Patent Description:
Conventionally, shoe including an upper is known. During a motion of a wearer of the shoe, bending, contraction, twisting, and the like partially occur in a foot. Therefore, a technique of partially changing stretchability of the upper has been developed in order to enhance followability of the upper to the bending, contraction, twisting, and the like of the foot at the time of the motion.

For example, <CIT> (corresponding to <CIT>) discloses an upper in which a plurality of reinforcing materials formed by a resin is fixed to a base material formed by a knitted fabric or a woven fabric. In the upper disclosed in <CIT>, stretchability of the upper can be partially changed by using a plurality of reinforcing materials having different stretchability.

Unfortunately, as in <CIT>, when a plurality of reinforcing materials formed by a resin is fixed to a base material formed by a knitted fabric or a woven fabric, or a plurality of reinforcing materials having different stretchability are used, the number of types of materials used for the upper increases. Therefore, in the upper disclosed in <CIT>, there is a problem that the number of processes of manufacturing, cutting, and sewing of materials increases, and an amount of waste materials and an amount of electricity consumed increase, leading to a decrease in productivity and an increase in environmental load and the like. <CIT> relates to an upper for a shoe, comprising at least one first partial area and at least one second partial area which are manufactured as one-piece knitwear, wherein the first partial area comprises a first yarn and the second partial area comprises a second yarn and wherein the first yarn is more elastic than the second yarn.

The present invention has been made in view of the above, and an object of the present invention is to obtain an upper in which stretchability of the upper can be partially changed with less materials than before.

In order to solve the above problem and achieve the object, an upper according to independent claim <NUM> is disclosed. Additional embodiments are defined in dependent claims.

Hereinafter, examples of an upper and a shoe according to the present invention will be described in detail with reference to the drawings. In the following description, identical portions are denoted by the same reference numerals, and redundant descriptions will be omitted.

<FIG> is a plan view illustrating a shoe <NUM> according to a first embodiment of the present invention. In the individual figures including <FIG>, the shoe <NUM> for a left foot alone is illustrated. Since the shoe <NUM> has a laterally symmetrical structure for a left foot and a right foot, the shoe <NUM> for the left foot alone will be described in the present embodiment, and a description of the shoe <NUM> for the right foot will be omitted. Further, in the following description, an extending direction of a shoe center axis C, which is a perpendicular line passing through a center of the shoe <NUM> in plan view of the shoe <NUM>, is referred to as a fore-rear direction, and a direction orthogonal to the fore-rear direction in plan view of the shoe <NUM> is referred to as a foot width direction.

Further, a direction in the fore-rear direction from a terminal end on a side where a portion that supports a hindfoot portion of the foot is located in the shoe <NUM> toward a terminal end on a side where a portion that supports a forefoot portion of the foot is located in the shoe <NUM> is referred to as forward, and a direction in the fore-rear direction from the terminal end on the side where the portion that supports the forefoot portion of the foot is located in the shoe <NUM> toward the terminal end on the side where the portion that supports the hindfoot portion of the foot is located in the shoe <NUM> is referred to as rearward.

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

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

An upper <NUM> includes: an upper forefoot portion R1 that covers a forefoot portion of a foot of a wearer of a standard body shape; an upper midfoot portion R2 that covers a midfoot portion of a foot of a wearer having a standard body shape; and an upper rearfoot portion R3 that covers a hindfoot portion of a foot of a wearer having a standard body shape. The upper forefoot portion R1, the upper midfoot portion R2, and the upper rearfoot portion R3 are connected in this order in the fore-rear direction from forward of the upper <NUM>.

A line being along the foot width direction and passing a position corresponding to approximately <NUM>% of a dimension from a front end of the upper <NUM> in the fore-rear direction of the upper <NUM> is defined as a first boundary line S1, and a line being along the foot width direction and passing a position corresponding to approximately <NUM>% of a dimension from the front end of the upper <NUM> in the fore-rear direction of the upper <NUM> is defined as a second boundary line S2. The first boundary line S1 is a line substantially along an MP joint of a wearer having a standard body shape. The second boundary line S2 is a line substantially along the Chopart's joint of a wearer having a standard body shape. The upper forefoot portion R1 is a portion located forward of the first boundary line S1. The upper midfoot portion R2 is a portion located between the first boundary line S1 and the second boundary line S2. The upper rearfoot portion R3 is a portion located rearward of the second boundary line S2.

<FIG> is a perspective view illustrating the shoe <NUM> according to the first embodiment. The shoe <NUM> is, for example, running shoe, other sports shoe, walking shoe, and climbing shoe. The shoe <NUM> includes the upper <NUM> and a sole <NUM>.

The upper <NUM> is located above the sole <NUM>. The upper <NUM> includes an upper main body <NUM>, a shoe tongue <NUM>, and a shoelace <NUM>.

The upper main body <NUM> covers a portion on an instep side of a foot. In an upper portion of the upper main body <NUM>, a foot insertion opening 20a for insertion of a foot of a wearer, and a throat portion 20b communicating with the foot insertion opening 20a and extending forward from the foot insertion opening 20a are formed. On side edges of the throat portion 20b on both sides in the foot width direction, string passing portions 20c spaced apart from each other in the fore-rear direction are provided. A configuration of the string passing portion 20c is not particularly limited as long as the shoelace <NUM> can pass through, but the string passing portion 20c is a through hole penetrating the upper main body <NUM> in the up-down direction, in the present embodiment. In the upper main body <NUM>, a first region <NUM> and a second region <NUM> adjacent to the first region <NUM> are formed. Details of the first region <NUM> and the second region <NUM> will be described later. In the individual figures including <FIG>, the second region <NUM> is illustrated by dot hatching in order to distinguish between the first region <NUM> and the second region <NUM>.

