Insole for footwear, general-purpose insole, and footwear using general-purpose insole

Abstract

[Problem] To provide an insole for footwear that enables walking in a posture that is independently optimal for each user, and in a state in which the action of excessive force is not applied to the body. [Solution] An insole for footwear is constituted with: an insole bottom part 2; a support member 4 which is installed on the insole bottom part 2; a gel body 5 which is arranged on the support member 4 and on which the shape of a foot of a wearer is formed; and an upper covering part 3 which covers the insole bottom part 2 and sandwiches, together with the insole bottom part 2, the support member 4 and the gel body 5. The support member 4: has a first guide member 11 for supporting the heel part, a rod-like second guide member 13 extending forward at the sole center part, and a forward extension part 14 interposed between the first guide member 11 and the second guide member 13; and raises and supports the foot at a position forward of the fulcrum of the heel, by means of the forward extension part 14.

Description

Footwear insole, general-purpose insole, and footwear using the general-purpose insole

[0001] The present invention relates to a footwear insole and footwear using the same, and more particularly to a footwear insole and footwear using the same that allows a user (hereinafter also referred to as "user") to walk correctly, maintain correct posture when standing and walking, and protect the soles of the user's feet.

[0002] People are increasingly seeking to improve their physical health and physical quality, and there is a growing demand for rehabilitation functions for lower back pain and cervical spondylosis. In the medical community, it is believed that correcting poor posture is an important factor in the treatment of lower back pain and cervical spondylosis. This is a field of human dynamics research, and research results on the physical improvement of shoes are groundbreaking.

[0003] As people age, calcium loss in different parts of the body increases. However, some calcium loss is not asymmetrical, which makes it difficult to walk with proper posture as people age, often resulting in foot pain, leg pain, skeletal deformation, unstable gait, shifting of the soles of the feet, reduced landing area, poor blood circulation throughout the body, blocked meridian system, varying degrees of internal organ and endocrine disorders, accelerating the aging of different parts of the body and directly affecting lifespan.

[0004] According to the United Nations' Life Expectancy Index, Japan has maintained the world's longest life expectancy (84 years) for over 20 years. In the 1970s, it was discovered that foot health is directly related to life expectancy. Correcting foot balance on the ground is the primary method for extending the human body's lifespan. As a result, age-related leg deformities have received increasing attention in Japan, and the need for insoles that can correct foot and leg deformities, as well as shoes, sandals, and other footwear that incorporate such insoles, is constantly increasing.

[0005] Users generally attach insoles to the soles of their shoes to improve comfort and prevent foot stuffiness. To achieve the above-mentioned purposes, conventional insoles are often made of sheet members made of fiber materials or moisture-absorbent synthetic resin materials, or mesh structures made of various materials. These conventional insoles generally have a flat plate-like structure with an overall thickness of approximately 3 to 5 mm (millimeters), with the central portion being slightly thicker than the periphery. These insoles are fitted inside the shoe to fit the inner sole of the shoe, improving comfort and preventing foot stuffiness. As described above, insoles are made of fiber materials, synthetic resin materials, etc., and are slightly thicker toward the central portion, providing a certain degree of elasticity and cushioning.

[0006] Conventional footwear insole technology is described, for example, in Patent Document 1 (JP 2013-009984 A). Patent Document 1 discloses an insole structure for a shoe or insole that includes a layer made of a thermoplastic resin material such as ABS resin. Patent Document 1 also discloses a method for producing an insole that fits the shape of an individual's foot using a thermoplastic resin.

[0007] In addition, the present patent applicant has proposed an insole as described in Patent Document 2 (JP 2020-137984 A) regarding improvements to insoles.

[0008] JP 2013-009984 A JP 2020-137984 A

[0009] However, while the footwear insole described in Patent Document 1 can be easily and inexpensively provided using thermoplastic resin, instead of the conventional method of making a plaster mold of an individual's foot shape and then manufacturing the insole based on that mold, it is fundamentally difficult to obtain an insole that has the functionality of a custom-made, handmade insole made with human walking in mind. Simply fitting the insole to the shape of a foot shape can, for example, create uniform pressure between the individual's foot and the surface it is placed on, but it is difficult to maintain the balance necessary to support the foot's weight when walking. Furthermore, it does not provide the functionality to efficiently generate force for kicking off the ground or to absorb impact from the ground's rebound.

[0010] Furthermore, the footwear insole of Patent Document 2 achieves the effect of enabling the individual's foot shape to create uniform pressure with the ground surface and maintaining the balance necessary to support the body weight when walking, but has the drawback of not providing sufficient support for the part of the sole of the human foot near the arch.

[0011] When designing the function and shape of an insole that takes human walking into consideration, it is necessary to understand the structure of the human foot and the walking mechanism. The sole of the human foot (arch) has three arch shapes: the lateral longitudinal arch, the medial longitudinal arch, and the lateral arch. There are three arch shapes in one foot (shown by lines a, b, and c in Figure 14 below), each of which functions to facilitate posture control in the front-to-back, left-to-right, and horizontal rotation directions. In addition, the arch shapes act like springs, absorbing shocks to the foot when walking or running.

[0012] Here, we will explain the arch. Figures 14 to 16 are diagrams showing examples of the skeletal structure of a human foot (left foot), with Figure 14 being a plan view, Figure 15 being a cross-sectional view taken approximately along line a in Figure 14 (the line indicating the medial longitudinal arch, which will be described later), and Figure 16 being a cross-sectional view taken along line b (horizontal line) in Figure 14. In Figure 14, the skeletal portion corresponding to the sole of a human foot has three fulcrums: fulcrum A at the heel, fulcrum B at the base of the big toe, and fulcrum C at the base of the little toe, and the body weight is supported by these three fulcrums A, B, and C. Because there is only one support surface, the foot is not subject to deformation, such as twisting, relative to the ground. Furthermore, if the line connecting fulcrum A and fulcrum B is line a, the line connecting fulcrum B and fulcrum C is line b, and the line connecting fulcrum C and fulcrum A is line c, as shown in Figure 15, there are three arch-shaped portions (Figures 14 to 16) in the height direction of the foot: an inner longitudinal arch Ar1 corresponding to the arch of the foot is formed in a direction approximately along line a when viewed from the side; an outer longitudinal arch Ar2 is formed in a direction approximately along line c when viewed from the side; and a horizontal arch Ar3 is formed in a direction approximately along line b when viewed from the rear in the front-to-back direction. Each of these arch-shaped portions functions to facilitate posture control in the front-to-back, left-to-right, and horizontal rotation directions. The inner longitudinal arch Ar1 formed in the direction of line a extends in an arc-like shape corresponding to the arch of the foot, and the height of the inner longitudinal arch Ar1 is 1 cm (centimeter) for a normal person. However, some people have flat feet, and for such people, the height of the inner longitudinal arch Ar1 is 0. The arch shape also acts like a spring, helping to absorb impacts on the foot. These three arches Ar1, Ar2, and Ar3 allow us to walk, run, and brace ourselves in everyday walking movements. The structure of arches Ar1, Ar2, and Ar3 is gradually formed through upright bipedal walking, and is not present in newborn babies. While upright bipedal walking is also seen in animals other than humans, only humans develop arches. Monkeys and orangutans, who lack arches, sometimes walk on two legs, but this is possible because they maintain balance by lowering their hips or bending their knees; they cannot walk nearly upright like humans.

