Adjustable insert or insole

Abstract

The invention relates to a variably adjustable insole for shoes, which can be used in particular as an insert for orthopaedic treatments. The produced insole is used to achieve an optimised plantar pressure distribution, reduced bending and torsional loading and optimised leg statics. The problem addressed by the invention consists in producing such an insole which has a simpler structure than that of previous solutions and in which the required adjustment steps for individual loading variants of the foot are simplified and which requires a lower technical production effort. This problem is solved in that the insole is formed from at least two regions of the insole separated transversely between the distal and proximal end, of which two regions adjacent to one another can be rotated about the longitudinal axis of the insole extending between the ends, the adjacent separated regions of the insole are connected to one another in a moveable manner along the longitudinal axis and the set positions with respect to one another can be fixed in the respective adjustment position by means of adjustable locking elements attached to and / or in the insole.

Description

[0001] Adjustable insole or insole

[0002] The invention relates to a variably adjustable insole for shoes, which can be used in particular as an insert for orthopedic fittings. This insole is adjustable at at least one point such that its distal and proximal ends can be rotated and fixed relative to each other. This variable insole changes the load on the respective foot. The resulting insole serves to achieve optimized plantar pressure distribution, reduced bending and torsional stress, and optimized leg statics.

[0003] For insoles for orthopedic shoes, various solutions are known in the published state of the art, which allow the insole to be adapted to different foot requirements. For example, DE - GbM 1 984 956 describes an insole system in which foot pads of different sizes and associated fastening elements of different heights are used. The individual foot pads are preferably fastened to one another using integrated fastening slots and tabs that can be passed through these and folded over after passing through. However, this insole system does not allow for efficient fixation of the distal and proximal ends of the insole core to one another. As a result, the adjustable positions of the insole that would be possible through twisting and fastening cannot be achieved.

[0004] Also known from DE 31 09 199 A1 is a footwear with an orthopedic-dynamic sole. This orthopedic / dynamic shoe sole has an upper part made of flexible material that extends from the edge of the sole and encloses the wearer's foot in an adapted manner from the heel to the forefoot. The sole is adapted to the force loads that occur in direct proportion to the deformation tendency of the foot. To stabilize the movement sequences, a part made of a flexible and elastically compressible material is arranged complementarily and under the plantar surface of the foot. The plantar surface of this part has a support rib of increasing depth that extends from the toe section of the sole to the outside of the heel area. It runs around the circumference of the heel and forms a depression.The support rib blends into the toe area of ​​the sole without being recognizable as such, and preferably follows a diagonally curved centerline in the middle of the foot from the toe area outwards. Although this solution also uses means that allow for different height variations of the sole to suit the individual foot, adjustable presetting of different sole areas by twisting and fixing the insole is also not possible.

[0005] A further solution is presented in WO 02 / 49472 A1. This document describes a support with a mechanical arching, twisting, rotating, and bending action, which serves as a carrier specifically for medical or technical purposes. This support comprises at least one flexible element that can be arched and which includes at least a central part and lateral elements, the arch of this element being adjustable by means of a device. According to the invention, the carrier can be at least partially spatially distorted and / or rotated and / or deformed about an axis even in the arched state by means of at least one lateral element and / or a central element. This device is also used, among other things, in the manufacture of shoes with loose or permanently integrated adjustable supports. As a result, at least one lateral element and / or the central part and / or the arched surface can be at least partially spatially twisted and / or rotated and / or bent about an axis.This solution has a complex structural design, requires complicated handling and a great deal of manufacturing effort.

[0006] The object of the present invention is therefore to create an adjustable insole for shoes which has a simpler structural design than previous solutions, by means of which the necessary adjustment processes for individual load variations of the foot are simplified and which requires less technical manufacturing effort.

[0007] This object is achieved by means of the adjustable insole created according to the descriptive features of patent claim 1. Advantageous further developments of the adjustable insole are described by the characterizing features of patent claims 2 to 10.

