SHOES

A shoe upper body of a shoe has a stretchable portion made of a stretchable material. The stretchable portion forms a region of the shoe upper body including a portion corresponding to the center of each of the medial malleolus and the lateral malleolus of a foot of a wearer of the shoe and including a position of an ankle opening. The stretchable portion is configured so as to be deformed from a non-stretched state to a stretched state and elastically recover from the stretched state to the non-stretched state.

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Description
CROSS REFERENCE TO RELATED APPLICATIONS

This application claims priority to PCT Application No. PCT/JP2019/038264, filed on 27 Sep. 2019, which claims priority to Japanese Patent Application No. 2018-183686, filed on 28 Sep. 2018, the entire disclosure of which are incorporated by reference herein.

TECHNICAL FIELD

The present invention relates to a shoe.

BACKGROUND ART

Shoes such as those disclosed in, e.g., Patent Document 1 have been suggested as shoes for assisting motions, such as walking and running, of a person who wears the shoes (hereinafter referred to as a “wearer”).

Patent Document 1 discloses a shoe including a sole, a shoe upper body having an ankle opening, and an upper layer member made of an elastic material provided on an outer surface of the shoe upper body near the ankle opening. The upper layer member has an elastic zone disposed on a rear portion of the shoe upper body, and a rotation zone disposed on a portion of the shoe upper body closer to the front end thereof than the elastic zone is. The elastic zone and the rotation zone are positioned on the shoe upper body to correspond to an ankle portion of a wearer's foot. The elastic zone extends along a (top-to-bottom) direction in which the Achilles tendon of the wearer's foot extends. The rotation zone corresponds, in position, to the talocrural joint of the wearer's foot.

CITATION LIST Patent Document

Patent Document 1: U.S. Patent Application Publication No. 2010/0319215

SUMMARY Technical Problem

In general, in a daily walking motion and a running motion during sports, an ankle joint around the talocrural joint of the wearer's foot (hereinafter simply referred to as the “ankle joint”) is first moved to bring the instep of the foot and the corresponding shin closer to each other and stretch the Achilles tendon and gastrocnemius muscle in directions away from each other (so-called dorsiflexion). Then, the ankle joint is moved to rotate an ankle portion of the wearer's foot toward the wearer's planta, so that the instep of the foot and the corresponding shin move away from each other, and that the Achilles tendon and gastrocnemius muscle are closer to each other (so-called plantar flexion). The plantar flexion is an important motion, in particular, to achieve a sufficiently high moving speed during running.

To satisfy the need, the elastic zone of the shoe of Patent Document 1 is configured to turn in the top-to-bottom direction around the rotation zone serving as a virtual axis extending in the foot width direction, and to stretch and recover in the top-to-bottom direction. Such a configuration allows the elastic zone to stretch in the top-to-bottom direction in response to the dorsiflexion, for example, during walking or running. This stretch causes strain energy to be accumulated in the elastic zone. The plantar flexion following the dorsiflexion releases the strain energy accumulated in the elastic zone. Then, the elastic zone recovers to a non-stretched state. As can be seen, the shoe disclosed in Patent Document 1 has the function of assisting, in particular, plantar flexion. This facilitates walking and running motions, and can provide a sufficiently high moving speed during running.

However, the elastic and rotation zones of the shoe of Patent Document 1 are not configured to be appropriately positioned relative to the wearer's foot. For this reason, the elastic and rotation zones may be each misaligned with positions corresponding to respective portions of the wearer's foot around the ankle joint of the wearer. In particular, if the position of the rotation zone does not match the position of the wearer's ankle joint, the elastic zone is difficult to stretch and recover at an appropriate position. As a result, the shoe of Patent Document 1 may be unable to appropriately assist dorsiflexion and plantar flexion.

In general, the ankle joint of a foot of the human body can undergo motions other than dorsiflexion and plantar flexion (e.g., abduction, adduction, inversion, eversion, supination, pronation, and other motions) as well. However, while having been configured to assist dorsiflexion and plantar flexion, the shoe of Patent Document 1 has not been configured to appropriately assist the above-described motions other than dorsiflexion and plantar flexion. In other words, the shoe of Patent Document 1 has been unable to appropriately assist the motions other than dorsiflexion and plantar flexion.

In view of the foregoing background, it is a main object of the present invention to appropriately assist various motions of a wearer's ankle joint.

Solution to the Problem

In order to achieve the above object, a first aspect of the present invention relates to a shoe including: a sole; and a shoe upper. The shoe upper includes a shoe upper body. The shoe upper body includes: an ankle opening through which a foot of a wearer of the shoe is inserted into the shoe; and a stretchable portion made of a stretchable material. In a side view, the ankle opening is positioned above a portion corresponding to a phantom line connecting an upper portion of a calcaneus of the foot of the wearer and upper portions of a medial malleolus and a lateral malleolus of a tibia and a fibula together. The stretchable portion forms a region of the shoe upper body including a portion corresponding to a center of each of the medial malleolus and the lateral malleolus of the foot of the wearer and including a position of the ankle opening. The stretchable portion is configured so as to be deformed from a non-stretched state to a stretched state and elastically recover from the stretched state to the non-stretched state.

As in the first aspect, the stretchable portion forms the region of the shoe upper body including the portion corresponding to the center of each of the medial malleolus and the lateral malleolus of the wearer's foot and including the position of the ankle opening. In other words, the stretchable portion is arranged at a position corresponding to the wearer's ankle joint. Thus, the stretchable portion can stretch and recover in response to various motions of the wearer's ankle joint (e.g., dorsiflexion, plantar flexion, abduction, adduction, inversion, eversion, supination, pronation, and other motions).

The stretchable portion is configured so as to be deformed from a non-stretched state to a stretched state and elastically recover from the stretched state to the non-stretched state. Specifically, if the wearer's ankle joint moves in a predetermined direction, the stretchable portion is deformed to stretch in the predetermined direction. In other words, the stretchable portion is deformed from the non-stretched state to the stretched state. At this moment, strain energy is accumulated in the stretchable portion due to the stretch. Next, when the wearer's ankle joint that has moved in the predetermined direction moves in a direction opposite to the predetermined direction, the strain energy accumulated in the stretchable portion is released. This movement generates an elastic restoring force toward the opposite direction in the stretchable portion. In other words, the stretchable portion elastically recovers from the stretched state to the non-stretched state. Such a configuration makes it easy for a foot of the wearer, in particular, for a foot of the wearer below the ankle joint, to return to the original state. As can be seen, according to the first aspect, various motions of the wearer's ankle joint can be appropriately assisted. In addition, the various motions of the wearer's ankle joint can be controlled and adapted particularly to motions required for various athletic sports. Thus, according to the first aspect, various motions of the wearer's ankle joint can be appropriately assisted.

A second aspect of the present invention is an embodiment of the first aspect. In the second aspect, the ankle opening is positioned near an upper side of the portion corresponding to the phantom line in the side view.

In the second aspect, the ankle opening is positioned near the upper side of the portion corresponding to the phantom line in the side view. As can be seen, even if the stretchable portion occupies a minimum area as in this aspect, the stretchable portion can be arranged at a portion of the shoe upper body corresponding to each of the medial malleolus and the lateral malleolus of the wearer's foot. As a result, according to the second aspect, various motions of the wearer's ankle joint can be appropriately assisted just like the first aspect. The second aspect allows the shoe to be lighter, and can provide a higher degree of comfort.

A third aspect of the present invention is an embodiment of the second aspect. In the third aspect, the stretchable portion continuously extends from a portion corresponding to the medial malleolus of the foot of the wearer through a portion corresponding to a rear side of a heel of the foot to a portion corresponding to the lateral malleolus of the foot.

In the third aspect, the stretchable portion continuously extends from a portion corresponding to the medial malleolus of the foot of the wearer through a portion corresponding to a rear side of a heel of the foot to a portion corresponding to the lateral malleolus of the foot. In other words, the stretchable portion is configured to cover a region corresponding to the wearer's ankle joint from the sides and behind. Such a configuration can appropriately assist various motions of the wearer's ankle joint.

A fourth aspect of the present invention is an embodiment of any one of the first to third aspects. In the fourth aspect, the shoe upper further includes a reinforcement portion provided on at least one of an outer or inner surface of the stretchable portion.

In the fourth aspect, the reinforcement portion provided on the inner surface of the stretchable portion can assist motions of the ankle joint of the wearer's foot (in particular, dorsiflexion and plantar flexion) together with the stretchable portion.

A fifth aspect of the present invention is an embodiment of the first aspect. In the fifth aspect, the shoe upper further includes an anchor portion arranged at a position corresponding to a portion of the foot of the wearer including an ankle portion above the medial malleolus and the lateral malleolus. The shoe upper body is configured to cover an area from a toe portion of the foot of the wearer to the ankle portion. The shoe upper body includes: a first portion corresponding, in position, to the ankle portion of the foot of the wearer; a second portion corresponding, in position, to a talocrural joint of the foot of the wearer; and a third portion corresponding, in position, to a transverse tarsal joint of the foot of the wearer. The anchor portion is configured to align the first portion of the shoe upper body with the ankle portion of the wearer. The stretchable portion is arranged at a position of the shoe upper body, the position including a region corresponding to the calcaneus and a talus of the foot of the wearer and including a region corresponding to an ankle joint and extending from the first portion through the second portion to the third portion. In a state in which the anchor portion aligns the first portion of the shoe upper body with the ankle portion of the wearer, the stretchable portion is deformed from the non-stretched state to the stretched state and elastically recovers from the stretched state to the non-stretched state.

