Apparatus and related methods of increasing foot propulsion

Abstract

Biomechanically, a human foot operates as a lever of the second class during the motions involved with walking, running or jumping. Extending the toes during such motion increases the distance between the fulcrum and effort of the foot-lever and results in increased foot propulsion. Disclosed are apparatus and related methods of accomplishing extended toes during the motions involved with walking, running or jumping.

Description

CROSS-REFERENCE TO RELATED APPLICATIONS

[0001] This application is a continuation of co-pending U.S. patent application Ser. No. 17 / 525,794, filed Nov. 12, 2021, which is a continuation of U.S. patent application Ser. No. 13 / 507,508 (filed Jul. 5, 2012), which claims the benefit of Provisional Ser. No. 61 / 574,072 (filed Jul. 28, 2011), entitled “Fulcrum Athletic Shoe.” Each of the aforementioned related patent applications is herein incorporated by reference.BACKGROUND OF THE DISCLOSUREField of the Disclosure

[0002] The subject disclosure relates to athletic footwear, soles, insoles, inserts, and slip-ons.Description of the Related Art

[0003] During the motions involved with walking, running or jumping, the human foot operates as a second class lever to cause propulsion. This operation of a foot 1000 is illustrated by FIGS. 1A and 1B. As shown in those figures, the weight of the body (or load) 2000 resting on the arch 1100 of the foot 1000 is propelled by effort 3000 from the calf 1200 to raise the heel and leverage the weight 2000 against the toes 1300, which act as a fulcrum 4000. The propulsion caused by the foot 1000 is equal to the amount of effort 3000 times the distance between the effort and the fulcrum. When the toes 1300 of the foot are curled, as illustrated in FIG. 1A, the fulcrum 4000 is closer to the effort 3000 than when the toes 1300 are extended. The result is that that increased foot 1000 propulsion can be accomplished by operating the foot 1000 with extended toes 1300 (FIG. 1B) instead of curled toes 1300 (FIG. 1A).

[0004] The ability to walk or fun faster and jump higher via increased foot propulsion is desirable because it advantageously increases athletic and exercise performance. However, the human toes naturally curl during walking, running or jumping movements so that, thus far, toe extension has only been achieved during the initial foot propulsion (e.g., via a starting block). Subsequent foot propulsions are naturally accomplished with curled toes. In view of the foregoing, a need exists for apparatus and related methods of increasing foot propulsion via continued toe extension.

[0005] In the past several years there have been many advancements in the field of athletic footwear, but none of these advancements have been focused on increased foot propulsion. U.S. Pat. Nos. 5,257,470 and 5,253,435 to Auger, et al. discloses athletic footwear with inflatable and deflatable chambers and a built-in pump. The bladder systems focus on the metatarsal, arch and ankle portion for a custom fit that will increase comfort. However, the shoes do not inflate / deflate underneath the ball of foot and do not increase propulsion or facilitate continued toe extension. As understood by one of skill in the art, the ball of the foot is generally understood to be the area of the foot between the arch of the foot and the toes, connecting the metatarsal bones to the phalanges.

[0006] U.S. Pat. No. 2,086,389 to Pearson and U.S. Pat. No. 2,365,807 to Dialynas both teach an inflatable insole that fits under the arch of the foot. However, this does not affect the distance between the toes and heel of the foot or increase the amount of effort exerted by a user. U.S. Pat. No. 7,086,180 to Dolan, et al. teaches a fluid-filled bladder that provides traction, but does not move the fulcrum forward via toe extension, which is key to propulsion. As a result, users of these types of footwear don't get the full explosive movements and propulsion out of their feet.

[0007] Thus, a need exists for an insole or footwear that moves the fulcrum or toes of the foot relative to the heel of the foot during motion so that the result is increased athletic performance.SUMMARY OF THE DISCLOSURE

[0008] It is an object of the present invention to create an athletic footwear that will engage the toes or phalanges of the foot, moving the fulcrum of the foot forward.

[0009] It is an object of the present invention to create increased propulsion in the feet.

[0010] It is a further object of the present invention to increase stride length while walking.

[0011] It is a further object of the present invention to create a footwear that allows the wearer to run faster and jump higher.

[0012] Other objectives and desires may become apparent to one of skill in the art after reading the below disclosure and viewing the associated figures. Also, these and other embodiments will become apparent from the drawings.BRIEF DESCRIPTION OF THE DRAWINGS

[0013] The following represents brief descriptions of the drawings wherein:

[0014] FIG. 1A shows how a foot acts a second-class lever with the toes of the foot curled.

