US20130074367A1

US20130074367A1 - Insole with concept of harmonic tai chi

Info

Publication number: US20130074367A1
Application number: US13/241,822
Authority: US
Inventors: Torng-Haur Yeh; Mao-Tsung Weng
Original assignee: Individual
Current assignee: Individual
Priority date: 2011-09-23
Filing date: 2011-09-23
Publication date: 2013-03-28

Abstract

An insole with the concept of harmonic tai chi consists of an upper pad, a lower pas, and a supporter. The upper pad has an S-shaped vibration absorption block protruding downward on the outer side of the front sole. Corresponding to the vibration absorption block of the upper pad, the lower pad has an S-shaped elastic block on the inner side of the sole. With the harmonic combination of the vibration absorption and elastic blocks, the insole is more suitable to dynamical needs as the user walks. The U-shaped supporter is made of a harder material, fixed on the lower pad and extending from the inner foot arch to the heel, thereby protecting the heel and supporting the inner foot arch.

Description

BACKGROUND OF THE INVENTION

1. Field of Invention
The invention relates to an insole and, in particular, to an insole with the concept of tai chi to provide the function of vibration absorption, elasticity and support.
2. Related Art
To effectively relieve pressure on foot, various kinds of insoles that claim to provide the air cushion function are sold on the market. They are featured in absorbing vibrations and supporting the foot arch to increase the comfort. The following are a few examples.
The air pressure insole disclosed in ROC Pat. No. M364446 includes a pad disposed on the stepping surface in a shoe and a plurality of hollow pillars formed on the lower surface of the pad. The stepping surface, the lower surface of the pad, and the inner wall of each pillar define a corresponding first airbag. When deformed by a force, each pillar protrudes outward so that the outer walls adjacent pillars get in touch with one another. A second airbag is thus formed with the additional combination of the stepping surface and the lower surface of the pad. The first and second airbags provide an elastic vibration absorption effect.
The health vibration absorption insole disclosed in ROC Pat. No. M297176 is formed from foam or silicate elastic material according to the shape of the bottom of a shoe. An elliptical three-dimensional part is formed between the sole and foot arch parts of the insole. The front end of the insole has several circular bumps and venting holes. The bottom of the insole has several hollow circular pillars of different sizes. Supporting walls are formed for the foot arch, heel, and three-dimensional part. In addition to achieving a massage effect on the foot bottom, the insole also has the effect of absorbing vibrations.
The insole disclosed in ROC Pat. No. M291226 is mainly formed by foaming a better elastic material. A groove is formed on the insole corresponding to the bottom edge of the heel for providing a buffer effect. The top of the groove is covered by a hard material that is larger than the area of the top of the groove. When in use, the hard material distributes user's foot weight around the groove. The groove can be further provided with an elastic pad to enhance vibration absorption.
The flexible insole disclosed in ROC Pat. No. M280678 makes use of a foam material to produce a soft insole body. The back of the insole body is provided with an elastic pad and a vibration absorption pad at locations corresponding to the foot sole and heel. The surface of the elastic pad is formed with several grooves to increase the flexibility of the insole. The insole can thus deform according to the action of the foot and provide good elasticity and vibration absorption.
Besides, ROC Pat. No. M264892 also discloses an insole composed of an upper pad and a lower pad. The upper pad is integrally formed from a soft material, whereas the lower pad is integrally formed from a hard material. The lower pad is formed with a notch in the right area of phalanges or the right side of the foot sole. The upper pad is formed with a bump corresponding to the notch, so that the upper pad and the lower pad are combined via the bump and the notch. The soft upper pad has elastic and vibration absorptive functions to alleviate pressure on foot. The hard lower pad supports the soft upper pad to prevent sag. Thus, the insole has a solid support from the bottom while providing good vibration absorption.

