The present disclosure generally relates to an orthotic insole for a woman's shoe. More particularly, exemplary embodiments of the present disclosure relate to a built-in, orthotic insole for a women's high heel or elevated shoe.
The following presents a simplified background and summary in order to provide a basic understanding of some aspects of various invention embodiments. The summary is not an extensive overview of the invention. It is neither intended to identify key or critical elements of the invention nor to delineate the scope of the invention. The following summary merely presents some concepts of the invention in a simplified form as a prelude to the more detailed description below.
Women's shoes, and in particular women's high-heel shoes, can cause various concerns for a wearer that create or exacerbate physical or medical issues relating to the wearer's foot and ankle. Extended wear of a high heel can cause a range of ailments, including for example, damage to the ankle, leg tendons, and foot tendons, or issues in the legs and back due to improper distribution of the wearer's weight. High-heeled shoes tend to put a foot in a plantarflexed (foot pointed downward) position, shifting the body weight away from the heel to the balls of the foot. When a woman wears high heels, her arch height is increased, which alters her posture and gait. Furthermore, an increased arch height can lead to an unnatural increase in pressure to other areas of the foot, muscle fatigue and foot and ankle injury. High heel shoes also cause a wearer's foot and ankle to move in a supinated (turned outward) position. Thus, as it is well known, wearing high heel shoes can lead to an increased risk of ankle sprain or falls due to imbalance.
In illustrative embodiments, a built-in, orthotic insole for a women's high-heel or elevated shoe is provided that may limit or counteract some of the issues that may be more prevalent for women wearing high heels. In illustrative embodiments, the orthotic insole may be comprised of three layers of material, with the inner layer including a closed-cell foam material, such as, but not limited to ethylene vinyl acetate. In illustrative embodiments, this material commercially available as P-Cell® or a similar material that has an approximate durometer of 20. The insole may further comprise an arch fill or arch support. The arch fill may consist of Microcell Puff™ or other similar material that has an approximate durometer of 35, in illustrative embodiments. The arch support may be configured to approximately extend laterally below the base of the forth metatarsal bone of the user of the high-heel shoe. The insole further includes a rear foot post or posting, which in illustrative embodiments may be made of ethylene vinyl acetate with a durometer of approximately 55, that is a 3-degree post. In illustrative embodiments, the insole may be a full-length insole, or may be a sulcus-length insole that extends to approximately the digital sulcus of a user's foot. In illustrative embodiments, the high-heel shoe also comprises a heel counter. The features minimize the risk of the user's foot sliding forward into a toe box of the shoe (for instance, when the heel of the high-heel shoe is 4 inches or less).
While the insole is configured to be permanently fixed in the high-heel shoe, the shape and size of the insole may be modified based on the shape and size of the shoe. The insole may further be covered in a wrap of leather or other similar material before being inserted into the shoe. Given the cosmetic element desired when wearing high heels, the non-removable insole may be covered in the same fabrics and materials as the upper part of the shoe. In such a manner, the wrapped insole avoids showing unattractive adhesive pads and also eliminates slippage of such removable pads.
The drawings disclose exemplary embodiments in which like reference characters designate the same or similar parts throughout the figures of which:
Unless otherwise indicated, the drawings are intended to be read (for example, cross-hatching, arrangement of parts, proportion, degree, or the like) together with the specification, and are to be considered a portion of the entire written description. As used herein, the terms “horizontal”, “vertical”, “left”, “right”, “bottom”, “middle”, “top”, “up” and “down”, as well as adjectival and adverbial derivatives thereof (for example, “horizontally”, “rightwardly”, “upwardly”, or the like), simply refer to the orientation of the illustrated structure as the particular drawing figure faces the reader.
