ADJUSTABLE FOOTBED SYSTEM

Abstract

A footbed system having a footbed and a removeable foot support with a bumper to adjust the size, fit and/or comfort of a shoe.

Description

CROSS-REFERENCE TO RELATED APPLICATIONS

This application is a continuation of, claims priority to and the benefit of PCT Serial No. PCT/US22/36428 filed Jul. 7, 2022 and entitled “ADJUSTABLE FOOTBED SYSTEM.” PCT Serial No. PCT/US22/36428 claims the benefit of U.S. Provisional Patent Application No. 63/218,916, filed Jul. 7, 2021 and entitled “ADJUSTABLE FOOTBED SYSTEM.” All of the aforementioned applications are incorporated herein by reference in their entireties.

FIELD

The present disclosure relates to an adjustable footbed system.

BACKGROUND

The present disclosure addresses fit problems in the footwear industry, including the cost of returns related to incorrect fit (in particular in the DTC channel), inventory requirements relating to half sizes and certain wide/narrow sizes, changing morphology of feet for many reasons (e.g., growth, pregnancy, injury, swelling), dynamic footwear needs across different activities (e.g., walking, running, relaxing, recovering), disparate sizes between left and right feet, rapid growth of children's feet before shoes wear out, and other various needs for periodic adjustment of shoe size.

SUMMARY

The present disclosure generally relates to a footbed system having a footbed and a removeable foot support with a bumper to adjust the size, fit and/or comfort of a shoe.

A footbed system in accordance with example embodiments of the present disclosure comprises a footbed and a removeable foot support, the removeable foot support further comprising a bumper.

In accordance with example embodiments, the footbed system comprises a first configuration with the removeable foot support and a second configuration without the removeable foot support. In accordance with example embodiments, a shoe into which the footbed system is placed accommodates a larger foot size (or provides for a different size or fit) in the second configuration than in the first configuration.

The present disclosure further comprises related kits to adjust the size, fit and/or comfort of a shoe.

In accordance with example embodiments, the removable foot support is configured to be positioned adjacent and overlying an upper surface of the footbed. In accordance with other example embodiments, the removable foot support is configured to be positioned adjacent and overlying a lower surface of the footbed and extend from below the footbed to above the footbed.

In accordance with example embodiments, the removable foot support is coupled to the footbed with one of peel off adhesion and hook and loop fasteners. In accordance with example embodiments, the removeable foot support is tapered at or toward an edge of the removeable foot support in contact with the footbed. In accordance with example embodiments, the bumper has a bumper height greater than a height of the footbed.

BRIEF DESCRIPTION OF THE DRAWINGS

The accompanying drawings may provide a further understanding of example embodiments of the present disclosure and are incorporated in, and constitute a part of, this specification. In the accompanying drawings, only one shoe (either a left shoe or a right shoe) may be illustrated, however, it should be understood that in such instances, the illustrated shoe may be mirror-imaged so as to be the other shoe. The use of like reference numerals throughout the accompanying drawings is for convenience only, and should not be construed as implying that any of the illustrated embodiments are equivalent. The accompanying drawings are for purposes of illustration and not of limitation.

FIGS. 1A-1C illustrate configurations of an adjustable footbed system in accordance with the present disclosure.

FIGS. 2A-2C illustrate configurations of another adjustable footbed system in accordance with the present disclosure.

DETAILED DESCRIPTION

Example embodiments of the present disclosure are described in sufficient detail in this detailed description to enable persons having ordinary skill in the relevant art to practice the present disclosure, however, it should be understood that other embodiments may be realized and that mechanical and chemical changes may be made without departing from the spirit or scope of the present disclosure. Thus, this detailed description is for purposes of illustration and not of limitation.

For example, unless the context dictates otherwise, example embodiments described herein may be combined with other embodiments described herein. Similarly, references to “example embodiment,” “example embodiments” and the like indicate that the embodiment(s) described may comprise a particular feature, structure, or characteristic, but every embodiment may not necessarily comprise the particular feature, structure, or characteristic. Moreover, such references may not necessarily refer to the same embodiment(s). Any reference to singular includes plural embodiments, and any reference to plural includes singular embodiments.

Any reference to coupled, connected, attached or the like may be temporary or permanent, removeable or not, non-integral or integral, partial or full, and may be facilitated by one or more of adhesives, stitches, hook and loop fasteners, buttons, clips, grommets, zippers and other means known in the art or hereinafter developed.

As used herein, the transitional term “comprising”, which is synonymous with “including,” “containing,” or “characterized by,” is inclusive or open-ended and does not exclude additional, unrecited elements or method steps. The transitional phrase “consisting of” excludes any element, step, or ingredient not specified in the claim. The transitional phrase “consisting essentially of” limits the scope of a claim to the specified materials or steps “and those that do not materially affect the basic and novel characteristic(s)” of the claimed invention.

