PLATE, SOLE, AND SHOE

Description

REFERENCE TO RELATED APPLICATIONS

The present application claims priority based on Japanese Patent Application No. 2024-168095 filed on Sep. 27, 2024, the entire disclosure of which is incorporated herein by reference.

BACKGROUND

Technical Field

The present disclosure relates to a plate, a sole, and a shoe.

Background Information

In order to adjust resiliency, impact absorption property, and the like acting on a sole of a foot, a plate may be provided on a sole of a shoe. Further, it is known that a plate is constituted by an assembly of a plurality of members, by which functions are differentiated partially. For example, Patent Documents 1 and 2 describe a plate including a sole element extending along a foot length direction and a reinforcing element assembled to a central portion of the sole element to partially increase rigidity. However, in such a configuration, since the number of components increases, there is room for improvement from the viewpoint of manufacturing cost, manufacturing man-hours, environmental load, and the like.

Patent Document 1: JP-A-2023-134847

Patent Document 2: JP-A-2021-53376

SUMMARY

The present disclosure has been made in view of the above circumstances, and provides a plate capable of partially differing functions while suppressing increase in the number of components, and a shoe and a sole including the plate.

A plate of the present disclosure is a plate configured to be arranged in a sole of a shoe, the plate including a plurality of regions including a first region formed from a first linear element and a second region formed from a second linear element, in which rigidity of the first region is different from rigidity of the second region.

A sole of the present disclosure includes the plate.

A shoe of the present disclosure includes the sole and an upper arranged on an upper side of the sole.

BRIEF DESCRIPTION OF THE DRAWINGS

FIG. 1 is a side view of a shoe according to an embodiment of the present disclosure;

FIG. 2 is an exploded view of the shoe;

FIG. 3 is a top view of a plate according to a first embodiment;

FIG. 4 is a schematic top view of the plate according to the first embodiment;

FIG. 5 is a schematic top view of the plate according to a modification of the first embodiment;

FIG. 6 is a schematic top view of the plate according to a modification of the first embodiment;

FIG. 7 is a top view of the plate according to a second embodiment;

FIG. 8 is a perspective view of a sole on which the plate according to the second embodiment is arranged;

FIG. 9 is a side view illustrating an example of a shoe including a sole on which the plate according to the second embodiment is arranged;

FIG. 10 is a schematic top view of the plate according to the second embodiment;

FIGS. 11A to 11D are schematic top views of the plate according to a modification of the second embodiment;

FIG. 12 is a top view of the plate according to a third embodiment;

FIG. 13 is a top view of the plate according to a modification of the third embodiment;

FIG. 14 is a top view of the plate according to a modification of the third embodiment; and

FIG. 15 is a top view of the plate according to a modification of the third embodiment.

DETAILED DESCRIPTION

Shoe and Sole

A shoe and a sole included in the shoe will be briefly described with reference to FIGS. 1 and 2. FIG. 1 is a side view illustrating a shoe 1 according to an embodiment of the present disclosure. FIG. 2 is an exploded view of the shoe 1. The shoe 1 can be used as a sports shoe such as a running shoe, a walking shoe, and a casual shoe. However, the use of the shoe 1 is not particularly limited.

In the present embodiment, the shoe 1 for the left foot will be described as an example, but the description is similarly applicable to a shoe for the right foot. The shoe for the right foot is formed in a bilaterally symmetrical shape with the shoe for the left foot, or a shape substantially similar to the bilaterally symmetrical shape.

With respect to a term representing a direction, a foot length direction refers to an extending direction of a shoe center SC (see FIG. 4) that is a center line of the shoe 1 in a top view (plan view). A foot width direction refers to a direction orthogonal to the foot length direction in top view. A front direction refers to a direction from the heel to the toe of a foot, and a rear direction refers to the opposite direction. A medial foot side refers to a first toe side of a foot in the foot width direction, and a lateral foot side refers to a fifth toe side of a foot in the foot width direction. A lower side refers to the side toward which the gravity is directed in a state where the shoe 1 is placed on a horizontal ground, and the upper side refers to the opposite side.

