AU2013383835B2

AU2013383835B2 - Shoe having mobile cleats

Info

Publication number: AU2013383835B2
Application number: AU2013383835A
Authority: AU
Inventors: Hiroyuki Ichikawa; Kouki Matsuo; Tsuyoshi Nishiwaki; Shingo Takashima; Yasunari Urabe
Original assignee: Asics Corp
Current assignee: Asics Corp
Priority date: 2013-03-29
Filing date: 2013-03-29
Publication date: 2017-02-23
Anticipated expiration: 2033-03-29
Also published as: JP5827443B2; EP2979567B1; WO2014155707A1; EP2979567A1; JPWO2014155707A1; AU2013383835A1; EP2979567A4

Abstract

The present invention is a shoe provided with: a plurality of cleats projecting from a bottom surface of an outsole; a first area in which a first cleat is disposed; a second area in which a second cleat is disposed; and a strip-like portion disposed between the first area and the second area. On the shoe, the strip-like portion extends from the central area of a rearfoot portion toward a rear edge portion of the rearfoot portion, and extends from the central area of the rearfoot portion to the outer edge portion of the outside of the rearfoot portion. The shoe has the following characteristic a) and/or characteristic b): a) the Young's modulus of soft material forming the strip-like portion is smaller than the Young's modulus of hard material forming the first and second areas; b) the average value of the thickness of the strip-like portion is smaller than the average value of the thickness of sections in the neighborhood of the strip-like portion in the first and second areas.

Description

DESCRIPTION

SHOE WITH MOVABLE CLEATS TECHNICAL FIELD

[0001] The present invention relates to a shoe with movable cleats, and more particularly to a shoe for a field sport such as soccer, rugby and American football.

BACKGROUND ART

[0002] A field sport such as rugby and soccer involves kicking actions as well as running actions, and shoes therefor need to have various functions. For example, during kicking actions which are frequently done in field sports, the pivot foot (the non-kicking foot) is under a force in the horizontal direction that is about three times larger than that during running actions. Therefore, there is a demand for stability. This characteristic is sought for particularly in the heel portion.

[0003] During running actions in field sports mentioned above, loads act upon various parts of the foot. Particularly, if the lateral side of the rearfoot portion first contacts the ground, an impact load referred to as the "1st strike" acts upon the lateral side of the rearfoot portion. Therefore, shoes for field sports need to have a shock-absorbing property in addition to stability mentioned above.

[0004] In order to improve the stability and the 1 1001702326 2013383835 18 Jan 2017 shock-absorbing property, it is important to adequately deform the sole upon landing. Many of shoes for field sports have a high-rigidity outsole with protruding/depressing structures referred to as "cleats". Therefore, the amount of deformation of the sole upon landing is small, and the stability and the shock-absorbing property are generally poor,

CITATION LIST PATENT LITERATURE

[0005] First Patent Document· USOO/5,384,973 A Second Patent Document· GB 2425706 A Third Patent Document: US 8,356,428 B2 [0005a] Reference to any prior art in the specification is not an acknowledgement or suggestion that this prior art forms part of the common general knowledge in any jurisdiction or that this prior art could reasonably be expected to be understood, regarded as relevant, and/or combined with other pieces of prior art by a skilled person in the art.

[0005b] As used herein, except where the context requires otherwise the term ‘comprise’ and variations of the term, such as ‘comprising’, ‘comprises’ and ‘comprised’, are not intended to exclude other additives, components, integers or steps. 2 1001702326 2013383835 18 Jan 2017

SUMMARY OF INVENTION

[0006] However, special designs are needed to increase the amount of deformation of the sole upon landing for a high-rigidity outsole with cleats. The stability and the shock-absorbing property are sought for particularly in the heel portion, and it is important to control the sole deformation in the heel portion. However, no shoes have yet been developed with cleats that are designed with sufficient attention to both the stability and the shock-absorbing property needed for the heel portion during running actions and kicking actions. Moreover, even though the deformation of the sole in the heel portion particularly influences the stability and the shock-absorbing property, the rearfoot portion has not drawn attention, although 2a there are some shoes that have been made with attention to the forefoot portion.

[0007] It is therefore an object of the present invention to provide a shoe with movable cleats having an enhanced stability and shock-absorbing property particularly in the heel portion of the landing foot during a running action or the pivot foot during a kicking action, or the like.

[0008] In one aspect of the present invention, a shoe includes: a plurality of cleats Cl, C2 projecting from a bottom surface 10 of an outer sole 1 formed by a material having a resin component; a first region al where at least one first cleat Cl of the plurality of cleats Cl, C2 is arranged; a second region a2 where at least one second cleat C2 of the plurality of cleats Cl, C2 is arranged; and a band-shaped portion 2 having a band shape which is arranged between the first region al and the second region a2 so as to allow the second region a2 to be displaced with respect to the first region al, wherein: the band-shaped portion 2 extends from a portion of a middle region RM of a rear foot portion 1R toward a rear edge portion RE of the rear foot portion 1R and extends from the portion of the middle region RM of the rear foot portion 1R toward a lateral edge portion LE on a lateral side La of the rear foot portion 1R so that the first region al includes a medial side Me of the rear foot portion 1R of the outer sole 1 and a middle 3 foot portion 1M, and the second region a2 forms the lateral side La of the rear foot portion 1R of the outer sole 1; and one or both of the following elements a) and b) is satisfied: a) a Young's modulus of a soft material forming the band-shaped portion 2 is less than a Young's modulus of a hard material forming the first and second regions al, a2; and b) an average value of a thickness of the band-shaped portion 2 is less than an average value of a thickness of portions of the first and second regions al, a2 in the vicinity of the band-shaped portion 2.

