U.S. patent application number 10/800233 was filed with the patent office on 2005-04-28 for shoe sole to improve walking, sensory response of the toes, and help develop leg muscles.
Invention is credited to Khantzis, Carlos A..
Application Number | 20050086838 10/800233 |
Document ID | / |
Family ID | 34526951 |
Filed Date | 2005-04-28 |
United States Patent
Application |
20050086838 |
Kind Code |
A1 |
Khantzis, Carlos A. |
April 28, 2005 |
Shoe sole to improve walking, sensory response of the toes, and
help develop leg muscles
Abstract
An improvement in the design of a shoe wherein a flexible
material is placed inside the shoe sole at the level over the
insole and below the toes of the foot and either above or also in
line with the midsole, so that the wearer's toes rest along the
flexible material when the wearer's foot is inserted into the shoe.
The flexible material also extends to the area at the base of the
big toe and behind the ball of the foot behind the big toe under
the 1.sup.st metatarso-phalange joint base of the big toe. In a
variation of the present invention, the flexible material only
extends under the toes and does not extend behind the big toe.
Therefore, in addition to all five toes resting on the flexible
material, the ball of the foot area at the base of the big toe also
rests on the flexible material. By filling the frontal section of
the shoe sole with the flexible material, the flexible material
permits the toes to curl downward when walking. The flexible
material can be any type of-gel, deformable liquid or gel
containing pack, polyurethane gel, silicone, soft rubber, foam,
memory soft material, neoprene, polyvinyl, polyethylene,
polyurethane and any type of natural or synthetic soft flexible
material to simulate walking on sand.
Inventors: |
Khantzis, Carlos A.;
(Woodland Hills, CA) |
Correspondence
Address: |
ROZSA & CHEN
15910 VENTURA BOULEVARD
SUITE 1601
ENCINO
CA
91436
|
Family ID: |
34526951 |
Appl. No.: |
10/800233 |
Filed: |
March 11, 2004 |
Related U.S. Patent Documents
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Application
Number |
Filing Date |
Patent Number |
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60514139 |
Oct 24, 2003 |
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Current U.S.
Class: |
36/30R ;
36/25R |
Current CPC
Class: |
A43B 7/1425 20130101;
A43B 13/189 20130101; A43B 13/188 20130101; A43B 7/145 20130101;
A43B 1/0045 20130101 |
Class at
Publication: |
036/030.00R ;
036/025.00R |
International
Class: |
A43B 013/18 |
Claims
What is claims is:
1. A shoe having a shoe sole including an outsole, a midsole, an
insole and having a front area over which the toes of a foot rest
when the shoe is worn, the improvement comprising: a. a non-leaking
deformable gel formed within the front area of the sole and aligned
with the insole so that the gel is located beneath the toes of the
foot when the shoe is worn, so that all five toes rest on the gel
and the base of the big toe right below the 1st
metatarso-phalangeal joint also rests on the gel; b. whereby the
non-leaking deformable gel permits the toes to curl, flex, bend or
grasp downward when a wearer of the shoe is walking.
2. The invention in accordance with claim 1, wherein said gel is
covered with a stretch material.
3. The invention in accordance with claim 1, wherein said gel is
treated with a fungicide.
4. A shoe having a shoe sole including an outsole, a midsole, an
insole and having a front area over which the toes of a foot rest
when the shoe is worn, the improvement comprising: a. a deformable
padding formed within the front area of the sole and aligned with
the insole so that the deformable padding is located beneath the
toes of the foot when the shoe is worn, so that all five toes rest
on the deformable padding and the base of the big toe rests right
below the 1.sup.st metatarso-phalangeal joint and also rests on the
deformable padding; and b. the deformable padding is selected from
the group consisting of a deformable liquid gel pack, a deformable
liquid, a gel pack encased in a stretch Lycra.RTM. fabric,
silicone, foam, memory foam, soft memory type flexible material,
soft rubber, soft synthetic plastic, polyurethane gel, neoprene,
polyvinyl, polyethylene or polyurethane; c. whereby, the deformable
padding permits the toes to curl, flex, bend or grasp downward when
a wearer of the shoe is walking.
5. The invention in accordance with claim 4, wherein said
deformable padding is at least 6 mm in depth.
6. The invention in accordance with claim 4, wherein said
deformable padding is also aligned with a portion of the midsole in
addition to being aligned with the insole.
7. The invention in accordance with claim 4, further comprising a
cavity formed into the front portion of the shoe to receive the
deformable padding.
8. The invention in accordance with claim 4, wherein said
deformable padding is covered with a stretch material.
9. The invention in accordance with claim 4, wherein said
deformable padding is treated with a fungicide.
10. A foot wearing item to be worn on a foot, the foot wearing item
including an insole against which the foot rests and having a front
area over which the toes of the foot rest when the foot wearing
item is worn, the improvement comprising: a. a flexible and
deformable material formed within the front area of the foot
wearing item and aligned with the insole so that the flexible
material is located beneath the toes of the foot when the foot
wearing item is worn so that all five toes rest on the flexible
material and the base of the big toe right below the 1st
metatarso-phalangeal joint also rests on the flexible material; b.
whereby the flexible material permits the toes to curl downward
when a wearer of the wearing apparel is walking.
11. The invention in accordance with claim 10, wherein the flexible
material is selected from the group comprising non-leaking
semi-solid gel filled padding, silicone, foam, memory foam, soft
rubber, soft synthetic plastic, a gel pack encased in a stretch
Lycra.RTM. fabric, polyurethane gel, neoprene, polyvinyl,
polyethylene or polyurethane.
12. The invention in accordance with claim 10, wherein the foot
wearing item is selected from the group comprising shoes, sandals,
flip-flops or athletic shoes.
13. The invention in accordance with claim 10, wherein said
flexible and deformable material is covered with a covering
material.
14. The invention in accordance with claim 10, wherein said
flexible and deformable material is treated with a fungicide.
15. A shoe having a shoe sole including an outsole, a midsole, an
insole having a cavity in the front area of the shoe sole, the
cavity aligned with the outsole and located in the area over which
the toes of a foot rest when the shoe is worn, the improvement
comprising: a. a non-leaking deformable gel connected to an
elongated strip so that the non-leaking deformable gel fits into
said cavity and the strip rests on the insole so that the
non-leaking deformable gel is located beneath the toes of the foot
when the shoe is worn, so that all five toes rest on the gel and
the base of the big toe right below the 1st metatarso-phalangeal
joint also rests on the non-leaking deformable gel; b. whereby the
non-leaking deformable gel permits the toes to curl, flex, bend or
grasp downward when a wearer of the shoe is walking.
16. The invention in accordance with claim 15, wherein said gel is
covered with a stretch material.
17. The invention in accordance with claim 15, wherein said gel is
treated with a fungicide.
18. A shoe having a shoe sole including an outsole, a midsole
having a cavity in the front area of the shoe sole, an insole
having a cavity in the front area of the shoe sole, the cavities
aligned with the outsole and located in the area over which the
toes of a foot rest when the shoe is worn, the improvement
comprising: a. a non-leaking deformable gel connected to an
elongated strip so that the non-leaking deformable gel fits into
said cavities aligned with the insole and the midsole and the strip
rests on the insole so that the gel is located beneath the toes of
the foot when the shoe is worn, so that all five toes rest on the
gel and the base of the big toe right below the 1.sup.st
metatarso-phalangeal joint also rests on the non-leaking deformable
gel; b. whereby the non-leaking deformable gel permits the toes to
curl, flex, bend or grasp downward when a wearer of the shoe is
walking.
19. The invention in accordance with claim 18, wherein said
non-leaking deformable gel is covered with a stretch material.
20. The invention in accordance with claim 18, wherein said
non-leaking deformable gel is treated with a fungicide.
21. A shoe having a shoe sole including an outsole, a midsole, an
insole, a cavity in the front area of the shoe over which the toes
of the foot rest when the shoe is worn, the improvement comprising:
a. a deformable padding connected to an elongated strip so that the
deformable padding fits into said cavity and the strip rests on the
insole so the deformable padding is located beneath the toes of the
foot when the shoe is worn, so that all five toes rest on the
deformable padding and the base of the big toe below the 1.sup.st
metatarso-phalangeal joint also rests on the deformable padding; b.
the deformable padding is selected from the group consisting of a
deformable liquid gel pack, a deformable liquid, a gel pack encased
in a stretch Lycra.RTM. fabric, silicone, foam, memory foam, soft
memory type flexible material, soft rubber, soft synthetic plastic,
polyurethane gel, neoprene, polyvinyl, polyethylene or
polyurethane; c. whereby, the deformable padding permits the toes
to curl, flex, bend or grasp downward when a wearer of the shoe is
walking.
22. The invention in accordance with claim 21, wherein said cavity
is aligned with the insole and the deformable padding is aligned
with the insole.
23. The invention in accordance with claim 21, wherein said cavity
is aligned with the insole and the midsole and the deformable
padding is aligned with the insole and the midsole.
24. The invention in accordance with claim 21, wherein said cavity
is at least 6 mm and said deformable padding is at least 6 mm.
25. The invention in accordance with claim 21, wherein said
deformable padding is covered with a stretch material.
26. The invention in accordance with claim 21, wherein said
deformable padding is treated with a fungicide.
