FOOT SUPPORT ASSEMBLY FOR LATERAL AND MEDIAL STABILITY OF FOOT
A foot support assembly provides medial and lateral support to the foot with multiple bands that traverse a dorsal region of the foot, passing through multiple channels in between the midsole and outer sole of a shoe. A fastening mechanism enables length adjustment of the bands, such that shear forces and strain on the foot are reduced. Three spaced-apart bands include a pair of free ends and a longitudinal axis that is sufficient to wrap around the dorsal region of foot. The bands create a taut pressure medially, wrapping laterally across the dorsal region of the foot to help prevent stress fractures and cracks on the foot. A D-ring closure enables length adjustment of the bands. The assembly supports the plantar aspect of the foot, whereby the foot is sandwiched between bands, and the midsole and outer sole of shoe. An alignment tape aligns the foot with the bands.
This application claims the benefits of U.S. provisional application No. 62/216,513, filed Sep. 10, 2015 and entitled FOOT SUPPORT ASSEMBLY FOR LATERAL AND MEDIAL STABILITY, which provisional application is incorporated by reference herein in its entirety.
FIELD OF THE INVENTIONThe present invention relates generally to a foot support assembly for lateral and medial stability of a foot. More so, a foot support assembly integrates with a shoe to provide medial and lateral support to the foot through a plurality of bands that traverse a dorsal region of the foot, and passes through channels in the outer sole of a shoe, and fastening straps that enable length adjustment of the bands around the foot; wherein shear forces and strain on the midfoot, hindfoot, and metatarsus of the foot are substantially inhibited.
BACKGROUND OF THE INVENTIONThe following background information may present examples of specific aspects of the prior art (e.g., without limitation, approaches, facts, or common wisdom) that, while expected to be helpful to further educate the reader as to additional aspects of the prior art, is not to be construed as limiting the present invention, or any embodiments thereof, to anything stated or implied therein or inferred thereupon.
It is known that the feet are an anatomical structure found in many vertebrates. The foot is the terminal portion of a limb which bears weight and allows locomotion. The human foot is a strong and complex mechanical structure containing 26 bones, 33 joints, and more than a hundred muscles, tendons, and ligaments.
The joints of the foot are the ankle and subtalar joint and the interphalangeal articulations of the foot. The human foot has two longitudinal arches and a transverse arch maintained by the interlocking shapes of the foot bones, strong ligaments, and pulling muscles during activity. The muscles acting on the foot can be classified into extrinsic muscles, those originating on the anterior or posterior aspect of the lower leg, and intrinsic muscles, originating on the dorsal (top) or plantar (base) aspects of the foot.
Typically, the arches of the feet are the critical first step in the kinetic chain of the human body. If the arches are injured or do not support the foot because of hereditary reasons, the human kinetic chain can have dysfunction including feet, ankles, shins, knees, thighs, hips, lower back, mid back, and neck. Various stresses along the arch can occur due to excessive physical exertion on the feet.
Often, supportive structures, such as elastic bands are used to support the fifth metatarsal of the feet, so as to prevent stress fractures and inhibit growth of stress fractures once they have started. For example, a crack along the metatarsal that runs down the dorsal region of the foot is known in the art as a Jones fracture. The Jones fracture is known in the art to cause severe pain in the side of the foot making the bearing of weight difficult.
Yet another stress fracture that elastic bands work to alleviate is a navicular stress fracture that occurs in the navicular bone in the center of the foot. The navicular stress fracture may produce vague pain around the middle and sides of the foot. Further, dislocations such a Lisfranc fracture can also cause side of foot pains, depending on the joint that is affected.
Yet another stress-related foot condition is Plantar fasciitis. This is a condition characterized by a tear in the arch ligament, or plantar fascia, on the bottom of the foot. The plantar fascia extends from the base of the heel bone to each of the toes of the foot. Plantar fascitis results when, either suddenly or gradually, motion and/or lack of arch support causes the flattening of the arch or the spreading of the toes such that sufficient pressure is exerted on the bottom of the foot to tear the plantar fascia.
Often, these structural supports are worn with foot wear. However, some conventional supports are either too bulky to be easily worn with footwear, or so flimsy that too little support is provided, inadequate adjustment is provided, or the support loses proper adjustment during wear.
Other proposals have involved elastic bands that support the foot. The problem with these is that they do not sufficiently wrap around the dorsal region of the foot. Also, they do not integrate efficiently with shoes, creating a synergy that leverages the support form shoes and the bands. Even though the above foot support devices meet some of the needs of the market, a foot support assembly that integrates with a shoe to provide medial and lateral support to the foot through a plurality of bands that traverse a dorsal region of the foot, and passes through channels in the outer sole of a shoe, and fastening straps that enable length adjustment of the bands around the foot; wherein shear forces and strain on the midfoot, hindfoot, and metatarsus of the foot are substantially inhibited is still desired.
