JP7575144B2 - footwear - Google Patents

Description

The present invention relates to footwear that is open from the ankle down, such as sandals and Japanese sandals.

Open footwear such as zori and sandals, which are open from the ankle down, is generally made up of a flat sole shaped like the sole of the foot, to which a belt or strap is attached. In addition, zori and sandals with health benefits, such as protrusions on the sole to stimulate pressure points on the sole while walking, or a sideways inclination of the sole to correct bow legs or knock-knees, have become popular.

A conventional technique of this type is described in Patent Document 1. Patent Document 1 discloses health sandals in which the front part of the thong is attached in two places so that the index finger is sandwiched between the thumb, middle finger, ring finger, and little finger in a 1:3 ratio with the index finger at the center, and the top part where the index finger rests is raised by about 2 to 5 mm.

Utility Model Registration No. 3232282

In recent years, however, there has been a demand for inexpensive footwear such as beach sandals to have health benefits. In particular, there is a demand for beach sandals that have the ability to correct bowed legs, so that bowed legs are less noticeable when wearing a swimsuit at the beach.

The present invention aims to meet these demands and provide footwear with health benefits.

In order to achieve the above object, the present invention has the following configuration.
(I) Footwear having a footrest shaped like a foot on which the foot can be placed,
The footrest has a first recess and a second recess on a back surface thereof,
The first recess faces a heel of a user via a bottom portion of the first recess,
the second recess faces the big toe, index finger and bases thereof of the user via a bottom of the second recess,
Footwear, characterized in that the bottoms of the first recess and the second recess are flexible.
(II) Footwear according to (I),
The footwear is characterized in that the wall surface of the second recess runs from the end of the footrest on the toe side in the longitudinal direction of the footrest, passes through a part closer to the little toe than the index toe, bends from the spring on the sole of the foot toward the big toe side, and reaches the inner side of the footrest.

(1) Footwear (e.g., footwear 1) including a thong (e.g., thong 30) consisting of a front part (e.g., front part 31) that is held between the big toe and the index toe and a side part (e.g., side part 32) that is placed on the instep, and a footrest (e.g., footrest 20) to which the thong is attached and on which the foot is placed,
The footrest has a heel portion on which the heel of the user is placed, and a missing portion (e.g., missing portion 20c) that is missing a portion on the little toe side of the front portion and on the toe side of the heel portion,
The footwear is characterized in that the missing portion faces at least the middle finger, ring finger, and little finger of the user's foot and their bases, as well as the lateral head of the adductor hallucis muscle located closer to the heel than the bases.

(2) Footwear (e.g., footwear 3) including a thong (e.g., thong 30) consisting of a front part (e.g., front part 31) that is held between the big toe and the index toe and a side part (e.g., side part 32) that is placed on the instep, and a footrest (e.g., footrest 20) to which the thong is attached and on which the foot is placed,
The footrest has a heel portion on which the heel of the user is placed, and a thin portion (for example, a portion of the cutout portion 26a in the footrest 25) that is thinner on the little toe side of the front portion and on the toe side of the heel portion,
The thin portion faces at least the middle finger, ring finger, little finger and their bases of the user's foot, and the lateral head of the adductor hallucis muscle located closer to the heel than the bases of the fingers, and does not face the big toe side of the front part.

(3) Footwear as defined in (1),
The footwear is characterized in that the footrest further has a heel-missing portion in which a heel portion is missing.

(4) Footwear as defined in (2),
The footrest has a two-layer structure, an upper layer and a lower layer,
The upper layer of the two-layer structure is shaped to fit the circumference of the foot without any missing parts,
The other lower layer of the two-layer structure is characterized in that it has a heel portion on which the user's heel rests, and a missing portion on the little toe side of the front portion and the toe side of the heel portion.

(5) Footwear as defined in (2),
The footrest has a two-layer structure, an upper layer and a lower layer,
The lower layer of the two-layer structure is shaped to fit the outer circumference of the foot without any missing parts,
The other upper layer of the two-layer structure is characterized in that it has a heel portion on which the user's heel rests, and a missing portion on the little toe side of the front portion and the toe side of the heel portion.

(6) Footwear as defined in (4) or (5),
The footwear is characterized in that the footrest further has a heel-missing portion in which a heel portion is missing.

According to (1) to (6), when a user walks wearing the footwear of the present invention, the toe-side and outer part of the sole of the foot is separated from the ground, so that the user's weight is concentrated on the inner side of the sole of the user's foot. This makes it possible to correct the center of gravity of the user's leg to the inside, and if the user has bow legs, it is possible to narrow the distance between the user's knees. In this way, it is possible to provide footwear with functions that are beneficial to health.

(7) Footwear comprising a thong (e.g., thong 30) consisting of a front part (e.g., front part 31) that is held between the big toe and the index toe and a side part (e.g., side part 32) that is placed on the instep, and a footrest (e.g., footrest 40) to which the thong is attached and on which the foot is placed,
The footrest has a recess (e.g., recess 40c) on the back surface,
The recess faces at least the middle toe, ring toe, little toe and bases thereof of the user's foot, and a portion of the transverse head of the adductor hallucis muscle located closer to the heel than the bases thereof, via a bottom portion of the recess;
Footwear, characterized in that the sole is flexible.

(8) Footwear comprising a thong (e.g., thong 30) consisting of a front part (e.g., front part 31) that is held between the big toe and the index toe and a side part (e.g., side part 32) that is placed on the instep, and a footrest (e.g., footrest 50) to which the thong is attached and on which the foot is placed,
The footrest has a two-layer structure, an upper layer and a lower layer,
One of the two-layer structure, an upper layer (e.g., a first layer 51), has a first missing portion (e.g., a missing portion 51a) that is missing a portion facing the heel of a user, and a second missing portion (e.g., a missing portion 51c) that is missing a portion on the little toe side of the front part and on the toe side of the first missing portion,
the other lower layer (e.g., second layer 52) of the two-layer structure is made of a material having higher flexibility than the upper layer, and has a shape that conforms to the outer periphery of the foot without providing the first missing portion and the second missing portion in the upper layer;
The second cutout portion faces at least the middle toe, the ring toe, the little toe, and the bases thereof of the user's foot, and a portion of the transverse head of the adductor hallucis muscle located closer to the heel than the bases thereof,
Footwear characterized in that it has a slope (e.g., slope 51d) at a step portion between the upper surface of the upper layer and the upper surface of the lower layer in the second missing portion.

(9) A footwear comprising a thong (e.g., thong 30) consisting of a front part (e.g., front part 31) that is held between the big toe and the index toe and a side part (e.g., side part 32) that is placed on the instep, and a footrest (e.g., footrest 60) to which the thong is attached and on which the foot is placed,
The footrest has a two-layer structure, an upper layer and a lower layer,
One of the two-layer structure, an upper layer (e.g., a first layer 61), has a first missing portion (e.g., a missing portion 61a) that is missing a portion facing the heel of a user, and a second missing portion (e.g., a missing portion 61c) that is missing a portion on the little toe side of the front part and on the toe side of the first missing portion,
The other lower layer (e.g., the second layer 62) of the two-layer structure has a shape that conforms to the outer periphery of the foot without providing the first missing portion and the second missing portion in the upper layer,
The second cutout portion faces at least the middle toe, the ring toe, the little toe, and the bases thereof of the user's foot, and a portion of the transverse head of the adductor hallucis muscle located closer to the heel than the bases thereof,
Footwear characterized in having a step portion formed by the upper surface of the upper layer and the upper surface of the lower layer in the second missing portion, and a slope (e.g., slopes 61d, 61e) at the end of the toe side of the underside of the foot platform.

(10) A footwear comprising a thong (e.g., thong 30) consisting of a front part (e.g., front part 31) that is held between the big toe and the index toe and a side part (e.g., side part 32) that is placed on the instep, and a footrest (e.g., footrest 70) to which the thong is attached and on which the foot is placed,
Footwear characterized in that the area (e.g., missing portion 70c) of the foot platform facing the user's middle toe, ring toe, little toe and their bases, and the lateral head of the adductor hallucis muscle located closer to the heel than the bases, is more flexible than other areas (e.g., flexible platform 71).

(11) A footwear comprising a thong (e.g., thong 30) consisting of a front part (e.g., front part 31) that is held between the big toe and the index toe and a side part (e.g., side part 32) that is placed on the instep, and a footrest (e.g., footrest 80) to which the thong is attached and on which the foot is placed,
The footrest has a first recess (e.g., a heel recess 80a) facing the heel of a user, and a second recess (e.g., an outer recess 80c) facing a portion on the little toe side of the front part and on the toe side of the first recess,
The second recessed portion faces at least the middle toe, the ring toe, the little toe, and the bases thereof of the user's foot, and a portion of the transverse head of the adductor hallucis muscle located closer to the heel than the bases thereof,
Footwear characterized in that the footrest has a slope (e.g., slope 80d) on the underside of the end of the toe side, the slope being inclined toward the big toe side of the user.

