WO2008151595A1

WO2008151595A1 - Orthopedic insole

Info

Publication number: WO2008151595A1
Application number: PCT/DE2008/000872
Authority: WO
Inventors: Hans Bregler; Holger Rosenbusch
Original assignee: Gecko Motion Gmbh
Priority date: 2007-06-12
Filing date: 2008-05-23
Publication date: 2008-12-18
Also published as: EP2166890A1; DE102007027054A1; DE102007027054B4

Abstract

The invention relates to orthopedic insoles (1), orthopedic insole pairs, and to a method for producing such insoles (1) and insole pairs. Such insole pairs increase the performance capability of athletes and contribute to increased activation of less athletic people, since the heel-to-toe motion of the foot and lateral rigidity are improved.

Description

Orthopedic insole

The invention relates to an orthopedic insole which is substantially conformed to a plantar surface of a human foot, the insole comprising a backing layer joined to a reinforcing layer, one posterior, i.e. one posterior. rear heel area, anterior, i. The metatarsal area has an inner foot area located on the inner side of the foot and the reinforcing layer extends continuously from the heel area to the toe area, leaving the inner foot area free.

Insoles which are firmly connected to a shoe are known from DE 19641 866 A1, DE 699 215 66 T2 and DE 699 22 737 T2. A foot scan method is known from US 2005/0061332 A1. Insoles are known from WO 92/19191 A1 and US 2006/0185197 A1.

Orthopedic insoles are known from the prior art. Thus, from DE 1906633 U an insole, consisting of a base layer, a heel cavity, a cushion layer and a cover layer known.

However, the known from the prior art insoles and shoes with reinforced soles and carbon particles having soles have numerous disadvantages.

Reinforced soles, which are firmly attached to a shoe, can not be transferred from one shoe to the next. The user must therefore always buy new shoes. Even the simple change of these soles is not possible at the expense of hygiene disadvantages.

Existing insoles have deficient guiding and rolling motion support features. With the existing insoles can be demonstrated no increase in performance in various sports. The known use of carbon particles only leads to an odorless formation of soles, but no support of the foot when rolling and no support against lateral twisting about the longitudinal axis of the foot.

It is therefore the object of the present invention to provide an orthopedic insole that can be easily transferred from one shoe to another shoe and still give the user of the shoes and insoles comfort or support, flexibility and leadership properties a tailor-made overall shoe, so a shoe with reinforced sole attached thereto, to provide.

This object is achieved in a generic manner in that the hardness of the carrier material is determined so that a guide takes place through the softening structure.

Such a design of the orthopedic insole, the rolling movement of the foot is guided and supported. During unwinding, in the optimal case, the person with a metatarsal area first starts on the ground and then rolls, shifting his weight forward over the toe area. Other users of such an orthopedic insole first deploy a rear heel area and then roll over the metatarsal area and subsequently over the toe area. The reinforcing layer guides the rolling movement from the heel area over the midfoot area to the toe area.

The movement of the foot is defined by the reinforcing layer defined. In corresponding outsoles, so insoles, which are designed for use in running shoes, such as jogging shoes, hiking boots or track sprint shoes, the rolling movement takes place guided over the big toe. In golf soles, so insoles, which are designed for use in golf shoes, is either a twisted rolling movement on the big toe, or a stabilization of the entire footbed instead.

By inventively designed orthopedic insoles, the achievable benefits can be optimized in each specific sport. The orthopedic insoles can not only cater to the needs of every single user and adapted to its specific features in the foot area, but also adapted to the specific needs of each sport.

This ultimately leads not only to an increase in performance in good to very good athletes in the respective sport, but especially in beginners, ie people who need to learn the specific sport first. Advantageous embodiments are claimed in the subclaims.

Thus, it is particularly advantageous if the reinforcing layer extends almost from a rearmost point of the heel area to near a furthest point of the toe area. Just the guiding of the rolling movement of persons who fall into contact with the heel area only with the ground, is thereby made possible. Also, a particularly long area of the footbed is stabilized. In this case, a stiffening takes place transversely to the longitudinal direction of the insole. As the longitudinal direction, the axis of the insole is referred to, which extends from the rearmost point of the heel area to the foremost point of the Zehnbereichs.

