U.S. patent application number 13/984652 was filed with the patent office on 2013-12-05 for dynamic arch stabilization and rehabilitative shoe midsole/insole device.
The applicant listed for this patent is Roy Gardiner. Invention is credited to Roy Gardiner.
Application Number | 20130318818 13/984652 |
Document ID | / |
Family ID | 46638101 |
Filed Date | 2013-12-05 |
United States Patent
Application |
20130318818 |
Kind Code |
A1 |
Gardiner; Roy |
December 5, 2013 |
DYNAMIC ARCH STABILIZATION AND REHABILITATIVE SHOE MIDSOLE/INSOLE
DEVICE
Abstract
An insole device as provided which has a sole shaped body
defining an upwardly extending dome in a midfoot section thereof. A
biofeedback catalyst is mountable in the dome so as to be moveable
at least longitudinally relative to the sole shaped body. The
catalyst is positionable to cause the dome to engage an anatomical
apex of the sole face of the arch of a wearer's foot. The catalyst
has an ellipsoidal or spherical shape, being dimensioned and having
a resiliency sufficient to promote dynamic proprioceptive
stimulation of mechanical receptors and nocioreceptors in the skin
of the wearer's sole at said apex. Cooperating engagement means
extend between the body and the catalyst for connecting the
catalyst to the body to locate the catalyst in the dome while
allowing the movement of the catalyst relative to the body.
Inventors: |
Gardiner; Roy; (Claremont,
CA) |
|
Applicant: |
Name |
City |
State |
Country |
Type |
Gardiner; Roy |
Claremont |
|
CA |
|
|
Family ID: |
46638101 |
Appl. No.: |
13/984652 |
Filed: |
February 9, 2012 |
PCT Filed: |
February 9, 2012 |
PCT NO: |
PCT/CA12/00100 |
371 Date: |
August 9, 2013 |
Related U.S. Patent Documents
|
|
|
|
|
|
Application
Number |
Filing Date |
Patent Number |
|
|
61457252 |
Feb 10, 2011 |
|
|
|
Current U.S.
Class: |
36/43 |
Current CPC
Class: |
A43B 7/141 20130101;
A43B 7/148 20130101; A43B 7/1465 20130101; A43B 7/149 20130101;
A43B 7/142 20130101; A43B 13/38 20130101; A61F 5/14 20130101 |
Class at
Publication: |
36/43 |
International
Class: |
A43B 13/38 20060101
A43B013/38 |
Claims
1. An insole and/or shoe midsole device comprising: a sole shaped
body defining an upwardly extending dome in a midfoot section
thereof; a biofeedback catalyst mountable in said dome so as to be
moveable at least longitudinally relative to the outer portion said
catalyst being positionable to cause said dome to engage an
anatomical apex of the sole face of the arch of a wearer's foot;
said catalyst having an ellipsoidal or spherical shape, being
dimensioned and having a resiliency sufficient to promote dynamic
proprioceptive stimulation of mechanical receptors and
nocioreceptors in the skin of said sole at said apex; and,
cooperating engagement means extending between said body and said
catalyst for connecting said catalyst to said body to locate said
catalyst in said dome while allowing said movement of said catalyst
relative to said body.
2. The insole device of claim 1 wherein said cooperating engagement
means comprises a positioning piece releasably mountable to a
bottom of said body across said dome and releasable connecting
means for releasably connecting said positioning piece to said
catalyst.
3. The insole device of claim 1 wherein said cooperating engagement
means comprises at least one positioning piece extending from and
integral with said catalyst for releasable connection to said
body.
4. The insole device of claim 1 further comprising varying means
associated with said catalyst for varying at least one of said
resiliency and height of said catalyst.
5. The insole device of claim 4 wherein said varying means is a
lower part of said catalyst which is releasably connectable to an
upper part of said catalyst.
6. The insole device of claim 5 wherein said insole device is
incorporated in a midsole and said varying device acts between said
catalyst and said midsole.
7. The insole device of claim 6 wherein said varying device is one
of shims and a screw device.
8. The insole device of claim 1 wherein said dome is removable from
said body for exchange of said catalyst and wherein said dome and
said body are provided with interactive engagement means for
releasably securing said dome to said body.
