Abstract: A midsole structure for an athletic shoe includes an upper midsole (3) formed of a soft elastic material and disposed from a heel region to a forefoot region of the shoe, a lower midsole (4) formed of a soft elastic material and disposed at least at the heel region of the shoe under the upper midsole (3) and a corrugated sheet (5) sandwiched between the upper and lower midsoles (3, 4) and extending from a heel portion (H) of the upper midsole (3) to a midfoot portion (M). The corrugated sheet (5) has a laterally extending sheet portion (5a) and a medially extending sheet portion (5b). Edges (50e, 51e) of the laterally and medially extending sheet portions (5a, 5b) are overlapped in a band-shape and connected to each other. The edge (51e), or a boundary line between the laterally and medially extending sheet portions (5a, 5b) crosses a load transfer curve (TW) for a heel striker who strikes onto the ground from the heel region of the shoe.

Abstract: A midsole structure of an athletic shoe includes an upper midsole (3) formed of a soft elastic material and extending from a heel region to a forefoot region of the shoe, lower midsoles (4, 5) each formed of a soft elastic material and disposed at the heel region and the forefoot region under the upper midsole (3), and first and second corrugated sheets (6, 7) disposed opposite to each other between the upper midsole (3) and the lower midsoles (4, 5). Through holes (10, 11) are provided at the heel region and the midfoot region of the shoe. The through holes (10, 11) are bounded between the respective facing corrugated surfaces of the first and second corrugated sheets (6, 7). The through hole (11) provided at the midfoot region has an oblong and elongated shape in cross section.

Abstract: The present invention relates to a tightening system for footwear, especially in athletic shoe, and is directed to improve the fittability, supportability and stability of the shoe. The athletic shoe of the present invention includes a supporting portion (Fs) for supporting the lateral side of a foot of a shoe wearer, a first fastening element of a loop shape that surrounds the periphery of the calcaneus (f2) of the foot, and a second fastening element of a loop shape that is provided integrally with the supporting portion (Fs). The supporting portion(Fs) extends from the position in the vicinity of the head of the metatarsus on the lateral side of the foot over the rear portion of the calcaneus of the foot to the medial side.

Abstract: The present invention provides a belt fastening means that can improve fittability of a shoe and that can equally tighten an upper of the shoe to a wearer's foot without hindering the movement of the foot. A belt fastening means for a shoe includes a first belt member disposed mainly on a lateral side portion of an upper and a second belt member disposed mainly on a medial side portion of the upper. The first and second belt members are located at nearly symmetrical positions with respect to an opening portion. A proximal end portion of the first belt member is connected to a sole on the lateral side and a distal end portion thereof extends over the opening portion. The first belt member extends in a direction nearly perpendicular to a ridge line of an instep portion as viewed from a lateral side of the shoe. A proximal end portion of the second belt member is connected to the sole on the medial side and a distal end portion thereof extends over the opening portion.

Abstract: A midsole structure for an athletic shoe includes a midsole (3) formed of a soft elastic material and extending from a shoe heel region through a midfoot region to a forefoot region and a plastic shank member (10) or shankpiece and provided at regions that cover a midfoot portion (B) of the midsole (3) and having an oblong cross sectional shape where a dimension (W) in a shoe elongated direction is greater than a dimension (h) in the vertical direction. Thus, flexural rigidity of the midfoot portion (B) of the midsole (3) increases. When a bending moment is applied to themidsole (3), the shankmember (10) effectively exercises a so-called “shank effect” and thus, bending deformation can be prevented from occurring at the midfoot portion (B) of the midsole (3). As a result, flexibility or bendability of the forefoot portion (C) of the midsole (3) can be relatively advanced.

Abstract: A midsole structure of an athletic shoe includes an upper midsole (3) formed of a soft elastic material and extending from a heel region to a forefoot region of the shoe, lower midsoles (4, 5) each formed of a soft elastic material and disposed at the heel region and the forefoot region under the upper midsole (3), and a first and second corrugated sheet (6, 7) disposed opposite to each other between the upper midsole (3) and the lower midsoles (4, 5). Trough holes (10, 11) are provided at the heel region and the midfoot region of the shoe. The through holes (10, 11) are formed of each corrugated surface of the first and second corrugated sheets (6, 7). The through hole (11) provided at the midfoot region has an oblong and elongated shape in cross section.

