Note: Descriptions are shown in the official language in which they were submitted.
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THERAPY INSOLES FOR SHOES AND THE LIKE
Field of the Invention
This invention relates to insoles for shoes and the
like and more particularly to insoles having a certain
construction and configuration which provide benefits to the user
through the science of Reflexology.
Background of the Invention
Reflexology, also known as "zone therapy" is a 4,000
year old science which divides or charts the foot into different
areas or zones each representing a part or organ of the body.
The hands of the therapist or practitioner are worked on the
different zones or areas to improve, relax or normalize through
the reflexes, conditions of the body such as blood circulation,
tension and organ function.
Pressure by the hands an the different zones or areas
of the feet has heretofore been required to accomplish the
benefits of Reflexology.
For further information on reflexology, books such as
that by Doreen E. Bayly, Thorsons Publishers, Inc., Rochester,
Vermont, U.S.A. entitled Reflexology Today - The Stimulation of
the Body's Healing Forces Through Foot Massage, 1984, are
available.
According to the science, massage given on the reflexes
of the feet increases blood circulation, relaxes tension in the
nervous sy stem and releases the strains under which a body may be
suffering thereby restoring the normal energy flow in the body.
There is a need for some means which will allow a
person to gain some of the benefits according to the science of
reflexology without the necessity of having someone else massage,
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knead or rub the .feet.
Accordingly my invention seeks to provide such means
and more particularly seeks to provide a simple, economic, yet
effective, means of massaging, kneading or rubbing areas or zones
of the foot through the use of a specifically constructed
insoles for shoes and the like.
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Summary of the Invention
The invention provides insoles which have a sEt or
group of small unyielding protrusions of generally uniform size
and height distributed over a substantial portion of a surface of
the insole, the protrusions being interspersed with small holes.
Further, there are at least one and preferably a group of
protrusions on the same side as the small unyielding protrusions
which protrusions are of various shapes, sizes and configurations
and located in preselected areas of the insole so as to achieve,
when in use, benefits according to the science of reflexology
through providing unyielding pressure points and areas of massage
to selected portions of the soles of the feet.
The invention in one aspect provides a reversible
solid, non-yielding one-piece molded plastic insole for a shoe or
the like, comprising a thin base of flexible non-yielding plastic s
material having 'a peripheral shape of an insole and having first
and second sides with a plurality of small apertures extending
through the base from the first side to the second side, the
apertures being in an array over substantially the whole of the
base. The first side is flat and the second side has a plurality
of small, non-yielding protrusions integral with the base and
extending generally perpendicular thereto, the small protrusions
being substantially identical, dome-shaped, cylindrical
protrusions arranged substantially evenly over substantially the
whole of the second side of the base, the number and spatial
arrangement of the small protrusions being such that air channels
are provided between the protrusions when the protrusions are in
contact with the user's foot, the apertures being arranged and
interspaced substantially evenly between adjacent small
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protrusions. The base has a forward tae portion, a mid-arch
portion and a rear, heel portion, the mid-arch portion being of a
length substantially equal to the length of the heel and toe
portions combined. The second side also has a plurality of at
least four non-yieldable reflex protrusions integral with the
base and extending upwardly therefrom and within the array of
small protrusions. One of the reflex protrusions is circular and
located centrally in the heel portion on the longitudinal axis
thereof; a second of the reflex protrusions is circular and
located in the arch portion and to the inside of the longitezdinal
axis thereof and substantially intermediate the ends of the axis;
a third of the reflex protrusions is tear-drop shaped and located
in the arch portion closely adjacent the toe portion intermediate
the sides of the arch portion, the pointed end of the tear-drop
shaped protrusions directed toward the heel portion and a fourth
of the reflex protrusions is an elongate bar and located
centrally of the toe portion on the longitudinal axis thereof and
at an angle thereto.
Various other aspects of the invention will become more
apparent from a review of the detailed description of a preferred
embodiment herein.
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Brief Description of 'the Drawings
FIGURE 1 is a plan view of a first surface or_ side of
the insole.
FIGURE 2 is a plan view of the other or second surface
or side of the insole and showing more particularly the location
of various reflex protrusions.
FIGURE 3 is an edge view of the insole.
FIGURE 4a is an enlarged view of small protrusions and
openings of the insole.
FIGURE 4b is a sectional view along lines 4b - 4b of
FIGURE 4a,
FIGURE 5 is an enlarged view of part of the insole
within circular arrow 5 - 5 of FIGURE 1.
FIGURES 5a and 5b are cross-sectional views taken along
lines 5a - 5a and 5b - 5b of FIGURE 5.
