FR3084245A1 - SHOE - Google Patents

Abstract

The shoe (1) comprises: - a sole (2); - an envelope (10) fixed to the sole (2) and configured to at least partially surround the foot (100), hooking means being arranged in an inner lateral part before the envelope; - A tongue (20) having on the one hand a base portion mounted on the sole (2), located in the front part of the shoe (1), and configured to bear against the external lateral face of the big toe (101 ) of the shoe carrier (1), and on the other hand an end portion provided with hooking means configured to cooperate with the hooking means of the envelope; so that the tongue (20), when its end portion is hooked to the envelope, can exert lateral traction inwardly on the big toe (101) of the wearer of the shoe (1).

Description

The present invention relates to a shoe.

More specifically, the invention relates to a shoe intended for people suffering from a hallux valgus, that is to say a deformation of the foot due to the deviation of the big toe outwards and of the corresponding metatarsal towards the inside.

This type of deformation of the foot causes pain, and causes difficulty in putting on shoes. This is why different devices exist to limit deformation and / or associated pain.

The existing hallux valgus rectifiers are restrictive night devices with which walking is very difficult or even impossible, and which in any event cannot be worn in a shoe because of their significant bulk. These devices therefore do not allow correction during walking. In addition, they require adaptation and adjustment at each installation, which multiplies the risks of incorrect positioning. These devices are therefore restrictive to use and are not fully effective.

The present invention aims to remedy the drawbacks mentioned above.

To this end, the invention relates to a shoe having a longitudinal axis and comprising:

- a sole;

- an envelope fixed to the sole and configured to at least partially surround the foot, attachment means being arranged in an inner lateral part before the envelope;

- A tongue having on the one hand a base portion mounted on the sole, located in the front part of the shoe, and configured to bear against the external lateral face of the big toe of the shoe wearer, and on the other hand an end portion provided with attachment means configured to cooperate with the attachment means of the envelope;

so that the tongue, when its end portion is hooked to the envelope, can exert lateral traction inwards on the big toe of the wearer of the shoe.

The configuration of the tongue and of the hooking means arranged on the envelope - substantially facing the big toe when the shoe is worn aims to straighten the metatarsophalangeal joint of the big toe towards its anatomical position. The end portion of the tongue can be grasped by the wearer of the shoe and more or less pulled before being hooked, in order to obtain sufficient rectifying effect without however causing excessive pain. This adjustable attachment makes it possible to obtain an acceptable compromise by the wearer between the efficiency of the traction and the relief of the pain caused by the hallux valgus, on the one hand, and the pain resulting from an excessive correction of the deformation.

The invention does not provide a simple accessory from being positioned on the foot, but an entire shoe incorporating a hallux valgus rectifier device, in the form of the tongue. Therefore, the person concerned can wear shoes while benefiting from the rectifying effect which allows correction of the deformation, limits inflammatory pain and mechanical pain in contact with the shoe. The invention therefore combines treatment efficiency, practicality of use, and wearing comfort. By offering a correction of the deformation for a greater period of the day, and in particular during walking, the invention makes it possible to avoid an operation for the person suffering from hallux valgus, or at least to delay this operation.

The envelope and the tongue are preferably flexible, and can be made of the same material. For example, the envelope and / or the tongue may be made of leather or of synthetic material.

The base portion of the tongue can extend substantially in a longitudinal plane and orthogonal to the sole. Therefore, advantageously, the tongue comes to bear well against the outer lateral face of the big toe, increasing the traction efficiency and improving comfort.

The tongue can extend obliquely inward and toward the rear of the shoe, towards its end portion. With this configuration, the tongue is particularly easy to set up and tighten by the user alone, with very little effort, this inclination of the tongue corresponding to a natural gesture in terms of traction and hanging. Alternatively, the tongue may extend substantially transversely, in the direction of its end portion. With this configuration, an excellent correction of the toe position is obtained, due to the lateral orientation of the traction exerted by the tongue.

