insole

Abstract

An insole (1) is provided, suitable to be inserted into a shoe and to sustain the weight of a foot, the foot defining: a forefoot comprising metatarsals; a midfoot; a rearfoot, the insole (1) defining: a first axis (1a), extending along the greatest dimension of the insole (1) and parallel to a resting plane; a second axis (1b), extending along a direction perpendicular to the first axis (1a) and parallel to the resting plane; a third axis (1c), perpendicular to the first axis (1a) and the second axis (1b); an outline (8) delimiting the area of the insole (1) suitable to come into contact with the foot; and comprising: an anterior portion (2) configured to sustain at least part of the weight of the forefoot; an intermediate portion (3) connected to the anterior portion (2) and configured to sustain at least part of the weight of the midfoot; and a posterior portion (4) connected to the intermediate portion (3) and configured to sustain at least part of the weight of the rearfoot, the anterior portion (2), the intermediate portion (3), and the posterior portion (4) being arranged sequentially along the first axis (1a), the anterior portion (2) having a thickness, measured with respect to the third axis (1c), that varies along the first axis (1a) and along the second axis (1b), the anterior portion (2) defines a plurality of positioning elements (5) configured to sustain at least part of the weight of the forefoot.

Description

[0001] DESCRI PTION

[0002] INSOLE

[0003] The present invention refers an insole of the type specified in the preamble of the first claim.

[0004] The object of the present invention is an insole that finds application in the footwear sector.

[0005] Similar insoles are described in patent documents IIS-B -7380352, WO-A- 2017 / 020091 , and CN-A-114081232.

[0006] Currently, insoles are known, i.e., devices suitable to be inserted inside shoes and placed on the bottom. They perform the general function of making the use of shoes more comfortable in various situations. For example, insoles may allow shoes of a size slightly larger than the user's foot to fit more easily, or they may make the use of the shoe more comfortable in cases where the sole is too rigid or uncomfortable for the foot.

[0007] Some types of insoles have been developed to solve other types of problems caused by incorrect positions assumed by the foot inside the shoe.

[0008] In particular, insoles have been developed to make the contact of the foot with the sole more comfortable under specific usage conditions, such as running.

[0009] Generally, the elements introduced into insoles to improve comfort may include rubberized portions or portions of varying thickness depending on the desired position.

[0010] However, the known technique described includes several significant drawbacks.

[0011] In particular, the known types of insoles do not allow to prevent or solve the majority of the most common types of pain.

[0012] In this context, the technical task underlying the present invention is to devise an insole capable of substantially overcoming at least some of the cited drawbacks.

[0013] Within this technical task, an important object of the invention is to provide an insole capable of solving and preventing most pains.

[0014] The technical task and the specified objects are achieved by an insole as claimed in the appended claim 1.

[0015] Preferred technical solutions are highlighted in the dependent claims.

[0016] The characteristics and advantages of the invention are clarified below by the detailed description of preferred embodiments of the invention, with reference to the accompanying drawings, wherein:

[0017] Fig. 1 shows a top view of a first configuration, for men, of an insole according to the invention;

[0018] Fig. 2 illustrates an axonometric view of the first configuration, for men, of an insole according to the invention;

[0019] Fig. 3 shows a top view of a second configuration, for women, of an insole according to the invention;

[0020] Fig. 3a outlines the actual outlines characterizing the insole for women in a variant of an insole according to the invention;

[0021] Fig. 4 shows an axonometric view of the second configuration, for women, of an insole according to the invention;

[0022] Fig. 5 shows a top view of a third configuration, for children, of an insole according to the invention;

[0023] Fig. 6 shows an axonometric view of the third configuration, for children, of an insole according to the invention;

[0024] Fig. 7 shows a top view of a fourth configuration, for women with heels, of an insole according to the invention; and Fig. 8 is a final example of an insole according to the invention.

