Abstract
This invention generally relates to a shoe in which an orthopedic adjustment has been integrated into the construction of the shoe itself. The invention entails adjusting one or more of the soles or other construction features of the shoe itself in order to accommodate a medical condition or treatment regimen. In particular, in instances of abnormalities in the knee joint, there is a need to redistribute the weight of the body from an afflicted symptomatic medial compartment of the knee to an un-afflicted and asymptomatic, or lesser effected and less symptomatic compartment so as to relieve the pain and stress at the most afflicted and most symptomatic compartment. Benefits are also achieved by reducing a common ankle injury, and by improving lateral cutting, cornering, and push off maneuvers. The present invention achieves all this by laterally wedging the sole of a shoe, where the angle is chosen to counter and redistribute the weight of the body accordingly thereby changing the axial load on the knee and ankle joints.
Claims
1. A sole for footwear, wherein an outer edge of a lateral side of the sole has a uniform height and thickness extending from a rear of the sole to a front of the sole, and wherein an outer edge of a medial side of the sole has a non-uniform height and thickness extending from the rear of the sole to the front of the sole, wherein a top of the entire sole is upwardly sloped from the outer edge of the medial side to the outer edge of the lateral side, wherein the sole has a shape adapted to extend under an entire wearer's foot.
2. The sole of claim 1, wherein a height and thickness of a portion of the outer edge of the medial side extending between the front of the sole and the rear of the sole is greater than the posterior height and thickness of the outer edge of the medial side.
3. The sole of claim 2, wherein a pitch of the top of the sole extending from the outer edge of the medial side to the outer edge of the lateral side, and corresponding to the portion of the outer edge of the medial side having greater thickness, is constant.
4. The sole of claim 1, wherein a lateral pitch of a top of the sole is different than a medial pitch of the top of the sole, wherein the lateral pitch extends from the outer edge of the lateral side to a lateral midpoint of the sole, and wherein the medial pitch extends from the lateral midpoint of the sole to the outer edge of the medial side.
5. The sole of claim 4, wherein a height and thickness of a portion of the outer edge of the medial side extending between the front of the sole and the rear of the sole is greater than the posterior height and thickness of the outer edge of the medial side and the anterior height and thickness of the outer edge of the medial side.
6. The sole of claim 5, wherein a pitch of the top of the sole extending from the outer edge of the medial side to the outer edge of the lateral side, and corresponding to the portion of the outer edge of the medial side having an increased thickness, is constant.
Description
BRIEF DESCRIPTION OF THE DRAWINGS
(1) A better understanding of the present invention will be had upon reference to the following description in conjunction with the accompanying drawings, wherein:
(2) FIGS. 1A-F show different views of an embodiment of the shoe sole with a lateral pitch wedge angle spanning the length of the shoe from front to back and side to side. FIG. 1A shows the lateral wedge angle on the left shoe; FIG. 1B shows the lateral wedge angle on the right shoe; FIGS. 1C and 1D illustrate the rear view of the lateral pitch or wedge is integrated into the design of the sole of the left and right shoe, respectively. FIGS. 1E and 1F are blow-ups of the sole showing the lateral angled wedge.
(3) FIGS. 2A-C show different views of the compensated sole with the lateral wedge angle. FIG. 2A shows an end on view of the said sole. FIG. 2B shows a transparent perspective view of the lateral wedge sole. FIG. 2C shows a lateral side view of the said sole. The drawings in FIGS. 2A-C are only representative of the basic angles and respective proportions and are not to scale and do not represent the normal contours, curves, blunted or rounded ends, etc. of a shoe sole that would be apparent to those of ordinary skill in the art to which this sole would be integrated.
(4) FIGS. 1G-1H are schematic diagrams of the left and right soles, respectively, showing a lateral midpoint dissecting the sole to illustrate differing pitches between the lateral and medial sides of each sole, according to an embodiment of the present invention.
(5) FIG. 1I is a schematic diagram of the right sole illustrating different regions of the sole that may be pitched to redistribute a user 's weight.
(6) FIG. 3A is the frontal-view of a right knee with medial knee arthritis. The figure illustrates where the increased load is distributed on the medial joint compartment compared to the decreased or lesser load on the lateral joint compartment from a weight bearing level surface. FIG. 3B illustrates how this load is redistributed in part to the lateral side of the knee in effect decreasing the problematic load on the medial side of the knee when standing on a weight bearing surface with a lateral pitch or wedge angle. The same would be true for its counterpart of a knee with lateral compartment arthritis if standing on a weight bearing surface with a medial pitch or wedge angle.
