Patent Description:
A shoe including a plate provided within a midsole has conventionally been known. For example, <CIT> discloses a sole structure of footwear including an upper sole portion, a lower sole portion, and a plate member arranged between the upper sole portion and the lower sole portion. The plate member includes a rear foot part opposed to a rear foot portion of a user. A cross-section in a foot width direction of the rear foot part is formed as being convex downward. <CIT> describes a sole structure including multiple macrolayers that each comprise a spring plate and a layer of damping material and provide constrained layer damping in response to impact forces occurring as a result of activity of a wearer of an article of footwear incorporating the sole structure. <CIT> describes an orthopedic shoe for women which is a welt shoe and includes a metal shank stiffener disposed between the insole and outsole. The shank stiffener comprises a steel plate curved longitudinally to correspond to the longitudinal arch.

For the shoe as described in <CIT>, in order to enhance shock absorbing performance at the time of landing, a weight or a hardness of a material of which the midsole is composed may be reduced. In this case, from a point of view of preventing injuries or maintaining performance of a wearer, higher stability of the shoe is demanded. This object can be achieved, for example, by suppressing sinking down of an arch portion and a heel during a period from landing until take-off (which is also referred to as "toe-off').

An object of the present disclosure is to provide a plate, a sole, and a shoe capable of achieving suppression of sinking down of an arch portion and a heel during a period from landing until take-off The invention relates to a shoe as specified in appended independent claim <NUM>. Additional embodiments of the invention are disclosed in the dependent claims.

A plate used for a sole that forms a part of a shoe includes a mid- and rear-foot support portion in a shape extending from a position superimposed on a rear end portion of a metatarsal bone of a wearer of the shoe in a thickness direction of the sole to a position superimposed on a heel bone of the wearer, the mid- and rear-foot support portion supporting a midfoot portion and a rear foot portion of the wearer. The mid- and rear-foot support portion is in a shape convex upward in a cross-section in a foot width direction.

A sole includes the plate and a midsole that forms a part of the sole. The midsole includes a lower midsole and an upper midsole connected on the lower midsole. The mid- and rear-foot support portion is arranged between the lower midsole and the upper midsole. The lower midsole includes a lower heel region superimposed on a heel portion of the wearer in the thickness direction. The upper midsole includes an upper heel region superimposed on the heel portion of the wearer in the thickness direction. A thickness of the lower heel region is larger than a thickness of the upper heel region.

A sole includes the plate and a midsole that forms a part of the sole. The midsole includes an accommodation portion that defines a space where the plate is accommodated.

A shoe includes the sole and an upper connected to the sole and located above the sole.

An embodiment of this disclosure will be described with reference to the drawings. The same or corresponding members in the drawings referred to below have the same reference characters allotted. In the description below, such terms as a foot length direction, a foot width direction, front, and rear are used. The terms indicating directions refer to directions viewed from a point of view of a wearer who wears a shoe <NUM> placed on a flat plane such as the ground. For example, the front refers to a toe side and the rear refers to a heel side. In addition, an inner side refers to an inner side of a foot (a first toe side of a foot) in the foot width direction and an outer side refers to an outer side of the foot in the foot width direction.

<FIG> is a perspective view schematically showing a plate used in a shoe in a first embodiment of the present disclosure. <FIG> is a plan view showing relation between the plate and a bone of a foot of a wearer of the shoe. <FIG> is a cross-sectional view along the line III-III in <FIG>.

<FIG> shows a plate <NUM> for a left foot and <FIG> shows the plate <NUM> for a right foot. The plates are in a shape symmetrical to each other. This is also applicable to a sole <NUM> and the shoe <NUM> including the plate <NUM>. The shoe <NUM> in the present embodiment is applicable, for example, as a sports shoe for such sports as running and a walking shoe, and the shoe <NUM> may be used in any application.

As shown in <FIG>, the shoe <NUM> includes the sole <NUM> and an upper <NUM>.

The upper <NUM> is connected to the sole <NUM>, and defines, together with the sole <NUM>, a space where a foot of a wearer is accommodated.

