Shoe Upper Structure, Shoe having the Same and Method for Manufacturing Shoe
The object is to improve fitting and supporting properties relative to the midfoot region of the foot of the wearer. The upper structure 2 for the shoe 1 includes a stretchable inner upper portion 20 that has a forefoot part F to cover the forefoot region of the foot of the shoe wearer and a midfoot part M to cover the midfoot region of the foot, and an outer upper portion 21 that is less stretchable than the inner upper portion 20 and that is disposed outside the inner upper portion 20 and overlapped with the inner upper portion 20. In the state of a free length that the inner upper portion 20 is extended without slackening via its own weight when the upper structure 2 is inverted upside down, the inner upper portion 20 has a clearance e relative to the outer upper portion 21 at least at the midfoot part M.
The present invention relates generally to a shoe upper structure for a shoe that can improve fitting and supporting properties not only at a forefoot region but also at a midfoot region of a foot of a shoe wearer, to a shoe having the upper structure, and to a method for manufacturing the shoe.
BACKGROUND ARTU.S. Pat. No. 4,438,574 discloses a sports shoe (10) that has an upper structure comprising a stretchable inner layer (40) and a non-stretchable outer layer (42) at a forepart section (see lines 32-39 of column 4 and FIGS. 1-4). Here, the forepart section designates a toe portion of a foot (see lines 60-63 of column 3).
The above-mentioned US Pat. describes that a limited amount of stretch of the stretchable inner layer (40) causes the inner layer (40) to conform to the shape of the forefoot section of the foot thus obtaining a proper fit (see lines 11-13 of column 3) and the non-stretchable outer layer (42) can prevent the inner layer (90) from stretching out of shape and losing the proper fit at the forepart section of the foot (that is, losing a support property) (see lines 17-21 of column 3).
SUMMARY OF THE INVENTION Objects to be Achieved by the InventionHowever, in the above-mentioned upper structure, the inner layer (40) is provided to equally tighten the entire forepart section of the foot and the outer layer (42) is provided to completely overlap with the inner layer (40). Therefore, such an upper structure focuses only on fit and support properties of the forepart section (i.e. the toe portion) of the foot.
Also, in the upper structure, as shown in FIG. 4 of the above-mentioned US Pat., there is formed a large difference in level at a boundary portion between the forepart region comprising the inner layer (40) and the outer layer (42) and the rear part region comprising the woven fabric layer (28, 30) at the rear (i.e. on the right side of the page) of the forepart region. Such a large difference in level restricts a smooth bending at the time of bending of the foot, impedes adhesive and fitting properties relative to the foot, and gives discomfort to a sensitive forepart region.
On the other hand, since the individual difference of the perimeter of the foot is greater at the midfoot part than at the forefoot part of the foot, in order to fit the upper of the shoe according to variations of feet between individuals such as a flat foot, high-arch foot, low-arch foot and the like, the midfoot part is more important than the forefoot part. Also, in sports shoes, especially, indoor sports shoes accompanied by lateral intense movements, a higher supportability is required at the midfoot part than at the forefoot part.
The present invention has been made in view of these circumstances and its object is to provide an upper structure for a shoe that can improve fitting and supporting properties at a midfoot region of a foot of a shoe wearer. Also, the current invention is directed to providing a shoe employing such an upper structure and a method for manufacturing the shoe.
Means of Achieving the ObjectsAn upper structure for a shoe according to a first aspect of the present invention includes an inner upper portion of a stretchability that is disposed inside the upper structure and that has a forefoot part to cover a forefoot region of a foot of a shoe wearer and a midfoot part to cover a midfoot region of the foot, and an outer upper portion of a less stretchability than the inner upper portion, which is disposed outside the upper structure and overlapped with the inner upper portion. When the upper structure is disposed upside down and the inner upper portion is in the state of a free length in which the upper portion is hung downwardly without slackening via its self-weight, the inner upper portion has a clearance relative to the outer upper portion at least at the midfoot part.
According to the first aspect of the present invention, in wearing the shoe, the inner upper portion of a stretchability stretches in the clearance thereby applying a pressing force to the midfoot region of the foot, thus improving a fitting property relative to the midfoot region. Moreover, since a stretch of the inner upper portion in the clearance is restricted by the outer upper portion of a less stretchability, the outer upper portion can improve a supporting property relative to the midfoot region.
In this case, because the clearance is formed between the inner upper portion and the outer upper portion at least at the midfoot part, the inner upper portion smoothly stretches at the midfoot part, thus enhancing fitting and supporting properties relative to the midfoot region without giving a discomfort to the foot.
An upper structure for a shoe according to a second aspect of the present invention includes an inner upper portion of a stretchability that is disposed inside the upper structure and that has a forefoot part to cover a forefoot region of a foot of a shoe wearer and a midfoot part to cover a midfoot region of the foot, and an outer upper portion of a less stretchability than the inner upper portion, which is disposed outside the upper structure and overlapped with the inner upper portion. When the inner upper portion and the outer upper portion are developed on a plane, a foot-width measurement of the inner upper portion is smaller than a foot-width measurement of the outer upper portion at least at the midfoot part.
According to the second aspect of the present invention, since the foot-width measurement of the inner upper portion is smaller than the foot-width measurement of the outer upper portion at the midfoot part, in wearing the shoe, the inner upper portion of a relatively more stretchability stretches to apply a pressing force to the midfoot region of the foot, thus improving a fitting property relative to the midfoot region. Moreover, since a stretch of the inner upper portion is restricted by the outer upper portion of a less stretchability, the outer upper portion can improve a supporting property relative to the midfoot region.
