U.S. patent application number 09/682028 was filed with the patent office on 2003-01-16 for balance stabilizing foot orthotic.
Invention is credited to Bacon, Perry Higginson.
Application Number | 20030009915 09/682028 |
Document ID | / |
Family ID | 24737890 |
Filed Date | 2003-01-16 |
United States Patent
Application |
20030009915 |
Kind Code |
A1 |
Bacon, Perry Higginson |
January 16, 2003 |
Balance stabilizing foot orthotic
Abstract
A foot orthotic (10) that more effectively supports and
stabilizes a person's foot (14) and improves the person's balance
so as to reduce tripping and falling. The orthotic device (10)
includes several layers of material that are bonded together to
cooperatively provide the optimum amount of support and
stabilization for different areas of the wearer's foot (14). The
orthotic (10) includes a bottom layer (16) that extends
substantially the entire length of the wearer's foot (14) and that
is placed over the insole of the wearer's footwear; a top layer
(20) that also extends substantially the length of the wearer's
foot and that receives and supports the plantar portion of the
foot; and an intermediate layer (18) that is bonded between the
bottom layer and the top layer. The orthotic (10) is configured to
elevate the toes of the wearer and thereby enhance balance
stabilization.
Inventors: |
Bacon, Perry Higginson;
(Mission Hills, KS) |
Correspondence
Address: |
HOVEY WILLIAMS TIMMONS & COLLINS
2405 GRAND BLVD., SUITE 400
KANSAS CITY
MO
64108
|
Family ID: |
24737890 |
Appl. No.: |
09/682028 |
Filed: |
July 11, 2001 |
Current U.S.
Class: |
36/44 ; 36/145;
36/166; 36/173 |
Current CPC
Class: |
A43B 7/22 20130101; A43B
7/142 20130101; A43B 7/1445 20130101; A43B 7/144 20130101 |
Class at
Publication: |
36/44 ; 36/145;
36/166; 36/173 |
International
Class: |
A43B 007/16; A43B
007/14 |
Claims
1. A foot orthotic for placement in a shoe or other footwear for
supporting and stabilizing a wearer's foot, the foot orthotic
comprising: a bottom layer configured to extend substantially the
entire length of the wearer's foot; a top layer configured to
extend substantially the entire length of the wearer's foot; and an
intermediate layer bonded between the bottom layer and the top
layer and configured to extend between the wearer's heel and arch
for supporting the arch and metatarsal area of the wearer's
foot.
2. The foot orthotic as set forth in claim 1, wherein the bottom
layer is formed of polyurethane material having a uniform thickness
along the entire length thereof.
3. The foot orthotic as set forth in claim 2, the bottom layer
having a thickness of approximately {fraction (3/32)} inches.
4. The foot orthotic as set forth in claim 1, wherein the
intermediate layer is formed of styrene butodene rubber
material.
5. The foot orthotic as set forth in claim 4, wherein the
intermediate layer includes a rear, concave cup-like seat for
supporting and stabilizing the wearer's heel and a front convex
arch support configured to support and stabilize the wearer's
arch.
6. The foot orthotic as set forth in claim 5, wherein the rear,
concave cup-like seat has a minimum thickness of 1/8 inch and the
front convex arch support has a maximum thickness of 3/8 inch.
7. The foot orthotic as set forth in claim 1, wherein the top layer
is formed of plastazote polyethylene foam material.
8. The foot orthotic as set forth in claim 7, wherein the top layer
includes a frontal portion configured to elevate the wearer's
toes.
9. The foot orthotic as set forth in claim 8, wherein the top layer
is configured to compress and conform to and therefore better
support and stabilize the wearer's foot.
10. The foot orthotic as set forth in claim 1, the bottom layer,
the top layer, and the intermediate layer cooperatively defining an
arch extension configured to extend under and support the wearer's
arch.
11. A foot orthotic for placement in a shoe or other footwear for
supporting and stabilizing a wearer's foot, the orthotic
comprising: inner and outer lateral sides that substantially align
with inner and outer sides of the wearer's foot; a rear end portion
for supporting the wearer's heel; an intermediate portion for
supporting the wearer's arch and metatarsal area; and a front end
portion for supporting a front portion of the wearer's foot, the
front portion being configured to elevate the wearer's toes to
improve the wearer's balance and reduce tripping and falling.
12. The foot orthotic as set forth in claim 11, wherein the foot
orthotic is formed of a bottom layer, a top layer and an
intermediate layer bonded together.
