SOLE AND SHOE

Abstract

A sole includes a cushion layer that is elastically deformable, a bottom plate provided below the cushion layer, a top plate provided above the cushion layer, and at least one pin holding member that holds a spike pin. The bottom plate has a plate body, and a base portion that holds the pin holding member. The base portion has an upper surface formed at a position raised from an upper surface of the plate body. The cushion layer has a first region located on the base portion, and a second region located on the plate body. The second region includes a receiving space capable of receiving a part of the first region when a compressive load in an up-down direction acts on the cushion layer.

Description

REFERENCE TO RELATED APPLICATIONS

This nonprovisional application is based on Japanese Patent Application No. 2025-010752 filed on Jan. 24, 2025 with the Japan Patent Office, the entire contents of which are hereby incorporated by reference.

BACKGROUND

Technical Field

The present disclosure relates to a sole and a shoe.

Background Information

Conventionally, shoes including spike pins have been known. For example, Japanese Patent Laying-Open No. 2024-21287 discloses a shoe including a midsole, a bottom plate, a top plate, and a pin holding member. The bottom plate has a plate body, and a base portion that holds the pin holding member. The base portion is raised upward from an upper surface of the plate body. In this shoe, a forward propulsive force during running or the like is improved by utilizing resilient energy generated when the midsole is restored.

SUMMARY

In the shoe described in Japanese Patent Laying-Open No. 2024-21287, during running or the like, a compression amount of a portion of the midsole located on the plate body is smaller than a compression amount of a portion of the midsole located on the base portion. In other words, in this shoe, nonuniformity of a compression ratio of the midsole may occur during running or the like. That is, there is room for improvement in increasing resilient energy.

An object of the present disclosure is to provide a sole and a shoe capable of suppressing occurrence of nonuniformity of a compression ratio.

A sole according to one aspect of the present disclosure is a sole constituting a part of a shoe, the sole including a cushion layer that is elastically deformable, a bottom plate provided below the cushion layer, a top plate provided above the cushion layer, and at least one pin holding member that holds a spike pin, wherein the bottom plate has a plate body, and at least one base portion that holds the at least one pin holding member, the at least one base portion has an upper surface located above an upper surface of the plate body, the cushion layer has a first region located on the at least one base portion, and a second region located on the plate body, and the second region includes a receiving space capable of receiving a part of the first region when a compressive load in an up-down direction acts on the cushion layer.

Further, a shoe according to one aspect of the present disclosure includes the sole, and an upper provided above the sole.

The foregoing and other objects, features, aspects and advantages of the present invention will become more apparent from the following detailed description of the present invention when taken in conjunction with the accompanying drawings.

BRIEF DESCRIPTION OF THE DRAWINGS

FIG. 1 is a cross sectional view schematically showing a shoe in one embodiment of the present disclosure.

FIG. 2 is an exploded perspective view of a sole.

FIG. 3 is a bottom view of the sole.

FIG. 4 is a cross sectional view taken along a line IV-IV in FIG. 3.

FIG. 5 is a cross sectional view taken along a line V-V in FIG. 3.

FIG. 6 is a view schematically showing cross sections of a bottom plate, a cushion layer, and a top plate.

FIG. 7 is a view schematically showing a state in which the cushion layer is compressed from FIG. 6.

FIG. 8 is a perspective view of a cushion layer having basically the same structure as that of the cushion layer included in the sole shown in FIG. 1.

FIG. 9 is a perspective view of a unit structure body of the cushion layer shown in FIG. 8.

FIG. 10 is a perspective view of a cushion layer having a structure similar to that of the cushion layer included in the sole shown in FIG. 1.

FIG. 11 is a perspective view of a unit structure body of the cushion layer shown in FIG. 10.

FIG. 12 is a perspective view showing a modification of the cushion layer.

DETAILED DESCRIPTION

An embodiment of the present invention will be described with reference to the drawings. It should be noted that, in the drawings referred to below, identical or corresponding members will be designated by the same reference numerals.