[0025] In this document, measurements, values, shapes, and geometric references (such as perpendicularity and parallelism), when associated with words like "approximately" or similar terms such as "substantially," are to be understood as subject to measurement errors or inaccuracies due to production and / or manufacturing errors and, especially, as subject to slight deviations from the associated value, measurement, shape, or geometric reference. For example, such terms, when associated with a value, preferably indicate a deviation not exceeding 10% of the value itself.

[0026] Furthermore, when used, terms such as “first”, “second”, “upper”, “lower”, “primary”, and “secondary” do not necessarily identify an order, a priority of relation, or relative position but may simply be used to distinguish different components more clearly one from the other.

[0027] Unless otherwise specified, as appears from the following description, terms such as "processing", "computing", "determining", " computation", or similar, refer to the actions and / or processes of a computer or similar electronic computation device that manipulates and / or transforms data represented as physical quantities, such as electronic magnitudes of records of a computing system and / or memories, into other data similarly represented as physical quantities within computer systems, records, or other information storage, transmission, or display devices.

[0028] Unless otherwise indicated, the measurements and data reported in this text are to be considered as performed under International Standard Atmosphere conditions as per ICAO (ISO 2533:1975).

[0029] With reference to the Figures, the insole according to the invention is globally denoted by number 1.

[0030] The insole 1 is a device used to improve the comfort of footwear, such as shoes. Therefore, the insole 1 is adapted to be inserted into a shoe and to sustain the weight of a foot. In particular, it is adapted to come into contact with the sole of the foot.

[0031] The foot defines anatomical portions, including a forefoot comprising metatarsals, a midfoot, and a rearfoot.

[0032] The insole 1 defines a first axis 1a. It is an axis extending along the greatest dimension of the insole 1 and is parallel to a resting plane, also defined as the transverse plane. The resting plane can be a plane substantially parallel to the surface of the insole 1 that is in contact with the sole of the foot. The first axis 1 a can be considered parallel to the direction of a resting ground for the entire insole 1 and the foot.

[0033] The insole 1 also defines a second axis 1b. It is an axis extending along a direction perpendicular to the first axis 1 a and parallel to the resting plane. The resting plane, or transverse plane, can therefore be considered as a plane wherein both the first axis 1 a and the second axis 1 b lie.

[0034] Furthermore, the insole 1 defines a third axis 1c. This axis is perpendicular to the first axis 1 a and to the second axis 1 b. Therefore, the third axis 1 c is perpendicular to both the resting plane and the ground previously considered.

[0035] The third axis 1 c and the first axis 1 a define the sagittal plane of the foot.

[0036] The third axis 1 c and the second axis 1 b define the frontal plane of the foot.

[0037] The first axis 1 a and the second axis 1 b, as mentioned earlier, define the transverse plane of the foot.

[0038] The insole 1 includes an outline 8. This outline delimits the area of the insole 1 suitable to come into contact with the foot. The area delimited by the outline 8 corresponds to the surface that makes contact with the sole of the foot.

[0039] Indeed, the insole 1 further comprises a transverse portion and a bottom area. The latter area comes into contact with the sole of the shoe.

[0040] The insole 1 comprises an anterior portion 2. This is the portion configured to sustain at least part of the weight of the forefoot. Therefore, the anterior portion 2 is configured to sustain the part of the foot extending from the phalanges to the metatarsals.

[0041] The insole 1 also includes an intermediate portion 3. This portion is connected to the anterior portion 2 and is configured to sustain at least part of the weight of the midfoot.

[0042] Additionally, the insole 1 includes a posterior portion 4. This portion is connected to the intermediate portion 3 and is configured to sustain at least part of the weight of the rearfoot.

[0043] The anterior portion 2, the intermediate portion 3, and the posterior portion 4 are arranged sequentially along the first axis 1 a.

[0044] The posterior portion 4 preferably includes an internal posterior portion 40. It is placed in the area at the greatest distance from the outline 8. In this regard, the outline 8 preferably includes a posterior outline 80, delimiting the posterior portion 4. Therefore, the internal posterior portion 40 defines an area at a greater distance from the posterior outline 80. The posterior outline 80 preferably has a greater thickness than the internal posterior portion 40. The difference in thickness between the outline 8 and the internal posterior portion 40 serves to enhance comfort by improving the distribution of the weight of the rearfoot.

