U.S. patent application number 12/379413 was filed with the patent office on 2010-08-26 for shoe insole element.
This patent application is currently assigned to Implus Footcare, LLC. Invention is credited to Merrick Jones.
Application Number | 20100212187 12/379413 |
Document ID | / |
Family ID | 42629639 |
Filed Date | 2010-08-26 |
United States Patent
Application |
20100212187 |
Kind Code |
A1 |
Jones; Merrick |
August 26, 2010 |
Shoe insole element
Abstract
A shoe insole element includes an upper portion and a lower
portion, the upper portion having a plurality of upper projections
and a plurality of voids located alongside the upper projections.
The lower portion includes a plurality of lower projections which
extend into the voids to resist flexing of the upper projections
toward one another under the action of a wearer's foot. The lower
portion can be made selectively separable from the upper portion by
the wearer to release the resistance to such flexing, or the lower
portion can be permanently bonded to the upper portion. The
stiffness of the upper and lower projections can be mutually
different. The insole element can be configured for use in
different regions of a shoe, such as the heel and/or arch regions,
or it can constitute the entire insole.
Inventors: |
Jones; Merrick; (Needham,
MA) |
Correspondence
Address: |
BUCHANAN, INGERSOLL & ROONEY PC
POST OFFICE BOX 1404
ALEXANDRIA
VA
22313-1404
US
|
Assignee: |
Implus Footcare, LLC
Morrisville
NC
|
Family ID: |
42629639 |
Appl. No.: |
12/379413 |
Filed: |
February 20, 2009 |
Current U.S.
Class: |
36/44 |
Current CPC
Class: |
A43B 7/16 20130101; A43B
17/026 20130101; A43B 7/144 20130101; A43B 3/0047 20130101; A43B
13/141 20130101; A43B 13/12 20130101; A43B 7/14 20130101; A43B
7/1465 20130101; A43B 7/142 20130101; A43B 17/023 20130101 |
Class at
Publication: |
36/44 |
International
Class: |
A43B 13/38 20060101
A43B013/38 |
Claims
1. A shoe insole element comprising an upper portion and a lower
portion, the upper portion having a plurality of upper projections
and a plurality of upper voids located alongside the upper
projections, the lower portion including a plurality of lower
projections which extend into the upper voids to resist flexing of
the upper projections toward one another under the action of a
wearer's foot.
2. The insole element according to claim 1 wherein the lower
portion is selectively separable from the upper portion to release
the resistance to flexing of the upper projections.
3. The insole element according to claim 2 wherein the upper
projections include projections stiffer than lower projections.
4. The insole element according to claim 2 wherein the upper
projections include projections less stiff than lower
projections.
5. The insole element according to claim 2 wherein the upper and
lower projections are of equal stiffness.
6. The insole element according to claim 1 wherein the lower
portion is permanently bonded to the upper portion.
7. The insole element according to claim 6 wherein the upper
projections include projections stiffer than lower projections.
8. The insole element according to claim 6 wherein the upper
projections include projections less stiff than lower
projections.
9. The insole element according to claim 1 wherein the upper
portion comprises a viscoelastic polymer.
10. The insole element according to claim 1 wherein the upper
portion comprises a silicone gel.
11. The insole element according to claim 1 configured for use at
least in a shoe's heel region, wherein the upper portion includes a
base and a rear wall upstanding from a rear end of the base, at
least some of the upper projections disposed on a bottom side of
the base.
12. The insole element according to claim 11 wherein some of the
upper projections are disposed on the rear wall.
13. The insole element according to claim 12 wherein the upper
projections disposed on the bottom surface of the base comprise
generally concentric circular ribs spaced apart by generally
concentric circular voids.
14. The insole element according to claim 13 wherein the upper
projections disposed on the rear surface of the back wall is
arranged in an arc.
15. The insole element according to claim 1 configured for use at
least in a shoe's arch region, each of the upper and lower portions
including a front end and a rear end spaced apart in a
front-to-rear longitudinal direction of the element, the rear end
being narrower than the front end, the upper portion being of
gradually increasing thickness in a direction laterally of the
longitudinal direction, the upper and lower projections extending
laterally of the longitudinal direction.
16. The insole element according to claim 15 wherein the plurality
of upper projections is surrounded by a flat border of a bottom
surface of the upper portion.
17. The insole element according to claim 15 wherein the upper
projections are parallel to the upper voids.
18. A shoe insole defining at least a heel region and an arch
region, each of the heel region and the arch region comprising an
upper portion and a lower portion, the upper portion having a
plurality of upper projections and a plurality of voids located
alongside the upper projections, the lower portion including a
plurality of lower projections which extend into the voids to
resist flexing of the upper projections toward one another under
the action of a wearer's foot.
