U.S. patent application number 10/576200 was filed with the patent office on 2007-03-08 for footwear.
This patent application is currently assigned to DAICHI Co., Ltd.. Invention is credited to Daichi Tajima, Yoshinori Tajima, Takanobu Yamamuro.
Application Number | 20070051020 10/576200 |
Document ID | / |
Family ID | 34463491 |
Filed Date | 2007-03-08 |
United States Patent
Application |
20070051020 |
Kind Code |
A1 |
Tajima; Daichi ; et
al. |
March 8, 2007 |
Footwear
Abstract
A sole 12 of shoe 10 has a thickened portion defined at an area
thereof where a base of toe of user's foot is to be positioned. An
engagement is member 30 adapted for allowing a rotating adapter 20
to be releasably engaged therewith. In an inner surface of the shoe
10, there are provided: a slope inclined, as indicated by the line
LA, such that a side thereof near to the heel side 16 is low; and a
slope inclined, as indicated by the line LB, such that one side
thereof on which a big toe of user's foot is to be positioned is
lower than another side thereof on which a small toe of user's foot
is to be positioned. The sole 12 is formed with a sloped surface 18
which extends from an area of the sole at which the base of toe of
user's foot is to be positioned, in a direction toward a toe side
14.
Inventors: |
Tajima; Daichi; (Saitama,
JP) ; Tajima; Yoshinori; (Saitama, JP) ;
Yamamuro; Takanobu; (Tokyo, JP) |
Correspondence
Address: |
SNIDER & ASSOCIATES
P. O. BOX 27613
WASHINGTON
DC
20038-7613
US
|
Assignee: |
DAICHI Co., Ltd.
1-2-6, Yahei
Kawaguchi-shi
JP
332-0002
|
Family ID: |
34463491 |
Appl. No.: |
10/576200 |
Filed: |
October 21, 2004 |
PCT Filed: |
October 21, 2004 |
PCT NO: |
PCT/JP04/15633 |
371 Date: |
April 17, 2006 |
Current U.S.
Class: |
36/132 |
Current CPC
Class: |
A43B 7/24 20130101; A43B
13/14 20130101; A43B 13/143 20130101; A43B 5/12 20130101; A43B
3/0042 20130101; A43B 5/001 20130101 |
Class at
Publication: |
036/132 |
International
Class: |
A43B 5/00 20060101
A43B005/00 |
Foreign Application Data
Date |
Code |
Application Number |
Oct 22, 2003 |
JP |
2003-361395 |
Claims
1. A footwear characterized by comprising: a first sloped surface
defined inside of said footwear, said first sloped surface being
inclined such that one side thereof on which a base of toe of human
foot is to be positioned is higher than another side thereof near
to a heel side of said footwear; a second sloped surface defined in
a sole of said footwear, said second sloped surface extending from
an area of said sole at which said base of toe of human foot is to
be positioned, in a direction toward a toe side of said footwear;
and a third sloped surface defined inside of said footwear, said
third sloped surface being inclined such that one side thereof on
which a big toe of human foot is to be positioned is lower than
another side thereof on which a small toe of human foot is to be
positioned.
2. The footwear as described in claim 1, characterized in that at
least one functional equipment is provided to said sole of said
footwear.
3. A footwear characterized by comprising: a first sloped surface
defined inside of said footwear, said first sloped surface being
inclined such that one side thereof on which a base of toe of human
foot is to be positioned, is higher than another area of said
insole near to a heel side of said footwear; a second sloped
surface defined in a sole of said footwear, said second sloped
surface extending from said one area of said insole at which said
base of toe of human foot is to be positioned, in a direction
toward a toe side of the footwear; and at least one functional
equipment provided to said sole of said footwear.
4. The footwear as described in claim 2, characterized in that said
functional equipment is one selected from the group consisting of:
rotatable circular plates; spikes; rotatable balls; springs;
rotatable rollers; edges; and slidable plates.
