Patent Description:
A shoe including ventilation means for reducing stuffiness inside the shoe in use is known. For example, Patent Literature <NUM> discloses a shoe including ventilation means having a guide piece extending in an opening part. In this shoe, the guide piece is disposed to direct air toward inside of the opening part of the ventilation means during exercise using the shoe. This guide piece is disposed with a forward gradient with respect to a longitudinal axis of the shoe. This configuration makes the guide piece substantially parallel to flow of air when moving speed of the shoe becomes the highest, so that the air is easy to enter the ventilation means. <CIT> describes a shoe including an upper material using a double raschel warp knitted fabric, in which the upper material includes a first surface having a non-mesh structure and a second surface having a non-mesh structure part and mesh structure parts. <CIT> describes a ventilation system for articles of footwear, which includes at least one opening in the shoe upper and at least one guiding surface over the opening, and in which the guiding surface is oriented such that airflow is directed into the opening as the shoe moves.

The present inventors have recognized the following with the objective of reducing stuffiness inside a shoe.

When a wearer who wears shoes walks, runs or exercises, stuffiness inside the shoes due to moisture of sweat exhaled from the feet brings a feeling of discomfort to the wearer. The shoe disclosed in <CIT> has a configuration where air is introduced inside the shoe with ventilation means including a guide piece. However, this shoe has room for improvement in exhaust of air inside the shoe.

The present inventors have recognized that there are points to be further improved particularly with the objective of effectively ventilating inside the shoe while a leg is swinging.

The present invention has been made in view of such points, and an object of the present invention is to provide a shoe which is capable of effectively ventilating inside a shoe when a leg swings.

In order to solve the above issues, a shoe according to an aspect includes an upper surrounding internal space for accommodating a foot, and an air sucking out portion from which air is sucked out from the internal space to outside when a leg swings is provided on an inner foot outer surface of an inner foot portion of the upper, and the air sucking out portion extends in a direction which tilts by a predetermined first angle with respect to a vertical direction in a case where the shoe is placed on a horizontal plane and dents from the inner foot outer surface.

According to the present invention, it is possible to provide a shoe which is capable of effectively ventilating inside the shoe when a leg swings.

The present invention will be described below along with a preferred embodiment with reference to the drawings. In the embodiment and modified examples, the same reference numerals will be assigned to the same or equivalent components and members, and repetitive description will be omitted as appropriate. Further, sizes of members in the respective drawings are increased or reduced as appropriate to facilitate understanding. Still further, part of members which are not important in description of the embodiment is omitted in the respective drawings.

Further, terms including ordinal numbers such as first and second, which are used to describe a variety of components, are used only for the purpose of distinguishing one component from other components and do not limit the components.

A configuration of a shoe <NUM> according to the embodiment of the present invention will be described below with reference to the drawings. <FIG> is a perspective view schematically illustrating the shoe <NUM> viewed from an inner foot portion <NUM>. The following drawings including <FIG> illustrate a shoe for right foot unless otherwise described. The description in the present specification is similarly applied to a shoe for left foot. <FIG> is a side view schematically illustrating an air sucking out portion of the shoe <NUM>. <FIG> is another perspective view schematically illustrating the shoe <NUM> viewed from an outer foot side. <FIG> is a view schematically illustrating the shoe <NUM> in planar view.

The shoe <NUM> of the present embodiment can be used as sports shoes for, for example, walking and running. The shoe <NUM> includes a sole <NUM> and an upper <NUM>. The upper <NUM> surrounds internal space 20a for accommodating a foot. Eyelets <NUM> through which a shoelace (not illustrated) is to pass are provided at the upper <NUM>. A shoe tongue <NUM> is provided on the internal space 20a side of the upper <NUM>. As illustrated in <FIG>, an inner foot side (lower portion of the drawing) from a width-direction center line La of the upper <NUM> will be referred to as an inner foot portion <NUM>, and an outer foot side (upper portion of the drawing) from the width-direction center line La will be referred to as an outer foot portion <NUM>. Further, a direction toward the inner foot portion <NUM> from the outer foot portion <NUM> will be referred to as inward, and its opposite direction will be referred to as outward.

Further, a front side (left portion of the drawing) from a longitudinal-direction center line Lb will be referred to as an anterior foot portion 22a of the upper <NUM>, and a back side (right portion of the drawing) from the center line Lb will be referred to as a posterior foot portion 22b. Note that the center line La and the center line Lb may be orthogonal to each other. Further, an upper direction in a state where the shoe <NUM> is placed on a horizontal plane (hereinafter, referred to as a "horizontal state") will be referred to as above or upward, and its opposite direction will be referred to as below or downward.

The upper <NUM> includes an air sucking out portion <NUM> for sucking out air from the internal space 20a, an air intake portion <NUM> for taking in air into the internal space 20a, an air exhausting portion <NUM> for exhausting air from the internal space 20a, an air intake hole <NUM> for taking in air from the toe, and a shoe tongue concave-convex portion 70p which encourages ventilation through the shoe tongue <NUM>.

<FIG> is a view schematically illustrating a state where a wearer who wears the shoe <NUM> is running. As illustrated in <FIG>, when the wearer walks or runs, the leg on which the shoe <NUM> is worn swings. When the leg swings, flow of air (hereinafter, referred to as "airflow Af") relative to a surface of the upper <NUM> occurs.

