MODULAR INSOLE SYSTEM

Abstract

The modular insole system includes a base pad with a plurality forms releasably connected to the top surface thereof. The forms respectively correspond to orthotic support for the heel, arch, and ball portions of a foot. The forms are preferably releasably connected by hook and loop fastening material to the base pad and are made of foam. The forms are adjustable in any location on the top surface of the base pad to provide a custom configuration for a given user. The base pad and foam forms can be provided in different sizes, foam types, durometer hardness, and the like, and can be mixed and matched as needed to further customize the modular insole system for the given user. The forms have edges that complement each other so the insole can more closely simulate expensive custom insoles that are monolithic even when moved about on the base pad.

Description

BACKGROUND OF THE INVENTION

The present invention relates generally to footwear. More specifically, the present invention relates to insoles that are placed inside of shoes or other footwear for support and comfort. More specifically, the present invention relates to a modular insole system for footwear.

In the prior art, there are two general categories of insoles that are commonly available. First, standardized insoles are available which have a preset configuration and contour. Some standardized insoles are available in different sizes and sometimes can be trimmed to size to fit a given user's footwear at hand. Since these standardized insoles are not manufactured for a given user in mind, they are well-suited for mass distribution but suffer from the disadvantage of not being customized or contoured to the individual form of a user's foot or their footwear. Thus, standardized insoles are often not comfortable or not as comfortable as they can be.

Second, and customized insoles for individual needs are also available. In such a customized insole product, the insoles are manufactured according to the specifications provided by the user, such as from simple measurements or from a more elaborate foot measurement and pressure point measurement system that are found at shoe store, doctor's office and other locations. Such customized insoles suffer from the disadvantage of extended processing time, high cost and the involvement a professional and the cost associate with the professional. As a result, custom insoles are expensive and time consuming to produce.

Still further, both standardized and customized insoles both suffer from the problem of being produced as a unitary, fixed forms which cannot be re-adjusted or re-configured by the consumer after purchase. There are no known insoles that addresses the foregoing issues.

Therefore, there is a need for an insole system that is customizable by the user without the need for a professional for fitting.

Therefore, there is a need for an insole system that is modular.

There is also a need for a modular insole system that is inexpensive.

There is a further need for a modular insole system that can be immediately customizable by the user.

There is also a need for a modular insole system that can be re-adjusted and/or re-configured by the user at any time, even after purchase.

There is a further need for a modular insole system to perform and feel to the user the same as a more expensive full orthotic.

SUMMARY OF THE INVENTION

The instant invention provides a new and novel modular insole system that facilitates simple and immediate customization by the consumer/user to the specific form of their foot. Insoles created by the modular insole system of the present invention provides ideal support and comfort immediately and may be re-adjusted or re-configured at any time even after purchase and initial configuration.

The modular insole system includes a base pad with a plurality forms releasably connected to the top surface thereof. The forms respectively correspond to orthotic support for the heel, arch, and ball portions of a foot. The forms are preferably releasably connected by hook and loop fastening material to the base pad and are made of foam but may be secured using other releasable structures. The forms are adjustable in any location on the top surface of the base pad to provide a custom configuration for a given user. The base pad and foam forms can be provided in different sizes, foam types, durometer hardness, and the like, and can be mixed and matched as needed to further customize the modular insole system for the given user.

More specifically, the present invention provides a fully customizable and adjustable insole using “hook” and “loop” fasteners, such as VELCRO, to secure and retain different components of the insole in place. A base pad preferably covers the entire inside bottom of the shoe and includes “loop” part of fastening material on the top surface thereof, which preferably has a velour portion, which means velvet. A “crochet” portion, which means hook is provided on the bottom of the forms. The hook material may be recessed to reside in seat in the bottom of the forms. Thus, the velvet portion serves as the “loop” material and the crochet portion serves as “hook” material that releasably secure to each other. Thus, the base pad is very comfortable when present in the bottom of the shoe. Also, it is possible for loop material to be provided on the bottom of the forms and the hook material on the top surface of the base pad. For ease of reference herein, the embodiment of loop material on the base pad and hook material on the bottom of the forms will be referenced but it is not intended to limit the scope of the invention to this embodiment.

