US20230024019A1 - Shoe sole and shoe including the same - Google Patents

Shoe sole and shoe including the same Download PDF

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Publication number
US20230024019A1
US20230024019A1 US17/784,054 US201917784054A US2023024019A1 US 20230024019 A1 US20230024019 A1 US 20230024019A1 US 201917784054 A US201917784054 A US 201917784054A US 2023024019 A1 US2023024019 A1 US 2023024019A1
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US
United States
Prior art keywords
midsole
shoe sole
high hardness
shoe
foot side
Prior art date
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Abandoned
Application number
US17/784,054
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English (en)
Inventor
Seigo Nakaya
Junichiro Tateishi
Yusuke NISHIURA
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Asics Corp
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Asics Corp
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Publication date
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Assigned to ASICS CORPORATION reassignment ASICS CORPORATION ASSIGNMENT OF ASSIGNORS INTEREST (SEE DOCUMENT FOR DETAILS). Assignors: NISHIURA, Yusuke, TATEISHI, JUNICHIRO, NAKAYA, SEIGO
Publication of US20230024019A1 publication Critical patent/US20230024019A1/en
Abandoned legal-status Critical Current

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    • A—HUMAN NECESSITIES
    • A43—FOOTWEAR
    • A43B—CHARACTERISTIC FEATURES OF FOOTWEAR; PARTS OF FOOTWEAR
    • A43B13/00—Soles; Sole-and-heel integral units
    • A43B13/14—Soles; Sole-and-heel integral units characterised by the constructive form
    • A43B13/18—Resilient soles
    • A43B13/187—Resiliency achieved by the features of the material, e.g. foam, non liquid materials
    • A43B13/188—Differential cushioning regions
    • A—HUMAN NECESSITIES
    • A43—FOOTWEAR
    • A43B—CHARACTERISTIC FEATURES OF FOOTWEAR; PARTS OF FOOTWEAR
    • A43B13/00—Soles; Sole-and-heel integral units
    • A43B13/02—Soles; Sole-and-heel integral units characterised by the material
    • A43B13/12—Soles with several layers of different materials
    • A43B13/125—Soles with several layers of different materials characterised by the midsole or middle layer
    • A43B13/127—Soles with several layers of different materials characterised by the midsole or middle layer the midsole being multilayer
    • A—HUMAN NECESSITIES
    • A43—FOOTWEAR
    • A43B—CHARACTERISTIC FEATURES OF FOOTWEAR; PARTS OF FOOTWEAR
    • A43B17/00—Insoles for insertion, e.g. footbeds or inlays, for attachment to the shoe after the upper has been joined
    • A43B17/003—Insoles for insertion, e.g. footbeds or inlays, for attachment to the shoe after the upper has been joined characterised by the material
    • A—HUMAN NECESSITIES
    • A43—FOOTWEAR
    • A43B—CHARACTERISTIC FEATURES OF FOOTWEAR; PARTS OF FOOTWEAR
    • A43B7/00—Footwear with health or hygienic arrangements
    • A43B7/14—Footwear with health or hygienic arrangements with foot-supporting parts
    • A43B7/1405—Footwear with health or hygienic arrangements with foot-supporting parts with pads or holes on one or more locations, or having an anatomical or curved form
    • A43B7/1415—Footwear with health or hygienic arrangements with foot-supporting parts with pads or holes on one or more locations, or having an anatomical or curved form characterised by the location under the foot
    • A43B7/142—Footwear with health or hygienic arrangements with foot-supporting parts with pads or holes on one or more locations, or having an anatomical or curved form characterised by the location under the foot situated under the medial arch, i.e. under the navicular or cuneiform bones
    • A—HUMAN NECESSITIES
    • A43—FOOTWEAR
    • A43B—CHARACTERISTIC FEATURES OF FOOTWEAR; PARTS OF FOOTWEAR
    • A43B7/00—Footwear with health or hygienic arrangements
    • A43B7/14—Footwear with health or hygienic arrangements with foot-supporting parts
    • A43B7/1405—Footwear with health or hygienic arrangements with foot-supporting parts with pads or holes on one or more locations, or having an anatomical or curved form
    • A43B7/1415—Footwear with health or hygienic arrangements with foot-supporting parts with pads or holes on one or more locations, or having an anatomical or curved form characterised by the location under the foot
    • A43B7/1425—Footwear with health or hygienic arrangements with foot-supporting parts with pads or holes on one or more locations, or having an anatomical or curved form characterised by the location under the foot situated under the ball of the foot, i.e. the joint between the first metatarsal and first phalange
    • A—HUMAN NECESSITIES
    • A43—FOOTWEAR
    • A43B—CHARACTERISTIC FEATURES OF FOOTWEAR; PARTS OF FOOTWEAR
    • A43B7/00—Footwear with health or hygienic arrangements
    • A43B7/14—Footwear with health or hygienic arrangements with foot-supporting parts
    • A43B7/1405—Footwear with health or hygienic arrangements with foot-supporting parts with pads or holes on one or more locations, or having an anatomical or curved form
    • A43B7/1415—Footwear with health or hygienic arrangements with foot-supporting parts with pads or holes on one or more locations, or having an anatomical or curved form characterised by the location under the foot
    • A43B7/143—Footwear with health or hygienic arrangements with foot-supporting parts with pads or holes on one or more locations, or having an anatomical or curved form characterised by the location under the foot situated under the lateral arch, i.e. the cuboid bone
    • A—HUMAN NECESSITIES
    • A43—FOOTWEAR
    • A43B—CHARACTERISTIC FEATURES OF FOOTWEAR; PARTS OF FOOTWEAR
    • A43B7/00—Footwear with health or hygienic arrangements
    • A43B7/14—Footwear with health or hygienic arrangements with foot-supporting parts
    • A43B7/1405—Footwear with health or hygienic arrangements with foot-supporting parts with pads or holes on one or more locations, or having an anatomical or curved form
    • A43B7/1415—Footwear with health or hygienic arrangements with foot-supporting parts with pads or holes on one or more locations, or having an anatomical or curved form characterised by the location under the foot
    • A43B7/144—Footwear with health or hygienic arrangements with foot-supporting parts with pads or holes on one or more locations, or having an anatomical or curved form characterised by the location under the foot situated under the heel, i.e. the calcaneus bone

Definitions

  • the present disclosure relates to a shoe sole and a shoe including the shoe sole.
  • pronation During walking or running, a phenomenon called pronation can occur in which a heel portion of a foot collapses inward. This pronation is an original function of a human foot, by which, when the foot contacts the sound (strictly speaking, immediately after it contacts the ground), the heel portion properly collapses inward, thereby mitigating the impact applied to the foot upon contact with the ground.
  • the degree to which the heel portion collapses varies among individuals. There are some who tend to suffer from a phenomenon called overpronation in which the heel portion collapses inward more than necessary, and some who tend to suffer from a phenomenon called underpronation in which the heel portion, does not sufficiently collapse inward. Such overpronation and underpronation can cause problems with walking or running.
  • a person with what is called peg planovalgus tends to receive more load on a part on the medial foot side of his/her foot on contact with the ground.
  • a person with what is called bowlegs tends to receive more load on a part on the lateral foot side of his/her foot on contact with the ground. Accordingly, as they get older, their big toes or little toes can deform, which can also result in problems with walking or running.
  • Japanese Patent Laying-Open No. 2000-225002 discloses a shoe sole configured such that a plate made of resin, for example, is disposed as a high rigidity portion higher in flexural rigidity than other portions so as to extend in the front-rear direction of the shoe sole, thereby increasing the torsional rigidity about the longitudinal axis of the shoe sole, and thus enhancing the stability on contact with the ground.
  • Japanese Patent Laying-Open No. 2016-59555 discloses a shoe sole configured, for the purpose of providing a shoe suitable to a person with bowlegs, such that a high rigidity portion higher in compression rigidity than other portions is provided in a portion on the lateral foot side in a midsole formed of a foam material so as to extend from the lower surface to the upper surface of the midsole, to thereby enhance the stability on contact with the ground.
