U.S. patent application number 11/915203 was filed with the patent office on 2008-08-14 for hiking aid.
This patent application is currently assigned to Peter Geisser. Invention is credited to Peter Geisser, Esther Geisser-Tobler.
Application Number | 20080189987 11/915203 |
Document ID | / |
Family ID | 36499028 |
Filed Date | 2008-08-14 |
United States Patent
Application |
20080189987 |
Kind Code |
A1 |
Geisser; Peter ; et
al. |
August 14, 2008 |
Hiking Aid
Abstract
The present invention relates to a device for improving the
standing and walking properties in a shoe (1), in particular a
hiking shoe, on a ground surface (9) inclined downwardly in the
direction of the tip of the shoe, comprising a balancing member (2)
for balancing the inclination of the ground surface (9), fastening
means (4, 5, 6a, 6b, 6b', 24-29) for the releasable fastening of
the balancing member (2) on the shoe (1) comprising at least a belt
or strap (6a, 6b, 13, 26) to be guided over the heel area of the
shoe, wherein the balancing member only lies against the sole (3)
in the forefoot area of the shoe (1) in the fastened state, wherein
the surface of the balancing member (2) pointing towards the ground
surface runs substantially parallel relative to the sole (3) of the
shoe (1).
Inventors: |
Geisser; Peter; (St. Gallen,
CH) ; Geisser-Tobler; Esther; (St. Gallen,
CH) |
Correspondence
Address: |
RANKIN, HILL & CLARK LLP
925 EUCLID AVENUE, SUITE 700
CLEVELAND
OH
44115-1405
US
|
Assignee: |
Geisser; Peter
St. Gallen
CH
|
Family ID: |
36499028 |
Appl. No.: |
11/915203 |
Filed: |
April 19, 2006 |
PCT Filed: |
April 19, 2006 |
PCT NO: |
PCT/EP06/61659 |
371 Date: |
January 2, 2008 |
Current U.S.
Class: |
36/114 ; 36/59C;
36/62 |
Current CPC
Class: |
A43C 15/09 20130101 |
Class at
Publication: |
36/114 ; 36/62;
36/59.C |
International
Class: |
A43C 15/09 20060101
A43C015/09 |
Foreign Application Data
Date |
Code |
Application Number |
May 25, 2005 |
DE |
102005024597.8 |
Claims
1. A device for improving the standing and walking properties in a
shoe, comprising a balancing members for balancing an inclination
of a ground surface inclined downwardly in a direction of a tip of
the shoe, fastening means for fastening the balancing member on the
shoe, the balancing member only lying against a sole of the shoe in
a forefoot area of the shoe in the fastened state, the fastening
means comprising at least a belt or strap to be guided over a heel
of the shoe, the device being characterized in that a surface of
the balancing member pointing towards the ground surface runs
substantially parallel relative to the sole of the shoe.
2. The device according to claim 1, wherein the fastening means are
designed so that the fastening is releasable.
3. The device according to claim 1, wherein the balancing member
has a length in the range of 30-50% of a length of the sole.
4. The device according to claim 1, wherein the fastening means
comprise at least one tensile force distributor.
5. The device according to claim 4, wherein at least one of the
tensile force distributors receives the tensile force of the belt
or strap to be guided over the heel of the shoe and of at least one
belt or strap to be guided over a back of the shoe.
6. The device according to claim 1, wherein the balancing member
has a thickness of at least 1 cm to 5 cm.
7. The device according to claim 1, wherein the fastening means
comprise adjustable straps.
8. The device according to claim 1, wherein the fastening means
consist of an elastic material.
9. The device according to claim 1, wherein the fastening means are
guided so that they envelop the shoe in a sock-like manner.
10. The device according to claim 1, wherein the balancing member
is provided with a profile on the surface pointing towards the
ground surface.
11. The device according to claim 1, wherein the balancing member
is provided with an upwardly-pointing projection protruding over
the sole.
12. The device according to claim 1, wherein the balancing member
corresponds to a conventional heel of a hiking shoe.
