WO1999053785A1 - Insole insert having perforation-modified resiliency - Google Patents

Abstract

An insole insert (1) comprises a unitary body member (7), constructed of material having a selected material compression resistance and having a bottom portion (37) with a toe portion (53), a heel portion (45), an arch portion (47), and a metatarsal support portion (55). The metatarsal support portion (55) extends rearwardly from the toe portion (53) alongside the arch portion (47) and forms a boundary (73) beginning beneath the juncture between the user's first and second metatarsal shafts (M1, M2), arcuately passing beneath the user's first through fourth metatarsal necks (N1, N2, N3, N4), and passing beneath the juncture between the fourth and fifth metatarsal shafts (M4, M5) and the juncture between the cuboid and the lateral cuneiform and navicular bones. A relief is generally formed along the boundary. Perforations (91) in the body member provide at least one perforation-modified portion (89), having a selected effective compression resistance with a magnitude less than the magnitude of the material compression resistance, and a non-perforation-modified portion (93) not having the perforations.

Description

INSOLE INSERT HAVING PERFORATION-MODIFIED RESILIENCY

BACKGROUND OF THE INVENTION

1. Field of the Invention

This invention relates generally to footwear and, more specifically without

limitation, to an insole insert for footwear.

2. Description of the Related Art

Although children are usually bom with normal arches, as a child begins to

walk and body weight is applied to his feet as they bear against a supporting surface,

his foot structure necessarily reacts by tending to flatten out under the weight-

generated forces applied to the soles of his feet. If the child were walking only on

natural supporting surfaces, e.g. , the ground, the normal age for the child to be able

to stand without the need of external support for his feet is generally considered to

be approximately eight years of age. For purposes of improved appearance,

convenience, endurance, etc., however, man-made products are generally applied to

those supporting surfaces. Unfortunately, such "improved" surfaces tend to be

detrimental to the human musculoskeletal structures, especially during the

developmental stages when the child's foot structure is "soft" and incompletely

formed. Due to such negative environmental influences on the human foot structure, shoes which provide proper support and shock attenuation should be worn

for protection and prevention of structural injury.

As disclosed in U.S. Patent No. 4,272,899, issued June 16, 1981 to Jeffrey

S. Brooks, the disclosures and teachings of which are incorporated herein by

reference, a contoured insole structure may be provided in children's shoes to

reduce abnormal stress from the heel to the metatarsals by properly supporting and

stabilizing the feet during development thereof. By so doing, the associated stresses

placed upon the medial column of the foot is also reduced, distributing the body

weight more evenly on the sole of the foot.

More specifically, when walking or running, the lateral (outside) portion of

the heel is generally the first part of the foot to strike the ground, with the foot then

pivoting on the heel to bring the lateral part of the forefoot into a position whereat it

bears against an underlying surface. At that point,the foot resides in a supinated

(inclined upwardly from the lateral to the medial side of the foot). The foot then

pronates until all of the metatarsal heads are in the horizontal plane (flat to the

supporting surface). The bone structural alignment should be firmly supported

when the foot assumes such neutral position in order to prevent the ligaments,

muscles and tendons of the foot from becoming over-stressed.

Various skeletal characteristics of the feet that are pertinent to proper foot

support include the first, second, third, fourth and fifth metatarsal heads, indicated

in phantom at Ml through M5 in Fig. 1 ; first, second, third, fourth and fifth

metatarsal necks associated with the respective metatarsal heads M1-M5, indicated

2 in phantom at Nl through N5; first, second, third, fourth and fifth proximal

phalanges spaced distally from the respective metatarsal heads M1-M5, indicated in

phantom at PI through P5; and first, second, third, fourth and fifth metatarsal

phalangeal joints spaced between the respective metatarsal heads M1-M5 and

proximal phalanges P1-P5, indicated at Jl through J5 in Fig. 1. Further, various

muscles and tendons characteristically interact to stabilize the foot during the

sequence of progressive movements normally experienced in a walking or running

gait in preparation for movement from the neutral position to a propulsive phase of

the gait cycle, sometimes referred to as "toe-off or "push-off" .

Flexion of the first metatarsal phalangeal joint (i.e., the great toe joint) is

normally approximately fifteen degrees to the associated metatarsal in a dorsiflex

position when standing, and increases to between sixty-five and ninety degrees,

depending on the available motion and the activity required by the joint just prior to

lifting off the underlying supporting surface. The relationship among the foot bones is

such that the first metatarsal phalangeal joint and the two small bones there beneath,

the tibial sesamoid and the fibular sesamoid, should be displaced downwardly

("plantarflex") in order for the toe to function appropriately.

Thus, the progressive phases of gait are heel strike, when the heel hits the

ground; midstance, when stability of the arch is an essential necessity; and propulsive

phase, as the heel lifts off the ground and the body weight shifts onto the ball of the

foot. During the transition from the neutral position through toe-off, it is preferable that the second and third metatarsals be firmly supported, and that the first

metatarsal head plantarflex (move downward) relative the second and third

metatarsal heads. The toes also should generally be firmly supported during toe-off

so that they remain straight, and thus stronger, promoting a "pillar effect" by the

phalanges.

To provide additional insight into some of the mechanisms of the human feet,

it is known that the lower limbs of the human embryo begin to rotate internally

ninety degrees from an external position at the pelvic girdle at approximately the

eighth week of fetal development. At the twelfth week of development, the feet

begin to dorsiflex, and around the sixteenth week of development, the completely

inverted feet begin to evert, all of which are part of the complex preparation of the

lower extremity for upright, bi-pedal weight-bearing posture and locomotion. A

child's feet and legs have sometimes been described as a loose bag of bones and

cartilage floating in a mass of soft tissue until about age six. As a result, foot

posture is a rapidly changing proposition for children under the age of six years.

The true structure of a child's foot is not developed until approximately seven or

eight years of age when development of the sustentaculum tali is generally complete.

Further, eighty to ninety percent of the child's adult foot size is developed by the

age of ten, with complete development occurring by approximately age 14-16 years

in human females and age 15-17 years in human males.

When infants begin to bear weight, their feet begin to pronate excessively

because their feet are not yet ready, without deformation, to be placed on an

4 unnatural surface, such as a hard flat surface. As a result, if uncorrected, repeated

weight-generated forces may cause these early weight-bearing feet to permanently

deform (excessive pronation). Thus, such early-age, weight-bearing feet should

preferably be maintained in proper postural alignment by providing a more natural

environment therefor, such as a better supporting interface between the feet and the

underlying supporting surfaces, thereby allowing the feet to develop as normally as

possible during their postnatal development.

