Anterior transverse arch support with phalanges grip

Abstract

A pad for providing anterior transverse arch support and a phlalanges grip for a human foot. The pad has an upper surface contoured or manufactured with specific materials to fit into the valley created by the formation of the anterior, transverse, arch. The pad can be adapted so it can be secured in footwear either temporarily or permanently

Description

BACKGROUND OF THE INVENTION

This invention relates generally to pads for supporting the foot in footwear. More particularly, this invention relates to a pad which can be used in footwear to provide anterior, transverse arch and phalanges support, particularly when the foot is inclined.

Footwear has been known and used by people for thousands of years. Yet there remains a need for improvements in footwear and its use. For example, modern footwear often does not provide adequate support and comfort for the foot. Sometimes one selects footwear for aesthetic reasons even though walking in the footwear may be awkward and uncomfortable. Even when one wishes to select footwear for fit and comfort, there are limited choices offered by manufactured footwear and a precise fit may not be available since such footwear is made in a limited number of sizes rather than for a specific foot. Also, such footwear is provided with generic insoles since anatomically correct insoles would be too expensive to produce due to the number of variances in human feet. The insoles of footwear typically consist of a layer of cloth, leather, vinyl or the like, and a thin, non-supporting pad or no pad at all. Thus, the inside surface of most footwear, i.e. the insole, is generally not contoured. This presents a problem when the foot is inclined, such as when the foot is in motion or when one is wearing certain footwear such as the footwear known commonly as “high heels.”

A basic understanding of the problem associated with inclination of the foot may be had from the following discussion. When one is standing barefoot on a flat surface, the anterior ends of the five metatarsal bones of the foot form an arch with the first and fifth metatarsal heads at the opposite ends of the arch. The weight of the body is distributed to the heel, the forefoot, and is balanced by first and fifth toes. When the foot is inclined, i.e. when the heel of the foot is raised, some or even all of the weight normally distributed to the heel must be carried by the ball-of the foot, especially the heads of the first and fifth metatarsal bones. This causes the anterior transverse arch to flatten. A normal human step requires pushing off with the toes and the ball of the foot, to propel the body forward. When the foot is inclined at the beginning of the step, the toes are unable to flex and push off properly. Also, with weight centered more on the forefoot, balancing is more difficult and the foot tends to slide about in the footwear.

Although various supports have been produced in an attempt to improve the function of footwear, there remains a need for improved supports and insoles. In some cases the supports and insoles interfere with the aesthetics of the footwear. In other cases, the supports and insoles do not enhance proper positioning of the toes and metatarsal heads. In still other cases, the designs are not designed correctly for certain types of footwear such as high heels, backless footwear, open toe footwear, etc, in that they are not designed to provide an appendage or grip for the toes to push-off from, or they only provide support for the metatarsal area. Furthermore, many existing designs of supports and insoles often change the fit of the footwear when they are installed and cause blisters.

In accordance with the present invention, an elevated pad provides a phalanges grip and an anterior, transverse arch support for a foot in footwear. The pad of this invention does not significantly alter the aesthetics or the fit of associated footwear. The pad is particularly useful in high-heeled footwear wherein the foot is forced to be inclined. The pad of this invention provides comfort and support for the metatarsal heads, which compensate for the flattening of the arch due to the inclination of the foot in the high-heeled shoe. Furthermore, the pad facilitates the flexing and pushing off by the phalanges when stepping forward. Further understanding of this invention will be had from the following description taken in conjunction with the claims appended hereto and the accompanying drawings.

SUMMARY OF THE INVENTION

A pad for use in footwear provides anterior transverse arch support and phalanges grip for a human foot. A human foot has five phalanges, together known as the toes, which articulate with the five metatarsal bones. There is a valley anterior of the distal ends or heads of the second, third, and fourth, metatarsal bones. In accordance with the present invention, a pad is provided to fit into this valley, using either a contoured surface, or a material or combination of materials which will form a contoured surface under its conditions of use.

BRIEF DESCRIPTION OF THE DRAWINGS

FIG. 1 is a perspective view of a preferred embodiment of a pad of the present invent in combination with a women's high-heeled sandal;

FIG. 2 is a perspective view, with a portion broken away, showing the pad of FIG. 1 installed in a low-heeled shoe;

FIG. 3 is another perspective view, with a portion broken away, of the shoe of FIG. 2;

FIG. 4 is a schematic view showing of the bones of a human foot as viewed from the plantar surface indicating the anterior transverse arch of the foot and further showing the approximate location of a preferred embodiment of a pad of the present invention with respect to the foot;

FIG. 5 is a side elevation of the foot of FIG. 4;

FIG. 6 is a top plan view of an alternative preferred pad of the present invention;

FIG. 7 is a front elevation view of the pad of FIG. 6;

FIG. 8 is a rear elevation view of the pad of FIG. 6;

FIG. 9 is a bottom plan view of the pad of FIG. 6;

FIG. 10 is a left side elevation of the pad of FIG. 6; and

FIG. 11 is a right side elevation of the pad of FIG. 6.

