CUSTOMIZABLE FOOTWEAR INSOLES

Abstract

Insole apparatus for use in footwear is provided, comprising a planar insole base positionable on top of a base interior surface of the footwear, and at least one attachment accessory removably attachable to the insole base by way of a plurality of attachment elements distributed on at least one of an upper surface of the insole base and a lower surface of the attachment accessory. The plurality of attachment elements define attachment points, which are arranged with a predefined consistent spacing to enable interchangeability of the attachment accessory with other attachment accessories having similarly arranged attachment points. The interchangeability and removability of attachment accessories allows for customization of the insole apparatus for a user's needs and size and shape of foot.

Claims

1. Insole apparatus for use in footwear, comprising: a planar insole base positionable on top of a base interior surface of the footwear; an attachment accessory removably attachable to the insole base; and a plurality of attachment elements distributed on at least one of an upper surface of the insole base and a lower surface of the attachment accessory, wherein the attachment accessory is removably attachable to the insole base by way of at least one of the plurality of attachment elements.

2. The insole apparatus of claim 1 wherein the plurality of attachment elements define attachment points on the planar insole base, and the attachment points are arranged with a predefined consistent spacing to enable interchangeability of the attachment accessory with other attachment accessories having similarly arranged attachment points.

3. The insole apparatus of claim 2 wherein the plurality of attachment elements are arranged in a plurality of groups, each group of attachment elements adapted for coupling to an attachment accessory of a corresponding type.

4. The insole apparatus of claim 3, wherein the type of attachment accessory comprises one or more of: arch support, heel support, heel raiser, cooling accessory, heating accessory, massage accessory, and therapeutic magnet.

5. The insole apparatus of claim 1 comprising a plurality of traction elements distributed on a lower surface of the insole base, the lower surface of the insole base facing the interior surface of the footwear when the insole base is in use.

6. The insole apparatus of claim 5, wherein at least one of the plurality of traction elements is a traction stick that extends from the lower surface of the insole base and embeds itself in the footwear base.

7. The insole apparatus of claim 6, wherein the traction stick comprises a knob at a distal end of the stick for retention in a corresponding cavity defined in the footwear base.

8. The insole apparatus of claim 5 wherein at least one of the plurality of traction elements is one of a tread, grip and adhesive.

9. The insole apparatus of claim 1 wherein the insole base is fabricated in an elastically deformable material.

10. The insole apparatus of claim 1 wherein the plurality of attachment elements comprise one or more of: a snap fastener, hook and loop fastener, magnetic fastener, and adhesive fastener that attaches to the attachment accessory at a corresponding attachment point on the attachment accessory.

11. The insole apparatus of claim 2 wherein at least one of the attachment points provides a receptacle on one of the attachment accessory and the insole base for receiving a corresponding plug extending from the other one of the attachment accessory and the insole base.

12. The insole apparatus of claim 1 wherein the attachment accessory comprises a temperature sensor and/or a motion sensor.

13. A method for manufacturing an insole apparatus for use in footwear, comprising: forming a planar insole base to be received atop a base interior surface of the footwear; providing an attachment accessory removably attachable to the insole base; and providing a plurality of attachment elements on at least one of an upper surface of the insole base and a lower surface of the attachment accessory, wherein the attachment accessory is removably attachable to the insole base by way of at least one of the plurality of attachment elements.

14. The method of claim 13 wherein the plurality of attachment elements define attachment points, the method comprising arranging the attachment points with a predefined consistent spacing to enable interchangeability of the attachment accessory with other attachment accessories having similarly arranged attachment points.

15. The method of claim 14 comprising arranging the plurality of attachment elements into a plurality of groups, each group of attachment elements adapted for coupling to an attachment accessory of a corresponding type.

16. The method of claim 14 comprising arranging the attachment points so that the spacing between the attachment points is consistent within localized areas of the insole base.

17. The insole apparatus of claim 1 comprising a plurality of massage points defined in the insole base.

18. The insole apparatus of claim 2 wherein the spacing of the attachment elements is consistent within localized areas of the insole base.

