Patents by Inventor H. Darrel Darby, II

H. Darrel Darby, II has filed for patents to protect the following inventions. This listing includes patent applications that are pending as well as patents that have already been granted by the United States Patent and Trademark Office (USPTO).

  • Patent number: 12167774
    Abstract: A peg insole including an integrally molded unitary foam body covered. The foam body may be covered with a cover layer, such as a stretchable fabric, on a top surface of the foam body opposite the pegs. The foam body is includes a base layer with a plurality of pegs protruding therefrom. The foam body may include a contoured shaped to comfortably fit a patient's foot including, for example, a medial support portion, a lateral support portion, and a heel cup. The peg insole may be used, for example, in a medical shoe. Also provided is a method for forming the peg insole.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: January 4, 2018
    Date of Patent: December 17, 2024
    Assignee: DARCO INTERNATIONAL, INC.
    Inventors: H. Darrel Darby, II, Wu Zhang, Thomas Dietrich
  • Patent number: 11000399
    Abstract: A dual-hardness outsole includes a front section, a middle section, and a rear section, at least the middle section of the outsole including a wedge having a bottom surface which extends below another bottom surface of at least one of the front and rear sections such that the wedge carries more weight than the other bottom surface. The outsole comprises a hard portion and a soft portion that are secured to each other and together form the wedge, a cross-sectional profile of the hard and soft density portions being such that a center portion of the wedge is softer than opposite lateral portions thereof.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: October 12, 2017
    Date of Patent: May 11, 2021
    Assignee: DARCO INTERNATIONAL, INC.
    Inventors: H. Darrel Darby, II, Wu Zhang
  • Patent number: 10561197
    Abstract: A medical shoe having an overmolding layer with a non-uniform density is provided. The medical shoe may include a midsole configured to support a foot, and a frame surrounding the midsole. The midsole may include a foot receiving portion forming a substantially planar surface for supporting the foot and a frame receiving portion opposite the foot receiving portion. The frame may include an overmolding layer extending from a side of the frame opposite the midsole so as to form a ground contacting surface. The overmolding layer may have a non-uniform density. The sole assembly may be secured to the frame by a self-locking fit between the sole assembly and the frame.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: June 23, 2016
    Date of Patent: February 18, 2020
    Assignee: DARCO INTERNATIONAL, INC.
    Inventors: H. Darrel Darby, II, Wu Zhang
  • Publication number: 20190200698
    Abstract: A peg insole including an integrally molded unitary foam body covered. The foam body may be covered with a cover layer, such as a stretchable fabric, on a top surface of the foam body opposite the pegs. The foam body is includes a base layer with a plurality of pegs protruding therefrom. The foam body may include a contoured shaped to comfortably fit a patient's foot including, for example, a medial support portion, a lateral support portion, and a heel cup. The peg insole may be used, for example, in a medical shoe. Also provided is a method for forming the peg insole.
    Type: Application
    Filed: January 4, 2018
    Publication date: July 4, 2019
    Applicant: DARCO INTERNATIONAL, INC.
    Inventors: H. Darrel DARBY, II, Wu ZHANG, THOMAS DIETRICH
  • Publication number: 20190110918
    Abstract: A dual-hardness outsole includes a front section, a middle section, and a rear section, at least the middle section of the outsole including a wedge having a bottom surface which extends below another bottom surface of at least one of the front and rear sections such that the wedge carries more weight than the other bottom surface. The outsole comprises a hard portion and a soft portion that are secured to each other and together form the wedge, a cross-sectional profile of the hard and soft density portions being such that a center portion of the wedge is softer than opposite lateral portions thereof.
    Type: Application
    Filed: October 12, 2017
    Publication date: April 18, 2019
    Applicant: DARCO INTERNATIONAL, INC.
    Inventors: H. Darrel DARBY, II, Wu ZHANG
  • Patent number: 9387108
    Abstract: A night splint for a user's foot having a frame member and a toe retainer that is releasably connected to the frame member. The toe retainer is configured to dorsiflex at least one toe of the user to allow for a dynamic stretch of the plantar fascia and to provide a low load stretch of the Achilles tendon, plantar fascia tendon, deep flexor muscles and calf muscles to relieve symptoms of plantar fasciitis.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: July 23, 2012
    Date of Patent: July 12, 2016
    Assignee: DARCO INTERNATIONAL, INC.
    Inventors: H. Darrel Darby, II, Wu Zhang
  • Patent number: 8900171
    Abstract: A splinting device includes a first part for contacting a lower leg and a second part for contacting a foot hingedly connected to the first part. An adjustable attachment includes an elastic part and interconnects the first part and the second part. A method of treating plantar fasciitis includes securing the first part of the splint device to the lower leg, and securing the second part to a foot. The first part is rotated relative to the second part to establish a predetermined angle between the first part and the second part. The elastic part of the adjustable attachment, which is attached to one of the first and second parts, is stretched and attached to the other of the first part of the second part at a position based on the predetermined angle to limit movement of the first part relative to the second part beyond the predetermined angle.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: April 12, 2010
    Date of Patent: December 2, 2014
    Assignee: Darco International, Inc.
