JP2008515589A - Apparatus for high heel shoes and method of building high heel shoes - Google Patents

Abstract

A high heel shoe having a first crescent-shaped raised area in an area under the leading edge of the wearer's heel bone and a second raised area under the wearer's metatarsal It relates to a device for insertion. It also relates to a method for building shoes using this device and the resulting shoes.
[Selection] Figure 5

Description

  The present invention relates to a shoe that is easily constructed and gives the wearer a better comfort without affecting the suitability or style of the shoe. The present invention has particular utility for high heel shoes.

  Conventional high heel shoes are said to be extremely uncomfortable. There is research information showing that 20% of users of such shoes feel foot pain related to the shoe immediately and that the majority of users feel such pain after only 4 hours of use.

  In order to understand the prior art and the present invention, it is necessary to understand the anatomy of the foot and the basic structure of the shoe. FIG. 1 shows the foot bone and the part of the shoe under the sole for that purpose. With reference to FIG. 1, the anatomy of the foot and the basic structure of the shoe are briefly described below.

  FIG. 1 shows a medial side view of a bone of a human foot 10. In this application, posterior means the direction of the posterior or heel 20 of the foot, the anterior means the direction of the anterior 30 of the foot where the toes or phalanges 31 are located, and the inside means the arch. The side of the foot at which 40 is located, the outside means the outside of the foot, and the upper and top, and the bottom or lower, assume that the foot or shoe is oriented in an upright position.

  The heel 20 (also called tarsal bone) has a talus 21 and a rib 22. The rear lower surface of the rib 22 has a slight ridge 23 known as the rib rough surface. The foot bone also comprises a scaphoid bone 41, a cuneiform bone 42, a metatarsal bone 45, and a phalanx or toe, and in FIG. The metatarsal head 46 is located at the front end of the metatarsal body 47. Metatarsals are numbered from 1 to 5, with 1 indicating the mother's heel.

  FIG. 1 also shows a partial exploded view of a portion of a conventional high heel shoe 50 below the sole. The shoe 50 has a heel 51 attached to the lower surface of the sole 52, which supports the insole plate 53 on which the insole 54 is placed. In conventional shoes, the midsole plate is usually a relatively rigid structure from the area under the wearer's heel to the metatarsal head. The insole is generally very flexible, very thin and usually has a thickness of 0.5 mm or less. The insole is usually the surface on which the sole rests.

  According to the conventional shoe construction method, the foot shape is the shape in which the shoe is constructed around it. During manufacturing, the lower surface of the foot mold rests on the upper surface of the midsole plate, and then the shoe upper is formed around the foot mold and attached to the midsole plate. Optimally, the bottom surface of the foot mold and the top surface of the midsole are smoothly mated to each other in order to correctly manufacture the shoe. If there are any protrusions on the lower surface of the foot mold or on the upper surface of the midsole plate, there must be a corresponding recess in the midsole plate or the foot mold, respectively. In order to guarantee a good shoe structure, any such protrusions and corresponding recesses must be carefully aligned during the manufacture of the shoe, thereby adding further complexity and / or quality control to the manufacture of the shoe. Problems arise.

  It will be appreciated that in conventional high heel shoes such as the one shown in FIG. 1, the wearer's feet are essentially placed on an inclined surface. As a result, the foot is pushed forward into the toe space by gravity when standing or walking. This results in pressure and toe blockage on the ball or anterior area of the foot, which often causes severe pain in this area of the foot and fatigue and discomfort in the other areas of the foot and body. Arise.

  Numerous proposals have been made to improve the comfort of high heel shoes, including the proposals of the inventors' prior patents and patent publications. For example, in the February 1990 Current Podiatric Medicine, 29-32 article, the inventor forms a continuous ramp where the shoe portion under the heel descends from the arch to the toe ball. Rather, a high heel shoe design was described in which the part under the heel was relatively parallel to the ground. This design used a rigid, plastic molded fill that was cupped to receive the heel and tilted to position the heel in a plane more parallel to the floor.

  In US Pat. No. 5,373,650, the inventor proposed an orthotic under the heel. This orthotic is a rigid or semi-rigid shell under the heel that extends forward with the arch support to a point behind the foot metatarsal. The heel is supported in this device, tilted parallel to the ground or slightly rearward.

  In U.S. Pat. A high heel design has been described having an arch support to support. Inventor's PCT publication WO 98/14083, published April 9, 1998, describes a rigid molding apparatus comprising a heel cup and an anatomically shaped arch orthosis.

  Numerous design examples by other inventors intended to improve the comfort of high-heeled shoes include prior art U.S. Pat.Nos. 1,864,999, 1,907,997, 4,317,293, 4,631,841, 4,686,993, 4,932,141 and 6,412,198, each describing a shoe insert or orthotic intended to improve the comfort of high heel shoes. Some involve arch support. Some are stiff, and some suggest buffering as a means to improve comfort. Prior art inserts and orthotics are usually relatively bulky and can affect the suitability of the shoe when added by the wearer after manufacture. Other prior art proposals for improving the wearer's comfort require modifying each foot pattern used to manufacture the shoe to change the shape of the shoe itself.

  These prior art constructions support or cushion the foot portion and / or reduce forward slip and / or the percentage of the wearer's weight carried by the various portions of the foot To improve the comfort, by changing the angle of the foot. Those teachings include, among other things, placing the heel on a more horizontal plane to pass weight backwards up the heel, supporting the arch, tilting the toes upward, and / or weight It is recommended that the largest proportion buffer the surface supported thereon.

