layer of the footstool has the first wall surface of the above-mentioned shape, the user walks as if standing on their toes. Therefore, walking in the footwear makes it possible to naturally train the muscles in the calves and the muscles from the back of the thighs to the buttocks.

[0014] Furthermore, when a user wears the footwear of the present invention, the heel can rest on the upper surface of the lower layer with the foot rested on the footrest. As a result, the heel is lower than the toe, allowing the user's center of gravity to shift rearward, making it easier to distribute weight on the heel. This not only corrects a hunched posture, but also allows the user to move their heel up and down while walking with their foot rested on the footrest, allowing for efficient training of the user's calf and muscles from the back of the thigh to the buttocks.

[0015] Furthermore, because the transverse head of the adductor hallucis muscle is located on the horizontal portion of the upper layer of the foot platform and the big toe is located on the inclined portion, when the user wears the footwear of the present invention, the spine is aligned straight with the ground. In addition, it is possible to make it easier for weight to be distributed to the heel. This allows the user to efficiently train the muscles in the calves and from the back of the thighs to the buttocks, and also corrects a hunched posture.

[0016] Furthermore, since the front part is disposed on the inclined part, it is possible to maintain the bases of the big toe and index toe disposed on the inclined part.

[0017] Furthermore, the thickness of the upper layer on the toe side can be increased, which makes it possible to give a stronger visual impression to the user that the area of ​​the footwear where the big toe is placed is elevated.

[0018] According to the above aspect [4] of the present invention, it is possible to set the height from the upper surface of the horizontal portion to the top of the inclined portion to a height that can easily achieve the effects of the present invention.

[0019] According to the above aspect [5] of the present invention, the upper region of the upper layer is deformed to conform to the inclined portion of the lower region, and the lower surface of the upper region is fixed to the upper surface of the lower region, thereby forming an inclined portion in the upper layer. Therefore, by fixing the upper region, which has been processed to form anti-slip properties such as unevenness on its surface, to the lower region, it is possible to easily create an inclined portion with a predetermined processing.

[0020] According to the above aspect [6] of the present invention, the upper and lower regions of the upper layer are colored in different colors, so that the user can be impressed that the lower region is thicker toward the toes and the area where the big toe is placed is higher.

[0021] According to the present invention, it is possible to provide footwear that has the function of correcting bow legs and posture.

[0022] Fig. 5A is a perspective view showing the appearance of footwear according to a first embodiment of the present invention; Fig. 1 is a plan view of Fig. 1; Fig. 1 is a side view of footwear according to a second embodiment of the present invention; Fig. 5B is a side view of a modified example of footwear according to the second embodiment of the present invention; Fig. 5C is a side view of the footwear of Fig. 5A in use;

[0023] Hereinafter, embodiments of the present invention will be described in detail with reference to the drawings.

[0024] [First embodiment] Fig. 1 is a perspective view showing the appearance of footwear 1, an exemplary configuration of a first embodiment of the present invention. Fig. 2 is a plan view of Fig. 1. Fig. 3 is a side view of Fig. 1. Footwear 1 is a so-called beach sandal, and includes a footrest 10 and a thong 20. Note that Figs. 1 to 3 show footwear 1 to be worn on the left foot of a user. Since footwear 1 to be worn on the right foot is bilaterally symmetrical to footwear 1 to be worn on the left foot, detailed description of footwear 1 to be worn on the right foot will be omitted. In the description, the big toe side will be referred to as the inside and the little toe side as the outside in the left-right direction of footwear 1.

[0025] The footrest 10 is made of rubber, EVA urethane, or the like, and has a two-layer structure consisting of an upper layer 11 and a lower layer 12. The thong 20 is made of a front thong portion 21, an inner lateral thong portion 22a, and an outer lateral thong portion 22b, and is attached to the footrest 10. The starting ends of the inner lateral thong portion 22a and the outer lateral thong portion 22b are connected to the front thong portion 21, the terminating end of the inner lateral thong portion 22a is attached near the inner side surface 10a of the footrest 10, and the terminating end of the outer lateral thong portion 22b is attached near the outer side surface 10b of the footrest 10.

[0026] The upper layer 11 is a plate-like member having an outline that at least partially follows the outer circumference of the foot in a plan view, and includes a heel-cut portion 11 a, a base portion 11 b, and a little toe-side cut portion 11 c. The lower layer 12 is a plate-like member having an outline that follows the entire outer circumference of the foot in a plan view.