27. A foot wearing item to be worn on a foot, the foot wearing item
including an insole, and having a cavity in the front area of the
insole over which the toes of the foot rest when the foot wearing
item is worn, the improvement comprising: a. a flexible and
deformable material connected to an elongated strip so that the
flexible and deformable material fits into said cavity and the
strip rests on the insole so that the flexible and deformable
material is located beneath the toes of the foot when the foot
wearing item is worn, so that all five toes rest on the flexible
and deformable material and the base of the big toe right below the
1st metatarso-phalangeal joint also rests on the flexible and
deformable material; b. whereby the flexible material permits the
toes to curl, flex, bend or grasp downward when a wearer of the
wearing apparel is walking.
28. The invention in accordance with claim 27, wherein the flexible
and deformable material is selected from the group comprising
non-leaking semi-solid gel filled padding, silicone, foam, memory
foam, soft rubber, soft synthetic plastic, a gel pack encased in a
stretch Lycra.RTM. fabric, polyurethane gel, neoprene, polyvinyl,
polyethylene or polyurethane.
29. The invention in accordance with claim 27, wherein the foot
wearing item is selected from the group comprising shoes, sandals,
flip-flops or athletic shoes.
30. The invention in accordance with claim 27, wherein said
flexible and deformable material is covered with a covering
material.
31. The invention in accordance with claim 27, wherein said
flexible and deformable material is treated with a fungicide.
32. A shoe having a shoe sole including an outsole, a midsole, an
insole and having a front area over which the toes of a foot rest
when the shoe is worn, the improvement comprising: c. a non-leaking
deformable gel formed within the front area of the sole and aligned
with the insole so that the gel is located beneath the toes of the
foot when the shoe is worn, so that all five toes rest on the gel;
d. whereby the non-leaking deformable gel permits the toes to curl,
flex, bend or grasp downward when a wearer of the shoe is
walking.
33. The invention in accordance with claim 32, wherein said gel is
covered with a stretch material.
34. The invention in accordance with claim 32, wherein said gel is
treated with a fungicide.
35. A shoe having a shoe sole including an outsole, a midsole, an
insole and having a front area over which the toes of a foot rest
when the shoe is worn, the improvement comprising: a. a deformable
padding formed within the front area of the sole and aligned with
the insole so that the deformable padding is located beneath the
toes of the foot when the shoe is worn, so that all five toes rest
on the deformable padding; and b. the deformable padding is
selected from the group consisting of a deformable liquid gel pack,
a deformable liquid, a gel pack encased in a stretch Lycra.RTM.
fabric, silicone, foam, memory foam, soft memory type flexible
material, soft rubber, soft synthetic plastic, polyurethane gel,
neoprene, polyvinyl, polyethylene or polyurethane; c. whereby, the
deformable padding permits the toes to curl, flex, bend or grasp
downward when a wearer of the shoe is walking.
36. The invention in accordance with claim 35, wherein said
deformable padding is at least 6 mm in depth.
37. The invention in accordance with claim 35, wherein said
deformable padding is also aligned with a portion of the midsole in
addition to being aligned with the insole.
38. The invention in accordance with claim 35, further comprising a
cavity formed into the front portion of the shoe to receive the
deformable padding.
39. The invention in accordance with claim 35, wherein said
deformable padding is covered with a stretch material.
40. The invention in accordance with claim 35, wherein said
deformable padding is treated with a fungicide.
41. A foot wearing item to be worn on a foot, the foot wearing item
including an insole against which the foot rests and having a front
area over which the toes of the foot rest when the foot wearing
item is worn, the improvement comprising: a. a flexible and
deformable material formed within the front area of the foot
wearing item and aligned with the insole so that the flexible
material is located beneath the toes of the foot when the foot
wearing item is worn so that all five toes rest on the flexible
material; b. whereby the flexible material permits the toes to curl
downward when a wearer of the wearing apparel is walking.
42. The invention in accordance with claim 41, wherein the flexible
material is selected from the group comprising non-leaking
semi-solid gel filled padding, silicone, foam, memory foam, soft
rubber, soft synthetic plastic, a gel pack encased in a stretch
Lycra.RTM. fabric, polyurethane gel, neoprene, polyvinyl,
polyethylene or polyurethane.
43. The invention in accordance with claim 41, wherein the foot
wearing item is selected from the group comprising shoes, sandals,
flip-flops or athletic shoes.
44. The invention in accordance with claim 41, wherein said
flexible and deformable material is covered with a covering
material.
45. The invention in accordance with claim 41, wherein said
flexible and deformable material is treated with a fungicide.
46. A shoe having a shoe sole including an outsole, a midsole, an
insole having a cavity in the front area of the shoe sole, the
cavity aligned with the outsole and located in the area over which
the toes of a foot rest when the shoe is worn, the improvement
comprising: a. a non-leaking deformable gel connected to an
elongated strip so that the non-leaking deformable gel fits into
said cavity and the strip rests on the insole so that the
non-leaking deformable gel is located beneath the toes of the foot
when the shoe is worn, so that all five toes rest on the gel; b.
whereby the non-leaking deformable gel permits the toes to curl,
flex, bend or grasp downward when a wearer of the shoe is
walking.
47. The invention in accordance with claim 46, wherein said gel is
covered with a stretch material.
48. The invention in accordance with claim 46, wherein said gel is
treated with a fungicide.
49. A shoe having a shoe sole including an outsole, a midsole
having a cavity in the front area of the shoe sole, an insole
having a cavity in the front area of the shoe sole, the cavities
aligned with the outsole and located in the area over which the
toes of a foot rest when the shoe is worn, the improvement
comprising: a. a non-leaking deformable gel connected to an
elongated strip so that the non-leaking deformable gel fits into
said cavities aligned with the insole and the midsole and the strip
rests on the insole so that the gel is located beneath the toes of
the foot when the shoe is worn, so that all five toes rest on the
gel; b. whereby the non-leaking deformable gel permits the toes to
curl, flex, bend or grasp downward when a wearer of the shoe is
walking.
50. The invention in accordance with claim 49, wherein said
non-leaking deformable gel is covered with a stretch material.
51. The invention in accordance with claim 49, wherein said
non-leaking deformable gel is treated with a fungicide.
52. A shoe having a shoe sole including an outsole, a midsole, an
insole, a cavity in the front area of the shoe over which the toes
of the foot rest when the shoe is worn, the improvement comprising:
a. a deformable padding connected to an elongated strip so that the
deformable padding fits into said cavity and the strip rests on the
insole so the deformable padding is located beneath the toes of the
foot when the shoe is worn, so that all five toes rest on the
deformable padding; b. the deformable padding is selected from the
group consisting of a deformable liquid gel pack, a deformable
liquid, a gel pack encased in a stretch Lycra.RTM. fabric,
silicone, foam, memory foam, soft memory type flexible material,
soft rubber, soft synthetic plastic, polyurethane gel, neoprene,
polyvinyl, polyethylene or polyurethane; c. whereby, the deformable
padding permits the toes to curl, flex, bend or grasp downward when
a wearer of the shoe is walking.
53. The invention in accordance with claim 52, wherein said cavity
is aligned with the insole and the deformable padding is aligned
with the insole.
54. The invention in accordance with claim 52, wherein said cavity
is aligned with the insole and the midsole and the deformable
padding is aligned with the insole and the midsole.
55. The invention in accordance with claim 52, wherein said cavity
is at least 6 mm and said deformable padding is at least 6 mm.
56. The invention in accordance with claim 52, wherein said
deformable padding is covered with a stretch material.
57. The invention in accordance with claim 52, wherein said
deformable padding is treated with a fungicide.
58. A foot wearing item to be worn on a foot, the foot wearing item
including an insole, and having a cavity in the front area of the
insole over which the toes of the foot rest when the foot wearing
item is worn, the improvement comprising: a. a flexible and
deformable material connected to an elongated strip so that the
flexible and deformable material fits into said cavity and the
strip rests on the insole so that the flexible and deformable
material is located beneath the toes of the foot when the foot
wearing item is worn, so that all five toes rest on the flexible
and deformable material; b. whereby the flexible material permits
the toes to curl, flex, bend or grasp downward when a wearer of the
wearing apparel is walking.
59. The invention in accordance with claim 58, wherein the flexible
and deformable material is selected from the group comprising
non-leaking semi-solid gel filled padding, silicone, foam, memory
foam, soft rubber, soft synthetic plastic, a gel pack encased in a
stretch Lycra.RTM. fabric, polyurethane gel, neoprene, polyvinyl,
polyethylene or polyurethane.
60. The invention in accordance with claim 58, wherein the foot
wearing item is selected from the group comprising shoes, sandals,
flip-flops or athletic shoes.
61. The invention in accordance with claim 58, wherein said
flexible and deformable material is covered with a covering
material.
62. The invention in accordance with claim 58, wherein said
flexible and deformable material is treated with a fungicide.
Description
BACKGROUND OF THE INVENTION
[0001] 1. Field of the Invention
[0002] The present invention relates to the field of shoes and in
particular, to a significant structural change in the construction
of the sole of a shoe to provide greater mobility to the toes,
which are partly immobilized today with other shoe sole
designs.