(12) Footwear comprising a thong (e.g., thong 30) consisting of a front part (e.g., front part 31) that is held between the big toe and the index toe and a side part (e.g., side part 32) that is placed on the instep, and a footrest (e.g., footrest 90) to which the thong is attached and on which the foot is placed,
The footrest has a recess (e.g., recess 90a) on the back surface,
The recess faces at least the big toe, the index finger and the bases thereof of the user through a bottom of the recess,
Footwear, characterized in that the sole is flexible.

(13) A foot rest (e.g., foot rest 100) on which the foot is placed, a first strap-like member (e.g., big toe strap 33) attached to the foot rest in an arch shape and into which the big toe can be inserted, and a second strap-like member (e.g., ankle strap 34) attached to the foot rest on the heel side of the first strap-like member in an arch shape and into which the instep can be inserted,
The footrest has a two-layer structure, an upper layer and a lower layer,
One of the two-layer structure, an upper layer (e.g., a first layer 101), has a first missing portion (e.g., a missing portion 101a) that is missing a portion facing the heel of a user, and a second missing portion (e.g., a missing portion 101c) that is missing a portion on the little finger side of the first belt-shaped member and on the toe side of the first missing portion,
the other lower layer of the two-layer structure is made of a material having higher flexibility than the upper layer, and the upper layer has a shape that conforms to the outer periphery of the foot without being provided with the first notch portion and the second notch portion;
The second missing portion is characterized in that it faces at least the middle finger, ring finger, and little finger of the user's foot and their bases, and the lateral head of the adductor hallucis muscle located closer to the heel than the bases.

(14) Footwear comprising a thong (e.g., thong 30) consisting of a front part (e.g., front part 31) that is held between the big toe and the index toe and a side part (e.g., side part 32) that is placed on the instep, and a footrest (e.g., footrest 110) to which the thong is attached and on which the foot is placed,
The footrest has a first recess (e.g., recess 110a) and a second recess (e.g., recess 110b) on a back surface thereof,
The first recess faces a heel of a user via a bottom portion of the first recess,
the second recess faces the big toe, index toe and bases thereof of the user's foot via a bottom of the second recess, and the bottom surface of the second recess is recessed with respect to a back surface of the foot stool on which the ring toe, little toe and bases thereof of the user's foot are placed, the back surface of the second recess being recessed with respect to a back surface of the foot stool on which the ring toe, little toe and bases thereof of the user's foot are placed, the back surface of the second recess being recessed with respect to a back surface of the foot stool on which the ring toe, little toe and bases thereof of the user's foot are placed, the bottom ...
Footwear, characterized in that the bottoms of the first recess and the second recess are flexible.

(15) A footwear comprising a thong (e.g., thong 30) consisting of a front part (e.g., front part 31) that is held between the big toe and the index toe and a side part (e.g., side part 32) that is placed on the instep, and a footrest (e.g., footrest 120) to which the thong is attached and on which the foot is placed,
The foot rest has a gap portion (e.g., a recess 121c) extending from a center portion in a thickness direction on a side surface on the little toe side with respect to the front part to a big toe side,
The footwear is characterized in that the gap portion faces at least the middle finger, ring finger, and little finger of the user's foot and their bases, as well as the lateral head of the adductor hallucis muscle located closer to the heel than the bases.

(16) A footwear comprising a thong (e.g., thong 30) consisting of a front part (e.g., front part 31) that is held between the big toe and the index toe and a side part (e.g., side part 32) that is placed on the instep, and a footrest (e.g., footrest 130) to which the thong is attached and on which the foot is placed,
The footrest has a two-layer structure, an upper layer and a lower layer,
One of the two-layer structure, an upper layer (e.g., a first layer 131), includes a first block (e.g., a first block 131a) in which the front string portion is arranged, and a second block (e.g., a second block 131b) in which the end portion of the transverse string portion is arranged,
the other lower layer (e.g., second layer 132) of the two-layer structure is made of a more flexible material than the upper layer and is shaped to conform to the periphery of the foot;
A first recess is formed between the first block and the second block, and a second recess is formed on a heel side of the second block, the second recess facing the heel of a user,
The first recess is characterized in that it faces at least the middle toe, ring toe, and little toe of the user's foot and their bases, as well as the lateral head of the adductor hallucis muscle located closer to the heel than the bases.

(17) A footwear comprising a thong (e.g., thong 30) consisting of a front part (e.g., front part 31) that is held between the big toe and the index toe and a side part (e.g., side part 32) that is placed on the instep, and a footrest (e.g., footrest 140) to which the thong is attached and on which the foot is placed,
The footrest has a two-layer structure, an upper layer and a lower layer,
One of the two-layer structure, an upper layer (e.g., a first layer 141), has a first missing portion (e.g., missing portion 141a) that is missing a portion facing the heel of a user, and a second missing portion (e.g., missing portion 141c) that is missing a portion on the little toe side of the front part and on the toe side of the first missing portion,
the other lower layer (e.g., second layer 142) of the two-layer structure is made of a material having higher flexibility than the upper layer, and has a shape that conforms to the outer periphery of the foot without providing the first notch and the second notch in the upper layer;
The second cutout portion faces at least the middle toe, the ring toe, the little toe, and the bases thereof of the user's foot, and a portion of the transverse head of the adductor hallucis muscle located closer to the heel than the bases thereof,
Footwear characterized in that the bottom surface of the footrest has a slope at each of the toe side end and heel side end.

According to (7) to (11), (13), and (15) to (17), when a user walks wearing the footwear of the present invention, the outer part of the sole on the toe side (the user's middle finger, ring finger, little finger, and their bases, and the lateral head of the adductor hallucis muscle located closer to the heel than the bases) is separated from the ground, so that the user's weight is concentrated on the inner side of the sole. This makes it possible to correct the center of gravity of the user's legs to the inside, and if the user has bow legs, it is possible to narrow the distance between the user's knees. In this way, it is possible to provide footwear with health-promoting functions.

According to (12) and (14), when a user walks wearing the footwear of the present invention, the inner part of the sole of the foot (the user's big toe, index toe and their bases, as well as the transverse head of the adductor hallucis muscle located closer to the heel than the bases) faces the recess. Therefore, when walking, the user's big toe and middle toe and their bases tend to tilt inward. This makes it possible to correct the center of gravity of the user's legs inward, and if the user has bow legs, it is possible to narrow the distance between the user's knees. In this way, it is possible to provide footwear with health-promoting functions.

(18) A footwear comprising a thong (e.g., thong 30) consisting of a front part (e.g., front part 31) that is held between the big toe and the index toe and a side part (e.g., side part 32) that is placed on the instep, and a footrest (e.g., footrest 150) to which the thong is attached and on which the foot is placed,
The footwear is characterized in that the footrest is made of a flat plate member and has a missing portion (for example, missing portion 150a) that is missing at a portion facing the heel of the user.

(19) A footwear comprising a thong (e.g., thong 30) consisting of a front part (e.g., front part 31) that is held between the big toe and the index toe and a side part (e.g., side part 32) that is placed on the instep, and a footrest (e.g., footrest 160) to which the thong is attached and on which the foot is placed,
The footrest is made of a flat plate member and has a recess (e.g., a cutout portion 161a) at a portion facing the heel of the user.
Footwear characterized in that the footrest has a slope (e.g., slopes 161b, 162a) at the end on the toe side of the underside thereof.

According to (18) and (19), because there is a space under the heel, the user walks as if standing on tiptoe, and walking while wearing the footwear naturally trains the muscles in the calf and from the back of the thigh to the buttocks. In this way, it is possible to provide footwear with functions that are beneficial to health.

In particular, according to (8), (9), (17), and (19), since the bottom surface of the footrest has a slope on either the end on the toe side or the end on the heel side, when the user walks, the slope on the bottom side of the toes comes into contact with the ground, which smooths the shift of the center of gravity when walking and makes it easier for the user to walk.

In particular, according to (11), the back surface of the end of the footrest on the toe side has a slope (e.g., slope 80d) that slopes toward the user's thumb, so that the user's thumb and middle finger and their bases tend to tilt inward. This makes it possible to correct the center of gravity of the user's legs inward, and if the user has bow legs, it is possible to narrow the distance between the user's knees.

The present invention makes it possible to provide footwear with health benefits.

