JP7295622B2 - Sole structure and shoes using the same - Google Patents

Description

The present invention relates to a sole structure and shoes using the same.

Conventionally, as a sole structure for shoes designed to reduce the burden on the feet of a person who wears the shoe during running (hereinafter referred to as "wearer"), for example, a sole structure as disclosed in Patent Document 1 has been proposed. Proposed.

In this patent document 1, an outsole, a midsole made of a soft elastic material laminated on the upper side of the outsole, an upper plate laminated on the upper surface of the midsole, and between the outsole and the midsole A sole structure for a shoe is disclosed that includes a lower plate that is laminated to the bottom plate. Each of the upper plate and the lower plate is made of a material having higher rigidity than the material of the midsole, and is arranged to correspond to the range from the heel of the wearer's foot to the forefoot through the middle foot.

Japanese Patent Application Laid-Open No. 2017-035170

By the way, runners who prefer efficient running prefer the cushioning properties when the sole structure of the shoe touches the ground or the road surface (hereinafter referred to as "ground contact") and the ease of kicking forward in running shoes. tend to seek Among these, with respect to cushioning properties, the sole structure is subjected to mainly vertical and vertical impacts at positions corresponding to the hindfoot and/or middle foot of the wearer's foot, especially immediately after the ground. Therefore, in order to improve the cushioning property at the time of contact with the ground, it is important to appropriately absorb the impact in the vertical and vertical directions.

However, in the sole structure of Patent Document 1, the upper plate laminated on the upper surface of the midsole is configured to face the sole surface of the wearer's foot. For this reason, the impact force in the vertical and vertical directions immediately after the ground contact is not absorbed by the upper plate, and the impact force is directly transmitted to the heel of the wearer's foot via the upper plate. That is, in the sole structure of Patent Document 1, the impact in the vertical and vertical directions at the time of contact with the ground cannot be appropriately absorbed, and the cushioning property at the time of contact with the ground is impaired.

SUMMARY OF THE INVENTION The present invention has been made in view of such a point, and its object is to facilitate forward kicking during running and to ensure cushioning properties during ground contact.

In order to achieve the above object, a first aspect of the present invention relates to a sole structure for shoes, the sole structure being formed of an outsole and an elastic material having a lower rigidity than the outsole, a midsole layered on the upper side of the outsole; a plate layered between the outsole and the midsole; a cushioning body arranged to face the sole of the wearer's foot at positions corresponding to the middle foot and rear foot of the foot, and formed of a soft elastic material having lower rigidity than the midsole. there is The plate has a thin plate body that is made of a material that is less stretchable than the outsole and is thinner than the midsole. The plate body is configured such that the portion corresponding to the forefoot portion of the wearer's foot supports the range from the first to fifth distal phalanges of the wearer's foot to the metatarsophalangeal joint in the foot length direction. there is The front end of the cushioning body is positioned at a position corresponding to the middle foot of the wearer's foot. In a cross-sectional view, the front end portion of the cushioning body vertically overlaps the plate body positioned below the midsole with the midsole sandwiched therebetween.

In the first embodiment, at the position corresponding to the rear foot of the wearer's foot, the cushioning body arranged so as to face the sole of the wearer's foot appropriately absorbs the impact force in the vertical and vertical directions immediately after the ground contact. be absorbed. As a result, cushioning properties at the time of contact with the ground are ensured.

At a position corresponding to the middle foot of the wearer's foot, the cushioning body and the plate body overlap each other in the vertical direction. With such a configuration, at the position corresponding to the midfoot portion of the wearer's foot, the impact force in the vertical and vertical directions at the time of ground contact is appropriately absorbed by the cushioning body, and the plate body suppresses excessive bending of the sole structure. be. That is, at the position corresponding to the middle foot portion of the wearer's foot, the cushioning property is ensured by the cushioning body, and the plate body can stably support the wearer's foot. Further, since the plates are arranged at least at positions corresponding to the forefoot and middle foot of the wearer's foot, the outsole portion corresponding to these positions can be easily brought into contact with the ground or road surface smoothly.

