Massage shoes with combination arch support

Abstract

The shoe herein, in the form of a sandal, uses a combination of a midsole of varying thickness and nodules of varying diameters and heights to provide the requisite level of flexibility, support, and stimulation to the various regions of the foot. The walking action of the user creates waves of pressure across the foot, enhanced by the nodules, thereby increasing blood flow. Gradients of pressure that generate variations in the laminar flow of the foot bed lead to better circulation and perfusion of the capillary foot bed of the foot transection irrigation, allowing for better circulation and venous return.

Claims

1. A shoe for use on a human foot, the human foot including a medial longitudinal arch, a lateral longitudinal arch, a transverse arch, and toes, the shoe comprising: a midsole having varying thickness, the varying thicknesses taken as an average to define an average midsole thickness; a foot bed including a multiplicity of nodules; the foot bed affixed to the midsole; the multiplicity of nodules of varying heights and diameters; the varying heights taken as an average to define an average nodule height; the varying diameters taken as an average to define an average nodule diameter; a transverse arch support adapted to support the transverse arch; the transverse arch support created by the midsole having a lesser than average thickness, and nodules greater than average height; a lateral longitudinal arch support; the lateral longitudinal arch support created by the midsole having a greater than average thickness, and nodules of average height; a medial longitudinal arch support; the medial longitudinal arch support created by the midsole having a greater than average thickness, and the nodules having a greater than average height; whereby the midsole thickness and nodule height together determine the amount of support provided to the human foot.

2. The shoe of claim 1, further comprising: a heel cup adapted to support a heel of the human foot; the heel cup including a foot bed region without nodules in order provide support without lateral movement.

3. The shoe of claim 1, further comprising: a big toe barrier formed from five or more nodules of greater than average height, the nodules adapted to hold a big toe of the human foot on the shoe.

4. The shoe of claim 1, further comprising: a toe arch support region formed from nodules of greater than average height, adapted to support the area between a ball of the human foot and toes of the human foot.

5. The shoe of claim 1, wherein the transverse arch support is formed from a grid of nodules four wide by three deep, for a total of twelve nodules.

6. The shoe of claim 1, further comprising: an outsole; the outsole affixed to the midsole; the outsole for contact with the ground; the outsole including a multiplicity of hexagon shaped protrusions for grip.

7. The shoe of claim 1, further comprising a cushioned midsole between the midsole and foot bed; the cushioned midsole having a consistent thickness.

8. The shoe of claim 7, wherein the midsole is affixed to the foot bed at a midsole shelf, and the combination of the food bed and midsole fully surround the cushioned midsole.

9. A shoe that provides both support and therapeutic massaging to a human foot, the human foot including a medial longitudinal arch, a lateral longitudinal arch, a transverse arch, and toes, the shoe comprising: an outsole, the outsole having an outsole top and an outsole bottom; the outsole bottom including a tread for grip; the tread having the shape of a multiplicity of hexagons; a structural insole affixed to the outsole top; the structural insole having a stiffness; the structural insole having a thickness; the thickness varying to create different regions of support; the thickness varying from a minimum thickness to a maximum thickness; a cushioned insole affixed to the structural insole; the cushioned insole having a consistent thickness; the cushioned insole formed from a material with a lower stiffness than that of the structural insole; an upper sole affixed to the cushioned insole and the structural insole; the upper sole formed from a foot bed layer and a multiplicity of nodules; each nodule of the multiplicity of nodules having a height and a diameter; the shoe divided into regions that are adapted to support the human foot, the regions including: a toe contact region, adapted to support the toes, wherein the associated structural insole in the toe contact region is the minimum thickness and the associated nodules are a minimum height; a transverse arch support region, adapted to correspond to the transverse arch, wherein the associated structural insole is thicker than the minimum thickness, and the associated nodules are taller than surrounding nodules; a lateral longitudinal arch support region, adapted to correspond to the lateral longitudinal arch, wherein the associated structural insole is thicker than the minimum thickness, and the associated nodules are no taller than the surrounding nodules; a medial longitudinal arch support region, adapted to correspond to the medial longitudinal arch, wherein the associated structural insole is a maximum thickness, and the associated nodules are of a greater height and greater diameter; whereby the combination of nodules and structural insole thickness acts to support the medial longitudinal arch, the lateral longitudinal arch, and the transverse arch, while providing a massaging action during walking.

10. The shoe of claim 9, further comprising: a heel cup adapted to support a heel of the human foot; the heel cup including a foot bed region without nodules in order provide support without lateral movement; and the heel cup surrounded by a ring of nodules.

11. The shoe of claim 9, further comprising: a big toe barrier formed from five or more nodules of greater than average height, the nodules adapted to hold a big toe of the human foot in desired position on the shoe.

12. The shoe of claim 9, further comprising: a toe arch support region formed from nodules of greater than average height, adapted to support the area between a ball of the human foot and toes of the human foot.

13. The shoe of claim 9, wherein the transverse arch support region is formed from a grid of nodules totaling between ten and forty nodules.

