Insert for rockered foot bed of footwear

Abstract

A molded insert, and methods for forming same, for a rockered foot bed of a boot, such as, but not limited to ice skating boots, or a rockered foot bed 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 when cured or dried. The moldable material can be used to fill in the concave portion of the rockered foot bed to form a flat, level or planar surface for the bottom 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 midfoot portion), thus providing adequate support for the foot's arch during typical ice skating maneuvers.

Description

CROSS-REFERENCE TO RELATED APPLICATION[0001]The instant application is a continuation in part of U.S. patent application Ser. No. 12 / 760,306, filed Apr. 14, 2010, pending, and 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 a rockered foot bed of a boot, such as, but not limited to ice skating boots, or a rockered foot bed 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 (as we...

AI Technical Summary

Benefits of technology

The present invention provides a new and improved molded insert for a rockered foot bed of a boot or shoe. This insert can be made of any moldable material that is firm when cured or dried. The insert can be placed into the foot bed and shaped or formed to provide adequate support for the foot's arch during typical ice skating maneuvers. The moldable material can fill the concave portion of the foot bed and form a flat, level or planar surface for the bottom of the foot. The insert can be made using a pressing tool or shaped from sawdust / resin mixtures, cork, or other materials. The shaped insert would still need to fill the concave portion of the foot bed and provide support for the foot's arch during ice skating maneuvers.

Problems solved by technology

Because of these different mechanical conditions being present, the ice skater's foot has constant pressure on the arch, and, with a concave gap formed in the rockered foot bed, 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 space.

Additionally, individuals with pre-existing arch problems may find walking in the afore-mentioned exercise, therapeutic, or physiological footwear difficult or painful for at least the same reasons discussed in the preceding paragraph.

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