WO2006005139A1

WO2006005139A1 - A shoe

Info

Publication number: WO2006005139A1
Application number: PCT/AU2005/001044
Authority: WO
Inventors: Michael John Cole
Original assignee: Michael John Cole
Priority date: 2004-07-15
Filing date: 2005-07-15
Publication date: 2006-01-19

Abstract

The present invention is a shoe for post operative and rehabilitation use and having a sole (10) with substantially straight longitudinal sides (13) and a longitudinally disposed stiffening member (16). The sole has a rocker that assists the wearer with forward movement when the front portion of the foot is lowered and the heel is raised. The shoe also has an upper member (21, 22) fixed to the sole and adapted to hold the foot in a substantially constant position relative to the shoe. The shoe provides the advantage that the substantially straight longitudinal sides helps prevent inward rotation (pronation) or outward rotation of the foot while walking. Furthermore, the preferred embodiment of the shoe has a shank (16) within the sole to provide a degree of stiffness that prevents movement of the foot in a manner that would aggravate the injury.

Description

A SHOE

FIELD OF INVENTION

The present invention relates to a shoe and has particular but not exclusive application for use as a post-operative or rehabilitation shoe for a person who has suffered lower leg and foot damage. Reference in the body of the specification to the use of the shoe as a post-operative or rehabilitation shoe is by way of example only.

BACKGROUND OF THE INVENTION

A person who has suffered an injury to the foot, ankle or lower leg usually have problems in recovering part of or full use of their foot. These problems are exacerbated by the use of the foot in walking. The action of placing the foot in an extended position and the bearing of a person's weight on the foot in that position aggravates the damaged foot.

Current shoes do not satisfactorily address the issues associated with rehabilitation. Current shoes do not provide adequate support for the foot to prevent inward rotation (pronation) and outward rotation (super-nation) of the foot while walking, sideways movement of the foot relative to the shoe while walking and assistance to maintain the forward movement of walking.

OBJECT OF THE INVENTION

It is an object of the present invention to provide an alternative shoe that overcomes at least in part one or more of the above mentioned problems. SUMMARY OF THE INVENTION

In one aspect the present invention broadly resides in a shoe for post operative and rehabilitation use including: a sole with substantially straight longitudinal sides and a longitudinally disposed stiffening member, said sole has a rocker that assists the wearer with forward movement when the front portion of the foot is lowered and the heel is raised; and an upper member fixed to the sole and adapted to hold the foot in a substantially constant position relative to the shoe. Said sole may be made of any suitable material including composite materials and plastics. Said sole is preferably made of flexible material to allow the sole to bend to facilitate the actions of walking and movement. Said sole preferably has a stiffening member in the form of a shank which is locatable in a central position and longitudinally disposed. Said sole preferably has a stiffening member in the form of a shank which is substantially centrally located and disposed longitudinally. Said shank is preferably internally embedded within the sole. Said shank is preferably made of material that provides a degree of stiffness or rigidity that is greater than the stiffness or rigidity of the sole per se. Said sole is made of flexible material to allow the sole to bend to facilitate the actions of walking and movement whereas said shank is made of material that has a degree of stiffness or rigidity that is greater than the stiffness or rigidity of the flexible material of the sole. The shank may be made of wood such as plywood, plastics or metal.

In one embodiment the shank may include a plug portion which is a removable portion that allows the degree of stiffness and rigidity to be changed according to the requirements of the wearer. For example, if the wearer requires additional stiffness the plug may be made of material that provides the additional rigidity to the sole. The plug may also be replaced with a suitable orthopedic insert to meet the requirements of the wearer.

The tread of the sole preferably includes one or more of transverse recesses shaped to provide the sole with a degree of flexibility.

The rocker is preferably designed within the molding of the sole. From a longitudinal cross section, the sole preferably has a slight concave shape.

Said sole preferably has a heel counter for retaining the heel in a substantially constant position. Said heel counter is preferably shaped to allow the positioning of an orthopedic insert to meet the requirements of the wearer.

Said sole preferably has a toe band. Said toe band may be fitted with an orthopedic insert.

Said sole preferably has an inner cushioning liner. The liner is preferably positioned within the perimeter of the sole. Said liner may be made of any suitable material that is currently being used for liners of prior art shoes.

