Patent Description:
In general, shoes serve to reduce foot fatigue by protecting a person's feet and absorbing shock.

Recently, in order to more smoothly reduce shock, various types of functional shoes have been introduced. In particular, shoes that absorb shock using a spring have been released.

As related prior art technology, <CIT> discloses a shock-absorbing shoe.

The aforementioned prior art document discloses that the shoe includes a coil spring arranged as an elastic member between an outsole and an upper sole, a fixing member provided to upper and lower ends of the coil spring to fix the coil spring, a support member provided to hold the fixing member, and a connection pin provided to hold the coil spring through the support member.

When walking, such conventional shock-absorbing shoes perform a shock-absorbing function by the elastic force of the coil spring against shock applied thereto.

However, when the coil spring is compressed due to a certain load persistently applied to the coil spring, the conventional shock absorber as described above is subjected to severe shock according to contact between parts of the coil spring, and is thus broken or damaged.

In particular, the shock-absorbing shoe according to the conventional art as described above has a structure in which several components are coupled to each other. Thus, it causes increase in the number of components, making the manufacturing process complicated, and requiring a lot of manual work, thereby reducing productivity.

In addition, with the conventional technology, as the weight increases due to a large number of components, the function of shoes, especially for the elderly, is degraded. Further, due to various parts, noise is generated and durability decreases.

In addition, the conventional technology lacks an element capable of adjusting the elastic force of the spring.

Therefore, there is a need for a thickness measurement device based on new technology to overcome the issues of the conventional technology as described above.

Prior art documents in the technical field to which the present disclosure pertains include <CIT> and Korean Patent application <CIT>.

<CIT> discloses a shock absorbing shoe with a coil spring arranged as an elastic member between an outsole and an upper sole. The shock absorbing shoe further comprises a supporting member consisting of a soft foam material surrounded by the coil spring and arranged between the outsole and the upper sole.

Therefore, the present disclosure has been made in view of the above issues, and it is one object of the present disclosure to provide a shock-absorbing shoe using a spring, which has a simplified configuration for absorbing shock or load through a spring installed on the heel portion of an outsole, and is capable of reducing weight and minimizing noise generation while improving productivity.

It is another object of the present disclosure to provide a shock-absorbing shoe using a spring, which is capable of preventing distortion of the spring by rectilinearly guiding ascent/descent of an upper sole on which the spring is installed.

In particular, it is an object of the present disclosure to provide a shock-absorbing shoe using a spring, which allows a member for guiding the ascent/descent of the upper sole to be coupled in a one-touch manner and prevents the same from being separated after coupling.

It is another object of the present disclosure to provide a shock-absorbing shoe using a spring, which is capable of adjusting the degree of shock absorption of the spring.

The object of the present disclosure can be achieved by providing a shock-absorbing shoe using a spring, the shock-absorbing shoe including a spring configured to provide elastic force to absorb a shock; an outsole forming a sole of the shoe; an upper sole fixed to a top of the outsole and spaced apart from a heel of the outsole to provide a space for installation of the spring, the upper sole descending by a load or ascending by the elastic force of the spring; a lower spring seat formed on a top surface of the outsole to support a lower end of the spring; an upper spring seat formed on a bottom surface of the upper sole to support an upper end of the spring; and an ascent/descent guider configured to rectilinearly guide an ascent/descent of the upper sole,
wherein the ascent/descent guider includes a guide shaft integrally protruding from the lower spring seat to be coaxially arranged with the spring; a shaft holder formed in a hole shape in the upper spring seat to allow the guide shaft to be fitted thereinto, the shaft holder being configured to move in a longitudinal direction of the guide shaft to guide the ascent/descent of the upper sole; and a shaft engagement portion formed on an upper portion of the guide shaft and having a larger outer diameter than the shaft holder, the shaft engagement portion being radially contractible and expandable to be engaged with the shaft holder so as not to be separated when fitted into the shaft holder.