SUMMARYIllustrative embodiments of the disclosure are generally directed to a foot support assembly that integrates with a shoe to provide medial and lateral stability of the foot. Foot support assembly comprises a plurality of bands that traverse a dorsal region of the foot, passing through multiple channels in between the midsole and outer sole of the shoe. Bands are defined by a pair of free ends.
At least one closure, such as a D-ring, attaches to free ends of bands. A plurality of fastening straps join with the closure at one of the free ends of the bands. Displacement of the fastening straps through the closure enables length adjustment of the bands across the dorsal region of the foot. Changing the length of the band enables conformance to the individual foot size, alignment, and anatomical disposition. This helps reduce shear forces and strain on the foot.
The foot support assembly is configured to integrate with a shoe to provide medial and lateral support to the foot. The foot support assembly utilizes a plurality of bands that pass between the midsole and outer sole of the shoe. The bands traverse a dorsal region of the foot, before passing through multiple channels in between the midsole and outer sole of the shoe. The fastening straps attached at the free ends of the bands enable length adjustment of the bands, such that shear forces and strain on the foot are substantially reduced.
In one exemplary version of the assembly, three spaced-apart bands having a resilient characteristic are used. The three bands each include a pair of free ends and a longitudinal axis that is sufficient to wrap around the dorsal region of the foot. The bands create a taut pressure medially and laterally across the dorsal region of the foot to help prevent stress fractures and cracks on the foot. A D-ring closure positions at the free ends of the bands for fastening the bands to the fastening straps, and enabling length adjustment of the bands. \
Further, a plurality of fastening straps attach to one end of the bands. The fastening straps pass through the D-ring closure to adjust the length of the bands around variously sized and anatomically disposed feet. In this version, the assembly supports the plantar aspect of the foot, whereby the foot is sandwiched between bands, midsole, and outer sole. An alignment tape aligns the foot with the bands.
One objective of the present invention is to help stabilize the foot inside a shoe.
Another objective of the present invention is to reduce medial and lateral (side-to-side) movement of the foot inside a shoe.
Another objective of the present invention is to reduce shearing forces on the foot.
Yet another objective of the present invention is to reduce pronation and supination on the foot.
Yet another objective of the present invention is to reduce heel slippage.
Yet another objective of the present invention is to maintain proper plantar position of the metatarsal heads in relation to the shoe outer sole or a wearer's custom made foot orthotic.
Yet another objective of the present invention is to maintain proper medial side position of the first metatarsal head and proper lateral side position of the fifth metatarsal head to ensure proper shoe width.
Yet another objective of the present invention is to form a foot brace within the shoe.
Yet another objective of the present invention is to provide adjustable D-ring closures that enable the shoe to adapt to swelling by the foot.
Yet another objective of the present invention is to help prevent cuboid syndrome in the foot by alleviating pressure on the calcaneocuboid joint of the foot.
Yet another objective of the present invention is to help prevent plantar fasciitis in the foot by tightening the tendons and ligaments that run from the heel to the toes with flexible bands and fastening straps.
Other systems, devices, methods, features, and advantages will be or become apparent to one with skill in the art upon examination of the following drawings and detailed description. It is intended that all such additional systems, methods, features, and advantages be included within this description, be within the scope of the present disclosure, and be protected by the accompanying claims and drawings.
The invention will now be described, by way of example, with reference to the accompanying drawings, in which:
Like reference numerals refer to like parts throughout the various views of the drawings.
DETAILED DESCRIPTION OF THE INVENTIONThe following detailed description is merely exemplary in nature and is not intended to limit the described embodiments or the application and uses of the described embodiments. As used herein, the word “exemplary” or “illustrative” means “serving as an example, instance, or illustration.” Any implementation described herein as “exemplary” or “illustrative” is not necessarily to be construed as preferred or advantageous over other implementations. All of the implementations described below are exemplary implementations provided to enable persons skilled in the art to make or use the embodiments of the disclosure and are not intended to limit the scope of the disclosure, which is defined by the claims. For purposes of description herein, the terms “upper,” “lower,” “left,” “rear,” “right,” “front,” “vertical,” “horizontal,” and derivatives thereof shall relate to the invention as oriented in
At the outset, it should be clearly understood that like reference numerals are intended to identify the same structural elements, portions, or surfaces consistently throughout the several drawing figures, as may be further described or explained by the entire written specification of which this detailed description is an integral part. The drawings are intended to be read together with the specification and are to be construed as a portion of the entire “written description” of this invention as required by 35 U.S.C. §112.
