WO2020221408A1

WO2020221408A1 - Anti pronation/eversion/heel spur insole

Info

Publication number: WO2020221408A1
Application number: PCT/DK2020/050122
Authority: WO
Inventors: Finn Christian Simonsen
Original assignee: Pinpoint Biomechanics Holding Ivs
Priority date: 2019-05-02
Filing date: 2020-05-01
Publication date: 2020-11-05

Abstract

It is an object of the present invention to provide an insole, which in use provides support to a user's foot and ankle position with respect to pronation/eversion to achieve a neutral foot alignment, and with respect to supination/inversion to achieve relief of the foot and the structures of the foot, while wearing the footwear provided with the insole. The present invention addresses this by providing an insole for footwear comprising a support shell for adjusting and supporting a foot position, where the support shell substantially is formed as a U-shape, where the support shell has an inner surface, where in use the inner surface is facing the foot, and an outer surface, where in use the outer surface is facing the foot wear, where a heel part of said support shell's inner surface is formed complementary to a part of the heel of the foot, where a medical side of said support shell's inner surface is complementary to an inner side of said foot, and where a lateral side of said support shell is complementary to an outer side of said foot, where said inner side and said outer side of support shell extends substantially parallel from the heel part, and thereby provides a recess in the U-shape, where in use the user's foot rests on the U-shaped support shell.

Description

[Anti pronation/eversion/heel spur insole]

Field of the Invention

The present invention relates to an insole for arch supporting an over-pronated or un- der-pronated foot, and optimizing the foot’s position in relation to the leg, into a neu- tral position. The insole is fitted inside a shoe.

Background of the Invention

The foot offers the body two very important functions. The first function is stability, by providing a solid base of support and a stable lever for moving the body forward. The second function is mobility. This allows for shock absorption, maximum contact to the ground in uneven terrain and allows unusual forces in the hips and knees to be absorbed. The anatomy of a normal foot allows for both to occur at the same time. Approximately 1/4 of the population has a normal foot.

The remainder of people either over-pronate/evert or supinate/invert. Most feet pro- nate/evert to a limited degree, but abnormal feet does it too much or at the wrong time, which may cause some of following problems: Plantar Fasciitis, heel spurs, Calcane- odynia, bunions, Achilles tendonitis, corns, calluses and hammer toes, navicular apophysitis, shin splints, fractures in the 1^st and 2^nd toes, medial knee pain and patello- femoral dysfunction (improper tracking of the knee cap), hip pain, low back pain etc.

In normal and neutral foot alignment the inward roll of the foot while walking or run ning, may have a moderate degree of pronation/eversion. Thus certain individuals have biomechanical characteristics which may cause severe pronation, while walking or running. For example, an over-pronation may occur when a person pronates/everts too much and for too long. This places excess stress on the tendons and ligaments in the foot and ankle. The foot must work much harder to propel the body, fatiguing easi ly and placing mechanical stresses on the body.

A problematic pronation/eversion, while for example walking or running may cause the user to experience pain and stress to one or more joints, e.g. the foot, ankle and knee. This can cause permanent damage in the long term. If a user has a problem with a problematic pronation/eversion, the user often aim to find specifically designed shoes supporting the medial arch, so the problematic prona tion/eversion is corrected towards a neutral foot alignment. This may be very expen sive for the user.

Even though designers create shoes to solve the user’ s problematic pronation, the foot may still be stressed and strained using the shoe solutions available today.

The user with problematic pronation often has a limited range of shoes commercially available compared to users with neutral foot alignment. Object of the Invention

It is an object of the present invention to provide an insole, which in use provides sup port to a user’s foot and ankle position with respect to pronation/eversion to achieve a neutral foot alignment, and with respect to supination/inversion to achieve relief of the foot and the structures of the foot, while wearing the footwear provided with the in- sole.

