A shoe includes an upper including an upper mid-foot portion covering a mid-foot position of a foot of a wearer and an upper rear foot portion covering a heel position of the foot, a sole positioned below the upper, a pair of panel members each disposed on a lateral foot side and a medial foot side inside the upper rear foot portion and including a lower end portions fixed to a lower end portion side of the upper or the sole, and a shoelace connected to upper end portions of the panel members and capable of applying a force for pulling up the panel members to the panel members in a direction toward the upper mid-foot portion and in a direction away from the sole.

FIELD

The present invention relates to a shoe including an upper and a sole.

BACKGROUND

Conventionally, a shoe including an upper and a sole positioned below the upper is known. When a wearer wears the shoe, a gap tends to occur between the shoe and both sides of the heel position of the foot along the foot width direction. When a gap occurs between the heel position and the shoe, the heel position is displaced in the shoe. Therefore, it is necessary to prevent a gap between the heel position and the shoe from occurring.

Conventionally, as in Patent Literature 1, a technique has been developed in which a band member extending from a lower end portion of a medial-foot-side wall portion of an upper to an upper end portion of a lateral-foot-side wall portion through a bottom wall portion is disposed inside the upper, and by pulling the band member, a portion of the band member disposed over the lateral-foot-side wall portion and the bottom wall portion is lifted toward the medial foot side and obliquely upward to prevent the calcaneus from falling outward. In addition, as in Patent Literature 1, a technique has been developed in which a band member extending from a lower end portion of a lateral-foot-side wall portion of an upper to an upper end portion of a medial-foot-side wall portion through a bottom wall portion is disposed inside the upper, and by pulling the band member, a portion of the band member disposed over the medial-foot-side wall portion and the bottom wall portion is lifted toward the lateral foot side and obliquely upward to prevent the calcaneus from falling inward. In other words, a technique of lifting a heel position from one side of the heel position along the foot width direction has been developed. However, a technique for preventing a gap between the shoe and both sides of the heel position along the foot width direction has not been developed.

CITATION LIST

Patent Literature

Patent Literature 1: JP 5150377 B

SUMMARY

Technical Problem

For this reason, it is desirable to develop a shoe capable of preventing a gap between the shoe and both sides of the heel position along the foot width direction.

The present invention has been made in view of the above, and a purpose of the present invention is to provide a shoe capable of preventing a heel position from being displaced in the shoe by bringing the shoe into close contact with both sides of the heel position along a foot width direction.

Solution to Problem

A shoe includes an upper including an upper mid-foot portion covering a mid-foot position of a foot of a wearer and an upper rear foot portion covering a heel position of the foot, a sole positioned below the upper, a pair of panel members each disposed on a lateral foot side and a medial foot side inside the upper rear foot portion and including a lower end portions fixed to a lower end portion side of the upper or the sole, and a shoelace connected to upper end portions of the panel members and capable of applying a force for pulling up the panel members to the panel members in a direction toward the upper mid-foot portion and in a direction away from the sole.

Advantageous Effects of Invention

A shoe according to the present invention has an effect of preventing a heel position from being displaced in the shoe by bringing the shoe into close contact with both sides of the heel position along a foot width direction.

DESCRIPTION OF EMBODIMENTS

Hereinafter, embodiments of a shoe according to the present invention will be described in detail with reference to the drawings. Note that the present invention is not limited by the embodiments. In the following description, the same portions are denoted by the same reference signs, and redundant description will be omitted.

First Embodiment

FIG.1is a plan view schematically illustrating a shoe1according to a first embodiment of the present invention overlapped on a skeleton model of a foot. In the drawings includingFIG.1, only the shoe1for a left foot is illustrated. Since the shoe1has a left-right symmetrical structure for a left foot and a right foot, only the shoe1for a left foot is described in the present embodiment, and the description of the shoe1for a right foot is omitted. In the following description, a direction in which a shoe center axis C, which is a perpendicular line passing through the center of the shoe1in a plan view of the shoe1, extends is referred to as a fore-rear direction, and a direction orthogonal to the fore-rear direction in a plan view of the shoe1is referred to as a foot width direction.

In addition, of the fore-rear direction, a direction directed from the end on the side where the shoe1supporting the rear foot position of a foot is positioned toward the end on the side where the shoe1supporting the fore foot position of the foot is positioned is referred to as a fore side, and of the fore-rear direction, a direction directed from the end on the side where the shoe1supporting the fore foot position of the foot is positioned toward the end on the side where the shoe1supporting the rear foot position of the foot is positioned is referred to as a rear side.

In addition, a median side of a foot in the anatomical position is referred to as a medial foot side, and the side opposite to the median side of the foot in the anatomical position is referred to as a lateral foot side. That is, the side closer to the median line in the anatomical position is referred to as the medial foot side, and the side farther from the median line in the anatomical position is referred to as the lateral foot side.

In addition, a vertical direction means a direction orthogonal to both the fore-rear direction and the foot width direction unless otherwise specified.

A foot of a human is mainly constituted by a cuneiform Ba, a cuboid Bb, a navicular Bc, a talus Bd, a calcaneus Be, a metatarsal Bf, and a phalange Bg. The foot joints include an MP joint Ja, a Lisfran joint Jb, and a Chopart joint Jc. The Chopart joint Jc includes a calcaneocuboid joint Jc1constituted by the cuboid Bb and the calcaneus Be, and a talonavicular joint Jc2constituted by the navicular Bc and the talus Bd.

A fore foot position of the foot refers to a part positioned anterior to the MP joint Ja. A mid-foot position of the foot refers to a part from the MP joint Ja to the Chopart joint Jc. A rear foot position of the foot refers to a part positioned posterior to the Chopart joint Jc. A medial longitudinal arch Ar of the foot refers to a part from the calcaneus Be through the talus Bd, the navicular Bc, and the medial cuneiform Ba to the hallucal area of a first metatarsal Bf1on the medial foot side of the foot.

