SHOE INSOLE

Abstract

An insole is provided. This insole features a front end, a thickness, a top surface, a bottom surface, a heel receiving portion having a first end and a second end, a lateral longitudinal arch support section which has a width, and a medial longitudinal arch support section. Preferably, the medial longitudinal arch support section is made up of a partial spherical cap which has a radius and a height, and the medial longitudinal arch support section runs from the first end of said heel receiving portion to the lateral longitudinal arch support section.

Claims

1. An insole, comprising: a thickness; a top surface; a bottom surface; a heel receiving portion having a first end and a second end; an anterior transverse arch support section; a lateral longitudinal arch support section, having a width; and a medial longitudinal arch support section, comprising, a partial spherical cap, said spherical cap having a radius and a height, wherein said medial longitudinal arch support section runs from said first end of said heel receiving portion to said anterior transverse arch support section.

2. The insole of claim 1, wherein said insole does not have a toe receiving portion.

3. The insole of claim 1, wherein said bottom surface is disposed with an adhesive.

4. The insole of claim 1, wherein said radius is 2.9 inches.

5. The insole of claim 1, wherein said height ranges from 0.2 inches to 2 inches.

6. The insole of claim 1, wherein said heel receiving portion is tapered from said first end to said second end.

7. The insole of claim 1, wherein said thickness ranges from 0.06 inches to 0.15 inches.

8. The insole of claim 1, wherein said thickness is no greater than 0.15 inches.

9. The insole of claim 1, wherein said insole is flexible.

10. The insole of claim 1, wherein said insole is compressible, but will substantially retain its shape.

11. The insole of claim 1, wherein said insole is constructed out of ultra-high molecular weight polyethylene.

12. The insole of claim 1, further comprising padding disposed on said top surface.

13. The insole of claim 1, wherein text, at least one graphic, or both are disposed on said top surface or said bottom surface.

14. An insert, comprising: an insole, comprising: a front end; a thickness; a top surface; a bottom surface; a heel receiving portion having a first end and a second end; a lateral longitudinal arch support section, having a width; and a medial longitudinal arch support section, comprising, a partial spherical cap, said spherical cap having a radius, wherein said medial longitudinal arch support section runs from said first end of said heel receiving portion to said lateral longitudinal arch support section; at least one pad, disposed on said top surface; and a fabric sleeve, wherein said fabric sleeve envelops said insole.

15. The insert of claim 14, further comprising a shoe.

16. The insert of claim 15, wherein said insert is removably attached to said shoe.

17. The insert of claim 15, wherein said insert is permanently attached to said shoe.

18. A method of producing an insole, comprising: compressing a sheet of polymer, having a thickness; stamping said sheet, at least one time, with an insole-shaped stamp to create an insole-shaped impression; removing said impression; placing said impression in an arch-shaped mold; and heating said impression, for compression molding, such that it will take the shape of said arch-shaped mold.

19. The method of claim 18, wherein said thickness is no greater than 0.15 inches.

20. The method of claim 18, wherein said polymer is ultra-high molecular weight polyurethane.

Description

BRIEF DESCRIPTION OF THE DRAWINGS

[0025] FIG. 1 is a perspective view of an embodiment of the insole of the present invention.

[0026] FIG. 2 is a top view of an embodiment of the insole of the present invention.

[0027] FIG. 3 is a bottom view of an embodiment of the insole of the present invention.

[0028] FIG. 4 is a front view of an embodiment of the insole of the present invention.

[0029] FIG. 5 is a rear view of an embodiment of the insole of the present invention.

[0030] FIG. 6 is a left side view of an embodiment of the insole of the present invention.

[0031] FIG. 7 is a right side view of an embodiment of the insole of the present invention.

[0032] FIG. 8 is a schematic of a top view of an embodiment of the insole of the present invention.

[0033] FIG. 9 is a schematic of a side view of an embodiment of the insole of the present invention.

