U.S. patent application number 14/398530 was filed with the patent office on 2015-04-23 for sole structure for a shoe.
The applicant listed for this patent is Mizuno Corporation. Invention is credited to Takeshi Takeshita.
Application Number | 20150107132 14/398530 |
Document ID | / |
Family ID | 51731299 |
Filed Date | 2015-04-23 |
United States Patent
Application |
20150107132 |
Kind Code |
A1 |
Takeshita; Takeshi |
April 23, 2015 |
Sole Structure for a Shoe
Abstract
The invention is directed to improving a sole deformability of a
forefoot portion and a heel portion. The sole structure 1 includes
an upper plate 2 disposed on an upper side of the sole assembly 1,
a lower plate 3 that is disposed under the upper plate 2 and that
forms a gap S with the upper plate 2, and a pillar-shaped
connecting member 4 that is provided in the gap S and that
vertically interconnects the upper plate 2 with the lower plate 3.
At least a portion of the lower plate 3 is divided in the
longitudinal direction by a lateral indentation 30 at a position
that the connecting member 4 is in contact with.
Inventors: |
Takeshita; Takeshi;
(Suita-shi, JP) |
|
Applicant: |
Name |
City |
State |
Country |
Type |
Mizuno Corporation |
Osaka-shi |
|
JP |
|
|
Family ID: |
51731299 |
Appl. No.: |
14/398530 |
Filed: |
March 31, 2014 |
PCT Filed: |
March 31, 2014 |
PCT NO: |
PCT/JP2014/060044 |
371 Date: |
November 3, 2014 |
Current U.S.
Class: |
36/28 |
Current CPC
Class: |
A43B 13/18 20130101;
A43B 13/184 20130101; A43B 13/185 20130101; A43B 13/127
20130101 |
Class at
Publication: |
36/28 |
International
Class: |
A43B 13/18 20060101
A43B013/18 |
Foreign Application Data
Date |
Code |
Application Number |
Apr 18, 2013 |
JP |
2013-087463 |
Claims
1. A sole structure for a shoe comprising: an upper plate disposed
on an upper side of said sole structure; a lower plate that is
disposed on a lower side of said sole structure and that forms a
gap with said upper plate; and an elastic member that is provided
in said gap and that vertically interconnects said upper plate with
said lower plate, wherein at least a portion of said lower plate is
divided in a longitudinal direction by a lateral indentation
provided at a position where said lower plate is in contact with
said elastic member.
2. The sole structure according to claim 1, wherein said upper
plate and said lower plate are provided at a forefoot region of
said sole structure, said elastic member being disposed at a medial
side end portion and a lateral side end portion of said sole
structure, said lower plate extending continuously in the
longitudinal direction at a laterally central region of said sole
structure.
3. The sole structure according to claim 2, wherein said lower
plate has a laterally extending first indentation that divides said
lower plate in the longitudinal direction at the medial side end
portion and the lateral side end portion of said sole structure,
said lower plate further having a longitudinally extending second
indentation at the laterally central region of said sole structure,
said second indentation being integrated with said first
indentation.
4. The sole structure according to claim 3, wherein said first
indentation and said second indentation form a generally T-shaped
indentation in said lower plate.
5. The sole structure according to claim 2, wherein a
longitudinally continuously extending portion of said lower plate
has an upwardly convexly bulging shape at the laterally central
region of said sole structure.
6. The sole structure according to claim 1, wherein said elastic
member has a recess formed on a lower surface thereof, said recess
being disposed at a position corresponding to said indentation of
said lower plate and extending along said indentation.
7. The sole structure according to claim 1, wherein said elastic
member extends along an entire width of said sole structure.
8. The sole structure according to claim 1, wherein said upper
plate and said lower plate are provided at a forefoot region of
said sole structure, said elastic member being disposed inside a
medial side end portion and inside a lateral side end portion of
said sole structure, said lower plate extending continuously in the
longitudinal direction at a laterally central region, the medial
side end portion and the lateral side end portion of said sole
structure.
9. The sole structure according to claim 8, wherein said lower
plate has a laterally extending third indentation that divides said
lower plate in the longitudinal direction inside at the medial side
end portion and inside at the lateral side end portion of said sole
structure, said lower plate further having a longitudinally
extending fourth indentation at the laterally central region of
said sole structure, said fourth indentation being integrated with
said third indentation, said lower plate still further having a
longitudinally extending fifth indentation inside the medial side
end portion and inside the lateral side end portion of said sole
structure, said fifth indentation being integrated with said third
indentation.
10. The sole structure according to claim 9, wherein said third to
fifth indentations form a generally H-shaped indentation in said
lower plate.
11. The sole structure according to claim 1, wherein said upper
plate and said lower plate are disposed at a heel region of said
sole structure, said elastic member is disposed on a heel lateral
side and a heel rear end side, at least a portion of said lower
plate is divided in the longitudinal direction by a lateral
indentation provided at a position where said lower plate is in
contact with said elastic member on the heel lateral side, and at
least a portion of said lower plate is divided in a lateral
direction by a longitudinal indentation provided at a position
where said lower plate is in contact with said elastic member on
the heel rear end side.
