Footwear with removable insert
a shoe insert and removable technology, applied in the field of shoes, can solve the problems of reducing the ability of the shoe to provide shock absorption and comfort properties to the wearer, reducing the comfort level of the wearer, and reducing the strength of the sho
Inactive Publication Date: 2006-03-16
KUMLE DAVID
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- Summary
- Abstract
- Description
- Claims
- Application Information
AI Technical Summary
Benefits of technology
"The present invention provides a replaceable insert for footwear that can be easily removed and replaced. The insert is made of cushioned material that can be positioned in the shoe's sole, providing comfort and support. The footwear can also have an opening in the outsole where the insert can be easily inserted and removed. The insert can be positioned tightly within the shoe to ensure a snug fit. The invention also includes a method for making footwear with a removable insert. The technical effects of the invention include improved comfort, customization, and durability of footwear."
Problems solved by technology
Unfortunately over time many materials footwear are made of breakdown and become harder reducing the ability of the footwear to provide shock absorption and comfort properties to the wearer.
Unfortunately if the outsole is made of a highly durable material, such as hardened rubber, its shock absorbing properties are sacrificed, and other parts of the shoe must be designed to provide shock absorption and cushion.
This may be desirable for durability in a work environment, but it reduces the comfort level to the wearer.
Unfortunately the insole piece covers the complete contact area between the foot and the footwear, becoming costly to replace.
The insole is not designed for shock absorption properties and is typically of thin design.
The relatively thin design of some aftermarket replacement insoles makes them susceptible to replacement in a fraction of the life span of the footwear.
This may result in a costly endeavor due to the various sizes and shape of footwear.
Midsoles that are typically made of Ethyl-Vinyl-Acetate, rubber, polyethylene or other materials provide significant shock absorbing and cushioning properties initially, but they can break down after prolonged use.
The midsole tends to lose its elasticity and will actually reduce in thickness due to standing or repeated compression from the impact of walking or running.
Once these properties are lost, the footwear becomes less effective and obsolete.
At that point the midsole has broken down to a harder and thinner form of the original material and will not provide essential shock absorption.
Other components of the shoe at this point may be in good shape but the midsole component is worn out.
The outsole could be made of a more durable material, but it would not provide shock absorption or cushion for the wearer.
If the outsole is made of more elastic material for better cushioning, its wear properties are sacrificed and the life of the product is short.
This may prove to be costly for manufacturing and less durable than other options.
The many parts and complexity of this arrangement may be costly to manufacture or replace.
In addition wear and stability would be major concern.
Disadvantage being the size of the insert taking away from the stability of the shoe, and cost of replacement for different size shoes.
This may prove to be costly during manufacturing and cumbersome for use.
This type of design incorporate single or multiple parts of wedge shaped design which may not be desirable under heavy use.
Again manufacturing cost may be high and replacement of insert may be complex or prove to be a disadvantage when not interlocking correctly.
Insole inserts are generally thin in design and would not provide the amount of shock absorption or comfort as an insert of significant depth.
In addition an insole insert is typically manufactured of multiple materials and varying shoe sizes raising the cost of manufacturing.
Providing cushioning by fluid flow is one solution but does not address the problem with materials breaking down over time and repeated use.
The manufacturing and overall cost may be a negative for this design.
Expense of manufacturing would be an issue.
The overall footwear may be heavier and noisy.
In addition there may be a reduction in performance by the springs over time limiting the life span of the product.
These types of designs and others like it require multiple parts or plates increase manufacturing cost, weight and in some cases create side-to-side stability issues.
In addition with multiple components the chance of failure is greater.
Method used
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[0033]FIGS. 1 through 3 illustrate footwear, in this case a shoe 10 having an insole 20, a midsole 40, and an outsole 50. FIG. 1 shows the basic configuration of footwear with an added insert device 30. Some footwear may not include one component such as the midsole 40. In those cases the insert would be inserted into the outsole 50, which would include the area displayed as the midsole 40.
[0034] The removable insert 30 is shown inserted through the midsole 40. An alternate design would have the insert 30 inserted through the outsole. In this case, the lower face of the insert 30 would be exposed to the elements. This may require removal or partial removal of the outsole and some type of locking device. The preferred method for simplicity would be insertion through the inside of the shoe 10. FIG. 2 illustrates a plan view or top view illustrating the interior 60 of the shoe 10 with the insert 30 in place. The insert 30 is located in the midsole 40, or in some instances the outsole ...
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Abstract
A removable, disposable shoe insert that can increase the cushion and shock absorbing properties of a shoe without sacrificing durability or comfort is provided. By using different materials for the insert, the user has the option of when to replace the insert. The insert can be of varying sizes, shapes, hardness, and materials. The insert allows manufactures to make the outsole of more durable materials extending the life of the footwear.
Description
BACKGROUND OF THE INVENTION [0001] 1. Field of the Invention [0002] The present invention is directed to footwear and, more particularly, to a removable, disposable shoe insert for cushioning and absorbing shock, footwear embodying the same, and a method of making. [0003] 2. Description of the Related Art [0004] Footwear on the market today is designed to reduce stress on the feet, legs and body of the wearer while providing comfort and flexibility. Unfortunately over time many materials footwear are made of breakdown and become harder reducing the ability of the footwear to provide shock absorption and comfort properties to the wearer. This holds true for most all types of footwear when standing, walking, running, or performing a work related task. To solve this issue three main components of footwear have been designed to provide comfort, cushion, and shock absorbing properties. [0005] The outsole of a shoe that comes in contact with the ground can be made of various types of mate...
Claims
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IPC IPC(8): A43B13/18A43B21/06A43B21/32
CPCA43B7/06A43B7/144A43B7/1465A43B21/42A43B13/187A43B21/26A43B13/181A43B7/1463
InventorKUMLE, DAVID
OwnerKUMLE DAVID