Note: Descriptions are shown in the official language in which they were submitted.
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OUTER SOLE FOR SHOES AND SHOES COMPRISING SUCH OUTER SOLES
[0001] The present invention is directed to a sole, more precisely, an outsole
for a shoe
which aids the user in achieving as far as possible a natural gait through the
use of the sole
according to the invention. The sole, and equally the shoe having this sole,
are constructed in
such a way that the foot is positively influenced in all phases of walking.
[0002] In terms of biomechanics, a natural gait is virtually impossible for
persons wearing
shoes. The natural gait and the use of shoes are biomechanically incompatible
because all
shoes automatically transform a natural gait into an unnatural gait.
[0003] Clinical investigations have shown that the use of orthopedic inserts
or supporting
and/or cushioning alternatives lead to atrophy of the muscular and skeletal
systems. It has
likewise been proven that the proportion of atrophy of the muscular and
skeletal systems or
the like foot-related incidences and symptoms in countries where a majority of
the inhabitants
go barefoot or do not wear shoes makes up only a fraction of the proportion
determined in
countries where the population normally uses shoes. The difference in
proportion in the
respective countries can be directly traced back to the footwear and to the
obvious defects in
shoe design from a medical stand point. The fact that conventional shoes are
not capable of
cooperation with the mechanics of the feet is the most important factor for
problems with feet
and gait. Impairment of the natural movement cycle and biomechanics causes
increased
stresses which lead to defective biomechanical cycles, discomfort and
injuries.
[0004] The aim of the present invention is to provide the user with a sole and
a shoe
having this sole, the respective design, construction and geometrical
characteristics of which
improve and enhance the natural movement of the foot during the movement
cycle.
[0005] To allow a comprehensive appraisal of the present invention, the closed
movement
cycle of a walking human will first be considered analytically. This closed
movement cycle
involves not only the foot but also the entire lower extremity. For this
purpose, the foot must
contact the ground. When the foot contacts the ground, each movement of parts
of this foot
affects all of the other parts of the corresponding leg.
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[0006] The walking movement of each leg is divided into the stance phase and
the swing
phase. The stance phase is further differentiated into three component phases;
see Figure 1
which illustrates the human gait using the example of the right leg:
(1)
[0007] The contact phase, the first component phase of the stance phase,
begins by the
foot striking the ground with the outer edge of the heel. The tibia rotates
internally and the
inner side of the foot is raised slightly. In this phase, the foot rolls
further inward until the
metatarsus supports the full weight. The tibia rotates externally and the
ankle pronates (rolls
inward) by up to 81 so that the foot prepares for the propulsive phase. In
this phase, the
gradual lowering of the foot by the muscles (tibialis anterior and tibialis
posterior) is
important for absorbing shocks just as the elbow bends when catching a ball.
At the end of
the contact phase, the outer side of the foot contacts the ground and the
phase is concluded
when the forefoot is in full contact with the ground. The forefoot spreads out
and becomes
wider. The metatarsal bones gradually contact the ground from the outside to
the inside.
[0008] The spreading out of the metatarsals leads to a stimulation of the
mechanoreceptors
(sensory cells which transform mechanical forces into neural excitation) which
in turn, by
way of a reflex mechanism, ensure that other muscles responsible for the
stability of the entire
extremity are activated when walking. These include the front thigh muscles.
This reflex or
reaction is also known as the "positive support reaction."
[0009] The primary function of this phase is to absorb shocks when striking
the ground
and to adapt to different ground surfaces (adaptation). The inventor is
convinced that shoes
which do not allow any flexibility would make this shock absorption impossible
and would
therefore lead in time to foot problems and joint problems.
(2)
[0010] The second component phase of the stance phase, the midstance phase,
begins with
the forefoot fully contacting the ground and ends with the heel lifting off
from the ground.
Body weight travels over the foot when the tibia and the rest of the body move
forward. The
primary function of the foot in this phase is to store with as little loss as
possible the energy
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gained during the first component phase and reserve it for the propulsive
phase - comparable
to a bouncing rubber ball.