Preferably three different and separate foam forms are preferably provided, one contoured for the heel, one contoured for the arch, and one contoured for the ball of the foot. More or less than three forms may be provided. The foam forms can be positioned and then re-positioned on the “loop” pad in the bottom of the shoe to enhance the comfort of the user. The foam forms can be offered in different sizes and durometers (degrees of firmness) and may be color coded for the three locations of the pads. For example, blue may indicate the heel form, yellow may indicate the arch form and red may indicate the form for the ball portion of the foot. Indicia may be also be provided on the top of the base pad to indicate where each form type should be located. The modular insoles of the present invention, once customized, can be further configured and re-configured later, that is, releasably located on different parts of the base pad, if desired.

The modular insole system of the present invention is unlike known prior art custom insoles. Thus, the insoles of the present invention include interchangeable and re-adjustable foam pads that support the heel, arch and ball of the foot, for example. The pads are readjustable in both axes in a plane parallel with the top surface of the base pad, namely, front to back and side to side in the X and Y directions.

Therefore, an object of the invention is to provide a modular insole system that is moderately priced, fully customizable, and continuously re-adjustable.

A further object is to provide modular insoles that provide ideal support and comfort where customization can be easily done by consumers at home at any time.

Yet another object of the present invention is to provide an insole system so consumers will have no hesitation to experiment with different configurations because the modular insole system is easily re-configurable at any time.

A further object of the present invention is to provide a modular insole system that is fully adaptable to changes in circumstances, such as when a consumer may experience a strain or an injury or may purchase a new pair of shoes with a different fit.

There is yet another object of the present invention to provide a modular insole system where the user can re-adjust the forms of their modular insole system as desired to meet new circumstances and needs for their feet.

BRIEF DESCRIPTION OF THE DRAWINGS

The novel features that are characteristic of the present invention are set forth in the appended claims. However, the invention's preferred embodiments, together with further objects and attendant advantages, will be best understood by reference to the following detailed description taken in connection with the accompanying figures in which:

FIG. 1 is a front perspective view of the modular insole system of the present invention with forms releasably installed in place for a single foot, by way of example;

FIG. 2 is a rear perspective view of the present invention of FIG. 1;

FIG. 3 is a front elevational view of present invention of FIG. 1;

FIG. 4 is a rear elevational view of the present invention of FIG. 1;

FIG. 5 is a left side elevational view of FIG. 1;

FIG. 6 is a right side elevational view of FIG. 1;

FIG. 7 is a top view of FIG. 1;

FIG. 8 is a bottom of FIG. 1;

FIG. 9 is a front perspective view of the modular insole system used for both the left and right foot for a complete insole system;

FIG. 10 is an exploded perspective representative view of the modular insole system of the present invention showing the releasable connection of the forms to the base pad;

FIG. 11 is a cross-section view through the line 11-11 of FIG. 7;

FIG. 12 is an exploded view of two optional sets of forms with different characteristics;

FIG. 13 is a close-up side elevational view of the forms releasably secured to the base pad;

FIG. 14 shows a top view of the base pad with its loop material on the top surface thereof;

FIG. 15 shows a bottom view of a form for the ball of the foot with hook material thereon;

FIG. 16 shows a bottom view of a form for the arch of the foot with hook material thereon;

FIG. 17 shows a bottom view of a form for the heel of the foot with hook material thereon;

FIG. 18 shows the modular insole of the present invention installed in a shoe.

DETAILED DESCRIPTION OF THE PREFERRED EMBODIMENT

The new and unique modular insole system of the present invention is shown and described herein in detail.

It should be understood that the modular insole system 10 is provided for both feet, namely, for both the right and the left foot, which are merely mirror images of each other and function identically to each other. Thus, a pair of modular insole systems 10 are provided for both feet, as shown in FIG. 9. For ease of discussion and illustration herein, the present invention will be discussed in detail regarding a modular insole system 10 for one foot, such as the right foot, but it should be understood that the present invention includes a modular insole system 10 for the left foot as well.