19. The insole apparatus of claim 2 wherein the spacing of the attachment elements is consistent across the insole base.

20. The insole apparatus of claim 2 wherein the plurality of attachment elements comprises a first group of attachment elements arranged in a higher density at a forefoot region of the insole base, and a second group of attachment elements arranged in a lower density at a heel region of the insole base.

Description

BRIEF DESCRIPTION OF THE DRAWINGS

[0011] Features and advantages of the embodiments of the present invention will become apparent from the following detailed description, taken with reference to the appended drawings in which:

[0012] FIGS. 1A and 1B show a customizable insole base with attachments secured thereto according to one embodiment.

[0013] FIGS. 2A and 2B show a customizable insole system incorporating the insole base of FIGS. 1A and 1B and various other attachments according to certain embodiments.

[0014] FIGS. 2C and 2D show attachment mechanisms used in the customizable insole systems of FIGS. 2A and 2B.

[0015] FIGS. 3A and 3B show traction elements for securing the insole base of FIGS. 1A and 1B to the bottom of footwear.

DETAILED DESCRIPTION

[0016] The description which follows, and the embodiments described therein, are provided by way of illustration of examples of particular embodiments of the principles of the present invention. These examples are provided for the purposes of explanation, and not limitation, of those principles and of the invention.

[0017] Referring first to FIGS. 1A and 1B (collectively, FIG. 1), shown therein is a top plan view (FIG. 1A) and a side elevation view (FIG. 1B) of a customizable insole base 100 upon which various accessories can be removably attached. The insole base 100, along with the accessories, are insertable into the bottom of various types of footwear such as shoes, boots, and sandals. The insole base 100 is generally sized to fall within a range of lengths and widths of standard footwear sizes in conformance with sizing systems such as the United States and European shoe sizing systems. The insole base 100 is generally planar in shape and includes a top surface 101 and bottom surface 103 as shown in FIG. 1B.

[0018] While a single insole base 100 is shown in FIG. 1, it would be understood that a pair of such insole bases 100 for the left and right feet can be provided, in which each insole base 100 is shaped to be a mirrored image of the other.

[0019] The insole base 100 can be separated into regions according to the anatomies of the foot that the insole base 100 is intended to support. As shown in FIG. 1A, the insole base 100 of the present embodiment includes a forefoot region 102, generally corresponding to the toes and metatarsals of the foot. Adjacent to the forefoot region 102 is the midfoot region 104, generally corresponding to the arch of the foot. Lastly, adjacent to the midfoot region 104 and separated from the forefoot region 102 is the hind foot region 106, generally corresponding to the heel of the foot. The overall shape of the insole base 100 generally conforms to the general shape of the shoe and the imprint of the foot as shown in FIG. 1A.

[0020] A variety of materials can be used to fabricate the insole base 100 to provide the desired support and comfort for a user of the insole base 100. In the present embodiment, the insole is fabricated using a flexible and/or resilient material such as foam visco-elastic polymers, or any suitable material with a cushioning characteristic. For example, thermo-plastic elastomers and polyvinyl chloride (PVC) are considered to be suitable visco-elastic polymers. However, in some designs, the base may be made of a rigid material, such as molded plastic. In some embodiments, the insole base 100 may further provide structures to enable improved breathability (e.g. perforations for extended use or sports applications) or odour control functions (e.g. by way of incorporating silver or other anti-bacterial compounds into the material to prevent growth of odour-causing bacteria).

[0021] Atop of the insole base 100, various insert accessories can be attached or removed. The manner of attachment and the arrangement of insert accessories will be described in more detail below. In addition, in some embodiments, massage points can be distributed across the insole, as described in more detail below.