The shaft engagement portion may include a split shaft integrally extending from an upper portion of the guide shaft, the split shaft being split to have an open upper end so as to be contracted by external force or restored by elastic force; and a split hook formed at the upper end of the split shaft in a conical shape, the split hook being fitted into the shaft holder by the constriction of the split shaft, and opened by restoration of the split shaft to be caught on the shaft holder.

The split shaft may have four split pieces radially formed on an upper portion of the guide shaft.

The shock-absorbing shoe may further include an elasticity adjuster provided to at least one of the lower spring seat and the upper spring seat to adjust the elastic force of the spring.

For example, wherein the elasticity adjuster may include a seat cap screwed to the lower spring seat or the upper spring seat to face an end of the spring, the seat cap being configured to compress the spring through forward rotation or release the spring through reverse rotation.

In a shock-absorbing shoe using a spring according to an embodiment of the present disclosure, the spring disposed on the heel portion of the outsole is installed through a simplified configuration through an ascent/descent guider and a spring seat. Accordingly, productivity may be improved, and noise caused by parts may be reduced along with decrease in the weight of the shoe.

In addition, in a shock-absorbing shoe using a spring according to an embodiment of the present disclosure, an ascent/descent guider connects an outsole to an upper sole, and rectilinearly guides the ascent/descent of the upper sole to allow rectilinear compression of the spring. Accordingly, distortion of the spring and the upper sole may be prevented.

In addition, in a shock-absorbing shoe using a spring according to an embodiment of the present disclosure, a shaft engagement part constituting the ascent/descent guider is composed of a split shaft and a split hook, and thus may be easily connected to the shaft holder in a one-touch manner and may be prevented from being arbitrarily separated after being connected.

In addition, the shock-absorbing shoe using a spring according to an embodiment of the present disclosure may adjust the elastic force of the spring through the configuration of an elasticity adjuster, and also adjust the height of the upper sole.

The effects obtainable through the disclosed embodiments are not limited to the above-mentioned effects, and other effects not mentioned will be clearly understood by those skilled in the art to which the disclosed embodiments pertain from the following detailed description.

In describing the present disclosure, detailed descriptions of related known general functions or configurations will be skipped.

In addition, terms including ordinal numbers such as first and second may be used to describe various elements, but the elements are not limited by the terms. These terms are used only for the purpose of distinguishing one element from another element.

When one element is mentioned as being "connected" or "linked" to another, it should be understood that this means the one element may be directly connected or linked to the other one or another element may be interposed between the elements. On the other hand, when one element is mentioned as being "directly connected" or "directly linked" to another, it should be understood that this means no other element is interposed between the elements. Other expressions describing the relationship between elements, such as "between" and "directly between" or "adjacent to" and "directly adjacent to" should also be interpreted in a similar manner.

Terms used in this specification are merely adopted to explain specific embodiments, and are not intended to limit the present invention. A singular expression includes a plural expression unless the two expressions are contextually different from each other. In this specification, "include" or "have" is intended to indicate that characteristics, figures, steps, operations, elements, and parts disclosed in the specification or combinations thereof exist. The term "include" or "have" should be understood as not precluding possibility of existence or addition of one or more other characteristics, figures, steps, operations, elements, parts, or combinations thereof.

<FIG> is a block diagram showing a shock-absorbing shoe using a spring according to the present disclosure, <FIG> is a longitudinal cross-sectional view showing main parts of the present disclosure, and <FIG> is a perspective view showing the configuration of an ascent/descent guider of the present disclosure. <FIG> is a perspective view showing the configuration of an elasticity adjuster of the present disclosure.

As shown in <FIG> and <FIG>, a shock-absorbing shoe using a spring according to an embodiment of the present disclosure may include a spring <NUM>, an outsole <NUM>, an upper sole <NUM>, a lower spring seat <NUM>, an upper spring seat <NUM>, and an ascent/descent guider <NUM>.