Furthermore, at a position corresponding to the forefoot portion of the wearer's foot, the plate body suppresses excessive bending of the sole structure. Then, when the outsole touches the ground or the road surface, the stress accumulated in the plate body is converted into energy for kicking forward. This makes it easier to kick forward while running.

Therefore, in the first form, it is possible to facilitate forward kicking during running and to secure cushioning properties during ground contact.

Further, in the first form, the front end of the cushioning body is arranged at a position corresponding to the middle foot of the wearer's foot. That is, the cushioning body is not located at a position corresponding to the forefoot portion of the wearer's foot. Therefore, at the position corresponding to the forefoot portion of the wearer's foot, the plate body suppresses excessive bending of the sole structure to further enhance the effect of facilitating forward kicking during running. can be done.

A second embodiment is characterized in that, in the first embodiment, at least the front end portion of the cushioning body has a sloped portion that slopes downward and rearward.

In this second configuration, the sloped portion of the cushion causes a gradual decrease in cushioning as the contact portion of the outsole moves forward at a location corresponding to the middle foot of the wearer's foot. Therefore, when the wearer's foot touches the ground, the cushioning property of the cushioning body is reduced so that the wearer's feet do not feel uncomfortable, and the forward kicking action can be performed.

A third embodiment is characterized in that, in the first embodiment, the cushioning body is formed in a stepped shape so that the front end part recedes rearward as it goes downward.

In this third mode, the front end of the cushioning body is formed in a stepped shape so as to recede rearward as it goes downward, so that the outsole is positioned at a position corresponding to the middle foot of the wearer's foot. Cushioning gradually decreases as the contact portion moves forward. Therefore, when the wearer's foot touches the ground, the cushioning property of the cushioning body is reduced so that the wearer's feet do not feel uncomfortable, and the forward kicking action can be performed.

A fourth mode is characterized in that, in any one of the first to third modes, the plate body is made of a material having higher rigidity than the outsole.

In this fourth mode, excessive bending of the sole structure is further suppressed by the plate body formed of a material having higher rigidity than the outsole. Therefore, it is possible to further increase the instantaneous force of forward kicking during running.

In a fifth mode according to any one of the first to fourth modes, the plate body includes a protruding portion that protrudes upward from the peripheral edge of at least one of the medial shell side and the lateral shell side. Further, the projecting portion is characterized by being arranged at a position corresponding to at least the middle foot portion of the wearer's foot.

In this fifth mode, the protrusions can increase the rigidity of the plate body at least at a position corresponding to at least one of the medial instep side and the lateral instep side and corresponding to the midfoot portion of the wearer's foot. becomes. Therefore, the plate body can more stably support the wearer's foot at the position corresponding to the middle foot portion of the wearer's foot.

A sixth form is any one of the first to fifth forms, wherein the plate has at least one opening penetrating vertically through a portion of the plate body. The opening is covered from below by the outsole.

In the sixth embodiment, the opening is formed so as to penetrate a portion of the plate body in the vertical direction, so the plate body does not exist in the opening. In addition, since the opening is covered with the outsole from below, the entire lower surface of the plate body does not come into contact with the upper surface of the outsole. Therefore, when the wearer kicks forward, even if the outsole is sandwiched between the ground or road surface and the plate, the pressure when the lower plate touches the ground or road surface is It becomes easier to escape from the outsole toward the midsole through the opening. This reduces wear of the outsole. As a result, damage to the outsole due to deterioration over time can be suppressed.

A seventh embodiment is characterized in that, in the sixth embodiment, the opening is formed such that the length in the foot length direction is longer than the length in the foot width direction.

In the seventh embodiment, the length of the opening in the lengthwise direction of the foot is longer than the length in the widthwise direction of the foot. This makes it possible to relatively increase the bending rigidity of the plate body in the leg length direction. As a result, excessive bending of the sole structure in the foot length direction is suppressed, making it easier to kick forward during running.

An eighth form is a shoe having the sole structure of any one of the first to seventh forms.

In this eighth embodiment, it is possible to obtain shoes that exhibit the same effects as those of the first to seventh embodiments.

As described above, according to the present invention, it is possible to facilitate forward kicking during running and ensure cushioning properties during ground contact.