13. The foot orthotic as set forth in claim 12, wherein the bottom
layer is formed of polyurethane material having a uniform thickness
along the entire length thereof.
14. The foot orthotic as set forth in claim 12, wherein the
intermediate layer is formed of styrene butodene rubber
material.
15. The foot orthotic as set forth in claim 12, wherein the top
layer is formed of plastazote polyethylene foam material.
16. The foot orthotic as set forth in claim 12, wherein the top
layer includes a frontal portion configured to elevate the wearer's
toes.
17. The foot orthotic as set forth in claim 8, wherein the top
layer is configured to compress and conform to and therefore better
support and stabilize the wearer's foot.
18. A foot orthotic for placement in a shoe or other footwear for
supporting and stabilizing a wearer's foot, the foot orthotic
comprising: a bottom layer configured to extend substantially the
entire length of the wearer's foot, wherein the bottom layer is
formed of polyurethane material having a uniform thickness along
the entire length thereof; a top layer configured to extend
substantially the entire length of the wearer's foot, wherein the
top layer is formed of plastazote polyethylene foam material and
includes a frontal portion configured to elevate the wearer's toes;
and an intermediate layer bonded between the bottom layer and the
top layer and configured to extend between the wearer's heel and
arch for supporting the arch and metatarsal area of the wearer's
foot, wherein the intermediate layer is formed of styrene butodene
rubber material.
19. The foot orthotic as set forth in claim 18, wherein the top
layer is configured to compress and conform to and therefore better
support and stabilize the wearer's foot.
20. The foot orthotic as set forth in claim 18, the bottom layer,
the top layer, and the intermediate layer cooperatively defining an
arch extension configured to extend under and support the wearer's
arch.
Description
BACKGROUND OF INVENTION
[0001] 1. Field of the Invention
[0002] The present invention relates to foot orthotic devices and
related footwear inserts. More particularly, the invention relates
to a foot orthotic that more effectively supports and stabilizes a
wearer's foot and improves the wearer's balance so as to reduce
tripping and falling.
[0003] 2. Description of the Prior Art
[0004] Foot orthotic devices, also sometimes called orthotic shoe
inserts or footwear insoles, are commonly placed in shoes and other
footwear to support the wearer's feet. Prior art orthotic devices
typically consist of a shell that extends all or a portion of the
length of a shoe's insole and that is formed or molded to support
various portions of the wearer's foot, including the wearer's heel,
arch, metatarsal area, and toes. Such orthotics are typically
formed of one or more layers of material having a uniform thickness
the entire length thereof.
[0005] Because known orthotic devices are typically formed with a
uniform thickness, they do not provide enough support for portions
of a foot requiring greater orthotic thickness such as the arch and
present too much thickness in other areas not requiring as much
support such as under the wearer's heal and toes. Some people
therefore place a separate arch support under or over an orthotic
device to provide additional arch support. Those skilled in the art
will appreciate that this practice is undesirable because the arch
support and orthotic device interfere with one another, resulting
in improper foot support. Moreover, the placement of an arch
support over or under a separate orthotic device excessively raises
the wearer's foot in his or her shoe, resulting in ill-fitting
shoes and associated foot discomfort.
[0006] Another limitation of existing orthotic devices is that they
do not improve, and sometimes even impede, the wearer's balance.
Many persons, especially the elderly and handicapped, are prone to
tripping and falling because their feet are not properly balanced
in their footwear. Prior art orthotic devices are not configured
for improving or stabilizing a wearer's balance and therefore are
ineffective at reducing such tripping and falling.
SUMMARY OF INVENTION
[0007] The present invention solves the above-described problems
and provides a distinct advance in the art of orthotic devices.
More particularly, the present invention provides a foot orthotic
that more effectively supports and stabilizes a person's foot and
improves the person's balance so as to reduce tripping and
falling.
[0008] One preferred embodiment of the orthotic device includes
several layers of material that are bonded together to
cooperatively provide the optimum amount of support and
stabilization for different areas of a wearer's foot. Specifically,
the orthotic includes a bottom layer that extends substantially the
entire length of a wearer's foot and that is placed over the insole
of the wearer's footwear; a top layer that also extends
substantially the length of the wearer's foot and that receives and
supports the plantar portion of the foot; and an intermediate layer
that is bonded between the bottom layer and the top layer. The
intermediate layer preferably extends only between the wearer's
heel and arch and is configured for providing extra support to the
wearer's arch and metatarsal foot area. This construction provides
the optimum amount of support and stabilization to particular areas
of the wearer's foot while maintaining a reduced thickness in areas
not requiring as much support and stabilization.