[0013] This article explains the relationship between various foot problems and the arch shape of the foot. Ever since humans began wearing shoes, we have suffered from a variety of foot problems, which have had a detrimental effect on our bodies. The protection of our feet in shoes reduces stimulation to the arch, gradually leading to walking without using our toes. This leads to weakening of the arch muscles and a collapse of the arch shape. Various foot problems, such as flat feet, plantar fasciitis, bunions, floating toes, and sole pain, are occurring. In modern times, the arch shape of the foot gradually deteriorates due to factors such as wearing slippery or poorly stimulating shoes, wearing ill-fitting shoes, walking on hard surfaces, prolonged standing work, lack of exercise, various foot disorders, obesity, and old age. Abnormalities in the structure and morphology of the foot, including the arch shape, can disrupt the balance of the entire body, including the feet, ankles, knees, hips, lower back, and neck, leading to physical discomfort. In addition, shoes and insoles with shock-absorbing materials are used to reduce shock when walking, but symptoms such as fatigue, stiff shoulders, lower back pain, knee pain, and calf tightness are closely related to the shape of the arch of the foot.

[0014] According to the inventor's findings, in order for each footwear user to walk in a posture that is uniquely optimal for them and for humans to walk on two legs, it is necessary to have an "arch structure" formed in the arch of the foot, and it has been found that it is necessary to design an insole shape or structure that is suitable for each individual, taking into account this arch structure of the foot.

[0015] The present invention has been made in consideration of the circumstances described above, and its purpose is to provide an insole for footwear that can support the body's balance (equilibrium) when walking on two legs, and can support walking in a state where undue force is not applied to the body.

[0016] The second object of the present invention is to provide an insole for footwear that not only maintains the body balance as described above, but also enables the foot skeleton to be held and supported in a three-dimensional shape, thereby further improving foot support, thereby optimizing posture when walking and reducing physical fatigue.

[0017] A third object of the present invention is to provide an insole for footwear that adequately supports the arch of the foot and protects the bones of the foot when the arch is likely to be deformed into a flat shape due to strenuous exercise or impact.

[0018] The footwear insole according to the present invention comprises an insole bottom part whose planar shape is cut out to the shape of a shoe sole and whose lower surface abuts against the inner sole of a shoe, an upper covering part provided so as to cover the upper part of the insole bottom part, a support member placed between the insole bottom part and the upper covering part, and a gel body placed on the support member, the gel body being made of a thermoplastic material that is deformed by heating and has shape-retaining properties that allow it to retain the deformed state when cooled after heating, and is configured to be molded to the shape of a user's foot when heated, the support member having a first guide member, a second guide member and a forward extension part, the first guide member having a recess for supporting the heel of the foot against the gel body, The insole may have a height greater than that of the first guide member, and the front extension may have an inclined portion that slopes upward toward the front.

[0019] The footwear insole according to the present invention includes an insole bottom portion whose planar shape is cut to the shape of a shoe sole, a support member, a gel body, and an upper covering portion. The gel body, located on the support member between the insole bottom portion and the upper covering portion, is configured to mold to the shape of the user's foot. This allows it to deform to a shape that matches the condition of the human sole (the unique shape of the user's foot). Using the footwear insole allows users to maintain optimal posture while walking. Furthermore, it easily forms the "arch structure in the foot formed in the arch region" necessary for bipedal walking. This supports body balance (equilibrium) for bipedal walking and walking without applying undue force to the body. Furthermore, the provision of a first guide member and a second guide member in the main region of the insole bottom facilitates the formation of an arch structure suitable for supporting the heel and arch of the foot. In addition, by providing a first guide member consisting of an approximately ring-shaped protrusion that forms a recess in the gel body to support the heel of the foot, the recess can cover part or all of the bottom and side surfaces of the heel of the foot, thereby reliably supporting the ankle.

[0020] Furthermore, a front extension is provided in front of the first guide member and disposed between the first guide member and the second guide member, and this front extension supports the cuboid bone of the foot at a position forward of the heel fulcrum, so that the part of the sole that receives the center of gravity is kept raised above the sole. In other words, it is possible to support the foot skeleton in a three-dimensional manner, thereby further improving vertical support of the foot while maintaining body balance, thereby achieving optimal posture when walking and reducing physical fatigue.

[0021] Furthermore, in the footwear insole according to the present invention, the gel body may be provided with a foot side support portion that is arranged on one of the left and right sides of the second guide member of the support member, extending further forward than the forward extension portion, and the foot side support portion supports the arch of the foot on the one of the left and right sides of the second guide member.

[0022] As a result, in the footwear insole of the present invention, when the arch structure formed in the arch of the foot is about to become flattened due to intense exercise or impact, the arch of the foot can be supported by the foot side support part, thereby protecting the foot bones.

[0023] Furthermore, the footwear insole according to the present invention may be characterized in that the foot side support portion is disposed on the right side of the second guide member in the insole for the left foot, while being disposed on the left side of the second guide member in the insole for the right foot.

[0024] As a result, in the footwear insole of the present invention, the foot side support parts are arranged in areas that match the arch of the foot for each of the left and right feet, and the foot side support parts properly support the arch of the foot, effectively supporting the arch of the foot and protecting the foot bones when the arch structure is about to become flattened due to intense exercise or impact.

[0025] A general-purpose insole according to a third embodiment of the present invention comprises an insole bottom, an upper covering part covering the upper part of the insole bottom, a support member sandwiched between the insole bottom and the upper covering part, and a gel body disposed on the support member, and is characterized in that it extends forward from the heel of the foot to the vicinity of the base of the toes and terminates therein. In addition to the above configuration, the planar shape of this general-purpose insole is characterized in that it has a substantially bilaterally symmetrical structure with respect to a central axis O passing through the center of the general-purpose insole in the lateral direction.

[0026] As a result, the universal insole according to the third embodiment can be used in correspondence with a plurality of different types of footwear, and can be applied to a wide range of footwear, not just footwear with a shoe structure. Furthermore, by adding a configuration that is approximately symmetrical about the central axis O to the planar shape of the universal insole, it can be used with either the left or right unit for footwear such as slippers or sandals, where the distinction between left and right is not strict, thereby further increasing versatility.

[0027] The second invention of the present invention is a general-purpose insole-using footwear comprising a bottom plate of a simple footwear such as a slipper, which has a slit hole formed in the rear end thereof, a storage space extending from the opening of the slit hole into the bottom plate, and a general-purpose insole according to the third embodiment inserted into the storage space. That is, the general-purpose insole-using footwear has a bottom plate that serves as the sole, and the bottom plate has a slit hole extending in the left-right direction at the rear end thereof and a storage space extending forward from the slit hole, and the general-purpose insole is inserted into the storage space.

[0028] As a result, the general-purpose insole-using footwear of the second invention can be used in conjunction with multiple different types of footwear, and the effects of the insole can be achieved not only in footwear with a shoe structure, but also in a wide range of footwear types.

[0029] The footwear insole according to the first invention comprises an insole bottom whose planar shape is cut to the shape of the shoe sole, a support member, a gel body, and an upper covering portion. The gel body disposed on the support member between the insole bottom and the upper covering portion is configured to mold to the shape of the user's foot, allowing it to deform to a shape that matches the condition of the sole of the human foot (the unique shape of the user's foot). By using the footwear insole, optimal posture can be maintained while walking. Furthermore, the "arch structure in the foot formed in the arch region" required for bipedal walking can be easily formed. This helps maintain the body's balance (equilibrium) when walking on two legs and supports walking without applying excessive force to the body.