12. The sole structure according to claim 1, wherein said lower
plate has a downwardly convex shape at a longitudinally region
extending in front of and in the rear of said lateral
indentation.
13. The sole structure according to claim 1, wherein said lower
plate has a plurality of bulges that respectively bulge downwardly
convexly, said elastic member being disposed at a position where
said respective bulges are longitudinally adjacent to each
other.
14. The sole structure according to claim 1, wherein said lower
plate has an outsole fixedly attached on a lower surface of said
lower plate, said outsole being divided in the longitudinal
direction by an indentation that corresponds to said indentation of
said lower plate.
Description
TECHNICAL FIELD
[0001] The present invention relates generally to a sole structure
for a shoe, and more particularly, to an improved sole structure
that can enhance a sole deformability of a forefoot region and a
heel region.
BACKGROUND ART
[0002] As a sole structure for a shoe that can improve sole
bendability, the applicant of the present invention has proposed
such sole structures as shown in Japanese Patent Nos. 4087882 and
4020953.
[0003] Japanese Patent No. 4087882 describes a sole structure in
which an upper plate is provided on an upper side of a forefoot
region of the sole structure, a lower plate having a plurality of
projections is provided under the upper plate via a gap, and the
upper and lower plates are interconnected to each other through a
cushion bar (see FIGS. 1A and 1B). Japanese Patent No. 4020953
describes a sole structure in which an upper plate is provided on
an upper side of a heel region of the sole structure, a wavy lower
plate having at least two downwardly convexly bulging parts to form
a gap with the upper plate is provided under the upper plate, the
upper and lower plates are interconnected to each other through an
elastic block, and an outsole is provided and longitudinally
separated on a lower surface of each of the downwardly convexly
bulging parts of the lower plate (see FIGS. 1A and 1B).
[0004] According to the sole structure shown in Japanese Patent No.
4087882, when the forefoot region of the sole structure begins to
bend during running, the lower plate extends longitudinally in such
a way that each of the projections of the lower plate deforms to
extend longitudinally. Thereby, bending deformation of the forefoot
region is not hindered by the lower plate and bendability of the
forefoot region is thus improved.
[0005] According to the sole structure shown in Japanese Patent No.
4020953, at the time of a heel strike onto the ground, the lower
surface of each of the downwardly convexly bulging parts of the
lower plate comes into contact with the ground via the
longitudinally separated outsoles. Thereby, deformation of each of
the downwardly convexly bulging parts of the lower plate is not
restricted and bendability of the heel region is thus improved.
[0006] With regard to the bendability of the sole structure, a
certain effect can be achieved in each of the sole structures
described in the above-mentioned Japanese Patent Nos. 4087882 and
4020953. However, there is a strong demand in the shoes industry
that especially in sports shoes not only bendabilty of the sole
forefoot region but also bendability and flexibility of the sole
heel region should be further improved.
[0007] The present invention has been made in view of these
circumstances and its object is to provide a sole structure for a
shoe that can improve sole deformability of a forefoot region and a
heel region. Specifically, the present invention is directed to
enhancing bendability of the forefoot region of the sole structure
having an upper and lower plate disposed via a gap formed
therebetween. Also, the present invention is directed to enhancing
bendability and flexibility of the heel region of the sole
structure having an upper and lower plate disposed via a gap formed
therebetween.
DISCLOSURE OF INVENTION
[0008] A sole structure for a shoe according to the invention
claimed in claim 1 includes an upper plate disposed on an upper
side of the sole structure, a lower plate that is disposed on a
lower side of the sole structure and that form a gap with the upper
plate, and an elastic member that is provided in the gap and that
vertically interconnects the upper plate with the lower plate. At
least a portion of the lower plate is divided in a longitudinal
direction by a lateral indentation provided at a position where the
lower plate is in contact with the elastic member.
[0009] According to the invention claimed in claim 1, since the
lower plate is divided in the longitudinal direction via the
lateral indentation and is in contact with the elastic member at
the position where the indentation is formed, when a load is
applied to the sole structure during wearing the shoe, one of the
longitudinally extending regions in front of and in the rear of the
indentation of the lower plate is easy to deform independently of
the other of the longitudinally extending regions of the lower
plate. Along with that, since a portion of the lower plate where
the indentation is formed is supported by the elastic member, the
lateral indentation is easy to deform so as to expand in the
longitudinal direction. Thereby, sole deformability of the forefoot
region and the heel region of the sole structure can be improved.
Also, at the time of ground contact of the sole structure, since
the gap formed between the upper plate and the lower plate acts as
a cushioning hole, cushioning properties can be improved. Moreover,
the elastic member contributes to deformability of the sole
structure, thereby enhancing durability of the lower plate and thus
the entire sole structure.
[0010] In the invention claimed in claim 2, the upper plate and the
lower plate are disposed at a forefoot region of the sole
structure, the elastic member is disposed at a medial side end
portion and a lateral side end portion of the sole structure, and
the lower plate extends continuously without being divided in the
longitudinal direction at a laterally central region of the sole
structure.