The shoe 1 includes a sole 2 and an upper 3 arranged on the upper side of the sole 2. The upper 3 is configured to cover at least a part of a foot of a wearer of the shoe 1. The upper 3 is connected to the sole 2 by adhesion, sewing, or the like. A foot of a wearer is supported from below by the sole 2 and covered from above by the upper 3. The wearer is assumed to be a person of a standard physique having a foot adapted to a size of the shoe 1. The upper 3 may include an insole (not illustrated) covering the sole of a foot of a wearer. Further, an inner sole (not illustrated) may be mounted on the upper side of the insole.

The upper 3 is provided with a foot insertion opening portion 31 for inserting a foot of a wearer, an instep opening portion 32 extending in a front direction from the foot insertion opening portion 31, a tongue 33 closing the instep opening portion 32, and a shoelace 34 arranged on the upper side of the tongue 33. The tongue 33 covers a range from a front portion of an ankle of a wearer to an instep. The tongue 33 is fitted to an instep of a wearer by downward pressing force accompanying tightening of the shoelace 34. The shoelace 34 is inserted through eyelets formed on the left and right of the instep opening portion 32. Note that the upper 3 is not limited to such a configuration.

The sole 2 in the present embodiment includes an outer sole 21 and a midsole 22. The outer sole 21 constitutes a ground contact portion of the shoe 1. The outer sole 21 is formed from, for example, resin or rubber. The midsole 22 is arranged on the upper side of the outer sole 21. The midsole 22 is formed from, for example, a foam material made from resin. The midsole 22 includes a lower midsole 22L and an upper midsole 22U arranged on the upper side of the lower midsole 22L. At least a part of a lower surface of the lower midsole 22L is covered with the outer sole 21.

The sole 2 has a sole length L2 along the foot length direction. The sole 2 includes a forefoot portion Pf, a midfoot portion Pm, and a rearfoot portion Pr. Note that FIG. 1 schematically illustrates a forefoot portion, a midfoot portion, and a rearfoot portion. A first boundary position B1 is a position serving as a boundary between the forefoot portion Pf and the midfoot portion Pm. A second boundary position B2 is a position serving as a boundary between the midfoot portion Pm and the rearfoot portion Pr. The first boundary position B1 may be a position that is 40% of the sole length L2 based on a front end of the sole 2. The second boundary position B2 may be a position that is 60% of the sole length L2 based on a front end of the sole 2.

A plate 4 is arranged on the sole 2. The plate 4 is formed as a single constituent element. The plate 4 is formed from one member having a plate shape as a whole. The plate 4 does not have a joint or a seam caused by an assembly of a plurality of separate members. The plate 4 continuously extends from the forefoot portion Pf to the rearfoot portion Pr via the midfoot portion Pm without being divided in the middle. A front end of the plate 4 is arranged at a position corresponding to a front end of a foot of a wearer, in front of or behind the position. A rear end of the plate 4 is arranged at a position corresponding to a rear end of a foot of a wearer, in front of or behind the position.

In an example illustrated in FIG. 2, the plate 4 is arranged between the lower midsole 22L and the upper midsole 22U, but is not limited to this arrangement. For example, it is possible to arrange the plate 4 on the upper side of the upper midsole 22U. In this case, a structure in which an upper surface of the plate 4 is covered with an insole may be employed, or the plate 4 may be used as an insole. Further, the plate 4 can be arranged on the lower side of the lower midsole 22L. In this case, a structure in which a lower surface of the plate 4 is covered with the outer sole 21 may be employed, or the plate 4 may be used as an outer sole.

First Embodiment of Plate

A first embodiment of the plate will be described with reference to FIGS. 3 to 6. FIG. 3 is a top view of the plate 4. FIG. 4 is a schematic top view of the plate 4. In FIGS. 4 to 6, a first region R1 and a second region R2 to be described later are distinguished from each other by shading in different modes. The plate 4 is formed from a plurality of linear elements 40. Furthermore, the plate 4 is formed of a formed body obtained by forming a plurality of the linear elements 40 into a plate shape. The plate 4 has a plurality of regions including the first region R1 formed from a first linear element 41 and the second region R2 formed from a second linear element 42. Rigidity of the first region R1 is different from rigidity of the second region R2.

Since the plate 4 has the first region R1 and the second region R2 having different rigidity from each other, functions of the plate 4 can be partially differentiated depending on arrangement of the regions. For example, resiliency can be enhanced by a region having relatively high rigidity, or impact absorption property (cushioning property) can be enhanced by a region having relatively low rigidity. The plate 4 is also excellent in production efficiency as compared with a plate constituted by an assembly of a plurality of members.

