Shoe with adjustment pad unit

Abstract

A shoe includes an upper having an opening extending from a top open end to an instep part thereof and defined by a pair of marginal edges provided with an enclosure member. A lining is disposed across the opening and having two opposite ends connected to an inner surface of the upper. An adjustment pad unit is provided between the closure member and the lining and is connected to the lining through a connecting unit. The adjustment pad unit includes a plurality of pad sections and has a thickness which can be adjusted by placing the pad sections in a stack, or by folding or unfolding the pad sections.

Description

CROSS-REFERENCE TO RELATED APPLICATION

This application is also a continuation-in-part of U.S. patent application Ser. No. 10/639,859 filed by the applicant on Aug. 12, 2003, the entire disclosure of which is incorporated herein by reference.

BACKGROUND OF THE INVENTION

1. Field of the Invention

This invention relates to a pull-on type shoe, more particularly to a pull-on type shoe having an adjustment pad unit to adjust the fitting of the shoe.

2. Description of the Related Art

As shown in FIG. 1, a conventional pull-on type shoe includes a zipper 1 which can be pulled upward or downward to close or open a shoe so that the shoe is easy to be put on or taken off by the user as compared to the conventional shoe having a shoe lacing. However, since lasts for making pull-on type shoes have standard sizes which may not suit the foot of every user and since zippers cannot be adjusted to control the tightness or looseness of a shoe unlike shoe lacings, pull-on type shoes may not be able to accommodate every user. Especially, the shoes may be too loose at the instep parts thereof when they are worn by a user having thin feet.

In order to alleviate the aforesaid problem, manufacturers utilize a set of lasts having different degrees of fatness for the same standard size of shoes to produce shoes suitable for different users. However, the use of different sets of lasts increases the manufacturing cost and complicates the manufacturing process. In addition, shoe sellers, such as wholesaler and retailers, have to bear a burden of inventory due to the need to provide stock of shoes of the same size but having different degrees of fatness.

SUMMARY OF THE INVENTION

The object of the present invention is to provide a pull-on type shoe which is adjustable at an instep part thereof. According to the present invention, a shoe comprises: an outsole; an upper having a bottom open end connected to the outsole, a top open end, and an instep part; a lining disposed inside the upper and having an outer surface opposite to an inner surface of the upper; and an adjustment pad unit provided between the outer surface of the lining and the inner surface of the upper and mounted on one of the upper and the lining, the adjustment pad unit including a plurality of pad sections.

Preferably, the shoe further comprises a connecting unit attached to the lining unit to mount the adjustment pad unit on the lining unit. Moreover, the upper further includes an opening which extends from the top open end to the instep part, a pair of marginal edges defining the opening, and a closure member attached to and extending along the marginal edges to close or open the opening. The lining is disposed across the opening and having two opposite ends connected to the inner surface of the upper.

BRIEF DESCRIPTION OF THE DRAWINGS

Other features and advantages of the present invention will become apparent in the following detailed description of the preferred embodiments of the invention, with reference to the accompanying drawings, in which:

FIG. 1 shows a conventional pull-on type shoe;

FIG. 2 is a perspective view of a first preferred embodiment of the present invention;

FIG. 3 is a fragmentary sectional view of the first preferred embodiment;

FIG. 4 is the same view as FIG. 3 but with an adjustment pad unit being folded;

FIG. 5 is the same view as FIG. 4 but with the adjustment pad unit being folded in a different position;

FIG. 6 is a perspective view of a second preferred embodiment of the present invention;

FIG. 7 is a fragmentary sectional view of the second preferred embodiment;

FIG. 8 is the same view as FIG. 7 but with an adjustment pad unit being folded;

FIG. 9 is the same view as FIG. 8 but with the adjustment pad unit being folded in a different position;

FIG. 10 is a perspective view of a third preferred embodiment of the present invention;

FIG. 11 is a fragmentary sectional view of a fourth preferred embodiment of the present invention;

FIG. 12 is the same view as FIG. 11 but with an adjustment pad unit being folded;

FIG. 13 is a perspective view of a fifth preferred embodiment of the present invention;

FIG. 14 is a fragmentary sectional view of a sixth preferred embodiment of the present invention;

FIG. 15 is the same view as FIG. 14 but with an adjustment pad unit being folded;

FIG. 16 is the same view as FIG. 15 but with the adjustment pad unit being folded in a different position;

