GB2053659A

GB2053659A - Improvements in and relating to insoles for use in footwear

Info

Publication number: GB2053659A
Application number: GB8022662A
Authority: GB
Original assignee: Marshall Sons H & L
Current assignee: Marshall Sons H & L
Priority date: 1979-07-14
Filing date: 1980-07-10
Publication date: 1981-02-11
Also published as: GB2053659B

Abstract

An insole is formed from three layers, an upper layer e.g. of leather (10) an intermediate layer of metal, e.g. copper foil (14) and a lower layer of sponge rubber or plastics material. The upper and lower layers are both perforated with small holes (20) and the upper layer also by larger holes (12) or slits to expose areas of the copper foil intended to relieve arthritic symptoms. <IMAGE>

Description

SPECIFICATION Improvements in and relating to insoles for use in footwear This invention concerns insoles for inserting in shoes and other footwear.

Historically it is known to insert an insole into a shoe or boot in order to more correctly match the size of a foot to the shoe or boot concerned.

Latterly cushioned insoles have also become available for rendering a pair of shoes or boots more comfortable to the wearer.

Latterly also chemically impregnated insoles have become popular for absorbing odours emanating from over-heated feet.

It is an object of the present invention to provide a further improved insole which can be used to bring relief and benefit to a certain section of the community for whom psychological if not actual relief is obtained from pain and suffering associated with diseases such as arthritis by the contact with their skin of a metal.

According to the broadest aspect of the present invention an improved insole comprises a lower layer of rubber or plastics foamed cushioning material, an upper layer of a flexible but hardwearing material such as leather and an intermediate layer of metal foil, at least the upper layer being perforated so as to expose one or more regions of the metal foil to allow a persons foot to come into contact with the foil when the foot is inserted into a shoe containing the insole.

The metal foil may extend overthe complete area of the insole or only part of the area thereof.

The perforations of the upper layer may be in the form of punched out holes which may extend over the whole area of the upper layer of the insole or only over that area of which the metal foil extends, where the latter does not extend over the whole area of the insole.

In one embodiment the metal foil extends only over the heel and instep section of the insole.

In another embodiment the metal foil extends over the sole section of the insole.

In a third embodiment the metal foil extends over the whole area of the insole and apertures are provided accordingly over the whole area of the upper layer of the insole.

According to another feature the lower layer of sponge material is itself perforated with a large number of regularly spaced small diameter holes.

The upper layer may also be formed with holes following a similar pattern to those in the lower layer but restricted to an edge reaching of the upper layer.

The term insole is used herein to cover both a full insole (i.e. one which extends over the whole or substantially the whole area of the shoe) or a part insole which may be a forepart or a heel part.

A preferred metal is copper but it is to be understood that different materials may be substituted and supplied as appropriate depending on the particular requirements of the person concerned. It has been found by some people that copper in contact with the body assists in relieving pain and discomfort associated with rheumatism.

The invention will now be described by way of example with reference to the accompanying drawings in which: Figure lisa plan view of an improved insole viewed from above.

Figure 2 is an edge view of the same insole, Figure 3 is a plan view of the underside, of the same insole.

Figure 4 is a plan view from above of a forepartinsole the underside of which is similar to that of the insole of Figure 1.

The insole shown in Figures 1,2 and 3 is formed from an upper layer of leather marked 10 which is perforated with a pattern of three millimeterdiame- ter holes one of which is shown at 12 to expose through the holes a copper foil shown in dotted outline at 14. The foil is sandwiched between the upper layer of leather 10 and a lower layer or underside of sponge rubber material which can be seen in Figure 3. This latter is perforated with 1/2 millimeter holes at 7 1/2 millimeter spacing over its entire surface.

The underside layer is denoted in Figures 2 and 3 by reference numeral 16.

The edge region of the upper layer 10 is perforated with 1/2 millimeter holes on a 6 millimeter spacing and these are shown at 18 in Figure 1. A second inner line of such perforations is also provided at 20 around the forepart and at 22 around the heel region.

The metal foil may have any convenient thickness from 0.025 millimeters to 3 millimeters.

Figure 4 of the drawings illustrated an alternative forepart insole. The upper layer is denoted by reference numeral 24 and as with the upper layer 10 is formed from leather. This is formed with three elongate apertures or slits one of which is denoted by reference numeral 26 so as to expose in the slits a copper foil 28 located therebelow in the same manner as the copper foil 14 is located in the full insole shown in Figures 1 to 3. The rest of the construction of the forepart insole of Figure 4 is the same as that of Figures 1 to 3 and reference to the description of the embodiment of Figures 1 to 3 should be made for details thereof.

Most conveniently the upper and lower layers and the copper foil are stuck together using an appropriate adhesive.

1. An improved insole comprising a lower layer of foamed rubber or plastics cushioning material, an upper layer of a flexible but hardwearing material such as leather and an intermediate layer of metal foil, at least the upper layer being perforated so as to expose one or more regions of the metal foil to allow a persons foot to come into contact with the foil when the foot is inserted into a shoe containing the insole.

