GB2449064A

GB2449064A - Item of footwear for rehabiliation of leg-muscle tone

Info

Publication number: GB2449064A
Application number: GB0708244A
Authority: GB
Inventors: Marcia Kilgore; David Cook
Original assignee: Brandhandling International Ltd
Current assignee: Brandhandling International Ltd
Priority date: 2007-04-27
Filing date: 2007-04-27
Publication date: 2008-11-12
Also published as: EP2526802A1; CA2685271C; PL2152108T3; US20160331079A1; HK1141214A1; ES2390516T3; CA2685271A1; ZA200907813B; UA97839C2; MX2009011613A; WO2008132478A1; AU2008243999B2; EP2152108A1; WO2008132478A8; AU2008243999B8; IL201731A; KR20100023828A; GB0920859D0; CO6241085A2; AU2008243999A1

Abstract

An item of footwear is provided for increasing leg-muscle and/or lower-abdominal-/back-muscle tone. The footwear comprises a sole 2 for receiving a foot of a user; wherein at least one portion of the sole comprises two or more materials of different compressive resistances, or densities, the sole being arranged such that application of a user's weight, during use, causes instability in the at least one portion of the sole, which requires balance correction by a user. In particular, the midsole 2B is provided in the arch region 5 with a first material of relatively lower compressive resistance or density, and a frontal/toe region 4 is provided by a second material of relatively higher compressive resistance or density.

Description

* 2449064

AN ITEM OF FOOTWEAR

This invention relates to an item of footwear for increasing leg-muscle and/or lower-abdominal-/back-muscle tone. In particular, the invention relates to an item of footwear for improvement and rehabilitation of leg-muscle tone following ankle and/or foot injuries. The invention also relates to a mid-sole and/or an insole for the same purpose. Additionally, the invention relates to a method for manufacturing said item of footwear and said mid-sole and/or insole and their use as part of an exercise regime.

Most shoes are purchased because of their aesthetics or :. their comfort. Comfort shoes are designed to provide comfortable walking and standing for a user and often include reasonable internal padding, arch support and comfort soles. In normal use, prior art shoes provide a . good stable base for a foot of a user and this, consequently, reduces the amount of muscle force required *..* * for a user to stand still or walk, whilst maintaining good balance.

However, it has surprisingly been found that, by providing a slight, but safely-measured, instability in the footwear, the amount of difficulty a user experiences balancing whilst walking or standing is increased and, therefore, more muscle tension is required to achieve equivalent good balance to when using prior art shoes. In particular, muscles such as tibialis anterius, tibialis posterior, rectus femoris muscles of the quadriceps and gluteus maximus have been found to work harder whilst wearing footwear having a slight instability. Further, as is well-known in human physiology, a muscle which is made to work harder improves in strength and has quicker recovery following exercise.

Accordingly, there is a need for an item of footwear that aids muscle toning and strengthening whilst a user is standing or walking around as they would do normally.

Further, a user would not need to find specific time for training, as training of those muscles can be provided whilst carrying out other activities.

Accordingly, in a first aspect this invention provides an item of footwear for increasing leg-muscle and/or lower-abdominal-/back-muscle tone comprising: a sole for :. receiving a foot of a user; a securing means for securing the item of footwear to a foot of a user; wherein at least one portion of the sole is provided by two or more materials of different compressive resistances, or densities, the sole being arranged such that application of a user's weight, during use, causes instability in the at least one pOrtion of the sole, which requires balance correction by a user.

Advantageously, a user of the item of footwear is caused to increase muscular tension whilst standing and walking to keep good balance. Therefore, muscle toning and strengthening is provided whilst, merely, standing and walking around. As indicated, balance correction on the part of the user requires additional muscle tension. When the instability is calibrated correctly, it is barely perceivable on the part of the wearer; however, over many steps, and when used in a lifestyle approach to fitness, the additional muscle tension required can help increase strength and levels of fitness in the muscle groups -especially as part of an exercise or rehabilitation regime.

Most preferably, the item of footwear should be used frequently and as part of a daily exercise/rehabilitation regime.

