Disclosure of Invention
It is an object of the present invention to provide an alternative and/or improved insole assembly that enhances the plantar stimulation and tactile sensitivity of the foot.
According to a first aspect of the present invention, there is provided an insole assembly comprising: an insole having an upper surface for supporting and contacting an underside of a foot; and at least one protrusion protruding from the upper surface, wherein the at least one protrusion is removably attached to the insole.
Advantageously, by providing at least one projection that is removably connected to the insole, one or more projections can be fitted on the customized insole assembly that extend from the surface of the insole at specific locations to provide stimulation to the corresponding portion of the wearer's foot. Since at least one of the protrusions is removably attached to the insole, different protrusions having different properties, such as size or stiffness, may be interchanged, depending on the requirements of the wearer. By customizing the insole assembly with at least one protrusion, different levels of plantar sensory stimulation and support may be provided to the wearer's foot at specific locations to guide the wearer while walking and improve the wearer's balance. In addition, insole assemblies according to the present invention may be incorporated into different articles of footwear, and thus may be used to convert a common article of footwear into an article of footwear that provides enhanced stimulation and support to a wearer's foot.
The at least one projection may include a projection projecting from the upper surface and a connecting portion extending from the projection and into the insole. The protruding portion of the at least one protrusion may comprise a first portion and a second portion, and wherein the stiffness (rigidty) of the first portion is different from the stiffness (rigidty) of the second portion. The second portion may at least partially surround the first portion. The second portion may be less rigid than the first portion.
The at least one projection may comprise a compressible material. The at least one tab may comprise an elastic material. The at least one protrusion may comprise a silicone material. The at least one projection may be removably attached to the insole by a friction fit. The at least one projection may be removably attached to the insole by a threaded connection.
The insole assembly may include more than one protrusion, and two or more protrusions may be of different sizes. The insole assembly may include more than one protrusion, and two or more protrusions may be of different shapes. The insole assembly may include more than one protrusion, and the connecting portions of two or more protrusions may be substantially identical.
The insole assembly may include a first layer and a second layer, the first layer may include an upper surface on which an underside of the foot may be supported, and the at least one projection may be removably connected to the second layer and extend through the first layer. The first layer may include one or more apertures and the at least one protrusion may extend through a corresponding aperture.
The insole assembly may further include an arch support disposed between the first layer and the second layer. The arch support may be made of a composite material.
The at least one projection may be arranged to project from the upper surface at or around the heel contact portion of the upper surface. At least one protrusion may be arranged to project from the upper surface at or around the metatarsal head contacting portion of the upper surface.
The insole assembly may further comprise a cushioning material at or about the heel-contacting portion of the upper surface. The insole assembly may further include a cushioning material at or about the metatarsal head contacting portion of the upper surface.
At least a portion of at least one projection may be frustoconical in shape.
According to a second aspect of the invention, there is provided a bottom member comprising an insole assembly according to the first aspect, a midsole and an outsole.
According to a third aspect of the invention, there is provided an article of footwear comprising an insole assembly according to the first aspect.
According to a fourth aspect of the present invention, there is provided a method of assembling an insole assembly, comprising:
the provision of an insole for a shoe,
selecting one or more protrusions from a set of differently sized protrusions, an
Attaching the selected one or more protrusions to the insole.
The method may further comprise the steps of:
selecting an arch support from a set of arch supports of different stiffness, an
Incorporating the selected arch support into the insole.
According to a fifth aspect of the present invention, there is provided a kit for assembling an insole assembly, the insole assembly comprising: an insole having an upper surface for supporting and contacting the underside of the foot, the insole having at least one connection portion for receiving a projection; and a plurality of protrusions connectable to respective connecting portions of the insole such that at least one protrusion protrudes from the upper surface.
Detailed Description
Referring to the drawings, there is shown a bottom member 1 comprising aninsole assembly 13, a midsole 9 and an outsole 11. In the depicted embodiment, the bottom part 1 is intended to be incorporated into an elderly indoor footwear (not shown). It will be appreciated that the base member 1 need not be particularly limited to use in older footwear, and may be used in any footwear requiring skin sensory stimulation, such as outdoor sandals.