(3)
[0011] The third component phase of the stance phase, the propulsive phase,
begins with
the lifting of the heel; the muscles, ligaments and tendons are flexed. The
forefoot and
hindfoot together form a springboard by which the toes can lift the weight of
the body
(forward) off the ground. The body is propelled forward during this component
phase, the
weight being shifted to the other foot when this other foot makes contact with
the ground.
This phase has a duration of approximately 0.2 seconds and takes up 33% of the
entire stance
phase. At the start of this third component phase of the stance phase, the
subtalar joint
supinates (rolls outward) and ensures that the center of pressure remains
under the outer side
of the forefoot. This in turn ensures that the cuboid bone (4) locks with the
navicular bone
(3). The foot transforms from mobile adaptor to rigid lever in order to propel
the body
forward during this phase. The locking of the cuboid (4) with respect to the
navicular (3)
provides for a very strong support through the participating ligaments and, in
so doing, spares
the muscles which would otherwise be severely tasked, since the vertical
forces at this
moment can exceed 125% of the body weight. Towards the end of the propulsive
phase, the
cuboid bone (4) which was locked at the start of the propulsive phase must be
unlocked . A
co-contraction of the fibularis longis (also known as peroneus muscle) and
tibialis anterior
takes place, which leads to counter-contractions and brings about a transverse
pulling and
supporting effect which substantially aligns the bones of the midtarsal
region. The supporting
effect of the tendons of the peroneus longus muscle around the cuboid (4) is
essential for
control of the function of the transverse arch for stability and adaptability.
To reach the end
of the propulsive phase in which the big toe leaves the ground, the foot must
now rotate
internally - otherwise known as pronation. If the cuboid (4) were not released
or unlocked,
each joint would lose a small proportion of its movement and, therefore, also
a small
proportion of its forces needed for toe-off: this would lead to inhibition of
muscular force,
endurance, balance and proprioception. Moreover, there would be a tendency to
lateral
sprains because this structure is basically a raising structure (supination)
and the person could
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not achieve a functional lowering (pronation). In such a case, the natural
flow of force
through the foot illustrated in Figure 2 would be interrupted or impaired.
[00121 Midway through the propulsive phase, the foot moves over the oblique
axis (16) of
the second to fifth metatarsal bones to the transverse axis (17) of the big
toe; see the
illustration in Figure 4. Figure 4 illustrates the oblique axis (16), the
transverse axis (17) and
the various lengths of the first and second metatarsal bones. At the same
time, reference is
made in this connection to Figure 3 which shows the bone structure of a human
foot and gives
the names of all of the important bones mentioned herein.
[0013] Before the big toe leaves the ground, there occurs a dorsiflexion of
the big toe
together with the four small toes of the same foot and a plantarflexion of the
first metatarsal
bone (8) together with the other metatarsal bones of the same foot. The
dorsiflexion of the
big toe is known as the windlass effect and is made possible because of the
contraction of the
extensor hallicus longus muscle. With the dorsiflexion of the big toe, the
sesamoid bones
move forward and upward around the head of the metatarsus and thus maximize
the tension
of the flexor hallicus longus muscle.
[0014) A very significant neutral occurrence during the propulsive phase is
the
proprioceptive activation of the toe flexors and toe extensors. When the
stimulus occurs
under the outer side of the foot, the muscles of the toe flexors are
activated; when the
stimulus occurs under the inner side of the foot, the muscles of the toe
extensors are activated.
[0015] Since the metatarsal bone (8) of the big toe is shorter than that of
the second toe -
see Figure 3 - it is important that the toe flexors are activated when the
sole of the foot is
stimulated on the outer side because otherwise the walking person's entire
weight and the
propulsive forces would have to be supported exclusively by the metatarsal
bones.
[0016] Figure 1 shows the right-foot gait and the stance phase subdivided into
its three
subphases: the contact phase, midstance phase and propulsive phase.
[00171 Figure 2 illustrates the natural flow of force through the foot in more
detail. The
flow of force begins slightly to the side in the heel and then flows forward
between the first
and second metatarsal bones and exits the foot through the big toe.
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[0018] An outsole for shoes having a checkered profile with intersecting
straight notches
is known in the art, for example, through GB 2 431 857 A and US 2007/019921
IA. The
outsole has increased flexibility along these notches. The drawback to an
outsole of this kind
is the fact that the flexibility is provided in unsuitable places for human
walking or running
and along unsuitable flex lines.