FIG. 1 is a plan view showing a sole structure according to an embodiment. FIG. FIG. 2 is a bottom view showing the sole structure according to the embodiment. FIG. 3 is a side view showing the sole structure according to the embodiment as seen from the outer shell side. FIG. 4 is a cross-sectional view taken along line IV--IV of FIG. FIG. 5 is a cross-sectional view taken along line VV of FIG. FIG. 6 is a sectional view taken along line VI-VI of FIG. FIG. 7 is a cross-sectional view taken along line VII-VII of FIG. FIG. 8 is a view equivalent to FIG. 1 that virtually shows a state in which the skeletal structure of the wearer's foot is superimposed on the plate of the sole structure according to the embodiment. FIG. 9 is a view equivalent to FIG. 4 showing Modification 1 of the sole structure according to the embodiment. FIG. 10 is a view equivalent to FIG. 4 showing Modification 2 of the sole structure according to the embodiment.

BEST MODE FOR CARRYING OUT THE INVENTION Hereinafter, embodiments of the present invention will be described in detail based on the drawings. The following description of the embodiments is merely illustrative in nature, and is not intended to limit the invention, its applications, or its uses.

FIG. 1 shows an overall view of a sole structure 1 according to an embodiment of the invention. A shoe having this sole structure 1 is used, for example, as sports shoes for running or various competitions.

Here, the sole structure 1 illustrates only the sole structure 1 of the shoe for the left foot. The sole structure 1 of the shoe for the right foot is constructed so as to be bilaterally symmetrical with that of the shoe for the left foot. Therefore, in the following description, only the sole structure 1 of the shoe for the left foot will be described, and the description of the sole structure 1 for the shoe for the right foot will be omitted.

In the following description, upper (upper) and lower (lower) represent the positional relationship of the sole structure 1 in the vertical direction. The front side and the rear side represent the positional relationship of the sole structure 1 in the foot length direction. The medial instep side and the lateral instep side represent the positional relationship of the sole structure 1 in the foot width direction. 1 and 8, the position corresponding to the forefoot portion of the foot of the person wearing the shoe having the sole structure 1 (hereinafter referred to as the "wearer") is denoted by F, and the middle foot of the wearer's foot is indicated by F. The position corresponding to the foot of the wearer shall be indicated by the symbol M, and the position corresponding to the rear foot of the wearer's foot shall be indicated by the symbol H.

(Outsole)
As shown in FIGS. 1-3, the sole structure 1 has an outsole 2 . The outsole 2 is arranged corresponding to the range from the forefoot portion F to the rearfoot portion H of the wearer's foot.

The outsole 2 is made of a hard elastic member having hardness higher than that of the midsole 3, which will be described later. Specifically, the material of the outsole 2 includes thermoplastic resins such as ethylene-vinyl acetate copolymer (EVA), thermosetting resins such as polyurethane (PU), and rubber materials such as butadiene rubber and chloroprene rubber. is suitable.

The hardness of the outsole 2 is preferably set to, for example, 50A to 80A (more preferably 60A to 70A) on the Asker A scale.

(midsole)
As shown in FIGS. 1-3, the sole structure 1 comprises a midsole 3. As shown in FIGS. The midsole 3 is configured to support the sole of the wearer's foot. The midsole 3 is laminated on the upper side of the outsole 2 with an adhesive, for example. The upper surface of the midsole 3 is configured as a sole supporting surface 3a for supporting the sole of the wearer's foot. In addition, in the shoe having the sole structure 1 , an upper (not shown) for covering the wearer's foot is provided on the peripheral edge of the midsole 3 .

The midsole 3 is made of a soft elastic material having lower rigidity than the outsole 2 . Specifically, the material of the midsole 3 includes, for example, thermoplastic synthetic resins such as ethylene-vinyl acetate copolymer (EVA) and their foams, thermosetting resins such as polyurethane (PU) and their foams, and butadiene. Rubber materials, such as rubber and chloroprene rubber, and their foams are suitable.

The hardness of the midsole 3 is preferably set to, for example, 15C to 65C (specifically 55C) on the Asker C scale.

