Abstract: A plate for an article of footwear having a sole structure includes an anterior-most point disposed in a forefoot region of the sole structure, a posterior-most point disposed closer to a heel region of the sole structure than the anterior-most point, and a concave portion extending between the anterior-most point and the posterior-most point. The concave portion includes a constant radius of curvature from the anterior-most point to a metarsophalangeal (MTP) point of the sole structure. The MTP point opposes the MTP joint of a foot during use.

Abstract: An insole providing cushioning and control of foot motion. The insole includes a stability cradle and an extended heel pad secured to the underside of the base of the insole. A supplemental heel pad is also attached to lay over a portion of the extended heel pad. The extended heel pad and supplemental heel pad are constructed of materials to help control foot pronation.

Abstract: An insole which provides cushioning and support to a user's foot subjected to a high magnitude of ground reaction forces (GRF) encountered in playing court sports, such as basketball, is herein disclosed. The insole comprises a base having a bottom side which defines recesses adapted to receive pads having particular properties. The location and materials of the various pads and pods work together to provide ground reaction force modulation to the user's foot which is highly desirable for users engaged in basketball and similar activities.

Abstract: An embodiment of footwear having the orthotic foot device and method of making it is disclosed herein. The device provides support for the foot when used in footwear, in certain regions of the foot such as in the arch and metatarsal regions, in a manner that is very comfortable and yet supportive to the wearer. The embodiment of the orthotic foot device may provide at least one secure, but easily adjusted support component for a region of the foot such as the arch and metatarsal regions. The support component may be removably attached to a cushioned supportive footbed or chassis to provide an increased walking/running comfort and performance. It will become apparent to those skilled in the art that at least one of the support components may be fixedly or integrally attached to the footbed or chassis.

Abstract: An orthotic device having a thin, flexible material defining a plantar wall and lateral, medial and posterior sidewalls. A fastening mechanism releasably secures the lateral and medial sidewalls together. In some embodiments, the plantar wall defines a laterally extending distal trimline positioned distal of the first metatarsal head and proximal of the third, fourth and fifth metatarsal heads when the foot is secured within the orthotic device. In other embodiments, the device includes a heel post having a distal terminal edge with a medial portion extending into the arch proximal to the navicular bone and a lateral portion positioned proximal of the arch. In still other embodiments, an elongate strip of padding material projects inwardly below and proximate the medial malleosus and the lateral malleosus and is positioned to inhibit withdrawal of the calcaneous bone. A method of manufacturing an orthotic device is also disclosed.

Abstract: An orthopedic foot appliance providing optimal and adaptable comfort and shock absorption while at the same time varying degrees of heel support, arch support and motion control depending on the foot type and footwear. The orthopedic foot appliance consists of a cushioning insole and a re-attachable support piece for attaching and re-attaching to the insole. The insole includes a trim line allowing the insole to be adapted to a three quarters length of a full insole. The three quarters length may extend form from the back of the heel to the metatarsal heads. The support component may be constructed from any of a group of materials including polyethylene, polypropylene and polypropylene incorporating glass or silica.

Abstract: A support arranged for disposition within a shoe, boot or sandal, to raise the arch of the foot by everting the forefoot and inverting the rearfoot, thereby locking the midtarsal joint. The support basically comprises a base portion and a wedge portion. The base portion has an upper surface on which the wedge portion is disposed. The wedge portion includes a medial side edge and a lateral side edge and extends from the base of all five metatarsals of the person's foot to the heads of all five metatarsals. The wedge portion tapers in thickness from at least the midline of the wedge portion to the medial side edge. The wedge portion includes an anterior portion that is tapered to the sulcus section of the wearer's foot.

