CUSTOMIZABLE FOOTBED

Abstract

A footbed having a plurality of pods that can be added, removed and/or replaced to adjust the 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/US22/36429 filed Jul. 7, 2022 and entitled “CUSTOMIZABLE FOOTBED.” PCT Ser. No. PCT/US22/36429 claims the benefit of U.S. Provisional Patent Application No. 63/218,917, filed Jul. 7, 2021 and entitled “CUSTOMIZABLE FOOTBED.” All of the aforementioned applications are incorporated herein by reference in their entireties.

FIELD

The present disclosure relates to a customizable footbed.

BACKGROUND

The present disclosure addresses fit problems in the footwear industry, including underfoot needs (e.g., comfort, stability, breathability).

SUMMARY

The present disclosure generally relates to a footbed having a plurality of pods that can be added, removed and/or replaced to adjust the fit and/or comfort of a shoe.

A footbed in accordance with example embodiments of the present disclosure generally comprises a first surface and a second surface opposing the first surface, and a plurality of pods coupled to the first surface, each of the plurality of pods having a pod thickness. In example embodiments, each of the plurality of pods is removable from the first surface. In example embodiments, removal of one of the plurality of pods reduces a thickness of the footbed according to the pod thickness.

The present disclosure further comprises related systems and kits for customizing the fit of a shoe. In example embodiments, the plurality of pods are coupled to the first surface with an adhesive. In example embodiments, the plurality of pods may or may not be uniformly shaped. In example embodiments, the plurality of pods are located within a plurality of discrete recesses.

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 and 1B illustrate alternate views of a customizable footbed in accordance with the present disclosure.

FIGS. 2A-2C illustrate alternate views of another customizable footbed 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 customizable footbed, 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 customizable footbed. These terms should be given meaning according to the manner in which the customizable footbed is most typically designed for use, with the customizable footbed 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 customizable footbed in such use. Similarly, as the customizable footbed 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 customizable footbed'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 customizable footbed 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, 1B, 2A and 2B, is a footbed 100 that provides for underfoot customization. In example embodiments, the footbed 100 comprises a plurality of pods 110 to accommodate underfoot needs (e.g., comfort, stability, breathability).

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

As used herein, unless the context dictates otherwise, “pod” means a discrete pod, panel, plug, section, element or the like.

In example embodiments, each of the plurality of pods 110 is coupled to an upper and/or lower surface of the footbed 100. In example embodiments, the plurality of pods 110 are coupled to a posterior portion 112 of the footbed 100 (e.g., configured to be positioned under a heel) and/or an anterior portion 114 of the footbed 100 (e.g., configured to be positioned under a forefoot).

A footbed in accordance with example embodiments of the present disclosure thus comprises a first surface and a second surface opposing the first surface, and a plurality of pods coupled to the first surface, each of the plurality of pods having a pod thickness. In example embodiments, each of the plurality of pods is removable from the first surface. In example embodiments, removal of one of the plurality of pods reduces a thickness of the footbed according to the pod thickness.

In still other embodiments, a plurality of pods 110 creates the footbed 100. That is, in some embodiments, there is no separate surface to which a plurality of pods 110 is coupled. Instead, the plurality of pods 110 themselves forms the footbed 100.

In example embodiments, each of the plurality of pods 110 is configured to be removably coupled to the footbed 100 (e.g., adhesive, peel off adhesion, hook and loop fasteners, magnets, interference fit, snap fit).

In example embodiments, once removed, each of the plurality of pods 110 can be replaced (e.g., with a pod 110 having a different mechanical, chemical or other material property). By way of non-limiting examples, a pod 110 can be replaced with an alternate pod 110 having a differing hardness, thickness, density, breathability, etc. In this regard, the present disclosure can comprise a kit having a footbed 100, a plurality of pods 110, and a plurality of alternate pods 110 (e.g., having a differing hardness, thickness, density, breathability, etc.).

In example embodiments, removal and optional replacement of at least one of the plurality of pods 110 alters the underfoot topography, or another material characteristic, of the footbed 100 so as to accommodate underfoot needs.

In example embodiments, the plurality of pods 110 are uniformly shaped (e.g., flat diamond-shaped with specific reference to FIGS. 1A and 1 B, or hemisphere-shaped with specific reference to FIGS. 2A and 2B), while in other embodiments, the plurality of pods 110 are variably (i.e., not uniformly) shaped (e.g., corresponding to underfoot anatomy). For example, a single pod 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, pods may be positioned toward medial or lateral sides of a footbed to correct pronation or supination (and have a corresponding shape).