<FIG> is a view schematically illustrating the airflow Af on the surface of the upper <NUM> when the wearer who wears the shoe <NUM> swings his/her leg in planar view. A difference in speed of the airflow Af occurs by an irregular surface when the airflow Af flows along the surface of the upper <NUM>. A low pressure region Am in which a pressure is lowered in accordance with a difference in speed of the airflow Af and a high pressure region Ap in which the pressure increases occur on the surface of the upper <NUM>. For example, the low pressure region Am can occur posterior to a portion near a bulge portion corresponding to the ball of the foot on an inner foot outer surface 22f of the inner foot portion <NUM> of the upper <NUM>. For example, the high pressure region Ap can occur from a toe portion <NUM> toward an outer foot outer surface 24f of the outer foot portion <NUM> of the upper <NUM>.

The air sucking out portion <NUM> will be described. <FIG> is a view schematically illustrating the air sucking out portion <NUM>. <FIG> is a cross-sectional diagram of the air sucking out portion <NUM> cut along line A-A in <FIG>. In the present embodiment, a plurality of air sucking out portions <NUM> is provided on the inner foot outer surface 22f of the inner foot portion <NUM> of the upper <NUM>. The air sucking out portion <NUM> has a ventilation structure which enables ventilation between the internal space 20a and outside air. Air Ag in the internal space 20a is sucked out to outside through the air sucking out portion <NUM> by a negative pressure occurring on the surface of the upper <NUM> when the wearer who wears the shoe <NUM> swings his/her leg (see <FIG>).

As illustrated in <FIG>, the air sucking out portions <NUM> extend while tilting by a predetermined first angle θp with respect to a vertical line Lv when the shoe <NUM> is placed in a horizontal state. The first angle θp will be described later. The air sucking out portion <NUM> of the present embodiment has a slit shape of a rectangle, an oval, or the like, which is elongated in an extending direction, that is, in a longitudinal direction in side view. In the present embodiment, a plurality of air sucking out portions <NUM> is arranged substantially parallel to each other. The slit shape of the air sucking out portion <NUM> is not limited to a rectangle and an oval and may be other shapes such as a meandering shape and a trapezoid shape. For example, the air sucking out portion <NUM> may have a configuration where a plurality of punching holes is obliquely disposed. In these cases, it is only necessary that lines connecting centers of respective anterior edges and posterior edges tilt by the first angle θp. A ratio of the length in the longitudinal direction with respect to the length in a lateral direction is, for example, equal to or greater than <NUM>%, preferably, equal to or greater than <NUM>%, and, more preferably, equal to or greater than <NUM>%.

As illustrated in <FIG>, the air sucking out portion <NUM> dents from the inner foot outer surface 22f. In the present embodiment, the air sucking out portion <NUM> includes an opening <NUM> provided on the inner foot outer surface 22f, and a meshed body 30j provided on the internal space 20a side of the opening <NUM>. The air sucking out portion <NUM> may be a simple opening, and the meshed body 30j is provided at the opening <NUM> with the objective of reducing entrance of sands or pebbles and reinforcing the opening. In this embodiment, the air sucking out portion <NUM> has a structure in which the meshed body 30j is laminated on the internal space 20a side of the inner foot outer surface 22f on which the opening <NUM> is provided. A difference in level between the inner foot outer surface 22f and the meshed body 30j preferably falls within a range between <NUM> and <NUM> with the objective of effectively sucking out air.

The inner foot outer surface 22f on which the opening <NUM> is provided and the meshed body 30j may be separately formed and may be pasted by means of adhesion, or the like. In the present embodiment, the inner foot outer surface 22f on which the opening <NUM> is provided and the meshed body 30j are formed through weave which enables a thick region and a thin region to be integrally formed. For example, the inner foot outer surface 22f on which the opening <NUM> is provided and the meshed body 30j may be integrally formed through jacquard weave or jacquard knitting. The air sucking out portion <NUM> in this example is a relief-shaped recessed portion which is formed through jacquard weave or jacquard knitting.

Specifications such as an aperture ratio, mesh opening, a wire diameter, and the number of meshes of the meshed body 30j can be determined through experiments and simulation in accordance with desired air resistance and desired dust-proof performance. For example, in a case where the air sucking out portion <NUM> is formed through jacquard weave, sufficient ventilation characteristics can be achieved by flat knitting, or the like, in which the meshed body 30j is knitted with knitting machine of <NUM> gauges using a string having a diameter of <NUM> deniers. Meanwhile, a material knitted with a string having a diameter which is approximately twice the diameter of the meshed body 30j can be used as the inner foot outer surface 22f. In this case, the inner foot outer surface 22f only requires to have a ventilation rate of approximately <NUM><NUM>/(cm<NUM>·s) in a Frazier type air permeability test specified in JISL1096, and the meshed body 30j preferably has a further higher ventilation rate. The specifications are not limited to those described above, and there may be visible differences between the meshed body 30j and the inner foot outer surface 22f in specifications such as an aperture ratio, mesh opening, a wire diameter and the number of meshes.

The air sucking out portion <NUM> is preferably provided in a region where a negative pressure is likely to occur. As illustrated in <FIG>, it can be said that a region which cannot be viewed when viewed from a front in a direction along the width-direction center line La of the shoe <NUM> among the inner foot outer surface 22f is a region where the airflow Af is blocked by the toe portion <NUM>, and thus, a negative pressure is likely to occur. The air sucking out portion <NUM> may therefore include a portion which is provided in a region which cannot be viewed when viewed from the front in the direction along the width-direction center line La of the shoe <NUM> among the inner foot outer surface 22f. In other words, the air sucking out portion <NUM> may include a portion which is provided in a region which cannot be viewed when viewed from the front of the shoe <NUM>.

