SHOE INSERT

Abstract

An insert adapted to be inserted into a shoe and provide support to an upper surface of the shoe so as to prevent the upper surface from deforming. The insert is made of a unitary body made of a flat and flexible material. The unitary body includes: (1) a forefoot portion; (2) a rearfoot portion extending from the forefoot portion; (3) a continuous peripheral wall about the unitary body; (4) an upper surface; and (5) a bottom surface opposing the upper surface.

Description

FIELD

The present invention relates to a footwear insert, particularly a light weight and flexible shoe tree assembly.

BACKGROUND

Conventionally, wooden or other stiff shoe trees are inserted into shoes to help preserve a shoe's shape, specifically the shape of the upper. The shoe trees help prevent the upper from deforming due to external forces. Due to the stiff material these shoe trees are comprised of, the shoe trees are also heavy in weight. As many individuals pack shoes in luggage for travel, these conventional shoe trees add weight to the luggage which conflicts with the airline weight requirements for luggage. To avoid the additional weight from conventional shoe trees, individuals use other means to provide support and preserve the shape of their shoes from getting crushed, such as stuffing the shoe with clothing articles, newspaper, plastic, and the like. Some of the problems resulting from using these other means is that the clothing articles, newspaper, and plastic may not be sufficiently strong enough to resist the force applied to the shoe, they are not designed specifically to preserve the shape of the shoe so deforming may still occur, and the articles may take on the odor of the inside of the shoe. In addition to the added weight, the conventional wooden or other stiff shoe trees are not able to pack or store in a flatter configuration to utilize less space when not in use.

Plastic shoe trees are known in the art. These plastic shoe trees do not provide support to the entire upper of the shoe. The plastic shoe trees are easily collapsible such that with pressure applied onto the shoe, such as the shoe upper, the shoes are left vulnerable to easily deforming. Inflatable shoe trees are also known in the art. These inflatable shoe trees need to be inflated prior to use and deflated prior to storage. The problem with the inflatable shoe trees is that they do not easily adapt to different shoe styles or contours, they may not resist the force applied onto them resulting in the inflatable shoe tree bursting, the inflatable shoe trees are susceptible to leaking and thus reducing the amount of support they provide a shoe upper, they first have to be inflated prior to their use, and deflated prior to storage.

What is needed is a lightweight shoe insert to minimize the weight added to luggage. What is needed is an insert which can conform to the interior of a shoe upper and provide support, such that the shoe upper may retain its general shape. What is needed is an insert which is resilient and able to withstand repetitive deformation. What is needed is an insert which may be easily stored and utilize minimal space. What is needed is a shoe insert which can quickly transform from a smaller, storage configuration to a configuration which provides support to a shoe upper. What is needed is an insert which can be purchased at an affordable cost.

SUMMARY

The present disclosure relates to an insert comprising: a unitary body made of a flat material, the unitary body having: a forefoot portion; a rearfoot portion extending from the forefoot portion; a continuous peripheral wall about the unitary body; an upper surface; and a bottom surface opposing the upper surface; wherein the insert is adapted to be inserted into a shoe and provide support to an upper surface of a shoe.

In some preferred embodiments, the insert according to the teachings herein may further comprise a flexible material. In some preferred embodiments, the insert according the teachings herein may include one or more collar extensions. In some preferred embodiments, the insert according to the teachings herein may include a first configuration and a second configuration. In the first configuration, the insert may be flat and in the second configuration the insert may conform to the contours of an upper surface of a shoe. In some preferred embodiments, the insert according to the teachings herein may include one or more cut-outs which may facilitate repetitive deforming of the insert. In some preferred embodiments, the flat material of the insert may be comprised of a foam plank.

The teachings herein provide methods of using the insert described herein, and also methods of producing the insert described herein.

The insert of the present disclosure provides a lightweight shoe insert which may be flat and take on the contour of the shoe. The present disclosure provides a shoe insert which may provide support a shoe upper so that the shoe upper may retain its general shape under external forces. The present disclosure provides an insert which is resilient and is able to withstand repetitive deformation. The present disclosure provides an insert which may be placed in a first configuration to remain flat, such as to pack in luggage or for storage and a second configuration, which may be used to provide support of a shoe. The present disclosure provides an insert which is easily manufactured for a low cost.

BRIEF DESCRIPTION OF DRAWINGS

FIG. 1 is a perspective view of an insert in accordance with the present teachings with a forefoot portion in the forefront.

FIG. 2 is a perspective view of an insert in accordance with the present teachings with a rearfoot portion in the forefront.

FIG. 3 is an orthographic view of an insert in accordance with the present teachings.

FIG. 4 is an orthographic view of an insert in accordance with the present teachings.

FIG. 5 is an orthographic view of a top of an insert in accordance with the present teachings.

FIG. 6 is an orthographic view of a side of an insert in accordance with the present teachings.

FIG. 7 is an orthographic view of a rearfoot portion of an insert in accordance with the present teachings.

FIG. 8 illustrates an insert in accordance with the present teachings inserted into an exemplary conventional shoe.