According to a second aspect of the invention, there is provided an insole, for use with an item of footwear, for increasing leg-muscle and/or lower-abdominal-/back-muscle tone comprising: a sole for receiving at least a portion of a foot of a user, the insole being arranged to be placed in an item of footwear; wherein at least a portion of the insole is provided by two or more materials of different compressive resistances, or :. densities, arranged such that application of a user's :..::: weight, during use, causes instability in the one or more portions of the insole, which requires balance correction by a user.

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According to a third aspect, the invention provides a * * method of moulding an insole or a sole of a shoe comprising: providing an arch region of first material of relatively lower compressive resistance or density; providing a frontal/toe region and heel of second material of relatively higher compressive resistance or density; and placing the arch region between the frontal/toe region and the heel within a mould, and bonding the frontal/toe region, the arch and the heel together to form a unitary (in)sole having a wobble effect which, in use, requires balance correction by a user.

According to a fifth aspect of the present invention, there is provided an exercise regime using an item of footwear, as disclosed in claims 1 to 37, or an insole, as disclosed in claims 38 to 43, for increasing leg-muscle and/or lower-abdominal-/back-muscle tone, including wearing the item of footwear or an item of footwear containing the insole and applying weight to the item of footwear or insole to provide leg-muscle and/or lower-abdominal-/back-muscle toning whilst standing and/or walking.

In order that the invention may be fully disclosed, embodiments will now be described, by way of example only, with reference to the accompanying drawings, in which: Figure 1 is a plan view of an item of footwear according to the present invention; *.

Figure 2 is a perspective view of the item of footwear of Figure 1; and Figure 3 is a perspective view of the item of footwear of Figure 1 showing bonding of a frontal/toe region, an arch region and a heel. P*.. * *

This invention relates to an item of footwear. In particular, a flip-flop is shown in the Figures and is, generally, referenced as 1. The flip-flop 1 includes a sole 2 and a strap arrangement 3.

The sole 2 is provided by an upper-sole 2A, a mid-sole 2B and a lower-sole 2C. The upper-sole 2A is bonded to the mid-sole 2B and the mid-sole 2B is bonded to the lower-sole 2C to provide a unitary sole 2. The upper sole 2A is provided to receive a foot of a user and is textured to provide gripping surfaces between a foot of a user and the flip-flop 1. In one embodiment, the upper-sole 2A may be integral with the mid-sole 2B or, alternatively a separate layer. The lower-sole 2C is provided as a plantar surface of the flip-flop 1, i.e. a surface which contacts the ground, and is provided with one or more ridges or grooves (not shown) for providing grip between the ground and the flip-flop 1. The lower-sole 2C is preferably one piece of material prior to bonding with the mid-sole 2B. Naturally, as it contacts the ground, the lower-sole 2C is provided by a strong material having good wear characteristics. The sole 2 of the flip-flop 1 is provided in three general and approximate regions, as can be seen in Figures 1 and 2 in particular. An approximate frontal/toe region is indicated by reference 4. Further, an approximate arch region is indicated by reference 5. Further still, an approximate :. heel is indicated by reference 6. In particular, at least :..::: one portion of the sole 2 is provided by two or more S...

materials of different compressive resistances, or densities. The sole 2 is arranged such that application of . a user's weight, during use, causes instability in the one or more portions of the sole which requires balance * S correction by a user. The amount of instability caused is quite slight but enough for small balance corrections to be made by the muscles of a user's leg. In particular, it is likely that the small balance corrections are carried out by a user sub-consciously, or with very little thought, but, nevertheless, it would be clear, when measured with biomechanical monitoring equipment, that contraction of the muscles was taking place. In this particular embodiment, the at least one portion of the sole 2 according to the present invention is provided by the mid-sole 2B. The mid-sole 28 is provided by a specially constructed, multi-density material layer. In particular, the mid-sole 2B is provided with the arch region 5 being of a first material of relatively lower compressive resistance or density, and a frontal/toe region 4 being of a second material of relatively higher compressive resistance or density. Further, the heel 6 is provided by a third material -different from the second material -of relatively higher compressive resistance or density, when compared to the arch region 5. The frontal/toe region 4, the arch region 5 and the heel 6 are provided as a horizontally-layered mid-sole 2B, as can be seen in Figure 2 from right to left of the flip-flop 1. In particular, this embodiment describes a mid-sole 2B having a harder heel 6, a softer arch region 5 and a harder frontal/toe region 4, relative to each other. In a preferred embodiment, the :. frontal/toe region 4 is slightly softer that the heel 6 but both the heel 6 and the frontal/toe region 4 are harder than S...

the arch region 5. By way of example, the hardness of the parts of the mid-sole 2B can compared using the Asker C scale test method (SATRA TM205:1999, with 15 second reading being taken) and the heel 6 is preferably 54 (harder), the *5S**S * arch region 5 is 31 (softer) and the frontal/toe region 4 is 45 (also harder but not as hard as the heel 6). It is desirable to make the heel 6 and the frontal/toe region 4 harder as the heel takes the most impact when walking and the toe need to provide good push off' for walking.

