WO2021079245A1 - Sole for footwear, for postural and balance training - Google Patents
Sole for footwear, for postural and balance training Download PDFInfo
- Publication number
- WO2021079245A1 WO2021079245A1 PCT/IB2020/059793 IB2020059793W WO2021079245A1 WO 2021079245 A1 WO2021079245 A1 WO 2021079245A1 IB 2020059793 W IB2020059793 W IB 2020059793W WO 2021079245 A1 WO2021079245 A1 WO 2021079245A1
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- WO
- WIPO (PCT)
- Prior art keywords
- foot
- sacs
- wearer
- sac
- sole
- Prior art date
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Classifications
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- A—HUMAN NECESSITIES
- A43—FOOTWEAR
- A43B—CHARACTERISTIC FEATURES OF FOOTWEAR; PARTS OF FOOTWEAR
- A43B17/00—Insoles for insertion, e.g. footbeds or inlays, for attachment to the shoe after the upper has been joined
- A43B17/003—Insoles for insertion, e.g. footbeds or inlays, for attachment to the shoe after the upper has been joined characterised by the material
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- A—HUMAN NECESSITIES
- A43—FOOTWEAR
- A43B—CHARACTERISTIC FEATURES OF FOOTWEAR; PARTS OF FOOTWEAR
- A43B13/00—Soles; Sole-and-heel integral units
- A43B13/14—Soles; Sole-and-heel integral units characterised by the constructive form
- A43B13/18—Resilient soles
- A43B13/181—Resiliency achieved by the structure of the sole
- A43B13/184—Resiliency achieved by the structure of the sole the structure protruding from the outsole
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- A—HUMAN NECESSITIES
- A43—FOOTWEAR
- A43B—CHARACTERISTIC FEATURES OF FOOTWEAR; PARTS OF FOOTWEAR
- A43B13/00—Soles; Sole-and-heel integral units
- A43B13/14—Soles; Sole-and-heel integral units characterised by the constructive form
- A43B13/18—Resilient soles
- A43B13/181—Resiliency achieved by the structure of the sole
- A43B13/186—Differential cushioning region, e.g. cushioning located under the ball of the foot
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- A—HUMAN NECESSITIES
- A43—FOOTWEAR
- A43B—CHARACTERISTIC FEATURES OF FOOTWEAR; PARTS OF FOOTWEAR
- A43B13/00—Soles; Sole-and-heel integral units
- A43B13/14—Soles; Sole-and-heel integral units characterised by the constructive form
- A43B13/18—Resilient soles
- A43B13/189—Resilient soles filled with a non-compressible fluid, e.g. gel, water
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- A—HUMAN NECESSITIES
- A43—FOOTWEAR
- A43B—CHARACTERISTIC FEATURES OF FOOTWEAR; PARTS OF FOOTWEAR
- A43B17/00—Insoles for insertion, e.g. footbeds or inlays, for attachment to the shoe after the upper has been joined
- A43B17/02—Insoles for insertion, e.g. footbeds or inlays, for attachment to the shoe after the upper has been joined wedge-like or resilient
- A43B17/026—Insoles for insertion, e.g. footbeds or inlays, for attachment to the shoe after the upper has been joined wedge-like or resilient filled with a non-compressible fluid, e.g. gel, water
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- A—HUMAN NECESSITIES
- A43—FOOTWEAR
- A43B—CHARACTERISTIC FEATURES OF FOOTWEAR; PARTS OF FOOTWEAR
- A43B7/00—Footwear with health or hygienic arrangements
- A43B7/14—Footwear with health or hygienic arrangements with foot-supporting parts
- A43B7/1405—Footwear with health or hygienic arrangements with foot-supporting parts with pads or holes on one or more locations, or having an anatomical or curved form
- A43B7/1415—Footwear with health or hygienic arrangements with foot-supporting parts with pads or holes on one or more locations, or having an anatomical or curved form characterised by the location under the foot
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- A—HUMAN NECESSITIES
- A43—FOOTWEAR
- A43B—CHARACTERISTIC FEATURES OF FOOTWEAR; PARTS OF FOOTWEAR
- A43B7/00—Footwear with health or hygienic arrangements
- A43B7/14—Footwear with health or hygienic arrangements with foot-supporting parts
- A43B7/1405—Footwear with health or hygienic arrangements with foot-supporting parts with pads or holes on one or more locations, or having an anatomical or curved form
- A43B7/1415—Footwear with health or hygienic arrangements with foot-supporting parts with pads or holes on one or more locations, or having an anatomical or curved form characterised by the location under the foot
- A43B7/1425—Footwear with health or hygienic arrangements with foot-supporting parts with pads or holes on one or more locations, or having an anatomical or curved form characterised by the location under the foot situated under the ball of the foot, i.e. the joint between the first metatarsal and first phalange
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- A—HUMAN NECESSITIES
- A43—FOOTWEAR
- A43B—CHARACTERISTIC FEATURES OF FOOTWEAR; PARTS OF FOOTWEAR
- A43B7/00—Footwear with health or hygienic arrangements
- A43B7/14—Footwear with health or hygienic arrangements with foot-supporting parts
- A43B7/1405—Footwear with health or hygienic arrangements with foot-supporting parts with pads or holes on one or more locations, or having an anatomical or curved form
- A43B7/1415—Footwear with health or hygienic arrangements with foot-supporting parts with pads or holes on one or more locations, or having an anatomical or curved form characterised by the location under the foot
- A43B7/143—Footwear with health or hygienic arrangements with foot-supporting parts with pads or holes on one or more locations, or having an anatomical or curved form characterised by the location under the foot situated under the lateral arch, i.e. the cuboid bone
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- A—HUMAN NECESSITIES
- A43—FOOTWEAR
- A43B—CHARACTERISTIC FEATURES OF FOOTWEAR; PARTS OF FOOTWEAR
- A43B7/00—Footwear with health or hygienic arrangements
- A43B7/14—Footwear with health or hygienic arrangements with foot-supporting parts
- A43B7/1405—Footwear with health or hygienic arrangements with foot-supporting parts with pads or holes on one or more locations, or having an anatomical or curved form
