Insoles Patents (Class 36/43)
  • Patent number: 8312648
    Abstract: A foot orthotic for golf that provides solid stability and encourages proper foot bracing and release during the golf swing. The orthotic having a semi-rigid shell, compliant top cover, anti-skid forefoot pad and a heel post. The heel post having a short medial edge to encourage proper bracing and release and an extended lateral edge to resist foot rolling or supination during the golf swing.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: May 3, 2010
    Date of Patent: November 20, 2012
    Inventor: John K. Ballantyne
  • Publication number: 20120279086
    Abstract: An insertable shoe insole or shoe integrally formed therewith having electrostatic protection and a method of categorizing and selecting same which provides individual solutions to workplace fatigue and stress by determining the specific support needed for each individual. Specifically, the present invention defines and utilizes an ergonomic interaction factor to enable selection of a proper fitting shoe. Such selection occurs in one embodiment by dividing a person's weight by the contact area of the bottom of their feet. The insole includes an electrically conductive material for the purpose of eliminating the buildup of static charge by conducting static charges from the user's feet to conductive shoes which then transfer the charge to the floor.
    Type: Application
    Filed: April 4, 2012
    Publication date: November 8, 2012
    Inventors: Paul R. Johnson, Robert E. Johnson
  • Patent number: 8302330
    Abstract: In one embodiment, a slipper product line is provided comprising at least nine models of slippers, with at least three different sizes and at least three levels of firmness. Each of the slippers comprises a sole portion, an upper portion attached to the sole portion and configured for retaining the slipper on a wearer's foot, and a support portion located within the sole portion, wherein said models of slippers within the product line differ only in size and the cushioning properties of the support portion. In one embodiment, a slipper product line is provided comprising at least two different models of slippers, with at least two levels of firmness.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: August 21, 2007
    Date of Patent: November 6, 2012
    Inventor: Mark Doran
  • Publication number: 20120272545
    Abstract: An orthopedic insole capable of being inserted into a shoe or the like for relieving and/or treating skin disorders and/or calluses and/or metatarsal pain comprises at least one semi-rigid corrective element capable of producing an inner metatarsal support, over the rear portion of the head of the first metatarsal, and/or a median metatarsal support, over the rear portion of the second and/or third and/or fourth metatarsal head, and/or an external metatarsal support, over the rear portion of the fifth metatarsal head.
    Type: Application
    Filed: December 9, 2010
    Publication date: November 1, 2012
    Inventor: Pascal Chenut
  • Publication number: 20120272548
    Abstract: An invention pertaining to footwear is described, including a flexible protection plate, an insole, and a shoe with three forefoot pads and three toe compartments. The sections of the protection plate are hinged or separated to allow a greater degree of independent movement of the three main groups of muscles and bones in the forefoot in response to varying walking, hiking and running terrain. A separate insole is described that incorporates the forefoot protection plate and that can be inserted into and removed from footwear in order to provide additional protection as needed. A shoe including outer-sole, midsole and upper, are also described in which the forward portion is divided into three toe compartments that are configured to allow independent articulation of corresponding individual toes and/or pairs of toes inserted in the footwear.
    Type: Application
    Filed: March 28, 2012
    Publication date: November 1, 2012
    Inventor: Jeffrey Brian Downard
  • Patent number: 8296971
    Abstract: A sheet adapted for juxtaposition adjacent to a region of an animal, such as a human foot, for relieving pressure at a selected sub-region such as a particular part of a foot sole or a foot heel. The sheet possesses an upper surface and a lower surface substantially coplanar with the upper surface. An array of sealed cells are filled with a flowable substance. Selected cells may be punctured such that they collapse in the region to be disposed next to a sore area. The healthy region around the sore area absorbs any pressure, and pressure is relieved from the sore area. Methods of creating the sheet and methods of utilizing the sheet are also disclosed.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: January 13, 2010
    Date of Patent: October 30, 2012
    Inventor: Walter H. Majak
  • Patent number: 8296974
    Abstract: The present invention is a transparent thermoplastic polyurethane (TPU) comprising structural units of: a.) a diisocyanate; b.1) a polyester diol and b.2) a specific polyether diol and c.) a chain extender. The TPU has good combinations of light transmission and clarity, tensile strength, low temperature flexibility, and high moisture vapor transition rates compared to other commercial or known TPUs. A preferred example composition is a TPU that is based on MDI as the diisocyanate monomer, polycaprolactone as a polyester diol, an EO capped EO/PO polyether diol containing less than 20% EO, and butanediol as chain extender. These composition have good combinations of clarity, tensile strength, hydrolytic stability and processability compared to TPUs prepared using either polyester or polyether diols alone or the combination with a higher EO polyether diol.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: September 22, 2006
    Date of Patent: October 30, 2012
    Assignee: Lubrizol Advanced Materials, Inc.