[00191 German Utility Model DE 87 04 284 U discloses a simpler method compared
to
the above-cited prior art for implementing a certain flexibility in the
outsole of a shoe in
which the sole has apertures filled with polyurethane resin chiefly in the
region of the ball of
the foot and in the toe region in the form of longitudinal slits.
[0020] Pursuant to a preferred embodiment form in EP 1 418 826, an outsole is
known
which has an area of increased flexibility, which area is defined by a medial
posterior
boundary of not less than 70% of the length of the foot, a medial anterior
boundary of not
more than 80% of the length of the foot, and a lateral anterior boundary of
not more than 70%
of the length of the foot. No further verbal explanations are given as to how
the flexibility of
the known outsole is to be achieved, but the drawings show a possible
realization by means of
notches extending transversely in straight lines in the outsole. The drawback
to a solution of
this kind consists in the fact that a flexibility achieved in this way cannot
be reconciled with
the requirements of the human skeleton.
[0021] The subject matter of US 2007/0011914 A is an athletic shoe having a
laced
overshoe on a sole which is formed beneath the through-going lacing of the
overshoe and
which has a checkered profile with intersecting, slightly curved notches.
Since these notches
have no relation to the foot skeleton of the shoe wearer, the disclosure of
this document does
not go beyond the disclosures of GB 2 431 857 A and US 2007/0199211 A which
were
evaluated above.
[0022] Finally, a shoe somewhat in the shape of a mandrake is known from the
older US
3,967,390. This shoe has separately formed insertion zones for each individual
toe. In a
preferred embodiment form of this approach for constructing a shoe, which was
never
seriously pursued in view of its external form, there is a line of increased
flexibility along a
connecting curve of the articulation of all of the toes with the cuneiform
bones and cuboid,
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respectively. However, this document does not suggest constructing the outsole
with a grid
structure of irregularly formed lines.
[0023] Proceeding from the state of knowledge described in the preceding
paragraphs as
interpreted by the inventor also within the context of the problems in the
design of previous
shoes and the soles thereof, the inventor now proposes an outsole provided for
a shoe,
wherein at least a portion of the outsole has a grid structure of intersecting
lines along the
course of which the outsole has an increased flexibility, and which is
characterized in that the
grid structure is irregularly formed by means of lines which are determined
= on the one hand at least by the course of the connecting curve (14-2)
through the toe
joints
(a) between the distal phalanx (10) and the proximal phalanx (9) of the big
toe and
(b) between the respective middle phalanx (12) and proximal phalanx (9) of the
second, third, fourth and fifth toes
= and on the other hand by the course of the respective intermediate spaces
between the
five toes (15-1, 15-2, 15-3, 15-4)
when the sole according to the invention is positioned to fit under the
wearer's foot.
[0024] Within the meaning of the present invention, all of the outward
components of the
shoe that are visible underneath the shoe, preferably including the shoe
elements which are
situated on the same horizontal plane as the visible components, are
considered as the outsole.
[0025] In the same way, the inventor proposes a shoe having at least
= an upper part for covering at least a portion of the foot of a shoe wearer
= and a sole which is connected to the upper part, wherein the sole has an
insole that is
suitable for coming into contact with the underside of the wearer's foot when
the shoe
is worn, and wherein the sole has an outsole, wherein at least a portion of
the outsole
has a grid structure of intersecting lines along the course of which the
outsole has an
increased flexibility, characterized in that the grid structure is irregularly
formed by
means of lines which are determined
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on the one hand by the course of the connecting curve (14-2) through the toe
joints
(a) between the distal phalanx (10) and the proximal phalanx (9) of the big
toe
and
(b) between the respective middle phalanx (12) and proximal phalanx (9) of
the second, third, fourth and fifth toes
= and on the other hand by the course of the respective intermediate spaces
between the five toes (15-1, 15-2, 15-3, 15-4).
[0026] Within the meaning of the present invention, "shoe" designates
conventional low-
cut shoes, athletic shoes, sandals or boots without being limiting in any way
to this list.