Turning now to FIGS. 1-8, various view of the modular insole system is shown. FIG. 9 shows the modular insole system for use for both feet. FIGS. 1-8 shows a base pad, generally referred to as 14, with a number of preferably foam forms 16a-16c for different parts of the foot, such as the heel, arch, and ball, that attach to a top surface 14a of the base pad 14. As shown in FIG. 10, indicia 18 is preferably provided on the top surface 14a of the base pad 14 to help guide user placement and adjustability for location of the foam forms, 16a-16c both front/back and side/side, on the base. For example, the indicia 18 can be provided to help locate the forms 16a-16c for the specific locations of heel, arch and ball of the foot of a user.

As seen in FIG. 14, the base pad 14 is preferably a flat, semi-rigid pad shaped to cover the inside bottom surface of a shoe 12. Insoles are so well known in the art that further details need not be provided. The modular insole system 10 of the present invention is shown installed in a shoe 12 in FIG. 18. The base pad 14 includes loop material portion 20 of fastening material that is permanently bonded to the top face 14a of the base pad 14. The foam forms 16a-16c are each shaped to support one of the three primary areas of the foot, namely, the heel, arch, and ball. The upward facing side of each foam form 16a-16c is contoured to interface with the underside of a respective one of the three primary areas of the foot. The downward facing side of each foam form 16a-16c is preferably flat and permanently bonded to hook material 22 of the hook and loop fastener structure. As discussed below in connection with FIGS. 11 and 15-17, the hook material 22 is preferably recessed in a seat 24.

Therefore, the present invention addresses the three fundamental stress areas on the foot: (1) the heel when landing, (2) the ball when launching, and (3) the arch which is the bridge between them. The fully customizable and adjustable insole 10 of the present invention uses hook material 22 and loop material 20 to adjust and configure the foam forms 16a-16c on the base pad 14. The foam forms 16a-16c can be offered in different sizes and durometers (degrees of firmness) and can be of any type of cushioning material that can be re-configured at any time and on demand. Therefore, the insole 10 of the present invention, typically provided in pairs of insoles 10, one for each foot, are uniquely inter-changeable and re-adjustable because the foam forms 16a-16c supporting the heel, arch, and ball of the foot can be easily detach and re-attached by the user whenever desired. Re-adjustments are possible along two axes in a plane parallel to the top surface 14a of the base pad 14, namely, front to back and side to side.

Once a modular insole 10, namely a pair of insoles 10, is assembled and configured in accordance with the modular insole system 10 of the present invention, it can then be inserted into a shoe 12 or other footwear for use by the user. For example, the insole 10 of the present invention can be placed on the top of a midsole (not shown) already residing on an outsole of the footwear 12. Alternatively, a shoe midsole (not shown) can be removed and the modular insole 10 of the present invention can be placed directly on the outsole of the footwear 12. Or, while not typical, the modular insole 10 of the present invention may be placed on an existing insole in the footwear 12. In other words, the insole 10 of the present invention may be incorporated into existing footwear 12 in many different ways and still be within the scope of the present invention. Such configuration and use of the modular insole 10 of the present invention can be modified by the user to suit their particular footwear needs and need not be discussed in further detail as such footwear construction is known in the art.

FIG. 12 shows examples of how the modular insole system 10 can include forms 16a-16c that have different characteristics, such as size, foam type, configuration, shape firmness, durometer hardness, finish, material type, and the like. Thus, the consumer can choose foam forms 16a-16c from an array of different characteristics based on their individual needs and preferences. It is thus also possible to mix and match forms 16a-16c of different characteristics. For example, an individual may desire a very hard arch form 16b, a medium hardness heel 16c form but a very soft form at the ball of the foot 16a. This is possible with the present invention. Moreover, color and part numbers can be used to easily identify specific segments to facilitate use of the modular insole system 10 of the present invention for the user. As in FIG. 12, the lower set of forms 16a-16c, generally referred to as 26 may be of a harder material while the upper set 28 may be of a softer material. As mentioned above, these forms 16a-16c may be mixed and matched, as desired.