1 is a perspective view showing the appearance of footwear 1 according to a first embodiment of the present invention. FIG. 2 is a front view of FIG. 1 . 1 is a perspective view showing the appearance of footwear 2 in a modified example of the first embodiment of the present invention. FIG. FIG. 11 is a perspective view showing the appearance of footwear 3 according to a second embodiment of the present invention. FIG. 5 is a front view of FIG. FIG. 11 is a perspective view showing the appearance of footwear 3 in a modified example of the second embodiment of the present invention. FIG. 11 is a plan view showing the appearance of footwear 4 according to a third embodiment of the present invention. FIG. 7B is a plan view showing the back side of FIG. 7A. FIG. 7B is a side view of FIG. 7A seen from the little finger side. FIG. 11 is a plan view showing the appearance of footwear 5 according to a fourth embodiment of the present invention. FIG. 8B is a plan view showing the back side of FIG. 8A. FIG. 8B is a side view of FIG. 8A as seen from the little finger side. FIG. 8B is a front view of FIG. 8A. FIG. 13 is a plan view showing the appearance of footwear 6 according to a fifth embodiment of the present invention. FIG. 9B is a plan view showing the back side of FIG. 9A. FIG. 9B is a side view of FIG. 9A as seen from the little finger side. FIG. 9B is a front view of FIG. 9A. FIG. 13 is a plan view showing the appearance of footwear 7 in a sixth embodiment of the present invention. FIG. 10B is a plan view showing the back side of FIG. 10A. FIG. 10B is a side view of FIG. 10A as seen from the little finger side. FIG. 13 is a plan view showing the appearance of footwear 8 according to a seventh embodiment of the present invention. FIG. 11B is a plan view showing the back side of FIG. 11A. FIG. 11B is a side view of FIG. 11A as seen from the little finger side. FIG. 11B is a front view of FIG. FIG. 13 is a plan view showing the appearance of footwear 9 according to an eighth embodiment of the present invention. FIG. 12B is a plan view showing the back side of FIG. 12A. FIG. 12B is a side view of FIG. 12A as seen from the little finger side. FIG. 12B is a front view of FIG. 12A. FIG. 13 is a plan view showing the appearance of footwear 10 in a ninth embodiment of the present invention. FIG. 13B is a plan view showing the back side of FIG. 13A. FIG. 13B is a side view of FIG. 13A as seen from the little finger side. FIG. 13B is a front view of FIG. 13A. FIG. 23 is a plan view showing the appearance of footwear 11 in a tenth embodiment of the present invention. FIG. 14B is a plan view showing the back side of FIG. 14A. FIG. 14B is a side view of FIG. 14A seen from the little finger side. FIG. 14B is a front view of FIG. 14A. FIG. 23 is a plan view showing the appearance of footwear 12 in an eleventh embodiment of the present invention. FIG. 15B is a plan view showing the back side of FIG. 15A. FIG. 15B is a side view of FIG. 15A as seen from the little finger side. FIG. 23 is a plan view showing the appearance of footwear 13 in a twelfth embodiment of the present invention. FIG. 16B is a plan view showing the back side of FIG. 16A. FIG. 16B is a side view of FIG. 16A as seen from the little finger side. FIG. 16B is a front view of FIG. 16A. A plan view showing the appearance of footwear 14 in a thirteenth embodiment of the present invention. FIG. 17B is a plan view showing the back side of FIG. 17A. FIG. 17B is a side view of FIG. 17A as seen from the little finger side. FIG. 17B is a front view of FIG. 17A. A plan view showing the appearance of footwear 15 in a fourteenth embodiment of the present invention. FIG. 18B is a plan view showing the back side of FIG. 18A. FIG. 18B is a side view of FIG. 18A seen from the little finger side. FIG. 23 is a plan view showing the appearance of footwear 16 in a fifteenth embodiment of the present invention. FIG. 19B is a plan view showing the back side of FIG. 19A. FIG. 19B is a side view of FIG. 19A as seen from the little finger side. FIG. 19B is a front view of FIG. 19A.

The following describes in detail an embodiment of the present invention with reference to the drawings.

[First embodiment]
Fig. 1 is a perspective view showing the appearance of footwear 1 in a first embodiment of the present invention. Fig. 2 is a front view of Fig. 1. Footwear 1 is a so-called beach sandal, and includes a footrest 20 and a thong 30. Note that Figs. 1 and 2 show footwear 1 to be worn on the left foot of a user, and footwear 1 to be worn on the right foot is symmetrical to footwear 1 to be worn on the left foot, so detailed description of footwear 1 to be worn on the right foot will be omitted.

The footrest 20 is a flat plate-shaped member made of rubber or EVA urethane material that conforms to the outer circumference of the foot, and includes a heel section 20a on which the user's heel rests, and a toe section 20b on which the user's toes rest.

The thong 30 is made of cloth or synthetic resin and is composed of a front strap 31 and a side strap 32. The front strap 31 extends upward from the board surface of the foot rest 20 and is the part that is pinched between the big toe and index toe of the user's foot, and is located at the toe part 20b of the foot rest 20. The side strap 32 is made of a string-like or band-like member made of cloth or synthetic resin, and is divided into two parts: an inner side strap 32a that extends from the front strap 31 toward the side of the big toe side of the foot rest 20 (hereinafter referred to as the inner side) and an outer side strap 32b that extends toward the side of the little toe side (hereinafter referred to as the outer side). The ends of the inner side strap 32a and the outer side strap 32b are fixed to both sides of the arch area of the foot rest 20, respectively.

The footrest 20 further includes a cutout 20c on the little toe side of the front strap 31. The cutout 20c is formed by making a slit along the length of the footrest 20 from the end of the footrest 20 on the toe side, passing through a part slightly closer to the little toe than the front strap 31, passing through a part slightly closer to the toes than the end of the outer lateral strap 32b, and cutting in a gentle arc to the outer side of the footrest 20.

Next, we will explain the state when a user is wearing footwear 1.

The footwear 1 configured in this manner can be worn by the user by slipping the foot through the thong 30 and pinching the front strap portion 31 between the user's big toe and index toe. At this time, the inner strap portion 32a passes over the base of the user's big toe, and the outer strap portion 32b passes over the top of the user's foot, making it difficult for the footwear 1 to come off the user's foot.

When the user is wearing the footwear 1, the missing portion 20c faces the middle toe, ring toe, little toe and their bases of the user's foot, the lateral head of the adductor hallucis muscle located closer to the heel than the bases, and the lateral portion of the arch of the flexor digitorum brevis muscle. In other words, if the sole of the foot is divided into two parts near the arch, the toe side and the heel side, and the toe side is further divided into the big toe side (inner side) and the little toe side (outer side), the outer half of the toe side generally faces the missing portion 20c.

As a result, when a user walks wearing footwear 1, the outer half of the sole on the toe side is separated from the ground, so the user's weight is concentrated on the inner side of the sole of the user's foot. Also, when standing or walking, the user becomes conscious of not touching the ground to the outer part of the sole that faces the cutout portion 20c. This makes it possible to correct the center of gravity of the user's legs inward, and if the user has bow legs, it is possible to narrow the distance between the user's knees.

According to this embodiment configured as above, when the user wears the footwear, the weight of the user is concentrated on the inner side of the sole, so that the center of gravity of the user's legs can be shifted inward, and the distance between the user's knees can be narrowed. This allows the user to walk without worrying too much about bow legs when changing into a swimsuit at the beach. Furthermore, according to this embodiment, when Speel plaster is applied to a corn on the outside of the sole, wearing the footwear 1 can separate the area where the Speel plaster is applied from the ground, so it is expected that the effect of reducing the Speel plaster slipping or peeling off while walking can be achieved.

[Modification of the first embodiment]
Fig. 3 is a perspective view showing the appearance of footwear 2 according to a modification of the first embodiment of the present invention. Footwear 2 according to the modification of the first embodiment is obtained by further forming a missing portion 20d by missing a heel portion on foot platform 20 of footwear 1 according to the first embodiment shown in Fig. 1. This missing portion 20d can be called a heel missing portion.

According to the modified example of the first embodiment configured in this manner, the footwear 2 has the cutout 20d, which allows the user to walk on tiptoe, and walking while wearing the footwear 2 makes it possible to naturally train the muscles in the calves and from the back of the thighs to the buttocks. In addition, the footwear 2 has the cutout 20c, which makes it possible to correct the center of gravity of the user's legs to the inside as described above, and if the user has bow legs, it is possible to narrow the distance between the user's knees.

Figure 4 is a perspective view showing the appearance of footwear 3 in a second embodiment of the present invention. Figure 5 is a front view of Figure 4. Note that the same components as those in footwear 1 shown in Figures 1 and 2 or components with the same functions are given the same reference numerals and detailed descriptions are omitted.

Footwear 3 includes a footrest 25 and a thong 30. Footwear 3 differs from footwear 1 in the first embodiment in that footrest 25 is used instead of footrest 20 in the first embodiment.

The footrest 25 has a two-layer structure consisting of a first layer 26 and a second layer 27. The first layer 26 has a missing portion 26a. The first layer 26 has the same shape or a different thickness as the footrest 20 of the footwear 1 in the first embodiment, except that the corners of the toe are chamfered, and the missing portion 26a is formed in the same location as the missing portion 20c of the footrest 20 of the footwear 1.

The second layer 27 is shaped to resemble the outer circumference of a foot, where the missing portion 26a is not formed in the first layer 26. The footrest 25 is constructed by bonding the underside of the first layer 26 to the upper surface of the second layer 27, and a step is formed at the location of the missing portion 26a.

The footwear 3 is completed by attaching the thong 30 to the footrest 25 in the same manner as the footwear 1 in the first embodiment.