Said upper member may be fixed to the sole by any suitable means including gluing, stapling and stitching. Said upper member is preferably made of leather or other like materials. Said upper member preferably holds the foot in position by at least two fastening points. Preferably the upper member is fastened about the foot by suitable fastening means including hook and eye fastening means such as

Velcro. Preferably the fastening means allows easy and quick fastening of the upper member about the foot. Preferably the fastening means allows the fastening of the upper member about the foot to be easily adjustable. Preferably the upper member includes a fastening point near the bridge of the foot to retain the heel within the heel counter. There is preferably a second fastening point in the upper member that is substantially adjacent the front potion of the foot to retain the front portion of the foot. The preferably combined action of the fastening points substantially prevents sideways and forward movement of the foot relative to the sole. The combined action of the fastening points preferably prevents movement of the foot relative to the sole to substantially prevent sideways and forward movement of the foot within the shoe.

The shoe may also have an attachable brace for fitting about the lower leg. The brace is preferably attachable to the shank within the shoe. Alternately the brace is attachable to the shoe by a common shaft or two separate shafts within the sole and connecting opposing ends of the brace.

BRIEF DESCRIPTION OF THE DRAWINGS

In order that the present invention can be more readily understood and put into practical effect, reference will now be made to the accompanying drawings wherein:

Figure 1 is a diagrammatic side top view of the sole of the first preferred embodiment;

Figure 2 is a diagrammatic side view of the tread of the sole of the first preferred embodiment; Figure 3 is a diagrammatic plan view of the tread of the sole of the first preferred embodiment;

Figure 4 is a diagrammatic top plan view of the sole of the second preferred embodiment;

Figure 5 is a diagrammatic longitudinal cross section view of the sole of the first preferred embodiment; Figure 6 is a diagrammatic top front view of the shoe of the first preferred embodiment;

Figures 7a and 7b are diagrammatic views of the fastening of the shoe of the first preferred embodiment about a foot; Figure 8 is a diagrammatic side view of the shoe of the first preferred embodiment about a foot;

Figure 9 is a diagrammatic side top view of the sole of a second preferred embodiment;

Figure 10 is a diagrammatic side view of the shoe of the second preferred embodiment about a foot;

Figure 11 is an exploded view of the shank and plug of the second preferred embodiment;

Figure 12 is a diagrammatic perspective view of the sole of the third preferred embodiment; Figure 13 is a diagrammatic view of the bottom of the sole of the third preferred embodiment;

Figure 14 is a perspective diagrammatic view of the bottom of the sole of the third preferred embodiment;

Figure 15 is a diagrammatic plan view of the sole of the third preferred embodiment and also showing the shank;

Figure 16 is a side diagrammatic view of the sole of the third preferred embodiment;

Figure 17 is a sectional (A-A) view of the sole of the third preferred embodiment; Figure 18 is a diagrammatic perspective view of the sole of the third preferred embodiment;

Figure 19 is a diagrammatic view of the shank of the third preferred embodiment; Figure 20 is a diagrammatic view of the sole of the third preferred embodiment with an attached brace;

Figure 21 is a diagrammatic view showing the attachment of the brace to a shaft within the sole of the third preferred embodiment;

Figure 22 is another diagrammatic view of the sole of the third preferred embodiment with an attached brace;

Figure 23 is a diagrammatic view of the shank of the third preferred embodiment with an attached brace; and

Figure 24 is a side view of the sole of the third preferred embodiment with an attached brace.

DETAILED DESCRIPTION OF THE PREFERRED EMBODIMENTS With reference to Figures 1 to 3 and 5, there is shown a sole 10 including a heel counter 11 and a toe band 12. The sole 10 has substantially straight sides 13 which prevent the tendency of the foot to rotate inwardly or outwardly. The heel counter 11 forms part of the sole molding and serves to limit the movement of the heel and provides support while walking. The heel counter 11 serves to support and positively position the heel and ankle.

The sole 10 is preferably made with one or more transverse recesses 15 to limit the amount of material used in the manufacture of the sole 10 and to lower the thickness in sections of the sole 10 to provide a limited flexibility to the sole 10. The recesses 15 also serve to provide the sole 10 with tread and a cushioning effect from the compression of captured air while walking.

The sole 10 has a slight concave shape to provide the shoe with a rocker that assists the wearer in walking when the front portion of the foot^is lowered and the heel is lifted. The sole 10 is preferably made of composite materials or plastics.

Embedded within the sole is a shank 16 made of plywood which provides the shoe with a degree of stiffness and rigidity. A post operative or rehabilitation shoe preferably has a degree of rigidity to provide support to the injured foot and substantially prevent the foot from moving in positions which would aggravate the injury. The shank 16 extends longitudinally along the sole 10 in a substantially central position. The shank 16 may be fixed by gluing or fastening.