In one embodiment of the present invention presented in
In this manner, an active foot is stabilized by both assembly 100 and shoe 300 while performing rigorous activities. As a result of the unique engagement between foot support assembly 100, shoe 300, and foot 200, shear forces and strain on the foot 200 are substantially reduced along the ligaments, hind foot, midfoot, tendons, and metatarsus of the foot 200. However, in one alternative embodiment, assembly 100 operates separately from shoe 200; directly wrapping around dorsal region 202 and arch of foot 200.
Those skilled in the art will recognize that assembly 100 is especially useful for use by athletes and generally active feet, wherein the feet are subject to unusual strains as a result of strenuous activities. The assembly also provides a useful, self-contained, flexible, elastic appliance or attachment for cushioning, supporting and structurally controlling the foot, thus limiting or preventing secondary compensatory positional deformities in the foot and related physical structure. Assembly 100 works to reduce these shear strains on the foot 200 by partially restricting excessive lateral movement of the foot 200.
In one embodiment, illustrated in
Bands 102a-c are defined by a longitudinal axis 116 and a pair of free ends 104a, 104b, 104c, 104d, 104e, 104f. Bands 102a-c are sufficiently resilient, so as to conform to size and anatomical disposition of foot 200. At least one closure 110a-f, such as a D-ring, attaches to free ends 104a-f.
In other embodiments, a plurality of fastening straps 112a, 112b, 112c join with bands 102a-c along longitudinal axis 116, forming a parallel, coplanar relationship. One end of fastening straps 112a-c join with the closure 110a-f at a free end 104a of band 102a. Fastening straps 112a-c have a fastening mechanism 114 that detachably attaches to opposite free end 104b of band 102a. In this manner, manipulation of fastening straps 112a-c through the at least one closure 110a-f enables length adjustment of the bands 102a-c across the dorsal region of the foot 200. Altering the length of bands 102a-c enables length adjustment to conform to the individual foot 200 through displacement of the bands 102a-c. This helps reduce shear forces and strain on the foot 200.
In one embodiment, at least three spaced-apart bands 102a-c include a pair of free ends 104a-f and a longitudinal axis 116 that is sufficient to wrap around the dorsal region 202 of the foot 200. The bands 102a-c create a taut pressure medially and laterally across the dorsal region 202 of the foot 200 to help prevent stress fractures and cracks on the foot 200.
In one embodiment, fastening mechanism 114 enables length adjustment of bands 102a-c across foot 200. Assembly 100 supports the plantar aspect of the foot 200, whereby the foot 200 is sandwiched between the bands 102a-c, midsole 309, and outer sole 302. An alignment tape 106 orients perpendicular to the bands 102a-c for aligning the foot 200 with bands 102a-c.
As referenced in
In some embodiments, fastening straps 112a-c are configured to join with pair of free ends 104a-f of bands 102a-c. Fastening straps 112a-c are defined by a fastening mechanism 114, such as a hook and loop fastener. Fastening mechanism 114 helps fasten the bands 102a-c around the shoe 300 by fixedly attaching to one free end 104a of band 102a and detachably attaching to opposite free end 104b of band 102a. Fastening straps 112a-c may be adjusted due to their elasticity. Fastening straps 112a-c may be tightened or loosened independently of each other.
Bands 102a-c are adjustable through the shoe and the foot 200. Specifically, the exact position of bands 102a-c along the dorsal region 202 of the foot 200 is adjustable, so as to support a wider or narrower region of the foot 200 along the medial and lateral dorsal regions 202. Thus in one exemplary use, bands 102a-c can be spread out away from each other to apply pressure across the length of the foot 200. In another possible use, bands 102a-c are bunched together in a parallel, adjacent relationship to form a single, large band. However, any number of manipulations of the bands 102a-c are possible to accommodate the foot 200.
Those skilled in the art will recognize that feet come in myriad shapes and sizes. Thus, bands 102a-c are slightly pliable while engaged with the foot 200, so as to mold to the contours of the foot 200. Bands 102a-c also have sufficient rigidity and weight, so as to provide structural support to the foot 200. Bands 102a-c, in essence, act as a foot brace to enhance stability of the foot 200 inside a shoe.
For example, bands 102a-c are configured to enable tightening around the foot 200 during plantar flexion or dorsiflexion. Bands 102a-c may be fabricated from a lightweight, strong material, such as, leather, a pliable polymer, a breathable fabric, and a nonwoven material in combination with a strong elastic-like material.