DETAILED DESCRIPTION

The explanations and illustrations presented herein are intended to acquaint others skilled in the art with the invention, its principles, and its practical application. Accordingly, the specific embodiments of the present disclosure as set forth are not intended as being exhaustive or limiting of the invention. The scope of the invention should, therefore, be determined not with reference to the above description, but should instead be determined with reference to the appended claims, along with the full scope of equivalents to which such claims are entitled. The disclosures of all articles and references, including patent applications and publications, are incorporated by reference for all purposes. Other combinations are also possible as will be gleaned from the following claims, which are also hereby incorporated by reference into this written description.

The present teachings relate to an insert which is adapted for use within a shoe, provides support to the shoe upper, and prevents the shoe upper from deforming when external forces are applied onto the shoe. The insert comprises a unitary body having a forefoot portion and a rearfoot portion. The insert has a continuous peripheral wall about the periphery of the insert. The insert comprises an upper surface opposing a bottom surface.

The insert may further comprise any one or more of the features described in this specification in any combination, including the preferences and examples listed in this specification, and includes the following features: the flat material may be flexible; the unitary body may include a longitudinal axis extending from the forefoot portion to the rearfoot portion; the forefoot portion may include a toe portion in which the continuous peripheral wall may have a rounded contour; the rearfoot portion may include a collar extension on an opposing end of the unitary body as the toe portion; the collar extension may extend at an angle away from the longitudinal axis; the rearfoot portion may includes two collar extensions on opposing sides of the longitudinal axis; the rearfoot portion may include a cut-out; the cut-out may include a longitudinal bend cut-out; the longitudinal bend cut-out may form a concave contour in the continuous peripheral wall at an end of the rearfoot portion opposing the toe portion; the cut-out may include a collar extension cut-out; the collar extension cut-out may be disposed between the longitudinal bend cut-out and the collar extension; the cut-out may include two of the collar extension cut-outs, and each of the two collar extension cut-outs may be disposed on an opposing side of the longitudinal bend cut-out; the forefoot portion may be positionable within a toe box of a shoe and under an upper surface of a shoe; the forefoot portion may be positionable under a vamp of an upper surface of the shoe; the flat material at the forefoot portion may be deformable so as to adapt to the contour of the vamp and may provide support to an upper surface of a shoe along the length of the vamp; the forefoot portion may be deformable so that when the forefoot portion is inserted under the vamp, the upper surface at the forefoot portion may deform into a convex contour and the bottom surface at the forefoot portion may deform into a concave contour; the flat material at the forefoot portion, the rearfoot portion, or both may be deformable so as to adapt to the contour of at least a portion of a quarter of the upper surface of the shoe and may provide support to the quarter; the rearfoot portion may be positionable within a collar of an upper surface of the shoe; the flat material at the at the rearfoot portion may be deformable so as to adapt to a contour of the quarter, a collar of the shoe, a backstay of the shoe, a counter of the shoe, or a combination thereof and may provide support to the quarter, the collar, the heel portion, the counter, or a combination thereof; the collar extension cut-out may allow the collar extension to bend at an angle offset from the longitudinal axis; the two collar extensions may deform and bend so that the rearfoot portion may conform to the elliptical shape of the collar; the insert may a first configuration and a second configuration; in the first configuration, the insert may be flat; in the second configuration, the insert may deform to the contours of an upper surface of a shoe; the flat material may comprises a foam plank; the flat material may comprise a polyethylene foam plank.

The insert may comprise a unitary body. The unitary body may provide support to a shoe upper. The unitary body may be flexible so that it may deform. For example, upon insertion into a shoe, the unitary body may take on the general shape of the shoe upper. The unitary body may have a first configuration and a second configuration. In the first configuration, the unitary body may be flat. In the second configuration, the unitary body may resemble the general shape of a shoe upper. The unitary body may be comprised of a flexible material. The unitary body may include a forefoot portion, a rearfoot portion, or both. The unitary body may comprise one or more cut-outs. The insert, such as the unitary body may include a longitudinal axis extending from the forefoot portion to the rearfoot portion. The insert may be symmetrical about the longitudinal axis. The unitary body be have a substantially continuous thickness or variable thickness. Preferably, the unitary body has a substantially continuous thickness. The unitary body may have a thickness of equal to or greater than about 0.25 cm, preferably equal to or greater than about 0.5 cm, and more preferably equal to or greater than about 1 cm. The unitary body may have a thickness of equal to or less than about 3 cm, preferably equal to or less than about 2.5 cm, and more preferably equal to or less than about 2 cm.