The shoe tongue <NUM> is a member for protection of the instep of the foot of the wearer. The shoe tongue <NUM> covers the throat portion 20b inside the upper main body <NUM>. The shoe tongue <NUM> is fixed to the upper main body <NUM> by stitching, welding, bonding, or a combination thereof. The material of the upper main body <NUM> and the shoe tongue <NUM> is woven fabric or knitted fabric. In particular, in the shoe <NUM> required to have air permeability and lightweight property, the material of the upper main body <NUM> and the shoe tongue <NUM> is preferably a double raschel warp knitted fabric knitted with polyester yarn. Note that the material of the shoe tongue <NUM> is not limited to the exemplified material.

The shoelace <NUM> is a string-shaped member that is alternately passed through the string passing portion 20c provided at one side edge in the foot width direction of the throat portion 20b and the string passing portion 20c provided at another side edge in the foot width direction of the throat portion 20b. The shoelace <NUM> is detachably attached to the upper main body <NUM>.

In the present embodiment, the upper <NUM> including the shoe tongue <NUM> and the shoelace <NUM> will be described as an example, but the upper <NUM> may have a monosock structure in which a portion corresponding to the shoe tongue <NUM> is integrated with an ankle portion of the upper main body <NUM>. In addition, a hook-and-loop fastener may be used instead of the shoelace <NUM> to bring the upper main body <NUM> into close contact with the foot. When the hook-and-loop fastener is used to bring the upper main body <NUM> into close contact with the foot, the string passing portion 20c is not formed in the upper main body <NUM>.

The sole <NUM> is located below the upper <NUM>. The sole <NUM> covers the sole of a wearer. The sole <NUM> includes an outsole <NUM> and a midsole <NUM>. The sole <NUM> is fixed to the upper main body <NUM> by stitching, welding, bonding, or a combination thereof. A lower surface of the outsole <NUM> serves as a ground contact surface 30a to be in contact with the ground. The midsole <NUM> is located on an upper surface of the outsole <NUM>, and has a cushioning property. Alternatively, the outsole <NUM> may be integrated with the midsole <NUM>. The outsole <NUM> integrated with the midsole <NUM> is also referred to as a "unisole".

The sole <NUM> includes an insole (not illustrated) that covers a lower opening of the upper main body <NUM>. The insole is fixed to a lower edge of the upper main body <NUM> by stitching. Further, the insole is fixed to an upper surface of the midsole <NUM> by bonding or welding. The shoe <NUM> may also include a footbed. When the shoe <NUM> includes a footbed, the footbed is placed on the sole <NUM> inside the upper <NUM>. Alternatively, the sole <NUM> may have a structure in which the insole is omitted.

Next, with reference to <FIG>, a configuration of the upper main body <NUM> will be described in more detail. <FIG> is a developed view illustrating the upper main body <NUM> according to the first embodiment. As illustrated in <FIG>, the first region <NUM> and the second region <NUM> are formed in the upper main body <NUM>. The first region <NUM> is a region other than the second region <NUM>, the foot insertion opening 20a, and the throat portion 20b in the upper main body <NUM>. It suffices that the second region <NUM> is formed in at least one of the upper forefoot portion R1, the upper midfoot portion R2, or the upper rearfoot portion R3, but the second region <NUM> is formed only in the upper midfoot portion R2 in the present embodiment.

The number of the second regions <NUM> is not particularly limited. However, in the present embodiment, four second regions <NUM> are provided on each of both sides in the foot width direction across the throat portion 20b. The four second regions <NUM> are provided at intervals in the fore-rear direction. Each of the second regions <NUM> extends in the foot width direction of the upper main body <NUM> in the upper midfoot portion R2. Each second region <NUM> extends from an edge of the throat portion 20b to a lower edge of the upper main body <NUM>. A plan view shape of each second regions <NUM> is not particularly limited, but is a band shape longer in the foot width direction than in the fore-rear direction, in the present embodiment. Between the second regions <NUM> adjacent in the fore-rear direction, one string passing portion 20c is arranged. Furthermore, one string passing portion 20c is also arranged in forward of the second region <NUM> located at the foremost position. In the following description, a portion of the first region <NUM> between the adjacent second regions <NUM> where the string passing portion 20c is arranged is referred to as a tension acting portion 20d.

<FIG> is an enlarged view of a portion A illustrated in <FIG>, and is a view schematically illustrating a linear body constituting the upper main body <NUM> of the shoe <NUM> according to the first embodiment. As illustrated in <FIG>, the upper main body <NUM> includes: a plurality of high-stretchability linear bodies <NUM> extending in the fore-rear direction; a plurality of low-stretchability linear bodies <NUM> extending in the fore-rear direction; and a plurality of reference linear bodies <NUM> extending in the foot width direction. The high-stretchability linear body <NUM>, the low-stretchability linear body <NUM>, and the reference linear body <NUM> are, for example, a yarn obtained by bundling a plurality of fibers, a linear resin, or the like. In <FIG>, the reference linear body <NUM> is illustrated by a two-dot chain line for easy understanding.

The plurality of high-stretchability linear bodies <NUM> are provided at intervals in the foot width direction. The plurality of low-stretchability linear bodies <NUM> are provided at intervals in the foot width direction. The high-stretchability linear bodies <NUM> and the low-stretchability linear bodies <NUM> are provided at intervals in the foot width direction. In the present embodiment, one high-stretchability linear body <NUM> and one low-stretchability linear body <NUM> are alternately provided in the foot width direction. However, it is not intended to limit the arrangement of the high-stretchability linear bodies <NUM> and the low-stretchability linear bodies <NUM>. The plurality of reference linear bodies <NUM> intersect the high-stretchability linear bodies <NUM> and the low-stretchability linear bodies <NUM>, and are provided at intervals in the fore-rear direction. In the present embodiment, the high-stretchability linear body <NUM> is a first linear body, and the low-stretchability linear body <NUM> is a second linear body.