FIG. 1 is a cross sectional view schematically showing a shoe in one embodiment of the present disclosure. FIG. 2 is an exploded perspective view of a sole. FIG. 3 is a bottom view of the sole. FIG. 4 is a cross sectional view taken along a line IV-IV in FIG. 3. FIG. 5 is a cross sectional view taken along a line V-V in FIG. 3. It should be noted that, although FIGS. 1 to 3 show a sole 10 for a left foot, the sole 10 is also applicable to a right foot. In this case, the sole for the right foot is formed in a shape that is bilaterally symmetrical to or substantially similar to the sole for the left foot. A shoe 1 in the present embodiment is suitable as a spike shoe including spike pins, particularly as a spike shoe for track and field athletics. However, the application of the shoe 1 is not limited thereto, and the shoe 1 is also applicable to a spike shoe for a ball game such as baseball or football.

In the following description, terms such as a foot length direction, a foot width direction, front, and rear are used. These terms representing directions indicate directions as seen from a viewpoint of a wearer wearing the shoe 1 placed on a flat surface such as the ground. For example, front refers to a toe side, and rear refers to a heel side.

The foot length direction corresponds to a direction in which a shoe center SC (see FIG. 3) extends. The shoe center SC is a straight line obtained by projecting a straight line onto the sole 10 along an up-down direction in a case where a standard wearer having a foot with a size suitable for the shoe 1 wears the shoe 1, the projected straight line connecting a portion between the first toe and the second toe to a central portion of a calcaneus (a so-called heel center HC) of the wearer.

As shown in FIG. 1, the shoe 1 includes the sole 10 and an upper 20.

The upper 20 is connected to the sole 10 by adhesion or the like. The upper 20 forms, together with the sole 10, an accommodation space for the foot of the wearer. The upper 20 covers an upper surface of the foot of the wearer.

The sole 10 constitutes a part of the shoe 1. The sole 10 is connected to a lower portion of the upper 20. As shown in FIGS. 1 and 2, the sole 10 includes a shock absorbing member 100, a bottom plate 200, a top plate 300, a bonding member 400, and at least one pin holding member 500 (see FIGS. 4 and 5).

The shock absorbing member 100 has a shock absorbing function at the time of contacting the ground, a resilience function at the time of kicking the ground, and the like. The shock absorbing member 100 is preferably formed of a foamed resin, a foamed rubber, a resin material, or a rubber material having an appropriate strength and excellent shock absorbing properties. As shown in FIGS. 1 and 2, the shock absorbing member 100 has a cushion layer 101, a fore midsole 102, and a rear midsole 103.

The cushion layer 101 is elastically deformable. The cushion layer 101 is provided at a position where it can support an MP joint (a two-dot chain line MP in FIG. 3) of the foot of the wearer. Details of the cushion layer 101 will be described later.

The fore midsole 102 is disposed in front of the cushion layer 101. The fore midsole 102 supports the toes of the wearer and a part in the vicinity thereof. As shown in FIG. 5, a gap is formed between the fore midsole 102 and the cushion layer 101.

The rear midsole 103 is disposed at the rear of the cushion layer 101. The rear midsole 103 supports a heel portion of the foot of the wearer and a part in the vicinity thereof. As shown in FIG. 5, a gap is formed between the rear midsole 103 and the cushion layer 101.

The bottom plate 200 is provided below the cushion layer 101. In the present embodiment, the bottom plate 200 is connected to a lower surface of the shock absorbing member 100. The bottom plate 200 is made of a thermoplastic resin or the like. The hardness of the bottom plate 200 is greater than the hardness of the shock absorbing member 100. The bottom plate 200 has a plate body 210 and at least one base portion 220.

The plate body 210 is bonded to the lower surface of the shock absorbing member 100. As shown in FIGS. 2 and 3, the plate body 210 has a first body 211 and a second body 212.

The first body 211 has a shape extending rearward from a front end of the shock absorbing member 100. The first body 211 extends from a front end portion of the sole 10 to a position corresponding to a plantar arch of the wearer. The first body 211 has a shape curved to protrude downward.

The second body 212 is disposed at the rear of the first body 211. The second body 212 is disposed at a position underlying the heel portion of the wearer. As shown in FIG. 3, the second body 212 has a shape including the central portion of the calcaneus (the so-called heel center HC) of the wearer. It should be noted that the first body 211 and the second body 212 may be formed in a shape in which they are integrally connected.