When the user wears the footwear 3, the outer portion of the sole of the user's foot on the toe side faces the upper surface of the second layer 27, spaced apart by the step caused by the missing portion 26a.

For this reason, in the same way as the footwear 1 in the first embodiment, when a user wears the footwear 1 and stands upright, the footwear 3 in the second embodiment concentrates the user's weight on the inner side of the sole of the user's foot. This makes it possible to correct the center of gravity of the user's leg to the inside, and if the user has bow legs, it is possible to narrow the distance between the user's knees. Also, because the lower part of the missing portion 26a is covered by the second layer 27, when the footwear 3 is used on a sandy beach, the soles of the feet do not come into direct contact with the sand on the beach.

[Modification of the second embodiment]
In the footwear 3 of the second embodiment, the first layer 26 and the second layer 27 of the foot platform 25 may be reversed, with the second layer 27 serving as the upper layer and the first layer 26 serving as the lower layer.

The modified version of the second embodiment configured in this manner achieves the same effects as the footwear 3 of the second embodiment.

In addition, in the footwear 3 of the second embodiment, as in the footwear 2 of the modified example of the first embodiment, the heel portion of the footrest 25 may be missing. This allows the user to walk on tiptoes, naturally training the muscles in the calves and from the back of the thighs to the buttocks. In the example shown in FIG. 3, the heel portion is missing in an arc shape, but as shown in FIG. 6, it may be missing in a straight line.

Also, as shown in Figures 3 and 6, the second layer 27 of the footwear 3 of the second embodiment may be glued to the underside of the footwear with the heel area cut out in an arc shape, forming a two-layer structure. This prevents the heel from coming into direct contact with the sand on the beach.

In the second embodiment and its modified example, the footrest 25 is formed in two layers, but it may be a single layer (single plate) if a thin-walled portion is formed in the area of the footrest that faces the outer part of the sole of the user's foot.

[Third embodiment]
Fig. 7A is a plan view showing the appearance of footwear 4 in the third embodiment of the present invention. Fig. 7B is a plan view showing the back side of Fig. 7A. Fig. 7C is a side view of Fig. 7A seen from the little toe side. The footwear 4 is a so-called beach sandal, and includes a footrest 40 and a thong 30. Fig. 7A shows the footwear 4 to be worn on the left foot of a user, and the footwear 4 to be worn on the right foot is symmetrical to the footwear 4 to be worn on the left foot, so a detailed description of the footwear 4 to be worn on the right foot will be omitted. In addition, the same members or members having the same functions as those in the footwear 1 shown in Figs. 1 and 2 are denoted by the same reference numerals, and detailed description will be omitted.

The footrest 40 is a flat plate-shaped member made of rubber or EVA urethane material, shaped to fit the outer circumference of the foot, and has a heel section 40a on which the user's heel rests, and a toe section 40b on which the user's toes rest.

The front strap 31 of the thong 30 extends upward from the surface of the footrest 40 and is the portion that is pinched between the big toe and index toe of the user's foot, and is located at the toe portion 40b of the footrest 40. The side strap 32 is divided into two parts, an inner side strap 32a that extends from the front strap 31 toward the side of the footrest 40 on the big toe side (hereinafter referred to as the inner side) and an outer side strap 32b that extends toward the side of the footrest 40 on the little toe side (hereinafter referred to as the outer side). The ends of the inner side strap 32a and the outer side strap 32b are fixed to both sides of the arch area of the footrest 40, respectively.

The footrest 40 further includes a recess 40c on the back surface on the little toe side of the front strap 31, as shown in Figs. 7B and 7C. The wall surface of the recess 40c extends in a gentle arc from the end of the footrest 40 on the toe side toward the longitudinal direction of the footrest 40, passing through a part slightly closer to the little toe than the front strap 31, passing through a part slightly closer to the toe than the end of the outer lateral strap 32b, and reaching the outer side of the footrest 40. The outer periphery of the recess 40c is open. In other words, the footwear 4 in the third embodiment is configured such that the footwear 1 in the first embodiment shown in Fig. 1 extends in a plate-like shape from the upper part of the missing part 20c to the outer side, and the upper part of the missing part 20c is covered by this extension. The bottom of the recess 40c is thin-walled, so it has flexibility in the vertical direction.

When the user is wearing the footwear 4, the recess 40c faces the middle toe, ring toe, little toe and their bases of the user's foot, the lateral head of the adductor hallucis muscle located closer to the heel than the bases, and the lateral part of the arch of the flexor digitorum brevis. In other words, if the sole of the foot is divided into two parts near the arch, the toe side and the heel side, and the toe side is further divided into the inner side (big toe side) and the outer side (little toe side), the outer half of the toe side generally faces the recess 40c via the bottom of the recess 40c.

When a user walks wearing footwear 4, the underside of the outer half of the sole on the toe side, i.e., the bottom of recess 40c, moves away from the ground. This makes walking unstable. To maintain walking balance, the user will concentrate their weight on the inner side of the sole of the user's foot. Also, when standing upright or walking, the user will be conscious of not letting the bottom of recess 40c touch the ground. This makes it possible to correct the center of gravity of the user's legs to the inside, and if the user has bow legs, it is possible to narrow the distance between the user's knees.

The third embodiment configured in this way is expected to have the same effects as the first embodiment, and can also prevent the soles of the feet from getting dirty or stepping directly on protrusions when wearing the footwear 4.

[Fourth embodiment]
Fig. 8A is a plan view showing the appearance of footwear 5 in the fourth embodiment of the present invention. Fig. 8B is a plan view showing the back side of Fig. 8A. Fig. 8C is a side view of Fig. 8A seen from the little toe side. Fig. 8D is a front view of Fig. 8A. Footwear 5 is a so-called beach sandal, and includes a footrest 50 and a thong 30. Note that Fig. 8A shows footwear 5 to be worn on the left foot of a user, and footwear 5 to be worn on the right foot is symmetrical to footwear 5 to be worn on the left foot, so detailed description of footwear 5 to be worn on the right foot will be omitted. Also, the same reference numerals are used to designate the same members or members having the same functions as those in footwear 1 shown in Figs. 1 and 2, and detailed description will be omitted.

Footwear 5 differs from footwear 1 in the first embodiment in that footrest 20 in the first embodiment is footrest 50.

The footrest 50 is made of rubber or EVA urethane material, and has a two-layer structure of a first layer 51 and a second layer 52, as shown in Figs. 8C and 8D. The first layer 51 has a missing portion 51a where the heel of the user is missing, a toe portion 51b where the user's toes are placed, and a missing portion 51c where the middle finger, ring finger, and little finger of the user's foot and the areas near the base of these are missing. In addition, as shown in Figs. 8A and 8D, a downwardly sloping slope 51d is formed on the edge of the missing portion 51c in the first layer 51.

The missing portion 51c is formed by making a cut in a gentle arc from the end of the first layer 51 on the toe side along the longitudinal direction of the footrest 50, passing through a part slightly closer to the little toe than the front strap portion 31, passing through a part slightly closer to the toes than the end of the outer lateral strap portion 32b, and cutting to the outer side of the footrest 40.

The second layer 52 has a shape that resembles the outer circumference of a foot, as shown in FIG. 8B, where the missing portions 51a, 51c are not formed in the first layer 51. The footrest 50 is formed by bonding the lower surface of the first layer 51 to the upper surface of the second layer 52, and a step is formed between the upper surface of the first layer 51 and the upper surface of the second layer 52 at the locations of the missing portions 51a, 51c. A slope 51d is formed at this step. The second layer 52 is made of a material that is more flexible than the first layer 51.

Footwear 5 is completed by attaching the thong 30 to the footrest 50 in the same manner as footwear 1 in the first embodiment.

When the user wears the footwear 5, the heel portion of the sole of the user's foot faces the missing portion 51a, and the missing portion 51c faces the middle toe, ring toe, and little toe of the user's foot and their bases, the lateral head of the adductor hallucis muscle located closer to the heel than the bases, and the lateral portion of the arch of the flexor digitorum brevis muscle. The heel and outer portion of the toe side of the sole of the user's foot face the upper surface of the second layer 52, separated by the step difference created by the missing portions 51a and 51c.

The footwear 5 in the fourth embodiment configured in this way has the same effect as the footwear 1 in the first embodiment. Furthermore, by having the missing portion 51a, the user walks on tiptoe, and walking while wearing the footwear 5 allows the user to naturally train the muscles of the calf, the back of the thigh, and the buttocks. In addition, a slope 51d that slopes downward toward the upper surface of the second layer 52 is formed at the edge of the missing portion 51c. Therefore, when the user is subjected to a lateral impact, such as when the user bumps into a person, the slope 51d is in contact with the sole of the user's foot. This makes it easier for the user to maintain balance. Moreover, since the second layer 52 is made of a highly flexible material, when the sole of the foot touches the second layer 52, the second layer 52 undergoes a large elastic deformation. This makes the user's balance unstable, so the user is forced to concentrate their weight on the inner side of the sole of the user's foot to maintain a stable state. In addition, at least the second layer 52 is interposed between the ground and the sole of the foot, which prevents the sole of the foot from getting dirty or stepping directly on protrusions when using the footwear 5.