[0009] In this aspect, when the lateral side La of the rearfoot portion 1R lands while running, the second cleat C2 of the second region a2 first contacts the ground. Then, although the 1st strike acts upon the second cleat C2, the band-shaped portion deforms, thereby converting part of the 1st strike energy to the deformation energy. This will reduce the energy of impact acting upon the foot, thereby increasing the shock-absorbing property.

That is, when a bending moment acts around an axis extending along the longitudinal direction of a band-shaped portion 2 that satisfies the element a) and/or the element b), the band-shaped portion 2 has a small rigidity against the bending moment, i.e., a small bending rigidity. Therefore, the band-shaped portion 2 exhibits a bending deformation (flexes), whereby the second region a2 deforms with respect to the first 4 region al, and the second cleat C2 is displaced significantly toward the lateral side with respect to the first cleat Cl.

[0010] Upon 1st strike landing, second cleat C2 of the lateral side La of the rearfoot portion 1R often contacts the ground surface at an oblique angle. Then, as the second cleat C2 is displaced together with the second region a2, the second cleat C2 is likely to be vertical to the ground surface, thereby improving the stability while running.

[0011] On the other hand, on the pivot foot during a kicking action, the second cleat C2 of the rearfoot portion 1R is under a significant load toward the lateral side in the horizontal direction. Upon landing of this pivot foot, a bending stress acts on the band-shaped portion 2 via the second region a2 from the second cleat C2, which flexes the band-shaped portion 2 in the foot width direction, thereby moving the second cleat C2 toward the lateral side of the foot, together with the second region a2, with respect to the first region al. Thus, the distance between the cleats Cl, C2 increases, and the support of the pivot foot is likely to become stable. Moreover, it takes time after the second cleat C2 starts contacting the ground before the first cleat Cl starts contacting the ground. Therefore, the sole deformation speed is small, which prevents excessive deformation of the foot, thereby improving the stability.

[0012] Herein, "flex (flexion)" means that the bending stress is produced about an axis extending along the longitudinal direction of the band-shaped portion 2, thereby bending the 5 band-shaped portion.

BRIEF DESCRIPTION OF DRAWINGS

[0013] FIG. 1 is a lateral side view showing a shoe for the right foot for football according to Embodiment 1 of the present invention. FIG. 2 is a bottom view showing a shoe sole of the same shoe. FIG. 3 is an enlarged perspective view showing a rearfoot portion of the same shoe sole as seen from a lateral-posterior diagonal direction. FIG. 4 is an enlarged perspective view showing a rearfoot portion of the same shoe sole as seen from a lateral-posterior diagonal direction. FIG. 5 is a back view showing the same shoe sole as seen from the rear side. FIG. 6A, FIG. 6B, FIG. 6C, FIG. 6D and FIG. 6E are enlarged cross-sectional views taken along lines A-A, B-B, C'C, D-D and ΕΈ, respectively, of FIG. 3. FIG. 7 is an enlarged perspective view showing a forefoot portion of the same shoe sole as seen from a medial-anterior diagonal direction. FIG. 8A, FIG. 8B and FIG. 8C are enlarged cross-sectional views taken along lines ΑΆ, B-B and C-C, respectively, of FIG. 7. FIG. 9A is a back view showing a shoe not included in 6 the present invention, and FIG. 9B, FIG. 9C and FIG. 9D are back views showing the mechanism by which cleats are movable according to the present invention. FIG. 10 is an enlarged perspective view showing a rearfoot portion of a shoe sole according to Embodiment 2 as seen from a lateral-posterior diagonal direction. FIG. 11 A, FIG. 11B, FIG. 11C, FIG. 11D and FIG. HE are enlarged cross-sectional views taken along lines A-A, B-B, C-C, D-D and ΕΈ, respectively, of FIG. 10. FIG. 12A is a bar graph showing results of a stability test, and FIG. 12B is a bar graph showing results of a shock-absorbing property test. FIG. 13A, FIG. 13B, FIG. 13C, FIG. 13D, FIG. 13E and FIG. 13F are cross-sectional views each showing an alternative example of a band-shaped portion. FIG. 14A, FIG. 14B, FIG. 14C, FIG. 14D, FIG. 14E, FIG. 14F, FIG. 14G and FIG. 14H are plan views each showing an alternative example of the arrangement of a band-shaped portion.

