WO2016178638A1

WO2016178638A1 - Footwear structured with force absorption, distribution, absolute cushion, and foot-printing mechanism

Info

Publication number: WO2016178638A1
Application number: PCT/TH2015/000073
Authority: WO
Inventors: Numpol TANTIMASAKUL
Original assignee: Tantimasakul Numpol
Priority date: 2015-05-06
Filing date: 2015-10-26
Publication date: 2016-11-10

Abstract

The present invention relates to the engineering of footwear; more specifically pertains to high-heeled shoes equipped with integrated insole structure that is engineered to assist with overall foot pressure distribution, absorb and dampen shock impulses; translocate excess weight away from the ball of foot towards mid foot and heel, decreasing compression on one particular region, thus significantly reducing any potential pain occurred from wearing high-heeled shoes; ensure all regions of foot, including flex point, point of inflection, etc., receive sufficient amount of support and cushioning underneath the foot regardless of each wearer's distinct toe-to-ball or ball-to-heel proportion or the position of the foot, as well as tailor to various individual's foot shape, allowing each person to wear a personalized contoured footwear.

Description

FOOTWEAR STRUCTURED WITH FORCE ABSORPTION, DISTRIBUTION, ABSOLUTE CUSHION, AND FOOT-PRINTING MECHANISM

Background Of The Invention

Field of the Invention

The present invention relates to the engineering of footwear; more specifically pertains to high heeled shoes equipped with integrated insole structure that is engineered to assist with overall foot pressure distribution, absorb and dampen shock impulses; translocate excess weight away from the ball of foot towards mid foot and heel, decreasing compression on one particular region, thus significantly reducing any potential pain occurred from wearing high- heeled shoes; ensure all regions of foot, including flex point, point of inflection, etc., receive sufficient amount of support and cushioning underneath the foot regardless of each wearer's distinct toe-to-ball or ball-to-heel proportion or the position of the foot, as well as tailor to various individual's foot shape, allowing each person to wear a personalized contoured footwear.

Office ladies and fashionable women certainly have at least one pair of high-heeled shoe in their shoe cabinet. Even girls who dress casually would wear high-heeled shoes in some special occasions such as parties, graduation, wedding, etc. It is one of the common items that every girl must wear or have once in their lifetime.

Countless of girls buy high-heeled shoes despite the pain they bring. The reason is because high-heeled shoes are perceived to improve personality of the wearers; that is, the wearer appears to walk with straighter back, and more open chest and shoulders, more elegant, and smart-looking postures in general. Women are more than willing to sacrifice their comfort with more confidence and enhanced appearance.

Nevertheless, the shape of all high-heeled shoes forces wearer's feet to bend in an unnatural position resulting in poor weight distribution across the feet namely most of the weight are exerted on the ball of foot causing continuous pain and discomfort in that particular region during wearing and even after.

Standing or walking on high-heeled shoes for an extended period of time does not only cause pain and discomfort on the feet of the wearer, but such aches and pain can also spread other areas of the body such as calves, waist, hips, and lower back areas. In some unfortunate cases, this sort of discomfort becomes chronic.

Not only because the shape of the shoes itself that causes all these problems and difficulties, but also because the shape and length of the foot of each person differs. It is possible for people whose feet are of the same length to have different toe-to-ball or ball-to-heel measurement, which translates into different effects on feet when wearing high-heeled shoes.

In case toe-to-ball or ball-to-heel measurement does not match with the flex point of the high- heeled shoes, those shoes will inevitably cause discomfort to the wearer. Case in point, given the same foot length, if the toe-to-ball area is relatively long, when wearing high heeled shoes, the ball of foot may not rest on the flex point of the shoes, causing the foot to be located in a strange position, the weight is then exerted mostly towards the toes instead of the ball of foot leading to pain and discomfort in that specific area.

On the contrary, should the toe-to-ball area is relatively short, when wearing high-heeled shoes, the ball of the foot will be located too much in front of the flex point of the shoes, leaving the arch of the foot area unsupported, leading to foot discomfort and muscle strain. Unless the toe-to-ball measurement is the exact same with the front portion of the high-heeled shoes, which most shoes are not, there is a very high tendency that mismatch between feet and shoes shape will occur, pain and strains will automatically be inevitable.

