SE2151013A1 - Balance training insoles - Google Patents

Abstract

There is provided a set (1) of insoles (2a, 2b) for footwear having the same shoe size, the set (1) of insoles (2a, 2b) being adapted to be worn in relation to the same side foot, the set (1) comprising a first insole (2a) and a second (2b) insole, where each of the insoles (2a, 2b) has a plurality of protrusions (5) extending upwards towards the sole of the foot when the insole is used by a person, where at least one insole (2a) has protrusions (5) with at least two different hardness values and where at least one first protrusion (5a) of the first insole (2a) has a first hardness and where a protrusion (5c) of the second insole (2b) which touches the sole of the foot of a user at the same position as the first protrusion (5c) of the first insole (2a), has a hardness which is different from the first hardness.

Description

Balance training insoles Field ofthe invention This invention relates to insoles for balance training, in particular a set of insoles for training the balance of a person.

Background Balance training is also useful for training for sports such as gymnastics, skiing, surfing, or any other type of sport where balance is important. Elderly frequently suffers from poor balance.

There is a need for improved balance training.

Summary of invention ln a first aspect of the invention there is provided a set of insoles for footwear having the same shoe size, the set of insoles being adapted to be worn in relation to the same side foot, the set comprising a first insole and a second insole, where each of the insoles has a plurality of protrusions extending upwards towards the sole of the foot when the insole is used by a person, where at least one insole has protrusions with at least two different hardness values and where at least one first protrusion of the first insole has a first hardness and where a protrusion of the second insole which touches the sole of the foot of a user at the same position as the first protrusion of the first insole, has a hardness which is different from the first ha rd ness.

The hardness of the protrusions may be from 35 Shore A to 100 Shore A. The difference in hardness may be at least 5 Shore A units.

The number of protrusions on each insole may be from 8 to 200. ln a second aspect ofthe invention there is provided footwear comprising an insole according to the first aspect of the invention. ln a third aspect of the invention there is provided a method involving a set of insoles to the first aspect of the invention, the method comprising the steps of a subject wearing the first insole or second insole for a first time period and wearing the other insole for a second time period. ln one embodiment the balance of the subject is improved. ln one embodiment the method is used for the treatment of poor balance.

Drawings The accompanying drawings form a part of the specification and schematically illustrate preferred embodiments of the invention and serve to illustrate the principles of the invention. Fig. 1 is a schematic drawing of a set of insoles Fig. 2 show a set of insoles.

Fig 3 show an example of an insole.

Figs. 4 to 7 are diagrams that schematically show hardness of protrusions on insoles.

Figs. 8a-f schematically show arrangements of protrusions on an insole.

Figs. 9-10 shows an elastomeric sheet.

Fig. 11 is a cross section of an elastomeric sheet along lines a-a of Fig. 10.

Fig. 12 is a schematic cross section of an elastomeric sheet along lines b-b of Fig. 11.

Detailed description Fig. 1 shows a set 1 of insoles 2a and 2b. 2a and 2b are to be used with the left foot but set 1 typically comprises corresponding left and right foot insoles 2a 2a' 2b 2b'. Hence, set 1 comprises at least a first insole 2a and a second insole 2b that are intended to be used with the same side foot. That is, insole 2a and 2b is intended for the right foot or insole 2a and 2b is intended to be used for the left foot. Hence set 1 typically comprises at least four insoles 2a, 2a', 2b, 2b'. However, the invention will be described in relation to insoles 2a and 2b only in order to simplify the description.

Fig. 1 shows two insoles 2a and 2b but the set may comprise three, four five or more insoles. lnsoles 2a, 2a' and 2b, 2b' are configured for the same size foot, i.e., they typically have the same shoe size.

The insoles 2a 2b has an upper side 3 and a lower side. The upper side 3 is intended to receive the sole ofthe foot of a user. The upper side 3 may be generally shaped to receive a foot. For example, the upper side ofthe insole 2a 2b may for example have a support for the arch of the foot. The upper side 3 may also have a depression 4 to receive the heel as shown in Fig. 3.

The lower side is preferably generally flat.

Each of insoles 2a 2b has a plurality of protrusions 5 that protrude upwards towards the sole of the foot. The protrusions 5 are located on the upper side 3 of the insole 2a 2b.

The number of protrusions 5 on each insole 2a 2b may be from 8 to 200, more preferably from to 100.

The hardness of the protrusions 5 is preferably from 35 Shore A to 100 shore A, more preferably from 38 shore A to 95 Shore A.

Figs 4-7 schematically show various configurations of the soles 2a 2b. Each of insoles 2a 2b in these figures have eight protrusions 5. Each square in Figs 4-7 represent one protrusion 5. The protrusions 5 are shown as square areas delimited by narrow grooves but they may be separated by wider spaces as Figs. 4-7 are highly schematic examples of configurations only.

Underlined values indicate where the hardness values differ between insoles 2a, 2b.