[0027] The heel-side missing portion 11a in the upper layer 11 is formed by cutting out the area facing the user's heel. The support portion 11b is the portion on which at least part of the user's foot rests and has an inclined portion 11d and a horizontal portion 11e. The little toe-side missing portion 11c is formed by making a slit along the length of the upper layer 11 from approximately the center of the toe-side end of the upper layer 11, passing slightly outward from the front thong portion 21 of the thong 20, passing slightly toward the toe from the end of the outer lateral thong portion 22b, and cutting in a gentle arc to the outer side surface 10b of the footrest 10.

[0028] Therefore, the resting portion 11b comes into contact with the part of the sole of the user's foot other than the part facing the heel missing portion 11a and the part facing the little toe side missing portion 11c.

[0029] For ease of explanation, the heel missing portion 11a and the little toe side missing portion 11c, which are spaces without any substantial components, are also treated as components of the upper layer 11, but the substantial component in the upper layer 11 is the placement portion 11b.

[0030] In other words, the plate-like member constituting the upper layer 11 has an upper surface, a lower surface, and multiple peripheral wall surfaces. The upper surface of the horizontal portion 11e extends in a horizontal plane and is located closer to the heel than the area where the lateral head of the adductor hallucis muscle contacts. The area where the lateral head of the adductor hallucis muscle contacts is located slightly posterior to the anterior portion 21. The upper surface of the inclined portion 11d slopes upward from the front edge 11j of the horizontal portion 11e toward the toes. In the illustrated example, the boundary between the horizontal portion 11e and the inclined portion 11d, i.e., the front edge of the horizontal portion 11e, is indicated by the symbol 11j, but the boundary does not need to be clear. Furthermore, the front edge 11j of the horizontal portion 11e may extend in a curved line rather than a straight line.

[0031] The inclined portion 11d is the portion that the user's thumb, index finger, and the bases thereof contact, and is gradually thickened from the horizontal portion 11e of the support portion 11b toward the toes. As a result, the upper surface of the inclined portion 11d is an inclined surface that slopes upward toward the toes. In this embodiment, the lower surface of the upper layer 11 extends within a horizontal plane. The front portion 21 is disposed on the inclined portion 11d.

[0032] One of the multiple peripheral walls defining the contour of the upper layer 11 is a first wall 11f, which extends between the inner side surface 10a and the outer side surface 10b of the foot platform 10, closer to the heel than the end of the thong 20. The first wall 11f separates the support portion 11b from the heel-missing portion 11a. The first wall 11f preferably extends in a concave curve toward the heel in a plan view, which conforms to the shape of the user's heel.

[0033] Another of the surrounding walls is a second wall 11g that separates the placement portion 11b from the little toe-side missing portion 11c. The second wall 11g extends from approximately the center of the toe-side end of the foot stool 10 along the longitudinal direction of the foot stool 10, passing outward from the front cord portion 21, and further extending in an arc from the end of the outer lateral cord portion 22b toward the toe side to the outer side surface 10b of the foot stool 10.

[0034] The remaining two peripheral walls 11 h and 11 i are located between the first wall f and the second wall g. These remaining peripheral walls 11 h and 11 i overlap the contour of the lower layer 12 in a plan view. The peripheral wall 11 h is part of the inner side surface 10 a of the foot stool 10, and the peripheral wall 11 i is part of the outer side surface 10 b of the foot stool 10.

[0035] In the illustrated example, the upper layer 11 has a two-layer structure consisting of an upper region 31 and a lower region 32. Preferably, the upper region 31 and the lower region 32 are made of the same material and have the same shape in a planar view. In the illustrated example, the upper region 31 is made of a plate-like material with a uniform thickness, and the sole of the user's foot contacts the upper surface. Preferably, the upper surface of the upper region 31 is formed into a rough surface with fine irregularities. This makes it less likely for the sole of the user's foot to slip on the upper surface of the upper region 31. In addition, the heel-side edge of the upper region 31, i.e., the edge of the first wall surface 11f, is chamfered. In addition, the little toe-side edge of the upper region 31, i.e., the edge of the second wall surface 11g, is also chamfered.

