Tiptoe standing posture stabilization aid

Abstract

To provide an aid for stabilizing a tiptoe-standing posture, which can improve athletic ability by stabilizing posture in all land sports involving performances and competitions that require a tiptoe-standing posture with the toes bent toward the instep, and can also reduce or eliminate pain in the feet and improve the condition. [Solution] The sock-like main body 2 is provided with an undercloth 2a as a sheet-like bottom that overlaps the tips of the first to third metatarsals on the sole of the foot to be supported, and when the main body 2 is attached and the wearer stands on tiptoe with their toes bent toward the top of the foot, a pad 1 is provided on the upper surface of the undercloth 2a at least at one of the positions where the tips of the first to third metatarsals are close to each other to fill the difference in distance between the tips of at least two of the first to third metatarsals and the ground surface, and the pad 1 has an outline with sharp corners with rounded tips, and a flat portion of a constant thickness or at least two flat portions of different thicknesses.

Description

[Technical Field]

[0001] The present invention relates to an aid for stabilizing a tiptoe-standing posture, which can improve athletic ability by stabilizing posture in all land sports in which a performance or competition is required to stand on tiptoe with the toes bent toward the top of the foot, and can also reduce or eliminate pain in the feet. [Background technology]

[0002] The present inventor has provided a tiptoe-standing posture stabilization aid that prevents uneven loads from occurring when the distance between the tips of the metatarsals (not just the tips of the bones themselves but including the skin surrounding them, hereinafter the same) and the ground is uneven when the toes are bent toward the top of the foot (releve), as in ballet, dance, floor exercises in gymnastics, jumping events in track and field, etc., and stabilizes posture and prevents damage caused by concentrated loads on specific metatarsals.

[0003] That is, the inventor has proposed an assisting device for stabilizing a tiptoe-standing posture, which has a main body that has a sheet-like bottom that overlaps the tips of the first to third metatarsals on the sole of the foot to be supported and is attached integrally to the foot to be supported, and a pad that is provided on the upper surface of the sheet-like bottom of the main body at at least one position close to the tips of the first to third metatarsals when the user assumes a tiptoe-standing posture with the toes bent toward the top of the foot while the main body is attached, and which fills the difference in distance to the ground surface and the tips of at least two of the first to third metatarsals, including the metatarsal whose tip is closest to the ground surface (Patent Document 1).

[0004] However, while conventional aids for tiptoe-standing posture stability are somewhat effective in stabilizing posture and alleviating damage caused by concentrated loads on specific metatarsals, they are sometimes incompatible with the shape of the metatarsals of the user, making them ineffective. Furthermore, in addition to being used in specific sports that require tiptoe-standing posture, there has been a demand for aids that improve athletic ability by stabilizing posture and alleviate foot pain. [Prior art documents] [Patent documents]

[0005] [Patent Document 1] Utility Model Registration No. 3214199 Summary of the Invention [Problem to be solved by the invention]

[0006] The present invention has been made in consideration of the above points, and aims to propose an aid for stabilizing a tiptoe-standing posture that can improve athletic ability by stabilizing posture in all land sports that require performances or competitions that require tiptoe-standing posture with the toes bent toward the top of the foot, and that can also reduce or eliminate foot pain or improve the condition. [Means for solving the problem]

[0007] In order to solve this problem, the present invention provides a main body part that has a sheet-like bottom that overlaps the tips of the first to third metatarsal bones on the sole of the foot to be supported and is attached integrally to the foot to be supported, and a pad that is provided on the upper surface of the sheet-like bottom of the main body part at at least one of positions close to the tips of the first to third metatarsal bones when the main body part is attached and the foot is in a tiptoe position with the toes bent toward the instep, and that fills the difference in distance from the ground to the tips of at least two of the first to third metatarsal bones, including the metatarsal bone whose tip is closest to the ground to the ground. a pad insertion pocket provided on the upper surface side of the sheet-like bottom of the main body portion for placing the pad; The pad has a contour with a rounded, sharp corner at one end, and a flat portion having a constant thickness or at least two flat portions having different thicknesses. The pad is one or more types selected from a plurality of types of pads with different contours and / or planes according to the difference in the foot structure of the support recipient, and is inserted and installed in the pad insertion pocket. The present invention provides an assisting device for stabilizing a tiptoe-standing posture, characterized by:

[0009] In the present invention, the pad is preferably a silicone pad formed using a mold. [Effects of the Invention]

[0010] According to the present invention, when performing or competing in a sport that requires standing on tiptoes with the toes bent toward the top of the foot, such as ballet, dance, floor exercises in gymnastics, or jumping in track and field, it is possible to prevent unsteadiness of posture or injury due to uneven concentration of load on the tips of the metatarsals, and further, by stabilizing posture in all track and field sports, athletic ability can be improved and foot pain can be reduced, eliminated, or improved. [Brief explanation of the drawings]

[0011] [Figure 1] 1(a) is a schematic bottom view showing a tiptoe posture stabilization aid (with pads attached) (right back) according to one embodiment of the present invention. (b) is a schematic bottom view showing a tiptoe posture stabilization aid (left back) symmetrical to that shown in FIG. 1(a). (c) is a schematic view showing an example of two pads to be attached to each of FIG. 1(a) and (b). [Figure 2] FIG. 2 is a schematic diagram showing a list of shapes of pads to be attached to the assisting tool of FIG. [Figure 3] 3(a) is a schematic diagram showing an example of the state of the right foot when wearing the assistive device of FIG. 1(a) and standing on tiptoe, and FIG. 3(b) is a schematic cross-sectional view showing an example of the state of the tip of the metatarsal bone when standing on tiptoe as shown in FIG. 3(a) as viewed from the rear. [Figure 4] 10(a) to 10(c) are schematic explanatory views showing a first pad mounting flow. [Figure 5] 10(a) to 10(c) are schematic explanatory views showing a second pad mounting flow. [Figure 6] FIG. 10 is a schematic explanatory diagram showing an example of a pad that can be finely adjusted according to differences in the foot skeletal structure of the recipient of assistance. [Figure 7] 10A to 10C are schematic explanatory diagrams showing methods of fine adjustment in different examples of pad arrangement. [Figure 8] 10(a) and 10(b) are schematic explanatory diagrams showing an example of fine adjustment of the pad in the assisting tool. [Figure 9] FIG. 10 is a schematic explanatory cross-sectional view showing an example of use of the assisting device, with the main body omitted and the pad portion enlarged. DETAILED DESCRIPTION OF THE INVENTION

[0012] An embodiment of the present invention will be described in detail below with reference to the drawings. One embodiment of the present invention is a tiptoe-standing posture stabilization aid 10, as shown in Figures 1 and 3, which has a lower cloth 2a as a sheet-like bottom that overlaps the tips of the first to third metatarsals on the sole of the foot to be supported, and an upper cloth 2b on the instep side of the foot, and which is attached integrally to the foot to be supported (the right foot in Figures 1(a) and 3, and the left foot in Figure 1(b)), and a pad 1 that is provided on the upper surface of the sheet-like bottom (lower cloth) 2a of the main body 2 at at least one position close to the tips of the first to third metatarsals when the user stands on tiptoe with the toes bent toward the instep of the foot while the main body 2 is attached, and which fills the difference in distance from the ground to the tips of at least two of the first to third metatarsals, including the metatarsal whose tip is closest to the ground. In this embodiment, the assist device 10 for the right foot shown in Fig. 1(a) and the assist device 10 for the left foot shown in Fig. 1(b) are each provided with two pads 1 as shown in Fig. 1(c). In the example of Fig. 1(a) and (b), the pads 1,1 are provided in two pad insertion pockets 2P at a position adjacent to the first metatarsal bone and a position adjacent to the tip of the third metatarsal bone, respectively.