[0022] In the exemplary insole base 100 shown in FIGS. 1A and 1B, massage points 110 of varying sizes are distributed throughout the insole base 100. The massage points, as shown in FIG. 1A, can be distributed, for example, by way of varying densities across the position of the insole base 100, based on the corresponding anatomy of the foot. When the wearer of footwear is standing, greater pressure is generally exerted by the bottom of the feet at the forefoot region and hind foot regions than in the midfoot region corresponding to the foot arch. A higher density of massage points may be provided in areas which are generally under greater pressure. Thus, in the illustrated embodiment, as seen in FIGS. 1A and 1B, the density of a first group of massage points 110 is lower near the foot arch in the midfoot region 104 of the insole base 100 (e.g. at a first position) as compared to a second group of massage points 110 at the forefoot region 102 and a third group of massage points 110 at the hind foot region 106.

[0023] The massage points 110 can be fabricated on a foundation or plate such as a thin polymer sheet upon which the collection of massage points 110 is attached onto the insole base 100. In some implementations, the massage points 110 can be integrally formed with the insole base, made using tooling integrated on the top surface of the insole base 100. In other implementations, the massage points 110 can be attached to the insole base 100. Various suitable methods of attachment can be used, including but not limited to, chemical methods (e.g. adhesion) or physical methods (e.g. by way of sewing and fastening).

[0024] The foundation plate can be made to provide a desirable thickness and firmness. Additional plates (which may be flat or contoured) may be removably attached to the foundation plate to vary the height in certain areas or across the entire foundation plate. For example, a plate positioned at the heel area or hind foot region 106 can function as a height raiser 120 to provide heel support in addition to providing massage points for comfort, as shown in FIG. 1B.

[0025] Referring to FIG. 1A, shown therein are additional insert accessories that can be removably attached to the insole base 100. These may include magnets 130 of varying sizes positioned at prescribed locations for therapeutic use such as pain relief or improving circulation. In some embodiments, the magnetic strength of each magnet for pain relief is 28 KJ/m.sup.3. Incorporating magnets into the insole base may provide certain benefits such as improving circulation. Other accessories may include gel-filled sections or compartments 140 that can provide support and/or cooling effects.

[0026] Referring next to FIG. 2A, illustrated therein is a top plan view of a customizable insole system 105 incorporating the insole base 100 of FIG. 1 and various attachment accessories 111 that can be removably attached to the insole base 100. Specifically, FIG. 2A shows the top surface 101 of the insole base 100 having distributed thereon a plurality of attachment elements 118 to allow attachment and removal of the various attachment accessories 111 (which are, for illustrative purposes, shown detached from and surrounding the insole base 100). Each attachment element 118 provides an attachment point for an accessory 111 to the insole base 100. The distribution of the attachment points can vary with location along the top surface 201 of the insole base 100. In the illustrated embodiment, for example, a first group of attachment elements 118 with a higher density (i.e. greater number of attachment points per unit of area) is provided at the forefoot region 102 near the toes as compared to the density of attachment points at the heel region 106. The density of the attachment elements 118 can be used to provide a visual indication of the size of the insole base 100, which in some implementations can fall within a range of lengths and widths of standard footwear sizes in conformance with U.S. and European shoe sizing systems. The attachment elements can be used to function as massage elements or grip elements from the forefoot to toes.

[0027] As seen in FIG. 2A, attachment accessories 111 may comprise therapeutic magnets 107, 109 of varying sizes. Attachment accessories 111 may also comprise one or more gel accessories 112. Also shown are attachment accessories 111 in the form of removable plates 113. Each plate 113 may have different features for various functions, such as massage points to provide ergonomic support, enhance comfort, or provide therapeutic treatments. Attachment accessories 111 can be secured anywhere on the insole base 100 by way of the attachment features 118. Attachment accessories 111 can be changed or swapped with other attachment accessories 111, as desired, thereby allowing for customization. Generally, in most embodiments, the attachment accessories 111 do not extend beyond the edge of insole base 100 along a planar direction defined by the insole base 100 so as to maintain conformance with the size of the footwear.