Description of the Invention

The present invention addresses this by providing an insole for footwear comprising a support shell for adjusting and supporting a foot position, where the support shell sub stantially is formed as a U-shape, where the support shell has an inner surface, where in use the inner surface is facing the foot, and an outer surface, where in use the outer surface is facing the foot wear, where a heel part of said support shell’s inner surface is formed complementary to a part of the heel of the foot, where a medial side of said support shell’s inner surface is complementary to an inner side of said foot, and where a lateral side of said support shell is complementary to an outer side of said foot, where said inner side and said outer side of support shell extends substantially parallel from the heel part, and thereby provides a recess in the U-shape, where in use the us er’s foot rests on the U-shaped support shell.

A high percentage of the population suffers from overpronation, for example caused by flat feet. Pronation is the rolling in of the foot and the collapse/drop of the arch. Many people pronate to some extent, and the movement of the foot is a neces sary function in the normal walking cycle, which allows the forefoot to make com plete contact with the ground. By nature feet have different forms and different requirements. In order to modify the actual footwear so that the footwear will provide the best possible wear characteristics to the user, an insole may provide a comfort and stability to the foot. Shoes may often have insoles placed fully or partially in a foot length within the shoe, positioned so that the foot will rest thereon, while the user is wearing the shoe. Such insoles are re movable and may be replaced with new insoles or used with new shoes. The insoles may employ various features of benefit to the user and provide particular needs of the user's feet.

The insole including the support shell is easy to produce and is very reliable. The sup port shell may be moulded or printed or pressed or produced in alternative methods, and also be designed individually and custom made for the user, or the insole includ ing the support shell may be mass-produced so the user easily has access to the prod- uct.

The support shell’s inner surface is arranged adjacent a bottom surface of a flexible insole layer. The insole may be fitted for footwear in fully or partially foot length.

The material for the flexible insole layer may be provided according to a user defined specific purpose. Quality and characteristic may be the softness and the thickness and the permeability of the insole layer. The insole layer may also be provided with a de gree of sweat and shock absorbing properties, and still provide a high degree of com fort at the same time. The insole layer may also provide a mixture of support using harder and softer structures/areas, all which work together to reshape and realign the foot.

The present invention provides an insole, which in a novel dynamic function during load is providing:

successively and dynamically increased support under the Os Navicularis, when the foot and insole are further loaded,

successively and dynamically increased supination/eversion of the Sub-Talar Joint, when the foot and insole are further loaded, successively reduced support/load/pressure under the Fascia Plantaris, when the foot and insole are further loaded, lateral and posterior compression of the heel pad under the Os Calcaneus.

In use the longitudinal parts of the insole, i.e. the medial and lateral parts form a chan nel in which the Fascia Plantaris will come to rest. As the Fascia Plantaris is posi tioned between the medial and lateral sides of the insole, the two longitudinal parts will be exposed to opposing torsional forces such that one will be forced to rotate clockwise and the other counter-clockwise.

At the same time there is a longitudinal torsion (in a direction almost orthogonal to the longitudinal direction of the medial and lateral parts (the longitudinal parts of the U- shape). This allows for the mid- and forefoot to either be supinated or proponiated relative to the heel (rear-foot). By dimensioning the stiffness correctly of the U-shape (the lateral and medial longitudinal parts as well as the heel part) the insole will due to these torsional movements be able to support and aid in a more correct movement of the foot during for example a walking movement. The movement of the different parts of the foot has in recent science been explained by Dr. Larsen by his Spiraldynamik®

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The insole according to the present invention will provide the optimum support and correction in order to correct a user’s walking movement.

Having realized the movement of the various bones in the foot particularly during a walking movement (gait) it is clear that the foot in broad terms appears in two situa tions: 1. Open chain and 2. Closed chain.

The open/closed chains relates to the position of the foot relative to the body.

In a first phase the body is behind the foot, the foot resting flat on the surface. Here the various bones of the mid- and forefoot are loosely packed. In the second phase the body has moved to a position substantially above the foot. In this position particularly the bones in the midfoot are beginning to pack closer together in order to stabilize the body. In the third phase the body is in front of the foot, and particularly the midfoot bones are tightly packed, and finally in a fourth phase when the heel is elevated from the surface the bones both in the fore- and midfoot are tightly packed or locked to gether.