Previous inventions have addressed at least one of the problems; nonetheless, none has successfully tackled every issue mentioned above within one invention. Therefore, the present invention has the mechanism that is configured to solve the said issues.

Description Of The Prior Art

A number of prior inventions regarding pain-alleviation and comfort in footwear are extensive particularly in high-heeled shoes. Prior art referred to below are the most relevant ones to the present invention. The reference is for the purpose of accentuating the uniqueness of the engineering structure of the present invention in comparison to the existing prior arts and the reason that which the present invention is capable of tackling the issues prior art did not manage to. Patent publication number U.S. 20090193683 Al "Anatomically Correct High Heel Flexible Footbed" describes flexible contoured footbed insole of footwear that is applicable with a wide variety of footwear, claiming to provide orthopedically and anatomically correct foot support and freedom movement of wearer's foot. Despite similar concept of providing comfort, the present invention pertains to footwear, particularly but not limited to high-heeled shoes, with insole structure, not solely the insole per se.

Patent publication number U.S. 8800171 Bl "Footwear Insole System" relates to the invention of footwear having an insole system. This invention is particularly targeted at high- heeled shoes, aiming to improve comfort and stability. The insole includes different layers of shock absorbing gels mounted to the chassis in forefoot and heel portion. However, said invention fails to address various ball-to-heel measurement issues, i.e. providing sufficient reinforcement at the flex point of the foot. In addition, it fails to incorporate flexible and resilient arch support which assists with balancing the weight of the foot as well as tackle different foot structure issues. On the other hand, the present invention addresses both of the issues this invention fails to tackle.

Patent publication number WO2014 083034 Al "Shoe provided with platform with inner chamber comprising a cushioning filling" relates to footwear with elastic filling as platform, whereas the present invention does not contain any structure of a platform inside footwear, instead a complete comfort-oriented insole structure.

Patent publication number WO2014072974 Al "High Heeled Shoe" relates to footwear invention that comprises an insole is of a less steep angle in comparison to the outsole, claiming to hold wearer's foot in a more comfortable and natural position. Despite the concept, the said invention and the present invention comprise a totally different structure. In addition to the said invention, the present invention additionally assist with pressure offloading throughout the footwear as well as providing a personalized contoured insole, filling and molding to suit with all wearers' feet

Patent publication number U.S.20140298680 Al "Footwear with Metatarsal Offloading" relates to insole of footwear. This insole is designed to lessen the pressure exerted onto the metatarsal and heel region of the foot. The said invention includes padded insert that is configured for shock absorption with cavity within the midsole filled with shock absorbing material. Whereas the present invention relates to footwear with integrated insole structure that is capable of offloading and distributing the force exerted on all areas of the feet, leaving no areas of the foot with excess pressure, as well as cushioning and supporting all areas of foot tailored to each individual.

The present invention pinpoints and tackles all the difficulties prior arts are incapable of solving. All areas of the foot will now bear equal amount of weight, with top layer insole support that wearer can experience a personalized insole support that fill and support where needed regardless of wearer's different foot structure. Summary Of The Invention

This summary of invention is a brief introduction of the concept of the present invention focusing on the main features of the present invention and the method adopted to assemble it. Further detail will be elaborated under detailed description of the invention section. This is for the purpose of raising an examples to give a better understanding of the invention, and by no means for defining or limiting the scope of the invention.

The present invention mainly comprises upper, lining, base layer insole, top layer insole, outsole, and heel. Upper is sewn with the lining. Base layer insole is attached to the shoe last using nails, glue, or other devices capable of attaching these components together. Then, the upper is lasted to the shoe last using nails, glues, or other devices to assemble them together. Next, attach the outsole and the heel with the lasted upper. Then, secure anti-slip materials in the forefoot area under the outsole with glue or other devices capable of holding the outsole and anti-slip material together. Finally assemble the top layer of the insole inside the shoes using glue or other devices capable of holding the base layer and the top layer of the insole together.

The top layer of the insole is an integrated insole structure; it is divided into the following main parts:

The first part of top layer of the insole is located at the forefoot region, inside the footwear, above the base layer of the insole, from the foremost part until the flex point of the footwear. It is comprised of two layers of materials attached on top of one another using glue or other devices capable of holding the two layers together.

