COMPOSITE FOOTWEAR INSOLE
A composite footwear insole, and a method for making and assembling the composite footwear insole, includes a plurality of sections either removably or securably attachable to a bottom layer. The sections are made of different materials to provide different types of support, such as rigid or shock absorbing. Each section may also have different surface characteristics. The composite footwear insole may be used to at least partially abate and/or prevent foot and related ailments commonly suffered by diabetics and others with pathologic or painful foot conditions. A kit for making an insole is provided wherein a variety of insole sections are provided that have different cushioning or support features and/or different surface characteristics, allowing a user to choose the preferred insole sections and assemble the sections onto the bottom layer, thereby constructing a composite footwear insole.
This application is a divisional application from co-pending application Ser. No. 11/146,841 entitled MULTIPIECE FOOTWEAR INSOLE filed on Jun. 7, 2005 for which the U.S. Patent Office has issued a notice of allowability to the same sole inventor named in this application. The specification of the pending application is incorporated by reference into this document.
FIELD OF TECHNOLOGYThe composite footwear insole disclosed, shown, and claimed in this document pertains generally to footwear. More particularly, the new and useful composite footwear insole provides an insole that relieves pain suffered by footwear users whose footwear does not include the composite footwear insole disclosed, shown, and claimed in this document.
BACKGROUNDDiabetes mellitus is a chronic disease that affects the lives of millions of people in the United States and around the World. Many diabetics develop a serious foot conditions at some time during their lives, which in some cases require toe amputations or even amputations of the entire foot. High blood sugar levels also affect the body's immune system and delays wound healing.
Neuropathy is an impairment that affects about half of those with diabetes. It causes loss of feeling in feet, which increases the risk of undetected injury. Diabetics suffering from neuropathy can unknowingly develop minor cuts or scrapes, blisters, or pressure sores due to the feeling insensitivity. If such minor injuries are left untreated or fail to heal, complications may lead to ulceration, infection, and gangrene. In fact, diabetic foot complications are the most common cause of non-traumatic lower extremity amputations in the United States. The risk of lower extremity amputation has been estimated to be about 15 to 46 times higher in diabetics than in non-diabetics. Importantly, the majority of diabetic foot complications begin with the formation of skin ulcers on the bottom of the foot.
Specially designed footwear for diabetics as well as other orthopedic devices can reduce the risk of many foot complications, such as the formation of calluses, foot ulcers, poor circulation, decreased resistance to infection, foot deformities, and neuropathy, all of which are especially problematic for diabetics.
Custom orthopedic foot wear for diabetics often has a relatively rigid, but resilient base comprising a heel portion and an arch portion contoured to fit the plantar, or bottom surface, of a foot. Unfortunately, most customized prescription orthopedic footwear and/or footwear devices for diabetics require the preparation of molds for the feet that in turn require subsequent manufacturing of footwear and/or devices causing significant delay between the measuring of feet for an orthopedic shoe or device, and the arrival of the new customized device such as insoles as well as footwear. The custom insoles are generally created from hard plastics by making a mold based on detailed foot measurements. The mold is modified to provide prescribed corrections by a podiatrist. Custom orthopedic footwear may also be unattractive. The resulting footwear will not be as versatile as insoles insertable within ordinary shoes and other footwear.
Conventional footwear inserts or soles consist of materials such as rigid plastic and/or elastomeric foam with an impact cushioning foam layer or space filler. They provide insufficient foot protection and/or do not address the different needs of the various areas of the foot, which can be unique to wearers. Such insoles often do not provide enough protection or support for proper biomechanical functions of a foot, particularly in the rear foot area, and in the arch areas of a foot. Conventional insoles typically do not hold a wearer's heel in place or provide arch support, or allow movement of the foot such as in the toe area that allows toes to slide and move. Thus, conventional inserts and soles are often ineffective in preventing or alleviating foot conditions experienced by diabetics and other persons with foot problems.