Abstract: An insole especially advantageous for arthritic or diabetic patients comprises three layers and is shaped in a form which provides and arch support and an integral heel receiving area. It is made from a generally foot-shaped bottom layer having a length extending from a heel area to a toe area, a top surface and a bottom surface. The bottom surface of the bottom layer preferably further comprises one to three indentations formed integrally therein. Insert layers are secured to each of said indentations. Preferably, the bottom layer is made from an EVA foam. A middle layer having a first and second side is secured to the top surface of the bottom layer adjacent the middle layer's second side. The middle layer is preferably made of a synthetic rubber layer. The middle layer takes the shape of the bottom layer. A top layer is coextensive with and secured to the first side of the synthetic rubber layer. The top layer composition is selected according to the intended use.

Abstract: The present invention relates to a structure of a multi-elastic insole for shoes wherein a plurality of polyurethane foams having different elasticity from one another are sequentially laminated on the concaved portion of the bottom surface of an insole abutting against a wearer's heel portion, thereby excellently absorbing the impacts generated from a foot sole to make the wearer feel comfortable while in use, which reduces the work load of the leg and foot and the muscle fatigue in the workers standing up for long hours on a hard floor and prevents the muscular skeletal diseases to make the workers healthy.

Abstract: Disclosed herein is a flexible contoured footbed insole for footwear for providing an anatomically correct foot support to a wearer of the footwear. The flexible contoured footbed insole comprises a heel section and a support system extending anteriorly from the heel section. The heel section comprises a cup shaped structure for accommodating a heel of a foot of the wearer. The support system comprises an inner longitudinal arch support, an outer longitudinal arch support, a transverse arch support, a metatarsal arch support, and a toe support for supporting an inner longitudinal arch, an outer longitudinal arch, a transverse arch, a metatarsal arch, and toes of the foot of the wearer respectively. The flexible contoured footbed insole may further comprise a flexible structure disposed within the support system. The flexible structure provides flexibility and freedom of movement to the foot of the wearer.

Abstract: A shoe comprising: an assembly of a shoe upper and sole unit for supporting a foot, the assembly defining a foot compartment that orients a foot in an objective (desired) tri-planar alignment to affect three areas of the foot anatomy simultaneously: (1) the sustentaculum tali; (2) the lateral calcaneus; and (3) the fifth metatarsal ray of the foot. In certain embodiments the shoe compartment is configured to correct an adverse internal rotation of the talus by: (1) vertical lift on the ST; (2) varus movement of the calcaneus; and (3) fifth ray pressure to adduct the forefoot.

Abstract: A shoe or footwear with an insole or base configured for relieving pressure on the metatarsal region of the foot and help relieve the effects of metatarsalgia. The insole comprises a cavity or cut out in the area of the metatarsal region of the foot and is configured to receive at least a portion of the metatarsal region and alleviate or eliminate direct pressure from the insole against the metatarsal region.

Abstract: An orthopedic foot appliance providing optimal and adaptable comfort and shock absorption while at the same time varying degrees of heel support, arch support and motion control depending on the foot type and footwear. The foot appliance consists of a cushioning insole and a re-attachable support piece for attaching and re-attaching to the insole.

Abstract: A device for insertion in a high-heeled shoe has a first crescent shaped raised area in a region underlying the forward edge of a wearer's heel bone and a second raised area underlying the metatarsals of the wearer is described. Also described is a method for constructing a shoe using the device and the resulting shoe.

Abstract: A foot support device where the first metatarsal is raised with respect to the second through fifth metatarsals with a substantially horizontal support surface, the foot support device further having an arch support portion, the first metatarsal support allowing for a proper foot and ankle alignment for bipedal motion as well as standing.

Abstract: A device for insertion in a high-heeled shoe has a first crescent shaped raised area in a region underlying the forward edge of a wearer's heel bone and a second raised area underlying the metatarsals of the wearer is described. Also described is a method for constructing a shoe using the device and the resulting shoe.

Abstract: A device for insertion in a high-heeled shoe has a first crescent shaped raised area in a region underlying the forward edge of a wearer's heel bone and a second raised area underlying the metatarsals of the wearer is described. Also described is a method for constructing a shoe using the device and the resulting shoe.