[0015] FIG. 1B shows how a foot acts a second-class lever with the toes of the foot extended.

[0016] FIG. 2 is a bottom view a typical foot.

[0017] FIG. 3 is a bottom view of a normal foot delineating the ball of the foot.

[0018] FIG. 4 is a side view of a foot inside of a shoe with a normal insole.

[0019] FIG. 5A shows a top view of the sole of a preferred embodiment of the disclosed athletic footwear.

[0020] FIG. 5B shows a side view of the sole of the preferred embodiment of the disclosed athletic footwear.

[0021] FIG. 6A shows a top view of the sole of a second preferred embodiment of the disclosed athletic footwear.

[0022] 6B shows a side view of the sole of the second preferred embodiment of the disclosed athletic footwear.

[0023] FIG. 7A shows a top view of the sole of a third preferred embodiment of the disclosed athletic footwear.

[0024] FIG. 7B shows a side view of the sole of the third preferred embodiment of the disclosed athletic footwear.

[0025] FIG. 8 shows perspective view of a preferred athletic footwear.

[0026] FIG. 9 shows perspective view of a second embodiment of a preferred athletic footwear.

[0027] FIG. 10 shows perspective view of a third embodiment of a preferred athletic footwear.

[0028] FIG. 11 shows perspective view of a preferred embodiment of an athletic sock.

[0029] FIG. 12 shows perspective view of a second embodiment of a preferred athletic sock.

[0030] FIG. 13 shows perspective view of a third embodiment of a preferred athletic sock.

[0031] FIG. 14 is side view of the preferred footwear and a foot.

[0032] FIG. 15 is side view of the second embodiment of the preferred footwear and a foot.

[0033] FIG. 16 is side view of the second embodiment of the preferred footwear and a foot.

[0034] It is to be noted, however, that the appended figures illustrate only typical embodiments of the disclosed assemblies, and therefore, are not to be considered limiting of their scope, for the disclosed assembles may admit to other equally effective embodiments that will be appreciated by those reasonably skilled in the relevant arts. Also, figures are not necessarily made to scale.DETAILED DESCRIPTION

[0035] Biomechanically, a human foot operates as a lever of the second class during the motions involved with walking, running or jumping. Extending the toes during such motion increases the distance between the fulcrum and effort of the foot-lever and results in increased foot propulsion. Disclosed are apparatus and related methods of accomplishing extended toes during the motions involved with walking, running or jumping.

[0036] FIG. 2 depicts the bottom of a human foot 1000. FIG. 3 depicts the bottom of a human foot 1000 with the ball 1500 of the foot 1000 divided into three sections. As seen in FIG. 3, the ball 1500 of the foot 1000 may be divided into three areas, the upper third 1510, the middle third 1520, and the bottom third 1530.

[0037] Referring to FIGS. 1A through 3, the middle of the toes 1310 are normally curved or curled. As alluded to above, FIG. 1A depicts what happens when a person pushes off on the toes 1310 so that the foot 1000 acts as a second-class lever. The toes 1300 act as a fulcrum, and the effort 3000 is the lifting of the calf 1200 muscles. As seen in FIG. 1A when a person pushes off on the toes 1300, the middle of the toes 1300 are usually not flattened. Instead, the ball 1500 (FIG. 3) of the foot and the top 130 of the toes 1300 are engaged with the ground. The flattening of the toes 1300, as shown in FIG. 1B effectively moves the fulcrum 4000 of the lever forward or away from the effort 3000. This increases the distance of the lever. The amount of propulsion generated from the lever is equal to the distance of the lever times the effort. Thus, when the toes 1300 are moved forward, the propulsion will increase even though the amount of effort remains the same.

[0038] FIG. 4 depicts a typical athletic shoe 200 with a typical insole 220. As shown in FIG. 4, only the ball 1500 of the foot 100 and the tip 1310 of the toes 1300 are in contact with the shoe 200 insole 220 and the toes are free to curve or curl.

[0039] The preferred embodiment of the disclosure flattens or extends the toes to increase propulsion. FIG. 5A is a top view the preferred embodiment of an insole 400. FIG. 5B is a side view of the insole 400. The insole 400 features an abrupt drop off 410 and a ridge 420 surrounding the drop off 410. The drop off 410 preferably fits under the top third 1510 (FIG. 3) of the ball 1500 (FIG. 3) of the foot 1000 (FIG. 3). The ridge 420 supports the pads of the toes 1300 (FIG. 3). FIG. 8 depicts a shoe 200 with the insole 400 of FIG. 5 built into the shoe 200. The insole 400 of FIGS. 5A and 5B is attached to the sole of the shoe 200 of FIG. 8 via adhesive, sewing, melting, electrostatic welding, molding process, or another method known in the art. The insole 400 can also be manufactured as part of a sock 300, as shown in FIG. 11. The sock 300 of FIG. 11 can then be worn inside of a typical athletic shoe 200 (FIG. 8).

