Foot arch supporter

Abstract

To provide a supporter which positively assists arch formation by raising a vertical arch outside and which can perform suitable foot assistance by following both states, a raised state and a collapsed state of an inner vertical arch and an outer vertical arch.SOLUTION: A foot arch supporter 10 forms the arch of the foot by wearing on foot and pushing up the arch. The foot arch supporter 10 is composed of: a belt-shaped body part 20 which has elasticity and covers an instep part from the arch by wearing; and an inner vertical arch pad 21 which is bulged and installed in the body part 20 to push up the arch by wearing and to form a vertical arch inside of a foot.SELECTED DRAWING: Figure 1

Description

Technical Field

[0001] The present invention relates to an arch supporter for the foot that pushes up the ball of the foot to form an arch.

Background Art

[0002] In order for a human foot to support body weight and disperse impacts, a plurality of bones are combined in an arch shape, and a plantar fascia is formed along the arch of the sole of the foot. Specifically, as shown in FIG. 5(A), three arches are formed in a human foot, an outer longitudinal arch 64 connecting the base of the little finger and the heel, an inner longitudinal arch 65 connecting the base of the big toe, which is generally called the ball of the foot, and the heel, and a transverse arch 66 connecting the bases of the five toes.

[0003] Among these arches, the inner longitudinal arch 65 loses muscle strength with aging, and when the heel bone falls inward, it collapses, and the ball of the foot part touches the ground, resulting in a so-called flat foot. When a flat foot occurs, the foot easily gets tired and foot disorders are likely to occur. In order to prevent such a collapse of the arch of the sole of the foot, various supporters provided with pads at the ball of the foot part have been proposed, and one of them is the supporter of Patent Document 1.

[0004] The supporter of Patent Document 1 includes a main body part, a pad, a first fastener, and a second fastener. The main body part is a strap wound around the circumferential direction of the foot, and includes a sole part disposed on the sole of the foot, a dorsal part disposed on the top of the foot, and an ankle fixing part wound around the ankle. A second fastener is provided on this ankle fixing part, and the ankle fixing part can be opened at the second fastener. The ankle fixing part is wound around the circumferential direction of the ankle when the supporter is worn on the foot. The pad is provided in a supporter made of an elastic fabric including the sole part and the dorsal part connected to the sole part, supports the plantar arch of the sole of the foot, is disposed on the sole part, and has a top at a portion corresponding to the navicular bone on the sole of the foot.

[0005] By the way, when a person performs an activity such as walking, the inner longitudinal arch that hits the ball of the foot can be in a raised state or a collapsed state. At this time, not only the inner longitudinal arch but also the outer longitudinal arch changes its state, and by the supporter following both of these states, appropriate foot support can be provided.

[0006] In addition, regarding the reduction of pain due to diseases caused by overuse of the feet or fatigue, the importance of the outer longitudinal arch has been recognized in addition to the inner longitudinal arch in insoles and the like. Among insoles, there are some with pads provided on the outer longitudinal arch part installed on the so-called ball of the foot part on the surface, but due to limitations in the grounding space of the insole, it is smaller and pinpoint arranged compared to the pads provided on the inner longitudinal arch part, and in some cases, the pads on the outer longitudinal arch part may deviate from the appropriate position and cause discomfort or pain. Therefore, it is preferable that a supporter, rather than an insole, appropriately assists in the formation of the outer longitudinal arch.

[0007] However, although the supporter of Patent Document 1 has a pad with a top at the part corresponding to the navicular bone on the sole of the foot, this pad is only provided on the main body part, and only constantly pushes up the inner longitudinal arch that hits the ball of the foot, and does not follow the change in state. Furthermore, it does not actively assist in the formation of the outer longitudinal arch or follow the change in state.

Prior Art Documents

Patent Documents

[0008]

Patent Document 1

Summary of the Invention

Problems to be Solved by the Invention

[0009] In view of the above points, the present invention aims to provide a supporter that can actively assist in arch formation by lifting the outer longitudinal arch and can provide appropriate foot support following both the lifted state and the collapsed state of the inner longitudinal arch and the outer longitudinal arch.

