U.S. patent application number 11/113865 was filed with the patent office on 2005-11-03 for shoe insert.
Invention is credited to Flood, David A., Flood, Michael T..
Application Number | 20050241185 11/113865 |
Document ID | / |
Family ID | 34967220 |
Filed Date | 2005-11-03 |
United States Patent
Application |
20050241185 |
Kind Code |
A1 |
Flood, Michael T. ; et
al. |
November 3, 2005 |
Shoe insert
Abstract
A shoe insert including a bladder positioned within a main body.
The bladder includes a fluid tight membrane defining an interior
chamber containing a liquid. The bladder further includes a heel
portion in fluid communication with lateral and medial passages,
which are in turn in fluid communication with a metatarsal portion.
A central island of solid material is bounded by the heel portion,
the lateral and medial passages, and the metatarsal portion, such
that the bladder is configured to move liquid contained within the
interior chamber in a cycle that conforms to a natural gait
cycle.
Inventors: |
Flood, Michael T.; (West
Chicago, IL) ; Flood, David A.; (West Chicago,
IL) |
Correspondence
Address: |
MCANDREWS HELD & MALLOY, LTD
500 WEST MADISON STREET
SUITE 3400
CHICAGO
IL
60661
|
Family ID: |
34967220 |
Appl. No.: |
11/113865 |
Filed: |
April 25, 2005 |
Related U.S. Patent Documents
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Application
Number |
Filing Date |
Patent Number |
|
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60565918 |
Apr 28, 2004 |
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Current U.S.
Class: |
36/29 ;
36/43 |
Current CPC
Class: |
A43B 7/1415 20130101;
A43B 13/189 20130101; A43B 17/026 20130101 |
Class at
Publication: |
036/029 ;
036/043 |
International
Class: |
A43B 013/20; A43B
013/38 |
Claims
1. A shoe insert configured to cushion a foot through a normal gait
cycle comprising: a main body formed of a solid material configured
to support and cushion a foot, said main body being defined by an
outer perimeter that bounds a heel area, a lateral area, a medial
area, and a toe area; and a bladder positioned within said main
body, said bladder including a fluid tight membrane defining an
interior chamber containing a fluid, said interior chamber being
defined by a heel portion in fluid communication with lateral and
medial passages, which are in turn in fluid communication with a
metatarsal portion, wherein a central island of solid material is
bounded by said heel portion, said lateral and medial passages, and
said metatarsal portion, wherein said bladder is configured to move
said fluid contained within said interior chamber in a cycle that
conforms to the natural gait cycle.
2. The shoe insert of claim 1, wherein said fluid moves from said
heel portion to said lateral passage during the natural gait cycle,
wherein said fluid passes from said lateral passage onto said
metatarsal portion during the natural gait cycle, and wherein said
fluid is returned to said heel portion by way of said medial
passage during the natural gait cycle.
3. The shoe insert of claim 1, wherein said fluid moves within said
interior chamber in an exact manner in which a human foot
distributes weight across a plantar surface of the foot during the
natural gait cycle.
4. The shoe insert of claim 1, wherein said fluid is a mixture of
liquid silicone and air.
5. The shoe insert of claim 1, wherein said main body includes a
base secured to an upper cushion.
6. The shoe insert of claim 5, wherein said base is formed of solid
silicone having a hardness on the order of 50-75 durometer.
7. The shoe insert of claim 5, wherein said upper cushion is formed
of solid silicone having a hardness on the order of 10-25
durometer.
8. The shoe insert of claim 1, wherein at least one of said heel
portion, said lateral and medial passages, and said metatarsal
portion are recessed away from said outer perimeter toward said
central island.
9. A shoe insert configured to cushion a foot through a normal gait
cycle comprising: a main body formed of a solid material configured
to support and cushion a foot, said main body being defined by an
outer perimeter that bounds a heel area, a lateral area, a medial
area, and a toe area; and a fluid-tight bladder containing a fluid
supported by said main body, wherein said fluid is a mixture of
liquid silicone and air, said bladder comprising a heel portion in
fluid communication with lateral and medial passages, said lateral
and medial portions also being in fluid communication with a
metatarsal portion, wherein a central island of solid material is
bounded by said heel portion, said lateral and medial passages, and
said metatarsal portion, wherein said bladder is configured to move
said fluid in a cycle that conforms to the exact manner in which a
human foot distributes weight across a plantar surface of the foot
during the natural gait cycle.
10. The shoe insert of claim 9, wherein said fluid moves from said
heel portion to said lateral passage during the natural gait cycle,
wherein said fluid passes from said lateral passage onto said
metatarsal portion during the natural gait cycle, and wherein said
fluid is returned to said heel portion by way of said medial
passage during the natural gait cycle.
11. The shoe insert of claim 9, wherein said main body includes a
base secured to an upper cushion.