The insert may comprise a forefoot portion. The forefoot portion may be a portion of the unitary body. The forefoot portion may provide structural support to one or more portions of a shoe upper, prevent one or more portions of a shoe upper from deforming from external forces, or both, such that the shoe upper maintains a desired shape. For example, the forefoot portion may provide support to a toe box, a vamp, a quarter, a tongue, the like, or a combination thereof. The forefoot portion may have any size and shape to fit within the forefoot portion of a shoe upper to provide structural support, prevent the shoe upper from deforming, or both. The forefoot portion may have width. The width may be continuous or may differ along the length of the insert. Preferably, the width of the forefoot portion is narrower at the foremost portion of the insert as compared to a wider width of the forefoot portion adjacent to a rearfoot portion. The width of the forefoot portion may be less than about 25 cm, preferably less than about 20 cm, and more preferably less than about 15 cm. The width of the forefoot portion may be greater than about 4 cm, preferably greater than about 5 cm, and more preferably greater than about 6 cm. The forefoot portion may have a length less than, about equal to, or greater than the length of at least a portion of the shoe upper. The forefoot portion may have a length greater than about 5 cm, preferably greater than about 7 cm, more preferably greater than about 10 cm. The forefoot portion may have a length less than about 25 cm, preferably less than about 22 cm, more preferably less than about 20 cm. For example, the forefoot length may be sufficiently small so that the insert may fit in and provide support to a child's shoe or a woman's dress shoe or the forefoot length may be large enough to fit into and provide support to a man's shoe. The forefoot portion may have a length such that it extends from the toe box or toe portion of the shoe upper, across the vamp of the shoe upper, and to the end of the tongue or start of the collar at the ankle opening of the shoe. The forefoot portion may be flexible so that upon insertion into a shoe, the forefoot portion conforms to the general shape of one or more portions of the shoe upper, such as the inside contour of the toe box, the vamp, the quarter, or a combination thereof. For example, the upper surface of the unitary body at the forefoot portion may deform into a generally convex shape and the bottom surface may deform into a generally concave shape such as to mimic the general curvature of the forefoot portion of the shoe upper. The forefoot portion may comprise a toe portion.

The forefoot portion of the insert may comprise a toe portion. The toe portion may provide structural support to the toe box or toe portion of a shoe upper, may allow the forefoot portion of the insert to be inserted as forward as possible within the shoe, allow the forefoot portion to conform to the toe area or toe box of the shoe, or a combination thereof. The toe portion may be the first part of the unitary body which is inserted into the shoe. The toe portion may be first inserted into a shoe through a shoe opening in a shoe collar. The toe portion may be come into contact with the front end of the toe box or toe area of the shoe. The peripheral wall at the toe portion may be contoured, such as a rounded contour with a half circle or half-elliptical shape. The peripheral wall at the toe portion may have a radius. The radius of the peripheral wall at the toe portion may be any size suitable such that the toe portion can fit within the inside of a shoe and provide structural support. The rounded contour of the toe portion may be centered with the longitudinal axis of the insert. The radius of the rounded contour may be the distance from the longitudinal axis to the peripheral wall at the rounded contour. For example, the radius may be smaller so that the insert may fit in a child's shoe or a woman's dress shoe or the radius may be larger to provide support to a man's shoe. The radius of the toe portion may be larger than about 2 cm, preferably larger than about 2.5 cm, and more preferably larger than about 3 cm. The radius of the toe portion may be smaller than about 12 cm, preferably less than about 10 cm, more preferably less than about 8 cm. The toe portion may be on at opposing end of the insert as a rearfoot portion of the insert.

The insert may comprise a rearfoot portion. The rearfoot portion may be a portion of the unitary body. The rearfoot portion may extend from and be opposing the forefoot portion. The rearfoot portion may provide structural support to one or more portions of a shoe upper, prevent one or more portions of a shoe upper from deforming from external pressure, or both, such that the shoe upper maintains a desired shape. For example, the rearfoot portion may provide support to a quarter, a counter, a collar, a tongue, a backstay, a heel portion, the like, or a combination thereof. The rearfoot portion may have any size and shape to fit within the rearfoot portion of a shoe upper to provide structural support, prevent the shoe upper from deforming, or both. The rearfoot portion may conform to the general shape of the collar of the shoe upper. For example, the rearfoot portion may deform into a generally elliptical shape such as that of a shoe collar. The rearfoot portion may have one or more extensions. The rearfoot portion may have one or more cut-outs. The one or more extensions, the one or more cut-outs, or both may allow the rearfoot portion to conform to the general shape of the collar, such as a generally elliptical shape with an opening therethrough.

The insert may comprise one or more extensions. The extensions may include one or more collar extensions, such as two collar extensions. The extensions may be part of the rearfoot portion. The extensions may be part of the unitary body. The extensions may extend away from the longitudinal axis. The extensions may be parallel or offset at an angle to the longitudinal axis. Preferably, the extensions are at an acute angle to the longitudinal axis. A first collar extension and a second collar extension may be symmetrically located on opposing sides of the longitudinal axis. The angle of the extensions from the longitudinal axis may facilitate deforming, such as bending, the one or more extensions. The extensions may extend away from the forefoot portion. The extensions may be integral with the unitary body where the forefoot portion transitions to the rearfoot portion. The extensions may conform to the general shape of a portion of the shoe upper, such as the collar, quarter, backstay, counter, tongue, a general shape of the shoe opening, the like, or a combination thereof. The extensions may be on the end of the unitary body opposing the toe portion. The extensions may have any size or shape such as to conform to the general shape of the shoe upper, such as shape of the collar. The extensions may have a length about less than, about equal to, or about greater than the diameter of the collar opening to a shoe. The extensions may have a length greater than about 5 cm, preferably greater than about 7 cm, more preferably greater than about 8 cm. The extensions may have a length less than about 20 cm, preferably less than 15 cm, more preferably less than 13 cm. The extensions may have a width about less than, about equal to, or about greater than the distance from the shoe insole to the top of the shoe collar. The extensions may have a width about greater than 1 cm, preferably greater than about 2.5 cm, more preferably greater than about 5 cm. The extensions may have a width less than about 12 cm, preferably less than 10 cm, and more preferably less than about 8 cm.