As shown in <FIG>, the sole <NUM> includes an outer sole <NUM>, a midsole <NUM>, and the plate <NUM>.

The outer sole <NUM> forms a grounding portion. The outer sole <NUM> is composed of rubber, a thermoplastic resin, or the like.

The midsole <NUM> is provided on the outer sole <NUM>. The midsole <NUM> is formed of a foamed material or the like made of a resin. The upper <NUM> is arranged on the midsole <NUM>. In other words, the midsole <NUM> is provided between the upper <NUM> and the outer sole <NUM>. As shown in <FIG>, the midsole <NUM> includes a forefoot region R1, a midfoot region R2, and a rear foot region R3.

The forefoot region R1 is a region superimposed on a forefoot portion of a wearer of the shoe <NUM> in a thickness direction of the sole <NUM>. The forefoot portion refers to a part of the foot of the wearer that is located in a front portion in a longitudinal direction, that is, a foot length direction (an upward/downward direction in <FIG>) of the shoe <NUM>. The forefoot region R1 is a region located within a range approximately from <NUM>% to <NUM>% of the entire length of the shoe <NUM> from a front end portion toward a rear end portion of the shoe <NUM>.

The foot length direction is a direction in parallel to a shoe center SC (see <FIG>). The shoe center SC is not limited to a centerline of the shoe <NUM> but may be a line corresponding to a straight line that connects the center of a heel bone of a standard wearer of the shoe <NUM> to a position between the first toe and the second toe.

The midfoot region R2 refers to a region superimposed on a midfoot portion of the wearer of the shoe <NUM> in the thickness direction of the sole <NUM>. The midfoot portion is a part of the foot of the wearer that is located in a central portion in the longitudinal direction. The midfoot region R2 refers to a region located within a range approximately from <NUM>% to <NUM>% of the entire length of the shoe <NUM> from a tip end portion toward the rear end portion of the shoe <NUM>.

The rear foot region R3 refers to a region superimposed on a rear foot portion of the wearer of the shoe <NUM> in the thickness direction of the sole <NUM>. The rear foot portion is a part of the foot of the wearer that is located in a rear portion in the longitudinal direction. The rear foot region R3 is a region located within a range from <NUM>% to <NUM>% of the entire length of the shoe <NUM> from the front end portion toward the rear end portion of the shoe <NUM>.

As shown in <FIG>, the midsole <NUM> includes a lower midsole <NUM> and an upper midsole <NUM>.

The lower midsole <NUM> is provided on the outer sole <NUM>. In other words, the lower midsole <NUM> has a lower surface covered with the outer sole <NUM>. The lower midsole <NUM> may have the lower surface only partly covered with the outer sole <NUM>, rather than entirely.

The lower midsole <NUM> is composed, for example, of a foamed body of a polyolefin resin, EVA, or a polyamide-based thermoplastic elastomer (TPA or TPAE). The lower midsole <NUM> has a compression modulus, preferably, not lower than <NUM> MPa and not higher than <NUM> MPa.

The lower midsole <NUM> includes a lower heel region <NUM> superimposed on a heel portion of the wearer in the thickness direction of the sole <NUM> and a lower middle region <NUM> superimposed on a metatarsal bone B <NUM> of the wearer in the thickness direction of the sole <NUM>. The lower heel region <NUM> is provided in a rear portion of the midfoot region R2 or in the rear foot region R3. The lower middle region <NUM> is provided in a rear portion of the forefoot region R1 or in the midfoot region R2. A thickness t11 of the lower heel region <NUM> is larger than a thickness t12 of the lower middle region <NUM>.

The upper midsole <NUM> is connected on the lower midsole <NUM>. The upper midsole <NUM> includes an upper heel region <NUM> superimposed on the heel portion of the wearer in the thickness direction and an upper middle region <NUM> superimposed on the metatarsal bone B10 of the wearer in the thickness direction of the sole <NUM>. The upper heel region <NUM> is formed directly on the lower heel region <NUM>. The upper middle region <NUM> is formed directly on the lower middle region <NUM>. A thickness t21 of the upper heel region <NUM> is smaller than a thickness t22 of the upper middle region <NUM>.