As a result of study by the present inventors, it is indicated that when a length L1 from the toe portion <NUM> to a heel portion <NUM> of the upper <NUM> is set as <NUM>%, in air sucking out portion <NUM>, a negative pressure is likely to occur in a longitudinal region L23 from a position L2 which is <NUM>% from the toe portion <NUM> to a position L3 which is <NUM>% from the toe portion <NUM> among the anterior foot portion 22a of the inner foot outer surface 22f (see <FIG>). The air sucking out portion <NUM> of the present embodiment therefore includes a portion which is provided in a longitudinal region located at equal to or greater than <NUM>% and equal to or less than <NUM>% from the toe portion <NUM>.

As a result of study by the present inventors, it is indicated that a negative pressure is likely to occur particularly in a longitudinal-direction range 22pe specified by an innermost point 22e located innermost and an outermost point 22p located outermost in planar view among the anterior foot portion 22a of the inner foot outer surface 22f (see <FIG>). In other words, a negative pressure is likely to occur in a range 22pe from the innermost point 22e to the outermost point 22p. The air sucking out portion <NUM> of the present embodiment therefore includes a portion provided in the range 22pe.

As illustrated in <FIG>, the airflow Af flows from an anterior upper portion to a posterior lower portion of the shoe <NUM> when the leg swings. The air sucking out portion <NUM> therefore tilts downward toward a posterior portion along a direction of the airflow Af so as to efficiently suck out air. In other words, the posterior edge 30e in the extending direction of the air sucking out portion <NUM> is positioned below the anterior edge 30f. In this embodiment, as illustrated in <FIG>, the posterior edge 30e of the air sucking out portion <NUM> is positioned below a line Lc connecting the innermost point 22e and the outermost point 22p of the upper <NUM>, and the anterior edge 30f of the air sucking out portion <NUM> is positioned above the line Lc.

<FIG> is a bar graph indicating a result of study by the present inventors regarding relationship between an angle formed by the extending direction of the air sucking out portion <NUM> and the direction of the airflow Af, and ventilation characteristics of the air sucking out portion <NUM>. Note that the ventilation characteristics of the air sucking out portion <NUM> are defined as an amount of air ventilated per unit time when swing of the leg is simulated and the shoe <NUM> faces opposing wind from the front. <FIG> indicates the ventilation characteristics expressed with a relative ratio when a reference value set in advance is set as <NUM> on a vertical axis, and a greater numerical value indicates more favorable ventilation characteristics. In <FIG>, X indicates a case where the extending direction of the air sucking out portion <NUM> is parallel to the direction of the airflow Af, in which case the ventilation efficiency is <NUM>. Further, Y indicates a case where the extending direction of the air sucking out portion <NUM> is orthogonal to the direction of the airflow Af, in which case the ventilation efficiency is <NUM>.

It has been found from the result that the ventilation characteristics in a case where the extending direction of the air sucking out portion <NUM> is parallel to the direction of the airflow Af are approximately twice as favorable as the ventilation characteristics in a case where the extending direction of the air sucking out portion <NUM> is orthogonal to the direction of the airflow Af. This may be because, in a case where the extending direction of the air sucking out portion <NUM> is orthogonal to the direction of the airflow Af, the airflow Af mainly collides with a long side of the opening <NUM>, at which a pressure locally increases and a sucking out effect decreases. Alternatively, this may be because, in a case where the extending direction of the air sucking out portion <NUM> is orthogonal to the direction of the airflow Af, turbulence of the airflow Af becomes large at the opening <NUM>, and a sucking out effect decreases. From these, it can be said that the air sucking out portion <NUM> preferably extends in a direction substantially parallel to the direction of the airflow Af to improve ventilation characteristics.

The extending direction of the air sucking out portion <NUM> becomes preferably parallel to the direction of the airflow Af when swing speed of the leg is high with the objective of improving ventilation characteristics. <FIG> are graphs indicating relationship between an angle θs of the shoe <NUM> with respect to a swing position of the leg and swing speed Vs of the shoe <NUM>. <FIG> indicates a case of running at <NUM>/h, and <FIG> indicates a case of running at <NUM>/h.

Note that the angle θs of the shoe <NUM> is indicated as a positive numerical value in a case where the heel portion <NUM> rotates counterclockwise around the toe portion <NUM> in side view and indicated as a negative numerical value in a case where the heel portion <NUM> rotates clockwise assuming that the angle θs in a state where the shoe <NUM> is placed on a horizontal plane is <NUM>° as illustrated in <FIG>. Further, the swing speed Vs of the shoe <NUM> indicates speed in a direction of tangent of the shoe <NUM> which swings.

<FIG> indicate a stroke position of the shoe <NUM> in a case where a stroke of one cycle of swing of the leg is set as <NUM>% on a horizontal axis. <FIG> indicate the swing speed Vs of the shoe <NUM> corresponding to a left vertical axis with a dashed line and indicate the angle θs of the shoe <NUM> corresponding to a right vertical axis with a solid line.