The insert may comprise one or more cut-outs. The cut-outs may allow the insert to repetitively deform, the cut-outs may help guide or facilitate one or more portions of the insert to conform the shoe upper, or a combination thereof. The cut-outs may facilitate the insert repetitively deforming without showing wear, tear, fatigue, overuse, damage, or the like on the material of the insert. The cut-outs may be located in the forefoot portion, the rearfoot portion, or both. Preferably, the cut-outs are located in the rearfoot portion. One or more of the cut-outs may be located between one or more extensions. Preferably, one or more cut-outs are located between two collar extensions. One or more cut-outs may be a longitudinal bend cut-out. One or more cut-outs may be a collar extension cut-out.

The insert may comprise a longitudinal bend cut-out. The longitudinal bend cut-out may allow the insert to repetitively deform, may guide one or more portions of the insert to conform to forefoot of the shoe upper, may guide one or more portions of the insert to conform to the rearfoot of the shoe upper, or a combination thereof. The longitudinal bend cut-out may facilitate the insert bending substantially symmetrically along the longitudinal axis. The longitudinal bend cut-out may facilitate the rearfoot portion deforming or bending in an opposing direction the forefoot portion. For example, the longitudinal bend cut-out may facilitate the one or more collar extensions bending in substantially the same plane as a collar of a shoe while the forefoot portion bends at substantially the same plane as the forefoot or vamp of a shoe. The longitudinal bend cut-out may have any suitable size and shape. The longitudinal bend cut-out may have a rounded, elliptical, circular shape, half-moon shape. The longitudinal bend cut-out may have a radius. The radius may be the distance from the longitudinal axis to the peripheral wall at the longitudinal bend cut-out. The longitudinal cut-out may have a radius less than about 5 cm, preferably less than about 3 cm, more preferably less than about 2 cm. The longitudinal cut-out may have a radius greater than about 0.25 cm, preferably greater than about 0.5 cm, and more preferably greater than about 1.0 cm. The longitudinal bend cut-out may be located between one or more collar extensions. Preferably, the longitudinal bend cut-out is located between a first collar extension and a second collar extension and centered with the longitudinal axis.

The insert may comprise one or more collar extension cut-outs. The one or more collar extensions cut-outs may allow one or more collar extensions to repetitively deform, may guide or facilitate the deforming or bending of one or more collar extensions, may facilitate the one or more collar extensions deforming in an opposing direction as the forefoot portion. The one or more collar extensions cut-outs may include a first collar extension cut-out and a second collar extension cut-out. The one or more collar extension cut-outs may be located between the longitudinal axis or longitudinal bend cut-out and one or more collar extensions. Preferably, a first collar extension cut-out is located between the first collar extension and the longitudinal bend cut-out. Preferably, a second collar extension cut-out is located between the second collar extension and the longitudinal bend cut-out. Preferably, if there is a plurality of the one or more collar extension cut-outs, the cut-outs are located symmetrically on opposing sides of the longitudinal axis. The one or more collar extension cut-outs may form a generally triangular or arc shape in the peripheral wall. The one or more collar extension cut-outs may form a generally triangular opening or circular arc opening which narrows toward the forefoot portion and opens wider toward the rear of the insert. The one or more collar extensions cut-outs may have an angular contour in the peripheral wall which opens at an angle less than about 90 degrees, preferably less than about 75 degrees, and more preferably less than about 60 degrees. The one or more collar extension cut-outs may have an angular contour in the peripheral wall which opens at an angle greater than about 5 degrees, preferably greater than about 15 degrees, and more preferably greater than 30 degrees. The one or more collar extensions cut-outs may have a radial opening, such as at a portion of the cut-out closest to the front of the insert. The radial opening may have a diameter to allow the insert to be folded along the centerline of the triangular opening without showing wear and tear at a corner of the triangle. The diameter of the radial cut-out may be less than about 1 cm, preferably less than about 0.8 cm, more preferably less than about 0.75 cm. The diameter of the radial cut-out may be greater than about 0.05 cm, preferably greater than about 0.1 cm, and more preferably greater than about 0.2 cm. The one or more collar extension cut-outs may have a centerline. The centerline may be at an acute angle to a line perpendicular to the longitudinal axis. The centerline may be at an angle less than about 90 degrees to a line perpendicular to the longitudinal axis, preferably less than about 80 degrees, and more preferably less than 75 degrees.

The insert may have a first configuration and a second configuration. In the first configuration, the insert may be flat. In the second configuration, the insert may be deformed so as to conform to the inside surface of a shoe upper. The second configuration may resemble a shoe upper. In the second configuration, a forefoot portion may resemble the front of a shoe upper and the rearfoot portion may resemble the rear of a shoe upper. The first configuration may allow the insert to be easily transportable when not in use, as it may lay flat in luggage. The second configuration may allow the insert to provide structural support to a shoe upper.