SUMMARY OF THE INVENTION

The invention provides an insole with the concept of harmonic tai chi, composed of an upper pad, a lower pad, and a supporter. The upper pad has an S-shaped vibration absorption block protruding downward on the outer side of the front sole. Corresponding to the vibration absorption block of the upper pad, the lower pad has an S-shaped elastic block on the inner side of the sole. With the harmonic combination of the vibration absorption and elastic blocks, the insole is more suitable to dynamical needs as the user walks. The U-shaped supporter is made of a harder material, fixed on the lower pad and extending from the inner foot arch to the heel, thereby protecting the heel and supporting the inner foot arch.

BRIEF DESCRIPTION OF THE DRAWINGS

These and other features, aspects and advantages of the invention will become apparent by reference to the following description and accompanying drawings which are given by way of illustration only, and thus are not limitative of the invention, and wherein:

FIG. 1 is a three-dimensional exploded view of the invention;

FIG. 2 is a three-dimensional exploded view of the invention from another perspective; and

FIG. 3 is an assembly view of the invention.

DETAILED DESCRIPTION OF THE INVENTION

The present invention will be apparent from the following detailed description, which proceeds with reference to the accompanying drawings, wherein the same references relate to the same elements.
FIGS. 1 and 2 are three-dimensional exploded views of the invention from two perspective angles. FIG. 3 is an assembly view of the invention. The disclosed ‘tai chi insole’ consists of an upper pad 1, a lower pad 2, and a supporter 3.
The upper pad 1 has an S-shaped vibration absorption block 11 protruding downward on the outer side of the front sole.
Corresponding to the vibration absorption block of the upper pad, the lower pad 2 has an S-shaped elastic block 21 on the inner side of the sole.
According to the separating curve, the corresponding vibration absorption block 11 and elastic block 21 form a pattern very similar to the tai chi totem. The designing concept of the tai chi totem is in the harmonic distribution of vibration absorption and elasticity. The entire insole is more suitable for the dynamical requirements of a walking foot, achieving the goal of being perfect for both dynamical and static situations as tai chi.
Moreover, both the upper pad 1 and the lower pad 2 are formed with water drop- like phalanx pads 12, 22 protruding symmetrically upwards.
To enhance the support of the lower pad 2 in the area from the foot arch 23 to the heel 24, a harder U-shaped supporter 3 is provided there. This solves the problem of insufficient support in the area from the foot arch 23 to the heel 24. As the supporter protects the heel and supports the foot arch, the user always obtains the best support after long-time standing or walking.
To enhance an overall pressure alleviating effect, the vibration absorption block 11 of the upper pad 1, the bottom surface of the lower pad 2, and the bottom surface of the supporter 3 all have wavy granules 4. This structure does not only increase the comfort, but also helps circulating humid hot air inside shoes.
The invention makes use of the concept of harmony in tai chi to distribute vibration absorption and elasticity parts of an insole. Dynamical requirements for walking are satisfied. Moreover, the goals of supporting the heel and supporting the foot arch are also effectively achieved. The user obtains the most comfort even after long-time standing or walking.
Although the invention has been described with reference to specific embodiments, this description is not meant to be construed in a limiting sense. Various modifications of the disclosed embodiments, as well as alternative embodiments, will be apparent to persons skilled in the art. It is, therefore, contemplated that the appended claims will cover all modifications that fall within the true scope of the invention.

Claims

What is claimed is:

1. An insole incorporating harmonic tai chi concept comprising an upper pad, a lower pad, and a supporter; wherein

the upper pad has an S-shaped vibration absorption block protruding downward on the outer side of the front sole;

corresponding to the vibration absorption block of the upper pad, the lower pad has an S-shaped elastic block on the inner side of the sole;

the supporter is made of a harder U-shaped material and fixed on the lower pad in the area from the foot arch to the heel;

the separating curve between the corresponding S-shaped vibration absorption block and elastic block is similar to the tai chi totem; and

with the harmonic distribution of the vibration absorption and elastic blocks, the insole is more suitable to dynamical needs of walking.

2. The insole incorporating harmonic tai chi concept according to claim 1, wherein the S-shaped vibration absorption block of the upper pad, the bottom surface of the lower pad, and the bottom surface of the supporter are formed with wavy granules.