An upper2includes an upper fore foot portion R1which is a portion covering a fore foot position of a foot of a wearer with a standard body shape, an upper mid-foot portion R2which is a portion covering a mid-foot of a foot of a wearer with a standard body shape, and an upper rear foot portion R3which is a portion covering a heel position of a foot of a wearer with a standard body shape. The upper fore foot portion R1, the upper mid-foot portion R2, and the upper rear foot portion R3are connected in this order in the fore-rear direction from the fore side of the upper2.

A line along the foot width direction passing through a position corresponding to about 25% to 50% of the dimension of the upper2from the fore end of the upper2in the fore-rear direction is defined as a first boundary line S1, and a line along the foot width direction passing through a position corresponding to about 55% to 80% of the dimension of the upper2from the fore end of the upper2in the fore-rear direction is defined as a second boundary line S2. The first boundary line S1is a line roughly along the MP joint Ja of a wearer with a standard body shape. The second boundary line S2is a line roughly along the Chopart joint Jc of a wearer with a standard body shape. The upper fore foot portion R1is positioned in front of the first boundary line S1. The upper mid-foot portion R2is positioned between the first boundary line S1and the second boundary line S2. The upper rear foot portion R3is positioned behind the second boundary line S2.

FIG.2is a perspective view illustrating the shoe1according to the first embodiment. The shoe1is used as, for example, running shoes, other sports shoes, walking shoes, and climbing shoes. The shoe1includes the upper2, a sole3, a pair of panel members4, and a shoelace5.

The upper2is positioned above the sole3. The upper2includes an upper body20and a shoe tongue21.

The upper body20covers a part on the instep side of a foot. At the upper portion of the upper body20, a foot insertion opening20afor inserting a foot of a wearer and an opening20bcommunicating with the foot insertion opening20aand extending from the foot insertion opening20ato the fore side are disposed. On both side edges of the opening20bin the foot width direction, a first string passing portion22and a second string passing portion23, which are separated from each other in the fore-rear direction, are disposed. The structure of the first string passing portion22is not particularly limited as long as the shoelace5can be passed therethrough, but the first string passing portion22in the present embodiment is a through hole that passes through the upper body20in the vertical direction. At the upper end portion of each panel member4, one second string passing portion23is disposed. Details of the second string passing portion23will be described later. On each side of the upper body20in the foot width direction with the opening20bsandwiched therebetween, a side wall portion24extending in the vertical direction is disposed. In the present embodiment, the upper2including the shoe tongue21and the shoelace5is described as an example, but the upper2may have a monosock structure in which a portion corresponding to the shoe tongue21is integrated with an ankle portion of the upper body20.

The shoe tongue21is a member for protecting the instep of a wearer. The shoe tongue21covers the opening20binside the upper body20. The shoe tongue21is fixed to the upper body20by stitching, welding, bonding, or a combination thereof. As the material of the upper body20and the shoe tongue21, woven fabric, knitted fabric, synthetic leather, or resin is used, for example. In particular, in the shoe1required to have air permeability and lightweight property, a double raschel warp knitted fabric knitted with polyester yarn is preferably used as the material of the upper body20and the shoe tongue21. Note that the material of the upper body20and the shoe tongue21is not limited to those exemplified.

The sole3is positioned below the upper2. The sole3covers the sole of a wearer. The sole3includes an outsole30and a midsole31. The sole3is fixed to the upper body20by stitching, welding, bonding, or a combination thereof. The lower surface of the outsole30serves as a ground contact surface30ato be contacted on the ground. The midsole31is positioned on the upper surface of the outsole30and has a cushioning property. Note that the outsole30may be integrated with the midsole31. The outsole30integrated with the midsole31is also referred to as a “unisole”.

FIG.3is a cross-sectional view taken along line III-III inFIG.2. InFIG.3, the panel members4are each illustrated as one member for easy understanding, but the panel member4is actually formed of a plurality of members as described later. The sole3includes an inner sole32and an insole33. The inner sole32covers the lower opening of the upper body20. The inner sole32is fixed to the lower end portion of the upper body20by stitching. The inner sole32is further fixed to the upper surface of the midsole31by bonding or welding. The inner sole32is disposed on the midsole31with the outsole30sandwiched therebetween inside the upper body20. The insole33is disposed on the outsole30with the inner sole32and the midsole31sandwiched therebetween. The sole3may have a structure in which the inner sole32is omitted.

As illustrated inFIG.1, the panel members4are each disposed on the lateral foot side and the medial foot side inside the upper rear foot portion R3. The panel members4are each disposed on the lateral foot side and the medial foot side of the heel position of a foot F. The panel member4on the lateral foot side is disposed behind a fifth metatarsal tuberosity Bh of the wearer. The panel member4on the medial foot side is disposed at a position corresponding to a part of the medial longitudinal arch Ar of the wearer in the fore-rear direction. The fore end portion of the panel member4on the medial foot side and the fore end portion of the panel member4on the lateral foot side correspond in position to each other in the fore-rear direction. The rear end portion of the panel member4on the medial foot side and the rear end portion of the panel member4on the lateral foot side correspond in position to each other in the fore-rear direction. The panel member4on the medial foot side and the panel member4on the lateral foot side are symmetrical in shape.

As illustrated inFIG.2, each panel member4extends obliquely upward and forward from the lower end portion of the upper body20. The lower end portion of each panel member4is disposed at a position corresponding to the foot insertion opening20ain the fore-rear direction. The upper end portion of each panel member4is disposed at a position corresponding to the boundary portion between the side edge of the opening20band the foot insertion opening20ain the fore-rear direction. The upper end portion of each panel member4is fixed to the upper body20behind the rearmost first string passing portion22. The shape of each panel member4is a triangular shape in which the width in the fore-rear direction decreases from the lower end portion toward the upper end portion. Specifically, the shape of each panel member4is a triangular shape with the second string passing portion23as an apex at the uppermost position. The fore end portion and the rear end portion of each panel member4extend linearly toward the obliquely upward and forward.