    Inventors: Mark F. Sonnenschein, J. Mark Cox, Hanno R. Van der Wal, Benjamin L. Wendt
  • Publication number: 20120266493
    Abstract: The present disclosure provides a footwear article containing a position determination unit for locating an individual. A system for locating an individual is also provided, the system comprises a position determining unit integrated with a footwear article and at least one of a central station and an output device.
    Type: Application
    Filed: January 25, 2012
    Publication date: October 25, 2012
    Inventor: Harrison Moss
  • Publication number: 20120260525
    Abstract: The present invention relates to a cushion member and a shoe insole comprising the same. In particular, it relates to a cushion member which is inserted to an outside of heel of shoe insole wherein an end of the cushion member is shaped to be concave in order to wrap the convex portion between the rear sole of foot and ankle, and to a shoe insole comprising the same.
    Type: Application
    Filed: May 26, 2011
    Publication date: October 18, 2012
    Applicant: LS NETWORKS CORPORATION LIMITED
    Inventor: Do Kyun Kim
  • Publication number: 20120255199
    Abstract: The present invention relates to a body balance device, which includes a main body made of a cushioning material. The main body includes a first metatarsal bone section, a fourth metatarsal bone section, and a foot heel section. The main body forms a primary adjustment structure located between the first metatarsal bone section and the fourth metatarsal bone section and a secondary adjustment structure located between the fourth metatarsal bone section and the foot heel section and corresponding to outside of the main body. Both adjustment structures are formed with a structure of through hole or cavity in which a soft material is selectively embedded to allow the human body to reach a balanced condition when standing or walking so as to improve the discomfort of bones and muscles caused by long standing or walking.
    Type: Application
    Filed: June 19, 2012
    Publication date: October 11, 2012
    Inventor: TZANN-YUH TZENG
  • Patent number: 8281504
    Abstract: An inner sole for an insole has a body made of flexible material and adapted to be laid on an insole of a shoe. Liquid containing spaces are formed in the body of the inner sole for sealingly and flowably containing liquid. Dam portions divide the liquid containing spaces into a toe region, a heel region and a middle region between the two. Orifices communicate the liquid between mutually adjacent regions. The orifice formed by the dam portions that divides the liquid containing spaces into the heel region and the middle region opens toward one side edge portion to cause an eddy of liquid, flowing from the heel region into the middle region, that substantially fills the whole middle region.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: November 14, 2008
    Date of Patent: October 9, 2012
    Assignees: Nobuyoshi Morita, Walking Day Co., Ltd., Daimatu Inc.
    Inventors: Nobuyoshi Morita, Junichi Takano
  • Publication number: 20120246971
    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.
    Type: Application
    Filed: March 30, 2012
    Publication date: October 4, 2012
    Inventors: Damian Donzis, Aimee Donzis
  • Patent number: 8256142
    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.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: January 23, 2009
    Date of Patent: September 4, 2012
    Inventor: Sashanaz Hashempour Igdari
  • Publication number: 20120210605
    Abstract: A foot support for use with a human foot having a forefoot portion that supports the foot beneath the metatarsal heads and an arched midfoot portion that supports the foot beneath the metatarsal, cuneiforms, navicular, and cuboid bones and has a slope between a maximum height on the medial side of the foot support and a minimum height on the lateral side of the foot support. The foot support also includes a wedge fixed beneath the forefoot portion such that the maximum wedge height is positioned beneath the first metatarsal head and the minimum wedge height extends beneath the fourth metatarsal head. The foot support may optionally include a heel portion that supports the calcaneus and talus bones in a neutral, varus, or valgus positions.