As also shown in FIGS. 4 and 7, the midsole 3 has a housing portion 3b for housing a cushioning body 20, which will be described later. The accommodating portion 3b is arranged corresponding to a range from the middle foot portion M to the rear foot portion H of the wearer's foot. The accommodation portion 3b is formed in a concave shape downward from the sole supporting surface 3a of the midsole 3. As shown in FIG.

(plate)
As shown in FIG. 1, sole structure 1 comprises plate 4 . The plate 4 is arranged at a position corresponding to at least the forefoot portion F and the middle foot portion M of the wearer's foot. Specifically, the plate 4 in this embodiment is arranged in a range from the forefoot portion F to the rearfoot portion H of the wearer's foot. As shown in FIGS. 3 to 7, the plate 4 is laminated between the outsole 2 and the midsole 3. As shown in FIGS.

As shown in FIGS. 1 and 8, the plate 4 has a plate body 5. As shown in FIG.

The plate body 5 is made of a material that is less stretchable than the outsole 2 . Specifically, the plate body 5 is preferably made of a material having higher rigidity than the outsole 2 .

As a material for the plate body 5, a resin material or a rubber material having hardness higher than that of the outsole 2, or a tape material made of fabric, or the like is suitable. In this embodiment, a high-hardness resin material is used as the material of the plate body 5 as an example.

The hardness of the plate 4 is Shore D hardness, and is preferably set to, for example, 40D to 80D (specifically 70D).

As shown in FIGS. 3 to 7, the plate body 5 is formed to be thinner than the midsole 3. As shown in FIGS. It is preferable that the plate body 5 is formed in a thin shape having a thickness smaller than the maximum thickness of the outsole 2 . Specifically, the plate body 5 is preferably formed to have a thickness of 0.5 to 2.0 mm, for example. More specifically, the plate body 5 is preferably formed to have a thickness of 1.5, for example.

Here, FIGS. 3 and 4 show the neutral axis A as a virtual line segment (one-dot chain line) extending along the leg length direction. The neutral axis A corresponds to the axis when the sole structure 1 bends and deforms so as to swell downward in a side view. Then, when the sole structure 1 bends and deforms, the deformation amount of the portion below the neutral axis A becomes relatively larger than the deformation amount of the portion above the neutral axis A. On the other hand, the plate body 5 made of a material having higher rigidity than the outsole 2 is arranged below the neutral axis A and above the outsole 2 . Deformation of the portion below the neutral axis A is suppressed by the plate body 5 . As a result, it is possible to suppress excessive bending of the sole structure 1 as a whole.

The plate main body 5 has a medial shell-side branching portion 6 and a lateral shell-side branching portion 7, which are branched to the medial shell side and the lateral shell side, respectively. The medial instep side branching portion 6 and the lateral instep side branching portion 7 are arranged corresponding to the range from the middle foot portion M to the rear foot portion H of the wearer's foot.

As shown in FIGS. 1 and 8, the plate body 5 includes projections 8,8. The protruding portions 8, 8 are arranged at positions corresponding to the midfoot portion M of the wearer's foot. The protrusions 8, 8 extend along the leg length direction. As shown in FIGS. 6 and 7, the protruding portions 8, 8 protrude upward from the peripheral edge portions of the plate body 5 on the medial shell side and the lateral shell side, respectively.

(first opening)
As shown in FIGS. 1 and 2, plate 4 has at least one first opening 11 . In this embodiment, the plate 4 has a plurality of (three in the illustrated example) first openings 11, 11, .

Each first opening 11 is formed so as to vertically penetrate a portion of the plate body 5 . Each first opening 11 is formed so that the length in the lengthwise direction of the foot is longer than the length in the widthwise direction of the foot. Each first opening 11 is formed to have an opening area larger than that of each third opening 13 to be described later.

As shown in FIGS. 2 and 4 to 6, each first opening 11 is covered with the outsole 2 from below. Part of the lower portion of the midsole 3 is embedded in each first opening 11 . At the positions of the first openings 11 , part of the lower part of the midsole 3 embedded in the first openings 11 is in close contact with part of the upper surface of the outsole 2 . As a result, the pressure when the outsole 2 touches the ground or the road surface can easily escape from the outsole 2 to the midsole 3 via the first openings 11 .

