Shoe Insole or Midsole with a Tri-Dome Configuration for Foot Rehabilitation
The present invention relates to a device to be integrated into an article of footwear, normally as, but not limited to, a shoe innersole or shoe midsole, to interact with the plantar surface of the wearer's foot, in the region of the foot's main first layer intrinsic muscles. The present invention produces benefits to address gait related issues associated with weakened foot structure and faulty gait biomechanics.
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The present invention relates to a device to be integrated into an article of footwear, normally as, but not limited to, a shoe innersole or shoe midsole, to interact with the plantar surface of the wearer's foot, in the region of the foot's main first layer intrinsic muscles, and the present invention produces benefits to address gait related issues associated with weakened foot structure and faulty gait biomechanics.
BACKGROUND ARTPatents for foot and gait correcting technologies go back for more than a century and act as evidence that there is a recognized link between a variety of pain and discomfort conditions, and the faulty mechanics of the foot. The collected data, and observations made, which has become the basis for defining what “ideal” foot function is, have been derived from populations whom have traditionally worn footwear. The repeated exposure to the bracing designs and concepts, which have been common place in the foot treatment and footwear industries for the past 100 or so years, has been proposed to have detrimental effects on the foot, and most notably a weakening of the foot's supporting muscles and skeletal structure. Normal, or average, values have been taken from these typically shoe-wearing populations and have been used by those skilled in the art of biomechanics, podiatry and related fields, as setting the definitions for “ideal”. Demographic and medical research indicates that some 85% of the population will at some time in their life develop foot related pain. With such a high rate of failure of the foot being able to attain pain-free functioning, it is easy to see that the word “normal” should be used as opposed to “ideal”, and as such it is therefore normal to expect to have sore feet. It is the position of the inventors that this should not be case. It is the position of the inventors that the atrophying of the foot's intrinsic muscles, prevent ideal foot function and thus contribute to un-warranted strains and stresses within the foot's structure. Such strain and stress can be seen as a contributing factor to foot and gait related pain and discomfort of both chronic and acute varieties. As the foot is simply muscle, bone and connective tissue like the rest of the body it is logical that introducing exercise to these muscles can strengthen and rehabilitate them, allowing them to perform the functions originally intended by nature. In other fields of medicine it has been shown that the introduction of biofeedback and/or proprioceptive based stimuli can be used to initiate neuromuscular responses and muscle contractions. In the view of the inventors this same approach can be introduced effectively in the field of foot health and foot rehabilitation.
Over the past century numerous devices have been proposed to address gait and foot related pathologies and discomfort. These devices have tended to focus on 2 main theories; firstly that the foot should be supported and braced; and secondly that the foot should be comforted through cushioning. On the topic of the first theory the disclosure of Ritchey in U.S. Pat. No. 2,660,814 provides for a mechanism wherein the lateral boundaries of the foot are supported under the premise that the lateral and medial arches of the foot should be braced, however the very nature of this device, when inserted into conventional footwear results in a inwardly directed compressive force being exerted on the foot and thus potentially causing compression related pathologies and symptoms on the nerves and soft tissue which reside between the articulations of the foot. This is similar to the device proposed by Schoenhaus et al, in U.S. Pat. No. 5,174,052. In a similar approach the concept of simply supporting the foot's medial, or primary arch, is detailed in inventions and devices such as that of Olson et al in U.S. Pat. No. 2,943,405, Arnoff in U.S. Pat. No. 2,933,835, and Conrad in Canadian Patent 536654, to cite but a few and going back numerous decades.
Insole and foot orthotic inventions focusing on comfort through cushioning have been made in variety of forms and incorporate the use of a variety of materials. Rudy in U.S. Pat. No. 4,183,156 discloses the very popular approach of cushioning through the implementation of an air bladder. This concept has seen many variations through the years starting as far back as Farrimond in U.S. Pat. No. 233,387 (circa 1924). Fluid insoles such as that of Hall in U.S. Pat. No. 4,115,934 have also become very popular. In addition there are numerous products, that have been, or are currently being commercialized, which offer comfort to the foot through cushioning approaches relying on the use of foams, such as the device disclosed by Mattos in U.S. Pat. No. 3,414,988.
