DEVICE AND METHOD FOR VARYING INSOLE CAMBER

Abstract

A foot support system includes two or more pairs of insoles where each pair of insoles has physical properties different from the next pair of insoles, such as camber (side-to-side tilt). The user wears one pair of insoles for a set period of time before replacing it with the next consecutive insole in a serial order. Each pair of insoles has medial arches that are the same in height, that height varying from one pair of insoles to the next. Each insole comprises a base, a medial arch support, and a cover. Additional embodiments may include a heel cup for more secure fit.

Description

CROSS-REFERENCE TO RELATED APPLICATIONS

Not applicable

FEDERALLY SPONSORED RESEARCH

Not applicable.

SEQUENCE LISTING, ETC ON CD

Not applicable.

BACKGROUND OF THE INVENTION

1. Field of the Invention

Insoles and orthotics have been used for decades to reduce, treat and prevent pain associated with walking, running, and general locomotion. Research indicates that insoles are effective in preventing and treating injuries ranging from plantar fasciitis to stress fractures to knee and back pain as well as increasing support and comfort in every-day shoes.

While benefits exist for the use of insoles, it has been suggested that insoles and orthotics may be detrimental to long term muscle health. Certain muscles do not have to work as hard in specific orthotic situations. Consequently, the related muscle or muscle group, is less activated and may, over time, deteriorate.

Humans evolved traversing across the natural ground barefoot, thus providing endless variations in foot positioning, resulting in greater foot and leg strength and health. With the addition of flat, hard urban settings and shoes, we now experience vary little variation in foot positioning attributing to repetitive lower leg and foot motion and muscle activation. While barefoot running is recently popular and claims to strengthen muscles in the feet and lower legs, it is not practical, safe, socially acceptable or stylish to walk around barefoot in most environments. Hence, an insole is needed that simultaneously provides support while offering continuous variations that prevent further weakening of the foot and lower leg muscles.

2. Description of Related Art

Prior art includes customizable insoles with removable, adjustable parts. U.S. Pat. No. 4,557,060 includes exchangeable pieces that differ in hardness levels. They are adjusted based on the quality and function required by various sports shoes so that one insole is adequate for multiple sports. The adjustable features of other prior art are designed to offer customization options by accommodating multiple foot types as well as addressing various ailments (U.S. Pat. No. 4,841,648 to Shaffer, U.S. Pat. No. 6,105,283 to Park, U.S. Pat. No. 7,707,751 to Avent, U.S. Pat. No. 6,301,807 to Gardiner, U.S. Pat. No. 4,731,940 to Zanatta). However, the adjustable aspects of these insoles are intended purely for customization versus creating a series of insoles intended for one user alone and to be rotated or varied as a function of time, e.g. changing to a different insole with a different camber once per week.

Additional prior art include removable inserts that provide a range of medial arch support positions. However none of the inventions share the purpose of the present invention. U.S. Pat. No. 6,990,756 to Johnson is an orthotic having a plurality of removable inserts designed to gradually train users feet to become accustomed to orthotic support. However with this invention the user relies on one final orthotic support. U.S. Pat. No. 5,138,774 to Sarkozi treats an initial foot support problem while allowing for subsequent readjustment of support and alignment in the arch and heel areas for minor adjustments as needed or to accommodate ongoing requirements caused by short and long term disabilities.

As shown in the prior art, adjustments are made to a final configuration by having removable pieces and parts. They are not intended to be part of a regular rotation. Rather than having one pair of insoles with adjustable parts tending toward a final configuration, the present invention is simple and includes two or more complete pairs of insoles with varying camber (left to right tilt). The present invention can be used alone or on top of “perfect fit insoles” to provide camber variation. Eliminating removable pieces by supplying complete pairs of insoles provides greater ease of use, and is less cumbersome, particularly for the older population and others who may have difficulty with activities involving the fine motor skills and hand strength required to manipulate removable parts.

BRIEF SUMMARY OF THE INVENTION

The present invention is designed to provide additional foot support without the potentially harmful effects of relying on a single orthotic device and permanent positioning within a shoe. The present invention provides a user with two or more pairs of insoles where each pair of insoles has physical properties different from the next pair of insoles, such as camber (side-to-side tilt). The present invention is designed so that the user wears one pair of insoles for a set period of time before rotating to the next insole. The user cycles through the entire series of two or more insoles in serial, consecutive fashion.

The present invention is a plurality of shoe insoles where each pair of insoles has a medial arch that varies in height from one pair of insoles to the next with each insole comprising: a base, a medial arch support, and a cover. Additional embodiments may include a heel cup for more secure fit.

In some embodiments the insole covers the entire interior of the shoe from behind the heel of the foot to beyond the toes. In other embodiments the insoles only cover three quarters of the interior of the shoe, from behind the heel of the foot, to just before the toes. In another embodiment the insoles only cover just beyond the medial arch of the foot. In another aspect of the invention, the shoe includes one moisture absorbent additive dispersed over the interior of the insole.

