JP7496191B2 - slipper - Google Patents

Description

Application of Article 30, Paragraph 2 of the Patent Act Disclosure at the 89th Tokyo International Gift Show Spring 2020 held at Tokyo Big Sight from February 5 to 7, 2020

The present invention relates to slippers that wrap around the instep of the foot, providing a snug fit and a comfortable fit.

Slippers are footwear consisting of an upper part that covers the instep and a sole part on which the foot rests. The instep is inserted into the upper part, and the heel and ankle are not fixed, making them easy to put on. Although slippers are easy to put on, their structure means that the feet tend to slip out of the slippers when walking. If you try to walk carefully to prevent the slippers from slipping off, you will put unnatural pressure on your toes, tiring your feet, making it difficult to walk and uncomfortable to wear. Slippers are often used in situations where walking distances are short, i.e., indoors, but they can also be worn in offices and schools, and even when used at home, walking distances can be long if worn for long periods of time.

Walking for long periods in slippers not only tires the feet, but also causes the instep of the foot to constantly rub against the edge of the upper part of the slipper as the slippers are worn down, causing the edge of the upper part to wear out and the seam between the upper part and the sole to become easily frayed, as the edge of the upper part rubs against the instep of the foot every time one walks, and if one walks long distances, this can cause abrasions on the instep of the foot or chafe the skin, causing discomfort.

The footwear in Patent Document 1 has a rubber belt located inside the upper part, hidden inside, and is designed to secure the instep inside the upper part.

Utility model registration number 3220159

These footwear products have a rubber belt that secures the instep on the inside of the upper part, which makes it somewhat easier for the slippers to slip off. However, because the edge of the upper part is in contact with the instep, it cannot prevent the instep from rubbing against the edge of the upper part when walking, causing discomfort, or prevent the edge of the upper part from wearing away. In addition, it does not completely eliminate the difficulty of walking when walking.

The present invention provides slippers that have a sole section that fits the contours of the sole of the foot, an upper section that wraps around the instep, and a belt section that is located below the upper section and slightly toward the center from where the upper section is attached. By wrapping the foot three-dimensionally, the slippers do not tire the feet even when walking for long periods of time, and are comfortable to wear, and the upper section is highly durable and resistant to wear.

The slippers of the present invention are characterized by a sole part that supports the sole of the foot and has a surface with ridges and grooves that match the ridges and grooves of the sole of the foot that come into contact with the sole, an upper part that is located in front of the sole part and forms an arched space that covers the instep, and a belt part that is located inside the upper part and has both ends attached to both sides of the sole part to form an arched space into which the instep of the foot is inserted, and the belt part partially overlaps the upper part, with the end of the belt part extending beyond the heel side edge of the upper part.

According to this invention, an arch-shaped belt section that maintains a space for inserting the instep is provided under the upper section, which firmly holds the instep in place and wraps the instep between the upper section and sole section that conforms to the contours of the sole of the foot. This provides slippers that fit the foot well, are unlikely to slip off, and are comfortable to wear.

The slippers of this invention are also characterized in that the belt portion protrudes further from the upper portion as it goes upwards.

According to this invention, when walking, the instep of the foot does not directly touch the edge of the upper part, and no friction occurs between the instep of the foot and the edge of the upper part. The load on the edge of the upper part is also reduced, and the edge of the upper part does not wear out, making it possible to provide highly durable slippers.

The slippers of this invention are also characterized in that the angle of the edge of the belt portion relative to the sole portion is greater than the angle of the edge of the upper portion relative to the sole portion.

According to this invention, the upper part and the belt part hold the instep from different angles, so that the foot does not slip off the sole part. The upper part and the belt part encase the instep, providing a comfortable fit and slippers.

The slippers of this invention are also characterized in that both ends of the belt portion are equipped with fasteners that can be attached and detached from the sole portion.

This invention provides slippers with a detachable belt, allowing you to replace the worn-out belt with a new one, or prepare multiple belts with different designs to choose the one you like best depending on your mood or outfit of the day.

