Abstract: The heel counter structure includes a sole plate provided at least at the heel region of the shoe and having a peripheral portion. The peripheral portion is upraised along the heel region of the shoe so as to enclose the lower portion of the heel portion of the foot of the wearer. The heel structure also includes a pair of heel counter portions provided on the medial and lateral sides of the heel region of the shoe so as to sandwich the heel portion of the foot sideways. The heel counter portions are coupled to the peripheral portion of the sole plate at the lower ends of the heel counter portions so that the heel counter portions can tilt inwardly and outwardly independently of the sole plate. The heel counter portions are separated from the peripheral portion of the sole plate except the lower ends of the heel counter portions.

Abstract: The invention is directed to transmitting ground surface information to a foot sole of a shoe wearer accurately. Sole structure 1 includes a sole body 2 having a sole bottom surface 20 on a ground surface side and a sole top surface 21 on the opposite side thereof, a plurality of first protrusions 3 formed of elastic member and disposed on the sole bottom surface 20, and a plurality of second protrusions 4 formed of elastic member, disposed on the sole top surface 21 and located at positions corresponding respectively to positions of the first protrusions 3. A sectional shape of the first protrusion 3 is formed so that it gradually becomes smaller as it leaves the sole bottom surface 20. A distal end portion of the first protrusion 3 is formed of an arcuate shaped surface that protrudes downwardly. A sectional shape of the second protrusion 4 is formed so that it gradually becomes smaller as it leaves the sole top surface 21.

Abstract: The heel counter structure includes a sole plate provided at least at the heel region of the shoe and having a peripheral portion. The peripheral portion is upraised along the heel region of the shoe so as to enclose the lower portion of the heel portion of the foot of the wearer. The heel structure also includes a pair of heel counter portions provided on the medial and lateral sides of the heel region of the shoe so as to sandwich the heel portion of the foot sideways. The heel counter portions are coupled to the peripheral portion of the sole plate at the lower ends of the heel counter portions so that the heel counter portions can tilt inwardly and outwardly independently of the sole plate. The heel counter portions are separated from the peripheral portion of the sole plate except the lower ends of the heel counter portions.

Abstract: The upper structure for a shoe includes an upper body formed of stretchable material and covering at least the tiptoe of the foot of a shoe wearer. The structure further includes a toe pressing member located at a position corresponding to toes of the foot, surrounded by the upper body, and formed of non-stretchable material. The toe pressing member presses the toes of the foot from above when the toes of the foot come into contact with the backside of the upper body at the time of dorsal flexion of the foot.

Abstract: A sole structure is provided that can improve cushioning and bending properties of the sole heel portion. The sole assembly 1 is formed of an upper plate 2 disposed on the upper side of the heel portion H, a wavy lower plate 3 provided below the upper plate 2 in the heel portion H and having at least two convex portions 30, 31 that protrude downwardly and that are adapted to form voids C relative to the upper plate 2, and a plurality of cleats that are provided on the lower surfaces of the convex portions of the lower plate and/or a cleat that is provided between adjacent convex portions of the lower plate.

Abstract: A sole structure is provided that can improve cushioning and bending properties of the sole heel portion. The sole assembly 1 is formed of an upper plate 2 disposed on the upper side of the heel portion H, a wavy lower plate 3 provided below the upper plate 2 in the heel portion H and having at least two convex portions 30, 31 that protrude downwardly and that are adapted to form voids C relative to the upper plate 2, and a plurality of outsole portions 51-55 that are divided in the longitudinal direction and that are attached to the lower surfaces of the convex portions 30, 31 of the lower plate 3.

Abstract: A sole structure is provided that can improve cushioning and bending properties of the sole heel portion. The sole assembly 1 is formed of an upper plate 2 disposed on the upper side of the heel portion H, a wavy lower plate 3 provided below the upper plate 2 in the heel portion H and having at least two convex portions 30, 31 that protrude downwardly and that are adapted to form voids C relative to the upper plate 2, and a plurality of outsole portions 51-55 that are divided in the longitudinal direction and that are attached to the lower surfaces of the convex portions 30, 31 of the lower plate 3.

