Abstract: A removable insole for insertion into footwear, includes a lower layer made of a viscoelastic gel and including a lower surface, an upper surface, a toe portion, a heel portion and a medial arch portion interconnecting the toe portion and the heel portion, a first recess formed in the lower surface of the toe portion and a second recess formed in the lower surface of the heel portion, each recess having a peripheral side wall and a top wall, a plurality of thin, parallel, spaced apart sinusoidal wave shaped spring walls formed from the viscoelastic gel and connected to the top wall and the peripheral side wall in each recess, and the spring walls having lower edges generally coplanar with a lower surface of the toe portion and heel portion which is in surrounding relation to the respective recess; and a top cover secured to the upper surface of the lower layer.

Abstract: An insole for footwear, including a plurality of compressible protrusions. An arrangement is provided for interconnecting the compressible protrusions, the interconnecting arrangement being adapted to ensure strict compression of the compressible protrusions upon acceptance of a compressive force.

Abstract: The present invention provides performance enhancing shoe components and methods of using those shoe components to increase exercise performance. The shoe components comprise a layer of 1,4-polybutadiene and, optionally, a high energy returning rubber. A second layer of an energy returning rubber and/or a coating is optionally applied to the first layer. The invented shoe components may be formed as shoe inserts, insoles, midsoles, soles, or portions thereof.

Abstract: The invention is an elastomeric, energy-management cushion formed of at least one or more spaced, expandable, geometrically shaped cushioning elements disposed in a pattern on supporting base. The cushioning elements each have a plurality of angularly spaced projections, the projections of each cushioning element being interspersed between and spaced from the projections of the adjacent cushioning elements. The interspersed projections absorb and distribute compression forces applied to the cushioning elements as triangulated vector forces within the projections forming the respective cushioning elements, to which the compression forces are applied thereby providing an elastomeric, energy-management cushion.

Abstract: An orthotic pad is disclosed for reducing pressure and shear stresses on dermal and muscle tissue in treatment areas extending over bony prominences. This pad includes a hydrocolloid-containing adhesive body having oppositely-facing non-parallel first, and second major surfaces. The pad is formed of a soft, deformable and shape-recoverable adhesive material in which particles of at least one moisture-absorbing and moisture-swellable hydrocolloid material are dispersed. The first surface of the pad is contoured to match that of the treatment area for adhesively engaging and covering such area, and the second surface has a developed shape for corrective redistribution of external forces exertable against the treatment area to prevent further damage from pressure or shear forces, promote the healing process and, in appropriate cases, provide orthopedic correction.

Abstract: A footwear cushioning system including an insole and a midsole that define a chamber containing multiple, hollow, inverted, truncated cones. The insole includes a plate having a downwardly extending rib to define a recess. The midsole includes a midsole plate including an upwardly extending wall and multiple upwardly opening hollow, inverted frusto-conical cushion cells. The wall interfits within the rib, and the cushion cells abut against the insole plate. An outsole shell is direct-attached to the cushioning system with polyurethane. Preferably, the polyurethane pre-compresses the cushion cells and adds cushioning and energy return characteristics. To assemble the cushion system, an upper is stapled to the insole rib. The midsole is interfitted within the rib. The insole and midsole are heated to fuse the cushion cells to the insole. Polyurethane is poured into the outsole shell and the shell is direct attached to the upper/cushioning system.

Abstract: An insole includes a layer of thermal-color agent coated on a top surface thereof and the color of the layer is subjected to change when the temperature of the foot is applied thereto. By this way, the real size of the foot can be obtained for a period of time.

Abstract: An insole for footwear that is capable of providing a protective layer between a plantar surface of a human foot and an upper surface of a sole of the footwear. The insole can have a first portion positioned in a rearfoot region of the insole and a second portion positioned at a forefoot portion of the insole, wherein the second portion can be more flexible than the first portion. The insole may further include a toe piece positioned in a toe region of the insole and a footbed that overlays the first portion of the insole, the second portion of the insole, and the toe piece of the insole.