- A43B7/1415—Footwear with health or hygienic arrangements with foot-supporting parts with pads or holes on one or more locations, or having an anatomical or curved form characterised by the location under the foot
- A43B7/1435—Footwear with health or hygienic arrangements with foot-supporting parts with pads or holes on one or more locations, or having an anatomical or curved form characterised by the location under the foot situated under the joint between the fifth phalange and the fifth metatarsal bone
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- A—HUMAN NECESSITIES
- A43—FOOTWEAR
- A43B—CHARACTERISTIC FEATURES OF FOOTWEAR; PARTS OF FOOTWEAR
- A43B7/00—Footwear with health or hygienic arrangements
- A43B7/14—Footwear with health or hygienic arrangements with foot-supporting parts
- A43B7/1405—Footwear with health or hygienic arrangements with foot-supporting parts with pads or holes on one or more locations, or having an anatomical or curved form
- A43B7/1415—Footwear with health or hygienic arrangements with foot-supporting parts with pads or holes on one or more locations, or having an anatomical or curved form characterised by the location under the foot
- A43B7/144—Footwear with health or hygienic arrangements with foot-supporting parts with pads or holes on one or more locations, or having an anatomical or curved form characterised by the location under the foot situated under the heel, i.e. the calcaneus bone
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- A—HUMAN NECESSITIES
- A43—FOOTWEAR
- A43B—CHARACTERISTIC FEATURES OF FOOTWEAR; PARTS OF FOOTWEAR
- A43B7/00—Footwear with health or hygienic arrangements
- A43B7/14—Footwear with health or hygienic arrangements with foot-supporting parts
- A43B7/1405—Footwear with health or hygienic arrangements with foot-supporting parts with pads or holes on one or more locations, or having an anatomical or curved form
- A43B7/1415—Footwear with health or hygienic arrangements with foot-supporting parts with pads or holes on one or more locations, or having an anatomical or curved form characterised by the location under the foot
- A43B7/145—Footwear with health or hygienic arrangements with foot-supporting parts with pads or holes on one or more locations, or having an anatomical or curved form characterised by the location under the foot situated under the toes, i.e. the phalanges
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- A—HUMAN NECESSITIES
- A43—FOOTWEAR
- A43B—CHARACTERISTIC FEATURES OF FOOTWEAR; PARTS OF FOOTWEAR
- A43B7/00—Footwear with health or hygienic arrangements
- A43B7/14—Footwear with health or hygienic arrangements with foot-supporting parts
- A43B7/1405—Footwear with health or hygienic arrangements with foot-supporting parts with pads or holes on one or more locations, or having an anatomical or curved form
- A43B7/1475—Footwear with health or hygienic arrangements with foot-supporting parts with pads or holes on one or more locations, or having an anatomical or curved form characterised by the type of support
-
- A—HUMAN NECESSITIES
- A43—FOOTWEAR
- A43B—CHARACTERISTIC FEATURES OF FOOTWEAR; PARTS OF FOOTWEAR
- A43B7/00—Footwear with health or hygienic arrangements
- A43B7/14—Footwear with health or hygienic arrangements with foot-supporting parts
- A43B7/1405—Footwear with health or hygienic arrangements with foot-supporting parts with pads or holes on one or more locations, or having an anatomical or curved form
- A43B7/1475—Footwear with health or hygienic arrangements with foot-supporting parts with pads or holes on one or more locations, or having an anatomical or curved form characterised by the type of support
- A43B7/1485—Recesses or holes, traversing partially or completely the thickness of the pad
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- A—HUMAN NECESSITIES
- A43—FOOTWEAR
- A43B—CHARACTERISTIC FEATURES OF FOOTWEAR; PARTS OF FOOTWEAR
- A43B7/00—Footwear with health or hygienic arrangements
- A43B7/14—Footwear with health or hygienic arrangements with foot-supporting parts
- A43B7/1405—Footwear with health or hygienic arrangements with foot-supporting parts with pads or holes on one or more locations, or having an anatomical or curved form
- A43B7/1475—Footwear with health or hygienic arrangements with foot-supporting parts with pads or holes on one or more locations, or having an anatomical or curved form characterised by the type of support
- A43B7/149—Pads, e.g. protruding on the foot-facing surface
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- A—HUMAN NECESSITIES
- A43—FOOTWEAR
- A43B—CHARACTERISTIC FEATURES OF FOOTWEAR; PARTS OF FOOTWEAR
- A43B7/00—Footwear with health or hygienic arrangements
- A43B7/14—Footwear with health or hygienic arrangements with foot-supporting parts
- A43B7/24—Insertions or other supports preventing the foot canting to one side , preventing supination or pronation
Definitions
- the present invention relates to a sole for footwear for improving the posture and balance of the wearer.
- insoles which provide a specially shaped and / or cushioned surface on which the foot can rest.
- These insoles are designed to passively compensate and / or accommodate for postural problems. Although in some cases these insoles provide little relief, in many cases insoles provide considerable relief of posture-related alignments. However, they achieve this by the application of passively acting forces, in that they do not instigate conscious active involvement by the wearer to change body posture. Supportive insoles force the base of the foot to conform to the shape of the insole. Subsequent postural changes are transferred from this source through the ankle and up the leg.
- cushioned insoles are commonly made of gel substances which act to spread load forces at sites of high plantar pressure. These insoles do not teach the wearer how to correct their related postural problems; they simply treat the results of those postural problems. In most cases the user is dependent upon the ongoing use of the insoles.
- the orientation of body load is determined by the way in which body segments are arranged in relation to each other.