[0034] FIG. 10A is a pressure distribution map of a test subject standing without the insole of the present invention.

[0035] FIG. 10B is a pressure distribution map of a test subject standing with the insole of the present invention.

[0036] FIG. 11A is a pressure distribution map of a test subject standing without the insole of the present invention.

[0037] FIG. 11B is a pressure distribution map of a test subject standing with the insole of the present invention.

DESCRIPTION OF THE PREFERRED EMBODIMENTS

[0038] The preferred embodiments of the present invention will now be described with reference to the drawings. Identical elements in the various figures are identified with the same reference numerals.

[0039] Reference will now be made in detail to each embodiment of the present invention. Such embodiments are provided by way of explanation of the present invention, which is not intended to be limited thereto. In fact, those of ordinary skill in the art may appreciate upon reading the present specification and viewing the present drawings that various modifications and variations can be made thereto.

[0040] As a threshold matter, it should be noted that while FIGS. 1-7 show an insole of the present invention that is adapted to the right foot of a human, there exist many embodiments where the insole of the present invention is adapted for the left foot of a human.

[0041] Referring to FIG. 1, a perspective view of an embodiment of the insole of the present invention is shown. Here, insole 100 features top surface 101, heel receiving portion 103, lateral longitudinal arch support section 104, medial longitudinal arch support section 105, and anterior transverse arch support section 106. As their names suggest, lateral longitudinal arch support section 104 is shaped to support the lateral longitudinal arch of a human foot; medial longitudinal arch support section 105 is shaped to support the medial longitudinal arch of a human foot, and anterior transverse arch support section 106 is sized and shaped to support the anterior transverse arch of a human hoot.

[0042] Of particular note here is the structure of medial longitudinal arch support section 105. As shown in FIG. 1, medial longitudinal arch support section 105 has an arch height much higher than that of the average human foot. While not mandatory, embodiments with this large arch height are desirable because when in use, they remain in contact with the medial longitudinal arch of a user. This constant contact offers improved arch support when compared to the methods of the prior art. Further, insole 100 is preferably flexible. When insole 100 is flexible and equipped with this large arch height, dramatically superior arch support is achieved. The constant contact prevents the medial longitudinal arch from becoming fatigued, and the flexible nature of insole 100 provides for increased user comfort. The height of the arch in longitudinal arch support section 105 ranges for 0.2 inches to 2 inches. The thickness of insole 100 preferably ranges from 0.06 inches to 0.15 inches. Preferably, the total length of insole 100 will range from 3 inches to 6 inches, depending on the size of a given user's foot, or a manufacturer's preference.

[0043] FIG. 2 shows a top view of an embodiment of the insole of the present invention. Here top surface 101 is shown. Preferably, this surface is smooth, but it may be slightly textured. Here, top surface 101 is bare, but in alternative embodiments, various, graphics, texts, advertisements, or some combination thereof may be disposed on said top surface.

[0044] FIG. 3 shows a bottom view of an embodiment of the insole of the present invention. Here, bottom surface 102 is shown. Bottom surface 102 may be smooth, may be textured, or may have some adhesive disposed thereon. While many adhesives are suitable for use with the present invention, preferably the present invention will be used with a mild adhesive, such that the present invention will not slide around a user's shoe, but will also be readily removable from said shoe.

[0045] FIGS. 4-7 show various views of an embodiment of the insole of the present invention. As the insole of the present invention is of a unique shape, these views are added to fully define the contours of that embodiment.

[0046] FIGS. 8 and 9 show schematics of a top view and a side view of an embodiment of the insole of the present invention. In a preferred embodiment, the present invention is constructed out of ultra-high molecular weight polyurethane. However, the present invention may also be constructed out of a thermoplastic elastomer, a rubberized material, or some combination thereof.

