KR20200123149A - Insoles, high heel shoe insoles, and methods of making and using the same - Google Patents

Abstract

The shoe insole may include an upper surface, an opposite lower surface, a rear end, and an opposite front end. At least a portion of the upper surface close to the rear end may be concave. At least a portion of the lower surface close to the rear end may be convex. A plurality of spaced holes may extend through the insole from top to bottom. A plurality of spaced holes may be arranged in two rows. The first row of the two rows may be radially spaced apart from the second row of the two rows. Each of the plurality of holes in the first row may have the same size. Each of the plurality of holes in the second row may have the same size.

Description

Insoles, high heel shoe insoles, and methods of making and using the same

Cross-reference of related applications

This application is a US Provisional Application No. 62/627,828 filed on February 8, 2018 under the name of "INSOLES, AND INSOLES FOR HIGH HEEL SHOES", and "insole, insole for high heel shoes , And its manufacturing and use method (INSOLES, INSOLES FOR HIGH HEEL SHOES, AND METHODS OF MAKING AND USING SAME)" in the name of "US Provisional Application No. 62/722,212, filed on August 24, 2018. And all of these are incorporated herein by reference in their entirety.

The technology disclosed herein relates generally to an insole. More specifically, in one embodiment, the technology disclosed herein relates to a high heel shoe insole.

1 is a general reference, including a heel 12, a heel breast 14, a heel tip 16, a shank (not visible from the outside of the shoe but generally in the vicinity of the reference number 18), and a forefoot 20. The prior art high heel shoe indicated by number 10 is shown. The shank is an internal component (eg, often made of metal, composite material, or other rigid material) that structurally supports the suspended arch area of the shoe. High heel shoes are generally uncomfortable for users because at least a significant amount of the user's weight is concentrated or oriented toward or towards the user's forefoot, resulting in high pressure on at least the metatarsal head of the foot.

Likewise, other shoes, such as non-high heels, may also be uncomfortable to the user. Certain prior art insoles contain relatively small perforations in their forefoot. These perforations are designed to give the insole breathability and help reduce moisture and odors that may remain on the insole. Perforations like these are too small to increase the flexibility of the insole.

It is desirable to provide a shoe insole that overcomes these and other drawbacks of the prior art.

In one embodiment, the techniques disclosed herein are generally directed to improving the feel, comfort, and/or performance of an insole and/or shoe (eg, high heel shoe, but not limited thereto). The technology disclosed herein includes an insole having a plurality of spaced apart apertures extending through the insole. The size, shape, and placement of the holes can contribute to increasing the comfort and/or flexibility of a high heel shoe.

More specifically, in one embodiment, a plurality of spaced apart holes enables selective variability or alteration of properties of structures made of a single and/or rigid material. Due to the plurality of spaced holes, the insole may be flexible in areas where flexibility is required or desired, and rigid and/or supportive in other areas of the insole.

In another embodiment, the technology disclosed herein relates to a shoe insole. The insole may include a body portion having an upper surface, an opposite lower surface, a rear end, and an opposite front end. At least a portion of the upper surface close to the rear end may be concave. At least a portion of the lower surface close to the rear end may be convex. The insole may also include a forefoot having a top, an opposite bottom, a rear end, and an opposite front end. The rear end of the forefoot may be attached to the front end of the body. Dividing lines can separate the body from the forefoot. The partition line may extend across the entire width of the insole. The insole may include a plurality of spaced holes extending through the body portion from the top to the bottom and/or through the bottom.

In yet another embodiment, the technology disclosed herein relates to a shoe insole. The insole may include an upper surface, an opposite lower surface, a rear end, and an opposite front end. At least a portion of the upper surface close to the rear end may be concave. At least a portion of the lower surface close to the rear end may be convex. A plurality of spaced holes may extend through the insole from top to bottom. A plurality of spaced holes may be arranged in two rows. The first row of the two rows may be radially spaced apart from the second row of the two rows. Each of the plurality of holes in the first row may have the same size. Each of the plurality of holes in the second row may have the same size. Each of the plurality of holes in the first row may be smaller than each of the plurality of holes in the second row.

