DE102023119301A1 - Device for a shoe and shoe system - Google Patents

Abstract

Device (10) for a shoe (30) or the like, in particular a heel relief sole (10), preferably for use with or for insertion into a shoe (30), which has a support surface (12) for a part of a foot of a user of the device (10), with
- a forefoot element (14) at a front end (V) of the device (10), in particular for supporting the forefoot;
- a heel element (16) at a rear end (H) of the device (10);
- a lifting element (15) arranged in the longitudinal direction between the forefoot element (14) and the heel element (16), in particular for supporting the metatarsal, wherein the support surface (12) in the region of the lifting element (15) rises from a forefoot plane (VE) to a metatarsal plane (ME), wherein the heel element (16) falls from the metatarsal plane (ME) to a heel plane (FE), in particular such that a heel of a foot lies freely in the air when using the device (10).

Description

The invention relates to a device for a shoe and shoe system.

To support the healing of wounds and injuries in the heel area due to diabetes mellitus, peripheral arterial occlusive disease or other indication-independent wound formation or injuries in the heel area, it is known to use heel relief shoes that relieve the heel of a user when walking and standing.

With such a heel relief shoe, the heel area of a foot is specifically relieved by redistributing pressure. This is achieved by a continuous sole that is designed to rise from a forefoot area to a heel area relative to the floor level. This means that the forefoot and midfoot areas take on a large part of the body weight and provide stability for the user via the heel relief shoe.

This effect is further supported by a sole underside that has a recess in the area below the user's heel and thus has no contact with the ground. This means that force is only transferred to the ground in the area of the midfoot and forefoot. Such heel relief shoes therefore have a characteristic outsole geometry that leads to an unusual or unfamiliar feeling when walking. In addition, the omission of material below the heel limits stability when walking.

On the one hand, corresponding heel relief shoes are therefore not comfortable to wear, offer little stability in the supposed heel strike and are expensive to produce.

The object of the invention is to address the aforementioned disadvantages. The object of the invention is in particular to enable relief of the heel while at the same time providing high wearing comfort and increased stability of the foot, preferably when walking with a natural gait. It is also preferably the object of the invention to enable increased flexibility in the provision of corresponding devices.

The problem is solved by the subject matter of the independent claims.

• - einem Vorfußelement an einem vorderen Ende der Vorrichtung, insbesondere zum Unterstützen des Vorfußes;
• - einem Fersenelement an einem hinteren Ende der Vorrichtung;
• - einem in Längsrichtung zwischen dem Vorfußelement und dem Fersenelement angeordnetes Hebeelement, insbesondere zum Unterstützen des Mittelfußes, wobei die Auflagefläche im Bereich des Hebeelements von einer Vorfußebene zu einer Mittelfußebene ansteigt,

wobei das Fersenelement von der Mittelfußebene zu einer Fersenebene abfällt, insbesondere derart, dass eine Ferse eines Fußes beim Verwenden der Vorrichtung frei in der Luft liegt.The object is achieved in particular by a device for a shoe or the like, in particular a heel relief sole, preferably for use with or for insertion into a shoe, which has a support surface for a part of a foot of a user of the device, with

• - a forefoot element at a front end of the device, in particular for supporting the forefoot;
• - a heel element at a rear end of the device;
• - a lifting element arranged longitudinally between the forefoot element and the heel element, in particular for supporting the midfoot, wherein the support surface in the region of the lifting element rises from a forefoot level to a midfoot level,

wherein the heel element slopes down from the metatarsal plane to a heel plane, in particular such that a heel of a foot lies freely in the air when using the device.

A core of the invention is that the heel is not subjected to pressure when the device is used, i.e. it is free in the air. For this purpose, the device can have a continuous outsole, which can be at least essentially flat. This provides a sole over the entire length of the user's foot. This leads to a comfortable wearing experience and a more stable gait. By increasing the contact surface, the user's weight is directed specifically to the forefoot and midfoot. The heel is thus relieved.

In one embodiment, the support surface can have side walls, in particular only in the region of the lifting element, in particular for the lateral and medial stabilization of a metatarsal.