[0036] The lower region 32 is adhesively fixed to the lower surface of the upper region 31. The lower region 32 consists of a lower region horizontal portion 32a and a lower region inclined portion 32b. The lower region horizontal portion 32a faces the heel side of the area where the transverse head of the adductor hallucis muscle contacts, with the upper region 31 interposed between them. The lower region inclined portion 32b gradually becomes thicker from the front edge of the lower region horizontal portion 32a toward the toe side. The upper surface of the lower region inclined portion 32b slopes upward from the front edge of the upper surface of the lower region horizontal portion 32a.

[0037] According to this embodiment, the height H from the upper surface of the horizontal portion 11e to the top of the inclined surface of the inclined portion 11d is preferably set in the range of 7 mm or more and 22 mm or less, and more preferably set in the range of 15 mm or more and 20 mm or less.

[0038] Preferably, the upper region 31 and the lower region 32 are colored in different colors. The colors of the upper region 31 and the lower region 32 are preferably colors that allow the colors to be clearly distinguished from each other. For example, the upper region 31 can be black and the lower region 32 can be white.

[0039] The lower layer 12 of this embodiment is a plate-like member with a uniform thickness and a contour that conforms to the entire circumference of the foot in a plan view. The lower surface of the lower layer 12 is preferably formed into a rough surface with wavy irregularities, which makes the lower layer 12 less likely to slip on the ground.

[0040] The foot stool 10 is formed by bonding the underside of the upper layer 11, i.e., the underside of the lower region 32, to the upper side of the lower layer 12. Steps are formed between the upper surfaces of the upper layer 11 and the lower layer 12 in the heel-missing portion 11a and little toe-side missing portion 11c areas. The first wall surface 11f and the second wall surface g are the walls of these steps. As a result, the heel-missing portion 11a and little toe-side missing portion 11c areas of the foot stool 10 are thin-walled.

[0041] Furthermore, by adhesively fixing the lower surface of the upper region 31 of the upper layer 11 to the upper surface of the lower region 32, the upper layer 11 is fixed to the upper surface of the lower layer 12 in a state in which the upper region 31 is deformed to fit along the upper surface of the lower region 32. As a result, the upper region 31 in the upper layer 11 is fixed in an inclined state along the lower region horizontal portion 32a and lower region inclined portion 32b of the lower region 32, and a horizontal portion 11e and an inclined portion 11d are formed in the upper layer 11.

[0042] The thong 20 is made of cloth or synthetic resin and is composed of a front thong portion 21 and a side thong portion 22. The front thong portion 21 extends upward from the surface of the foot platform 10 and is sandwiched between the user's big toe and index toe. The front thong portion 21 is located on the inclined portion 11d of the upper layer 11. The side thong portion 22 is a string-like or band-like member made of cloth or synthetic resin. The side thong portion 22 is divided into two parts: an inner thong portion 22a that extends from the front thong portion 21 toward the inner side of the foot platform 10 on the big toe side, and an outer thong portion 22b that extends toward the outer side of the foot platform 10 on the little toe side. The inner thong portion 22a terminates at a corner of the heel end of the upper layer 11 on the big toe side. The outer thong portion 22b is fixed to a corner of the heel end of the upper layer 11 on the little toe side.

[0043] Next, a state in which the user wears the footwear 1 will be described.

[0044] A user can put on footwear 1 by slipping their foot through thong 20 and placing front thong 21 between their big toe and index toe. At this time, inner thong 22a passes over the base of the user's big toe, and outer thong 22b passes over the instep, making it difficult for footwear 1 to slip off the user's foot. Furthermore, because front thong 21 is positioned on inclined portion 11d, the user's big toe, index toe, and their bases abut on the inclined surface of inclined portion 11d. Therefore, only the big toe, index toe, and their bases on the sole of the user's foot are positioned higher than the top surface of horizontal portion 11e.

[0045] When a user is wearing footwear 1, little toe-side missing portion 11c faces the user's middle toe, ring toe, little toe and their bases, the transverse head of the adductor hallucis muscle located closer to the heel than the bases, and the flexor digitorum brevis muscle on the side of the arch. In other words, if the sole of the foot is divided into two near the arch, into a toe side and a heel side, and the toe side is further divided into a big toe side (inner side) and a little toe side (outer side), the outer half of the toe side will generally face little toe-side missing portion 11c.