  • a shoe sole configured such that a high rigidity portion or a high hardness portion is provided at a prescribed position in a lower layer portion of a midsole made of a foam material, to thereby enhance the stability on contact with the ground.
  • the shoe sole disclosed in Japanese Patent Laying-Open No. 2000-225002 has a configuration in which a resin-made plate formed of a non-foam material is provided in a relatively large area of the shoe sole. This causes problems that such a too hard, plate results in a poor fit on a wear's foot, and the shoe is considerably heavy in weight.
  • the shoe sole disclosed in Japanese Patent Laving-Open No. 2016-59555 has a configuration in which a high rigidity portion having high compression rigidity is provided in a portion on the lateral foot side of the shoe sole so as to extend from a lower surface to an upper surface of a midsole made of a foam material. This increases the thickness of the high rigidity portion to a considerable extent, which can result in a poor fit a foot.
  • an object of the present disclosure is to provide: a shoe sole that is excellent in stability on contact with the ground, that enables an excellent fit on a foot, and that is reduced in weight; and a shoe including the shoe sole.
  • a shoe sole includes: a forefoot portion that supports, a toe portion and a ball portion of a foot; a midfoot portion that supports an arch portion of the foot; and a rearfoot portion that supports a heel portion of the foot, in which the forefoot portion, the midfoot portion, and the rearfoot portion are connected in a front-rear direction.
  • the shoe sole includes: an outsole including a ground contact surface; and a sole body located above the outsole.
  • the sole body includes a low hardness portion made of a foam material having relatively low hardness, and a high hardness portion made of a foam material having relatively high hardness.
  • the low hardness portion defines an entire area of a lower surface of the sole body.
  • the high hardness portion is disposed only in a specific region of a region located above the low hardness portion in the sole body.
  • a shoe according to an embodiment of the present disclosure includes: the shoe sole according to the above-described present embodiment and an upper portion located above the shoe sole
  • the present disclosure can provide: shoe sole that is excellent in stability upon contact with the ground, that enables an excellent fit on a foot, and that is reduced in weight; and a shoe including the shoe sole.
  • FIG. 1 is a perspective view of a shoe according to a first embodiment.
  • FIG. 2 is an exploded perspective view of the shoe shown in FIG. 1 .
  • FIG. 3 is a side view of a shoe sole (excluding an insole) shown in FIG. 1 as seen from a lateral foot side.
  • FIG. 4 is a bottom view of the shoe sole shown in FIG. 1 .
  • FIG. 5 is a top view of the shoe sole (excluding an insole) shown in FIG. 1 .
  • FIG. 6 is a cross-sectional view taken along a line VI-VI shown in FIG. 5 .
  • FIGS. 7 A and 7 B illustrate a top view of each of shoe soles (each excluding an insole) of shoes according to first and second modifications.
  • FIGS. 8 A and 8 B illustrate a top view of each of shoe soles (each excluding an insole) of shoes according to third and fourth modifications.
  • FIG. 9 is a cross-sectional view of a shoe sole (excluding an insole) of a shoe according, to a fifth modification.
  • FIG. 10 is a cross sectional view of a shoe sole (excluding an insole) of a shoe according to a sixth modification.
  • FIG. 11 is a cross-sectional of a shoe sole (excluding art insole) of a shoe according to a seventh modification.
  • FIG. 12 is a cross-sectional view of a shoe sole of a shoe according to an eighth modification.
  • FIG. 13 is a cross-sectional view of a shoe sole of a shoe according to a ninth modification.
  • FIG. 14 is a top pie of a shoe sole (excluding an insole) of a shoe according to a second embodiment.
  • FIG. 15 is a cross-sectional view taken along a line XV-XV shown in FIG. 14 .
  • FIGS. 16 A and 16 B illustrate a top view of each of shoe soles (each excluding an insole) of shoes according to tenth and eleventh modifications.
  • FIGS. 17 A and 17 B illustrate, a top view of each of shoe soles (each shoe excluding an insole) of shoes according to twelfth and thirteenth modifications.
  • FIG. 18 is a top view of a shoe sole (excluding an insole) of a shoe according to a third embodiment.
  • FIG. 19 is a cross-sectional view taken along a line XIX -XIX shown in FIG. 18 .
  • the extending direction of the straight line connecting both ends of a shoe sole in its longitudinal axis direction will be referred to as a front-rear direction.
  • the direction orthogonal to the front-rear direction will be referred to as a foot width direction.
  • the direction from the end on which the portion of the shoe sole that supports a heel portion of a foot is located toward the end on which the portion of the shoe sole that supports a toe portion of the foot is located will be referred to as a front direction.
  • the direction from the end, on which the portion of the shoe sole that supports the toe portion of the foot is located toward the end on which the portion of the shoe sole that supports the heel portion of the foot is located will be referred to as a rear direction.
  • a first boundary position is defined at a position located at 40% of the dimension of the shoe sole from the front end in the front-rear direction
  • a second boundary position is defined at a position located at 80% of the dimension of the shoe sole from the front end in the front-rear direction.
  • a portion included between the front end and the first boundary position in the front-rear direction will be referred to as a forefoot portion of the shoe sole
  • a portion included bet en the first boundary position and the second boundary position in the front-rear direction will be referred to as a midfoot portion of the shoe sole
  • a portion included between the second boundary position and the rear end of the shoe sole in the front-rear direction will be referred to as a rearfoot portion of the shoe sole.
  • the forefoot portion of the shoe sole corresponds to a portion that supports a toe portion and a ball portion of a foot
  • the midfoot portion of the shoe sole corresponds to a portion that supports an arch portion of the foot
  • the rearfoot portion of the shoe sole corresponds to a portion that supports a heel portion of the foot.
  • medial side of the foot in anatomical position (that is, the side closer to the median)
  • medial foot side the side opposite to the medial side of the foot in anatomical position (that is, the side farther from the median)
  • lateral foot side the side opposite to the medial side of the foot in anatomical position
  • the thickness direction means a direction orthogonal to the ground contact surface of the shoe sole unless otherwise specified, and the thickness means a dimension in the thickness direction unless otherwise specified.
  • FIG. 1 is a perspective view of a shoe according to the first embodiment.
  • FIG. 2 is an exploded perspective view of the shoe shown in FIG. 1 .
  • the configuration of a shoe 1 A according to the present embodiment will, be described with, reference to FIGS. 1 and 2 .
  • the shoe 1 A includes an upper portion 10 , a shoe sole 20 A, and a sockliner 30 .
  • the upper portion 10 has a shape that covers the entire portion on the instep side of a foot inserted into the shoe.
  • the shoe sole 20 A is located below the upper portion 10 so as to cover the sole of a foot.
  • the sockliner 30 is accommodated inside the upper portion 10 so as to cover the inner bottom surface a f the upper portion 10 .
  • the upper portion 10 includes an upper body 11 , a shoe tongue 12 , a toe-side reinforcing portion 13 , a heel-side reinforcing portion 14 , an eyelet reinforcing portion 15 , and a shoelace 16 .
  • the shoe tongue 12 , the toe-side reinforcing portion 13 , the heel-side reinforcing portion 14 , the eyelet reinforcing portion 15 , and the shoelace 16 each are fixed or attached to the upper body 11 .
  • the upper body 11 has a lower part including a lower opening covered with the shoe sole 20 A.
  • the upper body 11 has an upper part including an upper opening through which an upper portion of an ankle and a part of the instep of a foot are exposed.
  • the shoe tongue 12 is fixed to the upper body 11 by sewing, welding, bonding, or a combination thereof so as to cover a portion of the upper opening disposed in the upper body 11 through which a part of the instep of a foot is exposed.
  • woven fabric, knitted fabric, synthetic leather, resin, or the like can be used for shoes particularly required to be air permeable and lightweight.
  • a double rasehel warp knitted fabric with a polyester yarn knitted therein can be used.
  • the toe-side reinforcing portion 13 and the heel-sidle reinforcing portion 14 are provided for reinforcing the portions of the upper body 11 that cover a to and a heel, respectively, of a foot and that are particularly required to have durability. Also, the toe-side reinforcing portion 13 and the heel-side reinforcing portion 14 are positioned so as to cover the outer surface of the upper body 11 that corresponds to these portions.