5. A footwear characterized in that: at least one functional
equipment is provided to a sole of said footwear, and said
functional equipment is one selected from the group consisting of:
rotatable circular plates; rotatable balls; springs; edges; and
slidable plates.
6. The footwear as described in claim 2, characterized in that said
functional member is releasably connected with said sole of said
footwear.
7. The footwear as described in claim 2, characterized in that
different functional equipments are provided to each of right and
left footwears.
8. The footwear as described in claim 2, characterized in that a
plurality of said functional equipments are provided to said sole
of said footwear, and that said plurality of said functional
equipments include functional equipments which differ from one
another.
9. The footwear as described in claim 2, characterized in that said
functional equipment is releasably engaged with said footwear, such
that a magnet is used for allowing engagement and disengagement of
the functional equipment with and from the footwear.
10. The footwear as described in claim 3, characterized in that
said functional equipment is one selected from the group consisting
of: rotatable circular plates; spikes; rotatable balls; springs;
rotatable rollers; edges; and slidable plates.
11. The footwear as described in claim 3, characterized in that
said functional member is releasably connected with said sole of
said footwear.
12. The footwear as described in claim 4, characterized in that
said functional member is releasably connected with said sole of
said footwear.
13. The footwear as described in claim 5, characterized in that
said functional member is releasably connected with said sole of
said footwear.
14. The footwear as described in claim 3, characterized in that
different functional equipments are provided to each of right and
left footwears.
15. The footwear as described in claim 4, characterized in that
different functional equipments are provided to each of right and
left footwears.
16. The footwear as described in claim 5, characterized in that
different functional equipments are provided to each of right and
left footwears.
17. The footwear as described in claim 3, characterized in that a
plurality of said functional equipments are provided to said sole
of said footwear, and that said plurality of said functional
equipments include functional equipments which differ from one
another.
18. The footwear as described in claim 5, characterized in that a
plurality of said functional equipments are provided to said sole
of said footwear, and that said plurality of said functional
equipments include functional equipments which differ from one
another.
19. The footwear as described in claim 3, characterized in that
said functional equipment is releasably engaged with said footwear,
such that a magnet is used for allowing engagement and
disengagement of the functional equipment with and from the
footwear.
20. The footwear as described in claim 5, characterized in that
said functional equipment is releasably engaged with said footwear,
such that a magnet is used for allowing engagement and
disengagement of the functional equipment with and from the
footwear.
Description
TECHNICAL FIELD
[0001] The present invention relates to a footwear pertaining to
athletic shoes. More particularly, the invention is directed to a
footwear suited for enhancing and improving an athletic ability and
body function of human.
BACKGROUND ARTS
[0002] A muscle of a human leg portion is one of the largest
muscles in the human body. It is reported that only half of such
human leg muscle is used for most of daily activities. In
particular, in the case of a person having few opportunities for
exercises due to deskwork or the like, a muscle in the inside of
his or her thigh portion or a muscle in his or her buttocks portion
is prone to wane and it is difficult to strengthen those particular
muscle portions. Solution to such problem is attainable by
providing an effective way to enhance or stretch the muscles,
sufficient to improve the body function and athletic ability. For
example, the under-listed prior art literature 1 discloses a
footwear for physical exercise purpose, which has a particular sole
of such a structure that a forward side (on the toe side) thereof
is greater in height than a backward side (on the heel side).
Specifically, according to that prior art, the insole of shoe is so
formed to provide a downwardly sloped surface which becomes
gradually lower as it proceeds from the forward portion thereof to
the backward portion thereof. This arrangement of shoes gives a
user walking therewith such an experience as if he or she walked on
an uphill road generally identical in inclination angle to the
sloped insole, with his or her heel portions being kept in close
proximity to a ground surface, thereby providing a proper exercise
effect to the user.