[0011] In this case, when a load is applied to the sole structure,
one of the longitudinally extending regions in front and in the
rear of the indentation of the lower plate is easy to deform
independently of the other of the longitudinally extending regions
of the lower plate. At the same time, a longitudinally continuously
extending part at the laterally central region of the lower plate
is easy to bending-deform without being restrained by the elastic
member. Thereby, bendability of the forefoot region of the sole
structure can be improved.
[0012] In the invention claimed in claim 3, the lower plate not
only has a laterally extending first indentation formed therein
that divides the lower plate in the longitudinal direction at the
medial side end portion and the lateral side end portion of the
sole structure but also has a longitudinally extending second
indentation that is formed therein at the laterally central region
of the sole structure and that is integrated with the first
indentation.
[0013] In this case, a longitudinally continuously extending part
at the laterally central region of the lower plate becomes easier
to bending-deform, thus further enhancing bendability of the
forefoot region of the sole structure. Also, provision of the
second indentation in addition to the first indentation makes the
lower plate lighter in weight.
[0014] In the invention claimed in claim 4, the first indentation
and the second indentation form a generally T-shaped indentation in
the lower plate.
[0015] A longitudinally continuously extending portion of the lower
plate may have an upwardly convex shape at the laterally central
region of the sole structure (see the invention claimed in claim
5).
[0016] In this case, since the longitudinally continuously
extending portion at the laterally central region of the lower
plate has a longitudinal extension margin, it is easy to extend in
the longitudinal direction, thus further improving bendability of
the forefoot region of the sole structure.
[0017] The elastic member may have a recess formed on a lower
surface thereof that is disposed at a position corresponding to the
indentation of the lower plate and that extends along the
indentation (see the invention claimed in claim 6).
[0018] In this case, at the time of deformation of the lower plate,
the elastic member deforms elastically in such a way that a width
of the recess expands. As a result of this, the longitudinally
extending regions in front and in the rear of the indentation of
the lower plate are much easier to deform, thus further improving
sole deformability of the forefoot region and the heel region of
the sole structure.
[0019] The elastic member may extend along an entire width of the
sole structure (see the invention claimed in claim 7).
[0020] In the invention claimed in claim 8, the upper plate and the
lower plate may be provided at a forefoot region of the sole
structure, the elastic member may be disposed inside a medial side
end portion and inside a lateral side end portion of the sole
structure, and the lower plate may extend continuously without
being divided in the longitudinal direction at a laterally central
region, the medial side end portion and the lateral side end
portion of the sole structure.
[0021] In this case, when a load is applied to the sole structure,
one of the longitudinally extending regions in front of and in the
rear of the indentation of the lower plate is easily deformable
independently of the other of the longitudinally extending regions
of the lower plate. Along with that, longitudinally continuously
extending parts at the laterally central region, the medial side
end portion, and the lateral side end portion of the lower plate
are easy to bending-deform without being restrained by the elastic
member. Thereby, bendability of the forefoot region of the sole
structure can be improved.
[0022] In the invention claimed in claim 9, the lower plate not
only has a laterally extending third indentation that divides the
lower plate in the longitudinal direction inside at the medial side
end port ion and inside at the lateral side end portion of the sole
structure but also has a longitudinally extending fourth
indentation at the laterally central region of the sole structure
that is integrated with the third indentation and a longitudinally
extending fifth indentation inside at the medial side end portion
and inside at the lateral side end portion of the sole structure
that is integrated with the third indentation.
[0023] In this case, longitudinally continuously extending parts at
the laterally central region, the medial side end portion and the
lateral side end portion of the lower plate become much easier to
bending-deform due to the provision of the fourth and fifth
indentations, thus further enhancing bendability of the forefoot
region of the sole structure.
[0024] The third to fifth indentations form a generally H-shaped
indentation in the lower plate (see the invention claimed in claim
10).
[0025] In the invention claimed in claim 11, the upper plate and
the lower plate are disposed at a heel region of the sole
structure, the elastic member is disposed on a heel lateral side
and a heel rear end side, at least a portion of the lower plate is
divided in the longitudinal direction by a lateral indentation
provided at a position where the lower plate is in contact with the
elastic member on the heel lateral side, and at least a portion of
the lower plate is divided in the lateral direction by a
longitudinal indentation provided at a position where the lower
plate is in contact with the elastic member on the heel rear end
side.
[0026] In this case, since the lower plate is divided in the
longitudinal direction by the lateral indentation and the lower
plate is in contact with the elastic member at the position where
the indentation is formed, when a load is applied to the sole
structure, one of the longitudinally extending regions in front of
and in the rear of the indentation of the lower plate is easily
deformable independently of the other of the longitudinally
extending regions of the lower plate. Thereby, bendability of the
heel region of the sole structure can be improved. Moreover, in
this case, the lower plate is divided in the lateral direction as
well by the longitudinal indentation. The longitudinally and
laterally regions of the lower plate divided by the lateral and
longitudinal indentations are easily deflectable in the vertical
direction at the time of impacts of the heel region of the sole
structure onto the ground, thus further improving cushioning
properties of the heel region of the sole structure and achieving a
smooth impact feeling.