[0028] For larger attachment accessories 111 such as accessory plates 113, the plate 113 can attach to multiple attachment points, the set of attachment elements 118 forming an attachment group. For example, a number of attachment groups are allocated in the embodiment of the customizable insole system 105 of FIG. 2A. In the illustrated example, the attachment groups allocated on the insole base 100 include: [0029] a cooling gel attachment group 114 to receive the cooling gel accessory 112, positioned laterally opposite the foot arch in the midfoot region 104; [0030] an arch support attachment group 116 to receive an arch support attachment accessory 115, which may incorporate a combination of elements for comfort and support, such as a collection of arch massage points 115A and arch magnet 115B; [0031] a heel support group 117 to receive a heel support attachment accessory 119, which may similarly incorporate a combination of elements for comfort and support, such as a plurality of heel massage points 119A and a heel magnet 119B; and [0032] a fore- and mid-foot group 121 to receive, for example, a fore- and mid-foot massage point accessory 123 which includes a collection of massage points 123A distributed throughout. In this particular implementation, openings 146 and 148 are provided to allow for attachments of the small therapeutic magnet 107 and large therapeutic magnet 109, respectively, directly to the insole base 100.

[0033] In other embodiments, the heel support attachment accessory 119 may comprise a flexible or soft heel raiser 120 (see FIG. 1B) to increase the height of the customizable insole system 105 at the hind foot region 106. Similarly, arch support can further be provided by way of an arch support attachment accessory 115 comprising an arch raiser plate to increase the height of the arch support provided in the mid-foot region 104. The foregoing accessory attachments can be configured to include different combinations of massage points, magnets, raisers and the like. As such, a user of the customizable insole system 105 can pick and choose the desired attachment accessory to obtain the desired features to gain the desired support and comfort. The user can remove one attachment and can optionally replace it with another attachment. For example, the cooling gel attachment accessory 112 can be replaced with a new cooling gel attachment accessory 112 that has been chilled in a refrigerator and that is attached to the insole immediately prior to use. Alternatively, the fore- and mid-foot massage point attachment accessory group 121 and/or the fore- and mid-foot massage point accessory 123 can be made of a gel or another suitable material that can be heated to warm corresponding areas of the user's foot.

[0034] In particular embodiments, one or more of the attachment accessories 111 may comprise electronic sensors such as pressure sensors and motion sensors operable to monitor the weight or pressure distribution of the foot and the foot's movement. The user can use the data obtained from these sensors to adjust the level of support for a given foot position to maximize comfort and minimize injury (e.g. based on the measured pressure and movement data). The measured pressure data can be transmitted to a computer terminal or processor (such as within a handheld device) where the information can be analyzed to determine the degree of adjustment that would be suitable. The sensors can be battery powered or self-powered by way of a piezoelectric system supporting a power bank (e.g. a battery or a capacitor). Power in the power bank can be replenished each time the user takes a step. The application and subsequent release of pressure against a piezo transducer of the piezoelectric system causes the generation of electrical energy that can be stored in the power bank for use. The same principles can be applied to self-heating foot-warming attachment accessories in which the energy generated by the piezoelectric system can be used to activate a built-in heating element (e.g. a planar resistor and the like).

[0035] For clarity, the attachment accessories 111 described herein incorporate combinations of features and comprise various shapes which are representative of those that may be provided by attachment accessories 111 that are attachable to insole base 110. Attachment accessories 111 having other shapes and features may be attached to insole base 100 in other embodiments.

[0036] FIG. 2B shows some attachment accessories 111 in operation and removably attached to the insole base 100. Each of these attachment accessories 111 is secured to at least one of the attachment elements 118 of insole base 100. In the illustrated example, a footplate 113 covering the forefoot region 102 and midfoot region 104 is attached to a plurality of corresponding attachment elements 118. A small therapeutic magnet 107 is attached to a corresponding attachment element 118. Other attachment accessories 111, including cooling gel accessory 112, arch support attachment accessory 115, heel support attachment accessory 119, and large therapeutic magnet 109 are shown detached from and surrounding insole base 100.