[0003] 2. Description of the Prior Art
[0004] Each year, consumers spend hundreds of millions of dollars
for "walking shoes" promising to help the wearer walk "right" or
more comfortably. Each year, additional hundreds of millions of
dollars are spent for orthotics designed to "normalize" foot
balance, stability, and gait. Podiatrists and other medical
practitioners are constantly applying therapies and ancillary
products to correct gait faults and re-establish "normal" gait
which contributes to the muscle development and enhancement of the
calf area. While such therapies provide some relief from
gait-induced distress symptoms, they are largely ineffectual in
re-establishing natural gait. Why? Because natural gait is
biomechanically impossible for any shoe-wearing person. Natural
gait and shoes are biomechanically incompatible because all shoes
automatically convert the normal to the abnormal, the natural to
the unnatural. And no therapy or mechanical device, no matter how
precisely designed or expertly applied, can fully reverse the gait
from wrong to right. Gait is the single most complex motor function
of the human body. So complex, in fact, that it is the only motor
function for which a definition or standard or "normal" does not
exist. It involves half of the body's 650 muscles and 200 bones,
along with a large share of the joints and ligaments.
[0005] First, it is important to distinguish between "normal" and
"natural." Normal is defined as an accepted standard, a mean or
average. For example, everyone occasionally catches a cold; hence
the common cold is "normal," though it is neither healthy nor
natural. Conversely, natural means the pristine, ideal state, the
ideal of form and function stemming from nature itself. Hence the
difference between normal and natural is essentially the difference
between what is and what can or ought to be.
[0006] Applying this to human gait, we can say that in shoe-wearing
societies many people have what appears to be "normal" gait, while
in shoeless societies they have "natural" gait. And there are
pronounced differences between the two both in form and
function.
[0007] In shoe-wearing societies a visibly faulty gait can often be
corrected and made normal, but it can never be made natural as long
as conventional shoes are worn. It is biomechanically impossible
because of the forced alterations from the natural in foot stance,
postural alignment, body balance, equilibrium, body mechanics and
weight distribution caused by shoes.
[0008] The Role of Heels
[0009] The role of heels or heel heights has been given much
attention in the literature because their influence is so obvious,
especially on heels two or more inches in height. Barefoot, the
perpendicular line of the straight body column creates a
ninety-degree angle with the floor. On a two-inch heel, were the
body a rigid column and forced to tilt forward, the angle would be
reduced to seventy degrees, and to fifty-five degrees on a
three-inch heel. Thus, for the body to maintain an erect position,
a whole series of joint adjustments (ankle, knee, hip, spine, head)
are required to regain and retain the erect stance.
[0010] In this reflex adjustment scores of body parts--bones,
ligaments and joints, muscles and tendons--head to foot must
instantly change position. If these adjustments are sustained over
prolonged periods, or by habitual use of higher heels, as is not
uncommon, the strains and stresses become chronic, causing or
contributing to aches of legs, back and shoulders, fatigue,
etc.
[0011] But the alterations are internal and organic, as well. For
example, when standing barefoot, the anterior angle of the female
pelvis is twenty-five degrees; on low, one-inch heels it increases
to thirty degrees; on two-inch heels to forty-five degrees; on
three-inch heels to sixty degrees. Under these conditions, what
happens to the pelvic and abdominal organs? Inevitably, these must
shift position to adapt.
[0012] Does the wearing of low, one-inch "sensible" heels prevent
these problems of postural adaptation? No. All the low heel does is
lessen the intensity of the negative postural effects. Hence, the
wearing of heels of any height automatically alters the natural
erect state of the body column. (Note: millions of men habitually
wear boots or shoes with heels one and a half to three inches in
height, such as on western boots or elevator shoes.)
[0013] But shoe heels have other, lesser-known influences on gait.
For example, any heel, low to high, requires a compensatory
alteration or forward slant on the last, which is translated to the
shoe. This slant is known as the "heel wedge angle." This is the
slope or slant of the heel seat, rear to front, to compensate for
the shoe heel height. The higher the heel, the greater the
angle.
[0014] On the bare foot there is no wedge angle. The bottom of the
heel is on a level one hundred and eighty degrees, with body weight
shared equally between heel and ball. Inside the heeled shoe the
wedge angle shifts body weight forward so that on a low heel body
weight is shared forty percent heel, sixty percent ball; and on a
high heel ninety percent ball and ten percent heel.
[0015] Under these conditions the step sequence is no longer
heel-to-ball-to toes and push-off, as with the bare foot. On heels
two or more inches in height little weight is borne by the heel of
the foot, an step push-off is almost wholly from the ball, and the
toes, restricted by the hard sole surface are unable to "claw" in
and push-off.
[0016] In medium to higher heels, due to the reduced base of the
heel top-lift, the line of falling weight shifts, causing a
wobbling of the less-secure ankle, which tilts medially. The shift
in the body's center of gravity alters the equilibrium of the body
column and prevents a natural step sequence,
[0017] One consequence is that heel strike moves to the
lateral-rear corner of the heel top-lift. This is not natural. The
heel of the shoeless foot receives its initial heel strike not at
the lateral-rear corner but in the center at the site of the
plantar calcaneal tuberosity. The natural plantar path of the step
sequence--heel to lateral border to ball to big toe (hallux) and
push-off--is forced to shift, further affecting natural gait
because the toes are restricted and unable to dig-in or
claw-in.
[0018] Let's add one further influence of shoe heels, low to high.
The shoe's elevated heel shortens the Achilles tendon and
accompanying shortening of the calf muscles. Both the tendon and
the muscles are, of course, vital to step propulsion and gait
stamina--which may help to explain the performance dominance of
marathon runners from nations where the barefoot state is common
from infancy to adulthood.
[0019] The heeled shoe "steals" much of this propulsive power from
the tendon and leg muscles. This not only places more stress on
them to achieve needed propulsion, but power must be borrowed from
elsewhere--knees, thigh muscles, hips, and trunk. A small army of
anatomical reinforcements must come to the rescue of the
handicapped tendon and calf muscles.
[0020] Thus a shoe heel of any height sets in motion a series of
gait-negative consequences, making natural gait--meaning the
barefoot form--impossible. While the invention does not fully
correct the problem of high heels it will help mitigate the effect
by making the foot return to the heel-to-ball-to toes and push-off
walk as with the bare feet.
[0021] Toe Spring
[0022] If you rest a shoe, new or old, on a table and view it in
profile from the side, it reveals an up-tilt of the toe tip varying
from five-eighths to one inch or more. More on worn shoes. This is
known as "toe spring" and is built into the last.
[0023] On the bare, natural foot the digits rest flat, their tips
grasping the ground as an assist in step propulsion, which
constrict the calf muscles contributing to their enhancement.
Inside the shoe, the digits are lifted slantwise off the ground,
unable to fulfill their natural ground-grasping function.
[0024] A toe spring is built into the last to compensate for lack
or absence of shoe flexibility at the ball. The toe spring creates
a rocker effect on the shoe sole so that the shoe, instead of full
flexing as it should, forces the foot to "roll" forward like the
curved bottom of a rocking chair. The thicker the sole, such as on
sneakers or work boots, or the stiffer the sole, the greater the
toe spring needed because of lack of shoe flexibility.
[0025] With toe spring, the toes of the foot are constantly angled
upward five to twenty degrees, depending upon the amount of shoe
toe spring. Functionally, they are "forced out of business," denied
much or all of their natural ground-grasping action and exercise so
essential to exercising of the entire foot and calf muscles because
18 of the foot's 19 tendons are attached to the toes.
[0026] The combination of the up-tilted toes caused by the toe
spring, and the down-slanted heel and foot caused by the heel wedge
angle, create an angle apex at the ball where the two angles
converge. The angle apex has a dagger-point effect on the ball.
This is certainly an important contributing cause of metatarsal
stress symptoms and lesions.
[0027] Equally important, the natural gait mechanics are affected.
Because the big toe (hallux) and other digits are largely
immobilized by their up tilted position, the step propulsion must
come almost wholly from the metatarsal heads in the ball of the
foot. This not only imposes undue stress on the heads, but also
forces an unnatural alteration of the gait pattern itself.
[0028] The shoe's last, the form of mold over which the shoe is
made, is not visible to the consumer. but it bears much influence
on the shoe and gait. There are several built-in design faults with
most commercial lasts, but two in particular have relevant
influence on gait and calf muscle development.
[0029] First, almost all shoe lasts are designed with inflare,
whereas almost all feet are designed on a straight axis. This
automatically creates a biomechanical conflict between foot and
last (or shoe). This is the prime reason why virtually all shoes go
out of shape with wear--because foot and shoe are mismated. If,
because of this conflict, the foot cannot function naturally inside
the shoe, it cannot take a normal or natural step.
[0030] A second common fault of the last is the concavity at most
lasts under and across the ball, which is automatically "inherited"
by the shoe at the same site.
[0031] The reason conventional lasts are made with a concavity
under the ball. About 80 years ago a shoe manufacturer discovered
that the foot could be made to look smaller and trimmer by allowing
it to "sink" into a cavity in the shoe that no one would see--thus
reducing the amount of foot volume visible above. It was so
successful in its mission of smaller-looking feet that it was
quickly adopted by other manufacturers. It has long since become a
standard part of last design.
[0032] This cavity is further accentuated by the construction of
the shoe itself, wherein the space between outsole and insole must
be filled with a special filler material (ground cork, foam rubber,
fiberglass, etc.). However, the combination of the foot's heat,
moisture, and pressure forces the filler material to compress and
"creep," deforming its original flat surface.
[0033] The combination of the concave-bottom last at the ball an
the compression and creep of the filler material sinking into the
cavity, creates a sinkhole into which the three middle metatarsal
heads at the ball of the foot fall as the first and fifth heads
rise on the rim. We thus have the classic "fallen" metatarsal arch.