The first openings 11, 11, . . . are spaced apart in the leg length direction. 8, the first openings 11, 11, . . . are arranged at positions corresponding to each of the forefoot portion F and the middle foot portion M on the inner instep side of the wearer's foot.

The first opening 11 located first from the front side of the plate body 5 is, for example, the first distal phalanx DP1, the first proximal phalanx PP1, the second middle phalanx IP2, and the second proximal phalanx of the wearer's foot. It is arranged so as to correspond to the position surrounded by the bone PP2.

The first opening 11 located second from the front side of the plate main body 5 is, for example, located near the metatarsophalangeal joint MP of the wearer's foot. are arranged to correspond to positions including the distal condyles of the

The first opening 11 positioned third from the front side of the plate body 5 corresponds to, for example, a position between the first metatarsal bone MT1 and the second metatarsal bone MT2 in the metatarsal region M of the wearer's foot. are arranged to

(Second opening)
As shown in FIGS. 1 and 2, plate 4 has at least one second opening 12 . In this embodiment the plate 4 has one second opening 12 .

The second opening 12 is formed so as to vertically penetrate a portion of the plate body 5 . The second opening 12 is formed so that the length in the lengthwise direction of the foot is longer than the length in the widthwise direction of the foot. The second opening 12 is formed to have an opening area larger than that of a third opening 13 to be described later.

As shown in FIGS. 2 and 6, the second opening 12 is covered with the outsole 2 from below. A portion of the lower portion of the midsole 3 is embedded in the second opening 12 . At the position of the second opening 12 , part of the lower part of the midsole 3 embedded in the second opening 12 is in close contact with part of the upper surface of the outsole 2 . This makes it easier for the pressure when the outsole 2 contacts the ground or the road surface to escape from the outsole 2 toward the midsole 3 via the second openings 12 .

As also shown in FIG. 8, the second opening 12 is arranged mainly at a position corresponding to the middle foot portion M on the lateral instep side of the wearer's foot. Specifically, for example, the second opening 12 is positioned behind the metatarsophalangeal joint MP of the wearer's foot so as to correspond to a position between the third metatarsal bone MT3 and the fourth metatarsal bone MT4. are placed in

(Third opening)
Plate 4 has at least one third opening 13 . In this embodiment, the plate 4 has a plurality (three in the illustrated example) of third openings 13, 13, .

Each third opening 13 is formed so as to vertically penetrate a portion of the plate body 5 . Each third opening 13 is formed so that the length in the leg length direction is longer than the length in the leg width direction.

As shown in FIGS. 2 and 5, each third opening 13 is covered with the outsole 2 from below. Part of the lower portion of the midsole 3 is embedded in each third opening 13 . At the positions of the third openings 13 , part of the lower portion of the midsole 3 embedded in the third openings 13 is in close contact with part of the upper surface of the outsole 2 . As a result, the pressure when the outsole 2 touches the ground or the road surface can easily escape from the outsole 2 toward the midsole 3 through the third openings 13 .

The third openings 13, 13, . . . are spaced apart in the leg length direction and the leg width direction. 8, the third openings 13, 13, . . . are arranged corresponding to positions including the forefoot portion F on the lateral instep side of the wearer's foot.

The third opening 13 located on the front side of the plate body 5 is arranged, for example, so as to correspond to a position including the third middle phalanx IP3 and the third proximal phalanx PP3 of the wearer's foot.

The third opening 13 located near the center of the plate body 5 is arranged, for example, so as to correspond to a position between the second proximal phalanx PP2 and the third proximal phalanx PP3 of the wearer's foot. .

The third opening 13 located on the lateral side of the plate body 5 is arranged, for example, so as to correspond to a position between the fourth proximal phalanx PP4 and the fifth proximal phalanx PP5 of the wearer's foot. ing.

(buffer)
As shown in FIGS. 1 and 3, the sole structure 1 has a cushioning body 20 . The cushioning body 20 is configured to be able to absorb vertical impacts applied to the upper surface. With such a configuration, the cushioning body 20 can soften vertical impact particularly on the heel of the wearer's foot (heel bone HL shown in FIG. 8) when the wearer lands on the ground.