The high-stretchability linear body <NUM> is provided across the first region <NUM> and the second region <NUM>. The high-stretchability linear body <NUM> has stretchability to stretch and contract in a stretching direction. <FIG> is a cross-sectional view taken along line V-V illustrated in <FIG>. In the following description, a side facing a direction outward of the upper main body <NUM> in the reference linear body <NUM> is referred to as a "front side", and a side facing a direction inward of the upper main body <NUM> in the reference linear body <NUM> is referred to as a "back side". In the following description, a direction parallel to a direction from one of the front side and the back side toward another is referred to as a front-back direction. As illustrated in <FIG>, the high-stretchability linear body <NUM> is provided so as to alternately pass the front side and the back side of the reference linear bodies <NUM> adjacent to each other in the first region <NUM> and the second region <NUM>. The high-stretchability linear body <NUM> is provided so as to repeatedly pass the front side of one of the adjacent reference linear bodies <NUM>, between the adjacent reference linear bodies <NUM>, and the back side of another adjacent reference linear body <NUM> in this order.

As illustrated in <FIG>, the low-stretchability linear body <NUM> is provided in the first region <NUM> while avoiding the second region <NUM>, and has an end located at a boundary portion <NUM> between the first region <NUM> and the second region <NUM>. The low-stretchability linear body <NUM> has a property of being difficult to stretch in the stretching direction. <FIG> is a cross-sectional view taken along line VI-VI illustrated in <FIG>. In <FIG>, a removed portion of the low-stretchability linear body <NUM> is illustrated by a broken line. As illustrated in <FIG>, the low-stretchability linear body <NUM> is provided so as to alternately pass the front side and the back side of the adjacent reference linear bodies <NUM> in the first region <NUM>. The low-stretchability linear body <NUM> is provided so as to repeatedly pass the front side of one of the adjacent reference linear bodies <NUM>, between the adjacent reference linear bodies <NUM>, and the back side of another adjacent reference linear body <NUM> in this order. An end of the low-stretchability linear body <NUM> is located on the back side of the reference linear body <NUM>. The low-stretchability linear body <NUM> is provided only in the first region <NUM>, and is not provided in the second region <NUM>.

Stretchability of the high-stretchability linear body <NUM> illustrated in <FIG> in the stretching direction is higher than stretchability of the low-stretchability linear body <NUM> in the stretching direction. That is, the high-stretchability linear body <NUM> and the low-stretchability linear body <NUM> have mutually different stretchability. By making a difference in materials used for the high-stretchability linear body <NUM> and the low-stretchability linear body <NUM>, the stretchability of the high-stretchability linear body <NUM> and the stretchability of the low-stretchability linear body <NUM> can be made different from each other. For example, by using, as the material of the high-stretchability linear body <NUM>, a polyurethane yarn, a single covered yarn (SCY) or a double covered yarn (DCY) covered with polyurethane, a thermoplastic elastomer yarn having high stretchability, or the like, and using a polyester yarn or the like as the material of the low-stretchability linear body <NUM>, the stretchability of the high-stretchability linear body <NUM> and the stretchability of the low-stretchability linear body <NUM> can be made different from each other. Note that a material of the reference linear body <NUM> may be the same as the material of the high-stretchability linear body <NUM> or the low-stretchability linear body <NUM>, or may be different from the materials of the high-stretchability linear body <NUM> and the low-stretchability linear body <NUM>. Stretchability of the reference linear body <NUM> in the stretching direction may be the same as the stretchability of the high-stretchability linear body <NUM> or the low-stretchability linear body <NUM> in the stretching direction, or may be different from the stretchability of the high-stretchability linear body <NUM> and the low-stretchability linear body <NUM> in the stretching direction.

The first region <NUM> is a region where the high-stretchability linear body <NUM>, the low-stretchability linear body <NUM>, and the reference linear body <NUM> are provided. The second region <NUM> is a region where the high-stretchability linear body <NUM> and the reference linear body <NUM> are provided and the low-stretchability linear body <NUM> is not provided. Since the low-stretchability linear body <NUM> that is difficult to stretch and contract is provided in the first region <NUM> and is not provided in the second region <NUM>, stretchability of the second region <NUM> is higher than stretchability of the first region <NUM>. That is, the first region <NUM> and the second region <NUM> have mutually different stretchability.

Next, with reference to <FIG> and <FIG>, a method of partially removing the low-stretchability linear body <NUM> will be described. <FIG> is a cross-sectional view illustrating a state before the low-stretchability linear body <NUM> is partially removed, and is a view corresponding to a cross-sectional view taken along line VI-VI illustrated in <FIG>.

As illustrated in <FIG>, before the low-stretchability linear body <NUM> is partially removed, a portion corresponding to the second region <NUM> in the low-stretchability linear body <NUM> is floated with respect to all reference linear bodies <NUM> provided at positions corresponding to the second region <NUM>. In the present embodiment, a portion corresponding to the second region <NUM> in the low-stretchability linear body <NUM> is arranged to float on the back side with respect to all reference linear bodies <NUM> provided at positions corresponding to the second region <NUM>, but may simply be arranged to float on either the front side or the back side with respect to all reference linear bodies <NUM> provided at positions corresponding to the second region <NUM>. Floating the low-stretchability linear body <NUM> with respect to the reference linear body <NUM> means that the low-stretchability linear body <NUM> alternately passing the front side and the back side of the reference linear body <NUM> in the first region <NUM> is allowed to pass one side alone of the front side or the back side of the reference linear body <NUM> in the second region <NUM>, and a separation distance between the low-stretchability linear body <NUM> and the reference linear body <NUM> in the front-back direction is made longer in the second region <NUM> than in the first region <NUM>. Subsequently, a portion of the low-stretchability linear body <NUM> floating with respect to the reference linear body <NUM> is cut. A method for cutting the low-stretchability linear body <NUM> is not particularly limited, and may simply be appropriately selected from conventionally known methods. For example, the low-stretchability linear body <NUM> may be cut using a dedicated machine. This allows the low-stretchability linear body <NUM> to be partially removed as illustrated in <FIG>.

