MX2011012922A

MX2011012922A - Wellness shoe and method.

Info

Publication number: MX2011012922A
Application number: MX2011012922A
Authority: MX
Inventors: Nathan W Crary
Original assignee: Forme Ltd
Priority date: 2009-06-02
Filing date: 2010-06-01
Publication date: 2012-06-27
Also published as: RU2524894C2; SG176192A1; CA2764304A1; EP2437629B8; WO2010141425A3; KR20120133367A; US20120137542A1; AU2010256884A1; JP5677417B2; CN102573554A; WO2010141425A2; BRPI1011079A2; EP2437629A2; RU2011152604A; EP2437629B1; ZA201108855B; EP2437629A4; JP2012528688A

Abstract

A shoe body including an upper operably connected with an outsole. The shoe body has a front portion and a back portion. An insole is disposed inside the shoe upper and has a substantially inelastic heel portion and a substantially elastic toe portion. A substantially rigid pressure plate is adjacent to the substantially elastic toe portion.

Description

WELFARE SHOE AND METHOD FIELD OF THE INVENTION The present invention generally relates to a shoe that aids a user through a walking cycle, and more specifically, helps a user maintain uniform foot pressure and proper alignment through the walking cycle.

BRIEF DESCRIPTION OF THE INVENTION One aspect of the present invention includes a shoe article having a shoe body that includes a pad operably connected to a sole. The body of the shoe has a front portion and a back portion. A jig is positioned within the shoe upper and has a substantially inelastic heel portion and a substantially elastic tip portion. A substantially rigid pressure plate is adjacent to the substantially elastic tip portion.

Another aspect of the present invention includes an insert for a footwear article having a jig which includes a substantially inelastic heel portion and a substantially elastic tip portion. An elastic absorption pad is placed below the inelastic portion of the heel. A substantially rigid pressure plate is adjacent to the elastic portion of the tip.

Yet another aspect of the present invention includes a method for modifying the pitch of an individual, including providing a shoe having a blade operatively coupled with a sole. A template is inserted inside the shoe. A substantially elastic tip portion is formed in the jig. A substantially inelastic heel portion is formed in the jig which rises above the substantially elastic tip portion. An elastic absorption pad is connected below the substantially inelastic heel portion. The shoe is placed on the foot of a user, thus promoting a natural walking cycle.

These and other aspects, objectives, and features of the present invention will be understood and appreciated by those experiments in the art with the study of the following specification, claims, and accompanying drawings.

BRIEF DESCRIPTION OF THE DRAWINGS Figure 1A is a side elevational view of one embodiment of a shoe of the present invention.

Figure IB is a plan view of the lower part of the shoe of Figure 1A.

Figure 2 is a side cross-sectional view taken on line II-II of Figure IB.

Figure 3A is an elevation view of the right side of a mode of a template of the present invention.

Figure 3B is a plan view of the lower part of the template of Figure 3A.

Figure 3C is an elevation view of the left side of the template of Figure 3A.

Figure 3D is a plan view of the upper part of the template of Figure 3A.

Figure 4 is a cross-sectional side elevation view taken on line IV-IV of Figure IB.

Figure 5A is a cross-sectional side elevational view of the shoe of Figure 1A in the contact phase at the beginning of a walking cycle.

Figure 5B is a cross-sectional side elevation view of the shoe of Figure 1A in mid position during the walking cycle.

Figure 5C is a cross-sectional side elevational view of the shoe of Figure 1A in the tip-off position at the end of the walking cycle.

Figure 6A is a side elevation view of a side shoe embodiment of the present invention in the contact phase.

Figure 6B is a side elevational view of a side shoe embodiment of the present invention in mid-position phase.

Figure 6C is a side elevational view of a side shoe embodiment of the present invention in the tip-off phase.

DETAILED DESCRIPTION OF THE INVENTION For the purposes of description in this document, the terms "upper", "lower", "right", "left", "posterior", "frontal", "vertical", "horizontal", and derivatives thereof will refer to to the invention as it is oriented in Figure 1. However, it should be understood that the invention may assume several alternative orientations, except when expressly specified otherwise. It should also be understood that the specific devices and processes illustrated in the accompanying drawings, and which are described in the following specification, are simply exemplary embodiments of the inventive concepts defined in the appended claims. Therefore, the specific dimensions and other physical characteristics that refer to the modalities disclosed in this document should not be considered as limiting, unless the claims expressly state otherwise.

