AU2012101839B4

AU2012101839B4 - Footwear insert system

Info

Publication number: AU2012101839B4
Application number: AU2012101839A
Authority: AU
Inventors: Caroline Rose Mcculloch
Original assignee: DAVID MCCULLOCH ALAN
Current assignee: Frankie4 IP1 Pty Ltd
Priority date: 2012-12-17
Filing date: 2012-12-17
Publication date: 2014-03-06
Anticipated expiration: 2020-12-17
Also published as: AU2012101839A4; AU2012101839C4

Abstract

A footbed assembly insertable into footwear, the assembly comprising a first full length footbed and at least one a second smaller insert positionable under the full length footbed to lift part of the full length footbed in the footwear to provide a tighter fitting.

Description

AUSTRALIA PATENTS ACT 1990 COMPLETE SPECIFICATION FOOTWEAR INSERT SYSTEM The following statement is a description of the invention: 1 FOOTWEAR INSERT SYSTEM TECHNICAL FIELD The present invention is directed to a footwear insert system and particularly 5 to improvements in shoe inserts. BACKGROUND Any references to methods, apparatus or documents of the prior art are not to 10 be taken as constituting any evidence or admission that they formed, or form part of the common general knowledge. Footwear inserts are mainly used in shoes (and are therefore also commonly referred to as shoe inserts). The inserts are removable and are placed on the 15 insole of the shoe. One known type of insert extends fully over the insole of the shoe to support the entire foot. This type of insert is known as a "full-insole" or "full length footbed". 20 Another type of insole extends only along the rear part of the shoe insole and functions to support the heel and the arch of a person's foot. This type of insert is known as a "half insole" or "half-length footbed". 25 It is also known to provide small inserts in the front of the shoe and these are known as "forefoot fillers". Shoe inserts can be specially shaped or contoured to become orthopedic inserts or orthotic insoles. These inserts function to re-align the foot into its 30 correct position to alleviate discomfort. Such inserts are quite expensive to manufacture.

2 Making shoes comfortable to wear for long periods is a challenge. One reason is that while different people may have the same foot length, the feet can still vary in width. Thus a foot of the same length may still be classified as a "narrow" foot, a "standard width" foot or a "wide" foot. A person's foot can also 5 slightly change shape (e.g. slightly swell) over a day. Comfort shoes are known which provide padding to provide comfort and support. These shoes are usually more expensive than standard shoes. A problem with these shoes is that to accommodate feet of varying widths, a 10 large range of shoes having the same length but different widths are required which is expensive and adds to shelf space. It is known to provide a smaller range of comfort shoes of the same length and then to provide a range of relatively expensive contoured full length 15 inserts to accommodate feet of different widths. If a person's foot slightly swells, it becomes necessary to entirely remove one full length insert and insert another different sized full length insert to accommodate the different foot shape. This adds to the cost to the consumer and provides a relatively limited range of size variation. 20 A disadvantage with existing comfort shoes is that the shoe is quite large in order to fit inserts to adjust the fitting of the shoe. This makes the shoes somewhat unappealing to many potential customers. 25 It is an object of the invention to overcome at least one of the above mentioned disadvantages or provide the consumer with a useful or commercial choice in the marketplace. SUMMARY OF THE INVENTION 30 According to a first aspect of the present invention there is provided a footbed assembly insertable into footwear comprising a first full length footbed and a second smaller insert positionable under the full length footbed to raise a part of the full length footbed in the footwear to provide a tighter fitting.

