Patent Application
20210015208
The present invention relates to a sole structure and a shoe including such a sole structure.
Sole structures such as those disclosed in, e.g., Patent Document 1 have been suggested as a shoe sole structure that gives enhanced comfortable feeling to wearer's feet when the wearer steps on the ground while walking or running, and allows the wearer to walk and run with increased comfort.
Patent Document 1 discloses a shoe sole structure in which right and left clearances formed between right and left ends of a buffering body, which is accommodated in a receiving portion, and right and left wall surfaces of the receiving portion allow relative movement of the buffering body made of an elastic material in the width direction when the ground surface of an outsole contacts the ground and the wearer's weight is put on a heel support surface (see FIGS. 5 and 6 of Patent Document 1).
For example, in a situation where the wearer performs a cutting maneuver from the left to the right while playing an indoor sport, such as badminton or table tennis, the wearer's weight shifts temporarily toward the lateral side of the left foot. In such a situation, when an outsole of the sole structure of Patent Document 1, in particular, for a left shoe, contacts the ground, and the wearer's weight is put on the heel support surface, the buffering body moves relatively toward the left clearance of the receiving portion. As a result, the sole structure can exhibit cushioning properties, and can reduce the load applied to the wearer's foot.
However, the sole structure of Patent Document 1 is not configured such that, for example, when the wearer's weight shifts toward the right after finishing shifting toward the left, the buffering body that has once moved toward the left clearance in the receiving portion returns from the left clearance toward the right clearance. Thus, the force generated when the wearer's foot kicks the ground to move from the left toward the right is attenuated. This makes it difficult to perform a quick cutting maneuver. In other words, the sole structure of Patent Document 1 prevents a smooth cutting maneuver.
In view of the foregoing background, it is an object of the present invention to enable a smooth cutting maneuver.
To achieve the foregoing object, a first aspect of the present invention relates to a sole structure for a shoe. The sole structure includes: a base having a plate-like shape, and disposed near a ground; a plurality of pillars protruding upward from the base, and spaced apart from each other, the pillars being elastically deformable; and a stack structure disposed above the base. The pillars are disposed between the base and the stack structure with lower end portions of the pillars fixed to the base and with upper end portions of the pillars fixed to the stack structure.
According to the first aspect, the pillars are disposed between the base and the stack structure with the lower end portions of the pillars fixed to the base and with the upper end portions of the pillars fixed to the stack structure. Here, for example, in a situation where the wearer performs a cutting maneuver from the left to the right while playing an indoor sport, such as badminton or table tennis, the wearer's weight shifts temporarily toward the lateral side of the left foot. At this moment, each pillar is elastically deformed so that its upper end portion fixed to the stack structure moves toward the left relative to its lower end portion fixed to the base. The elastic deformation of the pillars provides cushioning properties, and can reduce the load applied to the wearer's foot or knee during the cutting maneuver. When the wearer's weight shifts toward the right after finishing shifting toward the left, internal stress generated by the elastic deformation of the pillars is transformed into a restoring force functioning to restore the pillars 6 to their original positions. This restoring force allows the upper end portions of the pillars to move from the left toward the right, and allows the stack structure fixed to the upper end portions of the pillars to move so as to return from the left toward the right. This increases the force generated when the wearer's foot kicks the ground to move from the left to the right. This enables a quick cutting maneuver. Thus, according to the first aspect, elastic deformation and restoration of the pillars enables a smooth cutting maneuver.
A second aspect of the invention is an embodiment of the first aspect. In the second aspect, the plurality of pillars are arranged on the base at a position corresponding to a forefoot of a wearer, the position corresponding at least to a thenar of the wearer.
According to the second aspect, the advantages provided by the elastic deformation and restoration of the pillars can be concentrated on the position of the forefoot of the foot including the thenar, which tends to receive the load in the cutting maneuver.
A third aspect of the invention is an embodiment of the first or second aspect. In the third aspect, a wall is provided for a peripheral portion of a combination of the base and the stack structure to close a clearance between the base and the stack structure.
According to the third aspect, the wall can prevent a foreign substance from entering the clearance between the base and the stack structure from the outside of the sole structure.
A fourth aspect of the invention is an embodiment of any one of the first to third aspects. In the fourth aspect, the base and the pillars are integrated together, and the base and the pillars form an outsole made of an elastic material.