Abstract: An exchangeable and disposable shoe insert contains a commercially available panty liner for inserting into a shoe. The panty liner has a number of layers formed of an at least partially moisture-absorbing material and a side directed toward an inside sole of a shoe. The panty liner has moisture-storing constituents in at least one of the layers and partially or wholly covers over an inside sole of the shoe. A self-adhering coating is disposed on at least a subregion of the side directed toward the inside sole of the shoe. The self-adhering coating is releasable from the shoe without any residues being left behind.

Abstract: The invention features a lining material for footwear. The material includes a non-woven felt including up to 80% by weight of grooved or multi-lobed cross section transport fibers and the remainder of thermally bondable fibers arranged to secure the transport fibers against abrasion and excessive mechanical stretch presented during incorporation of the lining material into a product during that product's manufacture.

Abstract: An apparatus for making a molded article containing an insert includes an upper mold half and a lower mold half for mating with the upper mold half to provide a mold cavity therein. Either mold half can include a recess, an elevator opening in a lower portion of the recess, and an inwardly directed lip at an upper portion of the elevator opening. An elevator mechanism is provided which includes a lifter for supporting an insert to be secured to the article during a molding operation, and a lifting arrangement for raising and lowering the lifter through the elevator opening such that a peripheral edge of the insert supported on the lifter is clamped between the lifter and the lip when the lifting arrangement raises the lifter.

Abstract: An insole has an upperside and an underside narrower than the upperside, so as to give an added support, wearing stability, and comfort to the foot.

Abstract: A shock-absorbing insole includes an insole body having a heel portion with first upper and lower surfaces opposite to each other. The first upper surface has an inner peripheral edge region that defines a through hole which extends from the first upper surface to communicate with the first lower surface. A cushioning pad includes a heel-cushioning portion with second upper and lower surfaces and of a dimension substantially equal to that of the through hole, a plurality of spaced apart shock-absorbing posts extending downwardly from the second lower surface, and a peripheral anchoring portion that surrounds the heel-cushioning portion and that is superimposed upon the inner peripheral edge region when the heel-cushioning portion is brought to mate with the through hole such that the shock-absorbing posts extend through the through hole, and have lower ends flush with the first lower surface of the heel portion.

Abstract: A custom conformable device that supports and cushions a user's anatomical part, such the foot. The device is self-inflating, conforms to the shape of the user's foot, utilizes an inflatable bladder with a valve, and contains an expandable material such as an open cell foam. When the valve is open the expandable material expands, causing the bladder to inflate and to conform to the shape of the user's anatomical part. Once the desired shape is achieved, the valve is closed, sealing the bladder. Once the bladder is sealed, the expandable material retains the shape of the user's anatomical part. The user may open the valve to adjust the level of support provided by the device by allowing more fluid to enter the bladder, or by forcing fluid to exit the bladder.

Abstract: An article of footwear provides a dual energy management system to improve the biomechanical properties of the article of footwear. The article of footwear includes a forefoot portion, a rearfoot portion, and a sole layer. The sole layer is divided into a first area and a second area. The first area extends over the forefoot portion and comprises an elastic material. The second area extends over the rearfoot portion and comprises a viscous material.

Abstract: This invention relates to crosslinked polymer foam compositions of an ethylene vinyl acetate copolymer, an ethylene/acrylic acid copolymer or ionomer, and a crosslinking agent. Such compositions exhibit enhanced melt strength, as well as lower density and compression set. They are especially useful as midsoles or insoles for footwear.

Abstract: A footwear assembly having a footbed and an insole, which is removably secured to the footbed. The footbed includes a substantially flexible front portion and a rear portion connected to the front portion. The rear portion has a substantially rigid unit with at least one cavity. The cavity is adapted to receive a layer of cushioning material therein.

Abstract: An insole includes a forefoot portion having a lower first recess; a cupped heel portion having a lower second recess; a mid-foot portion connecting together the forefoot portion and the heel portion, the mid-foot portion including a medial arch portion, and the forefoot, heel and mid-foot portions formed from a unitary resilient material; a plurality of protuberances in the second recess and having lower edges generally coplanar with a lower surface of the heel portion in surrounding relation to the second recess; a plurality of spaced apart spring walls formed from a viscoelastic gel in the first recess, the spring walls having lower edges generally coplanar with a lower surface of the forefoot portion which is in surrounding relation to the first recess; and a shell extending under the mid-foot portion and made of a resilient material that is stiffer than the unitary resilient material.

