JPH06133806A - Adjustable appliance - Google Patents

Abstract

PURPOSE: To obtain an insole as s well-built outfit by improving further its design. CONSTITUTION: A shoe insert 10 consists of a combination of a) a thin plastic sheet which is made to fit in over the inside plane of the shoe and which can be modified to match to the shape of the foot of a user, and b) the first surface plane that includes cloth like engagement material equipped with a loop 16 or a hook through which cushion pad member can be installed in order to adjust selectively the thickness or pitch of the insert 10 from the toe to the heel of the insert 10.

Description

Detailed Description of the Invention

[0001]

FIELD OF THE INVENTION The present invention relates to shoe synthesizers, and more particularly, the present invention relates to an adjustable brace that allows the user to adjust the supination and abduction of the tarsal and metatarsal joints. Regarding

[0002]

BACKGROUND OF THE INVENTION It has been recognized that many small and large traumatic conditions in the ankle below, the entire foot and knees can result from misaligned ankle below joints. There is. These conditions can be inherited such that there are longer or shorter legs, but
It may be acquired through traumatic injury, or it may occur due to repetitive pressures or tensions on the joints experienced during industrial or physical activity.

The lack of straightness from the ankle to the lower part of the inflame, blisters, exudation, octopus, fish eyes, small injuries such as inward toe paws, or worse, typically in the heel area. Can cause bunions and bony prominences. In-store insoles help alleviate minor discomfort. However, they are sold in fixed sizes and thicknesses. Reducing discomfort and facilitating treatment of inflamed areas has been addressed by Moleskin in pads that can be partially attached to or in proximity to the wound area.
This is possible with custom-cut thickness cushioning products such as skin®. Pads and insoles only deal with out-of-line symptoms and simply seek to relieve irritation and prevent further trauma by reducing pressure, friction or abrasion on sensitive areas below the ankle to the lower area. Is. Occasionally, surgical procedures are used to remove octopus, fish eyes or vanions.

A more scientific approach has been taken to develop custom biomedical devices that attempt to correct the misalignment of the joints. These devices, known as orthotics, are prescribed by medical professionals such as orthopedic surgeons, podiatrists or sports medicine specialists. After extensive patient anthropometry, the plaster pattern from the ankle to the lower part is taken. The brace is made from the mold to the details provided by the physician as to the degree of pronation correction required.
A flexible layer of foam may be applied to the top or bottom of the brace to provide comfort in the shoe and prevent the brace from slipping.

Braces are very expensive, on the order of hundreds of dollars per pair. They are too expensive and are usually not intended for the purpose of providing final correction. The degree of correction can be so severe that the brace causes great distress and discomfort to the patient, impeding the use of the brace and consequently no longer being used. It is not possible to adjust the dimensions of rigid plastic appliances.

[0006] Borsiert et al. (US Pat. No. 4,813,157) discloses a shoe insert in which the thickness of the arch area can be varied by peeling off a layered film of filler material. This product is not found on the market. This is probably because the film is sticky and the residual adhesive sticks to the socks and collects on the surface of the permanent insole. The thickness adjustment is limited to a part of the insole.

Green Walt
(US Pat. No. 4,694,590) discloses an arch support unit that includes a preformed resilient component in the arch portion. The support is located at the heel of the support and is secured to the shoe by hooks and annular fasteners that are adhered to the support and the insole of the shoe. The heel cushion disclosed by Scheuerman (US Pat. No. 4,928,404) comprises a soft insert of silicone rubber opposite the heel protrusion in the patient's heel.

Andrews (US Pat. No. 4,793,078) discloses a molded resilient foam shoe insert having indentations 18 in the heel and arch support portions. The depressions can be filled with a sticky, resilient plastic insert 19 or can be left hollow if dictated by the comfort of the wearer.

Engle (US Pat. No. 4,930,232) discloses a multi-layered, permanently bonded shoe inole molded from materials of different Shore hardness.

Kristan (US Pat. No. 2,928,193) discloses a composite leather-cork shoe lining filled with a sponge elastic pad or foam rubber bonded to the lining. . Bittner (U.S. Pat. No. 3,143,
No. 812) discloses a thermoplastic insole that can be reshaped by tearing apart a portion of the sole along a heat seal seam.