According to the fourth aspect, the base and the pillars are integrated together. Thus, the lower end portion of each pillar can be stabilized relative to the base. Further, the base and the pillars form an outsole made of an elastic material. Thus, an impact on the wearer's foot contacting the ground is easily transferred through the base to the pillars. This can enhance the advantages provided by the elastic deformation and restoration of the pillars.
A fifth aspect of the invention is an embodiment of the fourth aspect. In the fifth aspect, the stack structure is made of an elastic material that is the same as the elastic material for at least either the base or the pillars.
This fifth aspect can increase the degree of integration of the stack structure and at least either the base or the pillars.
A sixth aspect of the invention is an embodiment of any one of the first to fifth aspects. In the sixth aspect, the stack structure is a plate-like upper plate portion.
According to the sixth aspect, providing the plate-like upper plate portion can improve the adhesiveness and workability.
A seventh aspect of the invention is an embodiment of any one of the first to fifth aspects. In the seventh aspect, the stack structure is a film-like sheet material.
According to the seventh aspect, the adhesiveness and workability can be improved, and the sheet material can reduce the weight of the sole structure.
An eighth aspect of the invention is an embodiment of the fourth aspect. In the eighth aspect, the stack structure is a midsole made of an elastic material softer than the elastic material for the outsole.
According to the eighth aspect, the number of components of the sole structure can be reduced.
A ninth aspect of the invention is an embodiment of any one of the first to fourth aspects. In the ninth aspect, the stack structure is a lower portion of a shoe upper, the lower portion being arranged so as to correspond in position to a planta of the wearer.
According to the ninth aspect, the sole structure can be simplified and reduced in weight.
A tenth aspect of the invention is an embodiment of any one of the first to ninth aspects. In the tenth aspect, elastic deformation of the plurality of pillars is anisotropic.
According to the tenth aspect, the degree of elastic deformation and restoration of the pillars can be varied depending on the direction of motion of the wearer.
An eleventh aspect of the invention is an embodiment of any one of the first to ninth aspects. In the eleventh aspect, a density of the plurality of pillars arranged to occupy an upper surface of the base varies depending on positions of the pillars with respect to portions of a foot of the wearer.
According to the eleventh aspect, the degree elastic deformation and restoration of the pillars can be varied depending on their positions with respect to the portions of the wearer's foot.
A twelfth aspect of the invention is an embodiment of any one of the first to ninth aspects. In the twelfth aspect, heights of the plurality of pillars protruding from an upper surface of the base vary depending on positions of the pillars with respect to portions of a foot of the wearer.
According to the twelfth aspect, the degree elastic deformation and restoration of the pillars can be varied depending on their positions with respect to the portions of the wearer's foot.
A thirteenth aspect of the invention is directed to a shoe including the sole structure of any one of the first to twelfth aspects.
According to the thirteenth aspect, shoes which are as advantageous as the first to twelfth aspects can be provided.
As can be seen from the foregoing description, the present invention enables a smooth cutting maneuver.
Embodiments of the present invention will now be described in detail with reference to the drawings. Note that the following description of the embodiment is merely an example in nature, and is not intended to limit the scope, applications, or use of the present invention.
The drawings show the sole structure 1 for a left shoe only. A sole structure for a right shoe is symmetrical to the sole structure 1 for the left shoe. Thus, only the sole structure for the left shoe will be described in the following description, and the description of the sole structure for the right shoe will be omitted herein.
In the following description, the expressions “above,” “upward,” “on a/the top of,” “below,” “under,” and “downward,” represent the vertical positional relationship between components of the sole structure 1. The expressions “front,” “fore,” “forward,” “rear,” “back,” “hind,” “behind,” and “backward” represent the positional relationship in the longitudinal direction between components of the sole structure 1. The expressions “medial side” and “lateral side” represent the positional relationship in the foot width direction between components of the sole structure 1.
As shown in
An upper surface of the midsole 2 is configured as a planta support surface supporting the entire planta of the wearer. A shoe upper 3 covering the wearer's foot is attached to a peripheral portion of the midsole 2.
Next, as shown in
The outsole 4 is made of a hard elastic member having greater hardness than the midsole 2. Specifically, non-limiting suitable examples of the material for the outsole 4 include thermoplastic resins such as ethylene-vinyl acetate copolymer (EVA), thermosetting resins such as polyurethane (PU), and rubber materials such as butadiene rubber and chloroprene rubber.
The outsole 4 has a base 5 made of the hard elastic material described above. The base 5 is disposed near the ground. The base 5 has substantially a plate-like shape.