Theinsole assembly 13 comprises aninsole top 3, an arch support 5, an insole bottom 7 and a plurality of resilient protrusions or nubs 19. Theinsole top 3 and the insole bottom 7 are each made of a cushioning material such as low density vinyl acetate or soft polyurethane. The shape of the perimeter of theinsole top 3 and the insole bottom 7 is substantially the same, such that when theinsole top 3 covers the insole bottom 7, they together form an insole 14 suitable for use with an article of footwear and providing a support surface for the sole of the foot. Theinsole top 3 and the insole bottom 7 are at least partially separable so that the arch support 5 can be inserted between theinsole top 3 and the insole bottom 7 at or around the arch area and towards the heel end of the insole 14. In the depicted embodiment, the insole 14 is provided at a thickness of about 10mm, but other suitable thicknesses may be selected, as will be apparent to those of ordinary skill in the art.
Theinsole top 3 further comprises a shock absorbing material, such as polyurethane, which is arranged at or around theheel area 15 and the metatarsal head area 17, respectively, of the insole 14. The cushioning material is strategically positioned and located to absorb impact forces on the foot during heel strike and foot propulsion.
The nub 19 includes aprojection 21 and a connectingportion 23, the connectingportion 23 being attached to the underside of theprojection 21 and extending from the underside of theprojection 21. In the depicted embodiment, thebulge 21 of each nodule 19 is substantially frustoconical in shape with a substantially flat upper surface intended to interface with the sole of the foot in use. Other suitable shapes will be apparent to those of ordinary skill in the art. For example, theprojections 21 of one or more of the nodules 19 can be hemispherical, cylindrical, cubical, or conical, as desired. Theprojection 21 is oriented such that the upper surface of theprojection 21 is smaller in diameter than the lower surface. Theprojections 21 are intended to contact and stimulate the underside of the foot in use.
Theprojection 21 includes acore 25 and anouter jacket 27 substantially surrounding and encapsulating thecore 25. In the depicted embodiment, bothcore 25 andsheath 27 are made of a silicone material that provides some degree of compressibility tobulge 21. Those skilled in the art will recognize that other suitable materials, such as elastomeric materials, may be used. Thecore 25 of thebulge 21 is made of a silicone material that is more rigid than thesheath 27 to provide a degree of cushioning to the sole of the foot and avoid over-stimulation. Referring to FIG. 2, in the depicted embodiment, three different sizes of nodules 19 are provided, wherein theprojections 21 each have a lower surface diameter (19a) of about 10mm, a lower surface diameter (19b) of about 14mm, or a lower surface diameter (19c) of about 20mm, and a height of about 10 mm.
It is contemplated that nodes 19 of different hardness may be used to adjust the stimulation level. For example, one or more nodules 19 having a Shore A durometer of 8 may be used. One or more nodules 19 having different shore hardness may be used depending on the patient stimulation requirements.
The connectingportion 23 of each nodule 19 is substantially the same shape and size and comprises a disc-shaped body and amale stud 29, the height and diameter of themale stud 29 being approximately 5mm and intended to mate with the female recess in use. In the depicted embodiment, the connectingportion 23 forms one half of the snap fastener. Theconnection portion 23 is attached to the lower surface of theprojection 25 such that themale stud 29 extends from the lower surface of theprojection 25. The connectingportion 23 may be made of any suitable material as will be apparent to those skilled in the art, such as metal or plastic.
The insole base 7 includes a plurality of female sockets orloops 31 for receiving themale studs 29 of each nub 19. Thefemale socket 31 comprises a snap-connected second part. Thefemale sockets 31 are oriented such that the opening of eachsocket 31 is upward from the surface of the insole bottom 7 to receive themale studs 29 of the nubs 19 from the upper surface of theinsole top 3. Thefemale sockets 31 are spaced from each other such that the distance between the respective centers of two adjacentfemale sockets 31 is at least about 20 mm. Therefore, sufficient space is provided between two adjacentfemale sockets 31 so that thelargest 20mm nodes 19c can be connected to the adjacentfemale sockets 31, respectively.