The base portion 220 holds the pin holding member 500. The pin holding member 500 can hold a spike pin (not shown). Examples of the pin holding member 500 include a nut. In the present embodiment, the at least one base portion 220 includes a plurality of base portions 220. Each base portion 220 has a shape surrounding the pin holding member 500. Each base portion 220 is formed integrally with the plate body 210. Each base portion 220 is raised from the plate body 210. As shown in FIGS. 2, 4, and 5, the base portion 220 has an upper surface 220S formed at a position raised from an upper surface 210S of the plate body 210. In other words, the base portion 220 is raised more upward than the upper surface 210S of the plate body 210 surrounding the base portion 220.

It should be noted that, since the first body 211 of the plate body 210 is curved to protrude downward, in a state in which the sole 10 is placed on a flat surface such as the ground, the upper surface 210S of the plate body 210 includes a portion located higher than the upper surface 220S of the base portion 220, as shown in FIG. 5.

A lower surface of the base portion 220 may be formed on substantially the same plane as a curved surface including a lower surface of the plate body 210, or may protrude downward from the curved surface including the lower surface of the plate body 210.

As shown in FIGS. 4 and 5, the plurality of base portions 220 include a support base portion 222. The support base portion 222 supports at least a part of a lower wall portion 110 of the cushion layer 101 described later.

The top plate 300 is provided above the cushion layer 101. In the present embodiment, the top plate 300 is connected to an upper surface of the shock absorbing member 100. Specifically, the top plate 300 is connected to an upper surface of each upper wall portion 120 of the cushion layer 101 described later, an upper surface of the fore midsole 102, and an upper surface of the rear midsole 103. The top plate 300 extends from a front portion of the fore midsole 102 to reach a rear portion of the rear midsole 103.

The bonding member 400 is provided between the top plate 300 and the upper 20, and has a function of bonding the upper 20 to the top plate 300. The bonding member 400 has a shape substantially corresponding to that of the top plate 300.

Here, the cushion layer 101 will be described. The material for the cushion layer 101 may be basically any material as long as it has a suitable elastic force, but is preferably a resin material or a rubber material. More specifically, when the cushion layer 101 is made of resin, the material for the cushion layer 101 can be, for example, a polyolefin resin, an ethylene-vinyl acetate copolymer (EVA), a polyamide-based thermoplastic elastomer (TPA, TPAE), thermoplastic polyurethane (TPU), or a polyester-based thermoplastic elastomer (TPEE). On the other hand, when the cushion layer 101 is made of rubber, the material for the cushion layer 101 can be, for example, butadiene rubber.

The method for manufacturing the cushion layer 101 is not particularly limited. The cushion layer 101 can be manufactured, for example, by: molding by injection molding or cast molding using a mold, sheet molding, or the like; additive manufacturing using a three-dimensional additive manufacturing apparatus; or the like. In particular, the cushion layer 101 has a relatively simple shape, and thus can be easily manufactured by molding using a mold. Accordingly, there is no need to perform additive manufacturing using a three-dimensional additive manufacturing apparatus or molding using a complicated mold, and thereby the manufacturing cost can be significantly reduced.

As shown in FIG. 2, both end portions of the cushion layer 101 in the foot width direction reach a medial foot-side side surface and a lateral foot-side side surface of the sole 10. The cushion layer 101 has a shape that opens a receiving space S in the foot width direction of the sole 10.

As shown in FIGS. 4 and 5, the cushion layer 101 has a first region R1 located on the base portion 220, and a second region R2 located on the plate body 210. The second region R2 includes the receiving space S capable of receiving a part of the first region R1 when a compressive load in the up-down direction acts on the cushion layer 101 (for example, at the time of contacting the ground). It should be noted that, although the cushion layer 101 is integrally formed using the same material, the first region R1 is indicated by a dot pattern in FIGS. 4 and 6 in order to easily distinguish the first region R1 from the second region R2.

As shown in FIGS. 4 and 5, the cushion layer 101 has a plurality of lower wall portions 110, a plurality of upper wall portions 120, and a plurality of rising wall portions 130.

Each lower wall portion 110 is in contact with the upper surface 210S of the plate body 210 or the upper surface 220S of the base portion 220. As shown in FIGS. 4 and 5, the plurality of lower wall portions 110 include at least one intermediate lower wall portion 112. In the present embodiment, the at least one intermediate lower wall portion 112 includes a plurality of intermediate lower wall portions 112. Each intermediate lower wall portion 112 is disposed between a pair of the base portions 220 adjacent to each other. Each intermediate lower wall portion 112 is in contact with the upper surface 210S of the plate body 210.

