Bunion Correction Footwear Device

Abstract

A bunion correction footwear device is provided. The bunion correction footwear device includes a primary bladder. The primary bladder is defined by at least one primary bladder member. The primary bladder member, or primary bladder members, define a primary cavity. The primary cavity is connected to a primary pump by a primary tubing. The primary pump is connected to a primary actuator. The primary actuator is designed to allow for air to be forced from the primary pump to the primary cavity when the primary actuator is pressed.

Description

BACKGROUND OF THE INVENTION

The present invention relates to a bunion correction footwear device. More specifically, the present invention provides an implementable footwear device and system for assisting in the treatment and relief of the pain associated with bunions.

Bunions are a deformity of the metatarsophalangeal (MTP) joint that manifests as a bony projection that extends, or juts, laterally from a patient's foot from the big toe. These types of projections cause the big toe to be oriented such that it points towards the other toes. This condition may be caused by an individual wearing tight shoes or traumatic situations that otherwise create foot stress. Additionally, arthritis or other pre-existing conditions may contribute to the onset of bunions. The onset of bunions may be characterized not only by the bone deformity itself, but also acute and chronic pain and stiffness. Even a mild case of bunions may result in a significant amount of pain for the patient.

Currently, bunions are treated by attempting to address the underlying cause. For example, a patient may be advised to change the type of shoe that they wear. Additionally, the patient may be provided with padding or inserts to provide comfort to the foot that is affected with bunions. Pain medications may be provided to address symptoms. In some cases, invasive surgery may be required to remove particularly painful or severe bunions.

Current methods and devices for treating bunions range from merely treating existing symptoms to being in convenient for the patient. Pain medications are generally not intended for long-term use and the padding and inserts used to address the bunions may not be comfortable for the patient. Therefore, there is a defined need amongst the known prior art references for a bunion footwear correction device that not only provides relief from the pain and discomfort associated with bunions, but is also easy and effective for the patient to wear and use. Ideally, the bunion footwear correction device will further assist the patient in engaging in physical and athletic activities by supplying additional strength and balance to the big toe affected by bunions.

SUMMARY OF THE INVENTION

In view of the foregoing disadvantages inherent in the known types of bunion correction methods and systems now present in the prior art, the present invention provides a bunion correction footwear device wherein the same can be utilized for providing convenience for the user when treating or relieving pain or discomfort caused by bunions.

The present system comprises a primary bladder. The primary bladder is defined by at least one primary bladder member defining a primary cavity therebetween. The primary cavity is in operable connection with a primary pump via a primary tubing. Moreover, the primary pump comprises a primary actuator. The primary actuator is configured to provide air to the primary cavity when the primary actuator is engaged.

BRIEF DESCRIPTION OF THE DRAWINGS

Although the characteristic features of this invention will be particularly pointed out in the claims, the invention itself and manner in which it may be made and used may be better understood after a review of the following description, taken in connection with the accompanying drawings wherein like numeral annotations are provided throughout.

FIG. 1 shows a top down view of an embodiment of the bunion correction footwear device.

FIG. 2 shows a perspective view of an embodiment of the bunion correction footwear device.

FIG. 3 shows a perspective view of an embodiment of the bunion correction footwear device in use.

DETAILED DESCRIPTION OF THE INVENTION

Reference is made herein to the attached drawings. Like reference numerals are used throughout the drawings to depict like or similar elements of the bunion correction footwear device. The figures are intended for representative purposes only and should not be considered to be limiting in any respect.

Referring now to FIG. 1, there is shown a top down view of an embodiment of the bunion correction footwear device. The footwear correction device 10 comprises a primary bladder 11. The primary bladder 11 is defined by at least one primary bladder member. The primary bladder member, or primary bladder members, define a primary cavity between themselves. The primary bladder 11 is made of a non-porous, air-tight material, such that air may be secured in the primary bladder 11.

The primary bladder 11 is in operable connection with a primary pump 12. The primary bladder 11 is connected to the primary pump 12 via a primary tubing 13. As such, air can pass from the primary pump 12 to the primary bladder 11 through the primary tubing 13. The primary pump 12 is in operable connection with a primary actuator 14. The primary pump 12 is configured to provide air to the primary cavity of the primary bladder 11 when the primary actuator 14 is engaged by the user.

In the demonstrated embodiment, the primary bladder 11 is secured to a divider 101. The divider 101 is secured to the bottom surface of the primary pump 12 as well as to the top surface of the primary pump 12. The divider comprises a divider base 103 disposed oppositely a divider top (not shown), with a divider median 104 disposed therebetween. The divider base 103 and the divider top are identical in shape and size. The divider base 103 is configured to anchor the divider 101 to the base of the footwear device while the divider top is configured to secure the divider 101 to the top surface of the footwear device. The divider 101 is configured to prevent the primary bladder 11 from displacing the index toe of the user. As such, when the primary bladder 11 is inflated, only the big toe of the wearer will be manipulated by the primary bladder 11.