  The present invention provides a thin flexible shoe insert that can be easily adapted to any style of shoe and can be incorporated into a shoe without the need for foot-shaped modifications and without manufacturing complexity. It is intended to provide.

  The insert has two slightly raised areas under the heel and metatarsal. The insert has only two slightly raised areas, but greatly increases the wearer's comfort even at very high heels. The insert does not require replacing the heel position in a plane parallel to the floor, as in some prior art. Outside of the two slightly raised areas, the insert can be very thin, thereby minimizing any impact on shoe compatibility and eliminating any impact on shoe style or appearance. Alternatively, a thin flexible insert can be placed inside the shoe by the wearer.

  According to the present invention, a device for insertion into a high heel shoe and a method for constructing a shoe using the device are provided. The device comprises (a) a posterior section that is positioned to be below the ribs at least in the anterior region of the rough surface of the ribs, the upper surface of the posterior section gradually from the rear of the device to the crescent top. The highest part is in the front area of the rough surface of the rib. The apparatus further includes (b) an anterior segment positioned to be below at least a portion of the metatarsal body, with the upper surface of the anterior segment being below the second and third metatarsal bodies. And a portion that gradually rises to the highest position. In a preferred embodiment, the device has a bridge or middle section connecting the front and rear sections, the device is flexible and the top surface of the device is smoothly contoured between all regions. A feature and advantage of the device of the present invention is that the device can be generally adapted to conventional high heel shoes without the need to otherwise modify the shoe or foot mold. The shoe can be constructed with the device according to the invention by incorporating the device inside the shoe during the manufacturing process, or the device can be attached by the wearer after manufacture.

  In the present invention, an apparatus is provided that improves comfort and is easily inserted into a high heel shoe. In the context of the present invention, high heel shoes should be understood to include all footwear having a heel of about 1 inch or higher. The advantages of the present invention are realized when the raised area is placed in the shoe so that it is under the metatarsal body and heel. Typically, the device of the present invention is placed on the insole or insole of high heel shoes. Preferably, the device is sufficiently flexible so that it is easily identical in shape to the top surface of the insole or insole on which the device is placed. This can be molded or formed and will create a device that is flexible under normal use of the shoe while maintaining sufficient dimensional stability to maintain the benefits of the present invention. It can be made of any material known to those skilled in the art.

  In a preferred embodiment of the present invention, the device comprises at least (i) a heel portion extending from an edge of the rough rib surface to a heel portion immediately in front of the rough rib surface, and (ii) a second and Shaped to be below the area under the third metatarsal body. The device can extend beyond these areas and can be shaped to be identical to the shape of the insole or insole. Optimally, the device is narrower than the insole when positioned under the insole. This narrower size allows the insole edge to adhere to the insole along the edge of the device of the present invention. This narrower configuration may be particularly desirable depending on the style of the shoe.

  The device has two separate raised areas, the first raised area being placed under the ribs from the leading edge of the rough rib surface and within the anterior region of the rough rib surface of the wearer's foot. The second raised area is placed under the metatarsal body of the wearer's foot, and the highest part is under or under the second and third metatarsal bodies. It is arranged inside the shoe so as to be between them. The first and second raised areas are connected by a bridge or central area. For clarity, narrow or wide means the side-to-side dimension of the shoe or device, and raised, lowered, thin, depth or height refers to the vertical dimension of the device. Please understand what it means.

  3-5 illustrate an exemplary embodiment of the apparatus 100 according to the present invention. The device 100 can be made of molded flexible plastic or rubber, such as polyurethane, thermoplastic elastomer (TPE), thermoplastic rubber (TPR), polyvinyl chloride (PVC), or ethylene vinyl acetate (EVA). Formed from a flexible material. The raised area of the device has a Shore Hardness A between about 20 and 90, preferably a Shore Hardness A of 30 to 50, most preferably about 40. The entire device is preferably, but not necessarily, of the same hardness. Device 100 has a metatarsal side end 110 and a heel side end 120. The apparatus comprises two raised areas 130 and 140. The first raised area 130 located in the posterior area is generally crescent shaped, below the area just in front of the bone on the heel of the wearer's foot or the rough surface 23 of the rib 22, Positioned in the shoe. A crescent-shaped first raised area 130 rises from the rear of the device so that the crescent is oriented as shown in FIGS. In the present specification, the fact that the raised area is raised from the rear of the apparatus means the direction of the rise and the direction of the crescent moon. Thus, it should be understood that if the device extends posteriorly beyond the rough rib surface, the raised area is not necessary but preferably should not begin to rise from the end of the device.

  The second raised region 140 is positioned in the anterior region and is positioned below the metatarsal body 47 of the wearer's foot. Optimally, the highest portion of the second raised area is placed under or between the second and third metatarsal bodies. The second raised area includes a generally circular or oval shape that rises to the highest portion in the direction of the metatarsal head. The front raised area preferably has a thinner side located towards the heel side end 120 and a wider side located towards the front end 110.

  The highest part of the raised area is preferably 2 to 8 mm above the upper surface of the device, just anterior to the raised area under the metatarsal body and just behind the raised area under the ribs high. In a preferred embodiment, the tops are similar or the same height. Preferably, each top is higher with a higher high heel shoe and lower with a lower heel shoe. Also, each top is preferably lower for smaller sized shoes and higher for larger sized shoes. In the most preferred embodiment, each top is about 3 mm for U.S. women's shoe size 1 having a heel height of 1 to 5 inches and U.S. women's shoe size 16 (or UK, European, and Japanese shoes, for example). It is approximately 6mm in terms of size). The area covered by the raised area also varies with the size of the shoe, and the size of the area increases with increasing length and / or width. Typically, the ridge size is scaled for shoe size, using normal scaling rules that apply when the shoe length and width increase with increasing size, both in terms of height and area. However, it has been found that for a size within a narrow range, the same device can be used without significantly losing the comfort improvement associated with the device. The limiting factor of comfort achieved using the device of the present invention is below the ribs but in front of the rough surface of the ribs and below the middle metatarsal but below the metatarsal head. It appears to be the highest position of the two raised areas behind.

