Lateral support system for feet

Abstract

A stability system is formed from a support wedge having a bottom, an inner surface and an outer surface and a bottom platform connected to the bottom of the support wedge and extending past the inner surface to create a space for receiving a bottom of the shoe. There are attachment devices connected to the support wedge and bottom platform for connecting the stability system to a shoe. The support wedge is formed from an elastic material that compresses to a predetermined degree upon application of a downward force, such that the stability system exerts increasing resistance as the downward force increases.

Claims

1. A stability system comprising: a support wedge having a bottom, an inner surface and an outer surface; a bottom platform connected to the bottom of the support wedge and extending past the inner surface to create a space for receiving a bottom of the shoe; attachment devices connected to the support wedge and bottom platform for connecting the stability system to a shoe, wherein the support wedge is formed from a compressible elastic material that compresses to a predetermined degree upon application of a downward force, such that the stability system exerts increasing resistance as the downward force increases.

2. The stability system according to claim 1, wherein the attachment devices are selected from the group consisting of straps, hooks, adhesives, hook-and-loop-type fasteners, D-rings and clips.

3. The stability system according to claim 1, wherein the support wedge is formed from rubber, foam or plastic.

4. The stability system according to claim 1, wherein the bottom platform is equipped with treads on a bottom surface thereof.

5. The stability system according to claim 1, wherein the bottom of the support wedge is between 1 and 3 inches wide.

6. The stability system according to claim 1, wherein the bottom platform and support wedge are formed in one piece.

7. The stability system according to claim 1, wherein the support wedge has a triangular cross-section.

8. The stability system according to claim 1, wherein the support wedge is made of a plurality of layers of different materials, wherein each of the different materials exhibits different compression characteristics.

9. A stability system comprising: a support wedge having a bottom, an inner surface and an outer surface; a bottom platform connected to the bottom of the support wedge and extending past the inner surface to create a space for receiving a bottom of the shoe; a plurality of springs having a bottom end connected to a top of the support wedge and extending up to a top of the stability system, attachment devices connected to bottom platform or support wedge for connecting the stability system to a shoe; and an attachment strap at a top end of the stability system for attaching the stability system to a person's leg, wherein the springs compress a predetermined degree upon application of a downward force, such that the stability system exerts increasing resistance as the downward force increases.

10. The stability system according to claim 9, wherein the attachment devices are selected from the group consisting of straps, hooks, adhesives, hook-and-loop-type fasteners, D-rings and clips.

11. The stability system according to claim 9, wherein the support wedge is formed from rubber or plastic.

12. The stability system according to claim 9, wherein the bottom platform is equipped with treads on a bottom surface thereof.

13. The stability system according to claim 9, wherein the bottom of the support wedge is between 1 and 3 inches wide.

14. The stability system according to claim 9, wherein the bottom platform and support wedge are formed in one piece.

Description

BRIEF DESCRIPTION OF THE DRAWINGS

(1) Other objects and features of the present invention will become apparent from the following detailed description considered in connection with the accompanying drawings. It is to be understood, however, that the drawings are designed as an illustration only and not as a definition of the limits of the invention.

(2) In the drawings, wherein similar reference characters denote similar elements throughout the several views:

(3) FIG. 1 shows a front view of a first embodiment of the stability system according to the invention;

(4) FIG. 2 shows a top view of the stability system;

(5) FIG. 3 is a bottom view of the stability system;

(6) FIG. 4 is a side view of the stability system;

(7) FIG. 5 is an opposite side view of the stability system;

(8) FIG. 6 is a front view of an alternative embodiment of the stability system according to the invention; and

(9) FIG. 7 is a side view of the stability system of FIG. 6.

DETAILED DESCRIPTION OF THE PREFERRED EMBODIMENT

(10) Referring now in detail to the drawings and, in particular, FIGS. 1-5 show a first embodiment of the stability system 10 according to the invention. Stability system 10 is made up of a support wedge 11 connected to a bottom platform 12. Bottom platform 12 can be equipped with treads 13 for additional stability on slippery surfaces. Any kind of tread could be used.

(11) Stability system 10 is connected to a user's shoe 20 via straps 14, which can be held together via any suitable means, such as a hook-and-loop type closure (VELCRO), which is the type used in FIGS. 1 and 2. Buckles, snaps, ties, clips, D-rings or any other suitable connecting devices could also be used.

(12) Support wedge 11 is made up of a compressible material such as rubber or foam, which increases in resistance as pressure on the material is increased. For example, if a person starts to lean sideways and puts downward pressure along arrow 16 on support wedge 11, support wedge compresses easily at first but upon increasing pressure, exerts increasing resistance, so that support wedge 11 cannot compress beyond a certain amount and keeps its supporting properties. This compressibility leads to increased comfort for the user and allows support wedge 11 to absorb different movements without sacrificing fall prevention. Support wedge 11 has a triangular cross-section, but other shapes, such as trapezoidal, semicircular or rectangular could also be used. Support wedge 11 can be made using a 3-D printer or by any suitable means. Support wedge 11 can be of a unitary material or as shown in FIG. 4 made of layers of different materials 33, 34, 35, 36, each with different compression characteristics. Any number of layers could be used.

(13) Stability system 10 can be configured to fit any size foot. It can be manufactured in different sizes or can be made to be trimmable for a custom fit. Support wedge 11 and bottom platform 12 can be manufactured as a single piece or in separate pieces. Generally, it is preferable to manufacture them in separate pieces so that bottom platform 12 can be made of a heavier, more durable material that does not need to be compressible.

(14) FIGS. 6 and 7 show an alternative embodiment of the invention, wherein stability system 100 comprises a support wedge 110 connected to a bottom platform 120 in the same manner as described above with respect to FIGS. 1-5. Here, support wedge 110 has more of a trapezoidal cross-section with a flat top. Compressible springs 150 are connected to the top surface 115 of support wedge 110 and extend upward, ending in a strap 160 that wraps around the user's leg 210. Strap 160 can be secured via any suitable means, such as hook-and-loop closures, buckles, hooks, snaps or ties. Support wedge 100 is connected to the user's shoe 200 in the manner described above with respect to FIGS. 1-5, i.e., via straps with a suitable securing device, such as hook-and-loop closures, snaps, hooks, buckles or ties.

(15) The embodiment shown in FIGS. 6 and 7 lends even more stability though the use of springs 150 which attach high up on the user's leg via straps 160. At the first instance of sideways falling, springs 150 compress and absorb the lean, but exert increasing counter pressure as the downward pressure increases, to stop the user from falling. Springs 150 can be manufactured of steel or any other suitable material. It could also be envisioned that hydraulic or pneumatic springs could also be used.

(16) With both embodiments, support wedge 11, 110 could be manufactured of any desired width, but a width of 1 to 3 inches is preferred. This gives suitable support without being cumbersome.

(17) Accordingly, while only a few embodiments of the present invention have been shown and described, it is obvious that many changes and modifications may be made thereunto without departing from the spirit and scope of the invention.