[0037] Each attachment element 118 can comprise a suitable fastening mechanism. For example, fastening mechanisms can include, but are not limited to, snap fasteners, hook and loop fasteners (e.g. Velcro, magnetic attachment, adhesive attachment, and mateable attachments that make use of interlocking male and female components in attachment accessory 111 and insole base 100, respectively (or vice versa).

[0038] In the illustrated embodiment, as best seen in FIGS. 2C and 2D, the attachment mechanism may comprise pairs of mateable or interlocking plug attachments to facilitate attachment and removal of the attachment accessories 111 to insole base 100. A male plug 150 is provided in an attachment accessory 111 to be received in a corresponding female plug receptacle 152 defined in an insole base 100. The female plug receptacle 152 therefore functions as an attachment point for the male plug 150. The male plug 150 comprises an extension 150A which terminates in a knob or enlarged distal portion 150B. Female receptacle 152 comprises a channel 152A which terminates in an enlarged end 152B. Enlarged end 152B of female receptacle 152 is shaped to receive the distal portion 150B of male plug 150. In the illustrated example, the female receptacle 152 is defined within the material of the insole base 100 while the male plug 150 is provided on an attachment accessory 111. However, in other embodiments, female receptacle 152 may be defined within the material of attachment accessory 111 while the male plug 150 is provided on the insole base 100. Preferably, one or more of male plug 150 and female receptacle 152 is provided in a flexible or elastically deformable material, such that the material can be temporarily compressed to make space for movement of the attachment members into their mating configuration. Once the distal portion 150B of the male plug 150 is positioned within the enlarged end 152B of female receptacle 152, the shape of the mateable attachment elements 118 prevents disengagement of male plug 150 from female receptacle 152 during normal use, thereby securing the attachment accessory 111 to the insole base 100. In other embodiments, mateable attachment elements 118 may be provided which comprise features which are shaped differently than as shown in FIGS. 2C and 2D, but which still provide for retention of a male attachment member in a female component or receptacle.

[0039] FIG. 2D shows an attachment mechanism in the form of male plugs 150 of FIG. 2C being used to secure a heel support attachment accessory 119 to the insole base 100. As seen in FIG. 2D, a plurality of male plugs 150 extend from the bottom of attachment accessory 119 and are received within corresponding female receptacles 152 defined between the top surface 101 and interior of insole base 100. In this case, attachment elements 118 therefore comprise pairs of cooperating male plugs 150 and female receptacles 152.

[0040] In alternate embodiments, female receptacles may be provided in the form of a through-hole defined in the insole base 100 (the through-hole being of the same diameter as the diameter of extension 150A of male plug 150), such that the distal portion 150B of male plug 150 passes through the through-hole and is retained on the opposite side of the insole base 100. In that case, attachment elements 118 therefore comprise pairs of cooperating male plugs 150 and through-holes defined in the insole base 100.

[0041] FIGS. 3A and 3B (collectively, FIG. 3) depict a securement mechanism for attaching an insole base 100 of the customizable insole system 105 to the interior base surface of a shoe (not shown). Specifically, FIG. 3A shows a plurality of traction elements 160 provided on the bottom surface 103 of the insole base 100 of FIGS. 1 and 2. Traction elements 160 grip the base of the footwear and reduce or minimize movement such as shifting of the customizable insole system 105 relative to the footwear during use, for example, as a person is walking or running in the shoes. Traction elements 160 can be distributed throughout the bottom surface 103 with a view to increasing or maximizing resistance to movement and positioning of the traction elements 160 where they will be most effective. For example, a higher density of traction elements 160 may be placed near the hind foot region 106, given that the user's foot may impart a greater downward force in the heel area, causing the traction elements 160 in that area to more securely grip the base of the shoe.