[0040] In the preferred embodiment, the insole 400 is constructed from pliable materials. In preferred embodiment, the insole 400 is manufactured with a “cookie cutter type process” (e.g., via a die and press arrangement) or cut (e.g., via a blade, scissors or laser) from flat sheets of the pliable material. However, the insole 400 may also be constructed via any other manufacturing method known in the art. In the preferred embodiment, the thickness of the insoles 400 is in the range between 3 / 16 of an inch to 1 inch. The range of with ¼ of an inch to ⅜ is the ideal thickness within that range, but other thicknesses may be used. Preferably, the length from the heel to the drop off 410 edge, is determined by the average heel to ball of foot length, although varying lengths may be available to accommodate different anatomies.

[0041] FIG. 14 illustrates the strategic placement of a serrated or other edge 410 under the upper third 1510 (FIG. 3) of the ball 1500 of the foot 1000 in the insole 400 of FIG. 5A. This depicted placement allows the toes 1300 to extended, and this moves the fulcrum of the foot 1000 forward and increases propulsion. The pads of the toes 1300 are supported by the insole ridge 420 and this allows the toes 1300 to be put in their most explosive propulsive position.

[0042] An alternate embodiment of the insole 400 is the insole 700 shown in FIGS. 6A and 6B. This embodiment features a serrated or other edge 705 that preferably goes under the upper third 1510 (FIG. 3) of the ball 1500 of the foot 100. FIGS. 7A and 7B feature another embodiment of the insole 800 with an edge 805 that features varying degrees of a severe drop off. This means that the angle A between the drop-off and the toe portion of the insole can be selected as an abrupt angle or a gradual angle or anything in between. As depicted in FIG. 7A, the insole 800 includes a heel portion 800a and a toe portion 800b. In one embodiment, the toe portion 800b resembles the shape of a semi-ellipse.

[0043] FIG. 9 is a perspective view of the insole 700 inside a shoe 200. FIG. 15 shows a side view of an athletic shoe 200 with the insole 700 of FIG. 9. FIG. 10 is a perspective view of the insole 800 inside a shoe 200.

[0044] FIG. 16 shows a side view of an athletic shoe 200 with the insole 800 of FIG. 16, The insoles 700, 800 are preferably affixed to the shoe 200 using enhanced, non-slip treatment to strengthen the grip of the insoles 700, 800 and to reduce movement of the insoles 700, 800, although other methods of affixing the insoles 700, 800 to the shoe 200 may be used.

[0045] In one embodiment, the insole 800 is constructed for extending toes 1300 of a foot 1000 to enhance propulsion. The insole 800 includes an upper surface 1602 extending from a heel portion 800a of the insole 800; and a descending surface 1604 having a top end 1604a affixed to a proximate end 1602) of the upper surface 1602 and forming an abrupt dropoff 1606 therefrom, the dropoff 1606 configured for positioning beneath a ball 1500 of the foot 1000. The insole 800 also includes a lower surface 1608 (i) having a proximate end 1608 a affixed to a bottom end 1604b of the descending surface 1604 and (ii) extending across a toe portion 800b of the insole 800, wherein the lower 1608 and descending 1604 surfaces form a cavity 1610. A height H1 of the lower surface 1608 is less than a height H2 of the upper surface 1602. When weight is transferred onto the ball 1500, pads 1300a of the toes 1300 press against a distal end 1608 b of the lower surface 1608 and undersides 1300b of the toes 1300 interact with the descending 1604 and lower 1608 surfaces. Responsive to the interacting, the toes 1300 extend across the cavity 1610 as a function of an abruptness of the dropoff 1606.

[0046] In preferred embodiment, the insoles 700, 800 are manufactured with a “cookie cutter type process” (e.g., via a die and press arrangement) or cut (e.g. via a blade, scissors or laser) from flat sheets, but may also be constructed via any other manufacturing method known in the art. In the embodiments shown in FIGS. 6A and 6B, the thickness of the insoles 700, 800 is in the range between 3 / 16 of an inch to 1 inch, The range of with 1 / 4 of an inch to 318 is the ideal thickness within that range, but other thicknesses may be used. Preferably, the length from the heel to the serrated or other edge 705, 805, is determined by the average length from the heel to upper third 1510 of the ball 1500 of the foot 1000, although varying lengths may be available to accommodate different anatomies.