[0003] The prior art literature 1: Japanese Laid-Open Patent
Publication No. Hei 9-164002
DISCLOSURE OF THE INVENTION
[Problems to be Solved by the Invention]
[0004] The foregoing conventional footwear is certainly effective
in improving and enhancing muscles in the backward side of user's
leg portion, but entirely ineffective in enhancing and stretching
muscles in other parts of the user's body than that leg portion
(e.g. muscles in the abdominal portion). Further, as stated above,
this sort of footwear inherently includes the high toe region and
the low heel region, which in fact makes it difficult for a user to
walk in a normal way. That is, basically sated, for the user to
walk in a normal way, his or her weight must be shifted in the
following orders: the heel, the base of toe, and the tiptoe. But,
such shift of weight is not smoothly achieved by the foregoing
prior-art shoe insole structure having the high toe region and the
low heel region, as a result of which, it is difficult to make such
conventional footwear adaptable for use in sports and the like
which requires a quick footwork.
[0005] With the above-stated drawbacks in view, it is a purpose of
the present invention to provide an improved footwear which is not
only suited for improving and enhancing a sports ability required
principally for human leg portions, but also suited for preventing
a poor bodily functions caused by a lopsided weight in human foot
portions.
[Means for Solving the Problems]
[0006] In order to achieve the foregoing purpose, a footwear in
accordance with the present invention is characterized by
comprising: a first sloped surface defined inside of the footwear,
the first sloped surface being inclined such that one side thereof
on which a base of toe of human foot is to be positioned is higher
than another side thereof near to a heel side of the footwear; a
second sloped surface defined in a sole of the footwear, the second
sloped surface extending from an area of said sole where the base
of toe of human foot is to be positioned, in a direction toward a
toe side of the footwear; and a third sloped surface defined inside
of the footwear, the third sloped surface being inclined such that
one side thereof on which a big toe of human foot is to be
positioned is lower than another side thereof on which a small toe
of human foot is to be positioned. Further, the footwear is
characterized in that at least one functional equipment is provided
to the sole of the footwear. Another aspect of the present
invention is characterized by comprising: a first sloped surface
defined inside of the footwear, the first sloped surface being
inclined such that one side thereof on which a base of toe of human
foot is to be positioned is higher than another side thereof near
to a heel side of the footwear; a second sloped surface defined in
a sole of the footwear, the second sloped surface extending from an
area of the sole on which the base of toe of human foot is to be
positioned, in a direction toward a toe side of the footwear; and
at least one functional equipment provided to the sole of the
footwear. Still another aspect of the present invention is
characterized in that at least one functional equipment is provided
to a sole of the footwear, and that the functional equipment is one
selected from the group consisting of: rotatable circular plates;
rotatable balls; springs; edges; and slidable plates. It should be
noted that the above-stated purpose, features and advantages of the
present invention as well as other purposes, features and
advantages of the invention will become apparent from reading of
the specific descriptions hereinafter, with reference to the
annexed drawings.
[Effects of the Invention]
[0007] In accordance with the present invention, there is basically
provided a footwear comprising: a first sloped surface defined
inside of the footwear, the first sloped surface being inclined
such that one side thereof on which a base of toe of human foot is
to be positioned is higher than another side thereof near to a heel
side of the footwear; and a second sloped surface defined in a sole
of the footwear, the second sloped surface extending from an area
of the sole where the base of toe of human foot is to be
positioned, in a direction toward a toe side of the footwear. In
such footwear, a third sloped surface may be defined inside of the
footwear, the third sloped surface being inclined such that one
side thereof on which a big toe of human foot is to be positioned
is lower than another side thereof on which a small toe of human
foot is to be positioned. Alternatively, either solely or in
combination with that third sloped surface, a functional equipment
may be releasably connected with a potion of the sole of footwear
at which the base of toe of human foot is to be positioned. Such
arrangement of footwear is advantageous in that a user can keep his
or her appropriate posture and enhance his or her sports ability,
and that it is possible to make any effective use of the footwear
to not only prevent development of various symptoms due to a
lopsided weight in the foot portions, but also provide symptomatic
improvement in that respect. Moreover, in the case where the
functional equipment is provided to the second sloped surface, the
user can simply shift his or her weight forwards in a direction
from the heel side to the toe side, to thereby permit use of the
functional equipment, or conversely, in a direction reverse to such
forward weight shift, the user can shift his or her weight so as to
avoid use of the functional equipment. Additionally, the use of
such functional equipment enables the user to enhance and stretch
muscles in his or her leg portions as well as muscles in his or her
other body portions.
