GB2562750A

GB2562750A - Aequal Foot Technology

Info

Publication number: GB2562750A
Application number: GB1708272.8A
Authority: GB
Inventors: Michael Duffy Francis; Michael White Ian
Original assignee: Individual
Current assignee: Individual
Priority date: 2017-05-23
Filing date: 2017-05-23
Publication date: 2018-11-28
Also published as: WO2018215776A3; GB201708272D0; WO2018215776A2

Abstract

A footwear construction incorporates an orthotic device 1 within the upper. This device 1 is received and locked by corresponding male and female elements 6 in both the device 1 and the sole cavity 5. The orthotic device 1 may be a multi-density orthotic device, and can be encapsulated within the upper component of the footwear. The orthotic can be ergonomically engineered, specific to an individual style, and can be provided with a tailored fit to the internal dimensions and shape of each individual style, critically in the heel area. The footwear construction can utilise an ergonomically contoured toe-off zone to allow unrestricted and correct toe action during the gait cycle. An alternative aspect provides a footwear construction which uses multi-density moulding to build crumple and soft zones into specific areas of an orthotic device, correctly positioned, to provide alignment of the foot during the gait cycle.

Description

(54) Title of the Invention: Aequal Foot Technology

Abstract Title: Footwear construction accommodating an orthotic device (57) A footwear construction incorporates an orthotic device 1 within the upper. This device 1 is received and locked by corresponding male and female elements 6 in both the device 1 and the sole cavity 5. The orthotic device 1 may be a multi-density orthotic device, and can be encapsulated within the upper component of the footwear. The orthotic can be ergonomically engineered, specific to an individual style, and can be provided with a tailored fit to the internal dimensions and shape of each individual style, critically in the heel area. The footwear construction can utilise an ergonomically contoured “toe-off’ zone to allow unrestricted and correct toe action during the gait cycle. An alternative aspect provides a footwear construction which uses multi-density moulding to build crumple and soft zones into specific areas of an orthotic device, correctly positioned, to provide alignment of the foot during the gait cycle.

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Drawings

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Figure 3.2

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Title Footwear construction incorporating an integrated multi-density two part custom orthotic device.

This invention relates to a footwear construction invention that corrects the wearers gait with a resultant reduction in skeletal stress throughout the full gait cycle. The invention critically uses two part multi-density underfoot components engineered in combination to correct the alignment of the wearer’s foot to the ground.

Introduction and background to the invention.

In current footwear products, corrective orthotics are typically added post production as a removable item as the major focus on comfort in footwear is based on underfoot cushioning as opposed to the more holistic health and wellbeing aspect. Little attention is given to the wider benefits to the muscular or skeletal aspects throughout the body.

Post-manufacture orthotics are susceptible to high degree of variation in performance and effectiveness. There is also an opportunity for displacement during wear thus negating any benefits that were offered at the point of purchase. Furthermore, without specific specialized advice, the current convention has potential for the wearer to select an inappropriate orthotic device. By this invention, the footwear is designed, assembled and produced with a customized orthotic built into the inner mechanics of the underfoot components, i.e. ergonomically correct orthotic footbed in combination with a sole offering compression features to work in tandem.

The invention will apply to any method of footwear construction/manufacture

Summary of the Invention

The cushioning and corrective action of the footwear is provided by a unique combination of forces achieved by dynamic design of a pre-moulded corrective orthotic device with a standard 2 degree angle of corrective offset, which is integral to the footwear upper componentry of the shoe, being engineered to lock into and be secured to a corresponding cavity in the sole unit and in correct position relative to the position of the foot within the shoe. The combined result provides the wearer with a non-movable, corrective gait orthotic device uniform in its performance and offers correct positioning relative to the foot through the life of the shoe.

Optional Features

The invention will now be described solely by way of example and with reference to the accompanying drawings in which:

Figure 1.1 shows a cut through lateral view of the overall upper construction using the Stroble method of manufacture.

