JP7369419B2 - footwear - Google Patents

Description

The present invention relates to footwear, such as sports shoes and sandals, in which a cushioning member is attached to the sole (sole), and in particular, the cushioning member exhibits excellent cushioning properties (shock absorption properties). This invention relates to new footwear that is visible from the outside and has a dynamic design.

BACKGROUND ART Sports shoes have traditionally been required to have high cushioning properties, and for this reason, a cushioning member made of soft resin, gel, or the like has been embedded in the sole of the shoe to achieve desired performance. In addition, efforts have been made to visually demonstrate its high performance and to enhance its marketability through decorative effects. Specifically, a part of the cushioning member is incorporated into the shoe sole or from the side or rear side of the sole so that it can be exposed to the outside, and is colored to become a decorative member, which improves cushioning performance and design. functioned independently.

Therefore, a cushioning member has been proposed as footwear that has both cushioning properties and design, and is provided with an indication pattern that is distorted when deformed by an external force so as to visualize the operating status (Patent Document 1).

However, there was room for improvement, as the footwear itself was difficult to see because it was located below the normal line of sight, and the pattern on the cushioning member was small, making it difficult to visually recognize its deformation.

Japanese Patent Application Publication No. 2007-222545

The present invention was made in recognition of this background, and the present invention has been developed by providing a shock absorbing member with excellent shock absorbing properties and making it possible to more dynamically see how the shock absorbing function is being exerted. An object of the present invention is to provide new footwear in which components have a dynamic design.

According to the present invention, there is provided footwear in which a cushioning member is incorporated inside the sole, the cushioning member is composed of a casing and a fluid sealed inside the casing, and the sole is provided with at least one part of the cushioning member that is capable of expanding and deforming. The regulation member has a plurality of through holes opening to the outside of the sole in the direction of the sole and regulates the bulging deformation according to the arrangement of the through holes, and when a compressive load is applied to the cushioning member, one part of the cushioning member is The buffer member bulges out from the through hole, and after this compressive load is released, the buffer member returns to its initially applied shape (unloaded state).

With this configuration, when a compressive load is applied to the cushioning member, a portion of the cushioning member bulges out from the through hole, and after the load is removed, it returns to its initial shape, providing excellent cushioning performance. At the same time, since the degree of bulge changes according to changes in the size of the compressive load, it is possible to create a design that involves dynamic changes while visually observing how the bulge deforms and changes in the amount of bulge to buffer the impact. It can be expressed. Note that restoring to the initially applied shape (unloaded state) means that the effect of the present invention can be obtained by the effect of changing the degree of expansion of the buffer member from the through hole according to the change in the magnitude of the compressive load. , it also includes cases where the initial shape is not necessarily completely restored.

Further, in the footwear of the present invention, it is preferable that the regulating member is formed integrally with the sole. Thereby, the above-described effects of the invention can be achieved without increasing the number of parts.

Further, in the footwear of the present invention, it is also preferable that the regulating member is independent of the sole and is fixed to the sole. Since the regulating member is independent from the sole, there is greater freedom in designing mechanical properties, colors, shapes, and through-hole patterns that are different from the sole, making it possible to adjust the cushioning properties and design with characteristic dynamic changes in sync with them. can be realized in a variety of ways.

Further, in the footwear of the present invention, it is preferable that the regulating member is independent of the sole, and that at least a portion of the surface of the cushioning member is covered with the regulating member. By creating a structure in which the regulating member and the buffer member are combined in this way, the workability of assembling it into the sole can be further improved.

Further, in the footwear of the present invention, it is also preferable that the regulating member is made of a material different from the sole. Thereby, the rigidity and shape of the regulating member can be arbitrarily designed, and the function of adjusting the buffering effect by adjusting the bulge of the buffering member can be obtained.

Further, in the footwear of the present invention, it is preferable that the casing has an elongation rate of 500% or more. This makes it possible for the casing to deform to a large extent, making the bulge of the shock absorbing member more noticeable, further improving the shock absorbing properties, and increasing the visibility of the shock absorbing state and the degree of dynamic change.

