U.S. patent application number 13/405863 was filed with the patent office on 2013-08-29 for footwear insole with adjustable arch support.
This patent application is currently assigned to PEDIFIX, INC.. The applicant listed for this patent is Jon Patrick CASE, John A. Galbraith. Invention is credited to Jon Patrick CASE, John A. Galbraith.
Application Number | 20130219744 13/405863 |
Document ID | / |
Family ID | 49001280 |
Filed Date | 2013-08-29 |
United States Patent
Application |
20130219744 |
Kind Code |
A1 |
CASE; Jon Patrick ; et
al. |
August 29, 2013 |
FOOTWEAR INSOLE WITH ADJUSTABLE ARCH SUPPORT
Abstract
A footwear insole includes an insole body extending along a
longitudinal direction between opposite end regions. An elongated
recessed arch cavity is formed in the insole body at an arch region
between the end regions. The recessed arch cavity has a bottom
opening at a lower surface of the insole body. One of a plurality
of arch inserts of different hardnesses is selected, and is
inserted through the bottom opening and mounted in the recessed
arch cavity for supporting a wearer's arch during wear. The
selected arch insert is adjustably positioned at a selected one of
a plurality of positions spaced apart along the longitudinal
direction for adjustably supporting the wearer's arch.
Inventors: |
CASE; Jon Patrick; (New
Milford, CT) ; Galbraith; John A.; (Pittsburgh,
PA) |
|
Applicant: |
Name |
City |
State |
Country |
Type |
CASE; Jon Patrick
Galbraith; John A. |
New Milford
Pittsburgh |
CT
PA |
US
US |
|
|
Assignee: |
PEDIFIX, INC.
Brewster
NY
|
Family ID: |
49001280 |
Appl. No.: |
13/405863 |
Filed: |
February 27, 2012 |
Current U.S.
Class: |
36/43 |
Current CPC
Class: |
A43B 7/142 20130101;
A43B 17/023 20130101; A43B 7/148 20130101; A43B 17/006 20130101;
A43B 7/1465 20130101 |
Class at
Publication: |
36/43 |
International
Class: |
A43B 13/40 20060101
A43B013/40 |
Claims
1. A footwear insole, comprising: an insole body extending along a
longitudinal direction between opposite end regions, the insole
body having an upper surface, a lower surface opposite the upper
surface, and an elongated recessed arch cavity located at an arch
region between the end regions, the recessed arch cavity having a
bottom opening at the lower surface of the insole body; and an
adjustable arch insert inserted through the bottom opening and
mounted in the recessed arch cavity for supporting a wearer's arch
during wear, the arch insert being adjustably positioned at a
selected one of a plurality of positions spaced apart along the
longitudinal direction for adjustably supporting the wearer's
arch.
2. The insole of claim 1, wherein the insole body is generally
configured in a foot shape in plan view, and wherein the arch
insert is generally configured in an arcuate shape in plan
view.
3. The insole of claim 1, wherein the insole body includes a sheet
of a resilient foam material adhered over a main member of an
elastomeric gel material.
4. The insole of claim 1, wherein the arch insert is constituted of
a compressible material that resists compression with a first
predetermined hardness, and further comprising another adjustable
arch insert constituted of a compressible material that resists
compression with a second predetermined hardness that is different
from the first predetermined hardness, one of the arch inserts
being selected for insertion through the bottom opening and
mounting in the recessed arch cavity, for supporting the wearer's
arch with the selected one of the hardnesses.
5. The insole of claim 4, and further comprising still another
adjustable arch insert constituted of a compressible material that
resists compression with a third predetermined hardness that is
different from the first and second predetermined hardnesses, one
of the arch inserts being selected for insertion through the bottom
opening and mounting in the recessed arch cavity, for supporting
the wearer's arch with the selected one of the hardnesses.
6. The insole of claim 1, wherein the arch insert is substantially
contained in the recessed arch cavity.
7. The insole of claim 1, wherein one of the insole body and the
arch insert has a plurality of projections, and wherein the other
of the insole body and the arch insert has a plurality of recesses
for receiving the projections when the arch insert is mounted in
the recessed arch cavity.