The slippers of this invention are also characterized by having at least two curved grooves on the underside of the sole that run parallel to the arch at the base of the toes.

According to this invention, the groove on the underside of the slipper sole draws a curve that parallels the arch at the base of the toes, so that the sole can easily bend from the groove part in accordance with the bending of the sole of the foot when walking. Therefore, it is possible to provide slippers that are comfortable to wear and have a sole that can deform and fit in accordance with the changes in the shape of the sole of the foot when walking.

The slippers of the present invention are characterized by having a sole part that supports the sole of the foot and has a surface that comes into contact with the sole that is uneven to match the unevenness of the sole of the foot, an upper part that is provided in front of the sole part and forms an arched space that covers the instep, and a belt part that is provided on the outside of the upper part and has both ends attached to both sides of the sole part to form an arched space into which the instep of the foot is inserted.

According to this invention, the belt part is provided on the outside of the upper part, so that the instep of the foot is supported softly without being too tight, and slippers that provide both a comfortable fit and feel can be provided.

FIG. 1 is a right side view showing a slipper according to a first embodiment of the present invention. FIG. 2 is a reference right side view for explaining the slippers according to the first embodiment of the present invention. 1 is a plan view showing a slipper according to a first embodiment of the present invention. FIG. 2 is a reference right side view illustrating the structure of the slippers according to the first embodiment of the present invention. 1 is a reference plan view for explaining a sole portion of a slipper according to a first embodiment of the present invention. FIG. FIG. 2 is a reference perspective view showing a sole portion of the slipper according to the first embodiment of the present invention. FIG. 2 is a bottom view showing the slippers according to the first embodiment of the present invention. 1A and 1B are a reference bottom view and a reference view showing a sole of a slipper according to a first embodiment of the present invention. FIG. 2 is a reference right side view showing the use state of the slippers according to the first embodiment of the present invention. FIG. 11 is a right side view showing a slipper according to a second embodiment of the present invention. FIG. 11 is a plan view showing a slipper according to a second embodiment of the present invention.

The best mode for carrying out the invention will now be described with reference to the accompanying drawings.

(Embodiment 1)

Figure 1 is a right side view showing a slipper according to a first embodiment of the present invention. Figure 2 is a reference right side view for explaining the slipper according to the first embodiment of the present invention. Figure 3 is a plan view showing the slipper according to the first embodiment of the present invention. Figure 4 is a reference right side view for explaining the structure of the slipper according to the first embodiment of the present invention.

As shown in FIG. 1, the slipper 100 of the present invention mainly comprises a sole portion 3 on which the sole of the foot rests, an upper portion 1 that wraps the instep, and a belt portion 2 provided under the upper portion 1. The sole portion 3 comprises a base material 31 made of EVA material, a cushioning material layer 36, and a cloth material 37. The upper surface of the base material 31 is provided with unevenness that matches the unevenness of the sole of the foot. The belt portion 2 is made of an elastic material such as a flat rubber band, both ends of which are sewn to the sole portion 3 so as to form an arch shape. The belt portion is provided below the upper portion 1, at a position slightly shifted toward the heel side from the upper portion 1 that is provided to cover the instep, and as shown in FIG. 2, the vicinity of the center of the belt portion 2 is located closer to the center than the upper portion 1, so that the belt portion 2 is not hidden under the upper portion 1, and the vicinity of the center of the belt portion 2 can be seen from above.

Due to the structure of slippers, when walking, the instep rubs against the edge of the upper part 1, so the edge of the upper part 1 in the heel direction is easily worn, and the stitching between the sole part 3 and the upper part 1 is also easily subjected to stress. In the slipper 100 of the present invention, the vicinity of the center of the belt part 2 provided under the upper part 1 is located closer to the center, i.e., closer to the heel direction, than the edge in the heel direction of the upper part 1. Therefore, when walking, the instep does not directly touch the edge of the upper part 1, and no friction occurs between the instep and the edge of the upper part 1. This reduces the load on the edge of the upper part 1 and prevents the edge of the upper part 1 from wearing out. In addition, the belt part 2 secures the instep, reducing the load on the entire upper part 1. Both ends of the belt part 2 are fixed to the sole part 3 at approximately the same places as the ends of the upper part 1, so the load applied when walking is distributed between the upper part 1 and the belt part 2, making the stitching between the upper part 1, the belt part 2, and the sole part 3 less likely to fray, and providing highly durable slippers.