[0030] Furthermore, a front extension portion is provided between the first guide member and the second guide member in front of the first guide member, and this front extension portion supports the foot by thrusting it up at a position forward of the heel fulcrum, thereby enabling the foot skeleton to be held and supported in a three-dimensional manner, properly maintaining body balance and further improving foot support, thereby achieving proper posture when walking and reducing physical fatigue. In addition, a modified gel body has a foot side support portion disposed on one side of the second guide member of the support member, extending forward of the front extension portion, and configured to support the arch of the foot at the one side of the second guide member. This allows the foot side support portion to properly support the arch of the foot and protect the foot skeleton when the arch structure of the foot is likely to become flattened due to intense exercise or impact. The insole of the present invention, combined with the aforementioned benefits of maintaining body balance (equilibrium) when walking on two legs and protecting the foot skeleton, allows the hind foot (supporting foot) to stably support the body weight when stepping out, improving the stride of the front foot (stepping foot) and increasing stride length. As a result, the toes of the front foot point upward when the front foot lands, preventing stumbling and making it less likely for the person to fall. Elderly people typically walk with small strides, leaning forward and tiptoeing, which often leads to tripping and falling. This is due to the hind foot not being able to stably support the body weight. The insole of the present invention has the effect of improving this situation.

[0031] A general-purpose insole according to another embodiment of the present invention has the same basic configuration as the insole according to the first embodiment, but extends forward from the heel to near the base of the toes, i.e., is a main-part-limited insole, which allows it to be used with a variety of different types of footwear and is applicable to a wide range of footwear, not just shoe-type footwear. In addition to the above configuration, if the planar shape of this general-purpose insole has a structure that is approximately symmetrical about the central axis O, it can be used with either the left or right separate piece for footwear such as slippers or sandals, where the distinction between left and right is not strict, thereby further increasing its versatility.

[0032] The second invention of the present invention is directed to footwear using a general-purpose insole, which is made by attaching a general-purpose insole to the bottom plate of simple footwear such as slippers. This allows it to be used in correspondence with a number of different types of footwear, and the effects of the insole can be realized not only in footwear with a shoe structure, but also in a wide range of types of footwear.

[0033] 6 is a plan view showing the configuration of a footwear insole according to a first embodiment of the present invention. FIG. 9 is a plan view showing the configuration of a gel body used in the first embodiment. FIG. 1 is a cross-sectional view of the footwear insole according to the first embodiment, taken along line III-III in FIG. 1. FIG. 1 is a perspective view showing a partially developed main portion of the footwear insole according to the first embodiment. FIG. 1 is a plan view showing the configuration of an insole (for a left foot) according to a second embodiment of the present invention. FIG. 2 is a partial plan view showing the configuration of a gel body used in the second embodiment and a support member disposed below the gel body. FIG. 6 is a partial cross-sectional view taken along line VII-VII in FIG. 6 showing the layered structure of the gel body and the support member used in the second embodiment. FIG. 6 is a partial cross-sectional view taken along line VIII-VIII in FIG. 6 showing the layered structure of the gel body and the support member at the tip portion of the support member in the second embodiment. FIG. 9 is a plan view showing the configuration of a general-purpose insole according to a third embodiment of the present invention. FIG. 9 is a cross-sectional view of the general-purpose insole according to the embodiment, taken along line X-X in FIG. 9, along the central axis O. FIG. 9 is a cross-sectional view of the general-purpose insole according to the embodiment, taken along line XI-XI in FIG. 9. 12 is a perspective view showing an example of footwear (slippers) in which the general-purpose insole according to the third embodiment is used, as the second invention of the present invention. 13 is a perspective view including a cross section taken along line XIII-XIII in FIG. 12, showing a state in which the general-purpose insole according to the third embodiment is applied to the footwear of the second invention. 14 is a plan view schematically showing the skeleton of a human foot. 15 is a side cross section taken along line a in FIG. 14, showing the arch of the foot. 16 is a front-to-back cross section taken along line b in FIG. 14, showing the arch of the foot.

[0034] An embodiment of a footwear insole (hereinafter simply referred to as "insole") of the present invention will be described. Figures 1 to 4 are diagrams illustrating a first embodiment of the present invention. Of these figures, Figure 1 is a plan view showing the configuration of an insole (for the left foot) according to the first embodiment of the present invention. Figure 2 is a plan view showing the configuration of a gel body used in the first embodiment. Figure 3 is a cross-sectional view of the insole according to the first embodiment taken along line III-III in Figure 1. Figure 4 is a perspective view showing a partially developed view of the main parts of the insole of the first embodiment.

[0035] In Figure 1, the reference numeral 1 denotes an insole. In this specification, the portion of the insole 1 corresponding to the toes of the user in Figure 1 is referred to as the tip portion, and the end portion of the insole 1 corresponding to the heel of the user is referred to as the rear end portion. The line connecting the tip portion (the toes) and the rear end portion (the heel) at the center of the insole 1 (which may bend midway depending on the shape of the sole) is referred to as the central axis O, and the direction in which the central axis O extends is referred to as the front-to-back direction. In addition, the direction perpendicular to the front-to-back direction of the insole 1 is referred to as the left-to-right direction, with the direction from the heel to the toes being referred to as the forward direction and the opposite direction being referred to as the backward direction, and the right or left side being determined when facing forward.

[0036] This insole 1 has a layered structure in which multiple components are stacked. The insole 1 has a planar shape cut out to the shape of the bottom of footwear (typically a "shoe"), forming a sole shape. It comprises an insole bottom 2 whose underside contacts the inner sole of the shoe, an upper covering 3 that covers the upper part of the insole bottom 2, a support member 4 sandwiched between the insole bottom 2 and the upper covering 3 and providing various support functions to the user's foot, and a gel body 5 placed on the support member 4. The support member 4 and gel body 5 are filled between the insole bottom 2 and the upper covering 3. The support member 4 is placed in the area of ​​the insole bottom 2 that supports the heel to the base of the toes, for example, the first joints of the big toe and little toe. The gel body 5 is placed on the support member 4.

[0037] As shown in FIG. 2 , the gel body 5 is a generally flat plate having the same (or substantially the same) planar shape as the portion of the support member 4 extending from the first guide member 11 to the second guide member 13. A cylindrical downward protrusion 5a is formed in the portion of the gel body 5 corresponding to the heel. The gel body 5 is made of a shape-retaining material that exhibits the property of deforming when heated and retains this deformed state when cooled after heating. The gel body 5 is also not completely rigid at room temperature, but is made of a flexible material that follows the deformation of the shoe during walking. For example, the gel body 5 is made of a thermoplastic resin that softens when thermal energy is applied and hardens when cooled. Examples of such materials include polycaprolactone, a type of synthetic resin. Polycaprolactone may also be blended with flexible silicone resin or urethane resin. The gel body 5 may also be made of an ultraviolet-curable resin that hardens when exposed to a certain amount of ultraviolet light. Furthermore, the gel body 5 has a sufficient thickness to hold the heel of the foot when the insole 1 is shaped to fit the shape of the user's foot, and is usually set to a thickness of about 1 to 2 mm (millimeters) before being heated and deformed.

[0038] A support member 4 having the function of lifting and supporting the foot from the flat insole bottom 2 is disposed on the insole bottom 2. The support member 4 is disposed so as to be sandwiched between the insole bottom 2 and the upper covering portion 3. This support member 4 is an integrally molded product having a first guide member 11, which is a first protrusion corresponding to the heel portion of the insole 1; a second guide member 13, which is a second protrusion extending forward of the first guide member 11 along the central axis O of the insole 1; and a forward extension portion 14, which is a third protrusion disposed in front of the first guide member 11 and interposed between the first guide member 11 and the second guide member 13. The support member 4 is placed on the insole bottom 2. In this case, the support member 4 is separate from the insole bottom 2; however, the support member 4 may be molded integrally with the insole bottom 2 when the insole bottom 2 is molded.