The application of a metatarsal pad, whether in the shoe or via an
orthotic or strapping, provides relief--not because it "raises" the
arch but simply by filling in the cavity and returning the heads to
their natural level plane.
[0034] Therefore, the important role of the metatarsal heads as a
fulcrum (pivot) and the toes as grasping-gripping mechanisms for
step propulsion is seriously diminished. The step push-off is now
almost entirely from the ball, and weakly so because the metatarsal
heads are pushing from a cavity rather than from a flat surface. A
propulsive energy must now be drawn from other sources--Legs,
thighs, hips, the forward tilt of the trunk and shoulders--with
undue strain on all those body sectors. The gait loses natural form
and function and the calf muscles are not developed.
[0035] Ironically, the closest we have ever come to an "ideal" shoe
was the original lightweight, soft-sole, heel-less, simple
moccasin, which dates back more than 14,000 years. It consisted of
a piece of crudely tanned but soft leather wrapped around the foot
and held on with rawhide thongs. Presto! custom fit, perfect in
biomechanical function, and no encumbrances to the foot or
gait.
[0036] It took four million years to develop our unique human foot
and our consequent distinctive form of gait, a remarkable feat of
bioengineering. Yet, in only a few thousand years, and with one
carelessly designed instrument, our shoes, we have warped the pure
anatomical form of human gait, obstructing its engineering
efficiency, afflicting it with strains and stresses and denying it
its natural grace of form and ease of movement head to foot. The
invention hopes to correct this problem.
[0037] Sensory Response
[0038] The soles and tips of the toes contain over 200,000 nerve
endings, perhaps the densest concentration to be found anywhere of
comparable size on the body. In this respect, little attention has
been given to the sensory response of the foot and its enormous
influence on gait. Our nerve-dense soles are our only tactile
contact with the physical world around us. Without them we would
lose equilibrium and become disoriented.
[0039] Says orthopedist Philip Lewin, "The foot is the vital link
between the person and the earth, the vital reality of his
day-to-day existence." City College of New York anatomists Todd R.
Olson and Michael E. Seidel write, "Because the sole is so
abundantly supplied with tactile sensory nerve endings, we use our
feet to furnish the brain with considerable information about our
immediate environment."
[0040] Thus there is a sensory foot/body, foot/brain connection
vital to body stability, equilibrium, and gait.
[0041] Yet, much of it is denied us because of our thick-layered,
inflexible shoes that shut off a considerable amount of this
electromagnetic inflow and our sensory response to it. B. T.
Renbourne, M.D., of England's Brookside Hospital, has done
considerable research in this field. He writes, "Modern shoes give
good wear, but they also impair the foot's sensory response to the
ground and earth, affecting the reflex action of the foot and leg
muscles in gait. This sensory foot contact is essential for stable,
sure-footed walking."
[0042] It is well known by both common experience and clinical
testing that infants are able to walk with much more confidence and
stability barefoot than with shoes on. In fact, the same can be
said of adults. This is not only because of the foot's biomechanics
(flexing, toe grasping, heel-to-toe step sequence, etc.), but also
because of the neural energy assist from the sensory response.
[0043] However, when several layers of shoe bottom materials are
packed between foot and ground, a certain amount of sensory
blockage is inevitable, and the gait loses some of its natural
energies and functional efficiency. (Why Shoes Make "Normal" Gait
Impossible, How flaws in footwear affect this complex human
function. By William A. Rossi, D.P.M.)
[0044] Shoe soles constructed of flexible materials or deformable
liquid or gel containing packs, or gel filled padding made out of a
gel pack encased in a stretch Lycra.RTM. fabric or gel filled
plastic container, non-leaking semi-solid gel filled padding,
silicone, foam, memory foam or any memory type material, or any
soft material, rubber or synthetic plastic material, are known in
the art. However, such prior shoe sole support systems primary
objective and function is to provide cushioning for comfort and
shock absorption and do not provide the toes the ability to flex
down ward or provide grasping-gripping motion or improve or induce
calf muscle tone development in a manner similar to walking on sand
barefooted.
[0045] Other prior systems provide support for the heel or hind
foot and at the arches or mid foot or at the ball of foot with
deformable flexible materials for cushioning and shock absorption
by creating a dense area of material for padding sometimes as thick
as 20 mm at those points and some have cushioning materials through
the entire foot, but none permit the toes to bend downward in a
grasping gripping motion and none have a thick layer of deformable
material only below the area where the toes will rest. Further,
none provide for a deformable flexible material or deformable
liquid or gel built inside a chamber or cavity engineered into the
shoe sole and deep into the mid-sole with a deepness of at least 6
mm in a contoured area underneath the toes shaped around the upper
border of the ball of the foot and/or starting right below and
including the ball of the big toe (1.sup.st metatarso-phalangeal
joint) and the other digits (lesser metatarso-phalangeal joints),
that will permit the toes to flex and bend downward in a grasping
motion in a fashion similar to the effect of walking on sand giving
mobility and grasping action to the toes nor will they permit the
toes to bend downward to a degree enough to induce contractions to
stimulate calf muscle development and growth.
[0046] Further, other systems have cavities or chambers engineered
into the mid-sole for the insertion of deformable materials or
gels, but only underneath the heel, the arches or the ball of the
foot and none have cavities or chambers engineered only into the
section of the toe tip underneath the toes in shape contoured
underneath the toes shaped around the upper border of the ball of
the foot and/or starting right below and including the ball of the
big toe (1.sup.st metatarso-phalangeal joint) and the other digits
(lesser metatarso-phalangeal joints), that will permit the toes to
flex and bend downward in a grasping motion in a fashion similar to
the effect of walking on sand giving mobility and grasping action
to the toes.
[0047] The relevant bones of the foot are illustrated in FIG. 11.
The forefoot 440 includes the first metatarso-phalangeal joint 410
and lesser metatarso-phalangeal joints 412, 414, 416 and 418. The
mid foot 420 includes the talo navicular joint 422 and the calcaneo
cuboid joint 424. The rear foot 430 includes the approximate
position of the subtalar joint 432 and the calcaneous (heel) bone
434. The relevant bones of the leg are also illustrated in FIG. 12
and these include the tibia 440, the fibula 442, the Achilles
tendon 444, the astragalus 446, the scaphoid 447, the cuneforms
448, the heels 450, the cuboid 452, the metatarsals 454 and the
phalanges 456.
[0048] The following fifteen patents or patent applications are
found to be relevant to the present invention.
[0049] 1. U.S. Pat. No. 2,760,281 issued to Cosin on Aug. 28, 1956
for "Moldable Foot Support" (hereafter the "Cosin Patent");
[0050] 2. U.S. Pat. No. 2,863,231 issued to Jones on Dec. 9, 1958
for "Fabrication of Footwear Having Differentially Deformable
Insoles" (hereafter the "Jones Patent");
[0051] 3. U.S. Pat. No. 3,103,931 issued to Knellwolf on Sep. 17,
1963 for "Shoe Sole" (hereafter the "Knellwolf Patent");
[0052] 4. U.S. Pat. No. 3,257,742 issued to Feinberg on Jun. 28,
1966 for "Foot Support For Shoes" (hereafter the "Feinberg
Patent");
[0053] 5. U.S. Pat. No. 4,934,073 issued to Robinson on Jun. 19,
1990 for "Exercise-Enhancing Walking Shoe" (hereafter the "Robinson
Patent");
[0054] 6. U.S. Pat. No. 4,955,147 issued to Bos on Sep. 11, 1990
for "Shoe, Sandal Or Similar Footwear" (hereafter the "Bos
Patent");
[0055] 7. U.S. Pat. No. 5,692,318 issued to Aliano on Dec. 2, 1997
for "Golf Shoe Sole" (hereafter the "Aliano Patent");
[0056] 8. U.S. Pat. No. 5,752,330 issued to Snabb on May 19, 1998
for "Athletic Shoes With Reverse Slope Sole Construction"
(hereafter the "Snabb Patent");
[0057] 9. U.S. Pat. No. 6,312,361 B1 issued to Hayes on Nov. 6,
2001 for "Synthetic Sand Frontal Training Shoe" (hereafter the
"Hayes Patent");
[0058] 10. U.S. Pat. No. 6,516,540 B2 issued to Seydel et al. on
Feb. 11, 2003 for "Ground Contacting Systems Having 3D Deformation
Elements For Use In Footwear" (hereafter the "Seydel Patent");
[0059] 11. PCT Application No. PCT/HU89/00032 filed on Jun. 28,
1989 for "Footwear" (hereafter the "'00032 PCT Application").
[0060] 12. U.S. patent Publication US 2003/0208930 A1 published on
Nov. 13, 2003 filed by inventor Swigart for "FOOTWEAR SOLE
COMPONENT WITH A SINGLE SEALED CHAMBER" (hereafter "Swigart
Application").
[0061] 13. U.S. patent Publication US 2001/0045028 A1 published on
Nov. 29, 2001 filed by inventors Crane et al. for "GEL INSOLES WITH
LOWER HEEL AND TOE RECESSES HAVING THIN SPRING WALLS" (hereafter
"Crane Application").
[0062] 14. U.S. patent Publication US 2003/0024134 A1 published on
Feb. 6, 2003 filed by inventors Howlett et al. for "INSOLE FOR
FITNESS AND RECREATIONAL WALKING"(hereafter "Howlett
Application").