[Fifth embodiment]
Fig. 9A is a plan view showing the appearance of footwear 6 in the fifth embodiment of the present invention. Fig. 9B is a plan view showing the back side of Fig. 9A. Fig. 9C is a side view of Fig. 9A seen from the little toe side. Fig. 9D is a front view of Fig. 9A. The footwear 6 is a so-called beach sandal, and includes a footrest 60 and a thong 30. Note that Fig. 9A shows the footwear 6 to be worn on the left foot of a user, and the footwear 6 to be worn on the right foot is symmetrical to the footwear 6 to be worn on the left foot, so a detailed description of the footwear 6 to be worn on the right foot will be omitted. Also, the same members or members having the same functions as those in the footwear 1 shown in Figs. 1 and 2 are denoted by the same reference numerals, and detailed description will be omitted.

Footwear 6 differs from footwear 1 in the first embodiment in that footrest 20 in the first embodiment is footrest 60.

As shown in Figures 9C and 9D, the footrest 60 has a two-layer structure consisting of a first layer 61 and a second layer 62. The first layer 61 has a missing portion 61a where the heel of the user is missing, a toe portion 61b where the user's toes are placed, and a missing portion 61c where the middle finger, ring finger, and little toe of the user's foot and the areas near the bases of these are missing. A downwardly sloping slope 61d is formed on the edge of the missing portion 61c in the first layer 61. In addition, a slope 61e that slopes upward toward the toes is formed on the back side of the toe portion of the first layer 61.

As shown in FIG. 9B, the second layer 62 has a shape that resembles the outer circumference of a foot, with no missing parts 61a and 61c formed in the first layer 61. The second layer 62 has the same hardness as the first layer 61. A slope 62a that slopes upward toward the toes is formed on the back side of the toe part of the second layer 62. The footrest 60 is constructed by bonding the lower surface of the first layer 61 and the upper surface of the second layer 62. As a result, a step is formed between the upper surface of the first layer 61 and the upper surface of the second layer 62 at the missing parts 61a and 61c. A slope 61d is formed at this step. In addition, the slope 61e of the first layer 61 and the slope 62a of the second layer 62 overlap each other, so that a slope that slopes upward toward the toes is formed on the back side of the toe part of the footrest 60.

The footwear 6 is completed by attaching the thong 30 to the footrest 60 in the same manner as the footwear 1 in the first embodiment.

When a user wears footwear 6, the heel and outer toe portions of the sole of the user's foot face the upper surface of second layer 62, spaced apart by the step difference created by missing portions 61a, 61c. In other words, footwear 6 in the fifth embodiment of the present invention is footwear 5 in the fourth embodiment, with a slope formed on the back side of the toe portion that slopes upward toward the toe, and first layer 51 and second layer 52 being constructed from the same material or materials having similar hardness.

The footwear 6 of the fifth embodiment configured in this manner provides the same effects as the footwear 4 of the fourth embodiment. Furthermore, since a slope is formed on the underside of the toe, the slope on the underside of the toe comes into contact with the ground when walking, which smooths the movement of the center of gravity when walking and makes it easier for the user to walk.

Sixth embodiment
Fig. 10A is a plan view showing the appearance of footwear 7 in the sixth embodiment of the present invention. Fig. 10B is a plan view showing the back side of Fig. 10A. Fig. 10C is a side view of Fig. 10A seen from the little toe side. Footwear 7 is a so-called beach sandal, and includes a footrest 70, a soft rest 71, and a thong 30. Fig. 10A shows footwear 7 to be worn on the left foot of a user, and footwear 7 to be worn on the right foot is symmetrical to footwear 7 to be worn on the left foot, so detailed description of footwear 7 to be worn on the right foot is omitted. Also, the same reference numerals are used to denote the same members or members having the same functions as those in footwear 1 shown in Figs. 1 and 2, and detailed description thereof is omitted.

The footrest 70 is a flat plate-shaped member made of rubber or EVA urethane material that conforms to the outer circumference of the foot, and includes a heel portion 70a on which the user's heel rests, and a toe portion 70b on which the user's toes rest.

As shown in FIG. 10B, the footrest 70 further includes a cutout 70c on the little toe side of the front strap 31. The cutout 70c is formed by making a slit along the length of the footrest 70 from the end of the footrest 70 on the toe side, passing through a part slightly closer to the little toe than the front strap 31, passing through a part slightly closer to the toes than the end of the outer lateral strap 32b, and cutting in a gentle arc to the outer side of the footrest 70.

The flexible base 71 is made of a flexible material that is more flexible than the foot rest 70, and is placed and fixed in the missing portion 70c of the foot rest 70. By fixing the flexible base 71 to the foot rest 70, a single foot-shaped plate member is formed. By placing the flexible base 71 in the missing portion 70c of the foot rest 70, a foot-shaped plate member is formed.

Then, the flexible base 71 is fixed to the missing portion 70c of the footrest 70, and the thong 30 is attached to the footrest 70 in the same manner as the footrest 20 of the footwear 1 in the first embodiment, thereby forming the footwear 7.

When the user wears the footwear 7, the flexible base 71 faces the middle, ring and little toes of the user's foot and their bases on the sole of the user's foot, the lateral head of the adductor hallucis muscle located closer to the heel than the bases, and the lateral part of the arch of the flexor digitorum minimi muscle.

According to the sixth embodiment configured in this way, when a user walks wearing the footwear 7, the flexible platform 71 sinks significantly when the outer half of the sole of the foot on the toe side rests on the flexible platform 71. This makes walking unstable. In order to maintain walking balance, the user will concentrate their weight on the inner side of the sole of the user's foot. Also, when standing upright or walking, the user will be conscious of not resting on the flexible platform 71. This makes it possible to correct the center of gravity of the user's legs to the inside, and if the user has bow legs, it is possible to narrow the distance between the user's knees. Furthermore, by fixing the flexible platform 71 to the missing portion 51a, it is possible to prevent the soles of the feet from getting dirty or stepping directly on protrusions when using the footwear 7.

[Seventh embodiment]
Fig. 11A is a plan view showing the appearance of footwear 8 in the seventh embodiment of the present invention. Fig. 11B is a plan view showing the back side of Fig. 11A. Fig. 11C is a side view of Fig. 11A seen from the little toe side. Fig. 11D is a front view of Fig. 11A. The footwear 8 is a so-called beach sandal, and includes a footrest 80 and a thong 30. Note that Fig. 11A shows the footwear 8 to be worn on the left foot of a user, and the footwear 8 to be worn on the right foot is symmetrical to the footwear 8 to be worn on the left foot, so a detailed description of the footwear 8 to be worn on the right foot will be omitted. Also, the same members or members having the same functions as those in the footwear 1 shown in Figs. 1 and 2 are denoted by the same reference numerals, and detailed description will be omitted.

The footrest 80 is a flat plate-shaped member made of rubber or EVA urethane material that conforms to the outer periphery of the foot, and includes a heel recess 80a that faces the heel of the user, a toe portion 80b on which the toes of the user are placed, an outer recess 80c that faces the middle finger, ring finger, and little finger of the user and their bases, and a slope 80d formed at the tip of the back surface as shown in Figures 11B to 11D.

The thong 30 is fixed to the toe portion 80b. The heel recess 80a, outer recess 80c, and slope 80d of the footrest 80 are formed by cutting a single plate-shaped member.

The bottom surfaces of the heel recess 80a and the outer recess 80c are lower than the upper surface of the toe portion 80b, and a step is formed between the upper surface of the toe portion 80b and the bottom surfaces of the heel recess 80a and the outer recess 80c. As shown in FIG. 11A, the wall surface of the heel recess 80a is formed in an arc shape that bulges toward the toes, and the outer periphery of the heel recess 80a is open. The wall surface of the outer recess 80c extends in a gentle arc shape from the end of the toe side of the footrest 80 toward the longitudinal direction of the footrest 80, passing through a part slightly closer to the little toe than the front string portion 31, passing through a part slightly closer to the toes than the end portion of the outer lateral string portion 32b, and reaching the outer side of the footrest 80. The outer periphery of the outer recess 80c is open. Also, as shown in Figures 11B to 11D, the slope 80d slopes gently from the boundary area between the toe portion 80b and the outer recess 80c toward the user's big toe.

When the user is wearing the footwear 8, the outer recess 80c faces the middle, ring, and little toes of the user's foot and their bases, the lateral head of the adductor hallucis muscle located closer to the heel than the bases, and the lateral part of the arch of the flexor digitorum brevis muscle. In other words, if the sole of the foot is divided into two parts near the arch, the toe side and the heel side, and the toe side is further divided into the inner side (thumb side) and the outer side (little toe side), the outer half of the toe side generally faces the outer recess 80c. Also, the user's heel faces the heel recess 80a.