[0039] The first guide member 11, the second guide member 13, and the front extension 14 divide the insole 1 (insole bottom 2) into both sides (left and right sides) and a heel portion relative to the central axis O, allowing the gel material 5 placed thereon to be distributed to the both sides and the heel portion. The first guide member 11, the second guide member 13, and the front extension 14 are integrally molded using a flexible material such as silicone resin, urethane resin, rubber resin, or EVA (ethylene vinyl acetate copolymer resin) to form the support member 4. The first guide member 11 is a protrusion having a substantially circular shape with a concave or hollow ring-like interior, and functions as a heel support member by accommodating the heel portion of the foot. In addition, in this embodiment, the second guide member 13 is formed near the central axis O of the insole 1, extending forward continuous with the first guide member 11 through the front extension 14, and is a rod-like protrusion extending forward of the insole 1. The cross section of the second guide member 13 has a substantially semicircular shape. The ring-shaped shape of the first guide member 11 does not have to be limited to a shape in which the entire circumference of the protrusion is continuously closed, or the ring may have no protrusion in part and have an opening or notch in part.

[0040] The insole 1 is provided with a first guide member 11 that functions as a heel support member, and a second guide member 13 that is a rod-shaped protrusion extending along the central axis O of the insole 1, thereby providing the starting points (fulcrum A, fulcrum B, and fulcrum C) that form the arch of the foot shown in FIG. 14 . The tip of the second guide member 13 is located near or behind line b connecting fulcrum B and fulcrum C. This allows the support member 4 to form a mountain-like shape in the area corresponding to the heel and arch of the foot, making it easy to support the arch of the foot. In other words, it is possible to create a support arch that forms the longitudinal ring arch, outer arch, and inner arch shown in FIG. 14 . This allows for support of the three-point arch, which is the basis for a person's stable walking on two feet.

[0041] The height of the protrusion of the first guide member 11 of the support member 4 depends on the size of the user's foot, but is preferably approximately 2 to 5 mm, and the width (diameter) of the bottom of the protrusion is preferably approximately 3 to 6 cm, considering the size of a typical adult. The protrusion of the first guide member 11 has a substantially uniform shape throughout the protrusion. Meanwhile, the second guide member 13 is installed forward and spaced apart from the first guide member 11, with a forward extension 14 (described below) interposed between the first guide member 11 and the second guide member 13. The second guide member 13 has a height greater than that of the first guide member 11, and this height is preferably approximately 4 to 7 mm, depending on the size of the user's foot. The rod-shaped second guide member 13 extends at a substantially uniform height throughout its entire length, and its length, measured from the center of the first guide member 11 (heel portion) to the tip of the second guide member 13, is preferably 7 to 12 cm. The width of the bottom surface of the protrusion of the second guide member 13 is preferably smaller than the width (diameter) of the first guide member, about 1 to 2 cm. Furthermore, since the second guide member 13 supports the central portion of the foot, i.e., the portion substantially along the central axis O of the insole 1, it is also necessary to consider its hardness, which is preferably about 45 to 65 HRB.

[0042] The insole 1 has a gel body 5 placed on the portion of the support member 4 extending from the first guide member 11 to the second guide member 13, with an upper covering portion 3 provided above. The upper covering portion 3 is shaped by the first guide member 11, second guide member 13, forward extension 14, and gel body 5 of the support member 4 into a shape suitable for generating and supporting a support arch in the heel and the portion adjacent to the central axis of the sole of the foot. When the gel body 5 is placed on the support member 4, the downward protrusion 5a of the gel body 5 fits into the recessed portion of the first guide member 11. Therefore, the diameter and height dimensions of the downward protrusion 5a of the gel body 5 are approximately equal to the diameter and height dimensions of the first guide member 11. The insole 1 has the first guide member 11 provided in its heel portion, and a recess for supporting the heel of the foot can be formed by heating and deforming the gel body 5 placed on it. The upper covering part 3 covers part or all of the bottom and sides of the heel at the rear end of the insole 1, thereby providing reliable support for the ankle.

[0043] During the manufacture of the insole 1, the upper covering part 3 is adhered to the insole bottom part 2 so as to sandwich or encase the support member 4 and gel body 5 between the upper covering part 3 and the insole bottom part 2. In FIG. 1 , a dotted line figure 7, which is a circular front-rear circle drawn by dotted lines to surround the support member 4 in the rear half region of the insole 1, defines an attachment part 6, which is an adhesive margin for adhering the upper covering part 3 to the insole bottom part 2. The attachment part 6 is secured over the entire area outside the dotted line figure 7 and inside the outline 8 of the insole 1, and in the rear half region, the width of the attachment part 6 is set to approximately 3 to 7 mm. In the area forward of the rear half region of the insole 1 (this will be referred to as the "front half region"), the upper covering part 3 and the insole bottom part 2 are adhered and integrated over almost the entire area. Although there is no boundary line that should be specifically defined between the front and rear regions on the insole 1, in this embodiment, as a guide, the front end line 7a (including the extension portion that reaches the outline 8) of the dotted line figure 7 that is circular in shape from front to rear may be used as the boundary line, with the area in front of this being the front region and the area behind this being the rear region. Note that in Figure 1, another rectangular dotted line figure 9 that extends continuously from the outline 8 is drawn further forward of the dotted line figure 7, but this figure may be ignored in this embodiment because it will be used in the explanation of another embodiment (third embodiment) described later.

[0044] In this embodiment, the front extension 14 is provided between the first guide member 11 and the second guide member 13 as described above. As shown in Figures 5 to 7, the rear end of this front extension 14 is connected to the first guide member 11 and the front end is connected to the second guide member 13, and its width is greater than the width of the second guide member 13 and is the same as (or approximately the same as) the diameter of the first guide member 11. When viewed from above, the rear end of the front extension 14 has an arc shape that follows the first guide member 11 and the front end is square. In addition to the protrusions of the first guide member 11 and the second guide member 13, the front extension 14 has a support function as a third protrusion. The forward extension portion 14 is provided in an area forward of the heel of the foot, and is set at a position that roughly corresponds to the position of the cuboid bone in terms of its correspondence with the user's foot, and its height dimension is set to be slightly higher (approximately 2 to 7 mm) than the first guide member 11.

[0045] The height dimension of the forward extension 14 will be explained in more detail using Figure 3. At the connection point P1 with the first guide member 11, the forward extension 14 has the same height dimension (including approximately the same height) as the first guide member 11. The forward extension 14 slopes upward from the connection point P1 so that its height gradually increases as it moves forward, reaching its peak height at the apex P2 where it connects with the second guide member 13, and continuing to the second guide member 13, which extends forward at the same height. The forward extension 14 has a slope that slopes upward as it moves forward. The width dimension of the forward extension 14 is set to the same dimension (including approximately the same dimension) as the diameter dimension of the substantially circular first guide member 11, and the front-to-rear dimension of the forward extension 14 is set to 1 / 7 to 1 / 5 of the length dimension (7 to 12 cm) of the second guide member 13 described above, or approximately 10 to 24 mm in numerical terms. The apex P2 is located in a region in front of the heel of the foot, and corresponds to the position of the cuboid bone in terms of its correspondence with the user's foot.