As illustrated inFIG.3, the lower end portion of each panel member4is fixed to the lower end portion of the upper body20by a stitch SE in the present embodiment, but is only required to be fixed to the lower end portion side of the upper2or the sole3. Here, the line connecting the outermost portion of the upper2in plan view of the shoe1is referred to as an “R-R line”. In the present specification, the lower end portion side of the upper2means a portion of the upper2below the R-R line when the shoe1is viewed from the side. When the panel members4are fixed to the sole3, the lower end portions of the panel members4are preferably fixed to the inner sole32or the insole33of the sole3. In other words, the lower end portions of the panel members4may be fixed to any one of the lower end portion side of the upper2, the inner sole32, and the insole33by the stitch SE or the like.

The second string passing portion23is disposed on the upper end portion of each panel member4. The upper end portion of the panel member4passes above the side wall portion24of the upper body20from the inside toward the outside of the upper body20and is folded downward. Then, the portion of the panel member4passing above the side wall portion24and positioned outside the upper body20and the side wall portion24are fixed to each other by the stitch SE to form the loop-shaped second string passing portion23.

FIG.4is a side view of the panel member4according to the first embodiment when viewed from the inside of the upper2.FIG.5is a cross-sectional view taken along line V-V inFIG.4. As illustrated inFIG.5, each panel member4includes an inner panel member40capable of being in contact with the foot F of the wearer, and an outer panel member41disposed on the side opposite to the foot F of the wearer with the inner panel member40sandwiched therebetween. As the material of the inner panel member40and the outer panel member41, a material that hardly stretch when the panel member4is pulled up, that is, a material having low stretchability is preferably used. Such a material having low stretchability is, for example, a suede-like artificial leather. The thickness of the inner panel member40capable of being in contact with the foot F is preferably thicker than the thickness of the outer panel member41that is not in contact with the foot F.

A certain region from the upper end portions toward the lower end portions of the inner panel member40and the outer panel member41is a bonded region45bonded to each other by a bonding agent42. The bonding agent42is, for example, hot melt. Of the inner panel member40and the outer panel member41, a region below the bonded region45is a stitched region46stitched to each other. The stitched region46is a region that is easily brought into contact with the foot F of the wearer as compared with the bonded region45. The hardness of the bonded region45is higher than the hardness of the stitched region46.FIG.4illustrates a stitched portion47in which the inner panel member40and the outer panel member41are stitched. The stitched portion47is disposed over the fore end portion, the lower end portion, the rear end portion, and a portion between the fore end portion and the rear end portion of the inner panel member40and the outer panel member41.

As illustrated inFIG.5, each panel member4includes a cushioning member43disposed to be capable of being in contact the foot F of the wearer and formed of a material softer than the inner panel member40and the outer panel member41. The cushioning member43protrudes from the inner panel member40toward the foot F of the wearer. The cushioning member43is disposed near the center of the panel member4in the vertical direction. An attaching hole40ais disposed in a portion of the inner panel member40corresponding to the cushioning member43. The cushioning member43is disposed in the attaching hole40a. As illustrated inFIG.4, the shape of the cushioning member43is substantially similar to the shape of the panel member4, and is a triangular shape in which the width in the fore-rear direction decreases from the lower end portion toward the upper end portion. Specifically, the shape of the cushioning member43is a triangular shape with one vertex positioned above the others. A part of the inner panel member40and the outer panel member41is disposed on both front and rear sides with the cushioning member43sandwiched therebetween.

As illustrated inFIG.5, each panel member4includes a protective cover44covering the cushioning member43from the inner side of the upper body20. As the material of the protective cover44, a material that is easily extended so as not to hinder the bulge of the cushioning member43, that is, a material having high stretchability is preferably used. Such a material having high stretchability is, for example, a mesh material. The cushioning member43is disposed between the protective cover44and the outer panel member41. The circumferential edge of the protective cover44is sandwiched between the inner panel member40and the outer panel member41and fixed by stitching.FIG.4illustrates a stitched portion48in which the protective cover44, the inner panel member40, and the outer panel member41are stitched. The stitched portion48is disposed along the outer circumference of the cushioning member43.FIG.6is a lateral-foot-side side view schematically illustrating a state in which the panel member4is overlapped on the foot F. As illustrated inFIG.6, the cushioning member43of the panel member4on the lateral foot side is disposed to be capable of being in contact with an area below a lateral malleolus D of the wearer.

FIG.7is a plan view illustrating the panel member4and the surroundings of the panel member4according to the first embodiment. As illustrated inFIG.7, the shoe1includes a lining member6disposed between the rear end portions of the pair of panel members4inside the upper rear foot portion R3. The rear end portion of each panel member4and the lining member6are stitched to be flush with each other. In the following description, a portion in which each panel member4and the lining member6are stitched is referred to as a stitched portion9.

FIG.8is a view of the panel member4, the lining member6, and a heel counter7according to the first embodiment when viewed from the inner side of the upper2. The shoe1includes the heel counter7disposed on the side opposite to the foot F of the wearer with each panel member4and the lining member6sandwiched therebetween. An upper end portion9aof the stitched portion9of each panel member4and the lining member6is positioned above an upper end portion7aof the heel counter7at least at the position where the stitched portion9is disposed.

FIG.9is a perspective view illustrating the panel member4and a reinforcing member8according to the first embodiment. The reinforcing member8having non-stretchability is disposed on a portion of the upper body20overlapping each panel member4in the foot width direction of the shoe1. The reinforcing member8serves to prevent the upper body20from stretching when the panel member4is pulled up. As the material of the reinforcing member8, a suede-like artificial leather is used, for example. A middle portion of the panel member4in the vertical direction is not fixed to the upper body20and capable of being separated from the upper body20.

