Moldable arch support for footwear

Abstract

A molded insert, and methods for forming same, for an arch cavity of a boot, such as, but not limited to ice skating boots, or an arch cavity of a shoe, such as, but not limited to exercise, therapeutic, or physiological footwear, is described. The molded insert can be formed of any moldable material that is substantially firm, yet comfortable, when cured or dried. The moldable material can be used to fill in the arch cavity to form a substantially firm, yet comfortable, surface to support the arch of the wearer's foot, especially in the area corresponding from the beginning of the heel portion of the foot to the beginning of the ball of the foot (e.g., the mid-foot) and includes a vertically extending side portion along the side of the foot's arch, thus providing adequate support for the foot's arch during typical ice skating maneuvers.

Description

CROSS-REFERENCE TO RELATED APPLICATION[0001]The instant application claims priority to U.S. Provisional Patent Application Ser. No. 61 / 169,346, filed Apr. 15, 2009, U.S. Provisional Patent Application Ser. No. 61 / 169,350, filed Apr. 15, 2009, and U.S. Provisional Patent Application Ser. No. 61 / 169,493, filed Apr. 15, 2009, the entire specifications of all of which are expressly incorporated herein by reference.FIELD OF THE INVENTION[0002]The present invention relates generally to inserts for footwear, such as shoes or boots, and, more specifically to a molded insert, and methods for forming same, for an internal arch cavity of a boot, such as, but not limited to ice skating boots, or an internal arch cavity of a shoe, such as, but not limited to exercise, therapeutic, or physiological footwear.BACKGROUND OF THE INVENTION[0003]Referring to FIGS. 1, 3 and 4, conventional boots 10 (or shoes 20) are typically constructed with relatively straight or slightly curved arch portions 12. The ...

AI Technical Summary

Benefits of technology

[0009]In accordance with the general teachings of the present invention, a new and improved molded insert is provided for an arch cavity of a boot, such as, but not limited to ice skating boots, or an arch cavity of a shoe, such as, but not limited to exercise, therapeutic, or physiological footwear. The molded insert can be formed of any moldable material that is substantially firm, yet comfortable, when cured or dried. The moldable material can be used to fill in the arch cavity of the boot or shoe to form a substantially firm, yet comfortable, surface to support the arch of the wearer's foot, especially in the area corresponding from the beginning of the heel portion of the foot to the beginning of the ball of the foot (e.g., the mid-foot) and including a vertically extending side portion along the side of the foot's arch, thus providing adequate support for the foot's arch during typical ice skating maneuvers.

[0010]In accordance with one aspect of the present invention, a sufficient amount of the moldable material (e.g., in the uncured or unhardened form) can be placed onto the arch cavity area of the empty ice skating boot or shoe, as the case may be. The wearer's foot can then be inserted into the boot or shoe and contacts the moldable material so as to cause the moldable material to substantially fill the arch cavity of the boot or shoe. The moldable material can also optionally migrate into areas adjacent to the arch cavity, including but not limited to the foot bed of the boot or shoe, as well as up along the side of the arch area where there may be a gap between the wearer's foot and the interior surface of the boot or shoe. The moldable material can then form a substantially firm, yet comfortable, surface for supporting the arch of the wearer's foot, especially in the area corresponding from the beginning of the heel portion of the foot to the beginning of the ball of the foot (e.g., the mid-foot), thus providing adequate support for the foot's arch during typical ice skating maneuvers. The moldable material can then be allowed to sufficiently cure or harden, thus forming the finished insert of the present invention.

[0011]In accordance with another aspect of the present invention, the insert can be formed of a material that is shaped rather than molded. By way of a non-limiting example, the material can be formed of compressed materials (e.g., sawdust / resin mixtures and / or the like), shaped materials (e.g., cork and / or the like), and / or the like. That is, the shape of the insert can be determined in any way, and the insert cut or otherwise shaped to an appropriate form, e.g., outside of the boot or shoe. However, the shaped insert would nonetheless still need to fill the arch cavity of the boot or shoe and provide a substantially firm, yet comfortable, surface for supporting the arch of the wearer's foot, especially in the area corresponding from the beginning of the heel portion of the foot to the beginning of the ball of the foot (e.g., the mid-foot), thus providing adequate support for the foot's arch during typical ice skating maneuvers.

[0013]In accordance with one embodiment of the present invention, a method is provided for forming an insert for an arch cavity defined as an area between an interior surface of a piece of footwear and an arch portion of a foot, comprising: (1) placing an amount of moldable material in proximity to the arch cavity; (2) causing the moldable material to substantially fill the volume of the arch cavity; and (3) allowing the moldable material to cure or harden.

[0014]In accordance with another embodiment of the present invention, a method is provided for forming an insert for an area defining an arch cavity formed in a piece of footwear, wherein the arch cavity extends along an area proximate to an internal side portion or a foot bed portion of the piece of footwear, comprising: (1) placing an amount of moldable material in proximity to the arch cavity; (2) causing the moldable material to substantially fill the volume of the arch cavity by inserting a foot into the piece of footwear such that the foot contacts and presses against the moldable material; and (3) allowing the moldable material to cure or harden.

Problems solved by technology

The presence of arch cavities in boots cause the skater's foot to collapse into the arch cavity due to the foot's high arch.

Needless to say, skating performance would be expected to significantly suffer under these circumstances.

The problem of arch cavities may be due to the trend of conventional skating boots being made from shoe or boot last shapes that are fairly straight or only slightly curved (as opposed to substantially curved) through the arch portion of the foot bed or sole.

Because of these different mechanical conditions being present, the ice skater's foot needs constant support against the arch, and, with an arch cavity being present, the muscles, bones, tendons and ligaments of the foot (especially in proximity to the arch) can become stressed and / or injured as the foot (especially the arch) repeatedly collapses (or attempts to collapse) into this cavity.

Additionally, shoes having arch cavities can be painful for individuals with highly arched feet to walk in, as the foot constantly wants to “roll over” or pronate.

For example, individuals with high arches may find walking in the afore-mentioned exercise, therapeutic, or physiological footwear difficult or painful, despite the purported health benefits.

Images