[0046] The front extension 14 is interposed between the first guide member 11 and the second guide member 13, undulating in the front-to-back direction of the insole 1, and the front extension 14 has a peak P2 between the first guide member 11 and the second guide member 13, the peak P2 having a height greater than that of the first guide member 11. This allows the insole 1 to support the foot bones, more specifically the cuboid bone, in a manner that pushes up the bones of the foot, slightly forward of the heel corresponding to the front extension 14. This supports the body while keeping the internal joints of the ankle at a certain height higher than the sole of the shoe. In other words, the foot skeleton is maintained in a three-dimensional shape, enabling the body weight to be stably supported at its center (center of gravity), thereby maintaining an upright position and preventing the body from wobbling.

[0047] As described above, the support member 4 includes the first guide member 11, the second guide member 13, and the forward extension 14. In this embodiment, the first guide member 11, the second guide member 13, and the forward extension 14 are integrally molded using the above-described materials (e.g., flexible materials such as silicone resin, urethane resin, rubber resin, or EVA (ethylene vinyl acetate copolymer)) to form the support member 4. FIG. 4 is a partial perspective view showing the main portion of the insole 1, illustrating the configuration of the integrally molded support member 4 and its installation on the insole bottom 2. Here, the "main portion" of the insole 1 refers to the portion of the insole 1 that includes the insole bottom 2, the upper covering portion 3 that covers the upper part of the insole bottom 2, the support member 4 sandwiched between the insole bottom 2 and the upper covering portion 3, and the gel body 5 disposed on the support member 4, and extends from the heel to near the base of the toes. Although the gel body 5 is not shown in Figure 4, as already explained, when viewed in a plan view, the gel body 5 is placed on the support member 4 so as to cover the first guide member 11, the second guide member 13, and the forward extension portion 14.

[0048] Next, a method for manufacturing the insole 1 according to this embodiment is described below. First, the periphery of the insole bottom 2 is unfolded around the area where the first guide member 11, the second guide member 13, and the forward extension 14 are to be disposed. Then, the support member 4 is placed on the insole bottom 2. FIG. 4 is a partial perspective view showing the support member 4 placed on the upper surface of the insole bottom 2. In this figure, the upper covering part 3 is shown as an unfolded view, turned up from the insole bottom 2. Next, the gel body 5 is placed on the support member 4, and the upper covering part 3 is placed from above to cover the insole bottom 2 and the support member 4 and gel body 5 sandwiched between them. In the rear half of the insole 1, the peripheral edge of the upper covering part 3 is joined to the peripheral edge of the insole bottom 2 at the attachment part 6 using a sewing machine or adhesive. In the front half of the insole 1, the upper covering part 3 and the insole bottom 2 are directly bonded together over substantially the entire area using adhesive or the like. As a result, when the user walks wearing the shoes, the toe portion of the insole 1 becomes a thin plate-like shape, allowing the user to freely bend the toes or toes.

[0049] Through the above-described adhesive processing, the insole 1 is produced as a whole with a three-layer laminate structure consisting of the upper covering part 3, the support member 4 with the gel body 5 set therein, and the insole bottom part 2. Through the above steps, the insole 1 is completed.

[0050] Next, we will explain how the insole 1 configured as described above is used. First, before fitting the insole 1 into a shoe, the user heats the insole 1. The heating device can be a dedicated heater, a microwave oven commonly found in households, or hot water. A suitable heating temperature is, for example, 70°C to 80°C. When using a microwave oven, a suitable heating time is approximately 40 to 60 seconds at 500W. This is done to warm the gel body 5 made of a thermoplastic resin material placed on the support member 4 to a plastic state, i.e., a deformable state, while preventing it from becoming too hot for the user.

[0051] Once the insole 1 is heated to a predetermined temperature (e.g., 70°C to 80°C), the gel body 5 becomes deformable due to its thermoplasticity. While the insole 1 is still warm, the user places the insole 1 on a flat floor and places their weight on it. While there is no particular method for placing weight, one example is to bend and straighten the knee without removing the sole of the foot from the insole 1, i.e., perform flexion and extension exercises. The time required for such flexion and extension exercises to place weight on the insole 1 can be approximately 30 seconds to 1 minute, and there are no specific regulations. In this way, the user's weight is placed on the insole 1, and pressure is applied from the sole of the foot through the upper covering portion 3 to the support member 4, which includes the first guide member 11, the second guide member 13, and the forward extension portion 14. This pressure is uneven across the entire sole of the foot; for example, no pressure or only a small pressure is applied in the arch area, while greater pressure is applied in the lumbar region and the base of the toes than in the arch area.

[0052] The insole 1 initially has a flat shape, but due to the thermal plastic deformation of the gel body 5, it deforms in response to the uneven pressure. Supported by the support member 4, it deforms into a shape with irregularities that conforms to the sole of the user's foot. When pressure is applied to the support member 4, the first guide member 11 has a ring-like shape with a concave interior, which presses against the area where the user's heel contacts, forming a recess and a part that secures the ankle. At this time, a portion of the gel body 5 deforms and enters the recess in the first guide member 11, shaping the recess, while a portion of the gel body 5 that was present in the recess is pushed out and overflows around the heel, enveloping and supporting the heel. The depth of the recess can be, for example, 1 mm to 5 mm. The second guide member 13, the forward extension 14, and other parts also deform in response to the pressure applied to their respective areas. The degree and manner of deformation of the support member 4, i.e., the deformation of the insole 1, varies from user to user. After a predetermined time has passed, the insole 1 is cooled to room temperature, whereupon the gel body 5, made of a thermoplastic resin, cools and hardens, preventing deformation. Due to its shape-retaining properties, the insole 1 is fixed in the shaped form. The shaped insoles 1 are produced separately for each foot. This allows the user to obtain an insole that is just for them. When such an insole 1 is attached to a shoe or other footwear, it conforms perfectly to the user's foot. Therefore, when walking or exercising, the reaction force from the shoe acts optimally on the user's body, preventing undue force and twisting. This significantly reduces accidents such as stumbling or falling while walking, especially for the elderly. Furthermore, by straightening the body vertically while walking, posture improves and slouching is prevented.

[0053] As described above, the insole 1 is made of, for example, a thermoplastic resin and can be molded to fit the shape of the sole of the user's foot and maintain that shape. It also supports the formation of the arch of the foot, which is unique to humans and is extremely important for walking, and at the same time supports the joints of the heel bone and ankle bone to prevent misalignment.

[0054] Furthermore, in the insole 1 of this embodiment, the aforementioned forward extension 14 is provided, so that the upper covering part 3 supports the foot by pushing up the cuboid bone, which is slightly forward of the heel. This keeps the joints in the ankle area at a high position, i.e., makes it possible to support the foot skeleton by holding it in a three-dimensional shape, thereby supporting the body, allowing the body to be kept upright, and preventing the body from wobbling.

[0055] When a user wears shoes equipped with the insole 1, the soles of the user's feet fit perfectly into the insole 1, allowing the user to walk comfortably and without exerting excessive force on the soles of the feet, legs, hips, or entire body. This allows the user to walk in an optimal posture for each individual user and without exerting excessive force on the body.

[0056] By fitting the insole 1 to shoes, it is possible to maintain optimal posture when walking. Furthermore, it is possible to easily form the "arch structure in the foot formed in the arch area" necessary for bipedal walking. This supports the balance of the body when walking on two legs (equilibrium balance) and walking in a state where excessive force is not applied to the body.

[0057] In addition, the insole 1 has the effect of fixing the ankle and properly supporting the arch of the foot to protect the foot's skeleton, improving stability and feeling the ground, improving balance and stability, and also stimulating the pressure points on the soles of the feet, thereby promoting good health.