Manufacturing technology, such an insole can be produced particularly favorable when the foremost point of the reinforcing layer is 4 to 10 mm, preferably 5 mm away from the foremost point of the carrier layer. If the rearmost point of the reinforcing layer is 4 to 12 mm, preferably 8 mm away from the rearmost point of the carrier layer, the manufacturability is further simplified and a more targeted response to the rolling requirements becomes possible

For outsoles, it has been found to be particularly advantageous when the reinforcing layer extends from a point near the middle of the heel region to the foremost edge of the carrier layer. Since in runners and walkers, the center of gravity is located further in the front region of the insole, as in a golf sole, it is advantageous if the rearmost insole area is free of a reinforcing layer. The weight of the insole can be kept low. The damping properties in the heel area can be emphasized constructively easier. If the reinforcing layer is arranged inferior, ie below the carrier layer, then the insole can be produced particularly easily.

In order to take into account and support the twistability of the foot in the case of a natural movement, it is advantageous if, in a further exemplary embodiment, the reinforcing layer leaves out a part of the toe region of the carrier layer adjoining the inner foot region.

If the reinforcing layer is designed to react more flexibly to bending substantially parallel to the edge opposite the inner foot region than to a bend acting transversely to this orientation, unrolling is possible along the insole and prevents twisting transversely to the longitudinal direction of the insole. In the transverse direction, the insole is therefore stiffened. The insole can be made flexible in the longitudinal direction and form stiffly transversely thereto. Support and guiding properties of the insole are thereby made possible. This can be further enhanced if starting from the heel area the insole to the toe area is increasingly flexible. In this case, the stiffening layer of a bending transversely to the longitudinal direction of the insole reinforcing and stiffening counteracts.

The foot movement can be particularly assisted if the reinforcing layer is designed as a guide layer controlling the movement of the foot while walking.

When the insole has a heel cup located below the reinforcing layer in the heel area, the heel counter effectively prevents the heel breaking during movement of the foot and improves the cushioning properties of the insole.

The damping properties can be further improved if a heel buffer is located below the heel counter. In order to increase the wearing comfort of the insole, it is advantageous if a textile inner lining layer is arranged above the carrier layer. This inner lining layer can also be formed in a multi-layered manner.

Cork and / or ethylene vinyl acetate for the carrier layer have proven to be particularly advantageous materials.

If the carrier layer has a hardness of 20 to 40 Shore A or a hardness of 35 Shore A, a balance between damping and guiding properties is achieved.

In a further exemplary embodiment, it is particularly advantageous if the reinforcing layer comprises thermoplastic material. The use of thermoplastic material has particularly well adaptable properties for the purpose.

It has been found to be positive if the reinforcing layer has a hardness of less than 50 Shore A. When using fiber composites, e.g. For golf inlays where higher lateral stability is required, higher shore hardness is used.

In order to prevent kinking movements of the foot, it is advantageous if the heel attachment extends into the inner foot region of the carrier layer. In order to be able to access particularly well adaptable materials, it is advantageous if the heel attachment is made of ethylene vinyl acetate.

In a further embodiment, it has been found to be particularly advantageous if the heel attachment has a hardness of 40 to 60 Shore A, preferably 50 Shore A.

The insole can then be made especially high-quality, if the reinforcing layer contains a layer of fiber composite material, preferably carbon fiber. If the layer of carbon fiber is formed so that the preferably longer carbon fiber are aligned longitudinally or parallel to the edge opposite the inner foot region, and the fibers arranged transversely thereto are substantially rigid, then the ideal movement of the foot can be achieved steer particularly well during the specific sport.

In order to be able to resort to proven, durable and cost-effective production methods, it is advantageous if the inner lining layer, the carrier layer, the reinforcing layer, the heel attachment and the heel buffer are glued together.

The invention also relates to a pair of insole having an insole of the type described above, wherein the two insoles are non-symmetrical to one another. This makes it easy to respond to the specific needs of each sport. Thus, for the golf sport can be achieved for the left foot, in right-handers, trained stronger version than for the right foot adapted insole.

It is particularly advantageous if in an insole, the reinforcing layer is wider than in the other insole.