The thickness t11 of the lower heel region <NUM> is larger than the thickness t21 of the upper heel region <NUM>. The thickness <NUM> of the lower middle region is smaller than the thickness t22 of the upper middle region <NUM>.

The upper midsole <NUM> is composed, for example, of a foamed body of a polyolefin resin, EVA, or a polyamide-based thermoplastic elastomer (TPA or TPAE). The upper midsole <NUM> may be higher in compression modulus than the lower midsole <NUM>. The upper midsole <NUM> has the compression modulus preferably not lower than <NUM> MPa and not higher than <NUM> MPa and more preferably not higher than <NUM> MPa. The upper midsole <NUM> may be equal in compression modulus to the lower midsole <NUM> or may be lower in compression modulus than the lower midsole <NUM>. Though the upper midsole <NUM> and the lower midsole <NUM> are formed of the same material, they may be composed of different materials depending on required characteristics.

The plate <NUM> forms a part of the sole <NUM>. The plate <NUM> is higher in rigidity than the midsole <NUM>. The plate <NUM> is composed of a fiber-reinforced resin or a non-fiber-reinforced resin. Examples of fibers to be used for the fiber-reinforced resin include carbon fibers, glass fibers, aramid fibers, dyneema® fibers, ZYLON® fibers, and boron fibers. Examples of the non-fiber-reinforced resin include polymer resins such as a polyurethane-based thermoplastic elastomer (TPU) and an amid-based thermoplastic elastomer (TPA).

The plate <NUM> is provided in the midsole <NUM>. As shown in <FIG>, in the present embodiment, the plate <NUM> is arranged within the midsole <NUM>. Specifically, the plate <NUM> is arranged between the lower midsole <NUM> and the upper midsole <NUM>. The plate <NUM> is bonded to at least one of the lower midsole <NUM> and the upper midsole <NUM>. The midsole <NUM> includes an accommodation portion that defines a space where the plate <NUM> is accommodated. The accommodation portion is in a shape conforming to the shape of the plate <NUM>.

The plate <NUM> includes a mid- and rear-foot support portion <NUM> and a forefoot support portion <NUM>.

The mid- and rear-foot support portion <NUM> is a part that supports the midfoot portion and the rear foot portion of the wearer. The mid- and rear-foot support portion <NUM> is in a shape extending from a position superimposed on a rear end portion B11 of the metatarsal bone B <NUM> of the wearer in the thickness direction to a position superimposed on a rear end portion B21 of a heel bone B20 of the wearer. In the present embodiment, the mid- and rear-foot support portion <NUM> is in a shape extending from a part of the plate <NUM> superimposed in the thickness direction on an intermediate portion of the metatarsal bone B <NUM> in the foot length direction to the rear end portion of the plate <NUM>.

As shown in <FIG>, the mid- and rear-foot support portion <NUM> is in a shape convex upward (a shape like one large arc that is convex upward as a whole) in the cross-section in the foot width direction. The mid- and rear-foot support portion <NUM> includes an edge portion <NUM> formed at an end in the foot width direction. <FIG> shows the edge portion <NUM> with a dashed line.

The mid- and rear-foot support portion <NUM> includes a top portion <NUM> located at a position highest in the thickness direction. The top portion <NUM> is located at a position overlapping with a heel center HC of the wearer in the thickness direction. In the present embodiment, the top portion <NUM> is formed as being flat. Therefore, contact of the heel portion with the foot at the time of landing is excellent. The top portion <NUM> may be formed in a shape curved at a curvature smaller than a curvature of a part of the mid- and rear-foot support portion <NUM> other than the top portion <NUM> or in a shape curved at a curvature equal to the curvature of the part of the mid- and rear-foot support portion <NUM> other than the top portion <NUM> (a shape curved such that the entire region of the mid- and rear-foot support portion <NUM> in the cross-section in the foot width direction is uniform in curvature). <FIG> shows the top portion <NUM> with hatching and an outer geometry of the top portion <NUM> with a thin line.