  The proximal and distal ends of the device, i.e., the portion behind the heel and below the raised region 140 is relatively thin relative to the raised region. Preferably, these proximal and distal ends have a depth so that the shoe upper wraps around the upper surface of the inner bottom plate and the proximal and distal ends face the upper surface of the shoe upper. Become one. Preferably, the ends can also be shaped to be somewhat identical with the area extending between the edges of the upper that rests on the surface of the insole. The thickness of these ends of the device is usually between 0.2 and 1 mm.

  The bridge or intermediate section or region of the device between the first raised region 130 and the second raised region 140 is also preferably relatively thin compared to the raised region. The thickness of this region is determined in part by structural integrity issues during the shoe manufacturing process. With stronger materials, this area can be less than 1 mm thick and ideally should. In general, this bridge or central section or region should be thinner than raised regions 130 and 140, preferably no more than about 4 mm in thickness, more preferably about 2 mm for US women's shoe size 6, US Women's shoe size 10 (or their equivalent size in other size standards) is about 3mm. This thinner bridge or central area allows the device to be more easily identical to the shape of the insole. The minimum width of this bridge or central section is also determined by manufacturing requirements, and the optimal minimum width will maintain the geometry of the front and rear sections relative to each other. The maximum width is such that the appearance of the shoe is not impaired. Preferably, this bridge or mid section is narrower than the midsole, and, like the end of the device, the bridge or mid section is flush with the upper surface of the upper enveloping the midsole and the midsole is defined by the edge of the upper It is almost the same shape as the region created above. FIG. 6 shows another embodiment 200 of the device where the front section 210 and the middle or bridge section are narrower than the rear section 220. The highest front part is element 240 and the highest rear part is element 230.

  In contrast to the teachings of the prior art, the device of the present invention does not provide a raised area to support the arch of the wearer's foot, but at least a portion of the bridge or intermediate area under the arch, Note that it is thinner than the highest portion of the first and second raised regions 130,140. That is, at the location where a conventional arch support would normally be placed in a shoe, at least a portion of the area under the foot arch would be hollow or lower than the adjacent area, partially Unsupported.

  Preferably, the top surface of the device is smoothly contoured and has no sharp transitions or edges that can cause discomfort. Specifically, the transition between the top of the raised area and the surrounding area of the device is smooth.

  As explained above, the present invention contemplates a single flexible device in which both raised areas are incorporated. The present invention also contemplates two separate flexible devices, i.e., each device implements one of the raised areas described above, and realizes the advantages of the present invention together. The present invention also contemplates a single flexible device that is used in combination with a shoe or shoe component that implements one of the raised areas described above and incorporates the other raised area. Finally, the present invention contemplates a shoe having any of the device embodiments described above incorporated therein.

  The device 100 is preferably placed in the shoe 50 during the manufacturing process. Accordingly, the present invention also provides a method for constructing a high heel shoe, which comprises (a) assembling the upper, midsole and sole, and (b) attaching a flexible device on the midsole. The flexible device comprises: (i) A posterior section positioned so as to be below the ribs in the anterior region of the front edge of the rib rough surface. The upper surface of the posterior section has a portion that rises gradually from the rear of the device to the crescent highest, which is located below the anterior region of the rough rib surface. (ii) An anterior region positioned to be below at least a portion of the metatarsal body. The upper surface of the anterior region has a raised portion from the posterior portion of the metatarsal head to the highest portion positioned to be below the second and third metatarsal bodies. (iii) A bridge or intermediate area connecting the front and rear areas. (iv) The upper surface of the device transitions smoothly between all areas. The method further includes (c) securing the insole to the insole and the apparatus. The order in which these steps are performed can be selected by the manufacturer. In the preferred embodiment of the invention, the device 100 is positioned on the insole 53 of the shoe 50 and the insole 54 is glued to the insole and the top of the device 100. It is contemplated that the device 100 can be inserted in some embodiments after manufacture or after sale, such as by placing it on the insole 53 or insole 54 after manufacture. The device 100 can be attached to the insole plate 53 and insole 54 by means such as glue, pressure sensitive adhesive (PSA), tape such as Velcro®, or mechanical fasteners such as nails or staples. . In general, any means for maintaining the raised area of the device in place can be used to position the device within the shoe. The device 100 also need not be separated from the insole, but can be integral with the insole.

  To facilitate correct positioning of the device, the device can be provided with markings or structures that orient the device. These indicia can be arrows or the device itself can be configured with points that serve to determine the orientation of the device.

  The two raised areas can be made as separate pieces and positioned individually in the shoe. In that case, the area between the two raised areas of the device is integral with the insole or insole and need not be flexible. Still another embodiment of the manufacturing method is to incorporate one of the raised areas into the insole, and again, this incorporated raised area need not be flexible. Yet another embodiment method is to incorporate one or both raised areas into the insole. However, for ease of manufacture, a single device with separate raised areas connected by bridges or intermediate sections is preferred. In all cases, the parts of the device that are mounted on the insole plate of the shoe must be sufficiently flexible so that they are easily identical to the top surface of the insole plate on which they are mounted. .