Furthermore, in the demonstrated embodiment, the bunion correction footwear device 10 further comprises a secondary bladder 15. The secondary bladder 15 is defined by at least one secondary bladder member. The secondary bladder member, or secondary bladder members, define a secondary cavity between themselves. The secondary bladder 15 is made of a non-porous, air-tight material, such that air may be secured in the secondary bladder 15.

The secondary bladder 15 is in operable connection with a secondary pump 16. The secondary bladder 15 is connected to the secondary pump 16 via a secondary tubing 17. As such, air can pass from the secondary pump 16 to the secondary bladder 15 through the secondary tubing 17. The secondary pump 16 is in operable connection with a secondary actuator 18. The secondary pump 16 is configured to provide air to the secondary cavity of the secondary bladder 15 when the secondary actuator 18 is engaged by the user.

In some embodiments, the primary bladder 11 is in operable connection with a purge valve 19. The purge valve 19 is configured to release air from the primary bladder 11 when the purge valve 19 is engaged by the wearer. Structurally, the purge valve is of any suitable construction or configuration for allowing the release of air from the primary bladder 11. For example, the purge valve 19 may comprise an actuatable aperture, such that when the wearer causes the aperture to be opened, air will exit the primary bladder 11. Furthermore, in other embodiments, the secondary bladder 15 may similarly comprise a purge valve 19. In the shown embodiment, the purge valve 19 is placed proximately to either the primary actuator 14 or the secondary actuator 18, depending on which of the primary bladder 11 or the secondary bladder 15 that the purge valve 19 corresponds to.

Referring now to FIG. 2, there is shown a perspective view of an embodiment of the bunion correction footwear device. In the illustrated embodiment, the primary bladder 11 is disposed on a sole 21 of a footwear device (shown in FIG. 3). Alternatively, the primary bladder 11 may be mounted upon an insert 21 that is dimensioned to be inserted into a footwear device (similarly shown in FIG. 3). Specifically, as shown, the primary bladder 11 is disposed between the big toe 22 portion and the index toe 23 portion of the sole 21. As such, when air is supplied to the primary bladder 11 (as shown in FIG. 3), the big toe 22 of the wearer to laterally displaced, easing the pain and discomfort associated with a bunion 24. The primary tubing 13 in the illustrated embodiment, extends upward from the primary bladder 11 along the portion of the footwear device corresponding to the top of the foot of the wearer. As such, the presence of the primary tubing 13 will not provide discomfort to the wearer.

In the illustrated embodiment, the secondary bladder 15 is defined in a secondary location of the footwear device. The secondary location of the footwear device is defined at any position apart from the position of the primary bladder 11. In the demonstrated embodiment, the secondary bladder 15 is disposed on the arch 25 portion of the sole 21. As such, the bunion correction footwear device may further be utilized to provide additional arch support to the wearer. This is particularly useful as bunions are commonly accompanied by a need for arch support. Furthermore, in the illustrated embodiment, the secondary tubing 17 extends upward from the portion of the footwear device corresponding to the inside curve of the foot of the wearer. As such, the presence of the secondary tubing will not provide discomfort to the user.

Referring now to FIG. 3, there is shown a perspective view of an embodiment of the bunion correction footwear device in use. In the demonstrated embodiment, the bunion footwear correction device is implemented upon a footwear device 31. The primary bladder 11 is secured to the sole 21 of the footwear device 31, as well as being secured to the top portion of the footwear device 31. Additionally, as shown, the primary pump 12 is disposed within the tongue 32 of the footwear device 31. In such an embodiment, the primary actuator 14 is externally placed on the tongue 32 of the footwear device 31 to allow for the wearer to engage the primary pump 12 while wearing the footwear device 31. The secondary actuator 18, in the demonstrated embodiment, is placed proximate to the primary actuator 14. This allows for the wearer to engage the secondary pump 16 easily and effectively while wearing the footwear device 31.

In use, the footwear device 31 is placed onto the foot of the wearer. Once placed, the wearer may engage the primary actuator 14 to inflate the primary bladder 11. When inflated, in the shown embodiment, the primary bladder 11 is of a semicircular shape comprising a pointed side 111 and a broad side 112. The broad side 112 experiences a greater degree of expansion when the primary pump 12 is engaged, applying pressure to an interior side of the big toe 22 of the wearer. When pressure is applied to the interior side of the big toe 22 of the wearer, the pressure applied by the bunion (FIG. 2, 24) is offset by the pressure applied by the primary bladder 11. Additionally, should the wearer wish to provide himself or herself with additional arch support, the wearer may engage the secondary actuator 18 to inflate the secondary bladder 15.