[0045] The insole 1 preferably defines a first lateral portion 6. This is a portion placed at the inner side of the foot. Additionally, the insole 1 preferably defines a second lateral portion 7. This is a portion placed at the outer side of the foot. Specifically, it is opposite to the first lateral portion 6 along the second axis 1 b. Therefore, the first lateral portion 6 and the second lateral portion 7 are opposite with respect to the sagittal plane.

[0046] The anterior portion 2 advantageously has a thickness, measured with respect to the third axis 1 c, that varies along the first axis 1a and along the second axis 1 b. The variable thickness in the anterior portion 2 allows the prevention and treatment of pains that typically affect the forefoot. In particular, these pathologies affect parts of the forefoot as a result of an improper distribution of foot weight. The insole 1 thus allows to solve these forefoot pathologies.

[0047] To this end, the anterior portion 2 defines a plurality of positioning elements 5. These correspond to areas of the insole 1 with variable topography and orography, configured to sustain at least part of the weight of the forefoot.

[0048] These areas can therefore be valleys or peaks, i.e., areas with thicknesses different from the surrounding portions, positioned so as to correct the forefoot's posture.

[0049] At least part of the plurality of positioning elements 5 is placed at each of the metatarsals. Indeed, the metatarsals are the part of the forefoot most prone to developing pain due to uncomfortable foot positioning within the shoe.

[0050] In a possible first configuration, specifically for men (Figs. 1 and 2), of the insole 1 , the anterior portion 2 preferably defines a distal end 20. This corresponds to the part of the anterior portion 2 opposite to the intermediate portion 3 along the first axis 1a. The distal end 20 has a uniform thickness.

[0051] The positioning elements 5 define an internal portion 50. This is a portion placed in a position proximate to the intermediate portion 3. Specifically, it has a smaller thickness than the portion surrounding the internal portion 50. The surrounding portion has an increasing thickness in every direction moving away from the internal portion 50 in the plane defined by the first axis 1 a and by the second axis 1 b. Therefore, the internal portion 50 has the shape of a depression wherein the insole 1 has a smaller thickness compared to the surrounding portions.

[0052] In this configuration, the difference between the maximum and minimum thickness is preferably within a range of 12 mm to 16 mm. More preferably, the difference may be within a range of 13 mm to 15 mm.

[0053] This configuration of the insole 1 allows to optimize the weight distribution of the feet of male adult users.

[0054] The insole 1 may define an outline wall joining the area designed to come into direct contact with the foot and the area designed to contact the shoe sole. The outline wall may be inclined with respect to the third axis 1 c. In this way, it is possible to further modify the distribution of the weight of the foot to improve comfort.

[0055] In a second configuration, specifically for women (Figs. 3 and 4), of the insole 1 , the anterior portion 2 preferably defines a proximal anterior area 21. This is an area connected to the intermediate portion 3. The plurality of positioning elements 5 preferably includes an internal area 51. This is placed in the part at the greatest distance from the outline 8. Additionally, it has a greater thickness than the surrounding portion and the proximal anterior area 21. Therefore, the internal area 51 may have the shape of a dune with respect to the surrounding portion. It may have an outline that defines an extension facing towards the intermediate portion 3. In this alternative configuration, the positioning elements 5 also include a proximal ascent 52. This is an area that defines a gradual increase in thickness along the first axis 1 a in the direction from the anterior portion 2 toward the intermediate portion 3. This portion may be placed in an area closer to the intermediate portion 3 than the internal area 51 .