(7) FIGS. 4A-C show various embodiments of combinations of a shoe with a sole as described in this invention. FIG. 4A shows a sandal with a sole that has a lateral wedged middle portion. FIG. 4B shows a dress shoe that has a lateral wedged middle portion. Finally, FIG. 4C shows a tennis shoe with a sole which has a lateral wedged middle portion. Also shown just below this tennis shoe is a portional or segmental diagram of the general longitudinal anatomy of the sections of the foot that are being supported and compensated by the sole of the present invention.
DETAILED DESCRIPTION OF EMBODIMENTS
(8) FIG. 1A shows a schematic view of the lateral wedge angle 12 on the left sole 10, while FIG. 1B shows the lateral wedge angle 12 on the right sole 20. The lateral wedge angle 12 is pointing to the lateral side of the of sole 10 and sole 20 respectively, from back to front demonstrating it is the lateral side of the sole that is of a greater height and thickness than the medial side of the sole. The slanted lines demonstrate that the lateral wedge angle 12 traverses the entire spanning length and width of the sole from back to front and side to side. FIG. 1C is an illustration of one embodiment of the invention, showing a view from the back of the shoe toward the heel. A left shoe sole 10 is shown. More clearly, FIGS. 1A-F show different views of an embodiment of the shoe sole 10 with a lateral pitch angle 12 spanning the length of the shoe from front to back and side to side. The slanted lines in the diagram illustrate the lateral wedge angle 12 of FIG. 1A and FIG. 1B are only to show that it is the lateral side of shoe sole 10 that is being compensated the most and is of a greater height and thickness than the medial side. The lateral wedge 12 in reality traverses the entire span, back to front and side to side, of the entire sole progressing in height or thickness from lesser on the medial side to greater on the lateral side. The rise begins on the medial side rising to the greater height or thickness on the lateral side. The medial side, spanning the entire length from back to front, is a lesser height or thickness than the lateral side. The greater height or thickness on the lateral side, spanning the entire length from back to front, remains at a constant height or thickness on the lateral side. The greater height or thickness on the lateral side spans the entire length from back to front on the lateral side supporting the heel, midfoot, forefoot, and toes. FIG. 1A represents the greater lateral pitch wedge angle on the left shoe; FIG. 1B represents the greater lateral pitch wedge angle on the right shoe; FIGS. 1C and 1D illustrate the rear view of the lateral pitch or wedge, showing that the lateral wedge traverses the entire span rising from the medial side to the lateral side, being of a greater height or thickness on the lateral side than on the medial side of the left and right shoe, respectively. FIGS. 1C and 1D although show a midsole being compensated, this is not meant to limit to which layer of the sole in where the lateral wedge angle is created, but rather to simply illustrate that the sole of the present invention is of a greater thickness on the lateral side compared to the lesser thickness on the medial side. It is also important to note that the lateral wedge angle 12 continues at the same height or thickness throughout the entire spanning length from back to front on the lateral side with no heel to toe longitudinal taper. The tapered angle is only medial to lateral. FIGS. 1E and 1F are blow-ups of the sole showing the lateral angled wedge previously shown in a smaller scale in FIGS. 1C and 1D; The sole comprises three basic layers; the upper or inner layer called the insole 14, the middle layer called the midsole 16, and the lower or outer layer called the outsole 18. The insole 14 meets the foot and shoe. The outsole 18 meets the walking surface and may additionally have a treaded underside that is in contact with the walking surface. The layer between the insole 14 and the outsole 18 is the midsole 16. Any of these layers independently or in combination with each other can have the lateral wedge angle 12. In the preferred embodiment, the midsole is wedged with a lateral pitch wedge angle spanning the length of the shoe from front to back and side to side. The height or thickness on the lateral side is a constant being the same spanning the entire longitudinal length from back to front on the lateral side. The entire spanning length of the lateral side is a greater height or thickness than that of the medial side from back to front. The degree of the lateral wedge angle 12 is any angle greater than zero degrees (preferably 3-7 degrees) but may vary depending on the appropriate load distribution. The lateral wedge angle 12 forms a contoured surface that redistributes the load at the knee or ankle joint of a person wearing a shoe fitted with an embodiment of the said sole 10 and or 20. The lateral wedge angle 12 can be the same degree in both the right and left shoe as it would be in the preferred embodiment however the angle can be different in either left or right shoe so long as the height and thickness of the lateral side of the sole is the same from back to front on each respective shoe sole fully supporting the entire spanning length of the lateral foot from the heel, through the midfoot, forefoot, to the toes.