Means for Solving the Problems

[0010] According to an embodiment of the present invention, there is provided a foot arch supporter that pushes up the ball of the foot to form an arch, comprising a belt-shaped main body portion that is stretchable and covers the instep from the ball of the foot when worn, an inner longitudinal arch pad that bulges from the main body portion and pushes up the ball of the foot to form the inner longitudinal arch of the foot when worn, a rear instep band provided at one end of the main body portion that covers the instep when worn and is detachably fastened to the main body portion, and an outer longitudinal arch strap having one end connected to an end of the inner longitudinal arch pad and the other end detachably fastened to the main body portion, which pulls up the outer side of the foot to form the outer longitudinal arch when worn.

[0011] According to the configuration of the present invention, since it is provided with an inner longitudinal arch pad that bulges from the main body portion and pushes up the ball of the foot to form the inner longitudinal arch of the foot when worn, it is possible to actively assist in arch formation of the inner longitudinal arch by lifting the ball of the foot from below. Further, since it is provided with a rear instep band provided at one end of the main body portion that covers the instep when worn and is detachably fastened to the main body portion, the inner longitudinal arch pad can be lifted by tightening and fastening the rear instep band.

[0012] Furthermore, since one end of the outer vertical arch strap is connected to the end of the inner vertical arch pad and the other end is detachably fastened to the main body, and the outer vertical arch strap lifts the outer side of the foot when worn to form the outer vertical arch, the outer vertical arch strap actively assists in forming the outer vertical arch by lifting the outer side of the foot together with the inner vertical arch pad. By fastening the other end of the inner vertical arch pad to the stretchable main body, appropriate foot movement assistance can be provided following both the lifted state and the collapsed state of the inner and outer vertical arches.

[0013] Preferably, the outer vertical arch strap is disposed overlapping the rear strap for the instep.

[0014] According to such a configuration, since the outer vertical arch strap is disposed overlapping the rear strap for the instep, the outer part of the foot that needs to be lifted to form the outer vertical arch can be lifted by the double structure of the rear strap for the instep and the outer vertical arch strap, and the formation of the outer vertical arch can be more actively assisted.

[0015] Preferably, the tip of the outer vertical arch strap is fixed to the rear strap for the instep, and the length from the connection part of the outer vertical arch strap with the inner vertical arch pad to the fixing part with the rear strap for the instep is shorter than the length from the connection part to the fixing part of the rear strap for the instep.

[0016] According to such a configuration, since the length from the connection part of the outer vertical arch strap with the inner vertical arch pad to the fixing part with the rear strap for the instep is shorter than the length from the connection part to the fixing part of the rear strap for the instep, the outer vertical arch strap disposed inside the rear strap for the instep can lift the outer side of the foot together with the inner vertical arch pad with a strong force and more actively assist in forming the outer vertical arch.

[0017] Preferably, the outer vertical arch strap has elasticity.

[0018] According to such a configuration, since the strap for the outer longitudinal arch has elasticity, it can flexibly follow both the state where the outer longitudinal arch is lifted and the state where it is crushed, and can appropriately assist the movement of the foot.

[0019] Preferably, the elasticity of the strap for the outer longitudinal arch is smaller than the elasticity of the rear band for the instep.

[0020] According to such a configuration, since the elasticity of the strap for the outer longitudinal arch is smaller than the elasticity of the rear band for the instep, when a strong force is applied to the foot and the outer longitudinal arch is about to deform into a state where it is greatly crushed, it can be lifted with a strong force, and the deformation of the outer longitudinal arch can be suppressed to an appropriate amount of deformation.

[0021] Preferably, the strap for the outer longitudinal arch is configured separately from the rear band for the instep, and only one end is connected to the end of the pad for the inner longitudinal arch.

[0022] According to such a configuration, since the strap for the outer longitudinal arch is configured separately from the rear band for the instep and only one end is connected to the end of the pad for the inner longitudinal arch, by attaching the strap for the outer longitudinal arch to the main body separately from the rear band for the instep, the strength for lifting the outer side of the foot can be freely adjusted, and the outer longitudinal arch can be appropriately arched.