FIGURE 6 is an enlarged view of part of the insole
within circular arrow 6 - 6 of FIGURE 1.
FIGURES 6a and 6b are sectional views taken along lines
6a - 6a end 6b - 6b of FIGURE 6.
FIGURE 7 is an enlarged view of part of the insole
taken within circular arrows 7 - 7 of FIGURE 1.
FIGURES 7a and 7b are sectional views taken along lines
7a - 7a and 7b - 7b of FIGURE 7.
FIGURE 8 is an enlarged, view of part of 'the insole
taken within circular arrows 8 - 8 of FIGURE 1.
FIGURES 8a and 8b are sectional views taken along lines
8a - 8a and 8b - 8b of FIGURE 8.
FIGURE 9 is a diagram of a left and right pair of
insoles superimposed on and showing areas or zones of feet to
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which, according to the science of reflexology, massage,
manipulation ar pressure may be applied in order to secure the
benefits according to such treatment .for desired areas of the
body.
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Description of the Preferred Embodiment
FIGURES 1 and 2 show an insole 10 in upper and lower
plan views respectively and FIGURE 3 shows a side, elevational
view. Insole 10 is made of plastic material, preferably
polyethylene and it is longitudinally and laterally flexible so
that it will flex when in use to follow the contours of the
inside of 'the shoe with which the insole is used. It will be
appreciated that insoles would be sold in pairs and the other
insole is the mirror image of the one depicted in FIGURES l - 3:
It is not believed necessary to illustrate or refer to such other
insole herein. For the purposes of setting forth the description
of a preferred embodiment, reference.i.s made to an insole
suitable for a shoe size 11 - 12, metric size 43.
Insole 10 has a base surface (obverse side) 12 which is
flat whereas the other base surface (reverse side) 14 has a
plurality of various protrusions extending generally
perpendicularly therefrom. The insole base is about 1.5 mm
thick. The protrusions are of two types. There is an array of a
first group of small protrusions 20 which are generally of
uniform shape and regularly located. Protrusions 20 are of
generally domed configuration, enlarged top and sectional side
views of a few being shown in FIGURES 4a/4b. Protrusions 20
extend upwardly from surface 14 and are located such as to define
a margin or border 24 peripherally about surface 14. There is a
second array or group of protrusions, reflex protrusions,
preferably being a plurality of particularly shaped and
configured protrusions, four of which are shown, namely, 50, 60,
70 and 80 which are selectively located on side 14 and ;'
interspersed among small protrusions 20. Further, interspersed
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between adjacent protrusions 20 are small circular hales 30
extending through insole 10 from surface 12 to surface l4 for
purposes of air circulation. Holes 30 are preferably about 1.5
mm in diameter. As shown in FIGURE l, all of the small dome
shaped protrusions 20 are substantially the same and are
preferably about 3 mm in diameter and have a height preferably of
about 2.4 mm above surface 14. The exact size and shape of
protrusions 20 and holes 30 is not critical, provided that even
though vertically unyielding, the number of protrusions 20 and
the spacing, is such as to provide support for the foot without
discomfort. The spacing of each protrusion 20 from the other is
generally the same and preferably about 6.2 mm center to center.
The gap of protrusions in area 40 of insole 10 is in the area of
the arch of the foot and provides space for advertising or insole
1.5 size markings o.r Like information to the consumer and user.
Reflex protrusions 50, 60, 70 and 80 are all
specifically located relative to the periphery 22 of insole 10
and each is shown of specific shape, configuration and height
relative to surface 14, to first protrusions 20 and relative to
each other.
FIGURES 5, 6, 7 and 8 each illustrate an enlarged
planar view respectively of protrusions 50, 60, 70 and 80 taken
from FIGURE 1. These protrusions are further detailed in the
respective sectional "a" and "b" views in relation to each of
these enlarged views. ~
More particularly, FIGURES 5, 5a and 5b illustrate in
detail protrusion 50 which is generally circular in shape having
a diameter preferably of about 7.2 mm. The upper surface 52 of
protrusion 50 is dome-shaped and extends preferably about 2.8 mm
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above surface 14.
Figures 6, 6a and 6b illustrate in detail protrusion 60
which is also generally circular having a diameter preferably of
about 7.8 mm. The upper surface 52 of protrusion 60 is dome-
s shaped and extends preferably about 2.8 mm above surface 14.
Figures 7, 7a and 7b illustrate in detail protrusion 70
which has generally an elongate configuration having curved ends
72. Protrusion 70 has a rounded upper edge 74 and upper surface
76 peaks slightly higher than the surrounding upper top surfaces
of cylindrical protrusions 20. Protrusion 70 preferably has a
height preferably of about 2.8 mm above surface 14 and is
preferably of about 12 mm long and 3.8 mm wide.