3 The second insert may comprise a forefoot filler or a "half insole" to provide the tighter fitting. 5 There may be circumstances where a third or even more inserts can be used to modify the shoe fitting. According to another aspect of the present invention there is provided a footbed assembly insertable into footwear and for a narrow width foot 10 comprising a full length footbed for a standard width foot and a forefoot filler, the forefoot filler being positionable under the full length footbed to raise a forward part of the full length footbed in the footwear to make it suitable for a narrower foot. 15 The insert and full length footbed are functionally interdependent to enable the combination to convert a "standard" footbed to a "narrow" footbed without requiring total removal of the standard footbed and inserting a totally separate narrow footbed. 20 In this manner, a customer can buy footwear of the correct length and the footwear will come with the footbed assembly. The customer can then fit the footbed to conform to a standard foot or narrower foot size. It should be appreciated that feet can slightly swell during the day from a narrower size to a more standard size, and the assembly can be easily modified to cope. 25 It is no longer necessary to manufacture multiple ranges of shoes of the same length but different width sizes. Instead a smaller range of shoes can be manufactured. It is no longer necessary to manufacture a range of more expensive full length footbeds for standard and narrower feet. Instead, the 30 footbeds can be manufactured in different lengths and combined to provide the desired results for narrower feet. The assembly will find particular suitability with orthotic or contoured footbeds as these are relatively expensive to manufacture due to the need to 4 particularly contour around the insole and heel area. With the present assembly it is no longer necessary to manufacture two relatively expensive full length footbeds. Instead, a single footbed can be "converted" to a "narrow foot" footbed using the insert. 5 Preferably, the assembly is provided in the footwear box. Thus a shoebox may contain the shoes and the footbeds. The term "footbed" may comprise "insoles", "inserts" and the like. The footbed 10 is preferably contoured to give foot support and especially heel and arch support. Suitably, the footbed assembly comprises three components which may comprise two contoured footbeds and a forefoot filler. The footbeds may 15 comprise a full length footbed for a standard width foot and a half-length footbed for a wider foot and which supports only the rear part of the foot. Suitably, the footbed assembly is used with cushioned footwear such as cushioned shoes and especially laced shoes. The footbed and insert may be 20 manufactured from any suitable material or combination of materials. These may include soft rubber, polyurethanes, gel containing insoles, memory foams (usually polyurethane visco-elastic materials), EVA materials (ethylene vinyl acetate) and the like. Laminate or layered materials may also be used. 25 In another form the invention resides in method to provide a range of fittings to a shoe of a particular size, the method comprising providing a range of shoe inserts, the inserts comprising a full length contoured footbed, a half-length contoured footbed and a forefoot insert, inserting the full length footbed into the shoe to provide a first fitting and inserting the forefoot insert under the full 30 length footbed to alter the position of the footbed to provide a tighter fitting. In another form the invention resides in method to provide a range of fittings to a shoe of a particular size, the method comprising providing a range of shoe inserts, the inserts comprising a full length contoured footbed, and at least one 5 smaller insert, inserting the full length footbed into the shoe to provide a first fitting and inserting at least one of said smaller insert under the full length footbed to lift part of the footbed to adjust the fitting. 5 The second insert may comprise a forefoot filler to provide the tighter fitting. In another form, the invention comprises an assembly comprising a shoebox, a pair of, typically, comfort shoes in the box and at least three inserts to provide the customer with at least three fitting choices for the same pair of 10 shoes, the inserts comprising a full length footbed which may be for standard widths, a half-length footbed to be worn for wide feet, and a forefoot filler adapted to be positioned under the footbed to alter or lift the footbed to provide a tighter fit. The footbeds are preferably contoured and not flat. Thus no matter what width a lady's foot is, she can wear the comfort shoes to give 15 her heel and arches support and cushioning. The inserts may comprise different lengths depending on the length of the shoe. 20 The thickness of the inserts may vary. It is envisaged that the smaller insert (for instance the forefoot filler) will have a thickness of between 2-10 mm and typically between 2-6 mm and preferably about 3 mm. The other components may also have a similar thickness. 25 The invention can find applicability in various types of footwear, but particularly in at least partially closed footwear such as shoes and particularly elegant slim comfort shoes. According to a further aspect of the present invention there is provided an 30 assembly for providing footwear with width adjustment comprising: a container including: an item of footwear; a full length contoured footbed; a half-length contoured footbed; and 6 a forefoot insert; wherein in use the full length contoured footbed is inserted into the item of footwear to provide a normal fit, or the full length contoured footbed with the forefoot insert beneath a 5 forward portion thereof is inserted into the item of footwear to provide a narrow fit, or the half-length contoured footbed is inserted into the item of footwear to provide a wide fit. 10 A method to provide a range of fittings to a shoe of a particular size including providing a container including: an item of footwear; a full length contoured footbed; a half-length contoured footbed; and 15 a forefoot insert; inserting the full length contoured footbed into the item of footwear to provide a normal fit, or inserting the full length contoured footbed with the forefoot insert beneath a forward portion thereof into the item of footwear to provide a narrow 20 fit, or inserting the half-length contoured footbed into the item of footwear to provide a wide fit. BRIEF DESCRIPTION OF THE DRAWINGS 25 Preferred features, embodiments and variations of the invention may be discerned from the following Detailed Description which provides sufficient information for those skilled in the art to perform the invention. The Detailed Description is not to be regarded as limiting the scope of the preceding 30 Summary of the Invention in any way. The Detailed Description will make reference to a number of drawings as follows: Figure 1. Illustrates a footbed assembly comprising three parts being a full length footbed, a half-length footbed, and a forefoot filler. Figure 2 and 3. Illustrate top and bottom views of the half-length footbed.