[0063] 15. U.S. patent Publication US 2003/0121180 A1 published on
Jul. 3, 2003 filed by inventor Poe for "ELASTOMERIC, ENERGY
MANAGEMENT CUSHION" (hereafter "Poe Application").
[0064] The Cosin Patent discloses a moldable foot support in the
front area of the shoe, primarily behind the base of the big toe
and that portion of the foot behind the toes, not at the location
of the toes.
[0065] The Jones Patent is a fabrication of footwear having
differentially deformable insoles which are located at the heel of
the foot and also right in front of the front arch of the foot,
behind the fifth metatarsal support area.
[0066] The Knellwolf Patent emphasizes the benefits of walking
barefoot on a beach upon wet sand. This patent discloses the
concept of placing soft material within the shoe although it is in
a whole area of the front and the back heel portion of the shoe as
shown in FIGS. 2, 3 and 4.
[0067] The Feinberg Patent is a foot support for shoes wherein it
appears to be placed in the entire location of the shoe. As set
forth in Column 7, Line 11, "When the foot support is placed in the
shoe, the foot will sink into the soft pad providing a type of
support found in nature when walking on soft sod or sand." In this
case it is an entire soft pad in the shoe.
[0068] The Robinson Patent discloses a walking shoe which includes
a reverse wedge which increases in thickness in the forward
section. The reverse wedge terminates forward of the shoe heel. The
design is to enhance the amount of the exercise of the walker while
walking.
[0069] The Bos Patent discloses a shoe (1) having a flat inner
surface (5) and between said flat inner surface (5) and the instep
a flat layer (6, 12) of constant thickness for support of the foot,
which flat layer (6,12) is of a highly springy elastic material
with a high elastic recovery capacity. It is an entire layer in the
entire surface of the inner shoe.
[0070] The Aliano Patent discloses a golf shoe sole. A portion of
the shoe disposed between the ball of the foot of the user is
thicker than the region disposed below the heel of the user in
order to balance the user. The toes of the user may be braced
forward to shift the weight of the user back to better balance the
user. This is shown in particular in item no. 28 of FIG. 10 to
which I direct your attention. The purpose of this is to provide
better balancing.
[0071] The Snabb Patent is an athletic shoe with reverse slope sole
construction. The concept is to place the heel of the shoe inner
sole significantly lower than the ball of the foot and toes.
[0072] The Hayes Patent discloses an athletic training shoe that is
designed to simulate beach training so as provide the user with all
of the positive effects of beach training. The athletic training
shoe is comprised of a highly pliable foot receiving member which
places the user's foot in an ample depth of sand simulating
material contained by a material holding element, positioned
specifically under the front portion of the user's foot.
[0073] The Seydel Patent is a very long and extensive patent on a
ground contacting system having 3D deformation elements for use in
footwear. Referring to Column 52, the patent states "The inventors
have found that a new ground contacting system can be designed to
provide adequately damping action and to mimic the light sliding
action a shoe experiences when a user walks or runs on dirt, sand
or gravel."
[0074] Going to Column 53, the patent states "The present invention
seeks to advance the state of the art of athletic footwear by
providing anisotropic deformation pads that can be applied to the
shoe soles to simulate the sliding that occurs when running on a
dirt road." The pads are placed at various locations in the
shoe.
[0075] The PCT Application discloses footwear having a sole part
(1) made of some flexible material and formed with a double layer,
with an upper layer (2) and a lower layer (3). Between the two
layers there is a space forming a closed cavity which is filled
with a material of liquid state.
[0076] The Swigart Application, shows a sole component for footwear
combining the desirable response characteristics of a fluid filled
chamber and an elastomeric material. The chamber can be formed as a
single bladder chamber in contact with an elastomeric midsole, or a
single chamber formed by a sealing a void in elastomeric
material.
[0077] The Crane Application discloses a removable insole for
insertion into footwear, which includes a lower layer made of a
viscoelastic gel and including a lower surface, an upper surface, a
toe portion, a heel portion, and a medial arch portion
interconnecting the toe portion and the heel portion, a first
recess formed in the lower surface of the toe portion and the a
second recess formed in the lower surface of the heel portion, each
recess having a peripheral side wall and a top wall, a plurality of
thin, parallel, spaced apart sinusoidal wave shaped spring walls
formed from the viscoelastic gel and connected to the top wall and
the peripheral side wall in each recess.
[0078] The Howlett Application discloses an insole for fitness and
recreational walking and includes a plurality of spaced apart
spring walls formed with a viscoelastic gel in a first recess, the
spring walls having lower edges generally coplanar with the lower
surface of the forefoot portion which is in surrounding relation to
a first recess; and a shell extending under the mid foot portion
and made of resilient material that is stiffer than the unitary
resilient material. The gel material is in the general forefoot
area but is not under the toes as in the present invention.
[0079] The Poe Application is an elastomeric, energy management
cushion. The invention is elastomeric, energy-management cushion
formed of at least one or more spaced, expandable, geometrically
shaped cushioning elements disposed in a pattern on the supporting
base of the shoe.
SUMMARY OF THE INVENTION
[0080] The present invention pertains to a flexible support system
for the toes of the foot built inside a chamber or cavity
engineered into the shoe sole and deep into the mid-sole in a
contoured area shaped around the upper border of the ball of the
foot at the base of the toes starting right below and including the
ball of the big toe (1.sup.st metatarso-phalangeal joint) and the
other digits (lesser metatarso-phalangeal joints), that will permit
the toes to flex and bend downward in a grasping motion in a
fashion similar to the effect of walking on wet sand giving
mobility and grasping action to the toes (hallux and other digits)
shifting the step propulsion from the ball of the foot (metatarsal
heads) back to the toes improving gait and resulting in a more
natural walk by returning the step sequence to heel-to-ball-to-toes
and push-off as with bare feet. In a variation of the present
invention, the flexible system described above only extends beneath
the toes and does not extend to the ball of the big toe.
[0081] In particular, this invention pertains to a toe support
system, which will allow the user to rest his or her toes on a
deformable and flexible surface or liquid container or gel pack or
other soft flexible materials. Further, in particular, this
invention pertains to a support system for the toes, which includes
flexible and deformable members, which deform to the contour of a
particular user's toes and further disperses the load applied over
a wider area to give the toes flexibility, mobility, deep
cushioning support and grasping-gripping motion.
[0082] Further, this invention pertains to a toes support system
that will return to the toes their natural ground-grasping action
inducing a more natural gait and a walking pattern of
heel-to-ball-to-toes and push-off as with bare feet, shifting the
body's center of gravity and altering the equilibrium of the body
column resulting in a natural step sequence similar to walking
barefooted.
[0083] More in particular this invention will result in an
enhancement or build-up of the calf-muscles by recreating the
beneficial effect that walking barefooted on sand or other soft
surfaces have on the calf muscles by permitting the toes, which are
now partly immobilized with other shoe sole designs, to flex and
bend downward deep into the cavity or chamber of the shoe sole
filled with the deformable system in a grasping-gripping motion for
step propulsion, which results in contractions of the calf muscles
improving muscle tone and calf muscle development.
[0084] Still further, this invention directs itself to a support
system for the toes where the deformable portion of the system is
imbedded in a cavity or chamber inside the shoe sole and by
permitting the toes to flex deep into the deformable portion of the
cavity or chamber it will provide the tips of the toes with a
sensory stimulation improving the body's response to the ground and
earth affecting the reflex action of the foot and leg muscles in
gait restoring the foot's biomechanics of flexing, toe grasping and
heel-to-toe step sequence. The invention will add greater comfort
and sensory response to the toes improving stability and
equilibrium as well as completely new sensory experience as the
tips of the toes are stimulated by the deformable base.
[0085] The present invention is an improvement in the design of a
shoe sole wherein a flexible support system for the toes is
provided to give the toes mobility and gripping-grasping motion.
The toe support system includes a deformable liquid or gel
containing packs or gel filled padding made out of a gel pack
encased in a stretch Lycra.RTM. fabric or gel filled plastic
container, or an insole with a deformable material built-in and
engineered to fit inside a cavity in the midsole, non-leaking
semi-solid Gel filled padding, silicone, foam, memory foam or any
memory type flexible material, or any soft material, soft rubber or
soft synthetic plastic material in varying thickness depending on
the thickness of the sole but no less than 6 mm in depth, which
will permit the toes to flex, curl, bend or grasp downward.
[0086] The toes support system is built inside or inserted inside a
chamber or cavity or engineered inside the shoe sole area below the
toes at the level of the insole and either below or also in line
with the midsole reaching the level of the insole, so that the
wearer's toes rest along the flexible material when the wearer's
foot is inserted into the shoe. The toes support system extends in
a contoured area shaped around the upper border of the ball of the
foot starting right below and including the ball of the big toe
(1.sup.st metatarso-phalangeal joint) and the other digits (lesser
metatarso-phalangeal joints), that will permit the toes to flex and
bend downward in a grasping motion in a fashion similar to the
effect of walking on sand giving mobility and grasping action to
the toes (hallux and other digits). In a variation of the present
invention, the flexible system described above only extends beneath
the toes and does not extend to the ball of the big toe.
[0087] The forefoot is composed of the five toes (called phalanges)
and their connecting long bones (metatarsals). Each toe (phalanx)
is made up of several small bones. The big toe (hallux) has two
phalanges, two joints (interphalangeal joints), and two tiny, round
sesamoid bones that enable it to move up and down. The other four
toes each have three bones and two joints. The phalanges are
connected to the metatarsals by five metatarsal phalangeal joints
at the ball of the foot. The forefoot bears half the body's weight
and balances pressure on the ball of the foot. The flexible
material will be inserted below the toes area.