The lower edges of the upper part 1 and the belt part 2 are sewn to the sole part 3. The upper part 1 and the belt part 2 are not sewn together. Both ends of the belt part 2 in the longitudinal direction are sewn to the sole part 3, and the parts other than both ends are not fixed anywhere. The belt part 2 forms an arch shape with a space for inserting the instep, and the upper part 1 forms an arch shape that is slightly larger than the arch shape formed by the belt part 2. The belt part 2 is provided on the inside of the upper part 1, but is provided so that a part of it protrudes from the upper part 1. In other words, the toe side edge in the short direction of the belt part 2 is hidden inside the upper part 1, but the heel side edge in the short direction of the belt part 2 protrudes from the upper part 1. The belt part 2 protrudes from the upper part 1 the further upward it goes.

As shown in FIG. 2, the angle a formed by the sole part 3 and the heel side edge of the belt part 2 in the right side view is larger than the angle b formed by the sole part 3 and the heel side edge of the upper part 1. The angle b formed by the sole part 3 and the heel side edge of the upper part 1 is an acute angle, and the angle a formed by the sole part 3 and the heel side edge of the belt part 2 is larger than the angle b and is an angle close to a perpendicular angle. The belt part 2 is attached to the sole part 3 at an angle close to a perpendicular angle, so that the instep of the foot is firmly fixed to the sole part 3, and the upper part 1 is held at an angle different from that of the belt part 2, so that the belt part 2 is reinforced and the foot is supported so that it does not slip off the sole part 3. The upper part 1 and the belt part 2 wrap the instep and fit it to the sole part 3, so that a comfortable fit can be obtained.

As shown in FIG. 3, the belt part 2 extends beyond the edge of the upper part 1 in a plan view, and is visible when walking. Therefore, by making the color of the belt part 2 different from the color of the upper part 1 or by giving it a distinctive design, it is possible to provide a stylish pair of slippers.

In the slipper 100 according to the first embodiment of the present invention, the belt portion 2 and the sole portion 3 are sewn together, but the belt portion 2 may be configured to be removable and replaceable by providing buttons near the left and right ends of the sole portion 3 and buttonholes of a size corresponding to the buttons at both ends of the belt portion 2. By making the belt portion 2 removable and preparing multiple types so that it can be replaced with a new one when it wears out, the slipper body can be used for a long time. In addition, by preparing belt portions 2 of various designs and colors, it is possible to wear the belt portion 2 of one's choice according to the mood and outfit of the day. It is possible to provide slippers 100 in which new design components are sold each season, encouraging customers to purchase and increasing sales.

As shown in FIG. 4, the sole 3 of the slipper 100 is manufactured by laying a thin layer of urethane material or other cushioning material on the base material 31 to form a cushioning layer 36, and then placing a cloth on top of that and pressing it onto the base material 31. The upper surface of the base material 31, i.e., the surface that contacts the cushioning layer 36, is provided with an arch-shaped protrusion 31a, a plantar arch protrusion 31b, and a heel depression 31c that are uneven in accordance with the unevenness of the sole of the foot (the arch-shaped protrusion 31a, plantar arch protrusion 31b, and heel depression 31c will be described later). The base material 31 is made of EVA material. EVA material is also called EVA resin, and is an abbreviation for ethylene-vinyl acetate copolymer resin. It is lightweight, flexible, elastic, strong, and difficult to tear, making it ideal as a cushioning material. In addition to EVA material, plastic resin and other hard materials may be used for the base material 31 of the slipper 100.