[0046] Therefore, when a user walks wearing footwear 1, the outer half of the sole on the toe side is separated from the upper surface of lower layer 12, so that the user's weight is concentrated on the inner part of the sole. Furthermore, when standing upright or walking, the user becomes conscious of not allowing the outer part of the sole facing little toe side missing portion 11c to come into contact with the upper surface of lower layer 12. This makes it possible to shift the center of gravity of the user's leg inward, and if the user has bow legs, it is possible to narrow the distance between the user's knees.

[0047] Furthermore, because the footwear 1 has a heel-missing portion 11a, the entire heel of the user faces the heel-missing portion 11a. Therefore, when the user walks wearing the footwear 1, they walk on their tiptoes, which naturally trains the muscles in the calves and from the back of the thighs to the buttocks. Furthermore, even when standing, the user's heels are able to move up and down, which uses the muscles on the back of the feet, causing the hip joints to tuck in rather than widen. In this way, bowed legs can be corrected.

[0048] The user can also train their muscles by walking heel-first. Specifically, when the user walks with the heel of the footwear 1 touching the ground first, the user's heel is positioned on the upper surface of the lower layer 12, which is lower than the upper surface of the upper layer 11, so the center of gravity shifts backward, making it easier for the user's weight to be shifted backward. In particular, because the toes of the user's feet rest on the inclined portion 11d and the big toe, index toe, and their bases are positioned higher than the rest of the sole, the heel tends to shift downward, making it harder for the user to lean forward. As a result, because the sole of the foot, except for the big toe, index toe, and their bases, usually rests on the horizontal portion 11e, the user can maintain a posture with the spine aligned perpendicular to the ground. Even if the line of the spine tilts forward over time and the user tries to lean forward, the thumb, index finger and their bases are resting on the inclined part 11d, making it difficult to lean forward, and even if the user does lean forward, the line of the spine can be returned to a direction perpendicular to the ground.

[0049] In this way, it is possible to correct the user's posture. Furthermore, since it is difficult to lean forward, the time spent in a posture that places gravity on the face, such as a hunched posture, can be shortened. This reduces the accumulation of fluid in the face and the occurrence of swelling, which can result in a slimmer face. Furthermore, by making it difficult to lean forward and correcting a forward-leaning posture to a better posture, it is possible to free the eyeballs from pressing against the fascia, thereby relieving eye fatigue. In addition, correcting a forward-leaning posture to a better posture can have other effects, such as improving walking posture, making it easier to lift the feet, reducing stiff shoulders, and improving blood flow to the back of the neck.

[0050] In particular, according to this embodiment, the height H from the top surface of the horizontal portion 11e to the top of the inclined surface of the inclined portion 11d is set in the range of 7 mm to 22 mm. Here, if the height H is too low, it becomes difficult to move the spine's line backward, while if it is too high, the spine's line may be moved backward more than necessary in normal posture. Therefore, as in this embodiment, if the height H is in the range of 7 mm to 22 mm, when the user leans forward and the spine's line tilts forward, it is possible to move the spine's line backward and correct it to a straight state with respect to the ground. More preferably, by setting the height H to 15 mm to 20 mm, it is possible to stably correct the spine's line when the user leans forward and the spine's line tilts forward.

[0051] Furthermore, when the user's heel is on the upper surface of the lower layer 12, the user's middle finger, ring finger, little finger, and their bases are raised above the little finger-side missing portion 11c, so that the user must brace themselves with the thumb and index finger, which are resting on the upper layer 11, and the areas around them, in order to maintain balance. This keeps the middle finger, ring finger, little finger, and their bases raised. This makes it possible to shift the center of gravity of the user's legs inward, and if the user has bow legs, it is possible to narrow the distance between the user's knees.

[0052] Incidentally, some users have the habit of walking with their center of gravity toward their heels (so-called heel-walkers), while others have the habit of walking with their center of gravity toward their toes (so-called tiptoe-walkers). Users who heel-walk can correct their center of gravity forward by being conscious of walking so that their heels do not touch the upper surface of the lower layer 12. Users who tiptoe can correct their center of gravity backward by walking so that their heels touch the upper surface of the lower layer 12. In this way, footwear 1 can correct the walking posture of both heel-walkers and tiptoe-walkers.

[0053] Furthermore, because the step portion (first wall surface 11f) formed by heel-notched portion 11a has a concave arc shape toward the heel, it stimulates the arch of the foot near the arched heel portion when walking. Furthermore, because the portion of upper layer 11 between heel-notched portion 11a and little toe-side notched portion 11c (near wall surface 11i) is narrow, the user can stimulate the lateral side of the arch by moving the outer portion of the sole up and down. This is expected to have a positive effect on health by stimulating the pressure points on the feet.

