Shoe insert and method for fitting a shoe

Abstract

An apparatus and method are provided for determining whether a foot has outgrown a shoe. In one embodiment, a shoe comprises an insert that has one or more visible symbols thereon and is capable of absorbing perspiration from a foot. In one embodiment, the shoe may be, for example, a child's shoe. In this embodiment, the shoe is placed on a child's foot, and is worn by the child, during which time perspiration is produced by the child's foot and absorbed by the insert. The insert is then removed from the shoe and examined. One or more markings associated with the perspiration are detected, indicating the placement of the foot in the shoe. The position of the markings in relation to the symbols on the insert is examined. If the markings extend beyond a selected symbol, the child has outgrown the shoe.

Description

BACKGROUND OF THE INVENTION [0001] 1. Field of the Invention [0002] The invention relates to footwear generally, and more specifically, to methods and apparatus used for determining the placement of an individual's foot within a shoe, and whether the respective shoe fits properly on the foot. [0003] 2. Background of the Invention [0004] A well-designed child's shoe should facilitate a healthy pattern of growth and development of the child's foot. It is generally considered desirable for the proper development of a child's foot to allow the foot as much freedom of movement as possible. Providing unrestricted freedom of movement to the foot enables the child to walk with a natural barefoot motion, which in turn facilitates proper growth and development. To enable the child to move with a natural barefoot motion, or a close approximation thereof, a shoe must allow the foot and toes to bend in a natural manner while walking. If a child wears a shoe that is too tight or otherwise restric...

AI Technical Summary

Benefits of technology

[0008] To overcome the problems described above, an apparatus and method are provided for determining the placement of an individual's foot within a shoe, and for determining whether the individual's foot has outgrown the shoe. Accordingly, in one embodiment, a shoe insert is provided that has one or more visible sym

Problems solved by technology

If a child wears a shoe that is too tight or otherwise restricts his or her foot's movement, the child's foot, toes or ankle may sustain injury and / or may fail to grow and develop in a healthy manner.

In some cases, growth and developmental problems may be caused by even a mildly constricting shoe, well before the child begins to express discomfort.

In addition, very young children typically begin to walk before they can talk; consequently, even after a shoe begins to constrict and cause pain to a child's foot, he or she may not have the ability to communicate the nature of the problem.

Unfortunately, it is very common today for children to continue to wear shoes which they have outgrown.

One source of this problem is the rapid rate at which children's feet grow.

A related problem is the lack of opportunity parents have today to measure their children's feet and determine whether or not a given child has outgrown his or her shoes.

For example, many households currently have no apparatus designed specifically to measure the size of a child's foot.

Similarly, most households have no apparatus for determining whether or not a child's foot has outgrown a particular shoe.

As a result, many children receive new shoes in a haphazard manner.

For example, in many families a child may have his or her feet measured during occasional visits to a shoe store, where new shoes are fitted and purchased; however, in between these visits, little or no attention may be given to the growth of the feet within the shoes, unless and until the child expresses severe discomfort.

This lack of regular monitoring increases the risk that the child may suffer injury or growth-related problems in the feet, toes and / or ankles.

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