[0013] Pad 1 is characterized by having a contour with a rounded, acute-angled corner at one end and a flat portion of a constant thickness or at least two flat portions of different thicknesses. As shown in Fig. 1(c), for example, pad 1 has a contour with a rounded, acute-angled corner 1C of about 60° at one end and a flat portion with portions of 1 mm and 2 mm in thickness. Pad 1 is attached to the same right foot assist device 10 (Fig. 1(a)) as pad 1, and is formed symmetrically to pad 1.

[0014] In the assisting device 10 equipped with such a pad 1, the user, who is the person to be supported, selects an appropriate pad 1 to fit the skeletal structure of his or her foot and inserts it into a pad insertion pocket 2P located on the inside (the foot side, not the floor side) of the lower cloth 2a, which serves as the sheet-like bottom of the main body 2. As shown in FIG. 1(c), the pad 1 has an outline with acute corners 1C, which makes it easy to attach to the pad insertion pocket 2P of the assisting device 10. Furthermore, by providing the pad 1 with at least two flat portions of different thicknesses, it can be adjusted to fit the skeletal structure of the person to be supported, allowing for a more stable posture.

[0015] In this embodiment, for example, in addition to the pad shown in FIG. 1(c), one or more types selected from several types of pads with different contours and / or planes, as shown in FIGS. 2(a) to 2(f), are used. The pad shown in FIG. 1(c) has a planar portion with a thickness of 1 mm in about one-quarter of the area and 2 mm in the remaining area. Also, FIG. 2(a) shows a pad with a planar portion with a uniform thickness of 1 mm. FIG. 2(b) shows a pad with a planar portion with a thickness of 1 mm in a small area and 2 mm in the remaining area. FIG. 2(c) shows a pad with a planar portion with a thickness of about 1 mm and 2 mm in half, and with an acute corner 1C and other acute corners with rounded tips, resembling a key shape. FIG. 2(d) shows a pad with a thickness of 1 to 3 mm, and with an acute corner 1C and other acute corners with rounded tips, resembling a key shape. FIG. 2(e) shows a pad with a thickness of 1 to 3 mm. FIG. 2(f) shows a pad with a thickness of 4 mm.

[0016] These multiple types of pads are used to fine-tune the pads in the support device 10, and are inserted into the pad insertion pocket 2P either individually or in a stack of two or more types. In this way, this embodiment allows for flexibility in combining pads of multiple shapes in accordance with variations in the foot skeletal structure of the support recipient.

[0017] Along with the assistive device 10 for the right foot shown in Fig. 1(a), it is possible to use the assistive device 10 for the left foot shown in Fig. 1(b), which has a symmetrical main body 2. These have the same configuration except for being symmetrical. Regarding the pad 1 to be used, if there is a difference in the skeletal structure of the person being assisted on the left and right feet, it is possible to appropriately select from the pads shown in Fig. 1(c) and Fig. 2(a) to (f) above to fine-tune the posture stabilization of both the left and right feet.

[0018] As the pad 1, for example, a pad having a predetermined contour and flat surface formed in a mold using a material such as silicone rubber, specifically, silicone pads of various shapes such as those shown in Figure 1(c) and Figures 2(a) to (f) described above, are preferably used to further enhance the effects of the present invention.

[0019] Next, a detailed description will be given of an example of how to use the tiptoe standing posture stabilization aid 10 according to this embodiment. The assisting device 10 may be one in which the pad 1 is pre-inserted into the pad insertion pocket 2P of the main body 2. For example, the assisting device 10 may be used with the pad 1 shown in Fig. 1(c) pre-inserted as a standard pad, and the person to be assisted may wear the assisting device in this state, lift their heels and stand on their toes (maintaining the releve position). In order to obtain the effects of the present invention, it is desirable that the heel height be set to the height required for actual sports and other movements.

[0020] An example of the state of the assistive device 10 used on the right foot of the person being assisted at this time is shown in Figures 3(a) and (b). The weight of the person being assisted is supported over a wide area, spanning the big toe (first metatarsal) of the right foot, the index toe (second metatarsal) of the right foot, and the middle toe (third metatarsal) of the right foot (see the image of the arrows in Figure 3(b)). This makes it easier to maintain balance in a tiptoe-standing position and reduces strain on specific parts of the body. In this state, the person being assisted can use the assistive device 10 equipped with the pad 1 shown in Figure 1(c) as is without any discomfort.