    Type: Application
    Filed: February 23, 2011
    Publication date: August 23, 2012
    Applicant: RYLO, INC.
    Inventor: LORRI A. RILEY
  • Publication number: 20120210602
    Abstract: A footwear article that has an insert pad filled with loose particulate material which is configured within the pad to provide the feeling of walking on a sandy beach and with the same massage affect to the foot as walking on a sandy beach. The pad is particularly configured to prevent the loose particulate material inside of it from flowing to the sides of the pad and destroying the massaging affect.
    Type: Application
    Filed: February 21, 2011
    Publication date: August 23, 2012
    Applicant: BROWN MEDICAL INDUSTRIES
    Inventor: IVAN E. BROWN
  • Publication number: 20120204451
    Abstract: Cushioning element (4) for footwear, having a deformable filling (12) and an envelope (10) that encloses the deformable filling. The envelope is arranged for forming at least one flow channel (837). In use, at least part of the deformable filling flows into the at least one flow channel as a result of increased pressure of the deformable filling caused by a mechanical load The deformable filling contains solid bodies and further contains a lubricating fluid for mutually lubricating the solid bodies. A dimension of the at least one flow channel is arranged for hindering entrance of the solid bodies into the at least one flow channel during cushioning.
    Type: Application
    Filed: August 20, 2010
    Publication date: August 16, 2012
    Inventors: Bartholomeus Mattheus De Roode, Marcel Geerdink
  • Publication number: 20120204443
    Abstract: A footwear technology called Frequency Balance Footwear, is an footwear or insole that utilizes Mylar Holographic Disk Technology (small holograms). Each hologram disc is exposed to a Quantum Field Programming Generator which overlays or infuses specific blueprint frequencies for the human body which helps to promote physical posture, increased ability to achieve better balance, increased strength, and greater flexibility during any physical activity while wearing the Shoe and/or insoles.
    Type: Application
    Filed: February 16, 2011
    Publication date: August 16, 2012
    Inventor: Jon-Paul Nicholas Vertuccio
  • Patent number: 8241232
    Abstract: A foot pain relief device can advantageously provide multiple angles of inclination, directed pressure against the plantar fascia, as well as ease of manufacturing and assembly. A toe strap, which is fastened around the ankle and the toe(s), ensures that the toes are flexed up. This toe flexing tenses the plantar fascia of the foot. A ball strap can be threaded through a hole in a ball and then operatively coupled with the toe strap. When operatively coupled to the toe strap, the ball strap keeps the ball positioned on the bottom of the foot while allowing ball mobility. The mobility of the ball can provide directed pressure on at least one component of the plantar fascia. Notably, the simultaneous combination of tension to the plantar fascia and directed pressure to the component(s) of the plantar fascia can be particularly effective at relieving foot pain.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: August 26, 2009
    Date of Patent: August 14, 2012
    Inventor: Jeannie B. Sanders
  • Publication number: 20120198729
    Abstract: A shoe comprising upper, bottom fixed to the upper, ventilation system and insole disposed above the bottom and obtained by injection molding of polyurethane foam. The ventilation system is integrated inside the insole in such a way not to interfere with the bottom and with an outsole that must be applied under the bottom.
    Type: Application
    Filed: October 27, 2010
    Publication date: August 9, 2012
    Applicant: GRUPPO MECCANICHE LUCIANI S.R.L.