At least one insole 2a has protrusions 5a 5b with at least two different hardness values A, B and at least one first protrusion 5a of the first insole 2a has a first hardness A and where a second protrusion 5c of the second insole 2b which touches the sole of the foot of a user at the same position as the first protrusion 5a of the first insole 2a, has a hardness B which is different from the first hardness. This is shown in Fig. 4 where A and B represents two different hardness values. Fig. 4 show two insoles 2a, 2b where a first insole 2a has protrusion with two harnesses A (5a) and B (5b and other protrusions 5). ln second insole, protrusion 5c which touches the same area (at least partly) as 5a has a hardness B that is different from the hardness A of protrusion 5a. ln fact, all other protrusions in Fig 4 have hardness B.

There is at least two different hardness values A, B in set 1. There may be two, three or more different hardness values for protrusions 5 in the set 1. The difference between A and B may be at least 5 Shore A units, more preferably at least 10 Share A units and most preferably at least 20 shore A units.

Each of insoles 2a, 2b may have at least two different hardness values for the protrusions 5. The number protrusions 5 where the hardness values differ between insoles 2a, 2b may be two, three, four, five or more.

The hardness values may differ between the insoles 2a, 2b for all protrusions 5. An example of this is shown own in Fig. 5. Figs. 6 and 7 show two additional examples of sets 1 where there are four different hardness values (40, 60, 80 and 100 Shore A). The set in Fig 6 comprises two insoles 2a and 2b and the set 1 in Fig. 7 comprises three insoles 2a, 2b, 2c.

The protrusions 5 may be configured to be deformed when receives a force. This is achieved by the selection ofthe material and shape the protrusions 5.

The height of the protrusions 5 may be for example from 1 to 10 mm preferably from 2-5 mm. lnsoles 2a 2b may comprise or be made from elastomeric sheet 10 as shown in Figs 9-12.

Elastomeric sheet 10 has a plurality of deformable protrusions 5.

The protrusions 5 or the elastomeric sheet 10 may be made from rubber or any other suitable elastomer. The elastomer may be a polymer. Suitable elastomers include various rubber materials for example: styrene butyric rubber, butyric rubber, isoprene rubber, butylic rubber, eten propene rubber, nitrilic butadiene rubber, chloroprene rubber, polyurethane rubber, acryl eten rubber and propene oxide rubber. Butyl rubber (IIR) is a preferred material.

The insoles may comprise or consist of a foam material generally used in shoes or other footwear, such as running shoes.

Essentially the entire upper surface 3 of insoles 2a 2b may be covered with protrusions 5. The protrusions 5 may be arranged in any suitable pattern. Non-limiting examples of shapes and arrangements of support members 7 are shown in Figs. 8a-8d. The protrusions 5 may be arranged in matrix pattern for example. The protrusions 5 can have any suitable shape such as oval, circular etc. The distance between the protrusions 5 may for example 10-20 mm (c/c), preferably 13-18 mm.

The protrusions may also be formed as ridges, for example ridges that go from the left side to the right side of the insole 2 as shown in Fig. 8e. The protrusions 5 may have approximately the same shape and size but may also have different shapes and sizes as shown in Fig. 8f.

Each of the protrusions 5 may have at least one cavity 17 or aperture 11 as shown in for example Figs. 9-12. As used herein the cavity 17 only has an opening to one of the sides of the elastomeric sheet 2, whereas an aperture has openings towards both sides ofthe elastomeric sheet 2. lt is preferred that the protrusions 5 are narrowing towards the tip of the protrusion 5. Hence the base of the protrusion 5 is preferably wider than the tip. lt is preferred that the protrusions have an aperture from the fist side to the second side or a cavity 17 which is open to the first side or the second side, where an opening towards the second side is preferred. The purpose of aperture 11 or cavity 17 is to provide springiness and to reduce weight.

Figs. 2-3 and 9-12 shown an example of insoles. The protrusions 5 are preferably square, and pyramid shaped and arranged in a matrix pattern. The top of the pyramid-shaped support members 7 may have a flat surface 16. The pyramid shaped protrusions 5 may have four sides, thus having a square base as show in Figs 2, and 9, but they may also have three sides (the base of the support member is then triangular). The angle of the side of the pyramid-shaped support members may be from 40° to 50° in relation the main plane ofthe sole. lt is preferred that the protrusions 5 have a cavity 17. The cavity 17 is preferably located in the middle of the protrusion 5 (Fig. 12) when the protrusion 5 is observed from direction of arrow 18 in Fig. 11 (central location of cavity 17). The cavity 17 may have any suitable shape but is preferably cylinder shaped.

The cavity 17 has at least one opening 22 on the upper side 3 or the lower side of the insole, and in Figs. 10-11-6 it is shown how the cavity 17 has one opening 22 on the lower side ofthe insole where the insole 2a, 2b consists ofan elastomeric sheet 10. The main direction of cavity 17 is preferably perpendicular to the main plane of the elastomeric sheet 10. The cavity 17 may be in the form of a cylinder-shaped cavity 17 that opens towards the lower side as shown in Figs. 9-12. The width 19 of the cavity 17 is preferably the same along the height of the support member 7 as shown in Fig 11.