The heel center HC means a straight line that connects the center of the heel bone of the standard wearer of the shoe <NUM> to a position between the third toe and the fourth toe.

<FIG> shows a cross-section of the shoe <NUM> along a half line AB (see <FIG>) and a half line AC (see <FIG>). The half line AB is a half line that extends from a rear end portion A of a fourth metatarsal bone toward an intersection B between the heel center HC and the rear end portion of the plate <NUM>. The half line AC is a half line that extends from the rear end portion A toward an intersection C between the front end portion of the plate <NUM> and the shoe center SC.

For example, in the cross-section (the cross-section shown in <FIG>) of the mid- and rear-foot support portion <NUM> in the foot width direction at the position superimposed on the heel portion of the wearer, a length W12 of the top portion <NUM> in the foot width direction is preferably at least <NUM> time and at most <NUM> time and more preferably at least <NUM> time and at most <NUM> time as long as a length W11 between the edge portions <NUM> in the foot width direction.

The forefoot support portion <NUM> is a part that supports the forefoot portion of the wearer. The forefoot support portion <NUM> deforms mainly in the foot length direction at the time of landing or take-off. The forefoot support portion <NUM> is formed in front of the mid- and rear-foot support portion <NUM>. <FIG> shows a cross-section of the shoe <NUM> in the foot width direction at a position that passes through the forefoot support portion <NUM>. As shown in <FIG>, the cross-section of the forefoot support portion <NUM> in the foot width direction is formed as being flat. Thus, in the entire region of the plate <NUM> in front of the mid- and rear-foot support portion <NUM>, the cross-section in the foot width direction is formed as being flat. In <FIG>, "out" means the outer side in the foot width direction and "in" means the inner side in the foot width direction. This is also applicable to other figures.

As shown in <FIG>, the lower surface of the lower midsole <NUM> in the foot width direction at the position that passes through the forefoot support portion <NUM> is formed as being flat.

The plate <NUM> in the present embodiment described above includes the mid- and rear-foot support portion <NUM> in the shape convex upward in the cross-section in the foot width direction. Therefore, during a period from landing until take-off, the midfoot portion and the rear foot portion of the wearer are effectively supported. Therefore, sinking down of the arch portion and the heel during the period from landing until take-off is suppressed.

A modification of the embodiment will be described below.

As shown in <FIG>, the thickness t12 of the lower middle region <NUM> may be larger than the thickness t22 of the upper middle region <NUM>. In this case as well, as in the embodiment, the thickness t11 of the lower heel region <NUM> is preferably larger than the thickness t21 of the upper heel region <NUM>.

As shown in <FIG>, the front portion of the plate <NUM> may be arranged between the lower surface of the midsole <NUM> and the outer sole <NUM>. In this aspect, stability in the forefoot portion is enhanced.

As shown in <FIG>, a cut <NUM> may be provided in the edge portion in the front portion of the plate <NUM>. In the example shown in <FIG>, a plurality of cuts <NUM> are provided in the front portion of the plate <NUM>, as being aligned at intervals in the foot length direction in both of the edge portion on the outer side and the edge portion on the inner side in the foot width direction. In this aspect, since the plate <NUM> more readily deforms, shock absorbing performance is enhanced.

As shown in <FIG>, a plurality of slits S may be provided in the front portion of the plate <NUM>, as being aligned at intervals in the foot length direction in both of the edge portion on the outer side and the edge portion on the inner side in the foot width direction.

As shown in <FIG>, through holes <NUM> may be provided in the plate <NUM>. In this aspect, the plate <NUM> is reduced in weight while rigidity of the plate <NUM> is maintained.

The shoe <NUM> in a second embodiment not belonging to the invention will now be described with reference to <FIG>. In the second embodiment, only differences from the first embodiment will be described, and description of a structure, functions, and effects the same as those in the first embodiment will not be repeated.