  The device of the present invention provides an unexpected advantage over the prior art. For example, the raised area at the rear is only a few millimeters high, but the device removes the weight carried by the foot from the thumb ball and moves it significantly towards the heel. As a result, the device reduces toe pain and general lower back pain associated with wearing high heel shoes. That is, the foot pain inherent in the use of high heel shoes is reduced or eliminated by using the device. The device also changes the position of the ankle to increase stability.

  Furthermore, the device does not require any modification of the shoe type used to manufacture conventional shoes, rather the device is simply placed by a manufacturer or wearer in a conventionally constructed shoe. can do. The device does not significantly affect the suitability of the shoe, as it does not greatly reduce the space that can be penetrated into the shoe and allow the foot to enter.

FIG. 2 is a schematic cross-sectional view showing a bone of a foot and a partial exploded view showing a portion of a conventional high heel shoe under a sole. It is a top view which shows one Embodiment of the apparatus of this invention. FIG. 3 is a side sectional view of the device of the present invention shown in FIG. 2 along “III-III”. FIG. 4 is a side sectional view of the device shown in FIG. 2 along “IV-IV”. FIG. 3 is a schematic cross-sectional view of a foot bone and a partial exploded view showing a portion of a conventional high heel shoe under the sole into which the device of the present invention shown in FIG. 2 is inserted. It is a top view which shows other embodiment of this invention.

Explanation of symbols

  50 ... Shoes, 53 ... Insole, 54 ... Insole, 100,200 ... Device, 110 ... Metatarsal side edge, 120 ... Heel side edge, 130,140 ... Raised area

Claims (99)