DETAILED DESCRIPTION OF THE INVENTION

Now referring to FIG. 1, a preferred embodiment of a pad of the present invention is illustrated and indicated by the numeral 10. Pad 10 is shown installed on a women's high-heeled sandal 12. It is contemplated that pad 10 is provided separately from sandal 12 and then installed or attached to sandal 12 with an adhesive or double sided adhesive tape or the like, or situated under the insole, either by direct placement or manufacture. Pad 10 is preferably made of viscoelastic material but may be comprised of gel, foam, rubber, or any suitable material which will function in accordance with the present invention. Pad 10 has a thin front surface 14 positioned to underlie the front portion of the plantar surface of a foot in sandal 12. Pad 10 also has a thin rear portion 16 and an elevated portion 18 which cooperate with a foot as set out in more detail below.

Now referring to FIGS. 2 and 3, a preferred pad 20 of the present invention is illustrated in combination with a unisex, low heeled shoe 22. A portion of shoe 22 is broken away so that pad 20 can be illustrated. Pad 20 is similar to Pad 10, preferably comprised of viscoelastic material and can be installed in shoe 22 with an adhesive or double sided adhesive tape or the like, or situated under the insole, either by direct placement or manufacture. Pad 20 has a thin front surface 28 positioned to underlie the front portion of the plantar surface of a foot in shoe 22. Pad 20 also has a thin rear portion 24 and an elevated portion 28 which cooperate with a foot as set out in more detail below.

FIG. 4 is a somewhat schematic view, taken from the plantar surface, of the bones of a human foot 30. It will be appreciated by those skilled in the art that the foot 30 has five toes, 32, 34, 36, 38 and 40. Each toe has phalanx 42, 44, 46, 48 and 50 which are proximate to, and articulate with, corresponding metatarsal bones 52, 54, 56, 58 and 60, each of which has a respective anterior end or head 62, 64, 66, 68 and 70. The metatarsal heads form the anterior transverse arch 72. It will be appreciated by those skilled in the art that anterior transverse arch 72 lies along a generally vertical plane and thus is an “arch” as viewed from the forward end of the foot. Valley 74, is defined by metatarsal heads 64, 66 and 68 of anterior, transverse arch 72 and phalanx 44, 46 and 48. as is further shown in FIG. 5.

The approximate location of pad 10 with respect to the foot is also shown in FIGS. 4. Thus, the front portion 76 of pad 10 generally underlies phalanx 44, 46 and 48. The rear portion 68 of pad 10 extends to underneath metatarsal heads 64, 66, and 68 but does not extend substantially underneath the respective metatarsal shafts. The sides of the elevated potion of pad 10 generally lie underneath the area between phalanx 42 and 50. Thus, the elevated portion 18 of pad 10 generally extends upwardly into valley 74.

Now referring to FIGS. 6 through 11 an alternative preferred pad of the present invention is shown and indicated generally by the numeral 100. Pad 100 is similar to Pad 10, is preferably comprised of viscoelastic material and can be installed in suitable footwear with an adhesive or double sided adhesive tape or the like, or situated under the insole either by direct placement or manufacture. Pad 100 has a contoured upper surface 104 positioned to underlie the front portion of the plantar surface of a foot. Contoured upper surface 104 has a thin portion 106, an elevated convex portion 108, and a thin portion 110 which cooperate with a foot as set above with respect to the previously disclosed preferred embodiments of the present invention.

A pad of the present invention is preferably made of viscoelastic foam for an excellent combination of comfort and support. However, it is contemplated that pads may be made of other suitable materials such as natural and synthetic rubbers, for example, anionically polymerised polyisoprene rubber or silicone, or other polymers, for example, polyvinyl chloride, polyethylene, polypropylene, polychloroprene, acrylic polymers,, rayon, polyester, or polyurethane. The material may be solid, gel or foam.. Furthermore, the material used will preferably provide a slip resistant upper surface even when the foot is wet from perspiration, be pliable as to provide a cushioning effect, moisture resistant, antimicrobial, and long lasting in use. It may also be desired to have the pad, or at least the upper surface of the pad, have non-absorbent, odor resistant, bacteriostatic and/or fungistatic properties.

A pad of the present invention provides support for the anterior transverse arch, provides a grip for the phlalanges so as to restrict the forward sliding movement of the foot in the footwear and provides an appendage for the phlalanges to push off from when stepping forward. The upper surface contour of the pad accomplishes this by providing an elevated surface which extends into the valley created by the anterior transverse arch so that the phlalanges are able to grip and push off during a forward step. The pad of this invention cushions and supports the front portion of the planar surface of the foot when the foot is inclined. Furthermore, the pad of this invention can serve as an orthotic device to keep the foot in proper placement so that the wearer does not pronate.