In the present embodiment, the forefoot support portion <NUM> is in a shape convex upward in the cross-section in the foot width direction. As shown in <FIG>, the forefoot support portion <NUM> is in a shape curved convexly upward. In the present embodiment, the top portion <NUM> of the mid- and rear-foot support portion <NUM> is also in a shape curved convexly upward. The mid- and rear-foot support portion <NUM> and the forefoot support portion <NUM> are in a shape curved convexly upward and continuous in the foot length direction. In this aspect, a degree of deformation at a boundary between the mid- and rear-foot support portion <NUM> and the forefoot support portion <NUM> is suppressed. The top portion <NUM> may be formed as being flat as in the first embodiment.

<FIG> shows with a dashed line, the edge portion <NUM> of the mid- and rear-foot support portion <NUM> and an edge portion <NUM> of the forefoot support portion <NUM> in the foot width direction.

As shown in <FIG>, a part of the lower midsole <NUM> located below the forefoot support portion <NUM> is in a shape curved convexly upward. Thus, the part of the lower midsole <NUM> below the forefoot support portion <NUM> more readily deforms. Therefore, the forefoot support portion <NUM> of the plate <NUM> also more readily deforms. The shape of the part of the lower midsole <NUM> located below the forefoot support portion <NUM> is not limited as above, but may be formed, for example, as being flat.

The forefoot support portion <NUM> includes a peak portion <NUM>. As shown in <FIG> and <FIG>, the peak portion <NUM> is located on the half line AC.

As shown in <FIG>, an accommodation portion <NUM> of the midsole <NUM> includes a contact portion <NUM>, a recess portion <NUM>, and an opposing portion <NUM>.

The contact portion <NUM> is a part in contact with the forefoot support portion <NUM>. The contact portion <NUM> is bonded to the forefoot support portion <NUM> with a bonding member (not shown) being interposed. In other words, the contact portion <NUM> implements the "bonded portion" bonded to the forefoot support portion <NUM>. As shown in <FIG>, the contact portion <NUM> includes a lower contact portion <NUM> and an upper contact portion <NUM>. The lower contact portion <NUM> is formed in a front portion in the foot length direction and in a central portion in the foot width direction, of the lower midsole <NUM>. The lower contact portion <NUM> is in a shape extending in the foot length direction.

The upper contact portion <NUM> is formed directly above the lower contact portion <NUM>. The upper contact portion <NUM> is in a shape extending in the foot length direction.

The recess portion <NUM> is in a shape recessed from the contact portion <NUM> in a direction away from the forefoot support portion <NUM> in the thickness direction. The recess portion <NUM> is provided at a position adjacent to the contact portion <NUM> in the foot width direction. The recess portion <NUM> is not bonded to the forefoot support portion <NUM>. In other words, the recess portion <NUM> implements the "non-bonded portion. " The recess portion <NUM> includes a lower recess portion <NUM> and an upper recess portion <NUM>.

The lower recess portion <NUM> is provided at a position in the lower midsole <NUM>, adjacent to the lower contact portion <NUM> in the foot width direction. As shown in <FIG>, the lower recess portion <NUM> is in a shape recessed downward from the lower contact portion <NUM>. The lower recess portion <NUM> extends to the outer side in the foot width direction, relative to the edge portion <NUM> of the forefoot support portion <NUM>.

The upper recess portion <NUM> is provided at a position in the upper midsole <NUM>, opposed to the lower recess portion <NUM> in the thickness direction. As shown in <FIG>, the upper recess portion <NUM> is in a shape recessed upward from the upper contact portion <NUM>. The upper recess portion <NUM> extends to the outer side in the foot width direction, relative to the edge portion <NUM> of the forefoot support portion <NUM>.

The opposing portion <NUM> is a part opposed to the forefoot support portion <NUM> in the foot width direction. The opposing portion <NUM> is opposed to the edge portion <NUM> of the forefoot support portion <NUM>. As shown in <FIG>, the opposing portion <NUM> is distant from the edge portion <NUM> of the forefoot support portion <NUM> in the foot width direction while a load is not applied to the forefoot support portion <NUM>. The opposing portion <NUM> couples an end on the outer side of the lower recess portion <NUM> in the foot width direction and an end on the outer side of the upper recess portion <NUM> in the foot width direction to each other.