12. The shoe insert of claim 11, wherein said base is formed of
solid silicone having a hardness on the order of 50-75
durometer.
13. The shoe insert of claim 11, wherein said upper cushion is
formed of solid silicone having a hardness on the order of 10-25
durometer.
14. The shoe insert of claim 9, wherein at least one of said heel
portion, said lateral and medial passages, and said metatarsal
portion are recessed toward said central island.
15. A shoe insert configured to cushion a foot through a normal
gait cycle comprising: a main body formed of a solid material
configured to support and cushion a foot, said main body being
defined by an outer perimeter that bounds a heel area, a lateral
area, a medial area, and a toe area; and a fluid-tight bladder
containing a fluid supported by said main body, said bladder
comprising a heel portion in fluid communication with lateral and
medial passages, said lateral and medial portions also being in
fluid communication with a metatarsal portion, wherein a central
island of solid material is bounded by said heel portion, said
lateral and medial passages, and said metatarsal portion, at least
one of said heel portion, said lateral and medial passages, and
said metatarsal portion being recessed away from said outer
perimeter and toward said central island, wherein said bladder is
configured to move said fluid in a cycle that conforms to the exact
manner in which a human foot distributes weight across a plantar
surface of the foot during the natural gait cycle, wherein said
fluid moves from said heel portion to said lateral passage during
the natural gait cycle, wherein said fluid passes from said lateral
passage onto said metatarsal portion during the natural gait cycle,
and wherein said fluid is returned to said heel portion by way of
said medial passage during the natural gait cycle.
16. The shoe insert of claim 15, wherein said main body includes a
base secured to an upper cushion.
17. The shoe insert of claim 16, wherein said base is formed of
solid silicone having a hardness on the order of 50-75
durometer.
18. The shoe insert of claim 17, wherein said upper cushion is
formed of solid silicone having a hardness on the order of 10-25
durometer.
19. The shoe insert of claim 15, wherein the shoe insert is devoid
of any valves.
Description
RELATED APPLICATIONS
[0001] The present application claims priority benefits of U.S.
patent application Ser. No. 60/565,918, entitled "Improved Shoe
Insert," which was filed Apr. 28, 2004, and is hereby incorporated
by reference in its entirety.
BACKGROUND OF THE INVENTION
[0002] Embodiments of the present invention generally relate to
shoe inserts, and more particularly, to shoe inserts having a fluid
filled bladder.
[0003] Typical shoe inserts are designed to cushion a foot during a
gait cycle in order to reduce pressure on the foot. A normal gait
cycle exerts pressure on the heel first, then the lateral portion
of the foot, and then onto the metatarsal area of the foot. That
is, when a person walks, the heel of the foot usually strikes the
ground first. The natural progression of the gait then shifts the
weight of the person from the heel area, to the lateral portion of
the foot, and onto the metatarsal area of the foot.
[0004] FIG. 1 illustrates a plan view of bones of a human foot 10
and exertion of force by the foot during a gait cycle. The foot 10
includes a medial heel area 12, a lateral heel area 14, a lateral
midfoot area 16, a lateral metatarsal area 18, a medial metatarsal
area 20, a toe area 22, and a medial midfoot area 24. When a person
walks, the weight of the person is distributed over the plantar
surface of the foot as shown by arrows A. That is, as a person
walks, a supporting surface (such as a floor) is first contacted by
the medial heel area 12. As the walk progresses, contact is
transferred from the medial heel area 12 to the lateral heel area
14, to the lateral midfoot area 16, onto the lateral metatarsal
area 18, to the medial metatarsal area 20, and up through the toe
area 22.
[0005] A need exists for an improved shoe insert that cushions and
massages the plantar surface of the foot during the natural gait
cycle.
SUMMARY OF THE INVENTION
[0006] Certain embodiments of the present invention provide a shoe
insert including a fluid-filled central chamber, core, or bladder.
The bladder includes a robust, fluid-tight membrane that defines an
interior cavity, chamber, or the like that acts as a fluid circuit
or track. The interior chamber is configured so that fluid
contained therein is allowed to flow through the chamber. The shoe
insert may be formed of solid, malleable silicone, rubber,
elastomeric, foam, or other such cushioning materials. The fluid
within the bladder may be liquid silicone, such as used with breast
implants, water, saline, or various gelatinous materials mixed with
a gas, such as air.
[0007] The fluid is configured to flow within the bladder when
pressure is exerted on the bladder. In general, the fluid within
the bladder flows in the exact manner in which the human foot
distributes the body's weight across the plantar (bottom) surface
of the foot during a natural gait cycle. For example, the fluid may
flow in a direction from the heel to the lateral portion of the
foot, through the metatarsal area of the foot, and finally through
the toes in a medial portion of the foot. The displacement of fluid
within the bladder of the shoe insert reduces shearing and stress
forces on the foot as a person walks, and provides a shock
absorbing cushion across the bottom of the foot.