9. (canceled)
10. The insole device of claim 3 further comprising varying means
associated with said catalyst for varying at least one of said
resiliency and height of said catalyst.
11. The insole device of claim 10 wherein said varying means is a
lower part of said catalyst which is releasably connectable to an
upper part of said catalyst.
12. The insole device of claim 11 wherein said insole device is
incorporated in a midsole and said varying device acts between said
catalyst and said midsole.
13. The insole device of claim 12 wherein said varying device is
one of shims and a screw device.
Description
[0001] This application claims the benefit of priority from U.S.
provisional application no. U.S. 61/457,252 filed Feb. 10, 2011,
the entire contents of which are incorporated by reference
herein.
FIELD OF THE INVENTION
[0002] The present invention relates to an insole for a shoe. In
particular, the present invention relates to an insole device that
can rehabilitate a foot by stimulating a proprioceptive reflex
response in the wearer's foot.
BACKGROUND OF THE INVENTION
[0003] Professionals dealing with gait related pathologies
generally accept that a large majority of persons will, at some
time in their lives, suffer some form of gait related pain or
dysfunction. It is also well accepted that, in the majority of
cases, the mechanism underlying the pathology, injury, or
dysfunction is biomechanically related to the foot's
musculoskeletal capabilities during the interface between the foot
and the ground, during the initial contact, support, and propulsion
phases of the gait cycle.
[0004] It has been proposed that providing a device to create a
proprioceptive, or internal, feedback stimulus to a user's foot can
directly target the underlying pathology, injury, or dysfunction.
Such devices are disclosed in U.S. Pat. No. 5,404,659 to Burke et
al., in U.S. Pat. No. 6,301,807 to Gardiner, and in U.S. Pat. No.
6,732,457 to Gardiner.
[0005] As disclosed in U.S. Pat. No. 5,404,659, an arch
rehabilitative catalyst stimulates the Golgi tendon organ, which in
turn, stimulates the musculoskeletal structure of the foot to
rehabilitate the foot structure. The catalyst is an asymmetrically
domed hump, which creates a mild to strong discomfort to initially
stimulate the Golgi tendon organ.
[0006] However, it has been found that the device disclosed in U.S.
Pat. No. 5,404,659 does not function as described, and that the
majority of users find the device too uncomfortable to use. In
particular, when subjected to conventional vertical compressive
forces of a person walking in the range of 2.5 times body weight,
the device is designed to deflect between 40% and 60% of its
maximum height, and when subject to only one times a person's
weight, there should be no deflection. In addition, as disclosed in
U.S. Pat. No. 5,504,659, the device has an ideal apex height of
5.25% to 7.6% of the total foot length. A device built according to
these dimensions and deflection capabilities results in an overly
high arch height, and can cause severe discomfort, and possible
injury, to a wearer. It is further disclosed that the absolute,
non-weight bearing height of the device should be the same
regardless of body weight and arch height. This is clearly wrong,
since different wearers will have different comfort thresholds and
arch heights.
[0007] In general, the device disclosed in U.S. Pat. No. 5,404,659
does not function as described. Users would find the device too
hard to use successfully, and rather than stimulating a
proprioceptive response, the device would cause pain and discomfort
at each step. The pain engendered in the foot of a wearer would, in
fact, cause the user to limit the pressure applied to the foot to
avoid the discomfort, rather than exercising the foot by creating
an imperceptible stimulation as is its stated goal.
[0008] As disclosed in U.S. Pat. No. 6,301,807 and in U.S. Pat. No.
6,732,457, an arch rehabilitative catalyst stimulates the Golgi
tendon organ, which in turn, stimulates the musculoskeletal
structure of the foot to rehabilitate the foot structure. The
catalyst is an asymmetrically domed structure having a said maximum
height at it apex from 1% to 5% of the length of the foot. The
catalyst does not provide a bracing function but instead,
proprioceptive feedback. The plantar aspect of the catalyst has a
receptacle for receiving an interchangeable insert. Many forms
thereof, are disclosed. The catalyst is resiliently deformable to
apply an upwardly directed pressure to stimulate the Golgi tendon
organ, and deflects from between 40% and 100% of its maximum height
in response to the vertical forces of a person standing at
rest.
