Insole

Abstract

The invention relates to an insole (1; 1a; 1c; 1d), which has an insole underside (5; 5a; 5c; 5d) and an insole upper side (2; 2a; 2c; 2d), the insole underside (5; 5a; 5c;5d) being intended to bear against at least part of a shoe sole (6; 6a; 6c), and the insole upper side (2) being intended to bear at least part of the surface of the sole of a foot. At least one region (3; 3a; 3c; 3d) is expediently provided that has a concave curvature. As a result of the concave curvature, the insole acts as a diaphragm spring which is formed as an individual spring and which can cushion loads during use. The load on the foot of a person using the insole is thus lessened, which improves posture. The stress on joints when exposed to prologend loading is also reduced.

Description

BACKGROUND

The invention relates to an insole, which has an insole underside and an insole upper side, the insole underside being intended to bear against at least part of the surface of a shoe sole and the insole upperside being intended to bear at least part of the surface of the sole of a foot.

An orthopedic insole for correcting foot malpositions, for example by supporting the arch of the foot, is known from prior art. For this purpose, a basic insole body is provided with a profile structure formed from foam, which is manufactured according to a footprint of the person for whom the insole is made. Since prior footprinting is required, the known insole is very expensive and intended for use by only one person.

SUMMARY

The invention relates to an insole (1; 1a; 1c; 1d), which has an insole underside (5; 5a; 5c; 5d) and an insole upper side (2; 2a; 2c; 2d), the insole underside (5; 5a; 5c;5d) being intended to bear against at least part of a shoe sole (6; 6a; 6c), and the insole upper side (2) being intended to bear at least part of the surface of the sole of a foot. At least one region (3; 3a; 3c; 3d) is expediently provided that has a concave curvature. As a result of the concave curvature, the insole acts as a diaphragm spring which is formed as an individual spring and which can cushion loads during use. The load on the foot of a person using the insole is thus lessened, which improves posture. The stress on joints when exposed to prologend loading is also reduced.

DETAILED DESCRIPTION

An object of the present invention is to create an insole of the afore-mentioned type which can be produced particularly simply and inexpensively. Another object of the invention is to create an insole which enables relief of joints of an insole wearer and which can be worn by persons with different foot shapes.

According to the invention, the object is achieved in that at least one region that has a concave curvature is provided.

Advantageously, by providing at least one concavely curved region, it is not necessary to build up a profile structure on a basic insole body, allowing for ease of manufacture.

As a result of the concave curvature, the insole acts as a diaphragm spring which is formed as an individual spring and which can cushion loads during use. The load on the foot of a person using the insole is thus lessened, which improves posture. The stress on joints when exposed to prolonged loading is also reduced.

A further advantage is that the insole can be adapted particularly well to different foot shapes.

The shoe sole may comprise either only an inner sole or an inner sole with at least one in particular functional insole that can for example absorb perspiration. Although an insole according to the invention is suitable for any type of shoe, it is particularly intended for use in flat shoes. A flat shoe is a shoe in which a difference in height between the forefoot area and the heel region is no more than 5 cm, preferably less than 4 cm.

It is expedient that the at least one concavely curved region is provided to support the longitudinal arch of the foot, in particular the inner longitudinal arch of the foot. Advantageously, a foot is supported at a position where a particularly large load occurs during physical activity.

In one embodiment of the invention, a cavity between the insole underside and the shoe sole of a shoe into which the insole is placed is open to at least one side, preferably two sides. If the cavity is open to one side, this is preferably towards the medial side, that is towards the inner side of the foot in the region of the inner longitudinal arch of the foot. If the cavity is open to both sides, this is preferably towards the medial and lateral sides (outer side of the foot). Advantageously, the outer longitudinal arch can be supported. Another advantage is that the spring force of the insole, which acts in the manner of a diaphragm spring and cushions stresses, is adjustable.

Conceivably, a second concavely curved region is provided, said second region adjoins a first curved region such that a cavity bounded by both regions extends from a medial to a lateral side of the insole. For example, the first cavity may be provided to support the inner longitudinal arch of the foot while the second cavity is provided to support the outer longitudinal arch of the foot or an outer side of the foot.

Furthermore, it is conceivable that both cavities are separated by a wall which acts as a reinforcing means causing an increase in rigidity of the insole.

In a further embodiment of the invention, the insole is formed in one piece. Advantageously, manufacturing is particularly simple. There are no material transitions that can act as breaking points.