Abstract: A sole structure is provided that can improve cushioning and bending properties of the sole heel portion. The sole assembly 1 is formed of an upper plate 2 disposed on the upper side of the heel portion H, a wavy lower plate 3 provided below the upper plate 2 in the heel portion H and having at least two convex portions 30, 31 that protrude downwardly and that are adapted to form voids C relative to the upper plate 2, and a plurality of outsole portions 51-55 that are divided in the longitudinal direction and that are attached to the lower surfaces of the convex portions 30, 31 of the lower plate 3.

Abstract: A system for assisting shoe selection can select and present a shoe type that fits a customer by estimating the anatomical characteristics of a foot from the state of the foot. The system includes the following: a measured data input portion for measuring and inputting data that show the state of a foot of a person to be measured; a normalization processing portion for normalizing the data input from the measured data input portion and storing the normalized data at least temporarily; a shoe catalog database for storing information of a plurality of types of shoes; and a selection portion for estimating the anatomical characteristics of the foot of the person based on the normalized data, referring to the shoe catalog database based on the anatomical characteristics, and selecting and presenting a shoe type that fits the person.

Abstract: A system for assisting shoe selection can select and present a shoe type that fits a customer by estimating the anatomical characteristics of a foot from the state of the foot. The system includes the following: a measured data input portion for measuring and inputting data that show the state of a foot of a person to be measured; a normalization processing portion for normalizing the data input from the measured data input portion and storing the normalized data at least temporarily; a shoe catalog database for storing information of a plurality of types of shoes; and a selection portion for estimating the anatomical characteristics of the foot of the person based on the normalized data, referring to the shoe catalog database based on the anatomical characteristics, and selecting and presenting a shoe type that fits the person.

Abstract: A hard elastic body (10) having a longitudinally extending cavity (13) formed therein is provided mainly at a forefoot region (F) of a sole body. The cavity (13) is formed of a first curved surface (11) extending curvedly in a longitudinal direction and a second curved surface (12) disposed under the first curved surface (11) and extending curvedly in a longitudinal direction as well. A front and rear end of the second curved surface (12) is connected to a front and rear end of the first curved surface (11) respectively and an intermediate portion of the second curved surface (12) is spaced apart downwardly from an intermediate portion of the first curved surface (11). A path (PQ1) between the front and rear end of the first curved surface (11) is substantially equal to a path (PQ2) between the front and rear end of the second curved surface (12). When the first curved surface (11) is pressed downwardly, the sole body is deformed in such a way that a rear foot region (R) of the sole body is lifted upwardly.

Abstract: A solar cell for connection in series with a plurality of like cells to provide a solar generator which can produce a desired output voltage. The cell includes a photovoltaic section of compound semiconductor layers stacked on a semiconductor substrate to form a p-n junction and a protective diode section electrically isolated from the photovoltaic section by a p-n junction. The photovoltaic and diode sections are connected in parallel and reverse polarity. The protective diode bypasses current in the solar generator when no light is incident on the photovoltaic section in parallel with the respective diode.

Abstract: A solar cell includes a first conductivity type semiconductor substrate having two opposed surfaces, a second conductivity type first semiconductor layer disposed in the substrate at the first surface of the semiconductor substrate, a second conductivity type second semiconductor layer deposited on the first surface of the semiconductor substrate except for the first semiconductor layer production region, producing a pn junction with the semiconductor substrate having no reverse direction voltage blocking capability, a first conductivity type third semiconductor layer deposited on the second semiconductor layer, a first electrode covering the first semiconductor layer and connecting the third semiconductor layer with the first semiconductor layer, and a second electrode disposed at a second surface of the semiconductor substrate.

Abstract: A solution for crystal growth reserved in an upper chamber is taken from an opening formed in a slider mounted between the upper chamber and a middle chamber, and flown to the middle chamber containing a substrate, solid bodies in the solution being removed by two grids attached to a hole provided on the side of the middle chamber.

Abstract: An antireflective film (7, 8) for photoelectric devices comprises at least a layer having a refractive index being the largest on the side abutting on the light receiving surface (2a) or the light emitting surface of a photoelectric device and continuously decreasing according to the distance outward from said side.

Abstract: An antireflective film (7, 8) for photoelectric devices comprises at least a layer having a refractive index being the largest on the side abutting on the light receiving surface (2a) or the light emitting surface of a photoelectric device and continuously decreasing according to the distance outward from said side.