14. The shoe of claim 9, wherein the midsole is affixed to the foot bed at a midsole shelf, and the combination of the foot bed and midsole fully surround the cushioned midsole.

15. A shoe for use on a human foot, the human foot including a medial longitudinal arch, a lateral longitudinal arch, a transverse arch, and toes, the shoe comprising: a midsole having varying thickness, the varying thicknesses taken as an average to define an average midsole thickness; a foot bed including a multiplicity of nodules; the foot bed affixed to the midsole; the multiplicity of nodules of varying heights and diameters; the varying heights taken as an average to define an average nodule height; the varying diameters taken as an average to define an average nodule diameter; a transverse arch support adapted to support the transverse arch; the transverse arch support created by the midsole having a less than average thickness, and nodules greater than average height; a lateral longitudinal arch support; the lateral longitudinal arch support created by the midsole having a greater than average thickness, and nodules of average height; a medial longitudinal arch support; the transverse arch support created by the midsole having a greater than average thickness, and nodules greater than average height; a heel cup adapted to support a heel of the human foot; the heel cup including a foot bed region without nodules in order provide support without lateral movement; a big toe barrier formed from five or more nodules of greater than average height, the nodules adapted to hold a big toe of the human foot on the shoe; a toe arch support region formed from between ten and forty nodules of greater than average height, adapted to support the area between a ball of the human foot and toes of the human foot; an outsole; the outsole affixed to the midsole; the outsole for contact with the ground; the outsole including a multiplicity of hexagon shaped protrusions for grip; whereby the midsole thickness and nodule height together determine the amount of support provided to the human foot.

Description

BRIEF DESCRIPTION OF THE DRAWINGS

(1) The invention can be best understood by those having ordinary skill in the art by reference to the following detailed description when considered in conjunction with the accompanying drawings in which:

(2) FIG. 1 is a perspective view of a first embodiment;

(3) FIG. 2 is a front view thereof;

(4) FIG. 3 is a back view thereof;

(5) FIG. 4 is a left-side view thereof;

(6) FIG. 5 is a right-side view thereof;

(7) FIG. 6 is a top view thereof;

(8) FIG. 7 is a bottom view thereof;

(9) FIG. 8 is a view of the bottom of an exemplary human foot;

(10) FIG. 9 is a view of the bones within an exemplary human foot;

(11) FIG. 10 is a top view thereof, indicating support regions;

(12) FIG. 11 is a front isometric view thereof, again indicating support regions; and

(13) FIG. 12 is a cross sectional view of the first embodiment, showing the multiple support layers.

DETAILED DESCRIPTION

(14) Reference will now be made in detail to the presently preferred embodiments of the invention, examples of which are illustrated in the accompanying drawings. Throughout the following detailed description, the same reference numerals refer to the same elements in all figures.

(15) Referring to FIG. 1, a perspective view of a first embodiment of the shoe is shown.

(16) The shoe 100 includes an upper sole 104 formed from a combination of a foot bed 105 and nodules 140. The structural midsole 106 (see FIG. 12) is partially hidden, but edges are shown as forming the sidewall 110.

(17) The forefoot straps 112 include an upper forefoot strap 114 and lower forefoot strap 116. The midfoot straps 118 are formed from the upper midfoot strap 120 and lower midfoot strap 122.

(18) Referring to FIG. 2, a front view of the shoe 100 is shown.

(19) The upper forefoot strap 114 and upper midfoot strap 120 are visible, as is the sidewall 110. The outer sole 102 is shown below the sidewall 110.

(20) Referring to FIG. 3, a back view of the shoe 100 is shown.

(21) The upper midfoot strap 120 and lower midfoot strap 122 are visible toward the rear of the shoe 100, with the upper forefoot strap 114 and lower forefoot strap 116 visible toward the front of the shoe 100.

(22) Referring to FIG. 4, a left-side view of the shoe 100 is shown.

(23) The upper forefoot strap 114 and upper midfoot strap 120 are shown affixed to the sidewall 110 formed from the structural midsole 106 (see FIG. 12). The straps 114/120 are optionally sandwiched between the structural midsole 106, shown here as the sidewall 110, and the outer sole 102.

(24) Referring to FIG. 5, a right-side view thereof is shown.

(25) The lower forefoot strap 116 and the lower midfoot strap 122 are shown, again optionally sandwiched between the structural midsole 106, shown here as the sidewall 110, and the outer sole 102.

(26) Referring to FIG. 6, a top view of the shoe 100 is shown. The foot bed 105 includes a multiplicity of nodules 140, divided as discussed below.

(27) The heel cup 154 is shown surrounded by a perimeter of nodules 140.

(28) Referring to FIG. 7, a bottom view of the shoe 100 is shown. The hex sole protrusions 124 are shown protruding from the outer sole 102. The hex shape is the preferred shape for the protrusions, providing a balance of low lateral shifting with many exposed edges and corners to create a gripping tread.

(29) Referring to FIG. 8, a view of the bottom of an exemplary human foot is shown.