Abstract: A midsole structure for an athletic shoe includes an upper midsole (3) formed of a soft elastic material and disposed from a heel region to a forefoot region of the shoe, a lower midsole (4) formed of a soft elastic material and disposed at least at the heel region of the shoe under the upper midsole (3) and a corrugated sheet (5) sandwiched between the upper and lower midsoles (3, 4) and extending from a heel portion (H) of the upper midsole (3) to a midfoot portion (M). The corrugated sheet (5) has a laterally extending sheet portion (5a) and a medially extending sheet portion (5b). Edges (50e, 51e) of the laterally and medially extending sheet portions (5a, 5b) are overlapped in a band-shape and connected to each other. The edge (51e), or a boundary line between the laterally and medially extending sheet portions (5a, 5b) crosses a load transfer curve (Tw) for a heel striker who strikes onto the ground from the heel region of the shoe.

Abstract: A midsole assembly for an athletic shoe comprising a midsole and a corrugated sheet. The midsole is formed of soft elastic material. The corrugated sheet is disposed in at least a heel portion of the midsole. Either or both amplitude and wavelength of wave configuration of said corrugated sheet are made different either or both between a front end portion and back end portion, and between an medial portion and lateral portion of said heel portion.

Abstract: A midsole assembly for an athletic shoe includes a midsole formed of soft elastic material, a corrugated sheet interposed in the heel portion of the midsole, a plurality of transverse holes formed at the contact regions of the midsole with the corrugated sheet, and through holes extending vertically and communicating with transverse holes. In using this shoe, air flows into the shoe through the transverse holes and the through holes. Thus, good ventilation can be acquired especially at the heel portion of the inside of the shoe. The corrugated sheet maintains the shape of the transverse holes and prevents them from being crushed by the impact load applied onto the midsole at the time of impacting the ground so that ventilation can be secured in a highly loaded athletic shoe.

Abstract: A midsole assembly for an athletic shoe includes a midsole formed of soft elastic material and a corrugated sheet disposed in a heel portion to a forefoot portion of the midsole. The upper midsole has a different hardness than the lower midsole. When the upper midsole has a lower hardness than the lower midsole, foot contact feeling and cushioning properties can be improved. On the other hand, when the lower midsole has a lower hardness than the upper midsole, shock load on landing is relieved and the cushioning properties can be improved. Moreover, in this case, when the load from the sole of a foot is applied to the upper midsole having a relatively high hardness, the corrugated sheet functions in such a way that the lateral deformation of the upper midsole can be prevented and running stability can be secured.

Abstract: A midsole assembly for an athletic shoe comprising a midsole and a corrugated sheet. The midsole is formed of soft elastic material. The corrugated sheet is disposed in at least a heel portion of the midsole. Either or both amplitude and wavelength of wave configuration of said corrugated sheet are made different either or both between a front end portion and back end portion, and between an medial portion and lateral portion of said heel portion.

Abstract: A midsole assembly for an athletic shoe comprises a midsole formed of soft elastic material and extending from the heel portion to the forefoot portion of the shoe, a curved groove formed on the bottom side of the forefoot region of the midsole and extending in the substantially lateral direction, a through hole formed in the curved groove and having an opening end on the plantar contact face of the midsole, and a cover portion covering the curved groove. An air tube, which is formed of and surrounded by the curved groove and the cover portion, has opening portions on both ends thereof. The cover portion is integrally formed with the outsole.

Abstract: A midsole assembly for an athletic shoe includes a midsole formed of soft elastic material, and a corrugated sheet disposed in at least a heel portion of the midsole. The amplitude of the wave configuration of the corrugated sheet is larger at the medial and lateral sides of the heel portion and smaller at the central portion between the medial and lateral sides. Alternatively, the wave phase of the corrugated sheet is offset by one half of a wave pitch between the medial and lateral sides.