In this fifth aspect, the stretchable portion is made of the stretchable material, and is arranged at a position including the region of the shoe upper body corresponding to the ankle joint. In other words, the stretchable portion is configured to cover the entire ankle joint of the wearer. According to such a configuration, the stretchable portion stretches and recovers in response to various motions of the wearer's ankle joint (i.e., dorsiflexion, plantar flexion, abduction, adduction, inversion, eversion, supination, pronation, and other motions).

The anchor portion is configured to align the first portion of the shoe upper body with the wearer's ankle portion. With such a configuration, in particular, the stretchable portion arranged at a position of the shoe upper body including a region corresponding to the ankle joint can be appropriately fitted to respective portions of the wearer's foot around the wearer's ankle joint. In other words, the anchor portion allows the stretchable portion to be stably arranged at the positions of the respective portions of the wearer's foot around the wearer's ankle joint.

In a state in which the anchor portion aligns the first portion of the shoe upper body with the wearer's ankle portion, the stretchable portion is configured to be deformed from the non-stretched state to the stretched state and elastically recover from the stretched state to the non-stretched state. Specifically, if the wearer's ankle joint moves in a predetermined direction, the stretchable portion is deformed to stretch in the predetermined direction. In other words, the stretchable portion is deformed from the non-stretched state to the stretched state. At this moment, strain energy is accumulated in the stretchable portion due to the stretch. Next, when the wearer's ankle joint that has moved in the predetermined direction moves in a direction opposite to the predetermined direction, the strain energy accumulated in the stretchable portion is released. This causes the stretchable portion to produce an elastic restoring force from the position of the anchor portion (the first portion) in the opposite direction. In other words, the stretchable portion elastically recovers from the stretched state to the non-stretched state. Such a configuration makes it easy for a foot of the wearer, in particular, for a foot of the wearer below the ankle joint, to return to the original state. As can be seen, according to the fifth aspect, various motions of the wearer's ankle joint can be appropriately assisted. In addition, the various motions of the wearer's ankle joint can be controlled and adapted particularly to motions required for various athletic sports.

Thus, according to the fifth aspect, various motions of the wearer's ankle joint can be appropriately assisted.

A sixth aspect of the invention is an embodiment of the fifth aspect. In the sixth aspect, the shoe upper further includes a first reinforcement portion provided on at least one of an outer or inner surface of the stretchable portion and made of a stretchable material. The first reinforcement portion is arranged at a position of the shoe upper body, the position being located below the first portion and corresponding to a region behind the medial malleolus and the lateral malleolus of the foot of the wearer.

In the sixth aspect, the first reinforcement portion can assist, in particular, motions of the Achilles tendon located behind the medial malleolus and the lateral malleolus of the wearer's foot (i.e., dorsiflexion and plantar flexion). Specifically, the first reinforcement portion stretches in the top-to-bottom direction in response to the dorsiflexion, for example, during walking or running. Strain energy is accumulated in the first reinforcement portion due to the stretch. Next, the plantar flexion following the dorsiflexion releases the strain energy accumulated in the first reinforcement portion. Then, the first reinforcement portion recovers to the non-stretched state. Such a configuration makes it easy for the Achilles tendon of the wearer's foot to return to the original state particularly during the plantar flexion. Thus, in the sixth aspect, the stretchable portion and the first reinforcement portion can appropriately assist, in particular, motions of the Achilles tendon of the wearer's foot.

A seventh aspect of the invention is an embodiment of the fifth or sixth aspect. In the seventh aspect, the shoe upper further includes a second reinforcement portion provided on at least one of an outer or inner surface of the stretchable portion and made of a stretchable material. The second reinforcement portion is arranged at a position on a medial side of the shoe upper body, the position being located below the first portion and corresponding to a portion including an area from the medial malleolus and the calcaneus to a transverse tarsal joint of the foot of the wearer.

According to the seventh aspect, the second reinforcement portion can assist, in particular, eversion of the wearer's ankle joint. Specifically, the second reinforcement portion stretches so as to be curved mainly in the top-to-bottom direction in response to the eversion. Strain energy is accumulated in the second reinforcement portion due to the stretch. Next, an attempt to return the ankle joint to the original state after the eversion allows the strain energy accumulated in the second reinforcement portion to be released. Then, the second reinforcement portion recovers to the non-stretched state. Such a configuration makes it easy for the wearer's ankle joint to return to the original state particularly during eversion. Thus, in the seventh aspect, the stretchable portion and the second reinforcement portion can appropriately assist, in particular, eversion of the wearer's ankle joint.

An eighth aspect of the invention is an embodiment of any one of the fifth to seventh aspects. In the eighth aspect, the shoe upper further includes a third reinforcement portion provided on at least one of an outer or inner surface of the stretchable portion and made of a stretchable material. The third reinforcement portion is arranged at a position on a lateral side of the shoe upper body, the position being located below the first portion and corresponding to a portion including an area from the lateral malleolus and the calcaneus to a transverse tarsal joint of the foot of the wearer.

According to the eighth aspect, the third reinforcement portion can assist, in particular, inversion of the wearer's ankle joint. Specifically, the third reinforcement portion stretches so as to be curved mainly in the top-to-bottom direction in response to the inversion. Strain energy is accumulated in the third reinforcement portion due to the stretch. Next, an attempt to return the ankle joint to the original state after the inversion allows the strain energy accumulated in the third reinforcement portion to be released. Then, the third reinforcement portion recovers to the non-stretched state. Such a configuration makes it easy for the wearer's ankle joint to return to the original state particularly during inversion. Thus, in the eighth aspect, the stretchable portion and the third reinforcement portion can appropriately assist, in particular, inversion of the wearer's ankle joint.

A ninth aspect of the invention is an embodiment of any one of the fifth to eighth aspects. In the ninth aspect, the stretchable portion has a substantially tubular shape and includes a portion corresponding to the first portion, the portion corresponding to the first portion having a perimeter shorter than a perimeter of the ankle portion of the wearer. The stretchable portion is configured to extend in a circumferential direction from the non-stretched state, in a state in which the portion of the stretchable portion corresponding to the first portion is in tight contact with the ankle portion of the wearer.

In the ninth aspect, the stretchable portion is configured to extend in the circumferential direction from the non-stretched state, in a state in which the portion of the stretchable portion corresponding to the first portion is in tight contact with the wearer's ankle portion. Such a configuration allows the portion of the stretchable portion corresponding to the first portion to fit the wearer's ankle portion, and to be fixed at a position corresponding to the wearer's ankle portion. Due to this configuration, together with the effect of the anchor portion, the stretchable portion can be stably arranged at the positions of the respective portions of the wearer's foot around the wearer's ankle joint.

A tenth aspect of the invention is an embodiment of the ninth aspect. In the tenth aspect, the shoe upper body includes: an ankle opening configured as a portion of the first portion, the ankle opening being open upward from the second portion toward the first portion; an opening continuous with the ankle opening, the opening being like a linear cut formed in part of the shoe upper body and extending downward from the first portion; and an openable portion configured to close or open the opening.

According to the tenth aspect, even if the portion of the stretchable portion corresponding to the first portion is in tight contact with the wearer's ankle portion as in the fifth aspect, the opening can be opened through the openable portion, which allows the wearer to easily remove the shoe. Further, by closing the opening through the openable portion, the portion of the stretchable portion corresponding to the first portion can be easily brought into tight contact with the wearer's ankle portion.

An eleventh aspect of the invention is an embodiment of the tenth aspect. In the eleventh aspect, the openable portion is configured as a zipper arranged at a position of the shoe upper body, the position corresponding to a medial side of the foot of the wearer. A long dimension of the zipper extends, on the shoe upper body, from a portion corresponding to a medial longitudinal arch of the foot of the wearer through a portion forward of a portion corresponding to the medial malleolus toward the first portion.

According to the eleventh aspect, the long dimension of the zipper mechanism extends, on the medial side of the shoe upper body, from a portion corresponding to the medial longitudinal arch of the wearer's foot through a portion forward of the portion corresponding to the medial malleolus toward the first portion. This prevents the zipper mechanism from coming into direct contact with the medial malleolus of the wearer's foot. As a result, even if the zipper mechanism is used as the openable portion, the wearer is less likely to feel pain in the foot when the zipper mechanism is operated. The zipper mechanism, which is located at a position corresponding to a portion where the range of motion of the wearer's ankle joint is relatively small, does not hinder the wearer's ankle joint from making various motions.

A twelfth aspect of the invention is an embodiment of the tenth or eleventh aspect. In the twelfth aspect, if a ground contact surface of a portion of the sole corresponding to the calcaneus of the wearer is used as a horizontal reference surface, the stretchable portion has a portion extending from the second portion to the first portion along a direction inclined rearward with respect to a top-to-bottom direction perpendicular to the reference surface.