[0008] For this purpose, the insole is divided into at least two sections located transversely between the distal and proximal ends, of which two adjacent sections are arranged so as to be rotatable about the longitudinal axis of the insole running between the ends. In each case, two adjacent separated sections are movably connected to one another along the longitudinal axis. The set different positions of the sole sections relative to one another can be fixed in the respective adjustment positions by means of adjustable locking elements incorporated on and / or in the insole. The sections of the insole are efficiently divided into a front section, a middle section, and a heel section, with locking elements attached to the dividing lines located between each two of the adjacent separated sections. These locking elements can be removed from the insole and serve to fix the changed position.An embodiment that minimizes technical effort is achieved by assigning at least two locking elements to the dividing lines of the adjacent separated areas of the insole, which fix the position of the areas changed by the rotation. Easy-to-use functionality of the adjustable insole is effectively achieved by arranging a guide rail centrally within the inner area of ​​the adjacent separated areas of the insole, on which guide rail the separated areas can be moved towards or away from each other along the longitudinal axis of the insole and rotated about the longitudinal axis. U-shaped clamping elements are advantageously used as locking elements. These elements are connected to the guide rail and can be pulled out of the insole and rotated about the longitudinal axis of the guide rail.To achieve a stable position, the locking elements connected to the guide rail are arranged so that, after two separated, adjacent areas of the insole are rotated around their longitudinal axes, they assume a position partially below and partially above the insole. Advantageously, the locking elements are firmly connected to one of the adjacent areas of the insole, and the adjacent areas of the insole are centrally connected to the guide rail. The separated areas of the insole are mounted so that they can rotate around their longitudinal axes.Adaptable use of the insole with different sizes and shapes is efficiently achieved by detachably connecting the adjacent separated sections of the insole to the guide rail, allowing the separated sections of the insole to be interchangeably joined together. Advantageous coverage of the insole against foot contact while simultaneously preventing potential interference with the adjustment of the position is achieved by connecting the surface to a cover sole, limited to one of the separated sections of the insole.

[0009] The invention will be explained in more detail below using an exemplary embodiment. The accompanying drawings show: Fig. 1: a schematic representation of the insole divided into three sections,

[0010] Fig. 2 : the view of the underside of the insole with the arrangement of the locking elements on the dividing lines,

[0011] Fig. 3 : the front part of the insole pulled away from the middle part,

[0012] Fig. 4: the heel part of the insole pulled away from the middle part and

[0013] Fig. 5 : the positions of the locking elements after adjustment.

[0014] In the embodiment of the insole 1 illustrated in Figure 1, the total surface of the insole 1 is divided into three sections. This division subdivides the insole 1 into a front section 3, a middle section 4, and a heel section 5. The respective locations of the division are highlighted graphically by the first and second dividing lines 6 and 7. These three sections of the insole 1 are movably connected to one another in such a way that they can be moved independently of one another around the longitudinal axis 2 of the insole 1.

[0015] Figure 2 shows a schematic view of the lower side of the insole 1. This view shows the arrangement of the locking elements 8, 9, 10, and 11 along the dividing lines 6 and 7. The illustrated positions of the locking elements 8, 9, 10, and 11 ensure that the adjacent, separated sections of the insole 1 remain in the adjusted position plane. The locking elements 8 and 9 serve to fix the front and middle sections 3 and 4, which lie together in a position plane. The locking elements 10 and 11 serve to fix the middle and heel sections 4 and 5, which also lie in a common position plane. The locking elements 8, 9, 10, and 11 are firmly connected to the middle section 4.

[0016] The schematic representation in Figure 3 shows the sequence of the adjustment process for the insole 1. To change the position of the front part 3 relative to the middle part 4, in a first step the front part 3 connected to the guide rail 12 is pulled away from the middle part 4 in the direction of the longitudinal axis. This gives the locking elements 8 and 9 freedom of movement for a rotation process about the guide rail 12 arranged in the direction of the longitudinal axis of the insole 1. After the front part 3 and / or the middle part 4 have been rotated about the longitudinal axis, they are given a new inclined position relative to one another. Due to the different set inclined positions, the locking elements 8 and 9 are then brought into different positions when the two parts are finally pushed together. The locking element 8 is thus positioned below the front part 3 and the locking element 9 above the front part 3.This fixes the adjusted inclination of the front and middle sections 3 and 4. When using the insole 1, depending on the adjusted position, the midfoot is raised and the forefoot is lowered, or vice versa.