In a device for insertion into a high heel shoe,
a posterior section having an upper surface and positioned in front of the edge of the rough rib surface and below at least one region of the wearer's rib, wherein the upper surface of the posterior section is A posterior section having a portion that gradually rises from the rear of the device to a crescent-shaped top, wherein the top is below the area of the rib in front of the rough surface of the rib;
b. an anterior region having an upper surface and positioned to be below at least a portion of the wearer's metatarsal body, wherein the upper surface of the anterior region is the second and second of the wearer. An anterior region having a portion that gradually rises to the highest portion positioned so as to be beneath the three metatarsal bodies;
c. an intermediate zone, at least a portion of which is thinner than the highest portion of the rear and front zones, and connecting the front zone and the rear zone;
d. A device comprising a smoothly contoured top surface.   The apparatus of claim 1, wherein the highest portion of the raised portion of the forward section is 2 to 8 mm high relative to a surface immediately in front of the raised portion.   The apparatus of claim 2, wherein the height of the highest portion of the raised portion of the front section is scaled with respect to the size and height of the shoe.   4. The apparatus of claim 3, wherein the highest portion of the raised portion of the front region varies from 3 mm for US women's shoe size 1 to 6 mm for US women's shoe size 16.   The apparatus of claim 1, wherein the highest portion of the raised portion of the rear section is 2 to 8 mm high relative to a surface immediately behind the raised portion.   6. The apparatus of claim 5, wherein the height of the highest portion of the raised portion of the rear section is scaled with respect to the shoe size and height.   7. The apparatus of claim 6, wherein the highest portion of the raised portion of the rear section varies from 3 mm for US women's shoe size 1 to 6 mm for US women's shoe size 16.   The device of claim 1, wherein the forward raised portion has a shape that is wider toward the wearer's metatarsal head and tapers toward the posterior portion of the metatarsal body.   9. The apparatus of claim 8, wherein the forward raised portion is elliptical.   The device of claim 1, wherein the device is flexible.   The device of claim 1, wherein the thinner portion extends from the inside of the device to the outside of the device.   The device of claim 1, wherein at least the intermediate section is flexible.   The apparatus of claim 1, wherein the raised portion is the thickest part of the apparatus.   2. The device of claim 1, wherein all parts of the device, except for the raised portion and the transition from the raised portion to the rest of the device, have a thickness of 0.5 mm to 1 mm or less.   The apparatus of claim 1, wherein the raised portions of the rear and forward sections are approximately the same height.   The apparatus of claim 1, wherein at least the raised portion has a Shore hardness A of 20 to 90.   The apparatus of claim 16, wherein at least the raised portion has a Shore hardness A of 35 to 50.   The apparatus of claim 17, wherein at least the raised portion has a Shore hardness A of about 40.   17. An apparatus according to claim 16, wherein the entire apparatus has substantially the same Shore hardness A throughout. In a flexible device for insertion into high heel shoes,
a rear section having a top surface and positioned in front of the rough edge of the ribs and below at least one region of the wearer's ribs, wherein the top surface of the rear section is A posterior section having a portion that gradually rises from the rear of the device to a crescent-shaped top, wherein the top is below the area of the rib in front of the rough surface of the rib;
b. an anterior region having an upper surface and positioned to be below at least a portion of the wearer's metatarsal body, wherein the upper surface of the anterior region is the second and second of the wearer. An anterior region having a portion that gradually rises to the highest portion positioned so as to be beneath the three metatarsal bodies;
c. an intermediate area connecting the front area and the rear area;
d. A device comprising a smoothly contoured top surface.   21. The apparatus of claim 20, wherein the highest portion of the raised portion of the forward section is 2 to 8 mm high relative to a surface immediately in front of the raised portion.   The apparatus of claim 21, wherein a height of the highest portion of the raised portion of the front section is scaled with respect to a size and height of the shoe.   23. The apparatus of claim 22, wherein the highest portion of the raised portion of the front region varies from 3 mm for US women's shoe size 1 to 6 mm for US women's shoe size 16.   21. The apparatus of claim 20, wherein the highest portion of the raised portion of the rear section is 2 to 8 mm high relative to a surface immediately behind the raised portion.   25. The apparatus of claim 24, wherein the height of the highest portion of the raised portion of the rear section is scaled with respect to the size and height of the shoe.   26. The apparatus of claim 25, wherein the highest portion of the raised portion of the rear section varies from 3 mm for US women's shoe size 1 to 6 mm for US women's shoe size 16.   21. The device of claim 20, wherein the forward raised portion has a shape that is wider toward the wearer's metatarsal head and tapers toward the posterior portion of the metatarsal body.   28. The apparatus of claim 27, wherein the forward raised portion is elliptical.   21. The apparatus of claim 20, wherein at least the raised portion has a Shore hardness A of 20 to 90.   30. The apparatus of claim 29, wherein at least the raised portion has a Shore hardness A of 30 to 50.   32. The apparatus of claim 30, wherein at least the raised portion has a Shore hardness A of about 40.   32. The apparatus of claim 31, wherein the entire apparatus has substantially the same Shore hardness A throughout.   21. The device of claim 20, wherein the raised portion is the thickest portion of the device.   21. The device of claim 20, wherein all portions of the device, except the raised portion and the transition from the raised portion to the rest of the device, have a thickness of 0.5 mm to 1 mm or less.   21. The apparatus of claim 20, wherein the raised portions of the rear and front sections are approximately the same height. In a device for insertion into high heel shoes,
a rear section having a top surface and positioned in front of the rough edge of the ribs and below at least one region of the wearer's ribs, wherein the top surface of the posterior section comprises: A posterior section having a portion that gradually rises from the rear of the device to a crescent-shaped top, wherein the top is below the area of the rib in front of the rough surface of the rib;
b. an anterior region having an upper surface and positioned to be below at least a portion of the wearer's metatarsal body, wherein the upper surface of the anterior region is the second and second of the wearer. An anterior region having a portion that gradually rises to the highest portion positioned so as to be beneath the three metatarsal bodies;