The outsole 4 includes a plurality of pillars 6, 6, . . . , which are elastically deformable. The pillars 6, 6, . . . are made of the same elastic material as that for the base 5, and are integrated with the base 5. The pillars 6, 6, . . . protrude upward from an upper surface of the base 5 to form a cylindrical shape. In this embodiment, the pillars 6 have the same size, and are cylindrical. In
The pillars 6, 6, . . . are arranged at equal intervals on the upper surface of the base 5. The pillars 6, 6, . . . are arranged at a position of the base 5 corresponding to the entire planta of the wearer. The pillars 6, 6, . . . merely need to be arranged at a position of the base 5 corresponding to the forefoot of the wearer including at least the thenar of the wearer's foot.
The outsole 4 has a stack structure. In this embodiment, the stack structure is configured as a plate-like upper plate portion 7. The upper plate portion 7 is made of the same elastic material as that for the base 5 and the pillars 6, 6, . . . , and is disposed above the base 5. A lower surface of the upper plate portion 7 faces, and is spaced apart from, the upper surface of the base 5. Note that, in this embodiment, the upper plate portion 7 is configured as a different member from the pillars 6.
Lower end portions of the pillars 6 are fixed to the upper surface of the base 5. Upper end portions of the pillars 6 are fixed to a lower surface 7b of the upper plate portion 7. The pillars 6 are disposed between the base 5 and the upper plate portion 7 while being fixed to the base 5 and the upper plate portion 7. Note that, in this embodiment, the pillars 6, 6, . . . located in a clearance between the base 5 and the upper plate portion 7 are visible from the outside of the sole structure 1.
As described above, the pillars 6 are disposed between the base 5 and the upper plate portion 7 with the lower end portions of the pillars 6 fixed to the base 5 and with the upper end portions of the pillars 6 fixed to the upper plate portion 7 (the stack structure). Here, for example, in a situation where the wearer performs a cutting maneuver from the left to the right while playing an indoor sport, such as badminton or table tennis, the wearer's weight shifts temporarily toward the lateral side of the left foot. At this moment, as shown in
The pillars 6, 6, . . . are arranged at a position of the base 5 corresponding to the forefoot of the wearer including at least the thenar of the wearer's foot. Thus, the advantages provided by the elastic deformation and restoration of the pillars 6, 6, . . . can be concentrated on the position of the forefoot of the foot including the thenar, which tends to receive the load in the cutting maneuver.
The base 5 and the pillars 6, 6, . . . are integrated together, and are configured as the outsole 4 made of an elastic material. Thus, the lower end portions of the pillars 6 can be stabilized relative to the base 5. Further, an impact on the wearer's foot contacting the ground is easily transferred through the base 5 to the pillars 6. This can enhance the advantages provided by the elastic deformation and restoration of the pillars 6.
The stack structure is configured as the plate-like upper plate portion 7 made of the same elastic material as that for the base 5 and the pillars 6, 6, . . . . This can increase the degree of integration of the upper plate portion 7 as the stack structure and the combination of the base 5 and the pillars 6, 6, . . . .
Further, providing the plate-like upper plate portion as the stack structure can improve the adhesiveness and workability.
In this embodiment, the pillars 6, 6, . . . located in the clearance between the base 5 and the upper plate portion 7 are visible from the outside of the sole structure 1. However, this is merely a non-limiting example. For example, as in a first variation shown in
In the foregoing embodiment, the outsole 4 is disposed so as to correspond to the entire planta of the wearer. However, this is merely a non-limiting example. For example, as in a second variation shown in
In the first variation, the wall 8a and the base 5 are integrated together. However, this is merely a non-limiting example. For example, as shown in
Further, in the first variation, the wall 8a is disposed all around the base 5. However, this is merely a non-limiting example. The wall 8a may be disposed on a predetermined portion of the outer periphery of the base 5. For example, as shown in
In the foregoing embodiment, the stack structure is the upper plate portion 7. However, this is merely a non-limiting example. For example, the upper plate portion 7 may be replaced with a film-like sheet material (not shown). Specifically, for example, the sheet material is fixed to upper end portions of pillars 6 with an adhesive agent or by hot pressing or any other process in advance. The resultant sheet material is bonded to the lower surface of the midsole 2. The third variation, too, can provide the same or similar advantages to those of the foregoing embodiment. The adhesiveness and workability can be improved as compared with those in a case where the pillars 6 are fixed directly to the lower surface of the midsole 2. Further, replacing the upper plate portion 7 with the sheet material allows the weight of the entire sole structure 1 to be lower than the weight in the case in which the stack structure is the upper plate portion 7.