13. The device according to claim 1, wherein the shoe is a hiking
shoe.
14. The device according to claim 3, wherein the length of the
balancing member is about 40% of the length of the sole.
15. The device according to claim 3, wherein the length of the
balancing member is about 33% of the length of the sole.
16. The device according to claim 4, wherein the at least one
tensile force distributor is a ring.
17. The device according to claim 6, wherein the thickness of the
balancing member is from 2 cm to 4 cm.
18. The device according to claim 8, wherein the elastic material
is rubber.
Description
[0001] The present invention relates to a device for improving the
standing and walking properties in a shoe, in particular a hiking
shoe, on a surface inclined downwardly in the direction of the tip
of the shoe,
[0002] Walking on a surface inclined downwardly in the direction of
walking is often perceived by the hiker as being uncomfortable
because, on the one hand, there is an unusual strain upon the leg
muscles, and, on the other hand, an additional strain on the
respective foot within the shoe. A large amount of tension on the
knee extensor in the thigh develops when walking downhill, which
quickly leads to fatigue during longer periods of walking downhill,
as can happen in the mountains. In addition, the tension generates
an increased pressure on the kneecap, which in turn transfers this
pressure on the knee joint, thus causing damage to the knee joint.
Among other things, a hiker uses hiking sticks in order to minimize
this strain, however, they can only support the weight of the hiker
to a partial extent and are thus able to provide only a certain
degree of relief.
[0003] The increased strain on the foot when walking downhill is a
result of the foot slipping towards the front in the hiking shoe.
In the long run, the result may be a painful contact of the toes
with the inside of the shoe and may cause the socks to wear through
quickly in the area of the toenails. In order to prevent this
contact, it is generally recommended to buy the shoes in a larger
size than is actually necessary. However, this is disadvantageous
in that the shoes do not fit perfectly, and that this must be
compensated by lacing the shoe very tightly when walking downhill.
However, when the shoe is laced tightly, this may quickly cause
blood congestion, which is also uncomfortable. Lacing often varies
during walking in order to accommodate the course of the hike. Such
a process is time-consuming and is inconvenient.
[0004] In order to ensure a more uniform strain on the leg muscles,
EP 0 083 050 A1 proposes an orthopedic device to be fastened to a
shoe like a climbing iron, which has both a wedge on the heel as
well as on the ball of the foot. The structure is comparatively
complicated and limits the flexibility of the sole of the shoe in a
disadvantageous manner. Due to lack of flexibility of the sole, the
shoe does not always have grip, in particular in the highly
strained area of the heel.
[0005] U.S. Pat. No. 5,075,984 proposes a device to be fastened
both on the heel as well as on the ball of the foot, which in these
two positions, respectively, leads to a compensation of the
inclination between the foot and the surface due to a balancing
member that is wedge-shaped in cross-section. Because of the
interchangeability and the different fastening conditions on the
heel and on the balls of the foot, the device cannot be fastened
optimally in either of the positions. In addition, the balancing
member, which is merely wedge-shaped and tapers off to become flat
towards the heel, does not lead to an optimal compensation of the
inclination for the foot, particularly not in the area of the
metatarsus. It was also found that such a balancing member, which
tapers off to become flat and which is wedge-shaped, wears out
easily or becomes damaged in the comparatively thin area of the
wedge, in particular on a rough surface.
[0006] CH 91145 also proposes a balancing member for walking
downhill. The balancing member shown therein also does not have a
contact surface parallel relative to the sole, on the side of the
ground surface. Rolling movement in the forefoot area is thus not
ensured by the device shown. In addition, the fastening shown
therein has proven not to be sufficient.
[0007] In EP 1 386 552 A1, balancing members are shown that are
fastened to the sole. The structure is comparatively complicated
and susceptible to failure. The structure does not solve the
problem of the transmission of the comparatively large forces
acting during walking downhill. A rolling movement does not take
place. Rather, it is like walking on stilts.
[0008] EP 0 083 050 A1 describes a comparatively complicated
structure of a balancing member for both the heel as well as for
the forefoot. Due to the obligatory rigid basic body and the lack
of parallelism between the sole and the balancing member's contact
surface on the side of the ground surface, no rolling movement
takes place, thus making walking with this device
uncomfortable.