In, for example, sprinting and jumping events of athletic sports, a running motion and a takeoff motion may be performed in which the sole of the shoe comes into contact with the ground while a toe portion of a foot of the wearer is being directed downward (i.e., in a posture in which the foot is in a plantar flexion position by the ankle joint). During such a running or takeoff motion, the ground contact surface of a portion of the sole of the shoe corresponding to the calcaneus of the wearer's foot does not come into contact with the ground, or even if said ground contact surface comes into contact with the ground, an area where the ground contact surface is in contact with the ground is extremely small. In such a running or takeoff motion, to more effectively accumulate the strain energy resulting from dorsiflexion of the wearer's ankle joint in the stretchable portion, it is recommended that a plantar flexion state of the wearer's ankle joint be defined as a reference position. Based on the foregoing background, the stretchable portion of the twelfth aspect has a portion extending from the second portion to the first portion along a direction inclined rearward with respect to the top-to-bottom direction perpendicular to the reference surface. This configuration makes it possible to define the plantar flexion state of the wearer's ankle joint as the reference position. Thus, the strain energy resulting from dorsiflexion of the wearer's ankle joint can be more effectively accumulated in the stretchable portion. As a result, the twelfth aspect allows the wearer to make a running or takeoff motion suitable for the sprinting and jumping events described above.

A thirteenth aspect of the invention is an embodiment of any one of the first to twelfth aspects. In the thirteenth aspect, the stretchable portion is configured so as to be deformed from the non-stretched state to the stretched state as the foot of the wearer shifts from a rearwardly inclined position to an erect position.

According to the thirteenth aspect, the stretchable portion is configured so as to be deformed from the non-stretched state to the stretched state as the wearer's foot shifts from its rearwardly inclined position to its erect position. Such a configuration causes the stretchable portion to produce strain energy as the ankle joint of the wearer's foot shifts from the position of plantar flexion to the position of dorsiflexion. Then, the strain energy is accumulated in the stretchable portion. This mean that particularly a motion in which the wearer's ankle joint shifts from the position of plantar flexion to the position of dorsiflexion can be appropriately assisted.

A fourteenth aspect of the invention is an embodiment of any one of the first to thirteenth aspects. In the fourteenth aspect, an inner surface of the stretchable portion is provided with a heel extension portion covering a heel of the foot of the wearer and its surrounding area from sides and behind, and in a cross-sectional view taken along a foot length direction, the heel extension portion protrudes rearward from a portion corresponding to a rear side of the heel of the foot of the wearer.

According to the fourteenth aspect, providing the heel extension portion on the inner surface of the stretchable portion relatively increases the length of the stretchable portion in the foot length direction of the wearer's foot. As a result, the total area of the inner surface of the stretchable portion becomes relatively larger in the foot length direction than in the case of the stretchable portion without the heel extension portion. In other words, in the configuration having the heel extension portion, the range where the stretchable portion stretches in the foot length direction is relatively large. For this reason, when the stretchable portion deforms from its non-stretched state to its stretched state, large strain energy tends to be accumulated in the stretchable portion. This can increase the supportability of the stretchable portion to assist the plantar flexion of the wearer's ankle joint.

Advantages of the Invention

As can be seen from the foregoing description, according to the present invention, various motions of the wearer's ankle joint can be appropriately assisted.

BRIEF DESCRIPTION OF THE DRAWINGS

FIG. 1 is a side view illustrating a shoe according to a first embodiment with a skeletal structure of a foot, as viewed from the lateral side.

FIG. 2 is a side view illustrating the shoe according to the first embodiment with the skeletal structure of the foot, as viewed from the medial side.

FIG. 3 is a perspective view illustrating the shoe according to the first embodiment, as viewed from behind.

FIG. 4 illustrates the shoe according to the first embodiment in a situation where a wearer's foot has shifted from its rearwardly inclined position to its erect position, and corresponds to FIG. 1.

FIG. 5 is a side view illustrating a shoe according to a first variation of the first embodiment with a skeletal structure of a foot, as viewed from the lateral side.

FIG. 6 is a perspective view illustrating the shoe according to the first variation of the first embodiment, as viewed from behind.

FIG. 7 is a side view illustrating a shoe according to a second variation of the first embodiment with a skeletal structure of a foot, as viewed from the lateral side.

FIG. 8 is a plan view illustrating a shoe according to a second embodiment.

FIG. 9 is a side view illustrating the shoe according to the second embodiment with a skeletal structure of a foot, as viewed from the lateral side.

FIG. 10 is a side view illustrating the shoe according to the second embodiment with the skeletal structure of the foot, as viewed from the medial side.

FIG. 11 is a cross-sectional view taken along line XI-XI shown in FIG. 8.

FIG. 12 is a cross-sectional view taken along line XII-XII shown in FIG. 8.

FIG. 13 is a side view illustrating a shoe according to a third embodiment, as viewed from the lateral side.

FIG. 14 is a side view illustrating the shoe according to the third embodiment, as viewed from the medial side.

FIG. 15 is a side view illustrating a shoe according to a fourth embodiment, as viewed from the lateral side.

FIG. 16 is a side view illustrating the shoe according to the fourth embodiment, as viewed from the medial side.

FIG. 17 illustrates a vertical cross-sectional configuration of the shoe according to the fourth embodiment, and corresponds to FIG. 11.

FIG. 18 is a side view illustrating a shoe according to a fifth embodiment, as viewed from the lateral side.

FIG. 19 is a side view schematically illustrating a state where an anchor portion illustrated in FIG. 18 is detached from a shoe upper body.

FIG. 20 is a side view illustrating a shoe according to a sixth embodiment, as viewed from the lateral side.

FIG. 21 illustrates a vertical cross-sectional configuration of the shoe according to the sixth embodiment, and corresponds to FIG. 11.

 DESCRIPTION OF EMBODIMENTS

Embodiments of the present invention will now be described in detail with reference to the drawings. Note that the following description of the embodiments is a mere example in nature, and is not intended to limit the scope, application, or uses of the present invention.

First Embodiment

FIGS. 1 to 4 illustrate an overall shoe 1 according to a first embodiment of the present invention. A pair of shoes 1 may be mainly used, for example, as athletic shoes for running and various sports. Note that the pair of shoes 1 may be used as shoes for daily use, or rehabilitation shoes.

The drawings illustrate a left shoe 1 only as an example. Since the right shoe is symmetrical to the left shoe, only the left shoe will be described in the following description, and the description of the right shoe will be omitted herein.

In the following description, the expressions “above,” “upward,” “on a/the top of,” “below,” “under,” and “downward,” represent the vertical positional relationship between respective components of the shoe 1. The expressions “front,” “fore,” “forward,” “anterior,” “rear,” “hind,” “behind,” “backward,” and “posterior” represent the positional relationship in the foot length direction between respective components of the shoe 1. The expressions “medial side” and “lateral side” represent the positional relationship in the foot width direction between respective components of the shoe 1.

(Sole)

As shown in FIGS. 1 to 4, the shoe 1 has a sole 2. In this embodiment, the sole 2 includes an outsole 3 and cleat portions 4, 4, . . .

The outsole 3 extends so as to correspond to an area from the forefoot to hindfoot of a wearer's foot. The outsole 3 is a hard elastic member having a relatively high hardness. A thermoplastic resin, such as polyether block amide (PEBA) or polyamide, is suitable as the outsole 3.

In this embodiment, a ground contact surface of a portion of the sole 2 corresponding, in position, to the calcaneus HL of the wearer's foot is defined as a reference surface S horizontal to the ground or the road surface (see the dot-dash line in each of FIGS. 1 and 2).

(Shoe Upper)

Next, as shown in FIGS. 1 to 4, the shoe 1 has a shoe upper 10 that covers the wearer's foot.

(Shoe Upper Body)

The shoe upper 10 has a shoe upper body 11. The shoe upper body 11 is configured to cover an area from a toe portion of the wearer's foot to an ankle portion at least located above the medial malleolus MM and the lateral malleolus LM of the tibia and the fibula of a leg of the wearer (hereinafter referred to as the “ankle portion”).

(Ankle Opening)

As shown in FIGS. 1 and 2, the shoe upper body 11 includes an ankle opening 12. In a side view, the ankle opening 12 is positioned above a portion corresponding to a phantom line C connecting an upper portion of the calcaneus HL of the wearer's foot and upper portions of the medial malleolus MM and the lateral malleolus LM of the tibia and the fibula together. In this embodiment, the ankle opening 12 is positioned near the upper side of the portion corresponding to the phantom line C in a side view.

Here, the phantom line C is defined as a line connecting the upper portion of the calcaneus HL and upper portions of phantom circles (see the character B shown in each of FIGS. 1 and 2) each having a radius corresponding to the distance from the center A of each of the medial malleolus MM and the lateral malleolus LM to a position that is about 2 cm apart from the center A. The size of the circle B shown in each of FIGS. 1 and 2 is determined with reference to the medial malleolus MM and the lateral malleolus LM of a foot of a typical adult male.

(Stretchable Portion)

As shown in FIGS. 1 to 4, the shoe upper body 11 includes a stretchable portion 15 and a non-stretchable portion 16. The stretchable portion 15 is made of a stretchable material. Specifically, the stretchable portion 15 is made of, for example, a stretchable textile material. On the other hand, the non-stretchable portion 16 is made of a material that is less stretchable than the stretchable portion 15. Specifically, the shoe upper body 11 is configured as, for example, a textile, such as a knitted fabric or a woven fabric, a nonwoven fabric, a synthetic leather, an artificial leather, or a natural leather. In FIGS. 1 to 4, a region where the stretchable portion 15 is positioned is marked and accentuated with dot hatching.