In one exemplary use of bands 102a-c, a first band 102a traverses the dorsal region 202 of the foot 200 proximal to the ankle, a second band 102b traverses the dorsal region 202 of the foot 200 proximal to the metatarsals, and a third band 102c traverses the dorsal region 202 of the foot 200 proximal to the toes, or phalanges.
In one specific benefit provided by foot support assembly 100, the bands 102a-c, also help to maintain proper medial side position of the first metatarsal head and proper lateral side position of the fifth metatarsal head to ensure a proper shoe width. In this arrangement, bands 102a-c help maintain proper plantar position of the metatarsal heads in relation to the shoe insert or a wearer's custom made foot orthotic.
Those skilled in the art will recognize that bands 102a-c are especially effective for supporting the fifth metatarsal of the feet, so as to prevent stress fractures and inhibit growth of stress fractures once they have started. For example, a crack along the metatarsal that runs down the dorsal region 202 of the foot 200 is known in the art as a Jones fracture. The Jones fracture is known in the art to cause severe pain in the side of the foot 200 making the bearing of weight difficult.
Yet another stress fracture that bands 102a-c and the alignment tape 106 work to alleviate is a navicular stress fracture that occurs in the navicular bone in the center of the foot 200. The navicular stress fracture may produce vague pain around the middle and sides of the foot 200. Further, dislocations such a Lisfranc fracture can also cause side of foot pains, depending on the joint that is affected.
Bands 102a-c can be manipulated in any number of dispositions along the foot 200. In one exemplary positioning of bands 102a-c illustrated in
Turning now to
As illustrated in
Those skilled in the art, in light of the present teachings, will recognize that foot support assembly 100 is especially effective for preventing stress fractures in the foot 200. The fracture is a stress fracture in the foot 200 caused by repetitive stress. Since the stress fracture generally starts as a small crack in the outer shell (cortex) of the bone. The stress fracture may actually start anywhere on the foot 200. However, a substantial portion of stress fractures occur in the metatarsal bones of the foot 200. Thus, support assembly 100 not only serves to inhibit stress fractures, but also prevents growth of the stress fracture once it has started. This is because without proper treatment, the crack may progress to fracture all the way through the bone.
In some embodiments, foot support assembly 100 may be effective for at least: reducing medial and lateral movement of the foot 200 inside the shoe; reducing shearing of the foot 200; reducing pronation and supination of the foot 200; reducing heel slippage; maintaining proper plantar position of the metatarsal heads in relation to the shoe's inserts; and maintaining proper medial side position of the first metatarsal head and proper lateral side position of the fifth metatarsal head.
Those skilled in the art will recognize that a heel counter is a shaped stiffener that maintains the counter of the heel. The midfoot and the metatarsals have the shoe 310 secured to it with either a shoelace or a hook and loop fastening mechanism. The overwhelming amount of pressure and holding power that the shoelace or hook and loop fastening mechanism exerts is to the top of the midfoot and metatarsals. Very little pressure and holding power are applied to the medial and lateral sides of the shoe 310, thus providing little lateral and medial support. Foot support assembly attempts to compensate for shoe's lack of support.
Specifically, present shoes do not effectively control the following manipulations: inversion—a turning inward of the foot; eversion—a turning outward of the foot 200; abduction—the motion of a body part away from the midline of the body; adduction—the motion of the body part toward a midline of the body; pronation—the tri-plane motion of the foot consisting of eversion, dorsiflexion, and abduction; supination—the tri-plane motion of the foot consisting of inversion, plantarflexion, and adduction; and shearing—the anterior-posterior or medial-lateral and even oblique parallel movement or sliding motion that produces stress or tearing of tissue on the plantar surface of the foot 200.
Since many modifications, variations, and changes in detail can be made to the described preferred embodiments of the invention, it is intended that all matters in the foregoing description and shown in the accompanying drawings be interpreted as illustrative and not in a limiting sense. Thus, the scope of the invention should be determined by the appended claims and their legal equivalence.
Claims
1. A support assembly for medial and lateral support of the foot, the assembly comprising:
- a plurality of bands, the plurality of bands defined by a longitudinal axis and a pair of free ends, the plurality of bands arranged in a spaced-apart, parallel relationship;
- a plurality of fastening straps, the plurality of fastening straps comprising a fastening mechanism configured to detachably attach to one of the free ends of the plurality of bands; and
- at least one closure, the at least one closure configured to join one of the free ends of the plurality of bands with the plurality of fastening straps, the at least one closure further configured to enable passage of the plurality of fastening straps,
- whereby displacement of the plurality of fastening straps through the at least one closure enables independent length adjustment of each of the plurality of bands.