[0027] Additionally, the grid structure of the outsole preferably has at least
one additional
line selected from the lines that are determined by:
(c) the course of the connecting curve (14-1) through the toe joints between
the respective
distal phalanx (13) and middle phalanx (12) of the second, third, fourth and
fifth toes,
(d) the course of the connecting curve (14-3) through the toe joints of the
respective
proximal phalanx (9) and the metatarsal bones (8, 11) of the five toes,
(e) the course of the connecting curve (14-4) of the articulation of the toes
with the
cuneiform bones (5, 6, 7) and the cuboid bone (4), respectively,
{f) the course of the connecting curve (14-5) in front of the navicular bone
(3),
(g) the course of the connecting curve (14-6) behind the navicular bone (3) to
behind the
cuboid bone (4)
when the sole according to the invention is positioned to fit under the
wearer's foot.
[0028] Figure 5 shows the connecting curves (14-1, 14-2, 14-3, 14-4, 14-5 and
14-6) on a
human foot along which extend the lines along the course of which the outsole
according to
the invention has lines with increased flexibility.
[0029] It is crucial for the outsole proposed herein that it has an area of
increased
flexibility at least below the course of the connecting curve (14-2) through
the toe joints: (a)
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between the distal phalanx (10) and the proximal phalanx (9) of the big toe;
and (b) between
the respective middle phalanx (12) and proximal phalanx (9) of the second,
third, fourth and
fifth toes; it is likewise fundamentally important that the outsole proposed
herein has areas of
increased flexibility in the course of the respective intermediate spaces
between the five toes
(15-1, 15-2, 15-3, 15-4). It is definitely preferred that the proposed outsole
has increased
flexibility below each joint of the five toes because the ideas of the
inventor to enable the
natural movement of the foot also when wearing shoes is then realized in the
best possible
way in the sole and in a shoe having this sole.
[0030] The increased flexibility of the proposed outsole can be achieved
through a reduced
thickness of the sole in that profile indentations or profile notches are
incorporated in the sole
along the lines determined by the connecting curve (14-2) and optionally in
addition through
the connecting curves (14-1, 14-3, 14-4, 14-5 and 14-6) and by the course of
the respective
intermediate spaces between the five toes (15-1, 15-2, 15-3, 15-4). These
profile indentations
or profile notches can be constructed singly but also as double or triple
indentations or
notches and, as a result of the double or triple repetition of indentations or
notches, the
flexibility can be further increased and adaptation to different foot
geometries of the user can
be improved.
[0031] However, the increased flexibility can also be achieved by altered sole
material
along the above-mentioned lines.
[0032] For visual reasons, it can be important to provide a more uniform
distribution of
the transversely extending lines between
- the connecting curve (14-2) through the toe joints (a) between the distal
phalanx (10)
and the proximal phalanx (9) of the big toe and (b) between the respective
middle
phalanx (12) and proximal phalanx (9) of the second, third, fourth and fifth
toes,
- and the connecting curve (14-4) of the articulation of the toes with the
cuneiform
bones (5, 6, 7) and the cuboid bone (4), respectively,
through the outer arch, inner arch and middle arch of the foot even if, in
case of this more
uniform distribution of the lines with increased flexibility, the curves
located between the
connecting curves (14-2) and (14-4) would no longer extend exactly below the
respective
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joints of the five toes. Since an embodiment variant of this kind could be of
especial interest
commercially, this variant is also regarded as preferred within the meaning of
the invention.
[0033] The shoe proposed herein having the outsole according to the invention
in which at
least a portion of the outsole has a grid structure of intersecting lines
along the course of
which the outsole has increased flexibility, which lines are determined
= on the one hand at least by the course of the connecting curve (14-2)
through the toe
joints
(a) between the distal phalanx (10) and the proximal phalanx (9) of the big
toe and
(b) between the respective middle phalanx (12) and proximal phalanx (9) of the
second, third, fourth and fifth toes,
= and on the other hand by the course of the respective intermediate spaces
between the
five toes (15-1, 15-2, 15-3, 15-4),
additionally has in a particularly preferred embodiment form an insole which
allows natural
walking to a particularly great extent without pain or fatigue.