To improve stability when walking and comfort, side walls can be provided. Particularly in the midfoot area, these can at least partially enclose the foot when worn.

In one embodiment, curved regions of the support surface in the region of the lifting element can have a convex curvature, preferably a shape adapted to a foot anatomy, in particular in a cutting plane running transversely to the longitudinal direction.

In other words, the contact surface can be adapted to the anatomy of the foot, so that it is particularly comfortable to wear and a good, i.e. even, transfer of force from the user's foot to the device is ensured. This prevents pressure peaks on individual parts of the forefoot and midfoot. This can prevent pressure points and skin irritation on a user's foot.

In one embodiment, a central region between the side walls can have a concave curvature, in particular in a cutting plane running transversely to the longitudinal direction.

The aim of this embodiment is also to ensure the most even possible transfer of force from the user's foot to the device.

In one embodiment, the heel element can be designed to swing freely.

In other words, the heel element can have a spring function, so that a more comfortable wearing experience is achieved, especially when stepping or walking. In addition, a free-swinging design ensures better power transmission from the user's foot to the device.

In one embodiment, the heel element can have a heel end, wherein the heel end can extend away from the heel element in the direction of the rear end and can be arranged above a heel element that can define a heel plane, in particular such that the heel end and heel planes can have a distance of in particular ≥ 1 cm, ≥ 2 cm, ≥ 3 cm, ≥ 4 cm, ≥ 5 cm, ≥ 6 cm, ≥ 7 cm, ≥ 8 cm, or 9≥ cm and preferably less than or equal to 10 cm, from each other and are preferably separated from each other by an air gap.

In particular, to achieve the free-swinging function, a distance between the heel end and the heel plane can be achieved. This also means that the device itself provides a spring function through the elasticity of the material used. This spring function can be very slight, so that the user only notices a slight yielding.

In one embodiment, the heel end may be substantially flat.

In one embodiment, the heel end can have a length, in particular measured from a rear wall of the lifting element and preferably with a length ≥ 1 cm, ≥ 2 cm, ≥ 3 cm, ≥ 4 cm, ≥ 5 cm, ≥ 6 cm, ≥ 7 cm, ≥ 8 cm, ≥ 9 cm, ≥ 10 cm, ≥ 11 cm, ≥ 12 cm, ≥ 13 cm, or ≥ 14 cm, and preferably less than or equal to 15 cm.

Depending on the length of the heel cap, the user's heel is completely or partially relieved of pressure when wearing the device. The corresponding parameterization can be set depending on the injuries to be treated and/or the user's anatomy.

In one embodiment, the heel end can be at least substantially flat and preferably have a thickness of less than 4 cm, 3 cm, 2 cm, 1 cm, particularly preferably less than 0.5 cm.

Since the heel end is only subjected to very little stress due to the rising contact surface, it is possible to make the heel end thin. This saves material and makes the device lighter overall. A low weight leads to good wearing comfort overall.

In one embodiment, the heel element can have a heel thickness of less than 10 cm, 9 cm, 8 cm, 7 cm, 6 cm, 5 cm, 4 cm, 3 cm, 2 cm, 1 cm, in particular less than 0.5 cm.

In this embodiment, it is also advantageous if the heel element is thin in order to save weight.

In one embodiment, the support surface in the region of the lifting element can rise at least by an angle of 3°, 5°, 7°, 10°, 15°, 20°, 25°, 30°, 35°, 40°, 45°, 50°, 55°, or 60°.

By choosing the angle, the force transfer from the device user to the device can be controlled. For example, with a steeper angle, the weight is shifted more to the forefoot, and with a flatter angle, more to the midfoot area. Depending on the user, e.g. depending on the length of the foot and/or indication, the angle can be selected in such a way that the weight is transferred to the device as evenly as possible.

In one embodiment, the device may be formed from an elastic material, such as rubber, polyurethane or a thermoplastic.

The use of an elastic material can increase overall comfort. In addition, the material can adapt to the user's foot during use. It is also possible to combine an elastic material with an inelastic material.