BRIEF DESCRIPTION OF THE DRAWINGS
[0008] The FIG. 1 is a diagram illustrating a structure of
Embodiment 1 of the present invention.
[0009] The FIG. 2 is a diagram for showing how the foregoing
embodiment is used.
[0010] The FIG. 3 is a diagram for showing how the foregoing
embodiment is used.
[0011] The FIG. 4 is a diagram illustrating principal parts in each
of another alternative embodiments of the present invention.
DESCRIPTION ON REFERENCE NUMERALS IN THE DRAWINGS
[0012] 10: shoe
[0013] 12: shoe sole
[0014] 12A: recessed portion
[0015] 14: toe side
[0016] 16: heel side
[0017] 18: sloped surface
[0018] 20: rotating adapter
[0019] 20A: circular base plate
[0020] 20B: bearing mechanism
[0021] 20C: female engagement shaft
[0022] 20D: engagement hole
[0023] 30: engagement member
[0024] 30A: flat plate
[0025] 30B: male engagement shaft
[0026] 40: ground plane
[0027] 50: user
[0028] 52: thenar eminence
[0029] 100: spring
[0030] 102: engagement shaft
[0031] 110: spiral spring
[0032] 112: engagement shaft
[0033] 114, 116: detent plates
[0034] 120: ball
[0035] 122: joint
[0036] 124: engagement shaft
[0037] 130: ski
[0038] 132, 134: engagement shafts
BEST EMBODIMENTS FOR CARRYING OUT THE INVENTION
[0039] Although there may be many various embodiments of the
present invention, hereinafter, an appropriate number of exemplary
embodiments of the invention will be specifically described.
Embodiment 1
[0040] First of all, a description will be made of an embodiment 1
in accordance with the present invention, with reference to FIGS. 1
to 3. FIG. 1(A) is a side elevational view showing a structure of
the present embodiment. FIG. 1(B) is a front view of the present
embodiment as viewed in the direction of arrow F1 in the FIG. 1(A).
FIGS. 2 and 3 are diagrams illustrative of how the present
embodiment is used. As shown in those figures, the illustrated shoe
10 includes a shoe sole 12 having a thickened region defined at a
point near to a side forwardly of the shoe in relation to a center
of sole of a user' foot; namely, an area of the insole where a base
of toe of a user's foot is to be positioned, wherein the term "base
of toe" refers to a joint between the toe and instep of user's
foot. (Such thickened insole region substantially corresponds to a
line extended between a thenar eminence 52 and a hypothenar
eminence as seen in FIG. 1(B)). Thus, referring to the state of the
shoe in FIG. 1(A), the insole of shoe 10, on which the sole of foot
of the user 50 is to be contacted, is sloped with respect to a
ground plane 40 as indicated by the line LA. As far as the
illustrative embodiment is concerned, the ground plane 40 is shown
as extending horizontally with a view to facilitating the ease of
understanding about the present embodiment. In addition thereto, as
viewed from FIG. 1(B), the insole of the shoe 10 is sloped with
respect to the ground plane 40, such that one area thereof on which
the user's big toe is to be positioned is lower than another area
thereof on which the user's little toe is to be positioned, as
indicated by the line LB. Further, the shoe sole 12 has a sloped
surface 18 which is upturned or extends upwards from one side of
the shoe sole on which the afore-said base of toe of user's foot is
to be positioned, in a direction toward a toe side 14 where a
distal end part of the user's foot is to be positioned.
