Shoe insert

Abstract

A footwear insert comprising an insert member, the insert member comprising a first surface and a second surface, the first surface opposing the second surface, the first surface comprising a releasable attachment for an internal portion of footwear and the second surface comprising a releasable attachment for a foot. The insert may be a heel insert. There is also provided a kit comprising: a) a first insert member; and b) two or more second insert members, and a kit comprising two or more second insert members. The presence of a second surface with a releasable attachment to the foot means that the foot is indirectly attached to the inside of the footwear via the insert member and its attachment to the footwear. This impedes the foot slipping from the footwear and prevents movement of the foot against the insert member.

Claims

1. A footwear insert comprising a first insert member and a second insert member, the first insert member comprising a first surface and a second surface, the first surface opposing the second surface and having a releasable attachment for attaching to an internal portion of footwear, the first insert member comprising a first edge and a second edge, the first edge and the second edge being connected by auriform or arcuate edges, and wherein the second edge is shorter than the first edge; the second insert member comprising a first surface and a second surface, the first surface opposing the second surface and having a releasable attachment for attaching to a foot, the second insert member comprising a first edge and a second edge, the first edge and the second edge being connected by auriform or arcuate edges, and wherein the second edge is shorter than the first edge; wherein at least one of the first insert member and the second insert member comprises a notch in substantially the center of the second edge thereof; wherein, in use, a releasable attachment is formed between the second surface of the first insert member and the second surface of the second insert member.

2. The footwear insert of claim 1 wherein at least one of the releasable attachments comprises an adhesive surface.

3. A kit for a footwear insert, the kit comprising: a) a first insert member, and b) two or more second insert members, the first insert member comprising a first surface and a second surface, the first surface opposing the second surface and having a releasable attachment for attaching to an internal portion of footwear, the first insert member comprising a first edge and a second edge, the first edge and the second edge being connected by auriform or arcuate edges, and wherein the second edge is shorter than the first edge; the two or more second insert members each comprising a first and a second surface, the first surface opposing the second surface and having a releasable attachment for attaching to a foot, the two or more second insert members comprising a first edge and a second edge, the first edge and the second edge being connected by auriform or arcuate edges, and wherein the second edge is shorter than the first edge; wherein at least one of the first insert member and the two or more second insert members comprises a notch in substantially the center of the second edge thereof; wherein, in use, the second surface of the first insert member and the second surface of each of the second insert members form between them a releasable attachment.

4. The footwear insert of claim 1, wherein in use, the releasable attachments between the first and second insert members are configured to be flexible across the foot to allow the first and second insert members to move relative to each other.

5. The footwear insert of claim 1, wherein the releasable attachment between the first and second insert members comprises a hook-and-loop fastener.

6. The footwear insert of claim 5, wherein the first and/or second insert member comprises a hook layer and/or a loop layer, which only partially covers the second surface of the first and/or second insert member.

7. The footwear insert of claim 5, wherein the first and/or second insert member comprises a gap between the hook layer and/or the loop layer and the perimeter of the first and/or second insert member, in which there are no hooks and/or loops.

8. The footwear insert of claim 5, wherein the second surface of the first insert member comprises hooks, and the second surface of the second insert member comprises loops.

9. The footwear insert of claim 1, wherein, in use, the first and/or second insert member is configured to be flexible across the foot to allow the first and second insert members to move relative to each other.

10. The footwear insert of claim 9, wherein the first and/or second insert member comprises elastomeric material.

11. The footwear insert of claim 1, wherein the first and/or second insert member comprises a resilient material to provide cushioning.

12. The footwear insert of claim 11, wherein the resilient material comprises silicone, or wherein the resilient material comprises a foam or a foam-like material, optionally polyethylene foam.

13. The footwear insert of claim 1, wherein the footwear insert is a heel insert.

14. The footwear insert of claim 1, wherein the first edge and the second edge have a similar circumferential profile.

15. The footwear insert of claim 1, wherein the notch of at least one of first and/or second insert member comprises a V-shaped notch and/or a U-shaped notch.

16. The footwear insert of claim 1, wherein the first and/or second insert member is lobe-shaped or wing-shaped, or wherein the first and/or second insert member comprise one or more lobe-shaped or wing-shaped sections.

17. Use of the footwear insert of claim 1 in footwear for impeding a foot slipping out of a shoe.

18. A kit for a footwear insert, the kit comprising two or more second insert members that are releasably attachable to a first insert member, the first insert member comprising a first surface and a second surface, the first surface opposing the second surface and having a releasable attachment for attaching to an internal portion of footwear, the first insert member comprising a first edge and a second edge, the first edge and the second edge being connected by auriform or arcuate edges, and wherein the second edge is shorter than the first edge; the two or more second insert members each comprising a first and a second surface, the first surface opposing the second surface and having a releasable attachment for attaching to a foot, the two or more second insert members comprising a first edge and a second edge, the first edge and the second edge being connected by auriform or arcuate edges, and wherein the second edge is shorter than the first edge; wherein at least one of the first insert member and the two or more second insert members comprises a notch in substantially the center of the second edge thereof; wherein, in use, the second surface of the first insert member and the second surface of each of the second insert members form between them a releasable attachment.