Figures 8, 8a and 8b illustrate,, in detail, protrusion
80 which is generally the tear-drop shape having a length
preferabl.y,of about 39.9 mm long and a width at its widest area
preferably of about 32.1 mm. The height of protrusion 80 is
preferably of about 6.2 mm above the height of surface l4 and the
top 82 is generally upwardly convex, peaking at point 84.
It will be appreciated that the measurements noted
above will vary depending on the size of the insole, the
measurements given being those of a metric size 43 (about 11 - 12
shoe).
Figure 9 shows a right and a left insole with an
indication of the parts or organs of the body ~~to be treated or
affected by the protrusions 50, 6C, 70 and 80 according to the
science of reflexology.
In Figure 2, line A generally bisects the rearward
portion of the insole 10 whereas line B generally bisects the
forward end of the insole. Line B represents the mid points (y)
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of the forward end of the insole along lines perpendicular to
line A e.g. line C (wherein x y equals y z).
The angle between lines A and B is about 10°.
Protrusion 50 is to the arch side of line A, slightly
less than 'Z the distance between the 1_ine B and the inner edge of
border 14. Protrusion 60 lies generally on line A and protrusions
70 and 80 are centrally located on line B, with the elongate
protrusion 70 at an angle of about 20° to line C. Protrusion 80
is tear drop in shape and has its major axis substantially
parallel with line A.
From the edge of the forward (toe) portion of the
insole (exemplary metric size 43) distances along line B - B of
the center of protrusions 70 arzd 80 are about/ 4.8 cm and 11.4 cm
respectively.
From the heel edge portion of the insole, distances
along line A - A of the center of protrusions 60 and 50 are about
3.5 cm and 12.8 cm respectively, the latter being off'the line
A - A by about 1.0 cm. Looking at Figure 2 and dividing the
insole by lines t - t and h - h into a forward or toe portion T,
a mid or arch portion M and a rear or heel portion H, reflex
protrusion 60 generally centrally located in the heel portion H,
and reflex protrusion 70 is generally centrally located in the
toe portion T. Reflex protrusion 80 is centrally located in the
arch portion M adjacent the toe portion and reflex 50 is
centrally located in the arch portion M but to the inside of the
longitudinal center (A -A) thereof.
Although the specific shapes of the major protrusions
50, 60, 70 and 80 are shown in the drawing, i-t will be apparent
that some variation in size and shape is possible within the
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spirit of the invention giving that various sizes of insoles are
demanded by the public.
The user of 'the insoles places them in the shoes or the
like with the protrusions 20 facing upwardly. Insertion of the
feet into the shoes will then cause the areas of the feet in
contact with the small protrusions 20 to be stimulated and gently
massaged when the user stands or walks. Further, the larger
reflex protrusions 50, 60, 70 and 80 gently provide additional
points of pressure and massage ~to certain or selected areas of
1p the feet which will tend to improve, relax or normalize
conditions of the body in areas of the body affected, according
to the science of reflexology. The,areas depicted in Figure 9
include the lungs, liver, heart, kidneys and the pelvic area
(hips and lower back).
If a person is on his/her feet for extended periods of
time, the insoles may be removed after about 3 - 4 hours and if
desired, reversed in the shoes so that the protrusion side or
surface 14 i.s down and flat side or surface 12 is up: The insoles
then act similar to an ordinary insole: The holes 30 provide for
air circulation between the shoe insole and the foot.
It will also be noted that the projection of the reflex
protrusions 50, 60 and 70 above the protrusions 20 is not as
significant as that of reflex protrusion 80, The height of the
reflex protrusion is only one aspect that enhances pressure and
or massage to~the particular area. Another aspect is the lateral
configuration and extent of the reflex protrusions relative to
the surrounding small protrusions 20 which enhance or tend to
cause variations in the area of pressure and contact in massaging
areas of the foot. The reflex protrusions should not be of a
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height relative to the surrounding srnall protrusions that
provides discomfort to the user, particularly in any area such as
a heel where there is underlying bone structure.
It will be appreciated that variations in size and
shape of the protrusions will be appropriate depending on the
size of 'the insoles. Further, it will be apparent that other
reflex protrusions may be included in addition to or in place of
the exemplary reflex protrusions described and illustrated
herein.
Although I have set .forth a preferred embodiment of the
invention, it will be appreciated that variations and
modifications of the invention are'possible and within the spirit
of the inventive concept.
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