Abstract: A device for insertion in a high-heeled shoe has a first crescent shaped raised area in a region underlying the forward edge of a wearer's heel bone and a second raised area underlying the metatarsals of the wearer is described. Also described is a method for constructing a shoe using the device and the resulting shoe.

Abstract: A sole for footwear, formed by an upper surface which, on at least part of the heel region and the plantar arch region, at its outer edge, is lower than its inner edge. The highest point of the upper surface is arranged approximately at the radiographic projection of the scapho-cuneiform joint of the foot of the user on the sole.

Abstract: A plantar insole has bearing areas (6, 7, 8, 9) of the main surface which are provided with a rigidity or hardness which are less with respect to other areas (10-13) of the main surface. These areas (6-9) are arranged under the major bearing areas of a foot, i.e. under toes, under the metatarsal heads, under the heel and under the external bearing area of the foot, making it possible to attain a compromise between the necessity of an impact absorption and stabilization of the foot in a shoe. The insole may be adapted to any type of footwear.

Abstract: A foot support insole having four different versions, each providing differing degrees of arch support for use in any shoe or boot. The insole is biomechanically shaped to support the medial arch, the lateral arch, the metatarsal arch, and the heel. In each of these versions, the principal variable is the extent of support for the medial arch. Low, medium, high, and extreme foot support versions are disclosed. The insole design effectively distributes the weight-generated forces provided by the user into a neutral plantigrade position. Supporting the neutral position for the foot obtains optimum balance and weight distribution by dispersing the forces applied by the foot over the greatest area possible within the shoe. The insole allows the three foot arches to work together and function as a structural support tripod, alternatively absorbing compressive forces and recoiling into a stable support state.

Abstract: A device for insertion in a high-heeled shoe has a first crescent shaped raised area in a region underlying the forward edge of a wearer's heel bone and a second raised area underlying the metatarsals of the wearer is described. Also described is a method for constructing a shoe using the device and the resulting shoe.

Abstract: An example orthotic is described which may include a cushioning first layer and a shell layer. The shell layer may be configured to extend longitudinally from at least the talus-navicular joint to the medial cuneiform-first metatarsal joint and laterally under at least the medial cuneiform bone when the orthotic is in use. The shell layer may be configured to receive a removable insert that alters an amount of arch support provided by the orthotic. A set of inserts may be provided to allow the example orthotic to be customized based on user support preferences.

Abstract: The invention relates to a insole for footwear in the form of a sole insert with at least one hindfoot part and a midfoot part and with a support for the medial longitudinal arch, wherein a first rise is provided in the region of an insert outer border of the hindfoot part and a second rise is provided in the region of the insert outer border of a midfoot part, and the first rise is formed higher than the second rise.

Abstract: A foot support device where the first metatarsal is raised with respect to the second through fifth metatarsals with a substantially horizontal support surface, the foot support device further having an arch support portion, the first metatarsal support allowing for a proper foot and ankle alignment for bipedal motion as well as standing.

Abstract: Footwear including an insole formed for relieving pressure on a common digital nerve of a foot. The insole has heel, mid and forefoot sections. The forefoot section of the insole is formed with a pad having a neuroma pad section which underlies the third and fourth metatarsal heads of the foot, so that when a bottom of the foot is placed on the insole, the neuroma pad section applies an upward force to the bottom of the foot sufficient to spread the third and fourth metatarsal heads away from one another and thereby relieve pressure on the third common digital nerve to reduce the risk of neuroma. In other embodiments, the pad is formed as a separate pad for placement in footwear. An insole designed for use with thonged footwear is also disclosed.

Abstract: High-heeled footwear has a heel with a resilient compressible element allowing the heel of the foot to be lowered at heel strike to approximate a normal walking pattern in low-heeled shoes. Preferably, the footwear also includes a midfoot support structure, which may be a sprung footbed, or a sling and reinforcement girder, and which serves to redistribute load from the wearer's forefoot to her midfoot.