DESCRIPTION OF EMBODIMENTS

[0014] Preferably, the band-shaped portion 2 extends from a first end portion El of the rear edge portion EE of the rear foot portion 1R toward a second end portion E2 on the lateral side La of the rear foot portion 1R; the first region al and the second region a2 are 7 continuous with each other via the hard material and/or a first high-rigidity portion thicker than the band-shaped portion 2 in the rear edge portion RE of the outer sole 2 which is posterior R to the first end portion El; and the first region al and the second region a2 are continuous with each other via the hard material and/or a second high-rigidity portion thicker than the band-shaped portion 2 in the lateral edge portion LE of the outer sole 1 which is on the lateral side La more lateral than the second end portion E2.

[0015] In this case, the first region al and the second region a2 are continuous with each other in the rear edge portion RE and the lateral edge portion LE via a hard material and/or a high-rigidity portion. Against a large load acting upon the rearfoot portion 1R, the first region al and the second region a2 of the outsole 1 are supported by each other at the opposite ends of the rear edge portion RE and the lateral edge portion LE which are hard and/or high-rigidity.

Therefore, even though the band-shaped portion 2 is formed by a soft material or the band-shaped portion 2 is thin and has a low rigidity, the durability of the outsole 1 will unlikely lower.

[0016] Preferably, the band-shaped portion 2 extends from a first end portion El of the rear edge portion RE of the rear foot portion 1R toward a second end portion E2 on the lateral side La of the rear foot portion 1R; the outer sole 1 has a first roll-up portion 11 rolled up upwardly in the rear edge portion RE of the rear foot portion 1R; the outer sole 1 has a second roll-up portion 12 rolled up upwardly in the lateral edge portion LE of the rear foot portion 1R; the first region al and the second region a2 are continuous with each other via the hard material and/or a first high-rigidity portion thicker than the band-shaped portion 2 in the first roll-up portion 11 above the first end portion El; and the first region al and the second region a2 are continuous with each other via the hard material and/or a second high-rigidity portion thicker than the band-shaped portion 2 in the second roll-up portion 12 above the second end portion E2.

Also in this case, the durability will unlikely lower as described above.

[0017] Particularly, the first roll-up portion 11 and the second roll-up portion 12 are formed in the rearfoot portion 1R, and the band-shaped portion 2 can be made so long as to reach the rear end of the foot and the lateral edge of the foot. Therefore, the band-shaped portion 2 flexes more easily, and the shock-absorbing property and the stability will be further increased.

[0018] Preferably, where the band-shaped portion 2 is divided in three equal parts in a longitudinal direction thereof, at least one of an average value of a width D1 of a first portion 21 closer to the first end portion El and an average value of a width D2 of a second portion 22 closer to the second end portion E2 is greater 9 than an average value of a width D3 of a third portion 23 including the middle region KM.

[0019] In this case, the first portion 21 and/or the second portion 22, which are closer to end portions than the third portion 23 including the middle region RM, have a larger width than that of the third portion 23, and there is a smaller binding force on the band-shaped portion 2 in the end portions 21 and 22 where the width is larger. Therefore, this may make it even easier for the band-shaped portion 2 to flex.

[0020] Preferably, an average value of a width D1 of the band-shaped portion 2 spanning from the portion of the middle region RM of the rear foot portion 1R to the first end portion El is greater than an average value of a width D2 of the band-shaped portion 2 spanning from the portion of the middle region RM of the rear foot portion 1R to the second end portion E2.

[0021] The second cleat C2 of the second region a2 of the rearfoot exerts the function described above by being displaced toward the lateral side La. Therefore, the band-shaped portion 2 needs to flex in the width direction of the foot. Now, where the width D1 of the band-shaped portion 2 extending from a portion of the middle region RM of the rearfoot portion 1R to the first end portion El is large, the amount of flexion also increases. Therefore, the shock-absorbing property and the stability will further increase.

[0022] Preferably, an average thickness of the band-shaped 10 portion 2 is less than an average thickness of portions of the first and second regions al, a2 in the vicinity of the band-shaped portion 2.

[0023] In this case, the band-shaped portion 2 is thin, and the bending rigidity of the band-shaped portion 2 is therefore small, thus making it even easier for the band-shaped portion 2 to flex.

[0024] Preferably, the band-shaped portion 2 defines a groove G extending along the band-shaped portion 2.

In this case, the band-shaped portion 2 is depressed at the groove G in a cross section of the band-shaped portion 2. This depressed portion deforms due to a bending stress when a bending moment is applied in the transverse direction across the band-shaped portion 2. That is, stress concentration occurs at the depressed portion, and the bending deformation due to a bending stress occurs easily. Therefore, it is easy for the second cleat C2 of the second region a2 to be three-dimensionally displaced with respect to the first cleat Cl of the first region al.

[0025] Preferably, the band-shaped portion 2 has a thick portion 20 extending along and on both sides of the groove G, and a thickness of the band-shaped portion 2 in the groove G is less than a thickness of the thick portion 20.

In this case, the bending deformation occurs more easily.

