A43B17/035

Multistructural shock absorbing system for anatomical cushioning
11608871 · 2023-03-21 ·

A shock absorbing system for force attenuation, impact modification or reduction, employs an envelope having a chamber containing a first working fluid, the envelope deformable in response to the impulse to attenuate impact force. A plurality of resilient supplemental absorber elements dispersed within the chamber. The plurality of resilient supplemental absorber elements are deformable in response to the force to assist in attenuating impact force and provide additional resilient restoring force to return the envelope to a pre-impact shape. In alternative implementations, a unitary cell for energy dissipation employs an envelope having a chamber containing a first working fluid and an inner element contained within the chamber and having an inner chamber containing a second working fluid.

STABILIZING SHOE INSERT AND METHODS OF MAKING AND USING THE SAME
20220322789 · 2022-10-13 ·

The presently disclosed subject matter is generally directed to a shoe insert sized and shaped to accommodate a user's foot and fit inside a standard shoe (e.g., a golf shoe). The insert is configured with a gradient with a first height on a lateral edge and a second (lesser) height on a medial edge. In this way, the insert does not lay flat on the inside of the user's shoe but provides a gradient that stabilizes the user's weight to the center of the foot. Advantageously, the inserts allow the golfer to automatically assume a proper stance and to properly shift the body weight during a swing. As a result, the insert keeps a golfer from swaying during a golf swing, thereby reducing the incidence of shanking the ball.

Pneumatic insole
09839260 · 2017-12-12 ·

A pneumatic insole includes airbags, channels, two arch-related chambers, a push-type inlet valve, an inlet channel, a check valve, a recessed portion, a push-type adjustment valve, and an outlet channel. The channels interconnect the airbags. The push-type inlet valve is located in the first arch-related chamber. The inlet channel connects the first arch-related chamber to a leading one of the airbags. The check valve is arranged between the inlet channel and the inlet airbag. The recessed portion is located between the arch-related chambers. The push-type adjustment valve is located in the recessed portion and formed with an upper face that extends lower than that of the first and second arch-related chambers. The outlet channel connects the push-type adjustment valve to another one of the airbags.

Hybrid Material
20170295885 · 2017-10-19 ·

A process of making a family cell of homogenous inner bladders with varying elasticity includes a forming a plurality of inner bladders from a first material with a first elasticity. The inner bladders have interior surfaces during inner chambers and exterior surfaces exposed to an outside environment. The inner chambers are configured to store a fluid. A family cell is formed by fluidly connecting the inner bladders. One or more hybrid bladders are selected from the inner bladders and a second material having a second elasticity is applied to the hybrid bladders. The second elasticity is less than the first elasticity, such that the second material reduces the elastic qualities of the hybrid bladder.

CASTLESS STANCE CORRECTED PROSTETIC & METHOD OF FORMING SAME
20170273397 · 2017-09-28 ·

A method of forming a castless orthotic for a patient's foot in need thereof. The method comprises preparing an orthotic template for the foot wherein the template extends between a heel end and a toe end. In preparing the template the steps of attaching a three-quarter length or full length upper thermoplastic material to a or three-quarter length lower thermoplastic material, or providing a thermoplastic material having a variable thickness such that said thickness decreases from said heel end to said toe end is provided. Then attaching an outer lower layer to the lower thermoplastic material and attaching an outer upper layer to the upper thermoplastic material, or attaching an outer layer to each face of the variable thickness thermoplastic material and heating the prepared orthotic template for a predetermined period of time at a predetermined temperature to soften the orthotic template. A wrap is then placed on top of the foot foam and the foot of the patient is placed on top of the wrap and foot foam. The patient's foot is lifted and the heated orthotic template is placed on top of the the wrap and then placing the patient's foot on top of the heated orthotic template. The wrap is placed about the longitudinal axis of the foot to retain the heated orthotic template intermediate the sole of the foot and the foot foam whereby the sides of the orthotic template are particularly supported by the wrap. The method further includes ensuring the foot is positioned over a cuboid support and a medial longitudinal arch support wherein the cuboid support is disposed on the outside of the bottom of the foot and the cuboid support is moved to push the foot upwardly until a resistance is felt, and where the foot is also positioned over the medial longitudinal arch support which is then pushed and pulled upwardly until the foot is moved into a neutral position or if it is unable to be translated or rotated due to until it reaches its end range of motion. At this time, the heel of the patient's foot is lifted to place their weight substantially on the front of their foot and a coolant is applied to at least the heel end of the orthotic template.

DAMPNESS PREVENTION FUNCTION-EQUIPPED INSOLE, AND SHOE AND SLIPPER INCLUDING THE INSOLE
20170258182 · 2017-09-14 ·

Provided is a dampness prevention function-equipped insole (50) including an upper layer portion (11) formed in a foot shape, with small holes (4) being formed therein, an intermediate layer portion (51) including tubes (12a) in which air holes (5) are bored at positions corresponding to the small holes (4), the tubes (12a) being installed in a front-rear direction at a front part and a rear part and being installed in a left-right direction in a middle part, and a lower layer portion (13) in which mesh cloth woven in a lattice shape is formed in the foot shape, in which the insole (50) is formed in the foot shape and placed in a shoe in which the upper layer portion (11), the intermediate layer portion (51), and the lower layer portion (13) are sewn such that the tubes (12a) maintain a predetermined interval.

Dual-layer insole apparatuses for diabetic foot lesion prevention and related methods

Dual-layer insole apparatuses for diabetic foot lesion prevention and related methods are provided. Some insole apparatuses have a body defining a plurality of cavities configured to be coupled to a fluid source. The fluid source can deliver fluid to vary internal pressures of the cavities. The body further defines an insole-shaped structure.

Article of footwear having a flexible fluid-filled chamber
11399595 · 2022-08-02 · ·

An article of footwear may include an upper forming a void within the footwear, a sole structure secured to the upper, and a chamber that encloses a pressurized fluid. The sole structure includes a depression. The chamber is located within the void of the upper and located on the depression of the sole structure. The chamber may include a plurality of fluid-filled subchambers, a manifold, and a connection fluidically-connected at least one of the subchambers to the manifold. The subchambers may enclose the pressurized fluid at different pressures. The subchambers may be separated from one another by a bonded area in the direction extending between the heel and toe of the chamber.

Adjustable Foot Support Systems Including Fluid-Filled Bladder Chambers
20210259361 · 2021-08-26 ·

Foot support systems, e.g., for articles of footwear, include systems for changing the hardness or firmness of the foot support portion (e.g., of a sole structure) and/or systems for moving (e.g., selectively moving) fluid between various portions of the foot support system. Such systems may include: a foot support bladder, a pump, and a fluid reservoir. Two or more fluid transfer lines may be provided to connect these components, and these fluid lines are equipped with fluid flow control device(s) and/or check valves to enable selective movement of fluid between the fluid reservoir and the foot support bladder. Such systems enable one to set and maintain two or more foot support pressures in the foot support bladder.

Shoes with shape shifting orthotic soles

A shape shifting orthotic sole having a cushioning layer, shape changing layer, and a sensing layer in communication, the shape changing layer and sensing layer communicatively coupled with a power source and circuitry unit which provides for default and evolving settings, and automatic and manual support settings for the shape changing region as a result of input from the sensing layer. The shape shifting orthotic sole may communicate with a cellular device and other device able to maintain mobile applications, and an IOT Health Monitoring Device during the operation of the shape shifting orthotic sole.