2. An insole as claimed in claim 1 in which the metal foil extends overthe complete area ofthe insole.

3. An insole as claimed in claim 1 in which the metal foil extends over only part of the area of insole.

4. An insole as claimed in any of claims 1 to 3 in which the perforations of the upper layer are in the

**WARNING** end of DESC field may overlap start of CLMS **.

Claims

**WARNING** start of CLMS field may overlap end of DESC **. SPECIFICATION Improvements in and relating to insoles for use in footwear This invention concerns insoles for inserting in shoes and other footwear. Historically it is known to insert an insole into a shoe or boot in order to more correctly match the size of a foot to the shoe or boot concerned. Latterly cushioned insoles have also become available for rendering a pair of shoes or boots more comfortable to the wearer. Latterly also chemically impregnated insoles have become popular for absorbing odours emanating from over-heated feet. It is an object of the present invention to provide a further improved insole which can be used to bring relief and benefit to a certain section of the community for whom psychological if not actual relief is obtained from pain and suffering associated with diseases such as arthritis by the contact with their skin of a metal. According to the broadest aspect of the present invention an improved insole comprises a lower layer of rubber or plastics foamed cushioning material, an upper layer of a flexible but hardwearing material such as leather and an intermediate layer of metal foil, at least the upper layer being perforated so as to expose one or more regions of the metal foil to allow a persons foot to come into contact with the foil when the foot is inserted into a shoe containing the insole. The metal foil may extend overthe complete area of the insole or only part of the area thereof. The perforations of the upper layer may be in the form of punched out holes which may extend over the whole area of the upper layer of the insole or only over that area of which the metal foil extends, where the latter does not extend over the whole area of the insole. In one embodiment the metal foil extends only over the heel and instep section of the insole. In another embodiment the metal foil extends over the sole section of the insole. In a third embodiment the metal foil extends over the whole area of the insole and apertures are provided accordingly over the whole area of the upper layer of the insole. According to another feature the lower layer of sponge material is itself perforated with a large number of regularly spaced small diameter holes. The upper layer may also be formed with holes following a similar pattern to those in the lower layer but restricted to an edge reaching of the upper layer. The term insole is used herein to cover both a full insole (i.e. one which extends over the whole or substantially the whole area of the shoe) or a part insole which may be a forepart or a heel part. A preferred metal is copper but it is to be understood that different materials may be substituted and supplied as appropriate depending on the particular requirements of the person concerned. It has been found by some people that copper in contact with the body assists in relieving pain and discomfort associated with rheumatism. The invention will now be described by way of example with reference to the accompanying drawings in which: Figure lisa plan view of an improved insole viewed from above. Figure 2 is an edge view of the same insole, Figure 3 is a plan view of the underside, of the same insole. Figure 4 is a plan view from above of a forepartinsole the underside of which is similar to that of the insole of Figure 1. The insole shown in Figures 1,2 and 3 is formed from an upper layer of leather marked 10 which is perforated with a pattern of three millimeterdiame- ter holes one of which is shown at 12 to expose through the holes a copper foil shown in dotted outline at 14. The foil is sandwiched between the upper layer of leather 10 and a lower layer or underside of sponge rubber material which can be seen in Figure 3. This latter is perforated with 1/2 millimeter holes at 7 1/2 millimeter spacing over its entire surface. The underside layer is denoted in Figures 2 and 3 by reference numeral 16. The edge region of the upper layer 10 is perforated with 1/2 millimeter holes on a 6 millimeter spacing and these are shown at 18 in Figure 1. A second inner line of such perforations is also provided at 20 around the forepart and at 22 around the heel region. The metal foil may have any convenient thickness from 0.025 millimeters to 3 millimeters. Figure 4 of the drawings illustrated an alternative forepart insole. The upper layer is denoted by reference numeral 24 and as with the upper layer 10 is formed from leather. This is formed with three elongate apertures or slits one of which is denoted by reference numeral 26 so as to expose in the slits a copper foil 28 located therebelow in the same manner as the copper foil 14 is located in the full insole shown in Figures 1 to 3. The rest of the construction of the forepart insole of Figure 4 is the same as that of Figures 1 to 3 and reference to the description of the embodiment of Figures 1 to 3 should be made for details thereof. Most conveniently the upper and lower layers and the copper foil are stuck together using an appropriate adhesive. CLAIMS

4. An insole as claimed in any of claims 1 to 3 in which the perforations of the upper layer are in the form of punched out holes.

5. An insole as claimed in claim 1 in which the metal foil extends only over the heel and instep section of the insole.

6. An insole as claimed in claim 1 in which the metal foil extends only over the sole section of the insole.

7. An insole as claimed in any of the preceding claims in which the lower layer is itself perforated with a plurality of regularly spaced small diameter holes.

8. An insole as claimed in any of the preceding claims in which the upper layer is formed with a pattern of small diameter holes around an edge region of the upper layer. The term insole is used herein to cover both a full insole (i.e. one which extends over the whole or substantially the whole area of the shoe) or a part insole which may be a forepart or a heel part.

9. An insole as claimed in any ofthe preceeding claims in which the metal is copper.

10. An insole as claimed in claim 1 constructed and arranged substantially as herein described with reference to and as illustrated in the accompanying drawings.