[0026] Preferably, the groove G is not formed with the thick portion 20 being continuous with each other in the first and second end portions El, E2, and the groove G is formed between the first end portion El and the second end portion E2. 11 [0027] In this case, one can expect flexion because of the groove G, while the strength is high at the first and second end portions El and E2, and one can expect it is possible to ensure durability.

[0028] In another aspect of the present invention, a shoe includes: a plurality of cleats Cl, C2 projecting from a bottom surface 10 of an outer sole 1 formed by a material having a resin component; a first region al where at least one first cleat Cl of the plurality of cleats Cl, C2 is arranged; a second region a2 where at least one second cleat C2 of the plurality of cleats Cl, C2 is arranged; and a band-shaped portion 2 having a band shape which is arranged between the first region al and the second region a2 and allows the second region a2 to be displaced with respect to the first region al, wherein: at least one of the following elements c) and d) is satisfied: c) a Young's modulus of a soft material forming the band-shaped portion 2 is less than a Young's modulus of a hard material forming the first and second regions al, a2; and d) the band-shaped portion 2 defines a groove G (depressed portion) extending along the band-shaped portion 2.

[0029] In this other aspect, the rigidity of the band-shaped portion 2 is small, and a bending deformation is likely to occur in the band-shaped portion 2 due to a bending moment about the 12 axis of the band-shaped portion 2. Therefore, the stability and the shock-absorbing property will improve in portions where the second cleats C2 are provided.

[0030] Preferably, both of the elements c) and d) are satisfied.

Note that the groove G may partially run through a soft resin portion 32 as long as it will not excessively lower the strength when a bending moment is applied in the transverse direction across the band-shaped portion 2.

[0031] In this case, the band-shaped portion 2 is depressed at the groove G in a cross section of the band-shaped portion 2. This depressed portion deforms due to a bending stress when a bending moment is applied in the transverse direction across the band-shaped portion 2. That is, stress concentration occurs at the depressed portion, and the bending deformation due to a bending stress occurs easily. Therefore, it is easy for the second cleat C2 of the second region a2 to be three-dimensionally displaced with respect to the first cleat Cl of the first region al. Thus, part of the energy from the load on the second cleat C2 is converted to a deformation energy, thereby reducing the impact energy acting upon the foot and improving the shock-absorbing property. At the same time, the second cleat C2 is likely to contact the ground in the vertical direction to the ground surface, and after second cleat C2 contacts the ground, the sole deformation speed decreases, thereby preventing excessive deformation of the foot and improving the stability. These effects occur not only when cleats and grooves are provided in the 13 rearfoot portion, but they will occur based on a similar mechanism also when cleats and grooves are provided in the forefoot portion and the midfoot portion, etc.

[0032] Preferably, the band-shaped portion 2 has a thick portion 20 extending along and on both sides of the groove G, and a thickness of the band-shaped portion 2 in the groove G is less than a thickness of the thick portion 20.

[0033] In this case, the amount of flexion will increase.

[0034] More preferably, the band-shaped portion 2 has one end portion Ε1Έ3 and another end portion Ε1Έ3, and the end portions Ε1Έ3 each face one of edge portions RE, LE, ME, TE of the outer sole 1; and the groove G is not formed with the thick portion 20 being continuous with each other in the end portions Ε1Έ3, and the groove G is formed between the one end portion Ε1Έ3 and the other end portion Ε1Έ3.

[0035] In this case, one can expect flexion because of the groove G, while the strength is high at the first and second end portions El, E2, E3, and one can expect it is possible to ensure durability. [Examples] [0036] The present invention will be understood more clearly from the following description of preferred embodiments taken in conjunction with the accompanying documents. Note however that the embodiments and the drawings are merely illustrative and should not be taken to define the scope of the present invention. The scope of the present invention shall be defined 14 only by the appended claims. In the accompanying drawings, like reference numerals denote like components throughout the plurality of figures.

[0037] Embodiment 1 of the present invention will now be described. FIG. 1 to FIG. 8C show Embodiment 1.

[0038] As shown in FIG. 1, the present shoe for a field sport includes an outsole 1, and an upper 100 denoted by a two-dot chain line. The outsole 1 is formed by a non-foamed material having a resin component. That is, the outsole 1 includes a thermoplastic or thermosetting resin component, and any other suitable component. The thermoplastic resin component may be, for example, a thermoplastic elastomer or a thermoplastic resin. Such resin components may each be used alone, or two or more of them may be used in combination. Note that a reinforcing material such as a fiber may be used.

[0039] The outsole 1 includes a plurality of first and second cleats Cl, C2 projecting from a bottom surface 10 of a plate-shaped base 13, and a rib 14 arranged in the midfoot portion 1M, the rib 14 being integral with the cleats Cl, C2. As shown in FIG. 2, the base 13 includes the first region al, the second regions a2, and the band-shaped portions 2.

[0040] Note that the top surfaces of the cleats Cl, C2 are shaded with large dots in FIG. 2.

[0041] A plurality of first cleats Cl, of the plurality of cleats Cl, C2, are arranged in the first region al, whereas one second cleat 15 C2, of the plurality of cleats Cl, C2, is arranged in each second region cl2.