Therefore, as soon as the child begins to bear weight on his feet, usually

around six to seven months of age, treatment to neutralize excessive pronation

should be instituted. The user's feet should be placed in their individually most

efficient position to function properly and to reduce excessive strain not only on the

feet but also on the lower body structure supported by the feet. In an ideal foot

posture situation for minimal stress, the position in which the feet as weight-bearing

organs would normally realize greatest efficiency (including an optimal ratio of

supination and pronation) is one in which the subtalar joint is approximately forty-

two degrees from the transverse plane, approximately sixteen degrees from the

saggital plane, and approximately forty-eight degrees from the frontal plane,

sometimes referred to as the neutral position hereinbefore mentioned. In the neutral

position, the leg and calcaneus are perpendicular to the weight bearing surface, and

the knee joint, ankle joint and forefoot, including the plane of the metatarsal heads,

are substantially parallel to the subtalar joint and to the walking surface. A fully developed human foot can generally be described as having one of

three basic types: normal, low arch ("flat foot"), or high arch. From an anatomical

standpoint, normal and flat feet are capable of being functionally controlled by the

same basic shoe control mechanism, while a high-arch foot is structurally different

and may require a different supporting environment. For example, the amount of

adduction ("pigeon-toedness") of the front part of a normal or flat foot in relation to

the heel area of the foot is typically slight, while the amount of adduction in a high-

arch foot is generally much greater. Further, the movement of a normal or flat foot

during running is also substantially different from that of a high-arch foot. If proper

support and stabilization is not properly implemented during their early formative

development, fully developed feet may be more susceptible to, and be more prone to

suffer from, various maladies, including the following:

(a) tearing of the plantar fascia tissues which connect the heel to the

ball of the foot and support the arch of the foot, sometimes referred to as

"plantar fascial tears" or "plantar fasciitis", which generally arise from

stressful upward pulls on the calcaneus ("heel bone") and strain of the

intrinsic or interior foot muscles, and is generally realized as heel pain;

(b) excessive stress between adjacent metatarsals, sometimes referred

to as "metatarsal stress fractures", generally arising from improper support of

the talonavicular joint ("arch") and instability of the first ray ("great toe

joint"); (c) irritation of the tissue associated with a small bone beneath the

great toe joint, sometimes referred to as "tibial sesamoiditis", generally

arising from inappropriate support of the talonavicular joint and/or

inappropriate weight distribution between the various metatarsal phalangeal

joints;

(d) excessive bony growth on the top of the foot, sometimes referred

to as "saddle joint deformity", generally arising from improper movement of

the first metatarsal and realized in the form of degenerative arthritis;

(e) inflammation and/or separation of tissue from the tibia, sometimes

referred to as "shin splint", generally arising from improper articulation of

the talonavicular joint between the ankle bone and the key supporting bone of

the foot and generally realized as fatigue of the muscles in the front and back

of the leg; and

(f) bruising in the bottom center of the heel generally arising from

disproportionally greater weight-generated forces applied thereto.

Such maladies should be given due consideration, both in youth and in adults, as the

human foot may start to breakdown as a result of degenerative disease by the age of

thirty-five years.

In view of the foregoing, it should be obvious that certain parts of the feet are

generally subjected to higher stresses during standing, running and walking, and that

other parts of the feet require different degrees of support for maximum

biomechanical efficiency, particularly since high impact forces to the foot are

7 generally transferred to other skeletal structures, such as the shins, knees, and lower

back region.

Control of the user's foot must begin in the heel and proceed to the arch,

including providing stability of the forefoot in order for the foot to function properly

through the normal phases of gait. Various devices have been developed in attempts

to provide needed support and stabilization for a user's feet. A frequent problem

with most of such devices, however, is getting the devices to not only properly fit

the user's feet but, in the case of insole inserts, to also fit the user's shoes while

properly supporting and stabilizing the user's feet.

Thus, what is needed is a device, when placed into footwear, provides an

appropriate amount of support and shock attenuation for different regions of the foot

to thereby provide a proper environment that promotes a balanced foot position for

healthy postural and skeletal structural development, thus allowing the parts of the

foot to function in a way which provides maximum efficiency, to prepare the body

for stresses normally subjected thereto, and to protect those parts of the foot which

are subjected to high impact forces.

SUMMARY OF THE INVENTION

An improved insole insert for a user's footwear comprising a unitary body

member having a bottom portion, a heel portion, an arch portion, and a metatarsal

support portion. The body member, constructed of material having a selected material compression resistance, includes a toe edge, a heel edge, a lateral side

edge, and a medial side edge. The bottom portion includes a toe portion extending

rearwardly from the toe edge to terminate generally distally from the second and

third metatarsal phalangeal joints of the user's foot. The heel portion, which is

formed along the heel edge, the lateral side edge, and the medial side edge of the

body member; includes a lateral portion extending forwardly to a foremost end

thereof that is spaced just rearwardly of the user's fifth metatarsal phalangeal joint.

The arch portion is formed along the medial side edge and extends forwardly

from the heel portion to a foremost end thereof. The metatarsal support portion

extends rearwardly from the toe portion alongside the arch portion and forms a

boundary beginning approximately beneath the juncture between the user's first and

second metatarsal shafts, arcuately passing approximately beneath the user's first

through fourth metatarsal necks, and continuing rearwardly to pass approximately

beneath the juncture between the fourth and fifth metatarsal shafts and the juncture

between the cuboid and the lateral cuneiform and navicular bones of the user's foot.

A relief is generally formed along the boundary.

The insole insert also includes a concave depression area formed in the body

member. The depression area is spaced generally beneath a first metatarsal

phalangeal joint of the user such that the depression area is spaced just distally of the

foremost end of the arch portion.

Perforations are selectively formed in the body member to provide the body

member with one or more perforation-modified portions, each having a selected

9 effective compression resistance with a magnitude that is less than the magnitude of

said material compression resistance, and a non-perforation-modified portion not

having the perforations. The perforation-modified portion or portions may include

the depression area of the heel, the depression area of the first metatarsal head, the

depression area of the fifth metatarsal head, shaft and base, the toe portion, the

bottom portion spaced between the arch portion, the heel portion, the metatarsal

support portion, and cuboid portions of the surrounding body member. The non-

perforation-modified portion, the supporting and controlling portions of the insole

insert structure, may include the metatarsal neck support portion, the heel portion,

the perimeter of the heel portion and the arch portion.

The depression area and the body member, including the heel portion and the

arch portion, are configured to cooperatively redistribute weight-generated forces

operatively bearing against the sole of the user's foot such that greater weight-

generated forces normally bearing against certain regions of the sole of the user's

foot are substantially reduced and redistributed toward other regions of the sole of

the user's foot during mid-stance and propulsive phases of the user's gait.

PRINCIPAL OBJECTS AND ADVANTAGES OF THE INVENTION

The principal objects and advantages of the present invention include:

providing a device for insertion into existing footwear; providing such a device that is

tailored to the biomechanical operation of the wearer's foot; providing such a device

for properly supporting and cushioning various regions of the wearer's foot;

10 providing such a device that includes a perforation-modified portion having

perforations configured to provide the perforation-modified portion with an effective

pressure resistance with magnitude that is reduced from the magnitude of the

inherent pressure resistance of the material from which the device is constructed;

providing such a device wherein components thereof are configured to cooperatively

substantially reduce the magnitude of greater weight-generated forces normally

bearing against certain regions of the sole of the user's foot and to redistribute those

forces to other regions of the sole of the user's foot; and generally providing such a

device that is efficient in operation, reliable in performance, and is particularly well

adapted for the proposed usage thereof.