8. The insole of claim 7, wherein the projections are provided on
the arch insert, and wherein the recesses are provided on the
insole body.
9. The insole of claim 7, wherein the projections are arranged
along an arc on the arch insert.
10. The insole of claim 7, wherein the plurality of projections are
spaced apart on the arch insert, and wherein the plurality of
recesses spaced apart on the insole body to resist rotation of the
arch insert relative to the insole body.
11. The insole of claim 8, wherein one of the end regions of the
insole body is a heel region; and wherein a first group of the
recesses is spaced along the longitudinal direction away from the
heel region to position the arch support at a first spacing
relative to the heel region; and wherein a second group of the
recesses is spaced along the longitudinal direction away from the
heel region to position the arch support at a second spacing
relative to the heel region, the second spacing being greater than
the first spacing.
12. The insole of claim 11, wherein a third group of the recesses
is spaced along the longitudinal direction away from the heel
region to position the arch support at a third spacing relative to
the heel region, the third spacing being greater than the first and
second spacings.
13. The insole of claim 12, wherein each group of the recesses is
arranged along an arc on the insole body.
14. A method of adjustably supporting a wearer's arch, comprising:
configuring a footwear insole with an insole body that extends
along a longitudinal direction between opposite end regions;
forming an elongated recessed arch cavity in the insole body at an
arch region between the end regions, the recessed arch cavity
having a bottom opening at a lower surface of the insole body;
inserting an arch insert through the opening, and mounting the arch
insert in the recessed arch cavity to support the wearer's arch
during wear; and adjustably positioning the arch insert at a
selected one of a plurality of positions spaced apart along the
longitudinal direction to adjustably support the wearer's arch.
Description
FIELD OF THE DISCLOSURE
[0001] The present disclosure relates generally to footwear insoles
and, more particularly, to adjustable arch supports for such
insoles.
BACKGROUND
[0002] In the footwear industry, insoles can either be permanently
integrated with a shoe during manufacture, or can be removable from
the shoe to enable a customer, for example, to replace a worn
insole with a new insole. The design and manufacture of an insole
is complicated by the fact that different consumers have different
footwear needs, e.g., different foot shapes, different foot sizes,
different skeletal alignments, different anatomical issues, and the
like. Different consumers also have different footwear comfort
preferences in terms of desiring different levels of cushioning at
different heel, arch and/or toe regions of the insole. For example,
for a consumer with fallen arches or flat feet, a customized arch
support having a particular resistance to compression or hardness
is desirable for comfort.
[0003] Accordingly, a need exists to adjustably support a wearer's
arch with an insole to suit individual needs and preferences of the
wearer, and to produce such an insole in an economic fashion.
BRIEF DESCRIPTION OF THE FIGURES
[0004] The accompanying figures, where like reference numerals
refer to identical or functionally similar elements throughout the
separate views, together with the detailed description below, are
incorporated in and form part of the specification, and serve to
further illustrate embodiments of concepts that include the claimed
invention, and explain various principles and advantages of those
embodiments.
[0005] FIG. 1 is an exploded, bottom plan view of a kit including a
footwear insole with multiple arch inserts of different hardnesses
in accordance with this invention.
[0006] FIG. 2 is a side sectional view taken on line 2-2 of FIG.
1.
[0007] Skilled artisans will appreciate that elements in the
figures are illustrated for simplicity and clarity and have not
necessarily been drawn to scale. For example, the dimensions of
some of the elements in the figures may be exaggerated relative to
other elements to help to improve understanding of embodiments of
the present invention.
[0008] The insole components and method steps have been represented
where appropriate by conventional symbols in the drawings, showing
only those specific details that are pertinent to understanding the
embodiments of the present invention so as not to obscure the
disclosure with details that will be readily apparent to those of
ordinary skill in the art having the benefit of the description
herein.