[0027] The lower plate may have a downwardly convex shape at a
longitudinally region extending in front of and in the rear of the
lateral indentation (see the invention claimed in claim 12).
[0028] In this case, since each of the downwardly convex portions
of the lower plate has an extension margin in the longitudinal and
vertical directions, the lower plate is easily deflectable in the
longitudinal and vertical directions, thus further improving sole
deformability of the forefoot region and the heel region of the
sole structure and also further enhancing cushioning
properties.
[0029] The lower plate may have a plurality of bulges that
respectively bulge downwardly convexly and the elastic member may
be disposed at a position where the respective bulges are
longitudinally adjacent to each other (see the invention claimed in
claim 13).
[0030] In this case as well, since each of the downwardly
convex-shaped bulges of the lower plate has an extension margin in
the longitudinal and vertical directions, the lower plate is easily
deflectable in the longitudinal and vertical directions, thus
further improving sole deformability of the forefoot region and the
heel region of the sole structure and also further enhancing
cushioning properties.
[0031] The lower plate may have an outsole fixedly attached on a
lower surface thereof and the outsole may be divided in the
longitudinal direction by an indentation that corresponds to the
indentation of the lower plate (see the invention claimed in claim
14).
[0032] In this case, deformation of the lower plate is not hindered
by the outsole, thus allowing the forefoot region and the heel
region of the lower plate to deform smoothly.
BRIEF DESCRIPTION OF DRAWINGS
[0033] FIG. 1 is a bottom view of a sole structure for a shoe
according to an embodiment of the present invention;
[0034] FIG. 2 is a lateral side view viewed from the arrow mark II
of FIG. 1;
[0035] FIG. 3 is a medial side view viewed from the arrow mark III
of FIG. 1;
[0036] FIG. 4 is a longitudinal sectional view of FIG. 1 taken
along line IV-IV;
[0037] FIG. 5 is a cross sectional view of FIGS. 1 to 4 taken along
line V-V;
[0038] FIG. 6 is a cross sectional view of FIGS. 1 to 4 taken along
line VI-VI;
[0039] FIG. 7 is a cross sectional view of FIGS. 1 to 4 taken along
line VII-VII;
[0040] FIG. 8 is a cross sectional view of FIGS. 1 to 4 taken along
line VIII-VIII;
[0041] FIG. 9 is a cross sectional view of FIGS. 1 to 4 taken along
line IX-IX;
[0042] FIG. 10 is a cross sectional view of FIGS. 1 to 4 taken
along line X-X;
[0043] FIG. 11 is a cross sectional view of FIGS. 1 to 4 taken
along line XI-XI;
[0044] FIG. 12 is a rear elevational view of a heel of the sole
structure of FIG. 1;
[0045] FIG. 13 is an enlarged view of a region including a
connecting member of the sole structure of FIG. 1, corresponding to
a partially enlarged view of FIG. 2; and
[0046] FIG. 14 is a bottom view of a sole structure for a shoe
according to another embodiment of the present invention,
corresponding to FIG. 1.
BEST MODE FOR CARRYING OUT THE INVENTION
[0047] Embodiments of the present invention will be hereinafter
described in accordance with the appended drawings.
[0048] FIGS. 1 to 13 show a sole structure for a shoe according to
an embodiment of the present invention. In the illustrated example,
a running shoe is taken as an example.
[0049] In the following explanations, upward direction (upper
side), downward direction (lower side), forward direction (front
side), and rearward direction (rear side) of a sole structure
designate upward direction (upper side), downward direction (lower
side), forward direction (front side), and rearward direction (rear
side) of a shoe, respectively. That is, taking FIG. 2 as an
example, an upward direction and a downward direction of the sole
structure indicate a right side and a left side of FIG. 2
respectively, and a forward direction and a rearward direction of
the sole structure indicate an upward direction and a downward
direction of FIG. 2 respectively. Also, in FIGS. 1 to 4, H
indicates a heel region of the sole structure, M for a midfoot
region, and F for a forefoot region respectively.
[0050] As shown in FIGS. 1 to 4, Sole structure 1 for a shoe
includes an upper plate 2 that is disposed on an upper side of the
sole structure 1 and that extends to curve gently from the heel
region H through the midfoot region M to the forefoot region F, a
lower plate 3 that is located downwardly away from the upper plate
2 with a gap S formed between the upper plate 2 and the lower plate
3, that extends from the heel region H through the midfoot region M
to the forefoot region F and that includes a plurality of
downwardly convex parts (bulging parts) 3A, and pillar-shaped
connecting members (elastic members) 4 that are disposed in the gap
S and that interconnect the upper plate 2 with the lower plate 3
vertically.
[0051] An upper midsole 5 is fixedly attached to an upper surface
of the upper plate 2, extending from the heel region H through the
midfoot region M to the forefoot region F. An outsole 6 with a
ground contact surface to contact the ground is fixedly attached to
a lower surface of a forefoot region of the lower plate 3. A
lateral side portion of a U-shaped outsole 7 with a ground contact
surface to contact the ground is fixedly attached to a lower
surface on a lateral side of a heel region of the lower plate 3 and
a medial side portion of the U-shaped outsole 7 is fixedly attached
to a lower surface on a medial side of a heel region of the lower
plate 3 through a lower midsole 8.