For the linear element 40, a linear body made from resin or the like in a linear shape, a yarn formed from a plurality of fibers, a twisted yarn, or the like can be used. As the linear body, for example, a fiber material such as a thermoplastic resin fiber, a glass fiber, or a carbon fiber can be used. Examples of the thermoplastic resin fiber include a thermoplastic polyurethane (TPU) fiber, a polyester-based thermoplastic elastomer (TPEE) fiber, a polyether block amide (PEBA) fiber, a polyester fiber, and the like. Further, it is also possible to use a fiber bundle obtained by bundling fiber materials as exemplified in a third embodiment described later.

As described above, the first region R1 and the second region R2 have different rigidity from each other. The rigidity may be flexural rigidity. The flexural rigidity may be rigidity against bending on a straight line parallel to the foot length direction. The flexural rigidity is measured by, for example, a three-point bending test. In the three-point bending test, a distance between support points and pressing force at the time of measuring each portion are set to be constant. Further, the rigidity may be tensile rigidity instead of or in addition to flexural rigidity. As the tensile rigidity, tensile strength or tensile elastic modulus may be used.

In the present embodiment, the plate 4 has a structure in which the linear elements 40 are arranged in a net shape. According to this configuration, weight of the plate 4 can be reduced. At an outer edge of the plate 4, the linear element 40 is arranged to extend along the outer edge, but the present invention is not limited to this arrangement. The plate 4 is formed by, for example, embroidering, 3D printing, resin printing, or fiber printing, but may be formed by other methods.

In the first embodiment, the first linear element 41 is formed from a material different from that of the second linear element 42. A difference in rigidity between the first region R1 and the second region R2 is due to a difference in these materials. Therefore, as the first linear element 41 is formed from a material having relatively high rigidity and the second linear element 42 is formed from a material having relatively low rigidity, rigidity of the first region R1 is higher than rigidity of the second region R2. Among the above-described fiber materials, for example, a carbon fiber is a material having relatively high rigidity, a thermoplastic resin fiber is a material having relatively low rigidity, and a glass fiber is positioned between them.

The present embodiment shows an example in which rigidity of the first region R1 is higher than rigidity of the second region R2. As illustrated in FIG. 4, the first region R1 is arranged in the forefoot portion Pf, and the second region R2 is arranged in a portion other than the forefoot portion Pf. According to such a configuration, since a region having relatively high rigidity is arranged in the forefoot portion Pf, resilient force with respect to a toe portion and a stepping portion of a foot can be increased to improve a motion function. The second region R2 is arranged in the rearfoot portion Pr. By arranging region having relatively low rigidity in the rearfoot portion Pr, impact absorption property with respect to a heel portion of a foot is enhanced, and a load at the time of grounding can be reduced. In one aspect of this configuration, a carbon fiber is used for the first linear element 41, and a thermoplastic resin fiber is used for the second linear element 42.

In a modification illustrated in FIG. 5, rigidity of the first region R1 is higher than rigidity of the second region R2, the first region R1 is arranged along a position corresponding to at least a part of a metatarsal bone of a foot of a wearer, and the second region R2 is arranged around the first region R1. According to such a configuration, since a region having relatively high rigidity is arranged along a position corresponding to a metatarsal bone, resilient force with respect to force from a foot of a wearer is effectively enhanced. In one aspect of this configuration, a carbon fiber is used for the first linear element 41, and a glass fiber is used for the second linear element 42. In the illustrated example, the first region R1 extends along a position corresponding to each of first to fifth toes of a foot, and the second region R2 is arranged between them.

In a modification illustrated in FIG. 6, a third region R3 is arranged between the first region R1 and the second region R2. Rigidity of the third region R3 is lower than a higher one of rigidity of the first region R1 and rigidity of the second region R2, and is higher than a lower one of the rigidity of the first region R1 and the rigidity of the second region R2. According to such a configuration, a rapid change in rigidity between the first region R1 and the second region R2 can be suppressed, and durability of the plate 4 can be improved. In the present embodiment, since rigidity of the first region R1 is higher than rigidity of the second region R2, rigidity of the third region R3 is lower than the rigidity of the first region R1 and higher than the rigidity of the second region R2. In the example illustrated in FIG. 6, the third region R3 is arranged in the midfoot portion Pm, but the present invention is not limited to this arrangement.