2. The assembly of claim 1, further including an alignment tape.
3. The assembly of claim 2, wherein the alignment tape is disposed generally perpendicular to the plurality of bands, the alignment tape configured to help align the plurality of bands.
4. The assembly of claim 1, wherein the plurality of bands comprises multiple spaced-apart, parallel bands.
5. The assembly of claim 1, wherein the plurality of bands comprises three parallel bands.
6. The assembly of claim 1, wherein the plurality of bands are resilient.
7. The assembly of claim 1, wherein the plurality of fastening straps are disposed along the length of the longitudinal axis of the plurality of bands.
8. The assembly of claim 1, wherein the fastening mechanism comprises a hook and loop fastener.
9. The assembly of claim 1, wherein the at least one closure comprises a D-ring closure.
10. The assembly of claim 1, further including a shoe defined by an outer sole, an upper, and a slot.
11. The assembly of claim 10, wherein the outer sole comprises a plurality of channels, the plurality of channels sized and dimensioned to receive the plurality of bands and the plurality of fastening straps.
12. A support assembly for medial and lateral support of the foot, the assembly comprising:
- a plurality of bands, the plurality of bands defined by a longitudinal axis and a pair of free ends, the plurality of bands arranged in a spaced-apart, parallel relationship, the plurality of bands configured to enable traversing a dorsal region of a foot at least in a medial and lateral orientation, the plurality of bands further configured to at least partially conform to the dorsal region of the foot;
- a plurality of fastening straps, the plurality of fastening straps comprising a fastening mechanism configured to detachably attach to one of the free ends of the plurality of bands;
- at least one closure, the at least one closure configured to join one of the free ends of the plurality of bands with the plurality of fastening straps, the at least one closure further configured to enable passage of the plurality of fastening straps,
- whereby displacement of the plurality of fastening straps through the at least one closure independent length adjustment of each of the plurality of bands; and
- an alignment tape, the alignment tape disposed generally perpendicular to the plurality of bands, the alignment tape configured to help align the foot with the plurality of bands.
13. The assembly of claim 12, wherein the plurality of bands comprises multiple spaced-apart, parallel bands.
14. The assembly of claim 12, wherein the plurality of bands comprises three parallel bands.
15. The assembly of claim 12, wherein the plurality of fastening straps are disposed along the length of the longitudinal axis of the plurality of bands.
16. The assembly of claim 12, wherein the fastening mechanism comprises a hook and loop fastener.
17. The assembly of claim 12, wherein the at least one closure comprises a D-ring closure.
18. The assembly of claim 1, further including a shoe defined by an outer sole, an upper, and a slot.
19. The assembly of claim 18, wherein the outer sole comprises a plurality of channels, the plurality of channels sized and dimensioned to receive the plurality of bands and the plurality of fastening straps.
20. A support assembly for medial and lateral support of the foot, the assembly comprising:
- a plurality of bands, the plurality of bands defined by a longitudinal axis and a pair of free ends, the plurality of bands arranged in a spaced-apart, parallel relationship, the plurality of bands configured to enable traversing a dorsal region of a foot at least in a medial and lateral orientation, the plurality of bands further configured to at least partially conform to the dorsal region of the foot;
- a plurality of fastening straps, the plurality of fastening straps comprising a fastening mechanism configured to detachably attach to one of the free ends of the plurality of bands;
- an alignment tape, the alignment tape disposed generally perpendicular to the plurality of bands, the alignment tape configured to help align the foot with the plurality of bands;
- at least one closure, the at least one closure configured to join one of the free ends of the plurality of bands with the plurality of fastening straps, the at least one closure further configured to enable passage of the plurality of fastening straps,
- whereby displacement of the plurality of fastening straps through the at least one closure enables independent length adjustment of each of the plurality of bands;
- an alignment tape, the alignment tape disposed generally perpendicular to the plurality of bands, the alignment tape configured to help align the foot with the plurality of bands; and
- a shoe defined by an outer sole, an upper, and a slot, the outer sole comprising a plurality of channels disposed to extend cross length of the outer sole, the plurality of channels sized and dimensioned to receive the plurality of bands and the plurality of fastening straps.
Type: Application
Filed: Sep 12, 2016
Publication Date: Mar 16, 2017
Inventors: Ahmed Syed (Buffalo, NY), Husain Syed (Buffalo, NY)
Application Number: 15/262,828