Note that the low-stretchability linear body <NUM> may be partially removed by partially melting the low-stretchability linear body <NUM>. For example, it is possible to partially melt and remove the low-stretchability linear body <NUM> by using a yarn that melts with a solvent, water, or heat, as the material of the low-stretchability linear body <NUM>. When the low-stretchability linear body <NUM> is partially melted, a portion corresponding to the second region <NUM> in the low-stretchability linear body <NUM> may or may not be floated with respect to the reference linear body <NUM>.

Next, effects of the shoe <NUM> according to the present embodiment will be described.

In the present embodiment, as illustrated in <FIG>, the shoe <NUM> includes the upper main body <NUM> that covers an instep of a foot, and the upper main body <NUM> is formed with the first region <NUM> and the second region <NUM> adjacent to the first region <NUM>. As illustrated in <FIG>, the upper main body <NUM> includes: the high-stretchability linear body <NUM> provided across the first region <NUM> and the second region <NUM>; and the low-stretchability linear body <NUM> provided in the first region <NUM> while avoiding the second region <NUM> and having an end located at the boundary portion <NUM> between the first region <NUM> and the second region <NUM>. In addition, the high-stretchability linear body <NUM> and the low-stretchability linear body <NUM> have mutually different stretchability. With these configurations, since the high-stretchability linear body <NUM> is provided in both the first region <NUM> and the second region <NUM>, while the low-stretchability linear body <NUM> is provided only in the first region <NUM>, the stretchability of the first region <NUM> and the second region <NUM> can be made different from each other. In the present embodiment, since the low-stretchability linear body <NUM> that is difficult to stretch and contract is provided in the first region <NUM> and is not provided in the second region <NUM>, the stretchability of the second region <NUM> is higher than the stretchability of the first region <NUM>. In addition, it is not necessary to prepare a plurality of reinforcing materials having mutually different stretchability, separately from the upper main body <NUM> formed by a knitted fabric or a woven fabric. Therefore, stretchability of the upper main body <NUM> can be partially changed by simply adjusting an arrangement of the high-stretchability linear body <NUM> and the low-stretchability linear body <NUM> having mutually different stretchability. Therefore, the stretchability of the upper main body <NUM> can be partially changed with less materials than before. In particular, in the present embodiment, the stretchability of the upper main body <NUM> can be partially changed by a single material using linear bodies such as the high-stretchability linear body <NUM>, the low-stretchability linear body <NUM>, and the reference linear body <NUM>, which makes it possible to reduce an environmental load by reducing the number of components constituting the upper main body <NUM>.

In the present embodiment, as illustrated in <FIG>, the high-stretchability linear body <NUM> is provided in both the first region <NUM> and the second region <NUM>, while the low-stretchability linear body <NUM> is provided only in the first region <NUM>. Therefore, by tightening the shoelace <NUM> illustrated in <FIG>, a tension applied to the upper main body <NUM> is more easily transmitted to the first region <NUM> than to the second region <NUM>, and air permeability of the second region <NUM> can be enhanced than that of the first region <NUM>. That is, by simply changing the arrangement of the high-stretchability linear body <NUM> and the low-stretchability linear body <NUM>, it is possible to adjust each portion requiring tension and air permeability in the upper main body <NUM>.

In the present embodiment, as illustrated in <FIG>, the high-stretchability linear body <NUM> is provided in both the first region <NUM> and the second region <NUM>, while the low-stretchability linear body <NUM> is provided only in the first region <NUM>. Therefore, rigidity of the first region <NUM> is higher than rigidity of the second region <NUM>, and a weight of the second region <NUM> is lighter than a weight of the first region <NUM>. That is, it is possible to reduce a weight of the upper main body <NUM> while securing a portion requiring rigidity in the upper main body <NUM>.

In the present embodiment, as illustrated in <FIG> and <FIG>, by partially removing the low-stretchability linear body <NUM>, it is possible to freely set portions having different stretchability, air permeability, weight, rigidity, and the like in the upper main body <NUM>.

In the present embodiment, as illustrated in <FIG> and <FIG>, the stretchability and the like of the upper main body <NUM> can be partially changed by simply partially removing the low-stretchability linear body <NUM>. Therefore, workability at a time of partially changing the stretchability and the like of the upper main body <NUM> can be improved as compared with a case of partially changing the stretchability and the like of the upper main body <NUM> by changing a yarn and knitting.

When the wearer of the shoe <NUM> illustrated in <FIG> moves, distortion such as contraction or twisting occurs in the skin of the midfoot portion of the foot, and the upper midfoot portion R2 illustrated in <FIG> is sheared and deformed in the foot width direction. In the present embodiment, since the second region <NUM> extends in the foot width direction of the upper main body <NUM> in the upper midfoot portion R2, the second region <NUM> is easily sheared and deformed in the foot width direction following the distortion of the skin of the foot. Therefore, foot contact of the upper main body <NUM> can be alleviated, and an occurrence of wrinkles in the upper main body <NUM> can be suppressed.

In the present embodiment, as illustrated in <FIG>, the string passing portion 20c is arranged between the second regions <NUM> adjacent in the fore-rear direction. Thus, the second region <NUM> having high stretchability is present in front of and behind the tension acting portion 20d in the first region <NUM>, so that each tension acting portion 20d can be deformed in accordance with a thickness of each portion of the foot of the wearer when the shoelace <NUM> is tightened. That is, a deformation amount of the first region <NUM> can be changed in front of and behind the second region <NUM>.