It is an advantage of the present invention that the pad can be sized so that it is covered from view. Thus, the foot itself covers the pad from casual view so that it does not distract from the appearance of the foot and footwear.

It is another advantage of the present invention that the main thickness of the pad lies in the hollow area of the foot created by the anterior, transverse arch. Hence, the pad does not significantly interfere with, or alter, the fit of most footwear.

Of course, a pad of this invention can be either permanently installed in footwear or temporarily installed to be removable when desired. Thus, the pad can be secured in the footwear by an adhesive or with double sided tape, placed under an insole in footwear, or manufactured as part of the footwear, thereby making the pad an insole. In one preferred embodiment, the pad is provided with an adhesive and an adhesive liner which is removed to expose one side of the adhesive for installation in the footwear. It is an advantage of this invention that the pad can be adapted to be positioned by trial and error to obtain the best position and usage for a particular foot in a specific footwear.

The present invention is useful to provide phlalanges support in conjunction with low and medium heeled footwear. The support in the phlalanges area of the foot helps the foot remain stationary within the footwear to minimize any friction between the foot and the sides or top of the footwear.

The present invention is particularly useful to provide phlalanges support in conjunction with high-heeled footwear. When the foot is inclined in high-heeled footwear, the weight of the body is centered on the ball of the foot, which flattens the toes. The pad of this invention limits the compression caused by the forefoot area by providing support for the anterior transverse arch and the phalanges.

While detailed descriptions of preferred embodiments of the present invention are provided herein, it is to be understood that the invention is subject to variations and modifications. Such variations and modifications are intended to be within the scope of the present invention which is intended to be limited only by the following claims.

Claims

1. A pad for providing anterior, transverse arch support and a phlalanges grip for a human foot, said foot having five toes in articulating relationship with five metatarsal bones, said metatarsal bones having anterior heads defining an anterior, transverse arch with first and fifth metatarsal heads being at opposite ends of said anterior, transverse arch, each of said five toes having a phalanx proximate to one of said metatarsal heads, said metatarsal heads and said phlalanges defining a valley, and said pad comprised of an upper surface contoured to fit into said valley.

2. The pad of claim 1, wherein said body comprises viscoelastic foam.

3. The pad of claim 1, wherein said pad carries an adhesive layer for securement to footwear.

4. The pad of claim 1, said pad being secured to and in combination with a footwear.

5. The pad of claim 1, wherein said pad comprises at least one chemical agent selected from the group consisting of a deodorant, a bacteriostat and a fungistat.

6. The pad of claim 1, wherein said pad has rearward-facing surfaces and forward-facing surfaces, said rearward facing surface being concave and said forward facing surface being convex.

7. The pad of claim 1, wherein said pad has an elevated upper surface defining an elevated, convex curve.

8. The pad of claim 1, wherein said ridge has a rearward facing surface and a forward facing surface, said rearward facing surface being concave and said forward facing surface being concave.

9. The pad of claim 1, wherein said pad has a length and width less than the length and width of an associated foot.

10. The pad of claim 1, wherein said pad has an adhesive layer with a liner film covering said adhesive.

11. In combination, a shoe and a pad for providing anterior, transverse arch support for a human foot having first through fifth metatarsal bones with respective first through fifth anterior heads and first through fifth toes, each with a plurality of distal phalanges, there being a valley defined by the second, third and fourth anterior heads and the second, third and fourth distal phalanx, said pad having a body with an upper surface contoured to provide a shelf for receiving said heads of said metatarsal bones and a ridge for fitting into said valley.

12. The combination of claim 10, wherein said body comprises foam rubber.

13. The combination of claim 10, wherein said pad has a base adapted to be secured to footwear and a body secured to said base, said body having said contour.

14. The combination of claim 10, wherein said pad has odor resistant, bacteriostatic and fungistatic properties.

15. The combination of claim 10, wherein said ridge has a rearward facing surface and a forward facing surface, said rearward facing surface being concave and said forward facing surface being convex.

16. The combination of claim 10, wherein said ridge defines an upper transverse line which is a convex curve.

17. The combination of claim 10, wherein said ridge has a rearward facing surface and a forward facing surface, said rearward facing surface being concave and said forward facing surface being concave.

18. The combination of claim 10, wherein said pad has a width less that the width of an associated foot.

19. The combination of claim 10, wherein said pad is secured to said footwear with two-sided adhesive tape.

20. A method of providing footwear with anterior transverse arch support and phlalanges grip for a human foot having metatarsal bones with distal ends and proximal phlalanges with proximal ends, there being a valley between said distal ends and said proximal ends, said method comprising the steps of:

(A) providing a pad having a body with an upper surface contoured to provide a shelf for receiving said distal ends of said metatarsal bones and a ridge for fitting into said valley; and

(B) securing said pad to said footwear.