  • the eyelet reinforcing portion 15 is provided for reinforcing the peripheral edge of the upper opening, which is disposed in the upper body 11 and through which a part of the instep of a foot is exposed (the peripheral edge is specifically a portion to which the shoelace 16 is attached).
  • the peripheral edge is also a portion particularly required to have durability similarly to the toe-side reinforcing portion 13 and the heel-side reinforcing portion 14 .
  • the eyelet reinforcing portion 15 is positioned so as to cover the outer surface of the upper body 1 that corresponds to the above-mentioned portion.
  • the toe-side reinforcing portion 13 , the heel-side reinforcing portion 14 , and the eyelet reinforcing portion 15 each are made, for example, of woven fabric, knitted fabric, synthetic leather, resin, or the like fixed to the outer surface (the upper body 11 by sewing, welding, bonding, or a combination thereof.
  • the shoelace 16 is formed of a string-shaped member for pulling, close in the foot width direction, the peripheral edge of the upper opening which is disposed in the upper body 11 and through which a part of the instep of a foot is exposed.
  • the shoelace 16 is passed through a plurality of holes disposed in the peripheral edge of he upper opening.
  • the shoe sole 20 A includes an outsole 21 , a midsole 22 , and an resole 23 .
  • the midsole 22 and the insole 23 correspond to a sole body.
  • the outsole 21 and the midsole 22 are integrally formed to have a substantially flat shape as a whole.
  • the outsole 21 has a lower surface including a ground contact surface 21 b (see FIGS. 3 , 4 , and the like).
  • the midsole 22 is located above the outsole 21 .
  • the insole 23 is attached to the upper body 11 so as to cover the above-mentioned lower opening of the upper body 11 . More specifically, the insole 23 is fixed by sewing to the lower edge of the upper body 11 . Further, the insole 23 is fixed to the upper surface of the midsole 22 by bonding, welding, or the like.
  • the insole 23 is formed for example of: woven fabric, knitted fabric, or nonwoven fabric made of synthetic resin fibers such as polyester; or a resin-made foam material containing a resin material as a main component, and a foaming agent and a crosslinking agent as sub-components. Note that the insole 23 , which is a member constituting a part of the shoe sole 20 A as described above, is not indispensable and may not be provided. In this case, the shoe sole 20 A is formed of the outsole 21 and the midsole 22 as a sole body.
  • the sockliner 30 is accommodated inside the upper portion 10 as described above, and is detachably attached onto the inner bottom surface of the upper portion 10 or fixed to the inner bottom surface of the upper portion 10 by welding, bonding, or the like.
  • the sockliner 30 is formed of: woven fabric, knitted fabric, or nonwoven fabric made of synthetic resin fibers such as polyester; or a resin-made foam material containing a resin material as a main component, and a foaming agent and a crosslinking agent as sub-components.
  • the sockliner 30 is provided for the purpose of achieving an excellent fit on a foot.
  • the sockliner 30 is not indispensable and may not be provided.
  • FIG. 3 is a side view of a shoe sole (excluding an insole) shown in FIG. 1 as seen from the lateral foot side.
  • FIGS. 4 and 5 are a bottom view and a top view, respectively, of the shoe sole (excluding an insole) shown in FIG. 1 .
  • FIG. 6 is a cross-sectional view taken along a line VI-VI shown in FIG. 5 . The following describes the configuration of the shoe sole 20 A according to the present embodiment in greater detail with reference to FIGS. 3 to 6 .
  • the shoe sole 20 A includes the insole 23 in addition to the outsole and the midsole 22 .
  • the insole is formed of a sufficiently thin member that is generally 2 mm or less in thickness.
  • the insole 23 has relatively less influence on the shock absorbing performance, the stability, the fit on a foot, and the like of the shoe sole 20 A on contact with the ground. Rather, the shock absorbing performance.
  • the stability, the fit on a foot, and the like are determined mainly by the outsole 1 and the midsole 22 .
  • the following basically describes specifically the outsole 21 and the midsole 22 in the shoe sole 20 A.
  • the shoe sole 20 A includes the outsole 21 and the midsole 22 as described above.
  • the outsole 21 has an upper surface 21 a and a ground contact surface 21 b as a lower surface, and constitutes a lower portion of the shoe sole 20 A.
  • the midsole 22 has an upper surface 22 a and a lower surface 22 b, and constitutes an upper portion of the shoe sole 20 A.
  • the shoe sole 20 A is shaped such that a peripheral edge portion of the upper surface 22 a of the midsole 22 that defines the upper surface of the shoe sole 20 A protrudes as compared with the surround area.
  • the upper surface 22 a has a recessed portion.
  • the recessed portion serves to receive the upper portion 10 and the insole 23 therein.
  • the upper surface 22 a corresponding to the bottom surface of the recessed portion and excluding the peripheral edge portion has a smooth curved surface shape so as to fit to the shape of the sole of a foot.
  • the outsole 21 is preferably excellent in wear resistance and grip performance. From this viewpoint, the outsole 21 is formed using a member made of a material, for example, containing a rubber material as a main component and a plasticizer, a reinforcing agent, and a crosslinking agent as sub-components.
  • the outsole 21 is generally formed of a member that is higher in Young's modulus and harder than the midsole 22 .
  • a tread pattern is provided on the ground contact surface 21 b of the outsole 21 by forming protrusions and recesses on the exposed surface thereof in order to improve the grip performance.
  • the tread pattern and the shape of the outsole 21 can be designed as appropriate according to the intended use of the shoe 1 A, and the shapes shown in FIGS. 3 and 4 are provided merely by way of example.
  • the midsole 22 preferably excellently absorbs shock while having an appropriate strength.
  • the midsole 22 is formed, for example, using: a resin material as a main component and a resin-made foam material containing a foaming agent and a crosslinking agent as sub-components.
  • the midsole 22 can be formed using a rubber-made foam material containing: a rubber material as a main component; and a plasticizer, a foaming agent, a reinforcing agent, and a crosslinking agent as sub-components.
  • thermoplastic resin and a thermosetting resin can he used.
  • thermoplastic resin ethylene-vinyl acetate (EVA) copolymer can be suitably used.
  • thermosetting resin for example, polyurethane (PU) can be suitably used.
  • rubber material for example, butadiene rubber can be suitably used.
  • the midsole 22 is generally formed of a member that is lower in Young's modulus and softer than the outsole 21 .
  • the midsole 22 can include various types of shock absorbing parts or reinforcing parts in prescribed portions.
  • the shoe sole 20 A includes a forefoot portion R 1 that supports a toe portion and a ball portion of a foot, a midfoot portion R 2 that supports an arch portion of the foot, and a rearfoot portion R 3 that supports a heel portion of the foot.
  • the forefoot portion R 1 , the midfoot portion R 2 , and the rearfoot portion R 3 are positioned to be connected in the front-rear direction of the shoe sole 20 A.
  • the midsole 22 includes a low hardness portion 24 made of a foam material having relatively low hardness and a high hardness portion 25 made of a foam material having relatively high hardness.
  • the low hardness portion 24 and the high hardness portion 25 are bonded to each other and thereby integrally formed.
  • a foam material with to low hardness is low in hardness (i.e soft), and thus, is low in compressive rigidity and more likely to deform.
  • a foam material with high hardness is high in hardness (i.e., hard), and thus, is high in compressive rigidity and less likely to deform.
  • the low hardness portion 24 receives a load to thereby deform more significantly than the high hardness portion 25 , and thus, mainly serves to absorb the impact received when the foot contacts the ground.
  • the high hardness portion 25 in the midsole 22 receives a load but does not significantly deform as compared with the low hardness portion 24 , and thereby. mainly serves to ensure the stability on contact with the ground.