Special footwear and/or footwear components and devices are considered significant in preventing the problems of diabetics and others. It is also believed that many foot and toe complications of non-diabetics could be prevented through the use of the composite footwear insole disclosed, illustrated, and claimed in this document. The composite footwear insole has sections that are for a variety of foot shapes and that can be customized for a variety of wearers and wear requirements. One or more of the sections may have different cushioning and/or surface characteristics.
SUMMARYIt will become apparent to one skilled in the art that the claimed subject matter as a whole, including the structure of the apparatus, and the cooperation of the elements of the apparatus, combine to result in a number of unexpected advantages and utilities. The structure and co-operation of structure of the composite footwear insole will become apparent to those skilled in the art when read in conjunction with the following description, drawing figures, and appended claims.
The foregoing has outlined broadly the more important features of the invention to better understand the detailed description that follows, and to better understand the contributions to the art. The composite footwear insole is not limited in application to the details of construction, and to the arrangements of the components, provided in the following description or drawing figures, but is capable of other embodiments, and of being practiced and carried out in various ways. The phraseology and terminology employed in this disclosure are for purpose of description, and therefore should not be regarded as limiting.
As those skilled in the art will appreciate, the conception on which this disclosure is based readily may be used as a basis for designing other structures, methods, and system. The claims, therefore, include equivalent constructions. Further, the abstract associated with this disclosure is intended neither to define the composite footwear insole, which is measured by the claims, nor intended to limit the scope of the claims.
The novel features of the composite footwear insole are best understood from the accompanying drawing, considered in connection with the accompanying description of the drawing, in which similar reference characters refer to similar parts, and in which:
DRAWINGS
Claim elements and steps in this document have been numbered solely as an aid in understanding the description. The numbering is not intended to, and should not be considered as intending to, indicate the ordering of elements and steps in the claims. In addition, the composite footwear insole shown in drawing FIGS. 1 through ● shows at least one embodiment that is not intended to be exclusive, but merely illustrative of the disclosed embodiments.
Means-plus-function clauses in the claims are intended to cover the structures described as performing the recited function that include not only structural equivalents, but also equivalent structures. Thus, although a nail and screw may not be structural equivalents, a nail and a screw may be equivalent structures.
DETAILED DESCRIPTIONComposite footwear insole 2 disclosed, illustrated, and claimed in this document includes multiple pieces or sections that can be made from a variety of materials and/or sections that can have different surface characteristics. The composite footwear insole is versatile, and can be constructed in a fraction of the time in comparison to conventional custom or special-fit insoles. Further, depending on needs and changes in a wearer's foot, certain sections can be switched with other counterpart sections that can be made from a spectrum of different materials having different hardnesses and/or different surfaces. For example, the insole sections can be comprised of cushioning materials or rigid materials to lend support, and those in between. The surface type can also vary based upon type and location of the sections. For example, certain enable the toes to move and slide, to surface types that are gripping to prevent sliding of portions of the foot, such as the heel. The ability to slide and move the toes of the foot may also enhance circulation in the foot.
Beginning at the anterior-most end 1 of the composite footwear insole 2 of
The sections of the composite footwear insole 2 disclosed, illustrated, and claimed in this document are usually of different sizes and of different shapes and can vary in thicknesses, depths, and/or elevations. Each composite footwear insole section can be comprised of one or more of material types and can be a variety of thicknesses from a few millimeters to a few centimeters. The sections of composite footwear insole 2 disclosed, illustrated, and claimed in this document can be securably attached to a bottom layer, removably attachable to a bottom layer, or alternatively, integral with the bottom layer. The composite footwear insole can be designed so that any section can be integral with the bottom layer.
The composite footwear insole sections can be comprised of one or more layers of material. In one embodiment, one or more of the composite footwear insole sections have semi-rigid or rigid support members underneath or molded within the insole section. Also, if desired, a section can be constructed from one type of material, and may have a covering layer on the top surface comprised of another material. A variety of materials can be used as a top covering layer for the composite footwear insole sections. If a top layer is used, it can have a variety of thicknesses of material from a few millimeters to less than about 1 to 1.5 centimeters. The top layer can have a variety of surface characteristics and be made of synthetic and/or natural materials such as silk, fur, felt, satin, leather, polyester, cloth or sheeting, as well as foam, rubber, plastic materials, and any other materials known to one skilled in the art that are suitable for insoles and insole coverings.