Tests indicate that the insole according to the present invention, when designed cor rectly is able to provide substantial correction in phase one and two, towards a more correct position of the foot, in order to avoid unwanted wear on the entire locomotive movement, and not just the feet, ankles etc.

The insole comprises the support shell, which may apply pressure to correct specific areas of the foot. When the physical forces and pressure are transferred through the foot and up the legs, the muscles, tendons and bones need an adjustment period while they adapt to work together in the correct manner.

In an advantageous embodiment of the invention said medial side and said lateral side of the support shell extend at least half foot length from the heel part.

The medial side extends from the heel to the forefoot. The support shell may support and adjust the medial arch along the medial side of the foot. When supporting and adjusting the medial arch, the insole and the support shell may support the lateral side at the same time.

One example causing a problematic pronation/eversion may be the drop of the medial arch. The navicular bone is in a key position in the medial arch of the foot. When the navicular bone, and maybe also the cuboid bone or the adjacent metatarsal bones, drops, the integrity of the arch may be lost and causing an over-pronation/eversion. The bone-drop begins to strain the plantar aponeurosis because the weight is no longer evenly divided on the foot.

The insole comprising the support shell, may support the navicular bone and adjust the medial arch of the foot by pushing the navicular bone upwards into a position where the foot is placed in a neutral foot alignment in relation to the lower leg, and at the same time supporting the lateral side of the foot. The support shell may be provided with a variety range of degree of support and adjustment possibility for a user’s needs. The insole is easy to insert to a footwear and to replace later if needed. In a further advantageous embodiment of the invention, said support shell comprises at least three contact points on the outer surface, where said contact points are in con tact with said foot wear.

The foot has three arches: a longitudinal medial arch and a longitudinal lateral arch and one anterior transverse arch. They are formed by the tarsal and metatarsal bones, and supported by ligaments and tendons in the foot. The longitudinal medial arch is located along the inner side of the foot and the longitudinal lateral arch is located along the outer side of the foot. The anterior transverse arch is located across the foot just before the beginning of the forefoot, and extends from the longitudinal medial arch to the longitudinal lateral arch.

Their shape allows them to act in the same way as a spring, bearing the weight of the body and absorbing the shock produced during locomotion. The flexibility conferred to the foot by these arches facilitates functions such as walking and running.

The support shell provides the insole supporting the arches of the foot and may be able to support and adjust the arches, for example using three contact points. The con- tact point is relative to a plane extending beneath the insole with the support shell. A first contact point in contact with the plane may be provided in the heel part in the bottom part of the U-shape of the support shell. The second and the third contact point are in contact with the plane may be provided at the extended ends at the medial side, and at the lateral side, where the respective ends are provided at the opposite end of the bottom part of the U-shape of the support shell. An elevated arch curve corre sponds to a medial arch and a lateral arch and a transversal arch with a given height lifted from the plane, from the first contact point to respectively the second and third contact points and between the second and the third contact points. The medial side and said lateral side of the support shell forms a triple-arch design, where the invention during load is having contact to the shoe from the two distal ends of the U-shape and from one proximal end of the U-shape. Between these three con tact points the said invention shows a medial arch and a lateral arch and a transversal arch. These three arches may correspond in functionality and dynamics with the ana- tomical arches of a foot. When loaded the arches may individually flatten to a certain degree. When unloaded the arches may individually return to their normal, individual heights.

In a further advantageous embodiment of the invention, said support shell is semi rigid.

The support shell may be semi-rigid, where semi-rigid is defines as stiff and solid, but not inflexible. The support shell comprises a certain hardness / stiffness / flexibility so that the support shell may maintain the form, after a plurality of loads of pressure pro vided by the user’s use of the insole in a footwear. Still the shell must comprise a cer tain resilience and flexibility so the insole may follow the movements of the foot dur ing use. The support shell may also be partially rigid, partially semi-rigid and partially flexible.