c. A device having a smoothly contoured upper surface, wherein at least the raised portion has a Shore hardness A of 20 to 90.   37. The apparatus of claim 36, wherein at least the raised portion has a Shore Hardness A of 30 to 50.   38. The apparatus of claim 37, wherein at least the raised portion has a Shore hardness A of about 40.   38. The apparatus of claim 36, wherein the entire apparatus has substantially the same Shore hardness A throughout.   37. The apparatus of claim 36, wherein the highest portion of the raised portion of the forward section is 2 to 8 mm high relative to a surface immediately in front of the raised portion.   41. The apparatus of claim 40, wherein a height of the highest portion of the raised portion of the front section is scaled with respect to a size and height of the shoe.   42. The apparatus of claim 41, wherein the highest portion of the raised portion of the front region varies from 3 mm for US women's shoe size 1 to 6 mm for US women's shoe size 16.   37. The apparatus of claim 36, wherein the highest portion of the raised portion of the rear section is 2 to 8 mm high relative to a surface immediately behind the raised portion.   44. The apparatus of claim 43, wherein a height of the highest portion of the raised portion of the rear section is scaled with respect to a size and height of the shoe.   45. The apparatus of claim 44, wherein the highest portion of the raised portion of the rear section varies from 3 mm for US women's shoe size 1 to 6 mm for US women's shoe size 16.   38. The device of claim 36, wherein the forward raised portion has a shape that is wider toward the wearer's metatarsal head and tapers toward the posterior portion of the metatarsal body.   47. The apparatus of claim 46, wherein the forward raised portion is elliptical.   38. The apparatus of claim 36, wherein at least the intermediate section is flexible.   38. The device of claim 36, wherein the raised portion is the thickest portion of the device.   37. The device of claim 36, wherein all portions of the device, except the raised portion and the transition from the raised portion to the rest of the device, have a thickness of 0.5 mm to 1 mm or less.   38. The apparatus of claim 36, wherein the raised portions of the rear and front sections are approximately the same height. A method of building high heel shoes,
assembling the upper, insole, and shoe sole;
b. mounting a flexible device over the midsole, wherein the flexible device comprises:
(i) a posterior area having an upper surface and positioned to be below the wearer's ribs at least in an anterior region of the leading edge of the rough surface of the ribs, wherein the upper surface of the posterior area is A rear section having a portion that gradually rises from the back of the device to the crescent-shaped top, wherein the top is below the anterior region of the rough surface of the rib;
(ii) an anterior region having an upper surface and positioned to be below at least a portion of the wearer's metatarsal body, wherein the upper surface of the anterior region is the wearer's metatarsal head An upper section having a portion that gradually rises from the posterior portion of the wearer to the highest portion positioned to be below the wearer's second and third metatarsals;
(iii) a smooth contoured top surface.   53. The method of claim 52, wherein the device has an intermediate section connecting the front section and the rear section.   54. The method of claim 53, wherein at least a portion of the intermediate area is thinner than the highest portion of the raised portion of the front and rear areas.   55. The method of claim 54, wherein the shape of the device is the same as the shape formed by the edge of the upper that rests on the top surface of the midsole.   53. The method of claim 52, wherein the insole and the device are integral with each other. A method of building high heel shoes,
assembling the upper, insole, and shoe sole;
b. mounting a device over the midsole, the device comprising:
(i) a rear section having an upper surface and positioned to be below the wearer's rib in at least a region in front of the rough edge of the rib, wherein the upper surface of the rear section is A rear section having a portion that gradually rises from the rear of the device to a crescent-shaped top, wherein the top is below the anterior region of the rough surface of the rib;
(ii) an anterior region having an upper surface and positioned to be below at least a portion of the metatarsal body of the wearer, wherein the upper surface of the anterior region is the wearer's midfoot An anterior region having a portion that gradually bulges from a posterior head portion to a highest portion positioned to be below the wearer's second and third metatarsal bodies;
(iii) a smoothly contoured upper surface, wherein at least the raised portion of the device has a Shore hardness A of 20 to 90.   58. The method of claim 57, wherein at least the raised portion of the device has a Shore hardness A of 30 to 50.   59. The method of claim 58, wherein at least the raised portion of the device has a Shore Hardness A of about 40.   58. A method according to claim 57, wherein the apparatus has substantially the same Shore hardness A throughout.   58. The method of claim 57, wherein the device has an intermediate section connecting the front section and the rear section.   58. The method of claim 57, wherein at least a portion of the intermediate area is thinner than the highest portion of the raised portions of the front and rear areas.   64. The method of claim 62, wherein the shape of the device is the same as the shape formed by the edge of the upper resting on the top surface of the midsole.   58. The method of claim 57, wherein the insole and the device are integral with each other. In a method for constructing a high heel shoe having an upper, a midsole, and a sole,
Inserting a flexible device into the shoe above the midsole, the device comprising:
a rear section having an upper surface and positioned to be below the wearer's rib at least in an anterior region of the rough edge of the rib, wherein the upper surface of the rear section is A posterior area having a portion that gradually rises from the rear of the device to the crescent-shaped highest, wherein the highest is below the region in front of the rough surface of the rib;
b. An anterior region having an upper surface and positioned to be below at least a portion of the wearer's metatarsal body, wherein the upper surface of the anterior region is posterior to the wearer's metatarsal head An anterior region having a portion that gradually rises from a portion of the body to the highest portion positioned so as to be under the wearer's second and third metatarsals;
c. an intermediate area connecting the front area and the rear area;
d. A method comprising a top surface that is smoothly contoured between all regions. In a method for constructing a high heel shoe having an upper, a midsole, and a sole,
Inserting a device having a Shore hardness A of 20 to 90 above the insole plate into the shoe, the device comprising:
a rear section having a top surface and positioned to be below the wearer's rib in at least one region in front of the leading edge of the rough surface of the rib, wherein the top surface of the posterior section is A posterior section having a portion that gradually rises from the posterior portion of the device to a crescent-shaped highest portion, wherein the highest portion is below the region in front of the rough surface of the ribs;
b. An anterior region having an upper surface and positioned to be below at least a portion of the metatarsal body of the wearer, wherein the upper surface of the anterior region is the wearer's metatarsal head An anterior region having a portion that gradually rises from a posterior portion to a highest portion positioned to be below the wearer's second and third metatarsals;
c. an intermediate area connecting the front area and the rear area;
d. A method comprising a top surface that is smoothly contoured between all regions. In a method for constructing a high heel shoe having an upper, a midsole, and a sole,
Inserting a device into the shoe above the midsole, the device comprising:
a rear section having an upper surface and positioned to be below the wearer's rib at least in an anterior region of the rough edge of the rib, wherein the upper surface of the rear section is A rear section having a portion that gradually rises from the rear of the device to a crescent-shaped top, wherein the top is in the anterior region of the rough surface of the rib;
b. An anterior region having an upper surface and positioned to be below at least a portion of the wearer's metatarsal body, wherein the upper surface of the anterior region is posterior to the wearer's metatarsal head An anterior region having a portion that gradually rises from a portion of the body to the highest portion positioned so as to be under the wearer's second and third metatarsals;
c. an intermediate zone, at least a portion of which is thinner than the highest portion of the raised zone, connecting the front zone and the rear zone;
d. a top surface that is smoothly contoured between all regions. A combination of two devices for insertion into high heel shoes,
