Note: Descriptions are shown in the official language in which they were submitted.
CA 02764304 2011-12-01
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WELLNESS SHOE AND METHOD
CROSS-REFERENCE TO RELATED APPLICATION(S)
[0001] This application claims priority to U.S. Provisional Patent Application
No.
61/217,708, filed on June 2, 2009, entitled "WELLNESS SHOE," the disclosure of
which
is hereby incorporated herein by reference in its entirety.
BACKGROUND OF THE INVENTION
[0002] The present invention generally relates to a shoe that assists a user
through a gait
cycle, and more specifically, assists a user to maintain even foot pressure
and proper
alignment through the gait cycle.
SUMMARY OF THE PRESENT INVENTION
[0003] One aspect of the present invention includes an article of footwear
having a shoe
body including an upper operably connected with an outsole. The shoe body has
a front
portion and a back portion. An insole is disposed inside the shoe upper and
has a
substantially inelastic heel portion and a substantially elastic toe portion.
A substantially
rigid pressure plate is adjacent to the substantially elastic toe portion.
[0004] Another aspect of the present invention includes an insert for an
article of footwear
having an insole including a substantially inelastic heel portion and a
substantially elastic
toe portion. An elastic absorption pad is disposed below the inelastic heel
portion. A
substantially rigid pressure plate is adjacent to the substantially elastic
toe portion.
[0005] Yet another aspect of the present invention includes a method of
modifying the
gate of an individual, including providing a shoe having an upper operably
coupled with
an outsole. An insole is inserted into the shoe. A substantially elastic toe
portion is formed
on the insole. A substantially inelastic heel portion is formed on the insole
that is elevated
above the substantially elastic toe portion. An elastic absorption pad is
connected below
the substantially inelastic heel portion. The shoe is placed on the foot of a
user, thereby
promoting a natural gait cycle during walking.
[0006] These and other aspects, objects, and features of the present invention
will be
understood and appreciated by those skilled in the art upon studying the
following
specification, claims, and appended drawings.
BRIEF DESCRIPTION OF THE DRAWINGS
[0007] FIG. IA is a side elevational view of one embodiment of a shoe of the
present
invention;
[0008] FIG. lB is a bottom plan view of the shoe of FIG. IA;
[0009] FIG. 2 is a side cross-sectional view taken at line II-II of FIG. 1B;
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[0010] FIG. 3A is a right side elevational view of one embodiment of an insole
of the
present invention;
[0011] FIG. 3B is a bottom plan view of the insole of FIG. 3A;
[0012] FIG. 3C is a left side elevational view of the insole of FIG. 3A;
[0013] FIG. 3D is a top plan view of the insole of FIG. 3A;
[0014] FIG. 4 is a side elevational cross-sectional view taken at line IV-IV
of FIG. 1B;
[0015] FIG. 5A is a side elevational cross-sectional view of the shoe of FIG.
IA at contact
phase at the beginning of a gait cycle;
[0016] FIG. 5B is a side elevational cross-sectional view of the shoe of FIG.
IA in mid-
stance during the gait cycle;
[0017] FIG. 5C is a side elevational cross-sectional view of the shoe of FIG.
IA at toe-off
at the end of the gait cycle;
[0018] FIG. 6A is a side elevational view of one embodiment of a near side
shoe of the
present invention at contact phase;
[0019] FIG. 6B is a side elevational view of one embodiment of a near side
shoe of the
present invention at mid-stance phase; and
[0020] FIG. 6C is a side elevational view of one embodiment of a near side
shoe of the
present invention at toe-off phase.
DETAILED DESCRIPTION OF EMBODIMENTS
[0021] For purposes of description herein, the terms "upper," "lower,"
"right," "left,"
"rear," "front," "vertical," "horizontal," and derivatives thereof shall
relate to the invention
as oriented in FIG.1. However, it is to be understood that the invention may
assume
various alternative orientations, except where expressly specified to the
contrary. It is also
to be understood that the specific devices and processes illustrated in the
attached
drawings, and described in the following specification are simply exemplary
embodiments
of the inventive concepts defined in the appended claims. Hence, specific
dimensions and
other physical characteristics relating to the embodiments disclosed herein
are not to be
considered as limiting, unless the claims expressly state otherwise.
[0022] Referring to FIG. 1, the reference numeral 10 generally designates a
footwear
system including a shoe 11 having an upper 12 operably connected with an
outsole 14.
The shoe 11 has a front portion 16 and a back portion 18. An insole 20 is
disposed inside
the shoe 11 and has a substantially inelastic heel portion 22 and a
substantially elastic toe
portion 24. A substantially rigid pressure plate 26 is adjacent to the
substantially elastic toe
portion 24.
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[0023] Referring again to FIGS. IA and 1B, the shoe upper 12 of the shoe 11 is
designed
to generally conform to the foot of a user. It is contemplated that any of a
variety of styles
and designs may be used on the upper to provide an aesthetic appearance to the
shoe 11.