In yet another embodiment, the technology disclosed herein is directed to a high heel shoe insole comprising a plurality of spaced apart apertures extending through the insole. Multiple spaced holes increase the flexibility of the insole, allowing the insert to flex more easily to accommodate the shape of the foot, distribute the load more evenly, reduce peak loads, and/or improve comfort.

In yet another embodiment, the technology disclosed herein is directed to a high heel shoe insole comprising a plurality of spaced apart apertures extending through the insole. The plurality of spaced holes increases the flexibility of the insole, providing cushioning and/or shock dampening during running and/or walking.

The content of the invention and the following detailed description of the technology disclosed herein will be better understood when read carefully in conjunction with the accompanying drawings. For purposes of illustration of the techniques disclosed herein, various exemplary implementations are shown in the drawings. However, it should be understood that the techniques disclosed herein are not limited to the precise arrangements and means shown.
1 is a perspective view of a prior art high heel shoe.
2 is a top perspective view of an insole according to an embodiment of the technology disclosed herein.
3 is a bottom perspective view thereof.
4 is a top plan view thereof.
5 is a bottom plan view thereof.
6 is an elevational view of the first side thereof.
7 is an elevational view of the second side opposite it.
8 is a front elevational view thereof.
9 is a rear elevational view thereof.
10 is a side cross-sectional elevation view of an insole disposed within a high heel shoe according to an embodiment of the disclosed technology.
Fig. 11 is an enlarged view of a portion of the combination shown in Fig. 10;

While systems, devices, and methods are described herein through examples and implementations, those skilled in the art will recognize that the systems, devices, and methods of the disclosed technology are not limited to the embodiments or drawings described below. Rather, the technology disclosed herein encompasses all modifications, equivalents, and alternatives falling within the scope and spirit of the appended claims. Any headings used herein are for organizational purposes only and are not intended to limit the scope of the description or claims.

Certain terminology is used in the following detailed description for convenience only, but is not intended to be limiting. Words such as "bottom", "top", "left", "right", "bottom", and "top" indicate directions in the drawing being referenced. Unless specifically stated herein, the articles ("a", "an", "the") are not limited to a single element, but should be read as meaning "at least one". As used herein, the expression “may” is used as an acceptable feeling (ie, meaning there is a possibility) rather than an obligatory feeling (ie, it means that it must be). Terminology includes the words mentioned above, their derivatives, and words of similar meaning.

Referring in detail to the drawings in which like reference numerals designate like elements throughout, FIGS. 2-9 illustrate an insole, generally designated 100, in accordance with the techniques disclosed herein. 2 to 9 show an insole designed for the right foot, and a corresponding or mirrored insole may be designed for the left foot. In one embodiment, the insole is designed for high heel shoes with a heel height of at least 2 inches. However, in one embodiment, the techniques disclosed herein can be incorporated into non-high heel shoes or flatter shoes, such as running shoes or women's flats. Although only 3/4 length insoles are shown, the techniques disclosed herein can be incorporated into insoles of any length or width.

Whether the insole is designed for high heel shoes (e.g., heel height of 2 inches or more) or flatter shoes may depend on the hardness or durometer of the material used to construct the insole. For example, a plate of the insole (an example of which is described below) can be made to have a higher or lower durometer. Optionally, a single plate or other portion of the insole may be formed with two or more zones, each of which may have a different hardness. In one embodiment, the plate of the insole designed for higher shoes (eg, 4 inch high heels) has a higher durometer than the plate of the insole designed for lower shoes (eg, running shoes). Likewise, the higher the heel of the shoe, the higher the durometer of the plate of the insole. The numerical value or range of the durometer of the different parts of the insole may depend on several factors, such as the nature and height of the shoe.