Conventional insoles were primarily designed to reduce pain and discomfort. Most of these products were formed of non-resilient, soft, elastic materials or very hard and rigid materials that had to be preformed into the desired shape. The thickness can only be adjusted in a defined position, usually by removing the pad that hits the injured part of the foot and forming a cushion.

At any place along the bottom of the insole,
Insoles on which pads having varying thicknesses can be placed are described in US patent application Ser. No. 07 / 690,661 (199).
Filed Apr. 24, 1), the disclosure of which is incorporated herein by reference. The insole is made of a resilient and deformable plastic. The bottom surface includes a longitudinal strip of annulus or hook-shaped material provided along the bottom surface of the insole.
This surface may also have graduations to modify the position of the pad.

[0013]

SUMMARY OF THE INVENTION The present invention provides an insert that can be a brace by further improving the design of the insole. The insole can be modified by the user by raising or lowering any location on the insole to form a prosthetic device. The user can reduce the pain and pressure depending on whether he is comfortable or uncomfortable by placing pads of various thicknesses on the bottom surface by trial and error, and biomechanically correcting uneven conditions of the patient's foot. It is possible to make a customized treatment device that can be reduced. More specialized adjustments may be made by a physician skilled in correcting foot irregularities.

That is, a shoe insert according to the present invention, comprising: a) a thin sheet of plastic shaped to fit over the inner surface of the shoe and conforming to the shape of the user's foot. And b) a cushion pad member having a surface with hooks or loops for selectively adjusting the thickness or pitch of the insert from the toe end to the heel end of the insert. A first surface of the sheet comprising a cloth-like engagement material with attachable loops or hooks;

The device of the present invention can adjust the position and the thickness infinitely at any position. The brace can be adjusted and shaped in the clinic.
A device having a bespoke shape can be a permanently prescribed device or a temporary device until a permanent device is manufactured. A bespoke shaped brace may initially be shaped only for fractional correction and gradually increase or decrease pad thickness and position to provide a more comfortable correction. Patients can obtain pads of various thicknesses and replace them under the guidance of the clinic without the expense and inconvenience of frequent visits.

The insert of the present invention is designed so that the pad can be fixed to the top surface or the bottom surface. Since the legs are symmetrical, this allows the same insert to be used for the right and left legs, allowing the insert to be sold separately. Therefore, the die and manufacturing costs can be significantly reduced.

The present invention also includes a tilt ramp having a special shape that allows for pronation correction when placed in the proper position. The present invention also provides a pad that is smooth at all edges for the comfort of the user. The invention further relates to the use of improved materials and manufacturing processes to form the insert.

A better understanding of the present invention with reference to the following detailed description and the accompanying drawings will make the above and other features of the present invention, and the many advantages associated with them, apparent. Let's do it.

1-3, the shoe insert 10 of the present invention is a multi-layer laminate in the form of a shoe insole.
The insert 10 includes a substrate 12 and an outer pad attachment layer 14. This layer is preferably formed of a fabric with loops 16 to which a pad with a layer of hooks can be attached. This fabric may form the top surface of the insole or may be placed towards the bottom surface. The layer 14 is attached to the substrate 12 by a bond, preferably a layer 18 of adhesive. In some cases, a cushion layer 20 of closed cell foam or other elastomeric material.
Can also be present.

The substrate is preferably a flexible, but resilient, deformable plastic such as high density polyethylene (H) of 10 to 100 mils, typically 20 to 50 mils.
DPE). If the user's weight is applied, HD
The PE layer deforms and conforms to the shape of the foot. HDPE
Also exhibits a low friction surface when used as the top surface of an insert. The smooth surface reduces irritation, resulting in less inflammation and swelling.

The fabric layer is preferably formed of a synthetic resin such as nylon polyamide and has a surface with loops adapted for releasable engagement with hooks. Looped fabrics are commercially laminated to foam back layers such as polyester or polyurethane foam cores of various thicknesses. These materials are used for industrial applications such as display panel type office partitions and bulletin boards. Fabrics with these loops can be washed with water and detergent or can be cleaned with organic solvents to remove common stains. An example of a fabric with a commercial loop is Veltex Brig
ht material.