In this case, because the foot-width measurement of the inner upper portion is smaller than the foot-width measurement of the outer upper portion at least at the midfoot part, the inner upper portion smoothly stretches at the midfoot part, thus enhancing fitting and supporting properties relative to the midfoot region without giving a discomfort to the foot.
An upper structure for a shoe according to a third aspect of the present invention includes an inner upper portion of a stretchability that is disposed inside the upper structure and that has a forefoot part to cover a forefoot region of a foot of a shoe wearer and a midfoot part to cover a midfoot region of the foot, and an outer upper portion of a less stretchability than the inner upper portion, which is disposed outside the upper structure and overlapped with the inner upper portion. When the inner upper portion, the outer upper portion and a last for the upper structure are developed on a plane, a foot-width measurement of the inner upper portion that corresponds to a foot-width measurement of the last is smaller than the foot-width measurement of the last at least at the midfoot part.
According to the third aspect of the present invention, since the foot-width measurement of the inner upper portion is smaller than the foot-width measurement of the last at least at the midfoot part, in wearing the shoe, the inner upper portion of a relatively more stretchability stretches to apply a pressing force to the midfoot region of the foot, thus improving a fitting property relative to the midfoot region. Moreover, since a stretch of the inner upper portion is restricted by the outer upper portion of a less stretchability, the outer upper portion can improve a supporting property relative to the midfoot region.
In this case, because the foot-width measurement of the inner upper portion is smaller than the foot-width measurement of the outer upper portion at least at the midfoot part, the inner upper portion smoothly stretches at the midfoot part, thus enhancing fitting and supporting properties relative to the midfoot region without giving a discomfort to the foot.
A longitudinally extending throat portion may be formed opening in connection with a foot entry of the shoe at a foot dorsum top part of the outer upper portion. When the upper structure is upside down and the opening end edge portion of the throat portion of the outer upper portion is in contact with an external surface of the inner upper portion, there may be formed a clearance at least either between a lateral-side part of the outer upper portion and a lateral-side part of the inner upper portion on a lateral-side of the throat portion, or between a medial-side part of the outer upper portion and a medial-side part of the inner upper portion on a medial-side of the throat portion.
In wearing the shoe, the lateral-side part and/or the medial-side part of the inner upper portion having the clearance formed stretches in the clearance, thereby applying a pressing force to the forefoot region and the midfoot region of the foot, thus improving a fitting property relative to the forefoot region and the midfoot region. Moreover, since a stretch of the lateral-side part and/or the medial-side part of the inner upper portion in the clearance is restricted by the outer upper portion of a less stretchability, the outer upper portion can improve a supporting property relative to the forefoot region and the midfoot region.
A longitudinally extending throat portion may be formed opening in connection with a foot entry of the shoe at a foot dorsum top part of the outer upper portion. When the upper structure is upside down and an opening end edge portion of the throat portion of the outer upper portion is in contact with an external surface of the inner upper portion, in a cross section of the forefoot part and the midfoot part of the upper structure, at least either at a medial-side part or at a lateral-side part of the throat portion, the perimeter extending from a bottom end of an internal surface of the outer upper portion to the opening end edge portion of the throat portion may be longer than the perimeter extending from a bottom end of an external surface of the inner upper portion to a position in contact with the opening end edge portion of the throat portion
In wearing the shoe, the lateral-side part and/or the medial-side part of the inner upper portion having a shorter perimeter stretches in the clearance, thereby applying a pressing force to the forefoot region and the midfoot region of the foot, thus improving a fitting property relative to the forefoot region and the midfoot region. Moreover, since a stretch of the lateral-side part and/or the medial-side part of the inner upper portion in the clearance is restricted by the outer upper portion of a less stretchability, the outer upper portion can improve a supporting property relative to the midfoot region.
A longitudinally extending throat portion may be formed opening in connection with a foot entry of the shoe at a foot dorsum top part of the outer upper portion and a tightening member for tightening the foot may be provided at the throat potion. The inner upper portion may extend circumferentially from a medial-side part through a foot dorsum top part to a lateral-side part at the forefoot part and the midfoot part. In the state that the outer upper portion is tightened through the tightening member and an opening end edge portion of the throat portion of the outer upper portion is in contact with an external surface of the inner upper portion, the inner upper portion may be stretchable inside the outer upper portion.
In wearing the shoe, the inner upper portion stretches inside the outer upper portion, such that thereby the medial-side part, the foot dorsum top part and the lateral-side part of the inner upper portion impart a pressing force to the forefoot region and the midfoot region of the foot, thus further improving a fitting property relative to the forefoot region and the midfoot region. Moreover, since a stretch of the inner upper portion is restricted by the outer upper portion of a less stretchability, the outer upper portion can improve a supporting property relative to the forefoot region and the midfoot region.
The stretchability of the inner upper portion may be greater at the midfoot part than at the forefoot part. In this case, the inner upper portion is easier to stretch at the midfoot part than at the forefoot part, such that thereby the fitting property of the inner upper portion relative to the three-dimensional shape of the midfoot region of the foot can be further enhanced.
The inner upper portion may have a substantially flat surface at a region extending from the forefoot part to the midfoot part. The phrase, “a substantially flat surface” designates a planar surface without unevenness and a difference in level due to overlapping of materials, variations of thicknesses and the like, or a surface that can be regarded as a planar surface. Even in the case that two or more materials or ingredients are connected to one another through sewing and the like, a surface that is composed by so-called a flat sewing such as an abutting-sewing is included in the substantially flat surface.
