Boots – shoes – and leggings – Orthopedic boot or shoe with corrective element – With means to turn foot about long axis of leg
Reexamination Certificate
1999-03-25
2001-01-09
Kavanaugh, Ted (Department: 3728)
Boots, shoes, and leggings
Orthopedic boot or shoe with corrective element
With means to turn foot about long axis of leg
C012S021000, C012S1460BR, C012S1460BR, C012S14600M, C033S515000
Reexamination Certificate
active
06170177
ABSTRACT:
TECHNICAL FIELD
The present invention relates generally to footwear customization systems and processes. In particular, the present invention relates to a system and process of customizing a piece of footwear based on rearfoot and forefoot alignment measurements.
BACKGROUND OF THE INVENTION
A large percentage of the general population in the United States exhibits some sort of misalignment of the foot, either in the rearfoot, forefoot, or both. If uncorrected, these misalignment characteristics can manifest themselves as overuse injuries of the lower extremity, fatigue, or abnormal wear of the shoes.
Those with severe misalignment often seek the assistance of a professional (such as a podiatrist or therapist) who typically prescribes a corrective orthotic. This process is usually effective, if a careful assessment of the patient's foot alignment characteristics is taken. However, this process is expensive and results in a prosthesis that must be inserted on top of or in place of the insole of the shoe. Also, the precise correction that is incorporated into most orthotics may be necessary in only some patients with severe misalignment problems. However, most patients with only minor misalignments could benefit from a general correction. This general correction of any misalignment may provide a substantial benefit in terms of comfort, performance, and wear of a shoe (or other piece of footwear) for anyone who exhibits any kind of foot misalignment.
Professionals typically use a conventional hand-held goniometer to make alignment assessments of the rearfoot and forefoot for prescription of orthoses. Thus, only one hand can be used to correctly position the hand-held goniometer during the assessment. This introduces the potential for measurement errors during the assessment.
There is a need, therefore, for an improved footwear customization system and process.
SUMMARY OF THE INVENTION
A footwear customization process according to the present invention includes measuring alignment of a foot to provide alignment data and providing a piece of footwear having a moldable, settable midsole. The process also includes applying pressure to the midsole based on the alignment data to form a contour in the midsole that provides alignment corrections based on the alignment data. Preferably, rearfoot and forefoot alignment of the foot is measured while the foot is in a non-weight bearing position known as sub-talar neutral in order to provide rearfoot and forefoot alignment data. The process of the present invention can further include setting the midsole so that the midsole resiliently retains the shape of the contour after the pressure is removed.
The present invention also relates to a system for customizing a piece of footwear having a moldable, settable midsole. The system according to present invention comprises a rearfoot and forefoot goniometer for measuring rearfoot and forefoot alignment of a foot to provide rearfoot and forefoot alignment data. The system also includes a press operatively coupled to the rearfoot and forefoot goniometer to receive the rearfoot and forefoot alignment data for forming a contour in the midsole that provides alignment corrections based on the rearfoot and forefoot alignment data. In addition, the system can include a computer that receives the rearfoot and forefoot alignment data from the rearfoot and forefoot goniometer, stores the rearfoot and forefoot alignment data in a customer database within the computer, and provides the rearfoot and forefoot alignment data to the shoe press. The system can also include an injection apparatus for injecting an additive or other fluid into the midsole of the customizable shoe in order to set the midsole. Preferably, the rearfoot and forefoot goniometer allows the rearfoot and forefoot alignment of the foot to be measured while the foot is in a non-weight bearing position known as sub-talar neutral.
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Frappier John P.
Swanson Stephen C.
Faegre & Benson LLP
Kavanaugh Ted
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