    Inventors: Giordano Graziani, Augusto Pagliari
  • Publication number: 20120186101
    Abstract: A vibrating insoles with Bluetooth wireless components, vibrate motors, and built in rechargeable battery all integrated in the insole. Slip on insoles that vibrate the feet and are remotely activated via Bluetooth wireless cell phone application. The vibrate motors oscillate and uses vibration to massage the feet. A remote control application from a cell phone uses Bluetooth wireless technology to power on the vibrating motors of the insoles. Vibrate motors get electricity from rechargeable battery that is inside the insoles. Bluetooth wireless activates the vibrate motors and insoles continues vibrating to massage and relax the feet while wearing shoes. Vibrating insole can be used with any shoe allowing user with Bluetooth wireless cell phone to remote control the massaging motion of the vibrating insoles to massage the feet anywhere on the go.
    Type: Application
    Filed: January 21, 2011
    Publication date: July 26, 2012
    Inventor: Roy C. Sanchez
  • Publication number: 20120180337
    Abstract: An absorbent footwear liner comprising an upper absorbent layer and a lower layer comprising an adhesive equal in size to the upper layer for adhering the liner to substantially the entire surface of a footbed for absorbing and dissipating moisture thereon and preventing foot slippage on a shoe footbed due to perspiration.
    Type: Application
    Filed: February 24, 2012
    Publication date: July 19, 2012
    Inventor: Shannon Michelle McLinden
  • Publication number: 20120174444
    Abstract: Footwear including an upper sized and shaped for covering a human foot of a predetermined size. The upper has a lower edge defining a lower boundary of the upper and an upper edge defining an opening through which the foot is inserted when positioning the footwear on the foot. A waterproof vapor-permeable sheet having an outer edge defining a shape corresponding to the foot is stitched to the lower edge of the upper. An interior surface of the upper and an upper surface of the sheet define an interior of the footwear into which the foot is inserted, with the upper surface of the sheet forming a bottom surface of the interior of the footwear.
    Type: Application
    Filed: January 10, 2011
    Publication date: July 12, 2012
    Applicant: NINE WEST DEVELOPMENT CORPORATION
    Inventors: Henry A. Besanceney, III, Alberto Del Biondi, John F. Ludemann
  • Publication number: 20120174436
    Abstract: The insole (1) from the upper side provided with shaping corresponding to the form of impression of bottom part of a human foot sole with recess (5) for the big toe joint with smooth toe section (10), and from the bottom side with shaping corresponding to the bottom part of a human foot sole with smooth toe section (10), while it in a flexible manner supports all parts of the foot sole between the toe section (10) and the heel section (1000). In the heel section (1000) there is performed recess (1201) or depression (120), in which the heel recession (12) is performed.
    Type: Application
    Filed: August 27, 2010
    Publication date: July 12, 2012
    Inventor: Josef Hanak
  • Publication number: 20120167414
    Abstract: An article of footwear and insert for an article of footwear are provided with means for provisional instantaneous enhancing cutaneous mechanoreceptors pressure sensation from the plantar surface (sole) of the foot perimeter zone. Such instantaneous stimulation ought to compensate age/illness—related deterioration of plantar cutaneous sensation; it enhances its ability to detect and react to the shifts of the body's Center of Gravity (COG) toward the edges of the feet which, if left uncorrected right away, cause ankle sprain, and/or loss of balance and fall. An insole disclosed is provided with a set of pressure-activated protrusions, which form a narrow strip in close proximity to the perimeter of the insole inside the inner neighborhood of the plantar sole perimeter, and becomes active just when the Center Of Pressure (COP) of the wearer of the footwear is shifting dangerously toward the edges of the feet.
    Type: Application
    Filed: December 31, 2011
    Publication date: July 5, 2012
    Inventor: Ruth Shrairman
  • Publication number: 20120159809
    Abstract: An article of footwear configured for use as a dance shoe is provided. The article of footwear can include an upper and a two-piece sole connected to the upper. The article can also include a cage support that surrounds a portion of the upper and aids in flexibility of the shoe. The article can also include a single piece liner with an integrated toe box. In addition, the shoe can include an offset lacing system. In another arrangement, the shoe can include an elastic wrap, connected to the bottom of the shoe on the inside of the upper. The wrap can act as a tongue to minimize contact between the offset lacing system and the dancer's foot. In yet another arrangement, the shoe can include different types of outsole supports.