In what has been proposed to be a more holistic and ideal approach, Burke, in U.S. Pat. No. 5,404,659, as well as Gardiner, in U.S. Pat. No. 6,301,807 and U.S. Pat. No. 6,732,457, disclose devices proposed to initiate muscle contractions through the introduction of a proprioceptive stimulus to the plantar aspect of the foot. Burke et al in recognizing the inherent short falls of those approaches has further suggested a combination of support and muscle stimulation in their recent USPTO application, US 2011099842(A1).
However in a continued analysis of the foot and gait, and the role of the contributing muscles, it has been found by the inventors, that when using these previously referenced devices of Burke and those of Gardiner there are still considerable shortfalls in promoting the proper rehabilitation of the foot's primary intrinsic musculature, and in association, promoting proper gait.
In regards to the foot there are 4 main layers of foot muscles contributing to the functions of the foot, however the 4th or deepest layer are made up very small muscles and tendons that are associated with muscles located outside of the foot. With respect to the these muscles, when viewed from the top or bottom, these muscles of the foot can be seen to be arranged into three columns or sections with each column running parallel to the long axis of the foot and there being a medial most column, a central column and a lateral most column. Key design features of the present invention are strategically introduced to the plantar aspect with the foot specific to these regions. Although the proprioceptive and biofeedback benefits to be offered by the present invention are likely to cause a main reaction in the muscles of the first layer, the net effect of rehabilitation will not be limited to the first layer and will transcend the other layers to offer benefits to the muscles of the 2nd, 3rd and 4th layer also.
The breakdown of the first 3 layers of muscles is as follows:
The key muscles of the first layer, which the present invention primarily interfaces with are:
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- Abductor Digiti Minimi, which originates on the lateral process of the tuberosity of the calcaneus and inserts on the lateral side of the base of the proximal phalanx of the 5th toe. Contractions of this muscle spread the 5th toe away from the fourth toe.
- Flexor Digitorum Brevis which originates on the medial process of the calcaneus, the central part of the plantar aponeurosis, and the intermuscular septa and it inserts into the middle phalanges of 2nd to 5th toes. The entire muscle belly is firmly united with the plantar aponeurosis. The contraction of the Flexor Digitorum Brevis plantar flexes the middle phalanges on the proximal phalangeal articulation.
- The Abductor Hallucis which originates on the medial process of the calcaneus, flexor retinaculum, plantar aponeurosis and intermuscular septum, and inserts on the plantar half of the medial side of the base of the proximal phalanx of the great toe. Contractions of this muscle result in Abduction of the great toe from the medial line of the foot
More intrinsic to the foot are the muscles of the 2 and 3rd layer which lay deeper within the foot in comparison to the first layer muscles.
The key muscles of the 2nd layer are:
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- Quadratus Plantae which has 2 heads that originates on the medial surface and the lateral border of the inferior surfaces of the calcaneus and inserts or fuses with the tendon of the flexor digitorum longus muscle. As it contracts it flexes the 2nd, 3rd, 4th and 5th toes.
- The Foot Lumbricals which originate from the tendons of the flexor digitorum and insert onto the medial side of the proximal phalanx, and into the expansions of the tendons to the extensor digitorum longus of the 2nd to 5th toes. As they contract they flex the proximal phalanges on the metatarsals and extend the 2 distal phalanges of the 2nd to 5th toes
- Also in the second layer are tendons to key muscles which are located outside of the foot such as the Flexor Hallucis Longus and the Flexor Digitorum Longus muscles.
Deeper into the foot are the muscles defined collectively as the third layer. The key muscles in this layer are:
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- Flexor Digiti Minimi Brevis which originates on the proximal end of the 5th metatarsal bone and inserts on the lateral side of the proximal end of the proximal phalanx of the little toe. As it contracts in results in flexion of the proximal phalanx of the 5th toe.
- Adductor Hallucis that has two origin heads; the oblique Head which originates at the proximal ends of the 2nd, 3rd, and 4th metatarsals, and the transverse head which originates at the metatarsophalangeal ligaments of the 3rd, 4th, and 5th toes. The muscle then inserts on the lateral sesamoid bone of the big toe and into the proximal phalanx of the big toe. As it contracts it results in drawing the big toe towards the 2nd toe.