The volume of the cavity 17 is preferably at most 50 %, more preferably at most 40 % and even more preferably at most 30 % of the volume of the support member 7. The volume of the support member is calculated as the part of the support member 7 that is indicated by arrow 20.

Protrusions 5 of Figs 9-12 are shown as a part of an elastic sheet 10 but in all embodiments protrusions 5 as shown in Figs 9-12 may also be a part of a complete insole 2 without the use of an elastic sheet 10 for example an insole that is manufactured in one step for example by moulding the support or otherwise forming the insoles 2.

The set 1 of insoles 2a, 2b can be sold separately from footwear. For example, they can be configured to be inserted into a premade shoe. For example, a consumer may buy the insoles 2a, 2b and insert them in a set of shoes owned by the consumer. They are then used one at a time as described below.

The set 1 of insoles 2a,2b may be provided in footwear or as a part of footwear. The footwear may be any kind of footwear such as shoe, for example a dress shoe, a gym shoe or a slipper, or flip flops. The set 1 of insoles 2a, 2b may or may not be attached to, or integrated into the footwear. When the insoles are provided in footwear the are typically provided in two pair of footwear such as two pairs of shoes.

The set 1 of insoles 2a 2b are useful in the treatment of poor balance. By using the insoles 2a, 2bin shoes or using shoes with the insoles 2a, 2b, the balance of a subject can be improved.

When the insoles 2a, 2b are worn the protrusions 5 stimulate the muscles of the feet and provide feedback to the nervous system. The different ha rdness ofthe protrusions 5 stimulate the muscles in a certain position in the foot differently when the insoles 2a, 2b are alternated which leads to different signals in the nervous system that control muscle activity and balance. This provides balance training. Hence a certain position in the underside of the foot is first touched by a protrusion 5 with a first hardness during a first period of time and then touched by a protrusion 5 with a second hardness during a second period of time.

The subject is preferably a human. The subject may be suffering from dizziness or poor balance for example. The subject may be a person that needs to improve balance. The subject does not necessarily have to suffer from a disease. The subject may be any person that would benefit from improved balance.

Preferably a first insert 2a is worn and then a second insert 2b is worn. The first insert 2a is worn for a first period of time and the second insert 2b is worn for a second period of time. lt should be noted that also the second insert 2b can be worn first, for example with reference to Fig. 4. The first and second period of time may be for example at least 3 days, more 7 preferably at least 5 days and most preferably at least seven days. A useful period of time may be 3 days to 30 days. The first and second time periods may be of equal length. The insoles 2a, 2b are preferably worn for at least a minimum time period per day which may be at least one hour, at least two hours or most preferably at least three hours. Preferably the insole 2a, 2b is worn when the subject is standing up, walking or running.

Left and right foot insoles 2a and 2a' may mirror each other with respect to the configuration of the hardness of the protrusions 5. lt may be useful to wear non-mirroring insoles such that 2a is used with 2b'.

When the set 1 of insoles 2a 2b comprise more than two insoles 2a 2b these are also worn for a period of time. Hence a user may use a first insole, then a second insole, then a third insole, and then further insoles as comprised in the set 1 of insoles. lt is realized that everything which has been described in connection to one embodiment is fully applicable to other embodiments, as compatible. Hence, the invention is not limited to the described embodiments, but can be varied within the scope ofthe enclosed claims. While the invention has been described with reference to specific exemplary embodiments, the description is in general only intended to illustrate the inventive concept and should not be taken as limiting the scope of the invention. The invention is generally defined by the claims.

Claims (1)

1. Claim At set (1) of insoles (2a, 2b) for footwear having the same shoe size, the set (1) of insoles (2a, 2b) being adapted to be worn in relation to the same side foot, the set (1) comprising a first insole (Za) and a second (2b) insole, where each of the insoles (2a, 2b) has a plurality of protrusions (5) extending upwards towards the sole of the foot when the insole is used by a person, where at least one insole (Za) has protrusions (5) with at least two different hardness values and where at least one first protrusion (5a) of the first insole (Za) has a first hardness and where a protrusion (5c) of the second insole (2b) which touches the sole of the foot of a user at the same position as the first protrusion (5c) of the first insole (Za), has a hardness which is different from the first hardness. The set of insoles according to claim 1 where the hardness of the protrusions is fromShore A to 100 Shore A. The set of insoles according to claim 1 or 2 where the number of protrusions on each insole 2a 2b is from 8 to 200. The set of insoles according to any one of claims 1 to 3 where the difference in hardness is at least 5 Shore A units. Footwear comprising an insole according to any one of claims 1 to A method involving a set of insoles according to any one of claims 1 to 5, the method comprising the steps of a subject wearing the first insole or second insole for a first time period and wearing the other insole for a second time period. The method of claim 5 where the balance of the subject is improved. The method of claim 5 used for the treatment of poor balance.