In this case, the inner upper portion is formed of a substantially flat surface, thus eliminating a level-difference feeling, discomfort and a pressing feeling to the foot and preventing a smooth bending of the foot from being disturbed. Thereby, adhesive and fitting properties relative to the foot can be further improved.
The inner upper portion may include a body part and a stretch part having a stretchability and there may be no difference in level at a boundary part between the body part and the stretch part. In this case, the inner upper portion has no difference in level, thus eliminating a level-difference feeling, discomfort and a pressing feeling to the foot and preventing a smooth bending of the foot from being disturbed. Thereby, adhesive and fitting properties relative to the foot can be further improved.
The inner upper portion may include a body part and a stretch part having a stretchability and the body part may be structured in such a way that a plurality of parts divided in a foot-width direction or a foot-length direction are connected to one another. In this case, when the divided surfaces of the respective parts are convexly or concavely formed and connected to one another, the body part can be formed in a three-dimensional shape. Thereby, the body part can be shaped along the three-dimensional shape of the foot. Also, since the inner upper portion is pre-formed in the three-dimensional shape by the body part prior to wearing the shoe, an entry of the foot of the wearer into an access opening of the shoe is facilitated and wearing of the shoe becomes easy.
A shoe according to the present invention may comprise the above-mentioned upper structure and a sole, and the bottom portion of the upper structure is fixedly attached to the sole.
In a method for manufacturing a shoe according to the present invention, the shoe includes an upper and a sole fixedly attached to a bottom part of the upper, and the upper comprises an inner upper portion having a stretchability, disposed inside the upper structure and having a forefoot part to cover a forefoot region of a foot of a shoe wearer and a midfoot part to cover a midfoot region of the foot, and an outer upper portion having a less stretchability than the inner upper portion, disposed outside the upper structure and overlapped with the inner upper portion.
The manufacturing method may comprise the following steps:
i) a step for preparing the inner upper portion and the outer upper portion;
ii) a step for assembling the upper by sewing the outer upper portion onto an outer periphery edge of the inner upper part;
iii) a step for putting the upper on a last for the shoe to stretch the inner upper portion and fixedly attach a bottom part of the upper to the sole; and
iv) a step for removing the upper from the last to cause the inner upper portion that has been in a stretched state to contract and return to a state prior to the stretched state, such that thereby a clearance is formed between the inner upper portion and the outer upper portion.
According to the present invention, in a manufacturing process, the stretched state of the inner upper portion at the time of wearing the shoe can be confirmed. Also, in wearing the manufactured shoe, the inner upper portion of a stretchability stretches, thereby imparting a pressing force to the forefoot region and the midfoot region of the foot, thus improving a fitting property relative to the forefoot region and the midfoot region. Moreover, since a stretch of the inner upper portion is restricted by the outer upper portion of a less stretchability, the outer upper portion can improve a supporting property relative to the midfoot region.
In the state that the inner upper portion, the outer upper portion and the last are developed on a plane, a foot-width measurement of the inner upper portion that corresponds to a foot-width measurement of the last may be smaller than the foot-width measurement of the last at least at the midfoot part.
In this case, since at least at the midfoot part, the foot-width measurement of the inner upper portion is smaller than the foot-width measurement of the last, the inner upper portion can stretch smoothly and securely at least at the midfoot part, thus enhancing fitting and supporting properties relative to the midfoot region without giving a discomfort to the foot.
Effects of the InventionAs mentioned above, according to the present invention, at the midfoot part, the inner upper portion has a clearance relative to the outer upper portion, or the foot-width measurement of the inner upper portion is smaller than that of the outer upper portion in the developed state of the inner and outer upper portions, alternatively, the foot-width measurement of the inner upper portion corresponding to the foot-width measurement of the last is smaller than the foot-width measurement of the last in the developed state of the inner and outer upper portions and the last. In wearing the shoe, the inner upper portion of a stretchability stretches to impart a pressing force to the midfoot region of the foot, thus improving a fitting property relative to the midfoot region. Moreover, since a stretch of the inner upper portion is restricted by the outer upper portion of a less stretchability, the outer upper portion can improve a supporting property relative to the midfoot region.
Embodiments of the present invention will now be described hereinafter based on the accompanying drawings.
In the following explanations, “upward (upper side/top/upper)” and “downward (lower side/bottom/lower)” designate an upward direction and a downward direction, respectively, or vertical direction of the shoe, “forward (front side/front/anterior)” and “rearward (rear side/rear/posterior)” designate a forward direction and a rearward direction, respectively, or longitudinal direction of the shoe, and “a width or lateral direction” designates a crosswise direction or transverse direction of the sole. For example, when
As shown in
The upper structure 2 includes an inner upper portion 20 disposed inside the upper structure 2 and an outer upper structure 21 disposed outside the upper structure 2 and overlapped with the inner upper portion 20. In this exemplification, the inner upper portion 20 comprises a tongue of the shoe 1. On top of the outer upper portion 21, there are formed a foot entry 10 and a longitudinally extending throat portion 10a connecting with the foot entry 10 and extending forwardly at a foot dorsum top part. A shoelace 11 as a tightening member of the shoe 11 is inserted into eyelets 2a formed on opposite side edge portions of the throat portion 10a. An outsole 4 having a floor-contact (or ground-contact) surface to contact the floor is fixedly attached to a bottom surface of the midsole 3. The midsole 3 and the outsole 4 constitute a sole of the shoe 1.