The substantially rigid pressure plate 26 or pressure displacement rotation
plate, as it is
also called, is positioned in a forward portion of the shoe 11 proximate an
elastic toe
portion 24, as will be described in further detail below. The substantially
inelastic heel
portion in conjunction with the substantially elastic toe portion 24 forms the
insole 20,
such that the insole 20 has metatarsal acceleration compression qualities. The
juncture of
the substantially inelastic heel portion 22 and the substantially elastic toe
portion 24
defines a lever that assists the wearer in walking with a more natural gait
than is typical in
traditional footwear. This construction of the insole 20 provides a natural
shoe-less type
gait to the shoe wearer that causes the knee to bend quickly while the center
of gravity of
body mass of the shoe wearer transitions over the shoe 11.
[0024] Referring again to FIGS. IA and 1B, the shoe 11 is generally designed
to support
the weight of the shoe wearer and assist in repositioning the body of the shoe
wearer into
an angle that promotes a natural gait cycle, which consequently engages the
muscular
system of a user and reduces the pressure on the skeletal system.
[0025] Referring again to FIGS. IA and 1B, the shoe upper 12 includes side
portions 40
that come together at the back portion 18 and that operably couple with the
front portion
16. A top portion 44 is integrally formed with a tongue 46. The side portions
40, back 42,
top portion 44, and the tongue 46 keep the shoe 11 on the foot of a wearer. A
transition
portion 50 between the shoe upper 12 and the outsole 14 connects the outsole
14 with the
shoe upper 12 and provides an aesthetic transition between the shoe upper 12
and the
outsole 14. The outsole 14 includes a base 52 that is made from a non-slip
material, such
as rubber, which interfaces with the ground when the shoe 11 is in use. The
substantially
rigid pressure plate 26 is located between the outsole 14 and the
substantially elastic toe
portion 24.
[0026] The shoe 11 of the footwear system 10 of the present invention is
specifically
designed to reduce pressure on the forefoot and limit the strain on toes by
promoting the
natural motion of a foot through toe-off. The shoe 11 also modifies and
improves the gait
of the wearer, such that the wearer puts less strain on the skeletal system.
The footwear
system 10 enables the wearer to engage more of the human muscular system than
provided
by traditional footwear. More specifically, the footwear system 10 controls
more
movement and absorbs less impact during walking. The pressure displacement
rotation
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plate 26 and metatarsal acceleration compression insole 20 may be integrally
or separately
formed. In either instance, the pressure displacement rotation plate 26 and
metatarsal
acceleration compression insole 20 work together to provide support through
the foot arch,
absorb shock, and ease rotation of the foot through toe-off.
[0027] Referring now to FIGS. lB and 2, the insole 20 has a perimeter smaller
than that of
the outsole 14 and is disposed above and generally inside the perimeter of the
outsole 14.
The interface of the insole 20 to the outsole 14 is illustrated in FIG. 2,
which illustrates
that the insole 20 rests over the rigid pressure plate 26, which is supported
by the outsole
14. The rigid pressure plate 26 may be exposed through an underside of the
outsole 14, as
shown in FIG. 2, or may be covered to prevent damage to the rigid pressure
plate 26 and
to keep the rigid pressure plate 26 clean. A midsole (not shown) may be
disposed
anywhere between the insole and the outsole to add further comfort to the shoe
generally.
[0028] Referring again to FIGS. lB and 2, the rigid pressure plate 26, or
pressure
displacement rotation plate, begins no less than 40 percent forward from a
distal heel end
60 of the shoe 11 and could extend rearward under the entire surface of the
substantially
inelastic heel portion 22. The rigid pressure plate 26 extends forward,
stopping no less
than 15 percent rearward from a distal toe end 62 of the shoe 11. In one
embodiment, it is
contemplated that the rigid pressure plate 26 extends all the way to the
distal toe end 62 of
the shoe 11. The rigid pressure plate 26 may be integrated into the insole 20,
or separate
from the insole 20. However, the rigid pressure plate 26 is generally located
between the
outsole 14 and the substantially elastic toe portion 24 of the insole 20. The
rigid pressure
plate 26 may be constructed of a variety of materials, including carbon fiber
or other
composite material, such as fiberglass, steel, or injection plastics, such as
nylons or TPUs,
either with or without additional glass fiber reinforcement.
[0029] Referring now to FIGS. 3A-3D, the insole 20 supports the foot of the
wearer from
an initial contact phase through a mid-stance phase of a gait cycle through
use of a multi-
density foam. The inelastic heel portion 22 extends at least 20 percent and no
more than 60
percent forward from the distal heel end 60. The inelastic heel portion 22 is
made of a
foam with a density ranging from 35 degrees Shore C and up. It is contemplated
that
materials, such as PORON , polyurethane, EVA, or other foam-based materials
may be
used. The elastic toe portion 24 is forward of the inelastic heel portion 22,
and extends no
more than 80 percent rearward from the distal toe end 62 of the shoe 11. The
elastic toe
portion 24 is formed from a less dense foam having a density of at least eight
degrees
Shore C less than the substantially inelastic heel portion 22. Materials, such
as PORON ,
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polyurethane, EVA, or other foam-based materials are contemplated for use in
the
substantially elastic toe portion 24. Because the foam density decreases from
the
substantially inelastic heel portion 22 to the substantially elastic toe
portion 24, during the
gait cycle, heads of the metatarsals in the wearer's foot sink into the
substantially elastic
toe portion 24 at a forefoot drop zone 66 when the foot moves from a contact
phase 68 to a
mid-stance phase 70 (FIG. 5B) of the gait cycle. When the heads of the
metatarsals of the
foot of a user sink in this manner, the walking muscles of the user are
activated and
prepare the foot to rotate forward into a toe-off phase 72, as will be
discussed in greater
detail below with respect to FIGS. 5A-5C.