No claim limitation is intended to invoke 35 U.S.C. 112(f) or pre-AIA 35 U.S.C. 112, sixth paragraph or the like unless it explicitly uses the term “means” and includes functional language.

In describing example embodiments of the adjustable footbed system, certain directional terms may be used. By way of example, terms such as “right,” “left,” “medial,” “lateral,” “front,” “back,” “forward,” “backward,” “rearward,” “top,” “bottom,” “upper,” “lower,” “up,” “down,” and the like may be used to describe example embodiments of the adjustable footbed system. These terms should be given meaning according to the manner in which the adjustable footbed system is most typically designed for use, with the adjustable footbed system on a user's foot and with the user's shod foot disposed on or ready for placement on an underlying surface. Thus, these directions may be understood relative to the adjustable footbed system in such use. Similarly, as the adjustable footbed system is intended primarily for use as footwear, terms such as “inner,” “inward,” “outer,” “outward,” “innermost,” “outermost,” “inside,” “outside,” and the like should be understood in reference to the adjustable footbed system's intended use, such that inner, inward, innermost, inside, and the like signify relatively closer to the user's foot, and outer, outward, outermost, outside, and the like signify relatively farther from the user's foot when the adjustable footbed system is being used for its intended purpose. Notwithstanding the foregoing, if the foregoing definitional guidance is contradicted by an individual use herein of any of the foregoing terms, the term should be understood and read according to the definition that gives life and meaning to the particular instance of the term.

Disclosed in accordance with the present disclosure, and with reference to FIGS. 1A-1C, is a footbed system 100 that provides for size adjustability of a shoe into which the footbed system 100 is placed. In example embodiments, the footbed system 100 comprises a footbed 110 and at least one removeable foot support 120. For the avoidance of doubt, in some embodiments, the footbed system 100 comprises a plurality of removeable foot supports 120 such as those described below (e.g., all or partially overlapping, sequential).

As used herein, unless the context dictates otherwise, “footbed” means a footbed, sock liner, insole, orthotic or the like.

In example embodiments, a footbed 110 comprises a first portion 112 (e.g., configured to be positioned under a heel of a user) and a second portion 114 (e.g., configured to be positioned under a forefoot of a user). In other embodiments, a footbed 110 comprises only a first portion 112 or only a second portion 114.

A removeable foot support 120, in accordance with example embodiments of the present disclosure, is generally configured to be removably positioned under a forefoot of a user (either adjacent an upper surface or a lower surface of a footbed 110).

However, a removeable foot support 120, in accordance with other example embodiments of the present disclosure, can be configured to be removably positioned under any portion of a foot of a user. For example, a removeable foot support 120 may be configured to be located under a foot arch of a user to provided arch support (and have a corresponding shape). In other examples, removeable foot supports 120 may be positioned toward medial or lateral sides of a footbed to correct pronation or supination (and have a corresponding shape).

In example embodiments, a removable foot support 120 is secured from rotation and/or sliding relative to a footbed 110 by comprising one or more interlocking features on the removable foot support 120 and the footbed 110, for example, a post and a post recess.

A removeable foot support 120, in accordance with example embodiments of the present disclosure, is configured to be merely positioned adjacent to, or additionally, removably coupled (e.g., adhesive, peel off adhesion, hook and loop fasteners, magnets, perforated coupling, stitched coupling) to an edge of a first portion 112 of a footbed 110 (e.g., in embodiments wherein the footbed 110 does not comprise a second portion 114, but only a first portion 112).

A removeable foot support 120, in accordance with other example embodiments of the present disclosure, is configured to be merely positioned adjacent to, or additionally, removably coupled to and edge and/or a surface of a second portion 114 of a footbed 110 (e.g., overlying an upper surface of a second portion 114 as illustrated in FIGS. 1A-1C or a lower surface of a second portion 114 as illustrated in FIGS. 2A-2C). Footbed 110 in such embodiments may or may not comprise a first portion 112. In embodiments comprising a first portion 112, the removeable foot support 120 can additionally or alternatively be removably coupled to an edge of the first portion 112.

In example embodiments, a removeable foot support 120 is tapered at or toward an edge of the removeable foot support in contact with footbed 110 so as to minimize any potential for underfoot discomfort.

In example embodiments, a removeable foot support 120 comprises the bumper (e.g., an anterior bumper) or toe cap 130. The bumper 130, in example embodiments, may extend along, and provide additional height and/or thickness to, an edge of the removeable foot support 120 (e.g., an anterior, medial and/or lateral edge). In this regard, in example embodiments, the bumper 130 has a bumper height greater than a height of the footbed 110. The bumper 130 can be coupled to an upper surface of removeable foot support 120 and/or a side of removeable foot support 120.

In some example embodiments, and with momentary reference to FIG. 1A, the bumper 130 extends further along a medial edge 132 than a lateral edge 134. In other example embodiments, and with momentary reference to FIG. 2A, the bumper 130 extends further along a lateral edge 134 than a medial edge 132.