    Type: Application
    Filed: March 1, 2012
    Publication date: June 28, 2012
    Applicant: NIKE, INC.
    Inventor: Susan L. Sokolowski
  • Publication number: 20120159811
    Abstract: A remote control wireless heated insole system in which address data identifying specific insoles to be heated is provided. Once the heating process is initiated, periodic repeated control signals are generated to cause heating of the insoles.
    Type: Application
    Filed: June 22, 2011
    Publication date: June 28, 2012
    Inventors: Ian Whitehead, James K. Lynch
  • Publication number: 20120151794
    Abstract: An insole is proposed for a shoe. The insole has a flat back side in direction of the shoe outsole and a dome-shaped structure on the front side. The dome-shaped structure has a base surface of a maximum of 25% of the insole surface; the dome-shaped structure is positioned under the cuboid bone of the shoe wearer. A longitudinal axis can be associated with the dome-shaped structure at its apex, wherein the longitudinal axis of the dome-shaped structure encloses an angle (?) in a range from 5° to 75° with the longitudinal axis of the insole.
    Type: Application
    Filed: August 25, 2010
    Publication date: June 21, 2012
    Inventors: Christian Thagaard Hansen, Mario Iseppi
  • Publication number: 20120151804
    Abstract: An insert for vapor-permeable and waterproof soles, which has a monolithic sheet-like structure, made of a polymeric material that is impermeable to water in the liquid state and permeable to water vapor. At least one functional portion of the insert for soles has such a thickness as to give it a penetration resistance of more than approximately 10 N, assessed according to the method presented in chapter 5.8.2 of the ISO 20344-2004 standard.
    Type: Application
    Filed: August 4, 2010
    Publication date: June 21, 2012
    Applicant: GEOX S.p.A.
    Inventor: Mario Polegato Moretti
  • Publication number: 20120137542
    Abstract: A shoe body including an upper operably connected with an outsole. The shoe body has a front portion and a back portion. An insole is disposed inside the shoe upper and has a substantially inelastic heel portion and a substantially elastic toe portion. A substantially rigid pressure plate is adjacent to the substantially elastic toe portion.
    Type: Application
    Filed: June 1, 2010
    Publication date: June 7, 2012
    Applicant: FORME LIMITED
    Inventor: Nathan W. Crary
  • Patent number: 8191283
    Abstract: An insole or footbed for footwear includes a flat support element from which mushroom-shaped formations extend. Air circulation channels are formed between said formations. The insole ensures good foot ventilation.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: July 3, 2007
    Date of Patent: June 5, 2012
    Inventor: Angelo Basso
  • Patent number: 8191285
    Abstract: A soccer shoe absorbs and stores energy from the foot at foot-strike and return some of this energy to the object being struck. The shoe may also cushion the foot, leg and body; provide foot stability and motion control; reduce fatigue; extend the float time of a runner and increase the jump height of the wearer. The shoe is intended to absorb, store and return energy to the object struck, which would otherwise be lost using the existing shoe components and inserts. The shoe has a vertical component that extends around the periphery of the front of the shoe and another component (horizontal) that extends longitudinally from the front of the shoe towards the back of the shoe, at least to about the middle of the shoe, and preferably proximate the heel of the shoe.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: February 10, 2009
    Date of Patent: June 5, 2012
    Inventor: J. Edward Perron, Jr.
  • Publication number: 20120131816
    Abstract: The invention relates to a flexible sheet which includes cavities that are intercommunicated by a captive fluid of a known viscosity and which is positioned as an insole beneath the sole of the foot. The upper surface of the aforementioned cavities receives plantar pressures, thereby acquiring a corresponding dimpled appearance indicating those areas receiving greater or less plantar pressure. The gradual movement of the fluid through the hollow closed circuit is caused mainly by the resistance to the fluid provided by two-way an one-way valves and alternatively by the resistance provided by the cross-section and length of the conduits to the viscosity of the fluid. In this way, as the foot oscillates the cavities remain the same. The invention is mainly intended for obtaining approximate plantar pressure measurements by observing the upper surface of the adjoining cavities after a sufficient number of steps, producing the mould or negative and saving a record of same, and producing the final insole.