[0009] The Austrian patent specification No. 230786 also shows a
wedge-shaped balancing member. The comparatively large wedge-shaped
balancing member prevents a rolling movement of the foot also in
this case. Due to the comparatively inflexible fastening system,
the system shown is only suitable for certain shoes.
[0010] In view of the disadvantages described above, it is
therefore the object of the invention to provide a device for
improving the standing and walking properties in a shoe, in
particular a hiking shoe, on a surface inclined downwardly in the
walking direction, which, on the one hand, accomplishes the object
comparatively effectively, and which, on the other hand, is
comparatively inexpensive to produce.
[0011] This object is achieved by a generic device having the
features of the first claim. Advantageous embodiments become
apparent from the dependent claims.
[0012] The device according to the invention for improving the
standing and walking properties in a shoe, in particular a hiking
shoe, on a surface inclined downwardly in the direction of the tip
of the shoe comprises a balancing member for compensating the
inclination of the surface. In addition, fastening means for
fastening the balancing member on the shoe are provided according
to the invention. In a particularly simple and inexpensive
embodiment, the balancing member is laced to the shoe with shoe
laces. The balancing member merely lies against the sole in the
forefoot area of the shoe when fastened to the shoe. The surface of
the balancing member pointing towards the ground surface runs
substantially parallel relative to the sole of the shoe. Because of
the balancing member, moving on the inclined ground surface is
similar to walking on stairs. The tension on the knee extensor in
the thigh described in the introduction is reduced, so that the
strain on the knee also becomes less. In addition, the tendency of
the foot to slide towards the front is less, which is an advantage
as regards the socks and toes. It becomes unnecessary to buy shoes
in a larger size than necessary in order to have enough room in
front of the toes when walking downhill. This is advantageous in
that the shoe need not be laced tightly because it is too large, in
order to be able to offer sufficient purchase, which can lead to it
being uncomfortable. Apart from improved walking properties,
standing on an inclined ground surface is also improved because
standing is safer and less tiring due to the reduced inclination of
the foot. The balancing member, for example, is designed to be as
wide as the sole in order to provide as wide a contact surface as
possible on the ground surface and in order to prevent spraining of
the foot.
[0013] Because the balancing member is limited to the forefoot are,
the device can be produced comparatively simply and inexpensively
and can be transported, for example, in a backpack, in a manner
that saves room and weight. In addition, the flexibility of the
heel area is not limited by the device so that it is ensured that
the heel lies securely and flatly on any ground surface. Because of
the fact that the balancing member's surface pointing towards the
ground surface runs essentially parallel relative to the sole of
the shoe, it is accomplished that the later course of movements
during which the heel of the shoe lifts off from the ground surface
remains comparatively natural and familiar, and that thus, the
natural rolling movement of the foot can be maintained. It was
found that, in the case of such an embodiment of the balancing
member, the walker or hiker feels little insecurity due to the
device fastened on the shoe, because the shape of the sole in the
forefoot area is substantially maintained and is only offset
parallel. Parallel within the meaning of the invention must
therefore be understood to mean that the above mentioned surface
runs nearly parallel, but that it can indeed be provided with
grooves and notches because it may be provided with a profile.
Because of such a design of the balancing member, which
substantially is not wedge-shaped, conventional and commercially
available heel parts are suitable for producing the device
according to the invention, so that it can be produced
inexpensively. In addition, there is no wear as is regularly the
case in wedge-shaped balancing members in the area of the ends that
taper off to become thin. It is of particular advantage to prevent
this if walking is done on a ground surface with rubble, as is
regularly the case for a hiking shoe.