As shown in
A rear-side end 20C of the inner upper portion 20 extends diagonally downwardly toward a lower end of the heel part H. In this exemplification, the stretch portion 20B is provided as a generally triangular region having an apex on the rear-side end 20C. The upper end 20b of the stretch portion 20B and the lower end 20a of the body portion 20A extend diagonally downwardly toward the front. Respective lower ends of the body portion 20A and the stretch portion 20B are fixedly attached to the midsole 3. A rearmost end 20Bb of the stretch portion 20B is disposed at a lower-end position of the heel part H.
In the upside-down state shown in
Here, a perimeter of the external surface 20s of the inner upper portion 20 (that is, a circumferential length measured along the external surface 20s from one lower end 20t as a starting end to the other lower end 20t as a terminal end) is set to 20L. Similarly, a perimeter of the internal surface 21s of the outer upper portion 21 (that is, a circumferential length measured along the internal surface 21s from one lower end 21t as a starting end to the other lower end 21t as a terminal end) is set to 21L. At this time, an inequality,
20L<21L
is satisfied. Thereby, the inner upper portion 20 is stretchable inside the outer upper portion 21. Also, in this case, preferably, an inequality,
0.5×21L<20L<0.95×21L
is satisfied. That is, the perimeter of the external surface 20s of the inner upper portion 20 is greater than 50% of the perimeter of the internal surface 21s of the outer upper portion 21 and smaller than 95% of the perimeter of the internal surface 21s of the outer upper portion 21. Because under 50%, tightening of the toe portion of the foot is too strong, whereas over 95%, adequate adhesion to the toe portion of the foot cannot be obtained.
In the upside-down state shown in
In the upside-down state shown in
As above-mentioned, according to the present embodiment, in a free-length state that the inner upper portion 20 extends vertically downwardly via its self-weight without slackening with the shoe 1 (and thus the upper structure 2) disposed upside down, the inner upper portion 20 has a clearance e, e1, e2 relative to the outer upper portion 21 at a region extending from the forefoot part F to the midfoot part M.
At this time, the perimeter of the internal surface 211s of the medial-side part 211 of the outer upper portion 21 (that is, the circumferential length measured along the internal surface 211s from one lower end 211t as a starting end to the other upper end 211t′ as a terminal end) is set to 211L. The corresponding perimeter of the external surface 20s of the inner upper portion 20 (that is, the circumferential length measured along the external surface 20s from one lower end 20t as a starting end to the position as a terminal end at which the upper end 211t′ of the medial-side part 211 of the outer upper portion 21 is in contact with the external surface 20s of the inner upper portion 20, or the horizontal projection position of the upper end 211t′ onto the external surface 20s is set to 201L. An inequality,
201L<211L
is satisfied.
Similarly, the perimeter of the internal surface 212s of the lateral-side part 212 of the outer upper portion 21 (that is, the circumferential length measured along the internal surface 212s from one lower end 212t as a starting end to the other upper end 212t′ as a terminal end) is set to 212L. The corresponding perimeter of the external surface 20s of the inner upper portion 20 (that is, a circumferential length measured along the external surface 20s from one lower end 20t as a starting end to the position as a terminal end at which the upper end 212t′ of the lateral-side part 212 of the outer upper portion 21 is in contact with the external surface 20s of the inner upper portion 20, or the horizontal projection position of the upper end 212t′ onto the external surface 20s is set to 202L. An inequality,
202L<212L
is satisfied.
Thereby, the inner upper portion 20 is stretchable inside the medial-side part 211 and the lateral-side part 212 of the outer upper portion 21.
At this time, the perimeter of the internal surface 211s of the medial-side part 211 of the outer upper portion 21 (that is, the circumferential length measured along the internal surface 211s from the lower end 211t as a starting end to the upper end 211t′ as a terminal end) is set to 211L. The corresponding perimeter of the external surface 20s of the inner upper portion 20 (that is, the circumferential length measured along the external surface 20s from the lower end 20t as a starting end to the position as a terminal end at which the upper end 211t′ of the medial-side part 211 of the outer upper portion 21 is in contact with the external surface 20s of the inner upper portion 20, or the horizontal projection position of the upper end 211t′ onto the external surface 20s) is set to 201L. An inequality,
201L<211L
is satisfied.
Similarly, the perimeter of the internal surface 212s of the lateral-side parts 212 of the outer upper portion 21 (that is, the circumferential length measured along the internal surface 212s from the lower end 212t as a starting end to the upper end 212t′ as a terminal end) is set to 212L. The corresponding perimeter of the external surface 20s of the inner upper portion 20 (that is, the circumferential length measured along the external surface 20s from one lower end 20t as a starting end to the position as a terminal end at which the upper end 212t′ of the lateral-side part 212 of the outer upper portion 21 is in contact with the external surface 20s of the inner upper portion 20, or the horizontal projection position of the upper end 212t′ onto the external surface 20s) is set to 202L. An inequality,
202L<212L
is satisfied.
Thereby, the inner upper portion 20 is stretchable inside the medial-side part 211 and the lateral-side part 212 of the outer upper portion 21.
The body portion 20A of the inner upper portion 20 may be formed of artificial leather, synthetic leather, layer bonding of thermoplastic resin and mesh materials of lower stretchability, and the like. The stretch portion 20B may be formed of materials of higher stretchability that includes elastic fibers such as spandex (i.e. polyurethane elastic yarn) and the like. The outer upper portion 21 may be formed of artificial leather, synthetic leather, mesh materials of lower stretchability, and the like.