[0058] The insole 1 of this embodiment, combined with the aforementioned features of maintaining body balance (equilibrium) when walking on two legs and protecting the foot skeleton, allows the hind foot (supporting foot) to stably support the body weight when stepping out during walking, improving the stride of the front foot (stepping foot) and increasing stride length. As a result, the toes of the front foot point upward when the front foot lands, preventing stumbling and making it less likely for the person to fall. Elderly people typically walk with small strides, leaning forward and tiptoeing, which often leads to tripping over objects and falling. This is due to the hind foot not being able to stably support the body weight. The insole 1 of this embodiment has the effect of improving this situation.

[0059] Figures 5 to 8 are diagrams illustrating a second embodiment of the present invention. Of these figures, Figure 5 is a plan view showing the configuration of an insole (for a left foot) according to a second embodiment of the present invention. Figure 6 is a partial plan view showing the configuration of a gel body used in the second embodiment and a support member disposed below the gel body. Figure 7 is a partial cross-sectional view taken along line VII-VII in Figure 6, showing the layered structure of the gel body and support member in the second embodiment. Figure 8 is a cross-sectional view taken along line VIII-VIII in Figure 6, showing the layered structure of the gel body and support member at the tip portion of the support member in the second embodiment.

[0060] In Figure 5, reference numeral 31 denotes an insole according to the second embodiment of the present invention, and reference numeral 33 denotes a gel body installed in the support member 4. In this insole 31, part of the configuration of the gel body 33 is different from the gel body 5 in the first embodiment. Other configurations, such as the insole bottom 2, upper covering portion 3, and support member 4, are the same as those in the first embodiment. Differences in the configuration of the gel body 33 will be described later. As other parts of the insole 31 have substantially the same configuration as the insole 1 of the first embodiment, the same components are designated by the same reference numerals as in the first embodiment, and detailed description thereof will be omitted.

[0061] The support member 4 is installed on the insole bottom 2 in a region that supports the heel to the base of the toes, for example, the first joints of the big toe and little toe. A gel body 33 is placed on the support member 4. The gel body 33 is a flat plate having the planar shape shown in Figures 5 and 6, and a cylindrical downward protrusion 33b is formed in the portion of the gel body 33 corresponding to the heel. As can be seen from these figures, the configuration of the gel body 33 in the second embodiment differs in part from the gel body 5 in the first embodiment. That is, the gel body 33 differs from the first embodiment in that, in terms of planar shape, it covers the entire planar shape of the support member 4, and further includes a foot side support portion 33a, which is a fourth protrusion disposed on one of the left and right sides of the second guide member 13 and extends forward of the forward extension portion 14. The physical properties of the gel body 33 are the same as those of the gel body 5 in the first embodiment, and it is made of a material that exhibits the property of deforming when heated and has the shape-retaining properties to retain the deformed state when cooled after heating.

[0062] The foot side support portion 33a of the gel body 33 is provided in a portion corresponding to the arch of the foot and supports the arch of the foot. In the second embodiment, since the insole 31 for the left foot is illustrated, the foot side support portion 33a is provided on the right side of the second guide member 13 to accommodate the left foot, but not on the left side. If the insole 31 is for the right foot, the foot side support portion 33a is provided on the left side of the second guide member 13 to accommodate the right foot, but not on the right side. That is, the foot side support portion 33a is provided on one side of the second guide member 13, but not on the other side. In the insole 31 for the left foot, the foot side support portion 33a is connected to the right front end of the forward extension portion 14 with the same width dimension at the right side and extends forward, and extends to the tip of the second guide member 13 while contacting the right side of the second guide member 13 while maintaining the width dimension, thereby having a substantially rectangular planar shape. As shown in FIG. 8 , the upper portion of the foot side support portion 33a extends to the opposite side of the top of the second guide member 13, covering the top of the second guide member 13 with a thickness of 1 to 2 mm, forming an edge 33c of the foot side support portion 33a. When viewed from above, the left end of edge 33c is located at the same position as the left end of the second guide member 13. In this configuration, the combined height of the top of the second guide member 13 and the foot side support portion 33a is approximately 5 to 10 mm. The cross section of the second guide member 13 and the foot side support portion 33a has a peak with a height of approximately 7 to 12 mm at a position slightly displaced (e.g., 1 to 2 cm) to the right from the center of the second guide member 13 in FIG. 8 . Additionally, foot side support portion 33a of gel body 33 is formed so that it gradually becomes lower from its apex position to the right, reaching insole bottom portion 2, and has a crescent-shaped cross-sectional structure that fills the space on the right side of second guide member 13. The part of foot side support portion 33a that corresponds to the arch of the foot is approximately aligned with the apex, and its height is approximately 7 to 12 mm as described above.

[0063] Fig. 4 is a partial perspective view showing the main parts of the insole 1, focusing on the support member 4, in the first embodiment, but this figure is also applicable to the second embodiment in that the gel body 5 is not shown. However, when the gel body 33 is placed on the support member 4, the gel body 33, when viewed from above, covers the first guide member 11, the second guide member 13, and the forward extension 14. Furthermore, on the back side, the downward protrusion 33b of the gel body 33 fits into the recessed portion of the first guide member 11 (see Fig. 7 ). Furthermore, the foot side support portion 33a is placed on the support member 4 in a state where it protrudes into the right region of the second guide member 13 (see Fig. 6 ), which are differences from the first embodiment. These structural differences have been described above, and this configuration is a major feature of the second embodiment.

[0064] The method for manufacturing the insole 31 according to the second embodiment is the same as the method for manufacturing the insole 1 according to the first embodiment, and therefore, description thereof will be omitted.

[0065] Next, the use of the insole 31 having the above-described configuration will be described. First, before the insole 31 is attached to a shoe, the insole 31 is heated. The heating method is the same as that described in the first embodiment.

[0066] After the insole 31 is heated to a predetermined temperature, the user stands on the insole 31 and puts his / her weight on it to perform the shaping process on the insole 31, which is the same as described in the first embodiment.

[0067] Deformation of the arch portion when a user stands on the insole 31 and applies their weight to reshape the insole 31 will now be described. In the insole 31 according to the second embodiment, the support member 4 is provided with the foot side support portion 33a. Therefore, pressure is applied from the arch portion of the user's foot to the foot side support portion 33a of the insole 31, causing the gel body 33 to deform. If the user's arch has a normal arch shape (in this case, corresponding to the medial longitudinal arch Ar1), when the user stands on the insole 31 and applies their weight as described above, the foot side support portion 33a will not deform or will deform slightly along the sole, depending on the relationship between the height dimension of the top of the foot side support portion 33a in the arch portion (approximately 7 to 12 mm) and the height of the medial longitudinal arch Ar1 corresponding to the user's arch (approximately 1 cm for a normal person). On the other hand, if the user has a somewhat flat foot arch, when the user stands on the insole 31 and puts their weight on it, greater pressure than that of a normal person is applied to the foot side support portion 33a of the support member 4. As a result, the foot side support portion 33a of the gel body 33 deforms more in response to the pressure than that of a normal person, and the height of the top of the foot side support portion 33a, which was about 7 to 12 mm, becomes an extremely small height (for example, about 3 to 7 mm).