[0054] According to the first embodiment configured as described above, when a user wears footwear 1, the user's weight is concentrated on the medial side of the sole of the foot, which allows the center of gravity of the user's legs to be shifted inward, thereby narrowing the distance between the user's knees. This also makes it possible to efficiently train the muscles in the user's calves and from the back of the thighs to the buttocks. This allows the user to walk without worrying too much about bowed legs when changing into a swimsuit at the beach.

[0055] Furthermore, by forming the heel-missing portion 11a on the footrest 10, the user is able to walk as if standing on tiptoe, and walking while wearing the footwear 1 naturally trains the muscles in the calves and from the back of the thighs to the buttocks. Furthermore, when the user wears the footwear 1, with the foot placed on the top surface of the upper layer 11, the heel can be placed on the top surface of the lower layer 12 below the heel-missing portion 11a, shifting the user's center of gravity backward. This not only corrects a hunched posture, but also allows the user to move the heel up and down while walking with the foot placed on the upper layer 11. This makes it easier to apply weight to the heel, and efficiently trains the muscles in the calves and from the back of the thighs to the buttocks.

[0056] Furthermore, because the transverse head of the adductor hallucis muscle of the user is located on the horizontal portion 11e of the footrest 10, and the big toe and middle toe and their bases are located on the inclined portion 11d, when the user wears the footwear of the present invention, it is possible to straighten the line of the spine relative to the ground and make it easier for weight to be placed on the heels. This makes it possible to move the line of the spine backward when the user leans forward, thereby correcting the user's posture to the correct one.

[0057] Furthermore, by adhesively fixing the lower surface of upper region 31 to the upper surface of lower region 32 while upper region 31 is deformed so as to conform to lower region inclined portion 32b, inclined portion 11d is formed in upper layer 11. Therefore, by adhesively fixing upper region 31, the surface (upper surface) of which has been processed to form anti-slip features such as unevenness, to lower region 32, it is possible to easily create upper layer 11 having anti-slip features such as unevenness formed on the surface (upper surface) of inclined portion 11d.

[0058] Furthermore, since the upper region 31 and the lower region 32 are colored in different colors, when the footwear 1 is viewed from the side, the lower region 32 becomes thicker toward the toe, and the user is given a visual impression that the area on which the big toe is placed is higher.

[0059] According to the first embodiment, when Speel Plaster is applied to a corn on the outside of the sole, wearing footwear 1 can separate the area where the Speel Plaster is applied from the ground, which is expected to reduce the chance of the Speel Plaster slipping or peeling off when walking.

[0060] Although the first embodiment of the present invention has been described above, the present invention is not limited to this. For example, although the first embodiment has been described using beach sandals as an example, the present invention can also be applied to sandals. Furthermore, although the foot plate is made of rubber or EVA urethane material, the material of the foot plate is not limited to these. For example, the foot plate may be made of wood.

[0061] The upper layer 11 and the lower layer 12 may each be configured as a plurality of layers.

[0062] [Second embodiment] Figure 4 is a side view showing the appearance of footwear 2 according to a second embodiment of the present invention. Note that in footwear 2 according to the second embodiment shown in Figure 4, components that are the same as or have the same functions as components that constitute footwear 1 according to the first embodiment shown in Figures 1 to 3 are designated by the same reference numerals, and detailed description thereof will be omitted.

[0063] The footwear 2 of the second embodiment has a backside inclined portion 32c that slopes gently downward toward the toe side on the underside of the lower region inclined portion 32b in the lower region 32 of the upper layer 11, as shown in FIG.

[0064] As a result, the thickness of the toe portion of the lower layer 12 in the second embodiment is smaller than that in the first embodiment. Therefore, when the footwear 1 is viewed from the side, the lower region 32 of the upper layer 11 is thicker toward the toe. As a result, it is possible to give a stronger visual impression to the user that the area of ​​the footwear 2 where the big toe is placed is higher.

[0065] Furthermore, a sloped surface that slopes downward at the same gradient as the rear sloped portion 32c is formed on the upper surface of the lower layer 12 at a location facing the rear sloped portion 32c. This allows the rear surface of the lower layer 12 of the footwear 2 to be flat and not sloped.