[0021] Furthermore, when using the assistive device 10 with the pad 1 shown in FIG. 1(c) pre-inserted, the person being assisted may feel uncomfortable and feel as if they are standing on the pad when lifting their heels and standing on tiptoe. In this case, the pad used in the assistive device 10 can be adjusted appropriately according to the first pad attachment flow shown in FIGS. 4(a) to 4(c). For example, as shown in FIG. 4(a), the pad on the side of the big toe (first metatarsal) of the right foot may be too thick. In such a case, the person being assisted can eliminate the discomfort by replacing the pad on the big toe side with a thinner one. Note that FIG. 4(a) corresponds to FIG. 3(a) and is a schematic cross-sectional view showing the state of the tip of the metatarsal bone when standing on tiptoe, as viewed from the rear.

[0022] That is, as shown in Figure 4(b), by replacing the pad on the side of the big toe (first metatarsal) of the right foot with a thinner pad, it is possible to maintain a proper tiptoe posture without putting strain on specific parts. For example, replacing a 2 mm thick pad with a pad including a 1 mm flat portion can be done as shown in Figure 4(c). Figure 4(c) shows cross sections of the pad before and after replacement. Also, if you feel like you are riding up on the side of the middle toe (third metatarsal), this means that the pad on that side is too thick, so you can adjust the middle toe side in the same way as the big toe side.

[0023] Furthermore, when using the assistive device 10 with the pad 1 shown in FIG. 1(c) pre-inserted, the person being assisted may feel uncomfortable and feel as if the pad is not providing enough support when standing on tiptoe with their heel raised. In this case, the appropriate pad used in the assistive device 10 can be adjusted according to the second pad attachment flow shown in FIGS. 5(a) to 5(c). For example, as shown in FIG. 5(a), the pad on the side of the middle toe (third metatarsal) of the right foot may be too thin. In such a case, the person being assisted can eliminate the discomfort by replacing the pad on the middle toe side with a thicker one. Note that FIG. 5(a) corresponds to FIG. 3(a) and is a schematic cross-sectional view showing the state of the tip of the metatarsal bone when standing on tiptoe, viewed from the rear.

[0024] That is, as shown in FIG. 5(b), by replacing the pad on the side of the middle toe (third metatarsal bone) of the right foot with a thicker pad, proper tiptoe-standing posture can be achieved without straining specific parts. For example, replacing a 2 mm thick pad with a 3 mm thick pad including a flat portion can be done as shown in FIG. 5(c). FIG. 5(c) shows cross sections of the pad before and after replacement. If the pad is not thick enough, it can be increased by adding, for example, a 1 mm thick pad. Furthermore, if weight still shifts toward the little toe, adjustment can be made by inserting a 4 mm thick pad (see FIG. 2(f)) into the pad insertion pocket (not shown) under the little toe of the main body 2 of the support device 10. Also, if you feel that there is insufficient support on the side of the big toe (first metatarsal) of your right foot (leaning toward the big toe), this is because the pad on that side is too thin, so you can adjust the pad on the big toe side in the same way as the middle toe side.

[0025] In addition, in this embodiment, the above-mentioned fitting flow is followed by selecting the pad 1 appropriately to adjust the fitting of the assistive device 10, and then fine-tuning can be made to suit various types of foot skeletal structure of the person being assisted, thereby making the tiptoe-standing posture even more stable.

[0026] Methods for fine-tuning include adjusting the orientation of the pad inserted into the main body 2 so that the metatarsal bones do not ride up on the pad, increasing or decreasing the thickness of the pad, or cutting the contours of the pad as necessary.

[0027] For example, by inserting the pads in the orientation shown in Figures 6(1) to (4), it is possible to fine-tune the stability of the tiptoe-standing posture. In particular, it is desirable to prevent the metatarsals from riding on the areas located at the top center of the two pads in Figures 6(2) to (4) (circled areas in the figures).