The lower layer comprises a force absorption material that absorbs shock exerted on the ball of foot or any area of foot pressing above the said material, provides stability to the wearers, as well as cushion and lessen any pain arising from forceful encounters between ball of foot or any area of foot pressing above the said material and the ground.

The upper layer comprises soft, elastic, flexible, and force distribution material. Said material aids with dispersing and offloading any force exerted on forefoot region particularly the ball of foot or any area of foot pressing above said material. Said material also possess a rebound property allowing wearer^'s next step to get a slight push forward as this material has a bounce effect, aiding with walking in general.

The second part comprises a wedge; it is situated from the flex point of the shoe until heel region to decrease the steepness of the angle between the ball of foot to heel. Therefore, a wedge allows the hind part of the foot namely from ball to heel to rest on a flatter station, eliminating the excess pressure exerted on the ball of foot.

The third part comprises flexible and resilient arch support. This region is located at mid foot area from approximately the middle of the integrated insole structure towards the inside of the structure around wearer's arches, on top of the second part of the top layer of insole namely a wedge. It assists with weight transfer from the ball of foot to the heels, supporting and filling in the gap under the arches according to each wearer's foot shape while walking or standing i.e. flexible and resilient arch support is high enough to support wearer's with high arch and could be pressed down so much as to fit the contour of flatter feet wearers without any resistance; and allowing maximum contact points and support under the foot. Thus, reducing pressure and distributing it towards other regions of the foot, creating more balance and less pain.

The forth part comprises soft resilient material at flex point. It is located at the flex point of the shoes between the first and the second part of the top layer of insole, at the same level and connecting to the flexible and resilient arch support. Flex point of the shoes is the point of inflection of the footwear, where the outsole's contact point to the ground changes it angle upwards towards the heel. This region is padded with a soft resilient material at flex point that has the property of filling in the gap under the foot and can be molded to the shape of the foot to solve various toe-to-ball or ball-to-heel measurement issues or various foot shapes in general, allowing all feet to fit in the shoes impeccably, and decreasing any potential muscle pain and strain.

The last part comprises soft foot-printing material. It is located under sock lining, on top of the first four aforementioned parts. Said material gives extra cushion for each step and memorizes the shape of the foot of each wearer, tailoring to suit each individual foot's shape enhancing the overall experience of the high-heeled footwear. Sock lining is attached to soft foot-printing material via lamination, glue, or other devices capable of holding soft-foot printing material and sock linking together.

All parts and layers are attached to one another as indicated above using lamination, glue, or other devices capable of holding all parts and layers together.

The top layer insole is then attached to the base layer of insole via glue or other devices capable of assembling these components together.

Brief Descriptions Of The Drawings

For the purpose of illustrating and describing the present invention, it is best to review detailed description of the drawings and the drawings hand in hand for comprehensive understanding. Despite the description and details of the present invention, it is not intended to confine or limit scope, materials, or methods of the present invention by any means.

Figure. 1 shows a cross-sectional view of high-heeled shoe with integrated insole structure Figure. 2 shows a side view of high-heeled shoe with integrated insole structure.

Figure. 3 shows a side view structure of the top layer insole.

Detailed Description Of The Invention

Detailed description of the drawing is will be described under this section for a better understanding of the invention and the drawings. Referred numbers from the drawings are incorporated in the detailed description of the invention for the puipose of illustrating certain parts and depicting a clearer concept only and not for confining or limiting the scope of the invention in any aspects.

Figure.l illustrates a cross-sectional view of high-heeled shoe with integrated insole structure. This illustration includes upper (1 ), lining (2), base layer insole (13), top layer insole (14), wedge (3), outsole (4), foot-printing material (9), resilient arch support ( 10), and sock lining (1 1 ). Upper (1) is sewn to lining (2), attached with base layer insole ( 13), and then attached with outsole (4) to form the structure of the shoe by any means capable of attaching these components together.

Top layer of the insole ( 14) from cross-sectional view from this particular angle comprises of wedge (3), resilient arch support ( 10), foot-printing material (9), and sock lining (1 1 ) attached to one another via any means necessary to assemble them together, starting from the bottom to top respectively.