[0023] Preferably, the rear band for the instep and the strap for the outer longitudinal arch are attached to the main body by a hook-and-loop fastener, and the shear strength of the hook-and-loop fastener is 2.6 N / cm 2 to 2 8.3 N / cm or less, and the peel strength of the hook-and-loop fastener is 0.39 N / cm or more and 1.34 N / cm or less.

[0024] According to such a configuration, the shear strength of the hook-and-loop fastener for attaching the rear band for the instep and the strap for the outer longitudinal arch to the main body is 2.6 N / cm 28.3 N / cm or less 2 It is 0.39 N / cm or more and 1.34 N / cm or less, and by setting the peeling strength of the hook-and-loop fastener to be within this range, even when the foot is moved, the rear instep band and the outer longitudinal arch strap can be made difficult to come off at least, and when a strong load is applied to the foot arch supporter, the rear instep band and the outer longitudinal arch strap can be prevented from coming off and being damaged.

Advantages of the Invention

[0025] It is possible to provide a supporter that actively assists in arch formation by lifting the outer longitudinal arch, and can appropriately assist the foot following both the state where the inner longitudinal arch and the outer longitudinal arch are lifted and the state where they are crushed.

Brief Description of the Drawings

[0026]

Figure 1

Figure 2

Figure 3

Figure 4

Figure 5

Figure 6

Figure 7

Figure 8

Mode for Carrying Out the Invention

[0027] Embodiments of the present invention will be described below with reference to the accompanying drawings. Note that the drawings of the foot arch supporter 10 show an example of the configuration.

Example

[0028] The arch of the foot will be described. As shown in FIG. 5(A), three arches are formed in a human foot: a lateral longitudinal arch 64, a medial longitudinal arch 65, and a transverse arch 66 connecting the bases of the five toes. As shown in FIG. 5(B), the medial longitudinal arch 65 is an arch connecting the heel and the base of the big toe, and is the arch of the part constituting the instep 61. As shown in FIG. 5(C), the lateral longitudinal arch 64 is an arch connecting the heel and the base of the little toe, and spreads outward when weight is applied, supporting the weight.

[0029] The lateral longitudinal arch 64 is a lower arch compared to the medial longitudinal arch 65. By these three arches becoming higher or lower, shock absorption during walking and smooth kicking can be performed. For this reason, in addition to assisting in forming the arch of the foot when it is not moving, it is preferable that the foot arch supporter 10 can also assist in forming the arch following the movement of the arch of the foot becoming higher or lower during walking or the like.

[0030] Next, the foot arch supporter 10 will be described. As shown in FIGS. 1, 2, and 5, the foot arch supporter 10 is worn on the foot 60 to push up the instep 61 to form an arch. The foot arch supporter 10 has an elastic band-shaped main body 20 that covers the instep 61 from the instep 62 when worn, and an inner vertical arch pad 21 that bulges on the main body 20 and pushes up the instep 61 when worn to form the inner vertical arch 65 inside the foot 60.

[0031] Further, the foot arch supporter 10 includes a front instep band 30 provided at one end of the main body 20 to cover the front side of the instep 62 when worn and detachably fastened to the main body 20, a rear instep band 40 provided at one end of the main body 20 at an interval from the front instep band 30 to cover the rear side of the instep 62 when worn and detachably fastened to the main body 20, and an outer vertical arch strap 42 having one end connected to the connecting portion 22 at the end of the inner vertical arch pad 21 and the other end detachably fastened to the main body 20, which pulls up the outside of the foot 60 when worn to form the outer vertical arch 64, and a heel band 50 provided on the main body 20 at a position different from the rear instep band 40 to cover the heel 63 when worn and detachably fastened to the main body 20.

[0032] A hook-and-loop fastener 31 is provided at the tip of the front instep band 30. A hook-and-loop fastener 41 is provided at the tip of the rear instep band 40. A hook-and-loop fastener 51 is provided at the tip of the heel band 50. The front instep band 30, the rear instep band 40, the outer vertical arch strap 42, and the heel band 50 are fastened to the main body 20 by the hook-and-loop fasteners 31, 41, 51. The shear strength of the hook-and-loop fasteners 31, 41, 51 is 2.6 N / cm2 or more and 8.3 N / cm2 or less, and the peel strength of the hook-and-loop fasteners 31, 41, 51 is 0.39 N / cm or more and 1.34 N / cm or less.