When the low-stretchability linear body <NUM> is partially removed as illustrated in <FIG>, there is a possibility that an end of the low-stretchability linear body <NUM> becomes dirty. In this regard, in the present embodiment, by cutting a portion of the low-stretchability linear body <NUM> floated on the back side with respect to the reference linear body <NUM>, the end of the low-stretchability linear body <NUM> is located on the back side of the reference linear body <NUM> and is less likely to be visible from the outside of the upper main body <NUM>, so that a design property of the upper main body <NUM> can be enhanced.

In the present embodiment, as illustrated in <FIG> and <FIG>, the portion corresponding to the second region <NUM> in the low-stretchability linear body <NUM> is removed. However, a portion corresponding to the second region <NUM> in the high-stretchability linear body <NUM> illustrated in <FIG> may be removed, without removal of the portion corresponding to the second region <NUM> in the low-stretchability linear body <NUM>. In this case, the low-stretchability linear body <NUM> is a first linear body provided across the first region <NUM> and the second region <NUM>. Further, the high-stretchability linear body <NUM> is a second linear body provided in the first region <NUM> while avoiding the second region <NUM> and having an end located at the boundary portion <NUM> between the first region <NUM> and the second region <NUM>. Floating the high-stretchability linear body <NUM> with respect to the reference linear body <NUM> when the portion corresponding to the second region <NUM> in the high-stretchability linear body <NUM> is removed by floating with respect to the reference linear body <NUM> means that the high-stretchability linear body <NUM> alternately passing the front side and the back side of the reference linear body <NUM> in the first region <NUM> is allowed to pass one side alone of the front side or the back side of the reference linear body <NUM> in the second region <NUM>, and a separation distance between the high-stretchability linear body <NUM> and the reference linear body <NUM> in the front-back direction is made longer in the second region <NUM> than in the first region <NUM>.

In the present embodiment, as illustrated in <FIG>, the high-stretchability linear body <NUM> and the low-stretchability linear body <NUM> extend in the fore-rear direction, and the reference linear body <NUM> extends in the foot width direction. However, the stretching directions of the high-stretchability linear body <NUM>, the low-stretchability linear body <NUM>, and the reference linear body <NUM> are not limited to the illustrated example. For example, the high-stretchability linear body <NUM> and the low-stretchability linear body <NUM> may extend in the foot width direction, and the reference linear body <NUM> may extend in the fore-rear direction. In this case, the plurality of high-stretchability linear bodies <NUM> are provided at intervals in the fore-rear direction. The plurality of low-stretchability linear bodies <NUM> are provided at intervals in the fore-rear direction. The plurality of reference linear bodies <NUM> are provided at intervals in the foot width direction. Then, by partially removing at least one of the high-stretchability linear body <NUM> or the low-stretchability linear body <NUM>, the stretchability of the upper main body <NUM> can be partially changed. For example, when it is desired to promote shear deformation of the second region <NUM> in the foot width direction, it is sufficient to arrange the high-stretchability linear body <NUM> and the low-stretchability linear body <NUM> to extend in the foot width direction, and then remove a portion corresponding to the second region <NUM> in the low-stretchability linear body <NUM>. That is, the stretching directions of the high-stretchability linear body <NUM>, the low-stretchability linear body <NUM>, and the reference linear body <NUM> may be appropriately changed according to the direction in which the second region <NUM> is desired to be deformed. When cutting is selected as a method of removal, it is sufficient to partially float at least one of the high-stretchability linear body <NUM> or the low-stretchability linear body <NUM> with respect to the reference linear body <NUM>, and cut the floated portion.

In the present embodiment, the number of the second regions <NUM> illustrated in <FIG> is four on each of both sides in the foot width direction across the throat portion 20b, but may be one or a plural number other than four. Further, the second region <NUM> extends in the foot width direction in the present embodiment, but may extend obliquely with respect to the foot width direction. In addition, each of the second regions <NUM> is formed in one piece in the present embodiment, but may be divided into a plurality of pieces in the fore-rear direction or the foot width direction, or may be divided into a plurality of pieces in the fore-rear direction and the foot width direction. In addition, the number, a shape, and a position of the second regions <NUM> are laterally symmetrical on both sides in the foot width direction across the throat portion 20b in the present embodiment, but may be laterally asymmetrical. In addition, the string passing portion 20c is arranged to be shifted from the second region <NUM> in the fore-rear direction in the present embodiment, but may be arranged at a position overlapping the second region <NUM> in the up-down direction.

Although one high-stretchability linear body <NUM> and one low-stretchability linear body <NUM> illustrated in <FIG> are alternately provided in the foot width direction, the arrangement of the high-stretchability linear body <NUM> and the low-stretchability linear body <NUM> is not limited to the illustrated example. For example, one high-stretchability linear body <NUM> may be arranged for every two low-stretchability linear bodies <NUM> being arranged.

<FIG> is a view schematically illustrating a linear body constituting an upper main body <NUM> of a shoe 1A according to a second embodiment, and is a view corresponding to an enlarged view of the portion A illustrated in <FIG>. <FIG> is a cross-sectional view taken along line IX-IX illustrated in <FIG>. The shoe 1A according to the second embodiment is different from the shoe <NUM> according to the first embodiment in that a high-stretchability linear body <NUM> is provided only in a second region <NUM>.