7 Figures 4-5. Illustrate views of the full length footbed. Figures 6-7. Illustrate the insert in use under the footbed. Figures 8-9. Illustrate views of an elegant slim comfort shoe specially designed for the inserts. 5 Figure 10. Illustrates a plan view of the shoe of figures 8-9 and including a half-length footbed. Figure 11. Illustrates a plan view of the shoe of figures 8-9 and including the forefoot filler. Figure 12. Illustrates a plan view of the shoe of figures 8-9 and 10 including the full length footbed. DETAILED DESCRIPTION OF PREFERRED EMBODIMENTS Referring now to Figure 1, there is depicted a footbed assembly which, in the 15 particular embodiment, comprises three parts. The three parts comprise a full length footbed 10, a half length footbed 11 and a forefoot filler 12. The full length footbed 10 is designed for a standard width foot. The half length footbed 11 is designed for wider feet, and the filler 12 is designed to be used with the full length footbed 10 and is designed for narrower feet. 20 Footbed 10 and 11 are "comfort" footbeds which means that they are cushioned and contoured to give heel and arch support. Figure 2 particularly illustrates the contouring 13 in the heel and arch region of the half length footbed. Figure 4 and figure 5 particularly illustrates the contouring 13 in the 25 heel and arch region of the full length footbed 10. Referring to figure 6 and figure 7 there is illustrated schematically a shoe 14 containing a full-length footbed 10 positioned in the shoe. This arrangement will be suitable for a "standard" width foot in a shoe. To provide a tighter fit, 30 rather than entirely removing the relatively expensive full length footbed 10 and inserting a completely separate relatively expensive "narrower" ( usually thicker) full-length footbed, it is now possible to provide a tighter fit while keeping the standard width footbed 10. Referring to figure 7, a forefoot filler 12 (only illustrated schematically in figure 7) is positioned under the full-length 8 footbed 10 and causes the front part of footbed 10 to be lifted upwardly (see the arrow in figure 7) to provide a tighter fitting. Thus, a variety of different fittings can be provided on the same shoe by using various combinations of the inserts 10, 11, 12. 5 The invention allows a ladies comfort shoe to have three fitting choices for the customer without requiring purchasing three relatively expensive full size footbeds. Typically, a pair of shoes is purchased and the shoebox will contain three components being the full-length comfort footbed 10 to be worn for 10 standard width feet, a half length comfort footbed 11 to be worn for wider feet, and a 3 mm forefoot filler that can be positioned underneath the full-length footbed 10 in a forward part of the shoe to provide a tighter fit. The footbeds are contoured to provide heel and arch support. Thus, no matter 15 what width a ladies foot is, she can wear a comfort shoe of a particular size and can adjust the "width" in the shoe using various combinations of the inserts 10-12. Also, if the foot slightly swells or changes shape, the insert combination can be varied to maintain a high level of comfort, support and cushioning. 20 The inserts are particularly suitable for use with comfort shoes. The shoe can remain comfortable even if only the half length footbed 11 is used. That is, there is ample cushioning in the forefoot area of the shoe to cater for the wider footed lady. 25 In use, the inserts can provide a range of fittings to a shoe of a particular size. For instance, the full-length footbed 10 may be inserted in the shoe to provide a first fitting, and the forefoot insert 12 can be inserted underneath the full length footbed 10 to alter the position of footbed 10 to provide a tighter fitting. 30 The width of a shoe is typically indicated as between A-E and is typically based on the width of the foot, and common step sizes are 3/16 of an inch.