[0034] Through the combination of outsole and insole, which is accordingly
proposed as a
particularly preferred embodiment form, the inventor was able to suggest an
especially
consistent solution to the problem at hand, namely, to make available to the
public a shoe
whose design, construction and geometrical characteristics improve and enhance
the natural
movement of the foot during the movement cycle. Precisely by combining an
outsole as
proposed herein with an insole as proposed herein, a shoe is provided
according to the
invention which perfectly solves the above-stated problem of making available
to the public a
shoe by means of whose use a natural gait can be realized as far as possible.
[0035] Accordingly, the especially logical solution to this problem mentioned
above is
effected with an insole for a shoe, wherein the insole has a flat back side in
direction of the
shoe outsole, which is also proposed, and a dome-shaped structure (18) on the
front side, and
wherein the insole is characterized by the following features:
^ the dome-shaped structure (18) has a base surface of a maximum of 25% of the
insole
surface, and
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the dome-shaped structure (18) is positioned under the cuboid bone (4) of the
shoe
wearer.
[0036] In a preferred embodiment form, the dome-shaped structure (18) of the
insole
claimed within the framework of the preferred embodiment form is positioned
under the
medial side of the cuboid bone (4) of the shoe wearer where the cuboid bone
(4) borders the
navicular bone (3) on one side and the calcaneus bone (2) on the other side.
In this
connection, reference is again made, on the one hand, to Figure 3 which shows
the bone
structure of a human foot and names all of the important bones mentioned
herein. On the
other hand, reference is made to Figure 6 which likewise shows the human foot
in which all
of the bones essential to the invention are designated and which further shows
the goal of the
dome-shaped structure corresponding to the present invention relating to the
shoe in one of
the preferred embodiments thereof.
[0037] The dome-shaped structure (18) of the insole is constructed so as to be
elastic - for
example, it is produced from permanently elastic plastics and/or gel
materials, constructional
variations of various hardness being preferred. It was shown in numerous
trials upon which
the present document is based that in a preferred embodiment the base surface
of the dome-
shaped structure (18) can even have a proportion of only a maximum of 20%, or
even a
maximum of 15%, of the insole surface. In particularly preferred embodiments,
it is even
possible to reduce the base surface of the dome-shaped structure (12) to a
surface of 10% or
less, particularly preferably even to a surface in a range from less than 4%
to 8%, of the insole
surface. In this case, however, the wearer of a shoe of this kind should
intensively practice
running or walking on these proposed insoles with dome-shaped structure (18)
having a
particularly drastically reduced base surface because otherwise it could be
less comfortable
under certain circumstances.
[0038] The dome-shaped structure (18) is generally constructed in the form of
a truncated
cone or truncated pyramid which is rounded on the base side and apex side,
wherein the
height (21) of the dome-shaped structure (18) is preferably in a range from 3
to 20 mm. The
rounded apex (19) of the truncated cone or truncated pyramid facing the cuboid
bone (4) of
the shoe wearer can accordingly be circular or square. In an embodiment form
which is
particularly preferred and which is considered by the inventor to be the best,
the truncated
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cone or truncated pyramid has a rectangle or an ellipse at least at its
rounded apex (19) facing
the cuboid bone (4) of the shoe wearer, wherein the rectangle or ellipse has a
longitudinal-
transverse ratio in a range of 1:1, or greater than 1:1, to 4:1 and
particularly preferably in a
range of 1.2:1 to 3:1.
[00391 When the truncated cone or truncated pyramid has a rectangle or ellipse
at its
rounded apex (19) facing the cuboid bone (4) of the shoe wearer with a
longitudinal-
transverse ratio at least in a range from 1:1, or greater than 1:1, to 4:1, a
longitudinal axis (22)
can be associated with the dome-shaped structure (18) at the apex (19)
thereof. It was shown
to be particularly effective in the trials upon which the present document is
based when the
longitudinal axis (22) of the dome-shaped structure (18) extends along the
medial edge of the
cuboid bone (4) and particularly and preferably then encloses an angle ((p) of
from 5 to 75
with the longitudinal axis of the insole.