In exemplary embodiments, as shown in
The insole 20 is configured to be permanently affixed in the shoe base along a top surface 34 of the sole 32 of the shoe base 30, as illustrated in
The insole 20 may be configured to extend varying lengths of the shoe base 30. For instance, the insole 20 may extend the full length of the sole 32, as shown in
In illustrative embodiments, the insole 20 may extend substantially the full length L of the sole 32 and span the full width W of the sole 32; that is, the insole 20 may be a heel-to-toe and side-to-side insole as illustrated in
In illustrative embodiments, the insole 20 comprises at least a top layer 40, a middle layer 42, and a bottom layer 44, as shown in
While it is envisioned that the layers 40, 42, and 44 may be made of various materials, in illustrative embodiments, the top layer 40 may be constructed of a garment quality leather, or similar durable and resistant material. The middle layer 42 may be constructed of a closed-cell foam material, such as, but not limited to, ethylene vinyl acetate (EVA), commercially available as P-Cell®, or polyethylene, available commercially as Plastazote®. Other foam or cushioned materials may be used in various exemplary embodiments disclosed herein. Such material should provide adequate cushioning and shock absorption, while having a high coefficient of friction to provide a secure grip. A closed-cell material may also prevent irritation to a wearer as it is less abrasive from other materials. The bottom layer 44 may be constructed of a foam material, such as a closed-cell foam material, for example, ethylene vinyl acetate.
In illustrative embodiments, the top layer 40 may be configured to have a length L1 and a width W1, the length L1 being substantially similar to the length L of the insole 20 and the width W1 being substantially similar to the width W of the insole 20.
In various embodiments, the middle layer 42 may be approximately ⅛ inches thick, and have a durometer measurement of approximately 20. The middle layer 42 may have a length L2 and a width W2. The length L2 may be substantially similar to the length L of the insole 20 and length L1 of the top layer 40, and the width W2 may be substantially similar to the width W of the insole 20 and the width W1 of the top layer 40. The middle layer 42 may be configured to make the insole 20 moldable to each individual's foot, while the middle layer 42 may still be very light weight. In various embodiments, the middle layer 42 may have varying thickness along the length L2 of the middle layer 42. In addition, the middle layer 42 is envisioned to be fairly resistant to deformation, minimally abrasive, deflective of moisture, and a higher tensile strength.
The bottom layer 44 may have a length L3 that is substantially similar to lengths L, L1, and L2 of the insole 20, top layer 40, and middle layer 42, respectively. However, the bottom layer 44 may include a width W3 that is smaller than the widths W, W1 and W2 of the insole 20, top layer 40, and middle layer 42, respectively. As illustrated in
The bottom layer 44 may be configured to be a more rigid than the middle layer 42, and may have a durometer of 55, which may provide more motion control. In illustrative embodiments, the bottom layer 44 may be 1/16 inches thick.
In illustrative embodiments, the bottom layer 44 comprises a rearfoot post 48, as illustrated in
The insole 20 further includes an arch fill 50, as illustrated in
In illustrative embodiments, the bottom layer 44 of the insole 20 may partially overlap the arch fill 50, as illustrated in
In illustrative embodiments, the upper portion 38 of the shoe 10 may further include a heel counter 60. The heel counter 60 is an upwardly extending support on the back of the upper portion 38 above the heel 36. The heel counter 60 provides support for the heel of the wearer of the shoe 10 by wrapping around a portion of the wearer's heel and/or ankle, as illustrated in
The combination of the arch fill 50 and rearfoot post 48 together provide an appropriate support for the foot and ankle of the wearer of the high-heel shoe 10. Specifically, the addition of the arch fill 50 provides a natural support for a wearer's arch (both natural and created from the high-heel shoe), which the rearfoot post 48 provides a counter-balance to the forces on the wearer's ankle and heel that can cause ankle sprains or injuries. These features in combination provide beneficial support for high-heel shoes.
In illustrative embodiments, this combination may be enhanced with the heel counter 60. In combination with a heel counter 60 that restricts movement of the wearer's foot and ankle in the shoe 10, the features of the present disclosure provide additional beneficial support for high-heel shoes.
