U.S. patent application number 16/351070 was filed with the patent office on 2020-09-17 for perforated insole with dynamic support layer.
The applicant listed for this patent is Wayne Purcell. Invention is credited to Wayne Purcell.
Application Number | 20200288811 16/351070 |
Document ID | / |
Family ID | 1000003957908 |
Filed Date | 2020-09-17 |
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United States Patent
Application |
20200288811 |
Kind Code |
A1 |
Purcell; Wayne |
September 17, 2020 |
Perforated Insole with Dynamic Support Layer
Abstract
An insole installed on top of existing footwear with a sealed
chamber extending across the plantar surface of the foot filled
with a fluid that can traverse across the chamber in response to
pressure caused by a weight shift by the wearer. The movement of
the fluid (which may be a liquid, gas, or gel) serves to massage
the foot muscles and tendons, release toxins, and increase
circulation. The chamber may also have restrictions or unique
shapes to guide the fluid for maximum effectiveness.
Inventors: |
Purcell; Wayne; (Avon,
IN) |
|
Applicant: |
Name |
City |
State |
Country |
Type |
Purcell; Wayne |
Avon |
IN |
US |
|
|
Family ID: |
1000003957908 |
Appl. No.: |
16/351070 |
Filed: |
March 12, 2019 |
Current U.S.
Class: |
1/1 |
Current CPC
Class: |
A43B 17/026 20130101;
A43B 17/03 20130101; A43B 17/006 20130101 |
International
Class: |
A43B 17/02 20060101
A43B017/02; A43B 17/00 20060101 A43B017/00; A43B 17/03 20060101
A43B017/03 |
Claims
1. An insole for insertion into footwear between the plantar
surface of the wearer's foot and the inner surface of a shoe, said
insole comprising: (a) a base material having a peripheral edge
defining a toe portion, a heel portion and an intermediate arch
portion, said base material being fabricated from a flexible
material having opposite first and second generally planar
surfaces; (b) a secondary material peripherally joined and sealed
to said first surface and extending between the heel portion and
intermediate arch portion to form an enclosed cavity between the
base material and secondary material; (c) wherein said cavity
contains a fluid substance configured to traverse said cavity in
response to changes in the distribution of pressure along the
plantar surface of the wearer's foot; and (d) a plurality of
restrictions positioned within the cavity between the distal end of
the arch portion and the proximal edge of the heel portion which
restricts the movement of said fluid substance.
2. The insole of claim 1 wherein said base material further
includes at least one series of perforations extending through the
base material which form a curve inset from and generally
conforming to the peripheral edge of said toe portion and with ends
terminating at the medial and lateral peripheral edge of the
intermediate arch portion.
3. The insole of claim 2 wherein said curve defined by the
perforations extending through the base materials also comprises a
series of secondary perforations which do not extend through the
base material.
4. The insole of claim 3 wherein said base material further
includes a generally elliptically shaped opening extending through
the first and second surface with a diameter greater than 5 mm and
corresponding to a position between the first and second phalanges
of the wearer's foot.
5. The insole of claim 3 wherein said base material further
includes a generally elliptical shaped opening with a diameter
greater than 5 mm, extending between the first and second planar
surface, and generally positioned in said toe portion corresponding
between the first and second phalanges of the wearer's foot.
6. The insole of claim 3 wherein said base material further
includes a third series of perforations that are configured in a
generally elliptical shape with a diameter greater than 5 mm,
extending between the first and second planar surface, and
generally positioned in said toe portion corresponding between the
first and second phalanges of the wearer's foot.
7. The insole of claim 2 wherein said perforations in said base
material are die cut.
8. The insole of claim 1 wherein said fluid substance is air.
9. The insole of claim 1 wherein said fluid substance is a gel.
10. An insole for insertion into footwear between the plantar
surface of the wearer's foot and the inner surface of a shoe, said
insole comprising: a base material which includes (a) a peripheral
edge defining a toe portion, a heel portion and an intermediate
arch portion, (b) fabricated from a flexible material having
opposite first and second generally planar surfaces; and (c) a
first series of perforations positioned along a curve which is
inset from and generally conforming to the peripheral edge of said
toe portion and with ends terminating at the medial and lateral
peripheral edge of the intermediate arch portion;
11. The insole of claim 10 wherein a second series of perforations
positioned along a curve is inset from and generally conforming to
the first series of perforations opposite the peripheral edge of
said toe portion and with ends terminating at the medial and
lateral peripheral edge of the intermediate arch portion.
12. The insole of claim 11 wherein said first and second
perforations each comprise of a polarity of alternating first and
second depths wherein the first depth passes through the first and
second planar surfaces of the base material and the second depth
passes from the first planar surface to a point within the base
material between the first planar surface and the second planar
surface.