(9) Although some lateral pitching of the sole may be visible to the naked eye, it is likely that the wedge angle may be small enough so that it may be almost imperceptible to the naked eye. For this reason, a blow-up for the sole 10a is shown in FIG. 1E. It illustrates how the midsole 16 is wedged through an angle alpha. Again just for illustrative purposes and since it is the preferred embodiment the midsole 16 is drawn with the lateral wedge angle, however any of the sole layers can be wedged independently or in combination with one another. As is shown it is the lateral side that is of greater height and thickness than the medial side. FIGS. 1D and 1F show the corresponding features in a right shoe. FIG. 1F shows a blow-up for the sole 20a showing the lateral pitch angle illustrating how the midsole 16 is wedged through an angle beta. As is shown it is the lateral side that is of greater height and thickness than the medial side.
(10) It should be noted that although in one embodiment there is an added removable lateral wedge insole, these drawings are not intended to represent a separate material bonded to or within a shoe's native sole but rather to show how the normal material in any sole itself is simply angled by this design. The lateral wedge angle is determined to counter the load bearing weight on the afflicted medial side of the knee and redistribute it to the lateral to alleviate pain, as will be explained subsequently.
(11) In inventions of the prior art, a similar pitch is generally achieved by placing a separate insert inside the shoe on top of the shoe's native insole, or a similar pitch is achieved by attaching a separate device to the bottom of the shoe or outsole after the shoe has been manufactured. Furthermore, these laterally pitch only parts of the sole or have a bidirectional taper both medial lateral and longitudinal. One of the many disadvantages of doing this is that due to constant wear and tear, the sole loses its tread and the pitch angle is changed. Also, since the pitch may be attached to different regions of the sole, many tread designs may be incompatible with the pitch. While such arrangements of the soles and heels are not disclaimed in this invention, one of the advantages of one of the preferred embodiments of the present invention is that the pitch 12 is in the midsole 16 between the insole 14 and the lower portion 18 of the sole. Thus, the tread designs can be independent of the pitch, and the pitch angle itself will be less prone to changes due to wear and tear of the insole and outsole and will not have the safety issues associated with an external attachment. Also, the contact between the foot and the sole is at the insole 14 and thus remains unchanged. This eliminates the discomfort due to inserts that is prevalent in many shoes of the prior art. However, it should be noted that in some embodiments of this invention, the pitch may be incorporated into the outsole 18 being the tread that contacts the ground, or the insole 14 that contacts the foot. There could also be a shoe created with a sole that would have a space to accommodate the addition of separate wedges of various thickness and varying material into the midsole 16 for greater or lesser pitch or effect so long as the height or thickness on the lateral side remains the same spanning the entire longitudinal length from back to front.
(12) In the present invention, there are no alterations or variations of durometry or hardness, or firmness of any region of the sole to achieve this angle or effect. The sole itself is of uniform consistency throughout its construction as in any normal sole design of any normal shoe with the exception of the pitch wedge angle: A normal shoe is typically level medially and laterally being parallel to the ground. In the present invention the desired angle is achieved and determined by the layer in which the pitch wedge of the sole itself is integrated. In some embodiments of this invention however, alterations or variations in hardness, or firmness of any region of the sole could be used to achieve this angle or effect.
(13) Any individual sole layer or a combination of the layers may be pitched through an appropriate angle for the treatment of knee pain, knee joint degeneration, or knee arthritis, or ankle joint ailments. Also, it may be desirable to pitch the sole for only one foot.