[0008] Certain embodiments of the present invention provide a shoe
insert configured to reduce the shear, stress and shock forces
exerted on a human foot during a gait cycle. The insert includes a
sealed bladder forming a chamber containing a mixture of liquid
silicone and air. Optionally, the fluid may be any liquid, or
semi-liquid material that is capable of flowing within the bladder.
The bladder is shaped to directly correspond to the weight
distribution pattern of the human foot. A central area or island of
solid material may be positioned within the bladder that separates
the medial portion of the foot from the lateral portion of the
foot, and the heel portion from the metatarsal head area of the
foot. The central area or island may be disposed within the
bladder, or the bladder may be formed around the central area or
island. Fluid flows from the heel portion, to the lateral portion,
to the metatarsal head portion, to the medial portion, and back to
the heel portion. The medial portion of the bladder may be expanded
or widened to provide additional arch support to the foot.
[0009] Certain embodiments of the present invention provide a shoe
insert in which the heel portion of the bladder is circular in
shape. Further, the metatarsal head area may be shaped as a
semi-circle or rectangle. The lateral and medial portions of the
bladder may be elongated tubes spanning from the heel portion to
the metatarsal head portion.
[0010] The shoe insert may be formed as a singular piece of
material, such as solid, malleable silicone, foam, rubber, or the
like, having the bladder formed therein. Optionally, the shoe
insert may include a base member integrally formed with an upper
cushioning member. The base member may be harder than the
cushioning member. For example, the base member may be formed of
solid silicone having a hardness of 50-75 durometer, while the
cushioning member may have a hardness on the order of 10-25
durometer.
BRIEF DESCRIPTION OF SEVERAL VIEWS OF THE DRAWINGS
[0011] FIG. 1 illustrates a plan view of bones of a human foot and
exertion of force by the foot during a gait cycle.
[0012] FIG. 2 illustrates an isometric view of a shoe insert,
according to an embodiment of the present invention.
[0013] FIG. 3 illustrates a cross-sectional view of a shoe insert
along line 3-3 of FIG. 2, according to an embodiment of the present
invention.
[0014] FIG. 4 illustrates a plan view of a shoe insert, according
to an embodiment of the present invention.
[0015] FIG. 5 illustrates a plan view of a shoe insert, according
to an alternative embodiment of the present invention.
[0016] FIG. 6 illustrates a plan view of a shoe insert, according
to another alternative embodiment of the present invention.
[0017] FIG. 7 illustrates an isometric view of a heel wedge having
an interior fluid bladder, according to an embodiment of the
present invention.
[0018] FIG. 8 illustrates a transverse cross-sectional view of a
heel wedge along line 8-8 shown in FIG. 7.
[0019] The foregoing summary, as well as the following detailed
description of certain embodiments of the present invention, will
be better understood when read in conjunction with the appended
drawings. For the purpose of illustrating the invention, there is
shown in the drawings, certain embodiments. It should be
understood, however, that the present invention is not limited to
the arrangements and instrumentalities shown in the attached
drawings.
DETAILED DESCRIPTION OF THE INVENTION
[0020] FIG. 2 illustrates an isometric view of a shoe insert 26,
according to an embodiment of the present invention. As shown in
FIG. 2, the insert 26 is foot-shaped and is configured to be
inserted into a shoe. The shoe insert 26 may be sized to fit into
various size shoes. The insert 26 may include a base member
integrally formed with a top cushion member. The base member may be
harder than the cushion member. For example, the hardness of the
base member may be on the order of 50-75 durometer, while the
hardness of the top cushion member may be on the order of 10-25
durometer.
[0021] The insert 26 includes a main body 28 having a base 30 (such
as the base member discussed above), a top surface 32 (such as the
top cushion member discussed above), and outer walls 34 that are
integrally formed with the base 30 and top surface 32. A cushioning
system 36 is positioned within the main body 28. The cushioning
system 36 includes a bladder 38 that surrounds a solid interior
area or island 40. The bladder 38 includes a robust, fluid-tight
membrane 42 that defines an interior cavity 43, chamber, or the
like that acts as a fluid circuit or track. The bladder 38 includes
a heel portion 39 in fluid communication with lateral and medial
passages 41 and 45, respectively. The lateral and medial passages
41 and 45 are in turn in fluid communication with a metatarsal
portion 47. Thus, fluid contained within the bladder 38 may pass
from the heel portion 39 to the lateral passage 41, onto the
metatarsal portion 45, and returned to the heel portion 39 by way
of the medial passage 45.