According to a first embodiment, the base portion of the tongue is fixed to the sole, substantially along a longitudinal line, in the front part of the sole, and offset inwardly relative to the axis longitudinal of the shoe. In other words, the base portion of the tongue is mounted directly on the sole, without any intermediate piece. The shoe can then be in the form of a thong, where the tongue forms a toe strap.

According to a second embodiment, the base portion of the tongue is fixed to the casing, substantially along a longitudinal line, in the front part of the shoe and offset inwardly relative to the axis longitudinal of the shoe, the tongue projecting from the underside of the envelope, passing through an orifice made opposite in the sole and leaving laterally from the sole, on the inside. In this case, the base portion of the tongue is mounted on the sole indirectly, that is to say that the tongue is fixed on the casing which is itself fixed on the sole. The shoe can then be a closed shoe.

In the two abovementioned embodiments, the line for fixing the base portion of the tongue is situated substantially in line with the space between the big toe and the neighboring toe - respectively on the sole, on the upper face of that -ci, and on the envelope, on the underside thereof, that is to say the face facing the sole.

The envelope may comprise an inner panel having an end fixed to the sole in the vicinity of the inner lateral edge of the sole, and an outer panel having an end fixed to the sole in the vicinity of the lateral lateral edge of the sole, the inner panel and the outer panel being linked to each other so as to form with the sole a space for receiving the foot.

For example, these two sides can be linked in an area located above the foot, or laterally, possibly with a partial overlap.

The panels can be fixed to each other in a fixed manner, or even made in one piece. The shoe can then be of the mule or tong type, for example.

Alternatively, the inner pan and the outer pan may be separate and include removable attachment means. These attachment means can be adjustable or non-adjustable (example: zipper).

Thus, in one possible embodiment, the inner pan and the outer pan are separate and include removable attachment means which are adjustable, so as to allow lateral tightening of the envelope around the foot. It can for example be laces, buckles, etc. which allow lateral adjustment of the panels relative to each other.

This configuration is particularly interesting because it produces a lever arm effect with three support points (in combination with the tongue) which improves the rectifying effect of the hallux valgus. More specifically, the inner pan exerts a lateral traction towards the exterior at the level of the head of the metatarsal of the big toe, the outer pan exerts a lateral traction towards the interior at the level of the metatarsal of the small toe, and the tongue exerts a traction. lateral inward on the big toe.

Advantageously, the envelope may comprise, in the inner lateral front part, a padding member configured to be located substantially opposite the distal head of the metatarsal of the big toe when the shoe is worn. This padding body aims to provide cushioning and comfort.

The sole may include a boss arranged substantially in the central third of the shoe and centered transversely, said boss being configured to be housed in the transverse arch of the foot of the wearer of the shoe. This boss is therefore located under the metatarsals, in particular the three central metatarsals. By supporting the transverse arch, it prevents transverse spreading of the foot which contributes to the formation of hallux valgus.

In addition, the sole may include a relief having generally a U shape which is located in the rear two thirds of the sole and which substantially runs along the edge of the sole, said U relief having an inner lateral branch, an outer lateral branch and a bottom located along the rear edge of the sole. Such a relief makes it possible to surround the rear part of the foot and to support the inner lateral arch of the foot (the inner branch may have a boss corresponding to the inner lateral arch). This relief aims to facilitate the action of the abductor of the big toe.