As illustrated inFIG.2, the shoelace5is a string-like member that is alternately passed through the first string passing portion22and the second string passing portion23disposed on one side edge of the opening20bin the foot width direction, and the first string passing portion22and the second string passing portion23disposed on the other side edge in the foot width direction. The shoelace5is detachably attached to the upper body20. The shoelace5is a pulling member that is connected to the upper end portion of each panel member4via the second string passing portion23and capable of applying a force for pulling up each panel member4to each panel member4in a direction toward the upper mid-foot portion R2and in a direction away from the sole3. In other words, the shoelace5is capable of applying a force for pulling up each panel member4obliquely upward and forward to each panel member4.

FIG.10is a cross-sectional view illustrating a state after each panel member4is pulled up from the state illustrated inFIG.3. InFIG.10, the panel member4is illustrated as one member for easy understanding. As illustrated inFIG.10, when the shoelace5is tightened, the second string passing portion23of each panel member4is pulled obliquely upward and forward, and each panel member4is pulled up in the direction toward the upper mid-foot portion R2and in the direction away from the sole3. As a result, each panel member4is tensioned to decrease the distance between the pair of panel members4in the foot width direction, which causes the panel member4on the lateral foot side to pull up the heel position of the foot F from the lateral foot side and the lower side and the panel member4on the medial foot side to pull up the heel position of the foot F from the medial foot side and the lower side.

Next, effects of the shoe1according to the present embodiment are described.

In the present embodiment, as illustrated inFIG.2, the shoe1includes the upper2in which the upper mid-foot portion R2covering the upper mid-foot position of the foot F of the wearer and the upper rear foot portion R3covering the heel position of the foot F are disposed, and the sole3positioned below the upper2. The shoe1also includes the pair of panel members4each disposed on the lateral foot side and the medial foot side inside the upper rear foot portion R3with the lower end portion fixed to the lower end portion side of the upper2or the sole3, and the shoelace5connected to the upper end portion of the panel member4and capable of applying a force for pulling up the panel member4to the panel member4in the direction toward the upper mid-foot portion R2and in the direction away from the sole3. With these structures, since each panel member4is pulled up in the direction toward the upper mid-foot portion R2and in the direction away from the sole3by tightening the shoelace5, each panel member4is tensioned to decrease the distance between the pair of panel members4in the foot width direction, and it is possible to pull up the heel position from both sides in the foot width direction and from the lower side. As a result, the panel members4are brought into close contact with both sides of the heel position along the foot width direction so as to wrap the heel position with the pair of panel members4from both sides in the foot width direction and from the lower side, and it is possible to prevent the positional displacement of the heel position in the shoe1and improve the fit of the shoe1with the heel position. In particular, since an area below the malleolus of the wearer is an area in which a gap tends to occur between the foot F and the shoe1, the panel members4are brought into close contact with the area to fill the gap, and it is possible to improve the fit of the shoe1with the heel position.

In the present embodiment, as illustrated inFIG.3, the second string passing portion23is disposed on the upper end portion of each panel member4, and the pulling member is the shoelace5passed through the second string passing portion23. With this structure, since the panel members4can be directly pulled up by tightening the shoelace5, it is possible to further improve the fit of the shoe1with the heel position. In addition, by tightening the shoelace5, the upper body20can be tightened and the panel member4can be pulled up at the same time, and it is possible to reduce the burden on the wearer.

In the present embodiment, as illustrated inFIG.5, each panel member4includes the inner panel member40capable of being in contact with the foot F of the wearer, and the outer panel member41disposed on the side opposite to the foot F of the wearer with the inner panel member40sandwiched therebetween. In addition, a certain region from the upper end portions toward the lower end portions of the inner panel member40and the outer panel member41is the bonded region45bonded to each other, and a region of the inner panel member40and the outer panel member41below the bonded region45is the stitched region46stitched to each other. With these structures, by partially changing the fixing method between the inner panel member40and the outer panel member41, it is possible to change the hardness of each panel member4. In addition, by disposing the bonded region45harder than the stitched region46in the certain region from the upper end portions toward the lower end portions of the inner panel member40and the outer panel member41, the upper end portion of the inner panel member40and the outer panel member41including the second string passing portion23becomes hard, and it is possible to improve the effect of pulling up the panel member4by the shoelace5and the strength of the second string passing portion23against the pulling load. On the other hand, by disposing the stitched region46softer than the bonded region45in the region of the inner panel member40and the outer panel member41below the bonded region45, the region of the panel member4that is easily brought into direct contact with the foot F becomes soft, and it is possible to improve the contact of the panel member4with the foot. The inner panel member40and the outer panel member41are overlapped to form each panel member4, whereby the stretch of the panel member4is prevented when the panel member4is pulled up, and it is possible to pull up the panel member4to further improve the fit of the shoe1with the heel position.

In the present embodiment, as illustrated inFIG.5, each panel member4includes the cushioning member43disposed to be capable of being in contact with the foot F of the wearer and formed of a material softer than the inner panel member40and the outer panel member41. With this structure, it is possible to further improve the contact of the panel member4with the foot.

The area below the lateral malleolus D of the wearer illustrated inFIG.6is an area in which a gap tends to occur between the foot F and the shoe1. In this regard, in the present embodiment, the cushioning member43of the panel member4on the lateral foot side protrudes from the inner panel member40toward the foot F of the wearer and is disposed to be capable of being in contact with the area below the lateral malleolus D of the wearer. With this structure, when the panel member4is pulled up, the cushioning member43can be brought into contact with the area below the lateral malleolus D to fill the gap, and it is possible to further improve the fit of the shoe1with the heel position.