Each upper wall portion 120 is formed above the plurality of lower wall portions 110. The upper surface of each upper wall portion 120 is in contact with a lower surface of the top plate 300.

Each rising wall portion 130 couples the lower wall portion 110 and the upper wall portion 120. The rising wall portions 130 connected to a common upper wall portion 120 are formed in such a shape that they come closer to each other from the lower wall portion 110 toward the upper wall portion 120. As shown in FIG. 6, a length D between a pair of the rising wall portions 130 facing each other may be 0.5 mm or more, 0.6 mm or more, or 0.7 mm or more. It should be noted that the length D between the pair of the rising wall portions 130 means a length between midpoints of two sides formed when the pair of the rising wall portions 130 facing each other intersect with the lower wall portion 110.

In the present embodiment, the second region R2 includes a pair of the rising wall portions 130 adjacent to each other, and the receiving space S is formed between the pair of the rising wall portions 130.

FIG. 6 is a view schematically showing cross sections of the bottom plate, the cushion layer, and the top plate. FIG. 7 is a view schematically showing a state in which the cushion layer is compressed from FIG. 6. As shown in FIGS. 6 and 7, when a compressive load in the up-down direction acts on the cushion layer 101, a part of the first region R1 (for example, a part of the rising wall portion 130) enters the receiving space S of the second region R2, and thus the cushion layer 101 is easily compressed uniformly as a whole. If there is no receiving space S, when a compressive load in the up-down direction acts on the cushion layer 101, a compression force is unevenly present in the first region R1, and thus the cushion layer 101 is less likely to be compressed uniformly as a whole, and the cushion layer 101 is less likely to obtain a resilient force as a whole.

As shown in FIG. 2, unlike the fore midsole 102 and the rear midsole 103, the cushion layer 101 is constituted by a three-dimensional structure in which a plurality of recesses and protrusions are formed. Here, the three-dimensional structure will be described.

FIG. 8 is a perspective view of a cushion layer 101A having basically the same structure as that of the cushion layer 101 included in the sole shown in FIG. 1. FIG. 9 is a perspective view of a unit structure body 101U of the cushion layer 101A shown in FIG. 8.

As shown in FIG. 8, the cushion layer 101A includes a three-dimensional structure 101S having a plurality of unit structure bodies 101U disposed adjacent to each other. Each of the plurality of unit structure bodies 101U has a three-dimensional shape formed by a wall 101W having an outer shape defined by a pair of parallel flat surfaces (see FIG. 9). Thereby, the three-dimensional structure 101S also has a three-dimensional shape formed by the wall 101W having an outer shape defined by a pair of parallel flat surfaces.

The unit structure body 101U has a structure obtained by adding a thickness to a base structure unit having a geometrical surface structure. More specifically, the unit structure body 101U is constituted by adding a thickness to each of divided structure units obtained by dividing a structure unit into two structure units in one of its orthogonal three-axis directions, the structure unit being composed of a plurality of flat surfaces disposed to intersect with each other so as to have a cavity therein.

Here, in the unit structure body 101U shown in FIG. 9, the surface structure described above is a Kelvin structure, and the unit structure body 101U is constituted by adding a thickness to each of divided structure units obtained by dividing a structure unit having a Kelvin structure into two structure units in a height direction (a Z-axis direction shown in the drawing) of the orthogonal three-axis directions.

More specifically, the unit structure body 101U includes one upper wall portion 120, four divided lower wall portions 110, and four rising wall portions 130 each connecting the upper wall portion 120 and a corresponding one of the lower wall portions 110. Each of the rising wall portions 130 extends to intersect with the upper wall portion 120 and the corresponding one of the lower wall portions 110, and is connected, at each of its side ends, to the adjacent rising wall portion 130. Thereby, the four rising wall portions 130 form an annular shape as a whole. It should be noted that each of the upper wall portion 120, the lower wall portion 110, and the rising wall portion 130 has a flat plate shape. That is, the lower wall portion 110, the upper wall portion 120, and the rising wall portion 130 form a three-dimensional shape that defines the receiving space S.