[0088] Therefore, in addition to all five toes resting on the
flexible material, the base of the big toe right below the
1.sup.st. metatarso-phalangeal joint may also rest on the flexible
material. By filling the frontal section of the shoe sole with the
flexible material, the flexible material permits the toe to curl
downward when walking. The flexible material can be any type of
deformable liquid or gel containing packs, or gel filled padding
made out of a gel pack encased in a stretch Lycra.RTM. fabric or
gel filled plastic container, non-leaking semi-solid gel filled
padding, silicone, foam, memory foam or any memory type material,
or any soft material, rubber or synthetic plastic material, all
which may be treated with fungicides, which will permit the toes to
flex, curl, bend or grasp downward for step propulsion.
[0089] It has been discovered, according to the present invention,
that if the frontal area of the shoe sole is filled with a flexible
material such as a flexible gel, deformable liquid or gel
containing pack and covered with a material that will stretch, the
toes and base of the big toe which rest on the flexible material
can curl downward, so that the invention enables the wearer to
simulate the effect of walking on sand.
[0090] It is therefore an object of the present invention to
redesign the front of a shoe sole so that it simulates walking on
sand so that the shoe will permit the toes to curl downward and
complete the natural motion of the foot and complete a natural
gait.
[0091] It is also an object of the subject invention to improve
calf muscle tone, development and enhancement by recreating the
beneficial effect that walking on sand has on the development of
the calf muscles. Through the effect of causing the toes to flex
and curl down-ward in a grasping-gripping mechanism for step
propulsion this will also result in a contraction of the
gastrocnemius (double headed muscle that forms the back of the
calf), the soleus and the peroneus muscles thereby contributing to
their enhancement and development.
[0092] A further object of the present invention is to induce a
walking pattern of heel-to-ball-to-toes and push-off as with the
bare foot, shifting the body's center of gravity and altering the
equilibrium of the body column resulting in a natural step sequence
similar to walking barefooted.
[0093] Still further, an object of the subject invention will give
mobility to the big toe (hallux) and other digits, which are partly
immobilized today with other shoe sold designs, shifting step
propulsion from the ball of the foot (metatarsal heads) back to the
toes.
[0094] A still further object of the subject invention is to
provide the tips of the toes with a sensory stimulation improving
the body's response to the ground and earth affecting the reflex
action of the foot and leg muscles in gait. The sensory foot/body,
foot/brain connection vital to body stability, equilibrium and gait
is now "turned-on" and functioning. The foot's biomechanics
(flexing, toe grasping, heel-to-toe step sequence is also
restored.
[0095] Still further, an object of the subject invention system is
to provide a toe support system wherein a liquid containing pack is
inserted inside a chamber or cavity on the sole of the shoe
underneath the toes.
[0096] A still further object of the subject toe support system is
to provide a releasably secured liquid containing pack or gel pack
which deforms and is flexible responsive to interface with the
user's toes when the users his or her toes thereon.
[0097] Another object of the toe support system is to disperse the
load forces applied by the toes during the grasping-gripping motion
during walking.
[0098] A further object of the toe support system is to a provide a
releasably secured liquid containing or gel pack captured within a
pocket formed to correspond to a particular shape which permits the
ball of the big toe and other digits to rest on and bordering the
ball of the foot.
[0099] Another embodiment of the invention of the toe support
system is to provide for an insole that has a deformable material
or bladder elements which are encapsulated in place during the
midsole formation and dropped into shallow straight cavity inside
the midsole and cemented in place. The top layer of can be made
from any suitable stretch material that will permit the toes to
bend and curl downward.
[0100] Although the present invention has been disclosed relative
to a specific cavity depth inside the midsole, it will be
appreciated that an mid-sole according to the present invention can
be made to various shapes, depth and thickness.
[0101] Further, although the front section of the shoe sole has
been shown to have a uniform height along the entire width thereof,
other variations may provide for various shapes.
[0102] Although the present invention uses the term mid-sole, it
will be appreciated that the use of other equivalent or similar
terms such shoe sole or innersole are considered to be synonymous
and interchangeable, and thereby covered by the present
invention.
[0103] Further novel features and other objects of the present
invention will become apparent from the following detailed
description, discussion and the appended claims, taken in
conjunction with the drawings.
BRIEF DESCRIPTION OF THE DRAWINGS
[0104] Referring particularly to the drawings for the purpose of
illustration only and not limitation, there is illustrated:
[0105] Referring particularly to the drawings for the purpose of
illustration only and not limitation, there is illustrated:
[0106] FIG. 1 is a top plan view of a shoe with the section cut
away to illustrate the present invention in the toe area at the
location of the insole;
[0107] FIG. 2 is a side elevational view of a shoe which is a left
shoe with the toe section cut away to illustrate the present
invention, with a left foot placed inside the shoe to illustrate
the toe down with the shoe flat;
[0108] FIG. 3 is a side elevational view of a shoe which is a left
shoe with the toe section cut away to illustrate the present
invention, with the left foot inserted in the shoe and
demonstrating the present invention in the ordinary walking
position;
[0109] FIG. 4 is an illustrative view of a left foot walking on
sand with the left toe down pressing against the sand;
[0110] FIG. 5 is an illustrative view of a left foot walking on a
flat surface with the left foot flat;
[0111] FIG. 6 is a close-up view of a shoe which is a left shoe
with the toe section cut away to illustrate the present invention,
with a left foot placed inside the shoe to illustrate the toe down
with the shoe flat;
[0112] FIG. 7 is a cross-sectional view of a shoe illustrating the
embodiment where the gel is aligned with the insole and the
midsole;
[0113] FIG. 8 is an exploded view illustrating the present
invention removed from its cavity within the shoe;
[0114] FIG. 9 is a cross-sectional view taken along line 9-9 of
FIG. 1;
[0115] FIG. 10 is a top plan view of a shoe with the top section
cut away to illustrate the five toes resting over the present
invention area;
[0116] FIG. 11 is a top plan view of a shoe with the top section
cut away to illustrate the base of the shoe incorporating another
embodiment of the present invention with the gel area covered by a
covering layer;
[0117] FIG. 12 is an exploded view illustrating an alternative
embodiment of the present invention;
[0118] FIG. 13 is a top view of a skeletal drawing of bones of a
foot;
[0119] FIG. 14 is a side view of the skeletal drawing of the bones
of a foot and ankle area;
[0120] FIG. 15 is a top plan view of a shoe with the section cut
away to illustrate a variation of the present invention in the toe
area at the location of the insole where the gel only extends
beneath the toes and does not extend beyond the 1.sup.st
metatarso-phalangeal joint of the ball of the big toe;
[0121] FIG. 16 is a close-up view of a shoe which is a left shoe
with the toe section cut away to illustrate the variation of the
present invention wherein the gel only extends beneath the toes,
with the left foot placed inside the shoe to illustrate the toe
down with the shoe flat;
[0122] FIG. 17 is a top plan view of a shoe with the top section
cut away to illustrate the variation of the present invention where
the five toes rest over the present invention gel but the gel does
not extend beyond the 1.sup.st metatarso-phalangeal joint of the
ball of the big toe;
[0123] FIG. 18 is a top plan view of a shoe with the top section
cut away to illustrate the base of the shoe incorporating the
variation of the present invention gel assembly extending only
underneath the toes of the foot, with the gel covered by a covering
layer;
[0124] FIG. 19 is an exploded view illustrating the present
invention removed from its cavity within the shoe illustrating the
variation where the gel only covers the areas underneath the toes
and does not extend beyond the 1.sup.st metatarso-phalangeal joint
of the base of the big toe; and
[0125] FIG. 20 is an exploded view illustrating an alternative
embodiment of the variation of the present invention where the gel
only extends underneath the toes and does not extend under the
1.sup.st metatarso-phalangeal joint of the base of the big toe.
DETAILED DESCRIPTION OF THE PREFERRED EMBODIMENTS
[0126] Although specific embodiments of the present invention will
now be described with reference to the drawings, it should be
understood that such embodiments are by way of example only and
merely illustrative of but a small number of the many possible
specific embodiments which can represent applications of the
principles of the present invention. Various changes and
modifications obvious to one skilled in the art to which the
present invention pertains are deemed to be within the spirit,
scope and contemplation of the present invention as further defined
in the appended claims.
[0127] The present invention is an improved shoe sole that will
contribute to a more natural gait and greatly enhance the pleasure
of walking by permitting the toes to grasp and returning tactile
function to the toes. It will also have a beneficial effect on a
specific set of leg muscles, which are the soleus, the
gastrocnemius and peroneus, contributing to their development and
muscle growth.
[0128] The invention incorporates the principle that walking on
sand will induce the growth of calf muscles. The present invention
consists of a change in the structure of the shoe sole that helps a
user replicate the effect of walking on sand. The present invention
incorporates the principle that walking barefoot on loose sand is
an especially good conditioning exercise and helps to build calf
muscles. The extra effort needed to position and roll the foot in
sand can greatly help build coordination and muscle mass.
[0129] When walking barefoot, the digits of the foot rest flat,
their tips grasping the ground as an assist in step propulsion.
Inside a shoe, these digits of the foot are lifted slantwise off
the ground, unable to fulfill their natural ground-grasping
functions.