[0033] In the foot arch supporter 10, the main body 20, the front instep band 30, the rear instep band 40, and the heel band 50 are integrally formed and are made of an elastic fabric.

[0034] Next, the outer longitudinal arch strap 42 will be described. The foot arch supporter 10 includes an outer longitudinal arch strap 42 that supports the outer longitudinal arch 64, and the width of the outer longitudinal arch strap 42 is 3 mm or more. If the width of the outer longitudinal arch strap 42 is less than 3 mm, the width is too narrow and there is a risk of digging into the foot 60 and causing pain. However, by setting the width of the outer longitudinal arch strap 42 to 3 mm or more, digging in can be avoided and it can be used comfortably.

[0035] The outer longitudinal arch strap 42 is disposed overlapping the inner side of the rear instep band 30 and has elasticity. The elasticity of the outer longitudinal arch strap 42 is set to be smaller than the elasticity of the rear instep band 40. In the embodiment, the outer longitudinal arch strap 42 is disposed overlapping the inner side of the rear instep band 30, but it is not limited to this, and the outer longitudinal arch strap 42 may be disposed overlapping the outer side of the rear instep band 30.

[0036] Next, the outer longitudinal arch strap 42 of Example 1 will be described. As shown in FIGS. 1, 2, 5, and 8(A), one end that is the base end portion of the outer longitudinal arch strap 42 is connected to the connection portion 22 at the end of the inner longitudinal arch pad 21, and the other end that is the tip end portion is fixed in the middle of the rear instep band 40.

[0037] The length from the connection portion 22 with the inner longitudinal arch pad 21 of the outer longitudinal arch strap 42 to the fixing portion with the rear instep band 40 is set to be shorter than the length from the connection portion 22 to the fixing portion of the rear instep band 40. Also, the width of the outer longitudinal arch strap 42 is smaller than the width of the rear instep band 40. Thereby, the outer longitudinal arch strap 42 disposed inside the rear instep band 40 is protected without protruding from the rear instep band 40, so that it is not rubbed by friction with the shoe when wearing the shoe, etc., and can exhibit an appropriate function and improve durability.

[0038] Next, the outer vertical arch strap 42 of Example 2 will be described. As shown in FIGS. 1, 2, 5, and 8(B), the outer vertical arch strap 42 is configured separately from the back band 40 for the instep, and only one end serving as the base end is connected to the connecting portion 22 which is the end of the inner vertical arch pad 21, and the tip thereof can be freely moved in a so-called free state.

[0039] Next, the wearing of the foot arch supporter 10 of the examples (Example 1 and Example 2) will be described. As shown in FIG. 3(A), spread the foot arch supporter 10, align the inner vertical arch pad 21 with the ball of the foot 61, and wind the main body portion 20, the front band 30 for the instep, and the back band 40 around the foot 60 and fasten them with the hook-and-loop fasteners 31 and 41 so as to achieve appropriate tightening. Also, wind the heel belt 50 from behind the heel 63 and fasten it with the hook-and-loop fastener 51.

[0040] As shown in FIGS. 3(B) and 4, the foot arch supporter 10 is in a worn state. Since the front band 30 for the instep and the back band 40 for the instep can be fastened independently, the shape of various feet 60 and the tightening degree required for each part of the foot 60 can be adjusted. Also, the heel belt 50 can prevent the forward and backward displacement of the foot arch supporter 10 with respect to the foot 60 during walking or the like.

[0041] Next, the operation of the foot arch supporter 100 of the comparative example will be described. As shown in FIG. 6(A), the foot arch supporter 100 of the comparative example is provided with a pad 101 that bulges inward on the inner side of the main body portion 100 made of an elastic fabric, and is worn so that the pad 101 aligns with the position of the ball of the foot.

[0042] As shown in FIG. 6(B), in the arch supporter 100 for the foot of the comparative example, the pad 101 attempts to form the outer vertical arch 64, the inner vertical arch 65, and the horizontal arch 66 by lifting the instep upward. However, as shown in FIG. 6(C), since the pad 101 is only disposed below the instep, the outer vertical arch 64 receives a force obliquely outward (in the upper left direction in the figure) as indicated by the arrow (1), and the inner vertical arch 65 also receives a force obliquely outward (in the upper right direction in the figure) as indicated by the arrow (2), and may be pushed outward in the horizontal direction and an appropriate arch may not be formed. In particular, the outer vertical arch 64 may flow and be formed in the horizontal direction.