[0047] In various embodiments, the present invention comprises an insert for a shoe. This insert is substantially similar to the insole described above, except the insole will be placed inside a fabric sleeve or similar apparatus, and will optionally have some padding disposed on said top surface, to improve the comfort of a user who is using the present invention.

[0048] In some preferred embodiments, the insole of the present invention will self-adjust based on a user's arch. That is, the longitudinal arch support section will have an arch height higher than that of the user, such that a user wearing the insole of the present invention will compress the insole until an equilibrium is met. In some embodiments, the insole will return to its original shape. In other embodiments, the insole will slowly conform to a user's foot after multiple uses.

[0049] Preferably, the insole of the present invention will weigh approximately 0.05 pounds. In some embodiments, the insole of the present invention is made by directly molding it from far, formulated, UHMW-PE resin. Alternatively, the insole of the present invention may be made by compressing or extruding a sheet from formulated UHMW-PE resin, stamp an outline of the insole in a flat shape, reheating that stamp for compression molding, and molding the stamp to have the shape of the insole of the present invention. According to an embodiment, the insole is formed from UHMW and/or from 30-100% UHMW-PE. According to an embodiment, the sole includes a lining. According to an embodiment, any lining materials are secured to the top of the insole to give more comfort. The lining materials can be secured to the insole via gluing, sewing, and/or any other suitable method of securing the lining. According to an embodiment, the lining material includes foam, cloth, and/or any other suitable materials. The lining material may be any color of foam and/or fabric.

[0050] In a preferred embodiment, the radius of the present invention is 2.9 inches. In another preferred embodiment, the heel receiving portion of the present invention is tapered from its first end to its second end. The present invention also contemplates a method of producing an insole, comprising: compressing a sheet of polymer, having a thickness; stamping said sheet, at least one time, with an insole-shaped stamp to create an insole-shaped impression; removing said impression; placing said impression in an arch-shaped mold; and heating said impression, for compression molding, such that it will take the shape of said arch-shaped mold.

TEST EXAMPLES

Example 1

[0051] Referring now to FIGS. 10A and 10B, a pressure distribution map of a test subject standing without the insole of the present invention (FIG. 10A) and with the insoles of the present invention (FIG. 10B) are illustratively depicted, in accordance with embodiments of the present invention.

[0052] According to a test study performed, as the test subject stood without the insoles of the present invention, the maximum pressure on the feet was approximately 10 psi. However, as the test subject stood with the insoles of the present invention, the maximum pressure on the feet was approximately 6 psi. Furthermore, as the test subject stood with the insoles of the present invention, the contact area of the feet increased, resulting in a larger distribution of the test subject's weight as the test subject stood. This increase in contact area and decrease in pressure has been shown to reduce pressure on knee joints and foot joints.

Example 2

[0053] Referring now to FIGS. 11A and 11B, a pressure distribution map of a test subject standing without the insole of the present invention (FIG. 11A) and with the insoles of the present invention (FIG. 11B) are illustratively depicted, in accordance with embodiments of the present invention.

[0054] According to a test study performed, as the test subject stood without the insoles of the present invention, the maximum pressure on the feet was approximately 10 psi. However, as the test subject stood with the insoles of the present invention, the maximum pressure on the feet was approximately 6 psi. The test subject of FIGS. 11A and 11B was a 26 year old male table tennis player. The use of the insoles of the present invention were found not only to reduce the pressure on his feet, but also were found to decrease his foot pain after table tennis practice. Furthermore, the increased surface area of pressure with the insoles of the present invention enabled the test subject to stand more firmly during play.

[0055] When introducing elements of the present disclosure or the embodiment(s) thereof, the articles “a,” “an,” and “the” are intended to mean that there are one or more of the elements. Similarly, the adjective “another,” when used to introduce an element, is intended to mean one or more elements. The terms “including” and “having” are intended to be inclusive such that there may be additional elements other than the listed elements.

[0056] Therefore, it is intended that the disclosure not be limited to the particular embodiments disclosed.