Further, in the footwear of the present invention, it is also preferable that the regulating member has higher rigidity than the casing. As a result, the regulation member is less likely to deform, and the buffer member is relatively easier to deform, making the bulge of the buffer member more noticeable and increasing the visibility of the buffer state and the degree of dynamic change. .

Further, in the footwear of the present invention, it is also preferable that at least some of the through holes are arranged in a mesh shape. Thereby, the buffer member exhibits a more unique bulging state, and it is possible to obtain visibility of the buffer state and a dynamic design rich in dynamic changes.

According to the present invention, a portion of the buffer member bulges out from the through hole when a compressive load is applied to the buffer member, and restores to its initial state after the load is removed. Since the state in which the cushioning function is exerted can be dynamically confirmed, it is possible to provide new footwear having a variety of excellent cushioning properties and a dynamic design synchronized therewith.

1 is a perspective view (a) showing footwear according to a first embodiment of the present invention, and a perspective view (b) showing an exploded view of the footwear. 2 is a perspective view (a) showing a sole portion constituting footwear according to a first embodiment of the present invention, and a sectional view (b) and BB' (c) along line AA' in figure (a). . FIG. 2 is a perspective view (a) showing a cushioning member constituting the footwear according to the first embodiment of the present invention, and a CC' cross-sectional view (b) and a D-D' cross-sectional view (c) of FIG. . A cross-sectional view (a) showing a state in which no force is applied to the sole portion constituting the footwear according to the first embodiment of the present invention, and a cross-sectional view (b) showing a state in which force is applied to the part housing the cushioning member. be. There are a plan view (a) showing an example in which a plurality of cushioning members are arranged in a storage section of a sole constituting the footwear according to the first embodiment of the present invention, and a plan view (b) showing another example. FIG. 3 is a schematic diagram showing various examples of through-hole patterns formed in a regulating member constituting the footwear according to the first embodiment of the present invention. A cross-sectional view (a) showing a first modified shape of the storage lid incorporated in the footwear according to the first embodiment of the present invention and a load deformation state, and a cross-sectional view (a) showing a second modified shape of the storage lid and a loaded deformation state ( b). They are a perspective view (a) showing footwear according to a second embodiment of the present invention, and a perspective view (b) showing an exploded view of the footwear. FIG. 2 is a perspective view (a) showing a sole portion constituting footwear according to a second embodiment of the present invention, and a sectional view (b) and FF' (c) along line EE' and line (c) of figure (a), respectively. . They are a perspective view (a) showing footwear according to a third embodiment of the present invention, and a perspective view (b) showing an exploded view of the footwear. FIG. 6 is a perspective view (a) showing a sole portion constituting footwear according to a third embodiment of the present invention, and a GG' cross-sectional view (b) and a H-H' cross-sectional view (c) of FIG. . They are a perspective view (a) showing a cushioning member constituting footwear according to a third embodiment of the present invention, and a JJ' cross-sectional view (b) and a K-K' cross-sectional view (c) of Figure (a). . A perspective view (a) showing another form 1 of the cushioning member constituting the footwear according to the third embodiment of the present invention, and LL' cross-sectional view (b) and MM' cross-sectional view of figure (a) (c). A perspective view (a) showing another form 2 of the cushioning member constituting the footwear according to the third embodiment of the present invention, and a NN' cross-sectional view (b) and a PP' cross-sectional view of figure (a). (c).

The best mode for carrying out the present invention is one described in the following examples, and also includes various methods that can be improved within the technical idea.
(Embodiment 1)

FIG. 1(a) shows footwear S1 according to Embodiment 1 of the present invention, and as shown in FIG. 1(b), it has a bottomed concave storage portion 2 formed with an opening in the heel portion. It is composed of a sole 1, a buffer member 3, a storage lid part 8 that closes the opening of the storage part 2, and an upper U1. The member 3 is installed inside the storage section 2, and the storage lid section 8 is further laminated to form the sole 1 shown in FIG. 2(a). A regulating member 6 having a plurality of through holes 7 formed integrally with the sole 1 is provided at the heel rear end of the sole 1 .