With reference to Figures 6 to 8 there is shown shoe 20 which has a two-part upper 21 and 22 and a sole 23. Positioned within the sole 23 is a liner 24 which provides a degree of cushioning. The sole 23 also has a heel counter 25 and a toe band 26. Orthopedic inserts may be placed against the heel counter 25 or toe band 26 to meet the requirements of the wearer.

The two-part upper 21 and 22 is stitched to the outside surface 27 of the sole 23. In some embodiments the upper may be a one-piece upper that extends about the outside of the heel counter 25. A foot is retained within the shoe 20 by placement of the foot against the heel counter 25 and fastening the two-part upper 21 and 22 about the foot. Fastening of the upper about the foot is by means of the hook and eye fastener Velcro. To fasten the two-part upper 21 and 22 about the foot, the tongue 29 of upper part 21 is passed through slot 28 of the upper part 22 and is fastened by complementary Velcro portions. The tongue 29, slot 28 and fastening point 30 are positioned adjacent the heel counter 25 so that the heel of the wearer is retained to prevent forward and side wards movement relative to the shoe 20. The upper part 22 has a strap portion 32 that extends over the fastened upper portion 21 to be fastened at fastening point 33 by means of complementary Velcro portions. There is also a further fastening point 34 whereby the section of the upper adjacent the toe band 26 is fastened by means of complementary Velcro portions. In this way, the foot is substantially prevented from movement within the shoe 20 by the spaced apart fastening points.

With reference to figures 4, 9 to 11 , there is shown a second preferred embodiment 40 where shank 41 has a plug 42. The plug 42 is positively located within the shoe 40 within the shank 41 and retained in position by stops 43 and fasteners 44. The plug 42 is held in compression by the opposing stops 43. The plug 42 is removable by flexing the shoe 40 and shank 41 with an upward motion to form a convex shape allowing the plug 42 to pop from the stops 43. Plugs of different stiffness may be used to meet the requirements of the wearer. The shank 41 is substantially triangular in shape with two arms 45 spaced apart by web 46. Each arm 45 has a channel 47 with one or more apertures and slots 48 to provide the shank 41 with flexibility which facilitates the removal of the plug 42. The plug 42 provides the shoe with additional stiffness or may be a desired orthopedic insert. In an alternative form, the orthopedic insert may form part of the plug 42 or be attached to the plug 42. In this way the orthopedic insert is positively located and correctly aligned in the shoe 40 by attachment to/ or be integral with the plug and positioned by abutting the peripheral walls of the shoe 40.

Other modifications to the shoe may include a thicker sole 50 with a peripheral recess around the outside of the sole 50 for the positioning of the uppers 51. The uppers 51 may only extend towards the heel portion and not surround the heel counter 52.

A third preferred embodiment of the sole 60 and shank 61 is shown in figures 12 to 24. The sole 60 has a heel counter 62 and a toe band 63. The sole 60 has substantially straight longitudinal sides 64. The sole 60 has a plurality of transverse recesses 65 in the sole 60 to provide limited flexibility of the sole 60. The shank 62 is embedded within the sole 60 and fastenable at three fixed points 66, 67 and 68. Each shank 61 has two substantially parallel arms 70 spaced apart by cross arms 71 , 72 and 73. The shank 61 and sole 60 are shaped with a rocker that provides the shoe with a concave shape in longitudinal sectional view.

The sole 60 of the third embodiment provides for attachment of a brace 77 to the shoe. The brace 77 has two opposing arms 78 attachable to a common or two separate shafts 80 embedded within the sole 60. The two opposing arms 78 are attached by suitable bolts 81 to the shafts 80. Alternately the two opposing arms 78 are attached by bolts 82 to the shank 61.

ADVANTAGES

The preferred embodiment of the shoe for post operative and rehabilitation use provides the advantage that substantially straight longitudinal sides helps prevent inward rotation (pronation) or outward rotation of the foot while walking.

Furthermore, the preferred embodiment of the shoe has a shank within the sole to provide a degree of stiffness that prevents movement of the foot in a manner that would aggravate the injury. The preferred embodiment of the invention also provides the advantage that the heel is retained by the upper and heel counter and the foot is substantially prevented from moving within the shoe. The preferred embodiment of the shoe has a rocker which assists the wearer in walking thereby limiting the amount of work required by the injured foot. Furthermore, the preferred embodiment has adjustable fastening means allowing the wearer to adjust the fastening of the shoe to suit their requirements. The preferred embodiment provides a framework for the fitting of an orthopedic and provides a controlled environment for the healing.

The preferred embodiment of the shoe provides a stable and controlled environment for rehabilitation of the injured feet and ankles.

The preferred embodiment of the shoe also provides a shoe that can be used with normal (uninjured) feet and allows the placement of podiatry or orthopedic inserts within the shoe to suit the wearer.