[0009] In accordance with another important aspect of the
invention, the top layer includes a frontal portion that gradually
increases in thickness toward its frontmost end to slightly elevate
the wearer's toes. This has been found to improve the balance of
the wearer's foot within the footwear and to therefore reduce
tripping and falling associated with poor foot balance.
[0010] These and other important aspects of the present invention
are described more fully in the detailed description below.
BRIEF DESCRIPTION OF DRAWINGS FIGURES
[0011] A preferred embodiment of the present invention is described
in detail below with reference to the attached drawing figures,
wherein:
[0012] FIG. 1 is a vertical section view of a foot orthotic device
constructed in accordance with a preferred embodiment of the
present invention shown placed in a shoe and supporting a wearer's
foot.
[0013] FIG. 2 is an exploded view of the foot orthotic device
showing the various layers thereof.
[0014] FIG. 3 is an isometric view of the orthotic device.
[0015] FIG. 4 is a top plan view of the orthotic device.
[0016] FIG. 5 is a right side view of the orthotic device.
[0017] The drawing figures do not limit the present invention to
the specific embodiments disclosed and described herein. The
drawings are not necessarily to scale, emphasis instead being
placed upon clearly illustrating the principles of the
invention.
DETAILED DESCRIPTION
[0018] Turning now to the drawing figures, a foot orthotic 10
constructed in accordance with a preferred embodiment of the
invention is illustrated. As best illustrated in FIG. 1, the foot
orthotic 10 is configured for insertion inside a shoe 12 or other
footwear in a conventional manner for fitting against and
supporting the plantar portion of a wearer's foot 14. The foot
orthotic 10 described and illustrated herein is designed for use
with a right side foot and shoe. A left foot orthotic, which is
substantially a mirror image of the right foot orthotic, may also
be provided for placement in a left shoe or footwear. The foot
orthotic 10 may be provided in any desired length and width to
snugly fit within any sized shoe. The foot orthotic 10 is
preferably used in an extra depth shoe designed for elderly and
handicapped persons but may also be used with conventional shoes
and other types of footwear such as boots, sandals and slippers.
Most preferably, the shoe 12 is a rocker sole shoe. One suitable
type of rocker sole shoe is sold under the designation "GENTLE
STEP" by Darco International, Inc. of Huntington, W. Va.
[0019] Referring to FIG. 2, the foot orthotic 10 broadly includes a
bottom layer 16, an intermediate layer 18, and a top layer 20 that
are bonded together to form a unitary orthotic. As best illustrated
in FIGS. 3 and 4, the assembled orthotic device 10 presents inner
and outer lateral sides 22, 24 that substantially align with the
inner and outer sides of the wearer's foot; a rear end portion 26
for supporting the wearer's heel; an intermediate portion 28 for
supporting the wearer's arch and metatarsal area; and a front end
portion 30 for supporting a front portion of the wearer's foot.
[0020] The bottom layer 16 is preferably formed of a compressible,
skid-resistant material such as polyurethane, neoprene rubber, or
other similar suitable material. The bottom layer 16 is preferably
die-cut from a stock of this material and has a uniform thickness
along the entire length thereof of approximately {fraction (1/32)}
inches {fraction (5/32)} inches, with a preferred thickness of
{fraction (3/32)} inches.
[0021] As best illustrated in FIG. 2, the bottom layer 16 presents
a rear end portion 32, an intermediate portion 34, and a front end
portion 36 that are together approximately the same length and
width as the plantar portion of the wearer's foot 14. An upwardly
arcuate flange 38 is formed at the periphery of the rear end
portion 32 to form a cup-like seat 40 for receiving and supporting
the intermediate layer 18 as described below. The flange 38
increases in width and extends outwardly along a back portion of
the inner lateral side 22 of the orthotic to form an arch extension
42 for better supporting the wearer's arch. The intermediate
section 34 of the bottom layer 16 presents a slightly raised area
44 for supporting the bottom surface of the intermediate layer
18.
[0022] The intermediate layer 18 is bonded to the top of the bottom
layer 16 with a solvent adhesive or other glue material as best
illustrated in FIG. 1. The intermediate layer 18 is sized and
shaped to provide extra arch support to the wearer's foot 14 and is
preferably formed of a material that is more rigid than the
material in the bottom layer 16 and the top layer 20 such as
styrene, butodene rubber (cork), or other similar suitable
material. The material is preferably heated then formed or molded
into the desired shape.