[0009] As disclosed in U.S. Pat. No. 6,301,807, the plantar aspect
of the device is also characterized by a substantially domed shaped
catalyst with a receptacle with vertical walls for removeably
accommodating a resilient member with corresponding vertical
walls.
[0010] As disclosed in U.S. Pat. No. 6,732,457, the plantar aspect
of the devise is also characterized by a substantially domed shaped
catalyst with a cavity or receptacle for removeably accommodating
an insert which acts between the catalyst and an underlying surface
to control the resilient deformability of the catalyst; and that
the cavity and insert have an engagement means for resisting
separation of the insert from the insole and lateral shifting
therebetween.
[0011] However, it has been found that the devices disclosed in
U.S. Pat. No. 5,404,659, in U.S. Pat. No. 6,301,807, and U.S. Pat.
No. 6,732,457 have a number of limitations that inhibit the
devices' optimal positioning and the degree of stimulus provided to
the plantar surface of the foot while the foot is interfacing with
the ground, during the initial contact, support, and propulsion
phases of the multidirectional bipedal activity gait cycles.
[0012] In general the devices disclosed in U.S. Pat. No. 5,404,659,
in U.S. Pat. No. 6,301,807, and U.S. Pat. No. 6,732,457 incorporate
dome shaped catalysts the positioning of which is fixed. This fixed
positioning of the dome shaped catalysts restricts the stimulus to
the center of the foot's arch apex to only those times when users
of the devices are standing perfectly erect on perfectly horizontal
terrain. In instances when the users are engaging in
multidirectional bipedal activities during which their lower limbs
are not perpendicular to the terrain whether the terrain is
horizontal or not, users of the devices would experience stimulus
to less than optimal locations around the periphery of the center
of the arch apex as the foot moves about the dome shape. This less
than optimal location of the stimulus to the sole of the foot
results in a less than optimal proprioceptive reflex response and a
less stable musculoskeletal arch system and ankle.
[0013] In addition, the devices disclosed do not allow for any
degree of adjustability in the relative positioning of the dome
shaped catalyst to accommodate users who have feet of identical
length but have variances in foot type. For example one person
could have a longer arch and shorter toes and another have a
shorter arch and longer toes, yet both could have the same foot
length. In another example one person could have a wide foot and
another a narrow foot, yet both could have the same foot length as
the aforementioned persons. Therefore, the devices disclosed would
fail to provide stimulus at the optimal location for one of the
individuals.
SUMMARY OF THE INVENTION
[0014] A catalyst device configured to fit the profile of the human
foot to promote dynamic proprioceptive stimulation of the
mechanoreceptors and nocioreceptors in the skin of the sole of the
foot at the anatomical apex of the foot's arch system. The
anatomical apex of the foot's arch system being defined as the
highest part of the mid-foot's boney structure when viewed from the
mid-foot's medial to lateral aspect between the calcaneous (heel)
and metatarsal heads (forefoot).
[0015] The catalyst device has an anchoring system for locating the
catalyst device central to the foot's anatomical arch apex. The
catalyst device may be a resilient ellipsoidal or spherically
shaped biofeedback device that presents to the plantar aspect of
the foot at a location found to be the anatomical apex of the
foot's arch system.
[0016] The resilient ellipsoidal or spherically shaped biofeedback
catalysts display physical properties as to dynamically stimulate
the body's natural neuromuscular reflex mechanisms that effectively
optimally align and stabilize the foot's musculoskeletal arch
system and ankle. The plantar aspect of the ellipsoidal and
spherically shaped biofeedback catalysts encourages the catalysts
to dynamically roll and pivot about their plantar apexes as they
mirror the foot's movement through multidimensional activities.
This dynamic movement ensures that the ellipsoidal and spherically
shaped biofeedback catalysts' dorsal aspect apexes always optimally
align with anatomical apex of the foot's arch system regardless of
the angle at which the foot contacts the ground.