DETAILED DESCRIPTION
[0009] A footwear insole, in accordance with one feature of this
invention, comprises an insole body extending along a longitudinal
direction between opposite end regions, and an elongated recessed
arch cavity located at an arch region between the end regions. The
insole body has an upper surface and a lower surface opposite the
upper surface. The recessed arch cavity has a bottom opening at the
lower surface of the insole body. An adjustable arch insert is
inserted through the bottom opening and is mounted in the recessed
arch cavity for supporting a wearer's arch during wear. The arch
insert is adjustably positioned at a selected one of a plurality of
positions spaced apart along the longitudinal direction for
adjustably supporting the wearer's arch.
[0010] In a preferred embodiment, the insole body is generally
configured in a foot shape in plan view. The insole body can be a
full insole or a partial insole, such as a three-quarter style
insole. The arch insert is preferably generally configured in an
arcuate or C-shape in plan view and resembles the shape of a human
kidney. The insole body preferably includes a sheet of a resilient
foam material adhered over, and optionally laminated to, a main
member of an elastomeric gel material.
[0011] Advantageously, a plurality of arch inserts is provided for
the insole body. The arch inserts are constituted of compressible
material that resists compression with different predetermined
hardnesses. A wearer selects the insert with the desired hardness,
e.g., soft, medium, or firm, inserts the selected insert through
the bottom opening, and places the selected insert in the recessed
arch cavity at the arch region, for supporting the wearer's arch
with the selected hardness. The selected arch insert is preferably
fully or substantially contained in the recessed arch cavity, but
may also extend sightly past the lower surface of the insole
body.
[0012] To securely hold the selected arch insert in the cavity, a
plurality of projections is advantageously provided on each arch
insert, and a plurality of recesses is provided on the insole body.
The recesses receive the projections, preferably with a snug
friction-tight fit, when the selected arch insert is mounted in the
recessed arch cavity. The projections are preferably
non-collinearly arranged along an arc, and are spaced apart, on
each arch insert, to resist rotation of the arch insert relative to
the insole body. The projections and recesses correctly position
the selected arch insert, and help to secure the selected arch
insert in place. In addition, the selected arch insert may be held
in place by a proper selection of foam or elastomer materials that
have natural adhesion properties. Many thermoplastic or
thermosetting elastomer and foam materials will self-bond (stick)
to each other when brought into mutual contact. Such self-bonding
materials can also be readily removed or pulled apart with no
damage.
[0013] To adjustably position the selected arch insert along the
longitudinal direction in and along the cavity, the recesses are
preferably arranged in groups spaced along the longitudinal
direction. In a preferred embodiment, three groups are arranged at
different distances away from one of the end regions, e.g., a heel
region, of the insole body. This feature accommodates the
individual needs and preferences of the wearer.
[0014] Turning now to the drawings, reference numeral 10 in FIG. 1
generally identifies a kit that includes a footwear insole 20 and a
plurality of arch inserts 30, 32 and 34 constituted of compressible
material that resists compression with different predetermined
hardnesses, e.g., soft, medium, or firm, as described below. The
number of arch inserts 30, 32 and 34 can be different from the
three illustrated. Each arch insert 30, 32 and 34 is preferably
generally configured in an arcuate or C-shape in plan view and
resembles the shape of a human kidney.
[0015] The insole 20 comprises an insole body 22 extending along a
longitudinal direction between opposite end regions, e.g., a toe or
front region 24 and a heel or rear region 26. In a preferred
embodiment, the insole body 22 is generally configured in a foot
shape in plan view. The insole body 22 can be a full insole or a
partial insole, such as a three-quarter style insole, as shown in
FIG. 1. The insole body 22 has an elongated recessed arch cavity 38
located at an arch region 28 between the toe and heel end regions
24, 26. The recessed arch cavity 38 has an arcuate or C-shape. The
insole body 22 has an upper surface 12 that faces and engages a
wearer's foot during wear, and a lower surface 14 (shown with a
tread or roughened surface) opposite the upper surface 12 and
facing away from the wearer's foot. The recessed arch cavity 38 has
an access bottom opening at the lower surface 14 of the insole body
22 to accept one of the arch inserts 30, 32 and 34, as described
below.