In third region R3, the first linear element 41 and the second linear element 42 may be configured to coexist. In this case, the third region R3 as described above can be formed using the first linear element 41 and the second linear element 42. For example, in a case where a carbon fiber is used for the first linear elements 41 and a thermoplastic resin fiber is used for the second linear elements 42, it is conceivable to form the third region R3 with a linear element containing a carbon fiber and a thermoplastic resin fiber at a ratio of about 50%.

The third region R3 may be configured to include a region in which the first linear element 41 and the second linear element 42 are vertically stacked. By this, the third region R3 as described above can be formed using the first linear element 41 and the second linear element 42. For example, in a case where a carbon fiber is used for the first linear elements 41 and a thermoplastic resin fiber is used for the second linear elements 42, it is conceivable to form the third region R3 including a region where the carbon fiber and the thermoplastic resin fiber are vertically stacked. A region where the first linear element 41 and the second linear element 42 are vertically stacked in the third region R3 may extend with a width of 0.1 mm or more and 10 mm or less along a boundary between the first region R1 and the second region R2.

A configuration in which the third region R3 formed from a third linear element is arranged between the first region R1 and the second region R2, and the third linear element is formed from a material different from both the first linear element 41 and the second linear element 42 may also be employed. In this case, a difference in rigidity between the first region R1, the second region R2, and the third region R3 is caused by a difference in materials of these regions. In one aspect of this configuration, a carbon fiber is used for the first linear element 41, a thermoplastic resin fiber is used for the second linear element 42, and a glass fiber is used for the third linear element.

Second Embodiment of Plate

A second embodiment of the plate will be described with reference to FIGS. 7 to 11D. Since the second embodiment can be configured similarly to the first embodiment except for a configuration described below, common points will be omitted and differences will be mainly described. A configuration already described in the first embodiment is denoted by the same reference numeral, and redundant description will be omitted.

FIG. 7 is a top view of the plate 4. FIG. 8 is a perspective view of the sole 2 on which the plate 4 is arranged. The plate 4 of the second embodiment has a protruding portion 5 configured to protrude outward from the sole 2 in top view. The protruding portion 5 protrudes outward from an outline of the sole 2 in top view. The protruding portion 5 is formed in, for example, a shape tapered in a protruding direction, specifically, a triangular shape. The shape of the protruding portion 5 is not limited to this. The protruding portion 5 is connected to the upper 3 in an aspect exemplified in FIG. 9. A connection portion 51 used for connection with the upper 3 is formed on the protruding portion 5. The connection portion 51 is formed in an annular shape, but may be formed in a hook shape, for example.

FIG. 9 is a side view illustrating an example of the shoe 1 including the sole 2 on which the plate 4 is arranged. The upper 3 included in the shoe 1 includes a cloth-like base material 35 and a plurality of linear bodies 36 arranged outside the base material 35. A plurality of the linear bodies 36 extend in the foot length direction and are arranged side by side in the foot width direction. The linear body 36 engages with another one of the linear bodies 36 adjacent in the foot width direction. In each of a plurality of the linear bodies 36, a portion engaged with another one of the linear bodies 36 adjacent on one side in the foot width direction and a portion engaged with another one of the linear bodies 36 adjacent on another side in the foot width direction are alternately set along the foot length direction.

At least one (two in the illustrated example) of a plurality of the linear bodies 36 is provided with an end portion 36e for applying tension to the upper 3. By pulling the end portion 36e rearward, tension is sequentially transmitted to a plurality of the linear bodies 36, and tension can be applied to the upper 3. A cord lock 37 for immovably fixing the linear body 36 and a cord tip 38 for preventing the linear body 36 from coming out of the cord lock 37 are attached to the end portion 36e.

In the example illustrated in FIG. 9, the protruding portion 5 is connected to the upper 3 in a state of being bent in a direction intersecting the plate 4. The linear body 36 is inserted through the connection portion 51, by which the protruding portion 5 is hooked on the linear body 36. When the end portion 36e is pulled to apply tension to a plurality of the linear bodies 36, force for pulling the plate 4 toward the upper 3 side acts, by which a fit of the plate 4 is improved. Further, it is also possible to use the protruding portion 5 as a means for connecting the upper 3 to the sole 2. In such a case, the sole 2 and the upper 3 can be easily separated by pulling out the linear body 36 from the connection portion 51, so that a structure having excellent recyclability is obtained.