As shown in <FIG>, when a load is applied to the forefoot support portion <NUM>, the forefoot support portion <NUM> deforms to spread outward in the foot width direction. In the present embodiment, while a load is not applied to the sole <NUM>, a gap is provided between the forefoot support portion <NUM> and the opposing portion <NUM>, and therefore, interference with deformation of the forefoot support portion <NUM> in the foot width direction at the time of application of the load to the forefoot support portion <NUM> is suppressed.

In the present embodiment, since deformation of the forefoot support portion <NUM> is applied to the forefoot portion at the time of take-off, stable shock absorbing performance is expected.

A modification of the second embodiment will be described below.

As shown in <FIG> and <FIG>, the peak portion <NUM> may be located on the inner side in the foot width direction relative to the position on the half line AC.

The top portion <NUM> may be located on the inner side in the foot width direction relative to the half line AB. This is also applicable to the first embodiment.

<FIG> shows with a chain double dotted line, the half line AB and the half line AC shown at the positions the same as in <FIG>.

As shown in <FIG> and <FIG>, the peak portion <NUM> may be located on the outer side in the foot width direction relative to the position on the half line AC.

The top portion <NUM> may be located on the outer side in the foot width direction relative to the half line AB. This is also applicable to the first embodiment.

As shown in <FIG>, the peak portion <NUM> is located on the half line AC and a part of the forefoot support portion <NUM> on the outer side of the peak portion <NUM> in the foot width direction may be smaller in thickness than a part on the inner side of the peak portion <NUM>. In this aspect as well, an effect as in the sixth modification is obtained. In this case, preferably, the part of the forefoot support portion <NUM> on the outer side of the peak portion <NUM> in the foot width direction is formed to gradually decrease in thickness toward the outer side in the foot width direction, and the part of the forefoot support portion <NUM> on the inner side of the peak portion <NUM> in the foot width direction is formed to gradually increase in thickness toward the inner side in the foot width direction.

When the shape of the forefoot support portion <NUM> is formed as in the second embodiment and the part of the forefoot support portion <NUM> on the outer side of the peak portion <NUM> is formed of a material lower in rigidity than the part on the inner side of the peak portion <NUM> as well, an effect as in the sixth modification is obtained.

As shown in <FIG>, the peak portion <NUM> may be located on the half line AC, and the part of the forefoot support portion <NUM> on the outer side of the peak portion <NUM> in the foot width direction may be formed as being larger in thickness than the part on the inner side of the peak portion <NUM>. In this aspect as well, an effect as in the seventh modification is obtained. In this case, preferably, the part of the forefoot support portion <NUM> on the outer side of the peak portion <NUM> in the foot width direction is formed to gradually increase in thickness toward the outer side in the foot width direction, and the part of the forefoot support portion <NUM> on the inner side of the peak portion <NUM> in the foot width direction is formed to gradually decrease in thickness toward the inner side in the foot width direction.

When the shape of the forefoot support portion <NUM> is formed as in the second embodiment and the part of the forefoot support portion <NUM> on the inner side of the peak portion <NUM> is formed of a material lower in rigidity than the part on the outer side of the peak portion <NUM> as well, an effect as in the seventh modification is obtained.

Though an example in which both of the lower contact portion <NUM> and the upper contact portion <NUM> are bonded to the forefoot support portion <NUM> is described in the second embodiment, the forefoot support portion <NUM> should only be bonded to at least one of the lower midsole <NUM> and the upper midsole <NUM>. For example, when the lower midsole <NUM> is lower in rigidity than the upper midsole <NUM>, at the time of application of a load to the sole <NUM>, the lower midsole <NUM> is larger in amount of deformation than the upper midsole <NUM>. Therefore, an upper surface of the forefoot support portion <NUM> may be bonded to the upper contact portion <NUM>, and the lower surface of the forefoot support portion <NUM> does not have to be bonded to the lower contact portion <NUM>.