Expediently, the insole has a substantially constant thickness. A substantially constant thickness means that a material thickness between an insole bottom and an insole top is constant and changes by at most 6.5% relative to the thickness of an adjacent region that is thicker or thinner. Advantageously, a particularly lightweight insole is created. Its use in running shoes, for example for marathon competitions, is possible.

In one embodiment of the invention, at least one fastening means is provided which is arranged to provide a preferably detachable connection of the insole to a shoe into which the insole is placed. In particular, the insole is detachably connected to the shoe sole. Advantageously, it is ensured that no slipping of the insole occurs during use. This prevents blistering of a foot and/or an uncomfortable wearing sensation. In addition, a particularly hard insole can be created, for example for heavy persons.

It is conceivable that the detachable connection is designed in such way that movement of the insole in a contact plane in which the insole is in contact with the shoe sole is still possible during use. A magnetic connection may be provided for this purpose, for example. A particularly soft insole is created which can also act as particularly good cushioning diaphragm spring with free ends.

Expediently, the fastening means is provided in a front region, in which a forefoot can rest against the insole underside, in a middle region on a side facing away from the at least one concavely curved region, and/or in a rear region, in which a heel can rest against the insole underside, and in particular protrudes from the insole underside. Advantageously, the fastening means is attached at points at which a particularly high pressure is exerted by a wearer of the insole during use. This advantageously prevents unintentional loosening of the connection. If the fastening means protrudes from the underside of the sole, its effect as a cushioning means is possible. For this purpose, it can, for example, be formed from an elastomer and/or be honeycombed.

It is understood that the fastening means may be configured such that movement of the insole in a contact plane in which the insole or cushioning means is in contact with the shoe sole is still possible during use thereof.

In a further embodiment of the invention, the fastener is at least partially incorporated into the insole and/or flush with the insole underside. Partial incorporation into the insole is advantageously particularly stable. Partial or full incorporation is particularly advantageous if the fastener is magnetic.

It is conceivable that the fastener is already incorporated during the manufacture of the insole, for example, it is molded in or on during injection molding.

In one embodiment of the invention, the fastening means comprises a multi-part, preferably two-part magnetic fastening element. A magnetic holder is at least partially incorporated into the insole, preferably flush with the bottom of the insole. A magnetic counterholder is provided for attachment in or to the shoe sole. The counterholder can for example be glued or sewn in. The magnetic fastening elements ensure that the insole can be moved within a contact plane in which the insole bears against the shoe sole, while movement in a direction perpendicular thereto is not possible due to attractive magnetic forces. Advantageously, the insole, which acts in the manner of a diaphragm spring with free ends, remains movable within the contact plane when loaded. Wearing sensation is improved.

It also makes the insole usable for uses with varying degrees of load such as in golf shoes or soccer boots.

It is conceivable that the fastening means is designed to provide a velcro connection.

It is also conceivable that at least one elastic, preferably mushroom-head-shaped pin protrudes from the underside of the insole and engages in recesses in the shoe sole to form a releasable plug-in connection.

Combinations of different fasteners are conceivable. For example, a first fastening means for forming a velcro connection can be provided in a forefoot area and a magnetic fastening means in a heel region.

Expediently, the at least one concavely curved region has a reinforcing means which is preferably formed from a different material than the insole. Advantageously, a spring constant of the insole acting in the manner of a diaphragm spring is particularly well adjustable. A stiffness of the insole can be increased, in particular in certain regions.

Although it is conceivable that the at least one concavely curved region comprises a reinforcing means that is incorporated into the insole and is flush with the insole underside, in one embodiment of the invention the at least one concavely curved region comprises a reinforcing means that is preferably integrally molded to the insole, and/or is molded into the insole. Advantageously, the reinforcing means is provided for those regions in which a particularly high load occurs during use of the insole.

For example, a reinforcing means can be a single-layer metallic leaf spring or a single- or multi-layer leaf spring formed from carbon, Kevlar, or a fiber composite.

The reinforcing means can have different shapes, for example, it can be X-shaped or T-shaped.

In a further embodiment of the invention, the reinforcing means is exchangeable and/or detachably attachable. Advantageously, the insole can be used for different purposes. For example, one reinforcing means may be provided for use of the insole in a soccer shoe and another one may be provided for use in a casual shoe such as a sneaker.

It is also conceivable that the insole is modular and comprises a basic insole that can be extended and/or customized by modules such as a reinforcing means and/or a fastening means.