[0030] Referring now to FIG. 2 and 3D, the insole 20 includes a dual material
top cover
80 or moderating layer. The dual material top cover 80 allows for control of
the direction
of impact absorption during a gait cycle and movement of the foot in relation
to the
surface of the insole 20. More specifically, the dual material top cover 80
assists in
transferring downward forces from the substantially inelastic heel portion 22
to the
substantially elastic toe portion 24. As illustrated, an elastic absorption
pad 86 is disposed
below the outsole 14 and wraps up the distal heel portion of the shoe 11. The
dual material
top cover 80 includes an inelastic top cover 82 and an elastic top cover 84.
Additionally, it
is also contemplated that a thin layer 90 of soft foam may extend over the
entire insole 20
covering both the substantially inelastic heel portion 22 and substantially
elastic toe
portion 24. The thin foam layer 90 is disposed below the dual material top
cover 80 and
helps transition the foot of a wearer from the substantially inelastic heel
portion 22 to the
substantially elastic toe portion 24. The thin foam layer 90 may be of any
thickness, and in
one embodiment, is 3 mm thick.
[0031] Referring to FIG. 4, the rigid pressure plate 26 has a convex lateral
cross-section
that projects downward from a plantar surface of the insole 20 no less than
two millimeters
and up to 20 millimeters. The degree of toe spring is affected by the amount
and degree
the rigid pressure plate 26 protrudes downward from the plantar surface of the
insole 20. It
is anticipated that the toe spring will range in degree from 15 degrees to 40
degrees.
[0032] Referring to FIGS. 5A-5C, during use, when impact forces are applied to
the
substantially inelastic heel portion 22 during a contact phase 68 (FIG. 5A) of
the gait
cycle, the inelastic top cover 82 of the inelastic heel portion 22 forces the
elastic
absorption pad 86 to compress upward from the plantar surface. Consequently,
impact
forces are absorbed from the plantar or bottom surface. This construction
stabilizes the
calcaneus and prevents the heel of a user from sinking into the heel portion
of the insole
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20. While the insole 20 compresses at the plantar surface at the substantially
inelastic heel
portion 22, the opposite effect is achieved in the substantially elastic toe
portion 24.
Specifically, the substantially elastic toe portion 24 allows for an elastic
two or four-way
stretch material to compress. During the gait cycle, the elastic top cover 84
adjacent the
substantially elastic toe portion 24 allows for impact forces to be absorbed
from the dorsal
or top surface downward through the insole 20. Consequently, pressure is
reduced on
sensitive areas of the foot, including the metatarsals. The substantially
elastic toe portion
24 and the elastic top cover 84 flex as the wearer roles from the
substantially inelastic heel
portion 22 to the substantially elastic toe portion 24 from the mid-stance
phase 70 (FIG.
5B) through the toe-off phase 72 (FIG. 5C) of the gait cycle. Accordingly,
there is an
increased acceleration of the substantially elastic toe portion 24 into the
forefoot drop zone
66 compared to the drop rate of the calcaneus, at which point the foot will
plantar shift in a
smooth and comfortable manner.
[0033] Referring now to FIGS. 6A-6C, the shoe 11 of the present invention, and
specifically the insole 20 disposed in the shoe 11, work to reposition the
body's angle into
a natural gait cycle to promote further engagement of the muscular system. The
forefoot is
accelerated downward into the soft and easily compressible substantially
elastic toe
portion 24 area, which causes the body to decelerate. The rigid pressure plate
26 and the
substantially inelastic heel portion 22 then cause the knee to bend quickly,
while the body
mass transitions over the center of gravity. This transition engages the
muscular system,
allowing it to absorb any additional forces that are incurred while walking.
Consequently,
the amount of effort to walk is increased as a result of increased core muscle
activity, but
greatly reduces the impact of the skeletal system and joints. The convex
design of the rigid
pressure plate 26 allows the forefoot pressure to spread across the entire
surface of the
rigid pressure plate 26, thereby translating impact forces over the entire
surface of the rigid
pressure plate 26 and improving the natural gait cycle. This construction
gives cushioning
and support under the foot, while assisting the body to move naturally, as if
the user was
not wearing shoes at all. Consequently, the rigid pressure plate 26 works in
combination
with the insole 20 to assist the foot in rotating properly through toe-off to
achieve a proper
gait cycle. Consequently, pressure is redistributed and muscle use has
increased.
[0034] It is to be understood that variations and modifications can be made on
the
aforemen-tioned structure without departing from the concepts of the present
invention,
and further it is to be understood that such concepts are intended to be
covered by the
following claims unless these claims by their language expressly state
otherwise.
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