FIG. 17 is a fragmentary sectional view of a seventh preferred embodiment of the present invention;

FIG. 18 is the same view as FIG. 17 but with an adjustment pad unit being folded;

FIG. 19 is the same view as FIG. 18 but with the adjustment pad unit being folded in a different position;

FIG. 20 is a fragmentary sectional view of the eighth preferred embodiment of the present invention;

FIG. 21 is a perspective view of the ninth preferred embodiment of the present invention;

FIG. 22 is the same view as FIG. 21 but with an adjustment pad unit being folded;

FIG. 23 is the same view as FIG. 22 but with the adjustment pad unit being folded in a different position;

FIG. 24 is a perspective view of the tenth preferred embodiment of the present invention;

FIG. 25 is a perspective view of the eleventh preferred embodiment of the present invention; and

FIG. 26 is a perspective view of the twelfth preferred embodiment of the present invention.

DETAILED DESCRIPTION OF PREFERRED EMBODIMENTS

Before the present invention is described in greater detail, it should be noted that same reference numerals have been used to denote like elements throughout the specification.

Referring to FIGS. 2 and 3, the first embodiment of a shoe according to the present invention is shown to comprise an outsole 10, an upper 20, a lining 30, a connecting unit 40, an adjustment pad unit 50 and a longitudinal enclosure member 60. The outsole 10 is fixed to the bottom of the upper 20. The upper 20 has a top open end 21, a bottom end 22 opposite to the top open end 21, an instep part 23, an opening 24 extending in a longitudinal direction from the top open end 21 to the instep part 23, and longitudinal marginal edges 25 confining the opening 24.

The lining 30 has two opposite ends 31 on two sides of the opening 24, the opposite ends 31 being fixedly connected to an inner surface of the upper 20. The lining 30 has an outer surface opposite to the inner surface of the upper 20. A receiving space 70 which is open at its top end is defined within the lining 30 and the upper 20 to receive the foot of a user. The material of the lining 30 may be an elastic plastic material, a cotton fabric, an elastic fabric, natural leather, synthetic leather, a foam, or a composite material, such as neoprene, PU, PVC, PE, etc.

The connecting unit 40 is fixed to the lining 30. In this embodiment, the connecting unit 40 is a stitch line provided on the lining 30. If a waterproof seal is necessary, the lining 30 maybe subjected to a waterproofing treatment at where the connecting unit or stitch line 40 is provided. For example, a waterproof breathable tape may be attached to, or a waterproof sealing material may be applied to an inner surface of the lining 30 along the connecting unit 40. Furthermore, although the connecting unit 40 is a stitch line in this embodiment, it may be any connecting unit which can position the adjustment pad unit 50 to the lining 30. Examples of such connecting unit may be Velcro straps, male and female studs, and a combination of stitches, Velcro straps, and male and female studs.

The adjustment pad unit 50 is disposed between the outer surface of the lining 30 and the inner surface of the upper 20. The adjustment pad unit 50 has a first pad section 51 and a second pad section 52 which are interconnected serially so that the second pad section 52 extends longitudinally from the first pad section 51. The first pad section 51 has a fixing end 511 extending to the second pad section 52. The second pad section 52 has a fixing end 521 extending to the first pad section 51. The fixing ends 511 and 521 of the first and second pad sections 51, 52 are sewn to the lining 30 by providing the connecting unit or stitch line 40 transversely between the first and second pad sections 51 and 52 and in connection with the fixing ends 511 and 512. The first and second pad sections 51 and 52 can be stacked by folding the adjustment pad unit 50 along the stitch line 40. In this embodiment, the first and second pad sections 51 and 52 are filled with a compressible resilient material, such as foam, or rubber foam, e.g. EVA, and have the same thickness and length. The first and second pad sections 51, 52 are formed as an integral body so that the fixing ends 511 and 521 are interconnected together. Of course, the thickness and length of the first and second pad sections 51, 52 may be different according to the present invention. In addition, the outer sides of the first and second pad sections 51, 52 may be provided with fasteners, such as Velcro straps, or male and female studs, so that the first and second pads sections 51, 52 are firmly placed in a stack after the adjustment pad unit 50 is folded. Similarly, the inner sides of the first and second pad sections 51, 52 and the outer surface of the lining 30 may be provided with Velcro straps or male and female fasteners so that the first and second pad sections 51, 52, when placed in a stack, can be firmly held on the outer surface of the lining 30.