The assembled composite footwear insole 2 is generally foot-shaped and/or has the approximate shape of the inside perimeter of the bed 7 of conventional footwear or shoes. See e.g.
The edges between the pieces can be straight 50 as those between the toe section 18 of
For sections that are removably attachable to form the composite footwear insole 2, there are various ways to attach the sections to the insole or a bottom layer of the insole, such as using attachment members including adhesives, glue, magnets, a wedge and aperture connection, studs, snaps, hook and loop fasteners such as Velcro® and other hook and loop fasteners, hook and eye fasteners, and other means or materials known to one skilled in the art for removably attaching materials to each other. The attachment members 12 are located on the top side 6 of the bottom layer 4 and on the underside 11 of such plurality of sections 10. In the composite footwear insole 2 embodiments of
The hook components 14 and counterpart loop components 16 can cover the entire surface of the plurality of sections 10 and bottom layer 4, see e.g.
The bottom layer 4 of the composite footwear insole 2 is a support layer and/or is a cushioning layer and can be made from a variety of materials, especially foam materials which have elastic or rebounding properties, such as those consisting essentially of silicon, polyester, neoprene, natural rubber foams, synthetic rubber foams, polyurethane, polyether and polyester foams, neoprene, vinyl nitrile, styrene-butadiene rubber (SBR), polyethylene (PE), ethyl vinyl acetate (EVA), ethylene propylene terpolymer (EPT), EPT/PE/butyl rubber, neoprene/EPT/SBR, epichlorohydrin (ECH), and nitrile (NBR) or any combination thereof, as well as other cushioning materials known or used by one skilled in the art. Of course, the bottom layer 4 of the insole 2 may also be comprised of natural materials, such as leather, cotton, felt, linen, and other such materials known to one skilled in the art. The bottom layer 4 should also be durable so that it does not tear apart when the plurality of sections 10 are removed and replaced during use. Also, only a portion of the bottom layer 4 can be made of a support type material with the remainder being cushioning material. The support materials comprise materials that provide at least some support that can be shaped and not completely rigid, such as leather and metal, but can also be rigid or semi-rigid, such as plastic, rubber and other materials known to one skilled in the art for such purposes. The bottom layer 4 can be of a variety of thicknesses from a few millimeters to a centimeter or less.
If different material characteristics are desired, one or more of the plurality of sections 10 will be made of different materials. The composite footwear insole 2 plurality of sections 10 can be comprised of one or more synthetic or natural materials selected from plastic, metal, metal alloys, gels, and those consisting essentially of silicon, polyester, neoprene, natural rubber foams, synthetic rubber foams, polyurethane, polyether and polyester foams, neoprene, vinyl nitrile, styrene-butadiene rubber (SBR), polyethylene (PE), ethyl vinyl acetate (EVA), ethylene propylene terpolymer (EPT), EPT/PE/butyl rubber, neoprene/EPT/SBR, epichlorohydrin (ECH), and nitrile (NBR), and various types of polymer foams, leather, cotton, felt, linen, or any combination of one or more of the foregoing, or other materials known or used by one skilled in the art. In one embodiment, the foam of the plurality of sections 10 also molds to the contours of the foot when worn to reduce the pressure points and for enhanced comfort. If desired, the insole 2 plurality of sections 10 can contain rigid or semi-rigid materials that are enclosed or encapsulated in other materials that give support to the composite footwear insole 2, plurality of sections 10.
The materials for each section are chosen based upon the desired characteristics for each section. For example, if the composite footwear insole 2, plurality of sections 10 should have elastic or rebounding properties, it is typically comprised of materials that have cushioning abilities that rebound. In contrast, if the composite footwear insole 2, plurality of sections 10 should support a certain area of the foot, such as the arch area, then the material would be chosen from a type of material known by one skilled in the art that can be shaped and used to support an area of a foot, for example, such as metal, leather, and/or plastic with or without a top layer of another type of material. As a further example, if the composite footwear insole 2 plurality of sections 10 should allow a portion of the foot to easily move, such as the toe area, the ideal material will have a low co-efficient of friction such as sheared fur 22 or silk 80 as shown in
Also, certain sections have a top covering layer 3 that is made of different materials to give the top portion of the sections different characteristics. See e.g.