The Veltex nylon cloth material has a thin, small cross section, does not fray, and does not adsorb dust. They are commercially available in many colors and can be attached by pressure sensitive adhesive, tape, ultrasonic or heat bonding.

Referring to FIGS. 4-6, fabric layer 22 and foam layer 20 are adhered to a deformable substrate 26. The bottom surface of the substrate includes an adhesive layer 28 covered with a protective sheet 30. Peeling the sheet 30 from the top end 32 of the shoe insert 34 exposes the adhesive layer 28. When the insert is placed in the shoe 36, the adhesive layer 2
8 adheres to the surface 38 of the insul. Next, protective sheet 3
Remove 0. The fabric layer 22 is exposed for bonding with a pad having a material with cooperatingly engaging hooks.

The material with the preferred hook for use with the pad is also preferably formed of a fray-free material having a thin, small cross section. The hook is 20-100
Engagement with the loop material of pounds / inch, typically about 60-80 pounds / inch, can be formed. Preferred materials are those that have good elongation properties. The hook material is also preferably formed of nylon. These can be precoated with an adhesive. A preferred commercially available material is the material with the hook ULTRA-MATE.

Various pad configurations are shown in FIGS. Each pad includes a cushioning layer formed from a resilience material, suitably a closed cell foam such as PORON. The thickness of these pads can vary, but is typically about 1
/ 8 inch to about 1/2 inch thick. The material with hooks is bonded to the cushion layer by adhesive bonding, heat bonding or ultrasonic bonding or by means of adhesive tape.

Referring now to FIG. 7, the thick pad member 4
0 is a material layer 44 provided with hooks by an adhesive film 46
Has a cushion layer 42 for connecting the. The thin pad member 48 shown in FIG. 8 has a relatively thin layer 50 of cushion material. The pronation pad 52 shown in FIG. 9 has a sloping cushion layer 54. The pad 56 shown in FIG. 10 has rounded edges 58 and 60 and can have a top layer 62 of hooked material or looped material so that the pad is It can be stacked as shown at 11.

In FIG. 11, the bottom layer 70 has a bottom hook layer 72 joined to the cushion layer 76 by an adhesive film 74 and a top loop fabric layer 78 joined to the cushion layer 75 by an adhesive film 80. .

FIGS. 12 and 13 illustrate a pad with an opening that allows pressure relief when placed under the sensitive area of the foot. The relatively large pad 80 shown in FIG. 12 has a large oval opening 82 cut in the center of the pad.
Have. The cutout edges 84 are preferably smoothed or chamfered to provide comfort to the user when the foot is placed in the opening 82. The mating surface is formed of a removable material such as hook cloth 86 or loop cloth (not shown). The pad 80 may include an inner layer 8 of cushion material (not shown) and an outer layer 90, which may be a smooth cloth, such as a loop cloth as shown in FIGS. 17 and 18. .

The relatively small pad 100 shown in FIG. 13 has a circular opening 92 or is otherwise of the same construction as the pad 80. The pad 100 is adapted to be placed on the user's heel or on inflammation in the heel such as a heel sensation. Again, the rim 94 is chamfered for comfort. The user can cut the pad in half and shape it to form a smaller opening. The halves are aligned with each opening adjacent and the hooks engage the loops on the shoe insert.

Pads can be joined to the top or bottom of the shoe insert. 14-17, the tilted pad 101 is bonded to the loop fabric surface 102 of the shoe insert 110. The pad 101 has a hook cloth layer 104 at the bottom and a smooth top layer 108 such as an inclined cushion layer 106 and a loop cloth. 14 and 15, the shoe insert 102 is positioned with the loop fabric surface 104 facing upwards. The pad 101 is joined across the arch and metatarsal bone with the thicker edge 112 located along the lateral edge 111 of the foot. This lift can pronate the foot inward and correct the O-leg condition.