(14) FIGS. 2A-C show different views of the compensated sole with the lateral wedge angle. FIG. 2A shows an end on view of the said sole. This view could represent an end on view from front to back of the right shoe sole 20, or an end on view from back to front of the left shoe sole 10. In either case the lateral side 24 is shown, and the medial side 23 is shown. Also shown is the bottom 27 of the lateral wedged sole which is the side towards the walking surface, and the top 28 of the lateral wedged sole that is the side towards the foot. The lateral wedge angle 12 shows where the lateral side 24 is of greater height or thickness than the medial side 23. It is important to note that the height and thickness of the lateral side 24 is the same from back to front and the medial side 23 is always of a lesser height and thickness than the lateral side 24. FIG. 2B shows a transparent perspective view of the lateral wedge sole of the right shoe sole 20. The lateral wedge angle 12 is shown spanning the entire longitudinal length from the back 25 of the sole 20 to the front 26 of the sole 20. The greater height and thickness is shown on the lateral side 24, and the lesser height and thickness is shown on the medial side 23. FIG. 2B could also represent a transparent perspective view of the lateral wedge sole of the left shoe sole 10 if the back 25 and front 26 were reversed. Also shown is the bottom 27 of the lateral wedge sole 20 which is the side towards the walking surface, and the top 28 of the lateral wedged sole 20 that is the side towards the foot. FIG. 2C shows a lateral side 24 view of the lateral wedged sole of right shoe sole 20 facing the lateral side 24 straight on. Again the back 25 of the shoe sole 20 and the front 26 of the shoe sole 20 are shown. FIG. 2C could also represent a lateral side 24 view of the left shoe sole 10 facing the lateral side 24 straight on if the back 25 and the front 26 were reversed. Note again here that the height and thickness of the lateral side 24 is the same spanning the entire longitudinal length from back 25 to front 26. Also shown is the bottom 27 of the lateral wedged sole 20 which is the side towards the walking surface, and the top 28 of the lateral wedged sole 20 that is the side towards the foot. The drawings in FIGS. 2A-C are only representative of the basic angles and respective proportions and are not to scale and do not represent the normal contours, curves, blunted or rounded ends, etc. of a shoe sole that would be apparent to those of ordinary skill in the art to which this sole would be integrated.
(15) FIG. 1I is a schematic diagram of the right sole 20 showing different regions that may be pitched due to the therapeutic needs of an individual. In an embodiment, there are six distinct regions 40, 41,42, 43, 44, and 45. Other regions, of varying shapes and sizes, may be formed on any part of the sole to achieve a desired wedge angle or effect. Any individual region or a combination of regions may be pitched through an appropriate angle for the treatment of knee pain, knee joint degeneration, or knee arthritis, or ankle joint ailments. Also, it may be desirable to pitch the sole or the heel for only one foot, or pitch different regions of the sole or heel for each foot. It may also be desirable to pitch the sole on one foot and the heel on the other foot, or pitch both the sole and the heel on both feet By choosing the regions, angled regions, and the shapes and angles of the wedges, the contoured load hearing surface may he configured to redistribute the load at the knee or ankle joint of a person wearing a shoe comprising the sole or heel of this invention, or a combination of both, for the purposes of treating ailments in the knee, to slow the progression of degenerative joint disease in the knee, or to improve athletic or ambulatory performance during lateral cutting, lateral cornering, or lateral push off, or to decrease risk of ankle eversion or inversion injuries.
(16) FIGS. 3A and 3B are frontal views of the right knee 50 with medial knee arthritis, where the afflicted region is generally shown on the medial side 52. Referring to FIG. 3A, when a normal person with no medial knee arthritis stands on a weight bearing level surface 56, the load is equally distributed over the medial side 52 and the lateral side 54. However, when medial knee arthritis is present, then the load is borne largely by the medial side 52 which will also be true prior to development of arthritis in a person with a congenital varus (bow leg) knee deformity. This increased medial load is illustrated by the two vectors 52a and 52b. Vector 52a represents the weight of the body, whereas vector 52b represents the opposite force acting from the weight bearing surface. FIG. 3B shows the effect of lateral pitching on the load bearing ability of this same afflicted knee with medial compartment arthritis. The figure shows a weight bearing surface with a laterally wedge angled pitch 58. When a person with medial knee arthritis stands or walks on such a weight bearing surface, the load on the medial side 52 of the knee is redistributed in part to the lateral side 54. This is shown by the vector 54a which represents the weight of the body, whereas vector 54b represents the opposite force acting from the laterally pitched weight bearing surface. Such a redistribution of the load takes the stress off the afflicted medial side 52, thereby alleviating the pain, and in some instances, slows the progressing of degeneration. The pitch angle 60 is chosen to counter the load on the medial side. This may depend on several factors, including, but not limited to, the extent of the disease, the strength of the muscles, the shape of the leg, and the type of shoe while still being universal to the general population. It is important to note here that this laterally pitched weight bearing surface 58 is at the same height and thickness from the entire longitudinal spanning length back to front on the lateral side, which is exactly representing the laterally pitched sole of the present invention. There is no taper down or up from the heel to the toe on the lateral side as it is in the prior art.