Other objects and advantages of the present invention will become apparent

from the following description taken in conjunction with the accompanying drawings,

which constitute a part of this specification and wherein are set forth exemplary

embodiments of the present invention to illustrate various objects and features thereof.

BRIEF DESCRIPTION OF THE DRAWINGS

Fig. 1 is a schematic illustration, showing a top plan view of an insole of a left

shoe and illustrating the approximate position of the metatarsal and related bone

structure of a user's left foot in relation thereto.

11 Fig. 2 is a perspective view of an insole insert having perforation-modified

resiliency for a left foot showing a shoe associated therewith in phantom, according to

the present invention.

Fig. 3 is a side elevational view of the insole insert having perforation-modified

resiliency.

Fig. 4 is an enlarged cross-sectional view ot the insole insert having

perforation-modified resiliency, taken along line 4-4 of Fig. 3.

Fig. 5 is a further enlarged and fragmentary cross-sectional view, showing the

insole insert having perforation-modified resiliency in an unloaded stated.

Fig. 6 is a further enlarged and fragmentary cross-sectional view, showing the

insole insert having perforation-modified resiliency in a loaded state.

Fig. 7 is an enlarged top plan view of the insole insert having perforation-

modified resiliency.

Figs. 7a - 7i are enlarged cross-sectional views of the insole insert having

perforation-modified resiliency, taken respectively along lines a-a through i-i of Fig. 7,

according to the present invention.

Fig. 8 is a schematic illustration, showing a top plan view of an insole of a left

shoe with a variation of the insole insert of Fig. 1 shown in phantom, according to the

present invention.

Fig. 9 is an enlarged top plan view of the insole insert having perforation-

modified resiliency of a right shoe, similar to Fig.7 but also showing the variation of

Fig. 8.

12 Figs. 9a - 9f are enlarged cross-sectional views of the insole insert having

perforation-modified resiliency of a right shoe of the variation of Fig. 8, taken

respectively along lines a-a through f-f of Fig. 9.

Fig. 10 is an enlarged, partially cross-sectional view of the insole insert having

perforation-modified resiliency of a left shoe of the variation of Fig. 8.

Fig. 11 is an enlarged, partially cross-sectional view of the insole insert having

perforation-modified resiliency of a left shoe of the variation of Fig. 8, according to

the present invention.

DETAILED DESCRIPTION OF THE INVENTION

As required, detailed embodiments of the present invention are disclosed

herein; however, it is to be understood that the disclosed embodiments are merely

exemplary of the invention, which may be embodied in various forms. Therefore,

specific structural and functional details disclosed herein are not to be interpreted as

limiting, but merely as a basis for the claims and as a representative basis for teaching

one skilled in the art to variously employ the present invention in virtually any

appropriately detailed structure.

The reference numeral 1 generally refers to an insole insert in accordance with

the present invention, as shown in Figs. 2 through 7i. The insole insert 1 generally

comprises a body member 7 having a contoured upper surface 13 for comfortable

stable support of a wearer's foot, as indicated in Fig. 2, and a lower surface 15 for

bearing against the insole of a wearer's shoe 17.

13

fiECTΪFffΪ! SHEET (RULE 8f) A perimeter 21 of the body member 7 substantially defines the limits of both

the upper surface 13 and the lower surface 15, and includes regions defined for

purposes of reference herein as a toe edge 23, a heel edge 25, a medial side edge 27,

and a lateral side edge 29 corresponding to parts of the user's foot. The length and

width of any particular one (or pair) of the insole insert 1 may vary as is customary,

depending upon the size of footwear for which that insole insert 1 is intended, and the

overall depth or thickness of any particular one (or pair) of the insole insert 1 may also

vary considerably, depending on the style of footwear into which the insole insert 1 is

to be inserted. Also, at certain specific sites on the insole insert 1, the depth may vary

as hereinafter described.

Various dimensions are quantified here below for exemplary purposes only;

those quantities were observed for an insole insert 1 of the present invention for a

woman's size nine, oxford-type shoe, sometimes referred to herein as the "woman's

size-nine exemplary specimen". It is to be understood that those dimensions may

increase or decrease according to the shoe size or shoe type for which a particular set

of the insole inserts 1 is to be utilized.

The body member 7 is constructed of a material having a selected compression

resistance. For example, the material from which the body member 7 of the insole

insert 1 is molded or otherwise formed is preferably a pliable vinyl or other synthetic

substance, such as those sometimes referred to as EVA (ethylene vinyl alcohol), PVA

(polyvinyl alcohol), PU (polyurethane) or latex foam, polypropylene, DPU, etc., or

other readily moldable substance which yields a relatively soft, pliable form once

14 cured or "set". The material selected should be one that provides the desired

cushioning, lightweightness, physical strength, wearability, rot resistance, slip

resistance, is relatively durable with long use, and is preferably relatively inert to not

commonly cause allergic reactions when in contact with skin. Preferably, the material

selected is also one that may be trimmable with a pair of scissors or shears, if

necessary, for more precisely adapting, or custom fitting, the insole insert 1 to the

footwear for which it is intended.

The upper surface 13 may, if desired, be overlaid for style and/or comfort with

a thin fabric layer or liner 33 or other suitable pliable sheet-like material, as shown in

Figs. 3 through 6, to separate the sole of the wearer's foot from direct contact with the

upper surface 13 of the underlying insert body member 7. For example, the liner 33

may be constructed of an elastomeric polymer cloth. In addition, the liner 33 may be

made of an odor and/or moisture absorbing material, as known in the art, and may also

be impregnated with an antibacterial and/or antimicrobial agent.

The insole insert 1 includes a bottom portion 37, a depression area 43, a heel

portion 45, and an arch portion 47. The bottom portion 37 has a front or toe section

53, extending rearwardly from the toe edge 23 to a metatarsal neck support section 55

of the bottom portion 37, and a rear section 57 extending rearwardly alongside the

metatarsal neck support section 55 to a rear portion 63 of the heel portion 45, as shown

in Fig. 7 and as hereinafter described. The front section 53 has a generally uniform

thickness, as indicated by the numeral 59 in Fig. 4. For example, the front section 53

15 of the woman's size-nine exemplary specimen of the insole insert 1 may have a

uniform thickness of approximately four millimeters.

The depression area 43 is generally has a dished configuration and is

perforation-modified as hereinafter described or otherwise configured to permit the

user's first metatarsal-phalangeal joint Jl to move vertically downwardly and

proximally while progressing through midstance to propulsive phases of the user's

gait. The depression area 43, which is generally formed in the bottom portion 37 such

that the user's first metatarsal-phalangeal heat Ml is spaced approximately centrally

thereover, is configured to have sufficient horizontal and vertical dimensions to

properly accommodate the user's paired sesamoid bones located beneath his first

metatarsal joint Jl to thereby allow proper, natural flexion of the user's first metatarsal

phalangeal joints despite the user's foot being confined to an article of footwear.