With reference to Figures 1A and IB, the reference number 10 generally designates a shoe system that includes a shoe 11 having a blade 12 operatively connected to a sole 14. The shoe 11 has a front portion 16 and a rear portion 18. A jig 20 is positioned within the shoe 11 and has a substantially inelastic heel portion 22 and a substantially elastic tip portion 24. A substantially rigid pressure plate 26 is adjacent to the substantially elastic tip portion 24.

Referring again to Figures 1A and IB, the blade 12 of the shoe 11 is designed to generally fit the foot of a wearer. It is contemplated that any of a variety of styles and designs may be used on the upper to provide an aesthetic appearance of the shoe 11. The substantially rigid pressure plate 26 or pressure shift rotation plate, as it is also called, is positioned at a front portion of the shoe 11 proximate an elastic tip portion 24, as will be described in greater detail below. The substantially inelastic heel portion 22 in conjunction with the substantially elastic tip portion 24 forms the jig 20, such that the jig 20 has compression qualities by metatarsal acceleration. The juncture of the substantially inelastic heel portion 22 and the substantially elastic tip portion 24 define a lever that aids the user in walking with a more natural walking cycle that is typical in traditional footwear. This construction of the insole 20 provides a type of cycle of walking without a natural shoe to the wearer of the shoe which causes the knee to bend rapidly while the center of gravity of the body mass of the user of the shoe passes from one side to the other on the shoe 11 Referring again to Figures 1A and IB, the shoe 11 is generally designed to support the weight of a wearer of the shoe and assist in repositioning the wearer's body at an angle that promotes a natural walking cycle, which is coupled subsequently to the muscular system of a user and reduces the pressure in the skeletal system.

With reference again to Figures 1A and IB, the blade 12 of the shoe includes side portions 40 that meet at the back portion 18 and operatively engage the front portion 16. An upper portion 44 is formed integrally with a tab 46. The side portions 40, rear 42, upper portion 44, and the tongue 46 keeps the shoe 11 at the user's foot. A transition portion 50 between the upper 12 of the shoe and the sole 14 connects the sole 14 with the upper 12 of the shoe and provides an aesthetic transition between the upper 12 of the shoe and the sole 14. The sole 14 includes a base 52 that is made of a non-slip material, such as rubber, which interfaces with the floor when the shoe 11 is in use. The substantially rigid pressure plate 26 is located between the sole 14 and the tip portion 24 substantially elastic. The shoe 11 of the shoe system 10 of the present invention is specifically designed to reduce the pressure in the forefoot and limit the pressure on the toes by promoting the natural movement of the toe lift. The shoe 11 also modifies and improves the user's gait, in such a way that the user puts less effort into the skeletal system. The footwear system 10 enables the user to be more attached to the human muscular system than that provided by traditional footwear. More specifically, the footwear system 10 controls more movement and absorbs less impact during walking. The pressure shift rotation plate 26 and the metatarsal acceleration compression jig 20 may be formed integrally or separately. In each case, the pressure shift rotation plate 26 and the acceleration compression jig of the metatarsal 20 work together to provide support through the arch of the foot, absorb the impact, and facilitate the rotation of the foot through the takeoff of the foot. tip.

Referring now to Figures IB and 2, the template 20 has a smaller perimeter than that of the sole 14 and is positioned above and generally within the perimeter of the sole 14. The interface of the insole 20 with the sole 14 is illustrated in Figure 2, which illustrates that the jig 20 rests on the rigid pressure plate 26, which is supported by the sole 14. The rigid pressure plate 26 can be exposed through the bottom of the sole 14, as shown in Figure 2, or it may be covered to prevent damage to the rigid pressure plate 26 and to keep the rigid pressure plate 26 clean. A midsole (not shown) may be placed anywhere between the insole and the sole to add additional comfort to the shoe generally.

Referring again to Figures IB and 2, the rigid pressure plate 26, or pressure shift rotation plate, begins at least 40 percent forward of a distal end of the heel 60 of the shoe 11 and may extend rearwardly. below the entire surface of the heel portion 22 substantially inelastic. The rigid pressure plate 26 extends forward, stopping no less than 15 percent rearward of the distal end of the tip 62 of the shoe 11. In one embodiment, it is contemplated that the rigid pressure plate 26 extends all the way to the distal end of the tip 62 of the shoe 11. The rigid pressure plate 26 may be integrated into the insole 20, or separately from the insole 20. However, the rigid pressure plate 26 is generally located between the sole 14 and the substantially elastic tip portion 24 of the jig 20. The rigid pressure plate 26 may be constructed of a variety of materials, including carbon fiber or other composite material, such as glass fiber, steel, or injection plastics, such as as nylon or TPUs with or without additional fiberglass reinforcement.

