JPH11244003A - Reinforcing unit for shoes of sandwich form usable as shoe sole unit or part of insole and showing rigid or at least semirigid behavior - Google Patents

Abstract

PROBLEM TO BE SOLVED: To provide a unit for shoes which can bring about footgear, especially shoes, with desired rigidity, can be produced at a very low cost, shows rigid or semirigid behavior, and is used for shoes as a sole unit or its part or as an insole. SOLUTION: This reinforcing unit shows rigid or at least semirigid behavior which is suitable for the use as a shoe sole unit or as an insole or inner supporter of foot to reinforce the shoe lower part 4 joined with the bump of shoes 2 and 3. In this case, this unit 1 constitutes a lamination consisting of at least 3 later parts 13, 14 and 15 forming a sandwich structure of mutually joined layers, and in the unit 1 the outer layers 13 and 14 have higher rigidity than the inner layer 15, and these parts are mutually joined to form a single lamination.

Description

DETAILED DESCRIPTION OF THE INVENTION

[0001]

TECHNICAL FIELD The present invention relates to a shoe unit which exhibits rigid or semi-rigid behavior as described in the introductory part of claim 1.

[0002]

As is well known, in certain shoes, in particular in sports shoes, the sole must behave rigidly or at least semi-rigidly. This is also the case, for example, for shoes for mountain climbing, bicycles, motorcycles, for roller skating (including the conventional type and the new type with a row of rollers) or for certain athletics. The sole of these shoes behaves better to support the foot and / or to allow the user of the shoe to transmit maximum force to the ground, floor or equipment he drives (eg, a bicycle). Is required.

[0003] In order to achieve the stiffness of the sole unit (conventionally made of leather or rubber, or of a synthetic resin or a mixture of rubber and rubber) (to some extent), a general method is used. There are two ways to do this. That is,
A material having rigidity greater than that of the constituent material of the sole unit, such as wood, leather, cellulose composite material (for example, a material known under the trade name Texon), polyurethane resin, polypropylene, or metal blades for the upper or the bumps ,
This is done by inserting or installing an insole constituted by a bar or the like, and by using a material having high rigidity in the shoe sole itself, such as the above-mentioned leather, wood or synthetic resin. The first method (according to the insole) is used, for example, for mountain boots, and the second method is used for so-called clogs. However, these methods
It can only partially achieve the required purpose.
That is, the stiffness of the sole or insole achieved is only limited.

Recently, lightweight fibers having high elasticity (for example, synthetic resin fibers such as carbon fiber, glass fiber and aramid fiber) or fabrics formed therefrom are embedded in a synthetic resin matrix acting as a binder. Shoes with sole units or insoles made of bonded composites have begun to be marketed. Such a solution or construction results in structural units (sole or insole) having a significantly higher stiffness / weight ratio, which makes them more advantageous than the structural units according to both the above-mentioned conventional methods. However, this new structural unit requires higher costs than conventional ones. This is because the cost of the material itself (for example, carbon fiber) is high, or the production takes a long time or the operation becomes complicated, so that the production method becomes expensive.

[0005]

SUMMARY OF THE INVENTION It is an object of the present invention or an object of the present invention to provide a footwear, in particular a shoe, having the desired rigidity, but which can be manufactured at very low cost. As a body or part of it
Another object is to provide a shoe unit that exhibits rigid or semi-rigid behavior for use in shoes as an insole.

[0006]

This object and other objects which are obvious to a person skilled in the art are achieved by a shoe unit according to the features of claim 1.

The present invention will be further clarified by embodiments of the present invention shown in the accompanying drawings by way of example and not limitation.

