Abstract: A shoe insole includes a semi-rigid shell for providing a wearer with extended comfort. The semi-rigid shell includes a notch which is located on the outward side of the wearer's foot and accommodates pronation of the foot during use. Additionally, the semi-rigid shell includes an extended side portion which is located opposite of the notch side on an inner side of the wearer's foot. The semi-rigid shell is shorter in length than the length of a shoe sole and slightly shorter in width and may be combined with an insole comfort cover to provide cushion between the wearer's foot and the semi-rigid shell.

Abstract: A corrective shoe insole system is configured to produce and promote a positive forefoot. A corrective shoe insole system includes an insole having a forefoot portion and a heel portion. The forefoot portion is be thicker than the heel portion to promote forefoot striking when walking or running. An insole may have one or more forefoot risers coupled thereto to provide a specific positive forefoot insole for the user. A user may gradually increase the thickness of live forefoot portion of the insole by adding or changing out forefoot risers. This gradual increase in forefoot thickness of the insole may prevent injury and muscle strain from the adjusted foot striking position. A forefoot riser may be detachably attachable to the forefoot portion of the insole and an attachment feature may provide positive and secure attachment to prevent movement of the forefoot riser.

Abstract: An orthopedic insole is provided with an insole having a bottom portion for facing a sole of a shoe; one or more orthopedic pads disposed on the bottom portion of the insole at one or more judiciously selected locations to provide different heights and/or different physical properties. An orthopedic shoe is also provided having an upper; a sole attached to the upper, and the removable insole within the shoe. An orthopedic insole is provided with an insole having a bottom portion for facing a sole of a shoe; a first orthopedic pad disposed on the bottom portion of the insole at a location corresponding to at least one selected from the group consisting of a medial longitudinal arch, a lateral longitudinal arch, and a transverse metatarsal arch of a foot.

Abstract: A sole structure for an article of footwear includes a unitary sole with a first cushioning body having a first hardness and a second cushioning having a second hardness greater than the first hardness. Both the first and the second cushioning bodies are exposed at a periphery of the sole. The second cushioning body may have a wedge surface that interfaces with a lateral extremity of the first cushioning body and angles laterally outward toward a lateral side exterior surface of the sole from a lower extent to an upper extent of the wedge surface. The second cushioning body may underlie the first cushioning body in a portion of a forefoot region of the sole such that the first cushioning body establishes a foot-facing exterior surface and the second cushioning body establishes a ground-facing exterior surface of the sole where the first cushioning body overlies the second cushioning body.

Abstract: A thermoplastic film is provided that includes a biaxially-oriented polyethylene terephthalate (PET) layer, a tensile strength in the longitudinal and transverse directions of about 2000 kg/cm2 or 3000 kg/cm2 or more, and a tear force in the longitudinal direction that is about 1.5 times as large as a tear force in the transverse direction. Such a film can include two or more layers. Processes for producing the thermoplastic film are also provided.

Abstract: A sockliner for a shoe or other article of footwear is formed having at least one generally flat, planar surface. At least a portion of the sockliner has a linear width that exceeds the linear distance across a width of the shoe. When the sockliner is placed in the shoe, pressure on the wider portions of the sockliner changes the conformation of the sockliner to conform to the shoe.

Abstract: Insole (28) for high-heeled footwear (26), wherein the insole (28) comprises a lifting structure (34) arranged to lift the metatarsal heads (24) and to flatten the angles of the metatarsal phalangeal joints (22).

Abstract: Systems and apparatus related to footwear including a modular lacing engine are discussed. In this example, the footwear assembly can include a footwear upper and a lace cable running through a plurality of lace guides. The plurality of lace guides can be distributed along the medial side and the lateral side, and each lace guide of the plurality of lace guides can be adapted to receive a length of the lace cable. The lace cable can extend through each of the plurality of lace guides to form a pattern along each of the medial side and lateral side of the footwear upper. The footwear assembly can also include a medial proximal lace guide routing the lace cable into a lacing engine disposed within a mid-sole portion. Finally, the footwear assembly includes a lateral proximal lace guide to route the lace cable out of the lacing engine.

Abstract: The invention relates to articles of footwear having traction elements, and systems and methods for manufacturing same. An example shoe includes an upper and a sole plate, the sole plate including a lower surface adapted for ground contact having a first sole portion including first traction elements, the first traction elements having a distal end and a side wall with extensions extending from a central core, and a second sole portion including second traction elements, the second traction elements having at least one geometrical feature differing in one or more aspects from a corresponding geometrical feature of the first traction elements.

Abstract: A foot trainer having a generally planar footbed. A heel recess is formed in the footbed. The heel recess is positioned proximate a proximal end of the footbed. A generally longitudinal groove is formed in the footbed. The longitudinal groove extends generally along at least a portion of a lateral edge of the footbed. A transverse arch extends from the footbed medially from the longitudinal groove. The transverse arch is positioned to be disposed proximally relative to a ball of a user'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: An orthotic insert (1) having a first (2) and second portion (3), the second portion being formed of a material of higher resistance to deformation than the first portion (2), wherein the insert (1) is heat mouldable to conform to a patient's foot. The first portion (2), which forms the main body of the insert (1) provides support for the fore foot, while the second portion (3) is substantially U or J-shaped and extends around the heel region and into the arch region of the patient's foot. Preferably both portions are formed from heat mouldable ethyl vinyl acetate.

Abstract: An orthotic footplate including at least two superimposed, discrete structural layers having different lengths that extend along at least a segment of a length of the footplate. The footplate defines regions with different thicknesses and stiffness.

Abstract: An arch support device has a lower layer of a semi-rigid material shaped to conform to the arch of a wearer's foot and to provide an arch supporting function when inserted in a shoe, a second layer of cushioning material such as foam secured to the upper face of the lower layer; and a third, cover layer of pliable material secured over the second layer. At least one of the lower and foam layers is of variable thickness.