Examples of materials for the buffer 20 include thermoplastic synthetic resins such as ethylene-vinyl acetate copolymer (EVA) and foams thereof, thermosetting resins such as polyurethane (PU) and foams thereof, butadiene rubber and chloroprene rubber. Rubber materials such as rubber and foams thereof are suitable. The buffer body 20 is preferably made of a soft elastic material having lower rigidity than the midsole 3 . Specifically, the hardness of the buffer body 20 is preferably set to, for example, 40C on the Asker C scale.

The cushioning bodies 20 are arranged at positions corresponding to the midfoot portion M and the rearfoot portion H of the wearer's foot. Specifically, the cushioning body 20 is formed integrally with the midsole 3 with an adhesive or the like while being housed in the housing portion 3b of the midsole 3 . The cushioning body 20 may be formed integrally with the midsole 3 while being accommodated in the accommodation portion 3b of the midsole 3 .

As shown in FIGS. 4 and 7, the cushioning body 20 has inclined portions 22, 22, . The inclined portion 22 positioned on the front end portion 21 side of the cushioning body 20 is formed such that the front end portion 21 is inclined downward and rearward (see FIG. 4). In addition, in this embodiment, the inclined portions 22, 22, . . .

As shown in FIG. 1, the cushioning body 20 and the plate body 5 overlap each other in the vertical direction at a position corresponding to the middle foot portion M of the wearer's foot.

Specifically, as shown in FIG. 4, the front end portion 21 of the cushioning body 20 is arranged at a position corresponding to the middle foot portion M of the wearer's foot. At least part of the front end portion 21 of the cushioning body 20 overlaps part of the plate body 5 in the vertical direction.

Further, as shown in FIG. 7 , the cushioning body 20 is configured so that a part thereof closer to the medial side overlaps the medial shell side branch portion 6 of the plate body 5 in the vertical direction. Further, the cushioning body 20 is configured such that a portion closer to the outer shell side overlaps the inner shell side branch portion 6 of the plate body 5 in the vertical direction.

[Action and effect of the embodiment]
As described above, in the sole structure 1 according to the embodiment, at the position corresponding to the rear foot portion H of the wearer's foot, the cushioning body 20 arranged so as to face the sole surface of the wearer's foot provides a Appropriately absorbs the impact force in the vertical and vertical directions. As a result, cushioning properties at the time of contact with the ground are ensured.

At a position corresponding to the middle foot portion M of the wearer's foot, the cushioning body 20 and the plate body 5 overlap each other in the vertical direction. With such a configuration, at the position corresponding to the midfoot portion M of the wearer's foot, the impact force in the vertical and vertical directions at the time of grounding is appropriately absorbed by the cushioning body 20, and the plate body 5 prevents the sole structure 1 from being excessively affected. Bending is suppressed. That is, at the position corresponding to the middle foot portion M of the wearer's foot, the cushioning property is ensured by the cushioning body 20, and the plate body 5 can stably support the wearer's foot. Since the plate 4 is arranged at least at positions corresponding to the forefoot portion F and the middle foot portion M of the wearer's foot, the portions of the outsole 2 corresponding to these positions are smoothly grounded on the ground or road surface. easier.

Furthermore, at a position corresponding to the forefoot portion F of the wearer's foot, the plate body 5 suppresses excessive bending of the sole structure 1 . Then, when the outsole 2 touches the ground or the road surface, the stress accumulated in the plate body 5 is converted into energy for kicking forward. This makes it easier to kick forward while running.

Therefore, in the sole structure 1 according to the embodiment, it is possible to facilitate forward kicking during running and ensure cushioning properties during ground contact.

A front end portion 21 of the cushioning body 20 is arranged at a position corresponding to the middle foot portion M of the wearer's foot. That is, the cushioning body 20 is not arranged at a position corresponding to the forefoot portion F of the wearer's foot. Therefore, at the position corresponding to the forefoot portion F of the wearer's foot, the plate body 5 suppresses excessive bending of the sole structure 1 and facilitates forward kicking during running. can be further enhanced.

In addition, the cushioning body 20 has an inclined portion 22 in which at least the front end portion 21 is inclined downward and rearward. Due to the inclined portion 22, the cushioning property gradually decreases as the contact portion of the outsole 2 moves forward at the position corresponding to the midfoot portion M of the wearer's foot. Therefore, when the wearer touches the ground, the cushioning property of the cushioning body 20 is reduced so as not to cause discomfort to the wearer's feet, and the forward kicking motion can be performed.