The closure member 60 is attached to and extends longitudinally along the marginal edges 25 of the upper 20. The closure member 60 in this embodiment is a zipper. When the closure member or zipper 60 is pulled upward, the opening 24 is closed so that the adjustment pad unit 50 pressurizes the lining 30, or the receiving space 70 of the lining 30 and the upper 20.

Referring to FIG. 3, if the foot of the user is thin, the first and second pad sections 51, 52 may be unfolded so that the first and second pad sections 51, 52 extend respectively upward and downward and lie over the outer surface of the lining 30. The second pad section 52 is placed at a position substantially corresponding to the instep part 23 of the upper 20. When the closure member 60 is in a closed position (see FIG. 3), the closure member 60 presses the second pad section 52 against the instep of the user's foot.

Referring to FIG. 5, in case the thickness of the user's foot is rather small, the first pad section 51 may be folded downward and over the second pad section 52 so that the adjustment pad unit 50 becomes a double-layered configuration and the thickness thereof is double. When the closure member 60 closes the opening 24, the closure member 60 causes the first and second pad sections 51 and 52 to pressurize the lining 30 and the receiving space 70 at a location corresponding to the instep 23 of the upper 20. As such, the shoe fits the instep of the user's foot.

Referring to FIG. 4, if the user's foot is thick, the second pad section 52 may be folded upward and over the first pad section 51. In this case, the first and second pad sections 51, 52 are removed from the instep part 23 of the upper 20. When the closure member 60 closes the opening 24, no pressure will be applied to the receiving space 70 at the instep part 23.

The pull-on type shoe of the present invention not only enables the user to put on and take off the shoe easily but also permits adjustment of the shoe through the adjustment pad unit 50 to provide a good fit for the user's foot, whether thin or thick. The present invention thus alleviates the problem of the conventional pull-on type shoe which is usually loose at its instep part for users having thin feet.

In addition, due to the adjustability of the pull-on type shoe according to the present invention, additional lasts necessary to produce standard-sized shoes with degrees of different fatness can be dispensed with. As such, not only the manufacturing cost can be decreased, the production process can also be simplified. Furthermore, it is not necessary for wholesalers and retailers to stock shoes having different degrees of fatness, thereby eliminating the inventory problem encountered by the prior art.

Referring to FIGS. 6 and 7, the second preferred embodiment of the present invention is generally similar to the first embodiment. However, an adjustment pad unit 50′ of the second preferred embodiment includes a first pad section 51′ which has a first upper part 512′ and a first lower part 513′ extending from the first upper part 512′, and a second pad section 52′ which has a second upper part 522′ and a second lower part 523′ extending from the second upper part 522′. The first lower part 513′ has a fixing end 5131′ extending toward the second pad section 52′. The second upper part 522′ has a fixing end 5221′ extending toward the first pad section 51′. The connecting unit or stitch line 40 is provided transversely between the first and second pad sections 51′ and 52′ for sewing the fixing ends 5131′ and 5221′ to the lining 30. As such, the first and second pad sections 51′ and 52′ can be folded along the stitch line 40 one above the other to form a stack.

Referring to FIG. 8, when it is unnecessary to pressurize the receiving space 70 at the instep part 23, the second pad section 52′ may be folded upward and over the first pad section 51′. Referring to FIG. 9, the first upper part 512′ may be folded over the first lower part 513′ to form a stack. The second lower part 523′ is folded over the second upper part 522′ to form a stack. The stacked first upper and lower parts 512′ and 513′ are then folded over the stacked second upper and lower parts 5221 and 523′, thus forming a stack having four layers. The first and second pad sections 51′ and 52′ formed as a four-layered stack can provide the receiving space 70 with a greater pressurizing force. Apart from the four-layered stack, the adjustment pad unit of the present invention may be formed into any suitable number of pad sections that have suitable length and thickness and that may be implemented in a symmetric or asymmetric manner. In the second embodiment, the adjustment pad unit 50′ has a symmetric configuration since the number of the adjustment pad sections 511′ and 512′ is even, and the number and length of the folded layers of the pad sections 511′ and 512′ are symmetrical. Of course, an asymmetric configuration, such as that including two parts in one of the pad sections and three parts in the other one of the pad sections, may be provided as desired.