- the most relevant segments to foot postures are the lower limbs, pelvis, waist and chest.
- the latter three are centrally located and have large masses.
- the latter two are inclusive of the lumbar and thoracic spines respectively.
- This segmental arrangement facilitates significant changes in foot related forces in response to small interrelated changes in body segment positioning. The effectiveness of this mechanism is enhanced by the general flexibility of these body segments, which allows for multi-direction movements both between and within the segments.
- foot posture and related body balance can be referenced to the interrelated stacking of principally centrally located body segments, over the respective lower limb and foot.
- the remaining segments contribute in an integral manner to body posturing and balancing but this contribution is more specialised and directed toward the achievement of functional tasks, such as eye-hand related tasks.
- the laterally located upper limbs contribute dynamic refinement to the balancing task.
- the foot is capable of multi-positional and multi-directional foot sole to floor interactions.
- the most fundamental of these can be reliably qualified by the manner in which the primary weight bearing sites of the foot sole interact with the floor.
- the sole of the foot has a wealth of neural sensors which have the potential to provide accurate sensory information concerning this interaction. With training, this information can be readily utilised to assess the quality of the fundamental foot postures and predisposing body segment orientations. With ongoing training, the quality of body postures can be assessed in relation to any multi-positional and multi directional foot sole to floor interaction.
- the primary structural components of the foot are its three arches:- the medial longitudinal arch, the transverse arch, and the lateral longitudinal arch. They provide the foot with a structurally interdependent triangular framework of arches. Correct foot posture is dependent upon the correct formation of all three arches. This applies to all variations of contact between the foot sole and floor.
- the three primary foundations of these arches coincide with the three primary weight bearing sites on the foot sole. These are the heel, medial forefoot and lateral forefoot.
- the quality of foot to floor interaction of one or more of these sites is directly related to the quality of formation of all three arches.
- the structural integrity of the foot ensures that the three arches are correctly formed when any one or more of the primary weight bearing sites is correctly loaded. The sensors located under these sites readily provide this information.
- the term “medial forefoot” refers to the sole foot pad of the first metatarsal head; the term “lateral forefoot” refers to the sole foot pad of the second to fifth metatarsal heads; the term “lateral midfoot” refers to the sole foot pad of the cuboid and the bases of the third, fourth and fifth metatarsals.
- Correct and incorrect foot and body postures can be correlated with respect to the systemic alignments of joints. Joint alignment is a systemically interdependent phenomenon, in that the forces responsible for a correct or incorrect posture act to respectively align or misalign all involved joints.
- the correct training of body balance is dependent upon the training of predisposing correct body postures.
- the beginning of this training involves learning to correctly balance the body over one or more of the primary weight bearing sites of the foot sole.
- These sites are identified on the sole of the foot as convex shaped pads of skin, whose weight-bearing surface extends across the full extent of their convexity. They are the heel, lateral midfoot, medial forefoot, lateral forefoot, big toe and the small toes. Of the small toes, the smallest toe is the most relevant to foot posture and balance.
- These sites are the primary weight bearing foundations of the dynamic foot structure.
- the medial longitudinal arch of the foot sole is not a correct weight bearing surface. It is contoured by the weight bearing surfaces of the heel, lateral midfoot, lateral forefoot and medial forefoot, of the foot sole.
- the sensory input obtained from the loading of the primary weight bearing sites provides the wearer with an awareness of how the foot sole contacts the floor for static and dynamic foot function. This information can be assessed by the wearer to determine the quality of fundamental foot function, and the interdependent quality of systemic lower limb joint alignments. This integral correlation between foot loading and lower limb joint alignments, also applies to the alignments of joints of the pelvis and to some extent those of the spine. This assessment is determined by the ability of the wearer to balance their body over one or more of these foundation sites.
- the state of being evenly / well balanced over one or more of these sites is indicative of correct systemic alignment of joints of these body parts.
- Correct joint alignment applies to the maximal area of contact between opposing joint surfaces for any given joint position. This principle feature of correct alignment can be similarly referenced to the maximal area of contact between the primary weight bearing sites of the foot and the floor. This applies to any given static posture or dynamic body movement.
- joints are correctly aligned their joint surfaces are best coupled. This facilitates the least wear of joint surfaces in addition to minimal friction movements of coupled surfaces. Accordingly, the correct systemic alignment of joints facilitates best quality multidimensional body movements; and this is most applicable to the multidimensional dynamics of body balance.
- the foot is capable of multi-positional and multi-directional foot sole to floor interactions and the quality of these interactions can be referenced to the quality of whole body postures.
- the achievement of high quality whole body postures requires advanced training.
- the starting point of this learning process is familiarisation with the fundamental weight bearing components of the foot which are the primary weight bearing sites of the foot. This familiarisation can be referenced to the quality of foot postures and respective quality of body postures.
- the indications of high quality function are the maximal spread of foot sole to floor contact and mutual state of body balance, over one or more of the primary weight bearing sites. High quality function applies to the systemic correct alignments of joints of the lower limbs, pelvis and to some extent the spine.
- This starting point of learning advances to being able to attain a high quality of body function for all static postures and dynamic movements of the body, with respect to the fundamental weight bearing components / sites of the foot.
- Prior patent number PCT/IB2010/054855 discloses an invention (“the prior invention”) for correcting the wearer’s posture by providing an article of footwear the underside of which carries a continuous line of fluid filled sacs which are aligned along the length of the sole; each sac extends across the full width of the weight bearing portion of the sole. Because of this, the prior invention takes into account only a midline or neutral position of the foot for training purposes and thus does not assist the wearer to become familiar with a multi-postured foot for multi-positional and multidirectional orientations with respect to the floor. In contrast, the present invention has medial and lateral located sacs for the forefoot and for the toes regions:- this teaches the wearer to become familiar with a multi-postured foot.