Description

BRIEF DESCRIPTION OF THE DRAWINGS

(1) Examples of the invention are described below, by way of example only, with reference to the accompanying drawings, in which:

(2) FIG. 1 is a schematic drawing of a footwear insert that is an embodiment of the invention. The drawing showing an enlarged diagrammatic view of the insert relative to the heel and shoe when the insert would be in use.

(3) FIG. 2 is a schematic drawing of the insert of FIG. 1 along the direction shown in FIG. 1.

(4) FIG. 3 is a schematic drawing of a footwear insert in use that is a further embodiment of the invention.

(5) FIG. 4 is an image of an embodiment of the invention.

(6) FIG. 5 is a photograph of an embodiment of the invention showing an arcuate, lobe or wing shape.

(7) FIG. 6 is a photograph of an embodiment of the invention showing an arcuate, banana or boomerang shape.

(8) FIG. 7 is an illustration that shows how the insert is used.

DETAILED DESCRIPTION

(9) FIG. 1 shows a footwear insert 10 that is an embodiment of the invention. The insert 10 has an insert member 12 with an adhesive first surface, layer 14, for attaching the insert member to an internal portion of the shoe 30. The insert also has a second adhesive surface, layer 16, for attaching the insert member to the heel 32 of the wearer. Prior to use, the adhesive layers 14 and 16 are protected by backings 18 and 20. In use, the wearer removes the backing 18 and applies the adhesive layer 14 to the inside of the shoe 30. The insert member 10 moulds to the inside of the shoe. Before putting their foot into the shoe, the wearer removes the backing 20 from the other adhesive surface 16. The wearer then inserts their foot into the shoe and the adhesive surface 16 attaches to the heel 32 of the wearer. Thus, the foot of the wearer is attached to the shoe via the insert member and its releasable attachments. In use the insert member is flexible across the foot, for example, flexible/deformable in the horizontal plane, as shown by the arrows 40 and/or in the vertical plane. This allows the insert member 12 and therefore the adhesive surface 16 to move with the foot and therefore prevents the adhesive surface 16 from unsticking from the foot. This flexibility means that movement of the foot is absorbed by the flexible insert member 12. As a result, movement of the foot does not pull the adhesive surface 14 from the shoe. The insert member may also be flexible/deformable across the thickness of the insert, such that cushioning is provided to the heel relative to the inside of the shoe.

(10) FIG. 2 shows a side view of the insert 10 of FIG. 1. This view shows the flexibility of the insert across the heel of the foot in the vertical plane as shown by the arrows 42. As for the flexibility/deformability in the horizontal plane, this freedom of movement in the vertical plane prevents the foot unsticking from the insert 10, and the insert 10 from unsticking from the inside of the shoe.

(11) FIG. 3 shows an insert that is a further embodiment of the invention. The insert 10 has a first insert member 50 with a first adhesive surface 14 which, when the protective backing 18 is removed, allows the first insert member to be attached to the inside of the shoe. The insert also has a second insert member 60 which has a first adhesive surface 16 which when the protective backing 20 is removed, allows the second insert member to be attachable to the heel of the wearer. The first insert member and the second insert member attach to each other via a hoop and loop fastener. The fastener is a hook and loop fastening system, for example Velcro. The first insert member has a Velcro hook layer 52 which in use attaches to the Velcro loop layer 54 of the second insert member 60. In use, the wearer removes the protective backing 18 of the first insert member 50 and affixes the first insert member to the inside of the shoe. The wearer then removes the protective backing 20 from the second insert member 60 and affixes the first adhesive surface 16 to their heel. The wearer may remove an optional protective backing 56 of the Velcro loop layer 54 and then insert their foot into the shoe whereupon the Velcro loop layer 54 forms a releasable attachment with the Velcro hook layer 52 thus forming a releasable attachment between the first insert member and the second insert member. The flexibility of the Velcro attachment between the first insert member 50 and the second insert member 60 allows movement of the second insert member and its first adhesive surface 16 to move with the foot preventing the adhesive surface 16 from unsticking from the foot. The flexible Velcro attachment 52 and 54 also absorbs the movement of the foot preventing the foot moving directly against the insert, such movement being a cause of the adhesive surface 14 unsticking and becoming dislodged from the internal portion of the shoe. An additional benefit of the insert having a second insert member is that it allows for re-usability in that the first insert member can remain attached to the shoe for multiple wears, with just the second insert member being replaced at each wear.

(12) FIG. 4 shows an image of an insert 10 of the invention, having a first insert member 10a and a second insert member 10b. The first insert member 10a is shown with a Velcro hook layer 52. The second insert member 10b is shown with a Velcro loop layer 54.

(13) As shown, the shape of the insert member 10 is generally arcuate and is generally symmetrical along at least one axis. The insert member 10 has a first edge (or outer edge) 70 and a second edge (or inner edge) 72, which have a similar circumferential profile. The second edge 72 has a V-shaped or U-shaped notch 74 located substantially in the centre of the second edge 72, such that the insert appears symmetrical. The second edge 72 is shorter than the first edge 70, and the second edge 72 and the first edge 70 are connected by auriform or arcuate edges 76, 76 to provide lobe-shaped or wing-shaped sections 78, 78.