As a result of study, as illustrated in <FIG>, in a case of running at <NUM>/h, the swing speed Vs becomes equal to or higher than <NUM>% (equal to or higher than <NUM>/s) of peak speed in a range of the angle θs from <NUM>° to <NUM>°. Further, as illustrated in <FIG>, in a case of running at <NUM>/h, the swing speed Vs becomes equal to or higher than <NUM>% (equal to or higher than <NUM>/s) of the peak speed in a range of the angle θs from <NUM>° to <NUM>°. It can be said from this result that the swing speed Vs of equal to or higher than <NUM>% of the peak speed can be obtained in a range of the angle θs of the shoe <NUM> from <NUM>° to <NUM>° in both running speed. In other words, it can be said that the angle θs of the shoe <NUM> is <NUM>° ± <NUM>° in a state where the swing speed Vs is close to the peak speed.

A first angle θp of the extending direction of the air sucking out portion <NUM> with respect to a vertical line Lv will be described. Here, the first angle θp is indicated with a positive numerical value in a case where the air sucking out portion <NUM> rotates counterclockwise so that the anterior edge 30f tilts forward in side view as illustrated in <FIG>, and is indicated with a negative numerical value in a case where the air sucking out portion <NUM> rotates clockwise so that the anterior edge 30f tilts backward, assuming that the first angle θp in a state where the anterior edge 30f is located immediately above the posterior edge 30e centering around the posterior edge 30e of the air sucking out portion <NUM> is set as <NUM>°.

As described above, in a case where the angle θs of the shoe <NUM> falls within a range from <NUM>° to <NUM>°, the extending direction of the air sucking out portion <NUM> is preferably substantially parallel to the direction of the airflow Af. To achieve this condition, in the present embodiment, the first angle θp is set within a range from <NUM>° to <NUM>°, and the anterior edge 30f in the extending direction is located above the posterior edge 30e in a horizontal state. In this case, the extending direction of the air sucking out portion <NUM> becomes substantially parallel to the direction of the airflow Af in a state where the swing speed Vs is close to the peak speed, so that a negative pressure can be effectively utilized.

The air intake portion <NUM> will be described with reference to <FIG>. <FIG> is a view schematically illustrating the air intake portion <NUM>. <FIG> is a cross-sectional diagram of the air intake portion <NUM> cut along a line B-B in <FIG>. As illustrated in <FIG>, the air intake portion <NUM> functions as a ventilation portion for taking in outside air Aj into the internal space 20a. Particularly, the air intake portion <NUM> is disposed in the high pressure region Ap in which a pressure increases in accordance with a difference in speed of the airflow Af when the wearer who wears the shoe <NUM> swings his/her leg, and has a configuration which enables air to be efficiently introduced with this pressure.

The air intake portion <NUM> is provided on another outer surface except the inner foot outer surface 22f on the outer surface of the upper <NUM>. For example, the airflow Af hits a region which can be viewed from the front of the upper <NUM> when the leg swings, and thus, the air intake portion <NUM> may include a portion provided in a region which can be viewed from the front of the shoe <NUM>. In the present embodiment, as illustrated in <FIG>, the air intake portion <NUM> includes a first air intake portion 40T provided on a toe outer surface 26f at the toe portion <NUM>, and a second air intake portion <NUM> provided on an outer foot outer surface 24f of the outer foot portion <NUM>. That is because the high pressure region Ap is likely to occur from the toe outer surface 26f to the outer foot outer surface 24f of the outer foot portion <NUM>. The toe outer surface 26f and the outer foot outer surface 24f will be collectively referred to as an intake portion outer surface.

The air intake portion <NUM> of the present embodiment has a slit shape of a rectangle, an oval, or the like, which is elongated in the extending direction, that is, in the longitudinal direction in side view. As illustrated in <FIG>, a plurality of first air intake portions 40T is arranged in substantially parallel to each other on the toe outer surface 26f. Further, as illustrated in <FIG>, a plurality of second air intake portions <NUM> is arranged in substantially parallel to each other on the outer foot outer surface 24f. The slit shape of the air intake portion <NUM> is not limited to a rectangle and an oval and may be other shapes such as a meandering shape and a trapezoid shape. For example, the air sucking out portion <NUM> may have a configuration where a plurality of punching holes is obliquely disposed. In these cases, it is only necessary that lines connecting centers of respective anterior edges and posterior edges tilt by a predetermined angle. A ratio of the length in the longitudinal direction with respect to the length in a lateral direction is, for example, equal to or greater than <NUM>%, preferably, equal to or greater than <NUM>%, and, more preferably, equal to or greater than <NUM>%.

The air intake portion <NUM> has a ventilation structure which enables ventilation between the internal space 20a and outside air. As illustrated in <FIG>, the air intake portion <NUM> dents from an intake portion outer surface. In the present embodiment, the air intake portion <NUM> includes an opening <NUM> provided on the intake portion outer surface, and a meshed body 40j provided on the internal space 20a side of the opening <NUM>. The air intake portion <NUM> may be a simple opening, and the meshed body 40j is provided at the opening <NUM> with the objective of reducing entrance of sands or pebbles and reinforcing the opening. In this embodiment, the air intake portion <NUM> has a structure in which the meshed body 40j is laminated on the internal space 20a side of the intake portion outer surface on which the opening <NUM> is provided. A difference in level between the outer foot outer surface 24f and the meshed body 40j preferably falls within a range between <NUM> and <NUM> with the objective of effectively intaking air.