[0068] The degree and manner of deformation of the support member 4, i.e., the insole 31, varies from user to user. After a predetermined time, the insole 31 cools to room temperature, and the gel body 33 made of a thermoplastic resin hardens and no longer deforms. Due to its shape-retaining properties, the insole 1 is fixed in the shaped form. The shaped insoles 1 are produced separately for each foot. This allows each user of the insole 31 to obtain an insole that is uniquely their own. When such an insole 31 is attached to a shoe or other footwear, the insole conforms perfectly to the user's foot. Therefore, when walking or exercising, the reaction force from the shoe acts optimally on the user's body, preventing undue force and twisting. This significantly reduces accidents such as stumbling or falling while walking, especially for the elderly. Furthermore, by straightening the body vertically while walking, posture improves and slouching is prevented.

[0069] As described above, the insole 31 is made of, for example, a thermoplastic resin and can be molded to fit the shape of the sole of the user's foot and maintain that shape. It also supports the formation of the arch of the foot, which is unique to humans and is very important for walking, and at the same time supports the joints of the heel bone and ankle bone to prevent them from shifting.

[0070] Furthermore, in the insole 31 of this embodiment, the aforementioned forward extension 14 is provided, so that the upper covering part 3 supports the foot by thrusting up at a part slightly forward of the heel. This keeps the joints of the ankle at a high position, i.e., makes it possible to support the foot skeleton by holding it in a three-dimensional shape, thereby supporting the body, allowing the body to be kept upright, and preventing the body from wobbling.

[0071] When a user wears shoes with an insole attached, the soles of the user's feet fit perfectly into the insole, allowing them to walk easily and without exerting excessive force on not only the soles of their feet but also their legs, hips, and entire body. This allows users to walk in an optimal posture for each individual user and without exerting excessive force on their body.

[0072] By attaching the insole 31 to shoes, it is possible to maintain optimal posture when walking. Furthermore, it is possible to easily form the "arch structure in the foot formed in the arch area" necessary for bipedal walking. This supports the balance of the body when walking on two legs (equilibrium balance) and walking in a state where undue force is not applied to the body.

[0073] Insoles also have the effect of fixing the ankle, which improves stability and improves the sense of balance and stability on the ground. They also stimulate pressure points on the soles of the feet, which can promote good health.

[0074] In the second embodiment, when walking in a shoe equipped with the insole 31, the support member 4 is provided with a foot side support portion 33a, which is provided in a portion corresponding to the arch of the foot. Regarding support of the sole of the foot in the arch region, the insole 31 according to this embodiment applies appropriate support pressure to the arch region of the user's foot through the foot side support portion 33a, which is aligned with the sole of the user's foot, and is therefore able to support the arch region. Whether the user is quiet or walking slowly, or whether the user is exercising vigorously or bracing themselves to lift a heavy load, the medial longitudinal arch Ar1 shown in FIG. 14 cooperates with the other arches Ar2 and Ar3 to exert a spring action, while the arch region of the user's foot moves downward and comes into contact with the foot side support portion 33a, thereby being appropriately supported by the foot side support portion 33a.

[0075] 9 to 11 are diagrams illustrating a general-purpose insole according to a third embodiment of the present invention. Of these figures, Fig. 9 is a plan view showing the configuration of a general-purpose insole according to the third embodiment of the present invention. Fig. 10 is a cross-sectional view of the general-purpose insole according to the third embodiment taken along line X-X in Fig. 9 along the central axis O. Fig. 11 is a cross-sectional view of the general-purpose insole according to the third embodiment taken along line XI-XI in Fig. 9.

[0076] In Figure 9, reference numeral 35 denotes a general-purpose insole according to a third embodiment of the present invention. This general-purpose insole 35 is identical to the main portion of the insole 1 cut out along the rectangular dotted line 9 in Figure 1, which illustrates the insole 1 of the first embodiment. That is, the general-purpose insole 35 includes an insole bottom 2 extending forward from the heel to near the base of the toes, an upper covering portion 3 covering the upper part of the insole bottom 2, a support member 4 sandwiched between the insole bottom 2 and the upper covering portion 3, and a gel body 5 disposed on the support member 4. The general-purpose insole 35 is an insole body extending from the heel to near the base of the toes and terminating at the base of the toes. It is an independent component of the main portion of the insole described above, i.e., a main-portion-limited insole. When viewed from above, the general-purpose insole 35 has a rectangular front end and a semicircular band-like rear end. In other words, the rear end of the rectangular portion is integrally connected to a semicircular portion having a diameter equal to the width of the rectangular portion. The planar shape of the gel body 5 is the same as that of the first embodiment. In the above description of the first embodiment, the rectangular dotted line 9 was described as "used in the description of another embodiment (third embodiment) described later." This refers to this embodiment and represents the cutting line in this embodiment. Therefore, since the configuration of the general-purpose insole 35 is the same as that of the insole 1 of the first embodiment, the same reference numerals as those in the first embodiment are used and detailed description thereof is omitted.

[0077] 5, which explains the insole 31 of the second embodiment, also shows a rectangular dotted line figure 9, and the same main part of the insole 31 cut out along this dotted line figure 9 also qualifies as a modified example of the third embodiment. Incidentally, in Figures 1 and 5, the dotted line figure 7, which is circular from front to back, is a figure that defines the attachment part 6, which is an adhesive margin for bonding the upper covering part 3 to the insole bottom part 2, and the attachment part 6 is secured between it and the dotted line figure 9 defined outside it, and the insole bottom part 2 and the upper covering part 3 are bonded at this attachment part 6, so the general-purpose insole 35 itself is a completed insole. Note that the insole bottom 2 and upper covering part 3 are not shown in Figure 10, and the insole bottom 2, upper covering part 3 and gel body 5 are not shown in Figure 11, but the insole bottom 2 is placed below the support member 4, and the upper covering part 3 is placed above the gel body 5, and the insole bottom 2 and upper covering part 3 are joined to each other at their edges, similar to the first embodiment.

[0078] Fig. 12 is a perspective view showing an example of footwear (slippers) in which the general-purpose insole according to the third embodiment is used, as the second invention of the present invention. Fig. 13 is a perspective view of the footwear according to the third embodiment, including a cross section taken along line XIII-XIII in Fig. 12, showing the general-purpose insole in use.

[0079] The perspective view of Figure 12 shows a slipper 37 as footwear for use with a universal insole 35. A slit 39 extending in the left-right direction is formed in the rear end of a bottom plate 38, which serves as the sole of the slipper 37. The slit 39 extends forward from the rear end of the bottom plate 38 of the slipper 37 toward the interior of the bottom plate 38, forming a storage space that extends approximately horizontally from the opening at the rear end of the bottom plate 38 into the interior of the bottom plate 38. The storage space extends in the front-rear direction, for example, from the rear end of the bottom plate 38 to a location near the base of the toes. The universal insole 35 is inserted and stored in the storage space formed by the slit 39. Figure 13 shows the universal insole 35 inserted and stored in the storage space formed by the slit 39. Because the universal insole 35 has a bilaterally symmetrical structure with respect to the central axis O, there is no need to distinguish between left-foot and right-foot versions, and it can be manufactured easily and inexpensively. The central axis O is a line extending in the front-to-rear direction through the center in the left-to-right direction when the general-purpose insole 35 is viewed from above. The opening of the slit hole 39 may be left open at all times, but a zipper can also be provided in the opening to store the general-purpose insole 35. This prevents the general-purpose insole 35 from protruding or falling off. The slippers 37 are footwear that use general-purpose insoles.