The recess portion <NUM> does not have to be provided, the entire lower surface of the forefoot support portion <NUM> may be in contact with the lower midsole <NUM>, and the entire upper surface of the forefoot support portion <NUM> may be in contact with the upper midsole <NUM>. In this case as well, when the lower midsole <NUM> is lower in rigidity than the upper midsole <NUM> as above, only the upper surface of the forefoot support portion <NUM> may be bonded to the upper midsole <NUM> and the lower surface of the forefoot support portion <NUM> does not have to be bonded to the lower midsole <NUM>.

It should be understood that the embodiments disclosed herein are illustrative and non-restrictive in every respect. The scope of the present invention is defined by the terms of the claims rather than the description of the embodiments above and is intended to include any modifications within the scope of the claims.

Illustrative embodiments described above are understood by a person skilled in the art as specific examples within the scope of the claims.

A plate according to one aspect of this disclosure is a plate used for a sole that forms a part of a shoe, and the plate includes a mid- and rear-foot support portion in a shape extending from a position superimposed on a rear end portion of a metatarsal bone of a wearer of the shoe in a thickness direction of the sole to a position superimposed on a heel bone of the wearer, the mid- and rear-foot support portion supporting a midfoot portion and a rear foot portion of the wearer. The mid- and rear-foot support portion is in a shape convex upward in a cross-section in a foot width direction.

This plate includes the mid- and rear-foot support portion in the shape convex upward in the cross-section in the foot width direction. Therefore, during a period from landing until take-off, the midfoot portion and the rear foot portion of the wearer are effectively supported. Therefore, sinking down of the arch portion and the heel during the period from landing until take-off is suppressed.

Preferably, the mid- and rear-foot support portion includes a top portion located at a position highest in the thickness direction.

In this case, the top portion may be located at a position overlapping with a heel center of the wearer in the thickness direction.

In this aspect, when a load is applied vertically downward from the midfoot portion and the rear foot portion to the mid- and rear-foot support portion, the mid- and rear-foot support portion substantially evenly deforms in the foot width direction. Therefore, when the load is removed, vertically upward resilience is produced in the midfoot portion and the rear foot portion. The heel center means a straight line that connects the center of the heel bone of a standard wearer of the shoe <NUM> to a position between the third toe and the fourth toe.

Alternatively, the top portion may be located on an inner side in the foot width direction relative to a heel center of the wearer.

In this aspect, the part of the mid- and rear-foot support portion relatively lower in flexural rigidity is located on the outer side in the foot width direction, and the part of the mid- and rear-foot support portion relatively higher in flexural rigidity is located on the inner side in a width direction. Therefore, when a load is applied to the part of the mid- and rear-foot support portion on the outer side of the heel center at the time of landing, deformation of the mid- and rear-foot support portion is promoted and shock absorbing performance is enhanced. Furthermore, since flexural rigidity of the part of the mid- and rear-foot support portion on the inner side of the heel center is enhanced, occurrence of pronation at the time of landing is suppressed.

Alternatively, the top portion may be located on an outer side in the foot width direction relative to a heel center of the wearer.

In this aspect, the part of the mid- and rear-foot support portion relatively higher in flexural rigidity is located on the outer side in the foot width direction, and the part of the mid- and rear-foot support portion relatively lower in flexural rigidity is located on the inner side in a width direction. Therefore, stability at the time when a load is applied to the part of the mid- and rear-foot support portion on the outer side of the heel center at the time of landing is enhanced.

Preferably, the plate further includes a forefoot support portion that is in a shape extending forward from the mid- and rear-foot support portion and supports a forefoot portion of the wearer, and the forefoot support portion is in a shape convex upward in a cross-section in a foot width direction.

Thus, since deformation of the forefoot support portion is applied to the forefoot portion at the time of take-off, stable shock absorbing performance is expected.

The forefoot support portion preferably includes a peak portion.

