This application claims priority to Japanese Patent Application No. 2020-093323, filed on May 28, 2020. The entire disclosure of Japanese Patent Application No. 2020-093323 is hereby incorporated herein by reference.
The present disclosure generally relates to a relates to a shoe that is configured to be put on a foot.
Japanese Utility Model Registration No. 3210703 discloses a shoe including a strap for securing a foot inside a shoe. The strap extends in a width direction of the shoe. The strap is fixed at one width-directional end thereof to an upper of the shoe, while being held at the other width-directional end (free end) thereof against the upper by a hook-and-loop fastener.
Regarding a conventional type of shoe, it has been concerned that the strap, when held at the free end thereof against the upper, is displaced in position with respect to the upper in a longitudinal direction of the shoe. When the strap is displaced in position with respect to the upper in the longitudinal direction of the shoe, chances are that a tightening force required to secure a foot inside the shoe cannot be obtained. Also, chances are that the strap cannot tighten an appropriate position of the shoe to secure the foot inside the shoe.
It is an object of the present disclosure to provide a shoe whereby a strap is unlikely to be displaced in position with respect to the upper where the strap is held at a free end thereof against an upper.
A shoe according to a first aspect of the present disclosure is a shoe that comprises a sole, an upper and a strap. The upper is attached to the sole. The strap extends in a width direction of the shoe. The strap includes a proximal fixed to the upper and a distal end located on an opposite side of the proximal end in the width direction of the shoe. One of the upper and the strap includes at least one first engaging portion. The other of the upper and the strap includes at least one second engaging portion that is engaged with the at least one first engaging portion while extending in a direction intersecting with a longitudinal direction of the shoe where the distal end is held against the upper.
In the shoe according to the first aspect, when the distal end of the strap is held against the upper, the at least one second engaging portion is engaged with the at least one first engaging portion. Accordingly, the strap, when held at the distal end thereof against the upper, is unlikely to be displaced in position with respect to the upper. Here, the distal end is a free end of the strap.
A shoe according to a second aspect relates to the shoe according to the first aspect, wherein the at least one first engaging portion includes at least one first protrusion. The at least one second engaging portion includes a plurality of second protrusions arranged in the longitudinal direction of the shoe. The at least one first protrusion is configured to be engaged between adjacent two of the plurality of second protrusions where the distal end is held against the upper. In the shoe according to the second aspect, the strap, when held at the distal end thereof against the upper, can be inhibited from being displaced in position with respect to the upper with a simple configuration. Also, when the at least one first engaging portion and the at least one second engaging portion are engaged, the at least one first engaging portion can be guided by adjacent two of the plurality of second protrusions.
A shoe according to a third aspect relates to the shoe according to the first aspect, wherein the at least one first engaging portion includes at least one first protrusion. The at least one second engaging portion includes at least one groove. The at least one first protrusion is configured to be engaged with the at least one groove where the distal end is held against the upper. In the shoe according to the third aspect, the strap, when held at the distal end thereof against the upper, can be inhibited from being displaced in position with respect to the upper with a simple configuration. Also, when the at least one first engaging portion and the at least one second engaging portion are engaged, the at least one first protrusion can be guided by the at least one groove.
A shoe according to a fourth aspect relates to the shoe according to any one of the first to third aspects, wherein the at least one first engaging portion extends in the direction intersecting with the longitudinal direction of the shoe when the distal end is held against the upper. In the shoe according to the fourth aspect, the strap, when held at the distal end thereof against the upper, becomes further unlikely to be displaced in position with respect to the upper. Also, the strap becomes likely to be guided in a tightening direction.
A shoe according to a fifth aspect relates to the shoe according to any one of the first to fourth aspects and further includes a tightening structure configured to apply a tension to the strap. In the shoe according to the fifth aspect, the tension can be easily applied to the strap by the tightening structure. Also, the strap, when tightened, can be further reduced in positional displacement with respect to the upper by using the tightening structure together with the at least one first engaging portion and the at least one second engaging portion.
A shoe according to a sixth aspect relates to the shoe according to the fifth aspect, wherein the at least one second engaging portion is provided on the upper. The tightening structure applies the tension to the strap such that the tension is directed along the at least one second engaging portion. In the shoe according to the sixth aspect, the strap, when tightened by the tightening structure, becomes unlikely to be displaced in position with respect to the upper.