The spring <NUM> is a component configured to provide elastic force to absorb a user's weight or shock.

As shown in the figure, the spring <NUM> may include a coil spring and thus may be compressed by a load or shock to absorb the shock.

In addition, the spring <NUM> may include a coil spring having a circular cross-sectional shape, or may include a coil spring having a rectangular cross-sectional shape.

The outsole <NUM> is a part that constitutes the sole of the shoe and has a bottom surface contacting the ground. Preferably, the bottom surface is formed of a material having elasticity, such as elastomer, polyurethane (PU), or rubber, to absorb shock and resist against slip on the ground in contact therewith.

In addition, the outsole <NUM> may not only be formed of the elastic material to provide elasticity and anti-slip properties as described above, but also be provided, on the bottom surface thereof, with a protruding portion having multiple projections or bumps. Accordingly, it may have further improved functionality in terms of elasticity and anti-slip properties.

The upper sole <NUM> is a component that provides an installation space for the spring <NUM> together with the outsole <NUM>.

Specifically, when the upper sole <NUM> is fixed to the top of the outsole, it is spaced apart from the heel portion of the outsole <NUM> to provide the installation space for the spring <NUM>. In addition, it may descend toward the outsole <NUM> when a load or shock is applied, and may ascend away from the outsole <NUM> by the elastic force of the spring <NUM>.

The upper sole <NUM> may be firmly attached to the outsole <NUM> by bonding, and an insole of the shoe may be seated on the top surface thereof.

The lower spring seat <NUM> is a component configured to support the lower end of the spring <NUM> and may be provided on the top surface of the outsole <NUM> as shown in <FIG>.

Specifically, the lower spring seat <NUM> may be formed in an annular groove shape to allow the lower end of the spring <NUM> to be seated thereon.

The lower spring seat <NUM> may be integrated with the outsole <NUM>, and may be configured separately from the outsole <NUM> and securely fixed to the top surface of the outsole <NUM> through a fixing member including bonding.

The upper spring seat <NUM> is a component configured to support the upper end of the spring <NUM> and may be provided on the bottom surface of the upper sole <NUM> as shown in <FIG>.

Specifically, the upper spring seat <NUM> may be formed in an annular groove shape such that the upper end of the spring <NUM> is in close contact therewith.

This upper spring seat <NUM> may be integrated with the upper sole <NUM>, or may be configured separately from the upper sole <NUM> and firmly fixed to the bottom surface of the upper sole <NUM> through a fixing member including bonding.

That is, the spring <NUM> may be arranged interposed between the upper sole <NUM> and the outsole <NUM> as the upper and lower ends thereof are seated on the upper spring seat <NUM> and the lower spring seat <NUM>, respectively. Thus, the spring may perform shock absorption against the user's weight or shock.

The ascent/descent guider <NUM> is a component configured to prevent distortion of the spring <NUM> by connecting the outsole <NUM> and the upper sole <NUM> and rectilinearly guiding the ascent/descent of the upper sole <NUM>.

For example, the ascent/descent guider <NUM> may include a guide shaft <NUM>, a shaft holder <NUM>, and a shaft engagement portion <NUM> as shown in <FIG>.

The guide shaft <NUM>, which is integrated with the lower spring seat <NUM> in a protruding manner, is a component that is coaxially arranged with the spring <NUM> and is configured to guide the ascent/descent of the upper sole <NUM> as it is fitted into the shaft holder <NUM>.

The shaft holder <NUM> is a component into which the guide shaft <NUM> is fitted, and may define a hole in the upper spring seat <NUM> of the upper sole <NUM> to allow the guide shaft <NUM> to be fitted thereinto.

When the upper sole <NUM> is caused to descend by a load or to ascend by the spring <NUM>, the shaft holder <NUM> may move in the longitudinal direction of the guide shaft <NUM> to rectilinearly guide the ascent or descent of the upper sole <NUM>.