Expediently, the insole is formed from a plastic, in particular polyethylene, polypropylene, a natural raw material, for example wood or cork, and/or a material comprising lignin and/or hemp fibers. Natural raw materials are particularly preferred. A sustainable insole is created.

In one embodiment of the invention, the insole is manufactured or manufacturable by injection molding, extrusion, deep-drawing and/or blow molding. Advantageously, low cost manufacturing is possible. Further advantageously, each of these processes is particularly suitable for producing a one-piece insole or an insole onto which, for example, a reinforcing means is molded.

In a further embodiment of the invention, the insole is movable under load in a contact plane where the insole abuts the shoe sole. Only a movement with a movement component perpendicular to the contact plane can be prevented, for example by a fastening means. Advantageously, an insole with spring arms acting in the manner of a diaphragm spring is formed, which has particularly good cushioning properties.

BRIEF DESCRIPTION OF THE DRAWINGS

Embodiments of the invention are to be explained in more detail below on the basis of examples with reference to the non-limiting figures. It is shown:

FIG. 1A a first embodiment of an insole according to the invention in a first view,

FIG. 1B a first embodiment of an insole according to the invention in a second view,

FIG. 2 a further embodiment of an insole according to the invention,

FIG. 3A details of an insole according to the invention,

FIG. 3B further details of an insole according to the invention,

FIG. 4 another embodiment of an insole according to the invention,

FIG. 5A a particular embodiment of an insole according to the invention,

FIG. 5B a particular embodiment of an insole according to the invention in a second view.

Detailed Description of the Preferred Embodiments

An insole (1) for a left shoe shown in a top view in FIG. 1a is formed of polypropylene (PP) and includes an insole upper side (2) against which, in use, a foot of an insole user not shown in FIG. 1a can abut.

An insole (1) shown in FIG. 1b in a side view on an inner side shows a concavely curved region (3) which bounds a cavity (4) bounded by an insole underside (5) and a shoe sole (6) shown schematically in dashed lines. A contact plane (9) is formed in a forefoot region (7) and in a heel region (8) of the insole (1), where the insole underside (5) abuts the shoe sole (6).

The concavely curved region (3) is designed to support the longitudinal arch of a foot.

Further, the cavity (4) is open to two sides, both the medial side (10) and the lateral side (11), and extends continuously from the medial side to the lateral side.

A thickness (12) of the insole is substantially constant, that is a distance from the insole top (2) to the insole bottom (5) is the same everywhere except for a maximum deviation of 6.5%.

The position of the insole (1) shown in FIG. 1b is an initial position in which no load is applied by the weight of a person using the insole (1).

Under load, the insole (1) acts in the manner of a diaphragm spring designed as an individual spring. Spring arms (13, 14) rest against the shoe sole (6) in the forefoot (7) and heel (8) region and are movable in the contact plane (9), while the cavity (4), which is located below a diaphragm spring region, is reduced in size by the concave curvature being pressed in the direction of an arrow (15) by the load.

It is understood that the insole (1) returns to the initial position when the load is relieved.

Reference is now made to FIG. 2, where identical or equal-acting parts are designated with the same reference number as in FIG. 1, and the letter a is added to the respective reference number.

An insole (1a) shown in FIG. 2 differs from that shown in FIG. 1b in that a flexible magnetic fastening element (16) is attached to the underside of the insole in a heel region (8a), which, together with a magnetic counterholder (17) inserted in a shoe sole (6a), enables the insole (1a) to be detachably connected to the shoe sole (6a). Spring arms (13a, 14a) are movable in a contact plane (9a).

Although it is conceivable for the fastening element (16) to be in full contact with the counterholder (17) in an initial position of the insole (1a) shown in FIG. 2, this is not necessary. In case of partial contact with the counterholder (17) at a rear end (18) shown in FIG. 2, it is ensured that no slipping of the insole (1a) is possible in an unloaded state. Advantageously, a particularly simple correction of a position in the shoe before use is possible.

Under load, a surface forming the contact plane (9a) with which the fastening element (16) bears against the counterholder (17) is increased. As a result, a more stable connection is provided with increasing load. Advantageously, slipping of the insole (1a) in the shoe under load is prevented since the ends (13a, 14a) have fewer degrees of freedom with increasing load.

Reference is now made to FIG. 3, where identical or equal-acting parts are designated by the same reference number as in FIGS. 1 and 2, and the letter b is added to the respective reference number.