In the foregoing embodiment, the stack structure is configured as the upper plate portion 7. However, this is merely a non-limiting example. For example, as in a fourth variation shown in
As in a fifth variation shown in
In the foregoing embodiment, the pillars 6 are cylindrical. However, this is merely a non-limiting example. The pillars may have any of various shapes. For example, as in a sixth variation shown in
In the foregoing embodiment, the pillars 6, 6, . . . have the same shape (cylindrical shape), and are arranged at equal intervals on the upper surface of the base 5. However, this is merely a non-limiting example.
Specifically, in a twelfth variation shown in
In the lateral-side region, the cross-sectional areas of the pillars 6 are gradually reduced from a front end of the base 5 toward a rear end thereof, whereas in the medial-side region, the cross-sectional areas of the pillars 6 are gradually increased from the front end of the base 5 toward the rear end thereof. Thus, in the lateral-side region, the amounts of deformation of the pillars 6, 6, . . . are gradually increased from the front end toward the rear end of the base 5, whereas in the medial-side region, the amounts of deformation of the pillars 6, 6, . . . are gradually reduced from the front end toward the rear end of the base 5. In other words, the pillars 6, 6, . . . of the twelfth variation are elastically deformed by different amounts depending on their positions with respect to portions of the foot. This allows the degree of elastic deformation and restoration of the pillars 6 to vary depending on their positions with respect to the portions of the wearer's foot.
In the lateral-side region, first rows of the pillars 6 and second rows of the pillars 6 are alternately arranged in the foot width direction. The first rows of the pillars 6 are arranged such that side portions of each of these pillars 6 are oriented in the longitudinal direction. The second rows of the pillars 6 are arranged such that a corner of each of these pillars 6 is oriented in the longitudinal direction. Thus, the first rows of the pillars 6 tend to be elastically deformed in the longitudinal direction and the foot width direction, whereas the second rows of the pillars 6 tend to be elastically deformed in a direction inclined substantially 45 degrees with respect to the longitudinal direction and the foot width direction. In other words, in the twelfth variation, the elastic deformation of the pillars 6, 6, . . . arranged on the lateral-side region is anisotropic.
As shown also in
As shown in
As in the twelfth variation described above, the elastic deformation of the pillars 6, 6, . . . may be anisotropic. This anisotropy allows the degree of elastic deformation and restoration of the pillars 6 to vary depending on the direction of motion of the wearer.
Further, the density of the pillars 6, 6, . . . arranged to occupy the upper surface of the base 5 may vary depending on their positions with respect to the portions of the wearer's foot. Further, the heights of the pillars 6, 6, . . . protruding from the upper surface of the base 5 may vary depending on their positions with respect to the portions of the wearer's foot. This configuration allows the degree of elastic deformation and restoration of the pillars 6 to vary depending on their positions with respect to the portions of the wearer's foot.
In the foregoing embodiment, the upper end portions of the pillars 6 are fixed to the lower surface of the upper plate portion 7 configured as a different member from the pillars 6. However, this is merely a non-limiting example. In other words, the base 5 and the pillars 6, 6, . . . may be integrated with the upper plate portion 7.
In the foregoing embodiment, the base 5, the pillars 6, and the upper plate portion 7 are made of the same elastic material. However, this is merely a non-limiting example. For example, the base 5 may be made of a different elastic material from that for the pillars 6, and the upper plate portion 7 may be made of the same elastic material as that for either the base 5 or the pillars 6. Alternatively, the base 5 may be made of a non-elastic material, and the pillars 6 and the upper plate portion 7 may be made of the same elastic material. This configuration can increase the degree of integration of the upper plate portion 7 as the stack structure and either the base 5 or the pillars 6.
Note that the present invention is not limited to the embodiments described above, and various changes and modifications may be made without departing from the scope of the present invention.
The present invention is industrially applicable to, for example, a sole structure for athletic shoes for indoor sports, such as badminton and table tennis, and to shoes including the sole structure.
| Number | Date | Country | Kind |
|---|---|---|---|
| 2018-055592 | Mar 2018 | JP | national |
This application claims priority to PCT Application No. PCT/JP2019/001831, filed on 22 Jan. 2019, which claims priority to Japanese Patent Application No. 2018-055592, filed on 23 Mar. 2018, the entire disclosure of which are incorporated by reference herein.
| Filing Document | Filing Date | Country | Kind |
|---|---|---|---|
| PCT/JP2019/001831 | 1/22/2019 | WO | 00 |