    Inventors: H. Darrel Darby, II, Wu Zhang
  • Publication number: 20120283612
    Abstract: A night splint for a user's foot having a frame member and a toe retainer that is releasably connected to the frame member. The toe retainer is configured to dorsiflex at least one toe of the user to allow for a dynamic stretch of the plantar fascia and to provide a low load stretch of the Achilles tendon, plantar fascia tendon, deep flexor muscles and calf muscles to relieve symptoms of plantar fasciitis.
    Type: Application
    Filed: July 23, 2012
    Publication date: November 8, 2012
    Applicant: DARCO INTERNATIONAL, INC.
    Inventors: H. Darrel DARBY, II, Wu ZHANG
  • Patent number: 8226589
    Abstract: A night splint for a user's foot having a frame member and a toe retainer that is releasably connected to the frame member. The toe retainer is configured to dorsiflex at least one toe of the user to allow for a dynamic stretch of the plantar fascia and to provide a low load stretch of the Achilles tendon, plantar fascia tendon, deep flexor muscles and calf muscles to relieve symptoms of plantar fasciitis.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: April 18, 2008
    Date of Patent: July 24, 2012
    Assignee: Darco International, Inc.
    Inventors: H. Darrel Darby, II, Wu Zhang
  • Patent number: 8201346
    Abstract: A system, method, and apparatus for treating a foot using a medical shoe and interchangeable insoles. A plurality of interchangeable insoles is provided, including a surgical insole and a wound care insole. The surgical insole provides rigidity for a patient's foot. The surgical insole comprises a first upper layer and a rigid second lower layer. The wound care insole offloads weight from a wound region on the foot. The wound care insole comprises a first upper layer of stretchy, thin film, a second, middle, layer that is moldable, and a third, lower layer that is spongy and provides support.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: June 30, 2008
    Date of Patent: June 19, 2012
    Assignee: Darco International, Inc.
    Inventors: H. Darrel Darby, II, Wu Zhang
  • Publication number: 20100324461
    Abstract: A splinting device includes a first part for contacting a lower leg and a second part for contacting a foot hingedly connected to the first part. An adjustable attachment includes an elastic part and interconnects the first part and the second part. A method of treating plantar fasciitis includes securing the first part of the splint device to the lower leg, and securing the second part to a foot. The first part is rotated relative to the second part to establish a predetermined angle between the first part and the second part. The elastic part of the adjustable attachment, which is attached to one of the first and second parts, is stretched and attached to the other of the first part of the second part at a position based on the predetermined angle to limit movement of the first part relative to the second part beyond the predetermined angle.
    Type: Application
    Filed: April 12, 2010
    Publication date: December 23, 2010
    Applicant: DARCO INTERNATIONAL, INC.
    Inventors: H. Darrel DARBY, II, Wu ZHANG
  • Publication number: 20090320329
    Abstract: A system, method, and apparatus for treating a foot using a medical shoe and interchangeable insoles. A plurality of interchangeable insoles is provided, including a surgical insole and a wound care insole. The surgical insole provides rigidity for a patient's foot. The surgical insole comprises a first upper layer and a rigid second lower layer. The wound care insole offloads weight from a wound region on the foot. The wound care insole comprises a first upper layer of stretchy, thin film, a second, middle, layer that is moldable, and a third, lower layer that is spongy and provides support.
    Type: Application
    Filed: June 30, 2008
    Publication date: December 31, 2009
    Applicant: DARCO INTERNATIONAL, INC.
    Inventors: H. Darrel Darby, II, Wu Zhang
  • Publication number: 20090264803
    Abstract: A night splint for a user's foot having a frame member and a toe retainer that is releasably connected to the frame member. The toe retainer is configured to dorsiflex at least one toe of the user to allow for a dynamic stretch of the plantar fascia and to provide a low load stretch of the Achilles tendon, plantar fascia tendon, deep flexor muscles and calf muscles to relieve symptoms of plantar fasciitis.
    Type: Application
    Filed: April 18, 2008
    Publication date: October 22, 2009
    Applicant: DARCO INTERNATIONAL, INC.
    Inventors: H. Darrel Darby, II, Wu Zhang
  • Patent number: 5370133
    Abstract: A semi-flexible molded polyurethane boot closed at the rear and sides and open at the front surrounds a breathable open pore foam inner liner which covers the lower leg, ankle and foot and which forms a principal element of an improved immobilization brace. The boot is fixed to a walking sole having a minimal rocker effect, and is of minimal thickness. A boot portion of the boot has a rounded heel counter and a contoured footbed. A shock absorbing foam insole within a boot portion recess pads the plantar surface of the sole. The dorsum of the boot and the boot upper are provided with ventilation ports to ventilate the leg, ankle and foot of the user through the porous open foam liner. The dorsum of the boot portion of the boot and the boot upper are provided with spaced adjustable, leverage type closures to provide adjustable general compression and focal compression to assure a proper fit of the brace and to reduce edema induced swelling throughout the leg, ankle and foot.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: February 22, 1994
    Date of Patent: December 6, 1994
    Assignee: Darco International, Inc.
    Inventors: H. Darrel Darby, H. Darrel Darby, II
  • Patent number: D534712
    Type: Grant
    Filed: September 15, 2004
    Date of Patent: January 9, 2007
    Assignee: Darco International, Inc.
    Inventor: H. Darrel Darby, II
  • Patent number: D363780
    Type: Grant
    Filed: February 22, 1994
    Date of Patent: October 31, 1995
    Assignee: Darco International Corporation
    Inventors: H. Darrel Darby, H. Darrel Darby, II