[0016] As best shown in FIG. 2, the insole body 22 includes a sheet
16 of a resilient foam material adhered over a main member 18 of an
elastomeric gel material. The foam material may be a closed cell
(resistant to water and air flow) polymeric foam, such as some
neoprenes, or an open cell (permeable to water and air flow) foamed
polymer, such as some polyurethanes. The foam material used herein
typically has a firmness rating from a soft level of about 2 pounds
per square inch (psi) to a hard level of about 10 psi. Other
resilient materials that provide a good shock absorption
characteristic when compressed, as well as a good spring back or
rebound characteristic after compression, are also contemplated by
this invention.
[0017] The elastomeric gel material of the member 18 below the foam
sheet 16 may be any polymeric material that is deformable and
compressible, such as a thermosetting polyurethane gel, which has
good cushioning and energy absorbing properties due to its dense
structure. In a preferred embodiment, the polymeric gel has a Shore
"00" scale durometer hardness in the range of from about 20 to
about 60, and preferably from about 30 to about 50; a tensile
strength of from about 22 to about 40 pounds per square inch and
preferably from about 27 to about 33 pounds per square inch;
exhibits from about 100% to about 450% elongation and preferably
from about 160% to about 390% elongation; and a compression of from
about 5.5% to about 8.5%, and preferably from about 6.5% to about
7.9%. Other gel materials, such as thermoplastic styrene gel, are
also contemplated by this invention.
[0018] A fabric sheet (not illustrated) may be adhered to the top
side of the foam sheet 12 of the gel member 18. Alternatively, the
fabric sheet may be directly adhered to the gel member 18, without
the use of the foam sheet 12. The fabric sheet can be made from a
synthetic fiber such as nylon, a natural fiber or a blend thereof.
Nylon has a low coefficient of friction which reduces surface wear
and allows a wearer's foot to slide. Thus, nylon helps reduce the
likelihood of blisters, by having a low coefficient of friction,
and resistance to localized surface wear. Other fabric materials,
such as polyester, are also contemplated by this invention.
[0019] Each arch insert 30, 32 and 34 is preferably constituted of,
and made from, the gel material described above, but each insert is
formulated with a different durometer or hardness, as measured on
the Shore "00" hardness scale. Advantageously, the gel materials in
the inserts are formulated so that their hardnesses can be
categorized as soft, medium or hard. For example, insert 30 can
have a Shore hardness in the range of from about 20 to about 30 and
be classified as soft; insert 32 can have a Shore hardness in the
range of from about 40 to about 50 and be classified as medium; and
insert 34 can have a Shore hardness in the range of from about 60
to about 70 and be classified as hard. The inserts 30, 32 and 34
can be colored with different colors, or be provided with different
indicia, to assist a wearer in visually distinguishing among the
inserts to select the one having the desired hardness.
[0020] A wearer selects the insert with the desired hardness, e.g.,
soft, medium, or firm, inserts the selected insert through the
bottom opening, and places the selected insert into the recessed
arch cavity 38 at the arch region, for supporting the wearer's arch
with the selected hardness. The selected arch insert is preferably
fully or substantially contained in the recessed arch cavity 38,
but may extend slightly past the lower surface 14 of the insole
body 22.
[0021] To align, position and securely hold the selected arch
insert in the cavity 38, a plurality of raised posts or projections
is provided on each arch insert 30, 32 and 34, and a plurality of
sunken recesses is provided on the insole body 22 in the cavity 38.
More particularly, a first set of projections 40 is provided on
arch insert 30, a second set of projections 42 is provided on arch
insert 32, and a third set of projections 44 is provided on arch
insert 34. Still more particularly, a first group of recesses 46A,
46B and 46C is provided in a forward region of the cavity 38, a
second group of recesses 48A, 48B and 48C is provided in a rearward
region of the cavity 38, and a third group of recesses 50A, 50B and
50C is provided in a middle region of the cavity 38. As
illustrated, the first group is closest to the toe region 24 as
considered along the longitudinal direction, the second group is
closest to the heel region 26 as considered along the longitudinal
direction, and the third group is located between the first and
second groups.