[0041] Embedded securely in a material of the shoe sole are a
plurality of engagement members 30, each being formed from a
metallic material and adapted for engagement with a functional
equipment to be described later, in such a manner as to allow a
plurality of the functional equipments to be engaged with the
respective engagement members at the respective plurality of
positions in forward and backward directions of the shoe sole. As
shown in FIG. 1(C), the engagement member 30 may comprise a flat
plate 30A of square shape and a male engagement shaft 30B adapted
for allowing the functional equipment to be releasably engaged
therewith, the male engagement shaft 30B erecting from a center of
the flat plate 30A. That particular male engagement shaft 30B is
exposed in a recessed portion 12A formed in the shoe sole 12.
Further, the engagement member 30 is fixed in the shoe sole 12 such
that an axis of the engagement shaft 30B thereof is oriented to and
aligned with the normal to an outer surface of the shoe sole. That
is, the arrangement of the engagement members 30 in the shoe sole
12 is such that, at every local area of the shoe sole 12 which
corresponds to each engagement member 30 and is to contact the
ground plane 40, any male engagement shaft 30B corresponding
thereto is to be substantially perpendicular to the ground plane
40. For example, in accordance with such arrangement of engagement
members 30 in the shoe sole 12, when a portion of the shoe sole at
which the base of toe of user's foot is to be positioned is only
contacted on the ground plane as shown in FIG. 2(A), the male
engagement shaft 30B disposed at that particular portion of shoe is
substantially perpendicular to the ground plane 40.
[0042] On the other hand, as seen from the enlarged view in FIG.
1(D), a rotating adapter 20 may be provided as one exemplary part
of the foregoing functional equipment. Such rotating adapter
comprises a female engagement shaft 20C and a circular base plate
20A adapted for contact on the ground plane 40, wherein the
circular base plate 20A is rotatably connected with the female
engagement shaft 20C via a bearing mechanism 20B. The female
engagement shaft 20C has an engagement hole 20D formed therein.
This rotating adapter 20 may be releasably and rotatably engaged
with the engagement member 30 by inserting the male engagement
shaft 30B disposed in the shoe sole 12 into the engagement hole
20D.
[0043] Now, an operation and action of the present embodiment will
be described. At first, with reference to FIG. 2(A) and FIG. 3, a
description will be made of the case where the rotating adapter 20
is used. In this mode, first of all, the female engagement shaft
20C of the rotating adapter 20 is engaged with the male engagement
shaft 30B via the recessed portion 12A. Then, as understandable in
FIG. 2(A), a user wearing the shoe stands on tiptoe, with an outer
surface of the circular base plate 20A of the rotating adapter 20
being in contact on the ground plane 40. In that instance, as seen
in FIG. 3(A), the user can stand on one foot and rotate or spin his
or her body, wherein, normally, such rotating or spinning action
could hardly be done without some optimum condition including the
case where the user stands on the ice of a low degree of .mu. (the
.mu. is a friction resistance) or the case where the user stands on
a slippery polished floor. Alternatively, as shown in FIG. 3(B),
the user can stand on both feet and take an exercise like twist
dance. Accordingly, it is possible for the user to train a sense of
balance by taking the spinning exercise stated above. Or,
alternatively, by taking the twist-dance exercise stated above, the
user can easily do a "twisting" action which is not done so much in
his or her daily activities. In a normal twisting action, an
oblique abdominal muscle is mainly used. But, a user wearing a pair
of the shoes 10 of the present embodiment can efficiently stimulate
his or her oblique abdominal muscles that have not been used for
years due to aging or insufficient exercise, whereby, for example,
the following effects can be expected: preventing and relieving a
low back pain; enhancing muscles in the waist portion; reducing fat
in the waist portion; and relieving constipation. It is noted here
that, when it is desired to use the rotating adapter 20, the user
may shift his or her weight toward the toe side 14 of the shoe, and
on the other hand, if it is unnecessary to use the rotating adapter
20, the user may shift his or her weight toward the heel side 16 of
the shoe, or may remove the rotating adapter 20 from the shoe.
