Rigid Shoe Insert with Raised Heel

Abstract

A shoe insert, with a raised heel area, that creates a rigid inner sole that extends to a point just prior to the ball of the foot.

Description

RELATED APPLICATION DATA

This application is a nonprovisional application claiming priority of provisional U.S. Patent Application No. 61/716,793 filed Oct. 20, 2012

FIELD OF INVENTION

A shoe insert, with a raised heel area, that creates a rigid inner sole that extends to a point just prior to the ball of the foot.

BACKGROUND

A popular trend in fitness is the inclusion of Olympic style weightlifting movements with other exercises.—ex. Cross Fit Training. These varying types of exercises each have a type of footwear specific to the type of exercise being performed—ex. running shoes, cross-trainers, weight lifting shoes. This invention allows users to add features typically associated with weight lifting shoes to various other types of footwear.

BRIEF DESCRIPTION OF THE DRAWINGS

FIG. 1 is an illustrative side view of the rigid shoe insert with a raised heel, as in one embodiment of the present invention.

FIG. 2 is an illustrative top view of the rigid shoe insert with a raised heel, as in one embodiment of the present invention.

FIG. 3 is an illustrative top view of the rigid shoe insert with a raised heel, as in another embodiment of the present invention.

DESCRIPTION

The construction of the heel lift and rigid shank elements of the invention can be manufactured as a single component or assembled from multiple components as shown below. The preferred embodiment uses a raised heel portion made of a material that limits compression (1), a shank made of a rigid material (2), and an insole top cover (3). The existing shoe insole may also be used to replace (3).

The scope of the invention contemplates:

• • The invention being a fixed height or including a means of adjusting the height -such as but not limited to interchangeable raised heel sections (1) or removable layers of the raised heel (1).
  • The heel (1) or shank (2) may be shaped to provide medial/lateral foot correction.
  • The shoe insert may be shaped in the heel area to provide medial/lateral control by, but not limited to, contouring the shank (2) or by having the shank set in to a contoured raised heel (1).
  • The shank (2) may be shaped to provide additional arch support or other corrections.
  • The insole top cover (3) may be made of a material that conforms or molds to the foot.

Claims

1. A shoe insert comprising:

a raised heel;

an insole extending from the heel, through the arch to the beginning of the forefoot and not extending under the forefoot to a front end, the insole being narrower at the arch than at the front end;

a rigid shank between the insole and raised heel; and

wherein the shoe insert is secure in an article of footwear, and the shoe insert is made of a rigid material.

2. The shoe insert of claim 1, wherein the insert is made in one piece.

3. The shoe insert of claim 1, wherein the percent rise from the front end to the raised heel is approximately 10 percent.

4. The shoe insert of claim 1, wherein the rigid shank provides support to the mid section of the insert.

5. A shoe insert comprising:

a raised heel;

an insole extending from the heel, through the arch to the end of the forefoot to a front end, the insole being narrower at the arch than at the front end;

a rigid shank between the insole and raised heel; and

wherein the shoe insert is secure in an article of footwear, and the shoe insert is made of a rigid material.

6. The shoe insert of claim 5, wherein the insert is made in one piece.

7. The shoe insert of claim 5, wherein the percent rise from the front end to the raised heel is approximately 10 percent.

8. The shoe insert of claim 5, wherein the rigid shank provides support to the mid section of the insert.