  • a shoe sole having a high rigidity portion or a high hardness portion disposed at a prescribed position in a lower layer portion of a midsole made of a foam material In the case of the shoe sole having the above-described configuration, the high rigidity portion or the high hardness portion is provided in the midsole, thereby enhancing the stability on contact with the ground. Further, a low rigidity portion or a low hardness portion is to be provided in an upper layer portion of the midsole so as to cover the high rigidity portion or the high hardness portion, thereby enabling a relatively excellent fit on a foot.
  • the low rigidity portion or the low hardness portion provided in the upper layer portion of the midsole so as to cover the high rigidity portion or the high hardness portion can excessively deform under load on contact with the ground. In that case, consequently, the desired stability may not be sufficiently achieved.
  • the low hardness portion 24 is provided in the midsole 22 so as, to define the entire area of the lower surface of the midsole 22 while the high hardness portion 25 is disposed only in a specific region of the region located above the low hardness portion 24 in the midsole 22 .
  • the high hardness portion 25 is disposed in a specific region (a region indicated by oblique lines in FIG. 5 ) in the upper layer portion L 1 (see FIG. 6 ) of the midsole 22 so as to define a part of the upper surface 22 a of the midsole 22 .
  • the low hardness portion 24 is disposed: in a region excluding the above-mentioned specific region (the region other than the region indicated by oblique lines in FIG. 5 ) from the upper layer portion L 1 (see FIG. 6 ) of the midsole 22 ; and entirely in the lower layer portion 12 (see FIG. 6 ) of the midsole 22 that includes the region located below the above-mentioned specific region.
  • the above-mentioned specific region is located in a portion on the medial foot side (on the side indicated by a reference character S 1 in the figure) in the midsole 22 , and more specifically located to extend in: a portion on the medial foot side in the forefoot portion R 1 that includes, a part Q 1 for supporting a big toe; a portion on the medial foot side n the midfoot portion R 2 ; and a portion on the medial foot side in the rearfoot portion R 3 .
  • the portion on the medial foot side in the rearfoot portion R 3 includes a portion on the medial foot side in tire-rearfoot portion R 3 includes a part Q 3 for supporting a heel bone.
  • the high hardness portion 25 is disposed almost entirely in a portion on the medial foot side in the midsole 22 , which excludes a toe side portion from a portion on the upper layer portion L 1 side.
  • the low hardness portion 24 is disposed in a remaining portion of the midsole 22 .
  • the shoe sole 20 A according to the present embodiment configured as described above and the shoe 1 A including the shoe sole 20 A can suppress the occurrence of overpronation in which the heel portion collapses inward more than necessary on contact with the ground (an excessive collapse of the heel portion in the direction indicated by an arrow AR 1 shown in FIG. 6 ).
  • the sole of each foot can be stably supported at the portion on the medial foot side.
  • the pressure acting on the midsole 22 can be dispersed to thereby allow suppression of excessive deformation of the midsole 22 , with the result that occurrence of an overpronation can be suppressed.
  • the shoe sole 20 A according to the above-described present embodiment and the shoe 1 A including the shoe sole 20 A can stably support the sole of each foot at the portion on the medial foot side as described above.
  • the pressure acting on the midsole 22 can be dispersed to thereby allow suppression of excessive deformation of the midsole 22 . Accordingly, when a person with pes planovalgus wears the shoes 1 A according to the present embodiment, concentration of a load on the medial foot side portion of each foot on contact with the ground can be avoided.
  • the low hardness portion 24 is located below the high hardness portion 25 , so that the high hardness portion 25 itself has a relatively reduced thickness.
  • the high hardness portion 25 is formed of a foam material similarly to the low hardness portion 24 , thus, the fit on a foot is not impaired but an excellent fit on a foot can be achieved, and further, the shoe sole and the shoe can be reduced in weight.
  • the shoe sole 20 A according to the present embodiment and the shoe 1 A including the shoe sole 20 A can provide: a shoe sole that is particularly suitable for a person more likely to suffer from an overpronation and a person with pes planovalgus, that is excellent in stability contact with the ground, that enables an excellent fit on foot, and that is reduced in weight; and a shoe including the shoe sole.
  • the hardness of the low hardness portion 24 for example, its Asker C hardness is preferably 20 degrees or more and 70 degrees or less, and more preferably 40 degrees or more and 60 degrees or less.
  • the hardness of the high hardness portion 25 for example, its Asker C hardness is preferably 60 degrees or more and 85 degrees or less on the condition that the high hardness portion 25 is higher in Asker C hardness than the low hardness portion 24 .
  • the boundary between the low hardness portion 24 and the high hardness portion 25 can be made hard to be felt by the sole of each foot, to thereby enable a more excellent lit on a foot.
  • the difference between the Asker C hardness of the high hardness portion 25 and the Asker C hardness of the low hardness portion 24 is preferably 8 degrees or more, and more preferably 10 degrees or more.
  • the boundary between the low hardness portion 24 and the high hardness portion 25 can be made hard to he felt by the sole of each foot, to thereby enable a more excellent fit on a foot.
  • the high hardness portion 25 can have a configuration in which its thickness t is a maximum at the position closest to the edge portion on the medial foot side in the midsole 22 in the foot width direction, and this thickness decreases with distance from the edge portion in the foot width direction (i.e., decreases toward the lateral foot side).
  • the thickness t of the high hardness portion 25 does not necessarily have to change in the foot width direction, but can be uniform.
  • the shoe 1 A since the shoe 1 A includes the insole 23 and the sockliner 30 , the boundary between the low hardness portion 24 and the high hardness portion 25 can be made hard to be felt by the sole of each foot.
  • the insole 23 and the sockliner 30 do not necessarily have to be provided, but one or both of the insole 23 and the sockliner 30 may not be provided in the shoe.
  • the low hardness portion 24 and the high hardness portion 25 are bonded to each other as described above, so that the midsole 22 is integrally formed.
  • Such a configuration can be manufactured, for example, in such a way that a foam material of the low hardness portion 24 and a foam material of the high hardness portion 25 are superimposed on each other and press-molded and then welded to each other. Therefore, by using this manufacturing method, the shoe sole 20 A can be readily and inexpensively manufactured.
  • the above-described manufacturing method does not necessarily have to be used for manufacturing the shoe sole 20 A, but a foam material of the low hardness portion 24 and a foam material of the high hardness portion 25 can be bonded, for example, by adhesion and the like through an adhesive layer, or the shoe sole 20 A can be manufactured by two-color molding that is a type of injection molding.
  • the melting point of the material of the low hardness portion 24 is preferably the same as the melting point of the material of the high hardness portion 25 .
  • These melting points are preferably 50° C. or more and 200° C. or less, and more preferably 50° C., or more and 140° C. or less.
  • FIGS. 7 A, 7 B, 8 A, and 8 B are top views of shoe soles (each excluding an insole) of shoes according to the first, second, third, and fourth modifications, respectively.
  • shoe soles 20 A 1 to 20 A 4 according to the first to fourth modifications based on the above-described first embodiment.
  • each of the shoe soles 20 A 1 to 20 A 4 according to the first to fourth modifications is provided in the shoe 1 A.
  • a specific region of the midsole 22 where the high hardness portion 25 is provided is reduced as compared with the above-described shoe sole 20 A. Also in the shoe sole 20 A 1 according to the present modification, the specific region is located, in a portion on the medial foot side in the midsole 22 .
  • the specific region is located mainly in the portion on the medial foot side in the forefoot portion R 1 that includes the part Q 1 for supporting a big toe.
  • the high hardness portion 25 is disposed only in the above-described portion in a portion on the medial foot side and on the upper layer portion side in the midsole 22
  • the low hardness portion 24 is disposed in the remaining portion of the midsole 22 .
  • a specific region of the midsole 22 where the high hardness portion 25 is provided is reduced as, compared with the above-described shoe sole 20 A. Also in the shoe sole 20 A 2 according to the present modification, the specific region is located in a portion on the medial foot side in the midsole 22 .
  • the specific region is located mainly in a portion on the medial foot side in the rearfoot portion R 3 .
  • the portion on the medial foot side in the rearfoot portion R 3 includes a portion on the medial foot side in a part Q 3 for supporting a heel hone in the rearfoot portion R 3 .
