DIFFERENTIAL SHOCK ABSORBING HIGH HEEL FOOT INSOLE SYSTEM

Abstract

The Differential Shock Absorbing High Heel Foot Insole System is a differential shock absorption system designed to effectively absorb the shock while providing the comfort to the wearer of the high heels, especially the highest ones. The system provides an effective solution minimize the excruciating pain being felt when wearing high heels, especially the highest ones. The pain felt is a result to the repeated shocks experienced by a very small area of the underfoot each time the human foot undergoes a step in high heels. Differential Shock Absorbing High Heel Foot Insole System takes into account a correct estimation of the materials compression force deflection and peak deceleration properties, providing the correct level of shock absorption required parameters, plus the added cushioning effect for comfort of the wearer, which are crucial in the material selection to absorb the shocks when wearing high heels, something which other products out on the market and/or solutions proposed are lacking of.

Claims

1. A differential shock absorbing foot insole system for a high heel shoe comprising: a slow rebound layer, wherein the slow rebound layer is characterized with a first compression force deflection of about 25% with a compressive force of from about 4 to about 20 psi applied thereto; and, a fast rebound layer, wherein the fast rebound layer is characterized with a second compression force deflection of about 25% with a compressive force of from about 5 to about 45 psi applied thereto; wherein the differential shock absorbing foot insole system is removably adhered to the high heel shoe; and, wherein the slow rebound layer is in contact with a juncture formed between toes and balls of a foot of a wearer of the high heel shoe.

2. The differential shock absorbing foot insole system of claim 1 further comprising an anti-skid layer, wherein the anti-skid layer is adjacent to the fast rebound layer.

3. The differential shock absorbing foot insole system of claim 1 further comprising: a textile fabric layer, wherein the textile fabric layer is removably attached to and envelopes the slow rebound layer and the fast rebound layer; and, an anti-skid layer, wherein the anti-skid layer is adjacent to the textile fabric layer.

4. The differential shock absorbing foot insole system of claim 3, wherein the fast rebound layer has a higher density than the slow rebound layer.

5. The differential shock absorbing foot insole system of claim 4, wherein the differential shock absorbing foot insole system is about 45 cm squared.

6. The differential shock absorbing foot insole system of claim 5, wherein the slow rebound layer is a first shock absorbing material selected from the group consisting of polyurethane, urethane, ethylene-vinyl acetate, and combinations thereof; and, wherein the fast rebound layer is a second shock absorbing material selected from the group consisting of polyurethane, urethane, ethylene-vinyl acetate, and combinations thereof.

7. The differential shock absorbing foot insole system of claim 6, wherein the first shock absorbing material is urethane; and, wherein the second shock absorbing material is urethane.

8. The differential shock absorbing foot insole system of claim 7, wherein the first shock absorbing material is an open cell urethane; and, wherein the second shock absorbing material is an open cell urethane.

9. The differential shock absorbing foot insole system of claim 8, wherein the differential shock absorbing foot insole system is oval.

10. The differential shock absorbing foot insole system of claim 8, wherein the differential shock absorbing foot insole system is rectangular.

11. The differential shock absorbing foot insole system of claim 2, wherein the fast rebound layer has a higher density than the slow rebound layer.

12. The differential shock absorbing foot insole system of claim 11, wherein the differential shock absorbing foot insole system is about 45 cm squared.

13. The differential shock absorbing foot insole system of claim 12, wherein the slow rebound layer is a first shock absorbing material selected from the group consisting of polyurethane, urethane, ethylene-vinyl acetate, and combinations thereof; and, wherein the fast rebound layer is a second shock absorbing material selected from the group consisting of polyurethane, urethane, ethylene-vinyl acetate, and combinations thereof.

14. The differential shock absorbing foot insole system of claim 13, wherein the first shock absorbing material is urethane; and, wherein the second shock absorbing material is urethane.

15. The differential shock absorbing foot insole system of claim 14, wherein the first shock absorbing material is an open cell urethane; and, wherein the second shock absorbing material is an open cell urethane.

16. The differential shock absorbing foot insole system of claim 15, wherein the differential shock absorbing foot insole system is oval.

17. The differential shock absorbing foot insole system of claim 15, wherein the differential shock absorbing foot insole system is rectangular.