[0008]

DETAILED DESCRIPTION OF THE PREFERRED EMBODIMENTS The reference numeral 1 in the accompanying drawings indicates a reinforcing unit according to the invention for shoes, such as, for example, mountain shoes 2 or shoes 3 for bicycles or motorcycles. This unit body 1 is used to make the lower part 4 including the above-mentioned shoe bumps 7 rigid. In the embodiment shown in FIGS. 1 and 2, this lower part 4 comprises a sole unit 8 of rubber or similar material, above which a rigid or semi-rigid reinforcing unit 1 according to the invention is provided. Placed, fixed, and acts as an insole. The reinforcing unit 1 and the sole unit 8
Between them, an impact absorbing intermediate layer 9 made of foamed polyurethane, foamed ethyl vinyl acetate (EVA), or the like may be provided. The unit body 1 of the present invention includes a conventionally removable insole 1
0 is provided. The unit 1 of the present invention is adhered and fixed to the sole unit by an adhesive or other means to reinforce the lower part 4.

The unit 1 of the present invention shown in FIG. 3 actually functions as a sole unit, and is fixed to the bumps 7 by, for example, an adhesive. Removable insole 10
Are arranged in the reinforcing unit 1 in the same manner as in the embodiment shown in FIGS. In the embodiment of FIG. 3, a block member 11 made of an additional rubber (or a similar material) is adhered and fixed below the unit 1 by, for example, an adhesive.

The reinforcing unit 1 according to the present invention has a multilayer structure, is composed of three layers stacked one on another, and forms an integral sandwich form (see FIGS. 6A, 6B and 6C). The outer layers 13, 14 are made of a material that is more rigid than the inner or middle layer 15, but are thinner.
The outer layers 13, 14 are preferably joined together at the side walls 26, 27 (FIG. 3) of the reinforcing unit 1 so as to wrap the inner layer 15 therebetween. Both outer layers are composed of the same material, in particular a synthetic resin, such as nylon, polyurethane, or another synthetic resin, or a composite material with aramid fiber, carbon fiber, glass fiber, other synthetic fiber or a woven fabric composed of these. . The inner layer 15 which forms the core of the reinforcing unit 1 (sandwich-like laminate 1A) is made of a lightweight material such as a foamed plastic (C in FIG. 6), a natural cell structure material such as a light wood, depending on the constituent materials of the outer layers 13 and 14. (A in FIG. 6) or a porous material (B in FIG. 6) in which cylindrical plastic members 17 forming cylindrical bodies having the same diameter or different diameters, or a cylindrical body having a polygonal cross section are arranged. . The member 17 itself may be solid or hollow, and may form a honeycomb structure.

As mentioned above, the layers 13, 14, 15 are joined together to form an integral sandwich 1A. Each layer of the laminated structural unit 1A is integrated by various methods. For example, when the core layer 15 is made of a thermoplastic resin, the outer layers 13 and 14 are impregnated with an epoxy resin material in advance and polymerized, so that the outer layers 13 and 14 are made of a thermoplastic resin. In this case, the resin constituting the core layer 15 is integrated by softening it until it is melted, or by bonding each layer with an adhesive. This method using an adhesive can be easily performed regardless of whether the outer layers 13 and 14 are made of a thermoplastic resin material or a thermosetting resin.

The reinforcing unit 1 according to the invention has a lower cost and a comparable rigidity than conventional reinforcing materials of the same thickness made of a composite material. Further, the reinforcing unit 1 provides at least the same rigidity as the conventional reinforcing material, and is much lighter.
This preferably extends over the entire length of the lower part 4 of the shoe 2 or 3 (ie the entire length of the user's foot),
Parts 20, 2 of the same or different cross-sectional areas having different flexibility or flexibility (e.g. progressively larger towards the front of the foot) depending on their position with respect to the user's foot
1 and 22 (FIG. 5, laminated form). This different flexibility makes the thickness of the integral reinforcing unit 1 (laminated form) different (i.e., depending on the shape of the foot of the user of the shoe 2 or 3, as shown in FIGS. 4 and 5). (Thinning towards edge 23). Alternatively, the thickness of the reinforcing unit 1 can be increased in the front part 20 of the foot and reduced towards the heel part 22 and, furthermore, over the entire length of the longitudinal axis A, as shown in FIG. It can be the same thickness. Also, unit 1
Have the same cross-sectional area toward their side edges 26, 27 (FIG. 7A) and are progressively smaller (FIG. 7B).
Or ribs 2 to increase the reinforcement.
8 (C in FIG. 7).