The medial side and said lateral side of the U-shape may also be partially rigid, par tially semi-rigid and partially flexible in relation to each other. The arch curve provid ed by the support shell may have a springy effect, when being pushed downwards towards the plane by the weight of the user during use, due to the predefined height in the middle of the arch curve provided by the three contact points. The springy effect of the support shell may provide a comfortable movement of the foot during use. Es pecially regarding the bone structure and the plantar aponeurosis.

The support shell may be moulded as one item. The material of the shell may be cho sen according to the degree of rigidness needed for the purpose. The insole layer may be glued onto the inside of the support shell.

In a still further advantageous embodiment of the invention, a width of said medial side of said support shell is wider in relation to a width of said lateral side of said sup port shell.

The width of the medial side of the support shell may be determined from the issue of moving the bone or bones in the foot so the arch may be carefully adjusted without causing any stress to the foot. It is therefore important that the support shell provides a firm grip of the arch curve on the sole of the foot, and at the same time the medial side of the support shell also pushing the medial side of the foot towards the lateral side. The lateral side also provides a firm grip on the sole of the foot, and supporting the foot by pushing the lateral side towards the medial side and thereby the support shell controls the foot position during use.

In a still further advantageous embodiment of the invention, a width of said lateral side of said support shell is wider in relation to a width of said medial side of said support shell.

Depending on the abnormality of the foot or feet, the requirement and quality in the insole may be different to obtain a neutral foot alignment. The width of said lateral side of said support shell may be chosen more narrow in relation to a width of said medial side of said support shell. The height of the medial side and the height of the lateral side may also variate according to the requirement of the insole.

In a further advantageous embodiment of the invention, a length of said medial side of said support shell is longer in relation to a length of said lateral side of said support shell.

The length of the medial side of the support shell may be determined from the form of user’s foot so the arch may be carefully adjusted without causing any stress to the foot. It is therefore important that the support shell provides grip of the arch curve on the sole of the foot from the heel part to forefoot. At the same time the medial side of the support shell also pushes most of the medial side of the foot towards the lateral side. The lateral side also provides a firm grip on the sole of the foot even though the length of lateral side of the support shell is only part of the length of the medial side, and still provides support to the foot by pushing the lateral side towards the medial side.

Both the width and the length of the medial and the lateral side of the support shell is important to provide a stable and comfortable support and adjustment to the foot. The recess in the support shell between the medial side and the lateral side provides a movement of the foot without excessive stressing and straining the plantar aponeuro sis.

In a still further advantageous embodiment of the invention, a length of said lateral side of said support shell is longer in relation to a length of said medial side of said support shell.

Depending on the abnormality of the foot or feet, the requirement and quality in the insole may be different to obtain a neutral foot alignment.

In a further advantageous embodiment of the invention, a resilient membrane is ar ranged partially or fully in the recess of the support shell.

The heel part of the insole may be provided with a resilient membrane. The membrane may be arranged in the bottom part of the U-shaped support shell. The resilient mem brane may be provided with qualities fitted for the user’s problematic foot and may be even a disabled foot. The membrane may be of a resilient material, The membrane may also comprise a cavity filled with air/gas or gel, to provide the correct support. Also the membrane may be divided into sections with different qualities. A resilient membrane may also be arranged in the end of the forefoot, supporting the fore foot.

Method of supporting and adjusting the foot position, comprising following steps: a) providing an insole comprising a support shell accordingly,

b) arranging said insole in a footwear,

c) placing a foot inside the footwear resting on said insole,

d) moving the foot and thereby pressing the foot downwards towards the insole, e) supporting and adjusting the arch position of the foot during the motion, and there by correcting the foot position in relation to the leg and the internal foot alignment.