[0043] Next, the operation of the arch supporter 10 for the foot of the embodiment will be described. As shown in FIG. 7, in the arch supporter 10 for the foot of the embodiment, the instep of the foot 60 is lifted upward as indicated by the arrow (3) by the inner vertical arch pad 21 to form an appropriate inner vertical arch, and the outer vertical arch strap 42 not only prevents the outer side of the foot 60 from bulging outward (in the horizontal direction) as indicated by the arrow (4) and lifts it from below, but also can form an appropriate outer vertical arch 64 (see FIG. 5).

[0044] Next, the effects of the arch supporter 10 for the foot of the embodiment described above will be described. In the embodiment of the present invention, since the inner vertical arch pad 21 is provided so as to bulge from the main body portion 20 and push up the instep 61 when worn to form the inner vertical arch 65 of the foot, the instep 61 can be lifted from below to actively assist in forming the inner vertical arch 65. Further, since the rear band 40 for the instep is provided at one end of the main body portion 20 and covers the instep portion 62 when worn and is detachably fastened to the main body portion 20, the inner vertical arch pad 21 can be lifted by tightening and fastening the rear band 40 for the instep.

[0045] Furthermore, one end of an outer vertical arch strap 42 is connected to an end of the inner vertical arch pad 21, and the other end is detachably fastened to the main body portion 20. Since the outer vertical arch strap 42 is provided to lift the outer side of the foot 60 when worn to form the outer vertical arch 64, the outer vertical arch strap 42 lifts the outer side of the foot 60 together with the inner vertical arch pad 21 to actively assist in forming the outer vertical arch 64. By fastening the other end of the inner vertical arch pad 21 to the elastic main body portion 20, it is possible to appropriately assist the movement of the foot 60 following both the lifted state and the collapsed state of the inner vertical arch 65 and the outer vertical arch 64.

[0046] Furthermore, since the outer vertical arch strap 42 is disposed overlapping the inner side of the rear instep band 40, the outer portion of the foot 60 that needs to be lifted to form the outer vertical arch 64 can be lifted by the double structure of the rear instep band 40 and the outer vertical arch strap 42, and the formation of the outer vertical arch 64 can be more actively assisted.

[0047] Furthermore, the length from the connection portion 22 of the outer vertical arch strap 42 with the inner vertical arch pad 21 to the fixing portion with the rear instep band 40 is shorter than the length from the connection portion 22 to the fixing portion of the rear instep band 40. Therefore, the outer vertical arch strap 42 disposed inside the rear instep band 40 can lift the outer side of the foot 60 together with the inner vertical arch pad 21 with a strong force to more actively assist in forming the outer vertical arch 64.

[0048] Furthermore, since the outer vertical arch strap 42 has elasticity, it can more flexibly follow both the lifted state and the collapsed state of the outer vertical arch 64 to appropriately assist the movement of the foot 60.

[0049] Furthermore, since the elasticity of the outer vertical arch strap 42 is smaller than the elasticity of the rear instep band 40, when a strong force is applied to the foot 60 and the outer vertical arch 64 is about to deform into a greatly collapsed state, it can be lifted with a strong force to suppress the deformation of the outer vertical arch 64 to an appropriate amount of deformation.

[0050] Furthermore, the outer longitudinal arch strap 42 is configured separately from the back band 40 for the instep, and only one end is connected to the end of the inner longitudinal arch pad 21. Therefore, by attaching the outer longitudinal arch strap 42 to the main body 20 independently of the back band 40 for the instep, the strength to lift the outer side of the foot 60 can be freely adjusted, and the outer longitudinal arch 64 can be properly arched.