Further, in order to change the rigidity of the reinforcing unit 1, at least a pair of parallel ribs 33 are provided on the front portion 20 thereof as shown in FIGS. , And only one central rib 34 can be provided on the heel portion 22.

Alternatively, in still another embodiment of the present invention (FIG. 9), the unit 1 is coated with a film of a thermoplastic resin (for example, a plastic known under the trade name PEBAX) to protect at least the lower surface. can do. As shown in FIG. 9A (cross-sectional view taken along the line AA), the upper surface of the unit 1 is also covered with the film 36 only in the front part 20. This film 36
Is joined to the unit body 1 during the above-described resin polymerization treatment of each layer or during the uniting (molding) treatment of the portions 20, 21, 22. During this process, a layer 44 of a fibrous material, for example felt or nonwoven, can be applied to the underside of the unit 1 (see FIGS. 9A, B, C). This means that the reinforcing unit 1 is placed inside a shoe (eg
That is, it is easy to mount in or on the sole unit.

From the above description, still other various embodiments of the present invention can be constituted, but they should be included in the technical scope of the present invention as long as they fall within the scope of the claims.

[Brief description of the drawings]

FIG. 1 is an exploded perspective view of a mountain climbing shoe including a reinforcing unit according to the present invention;

FIG. 2 is a sectional view taken along line 2-2 in FIG. 1;

FIG. 3 is a cross-sectional view of a bicycle shoe including a reinforcing unit according to the present invention;

FIG. 4 is a perspective view of a reinforcing unit according to another embodiment of the present invention;

FIG. 5 is a perspective view of a reinforcing unit according to still another embodiment;

FIG. 6 is a cross-sectional view of the reinforcing unit of the present invention indicated by K in FIG.

FIG. 7 is a sectional view taken along line 7-7 in FIG. 4, showing still another form of the unit body of the present invention;

FIG. 8 is a view showing still another embodiment of the unit of the present invention (A, B, and C in FIG. 8 are AA line, BB line,
Cross-sectional view taken along line CC),

FIG. 9 is a drawing (FIG. 9) showing still another embodiment of the present invention.
A, B, C in the AA line, BB line, CC respectively
Cross-section by line).

[Explanation of symbols]

DESCRIPTION OF SYMBOLS 1 ... Reinforcement unit body by this invention 2 ... Mountain climbing shoes provided with the above-mentioned unit body 3 ... Bicycle shoes provided with the above-mentioned unit body 4 ... Lower part of shoes 7 ... Bump 8 ...・ Sole sole unit 9 ・ ・ ・ (Shock absorption) Intermediate layer 10 ・ ・ ・ Insole 11 ・ ・ ・ Block member (made of rubber or similar material) 13,14 ・ ・ ・ Outer layer 15 ・ ・ ・ Inner layer, Intermediate layer 17: cylindrical plastic member 20, 21, 22,...
Middle and rear portions (thickness and flexibility can be changed) 26, 27 ... side edges of the unit 1 28 ... ribs (for increasing the reinforcing force of the reinforcing unit 1) 36 ... Coating film 44 ... Fiber material layer

Claims (30)