Referring now to Figures 3A to 3D, the template 20 supports the user's foot from an initial contact phase to a mid-position phase of a walking cycle through the use of a multiple density foam. The inelastic heel portion 22 extends at least 20 percent and not more than 60 percent forward from the distal end of the heel 60. The inelastic heel portion 22 is made of a foam with a density ranging degrees C and above. It is contemplated that materials such as PORON®, polyurethane, EVA, and other foam-based materials can be used. The elastic tip portion 24 is in front of the inelastic heel portion 22, and extends no more than 80 percent rearwardly from the distal end of the tip 62 of the shoe 11. The elastic tip portion 24 is formed of an elastic portion 24. less dense foam having a density of at least eight degrees Shore C less than the substantially inelastic heel portion 22. Materials such as PORON®, polyurethane, EVA, and other foam-based materials are contemplated for use in the substantially elastic tip portion 24. Because the density of the foam decreases from the substantially inelastic heel portion 22 to the substantially elastic tip portion 24, during the gait cycle, the metatarsal heads at the user's foot sink into the tip portion 24. substantially elastic in a drop zone 66 of the forefoot when the foot moves from a contact phase 68 to a mid-position phase 70 (Figure 5B) of the walking cycle. When the metatarsal heads of a user's foot sink in this way, the user's walking muscles activate and prepare the foot to turn forward to a 72-point takeoff phase, as discussed in more detail more further with respect to Figures 5A to 5C.

Referring now to Figures 2 and 3D, the template 20 includes an upper cover of dual 80 material or moderation layer. The dual material upper cover 80 allows control of the direction of impact absorption during a cycle of walking and movement of the foot relative to the surface of the insole 20. More specifically, the dual material upper cover 80 assists in transferring the descending forces of the bead portion 22 substantially inelastic to the substantially elastic tip portion 24. As illustrated, an elastic absorption pad 86 is positioned below the sole 14 and wraps the distal heel portion of the shoe 11. The dual material upper cover 80 includes an inelastic top cover 82 and an elastic top cover 84. Additionally, it is also contemplated that a thin layer 90 of soft foam may extend over the entire template 20 covering both the substantially inelastic heel portion 22 and the substantially elastic tip portion 24. The thin foam layer 90 is positioned below the dual material upper cover 80 and assists in the transition of a user's foot from the substantially inelastic heel portion 22 to the substantially elastic tip portion 24. The thin foam layer 90 can be of any thickness, and in one embodiment, is 3 mm thick.

With reference to Figure 4, the rigid pressure plate 26 has a convex side cross section projecting down from a foot plant foot surface of the template 20 not less than two millimeters and up to 20 millimeters. The degree of spring of the toes is affected by the amount and degree to which the rigid pressure plate 26 protrudes downwardly from the sole surface of the foot of the insole 20. It is envisaged that the spring of the toes It will oscillate in degrees from 15 degrees to 40 degrees.

With reference to Figures 5A to 5C, during use, when the impact forces are applied to the substantially inelastic heel portion 22 during a contact phase 68 (Figure 5A) of the walking cycle, the inelastic upper cover 82 of the heel portion 22 inelastic forces the elastic absorption pad 86 to compress upwardly from the sole surface of the foot. Consequently, impact forces are absorbed from the sole surface of the foot or bottom. This construction stabilizes the calcaneus and prevents the heel of a wearer from sinking into the heel portion of the insole 20. While the insole 20 compresses the sole surface of the foot into the substantially inelastic heel portion 22, the effect is achieved opposite in the substantially elastic tip portion 24. Specifically, the substantially elastic tip portion 24 allows a two or four way elastic material to be compressed. During the gait cycle, the inelastic upper cover 84 adjacent the substantially elastic tip portion 24 allows the impact forces to be absorbed from the dorsal surface or superiorly downwardly through the template 20. Consequently, the pressure is reduced in sensitive areas of the foot, including the metatarsals. The substantially elastic tip portion 24 and the inelastic top cover 84 are reflected while the user passes from the substantially inelastic heel portion 22 to the substantially elastic tip portion 24 from the mid-position phase 70 (Figure 5B) to the take off point 72 (Figure 5C) of the walking cycle. Accordingly, there is an increased acceleration of the substantially elastic tip portion 24 in the drop zone of the forefoot 66 compared to the rate of fall of the calcaneus, at which time the foot will move the sole of the foot in a manner soft and comfortable.

