Abstract: A midsole or insole device for a shoe includes a first variable stimulation mechanism positioned to interface one of the metatarsal heads and the heel and a second variable stimulation mechanism positioned to interface a lateral aspect of the foot between the fifth metatarsal head and the heel. During gait-related activities, the first variable stimulation mechanism produces stimulus of an intensity greater than the second variable stimulation mechanism. At least one of the first variable stimulation mechanism and the second variable stimulation mechanism comprises two bonded layers including a resilient stimulating upper layer and a less resilient stimulus-enhancing lower layer. The upper layer includes a plurality of holes that pass through the entirety of the upper layer, and the lower layer includes a plurality of equally spaced upwardly facing projections aligned substantially perpendicular to an upper surface of the upper layer.

Abstract: Footwear for use during a specialized activity such as skiing, cycling, skating and many other sports or industrial uses, and provides a dorsal element engaging the dorsal aspect of the foot for enabling the user to control relative to the plantar aspect the maximum height of the arch of the foot at substantially all times during the activity regardless of the position or orientation of the foot. A pivotal arm is mounted on a frame attached to the planter aspect for pivotal movement about an axis transverse to the foot and is compressed by an adjustable element operable by the user.

Abstract: An active suspension orthotic support system is disclosed. The suspension orthotic support system comprises at least one variable resistance beam extending from a heel section to a mid-arch section of the footwear, wherein rotation of the variable resistance beam from a first position to a second position causes a resistance provided by the variable resistance beam to vary between a minimum resistance to a maximum resistance.

Abstract: A support for an article has a body arranged for length adjustment along a length adjustment axis. A tensioning device is connected to the support and adjustment of the tensioning device shortens or lengthens a length of the support along the length adjustment axis. The body defines at least one opening overlapping at least part of the length adjustment axis such that length adjustment is governed by modification of the size of the at least one opening according to adjustment by the tensioning device.

Abstract: An active suspension orthotic support system is disclosed. The suspension orthotic support system comprises at least one variable resistance beam extending from a heel section to a mid-arch section of the footwear, wherein rotation of the variable resistance beam from a first position to a second position causes a resistance provided by the variable resistance beam to vary between a minimum resistance to a maximum resistance.

Abstract: A sole for footwear having a core layer which is provided with openings and pins that are moveably guided through the openings. The pins protrude outside a top and a bottom of the core layer and are intended to transfer the contour of the ground to the bottom of a user's foot as the user moves.

Abstract: The inventive subject matter provides an adjustable midsole that can be contained within sole units for shoes generally and particularly within thin profile sole units. An adjustment of the midsole results in a change in the profile of a predetermined portion of the foot-supporting surface of a shoe to help accommodate the foot morphology of a particular wearer or to provide performance enhancements.

Abstract: A quick-release mechanism for disconnecting the footwear and footplate of an orthoses from a rotation bar, 90-degree bar, or other component of an orthosis is disclosed. The mechanism allows the footwear to be fitted to a patient with the bar or other component disengaged, while also allowing the angle between the bar or other component and the footplate to be locked when the orthosis is in place in order to treat conditions such as clubfoot.

Abstract: An arch support orthosis includes an arch curve being variably tensioned for supporting a user's arch and foot. The arch support orthosis includes a metatarsal curve, a curved heel portion and a continuous medial longitudinal arch curve. An anterior slope and posterior slope of the arch curve include varying thicknesses from the base of each slope to a crown of the arch curve. A greater base thickness of each anterior and posterior slope provides firm support of the respective anterior curve and posterior curve of a user's arch, with the crown being resiliently supportive of the user's arch during weighted and unweighted use. A means for tensioning having an adjusting means are connectable under the continuous arch curve between the anterior and posterior slopes, thereby allowing a user to adjust angles of the respective slopes and the tension along the arch curve for treating plantar fasciitis and other foot disorders.

Abstract: An arch support orthosis includes an arch curve being variably tensioned for supporting a user's arch and foot. The arch support orthosis includes a metatarsal curve, a curved heel portion and a continuous medial longitudinal arch curve. An anterior slope and posterior slope of the arch curve include varying thicknesses from the base of each slope to a crown of the arch curve. A greater base thickness of each anterior and posterior slope provides firm support of the respective anterior curve and posterior curve of a user's arch, with the crown being resiliently supportive of the user's arch during weighted and unweighted use. A means for tensioning having an adjusting means are connectable under the continuous arch curve between the anterior and posterior slopes, thereby allowing a user to adjust angles of the respective slopes and the tension along the arch curve for treating plantar fasciitis and other foot disorders.

Abstract: In a shoe, an apparatus for the support of a foot, comprising a semi rigid piece of metal or plastic extending from the heel to the ball of the foot, disposed over the inner sole of the shoe, and a screw operable from the exterior of the heel to raise or lower the semi rigid piece.

Abstract: In a shoe, an apparatus for the support of a foot, comprising a semi rigid piece of metal or plastic extending from the heel to the ball of the foot, disposed over the inner sole of the shoe, and a screw penetrating upward to raise or lower the semi rigid piece.

Abstract: An arch brace orthotic includes an adjustable arch curve having a plurality of extensions separated by incisions which separate the arch curve surface into multiple resiliently cantilevered extensions. The extensions adjust the arch curve height and slopes during each foot-strike along the arch curve. The weighted arch curve height is returned to an unweighted height by flexibly rebounding of each extension to support the arch of the user's foot. A tensioning means is connectable under the arch brace, providing adjustment of the arch curve height and slope to therapeutically support the user's arch. The arch brace is movable without disassembly between any shoe for treatment of arch and foot disorders. A method of treating plantar fasciitis and related foot disorders includes selectively and periodically adjusting the arch curve height and slopes by manipulating the tensioning means for therapeutic support and user controlled strengthening of the user's arch and foot.

Abstract: An orthotic arch support including an intrinsically self-adjusting medial longitudinal arch curve including a plurality of generally adjacent incisions being generally transverse across the medial longitudinal arch curve. The incisions originate at a medial side of the arch curve, thereby separating the curved arching surface into a plurality of resilient extensions. The plurality of extensions are compressed against each other and self-adjust the arch curve height and slopes during each step. As weight shifts onto the posterior slope, the height of the arch curve is decreased by limited compression of each extension against adjacent extensions during each stride. Each resilient extension flexibly rebounds to return the arch curve to an unweighted height when weight shifts off of the arch curve. A tensioning means is insertable underneath the extensions to adjust the height and slopes of the arch curve, providing for user adjustment of the arch curve height and slopes as foot pain is reduced during use.

Abstract: Sport boot including a sole overlaid by an upper, the boot having an internal support surface for the foot and a portion for supporting the arch of the user's foot, wherein the supporting portion is constituted by a flexible, elastically deformable element positioned between the internal support surface and an internal lateral flank of the upper, and wherein it includes a volume adjusting mechanism which it demarcates with the upper, by acting on its profile, along at least one transverse plane with respect to the longitudinal axis of the foot.

Abstract: An apparatus for providing footgear with comfortable individualized custom support, said apparatus comprising mechanical means to selectively and seperately change the position of multiple areas of the inner sole of said footgear, said areas corresponding generally to the areas of the foot described as the inner heel, the lateral arch, and the metatarsal area, and, whereas such changing of positions involves movement in two different directions: (1) upward and downward, (2) forward and backward, said changes in position are achieved by two different and seperate structures, wherein the movement of each of said structures is controlled by the selective turning of a screw, the heads of said screws being located on the outside of said footgear, where they can be selectively turned at any time.