WO2008087680A1 - Cushioned insole for shoes - Google Patents

Cushioned insole for shoes Download PDF

Info

Publication number
WO2008087680A1
WO2008087680A1 PCT/IT2007/000909 IT2007000909W WO2008087680A1 WO 2008087680 A1 WO2008087680 A1 WO 2008087680A1 IT 2007000909 W IT2007000909 W IT 2007000909W WO 2008087680 A1 WO2008087680 A1 WO 2008087680A1
Authority
WO
WIPO (PCT)
Prior art keywords
chamber
insole
connecting channel
region
passage
Prior art date
Application number
PCT/IT2007/000909
Other languages
French (fr)
Inventor
Alberto Del Biondi
Original Assignee
Stonefly, S.P.A.
Priority date (The priority date is an assumption and is not a legal conclusion. Google has not performed a legal analysis and makes no representation as to the accuracy of the date listed.)
Filing date
Publication date
Application filed by Stonefly, S.P.A. filed Critical Stonefly, S.P.A.
Publication of WO2008087680A1 publication Critical patent/WO2008087680A1/en

Links

Classifications

    • 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
    • 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
    • A43B7/142—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 medial arch, i.e. under the navicular or cuneiform bones
    • 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
    • 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
    • A43B7/1445—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 midfoot, i.e. the second, third or fourth metatarsal

Definitions

  • the present invention concerns a cushioned insole for shoes having the characteristics described in the preamble of the main claim. Background of the invention
  • cushioned insoles are known that are capable of absorbing at least in part the impact of the foot against the ground resulting from running or even simply from walking.
  • These insoles used in particular in sports shoes, have for example one or more cushioning elements formed by a chamber made of a deformable material filled at least in part with a liquid or gel.
  • These chambers are preferably located in a heel region or a metatarsal region of the insole, in other words at the points wherein the pressure exerted by the body on the insole during walking is greatest.
  • the problem that lies at the heart of the present invention is that of providing a cushioned insole for shoes that is structurally and operationally designed to overcome the above-described limits with reference to the cited prior art.
  • one object of the invention is to provide a cushioned insole that provides effective support of the foot arch of a user.
  • Another object is to provide a cushioned insole suitable for use in elegant high-heeled shoes.
  • FIG. 1 is a top plan view of a cushioned insole for shoes made according to the present invention
  • - Figure 2 is a longitudinal section of the insole shown in Figure 1
  • Figures 3 and 4 are respective top plan views of two different components of the insole shown in Figure 1. Best mode for carrying out the invention In the Figures, 1 generally shows a cushioned insole for shoes, made according to the present invention.
  • the insole 1 comprises a base element 2, made preferably of expanded polyurethane, having the general shape of a foot and extending along a longitudinal axis X.
  • a heel region 3 a metatarsal region 4 and an arch region 5, between the heel region 3 and the metatarsal region 4, are defined.
  • the heel region 3 and metatarsal region 4 substantially correspond to the regions where the foot rests most on the insole during walking, while the arch region 5 corresponds to the region of the foot arch and is therefore located asymmetrically on an "inner" side of the insole.
  • the shape of the insole 1 is generally flat, having however a raised part in the arch region 5 so as better to follow the anatomical form of the foot.
  • the insole 1 may be used in shoes of any type but is particularly well-suited for use in elegant shoes, for example women's high-heeled shoes.
  • the base element 2 has a seat 6 to accommodate, preferably flushly, a cushioning insert 7, held in the seat 6 by gluing or other similar techniques.
  • the insert 7 is made of a soft material, substantially deformable under the action of the weight of a person, and comprises a first chamber 8 located in the heel region 3, a second chamber 9 located in the metatarsal region 4 and also a third chamber 10 located in the arch region 5.
  • the insert 7 is made of a polymer material, such as a polyurethane- or polyolefinic-based elastomer.
  • the chambers 8, 9 and 10 are filled at least in part with a liquid or gel.
  • This liquid or gel may be of any type suited to the purpose and commonly used in the sector, preferably polyurethane-based.
  • the first and second chambers 8 and 9 are in fluid communication thanks to a connecting channel 11 extending between them along the longitudinal axis X.
  • the connecting channel 11 is between about 45 and about 60 mm long and has a passage section of between 2 and 5 mm, so as to appropriately regulate the passage of fluid between one chamber and the other.
  • the third chamber 10 is in fluid communication with said first and second chambers 8 and 9, via a passage 12, which opens onto the connecting channel 11.
  • the third chamber 10 is located totally on one side in relation to the connecting channel 11 and at the passage 12 is substantially close to said channel.
  • the passage 12 is substantially open in a central region of the connecting channel 11.
  • the passage section 12 preferably measures between 4 and 6 mm.
  • the first and second chambers 8 and 9 have a generally elliptical plan shape, elongated towards the connecting channel 11.
  • the third chamber 10 also has a generally elliptical plan shape with its longest axis substantially parallel to axis X.
  • the third chamber 10 may advantageously be filled by the fluid both during the inbound flow (from the first to the second chamber) and the outbound flow (from the second to the first chamber).
  • the main advantage of the insole 1 consists in the fact that the shape of the three chambers 8, 9 and 10 described above enables an excellent cushioning effect of the foot to be achieved at the heel region 3 and the metatarsal region 4, together with good support of the arch region 5.
  • insole 1 Another important advantage of the insole 1 is that thinner inserts can be used compared to known cushioning insoles.
  • insole 1 can be easily used in elegant shoes, such as high-heeled women's shoes which, as is known, impose considerable constraints in terms of overall thickness.
  • the present invention thus solves the above-mentioned problem with reference to said known state of the art, at the same time offering numerous other advantages.