Several possible embodiments of the invention are now described, by way of nonlimiting examples, with reference to the appended figures:

Figures 1 and 2 are perspective views of a shoe according to a first embodiment of the invention, worn by a person, respectively from the inside and from the outside;

Figure 3 is a perspective view of the shoe of Figure 1 showing two sides of the open envelope and a tongue;

Figure 4 is a top view of the shoe, with the two open sides;

Figure 5 is a top view of the shoe, showing only the sole;

Figure 6 is a schematic top view of the shoe, showing the positioning of the foot and the traction effects;

Figure 7 is a partial detail view showing the action of the tongue on the big toe;

Figure 8 is a partial view showing a padding member belonging to the shoe;

Figures 9 and 10 illustrate an anatomically normal foot, respectively from the front and in cross section at the level of the transverse arch;

Figures 11 and 12 are views similar to Figures 9 and 10, respectively, in the case of a foot suffering from hallux valgus;

Figure 13 is a view similar to Figure 12 showing the effect of a projection of the shoe on the transverse arch of the foot;

Figures 14 and 15 schematically illustrate, in top view, a foot placed on the sole, and show the effect of the shoe on certain muscles;

Figures 16 and 17 illustrate a shoe according to a second embodiment of the invention, worn by a person, respectively in side view from the inside and in perspective from the inside.

FIG. 1 represents an embodiment of a shoe 1 according to the invention. This shoe 1 can be of the “tong” type, and in particular be devoid of a shaped strap to pass behind the foot 100 of the user.

The shoe 1 comprises a sole 2 itself comprising a base 3 intended to be in contact with the ground, and an upper layer 4 on which the user's foot will rest.

The base 3 may be made of a plastic material or of elastomer, and may include notches preventing slipping on the ground. The upper layer 4 forms a comfort covering and can be made of various suitable materials, for example leather.

As illustrated in FIG. 1, the direction X is defined as the longitudinal direction - corresponding to the anteroposterior direction of the foot when the shoe is worn. It is in relation to this direction that the terms "front" and "rear" are used. We also define the direction Z as the direction orthogonal to the sole - corresponding to the vertical direction when the sole is placed on a horizontal ground. The terms "upper", "lower" and the like are used with reference to the direction Z. Finally, the direction Y is defined as being orthogonal to the directions X and Z. The terms "lateral" and "transverse" are used with reference to direction Y. More specifically, the term “inside” (I) designates elements located on the side of the big toe 101 (that is to say turned towards the other foot), as opposed to the term “outside” (E), used to designate elements located on the side of the little toe.

The shoe 1 has a longitudinal axis A which is a substantially median axis but which is preferably not an axis of symmetry, the sole 2 having an outline adapted to that of the foot 100.

The shoe 1 also comprises an envelope 10 fixed to the sole 2 and configured to at least partially surround the foot. In other words, the foot of the shoe wearer 1 (or at least part of the foot if the shoe is not closed) is received in the space between the sole 2 and the casing 10. The casing 10 is made of a flexible material, for example leather.

The envelope 10 comprises an inner panel 11 which has one end fixed to the sole 2 in the vicinity of the inner lateral edge 5 of the sole 2 and an outer panel 12 which has an end fixed to the sole 2 in the vicinity of the outer lateral edge 6 of the sole 2. Typically, the flaps 11, 12 can be inserted between the base 3 and the upper layer 4 of the sole 2. The inner panel 11 and the outer panel 12 are linked to each other so that form with the sole 2 a space for receiving the foot 100.

In the embodiment of FIGS. 1 to 15, the inner panel 11 extends for example substantially from the rear edge 7 of the sole 2, in the direction of the front edge 8, over 70 to 90% of the length of the sole 2, so as to leave the big toe 101 free; the outer panel 12 extends for example substantially from the rear edge 7 of the sole 2, in the direction of the front edge 8, over 50 to 70% of the length of the sole 2, so as to leave the little toe 103 released.

In these same figures, the inner panel 11 and the outer panel 12 are separate and include removable attachment means which are adjustable, so as to allow lateral tightening of the envelope 10 around the base 100.

According to one embodiment of these attachment means, a member 13 of the belt buckle type is mounted on one of the flaps, this member 13 comprising for example a ring 14 on which is mounted an axis 15 substantially diametrically, and a rod 16 pivotally mounted on the axis 15. In addition, the other face is provided with a series of holes 17, preferably arranged substantially on a transverse line in the position of use (FIG. 2). As can be seen in the non-limiting exemplary embodiment of FIGS. 2 and 3, the inner panel 11 comprises three end straps 18 each provided with holes 17, and each cooperating with one of the three loops 13 fixed in correspondence on the outer panel 12.