The stretchable portion 15 forms a region of the shoe upper body 11 including a portion corresponding to the center A of each of the medial malleolus MM and the lateral malleolus LM of the wearer's foot and including a position of the ankle opening 12. The stretchable portion 15 continuously extends from a portion of the shoe upper body 11 corresponding to the medial malleolus MM of the wearer's foot through a portion corresponding to the rear side of the heel HL of the foot to a portion corresponding to the lateral malleolus LM of the foot. On the other hand, the non-stretchable portion 16 forms a region of the shoe upper body 11 other than the stretchable portion 15. The stretchable portion 15 and the non-stretchable portion 16 are integrated together by sewing and any other process.

Here, as shown in FIGS. 1 to 3, while the wearer does not wear the shoe 1 or while the wearer in a relaxed state wears the shoe 1, the ankle opening 12 opens rearward in the foot length direction (see FIG. 3), and the stretchable portion 15 is in a non-stretched state. Specifically, the shoe upper body 11 is configured such that, while the wearer in the relaxed state wears the shoe 1, the ankle joint around the talocrural joint of the wearer's foot (hereinafter simply referred to as the “ankle joint”) is in a position of plantar flexion.

The “position of plantar flexion” means a state where while the wearer in the relaxed state wears the shoe 1, the ankle portion of the wearer's foot extends along a direction inclined rearward within the range of 5° to 50° (see the angle θ shown in each of FIGS. 1 and 2) from a perpendicular top-to-bottom direction orthogonal to the reference surface S of the sole 2 in one preferred embodiment.

The stretchable portion 15 is configured so as to be deformed from the non-stretched state to a stretched state and elastically recover from the stretched state to the non-stretched state. Specifically, as shown in FIG. 4, the stretchable portion 15 is configured so as to be deformed from the non-stretched state to the stretched state as the wearer's foot shifts from its rearwardly inclined position to its erect position.

Advantages of First Embodiment

As can be seen from the foregoing description, the stretchable portion 15 forms a region of the shoe upper body 11 including a portion corresponding to the center A of each of the medial malleolus MM and the lateral malleolus LM of the wearer's foot and including a position of the ankle opening 12. In other words, the stretchable portion 15 corresponds, in position, to the wearer's ankle joint. Thus, the stretchable portion 15 can stretch and recover in response to various motions of the wearer's ankle joint (e.g., dorsiflexion, plantar flexion, abduction, adduction, inversion, eversion, supination, pronation, and other motions).

The stretchable portion 15 is configured so as to be deformed from the non-stretched state to the stretched state and elastically recover from the stretched state to the non-stretched state. Specifically, if the wearer's ankle joint moves in a predetermined direction, the stretchable portion 15 is deformed to stretch in the predetermined direction. In other words, the stretchable portion 15 is deformed from the non-stretched state to the stretched state. At this moment, strain energy is accumulated in the stretchable portion 15 due to the stretch. Next, when the wearer's ankle joint that has moved in the predetermined direction moves in a direction opposite to the predetermined direction, the strain energy accumulated in the stretchable portion 15 is released. This movement generates an elastic restoring force toward the opposite direction in the stretchable portion 15. In other words, the stretchable portion 15 elastically recovers from the stretched state to the non-stretched state. Such a configuration makes it easy for a foot of the wearer, in particular, for a foot of the wearer below the ankle joint, to return to the original state. As can be seen, the shoe 1 according to the first embodiment can appropriately assist various motions of the wearer's ankle joint. In addition, the various motions of the wearer's ankle joint can be controlled and adapted particularly to motions required for various athletic sports.

Thus, the shoe 1 according to the first embodiment can appropriately assist various motions of the wearer's ankle joint.

The ankle opening 12 of the shoe 1 according to the first embodiment is positioned near the upper side of the portion corresponding to the phantom line C in a side view. Even if the stretchable portion 15 occupies a minimal area as in this example, the stretchable portion 15 can be arranged at a portion of the shoe upper body 11 corresponding to each of the medial malleolus MM and the lateral malleolus LM of the wearer's foot. Thus, the shoe 1 can appropriately assist various motions of the wearer's ankle joint as described above.

For example, the shoe of Patent Document 1 described above is provided with a member which is located above the medial malleolus and the lateral malleolus of the wearer's foot and which covers the wearer's foot (see the collar yoke 104 illustrated in FIG. 1 of Patent Document 1). In contrast, the ankle opening 12 of the shoe 1 according to the first embodiment is positioned near the upper side of the portion corresponding to the phantom line C in a side view. Thus, no member covering the ankle is present above the medial malleolus MM and the lateral malleolus LM of the wearer's foot. This configuration allows the shoe 1 according to the first embodiment to be lighter, and can provide a higher degree of comfort, than the shoe of Patent Document 1.

The stretchable portion 15 continuously extends from a portion of the shoe upper body 11 corresponding to the medial malleolus MM of the wearer's foot through a portion corresponding to the rear side of the heel HL of the foot to a portion corresponding to the lateral malleolus LM of the foot. In other words, the stretchable portion 15 is configured to cover a region corresponding to the wearer's ankle joint from the sides and behind. Such a configuration can appropriately assist various motions of the wearer's ankle joint.

The stretchable portion 15 is configured so as to be deformed from the non-stretched state to the stretched state as the wearer's foot shifts from its rearwardly inclined position to its erect position. Such a configuration causes the stretchable portion 15 to produce strain energy as the ankle joint of the wearer's foot shifts from the position of plantar flexion to the position of dorsiflexion. Then, the strain energy is accumulated in the stretchable portion 15. This means that the shoe 1 can appropriately assist mainly a motion in which the wearer's ankle joint shifts from the position of plantar flexion to the position of dorsiflexion.

First Variation of First Embodiment

In a variation of the shoe 1 according to the first embodiment, as shown in FIGS. 5 and 6, the shoe upper 10 may further include a reinforcement portion 17 provided on at least one of the outer and inner surfaces of the stretchable portion 15. In the first variation, the reinforcement portion 17 provided on the inner surface of the stretchable portion 15 is illustrated as an example.

In the first variation, the reinforcement portion 17 is configured as a sheet, for example. The reinforcement portion 17 is made of a stretchable material. Examples of suitable materials of the reinforcement portion 17 include a resin material, such as thermosetting polyurethane, thermoplastic polyurethane (TPU), and styrenic elastomer, a rubber material, and a stretchable textile material.

The reinforcement portion 17 is mainly positioned to correspond to the heel HL, the medial malleolus MM, and the lateral malleolus LM of the wearer's foot. In addition, the reinforcement portion 17, when viewed from the lateral side, separates into two branches that extend upward in two different directions from a portion corresponding to the heel HL of the wearer's foot. Specifically, one of the two branches of the reinforcement portion 17 is disposed on a portion of the stretchable portion 15 near the ankle opening 12, and extends from the portion corresponding to the heel HL of the wearer's foot toward a portion corresponding to the lateral malleolus LM. The other branch of the reinforcement portion 17 is disposed on a portion of the non-stretchable portion 16 under the stretchable portion 15. The reinforcement portion 17 is fixed to the inner surfaces of the stretchable portion 15 and the non-stretchable portion 16 by a process, such as sewing, bonding with an adhesive, heat sealing, and impregnation. Although not illustrated, the reinforcement portion 17 viewed from the medial side, too, is configured similarly to the above configuration.

In the shoe 1 according to the first variation as described above, the reinforcement portion 17 provided on the inner surface of the stretchable portion 15 can assist motions of the ankle joint of the wearer's foot (in particular, dorsiflexion and plantar flexion) together with the stretchable portion 15. Further, since the reinforcement portion 17 is disposed on both of the stretchable portion 15 and the non-stretchable portion 16, both of the stretchable portion 15 and the non-stretchable portion 16 can be better fitted to, and more securely hold, the wearer's foot (in particular, the heel HL, the medial malleolus MM, and the lateral malleolus LM).

Second Variation of First Embodiment

In the first embodiment, the stretchable portion 15 continuously extends from a portion corresponding to the medial malleolus MM of the wearer's foot through a portion corresponding to the rear side of the heel HL of the foot to a portion corresponding to the lateral malleolus LM of the foot. However, this configuration is merely a non-limiting example.

For example, as in a second variation shown in FIG. 7, two separate stretchable portions 15 may be respectively arranged at positions corresponding to the medial malleolus MM and the lateral malleolus LM of the wearer's foot without passing through a portion corresponding to the rear side of the heel HL of the foot. Even in such a second variation, the stretchable portions 15 can be respectively arranged at portions of the shoe upper body 11 corresponding to the medial malleolus MM and the lateral malleolus LM of the wearer's foot. Thus, the shoe 1 according to the second variation can also appropriately assist various motions of the wearer's ankle joint just like the first embodiment.

Note that the shoe upper 10 may have a tongue-shaped portion 9 and a shoelace 50, just like the shoe 1 of the second variation. A plurality of linear reinforcement portions 18, 18, . . . may be provided on the outer surface of the stretchable portion 15.