Beginning at the posterior-most end 51 of the composite footwear insole 2 disclosed, illustrated, and claimed in this document of
As illustrated in
The longitudinal arch section 36 can be removably or securably attached to the bottom layer 4, or can be an integral part of the bottom layer 4. In an embodiment, the longitudinal arch section 36 is shaped similarly to a wearer's foot arch, and serves to support the arch. The longitudinal arch section 36 can be comprised of a variety of materials that provide at least some support and can be shaped, such as plastic 86, rubber 90 and other materials known to one skilled in the art of such purposes.
Also, composite footwear insole 2 includes a metatarsal section 24, which corresponds to the metatarsal section 24b of a foot and is placed in the metatarsal area 24a of the bottom layer 4 of the insole 2. See
Adjacent the anterior end 1 of the composite footwear insole 2 is the toe section 18 that corresponds to the toe region 18b of a foot, and is placed in the toe are 8a of the bottom layer of the insole 2. See
The base section 30 corresponds to the area of the composite footwear insole 2 not covered by the other sections. In
While the embodiment in
If desired, one or more of the composite footwear insole 2 plurality of sections 10 of invention may be combined with one another, but yet have different materials in the region of the toes, and/or metatarsal, and/or arch, and/or heel, and/or the remainder of the insole, herein referred to as a base section 30.
A kit for providing the composite footwear insole 2 disclosed, illustrated, and claimed in this document for footwear 75 is shown in
In one embodiment, at least one section is comprised of at least one material that is different from the material of the other plurality of sections 10.
Also in an embodiment, the attachment members 12 comprise Velcro® or similar hook components/fasteners 14 and counterpart loop components/fasteners 16, wherein the hook components/fasteners 14 are attached to the top side 6 of the bottom layer 4 and the counterpart loop components/fasteners 16 are attached to the underside 31 of the removable plurality of sections 10, or wherein the hook components/fasteners 14 are attached to the underside 31 of the removably plurality of sections 10 and the counterpart loop components/fasteners 16 are attached to the top side 6 of the bottom layer 4. The hook and loop components form a holding assembly 17 and hold the plurality of sections 10 and bottom layer 4 together with the hook components/fasteners 14 and counterpart loop components/fasteners 16 are joined.
Further in an embodiment, at least some of the sections have a top layer 6.
The composite footwear insole 2 kit gives the user versatility in choosing sections and is especially useful in footwear for diabetics and others with pathologic or painful foot conditions.
The kit has composite footwear insole 2 plurality of sections 10 that are constructed of materials previously set forth herein and any other materials used by one skilled in that art for such purposes.
Heel section 42 of
Of course, the material types and surfaces of the sections for the kits as well as the bottom layer can be comprised of any material known to one skilled in the art as well as any of those previously set forth herein.
There can be more or fewer of each of the sections in the kit. These materials choices shown in
It is also possible that some of the sections such as the toe piece, heel piece, and metatarsal piece may be used for the right foot and the left foot.
A method of making a multiface and/or multipiece insole for footwear is also contemplated which comprises: providing a bottom layer having a top side, providing a plurality of sections having an underside, wherein the underside of one or more of the sections is attachable to the top side of the bottom layer, and removably or securably attaching the plurality of sections to the top side of the bottom layer to form an insole.
In this method, the sections are comprised essentially of a longitudinal arch section, a heel section, a toe section, a metatarsal section, a base section, or any combination thereof.
In an embodiment, at least one section is integral with the bottom layer, wherein the sections are comprised essentially of a longitudinal arch section, a heel section, a toe section, a metatarsal section, a base section, or any combination thereof.