Referring to FIG. 10, the third preferred embodiment of the present invention is generally similar to the second preferred embodiment. However, the lining 30 of the third preferred embodiment is provided with an upper pocket 32 at a location corresponding to the first pad section 51′, and a lower pocket 33 at a location corresponding to the second pad section 52′. The upper and lower pockets 32, 33 receive respectively the first and second pad sections 51′ and 52′.

Referring to FIGS. 11 and 12, the fourth preferred embodiment of the present invention is generally similar to the first preferred embodiment. However, the adjustment pad 50A in this embodiment includes a first pad section 51A, and two second pad sections 52A which are superimposed one upon the other. The first pad section 51A has a first upper part 512A and a first lower part 513A extending longitudinally and downwardly from the first upper part 512A. The first lower part 513A has a fixing end 5131A extending to the second pad sections 52A, and has a female fastening strap or Velcro fastening strap 5132A. The second pad sections 52A have fixing ends 521A extending toward the first pad section 51A. The upper second pad section 52A is provided with a male fastening strap or Velcro strap 524A. The connecting unit or stitch line 40 is provided between the first and second pad sections 51A and 52A. The upper second pad section 52A is fixed to the lower second pad section 52A through the stitch line 40. The upper second pad section 52A engages releaseably the first lower part 513A through the interengagement of the male and female Velcro fastening straps 5132A and 524A, which include hook-and-loop fasteners as is known in the art, when the upper second pad section 52A lies over the first lower part 513A of the first pad section 51A. The upper second pad section 52A which lies over the first pad section 51A provides an extra thickness for adjustment. Note that the first and second pad sections 51A, 52A are different in length.

Referring to FIG. 13, the fifth preferred embodiment of the present invention is generally similar to the first preferred embodiment. However, the fifth embodiment includes a connecting unit which includes a first or female fastening strap or female Velcro strap 40A that is secured to the outer surface of the lining 30 along the longitudinal direction of the opening 24. The adjustment pad unit 50 has the first pad section 51 provided with a second or male fastening strap or male Velcro strap 514, and the second pad section 52 provided with a second or male fastening strap or male Velcro strap 525. The first and second pad sections 51 and 52 are attached releaseably to the lining 30 through the interengagement of the second fastening straps 514 and 525 with the first fastening strap 40A. As such, the first and second pad sections 51 and 52 can be placed interchangeably at upper and lower positions, and the first and second pad sections 51 and 52 can be attached to the first fastening strap or female Velcro fastening strap 40A at different height.

Referring to FIG. 14, the sixth preferred embodiment of the present invention is substantially similar to the fifth preferred embodiment. However, in the sixth embodiment, an adjustment pad unit 50B includes a first pad section 51′ and a second pad section 52. The first pad section 51′ includes a first upper part 512′ and a first lower part 513′ extending downward from the first upper part 512′. The first upper and lower parts 512′ and 513′ are provided respectively with male Velcro fastening straps 514 to engage releaseably with the female Velcro fastening strap 40A, whereas the second pad section 52 is provided with a male Velcro fastening strap 525 to engage releaseably with the female Velcro fastening strap 40A.

Referring to FIG. 15, when the second pad section 52 is attached to the female Velcro fastening strap 40A through the male Velcro fastening strap 525 and when the first pad section 51′ is placed over the second pad section 52′ and attached to the female Velcro fastening strap 40A through the male Velcro fastening strap 514, a two-layered stack is formed. The thickness of the adjustment pad unit 50B is provided by the two-layered stack.

As shown in FIG. 16, when the first lower part 513′ is attached to the female Velcro fastening strap 40A through the first male Velcro fastening strap 514, and when the first upper part 512′ is folded over the first lower part 513′ to sandwich the second pad section 52 therebetween and to engage the second pad section 52 through the interengagement of male and female Velcro fastening straps 525, 526 with a female Velcro fastening strap 516 and a male Velcro fastening strap 515, respectively, the adjustment pad unit 50B has a thickness provided by a three-layered stack.

Referring to FIG. 17, the seventh embodiment of the present invention is substantially similar to the fifth embodiment. However, in the seventh embodiment, an adjustment pad unit 50C includes a first pad section 51 and two second pad sections 52 which are separate from each other and which are arranged serially along the longitudinal direction of the closure member 60. The first pad section 51 is provided with a male Velcro fastening strap 514 and a female Velcro fastening strap 516, whereas the second pad sections 52 are provided respectively with a male Velcro fastening strap 525 and a female Velcro fastening strap 526. The first and second pad sections 51 and 52 are attached releaseably to the lining 30 by engaging the female Velcro fastening strap 40A.