[0052] Both of the upper plate 2 and the lower plate 3 are
plate-like members, extending in a width direction (the left to
right direction in FIG. 1). An upper end edge portion of the upper
plate 2 is wavy-shaped in a longitudinal direction because an
upraised port ion 2b is formed that extends upwardly on opposite
sides of the upper plate 2 (see FIGS. 5 to 11). The upper plate 2
and the lower plate 3 are preferably formed of a hard elastic
member, and more specifically, thermoplastic resin such as thermo
plastic polyurethane (TPU), polyamide elastomer (PAE),
acrylonitrile-butadiene-styrene (ABS) resin and the like, or
thermosetting resin such as epoxy resin, unsaturated polyester
resin and the like. In addition, the upper plate 2 and the lower
plate 3 may be formed of fiber reinforced plastics (FRP) formed of
reinforcing fibers such as carbon fibers, aramid fibers, glass
fibers or the like and matrix resin such as thermosetting resin or
thermoplastic resin.
[0053] In the forefoot region F of the sole structure 1, the
connecting members 4 are formed of a pair of members disposed at a
medial side end and a lateral side end respectively (here, two
pairs of members 4 are provided). In the midfoot region M, the
connecting member 4 is formed of a single member disposed at a
laterally central portion. In the heel region H, the connecting
members 4 are formed of a pair of members disposed at a medial side
end and a lateral side end respectively and a single member
disposed at a heel rear end. The connecting members 4 are
preferably formed of an elastic member such as a hard rubber and
the like.
[0054] The upper midsole 5 includes a foot sole contact surface 50a
that extends along a foot sole shape of a shoe wearer and an
upraised portion 50b that extends upwardly from opposite side ends
and a heel rear end of the foot sole contact surface 50a (see FIGS.
5 to 12). The upper midsole 5 and the lower midsole 8 are
preferably formed of soft elastic materials, more specifically,
thermoplastic resin such as ethylene-vinyl acetate copolymer (EVA)
and the like, foamed thermoplastic resin, thermosetting resin such
as polyurethane (PU) and the like, foamed thermosetting resin,
rubber materials such as butadiene rubber, chloroprene rubber and
the like, or foamed rubber materials.
[0055] A laterally extending first indentation 30 is formed at a
position where a bottom surface of each of the connecting members 4
contacts the lower plate 3 on a medial side end and a lateral side
end respectively in the forefoot region F of the lower plate 3.
Each of the indentations 30 is disposed at an upwardly convex
portion 3B between longitudinally adjacent downwardly convex
portions 3A in the lower plate 3 (see FIGS. 2 and 13). The lower
plate 3 is fixedly attached to each of the connecting members 4 at
portions where the lower plate 3 overlaps with each of the
connecting members 4 vertically in front of and in the rear of each
of the indentations 30. Here, an example is shown in which the
indentation 30 is provided both at a longitudinally central
position of the forefoot region F and at a rear side position near
the midfoot region M. That is, in this example, two pairs of
laterally extending indentations 30 are provided at opposite side
ends in the forefoot region F. The lower plate 3 is thus
longitudinally divided by each of the indentations 30 into a front
region extending in front of the indentation 30 and a rear region
extending in the rear of the indentation 30. Also, each of the
indentations 30 opens at a medial side end and a lateral side end
of the lower plate 3.
[0056] A longitudinally extending second indentation 31 is formed
at a laterally central portion in the forefoot region of the lower
plate 3 in connection with the laterally first extending
indentation 30. These first and second indentations 30, 31 form a
generally T-shaped indentation in the lower plate 3. Here, an
example is shown in which each of the indentations 31 is formed at
a slightly inward position from each of the connecting members 40.
A longitudinal region disposed between the laterally adjacent
indentations 31 at a laterally central portion of the lower plate 3
extends longitudinally without being divided. Also, in this
example, the longitudinally extending region at the laterally
central portion of the lower plate 3 has an upwardly convex bulging
shape at a region between the laterally adjacent indentations 31
(see FIG. 4).
[0057] The outsole 6 has a laterally extending indentation 60 and a
longitudinally extending indentation 61 at positions that
correspond to (i.e. that are disposed opposite) the laterally
extending indentation 30 and the longitudinally extending
indentation 31 respectively in the forefoot region of the lower
plate 3. Namely, the outsole 6 also has a generally T-shaped
indentation formed of these indentations 60, 61. Thereby, a
longitudinal region of the outsole 6 extending in front of and in
the rear of each of the indentations 60 is longitudinally divided
by each of the indentations 60. Along with that, a longitudinal
region at a laterally central portion disposed between the
laterally adjacent indentations 61 of the outsole 6 extends
longitudinally without being divided. Also, in this example, the
longitudinally extending region at the laterally central portion of
the outsole 6 has an upwardly convex bulging shape at a region
between the laterally adjacent indentations 61 (see FIG. 4).