    Type: Application
    Filed: May 27, 2011
    Publication date: May 31, 2012
    Inventor: Juan Carlos Chasco Pérez de Arenaza
  • Publication number: 20120124862
    Abstract: A flexible shoe insole (8) is formed from essentially bi-component fiber (1) having a first low melting point for one component and a second higher melting point for a second component. The fiber is entangled (3) to form a fabric. The fabric thereafter is heated (4) to a temperature sufficient to melt the first component of the bi-component fiber (1) without causing permanent structural impairment of or to the second component, and the thickness of the fabric is reduced (5) to a pre-selected thickness.
    Type: Application
    Filed: August 13, 2009
    Publication date: May 24, 2012
    Inventor: Harold Kalde
  • Publication number: 20120117825
    Abstract: Various articles, such as footwear, apparel, athletic equipment, watchbands, and the like, and methods of forming those articles are presented. The articles are generally formed, in whole or in part, using rapid manufacturing techniques, such as laser sintering, stereolithography, solid deposition modeling, and the like. The use of rapid manufacturing allows for relatively economical and time efficient manufacture of customized articles. The articles may include one or more reinforcements configured to provide added durability to various regions of the articles. In addition, the articles may be formed from two or more materials in a single rapid manufacturing process. The rapid manufacturing additive fabrication technique may also include using of varying intensities of the laser to fuse material to form the articles.
    Type: Application
    Filed: April 30, 2009
    Publication date: May 17, 2012
    Applicant: Nike, Inc.
    Inventor: Kelly B. Jarvis
  • Patent number: 8176880
    Abstract: A pet boot having therapeutic properties is worn on a pet's injured or sensitive paw to facilitate healing and or provide protection. The therapeutic pet boot includes an external boot member having a shaft and a paw portion constructed to form a cavity integrated therein appointed to receive an injured paw of a pet. The therapeutic pet boot further includes an internal therapeutic member appointed to be received within the cavity of the external boot member and is appointed to intimately contact the injured paw. The therapeutic pet boot is appointed to be worn on the injured paw of the pet to facilitate healing. The internal therapeutic member may comprise a gel bootee having a massaging gel sole or may comprise a gel inner layer or gel insole. Advantageously, the internal therapeutic member may directly deliver medicament to the paw and/or provide cold treatment or hot treatment therapies to the paw, while providing cushioning, shock absorption and protection from dirt and debris.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: August 21, 2009
    Date of Patent: May 15, 2012
    Assignee: I DID iT, Inc.
    Inventor: Marni Markell Hurwitz
  • Publication number: 20120110713
    Abstract: A cork and silicone elastomer composite used to fabricate elements to protect body parts including a prosthetic roll-on liner for receiving and covering a residual limb, shoes for the feet, gloves for the hands and shoe insoles including the processes of manufacture.
    Type: Application
    Filed: July 25, 2010
    Publication date: May 10, 2012
    Inventor: Leisa Cavell Hirtz
  • Publication number: 20120102785
    Abstract: A magnetically-supported article of footwear that primarily supports a wearer's weight by repulsive magnetic forces from magnets arranged in and around the article's sole. The magnets are arranged between and around the article's insole and outsole and may be attached to pairs of magnetically-conductive plates located down the length of the article's sole. Each plate has two magnets, one with a north pole facing upwards and one with a north pole facing downward. Also disclosed is an independent magnetically-supported sole assembly suitable for attachment to an existing article of footwear's sole so that, when attached, the weight of the wearer of that article is primarily supported by repulsive magnetic forces.