In the present embodiment, as illustrated inFIG.7, the shoe1includes the lining member6disposed between the rear end portions of the pair of panel members4inside the upper rear foot portion R3, and the rear end portion of each panel member4and the lining member6are stitched to be flush with each other. With this structure, since there is no difference between the rear end portion of each panel member4and the lining member6, it is possible to prevent the contact due to the difference with the foot.

In the present embodiment, as illustrated inFIG.8, the shoe1includes the heel counter7disposed on the side opposite to the foot F of the wearer with each panel member4and the lining member6sandwiched therebetween, and the upper end portion9aof the stitched portion9of the panel member4and the lining member6is positioned above the upper end portion7aof the heel counter7at least at the position where the stitched portion9is disposed. With this structure, since the heel counter7is not exposed to the inside of the upper2from between the panel member4and the lining member6, it is possible to prevent the contact due to the exposure of the heel counter7with the foot. Note that, the upper end portion9aof the stitched portion9is positioned above the upper end portion7aof the heel counter7at least at the position where the stitched portion9is disposed, whereby it is possible to prevent the reduction in the movable range of the panel member4due to being stitched to the lining member6. That is, in the present embodiment, it is possible to prevent the contact due to the exposure of the heel counter7with the foot while securing the effect of pulling up the panel member4to improve the fit of the shoe1with the heel position.

In the present embodiment, as illustrated inFIG.1, the panel member4on the lateral foot side is disposed behind the fifth metatarsal tuberosity Bh of the wearer, whereby it is possible to prevent the contact of the panel member4on the lateral foot side with the fifth metatarsal tuberosity Bh. In addition, the fore end portion of the panel member4on the medial foot side and the fore end portion of the panel member4on the lateral foot side correspond in position to each other in the fore-rear direction, whereby it is possible to reduce the range in which the panel member4on the medial foot side is in contact with the medial longitudinal arch Ar and to reduce the contact of the panel member4on the medial foot side with the medial longitudinal arch Ar when the medial longitudinal arch Ar collapses.

In the present embodiment, as illustrated inFIG.2, the shape of each panel member4is a shape in which the width in the fore-rear direction decreases from the lower end portion toward the upper end portion. With this structure, the tension applied to the panel member4when the shoelace5is tightened is easily transmitted from the lower end portion to the upper end portion of the panel member4. Therefore, it is possible to pull up the panel member4to further improve the fit of the shoe1with the heel position.

Since the second string passing portion23at the upper end portion of the panel member4illustrated inFIG.3is stitched to the upper body20, the upper body20is also slightly pulled up when the panel member4is pulled up. In this regard, in the present embodiment, as illustrated inFIG.9, the reinforcing member8having non-stretchability is disposed on the portion of the upper2overlapping the panel member4in the foot width direction of the shoe1, whereby it is possible to prevent the upper body20from being pulled up when the panel member4is pulled up. As a result, the panel member4can be easily moved relative to the upper body20, and it is possible to pull up the panel member4to improve the fit of the shoe1with the heel position.

In the present embodiment, as illustrated inFIG.9, the middle portion of the panel member4in the vertical direction can be separated from the upper body20. With this structure, the panel member4can be easily moved relative to the upper body20when the shoelace5is tightened, and it is possible to pull up the panel member4to further improve the fit of the shoe1with the heel position.

In the present embodiment, a material having low stretchability is used for the inner panel member40and the outer panel member41illustrated inFIG.5. With this structure, the stretching of the inner panel member40and the outer panel member41when the inner panel member40and the outer panel member41are pulled up is prevented, and it is possible to pull up the panel member4to further improve the fit of the shoe1with the heel position.

Note that, the pair of panel members4illustrated inFIG.1has a left-right symmetrical shape in the present embodiment, but may have a left-right asymmetric shape. For example, the panel member4on the medial foot side illustrated inFIG.1may be extended forward from the panel member4on the lateral foot side, and the panel member4on the medial foot side may be disposed at a position corresponding to the entire medial longitudinal arch Ar of the wearer in the fore-rear direction. In addition, the shape of each panel member4is preferably a shape in which the width in the fore-rear direction decreases from the lower end portion toward the upper end portion, but is not limited to the illustrated example.

In the present embodiment, the second string passing portion23illustrated inFIG.3is formed by folding back the upper end portion of the panel member4and stitching it to the upper body20, but may be formed by fixing a loop-shaped member separate from the panel member4to the upper end portion of the panel member4.

Each panel member4illustrated inFIG.5is formed by overlapping two members although there is an exception in part in the present embodiment, but may be formed of one member or may be formed by overlapping a plurality of members other than two members. In addition, each panel member4includes the bonded region45and the stitched region46in the present embodiment, but the bonded region45may be disposed over the entire region of the panel member4. Each panel member4includes the cushioning member43in the present embodiment, but the cushioning member43may not be disposed or may be disposed on any one of the panel members4on the lateral foot side and the medial foot side.

The rear end portion of each panel member4and the lining member6illustrated inFIG.8are stitched in the present embodiment, but may not be stitched as long as the panel member4can be formed of a thin material that the difference between the rear end portion of each panel member4and the lining member6is not felt. If the rear end portion of each panel member4and the lining member6are not stitched in this manner, the reduction in the movable range of the panel member4due to being stitched to the lining member6does not occur, and it is possible to pull up the panel member4to further improve the fit of the shoe1with the heel position.

In the present embodiment, the upper end portion9aof the stitched portion9of each panel member4and the lining member6is positioned above the upper end portion7aof the heel counter7at least at the position where the stitched portion9is disposed, but may be positioned below the upper end portion7aof the heel counter7, or may be positioned at a position corresponding to the upper end portion7aof the heel counter7in the vertical direction.