Although the shape of the storage portion 2 formed in the sole 1 is not particularly limited, it is preferably a shape that can induce efficient bulging deformation of the buffer member 3. Moreover, the formation position of the storage part 2 is not limited to the heel part, but can be formed in any part of the sole 1 as long as the buffer member 3 can be stored. As the material for the sole 1, known materials such as EVA and polyurethane can be used, and closed foam materials are preferred from the viewpoint of weight reduction.

The buffer member 3 includes a casing 4 and a fluid 5 sealed inside the casing. The buffer member 3 may or may not be adhered to the inner surface of the storage portion 2.

The casing 4 has a high elongation rate so that it can easily follow the movement of the fluid 5, and preferably has an elongation rate of 500% or more.This allows the casing 4 to deform significantly and is used as a buffer member. It is possible to make the bulge of 3 stand out and increase the visibility of the buffer state and the degree of dynamic change. In addition, it is desirable that the casing 4 has a rigidity smaller than that of the regulating member 6, and for example, styrene elastomer, soft PVC, urethane elastomer, silicone rubber (including gel), etc. can be used, and the sealed fluid 5 does not pass through. Those having barrier properties are more preferred. Furthermore, the casing 4 may be either light-transmissive or non-light-transmissive, depending on the desired design.

The fluid 5 has fluidity, and liquids such as water, mineral oil, silicone oil, and PVA gel, and various gases can be used. When the casing 4 has optical transparency, a visual color change may be added by dispersing beads, metallic luster particles, etc. in the fluid.

The enclosure ratio of the fluid 5 in the casing 4 is preferably 90% or more, and desirably 100% or more of the volume of the casing 4. Further, the volume of the buffer member 3 is preferably less than the volume of the storage section 2.

The regulating member 6 has a plurality of through holes 7 that open to the outside of the sole 1, and is disposed in either direction to expand and deform when a compressive load is applied to the buffer member 3, and before the compressive load is applied. When a compressive load is applied to the buffer member 3 from the state shown in FIG. 4(a), the buffer member 3 deforms and hits the surface of the regulating member 6 other than the through hole 7 as shown in FIG. 4(b). The contact restricts the deformation of the buffer member 3, thereby contributing to the effect of causing a portion of the buffer member 3 to bulge out from the through hole 7. This action absorbs and relieves the compressive load, and the bulging behavior of the buffer member 3 in synchronization with this action serves as a visualization of the buffer function and a dynamic design. Next, after the compressive load is released, the buffer member 3 is restored to the initial state shown in FIG. 4(a) by the elastic force of the casing 4. Restoration of the cushioning material 3 to its initial state may be performed using the restoring force of the sole 1 by fixing a part of the surface of the cushioning member 3 to the inner surface of the storage portion 2 by adhesive or the like. In this embodiment, the regulating member 6 is disposed on the rear end side surface of the heel, but one or more regulating members 6 may be disposed on the heel side surface or the heel bottom as long as the cushioning member 3 is in the direction in which it can expand.

The through hole 7 may be a straight hole in the thickness direction of the regulating member 6, or may be a partially bent hole. Further, the radial cross-sectional shape of the through hole 7 may be changed with respect to the thickness direction of the regulating member 6.

In this embodiment, the regulating member 6 is integrally formed with the same material as the sole 1, and in order to emphasize the bulge of the buffer member 3 from the through hole 7, the bulge deformation of the buffer member 3 is partially suppressed. It is preferable that the casing has a rigidity that can be suppressed to , and more preferably that it has a rigidity that is higher than that of the casing 4 . In addition, by changing the shape and arrangement pattern of the through holes 7 of the regulating member 6, the bulging behavior of the buffer member can be adjusted, allowing for various design changes that reflect the adjustment of the cushioning effect and the configuration pattern of the through holes 7. can be given. Examples of the shapes and patterns of the through holes 7 include those shown in FIGS. 6(a) to 6(l). Particularly from the viewpoint of improving the visibility of the buffer function, the configurations shown in FIGS. 6(j) to 6(k) having a mesh structure with a large opening area are preferable.