In one embodiment, the forefoot element can have a forefoot width and the heel element can have a heel width, wherein the forefoot width can correspond to at least 1.2 times the heel width, preferably 1.4 times, particularly preferably 1.5 times. It is also possible for the forefoot width to be equal to the heel width.

By varying the width of the forefoot element and the heel width on the heel element, the device can be designed to suit the anatomy of a user's foot. This helps when using or inserting the device into a shoe.

The object is further achieved in particular by a shoe system comprising a device as described above and a shoe, wherein the device can be designed to be inserted into the shoe.

The shoe can be a normal shoe designed to accommodate insoles. In particular, it can be a shoe that is used to fixate the foot.

Further embodiments emerge from the subclaims.

• 1 eine Seitenansicht der Vorrichtung 10;
• 2 eine frontale Ansicht der Vorrichtung 10;
• 3a und 3b eine perspektivische Ansicht der Vorrichtung 10;
• 4 eine schematische seitliche Ansicht der Vorrichtung 10; und
• 5 eine perspektivische Ansicht eines Schuhs 30.

In the following, the invention is explained in more detail using exemplary embodiments.

• 1 a side view of the device 10;
• 2 a front view of the device 10;
• 3a and 3b a perspective view of the device 10;
• 4 a schematic side view of the device 10; and
• 5 a perspective view of a shoe 30.

In the following, the same reference numbers are used for identical or equivalent elements.

1 shows a side view of a device 10 for a shoe, in particular a heel relief sole. The device 10 has a support surface 12 which comes into contact with the foot of a user when the device 10 is used by a user. In addition, the device 10 has a bottom 11 which comes into contact with the inside of the shoe when inserted into a shoe. In other words, a user's weight is transmitted via the support surface 12 through the device 10 via the bottom 11 to a shoe. The 1 to 5 show a device 10 for a right foot or shoe. A device for a left foot or shoe is mirrored accordingly. This means that a right device 10 and a left device 10 have the same structural features, but these are arranged in a mirrored manner.

The device 10 has a front end V and a rear end H. When using the device 10, the toes of a user's foot are arranged towards the front end V. The device 10 has a forefoot element 14, a lifting element 15 and a heel element 16.

The forefoot element 14 is essentially flat and is designed to accommodate the forefoot of a user. The forefoot element 14 defines a forefoot plane VE on its surface, which is arranged essentially parallel to a floor plane or transverse plane of the user of the device 10. The forefoot plane VE and the surface of the forefoot element 14 are located approximately 1 cm above the underside 11 of the device 10.

The lifting element 15 is arranged between the forefoot element 14 and the heel element 16 in the longitudinal direction of the device 10. The lifting element 15 is designed to accommodate the user's midfoot when used by a user. The support surface 12 is shaped in such a way that it rises from the forefoot level VE to a midfoot level ME. In other words, the midfoot element 15 lifts the user's foot. This lifting achieves a pressure shift. In other words, the weight is shifted to the front and middle area of the foot and the heel is relieved.

The heel element 16 in turn defines a gradient from the midfoot plane ME to a heel plane FE. This means that the heel floats freely when using the device 10, ie it does not rest on the support surface 12. Instead, a heel end 17 forms the end of the support surface 12. The detailed design of the heel element 16 is described in connection with the 4 explained in more detail.

2 shows the device 10 in a view from the front. The view shows the highest elevation of the metatarsal element 15. In addition to the elevation, an outer wall 21 and an inner wall 22 are defined by the metatarsal element 15. The outer wall 21 and the inner wall 22 delimit the device 10 in the lateral and medial directions. The support surface 12 is designed in the area of the metatarsal element 15 in such a way that the support surface 12 adapts to the anatomy of a foot. For this purpose, a concave metatarsal outer curve 24 is provided in the support surface 12 from the center of the support surface 12 to the outer wall 21. This concave metatarsal outer curve 24 serves to enable the user's foot to make contact with the support surface 12 over as large an area as possible. Accordingly, on the other side, i.e. from the center of the support surface 12 to the inner wall 22, a concave metatarsal inner curve 25 is provided. The concave metatarsal inner curve 25 is shaped in such a way that it comes into contact with the arch of the user's foot over a large area. The support surface 21 is designed with regard to the longitudinal arch of the foot and the transverse arch of the foot. In the area of the center of the support surface 12 in the metatarsal element 15, the support surface 12 is characterized by a convex metatarsal curve 26.