    Type: Application
    Filed: October 28, 2010
    Publication date: May 3, 2012
    Inventors: Jared David RODMAN, Joseph Andrew HABER
  • Patent number: 8166674
    Abstract: A human shoe sole or insole, sockliner or orthotic for insertion into a human shoe having a foot supporting upper surface including a first region for supporting the first, second, third, fourth and optionally fifth metatarsal heads of the foot, and a second region surrounding the first region for supporting the remainder of the foot, at least in part. The first region provides less resistance to downward motion than the second region, and includes a hollow or depressed area relative to the remainder of the first region having a medial border portion and a lateral border portion, wherein the depression has its lowest point skewed to the medial side of center, whereby to promote eversion of the first metatarsal head as the wearer moves from midstance through propulsive phase.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: August 3, 2009
    Date of Patent: May 1, 2012
    Assignee: HBN Shoe, LLC
    Inventor: Howard J. Dananberg
  • Patent number: 8151487
    Abstract: An absorbent footwear liner comprising an upper absorbent layer and a lower layer comprising an adhesive equal in size to the upper layer for adhering the liner to substantially the entire surface of a footbed for absorbing and dissipating moisture thereon and preventing foot slippage on a shoe footbed due to perspiration.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: April 29, 2009
    Date of Patent: April 10, 2012
    Assignee: Summer Soles, LLC
    Inventor: Shannon Michelle McLinden
  • Publication number: 20120079740
    Abstract: A new sole for basketball shoes that make use of a spring board and cushioning system to reduce the likelihood that a user will roll and sprain their ankle and to provide more support for lateral movements in both directions. The spring board, cushioning and support provide the present invention with a unique compression system covering the rear foot, the forefoot, and the tip of the foot. On the rear foot, the compression system is able to absorb impact during landings to increase surface contact between the outsole and the ground. On the fore foot, during aggressive changes in direction, the compression system compresses and provides the user a flexible slanted surface to push off of. On the tip of the foot, the compression system provides users with more surface contact to the ground for increase friction and stability. The advantages of the present invention decrease the likelihood a user will roll or sprain their ankle and increase the stability for lateral movements in both directions.
    Type: Application
    Filed: October 4, 2010
    Publication date: April 5, 2012
    Inventor: Bo ZHOU
  • Publication number: 20120073162
    Abstract: Shoe insert (1) comprised of numerous elements that provide shock absorption, elements that are made up of numerous cavities (2), each corresponding with pivots or shock absorbing (3) elements, which extend out from the bottom part of the insert; shock absorption elements (2, 3) configured in such way that, when compressed by the user's weight, they compress and absorb the shock that is produced by the stepping action, thus achieving a sensation of well being and comfort.
    Type: Application
    Filed: November 1, 2011
    Publication date: March 29, 2012
    Applicant: CAMPER, S.L.
    Inventor: Jorge GUIRADO MARTINEZ
  • Publication number: 20120066937
    Abstract: A shoe pad includes a flexible board having a series of hollow raised portions formed thereon. Every two adjacent raised portions laterally complementally correspond to each other such that a passage is defined between the two adjacent raised portions. The passage can provides transversely ventilating effect such that the sole of the user would not directly contract with the flexible board and be supported by the series of raised portions for keeping dry and preventing the user's sole from being infected with Athlete's foot.
    Type: Application
    Filed: September 19, 2010
    Publication date: March 22, 2012
    Inventor: Che Meng Chang
  • Publication number: 20120047768
    Abstract: The present invention is directed to a silicone gel insole/midsole for footwear with a Shore durometer in the range of 45 A to 55 A, with a thickness of 2-6 mm, layered and bonded between the upper of a shoe and an extra-depth outsole that is also 2-6 mm in depth relative shoe type. Said insole/midsole is for making a conformable and comfortable shoe, part using silicone gel material for use in functional relation with an article of footwear in order to enhance fit, support, comfort, cushioning and because silicone gel properties mimic the energy dissipation properties of human soft tissue and structure, the present invention can also serve to accommodate the unique anatomical features of an individual wearer and finds application within numerous types of articles of footwear.