More specifically, the depression area 43 permits the first metatarsal

phalangeal joint Jl to be displaced more naturally relative to the adjacent metatarsals

to promote increased stability and greater balance to the extrinsic and intrinsic

musculature of the foot and to minimize or eliminate the incidence of saddle joint

deformity. The depression area 43 is also configured to basically cup the first

metatarsal phalangeal head Ml to thereby essentially fix the support provided by the

insole insert 1 securely in the footwear against the user's foot and, additionally, to

prevent forward slippage of the user's foot in the footwear.

For example, the depression area 43 of the woman's size-nine exemplary

specimen of the insole insert 1 has a depth of approximately 2 mm, a width of

16 approximately 3.5 cm or approximately forty percent of the overall width of the insole

insert 1, and a fore-to-aft dimension of approximately 4.3 cm or approximately sixteen

percent of the overall length of the insole insert 1.

It is to be understood that the depression area 43 may be shaped approximately

circularly, rectangularly, triangularly, ovular, or any other suitable shape so long as the

depression area 43 is properly dimensioned to, cooperatively with other components

of the insole insert 1, accomplish desired foot functioning and redistribution of the

weight-generated forces bearing against the sole of the user's foot during the various

phases of the user's gait.

The heel portion 45 and the arch portion 47 are configured and dimensioned to

cooperatively redistribute relatively large weight-generated forces bearing against

certain areas of the sole of the user's foot, that are normally induced during various

supported phases of the user's gait, to other areas of the user's foot that normally

experience smaller weight-generated forces. To cooperatively assist with

accomplishing such redistribution of weight- generated forces, the rear portion 63, a

medial portion 64, and a lateral portion 65 of the heel portion 45 extend inwardly from

the perimeter 21 such that the portion of the user's body weight supported by the

user's heel is distributed over a substantially larger area. More specifically, weight-

bearing forces normally bearing against the sole of the user's foot are shifted away

from the more bony regions of the user's foot, such as the central region of the user's

heel for example, toward the larger and more fleshy areas of the user's foot, such as

the user's arch and the outer regions of the user's heel.

17 For example, the horizontal width of the heel portion 45 of the woman's size-

nine exemplary specimen of the insole insert 1 at the rearmost extremity of the insole

insert 1 may have a horizontal width in the range of approximately 1.0 cm, or

approximately fifteen percent of the overall width of the insole insert 1 transversely

through a center of curvature 67 as hereinafter described, and approximately four

percent of the overall length of the insole insert 1.

Each of the rear portion 63, the medial portion 64, and the lateral portion 65 of

the heel portion 45 has a generally triangular configuration where they extend above

the rear section 57 of the bottom portion 37 such that the rear portion 63, the medial

portion 64, and the lateral portion 65 gently arcuately taper downwardly and inwardly

from the perimeter 21 to the rear section 57, as indicated by the numeral 71 in Figs. 7g

and 7i, to thereby form a generally semi-circular boundary 73 about the center of

curvature 67 between the heel portion 45 and the rear section 57. If desired, the inner

edges of the rear portion 63, the medial portion 64, and the lateral portion 65 may be

spaced slightly above the rear section 57 in order to form a relief, as indicated by the

numeral 77 in Fig. 7h, to thereby facilitate minimal shifting of flesh of the sole of the

user's foot to assist with accommodation of the redistribution of weight- generated

forces from the rear section 57 to the heel portion 45 and the arch portion 47.

Further, the lateral portion 65 of the heel portion 45 extends forwardly along

the lateral side edge 29 to terminate at a foremost end 83 thereof, as shown in Fig. 7.

For example, the lateral portion 65 of the heel portion 45 of the woman's size-nine

18 exemplary specimen of the insole insert 1 generally extends forwardly to

approximately fifty-five percent of the overall length of the insole insert 1.

For the variation shown in Figs. 8 through 11, the lateral portion 65 of the heel

portion 45 extends forwardly along the lateral side edge 29 to terminate at the distal

end of the calcaneus (calcaneal-cuboid joint). The example for the variation generally

extends forwardly to approximately twenty-five percent of the overall length of the

insole insert 1.

The arch portion 47 extends substantially above the rear section 57 of the

bottom portion 37 and gently arcuately tapers downwardly and inwardly from the

upper attached perimeter 17 to the rear section 57 and to grade into the metatarsal

support section 55. The metatarsal support section 55 is adapted to underlie and

support the second and third (and perhaps fourth, if desired) metatarsal necks. The

metatarsal support section 55 is slightly elevated above the front section 53 and the

rear section 57 to thereby form an extension of the boundary 73, which can be

described as beginning approximately beneath and between the first and second

metatarsal shafts of the user's foot, arcuately passing beneath the second through

fourth metatarsal necks, continuing rearwardly and medially to pass approximately

beneath the juncture between the fourth and fifth metatarsal shafts, between the cuboid

and the lateral cuneiform and navicular bones, to then continue alongside the medial

portion 64, the rear portion 63, and the lateral portion 65 of the heel portion 45, as

hereinbefore described.

19 The arch portion 47 generally grades into the metatarsal support 55 and extends

forwardly from the medial portion 64 of the heel portion 45 along the medial side edge

27 to terminate just rearwardly of the depression area 43. In other words, the arch

portion 47 extends forwardly to approximately sixty percent of the overall length of

the insole insert 1. The underside of the arch portion 47 may be hollowed out, as

indicated by the numeral 84 in Fig. 7d, to further promote lightweightness of the

insole insert 1.

Similarly to the heel portion 45, the arch portion 47 extends inwardly from the

perimeter 21, oppositely from the lateral portion 65 of the heel portion 45, such that

only a relatively narrow corridor 85 of the bottom portion 37 remains available to

provide comfort or cushioning to dampen stress for the corresponding regions of the

user's foot to thereby, in conjunction with the lateral portion 65, the medial portion 64,

and the rear portion 63 of the heel portion 45, redistribute the relatively larger weight-

generated forces normally applied to the rear section 57 from the rear section 57 to the

heel portion 45 and the arch portion 47. In other words, the heel portion 45, in

conjunction with the arch portion 47, is configured to redistribute the weight-

generated forces, among other things, from the center of the user's heel generally

outwardly to thereby reduce or eliminate the incidence of bruising of the bottom

center of the user's heel.