The midsole 3 may be formed of a soft elastic material, more specifically, thermoplastic synthetic resin or its foamed resin such as ethylene-vinyl acetate copolymer (EVA) and the like, thermosetting synthetic resin and its foamed resin such as polyurethane (PU) and the like, alternatively, rubber material and foamed rubber such as butadiene rubber, chloroprene rubber and the like. The outsole 5 may be formed of a hard elastic material, more specifically, thermoplastic resin such as thermoplastic polyurethane (TPU), polyamide elastomer (PAE) and the like, thermosetting resin such as epoxy resin and the like, or solid rubber.
Hear,
As shown in
As shown in
As can be seen from
w1<W1.
w2<W2
are satisfied. The foot-width measurement of the inner upper portion 20 is smaller than the foot-width measurement of the outer upper portion 21.
Preferably, w2 and W2 satisfies the following relational expression;
0.5×W2<w2<0.95×W2
That is, the foot-width measurement of the inner upper portion 20 is greater than 50% of the foot-width measurement of the outer upper portion 21 and smaller than 95% of the foot-width measurement of the outer upper portion 21. Because under 50%, tightening of the midfoot region of the foot is too strong, whereas over 95%, adequate adhesion to the midfoot region of the foot cannot be obtained. In this preferred embodiment, an equation,
w2=0.80×W2
is satisfied at the position of 0.2×L forwardly from the heel rear end wherein the entire length of the upper structure 2 is L.
Also, coefficient of extension or stretchability of the inner upper portion 20 is determined according to JIS L 1096 “Testing methods for woven and knitted fabrics” Generally, when the test piece of a predetermined length is set at a tensile testing machine, the tensile load is applied to the test piece, thereafter a gauge length (after loading) L1 of the predetermined distance L0 is measured, and then the coefficient of extension or stretchability (Cs) is determined by the following equation:
Cs=([L1−L0]/L0)×100(%)
In this embodiment, since the inner upper portion 20 is composed of the body portion 20A of low stretchability and the stretch portion 20B of high stretchability, the inner upper portion 20 itself is set at the tensile testing machine and for example, the tensile load is applied to the inner upper portion 20 in the foot-width direction. The coefficient of extension or stretchability (Cs) of the inner upper potion 20 is preferably 150-200(%), and in the present embodiment, for example, 180(%) is adopted.
Then, the effects of the present embodiment will be explained.
According to the upper structure 2 of the present embodiment, in the upside-down state (see
Likewise, in the upside-down state (see
In wearing the shoe 1 according to the present embodiment, the inner upper portion 20 stretches in the clearances e, e1, e2 at the forefoot part F and the midfoot part M, such that thereby the inner upper portion 20 imparts a pressing force to the forefoot and midfoot regions of the foot, thus improving a fitting property relative to the forefoot and midfoot regions. Also, in this case, since a stretch of the inner upper portion 20 is restricted by the outer upper portion 21 of a low stretchability from the outside, the outer upper portion 21 can improve a supporting property relative to the forefoot and midfoot regions of the foot. In such a manner, the inner upper portion 20 stretches smoothly at a region from the forefoot part F to the midfoot part M, thereby improving fitting and supporting properties relative to the forefoot and midfoot regions of the foot without giving a discomfort to the foot.
Generally, since the individual difference of the perimeter of the foot is greater at the midfoot region than at the forefoot region of the foot, a fitting property of the upper is more important at the midfoot region than at the forefoot region. According to the present embodiment, the inner upper portion 20 can be fitted according to variations of the feet of individuals such as a flat foot, high-arch foot, low-arch foot and the like. Also, in sports shoes, especially indoor sports shoe accompanied by lateral intense movements, a higher supportability is more required at the midfoot region than at the forefoot region, but according to the present embodiment, such a requirement can be satisfied.
Moreover, according to the present embodiment, since the stretch portion 20B has a triangular shape having an apex on the rear-side end 20C of the inner upper portion 20, a stretch of the stretch portion 20B is greater at the midfoot part M than at the forefoot part F (see
Furthermore, according to the present embodiment, the inner upper portion 20 is formed of a substantially flat surface at the forefoot part F to the midfoot part M, thus eliminating a level-difference feeling, discomfort and a pressing feeling to the foot and preventing a smooth bending of the foot from being disturbed. Thereby, adhesive and fitting properties relative to the foot can be further improved.
Here, the manufacturing method of the shoe 1 according to the present embodiment will be briefly explained.
In this case, first, the material for the inner upper portion 20 of a stretchability and the material for the outer upper portion 21 of a lower stretchability than the inner upper portion 20 are prepared. Then, in the developed state of the inner and outer upper portions 20 and 21, the respective materials are cut in such a way that the foot-width measurement of the inner upper portion 20 is smaller than the foot-width measurement of the outer upper portion 21 (see
Secondly, the outer circumferential edge part of the inner upper portion 20 is sewn to the outer circumferential edge part of the outer upper portion 21 to assemble the upper structure 2. Then, the assembled upper structure 2 is put on the last (not shown) for the shoe. At this time, the inner upper portion 20 stretches on the last. From this state, the midsole 3 is fixedly attached to the bottom part of the upper sole structure 2 and the outsole 4 is bonded to the bottom surface of the midsole 3.
Thereafter, the upper structure 2 is removed from the last. Then, the inner upper portion 20 that has been in a stretched state contracts to return to the original state prior to the stretched state. As a result, a clearance is generated between the inner upper portion 20 and the outer upper portion 21. In such a manner, the shoe 1 is completed.