The method of supporting and adjusting the foot position while the user is using a footwear comprising an insole. The method comprises steps, such as providing an insole, where the insole comprises a support shell for adjusting and supporting the user’s foot position. The support shell is substantially formed as a U-shape. The sup port shell has an inner surface, where in use the inner surface is facing the foot. The support shell has also an outer surface, where in use the outer surface is facing the foot wear. The heel part of said support shell’s inner surface is formed complementary to a part of the heel of the foot. A medial side of said support shell’s inner surface is com plementary to an inner side of said foot, providing the foot a neutral foot position. The lateral side of said support shell is complementary to an outer side of said foot, where said inner side and said outer side of support shell extend substantially parallel from the heel part, and thereby provides a recess in the U-shape, where in use the user’s foot rests on the U-shaped support shell. The method also comprises steps, such as a user arranging said insole in a footwear, and where the user is placing the user’s foot inside the footwear resting on said insole. The user moves the foot, when the user is standing or walking or running or jumping or landing or twisting. The foot will then be pressed downwards towards the insole. The insole will then interacts with the movement of the foot, by supporting and adjust- ing the arch position of the foot dynamically during the motion, and thereby correcting the foot position in relation to the leg and the internal foot alignment, preferably into a neutral position.

The insole placed within the shoe, is positioned so that the foot will rest thereon, while the user is wearing the shoe. The insole is removable and may be replaced with insoles which may employ various features of benefit to the user or the particular needs of the user's feet during the footwears lifetime.

The invention has now been explained with reference to a few embodiments which have only been discussed in order to illustrate the many possibilities and varying de sign possibilities achievable with a support shell for adjusting and supporting a foot position according to the present invention.

Description of the Drawing

The embodiments of the invention are described in the following with reference to: Fig. 1 : Shows a bottom view of an insole comprising a support shell.

Fig. 2: Shows a U-formed support shell.

Fig. 3: Shows an inner side and an outer side of a support shell. Fig. 4: Shows a side view of an insole comprising a support shell with a springy ef fect.

Fig. 5a-c: Shows an insole comprising a support shell with an elevated arch support. Fig. 6a-e: Shows a support shell from different views.

Fig. 7a-c: Illustrates the forces applied to the support shell.

Fig. 8: A support shell arranged on a user’s foot.

Fig. 9a-d: Shows a support shells position in relation to an insole.

Detailed Description of the Invention

One embodiment of the invention is explained in the following detailed description. It is to be understood that the invention is not limited in its scope to the following de scription or illustrated in the drawings. The invention is capable of other embodiments and of being practiced or carried out in various ways.

Fig. 1 : Shows a bottom view of an insole 1 comprising a support shell. The support shell 2 may adjust and support a pronated foot position, by moving/pushing the foot’s position in relation to the leg’s position into a neutral foot alignment. The support shell 2 has a substantially U-shape. The insole is provided with a heel part 8, which is formed complementary to a part of a foot heel. A medial side 4 of the insole 1 and the support shell 2, which corresponds to the inner side of the foot, is complementary to a medial longitudinal arch of the foot in a neutral foot position. The lateral side 5 of the insole 1 and the support shell 2, which corresponds to the outer side of the foot, is complementary to a lateral longitudinal arch of the foot.

The insole extends from a heel end 7 to a toe end 6. The insole is divided into three zones, a forefoot zone a comprising a toe end 6, and a middle foot zone b , and a heel part zone c. The medial side 4 and the lateral side 5 of support shell 2 extend substan tially parallel from the heel part zone c, under the middle foot b, towards but not into, the forefoot a. The space between the medial side 4 and the lateral side 5 of support shell 2 hereby provides a recess in the U-formed support shell 2.

A resilient membrane 3 arranged in the heel part 8 of the recess of the support shell 2 in the heel part zone c. The heel part c of the insole may be provided with a resilient membrane arranged in the bottom part of the recess in the U-shaped support shell 2. A membrane is also arranged in the end of the fore foot 3 supporting the fore foot zone a.

Fig. 2: Shows a bottom view of a right R and left L U-formed support shell 2. The support shell 2 has an inner surface, where in use the inner surface is facing the foot of a user, and an outer surface, where in use the outer surface is facing an underlying surface, such as a foot wear. The medial side 4 and the lateral side 5 of support shell 2 extend away from the heel part. The medial side 4 is wider than the lateral side 5, forming a solid arch support for the foot.