18. A differential shock absorbing foot insole system for a high heel shoe comprising: a slow rebound layer wherein the slow rebound layer is characterized with a first compression force deflection of about 25% with a compressive force of from about 4 to about 20 psi applied thereto; and, a fast rebound layer, wherein the fast rebound layer is characterized with a second compression force deflection of about 75% with a compressive force of about 100 psi applied thereto; wherein the differential shock absorbing foot insole system is removably adhered to the high heel shoe; and, wherein the slow rebound layer is in contact with a juncture formed between toes and balls of a foot of a wearer of the high heel shoe.

19. The differential shock absorbing foot insole system of claim 18 further comprising an anti-skid layer, wherein the anti-skid layer is adjacent to the fast rebound layer.

20. The differential shock absorbing foot insole system of claim 18 further comprising: a textile fabric layer, wherein the textile fabric layer is removably attached to and envelopes the slow rebound layer and the fast rebound layer; and, an anti-skid layer, wherein the anti-skid layer is adjacent to the textile fabric layer.

21. The differential shock absorbing foot insole system of claim 20, wherein the fast rebound layer has a higher density than the slow rebound layer.

22. The differential shock absorbing foot insole system of claim 21, wherein the differential shock absorbing foot insole system is about 45 cm squared.

23. The differential shock absorbing foot insole system of claim 22, wherein the slow rebound layer is a first shock absorbing material selected from the group consisting of polyurethane, urethane, ethylene-vinyl acetate, and combinations thereof; and, wherein the fast rebound layer is a second shock absorbing material selected from the group consisting of polyurethane, urethane, ethylene-vinyl acetate, and combinations thereof.

24. The differential shock absorbing foot insole system of claim 23, wherein the first shock absorbing material is urethane; and, wherein the second shock absorbing material is urethane.

25. The differential shock absorbing foot insole system of claim 24, wherein the first shock absorbing material is an open cell urethane; and, wherein the second shock absorbing material is an open cell urethane.

26. The differential shock absorbing foot insole system of claim 25, wherein the differential shock absorbing foot insole system is oval.

27. The differential shock absorbing foot insole system of claim 25, wherein the differential shock absorbing foot insole system is rectangular.

28. The differential shock absorbing foot insole system of claim 19, wherein the fast rebound layer has a higher density than the slow rebound layer.

29. The differential shock absorbing foot insole system of claim 28, wherein the differential shock absorbing foot insole system is about 45 cm squared.

30. The differential shock absorbing foot insole system of claim 29, wherein the slow rebound layer is a first shock absorbing material selected from the group consisting of polyurethane, urethane, ethylene-vinyl acetate, and combinations thereof; and, wherein the fast rebound layer is a second shock absorbing material selected from the group consisting of polyurethane, urethane, ethylene-vinyl acetate, and combinations thereof.

31. The differential shock absorbing foot insole system of claim 30, wherein the first shock absorbing material is urethane; and, wherein the second shock absorbing material is urethane.

32. The differential shock absorbing foot insole system of claim 31, wherein the first shock absorbing material is an open cell urethane; and, wherein the second shock absorbing material is an open cell urethane.

33. The differential shock absorbing foot insole system of claim 32, wherein the differential shock absorbing foot insole system is oval.

34. The differential shock absorbing foot insole system of claim 32, wherein the differential shock absorbing foot insole system is rectangular.

Description

BRIEF DESCRIPTION OF THE SEVERAL VIEWS OF THE DRAWING

[0038] The advantages and features of the present invention will be better understood as the following description is read in conjunction with the accompanying drawings, wherein:

[0039] FIG. 1 shows a top view of the Differential Shock Absorbing High Heel Foot Insole System with its multi layered design.

[0040] FIG. 2 illustrates side cross-sectional view of the Differential Shock Absorbing High Heel Foot Insole System.

[0041] FIG. 3 presents a view of the Differential Shock Absorbing High Heel Foot Insole System placed inside the shoe and which is removable.

[0042] FIG. 4 shows the small affected surface area under the foot where the shock impact is felt in the human foot while wearing high heels, especially the highest ones.