[0042] The band-shaped portions 2 each have a strip shape and are arranged between the first region al and the second regions a2, allowing and facilitating the deformation of the second regions a2 with respect to the first region al. In the present embodiment, the Young's modulus of the soft material forming the band-shaped portions 2 is smaller than the Young's modulus of the hard material forming the first and second regions al, a2. Moreover, in the present embodiment, the average value of thickness of the band-shaped portions 2 is smaller than the average value of thickness of portions in the vicinity of the band-shaped portion 2 in the first and second regions al, a2, as shown in FIG. 6B to FIG. 6D and FIG. 8A to FIG. 8C.

[0043] As shown in FIG. 2, the band-shaped portions 2 are provided in the forefoot portion IF and the rearfoot portion 1R. Therefore, the second regions a2 are provided in the forefoot portion IF and the rearfoot portion 1R. On the other hand, the first region al is provided centered around the midfoot portion 1M so as to extend from the medial side Me of the rearfoot portion 1R toward the rear end of the forefoot portion IF.

[0044] The forefoot portion IF, the middle foot portion 1M and the rearfoot portion 1R refer to portions that cover the forefoot section, the middle foot section and the rearfoot section of the foot, respectively. The forefoot section includes five metatarsal bones, and fourteen phalanges. The middl foot section includes a 16 navicular bone, a cuboid bone, and three cuneiform bones. The rearfoot section includes a talus bone and a calcaneal bone.

[0045] Next, the band-shaped portion 2, the first region al and the second region a2 of the rearfoot portion 1R will be described primarily.

[0046] The band-shaped portion 2 extends from a part of the middle region RM of the rearfoot portion 1R toward the rear edge portion RE of the rearfoot portion 1R, and extends from a part of the middle region RM of the rearfoot portion 1R toward the lateral edge portion LE of the lateral side La of the rearfoot portion 1R. With this arrangement and shape of the band-shaped portion 2, the first region al includes the medial side Me of the rearfoot portion 1R and the midfoot portion 1M of the outsole 1, whereas the second region a2 forms the lateral side La of the rearfoot portion 1R of the outsole 1.

[0047] Herein, the middle region RM of the rearfoot portion 1R does not mean it is at the center, but means that it is a portion in the middle between the front portion and the rear portion of the rearfoot portion 1R that is between the medial side Me and the lateral side La of the rearfoot portion 1R; theoretically, it refers to a virtual 1/9 area of the rearfoot portion 1R that is denoted by a two-dot chain line. Thus, a part of the middle region RM of the rearfoot portion 1R and a part of the band-shaped portion 2 overlap with each other.

[0048] As shown in FIG. 5, at the rear edge portion RE of the rearfoot portion 1R, the outsole 1 includes the first roll-up 17 portion 11 rolled up in the upward direction Z. At the lateral edge portion LE of the rearfoot portion 1R, the outsole 1 of FIG. 1 includes the second roll-up portion 12 rolled up in the upward direction Z.

[0049] The band-shaped portion 2 of FIG. 3 extends from the first end portion El at the rear edge portion RE of the rearfoot portion 1R toward the second end portion E2 at the lateral side La of the rearfoot portion 1R.

The first region al and the second region a2 are continuous with each other via a high-rigidity portion (RE) of the hard material that is thicker than the band-shaped portion 2 in the first roll-up portion 11 above the first end portion El. The first region al and the second region a2 are also continuous with each other via a high-rigidity portion (LE) of the hard material that is thicker than the band-shaped portion 2 in the second roll-up portion 12 above the second end portion E2.

[0050] In the present embodiment, a hard resin portion 31 and the soft resin portion 32 are laid and attached (bonded or welded) together around the band-shaped portion 2 as shown in FIG. 6B to FIG. 6E (and FIG. 8A to FIG. 8C). That is, the hard resin portion 31, which is the main material forming the first and second regions al, a2 (FIG. 3), is provided with a through hole H, and the through hole H is filled up with the soft resin portion 32.

Note that in the actual manufacture, the soft resin portion 32 is formed, by insert molding, in the hard resin portion 31. 18 [0051] The hard resin portion 31 has a greater Young's modulus and a greater ASTM D2240B hardness than the soft resin portion 32. In the present embodiment, the lateral edge portion LE and the rear edge portion RE of FIG. 3 are formed by the hard resin portion 31 as shown in FIG. 6A, and have a larger average value of thickness than the band-shaped portion 2.

[0052] Note that the tip portion of each cleat C2 of the second region a2 of FIG. 1 may be formed by a soft resin having a smaller hardness than the hard resin portion 31.

[0053] Note that in FIG. 6A to FIG. 6E and FIG. 8A to FIG. 8C, although the accurate cross section is slightly curved, it is drawn to be a straight flat plate for the sake of illustration.

[0054] In FIG. 3 and FIG. 7, the soft resin portion 32 is dotted. Thus, the band-shaped portion 2 is a portion of the dotted region that is delimited by a solid line in FIG. 3 and FIG. 7.