FIG. 10 is a schematic top view of the plate 4, but illustration of the connection portion 51 is omitted. In this example, rigidity of the first region R1 is higher than rigidity of the second region R2, and the second region R2 is arranged in the protruding portion 5. Arranging a region having relatively low rigidity on the protruding portion 5 is convenient for bending the protruding portion 5 and connecting the protruding portion 5 to the upper 3 as described above. In the example illustrated in FIG. 10, the first region R1 is arranged in a portion of the plate 4 excluding the protruding portion 5. This ensures excellent rigidity of the plate 4 inside an outline of the sole 2.

In a case where the second region R2 having relatively low rigidity is arranged in the protruding portion 5, each of the first linear element 41 and the second linear element 42 may be formed from a material containing a thermoplastic resin, and the second linear element 42 may be formed from a material having a melting point higher than that of the first linear element 41. According to such a configuration, when the plate 4 is formed, heating is performed at a temperature higher than the melting point of the first linear element 41 and lower than the melting point of the second linear element 42, so that the first linear element 41 is solidified through thermal melting, but the second linear element 42 is not thermally melted. As a result, the plate 4 having the flexible protruding portion 5 is obtained, and the protruding portion 5 can be easily bent and connected to the upper 3 as described above.

In one aspect of the plate 4 in which the difference in melting point as described above is utilized, the first region R1 is formed by embroidery of the first linear element 41 made from a carbon fiber and a thermoplastic resin fiber, the second region R2 is formed by embroidery of the second linear element 42 made from a thermoplastic resin fiber having a higher melting point than a thermoplastic resin fiber used in the first linear element 41, and the second region R2 is arranged in the protruding portion 5.

In another aspect of the plate 4 in which the difference in melting point as described above is utilized, the first region R1 is formed by embroidery of the first linear element 41 made from a TPU yarn that is a TPU fiber, and the second region R2 is formed by embroidery of the second linear element 42 made from a thermoplastic resin fiber having a higher melting point than a TPU, and the second region R2 is arranged in the protruding portion 5. The connection portion 51 may be formed from a TPU yarn.

In the example illustrated in FIG. 10, a plurality of the protruding portions 5 are provided over the entire circumference of the plate 4 while being spaced apart from each other. According to such a configuration, not only the sole 2 and the upper 3 can be firmly connected to each other via the protruding portions 5, but also the entire sole can be pulled up by uniformly applying force that pulls the plate 4 toward the upper 3 side, so that a fit of the plate 4 can be more favorably enhanced. However, the present invention is not limited to this, and various modifications as illustrated in FIGS. 11A to 11D can be considered for the protruding portion 5.

In a modification illustrated in FIG. 11A, the protruding portion 5 is provided only at a central portion of the plate 4 in the foot length direction. A set portion of the protruding portion 5 may be a portion arranged in the midfoot portion Pm. The protruding portion 5 protrudes from each of the medial foot side and the lateral foot side of the plate 4. According to this configuration, force for pulling the plate 4 toward the upper 3 side via the protruding portion 5 can be concentrated on a midfoot portion where a stronger fit is required.

In a modification illustrated in FIG. 11B, the protruding portion 5 is provided only at a central portion of the plate 4 in the foot length direction. A set portion of the protruding portion 5 may be a portion arranged in the midfoot portion Pm. The protruding portion 5 protrudes from the medial foot side of the plate 4, but does not protrude from the lateral foot side. According to this configuration, force for pulling the plate 4 toward the upper 3 side via the protruding portion 5 can be concentrated on an arch portion where a stronger fit is required. Note that a configuration in which the protruding portion 5 protrudes from the lateral foot side of the plate 4 and does not protrude from the medial foot side may be employed. According to this configuration, force for pulling the plate 4 toward the upper 3 side via the protruding portion 5 can be concentrated on the lateral foot side.