(14) In use, the insert 10 can be orientated such that the V-shaped or U-shaped notch 74 is either at the top or the bottom of the insert 10. The V-shaped or U-shaped notch 74 (in either orientation) provides flexibility to the insert 10 when placed in shoes or on foot. Also, it is found to prevent (or at least mitigate) the insert from folding on itself (i.e., bunching up). For example, the shape of the inside of the heel of a shoe can be narrower toward the foot opening, and thus pads that are fitted to the inside of the shoe can fold on themselves. The V-shaped or U-shaped notch 74 in the first insert member 10a is found to prevent (or at least mitigate) the first insert member 10a from folding on itself when attached to a shoe. Also, different people have different heel shapes. The V-shaped or U-shaped notch 74 in the second insert member 10b is found to better accommodate different heel shapes, again preventing (or at least mitigating) the second insert member 10b from folding on itself.

(15) The Velcro hook layer 52 on the first insert member 10a is offset from the perimeter 71a of the first insert member 10a, there being a gap 73a between the perimeter 71a and the Velcro hook layer 52 in which there are no hooks. Thus, the surface of the first insert member 10a is only partially covered by the Velcro hook layer 52. The gap as illustrated is between approximately 0 mm and approximately 3 mm. However, the gap 73a may be approximately 20 mm, 19 mm, 18 mm, 17 mm, 16 mm, 15 mm, 14 mm, 13 mm, 12 mm, 11 mm, 10 mm, 9 mm, 8 mm, 7 mm, 6 mm, 5 mm, 4 mm, 3 mm, 2 mm, and/or 1 mm, or any range between these values (i.e., any range between 0 mm and 20 mm as defined using the values stated). The gap 73a may be a different size at different points.

(16) The Velcro loop layer 54 on the second insert member 10b is offset from the perimeter 71b of the second insert member 10b, there being a gap 73b between the perimeter 71b and the Velcro loop layer 54 in which there are no loops. Thus, the surface of the second insert member 10b is only partially covered by the Velcro loop layer 54. The gap as illustrated is between approximately 3 mm and approximately 13 mm. However, the gap 73b may be approximately 20 mm, 19 mm, 18 mm, 17 mm, 16 mm, 15 mm, 14 mm, 13 mm, 12 mm, 11 mm, 10 mm, 9 mm, 8 mm, 7 mm, 6 mm, 5 mm, 4 mm, 3 mm, 2 mm, and/or 1 mm, or any range between these values (i.e., any range between 0 mm and 20 mm as defined using the values stated). The gap 73b may be a different size at different points.

(17) The first insert member 10a is made from cross-linked closed cell polyethylene foam having a density of 33 kgm.sup.3 and a thickness of around 2 mm. Other suitable foams and foam-like materials can be used. Also, gels and gel-like materials can be used such as, for example, silicone. The second insert member 10b is made from spunlaced or spunlaid nonwoven fabric or similar.

(18) The first insert member 10a and the second insert member 10b are similarly shaped so as to enable a releasable attachment to form between them.

(19) The insert member 10 may be lobe-shaped or wing-shaped, or may have one or more lobe-shaped or wing-shaped sections.

(20) The gaps between the perimeters and the hook and loop layers better allows a user to insert a finger between the first insert member and the second insert member, which makes it easier to separate the hook and loop layers, and therefore separate the first insert member and the second insert member.

(21) Furthermore, the gaps between the perimeters and the hook and loop layers mitigates noise that is otherwise generated by the insert when in use. This can be a crunching noise generated by movement of the first insert member and the second insert member relative to one another.

(22) FIG. 5 shows a photograph of an insert of the invention. The first insert member (a) is shown with a Velcro hook layer. The second insert member (b) is shown with a Velcro loop layer.

(23) FIG. 6 shows a photograph of an insert of the invention. The first insert member (a) is shown with a Velcro hook layer. The second insert member (b) is shown with a Velcro loop layer.

(24) FIG. 7 illustrates how the insert of the invention is to be used. The first insert member 10a (shown with a Velcro hook layer) is applied to the inside of a wearer's shoe 80 as per the arrow labelled 1. The second insert member 10b (shown with a Velcro loop layer) is applied to the heel of the wearer's foot 90 as per the arrow labelled 2. The user then places their foot 90 into the shoe 80 and the Velcro hook layer of the first insert member 10a engages the Velcro loop layer of the second insert member 10b, such that the two layers become attached by way of the hook and loop mechanism as per the arrow labelled 3.

(25) As shown, the shape of the first insert member (a) is arcuate, banana or boomerang-shaped. The second insert member (b) is similarly shaped so as to enable a releasable attachment to form between them.

(26) Although the invention has been particularly shown and described with reference to particular examples, it will be understood by those skilled in the art that various changes in the form and details may be made therein without departing from the scope of the present invention.