As can be seen In Figure 3, the frontal/toe region 4 abuts the arch region 5 along an interface 7. At the interface 7, the material of the frontal/toe region 4 is bonded to the material of the arch region 5. In a similar way, an interface between the arch region 5 and the heel 6 is provided at the interface 8. Although the interface 7,8 between the material could be vertical in nature, i.e. in the direction of the lower-sole 2C towards the upper-sole 2A, it is preferred to have a tapered interface that allows an overlap of materials from either side of the interface 7,8. In particular, a tapered portion 4A of the frontal/toe region 4 overlaps with a tapered portion 5A of the arch region 5 in a horizontal overlap to form the interface 7.

Further, a tapered portion 5B of the arch region 5 and a tapered portion 6A of the heel 6 overlap in a horizontal manner to form the interface 8. Advantageously, the tapered interfaces 7,8 provide a seamless join between the parts of the mid-sole 2B and provide a smoother transition from the harder 6,4 to softer 5 areas of the mid-sole 2B.

Alternatively, the tapered portions 4A, 5A, 5B, 6A could be considered to be wedge-like. Advantageously, as can be seen :. in the Figures, the sole 2 is anatomically-shaped. The :..::: materials of the frontal/toe region 4, the arch region 5 and the heel 6 are arranged to provide a wobble effect -slight instability -such that the foot, when stepping across the sole from heel 6 to toe 4 wobbles slightly, altering the balance position of a user's foot. The wobble effect can be I.....

* lateral or inline with the direction of a user walking, or a combination of inline and lateral instability. In particular, it is the interaction of the heel 6 and the arch region 5, and the arch region 5 and the frontal/toe region 4 that allows the mid-sole to wobble and cause slight instability. Further, as the arch region is provided to be less-dense or have a lower-compressive resistance, predominantly more flexure occurs in the arch region 5 than in the frontal/toe region 4 or the heel 6.

The embodiment of sole 2 shown in the Figures is substantially made of ethylene vinyl acetate (EVA).

According to the invention, three different grades of EVA are utilised -having different compressive resistances or densities -for the mid-sole to provide the wobble effect.

However, it will be understood that other materials will provide an equivalent effect and examples of those materials are other elastomers, silicones, natural or synthetic rubbers and/or polyurethanes.

The strap arrangement 3 (securing means) is connected to a part of the sole 2, in the region of the heel 6 in two places, one on each side of the flip-flop 1. The strap arrangement 3 is also connected to the upper-sole 2A (or the mid-sole 2B) in the region of the frontal/toe region 4 where it is positioned to be locatable between a first and second toe of a user.

In use, a user simply wears the flip flop 1 whilst standing or walking around to exercise or rehabilitate the S...

***** muscles of the leg.

The method of manufacture of a sole or an insole -in * S. :.:. particular a mid-sole -according to the present invention * involves using three different densities of EVA material and then thermoforming them in a single mould to form a unitary * S (in)sole 2B. In particular, the material is combined using three different densities of uncured solid EVA compounds that have been pre-cut to approximate shape (heel, arch, toe) and introducing them to a first stage mould. The mould is heated to 160 degrees for 6 minutes in which time the solid compounds (EVA) melt, combine -although they remain roughly in the area of the mould they were introduced to -and release gases which are unable to escape. After brief cooling the mould is quickly released and the emerging mid-sole 2B experiences a sudden and dramatic increase to around four times the size of the mould it emerged from.

This forms an EVA caster' unit. This EVA caster' unit is still at a lower density (and a rough shape) and requires further heating to reach the required density and take the final anatomical shape, by way of example, shown in the Figures, and this is done by trimming the caster' and placing it in a second stage mould, where it is subjected to heating for a further 6 minutes and cooling for a further 6 minutes to take the shape of the final product.