19. The shoe insole according to claim 18 wherein the lower portion
is selectively separable from the upper portion to release the
resistance to flexing of the upper projections.
20. The shoe insole according to claim 18 wherein the upper
projections include projections stiffer than lower projections.
21. The shoe insole according to claim 18 wherein the upper
projections include projections less stiff than lower projections.
Description
BACKGROUND
[0001] The present invention relates to shoe insoles and in
particular to shoe insole elements that can be inserted into a shoe
to augment one or more portions of the insole, or even constitute
the entire insole.
[0002] Shoe insoles have been designed in various forms in order to
provide a cushioning action for the wearer's foot. For example, an
insole, or parts of an insole, can be formed of a combination of
materials having different respective degrees of stiffness. The
materials are typically fixedly joined together, e.g., by adhesive
or by embedding one material within another. For example, Published
U.S. Application No. 2007/0022630 discloses an insole in which an
upper gel layer thereof is formed of a stiffer material than a
lower gel layer on which it is situated. The underside of the lower
layer forms a series of downward spring walls shaped in various
patterns.
[0003] In U.S. Pat. No. 6,460,275 there is disclosed an orthotic
device used in the heel portion of an insole. The device comprises
an upper cup portion formed of a soft silicone material seated on a
stiffer wedge portion. The cup portion includes an even more
flexible blind bore portion arranged to overlie a cutout in the
wedge portion. The blind bore portion is able to be pushed into the
cutout by the heel of the wearer to cushion the heel and disperse
the heel-strike forces. Although the upper cup portion is removable
from the wedge portion, those portions are designed only to be used
together, not separately.
[0004] It would be desirable to provide an improved way of
cushioning a wearer's sole.
[0005] It would also be desirable to provide a way of cushioning a
wearer's sole in a manner that is adjustable.
[0006] It would further be desirable to provide a way of cushioning
a wearer's sole in such manner that the degree of cushioning can be
adjusted by the wearer.
SUMMARY
[0007] A shoe insole element comprises an upper portion and a lower
portion, the upper portion having upper projections and voids
located alongside the upper projections. The lower portion includes
lower projections which extend into the voids to resist flexing of
the upper projections toward one another under the action of a
wearer's foot.
[0008] In one aspect of the invention, the lower portion is
selectively separable from the upper portion to release the
resistance to such flexing. In that event, the upper and lower
portions can be of the same or different stiffness.
[0009] In another aspect of the invention, the upper and lower
portions are not selectively separable from one another, in which
case the upper projections are of different stiffness (i.e., more
or less stiff) than the lower projections.
[0010] The insole element can be configured for use in specific
regions of the shoe such as the heel region and/or the arch region
for example. Separate insole elements for the respective regions
could be provided, or a one-piece insole element covering multiple
regions or the entire shoe insole could be provided.
BRIEF DESCRIPTION OF THE DRAWINGS
[0011] The objects and advantages of the invention will become
apparent from the following detailed description of preferred
embodiments thereof in connection with the accompanying drawings in
which like numerals designate like elements and in which:
[0012] FIG. 1 is a bottom plan view of a heel insert including a
lower portion installed in an upper portion.
[0013] FIG. 2 is a side elevational view of FIG. 1.
[0014] FIG. 3 is a sectional view taken along line 3-3 in FIG.
1.
[0015] FIG. 4 is a bottom plan view of the upper portion of the
heel insert with the lower portion removed.
[0016] FIG. 5 is a top plan view of the lower portion of the heel
insert.
[0017] FIG. 6 is a bottom plan view of FIG. 5.
[0018] FIG. 7 is a top plan view of the heel insert.
[0019] FIG. 8 is a sectional view taken along the line 8-8 in FIG.
7.
[0020] FIG. 9 is an inverted exploded perspective view of the heel
insert showing the lower portion separate from the upper
portion.
[0021] FIG. 10 is a perspective view of a shoe broken away to show
the heel insert seated therein.
[0022] FIG. 11 is a bottom plan view of an arch insert with a lower
portion thereof installed in an upper portion.
[0023] FIG. 12 is a side elevational view of FIG. 11, it being
understood that the arch insert is upside-down with respect to its
in-use position in a shoe.
[0024] FIG. 13 is a cross-sectional view taken along line 13-13 in
FIG. 11.
[0025] FIG. 14 is a bottom plan view of the upper portion of the
arch insert without the lower portion installed therein.
[0026] FIG. 15 is a top plan view of the lower portion of the arch
insert.
[0027] FIG. 16 is an exploded perspective view showing how the
bottom section of the arch insert installs into the upper
portion.
[0028] FIG. 17 is a perspective view of a shoe broken away to show
the arch insert installed therein.
[0029] FIG. 18 is a perspective view of a shoe broken away to
depict a heel insole element attached integrally to an arch insole
and inserted into the insole, or forming an integral part of the
shoe insole.