Moreover, the plate body 5 made of a material having higher rigidity than the outsole 2 further suppresses excessive bending of the sole structure 1 . Therefore, it is possible to further increase the instantaneous force of forward kicking during running.

Moreover, the protruding portions 8, 8 make it possible to increase the rigidity of the plate body 5 at positions corresponding to the middle foot portion M of the wearer's foot on the medial instep side and the lateral instep side. Therefore, the wearer's foot can be more stably supported by the plate body 5 at the position corresponding to the middle foot portion M of the wearer's foot.

Each first opening 11 (opening) of the plate 4 is formed so as to vertically penetrate a part of the plate body 5 . That is, the plate body 5 does not exist in each first opening 11 . Each first opening 11 is covered with the outsole 2 from below. Therefore, the entire lower surface of the plate body 5 does not come into contact with the upper surface of the outsole 2 . Therefore, even if the outsole 2 is sandwiched between the ground or road surface and the plate 4 when the wearer kicks forward, the pressure when the plate 4 touches the ground or road surface is However, it becomes easier to escape from the outsole 2 toward the midsole 3 through the first openings 11 . As a result, wear of the outsole 2 is suppressed. As a result, damage to the outsole 2 due to deterioration over time can be suppressed. It should be noted that each of the second opening 12 and the third openings 13, 13, . . .

Further, each first opening 11 is formed so that the length in the leg length direction is longer than the length in the leg width direction. This makes it possible to relatively increase the bending rigidity of the plate body 5 in the leg length direction. As a result, excessive flexing of the sole structure 1 in the foot length direction is suppressed, making it easier to kick forward during running. It should be noted that each of the second opening 12 and the third openings 13, 13, . . .

Further, even the shoes having the sole structure 1 according to this embodiment can exhibit the above effects.

[Modification 1 of Embodiment]
As in Modification 1 shown in FIG. 9 , the cushioning body 20 composed of the first and second sheet members 23 and 24 integrally formed in layers may be accommodated in the accommodation portion 3 b of the midsole 3 . Each of the first and second sheet members 23 and 24 is made of, for example, foamed rubber, thermoplastic resin, or thermosetting resin foam. The hardness of each of the first and second sheet materials 23, 24 is preferably set to 20C on the Asker C scale, for example.

Moreover, the buffer body 20 shown in Modification 1 is formed in a stepped shape so that the front end portion 21 retreats rearward as it goes downward. Specifically, the first sheet material 24 located on the upper side is configured to have a length in the leg length direction smaller than the length of the second sheet material 25 located on the lower side in the leg length direction.

Thus, in Modification 1, the front end portion 21 of the cushioning body 20 is formed in a stepped shape so as to recede rearward as it goes downward. Therefore, at the position corresponding to the midfoot portion M of the wearer's foot, the cushioning property gradually decreases as the contact portion of the outsole 2 moves forward. Therefore, when the wearer touches the ground, the cushioning property of the cushioning body 20 is reduced so as not to cause discomfort to the wearer's feet, and the forward kicking motion can be performed.

[Modification 2 of Embodiment]
In the above-described embodiment, the cushioning body 20 is housed in the housing portion 3b of the midsole 3, but the present invention is not limited to this embodiment. For example, as in Modification 2 shown in FIG. 10 , the entire rear portion of the midsole 3 may be replaced with the cushioning body 20 in the range from the middle foot portion M to the rear foot portion H of the wearer. The cushioning body 20 is integrally formed with the midsole 3 at the front end portion 21, for example.

Even in the modified example 2, as in the above-described embodiment, the cushioning property at the time of ground contact is ensured by the cushioning body 20 . Also, since the front end portion 21 of the shock absorber 20 of the modified example 2 is also formed with the inclined portion 22, it is possible to obtain the same effects as those of the above-described embodiment.

[Other embodiments]
In the above-described embodiment, the plate 4 is arranged in the range from the forefoot portion F to the rearfoot portion H of the wearer's foot, but the present invention is not limited to this form. That is, the plate 4 should be arranged at a position corresponding to at least the forefoot portion F and the middle foot portion M of the wearer's foot.