(30) The foot 1 is generally divided into the forefoot 18, midfoot 20, and heel 22. Within the forefoot 18, the foot 1 includes the ball 10, or region behind the toes. The ball 10 is divided into the inner ball 12, middle ball 14, and outer ball 16.

(31) The portion of the foot 1 that faces toward its matching foot is referred to as the inner foot 24. Its opposite is the outer foot 26.

(32) The toes include the hallux or big toe 30, second toe or index toe 32, third toe or middle toe 34, fourth toe or ring toe 36, and fifth toe or little toe 38.

(33) The arches of the foot 1 include the medial longitudinal arch 40, lateral longitudinal arch 42, and transverse arch 44.

(34) Referring to FIG. 9, a view of the bones of the bottom of an exemplary human foot is shown.

(35) The distal phalanges 50, middle phalanges 52, proximal phalanges 54, and metatarsals 56 make up the forefoot 18 (see FIG. 8).

(36) The medial cuneiform 58, middle cuneiform 60, lateral cuneiform 62, navicular 64, and cuboid 66 make up the midfoot 20.

(37) Finally, the talus 68 and calcaneus 70 make up the heel 22.

(38) Referring to FIG. 10, a top view of the foot bed thereof is shown, indicating support regions. For an unobstructed view of the nodules 140, the forefoot straps 112 (see FIG. 1) and midfoot straps 118 (see FIG. 1) are omitted.

(39) The toe contact region 142 is formed from a multiplicity of shorter nodules 140 that provide a lesser amount of massaging action, instead focusing on support. The similarly-structured ball contact region 144 also uses shorter nodules 140.

(40) An optional big toe barrier 152 is formed from a series of taller nodules 140 that retain the big toe 30 (see FIG. 8) within the bounds of the shoe 100 (see FIG. 1).

(41) The heel cup 154 is shown with its associated nodules 140 that surround a section without nodules. The result is firm support for the heel with minimal lateral shifting.

(42) The toe arch support 156 is placed between the toe contact region 142 and ball contact region 144.

(43) Transverse arch support 146 is placed to the rear of the ball contact region 144. It is shown formed from twelve nodules 140 of a diameter and height greater than the surrounding nodules 140. But a range of quantity of nodules is acceptable. For example, the use of between ten and forty nodules to form the transverse arch support 146 is anticipated.

(44) Lateral longitudinal arch support 148 uses smaller nodules 140, but with increased height of the structural midsole 106 (see FIG. 12), thereby raising the height of the foot bed 105.

(45) The most significant arch support, the medial longitudinal arch support 150, is shown with a trapezoidal shape. The nodules 140 increase in height and diameter moving from the center of the shoe 100 (see FIG. 1) toward the inner foot 24 (see FIG. 8).

(46) Referring to FIG. 11, a front, isometric view of the foot bed thereof is shown, again indicating support regions. For an unobstructed view of the nodules 140, the forefoot straps 112 and midfoot straps 118 are omitted.

(47) The greater height is visible of the nodules 140 used for the transverse arch support 146 and medial longitudinal arch support 150. The toe arch support 156 is also shown with its greater nodule 140 diameter and height.

(48) The big toe barrier 152 is visible, with the increased nodule 140 height.

(49) Referring to FIG. 12, a cross sectional view of the first embodiment is shown, indicating the multiple support layers.

(50) The base layer is outer sole 102 with its hex sole protrusion 124. The next layer is the structural midsole 106, which is the full width and length of the shoe 100 (see FIG. 1), thereby forming sidewalls 110.

(51) The thickness of the structural midsole 106 varies by location within the shoe 100 (see FIG. 1), thereby creating differing levels of support. For example, the midsole arch support thickness t.sub.a is greater because it is supporting the medial longitudinal arch 40 (see FIG. 8). In comparison, the midsole base thickness t.sub.b is less as it is a lower portion of the shoe.

(52) For example, an exemplary shoe 100 will have a maximum t.sub.a of 18 millimeters, corresponding to a t.sub.b of 6 millimeters. Thus, thickness t.sub.a may be three times thickness t.sub.b.

(53) The cushioned midsole 107 is a consistent thickness across the shoe 100 (see FIG. 1) in order to provide uniform cushioning to the foot 1 (see FIG. 8).

(54) The upper sole 104 is the uppermost layer, formed from the foot bed 105 and nodules 140. The upper sole 104 has an upper sole overlap section 188 that overlaps the structural midsole 106 at the midsole shelf 186.

(55) Equivalent elements can be substituted for the ones set forth above such that they perform in substantially the same manner in substantially the same way for achieving substantially the same results.

(56) It is believed that the system and method as described and many of its attendant advantages will be understood by the foregoing description. It is also believed that it will be apparent that various changes may be made in the form, construction, and arrangement of the components thereof without departing from the scope and spirit of the invention or without sacrificing all of its material advantages. The form herein before described being merely exemplary and explanatory embodiment thereof. It is the intention of the following claims to encompass and include such changes.