DETAILED DESCRIPTION OF THE INVENTION

[0043] The figures illustrate embodiments of the present invention where the a differential shock absorbing foot insole system 100 for a high heel shoe 7 comprises a slow rebound layer 1, 4 and a fast rebound layer 2, 5. The slow rebound layer 1, 4 is characterized with a first compression force deflection of about 25% with a compressive force of from about 4 to about 20 psi applied thereto. The fast rebound layer 2, 5 is characterized with a second compression force deflection of about 25% with a compressive force of from about 5 to about 45 psi applied thereto. The differential shock absorbing foot insole system 100 is removably adhered to the high heel shoe 7; and, the slow rebound layer 1, 4 is in contact with a juncture 10 formed between toes and balls of a foot of a wearer 11 of the high heel shoe 7. The differential shock absorbing foot insole system 100 may further comprise an anti-skid layer 6, wherein the anti-skid layer 6 is adjacent to the fast rebound layer 2, 5. The differential shock absorbing foot insole system 100 may further comprise a textile fabric layer 9, wherein the textile fabric layer 9 is removably attached to the slow rebound layer 1, 4 and the fast rebound layer 2, 5. The Differential Shock Absorbing High Heel Foot Insole System herein described provides effective high shock absorption and buffering that can absorb the multiple pressure shocks experienced by the human foot when wearing high heel shoes, especially the very high ones (from 5 cm heel height and upwards) by means of an innovative design that encompasses a differential shock absorption system constructed with an ultra-thin single and/or multilayered combination of slow and fast rebound high shock absorbent materials that optimally absorbs and damps the shocks taking into account the weight range of the user providing ultimate comfort to the wearer of high heels and especially very high heel shoes of a heel height over 5 cm and upwards. The Differential Shock Absorbing High Heel Foot Insole System herein described is unique in that it is strategically placed inside the shoe (FIG. 3) and under the foot in a very small approximately rectangular area which is located where the toes meet the rest of the foot to absorb the shock which is felt and suffered at its maximum (FIG. 4). Other foot insoles provide little or no shock absorption due to the fact that the choice of materials is not optimally suited for shock absorption applications and they are not positioned in the right area where the shock is suffered. Thus, they provide little or no shock absorption and no ease of pain when wearing high heels despite their marketing claims.

[0044] FIG. 1 shows a top view of the Differential Shock Absorbing High Heel Foot Insole System where (1) points to the top slow rebound shock absorbing material component and (2) points to the rest of the system which includes the fast rebound shock absorbing material component and the anti-sliding component. The piece can be made with only one shock absorbing layer which could be either made of one shock absorber with single shock absorbing parameters or with differential shock absorbing parameters (the shock is absorbed in a differential manner across the material layer). This last type of material can be a dual shock absorber which is integrated within one single material layer consisting of a slow and fast rebound portions or sections of the same material layer.

[0045] FIG. 2 shows a cross-sectional view of the Differential Shock Absorbing High Heel Foot Insole System where (3) points to the area under the origin and juncture of the big toe with the rest of the foot on the slow rebound shock absorbing material which has a slightly increased thickness in some embodiments. (4) points to the slow rebound layer component of the shock absorbing material of a compression force deflection in between an approximate range from about 4 to about 20 psi, and as high as about 55 psi, @ 25% max to provide comfort in addition to the shock absorption component. (5) points to the fast rebound high shock absorbing material of a compression force deflection in between an approximate range from about 5 to about 45 psi @ 25% max and up to about 100 psi @ 75% max. Compression Force Deflection is a measure of the shock absorption material's firmness, stiffness, or load capacity. The compression force deflection measurements result from applying 0.2/min strain rate force measured @ 25% deflection. The measure of the compression force deflection takes into account the spring factor of the foams, which is a partial measure of shock absorption. The recovery is given as the ratio of the 25% deflection of release of the load to the original 25% deflection and it is expressed as a percentage. The ranges provided allow for differences in the user's foot sizes, weights, and shock absorbing preferences.

[0046] (6) Points to the ultra-thin anti-sliding flexible material (as for example TPU glycerine and materials of similar characteristics) to provide the required adherence of the foot insole piece in the right location as shown in FIG. 3 and providing adherence to the interior of the shoe without ripping the material of the interior of the shoe and while being able take out the foot insole piece from the shoe as desired by the user without any alteration to the shoe itself.

[0047] In FIG. 3, (7) points to the shoe, (8) points to the positioning of the Differential Shock Absorbing High Heel Foot Insole System within the shoe.