In the slippers 100 of the first embodiment of the present invention, the sole portion 3 is formed by applying a thin cushioning layer 36 and fabric 37 to a base material 31 made of an EVA material with moderate flexibility, and then pressing the thin cushioning layer 36 and fabric 37 onto the base material 31. The uneven shape of the EVA material 31 (arch-shaped raised portion 31a, arch convex portion 31b, heel hollow portion 31c) fits securely to the sole of the foot, while the cushioning layer 36 adequately cushions shocks when walking, and the soft fabric 37 comes into contact with the sole of the foot, so that the slippers 100 can be provided that do not tire the wearer even when walking for a long time, have a good fit, and are comfortable to wear.

Figure 5 is a reference plan view for explaining the sole portion of the slipper according to the first embodiment of the present invention. Figure 6 is a reference perspective view showing the sole portion of the slipper according to the first embodiment of the present invention. Figure 7 is a bottom view showing the slipper according to the first embodiment of the present invention. Figure 8 is a reference bottom view showing the slipper according to the first embodiment of the present invention and a reference view showing the sole of the foot. Figure 9 is a reference right side view showing the slipper according to the first embodiment of the present invention in use.

As shown in Figs. 5 and 6, the upper surface of the sole 31 has two protrusions and one depression in accordance with the unevenness of the sole. The arch-shaped protrusion 31a is a protrusion provided at the part where the arch of the base of the big toe contacts, the arch protrusion 31b is a protrusion provided at the part where the arch of the foot contacts, and the heel depression 31c is a depression provided at the part where the heel contacts. The arch-shaped protrusion 31a is a protrusion of approximately the same size as the space between the toes and the base of the foot when the sole is placed on the upper surface of the sole part 3. When the sole is placed so that the base of the foot touches the arch-shaped protrusion 31a, the toes are supported and fixed by the arch-shaped protrusion 31a, so that when the slipper 100 is worn, the foot is unlikely to slip out and the foot does not move in the upper part 1, so that a comfortable fit can be obtained. In addition, the arch protrusion 31b, which is a protrusion that follows the curve of the arch, contacts the part that comes into contact with the arch, and the heel recess 31c, which is a recess along the heel, contacts the part that comes into contact with the arch, so the unevenness of the sole of the foot and the unevenness of the sole material 31 of the slipper 100 also fit the unevenness of the sole of the foot, providing a comfortable fit.

As shown in FIG. 7, one side of the sole material 31 of the slipper 100 of the present invention, which is the side opposite to the side that comes into contact with the sole of the foot, i.e., the underside of the sole portion 3, is provided with an arch-shaped groove 32 that forms an arch-like curve, and grooves 33, 34, and 35 that are provided parallel to the arch-shaped groove 32. The arch-shaped groove 32 is a groove provided on the bottom surface of the sole portion 3, and is provided in a part that is directly below the part that faces the arch formed by the base of the toes when the sole of the foot is placed on the surface of the sole portion 3.

The arch A at the base of the toes is the arc drawn by the base of the foot from the big toe to the little toe, as shown in FIG. 8. The arch A at the base of the foot and the arch-shaped groove 32 on the back surface of the sole portion 3 draw approximately the same curve. The grooves 33, 34, and 35 are provided along the arch-shaped groove 32 so as to draw a curve similar to that of the arch-shaped groove 32. The arch-shaped groove 32 and the grooves 33, 34, and 35 are provided on the sole material 31, which is made of an EVA material that has a certain degree of hardness but is moderately flexible, so that the sole portion 3 easily bends at the arch-shaped groove 32, grooves 33, 34, and 35 when walking, and fits to the shape of the sole of the foot. Therefore, the slipper 100 is difficult to slip off when walking, and it is possible to provide a slipper 100 that is comfortable to wear as it firmly wraps the foot and fits the sole of the foot.