[0056] The positioning elements 5 preferably include a lateral ascent 53. This defines a gradual increase in thickness along the second axis 1 b, moving from the first lateral portion 6 to the second lateral portion 7. Specifically, the proximal ascent 52 and the lateral ascent 53 preferably meet to form a crest 54. Additionally, the proximal ascent 52 defines a corrugated profile with respect to the second axis 1 b. Specifically, when viewed along the third axis 1 c, the profile of the proximal ascent 52 forms an indentation towards the intermediate portion 3, substantially at the central portion, i.e., at the greatest distance from the first lateral portion 6 and the second lateral portion 7. The indentation may be placed in a position substantially aligned, relative to the second axis 1 b, with the internal area 51 .

[0057] The lateral ascent 53 preferably defines a corrugated profile with respect to the first axis 1a. It may form an indentation with an irregular profile. The lateral ascent 53 may be positioned closer to the intermediate portion 3 than the proximal ascent 52 and the internal area 51 . Furthermore, the portion of smaller thickness of the lateral ascent 53 may be placed in an area near the first lateral portion 6.

[0058] The crest 54 is an elongated area resulting from the meeting of the slopes of the proximal ascent 52 and the lateral ascent 53. The crest 54 may have a locally maximum thickness with respect to the proximal anterior area 21 .

[0059] The proximal anterior area 21 may include an additional ascent, opposite the lateral ascent 53 with respect to the first axis 1 a, joining with the proximal ascent 52 and the lateral ascent 53.

[0060] The lateral ascent 53 may partially join with part of the posterior outline 80 in the posterior portion 4. In this further configuration of the insole 1 , the difference between the maximum and minimum thickness is preferably within a range of 8 mm to 12 mm. More preferably, the thickness difference may be within a range of 9 mm to 11 mm.

[0061] This configuration of the insole 1 is capable of optimizing the weight distribution of the feet of female adult users.

[0062] In another configuration, the insole 1 preferably includes an internal area 11. This is an area extending mainly along the first axis 1a. Furthermore, it is spaced apart from the outline 8. The internal area 11 can thus be placed in the central portion of the insole 1 . Specifically, the internal area 11 preferably has a smaller thickness than the outline 8. In this regard, the outline 8 defines a connection area 81. This is an area that may partially take the shape of a strip. The connection area 81 is placed between the outline 8 and the internal area 11. In the connection area 81 , the thickness gradually increases from the portion closest to the internal area 11 to the portion closest to the outline 8.

[0063] In the anterior portion 2, the connection area 81 preferably defines an anterior outline area 82. This may take the shape of a strip running along the edge of the anterior portion, outlining a curve that extends from the first lateral portion 6 to the second lateral portion 7, passing through the distal portion of the anterior portion 2. Furthermore, the internal area 11 preferably defines an internal anterior area 22. This is delimited by the anterior outline area 82. The internal anterior area 22 preferably has a smaller thickness than the anterior outline area 82. The internal anterior area 22 may therefore take the shape of a slight depression with respect to the anterior outline area 82.

[0064] The connection area 81 also defines a curved profile. Specifically, it may curve inward toward the internal area 11 at the intermediate portion 3 and both in the first lateral portion 6 and the second lateral portion 7.

[0065] Thus, in the intermediate portion 3, the internal area 11 may narrow due to the profile of the connection area 81 on both lateral portions.

[0066] In this configuration, the difference between the maximum and minimum thickness is preferably within a range of 6 mm to 9 mm. More preferably, the thickness difference has a value within a range of 7 mm to 8 mm.

[0067] This configuration of the insole 1 is capable of optimizing the weight distribution for feet of the children.

[0068] In a further configuration of the insole 1 , the anterior portion 2 and the intermediate portion 3 are positioned so as to form an angle smaller than 180°. This conformation makes the insole 1 more suitable for use in shoes with a slope along the sagittal plane, such as high-heeled shoes. The anterior portion 2 preferably includes a central area 23. This is placed in an area distant from the outline 8. The distance from the outline 8 may be greater along the first lateral portion 6 and the second lateral portion 7 than at the distal end of the anterior portion 2. Moreover, it preferably includes one of the positioning elements 5. This element has a thickness greater than the surrounding portion. Said thickness gradually decreases in all directions moving away from the positioning element 5 in a plane parallel to the first axis 1 a and the second axis 1 b.