[0022] The interior island 40, which is bounded by the heel portion
39, the lateral and medial passages 41 and 45, and the metatarsal
portion 47, is a solid piece of material that is integrally
connected to the base 30 and the top surface 32. The main body 28
also includes solid areas that surround the perimeter of the
bladder 38. Namely, the main body 28 includes an area defined by a
medial area 44, a lateral area 46, a heel area 48 and a toe area 50
that surrounds the outer perimeter 52 of the bladder 38.
[0023] As shown in FIG. 2, the bladder 38 does not extend to the
edges of the shoe insert 26. Instead, the lateral and medial
passages 41 and 45 are recessed inwardly toward the interior island
40. For example, the medial passage 45 may be configured to conform
to the medial shape of the foot. Because a normal arch of a foot
raises above the bottom surface of the foot, the medial passage 45
may be recessed inwardly toward the island 40 to accommodate the
anatomical shape of the normal arch. Additionally, the metatarsal
portion 47 does not extend to the tip of the insert 26. Instead,
the metatarsal portion 47 may be configured to not underlie or
support a substantial portion of the toes. Optionally, the bladder
38 may extend to various areas of the shoe insert 26, including to
portions that would substantially support the toes.
[0024] The fluid-tight membrane 42 of the bladder 38 may be formed
of silicone, elastomeric materials, rubber, or any other materials
that are capable of providing a fluid-tight barrier and robust
enough to support the weight of a person without puncturing,
tearing, or otherwise breaking. The cavity 43 defined by the
fluid-tight membrane 42 contains a liquid such as liquid silicone,
water, saline solution, or various other liquids. The cavity 43 may
not be completely filled with liquid. Instead, a portion of the
cavity 43 is filled with liquid, while the remaining portion is
filled with a gas, such as air, thereby allowing the liquid
contained within the cavity 43 to be displaced when a force is
exerted on the bladder 38. During a gait cycle, as described with
respect to FIG. 1, fluid is displaced within the bladder 38 as
denoted by arrows C.
[0025] Alternatively, instead of a separate base member and top
cushion member, the insert 26 may be formed of a single, unitary
piece of material having the bladders 38 formed therein. For
example, the insert 26 may include a single unitary main body
having a uniform durometer and a bladder, which may have a
different durometer, formed within the main body.
[0026] FIG. 3 illustrates a cross-sectional view of the shoe insert
26 along line 3-3 of FIG. 2, according to an embodiment of the
present invention. As shown in FIG. 3, the metatarsal portion 47 is
thinner than the heel portion 39. In particular, the shape of the
shoe insert 26, and the bladder 38, tapers down from the heel
portion 39 to the metatarsal portion 47.
[0027] FIG. 4 illustrates a plan view of the shoe insert 26. During
a gait cycle, when the heel hits the ground, fluid is displaced
from the heel portion 39 into the lateral passage 41, thereby
supporting the heel and lateral portion of the foot as those
portions of the foot support the weight of the person (i.e., as
those portions of the foot are proximate the ground). As the gait
progresses such that the metatarsals support the weight of the
body, fluid is displaced from the lateral passage 41 to the
metatarsal portion 47 of the bladder 38. As the shoe leaves contact
with the ground, the fluid is passed from the metatarsal portion 47
back to the heel portion 39 by way of the medial passage 45. In
general, as force, such as the weight of person, is exerted on the
bladder 38 through a person's foot, a fluid cycle is produced in
the direction of arrows C, which corresponds to, and follows, the
gait cycle (as shown in FIG. 1) of a human foot during a natural
gait or walk.
[0028] FIG. 5 illustrates a plan view of a shoe insert 54,
according to an alternative embodiment of the present invention. As
shown in FIG. 5, the bladder 55 occupies more space within the
insert 54.
[0029] FIG. 6 illustrates a plan view of a shoe insert 56,
according to another alternative embodiment of the present
invention. As shown in FIG. 6, the insert 56 includes a bladder 57
having an expanded medial portion 59 configured to provide
additional arch support.
[0030] FIG. 7 illustrates an isometric view of a heel wedge 60
having an interior fluid bladder 62, according to an embodiment of
the present invention.
[0031] FIG. 8 illustrates a transverse cross-sectional view of the
heel wedge 60 along line 8-8 shown in FIG. 7.
[0032] As discussed above and shown in the drawings, embodiments of
the present invention provide an improved shoe insert that cushions
and massages the plantar surface of the foot during the natural
gait cycle. The embodiments of the present invention also provide a
simple shoe insert having a fluid bladder that is devoid of valves,
throttles, distinct fluid regulators, and the like.
[0033] While the invention has been described with reference to
certain embodiments, it will be understood by those skilled in the
art that various changes may be made and equivalents may be
substituted without departing from the scope of the invention. In
addition, many modifications may be made to adapt a particular
situation or material to the teachings of the invention without
departing from its scope. Therefore, it is intended that the
invention not be limited to the particular embodiments disclosed,
but that the invention will include all embodiments falling within
the scope of the appended claims.
* * * * *