Abstract: A novel insole orthoses pad that may be inserted into a shoe alleviates the formation of ulcers aggravated by plantar shear forces and vertical forces. The insole orthoses pad, has vertically aligned strips of a material that support and cushion vertical forces alternated with a more flexible material that allows the supporting material to move from proximal-lateral to distal medial in response to shear forces without abrading the plantar surface. The combination of alternating strips of material are aligned so as to anticipate the orientation of the shear forces generated during the execution of a step by the wearer. Arcs of cushioning material are provided on a pad to protect likely sites of ulcer formation, having an orientation direction that is the average of the locus of maximum pressure in order to reduce the rubbing of the cushion material due to shear forces.

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 cushioning member for an article of footwear is provided having a series of interconnected chambers filled with ambient or slightly pressurized air. An impedance is provided between selected chambers, in order to restrict the flow of air between the chambers. The shape and structure of the impedance determines the nature of the air flow between chambers, such that the cushioning member can be tailored for various types of activities and body weights, by offering varying degrees of cushioning.

Abstract: A modular cushioned insole support system that comprises a plurality of forefoot pieces, each having a dorsally disposed tongue capable of being disposed within a corresponding channel formed in each of a plurality of heel pieces, and optionally a heel cup disposed underneath the heel piece such that the heel piece is supported by the heel cup. The universal tongue-and-channel construction of each forefoot and heel piece enables selection by the user of the desired combination from the respective pluralities of forefoot and heel pieces. The forefoot pieces optimally vary in their construction to have certain sizing and differing cushioning effects. Similarly, the heel pieces optimally vary in their construction to have different alignment, cushioning, and/or anti-pronation effects.

Abstract: An athletic training shoe insert includes particles of heavy material mixed with a flexible porous material and molded into an insole form to fit within a shoe. The particles and the insole form are designed to allow a human foot to be placed comfortably in the shoe and cooperate to substantially increase the weight of the shoe for training purposes. The amount of particles is changeable to change the weight of the athletic shoe. That is, a larger amount of particles can be added to increase the weight of the shoe. Also, additional insoles of particles and flexible porous material can be added to a shoe to substantially increase the weight if desired.

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 adjustable width shoe system includes an upper, a sock liner adhesively attached to an insole, the insole attached to the upper and a removable footbed configured to be inserted into an interior volume of the upper and over a foot support surface of the sock liner. The removable footbed has a second periphery substantially commensurate with the first periphery of the sock liner and a second foot support surface smaller than the first support surface of the sock liner. The sock liner and upper together define an interior volume for receiving a wearer's foot.

Abstract: There is disclosed a removable device for covering a shoe sockliner that is not bonded to the sockliner. The device of the present invention thus permits the use of sockliners made from various materials, including foams, sponges or any other suitable recyclable materials. As disclosed, the present invention provides a flexible fabric cover which fits over the sockliner. The top surface of the cover, the surface on which ones foot is placed, has a fabric pile which may vary in thickness to provide comfort and fit for the wearer of the shoe. The bottom surface of the cover has an opening for inserting the shoe sockliner and is elastic for providing a secure fit for the cover over the shoe sockliner. Advantageously, the disclosed invention eliminates the waste associated with known top cloth manufacturing techniques, reduces the time and costs associated with manufacturing existing top cloths, and permits the use of sockliners made from various materials, including materials that are fully recyclable.

Abstract: A removable insole for insertion into footwear, includes a lower layer made of a viscoelastic gel and including a lower surface, an upper surface, a toe portion, a heel portion and a medial arch portion interconnecting the toe portion and the heel portion, a first recess formed in the lower surface of the toe portion and a second recess formed in the lower surface of the heel portion, each recess having a peripheral side wall and a top wall, a plurality of thin, parallel, spaced apart sinusoidal wave shaped spring walls formed from the viscoelastic gel and connected to the top wall and the peripheral side wall in each recess, and the spring walls having lower edges generally coplanar with a lower surface of the toe portion and heel portion which is in surrounding relation to the respective recess; and a top cover secured to the upper surface of the lower layer.