[0069] Additionally, the central area 23 is delimited by an edge having a portion designed to bypass a delimited area 24. This area is bounded by two straight segments parallel to the first axis 1 a.

[0070] A portion of the edge joins the two segments. This portion of the edge joining the two segments may be partially curved, with a curvature partially following the profile of the nearby positioning element 5. The delimited area 24, having a partially rectangular shape, is preferably placed in a central portion of the anterior portion 2. The delimited area 24 preferably has a smaller thickness than the central area 23, near the portion of the outline 8 opposite the intermediate portion 3.

[0071] Specifically, the delimited area 24 may have a uniform or constant thickness.

[0072] In addition, the central area 23 may have a decreasing thickness moving from the innermost part, corresponding to the positioning element 5, towards the outline 8.

[0073] This configuration of the insole 1 is capable of optimizing the weight distribution for feet in high-heeled shoes, which feature a level difference where the anterior portion 2 is at a lower level compared to the posterior portion 4.

[0074] The functioning of the insole 1 , previously described in structural terms, is as follows: The insole 1 is inserted into a shoe and placed on the resting surface of the foot within the shoe.

[0075] The foot, once inside the shoe, rests its sole on the surface of the insole 1 .

[0076] The insole 1 ensures that the foot is held in a position that optimizes weight distribution. Specifically, the variation in thickness in the anterior portion 2 ensures that the forefoot is positioned in such a way as to prevent the development of pain. The presence of positioning elements 5 allows for the optimal positioning and of weight distribution in the areas wherein they are placed, thereby influencing the overall weight distribution. Moreover, the positioning of these corrective elements is scaled for various sizes, which means it does not simply follow the stretching of the shoe size length but accounts for the actual differences in millimetres with respect to the skeletal growth of a user wearing a size 38 versus one wearing a size 40.

[0077] The insole 1 according to the invention offers significant advantages.

[0078] In fact, the insole 1 ensures that the weight of the foot is distributed in a way that both prevents and treats forefoot pain.

[0079] This result is achieved thanks to the variation in thickness in the anterior portion 2 and the distribution of the positioning elements 5 within the insole 1 .

[0080] The invention is susceptible to variations within the scope of the inventive concept defined by the claims.

[0081] Within this scope, all details can be replaced by equivalent elements, and the materials, shapes, and dimensions may be any.

Claims

C LAI MS1. An insole (1 ) suitable to be inserted into a shoe and to sustain the weight of a foot, said foot defining:- a forefoot comprising metatarsals;- a midfoot;- a rearfoot, said insole (1 ) defining:- a first axis (1 a), extending along the biggest size of said insole (1 ) and parallel to a resting plane;- a second axis (1 b), extending along a direction perpendicular to said first axis(l a) and parallel to said resting plane;- a third axis (1 c), perpendicular to said first axis (1 a) and to said second axis(l b);- an outline (8) delimiting the area of said insole (1 ) suitable to come into contact with said foot; and comprising:- an anterior portion (2) configured to sustain at least part of the weight of said forefoot;- an intermediate portion (3) connected to said anterior portion (2) and configured to sustain at least part of the weight of said midfoot; and- a posterior portion (4) connected to said intermediate portion (3) and configured to sustain at least part of the weight of said rearfoot; said anterior portion (2), said intermediate portion (3), and said posterior portion (4) being arranged sequentially along said first axis (1 a)and characterized in that:- said anterior portion (2) has a thickness, measured with respect to said third axis (1 c), variable along said first axis (1 a) and along said second axis (1 b);- said anterior portion (2) defines a plurality of positioning elements (5) configured to sustain at least part of the weight of said forefoot.

2. The insole (1 ) according to claim 1 , defining a first lateral portion (6), placed at the inner side of said foot, and a second lateral portion (7), placed at the outer side of said foot, opposite to said first lateral portion (6) along said second axis (1 b).