The intake portion outer surface on which the opening <NUM> is provided and the meshed body 40j may be separately formed and pasted by means of adhesion, or the like. In the present embodiment, the intake portion outer surface on which the opening <NUM> is provided and the meshed body 40j are integrally formed through jacquard weave or jacquard knitting. In other words, the air intake portion <NUM> is formed through jacquard weave or jacquard knitting.

Specifications such as an aperture ratio, mesh opening, a wire diameter, and the number of meshes of the meshed body 40j can be determined through experiments and simulation in accordance with desired air resistance and desired dust-proof performance. With the objective of facilitating manufacturing, specifications such as an aperture ratio, mesh opening, a wire diameter, the number of meshes of the meshed body 40j may be made the same as those of the meshed body 30j. As described above, in a case where the air sucking out portion <NUM> is formed through jacquard weave, sufficient ventilation characteristics can be achieved by flat knitting, or the like, in which the meshed body 40j is knitted with knitting machine of <NUM> gauges using a string having a diameter of <NUM> deniers. Meanwhile, a material knitted with a string having a diameter which is approximately twice the diameter of the meshed body 40j can be used as the outer foot outer surface 24f and the toe outer surface 26f. In this case, the outer foot outer surface 24f and the toe outer surface 26f only require to have a ventilation rate of approximately <NUM><NUM>/(cm<NUM>·s) in a Frazier type air permeability test specified in JISL1096, and the meshed body 40j preferably has a further higher ventilation rate. The specifications are not limited to those described above, and there may be visible differences between the meshed body 40j, and the outer foot outer surface 24f and the toe outer surface 26f in specifications such as an aperture ratio, mesh opening, a wire diameter and the number of meshes.

<FIG> is a bar graph indicating a result of study by the present inventors regarding relationship between an angle formed by the extending direction of the air intake portion <NUM> and the direction of the airflow Af, and ventilation characteristics of the air intake portion <NUM>. Note that the ventilation characteristics of the air intake portion <NUM> are defined as an amount of air ventilated per unit time when swing of the leg is simulated and the shoe <NUM> faces opposing wind from the front. <FIG> indicates the ventilation characteristics expressed with a relative ratio when a reference value set in advance is set as <NUM> on a vertical axis, and a greater numerical value indicates more favorable ventilation characteristics. In <FIG>, X indicates a case where the extending direction of the air intake portion <NUM> is parallel to the direction of the airflow Af, in which case the ventilation efficiency is <NUM>. Further, Y indicates a case where the extending direction of the air intake portion <NUM> is orthogonal to the direction of the airflow Af, in which case the ventilation efficiency is <NUM>.

It has been found from the result that ventilation characteristics in a case where the extending direction of the air intake portion <NUM> is orthogonal to the direction of the airflow Af are approximately twice as favorable as the ventilation characteristics in a case where the extending direction of the air intake portion <NUM> is parallel to the direction of the airflow Af. This may be because, in a case where the extending direction of the air intake portion <NUM> is orthogonal to the direction of the airflow Af, the airflow Af mainly collides with a long side of the opening <NUM>, at which a pressure locally increases, and an intake effect is improved. From these, the air intake portion <NUM> preferably extends in a direction substantially orthogonal to the direction of the airflow Af to improve ventilation characteristics.

The extending direction of the first air intake portion 40T will be described. With the objective of improving ventilation characteristics, the first air intake portion 40T may extend in a width direction at the toe portion <NUM>. In this case, the extending direction of the first air intake portion 40T is substantially orthogonal to the direction of the airflow Af, so that air can be efficiently taken in.

The extending direction of the second air intake portion <NUM> will be described. With the objective of improving ventilation characteristics, the extending direction of the second air intake portion <NUM> is preferably substantially orthogonal to the direction of the airflow Af at an angle θs (<NUM>° ± <NUM>°) of the shoe <NUM> in a state where the swing speed Vs is close to peak speed. The second air intake portion <NUM> of the present embodiment therefore tilts so that an anterior edge 40f in the extending direction is located below a posterior edge 40e in a horizontal state. In other words, the second air intake portion <NUM> tilts downward toward an anterior portion so as to substantially orthogonal to the direction of the airflow Af. A tilt angle θq of the second air intake portion <NUM> with respect to the vertical line Lv falls within a range from <NUM>° to <NUM>°. In this case, the extending direction of the second air intake portion <NUM> is substantially orthogonal to the direction of the airflow Af in a state where the swing speed Vs is close to the peak speed, so that air can be efficiently taken in.

The air exhausting portion <NUM> will be described with reference to <FIG>. As illustrated in <FIG>, the air exhausting portion <NUM> of the present embodiment is provided at the heel portion <NUM> of the upper <NUM>. The air exhausting portion <NUM> functions as a ventilation portion which is capable of exhausting air in the internal space 20a. The air exhausting portion <NUM> includes a first air exhausting portion 44P provided on a heel side of the inner foot outer surface 22f, and a second air exhausting portion <NUM> provided on a heel side of the outer foot outer surface 24f. The air exhausting portion <NUM> has a slit shape of a rectangle, an oval, or the like, which is elongated in the extending direction. The first air exhausting portion 44P tilts in the same direction as the tilt direction of the air sucking out portion <NUM>, and the second air exhausting portion <NUM> tilts in the same direction as the tilt direction of the second air intake portion <NUM>.