A fastening element (16b) shown in a plan view in FIG. 3a is made of flexible magnetic ribs (19, 20), of which the ribs (19) extend transversely, that is from the medial to the lateral side, and the ribs (20) extend longitudinally, that is with a directional component predominantly in the longitudinal direction of a foot. Honeycombs (21) are formed between the ribs (19, 20).

In this embodiment, the flexible magnetic ribs (19, 20) are made from an elastomer into which magnetic elements not shown in FIG. 2 are embedded.

A magnetic counterholder (17b) shown in a top view in FIG. 3b comprises a housing (22) formed of an elastic material such as sponge rubber, into which a magnetic counterholder element (23) is incorporated. The shape of the counterholder element (23) and the fastening element (16b) are identical.

Reference is now made to FIG. 4, where identical or equal-acting parts are designated by the same reference number as in FIGS. 1 to 3, and the letter c is added to the respective reference number.

An insole (1c) shown in FIG. 4 differs from those shown in FIG. 1b and FIG. 2 in that a flexible magnetic fastening element (16c, 24) is attached to the underside of the insole in both a forefoot (7c) and a heel (8c) region, and a total of two magnetic counter holders (17c, 25) are provided.

Reference is now made to FIG. 5, where identical or equal-acting parts are designated by the same reference number as in FIGS. 1 to 4, and the letter d is added to the respective reference number.

An insole (1d) shown in FIGS. 5a and b differs from those shown in FIGS. 1 to 4 in that a reinforcing means (26) made of Kevlar is provided, which in this embodiment is x-shaped, which is fully incorporated into the insole (1d) and whose shape is adapted to the contour of the insole (1d) in a concavely curved region (3d). The reinforcing means causes an increase in stiffness in the concavely curved region (3d).

It is conceivable that the reinforcing means (26) is incorporated at a different position into the insole, has a different shape and/or is made from a different material. It is also conceivable that the reinforcing means can be detachably attached to the insole (1d) and/or is exchangeable.

It is understood that all possible combinations of features of the features shown in FIGS. 1 to 5 are conceivable. For example, an insole (1d) shown in FIG. 5b can have flexible magnetic fastening elements (16c, 24) as shown in FIG. 4.

Claims

1. Insole, which has an insole underside and an insole upper side, the insole underside being intended to bear against at least part of a shoe sole, and the insole upper side being intended to bear at least part of the surface of the sole of a foot, characterized in thatat least one region that has a concave curvature is provided.

2. Insole according to claim 1, characterized in thatthe at least one concavely curved region is provided for supporting the longitudinal arch of the foot, in particular the inner longitudinal arch of the foot.

3. Insole according to claim 1, characterized in thata cavity between the insole underside and the shoe sole of a shoe into which the insole is placed is open to at least one side, preferably two sides.

4. Insole according to claim 1, characterized in thatthe insole is formed in one piece.

5. Insole according to claim 1, characterized in thatthe insole has a substantially constant thickness.

6. Insole according to claim 1, characterized in thatat least one fastening means is provided which is arranged to provide a a preferably detachable connection of the insole to a shoe into which the insole is placed.

7. Insole according to claim 6, characterized in thatthe fastening means is provided in a front region in which a forefoot can rest against the insole underside, in a middle region on a side facing away from the at least one concavely curved region and/or in a rear region in which a heel can rest against the insole underside and in particular projects from the insole underside.

8. Insole according to claim 6, characterized in thatthe fastening means is at least partially incorporated into the insole and/or flush with the insole underside.

9. Insole according to claim 6, characterized in thatthe fastening means comprises a multi-part, preferably two-part magnetic fastening element.

10. Insole according to claim 1, characterized in thatthe at least one concavely curved region has a reinforcing means which is preferably formed from a different material than the insole.

11. Insole according to claim 1, characterized in thatthe at least one concavely curved region comprises a reinforcing means that is preferably integrally molded to the insole and/or is molded into the insole.

12. Insole according to claim 10, characterized in thatthe reinforcing means is exchangeable and/or detachably attachable.

13. Insole according to claim 1, characterized in thatthe insole is formed from a plastic, in particular polyethylene, polypropylene, a natural raw material, for example wood or cork, and/or a material comprising lignin and/or hemp fibers.

14. Insole according to claim 1, characterized in thatthe insole is manufactured or manufacturable by injection molding, extrusion, deep-drawing and/or blow molding.