FIG.11is a cross-sectional view of a shoe1A according to a first modification of the first embodiment. InFIG.11, the panel member4is illustrated as one member for easy understanding. One through hole25communicating the inside and the outside of the upper body20is disposed in each side wall portion24of the upper body20in the foot width direction. Each panel member4passes above the side wall portion24from the inside toward the outside of the upper body20and is folded downward, and then passes through the through hole25from the outside toward the inside of the upper body20and is folded downward. Then, the portion of the panel member4passing through the through hole25and positioned inside the upper body20and the side wall portion24are fixed to each other by the stitch SE to form the loop-shaped second string passing portion23. With the present modification, it is possible to achieve effects similar to those of the first embodiment described above.

FIG.12is a cross-sectional view of a shoe1B according to a second modification of the first embodiment. InFIG.12, the panel member4is illustrated as one member for easy understanding. One through hole25communicating the inside and the outside of the upper body20is disposed in each side wall portion24of the upper body20in the foot width direction. Each panel member4passes above the side wall portion24from the inside toward the outside of the upper body20and is folded downward, and then passes through the through hole25from the outside toward the inside of the upper body20and is folded downward. Then, the portion of the panel member4that passes through the through hole25and is positioned inside the upper body20and the portion that does not pass above the side wall portion24and is positioned inside the upper body20are fixed to each other by the stitch SE to form the loop-shaped second string passing portion23. With the present modification, it is possible to achieve effects similar to those of the first embodiment described above.

FIG.13is a cross-sectional view of a shoe1C according to a third modification of the first embodiment. InFIG.13, the panel member4is illustrated as one member for easy understanding. One through hole25communicating the inside and the outside of the upper body20is disposed in each side wall portion24of the upper body20in the foot width direction. The panel member4passes through the through hole25from the inside toward the outside of the upper body20and is folded downward. Then, the portion of the panel member4passing through the through hole25and positioned outside the upper body20and the side wall portion24are fixed to each other by the stitch SE to form the loop-shaped second string passing portion23. The second string passing portion23is formed outside the upper body20by being surrounded by the panel member4and the side wall portion24. With the present modification, it is possible to achieve effects similar to those of the first embodiment described above. In the present modification, the second string passing portion23is formed outside the upper body20by being surrounded by the panel member4and the side wall portion24, whereby it is possible to reduce the internal space of the second string passing portion23as compared with the above first embodiment. Therefore, it is possible to stabilize the position of the shoelace5without the shoelace5falling to the vicinity of the lower end portion of the upper body20.

FIG.14is a cross-sectional view of a shoe1D according to a fourth modification of the first embodiment. InFIG.14, the panel member4is illustrated as one member for easy understanding. Two through holes25communicating the inside and the outside of the upper body20are disposed in each side wall portion24of the upper body20in the foot width direction. The two through holes25are separated from each other in the vertical direction. Each panel member4passes through the upper through hole25from the inside toward the outside of the upper body20and is folded downward, and then passes through the lower through hole25from the outside toward the inside of the upper body20and is folded downward. Then, the portion of the panel member4passing through the lower through hole25and positioned inside the upper body20and the side wall portion24are fixed to each other by the stitch SE to form the loop-shaped second string passing portion23. The second string passing portion23is formed outside the upper body20by being surrounded by the panel member4and the side wall portion24. With the present modification, it is possible to achieve effects similar to those of the first embodiment described above. In the present modification, the second string passing portion23is formed outside the upper body20by being surrounded by the panel member4and the side wall portion24, whereby it is possible to reduce the internal space of the second string passing portion23as compared with the above first embodiment. Therefore, it is possible to stabilize the position of the shoelace5without the shoelace5falling to the vicinity of the lower end of the upper body20.

FIG.15is a cross-sectional view of a shoe1E according to a fifth modification of the first embodiment. InFIG.15, the panel member4is illustrated as one member for easy understanding. Two through holes25communicating the inside and the outside of the upper body20are disposed in each side wall portion24of the upper body20in the foot width direction. The two through holes25are separated from each other in the vertical direction. Each panel member4passes through the upper through hole25from the inside toward the outside of the upper body20and is folded downward, and then passes through the lower through hole25from the outside toward the inside of the upper body20and is folded downward. Then, the portion of the panel member4that passes through the lower through hole25and is positioned inside the upper body20and the portion that does not pass through the two through holes25and is positioned inside the upper body20are fixed to each other by the stitch SE to form the loop-shaped second string passing portion23. The second string passing portion23is formed outside the upper body20by being surrounded by the panel member4and the side wall portion24. With the present modification, it is possible to achieve effects similar to those of the first embodiment described above. In the present modification, the second string passing portion23is formed outside the upper body20by being surrounded by the panel member4and the side wall portion24, whereby it is possible to reduce the internal space of the second string passing portion23as compared with the above first embodiment. Therefore, it is possible to stabilize the position of the shoelace5without the shoelace5falling to the vicinity of the lower end portion of the upper body20.

FIG.16is a side view of the panel member4of a shoe1F according to a sixth modification of the first embodiment when viewed from the inside of the upper2. The shoe1F according to the sixth modification is different from the shoe1according to the first embodiment in that the panel member4does not include the cushioning member43and the protective cover44and that the outer panel member41includes a hole41aand notches41band41c.

The hole41ahaving a substantially triangular shape is disposed in a certain region from the lower end portion toward the upper end portion of the outer panel member41. The notch41bhaving a substantially rectangular shape is disposed in a certain region from the fore end portion toward the rear end portion of the outer panel member41. The notch41breaches the lower end portion of the outer panel member41. The notch41chaving a substantially trapezoidal shape is disposed in a certain region from the rear end portion toward the fore end portion of the outer panel member41. The notch41cis disposed at a position separated upward from the lower end portion of the outer panel member41. The stitched portion9is a portion where the inner panel member40and the outer panel member41overlap each other, and is disposed from a boundary portion with the lower end portion of the rear end portion of the outer panel member41to the vicinity of the lower end portion of the notch41c. The hole41a, the notches41band41c, and the stitched portion9are separated from each other in the fore-rear direction. The hole41ais disposed in a region between the notch41band the notch41cand the stitched portion9. The hole41aand the notches41band41care covered with the inner panel member40from the inner side of the upper body20.