Landscapes

  • Health & Medical Sciences (AREA)
  • Epidemiology (AREA)
  • General Health & Medical Sciences (AREA)
  • Public Health (AREA)
  • Footwear And Its Accessory, Manufacturing Method And Apparatuses (AREA)

Abstract

A cushioned insole (1) for shoes, comprising : a first chamber (8) and a second chamber (9) delimited by a soft material and located in a heel region (3) and a metatarsal region (4) of the insole respectively, both filled at least in part with a fluid, a connecting channel (11) extending between said first and second chambers to allow said fluid to pass between them depending on the pressure exerted on said heel region and on said metatarsal region respectively; - a third chamber (10) delimited by a soft material located in an arched region (5) of the insole, on one side of said connecting channel, which chamber also communicates with said first and second chambers via a passage (12) of said third chamber which opens onto said connecting channel.

Description

Cushioned insole for shoes Description Technical field
The present invention concerns a cushioned insole for shoes having the characteristics described in the preamble of the main claim. Background of the invention
In the general technical sector of footwear, cushioned insoles are known that are capable of absorbing at least in part the impact of the foot against the ground resulting from running or even simply from walking. These insoles, used in particular in sports shoes, have for example one or more cushioning elements formed by a chamber made of a deformable material filled at least in part with a liquid or gel. These chambers are preferably located in a heel region or a metatarsal region of the insole, in other words at the points wherein the pressure exerted by the body on the insole during walking is greatest.
An arrangement whereby the chamber located in the heel region and the chamber located in the metatarsal region communicate with each other through a connecting channel which allows the liquid to pass from one chamber to the other is also known, for example from US patent No. 6745499.
This configuration however does not provide an effective support in the region of the foot arch and also does not lend itself well to use in elegant types of shoes, such as women's high-heeled shoes, which require the thinnest insoles possible. It will be noted that the problem of supporting the region of the foot arch cannot be immediately resolved: it is in fact necessary that the support has a high capacity to adapt to the different shapes that a user's foot may have and that at the same time excess pressure localised in that region which, being particularly sensitive, would be difficult to tolerate or at the very least extremely irritating for the user, is always avoided. Description of the invention
The problem that lies at the heart of the present invention is that of providing a cushioned insole for shoes that is structurally and operationally designed to overcome the above-described limits with reference to the cited prior art.
Within the scope of this problem, one object of the invention is to provide a cushioned insole that provides effective support of the foot arch of a user.
Another object is to provide a cushioned insole suitable for use in elegant high-heeled shoes.
This problem is solved and these objects are achieved by the present invention by means of a cushioned insole made according to the claims below. Brief description of the drawings Features and advantages of the invention will emerge clearly from the following detailed description of a preferred embodiment which is shown by way of a non-limiting example with reference to the accompanying drawings, wherein:
- Figure 1 is a top plan view of a cushioned insole for shoes made according to the present invention; - Figure 2 is a longitudinal section of the insole shown in Figure 1; Figures 3 and 4 are respective top plan views of two different components of the insole shown in Figure 1. Best mode for carrying out the invention In the Figures, 1 generally shows a cushioned insole for shoes, made according to the present invention.
The insole 1 comprises a base element 2, made preferably of expanded polyurethane, having the general shape of a foot and extending along a longitudinal axis X. In the insole 1 a heel region 3, a metatarsal region 4 and an arch region 5, between the heel region 3 and the metatarsal region 4, are defined.
The heel region 3 and metatarsal region 4 substantially correspond to the regions where the foot rests most on the insole during walking, while the arch region 5 corresponds to the region of the foot arch and is therefore located asymmetrically on an "inner" side of the insole.
The shape of the insole 1 is generally flat, having however a raised part in the arch region 5 so as better to follow the anatomical form of the foot.
The insole 1 may be used in shoes of any type but is particularly well-suited for use in elegant shoes, for example women's high-heeled shoes.
The base element 2 has a seat 6 to accommodate, preferably flushly, a cushioning insert 7, held in the seat 6 by gluing or other similar techniques. The insert 7 is made of a soft material, substantially deformable under the action of the weight of a person, and comprises a first chamber 8 located in the heel region 3, a second chamber 9 located in the metatarsal region 4 and also a third chamber 10 located in the arch region 5. Preferably, the insert 7 is made of a polymer material, such as a polyurethane- or polyolefinic-based elastomer.
In order to achieve the desired cushioning effect, the chambers 8, 9 and 10 are filled at least in part with a liquid or gel. This liquid or gel may be of any type suited to the purpose and commonly used in the sector, preferably polyurethane-based.
The first and second chambers 8 and 9 are in fluid communication thanks to a connecting channel 11 extending between them along the longitudinal axis X. The connecting channel 11 is between about 45 and about 60 mm long and has a passage section of between 2 and 5 mm, so as to appropriately regulate the passage of fluid between one chamber and the other.
According to a first aspect of the present invention, the third chamber 10 is in fluid communication with said first and second chambers 8 and 9, via a passage 12, which opens onto the connecting channel 11. The third chamber 10 is located totally on one side in relation to the connecting channel 11 and at the passage 12 is substantially close to said channel. Furthermore, advantageously, the passage 12 is substantially open in a central region of the connecting channel 11.
The passage section 12 preferably measures between 4 and 6 mm. The first and second chambers 8 and 9 have a generally elliptical plan shape, elongated towards the connecting channel 11. Similarly, the third chamber 10 also has a generally elliptical plan shape with its longest axis substantially parallel to axis X.
When walking, the pressure exerted by the foot on the insole 1 shifts alternately from the heel region 3 to the metatarsal region 4 and vice versa, so that the fluid inside the insert 7 moves from the first chamber 8 to the second chamber 9 and vice versa, passing in part through the third chamber 10.
It will be noted that the third chamber 10 may advantageously be filled by the fluid both during the inbound flow (from the first to the second chamber) and the outbound flow (from the second to the first chamber).
The main advantage of the insole 1 consists in the fact that the shape of the three chambers 8, 9 and 10 described above enables an excellent cushioning effect of the foot to be achieved at the heel region 3 and the metatarsal region 4, together with good support of the arch region 5.
This result appears to be a direct consequence of the positioning of the third chamber 10 and its particular connection to the two adjacent chambers 8 and 9. It will be noted in fact that as the passage 12 opens onto the connecting channel 11, and in particular in a central position thereof, the liquid or gel encounters a low resistance to the flow from and towards the third chamber 10. In particular it can flow quickly in and out from and towards the third chamber 10, offering relatively constant support to the arch region 5 and at the same time avoiding any localised excess pressure. The particular configuration of the insole 1 also allows it to adapt easily to very different types of foot, included those with a foot arch that tends to be flat and those with a foot arch that has an accentuated curve.
Another important advantage of the insole 1 is that thinner inserts can be used compared to known cushioning insoles.
This means the insole 1 can be easily used in elegant shoes, such as high-heeled women's shoes which, as is known, impose considerable constraints in terms of overall thickness.
The present invention thus solves the above-mentioned problem with reference to said known state of the art, at the same time offering numerous other advantages.