16 and 17, shoe insert 110 is shown.
The loop surface 102 of is placed below. The hook layer 104 of the pad is joined to the loop fabric 102 with a thicker edge 111 positioned along the arch-metatarsal region of the foot and between the medial edge 116 of the shoe insert. This configuration may pronate the foot laterally and correct a flatfoot or X-leg condition.

Rather than tumbling the shoe insert base, this base 120 has loop fabric layers 122 and 12 on both the top and bottom surfaces, as shown in FIGS.
4 and. These loop cloth layers 122
And 124 are HDPE with adhesive layers 128 and 130.
Alternatively, it is adhered to the deformable film 126 made of other resin. A cushion layer (not shown) can be underneath these loop fabric layers.

As shown, the metatarsal pad 80
Can be bonded to the loop cloth top layer 122 and the heel pad 100 can be bonded to the loop cloth bottom layer 124.

FIG. 20 illustrates the use of a pressure sensitive adhesive transfer tape to make a pad receiving base for shoe inserts. Transfer tapes are marketed in the form of release liners and thin strips of pressure-sensitive adhesive pre-applied in a wire wound form in a spiral on the hub. Transfer tapes are preferred over liquid adhesives, hot melt adhesives, staples, waxes and thermal or frame bonding. The heat may distort the cushion layer or HDPE base.

Both sides are tacky because the strips of adhesive are stripped from the liner. Those used in continuous manufacturing operations are immediately automated. 3MF-
A quick and clean application of clean dry adhesive strips 131, 132, such as 927 transfer tape, to both sides 134, 136 of the cushion layer 138, such as a 62 mil thick layer of Poron elastomer, is not possible. It's easy.

A 20 mil thick film of polyethylene 141, Veltex Bright (Veltex) is provided by providing an adhesive coated cushion layer 138.
Bright) Loop cloth and laminate 145 having the cross-section of FIG. 20 is formed. The substrate of the shoe insert is then stamped from the laminate.

Alternatively, the looped fabric layer can be frame bonded to the cushion material as a first operation. The cushioned cloth can be adhesively bonded to the HDPE plastic substrate by an adhesive transfer strip. Another alternative is to apply a looped cloth or a laminated second layer of looped cloth and cushion to the other surface of the substrate.

21 and 22 describe another embodiment of the present invention. Pads must be installed correctly. if,
If they get under the inflamed area, it hurts a lot. A visible index scale 160 may be bonded to the cushion layer 162 or the fabric layer 66 by an adhesive film 164 to assist the user with inflammation in such locations. When the index scale 160 is bonded to the cushion layer, the fabric layer can be divided into two segments 168, 170 on either side of the index scale 160. The index scale can be printed directly on the fabric layer 166,
Can be screen printed. The deformable plastic film 172 is bonded to the other surface of the cushion layer 162 by the transfer tape film 174 or other adhesive means.

The use of strips of material with hooks or loops instead of continuous layers is described in FIG.

A good method of delivering the insert to the user is shown in FIG. The blister package 140 includes a pair of low friction inserts 142, each having an index scale 144, and an adhesive or Velcro.
o) has a flank strip 146 of type fixing material. The user can use the index scale to install and maintain the best position by using a separate movable cushion member. Normally, the inserts are supplied fully coated with material, but only three per insert are shown in FIG.
It is shown in No. 3 and makes the scale easy to see. Three groups of replacement cushion members 150, 151 and 152 are also included and have a variety of thicknesses to assist in customizing the insert.

Even if the user's foot pattern changes with time, the kit of FIG. 23 can be used to continuously change the insert into the optimum shape.

Only the preferred embodiments of the invention have been described and many substitutions, variations and modifications thereof are possible without departing from the spirit and scope of the invention.

[Brief description of drawings]

1 is a cross-sectional view of an adjustable shoe insert of the present invention.

2 is a cross-sectional view taken along the line 2--2 of FIG.

FIG. 3 is a front view in the direction of line 3--3 of FIG.

FIG. 4 is a cross-sectional view of another aspect of an adjustable shoe insert.

FIG. 5 is a front view of the shoe insert of FIG. 4 when the lowermost layer is peeled off.

6 is a cross-sectional view of the shoe insert of FIG. 4 when inserted into a shoe.