[0017] The net result is a more structurally sound foot capable of
optimally managing the forces generated during all bipedal
activities with the most efficient use of muscular energy and the
lowest degree of injury inducing stress. With regular use, the
stimulated neuromuscular activity results in the foot's
musculoskeletal structure becoming progressively stronger and less
susceptible to injury. The catalyst device provides rehabilitative,
preventive, and performance enhancing benefits.
[0018] The resilient ellipsoidal or spherical biofeedback catalysts
display physical properties such that they do not provide
functional bracing or support to the plantar aspect of the
foot.
[0019] The catalyst device has the ability to receive and
interchange the resilient ellipsoidal or spherical biofeedback
catalyst components, as well as having the anchoring provision to
ensure proper placement in a shoe or other foot shodding article of
the catalysts relative to the user's anatomical arch apex.
DESCRIPTION OF THE DRAWINGS
[0020] Preferred embodiments of the invention are illustrated below
with reference to the accompanying illustrations.
[0021] FIG. 1a is a top plan view of a first embodiment of the
present invention;
[0022] FIG. 1b is a bottom plan view of an anchor positioning piece
component of the present invention;
[0023] FIG. 1c is the section line c-c of FIG. 1a;
[0024] FIG. 1d is a section on line d-d of FIG. 1c;
[0025] FIG. 1e is an end elevation showing an anchor positioning
piece in association with a variety of catalysts;
[0026] FIG. 2a is a top plan view of a second embodiment of the
insole device of the present invention;
[0027] FIG. 2b is a section on line b-b of FIG. 2a;
[0028] FIG. 2c is a section on line c-c of FIG. 2b;
[0029] FIG. 3a is a top plan view of an anchor positioning piece
with anchor attached according to a third embodiment of the present
invention;
[0030] FIG. 3b is a bottom plan view corresponding to FIG. 3a
without the anchor positioning piece and catalyst installed;
[0031] FIG. 3c is a top plan view of a top layer of an insole
device according to the present invention;
[0032] FIG. 3d is a section on line d-d of FIG. 3c;
[0033] FIG. 3e is a bottom plan view corresponding to FIG. 3c;
[0034] FIG. 3f is bottom plan view corresponding to FIG. 3a;
[0035] FIG. 3g is an exploded view of the third embodiment of the
insole device;
[0036] FIG. 4a is a top plan view of a fourth embodiment of an
insole device according to the present invention;
[0037] FIG. 4b is a bottom plan view corresponding to FIG. 4a;
[0038] FIG. 4c is a section on line c-c of FIG. 4a;
[0039] FIG. 4d is a section on line d-d of FIG. 4a;
[0040] FIG. 4e is an exploded view corresponding to FIG. 4c;
[0041] FIG. 5a is a top plan view of a fifth embodiment of an
insole device according to the present invention;
[0042] FIG. 5b is a bottom plan view corresponding to FIG. 5a;
[0043] FIG. 5c is a section on line c-c of FIG. 5a;
[0044] FIG. 5d is a section on line d-d of FIG. 5a;
[0045] FIG. 5e is an exploded view corresponding to FIG. 5c;
[0046] FIG. 6a is a top plan view of a sixth embodiment of an
insole device according to the present invention;
[0047] FIG. 6b is a bottom plan view corresponding to FIG. 6a;
[0048] FIG. 6c is a section on line c-c of FIG. 6a;
[0049] FIG. 6d is a section on line d-d of FIG. 6a;
[0050] FIG. 6e is an exploded view corresponding to FIG. 6c;
[0051] FIG. 7a is a top plan view of a seventh embodiment according
to the present invention;
[0052] FIG. 7b is a section on line b-b of FIG. 7a;
[0053] FIG. 8a is a top plan view of an eighth embodiment of an
insole device according to the present invention;
[0054] FIG. 8b is a bottom plan view corresponding to FIG. 8a;
[0055] FIG. 8c is a section on line c-c of FIG. 8a;
[0056] FIG. 8d is a section on line d-d of FIG. 8a;
[0057] FIG. 8e is an exploded view corresponding to FIG. 8c;
[0058] FIG. 9a is a top plan view of a ninth embodiment of an
insole device according to the present invention;
[0059] FIG. 9b is a bottom plan view corresponding to FIG. 9a;
[0060] FIG. 9c is a section on line c-c of FIG. 9a;
[0061] FIG. 9d is a section on line d-d of FIG. 9a;
[0062] FIG. 9e is an exploded view corresponding to FIG. 9c;
[0063] FIG. 10a is a midsole according to the present
invention;
[0064] FIG. 10b is a top plan view of a midsole cavity with a
catalyst mounted therein;
[0065] FIG. 10c is an end elevation of the catalyst of FIG.