By manipulating the position of the wearer's big toe 22, not only is the pain caused by the bunion relieved, but there are additional benefits provided. For example, when the big toe 22 is straightened out by the primary bladder 11, the wearer will have increased balance and control over his or her affected foot. Furthermore, when the big toe 22 is straightened out by the primary bladder 11, the wearer will be able to more easily and effectively push off of the affected foot because of the increased strength provided to the big toe 22. Because of the increased strength and balance provided by the primary bladder 11 to the big toe 22, the bunion correction footwear device can greatly improve the quality of life and ease of mobility for the wearer. Providing increased strength and balance can also allow for the wearer to engage in athletic activities more effectively.

It is therefore submitted that the instant invention has been shown and described in various embodiments. It is recognized, however, that departures may be made within the scope of the invention and that obvious modifications will occur to a person skilled in the art. With respect to the above description then, it is to be realized that the optimum dimensional relationships for the parts of the invention, to include variations in size, materials, shape, form, function and manner of operation, assembly and use, are deemed readily apparent and obvious to one skilled in the art, and all equivalent relationships to those illustrated in the drawings and described in the specification are intended to be encompassed by the present invention.

Therefore, the foregoing is considered as illustrative only of the principles of the invention. Further, since numerous modifications and changes will readily occur to those skilled in the art, it is not desired to limit the invention to the exact construction and operation shown and described, and accordingly, all suitable modifications and equivalents may be resorted to, falling within the scope of the invention.

Claims

1) A bunion correction footwear device, comprising: a primary bladder;the primary bladder defined by at least one primary bladder member defining a primary cavity therebetween;the primary cavity in operable connection with a primary pump via a primary tubing;the primary pump in operable connection with a primary actuator;the primary pump configured to provide air to the primary cavity when the primary actuator is engaged.

2) The bunion correction footwear device of claim 1, wherein the primary bladder is disposed upon a sole of a footwear article between a big toe portion and an index toe portion of the sole.

3) The bunion correction footwear device of claim 1, wherein the primary pump is disposed within a tongue of a footwear article.

4) The bunion correction footwear device of claim 1, further comprising a secondary bladder disposed at a secondary location of a footwear article.

5) The bunion correction footwear device of claim 4, wherein the secondary bladder is disposed on an arch portion of the footwear article.

6) The bunion correction footwear device of claim 4, wherein the secondary bladder is in operable connection with a secondary pump having a secondary actuator, wherein the secondary pump is configured to provide air to a secondary cavity, defined by at least one secondary bladder member, when the secondary actuator is engaged.

7) The bunion correction footwear device of claim 6, wherein the primary actuator and the secondary actuator are disposed proximately to each other.

8) The bunion correction footwear device of claim 1, wherein the primary bladder is mounted upon an insert, the insert dimensioned to be received by a footwear device.

9) The bunion correction footwear device of claim 1, wherein the primary bladder is semicircular in shape.

10) The bunion correction footwear device of claim 1, wherein the primary bladder is in operable connection with a purge valve.

11) The bunion correction footwear device of claim 1, further comprising a divider, wherein the divider is configured to define a space between a big toe of a wearer and an index toe of the wearer, the primary bladder disposed on a side of the divider corresponding to the big toe of the wearer.

12) A bunion correction footwear device, comprising: a primary bladder;the primary bladder defined by at least one primary bladder member defining a primary cavity therebetween;the primary cavity in operable connection with a primary pump via a tubing;the primary pump in operable connection with a primary actuator;the primary pump configured to provide air to the primary cavity when the primary actuator is engaged;the primary bladder disposed upon a sole of a footwear article;the primary bladder placed between a big toe portion and an index toe portion of the sole;the primary pump disposed within a tongue of a footwear article.

13) A bunion correction footwear device, comprising: a primary bladder;the primary bladder defined by at least one primary bladder member defining a primary cavity therebetween;the primary cavity in operable connection with a primary pump via a tubing;the primary pump in operable connection with a primary actuator;the primary pump configured to provide air to the primary cavity when the primary actuator is engaged;the primary bladder disposed upon a sole of a footwear article;the primary bladder placed between a big toe portion and an index toe portion of the sole;the primary pump disposed within a tongue of a footwear article;a secondary bladder disposed on an arch portion of the footwear article;the secondary bladder in operable connection with a secondary pump;the secondary pump in operable connection with a secondary actuator;wherein the primary actuator and the secondary actuator are disposed proximately to each other upon the tongue of the footwear device.