2 to 9, the insole 100 includes a body portion or a rear portion 102 having an upper surface 104, an opposite lower surface 106, a rear end 108, and an opposite front end 110. Can include. At least a portion of the upper surface 104 adjacent to the rear end 108 may be concave. At least a portion of the lower surface 106 adjacent to the rear end 108 may be convex. The body portion 102 may include or be formed by a heel portion and midfoot portion that may be designed to support the arch, among other portions of the foot.

The insole 100 may also include a forefoot or anterior portion 112 with an upper surface 114, an opposite lower surface 116, a rear end 118, and an opposite front end 119. At least a portion of the top surface 114 proximate the rear end 118 may be flat or may be generally or substantially flat. At least a portion of the lower surface 116 proximate the rear end 118 may be flat or may be generally or substantially flat. The forefoot 112 may be designed and/or sized and/or shaped to support (at least partially or even entirely) one or all of the foot's ball and/or foot's metatarsal bones.

The rear end portion 118 of the forefoot portion 112 may be attached to the front end portion 110 of the body portion 102. In one embodiment, the division line 120 separates the body portion 102 from the forefoot portion 112. The partition line 120 may extend across the entire width W of the insole 100 (see FIG. 5 ). Insole 100 may be configured to fold more easily at partition line 120 than any other portion of insole 100. In one embodiment, the partition line 120 is visible only from the lower side of the insole 100 and not visible from the upper side of the insole (eg, comparing FIGS. 4 and 5 ).

As shown in FIGS. 6 and 7, the partition line 120 may define a point (or line) at which the forefoot portion 112 extends at a predetermined angle with respect to the body portion 102. For example, the upper surface 114 of the forefoot portion 112 may extend at a predetermined angle, for example, about 30 degrees with respect to the upper surface 104 of the body portion 102.

The insole 100 may include means for increasing flexibility. In one embodiment, the means for increasing flexibility is a plurality of spaced holes 122 extending through the body portion 102 from the upper surface 104 to the lower surface 106. The holes 122 may increase the force attenuation and/or force distribution capability of the insole 100, thereby creating or adding flexibility to the insole 100 and/or forming a more comfortable insole for the user.

Flexibility is important for two reasons. First, flexibility allows the shape of the insert to be bent to accommodate the shape of the foot, while reducing the peak load and improving comfort by distributing the load more evenly. Next, the dynamic flexion of the insert provides cushioning and/or shock damping during walking and running.

Optionally, the holes 122 may lower the rigidity of the insole 100, thereby making the insole 100 more flexible than if the holes 122 were not included in the insole 100. Alternatively or additionally, the apertures 122 provide for spatial redistribution of the load.

Optionally, a layer of fabric or fabric (not shown) may be attached to the top surface 104. The fabric layer may or may not include perforations 122.

The size of the holes 122 may be based on the durometer of the plate of the insole 100 and/or the curvature of the outer shape of at least a portion of the top surface of the insole 100. For example, in the case of an insole with a plate with a lower durometer, the size of each hole 122 is smaller than an insole with a plate with a higher durometer. Conversely, in one embodiment, an insole with a plate with a higher durometer has larger apertures 122 than an insole with a plate with a lower durometer. This is because less flexibility or rigidity is required or desired due to the holes 122, where a higher durometer material is used. The appearance and/or curvature of the top surface of the insole 100 may affect the size of the holes 122.

Optionally, in one embodiment, larger and more closely spaced holes 122 may be disposed or formed in portions of the insole where more flexibility is required or desired. Alternatively, smaller or further spaced holes 122 may be disposed or formed in portions of the insole where less flexibility is required or desired.

In one embodiment, as shown in FIGS. 2 to 9, the plurality of spaced holes 122 may be arranged in two or more spaced rows. The first row 124 of the two or more spaced rows may be spaced radially inward with respect to the second row 126 of the two or more spaced apart rows. In one embodiment, the first and second rows 124 and 126 are arranged to follow or imitate the shape or curvature of the outer circumferential edge of the insole 100, respectively. In one embodiment, the forefoot 112 does not include a hole extending therethrough.