[0048] The herein described Differential Shock Absorbing High Heel Foot Insole System is designed taking into account the weight range of the wearer and works by differentially absorbing the shock and dampening the high force pressures and impact force shocks endured by a very small affected area under the bottom side of the human foot located exactly at the juncture between the origin of the toes and the rest of the foot when wearing high heels and especially the highest heels (5 cm and upwards of heel height)

[0049] FIG. 4 illustrates the area of impact where the shock is endured on the foot. The approximate dimensions of the area of impact is about 9 cm in length by 5 cm in width under the foot, and is thus of an approximate surface area of 45 cm squared for a foot of a size 7 (US size) or 37 (European size). The area of impact will be smaller for smaller feet and greater for bigger feet. Each time the human foot takes a step when wearing high heels, due to the unnatural position to the human foot it is only this very small area which is exposed to this massive pressure shock and must endure it. Because the human foot is naturally designed to withstand and absorb the movement shocks by buffering it with the entire joint complex set of muscles and tendons throughout the whole foot structure this very small part of the human foot is not naturally designed to withstand such high pressure shocks on its own and thus the pain ensues. In fact, this effective area becomes smaller as the high heel height increases and in addition to this, the small area under the juncture of the big toe endures maximum shocks the higher the heels. The Differential Shock Absorbing High Heel Foot Insole System includes in its multilayered design, a combination of effective shock absorbing materials with a fast rebound layer component which with some designs can include a slightly thicker portion of the first layer to provide added impact absorption for the big toe underfoot juncture area. The next layer is a slow rebound layer component serving a multipurpose: provide comfort when walking and absorbing the rest of the shock which is then effectively damped by the combination of both horizontal layers. A slow rebound shock absorbing layer allows for the foot to comfortably take in the step sinking in slightly to provide the comfort and by transferring the rest of the shock to the second layer down, where the fast rebound shock absorber layer under it then absorbs the rest of the shock while rebounding and recuperating fast enough to take in the next step. This is then a differential shock absorption system designed to absorb the full and repeated shocks, experienced by the foot each time the human foot undergoes a step in high heels, while providing the comfort to the wearer of the high heels, especially the highest ones. The piece can be made of one shock absorption layer or more than one, depending on the usage desired, as there are several embodiments, shapes and sizes using this same principle. The Differential Shock Absorbing High Heel Foot Insole System is designed to be customized to average weight ranges of high heel foot wearers. The faster the shock is applied the higher the forces which are suffered by the small area under to foot. The required force applied per surface area per weight range alone is not sufficient to properly address the problem at hand, and actually constitutes only a minimum value of reference required to start dampening part of the shock applied.

[0050] Thus a careful estimation of the materials compression force deflection and the peak deceleration properties of the materials, that indicate the correct level of shock absorption required parameters, are useful in the material selection to absorb the shocks when wearing high heels, something which the prior art solutions proposed are failing to do so. An effective solution must then account as well for the materials compression force deflection and the peak acceleration factor to provide the correct shock absorption as described herein. In addition to compression force deflection measurements, the peak deceleration of the may be used to characterize the slow rebound layer and fast rebound layer. The slow rebound layer and the fast rebound layer have peak deceleration values ranging from about 25 g's to about 50 g's, where is gravitational force, being this range of shock absorption measures clearly superior or outperforming that of any other foams and gels used for this application. The lower the g value, the better the shock absorption. The present invention having both the slow rebound layer and fast rebound layer for shock absorbing and cushioning provides the comfort for a wide range of human weights.

[0051] The variation with the different foot sizes has as well been considered when designing the Differential Shock Absorbing High Heel Foot Insole System endured and it has been found that the general of dimensions of approximately 45 cm squared, as one embodiment, and varies very slightly with foot size.

[0052] Various embodiments of the Differential Shock Absorbing High Heel Foot Insole System may be made with a single or multilayer design including the following main material layers:

[0053] The First Main Material Layer: A main layer can be a single layer or a dual layered high shock absorption material combination with a slow rebound-fast rebound component combination, of different densities. The first layer part is a slow rebound absorption layer with a lower density than the second layer, flexible and soft enough to provide comfort to the foot during the impact; however, at the same time possess the adequate shock absorption technical specifications to absorb the initial part of the shock required for each of the defined main human body ranges. The slower rebound factors and densities provide a slight recovery from the impact and thus a softer feel and comfort to the foot. The second layer under the first layer is the fast rebound shock absorption material, which can rebound very fast thus recovering the shape of the material right away to be ready to take repeated impact shocks in each next impact or step for either high heel foot walking or even running in high heels, and thus is able to provide the effective full absorption of the remaining and main part of the shock. This second layer is of a higher density. In the differential shock absorption system of the present invention, the first shock that is caused by the first step (by walking or running) is partially absorbed and moderated providing a slow rebound effect to bounce the shock softly back while the fast rebound layer restores the present invention back to its original shape thereby readying the present invention in a timely manner for the next step.