- the teaching of normal healthy foot function, and integral correct body posture and balance, is reliant upon the wearer becoming familiar with all the primary weight bearing sites of the foot, and the boundaries of movements of these sites.
- the present invention accurately achieves this task by having sacs that are respectively shaped and positioned under each of these sites.
- the incorporation of medial and lateral positioned sacs for the forefoot and toes teaches the wearer to transfer weight bearing in different directions; this can be to one or more particular weight bearing sites or multi-directional movements between different sites.
- the outer boundaries of each primary weight bearing site are indicated to the wearer by the tilting of respective sac or sacs and associated rolling movements of the foot. Familiarisation of these boundaries is essential for teaching correct foot posture and body balance.
- the prior patent is counterproductive in this regard as it does not have separate sacs for each primary weight bearing site. It has sacs that extend across the entire width of the weight bearing portions of the forefoot and toes. As a result the wearer is not familiarised with the individual weight bearing sites and their essential contribution to foot function.
- the correct formation of the three foot arches for regular foot function is dependent upon the wearer learning to isolate weight bearing to the foundation sites of the arches.
- the primary sites are the medial and lateral forefoot, and the heel.
- the medial and lateral toes respectively contribute to these structural foundation sites.
- the wearer must be able to correctly weight bear upon each of these sites for the correct formation of the three arches.
- the prior patent does not provide for this learning as it does not have appropriately positioned sacs.
- the present invention footwear provides this method of learning as it has a spread of sacs that readily detect all directions of foot movements, and this information is obtained from subtle changes in sac shape.
- the prior patent footwear is counterproductive as its arrangement of sacs does not detect medial and lateral deviations of the foot. It has sacs that extend across the entire width of the weight bearing portion of the foot. To remain balanced the wearer must centre their weight bearing directly over the respective sac. Medial and lateral deviations of the foot cause the respective sac to significantly wedge and the foot to quickly roll.
- the medial forefoot, lateral forefoot and heel construct a triangular shaped stable platform upon which the body can balance.
- This triangular platform is made robust by the correct formation of the corresponding three foot arches and further enhanced by the medial and lateral toes. Subtle deviations in body balance are readily detected by changes in the loading of respective sacs and their triangular arrangement. Learning correct heel function is therefore dependent upon the integral learning of whole foot function. The basis of this learning is familiarisation with all primary weight bearing sites. The prior patent is therefore incapable teaching correct heel function even though it has specific heel sacs.
- the prior patent footwear does not familiarise the wearer with the most important of foot positions, which is the position used for stable regular standing, as it does not familiarise the wearer with the stable triangular arrangement of the primary weight bearing sites.
- the prior patent footwear has a single toe sac positioned across the full width of the weight bearing portion of the toes.
- This sac arrangement prioritises one site and one direction of toe- off for gait.
- Normal foot function for gait involves multi-positional sites of toe-off in accordance with multidirectional body movements.
- the present invention accommodates this learning by having medial and lateral positioned toe sacs.
- the (optional) incorporation of three sacs under the toes further enhances the sensory information obtained from the toes, to further enhance the toe-off related learning process.
- the prior patent is counterproductive in this regard as deviations in toe-off from the dictated toe off site, would cause its single toe sac to significantly wedge and the weight bearing toes to drop.
- toe-off which is the big toe site, as it lacks a separate big toe sac.
- the big toe is by far the strongest of the toes and provides the foot with a very robust and powerful toe-off site. This capability is especially important for jumping, sprinting and standing on one’s toes.
- the prior patent is counterproductive at teaching correct foot molding as it promotes a stiffening of the foot to maintain a single midline posture.
- the present invention is designed to teach the correct molding of the foot in relation to differing foot weight bearing, differing directions of body travel and differing ground contour.
- An object of the present invention is the provision of a sole for footwear which teaches the wearer to balance his or her body over one or more of the primary weight bearing sites of the foot.
- the same learning process attains the interdependent correct systemic alignment of lower limb, pelvis and spine joints. This applies to static body postures and dynamic body movement postures.
- the present invention is intended to teach the wearer to attain correct body postures for the most fundamental of foot-sole-to-floor interactions. These apply to the attainment of correct body postures when the body is correctly balanced over one or more of the primary weight bearing surfaces of the foot sole.
- the body is capable of attaining correct body postures for many variations of foot sole to floor contact, but these demand an advanced level of whole body awareness and control. This advanced level of control is considered to be dependent on the learning of correct fundamental body postures. Accordingly, the skills learned from use of the present inventions can facilitate the ongoing learning of more advanced posture skills.
- the present invention provides a sole for footwear, said sole including a plurality of separate closed fluid filled sacs, said sacs being flexibly secured together and arranged such that said sacs extend across the full extent of convexities of the primary weight bearing surfaces of the wearer’s foot in use; said sacs include:
- said sacs being arranged such that no part of any of the sacs lies under the medial longitudinal arch of the wearer’s foot in use; wherein said at least five sacs include:
- the sac which lies under the wearer’s heel in use is sub-divided into two separate independent sacs, one of which lies under the outer heel and the other of which lies under the inner heel.
- the sac which lies under the smaller toes of the wearer’s foot in use is sub-divided into two separate independent sacs, one of which lies under the smallest toe and the other of which lies under the remaining smaller toes.
- the sole of the present invention may be provided as an insole for an existing article footwear, or may be built into the lower (i.e. ground contacting) sole of an article of footwear.
- Both versions of the present invention are designed to be positioned under the sole of the foot and have components that correlate in position and shape with the primary weight bearing sites of the foot sole.
- each of the sacs preferably is substantially oval in cross-section.
- each of the sacs is substantially spherical in cross-section.
- Both versions provide the wearer with instant sensory information concerning their whole body positioning with respect to the footwear and the floor.