[0017] The schematic representation in Figure 4 shows the sequence of a second step in the adjustment process of the insole 1. In this adjustment phase, the heel part 5, which is connected to the guide rail 12, is pulled away from the middle part 3 along the guide rail 12. Once the freedom of movement of the locking elements 10 and 11 connected to the middle part 4 has been achieved, the rotation of the heel part 5 and / or the middle part 4 about the longitudinal axis of the insole 1 can take place. Once the rotation is complete, the required inclinations of the two parts relative to each other are then achieved. By pushing the heel part 5 towards the middle part 4 towards the dividing line 6, the locking elements 10 and 11 are optionally positioned below and above the parts to fix the adjusted positions. These different inclinations of the parts can also be used to optionally raise the midfoot and lower the heel, or vice versa.

[0018] The graphic representation in Figure 5 provides a more detailed illustration of the positioning of the locking elements 8 and 9 after the front part 3 has been pushed together along the guide rail 12 towards the middle part. This view of the insole 1 from below shows the positioning of the locking element 8 below the front part 4 and the locking element 9 above the front part 4. To prevent direct skin contact of the feet with the insole 1, an insole 13 is applied to the surface not visible here. The insole 13 is only connected to one of the separated areas to avoid interference with the adjustment of the position. The distance between the locking elements 8 and 9 is selected such that the intended adjustments of the heights or the gradients of the inclinations of the front part 4 and the middle part can be realized.The smaller the distance between the locking elements 8 and 9, the steeper the inclination of the components can be adjusted. The forefoot, midfoot, and heel can thus be raised and lowered differently and optionally. This allows the insole 1 to adjust the loads on the feet in specific areas.

[0019] Reference symbol

[0020] Insole

[0021] Longitudinal axis

[0022] front part

[0023] Middle part

[0024] Heel part first dividing line second dividing line

[0025] locking element

[0026] locking element

[0027] locking element

[0028] locking element

[0029] guide rail

[0030] Insole

Claims

Patent claims 1. Adjustable insole for shoes with means for variably fixing the distal and proximal ends of the insole core, characterized in that the insole (1) is formed from at least two regions of the insole (1) which are separated transversely between the distal and proximal ends, of which two adjacent regions are each rotatable about the longitudinal axis (2) of the insole (1) running between the ends, the respectively adjacent separated regions of the insole (1) are movably connected to one another along the longitudinal axis (2), and the set positions can be optionally fixed to one another in the respective adjustment positions by means of locking elements (8; 9; 10; 11) attached to and / or in the insole (1).

2. Adjustable insole according to claim 1, characterized in that the separated areas of the insole (1) are divided into a front part (3), a middle part (4) and a heel part (5), in which locking elements (8; 9; 10; 11) are attached to the dividing lines (6; 7) lying between each two of the adjacent separated areas and which can be pulled out of the insole (1) and serve to fix the changed position.

3. Adjustable insole according to claim 1, characterized in that at least two locking elements (8; 9; 10; 11) are assigned to the dividing lines (6; 7) of the respective adjacent separated regions of the insole (1), which fix the position of the regions changed by the rotation.

4. Adjustable insole according to claim 1, characterized in that a guide rail (12) is arranged centrally in the inner region of the adjacent separated regions of the insole (1), on which guide rail the separated regions can be moved towards or away from each other along the longitudinal axis (2) and can be rotated about the longitudinal axis (2).

5. Adjustable insole according to claims 1, 2 and 3, characterized in that U-shaped clamping elements connected to the guide rail (12) and removable from the insole (1) and rotatable about the longitudinal axis (2) of the guide rail (12) are used as locking elements (8; 9; 10; 11).

6. Adjustable insole according to claim 1, characterized in that the locking elements (8; 9; 10; 11) connected to the guide rail (12) are designed such that, after the rotation of two separated adjacent regions of the insole (1) about their longitudinal axis (2), they partially assume a position below and partially above the insole (1).

7. Adjustable insole according to claim 1, characterized in that the locking elements (8; 9; 10; 11) are firmly connected to one of the respectively adjacent areas of the insole (1) and the respectively adjacent areas are connected centrally to the guide rail (12) and are mounted so as to be rotatable about the longitudinal axis (2) of the insole (1).

8. Adjustable insole according to claim 1, characterized in that the connections between the respectively adjacent separated regions of the insole (1) with the guide rail (12) are designed to be detachable and thus the separated regions of the insole (1) can be joined together in an exchangeable manner.

9. Adjustable insole according to claim 1, characterized in that the guide rail (12) is designed to be spirally deformable around the longitudinal axis (2) of the insole (1).

10. Adjustable insole according to claim 1, characterized in that a cover sole (13) is applied to the surface of one of the separated areas of the insole (1).

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