Additionally, a lower-sole 2C can be subsequently added to the mid-sole 2B. Alternatively, the lower-sole 2C can be bonded with the mid-sole 2B in either or both moulds. The upper-sole 2A may be subsequently bonded, and may comprise a fabric layer.

In relation to an insole for use with an item of footwear, it will be understood that the insole can be placed in an item of footwear as an additional or *::::* alternative insole to that supplied with the footwear, or * * 15 may be made integral with the item of footwear. Further, *s:. from the context of the claims, it will be understood that the insole may have any number of the sole features claimed in relation to the item of footwear. Accordingly, as the sole features of the item of footwear and the features of the insole are substantially identical, if not identical, reference is drawn to the corresponding passages.

Claims

-10 -CLAIMS: 1.) An item of footwear for increasing leg-muscle and/or

lower-abdominal-/back-muscle tone comprising: a sole for receiving a foot of a user; a securing means for securing the item of footwear to a foot of a user; wherein at least one portion of the sole comprises two or more materials of different compressive resistances, or densities, the sole being arranged such that application of a user's weight, during use, causes instability in the at least one portion of the sole, which requires balance correction by a user. * * *.*.
2.) An item of footwear as claimed in claim 1, wherein the * ** :.:. sole comprises a mid-sole. ***

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3.) An item of footwear as claimed in claim 1 or claim 2, wherein the sole comprises an upper-sole and a lower-sole.
4.) An item of footwear as claimed in any preceding claim, wherein the sole comprises a frontal/toe region, an arch region and a heel.
5.) An item of footwear as claimed in claim 4, wherein the frontal/toe region, the arch region and the heel are formed as a unitary sole.
6.) An item of footwear as claimed in any preceding claim, wherein the sole is anatomically-shaped.

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7.) An item of footwear as claimed in any preceding claim, wherein the at least one portion of the sole comprises three materials.
8.) An item of footwear as claimed in any one of claims 4 to 7, wherein the at least one portion of the sole is provided at the heel.
9.) An item of footwear as claimed in any one of claims 4 to 8, wherein the at least one portion of the sole is provided at the arch region.
10.) An item of footwear as claimed in any one of claims 4 to 9, wherein the at least one portion of the sole is provided at the frontal/toe region. *S.
11.) An item of footwear as claimed in any one of claims 4 to 10, wherein the at least one portion of the sole is provided at the heel, and arch and frontal/toe region.
12.) An item of footwear as claimed in claim 11, wherein one or more portions of the sole are each provided in the frontal, toe region, the arch region and/or the heel.
13.) An item of footwear as claimed in any preceding claim, wherein the portions of the sole are provided at least partly at a plantar surface of the sole.
14.) An item of footwear as claimed in any preceding claim, wherein the portions of the sole are provided at least partly at an upper, foot-engaging surface of the sole.

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15.) An item of footwear as claimed in any one of claims 1 to 12, wherein the portions of the sole are provided internally, within the sole.
16.) An item of footwear as claimed in any preceding claim, wherein the at least one portion of the sole comprises a first material of relatively lower compressive resistance or density sandwiched between two materials of relatively higher compressive resistances or densities.
17.) An item of footwear as claimed in claim 16, wherein the two materials of higher compressive resistances or densities are different materials. * * ****

* ** 15
18.) An item of footwear as claimed in claim 16 or claim 17, wherein the materials are arranged in a layered S..

* configuration.

S S.. * .
19.) An item of footwear as claimed in claim 16 or claim 17, wherein the materials are vertically-layered.
20.) An item of footwear as claimed in claim 16 or claim 17, wherein the materials are horizontally-layered.
21.) An item of footwear as claimed in claim 20, when appended to at least claim 2, wherein the horizontally-layered materials provide the mid-sole.
22.) An item of footwear as claimed in claim 21, when appended to at least claim 4, wherein the mid-sole comprises the arch region provided by the material of relative lower compressive resistance or density, and the frontal/toe -13 -region and the heel provided by the two materials of relatively higher compressive resistances or densities.
23.) An item of footwear as claimed claim 22, wherein the frontal/toe region and the heel are provided by materials of different compressive resistances or densities.
24.) An item of footwear as claimed claim 22 or claim 23, --wherein the toe is provided by a material having a hardness value of substantially 40 to 50 on the Asker C scale.