- This sensory information includes the spread of surface area contact over one or more of the primary weight bearing sites of the foot sole. It mutually includes the wearer’s state of balance or imbalance over one or more of the components of the footwear.
- the states of surface area spread and balance are governed by the whole body positioning of the wearer. This whole body positioning particularly applies to central body segments due to their increased mass. Maximal surface area spread and mutual balance inform the wearer of correct body postures. Less than maximal surface area spread and mutual imbalance inform the wearer of incorrect body postures.
- the body forces responsible for incorrect body postures are to some extent damaging to all involved joints and corresponding tissues.
- the significant improvements in foot and respective body postures obtained from the footwear training significantly lessens these damaging forces. When pain is a consequence of these forces, this lessening often resolves the pain.
- the significant improvements in body balance obtained from the training facilitates a significantly reduced likelihood of falls. This is particularly relevant to the older generation.
- Figure 1a is a side view of a preferred embodiment of an insole in accordance with the present invention, showing the lateral aspect of the insole before a wearer applies weight to the insole;
- Figure 1b is a side view of a preferred embodiment of an insole in accordance with the present invention, showing the medial aspect of the insole positioned within a lengthwise vertically sectioned shoe, before a wearer applies weight to the base of the shoe;
- Figure 2a is a plan view of a preferred embodiment of an insole in accordance with the present invention, showing the underside of a right insole. It conversely also shows the topside of the left insole due to the reciprocal structure of the insole;
- Figure 2b is a three dimensional medial view of a preferred embodiment of an insole in accordance with the present invention, showing a variant formation of the insole.
- This variant formation is shaped to conform to the shape of the foot sole in a similar manner to a regular shoe insole.
- Figure 3 is a plan view of a midline horizontal section of the underside of a right insole through the line A-A of Fig. 1A; It conversely also depicts the topside view of the same section of the left insole due to the reciprocal structure of the insole.
- Figure 4 is a side view of a vertical section of the medial aspect of the insole through the line C-C of Fig. 3. It also depicts three dimensional images of the same section through sacs 13i and 15i;
- Figure 5 is a horizontal sectional side view of the medial aspect of the insole through the line D-D of Fig. 2A, within a lengthwise vertically sectioned shoe, after the wearer applies weight to the insole;
- Figures 6a-e are vertical sectional views of the insole and wearer’s forefoot through the line B-B of Fig. 2a, under a series of different conditions in use;
- Figure 7 is a sectional side view of the medial aspect of the insole through the line D-D of a variant form of the insole as depicted in Figure 2b. As for Figure 2b the shape of the insole more closely conforms to the shape of a regular insole.
- Figure 8a is a side view of the preferred embodiment of a shoe fitted with a sole in accordance with the present invention, showing the medial aspect of the shoe before a wearer applies weight to the base of the shoe;
- Figure 8b is a side view of a preferred embodiment of a shoe fitted with a sole in accordance with the present invention, showing the lateral aspect of the shoe before a wearer applies weight to the base of the shoe;
- Figure 8c is a side view as in Figure 8a, but showing the compression of sacs after a wearer applies weight to the base of the shoe;
- Figure 9 is a plan view of a preferred embodiment of a shoe fitted with a sole in accordance with the present invention, showing the underside of the shoe;
- Figure 10 is a plan view of the underside of the shoe showing a horizontal sectional view of the sacs through the line G-G of Figs. 8a/b/c;
- Figure 11 is a vertical sectional view of the lateral aspect of the shoe through the line F-F of figs. 9 and 10;
- Figure 12 is an exploded view version of Figure 11;
- Figure 13 is a sectional side view as in Figure 11 but with the wearer applying weight to the base of the shoe; are vertical sectional views of the shoe on the line E-E of Fig. 8a, under a series of different conditions of use;
- Figure 15 is a plan view of a variant form of an insole in accordance with the present invention.
- Figure 16 is a plan view of the underside of a shoe fitted with a variant of the present invention.
- a first embodiment of the present invention is depicted in the form of an insole 20i which consists of a series of fluid filled sacs 12i to 19i inclusive.
- the series of sacs are embedded within a layer of material 21 i that binds the sacs together.
- the insole (20i) can be shaped in the form of a flat insole or in the form of a regular shoe insole.
- the insole 20i must be sufficiently pliable to remain comfortable while conforming to the shape of the wearer’s foot.
- the insole 20i may be made of any of a large range of suitable robust and flexible materials, e.g. rubbers or plastics such as polyvinyl chloride, foam, felt, neoprene and leather. As shown in Figures 2a, 2b and 4, the sacs 12i to 19i are consistent in thickness but vary in size, shape, contour and position in accordance with the respective primary weight bearing sites of the underside of the foot.
- Figures 6 a,b,c,d and e show vertical sections of the insole 20i and the forefoot 22, through the line B-B in Fig. 2a.
- the term “medial” refers to the inner side of the shoe i.e. the side closest to the opposite shoe.
- lateral refers to the outside of the shoe i.e. the side furthest from the opposite shoe.
- FIG. 8-14 of the drawings an article of footwear in accordance with a second embodiment of the present invention is depicted in the form of a shoe 10 which is provided with an upper 11 , and a series of fluid filled sacs 12s-19s inclusive secured to or built into the sole.
- the upper 11 must give support to, and fit firmly around the foot of the wearer, but must also be sufficiently pliable to remain comfortable while conforming to the shape of the wearer’s foot.
- the upper 11 may be made of any of a large range of suitable materials, for example lightweight canvas or thin leather, secured by laces or hooks or velcro tabs; or an elasticated material sufficiently tight-fitting to give good support.
- the sacs may be made of any suitable, robust, flexible material, e.g rubber or plastics such as polyvinyl chloride.
- the unified structure of sacs -20s- is permanently secured to the underside of the upper, e.g. by welding or gluing or may be formed integrally with the upper.