In one embodiment, each hole 122 of the first row 124 has the same size. In the same or different embodiments, each hole 122 of the second row 126 has the same size. Optionally, each hole 122 in the first row 124 may be smaller than each hole 122 in the second row 126. More specifically, in one embodiment, each hole 122 of the first and second rows 124 and 126 may have a circular shape, and each hole 122 of the first row 124 is Each of the two rows 126 may have a smaller diameter than each hole. However, the holes 122 are not limited to a circular shape, but can be any geometric shape that provides the functionality described herein. For example, the holes 122 of the first row 124 may have the same size (eg, diameter) as the holes 122 of the second row 126.

In one implementation, at least the holes 122 in the first row 124 may be small enough to prevent the user or wearer from detecting the holes in the first row 124 when wearing a shoe including the insole 100 . Optionally, the holes 122 in the first row 124 may have a diameter in the range of 1 to 7 mm, and the holes 122 in the second row 126 have a diameter in the range of 1 to 7 mm. I can. For example, in one embodiment, the holes 122 in the first row 124 may have a diameter of about 2 mm, and the holes 122 in the second row 126 are about 3 mm in diameter. Can have

Optionally, each hole 122 may be formed during the molding process of the insole 100. Alternatively, each hole 122 may be formed after the molding process of the insole 100 is completed, such as during a punching process.

2, 3, 5 to 7, and 9, the protrusion 128 may extend outward from the lower surface 106 of the body portion 102. The protrusions 128 may extend in a continuous meandering path between each or several adjacent holes 122 of the first row 124. The size, shape, and/or configuration of the protrusions 128 may depend on the dimensions and/or grades of the insole 100. The term "grading" is defined herein to refer to insoles for different shoe dimensions (eg, dimension 11 and dimension 9 of an insole of the same type or style). For example, in the case of an insole of the same type or style, the proportions of various components or parts of the insole are the same, but the sizes of the various components are different. The features of the insole of dimension 11 need to have a different grade than the same features of the insole of dimension 9.

In one embodiment, the protrusions 128 are configured to add strength or stiffness to the insole 100. Alternatively or additionally, the protrusion 128 functions as a gripper or adds friction between the insole and the interior of the bed of the shoe. For example, the protrusions 128 can help to secure the insole 100 within the shoe and prevent the insole 100 from undesirably moving forward with respect to the shoe. The insole 100 also includes one or more additional features that prevent the insole 100 from slipping against the shoe, such as a plurality of spaced apart spikes 130 extending outwardly from the underside 106 of the body portion 102. It can be provided.

Optionally, insole 100 is formed at least in part from foam, polymer material(s) (eg, nylon and/or thermoplastic urethane) and/or composite material. The insole may be made of material(s) separate from the shoe and may be selectively removed and inserted from the shoe. The plate (eg, an outer plate) may form the lower surface 106 of the body portion 102 of the insole 100. In one embodiment, the plate forms the entire lower surface of the body portion 102 but does not form any part of the lower surface of the forefoot portion 112. The plate may be formed of a polymer material and may be more rigid than the material used to form the top surface 104 of the body portion 102.

In one embodiment, the insole 100 may be formed of three separate or different materials or layers. For example, as shown in FIGS. 2, 3, and 6, the lower surface 106 of the body portion 102 may be formed of a polymer material 132, and the midfoot portion of the body portion 102 and The lower surface 116 of the forefoot portion 112 may be formed of a first foam or textile material 134, and the upper surface 104 of the body portion 102 and the upper surface 114 of the forefoot portion are a second foam or textile material ( 136).