Moreover, although the form which provided several 1st opening part 11,11,... was shown in the said embodiment, it is not restricted to this form. For example, a form in which only one first opening 11 is provided may be employed.

Moreover, in the above-described embodiment, the form in which the second opening 12 and the third openings 13, 13, . That is, a configuration in which the second opening 12 and the third opening 13 are not provided may be employed.

In addition, in the above-described embodiment, the length in the leg length direction of each first opening 11 is longer than the length in the leg width direction, but the configuration is not limited to this. For example, each first opening 11 may be formed in a square shape or a substantially circular shape such that the length in the foot length direction and the length in the foot width direction are substantially equal. Similarly, the second opening 12 and the third openings 13 may be formed in a square shape or a substantially circular shape such that the length in the foot length direction and the length in the foot width direction are substantially equal. .

In addition, in the above-described embodiment, the protruding portions 8, 8 are provided on the inner shell side and outer shell side peripheral edge portions of the plate body 5, but the present invention is not limited to this configuration. For example, at least one projecting portion 8 may be provided on either one of the inner shell side and the outer shell side of the plate body 5 . Alternatively, the protruding portions 8, 8 may not be provided on the peripheral edge portions of the plate body 5 on the medial and lateral shell sides.

Although the embodiments of the present invention have been described above, the present invention is not limited to the above-described embodiments, and various modifications are possible within the scope of the invention.

INDUSTRIAL APPLICABILITY The present invention can be industrially applied to, for example, a sole structure for shoes applied to running and various sports and shoes using the same.

1: sole structure 2: outsole 3: midsole 3a: sole support surface 3b: storage part 4: plate 5: plate body 6: inner shell side branch part 7: outer shell side branch part 8: protrusions 11-13 : 1st to 3rd openings (openings)
20: shock absorber 21: front end portion 22: inclined portion 23: first sheet material 24: second sheet material

Claims (8)

A sole structure for a shoe, comprising:
an outsole;
a midsole made of an elastic material having lower rigidity than the outsole and laminated on the upper side of the outsole;
a plate arranged at a position corresponding to the forefoot portion and the middle foot portion of the wearer's foot and laminated between the outsole and the midsole;
a cushioning body arranged to face the sole of the wearer's foot at positions corresponding to the midfoot portion and the rearfoot portion of the wearer's foot and formed of a soft elastic material having lower rigidity than the midsole; with
The plate has a thin plate body that is made of a material that is less stretchable than the outsole and is thinner than the midsole,
The plate body is configured such that the portion corresponding to the forefoot portion of the wearer's foot supports the range from the first to fifth distal phalanges of the wearer's foot to the metatarsophalangeal joint in the foot length direction. and
The front end portion of the cushioning body is arranged at a position corresponding to the midfoot portion of the wearer's foot,
A sole structure in which the front end of the cushioning body vertically overlaps the plate body positioned below the midsole with the midsole sandwiched therebetween in a cross-sectional view. The sole structure according to claim 1,
The sole structure according to claim 1, wherein at least the front end portion of the cushioning body has a slope portion that slopes downward and rearward. The sole structure according to claim 1,
The sole structure of the present invention, wherein the cushioning body is formed in a stepped shape so as to recede rearward as the front end goes downward. In the sole structure according to any one of claims 1 to 3,
The sole structure, wherein the plate body is made of a material having higher rigidity than the outsole. In the sole structure according to any one of claims 1 to 4,
The plate body includes a protruding portion that protrudes upward from the peripheral edge of at least one of the medial shell side and the lateral shell side,
The sole structure, wherein the protrusion is arranged at a position corresponding to at least the middle foot of the wearer's foot. In the sole structure according to any one of claims 1 to 5,
The plate has at least one opening vertically penetrating a part of the plate body,
The sole structure, wherein the opening is covered from below by the outsole. The sole structure according to claim 6,
The sole structure, wherein the opening is formed such that the length in the lengthwise direction of the foot is longer than the length in the widthwise direction of the foot. A shoe comprising the sole structure according to any one of claims 1-7.

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