Second Embodiment

FIGS. 8 to 12 illustrate a shoe 1 according to a second embodiment of the present invention. The second embodiment differs from the first embodiment in the configuration of the shoe upper 10. Note that the other configurations of the shoe 1 of the second embodiment are the same as those of the shoe 1 of the first embodiment. Therefore, the same reference characters are used to designate the same elements as those illustrated in FIGS. 1 to 4, and detailed description thereof is omitted herein.

A shoe upper body 11 includes first to third portions 11a to 11c. The first portion 11a corresponds, in position, to an ankle portion of a wearer. The second portion 11b corresponds, in position, to the talocrural joint of a foot of the wearer. The third portion 11c corresponds, in position, to the transverse tarsal joint (the so-called Chopart's joint) of the wearer's foot.

(Ankle Opening)

As shown in FIGS. 8 to 10, the shoe upper body 11 includes an ankle opening 12. In this embodiment, the ankle opening 12 is arranged at the first portion 11a of the shoe upper body 11. The ankle opening 12 opens upward from the second portion 11b toward the first portion 11a. Note that the ankle opening 12 may be disposed above the first portion 11a of the shoe upper body 11.

(Opening)

The shoe upper body 11 includes an opening 13. The opening 13 is intended to increase the opening area of the ankle opening 12. The opening 13 is continuous with the ankle opening 12. The opening 13 is arranged at a position of the shoe upper body 11 corresponding to the medial side of the wearer's foot. The opening 13 is like a linear cut formed in part of the shoe upper body 11 and extending downward from the first portion 11a. Specifically, a long dimension of the opening 13 extends from a portion corresponding to the medial longitudinal arch of the wearer's foot, through a portion forward of a portion corresponding to the medial malleolus MM, toward the first portion 11a.

In general, the medial longitudinal arch corresponds to a portion (so-called plantar arch) of the wearer's foot including the great toe metatarsal MT1, the medial cuneiform bone CM, the navicular bone NB, the talus TB, and the calcaneus HL (see FIG. 10).

(Openable Portion)

As shown in FIGS. 8 to 10, the shoe upper body 11 includes an openable portion 14. The openable portion 14 is intended to close or open the opening 13. In this embodiment, the openable portion 14 is configured as a zipper mechanism.

The zipper mechanism includes a pair of elements 14a and 14a, and a slider 14b. The elements 14a and 14a are arranged in the opening 13 so as to face each other. The slider 14b is operable such that sliding of the slider 14b allows the elements 14a and 14a to approach each other and to be separated from each other.

The zipper mechanism is arranged at a position of the shoe upper body 11 corresponding to the medial side of the wearer's foot. Along dimension of the zipper mechanism extends, on a shoe upper body 11, from the portion corresponding to the medial longitudinal arch of the wearer's foot through the portion forward of the portion corresponding to the medial malleolus MM toward the first portion 11a.

(Anchor Portion)

As shown in FIGS. 11 and 12, the shoe upper 10 has an anchor portion 20. Examples of suitable materials of the anchor portion 20 include a resin material, such as thermosetting polyurethane, thermoplastic polyurethane (TPU), and styrenic elastomer, a rubber material, and a stretchable textile material.

The anchor portion 20 is configured as a sheet, for example. The anchor portion 20 is disposed on the inner surface of the shoe upper body 11. The anchor portion 20 is fixed to the inner surface of the shoe upper body 11 by a process, such as sewing, bonding with an adhesive, heat sealing, and impregnation.

The anchor portion 20 is arranged at a portion that includes the first portion 11a of the shoe upper body 11. In other words, the anchor portion 20 is arranged at a portion of the shoe upper body 11 (the stretchable portion 15 to be described below) corresponding to the wearer's ankle portion. In a state in which the wearer wears the shoe 1 and the opening 13 is closed through the openable portion 14, the anchor portion 20 is wrapped around the wearer's ankle portion. In other words, the anchor portion 20 is configured to align the first portion 11a of the shoe upper body 11 with the wearer's ankle portion in the state in which the wearer wears the shoe 1.

(First Reinforcement Portion)

As shown in FIGS. 11 and 12, the shoe upper 10 has a first reinforcement portion 21. The first reinforcement portion 21 is made of a stretchable material. Specifically, examples of suitable materials of the first reinforcement portion 21 include a resin material, such as thermosetting polyurethane, thermoplastic polyurethane (TPU), and styrenic elastomer, a rubber material, and a stretchable textile material. Note that the first reinforcement portion 21 may be made of the same material as the anchor portion 20, or may be made of a material different from the material of the anchor portion 20.

The first reinforcement portion 21 is configured as a sheet, for example. The first reinforcement portion 21 is disposed on the inner surface of the shoe upper body 11 (the stretchable portion 15 to be described below). Specifically, the first reinforcement portion 21 is fixed to the inner surface of the shoe upper body 11 (the stretchable portion 15 to be described below) by a process, such as sewing, bonding with an adhesive, heat sealing, and impregnation.

The first reinforcement portion 21 may be disposed below the first portion 11a of the shoe upper body 11. The first reinforcement portion 21 is arranged on the shoe upper body 11 so as to correspond to a region of the wearer's foot behind the medial malleolus MM and the lateral malleolus LM. Specifically, the first reinforcement portion 21 is arranged on the shoe upper body 11 so as to correspond to a portion of the wearer's foot including an area from a rear end portion of the calcaneus HL located behind the medial malleolus MM and the lateral malleolus LM to the Achilles tendon (not shown).

(Second and Third Reinforcement Portions)

As shown in FIGS. 11 and 12, the shoe upper 10 has second and third reinforcement portions 22 and 23. Just like the first reinforcement portion 21, the second and third reinforcement portions 22 and 23 are made of a stretchable material, and are configured as sheets, for example. Just like the first reinforcement portion 21, the second and third reinforcement portions 22 and 23 are disposed on the inner surface of the shoe upper body 11 (the stretchable portion 15 to be described below).

The second reinforcement portion 22 is disposed below the first portion 11a on the medial side of the shoe upper body 11. The second reinforcement portion 22 is arranged so as to correspond to a portion of the wearer's foot including an area from the medial malleolus MM and calcaneus HL to the transverse tarsal joint.

The third reinforcement portion 23 is disposed below the first portion 11a on the lateral side of the shoe upper body 11. The third reinforcement portion 23 is arranged so as to correspond, on the lateral side of the shoe upper body 11, to a portion of the wearer's foot including an area from the lateral malleolus LM and calcaneus HL to the transverse tarsal joint.

(Stretchable Portion)

As shown in FIGS. 8 to 12, the stretchable portion 15 is configured to cover an area including the wearer's ankle joint. Specifically, the stretchable portion 15 of the second embodiment forms a region of the shoe upper body 11 corresponding to the ankle joint. On the other hand, the non-stretchable portion 16 forms a region of the shoe upper body 11 other than the region corresponding to the ankle joint.

The region corresponding to the ankle joint includes a region of the shoe upper body 11 corresponding to the calcaneus HL and talus TB of the wearer's foot and extending from the first portion 11a through the second portion 11b to the third portion 11c. In other words, the shoe upper body 11 is configured such that the stretchable portion 15 flexibly follows the movements of some of joints of the wearer's foot located in the region corresponding to the ankle joint.

The stretchable portion 15 has a substantially tubular shape, and includes a portion corresponding to the first portion 11a. The portion corresponding to the first portion 11a has a perimeter shorter than the perimeter of the wearer's ankle portion. The stretchable portion 15 is configured to extend in the circumferential direction from the non-stretched state, in a state in which a portion corresponding to the first portion 11a is in tight contact with the wearer's ankle portion. Specifically, in one preferred embodiment, the stretchable portion 15 is configured to stretch by at least 3% from the non-stretched state, in a state in which the shoe 1 is worn by the wearer and the portion corresponding to the first portion 11a is in tight contact with the wearer's ankle portion.

As shown in FIGS. 9 to 12, the stretchable portion 15 has a portion extending from the second portion 11b to the first portion 11a along a direction inclined rearward with respect to the top-to-bottom direction perpendicular to the reference surface S of the sole 2. In other words, the shoe upper body 11 is configured such that in the state in which the wearer wears the shoe 1, the wearer's ankle joint is in a position of plantar flexion.

If a foot of the human body undergoes plantar flexion, the foot is typically inclined rearward within a range of 5° to 50° with respect to the longitudinal direction (i.e., the perpendicular top-to-bottom direction) of the fibula and tibia of the leg in a neutral position during usual contact with the ground. As can be seen from the foregoing description, in one preferred embodiment, the stretchable portion 15 has a portion extending from the second portion 11b to the first portion 11a along a direction inclined rearward within the range of 5° to 50° with respect to the perpendicular top-to-bottom direction (see the angle θ shown in FIG. 9).

In a state in which the anchor portion 20 aligns the first portion 11a of the shoe upper body 11 with the wearer's ankle portion, the stretchable portion 15 is configured to be deformed from the non-stretched state to the stretched state in the region corresponding to the ankle joint and elastically recover from the stretched state to the non-stretched state.

Advantages of Second Embodiment

As described above, the stretchable portion 15 of the shoe 1 according to the second embodiment is made of the stretchable material, and forms the region of the shoe upper body 11 corresponding to the ankle joint. In other words, the stretchable portion 15 is configured to cover the entire ankle joint of the wearer. According to such a configuration, the stretchable portion 15 stretches and recovers in response to various motions of the wearer's ankle joint (e.g., dorsiflexion, plantar flexion, abduction, adduction, inversion, eversion, supination, pronation, and other motions).