a first flexible device having an upper surface and positioned so as to be at least below the region of the wearer's rib in front of the rough edge of the rib; A first flexible device wherein the upper surface of the device has a portion that gradually rises from the rear of the device to a crescent-shaped highest portion, wherein the highest portion is in the anterior region of the rough surface of the rib When,
b. a second flexible device having an upper surface and positioned to be below at least a portion of the wearer's metatarsal body, wherein the upper surface of the second device is A second flexible device having a portion that gradually bulges to the highest portion positioned to be below the wearer's second and third metatarsal bodies.   69. The device combination of claim 68, wherein the highest portion of the raised portion of the second device is 2 to 8 mm high relative to the surface immediately in front of the raised portion.   69. The device combination of claim 68, wherein the highest portion of the raised portion of the first device is 2 to 8 mm high relative to the surface immediately behind the raised portion.   69. The apparatus of claim 68, wherein the raised portion of the second device has a shape that is wider toward the wearer's metatarsal head and tapers toward the posterior portion of the metatarsal body. combination.   69. A combination of devices according to claim 68, wherein the raised portion on the second device is elliptical.   69. The combination of devices according to claim 68, wherein the raised portions of the first and second devices are approximately the same height.   69. The combination of devices according to claim 68, wherein at least a portion of the raised portion has a Shore hardness A of 20 to 90.   75. The combination of devices of claim 74, wherein at least some of the raised portions have a Shore Hardness A of 30 to 50.   76. The combination of devices of claim 75, wherein at least some of the raised portions have a Shore Hardness A of about 40. In the combination of the two devices for insertion inside the high heel shoe,
a first device having an upper surface and positioned in front of the leading edge of the rough surface of the rib, at least below the area of the wearer's rib, wherein the first device of the first device; A first device, wherein the upper surface has a portion that gradually rises from the rear of the device to a crescent-shaped highest portion, the highest portion being in the anterior region of the rough surface of the rib;
b. a second device having a top surface and positioned to be below at least a portion of the wearer's metatarsal body, wherein the top surface of the second device is A second device having a portion that gradually rises to the highest portion positioned to be below the second and third metatarsal bodies, wherein the first and second devices are 20 A combination of devices having a Shore A hardness of from 90 to 90.   78. A combination of devices according to claim 77, wherein the first and second devices have a Shore Hardness A of 30 to 50.   79. A combination of devices according to claim 78, wherein the first and second devices have a Shore Hardness A of about 40.   77. A combination of devices according to claim 76, wherein the highest portion of the raised portion of the second device is 2 to 8 mm high relative to the surface immediately in front of the raised portion.   77. A combination of devices according to claim 76, wherein the highest portion of the raised portion of the first device is 2 to 8 mm high relative to the surface immediately behind the raised portion.   77. The apparatus of claim 76, wherein the raised portion on the second device has a shape that is wider toward the wearer's metatarsal head and tapers toward the posterior portion of the metatarsal body. combination.   77. A combination of devices according to claim 76, wherein the raised portion of the second device is elliptical.   77. A combination of devices according to claim 76, wherein the raised portions of the first and second devices are approximately the same height. A method of building high heel shoes,
assembling the upper, insole, and shoe sole;
b. In the region of the midsole positioned below the wearer's ribs and in front of the front edge of the rough surface of the ribs, above the midsole, from the back of the device to the crescent-shaped top Installing a first flexible device having a gradually rising upper surface, wherein the highest portion is below the region of the rib in front of the rough surface of the rib;
c. attaching a second flexible device above the midsole plate in a region of the midsole plate below at least a portion of the wearer's metatarsal body, the second flexible device comprising: The device has a top surface that gradually rises from a position posterior to the wearer's metatarsal head to a highest portion positioned to be below the wearer's second and third metatarsal bodies; Including methods. In the method of building high heel shoes,
assembling the upper, insole, and shoe sole;
b. Gradually from the rear of the device to the crescent top, above the midsole, within the area of the midsole positioned below the wearer's ribs and in front of the front edge of the rough surface of the ribs Mounting a first device having a raised upper surface, wherein the highest portion is below the area of the rib in front of the rough surface of the rib;
c. attaching a second device above the midsole plate in the region of the midsole plate below at least a portion of the metatarsal body of the wearer, the second device comprising: Having a top surface that gradually rises from a position posterior to the wearer's metatarsal head to a highest portion positioned to be below the wearer's second and third metatarsal bodies; And the first and second devices have a Shore hardness A of 20 to 90. In a method of constructing a high heel shoe, comprising assembling an upper, a midsole, and a sole.
a. Positioned below the wearer's ribs at least in the region in front of the front edge of the rough surface of the ribs and in the region of the insole plate above the insole plate, from the back of the device to the crescent top Attaching a first flexible device having a gradually rising upper surface, wherein the highest portion is below the anterior region of the rough surface of the rib;
b. in the region of the midsole plate below at least a portion of the wearer's metatarsal body, above the midsole plate, from the posterior portion of the wearer's metatarsal head, the wearer's second And attaching a second flexible device having a top surface that gradually rises to the highest portion positioned to be below the third metatarsal body. In a method of constructing a high heel shoe, comprising assembling an upper, a midsole, and a sole.
a crescent-shaped top from the rear of the device positioned at least below the wearer's ribs in the region in front of the front edge of the rough surface of the ribs and above the midsole in the region of the insole plate Attaching a first device having a top surface that gradually rises to the top, wherein the highest portion is below the region in front of the rough surface of the rib;
b. in the region of the midsole plate below at least a portion of the wearer's metatarsal body, above the midsole plate, from the posterior portion of the wearer's metatarsal head to the second and Attaching a second device having a top surface that gradually rises to the highest portion positioned below the third metatarsal body, wherein the first and second devices are from 20 A method having a Shore Hardness A of 90. In the method of building high heel shoes,
assembling an upper, a shoe sole, and a midsole plate having an upper surface with a raised area underlying at least a portion of the wearer's metatarsal body, wherein the upper surface is the wearer's Gradually rising from the posterior portion of the metatarsal head to the highest part under the wearer's second and third metatarsal bodies;
b. Upper surface that gradually rises from the rear of the device to the crescent top at least in front of the rough edge of the rib, above the midsole in the region of the midsole below the rib Attaching the flexible device, wherein the highest portion is below the anterior region of the rough surface of the rib. In the method of building high heel shoes,