Figure 1.2 shows a further cut through lateral view of overall construction but using an alternative method of manufacture known as Veldtschoen or Stitchout/Sticthdown construction.

Figure 2.1 shows in cross section the overall construction with the locking device locating the orthotic device with the sole unit shell.

Figure 2.2 shows an alternative cross section of the overall construction in the rear foot section with locking mechanism locating the orthotic device within the outer sole but using the Veldtschoen or Stichout/Stitchdown footwear construction method

Figure 3.1 shows the multi-density in-built orthotic device

Figure 3.2 shows a cross section through the rear foot of the multidensity in-built orthotic device

Figure 4 shows an outer sole unit with in-built ‘crumple’ zones

Introduction to the detailed description

In figure 1.1 the integral orthotic device (1) is shown encapsulated with the footwear constructed by the Strobel method of manufacture. In which the lining (2) is attached to a footbed cover (3) and the outside (4) is wrapped and secured over the orthotic device (1). These are then locked into the sole unit (5) by the use of corresponding male and female ‘keyways’ (6) in the orthotic device (1) and the sole Unit (5) which is then permanently attached by vulcanizing, stitching, adhesion or direct moulding.

Another alternative is shown in Figure 1.2 in whereby the integral orthotic device (1) is shown, with no footbed cover such that it is visible inside the shoe. The outside (4) and the lining (2) are shown to be stitched (7) to the periphery of the orthotic device (1) thus securing them together. Once again these are located into the outsole (5) using corresponding male and female keyways (6) and permanently attached by vulcanizing, stitching, adhesion or direct moulding.

Figure 2.1 shows the cross section view of the invention where once again the orthotic device (1) is shown encapsulated with the footwear constructed by the Strobel method of manufacture. In which the lining (2) is attached to a footbed cover (3) the outside (4) is wrapped and secured over the orthotic device (1). These are then locked into the sole unit (5) by the use of corresponding male and female ‘keyways’ (6) in the orthotic device (1) and the sole Unit (5) which is permanently attached by vulcanizing, stitching, adhesion or direct moulding.

Figure 2.2 shows an alternative using a stitched attachment as shown in Figure 1.2, whereby the integral orthotic device (1) is shown, with no footbed cover such that it is visible inside of the shoe. The outside (4) and the lining (2) are shown to be stitched (7) to the periphery of the orthotic device (1) thus securing them together. Once again these are located into the outsole (5) using corresponding male and female keyways (6) and permanently attached by vulcanizing, stitching, adhesion or direct moulding.

Figure 3.1 shows the orthotic device (1) which is contoured to the foot and with the designated areas of differing density. In this illustration there is a toe-off zone (9) in the forefoot to aid correct gait. The rear foot features a void (10), a heel cradle (11), a rear foot support (12) and a crumple zone (13) all designed to work in tandem to offer corrective alignment to the foot.

Fig 3.2 shows the cross section of the rear foot of the orthotic device (1) showing the customized 2 degree angle of correction (14).

Fig 4 illustrates the positioning of the patent’s further corrective elements of the sole bottom (5) to work in conjunction with the orthotic device. This embodiment also shows the crumple zone (13) in the outside rear foot of the sole, and the corresponding forefoot crumple zone (9)

Detailed Description of an example of the Invention.

Figure 1.1 shows an example of the invention in detail. In this invention the typical internal components of a shoe are replaced by an Orthotic Device (1) which forms the foundation for the entire shoe. The shoe upper consists primarily of two major components known as the outside (4) and the lining (2) which are secured together either by stitching and/or adhesive. Once the outside (4) and the lining (2) are completed, the lining (2) is then stitched to the footbed cover (3) thus forming an enclosed ‘bag’. A shoe making last is then inserted into this bag to give shape and form to the upper part of the shoe, filling the internal void of the shoe upper. The orthotic device (1) is then accurately positioned onto the bottom of the footbed cover (3) and the remaining bottom edge of the periphery of the Outside (4) is wrapped over the sides of the orthotic device (1) secured to the bottom

The orthotic device (1) having been accurately positioned, is now an integral part of the shoe. Its’ position in relation to the foot, is now consistent and secure, such that the orthotic device (1) will not be able to shift during wear and thus misalign itself over time.