[0044] Next, a description will be made of an instance where the
shoe is used without the rotating adapter 20. Suppose that a user
removes the rotating adapter 20 from the shoe 10 of the present
embodiment, and wears such shoe 10 without the rotating adapter 20
to walk or take a physical exercise. In that instance, generally
stated, a normal use state of the shoe wherein a whole of the shoe
is placed and contacted on the ground plane may be depicted in FIG.
1(A), whereas on the other hand, a stepping state of the shoe
wherein the user wearing the shoe is about to step on the ground
plane for a certain action may be depicted in FIG. 2(B). First of
all, reference is made to FIG. 1(A) which is indicative of the
state where a user wearing the shoe stands up, with a whole of the
shoe being contacted on the ground plane. In that instance, the
heel side 16 of the shoe is low, and therefore, it follows that the
sole of user's foot in the shoe slopes upwardly as it proceeds to a
forward end thereof. With this upward inclination of insole which
causes such upward slope of foot sole, the user will fall down
backward unless he or she changes his or her posture, and
therefore, a natural body reaction of the user responsive thereto
will work to incline the body forwardly to counterbalance such
upward inclination of sole so as to keep the user's balance. In
that way, it is to be seen that the user wearing the shoe inclines
his or her body forwardly, and, under that state, calf muscles of
the user are slightly extended (or stretched). On the other hand,
let us assume that the user wearing the shoe is in the process of
walking. In this instance, each time the user takes a step, the
sole of the user's foot undergoes a correction effect within the
shoe, which acts on the user's foot and leg portions, such that a
weighted center on that foot sole is shifted to an inward side of
the user's foot and thus transformed into an inward weight being
applied in a direction inwardly of the user's foot. This
effectively allows the user to increase his or her stepping force.
Further, by the virtue of the inclined insole state indicated by
the line LB in FIG. 1(B), the thus-attained inward weight is
maintained, which makes it possible to prevent and remedy bow-legs,
knock-knees and a combination of bow-legs and knock-knees. Hence,
with the arrangements described above, the user can walk, with his
or her calves being stretched to a certain degree, in which case, a
limitation is given to a range in which the muscles of the calves
can act and move, with the result that, to compensate for such
limited movement of calf muscles, a reactive movement is caused in
muscles in a backward region of user's thigh portion (i.e. biceps
femoris muscle) and/or in muscles of user's hip portion (i.e.
gluteus maximus). It is therefore possible to attain a stretching
effect to those muscles, as well. Or, instead of such walking, the
user wearing the shoe may wish to stop and stand on the toes. In
that instance, it is to be seen that the user stands only on a
portion of the shoe where the base of toe of his or her foot is
positioned, or more clearly stated, the user stands on a local
point corresponding to the sloped surface 18 of shoe sole 12 which
faces downwards. Under such state, the user can either stand
upright or effect a footwork training with respect to the line
extended between the thenar eminence and the hypothenar
eminence.