The insert may comprise any material which is flexible, repeatedly deformable, can provide structural support to a shoe upper, can be positioned flat, can conform to the inside surface of a shoe upper, is lightweight, or a combination thereof. The material may be any material which after repetitive deformation does not show wear, tear, fatigue, overuse, damage, or the like. The material may be any material which is easily customizable by a consumer, such as to fit inside a shoe. For example, the material may be easy to cut with scissors such as to fit a narrower shoe. The material may be any lightweight material, such as to add minimal weight to a shoe, to luggage when packed for travel, or a combination thereof. The insert may comprise any suitable polymer, such as plastic, and preferably polyethylene. The insert may comprise foam. For example, the insert may be made of polyethylene foam. An exemplary polyethylene foam is PolyPlank® EXT Engineered Foam Plank. The insert may be comprised of a foam with a density equal to or greater than about 1.5 pounds per cubic foot to a density equal to or less than 9 pounds per cubic foot. Preferably, the insert is comprised of a foam with a density equal to or greater than about 2 pounds per cubic foot to a density equal to or less than 6 pounds per cubic foot. The material of the insert may be any suitable color. Preferably the color of the insert is one that does not show signs of use, marks, fingerprints, and the like. For example, the material of the insert may be a gray or charcoal color. The material of the insert may be any material which can resist an external force or mass applied to a shoe such that the shoe upper may substantially retain its general shape. The material of the insert may be any material which can resist about equal to or greater than 5 kg of mass applied to the shoe upper, preferably about equal to or greater than 10 kg, and more preferably about equal to or greater than 15 kg.

The present teachings relate to a method of using an insert according to the teachings herein to provide support to a shoe upper, such that the shoe upper may substantially retain its shape when external pressure is applied to the shoe upper. The method of use may include obtaining an insert. The insert may have a unitary body which may be made of a flat and/or flexible material. Initially, the insert may be in a first configuration and may be transition into a second configuration. The first configuration may be flat and the second configuration may allow the insert to adapt to the contours of a shoe. In the second configuration, the insert may be disposed within a shoe and provide support to the shoe. The second configuration may resemble a shoe upper. To transition from the first configuration to the second configuration, the one or more collar extensions may be folded to form an elliptical shape resembling a shoe collar. To transition from the first configuration to the second configuration, the forefoot portion may be folded to resemble the contour of a shoe upper, such as a vamp, toe box, quarter, or a combination thereof. Using the insert may include inserting the insert into a shoe in the second configuration. To place the insert, the insert may be first inserted into a shoe by inserting a toe portion through a shoe opening, such as the opening of a shoe collar. To place the insert, a toe portion may be slid towards a toe box of a shoe. When the insert is inserted into a shoe, the forefoot portion may provide support to a shoe upper, such as the forefoot of the shoe upper and the rearfoot portion may provide support to a shoe upper, such as the rearfoot of the shoe upper. For example, the forefoot portion may provide support to a vamp, a tongue, a quarter, a toe box, or a combination thereof. The forefoot portion, such as the toe portion may provide support to a toe box. The one or more collar extensions may be placed within a shoe opening. The one or more collar extensions may conform to the generally elliptical shape of a shoe opening. The rearfoot portion may provide support to a quarter, a collar, a backstay, a counter, a heel portion, a tongue, or a combination thereof. The one or more collar extensions by conforming to the generally elliptical shape of the shoe opening may provide support to a quarter, a collar, a backstay, a counter, a heel portion, or a combination thereof.

The present teachings relate to a method of making an insert according to the teachings herein, which may provide support to shoe upper, such that the shoe upper may substantially retain its shape when external pressure is applied to the shoe upper. The method of use may include obtaining a material. The material may be any material which is flexible, repeatedly deformable, can provide structural support to a shoe upper, can be positioned flat, can conform to the inside surface of a shoe upper, is lightweight, or a combination thereof. The material may be any material which can form a unitary body. The material may be any suitable polymer, such as plastic, and preferably polyethylene. The material may be any suitable foam. For example, the may be a polyethylene foam. The method may include forming the material into an insert, such as by forming the unitary body of the insert. The method may include forming a forefoot portion integral with the rearfoot portion. The material may take the shape of the insert by any suitable means, such as molding, form molding, vacuum forming, cutting, die-cutting, water jet cutting, stamping, extruding, the like, or any combination thereof. The method may include placing the insert in packaging, such as commercial retail packaging.

Illustrative Embodiments

The following descriptions of the Figures are provided to illustrate the teachings, but are not intended to limit the scope thereof.

FIG. 1 is a perspective view of an insert 10. The insert 10 is shown in a first configuration 100. In the first configuration 100, the insert 10 is substantially flat. The insert 10 comprises a unitary body 11. The insert 10 is made of a flat material which is flexible. The insert 10 includes a forefoot portion 12 and a rearfoot portion 14. The insert 10 includes a peripheral wall 16. The peripheral wall 16 is continuous about the perimeter of the insert 10. The insert 10 includes an upper surface 18 and an opposing bottom surface 20 (not shown). The forefoot portion 12 includes a toe portion 24 at the foremost end of the insert 10. The toe portion 24 is defined by a rounded contour 26 of the peripheral wall 16. The rearfoot portion 14 includes a collar extension 28. The collar extension 28 is comprised of a first collar extension 30 and a second collar extension 32. The rearfoot portion 14 includes one or more cut-outs 34. The cut-outs 34 may facilitate bending of the insert 10 from a first configuration 100 to a second configuration 200 (not shown) and back to the first configuration 100 a multitude of times.