[0055] As described above, the hard resin portion 31 and the soft resin portion 32 of FIG. 6B to FIG. 6E are laid and attached together around the band-shaped portion 2. Therefore, the hard resin portion 31 and the soft resin portion 32 are laid on each other in the vicinity of the band-shaped portion 2.

[0056] In the present embodiment, as shown in FIG. 6B to FIG. 6E (and FIG. 8A to FIG. 8C), the average thickness of the band-shaped portion 2 is smaller than the average thickness of portions of the first and second regions al, a2 (FIG. 3) in the vicinity of the band-shaped portion 2. Moreover, in the present embodiment, the band-shaped portion 2 is provided with a groove 19 G extending along the band-shaped portion 2, further reducing the average thickness of the band-shaped portion 2.

[0057] As shown in FIG. 6C to FIG. 6D (and FIG. 8B to FIG. 8C), the band-shaped portion 2 of FIG. 3 (and FIG. 7) has thick portions 20 extending along both sides of the groove G. The thickness of the band-shaped portion 2 in the groove G is smaller than the thickness of the thick portion 20.

At the first and second end portions El and E2, the groove G is absent as shown in FIG. 6E and FIG. 6B, and the thick portions 20 are continuous with each other as shown in FIG. 4 and FIG. 3.

[0058] Thus, the groove G is formed between the first end portion El and the second end portion E2. Note that focusing only on the soft resin portion 32, the thick portion 20 is formed by a bank-shaped and loop-shaped ridge. As shown in FIG. 6B to FIG. 6E, the thick portion 20 is thinner than the hard resin portion 31 of the first region al and the second region a2, thereby forming a stepped groove with two steps, as shown in FIG. 6C and FIG. 6D in the present embodiment.

[0059] Where the band-shaped portion 2 of FIG. 3 is divided in three equal parts along the longitudinal direction thereof, it is preferred that at least one of the average value of the width D1 of the first portion 21 close to the first end portion El and the average value of the width D2 of the second portion 22 close to the second end portion E2 is greater than the average value of the width D3 of the third portion 23 including the middle region 20 KM therein. In the present embodiment, the average value of the width D1 is greater than the average value of the width D3.

[0060] In the present embodiment, the average value of the width D1 of a portion of the band-shaped portion 2 extending from the middle region RM of the rearfoot portion 1R to the first end portion El is greater than the average value of the width D2 of a portion of the band-shaped portion 2 extending from the middle region RM of the rearfoot portion 1R to the second end portion E2.

[0061] Next, the structure of the forefoot portion IF of FIG. 7 will be described.

In the forefoot portion IF, the band-shaped portion 2 is provided so as to reach the lateral edge portion LE, the medial edge portion ME and the toe edge portion TE. Thus, the second regions a2 are separated from one another by the band-shaped portion 2.

[0062] That is, the band-shaped portion 2 includes one end portion E3 and another end portion E3, with each end portion E3 facing the toe edge portion TE, the lateral edge portion LE or the medial edge portion ME of the outsole 1. At each end portion E3, the groove G is absent with the thick portions 20 being continuous with each other, and the groove G is formed between the one end portion E3 and the other end portion E3.

[0063] The phrase "an end portion facing an edge portion" encompasses cases where the end portion of the band-shaped portion 2 of FIG. 7 arranged so as to extend to an end of the 21 outsole 1, and cases where the end portion of the band-shaped portion 2 of FIG. 3 extends to the vicinity of an end of the outsole 1 but does not reach the end of the outsole 1.

[0064] Next, an improvement to the stability realized by the present structure will be described.

With non-movable cleats C of FIG. 9A, a cleat contacts the ground in point contact upon landing. In contrast, the second cleat C2 of FIG. 9B is movable as indicated by an arrow, and therefore contacts the ground in surface contact, which is expected to improve the stability.

[0065] It is believed that since the second cleat C2 is movable upon landing as shown in FIG. 9C, a base support surface 10F increases as shown in FIG. 9D and FIG. 9C, thereby improving the stability.

[0066] FIG. 10 to FIG. HE show Embodiment 2.

As can be seen from these figures, the groove G is absent in the band-shaped portion 2 in this example. However, the thickness of the soft resin portion 32 forming the band-shaped portion 2 is smaller than the thickness of the hard resin portion 31.

[0067] Next, test examples (test ex.) and a comparative example (comp.) will be described in order to clarify the effect of the present invention.

[0068] Test Example F A shoe having the groove G as shown in FIG. 1 to FIG. 8 was prepared as Test Example 1.

Test Examples 2 and 3: Shoes with no groove G as 22 shown in FIG. 10 and FIG. 11 were prepared as Test Examples 2 and 3.

In each of Test Examples 1 to 3, the ASTM D hardness of the hard resin portion 31 was set to 69°. The D hardness of the soft resin portion 32 was set to 64° for Test Examples 1 and 2, and 59° for Test Example 3.

[0069] Test Example 4- A shoe was prepared as Test Example 4, with the structure of FIG. 10 and FIG. 11, in which the soft resin portion 32 was not used for the band-shaped portion 2, but the hard resin portion 31 was used entirely.