  • the high hardness portion 25 is disposed only in the above-described portion in a portion on the medial foot side and on the upper layer portion L 1 side in the midsole 22
  • the low hardness portion 24 is disposed in the remaining portion of the midsole 22 .
  • a specific region of the midsole 2 . 2 . where the high hardness portion 25 is provided is reduced as compared with the above-described shoe sole 20 A. Also in the shoe sole 20 A 3 according to the present modification, the specific region is located in a portion on the medial foot side in the midsole 22 .
  • the specific region is located mainly in: a portion on the medial foot side in the forefoot portion R 1 that includes the part Q 1 for supporting a big toe; and a portion on the medial foot side in the rearfoot portion R 3 in which these portions of the forefoot portion R 1 and the rearfoot portion R 3 are independent of each other.
  • the portion on, the medial foot side n the rearfoot portion R 3 includes a portion on the medial foot side in the part Q 3 for supporting a heel hone in the rearfoot portion R 3 .
  • the high hardness portion 25 is disposed, only in the above-described two portions on the medial foot side and on the upper layer portion L 1 side in the midsole 22 , and the low hardness portion 24 is disposed in the remaining portion of the midsole 22 .
  • a specific region of the midsole 22 where the high hardness portion 25 is provided is enlarged as compared with the above-described shoe sole 20 A.
  • the specific region is located not only in the portion on the medial foot side in the midsole 22 but also partially located in the portion on the lateral foot side in the midsole 22 .
  • the specific region is located to extend in: the portion on the medial foot side in the forefoot portion R 1 that includes the part Q 1 for supporting a big toe; the portion on the medial foot side in the midfoot portion R 2 ; the portion on the medial foot side in the rearfoot portion R 3 ; and the portion on the, lateral foot side in the rearfoot portion R 3 .
  • the portions on the medial foot side and the lateral foot side in the rearfoot portion R 3 include the part Q 3 for supporting a heel bone in the rearfoot portion R 3 .
  • the high hardness portion 25 is disposed in: the almost entire area on the medial foot side in the midsole 22 that excludes the toe side portion from a portion on the upper layer portion L 1 side; and the above-described portion in the portion on the lateral foot side and on the upper layer portion L 1 side.
  • the low hardness portion 24 is disposed in the remaining portion of the midsole 22 .
  • the shoe soles 20 A 1 to 20 A 4 according to the first to fourth modifications and the shoe 1 A including one of the shoe Soles 20 A 1 to 20 A 4 can also achieve the effect according to the above-described first embodiment though the resulting effect is different to some degree.
  • a shoe sole that is particularly suitable for a person more likely to suffer from an overpronation and a person with pes planovalgus, that is excellent in stability on contact with the ground, that enables an excellent fit on a foot, and that is reduced in weight; and a shoe including the shoe sole.
  • FIGS. 9 to 11 are cross-sectional views of shoe soles (each excluding an insole) of shoes according to the respective fifth to seventh modifications.
  • shoe soles 20 A 5 to 20 A 7 according to the fifth to seventh modifications based on the above-described first embodiment.
  • each of the shoe soles 20 A 5 to 20 A 7 according to the fifth to seventh modifications provided in the shoe 1 A is replaced of the above-described shoe sole 20 A.
  • the configuration of the midsole 22 is different from that of the above-described shoe sole 20 A.
  • the configuration of the specific region in the midsole 22 where the high hardness portion 25 is provided is also different from that in the case of the above-described shoe sole 20 A.
  • the midsole 22 is formed of a lower midsole portion 221 and an upper midsole portion 222 that are bonded and thereby integrated with each other.
  • the midsole 22 includes the lower midsole portion 221 and the upper midsole portion 222 each having a flat plate shape that are stacked in its thickness direction and bonded together by welding, adhesion, or the like, to thereby form a flat shape in its entirety.
  • a specific region of the midsole 22 where the high hardness portion 25 is provided is disposed at a prescribed position in the upper midsole portion 222 .
  • This specific region is positioned so as to reach each of the upper surface and the lower surface of the upper midsole portion 222 .
  • the position where the specific region is formed is the same as that in the case of the above-described shoe sole 20 A.
  • the low hardness portion 24 is provided in the midsole 22 so as to define the entire area of the lower surface of the midsole 22 , and the high hardness portion 25 is disposed only in a specific region of the region located above the low hardness portion 24 in the midsole 22 . Therefore, the above-described effect according to the first embodiment is achieved.
  • the lower midsole portion 221 and the low hardness portion 24 of the upper midsole portion 222 can be formed of different types of foam materials or can be formed of the same type of foam material.
  • the midsole 22 can have various functions by such a combination of the foam materials.
  • the shoe sole 20 A 6 according to the sixth modification is different in configuration from the shoe sole 20 A 5 according to the above-described fifth modification only in that the specific region of the midsole 22 where the high hardness portion 25 is provided is different.
  • the specific region of the midsole 22 where the high hardness portion 25 is provided is provided only in the portion on the lower surface side in the upper midsole portion 222 , but not of provided in the portion on the upper surface side in the upper midsole portion 222 . Accordingly, the high hardness portion 25 is to be embedded in the midsole 22 in the thickness direction, and the upper surface and the lower surface of the midsole 22 are to be defined by the low hardness portion 24 .
  • the position where the specific region is formed is the same as that in the case of the above-described shoe sole 20 A.
  • the low hardness portion 24 is located above the high hardness portion 25 .
  • T 1 the minimum value of the thickness dimension of the midsole 22
  • T 2 the maximum value of the thickness of the portion of the midsole 22 that is located below the high hardness portion 25
  • these T 1 and T 2 satisfy the condition of T 2 ⁇ (1 ⁇ 2) ⁇ T 1 .
  • the portion of the low hardness portion 24 that is located above the high hardness portion 25 is sufficiently thin in thickness, so that the stability on contact with the ground can be ensured.
  • the thickness of the portion of the low hardness portion 24 that is located above the high hardness portion 25 can be less than one-fourth of the value of T 1 .
  • the low hardness portion 24 is provided in the midsole 22 so as to define the entire area of the lower surface of the midsole 22 and the high hardness portion 25 is disposed only in a specific region of the region located above the low hardness portion 24 in the midsole 22 . Therefore, the effect according to the above-described first embodiment is achieved.
  • the lower midsole portion 221 and the low hardness portion 24 of the upper midsole portion 222 can be formed of different types of foam materials or can be formed of the same type of foam material.
  • the midsole 22 can have various functions by such a combination of the foam materials.
  • the shoe sole 20 A 7 according to the seventh modification is different in configuration from the shoe sole 20 A 5 according to the above-described fifth modification only in that the specific region of the midsole 22 where the high hardness portion 25 is provided is different.
  • the specific region of the midsole 22 where the high hardness portion 25 is provided is provided only in the portion on the upper surface side in the lower midsole portion 221 , but not provided in the portions on the lower surface side in the upper midsole portion 222 and the lower midsole portion 221 . Accordingly, the high hardness portion 25 is to be embedded in the midsole 22 in the thickness direction, and the upper surface and the lower surface of the midsole 22 are to be defined by the low hardness portion 24 .
  • the position where the specific -region is formed is the same as that in the case of the above-described shoe sole 20 A.
  • the low hardness portion 24 is located a the high hardness portion 25 .
  • T 1 the minimum value of the thickness dimension of the midsole 22
  • T 2 the maximum value of the thickness of the portion of the midsole 22 that is located below the high hardness portion 23
  • these T 1 and T 2 satisfy the condition of T 2 ⁇ (1 ⁇ 2) ⁇ T 1 .
  • the portion of the low hardness portion 24 that is located above the high hardness portion 25 is sufficiently thin in thickness, so that the stability on contact with the ground can be ensured.
  • the thickness of the portion of the low hardness portion 24 that is located above the high hardness portion 25 can be less than one-fourth of the value of T 1 .
  • the low hardness portion 24 is provided in the midsole 22 so as to define the entire area of the lower surface of the midsole 22 , and the high hardness portion 25 is disposed only in a specific region of the region located above the low hardness portion 24 in the midsole 22 . Therefore the effect according to the above-described first embodiment is achieved.