Referring now to Figures 6A to 6C, the shoe 11 of the present invention, and specifically the jig 20 placed on the shoe 11, works to reposition the body angle in a natural gait cycle to promote additional attachment of the muscular system. The forefoot accelerates downwards in the area of the tip portion 24, substantially elastic, soft and easily understandable, which causes the body to decelerate. The rigid pressure plate 26 and the substantially inelastic heel portion 22 cause the knee to bend rapidly, while the mass of the body passes from one side to the other through the center of gravity. This transition coupled the muscular system, allowing it to absorb any additional force incurred when walking. As a result, the amount of walking effort increases as a result of the increased activity of the central muscles, but greatly reduces the impact of the skeletal system and joints. The convex design of the rigid pressure plate 26 allows the pressure of the forefoot to propagate through the entire surface of the rigid pressure plate 26, transferring the impact forces across the entire surface of the plate of rigid pressure 26 and improving the cycle of natural gait. This construction provides cushioning and support under the foot, while helping the body move naturally, as if the user was not wearing shoes at all. Accordingly, the rigid pressure plate 26 works in combination with the jig 20 to assist the foot to rotate appropriately until the tip is released to achieve an appropriate cycle of gait. As a result, the pressure is redistributed and muscle use is increased.

It should be understood that variations and modifications may be made to the aforementioned structure without departing from the concepts of the present invention, and further it should be understood that it is intended to cover such concepts by the following claims unless these claims expressly establish by their language otherwise.

NOVELTY OF THE INVENTION Having described the present invention as above, it is considered as a novelty and, therefore, the content of the following is claimed as property: CLAIMS 1. An article of footwear comprising: a shoe body including a shovel operatively connected to a sole, the shoe body includes a front portion and a back portion; a jig placed within the shoe upper and having a substantially inelastic heel portion and a substantially elastic tip portion; Y a substantially rigid pressure plate adjacent the substantially elastic tip portion. 2. The article of footwear according to claim 1, further comprises: an elastic absorption pad placed between the inelastic heel portion and the sole. 3. The article of footwear according to claim 1, further comprises: one between sole placed between the insole and the sole. The article of footwear according to claim 1, characterized in that the thickness of the substantially inelastic heel is approximately twice that of the substantially elastic tip portion. 5. The article of footwear according to claim 1, characterized in that the pressure plate includes a convex portion substantially aligned with the metatarsals of a user. 6. The article of footwear according to claim 1, further comprises: a layer of moderation placed on the template. 7. The article of footwear according to claim 6, characterized in that the moderation layer includes a back portion constructed of a substantially inelastic material and a front portion constructed of a substantially elastic material. 8. The article of footwear according to claim 1, further comprises: a lever defined between the substantially inelastic heel portion and the substantially elastic tip portion that translates the downward energy from the forward portion forward to the front portion 1. 9. An insert for an article of footwear comprising: a jig having a substantially inelastic heel portion and a substantially elastic tip portion; an elastic absorption pad placed below the inelastic heel portion; Y a substantially rigid pressure plate adjacent the substantially elastic tip portion. 10. The insert according to claim 9, further comprises: one between sole placed between the insole and the sole. 11. The insert according to claim 9, characterized in that the thickness of the substantially inelastic heel is approximately twice that of the substantially elastic tip portion. 12. The insert according to claim 9, characterized in that the substantially rigid pressure plate includes a convex portion substantially aligned with a user's metatarsals. 13. The insert according to claim 9, further comprises: a layer of moderation placed on the template. The insert according to claim 9, characterized in that the moderation layer includes a back portion constructed of a substantially inelastic material and a front portion constructed of a substantially elastic material. 15. The insert according to claim 9, further comprises: a lever defined between the substantially inelastic heel portion and the substantially elastic tip portion that translates the downward energy from the forward portion forward to the front portion. 16. A method to modify the pace of an individual, the method includes: providing a shoe having a shovel operatively coupled with a sole; insert a template in the shoe; forming a substantially elastic tip portion in the jig; forming a substantially inelastic heel portion in the jig which rises above the substantially elastic tip portion; connecting an absorption pad below the substantially inelastic heel portion; place the shoe on the foot of a user, thus promoting a natural walking cycle. 17. The method according to claim 16, further comprises: providing a substantially rigid pressure plate adjacent the substantially elastic tip portion of the jig. 18. The method according to claim 17, characterized in that the step of providing a substantially rigid pressure plate further comprises: integrally form the template with the substantially rigid pressure plate. 19. The method according to claim 16, further comprises: Position a top cover of dual material on the template. 20. The method according to claim 16, further comprises: position a sole between the insole and the sole.