If the backing layer of one insole has a durometer of 30 Shore A more than the reinforcing layer of the other insole, the stability of one insole can be increased, while the unrolling properties of the other insole remain particularly good. When using fiber composites, the anisotropic properties of the fiber direction are additionally exploited.

The invention also relates to a method for producing an insole, wherein the individual formations of a human foot are measured and adapted to the particular sport-specific requirements of the insole is made. It is particularly advantageous if, in a variant of the method, the reinforcing layer is shaped in a manner specific to the sport to the pressure curve occurring there for guiding the rolling movement of the foot.

The invention will be explained in more detail below with reference to a drawing, in which:

Figure 1 is a plan view of a left insole from above, according to a first embodiment as an outsole.

FIG. 2 shows a view from below of the insole according to FIG. 1; FIG.

Fig. 3 is a plan view of an insole according to a second embodiment as a golf sole from above and

4 shows a view from below of the embodiment according to FIG. 3.

Figure 1 shows an insole 1, which is designed as an outsole. The insole is multi-layered. The insole 1 is divided into a heel area 2, a midfoot area 3 and a toe area 4. The heel area 2 is the rearmost area of the insole 1. It is located posteriorly. The toe area 4 is the foremost area of the insole 1 and is located anteriorly. Between the heel area 2 and the toe area 4, the midfoot area 3 is arranged. On the inside of the insole, so the other insole 1 zuweisend, an inner foot region 5 of the insole 1 is provided.

An outer edge of the heel area is bent upwards and goes over in the direction of the toe area 4 into the midfoot area 3.

Approximately in the middle of the top of the insole 1, a convex elevation 6 is provided. The convex elevation 6 supports the metatarsal area of the foot resting on the insole 1. The increase 6 is designed slightly yielding. In the transition region of the elevation 6 to the midfoot region 3 of the insole perforations are provided. This improves the steam and air exchange in the insole. The insole 1 is constructed horizontally multi-layered. The uppermost layer is a microfiber layer. This microfibre layer is part of a textile inner covering layer 7. This textile inner covering layer 7 is particularly well tolerated by the skin, sweat-absorbing and pleasant to the foot. In the exemplary embodiment according to FIG. 1, the inner covering layer 7 is multi-layered, ie double-layered in the present case. The textile inner covering layer 7 covers the entire upwardly directed surface of the insole 1.

The textile inner covering layer 7 is applied to a carrier layer 8. The underside of the insole 1 with the carrier layer 8 is shown in FIG. On the underside of the carrier layer 8, a reinforcing layer 9 is applied. The reinforcing layer 9 is adhered to the carrier layer 8. Adjacent to the reinforcing layer 9, a heel attachment 10 is adhered to the carrier layer 8. The heel attachment 10 has a depression in a central region of the heel attachment 10. In this recess, a heel buffer 11 is glued.

In the exemplary embodiment according to FIGS. 1 and 2, the reinforcing layer 9 extends up to an edge of the insole 1 opposite the inner foot region 5 and into the edge region of the insole 1 in the foremost, ie in the toe region 4. It is also possible that the carrier layer 8 and the heel attachment 10 overlap, in particular that, contrary to the embodiment according to FIG. 2, the reinforcement layer extends into the edge region of the insole in the heel region 2. The heel pad 10 has perforations to reduce the weight of the insole and increase the air permeability of the insole 1.

The reinforcing layer 9 is made of thermoplastic material and has a hardness of less than 50 Shore A. In the reinforcing layer 9, a structure is introduced which is substantially parallel or 1 ° to 15 ° transverse thereto. Transverse, preferably orthogonal to these designated as longitudinal grooves structural sections run transverse grooves. The grooves may be continuous or interrupted. A longitudinal axis 12 of the insole 1 is shown in Figures 1 and 2. In Figure 3, an insole 1 is shown as a golf sole from above. This insole 1 also has an increase 6. As in the previous exemplary embodiment, the textile inner covering layer 7 is also applied to the carrier layer 8, ie to the surface, in this exemplary embodiment. In contrast to the previous embodiment, however, the reinforcing layer 9 is adhered to this textile inner lining layer 7 and the reinforcing layer 9 does not extend to the very edge of the insole 1. The reinforcing layer 9 is made of a carbon fiber composite material.