Furthermore, the casing 10 comprises hooking means 19, arranged in the interior lateral part. These attachment means 19 can be formed by a zone of loops of a Velcro® type system.

The shoe 1 further comprises a tongue 20 which has a base portion 21 mounted on the sole 2 and located in the front part of the shoe, and an end portion 22 provided with attachment means 23 configured to cooperate with the means hooking 19 of the envelope 10. These hooking means 23 on the tongue 20 can be formed by a hook area of a Velcro® type system.

The base portion 21 of the tongue 20 is configured to come into abutment against the external lateral face 104 of the big toe 101 of the wearer of the shoe 1. In order to improve the support but also the comfort, the base portion 21 of the tongue 20 preferably extends substantially in a longitudinal plane and orthogonal to the sole 2.

According to a first embodiment, as illustrated in FIG. 4, the base portion 21 of the tongue 20 is fixed to the sole 2, substantially along a longitudinal line 24, in the front part of the sole 2, and offset inwardly from the longitudinal axis A of shoe 1.

In practice, the person places his foot 100 in the shoe 1, if necessary adjusts the mutual tightening of the inner 11 and outer 12 panels (this adjustment may have been carried out beforehand), and places his foot so that the tongue 20 is inserted between the big toe 101 and the neighboring toe 102. Then the person pulls the tongue 20 inwardly to hang the hooking means 23 on the hooking means 19 of the envelope 10. As can be seen on FIG. 1, in particular, the tongue 20 then extends obliquely inwards and towards the rear of the shoe 1, in the direction of its end portion 22, the tongue 20 passing over the big toe 101 and of the front part of the inner panel 11.

The tongue 20 then exerts a lateral inward traction on the big toe 101 of the wearer of the shoe 1, as shown diagrammatically by the arrow F1 in FIG. 6. This produces a straightening effect on the big toe 101, tending to straighten the proximal phalanx 107 of the big toe 101. This limits and corrects the deformation of the hallux valgus and delays its development, thus reducing the pain and discomfort associated.

In addition, the inner panel 11 exerts lateral traction towards the exterior at the level of the head of the metatarsal 105 of the big toe 101 (traction shown diagrammatically by the arrow F2), and the external pan 12 exerts lateral traction towards the interior level of the metatarsal 106 of the little toe 103 (traction shown schematically by the arrow F3). The sides, and in particular the outer panel 12, keep the kick in place. In addition, by this lever arm effect with three support points (inner pan 11, outer pan 12 and tongue 20), the rectifying effect of the hallux valgus is further improved.

Another effect resulting from the traction exerted by the tongue 20 is illustrated in FIG. 7. In a person suffering from hallux valgus, the big toe 101 is in contact with the inner lateral face 108 of the neighboring toe 102. In in particular, the nail of the big toe 101 tends to injure the inner lateral face 108 of the neighboring toe 102, creating a zone of painful conflict. The outward pulling action exerted by the tongue 20 tends to move the big toe 101 away from the neighboring toe 102, thereby protecting this neighboring toe 102.

In order to increase wearing comfort, provision may be made for the casing 10 to include, in the inner lateral front part, a padding member 29, as illustrated in FIGS. 4 and 8. This padding member 29, which is for example made of foam, is configured to be located substantially opposite the distal head of the metatarsal 105 of the big toe 101 when the shoe 1 is worn, that is to say at the level of the exostosis. It can be located substantially at the same location of the casing 10 as the hooking means 19. More specifically, the padding member 29 made of damping material makes it possible to avoid and relieve the pain of injury caused by the friction of the large toe 101.

According to one possible embodiment, in order to reinforce the action of the tongue 20 and of the casing 10 on the hallux valgus, the sole 2 may have one or more reliefs.