The shoe is now ready to receive the outsole (5). To enable correct positioning of the outsole (5) in relation to the foot and to the orthotic device, it has keyways (6) in the internal cavity which lock into corresponding keyways (6) on the bottom of the orthotic device (1). The outsole is then permanently attached either by vulcanizing, stitching, adhesion or direct moulding.

The footwear is then slipped from the shoemaking last and is completed.

Figure 3.1 shows in detail, the Orthotic device (1) which is both contoured to the foot and incorporates multi-density areas in the moulding process to provide key performance enablers during the gait cycle. In this example we see an area under the big toe position (8) that is reduced in substance allowing the toe to drop which benefits the wearer’s gait. This works in combination with a crumple zone (9) in the forefoot. On the inside forefoot position, there is a neutral zone, (10) which is a void designed to allow displacement of the foot as it flexes during the gait cycle.

Similarly in Figure 3.1, the rear foot of the Orthotic Device (1) must provide stability and cushioning as well as the corrective alignment of the foot. This is achieved in this invention by a combination of features, which work in tandem to the forefoot, as previously detailed above.

The orthotic device (1) has a heel cradle (11) built in, which cradles the foot and is designed specifically to hold the foot in the correct position. It also reduces movement during the gait cycle and is specific to the internal dimensions of the shoe, thus forming a close fit between the foot and the shoe. Around the rear foot there is a support zone (12) to provide further support and cushioning to the foot. This is achieved by a change in density of the orthotic device material underfoot in this area. (12)

Furthermore in Fig 3.1 we see the invention introduces a crumple zone (13) in the outside rear foot area to allow correction of the foot. This is an area of low density material in the orthotic device which collapses under pressure of contact at each step, to allow inversion of the foot, thus aiding corrective alignment of the foot during the gait cycle

Fig 3.2 shows the cross section of the rear foot of the orthotic device (1) showing the customized 2 degree angle of correction (14), providing alignment of the foot in relation to the ground and the skeletal frame of the wearer. This 2 degree angle works in conjunction with crumple zone (13) incorporated in the outside rear foot of the orthotic device.

Fig 4 illustrates the positioning of the patent’s further corrective elements to work in conjunction with the orthotic device and the sole bottom (5).The crumple zone (13) in the outside rear foot of the sole, is designed to work with the orthotic device to enhance inversion of the foot. At the same time the invention uses a crumple zone (9) in the forepart, to allow the first ray to be offloaded and plantar flexed.

Claims

1. A footwear construction that accommodates an orthotic device within the upper, which is then received and locked by inserts into the sole cavity. This provides the wearer with a built-in orthotic with a 2 degree angle of correction that assists in correcting the wearers gait.

2. A footwear construction according to Claim 1, which incorporates a multi-density orthotic device providing support and cushioning to the wearer’s foot.

3. A footwear construction according to Claim 1, in which the orthotic is locked into the sole unit providing stability and negating the need for a post manufacture orthotic insert.

4. A footwear construction according to Claim 1, where the corrective orthotic is encapsulated within the upper component of the footwear, thus further aiding stability.

5. A footwear construction according to Claim 1, where the corrective orthotic is ergonomically engineered, specific to each individual style.

6. A footwear construction according to Claim 1, that provides a tailored fit to the internal dimensions and shape of each individual style, critically in the heel area.

7. A footwear construction according to Claim 1, which utilizes ergonomically contoured “toe-off” zone to allow unrestricted and correct toe action during the gait cycle

8. A footwear construction according to claim 1, which ensures accurate positioning relative to the foot throughout the life of the shoe.

9. A footwear construction which uses multi-density moulding to build crumple and soft zones into specific areas of an orthotic device, correctly positioned, to provide alignment of the foot during the gait cycle.

Intellectual

Property Office

Application No: GB1708272.8 Examiner: Kris Wojciechowski