In the present embodiment, the high-stretchability linear body <NUM> is a first linear body provided only in the second region <NUM>. Further, a low-stretchability linear body <NUM> is a second linear body provided in a first region <NUM> while avoiding the second region <NUM>. A portion corresponding to the first region <NUM> in the high-stretchability linear body <NUM> is removed, and a portion corresponding to the second region <NUM> in the low-stretchability linear body <NUM> is removed. Floating the high-stretchability linear body <NUM> with respect to a reference linear body <NUM> when the portion corresponding to the first region <NUM> of the high-stretchability linear body <NUM> is removed by floating with respect to the reference linear body <NUM> means that the high-stretchability linear body <NUM> alternately passing the front side and the back side of the reference linear body <NUM> in the second region <NUM> is allowed to pass one side alone of the front side or the back side of the reference linear body <NUM> in the first region <NUM>, and a separation distance between the high-stretchability linear body <NUM> and the reference linear body <NUM> in the front-back direction is made longer in the first region <NUM> than in the second region <NUM>. Floating the low-stretchability linear body <NUM> with respect to the reference linear body <NUM> when the portion corresponding to the second region <NUM> in the low-stretchability linear body <NUM> is removed by floating with respect to the reference linear body <NUM> has meaning similar to that in the first embodiment described above.

The present embodiment can achieve effects similar to those of the first embodiment described above. That is, since the high-stretchability linear body <NUM> is provided only in the second region <NUM> and the low-stretchability linear body <NUM> is provided only in the first region <NUM>, stretchability of the first region <NUM> and the second region <NUM> can be made different from each other. In the present embodiment, since the low-stretchability linear body <NUM> that is difficult to stretch and contract is provided in the first region <NUM> and is not provided in the second region <NUM>, the stretchability of the second region <NUM> is higher than the stretchability of the first region <NUM>.

Note that the high-stretchability linear bodies <NUM> may be provided only in the first region <NUM>, and the low-stretchability linear bodies <NUM> may be provided only in the second region <NUM>. In this case, the low-stretchability linear body <NUM> is a first linear body provided only in the second region <NUM>. Further, the high-stretchability linear body <NUM> is a second linear body provided in the first region <NUM> while avoiding the second region <NUM> and having an end located at a boundary portion <NUM> between the first region <NUM> and the second region <NUM>. That is, a portion corresponding to the second region <NUM> in the high-stretchability linear body <NUM> is removed, and a portion corresponding to the first region <NUM> in the low-stretchability linear body <NUM> is removed. By doing in this way, since the low-stretchability linear body <NUM> that is difficult to stretch and contract is provided in the second region <NUM> and is not provided in the first region <NUM>, the stretchability of the first region <NUM> is higher than the stretchability of the second region <NUM>. Floating the low-stretchability linear body <NUM> with respect to the reference linear body <NUM> when the portion corresponding to the first region <NUM> of the low-stretchability linear body <NUM> is removed by floating with respect to the reference linear body <NUM> means that the low-stretchability linear body <NUM> alternately passing the front side and the back side of the reference linear body <NUM> in the second region <NUM> is allowed to pass one side alone of the front side or the back side of the reference linear body <NUM> in the first region <NUM>, and a separation distance between the low-stretchability linear body <NUM> and the reference linear body <NUM> in the front-back direction is made longer in the first region <NUM> than in the second region <NUM>. Floating the high-stretchability linear body <NUM> with respect to the reference linear body <NUM> when the portion corresponding to the second region <NUM> in the high-stretchability linear body <NUM> is removed by floating with respect to the reference linear body <NUM> has meaning similar to that in the first embodiment described above.

<FIG> is a developed view illustrating an upper main body <NUM> of a shoe 1B according to a third embodiment. The shoe 1B according to the third embodiment is different from the shoe <NUM> according to the first embodiment in a position of a second region <NUM>.

The second region <NUM> is formed in an upper forefoot portion R1 and an upper midfoot portion R2 in the present embodiment. The second region <NUM> includes a front region 24a provided adjacent to a throat portion 20b in forward of the throat portion 20b and a side region 24b provided only on one side in the foot width direction across the throat portion 20b. The front region 24a is provided across the upper forefoot portion R1 and the upper midfoot portion R2. A plan view shape of the front region 24a is not particularly limited, but is substantially circular in the present embodiment.

A position of the side region 24b may be on a medial foot side of the throat portion 20b, but is on a lateral foot side of the throat portion 20b in the present embodiment. The number of the side regions 24b is not particularly limited, but is two in the present embodiment. The two side regions 24b are provided at intervals in the fore-rear direction. Each side region 24b extends in the foot width direction of the upper main body <NUM> in the upper midfoot portion R2. Each side region 24b extends from an edge of the throat portion 20b to a lower edge of the upper main body <NUM>. A plan view shape of each side region 24b is not particularly limited, but is a band shape longer in the foot width direction than in the fore-rear direction, in the present embodiment. Between the side regions 24b adjacent in the fore-rear direction, one string passing portion 20c is arranged.

The present embodiment can achieve effects similar to those of the first embodiment described above. Furthermore, in the present embodiment, the second region <NUM> includes the side region 24b provided only on one side in the foot width direction across the throat portion 20b, so that the second region <NUM> is arranged laterally asymmetrically. Therefore, the structure is suitable for a case of performing a sport or the like where it is desired to easily stretch and contract one side of the upper main body <NUM> in the foot width direction across the throat portion 20b and to make it difficult to stretch and contract another side in the foot width direction. Note that the front region 24a and each of the side regions 24b are formed in one piece in the present embodiment, but may be divided into a plurality of pieces in the fore-rear direction or the foot width direction, or may be divided into a plurality of pieces in the fore-rear direction and the foot width direction.

<FIG> is a developed view illustrating an upper main body <NUM> of a shoe 1C according to a fourth embodiment. The shoe 1C according to the fourth embodiment is different from the shoe <NUM> according to the first embodiment in a position of a second region <NUM> and in that an upper <NUM> has a monosock structure.