The anchor portion 20 is configured to align the first portion 11a of the shoe upper body 11 with the wearer's ankle portion. With such a configuration, in particular, the stretchable portion 15 arranged at a position of the shoe upper body 11 corresponding to the ankle joint can be appropriately fitted to respective portions of the wearer's foot around the wearer's ankle joint. In other words, the anchor portion 20 allows the stretchable portion 15 to be stably arranged at positions of respective portions of the wearer's foot around the ankle joint.

In a state in which the anchor portion 20 aligns the first portion 11a of the shoe upper body 11 with the wearer's ankle portion, the stretchable portion 15 is configured to be deformed from the non-stretched state to the stretched state and elastically recover from the stretched state to the non-stretched state. Specifically, if the wearer's ankle joint moves in a predetermined direction, the stretchable portion 15 is deformed to stretch in the predetermined direction. In other words, the stretchable portion 15 is deformed from the non-stretched state to the stretched state. At this moment, strain energy is accumulated in the stretchable portion 15 due to the stretch. Next, when the wearer's ankle joint that has moved in the predetermined direction moves in a direction opposite to the predetermined direction, the strain energy accumulated in the stretchable portion 15 is released. This causes the stretchable portion 15 to produce an elastic restoring force from the position of the anchor portion 20 (the first portion 11a) in the opposite direction. In other words, the stretchable portion 15 elastically recovers from the stretched state to the non-stretched state. Such a configuration makes it easy for a foot of the wearer, in particular, for a foot of the wearer below the ankle joint, to return to the original state. As described above, the shoe 1 according to the second embodiment can appropriately assist various motions of the wearer's ankle joint. In addition, the various motions of the wearer's ankle joint can be controlled and adapted particularly to motions required for various athletic sports.

Thus, the shoe 1 according to the second embodiment can appropriately assist various motions of the wearer's ankle joint.

The shoe of Patent Document 1 described above is configured such that the elastic zone and the rotation zone turn near the ankle opening. Thus, stress tends to be concentrated, in particular, near the ankle opening. This causes the shoe to be easily damaged. The elastic and rotation zones of the shoe of Patent document 1 described above are relatively elongated. This complicates the production of the shoe itself, and reduces the production efficiency. In contrast, the shoe 1 according to the second embodiment has the stretchable portion 15 forming the region of the shoe upper body 11 corresponding to the ankle joint. Thus, stress is less likely to be concentrated near the ankle opening 12, and the shoe 1 is less likely to be damaged. In addition, the shoe 1 itself can be easily produced, thus improving the production efficiency.

In the shoe 1 according to the second embodiment, the first reinforcement portion 21 can assist, in particular, motions of the Achilles tendon located behind the medial malleolus MM and the lateral malleolus LM of the wearer's foot (i.e., dorsiflexion and plantar flexion). Specifically, the first reinforcement portion 21 stretches in the top-to-bottom direction in response to the dorsiflexion. Strain energy is accumulated in the first reinforcement portion 21 due to the stretch. Next, the plantar flexion following the dorsiflexion releases the strain energy accumulated in the first reinforcement portion 21. Then, the first reinforcement portion 21 recovers to the non-stretched state. Such a configuration makes it easy, in particular, for the Achilles tendon of the wearer's foot undergoing plantar flexion to be returned to the original state. Thus, the stretchable portion 15 and the first reinforcement portion 21 can appropriately assist, in particular, motions of the Achilles tendon of the wearer's foot.

The second reinforcement portion 22 of the shoe 1 according to the second embodiment can assist, in particular, eversion of the wearer's ankle joint. Specifically, the second reinforcement portion 22 stretches so as to be curved mainly in the top-to-bottom direction in response to the eversion. Strain energy is accumulated in the second reinforcement portion 22 due to the stretch. Next, an attempt to return the ankle joint to the original state after the eversion allows the strain energy accumulated in the second reinforcement portion 22 to be released. Then, the second reinforcement portion 22 recovers to the non-stretched state. Such a configuration makes it easy, in particular, for the wearer's ankle joint undergoing eversion to be returned to the original state. Thus, the stretchable portion 15 and the second reinforcement portion 22 can appropriately assist, in particular, eversion of the wearer's ankle joint.

The third reinforcement portion 23 of the shoe 1 according to the second embodiment can assist, in particular, inversion of the wearer's ankle joint. Specifically, the third reinforcement portion 23 stretches so as to be curved mainly in the top-to-bottom direction in response to the inversion. Strain energy is accumulated in the third reinforcement portion 23 due to the stretch. Next, an attempt to return the ankle joint to the original state after the inversion allows the strain energy accumulated in the third reinforcement portion 23 to be released. Then, the third reinforcement portion 23 recovers to the non-stretched state. Such a configuration makes it easy, in particular, for the wearer's ankle joint undergoing inversion to be returned to the original state. Thus, the stretchable portion 15 and the third reinforcement portion 23 can appropriately assist, in particular, inversion of the wearer's ankle joint.

The stretchable portion 15 is configured to extend in the circumferential direction from the non-stretched state, in a state in which the portion corresponding to the first portion 11a is in tight contact with the wearer's ankle portion. Such a configuration allows the portion of the stretchable portion 15 corresponding to the first portion 11a to fit the wearer's ankle portion, and to be fixed at a position corresponding to the wearer's ankle portion. Due to this configuration, together with the effect of the anchor portion 20, the stretchable portion 15 can be stably arranged at the positions of the respective portions of the wearer's foot around the wearer's ankle joint.

In the shoe 1 according to the second embodiment, even if the portion of the stretchable portion 15 corresponding to the first portion 11a is in tight contact with the wearer's ankle portion, the opening 13 can be opened through the openable portion 14, which allows the wearer to easily remove the shoe 1. Further, by closing the opening 13 through the openable portion 14, the portion of the stretchable portion 15 corresponding to the first portion 11a can be easily brought into tight contact with the wearer's ankle portion.

The long dimension of the zipper mechanism extends, on the medial side of the shoe upper body 11, from a portion corresponding to the medial longitudinal arch of the wearer's foot through a portion forward of the portion corresponding to the medial malleolus MM toward the first portion 11a. This prevents the zipper mechanism from coming into direct contact with the medial malleolus MM of the wearer's foot. As a result, even if the zipper mechanism is used as the openable portion 14, the wearer is less likely to feel pain in the foot when the zipper mechanism is operated. The zipper mechanism, which is located at a position corresponding to a portion where the range of motion of the wearer's ankle joint is relatively small, does not hinder the wearer's ankle joint from making various motions.

In, for example, sprinting and jumping events of athletic sports, a running motion and a takeoff motion may be performed in which the sole 2 of the shoe 1 comes into contact with the ground while a toe portion of a foot of the wearer is being directed downward (i.e., in a posture in which the foot is in a plantar flexion position by the ankle joint). During such a running or takeoff motion, the ground contact surface of a portion of the sole 2 of the shoe 1 corresponding to the calcaneus HL of the wearer's foot does not come into contact with the ground, or even if said ground contact surface comes into contact with the ground, an area where the ground contact surface is in contact with the ground is extremely small. In such a running or takeoff motion, to more effectively accumulate the strain energy resulting from dorsiflexion of the wearer's ankle joint in the stretchable portion 15, it is recommended that a plantar flexion state of the wearer's ankle joint be defined as a reference position.

Based on the foregoing background, the stretchable portion 15 of the shoe 1 according to the second embodiment has a portion extending from the second portion 11b to the first portion 11a along a direction inclined rearward with respect to the top-to-bottom direction perpendicular to the reference surface S. This configuration makes it possible to define the plantar flexion state of the wearer's ankle joint as the reference position. Thus, the strain energy resulting from dorsiflexion of the wearer's ankle joint can be more effectively accumulated in the stretchable portion 15. As a result, the shoe 1 according to the second embodiment allows the wearer to make a running or takeoff motion suitable for the sprinting and jumping events described above.

Third Embodiment

FIGS. 13 and 14 illustrate a shoe 1 according to a third embodiment of the present invention. The third embodiment differs from the second embodiment in part of the configuration of the shoe upper 10. Note that the other configurations of the shoe 1 of the third embodiment are the same as those of the shoe 1 of the second embodiment. Therefore, the same reference characters are used to designate the same elements as those illustrated in FIGS. 8 to 12, and detailed description thereof is omitted herein.

As shown in FIGS. 13 and 14, the entire outer surface of the shoe upper body 11 is provided with a first outer reinforcement portion 31. The first outer reinforcement portion 31 is made of, for example, polyurethane, and is stacked on the outer surface of the shoe upper body 11 by impregnation or any other process. The first outer reinforcement portion 31 is configured to have a honeycomb structure including a plurality of hexagonal portions arranged with no gaps therebetween.

The first outer reinforcement portion 31 of the shoe 1 according to the third embodiment can increase the durability of the shoe upper body 11. The first outer reinforcement portion 31 is positioned to include, on the shoe upper body 11 (the stretchable portion 15), portions that face the anchor portion 20 and the first to third reinforcement portions 21 to 23. This can further increase the benefits of the anchor portion 20 and the first to third reinforcement portions 21 to 23 described in the second embodiment.

