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...

AI Technical Summary

Benefits of technology

The invention is a shoe that reduces pressure on the foot, ankle, knees, and lower back to prevent or delay arthritic changes. It includes a heel cup that tilts the foot and supports the heel, a medial arch support, and a midfoot lateral support to stabilize the foot in a lateral direction to reduce pronation and heel inversion. The shoe prevents the foot from pronating too much and keeps it in a neutral position.

Problems solved by technology

Currently available shoes and insoles place the wearer's foot in an undesired orientation.

However, an unintended consequence of emphasizing medial arch support is that users or patients often suffer from heel inversion, which can occur when the heel is presented in a supinated state.

If the inversion is untreated, it may lead to knee, hip, and back disorders.

Moreover, arthritic changes caused by this inversion often requires knee and / or hip replacement surgery, as well as back fusions.

Indeed, medical procedures that are performed as a result of heel inversion, or as a result of presenting the heel in a supinated state, can have a significant negative impact on patient lives, and place a significant drain on healthcare systems.

As mentioned herein and elsewhere, currently available footwear and footwear accessories encourage heel inversion, which is problematic and undesirable.

Solutions that do not address heel inversion permit a user's foot to pronate, which is also undesirable and may lead to injuries as well.

Simply, currently available footbed and footwear solutions are grossly inadequate at addressing modern foot-related issues that afflict wearers.

Images