- Flexor Hallucis Brevis which originates from the medial part of the under surface of the cuboid bone, from the contiguous portion of the third cuneiform, and from the prolongation of the tendon of the Tibialis posterior. The muscle then splits into two and inserts into the medial and lateral sides of the base of the first phalanx of the great toe
Figures accompany the patent disclosure to aid in understanding and visualizing the location, positioning and functioning of these muscles.
The earlier inventions disclosed by Burke and those of Gardiner approach the foot from an engineering point of view focusing on the centralized area about which the foot is capable of performing ideal tri-planar functions, and attempt to rehabilitate the foot about this centralized point. However through the anatomical analysis of the muscle locations, and their resulting biomechanical contributions to the stabilization of the foot it is clear that the main supporting musculature located within the foot is under-stimulated by the devices of Burke and those of Gardiner, and thus potentially these devices are ineffective in addressing the main foot muscles responsible for foot stabilization and proper gait.
It is the intent of the present invention to introduce a device capable of primarily promoting a strengthening of the key intrinsic muscles of the first layer of the foot and secondarily an associated strengthening of the muscles of the other three layers. The present invention discloses specific raised areas, engineered to potentially receive removable and replaceable inserts, designed and configured to achieve the desired functions of muscular rehabilitation of the foot's muscles and the simultaneous control of harmful excess pronation during walking, running or other such activities.
BRIEF SUMMARY OF THE INVENTIONThe present invention discloses a device designed to interact with the plantar surface of the wearer's foot, most notably in the form of a shoe insole, a shoe midsole, or similar, wherein a shoe is collectively used to define a multitude of foot covering articles including, but not limited to, shoes, boots, sandals, slippers, and socks. The present invention is most distinctively characterized by a dominant or primary area rising upwardly from the body of the device. Said primary area, when viewed from the dorsal aspect is characterized most notably by the presence of three anteriorally directed elongations. Said elongations originate in the rearfoot aligning with the central axis of the calcaneus and marginally distal to the anterior most edge of the calcaneus, and radiate outwardly and anteriorally towards the forefoot. Said primary area, and its three elongations, may be defined when using the dorsal or plantar view of the human foot as a frame of reference, as having a medial most elongation, a central elongation and a lateral most elongation. Said primary area may also be characterized by a defined rearfoot area aligned to the entirety of the calcaneus of the human foot, although this aspect is not essential to the functioning of the present invention it presence allows for rearfoot comfort and customization of the present invention as seen fit by those skilled in the art and as appropriate for the symptoms of patients and consumers. Said primary area, when viewed from the sagittal aspect, can be defined as being an elongated dome or being esker-like, in that there is a noticeable vertically raised area which may take the form of a true apex or of a flatter plateau type surface, and the dome is rather long and slender as opposed to more circular or oval shaped. Herein after said elongations, of the primary area will be referred to taking into account the perimeter shape and domed cross sectional characteristics and as such will be termed the “primary domed elongations” collectively in reference to all three and individually through specifying the lateral most and/or central and/or medial most domed elongation.
The location of the primary domed elongations are positioned such that the highest portion of the elongations, which main take the form of a plateau, ridge or singular apex, are aligned with the muscle bellies of the three main muscles present in the first layer of the plantar musculature and as such the three columns of muscles previously referred to earlier. More specifically the plateau, ridge or apex of the medial most domed elongation is alignable to the muscle belly of the Abductor Hallucis, the plateau, ridge or apex of the central domed elongation is alignable to the muscle belly of the Flexor Digitorium Brevis, and the ridge or apex of the lateral most domed elongation is alignable to the muscle belly of the Abductor Digiti Minimi. Prior inventions and research into muscle physiology and neuromuscular science suggest that the introduction of a strain-stress mechanism to a muscle will create a response in the form of contractions to create an avoidance reaction. These are most noticeably a bio-feedback neuro-physiological function of the Pacinian Corpuscles, Merkel's Discs, Ruffini Cells, Muscle Spindles and the Nociceptors, all of which provide feedback to the brain of the presence of various stimuli including texture, pressure, pain/discomfort and tension. The forced introduction of any extrinsic strain or stress to the body of any muscle will create any combination of muscular reactions initiated by these bio-feedback components. In the present invention the introduction of the primary domed elongations, to the muscle bellies of the muscles previously described, creates an upwardly directed pressure stimuli to which the respective muscles react through an avoidance contraction. The resulting physiological and morphological changes in the muscles of the first layer will lead a structural organization of the foot and thus also create strains and stresses onto the muscles of the deeper layers thus initiating contractions and avoidances responses in those groups also.