[0066] 5A and 5B are side views showing a modified example of footwear 2 according to the second embodiment of the present invention. In the second embodiment shown in FIG. 4, an inclined surface is formed on the upper surface of the toe side of lower layer 12. However, in this modified example of the second embodiment, lower layer 12 does not have an inclined surface formed on the upper surface of the toe side, but is made of a plate material of uniform thickness.

[0067] As a result, the lower layer 12 is inclined along the rear inclined portion 32c, so that the toe portion of the lower layer 12 is inclined slightly downward as shown in Fig. 5A. However, when a user stands on the ground wearing the footwear 2, the toe portion of the lower layer 12 elastically deforms by the amount of the inclination, and the inclined portion 11d is lifted as shown in Fig. 5B. This makes it possible to lift the big toe, middle toe, and the bases thereof slightly upward.

[0068] As a modification of the second embodiment, the upper layer 11 may have a single-layer structure instead of the two-layer structure of the upper region 31 and the lower region 23. In this case, a similar inclined back portion that slopes gently downward toward the toe side can be formed on the lower surface of the upper layer 11.

[0069] 1, 2 Footwear 10 Footrest 10a Inner side surface 10b Outer side surface 11 Upper layer 11a Heel missing portion 11b Placement portion 11c Little toe side missing portion 11d Inclined portion 11e Horizontal portion 11f First wall surface 11g Second wall surface 11i 11h Remaining wall surface 12 Lower layer 20 Toe strap 21 Front strap portion 22 Side strap portion 22a Inner side strap portion 22b Outer side strap portion 31 Upper region 32 Lower region 32a Lower region horizontal portion 32b Lower region inclined portion 32c Back side inclined portion

Claims

1. A footwear comprising a sole (10), and a nose strap (20) composed of a front strap portion (21), an inner lateral strap portion (22a), and an outer lateral strap portion (22b) and attached to the sole (10), wherein the sole (10) has a two-layer structure composed of an upper layer (11) and a lower layer (12), the lower layer (12) has a contour imitating the outer periphery of the foot in plan view, the upper layer (11) has an upper surface, a lower surface, and a plurality of peripheral wall surfaces, and the peripheral wall surfaces include a first wall surface (11f) extending between the inner side surface (10a) and the outer side surface (10b) of the sole (10) on the heel side of the terminal end of the nose strap (20), a second wall surface (11g) extending along the longitudinal direction from the front end of the sole (10) on the toe side, passing outside the front strap portion (21), and further passing on the toe side of the terminal end of the outer lateral strap portion (22b) and extending arcuately to the outer side surface (10b) of the sole (10), and the remaining wall surfaces (11h, 11i), and the remaining wall surfaces (11h, 11i) overlap the contour of the lower layer (12) in plan view. The upper layer (11) has a horizontal portion (11e) located on the heel side of the portion where the transverse head of the abductor hallucis contacts, and an inclined portion (11d) rising and inclining from the front edge (11j) of the horizontal portion (11e) toward the toe side, and the front strap portion (21) is disposed on the inclined portion (11d). Further, the lower surface of the upper layer (11) has a rearward inclined portion (32c) gently inclining downward toward the toe side.

2. The footwear according to claim 1, wherein the lower layer (12) is composed of a plate material having a uniform thickness, and the toe portion of the lower layer (12) inclines along the rearward inclined portion (32c) of the upper layer (11).

3. The footwear according to claim 1, wherein the upper surface of the lower layer (12) has an inclined surface inclining downward with the same gradient as the rearward inclined portion (32c) of the upper layer (11), and the lower surface of the lower layer (12) extends horizontally.

4. The footwear according to claim 1, wherein the height (H) from the upper surface of the horizontal portion (11e) to the top of the inclined portion (11d) is 7 mm or more and 22 mm or less.

5. The footwear according to claim 1, wherein the upper layer (11) has a two-layer structure comprising an upper region (31) that includes the upper surface and has a uniform thickness, and a lower region (32) fixed to the lower surface of the upper region (31), and the lower region (32) has a lower region horizontal portion (32a) having a uniform thickness and a lower region inclined portion (32b) that gradually increases in thickness from the leading edge of the lower region horizontal portion (32a) toward the toe side.

6. The footwear according to claim 5, wherein the upper region (31) and the lower region (32) are made of the same member and are colored in different colors.

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