When a user walks wearing the footwear 8, the back surface of the outer half of the sole on the toe side, i.e., the bottom surface of the outer recess 80c, is separated from the ground. This makes walking unstable. In order to maintain walking balance, the user will concentrate their weight on the inner side of the sole of the user's foot. In addition, when standing upright or walking, the user will be conscious of not letting the bottom surface of the outer recess 80c touch the ground. This makes it possible to correct the center of gravity of the user's legs inward, and if the user has bow legs, it is possible to narrow the distance between the user's knees. Furthermore, by having the heel recess 80a, the user will walk on tiptoe, and by walking wearing the footwear 7, it is possible to naturally train the muscles of the calf, the back of the thigh, and the buttocks. In addition, since the slope 80d is formed, the user's big toe is easily tilted inward when walking, making it possible to correct the center of gravity of the user's legs inward.

The seventh embodiment configured in this manner is expected to have the same effect as the first embodiment, and can prevent the soles of the feet from getting dirty or stepping directly on protrusions when using the footwear 8. Note that the footrest 80 of the footwear 8 is made of a single plate-like member, but it may also be made of a two-layer structure to form a step, as with the footwear 6 in the fifth embodiment.

Eighth embodiment
Fig. 12A is a plan view showing the appearance of footwear 9 in the eighth embodiment of the present invention. Fig. 12B is a plan view showing the back side of Fig. 12A. Fig. 12C is a side view of Fig. 12A seen from the little toe side. Fig. 12D is a front view of Fig. 12A. The footwear 9 is a so-called beach sandal, and includes a footrest 90 and a thong 30. Note that Fig. 12A shows the footwear 9 to be worn on the left foot of a user, and the footwear 9 to be worn on the right foot is symmetrical to the footwear 9 to be worn on the left foot, so a detailed description of the footwear 9 to be worn on the right foot will be omitted. Also, the same reference numerals are used to designate the same members or members having the same functions as those in the footwear 1 shown in Figs. 1 and 2, and detailed descriptions thereof will be omitted.

The footrest 90 is a flat plate-shaped member made of rubber, EVA urethane, or the like, and is shaped to fit the outer periphery of the foot. As shown in Figures 12B to 12D, the footrest 90 has a recess 90a on the back surface opposite the area facing the user's big toe, middle toe, and their bases.

The thong 30 is fixed to the footrest 90 in the same position as the footwear 1 of the first embodiment shown in FIG. 1. The recess 90a of the footrest 90 is formed by cutting a single plate-shaped member. The end of the front strap portion 31 is fixed to the area where the recess 90a is formed.

As shown in FIG. 12B, the wall surface of the recess 90a extends in a gentle arc from the end of the footrest 90 on the toe side toward the longitudinal direction of the footrest 90, passing through a part slightly closer to the little toe than the front string portion 31, passing through a part slightly closer to the toes than the end portion of the inner horizontal string portion 32a, and reaching the inner side of the footrest 90. As shown in FIGS. 12C and 12D, the outer periphery of the recess 90a is open. The bottom of the recess 90a is thin-walled and therefore flexible.

When the user is wearing the footwear 9, the big toe, index toe and bases of the user's foot, as well as the transverse head of the adductor hallucis muscle located closer to the heel than the bases, face the recess 90a via the bottom of the recess 90a. The bottom of the recess 90a is thin and therefore flexible.

When a user walks wearing footwear 9 configured in this way, the underside of the inner half of the sole on the toe side, i.e., the bottom surface of the recess 90a, moves away from the ground. The bottom part where the recess 90a is formed is thin and therefore more flexible than other parts. As a result, the user's big toe and middle toe and their bases tend to tilt inward when walking. This makes it possible to correct the center of gravity of the user's legs inward, and if the user has bow legs, it is possible to narrow the distance between the user's knees.

[Ninth embodiment]
Fig. 13A is a plan view showing the appearance of footwear 10 in a ninth embodiment of the present invention. Fig. 13B is a plan view showing the back side of Fig. 13A. Fig. 13C is a side view of Fig. 13A seen from the little toe side. Fig. 13D is a front view of Fig. 13A. Footwear 10 is a so-called beach sandal, and includes a footrest 100, a big toe strap 33, and an ankle strap 34. Note that Fig. 13A shows footwear 10 to be worn on the left foot of a user, and footwear 10 to be worn on the right foot is symmetrical to footwear 10 to be worn on the left foot, so detailed description of footwear 10 to be worn on the right foot will be omitted.

The footrest 100 is made of rubber, EVA urethane, or the like, and has a two-layer structure consisting of a first layer 101 and a second layer 102. The first layer 101 has a missing portion 101a where the heel of the user is missing, a toe portion 101b where the user's toes are placed, and a missing portion 101c where the middle toe, ring toe, and little toe of the user's foot and the areas near their bases are missing.

As shown in FIG. 13B, the second layer 102 has a shape that resembles the outer circumference of a foot, where the missing portions 101a, 101c are not formed in the first layer 101. The footrest 100 is constructed by bonding the lower surface of the first layer 101 to the upper surface of the second layer 102, and a step is formed between the upper surface of the first layer 101 and the upper surface of the second layer 102 at the locations of the missing portions 101a, 101c. The second layer 102 is constructed from a material that is more flexible than the first layer 101. The footrest 100 is integrated by stacking the first layer 101 on the second layer 102 and fixing them together by adhesive or the like.

As shown in Figures 13C and 13D, the thumb strap 33 is made of a strip-shaped member and is attached in an arch shape to the part of the toe portion 101b of the first layer 101 where the user's thumb is positioned. The ankle strap 34 is made of a strip-shaped member and both ends are attached to both ends on the heel side of the toe portion 101b of the first layer 101. In this way, the ankle strap 34 is attached to the foot platform 100 in an arch shape.

A user can put on footwear 10 by inserting the instep into ankle strap 34 and inserting the big toe into big toe strap 33. In this case, ankle strap 34 is positioned around the ankle. When the user puts on footwear 10, the heel of the user's sole faces the upper surface of second layer 102, separated by the step difference caused by missing portion 101a. In addition, the user's middle finger, ring finger, little finger and their bases, and the transverse head of adductor hallucis muscle located closer to the heel than the bases, face the upper surface of second layer 102, separated by the step difference caused by missing portion 101c.

The footwear 10 of the ninth embodiment configured in this way has the same effect as the footwear 1 of the first embodiment. Furthermore, by having the missing portion 101a, the user walks on tiptoe, and walking while wearing the footwear 10 allows the user to naturally train the muscles of the calf, the sole of the thigh, and the buttocks. Furthermore, since the second layer 102 is made of a highly flexible material, when the sole of the foot touches the second layer 102, the second layer 102 undergoes large elastic deformation. This makes the user's balance unstable, and the user tends to concentrate their weight on the inner side of the sole of the foot to maintain a stable state. Furthermore, since at least the second layer 102 is interposed between the ground and the sole of the foot, it is possible to prevent the sole of the foot from getting dirty or stepping directly on a protrusion when using the footwear 10.

In addition, according to the footwear 10 shown in FIG. 13A, the middle toe, ring toe, little toe, and the bases of these toes of the user's foot face the upper surface of the second layer 102 in the missing portion 101c, but the index toe and the bases of these toes may also be included.

[Tenth embodiment]
Fig. 14A is a plan view showing the appearance of footwear 11 in the tenth embodiment of the present invention. Fig. 14B is a plan view showing the back side of Fig. 14A. Fig. 14C is a side view of Fig. 14A seen from the little toe side. Fig. 14D is a front view of Fig. 14A. Footwear 11 is a so-called beach sandal, and includes a footrest 110 and a thong 30. Note that Fig. 14A shows footwear 11 to be worn on the left foot of a user, and footwear 11 to be worn on the right foot is symmetrical to footwear 11 to be worn on the left foot, so detailed description of footwear 11 to be worn on the right foot will be omitted. Also, the same reference numerals are used to designate the same components or components having the same functions as those in footwear 1 shown in Figs. 1 and 2, and detailed description will be omitted.

The footrest 110 is made of rubber, EVA urethane, or other materials, and is a flat plate-like member that conforms to the outer periphery of the foot. It has a recess 110a on the back surface opposite the heel of the user. It also has a recess 110b on the back surface opposite the area facing the thumb, middle finger, and their bases.

The thong 30 is fixed to the footrest 110 in the same position as the footwear 1 of the first embodiment shown in FIG. 1. The recesses 110a and 110b of the footrest 110 are formed by cutting a single plate-like member. The end of the front strap portion 31 is fixed to the area where the recess 110b is formed.

As shown in Figures 14B to 14D, the wall surface of the recess 110b extends in an L-shape from the end of the footrest 110 on the toe side toward the longitudinal direction of the footrest 110, passes through a part slightly closer to the little toe than the front part 31, turns at a right angle near the acupressure point called "Yongquan" on the sole, and reaches the inside side of the footrest 110. The outer periphery of the recesses 110a and 110b is open.

When the user is wearing the footwear 11, the user's heel faces the recess 110a via the bottom of the recess 110a. In addition, the big toe, index finger and bases of the user's foot, as well as the transverse head of the adductor hallucis muscle located closer to the heel than the bases, face the recess 110b via the bottom of the recess 110b. The bottom of the recess 110b is thin and therefore flexible.