An example of the insole insert 1 in accordance with the present invention is

shown in the series of cross-sectional views in Figs. 7a through 7h, as follows:

20 Fig. 7a, taken along line a-a of Fig. 7 distally from the depression area

43, shows the front portion 53 in cross-section, with the profile of the

depression area 43 extending therebelow, and the profiles of the heel portion

45, the arch portion 47, and the metatarsal support section 55 extending

thereabove;

Fig. 7b, taken along line b-b of Fig. 7 distally from the metatarsal

support section 55, shows the depression area 43 and the bottom portion 37 in

cross-section, with the profiles of the heel portion 45, the arch portion 47,

and the metatarsal neck support section 55 extending thereabove;

Fig. 7c, taken along line c-c of Fig. 7 in a transition region between

the depression area 43 and the arch portion 47, shows the bottom portion 37

including the metatarsal support section 55 in cross-section, with the profiles

of the heel portion 45 and the arch portion 47 extending thereabove;

Fig. 7d, taken along line d-d of Fig. 7, shows the bottom portion 37

including the metatarsal support section 55 in cross-section, with the partially

cross-sectioned profiles of the heel portion 45 and the arch portion 47

extending thereabove;

Fig. 7e, taken along line e-e of Fig. 7, shows the bottom portion 37

including the metatarsal support section 55 in cross-section, with the partially

cross-sectioned profiles of the heel portion 45 and the arch portion 47

extending thereabove;

21 Fig. 7f, taken along line f-f of Fig. 7, shows the bottom portion 37

including the metatarsal support section 55 in cross-section, with the partially

cross-sectioned profiles of the heel portion 45 and the arch portion 47

extending thereabove;

Fig. 7g, taken along g-g of Fig. 7, shows the bottom portion 37 in

cross-section, with the partially cross-sectioned profile of the heel portion 45

extending thereabove;

Fig. 7h, taken along h-h of Fig. 7, shows the bottom portion 37 and

the medial and lateral portions 64, 65 of the heel portion 45 in cross-section,

with the profile of the rear portion 63 of the heel portion 45 extending

thereabove; and

Fig. 7i, taken along i-i of Fig. 7, fragmentarily shows the bottom

portion 37 including the metatarsal support section 55 and the rear portion 63

of the heel portion 46 in cross-section, with the profiles of the arch portion 47

and the medial portion 64 of the heal portion 46 extending thereabove.

Similar descriptions for Figs. 9, 9a through 9f, 10, and 11 should be obvious

to those with skill in the art.

As an example of dimensions for the heel portion 45 and the arch portion 47 of

the woman's size-nine exemplary specimen of the insole insert 1, the width of the

corridor 83 at the center of curvature 78 thereof is approximately 3.2 cm; the

horizontal width of the lateral portion 65 of the heel portion 45 and the height of the

perimeter 21 above the rear section 57 transversely from the center of curvature 67 is

22 approximately 1.5 cm and 1.4 cm, respectively; the horizontal width of the rear

portion 63 of the heel portion 45 and the height of the perimeter 21 above the rear

section 57 directly rearwardly from the center of curvature 78 is approximately 1.3 cm

and 1.3 cm, respectively; the horizontal width of the arch portion 47 and the height of

the perimeter 21 above the rear section 57 transversely from the center of curvature 78

is approximately 1.8 cm and 1.5 cm, respectively; and the combined horizontal width

of the metatarsal support section 55 and the arch portion 47 and the height of the

perimeter 21 above the rear section 57 at the highest point of the arch portion 47 is

approximately 4.1 cm and 2.0 cm, respectively.

The heel portion 45 and the arch portion 47 are cooperatively configured such

that the body weight of the user is distributed over a larger area of the sole of the

user's foot. Due to the configuration of the heel portion 45 and the arch portion 47

wherein the heel portion 45 and the arch portion 47 extend above the bottom portion

37, the user's foot is supported at an elevation slightly above the elevation at which

it would otherwise be supported were it not for the configuration of the heel portion

45 and the arch portion 47. As a result, the larger weight-generated forces normally

applied to the user's arch are redistributed toward areas of the user's arch that are

normally subjected to much smaller weight-generated forces.

Further, the cooperative configuring of the heel portion 45 and the arch

portion 47, wherein the user's foot is supported at a slightly higher elevation within

footwear as hereinbefore described, in conjunction with the depression area 43, also

redistribute the larger weight-generated forces normally applied to the user's

23 forefoot, such as the sesamoids and fifth metatarsal joint, toward areas of the user's

forefoot that are normally subjected to much smaller weight-generated forces. As a

result, the upward pull on the wearer's calcaneus normally experienced with prior

art insoles is reduced by the insole insert 1 to thereby reduce the strain on the user's

intrinsic or interior foot muscles and to reduce or eliminate the incidence of plantar

fascial tears including the heel pain associated therewith.

The arch portion 47, in conjunction with the depression area 43, is configured

to permit weight-generated forces to be more naturally distributed between the

user's arch and the various metatarsals to thereby minimize or eliminate the

incidence of tibial sesamoiditis. Further, the arch portion 47 and the depression

area 43 are configured such that cooperative interaction therebetween reduces first

ray instability by supporting the talonavicular joint which, in turn, reduces the stress

on adjacent metatarsals thereby decreasing or eliminating the incidence of metatarsal

stress fractures. Also, the arch portion 47 is configured to promote more natural

control of the talonavicular joint to thereby decrease or eliminate the incidence of

shin splints and fatigue of the front and back leg muscles, and to thereby promote

more efficient movement of the user's lower leg muscles.

The structural and contour features of the upper surface 13, namely the

depression area 43, the metatarsal support section 55 of the bottom portion 37, the heel

portion 45, and the arch portion 47 are configured to cooperatively provide the insole

insert 1 with the ability to permit a user's foot to be secure and stable as necessary for

appropriate flexing and movement of the bone structure throughout the phases of gait

24 in most existing footwear that do not otherwise provide such security and stability. As

an added benefit of the insole insert 1, the bottom portion 37, the depression area

43, the heel portion 45, and the arch portion 47 are configured such that cooperative

interaction thereamong largely minimizes or eliminates excessive inward rotation of

the user's leg to thereby reduce knee and hip discomforts sometimes associated

therewith. Further, and particularly for users having flat feet, the bottom portion

37, the depression area 43, the heel portion 45, and the arch portion 47 are

configured such that cooperative interaction thereamong will more naturally balance

the extrinsic and intrinsic muscles on the top and bottom of the user's foot to thereby

minimize or entirely eliminate the maladies commonly referred to as bunions and

hammertoes.

The body member 7 of the insole insert 1 includes a perforation-modified

portion 89 having throughbores or perforations 91 configured to provide the

perforation-modified portion 89 with a selected effective compression resistance that

is reduced from the inherent compression resistance of the material from which the

body member 7 is constructed. The body member 7 also includes a non-perforation-

modified portion 93 that does not include the perforations 91 , and, therefore,

exhibits the same compression resistance as the inherent compression resistance of

the material from which the body member 7 is constructed.

To selectively provide the reduced compression resistance of the perforation-

modified portion 89, the perforations 91 are punched or otherwise formed in the

25 perforation-modified portion 89. For example, as shown in Figs. 2 and 7, the

perforation-modified portion 89 includes the front section 53 and the rear section 57

of the bottom portion 37 and the depression area 43 to thereby enhance the shock

absorbing characteristics thereof. For example, in the woman's size-nine exemplary

specimen, the perforations 91 have a diameter of approximately 1.5 mm. In should

be understood, however, that the perforations 91 may have any other suitable cross-

sectional dimension or dimensions.