In this case, the carbon fiber are arranged so that the reinforcing layer 9 is stiff about the longitudinal axis 12, and when bent about an axis oriented transversely to the longitudinal axis 12 is flexible, ie bendable. The reinforcing layer 9 is formed so that it is located above the elevation 6. In the illustrated embodiment according to FIG. 3, the longer carbon fibers run parallel to the longitudinal axis 12. The shorter carbon fibers run orthogonally to them. Like the embodiment according to FIGS. 1 and 2, the stiffness of the insole 1 when bent around the longitudinal axis 12 is consistently high, whereas the stiffness increases greatly transversely to the longitudinal axis 12 from the heel region 2 to the toe region 4 towards the front.

Figure 4 shows the underside of the insole 1, which serves as a golf sole. Although no heel attachment, but a heel buffer 11 is provided in the heel area 2.

In this case, the carrier layer 8 has a recess in which the heel buffer 11 is glued.

In the inlay sole 1 shown in FIGS. 3 and 4, for a golf player carrying a golf club with his right hand, the left insole 1 is made more stable and solid than the right insole.

In the embodiments shown, the heel buffer is made from ZeII urethane foam, in particular Poron with a hardness of 23 +/- 10 Shore A. The outsole according to the insole of Figures 1 and 2 has a heel counter 10 made of ethyl vinyl acetate with a hardness of 50 +/- 10 Shore A.

The Shore hardness (Shore A) of the reinforcement layer 9 of the outsole from FIGS. 1 and 2 has a value of less than 50. This reinforcing layer 9 of the insole 1 formed as an outsole is made of thermoplastic material. The Shore hardness (Shore A) decreases, starting from the heel area 2, continuously forward.

The reinforcing layer 9 of the insole 1 formed as a golf sole has on the left a density of 1300 g / dm ³ and a thickness of 0.8 mm, and on the right a density of 1.2 mm at a density of 1200 g / dm ³ .

The hardness of the left and right golf insole are also different. On the left a Shore value (Shore A) of the carrier layer 8 of 60 +/- 10 and on the right of 30 +/- 10 is provided.

An alternative embodiment of a carrier layer 8 is also possible. In this case, the grooves of a thermoplastic reinforcement layer 9 or the longitudinally oriented long fibers of a reinforcing layer made of carbon laminate are not aligned parallel to the longitudinal axis 12, but run substantially equidistantly along the outer edge, ie the edge of the insole facing the inner foot region 5.

The function of the invention is to guide and improve the natural rolling of the foot and performance increase depending on the specific sport. Unintentional kinking, twisting, etc. will be prevented. Unrolling over the big toe is forced. The lateral stiffness of is significantly increased. The achievable achievements of experienced athletes, but especially of inexperienced athletes, is significantly improved.

As a method it has become established to take an impression of the plantar surfaces of the user of the insoles and depending on the area of application of the insole, ie specific to the sport to incorporate the desired roll-off characteristics into the insole.

The reinforcing layer 9 is bonded to the carrier layer 8 of the textile inner layer 7, the heel attachment 10, if desired, and the heel buffer 11. An individual impression of the foot is not a constraint. The introduction of an increase 6 is also not a condition of constraint. The individual features of the different embodiments can be combined.

The structure of the carbon laminate is designed to provide transverse stiffening to optimize golf swing stability while providing longitudinal flexibility for the foot to roll when walking. Furthermore, the hardness of the carrier material is determined so that the softer to the inner bale and toe growing structure a leadership while walking, with the golf swing by the lower ground pressure on the inside of the foot additionally side stability is achieved. Due to the special shape design of the carbon laminate, the insert receives a torsion guide in the longitudinal direction of the big toe, whereby the lateral stiffness prevents the foot from breaking inwards. The leading twist forces the foot into a pivoting motion towards the big toe during the golf swing from the stance. Due to the low hardness of the carrier material, the forced torsional motion is further enhanced by the different degree of hardness. When unrolling, the foot on the insert is guided into the regionally stronger area by experiencing a higher ground pressure in the direction of the softer areas. When golfing, this leads to increased stability and improved dynamics of the golfer. Cramped positions in the forefoot area are prevented. Also, imbalances are avoided.