Abstract: An orthotic device comprising a generally foot shaped body including depressable relief segments that underlie the metatarsal-phalangeal aspect of the foot and, optionally, the heel of the foot. The relief segments are provided by relieved areas cut or otherwise provided in the indicated areas of the orthotic device in such a way as to interdigitate within the device to define resilient segments that are depressed by the application of the weight of a user thereto and return to their original configuration upon removal of some or all that weight.

Abstract: A woman's high-heeled pump wherein the heel portion is relatively narrowed and lengthened to extend along and firmly embrace the entire calcaneus of the wearer. The forward portion of the shoe receives the forward part of the wearer's foot including her toes in a relatively unrestrained manner. A foot bed corresponding to the shoe size is received entirely over the shoe's insole and is provided with arch supports that assist in retaining the foot in place within the shoe. The heel is cradled at a level somewhat lower than the surrounding part of the foot bed. The foot bed is provided on its lower side with grooves for comfort and compressability and cavities are provided under the metatarsal pad and heel for compressability and comfort.

Abstract: An article of footwear is disclosed having an upper, a foot-supporting member, and a sole structure. The foot-supporting member includes a heel region located at a greater elevation than a forefoot region, thereby defining a recess under the heel region. The sole structure includes a midsole that forms a protrusion on the interior of the footwear. The protrusion mates with the recess to provide support for the heel region. The foot-supporting member may also incorporate pronation control characteristics, including a downward cant from a medial to a lateral side of the foot-supporting member and a region of reduced support generally underlying the first metatarsal. To further reduce the rate of pronation, the sole structure includes a region in the rear-lateral corner that is more compressible than other areas of the sole structure.

Abstract: Golf shoe insole inserts for improving the position of a golfer's body during a golf swing while stabilizing the feet against both over-pronation and over-supination. The golf shoe insert according to the present invention has an upper portion fashioned to support the entire bottom of the foot, including the transverse arch, the longitudinal arch, and the heel. In particular, the upper portion of the orthopedic insert supports bottom regions of the foot from the posterior plantar surface of the metatarsus through the plantar surface of the lesser tarsus to the posterior plantar surface of the rear foot. The upper portion of the subject orthopedic insert includes a deep heel cup to aid in stabilizing the foot and providing support at the back of the foot.

Abstract: A support apparatus for supporting the plantar fascia of a foot. The support apparatus is made of an elastic material expandable in the width and longitudinal axis of the foot. When in operative position on the foot, the apparatus frictionally remains in place mid the first metatarsal bone and extends behind the heel of the foot above its os calcis bone such that when the foot is caused to bear weight, the apparatus expands along the longitudinal axis of the foot to its limit of expandability such that the arch of the foot is maintained substantially unchanged as the foot alternates between load bearing and non-load bearing orientations.

Abstract: Footwear comprising a sole. The sole has a heel section for supporting a heel of the foot. The heel section has medial and lateral regions. At least a portion of the lateral region has a first compressive resilience for attenuating the shock of impact to the wearer during running and walking. Further, the sole has an arch section forward of the heel section for supporting an arch of the foot. The arch section also has medial and lateral regions. At least a portion of the lateral region of the arch section has the first compressive resilience and at least a portion of the medial region of the arch section has a second compressive resilience harder than the first compressive resilience for providing firm support for the foot during running and walking. In addition, the sole has a forefoot section forward of the arch section for supporting a ball of the foot including first, second, third, fourth and fifth metatarsal heads and associated metatarsal necks, proximal phalanges and metatarsal phalangeal joints.

Abstract: A sole of a shoe has a recessed or depressed portion to receive a pair of sesamoid bones protruding the undersurface of a foot wearing the shoe. The shoe sole may be an attached part of the shoe or a piece separable from the shoe. The depth of the depressed portion is about 2 mm. A sole of a shoe may have an aperture, instead of a recessed portion, to receive a pair of sesamoid bones.

