Abstract: A method of making a device by a three-dimensional (3D) printing process, the method comprising a step of excluding, during the 3D printing process, the printing in one or more defined areas of one or more layers of the device in order to form at least one internal sipe in said device, the sipe being defined by two opposing surfaces that are configured to contact one another and slide against each other when said device is in a loaded condition, as viewed in a single plane cross-section; or wherein during the 3D printing process the internal sipe is formed by the exclusion of one or more print particles (3D dots) in many layers of the device, as viewed in a single plane cross-section.
Abstract: An active suspension orthotic support system is disclosed. The suspension orthotic support system comprises at least one variable resistance beam extending from a heel section to a mid-arch section of the footwear, wherein rotation of the variable resistance beam from a first position to a second position causes a resistance provided by the variable resistance beam to vary between a minimum resistance to a maximum resistance.
Abstract: A foot correcting and balancing shoe assembly includes at least one sole unit having an imaginary transverse line dividing the sole unit into front- and rear-half regions. The rear-half region includes left and right rear-half sections, and a heel area spanning rear portions of the left and right rear-half sections. A foot arch correction device is mounted detachably to the sole unit. At least one balancing pad is mounted detachably within the sole unit below the foot arch correction device, and at a predetermined location in at least one of the left and right rear-half sections to maintain foot balance for a user.
Abstract: An adjustable orthopedic device includes a holder configured to be worn on a wearer's foot. The holder has an elastic cloth band sized to encircle the wearer's foot at a location between the wearer's toes and the wearer's ankle. A platform is removably secured into a pocket formed in the holder. Raised pads are provided for applying pressure to one or more bones of the wearer's foot, the raised pads include an adhesive surface providing a removable adherence to the top surface of the platform and allowing the raised pads to be manually repositionable to any X and Y coordinate on the platform.
Abstract: An application for an adjustable orthopedic device includes a holder configured to be worn on a wearer's foot. The holder has an elastic cloth band sized to encircle the wearer's foot at a location between the wearer's toes and the wearer's ankle. The holder also has a holding strap affixed to the elastic cloth band, the holding strap securely holds a platform beneath the wearer's foot. The platform is positioned beneath the wearer's foot and includes a magnetic material. Raised pads are provided for applying pressure to one or more bones of the wearer's foot, the raised pads include a ferromagnetic material providing a removable adherence to the platform through magnetic force and allowing the raised pads to be manually repositionable to any X and Y coordinate on the platform.
Abstract: An application for an adjustable orthopedic device includes a holder configured to be worn on a wearer's foot. The holder has an elastic cloth band sized to encircle the wearer's foot at a location between the wearer's toes and the wearer's ankle. A platform is removably secured to the holder by hook and loop material. The platform includes more hook and loop material on its top surface. Raised pads are provided for applying pressure to one or more bones of the wearer's foot, the raised pads include mating hook and loop material for providing a removable adherence to the top surface of the platform and allowing the raised pads to be manually repositionable to any X and Y coordinate on the platform.
Abstract: This invention relates generally to footwear with a shoe sole, including at least one insertable midsole orthotic. The insertable midsole orthotic is removably inserted within the shoe upper, the sides of which hold it in position. The shoe sole includes a concavely rounded side or underneath portion, which may be formed in part by the insertable midsole orthotic. The insertable midsole orthotic may extend the length of the shoe sole or may form only a part of the shoe sole and can incorporate cushioning or structural compartments or components. The insertable midsole orthotic permits replacement of midsole material which has degraded or has worn out in order to maintain optimal characteristics of the shoe sole and allows customization for the individual wearer to provide tailored cushioning or support characteristics for the purpose of orthopedic, podiatric, corrective, prescriptive, therapeutic and/or prosthetic purposes.
Abstract: An arch support orthosis includes an arch curve being variably tensioned for supporting a user's arch and foot. The arch support orthosis includes a metatarsal curve, a curved heel portion and a continuous medial longitudinal arch curve. An anterior slope and posterior slope of the arch curve include varying thicknesses from the base of each slope to a crown of the arch curve. A greater base thickness of each anterior and posterior slope provides firm support of the respective anterior curve and posterior curve of a user's arch, with the crown being resiliently supportive of the user's arch during weighted and unweighted use. A means for tensioning having an adjusting means are connectable under the continuous arch curve between the anterior and posterior slopes, thereby allowing a user to adjust angles of the respective slopes and the tension along the arch curve for treating plantar fasciitis and other foot disorders.
