Adjustable and interchangebale insole and arch support system

Abstract

An insole and arch support system which may be secured to the interior of a shoe and includes a set of arch support members. Each arch support member of the system is provided with a different density to provide varying levels of hardness and stability to the arch of the foot of the individual user, and may be secured to the insole at adjustable locations. An appropriate arch support member and insole member are secured together and inserted into the shoe, with the arch support member positioned at the desired location relative to the arch of the foot. The shoe is then worn in the normal manner.

Description

FIELD OF THE INVENTION[0001]The present invention pertains to an insole and arch support system. In particular, the present invention pertain to an adjustable and interchangeable insole and arch support system for use with footwear, namely, athletic footwear and sports shoes for men, women and children.DESCRIPTION OF THE PRIOR ART[0002]A variety of methods and devices are known in the art which seek to add cushioning or stability to a shoe to absorb the impact shock of walking, running, standing, jogging and other activities, and in turn to provide protection to the shoe wearer's foot. An arch support is particularly desirable for use with athletic footwear where the foot is exposed to repeated shocks from impact in running and other athletic activities. Typical prior art devices have been developed to provide cushioning, custom fit, support or stability to the foot inside a shoe which range from merely constructing the shoe sole from a softer, more resilient material, to incorporat...

AI Technical Summary

Benefits of technology

[0015]The present invention is an adjustable and interchangeable insole and arch support system for a shoe. The system includes a modified insole and a set of adjustable and interchangeable arch support members for individual use. The adjustable and interchangeable insole and arch support system is easy to use and inexpensive to manufacture.

[0016]More particularly, in a first embodiment of the present invention, the adjustable and interchangeable insole and arch support system comprises an insole member and a plurality of separate arch support members that are interchangeable with each other depending on the preferences of the user. Each arch support member comprises a substantially identical shape, size and thickness to the others. Each arch support member may also comprise the same material as each additional arch support member of the plurality of arch support members. However, each arch support member comprises a different density of the specified employed material so as to provide each arch support member of the plurality of arch support members with a different level of hardness and resiliency, and in turn a different level of desired arch support.

Problems solved by technology

The resulting custom-fit arch support can be quite expensive.

Moreover, obtaining replacement arch supports for replacing broken, worn-down, lost or otherwise ineffective custom-fit arch supports can be cost prohibitive.

Although less expensive than custom-fit arch supports, generic-shaped arch supports of different thicknesses can cause an uncomfortable and unbalanced sensation to the user since a support of one thickness can be employed in one shoe while an arch support of a different thickness is employed in the other shoe.

This can also cause an uncomfortable sensation for the user since part of the foot would bear against the insole while the arch of the foot bears against the arch support.

Generic shaped arch supports made of different thicknesses and materials can also still be relatively expensive to manufacture since a different die or mold would be required to manufacture each different sized arch support.

Built-in arch supports are disadvantageous in that satisfactory arch support to meet particular requirements for the user is often not achieved.

In regards to shoe soles employing fluid filled pads or bladders to provide cushioning to the foot, the particular fluid filled bladders employed are often incapable of providing cushioning to the foot for all of the varying magnitudes of force exerted on the foot and the varying areas of the foot subjected to the forces in footstep impacts in jogging, running and other athletic activities.

These prior art devices provide no cushioning for other areas of the shoe sole where footstep impact may occur, such as in the arch of the foot.

With the fluid having been forced elsewhere from the inner or outer areas of the bladders, these bladders are unable to provide sufficient cushioning to the foot.

Accordingly, there is an unsatisfied need for an improved, cost-efficient, comfortable and easily manufactured insole and arch support system for use with footwear and which can be easily adapted for variable levels of desired arch support.

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