When a user walks wearing footwear 11 configured in this way, the underside of the inner half of the sole on the toe side, i.e., the bottom surface of recess 110b, is separated from the ground. Here, the bottom part where recess 110b is formed is thin and therefore highly flexible. Therefore, when walking, the user's big toe, middle toe and their bases tend to tilt inward. This makes it possible to correct the center of gravity of the user's legs inward, and if the user has bow legs, it is possible to narrow the distance between the user's knees. Furthermore, by having recess 110a, the user walks as if standing on tiptoes, and walking while wearing footwear 11 makes it possible to naturally train the muscles of the calves and the backs of the thighs to the buttocks.

[Eleventh embodiment]
Fig. 15A is a plan view showing the appearance of footwear 12 in an eleventh embodiment of the present invention. Fig. 15B is a plan view showing the back side of Fig. 15A. Fig. 15C is a side view of Fig. 15A seen from the little toe side. The footwear 12 is a so-called beach sandal, and includes a footrest 120 and a thong 30. Note that Fig. 15A shows the footwear 12 to be worn on the left foot of a user, and the footwear 12 to be worn on the right foot is symmetrical to the footwear 12 to be worn on the left foot, so a detailed description of the footwear 12 to be worn on the right foot will be omitted. Also, the same reference numerals are used to designate the same components or components having the same functions as those in the footwear 1 shown in Figs. 1 and 2, and detailed descriptions thereof will be omitted.

The footrest 120 is made of rubber or EVA urethane material, and has a two-layer structure consisting of a first layer 121 and a second layer 122. As shown in Figs. 15B and 15C, the first layer 121 has a heel portion 121a on which the user's heel rests, and a toe portion 121b on which the user's toes rest. The first layer 121 further has a recess 121c on the back surface on the little toe side of the front string portion 31. The wall surface of the recess 121c extends in a gentle arc from the end of the toe side of the first layer 121 toward the longitudinal direction of the first layer 121, passing through a part slightly closer to the little toe than the front string portion 31, passing through a part slightly closer to the toes than the end of the outer horizontal string portion 32b, and reaching the outer side of the first layer 121. The outer periphery of the recess 121c is open.

The second layer 122 is a flat member formed to resemble the outer periphery of a foot. The footrest 120 is formed by stacking the first layer 121 on the second layer 122 and fixing them together by adhesive or the like, thereby integrating them together. As a result, the lower part of the recess 121c is covered by the upper surface of the second layer 122. In other words, the first layer 121 has the recess 121c, so that a gap is formed between the first layer 121 and the second layer 122 of the footrest 120.

The thong 30 is fixed to the footrest 120 in the same position as in the first embodiment of the footwear 1 shown in FIG. 1.

When the user is wearing the footwear 12, the recess 121c faces the middle toe, ring toe, little toe and their bases of the user's foot, the lateral head of the adductor hallucis muscle located closer to the heel than the bases, and the lateral part of the arch of the flexor digitorum brevis muscle. In other words, if the sole of the foot is divided into two parts near the arch, the toe side and the heel side, and the toe side is further divided into the inner side (big toe side) and the outer side (little toe side), the outer half of the toe side generally faces the recess 121c.

When a user walks wearing the footwear 12, the underside of the outer half of the sole on the toe side, i.e., the bottom surface of the recess 121c, separates from the top surface of the second layer 122. As a result, the upper part of the recess 121c in the first layer 121 becomes thin and bends up and down, making walking unstable. In order to maintain walking balance, the user will concentrate their weight on the inner side of the sole of the user's foot. Also, when standing upright or walking, the user will be conscious of not letting the bottom surface of the recess 121c touch the top surface of the second layer 122. This makes it possible to correct the center of gravity of the user's legs inward, and if the user has bow legs, it is possible to narrow the distance between the user's knees.

According to the eleventh embodiment configured in this way, the same effects as the first embodiment can be expected, and it is possible to prevent the soles of the feet from getting dirty or stepping directly on protrusions when using the footwear 12. Although the footrest 120 of the footwear 12 has a two-layer structure, it is also possible to make it a three-layer structure and form a missing portion in the middle layer to provide a recess 121c on the outer side of the footrest 120. Alternatively, the recess 121c can be provided on the outer side of the footrest 120 by forming a notch by cutting the center of the thickness direction of a thick single board.

[Twelfth embodiment]
Fig. 16A is a plan view showing the appearance of footwear 13 in the twelfth embodiment of the present invention. Fig. 16B is a plan view showing the back side of Fig. 16A. Fig. 16C is a side view of Fig. 16A seen from the little toe side. Fig. 16D is a front view of Fig. 16A. Footwear 13 is a so-called beach sandal, and includes a footrest 130 and a thong 30. Note that Fig. 16A shows footwear 13 to be worn on the left foot of a user, and footwear 13 to be worn on the right foot is symmetrical to footwear 13 to be worn on the left foot, so detailed description of footwear 13 to be worn on the right foot will be omitted. Also, the same reference numerals are used to designate the same components or components having the same functions as those in footwear 1 shown in Figs. 1 and 2, and detailed description will be omitted.

Footwear 13 differs from footwear 1 in the first embodiment in that footrest 20 in the first embodiment is footrest 130.

The footrest 130 is made of rubber or EVA urethane material, and has a two-layer structure consisting of a first layer 131 and a second layer 132. The first layer 51 is made up of a first block 131a to which the ends of the inner and outer lateral parts 32a and 32b of the thong 30 are fixed, and a second block 131b to which the front part 31 of the thong 30 is fixed. The first block 131a is missing on the heel side, making it difficult for the user to place the heel on it. The second block 131b is missing an outer portion, making it possible to place the user's thumb and middle finger and parts of their bases on it, but not allowing the user's middle finger, ring finger, and little finger and their bases to be placed on it.

The second layer 132 is shaped to resemble the outer circumference of the foot. The footrest 130 is constructed by bonding the underside of the first layer 131 to the upper surface of the second layer 132. The first block 131a is fixed to the heel side of the second layer 132, and the second block 131b is fixed to the toe side of the second layer 132.

The footrest 130 is formed by fixing the first layer 131 onto the second layer 132. In the footrest 130, an L-shaped recess 133a is formed between the first block 131a and the second block 131b, and a recess 133b is formed on the heel side of the second block 131b.

The footwear 13 is completed by attaching the thong 30 to the footrest 130 in the same manner as the footwear 1 in the first embodiment.

When a user wears footwear 13, the heel portion of the sole of the user's foot faces recess 133a. Furthermore, the middle toe, ring toe, little toe, and their bases, the lateral head of the adductor hallucis muscle located closer to the heel than the bases, the lateral portion of the arch of the flexor digitorum brevis muscle, and part of the arch face recess 133b. These portions face the upper surface of second layer 132, spaced apart by a step between the upper surface of first layer 131 and the upper surface of second layer 132 formed by recesses 133a and 133b.

The footwear 13 in the twelfth embodiment configured in this way provides the same effect as the footwear 1 in the first embodiment. Furthermore, by having the recess 133a, the user walks on tiptoe. This allows the user to naturally train the muscles of the calf, the sole of the thigh, and the buttocks by walking while wearing the footwear 13. Furthermore, since the second layer 132 is made of a highly flexible material, when the sole of the foot touches the second layer 132, the second layer 132 undergoes large elastic deformation. This makes the user's balance unstable, so the user's weight is concentrated on the inner side of the sole of the foot to maintain a stable state. Furthermore, since at least the second layer 132 is interposed between the ground and the sole of the foot, it is possible to prevent the sole of the foot from getting dirty or stepping directly on a protrusion when using the footwear 13.

[Thirteenth embodiment]
Fig. 17A is a plan view showing the appearance of footwear 14 in the thirteenth embodiment of the present invention. Fig. 17B is a plan view showing the back side of Fig. 17A. Fig. 17C is a side view of Fig. 17A seen from the little toe side. Fig. 17D is a front view of Fig. 17A. Footwear 14 is a so-called beach sandal, and includes a footrest 140 and a thong 30. Note that Fig. 17A shows footwear 14 to be worn on the left foot of a user, and footwear 14 to be worn on the right foot is symmetrical to footwear 14 to be worn on the left foot, so detailed description of footwear 14 to be worn on the right foot will be omitted. Also, the same reference numerals are used to designate the same components or components having the same functions as those in footwear 1 shown in Figs. 1 and 2, and detailed description will be omitted.

Footwear 14 differs from footwear 1 in the first embodiment in that footrest 20 in the first embodiment is footrest 140.

The footrest 140 is made of rubber, EVA urethane, or the like, and has a two-layer structure consisting of a first layer 141 and a second layer 142. The first layer 141 has a missing portion 141a where the heel of the user is missing, a toe portion 141b where the user's toes are placed, and a missing portion 141c where the middle toe, ring toe, and little toe of the user's foot and the areas near the bases of these toes are missing.