  • the low hardness portion 24 of the lower midsole portion 221 and the upper midsole portion 222 can be formed of different types of foam materials or can be formed of the same type of foam material.
  • the midsole 22 can have various functions by such a combination of the foam materials.
  • FIGS. 12 and 13 are cross-sectional views of shoe soles of shoes according to the eighth and ninth modifications, respectively.
  • the following describes shoe soles 20 A 8 and 20 A 9 according to the eighth arid ninth modifications, respectively, based on the above-described first embodiment.
  • each of the shoe soles 20 A 8 and 20 A 9 according to the eighth and ninth codifications is provided in the shoe 1 A.
  • the shoe sole 20 A 8 according to the eighth modification is different from the above-described shoe sole 20 A in configurations of the midsole 22 and the insole 23 , and accordingly, is significantly different from the above-described shoe sole 20 A in configuration of the sole body where the low hardness portion 24 and the high hardness portion 25 are provided.
  • the midsole 22 is entirely formed of the low hardness portion 24 made of a foam material having relatively low hardness
  • the insole 23 is formed of the low hardness portion 24 made of a foam material having relatively low hardness and the high hardness portion 25 made of a foam material having relatively high hardness.
  • the low hardness portion 24 is provided in the midsole 22 so as to define the entire area of the lower surface of the midsole 22 , and the high hardness portion 25 is disposed only in a specific region of the region of the insole 23 that is located above the low hardness portion 24 provided in the midsole 22 .
  • the position where the specific region is formed is the same as that in the case of the above-described shoe sole 20 A.
  • the effect according to the above-described first embodiment is achieved also in the case of the shoe sole 20 A 8 according to the present modification.
  • a shoe sole that is particularly suitable for a person more likely to suffer from an overpronation and a person with pes planovalgus, that is excellent in stability on contact with the ground, that, enables an excellent fit on a foot, and that is reduced in weight; and a shoe including the shoe sole.
  • the insole 23 is generally formed of a sufficiently thin member as described above, and therefore, the insole 23 has relatively small influence on the shock absorbing performance, the stability, the fit on a foot, and the like of the shoe sole 20 A 8 on contact with the ground.
  • the high hardness portion 25 provided in the insole 23 is configured to have relatively high hardness, or if the insole 23 itself is formed thicker than usual to thereby increase the thickness of the high hardness portion 25 , the insole 23 can exert relatively significant influence on the shock absorbing performance, the stability, the fit on a foot, and the like of the shoe sole 20 A 8 .
  • the effect according to the above-described first embodiment can be achieved as described above.
  • the present modification has exemplified the case where the low hardness portion 24 of the insole 23 is formed of a foam material having relatively low hardness, but the low hardness portion 24 can be formed of woven fabric, knitted fabric, synthetic leather, or the like.
  • the configuration of the midsole 22 is the same but the configuration of the insole 23 is different therebetween.
  • the configuration of the sole body where the low hardness portion 24 and the high hardness portion 25 are provided is different from that in the case of the above-described shoe sole 20 A.
  • the insole 23 is formed of the low hardness portion 24 made of a foam material having relatively low hardness and the high hardness portion 25 made of a foam material having relatively high hardness, and the insole 23 is disposed above the midsole 22 and bonded thereto.
  • the high hardness portion 25 provided in the midsole 22 and the high hardness portion provided in the insole 23 are integrated with each other.
  • the position where the specific region is formed is the same as that in the case of the above-described shoe sole 20 A.
  • the shoe sole 20 A 9 according to the present modification also has substantially the same configuration as that in the case of the above-described shoe sole 20 A.
  • the low hardness portion 24 is provided in the midsole 22 so as to define the entire area of the lower surface of the midsole 22
  • the high hardness portion 25 is, disposed only in a specific region of the region located above the low hardness portion 24 in each of the midsole 22 and the insole 23 . Therefore, the effect according to the above-described first embodiment is achieved.
  • FIG. 14 is a top view of a shoe sole (excluding an insole) of a shoe according to the second embodiment
  • FIG. 15 is a cross-sectional view taken along a line XV-XV shown in FIG. 14 .
  • the following describes a shoe sole 20 B according to the present embodiment and a shoe 1 B including the shoe sole 20 B with reference to FIGS. 14 and 15 .
  • the shoe 1 B according to the present embodiment includes an upper and a sockliner having the same configurations as those in the shoe 1 A according to the above-described embodiment.
  • the shoe sole 20 B according to the present embodiment includes the midsole 22 including: the low hardness portion 24 made of a foam material having relatively low hardness; and the high hardness portion 25 made of a foam material haying, relatively high hardness. Also, the low hardness portion 24 and the high hardness portion 25 are bonded to each other and thereby integrally formed.
  • the high hardness portion 25 is disposed in a specific region (a region indicated by oblique lines in FIG. 14 ) of the upper layer portion L 1 (see FIG. 15 ) in the midsole 22 so as to define a part of the upper surface 22 a of the midsole 22 .
  • the low hardness portion 24 is disposed: in the region excluding the specific region (a region other than the region indicated by oblique lines in FIG. 14 ) from the upper layer portion L 1 (see FIG. 15 ) in the midsole 22 ; and entirely in the lower layer portion L 2 (see FIG. 15 ) of the midsole 22 that includes the region located below the above-mentioned specific region, so as to define the remaining portion of the upper surface 22 a of the midsole 22 and the lower surface 22 b of the midsole 22 .
  • the above-described specific region is located in the portion on the lateral foot side (on the side indicated by the reference character 52 in the figure) in the midsole 22 , and more specifically located to extend in: the portion on the lateral foot side in the forefoot portion R 1 that includes a part Q 2 for supporting a little toe; the portion on the lateral foot side in the midfoot portion R 2 ; and the portion on the lateral foot side in the rearfoot portion R 3 .
  • the portion on the lateral foot side in the rearfoot portion R includes the portion on the lateral foot side in the part Q 3 for supporting a heel bone in the rearfoot portion R 3 .
  • the high hardness portion 25 is disposed almost entirely in a portion on the lateral foot side in the midsole 22 , which excludes a toe side portion from the portion on the upper layer portion L 1 side, and the low hardness portion 24 is disposed in the remaining portion of the midsole 22 .
  • the shoe sole 20 B according to the present embodiment configured as described above and the shoe 1 B including the shoe sole 20 B can suppress occurrence of an underpronation in which the heel portion does not sufficiently collapse inward on contact with the ground (insufficient collapse of the heel portion in the direction indicated by the arrow AR 1 shown in FIG. 15 ).
  • the sole of each foot can be stably supported at the portion on the lateral foot side.
  • the pressure acting on the midsole 22 can be dispersed to thereby allow suppression of excessive deformation of the midsole 22 , with the result that the occurrence of underpronation can be suppressed.
  • the shoe sole 20 B according to the above-described present embodiment and the shoe 1 B including the shoe sole 20 B can stably support the sole of each foot at the portion on the lateral foot side.
  • the pressure acting on the midsole 22 can be dispersed to thereby allow suppression of excessive deformation of the midsole 22 . Accordingly, when a person with bowlegs wears the shoes 1 B according to the present embodiment, concentration of a load on the lateral foot side portion of each foot on contact with. the ground can be avoided.
  • the low hardness portion 24 is located below the high hardness portion 25 so that the high hardness portion 25 itself has a relatively reduced thickness.
  • the high hardness portion 25 is formed of a foam material similarly to the low hardness portion 24 .
  • the shoe sole 20 B according to the present embodiment and the shoe 1 B including the shoe sole 20 B can provide: a shoe sole that is particularly suitable for a person more likely to suffer from an underpronation and a person with bowlegs, that is excellent in stability on contact with the ground, that enables an excellent fit on a foot, and that is reduced in weight; and a shoe including the shoe sole.
  • the boundary between the low hardness portion 24 and the high hardness portion 25 can be made hard to be felt by the sole of each foot, to thereby enable a more excellent fit on a foot.