DETAILED DESCRIPTION OF PREFERRED EMBODIMENTS OF THE INVENTION
[0030] Illustrated in the accompanying figures are a heel insert 10
(FIGS. 1-9) and a shoe carrying the heel insert (FIG. 10), plus an
arch insert 50 (FIGS. 11-16) and a shoe carrying the arch insert
100 (FIG. 17). The heel and arch inserts have a common feature,
namely each is comprised of upper and lower portions. The upper
portion has projections (called upper projections) spaced apart by
voids. The lower portion has projections (called lower projections)
which extend into the voids to affect the ability of the upper
projections to flex toward one another. In one embodiment, the
lower portion is selectively removable from the upper portion at
the discretion of the wearer so that the upper projections are
freely flexible toward one another in the absence of the lower
projections, or less flexible in the presence of the lower
projections to a degree dependent on whether the lower projections
are of greater, lesser or equal stiffness as the upper
projections.
[0031] In another embodiment, the lower portion is not selectively
removable, so the degree of flexibility of the upper projections
depends on whether the lower projections are stiffer or less stiff
than the upper projections.
[0032] Depicted in FIGS. 1-9 is an insole element in the form of a
heel insert 10 adapted to be inserted onto the heel region of a
shoe insole. The insert 10 comprises upper and lower portions 12,
14 (shown in upside-down relationship in FIG. 9). The insert's
upper portion 12 forms an upwardly open cup 13 at a rear end of its
upper surface 20 for receiving a wearer's heel, the cup shape
defined by a base 16 and an upstanding rear wall 18 (see FIG. 3).
The upper portion 12 also includes a lower surface 22 adapted to
mate with the lower portion 14. The lower surface 22 includes a
rear region 24 having formed therein a series of voids 28 arranged
in an arc and forming therebetween a series of rib-like projections
26 also arranged in an arc. The voids extend into the rear wall so
that the projections 26 include horizontal segments 30 and vertical
segments 32. In the region of the lower surface 22 bordered by the
rear wall 18, i.e., beneath the cup of the upper portion 12, there
is formed a series of concentric annular voids 34 which form
therebetween a series of concentric annular projections 36. The
voids 34 become progressively vertically deeper toward the center C
of the arch (see FIG. 3), so the projections 36 become
progressively vertically longer toward the center of the arch.
[0033] The insert's lower portion 14 is shaped to mate with the
projections/voids 26, 28 and with the projections/voids 36, 34.
Thus, the lower portion includes a center section 39 from which
extend a series of finger-like projection 40 arranged in an arc
along an outer periphery of the center section 39. Each projection
40 includes a horizontal segment 42 and a vertical segment 44. The
projections 40 are separated by voids 46 and are arranged to be
received in the voids 28 of the upper portion 12, and the
projections 26 of the upper portion are arranged to be received in
the voids 46 of the lower portion to resist flexing of the
projections 26 under the action of a user's foot.
[0034] Extending from a top surface of the center section 39 are
concentric annular rib-like projections 45 separated by concentric
annular voids 47. The projections 45 are arranged to be received in
respective voids 34 of the upper part 12 in order to resist flexing
of the projections 34 toward one another under the action of a
wearer's foot.
[0035] In one aspect of the invention, the lower portion 14 is
selectively removable from the upper portion, whereby the heel
insert 10 can be used with or without the lower portion 14. Without
the lower portion 14, the upper portion is more flexible in the
rear region thereof. That is, by removing the lower portion 14 from
the upper portion 12 before inserting the heel insert 10 into the
heel of the shoe 48 (see FIG. 10), the resistance to flexing of the
upper projections is released, because the projections 26 of the
upper portion are free to flex toward one another (i.e., flex into
the adjacent voids 28), and the projections 36 are likewise free to
flex toward one another, in response to the action of the wearer's
foot, thereby increasing the flexibility and cushioning action of
the insole element 10. The flexing of the projections 36 can occur
generally radially with respect to the common center C of the
projections 36, i.e., laterally and/or longitudinally of the shoe.
Some of the projections 26, i.e. located at the back of the wall 18
can flex laterally of the shoe, whereas others of the projections
26, i.e. those located along the sides of the wall 18 can flex
longitudinally of the shoe.
[0036] If the user elects to assemble the lower portion 14 with the
upper portion, then the ability of the upper projections to flex
toward and away from one another will be resisted by the lower
projections, the degree of resistance being dependent upon the
stiffness of the lower projections. In that regard, the lower
projections can have a greater, a lesser, or the same stiffness as
the upper projections.
[0037] In practice, the wearer would determine whether to utilize
both of the upper and lower portions 12, 14 of the heel insert 10,
to provide a stiffer cushioning action, or to utilize only the
upper portion 12 to provide a more flexible cushioning action.