[0045] As described above, according to the Embodiment 1, it is
appreciated that the insole of the shoe 10 is provided with: a
slope inclined such that one area of the insole on which the base
of toe of user's foot is to be positioned is higher than another
area of the insole near to the heel side 16; a slope inclined such
that one area of the insole on which a big toe of user's foot is to
be positioned is lower than another area of the insole on which a
small toe of user's foot is to be positioned; and a sloped surface
18 which is turned up from the foregoing insole area where the base
of toe of user's foot is to be positioned, in a direction toward
the toe side 14. Further, the rotating adapter 20 is releasably
connected with a point of the shoe sole 12 which corresponds to
such insole area where the base of toe of user's foot is to be
positioned. Accordingly, the following effects are attainable:
[0046] (1) While standing upright, a user can shift his or her
weight in a direction from the heel side of the shoe to the toe
side of the shoe, thereby giving a certain unusual stimulation to
the muscles and/or motor nerves, which enables the user to
strengthen a force of the muscle and attain an improved flexibility
of his or her body. Hence, it is possible to enhance and improve
the user's physical capabilities and functions. Further, with the
shoe(s), the user can stand upright while giving his or her weight
mainly to the heel side, which is for example effective in
preventing and remedying hallux valgus.
[0047] (2) The aforementioned inward weight is always exerted on
the user's foot or feet. Thus, in the process of walking, the user
uses a greater force than usual to shift the inward weight forward,
thereby enhancing his or her muscle force for taking steps. It is
therefore, for example, possible to prevent development of bow-legs
or knock-knees due to a lopsided weight caused in the user's feet,
and also remedy a developed bow-legs or knock-knees.
[0048] (3) By use of the rotating adapter 20, the user can take a
rotating exercise or twist-dance exercise, thereby moving and
stretching other parts of his or her body than the leg
portions.
[0049] (4) The user can simply shift his or her weight forwards in
a direction from the heel side 16 to the toe side 14, to thereby
permit use of the rotating adapter 20. Or, alternatively, in a
direction reverse to such forward weight shift, the user may shift
his or her weight so as to avoid use of the rotating adapter
20.
[0050] (5) In a portion of shoe sole 12 where the base of toe of
user's foot is to be positioned, the female engagement shaft 20 of
the rotating adapter 20 is securely disposed slantwise, which means
that there is no need for unnecessary increase of thickness of that
particular portion of shoe sole, thereby avoiding degradation and
limited feasibility of design.
[0051] It should be understood that a great number of other
embodiments may be contemplated within the scope of the present
invention, and therefore, the above-described shoe(s) of the
present invention may be modified in a variety of another fashions
along the line with the foregoing disclosure. For instance, such
modification includes the following aspects:
[0052] (1) The elements and materials forming the above-described
embodiments are used by way of example and may be replaced by other
elements and materials appropriately as required. For example, a
natural leather material, a synthetic leather material or cloth
material may be used to form the main body portion of the shoe 10,
while the shoe sole 12 be formed from a rubber or the like. Also,
the illustrated materials forming the rotating adapter 20 and
engagement member 30 are used by way of example and may be replaced
by any other suitable material having a strength sufficient to
withstand a weight of the user 50 so as not to be deformed thereby.
Further, the colors and patterns of those materials may be changed
appropriately as required.
[0053] (2) In the previously described embodiments, the rotating
adapter 20 is used as one mode of the functional equipment, but, in
place thereof, for example, one of the following items may be used
as an alternative mode of the functional equipment: a spike (or
clamber), a ball, a roller, a spring, and an edge. FIG. 4
illustrates some exemplary modes of such alternative functional
equipments. With reference to an example in FIG. 4(A), one
alternative mode of the functional equipment is shown as comprising
a generally U-shaped spring 100 and an engagement shaft 102
provided to that spring. Referring to an example in FIG. 4(B), it
is seen that an engagement shaft 112 is provided to a spiral spring
110, thereby forming an alternative mode of the functional
equipment. Specifically, two detent plates 114 and 116 are provided
to the respective two sides of the spring 110, and the engagement
shaft 112 is connected with the detent plate 116. With reference to
an example in FIG. 4(C), a ball (a spherical element) 120 is
rotatably secured in a joint 122, thereby forming an alternative
mode of the functional equipment. In this mode, an engagement shaft
124 is provided to a top of the joint 122. FIG. 4(D) shows an
example wherein two engagement shafts 132 and 134 are provided to a
ski 130 for grass skiing, thereby forming an alternative mode of
the functional equipment. In this particular mode, a pair of the
engagement members 30 should necessarily be provided in the shoe
sole 12 in order to permit engagement thereof with the respective
two engagement shafts 132 and 134. In this context, the two
engagement shafts 132 and 134 may be connected with an edge for
skate, instead of with the ski 130.
