Footwear apparatus for improving gait biomechanics

Abstract

The present invention is for a footwear apparatus for improved gait bio mechanics. In accordance with an embodiment of the invention, the footwear apparatus may comprise a heel cup that provides a valgus tilt to a user's good and provides a deep heel cup to adequately support the user's heel. It may also be comprised of a medial arch support member and a midfoot lateral support member, wherein the heel cup, the medial arch, and the midfoot lateral support member stabilize the user's foot in a lateral direction to minimize pronation and heel inversion.

Description

CROSS-REFERENCE TO RELATED APPLICATIONS

[0001] This application claim priority to U.S. Provisional Patent Application No. 62 / 847,297, filed on May 13, 2019. That application is hereby incorporated by reference in its entirety.BACKGROUNDField of the Art

[0002] The present invention relates to a device to be integrated into an article of footwear, normally as, but not limited to, a shoe innersole or shoe midsole, to interact with the plantar surface of the wearer's foot, in the region of the fool's main first layer intrinsic muscles. The present invention produces benefits to address gait related and faulty gait biomechanics.Discussion of the State of the Art

[0003] Currently available shoes and insoles place the wearer's foot in an undesired orientation. The reason for this can be generally attributable to footwear makers' focus on providing medial arch support. Generally, a large percentage of the population suffers from pronation of the foot. In an effort to combat this problem, the foot...

Examples

Embodiment Construction

[0027]FIGS. 1, 2 and 3 illustrate various elements of the contoured insole apparatus in accordance with one exemplary embodiment of the invention. The elements of the contoured insole apparatus include a heel cup providing a valgus tilt to the user's foot, a medial arch support member, and a midfoot lateral support member.

[0028]The apparatus as a whole supports a user's foot by minimizing pronation and heel inversion. Moreover, each element of the apparatus independently provides sufficient tilt and contour support to ensure that the user's foot pronates and / or supinates minimally. For example, the heel cup member may be contoured minimize heel inversion. The medial arch support member is contoured to minimize heel inversion and pronation. The midfoot lateral support member is similarly designed and contoured to reduce pronation and supination.

[0029]The inventive apparatus generally conforms to the user's foot and the length and size of the inventive apparatus may be determined by t...

CROSS-REFERENCE TO RELATED APPLICATIONS

[0001] This application claim priority to U.S. Provisional Patent Application No. 62 / 847,297, filed on May 13, 2019. That application is hereby incorporated by reference in its entirety.BACKGROUNDField of the Art

[0002] The present invention relates to a device to be integrated into an article of footwear, normally as, but not limited to, a shoe innersole or shoe midsole, to interact with the plantar surface of the wearer's foot, in the region of the fool's main first layer intrinsic muscles. The present invention produces benefits to address gait related and faulty gait biomechanics.Discussion of the State of the Art

[0003] Currently available shoes and insoles place the wearer's foot in an undesired orientation. The reason for this can be generally attributable to footwear makers' focus on providing medial arch support. Generally, a large percentage of the population suffers from pronation of the foot. In an effort to combat this problem, the foot...

Examples

Embodiment Construction

[0027]FIGS. 1, 2 and 3 illustrate various elements of the contoured insole apparatus in accordance with one exemplary embodiment of the invention. The elements of the contoured insole apparatus include a heel cup providing a valgus tilt to the user's foot, a medial arch support member, and a midfoot lateral support member.

[0028]The apparatus as a whole supports a user's foot by minimizing pronation and heel inversion. Moreover, each element of the apparatus independently provides sufficient tilt and contour support to ensure that the user's foot pronates and / or supinates minimally. For example, the heel cup member may be contoured minimize heel inversion. The medial arch support member is contoured to minimize heel inversion and pronation. The midfoot lateral support member is similarly designed and contoured to reduce pronation and supination.

[0029]The inventive apparatus generally conforms to the user's foot and the length and size of the inventive apparatus may be determined by t...

Images