10b;
[0066] FIG. 10d is a front elevation of the catalyst of FIG.
10b;
[0067] FIG. 10e is a top plan view of a height adjustment shim
portion of the midsole of FIG. 10a;
[0068] FIG. 10f is a front elevation corresponding to FIG. 10e;
[0069] FIG. 10g is an end elevation corresponding to FIG. 10e;
[0070] FIG. 11 is an axial sectional view corresponding to FIG. 10a
but with catalysts removed;
[0071] FIG. 12a is an alternate embodiment of a midsole according
to the present invention;
[0072] FIG. 12b is a top plan view of a midsole cavity of the
midsole of FIG. 12a with a catalyst mounted therein;
[0073] FIG. 12c is an end elevation of the catalyst of FIG.
12b;
[0074] FIG. 12d is a front elevation of the catalyst of FIG.
12b;
[0075] FIG. 12e is an end elevation showing a height adjustable
platform with a catalyst positioned thereon;
[0076] FIG. 12f is a top plan view corresponding to FIG. 12e;
[0077] FIG. 13a corresponds to FIG. 12a but shows the height
adjustment mechanism in its lowest position;
[0078] FIG. 13b illustrates a height adjustable platform;
[0079] FIGS. 13c, 13d and 13e illustrate height adjustable platform
screw mechanisms according to the present invention;
[0080] FIG. 14a is a top plan view of a further alternate
embodiment of a midsole design according to the present
invention;
[0081] FIG. 14b is a top plan view of an interchangeable catalyst
mechanism and anchoring means in accordance with the FIG. 14a
embodiment;
[0082] FIG. 15 is a side elevation corresponding to FIG. 14b;
[0083] FIGS. 16 through 23 are axial sectional views of different
embodiments of midsole designs according to the present
invention.
[0084] FIG. 24a is a top plan view of an anchor positioning piece
with anchor attached according to a still further embodiment of the
present invention;
[0085] FIG. 24b is a bottom plan view corresponding to FIG. 24a
without the anchor positioning piece and catalyst installed;
[0086] FIG. 24c is a top plan view of a top layer of an insole
device according to the present invention;
[0087] FIG. 24d is a section on line d-d of FIG. 24c;
[0088] FIG. 24e is a bottom plan view corresponding to FIG.
24c;
[0089] FIG. 24f is bottom plan view corresponding to FIG. 24a;
[0090] FIG. 24g is an exploded view of the third embodiment of the
insole device.
DESCRIPTION OF PREFERRED EMBODIMENTS
[0091] A dynamic arch stabilization and rehabilitative insole
device is generally illustrated by reference 30 in the Figures. The
insole device 30 consists of a flexible insole body having an outer
portion 32 defining an upwardly extending dome 34 located central
to the foot's anatomical arch apex. The dome 34 receives
interchangeable substantially ellipsoidal and spherically shaped
catalysts 40 for interfacing with the plantar aspect of a human
foot.
[0092] The catalysts 40 have an apex 42 on the dorsal surface for
aligning with a target area within the foot, the target area being
defined by the anatomical arch apex.
[0093] The plantar aspect (bottom) 44 of the catalysts, in concert
with the flexible insole body encourage the catalysts to
dynamically roll and pivot about their plantar apexes as they
mirror the foot's movement through multidimensional activities.
[0094] The catalysts 40 are resiliently deformable to apply an
upwardly directed pressure to stimulate the nocioreceptors and
mechanoreceptors in the skin of the sole of the foot in response to
downward pressure on the catalyst 40 by the foot. The ellipsoidal
or spherically shaped catalysts 40 provide resilient deformability
to allow the catalyst 40 to deflect from between 10% and 100% of
their maximum height in response to vertical forces of a person
standing at rest being applied to the catalyst 40.