Abstract: A bladder usable in the sole of a shoe for supporting the plantar area includes a plurality of chambers designed to provide a resilient resistance force. In the fabrication of the bladder, each of the chambers is formed in fluid communication with each other, and fluid is supplied into the chambers at a selected location. After the chambers have been pressurized to the desired internal pressure, the fluid communication port(s) is sealed. Although certain of the chambers are pressurized to the same internal pressure, different resistance forces are provided by forming the chambers with different volumes.

Abstract: A heating sole includes an upper pad formed with a plurality of ventilation holes and configured to be fitted in any shoe, a heating sheet having an upper and a lower layer and a filament fitted between the upper and lower layers so that the filament is completely enclosed by the upper and lower layers thereby insulating the filament from outside, the filament being connected with a temperature sensor, the heating sheet being formed with a plurality of ventilation holes aligned with the ventilation holes of the upper pad, the temperature sensor being connected with an electrical cord provided with an electrical connector at an outer end thereof, the electrical connector being adapted to engage with a battery box in which there is a rechargeable battery, a lower pad integrally made of foam rubber and formed with a raised edge at a rear portion thereof, the raised edge having a notch for passage of the electrical cord, the lower pad being formed with a plurality of ventilation holes aligned with the ventilation

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: A support and cushioning system for an article of footwear. The system includes a resilient insert disposed between a midsole and an outsole of a shoe. The resilient insert includes several chambers disposed in a heel portion of the resilient insert These chambers are fluidly interconnected to each other via periphery passages. The resilient insert also includes several chambers disposed in a forefoot portion of the resilient insert. These chambers are also fluidly interconnected to each other. A connecting passage connects the chambers in the heel portion and the chambers in the forefoot portion of the resilient insert. A bladder having a fluidly interconnected heel chamber and forefoot chamber is also inserted above the midsole to provided added cushioning to the wearer. In one embodiment, the resilient insert contains air at ambient pressure and the bladder contains air at slightly above ambient pressure.

Abstract: An insole for shoes having a plurality of protrusions, each of the protrusions having a ventilation hole formed through its center. A protrusion is connected with a thin support portion protruding from the insole and having a downwardly increasing diameter, so that the protrusions are integrally molded with the insole. The support portions can have a frustoconical shape. In order to prevent the insole from being easily deviated from the shoe, a pad having double-faced tape and a plurality of lugs is provided.

Abstract: An article of footwear with a dynamically-controlled cushoning system is disclosed. The cushioning system includes a sealed, fluid-filled bladder formed with a plurality of separate cushioning chambers, and a control system. The control system, which includes a CPU, pressure sensors and valves, controls fluid communication between the chambers to dynamically adjust the pressure in the cushioning chambers for various conditions such as the activity that the footwear is used in, the weight of the individual and the individual's running style. Certain adjustments can be made while the footwear is in use.

Abstract: A cushioning sole for use in contact with a foot, the foot being characterized by a specific shape relief and pressure map. The cushioning structure comprises a central layer of a rubber-like thermoplastic material having an upper surface devised to be in contact with the foot and having a shape relief conforming the specific shape relief of the foot, and a bottom surface opposite the upper surface. The cushioning sole further comprises a layout of space-apart anatomical pressure-receiving fingers made integrally with the central layer and protruding from at least one of the upper surface and bottom surface. Each of the pressure-receiving fingers has a predetermined height and diameter. The layout, the height and the diameter of the pressure-receiving fingers are determined in function of the physical characteristics of the rubber-like thermoplastic material and the specific pressure map of the foot, whereby the overall pressure-receiving fingers suit the specific pressure map of the foot.