FIG. 7 is a cross-sectional view of a thick pad for mounting on the shoe insert of the present invention.

FIG. 8 is a cross-sectional view of a thin pad for mounting on the shoe insert of the present invention.

FIG. 9 is a cross-sectional view of a tilt pad.

FIG. 10 is a cross-sectional view of a round pad at the outer end.

FIG. 11 is a cross-sectional view when a large number of pads are stacked and mounted.

FIG. 12 is a cross-sectional view of a pad having a depression in the area of the metatarsal bone.

FIG. 13 is a cross-sectional view of a pad having a dent in the heel region.

FIG. 14 is a front view of the inclined pad mounted on the upper surface of the shoe insert.

15 is a cross-sectional view taken along line 15--15 of FIG.

FIG. 16 is a front view showing a tilted pad attached to the opposite side of the shoe insert by a dotted line.

FIG. 17 is a cross-sectional view taken along line 17--17 of FIG.

FIG. 18 is a front view of a pad having two sides attached to the metatarsal bone and heel region of the shoe insert.

19 is a cross-sectional view taken along the line 19--19 of FIG.

FIG. 20 is a cross-sectional view of a shoe insert including an elastic layer according to another embodiment.

FIG. 21 is a front view of a shoe insert including a position indicating scale according to still another embodiment.

22 is a cross-sectional view of FIG. 21 taken along the line 22--22.

FIG. 23 is a plan view of a kit of shoe inserts and cushion pad components of various thicknesses.

[Explanation of symbols]

 10 Insert 12 Base Material 16 Loop 18 Adhesive Layer 20 Cushion Layer

Claims (19)

[Claims] 1. A shoe insert, comprising: a) a thin sheet of plastic shaped to fit over the inner surface of the shoe, the sheet being deformable to the shape of the user's foot. And b) a cushion pad member having a surface with hooks or loops is attachable to selectively adjust the thickness or pitch of the insert from the toe end to the heel end of the insert. A first surface of the sheet comprising a cloth-like engaging material with loops or hooks; 2. The shoe insert of claim 1, wherein the engagement material is applied as at least one strip extending substantially from the toe end to the heel end of the surface. 3. The shoe insert according to claim 1, wherein the engagement material is applied to both sides of the sheet. 4. The shoe insert according to claim 3, wherein the engagement material is a sheet of cloth with loops continuously covering the surface. 5. The shoe insert according to claim 3, wherein the engagement material is a sheet of cloth with loops that continuously cover the shaped sheet. 6. The shoe insert according to claim 5, further comprising a cushioning material layer disposed between the seat and the engagement material. 7. The other surface of the shaped sheet comprises:
The shoe insert according to claim 5, comprising an adhesive layer and a peelable protective film applied to the adhesive layer. 8. The shoe insert of claim 5, wherein the engagement material thermally bonds to the cushion material layer. 9. The engagement material is adhesively bonded to the cushion material layer by a pressure sensitive adhesive transfer film.
The shoe insert described in. 10. The shoe insert of claim 1, wherein the engagement material-receiving surface includes an index scale extending from the toe end to the heel end for positioning the cushion pad member. . 11. The shoe insert according to claim 1, wherein a cushion pad member comprising a layer of cushion material is attached to the sheet of engaging material. 12. The shoe insert according to claim 11, wherein a plurality of pads are provided and at least one member comprises a pad having a cushioning layer that is thicker than the other pads. 13. The shoe insert according to claim 11, wherein the edge of the cushion material is shaped. 14. The cushion pad includes a cavity for relieving pressure in a sensitive portion of the foot.
The shoe insight described in. 15. The shoe insert according to claim 14, wherein the edge of the cavity is shaped. 16. The shoe insight according to claim 11, wherein the cushion layer is inclined from one side to the other side so as to thicken, and the turning of the foot of the user is adjusted. 17. The shoe insert according to claim 11, wherein both sides of at least one of the cushion pads include the engagement material. 18. The shore shoe insert according to claim 18, wherein both sides of the shoe insert comprise a fabric with loops. 19. The shoe insight of claim 1, including at least one shoe insert and a plurality of pads encapsulated in the package and having different thicknesses and shapes.