[0028] In addition, by increasing or decreasing the thickness of the pads 1 inserted at different positions in each of (1) to (5) in Figure 7, it is possible to fine-tune the stabilization of the tiptoe posture. This will produce the same effect as in the state shown in (6) in Figure 7, where the tips of the first to third metatarsals are all at a uniform distance from the floor (high performer).

[0029] As shown in Figure 8(a), two or more pads 1 can be stacked to combine different thicknesses, or the orientation of the pads can be changed to make adjustments to stabilize the tiptoe-standing posture. If you are concerned about the discomfort caused by the pads riding up, you can cut the affected area (point indicated by arrow C in the figure) to make adjustments.

[0030] 8(b), it is preferable to sew the opening of the pocket 2P (at the point indicated by the arrow A in the figure) after inserting the pad 1 to prevent the pad 1 from coming out of the pocket 2P of the main body 2. Furthermore, if the pad 1 shifts sideways, it is preferable to also sew the side (at the point indicated by the arrow B in the figure).

[0031] The assisting device 10 according to this embodiment can be provided with a pad 1 already inserted, as shown in Figures 1(a) and (b). The pad 1 already included in the main body 2 of the assisting device 10 is the pad shown in Figure 1(c). When inserting the pad 1 from the pad insertion pocket 2P, it is preferable to insert the pad 1 from the rounded, acute corners of the pad 1, as shown in Figures 1(a) and (b), as this makes insertion easier.

[0032] Furthermore, when inserting a pad 1 having two or more flat surfaces with different thicknesses, it is necessary to insert the pad 1 so that the cut end faces face the floor, as shown in FIG.

[0033] The tiptoe-standing posture stabilization aid of the present invention is extremely effective in improving athletic ability by stabilizing posture in ballet and all land sports, as well as in reducing or eliminating foot pain. In addition, the tiptoe-standing posture stabilization aid of the present invention can be used for a variety of purposes, such as an aid for ballet, baseball, golf, high heels, and women suffering from foot pain such as hallux valgus.

[0034] The tiptoe-standing posture stabilization aid of the present invention has been proven to have the following effects: simply wearing it makes it possible to jump high and easily, to walk more than 10,000 steps in high heels with ease, to improve athletic ability regardless of the genre, to make approximately 80% of 100 people who were suffering from foot pain no longer mind the pain, and to make it easier for elderly people who need assistance walking to walk. [Industrial Applicability]

[0035] The present invention can be used as an aid for stabilizing a tiptoe-standing posture, which can improve athletic ability by stabilizing posture in all land sports in which a performance or competition is required to stand on tiptoe with the toes bent toward the top of the foot, and can also reduce or eliminate foot pain and provide an improvement effect. [Explanation of symbols]

[0036] 10...Standing posture support device for tiptoes 1...Pad, 1C...Corner 2...Main body, 2a...Lower cloth, 2b...Upper cloth

Claims

1. A main body part has a sheet-like bottom part that overlaps the tips of the first to third metatarsals on the sole of the foot to be supported and is attached integrally to the foot to be supported; When the user stands on tiptoe with the toes bent toward the instep while wearing the main body, a pad is provided on the upper surface side of the sheet-like bottom of the main body at at least one of positions close to the tips of the first to third metatarsals, and fills the difference in distance between the tips of at least two metatarsals, including the metatarsal whose tip is closest to the ground surface, and the ground surface, among the first to third metatarsals; a pad insertion pocket provided on the upper surface side of the sheet-like bottom of the main body portion for placing the pad therein; The pad has a contour having a rounded, sharp corner at one end, and a flat portion having a constant thickness or at least two flat portions having different thicknesses; The pad is one or more types selected from a plurality of types of pads with different contours and / or planes depending on the skeletal structure of the person being assisted, and is inserted and placed in the pad insertion pocket for use.

2. 2. The tiptoe-standing posture stabilization aid according to claim 1, wherein the pad is a silicone pad formed using a mold.

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