A shoe according to a seventh aspect relates to the shoe according to the fifth or sixth aspect, wherein the tightening structure includes a lace member and a reel-up member. The lace member is attached to one of the upper and the strap. The reel-up member is attached to the other of the upper and the strap. The reel-up member is configured to reel up the lace member. In the shoe according to the seventh aspect, tightening the strap and adjusting a force for tightening the strap are made easy.
A shoe according to an eighth aspect relates to the shoe according to any one of the first to seventh aspects, wherein one of the at least one first engaging portion and the at least one second engaging portion is made of a mesh material. In the shoe according to the eighth aspect, forming the one of the at least one first engaging portion or the at least one second engaging portion is made easy. Also, the one of the at least one first engaging portion or the at least one second engaging portion can be made breathable. Moreover, the one of the at least one first engaging portion or the at least one second engaging portion can be made lighter in weight.
A shoe according to a ninth aspect relates to the shoe according to the eighth aspect, wherein the one of the at least one first engaging portion and the at least one second engaging portion is provided on the strap. In the shoe according to the ninth aspect, it is made easier to keep softness in material of the strap than when the one of the at least one first engaging portion or the at least one second engaging portion is directly formed on the strap. Also, it is easy to make the strap breathable.
According to the present disclosure, it is possible to provide a shoe whereby a strap, when held at a free end thereof against an upper, is unlikely to be displaced in position with respect to the upper. Also, other objects, features, aspects and advantages of the disclosed shoe will become apparent from the following detailed description, which, taken in conjunction with the annexed drawings, discloses preferred embodiments of the disclosed shoe.
Referring now to the attached drawings which form a part of this original disclosure.
Selected embodiments will now be explained with reference to the drawings. It will be apparent to those skilled in the footwear field from this disclosure that the following descriptions of the embodiments are provided for illustration only and not for the purpose of limiting the invention as defined by the appended claims and their equivalents.
The sole 12 supports the foot sole. The sole 12 includes an outsole 12a. Also, the sole 12 includes an insole (not shown in the drawings). Regarding the sole 12, the insole is provided on the opposite side of the outsole 12a. The outsole 12a faces outside the shoe 10. For example, the outsole 12a touches the ground. The insole faces inside the shoe 10. The insole touches the foot sole.
The upper 14 covers the top of the foot F. The upper 14 is attached to the sole 12. The upper 14 is attached to the insole side of the sole 12. The upper 14 includes a left upper portion 14a located on the left side of the shoe 10 and a right upper portion 14b located on the right side of the shoe 10. It should be noted that the terms “right” and “left” of the shoe 10 herein refer to those in a view of the shoe 10 as seen from behind (heel side) looking toward the toe of the shoe 10. Also, a top side of the upper 14 of the shoe 10 corresponds to the upper side of the shoe 10, whereas a bottom side of the sole 12 of the shoe 10 corresponds to the lower side of the shoe 10. The upper 14 further includes a front upper portion 14c and a rear upper portion 14d. The front upper portion 14c is located on the front side of the shoe 10. The rear upper portion 14d is located on the rear side of the shoe 10. The front side of the shoe 10 corresponds to the toe side of the shoe 10. The rear side of the shoe 10 corresponds to the heel side of the shoe 10. For example, the front upper portion 14c covers a toe region and a top region of the foot. For example, the rear upper portion 14d covers a heel region of the foot. The front upper portion 14c and the rear upper portion 14d connect the left upper portion 14a and the right upper portion 14b. The upper 14 further includes an opening 14e. The opening 14e is a portion that the foot F is inserted when the shoe 10 is put on. For example, the opening 14e is defined by a topline (a top edge of the upper 14).
The opening 14e is provided on the rear upper portion 14d side. The opening 14e is opened upward. For example, the opening 14e is surrounded by the left upper portion 14a, the right upper portion 14b, the front upper portion 14c, and the rear upper portion 14d. The opening 14e is provided on the opposite side of the sole 12 with respect to the upper portions 14a, 14b, 14c, and 14d. For example, when the shoe 10 is of a type without the rear upper portion 14d, the opening 14e is surrounded by the left upper portion 14a, the right upper portion 14b, the front upper portion 14c, and the sole 12. The shoe 10 of the type is, for example, a sandal. On the other hand, for example, when the shoe 10 is of a type covering the foot up to the ankle, the left upper portion 14a, the right upper portion 14b, the front upper portion 14c, and the rear upper portion 14d extend to the ankle. When the shoe 10 is of a type covering the foot up to a region above the ankle, the left upper portion 14a, the right upper portion 14b, the front upper portion 14c, and the rear upper portion 14d extend to the region above the ankle. The shoe 10 of the type is, for example, a boot. It should be noted that the strap is additionally provided on a portion of the shoe 10 that covers the region above the ankle. Besides, several engaging portions 20 and 30 (to be described) in the present embodiment are additionally provided on the portion of the shoe 10 that covers the region above the ankle.