If it should be desired to reduce the compression resistance in the perforation-

modified portion 89 even farther, the perforations 91 may be spaced more closely

together, as illustrated in the area enclosed by the dashed line designated by the

numeral 95 in Fig. 7, or may have larger cross-section dimensions, or both.

Similarly, if greater compression resistance is desired in another region of the insole

insert 1, the perforations 91 are either spaced farther apart, have smaller diameters,

or are non-existent, such as in the metatarsal support section 55 as shown in Figs. 2

and 7.

The body member 7 preferably has a Type C (commonly referred to as

"Shore C Scale") durometer hardness or compression resistance measured in

accordance with American Society of Testing and Material (ASTM) standard D

2440-97 of less than about 70 and more preferably a compression resistance in a

range of about 40-60. Depending upon the particular activity for which the

footwear is intended, however, the compression resistance may be greater or lesser

as desired. For example, if the footwear is intended for walking, the body member

26 7 may have a Type C durometer hardness (ASTM D 2240-97) of about forty-five,

whereas if the footwear is intended for running, the body member 7 may have a

hardness of about sixty. In short, the body member 7 should be sufficiently "soft"

to provide shock attenuation, but sufficiently firm to provide stability to the foot.

Preferably, the arch portion 47 has a Type C durometer hardness (ASTM D 2240-

97) of 50-85, and preferably greater than about sixty. For footwear (e.g. work

boots) subjected to heavy loading, the body member 7 preferably has a hardness of

about 75.

It is to be understood that the perforation-modified portion 89 may have some

sections thereof having a selected effective compression resistance, due to a certain

effective area density of the perforations 91, that is reduced from the inherent

compression resistance of the material from which the body member 7 is

constructed, and one or more other sections having different selected effective

compression resistances corresponding to respective effective area densities of the

perforations 91 therein. Simply stated, the greater the density of the perforations 91

in a given area, or the larger the ratio of the cross-sectional area of the perforations

91 to the total area of the corresponding perforation-modified portion 89, the softer

the compression resistance provided in that region of the insole insert 1.

It is also to be understood that a certain component or components of the

insole insert 1 may be included as part of the perforation-modified portion 89 in

some applications, wherein one or more of those same components may be included

as part of the non-perforation modified portion 93 in other applications.

27 When the insole insert 1 is unloaded, such as when the user is not placing

weight thereon, the perforations 91 assume their original, generally cylindrical,

shape, as shown in Fig. 5. However, when the user does apply weight to a given

region of the insert insole 1 that comprises the perforations 91, such as the

depression area 43 as shown in Fig. 6, the bulk of the material, comprising that

given region and from which the insole insert 1 is constructed, is compressed but, in

addition, the compressed material also expands into the associated perforations 91,

thereby providing realization of the reduced compression resistance provided by the

resiliency modification function of the perforations 91.

A state-of-the-art system, developed for measuring the distribution of weight-

generated forces applied to the sole of a user's foot, sometimes referred to as "F-

scan in-shoe gait analysis", was used to evaluate the inventive features of the insole

insert 1 of the present invention. The F-scan system uses paper-thin insole devices,

each approximately 0.007-inch thick and containing on the order of a thousand

individual sensors. The F-scan insole devices are flexible and trimmable to custom

fit almost any shoe size or shape, including children's shoes. During evaluations,

the F-scan insoles are inserted into the footwear. The foot is placed into the shoe

with or without a sock. The bi-pedal plantar pressures at each of the sensors are

then detected, monitored, and recorded by the F-scan system as they sequentially

occur during a normal gait cycle and/or during stance. The results may then be

compared with similar measurements taken with the same or similar footwear, one

28 set with modifications such as the insole insert 1 , and one set without such

modifications.

In regard to the present invention, F-scan computerized gait analysis system

was used for diagnostic evaluations of footwear not providing the benefits of the

insole insert 1 and compared with corresponding diagnostic evaluations of footwear

utilizing the insole insert 1 of the present invention. The comparison of the sets of

analyses disclosed that the greatest weight-generated forces normally applied to

localized regions of the user's foot were indeed redistributed toward other regions of

the user's foot sole normally experiencing smaller weight-generated forces to

thereby substantially reduce the range of applied weight-generated forces.

In an application of the present invention wherein the insole insert 1 is

appropriately installed in existing footwear and worn on a user's foot, some of the

primary benefits provided by the insole insert 1 while walking and running begin at

heel strike, when the heel of the user's footwear first hits the underlying supporting

surface. The compression resistance of the lateral portion 65 of the heel portion 45

of the insole insert 1 , in addition to cooperatively redistributing weight-generated

forces applied to the user's foot as described herein, also provides cushioning for

those initial impacts to thereby reduce risk of injury to the user and to thereby

support and promote enhanced efficiency of other associated parts of the user's foot

and lower skeletal structure.

29 After each such initial impact, the user's foot pivots distally about his heel,

with the lateral sides of his arch and forefoot impacting against the underlying

supporting surface and his foot pronating to a neutral position with the central

vertical plane of his heel generally appropriately oriented perpendicularly to the

underlying supporting surface. Again, compression resistance of the arch portion 47

and the front section 53 of the bottom portion 37 of the insole insert 1 provides

cushioning for the shocks arising from such secondary impacts. As the user's

metatarsal shifts downwardly and proximally, the first metatarsal phalangeal joint

stabilizes as it must before the user's foot subsequently lifts from the underlying

supporting surface. The lesser metatarsal phalangeal joints are accordingly stabilized

for dorsiflexion due to the contours of the insole insert 1 as herein described.

The compression resistance of the front section 53 of the bottom portion 37

beneath the user's metatarsal heads M1-M5 also serves to redistribute weight-

generated forces thereagainst during mid-stance through propulsive phases of his

gait cycle. The described motion places the user's foot in an appropriate

biomechanical position for the propulsive phase of his gait cycle, including proper

displacing of his sesamoid apparatus during mid-stance and toe-off phases. In

addition, the cooperative interaction by the heel portion 45 and the arch portion 47,

whereby the user's foot is fully supported slightly above the elevation that the user's

foot would otherwise be supported were it not for the heel portion 45 and the arch

portion 47, allows the sesamoids and certain muscles of the user's foot to

30 momentarily rest to thereby create a desirable timing sequence thereof and,

cooperatively with the depression area 43, to create a more effective lever system just

prior to the foot progressing into the toe-off phase of his gait.

As the user's foot rotates forwardly into the toe-off phase, the first metatarsal

Ml is permitted by the insole insert 1 to be appropriately pushed downwardly,

remaining stable as the user's heel lifts from the underlying supporting surface, and

continuing to remain stable and appropriately flex without forward slippage up to the

position in the user's gait whereat the first metatarsal phalangeal joint Jl lifts from the

underlying supporting surface. In other words, as the user's heel lifts from the

underlying supporting surface, the insole insert 1 allows the user's first metatarsal

phalangeal joint Jl to actually displace downwardly to continue to be stabilized,

thereby progressively providing appropriate functioning of the user's foot throughout

the entire supported phases of his gait.

