Foot-Stimulating Insole

Abstract

An insole comprising a foot stimulating device having an upper surface for contact with a foot and a lower surface, at least one of the upper surface and the lower surface of the insole having a first region in which a plurality of elevations are formed adapted to apply stimulating pressure to the lower surface of a wearer's foot, the first region being located between the heel and the toes and surrounded by a second region in which no elevations are formed.

Claims

1. An insole comprising: a foot-stimulating device having an upper surface for contact with a foot and a lower surface, wherein at least one of the upper surface and the lower surface of the insole comprises a first region in which a plurality of elevations are formed, which are adapted to exert a stimulating pressure on the underside of the foot of a wearer, and wherein the first region is arranged between the heel and the toes and is surrounded by a second region in which no elevations are formed.

2. The insole according to claim 1, wherein the second region extends annularly around the first region and at least partially comprises the edge of the insole.

3. The insole according to claim 1, wherein the first area is arranged opposite the plantar fascia of the foot so that the elevations can exert a stimulating pressure on the plantar fascia of the foot.

4. The insole according to claim 1, wherein the elevations are arranged in a plurality of rows arranged next to one another and have flat, pointed or round projections or knobs.

5. The insole according to claim 1, wherein the elevations are arranged in a grid-like manner in a plurality of rows arranged side by side and have an angular shape and a flat upper surface, wherein the width of the elevations increases in the longitudinal direction of the insole.

6. The insole according to any claim 1, wherein the elevations are arranged in a grid shape along parallel or diverging channels.

7. The insole according to claim 1, wherein the elevations have a height in a range between 1 mm and 5 mm and a width in a range between 5 mm and 3 cm.

8. The insole according to claim 1, wherein the elevations have different heights in the first area.

9. The insole according to claim 1, wherein both the upper side and the lower side of the insole each have a first region with elevations, wherein the elevations of the first regions of the upper side and the lower side are arranged opposite one another.

10. The insole according to claim 1, wherein the insole has on one or both sides at the level of the toes a wing-like extension which increases the width of the insole.

11. An article of footwear, comprising: a shoe; a foot-stimulating device coupled to shoe and having an upper surface for contact with a foot and a lower surface, wherein at least one of the upper surface and the lower surface of the insole comprises a first region in which a plurality of elevations are formed, which are adapted to exert a stimulating pressure on the underside of the foot of a wearer, wherein the first region is arranged between the heel and the toes and is surrounded by a second region in which no elevations are formed.

12. The article of footwear according to claim 11, wherein the insole has, on the upper or lower side, a recess traversing the insole, in which recess a band-shaped device can be arranged.

13. A stocking comprising: a plantar portion having an upper surface for contact with a foot and a lower surface, at least one of the upper surface and the lower surface of the plantar portion having a first region in which a plurality of elevations are formed adapted to exert stimulating pressure on the lower surface of a wearer's foot, the first region being located between the heel and the toes of the foot and being surrounded by a second region in which no elevations are formed.

Description

BRIEF DESCRIPTION OF THE DRAWINGS

[0022] Further features, characteristics and advantages of the present application will be apparent from the following description of the disclosure with reference to an exemplary embodiment and the attached drawing. The drawing shows in

[0023] FIG. 1 a top view of an insole according to one embodiment of the present application;

[0024] FIG. 2 the insole in cross-section; and

[0025] FIG. 3 an inner sole according to another embodiment of the present application in plan view.

DETAILED DESCRIPTION

[0026] One embodiment of the present disclosure is described below with reference to the figures. In FIG. 1, an inner sole 1 designed as an insole according to one embodiment of the present disclosure is shown in a top view from above. The inner sole 1 has elevations 2 on its upper side arranged in a plurality of adjacent rows. The elevations 2 are lattice-shaped and arranged along channels 3, which diverge in the direction from the heel region to the toe region of the inner sole 1. The elevations 2 are provided in a first central area 3 of the sole 1, located between the heel area and the toe area of the insole 1. This first area corresponds, at least in part, to the location of the plantar fascia of a foot placed on the insole 1, which extends on the underside of the foot from the heel to the toes. The first region 3 is completely surrounded by a second region 4 of the inner sole 1, in which no elevations 2 are arranged. In the embodiment shown, the second region 4 is substantially flat. Thus, the elevations 2 protrude from the surface of the insole 1 and can stimulate the plantar fascia of a foot placed on the insole. Because the elevations 2 are separated from each other by channels 5, the tops of the elevations 2 can move toward each other when the insole 1 is flexed, such as during natural rolling of the foot when walking, as indicated by the arrows in FIG. 2, and create a stimulation or friction motion at the plantar fascia that can reduce foot fatigue.

[0027] As shown in FIG. 2, elevations 5 are also arranged on the underside of the inner sole 1, which correspond in terms of their position to the elevations 2 on the upper side of the inner sole 1. Since the elevations 6 arranged on the underside of the inner sole 1 project from the surface of the underside of the inner sole 1 and are opposite the elevations 2 arranged on the upper side of the inner sole, an enhancement of the stimulation effect on the plantar fascia can be achieved by interaction of the elevations 2 on the upper side and the elevations 6 on the underside. In the embodiment shown, the elevations 1 on the surface of the sole have a height of 1 mm above the surface of the inner sole and the elevations arranged on the underside of the inner sole have a height of 2 mm relative to the surface of the underside of the sole 1. The channels 5 between the elevations have a width of about 1 mm. However, these dimensions are only exemplary and may vary in other embodiments without leaving the scope of the present disclosure. It is also conceivable to provide the elevations 2, 6 only on the upper side or only on the lower side of the inner sole 1.

[0028] FIG. 3 shows, as a further embodiment of the present disclosure, an inner sole 1 in plan view, which has wing-shaped extensions 7, 8 in the region of the toe joints on both sides. The thickness of the extensions 7, 8 decreases in the course from the edge of the inner sole 1 to the ends of the extensions 7, 8. The inner sole 1 according to the embodiment shown in FIG. 3 may otherwise have the same features as the embodiment shown in FIGS. 1 and 2.

[0029] Numerous modifications can be made to the present disclosure described and the embodiments shown without departing from the scope of the present disclosure.

REFERENCE NUMBER

[0030] 1 Insole

[0031] 2 Elevation on the top

[0032] 3 Central area

[0033] 4 Surrounding Area

[0034] 5 Channel

[0035] 6 Elevation on the underside

[0036] 7 Lateral extension

[0037] 8 Lateral extension