[0095] The catalysts' 40 resilient deformability may be selected so
as to provide constant or variable resistance in response to
vertical forces of a person standing at rest being applied to the
catalyst. For example the catalyst may provide a constant or
progressively increased or decreased compressive resistance
relative to the degree of deformation.
[0096] The catalysts 40 may be of varied sizes and shapes relative
to foot length, width and arch height.
[0097] The dorsal aspect (top) 43 of the catalysts 40 may have
varied radii or apexes 42 at different locations relative to their
horizontal midline to accommodate for a variety of foot types of
the same foot length and ensure the optimal location of the
stimulus provided.
[0098] The dorsal aspect 43 of the catalysts 40 may have varied
radii or apexes at different locations relative to their frontal
plane midline to accommodate for a variety of foot types of the
same foot length and ensure the optimal location of the stimulus
provided.
[0099] The plantar aspect 44 of the catalysts 40 may have varied
radii or apexes at different locations relative to their horizontal
midline such as for example shown in FIGS. 10c, 10d and 10e to
optimize the dynamic rolling and pivoting motion specific to
requirements of different bipedal activities or pathologies.
[0100] The plantar aspect 44 of the catalysts 40 may have varied
radii or apexes at different locations relative to their frontal
plane midline to optimize the dynamic rolling and pivoting motion
specific to requirements of different bipedal activities or
pathologies.
[0101] The catalysts 40 resilient deformability may be achieved by
a variety of mechanical spring-like mechanisms or the use of
resiliently deformable materials or a combination thereof.
[0102] The catalysts 40 may be comprised of a variety of materials,
densities, and resiliencies such as foams, rubbers, plastics, or
other flexible materials. The catalysts may be comprised of one
piece made from one material or comprised of a number of pieces
made from different materials. Catalysts 40 comprised of a number
of pieces may be preassembled as one unit or may be comprised of a
number of interchangeable interlocking pieces that can be assembled
by the user. The catalysts may be hollow and pressurized to varying
degrees with gas, for example air or nitrogen.
[0103] The flexible insole body 30 may be comprised from a variety
of materials such as foams, rubbers, and plastics as well as
synthetic and natural fabrics. The insole body 30 may be comprised
of one piece made from one material or may be comprised of a number
of pieces made from different materials. Insole bodies made of a
number of pieces may be preassembled as one unit or may be
comprised of a number of interchangeable interlocking pieces that
can be assembled by the user. The catalysts may also incorporate a
mechanical spring (spiral or leaf) comprised of metal or a metal
alloy.
[0104] The flexible insole body and catalysts 40 may have a variety
of co-operating engagement means 50 for securing interchangable
ellipsoidal and spherically shaped catalysts to the insole body.
The co-operating engagement 50 means may include detent means for
resisting separation of the ellipsoidal and spherically shaped
catalysts 40 from the insole body 32 and may allow or restrict
shifting therebetween.
[0105] In the FIGS. 1a to 1e embodiment an anchored positioning
piece 60 which is securable to the insole body 32 on an underside
of the insole body 32 maintains the catalyst in place. A flexible
anchoring means 50 extends from the anchor positioning piece 60 and
engages the catalyst through a protrusion in the form of a flexible
anchor which is received in a correspondingly shaped receptacle in
the catalyst, the protrusion being narrower adjacent the anchor
positioning piece 60 than at an end distal the anchor positioning
piece 60.
[0106] In the FIGS. 2a to 2c embodiment, the anchor positioning
piece 60 is integral with an upper part 90 of the catalyst 40 which
receives a lower part 92. The lower part 92 has a curved lower
surface 94 upon which the catalyst 40 can pivot or roll. A flexible
anchor 50 is provided on the lower part 92 which is basically a
protrusion received in a corresponding recess in the upper part 90.
FIGS. 7a and 7b illustrate a similar arrangement but with a
different interaction between the positioning piece 60 and the
insole 32 in a heel region 33 of the insole 32.
[0107] FIGS. 3a to 3g comprise further views of an insole 32
similar to the FIG. 2 embodiment.