In a modification illustrated in FIG. 11C, the protruding portion 5 is provided only at a central portion of the plate 4 in the foot length direction. A set portion of the protruding portion 5 may be a portion arranged in the midfoot portion Pm. The protruding portion 5 protrudes from each of the medial foot side and the lateral foot side of the plate 4. The protruding portion 5 may protrude from at least one of the medial foot side and the lateral foot side of the plate 4. A string-like linear body 52 is integrally connected to the protruding portion 5. By tightening a pair of the linear bodies 52 arranged upward along a foot circumference direction, the plate 4 is pulled toward the upper 3 side, and a fit is improved. The linear body 52 may be connected to a shoelace or may itself be inserted into an eyelet as part of a shoelace.

In a modification illustrated in FIG. 11D, the protruding portion 5 is provided along a periphery of the rearfoot portion Pr (see FIG. 1) that supports a heel portion of a foot of a wearer. The protruding portion 5 has a C-shape in top view, and is formed in a rounded shape as a whole. By bending and arranging the protruding portion 5 between an outer surface material and a back material (lining) of the upper 3, the protruding portions 5 can be used instead of a heel counter or as a part of a heel counter. The heel counter is a reinforcing material that stabilizes a heel portion of the upper 3 to support walking and running, and enhances shape retaining property of the shoe 1.

Third Embodiment of Plate

A third embodiment of the plate will be described with reference to FIGS. 12 to 15. Since the third embodiment can be configured similarly to the first and second embodiments except for a configuration described below, common points will be omitted and differences will be mainly described. A configuration already described in the first and second embodiments is denoted by the same reference numeral, and redundant description will be omitted.

FIG. 12 is a top view of the plate 4. FIG. 4 can be referred to as a schematic top view of the plate 4 illustrated in FIG. 12. In the present embodiment, the plate 4 is formed from a fiber bundle of the linear elements 40. Furthermore, the plate 4 is formed of a formed body obtained by forming a fiber bundle obtained by bundling fiber materials into a plate shape. The fact that the plate 4 is formed from the linear element 40 and a direction of a fiber material described later can be recognized also in the plate 4 after solidification through thermal melting by observing an appearance and/or cross section of the plate 4. Although an end portion of a fiber material is arranged on an outer edge of the plate 4 illustrated, the present invention is not limited to this, and for example, a structure in which a curved outer surface formed by curving a fiber bundle in a U-shape in top view is arranged may be employed.

In the first region R1, a fiber bundle of the first linear element 41 is oriented in a first direction, and in the second region R2, a fiber bundle of the second linear element 42 is oriented in a second direction different from the first direction. A difference in rigidity between the first region R1 and the second region R2 is caused by a difference in direction of these fiber bundles. In the present embodiment, the first direction is a direction along the foot length direction, and the second direction is a direction along the foot width direction. In this case, the first direction does not need to strictly coincide with the foot length direction, and may be substantially parallel to the foot length direction to an extent different from the second direction. The same applies to a relationship between the second direction and the foot width direction. The first linear element 41 and the second linear element 42 may be formed from the same material.

The first direction may be a direction along the foot width direction, and the second direction may be a direction along the foot length direction. Alternatively, the first direction may be a direction inclined with respect to both the foot width direction and the foot length direction, and the second direction may be a direction inclined with respect to both the foot length direction and the foot width direction and different from the first direction. For example, the first direction may be a bisector direction along a bisector of an angle formed by the foot width direction and the foot length direction.

The present embodiment shows an example in which rigidity of the first region R1 is higher than rigidity of the second region R2. As illustrated in FIG. 4, the first region R1 is arranged in the forefoot portion Pf, and the second region R2 is arranged in a portion other than the forefoot portion Pf. An advantageous effect of such a configuration is as already described in the first embodiment.

Also in the third embodiment using a direction of a fiber bundle, the mode illustrated in FIG. 5 can be applied. In this case, for example, the first direction in a fiber bundle of the first linear element 41 forming the first region R1 may be a direction along the foot length direction, and the second direction in a fiber bundle of the second linear element 42 forming the second region R2 may be the foot width direction. An advantageous effect of such a configuration is as already described in the first embodiment.

In a modification illustrated in FIG. 13, the third region R3 is arranged between the first region R1 and the second region R2. FIG. 6 can be referred to as a schematic top view of the plate 4 illustrated in FIG. 13. Rigidity of the third region R3 is lower than a higher one of rigidity of the first region R1 and rigidity of the second region R2, and is higher than a lower one of the rigidity of the first region R1 and the rigidity of the second region R2. According to such a configuration, a rapid change in rigidity between the first region R1 and the second region R2 can be suppressed, and durability of the plate 4 can be improved. In the illustrated example, the third region R3 is arranged in the midfoot portion Pm, but the present invention is not limited to this.