The method can also further comprise the steps of: placing attachment members for removably attaching the removably attachable sections upon the top of the bottom layer and on the underside of the removable sections, and attaching the sections to the bottom layer. In an embodiment attachment members that comprise hook components and loop components, wherein the hook components are attached to the top side of the bottom layer and the loop components are attached to the underside of the removable sections, or wherein the hook components are attached to the underside of the removable sections and the loop components are attached to the top side of the bottom layer. When the hook and loop components are joined, they form a holding assembly and hold the sections and bottom layer together.
In this method, at least a portion of some of the sections is comprised of materials different from those in the other sections. Also, this method can be used in footwear for diabetics and others with pathologic or painful foot conditions.
In an embodiment, a longitudinal arch section is removably attached to the bottom layer and/or a heel section is removably attached to the bottom layer and/or a toe section is removably attached to the bottom layer and/or a metatarsal section is removably attached to the bottom layer and/or a base section is removably attached to the bottom layer.
In this method, the sections fit together similar to puzzle pieces, and have shapes different from one another.
The insole is suitable for those with and without medical conditions and is especially beneficial in footwear for diabetics and others with pathologic or uncomfortable foot conditions.
The above description is that of preferred embodiments of the invention. It is intended that all matter contained in the above description and shown in the accompanying drawing is illustrative rather than limiting. It should further be understood that the following claims are intended to cover all of the generic and specific features of the invention herein described.
Various alterations and changes can be made without departing from the spirit and broader aspects of the invention as defined in the appended claims, which are to be interpreted in accordance with the principles of patent law including the doctrine of equivalents.
Claims
1. A method of making an insole for footwear, comprising:
- providing a bottom layer having a top side;
- providing a plurality of insole sections having an underside, wherein one of the plurality of insole sections includes a medial edge;
- placing attachment members on the top side of the bottom layer and to the underside of the plurality of insole sections for attaching the bottom layer and one or more of the plurality of insole sections;
- selecting one or more of the plurality of insole sections for assembly into an insole;
- arranging the one or more of the plurality of insole sections in relationship to the bottom layer for attachment to the bottom layer; and
- attaching the one or more of the plurality of insole sections to the top side of the bottom layer to form the insole.
2. A method of making an insole for footwear as recited in claim 1, wherein the step of attaching the one or more of the plurality of insole sections to the top side of the bottom layer includes the substep of removably attaching the one or more of the plurality of insole sections to the top side of the bottom layer.
3. A method of making an insole for footwear as recited in claim 1, wherein the step of attaching the one or more of the plurality of insole sections to the top side of the bottom layer includes the substep of affixing the one or more of the plurality of insole sections to the top side of the bottom layer.
4. A method of making an insole for footwear as recited in claim 1, wherein the step of selecting one or more of the plurality of insole sections includes the substep of selecting the sections from the group consisting of a longitudinal arch section, a heel section, a toe section, a metatarsal section, and/or a base section.
5. A method of making an insole for footwear as recited in claim 1, wherein the step of providing a plurality of insole sections having an underside formed with at least one medial edge includes the substep of forming the at least one medial edge for fitting one or more of the plurality of insole sections to one another.
6. A method of making an insole for footwear as recited in claim 1, further comprising the step of placing attachment members on the top side of the bottom layer and to the underside of the plurality of insole sections includes the substeps of:
- selecting attachment members that comprise hook components and loop components;
- mounting the hook components on the top side of the bottom layer;
- mounting the loop components on the underside of the plurality of insole sections intended for removable attachment; or
- mounting the hook components on the underside of the bottom layer; and
- mounting the loop components on the top surface of insole sections intended for removable attachment.
7. A method of making an insole for footwear as recited in claim 1, wherein the step of providing a plurality of insole sections includes the substep of making the plurality of insole sections from different materials.
8. A method for making a composite footwear insole, comprising the steps of:
- selecting one or more materials adapted to make a bottom insole layer having a top side;
- choosing one or more materials adapted to make a plurality of insole sections having an underside, further including the substep of choosing materials having different cushioning, hardness, thickness and/or surface characteristics;
- shaping the plurality of insole sections for engagement with the top side of the bottom insole layer; and
- including attachment members mountable on at least one side of the bottom layer and on the underside of the plurality of insole sections adapted to attach the plurality of insole sections with the bottom layer.