The top layer of the insole ( 14), is then attached to the base of the insole (13) to complete the process. Figure. 2 illustrates a side view of high-heeled shoe with integrated insole structure. This high-heeled is comprised of shoe upper (1 ), lining (2). wedge (3), base layer insole (13), top layer insole (14), outsole (4), heel (5), anti-slip material (6), force absorption material (7), force distribution material (8), foot-printing material (9), resilient arch support (10), sock lining (1 1 ), and soft resilient material at flex point (12).

Upper (1 ) is sewn with the lining (2). Base layer insole ( 13 ) is attached to the shoe last using nails, glue, or other devices capable of attaching these components together. Then, the upper (1 ) is lasted to the shoe last using nails, glues, or other devices to assemble them together. Next, attach the outsole (4) and the heel (5) with the lasted upper (1 ). Then, secure in the forefoot area under the outsole (4) with glue or other devices capable of holding the outsole (4) and anti-slip material (6) together. Finally assemble the top layer of the insole inside ( 14) the shoes using glue or other devices capable of holding the base layer insole (13) and the top layer of the insole (14) together.

The top layer of the insole ( 14) is an integrated insole structure; it is divided into the following main parts:

The first part of top layer of the insole (14) is located at the forefoot region, inside the footwear, above the base layer of the insole ( 13), from the foremost part until the flex point (15) of the footwear. It is comprised of two layers of materials attached on top of one another using glue or other devices capable of holding the two layers together.

The lower layer comprises a force absorption material (7) that absorbs shock exerted on the ball of foot or any area of foot pressing above the said material, provides stability to the wearers, as well as cushion and lessen any pain arising from forceful encounters between ball of foot or any area of foot pressing above the said material and the ground.

The upper layer comprises soft, elastic, flexible, and force distribution material (8). Said material aids with dispersing and offloading any force exerted on forefoot region particularly the ball of foot or any area of foot pressing above said material. Said material also possess a rebound property allowing wearer's next step to get a slight push forward as this material has a bounce effect, aiding with walking in general.

The second part comprises a wedge (3); it is situated from the flex point (15) of the shoe until heel region to decrease the steepness of the angle between the ball of foot to heel. Therefore, a wedge (3) allows the hind part of the foot namely from ball to heel to rest on a flatter station, eliminating the excess pressure exerted on the ball of foot.

The third part comprises flexible and resilient arch support (10). This region is located at mid foot area from approximately the middle of the integrated insole structure towards the inside of the structure around wearer's arches; on top of the second part of the top layer of insole (14) namely wedge (3). It assists with weight transfer from the ball of foot to the heels, supporting and filling in the gap under the arches according to each wearer's foot shape while walking or standing i.e. flexible and resilient arch support is high enough to support wearer's with high arch and could be pressed down so much as to fit the contour of flatter feet wearers without any resistance; and allowing maximum contact points and support under the foot. Thus, reducing pressure and distributing it towards other regions of the foot, creating more balance and less pain.

The forth part comprises soft resilient material at flex point ( 12). It is located at the flex point (15) of the shoes between the first and the second part of the top layer of insole (14), at the same level and connecting to the flexible and resilient arch support ( 10). Flex point ( 15) of the shoes is the point of inflection of the footwear, where the outsole's contact point to the ground changes it angle upwards towards the heel. This region is padded with a soft resilient material at flex point (12) that has the property of filling in the gap under the foot and can be molded to the shape of the foot to solve various toe-to-ball or ball-to-heel measurement issues or various foot shapes in general, allowing all feet to fit in the shoes impeccably, and decreasing any potential muscle pain and strain.

The last part comprises soft foot-printing material (9). It is located under sock lining ( 1 1), on top of the first four aforementioned parts. Said material gives extra cushion for each step and memorizes the shape of the foot of each wearer, tailoring to suit each individual foot's shape enhancing the overall experience of the high-heeled footwear.

Sock lining (1 1) is attached to soft foot-printing material (9) via lamination, glue, or other devices capable of holding soft-foot printing material and sock linking together.

The top layer insole (14) is then attached to the base layer of insole (13) via glue or other devices capable of assembling these components together.

The described composition and methods used to assemble the present invention is deemed to be the ideal embodiments of the invention, and mainly for illustration purpose, and not restricted to the practice of actual production as production techniques may differ across different production process as well as availability of resources. Therefore, the composition and construction of the present invention is open to necessary modifications within the scope of the present invention. Figure.3 illustrates a side view structure of the top layer insole. The top layer insole (14) comprises a wedge (3), force absorption material (7), force distribution material (8), foot- printing material (9), resilient arch support (10), sock lining (1 1 ), and soft resilient material at flex point (12).