The configuration pattern of the through holes 7 illustrated in FIG. 6 will be explained in more detail. 6(a) and (e) show patterns in which circular or elliptical through-holes 7a and 7e with the same opening area are arranged at equal intervals, and the ease with which the buffer member 3 expands provides equal cushioning performance. Can be given a design quality. 6(b), (c), and (f) are patterns in which one or more small-diameter circular or elliptical through-holes are arranged on both sides of a large-diameter circular or elliptical through-hole. These are the through holes 7b, 7c, and 7f, and can provide cushioning properties and a unique design that reflect the difference in the degree of bulge between the center and both sides of the regulating member 6. Further, FIG. 6(d) shows a through hole 7d that is made up of a pattern in which a plurality of circular through holes with different opening diameters are arranged in order of diameter size, and the two ends of the regulating member 6 are arranged according to the difference in bulge. Since the cushioning properties can be changed, it can be applied, for example, to inducing pronation by changing the cushioning properties on the inside and outside sides of the heel portion of the sole. Furthermore, it is possible to create a dynamic design that changes from the inside side to the outside side. Further, FIG. 6(g) shows a through hole 7g consisting of a pattern in which a plurality of elliptical through holes having the same opening area are arranged diagonally and evenly, and a change in the shear direction is applied to the bulge of the cushioning material 3. This makes it possible to provide a higher buffering effect and create a dynamic design that matches this effect. Furthermore, as shown in FIGS. 6(h) and 6(i), if the through-holes 7h and 7i are made of a pattern in which the sizes and positions of the circular through-holes are arranged randomly or evenly, more complex and diverse buffering can be achieved. It is possible to provide a unique design and visibility in a buffered state, and to obtain a dynamic design that is rich in dynamic changes. Further, FIGS. 6(j) and 6(k) are examples of through holes 7j and 7k arranged in a plurality of hexagonal or square mesh patterns, and the through holes 7 occupying the regulating member 6 (6j and 6k) As the total area ratio of (7j and 7k) increases, the buffer member 3 can be given a unique dynamic design in which it bulges out in a grape shape, making it possible to create a dynamic design that is rich in visibility of the buffer state and dynamic changes. can be obtained. Further, FIG. 6(l) shows an example of a character-shaped through hole 7l, and a dynamic design combined with a character design can be provided.

The buffer member 3 can be installed inside the storage section 2 alone, or may be installed inside the storage section 2 by combining a plurality of buffer members 3a and 3b having different or the same structure, as shown in FIG. 5(a), for example. may be set. Further, as shown in FIG. 5(b), a conventional buffer member 3d without a casing is arranged in a position where a buffer member 3c is disposed on the regulating member 6 side and does not bulge out from the through hole 7 of the regulating member 6. You can also use it as As the conventional buffer member 3d, a buffer member made of a known material such as EVA or polyurethane can be used. As illustrated in FIGS. 5(a) and 5(b), by arranging and installing a plurality of buffer members 3 (3a, 3b) in the storage section 2, the shock absorbing properties can be adjusted to each area where the load is applied. You can freely design dynamic designs using the bulge.

The storage lid portion 8 that closes the opening of the storage portion 2 has the function of distributing and transmitting the load to the entire buffer member 3. A step may be formed on the side of the storage lid portion 8 that is in contact with the buffer member 3, as shown in FIG. 7(a), or a slope may be formed as shown in FIG. 7(b). By providing a step or an inclination, the deformation of the buffer member 3 is guided toward the through hole 8 along with the load deformation of the storage lid portion 8, and the buffer member 3 can bulge out from the through hole 8 more efficiently. I can do it. Furthermore, the storage lid 8 may be integrated with the sole 1, or the storage lid 8 may not be installed. The material for the storage lid part 8 is not particularly limited, and may be selected as appropriate depending on the cushioning properties of the cushioning member 3 and how to make it bulge and deform.