[0038] If only the upper portion 12 is to be utilized, the user
removes the lower portion 14 prior to inserting the heel insert
into the shoe. If desired, the heel insert can be removed from the
shoe in order to mount the lower portion into the upper portion to
provide a stiffer cushioning action when returned to the shoe. It
is required that the heel insert be outside of the shoe in order
for the lower portion to be removed or installed.
[0039] In another aspect of the invention, the lower portion 14 is
not removable from the upper portion 12, i.e., the lower portion is
permanently bonded to the upper portion 12, in any suitable manner,
e.g., by adhesive or a chemical bond created by molding one portion
to the other In that event, the flexibility of the upper
projections will be dependent on the amount of the difference in
stiffness between the upper and lower projections.
[0040] The upper and lower portions 12, 14 can be formed of any
suitable materials, most preferably a visoelastic polymer or
silicone gel which is highly energy absorbent. Preferred materials
include, but are not limited to, thermoplastic elastomers including
styrene-olefin-rubber block copolymers, ethylene copolymers,
thermoplastic polyolefins, thermoplastic polyurethanes, polyamides,
polyureas, polyesters, thermoplastic rubbers, natural rubbers,
nylon, ethylvinyl acetate and other materials whose softness is a
function of temperature.
[0041] Depicted in FIGS. 11-17 is another preferred embodiment,
i.e., an insole element shaped as an arch insert 50 suitable for
use in the arch region of a shoe. That insert 50 includes an upper
portion 52 and a lower portion 54. The upper portion 52, which has
a somewhat rectangular shape as viewed in plan (FIG. 11), includes
two edges 55, 56 extending in a front-to-rear longitudinal
direction (corresponding to the front-to-rear direction of the shoe
in which the element is to be inserted), with one of the edges 56
being curved such that a forward portion of the arch insert 50
flares outwardly to form a wide front end 58 and a narrow rear end
60. The vertical thickness of the arch insert 40 gradually
increases in a lateral direction with respect to the longitudinal
direction, i.e., the thickness increases from the edge 55 to the
edge 56, in order to conform to the shape of the arch of a wearer's
foot (see FIG. 13). The upper portion 52 includes upper and lower
surfaces 64, 66 with the lower surface 66 having formed therein a
plurality of upper projections 68 separated by downwardly open
voids 70. The projections and voids 68, 70 are generally linear and
parallel and extend laterally from a location adjacent the edge 56
to a location adjacent the edge 55. The plurality of projections 68
and voids 70 is surrounded by a flat border 73 which is intended to
rest on the insole of a shoe 48.
[0042] The lower portion 54 includes rib-like lower projections 72
spaced apart by upwardly open voids 74. The projections 72 are
linear and parallel and are arranged on a flat base portion 75. The
projections 72 are arranged to extend into the voids 70 of the
upper portion in order to prevent the upper projections 68 from
flexing toward one another (i.e., from flexing into the voids 70).
As in the case of the first embodiment, the lower portion 54 can be
selectively removable from, or permanently bonded to, the upper
portion 52. If selectively removable, then by removing the lower
portion 54 from the upper portion 52 before inserting the arch
insert 50 into the shoe, the projections 68 would be able to flex
freely toward one another in response to forces applied by the
wearer, the flexing occurring in the generally front-to-rear
(longitudinal) direction of the shoe.
[0043] If the lower portion 54 is assembled with the upper portion
52, the ability of the upper projections 68 to flex is resisted,
depending on the amount of difference in flexibility between the
upper and lower projections. The lower projections 72 can be of
greater, lesser or equal stiffness relative to the upper
projections 68.
[0044] If the lower portion 54 is permanently bonded to the upper
portion 52, then the degree of flexibility depends upon the amount
of the difference in flexibility between the upper and lower
projections.
[0045] When the lower portion 54 is inserted into the upper
portion, a bottom surface 77 of the lower portion lies flush with
the border 73 of the upper portion 52.
[0046] The upper and lower portions 52, 54 can be formed of the
same materials described earlier in connection with the heel
insert.
[0047] Although the heel and arch inserts 10, 50 have been
described thus far as separate units, it will be appreciated that
they could be combined into a single integral unit 100 for
insertion into the heel/arch region of the shoe as shown in FIG.
18, or as part of a one-piece shoe insole that could replace an
existing shoe insole and which would also appear as shown in FIG.
8.
[0048] Although the present invention has been described in
connection with preferred embodiments thereof, it will be
appreciated by those skilled in the art that additions, deletions,
modifications, and substitutions not specifically described may be
made without departing from the spirit and scope of the invention
as defined in the appended claims. For example, the projections and
voids shown in the preferred embodiments could be shaped or
oriented differently or disposed at different locations than the
ones shown.
* * * * *