The support shell 2 may be semi-rigid and comprise certain hardness so the support shell 2 may maintain the form, after a plurality of loads of pressure provided by the user’s use of the insole in a footwear. Still the support shell comprises a certain resili ence and flexibility so the insole may follow the movements of the foot during use, and still be able to provide the necessary support to the foot. The heel part 8 of the support shell is providing a stabile support to the heel part, where the heel part 8 pro vides a firm grip from the sole of the foot to the side of the heel, from where the medi al side 4 and the lateral side 5 is moveable according to the movement of the foot in use.

The lateral line X is a line along the longitudinal lateral arch/side of the foot, where the support shell is bending from the sole of the foot to the side of the foot, providing the foot support on the lateral side when the user is using the insole in a foot wear. The medial line Y is a line along the longitudinal medial arch/side of the foot, where the support shell is bending from the sole of the foot to the side of the foot following the arch curve, providing the foot support and adjustment on the medial side of the foot, when the user is using the insole in a foot wear. The support shell 2 provides the insole supporting the arches of the foot and may be able to support and adjust the arches, for example using three contact points 9, 10', 10". The contact point is relative to a plane extending beneath the insole with the support shell 2. A first contact point 9 in contact with the plane may be provided in the heel part 8 in the bottom part of the U-shape of the support shell 2. The second contact point 10' and the third contact point 10' are in contact with the plane may be provided at the extended ends at the medial side 4, and at the lateral side 5. The respective ends are provided at the opposite end of the bottom part of the U-shape of the support shell. An elevated longitudinal arch curve corresponds to a medial arch and a longitudinal lateral arch and a transversal arch with a given height lifted from the plane, from the first contact point 9 to respectively the second contact point 10' and third contact point 10", and furthermore between the second contact point 10' and the third contact point 10". Fig. 3: Shows an inner side, the medial side 4, and an outer side, the lateral side 5, of a support shell compared to the foot arranged in relation to the support shell 2. The me dial side 4 of said support shell 2 is longer in relation to the lateral side 5 of said sup port shell 2. The medial side 4 is complementary to a medial longitudinal arch of the foot. The medial side 4 is formed so the medial longitudinal arch of the foot is sup- ported and so that the arch of the foot may be adjusted in relation to the heel position, the toe position and the lower leg position. The medial side 4 and said lateral side 5 of the U-shape may also be partially rigid, partially semi-rigid and partially flexible in relation to each other. The medial side 4 and said lateral side 5 are able to move to wards each other or away from each other, depending on pressure provided from the movement of the foot.

The support shell 2 adjusts and supports a foot’s position towards a neutral foot alignment. The support shell 2 is substantially formed as a U. The support shell 2 has an inner surface, where in use the inner surface is facing a foot. The outer surface, which is visible in the fig. 2 and 3, is facing the inside of the footwear. A heel part 8 of said support shells’ 2 inner surface is formed complementary to a part of the heel of the foot. The medial side 4 of said support shell 2 inner surface is complementary to a medial longitudinal arch of said foot, and the lateral side 5 of said support shell 2 is complementary to a lateral longitudinal arch of said foot. The medial side 4, along the sole and the side of the foot, and said lateral side, along the sole and the side of the foot of support shell 2 extends substantially in the same direction from the heel part, and thereby provides a recess in the U-shape. The lateral side supports the outer side of the foot, so when the user is performing a motion using the insole in a footwear, it is important that the pressure do not accumu late in one spot of the foot, for example in the metatarsal-phalangeal joint and thereby causing pain etc. The U-shaped support shell has a vital shape able to distribute the pressure to most of the foot during use.

Fig. 4: Shows a side view of an insole comprising a support shell with a springy ef fect. The purpose of the insole is for example to adjust a pronated foot position into a neutral foot position in relation to the foot and leg. The flexible insole 1 extends in a foot length from the toe end 6 and to the heel end 7. The forefoot part is arranged ad jacent to the toe end 6, and a heel part is arranged adjacent to the heel end 7. The mid part of the insole is arranged between the forefoot part and the heel part. The flexible insole 1 has an upper surface facing the foot of a user. A bottom surface of the insole 1 is facing towards the support shell 2 and the inside of a foot ware.