[0047] FIGS. 11 through 13 illustrate the insoles 400, 700, and 800 as part of a sock 300. The sock 300 can then be worn inside of a typical athletic shoe 200.Conclusions, Ramifications & Scope of the Invention

[0048] Accordingly, the reader will see that at least one of the embodiments illustrated provides the user the ability to change the fulcrum of the foot and the phalanges angle of launch point and increase its ability to propel said user.

[0049] Other possible embodiments include:

[0050] An athletic device constructed with no insole. The sole could be formed to interact with the balls of the foot and phalanges to increase the fulcrums propelling ability.

[0051] An athletic device with an inflatable system under the pad of the toes and ball of the feet that adjusts to be rigid or collapses when desired.

[0052] An athletic device under the pad of toes and / or under the bails of the foot that snaps back each step, with a spongy or collapsible area.

[0053] An athletic device that forces the toes down upon push off into a rigid, but collapsible area under the toe.

[0054] An athletic device that manipulates the heel, sole or parts of the upper third of the ball of the foot to move the fulcrum forward and engage the phalanges for more propulsion.

[0055] A device similar to the disclosed embodiments, but with straps that can be put on the foot so that the device can be used independently.

[0056] Other features will be understood with reference to the drawings. While various embodiments of the method and apparatus have been described above, it should be understood that they have been presented by way of example only, and not of limitation. Likewise, the various diagrams might depict an example of an architectural or other configuration for the disclosed method and apparatus, which is done to aid in understanding the features and functionality that might be included in the method and apparatus. The disclosed method and apparatus is not restricted to the illustrated example architectures or configurations, but the desired features might be implemented using a variety of alternative architectures and configurations. Indeed, it will be apparent to one of skill in the art how alternative functional, logical or physical partitioning and configurations might be implemented to implement the desired features of the disclosed method and apparatus. Also, a multitude of different constituent module names other than those depicted herein might be applied to the various partitions. Additionally, with regard to flow diagrams, operational descriptions and method claims, the order in which the steps are presented herein shall not mandate that various embodiments be implemented to perform the recited functionality in the same order unless the context dictates otherwise.

[0057] Although the method and apparatus is described above in terms of various exemplary embodiments and implementations, it should be understood that the various features, aspects and functionality described in one or more of the individual embodiments are not limited in their applicability to the particular embodiment with which they are described, but instead might be applied, alone or in various combinations, to one or more of the other embodiments of the disclosed method and apparatus, whether or not such embodiments are described and whether or not such features are presented as being a part of a described embodiment. Thus, the breadth and scope of the claimed invention should not be limited by any of the above-described embodiments.

[0058] Terms and phrases used in this document, and variations thereof, unless otherwise expressly stated, should be construed as open-ended as opposed to limiting. As examples of the foregoing: the term “including” should be read as meaning “including, without limitation” or the like, the term “example” is used to provide exemplary instances of the item in discussion, not an exhaustive or limiting list thereof, the terms “a” or “an” should be read as meaning “at least one,”“one or more,” or the like, and adjectives such as “conventional,”“traditional,”“normal,”“standard,”“known” and terms of similar meaning should not be construed as limiting the item described to a given time period or to an item available as of a given time, but instead should be read to encompass conventional, traditional, normal, or standard technologies that might be available or known now or at any time in the future. Likewise, where this document refers to technologies that would be apparent or known to one of ordinary skill in the art, such technologies encompass those apparent or known to the skilled artisan now or at any time in the future.

[0059] The presence of broadening words and phrases such as “one or more,”“at least,”“but not limited to” or other like phrases in some instances shall not be read to mean that the narrower case is intended or required in instances where such broadening phrases might be absent. The use of the term “module” does not imply that the components or functionality described or claimed as part of the module are all configured in a common package. Indeed, any or all of the various components of a module, whether control logic or other components, might be combined in a single package or separately maintained and might further be distributed across multiple locations.

[0060] Additionally, the various embodiments set forth herein are described in terms of exemplary block diagrams, flow charts and other illustrations. As will become apparent to one of ordinary skill in the art after reading this document, the illustrated embodiments and their various alternatives might be implemented without confinement to the illustrated examples. For example, block diagrams and their accompanying description should not be construed as mandating a particular architecture or configuration.