Each of the four divided lower wall portions 110 included in one unit structure body 101U is contiguous to, and thereby integrated with, one of the lower wall portions 110 included in another unit structure body 101U disposed adjacent to this one unit structure body 101U. Thereby, in the three-dimensional structure 101S, each of the lower wall portions 110 included in each of the four unit structure bodies 101U adjacent to each other is contiguous to an adjacent lower wall portion 110 included in an adjacent one of these four unit structure bodies U, to thereby constitute one lower wall portion 110 having substantially the same shape as that of the one upper wall portion 120 described above.

The cushion layer 101A is intended to exhibit a shock absorbing function in the height direction described above. Accordingly, as shown in FIG. 8, the plurality of unit structure bodies 101U are repeatedly arranged in a regular and continuous manner along each of a width direction (an X direction shown in the drawing) and a depth direction (a Y direction shown in the drawing) of the orthogonal three-axis directions described above. Thereby, the three-dimensional structure 101S has a structure in which upwardly protruding portions and downwardly protruding portions are alternately arranged in a plan view. It should be noted that FIG. 8 shows only three unit structure bodies 101U arranged adjacent to each other in the width direction and the depth direction.

In the cushion layer 101A constituted as described above, compressive deformation occurs when a load is applied along its height direction (the Z-axis direction shown in the drawing). On this occasion, due to the structure of the cushion layer 101A, buckling occurs in the rising wall portion 130. Further, when the application of the load described above is stopped, the buckling in the rising wall portion 130 is also eliminated, and the cushion layer 101A returns to its original shape.

As shown in FIGS. 1 to 5, the cushion layer 101 included in the sole 10 in the present embodiment has the same configuration as that of the cushion layer 101A described above, except that the shape, thickness, and the like of the unit structure body 101U are slightly modified for each portion while maintaining the basic structure of the cushion layer 101A described above so as to allow the cushion layer 101 to be included in the sole 10.

Thereby, the unit structure body of the cushion layer 101 included in the sole 10 in the present embodiment is also constituted by adding a thickness to each of divided structure units obtained by dividing a structure unit having a Kelvin structure into two structure units in the height direction (the Z-axis direction shown in the drawing) of the orthogonal three-axis directions. Thereby, the cushion layer 101 is constituted by a three-dimensional structure in which a plurality of the unit structure bodies are repeatedly arranged so as to be adjacent to each other.

Here, although the cushion layer 101 described above includes the unit structure body 101U constituted by adding a thickness to each of divided structure units obtained by dividing a structure unit having a Kelvin structure into two structure units in the height direction, a structure unit having another surface structure may be utilized instead of the structure unit having a Kelvin structure. For example, in the case of a cushion member having a three-dimensional shape formed by a wall having an outer shape defined by a pair of parallel flat surfaces as with the cushion layer 101 described above, structure units having structures such as an octet structure, a cubic structure, and a cubic-octet structure can be utilized, in addition to the Kelvin structure.

Each of the structure units having the surface structures as described above is a structure unit composed of a plurality of flat surfaces disposed to intersect with each other so as to have a cavity therein. By constituting a cushion layer by adding a thickness to each of divided structure units obtained by dividing this structure unit into two structure units in one of the orthogonal three-axis directions, it is possible to obtain a cushion layer capable of achieving not only a high shock absorbing performance but also a high resilience performance.

Further, FIG. 10 is a perspective view of a cushion layer 101B having a structure similar to that of the cushion layer 101 included in the sole in the present embodiment, and FIG. 11 is a perspective view of a unit structure body 101U of the cushion layer 101B. Here, the sole 10 in the present embodiment may include the cushion layer 101B as shown in FIG. 10 as the cushion layer 101, instead of the cushion layer 101 described above. Hereinafter, the cushion layer 101B having a structure similar to that of the cushion layer 101 included in the sole 10 in the present embodiment will be described with reference to FIGS. 10 and 11.

The cushion layer 101 shown in FIG. 10 has, as its unit structure body 101U, a structure obtained by adding a thickness to a base structure unit having a geometrical surface structure. More specifically, the unit structure body 101U is constituted by adding a thickness to each of divided structure units obtained by dividing a structure unit having a mathematically defined triply periodic minimal surface into two structure units in one of its orthogonal three-axis directions. It should be noted that the minimal surface is defined as a curved surface having a minimum area among curved surfaces each having a given closed curve as a boundary.