3. The insole (1 ) according to any preceding claim, wherein said outline (8) comprises a posterior outline (80), delimiting said posterior portion (4), said posterior portion (4) comprising an internal posterior portion (40) defining an area at a greater distance from said posterior outline (80), and said posterior outline (80) having a greater thickness than said internal posterior portion (40).

4. The insole (1 ) according to any preceding claim, wherein at least part of said plurality of positioning elements (5) is placed at each of said metatarsals.

5. The insole (1 ) according to any of the preceding claim, wherein said anterior portion (2) defines a distal end (20), corresponding to the part opposite to said intermediate portion (3) along said first axis (1a), having uniform thickness, and said positioning elements (5) defining an internal portion (50), proximate to said intermediate portion (3), having smaller thickness than the portion surrounding said internal portion (50), said surrounding portion having increasing thickness in every direction moving away from said internal portion (50) in the plane defined by said first axis (1 a) and said second axis (1 b).

6. The insole (1 ) according to the preceding claim, wherein the difference between the maximum and minimum thickness is within a range of 12 mm to 16mm.

7. The insole (1 ) according to claim 2 and any of claims 1 , 3-4, wherein said anterior portion (2) defines a proximal anterior area (21 ), connected to said intermediate portion (3), said plurality of positioning elements (5) comprising an internal area (51 ), placed in the part at the greatest distance from said outline (8), having a greater thickness than the surrounding portion and said proximal anterior area (21 ), a proximal ascent (52) defining a gradual increase in thickness along said first axis (1 a) in the direction from said anterior portion (2) toward said intermediate portion (3), a lateral ascent (53) defining a gradual increase in thickness along said second axis (1 b) in the direction from said first lateral portion (6) to said second lateral portion (7), said proximal ascent (52) and said lateral ascent (53) meeting thus forming a crest (54), said proximal ascent (52) defining a corrugated profile with respect to said second axis (1 b), and said lateral ascent (53) defining a corrugated profile with respect to said first axis (1a).

8. The insole (1 ) according to the preceding claim, wherein the difference between the maximum and minimum thickness is within a range of 8 mm to 12 mm .

9. The insole (1 ) according to claim 2 and any of claims 1 , 3-4, comprising an internal area (11 ) extending mainly along said first axis (1a) and spaced apart from said outline (8), said internal area (11 ) having smaller thickness than said outline (8), said outline (8) defining a connection area (81 ), wherein said thickness gradually increases from the portion closest to said internal area (11 ) to the portion closest to said outline (8), said connection area (81 ) being placed between said outline (8) and said internal area (11 ), in said anterior portion (2) said connection area (81 ) defining an anterior outline area (82) and said internal area (11 ) defining an internal anterior area (22)delimited by said anterior outline area (82), said internal anterior area (22) having smaller thickness than said anterior outline area (82), said connection area (81 ) defining a curved profile towards said internal area (11 ) at said intermediate portion (3) and both in said first lateral portion (6) and said second lateral portion (7).

10. The insole (1 ) according to the preceding claim, wherein the difference between the maximum and minimum thickness is within a range of 6 mm to 9 mm.

11. The insole (1 ) according to any of claims 1 -4, wherein said anterior portion (2) and said intermediate portion (3) are positioned so as to be able to form an angle smaller than 180°, said anterior portion (2) comprising a central area (23) comprising one of said positioning elements (5), said positioning element (5) having a greater thickness than the surrounding portion, said thickness gradually decreasing in every direction moving away from said positioning element (5) in a plane parallel to said first axis (1 a) and said second axis (1 b), said central area (23) being delimited by an edge having a portion bypassing an area (24) delimited by two rectilinear segments and parallel to said first axis (1 a) and a portion of said edge joining said segments, said delimited area being placed in a central portion of said anterior portion (2) and proximate to the portion of said outline (8) opposite to said intermediate portion (3), said delimited area having smaller thickness than said central area (23).

Images