Comfort-enhancing footwear insert
a comfort-enhancing and footwear technology, applied in the field of footwear inserts, can solve the problems of significant stress, discomfort and even pain, and “lace-bite” problem, and achieve the effect of reducing the risk of injury, and reducing the wear and tear of the sho
Inactive Publication Date: 2014-07-31
WASP PRO PADS
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- Summary
- Abstract
- Description
- Claims
- Application Information
AI Technical Summary
Benefits of technology
The present invention provides a polyurethane foam or "memory foam" insert for use with footwear, specifically a foam insert that can be inserted between the tongue and the user's foot. This insert helps to provide a better fit and comfort for the user, as it can compress and cover the top of the foot and at least a portion of the sides and ankle region. The insert is made using a soy polyol and is designed to provide a snug fit and support. The method of using the insert involves inserting the user's foot into the footwear, then inserting the insert between the tongue and foot. The insert is then tightened to compress against the foot and provide better support and comfort. Overall, this invention provides a comfortable and snug fit for users of footwear.
Problems solved by technology
It is known in the art of footwear manufacturing that the use of fastening means such as laces or buckles, while providing advantages in terms of tightly securing the footwear to a user's foot, can result in discomfort and even pain due to the fastening means “biting” into the user's skin.
The “lace-bite” problem is particularly acute in sports footwear, such as ice hockey skates or ski boots, where the footwear is composed of hard, firm materials and undergoes significant stresses during use, pressing repeatedly and firmly against the top of the user's foot and the ankle region.
The resulting pain caused to tendons and other parts of the user's foot and ankle region can not only reduce the pleasure of engaging in the activity but may even block the user's ability to engage in the activity altogether.
While such proposed solutions are readily commercially available, it has been found that they fail to fully address the pain and discomfort from lace bite, particularly where pain is already occurring, and they are sometimes cost-prohibitive.
Also, gel pads and air-pocket pads can rupture from the extreme conditions encountered during some sports activities, leaking into the footwear and negating any potential benefits of the inserts.
Method used
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[0024]Turning now to FIG. 1, an insert 10 is shown. The insert 10 is made with a polyurethane foam, or “memory foam”, which is viscoelastic to enable it to mold to the user's foot and ankle region during use. While various densities of memory foam are commercially available or capable of production, those skilled in the art will be able to determine appropriate material densities for a given application. The polyurethane foam is preferably chlorofluorocarbon-free and manufactured using a soy polyol, although these features address environmental sustainability issues rather than product utility. The polyurethane foam should be cured and off-gassed before shaping into the form of insert 10 illustrated in FIG. 1, which shaping is preferably accomplished using machine cutting of a foam block.
[0025]The use of polyurethane foam or memory foam presents numerous advantages over the prior art materials. The primary benefit is that such foam can be compressed against the user's foot and ankle...
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An insert for use with laced or buckled footwear for enhancing user comfort. The insert comprises polyurethane foam and is sized and configured to be inserted between the footwear tongue and the user's foot, which insert can mold to the user's foot.
Description
FIELD OF THE INVENTION[0001]The present invention relates to footwear inserts, and specifically to footwear inserts intended to enhance user comfort.BACKGROUND OF THE INVENTION[0002]It is known in the art of footwear manufacturing that the use of fastening means such as laces or buckles, while providing advantages in terms of tightly securing the footwear to a user's foot, can result in discomfort and even pain due to the fastening means “biting” into the user's skin. This is the case even where a tongue is positioned between the fastening means and the user's foot. The “lace-bite” problem is particularly acute in sports footwear, such as ice hockey skates or ski boots, where the footwear is composed of hard, firm materials and undergoes significant stresses during use, pressing repeatedly and firmly against the top of the user's foot and the ankle region. The resulting pain caused to tendons and other parts of the user's foot and ankle region can not only reduce the pleasure of eng...
Claims
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Login to View More IPC IPC(8): A43B23/02
CPCA43B23/0245A43B5/0405A43B5/1616
Inventor FRIESMAN, LORNE
Owner WASP PRO PADS