One exemplary embodiment of a method of making an insole 20 for a women's high-heel shoe 10 includes providing a first layer 44 of crepe or similar durometer material, a second layer 42 of a closed-cell ethylene vinyl acetate (EVA) foam material, and a third layer 40 of garment quality leather or other durable material to form an insole 20. The first layer 44 is configured to include a rearfoot posting 48 that provides a 3-degree wedge to diminish or prevent lateral column loading to the wearer's foot. The first layer 44 may be configured to have a smaller width W3 than the second layer 42 of the insole 20 such that the first layer 44 only extends to cover the width of a wearer's lateral column, while the width W2 of the second layer 42 may extend the entire width W of a wearer's foot. In between the first and second layers 44 and 42, there may be an arch support 50, the arch support 50 being positioned to be aligned with the arch of a user wearing the high-heel shoe 10. In this manner, the arch support 50 is positioned on the inner edge 39 of the insole 20, while the first layer 44 is positioned on the outer edge 35 of the insole 20 and partially overlaps the arch support 50. The third layer 40 of the insole 20 may be substantially the same size and shape as the second layer 42. The insole 20 may be combined with a shoe base 30 that includes a heel counter 60 along the back of the shoe base 30, the heel counter 60 restraining movement of the wearer's heel while the wearer's foot is in the shoe 10.
Although only a few exemplary embodiments of this invention have been described in detail above, those skilled in the art will readily appreciate that many modifications are possible in the exemplary embodiments without materially departing from the novel teachings and advantages of this invention. Accordingly, all such modifications are intended to be included within the scope of this invention as defined in the following claims. It is intended that the specification and examples be considered as exemplary only, with a true scope and spirit being indicated by the following inventive concepts.
Unless otherwise expressly stated, it is in no way intended that any method set forth herein be construed as requiring that its steps be performed in a specific order. Accordingly, where a method claim does not actually recite an order to be followed by its steps or it is not otherwise specifically stated in the claims or descriptions that the steps are to be limited to a specific order, it is no way intended that an order be inferred, in any respect.
As used in the specification and the appended claims, the singular forms “a,” “an” and “the” include plural referents unless the context clearly dictates otherwise. Ranges may be expressed herein as from “about” one particular value, and/or to “about” another particular value. When such a range is expressed, another embodiment includes from the one particular value and/or to the other particular value. Similarly, when values are expressed as approximations, by use of the antecedent “about,” it will be understood that the particular value forms another embodiment. It will be further understood that the endpoints of each of the ranges are significant both in relation to the other endpoint, and independently of the other endpoint.
“Optional” or “optionally” means that the subsequently described event or circumstance may or may not occur, and that the description includes instances where said event or circumstance occurs and instances where it does not.
The headings of various sections are used for convenience only and are not intended to limit the scope of the present disclosure.
Throughout the description and claims of this specification, the word “comprise” and variations of the word, such as “comprising” and “comprises,” means “including but not limited to,” and is not intended to exclude, for example, other additives, components, integers or steps. “Exemplary” or “illustrative” means “an example of” and is not intended to convey an indication of a preferred or ideal embodiment. “Such as” is not used in a restrictive sense, but for explanatory purposes.
Disclosed are components that can be used to perform the disclosed methods, equipment and systems. These and other components are disclosed herein, and it is understood that when combinations, subsets, interactions, groups, etc., of these components are disclosed that while specific reference of each various individual and collective combinations and permutation of these may not be explicitly disclosed, each is specifically contemplated and described herein, for all methods, equipment and systems. This applies to all aspects of this application including, but not limited to, steps in disclosed methods. Thus, if there are a variety of additional steps that can be performed it is understood that each of these additional steps can be performed with any specific embodiment or combination of embodiments of the disclosed methods.
It should further be noted that any patents, applications and publications referred to herein are incorporated by reference in their entirety.