- Figure 14a shows a sectional view through sacs 15s and 16s in an unloaded state.
- Sac 16s is the medial forefoot sac.
- Sac 15s is the lateral forefoot sac.
- they are spherical in shape and designed to behave like moderately firmly inflated balls when balanced upon. As such they function as multidirectional balance platforms.
- the upper and lower surfaces of the sacs are convex in shape.
- the lower surfaces of the sacs are depicted to have a slight V shape incorporated into their convexity, however their shaping could be the same convexity as the upper surfaces of the sacs.
- a slight V shape increases the steepness of their rocker and thereby the instability of sacs when loaded.
- the shape of each sac can be described as a slightly oval ball.
- each sac when compressed and rolled, the rocker actions of each sac can be likened to that of a moderately firmly inflated oval shaped ball, which is multidirectional.
- Typical heights of sacs, (unweighted) measured from upper to lower surface are 20-60 mm depending upon the age and weight of the wearer.
- the sacs are sealed, and do not leak the fluid contained therein. Fluid cannot pass from one sac to another.
- the sacs are capable of molding appropriately in relation to loading by the wearer. This may be achieved by providing that the fluid is free to move from one portion of a sac to another portion when the wearer’s weight is applied.
- the sacs may be filled with any suitable fluid, e.g. air or liquid at ambient pressure, or air or liquid at above ambient pressure.
- the sacs in total provide support only for the weight-bearing parts of the foot, and do not underlie the medial longitudinal arch of the foot when in use.
- Each sac must be correctly positioned under the corresponding primary weight bearing site of the foot for correct balance to be achieved by the wearer. This extends from the rear-most curved part of the heel to the front-most curved parts of the toes. These curved parts of the heel and toes accommodate heel strike and toe off respectively.
- the curved surfaces of the feet naturally facilitate rolling foot movements and generally improve the smoothness and energy efficiency of regular gait.
- the balanced loading of sac 12s instructs the wearer of the correct location on the heel for heel strike.
- the balanced loading of sac 12i instructs the wearer of the correct location on the heel for heel strike.
- Each sac is permanently attached to one, two, three or four other sacs depending upon their position within the unified sac structure (20s or 20i). Each sac is sealed so there is no passage of fluid between each sac.
- the attachment between each sac is of a flexible material that permits each sac to bend in relation to its neighbour, and thus the unified structure of sacs (20s and 20i) is a flexible entity.
- Each sac is of sufficient robustness to withstanding the entire weight of the wearer. The extent of sac compression would be in relation to the applied load. Sac stability alters in relation to the orientation of the applied load:- the further the applied load lies from the centre of the sac, the more unstable the sac.
- FIGs 6b and 14b show sectional views similar to those of 6a and 14a respectively, but in the circumstances where the forefoot is loaded:- this load is spread evenly across sacs 16i and 15i for the insole, and sacs 16s and 15s for the shoe, and both respective sacs operate as multidirectional balance platforms.
- Figures 6d and 14d illustrate the circumstances where the load has shifted slightly further medially, compared to Figures 6c and 14c respectively.
- sacs 16i and 16s have further increased load
- sacs 15i and 15s have a further decreased load.
- sacs 16i and 16s are evenly loaded and function solely as the multidirectional balance platforms.
- Figures 6e and 14e illustrate the configurations where the load is shifted slightly further medially compared to Figures 6d and 14d respectively.
- body load forces are no longer balanced on sacs 16i and 16s, causing the sacs and the forefoot to roll medially.
- Sacs 16i and 16s now act as unidirectional unbalanced platforms rather than multidirectional balance platforms.
- This unbalancing rolling force is more pronounced for the shoe version than for the insole version due to the rounded shape and increased size of the shoe sacs.
- the insole sacs are flatter and thinner in shape and accordingly act to slightly tilt the wearers foot when unevenly loaded, rather than significantly rolling it.
- the tip response of the insole sacs is principally intended to inform the wearer of sac imbalance and corresponding incorrect body posture, rather than actually unbalancing the wearer.
- the shoe nor the insole version is intended for normal use:- they are specifically for retraining the deportment of the wearer so as to offer a significant correction of postural problems and balance improvements.
- the present invention is intended to be used for short periods only.
- the shoe version is not recommended for regular wear as the unstable features of the shoe may predispose the wearer to injury, including a fall.
- the shoe version is not designed to provide significant traction with the ground. For this reason the shoe version should only be worn on non-slip and flat indoor surfaces.
- Neither version is particularly designed to be durable for everyday activities.
- the three foot arches are the medial longitudinal arch, the transverse arch and the lateral longitudinal arch.
- the footwear and insole inventions are designed to teach the wearer to become familiar with their correct formation and function.
- the primary foundations of the medial longitudinal arch are accommodated by the inner heel sacs (sacs 13i and 13s) and the medial forefoot sacs (sacs 161 and 16s).
- the primary foundations of the transverse arch are accommodated by the medial forefoot sacs (sac161 and 16s) and the lateral forefoot sacs (sac15i and 15s).
- the primary foundations of the lateral longitudinal arch are accommodated by the lateral forefoot sacs (sacs 15i and 15s) and inner heel sacs (sacs 13i and 3s).
- the balancing of body load over one or more of these sacs correctly forms all three arches. This also applies to the balancing of body load over one or more of the remaining sacs due to the correlation between correct primary site weight bearing and the correct formation of all three foot arches.
- Subtle foot movements between sacs 13i, 15i and 16i for the insole or sacs 13s, 15s and 16s for the shoe can be interpreted to replicate the coursing of arch spans of three arched bridges, from foundation to foundation, that are arranged in the shape of a triangle.
- the smaller toe sacs (17i, 18i or 17s, 18s) and big toe sacs (sac 19i or 19s) act as important outer sensors to inform the wearer of the correct respective medial and lateral outer limits of the transverse arch.