The variants or alternative embodiments of the present invention will be described hereinafter. In the respective drawings showing the alternative embodiments, like reference numbers indicate identical or functionally similar elements to those in the above-mentioned first embodiment.
First Alternative EmbodimentIn the above-mentioned embodiment, an example was shown in which the rearmost end 20Bb of the stretch portion 20B is disposed at a position closer to the front end of the heel part H (see
In the above-mentioned embodiment, an example was shown in which the clearances e1, e2 are respectively formed between the medial-side and lateral-side parts 211, 212 of the outer upper portion 21 and the inner upper potion 20 (see
In the above-mentioned embodiment, an example was shown in which the perimeter 201L of the external surface 20s of the inner upper portion 20 is smaller than the perimeter 211L of the internal surface 211S of the medial-side part 211 of the outer upper portion 21, and the perimeter 202L of the external surface 20s of the inner upper portion 20 is smaller than the perimeter 212L of the internal surface 212S of the lateral-side part 212 of the outer upper portion 21 (see
In the above-mentioned embodiment, an example was shown in which the body portion 20A of the inner upper portion 20 is formed of one material or cloth (see
As shown in
When assembling the inner upper portion 20 that are composed as mentioned above, the front-side end 20a2 of the body portion 20Ai and the front-side end 20a3 of the body portion 20Ao are sewn to the rear-side end 20a1 of the front part 20A1, and the convexly curved foot dorsum top end 20ci of the body portion 20Ai and the convexly curved foot dorsum top end 20co of the body portion 20Ao are sewn to one another with the respective ends aligned. Sewing here is conducted by a flat sewing such as an abutting-sewing or the like that was explained in the above-mentioned embodiment.
In the assembled inner upper portion 20, the boundary part between the body portions 20Ai and 20Ao at the foot-dorsum top end extends longitudinally linearly as viewed from above and convexly curved as viewed from the side. Thereby, the body portion 20A of the inner upper portion 20 can be formed in a three-dimensional shape, such that thereby the body portion 20A can follow the contour of the three-dimensional shape of the foot. Also, since the inner upper portion 20 is preformed in a three-dimensional shape by the body portion 20A prior to wearing the shoe 1, an entry of the foot into the access opening 10 of the upper structure 2 is made easy thus facilitating wearing of the shoe 1.
In the assembled inner upper portion 20, the boundary part between the body portions 20Ai and 20Ao at the foot-dorsum top end extends longitudinally linearly as viewed from above, convexly curved as viewed from the side on the front side, and concavely curved as viewed from the side on the rear side. Thereby, the body portion 20A of the inner upper portion 20 can be formed in a three-dimensional shape, such that thereby the body portion 20A can follow the contour of the three-dimensional shape of the foot. Also, since the inner upper portion 20 is preformed in a three-dimensional shape by the body portion 20A prior to wearing the shoe 1, especially, the rear-side end portion of the foot-dorsum top portion of the inner upper portion 20 is formed extending upwardly, an entry of the foot into the access opening 10 of the upper structure 2 is made easier thus further facilitating wearing of the shoe 1.
In the examples shown in
Additionally, this is not shown, but both of the foot-dorsum top end 20ci of the body portion 20Ai and the foot-dorsum top end 20co of the body portion 20Ao may be formed of only the concave-arc surface (or concavely curved surface). Also, the way of combination of the convex-arc surface (or convexly curved surface) and the concave-arc surface (or concavely curved surface) is not restricted to that of
The example shown in
In this case too, there are respectively formed clearance e1, e2 between the medial-side and lateral-side parts 211, 212 of the outer upper portion 21 and the inner upper portion 20.
Seventh Alternative EmbodimentIn the above-mentioned embodiment, the example was shown in which the foot-width measurement w of the inner upper portion 21 is smaller than the foot-width measurement W of the outer upper portion 21 in the state that the inner upper portion 20 and the outer upper portion 21 are developed on the same plane (see para. [0063] and
As shown in
As shown in
In
Here, the foot-width measurement wo1 (see
wo1=Wo1 and wi1=Wi1
Therefore,
wo1+wi1=Wo1+Wi1
Accordingly,
w1=W1
That is different from the above-mentioned first embodiment.
As shown in
Also, as shown in
do1<Lo1 and Do1<Lo1
Similarly, as shown in
di1<Li1 and Di1<Li1
Moreover, as shown in
do2<Lo2
Similarly, as shown in
di2<Li2
As shown in
At this juncture, as shown in
As shown in
Next, the manufacturing method of the upper sole structure 2 will be briefly explained.
First, the material for the inner upper portion 20 and the material for the outer upper portion 21 are respectively prepared. They are cut and properly sewn together to prepare the lateral-side part 20o of the inner upper portion 20 formed of the body portion 20Ao and the stretch portion 20Bo, the medial-side part 20i of the inner upper portion 20 formed of the body portion 20Ai and the stretch portion 20Bi, and the lateral-side part 21o and the medial-side part 21i of the outer upper portion 21 (see
Secondly, the respective upper edge portions of the body portion 20Ao of the lateral-side part 20o and the body portion 20Ai of the medial-side part 20i of the inner upper portion 20 are contraposed (see
Then, the assembled upper structure 2 is put on the last (see
As described above, in the upper structure 2, the inner upper portion 20 has the stretch portions 20Bi, 20Bo on the medial side and the lateral side, respectively. The foot-width measurement do1 of the lateral-side part 20o of the inner upper portion 20 and the foot-width measurement Do1 of the lateral-side part 21o of the outer upper portion 21 are smaller than the foot-width measurement Lo1 of the forefoot part of the lateral-side part Lao of the last La (do1<Lo1, Do1<Lo1) (see
Consequently, at the time of wearing the shoe 1, in the same manner as the state that the last La is inserted into the interior of the upper structure 2, the inner upper portion 20 stretches at the forefoot part and the midfoot part. Thereby, the inner upper portion 20 imparts a pressing force to the forefoot region and the midfoot region of the foot thus improving a fitting property relative to the forefoot region and the midfoot region. Moreover, in this case, the outer upper portion 21 of a lower stretchability restricts a stretch of the inner upper portion 20 from the outside, thus improving a supporting property relative to the forefoot region and the midfoot region of the foot. In such a way, the inner upper portion 20 smoothly stretches at a region extending from the forefoot part to the midfoot part (especially, at the midfoot part), thereby enhancing fitting and supporting properties relative to the forefoot part to the midfoot part (especially, the midfoot part) without imparting discomfort.