[0054] Materials suited for the application herein presented by the present invention for a shock absorption high heel foot insole would be high shock absorption materials of the absorption capabilities of composites and combinations of polyurethanes and urethanes especially of the open cell types, which provide faster recoveries, and which possess an ample range of tensile strengths and compression force deflection parameters from about 5 to about 45 psi @ 25% max, to about 100 psi @ 75% max. For example, one embodiment of the present invention may utilize PORON, an open cell urethane, and is characterized with a compression force deflection of about 70% to about 75% with a compressive force of about 100 psi. These types of materials are able to absorb very high shocks with fast impact sequence without deformation and thus are ideally suited for very high heel extensive wear where the full force impact is felt on the very small area under the foot at the juncture of the toes with the rest of the feet and thus the shocks felt are very high. In addition, other materials are well suited for this purpose but which however possess lesser lifetime duration and inferior performance characteristics for this particular application are Ethylene-vinyl acetate (EVA) and/or Polyurethane (PU) foams which can possess the corresponding and appropriate shock absorption specifications required to properly absorb the shocks impinged on the small underside forepart of the foot.

[0055] The Second Main Material Layer: A textile fabric layer surrounding the shock absorption material to provide added comfort to the contact with the human skin as well as providing an aesthetic component with catchy designs to the fashionable clientele as well as customized to each of the fashion lines for the type of shoe and wear scenarios of the consumer. In this manner this shock absorption high heel foot insole offers the first of its kind type of lingerie to the foot as it is the first eye catching fashionable foot insole, which will be in line with the fashion latest trends and produced in the lines that target each use, such as Everyday use lines, Glamorous use lines, and Fun use lines for the young clientele. The different fabrics will have different prints and styles suited for each of these lines of the product.

[0056] The Third Main Material Layer: A third layer which is permanently attached to the rest of the foot insole piece serving as an anti-skid/anti-slid piece of material to be in contact in between the foot insole piece and the interior of the shoe. This layer is made of a type of TPU glycerine or materials of similar characteristics, cut to ultra-thin thickness to prevent adding additional thickness to the insole piece, and which adapts to the shape of the piece and follows the contour of the shoe to which it is adhering yet not glued to, nor permanently attached to the shoe. It can as well be made of a semi-adhesive or sticky material; however, one which will not adhere permanently to the interior of the shoe as the herein described shock absorption high heel foot insole must be able to be put in and out of this shoe at will without altering any of the pieces nor the interior of the shoe.

[0057] The herein described Differential Shock Absorbing High Heel Foot Insole System may comprise 1, 2, 3 or 4 different layers. Alternative designs can include but are not limited to:

[0058] One alternative embodiment of the Differential Shock Absorbing High Heel Foot Insole System may be made a single layer of absorption material of sufficient thickness to feel the comfort and to relieve the pain with or without the textile fabric around it but with the anti-sliding layer (FIG. 2) for anti-skid effect of the piece within the shoe.

[0059] Another alternative embodiment of the Differential Shock Absorbing High Heel Foot Insole System may be made with a single layer of shock absorption material of sufficient thickness and hardness to provide the comfort and needed shock absorption to relieve the pain and without the 2nd textile fabric layer and instead the prints for the design of the fashion style would be imprinted onto the shock absorption material. Thus, this other design of the presently described shock absorption high heel foot insole would be made of only 2 distinctive layers instead of three (counting the anti-slide layer).

[0060] Yet another alternative embodiment of the Differential Shock Absorbing High Heel Foot Insole System may be made with the textile fabric layer being removable and washable. The inner shock absorption material layer would be fitted into the outer fabric layer in a modular manner. The user could insert different shock absorbing layers into different textile layer designs for each usage and shoe occasion. Making the piece highly modular, user friendly and style adaptable like no other foot insole that has ever made or launched into market.

[0061] While the invention has been described with reference to exemplary embodiments, it will be understood by those skilled in the art that various changes, omissions, and/or additions may be made and equivalents may be substituted for elements thereof without departing from the spirit and scope of the invention. In addition, many modifications may be made to adapt a particular situation or material to the teachings of the invention without departing from the scope thereof. Therefore, it is intended that the invention not be limited to the particular embodiments disclosed as the best mode contemplated for carrying out this invention, but that the invention will include all embodiments falling within the scope of the appended claims. Moreover, unless specifically stated any use of the terms first, second, etc. do not denote any order or importance, but rather the terms first, second, etc. are used to distinguish one element from another.