Modified footwear

Abstract

A footwear system for orthotic support comprising an insole region to which is affixed one or more detachable, repositionable receptacles that accommodate orthotic and / or foot support inserts, and optionally an additional heel receptacle. The footwear system may be usable to provide foot support in closed or open footwear.

Description

TECHNICAL FIELD[0001]The invention disclosed in this application pertains to the field of modified footwear worn by persons desiring orthopedic foot support. In particular, the invention is relevant to footwear which can be electively modified in one or more ways to fit the specific contours of the wearer's feet. The modification is accomplished by means of positionable and repositionable attachments that hold orthotic or other foot support inserts in place at various positions within the footwear to provide customized support.BACKGROUND[0002]Shoes were first created as an expedient comfort to protect the feet, and initially their construction was rudimentary, with shoes for both feet being identical and basic in design. They eventually became a status symbol, and as the shoe evolved, comfort became more of a focus. The advent of molded thermoplastics in the 1960's enabled molding of materials that conformed to the shape of the foot. The introduction of molded thermoplastic shoe por...

AI Technical Summary

Benefits of technology

The invention is a footwear system that allows users to customize and securely fix the position of orthotic inserts in a shoe for foot discomfort relief. The system includes a customized insole portion with orthotic inserts receptacles that can be positioned at the user's discretion. The invention provides users with a comfortable and customizable foot support solution that can alleviate a variety of foot conditions by modifying traditional footwear.

Problems solved by technology

This is because the availability of prescription footwear is limited in style and functionality, and it is often prohibitively expensive without health insurance coverage.

In addition, prescription footwear is often perceived to be unattractive.

Prescription orthotic footwear is also heavy and bulky.

This type of footwear and even traditional slippers without any foot supports are typically not washable.

Further, conventional shoe inserts such as insoles that employ adhesives become ineffectual when the adhesive wears out, because the insert cannot be held in place and instead may buckle, crease and be crumpled in the shoe.

A significant drawback of these mass-produced products is that they are contoured to fit a general foot size and shape rather than the particular dimensions of individual feet, such as may for example be caused by longer toes or a shorter heel of the user.

Even orthotic shoes, which are formed according to the dimensions of the user's feet, have fixed configurations for the support and are not additionally customizable to provide any other relief that may temporarily be needed, or to allow the user to self-adjust any feature.

Further, shoe inserts may not be as readily usable with open-backed or open-toed footwear such as flip flops or sandals.

Additionally, very few traditional slippers have good durability after machine washing and drying.

Shoe inserts are typically bought off the shelf and not customized to the specific contours of the wearer's foot.

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