FIG. 2 is a perspective view of an insert 10. The insert 10 is shown in a first configuration 100. The insert 10 includes a forefoot portion 12 and a rearfoot portion 14. The insert 10 is comprised of a unitary body 11. The unitary body 11 is made of a substantially flat material. The flat material has a substantially continuous thickness so that a peripheral wall 16 may have a continuous height about the periphery of the insert 10. The flat material may be flexible so that the insert 10 may transition from the first configuration 100 to a second configuration 102 (not shown). The insert 10 includes a toe portion 24 which is defined by a rounded contour 26 of the peripheral wall 16. The toe portion 24 is part of the forefoot portion 12. The toe portion 24 is on opposite end of the insert 10 as a collar extension 28. The collar extension 28 is part of the rearfoot portion 14. The rearfoot portion 14 includes cut-outs 34 between a first collar extension 30 and a second collar extension 32.

FIG. 3 is an orthographic view of an insert 10 with the forefoot portion 12 in the foreground. The rearfoot portion 14 has a greater width than the forefoot portion 12. The forefoot portion 12 includes a toe portion 24. The toe portion 24 is defined by a rounded contour 26 of the peripheral wall 16. The insert 10 includes an upper surface 18 opposing a bottom surface 20. The height of the peripheral wall 16 is the distance between the upper surface 18 and the bottom surface 20. The insert 10 has a substantially continuous thickness such that the height of the peripheral wall 16 is substantially uniform throughout the insert 10.

FIG. 4 is an orthographic view of an insert 10 with the rearfoot portion 14 in the foreground. One or more cut-outs 34 are located in the rearfoot portion 14. The one or more cut-outs 34 are located substantially centrally among the width of the rearfoot portion 14. The one or more cut-outs 34 are located between a first collar extension 30 and a second collar extension 32.

FIG. 5 is an orthographic view from a top surface 18 of an insert 10. The insert 10 includes a longitudinal axis 22 extending from a forefoot portion 12 to a rearfoot portion 14. The insert 10 is substantially symmetrical about the longitudinal axis 22. The forefoot portion 12 narrows in width towards the toe portion 24. The forefoot portion 12 has the greatest width W_F1 at the rearmost portion of the forefoot portion 12. The rearmost portion of the forefoot portion 12 is where the forefoot portion 12 transitions into the rearfoot portion 14. The forefoot portion 12 has a smaller width W_F2 closer to the foremost portion of the insert 10. The forefoot portion 12 has a smaller width W_F2 where the peripheral wall 16 begins to have a curved contour 26 at the toe portion 24 than at the rearmost portion of the forefoot portion 12. The forefoot portion 12 includes a toe portion 24. The toe portion 24 is located at the foremost portion of the insert 10. The peripheral wall 16 has a rounded contour 26 at the toe portion 24. The rounded contour 26 is centered at the longitudinal axis 22. The rounded contour 26 has a radius R_T. The radius R_T is the radial distance from the longitudinal axis 22 to the peripheral wall 16 at the rounded contour 26. The rounded contour 26 begins at the narrowest or smallest width W_F2 of the forefoot portion 12 before the peripheral wall 16 curves to form the rounded contour 26. The rearfoot portion 14 extends from the forefoot portion 12 towards the rearmost portion of the insert 10. The rearfoot portion 14 includes collar extensions 28. The collar extensions 28 extend at an angle θ₃ from the longitudinal axis 22. The peripheral wall 16 has an angled contour having an angle θ₄ where the peripheral wall transitions from the forefoot portion 12 to the rearfoot portion 14. Both angles θ₃, θ₄ of the collar extensions 28 facilitate bending or flexing the one or more collar extensions 28, such as into the second configuration 102 (not shown). The collar extensions 28 have ends 31, 33 at the rearmost portion of the insert 10. In the second configuration 102 (not shown), the collar extensions 28 may be deformed such that the one or more collar extensions 28 form a generally elliptical shape about the longitudinal axis and the ends 31, 33 may come closer to one another, may touch, or may overlap.

FIG. 6 is an orthographic view from a side 21 of an insert 10. The insert 10 includes a forefoot portion 12 and a rearfoot portion 14. The forefoot portion 12 include a toe portion 24 at the foremost portion of the insert 10. The insert 10 includes an upper surface 18 opposing a bottom surface 20. The height of the peripheral wall 16 is the distance between the upper surface 18 and the bottom surface 20. The insert 10 has a substantially continuous thickness such that the height of the peripheral wall 16 is substantially the same throughout the insert 10.