As illustrated in <FIG>, the upper <NUM> has a monosock structure in which a portion corresponding to the shoe tongue <NUM> of the first embodiment is integrated with an ankle portion of the upper main body <NUM>. In the present embodiment, the second region <NUM> is formed in an upper midfoot portion R2. The second region <NUM> is formed adjacent to a foot insertion opening 20a in forward of the foot insertion opening 20a. The second region <NUM> is provided in a portion corresponding to the shoe tongue <NUM> of the first embodiment.

The present embodiment can achieve effects similar to those of the first embodiment described above. Furthermore, in the present embodiment, the second region <NUM> is formed adjacent to the foot insertion opening 20a in forward of the foot insertion opening 20a, so that the second region <NUM> is a portion corresponding to the shoe tongue <NUM>, and thus a monosock structure can be realized by one material which is a linear body. Moreover, the second region <NUM> is formed in one piece in the present embodiment, but may be divided into a plurality of pieces in the fore-rear direction or the foot width direction, or may be divided into a plurality of pieces in the fore-rear direction and the foot width direction. Furthermore, the second region <NUM> may be formed to be laterally asymmetric.

<FIG> is a developed view illustrating an upper main body <NUM> of a shoe 1D according to a fifth embodiment. The shoe 1D according to the fifth embodiment is different from the shoe <NUM> according to the first embodiment in a position of a second region <NUM>.

The second region <NUM> is formed in an upper midfoot portion R2 and an upper rearfoot portion R3 in the present embodiment. The second region <NUM> extends along an edge of a foot insertion opening 20a. In a state where the upper main body <NUM> illustrated in <FIG> is assembled, the second region <NUM> is formed from an edge on a lateral foot side of a throat portion 20b to an edge on a medial foot side of the throat portion 20b through a terminal edge on the heel side of the upper rearfoot portion R3. The second region <NUM> extends so as to surround the foot insertion opening 20a.

The present embodiment can achieve effects similar to those of the first embodiment described above. Furthermore, in the present embodiment, since the second region <NUM> extends along the edge of the foot insertion opening 20a, the second region <NUM> deforms following a movement of the foot of the wearer, so that fitting between the foot and the edge of the foot insertion opening 20a can be enhanced. Moreover, the second region <NUM> is formed in one piece in the present embodiment, but may be divided into a plurality of pieces in the fore-rear direction or the foot width direction, or may be divided into a plurality of pieces in the fore-rear direction and the foot width direction. Furthermore, the second region <NUM> may be formed to be laterally asymmetric.

<FIG> is a developed view illustrating an upper main body <NUM> of a shoe 1E according to a sixth embodiment. The shoe 1E according to the sixth embodiment is different from the shoe <NUM> according to the first embodiment in a position of a second region <NUM>.

The second region <NUM> is formed in an upper forefoot portion R1 in the present embodiment. The second region <NUM> extends in the foot width direction of the upper main body <NUM> in the upper forefoot portion R1. The second region <NUM> is formed from a lower edge on a lateral foot side of the upper forefoot portion R1 to a lower edge on a medial foot side of the upper forefoot portion R1 through forward of a throat portion 20b.

The present embodiment can achieve effects similar to those of the first embodiment described above. When a motion of floating an upper rearfoot portion R3 from the ground is performed with the upper forefoot portion R1 illustrated in <FIG> in contact with the ground, the forefoot of the foot is bent to generate a bent portion in the upper forefoot portion R1. In this regard, in the present embodiment, since the second region <NUM> extends in the foot width direction of the upper main body <NUM> in the upper forefoot portion R1, the second region <NUM> is easily bent following the bending of the foot. Therefore, foot contact of the upper main body <NUM> can be alleviated, and an occurrence of wrinkles in the upper main body <NUM> can be suppressed. Moreover, the second region <NUM> is formed in one piece in the present embodiment, but may be divided into a plurality of pieces in the fore-rear direction or the foot width direction, or may be divided into a plurality of pieces in the fore-rear direction and the foot width direction. Furthermore, the second region <NUM> may be formed to be laterally asymmetric.

<FIG> is a developed view illustrating an upper main body <NUM> of a shoe 1F according to a seventh embodiment. The shoe 1F according to the seventh embodiment is different from the shoe <NUM> according to the first embodiment in an arrangement of a second region <NUM>.

The second region <NUM> of the shoe 1F according to the present embodiment has a configuration in which the second region <NUM> of the shoe 1C according to the fourth embodiment and the second region <NUM> of the shoe 1D according to the fifth embodiment are combined. An upper <NUM> has a monosock structure in which a portion corresponding to the shoe tongue <NUM> of the first embodiment is integrated with an ankle portion of the upper main body <NUM>. The second region <NUM> is formed adjacent to a foot insertion opening 20a in forward of the foot insertion opening 20a. Furthermore, the second region <NUM> extends along an edge of the foot insertion opening 20a.

The present embodiment can achieve effects similar to those of the first, fourth, and fifth embodiments described above. In the present embodiment, the second region <NUM> is configured by combining the second regions <NUM> of the fourth and fifth embodiments, but may be configured by combining two or more of the second regions <NUM> of the first and third to sixth embodiments.

<FIG> is a cross-sectional view illustrating an upper main body <NUM> of a shoe <NUM> according to an eighth embodiment, and is a view corresponding to a cross-sectional view taken along line V-V illustrated in <FIG>. <FIG> is a cross-sectional view illustrating the upper main body <NUM> of the shoe <NUM> according to the eighth embodiment, and is a view corresponding to a cross-sectional view taken along line VI-VI illustrated in <FIG>. The shoe <NUM> according to the eighth embodiment is different from the shoe <NUM> according to the first embodiment in that an additional linear body <NUM> is further included. That is, in the shoe <NUM> according to the first embodiment, the number of linear bodies overlapping in the up-down direction is two at maximum, but in the shoe <NUM> according to the present embodiment, the number of linear bodies overlapping in the up-down direction is three at maximum.