The top layer of the insole (14) is an integrated insole structure; it is divided into the following main parts:

The lower layer in the forefoot region comprises a force absorption material (7) that absorbs shock exerted on the ball of foot or any area of foot pressing above the said material, provides stability to the wearers, as well as cushion and lessen any pain arising from forceful encounters between ball of foot or any area of foot pressing above the said material and the ground.

The upper layer in the forefoot region comprises soft, elastic, flexible, and force distribution material (8). Said material aids with dispersing and offloading any force exerted on forefoot region particularly the ball of foot or any area of foot pressing above said material. Said material also possess a rebound property allowing wearer's next step to get a slight push forward as this material has a bounce effect, aiding with walking in general.

The third part comprises flexible and resilient arch support ( 10). This region is located at mid foot area from approximately the middle of the integrated insole structure towards the inside of the structure around wearer^'s arches; on top of the wedge (3 ). It assists with weight transfer from the ball of foot to the heels, supporting and filling in the gap under the arches according to each wearer's foot shape while walking or standing i.e. flexible and resilient arch support is high enough to support wearer's with high arch and could be pressed down so much as to fit the contour of wearers with flatter feet without any resistance; and allowing maximum contact points and support under the foot. Thus, reducing pressure and distributing it towards other regions of the foot, creating more balance and less pain. The forth part comprises soft resilient material at flex point (12). It is located at the flex point (15) of the shoes between the first and the second part of the top layer of insole (14), at the same level and/or connecting to the flexible and resilient arch support (10). Flex point (15) of the shoes is the point of inflection of the footwear, where the outsole's contact point to the ground changes it angle upwards towards the heel. This region is padded with a soft resilient material at flex point (12) that has the property of filling in the gap under the foot and can be molded to the shape of the foot to solve various toe-to-ball or ball-to-heel measurement issues or various foot shapes in general, allowing all feet to fit in the shoes impeccably, and decreasing any potential muscle pain and strain.

The last part comprises soft foot-printing material (9). It is located under sock lining (1 1 ), on top of the first four aforementioned parts. Said material gives extra cushion for each step and memorizes the shape of the foot of each wearer, tailoring to suit each individual foot's shape enhancing the overall experience of the high-heeled footwear.

Sock lining (1 1 ) is attached to soft foot-printing material (9) via lamination, glue, or other devices capable of holding soft-foot printing material and sock linking together.

The described composition and methods used to assemble the present invention is deemed to be the ideal embodiments of the invention, and mainly for illustration purpose, and not restricted to the practice of actual production as production techniques may differ across different production process as well as availability of resources. Therefore, the composition and construction of the present invention is open to necessary modifications within the scope of the present invention.

Claims

1) A footwear comprising:

an upper made of soft and durable material such as leather, PU, Fabric, etc.;

an insole divided into base layer insole and a top layer insole;

an outsole mounting to the upper;

a heel mounting to the lasted upper, and attached to the outsole;

anti-slip material attached to the forefoot area under the outsole;

2) The footwear of claim 1 , wherein force distribution material is incorporated therein.

3) The footwear of claim 1 , wherein force absorption material is incorporated therein.

4) The footwear of claim 1 , wherein a wedge is incorporated therein. 5) The footwear of claim 1 , wherein a flexible and resilient arch support is incorporated therein.

6) The footwear of claim 1 , wherein a soft resilient material at flex point is incorporated therein.

7) The footwear of claim 1 , wherein foot-printing material is incorporated therein.

8) The footwear of claim 1 , wherein base layer of insole and the top layer of insole is attached using glue, lamination, or any devices capable of holding base layer insole and the top layer of insole together.

9) The footwear of claim 1 , wherein sock lining is attach on top of top later of insole.

10) The footwear of claim 1 , wherein base layer of insole comprises strong yet flexible insole board and shank.