On the one hand, the sole 2 can comprise a boss 30 configured to be housed in the transverse arch 110 of the foot 100 of the wearer of the shoe 1. For this purpose, as can be seen in FIGS. 4 and 5, the boss 30 is arranged substantially in the central third of the shoe 1 and centered transversely. The boss 30 may have a pear shape, the point of which is directed towards the rear.

FIGS. 9 and 10 illustrate an anatomically normal foot, respectively from the front and in cross section at the level of the transverse arch 110; Figures 11 and 12 are similar views in the case of a foot suffering from hallux valgus. As can be seen by comparing FIGS. 10 and 12, in a foot suffering from hallux valgus, the transverse arch 110 is spread laterally, that is to say that the metatarsals are more spread transversely than in an anatomically normal foot.

By providing a boss 30 as described above, and as seen in FIG. 13, a support member for the transverse arch 110 is provided making it possible to combat the spreading of this arch, this spreading contributing to the appearance and installation of hallux valgus. As illustrated in FIG. 14, the boss 30 aims to promote the action of the long beam 111 and the oblique beam 112 of the adductor muscle of the big toe 101 to fight against deformation.

On the other hand, the sole 2 can include a relief 32 generally having a U shape which is located in the rear two thirds of the sole 2 and which substantially runs along the edge of the sole 2. As can be seen in FIG. 5 , the relief 32 has:

- An inner lateral branch 33 partially running along the inner lateral edge 5 of the sole 2, and which may have a boss 34 corresponding to the inner lateral arch of the foot 100;

- An outer lateral branch 35, partly along the outer lateral edge 6 of the sole 2;

- And a bottom 36 located along the rear edge 7 of the sole 2.

The relief 32 stabilizes the foot 100 insofar as it surrounds the rear part thereof, and also forms a support for the interior lateral arch of the foot. It aims to facilitate the action of the abductor 113 of the big toe 101.

We now refer to Figures 16 and 17 which illustrate a second embodiment of the invention.

In this embodiment, the base portion 21 of the tongue 20 is not fixed directly to the sole, but to the casing 10, substantially along a longitudinal line 24, in the front part of the shoe 1 and offset inwardly relative to the longitudinal axis A of the shoe 1. The tongue 20 projects from the underside of the casing 10 in the direction of the sole 2, and passes through an orifice 28 which is formed in the sole 2, and which opens on the one hand opposite the longitudinal line 24 and on the other hand on the inner lateral side of the sole 2. The tongue 20 thus emerges laterally from the sole 2, on the inner side, by l orifice 28, and is folded against the casing 10 so as to catch on the attachment means 19. The tongue 20 then extends substantially transversely, in the direction of its end portion 22.

Again, the tongue 20 exerts lateral traction inward on the big toe 101 of the shoe wearer 1, so as to straighten the big toe.

With such a configuration, it is possible to provide a closed shoe, although FIGS. 16 and 17 represent a shoe 1 of the tong type.

In the embodiment of Figures 16 and 17, the inner panel 11 and the outer panel 12 of the envelope 10 are made in one piece, and therefore can not be more or less tight around the foot of the wearer. This is however not limiting.

Thus, the invention brings a decisive improvement to the prior art, by providing a shoe comprising an envelope, which can advantageously be tightened around the foot, which acts as a bandage, and a tongue, which aims to straighten the big toe.

This shoe can be worn throughout the day and not exclusively at night. The purpose of the correction effect during walking is to avoid inflammation of the big toe and to bring an orthopedic correction limiting the evolution of the deformation.

In addition, the correction effect is always well positioned and stable thanks to the interface of the shoe.

The invention provides a practical solution, not bulky, well suited to walking, and allowing the patient to put on shoes properly. By considerably reducing the discomfort caused by hallux valgus, in particular when walking, and by making corrective means difficult to detect by others, the invention makes it possible to considerably increase compliance with the treatment and therefore its effectiveness.