One of the primary reasons the user's foot remains stable throughout the

supported phases of his gait is because the structure of the insole insert 1 provides

support and stability for each of the user's heel, arch, and first metatarsal from before

the user's foot rotates forwardly, whereat his heel would lift from the underlying

supporting surface, to the point in the user's gait whereat the user's first metatarsal

actually lifts from the underlying supporting surface. Thus, the insole insert 1

appropriately provides all of the necessary supporting and stabilizing factors. By

providing the inventive structure in one, unitary insole insert, the user's foot can

function appropriately within the confines of his shoe.

31 In other words, the insole insert 1 is adapted to support and maintain the heel

in a perpendicular orientation relative to the underlying supporting surface, to

thereby support the longitudinal arch of the foot by shifting the weight laterally, to

provide a larger surface area to balance pedal weight as well as to provide a more

even distribution of weight-generated forces applied to the sole of his feet, and to

allow his foot to function more efficiently by allowing the first metatarsal phalangeal

joint Jl and associated sesamoid apparatus to function properly.

It should now be obvious from the foregoing that the material properties of

the various regions of the insole insert 1 appropriately cushion, support and stabilize

the various parts of the user's foot as herein described. It should also now be

obvious that the compression resistances hereinbefore described may be selectively

altered, depending upon the intended use of the footwear for which the insole insert

1 is intended. For example, adult footwear designed for use in situations where the

wearer will frequently be carrying a heavy load (e.g., work boots) may require

more support and greater compression resistance than a child's dress shoe.

Likewise, footwear made for running may require firmer support in the heel section

to thereby absorb the greater initial shock of each running step than would a hiking

boot in which more cushioning, or reduced compression resistance, may be desired

for each walking step. Further, it will be appreciated that the present invention is

not limited necessarily to any particular type of footwear and may be equally

desirable for use in shoes, boots and sandals. In addition, it should be understood

that the locations of the areas of softer, or lesser compression resistance, material

32 relative to other areas of harder, or greater compression resistance, material may be

selectively altered without departing from the scope of this invention.

Use of the insole insert 1 of the present invention in infant's footwear will

preferably be initiated as soon as the infant's feet become weight-bearing to thereby

aid the child in standing and walking, to mold the child's foot into an appropriate

position that does not interfere with the foot's normal ontogenetic development, and

to provide substantially full and complete support between the child's foot and the

underlying supporting surface.

In accordance with the present invention, the arch portion 47 and the body

member 7 of the insole insert 1 are cooperatively dimensioned and configured such

that (i) the perforation-modified portion 89 generally includes the central region of

the user's heel; a lateral region along the user's arch; and the user's forefoot and toe

regions; and (ii) the non-perforation modified portion 93 generally includes a medial

region of the user's arch; and lateral, rear, and medial regions of the user's heel.

The perforation-modified portion 89 of the body member 7 compresses

relatively easily when loaded; however, the non-perforation-modified portion 93 of

the arch portion 47 does not compress as easily when loaded. Therefore, the

perforation-modified portion 89 of the body member 7 is configured to, among other

things, compress more easily to absorb impact forces, whereas the non-perforation-

modified portion 93 of the arch portion 47 is configured to, among other things,

more diligently resist compression and thereby provide firmer support for the

associated regions of the user's foot.

33 Stated another way, the arch portion 47 firmly supports the osseous alignment

of the user's foot when in the neutral position thereby relieving stress in the

ligaments, muscles and tendons which maintain the foot in this position. During the

transition from the neutral position to toe-off, the metatarsal support section 55

provides needed support for the second and third (and perhaps fourth, N4)

metatarsal necks N2, N3, but the depression area 43 of the perforation-modified

portion 89 of the body member 7 permits the first metatarsal head Ml to plantarflex

relative to the second and third metatarsal heads M2, M3.

It is to be understood that the invention described herein is not to be limited

to footwear for children but, in many cases, may be equally applicable to insole

inserts for adult footwear and that, while certain forms of the present invention have

been illustrated and described herein, it is not to be limited to the specific forms or

arrangement of parts described and shown.

34

Claims

CLAIMSWhat is claimed and desired to be secured by Letters Patent is as follows:

1. An insole insert for a user's footwear, comprising a unitary body member

constructed of material having a selected material compression resistance,

said body member including:

(a) a perforation-modified portion having perforations configured to

provide said perforation-modified portion with a selected effective

compression resistance with a magnitude that is less than the

magnitude of said material compression resistance; and

(b) a non-perforation-modified portion not having said perforations.

2. The insole insert of claim 1, including a depression area formed in said body

member and spaced generally beneath a first metatarsal phalangeal joint of

the user.

3. The insole insert of claim 2, wherein said perforation-modified portion

includes said depression area.

4. The insole insert of claim 2, wherein said depression area has a concave

configuration.

35

5. The insole insert of claim 1 , wherein said body member includes a toe edge

and a toe portion extending rearwardly from said toe edge to terminate

generally distally from the second and third metatarsal phalangeal joints of

the user's foot.

6. The insole insert of claim 5, wherein said body member includes a metatarsal

support portion extending rearwardly from said toe portion alongside said

arch portion forming a boundary beginning approximately beneath the

juncture between the user's first and second metatarsal shafts, arcuately

passing approximately beneath the user's first through fourth metatarsal

necks, and continuing rearwardly to pass approximately beneath the juncture

between the fourth and fifth metatarsal shafts and the juncture between the

cuboid and the lateral cuneiform and navicular bones.

7. The insole insert of claim 6, wherein said non-perforation-modified portion

includes said metatarsal support portion.

8. The insole insert of claim 6, wherein said non-perforation-modified portion

includes said metatarsal support portion, a perimeter of said heel portion and

said arch portion to thereby provide supporting and controlling portions of the

insole insert.

36

9. The insole insert of claim 6, further including a relief situated along said boundary.

10. The insole insert of claim 5, wherein said perforation-modified portion includes said toe portion.

11. The insole insert of claim 10, wherein said perforation-modified portion further includes said depression area of said heel and the first metatarsal head, the fifth metatarsal head, shaft and base, and cuboid portions of said supporting body member.

12. The insole insert of claim 1, wherein said body member includes:

(a) a bottom portion, a heel edge, a lateral side edge, and a medial side

edge;

(b) a heel portion formed along said heel edge, said lateral side edge, and

said medial side edge of said body member; and

(c) an arch portion formed along said medial side edge and extending

forwardly from said heel portion; and

(d) wherein said body member, said depression area, said heel portion,

and said arch portion are configured to cooperatively redistribute

weight-generated forces operatively bearing against the sole of the

user's foot such that greater weight-generated forces normally bearing

against certain regions of the heel and forefoot of the user's foot are

37 substantially reduced and redistributed toward other regions of the sole

of the user's foot during supported phases of the user's gait.

13. The insole insert of claim 12, wherein said body member also includes a

metatarsal support portion extending rearwardly from said toe portion

alongside said arch portion forming a boundary beginning approximately

beneath the juncture between the user's first and second metatarsal shafts,

arcuately passing approximately beneath the user's first through fourth

metatarsal necks, and continuing rearwardly to pass approximately beneath

the juncture between the fourth and fifth metatarsal shafts and the juncture

between the cuboid and the lateral cuneiform and navicular bones.