As one aspect, a configuration in which the third region R3 formed from a third linear element 43 is arranged between the first region R1 and the second region R2, and in the third region R3, a fiber bundle of the third linear element 43 is oriented in a third direction which is a direction between the first direction and the second direction may be employed. For example, as illustrated in FIG. 13, the first direction may be a direction along the foot length direction, the second direction may be a direction along the foot width direction, and the third direction may be a bisector direction. The third linear element 43 may be formed from the same material as the first linear element 41 and the second linear element 42.

In a modification illustrated in FIG. 14, the third direction changes so as to become closer to the foot length direction which is the first direction as the third direction approaches the first region R1, and to become closer to the foot width direction which is the second direction as the third direction approaches the second region R2. FIG. 6 can be referred to as a schematic top view of the plate 4 illustrated in FIG. 14. According to such a configuration, a rapid change in rigidity between the first region R1 and the second region R2 can be more favorably suppressed, and durability of the plate 4 can be suitably improved. The third linear element 43 extends in a curved line shape, but may extend in a bent line shape or another form.

In the modification illustrated in FIG. 15, the protruding portion 5 configured to protrude outward from the sole 2 in top view is provided. The protruding portion 5 is provided on each of the medial foot side and the lateral foot side of the plate 4, and is provided along the periphery of the rearfoot portion Pr (see FIG. 1) that supports a heel portion of a foot of a wearer. The protruding portion 5 may be provided on at least one of the medial foot side and the lateral foot side of the plate 4. The protruding portion 5 has been described with reference to FIGS. 11A and 11D. The matters described in the second embodiment, such as the fact that the flexible protruding portion 5 can be obtained by utilizing a difference in melting points, and a setting location and the way of using the protruding portion 5 can be applied to the third embodiment without any particular restriction.

In one aspect of the configuration of FIG. 15, the first region R1 is formed by embroidery of the first linear element 41 made from a TPU yarn, the second region R2 is formed by embroidery of the second linear element 42 also made from a TPU yarn, and the protruding portion 5 is formed from a thermoplastic resin fiber having a higher melting point than TPU. The connection portion 51 may be formed from a TPU yarn. The protruding portion 5 used as a heel counter may be formed from the same thermoplastic resin fiber as the first linear element 41 or the second linear element 42 so that rigidity of the protruding portion 5 is appropriately ensured.

It is understood by those skilled in the art that the foregoing embodiment is a specific example of an aspect below.

1

A plate of the present disclosure is a plate configured to be arranged in a sole of a shoe, the plate including a plurality of regions including a first region formed from a first linear element and a second region formed from a second linear element, in which rigidity of the first region is different from rigidity of the second region. By this, there is provided a plate that can partially differentiate functions while suppressing increase in the number of components.

2

The plate according to [1] above may have a configuration in which a third region is arranged between the first region and the second region, and rigidity of the third region is lower than a higher one of rigidity of the first region and rigidity of the second region, and is higher than a lower one of the rigidity of the first region and the rigidity of the second region. According to such a configuration, it is possible to suppress a rapid rigidity change between the first region and the second region.

3

In the plate according to [2] above, the first linear element and the second linear element may coexist in the third region. According to such a configuration, the third region can be formed using the first linear element and the second linear element.

4

The plate according to [2] or [3] above may have a configuration in which the third region includes a region where the first linear element and the second linear element are vertically stacked. According to such a configuration, the third region can be formed using the first linear element and the second linear element.

5

In the plate according to [4] above, a region where the first linear element and the second linear element are vertically stacked may extend along a boundary between the first region and the second region with a width of 0.1 mm or more and 10 mm or less. According to such a configuration, a rapid rigidity change between the first region and the second region can be more favorably suppressed.

6

The plate according to any one of [1] to [5] above, the plate may have a structure in which a linear element is arranged in a net shape. According to such a configuration, weight of the plate can be reduced.

7

In the plate according to any one of [1] to [6] above, the plate may be formed by embroidering, 3D printing, resin printing, or fiber printing.