Theinsole top 3 comprises a corresponding number of substantiallycircular apertures 33. Theaperture 33 is located on theinsole top 3 such that when theinsole top 3 is engaged with the insole bottom 7, theaperture 33 is substantially aligned with thefemale socket 31. Thus, thefemale socket 31 is accessible through theinsole top 3 via theaperture 33. While snaps are the connecting members in the depicted embodiment, one of ordinary skill in the art will appreciate that other suitable fastening members may be used, such as a press-fit band, a screw-fit, a bayonet-fit, or a magnetic connection.
The diameter of therespective aperture 33 is chosen to be smaller than the diameter of the lower surface of the projectingportion 21 but larger than the shaped body of the connectingportion 23. Thus, the footprint of thebulge 21 of each nub 19 is larger than theaperture 33, such that the lower surface of thebulge 21 abuts the upper surface of theinsole top 3, and the connectingportion 23 extends through theaperture 33 into the insole 14 to engage the correspondingfemale socket 31.
Thefemale socket 31 and thus theaperture 33 are strategically located on the insole 14 so that the nubs 19 connected to thefemale socket 31 will contact an area of the sole of the foot that is deemed to provide a cutaneous sensory stimulation. In the depicted embodiment, fivefemale receptacles 31 are located across the width of the insole 14 at the area of the insole 14 that, in use, contacts the area of the foot that includes the junction between the metatarsals and the phalanges. Thus, when five nodules 19 of a desired size are connected to a correspondingfemale socket 31, each of the five nodules 19 contacts a corresponding junction between the metatarsals and phalanges of the foot. Four furtherfemale sockets 31 are located in the region of the insole 14 which, in use, contacts the lateral calcaneus region of the foot.
Thus, when the nubs 19 of the desired size are attached to the insole 14 at predetermined strategic locations, aninsole assembly 13 is formed that is capable of providing a cutaneous sensory stimulation at specific areas of the sole of the foot. The strategic positioning of thefemale receptacles 31 and different sized nubs 19 on the insole 14 provides a number of different possible combinations for forming a customized insole assembly as desired by the wearer.
The arch support 5 provides an additional level of customization to theinsole assembly 13. In the depicted embodiment, the arcuate supports 5 are made of carbon fiber composite that is sufficiently flexible to be manufactured into different shapes and configurations as desired. The arch support 5 includes a raised portion 35 to provide support for the arch region of the foot. The raised portion 35 includes a cushioning material 36 made of Low Density Ethylene Vinyl Acetate (LDEVA) or soft polyurethane for added comfort.
The arch support 5 comprises a number of apertures 38 at least equal to the number offemale sockets 31 arranged at the heel end of the insole 14. The apertures 38 of the arch support 5 are positioned such that when the arch support 5 is incorporated into the insole 14 such that the arch support 5 is sandwiched between theinsole top 3 and the insole bottom 7, the apertures 38 are substantially aligned with the correspondingfemale sockets 31 and insoletop apertures 33 at the heel end of the insole 14. Thus, even when an arcuate support is incorporated into theinsole assembly 13, one or more nubs 19 may be inserted into thefemale receptacles 31 of the insole 14.
In the depicted embodiment, three separate arcuate support members 5 are provided, each having a different stiffness and/or bending resilience. Stiffness may be a measure of the resistance of the arch support 5 to bending, while bending elasticity may be related to the ability of the arch support 5 to return to its original shape after deformation. It is believed that an arched support with good bending resilience improves the downward force exerted by the foot, facilitating even energy consumption during walking.
Three degrees of stiffness and/or bending resilience are provided to the three arcuate supports 5, namely low, medium and high stiffness and/or bending resilience. The degree of stiffness and/or bending resilience depends at least in part on the number and/or thickness of the layers of material used to form the composite material and the type of material selected to make the arch support 5. For example, a bowed support 5 comprising more layers of composite material would be more rigid than a bowed support having fewer layers.