Abstract: An insole for shoes for soccer, running or similar sports having a contoured plate-like element made of plastics, which has a first through slot composed of a transverse portion which lies ahead of the position of the line of optimum flexing of the foot, and of two longitudinal portions which protrude from the preceding portion toward the plantar arch. The insole further having a second through slot which extends from the outward region of the heel, adjacent to the plantar arch, and has a first portion directed forward, a second portion directed backward, and a wider end portion arranged in a central rear region.

Abstract: An insole of a sheet material of polymeric foam material having two openings therein corresponding to a portion of the heel and a portion of the arch. The openings are filled with a polymeric gel composition having a tacky bottom surface to assist holding the insole in place and for the removable attachment of a polymeric gel arch cushion.

Abstract: A pad for supporting a portion of the human body is made of two substantially non-stretchable or non-elastic layers that are joined together along a peripheral edge and then are joined together in local regions to form individual capsules in the pad. The layers are “quilted” in the areas defined by the capsules to control where and how much the pad can bulge. The pad is filled with a wax material that is plastic but does not flow readily. By repeated applications of loads the wax will flow or migrate slowly to change the configuration of the wax to conform to and support the surface contacting the pad.

Abstract: A bowling overshoe includes an upper formed from a stretchable sheet material and two outsole portions attached independently of each other.

Abstract: A novel insole orthoses pad that may be inserted into a shoe alleviates the formation of ulcers aggravated by plantar shear forces and vertical forces. The insole orthoses pad, has vertically aligned strips of a material that support and cushion vertical forces alternated with a more flexible material that allows the supporting material to move from proximal-lateral to distal medial in response to shear forces without abrading the plantar surface. The combination of alternating strips of material are aligned so as to anticipate the orientation of the shear forces generated during the execution of a step by the wearer.

Abstract: An insole of shoe made of coconut and its manufacturing method, which is an undiluted solution of natural latex is sprayed the coconut textile and then it is processed and pressed by heat, so that there is enough air permeability and cushion strength between the texture, which makes sanitary and effective for prevention athletes foot.

Abstract: A health care shoe, which can continuously provide adequate magnetic field arranged to penetrate through the wearer's foot for improving the wearer's blood circulation and metabolism, includes a sole; an insole placed on top the sole, which has a plurality of magnet cavities formed and distributed thereon; a shoe body rigidly attached on top of the sole to define a foot chamber between the shoe body and the insole; a plurality of base magnet elements fittingly received in the magnet cavities respectively provided on the insole; and a plurality of upper magnet elements embedded inside the shoe body with respect to the positions of the base magnet elements located on the insole, wherein each of the upper magnet elements is arranged to constitute a transversal magnetic field penetrating through the foot chamber and flowing towards one of the base magnet elements.

Abstract: An adjustable dynamic, removable, mechanical foot leverage orthotic system is disclosed having a plate member positioned on top of one or more fulcrum member that are placed inside of a shoe. The plate is free to move within the shoe about the fulcrum to provide the wearer with mechanical improvement of abnormal, functional and associated foot pathology and can directly and indirectly effect the entire gait cycle. The foot leverage system can be integrated into the shoe design or can be inserted within a conventional shoe to create a foot leverage system. Methods of use and treatment are disclosed for the treatment of pes planus, pes cavus and tendonitis. The foot leverage system may also be used with the disclosed foot mapping system and method.

Abstract: A removable insole for footwear is disclosed which is used for heating the wearer's feet. The insole includes a recessed area for containing a heat source. The improved insole comprises an upper layer, a padding layer, a lower layer, and a cover plate. The cover plate covers the recessed area, thereby forming a cavity for containing a heat source, and extends to the tip of the toe portion. The lower layer has a plurality of recessed channels formed therein which communicate with the recessed area to facilitate the flow of air to and from the heat source. The cover layer is attached to the lower layer in only a few discrete places to facilitate the flow of air to and from the heat source. The insole and/or cover plate have at least one cutout on the periphery of one of the sides in the area of the recessed area which allows for easy insertion and removal of the heat source.