assembling an upper, a shoe sole, and a midsole plate having an upper surface with a raised area underlying at least a portion of the wearer's metatarsal body, wherein the upper surface is the wearer's Gradually rising from the posterior part of the metatarsal head to the highest part of the wearer's second and third metatarsal bodies;
b. Upper surface that gradually rises from the rear of the device to the crescent top at least in front of the rough edge of the rib, above the midsole in the region of the midsole below the rib The top portion is below the anterior region of the rough surface of the rib, and the device has a Shore hardness A of 20 to 90. . Assembling an upper, a shoe sole, and a midsole plate having a top surface with a raised area beneath at least a portion of the wearer's metatarsal body, wherein the top surface is the wearer's midfoot In a method of constructing a high heel shoe, which gradually swells from the posterior portion of the head to the wearer's second and third metatarsal bodies,
Gradually from the rear of the device to the crescent top in at least one region of the midsole, above the midsole, below the wearer's ribs and in front of the leading edge of the rough surface of the ribs Inserting a flexible device having a raised top surface into the shoe interior, wherein the highest portion is below the region in front of the rough surface of the rib. Assembling an upper, a sole, and a midsole plate having an upper surface with a raised area under at least a portion of the wearer's metatarsal body, the upper surface comprising the wearer's metatarsal head In a method of constructing a high heel shoe that gradually swells from a rear portion to the wearer's second and third metatarsal bodies,
Gradually from the rear of the device to the crescent top in at least one region of the midsole, above the midsole, below the wearer's ribs and in front of the leading edge of the rough surface of the ribs Inserting a device having a raised upper surface into the shoe, wherein the highest portion is below the region in front of the rough surface of the rib, and the device has a Shore hardness A of 20 to 90 Having a method. In the method of building high heel shoes,
assembling an upper, a shoe sole, and a midsole plate having an upper surface with a raised area under the wearer's ribs, in front of the front edge of the rough surface of the ribs, said upper surface being Gradually rising from the rear of the device to the crescent-shaped peak, the peak being below the area in front of the rough surface of the rib;
b. attaching a flexible device above the midsole plate in the region of the midsole plate below at least a portion of the wearer's metatarsal body, the top surface of Gradually bulging from a posterior portion of the wearer's metatarsal head to a highest portion positioned below the wearer's second and third metatarsal bodies. In the method of building high heel shoes,
assembling an upper, a sole, and a midsole plate having an upper surface with a raised area under the wearer's rib in front of the rough edge of the rib; Gradually rising from the rear of the device to the crescent-shaped highest part, the highest part being in the anterior region of the rough surface of the rib;
b. attaching a flexible device above the midsole plate in the region of the midsole plate below at least a portion of the wearer's metatarsal body, the top surface of Gradually rising from the posterior portion of the wearer's metatarsal head to the highest portion positioned so as to be below the wearer's second and third metatarsal bodies; A method having a Shore hardness A of 20 to 90. In high-heeled shoes with a shoe sole, upper, and insole plate,
A flexible device mounted on the midsole, the device comprising:
a rear section positioned on the portion of the midsole plate having an upper surface and anterior to the rough edge of the rib, at least below the region of the wearer's rib, the rear A rear section, wherein the upper surface of the section has a portion that gradually rises from the rear of the device to a crescent-shaped top, and the top is in the anterior region of the rough surface of the rib;
b. an anterior region having an upper surface and positioned on the position of the midsole plate below at least a portion of the wearer's metatarsal body, wherein the upper surface of the anterior region is the wearer An anterior region having a portion that gradually rises to the highest portion positioned so as to be below the second and third metatarsals of the person;
c. A high heel shoe having an intermediate section that is thinner than the rear and front sections and connects the rear and front sections and has a smoothly contoured upper surface. In high-heeled shoes with a shoe sole, upper and insole plate,
Comprising a device mounted on the insole plate, the device comprising:
a rear section positioned on the portion of the midsole plate having an upper surface and anterior to the rough edge of the rib, at least below the region of the wearer's rib, the rear A rear section, wherein the upper surface of the section has a portion that gradually rises from the back of the device to a crescent-shaped top, wherein the top is in the anterior region of the rough surface of the rib;
b. an anterior region positioned on the portion of the midsole plate that has an upper surface and is below at least a portion of the metatarsal body of the wearer, the upper surface of the anterior region comprising: An anterior region having a portion that gradually rises to the highest portion positioned so as to be under the wearer's second and third metatarsals;
c. A high heel shoe having a middle section that is thinner than the highest portion of the rear and front sections and connects the rear and front sections and has a smoothly contoured upper surface. A high heel shoe having a shoe sole, an upper, and a midsole plate, comprising a device mounted on the midsole plate, the device comprising:
a rear section positioned on the portion of the midsole plate having an upper surface and anterior to the rough edge of the rib, at least below the region of the wearer's rib, the rear A rear section, wherein the upper surface of the section has a portion that gradually rises from the back of the device to a crescent-shaped top, wherein the top is in the anterior region of the rough surface of the rib;
b. an anterior region having a top surface and positioned on the portion of the midsole plate below at least a portion of the wearer's metatarsal body, the top surface of the anterior region being the wearable An anterior region having a portion that gradually rises to the highest portion positioned so as to be below the second and third metatarsal bodies of the person;
c. an intermediate section that is thinner than the rear and front sections, connects the rear and front sections and has a smoothly contoured upper surface, and the device has a Shore hardness A of 20 to 90 High heel shoes. A shoe sole, an upper, and a midsole plate having an anterior region under at least a portion of the wearer's metatarsal, wherein the upper surface of the anterior region is within the second and third of the wearer In a high heel shoe having a part that gradually rises to the highest part positioned so as to be under the foot bone,
Comprising a flexible device mounted on the midsole plate in the region of the midsole plate at least in front of the front edge of the wearer's rough surface and below the area of the ribs, the top surface of the device comprising: A high heel shoe having a portion that gradually rises from the rear of the device to a crescent-shaped highest, wherein the highest is in the front region of the rough surface of the rib. A shoe sole, an upper, and a midsole plate having an anterior region below at least a portion of the wearer's metatarsal, wherein the upper surface of the anterior region is within the second and third of the wearer In high-heeled shoes with a part that gradually rises to the highest part positioned so as to be under the foot bones,
At least in front of the front edge of the wearer's rough surface and in the region of the midsole plate below the rib region, the device mounted on the midsole plate, wherein the top surface of the device comprises the device Having a portion that gradually rises from the rear to the crescent highest, wherein the highest is in the anterior region of the rough surface of the rib, and the device has a Shore hardness A of 20 to 90, High heel shoes.

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