FIG. 7 illustrates one or more cut-outs 34 of an insert 10. The one or more cut-outs 34 are located at a rearfoot portion 14 of the insert. The one or more cut-outs 34 includes a longitudinal bend cut-out 36 and one or more collar extension cut-outs 38. The longitudinal bend cut-out 36 facilitates the insert 10 symmetrically flexing or bending along the longitudinal axis 22. The longitudinal bend cut-out 36 may facilitate the insert 10 bending symmetrically along the longitudinal axis 22. The one or more collar extension cut-outs 38 includes a first collar extension cut-out 40 and a second collar extension cut-out 42. The one or more collar extension cut-outs 38 form an angular contour θ1 in the peripheral wall 16. The one or more collar extension cut-outs 38 include a center-line 39. The center-line 39 are located at an angle θ₂ from a line perpendicular to the longitudinal axis 22. The center-line 39 is angled toward the longitudinal axis 22. The one or more collar extension cut-outs 38 include one or more radial cut-outs 41, 43 forming a radial contour in the peripheral wall 16. The one or more radial cut-outs 41 are at a portion of the one or more collar extension cut-outs 38 closest to the forefoot portion 12 of the insert 10. The one or more radial cut-outs 41 have a diameter D₁. The one or more collar extension cut-outs 38, including the first collar extension cut-out 40, the second collar extension cut-out 42, the one or more radial cut-out 41, 43, the radial cut-out diameter D₁, and the angular opening θ₁ cooperate together to facilitate the bending of the one or more collar extensions 28, such as the ends 31, 33 (not shown) of the collar extensions 28 may bend towards one another, touch one another, or overlap one another.

FIG. 8 illustrates an insert 10 positioned within an exemplary conventional shoe 44. The insert 10 is in a second configuration 102. The shoe 44 includes a shoe upper 46. The shoe upper 46 includes a shoe forefoot 66 in front of a collar opening 62. The shoe upper 46 includes a shoe rearfoot 68 from behind the shoe forefoot 66 to the heel portion 60 at the rear end of the shoe 44. The shoe upper 46 includes a toe portion or a toe box 48 at the front of the shoe 44. The toe box 48 may cover a shoe wearer's toes (not shown). The shoe upper 46 includes a vamp 50 along the top of the shoe upper 46. The vamp 50 may cover a shoe wearer's foot (not shown) along a portion between the wearer's toes (not shown) and where the wearer's legs connect to the foot (not shown). The shoe upper 46 includes a quarter 52. The quarter 52 may be the portion of the shoe upper 46 that covers the sides and the back of a shoe wearer's foot (not shown). The shoe upper 46 includes a shoe collar 54. The shoe collar 54 may be the portion of the shoe upper 46 that forms the rim about the collar opening 62 through which a wearer inserts his foot (not shown) into the shoe 46. The shoe upper 46 may include a shoe backstay 56 and/or a shoe counter 58 which may provide additional support to the shoe heel portion 60 at the rear of the shoe 44.

FIG. 8 illustrates how the insert 10 in the second configuration 102 allows the insert 10 to adapt to the contours of the shoe 44. In the second configuration 102, the insert 10 is disposed within the shoe 44. In the second configuration 102, the insert 10 provides support to the shoe upper 46. The insert 10 provides support to the shoe 44 so that if an external pressure F_E is applied to the shoe upper 46, the shoe 44 and shoe upper 46 retain their general shape. In the second configuration 102, the insert resembles the shoe upper 46. In the second configuration 102, the one or more collar extensions 28 are folded and bend to form an elliptical shape resembling the collar 54. The forefoot portion 12 is bent to resemble the contour of a shoe upper 46, such as the shape of the vamp 50 and the toe box 48.

The insert 10 is located within a shoe 44 to provide support. The insert 10 is first inserted into the shoe 44 by inserting the toe portion 24 through the collar opening 62 defined by the shoe collar 54. The toe portion 24 is slid towards the toe box 48. When the insert 10 is inserted into the shoe 44, the forefoot portion 12 rests below the shoe upper 46. The forefoot portion 12 rests below and provides support for the vamp 50, the tongue 64, and the toe box 48. The toe portion 24 may specifically provide support for the toe box 48 by extending into the toe box 48. After the forefoot portion 12 is inserted, the collar extensions 28 are placed within the collar opening 62. The collar extensions 28 are bent to take on the general shape of the shoe collar 54, quarter 52, and heel portion 60. The collar extensions 28 conform to the generally elliptical shape of the shoe opening 62 defined by the shoe collar 54. The rearfoot portion 14 provides support to the quarter 52, the collar 54, a backstay 56, a counter 58, a heel portion 60, a tongue 64, or any combination thereof. The one or more collar extensions 28 by conforming to the generally elliptical shape of the shoe opening 62 may provide support to the quarter 52, the collar 54, the backstay 56, a counter 58, a heel portion 60, or a combination thereof.

Any numerical values recited in the above application include all values from the lower value to the upper value in increments of one unit provided that there is a separation of at least 2 units between any lower value and any higher value. These are only examples of what is specifically intended and all possible combinations of numerical values between the lowest value, and the highest value enumerated are to be considered to be expressly stated in this application in a similar manner. Unless otherwise stated, all ranges include both endpoints and all numbers between the endpoints. The term “consisting essentially of” to describe a combination shall include the elements, ingredients, components, or steps identified, and such other elements ingredients, components or steps that do not materially affect the basic and novel characteristics of the combination. The use of the terms “comprising” or “including” to describe combinations of elements, ingredients, components, or steps herein also contemplates embodiments that consist essentially of the elements, ingredients, components, or steps.