[0130] When walking on sand, the toes will bend and curl downward
as the foot digs into the sand creating a muscle contraction that
pushes the weight of the body upward and raises the heels ready for
the next step. The typical and common shoe sole surface is a hard
leather or rubber that keeps the toes straight when walking.
Although the toes have very little to do when the wearer is
standing, when the wearer is walking, they provide stability by
maintaining ground contact until the final phase of push-off. The
invention is a change in the surface hardness in the area below the
toes that permits the toes to bend and curl downward replicating
the effect of walking on sand.
[0131] This is accomplished by filling the frontal section of the
shoe sole with a deformable liquid or gel containing pack or a gel
type material, polyurethane gel, gel filled padding made out of a
gel pack encased in a stretch Lycra.RTM. fabric, non-leaking
semi-solid gel filled padding, silicone, foam, memory foam or any
memory type material, or any soft material, rubber soft synthetic
plastic material, polyurethane gel, neoprene, polyvinyl,
polyethylene or polyurethane that will permit the toes to curl
downward when walking.
[0132] The flexible and deformable area which deforms to the
contour of the toes will border the 1st metatarso-phalangeal joint
and lesser metatarso-phalangeal of the toes (ball of foot area) and
may extend downward to fill underneath the base area of the big toe
right below the 1.sup.st. metatarso-phalangeal joint. Walking on
this new type of sole will permit the toes to curl or flex downward
and complete the natural motion of the foot causing a contraction
of the gastrocnemius (double headed muscle that forms the back of
the calf), soleus and peroneus muscles.
[0133] Referring to FIGS. 1 through 3 and 6, 7, 9 and 10, there is
illustrated one preferred embodiment of the present invention. The
drawings are illustrated with the front of the shoe cut away so
that the present invention can be readily seen. It will be
appreciated that the present invention can be incorporated into any
type of men, boy's, women's and girl's shoes including open-toed
shoes and closed toe shoes. In addition to walking shoes, the
present invention can be incorporated into any other type of shoes
such as athletic shoes, sneakers, tennis shoes, deck shoes,
floppies, etc.
[0134] The shoe 100 conventionally comprises an outsole 110, a
midsole 120 and an insole 130 against which the flat of the foot
200 rests. The present invention 10 is a gel type material,
deformable liquid or gel containing pack, which is placed in the
front area of the shoe preferably in line with the insole 130 and
above the midsole 120 (although it can also be in line with a
portion of the midsole as illustrated in FIGS. 2 and 7). The gel 10
covers the entire interior front of the shoe so that all five toes
rest on top of the gel 10 as best illustrated in FIG. 10.
[0135] As illustrated in FIGS. 1, 2, 6, 8, 9 and 10, the gel 10
also extends into the shoe so that it is under the 1.sup.st
metatarso-phalangeal joint base of the big toe. In this way, the
gel 10 is positioned under all five toes and also under the ball of
the foot immediately behind the big toe 140. While only the left
shoe is illustrated, it will be appreciated that the right shoe is
also designed with the gel 10 under all five toes of the right foot
and extends behind the ball of the right foot behind the right toe
under the 1.sup.st metatarso-phalange joint base of the big
toe.
[0136] The gel 10 causes the toes to simulate walking on sand 300
as illustrated in FIG. 4. The gel 10 thereby enables the toes to
bend and curl downward as the foot digs into the sand, thereby
creating a muscle contraction that pushes the weight of the body
upward and raises the heels ready for the next step. Walking on the
shoe which incorporates the present invention gel 10 will permit
the toes to curl downward and complete the natural motion of the
foot, resulting in a more pleasant walking experience and causing a
contraction of the gastrocnemius (double headed muscle that forms
the back of the calf), soleus and peroneus muscles.
[0137] The present invention gel 10 can include any type of
material, which has the above-described flexibility. This includes
but is not limited to gel, polyurethane gel, silicone, soft rubber,
foam, memory soft material, neoprene, polyvinyl, polyethylene,
polyurethane, a gel pack encased in a stretch Lycra.RTM. fabric and
any type of natural or synthetic soft flexible material.
[0138] An alternative embodiment of the present invention gel
assembly 330 is illustrated in the exploded view of FIG. 12. In
this alternative embodiment, instead of being a separate section
formed into the front area of the shoe as previously discussed, the
gel 340 is formed into an upper strip 350 with the gel 340 fitting
into a cavity 360 aligned with the insole 370. The midsole 372 and
the outsole 374 are in their conventional locations.
[0139] The gel 390 can also be covered with a covering layer 392 as
illustrated in FIG. 10.
[0140] While the figures have been illustrated with a bare foot to
show the toes against the present invention, it will be appreciated
that the wearer typically will wear socks, nylons, or any other
conventional foot covering. The present invention works equally
well with any type of foot covering worn over the foot when placed
in the shoe.
[0141] One variation of the present invention is to have the gel in
both embodiments only extend around the toes and not extend under
the first metatarso-phalangeal joint base of the big toe. The first
embodiment of this variation is illustrated in FIGS. 15, 16, 17, 18
and 19. The drawings are illustrated with the front of the shoe cut
away so that this variation of the present invention can be readily
seen. It will be appreciated that this variation of the present
invention can also be incorporated into any type of men's, boy's,
women's or girl's shoes including open toed shoes and closed toe
shoes. In addition to walking shoes, this variation of the present
invention can also be incorporated into any other type of shoes
such as athletic shoes, sneakers, tennis shoes, deck shoes,
floppies, etc.
[0142] Because the parts are numbered identically to the preceding
embodiment with the only difference being that the gel does not
extend to beyond the first metatarso-phalangeal joint beyond the
ball of the big toe, the numbers are similar but with the series
being in the 500 series. Once again, the shoe 100 conventionally
comprises an outsole 110, midsole 120 and an insole 130 against
which the flat of the foot 200 rests. The present invention 500 is
a gel type material, deformable liquid or gel containing pack,
which is placed in the front area of the shoe, preferably in line
with the insole 130 and above the midsole 120 (although it can also
be in line with a portion of the midsole as illustrated in FIGS. 1
and 7). The gel 500 covers the entire front of the shoe so that all
five toes rest on the gel 10 as best illustrated in FIG. 17.
[0143] As illustrated in FIGS. 15, 16, 17, 18 and 19, in this
variation of the present invention, the gel only extends to being
under the toes and does not extend to under the 1.sup.st
metatarso-phalangeal joint base of the big toe as with the first
variation discussed above. In this variation, the gel 500 is
positioned under all five toes.
[0144] The gel 500 causes the toes to simulate walking on sand 300
as illustrated in FIG. 4. The gel 500 thereby enables the toes to
bend and curl downward as the foot digs into the sand, thereby
creating a muscle contraction that pushes the weight of the body
upward and raises the heels ready for the next step. Walking on the
shoe which incorporates the present invention gel 500 will permit
the toes to curl downward and complete the natural motion of the
foot, resulting in a more pleasant walking experience and causing a
concentration of the gastrocnemius (double headed muscle that forms
the back of the calf), soleus and peroneus muscles.
[0145] The present invention gel 500 can include any type of
material, which has the above described flexibility. This is
selected from a group consisting of a deformable liquid gel pack,
deformable liquid gel, a gel pack encased in a stretch Lycra.RTM.
fabric, silicone, foam, memory foam, soft memory type flexible
material, soft rubber, soft synthetic plastic, polyurethane gel,
neoprene, polyvinyl, polyethylene, or polyurethane. The gel 590 can
also be covered with a covering layer 592 as illustrated in FIG.
18.
[0146] A variation of the alternative embodiment of the present
invention is illustrated in FIG. 20. In this alternative
embodiment, instead of being a separate section formed into the
front edge of the shoe as previously discussed, the gel 540 is
formed into an upper strip 550 with the gel 540 fitting into a
cavity 560 aligned with insole 570. The midsole 572 and outsole 574
are in their conventional locations. Once again, the gel in this
variation only extends above the toes and does not extend beyond
the 1.sup.st metatarso-phalangeal joint base of the big toe.
[0147] Defined in detail, the present invention is a shoe having a
shoe sole including an outsole, a midsole, an insole and having a
front area over which the toes of a foot rest when the shoe is
worn, the improvement comprising: a non-leaking deformable gel
formed within the front area of the sole and aligned with the
insole so that the gel is located beneath the toes of the foot when
the shoe is worn, so that all five toes rest on the gel and the
base of the big toe right below the 1st metatarso-phalangeal joint
also rests on the gel; whereby the non-leaking deformable gel
permits the toes to curl, flex, bend or grasp downward when a
wearer of the shoe is walking.
[0148] Defined alternatively, the present invention is a shoe
having a shoe sole including an outsole, a midsole, an insole and
having a front area over which the toes of a foot rest when the
shoe is worn, the improvement comprising: (a) a deformable padding
formed within the front area of the sole and aligned with the
insole so that the deformable padding is located beneath the toes
of the foot when the shoe is worn, so that all five toes rest on
the deformable padding and the base of the big toe rests right
below the 1.sup.st metatarso-phalangeal joint and also rests on the
deformable padding; and (b) the deformable padding is selected from
the group consisting of a deformable liquid gel pack, a deformable
liquid, a gel pack encased in a stretch Lycra.RTM. fabric,
silicone, foam, memory foam, soft memory type flexible material,
soft rubber, soft synthetic plastic, polyurethane gel, neoprene,
polyvinyl, polyethylene or polyurethane; (c) whereby, the
deformable padding permits the toes to curl, flex, bend or grasp
downward when a wearer of the shoe is walking.