[0014] The fastening means comprise at least one belt or strap
guided over the heel. In this way, not only is a particularly
secure hold of the balancing member on the sole ensured by
preventing the balancing member from sliding off from the sole of
the shoe towards the front, but a particularly versatile fastening
of the balancing member to various shoes is also achieved in this
way. Thus, it was shown that the heel in particular provides for a
secure hold of the balancing member because the belt or strap
running around the heel provides for a secure fastening due to the
long area of contact. In addition, the heel area of the shoe, as a
rule, has a recess, not only due to anatomical circumstances, which
the belt or strap can "engage". Because of the "loose" guidance of
the belt or strap, that is, a fastening of the belt only in the
vicinity of the balancing member and the obligatory relatively
great length of the belt or strap, it can be guided easily and
flexibly over the heel in accordance with the configuration of the
shoe. Such a fastening has proven particularly advantageous in
combination with various shoes, in particular hiking shoes. The
good adaptability to various configurations of the shoe can be
increased by the flexibility of the belt or strap or the
maneuverability of the fastening on the balancing member. In
addition, the belt or strap can be used to protect the heel area of
the shoe and thus, the foot, from injury. The belt or the strap is
pivotably connected with the balancing member, or it is designed to
be flexible and riveted.
[0015] In one embodiment, the fastening means are designed such
that the fastening can be released. For example, belts with clasps
are provided, or fastening members attached to both the shoe and
the balancing member are attached that interact such that, on the
one hand, a fastening is achieved, and, on the other hand, this
fastening can also be released again. Because of the releasability
and the resulting options, the device can be taken off when the
ground surface conditions change, for example, when the ground
surface in inclined in the opposite direction. For example, the
fastening means comprise magnetic or metal-mechanical elements with
which releasability is achieved.
[0016] In an advantageous embodiment of the device, the balancing
member has a length in the range of 33%-50% relative to the length
of the sole. Preferably, the length is about 40%, more preferably
33% of the length of the sole. The expression length of the
balancing member means the dimension of the balancing member
extending between the tip of the foot and the metatarsal area in
the fastened state of the balancing member. The above described
effects according to the invention thus develop particularly well.
On the other hand, a sufficient contact area in the forefoot area
of the shoe is thus achieved. If, for example, the size of the
balancing member is within the range of 40%-50%, the distance to
the heel is correspondingly small, and, by means of a comparatively
thin balancing member, a sufficient balancing effect can be caused
with this member.
[0017] It was found that there is an optimum with regard to
adhesion in the attached state and transportability with respect to
weight and size in the detached state of the device according to
the invention at a size of 33% of the length of the sole.
[0018] According to one embodiment, the balancing member has a
thickness o 1 cm to 5 cm, preferably of 2 cm to 4 cm. It was found
that a balancing member of such a thickness provides a sufficient
compensation for the inclination in most cases, that is, for
inclinations occurring during hiking, in order to make walking
sufficiently comfortable and comparatively strain-free.
[0019] According to another advantageous embodiment, the fastening
means comprise adjustable straps. This is, for example, a strap
that can be adjusted in length by means of a clasp. For example,
the strap is guided over the forefoot. In one embodiment, two
straps are provided in the area of the forefoot, the straps being
guided over the toe area and the area of the instep of the shoe.
The device can be adjusted to various shoe sizes and types of shoe
due to this adjustment option.
[0020] In another advantageous embodiment, the fastening means
comprise an elastic material, for example, rubber. Thus, the
fastening means are expandable and can therefore be used to a
comparatively great extent in various shoe sizes and types of shoe
at a given length. If the balancing member also consists of rubber,
as conventional shoe heels do, then fastening between balancing
member and fastening means can be done comparatively easily by
simple vulcanization. The device can thus be produced particularly
inexpensively.
[0021] Another advantageous embodiment provides that the fastening
means are guided so that they encompass the shoe at least partially
like socks. Thus, the device can be attached to the shoe
comparatively easily, like an overshoe. In addition, this fastening
protects the shoe from damage.
[0022] In accordance with another advantageous embodiment, the
balancing member is provided with a profile on the surface pointing
towards the ground surface. Advantageously, this increases the
adhesion of the balancing member on the ground surface, in
particular on a slippery ground surface or on rubble.