[0042] In yet other embodiments, the positioning of the traction elements 160 can correspond to the positioning of the attachment elements 118 on the top surface 101 of the insole base 100. For example, the horizontal positions (i.e. planar position along a surface of the insole base) of the attachment elements 118 and the traction elements 160 may be arranged in a matching configuration, so that for a given attachment element 118 on the top surface 101 of the insole base 100, there exists a traction element 160 on the bottom surface 103 of the insole base 100 at the same horizontal position below the attachment element 118. In other words, an attachment element 118 and a traction element 160 are said to be matched when they are located at points along a line that is perpendicular to the plane defined by the planar-shaped insole base 100. In the embodiment shown in FIG. 3A, for each attachment element 118 on the top surface 101 of the insole base 100, there is a matching traction element 160 located on the bottom surface 103 of the insole base. In other embodiments, however, not all attachment elements 118 may have a matching traction member (and vice versa) so that the number of attachment elements 118 may be different from the number of traction elements 160.

[0043] In some embodiments, the traction elements 160 comprise adhesive elements so as to enable the insole base 100 to stick to the base of the footwear. In other embodiments, the traction elements 160 are in the form of treads or grips that increase the friction between the bottom surface 103 of the insole base 100 and the base of the footwear. In yet other embodiments the traction elements 160 take the form of male tread sticks 162 that mate with corresponding female tread holes 164 defined in the base of the shoe, as seen in FIG. 3B. Some embodiments incorporate a combination of different types of traction elements 160, such as two or more of the traction elements described above.

[0044] In the embodiments where one or more of the traction elements 160 comprise male treads 162 as seen in FIG. 3B, each of the male treads 162 may comprise an enlarged, knob-shaped distal portion 162B, which is retained in a corresponding enlarged receptacle end 164B of a female tread hole 164, similar to the male plug 150 and female receptacle 152 of FIG. 2C. In other embodiments however, differently shaped traction elements may be provided to secure the insole base 100 into the bottom of footwear. For example, instead of a knob-shaped portion, the male tread 162 can be cone shaped, with a pointed distal end. The pointed distal end of the cone-shaped male tread 162 can function as a cleat, digging into the material of the base of the footwear to maintain the position of the insole base 100 (and therefore the insole system 105) even when the footwear does not include the female receptacle 164 therein. Optionally, female receptacles 164 may be defined in the base of the footwear which are cone-shaped to receive the male tread 162. In other embodiments, the male tread 162 can be stick shaped (i.e. cylindrical) instead of conical. In yet other embodiments, a combination of different tread stick configurations can be used. Positions of the insole base 100 that require more traction can use one form of tread sticks (e.g. the knob shape) while tread sticks located in other areas implements another form of tread sticks (e.g. cone shaped).

[0045] The insole system 105 described herein enables a plurality of interchangeable attachment accessories 111 that may be coupled to an insole base to adapt the insole for a user's particular needs, foot size and shape, and comfort. By selecting particular attachment accessories 111 and fastening them to the insole via attachment elements 118, an insole apparatus can be customized to provide heel support and cooling in some situations for one user, and arch support and therapeutic magnets for another user, for example. Customization can be facilitated within a predefined size range (e.g. US women's size 7.5-12, or men's size 6-10.5) by defining a consistent spacing of the corresponding attachment elements within each group for both insole and attachment accessories, so that a particular attachment accessory can be coupled to any insole within that size range. In other words, by using a consistent spacing of attachment points in each area of the insole (e.g. arch support attachment group 116, heel support attachment group 117, fore- and mid-foot attachment group 121) and for the corresponding attachment accessory, the need to manufacture different attachment accessories for each footwear size within a range of sizes is avoided. In some embodiments, the spacing of attachment elements may be consistent across all areas of the insole, and not just within localized areas corresponding to an attachment element group.

[0046] The examples and corresponding diagrams used herein are for illustrative purposes only. Different configurations and terminology can be used without departing from the principles expressed herein.

[0047] Although the invention has been described with reference to certain specific embodiments, various modifications thereof will be apparent to those skilled in the art without departing from the scope of the invention. The scope of the claims should not be limited by the illustrative embodiments set forth in the examples, but should be given the broadest interpretation consistent with the description as a whole.