A fore extending portion41dextending in the vertical direction is disposed in front of the hole41ain the outer panel member41. A rear extending portion41eextending in the upward direction is disposed behind the hole41ain the outer panel member41. The shape formed by the fore extending portion41dand the rear extending portion41eis an inverted V-shape. Above the hole41ain the outer panel member41, an upper extending portion41fis disposed, which is connected to the upper end portion of the fore extending portion41dand the upper end portion of the rear extending portion41eand extends in the vertical direction.

With the present modification, it is possible to achieve effects similar to those of the first embodiment described above. In addition, in the present modification, the substantially triangular hole41ais disposed in the certain region from the lower end portion toward the upper end portion of the outer panel member41, and the shape formed by the fore extending portion41dand the rear extending portion41edisposed in the front of and behind the hole41ais the inverted V shape, whereby the tension applied to the panel member4when the shoelace5(not illustrated) is tightened is easily transmitted from the lower end portion to the upper end portion of the panel member4. Therefore, it is possible to pull up the panel member4to further improve the fit of the shoe1F with the heel position. In the present modification, since the hole41aand the notches41band41care disposed in the outer panel member41, it is possible to reduce the weight of the panel member4.

FIG.17is a side view of the upper2of a shoe1G according to a seventh modification of the first embodiment when viewed from the inside of the upper2. The shoe1G according to the seventh modification is different from the shoe1according to the first embodiment in the structure of the reinforcing member8disposed on the upper body20. InFIG.17, the panel member4is omitted in order to show the reinforcing member8hidden by the panel member4.

The reinforcing member8includes a plurality of holes8a. The plurality of holes8ais separated from each other in the vertical direction and the fore-rear direction. The shape of the holes8ais not particularly limited, but is circular in a side view in the present modification. With the present modification, it is possible to achieve effects similar to those of the first embodiment described above. In addition, in the present modification, since the reinforcing member8includes the plurality of holes8a, it is possible to achieve the weight reduction of the reinforcing member8, shape retainability of the shoe1G, and appropriate hardness of the reinforcing member8.

FIG.18is a side view of the panel member4of a shoe1H according to an eighth modification of the first embodiment when viewed from the inside of the upper2. The shoe1H according to the eighth modification is different from the shoe1according to the first embodiment in that the panel member4does not include the cushioning member43and the protective cover44and that the inner panel member40includes a hole40band notches40cand40d.

The inner panel member40includes a plurality of holes40b. The plurality of holes40bis separated from each other in the vertical direction and the fore-rear direction. The shape of the holes40bis not particularly limited, but is circular in a side view in the present modification. The notch40chaving a substantially rectangular shape is disposed in a certain region from the fore end portion toward the rear end portion of the inner panel member40. The notch40creaches the lower end portion of the inner panel member40. The notch40dhaving a substantially trapezoidal shape is disposed in a certain region from the rear end portion toward the fore end portion of the inner panel member40. The notch40dis disposed at a position separated upward from the lower end portion of the inner panel member40. The stitched portion9is a portion where the inner panel member40and the outer panel member41overlap each other, and is disposed from a boundary portion with the lower end portion of the rear end portion of the inner panel member40to the vicinity of the lower end portion of the notch40d. The holes40bare disposed in a region between the notch40cand the notch40dand the stitched portion9. A part of the outer panel member41is visible from the inside of the upper body20through the holes40band the notches40cand40d.

With the present modification, it is possible to achieve effects similar to those of the first embodiment described above. In the present modification, since the inner panel member40includes the plurality of holes40band the notches40cand40d, it is possible to reduce the weight of the panel member4.

Second Embodiment

FIG.19is a cross-sectional view of a shoe1I according to a second embodiment. InFIG.19, a panel member4is illustrated as one member for easy understanding. The shoe1I according to the second embodiment is different from the shoe1according to the first embodiment in that the panel member4is pulled up by using a belt12and a connecting member11.

As illustrated inFIG.19, the shoe1I includes an upper2, a sole3, a pair of panel members4, and a pulling member10. In the following description, when the pair of panel members4is distinguished, the panel member4on the medial foot side is referred to as a panel member4A, and the panel member4on the lateral foot side is referred to as a panel member4B. A through hole26communicating the inside and the outside of an upper body20is disposed in a side wall portion24of the upper body20on the lateral foot side.

Each panel member4extends obliquely upward and forward from the lower end portion side of the upper body20. The upper end portion of the panel member4A passes above the side wall portion24of the upper body20from the inside toward the outside of the upper body20and is folded downward. Then, the portion of the panel member4A passing above the side wall portion24and positioned outside the upper body20and the side wall portion24are fixed to each other by a stitch SE. The panel member4B passes through the through hole26from the inside toward the outside of the upper body20.

The pulling member10includes the connecting member11and the belt12. The connecting member11is attached to the upper end portion of the panel member4A and connects the panel member4A and the folded portion of the belt12. The structure of the connecting member11is not particularly limited as long as the panel member4A and the belt12can be connected to each other, but the connecting member is a ring-shaped member in the present embodiment.

InFIG.19, a boundary line S between the belt12and the panel member4B is illustrated. The belt12is connected to the upper end portion of the panel member4B, extends from the lateral foot side to the medial foot side of the upper body20, and is then folded back at the connecting member11to extend to the lateral foot side. The belt12is capable of applying a force for pulling up the panel member4to the panel member4in a direction toward an upper mid-foot portion R2and in a direction away from the sole3. The belt12may be integrated with the panel member4B or may be separated from the panel member4B. The belt12includes a first belt portion12aand a second belt portion12b. The first belt portion12aextends from the upper end portion of the panel member4B toward the medial foot side to the connecting member11. The second belt portion12bextends from the connecting member11toward the lateral foot side to the vicinity of the upper end portion of the panel member4B. The first belt portion12aand the second belt portion12bare disposed vertically. A hook-and-loop fastener12cis attached to the surface of the first belt portion12afacing the second belt portion12b. A hook-and-loop fastener12dis attached to the surface of the second belt portion12bfacing the first belt portion12a. The second belt portion12bcan be fixed to and separated from the first belt portion12avia the hook-and-loop fasteners12cand12d.