[0023] As best illustrated in FIG. 2, the intermediate layer
presents a rear end portion 46 and a front end portion 48. The rear
end portion 46 has an upwardly-extending arcuate flange 50 formed
along its periphery to form a cup-like seat 52 for supporting the
wearer's heel. As with the bottom layer 16, the flange 50 on the
intermediate layer 18 increases in width and extends outwardly
along the inner lateral side 22 of the orthotic to cooperate in the
formation of the arch extension 42. The thickness of the rear end
portion 46 of the intermediate layer 18 is approximately 1/4 inch
at the flange 50, reduces to approximately 1/8 inch in the cup-like
seat 52, and then increases again to approximately 1/4 inch at the
intersection with the front end portion 48.
[0024] The front end portion 48 of the intermediate layer 18
supports the wearer's arch and metatarsal area. The center
thickness of the front end portion 48 gradually increases forward
of the cup-like seat 52 and then gradually tapers back down toward
its frontmost edge. The thickness of the intermediate layer 18 also
gradually tapers toward the inner and outer lateral sides 22, 24 of
the orthotic.
[0025] The top layer 20 is bonded to both the intermediate layer 18
and the bottom layer 16 as best illustrated in FIG. 1 and is
preferably die-cut from a stock of compressible, conformable
material such as plastazote polyurethane foam. This material
conforms to the plantar portion of the wearer's foot 14 so as to
better support and stabilize the wearer's foot and to also reduce
the overall thickness of the foot orthotic after it has been
worn.
[0026] As best illustrated in FIG. 2, the top layer 20 presents a
rear end portion 54, an intermediate portion 56, and a front end
portion 58. As with the bottom and intermediate layers 16, 18, an
upwardly arcuate flange 60 is formed at the periphery of the top
layer rear end portion 54 to form a cup-like seat 62 for supporting
the wearer's heel. The flange 60 increases in width and extends
outwardly along the inner lateral side 22 of the orthotic 10 to
cooperate in forming the arch extension 42.
[0027] The intermediate portion 56 of the top layer 20 receives and
supports the wearer's arch and metatarsal area, whereas the front
end portion 58 receives and supports the front of the wearer's arch
and toes. The top layer 20 preferably has a uniform thickness of
approximately {fraction (1/16)}-1/4 inch, with a preferred
thickness of 1/8 inch, along the entire length of its rear end
portion 54 and intermediate portion 56. The thickness of the front
end portion 58 gradually increases beginning at the intersection
with the intermediate portion 56 so that the frontmost edge of the
front end portion is approximately 1/8 inch thicker than its
rearmost edge. As best illustrated in FIG. 1, this slightly
elevates the wearer's toes to improve the balance of the wearer's
foot in his or her shoe. It has been discovered that improving foot
balance reduces tripping and falling, especially with the elderly
and handicapped.
[0028] In use, the foot orthotic 10 is placed inside the shoe 12 or
other footwear as illustrated in FIG. 1 so that the bottom surface
of the foot orthotic 10 fits snugly over the insole of the shoe 12.
It is noted that the insole of the shoe 12 may also be removable,
although a fixed, nonremovable insole is entirely within the ambit
of the present invention. A wearer may then place his or her foot
14 in the shoe in a conventional manner. As the wearer begins to
apply his or her weight on the foot orthotic 10, the top layer 20
conforms to the contours of the plantar portion of the wearer's
foot 14. As described above, this provides increased foot support
and stabilization and slightly decreases the overall thickness of
the foot orthotic 10 so that it does not excessively raise the
wearer's foot 14 within the shoe 12.
[0029] Because the foot orthotic includes an integral intermediate
layer 18 that provides extra arch support, the wearer is not
required to place a separate arch support in their footwear.
Moreover, because the front end portion 30 of the orthotic 10
slightly raises the wearer's toes, the wearer is less prone to
tripping or falling as described above.
[0030] Although the invention has been described with reference to
the preferred embodiment illustrated in the attached drawing
figures, it is noted that equivalents may be employed and
substitutions made herein without departing from the scope of the
invention as recited in the claims. For example, although the
bottom layer 16, intermediate layer 18, and top layer 20 of the
orthotic device 10 have been described as being formed of
particular materials, other suitable materials may also be used
without departing from the scope of the present invention.
[0031] Having thus described the preferred embodiment of the
invention, what is claimed as new and desired to be protected by
Letters Patent includes the following:
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