VARIATIONS

It will of course be realised that while the foregoing has been given by way of illustrative example of this invention, all such and other modifications and variations thereto as would be apparent to persons skilled in the art are deemed to fall within the broad scope and ambit of this invention as is herein set forth.

Throughout the description and claims this specification the word "comprise" and variations of that word such as "comprises" and "comprising", are not intended to exclude other additives, components, integers or steps.

Claims

CLAlMS 1. A shoe for post operative and rehabilitation use including: a sole with substantially straight longitudinal sides and a longitudinally disposed stiffening member, said sole has a rocker that assists the wearer with forward movement when the front portion of the foot is lowered and the heel is raised; and an upper member fixed to the sole and adapted to hold the foot in a substantially constant position relative to the shoe.

2. A shoe as claimed in claim 1 wherein said sole has a stiffening member in the form of a shank which is locatable in a central position and longitudinally disposed.

3. A shoe as claimed in claim 1 wherein said sole has a stiffening member in the form of a shank which is locatable in a central position and longitudinally disposed; said shank is embedded within the sole.

4. A shoe as claimed in claim 1 wherein said sole has a stiffening member in the form of a shank which is locatable in a central position and longitudinally disposed; said sole is made of flexible material to allow the sole to bend to facilitate the actions of walking and movement whereas said shank is made of material that has a degree of stiffness or rigidity that is greater than the stiffness or rigidity of the flexible material of the sole.

5. A shoe as claimed in claim 1 wherein said sole has a stiffening member in the form of a shank which is locatable in a central position and longitudinally disposed; said sole is made of flexible material selected from composite materials and plastics whereas the shank is made of comparatively stiff or rigid material selected from wood, plastics and metal.

6. A shoe as claimed in any one of claims 1 to 5, wherein the shank includes a plug portion which is a removable portion that allows the degree of stiffness and rigidity to be changed according to the requirements of the wearer.

7. A shoe as claimed in any one of claims 1 to 5, wherein the shank includes a plug portion which is a removable portion that allows the degree of stiffness and rigidity to be changed according to the requirements of the wearer; said plug portion is a suitable orthopedic insert for the wearer.

8. A shoe as claimed in any one of claims 1 to 7, wherein the tread of the sole includes one or more of transverse recesses shaped to provide the sole with a degree of flexibility.

9. A shoe as claimed in any one of claims 1 to 8, wherein the rocker is designed within the molding of the sole and has a slight concave shape in longitudinal cross section.

10. A shoe as claimed in any one of claims 1 to 9, wherein said sole preferably has a heel counter for retaining the heel in a substantially constant position.

11. A shoe as claimed in any one of claims 1 to 9, wherein said sole preferably has a heel counter for retaining the heel in a substantially constant position; said heel counter is preferably shaped to allow the positioning of an orthopedic insert to meet the requirements of the wearer.

12. A shoe as claimed in any one of claims 1 to 11 , wherein said sole has a toe band.

13. A shoe as claimed in any one of claims 1 to 11 , wherein said sole has a toe band; said toe band is fitted with a suitable orthopedic insert for the wearer.

14. A shoe as claimed in any one of claims 1 to 13, wherein said sole has an inner cushioning liner; said liner is positioned within the perimeter of the sole.

15. A shoe as claimed in any one of claims 1 to 14, wherein said upper member is fixed to the sole by any suitable means including gluing, stapling and stitching.

16. A shoe as claimed in any one of claims 1 to 14, wherein said upper member holds the foot in position by at least two fastening points.

17. A shoe as claimed in any one of claims 1 to 14, wherein said upper member holds the foot in position by at least two fastening points; the upper member includes a fastening point near the bridge of the foot to retain the heel within the heel counter and a second fastening point in the upper member that is substantially adjacent the front potion of the foot to retain the front portion of the foot.

18. A shoe as claimed in any one of claims 1 to 14, wherein said upper member holds the foot in position by at least two fastening points; the combined action of the fastening points substantially prevents sideways and forward movement of the foot relative to the sole.

19. A shoe as claimed in any one of claims 1 to 18, wherein a brace for fitting about the lower leg is attachable to the shoe.

20. A shoe as claimed in any one of claims 1 to 18, wherein a brace for fitting about the lower leg is attachable to the shoe; said brace is attachable to the shank within the shoe.

21. A shoe as claimed in any one of claims 1 to 18, wherein a brace for fitting about the lower leg is attachable to the shoe; said brace is attachable to the shoe by a common shaft or two separate shafts within the sole and connecting opposing ends of the brace.