As illustrated in <FIG>, the upper main body <NUM> includes a plurality of additional linear bodies <NUM> extending in an identical direction to a stretching direction of a high-stretchability linear body <NUM> and a low-stretchability linear body <NUM>. The additional linear body <NUM> is, for example, a yarn obtained by bundling a plurality of fibers, a linear resin, or the like. Although not illustrated, the plurality of additional linear bodies <NUM> are provided at intervals in the stretching direction of a reference linear body <NUM>. One additional linear body <NUM> is arranged above each of the high-stretchability linear body <NUM> and the low-stretchability linear body <NUM>. The plurality of reference linear bodies <NUM> intersect the high-stretchability linear body <NUM>, the low-stretchability linear body <NUM>, and the additional linear body <NUM>. In the present embodiment, the high-stretchability linear body <NUM> is a first linear body provided across a first region <NUM> and a second region <NUM>. Further, the low-stretchability linear body <NUM> is a second linear body provided in the first region <NUM> while avoiding the second region <NUM> and having an end located at a boundary portion <NUM> between the first region <NUM> and the second region <NUM>.

The additional linear body <NUM> is provided across the first region <NUM> and the second region <NUM>. Note that a material of the additional linear body <NUM> may be the same as a material of the high-stretchability linear body <NUM> or the low-stretchability linear body <NUM>, or may be different from the materials of the high-stretchability linear body <NUM> and the low-stretchability linear body <NUM>. Stretchability of the additional linear body <NUM> in the stretching direction may be the same as the stretchability of the high-stretchability linear body <NUM> or the low-stretchability linear body <NUM> in the stretching direction, or may be different from the stretchability of the high-stretchability linear body <NUM> and the low-stretchability linear body <NUM> in the stretching direction. The additional linear body <NUM> is provided so as to alternately pass the front side and the back side of the reference linear bodies <NUM> adjacent to each other in the first region <NUM> and the second region <NUM>. The high-stretchability linear body <NUM> is provided so as to repeatedly pass the front side of one of the adjacent reference linear bodies <NUM>, between the adjacent reference linear bodies <NUM>, and the back side of another adjacent reference linear body <NUM> in this order.

The first region <NUM> is a region where the high-stretchability linear body <NUM>, the low-stretchability linear body <NUM>, the additional linear body <NUM>, and the reference linear body <NUM> are provided. The second region <NUM> is a region where the high-stretchability linear body <NUM>, the additional linear body <NUM>, and the reference linear body <NUM> are provided and the low-stretchability linear body <NUM> is not provided. Note that the additional linear body <NUM> may be removed in the second region <NUM> similarly to the low-stretchability linear body <NUM>. In this case, the additional linear body <NUM> is provided in the first region <NUM> while avoiding the second region <NUM>, and has an end located at the boundary portion <NUM> between the first region <NUM> and the second region <NUM>.

The present embodiment can achieve effects similar to those of the first embodiment described above. When the number of linear bodies overlapping in the up-down direction is set to three at maximum as in the present embodiment, stretchability of the upper main body <NUM> can be changed in multiple stages of three or more stages, by changing the arrangement of the linear bodies. For example, by providing: a region where the low-stretchability linear body <NUM> and the additional linear body <NUM> are partially removed and the high-stretchability linear body <NUM> and the reference linear body <NUM> are present; a region where the additional linear body <NUM> is partially removed and the high-stretchability linear body <NUM>, the low-stretchability linear body <NUM>, and the reference linear body <NUM> are present; and a region where the high-stretchability linear body <NUM>, the low-stretchability linear body <NUM>, the additional linear body <NUM>, and the reference linear body <NUM> are present, the stretchability of the upper main body <NUM> can be changed in three stages. In the present embodiment, the maximum number of linear bodies overlapping in the up-down direction is three, but may be four or more. By doing in this way, the stretchability of the upper main body <NUM> can be changed in multiple stages of four or more stages.

In the upper according to the present invention, there is an effect of being able to partially change stretchability of the upper with less materials than before.

Claim 1:
An upper (<NUM>) comprising:
an upper main body (<NUM>) configured to cover an instep of a foot, wherein
a first region (<NUM>) and a second region (<NUM>) adjacent to the first region (<NUM>) are formed in the upper main body (<NUM>),
the upper main body (<NUM>) includes: a plurality of first linear bodies (<NUM>) provided across the first region (<NUM>) and the second region (<NUM>) or provided in the second region (<NUM>) and not in the first region (<NUM>); and a plurality of second linear bodies (<NUM>) provided in the first region (<NUM>) while avoiding the second region (<NUM>) and having an end located at a boundary portion (<NUM>) between the first region (<NUM>) and the second region (<NUM>),
the first linear bodies (<NUM>) have different stretchability than the second linear bodies (<NUM>),
the upper main body (<NUM>) further comprises a plurality of reference linear bodies (<NUM>),
the plurality of first linear bodies (<NUM>) and the plurality of second linear bodies (<NUM>) extend in one of a fore-rear direction or a foot-width direction, and the plurality of reference linear bodies (<NUM>) extend in the other of the fore-rear direction or the foot-width direction, the plurality of first linear bodies (<NUM>) alternately pass the front side and back side of the reference linear bodies (<NUM>) in the first region (<NUM>) and second region (<NUM>) or in the second region (<NUM>) and not in the first region (<NUM>), and
the plurality of second linear bodies (<NUM>) alternately pass the front side and back side of the reference linear bodies (<NUM>) in the first region (<NUM>).