Claims

claims

An orthopedic insole (1) adapted to a plantar surface of a human foot, the insole (1) comprising a backing layer (8) connected to a reinforcing layer (9), a posterior, i. rear heel area (2), anterior, i. The metatarsal region (3) has an inner foot region (5) located on the inner side of the foot, the reinforcement layer (9) leaving the inner foot region (5) free of the heel region (2) extends continuously into the toe area (4), characterized in that the hardness of the carrier material is set so that a guide takes place through the softening structure.

An insole according to claim 1, wherein the reinforcing layer (9) extends from a rearmost point of the heel region (2) to a forwardmost point of the toe region (4).

An insole according to claim 2, wherein the foremost point of the reinforcing layer (9) is 4 to 10 mm away from the foremost point of the carrier layer (8) and / or the rearmost point of the reinforcing layer (9) is 4 to 12 mm from the rearmost point the carrier layer (8) is removed.

4. An insole according to claim 1, wherein the reinforcing layer (9) extends from the middle of the heel region (2) to the foremost edge of the carrier layer (8).

An insole according to any one of claims 1 to 4, wherein the reinforcing layer (9) is inferior, i. below the carrier layer (8) is arranged.

6. Insole according to one of claims 1 to 5, wherein the reinforcing layer (9) on the Innenfußbereich (5) adjacent portion of the toe portion (4) of the carrier layer (8) ausspart.

7. Insole according to one of claims 1 to 4, wherein the reinforcing layer (9) is designed to be flexible in response to bending substantially parallel to the Innenfußbereich (5) opposite edge than acting on a transversely to this orientation bending.

8. Insole according to one of claims 1 to 7, wherein the reinforcing layer

(9) is designed as a guide layer controlling movement of the foot while walking.

9. Insole according to one of claims 1 to 8, wherein the insole 1 to 8, wherein the insole has a in the heel area (2) below the reinforcing layer (9) located heel counter (10).

10. Insole according to claim 9, wherein the heel attachment (10) extends into the inner foot region (5) of the carrier layer (8).

11. Insole according to claim 9 or 10, wherein below the heel counter

(10) a heel buffer (11) is located.

12. Insole according to one of claims 1 to 11, wherein above the carrier layer (8) a textile inner lining layer (7) is arranged.

13. Insole according to one of claims 1 to 12, wherein the carrier layer (8) consists of cork and / or ethylvinyl acetate.

14, insole according to claim 13, wherein the carrier layer (8) has a hardness of 20 to 40 Shore A, in particular a hardness of 35 Shore A.

15. An insole according to any one of claims 1 to 14, wherein the reinforcing layer (9) comprises thermoplastic material.

16. An insole according to claim 15, wherein the reinforcing layer (9) has a hardness of less than 50 Shore A.

17. Insole according to one of claims 9 and 16, wherein the heel attachment (10) consists of ethylene vinyl acetate.

18. The insole according to claim 17, wherein the heel attachment (10) has a hardness of 40 to 60 Shore A, preferably 50 Shore A.

An insole according to any one of claims 1 to 18, wherein the reinforcing layer (9) comprises a layer of carbon fiber.

20. An insole according to claim 19, wherein the layer of carbon fiber is formed so that the preferably longer carbon fibers aligned in the longitudinal direction or parallel to the Innenfußbereich (5) opposite edge are designed to be flexible and arranged transversely to this fibers arranged substantially rigid ,

21. Insole according to one of claims 12 to 20, wherein the inner lining layer (7), the carrier layer (8), the reinforcing layer (9), the heel attachment (10) and the heel attachment (11) are glued together.

22 insole pair with an insole according to one of claims 1 to 21, wherein the two insoles (1) are not symmetrical to each other.

23. Insole pair according to claim 22, wherein in an insole 1, the reinforcing layer (9) is wider than in the other insole. 1

24. Insole pair according to claim 23, wherein the carrier layer (8) of the one insole (1) has a hardness value of 30 Shore A more than the carrier layer of the other insole.

25. A method for producing an insole 1 according to any one of claims 1 to 21, wherein the individual formations of a human foot are measured and the insole (1) is made adapted to the particular sport-specific requirements.

26. The method according to claim 25, wherein the reinforcing layer (9) is shaped specifically for the sport on the pressure course occurring there for guiding the rolling movement of the foot.