Here, in the unit structure body 101U shown in FIG. 10, the surface structure described above is a Schwartz P structure, and the unit structure body 101U is constituted by adding a thickness to each of divided structure units obtained by dividing a structure unit having a Schwartz P structure into two structure units in the height direction (the Z-axis direction shown in the drawing) of the orthogonal three-axis directions.

Also in the cushion layer 101B constituted as described above, as in the case of the cushion layer 101A described above, compressive deformation occurs when a load is applied along its height direction (the Z-axis direction shown in the drawing). On this occasion, due to the structure of the cushion layer 101B, buckling occurs in the rising wall portion 130. Further, when the application of the load described above is stopped, the buckling in the rising wall portion 130 is also eliminated, and the cushion layer 101B returns to its original shape.

Therefore, also in a case where a cushion layer having basically the same structure as that of the cushion layer 101B is utilized instead of the cushion layer 101A described above, as the cushion layer 101 included in the sole 10 in the present embodiment, buckling occurs in the cushion layer 101 at the time of foot landing. Accordingly, the cushion layer 101 at a portion supporting the MP joint of the foot of the wearer has not only a high shock absorbing performance but also a high resilience performance.

It should be noted that, instead of the structure unit having a Schwartz P structure described above, a structure unit having another triply periodic minimal surface may be utilized. Examples applicable as the structure unit having another triply periodic minimal surface include a gyroid structure and a Schwartz D structure. By constituting a shock absorber by adding a thickness to each of divided structure units obtained by dividing the structure unit into two structure units in one of the orthogonal three-axis directions, it is possible to obtain a cushion member capable of achieving not only a high shock absorbing performance but also a high resilience performance.

As described above, in the sole 10 in the present embodiment, since the second region R2 includes the receiving space S, when a compressive load in the up-down direction acts on the cushion layer 101, a part of the first region R1 (for example, a part of the rising wall portion 130) enters the second region R2, and thereby the cushion layer 101 is compressed substantially uniformly as a whole. Therefore, occurrence of nonuniformity of a compression ratio in the cushion layer 101 is suppressed. Accordingly, resilient energy generated when the cushion layer 101 is restored (for example, at the time of kicking the ground during running) is effectively increased.

It should be noted that, instead of the cushion layer 101 described above, a cushion layer 101 having a lattice structure as shown in FIG. 12 may be used. The lattice structure has a structure including a plurality of linear elements (edges) and intersections (nodes) at which the linear elements intersect. A space corresponding to the receiving space S in the cushion layer 101 described above is present between the linear elements. Accordingly, when a compressive load in the up-down direction acts on the cushion layer 101 having the lattice structure, the linear elements can enter the receiving space S, and the cushion layer 101 is easily compressed uniformly as a whole.

Although the above description has described an aspect in which the receiving space S is a cavity (a gas is charged inside the receiving space S), a substance other than a gas may be included in the receiving space S within a range in which the receiving space S can receive a part of the first region when a compressive load in the up-down direction acts on the cushion layer 101. Specifically, a material that is more easily deformed than a material constituting the unit structure body 101U or the lattice structure may be charged into the receiving space S.

It will be understood by a person skilled in the art that the exemplary embodiment described above provides specific examples of aspects described below.

Aspect 1

A sole constituting a part of a shoe, the sole including:

• • a cushion layer that is elastically deformable;
  • a bottom plate provided below the cushion layer;
  • a top plate provided above the cushion layer; and
  • at least one pin holding member that holds a spike pin, wherein
  • the bottom plate has
    • a plate body, and
    • at least one base portion that holds the at least one pin holding member,
  • the at least one base portion has an upper surface formed at a position raised from an upper surface of the plate body,
  • the cushion layer has
    • a first region located on the at least one base portion, and
    • a second region located on the plate body, and
  • the second region includes a receiving space capable of receiving a part of the first region when a compressive load in an up-down direction acts on the cushion layer.

In this sole, since the second region includes the receiving space, when a compressive load in the up-down direction acts on the cushion layer, a part of the first region enters the second region, and thereby the cushion layer is compressed substantially uniformly as a whole. Therefore, occurrence of nonuniformity of a compression ratio in the cushion layer is suppressed. Accordingly, resilient energy generated when the cushion layer is restored (for example, at the time of kicking the ground during running) is effectively increased.