[0070] Comparative Example^ A shoe with no band-shaped portion 2 was prepared as Comparative Example.

[0071] For these examples, the stability and the shock-absorbing property of the pivot foot during a kicking action was examined, using a single male subject.

[0072] For the stability, the amount of change 6 in the angle of the foot with respect to the lower leg in the supination-pronation direction (the angle by which the heel tilts) was measured, and the peak value upon 1st strike was calculated. The value along the vertical axis of FIG. 12A represents the peak value of the amount of change 6. When the absolute value of the amount of change 6 is small, it can be evaluated as meaning that the amount of tilt of the heel is small and that the stability is high.

[0073] The loading rate, which is commonly calculated as Fz/At, was used as the index of the shock-absorbing property. That is, the value Fz/At is calculated by dividing the peak value Fz of the 23 reaction force in the vertical direction from the ground by the amount of time At from the start of contacting the ground to the peak, and the results are shown in FIG. 12B.

[0074] As can be seen from the test results of FIG. 12B, Test Examples 1 to 4 all have a smaller loading rate than that of Comparative Example 1. This indicates that the shock-absorbing property is improved significantly by providing the band-shaped portion 2 of which the Young's modulus is small or the thickness is small.

[0075] As can be seen from the test results of FIG. 12A, Test Examples 1 to 3 have a small absolute value of the amount of change 6 than that of Comparative Example 1, indicating that the stability is also improved if the band-shaped portion 2 is formed by the soft resin portion 32.

[0076] On the other hand, substantially no improvement to the stability is observed for Test Example 4. However, for reasons to be set forth below, it is expected that the stability is also improved if the hardness of the resin forming the outsole 1 is lowered.

[0077] Now, a comparison between Test Example 1 of which the D hardness is 64° and which has a groove G and Test Example 3 of which the D hardness of the soft resin portion 32 is 59° indicates that the stability is more improved by lowering the hardness of the soft resin portion 32 than by providing a groove G. This indicates that even if the band-shaped portion 2 has the same hardness as the first region al and the second region a2, the stability is improved by setting the overall hardness of the outsole 1 to be smaller than the hardness of Test Example 4.

[0078] Then, it is estimated that the hardness is preferably 59° to 67°, and more preferably about 61° to 65°, in terms of the D hardness.

[0079] From the results of Test Examples 1 to 4, it is estimated that the hardness of the soft resin portion 32 is preferably about 59° to 67° in terms of the D hardness, when the band-shaped portion 2 is formed by the soft resin portion 32. It is estimated that the difference between the hardness of the hard resin portion 31 and the hardness of the soft resin portion 32 is preferably about 2° to 10° in terms of the D hardness.

Although the above evaluation is obtained for the rearfoot portion 1R, it is believed that a similar effect will be obtained also for the forefoot portion IF. That is, during a kicking action or when landing from the toe, improvements to the stability and the shock-absorbing property of the forefoot portion IF can be expected by providing the band-shaped portion 2 and the second cleats C2 in the forefoot portion IF.

[0080] As shown in FIG. 13A to FIG. 13F, the band-shaped portion 2 and the groove G may have any of various cross-sectional shapes. Specifically, the depth and the surface area, etc., of the groove G may be determined appropriately as long as it does not hinder the deformation when a bending moment is applied in a transverse direction across the band-shaped portion 2. One or more groove G may be provided 25 in one band-shaped portion 2 as long as it does not hinder the deformation when a bending moment is applied in a transverse direction across the band-shaped portion 2.

[0081] Any of various arrangements may be employed for the arrangement of the band-shaped portion 2, the first region al and the second region a2, as shown in FIG. 14A to FIG. 14H.

[0082] While preferred embodiments have been described above with reference to the drawings, various obvious changes and modifications will readily occur to those skilled in the art upon reading the present specification.

For example, if the band-shaped portion 2 itself of FIG. 6B, FIG. 6E and FIG. 11B to FIG. HE is thinner than the hard resin portion 31, the depressed portion of the band-shaped portion 2 may be provided on the upper surface of the outsole 1, rather than on the bottom surface thereof.

The groove G of FIG. 6C, FIG. 6D, FIG. 8B and FIG. 8C may be provided on the upper surface, rather than on the bottom surface.

Moreover, the groove G may be filled with a material having a smaller hardness (softer) than that of the soft resin portion 32 forming the band-shaped portion 2. A midsole may be provided on the outsole 1.

Thus, such changes and modifications are deemed to fall within the scope of the present invention, which is defined by the appended claims. 26

INDUSTRIAL APPLICABILITY

[0083] The present invention is applicable to an outsole of a shoe for a field sport such as soccer, rugby and American football.