It is also pointed out that, due to the presence of a plantar relief in support of the arches of the foot, and in particular of the transverse arch, the shoe according to the invention can ensure an overall correction of the articular segments concerned, in all space plans, and thus significantly improve treatment efficiency.

By limiting the aggravation of the deformation, the shoe according to the invention makes it possible to avoid, or at least to delay, an operation of the foot. The shoe according to the invention also finds its application after an operation, to avoid a recurrence.

It goes without saying that the invention is not limited to the embodiments described above by way of examples but that it includes all the technical equivalents and variants of the means described as well as their combinations.

Claims (11)

1. Shoe having a longitudinal axis (A) and comprising: a sole (2); an envelope (10) fixed to the sole (2) and configured to at least partially surround the foot (100), hooking means (19) being arranged in an inner lateral front part of the envelope (10); a tongue (20) having on the one hand a base portion (21) mounted on the sole (2), located in the front part of the shoe (1), and configured to bear against the external lateral face (104) of the big toe (101) of the shoe wearer (1), and on the other hand an end portion (22) provided with hooking means (23) configured to cooperate with the hooking means (19) of the envelope (10); so that the tongue (20), when its end portion (22) is hooked to the envelope (10), can exert lateral traction inwards on the big toe (101) of the wearer of the shoe ( 1). 2. Shoe according to claim 1, characterized in that the base portion (21) of the tongue (20) extends substantially in a longitudinal plane and orthogonal to the sole (2). 3. Shoe according to claim 1 or 2, characterized in that the tongue (20) extends obliquely inward and toward the rear of the shoe (1), towards its end portion (22 ). 4. Shoe according to claim 1 or 2, characterized in that the tongue (20) extends substantially transversely, towards its end portion (22). 5. Shoe according to one of claims 1 to 4, characterized in that the base portion (21) of the tongue (20) is fixed on the sole (2), substantially along a longitudinal line (24) , in the front part of the sole (2), and offset inwards relative to the longitudinal axis (A) of the shoe. 6. Shoe according to one of claims 1 to 4, characterized in that the base portion (21) of the tongue (20) is fixed on the casing (10), substantially along a longitudinal line (24 ), in the front part of the shoe (1) and offset inwards relative to the longitudinal axis (A) of the shoe, the tongue (20) projecting from the underside of the casing (10 ), passing through an orifice (28) arranged opposite in the sole (2) and leaving laterally from the sole (2), on the inner side. 7. Shoe according to one of claims 1 to 6, characterized in that the envelope (10) comprises an inner panel (11) having one end fixed to the sole (2) in the vicinity of the inner lateral edge (5) of the sole (2), and an outer panel (12) having one end fixed to the sole (2) in the vicinity of the outer lateral edge (6) of the sole (2), the inner panel (11) and the outer panel ( 12) being linked to each other so as to form with the sole (2) a space for receiving the foot (100). 8. Shoe according to claim 7, characterized in that the inner pan (11) and the outer pan (12) are separate and have removable attachment means (13, 17) which are adjustable, so as to allow tightening lateral of the envelope (10) around the foot (100). 9. Shoe according to one of claims 1 to 8, characterized in that the envelope (10) comprises, in the inner lateral front part, a padding member (29) configured to be located substantially opposite the distal head of the metatarsal (105) of the big toe (101) when the shoe (1) is worn. 10. Shoe according to one of claims 1 to 9, characterized in that the sole (2) comprises a boss (30) arranged substantially in the central third of the shoe (1) and centered transversely, said boss (30 ) being configured to be housed in the transverse arch (110) of the foot (100) of the shoe wearer (1). 11. Shoe according to one of claims 1 to 10, characterized in that the sole (2) comprises a relief (32) generally having a U shape which is located in the rear two thirds of the sole (2) and which substantially runs along the edge of the sole (2), said U-shaped relief (32) having an inner lateral branch (33), an outer lateral branch (35) and a bottom (36) located along the rear edge (7) of the sole (2).