In embodiments wherein the removeable foot support 120 is coupled to a lower surface of a second portion 114 of a footbed 110, and with specific reference to FIGS. 2A-2C, the bumper 130 can extend from below the footbed 110 to above the footbed 110.

The bumper 130, in accordance with the present disclosure, can comprise a foam material or a gel pocket. In some embodiments, bumper 130 is contiguous with removeable foot support 120, while in other embodiments, they are separate structures, coupled to each other.

In use, a footbed system 100 in accordance with the present disclosure can be initially used in a shoe to provide a desired fit of X (e.g., with reference to FIGS. 1A and 2A). When, due to growth or any other acute or chronic change to foot morphology (e.g., injury, pregnancy), a fit of X+Y is desired (e.g., Y corresponding to difference of a ½ size, full size or more in standard shoe measurements), a removeable foot support 120 corresponding to Y can be removed (e.g., with reference to FIGS. 1B and 2B) from the footbed system 100 (e.g., and discarded or saved for later use) to provide for a fit of X+Y (e.g., with reference to FIGS. 1C and 2C).

In some embodiments, a first removable foot support 120 is removed and replaced with a second removable foot support 120. In this regard, the present disclosure can comprise a kit having a footbed 110 and a one or more alternate removable foot supports 120 (e.g., having a differing hardness, thickness, density, breathability, etc.). The present disclosure can thus be used to not only adjust the size of a shoe but additionally or alternatively adjust the fit and/or comfort of a shoe.

Thus, a footbed system 100 in accordance with the present disclosure can comprise a first configuration (i.e., with at least one removeable foot support 120, e.g., with reference to FIGS. 1A and 2A) and a second configuration (i.e., without at least one removeable foot support 120, e.g., with reference to FIGS. 1C and 2C), wherein a shoe into which the footbed system 100 is placed accommodates a larger size in the second configuration than in the first configuration. Different configurations can also correspond to different fits of a shoe into which the footbed system 100 is placed.

It will be apparent to those skilled in the art that various modifications and variations can be made in the present disclosure without departing from the spirit or scope of the disclosure. Thus, it is intended that the embodiments described herein cover the modifications and variations of this disclosure provided they come within the scope of the appended claims and their equivalents.

Numerous characteristics and advantages have been set forth in the preceding description, including various alternatives together with details of the structure and function of the devices and/or methods. The disclosure is intended as illustrative only and as such is not intended to be exhaustive. It will be evident to those skilled in the art that various modifications can be made, especially in matters of structure, materials, elements, components, shape, size and arrangement of parts including combinations within the principles of the invention, to the full extent indicated by the broad, general meaning of the terms in which the appended claims are expressed. To the extent that these various modifications do not depart from the spirit and scope of the appended claims, they are intended to be encompassed therein.

Claims

1. A footbed system comprising:

a footbed; and

a removeable foot support, the removeable foot support further comprising a bumper;

wherein the footbed system comprises a first configuration with the removeable foot support;

wherein the footbed system comprises a second configuration without the removeable foot support; and

wherein a shoe into which the footbed system is placed accommodates a larger foot size in the second configuration than in the first configuration.

2. The footbed system of claim 1, wherein the removable foot support is configured to be positioned adjacent and overlying an upper surface of the footbed.

3. The footbed system of claim 1, wherein the removable foot support is configured to be positioned adjacent and overlying a lower surface of the footbed and extend from below the footbed to above the footbed.

4. The footbed system of claim 1, wherein the removable foot support is coupled to the footbed with one of peel off adhesion and hook and loop fasteners.

5. The footbed system of claim 1, wherein the removeable foot support is tapered at or toward an edge of the removeable foot support in contact with the footbed.

6. The footbed system of claim 1, wherein the bumper has a bumper height greater than a height of the footbed.

7. A kit for adjusting the size or fit of a shoe comprising:

a footbed;

a removeable foot support, the removeable foot support further comprising a bumper; and

an alternate removeable foot support;

wherein the footbed system comprises a first configuration with the removeable foot support;

wherein the footbed system comprises a second configuration with the alternate removeable foot support; and

wherein a shoe into which the footbed system is placed has a different size or fit in the second configuration than in the first configuration.

8. The kit of claim 7, wherein the removable foot support is configured to be positioned adjacent and overlying an upper surface of the footbed.

9. The kit of claim 7, wherein the removable foot support is configured to be positioned adjacent and overlying a lower surface of the footbed and extend from below the footbed to above the footbed.

10. The kit of claim 7, wherein the removable foot support is coupled to the footbed with one of peel off adhesion and hook and loop fasteners.

11. The kit of claim 7, wherein the removeable foot support is tapered at or toward an edge of the removeable foot support in contact with the footbed.

12. The kit of claim 7, wherein the bumper has a bumper height greater than a height of the footbed.