Alternatively, the insole 100 or a plate thereof may be formed in a multi-material injection molding (MMM) manufacturing, such as a multi-component, multi-shot, or overmolding. In one example, when looking at the insole 100 from the perspective of FIG. 5, the portion of the insole 100 (which may include the protrusion 128) inside the protrusion 128 is a first material having a relatively high durometer Can be formed as The portion of the insole 100 outside the protrusion 128 (e.g., between the protrusion 128 and the outer edge of the insole 100) may be formed of a second material having a lower durometer than the first material. have. Higher durometer zones can improve support, grip, and/or recoil. The lower durometer zone may improve flexibility and/or adaptability to different footwear (eg, shoes) and/or individuals. Optionally, the forefoot 112 may be formed from a completely different or third material.

Optionally, the insole 100 may be designed and/or manufactured separately from the shoe in which the insole 100 will be used. The insole 100 may be inserted or slipped into the shoe for use. In one embodiment, there is no requirement to mechanically or chemically attach the insole 100 to the interior of the shoe, for example by stitching.

The insole 100 of the technology disclosed herein includes higher sidewalls than the insole of the prior art. The higher sidewalls give the foot more support surface area, which distributes and/or distributes the peak pressure. Insole 100 may also provide additional cushioning compared to prior art insoles.

10 and 11 illustrate another implementation of the techniques disclosed herein. Similar or identical structures between the embodiments of FIGS. 1 to 9 and the embodiments of FIGS. 10 and 11 are distinguished in FIGS. 1 to 9 by reference numerals 100 greater than those of FIGS. 1 to 9. Description of specific similarities between the embodiments of FIGS. 1 to 9 and the embodiments of FIGS. 10 and 11 may be omitted herein for convenience and simplicity only.

The insole of this embodiment may include a cushioning element 250 and a plate 252. The cushioning element 250 can be attached to the plate 252, for example by means of an adhesive. Alternatively, the cushioning element 250 may be formed with a plate 252. Optionally, forefoot cushioning pad 254 may be attached to or formed as part of cushioning element 250. The forefoot cushioning pad 254 may help to keep the insole in place within the shoe.

Referring specifically to FIG. 10, as indicated by region A, the insole of this embodiment may be designed to include an arch when the insole is in a seated or inactive position. When in use, the insole can rebound or rebound naturally during gait after being pressed in the arch (eg, area A).

Referring specifically to FIG. 11, as indicated by region B, the plate 252 anatomically supports the user's heel and/or has a large radius that disperses the downward pressure caused by the foot in the shoe. Can include. The insole may include one or more first set of gripping structures and one or more second set of gripping structures. The first set of gripping structures may be located and/or spaced apart on the vertical sidewalls of the plate 252. The second set of gripping structures may be located and/or spaced apart on the lower surface of the plate 252.

The techniques disclosed herein also include a method of forming (eg, but not limited to) a shoe insole. Optionally, the shoe may be a high heel shoe having a heel height of at least 2 inches. The insole may include an upper surface, an opposite lower surface, a rear end, and an opposite front end. The method may include forming (eg, molding) a plurality of spaced holes extending through the insole from top to bottom to increase the flexibility of the insole.

The techniques disclosed herein also include methods of increasing the flexibility of the insole. The method includes forming a plurality of spaced holes through an arch of the foot and a portion of the insole located under the heel.

Those skilled in the art will understand that variations of the above-described embodiments are possible without departing from the broad inventive concept. Accordingly, it will be appreciated that the technology disclosed herein is not limited to the specific embodiments disclosed, but is intended to cover modifications within the spirit and scope of the technology disclosed herein as defined by the appended claims.