In addition to supporting the arch of the foot, the arch support 5 also performs the function of supporting the structure and to maintain the shape of the article of footwear into which the insole 14 is inserted and/or to enhance the flexibility of the footwear. Since the arch support 5 is made of a composite material, it has a high strength-to-weight ratio. The choice of the arch support 5 in terms of stiffness and/or bending resilience depends in part on the plantar geometry of the wearer's foot and the sensory qualities of the wearer's skin. For example, a person with a low skin feel may require an arch support 5 with a higher stiffness in order to increase the sensitivity effect of theinsole assembly 13.
The interlayer 9 comprises a relatively thick protective shock absorbing layer made of a suitable material such as Ethylene Vinyl Acetate (EVA) or poly-paraphenylene terephthalamide (PPT). The midsole provides stability to the article of footwear and forms a base upon which theinsole assembly 13 may be supported. The sandwich 9 comprises a three-dimensional contoured upper surface with a raised arch region containing cushioning material such as soft polyurethane for enhanced comfort. The midsole 9 tapers from heel to toe so that it is thicker at the heel and tapers towards the toe.
The profile of the wear-resistant outsole 11 is substantially the same as the profile of the midsole 9 and insole 14, and the insole wear-resistant outsole 11 is attached to the underside of the midsole 9 to provide a protective layer protecting the midsole 9 and insole 14 from the external environment and moisture penetration.Insole assembly 13, midsole 9, and outsole 11 together form the bottom of an article of footwear for supporting a wearer's foot on a surface.Insole assembly 13 is arranged to rest on the upper surface of midsole 9 and is removable to allow the use of other insoles in the footwear.
In use, a footwear wearer may assemble a customizedinsole assembly 13 according to the wearer's requirements if enhanced comfort, support and skin feel stimulation of the foot is desired. Different arch supports 5 and nodules 19 may be used accordingly, depending on the arch contour of the wearer and the level of skin feel of the sole of the foot. For example, in the case where stimulation is required to enhance the cutaneous sensation of the metatarsal head region of the foot, one or more20mm nubs 19c may be attached to the correspondingfemale sockets 31 of the insole 14.
Alternatively, the medial metatarsal heads of the wearer's foot may require less skin feel than the lateral metatarsal heads. In this case, the wearer can easily remove the twolargest knuckles 19c from the medial side of the insole 14 and replace them with twosmaller knuckles 19a, 19b, such as14mm knuckle 19 b. The use of a snap connection between the nubs 19 and the insole 14 allows the wearer to quickly and easily replace the nubs as desired.
In addition to the nodules 19, the wearer may benefit from using the arcuate supports 5 to provide additional support, comfort, and/or improved motion control. Depending on the level of plantar sensory stimulation desired by the wearer, the state and posture of the wearer's arch, suitable arch supports 5 may be inserted between theinsole top 3 and the insole bottom 7. By interchanging between the different arch supports 5, the wearer can find an insole assembly arrangement that is acceptable and that increases the wearer's plantar sensory stimulation and improves balance.
In the event that it is desired to have a flat smooth insole assembly without raised nubs 19, nubs 19 can be easily removed and replaced withinsert 40, insert 40 being devoid ofprojections 21 and comprising a piece of substantiallyflat material 42 made of resilient and/or EVA material and arranged so that when a replacement stud is inserted into a correspondingfemale socket 31, the piece offlat material 42 is substantially flush with the upper surface of insole 14.
Theinsole assembly 13 may be constructed with nubs 19, the nubs 19 forming indentations in the sole of the foot at strategic locations according to the unique needs and sensory conditions of the individual's foot. The customizedinsole assembly 13 according to the present invention can be used to increase the wearer's control of the body balance through sufficient foot-to-insole interface pressure.
Different sized nodules 19 can be strategically placed in different plantar locations in different orientations to vary the stimulation effect. Due to the flattening of the longitudinal arch of the foot of the elderly and people with flat feet, the replaceable arch support 5 acts as a stabilizing means to enhance foot support. The use of the arch support 5 may increase the contact area of the foot with the insole interface to achieve load sharing and provide additional support to the heel and arch to enhance the flexibility and stiffness of the footwear.
The above examples are illustrative only. Many variations are possible without departing from the scope of the invention as defined in the appended claims.