[0149] Defined more broadly, the present invention is a foot
wearing item to be worn on a foot, the foot wearing item including
an insole against which the foot rests and having a front area over
which the toes of the foot rest when the foot wearing item is worn,
the improvement comprising: (a) a flexible and deformable material
formed within the front area of the foot wearing item and aligned
with the insole so that the flexible material is located beneath
the toes of the foot when the foot wearing item is worn so that all
five toes rest on the flexible material and the base of the big toe
right below the 1st metatarso-phalangeal joint also rests on the
flexible material; (b) whereby the flexible material permits the
toes to curl downward when a wearer of the wearing apparel is
walking.
[0150] Defined even more broadly, the present invention is a shoe
having a shoe sole including an outsole, a midsole, an insole
having a cavity in the front area of the shoe sole, the cavity
aligned with the outsole and located in the area over which the
toes of a foot rest when the shoe is worn, the improvement
comprising: (a) a non-leaking deformable gel connected to an
elongated strip so that the non-leaking deformable gel fits into
the cavity and the strip rests on the insole so that the
non-leaking deformable gel is located beneath the toes of the foot
when the shoe is worn, so that all five toes rest on the gel and
the base of the big toe right below the 1st metatarso-phalangeal
joint also rests on the non-leaking deformable gel; (b) whereby the
non-leaking deformable gel permits the toes to curl, flex, bend or
grasp downward when a wearer of the shoe is walking.
[0151] Defined even more broadly, the present invention is a shoe
having a shoe sole including an outsole, a midsole having a cavity
in the front area of the shoe sole, an insole having a cavity in
the front area of the shoe sole, the cavities aligned with the
outsole and located in the area over which the toes of a foot rest
when the shoe is worn, the improvement comprising: (a) a
non-leaking deformable gel connected to an elongated strip so that
the non-leaking deformable gel fits into the cavities aligned with
the insole and the midsole and the strip rests on the insole so
that the gel is located beneath the toes of the foot when the shoe
is worn, so that all five toes rest on the gel and the base of the
big toe right below the 1.sup.st metatarso-phalangeal joint also
rests on the non-leaking deformable gel; (b) whereby the
non-leaking deformable gel permits the toes to curl, flex, bend or
grasp downward when a wearer of the shoe is walking.
[0152] Defined even more broadly, the present invention is a shoe
having a shoe sole including an outsole, a midsole, an insole, a
cavity in the front area of the shoe over which the toes of the
foot rest when the shoe is worn, the improvement comprising: (a) a
deformable padding connected to an elongated strip so that the
deformable padding fits into the cavity and the strip rests on the
insole so the deformable padding is located beneath the toes of the
foot when the shoe is worn, so that all five toes rest on the
deformable padding and the base of the big toe below the 1.sup.st
metatarso-phalangeal joint also rests on the deformable padding;
(b) the deformable padding is selected from the group consisting of
a deformable liquid gel pack, a deformable liquid, a gel pack
encased in a stretch Lycra.RTM. fabric, silicone, foam, memory
foam, soft memory type flexible material, soft rubber, soft
synthetic plastic, polyurethane gel, neoprene, polyvinyl,
polyethylene or polyurethane; (c) whereby, the deformable padding
permits the toes to curl, flex, bend or grasp downward when a
wearer of the shoe is walking.
[0153] Defined even more broadly, the present invention is a foot
wearing item to be worn on a foot, the foot wearing item including
an insole, and having a cavity in the front area of the insole over
which the toes of the foot rest when the foot wearing item is worn,
the improvement comprising: (a) a flexible and deformable material
connected to an elongated strip so that the flexible and deformable
material fits into the cavity and the strip rests on the insole so
that the flexible and deformable material is located beneath the
toes of the foot when the foot wearing item is worn, so that all
five toes rest on the flexible and deformable material and the base
of the big toe right below the 1st metatarso-phalangeal joint also
rests on the flexible and deformable material; (b) whereby the
flexible material permits the toes to curl, flex, bend or grasp
downward when a wearer of the wearing apparel is walking.
[0154] Defined even more broadly, the present invention is a shoe
having a shoe sole including an outsole, a midsole, an insole and
having a front area over which the toes of a foot rest when the
shoe is worn, the improvement comprising: (a) a non-leaking
deformable gel formed within the front area of the sole and aligned
with the insole so that the gel is located beneath the toes of the
foot when the shoe is worn, so that all five toes rest on the gel;
(b) whereby the non-leaking deformable gel permits the toes to
curl, flex, bend or grasp downward when a wearer of the shoe is
walking.
[0155] Defined even more broadly, the present invention is a shoe
having a shoe sole including an outsole, a midsole, an insole and
having a front area over which the toes of a foot rest when the
shoe is worn, the improvement comprising: (a) a deformable padding
formed within the front area of the sole and aligned with the
insole so that the deformable padding is located beneath the toes
of the foot when the shoe is worn, so that all five toes rest on
the deformable padding; and (b) the deformable padding is selected
from the group consisting of a deformable liquid gel pack, a
deformable liquid, a gel pack encased in a stretch Lycra.RTM.
fabric, silicone, foam, memory foam, soft memory type flexible
material, soft rubber, soft synthetic plastic, polyurethane gel,
neoprene, polyvinyl, polyethylene or polyurethane; (c) whereby, the
deformable padding permits the toes to curl, flex, bend or grasp
downward when a wearer of the shoe is walking.
[0156] Defined even more broadly, the present invention is a foot
wearing item to be worn on a foot, the foot wearing item including
an insole against which the foot rests and having a front area over
which the toes of the foot rest when the foot wearing item is worn,
the improvement comprising: (a) a flexible and deformable material
formed within the front area of the foot wearing item and aligned
with the insole so that the flexible material is located beneath
the toes of the foot when the foot wearing item is worn so that all
five toes rest on the flexible material; (b) whereby the flexible
material permits the toes to curl downward when a wearer of the
wearing apparel is walking.
[0157] Defined even more broadly, the present invention is a shoe
having a shoe sole including an outsole, a midsole, an insole
having a cavity in the front area of the shoe sole, the cavity
aligned with the outsole and located in the area over which the
toes of a foot rest when the shoe is worn, the improvement
comprising: (a) a non-leaking deformable gel connected to an
elongated strip so that the non-leaking deformable gel fits into
the cavity and the strip rests on the insole so that the
non-leaking deformable gel is located beneath the toes of the foot
when the shoe is worn, so that all five toes rest on the gel; (b)
whereby the non-leaking deformable gel permits the toes to curl,
flex, bend or grasp downward when a wearer of the shoe is
walking.
[0158] Defined even more broadly, the present invention is a shoe
having a shoe sole including an outsole, a midsole having a cavity
in the front area of the shoe sole, an insole having a cavity in
the front area of the shoe sole, the cavities aligned with the
outsole and located in the area over which the toes of a foot rest
when the shoe is worn, the improvement comprising: (a) a
non-leaking deformable gel connected to an elongated strip so that
the non-leaking deformable gel fits into the cavities aligned with
the insole and the midsole and the strip rests on the insole so
that the gel is located beneath the toes of the foot when the shoe
is worn, so that all five toes rest on the gel; (b) whereby the
non-leaking deformable gel permits the toes to curl, flex, bend or
grasp downward when a wearer of the shoe is walking.
[0159] Defined even more broadly, the present invention is a shoe
having a shoe sole including an outsole, a midsole, an insole, a
cavity in the front area of the shoe over which the toes of the
foot rest when the shoe is worn, the improvement comprising: (a) a
deformable padding connected to an elongated strip so that the
deformable padding fits into the cavity and the strip rests on the
insole so the deformable padding is located beneath the toes of the
foot when the shoe is worn, so that all five toes rest on the
deformable padding; (b) the deformable padding is selected from the
group consisting of a deformable liquid gel pack, a deformable
liquid, a gel pack encased in a stretch Lycra.RTM. fabric,
silicone, foam, memory foam, soft memory type flexible material,
soft rubber, soft synthetic plastic, polyurethane gel, neoprene,
polyvinyl, polyethylene or polyurethane; (c) whereby, the
deformable padding permits the toes to curl, flex, bend or grasp
downward when a wearer of the shoe is walking.
[0160] Defined even more broadly, the present invention is a foot
wearing item to be worn on a foot, the foot wearing item including
an insole, and having a cavity in the front area of the insole over
which the toes of the foot rest when the foot wearing item is worn,
the improvement comprising: (a) a flexible and deformable material
connected to an elongated strip so that the flexible and deformable
material fits into the cavity and the strip rests on the insole so
that the flexible and deformable material is located beneath the
toes of the foot when the foot wearing item is worn, so that all
five toes rest on the flexible and deformable material; (b) whereby
the flexible material permits the toes to curl, flex, bend or grasp
downward when a wearer of the wearing apparel is walking.
[0161] Of course the present invention is not intended to be
restricted to any particular form or arrangement, or any specific
embodiment, or any specific use, disclosed herein, since the same
may be modified in various particulars or relations without
departing from the spirit or scope of the claimed invention
hereinabove shown and described of which the apparatus or method
shown is intended only for illustration and disclosure of an
operative embodiment and not to show all of the various forms or
modifications in which this invention might be embodied or
operated.
* * * * *