The support shell 2 is arranged to cover parts of the heel part and mid-part of the flex ible insole, and forms together with the flexible insole a form complementary to a foot. The support shell 2 provides the insole with three contact points. A first contact point 9 is provided in the heel part, corresponding to the bottom part of the U-form of the support shell 2. The first contact point is in contact with the plane S. The second and the third contact points are provided at the extended ends at the medial side 4, and at the lateral side 5. The first contact point forms an elevated curve, with a height h lifted from the plane S, e.g. a footwear, to respectively the second and third contact points. The curve has a springy effect when the foot is being pushed downwards to wards the footwear by the weight of the user during use, due to the predefined height h in the middle of the curve.

Fig. 5a-c: Shows an insole 1 comprising a support shell 2 with an elevated arch sup- port. One of the user’s problem may be related to pronation, which refers the feet’s way of moving from side to side. The weight is transferred from the heel to the ball of the foot as the user walks or runs. When the foot rolls inwards towards the arch, the pronation will occur. Fig. 5a shows the insole from the lateral side, which is similar to the outer side of a footwear if the insole was placed correctly inside a footwear. The lateral side 5 of the support shell 2 is lower than the highest point of the medial side 4, which also illus- trates the medial curve. The medial side 4 is similar to the inner side of the footwear, if the insole was placed correctly inside a footwear.

Fig. 5b shows the insole form the medial side, which also is the form of the medial curve. The media side 4 extends from the heel to the forefoot. The support shell 2 may support and adjust the medial arch along the medial side 4 of the foot. When support ing and adjusting the medial arch, the insole 1 and the support shell 2 may support the lateral side of the foot at the same time.

Fig. 5c shows the insole form the back side where the heel may be placed, if the insole was placed correctly inside a footwear. The lateral side 5 of the support shell 2 is low er than the highest point of the medial side 4. The medial side 4 illustrates the medial curve. One example causing a problematic pronation may be the drop of the medial arch. The navicular bone is in a key position in the medial arch of the foot. When the navicular bone, and maybe also the cuboid bone, drops, the integrity of the arch may be lost and causing an over-pronation. The bone-drop begins to strain the plantar fas cia because the weight is no longer evenly divided on the foot.

When the user is using the insole in the footwear, the foot will then press the insole 1 and the support shell 2 downwards. The insole 1 and the support shell 2 will then in- teract with the movement of the foot. The length between the medial side 14 and the lateral side 5 will be reduced. The insole 1 and the support shell 2 will support the navicular bone and adjust the medial arch of the foot by pushing the navicular bone upwards into a position where the foot is placed in a neutral foot alignment in relation to the lower leg, and at the same time supporting the lateral side 5 of the foot. The U- form of the support shell 2 will provide space so the plantar aponeurosis may move freely without getting squeezed during the pressure to the foot. The support shell 2 may be provided with a variety range of degree of support and adjustment possibility for a user’s needs. The insoles will clearly employ special features of benefit to the user and provide particular needs of the user's feet. Fig. 6a-e shows the support shell from different views.

The support shell 2 has an inner surface and an outer surface. The medial side 4 and the lateral side 5 of support shell 2 extend away from the heel part 8. The medial side 4 is wider and higher than the lateral side 5, forming a solid arch support for the foot.

Fig. 7a-c illustrates a force applied to the support shell. The force, a vertical download F, is applied to the support shell 2 when the user is standing, walking or running etc. The vertical download acts upon the medial arch apex and the lateral arch apex of the support shell 2, when provided in relation to the insole, with a downward force F.

Due to these loads the three contacts point 9 and 10, explained in fig. 4, are forced towards the user’s footwear and thereby the ground/floor. The three contact points are at the heel, at the distal end of the medial side 4 and at the distal end of the lateral side 5.