The adaptation of the metatarsal element 15 to the anatomy of the user's foot as described above ensures particularly good power transmission.

The 3a and 3b show perspective views of the device 10. As can be seen from 3a As can be seen, the heel element 16 has a heel end 17. This heel end 17 is essentially flat and lies on or slightly below the metatarsal plane ME. For example, the end element 17 can have a surface that is arranged less than 0.5 cm below the metatarsal plane ME. The user's heel thus rests partly on the heel end 17. Depending on the treatment and the anatomy of the user, the heel end 17 can be longer or shorter.

From the 3b It can be seen that the device 10 follows the shape of a foot in a plan view. The forefoot element 14 has a width b1, which can be adapted to the width of the forefoot of a user. In the area of the lifting element 15, the width of the device 10 tapers to a heel width b1. The heel element 16 thus has a width b2. The rear end of the heel element 16, which forms the rear part of the bottom 11, can be round in order to be accommodated in a standard shoe.

The 4 shows once again a side view of the device 10, which corresponds to the view of the 1 corresponds. In the 4 it is highlighted that the support surface 12 rises at an angle α from the forefoot plane VE to the metatarsal plane ME. This angle α can be adapted to the type of treatment. Usually the angle α will be between 3° and 40°. For example, the angle a can be selected as 7°.

The heel element 16 has on the one hand the heel end 17 and a heel element 13. The heel end 17 is arranged above the heel element 13. In the embodiment shown, the 4 the heel end 17 is spaced apart from the heel element 13 by a height h. In other words, the heel end 17 is arranged above the heel element 13, with no material provided between the heel element 13 and the heel end 17, i.e. there is an air gap. However, this air gap can also be designed with a (soft) filling material. This design of the heel end 17 provides a free-swinging function. The heel end 17 has a heel edge 18 which forms the end of the heel end 17. In the area of the heel edge 18, the heel end 17 has a thickness t. The thickness t can be less than 1 cm, for example 0.5 cm. The heel edge 18 is spaced apart from the lifting element 15 by a distance d. This distance thus determines the swinging property of the heel end 17.

5 shows a shoe 30 which can be used together with the device 10. The shoe 30 has a sole element 31 which can be used for use on a conventional road or sidewalk surface. The sole element 31 thus has a profile which can contribute to stable movement. To close the shoe 30, the shoe 30 has fastening elements 34, 34', 34", e.g. Velcro fastening elements. When the fastening elements 34, 34', 34" are opened, the device 10 can be inserted into the shoe 30. By combining the shoe 30 with the device 10, it can be achieved that the user can use a complete sole 31 on one side and at the same time the heel is relieved. This ensures very high stability and very high comfort when walking. The user's leg extends proximally through the opening 32 of the shoe 30. The toes can protrude through the opening 33.

At this point, it should be noted that all parts described above are to be regarded individually, even without additional features described in the respective context, even if these have not been explicitly identified as optional features in the respective context, e.g. by using: in particular, preferably, for example, for example, if necessary, round brackets, etc. and in combination or any sub-combination as an independent embodiment or development of the invention, as defined in particular in the introduction to the description and in the claims. Variations on this are possible. Specifically, it should be noted that the word in particular or in round brackets do not indicate any mandatory features in the respective context.

List of reference symbols:

10

device

11

bottom

12

support surface

13

paragraph element

14

forefoot element

15

lifting element

16

heel element

17

heel finish

18

heel edge

21

exterior wall

22

interior wall

23

curvature element

24

concave metatarsal outer curvature

25

concave metatarsal inner curvature

26

convex metatarsal curvature

30

shoe

31

sole element

32

upper opening

33

front opening

34, 34', 34"

closure element

V

front end

H

rear end

T

thickness

VE

forefoot level

ME

midfoot level

FE

heel plane

A - A

cutting plane

α

angle

b1

forefoot width

b2

heel width

Claims (14)