13. The insole of claim 12 wherein said perforations in said base
material are die cut.
14. The insole of claim 13 wherein said base material further
includes a third series of perforations that are configured in a
generally elliptical shape with a diameter greater than 5 mm,
extending between the first and second planar surface, and
generally positioned in said toe portion corresponding between the
first and second phalanges of the wearer's foot.
15. An insole for insertion into footwear between the plantar
surface of the wearer's foot and the inner surface of a shoe, said
insole comprising: (a) a base material having a peripheral edge
defining a toe portion, a heel portion and an intermediate arch
portion, said base being fabricated from a flexible material having
opposite first and second generally planar surfaces; (b) a
secondary material peripherally joined and sealed to said first
surface and extending between the heel portion and intermediate
arch portion to form an enclosed cavity between the base material
and secondary material; (c) wherein said cavity contains a fluid
substance configured to traverse said cavity in response to changes
in the distribution of pressure along the plantar surface of the
wearer's foot; and (d) wherein said base material further includes
a series of perforations that are configured in a generally
elliptical shape with a diameter greater than 5 mm, extending
between the first and second planar surface, and generally
positioned in said toe portion corresponding between the first and
second phalanges of the wearer's foot.
16. The insole of claim 15 wherein said perforations in said base
material are die cut.
17. The insole of claim 16 wherein said fluid substance is a
gas.
18. The insole of claim 16 wherein said fluid substance is a
liquid.
19. The insole of claim 16 wherein said fluid substance is a gel.
Description
CROSS-REFERENCE TO RELATED APPLICATION
[0001] Original Non-Provisional Application
BACKGROUND
[0002] The benefits of wearing insoles are well known in the fields
of sports medicine and health sciences. There are a number of
common foot ailments which may be associated with either a
particular lifestyle activity or a pre-existing medical condition.
Runners, for instance, often suffer from plantar fasciitis, wherein
the band of tissue between the toes and the heel become tight and
tear, while those living and coping with diabetic neuropathy
require additional stimulation across the base of the foot to
increase circulation. To address these conditions people often seek
out therapeutic massage to encourage oxygenation, venous return,
and increased lymphatic return in order to relieve pain and reduce
fatigue.
[0003] Use of an insole designed to massage and stimulate the
tissues of the foot can provide immediate relief as well as
long-term benefits in addressing these issues. A dynamic insole is
one which massages the foot by transferring an internal fluid
across the plantar surface of the foot in response to changing
pressures produced when the wearer shifts their weight.
[0004] During physical activity an insole also provides protection
to the foot and throughout the skeletal system by absorbing shock
and pressure endured when standing for long periods of time,
walking, or running. In the case of a dynamic insole, the
protection is further bolstered, when compared to a traditional
foam insole, as the internal fluid is able to rapidly move across
the arch in order to absorb and disperse the force of the impact
across a larger area of the foot.
[0005] A study done by The Ohio State University in 2018 quantified
the benefits of a dynamic insole. The purpose of the research was
to assess the effects of different insoles configurations (i.e., no
additional insole, a static insole, and a dynamic insole) on the
measured tibial acceleration while walking while wearing athletic
shoes and while wearing work boots. Table 1 summarizes the measured
acceleration while walking across the various insoles and shoe
type.
TABLE-US-00001 TABLE 1 Tibial accelerations as a function of insole
and shoe type No Additional Insole Static Insole Dynamic Insole
Athletic Shoe 29.2 (m/s.sup.2) 23.6 (m/s.sup.2) 22.3 (m/s.sup.2)
Work Boot 22.5 (m/s.sup.2) 19.9 (m/s.sup.2) 18.4 (m/s.sup.2)
The complete results were published as "Quantifying the
effectiveness of static and dynamic insoles in reducing the tibial
shock experienced during walking" (2019, Lavender et al.)
SUMMARY OF THE INVENTION
[0006] The present invention is a therapeutic insole which may be
installed by the user on top of the existing insole of the
footwear. The insole is designed with a sealed chamber which may
extend across the toe, arch, or heel portion of the foot--or across
any combination therein. This chamber is filled with a fluid
substance that can traverse across the chamber in response to
changes in pressure caused by a weight shift by the wearer. The
fluid may consist of any number of materials including gas, liquid,
or gel-like substance. The movement of the fluid serves to massage
the foot muscles and tendons, promote the release of toxins, and
encourage circulation. The chamber may also have areas with
restrictions or unique shapes which restrict and guide the fluid
for maximum effectiveness.
[0007] As each foot is unique, a retailer may be challenged to
maintain shelf space to accommodate the large variety of products.