[0023] In another advantageous embodiment, the balancing member is
provided with an upwardly-pointing projection protruding over the
sole, for example in the area of the shoe's tip. The projection is,
for example, riveted to the balancing member or designed to be
integral therewith. The result of the projection is that a, for
example, sliding off of the balancing member from the sole in a
backward direction is prevented. In an additional embodiment, the
projection can also be guided around the sides of the balancing
member in order to fasten the balancing member particularly
securely.
[0024] In accordance with another advantageous embodiment, the
balancing member corresponds to a conventional heel of a hiking
shoe. The device can thus be produced particularly easily and
inexpensively.
[0025] For example, given a length of 27-29 cm (shoe size 38 to 40
according to European standards), an elevation of the front part of
the shoe of 3 cm is achieved, the distance of the end of the heel
of the shoe to the end of the balancing member pointing towards the
heel being 19 to 20 cm.
[0026] In another embodiment, the balancing member can be designed
to comprise several parts. For example, the balancing member
includes several layered and detachably connected panels in order
to enable an individual adaptation of the balancing member to the
ground surface and/or the shoe size.
[0027] According to another embodiment, parts of the fastening
means are integrated into the shoe, for example in the sole, in
order to interact with the other fastening members attached to the
balancing member so as to achieve a fastening, in particular a
releasable fastening. For example, pins are provided on the sole of
the shoe that engage corresponding holes on the balancing member or
vice versa.
[0028] In one embodiment, the fastening means are designed so that
the balancing member is attached to the shoe in a foldable manner.
The balancing member can foldably be brought into a first position
in which the inclination of the ground surface is compensated. The
can be folded in a second position in which there is no
compensation.
[0029] According to another embodiment, the thickness of the
balancing member can be adjusted, for example, by means of a
mechanical of hydraulic adjustment. In another embodiment, means
are provided that determine the thickness required for optimum
compensation and that set the thickness of the balancing member
accordingly.
[0030] In another preferred embodiment, the fastening means are
guided over the instep (back of the shoe). For example, belts or
straps are provided that are guided over the back. Because of the
belts' contact on the shoe, they prevent a sliding off off the
shoe. In particular, it is ensured that they contact the shoe if
the width of the balancing member corresponds to the width of the
shoe. In order to increase the adhesion of the fastening means, it
can be designed to be elastic or adjustable.
[0031] In another advantageous embodiment, the fastening means
comprise one or more tensile force distributors. Tensile force
distributors within the sense of the invention are characterized in
that, through them, several tensile forces applied by the fastening
means are reduced to one tensile force, if possible, which then
acts on the balancing member. Thus, the fastening efforts on the
balancing member are reduced in an advantageous manner. In
addition, the tensile forces can be distributed in such a uniform
manner that the resulting force acting on the balancing member is
substantially perpendicular to the sole, thus effecting a secure
fastening of the balancing member. The balancing member is
precluded from sliding off during the stress of walking. The
tensile force distributor is, for example, a seam or a weld between
two or more bands.
[0032] In a preferred embodiment, the tensile force distributor is
a ring. belts or straps that are guided around various sections of
the shoe are, for example, threaded through the ring.
Advantageously, the belts and thus, the tensile forces, can
distribute around the circumference of the ring because the belts
are displaceable in the circumferential direction of the ring. A
particularly good fastening is thus achieved. This has the added
advantage that the fastening means can easily be adapted to
different shoes and that, if necessary, a secure fastening of the
balancing member is easily accomplished by hand. In one embodiment,
one ring each is arranged on the inner flank and the outer flank of
the shoe, in a distance of 1-20 mm from the upper edge of the
balancing member. The distance prevents, if possible, the ring or
the straps guided therethrough from coming into contact with the
area walked through or rubble or the like, and thus, from being
damaged. Preferably, the ring is of metal, more preferably of
stainless steel. The ring is, for example, a key ring, i.e. a wire
that is closely coiled in a spiral, thus forming a ring. Thus, the
belts can be easily attached to the ring or be exchanged.
[0033] According to another advantageous embodiment, at least one
of the tensile force distributors (29) receives the tensile force
of the belt or strap to be guided over the heel of the shoe and of
at least one belt or strap to be guided over the back of the shoe.
