Air Right Insoles

Abstract

An insole structure is disclosed. The insole is comprised of a cushioned flexible closed cell plastic film (bubbled rubber material) layered on top of and adhesively bonded to a rubber semi-rigid base formed with wings along the side for extra support and stability along the sides of the foot and in the arch area. The combination distributes the pressure created by the foot evenly between the bubbles, so each component absorbs a portion of the pressure, and the combination remains soft and comfortable under the wearer's foot even when the footwear is worn for extended periods of time. This new type of cushion insole provides substantial enhanced comfort, side to side stability, and massages the foot as the wearer moves or walks.

Description

CROSS-REFERENCE TO RELATED APPLICATIONS

	1,978,549	October 1934	Muir	36/44
	2,074,444	March 1937	Warren	36/44
	2,644,250	July 1953	Ciai	36/44
	2,803,895	August 1957	Frieder ci al	36/73
	3,233,348	February 1966	Gilkerson	36/44
	3,253,600	May 1966	Schofl	36/154
	3,562,141	February 1971	Brown	36/44
	3,825,017	July 1974	Scrima	36/44
	4,049,595	September 1977	Dominguez	36/32 R
	4,296,053	October 1981	Docreretal	36/U
	4,522,777	June 1985	Peterson	36/154
	4,782,605	November 1988	Chapnick	36/44
	5,123,180	June 1992	Nannig et al	36/76 C

STATEMENT REGARDING FEDERALLY SPONSORED RESEARCH OR DEVELOPMENT

Not Applicable

REFERENCE TO SEQUENCE LISTING, A TABLE, OR A COMPUTER PROGRAM LISTING COMPACT DISK APPENDIX

Not Applicable

FIELD OF THE INVENTION

This invention relates to safety footwear and in particular concerns the insoles of safety footwear, useful in a working environment where an individual would spend a considerable amount of time standing or walking without rest.

BACKGROUND OF THE INVENTION

Safety footwear is classified as personal protective equipment, produced in different types and forms (shoes, boots, etc.), according to the intended use thereof, and protects workers' feet from various types of risk such as shocks, collisions, impact, thermal and chemical burns, puncturing and crushing, cuts and abrasions, heat, flames and cold.

Safety footwear is provided with a protective toe-cap, to protect the feet in the event of material falling on the foot, and a puncture-resistant sole, consisting of a steel plate which protects the foot from sharp materials which could penetrate the sole such as nails, sharp-edged blades or other.

Safety footwear is furthermore provided with a non-slip rubber outsole, which also protects against the risk of electrocution, and a heat insulating insole.

All this provides the wearer considerable protection, but very little comfort or support.

Safety footwear, and in particular the soles and insoles thereof, do not have comfort as an integral part of their construction. This causes numerous aches, pains and injuries for individuals that are required to wear safety foot wear for eight hours or more a day as a condition of their employment.

This invention addresses that need for comfort and support in safety footwear, with a uniquely constructed insole pad to be inserted into the footwear.

This insole will consist of Cushioning Material, a flexible closed cell plastic film (bubbled rubber material) layered on top of and adhesively bonded to a rubber semi-rigid base formed with extra support along the sides of the foot and in the arch area. The combination distributes the pressure created by the foot evenly between the bubbles, so each component absorbs a portion of the pressure, and the combination remains soft and comfortable under the wearer's foot even when the footwear is worn for extended periods of time. This new type of cushioned insole provides substantial enhanced comfort, side to side stability, and massages the foot as the wearer moves or walks.

SUMMARY OF THE INVENTION

To remedy discomfort, pain, and/or injuries mentioned above, a new type of insertable support insole for safety footwear has been designed.

One object of the new insole is to make production of the insole independent of production of the other parts of the shoe.

A further object of the new insole is to be able to produce different types of shoes with the same insole.

A further object of the new insole is to allow the use thereof, also with shoes of different sizes.

A further object of the new insole is to permit the replacement thereof when damaged, worn or simply no longer hygienic with a new insole offering maximum safety and hygiene.

A further object of the new insole is to provide the foot side to side stability with the inclusion of a winged area on each side of the base of the insole.

BRIEF DESCRIPTION OF THE DRAWINGS

FIG. 1 illustrates a cross-section of an insole according to the invention comprising a top layer (1) consisting of a flexible closed cell plastic film (bubbled rubber material), and a base (2) made of durable semi-rigid rubber, with arch support (4) and side to side stability wings (3) for support.