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: A shoe insole having an axis and an arch area with an upper surface and a bottom. The insole has three or more supporting ridges, positioned under the upper surface in the arch area, to provide support to a wearer's arch while allowing the insole to remain flexible as the wearer walks.

Abstract: A user-customizable insole for insertion into foot wear in place of a conventional removable insole. The insole includes a cushioning upper insole and a semi-rigid yet resiliently flexible base insole used with insole adjustment devices. The upper insole is made of a resilient cushioning material such as foam. The base insole is made from relatively thin plastic with upwardly formed arch supports defining corresponding elevation curves between the base insole and a foot bed or inside bottom of the footwear to permit downward flexing of the arch supports. The arch supports are of a predetermined flexibility by controlling the material thickness and/or adding perforations therethrough. An upwardly formed perimeter wall extends around a heel portion forwardly along respective medial and lateral sides of the base insole tapering away at about a forefoot portion of the base insole defining a heel cup.

Abstract: An orthotic insert having an angled lateral surface that engages the insole so as to pivot the insert in a lateral direction and invert the rearfoot at heel strike, and a medial bottom surface that freely interfits within the heel counter and insole of the shoe so as to avoid limiting pivoting motion in the medial direction as the weight on the foot shifts forwardly and medially. Pivoting motion in the medial direction is arrested by engagement between a distal medial portion of the rigid plate member and the insole along the transverse plane of the shoe. The distal medial portion of the plate member is located generally proximal and beneath the first metatarsal head of the foot. The upwardly angled medial surface of the post permits the post to fit optimally within the heel area of the shoe and also avoids interference between the heel counter/insole and the post that would impair proper operation of the insert.

Abstract: An arch support device has a lower layer of a rigid or semirigid material shaped to conform to the arch of a wearer's foot and to provide an arch supporting function when inserted in a shoe, a second layer of cushioning material such as foam secured to the upper face of the lower layer; and a third, cover layer of pliable material secured over the second layer. The foam layer is of variable thickness, with a maximum thickness in a heel region and a minimum thickness in a toe region.

Abstract: An arch support device has a lower layer of a rigid or semirigid material shaped to conform to the arch of a wearer's foot and to provide an arch supporting function when inserted in a shoe, a second layer of cushioning material such as foam secured to the upper face of the lower layer; and a third, cover layer of pliable material secured over the second layer. The foam layer is of variable thickness, with a maximum thickness in a heel region and a minimum thickness in a toe region.

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: An orthopedic sole structure includes an insole made from a first polymeric material with a first stiffness, and an insert made from a second polymeric material with a second stiffness. The insole includes a metatarsals support portion, a tarsals support portion and an intermediate arch support portion interposed therebetween. The intermediate arch support portion has an upper surface and a lower surface that defines a recess to receive the insert therein in such a manner that the upper surface thereof is lifted upward to permit resting of an intermediate arch portion of a user's foot when the foot is disposed on the orthopedic sole structure.

Abstract: The invention relates to a process for the manufacture of an orthopedic sort in shoes, in the case of which the top-part is provided along its borders with a continuous cut-out section, so that for the final form-imparting processes of the orthopedic support, merely a border-part and a bottom-part have to be subjected to the grinding operations. This ensures that, also after longer usage, the orthopedic support shows a stability of form, since a material thickness of only a small order of magnitude has to be subjected to the grinding operations, and in that consequently, the border-sections in the upper region of the orthopedic support, retain their retractility.

Abstract: An insole and a method for relieving bottom-of-heel pain (ie. plantar heel pain) and/or arch pain associated with bottom-of-heel pain is described.

Abstract: An elevating shoe includes a shoe body having an upper, a sole, a heel, an inner member provided in the shoe body for raising the height of the wearer. The inner member includes an elevating portion formed with a top portion defined by a minimum area necessary to support the heel bone of the wearer, a forward slope portion, and a rearward slope portion, the forward and rearward slope portions being positioned between a peripheral edge of the elevating portion and the top portion, and extending from the peripheral edge of the elevating portion to the top portion with a substantially continuous gradient which rises toward the top portion, and being connected to the top portion with an identical color to one another. The third person is hard to perceive the provision of the deceptive inner member.

Abstract: An orthotic device for insertion into a high-heeled shoe is provided. An orthotic device made in accordance with the instant invention virtually eliminates the problems associated with the wearing of high-heeled shoes, particularly pronation effects, general foot discomfort, posture problems, toe pain, and arch pain. The orthotic device comprises a right or semi-rigid shell for positioning beneath the heel of the foot and extending forwardly towards the toes of the foot. The shell terminates behind the five metatarsal heads of the foot, and is shaped whereby to permit the first metatarsal head freely to evert and plantarflex under load, and is shaped such that the heel of the foot is carried substantially parallel to or slightly backwardly inclined relative to the ground plane.

Abstract: A low friction shoe insert of ultrahigh molecular weight polyethylene or the like having a coefficient of friction of 0.3 or less with an array of detachable discrete cushion elements on the shoe contacting lower surface to both frictionally anchor the insert to the shoe and permit the shape to be customized to the wearers foot and selectively relieve pressure on painful and sensitive areas.

Abstract: A shoe insole formed by a resilient base piece adapted to be disposed primarily at the heel area and having a cupped peripheral wall. A heel piece is disposed within the base piece and constructed for improved shock absorption at the heel. A top cushioning layer is provided and overlies the resilient base piece and heel piece. The top cushioning layer extends over the base piece from the heel area thereof and forwardly of the base piece so as to principally underlie the toe area. The resilient base piece front edge includes at least a segment thereof that terminates at the large toe joint.