The insole needs to be personally matched not only to match the
user's requirements to their different activities or support level
but also to the size and shape of each foot. Herein, the present
invention also discloses an apparatus and method for adjusting the
size and changing features without the use of tools, thus allowing
the retailer to carry a limited number of products while
accommodating a broad span of consumer needs.
BRIEF DESCRIPTION OF THE DRAWINGS
[0008] FIG. 1. FIG. 1 shows an upper isometric view of the
therapeutic insole.
[0009] FIG. 2. FIG. 2 shows a top view of the insole.
[0010] FIG. 3. FIG. 3 shows a bottom view of the insole.
[0011] FIG. 4. FIG. 4 shows a lateral cross-section of the insole
with inner fluid chambers.
[0012] FIG. 5. FIG. 5 shows a side cross-section of the base layer
perforation.
[0013] FIG. 6. FIG. 6 shows a top view of the toe area of the
insole.
DETAILED DESCRIPTION OF THE INVENTION
[0014] Any activity where a person is on their feet for a length of
time can result in foot pain or fatigue. More stressful activities,
such as running, can cause impact injuries which directly affect
the foot and transfer throughout joints of the skeletal system. The
therapeutic insole 100 disclosed employs a dynamic fluid layer 26
to provide both cushion to minimize impact and immediate therapy to
the plantar tissues of the foot. Furthermore, the therapeutic
insole 100 works by stimulating the muscles under the foot and
promoting circulation deep into the toes--critical to those living
and coping with diabetic neuropathy. This increase in circulation
provides a natural healing approach while soothing damaged nerves
and stimulating muscles. Users who use such an insole report
impressive improvements in comfort and pain management.
[0015] FIG. 1 shows an isometric view of the therapeutic insole 100
designed to be placed between the user's plantar surface of the
foot and the corresponding insole surface of the user's footwear.
In the preferred embodiment, the insole 100 is flexible relatively
thin allowing it to be placed directly on top of any existing
insole manufactured by the shoemaker. Alternatively, a thicker
therapeutic insole 100 may be used as a replacement for the
existing insole by the user or integrated by the original shoe
manufacturer.
[0016] Sections of the therapeutic insole 100 are shown in FIG. 2
and may be described in terms corresponding to the user's foot
including a distal toe section 18, an intermediate arch section 24,
and a proximal heel section 14. In a similar methodology, around
the peripheral edge of the insole there exists a medial edge 28
along the inside of the foot, a distal toe edge 30, a lateral edge
32 along the outside of the foot, and a proximal heel edge 34.
[0017] The base layer 12 is manufactured as a single piece and the
bottom surface of the base layer 52 is shown in FIG. 3. The base
layer 12 is generally planar and includes a toe section 18,
intermediate arch 28, and heel section 30.
[0018] FIG. 4 shows a cross-section of the therapeutic insole 100
defined by line A-B constructed in FIG. 2. An upper layer 10 is
positioned opposite the base layer 12 and sealed along the
peripheral edges of the upper layer 36. In the preferred
embodiment, the upper layer 10 is positioned and sealed on top of
the base layer 12, however, an alternative embodiment could have
the upper layer 10 positioned below the base layer 12. A chamber 38
is formed between the upper layer 10 and base layer 12 which is
configured to contain a dynamic fluid 26. The dynamic fluid 26 may
be a gas, liquid, or gel-like substance. The cross-section line A-B
also bisects several of the divots in the chamber 38--which create
restrictions 16 within the chamber 38 to divert, guide, or restrict
the flow of the dynamic fluid 26.
[0019] Common materials used for the base layer 12 and the upper
layer 10 may include closed cell foam, carbon fibers, elastic
rubber, microfiber, or any other flexible material. In the
preferred embodiment, the material for the base layer 12 and upper
layer 10 is TPU, or thermoplastic polyurethane, which is extremely
flexible and durable. The base layer 12 and upper layer 10 may also
include a layer designed with a perspiration-absorbing system.
[0020] The upper layer 10 may be peripherally bound and sealed to
the base layer 12 by means of ultrasonic welding, adhesives,
stitching, or other mechanical means. The chamber 38 between the
upper layer 10 and base layer 12 may reside exclusively in the heel
section 14, intermediate arch section 24, or toe sections 18; or
there may be a plurality of chambers 38 disposed across any
combination of these sections. In the preferred embodiment, the
chamber 38 extends across the distal end of the intermediate arch
24 and proximal edge of the heel section 14.
[0021] As shown in FIG. 2, a plurality of restrictions 16 guide or
restrict the movement of the fluid substance 26 may be employed. In
the preferred embodiment, the restrictions 16 are formed through
ultrasonic welding of the upper layer 10 and the base layer 12.