Fourth Embodiment

FIGS. 15 to 17 illustrate a shoe 1 according to a fourth embodiment of the present invention. The fourth embodiment differs from the second embodiment in the configuration of the shoe upper 10. Note that the other configurations of the shoe 1 of the fourth embodiment are the same as those of the shoe 1 of the second embodiment. Therefore, the same reference characters are used to designate the same elements as those illustrated in FIGS. 8 to 12, and detailed description thereof is omitted herein.

In the second embodiment, the stretchable portion 15 forms a region of the shoe upper body 11 corresponding to the ankle joint. However, this configuration is merely a non-limiting example. In other words, as in the third embodiment, the stretchable portion 15 may be arranged in the entire shoe upper body 11 including the region corresponding to the ankle joint. Even the stretchable portion 15 arranged in this manner may provide benefits similar to those of the stretchable portion 15 described in the first embodiment. In the fourth embodiment, the shoe upper body 11 corresponds to the stretchable portion 15. Thus, unlike the second embodiment, a dot-hatched region is omitted from FIGS. 15 to 17.

As shown in FIG. 17, the inner surface of the shoe upper body 11 of the shoe 1 according to the fourth embodiment is provided with an inner reinforcement portion 40. The inner reinforcement portion 40 is made of, for example, polyurethane, and is configured as a sheet. The inner reinforcement portion 40 is stacked on the inner surface of the shoe upper body 11 by impregnation, for example. The inner reinforcement portion 40 includes a plurality of belt-like portions intersecting each other in the foot length direction and the top-to-bottom direction. The inner reinforcement portion 40 may be configured not only as a sheet, but also as a solid structure, a foam, a film, a printed material, or any other object.

The inner reinforcement portion 40 can increase the durability of the shoe upper body 11. The inner reinforcement portion 40 is arranged so as to correspond, on the shoe upper body 11 (the stretchable portion 15), to portions that face the anchor portion 20 and the first to third reinforcement portions 21 to 23 of the first embodiment. Thus, benefits similar to those of the anchor portion 20 and the first to third reinforcement portions 21 to 23 described in the second embodiment can be obtained.

Further, as shown in FIGS. 15 and 16, the outer surface of the shoe upper body 11 of the shoe 1 according to the fourth embodiment is provided with second and third outer reinforcement portions 32 and 33. The second and third outer reinforcement portions 32 and 33 are made of, for example, polyurethane, and are configured as solid structures. The second and third outer reinforcement portions 32 and 33 are stacked on the outer surface of the shoe upper body 11 by impregnation, for example. The second outer reinforcement portion 32 includes a plurality of needle-like portions spaced apart from each other in the foot length direction. The third outer reinforcement portion 33 has a substantial belt shape extending in the foot length direction. The second and third outer reinforcement portions 32 and 33 may be configured not only as the solid structures, but also as sheets, foams, films, printed materials, or any other objects.

The second and third outer reinforcement portions 32 and 33 can increase the durability of the shoe upper body 11. The second and third outer reinforcement portions 32 and 33 are positioned on the outer surface of the shoe upper body 11 (the stretchable portion 15) so as to face the first to third reinforcement portions 21 to 23 described in the second embodiment. This can further increase the benefits of the inner reinforcement portion 40. Specifically, an appropriate combination of the reinforcement portions as in the shoe 1 according to the fourth embodiment can more effectively assist various motions of the wearer's ankle joint.

Fifth Embodiment

FIGS. 18 and 19 illustrate a shoe 1 according to a fifth embodiment of the present invention. The fifth embodiment differs from the second embodiment in the configuration of the shoe upper 10. Note that the other configurations of the shoe 1 of the fifth embodiment are the same as those of the shoe 1 of the second embodiment. Therefore, the same reference characters are used to designate the same elements as those illustrated in FIGS. 8 to 12, and detailed description thereof is omitted herein. The shoe 1 according to the fifth embodiment does not have the opening 13 and the openable portion 14 described in the second embodiment.

As shown in FIGS. 18 and 19, a shoe upper 10 according to the fifth embodiment includes a shoelace 50, an eyelet reinforcement 51, and supports 52, 52, . . .

The eyelet reinforcement 51 is provided on the outer surface of a shoe upper body 11. The eyelet reinforcement 51 is disposed on the front side of a third portion 11c of the shoe upper body 11. The eyelet reinforcement 51 has a plurality of holes for passing the shoelace 50 therethrough.

The supports 52, 52, . . . are provided on the outer surface of the shoe upper body 11. Each support 52 extends upward from a peripheral portion of the sole 2. The supports 52, 52, . . . are spaced apart from one another in the foot length direction. Although not shown, each support 52 is formed in the shape of a substantial ring as viewed from the front, and allows the shoelace 50 to pass therethrough.

The shoelace 50 is configured to tighten the shoe upper body 11 while being passed through the supports 52 and the holes of the eyelet reinforcement 51. Such a configuration allows the shoe upper body 11 to fit the wearer's foot to conform to the shape of the wearer's foot.

The anchor portion 20 and the first to third reinforcement portions 21 to 23 of the shoe 1 according to the fifth embodiment are provided on the outer surface of the shoe upper body 11.

The anchor portion 20 and the first to third reinforcement portions 21 to 23 are integrated together, and are configured as sheets. The anchor portion 20 and the first to third reinforcement portions 21 to 23 may be configured as solid structures, foams, films, printed materials, or any other objects.

The anchor portion 20 and an upper portion of the first reinforcement portion 21 are unfixed to the outer surface of the shoe upper body 11. A lower portion of the first reinforcement portion 21 is fixed to the outer surface of the shoe upper body 11. The second and third reinforcement portions 22 and 23 are fixed to the outer surface of the shoe upper body 11. Although not illustrated, the second reinforcement portion 22 has substantially the same configuration as the third reinforcement portion 23 illustrated in FIGS. 18 and 19.

The anchor portion 20 of the fifth embodiment has a substantially belt-like shape. At a position corresponding to the boundary between the anchor portion 20 and the first reinforcement portion 21 (see the chain double-dashed line shown in FIGS. 18 and 19), the anchor portion 20 has a rear end portion that is continuous with a front end portion of the first reinforcement portion 21.

The anchor portion 20 is configured to be attachable to and detachable from the shoe upper body 11 (the stretchable portion 15). Specifically, a first engaging portion 20a that constitutes a hook-and-loop fastener is fixed to a portion of the shoe upper body 11 including the first portion 11a. A second engaging portion 20b that constitutes a hook-and-loop fastener is fixed to the back surface of the anchor portion 20.

The first and second engaging portions 20a and 20b engaging with each other allow the anchor portion 20 to be attached to the shoe upper body 11 (the stretchable portion 15) (see the arrow shown in FIG. 19). Changing the position at which the first and second engaging portions 20a and 20b engage with each other makes it possible to adjust the tightening force of the anchor portion 20 at the first portion 11a of the shoe upper body 11.

As can be seen, just like the shoe 1 according to the second embodiment, the shoe 1 according to the fifth embodiment, too, can stably fix the position of the stretchable portion 15 to the positions corresponding to respective portions of the wearer's foot around the wearer's ankle joint, using the anchor portion 20.

Sixth Embodiment

FIGS. 20 and 21 illustrate a shoe 1 according to a sixth embodiment of the present invention. The sixth embodiment differs from the second embodiment in that another member is provided for the inner surface of the stretchable portion 15. Note that the other configurations of the shoe 1 of the sixth embodiment are the same as those of the shoe 1 of the second embodiment. Therefore, the same reference characters are used to designate the same elements as those illustrated in FIGS. 8 to 12, and detailed description thereof is omitted herein. The shoe 1 according to the sixth embodiment does not have the opening 13 and the openable portion 14 described in the second embodiment.

As shown in FIG. 20, the inner surface of the stretchable portion 15 is provided with a heel extension portion 60 covering the heel HL of the wearer's foot and its surrounding area from the sides (the medial side and the lateral side) and behind. As shown in FIG. 21, in a cross-sectional view taken along the foot length direction, the heel extension portion 60 protrudes rearward from a portion corresponding to the rear side of the heel HL of the wearer's foot. Specifically, in the cross-sectional view, the distance (thickness) from a surface of the heel extension portion 60 facing the heel HL of the wearer's foot to a surface thereof facing the inner surface of the stretchable portion is preferably 5 mm or more. The distance is more preferably 10 mm or more.

Providing the heel extension portion 60 on the inner surface of the stretchable portion 15 as described above relatively increases the length of the stretchable portion 15 in the foot length direction of the wearer's foot. As a result, the total area of the inner surface of the stretchable portion 15 becomes relatively larger in the foot length direction than in the case of the stretchable portion 15 without the heel extension portion 60. In other words, in the configuration having the heel extension portion 60, the range where the stretchable portion 15 stretches in the foot length direction is relatively large. For this reason, when the stretchable portion 15 deforms from its non-stretched state to its stretched state, large strain energy tends to be accumulated in the stretchable portion 15. Thus, the shoe 1 according to the sixth embodiment can increase the supportability of the stretchable portion 15 to assist the plantar flexion of the wearer's ankle joint.

This embodiment describes the shoe upper body 11 without a counter (not shown) for protecting the heel HL of the wearer's foot. In the case of providing the counter, the heel extension portion 60 integrated with the counter may be provided on the inner surface of the stretchable portion 15.