For example, in consideration of arch support, one consumer may prefer a large size with medium firmness and a high arch, while another may prefer a medium size with rigid firmness and a low arch. Thus, for each of the primary areas of the foot, the consumer may customize the size and firmness of each foam form 16a-16c supporting each area of the foot.

The perimeter of each foam form 16a-16c is minimized or tapered to reduce contiguity and maximize range of movement. The foam forms 16a-16c are movable along two axes: front to back and side to side, as shown by the double arrows on each form 16a-16c in FIG. 7. Still referring to FIG. 7, the plan shape of the foam forms 16a-16c are configured so they complement each other. More specifically, the interfacing edges 30a-30c of each foam form 16a-16c are configured so they have a shape that is complementary to the shape of a neighboring foam form. For example, the edge 30a of foam form 16a has a wave-like shape to substantially match the rounded shape of the edge 30b of the arch foam form 16b. Similarly, edge 30c of foam form 16c is wave like edge to substantially match with the edge of 30b of the arch foam form 16b. This a particularly advantageous because it enables the insole 10 of the present invention to more closely simulate an expensive custom insole that is monolithic. Also, these complementary shapes of edges 30a-30c of the forms 16a-16c permit up and down and side to side adjustment of the forms 16a-16c while still closely simulating monolithic insole.

Referring now to FIG. 11, a cross-sectional view through the line 11-11 of FIG. 7, shows further details of one of the forms 16a-16c employed in the present invention, namely, the arch foam form 16b, as an example. The other forms 16a, 16c and their releasable attachment to the base pad 14 with loop material 20 thereon would have a similar cross-section. The bottom sides of all forms 16a-16c are shown in FIGS. 15-17. Referring to FIGS. 11 and 15-17, it can be seen that each foam form 16a-16c preferably includes a recessed seat 24 in the bottom surface thereof. Thus, the hook material is preferably inset or recessed in the underside of each foam form 16a-16c, which can help enhance a flush fit between the forms 16a-16c and base pad 14 and thereby allow the insole to feel “seamless” to the user's foot. It is also more aesthetically appealing. Alternatively, it is possible that the hook material 22 is secured directly on the bottom surface of the forms 16a-16c.

In view of the above, the modular insole system 10 provides consumers with a moderately priced, fully customizable, and continuously re-adjustable and re-configurable insoles 10 which provide ideal support and comfort. Thus, the consumer can easily re-configure the insole 10 at any time with respect to the position, size, and firmness of each foam form 16a-16c supporting each of the three primary areas of the foot. To achieve ideal support and comfort, any foam form 16a-16c may be re-positioned at any time, and any foam form 16a-16c may be removed and replaced at any time with a different size or firmness.

While there is shown and described herein certain specific structure embodying the invention, it will be manifest to those skilled in the art that various modifications and rearrangements of the parts may be made without departing from the spirit and scope of the underlying inventive concept and that the same is not limited to the particular forms herein shown and described except insofar as indicated by the scope of the appended claims.

Claims

1. A modular insole system, comprising: a base pad having a top surface and a bottom surface;at least one form, having a bottom surface and a top surface, releasably secured to the top surface of the base pad;wherein the forms are adjustably secured in any location on the top surface of the base pad, the forms being securable front to back and side to side in a plane parallel to the top surface of the base pad.

2. The modular insole system of claim 1, wherein the at least one form is a plurality forms.

3. The modular insole system of claim 1, wherein the at least one form is releasably secured to the top surface of the base pad by complementary releasable fastening material.

4. The modular insole system of claim 3, wherein the complementary releasable fastening material is hook material on the base pad and loop material on the at least one form or loop material on the base pad and hook material on the at least one form.

5. The modular insole system of claim 3, wherein the at least on form defines a seat in the bottom surface thereof, releasable fastening material residing therein.

6. The modular insole system of claim 1, wherein the at least one form is made of foam.

7. The modular insole system of claim 2, wherein the plurality of forms includes a heel form, an arch form and a ball form.

8. The modular insole system of claim 7, wherein the heel form, an arch form and a ball form are configured and arranged to approximately interlock with each other to provide an insole member that simulates orthotic coverage on an entire surface of the base pad.