Plural elements, ingredients, components, or steps can be provided by a single integrated element, ingredient, component, or step. Alternatively, a single integrated element, ingredient, component, or step might be divided into separate plural elements, ingredients, components, or steps. The disclosure of “a” or “one” to describe an element, ingredient, component, or step is not intended to foreclose additional elements, ingredients, components, or steps.

Claims

1. An insert comprising:

a unitary body made of a flat material which is flexible, the unitary body having: a) a forefoot portion; b) a rearfoot portion extending from the forefoot portion; c) a continuous peripheral wall about the unitary body; d) an upper surface; and e) a bottom surface opposing the upper surface;

wherein the insert is adapted to be inserted into a shoe and provide support to an upper surface of a shoe.

2. The insert of claim 1, wherein the unitary body includes a longitudinal axis extending from the forefoot portion to the rearfoot portion about which the unitary body is substantially symmetrical.

3. The insert of claim 1, wherein the forefoot portion includes a toe portion in which the continuous peripheral wall has a rounded contour.

4. The insert of claim 3, wherein the rearfoot portion includes two or more collar extensions on opposite sides of a longitudinal axis of the unitary body and on an opposing end of the unitary body as the toe portion.

5. The insert of any of claim 4, wherein the two or more collar extension extend at an angle away from the longitudinal axis of the unitary body.

6. The insert of claim 5, wherein the rearfoot portion includes one or more cut-outs.

7. The insert of any of claim 6, wherein the one or more cut-outs includes a longitudinal bend cut-out adapted to allow the insert to bend substantially symmetrical about the longitudinal axis.

8. The insert of claim 7, wherein the longitudinal bend cut-out is a concave contour in the continuous peripheral wall at an end of the rearfoot portion opposing the toe portion.

9. The insert of claim 7, wherein the one or more cut-outs include two collar extension cut-outs adapted to allow the two or more collar extensions to bend away from the forefoot portion.

10. The insert of any claim 9, wherein each of the two collar extension cut-outs is disposed between the longitudinal bend cut-out and one of the two or more collar extensions.

11. The insert of claim 5, wherein the flat material at the forefoot portion is deformable so as to adapt to the contour of a vamp of the shoe and provide support to the upper surface along a length of the vamp.

12. The insert of claim 11, wherein the forefoot portion is deformable so that when the forefoot portion is inserted under the vamp, an upper surface of the insert at the forefoot portion deforms into a convex contour and a bottom surface opposing the upper surface deforms into a concave contour.

13. The insert of claim 12, wherein the flat material at the forefoot portion, the rearfoot portion, or both is deformable so as to adapt to the contour of at least a portion of a quarter of the upper surface of the shoe and provide support to the quarter.

14. The insert of claim 13, wherein the flat material at the at the rearfoot portion is deformable so as to adapt to a contour of the quarter, a collar of the shoe, a backstay of the shoe, a counter of the shoe, or a combination thereof and provide support to the quarter, the collar, a heel portion, the counter, or a combination thereof.

15. The insert of claim 14, wherein the two or more collar extensions are able to deform and bend so that the rearfoot portion is adapted to conform to a generally elliptical shape of the collar.

16. The insert of claim 1, wherein the insert is able to deform into a first configuration and a second configuration;

wherein in the first configuration, the insert is flat; and

wherein in the second configuration, the insert is bent to resemble contours of the upper surface of the shoe and is adapted to provide support for the upper surface of the shoe.

17. The insert of claim 1, wherein the flat material comprises a foam plank.

18. The insert of claim 17, wherein the foam plank comprises a polyethylene foam plank.

19. A method of using the insert of claim 4 to provide support to the shoe, wherein the method includes:

a) inserting the insert into the shoe;

b) locating the forefoot portion under a forefoot of the shoe and deforming the forefoot portion to resemble a shape of the upper surface of the shoe forward of a collar;

c) locating the rearfoot portion within an opening of the shoe defined by a collar of the shoe and deforming the two or more collar extensions to resemble a shape of the collar.

20. An insert comprising:

a unitary body made of a flat and flexible material, the unitary body having: a) a forefoot portion; b) a rearfoot portion extending from the forefoot portion; c) a longitudinal axis extending from the forefoot portion to the rearfoot portion about which the unitary body is substantially symmetrical; d) a continuous peripheral wall about the unitary body; e) a toe portion which is part of the forefoot portion where the continuous peripheral wall has a rounded contour; f) two or more collar extensions part of the rearfoot portion on an opposing end of the unitary body as the toe portion, wherein the two or more collar extensions extend away from the longitudinal axis; and g) an upper surface opposing a bottom surface; and wherein the insert is able to deform into a first configuration and a second configuration, wherein in the first configuration the insert is flat and in the second configuration the insert is bent to generally resemble a shape of an upper surface of a shoe; and wherein the insert is adapted to be inserted into the shoe and provide support to an upper surface of a shoe when in the second configuration.