9. A method for making a composite footwear insole as recited in claim 8, wherein the step of shaping the plurality of insole sections for engagement with the top side of the bottom insole layer includes the substep of affixing the one or more of the plurality of insole sections to the top side of the bottom layer.
10. A method for making a composite footwear insole as recited in claim 8, wherein the step of shaping the plurality of insole sections for engagement with toe top side of the bottom insole layer includes the substep of providing one or more layers of material to provide a substantially continuous top surface of assembly of the plurality of insole sections on the bottom layer.
11. A method for making a composite footwear insole as recited in claim 8, wherein the step of shaping the plurality of insole sections for removable engagement with the top side of the bottom insole layer includes the substep of shaping the materials to form a longitudinal arch section, a heel section, a toe section, a metatarsal section, a base section, or any combination thereof.
12. A method for making a composite footwear insole as recited in claim 8, wherein the step of shaping the plurality of insole sections for securable engagement with the top side of the bottom insole layer includes the substep of shaping the materials to form a longitudinal arch section, a heel, a top section, a metatarsal section, a base section, or any combination thereof.
13. A method for making a composite footwear insole as recited in claim 8, whereing the step of shaping the plurality of insole sections for securable engagemet with the top side of the bottom insole layer includes the substep of shaping the materials to form a longitudinal arch section, a heel section, a top section, a metatarsal section, a base section, or any combination thereof.
14. A method for making a composite footwear insole as recited in claim 8, wherein the step of including attachment members includes the substep of selecting hook components and loop components for attachment.
15. A method for making a composite footwear insole as recited in claim 8, wherein the step of choosing one or more materials adapted to make a plurality of insole sections includes the substep of choosing the one or more materials from the group consisting of leather, neoprene. EVA foam, or any combination thereof.
16. A method for making a composite footwear insole as recited in claim 15, wherein the step of choosing one or more materials adapted to make plurality of insole sections includes the substep of choosing for a toe section a material for a top layer selected from the group consisting of moleski, fur, polyester, satin, silk, or any combination thereof.
17. A method for making a composite footwear insole as recited in claim 15, wherein the step of choosing one or more materials adapted to make a plurality of insole sections includes the substep of choosing for a heel section a material for a top layer selected from the group consisting of rubber, neoprene, EVA foam, or any combination thereof.
18. A method for forming components of a kit for assembling a composite footwear insole, comprising the step of:
- selecting material to form a bottom layer having a top side;
- selecting material to form a plurality of insole sections having an underside.
- further comprising the substeps of selecting the material to provide different cushioning,
- hardness, thickness and/or surface characteristics for either secure or removable attachment to the bottom insole layer;
- providing means for attaching the top side of the bottom layer to the underside of the plurality of insole sections; and shaping the plurality of insole section for attachment to the bottom insole layer.
19. A method for forming components of a kit for assembling a composite footwear insole as recited in claim 18, wherein the step of shaping the plurality of insole section for attachment to the bottom insole layer includes the substeps of:
- providing at least one longitudinal arch section;
- providing at least one heel section;
- providing at least one toe section;
- providing at least one metatarsal section; and/or
- providing at least one base section.
20. A method for forming components of a kit for assembling a composite footwear insole as recited in claim 19, wherein the step of providing means for attaching the top side of the bottom layer to the underside of the plurality of insole sections includes the substep of:
- removably attaching the top side of the bottom layer to the underside of the plurality of insole sections; or
- affixedly attaching the top side of the bottom layer to the underside of the plurality of insole sections; or
- removably and affixedly attaching selected insole sections of the plurality of insole sections to the top side of the bottom layer.
Type: Application
Filed: Apr 5, 2007
Publication Date: Aug 9, 2007
Inventor: Alvaro Gallegos (Albuquerque, NM)
Application Number: 11/697,046
International Classification: A43B 13/38 (20060101); A43D 8/00 (20060101);