In the present invention the primary domed elongations may be an integrated part of the shoe insole, the shoe midsole, or similar; wherein the device is constructed as one integrated unit. In other forms of the present invention the primary domed elongations may be separate from the shoe insole, shoe midsole, or similar; wherein the primary domed elongations, as one unit, may be detached from the shoe insole or midsole device for the purpose of being replaced by another similar primary domed elongation offering differing levels of stimulation, pressure or the like. This may be achieved by varying the materials of fabrication, the density of said materials, the heights of the domed elongations, etc., or a combination thereof.
In another aspect of the present invention the medial, central, and lateral domed elongations and the domed heel area may each be individually separate from the shoe insole, shoe midsole, or similar; wherein any of the 3 primary domed elongations may be detached individually from the shoe insole or midsole device for the purpose of being replaced by another similar domed elongation, designed to fit and replace the domed elongation having been removed, and offering differing levels of stimulation, pressure or the like. This may be achieved by varying the materials of fabrication, the density of said materials, the heights of the domed elongations, etc., or a combination thereof. The use of the invention in this manner will allow those skilled in the art of foot health, foot mechanics, customized foot wear development or similar, to tailor or customize the present invention to address abnormalities specific to the feet or foot of an individual customer or patient.
In another embodiment of the present invention the primary domed elongations, individually or as a singular unit, may have their surface, which engages the plantar aspect of the foot, equipped with a series of upwardly extending nodules. These nodules are designed, positioned, and made of such materials, as to introduce an additional massaging stimulus to the muscle bellies of the Abductor Hallicus, the Flexor Digitorum Brevis and the Abductor Digiti Minimi muscles. These nodules may stimulate said muscles collectively or individually depending on the incorporation of the nodules being applied to all primary domed elongations or to simply to one or two of the domed elongations.
In another embodiment of the present invention the primary domed elongations, collectively or individually, may have design provisions intended to provide specific biomechanical functions as typically desired by those skilled in the art when addressing the individual gait characteristics or symptoms of the patient or customer. In this aspect of the present invention, the base or bottom most surface, of any of the primary domed elongations may be tilted or have a wedge shaped base when viewed in the frontal plane, and as such may be used by those skilled in the art to provide additional motion control or guidance to the feet of the user for the purpose of further enhancing the user's gait biomechanics. In a similar manner the rearfoot area previously described, if removable, may be designed to accommodate desired motion control or guidance requirements of the user and/or may be designed to provide for accommodations to address symptoms or pathologies specific to the heel region of the user, for example, for those skilled in the art, the rearfoot area may be designed to act as a varus wedge or have a recess to address a heel spur formation, or both.
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FIG. 04 a shows the location of the ridge of the lateral most domed elongation in a bold dashed line, relative to the anatomical location of the Abductor Digiti Minimi muscle belly, as well as the ridges of the medial and central domed elongations shown in a finer dashed line, and;FIG. 04 b shows the location of the ridge of the central domed elongation in a bold dashed line, relative to the anatomical location of the Flexor Digitorum Brevis muscle belly, as well as the ridges of the lateral and medial domed elongations shown in a finer dashed line and:FIG. 04 c shows the location of the ridge of the medial elongation in a bold dashed line, relative to the anatomical location of the Abductor Hallucis muscle belly, as well as the ridges of the central and medial elongations shown in a finer dashed line.