BRIEF DESCRIPTION OF THE DRAWING

FIGS. 1 through 2 are exploded views depicting the variable camber insole invention using three pairs of insoles. This embodiment is not intended to limit the scope of the design to three pairs of inserts, and may range from two or more pairs of insoles.

DETAILED DESCRIPTION OF THE INVENTION

FIG. 1 is a perspective view of the insole including top cover 20, base 22, and three medial arches, medial arch 24, 26 and 28. For this embodiment FIG. 1 demonstrates that the cover and base are identical for three pairs of insoles and the medial arch is different between the three pairs. Medial arch 28 is thicker than medial arch 26 and medial arch 26 is thicker than medial arch 24. FIG. 2, is a medial view of top cover 20, base 22 and medial arches 24, 26, and 28.

The insoles are for use inside a user's shoe and have a shape which will generally conform to the inside of a shoe.

As shown in FIGS. 1 through 2, base 22 of the embodiment has the shape of an insole extending from behind the heel to the area beyond the ends of the toes. Base 22 has suitable supportive properties and is able to conform to the wearer's shoe and foot. Base 22 is covered with Top Cover 20, which preferably limits slippage of the foot in the shoe and has a low enough coefficient of friction so as to minimize the possibility of blisters. Cover 20 extends over the length of the entire base 22 of insole 10 (shown in FIG. 1).

Medial Arches 24, 26, and 28 are made of a semi-rigid or rigid material that provide support and also conform to the foot. In the preferred embodiment there are three pairs of insoles worn. Each pair has identical base 22 and top cover 20. The first pair of insoles includes medial arch 24, the second pair of insole includes medial arch 26 and the third pair of insoles includes medial arch 28. In the present embodiment each of the three pairs of insoles will be worn in a one week rotation. Base 22 is sandwiched between the given medial arch (either 24, 26, or 28) and top cover 20. However, the composition of the components is not limited to the present embodiment.

Medial arch 28 is greater in height than medial arch 26 which is greater in height than medial arch 24. In the present embodiment the medial arches 24, 26, 28 are made of the same material, each having different thicknesses however in different embodiments the medial arches may vary in material and density as well as thickness. In the present invention the medial arches are consistent in height throughout, however in alternate embodiments, the medial arch may be convex in shape to allow for a closer fit to the medial arch of the foot.

While the present invention has been described in relation to preferred embodiments, the detailed description is not limited. For example, the intended use of the invention provides the user with more than one pair of insoles to rotate between on a regular basis. They may be distributed in packs of two pairs or more, with each pair having a notably different medial arch height and/or firmness. The preferred embodiment are three pairs of full-length insoles however, insoles may be three-quarter length, extending from behind the heel to just before the ball of the foot, or may be limited to the surface just under the medial arch of the foot. The base, medial arch and covers of the insoles may differ in material from one pair to the next and an additional component of a heel cup may be included to create a more secure fit.

The present invention has been disclosed in the context of providing an over-the-counter insole that may be made available to the general public. However, the same principles may be used by a podiatrist or other medical professional to design or create an insole to address the needs of a specific patient.

Claims

1. A device for varying shoe support camber on a regular basis to vary the impact forces on the foot, knee and hip, comprising:

a plurality of pairs of insoles adapted to be inserted into a pair of shoes, each insole having a medial arch support, where the medial arch supports vary in height among said plurality of insoles;

said plurality of pairs of insoles designated for use in serial, consecutive fashion, each pair of insoles being used for a period of time before being replaced by the next consecutive pair of insoles.

2. The device of claim 1, wherein said insoles are constructed of materials selected from a group consisting of: compressed natural or artificial fibers including cotton, wool, nylon, polyesters, acrylics and blends thereof; foam material, rubber, polyurethane, neoprene, latex, styrene-butadiene latex, polyethylene, polyolefin, polyvinyl chloride, and mixtures thereof; artificial leather or natural leather; cellulose; corn husk; and cork.

3. The device of claim 1 wherein said insoles extend substantially the entire length of the foot, proximally from behind the heel to distally forward of the toes.

4. The device of claim 1 wherein said insoles extend partially along the length of the foot, proximally from behind the heel to distally adjacent to the balls of the feet.

5. The device of claim 1 wherein said insoles extend only under the medial arch of the foot.

6. The device of claim 1 wherein said insole includes a temporary adhesive that removably secures said insoles to the inside of the wearer's shoe.

7. The device of claim 1 wherein said insoles are constructed of materials that vary between each pair of insoles.

8. The device of claim 1 wherein said medial arch runs from the arch of the foot to the back of the heel, on the medial side of the insole.

9. The device of claim 1 wherein said insoles include a heel cup.

10. The device of claim 1 wherein said insoles include a cushioning layer.

11. A method for varying shoe support camber on a regular basis to vary the impact forces on the foot, knee and hip, comprising:

providing a plurality of pairs of insoles adapted to be inserted into a pair of shoes, each insole having a medial arch support, where said medial arch supports vary in height among said plurality of insoles;

designating said plurality of pairs of insoles for use in serial, consecutive fashion; and,

using each pair of insoles for a period of time before being replaced by the next consecutive pair of said insoles.