  • the high hardness portion 25 can have a configuration in which its thickness t is a maximum at the position closest to the edge portion on the lateral foot side in the midsole 22 in the foot width direction, and this thickness decreases with distance from the edge portion in the foot width direction (i.e., decreases toward the medial foot side).
  • the thickness t of the high hardness portion 25 does not necessarily have to change in the foot width direction, but the thickness t can be uniform.
  • FIGS. 16 A, 16 B, 17 A, and 17 B are top views of shoe soles (each excluding an insole) of shoes according to the tenth, eleventh, twelfth, and thirteenth modifications, respectively.
  • shoe soles 20 B 1 to 20 B 4 according to the tenth to thirteenth modifications based on the above-described second embodiment.
  • each of the shoe soles 20 B 1 to 20 B 4 according to the tenth to thirteenth modifications is provided in the shoe 1 B.
  • a specific region of the midsole 22 where the high hardness portion 25 is provided is reduced as compared with the above-described shoe sole 20 B. Also in the shoe sole 20 B 1 according to the present modification, the specific region is located in the portion on the lateral foot side in the midsole 2 .
  • the above-mentioned specific region is located mainly in the portion on the lateral foot side in the forefoot portion R 1 that includes the part Q 2 for supporting a little toe.
  • the high hardness portion 25 is disposed only in the above-described portion in a portion on the lateral foot side and on the upper layer portion L 1 side in the midsole 22
  • the low hardness portion 24 is disposed in the remaining portion of the midsole 22 .
  • a specific region of the midsole 22 where the high hardness portion 25 is provided is reduced as compared with the above-described shoe sole 20 B. Also in the shoe sole 20 B 2 according to the present modification, the specific region is located in the portion on the lateral foot side in the midsole 22 .
  • the above-mentioned specific region is located mainly in the portion on the lateral foot side in the rearfoot portion R 3 .
  • the portion on the lateral foot side in the rearfoot portion R 3 includes the portion on the lateral foot side in the part Q 3 for supporting a heel bone in the rearfoot portion R 3 .
  • the high hardness portion 25 is disposed only in the above-described portion a portion on the lateral foot side and on the upper layer portion L 1 side in the midsole 22
  • the low hardness portion 24 is disposed in the remaining portion of the midsole 22 .
  • the specific region of the midsole 22 where the high hardness portion 25 is provided is reduced as compared with the above-described shoe sole 20 B. Also in the shoe sole 20 B 3 according to the present modification, the specific region is located in the portion on the lateral foot side in the midsole 22 .
  • the above-mentioned specific region is located mainly in: the portion on the lateral foot side in the forefoot portion R 1 that includes the part Q 2 for supporting a little toe; and the portion on the lateral foot side in the rearfoot portion R 3 , in which these portions of the forefoot portion R 1 and the rearfoot portion R 3 are independent of each other.
  • the portion on the lateral foot side in the rearfoot portion R 3 includes the portion on the lateral foot side in the part Q 3 for supporting a heel bone in the rearfoot portion R 3 .
  • the high hardness portion 25 is disposed only in the above-described two portions on the lateral foot side and on the upper layer portion L 1 side in the midsole 22 , and the low hardness portion 24 is disposed in the remaining portion of the midsole 22 .
  • a specific region of the midsole 22 where the high hardness portion 25 is provided is enlarged as compared with the above-described shoe sole 20 B.
  • the specific region is located not only in the portion on the lateral foot side in the midsole 22 but also partially located in the portion on the medial foot side in the midsole 22 .
  • the specific region is located to extend in: the portion on the lateral foot side in the forefoot portion R 1 that includes the part Q 2 for supporting a little toe; the portion on the lateral foot side in the midfoot portion R 2 ; the portion on the lateral foot side in the rearfoot portion R 3 ; and the portion on the medial foot side in the rearfoot portion R 3 .
  • the portions on the lateral foot side and the medial foot side in the rearfoot portion R 3 include the part Q 3 for supporting a heel bone in the rearfoot portion R 3 .
  • the high hardness portion 25 is disposed in: the almost entire area on the lateral foot side in the midsole 22 that excludes the toe side portion from the portion on the upper layer portion L 1 side; and the above-described portion in the portion on the medial foot side and on the upper layer portion L 1 side. Also, the low hardness portion 24 is disposed in the remaining portion of the midsole 22 .
  • the shoe soles 20 B 1 to 20 B 4 according to the tenth to thirteenth modifications and the shoe 1 B including one of the shoe soles 20 B 1 to 20 B 4 can also achieve the effect according to the above-described, second embodiment though the resulting effect is different to some degree.
  • a shoe sole that is particularly suitable for a person more likely to suffer from an underpronation and a person with bowlegs, that is excellent in stability on contact with the ground, that enables an excellent fit on a foot, and that is reduced in weight; and a shoe including the shoe sole.
  • FIG. 18 is a top view of a shoe sole (excluding an insole) of a shoe according to he third embodiment
  • FIG. 19 is a cross-sectional view taken along a line XIX-XIX shown in FIG. 18 .
  • the following describes a shoe sole 20 C according to the present embodiment and a shoe 1 C including the shoe sole 20 C with reference to FIGS. 18 and 19 .
  • the shoe 1 C according to the present embodiment includes an upper and a sockliner having the same configurations as those of the shoe 1 A according to the above-described embodiment.
  • the shoe sole 20 C according to the present embodiment includes the midsole 22 including: the low hardness portion 24 made of a foam material having relatively low hardiness; and the high hardness portion 25 made of a foam material having relatively high hardness. Also, the low hardness portion 24 and the high hardness portion 25 are bonded to each other and thereby integrally formed.
  • the high hardness, portion 25 is disposed in a specific region (a region indicated by oblique lines in FIG. 18 ) of the upper layer portion L 1 (see FIG. 19 ) in the midsole 22 so as to define a part of the upper surface 22 a of the midsole 22 .
  • the low hardness portion 24 is disposed to extend: in the region excluding the above-mentioned specific region (the region other than the region indicated by oblique lines in FIG. 18 ) from the upper layer portion L 1 (see FIG. 19 ) of the midsole 22 ; and entirely in the lower layer portion L 2 (see FIG. 19 ) of the midsole 22 that includes a region located below the specific region, so as to define the remaining portion of the upper surface 22 a of the midsole 22 and the lower surface 22 b of the midsole 22 .
  • the above-described specific region is located main a portion of the rearfoot portion R 3 that includes the part Q 3 for supporting a heel bone.
  • the high hardness portion 25 is disposed only in the above-described, portion in a portion on the posterior-end side and on the upper layer portion L 1 side in the midsole 22
  • the low hardness portion 24 is disposed in the remaining, portion of the midsole 22 .
  • the shoe sole 20 C according to the present embodiment configured as described above and the shoe 1 C including the shoe sole 20 C allow the heel portion to be stably supported by the midsole 22 on contact with the ground.
  • the pressure acting on the midsole 22 can be dispersed to thereby allow suppression of excessive deformation of the midsole 22 . Therefore, unsteadiness of the heel portion on contact with the ground (for example, the situation that the heel portion is inclined more than necessary in the direction indicated by the arrow AR 1 or an arrow AR 2 shown in FIG. 19 ) can be suppress
  • the low hardness portion 24 is located below the high hardness portion 25 , so that the high hardness portion 25 itself has a relatively reduced thickness.
  • the high hardness portion 25 is formed of a foam material similarly to the low hardness portion 24 .
  • the shoe sole 20 C according to the present embodiment and the shoe 1 C including the shoe sole 20 C can provide: a shoe sole that is excellent in stability on contact with the ground, that enables an excellent fit on a foot, and that is reduced in weight; and a shoe including the shoe sole.
  • a shoe sole includes: a forefoot portion that supports a toe portion and a ball portion of a foot; a midfoot portion that supports an arch portion of the foot; and a rearfoot portion that supports a heel portion of the foot, in which the forefoot portion, the midfoot portion, and the rearfoot portion are connected in a front-rear direction.
  • the shoe sole includes: an outsole provided with aground contact surface; and a sole body located above the outsole
  • the sole body includes a low hardness portion made of a foam material having relatively low hardness, and a high hardness portion made of a foam material having relatively high hardness.