8

The plate according to any one of [1] to [7] above may have a configuration in which rigidity of the first region is higher than rigidity of the second region, and the first region is arranged in a forefoot portion and the second region is arranged in a portion other than the forefoot portion. According to such a configuration, since a region having relatively high rigidity is arranged in the forefoot portion, resilient force with respect to a toe portion and a stepping portion of a foot can be increased to improve a motion function.

9

The plate according to any one of [1] to [8] above may have a configuration in which rigidity of the first region is higher than rigidity of the second region, and the first region is arranged along a position corresponding to at least a portion of a metatarsal bone of a foot of a wearer and the second region is arranged around the first region. According to such a configuration, since a region having high rigidity is arranged along a position corresponding to a metatarsal bone, resilient force with respect to force from a foot of a wearer is effectively enhanced.

10

The plate according to any one of [1] to [9] above may be configured to further include a protruding portion configured to protrude outward from the sole in top view. For example, use in which the protruding portion is connected to an upper to improve a fit of a shoe is possible.

11

The plate according to [10] above may have a configuration in which rigidity of the first region is higher than rigidity of the second region, and the second region is arranged on the protruding portion. Such a configuration is convenient for bending the protruding portion and connecting the protruding portion to the upper as described above.

12

The plate according to any one of [1] to [11] above may have configuration in which the first linear element is formed from a material different from that of the second linear element. According to such a configuration, rigidity can be made different between the first region and the second region based on a difference in materials of linear elements.

13

The plate according to [12] above may have a configuration in which a third region formed from a third linear element is arranged between the first region and the second region, rigidity of the third region is lower than a higher one of rigidity of the first region and rigidity of the second region, and is higher than a lower one of the rigidity of the first region and the rigidity of the second region, and the third linear element is formed from a material different from a material of both the first linear element and the second linear element. According to such a configuration, it is possible to suppress a rapid rigidity change between the first region and the second region.

14

The plate according to any one of [1] to [13] above may have a configuration in which a fiber bundle of the first linear element is oriented in a first direction in the first region, and a fiber bundle of the second linear element is oriented in a second direction different from the first direction in the second region. According to such a configuration, rigidity can be made different between the first region and the second region based on orientation of a fiber material of a linear element.

15

In the plate according to [14] above, the first direction may be a direction along the foot length direction, and the second direction may be a direction along the foot width direction. According to such a configuration, flexural rigidity against bending on a straight line along the foot length direction is relatively high in the first region and relatively low in the second region.

16

In the plate according to [14] above, the first direction may be a direction along the foot width direction, and the second direction may be a direction along the foot length direction. According to such a configuration, flexural rigidity against bending on a straight line along the foot length direction is relatively low in the first region and relatively high in the second region.

17

The plate according to any one of [14] to [16] above may have a configuration in which a third region formed from a third linear element is arranged between the first region and the second region, the rigidity of the third region is lower than a higher one of rigidity of the first region and rigidity of the second region, and is higher than a lower one of the rigidity of the first region and the rigidity of the second region, and in the third region, a fiber bundle of the third linear element is oriented in a third direction that is a direction between the first direction and the second direction. According to such a configuration, it is possible to suppress a rapid rigidity change between the first region and the second region.

18

In the plate according to [17] above, the third direction may change so as to become closer to the first direction as the third direction approaches the first region, and to become closer to the second direction as the third direction approaches the second region. According to such a configuration, a rapid rigidity change between the first region and the second region can be more favorably suppressed.

19

A sole of the present disclosure includes the plate of any one of [1] to [18] above.

20

A shoe of the present disclosure includes the sole according to [19] above, and an upper arranged on an upper side of the sole.

Although the embodiment of the plate, the sole, and the shoe according to the present disclosure is described with reference to the drawings, it should be considered that the specific configuration is not limited to this embodiment. The scope of the present invention is indicated not only by the description of the above embodiment but also by the claims, and further includes meanings equivalent to the claims and all changes within the scope of the claims.

The plate, the sole, and the shoe according to the present disclosure are not limited to the above-described embodiment at all, and are not limited to the above-described actions and effects. The plate, the sole, and the shoe according to the present disclosure can be variously improved and changed without departing from the gist of the present disclosure. Further, the configurations employed in the above-described embodiment can be employed in any combination.