In this case, the peak portion may be located on a straight line that connects an intersection between a front end portion of the forefoot support portion and a shoe center to a front end portion of the mid- and rear-foot support portion.

In this aspect, at the time of take-off, reaction force is applied from the forefoot support portion to substantially the central portion of the forefoot portion in the foot width direction. The shoe center means a centerline of the sole or a straight line that connects the center of the heel bone of a standard wearer of the shoe to a position between the first toe and the second toe.

Alternatively, the peak portion may be located on an inner side in the foot width direction relative to a straight line that connects an intersection between a front end portion of the forefoot support portion and a shoe center to a front end portion of the mid- and rear-foot support portion.

Alternatively, the peak portion may be located on an outer side in the foot width direction relative to a straight line that connects an intersection between a front end portion of the forefoot support portion and a shoe center to a front end portion of the mid- and rear-foot support portion.

A sole according to one aspect of this disclosure includes the plate and a midsole that forms a part of the sole. The midsole includes a lower midsole and an upper midsole connected on the lower midsole. The mid- and rear-foot support portion is arranged between the lower midsole and the upper midsole. The lower midsole includes a lower heel region superimposed on a heel portion of the wearer in the thickness direction. The upper midsole includes an upper heel region superimposed on the heel portion of the wearer in the thickness direction. A thickness of the lower heel region is larger than a thickness of the upper heel region.

In this sole, when input of a load is provided from the heel to the midsole, input of the load is provided directly from the heel to the upper heel region and the load is transmitted to the lower heel region through the mid- and rear-foot support portion. In other words, a high pressure is applied from a part of the heel relatively small in area to the upper heel region, and a low pressure is applied from the mid- and rear-foot support portion larger in area than the part of the heel to the lower heel region. Therefore, since the lower heel region is larger in thickness than the upper heel region, sinking down of the rear foot portion during the period from landing until take-off is effectively suppressed.

A sole according to another aspect of this disclosure includes the plate and a midsole that forms a part of the sole. The midsole includes an accommodation portion that defines a space where the plate is accommodated.

In this case, the accommodation portion may include a bonded portion bonded to the forefoot support portion and a non-bonded portion formed at a position adjacent to the bonded portion in a foot width direction and not bonded to the forefoot support portion.

In this aspect, since the bonded portion is bonded to the forefoot support portion, relative movement of the plate within the accommodation portion is suppressed. Since the non-bonded portion is not bonded to the forefoot support portion, interference with deformation of the forefoot support portion in the foot width direction at the time of application of a load to the forefoot support portion is suppressed.

Preferably, the accommodation portion includes an opposing portion opposed to the forefoot support portion in the foot width direction, and the opposing portion is distant from the forefoot support portion in the foot width direction while a load is not applied to the forefoot support portion.

Thus, interference with deformation of the forefoot support portion in the foot width direction at the time of application of a load to the forefoot support portion is suppressed.

The accommodation portion may include a contact portion in contact with the forefoot support portion and a recess portion in a shape recessed from the contact portion in a direction away from the forefoot support portion in the thickness direction.

Claim 1:
A shoe comprising a sole, the sole comprising a plate (<NUM>) and the plate (<NUM>) comprising:
a mid- and rear-foot support portion (<NUM>) in a shape extending from a position superimposed on a rear end portion of a metatarsal bone (B <NUM>) of a wearer of the shoe in a thickness direction of the sole to a position superimposed on a heel bone (B20) of the wearer, the mid- and rear-foot support portion (<NUM>) supporting a midfoot portion and a rear foot portion of the wearer, and
a forefoot support portion (<NUM>) in a shape extending forward from the mid- and rear-foot support portion (<NUM>) and supporting a forefoot portion of the wearer, wherein
the mid- and rear-foot support portion (<NUM>) is in a shape convex upward in a cross-section in a foot width direction, and
the forefoot support portion (<NUM>) is formed as being flat in the cross-section in the foot width direction, whereby
in the entire region of the plate in front of the mid- and rear-foot support portion, the cross-section in the foot width direction is formed as being flat.