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FIG. 05 a presents a standard perimeter shape aligned and positioned such that the interfacing of the primary domed elongations of the present invention engage with the muscle bellies of the Abductor Digiti Minimi, Flexor Digitorum Brevis and Abductor Hallucis muscles and;FIG. 05 b presents a modified perimeter shape aligned and positioned such that the interfacing of the primary domed elongations of the present invention engage with the muscle bellies of the Abductor Digiti Minimi, Flexor Digitorum Brevis and Abductor Hallucis muscles and the central domed elongation extends anteriorally, medially and laterally to assist in supporting the metatarsal arch of the human foot, and;FIG. 05 c presents a modified perimeter shape aligned and positioned such that the interfacing of the primary domed elongations of the present invention engage with the muscle bellies of the Abductor Digiti Minimi, Flexor Digitorum Brevis and Abductor Hallucis muscles and the central domed elongation extends medially and laterally to assist in supporting the metatarsal arch of the human foot and the medial aspect of the central domed elongation is further extended such that it's positioning is located plantar to the first metatarsal head for the purpose of simulating a medial forefoot varus wedge as is common to those skilled in the art, and;FIG. 05 d presents a modified perimeter shape aligned and positioned such that the interfacing of the primary domed elongations of the present invention engage with the muscle bellies of the Abductor Digiti Minimi, Flexor Digitorum Brevis and Abductor Hallucis muscles and the medial domed elongation extends anteriorally and laterally such that it's positioning is located plantar to the first metatarsal head for the purpose of simulating a medial forefoot varus wedge as is common to those skilled in the art.FIG. 05 e presents a modified perimeter shape aligned and positioned such that the interfacing of the primary domed elongations of the present invention engage with the muscle bellies of the Abductor Digiti Minimi, Flexor Digitorum Brevis and Abductor Hallucis muscles and the medial domed elongation extends anteriorally and laterally such that its overall shape and positioning is located plantar to the entirety of the first metatarsal, medial cuneiform and navicular for the purpose of simulating a medial arch support as is common to those skilled in the art.
Key features designated in the drawings relating specifically to the present invention:
The present invention 1 provides for a device in the form of a shoe insole and/or midsole and/or integrated shoe outsole-midsole-insole unit, capable of providing a catalyst for muscle stimulation, muscle strengthening and muscular adaptation to most notably, but not limited to, the primary muscles of the first layer of the foot. In addition the present invention 1 will be shown to include optional provisions to address the individual comfort and gait biomechanical requirements which would be diagnosed and serviced by one skilled in the art of trades including, but not limited to, orthopaedics, podiatry, chiropody, gait biomechanics, custom footwear manufacture, and footwear design and development, herein after referred to collectively as those skilled in the art.
The present invention may be constructed of materials of a semi-pliable and compressible nature such that it is comfortable to the plantar surface of the foot during weight bearing and walking, running, and sports related activities. The materials of choice may include, but are not limited to, polyurethane and its derivatives, ethyl vinyl acetate and its derivatives, visco-elastic polymers, natural sponge rubbers and its derivatives, and other materials displaying similar characteristics. As such the present invention 1 may be constructed through a number of varying manufacturing means including, but not limited to, compression molding, vacuum forming, and injection molding and pouring. The present invention may also be constructed in a manner wherein removable components may be manufactured from the aforementioned materials and from the aforementioned techniques, or they may take the form of bladders or similar, filled with either gaseous, liquid or semi-liquid substrates, or a combination thereof, or they may be designed and constructed of such materials as to act as mechanical devices such as but not limited to spring devices.
More specifically, and as shown in
Shown clearly in
Also shown in
The lateral most domed elongation 11 shown in
In respect to the maximum height at the plateau, ridge or apex 14 this parameter needs to be a function of the absolute length of the present invention 1 as it will be a characteristic that must be relative to the foot of the wearer. In consideration thereof it is essential that the present invention 1 have tolerances allowing it to comfortably interface with a variety of foot types and body weights, and the combination of the two. As such the vertically raised area 9, more clearly shown in the cross-sectional aspect in
In addition to, and as such, the vertically raised area 9, more clearly shown in the cross-sectional aspect in
In addition to, and as such, the vertically raised area 9, more clearly shown in the cross-sectional aspect in
Regardless of whether the 3 elongations 3 be designed and manufactured such that the present invention 1 is a singular integrated unit a shown in
In consideration of the fact that users of the present invention 1 will often use a variety of footwear styles with varying degrees of compatibility to a “full length insole” as would be the definition given by those skilled in the art, to the present invention 1. It must be noted that the overall geometric characteristics of the present invention 1 maybe transferable or applied to a “three-quarter length ” or “half length” insole or orthotic, and under such design the dimensions would be based on the imaginary total insole length had the insole been made in a full length version. In this manner the benefits of the present invention 1 may be enjoyed users requiring the use of either a ¾ or ½ insole.