Device (10) for a shoe (30) or the like, in particular a heel relief sole (10), preferably for use with or for insertion into a shoe (30), which has a support surface (12) for part of a foot of a user of the device (10), with - a forefoot element (14) at a front end (V) of the device (10), in particular for supporting the forefoot; - a heel element (16) at a rear end (H) of the device (10); - a lifting element (15) arranged in the longitudinal direction between the forefoot element (14) and the heel element (16), in particular for supporting the metatarsal, wherein the support surface (12) in the region of the lifting element (15) rises from a forefoot plane (VE) to a metatarsal plane (ME), characterized in that the heel element (16) slopes down from the metatarsal plane (ME) to a heel plane (FE), in particular such that a heel of a foot lies freely in the air when using the device (10). Device (10) according to claim 1 , characterized in that the support surface (12) in the region of the lifting element (15) has side walls, in particular for the lateral and medial stabilization of a metatarsal. Device (10) according to one of the preceding claims, in particular claim 2 , characterized in that curved regions (24, 25) of the support surface (12) in the region of the lifting element (15) have a convex curvature, preferably a shape adapted to a foot anatomy, in particular in a cutting plane (AA) running transversely to the longitudinal direction. Device (10) according to one of the preceding claims, in particular according to one of the Claims 2 or 3 , characterized in that a central region between the side walls (21, 23) has a concave curvature, in particular in a cutting plane (AA) running transversely to the longitudinal direction. Device (10) according to one of the preceding claims, characterized in that the heel element (16) is designed to swing freely. Device (10) according to one of the preceding claims, in particular claim 5 , characterized in that the heel element (16) has a heel end (17), wherein the heel end (17) extends in the direction of the rear end (H) away from the heel element (16) and is arranged above a heel element (13) which defines a heel plane (FE), in particular such that the heel end (17) and the heel plane (FE) have a distance (h), in particular a distance (h) greater than or equal to 1 cm, 2 cm, 3 cm, 4 cm, 5 cm, 6 cm, 7 cm, 8 cm, or 9 cm and preferably less than or equal to 10 cm from each other. Device (10) according to one of the preceding claims, in particular claim 5 characterized in that the heel end (17) has a length (d), in particular measured from a rear wall of the lifting element (15) and preferably with a length (d) greater than or equal to 1 cm, 2 cm, 3 cm, 4 cm, 5 cm, 6 cm, 7 cm, 8 cm, 9 cm, 10 cm, 11 cm, 12 cm, 13 cm, or 14 cm, and preferably less than or equal to 15 cm. Device (10) according to one of the preceding claims, in particular claim 7 , characterized in that the heel end (17) is at least substantially flat and preferably has a thickness (t) of less than 1 cm, particularly preferably less than 0.5 cm. Device according to one of the preceding claims, in particular claim 6 , characterized in that the heel element (13) has a heel thickness of less than 10 cm, 9 cm, 8 cm, 7 cm, 6 cm, 5 cm, 4 cm, 3 cm, 2 cm, 1 cm, in particular less than 0.5 cm. Device (10) according to one of the preceding claims, characterized in that the support surface (12) in the region of the lifting element (15) rises at least by an angle (α) of 3°, 5°, 7°, 10°, 15°, 20°, 25°, 30°, 35°, 40°, 45°, 50°, 55°, or 60°. Device (10) according to one of the preceding claims, characterized in that the device (10) is formed from an elastic material, e.g. rubber, polyurethane or a thermoplastic. Device (10) according to one of the preceding claims, characterized in that the forefoot element (14) has a forefoot width (b1) and the heel element (13) has a heel width (b2), wherein the forefoot width (b1) corresponds to at least 1.2 times the heel width (b2), preferably 1.4 times, particularly preferably 1.5 times. Shoe system comprising: - A device (10) according to any one of the preceding claims; - A shoe (30), wherein the device (10) is designed to be inserted into the shoe. shoe system according to claim 13 , characterized in that the shoe (30) has at least one opening mechanism (34, 34', 34"), wherein the device (10) can be inserted into the shoe (30) when the opening mechanism (34, 34', 34") is in an open position.

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