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25.) An item of footwear as claimed claim 24, wherein the : ... hardness is substantially 45. * . *S.
26.) An item of footwear as claimed any one of claims 22 to * 25, wherein the arch region is provided by a material having *** a hardness of substantially 25 to 35 on the Asker C scale.

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S..... * S
27.) An item of footwear as claimed in claim 26, wherein the hardness is substantially 31.
28.) An item of footwear as claimed in any one of claims 22 to 27, wherein the heel is provided by a material having a hardness of substantially 40 to 60 on the Asker C scale.
29.) An item of footwear as claimed claim 28, wherein the hardness is substantially 54.
30. An item of footwear as claimed in claim 20, when appended to at least claim 3, wherein the horizontally-layered materials of the mid-sole comprise the frontal/toe region, the arch region and the heel.

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31.) An item of footwear as claimed in claim 20, wherein the horizontally-layered materials are tapered to provide overlapping regions of materials of different compressive resistances or densities.
32.) An item of footwear as claimed claim 31, when appended to at least claim 4, wherein adjoining parts of the arch region, and the heel and/or frontal/toe region are provided with tapers to provide overlap of materials of the arch region and the heel, and/or the arch region and the frontal/toe region. S...
33.) An item of footwear as claimed any preceding claim, * ** 15 wherein the materials are elastomers, silicones, natural or synthetic rubbers, and/or polyurethanes.
34.) An item of footwear as claimed claim 33, wherein the * * materials are EVA (ethylene vinyl acetate).
35.) An item of footwear as claimed in any preceding claim, wherein the item of footwear is an item of open footwear.
36.) An item of footwear as claimed in claim 35, wherein the item of open footwear is a flip-flop, a sandal or similar.
37.) An item of footwear substantially as herein described, with reference to the accompanying drawings and description.
38.) An insole, for use with an item of footwear, for increasing leg-muscle and/or lower-abdominal-/back-muscle tone comprising: -15 -a sole for receiving at least a portion of a foot of a user, the insole being arranged to be placed in an item of footwear; wherein a portion of the insole is provided by two or more materials of different compressive resistances, or densities, arranged such that application of a user's weight, during use, causes instability in the portion of the insole, which requires balance correction by a user.
39.) An insole as claimed in claim 38, wherein the at least one portion of the sole comprises a first material of relatively lower compressive resistance or density sandwiched between two materials of relatively higher ****** compressive resistances or densities.

* ** 15
40.) An insole as claimed in claim 39, wherein the two *** * materials of higher compressive resistances or densities are *....: different materials. * *
41.) An insole as claimed in any one of claims 38 to 40, including the feature of the sole claimed in claims 2 to 34.
42.) An insole as claimed in claim 41, wherein the insole is included as part of a sock.
43.) An insole substantially as herein described, with

reference to the accompanying description.
44.) A method of moulding an insole or a sole of a shoe comprising: providing an arch region of first material of relatively lower compressive resistance or density; -16 -providing a frontal/toe region and heel of second material of relatively higher compressive resistance or density; and placing the arch region between the frontal/toe region and the heel within a mould, and bonding the frontal/toe region, the arch and the heel together to form a unitary (in)sole having a wobble effect which, in use, requires balance correction by a user.
45.) A method as claimed in claim 44, wherein bonding is provided by heating the materials.
46.) A method as claimed in claim 45, wherein bonding is aided by compression of the materials.

S S S...

* 15
47.) A method as claimed in claim 45 or claim 46, wherein bonding of the materials takes place in a waffle press-type S..

* bonding apparatus. *

S..... * .
48.) A method as claimed in any one of claims 44 to 47, wherein the method involves a first-stage moulding process to provide a caster' unit and a second-stage moulding process to provide the final product.
49.) An exercise regime using an item of footwear, as disclosed in claims 1 to 37, or an insole, as disclosed in claims 38 to 43 for increasing leg-muscle and/or lower-abdominal-/back-muscle tone, including wearing the item of footwear or an item of footwear containing the insole and applying weight to the item of footwear or insole to provide leg-muscle toning whilst standing and/or walking.