Referring to FIG. 18, one of the second pad sections 52 is attached to the female Velcro fastening strap 40A through the male Velcro fastening strap 525 and is juxtaposed with the first pad section 51 along a longitudinal direction. The other one of the second pad sections 52 spans the juxtaposed first and second pad sections 51 and 52 and are attached to the same through the interengagement of the male Velcro fastening strap 525 with female Velcro fastening straps 516, 526. The thickness of the adjustment pad unit 50C is therefore equal to the thickness of a two-layered stack.

Referring to FIG. 19, the second pad sections 52 are placed one above the other and are interengaged through male and female Velcro fastening straps 525, 526. The lower second pad section 52 is attached to the female Velcro fastening strap 40A through the male Velcro fastening strap 525. The first pad section 51 is super imposed on the second pad sections 52 and is engaged with the upper second pad section 52 through the interengagement of the male Velcro fastening strap 514 and the female Velcro fastening strap 526. A three-layered stack is therefore formed. The thickness of the adjustment pad unit 50C is therefore equal to the thickness of the three-layered stack.

Referring to FIG. 20, the eighth preferred embodiment of the present invention is substantially similar to the fifth embodiment. However, the eighth embodiment includes an adjustment pad unit 50D which includes a first pad section 51 and two second pad sections 52 that are interconnected serially along a longitudinal direction. The first pad section 51 is provided with a male Velcro fastening strap 514, whereas the second pad sections 52 are provided with respective male Velcro fastening straps 525. The first and second pad sections 51, 52 are attached releasably to the lining 30 by the engagement of the female Velcro fastening strap 40A with the male Velcro fastening straps 514 and 525.

Referring to FIG. 21, the ninth preferred embodiment of the present invention is substantially similar to the first preferred embodiment. However, in the ninth embodiment, an adjustment pad unit 50E includes a first pad section 51E and two second pad sections 52E which are connected to two opposite sides of the first pad section 51E and are parallel to the first pad section 51E. The first pad section 51E has a first fixing end 511E which is secured to the lining 30 through the connecting unit or stitch line 40 that extends in a transverse direction. The first and second pad sections 51E and 52E can be in a downward position as shown in FIG. 21 or can be turned to an upward position as shown in FIG. 22. As shown in FIG. 23, the second pad sections 52E may be folded over the first pad section 51E.

Referring to FIG. 24, the tenth preferred embodiment of the present invention is substantially similar to the ninth preferred embodiment. However, the tenth preferred embodiment comprises a connecting unit 40B which includes three female fastening studs 41 secured to the lining 30 and spaced apart from each other in a longitudinal direction. The first pad section 51E is provided with a male stud 517E. The first and second pad sections 51E and 52E are attached to the lining 30 by mating the male stud 517E with one of the female studs 41. The height of the first and second pad sections 51 and 52 may be changed by selecting a suitable one of the female studs 41.

Referring to FIG. 25, the eleventh preferred embodiment of the present invention is substantially similar to the ninth preferred embodiment. However, the eleven preferred embodiment comprises an adjustment pad unit 50F which includes one row of three parallel pad sections 51F and another row of three parallel pad sections 52F, both rows being arranged in the same manner as the pad sections of the adjustment pad unit 50E of the ninth preferred embodiment. The connecting unit or stitch line 40 is attached to the lining 30 between two middle pad sections 51F and 52F. The pad sections 51F and 52F may be folded one over the other along the stitch line 40. In addition, the two pad sections 51F or 52F which are placed on two sides of the middle pad section 51F or 52F, may be folded to lie over the middle pad section 51F or 52F.

Referring to FIG. 26, the twelfth preferred embodiment of the present invention is generally similar to the ninth preferred embodiment. However, an adjustment pad unit 50G of this embodiment includes first pad sections 52G which are interconnected in parallel in the same manner as the pad sections 51E and 52E of the ninth preferred embodiment, and a second pad section 51G which is spaced apart from the first pad section 52G along a longitudinal direction. The second pad section 51G includes two interconnected parts 512G and 513G. The connecting unit 40G includes a first stitch line 43G which extends longitudinally between two adjacent first pad sections 52G, and a second stitch line 42G which extends transversely and fixes one end of the second pad section 51G to the lining 30.