In the present embodiment, it is possible to achieve effects similar to those of the first embodiment described above. In the present embodiment, the pulling member10includes the belt12connected to the upper end portion of one panel member4B of the pair of panel members4, extending from the lateral foot side to the medial foot side of the upper body20, and then folded back to extend to the lateral foot side, and the connecting member11attached to the upper end portion of the other panel member4A and connecting the other panel member4A and the folded portion of the belt12. With this structure, since each panel member4is pulled up in the direction toward the upper mid-foot portion R2and in the direction away from the sole3by tightening the belt12by pulling the second belt portion12btoward the lateral foot side, each panel member4is tensioned to decrease the distance between the pair of panel members4in the foot width direction, and it is possible to pull up the heel position from both sides in the foot width direction and from the lower side. As a result, the panel members4are brought into close contact with both sides of the heel position along the foot width direction so as to wrap the heel position with the pair of panel members4from both sides in the foot width direction and from the lower side, and it is possible to prevent the positional displacement of the heel position in the shoe1I and improve the fit of the shoe1I with the heel position.

Note that when the shoelace5is not used as the pulling member10as in the present embodiment, a hook-and-loop fastener may be used instead of the shoelace5to bring the upper body20into close contact with the foot. If a hook-and-loop fastener is used to bring the upper body20into close contact with the foot, a first string passing portion22is not disposed on the upper body20. In addition, the pulling member10may include the belt12connected to the upper end portion of one panel member4A of the pair of panel members4, extending from the medial foot side to the lateral foot side of the upper body20, and then folded back to extend to the medial foot side, and the connecting member11attached to the upper end portion of the other panel member4B and connecting the other panel member4B and the folded portion of the belt12.

FIG.20is a cross-sectional view of a shoe1J according to a first modification of the second embodiment. InFIG.20, the panel member4is illustrated as one member for easy understanding. One through hole25communicating the inside and the outside of the upper body20is disposed in the side wall portion24of the upper body20on the medial foot side in the foot width direction. The panel member4A passes above the side wall portion24of the upper body20from the inside toward the outside of the upper body20, is folded downward, then passes through the through hole25from the outside toward the inside of the upper body20, and is folded downward. Then, the portion of the panel member4A passing through the through hole25and positioned inside the upper body20and the side wall portion24are fixed to each other by the stitch SE. With the present modification, it is possible to achieve effects similar to those of the second embodiment described above.

FIG.21is a cross-sectional view of a shoe1K according to a second modification of the second embodiment. InFIG.21, the panel member4is illustrated as one member for easy understanding. One through hole25communicating the inside and the outside of the upper body20is disposed in the side wall portion24of the upper body20on the medial foot side in the foot width direction. The panel member4A passes above the side wall portion24of the upper body20from the inside toward the outside of the upper body20, is folded downward, then passes through the through hole25from the outside toward the inside of the upper body20, and is folded downward. Then, the portion of the panel member4A that passes through the through hole25and is positioned inside the upper body20and the portion that does not pass above the side wall portion24and is positioned inside the upper body20are fixed to each other by the stitch SE. With the present modification, it is possible to achieve effects similar to those of the second embodiment described above.

FIG.22is a cross-sectional view of a shoe1L according to a third modification of the second embodiment. InFIG.22, the panel member4is illustrated as one member for easy understanding. One through hole25communicating the inside and the outside of the upper body20is disposed in the side wall portion24of the upper body20on the medial foot side in the foot width direction. The panel member4A passes through the through hole25from the inside toward the outside of the upper body20and is folded downward. Then, the portion of the panel member4A passing through the through hole25and positioned outside the upper body20and the side wall portion24are fixed to each other by the stitch SE. With the present modification, it is possible to achieve effects similar to those of the second embodiment described above.

FIG.23is a cross-sectional view of a shoe1M according to a fourth modification of the second embodiment. InFIG.23, the panel member4is illustrated as one member for easy understanding. Two through holes25communicating the inside and the outside of the upper body20are disposed in the side wall portion24of the upper body20on the medial foot side in the foot width direction. The two through holes25are separated from each other in the vertical direction. The panel member4A passes through the upper through hole25from the inside toward the outside of the upper body20, is folded downward, then passes through the lower through hole25from the outside toward the inside of the upper body20, and is folded downward. Then, the portion of the panel member4A passing through the lower through hole25and positioned inside the upper body20and the side wall portion24are fixed to each other by the stitch SE. With the present modification, it is possible to achieve effects similar to those of the second embodiment described above.

FIG.24is a cross-sectional view of a shoe1N according to a fifth modification of the second embodiment. InFIG.24, the panel member4is illustrated as one member for easy understanding. Two through holes25communicating the inside and the outside of the upper body20are disposed in the side wall portion24of the upper body20on the medial foot side in the foot width direction. The two through holes25are separated from each other in the vertical direction. The panel member4A passes through the upper through hole25from the inside toward the outside of the upper body20, is folded downward, then passes through the lower through hole25from the outside toward the inside of the upper body20, and is folded downward. Then, the portion of the panel member4A that passes through the lower through hole25and is positioned inside the upper body20and the portion that does not pass through the two through holes25and is positioned inside the upper body20are fixed to each other by the stitch SE. With the present modification, it is possible to achieve effects similar to those of the second embodiment described above.

The configurations described in the above embodiments merely show examples of the present invention and can be combined with another known technique, and a part of each configuration can be omitted or changed without departing from the gist of the present invention.

REFERENCE SIGNS LIST