[0054] (3) Two different functional equipments may be chosen from
among the above-described functional equipments and respectively
engaged with a pair of the shoes 10 which are to be worn by the
respective left and right feet of user. Or, a plurality of
different functional equipments be engaged with each of the two
shoes 10. It is also noted that the above-described structure of
the engagement member 30 is just one exemplary mode of the present
invention, and the same goes for the above-described arrangements
by which the functional equipments, including the rotating adapter
20, can be engaged with the engagement member 30. Thus, any other
alteration may be applied to those engagement member 30 and
functional equipments, insofar as it achieves the same effects as
previously described. For example, in order to connect the
functional equipment with the engagement member 30, each of the
following arrangements may be optional. Namely, a convex element
and a concave element may be arranged appropriately between the
engagement member 30 and the functional equipment, so as to allow
engagement of the convex element with the concave element. Or,
bolts and nuts may be arranged appropriately for connection of the
functional equipment with the engagement member 30. Or, a magnet be
used for that purpose. In particular, if the magnet is used as an
alternative to the engagement member 30, a magnetism therefrom will
act on a user's foot, so that some advantageous effects to the foot
can be expected.
[0055] (4) The footwear disclosed in the present invention is
indeed suited for enhancing physical capabilities of user in
association with: a sport of the type requiring abrupt dash and
stop, which includes tennis, baseball, basketball and volleyball; a
sport of the type requiring instantaneous force, which includes a
running long jump and a running high jump; and a sport of the type
requiring a training of user's heel portion to exert his or her
ability, such as golf, judo, and weightlifting. However, the
footwear of the present invention is not limited to the sports, but
may be used as a usual footwear. Also, the footwear of the present
invention may be used for dance or skate.
APPLICABILITY OF THE INVENTION FOR INDUSTRIAL USES
[0056] In accordance with the present invention, there is basically
provided a footwear comprising: a first sloped surface defined
inside of the footwear, the first sloped surface being inclined
such that one side thereof on which a base of toe of user's foot is
to be positioned is higher than another side thereof near to a heel
side of the footwear; and a second sloped surface defined in a sole
of the footwear, the second sloped surface extending from an area
of the sole where the base of toe of user's foot is to be
positioned, in a direction toward a toe side of the footwear. In
such footwear, a third sloped surface may be defined inside of the
footwear, the third sloped surface being inclined such that one
area of the insole, on which a big toe of user's foot is to be
positioned is lower than another area of the insole on which a
small toe of user's foot is to be positioned. Alternatively, solely
or in combination with that third sloped surface, a functional
equipment stated above may be releasably connected with a portion
of the sole of footwear at which the base of toe of user's foot is
to be positioned. Such arrangement of footwear is advantageous in
that a user can keep his or her appropriate posture, and that the
user can simply shift his or her weight forwards in a direction
from the heel side to the toe side, to thereby permit use of the
functional equipment, or the user can shift his or her weight in a
direction reverse to such forward weight shift so as to avoid use
of the functional equipment. Accordingly, it is possible to make
the footwear of the present invention adaptable for use in various
kinds of sports. In particular, the sole of the footwear has the
sloped surface, by virtue of which, it is possible to eliminate the
need for increasing the thickness of the footwear sole in the case
where a functional member is embedded in that particular footwear
sole. Hence, the thickness of the footwear sole is not increased,
irrespective of the functional member being embedded therein, which
effectively attains a good aesthetic appearance of the footwear.
Accordingly, the footwear of the present invention deserves a
design-oriented footwear.
* * * * *