Abstract: An arch support orthosis includes an arch curve being variably tensioned for supporting a user's arch and foot. The arch support orthosis includes a metatarsal curve, a curved heel portion and a continuous medial longitudinal arch curve. An anterior slope and posterior slope of the arch curve include varying thicknesses from the base of each slope to a crown of the arch curve. A greater base thickness of each anterior and posterior slope provides firm support of the respective anterior curve and posterior curve of a user's arch, with the crown being resiliently supportive of the user's arch during weighted and unweighted use. A means for tensioning having an adjusting means are connectable under the continuous arch curve between the anterior and posterior slopes, thereby allowing a user to adjust angles of the respective slopes and the tension along the arch curve for treating plantar fasciitis and other foot disorders.
Type:
Grant
Filed:
December 3, 2001
Date of Patent:
October 19, 2004
Inventors:
John C. McCracken, W. Gilmer Reed, Jr., Jack K. Greer, Jr.
Abstract: An arch brace orthotic includes an adjustable arch curve having a plurality of extensions separated by incisions which separate the arch curve surface into multiple resiliently cantilevered extensions. The extensions adjust the arch curve height and slopes during each foot-strike along the arch curve. The weighted arch curve height is returned to an unweighted height by flexibly rebounding of each extension to support the arch of the user's foot. A tensioning means is connectable under the arch brace, providing adjustment of the arch curve height and slope to therapeutically support the user's arch. The arch brace is movable without disassembly between any shoe for treatment of arch and foot disorders. A method of treating plantar fasciitis and related foot disorders includes selectively and periodically adjusting the arch curve height and slopes by manipulating the tensioning means for therapeutic support and user controlled strengthening of the user's arch and foot.
Type:
Grant
Filed:
November 27, 2000
Date of Patent:
May 28, 2002
Assignee:
Greer Reed Biomedical, LLC
Inventors:
Jack K. Greer, Jr., W. Gilmer Reed, Jr., John C. McCracken
Abstract: An orthotic arch support including an intrinsically self-adjusting medial longitudinal arch curve including a plurality of generally adjacent incisions being generally transverse across the medial longitudinal arch curve. The incisions originate at a medial side of the arch curve, thereby separating the curved arching surface into a plurality of resilient extensions. The plurality of extensions are compressed against each other and self-adjust the arch curve height and slopes during each step. As weight shifts onto the posterior slope, the height of the arch curve is decreased by limited compression of each extension against adjacent extensions during each stride. Each resilient extension flexibly rebounds to return the arch curve to an unweighted height when weight shifts off of the arch curve. A tensioning means is insertable underneath the extensions to adjust the height and slopes of the arch curve, providing for user adjustment of the arch curve height and slopes as foot pain is reduced during use.
Type:
Grant
Filed:
May 25, 2000
Date of Patent:
February 12, 2002
Assignee:
Greer Reed Biomedical, LLC
Inventors:
Jack K. Greer, Jr., W. Gilmer Reed, Jr.
Abstract: A foot cushioning device especially adapted for use by diabetic persons suffering from a protruding joint disorder of the foot in the arch or instep region includes a thick foam pad having a notch extending into the pad from one side thereof. The pad may be positioned against the sole of a person's foot with the Charcot joint protrusion accommodated in the notch. An elastic band of non-chafing material may be secured at a first end to the lower surface of the pad by means of hooked anchoring fabric secured to the pad. The other end of the band may be wrapped around the top of the person's foot and overlapped onto the first end of the band at a location beneath the lower surface of the pad and secured in place to the band material by another swatch of the anchoring fabric provided on the overlapping end of the band.
Abstract: A cushion insole for a shoe comprises a cushion insole member and a separate arch support member which may be secured to the insole member or shoe foundation and which includes an arch support section bearing against the arch of the foot. The arch support member is available in various sizes to conform to the arch of the foot of the individual user, and may be secured to the insole member or shoe foundation at adjustable locations. An appropriate size arch support member and insole member are inserted into the shoe, with the arch support member positioned at the desired location relative to the arch of the foot, whereafter the shoe is worn in the normal manner.
Type:
Grant
Filed:
September 15, 1993
Date of Patent:
March 28, 1995
Assignee:
Prince Sports Group, Inc.
Inventors:
Michael H. Skinner, Sean Mannix, James M. Cormier, Irwin J. Katzmann, II