Here, the shaft holder <NUM> is formed to have a depth corresponding to the guide shaft <NUM>, thereby preventing the upper end of the guide shaft <NUM> from protruding toward the insole.

The shaft engagement portion <NUM> is a component configured to couple the guide shaft <NUM> to the shaft holder <NUM> in a one-touch manner and prevent the guide shaft <NUM> from being arbitrarily separated from the shaft holder <NUM>.

Specifically, the shaft engagement portion <NUM> may be formed to have an outer diameter larger than that of the shaft holder <NUM> such that the outer diameter may be expanded and contracted by external force. Accordingly, the outer diameter may be reduced by external force and then expanded once the portion is fully coupled to the shaft holder <NUM>. Thereby, the portion may be prevented from being separated from the shaft holder <NUM>.

The shaft engagement portion <NUM> may include, for example, a split shaft <NUM> and a split hook <NUM>.

The split shaft <NUM>, which is a component configured to be contracted by external force and to be stretched by the elastic force, may be formed to be split to have an open upper end and may extend upward while being integrated with the upper portion of the guide shaft <NUM>.

That is, as the split shaft <NUM> has a split form with upper end open, it may be contracted when external force is applied thereto, and may be opened when the external force is removed.

Here, the split shaft <NUM> may be radially split into four parts on the top of the guide shaft <NUM> as shown in <FIG>.

Accordingly, when external force is applied, the split shaft <NUM> may be contracted toward the center, and thus the outer diameter may be smoothly reduced.

The split hook <NUM> is a component that is engaged with the shaft holder <NUM> so as not to be separated.

Specifically, the split hook <NUM> may be formed in a conical shape at the upper end of the split shaft <NUM>, and may be fitted into the shaft holder <NUM> as the outer diameter is reduced by the contraction of the split shaft <NUM>. Then, the outer diameter may be increased by expansion of the split shaft <NUM> so as not to be separated from the shaft holder <NUM>.

Accordingly, when an operator presses the upper sole <NUM> downward with the split hook <NUM> facing the shaft holder <NUM> in an assembly process of the upper sole <NUM> and the outsole <NUM>, the split hook may be easily coupled to the shaft holder <NUM> in a one-touch manner as the outer diameter thereof is reduced by the shaft holder <NUM>. After coupling is completed, the outer diameter may be increased again and thus the hook may be prevented from being arbitrarily separated from the shaft holder <NUM>.

Therefore, in the shock-absorbing shoe using the spring according to the present disclosure, the outsole <NUM> and the upper sole <NUM> may be coupled so as not to be separated from each other due to the simplified configuration of the guide shaft <NUM>, the shaft holder <NUM>, and the shaft engagement portion <NUM> constituting the ascent/descent guider <NUM>.

The above-described split shaft <NUM> may be composed of two split pieces as shown in <FIG>.

In this case, as the two split shafts <NUM> are contracted toward each other or widened away from each other, the outer diameter thereof may be reduced or increased.

The shock-absorbing shoe according to the present disclosure may further include an elasticity adjuster <NUM> as shown in <FIG>.

The elasticity adjuster <NUM> is a component configured to adjust the elastic force by compressing or releasing the spring <NUM>.

That is, the elasticity adjuster <NUM> may adjust the elastic force of the spring <NUM> by compressing or releasing the spring <NUM> by pressing at least one of both ends of the spring <NUM>.

The elasticity adjuster <NUM> may include a seat cap <NUM> as shown in <FIG>.

Specifically, the seat cap <NUM> may be screwed to the above-described lower spring seat <NUM> or upper spring seat <NUM> to face an end of the spring <NUM> while covering the seat.

The seat cap <NUM> may compress the spring <NUM> by moving toward the spring <NUM> while rotating in one direction or may release the spring <NUM> by moving away from the spring <NUM> while rotating in the opposite direction.