14. The insole insert of claim 13, wherein said perforation-modified portion

includes said bottom portion to the extent that said bottom portion is spaced

between said arch portion, said heel portion, and said metatarsal support

portion.

15. The insole insert of claim 12, wherein said non-perforation-modified portion

includes said heel portion.

16. The insole insert of claim 12, wherein said non-perforation-modified portion

includes said arch portion.

38

17. The insole insert of claim 12, wherein said heel portion generally extends

above said bottom portion, transversely from said center of curvature,

approximately eight to ten percent of the transverse width of said channel at

said center of curvature.

18. The insole insert of claim 1 , wherein said arch portion extends forwardly to a

foremost portion thereof spaced just rearwardly of said depression portion.

19. The insole insert of claim 1 , wherein said arch portion extends forwardly to

approximately fifty-five to sixty percent of the overall length of said insole

insert.

20. The insole insert of claim 1, wherein said heel portion extends forwardly to a

foremost end thereof spaced just rearwardly of the user's fifth metatarsal

base.

21. The insole insert of claim 1 , wherein said heel portion extends forwardly to a

foremost end thereof spaced approximately below the calcaneal-cuboid joint.

22. An insole insert for a user's footwear, comprising:

39 (a) a unitary body member constructed of material having a selected

material compression resistance, said body member including a toe

edge, a heel edge, a lateral side edge, and a medial side edge; said

body member including:

(1) a bottom portion, including a toe portion extending rearwardly

from said toe edge to terminate generally distally from the

second and third metatarsal phalangeal joints of the user's foot,

(2) a heel portion formed along said heel edge, said lateral side

edge, and said medial side edge of said body member; said heel

portion having a lateral portion extending forwardly to a

foremost end thereof spaced just rearwardly of the user's fifth

metatarsal phalangeal joint,

(3) an arch portion formed along said medial side edge and

extending forwardly from said heel portion to a foremost end,

(4) a metatarsal support portion extending rearwardly from said toe

portion and alongside said arch portion, said metatarsal support

portion having a boundary beginning approximately beneath the

juncture between the user's first and second metatarsal

phalangeal joints, arcuately passing approximately beneath the

user's second through fourth proximal phalanges, and

continuing rearwardly to pass approximately beneath the

juncture between the fourth and fifth metatarsal necks and the

40 juncture between the cuboid bone and the lateral cuneiform and

navicular bones of the user's foot, and

(5) a relief formed along said boundary; and

(b) a depression area formed in said body member, having a concave

configuration, and spaced generally beneath a first metatarsal

phalangeal joint of the user such that said depression area is spaced

just distally of said foremost end of said arch portion; and

(c) perforations selectively formed in said body member to provide said

body member with:

(1) at least one perforation-modified portion having a selected

effective compression resistance with a magnitude that is less

than the magnitude of said material compression resistance, said

perforation-modified portion including said depression area,

said toe portion, and said bottom portion to the extent that said

bottom portion is spaced between said arch portion, said heel

portion, and said metatarsal support portion, and

(2) a non-perforation-modified portion not having said perforations,

said non-perforation-modified portion including said metatarsal

support portion, said heel portion, and said arch portion; and

(d) wherein said body member, said depression area, said heel portion,

and said arch portion are configured to cooperatively redistribute

weight-generated forces operatively bearing against the sole of the

41 user's foot such that greater weight-generated forces normally bearing

against certain regions of the sole of the user's foot are substantially

reduced and redistributed toward other regions of the sole of the user's

foot during supported phases of the user's gait.

23. An insole insert for a user's footwear, comprising:

(a) a unitary body member constructed of material having a selected

material compression resistance, said body member including a toe

edge, a heel edge, a lateral side edge, and a medial side edge; said

body member including:

(1) a bottom portion, including a toe portion extending rearwardly

from said toe edge to terminate generally distally from the first

through fourth metatarsal phalangeal necks of the user's foot,

(2) a heel portion formed along said heel edge, said lateral side

edge, and said medial side edge of said body member; said heel

portion having a lateral portion extending forwardly to a

foremost end thereof spaced just rearwardly of the user's

calcaneal-cuboid joint,

(3) an arch portion formed along said medial side edge and

extending forwardly from said heel portion to a foremost end,

(4) a metatarsal support portion extending rearwardly from said

first metatarsal neck and alongside said arch portion, said

42 metatarsal support portion having a boundary beginning

approximately beneath the juncture between the user's first and

second metatarsal shafts, arcuately passing approximately

beneath the user's first through fourth metatarsal necks, and

passing beneath the juncture between the fourth and fifth

metatarsal shafts and the juncture between the cuboid and the

lateral cuneiform and navicular bones, and

(5) a relief formed along said boundary; and

(b) a depression area formed in said body member, having a concave

configuration, and spaced generally beneath a first metatarsal

phalangeal joint of the user such that said depression area is spaced

just distally of said foremost end of said arch portion; and

(c) perforations selectively formed in said body member to provide said

body member with:

(1) at least one perforation-modified portion having a selected

effective compression resistance with a magnitude that is less

than the magnitude of said material compression resistance, said

perforation-modified portion including said depression area,

said first metatarsal head portion, and said bottom portion to the

extent that said bottom portion is spaced between said arch

portion, said heel portion, and said metatarsal support portion,

and

43 (2) a non-perforation-modified portion not having said perforations,

said non-perforation-modified portion including said metatarsal

support portion, said heel portion, and said arch portion; and

(d) wherein said body member, said depression area, said heel portion,

and said arch portion are configured to cooperatively redistribute

weight-generated forces operatively bearing against the sole of the

user's foot such that greater weight-generated forces normally bearing

against certain regions of the sole of the user's foot are substantially

reduced and redistributed toward other regions of the sole of the user's

foot during supported phases of the user's gait.

24. The insole insert of claim 5, wherein said body member includes a metatarsal

support portion extending rearwardly from said toe portion alongside said

arch portion forming a boundary beginning approximately beneath the

juncture between the user's first and second metatarsal shafts, arcuately

passing approximately beneath the user's second through fourth proximal

phalanges, and continuing rearwardly to pass approximately beneath the

juncture between the fourth and fifth metatarsal shafts and the juncture

between the cuboid and the lateral cuneiform and navicular bones.

25. The insole insert of claim 12, wherein said body member also includes a

metatarsal support portion extending rearwardly from said toe portion

44 alongside said arch portion forming a boundary beginning approximately

beneath the juncture between the user's first and second metatarsal shafts,

arcuately passing approximately beneath the user's second through fourth

proximal phalanges, and continuing rearwardly to pass approximately beneath

the juncture between the fourth and fifth metatarsal shafts and the juncture

between the cuboid and the lateral cuneiform and navicular bones.

26. The insole insert of claim 1 , wherein said heel portion extends forwardly to a

foremost end thereof spaced just rearwardly of the user's fifth metatarsal

phalangeal joint.

45