The missing portion 141c is formed by making a slit along the length of the first layer 141 from the end of the first layer 141 on the toe side, passing through a part slightly closer to the little toe than the front string portion 31, passing through a part slightly closer to the toes than the end of the outer horizontal string portion 32b, and cutting in a gentle arc to the outer side of the footrest 140.

The second layer 142 is shaped to resemble the outer circumference of a foot, with no missing parts 141a, 141c formed in the first layer 141. The footrest 140 is constructed by bonding the lower surface of the first layer 141 to the upper surface of the second layer 142, and as shown in Figs. 17C and 17D, a step is formed between the upper surface of the first layer 141 and the upper surface of the second layer 142 at the missing parts 141a, 141c. The second layer 142 is constructed of a material that is more flexible than the first layer 141. A slope 142a is formed on the toe side of the back surface of the second layer 142, and a slope 142b is formed on the heel side. The slope 142a is inclined upward so that the thickness of the second layer 142 gradually becomes thinner toward the toe side, and the slope 142b is inclined upward so that the thickness of the second layer 142 gradually becomes thinner toward the heel side.

The footwear 14 is completed by attaching the thong 30 to the footrest 140 in the same manner as the footwear 1 in the first embodiment.

When a user wears footwear 14, the heel portion of the sole of the user's foot faces missing portion 141a. Furthermore, the middle finger, ring finger, little finger, and bases of the user's foot, the lateral head of the adductor hallucis muscle located closer to the heel than the bases, and the lateral portion of the arch of the flexor digitorum brevis muscle face missing portion 141c. These portions face the upper surface of second layer 142, separated by the step formed by missing portions 141a and 141c between the upper surface of first layer 141 and the upper surface of second layer 142.

The footwear 14 in the thirteenth embodiment configured in this manner provides the same effect as the footwear 1 in the first embodiment. Furthermore, by having the missing portion 141a, the user walks on tiptoe, and walking while wearing the footwear 14 allows the user to naturally train the muscles of the calf, the sole of the thigh, and the buttocks. In addition, since the second layer 142 is made of a highly flexible material, when the sole of the foot touches the second layer 142 through the missing portions 141a and 141c, the second layer 142 undergoes large elastic deformation. This makes the user's balance unstable, so the user's weight is concentrated on the inner side of the sole of the foot to maintain a stable state. In addition, since at least the second layer 142 is interposed between the ground and the sole of the foot, it is possible to prevent the sole of the foot from getting dirty or stepping directly on a protrusion when using the footwear 14. In addition, since the slopes 142a and 142b are formed on the back surface of the second layer 142, the user can smoothly transfer weight when walking. This makes it possible to provide footwear that is easy to walk in.

[Fourteenth embodiment]
Fig. 18A is a plan view showing the appearance of footwear 15 in the fourteenth embodiment of the present invention. Fig. 18B is a plan view showing the back side of Fig. 18A. Fig. 18C is a side view of Fig. 18A seen from the little toe side. Footwear 15 is a so-called beach sandal, and includes a footrest 150 and a thong 30. Fig. 18A shows footwear 15 to be worn on the left foot of a user, and footwear 15 to be worn on the right foot is symmetrical to footwear 15 to be worn on the left foot, so detailed description of footwear 15 to be worn on the right foot is omitted. Also, the same reference numerals are used to designate the same members or members having the same functions as those in footwear 1 shown in Figs. 1 and 2, and detailed description thereof is omitted.

Footwear 15 differs from footwear 1 in the first embodiment in that footrest 20 in the first embodiment is footrest 150.

The footrest 150 is a plate-shaped member made of rubber, EVA urethane, or the like, and is shaped like a foot. The footrest 150 has a missing portion 150a that is missing the area of the user's heel.

The footwear 15 in the 14th embodiment configured in this manner has the missing portion 150a, which allows the user to walk as if standing on tiptoe, and walking while wearing the footwear 15 allows the user to naturally train the muscles in the calves and from the back of the thighs to the buttocks.

[Fifteenth embodiment]
Fig. 19A is a plan view showing the appearance of footwear 16 in a fifteenth embodiment of the present invention. Fig. 19B is a plan view showing the back side of Fig. 19A. Fig. 19C is a side view of Fig. 19A seen from the little toe side. Fig. 19D is a front view of Fig. 19A. Footwear 16 is a so-called beach sandal, and includes a footrest 160 and a thong 30. Note that Fig. 19A shows footwear 16 to be worn on the left foot of a user, and footwear 16 to be worn on the right foot is symmetrical to footwear 16 to be worn on the left foot, so detailed description of footwear 16 to be worn on the right foot will be omitted. Also, the same reference numerals are used to designate the same components or components having the same functions as those in footwear 1 shown in Figs. 1 and 2, and detailed description will be omitted.

Footwear 16 differs from footwear 1 in the first embodiment in that footrest 20 in the first embodiment is footrest 160.

The footrest 160 is made of rubber, EVA urethane, or the like, and has a two-layer structure consisting of a first layer 161 and a second layer 162. The first layer 161 has a missing portion 161a where the heel of the user is missing. The second layer 162 has a shape that resembles the outer circumference of the foot, where the missing portion 161a is not formed in the first layer 161. The second layer 162 has the same hardness as the first layer 161.

A slope 161b is formed on the back surface of the edge on the toe side of the first layer 161. A slope 162a is formed on the back surface of the edge on the toe side of the second layer 162. The slopes 161b and 162a slope upward toward the toe side. Therefore, the plate thickness of the toe portions of the first layer 161 and the second layer 162 gradually becomes thinner.

The footrest 160 is constructed by bonding the bottom surface of the first layer 161 and the top surface of the second layer 162 together, and a recess (step) is formed at the missing portion 161a by the top surface of the first layer 161 and the top surface of the second layer 162. In addition, the slope 161b of the first layer 161 overlaps the slope 162a of the second layer 162, forming a slope on the back side of the toe portion of the footrest 160 that slopes upward toward the toes.

The footwear 16 is completed by attaching the thong 30 to the footrest 160 in the same manner as the footwear 1 in the first embodiment.

When the user wears the footwear 16, the heel portion of the user's sole faces the upper surface of the second layer 162, spaced apart by the step caused by the missing portion 161a.

The footwear 16 in the fifteenth embodiment configured in this manner has a slope formed on the underside of the toe, and when walking, the slope on the underside of the toe comes into contact with the ground, which smooths the movement of the center of gravity when walking and makes it easier for the user to walk. In addition, since at least the second layer 162 is interposed between the ground and the sole of the foot, it is possible to prevent the sole of the foot from getting dirty or stepping directly on protrusions when using the footwear 16.

Although the embodiments of the present invention have been described above, the embodiments of the present invention are not limited to the above-mentioned embodiments. For example, the above-mentioned embodiments have been described using beach sandals as an example, but they can also be applied to sandals. Also, although the foot plate is made of rubber material, EVA urethane material, etc., the material of the foot plate is not limited to these. For example, it may be made of wood.

1 to 16 Footwear 20, 25, 40, 50, 60, 70, 80, 90, 100, 110, 120, 130, 140, 150, 160 Footrest 20a, 40a, 70a, 121a Heel 20b, 40b, 51b, 61b, 70b, 80b, 101b, 121b, 141b Toe 20c, 20d, 26a, 51a, 51c, 61a, 61c, 70c, 101a, 101c, 141a, 141c, 150a, 161a Missing portion 26, 61, 101, 121, 131, 161 First layer 27, 62, 102, 122, 132, 162 Second layer 30 Thong 31 Front strap portion 32 Side strap portion 32a Inner side strap portion 32b Outer side strap portion 33 Thumb strap 34 Ankle strap 40c, 90a, 90c, 110a, 110b, 121c, 133a, 133b Recesses 51d, 61d, 61e, 62a, 80d, 142a, 142b, 161b, 162a Slope 71 Flexible base 80a Heel recess 80c Outer recess 131a First block 131b Second block

Claims (2)

Footwear having a footrest shaped like a foot,
The footrest has a first recess and a second recess on a back surface thereof,
The first recess faces a heel of a user via a bottom portion of the first recess,
the second recess faces the big toe, index toe and bases thereof of the user's foot via a bottom of the second recess, and the bottom surface of the second recess is recessed with respect to a back surface of the foot stool on which the ring toe, little toe and bases thereof of the user's foot are placed, the back surface of the second recess being recessed with respect to a back surface of the foot stool on which the ring toe, little toe and bases thereof of the user's foot are placed, the back surface of the second recess being recessed with respect to a back surface of the foot stool on which the ring toe, little toe and bases thereof of the user's foot are placed, the bottom ...
Footwear, characterized in that the bottoms of the first recess and the second recess are flexible. Footwear according to claim 1,
The footwear is characterized in that the wall surface of the second recess runs from the end of the footrest on the toe side in the longitudinal direction of the footrest, passes through a part closer to the little toe than the index toe, bends from the spring on the sole of the foot toward the big toe side, and reaches the inner side of the footrest.