- the wearer would accordingly not become familiar with the form of the three foot arches. As such, the wearer would not become familiar with the inter-relationships of foot postures, body postures and body balance, which are based upon the correct formation of the three foundation arches. Without this basic knowledge the learning of more advanced body postures and balance skills would not be facilitated.
- the outer heel sacs (12i and 12s) also contribute to heel weight bearing, but are separated from the inner heel sacs (13i, 13s) to provide the wearer with improved perceptions of weight bearing across the length of the heel.
- An improved perception of the back region of the heel (supported by the sacs 12i/12s) better informs the wearer of the correct location for heel strike and facilitates improved body positioning and balancing with respect to the forward and backward parts of the heel.
- the outer heel sacs (12i and 12s) and the inner heel sacs (13i, 13s) could be combined as shown in Figures 15 and 16, into a single sac (30i, 30s) underlying the whole of the heel. This is not the preferred construction, but nevertheless provides the wearer with at least a major part of the necessary sensory information.
- the little toe sacs (17i and 17s) can be combined with the intermediate toe sacs (18i, 18s) to form a single sac (31 i, 31s) which underlies all of the smaller toes i.e. underlies all of the toes except the big toe.
- This is not regarded as the optimum construction, but nevertheless provides the wearer with sufficient sensory feedback, and it is envisaged that this construction would be significantly cheaper to manufacture.
- the majority of foot movements are derived from the ankle.
- the foot itself has a comparatively small range of three dimensional movements.
- the primary roles of the foot are to provide a multisite weight bearing platform that facilitates multidirectional foot sole movements. To accomplish this it has a dynamic complement of robustness and mouldability, to facilitate an entirety of body movements and functions.
- the flexibility of the insole and shoe (20i and 20s respectively) is intended to complement the fundamental postures and movements of the moldable weight bearing foot platform. This capability applies to all commonly utilised foot to floor contact interactions.
- the attached upper must also be suitably designed and structured to complement the moldability of the majority of the foot.
- the wearer is made aware of correct foot and general body postures when his or her body weight is dynamically balanced over one or more sacs.
- Correct postures are the product of a systemic networking of body forces that act to correctly align all involved joints.
- incorrect postures are the product of a systemic networking of body forces that act to misalign all involved joints.
- correct or incorrect balancing of the body over a sac or sacs corresponds to a respective correct or incorrect transfer of body forces across all involved joints.
- the body segments and respective joints most subject to this networking of alignment conforming forces are the lower limb, pelvis and lower spine.
- misalignments are screw and shear. These misalignments also cause restraining joint tissues to become taut and are accordingly amenable to detection by the wearer as a stretch of these tissues. The wearer is trained to register these stretch feelings as detrimental for the respective joints. The feeling of joint stretch is absent for correct joint alignment as joint tissues are insufficiently tensioned. This absence of stretch feeling should apply to the body postures associated with the loading of forefoot sacs in Figures 6b, c and d for the insole, and Figures 14b, c and d for the shoe.
- the easiest correct foot posture to learn is that used for regular standing. This foot posture can be referenced to be the most fundamental foot posture. This foot posture and corresponding sac loadings are shown in Figure 5 for the insole and Figures 8c and 13 for the shoe.
- the wearer s body weight is spread to some extent across all of the sacs, providing the wearer with a wide base of support to more easily balance his or her body across the footwear.
- Sensory information from the majority of the foot sole is readily accessible to the wearer to inform him or her of load distribution across the sacs, and minute changes in this loading between the sacs.
- the primary indicator of correct foot posture for regular standing is when body load is centrally balanced over sacs 13i, 15i and 16i for the insole and sacs 13s, 15s and 16s for the shoe.
- sacs are arranged in the shape of a triangle which corresponds to the orientation of the three foot arches. The centring of body load over these sacs is facilitated by subtle body segment manoeuvring in relation to the sacs.
- a component of this learning is to consider all first detectable biases of sac loadings to be outer range foot sole movements. An advance on this exercise is to apply the same load bias avoidance to the remaining sacs as they, to a lesser extent, are also loaded in regular standing. An earlier stage of this learning is to perform the same subtle changes in sac loadings whilst sitting.
- the footwear is designed to teach the wearer to become familiar with these postures. They primarily involve the medial and lateral forefoot sacs, sacs 16i and 15i for the insole and sacs 16s and 15s for the shoe. However the toe sacs 17i and 19i for the insole, and sacs 17s and 19s for the shoe, are integrally involved.
- the first posture involves the correct loading of both forefoot sacs as shown in Figures 6b and 14b. This is the forefoot loading commonly incorporated into the foot movement for relaxed walking.
- the second posture primarily involves the medial forefoot sac as shown in Figure 6c for the insole and Figure 14c for the shoe.
- the majority of weight bearing is localised to the forefoot medial sac (sac 16i and 16s). This is the forefoot loading for activities that necessitate a robust foot posture including sprinting, jumping and energetic stair climbing / descending.
- the third posture is the converse to the second posture.
- the majority of forefoot weight bearing is localised to the lateral forefoot sac (sac 15i and 15s). This is the forefoot loading used for more everyday activities including lateral changes in the direction of the body when walking and for regular standing on the forefeet and toes when reaching up for an object.
- the correct balancing of body load onto the toes is facilitated by the incorporation into the footwear of the three toe sacs (sacs 17i, 18i and 19i for the insole, and sacs 17s, 18s and 19s for the shoe). These sacs facilitate the correct transfer of body load onto one or more of the toes for respective body undertakings. A good example is raising the body to reach a high shelf. Correct balancing on the big toe and / or little toes, requires precision body balancing over a robust correctly postured foot, which is facilitated by these sacs.
- the present footwear inventions have been found to be effective to markedly improve most sideways deviations in foot posture including pronation (rolling inward of the foot with a flattening of the medial longitudinal foot arch). These improvements require an advanced level of body posture and balance skill, that can be obtained by a progression of training using the footwear inventions.