[0051] Furthermore, the shear strength of the hook-and-loop fasteners 41 and 43 for attaching the back band 40 for the instep and the outer longitudinal arch strap 42 to the main body 20 is 2.6 N / cm 2 or more and 8.3 N / cm 2 or less. By setting the peel strength of the hook-and-loop fasteners 41 and 43 to 0.39 N / cm or more and 1.34 N / cm or less, it is possible to make the back band 40 for the instep and the outer longitudinal arch strap 42 least likely to come off even when the foot 60 is moved, and to prevent the back band 40 for the instep and the outer longitudinal arch strap 42 from coming off and being damaged when a strong load is applied to the foot arch supporter 10.

[0052] In the embodiment, the foot arch supporter 10 is composed of the main body 20, the inner longitudinal arch pad 21, the back band 40 for the instep, and the outer longitudinal arch strap 42. However, the present invention is not limited to this. The foot arch supporter 10 may be composed of the main body 20, the inner longitudinal arch pad 21, and the outer longitudinal arch strap 42, and the inner longitudinal arch pad 21 and the outer longitudinal arch strap 42 may support the outer longitudinal arch 64 and the inner longitudinal arch 65.

[0053] Also, in the first embodiment, the tip of the outer longitudinal arch strap 42 is fixed to the back band 40 for the instep. However, the present invention is not limited to this, and the tip of the outer longitudinal arch strap 42 may be fixed to the main body 20.

[0054] In addition, in the embodiment, the outer vertical arch strap 42 is made of stretchable fabric, but it is not limited thereto, and the outer vertical arch strap 42 may be made of non-stretchable fabric. Furthermore, in the embodiment, the width of the outer vertical arch strap 42 is set smaller than the width of the back strap 40 for the back, but it is not limited thereto, and the width of the outer vertical arch strap 42 may be equal to or larger than the width of the back strap 40 for the back.

[0055] That is, as long as the functions and effects of the present invention are achieved, the present invention is not limited to the embodiments.

Industrial Applicability

[0056] The technology of the present invention is suitable for an arch supporter for feet that forms an arch by pushing up the instep of the foot.

Explanation of Reference Numerals

[0057] 10... Arch supporter for feet, 20... Main body part, 21... Inner vertical arch pad, 22... Side covering part, 30... Front strap for the back, 40... Back strap for the back, 42... Outer vertical arch strap, 50... Heel strap, 60... Foot, 61... Instep (bottom of the foot), 62... Top of the foot, 64... Outer vertical arch, 65... Inner vertical arch, 66... Transverse arch.

Claims

1. A foot arch supporter that pushes up the arch of the foot to form an arch, The foot arch supporter is characterized by comprising: a belt-shaped main body portion that is elastic and covers the arch to instep when worn; a medial longitudinal arch pad that bulges out from the main body portion and pushes up the arch when worn to form the medial longitudinal arch of the foot; an instep rear band that is attached to one end of the main body portion and covers the instep when worn and is removably fastened to the main body portion; and an lateral longitudinal arch strap that has one end connected to an end of the medial longitudinal arch pad and the other end removably fastened to the main body portion, and that pulls up the outside of the foot when worn to form the lateral longitudinal arch.

2. 2. The foot arch support according to claim 1, The foot arch support is characterized in that the outer longitudinal arch strap is arranged to overlap the instep rear band.

3. 3. The foot arch support according to claim 1 or 2, The outer longitudinal arch strap has a tip portion fixed to the instep rear band, The length from the connection part of the outer longitudinal arch strap with the inner longitudinal arch pad to the fixed part with the instep rear band is shorter than the length from the connection part of the instep rear band to the fixed part.

4. 3. The foot arch support according to claim 1 or 2, The foot arch supporter is characterized in that the outer longitudinal arch strap has elasticity.

5. 5. The foot arch support according to claim 4, The foot arch supporter is characterized in that the elasticity of the outer longitudinal arch strap is smaller than that of the instep rear band.

6. 3. The foot arch support according to claim 1 or 2, The outer longitudinal arch strap is formed separately from the instep rear band, and only one end is connected to the end of the medial longitudinal arch pad.

7. 3. The foot arch support according to claim 1 or 2, The instep rear band and the outer longitudinal arch strap are fastened to the main body by hook-and-loop fasteners, and the shear strength of the hook-and-loop fasteners is 2.6 N / cm ２ Above, 8.3N / cm ２ and the peel strength of the hook-and-loop fastener is 0.39 N / cm or more and 1.34 N / cm or less.

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