FIG. 2 illustrates a top view of an insole according to the invention comprising the base (6) made of durable semi-rigid rubber, with arch support and side to side stability wing support, to which the top layer of flexible closed cell plastic film (bubbled rubber material) will be adhesively affixed and trimmable size indicating lines (5).

FIG. 3 illustrates a top view of an insole according to the invention comprising the top layer of a flexible closed cell plastic film/bubbled rubber material (7) that are 5/16″ high by ⅞″ wide, with a space between the bubbles (8) of ⅛″.

FIG. 4 Illustrates a side view of an insole according to the invention comprising the top layer of a flexible closed cell plastic film/bubbled rubber material indicating the 5/16″ high by ⅞″ wide cushion bubbles (9) and the base (10) made of durable semi-rigid rubber, with arch support and side to side stability wing support to which the top layer of bubbled rubber material will be adhesively affixed.

DETAILED DESCRIPTION OF THE INVENTION

Referring now to the drawings, FIG. 1 shows the base layer of the insole (2) composed of a foot-shaped composition rubber with reinforced arch support (4) and wings (3) that are approximately 2″ long, ¼″ thick and extend 1 and 5/16″ on each side, curving up the side of the foot on both sides providing side to side stability and a foot-shaped top layer (1) of the insole consisting of a cushioning material constructed of a composite of 5 or more sheets of polyurethane films or similar plastic composed of uniformly distributed closed cell plastic film/bubbled rubber material. The film shall be fabricated in such a manner that the resulting material will be able to sustain regular wear for a period of at least 30 days without breakage or degradation. The new insole incorporates and combines both said base adhesively bonded to said top layer of bubbled material with the result that they are connected and lined, constituting one single body.

Referring now to FIG. 2, a top view of the aforementioned base layer (6) is shown with indented size indicator lines (5) formed during the molding process of the composite rubber. This will give users the ability to trim to fit for various size safety shoes or boots.

Referring now to FIG. 3, a top view of an insole according to the invention comprising the top layer closed cell plastic film/bubbled rubber material consisting of a composite of 5 or more sheets of polyurethane films or similar plastic that are 5/16″ high by ⅞″ wide (7), with a space between the bubbles (8) of ⅛″.

Referring now to FIG. 4, a side view of an insole according to the invention comprising the top layer of flexible closed cell plastic film/bubbled rubber material consisting of a composite of 5 or more sheets of polyurethane films or similar plastic that are 5/16″ high by ⅞″ wide (9), and the base (10) made of durable semi-rigid rubber, with arch support and side to side stability wing support to which the top layer of bubbled rubber material will be adhesively affixed.

Although the preferred embodiment has been described in detail, it should be understood that various changes, substitutions and alterations can be made therein without departing from the spirit and scope of the invention as defined by the appended claims.

Claims

1. A cushioned insole structure for use in a shoe or boot, the cushioned insole comprising:

a) a foot-shaped base layer made of durable semi-rigid rubber, with arch support and side to side stability wing support.

b) a foot-shaped top layer made of flexible closed cell plastic film/bubbled rubber material consisting of a composite of 5 or more sheets of polyurethane films or similar plastic that are 5/16″ high by ⅞″ wide. The film shall be fabricated in such a manner that the resulting material will be able to sustain regular wear for a period of at least 30 days without breakage or degradation.

c) the foot-shaped base layer and foot-shape top layer shall attach and combine both said foot-shaped base layer and foot-shape top layer with the result that they are connected and lined, constituting one single body.

d) said attaching includes an adhesive bonding means for adhesively attaching the upper surface of said foot-shaped base layer to the lower surface of said of said foot-shaped top layer

2. The insole according to claim 1, wherein said removable and replaceable insole is suitable for insertion in any shoe or boot.

3. The insole according to claim 1, wherein said body comprises one or more rubber materials.

4. The insole according to claim 1, wherein said cushioning elements have an inherent air cushioning characteristic where the air is the primary cushioning agent, and the materials used to form the insole are merely a means to contain the air in such a manner as to provide comfort, support, and massage, not the primary support or cushioning means.

5. The insole according to claim 1, further comprising one or more cut lines indicating where the insole can be cut to accommodate feet of different size.

6. The insole according to claim one wherein said one or more cut lines are on the heel and forefoot sections of the insole.