[0058] On a lateral side in a heel region of the lower plate 3, a
laterally extending indentation 30 is formed at a portion of a
position where the lower plate 3 contacts a bottom surface of the
connecting member 4. The indentation 30 is disposed at an upwardly
convex part 3B between the downwardly convex parts 3A adjacent to
each other in the longitudinal direction of the lower plate 3 (see
FIG. 2). At a position where the lower plate 3 vertically overlaps
with the connecting member 4 in front of and in the rear of the
indentation 30, the lower plate 3 is fixedly attached to the
connecting member 4. Here, an example is shown in which the
laterally extending indentation 30 is located at a longitudinally
generally central position of the heel region H. A longitudinal
region of the lower plate 3 extending in front of and in the rear
of the indentation 30 is thus divided longitudinally by the
indentation 30. The indentation 30 opens to the lateral side end of
the lower plate 3.
[0059] The outsole 7 has a lateral indentation 70 at a position
that corresponds to (i.e. that is disposed opposite) the lateral
indentation 30 of the lower plate 3. A longitudinal region of the
outsole 7 extending in front of and in the rear of the indentation
70 is thus divided longitudinally by the indentation 70. At the
same time, a longitudinal region at a laterally central portion and
a medial side end portion of the outsole 7 extends longitudinally
without being divided.
[0060] At a heel rear end in the heel region of the lower plate 3,
a longitudinally extending indentation 31 is formed at a position
where a bottom surface of the connecting member 4 contacts (see
FIG. 12). In this example, the indentation 31 extends beyond a
longitudinal length of the connecting member 4 (see FIG. 1). The
lower plate 3 is fixedly attached to the connecting member 4 at
opposite positions of the indentation 31 where the lower plate 3
overlaps with the connecting member 4. A lateral region of the
lower plate 3 extending opposite the indentation 31 is thus divided
in the lateral direction by the indentation 31. The indentation 31
opens to the rear end of the lower plate 3.
[0061] The outsole 7 has a longitudinal indentation 71 at a
position that corresponds to (i.e. that is disposed opposite) the
longitudinal indentation 31 of the lower plate 3. A lateral region
of the outsole 7 that extends opposite the indentation 71 is thus
divided in the lateral direction by the indentation 71.
[0062] On a bottom surface of each of the connecting members 4, a
laterally extending recess 40 is formed at a position corresponding
to the lateral indentation 30 of the lower plate 3 and the lateral
indentation 60, 70 of the outsoles 6, 7 (see FIG. 13).
[0063] Effects of the above-mentioned sole structure 1 are given as
follows:
[0064] a) Since the lower plate 3 is longitudinally divided by the
lateral indentation 30, when a load is applied to the sole
structure 1 during wearing a shoe, one of the longitudinal regions
in front of and in the rear of the indentation 30 of the lower
plate 3 is easily deformable independent of the other of the
longitudinal regions of the lower plate 3. At the same time, since
the lower plate 3 contacts the connecting member 4 at a part where
the indentation 30 is formed and such a part is supported by the
connecting member 4, the lateral indentation 30 is easy to deform
in such a way to extend in the longitudinal direction. Thereby, a
sole deformability of the forefoot region F and the heel region H
of the sole structure 1, that is, bendability and vertical
flexibility can be improved.
[0065] b) Since the gap S formed between the upper plate 2 and the
lower plate 3 acts as a cushion hole at the time of an impact of
the sole structure 1 onto the ground, thus improving cushioning
properties. Also, since the connecting member 4 contributes to
deformability of the sole structure 1, durability of the lower
plate 3 and thus the entire sole structure can be improved compared
to such a case that deformability of only the lower plate 3 is
dependent on. Especially when a rubber-made connecting member 4 is
used, since a rubber-made connecting member is in superior in
durability at low temperature, durability of the lower plate 3 and
thus the entire sole structure at low temperature can be improved
compared to such a case that deformability of only the lower plate
3 at low temperature is dependent on.
[0066] c) Since the connecting member 4 is disposed at the medial
end portion and the lateral end portion of the sole structure 1 and
the lower plate 3 extends continuously in the longitudinal direct
ion without being divided at the laterally central portion of the
sole structure 1, when a load is applied to the sole structure 1,
not only one of the longitudinal regions extending in front of and
in the rear of the indentation 30 of the lower plate 3 is easily
deformable independent of the other of the longitudinal regions of
the lower plate 3 but also the longitudinally extending portion at
the laterally central portion of the lower plate 3 is easily
bending-deformable without being restricted by the connecting
member 4. Thereby, bendability of the sole structure 1 can be
further enhanced.
[0067] d) Since the longitudinal indentation 31 is formed at the
forefoot region of the lower plate 3, the longitudinally extending
region at the laterally central portion of the lower plate 3 is
much easier to bending-deform, thus further improving bendability
of the forefoot region F of the sole structure 1. Moreover, the
longitudinal indentation 31 is formed in addition to the lateral
indentation 30, thus making the lower plate 3 lighter in
weight.