    Type: Application
    Filed: August 30, 2010
    Publication date: March 1, 2012
    Inventor: Leslie Michelle Brave
  • Patent number: 8122550
    Abstract: The present invention provides devices, methods, and kits for reducing joint pain and treating conditions of weight-bearing joints. The methods are accomplished through the use of a cushioned wedged insole or slab that selectively reduces pressure by cushioning impact and redistributing forces away from affected joints or joint compartments. Further, insoles are provided, which mimic the combination of fatty globules and the surrounding restricting fibrous network cushioning structures found in the foot.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: October 21, 2009
    Date of Patent: February 28, 2012
    Inventor: Lanny L. Johnson
  • Publication number: 20120030966
    Abstract: Footwear is provided including an upper, a porous insole, a midsole, and a solid outsole. The insole has pores that permit sand to fall through the insole. The midsole includes a top surface with a plurality of grooves extending lengthwise between openings on the rear surface of the midsole and openings on the front surface of the midsole.
    Type: Application
    Filed: August 9, 2010
    Publication date: February 9, 2012
    Inventor: Chi Huynh
  • Patent number: 8109014
    Abstract: A foot orthotic device is disclosed. More specifically described is an individualized foot orthotic device to correct and/or restore the ideal alignment and/or positioning of foot structures. The device is designed using a method and system that applies sequential pressure to regions on a plantar foot surface, and obtaining positional information about each region. Based on the positional information, an orthotic profile is determined, for design of one or more custom, individualized foot orthotic devices for a subject.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: January 16, 2009
    Date of Patent: February 7, 2012
    Assignee: Tensegrity Technologies, Inc.
    Inventors: J. Kevin Miller, Michael S. Latterman, Sue Ann Latterman
  • Publication number: 20120023776
    Abstract: Embodiments of the present invention are directed to a shoe insert that can provide overall improved foot comfort to a user and can specifically provide beneficial localized pressure relief improving foot health and mitigating painful and/or damaging conditions. The shoe insert can comprise a pressure moderator sheet and one or more pressure pads removably and replaceably attached to the moderator sheet. The insert may further comprise a cushioning material or layer.
    Type: Application
    Filed: March 9, 2010
    Publication date: February 2, 2012
    Applicant: AETREX WORLDWIDE, INC.
    Inventors: Joseph Skaja, Laurence I. Schwartz
  • Publication number: 20120017470
    Abstract: A paddle slipper includes an insole for the contact of the sole of a user's foot, and an outsole bonded to the bottom side of the insole for contacting the ground and defining at a bottom side thereof a front open zone, a front support zone and a rear support zone. The front and rear support zones of the outsole lift the insole so that the user's sole is kept above the ground, lowering the chance of water-wetting the sole of the user's foot when the user is paddling. A front groove is defined between front protruding blocks of the front support zone, facilitating discharge of pressure from the user's sole. The front open zone design offers wearing comfort when the user is walking.
    Type: Application
    Filed: July 22, 2010
    Publication date: January 26, 2012
    Inventor: Kung-Sheng Pan
  • Publication number: 20120005921
    Abstract: A sole in accordance with the present invention may include a sole for attachment to an outside of a shoe. Moreover, a sole of the present invention may include a sole for insertion within an inner cavity formed by an upper of a shoe. In exemplary aspects the sole includes a base and a plurality of protrusions projecting from the base and integrally constructed with the base. Protrusions may include a side extending at an angle from the base. In addition, protrusions may include a side extending near perpendicular from the base. A plurality of protrusions may be arranged at ball portions of the sole. In addition, a plurality of protrusions may be arranged at a heel portion of the sole.
    Type: Application
    Filed: July 9, 2010
    Publication date: January 12, 2012
    Applicant: NIKE, INC.
    Inventor: JAMES DIEPENBROCK
  • Publication number: 20120003293
    Abstract: A wound dressing comprising nitric oxide gas producing component.
    Type: Application
    Filed: October 28, 2009
    Publication date: January 5, 2012
    Inventors: Chris Miller, Bruce Murray