WO2006079772A1

WO2006079772A1 - Impact absorbing insole

Info

Publication number: WO2006079772A1
Application number: PCT/GB2005/004949
Authority: WO
Inventors: Garry Ritchie
Original assignee: Individual
Current assignee: Individual
Priority date: 2005-01-31
Filing date: 2005-12-20
Publication date: 2006-08-03
Anticipated expiration: 2007-07-31
Also published as: GB2418129A; GB0501915D0; GB2418129B

Abstract

An insole for shoes or boots is provided comprising an upper and lower layer arrangement for the purpose of dampening the impact associated with walking, running or standing for sufficient periods on hard or difficult surfaces or to lessen such an effect experienced with shoes or boots with inadequate insole protection. The upper layer (2) is a woven fabric surface which provides the surface of contact for the users foot. The lower layer (1) comprises a cell membrane structure where the cells (3) contain a chemically inert gel/fluid of sufficient viscosity to provide a cushioned effect when compressed. In addition to providing a cushioned effect from hard or difficult surfaces the lower layer’s individual cell structure provides stimulation to areas of the foot in contact with the ground thereby helping to alleviate areas prone to the build up of hard skin i.e. the heels and balls of the feet.

Description

Impact Absorbing Insole

Background of Invention

Previous attempts at providing an insole that provides relief and comfort tend to revolve around cushion based designs that incorporate foam material which initially provide the desired effect, however over a period the foam based material deforms and can no longer maintain its elasticity and instead of being able to soften any impact merely transfers the vibrations through to the users foot. The other disadvantage associated with foam based insoles are their initial bulky composition. The thicker the foam inside the greater the cushioned effect but there is a limit to the size and thickness of the insole which the user can accommodate in a shoe or boot.

Insoles comprising a gel fluid cushion offer a means of support without the need for bulk since compressing a fluid will result in the fluid taking the shape of the object providing the pressure and will provide support at the point of pressure due to a fluids nature to withstand compression. Merely providing a gel based membrane insole will only provide limited support and relief if it does not respond to the needs of the user's feet. Due to the characteristics associated with the human foot and the walking pattern certain areas require more support which needs to be reflected in the design of the cell structure.

The current invention is an improvement on existing layered cushioned insoles by providing a cell array structure whose individual cell composition is conical in shape with ridged sections to assist the dampening of shock and vibration due to walking or running with the additional capacity to provide support to areas of the foot prone to the build up of blisters or hard skin by reducing the contact area when the foot makes contact with a surface to minimise the impact on hard or difficult surfaces, infused with a gel fluid for cushioned support to the areas of the foot most at risk from developing hard skin and blisters. Brief summary of operation

In accordance with the present invention the insole incorporates a cell membrane array infused with a gel fluid intended for shoes/boots with the intention of dampening impact and vibration which occurs when walking, running or negotiating difficult surfaces and providing relief from exposure to prolonged periods of standing.

The insole comprises an upper and lower layer bonded together. The upper layer is the surface that the user's foot will make contact with and is made up of a woven fibre that is flexible and durable.

The lower layer comprises a flexible moulded latex composite that forms a cell membrane array which houses an inert gel fluid. The individual cell structure resembles a cone shape with ridges to produce a dampening effect when impacting a surface.

The two layers when bonded together produce an insole that provides users with a cushioned effect resulting from the compression of the gel within the lower layer.

The cell structure also dampens any impact and by its shape stimulates particular areas of the foot prone to the build up of blisters or hard skin.

In addition to providing comfort and relief from walking, running or merely prolonged exposure to standing the insoles lower layer structure is flexible to accommodate variations in the users feet in terms of shape and posture.

Accordingly, a first object of the present invention is to provide an improved Insole for shoes/boots incorporating a cell membrane array for the purpose of absorbing and dampening the impact associated with walking, running or negotiating hard or difficult surfaces.

Another object of the present invention is to provide an improved insole for shoes/boots incorporating a cell membrane array for the purpose of providing a more cushioned effect when walking, running or negotiating hard or difficult surfaces or when using shoes/boots with insufficient cushioning.

Still another object of the present invention is to provide an improved insole for shoes/boots incorporating a cell membrane array for the purpose of providing a more flexible insole to cope with the variations in size and shape of the users feet and the variations in the movement that the users foot experiences.

Yet another object of the present invention is to provide an improved insole for shoes/boots incorporating a cell membrane array for the purpose of improving the cohesion between the insole and the users shoe/boot thereby providing a better grip and control when walking, running or standing.

Still yet another object of the present invention is to provide an improved insole for shoes/boots incorporating a cell membrane array for the purpose of assisting users in their posture particularly when standing on hard flat surfaces for prolonged periods.

According to the present invention there is provided an improved insole incorporating a cell membrane array comprising an upper layer made from a woven fabric bonded to a lower layer comprising a cell membrane array infused with an inert gel fluid.

Drawings

Fig. 1 Shows a sideways elevation of the insole

Fig. 2 Shows a plan view of the lower layer of the insole

Fig.3 Shows a detailed view of the cell membrane structure

Fig.4 Shows a plan view of the upper layer of the insole

Fig 5 Shows a detailed view of a cell structure

Impact Absorbing Insole

Detailed Description

The main requirements of the current invention are based on the lower layer structure and composition. Fig 1 represents a sideways elevation of the insole with the upper layer 2 and the lower layer 1 bonded together. The upper layer requirements are for flexibility and durability hence will be composed of a woven fabric which is well known in the art.

The lower layer 1 aims to dampen the effect of impacting a surface by minimising the contact area which is achieved through the individual cell structure as shown in fϊg.3. The cone shaped cells contain ridges 4 that absorb the vibration that occurs when impacting a surface. The cell structure of fig 3 shows a small section of the cell membrane array of the lower layer 2.

Fig 5 shows a more detailed view of an individual cell 3 complete with ridges 4. An impact in the direction of the arrow A causes the cell structure to compress with the impact being absorbed by the successive sections of the cell 3. As the vibration is transferred to the next section the impact is attenuated. Additional cushioning is provided by a gel fluid within the cell structure to provide comfort and elasticity when the insole experiences compression. Taking into account the manner in which the foot is implanted when walking or running the cell structure is concentrated around the hell and ball areas of the foot as theses are areas that require the most comfort and protection with the instep area 5 of the lower layer 1 being less densely populated with the cell arrays. Instead the instep area 5 consists mostly of gel fluid to provide a cushioned effect.

Claims

Impact Absorbing InsoleCLAIMS

1. An insole for shoes or boots comprising: an upper layer composed of a woven fabric that provides the first point of contact for the users foot with the intention of providing a durable, flexible surface, a lower layer cell membrane array, constructed of a flexible latex composite, that houses a gel fluid to provide a cushioned effect, the cells themselves being conical in shape with ridged sections to assist the dampening of shock and vibration due to walking or running with the additional capacity to provide support to areas of the foot prone to the build up of blisters or hard skin by reducing the contact area when the foot makes contact with a surface.

2. An insole as claimed in claiml wherein the aforementioned gel fluid is a chemically inert fluid which does not cause any adverse effects by contact with the skin or clothing.

3. An insole as claimed in claiml wherein the aforementioned ridged sections of the aforementioned individual cell structure comprise of successive grooves that progressively circle the aforementioned cell.

4. An insole as claimed in claiml wherein the aforementioned ridged sections of the aforementioned individual cell structure comprise of a stepped layer arrangement that forms the conical shape of the aforementioned cell.