Boots – shoes – and leggings – Insoles – Laminated
Reexamination Certificate
2000-05-26
2001-09-04
Sewell, Paul T. (Department: 3728)
Boots, shoes, and leggings
Insoles
Laminated
C036S043000, C036S071000, C036S180000, C036S181000, C036S174000
Reexamination Certificate
active
06282816
ABSTRACT:
FIELD OF THE INVENTION
This invention relates to insoles for various types of footwear to provide added support and comfort and in some circumstances added control.
BACKGROUND OF THE INVENTION
Footwear includes dress shoes and casual shoes, running shoes and walking shoes, ski boots, roller skating boots or shoes, boots secured to snow boards, etc. It is applicable for most any type of shoe or boot and to most persons who wear such shoes or boots. It provides varying benefits including but not limited to support, comfort and control (e.g., for maneuvering a skate board).
When walking or running, the heel of the foot impacts a road or walkway surface and it is desirable that the shoe provide absorption of that impact, e.g., a cushioned support. The foot rolls forward to the ball of the feet as the weight is shifted forward and then to the other foot. A cushion is desired under the ball portion of the foot but not to the same extent as at the heel. During the rolling action of the foot in this weight shifting process, many individuals will favor one side or the other so that the weight is not centered on the bottom of the foot. It is accordingly desirable to provide a center confining support at both sides of the instep portion of the foot but starting at the heel for urging squaring of the foot throughout the weight shifting process. These features are known and attempts have been made to provide some of the structure for accomplishing these objectives in the shoe or boot itself. However, they add considerably to the cost of the shoe or boot. Persons having particular support problems (which is all too often) will seek the help of orthodics, here considered to be a custom built insole for a shoe that specifically is fit to an individual. These orthodics are designed to provide the support as described above with emphasis on certain of the features. Such orthodics are expensive to obtain but can often be transferred from one pair of shoes to another and will accordingly have a life that extends over the life of several pairs of shoes.
Applicant has designed a structure for an insole that can be mass produced and provides the desired support and comfort of customized orthodics for a large percentage of persons having foot support problems and at a far less cost. Further it is discovered that providing such support has beneficial results of better control for persons, e.g., skiing or snow boarding and the like. With the added support, leaning to one side or the other more readily transfers the individual's weight to that side of the shoe and thus to the ski or snow board which is designed to effect turning of the ski or board.
BRIEF DESCRIPTION OF THE INVENTION
In the preferred embodiment of the invention, there are essentially five elements that are integrated to form the insole. There is a fabric top layer, a dual foam sub-layer and a plastic shell under layer. The shell under layer extends from the heel and through the arch of the foot. It wraps around the sides and provides semi-rigid support for the outer and inner sides of the foot. The shell has an opening below the heel of the foot and a rubber cushion fills the opening and is located under the fabric layer and foam sub-layer to cushion the initial impact of the heel when engaging the ground. The dual cushion sub-layer is a semi-soft rubber except at the area of the arch where it is more dense and adds further support to the inside of the foot. The plastic shell is feathered at the forward end to avoid the feel of an edge where the plastic ends and exposes the bottom of the foam sub-layer. Alternatively, a secondary cushioning pad is applied to the top of the insole under the heel and over the fabric layer for added impact absorption.
The above combination of material is generated by first forming the sub-layer of two foam materials pieced together. The fabric is placed over the foam and that combination is placed on the shell in a mold. The molding process bonds the three layers together and the heel pad (or pads) is secured by gluing as a final step.
The invention will be more fully appreciated upon reference to the following detailed description having reference to the accompanying drawings.
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Harrington Robert L.
Sewell Paul T.
Stashick Anthony
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