The air exhausting portion <NUM> dents from the outer surfaces 22f and 24f and includes an opening <NUM> and a meshed body 44j provided on the internal space 20a side. The opening <NUM> has characteristics similar to the characteristics of the opening <NUM>, and the meshed body 44j has characteristics similar to the characteristics of the meshed body 30j. With the objective of facilitating manufacturing, specifications such as an aperture ratio, mesh opening, a wire diameter and the number of meshes of the meshed body 44j may be made the same as those of the meshed body 30j. Further, in a case where a heel counter is provided at the heel portion <NUM>, part of the heel counter may be cut out and the air exhausting portion <NUM> may be disposed at the cutout portion.

<FIG> is a developed view schematically illustrating a state where the upper <NUM> is developed on a plane. With the objective of facilitating manufacturing, the first air intake portion 40T and the second air intake portion <NUM> may extend in the same direction as the extending direction of the air sucking out portion <NUM> in a state where the upper <NUM> is developed on a plane. Further, the air exhausting portion <NUM> may extend in the same direction as the extending direction of the air sucking out portion <NUM> in a state where the upper <NUM> is developed on a plane. The air sucking out portion <NUM>, the first air intake portion 40T, the second air intake portion <NUM> and the air exhausting portion <NUM> tilt in the same direction within a range from <NUM>° to <NUM>° with respect to the center line La. The air sucking out portion <NUM>, the first air intake portion 40T, the second air intake portion <NUM> and the air exhausting portion <NUM> are integrally formed with the upper <NUM> through jacquard weave or jacquard knitting.

The shoe tongue concave-convex portion 70p will be described with reference to <FIG> is a rear view illustrating a portion around the shoe tongue <NUM>. In a case where the shoe tongue tightly adheres to the top of the foot <NUM>, this portion is likely to get stuffy. Thus, in the present embodiment, a concave-convex portion 70p is provided on the internal space 20a side of the shoe tongue <NUM>, and the concave-convex portion 70p is formed so as to enable ventilation in a thickness direction (vertical direction) of the shoe tongue <NUM>. In other words, the shoe tongue <NUM> has a ventilation portion 70c which is formed with a material which enables ventilation in the thickness direction at a central portion of the width direction (horizontal direction in <FIG>), and the concave-convex portion 70p is provided on a surface on the internal space 20a side of the ventilation portion 70c. The ventilation portion 70c may be formed with a porous material such as a foam resin.

The concave-convex portion 70p forms concave-convex portion space 70a between the top of the foot <NUM> and the shoe tongue <NUM> and ventilates air in the concave-convex portion space 70a to outside via the concave-convex portion 70p. The shape of the concave-convex portion 70p can be determined through simulation or experiments in accordance with desired ventilation characteristics.

The air intake hole <NUM> will be described with reference to <FIG>. As illustrated in <FIG>, the air intake hole <NUM> of the present embodiment is formed so as to penetrate part of an outsole <NUM> rolled up to the toe portion <NUM> of the upper <NUM> in a longitudinal direction. The air intake hole <NUM> functions as a ventilation portion which is capable of taking in air into the internal space 20a. The air intake hole <NUM> of the present embodiment has a substantially rectangular shape which is horizontally long in front view. A reinforcing rib 46b may be provided around the air intake hole <NUM>. A lower edge of the air intake hole <NUM> of the present embodiment is disposed above an innersole or a shoe insole (upper surface inside the shoe). Providing the air intake hole <NUM> enables air to be taken in also from the front of the shoe <NUM>, so that ventilation performance can be improved.

An overview of one aspect of the present invention is explained. The shoe <NUM> according to an aspect of the present invention includes the upper <NUM> surrounding internal space 20a for accommodating a foot. The air sucking out portion <NUM> from which air is sucked out from the internal space 20a to outside when a leg swings is provided on the inner foot outer surface 22f of the inner foot portion <NUM> of the upper <NUM>, and the air sucking out portion <NUM> extends in a direction which tilts by the predetermined first angle θp with respect to a vertical direction in a case where the shoe <NUM> is placed on a horizontal plane and dents from the inner foot outer surface 22f.

According to this aspect, when the wearer swings his/her leg by walking or running, a negative pressure is caused to occur at the air sucking out portion <NUM> by the outside airflow Af which flows along the inner foot outer surface 22f, so that air inside the internal space 20a can be sucked out to outside by utilizing this negative pressure. It is thereby possible to effectively ventilate inside the shoe <NUM>. Further, the air sucking out portion <NUM> obliquely extends and dents, which increases a region along flow of outside air, and which makes it possible to effectively utilize a negative pressure.

The air sucking out portion <NUM> may include a portion provided in a region which cannot be viewed from the front in a direction along the width-direction center line La of the shoe <NUM> among the inner foot outer surface 22f. In this case, a negative pressure is likely to occur in the region which cannot be viewed from the front of the inner foot outer surface 22f, so that it is possible to achieve efficient ventilation.

In a case where a length from the toe portion <NUM> to the heel portion <NUM> of the upper <NUM> is set as <NUM>%, the air sucking out portion <NUM> may include a portion provided in a longitudinal-direction region which is equal to or greater than <NUM>% and equal to or less than <NUM>% from the toe portion <NUM> among the inner foot outer surface 22f. In this case, a negative pressure is likely to occur in the longitudinal-direction region which is equal to or greater than <NUM>% and equal to or less than <NUM>% from the toe portion <NUM> of the inner foot outer surface 22f, so that it is possible to achieve efficient ventilation.