As shown in FIG. 9, the slipper 100 has an upper part 1 that covers the instep of the foot, and a belt part 2 that securely fastens the instep to the slipper 100. The sole part 3 has projections and recesses that conform to the contours of the sole of the foot, so that when the slipper 100 is worn, the entire foot fits snugly and is wrapped around the foot. The slipper 100 also flexes to conform to the shape of the foot when walking, so it is difficult to slip off, and no unnatural force is applied when walking, making it comfortable to wear. The belt part 2 is located slightly off-center from the end of the upper part 1, so that friction is not generated between the upper part 1 and the instep of the foot, the upper part 1 does not wear out, and a durable, long-lasting slipper 100 can be provided.

(Embodiment 2)

Next, slippers 200 according to a second embodiment of the present invention will be described with reference to Figs. 10 and 11. Fig. 10 is a right side view showing the slippers according to the second embodiment of the present invention. Fig. 11 is a plan view showing the slippers according to the second embodiment of the present invention.

As shown in FIG. 10, the slipper 200 of the second embodiment of the present invention mainly comprises a sole portion 3 on which the sole of the foot rests, an upper portion 1 that wraps around the instep of the foot, and a belt portion 2 provided on the upper part of the upper portion 1, i.e., on the outside. The sole portion 3 is made of the same material and configuration as the sole portion 3 of the slipper 100 of the first embodiment, and comprises a sole material made of EVA material, a cushioning material layer, and a cloth material. The upper surface of the sole portion is provided with unevenness that matches the unevenness of the sole of the foot. The belt portion 2 is made of an elastic material, such as a flat rubber band, with both ends sewn to the sole portion 3 to form an arch shape. The belt portion 2 is provided on the outside of the upper portion 1. By providing the belt portion 2 on the outside of the upper portion 1, the instep of the foot can be softly supported without being too tight, and a comfortable fit can be obtained at the same time. In addition, because the belt part 2 holds the area near the center of the instep, friction between the edge of the upper part 1 and the instep is reduced, making the edge of the upper part 1 less susceptible to wear and improving the durability of the slipper 200.

As shown in FIG. 11, when viewed from above, the belt portion 2 is positioned closer to the toe than the heel edge of the upper portion 1, and the belt portion 1 can be colored or designed to enhance the decorativeness of the slipper 200. The belt portion 2 is made of an elastic material such as a flat rubber band, and is formed into an arch shape by sewing both ends to the sole portion 3. Buttonholes can be provided on both ends of the belt portion 2, and buttons can be provided at corresponding locations on the sole portion 3 to make the belt portion 2 detachable, allowing multiple types of belt portions 2 to be freely replaced.

REFERENCE SIGNS LIST 100 Slipper section 1 Upper 11 Inner surface of upper section 12 Opening 2 Belt section 3 Sole section 31 Sole material 31a Arch-shaped raised section 31b Arch convex section 31c Heel hollow section 32 Arch-shaped groove 33, 34, 35 Auxiliary groove 36 Cushioning layer 37 Fabric material
F Foot
A. Arch at the base of the toes

Claims (3)

A sole portion that supports the sole of the foot and has a surface that comes into contact with the sole of the foot and has projections and recesses that match the projections and recesses of the sole of the foot;
An upper part that forms an arch-shaped space covering the instep provided in front of the sole part;
a belt portion made of a stretchable material, provided on the inside of the upper portion, and having both ends attached to both sides of the sole portion to form an arch-shaped space into which the instep of the foot is inserted;
The belt portion has both ends in a longitudinal direction sewn to the sole portion, and portions other than the both ends are not fixed,
the belt portion has an arch shape with a space for inserting the instep of the foot, and the upper portion forms an arch shape larger than the arch shape formed by the belt portion;
an angle formed between the sole portion and a heel side edge of the upper portion is an acute angle, and an angle formed between the sole portion and a heel side edge of the belt portion is larger than the acute angle;
The slippers are characterized in that the belt portion partially overlaps the upper portion, and the heel side edge of the belt portion protrudes from the heel side edge of the upper portion. The slippers described in claim 1, characterized in that the belt portion protrudes from the upper portion as it goes upward. 3. The slippers according to claim 1, wherein the back surface of the sole portion is provided with at least two curved grooves arranged parallel to the arch of the base of the toes.

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