As shown in
As shown in
As shown in
As shown in
As shown in
As shown in
In another aspect of the present invention 1 provisions are introduced to allow those skilled in the art to address individual concerns of patients or customers as well as to introduce the present invention 1 as a progressively increasing mode of therapy for muscular rehabilitation. Shown in
As shown in
In either design configuration the individualized removable inserts 26 may be designed to have an orientation wherein their base lays parallel, or flat, to the main body of the present invention, or their base may have a medial wedge 42 effect as shown in
In another provision of the present invention 1, the primary area 2 and the 3 elongations 3, be they integrated into a unified insole or midsole body 44, or a separate unified primary area removable insert 23, or individualize removable inserts 26, may have on their dorsal aspect, or the surface intended to engage the wearer's foot, a plurality of nodules 18, for the purpose of providing a reflexology or massage sensation to the wearers foot. The application of this concept is shown in
This concept is also shown in
Claims
1) An insole or midsole or integrated unit sole, for use with an article of footwear, which has a characteristic raised area wherein said raised area sits plantar to the foot and rises upwardly from the invention, to interface with the plantar aspect of the foot, and wherein;
- said raised area is characterized by the presence of 3 elongated domes running generally parallel to the long axis of the device and wherein the orientation and positioning of the domes creates an arrangement possessing a medial most dome, a central dome and a lateral most dome.
2) An insole or midsole or integrated unit sole, for use with an article of footwear, which has a characteristic raised area wherein said raised area sits plantar to the foot and rises upwardly from the invention, to interface with the plantar aspect of the foot, and wherein;
- said raised area is characterized by the presence of 3 elongated domes running generally parallel to the long axis of the device and wherein the orientation and positioning of the domes creates an arrangement possessing a medial most dome, a central dome and a lateral most dome and wherein said device has a characteristic upwardly directed dome on raising upward from the surface of the device and is positioned to be aligned with the calcaneus of the human foot.
3) An insole or midsole or integrated unit sole, for use with an article of footwear, which has a characteristic raised area wherein said raised area sits plantar to the foot and rises upwardly from the invention, to interface with the plantar aspect of the foot, and wherein;
- said raised area is characterized by the presence of 3 elongated domes running generally parallel to the long axis of the device and wherein the orientation and positioning of the domes creates an arrangement possessing a medial most dome, a central dome and a lateral most dome and wherein:
- said medial dome is specifically positioned to be aligned generally with the medial arch of the human foot, and wherein;
- said lateral dome is specifically positioned to be aligned generally with the lateral arch of the human foot, and wherein;
- said central dome is specifically positioned to be aligned and positioned parallel with the 3rd ray of the human foot.
4) A device as disclosed in claim 1 wherein;
- said medial most dome when measured from the top surface of the device has a minimum height equivalent to 1% of the length of the device and has a maximum height equivalent to 4% of the length of the device, and wherein:
- said central dome when measured from the top surface of the device has a minimum height equivalent to 1% of the length of the device and has a maximum height equivalent to 5% of the length of the device, and wherein:
- said lateral dome when measured from the top surface of the device has a minimum height equivalent to 0.5% of the length of the device and has a maximum height equivalent to 3% of the length of the device, and wherein:
5) A device as disclosed in claim 2 wherein;
- said medial most dome when measured from the top surface of the device has a minimum height equivalent to 1% of the length of the device and has a maximum height equivalent to 4% of the length of the device, and wherein:
- said central dome when measured from the top surface of the device has a minimum height equivalent to 1% of the length of the device and has a maximum height equivalent to 5% of the length of the device, and wherein:
- said lateral dome when measured from the top surface of the device has a minimum height equivalent to 0.5% of the length of the device and has a maximum height equivalent to 3% of the length of the device.