The strap 16 extends in a width direction of the shoe 10. The strap 16 includes a proximal end 16a and a distal end 16b. The proximal end 16a is fixed to the upper 14. In the present embodiment, the proximal end 16a is fixed to the right upper portion 14b. The distal end 16b is located on the opposite side of the proximal end 16a in the width direction of the shoe 10. The distal end 16b is a free end of the strap 16. The distal end 16b is configured to be held against the upper 14. In the present embodiment, the distal end 16b is configured to be held against the left upper portion 14a. In the present embodiment, as described below, the upper 14 is provided, as a part thereof, with a second engaging portion 30. However, the second engaging portion 30 is attachable to the upper 14 as a discrete component.
One of the upper 14 and the strap 16 includes at least one first engaging portion 20. The other of the upper 14 and the strap 16 includes at least one second engaging portion 30. When the distal end 16b is held against the upper 14, the at least one second engaging portion 30 is engaged with the at least one first engaging portion 20. The at least one second engaging portion 30 extends in a direction intersecting with a longitudinal direction X of the shoe 10. The longitudinal direction X of the shoe 10 is a direction indicating the entire toe-to-heel length of the shoe 10. In the present embodiment, the strap 16 includes the at least one first engaging portion 20, whereas the upper 14 includes the at least one second engaging portion 30.
One of the at least one first engaging portion 20 and the at least one second engaging portion 30 is preferably made of a mesh material. Also, the one of the at least one first engaging portion 20 and the at least one second engaging portion 30 is provided on the strap 16. The mesh is the whole or a part of a material made of strings or wires interlaced like a net. The net is formed by interlacing the yarns or wires with one another at regular intervals. In the present embodiment, the at least one first engaging portion 20 is made of the mesh material. It should be noted that the at least one first engaging portion 20 can be integrally provided on the strap 16.
The at least one first engaging portion 20 includes at least one first protrusion 20a. In the present embodiment, the at least one first protrusion 20a is disposed on a back surface 16c side of the distal end 16b of the strap 16. The back surface 16c is opposed to the upper 14 where the distal end 16b is held against the upper 14. Also, in the present embodiment, the at least one first protrusion 20a comprises part of a mesh member 32. The at least one first protrusion 20a protrudes in a direction from the strap 16 to the upper 14 in a condition of engagement between the upper 14 and the strap 16. The condition of engagement between the upper 14 and the strap 16 refers to a condition of engagement between the at least one first protrusion 20a and the at least one second engaging portion 30. In other words, the condition of engagement between the upper 14 and the strap 16 refers to a condition that the distal end 16b is held against the upper 14. The at least one first protrusion 20a extends in the direction intersecting with the longitudinal direction X of the shoe 10 where the distal end 16b is held against the upper 14. It should be noted that the at least one first protrusion 20a may not necessarily extend in the direction intersecting with the longitudinal direction X of the shoe 10 where the distal end 16b is held against the upper 14. It should be noted that in the present embodiment, the at least one first engaging portion 20 includes a plurality of first protrusions 20a. When the distal end 16b is held against the upper 14, the first protrusions 20a extend along a plurality of second protrusions 30a (to be described), while being arranged in the longitudinal direction X of the shoe 10.
The at least one second engaging portion 30 includes the plurality of second protrusions 30a arranged in the longitudinal direction X of the shoe 10. The plurality of second protrusions 30a are provided on, for example, the surface of the left upper portion 14a or that of the right upper portion 14b. In the present embodiment, the plurality of second protrusions 30a are provided on the surface of the left upper portion 14a. For example, the plurality of second protrusions 30a are formed by modifying at least the surface of the upper 14. The plurality of second protrusions 30a are formed by, for example, embossing. The plurality of second protrusions 30a protrude in a direction from the upper 14 to the strap 16 in the condition of engagement between the upper 14 and the strap 16. The plurality of second protrusions 30a extend in the direction intersecting with the longitudinal direction X of the shoe 10. The plurality of second protrusions 30a extend in a circular-arc shape in approximately the width direction of the shoe 10. It should be noted that the plurality of second protrusions 30a may extend in a straight shape.