[0022] A selected group of the recesses receives the set of
projections of a selected insert, preferably with a snug
friction-tight fit, when the selected arch insert is mounted in the
recessed arch cavity 38. Due to material selection, the interior
surface of the cavity 38 and the exterior surface of each insert
are advantageously tacky, which helps to maintain the selected
insert in place. The wearer decides where the selected insert is
mounted along the longitudinal direction to accommodate the
individual needs and preferences of the wearer. Each set of
projections are preferably non-collinearly arranged along an arc,
and are spaced apart, on each arch insert, to align and resist
rotation of the arch insert relative to the insole body Likewise,
the recesses of each group are non-collinearly arranged along an
arc, and are spaced apart.
[0023] In accordance with another feature of this invention, a
method of adjustably supporting a wearer's arch is performed by
configuring a footwear insole with an insole body that extends
along a longitudinal direction between opposite end regions, by
forming an elongated recessed arch cavity in the insole body at an
arch region between the end regions, the recessed arch cavity
having a bottom opening at a lower surface of the insole body, by
inserting an arch insert through the bottom opening, by mounting
the arch insert in the recessed arch cavity to support the wearer's
arch during wear, and by adjustably positioning the arch insert at
a selected one of a plurality of positions spaced apart along the
longitudinal direction to adjustably support the wearer's arch.
[0024] In the foregoing specification, specific embodiments have
been described. However, one of ordinary skill in the art
appreciates that various modifications and changes can be made
without departing from the scope of the invention as set forth in
the claims below. Accordingly, the specification and figures are to
be regarded in an illustrative rather than a restrictive sense, and
all such modifications are intended to be included within the scope
of present teachings. For example, the number of projections on
each insert, and the number of recesses in each group need not be
limited to the three illustrated.
[0025] The benefits, advantages, solutions to problems, and any
element(s) that may cause any benefit, advantage, or solution to
occur or become more pronounced are not to be construed as a
critical, required, or essential features or elements of any or all
the claims. The invention is defined solely by the appended claims
including any amendments made during the pendency of this
application and all equivalents of those claims as issued.
[0026] Moreover in this document, relational terms such as first
and second, top and bottom, and the like may be used solely to
distinguish one entity or action from another entity or action
without necessarily requiring or implying any actual such
relationship or order between such entities or actions. The terms
"comprises," "comprising," "has," "having," "includes,"
"including," "contains," "containing," or any other variation
thereof, are intended to cover a non-exclusive inclusion, such that
a process, method, article, or apparatus that comprises, has,
includes, or contains a list of elements does not include only
those elements, but may include other elements not expressly listed
or inherent to such process, method, article, or apparatus. An
element proceeded by "comprises . . . a," "has . . . a," "includes
. . . a," or "contains . . . a," does not, without more
constraints, preclude the existence of additional identical
elements in the process, method, article, or apparatus that
comprises, has, includes, or contains the element. The terms "a"
and "an" are defined as one or more unless explicitly stated
otherwise herein. The terms "substantially," "essentially,"
"approximately," "about," or any other version thereof, are defined
as being close to as understood by one of ordinary skill in the
art, and in one non-limiting embodiment the term is defined to be
within 10%, in another embodiment within 5%, in another embodiment
within 1%, and in another embodiment within 0.5%. The term
"coupled" as used herein is defined as connected, although not
necessarily directly and not necessarily mechanically. A device or
structure that is "configured" in a certain way is configured in at
least that way, but may also be configured in ways that are not
listed.
[0027] The Abstract of the Disclosure is provided to allow the
reader to quickly ascertain the nature of the technical disclosure.
It is submitted with the understanding that it will not be used to
interpret or limit the scope or meaning of the claims. In addition,
in the foregoing Detailed Description, it can be seen that various
features are grouped together in various embodiments for the
purpose of streamlining the disclosure. This method of disclosure
is not to be interpreted as reflecting an intention that the
claimed embodiments require more features than are expressly
recited in each claim. Rather, as the following claims reflect,
inventive subject matter lies in less than all features of a single
disclosed embodiment. Thus, the following claims are hereby
incorporated into the Detailed Description, with each claim
standing on its own as a separately claimed subject matter.
* * * * *