REFERENCE SIGNS LIST

[0084] L Outsole 10: Bottom surface 11: First roll-up portion 12: Second roll-up portion 13: Base IF: Forefoot portion 1M: Middle foot portion 1R: Rearfoot portion RM: Middle region 100: Upper 2: Band-shaped portion 20: Thick portion 21: First portion 22: Second portion 23: Third portion 31: Hard resin portion 32: Soft resin portion Cl: First cleat C2: Second cleat

El: First end portion E2: Second end portion E3: Third end portion G: Groove H: Through hole F: Front R: Rear

Me: Medial La: Lateral LE: Lateral edge portion RE: Rear edge portion ME: Medial edge portion TE: Toe edge potion ai: First region a2: Second region 27

Claims

1. A shoe comprising: a plurality of cleats projecting from a bottom surface of an outer sole formed by a material having a resin component; a first region where at least one first cleat of the plurality of cleats is arranged; a second region where at least one second cleat of the plurality of cleats is arranged; and a band-shaped portion having a band shape which is arranged between the first region and the second region so as to allow the second region to be displaced with respect to the first region, wherein: the band-shaped portion extends from a portion of a middle region of a rear foot portion toward a rear edge portion of the rear foot portion and extends from the portion of the middle region of the rear foot portion toward a lateral edge portion on a lateral side of the rear foot portion so that the first region includes a medial side of the rear foot portion of the outer sole and a middle foot portion, and the second region forms the lateral side of the rear foot portion of the outer sole; and one or both of the following elements a) and b) is satisfied: a) a Young's modulus of a soft material forming the band-shaped portion is less than a Young's modulus of a hard material forming the first and second regions! and b) an average value of a thickness of the band-shaped portion is less than an average value of a thickness of portions of the first and second regions in the vicinity of the band-shaped portion.

2. A shoe according to claim 1, wherein: the band-shaped portion extends from a first end portion at the rear edge portion of the rear foot portion toward a second end portion at the lateral side of the rear foot portion! the first region and the second region are continuous with each other via the hard material and/or a first high-rigidity portion thicker than the band-shaped portion in the rear edge portion of the outer sole which is posterior to the first end portion! and the first region and the second region are continuous with each other via the hard material and/or a second high-rigidity portion thicker than the band-shaped portion in the lateral edge portion of the outer sole which is on the lateral side more lateral than the second end portion.

3. A shoe according to claim 1, where in: the band-shaped portion extends from a first end portion of the rear edge portion of the rear foot portion toward a second end portion on the lateral side of the rear foot portion! the outer sole has a first roll-up portion rolled up upwardly in the rear edge portion of the rear foot portion; the outer sole has a second roll-up portion rolled up upwardly in the lateral edge portion of the rear foot portion! the first region and the second region are continuous with each other via the hard material and/or a first high-rigidity portion thicker than the band-shaped portion in the first roll-up portion above the first end portion! and the first region and the second region are continuous with each other via the hard material and/or a second high-rigidity portion thicker than the band-shaped portion in the second roll-up portion above the second end portion.

4. A shoe according to any one of claims 1 to 3, wherein where the band-shaped portion is divided in three equal parts in a longitudinal direction thereof, at least one of an average value of a width of a first portion closer to the first end portion and an average value of a width of a second portion closer to the second end portion is greater than an average value of a width of a third portion including the middle region.

5. A shoe according to any one of claims 1 to 3, wherein an average value of a width of the band-shaped portion spanning from the portion of the middle region of the rear foot portion to the first end portion is greater than an average value of a width of the band-shaped portion spanning from the portion of the middle region of the rear foot portion to the second end portion.

6. A shoe according to any one of claims 1 to 5, wherein an average thickness of the band-shaped portion is less than an average thickness of portions of the first and second regionsin the vicinity of the band-shaped portion.

7. A shoe according to any one of claims 1 to 6, wherein the band-shaped portion defines a groove extending along the band-shaped portion.

8. A shoe according to claim 7, wherein the band-shaped portion has a thick portion extending along and on both sides of the groove, and a thickness of the band-shaped portion in the groove is less than a thickness of the thick portion.

9. A shoe according to claim 8, wherein the groove is not formed with the thick portion being continuous with each other in the first and second end portions and the groove is formed between the first end portion and the second end portion.

10. A shoe comprising^ a plurality of cleats projecting from a bottom surface of an outer sole formed by a material having a resin component; a first region where at least one first cleat of the plurality of cleats is arranged; a second region where at least one second cleat of the plurality of cleats is arranged! and a band-shaped portion having a band shape which is arranged between the first region and the second region and allows the second region to be displaced with respect to the first region, wherein: at least one of the following elements c) and d) is satisfied: c) a Young's modulus of a soft material forming the band-shaped portion is less than a Young's modulus of a hard material forming the first and second regions! and d) the band-shaped portion defines a groove extending along the band-shaped portion.

11. A shoe according to claim 10, wherein both of the elements c) and d) are satisfied.

12. A shoe according to claim 10 or 11, wherein the band-shaped portion has a thick portion extending along and on both sides of the groove, and a thickness of the band-shaped portion in the groove is less than a thickness of the thick portion.

13. A shoe according to any one of claims 10 to 12, wherein: the band-shaped portion has one end portion and another end portion, and the end portions each face an edge portion of the outer sole; and the groove is not formed with the thick portion being continuous with each other in the end portions, and the groove is formed between the one end portion and the other end portion.