[Claims] Use as a sole unit or as an insole or internal support of the foot to reinforce the lower part of the shoe (4) which is joined to the bumps (7) of the shoe (2, 3). A reinforced unit exhibiting rigid or at least semi-rigid behavior, wherein the units (1) are at least three layers (13, 14, 15) which are laminated and joined together to form a sandwich-like structure The outer layer portions (13, 14) have higher rigidity than the inner layer portion (15), and these portions are joined to each other to form a single laminate (1A). A unit body characterized in that: 2. The method according to claim 2, wherein the sole unit is provided on the sole unit and serves as an assembly for supporting the foot.
The reinforcing unit according to claim 1. 3. Reinforcement unit according to claim 1, characterized in that it is provided outside the shoe (3) and acts as a sole unit. 4. The reinforcing unit according to claim 1, wherein the reinforcing unit extends over the entire length of the sole of the user. 5. Reinforcing unit according to claim 1, characterized in that it has sections with different flexibility, in particular with great flexibility at the front end (23). 6. The reinforcing unit according to claim 5, wherein said section is each part (20, 21, 22) of the laminate (1A). 7. The above-described section is characterized in that the thickness of the laminate (1A) constituting the unit body (1) is different, and that the thickness is reduced at the front end (23) of the laminate. The reinforcing unit according to claim 5. 8. Having a constant crossing,
The reinforcing unit according to claim 1. 9. Each part (20, 21, 22) of the laminate (1)
6. Reinforcement unit according to claim 5, characterized in that the thickness of 2) is reduced in the longitudinal direction from the front end part (20) to the heel part (22). 10. The reinforcing unit according to claim 1, characterized in that it has a cross section which is reduced correspondingly to the lateral edges (26, 27). 11. The reinforcing unit according to claim 1, further comprising a rib protruding from the back surface. 12. Reinforcement according to claim 1, characterized in that it has at least one reinforcement rib (33, 34) along at least part of the surface facing the lower part of the shoe (2, 3). Unit body. 13. The outer layers (13, 14) of the laminate (1A)
Are connected to one another at the side edges (26, 27) of the laminate, whereby the intermediate layer (15) is surrounded. 14. The outer layers (13, 14) of the laminate (1A)
14. The reinforcing unit according to claim 13, wherein the reinforcing unit is made of a synthetic plastic material having relatively high rigidity. 15. The method according to claim 14, wherein the outer layer is made of polyurethane.
Reinforcement unit. 16. The method according to claim 1, wherein the outer layer is made of polypropylene.
4. The reinforcing unit of 4. 17. The reinforcing unit according to claim 14, wherein said outer layers (13, 14) are made of nylon. 18. The reinforcing unit according to claim 14, wherein the outer layer is made of a composite material. 19. The method according to claim 1, wherein the outer layer is made of a fabric of carbon fiber, aramid fiber, glass fiber or the like.
8. Reinforcement unit. 20. The reinforcing unit according to claim 18, wherein said outer layers (13, 14) are made of carbon fiber, aramid fiber, glass fiber or the like. 21. The reinforcing unit according to claim 1, wherein the intermediate layer (15) is made of foamed plastic or foamed resin. 22. Reinforcement unit according to claim 1, wherein the intermediate layer (15) is made of a natural aerated material. 23. The reinforcing unit according to claim 1, wherein the intermediate layer (15) is made of a honeycomb structural material. 24. The intermediate layer (15) comprises two outer layers (1).
3. The reinforcing unit according to claim 1, comprising a plurality of tubular members disposed between (3, 14). 25. The reinforcing unit according to claim 1, wherein at least one surface is covered with a protective film. 26. The protective film according to claim 2, wherein the protective film is made of a thermoplastic material.
5. Reinforcement unit. 27. At least one surface covered by a fibrous material layer (44).
The reinforcing unit according to claim 1. 28. A plurality of layered portions (13, 14, 15)
The reinforcing unit according to claim 1, wherein the reinforcing units are integrally joined by an adhesive. 29. A plurality of layered portions (13, 14, 15)
2. The reinforcing unit according to claim 1, wherein the reinforcing units are integrally joined by polymerization of a resin material constituting an outer layer. 30. A plurality of layered portions (13, 14, 15)
Are joined together by melting the intermediate layer (15).