[0068] e) Since the longitudinally extending region at the
laterally central portion in the forefoot region of the lower plate
3 has an upwardly convex bulging shape, the longitudinally
extending region has a longitudinal extension allowance and is thus
easily extensible in the longitudinal direction. Thereby,
bendability of the forefoot region F of the sole structure 1 can be
further improved.
[0069] f) Since the recess 40 that extends along the indentation 30
is formed on the bottom surface of the connecting member 4 at the
position that corresponds to the indentation 30 of the lower plate
3, the connecting member 4 can elastically deform in such a way to
expand the width of the recess 40 at the time of deformation of the
lower plate 3. Thus, each of the longitudinal regions in front of
and in the rear of the indentation 30 of the lower plate 3 is more
easily deformable. As a result, sole deformability of the forefoot
region F and the heel region H of the sole structure 1 can be
further improved.
[0070] g) Since the lateral indentation 30 is formed on the lateral
side in the heel region of the lower plate 3 and the longitudinal
indentation 31 is formed at the rear end of the heel region, when
the sole structure 1 impacts the ground on the heel lateral side,
the heel lateral side region of the lower plate 3 divided by the
lateral and longitudinal indentations 30, 31 is easy to deform in
the vertical direction. Cushioning properties of the heel region H
of the sole structure 1 can thus be further improved to achieve a
smooth ride feeling.
[0071] h) Since the lower plate 3 has a downwardly convex bulging
shape in the longitudinal region extending in front of and in the
rear of the lateral indentation 30 of the lower plate 3 and thus
each of the downwardly convex portions 3A of the lower plate 3 has
a deformation allowance in the longitudinal and vertical
directions, the lower plate 3 is easily deformable in the
longitudinal and vertical directions. Thereby, sole deformative
performance of the forefoot region and the heel region of the sole
structure 1 can be further improved and cushioning properties can
be further improved.
[0072] i) Since the outsoles 6, 7 are fixedly attached to the
bottom surface of the lower plate 3 and each of the outsoles 6, 7
is divided in the longitudinal direction by each of the
indentations 60, 70 corresponding to the indentations 30 of the
lower plate 3, the forefoot region and the heel region of the lower
plate 3 can smoothly deform in such a manner that deformation of
the lower plate 3 is not hindered by the outsoles 6, 7.
Alternative Embodiment 1
[0073] In the above-mentioned embodiment, an example was explained
in which the lower plate 3 has a plurality of downwardly convex
portions 3A, but in the sole structure of the present invention,
the lower plate 3 may extend slightly curvedly from the heel region
H through the midfoot region M to the forefoot region F without
having such a plurality of downwardly convex portions 3A.
Alternative Embodiment 2
[0074] In the above-mentioned embodiment, an example was shown
where the longitudinally extending region at the laterally central
portion of the lower plate 3, which extends between the laterally
adjacent connecting members 4 in the forefoot region and the heel
region of the lower plate 3, has an upwardly convex bulging shape,
but the longitudinally extending region may be formed in a planar
shape or slightly curved shape.
Alternative Embodiment 3
[0075] In the above-mentioned embodiment, an example was shown
where the lateral indentations 30, 60 in the forefoot region of the
lower plate 3 and the outsole 6 are formed along the entire lateral
length of the connecting member 4, but the application of the
present invention is not limited to such an example. The lateral
length of the indentations 30, 60 may be a portion of the lateral
length of the connecting member 4. In this case, a region in which
the indentation 30 is not formed at a position where the lower
plate 3 contacts the connecting member 4 is preferably not fixedly
attached to the connecting member 4. That is intended to facilitate
bending-deformation of the longitudinally extending region with no
indentations 30 in the lower plate 3 without restraint by the
connecting member 4.
Alternative Embodiment 4
[0076] In the above-mentioned embodiment, an example was shown
where the lateral length of the lateral indentations 30, 70 in the
heel region of the lower plate 3 and the outsole 7 is a portion of
the lateral length of the connecting member 4, but the lateral
length of each of the indentations 30, 70 may extend along the
entire lateral length of the connecting member 4. Also, in this
example, a region having no indentations 30 formed at a position
where the lower plate 3 contacts the connecting member 4 is fixedly
attached to the connecting member 4. That is because bendability in
the heel region is less required than that in the forefoot region,
but the region is not necessarily fixedly attached to the
connecting member 4.
Alternative Embodiment 5
[0077] In the above-mentioned embodiment, an example was shown
where the longitudinal length of the longitudinal indentations 31,
71 in the heel rear end of the lower plate 3 and the outsole 7
exceeds the longitudinal length of the connecting member 4, but the
application of the present invention is not limited to such an
example. The longitudinal length of the longitudinal indentations
31, 71 may be almost the same as the longitudinal length of the
connecting member 4.
Alternative Embodiment 6
[0078] In the above-mentioned embodiment, an example was shown
where two pairs of lateral indentations 30, 60 are provided in the
forefoot region of the lower plate 3 and the outsole 6, that is,
the lateral indentations 30, 60 are provided at the two medial
sides and the two lateral sides respectively, but the application
of the present invention is not limited to such an example. Only a
pair of indentations 30, 60 may be provided in the forefoot region
of the lower plate 3 and the outsole 6. For example, in FIG. 1,
only a pair of indentations 30, 60 disposed at a longitudinally
generally central position in the forefoot region of the lower
plate 3 and the outsole 6 may be retained and a pair of
indentations 30, 60 disposed at a position near the midfoot region
may be omitted.