Abstract: An athletic shoe midsole assembly includes a midsole formed of soft elastic material and a corrugated sheet disposed in the heel portion of the midsole. The corrugated sheet has a pocket structure at edge areas of the sheet, for example the medial side edge, formed by two layers spaced apart from each other with a respective void pocket formed therebetween. Since the compressive hardness of the midsole is higher on the medial side including the pocket structure, transverse deformation of the shoe on landing can be prevented and over-pronation can be restrained on this medial side and the loss of athletic power can be decreased. On the other hand, flexibility of the midsole is maintained on the lateral side without a pocket structure and thus cushioning properties can be secured on this lateral side.

Abstract: The present invention relates to a tightening system for footwear, especially in athletic shoe, and is directed to improve the fittability, supportability and stability of the shoe. The athletic shoe of the present invention includes a supporting portion (Fs) for supporting the lateral side of a foot of a shoe wearer, a first fastening element of a loop shape that surrounds the periphery of the calcaneus (f2) of the foot, and a second fastening element of a loop shape that is provided integrally with the supporting portion (Fs). The supporting portion(Fs) extends from the position in the vicinity of the head of the metatarsus on the lateral side of the foot over the rear portion of the calcaneus of the foot to the medial side.

Abstract: This invention provides a sole assembly for an athletic shoe where the manufacturing process is simplified. The sole assembly includes a midsole body extending from the heel part to the forefoot part of a shoe, a corrugated sheet bonded to the bottom surface of the midsole body, and a lower midsole bonded to the heel portion of the corrugated sheet. A corrugation is formed at the heel portion of the corrugated sheet and an outsole on the forefoot side is integrally formed with the forefoot portion of the corrugated sheet. An outsole on the heel side is bonded to the bottom surface of the lower midsole.

Abstract: A midsole assembly for an athletic shoe comprises an upper midsole 3a and a lower midsole 3b formed of soft elastic material, and a corrugated sheet 4 having a heel portion 4a formed with a corrugation. The corrugated sheet 4 is interposed between the upper and lower midsoles 3a, 3b. Upwardly and downwardly extending walls 6, 7 and 8 are formed at the medial and lateral sides of the corrugated sheet 4. Thereby, transverse or lateral deformation of the heel portion of the midsole 3 can be securely prevented and running stability can be further improved.

Abstract: A midsole assembly for an athletic shoe includes a midsole and a corrugated sheet. The midsole is formed of soft elastic material. The corrugated sheet is disposed at least in the heel portion of the midsole. The front end of the corrugated sheet may extend from the plantar arch portion to the forefoot portion of the midsole. A sheet of fiber reinforced plastics or the like is bonded to the corrugated sheet and extends from the outer circumference portion of the heel portion to the plantar arch portion of the corrugated sheet or other cushioning. A meshed sheet portion having a lower modulus of elasticity than the corrugated sheet is formed in the center of the heel portion. Thus, lateral deformation of the shoes after contacting with the ground can be prevented at the outer circumference of the heel portion while providing a plantar arch portion having higher compressive hardness and improved running stability.

Abstract: A midsole assembly for an athletic shoe comprising a midsole and a corrugated sheet. The midsole is formed of soft elastic material. The corrugated sheet is disposed in at least a heel portion of the midsole. Either or both amplitude and wavelength of wave configuration of said corrugated sheet are made different either or both between a front end portion and back end portion, and between an medial portion and lateral portion of said heel portion.

Abstract: A midsole assembly for an athletic shoe includes a midsole formed of soft elastic material and a corrugated sheet disposed in a heel portion of the midsole. A plurality of through holes are formed in the midsole at locations where the midsole contacts the corrugated sheet. In this case, transverse deformation of the heel portion of the midsole can be prevented by the wave configuration of the corrugated sheet and running stability of the shoe can be ensured. Also, the cushioning properties of the shoe can be improved at the portions provided with the holes because vertical deformation thereby becomes easier.