Sole structure and shoes using same

Abstract

A sole structure includes: a base having a plate-like shape, and disposed near a ground; a plurality of pillars protruding upward from the base, and spaced apart from each other, the pillars being elastically deformable; and an upper plate portion disposed above the base. The pillars are disposed between the base and the upper plate portion with lower end portions of the pillars fixed to the base and with upper end portions of the pillars fixed to the upper plate portion.

1 . A sole structure for a shoe, the sole structure comprising:
 a base having a plate-like shape, and disposed near a ground;   a plurality of pillars protruding upward from the base, and spaced apart from each other, the pillars being elastically deformable; and   a stack structure disposed above the base,   the pillars being disposed between the base and the stack structure with lower end portions of the pillars fixed to the base and with upper end portions of the pillars fixed to the stack structure.   
     
     
         2 . The sole structure of  claim 1 , wherein
 the plurality of pillars are arranged on the base at a position corresponding to a forefoot of a wearer, the position corresponding at least to a thenar of the wearer.   
     
     
         3 . The sole structure of  claim 1 , wherein
 a wall is provided for a peripheral portion of a combination of the base and the stack structure to close a clearance between the base and the stack structure.   
     
     
         4 . The sole structure of  claim 1 , wherein
 the base and the pillars are integrated together, and   the base and the pillars form an outsole made of an elastic material.   
     
     
         5 . The sole structure of  claim 4 , wherein
 the stack structure is made of an elastic material that is the same as the elastic material for at least either the base or the pillars.   
     
     
         6 . The sole structure of  claim 1 , wherein
 the stack structure is a plate-like upper plate portion.   
     
     
         7 . The sole structure of  claim 1 , wherein
 the stack structure is a film-like sheet material.   
     
     
         8 . The sole structure of  claim 4 , wherein
 the stack structure is a midsole made of an elastic material softer than the elastic material for the outsole.   
     
     
         9 . The sole structure of  claim 1 , wherein
 the stack structure is a lower portion of a shoe upper, the lower portion being arranged so as to correspond in position to a planta of a wearer.   
     
     
         10 . The sole structure of  claim 1 , wherein
 elastic deformation of the plurality of pillars is anisotropic.   
     
     
         11 . The sole structure of  claim 1 , wherein
 a density of the plurality of pillars arranged to occupy an upper surface of the base varies depending on positions of the pillars with respect to portions of a foot of a wearer.   
     
     
         12 . The sole structure of  claim 1 , wherein
 heights of the plurality of pillars protruding from an upper surface of the base vary depending on positions of the pillars with respect to portions of a foot of a wearer.   
     
     
         13 . A shoe comprising the sole structure of  claim 1 .