The air sucking out portion <NUM> may include a portion provided in a longitudinal-direction range 22pe specified by an innermost point 22e located innermost and an outermost point 22p located outermost in planar view among the anterior foot portion 22a of the inner foot outer surface 22f. In this case, a negative pressure is likely to occur in the longitudinal-direction range 22pe of the anterior foot portion 22a of the inner foot outer surface 22f of the upper <NUM>, so that it is possible to achieve efficient ventilation.

A posterior edge 30e of the air sucking out portion <NUM> may located below a line Lc connecting the innermost point 22e and the outermost point 22p of the upper <NUM>. In this case, a negative pressure is likely to occur in a lower portion from the line Lc of the upper <NUM>, so that it is possible to achieve efficient ventilation.

The first angle θp of the air sucking out portion <NUM> falls within a range from <NUM>° to <NUM>°, and the air sucking out portion <NUM> may have a slit shape in which the posterior edge 30e tilts downward below the anterior edge 30f. In this case, the extending direction of the air sucking out portion <NUM> can be made substantially parallel to the direction of the outside airflow Af at a shoe angle at which the swing speed of the leg becomes peak speed upon running. It is thereby possible to effectively utilize a negative pressure.

The air intake portion <NUM> for taking in outside air may be provided on another outer surfaces 24f and 26f except the inner foot outer surface 22f among the outer surface of the upper <NUM>, and the air intake portion <NUM> may extend in a direction intersecting with the outside airflow Af when the leg swings, and may dent from the other outer surfaces 24f and 26f. In this case, the outside air is taken in through the air intake portion <NUM>, so that it is possible to efficiently ventilate inside the shoe <NUM>. Further, the air intake portion <NUM> extends in a cross direction, so that it is possible to efficiently take in outside air. Still further, the air intake portion <NUM> dents, so that it is possible to easily take in air while causing air to be taken in to collide with this portion.

The air intake portion <NUM> may include a portion provided in a region which can be viewed when viewed from the front in a direction along the width-direction center line La of the shoe <NUM>. In this case, outside air hits the region which can be viewed from this direction when the leg swings, so that it is possible to efficiently take in outside air.

The air intake portion <NUM> may extend in the same direction as the extending direction of the air sucking out portion <NUM> in a state where the upper <NUM> is developed on a plane. In this case, it is possible to make the shoe physically beautiful and facilitate manufacturing in a case where the air intake portion <NUM> is manufactured through weave or knitting.

The air intake portion <NUM> may be provided at the toe portion <NUM> of the upper <NUM> and may extend in a width direction. In this case, it is possible to effectively take in fresh air into the internal space 20a.

The air exhausting portion <NUM> which is capable of exhausting air in the internal space 20a may be provided at the heel portion <NUM> of the upper <NUM>. In this case, it is possible to exhaust air also from a posterior portion.

The shoe tongue <NUM> on which the concave-convex portion 70p is provided on the internal space 20a side may be provided, and the concave-convex portion 70p may be formed to enable ventilation in a thickness direction of the shoe tongue <NUM>. In this case, the concave-convex portion 70p forms space between the top of the foot <NUM> and the shoe tongue <NUM>, so that it is possible to achieve smooth ventilation through the concave-convex portion 70p.

The air sucking out portion <NUM> may be formed through jacquard weave or jacquard knitting. In this case, it is possible to easily form the opening <NUM> and the meshed body 30j of the air sucking out portion <NUM>.

The example of the embodiment of the present invention has been described in detail above. The above-described embodiment merely describes a specific example for implementing the present invention. Further, hatched portions of cross-sections in the drawings do not limit a material of the hatched portions.

Modified examples will be described below. In drawings and description of the modified examples, the same reference numerals will be assigned to components and members which are the same as or equivalent to those in the embodiment. Repetitive description with the embodiment will be omitted as appropriate, and description will be provided with emphasis on a configuration different from that in the embodiment.

While the example has been described in the description of the embodiment where the concave-convex portion is provided at the shoe tongue <NUM>, the present invention is not limited to this. The concave-convex portion may be provided on the internal space 20a side of the toe portion <NUM>.

<FIG> is a plan view schematically illustrating the shoe <NUM> according to a first modified example. <FIG> illustrates a portion around the toe portion <NUM>. A concave-convex portion 26p is provided on the internal space 20a side of the toe portion <NUM> in the present modified example. In this case, concave-convex portion space is formed between the concave-convex portion 26p and the foot, and ventilation in a planar direction is encouraged at the concave-convex portion 26p, so that it is possible to achieve efficient ventilation through the air intake portion <NUM>.

The concave-convex portion 26p may be provided anywhere in a range in which desired ventilation performance can be obtained. In the present modified example, the concave-convex portion 26p is provided in a region put between two lines Lp which extend from right and left ends of the shoe tongue <NUM> to the toe in parallel to the center line La.

While the example has been described in the description of the embodiment where the inner foot outer surface 22f on which the opening <NUM> is provided and the meshed body 30j are integrally formed through jacquard weave or jacquard knitting, the present invention is not limited to this. For example, the inner foot outer surface on which the opening is provided may be formed with a material such as a resin, and the meshed body may be pasted on the inner foot outer surface.

While the example has been described in the description of the embodiment where the first air intake portion 40T and the second air intake portion <NUM> are provided, the present invention is not limited to this. For example, at least one of the first air intake portion 40T or the second air intake portion <NUM> does not have to be provided. Further, it is not essential to provide the air exhausting portion <NUM>. Still further, it is not essential to provide the shoe tongue concave-convex portion 70p and the air intake hole <NUM>.