  • the low hardness portion is provided to define an entire area of a lower surface of the sole body, and the high hardness portion is disposed only in a specific region of a region located above the low hardness portion in the sole body.
  • the sole body can include a midsole.
  • each of the low hardness portion and the high hardness portion can be provided in the midsole.
  • the low hardness portion and the high hardness portion can be bonded to each other such that the midsole is integrally formed.
  • the high hardness portion can be disposed in the specific region of an upper layer portion of the midsole to define a part of an upper surface of the midsole.
  • the low hardness portion can be disposed to extend: in a region excluding the specific region from the upper layer portion of the midsole; and entirely in a lower layer portion of the midsole that includes a region located below the specific region, so as to define a remaining portion of the upper surface of the midsole and a lower surface of the midsole.
  • the hardness portion can be embedded in the midsole in a thickness direction.
  • the low hardness portion can be disposed entirely in a region excluding the specific region from the midsole so as to define an tipper surface and a lower surface of the midsole.
  • the midsole can include a lower midsole portion and an upper midsole portion stacked in the thickness direction.
  • the high hardness portion can be provided in a portion on an upper surface side in the lower midsole portion and/or in a portion on a lower surface side in the upper midsole portion.
  • the sole body can include a midsole and an insole.
  • the high hardness portion can be provided in the insole, and the low hardness portion can be provided in the midsole.
  • the specific region is located in a portion on a medial foot side in the sole body.
  • the specific region can be located in a portion on the medial foot side in the rearfoot portion.
  • the specific region can be located in: a portion on the medial foot side in the forefoot portion, the portion including a part for supporting a big toe; and a portion on the medial foot side in the rearfoot portion, in which the specific region in the forefoot portion and the specific region in the rearfoot portion can he independent of each other.
  • the specific region can be located to extend in: a portion the medial foot side in the forefoot portion, the portion including a part for supporting a big toe; a portion on the medial foot side in the midfoot portion; and a portion on the medial foot side in the rearfoot portion.
  • the specific region can be located to extend in: a portion on the medial foot side in the forefoot portion, the portion including a part for supporting a big toe; a portion on the medial foot side in the midfoot portion; a portion on the medial foot side in the rearfoot portion; and a portion on a lateral foot side in the rearfoot portion.
  • a thickness of the high hardness portion in an edge portion of the high hardness portion on a lateral foot side in a foot width direction, can decrease toward the lateral foot side.
  • the specific region is located in a portion on a lateral foot side in the sole body.
  • the specific region can be located to extend in: a portion on the lateral foot side in the forefoot portion, the portion including a part for supporting a little toe; and a portion on the lateral foot side in the midfoot portion.
  • a thickness of the high hardness portion in an edge portion of the high hardness portion on a medial foot side in a foot width direction, can decrease toward the medial foot side.
  • the specific region is located in a portion of the sole body that includes a part for supporting a heel bone.
  • an Asker C hardness of the low hardness portion is 40 degrees or more and 60 degrees or less
  • an Asker C hardness of the high hardness portion is 60 degrees or more and 85 degrees or less on a condition that the high hardness portion is higher in Asker C hardness than the low hardness portion.
  • a shoe according to an aspect of the present disclosure includes: the shoe sole according to an aspect of the above-described present disclosure; and an upper located above the shoe sole.
  • each of the boundary surface between the midsole and the outsole, and the boundary surface between the lower midsole portion and the upper midsole portion is formed in a planar shape. but these boundary surfaces each can be formed in a curved surface shape.
  • shock absorbing parts each for performing a further shock absorbing function can be provided in a specific portion of the sole body formed of the midsole or formed of the insole in addition to the midsole.
  • the characteristic configurations presented in the above-described first to third embodiments and the modifications thereof can be combined with one another.
  • the configuration of the midsole and/or the insole in the thickness direction as in each of the fifth to ninth modifications based on the first embodiment can be applicable to the shoe sole according to the second or third embodiment and the shoe including the shoe sole.
  • first to third embodiments and the modifications thereof have been described above by way of example with reference to the shoe configured such that a shoelace is used to bring an upper body into close; contact with a foot, but the shoe can be configured such that the upper body is brought into close contact with a foot by a hook-and-loop fastener, or the shoe can be configured to include a sock-shaped upper body so as to allow the upper body to be brought into close contact with a foot only by inserting the foot into the upper body.

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  • General Health & Medical Sciences (AREA)
  • Public Health (AREA)
  • Chemical & Material Sciences (AREA)
  • Engineering & Computer Science (AREA)
  • Materials Engineering (AREA)
  • Life Sciences & Earth Sciences (AREA)
  • Wood Science & Technology (AREA)
  • Footwear And Its Accessory, Manufacturing Method And Apparatuses (AREA)
US17/784,054 2019-12-12 2019-12-12 Shoe sole and shoe including the same Abandoned US20230024019A1 (en)

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PCT/JP2019/048704 WO2021117190A1 (ja) 2019-12-12 2019-12-12 靴底およびこれを備えた靴

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US5025573A (en) * 1986-06-04 1991-06-25 Comfort Products, Inc. Multi-density shoe sole
US20150082668A1 (en) * 2012-05-10 2015-03-26 Asics Corporation Shoe Sole Having Outsole and Midsole
US20150282561A1 (en) * 2012-11-08 2015-10-08 Gvb Shoetech Ag Sole for pronation control
US9700099B2 (en) * 2007-11-09 2017-07-11 David Fu Footwear article
US20180027923A1 (en) * 2015-02-27 2018-02-01 Mizuno Corporation Midsole Structure for a Shoe
US20210267306A1 (en) * 2018-12-28 2021-09-02 Asics Corporation Shoe sole and shoe
US20230108812A1 (en) * 2020-04-13 2023-04-06 Asics Corporation Sole and footwear

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US5170572A (en) * 1991-05-31 1992-12-15 Insole Control, Inc. Tripod support insole
JPH05329005A (ja) * 1992-05-30 1993-12-14 Achilles Corp 多重硬度靴底
JP2916370B2 (ja) * 1994-05-18 1999-07-05 住友ゴム工業株式会社 靴 底
JP3258625B2 (ja) * 1998-03-25 2002-02-18 株式会社アシックス ミッドソールおよび中敷
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KR20150132428A (ko) * 2013-03-15 2015-11-25 백조이 오쏘틱스 엘엘씨 신발을 위한 중립 자세 배향 밑창 시스템
JP6639078B2 (ja) * 2014-09-17 2020-02-05 株式会社アシックス Ｏ脚の人に適した靴および靴底
EP3275330B1 (en) * 2015-03-23 2021-01-20 ASICS Corporation Shoe having stabilizer
JP6824469B2 (ja) * 2018-05-18 2021-02-03 株式会社アシックス 積層構造のミッドソールを有するシューソール

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Publication number Priority date Publication date Assignee Title
US4798010A (en) * 1984-01-17 1989-01-17 Asics Corporation Midsole for sports shoes
US5025573A (en) * 1986-06-04 1991-06-25 Comfort Products, Inc. Multi-density shoe sole
US9700099B2 (en) * 2007-11-09 2017-07-11 David Fu Footwear article
US20150082668A1 (en) * 2012-05-10 2015-03-26 Asics Corporation Shoe Sole Having Outsole and Midsole
US20150282561A1 (en) * 2012-11-08 2015-10-08 Gvb Shoetech Ag Sole for pronation control
US20180027923A1 (en) * 2015-02-27 2018-02-01 Mizuno Corporation Midsole Structure for a Shoe
US20210267306A1 (en) * 2018-12-28 2021-09-02 Asics Corporation Shoe sole and shoe
US20230108812A1 (en) * 2020-04-13 2023-04-06 Asics Corporation Sole and footwear

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EP4056067A1 (en) 2022-09-14
CN114786521A (zh) 2022-07-22
EP4056067A4 (en) 2022-11-02
JPWO2021117190A1 (https=) 2021-06-17
WO2021117190A1 (ja) 2021-06-17

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