Other Embodiments

In the first embodiment described above, the sole 2 includes the outsole 3 and the cleat portions 4, 4, . . . However, this configuration is merely a non-limiting example. For example, the cleat portions 4, 4, . . . may be omitted, and a midsole (not shown) may be stacked above the outsole 3. This statement applies to the second to sixth embodiments, as well.

In the second embodiment described above, a zipper mechanism is used as the openable portion 14. However, this configuration is merely a non-limiting example. Instead of the zipper mechanism, a shoelace (not shown), for example, may be used as the openable portion 14. In the case of using a shoelace as the openable portion 14, the shoelace may be arranged at a position other than the position of the zipper mechanism described in the first embodiment.

In the second embodiment described above, the stretchable portion 15 has a portion extending from the second portion 11b to the first portion 11a along a direction inclined rearward with respect to a top-to-bottom direction perpendicular to the reference surface S. However, this configuration is merely a non-limiting example. For example, if the shoe 1 according to the second embodiment is not used for the above-described sprinting or jumping event, the stretchable portion 15 does not need to be configured as described in the second embodiment. In other words, the stretchable portion 15 may have a portion extending from the second portion 11b to the first portion 11a along the top-to-bottom direction perpendicular to the reference surface S.

In the second embodiment described above, the anchor portion 20 and the first to third reinforcement portions 21 to 23 are configured as sheets. However, this configuration is merely a non-limiting example. For example, the anchor portion 20 and the first to third reinforcement portions 21 to 23 may be configured as solid structures, foams, films, printed materials, or any other objects. This statement applies to the third embodiment, as well.

In the second embodiment described above, the anchor portion 20 and the first to third reinforcement portions 21 to 23 are separate from one another. However, this configuration is merely a non-limiting example. In other words, the anchor portion 20 and the first to third reinforcement portions 21 to 23 may be integrated together. This statement applies to the third embodiment, as well.

The second embodiment describes the shoe upper body 11 without a counter for protecting the heel HL of the wearer's foot. In the case of providing the counter (not shown), the stretchable portion 15 is preferably arranged so as to avoid the position where the counter is provided.

Although not specifically illustrated in the first to sixth embodiments, a seam of the shoe upper body 11 may be arranged at a rear end portion of the shoe upper body 11.

Note that the present invention is not limited to the embodiments described above, and various changes and modifications may be made without departing from the scope of the present invention.

INDUSTRIAL APPLICABILITY

The present invention is industrially applicable to, for example, athletic shoes for running and various sports, sneakers for daily use, and rehabilitation shoes.

DESCRIPTION OF REFERENCE CHARACTERS

1 Shoe

2 Sole

10 Shoe Upper

11 Shoe Upper Body

11a First Portion

11b Second Portion

11c Third Portion

12 Ankle Opening

13 Opening

14 Openable Portion

15 Stretchable Portion

16 Non-stretchable Portion

17, 18 Reinforcement Portion

20 Anchor Portion

21 First Reinforcement Portion

22 Second Reinforcement Portion

23 Third Reinforcement Portion

31 First Outer Reinforcement Portion

32 Second Outer Reinforcement Portion

33 Third Outer Reinforcement Portion

40 Inner Reinforcement Portion

50 Shoelace

51 Eyelet Reinforcement

52 Support

60 Heel Extension Portion

S Reference Surface

MM Medial Malleolus

LM Lateral Malleolus

TB Talus

HL Calcaneus

Claims

1. A shoe comprising:

a sole; and
a shoe upper,
the shoe upper including a shoe upper body,
the shoe upper body including:
an ankle opening through which a foot of a wearer of the shoe is inserted into the shoe; and
a stretchable portion made of a stretchable material,
in a side view, the ankle opening being positioned above a portion corresponding to a phantom line connecting an upper portion of a calcaneus of the foot of the wearer and upper portions of a medial malleolus and a lateral malleolus of a tibia and a fibula together,
the stretchable portion forming a region of the shoe upper body including a portion corresponding to a center of each of the medial malleolus and the lateral malleolus of the foot of the wearer and including a position of the ankle opening, and
the stretchable portion being configured so as to be deformed from a non-stretched state to a stretched state and elastically recover from the stretched state to the non-stretched state.

2. The shoe of claim 1, wherein

the ankle opening is positioned near an upper side of the portion corresponding to the phantom line in the side view.

3. The shoe of claim 2, wherein

the stretchable portion continuously extends from a portion corresponding to the medial malleolus of the foot of the wearer through a portion corresponding to a rear side of a heel of the foot to a portion corresponding to the lateral malleolus of the foot.

4. The shoe of claim 1, wherein

the shoe upper further includes a reinforcement portion provided on at least one of an outer or inner surface of the stretchable portion.

5. The shoe of claim 1, wherein

the shoe upper further includes an anchor portion arranged at a position corresponding to a portion of the foot of the wearer including an ankle portion above the medial malleolus and the lateral malleolus,
the shoe upper body is configured to cover an area from a toe portion of the foot of the wearer to the ankle portion,
the shoe upper body includes:
a first portion corresponding, in position, to the ankle portion of the foot of the wearer;
a second portion corresponding, in position, to a talocrural joint of the foot of the wearer; and
a third portion corresponding, in position, to a transverse tarsal joint of the foot of the wearer,
the anchor portion is configured to align the first portion of the shoe upper body with the ankle portion of the wearer,
the stretchable portion is arranged at a position of the shoe upper body, the position including a region corresponding to the calcaneus and a talus of the foot of the wearer and including a region corresponding to an ankle joint and extending from the first portion through the second portion to the third portion, and
in a state in which the anchor portion aligns the first portion of the shoe upper body with the ankle portion of the wearer, the stretchable portion is deformed from the non-stretched state to the stretched state and elastically recovers from the stretched state to the non-stretched state.

6. The shoe of claim 5, wherein

the shoe upper further includes a first reinforcement portion provided on at least one of an outer or inner surface of the stretchable portion and made of a stretchable material, and
the first reinforcement portion is arranged at a position of the shoe upper body, the position being located below the first portion and corresponding to a region behind the medial malleolus and the lateral malleolus of the foot of the wearer.

7. The shoe of claim 5, wherein

the shoe upper further includes a second reinforcement portion provided on at least one of an outer or inner surface of the stretchable portion and made of a stretchable material, and
the second reinforcement portion is arranged at a position on a medial side of the shoe upper body, the position being located below the first portion and corresponding to a portion including an area from the medial malleolus and the calcaneus to a transverse tarsal joint of the foot of the wearer.

8. The shoe of claim 5, wherein

the shoe upper further includes a third reinforcement portion provided on at least one of an outer or inner surface of the stretchable portion and made of a stretchable material, and
the third reinforcement portion is arranged at a position on a lateral side of the shoe upper body, the position being located below the first portion and corresponding to a portion including an area from the lateral malleolus and the calcaneus to a transverse tarsal joint of the foot of the wearer.

9. The shoe of claim 5, wherein

the stretchable portion has a substantially tubular shape and includes a portion corresponding to the first portion, the portion corresponding to the first portion having a perimeter shorter than a perimeter of the ankle portion of the wearer, and
the stretchable portion is configured to extend in a circumferential direction from the non-stretched state, in a state in which the portion of the stretchable portion corresponding to the first portion is in tight contact with the ankle portion of the wearer.

10. The shoe of claim 9, wherein

the shoe upper body includes:
an ankle opening configured as a portion of the first portion, the ankle opening being open upward from the second portion toward the first portion;
an opening continuous with the ankle opening, the opening being like a linear cut formed in part of the shoe upper body and extending downward from the first portion; and
an openable portion configured to close or open the opening.

11. The shoe of claim 10, wherein

the openable portion is configured as a zipper arranged at a position of the shoe upper body, the position corresponding to a medial side of the foot of the wearer, and
a long dimension of the zipper extends, on the shoe upper body, from a portion corresponding to a medial longitudinal arch of the foot of the wearer through a portion forward of a portion corresponding to the medial malleolus toward the first portion.

12. The shoe of claim 10, wherein

if a ground contact surface of a portion of the sole corresponding to the calcaneus of the wearer is used as a horizontal reference surface, the stretchable portion has a portion extending from the second portion to the first portion along a direction inclined rearward with respect to a top-to-bottom direction perpendicular to the reference surface.

13. The shoe of claim 1, wherein

the stretchable portion is configured so as to be deformed from the non-stretched state to the stretched state as the foot of the wearer shifts from a rearwardly inclined position to an erect position.

14. The shoe of claim 5, wherein

an inner surface of the stretchable portion is provided with a heel extension portion covering a heel of the foot of the wearer and its surrounding area from sides and behind, and
in a cross-sectional view taken along a foot length direction, the heel extension portion protrudes rearward from a portion corresponding to a rear side of the heel of the foot of the wearer.
Patent History
Publication number: 20210251339
Type: Application
Filed: Sep 27, 2019
Publication Date: Aug 19, 2021
Inventors: Yohei YOSHIDA (Osaka-shi, Osaka), Yuichi SHIMIZU (Osaka-shi, Osaka), Tsutomu NAKAMURA (Osaka-shi), Iemasa HONDA (Osaka-shi), Yo KAJIWARA (Osaka-shi), Shingo SUDO (Osaka-shi)
Application Number: 17/054,904
Classifications
International Classification: A43B 23/02 (20060101); A43B 5/06 (20060101);