Abstract: Footwear including an insole formed for relieving pressure on a common digital nerve of a foot. The insole has heel, mid and forefoot sections. The forefoot section of the insole is formed with a pad having a neuroma pad section which underlies the third and fourth metatarsal heads of the foot, so that when a bottom of the foot is placed on the insole, the neuroma pad section applies an upward force to the bottom of the foot sufficient to spread the third and fourth metatarsal heads away from one another and thereby relieve pressure on the third common digital nerve to reduce the risk of neuroma. In other embodiments, the pad is formed as a separate pad for placement in footwear. An insole designed for use with thonged footwear is also disclosed.

Abstract: A device for insertion in a high-heeled shoe having a toe box and a heel, has a first raised area in a region underlying the forward edge of a wearer's heel bone, and a second raised area underlying the metatarsals of the wearer.

Abstract: The invention provides an orthopedic insole for a diabetic shoe, as well as a method of manufacturing an orthopedic insole for a diabetic shoe. The orthopedic insole includes a cupped heel portion, the cupped heel portion having a concave upper bearing surface that extends above a most posterior cephalad portion of a calcaneous; a mid-foot portion continuously coupled to the cupped heel portion, the mid-foot portion having a medial longitudinal arch and a curvilinear upper bearing surface; and a heat-malleable forefoot portion coupled to the mid-foot portion, the forefoot portion having a heat-deformable upper bearing surface.

Abstract: A removable orthotic insert for improving the gait of a person suffering from diabetes, rheumatoid arthritis, or other condition that impairs proper transfer of weight to the forefoot. There is a rigid cap member having a downwardly extending, transverse ridge located proximate the junction between the arch and forefoot portions of the insert, behind the metatarsal head area of the foot. The ridge engages the underlying insole of the shoe to form a pivot point that enables the insert to rock forwardly and rearwardly in the shoe. As the person's foot moves through the gait cycle, the transfer of weight towards the forward end of the foot causes the rigid cap member to tilt forwardly in the shoe, enhancing the angular orientation of the foot as the toe-off position is reached.

Abstract: An article of footwear is disclosed having an upper, a foot-supporting member, and a sole structure. The foot-supporting member includes a heel region located at a greater elevation than a forefoot region, thereby defining a recess under the heel region. The sole structure includes a midsole that forms a protrusion on the interior of the footwear. The protrusion mates with the recess to provide support for the heel region. The foot-supporting member may also incorporate pronation control characteristics, including a downward cant from a medial to a lateral side of the foot-supporting member and a region of reduced support generally underlying the first metatarsal. To further reduce the rate of pronation, the sole structure includes a region in the rear-lateral corner that is more compressible than other areas of the sole structure.

Abstract: An arch support has a periphery shaped to conform to at least part of the periphery of the sole of a wearer's footwear and an upper surface contoured to follow the contours of the sole of a wearer's foot, the upper surface having a heel region extending from the rear end, an arch region, and a forward region extending to the forward end. The forward region has an upwardly convex contour extending across part of its area, and the lower surface has a waffled region lying under the forward region which has a plurality of indents forming a waffle pattern, the indents being separated by dividing walls which are relatively thin compared to the width of each recess, for increased flexibility.

Abstract: An insole assembly for a shoe or other article of footwear. The assembly includes a soft, cushioning foam blank having an upper surface which is contoured to engage the plantar surface of a foot, and a thin, substantially rigid, resiliently flexible cap which is mounted to the bottom of the blank so as to extend around the heel end and forwardly along the medial and lateral sides thereof. The rigid cap includes an upstanding wall which engages and buttresses the perimeter of the foam blank, and a series of medial and lateral flanges which extend across and support the bottom of the blank. The flanges are configured to cooperate with the foam blank to define zones of support in specific areas, with the maximum support and rigidity being provided for the rearfoot and midfoot areas of the foot.