While the present invention has been described in connection with what is considered the most practical and preferred embodiments, it is understood that this invention is not limited to the disclosed embodiments but is intended to cover various arrangements included within the spirit and scope of the broadest interpretations and equivalent arrangements.

Claims

1. A shoe comprising:

an outsole;

an upper having a bottom open end connected to said outsole, a top open end, and an instep part;

a lining disposed inside said upper and having an outer surface opposite to an inner surface of said upper; and

an adjustment pad unit provided between said outer surface of said lining and said inner surface of said upper and mounted on one of said upper and said lining, said adjustment pad unit including a plurality of pad sections.

2. The shoe as claimed in claim 1, further comprising a connecting unit attached to said lining unit to mount said adjustment pad unit on said lining unit.

3. The shoe as claimed in claim 2, wherein said upper further includes an opening which extends from said top open end to said instep part, a pair of marginal edges defining said opening, and a closure member attached to and extending along said marginal edges to close or open said opening, said lining being disposed across said opening and having two opposite ends connected to said inner surface of said upper.

4. The shoe as claimed in claim 1, wherein said pad sections are interconnected, said adjustment pad unit being foldable to lie said pad sections one above the other.

5. The shoe as claimed in claim 2, wherein said connecting unit includes a stitch line which is provided between and connected to two adjacent ones of said pad sections, said adjustment pad unit being foldable along said stitch line.

6. The shoe as claimed in claim 5, wherein at least one of said pad sections includes at least two interconnected parts and is foldable to lie said interconnected parts one above the other.

7. The shoe as claimed in claim 1, wherein said pad sections have the same thickness.

8. The shoe as claimed in claim 1, wherein said pad sections have the same length.

9. The shoe as claimed in claim 1, wherein said pad sections have different thicknesses.

10. The shoe as claimed in claim 1, wherein said pad sections have different lengths.

11. The shoe as claimed in claim 1, wherein said lining includes at least one pocket to receive at least one of said pad sections.

12. The shoe as claimed in claim 2, wherein said pad sections are interconnected and are arranged serially.

13. The shoe as claimed in claim 12, wherein said pad sections include a first pad section having a first fixing end, and two second pad sections which are superimposed one upon the other and which have second fixing ends, said connecting unit including a stitch line to fix said first and second fixing ends to said lining.

14. The shoe as claimed in claim 13, wherein said first pad section and one of said second pad sections are provided with interengageable hook-and-loop fasteners.

15. The shoe as claimed in claim 2, wherein said connecting unit includes a first fastening strap attached to said lining, said pad sections having respectively second fastening straps engageable with said first fastening strap, said first and second fastening straps including hook-and-loop fasteners.

16. The shoe as claimed in claim 15, wherein said pad sections are interconnected and are arranged serially.

17. The shoe as claimed in claim 16, wherein at least one of said pad sections has at least two interconnected parts and is foldable to lie said interconnected parts one above the other.

18. The shoe as claimed in claim 15, wherein said pad sections are separate from each other and are arranged serially.

19. The shoe as claimed in claim 2, wherein said pad sections includes at least one row of said pad sections which are substantially parallel to each other.

20. The shoe as claimed in claim 19, wherein said row of said pad sections include a middle pad section, said connecting unit including a stitch line disposed at one end of said middle pad section.

21. The shoe as claimed in claim 19, wherein said connecting unit includes a plurality of first fastening studs which are spaced apart from each other, one of said pad sections of said row having a second fastening stud releaseably engageable with a selected one of said first fastening studs, said first and second fastening studs being formed as male and female studs.

22. The shoe as claimed in claim 19, wherein said connecting unit includes a stitch line disposed between two adjacent ones of said pad sections of said row.

23. The shoe as claimed in claim 19, wherein said pad sections include two rows of said pad sections, said pad sections in each row being substantially parallel to each other, said connecting unit including a stitch line provided between and connected to said two rows.

24. The shoe as claimed in claim 1, wherein said pad sections include first pad sections interconnected in parallel, and at least one second pad section which is spaced apart from said first pad sections, said connecting unit including a first stitch line which is disposed between two adjacent ones of said first pad sections, and a second stitch line which is disposed at one end of said second pad section.