In some example embodiments, the plurality of pods 110 are positioned immediately adjacent to one another (e.g., a plurality of flat diamond-shaped pods 110 cut into a pad of footbed 100, with specific reference to FIGS. 1A and 1B), while in other example embodiments, the plurality of pods 110 are separated by additional structure of the footbed 100 (e.g., a plurality of hemisphere-shaped pods 110 filling a plurality of discrete recesses 120 in a pad of footbed 100, with specific reference to FIGS. 2A and 2B, and shown in exploded view in FIG. 2C). In this regard, a plurality of pods can be located within a plurality of discrete recesses.

A plurality of pods 110 can be located between edges of a footbed, for example, 2, 3, 4, 5, 6, 7, 8 or more positioned between medial and lateral and/or 2, 3, 4, 5, 6, 7, 8 or more positioned between forward and rearward.

A pod 110 in accordance with the present disclosure, can comprise a foam material or a gel pocket.

In example embodiments, at least one of the plurality of pods 110 is color coded (e.g., to a material property and/or location on the footbed 100 corresponding to underfoot anatomy).

In use, one or more pods 110 of a footbed 100 in accordance with the present disclosure can be removed, and replaced if desired, to accommodate underfoot needs.

Thus, a footbed 100 in accordance with the present disclosure can comprise a first configuration (i.e., with a plurality of pods 110) and a second configuration (i.e., with at least one of the plurality of pods 110 removed and optionally replaced) to accommodate underfoot needs.

Alternatively, a footbed 100 in accordance with the present disclosure can comprise a first configuration (i.e., with no or fewer pods 110) and a second configuration (i.e., with at least one or more pods 110) to accommodate underfoot needs. Stated differently, one or more pods 110 can be added where there were previously no pods 110 (e.g., only recesses 120 for pods 110).

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.

For example, a footbed in accordance with the present disclosure can comprise a plurality of layers of pods. That is, one or more pods can be removed from a first layer of pods, revealing a second layer of pods from which one or more pods can be removed and optionally replaced. A footbed can comprise 2, 3, 4 or more layers of pods.

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 comprising:

a first surface and a second surface opposing the first surface; and

a plurality of pods coupled to the first surface, each of the plurality of pods having a pod thickness;

wherein each of the plurality of pods is removable from the first surface; and

wherein removal of one of the plurality of pods reduces a thickness of the footbed according to the pod thickness.

2. The footbed of claim 1, wherein the plurality of pods are coupled to the first surface with an adhesive.

3. The footbed of claim 1, wherein the plurality of pods are uniformly shaped.

4. The footbed of claim 1, wherein the plurality of pods are not uniformly shaped.

5. The footbed of claim 1, wherein the plurality of pods are located within a plurality of discrete recesses.

6. A system for customizing the fit of a shoe comprising:

a shoe and a footbed;

wherein the footbed comprises:

a first surface and a second surface opposing the first surface; and

a plurality of pods coupled to the first surface, each of the plurality of pods having a pod thickness;

wherein each of the plurality of pods is removable from the first surface; and

wherein removal of one of the plurality of pods reduces a thickness of the footbed according to the pod thickness.

7. The system of claim 6, wherein the plurality of pods are coupled to the first surface with an adhesive.

8. The system of claim 6, wherein the plurality of pods are uniformly shaped.

9. The system of claim 6, wherein the plurality of pods are not uniformly shaped.

10. The system of claim 6, wherein the plurality of pods are located within a plurality of discrete recesses.

11. A kit for customizing the fit of a shoe comprising:

a shoe and a footbed;

wherein the footbed comprises:

a first surface and a second surface opposing the first surface;

a plurality of pods coupled to the first surface; and

a plurality of alternate pods;

wherein each of the plurality of pods is removable from the first surface for replacement by one or more of the plurality of alternate pods; and

wherein each of the plurality of alternate pods has a hardness, thickness, density, and/or breathability different from each of the plurality of pods.

12. The kit of claim 11, wherein the plurality of pods are coupled to the first surface with an adhesive.

13. The kit of claim 11, wherein the plurality of pods are uniformly shaped.

14. The kit of claim 11, wherein the plurality of pods are not uniformly shaped.

15. The kit of claim 11, wherein the plurality of pods are located within a plurality of discrete recesses.