It was found that a particularly good distribution of the tensile
forces, and therefore, a particularly good hold of the balancing
member on the shoe, can thus be achieved. If the tensile force
distributor is a ring, for example, the belt guided over the heel
can easily be displaced within the circumference of the ring, and
the position of the belt can easily be adapted to different shoe
shapes and sizes in order to thus ensure a secure hold of the
balancing member.
[0034] The invention will be described in detail below with
reference to two embodiments.
[0035] FIG. 1 shows a first embodiment according to the invention
in a side view.
[0036] FIG. 2 shows a second embodiment according to the invention
in a side view.
[0037] FIG. 3 shows a third embodiment according to the invention
with several tensile force distributors in a side view.
[0038] In FIG. 1, the device according to the invention is fastened
to a hiking shoe 1. This shoe is merely shown for the purpose of
illustrating the device according to the invention. The balancing
member 2 is fastened to the sole 3 of the shoe 1 so as to rest
against the sole 3 in the forefoot area. Fastening is achieved by
several straps 4, 5, 6a, 6b, which, for example, consist of leather
or, preferably, nylon. Clasps 7 are provided for adjusting and
fitting them individually to the shoe 1. They are each attached,
for example, to the outside of the shoe to preclude an entanglement
of the clasps that are attached to the respective shoes and thus
prevent stumbling. The straps 4, 5, 6a are guided through
through-holes 11 provided in the balancing member 2. Two of the
straps 6a, 6b are guided over the heel area of the shoe 1 in order
to ensure a particularly secure fastening of the balancing member 2
to the sole 3. The strap 6b with the section 6b' is guided from the
heel to the rear strap 5, wraps around the strap 5, then, with the
section 6b', leads to the strap 5 in order to wrap around that. The
guidance of the strap 6b corresponds to this on the opposite side
of the shoe, which is not shown. By virtue of the guidance 6b, in
particular by the strap 6b'. the straps 5 and 5 are fixated, on the
one hand, and on the other hand, the balancing member is prevented
from slipping off towards the front by the additional guidance over
the heel. In order to prevent the balancing member 2 from slipping
off, a projection 8 protruding over the sole 3 is optionally
provided on the balancing member 2. The balancing member 2 is
provided with a profile on the side facing away from the sole 3 in
order to enhance adhesion. As shown, the shoe 1 is situated on an
inclined ground surface 9. The inclination of the ground surface 9
is compensated, at least in part, by the balancing member 2, so
that the inclination of the shoe 1 is less than that of the ground
surface 9, so that advantageously, a walk on stairs in simulated,
thus relieving the strain on the foot and the muscles. As is shown,
the flexibility of the sole 3 of the shoe 1 is not affected by the
device according to the invention, so that, due to flexibility not
being affected, the sole can align itself in the heel area 10 so
that the sole 3 comes into as flat a contact as possible with the
ground surface 9 in the heel area 10. The surface of the balancing
member 2 pointing towards the ground surface runs substantially
parallel relative to the sole 3 of the shoe 1. This is to make
possible a rolling movement of the shoe 1, as indicated by the
arrow shown, in the direction of the inclined ground surface 9 in
the further sequence of movements (not shown) of the foot. Thus,
the device according to the invention affects only slightly the
usual sequence of movements when lifting the heel off the ground
surface, and when rolling the foot over the area of the toes.
[0039] FIG. 2 shows a second embodiment. In FIG. 2, the device
according to the invention is again fastened to a hiking shoe 1.
This shoe is merely shown for the purpose of illustrating the
device according to the invention. The balancing member 12 is
fastened to the sole 3 of the shoe 1 so that it lies against the
sole 3 in the forefoot area. Fastening is achieved by fastening
means having rubber straps 13, 14, 15 that are pulled over the shoe
1 like socks or overshoes. Adjustment and individual fit to the
shoe 1 is accomplished by the elasticity of the fastening means.
