Sole Structure for Footwear

Abstract

The invention is directed to transmitting ground surface information to a foot sole of a shoe wearer accurately. Sole structure 1 includes a sole body 2 having a sole bottom surface 20 on a ground surface side and a sole top surface 21 on the opposite side thereof, a plurality of first protrusions 3 formed of elastic member and disposed on the sole bottom surface 20, and a plurality of second protrusions 4 formed of elastic member, disposed on the sole top surface 21 and located at positions corresponding respectively to positions of the first protrusions 3. A sectional shape of the first protrusion 3 is formed so that it gradually becomes smaller as it leaves the sole bottom surface 20. A distal end portion of the first protrusion 3 is formed of an arcuate shaped surface that protrudes downwardly. A sectional shape of the second protrusion 4 is formed so that it gradually becomes smaller as it leaves the sole top surface 21. A distal end portion of the second protrusion 4 is formed of an arcuate shaped surface that protrudes upwardly. An irregular shape of the foot sole contact surface of foot wear is formed by an irregular shape of the plurality of the second protrusions 4 on the sole top surface 21.

Description

TECHNICAL FIELD[0001]The present invention relates generally to a sole structure for footwear including shoes, sandals, boots and the like, and more particularly, to a sole structure that can transmit ground surface information acting on a sole bottom surface (i.e. reactive force from the ground, irregularities of the ground and contact area with the ground) to a foot sole of a shoe wearer accurately.BACKGROUND ART[0002]Generally, in posture control activities of a human being, it is thought that vision, vestibular sensation, deep sensation of individual muscles and tendons of a body and cutaneous sensation of a foot sole play a vital role. Accordingly, it is very important especially as functions of sports shoes that various information applied from the ground surface to a sole bottom surface of a shoe is accurately transmitted to a foot sole of a shoe wearer.[0003]Conventionally, there have been proposed various kinds of sole structures that transmit a reactive force from the grou...

AI Technical Summary

Benefits of technology

The invention provides a shoe with protrusions on the bottom of the sole that gradually become smaller as they leave the floor. The first protrusion has a convex surface that protrudes downwardly, while the second protrusion has a convex surface that protrudes upwardly. This design allows for accurate information on the contact area with the floor to be transmitted to the foot of the person wearing the shoe. Additionally, the protrusions are placed in the forefoot and midfoot regions of the shoe, which prevents excessive pressure on the heel region during impact.

Problems solved by technology

As a result, the shoe wearer can sense the irregularities of the ground.

Accordingly, in the structure shown in the above publication, even if the force from the ground can be transmitted to the foot sole of the wearer through the pressure-stimulation element, since the force from the ground is applied to the foot sole of the wearer through the midsole, information on contact area with the ground surface at the time of impacting the ground cannot be transmitted to the wearer with accuracy.

Accordingly, in the structure shown in the above publication, even if the irregularities of the ground can be transmitted to the foot sole of the wearer through upward and downward movement of the rubber pieces or resin pieces, since the shapes of the rubber pieces or resin pieces will not change and the rubber pieces or resin pieces are disposed inside the sole, information on contact area with the ground surface at the time of impacting the ground cannot be transmitted to the wearer with accuracy.

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