Aspect 2

The sole according to aspect 1, wherein

• • the cushion layer has
    • a plurality of lower wall portions,
    • a plurality of upper wall portions formed above the plurality of lower wall portions, and
    • a plurality of rising wall portions each coupling a corresponding one of the lower wall portions and a corresponding one of the upper wall portions, and
  • the second region includes a pair of the rising wall portions adjacent to each other, and the receiving space is formed between the pair of the rising wall portions.

Aspect 3

The sole according to Aspect 2, wherein

• • the at least one pin holding member includes a plurality of pin holding members,
  • the at least one base portion includes a plurality of base portions, and
  • the plurality of base portions include a support base portion that supports at least a part of the lower wall portion.

In this aspect, since the cushion layer is compressed by the base portions and the top plate when a compressive load in the up-down direction acts on the sole, resilient energy generated when the cushion layer is restored is effectively increased.

Aspect 4

The sole according to Aspect 3, wherein the plurality of lower wall portions include at least one intermediate lower wall portion disposed between a pair of the base portions adjacent to each other.

Aspect 5

The sole according to Aspect 4, wherein the at least one intermediate lower wall portion is in contact with the plate body.

Aspect 6

The sole according to Aspect 2, wherein a length between the pair of the rising wall portions is 0.5 mm or more.

Aspect 7

The sole according to Aspect 2, wherein

• • the cushion layer includes a three-dimensional structure composed of a plurality of unit structure bodies disposed adjacent to each other,
  • each of the plurality of unit structure bodies includes the upper wall portion, the lower wall portion, and the rising wall portion, and
  • the upper wall portion, the lower wall portion, and the rising wall portion form a three-dimensional shape that defines the receiving space.

Aspect 8

The sole according to Aspect 7, wherein the three-dimensional structure has a shape that opens the receiving space in a foot width direction of the sole.

Aspect 9

A shoe comprising:

• • the sole according to any one of Aspects 1 to 8; and
  • an upper provided above the sole.

Although the embodiment of the present invention has been described, it should be understood that the embodiment disclosed herein is illustrative and non-restrictive in every respect. The scope of the present invention is defined by the scope of the claims, and is intended to include any modifications within the scope and meaning equivalent to the scope of the claims.

Claims

1. A sole which is a part of a shoe, the sole comprising:

a cushion layer that is elastically deformable;

a bottom plate below the cushion layer;

a top plate above the cushion layer; and

at least one pin holding member that holds a spike pin, wherein the bottom plate has a plate body, and at least one base portion that holds the at least one pin holding member,

the at least one base portion has an upper surface at a position raised from an upper surface of the plate body,

the cushion layer has a first region on the at least one base portion, and a second region on the plate body, and

the second region includes a receiving space configured to receive a part of the first region when a compressive load in an up-down direction acts on the cushion layer.

2. The sole according to claim 1, wherein

the cushion layer has a plurality of lower wall portions, a plurality of upper wall portions above the plurality of lower wall portions, and a plurality of rising wall portions each coupling a corresponding one of the lower wall portions and a corresponding one of the upper wall portions, and

the second region includes a pair of the rising wall portions adjacent to each other, and the receiving space is between the pair of the rising wall portions.

3. The sole according to claim 2, wherein

the at least one pin holding member includes a plurality of pin holding members,

the at least one base portion includes a plurality of base portions, and

the plurality of base portions include a support base portion that supports at least a part of the lower wall portion.

4. The sole according to claim 3, wherein

the plurality of lower wall portions include at least one intermediate lower wall portion between a pair of the base portions adjacent to each other.

5. The sole according to claim 4, wherein

the at least one intermediate lower wall portion is in contact with the plate body.

6. The sole according to claim 2, wherein

a length between the pair of the rising wall portions is 0.5 mm or more.

7. The sole according to claim 2, wherein

the cushion layer includes a three-dimensional structure comprising a plurality of unit structure bodies that are adjacent to each other,

each of the plurality of unit structure bodies includes the upper wall portion, the lower wall portion, and the rising wall portion, and

the upper wall portion, the lower wall portion, and the rising wall portion configure a three-dimensional shape that defines the receiving space.

8. The sole according to claim 7, wherein

the three-dimensional structure has a shape that opens the receiving space in a foot width direction of the sole.

9. A shoe comprising:

the sole according to claim 1; and

an upper provided above the sole.