Eighth Alternative EmbodimentIn the seventh alternative embodiment, an example was shown in which at both the forefoot part and the midfoot part, the foot-width measurements of the inner upper portion 20 and the outer upper portion 21 are smaller than the foot-width measurement of the last La (
Therefore, according to the eighth alternative embodiment, as shown in
do1=Lo1 and Do1=Lo1
Similarly, as shown in
di1=Li1 and Di1=Li1
On the other hand, as shown in
do2<Lo2
Similarly, as shown in
di2<Li2
In such a fashion, according to the eighth alternative embodiment, since the foot-width measurement of the inner upper portion 20 and the outer upper portion 21 is smaller than the foot-width measurement of the last La only at the midfoot part, at the time of wearing the shoe 1, the inner upper portion 20 stretches at the midfoot part, such that thereby the inner upper portion 20 imparts a pressing force to the midfoot region of the foot thus improving the fitting property relative to the midfoot region. Moreover, in this case, since a stretch of the inner upper portion 20 is restricted from the outside by the outer upper portion 21 of a lower stretchability, the outer upper portion 21 can improve a supporting property relative to the midfoot region of the foot. In this way, the inner upper portion 20 smoothly stretches at the midfoot part, thus enhancing fitting and supporting properties relative to the midfoot part without imparting a discomfort to the foot.
Other Alternative EmbodimentThe above-mentioned embodiment and the respective alternative embodiments should be considered in all respects only as illustrative and not restrictive. Those skilled in the art to which the invention pertains may make various modifications and other embodiments employing the principles of this invention without departing from its spirit or essential characteristics particularly upon considering the foregoing teachings even if there are no explicit descriptions in the specification.
Other ApplicationIn the above-mentioned embodiment and the respective alternative embodiments, the example was shown in which the present invention was applied to indoor shoes for ball games such as volleyball, handball, and the like, but the present invention is also applicable to indoor shoes for racket games such as tennis, badminton, table tennis (or ping-pong), and the like. Moreover, the present invention can be applied to other sports shoes and shoes.
INDUSTRIAL APPLICABILITYAs above-mentioned, the present invention is useful for an upper structure for a shoe, in particular a sports shoe, especially an indoor shoe, that improves fitting and supporting properties relative to the forefoot region and the midfoot region of the foot of the wearer.
DESCRIPTION OF REFERENCE NUMERALS
- 1: Indoor Shoe (Shoe)
- 10: Access Opening
- 10a: Throat Portion
- 11: Shoelace (Tightening Member)
- 2: Upper Structure
- 20: Inner Upper Portion
- 20A: Body Portion
- 20B: Stretch Portion
- 20L, 20L1, 20L2: Perimeter of External Surface
- 20i: Medial-side Part of Inner Upper Portion
- 20o: Lateral-side Part of Inner Upper Portion
- 20Ai: Medial-side Part of Body Portion
- 20Ao: Lateral-side Part of Body Portion
- 20Bi: Medial-side Part of Stretch Portion
- 20Bo: Lateral-side Part of Stretch Portion
- 21: Outer Upper Portion
- 211: Medial-side Part
- 212: Lateral-side Part
- 21L, 21L1, 21L2: Perimeter of Internal Surface
- 21i: Medial-side Part of Outer Upper Portion
- 21o: Lateral-side Part of Outer Upper Portion
- La: Last
- Lai: Medial-side Part of Last
- Lao: Lateral-side Part of Last
- e, e1, e2: Clearance
- w1, w2: Foot-width Measurement of Inner Upper Portion
- W1, W2: Foot-width Measurement of Outer Upper Portion
- Lo1, Lo2: Foot-width Measurement of Lateral-side Part of Last
- Li1, Li2: Foot-width Measurement of Medial-side Part of Last
- do1, do2: Foot-width Measurement of Lateral-side Part of Inner Upper Portion
- di1, di2: Foot-width Measurement of Medial-side Part of Inner Upper Portion
- Do1: Foot-width Measurement of Lateral-side Part of Outer Upper Portion
- Di1: Foot-width Measurement of Medial-side Part of Outer Upper Portion
- F: Forefoot Part
- M: Midfoot Part
U.S. Pat. No. 4,438,574 (see lines 32-39 of column 4, FIGS. 1-4, lines 11-13, 17-21 and 60-63 of column 3)
Claims
1. An upper structure for a shoe comprising:
- an inner upper portion that has a stretchability, and that is disposed at an inner side of said upper structure, and that has a forefoot part to cover a forefoot region of a foot of a shoe wearer and a midfoot part to cover a midfoot region of the foot; and
- an outer upper portion that has a stretchability less than the stretchability of said inner upper portion, and that is disposed at an outer side of said upper structure, and that is overlapped with said inner upper portion;
- wherein said upper structure has at least one feature selected from the group consisting of:
- a first feature wherein, in an upside-down state in which said upper structure is disposed upside down and said inner upper portion is at a free length in such a way as to hang downwardly without slackening via a self-weight thereof, said inner upper portion has a clearance relative to said outer upper portion at least at said midfoot part,
- a second feature wherein, in a state in which said inner upper portion and said outer upper portion are developed on a plane, a foot-width measurement of said inner upper portion is smaller than a foot-width measurement of said outer upper portion at least at said midfoot part, and
- a third feature wherein, in a state in which said inner upper portion, said outer upper portion, and a last for said upper structure are developed on a plane, a foot-width measurement of said inner upper portion that corresponds to a foot-width measurement of the last is smaller than said foot-width measurement of the last at least at said midfoot part.