Claims (27)

As a shoe insole,
A body portion having an upper surface, an opposite lower surface, a rear end portion, and an opposite front end portion, and positioned under at least an arch and a heel of the foot and configured to support it; And
A forefoot having an upper surface, an opposite lower surface, a rear end, and an opposite front end, and is positioned under at least a ball of the foot and configured to support it, wherein the rear end of the forefoot includes a forefoot attached to the front end of the body,
A plurality of spaced holes extending through the body portion from the upper surface to the lower surface, wherein the plurality of spaced holes are configured to provide flexibility to the insole. The method of claim 1,
A first of the plurality of spaced holes is larger than a second of the plurality of spaced holes. The method according to claim 1 or 2,
Wherein the plurality of spaced holes are arranged in two rows, and the remainder of the insole excluding the two rows does not include holes. The method according to any one of claims 1 to 3,
The first row of the two rows is spaced radially inward with respect to the second row of the two rows. The method according to any one of claims 1 to 4,
Each hole in the first row of the two rows has the same size, and each hole in the second row of the two rows has the same size. The method according to any one of claims 1 to 5,
Insole, wherein each hole in the first row is smaller than each hole in the second row. The method according to any one of claims 1 to 6,
Wherein each hole in the first row has a smaller diameter than each hole in the second row. The method according to any one of claims 1 to 7,
Each of the holes in the first and second rows has a circular shape. The method according to any one of claims 1 to 8,
Wherein the forefoot does not include a hole extending from the upper surface to the lower surface thereof. The method according to any one of claims 1 to 9,
A protrusion extending outward from the lower surface of the body portion, wherein the protrusion extends in a meandering path between several adjacent holes in the first row. The method according to any one of claims 1 to 10,
At least a portion of the upper surface of the body portion adjacent to the rear end portion of the body portion is concave, and at least a portion of the lower surface of the body portion adjacent to the rear end portion of the body portion is convex. The method according to any one of claims 1 to 11,
A partition line separates the body part from the forefoot, the partition line extending across the entire width of the insole. As a shoe insole,
It includes an upper surface, an opposite lower surface, a rear end, and an opposite front end, and a plurality of spaced holes extends through the insole from the upper surface to the lower surface, and the plurality of spaced holes are arranged in two rows, the two The first row of the rows is radially spaced from the second row of the two rows, each hole in the first row has the same size, each hole in the second row has the same size, and the first row Each hole in the first row is smaller than each hole in the second row, insole. The method of claim 13,
Wherein each hole in the first row has a smaller diameter than each hole in the second row. The method of claim 13 or 14,
A body portion including the plurality of spaced holes; And
An insole further comprising a forefoot that does not include a hole extending from the top to the bottom. The method according to any one of claims 13 to 15,
Separating the body portion from the forefoot portion, and further comprising a partition line extending across the entire width of the insole, insole. The method according to any one of claims 13 to 16,
A protrusion extending outward from a lower surface of the body portion, wherein the protrusion extends in a meandering path between several adjacent holes in the first row. The method according to any one of claims 13 to 17,
Each of the holes in the first and second rows has a circular shape. The method according to any one of claims 13 to 18,
At least a part of the upper surface close to the rear end is concave, and at least a part of the lower surface close to the rear end is convex. The insole of claim 1, 2, or 13; And
Combination, comprising one of flat shoes and high heel shoes. A high heel shoe insole having a heel height of at least 2 inches,
The upper surface, the opposite lower surface, the rear end, and the opposite front end; And
An insole comprising means for increasing the flexibility of the insole. A method of forming an insole for a high heel shoe having a heel height of at least 2 inches, comprising an upper surface, an opposite lower surface, a rear end, and an opposite front end,
And forming a plurality of spaced holes extending through the insole from the top to the bottom to increase the flexibility of the insole. The method of claim 22,
The method, wherein each of the plurality of holes is formed by a punching process. The method of claim 22 or 23,
Further comprising determining the size and placement of each of the plurality of apertures based on the desired amount of flexibility of the insole. The method according to any one of claims 22 to 24,
Wherein the plurality of spaced apart holes are arranged in two rows. The method according to any one of claims 22 to 25,
One row of holes is larger than the other row of holes, how. The method according to any one of claims 22 to 26,
Wherein each of the plurality of holes has a circular shape.

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