9 A particular comfort shoe range can, for instance, be classified as a 'C" width fitting but can be easily converted to a tighter fitting with a forefoot filler. The shoes can be provided with a removable footbed, so a 'half insole' can be placed under the front of the footbed to 'fill the space'. 5 The forefoot filler also adds extra forefoot cushioning as well as adjusting the fit of the shoe.Referring to figures 8-12 there is illustrated a shoe 21 of particular design and specifically designed to take the contoured inserts as described above. The shoe has specially designed asymmetric toe region 20. 10 Shoe 21 has an optional 4mm latex cushioning layer in the shoe and particularly in the front of the shoe. The figures illustrate how the inserts can be used in the shoe to adjust the shoe fitting without the shoe losing its slim design. 15 USE FOR THE INVENTION The above description identifies at least one specific, substantial and credible use for the invention. 20 In compliance with the statute, the invention has been described in language more or less specific to structural or methodical features. The term "comprises" and its variations, such as "comprising" and "comprised of" is used throughout in an inclusive sense and not to the exclusion of any additional features. It is to be understood that the invention is not limited to 25 specific features shown or described since the means herein described comprises preferred forms of putting the invention into effect. The invention is, therefore, claimed in any of its forms or modifications within the proper scope of the appended claims appropriately interpreted by those skilled in the art. 30 Throughout the specification and claims (if present), unless the context requires otherwise, the term "substantially" or "about" will be understood to not be limited to the value for the range qualified by the terms.

10 Any embodiment of the invention is meant to be illustrative only and is not meant to be limiting to the invention. Therefore, it should be appreciated that various other changes and modifications can be made to any embodiment described without departing from the spirit and scope of the invention. 5

Claims

1. An assembly for providing footwear with width adjustment comprising: a container including: an item of footwear; a full length contoured footbed; a half-length contoured footbed; and a forefoot insert; wherein in use the full length contoured footbed is inserted into the item of footwear to provide a normal fit, or the full length contoured footbed with the forefoot insert beneath a forward portion thereof is inserted into the item of footwear to provide a narrow fit, or the half-length contoured footbed is inserted into the item of footwear to provide a wide fit.

2. A method to provide a range of fittings to a shoe of a particular size including: providing a container including: an item of footwear; a full length contoured footbed; a half-length contoured footbed; and a forefoot insert; inserting the full length contoured footbed into the item of footwear to provide a normal fit, or inserting the full length contoured footbed with the forefoot insert beneath a forward portion thereof into the item of footwear to provide a narrow fit, or inserting the half-length contoured footbed into the item of footwear to provide a wide fit.

3. The assembly of claim 1, or the method of claim 2, wherein the container comprises a shoebox. 12

4. The assembly of claim 1, or the method of claim 2, wherein the item of footwear comprises a shoe.