Abstract: This will describe unique foot orthotics that are designed to restore, reduce or eliminate foot, ankle, knee, hip and back pain by restoring your natural gait, balance and posture by supporting and cushioning different arches under the foot. These unique orthotics are made in a way that allows different areas of a unitary part to be custom made at different hardnesses by controlling the thickness and cross-linking of the orthotic in that area. This is very beneficial as some parts of the foot need more solid support and other parts need softer support. The parts are made of a chemical-resistant, water-resistant microcellular closed cell material. Also, the orthotics can be made in a variety of overall average stiffness by varying the amount of foaming agent and/or changing materials. This is required for different sporting activities. These orthotics can also be made very light weight by increasing the amount of foaming.

Abstract: The invention relates to an apparatus and methods for incorporating a medial/lateral counter foot stabilizer into shoes. In an embodiment, the medial/lateral counter foot stabilizer of the invention comprises a plantar aspect which extends the length of the sole of a foot, side walls, a metatarsal arch support, a lateral arch support, a medial arch support, and a heel cup counter. The stabilizer of the invention mimics a preferred foot shape, provides support for the metatarsal, medial, and lateral arches, and restricts pronation and supination of the foot. The stabilizer of the invention is designed to be integrated into commercial shoes during the manufacturing process as a method of providing foot support which is currently unavailable in commercial shoes.

Abstract: An arch support device has a periphery shaped to conform to at least part of the periphery of the sole of a wearer's footwear, an upper surface, a lower surface, a heel region, an arch region, and a toe region, each region being designed to lie under the corresponding regions of a wearer's foot when in use. At least part of at least one of the surfaces of the device has a slip-resistant surface texture for resisting slipping, with the textured surface formed during injection molding of the device in a mold which is roughened over at least part of its surface. Slip-resistant surface portions on both the upper and lower surface will resist slipping of a wearer's foot relative to the device and slipping of the device relative to the footwear.

Abstract: An insole for footwear comprises a footbed having an upper surface and a lower surface, with a raised arch support portion on the upper surface of the footbed capable of supporting a longitudinal arch and a transverse arch of a human foot. The shape of the insole can generally correspond to the shape of a plantar surface of the human foot, thereby providing support to substantially the entire plantar surface of the foot.

Abstract: An orthotic foot support construction having a sole, an orthotic unit for a foot of the wearer, a propulsion component adhered to the sole and located to provide upward propulsion of the forefoot of the foot support wearer in response to forefoot pressure on the component, and a covering for cooperating with the sole to provide a unitary construction. The orthotic foot support construction may be custom-made with the orthotic unit especially prescribed.

Abstract: A sole includes a strengthener in the form of a closed loop which surrounds the zone on which the heel rests and is extended forward in the form of two branches extending along the two edges of the sole at least as far as the zone of the first and fifth metatarsal heads.

Abstract: An insole assembly for a shoe or other article of footwear. The assembly includes a soft, cushioning foam blank having an upper surface which is contoured to engage the plantar surface of a foot, and a thin, substantially rigid, resiliently flexible cap which is mounted to the bottom of the blank so as to extend around the heel end and forwardly along the medial and lateral sides thereof. The rigid cap includes an upstanding wall which engages and buttresses the perimeter of the foam blank, and a series of medial and lateral flanges which extend across and support the bottom of the blank. The flanges are configured to cooperate with the foam blank to define zones of support in specific areas, with the maximum support and rigidity being provided for the rearfoot and midfoot areas of the foot.

Abstract: An insole for a shoe or boot produced by molding together a stiff outer plastic shell, a dual foam inner layer of rubber-like material and a fabric upper layer engaged by the foot. A more dense foam is provided for the inner layer at the arch of the foot. The shell is feathered or thinned toward the fore foot area and extends only to the ball of the foot. The shell is provided with a cut out at the heel and a pad secured to the insole at the cut out cushions the heel at the strike position.

Abstract: A relaxation insole having, in combination: a supination-providing heel cup; a heel-bone support; a support beneath the first two metatarsals; and a support beneath the last three metatarsal heads.