Claims

1. An insole for extending toes of a foot to enhance propulsion, comprising:an upper surface extending from a heel portion of the insole;a descending surface having a top end affixed to a proximate end of the upper surface and forming an abrupt dropoff therefrom, the dropoff configured for positioning beneath a ball of the foot; anda lower surface (i) having a proximate end affixed to a bottom end of the descending surface and (ii) extending across a toe portion of the insole, the lower and descending surfaces forming a cavity;wherein a height of the lower surface is less than a height of the upper surface;wherein when weight is transferred onto the ball, pads of the toes press against a distal end of the lower surface and undersides of the toes interact with the descending and lower surfaces; andwherein responsive to the interacting, the toes extend across the cavity as a function of an abruptness of the dropoff.

2. The insole of claim 1, wherein the abruptness of the dropoff is within a range from slight to steep.

3. The insole of claim 1, wherein the toe portion of the insole resembles a semi-elliptical shape.

4. The insole of claim 1, further comprising a ridge adjacent to the abrupt dropoff, the ridge being configured to support the pads of the toes when the weight is on the ball of the foot.

5. The insole of claim 1, wherein the insole is constructed from a pliable, resilient material that deflects under pressure and returns to its original shape.

6. The insole of claim 1, wherein the insole is integrated into an article of footwear by being affixed to a shoe sole using an attachment method such that the insole is built into the shoe.

7. The insole of claim 1, wherein the insole is incorporated as part of an athletic sock, the sock having the insole's upper surface, descending surface, and the lower surface is integrated into its sole portion to provide the abrupt dropoff and the cavity within the sock.

8. The insole of claim 1, wherein the insole includes a non-slip or adhesive underside surface configured to prevent the insole from shifting within a shoe during use.

9. The insole of claim 1, wherein the abrupt dropoff is positioned beneath an upper third of the ball of the foot, corresponding to a forward region of the ball of the foot to engage the toes.

10. An insole for extending toes of a foot to enhance propulsion, comprising:an upper surface extending from a heel portion of the insole;a descending surface having a top end affixed to a proximate end of the upper surface and forming an abrupt dropoff therefrom, the dropoff configured for positioning beneath a ball of the foot; anda lower surface (i) having a proximate end affixed to a bottom end of the descending surface and (ii) extending across a toe portion of the insole resembling the shape of a semi-ellipse, the lower and descending surfaces forming a cavity;wherein a height of the lower surface is less than a height of the upper surface;wherein when weight is transferred onto the ball, pads of the toes press against a distal end of the lower surface and undersides of the toes interact with the descending and lower surfaces; andwherein responsive to the interacting, the toes extend across the cavity as a function of an abruptness of the dropoff.

11. The insole of claim 10, wherein the abrupt dropoff forms an angle between the descending surface and the lower surface that is selected to be steep or gradual to adjust an extent of toe extension.

12. The insole of claim 10, further comprising a ridge adjacent to the abrupt dropoff, the ridge being configured to support the pads of the toes when the weight is on the ball of the foot.

13. The insole of claim 10, wherein the insole is constructed from a pliable, resilient material that deflects under pressure and returns to its original shape.

14. The insole of claim 10, wherein the insole is integrated into an article of footwear by being affixed to a shoe sole using an attachment method such that the insole is built into the shoe.

15. The insole of claim 10, wherein the insole is incorporated as part of an athletic sock, the sock having the insole's upper surface, descending surface, and the lower surface is integrated into its sole portion to provide the abrupt dropoff and cavity within the sock.

16. The insole of claim 10, wherein the insole includes a non-slip or adhesive underside surface configured to prevent the insole from shifting within a shoe during use.

17. The insole of claim 10, wherein the abrupt dropoff is positioned beneath an upper third of the ball of the foot, corresponding to a forward region of the ball of the foot to optimally engage the toes.

18. An insole configured to facilitate toe extension and enhance foot propulsion, the insole comprising:a heel-supported upper surface extending forward toward a forefoot region;a descending surface connected at a proximal end of the upper surface, the descending surface terminating in an abrupt dropoff positioned to align beneath the ball of a user's foot;a lower surface extending from a bottom end of the descending surface and continuing across a toe region of the insole, the descending and lower surfaces together defining a cavity;wherein the lower surface is vertically offset below the upper surface;wherein, when body weight shifts onto the ball of the foot, pads of toes of the foot engage a distal portion of the lower surface while the undersides of the toes contact the descending and lower surfaces; andwherein the toes are induced to extend across the cavity in response to an abruptness of the dropoff.

19. The insole of claim 18, wherein a toe portion of the insole resembles a semi-elliptical shape.

20. The insole of claim 18, wherein the abrupt dropoff is positioned beneath an upper third of the ball of the foot, corresponding to a forward region of the ball of the foot to engage the toes.

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