[0022] The fluid substance 26 may comprise a liquid, gas, or gel or
some combination therein. The fluid 26 is configured to traverse
across the chamber 38. When the fluid 26 is a non-compressible
material, such as a liquid or gel, the chamber 38 is not filled to
the full capacity, so that the fluid 26 can transfer from one
section to the other. When the fluid 26 is a gas, the pressure of
the chamber 38 is configured such that it is capable of further
compression under the weight of the user.
[0023] FIGS. 2 and FIGS. 3 provide a top view and bottom view
respectively of the therapeutic insole 100. The toe section 18 of
FIG. 3 and FIG. 4 illustrate a where a series of perforations 20
and 22 exist in the base layer 12 to enable the user to remove
distal sections of the base layer 12 and adjust the overall size to
fit within the user's shoe. The series of perforations 20 and 22
are arranged such that they generally form a curved line which are
inset from the peripheral edge of the toe section 18 and extend
outward to points of the medial peripheral edge 28 and lateral
peripheral edge 32 near the intermediate arch section.
[0024] Similar series of perforated arrangements for sizing the toe
section 18 may be made in the base material 12 of the heel section
14, wherein the perforations are inset from the proximal peripheral
edge of the heel 34.
[0025] The following example is provided to illustrate a method of
use whereby the user may possess an unaltered factory insole which
is preconfigured to fit a large shoe sizes (such as men's 11-13).
If the user requires a smaller size, he/she may tear at the first
perforation 20 to accommodate a medium shoe size (such as men's
9-10.5), or tear at the second perforation 22 to accommodate a
small shoe size (such as men's 7-8.5).
[0026] In the preferred embodiment, the series of perforations 20
and 22 are created in the base material through a die cutting
process. It is common for perforated materials created by die cut
methods to have a series of cuts regularly spaced across the face
of the material which passes from the top side of the material and
through the bottom side of the material. Perforations in a durable
material, such as TPU, may be difficult to tear with the common
method of perforation described. FIG. 5 illustrates an improvement
from the common method for creating die-cut perforations. FIG. 5
shows a closeup of the perforation 20 in the base material 12 being
die cut by an alternating series of deep cuts 42, wherein a section
of the cutting edge of a die passes through the top side of the
base material 50 and exits through the bottom side of the base
material 52, and a series of shallow cuts 44 positioned between the
deep cuts 42, wherein the cutting edge of the die passes through
the top side of the base material 50 but does not exit through the
bottom side of the base material 52. The combination of deep cuts
42 and shallow cuts 44 reduce the strength of the remaining
attached base material 48 such that a user is able to quickly size
the insole without the use of cutting tools, such as knives,
scissors, etc. In the preferred embodiment, the deep cuts 42 and
shallow cuts 44 exist along the same curve, alternating between
deep 42 and shallow cuts, and wherein the deep cuts 42 and shallow
cuts 44 in combination are continuous along the top side of the
base material 50.
[0027] A unique feature of the therapeutic insole 100 is the
ability for the user to configure the insole to function with thong
sandals. Thong sandals are generally defined as having a strap,
pipe, or post which passes between the big toe (first phalanges of
the foot) and the second toe (second phalanges of the foot) to
connect the midfoot strap and the sole of the shoe. In one
embodiment the therapeutic insole 100 may be designed with a strap
plug 46 formed within the base material 12 and generally
corresponding between the first and second phalanges of the user to
create an opening for the post of the thong sandal. The strap plug
46 may be removed by the user to create an opening within the base
material 12 through which the thong strap may pass through. The
strap plug 46 may preferably be elliptically shaped and have a
diameter greater than 5 mm. Additionally, a strap insertion path 56
comprising a generally straight line connecting from the peripheral
edge of the base material to the edge of the strap plug 46 and
intended to be cut or torn by the user such that the user may
position the therapeutic insole on the pre-existing factory insole
without removing the thong strap from the sole of the shoe. The
strap plug 46 and strap insertion path 56 may be formed as a
perforation during the die cut process and may be formed by deep
cuts 42, shallow cuts 44, or a combination therein as described
within this specification.
[0028] The therapeutic insole 100 may further comprise an adhesive
layer on the bottom of the base layer 52 to aid in positioning the
therapeutic insole to the existing insole of the shoe. The adhesive
layer is preferably configured as adhesive strip 54 with a
non-adhesive release liner. Alternatively, the adhesive layer may
cover the entirety of the bottom of the base layer 52 and wherein
there are deep cut 44 perforations present in the bottom of the
base layer 42, the adhesive layer may also be perforated.
* * * * *