Abstract: An athletic training shoe insert includes one or more thin strips of heavy material, such as lead, constructed to fit within a shoe and formed to be spaced apart along the length of the shoe and to extend the width of the shoe. A removable insole is constructed to fit within the shoe and to hold the thin strips in a fixed position within the shoe. The thin strips and the insole are designed to allow a human foot to be placed comfortably in the shoe and cooperate to substantially increase the weight of the shoe for training purposes. The number of thin strips is changeable and the position of the thin strips along the length of the athletic shoe is changeable to change the weight of the athletic shoe. That is, a larger number of thin strips can be added to increase the weight of the shoe. Also, additional insoles and weights can be added to a shoe to substantially increase the weight if desired.

Abstract: An insole device configured to fit the profile of the human foot to promote proprioceptive stimulation of the Golgi tendon organ. The midfoot section of the insole device has an asymmetric domed structure that is presented to the plantar aspect of the foot at a location found to be the anatomical apex of the foot's arch system. The asymmetric domed structure displays physical properties to catalyst muscle group balancing by using the body's proprioceptive feedback mechanisms. The asymmetric domed structure displays physical properties such that it does not provide functional bracing or support to the plantar aspect of the foot. The net result will be more structurally sound foot capable of more energy efficient and less injury inducing use.

Abstract: A full length insole for use with footwear, is formed by a first layer including a forefoot portion extending at least to metatarsals of a foot, a heel portion, a mid portion connecting together the forefoot portion and the heel portion, the mid portion including a medial arch portion, an upper surface extending along the forefoot, mid and heel portions on which a person stands, and a lower surface extending along the forefoot, mid and heel portions, the lower surface including a shallow recess, the first layer being made of a material of a first hardness; a force line insert secured in the recess and having a shape that follows a greatest area of force of the foot on the upper surface during a normal stride, the force line insert being made of a material of a second hardness which is less than the first hardness; a forefoot pillow formed as a raised area at the upper surface at the forefoot portion to provide additional cushioning thereat and shaped to conform to a pressure area of the foot so as to include

Abstract: A removable insole for insertion into footwear, includes a lower layer made of a viscoelastic gel and including a lower surface, an upper surface, a toe portion, a heel portion and a medial arch portion interconnecting the toe portion and the heel portion, a first recess formed in the lower surface of the toe portion and a second recess formed in the lower surface of the heel portion, each recess having a peripheral side wall and a top wall, a plurality of thin, parallel, spaced apart sinusoidal wave shaped spring walls formed from the viscoelastic gel and connected to the top wall and the peripheral side wall in each recess, and the spring walls having lower edges generally coplanar with a lower surface of the toe portion and heel portion which is in surrounding relation to the respective recess; and a top cover secured to the upper surface of the lower layer.

Abstract: A perfected insole for footwear of the type formed by a flexible laminate body cut in the form of the interior surface of the sole or base of the footwear. The laminate body corresponds to an end zone which has a modified horizontal direction. The upper face of the laminate body has a central raised zone portion of the same width as the insole. That extends laterally in a longitudinal direction on the interior part of the area of the arch of the foot to the heel part, with the central raised zone covering the tarsus and metatarsus area.

Abstract: A bladder which is particularly useful for a sole assembly of a shoe is formed of multiple layers of barrier film to provide multiple pressurized layers of cushioning fluid or gas when the bladder is filled. A multiple gas layer bladder enhances cushioning response by relying more on the response characteristics of the gas and reducing the amount of foam and the dependence on foam as a cushioning material. The internal film layers provide a truss-like geometry in cross section and act as tensile members to impart a generally smooth surface contour to the bladder. The bladder is constructed to provide complex regionalized cushioning profiles which are coupled to the anatomy of the foot and expected loads at known points.

Abstract: An insole which extends from the toes to the heel includes at least one fluid-filled container; a control unit for enabling a user to increase or reduce an amount of fluid in the container; and a stirrup-shaped device for immobilizing the talocalcaneonavicular joint and for controlling and/or stabilizing the ankle joint. The insole is a prefabricated insole selectable from a range of differently shaped insoles for the various forms of foot prophylaxis and the various shoe sizes. This enables users to adapt the prefabricated insoles suitable for their shoe size and form of foot prophylaxis to their own personal needs.