[0040] A particularly preferred range for the angle (q) between the
longitudinal axis (16)
of the dome-shaped structure (12) and the longitudinal axis of the insole is
from 5 to 50 ,
more preferably from 5 to 35 , and most preferably an angle range ((p) from
25 to 35 .
[0041] For an illustration of the dome-shaped structure (18) as truncated
cone, reference is
made particularly to Figure 7 which shows a corresponding truncated cone. The
position of
the angle ((p) is further illustrated particularly in Figure 6.
[0042] In a first possible constructional variant of the insole according to
the invention,
this insole is inseparably connected to the dome-shaped structure (18). This
can be achieved
in that the insole and dome-shaped structure (18) are fabricated separately
and subsequently
insolubly glued; this can also be achieved in that the insole and dome-shaped
structure (18)
are cast integral from a suitable plastics material without limiting in any
way to these two
possibilities.
[0043] In a second possible constructional variant of the insole according to
the invention,
the insole and dome-shaped structure (18) both have connection components, and
the
connection components of the insole are formed with the connection components
of the
dome-shaped structure (18) in such a way that insole and dome-shaped structure
(18) are
connected to one another so as to be difficult to separate. This separability
is desirable when
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the possibility of exchanging the dome-shaped structure (18) while retaining
the insole is
afforded as is preferred by the inventor. When exchange of the dome-shaped
structure (18) is
possible, the latter can be replaced in a particularly simple and convenient
manner in case of
wear or when a different hardness and/or a different outer shape or dimension
is desired.
[0044] In this case, the connection components between insole and dome-shaped
structure
(18) are preferably selected from the list comprising:
^ hook-and-loop strips,
^ recessed channels in the insole and springs engaging in the channels under
the base
(20) of the dome-shaped structure (18),
^ recessed channels in the base (20) of the dome-shaped structure (18) and
springs
engaging in the channels at the front side of the insole.
[0045] In case recessed channels in the insole are selected as connection
components
between insole and dome-shaped structure (18), a preferred embodiment form
consists in that
these recessed channels in the insole extend at an angle of 80 to 100 to the
longitudinal axis
(22) of the dome-shaped structure (18). Given this choice of angle at which
the recessed
channels in the insole and the springs engaging in the channels in a
corresponding manner
below the base (20) of the dome-shaped structure (18) extend virtually at
right angles to the
longitudinal axis (22) of the dome-shaped structure (18), the insole and dome-
shaped
structure (18) are connected to one another in a particularly resistant manner
so that such an
alignment of channels and springs is particularly suitable for athletic shoes.
In a particularly
preferred constructional variant of the described embodiment form, the
channels which are
recessed in the insole extend up to at least an outer edge of the insole so
that the springs
below the base (20) of the dome-shaped structure (18) can be inserted into the
recessed
channels of the insole proceeding from the outer edge of the insole.
[0046] In case recessed channels in the base (20) of the dome-shaped structure
(18) are
selected as connection components between insole and dome-shaped structure
(18), it is
preferable when these recessed channels extend along the longitudinal axis
(22) of the dome-
shaped structure (18). The springs corresponding to the recessed channels
along the
longitudinal axis (22) of the dome-shaped structure (18) are formed on the
front side of the
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insole. Insofar as the channels are guided into the base (20) of the dome-
shaped structure
(18) up to the outer edge of the dome-shaped structure (18), it is
particularly simple and
convenient to insert the channels proceeding from the end of the springs. Snap-
in elements in
the channels and associated springs prevent an unintentional slipping of the
dome-shaped
structure (18) relative to the insole on one hand and facilitate an exact
alignment of the dome-
shaped structure (18) relative to the insole on the other hand.
[0047] Insofar as the connection components between the insole and dome-shaped
structure (18) are realized by means of channels and springs to be inserted
into the channels,
it is particularly preferable when the recessed channels are undercut and the
springs are
formed so as to widen outward in. a corresponding manner.
[0048] In another preferred embodiment form, the construction of the dome-
shaped
structure (12) and the connection thereof to the insole is realized by means
of a preferably
three-part component structure comprising base (12-1), center piece (12-2) and
dome (12-3).