Without providing any force F to the support shell as showed in fig. 7b the width of the support shell 2 between the top of the lateral side 5 and the medial side 4 is ap proximately 7 cm. When the force is applied upon the support shell 2, the width of the support shell 2 between the top of the lateral side 5 and the medial side 4 will be re duced to approximately 6 cm. This will provide a stable grip around the foot while adjusting the foot alignment.

Fig. 8: A support shell arranged on a user’s foot. The support shell 2 has an inner sur- face, where in use the inner surface is facing the foot 12 of a user, and an outer sur face, where in use the outer surface is facing an underlying surface, such as a foot wear. The medial side 4 and the lateral side 5 of support shell 2 extend away from the heel part. The medial side 4 is wider than the lateral side 5, forming a solid arch sup port for the foot 12. The foot and especially the heel position may then be aligned with the longitudinal direction of the users leg 13.

The insole 1 comprises the support shell 2, where the purpose of the insole is adjusting and supporting the user’s foot position. The support shell 2 is substantially formed as a U-shape. The heel part 8 of said support shell’s inner surface is formed complemen- tary to a part of the heel of the foot 12. A medial side 4 of said support shell’s inner surface is complementary to an inner side of said foot 12, preferably providing the foot a neutral foot position when in use. The lateral side 5 of said support shell is complementary to an outer side of said foot, where said inner side and said outer side of support shell extend substantially parallel from the heel part 8, and thereby provides a recess in the U-shape, where in use the user’s foot rests on the U-shaped support shell.

Fig. 9a-d: Shows a support shell’s position in relation to an insole in different views.

This insole 1, which is also explained in fig. 1, is formed so it fits the user’s foot per fectly. The support shell 2 has a substantially U-shape. The insole 1 is provided with a heel part 8, which is formed complementary to a part of a foot heel. A medial side 4 of the insole 1 and the support shell 2, which corresponds to the inner side of the foot, is complementary to a medial longitudinal arch of the foot in a neutral foot position. The lateral side 5 of the insole 1 and the support shell 2, which corresponds to the outer side of the foot, is complementary to a lateral longitudinal arch of the foot.

Claims

1. An insole for footwear comprising a support shell for adjusting and supporting a foot position, where the support shell substantially is formed as a U-shape, where the support shell has an inner surface, where in use the inner surface is facing the foot, and an outer surface, where in use the outer surface is facing the foot wear, where a heel part of said support shell’s inner surface is formed complementary to a part of the heel of the foot, where a medial side of said support shell’s inner surface is comple mentary to an inner side of said foot, and where a lateral side of said support shell is complementary to an outer side of said foot, where said inner side and said outer side of the support shell extends substantially parallel to each other from the heel part, and thereby provides a recess in the U-shape, where in use the user’s foot rests on the U- shaped support shell.

2. Insole according to claim 1, where said medial side and said lateral side of the sup port shell extend at least half the foot’s length from the heel part.

3. Insole according to claim 1 or 2, where said support shell comprises at least three contact points on the outer surface, where said contact points in use are in contact with said foot wear.

4. Insole according to any of the preceding claims, where said support shell is semi rigid.

5. Insole according to any of the preceding claims, where a width of said medial side of said support shell is wider in relation to a width of said lateral side of said support shell.

6. Insole according to any of the preceding claims 1 - 4, where a width of said lateral side of said support shell is wider in relation to a width of said medial side of said support shell.

7. Insole according to any of the preceding claims, where a length of said medial side of said support shell is longer in relation to a length of said lateral side of said support shell.

8. Insole according to any of the preceding claims 1 - 6, where a length of said lateral side of said support shell is longer in relation to a length of said medial side of said support shell.

9. Insole according to any of the preceding claims, where a resilient membrane is ar- ranged partially or fully in the recess of the support shell.

10. Method of supporting and adjusting the foot position, comprising following steps: a) providing an insole comprising a support shell according to any of the claims 1 - 9, b) arranging said insole in a footwear,

c) placing a foot inside the footwear resting on said insole,