While the example has been described in the description of the embodiment where the shoe tongue <NUM> includes the ventilation portion 70c at the central portion in the width direction, the present invention is not limited to this. For example, the shoe tongue <NUM> may be formed with a material having ventilation characteristics in a thickness direction. Further, the ventilation portion 70c may be provided at a portion other than the central portion. For example, the ventilation portion 70c may be provided at a longitudinal-direction end portion or a width-direction end portion or may be provided in an entire area of the shoe tongue <NUM>.

While the example has been described in the description of the embodiment where a portion around the opening <NUM> of the inner foot outer surface 22f is flat, the present invention is not limited to this. For example, a raised portion may be provided near a long side of an anterior portion of the opening <NUM> on the inner foot outer surface 22f. In this case, speed of the airflow Af becomes fast at the raised portion, so that a pressure of the opening <NUM> further decreases, and inside air is efficiently sucked out.

Further, the inner foot outer surface 22f may be constituted with a member different from the upper <NUM>, and may have, for example, a configuration where the inner foot outer surface 22f rolls up and covers resin parts and the sole <NUM> which are separately formed. While a plurality of openings <NUM> is provided in <FIG>, only a single opening <NUM> may be provided.

Further, an area ratio of the opening <NUM> with respect to an inner foot side upper is, for example, equal to or greater than <NUM>%, preferably, equal to or greater than <NUM>%, and, more preferably, equal to or greater than <NUM>% for an area which can be viewed when the present shoe is viewed from the inner foot side with the objective of achieving efficient ventilation. Further, the area ratio may be equal to or greater than <NUM>%, preferably, equal to or greater than <NUM>%, and, more preferably, equal to or greater than <NUM>% for an area of a region corresponding to the position L3 (position which is <NUM>% from the toe portion <NUM>) illustrated in <FIG> with the objective of achieving efficient ventilation. Meanwhile, in a case where the upper <NUM> is formed through jacquard weave or jacquard knitting, the area ratio of the opening <NUM> with respect to the inner foot side upper may be, for example, equal to or less than <NUM>%, preferably, equal to or less than <NUM>%, and, more preferably, equal to or less than <NUM>% with the objective of maintaining strength and fit. In a similar manner, the area ratio may be, for example, equal to or less than <NUM>%, preferably, equal to or less than <NUM>%, and, more preferably, equal to or less than <NUM>% for the area corresponding to the position L3.

While the example has been described in the description of the embodiment where the outer foot outer surface 24f and a portion around the opening <NUM> of the toe outer surface 26f are flat, the present invention is not limited to this. For example, a raised portion may be provided near a long side of a posterior portion of the opening <NUM> of the intake portion outer surface of the air intake portion <NUM>. In this case, speed of the airflow Af becomes slow on a front side of the raised portion, so that a pressure of the opening <NUM> on the front side of the raised portion increases, and outside air can be efficiently taken in.

Further, the outer foot outer surface 24f may be constituted with a member different from the upper <NUM>, and may have, for example, a configuration where the outer foot outer surface 24f rolls up and covers resin parts and the sole <NUM> which are separately formed. While a plurality of openings <NUM> is provided in <FIG>, only a single opening <NUM> may be provided.

Further, an area ratio of the opening <NUM> with respect to an outer foot side upper is, for example, equal to or greater than <NUM>%, preferably, equal to or greater than <NUM>%, and, more preferably, equal to or greater than <NUM>% for an area which can be viewed when the present shoe is viewed from the outer foot side with the objective of achieving efficient ventilation. Meanwhile, in a case where the upper <NUM> is formed through jacquard weave or jacquard knitting, the area ratio of the opening <NUM> with respect to the outer foot side upper may be, for example, equal to or less than <NUM>%, preferably, equal to or less than <NUM>%, and, more preferably, equal to or less than <NUM>% with the objective of maintaining strength and fit.

The above-described respective modified examples provide operation and effects similar to those in the above-described embodiment.

Arbitrary combination of the above-described embodiment and the modified examples is also useful as an embodiment of the present invention. A new embodiment created by combination provides respective effects of the embodiment and the modified examples which are combined.

The present invention relates to shoes and can be utilized in shoes.

Claim 1:
A shoe (<NUM>) comprising:
an upper (<NUM>) surrounding internal space (20a) for accommodating a foot,
wherein an air sucking out portion (<NUM>) from which air is sucked out from the internal space (20a) to outside when a leg swings is provided on an inner foot outer surface (22f) of an inner foot portion (<NUM>) of the upper (<NUM>), and
the air sucking out portion (<NUM>) extends in a direction which tilts by a predetermined first angle with respect to a vertical direction in a case where the shoe (<NUM>) is placed on a horizontal plane and dents from the inner foot outer surface (22f), characterized in that:
an air intake portion (<NUM>) for taking in outside air is provided on another outer surface (24f, 26f) except the inner foot outer surface (22f) among an outer surface of the upper (<NUM>), and the air intake portion (<NUM>) extends in a direction intersecting with outside airflow (Af) when the leg swings and dents from the other outer surface (24f, 26f), and
wherein the air intake portion (<NUM>) and the air sucking out portion (<NUM>) each tilt in a range from <NUM>° to <NUM>° in a same direction with respect to a center line of the shoe (La) in a state where the upper (<NUM>) is developed on a plane.