Furthermore, although the sole structure of the present embodiment is a single-layer outsole structure in FIGS. 1 and 2, it may also be a multi-layer sole structure with a midsole. In the case of a sole having a multilayer structure, the storage portion 2 may be formed only in one layer or may be formed over multiple layers, but the regulating member 6 is formed in a specific layer.
(Embodiment 2)

A second embodiment of the present invention will be described. FIG. 8(a) shows footwear S2 according to Embodiment 2 of the present invention, and as shown in FIG. 8(b), a bottomed concave storage portion is formed with an opening on the upper surface side of the heel portion. 22, a sole 12 having an opening 22s connected to the storage section 22 on the side surface of the rear end of the heel, a buffer member 32, a storage lid section 82 that closes the opening of the storage section 22, and an upper U2. In the state shown in the cross-sectional views of FIG. 9(b) and FIG. 9(c), the buffer member 32 is installed inside the storage section 22, and the storage lid section 82 is further laminated to form the sole 12 shown in FIG. 9(a). is configured. A regulating member 62 having a plurality of through holes 72 is attached so as to cover the opening 22s at the heel rear end of the sole 12. Since the regulating member 62 is formed separately from the sole 12, there is an increased degree of freedom in designing different mechanical properties, colors, shapes, and through-hole patterns from the sole 12, so it is possible to adjust the cushioning properties and to adjust the characteristic movement in synchronization with the sole 12. It is possible to realize a variety of designs that involve changes.

In order to highlight the expansion of the buffer member 32 from the through hole 72, the regulating member 62 preferably has a rigidity that can partially suppress the expansion deformation of the buffer member 32, and has higher rigidity than the casing 42. It is more preferable to have one. Further, the material of the regulating member 62 is not particularly limited as long as it has a rigidity that can partially regulate the expansion deformation of the buffer member 32, and the same material as that of the sole 12 or a different material can be used. When the regulating member 62 is formed of a different material from the sole 12, the rigidity and shape of the regulating member 62 can be changed arbitrarily, and the function of adjusting the cushioning effect and dynamic design change by the bulging deformation of the buffering member 32 is easy. Can be done. As the material different from the sole 12, various synthetic resins such as ABS resin and acrylic resin can be used alone or in combination. In addition, when forming the through-holes 72 in a mesh shape as shown in FIGS. 6(j) and 6(k), the regulating member 62 may be formed by molding or by forming the through-holes in a plate-like body (including a sheet-like body). It is possible to apply methods such as forming a net by knitting fibers or strings into a net. In the case where the regulating member 62 has a mesh formed by knitting fibers or strings into a net shape, the fibers or strings forming the mesh have tensile properties ( It is preferable to have high tensile strength and tensile elongation).

Moreover, the regulating member 62 is fixed so as to cover the whole or a part of the opening 22s of the sole 12. The regulating member 62 may be fixed to the sole 12 by any known method such as adhesion, welding, suturing, or fitting.

Furthermore, although the sole structure of this embodiment is a single-layer outsole structure in FIGS. 8 and 9, it may also be a multi-layer sole structure with a midsole. When the sole has a multi-layer structure, the storage portion 22 may be formed only in one layer or may be formed over multiple layers, and the regulating member 62 may also be formed in any layer depending on the position of the storage portion 22. It can be arranged in one layer or in multiple layers.

The other sole 12, the buffer member 32, the pattern of the through-holes 72 of the regulating member 62, the configuration, effects, and modifications of the storage lid part 82 in this embodiment are the same as in the first embodiment described above. Detailed explanation will be omitted.
(Embodiment 3)

A third embodiment of the present invention will be described. FIG. 10(a) shows footwear S3 according to Embodiment 3 of the present invention, and as shown in FIG. 10(b), a bottomed concave storage portion is formed with an opening on the upper surface side of the heel portion. 23, a sole 13 having an opening 23s connected to the storage section 23 on the side surface of the rear end of the heel, a buffer structure 300, a storage lid section 83 that closes the opening of the storage section 23, and an upper U3. As shown in FIG. 11, the buffer structure 300 has a structure in which a buffer member 33 consisting of a casing 43 and a fluid 53 sealed inside the casing is entirely covered with a regulating member 63 having a plurality of through holes 73. It is. The buffer structure 300 is installed inside the storage part 23 so that the through hole 73 is exposed from the opening part 23s, and the storage lid part 83 is in the state shown in the cross-sectional views of FIGS. are laminated to form the sole 13 shown in FIG. 12(a). By stacking and combining the regulating member 63 and the buffer member 33 to form one buffer structure 300, workability for assembling it into the sole 13 can be improved.