One of the rubber straps 13 is guided over the heel area of the
shoe 1 in order to ensure a particularly secure fastening of the
balancing member 12 to the sole 3. The balancing member 12 is
provided with a profile on the side facing away from the sole 3 in
order to enhance adhesion. As shown, the shoe 1 is situated on an
inclined ground surface 9. The inclination of the ground surface 9
is compensated, at least in part, by the balancing member 12, so
that the inclination of the shoe 1 is less than that of the ground
surface 9, so that advantageously, a walk on stairs in simulated,
thus relieving the strain on the foot and the muscles. As is shown,
the flexibility of the sole 3 of the shoe 1 is not affected by the
device according to the invention, so that, due to the flexibility
not being affected, the sole can align itself in the heel area 10
so that the sole 3 comes into as flat a contact as possible with
the ground surface 9 in the heel area 10. The surface of the
balancing member 12 pointing towards the ground surface runs
substantially parallel relative to the sole 3 of the shoe 1. This
is to make possible a rolling movement of the shoe 1, as indicated
by the arrow shown, in the direction of the inclined ground surface
9 in the further sequence of movements (not shown) of the foot.
Thus, the device according to the invention affects only slightly
the usual sequence of movements when lifting the heel off the
ground surface, and when rolling the foot over the area of the
toes.
[0040] In FIG. 3, the device according to the invention is also
fastened to a hiking shoe 1 in a third embodiment. The balancing
member 2 is fastened to the sole 3 of the shoe so that it lies
against the sole 3 in the forefoot area. Fastening is done by
several straps 24, 25, 26, 27a, 27b and ring-shaped tensile force
distributors 28 and 29 Again, claps 7 are provided for adjusting
and individual fitting to the shoe 1. They are each attached, for
example, to the outer side of the shoe to preclude an entanglement
of the clasps that are attached to the respective shoes and thus
prevent stumbling. The straps 24 and 27b are guided through
through-holes 11 provided in the balancing member 2. In the
embodiment shown here, only one strap 25 is advantageously guided
over the heel area of the shoe 1 in order to ensure a particularly
secure fastening of the balancing member 2 to the sole 3. The strap
27b leads to the tensile force distributor 29. Extending the strap
27b, the strap 27a leads from the tensile force distributor 29 to
the opposite side (not shown) of the shoe 1. However, the guidance
of the straps on the side not shown substantially corresponds to
that of the side shown. Thus, the strap 27a leads to a ring-shaped
tensile force distributor, which in turn, via a piece of strap,
leads to the balancing member 2 and through the through hole 11 to
the side shown to end in the part designated 27b on the ring-shaped
tensile force distributor 29. The front strap 24 leads to the
ring-shaped tensile force distributor 28 arranged in the top side
of the shoe. Further straps lead away from the tensile force
distributor in a star shape. In this manner, the tensile force
distributors 28 and 29 are connected by the strap 26 on the side
shown. The fastening means prevent the balancing member 2 from
slipping off off the shoe 1. The balancing member 2 is provided
with a profile on the side facing away from the sole 3 in order to
enhance adhesion. As shown, the shoe 1 is situated on an inclined
ground surface 9. The inclination of the ground surface 9 is
compensated, at least in part, by the balancing member 2, so that
the inclination of the shoe 1 is less than that of the ground
surface 9, so that advantageously, a walk on stairs is simulated,
thus relieving the strain on the foot and the muscles. As is shown,
the flexibility of the sole 3 of the shoe 1 is not affected by the
device according to the invention, so that, due to the flexibility
not being affected, the sole can align itself in the heel area 10
so that the sole 3 comes into as flat a contact as possible with
the ground surface 9 in the heel area 10. The surface of the
balancing member 2 pointing towards the ground surface runs
substantially parallel relative to the sole 3 of the shoe 1. This
is to make possible a rolling movement of the shoe 1, as indicated
by the arrow, in the direction of the inclined ground surface 9 in
the further sequence of movements (not shown) of the foot. Thus,
the device according to the invention affects only slightly the
usual sequence of movements when lifting the heel off the ground
surface, and when rolling the foot over the area of the toes.
* * * * *