In this case, the base (12-1) which is generally made from an inelastic,
durable plastic or from
carbon fibers is positioned under the insole ideally in the middle of a bottom
structure of the
insole which corresponds in an exactly fitting manner to the base (12-1) and
which receives
the base (12-1), and the base (12-1) comprises connection elements for
connecting to the
center piece (12-2) by frictional engagement. These connection elements for
connecting base
(12-1) and center piece (12-2) by frictional engagement can be constructed,
for example, as
matching eyelet/pin elements having a snap-in function.
[0049} Like the base (12-1), the center piece (12-2) itself is preferably
produced from an
inelastic, durable plastic or from carbon fibers and is positioned above the
base (12-1) in the
plane of the insole; to this end, the insole has a continuous hole in the
outer shape of the
center piece (12-2). Ideally, the center piece (12-2) can be inserted by
guiding through the
hole in the insole in an exactly fitting manner from above until it is pressed
onto the base (12-
1) for connecting to the latter.
[0050} On top, the center piece (12-2) preferably has:
= either at least one recessed channel, in which case the dome (12-3) has the
at least one
matching spring engaging in this channel,
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or at least one spring, in which case the dome (12-3) has the at least one
matching
channel in which the spring of the center piece (12-2) can engage.
The above-mentioned dome (12-3) is constructed so as to be elastic and, for
example, is
produced from permanently elastic plastic and/or from gel material which may
be covered
with a suitable outer material if required.
[0051] In a specific instance of the preferred embodiment form described
above, the base
(12-1) and center piece (12-2) can also be constructed as a cohesive workpiece
which is either
assembled before being inserted in an exactly fitting manner through the hole
in the insole,
this time from below, from the two individually fabricated pieces, base (12-1)
and center
piece (12-2), and possibly glued, or is fabricated directly in one piece, in
which case this
workpiece has a bottom part as base (12-1) and a top part as center piece (12-
2).
[0052] It is considered particularly preferable when the insole, as an
integral component
part of the proposed shoe, is glued and/or sewed to the outsole of a shoe and,
as the case may
be, also to the top part of this shoe.
[0053] It is also possible that the insole is constructed as an insert for a
shoe as is proposed
herein according to one of patent claims 2 to 4.
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Reference Numbers
(1) ankle bone (talus)
(la) articulation surface of the ankle bone
(lb) neck of ankle bone
(Ic) head of ankle bone
(2) heel bone (calcaneus)
(3) navicular bone
(4) cuboid bone
(5, 6, 7)
cuneiform bones I-III
(8) largest metatarsal bone (metatarsal I)
(9) toe bone (proximal phalanx present in all five toes)
(10) toe bone (distal phalanx of the big toe)
(11) shortest metatarsal bone (metatarsal II)
(12) toe bone (middle phalanx of the second toe; also present in the third,
fourth and fifth
toes)
(13) toe bone (distal phalanx of the second toe; also present in the third,
fourth and fifth
toes)
(14-1) connecting curve through the toe joints between the respective distal
phalanx and the
middle phalanx of the second, third, fourth and fifth toes
(14-2) connecting curve through the toe joints between: (a) the distal phalanx
and the middle
phalanx of the big toe; and (b) between the respective middle phalanx and
proximal
phalanx of the second, third, fourth and fifth toes
(14-3) connecting curve through the toe joints of the respective proximal
phalanx and the
metatarsal bones of the five toes
(14-4) connecting curve of the articulation of the toes with the cuneiform
bones and with the
cuboid bone, respectively
(14-5) connecting curve in front of the navicular bone
(16-6) connecting curve behind the navicular bone, continued behind the cuboid
bone
(15-1, 15-2, 15-3, 15-4)
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longitudinally extending curve proceeding from the navicular bone (3) and
cuboid
bone (4) toward the front along the respective intermediate spaces between the
five
toes
(16) oblique axis of the metatarsal bones 2 to 5
(17) transverse axis of the big toe
((p) angle between the longitudinal axis of the dome-shaped structure and the
longitudinal
axis of the insole
(18) dome-shaped structure
(19) apex of the dome-shaped structure formed as truncated cone
(20) base of the dome-shaped structure formed as truncated cone
(21) height of the dome-shaped structure
(22) longitudinal axis at the apex of the dome-shaped structure