[0080] As a method of attaching the general-purpose insole 35 to the slipper 37, there may be other cases other than the method using the slit hole 39. In another case, for example, without forming the slit hole 39 at the rear end of the bottom plate 38 of the slipper 37, the general-purpose insole 35 is placed on the bottom plate 38 of the slipper 37, and a cover cloth (corresponding to the "upper covering part 3" in the first embodiment) is placed over the general-purpose insole 35, and the cover cloth is bonded to the bottom plate 38 so as to sandwich or encase the general-purpose insole 35 between the bottom plate 38 and the cover cloth. In this way, additional processing of the slipper 37 can be minimized.

[0081] The general-purpose insole 35 can be used with simple footwear such as sandals, zori (Japanese sandals), and indoor shoes in addition to the slippers 37. In this third embodiment, the slippers, sandals, zori, and indoor shoes are collectively referred to as "simple footwear." Therefore, the general-purpose insole 35 can significantly expand the range of footwear in which the insole can be used or applied, and its effects of correcting the user's posture and relieving lower back pain and knee pain can be widely publicized.

[0082] The footwear insole according to the present invention comprises an insole bottom part whose planar shape is cut out to the shape of the sole of the shoe and whose lower surface abuts against the inner sole of the shoe, an upper covering part provided to cover the upper part of the insole bottom part, a support member that is sandwiched between the insole bottom part and the upper covering part and provides support to the user's foot, and a gel body arranged on the support member, the gel body being made of a thermoplastic material and configured to be molded into the shape of the user's foot by heating, the support member being provided with first and second guide members that are interposed between the insole bottom part and the upper covering part and that distribute the support member to both sides and a heel part, the first guide member being a generally rib-shaped member that forms a recess for supporting the heel of the foot relative to the support member, the second guide member is located at approximately the center in the width direction of the insole bottom, is connected to the first guide member, and is composed of a rod-shaped or plate-shaped protrusion extending from the heel of the first region to the vicinity of the first joint of the toe; the support member has a forward extension provided in front of the first guide member and between the first guide member and the second guide member; the first guide member and the second guide member support the sole of the foot from the heel to the vicinity of the first joint of the toe, and the weight is supported by three points: the fulcrum of the heel, the fulcrum of the base of the big toe, and the fulcrum of the base of the little toe; and the forward extension thrusts up and supports the cuboid bone of the foot at a position forward of the fulcrum of the heel.

[0083] The footwear insole according to the present invention includes an insole bottom portion whose planar shape is cut out to match the shape of a shoe sole, a support member, and an upper covering portion. The support member, located between the insole bottom portion and the upper covering portion, is configured to mold to the shape of the user's foot. This allows the insole to deform to a shape that matches the condition of the human sole (the unique shape of the user's foot). Using the footwear insole allows users to maintain optimal posture while walking. Furthermore, it easily forms the "arch structure in the foot formed in the arch region" necessary for bipedal walking. This supports body balance (equilibrium) for bipedal walking and walking without applying undue force to the body. Furthermore, the provision of a first guide member and a second guide member in the main region of the insole bottom facilitates the formation of an arch structure suitable for supporting the heel and arch of the foot. Furthermore, the provision of a first guide member consisting of a generally ring-shaped protrusion forming a recess allows the recess for supporting the heel to cover part or all of the bottom and side surfaces of the heel, thereby reliably supporting the ankle. The general-purpose insole according to the present invention has the same configuration as the footwear insole according to the present invention, and exerts the same effects.

[0084] The insole of the present invention supports the heel of the foot in a unique and optimal posture for each user, preventing lateral movement and allowing the user to walk without applying undue force to the body. By distributing the load on the sole of the foot evenly to the ground, the arch of the foot is formed more strongly, improving the sense of balance and leg strength, and reducing strain on the knees and hips.

[0085] Furthermore, the support member 4 is provided with foot side support portions 33a, which are provided in areas corresponding to the arch of the foot, so that the arch of the user's foot is reliably supported.

[0086] Furthermore, the price is much cheaper than the traditional custom insoles, which are made by creating a plaster mold of the foot and using that shape, and they can be made at roughly one-tenth the cost, and the production time, which would normally take one week, can now be provided in just ten minutes.

[0087] DESCRIPTION OF SYMBOLS 1, 31 Insole 2 Insole bottom 3 Upper covering portion 4 Support member 5, 33 Gel body 11 First guide member (first protrusion) 13 Second guide member (second protrusion) 14 Forward extension portion (third protrusion) 33a Foot side support portion (fourth protrusion) 35 General-purpose insole 37 Slipper (footwear)

Claims

1. An insole bottom part having a planar shape cut out into the shape of a shoe sole and an underside thereof abutting the inner sole of a shoe; an upper covering part provided so as to cover an upper part of the insole bottom part; a support member sandwiched and installed between the insole bottom part and the upper covering part; and a gel body provided on the support member, the gel body being made of a thermoplastic material and configured to be molded into the shape of a user's foot by heating; the support member having a first guide member, a second guide member and a forward extension part, the first guide member being made of a substantially ring-shaped protrusion part forming a recess for supporting the heel of the foot relative to the gel body, the second guide member being arranged in a position substantially in the width direction center of the insole bottom part and forward of the first guide member, and being made of a rod-shaped or plate-shaped protrusion part extending in the front-rear direction, the forward extension part being provided and interposed between the first guide member and the second guide member, the first guide member, the second guide member and the forward extension are configured to distribute the gel to the left and right sides and the heel, and support the sole of the foot so that body weight is supported by three points: a fulcrum at the heel, a fulcrum at the base of the big toe, and a fulcrum at the base of the little toe; and the forward extension supports the cuboid bone of the foot by pushing up at a position forward of the fulcrum at the heel.

2. The footwear insole according to claim 1, characterized in that the second guide member is higher than the first guide member, and the forward extension has an inclined portion that slopes upward as it moves forward.

3. A footwear insole as described in claim 1 or 2, characterized in that the gel body has a foot side support portion disposed on one of the left and right sides of the second guide member, extending further forward than the forward extension portion, and the foot side support portion supports the arch of the foot at the one of the left and right sides of the second guide member.

4. The footwear insole according to claim 3, characterized in that the foot side support portion is disposed on the right side of the second guide member in the footwear insole for the left foot, while being disposed on the left side of the second guide member in the footwear insole for the right foot.

5. An insole comprising an insole bottom extending forward from the heel of the foot to near the base of the toes, an upper covering part covering an upper part of the insole bottom, a support member sandwiched and installed between the insole bottom and the upper covering part, and a gel body arranged on the support member, the gel body being made of a thermoplastic material and configured to be molded into the shape of a user's foot by heating, the support member having a first guide member, a second guide member and a forward extension, the first guide member being made of a substantially ring-shaped protrusion forming a recess for supporting the heel of the foot relative to the gel body, the second guide member being arranged at a position substantially in the width direction center of the insole bottom and forward of the first guide member, and being made of a rod-shaped or plate-shaped protrusion extending in the front-rear direction, the forward extension being provided between the first guide member and the second guide member, The first guide member, the second guide member and the forward extension are configured to distribute the gel to the left and right sides and the heel, and support the sole of the foot, with the body weight being supported by three points: a fulcrum at the heel, a fulcrum at the base of the big toe, and a fulcrum at the base of the little toe, and the forward extension supports the cuboid bone of the foot by pushing up at a position forward of the fulcrum at the heel.

6. The general-purpose insole according to claim 5, characterized in that the general-purpose insole has a structure symmetrical with respect to a central axis O.

7. Footwear using a general-purpose insole having a bottom plate portion, the bottom plate portion being formed with a slit hole extending in the left-right direction at a rear end portion of the bottom plate portion, and a storage space extending forward from the slit hole, and the general-purpose insole described in claim 5 is inserted and stored in the storage space.

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