2-3. (canceled)
4. The upper structure according to claim 1, having said first feature;
- wherein a longitudinally extending throat portion is formed opening in connection with a foot entry of said shoe at a foot dorsum top part of said outer upper portion; and
- wherein in said upside-down state of said upper structure and in the state that an opening end edge portion of said throat portion of said outer upper portion is in contact with an external surface of said inner upper portion, there is formed a clearance at least either between a lateral-side part of said outer upper portion and a lateral-side part of said inner upper portion on a lateral-side of said throat portion, or between a medial-side part of said outer upper portion and a medial-side part of said inner upper portion on a medial-side of said throat portion.
5. The upper structure according to claim 1, having said first feature;
- wherein a longitudinally extending throat portion is formed opening in connection with a foot entry of said shoe at a foot dorsum top part of said outer upper portion; and
- wherein in said upside-down state of said upper structure and in the state that an opening end edge portion of said throat portion of said outer upper portion is in contact with an external surface of said inner upper portion, in a cross section of said forefoot part and said midfoot part of said upper structure, at least either at a medial-side part or at a lateral-side part of said throat portion, the perimeter extending from a bottom end of an internal surface of said outer upper portion to said opening end edge portion of said throat portion is longer than the perimeter extending from a bottom end of an external surface of said inner upper portion to a position in contact with said opening end edge portion of said throat portion.
6. The upper structure according to claim 1,
- wherein a longitudinally extending throat portion is formed opening in connection with a foot entry of said shoe at a foot dorsum top part of said outer upper portion and a tightening member for tightening the foot is provided at said throat potion; and
- wherein said inner upper portion extends circumferentially from a medial-side part through said foot dorsum top part to a lateral-side part at said forefoot part and said midfoot part, and in the state that the outer upper portion is tightened through said tightening member and an opening end edge portion of said throat portion of said outer upper portion is in contact with an external surface of said inner upper portion, said inner upper portion is stretchable inside said outer upper portion.
7. The upper structure according to claim 1, wherein said stretchability of said inner upper portion is greater at said midfoot part than at said forefoot part.
8. The upper structure according to claim 1, wherein said inner upper portion has a substantially flat surface at a region extending from said forefoot part to said midfoot part.
9. The upper structure according to claim 1, wherein said inner upper portion includes a body part and a stretch part having a stretchability and there is no difference in level at a boundary part between said body part and said stretch part.
10. The upper structure according to claim 1, wherein said inner upper portion includes a body part and a stretch part having a stretchability and said body part is structured in such a way that a plurality of parts divided in a foot-width direction or a foot-length direction are connected to one another.
11. A shoe comprising said upper structure according to claim 1 and a sole, wherein a bottom portion of said upper structure is fixedly attached to said sole.
12. A method of manufacturing a shoe that includes an upper and a sole fixedly attached to a bottom part of said upper, wherein said upper comprises an inner upper portion having a stretchability, wherein said inner upper portion is disposed at an inner side of said upper, and includes a forefoot part to cover a forefoot region of a foot of a shoe wearer and a midfoot part to cover a midfoot region of the foot, wherein said upper further comprises an outer upper portion having a stretchability less than the stretchability of said inner upper portion, and wherein said outer upper portion is disposed at an outer side of said upper and is overlapped with said inner upper portion,
- said method comprising the steps:
- preparing said inner upper portion and said outer upper portion;
- assembling said upper by sewing said outer upper portion onto an outer periphery edge of said inner upper portion;
- putting said upper on a last for said shoe to stretch said inner upper portion, and fixedly attaching said sole to a bottom part of said upper; and
- removing said upper from said last to cause said inner upper portion, which has been in a stretched state, to contract and return to an unstretched state that existed prior to the stretched state, such that thereby a clearance is formed between said inner upper portion and said outer upper portion.
13. The method according to claim 12, wherein in the state that said inner upper portion, said outer upper portion and said last are developed on a plane, a foot-width measurement of said inner upper portion that corresponds to a foot-width measurement of said last is smaller than said foot-width measurement of said last at least at said midfoot part.
14. The upper structure according to claim 1, having said first feature.
15. The upper structure according to claim 1, having said second feature.
16. The upper structure according to claim 1, having said third feature.
Type: Application
Filed: Mar 24, 2021
Publication Date: Sep 30, 2021
Inventors: Kentaro YAHATA (Osaka-shi), Kohei YAMADA (Osaka-shi), Ken NISHIKAWA (Osaka-shi), Sanshiro KAKIUCHI (Osaka-shi)
Application Number: 17/210,813