Number | Name | Date | Kind |
---|---|---|---|
2009789 | Saladino | Jul 1935 | A |
2343790 | Nicholl | Mar 1944 | A |
2366096 | Gerber | Dec 1944 | A |
2413534 | Watson | Dec 1946 | A |
2447954 | Meldman | Aug 1948 | A |
2672698 | Watson | Mar 1954 | A |
2878593 | Lockridge | Mar 1959 | A |
2917757 | Scholl | Dec 1959 | A |
3170178 | Scholl | Feb 1965 | A |
3292277 | Teschon | Dec 1966 | A |
3344537 | Diamant | Oct 1967 | A |
3398469 | Bressan | Aug 1968 | A |
3442031 | Antell | May 1969 | A |
3828792 | Valenta | Aug 1974 | A |
4563787 | Drew | Jan 1986 | A |
4633877 | Pendergast | Jan 1987 | A |
4942679 | Brandon et al. | Jul 1990 | A |
5036603 | Dischler | Aug 1991 | A |
5138774 | Sarkozi | Aug 1992 | A |
5164878 | Hauser | Nov 1992 | A |
5184409 | Brown | Feb 1993 | A |
D353259 | Schroer, Jr. | Dec 1994 | S |
5724753 | Throneburg | Mar 1998 | A |
5733647 | Moore, III | Mar 1998 | A |
5901394 | Greenawalt | May 1999 | A |
5976100 | Greenawalt | Nov 1999 | A |
6000147 | Kellerman | Dec 1999 | A |
6176025 | Patterson | Jan 2001 | B1 |
6484419 | Rohde | Nov 2002 | B1 |
6510626 | Greenawalt | Jan 2003 | B1 |
6560902 | Eschweiler | May 2003 | B1 |
D571989 | Siegal | Jul 2008 | S |
D668849 | Pozzi | Oct 2012 | S |
D668850 | Pozzi | Oct 2012 | S |
D701028 | Remington et al. | Mar 2014 | S |
8800170 | Khaitan | Aug 2014 | B1 |
9215908 | Malmoux | Dec 2015 | B1 |
20030105193 | Wang | Jun 2003 | A1 |
20040181971 | Turkbas | Sep 2004 | A1 |
20040211086 | Dananberg | Oct 2004 | A1 |
20050000114 | Mick | Jan 2005 | A1 |
20050138844 | Johnson | Jun 2005 | A1 |
20050281988 | McCormick | Dec 2005 | A1 |
20060156583 | Butash | Jul 2006 | A1 |
20060288613 | Lo | Dec 2006 | A1 |
20070011918 | Snow et al. | Jan 2007 | A1 |
20070084084 | Rich | Apr 2007 | A1 |
20070107261 | Cheskin | May 2007 | A1 |
20080052963 | Chiang | Mar 2008 | A1 |
20080127527 | Chen | Jun 2008 | A1 |
20080148599 | Collins | Jun 2008 | A1 |
20090007455 | Montgomery | Jan 2009 | A1 |
20090049712 | Steszyn | Feb 2009 | A1 |
20090282705 | Trigillo | Nov 2009 | A1 |
20100064550 | Kahn | Mar 2010 | A1 |
20100122475 | Purrington | May 2010 | A1 |
20100180467 | Singleton | Jul 2010 | A1 |
20100275468 | Shelton | Nov 2010 | A1 |
20110061264 | Solymosi | Mar 2011 | A1 |
20110209360 | Baker | Sep 2011 | A1 |
20110219642 | Sulak | Sep 2011 | A1 |
20120174436 | Hanak | Jul 2012 | A1 |
20120304493 | Hudson | Dec 2012 | A1 |
20130008050 | Marc | Jan 2013 | A1 |
20130081306 | Park | Apr 2013 | A1 |
20130263470 | Durocher | Oct 2013 | A1 |
20140209229 | Yang | Jul 2014 | A1 |
20140245631 | Joseph | Sep 2014 | A1 |
20140250722 | Lin | Sep 2014 | A1 |
20150026998 | Lin | Jan 2015 | A1 |
Number | Date | Country |
---|---|---|
404406 | Jan 1934 | GB |
Entry |
---|
International Search Report and Written Opinion for International Patent Application No. PCT/US2015/060585; dated Jan. 29, 2016. |
Number | Date | Country | |
---|---|---|---|
20160143393 A1 | May 2016 | US |