(17) FIGS. 4A-C illustrate lateral side views of different shoes with the embodiments of this invention. The shoes drawn here should be understood not to limit the types of shoes that can be used but rather just shows some of the types for illustrative purposes. The sole of the present invention can be universally applicable to any type of shoe footwear (the preferred embodiment being an athletic type tennis shoe.) FIG. 4A shows a lateral view of a left sandal 80, with a shoe interior 81 and an undersurface 82. The sole 84a is in contact with the undersurface 82. In this particular embodiment, the sole comprises three layers, the insole 14, the outsole 18, and the midsole 16. The midsole 16 is illustrated as being laterally wedged, in this particular embodiment. Note that the height and thickness on the lateral side is the same from heel to toe with no heel to toe longitudinal taper. Also note that the wedged midsole 16 is represented here but in other embodiments the wedge may be of any layer of the sole independently or in combination with any other layer including the insole 14, or the outsole 18.
(18) FIG. 4B shows a lateral view of a left dress shoe 90, with a shoe interior 81 and an undersurface 82. A sole 84b is in contact with the undersurface 82. In this particular embodiment, the sole comprises three layers, the insole 14, the outsole 18, and the midsole 16. The midsole 16 is illustrated as being wedged, in this particular embodiment. Note that the height and thickness on the lateral side is the same from heel to toe with no heel to toe longitudinal taper.
(19) FIG. 4C shows a lateral view of a left tennis shoe 100, with a shoe interior 81 and an undersurface 82. A sole 84c is in contact with the undersurface 82. In this embodiment, the sole comprises of three layers, the insole 14, the outsole 18, and the midsole 16. The midsole 16 is illustrated as being wedged, in this particular embodiment. Note that the height and thickness on the lateral side is the same from heel to toe with no heel to toe longitudinal taper still while following the contour of the shoe. Also shown just below this lateral view of a left tennis shoe is a portional or segmental diagram 30-33 of the general longitudinal anatomy of the lateral sections of the foot that are supported and compensated evenly (back to front) by the lateral wedged sole of the present invention. Portion 30 shows the lateral toes section of the foot, portion 31 shows the lateral forefoot section of the foot, portion 32 shows the lateral midfoot section of the foot, and portion 33 shows the lateral heel portion of the foot.
(20) Although a few embodiments of a laterally wedged shoe sole are illustrated here, it should be apparent to a person of ordinary skill that other shapes, geometries, and materials will also be compatible with different designs of the sole, and the shoe, consistent with the shape required for a contoured load bearing surface. Although a few different types of shoes are shown here, it should be apparent to a person of ordinary skill that this sole can be integrated into any type of shoe, sandal, flip flop, clog, boot, or other type of footwear.
(21) By choosing the layers and angles of the wedge/s, the contoured load bearing surface may be configured to redistribute the load at the knee or ankle joint of a person wearing a shoe comprising or containing the sole of this invention, or a combination of both, for the purposes of treating ailments in the knee, to slow the progression of degenerative joint disease in the knee, or to improve athletic or ambulatory performance during lateral cutting, lateral cornering, or lateral push off, or to decrease risk of ankle inversion injuries.
(22) Although the preceding discussion was about medial knee arthritis in the right knee, it should be apparent that a similar description applies to the left knee as well. Additionally, it should be apparent to those skilled in the art that the sole may be suitably adjusted to alleviate suffering in ankle joints as well, or to enhance or improved ambulatory or athletic performance as described herein.
(23) In this specification, the layers of the sole have been described separately, however, it should be noted that there may be various layers to the sole in some types of shoes, or there may only be one composite entity or layer to the sole in other types of shoes. In particular, all the angled layers may be integrated into the sole during the manufacturing process itself containing various materials, or it may be a single uni-body sole made of generally the same material.
(24) It should be apparent to those skilled in the art that the sole and the shoe itself may be of any color, texture, or combinations thereof. Similarly, the shoe may be of any type or style, including, but not limited to, shoes with or without heels, open or closed back shoes, tennis shoes, dress shoes, running shoes, walking shoes, hiking shoes, men's or women's shoes, sandals, flip flops, clogs, boots, house shoes etc. The soles of the present invention may be designed into the fabrication of any such shoe and any and all footwear including even socks or stockings with wedged grips.
(25) While many novel features have been described above, the invention is not that that those skilled in the art may understand all other embodiments that may arise due to modifications, omissions and substitutions of these embodiments that are still nonetheless within the scope of this invention.