[0108] FIG. 24a through 24f illustrates an insole body 32 similar
to the FIG. 2 embodiment but having heel and forefoot cushioning
members 70 and 72 respectively depending downwardly from an
underside thereof.
[0109] FIGS. 4a to 4e show the use of a removable dome 34 on the
insole body 32. The removable dome includes interactive engaging
means such as knob ended protrusions 100 which are received in
corresponding recesses in the insole body 30. In the FIG. 4
embodiment the catalyst is trapped in a pocket 102 beneath the
removable dome.
[0110] FIGS. 5a to 5e illustrate an alternate embodiment of the
removable dome 34 which is generally similar to the FIGS. 4a to 4e
embodiment except that the catalyst is integral with the removable
dome 34 and accordingly held in place by the interactive engaging
means 100 which in this case also act as an anchoring means.
[0111] FIGS. 6a to 6e is an embodiment very similar to the FIGS. 4a
to 4e embodiment except that the pocket 102 which receives the
catalyst 40 also extends into the insole body 32.
[0112] FIGS. 8a to 8e is a view similar to the embodiment of FIGS.
4a to 4e but showing a different mechanism for maintaining the
removable dome in place. According to the FIGS. 8a to 8e embodiment
the insole body 32 has a recess 108 extending into its upper
surface and surrounded by an inwardly extending lip 112. The lip
112 registers with an overlies a correspondingly profiled edge 110
of the removable dome 34.
[0113] FIGS. 9a to 9e illustrate an embodiment similar to the FIGS.
4a to 4e embodiment but showing a differently shaped pocket
102.
[0114] The catalyst may be incorporated into the midsole of a shoe
rather than the insole as illustrated in the remaining figures.
[0115] FIGS. 10a to 10g illustrate catalyst 40 between an insole
body 32 and a midsole 120. The anchor 50 engages the midsole 120 at
heel and forefoot regions 80 and 82 respectively thereof. The
height of the catalyst may be adjusted using height adjustment
shims 130 placed between the catalyst 40 and the midsole 120 in a
receptacle or pocket 132 as illustrated.
[0116] FIG. 11 illustrates the FIGS. 10a to 10g embodiment in a
lower position without the presence of adjustment shims. The shims
would typically be placed in a cavity 130 in the midsole which has
a shape that prevents unwanted movement of the catalyst.
[0117] FIGS. 12a to 12f illustrate an alternate mechanism for
adjusting the height of the cavity utilizing a screw mechanism 140
having a screw 150 mounted in the midsole with a screw head 152
visible through the outsole. The screw 150 threadedly engages a
platform 154 which is moveable toward and away from the outsole in
response to rotation of the screw 150. The screw acts between the
midsole 120 and the platform 154.
[0118] FIG. 13a corresponds to FIG. 12 which shows the platform 154
at its lowest position whereas the platform 154 in FIG. 12a is
shown at its highest position.
[0119] FIG. 13b illustrates the platform 154.
[0120] FIGS. 13c, 13d and 13e illustrate height adjustable platform
screw mechanisms.
[0121] FIGS. 14a, 14b and FIG. 15 correspond to FIGS. 13a to 13e
and show a plan view of the midsole. The midsole has indentations
160 extending into an upper face thereof which receives the
anchoring means 50 associated with the catalyst 40.
[0122] FIGS. 16, 17 and 18 illustrate alternate interactive
engagement means for securing the catalyst 40 to the midsole 120.
FIGS. 16, 17 and 18 also show the use of a removable dome 42 which
instead of engaging a body of an insole engages the midsole 120 in
a manner analogous to that described above with reference to FIG.
8.
[0123] FIGS. 19 through 23 illustrate catalysts of varying shapes
and density for providing a variety of compression (stimulus)
characteristics for different foot-type requirements and/or
activities.
[0124] The foregoing description of the preferred embodiments and
examples of the apparatus and process of the invention have been
presented to illustrate the principles of the invention and not to
limit the invention to the particular embodiments illustrated. It
is intended that the scope of the invention be defined by all of
the embodiments encompassed within the claims and/or their
equivalents.
* * * * *