Here, when the spring <NUM> is compressed, the distance between the outsole <NUM> and the upper sole <NUM> decreases, and thus the height of the heel of the shoe is reduced. When the spring <NUM> is released, the distance between the outsole <NUM> and the upper sole <NUM> increases, and thus the height of the heel of the shoe is increased.

The seat cap <NUM> may be provided with a tool groove, not shown, on the outer circumferential surface thereof so as to be easily rotated by a tool, and may be provided with a stopper, not shown, on the inner circumferential surface thereof so as not to be separated from the lower spring seat <NUM> or the upper spring seat <NUM>.

In addition, the seat cap <NUM> may have at least one locking protrusion formed on the inner circumferential surface thereof to prevent unintentional rotation, and a plurality of locking grooves corresponding to the locking protrusion may be formed on the outer circumferential surface of the lower spring seat <NUM> or the upper spring seat <NUM> and arranged in a circumferential direction. Thus, once the seat cap <NUM> is rotated stepwise only by a set angle corresponding to a gap between the locking grooves, it is prevented from rotating anymore.

As described above, in the shock-absorbing shoe using a spring according to an embodiment, as the ascent/descent guider <NUM> rectilinearly guides the ascent/descent of the upper sole <NUM> while connecting the outsole <NUM> and the upper sole <NUM>, compression of the spring <NUM> is also rectilinearly performed. Accordingly, distortion of the spring <NUM> and the upper sole <NUM> may be prevented. In particular, as the shaft engagement portion <NUM> constituting the ascent/descent guider <NUM> includes the split shaft <NUM> and the split hook <NUM>, the guide shaft <NUM> may be easily coupled to the shaft holder <NUM> in a one-touch manner, and may be prevented from being arbitrarily separated therefrom in the coupled state.

It will be understood by those of ordinary skill in the art to which the above-described embodiments belong that the above-described embodiments are for illustrative purposes only, and can be easily changed into other specific embodiments without departing from the technical idea or essential features of the above-described embodiments. Therefore, it should be understood that the above-described embodiments are illustrative and nonlimiting in all respects. For example, each component described as a single item may be implemented in a distributed manner. Similarly, a component described as being distributed may be implemented in a coupled form.

Claim 1:
A shock-absorbing shoe using a spring (<NUM>), the shock-absorbing shoe comprising:
a spring (<NUM>) configured to provide elastic force to absorb a shock;
an outsole (<NUM>) forming a sole of the shoe;
an upper sole (<NUM>) fixed to a top of the outsole (<NUM>) and spaced apart from a heel of the outsole (<NUM>) to provide a space for installation of the spring (<NUM>), the upper sole (<NUM>) descending by a load or ascending by the elastic force of the spring (<NUM>);
a lower spring seat (<NUM>) formed on a top surface of the outsole (<NUM>) to support a lower end of the spring (<NUM>) ;
an upper spring seat (<NUM>) formed on a bottom surface of the upper sole (<NUM>) to support an upper end of the spring (<NUM>); and
an ascent/descent guider (<NUM>) configured to rectilinearly guide an ascent/descent of the upper sole (<NUM>)
wherein the ascent/descent guider (<NUM>) comprises:
a guide shaft (<NUM>) integrally protruding from the lower spring seat (<NUM>) to be coaxially arranged with the spring (<NUM>);
a shaft holder (<NUM>) formed in a hole shape in the upper spring seat (<NUM>) to allow the guide shaft (<NUM>) to be fitted thereinto, the shaft holder (<NUM>) being configured to move in a longitudinal direction of the guide shaft (<NUM>) to guide the ascent/descent of the upper sole (<NUM>); and
a shaft engagement portion (<NUM>) formed on an upper portion of the guide shaft (<NUM>) and having a larger outer diameter than the shaft holder (<NUM>), the shaft engagement portion (<NUM>) being radially contractible and expandable to be engaged with the shaft holder (<NUM>) so as not to be separated when fitted into the shaft holder (<NUM>).