Alternative Embodiment 7
[0079] In the above-mentioned embodiment, an example was shown
where the upper plate 2 and the lower plate 3 constituting the sole
structure of the present invention are provided not only at the
forefoot region but also at the heel region of the sole structure
1, but the present invention also has application to an example in
which the upper plate 2 and the lower plate 3 are provided either
at the forefoot region or at the heel region.
Alternative Embodiment 8
[0080] In the above-mentioned embodiment, an example was shown
where the connecting member 4 is disposed at the medial side end
portion and the lateral side end portion in the forefoot region of
the sole structure 1, but the connecting member 4 may be disposed
inside the medial side end portion (i.e. on the laterally central
side) and inside the lateral side end portion (i.e. on the
laterally central side) of the sole structure 1.
[0081] FIG. 14 is a bottom view of such a sole structure,
corresponding to FIG. 1 of the above-mentioned embodiment. In FIG.
14, the same reference numbers as those in FIG. 1 indicate
identical or functionally similar elements. As shown in FIG. 14, in
the forefoot region F of the sole structure 1, each of the
connecting members 4 is disposed at a position inside the medial
side end portion (i.e. at a laterally nearly central position) and
also disposed at a position inside the lateral side end portion
(i.e. at a laterally nearly central position). Also, as depicted in
FIG. 14, a laterally extending third indentation 30 of the lower
plate 3 and the corresponding laterally extending indentation 60 of
the outsole 6 are disposed inside the medial side end portion and
inside the lateral side end portion without opening to the medial
side end and the lateral side end of the lower plate 3 and the
outsole 6. The indentations 30, 60 are formed integrally with a
longitudinally extending fourth indentation 31 in the laterally
central portion of the lower plate 3, the corresponding
longitudinal indentation 61 of the outsole 6, a longitudinally
extending fifth indentation 32 inside the medial and lateral side
end portions of the lower plate 3, and the corresponding
longitudinal indentation 62 of the outsole 6. The indentations 30,
31 and 32 form a generally H-shaped indentation in the lower plate
3. Similarly, the indentations 60, 61 and 62 form a generally
H-shaped indentation in the outsole 6.
[0082] In this case, the lower plate 3 extends in the longitudinal
direction without being divided not only at the laterally central
portion of the sole structure 1 but also at the medial side end
portion and the lateral side end portion. According to such a
structure, when a load is applied to the sole structure 1, one of
the longitudinally extending regions in front of and in the rear of
the lateral indentation 30 of the lower plate 3 is easily
deformable independent of the other of the longitudinally extending
regions of the lower plate 3. Along with that, the longitudinally
extending region at the laterally central portion of the lower
plate 3 and the longitudinally extending regions at the medial side
end portion and the lateral side end portion of the lower plate 3
are easily bending-deformable without being restricted by the
connecting member 4. Bendability of the forefoot region F of the
sole structure 1 can thus be enhanced. Moreover, since the
longitudinally extending regions at the laterally central portion
and the medial and lateral side end portions of the lower plate 3
are more easily bending-deformable by the longitudinal indentations
30, 31, thus further improving bendability of the forefoot region F
of the sole structure 1.
Alternative Embodiment 9
[0083] The connecting member 4 may extend along the entire lateral
length of the sole structure 1. In this case, the lateral
indentation 30 formed in the lower plate 3 may be provided along
the entire length in the width direction, alternatively, at a
portion in the width direction (e.g. at the medial/lateral side end
portion, or at the laterally central portion). Also, at this
juncture, at a position where a lateral indentation 30 is not
formed in the lower plate 3, the lower plate 3 is preferably not
fixedly attached to the connecting member 4. That is intended to
facilitate bending-deformation of the longitudinally extending
region of the lower plate 3 without restraint by the connecting
member 4.
Alternative Embodiment 10
[0084] In the above-mentioned embodiment, an example was shown
where the lateral indentation 60 and the longitudinal indentation
61 are respectively formed at positions of the outsole 6
corresponding respectively to the lateral indentation 30 and the
longitudinal indentation 31 of the lower plate 3, but the
application of the present invention is not limited to such an
example. Without disposing the outsole 6 at the entire forefoot
region of the lower plate 3 as with the above-mentioned embodiment,
a plurality of outsole plate pieces may be provided and bonded to a
region other than the indentations 30, 31 on the bottom surface of
the lower plate 3.
Other Applicable Examples
[0085] In the above examples, the sole structure of the present
invention was applied to a running shoe, but the application of the
present invention is not limited to such an example. The present
invention also has application to other various sports shoes
including walking shoes.
INDUSTRIAL APPLICABILITY
[0086] As mentioned above, the present invention is of use to a
sole structure for a shoe, and it is especially suitable for a sole
structure for a sports shoe that requires a superb sole
deformability.
* * * * *