6) A device as disclosed in claim 3 wherein;
- said medial most dome when measured from the top surface of the device has a minimum height equivalent to 1% of the length of the device and has a maximum height equivalent to 4% of the length of the device, and wherein:
- said central dome when measured from the top surface of the device has a minimum height equivalent to 1% of the length of the device and has a maximum height equivalent to 5% of the length of the device, and wherein:
- said lateral dome when measured from the top surface of the device has a minimum height equivalent to 0.5% of the length of the device and has a maximum height equivalent to 3% of the length of the device, and wherein:
7) A device as disclosed in claim 3 wherein;
- said medial most dome is specifically positioned to be aligned with the Abductor Hallucis Brevis muscle of the user's foot and said medial most dome introduces an upwardly directed pressure onto the Abductor Hallucis Brevis muscle, and wherein;
- said central dome is specifically positioned to be aligned with the Flexor Digitorum Brevis muscle of the user's foot and wherein;
- said lateral most dome introduces an upwardly directed pressure onto the Abductor Digiti Minimi muscle.
8) A device as disclosed in claim 7 wherein;
- said medial most dome when measured from the top surface of the device has a minimum height equivalent to 1% of the length of the device and has a maximum height equivalent to 4% of the length of the device, and wherein:
- said central dome when measured from the top surface of the device has a minimum height equivalent to 1% of the length of the device and has a maximum height equivalent to 5% of the length of the device, and wherein:
- said lateral dome when measured from the top surface of the device has a minimum height equivalent to 0.5% of the length of the device and has a maximum height equivalent to 3% of the length of the device, and wherein:
9) A device as disclosed in claim 1 wherein said insole or midsole or integrated unit sole, for use with an article of footwear, which has a characteristic raised area wherein said raised area sits plantar to the foot and rises upwardly from the invention, to interface with the plantar aspect of the foot, and wherein said raised area is designed with openings or cavities to receive inserts corresponding in size and shape to the 3 domes for the purpose of allowing interchange ability.
10) A device as disclosed in claim 2 wherein said insole or midsole or integrated unit sole, for use with an article of footwear, which has a characteristic raised area wherein said raised area sits plantar to the foot and rises upwardly from the invention, to interface with the plantar aspect of the foot, and wherein said raised area is designed with openings or cavities to receive inserts corresponding in size and shape to the 3 domes for the purpose of allowing interchange ability.
11) A device as disclosed in claim 3 wherein said insole or midsole or integrated unit sole, for use with an article of footwear, which has a characteristic raised area wherein said raised area sits plantar to the foot and rises upwardly from the invention, to interface with the plantar aspect of the foot, and wherein said raised area is designed with openings, or cavities, to receive inserts corresponding in size and shape to the domes for the purpose of allowing interchange ability.
12) A device as disclosed in claim 2 and wherein:
- said device has a characteristic upwardly directed dome on raising upward from the surface of the device and is positioned to be aligned with the calcaneus of the human foot and wherein;
- said upwardly directed dome may possess depressions, recesses or cavities.
13) A device as disclosed in claim 3 wherein said insole or midsole or integrated unit sole, for use with an article of footwear, which has a characteristic raised area wherein said raised area sits plantar to the foot and rises upwardly from the invention, to interface with the plantar aspect of the foot, and wherein said raised area is designed with cavities or recesses, to receive inserts corresponding in size and shape to the domes for the purpose of allowing interchange ability, and wherein
- said cavities or recesses may be located on the bottom surface of the device,
- or wherein said cavities may be located on the top surface of the device.
Type: Application
Filed: Dec 23, 2011
Publication Date: Jun 27, 2013
Applicant:
Inventors: Robert Garfield Burke (Barrie), Kwan Ho Park (Richmond Hill), Tae Soon Park (Toronto)
Application Number: 13/336,386
International Classification: A43B 13/14 (20060101); A43B 13/38 (20060101);