As shown in
The tightening structure 18 applies a tension to the strap 16. The tightening structure 18 applies the tension to the strap 16 such that the tension is directed along the at least one second engaging portion 30. The at least one second engaging portion 30 is herein provided on the upper 14. The tightening structure 18, which is a heretofore known structure, includes a lace member 18a and a reel-up member 18b. The reel-up member 18b is configured to reel up the lace member 18a. The lace member 18a is attached to one of the upper 14 and the strap 16. The reel-up member 18b is attached to the other of the upper 14 and the strap 16. In the present embodiment, the lace member 18a is attached to the upper 14, whereas the reel-up member 18b is attached to the strap 16.
In the present embodiment, the lace member 18a is attached to a position closer to the sole 12 than the plurality of second protrusions 30a on the left upper portion 14a. The left upper portion 14a is provided with a hook portion 40 for hooking the lace member 18a.
As an example, the reel-up member 18b includes a reel-up portion, a one-way clutch, and a deactivation mechanism that are not shown in the drawings. The one-way clutch prevents the reel-up portion from turning in an unreeling direction. The deactivation mechanism deactivates the one-way clutch. The reel-up member 18b is a member that the lace member 18a is attached at both ends thereof. When the reel-up member 18b is operated to turn, the lace member 18a is wound up. Accordingly, the tension acting on the strap 16 is adjusted. It should be noted that in the present embodiment, a tightening structure 42 is provided in a position forward of the tightening structure 18. The tightening structure 42 is used for tightening the left upper portion 14a and the right upper portion 14b in directions approaching each other. The tightening structure 42 has a similar structure to the tightening structure 18. It should be noted that the tightening structure 42 can be omitted.
In the shoe 10 configured as described above, when the distal end 16b of the strap 16 is held against the upper 14, the at least one second engaging portion 30 is engaged with the at least one first engaging portion 20. Accordingly, when the distal end 16b of the strap 16 is held against the upper 14, the strap 16 is unlikely to be displaced in position with respect to the upper 14.
Also, the tightening structure 18 applies the tension to the strap 16 such that the tension is directed along the at least one second engaging portion 30. Accordingly, when the distal end 16b of the strap 16 is held against the upper 14, the strap 16 is further unlikely to be displaced in position with respect to the upper 14.
Moreover, when the distal end 16b of the strap 16 is held against the upper 14, the at least one first protrusion 20a is engaged between adjacent two of the second protrusions 30a. When the tension acting on the strap 16 is adjusted by the tightening structure 18, the at least one first protrusion 20a is guided by adjacent two of the second protrusions 30a in the extending directions of the plurality of second protrusions 30a. Accordingly, when the tension acting on the strap 16 is adjusted by the tightening structure 18, the strap 16 is unlikely to be displaced in position with respect to the upper 14.
In the present embodiment, the at least one first protrusion 20a and the at least one second protrusion 30a extend continuously. However, at least one of the at least one first protrusion 20a and the at least one second protrusion 30a is not required to extend continuously. For example, the at least one of the at least one first protrusion 20a and the at least one second protrusion 30a can be composed of arranged circular protrusions. The protrusion extending continuously is guided by the protrusion disposed intermittently. Conversely, the protrusion disposed intermittently is guided by the protrusion extending continuously.
One embodiment of the present disclosure has been explained above. However, the present invention is not limited to the embodiment described above, and a variety of changes can be made without departing from the gist of the present invention. Especially, a plurality of embodiments and modifications described in the present specification can be arbitrarily combined on an as-needed basis.
The embodiment described above has explained that the strap 16 includes the at least one first engaging portion 20, whereas the upper 14 includes the at least one second engaging portion 30. However, as shown in
The embodiment described above has explained that the at least one second engaging portion 30 includes the plurality of second protrusions 30a arranged in the longitudinal direction X of the shoe 10. However, as shown in
The embodiment described above has explained that the lace member 18a of the tightening structure 18 is attached to the upper 14, whereas the reel-up member 18b is attached to the strap 16. However, as shown in
The embodiment described above has explained that the tightening structure 18 includes the lace member 18a and the reel-up member 18b. However, as shown in
The embodiment described above has explained that the tightening structure 18 includes the reel-up member 18b. However, the reel-up member 18b can be omitted from the tightening structure 18. For example, as shown in
The shoe 10 may be a cycling shoe. In this case, for example, as shown in
Number | Date | Country | Kind |
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JP2020-093323 | May 2020 | JP | national |
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Number | Date | Country | |
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20210368946 A1 | Dec 2021 | US |