As another embodiment of the buffer structure 300, as shown in FIGS. 13(a) to 13(c), a part of a buffer member 33a consisting of a casing 43a and a fluid 53a sealed inside the casing is provided with a plurality of through holes. The buffer structure 310 may be covered with a regulating member 63a having a diameter 73a. In addition, as shown in FIGS. 14(a) to 14(c), a substantially annular regulating member 63a having a plurality of through holes 73a extends around the circumferential surface of the buffer member 33b made of a casing 43b and a fluid 53b sealed inside the casing. The buffer structure 320 may be coated with. In the buffer structure 310 and the buffer structure 320, it is preferable that at least a portion of the contact portion between the surface of the buffer member (33a, 33b) and the regulating member (63a, 63b) is fixed. The fixing may be performed by a known method such as bonding with an adhesive or welding. In addition, when the regulation member 63 covers the entire surface of the buffer member 33 like the buffer structure 300 of FIG. 12, the regulation member 63 and the buffer member 33 may be configured not to be fixed, or At least a portion of the contact portion between the surface and the regulating member 63 may be fixed. Further, in the case of the buffer structure 300 shown in FIG. 12, in order to function so that the bulging deformation of the buffer member 33 is noticeable, the regulating member 63 has a region where the through hole 73 is formed, and a region other than the region where the through hole 73 is formed. It is preferable that the rigidity is greater than that of the material.

The buffer structure 300 (310, 320) is incorporated so as not to fall off from the sole 13. As a method of assembling the restriction member 63 (63a, 63b) so as not to fall off, for example, a method of fixing at least a part of the regulating member 63 (63a, 63b) to the sole 13 within the storage portion 23 by a known close contact means such as adhesion with an adhesive or welding, or a method of fixing the regulating member 63 (63a, 63b) with a buffer A method of forming the storage portion 23 in a shape and structure that prevents the structures 300 (310, 320) from falling off can be applied.

The other sole 13, the buffer member 33, the pattern of the through-hole 73 of the regulating member 63, the structure, effects, and modifications of the storage lid part 83 in this embodiment are the same as those in the first and second embodiments described above. Therefore, detailed explanation will be omitted.

The footwear of the present invention has a variety of excellent cushioning properties and a dynamic design synchronized therewith, and is therefore useful as a new footwear.

1, 12, 13 Sole 2, 22, 23 Storage part 3, 3a, 3b, 3c, 3d, 32, 33 Buffer member 300, 310, 320 Buffer structure 4, 42, 43 Casing 5, 52, 53 Fluid 6 , 62, 63 Regulating member 7, 72, 73 Through hole 8, 8a, 8b, 82, 83 Storage lid S1, S2, S3 Footwear U1, U2, U3 Upper Fc Compressive load (force)

Claims (8)

Footwear comprising a cushioning member incorporated inside the sole,
The buffer member includes a casing and a fluid sealed inside the casing,
The sole includes a bottomed concave storage portion formed with an opening and a storage lid portion that closes the opening of the storage portion, and the buffer member is disposed inside the storage portion,
a regulating member having a plurality of through holes opening to the outside of the sole in at least one direction through which the buffer member can bulge and deform, and regulating the bulge deformation according to the arrangement of the through holes; ,
The storage lid portion is provided with a step or an inclination that decreases in thickness toward the direction in which the regulating member is arranged on a surface side that is in contact with the buffer member,
When a compressive load is applied to the buffer member through the storage lid , a portion of the buffer member bulges out from the through hole, and after the compressive load is released, the buffer member returns to the initially applied shape. 1. Footwear characterized by having a cushioning structure that restores . The footwear according to claim 1, wherein the regulating member is integrally formed with the sole. The footwear according to claim 1, wherein the regulating member is formed independently of the sole and is fixed to the sole. The footwear according to claim 1, wherein the regulating member is independent of the sole and covers at least a part of the surface of the buffering member. 5. Footwear according to claim 3 , wherein the regulating member is made of a different material from the sole. Footwear according to any one of claims 1 to 5, characterized in that the casing has an elongation rate of 500% or more. The footwear according to any one of claims 1 to 6, wherein the regulating member has higher rigidity than the casing. Footwear according to any one of claims 1 to 7, wherein at least some of the through holes are arranged in a mesh pattern.