- the joints of the big toe are commonly found to be misaligned with associated deformities.
- the big toe sacs (sac 19i and 19s) reveal to the wearer the nature of these misalignments.
- the footwear cannot correct permanent deformities of the big toe joints, or any other joints, but it can make the wearer aware of the forces contributing to these deformities and subsequently how to significantly lessen these forces.
- the common cause of big toe deformities is foot pronation and associated lateral deviation of the big toe for the toe-off component of gait. In this instance, a significant correction of the pronation and corresponding improvement in big toe sac loading for toe-off, significantly lessens the forces acting to deviate the toe laterally.
- each sac behaves like a multidirectional balance platform so ensuring that the wearer must dynamically adjust his or her body posture to attain and maintain body balance over the respective sac or sacs. This necessitates the priority use of the centrally located chest, waist and pelvis segments, and is applicable to most commonly utilised forms of foot sole weight bearing.
- the direct correlation between body postures and the systemic interdependence of joint alignments facilitates the wearer’s ongoing learning of the mechanics of his or her body. This educates the wearer to self correct joint misalignments and when applicable treat respective tissue pains; in addition to attain advance body balancing.
- the standardised method to correct foot postures is to utilise prescription insoles.
- Prescription insoles correct foot and lower limb postures from the foot upwards, whereas the present inventions correct them principally from the central body downwards.
- the standardised method to treat localised pressure related foot pain is to utilise cushioning insole pads, usually made of a gel substance. These insoles accommodate the respective incorrect foot posture rather than attempt to correct it.
- the invention is intended to teach the wearer to become aware of correct foot and predisposing body postures and balance, in relation to fundamental foot sole weight bearing. The latter applies to the eight primary weight bearing sites of the foot sole.
- the wearer can obtain a heightened awareness of correct systemic body posturing and balance that applies to multi-positional and multi-functional, static and dynamic, foot sole weight bearing. Wth ongoing training these skills increasingly operate at a subconscious level. Conscious involvements become more applicable to occurrences of significant postural perturbations, and feelings of tissue stretches and associated joint stiffness.
- Training instruction material must be provided with each pair of shoes and insoles to ensure their beneficial usage. Incorrect usage, such as prioritising lower leg and foot muscles to lift the arch of the foot and prevent the foot from rolling inward, will result in detrimental lower limb, pelvis and spinal function. The wearer must therefore be fully aware that incorrect usage of the shoe or insole inventions will promote and possibly entrench detrimental posture and widespread body function.
- the footwear sole of the present invention has been found effective in retraining a wearer’s posture so that, after a course of training using the footwear sole has been completed, the wearer has markedly improved general body posture, but particularly that of the lower limbs, for all activities when wearing comfortable footwear or when barefoot.
- the improvements extend from physically demanding activities to resting non-weight-bearing states.
- the transference of posture and balance correction obtained from wearing the footwear inventions, to not wearing them, will to a large extent be determined by the wearer’s motivation to advance his or her respective level of systemic body awareness and balance skill.
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- Life Sciences & Earth Sciences (AREA)
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- Engineering & Computer Science (AREA)
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Abstract
Description
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Priority Applications (2)
Application Number | Priority Date | Filing Date | Title |
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US17/766,351 US20230329395A1 (en) | 2019-10-23 | 2020-10-19 | Sole for Footwear, for Postural and Balance Training |
AU2020370099A AU2020370099A1 (en) | 2019-10-23 | 2020-10-19 | Sole for footwear, for postural and balance training |
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AU2019903983A AU2019903983A0 (en) | 2019-10-23 | Footwear for postural and balance training | |
AU2019903983 | 2019-10-23 |
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WO2021079245A1 true WO2021079245A1 (en) | 2021-04-29 |
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PCT/IB2020/059793 WO2021079245A1 (en) | 2019-10-23 | 2020-10-19 | Sole for footwear, for postural and balance training |
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US (1) | US20230329395A1 (en) |
AU (1) | AU2020370099A1 (en) |
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Citations (3)
Publication number | Priority date | Publication date | Assignee | Title |
---|---|---|---|---|
US5167999A (en) * | 1991-06-18 | 1992-12-01 | Wang Sui Mu | Liquid cushioning means |
US20110203134A1 (en) * | 2010-02-25 | 2011-08-25 | Adriano Sartor | Footware with shock absorbing sole |
US20150143713A1 (en) * | 2010-01-22 | 2015-05-28 | Hsien-Hsiung Cheng | Multi-function shoe pad |
Family Cites Families (2)
Publication number | Priority date | Publication date | Assignee | Title |
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US4471538A (en) * | 1982-06-15 | 1984-09-18 | Pomeranz Mark L | Shock absorbing devices using rheopexic fluid |
US7200955B2 (en) * | 2004-06-04 | 2007-04-10 | Nike, Inc. | Article of footwear incorporating a sole structure with compressible inserts |
-
2020
- 2020-10-19 AU AU2020370099A patent/AU2020370099A1/en active Pending
- 2020-10-19 WO PCT/IB2020/059793 patent/WO2021079245A1/en active Application Filing
- 2020-10-19 US US17/766,351 patent/US20230329395A1/en active Pending
Patent Citations (3)
Publication number | Priority date | Publication date | Assignee | Title |
---|---|---|---|---|
US5167999A (en) * | 1991-06-18 | 1992-12-01 | Wang Sui Mu | Liquid cushioning means |
US20150143713A1 (en) * | 2010-01-22 | 2015-05-28 | Hsien-Hsiung Cheng | Multi-function shoe pad |
US20110203134A1 (en) * | 2010-02-25 | 2011-08-25 | Adriano Sartor | Footware with shock absorbing sole |
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AU2020370099A1 (en) | 2022-04-28 |
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