1 1) A method of assembling the footwear comprising:

Sewing an upper with lining;

Lasting upper and lining to the shoe last; Attaching base layer of insole to the lasted upper;

Attaching outsole and the heel to the lasted upper;

Securing anti-slip material underneath the forefoot section of the outsole;

Attaching top layer of insole to the base layer of insole inside the footwear;

12) The top layer of insole of claim 1 1 is an integrated insole structure, which comprises force distribution material, force absorption material, wedge, flexible and resilient arch support, soft resilient material at flex point, foot-printing material, sock lining.

13) The top layer of insole of claim 1 1 , wherein force absorption material is located on top of base layer of insole, in the forefoot region, extending from toe to flex point of the footwear. Said force absorption material is configured to absorb shock exerted on the ball of foot or any area of foot pressing above the said material, provide stability to the wearers, as well as cushion and lessen any pain arising from forceful encounters between ball of foot or any area of foot pressing above the said material and the ground.

14) The top layer of insole of claim 1 1 , wherein force distribution material is located on top of force absorption material in the forefoot region, extending from toe to flex point of the footwear. Said force distribution material is configured to aid with dispersing and offloading any force exerted on forefoot region particularly the ball of foot or any area of foot pressing above said force distribution material. It also possesses a rebound property allowing wearer's next step to get a slight push forward as this material has a bounce effect, aiding with walking in general.

15) The top later of insole of claim 1 1 , wherein a wedge is situated from the flex point of the footwear until heel region extending therein on top of the base layer of insole. The wedge is configured to decrease the steepness of the angle between the ball of foot to heel. It allows the hind part of the foot namely from ball to heel to rest on a flatter station, eliminating the excess pressure exerted on the ball of foot.

16) The top layer of insole of claim 1 1 , wherein a flexible and resilient arch support is located at mid foot area from approximately the middle of the integrated insole structure towards the inside of the structure around wearer's arches; on top of the wedge. Said flexible and resilient arch support is configured to assist with weight transfer from the ball of foot to the heels, supporting and filling in the gap under the arches according to each wearer's foot shape while walking or standing i.e. flexible and resilient arch support is high enough to support wearer's with high arch and could be pressed down so much as to fit the contour of flatter feet wearers without any resistance, allowing maximum contact points and support under the foot, reducing pressure, and distributing it towards other regions of the foot, creating more balance and less pain.

17) The top layer of insole of claim 1 1 , wherein soft resilient material at flex point is located at the flex point of the footwear, at the same level and connecting to the flexible and resilient arch support. Said soft resilient material has the property of filling in the gap under the foot and can be molded to the shape of the foot to solve various toe-to-ball or ball-to-heel measurement issues or various foot shapes in general, allowing all feet to fit in the shoes impeccably, and decreasing any potential muscle pain and strain. 18) The top layer of insole of claim 1 1 , wherein soft foot-printing material is located under sock lining, on top of force absorption material, force distribution material, wedge, flexible and resilient arch support, soft resilient material at flex point. Said foot-printing material is configured to give extra cushion for each step and memorizes the shape of the foot of each wearer, tailoring to suit each individual foot's shape enhancing the overall experience of the high-heeled footwear.

19) The top layer of insole of claim 1 1 , wherein sock lining is located on the top of soft foot- printing material. It is configured to give a soft touch to the wear of the footwear, and can be made from leather, PU. fabric, or any sort of material that possess the same property.

20) A method of assembling the top layer of insole comprises:

Attaching sock lining and foot-printing material together using glue, lamination or other devices capable of attaching them together;

Attaching flexible and resilient arch support under foot-printing material, in the arch area using glue, lamination or other devices capable of attaching them together;

Attaching soft resilient material at flex point next to the flexible and resilient arch support at footwear flex point using glue, lamination or other devices capable of attaching them together; Attaching force absorption material in the forefoot area under force absorption material using glue, lamination or other devices capable of attaching them together;

21) The top layer insole of claim 1 1 further comprises: said force distribution material comprises of silicone, gel, or any sort of similar materials with the same property; said force absorption material comprises of EVA, compact air, or any sort of similar materials with the same property; said wedge comprises of EVA or any sort of similar materials with the same property; said resilient arch support made of soft yet high density memory foam, or any sort of similar materials with the same property; said soft resilient material at flex point comprises of memory foam, or any soft and resilient material, or any sort of similar materials with the same property; said foot-printing material comprises of materials such as EVA, compact air, or any sort of materials with the same property; said sock lining made of leather, PU, fabric, etc.