Abstract: A stretchable member includes: a flat base made of a stretchable knitted fabric; and a limiting part extending in a stretching direction of the base, formed integrally with the base while having both ends in a length direction knitted in, and fixed to, the base, and configured to limit stretch of the base. The limiting part is longer than the distance between fixing points at which the limiting part is fixed to the base in an unstretched state, and is made of a knitted fabric which has a flat band shape and which is configured to become slack with respect to the base when the base is in the unstretched state.

Abstract: A support of a sole structure includes a base disposed in a middle region in a foot width direction and having an upper surface which follows a plantar surface of a wearer's foot, and upper and lower supports continuous with a side portion of the base on a medial side in the foot width direction. The upper support has an upper surface that is continuous with the side portion of the base such that the upper surface of the upper support, together with the upper surface of the base, follows the plantar surface. The lower support is continuous with the side portion of the base so as to be located under the upper support, and has a corrugated shape having peaks and valleys alternating with each other in a longitudinal direction along the side portion of the base.

Abstract: A shoe is configured such that front and back clearances, which are respectively provided between a front wall surface of a second receiving portion and a front end of a second buffering member received in the second receiving portion and between a back wall surface of the second receiving portion and a back end of the second buffering member received in the second receiving portion, permit the second buffering member made of an elastic material to move in a longitudinal direction in the second receiving portion when a ground surface of an outsole contacts the ground and the weight of a human body is put on a heel support surface.

Abstract: Disclosed is a sole structure for shoes, which includes a lower midsole. The lower midsole includes a medial-side midsole portion which extends in a medial side portion of a heel region supporting a heel of a wearer's foot, and a lateral-side midsole portion which extends in a lateral side portion of the heel region, and which faces, and is spaced apart from, the medial-side midsole portion in a foot width direction. The lateral-side midsole portion includes supports which are arranged adjacent to each other in a longitudinal direction with a gap interposed therebetween and which support the wearer's heel, and a coupling portion which is provided in the gap, and couples the adjacent supports to each other to reduce displacement or twist in the foot width direction occurring between the adjacent supports.

Abstract: A sole structure for a sport shoe can increase accelerating force during activities and achieve quick movements. A sole assembly 1 for an indoor shoe includes a sole body 2 formed of a soft elastic member and a plate-like member or planar sheet member 3 that is disposed at a position under the first to fourth distal phalanx DP1-DP4 of the wearer's foot on a foot sole contact surface 2A of the sole body 2, and that has a higher hardness than that of the sole body 2. The plate-like member 3 extends arcuately substantially in the foot width direction along the toes of the wearer's foot and has a narrow part 3C of a short length in the foot length direction, or a spacing gap, at a region between the first toe and the second toe.

Abstract: A midsole structure for a shoe not only maintains stability at the time of impacting the ground and improves cushioning property but also eliminates discomfort to a foot sole and improves ride feeling during running. The midsole structure (1) comprises at least two midsoles provided at a heel region of the shoe and having a hardness difference. On opposite sides of the heel region, an upper midsole (2) of a greater hardness has a thickness greater than a thickness of a lower midsole (3) of a smaller hardness. In a central part of the heel region, the lower midsole (3) of a smaller hardness has a thickness greater than a thickness of the upper midsole (2) of a greater hardness. Boundary surfaces (2B, 3A) between the upper midsole (2) and the lower midsole (3) do not appear on a top surface of the midsole structure (1) (that is, a foot sole contact surface (2A) of the upper midsole (2)).

Abstract: A sole structure includes an outsole having a ground surface as a lower surface; a midsole stacked on a top of the outsole and made of an elastic material; and a supporter provided around a middle of the midsole in a thickness direction, and extending longitudinally to include a heel region corresponding to a heel of a foot. The supporter includes a base provided in a central region of the heel region in a foot width direction, and a corrugated side provided continuously with each side of the base in the foot width direction, and including a ridge with its apex located above the base, and a groove provided continuously with a rear of the ridge with its bottom located below the base at the rear of the heel region.

Abstract: A sole structure for a sport shoe is proposed that can increase accelerating force during activities and achieve quick movements. A sole assembly 1 for an indoor shoe includes a sole body 2 formed of a soft elastic member and a plate-like member 3 that is disposed at a position right under the first to fourth distal phalanx DP1-DP4 of the foot on a foot sole contact surface 2A of the sole body 2 and that has a higher hardness than that of the sole body 2. The plate-like member 3 extends arcuately substantially in the foot width direction along the toes and has a narrow part 3C of a short length in the foot length direction at a region between the first toe and the second toe.

Abstract: A shoe (34) of the present invention includes a sole (32) and an upper (33). The upper (33) is composed of a fabric having a knit structure, and contains fiber reinforcement portions (23, 24, and 25) in predetermined portions of the upper (33) integrally. The fiber reinforcement portions (23, 24, and 25) are formed of a float stitch with a plurality of float stitch yarns (19). The shoe of the present invention imparts a proper fit to a wearer's foot by forming the upper composed of the fabric having the knit structure that stretches properly. Also, in the case where the direction of foot force is suddenly changed while the sole contacts the ground, the shoe can hold the foot in desired predetermined positions by the fiber reinforcement portions situated in predetermined positions of the upper integrally. Thus, the present invention provides a shoe having proper holding properties while maintaining fitting properties.

Abstract: The invention provides a sole structure that can not only prevent deterioration of cushioning performance and improve cushioning properties but also enhance flexibility. The sole structure 1 includes a rear foot sole 2 disposed at a rear foot region of the sole structure 1, a forefoot sole 3 disposed at a forefoot part F of the sole structure 1, and a plate 4 disposed at the rear foot region of the sole structure 1 and having an upwardly convexly curved shape along a heel part H to a midfoot part M of the sole structure 1. A front end portion 4f of the plate 4 is disposed at a front end portion 2Af, 2Bf of the rear foot sole 2 (i.e. upper and lower soles 2A, 2B). There is formed a gap S in front of the front end portion 4f of the plate 4 between the front end portion 2Af, 2Bf of the rear foot sole 2 and a rear end portion 3r of the forefoot sole 3.

Abstract: An upper structure for a sports shoe is provided that can not only enhance holdability as an upper but also improve wearer's touch on a foot. In the upper structure for the sports shoe, the upper is formed of a knitted fabric having thermally fusible yarn and another knitted fabric having no thermally fusible yarn. In the knitted fabric having the thermally fusible yarn, the thermally fusible yarn is disposed on an outer surface side of the upper, and on an inner surface side of the upper, a front yarn and a back yarn are arranged in a parallel relationship. The thermally fusible yarn is fusion-bonded and cured in the knitted fabric by heat treatment and the outer surface side of the upper 1 is thus hardened than the inner surface side of the upper.

Abstract: The sole structure 1 has an upper plate, a lower midsole located under and fixedly attached to the upper plate, and having a laterally extending groove opening to the bottom side of the lower midsole, and a bending restriction member formed in a bent shape and spanning the groove longitudinally between the front edge and the rear edge of the opening of the groove. During the beginning phase of sole bending, the bending restriction member allows for the sole to bend till the bending restriction member gradually extends toward a straight shape from the bent shape and becomes taut between the front edge and the rear edge of the opening of the groove. During the advanced phase of the sole bending, when the bending restriction member experiences a force from the taut state, it functions so as to restrict the sole from bending.