Claims

Claims
1. Cushioned insole for shoes, comprising: a first chamber (8) delimited by a soft material, substantially deformable under the weight of a person, said first chamber being located in a heel region (3) of the insole (1), and being filled at least in part with a fluid, a second chamber (9), delimited by a soft material, substantially deformable under the weight of a person, said second chamber being located in a metatarsal region (4) of the insole and being filled at least in part with a fluid, a connecting channel (11) extending between said first and second chambers to allow said fluid to pass between said first and second chambers depending on the pressure exerted on said heel region and on said metatarsal region respectively, characterised in that it comprises a third chamber (10) delimited by a soft material that is substantially deformable under the weight of a person, said third chamber being located in an arched region (5) of the insole, on one side of said connecting channel, said third chamber also communicating with said first and second chambers via a passage (12) of said third chamber which opens onto said connecting channel.
2. Insole according to claim 1, wherein said passage (12) is substantially open in a central region of said connecting channel (11).
3. Insole according to either claim 1 or claim 2, wherein said third chamber (10), at said passage (12), is located substantially close to said connecting channel.
4. Insole according to one or more of the preceding claims, wherein said third chamber (10) has an elliptical shape with its longest axis substantially parallel to the longitudinal axis (X) of said insole.
5. Insole according to one or more of the preceding claims, comprising an insert (7) wherein are formed said first, second and third chambers (8,
9, 10), as well as said connecting channel (11) and said passage (12), said insert being accommodated in a seat (6) formed on a base element (2) having the overall shape of said insole.
6. Insole according to one or more of the preceding claims, wherein said passage (12) has a section measuring between 4 and 6 mm and said connecting channel (11) is between 45 and 60 mm in length and has a passage section of between 2 and 5 mm.
PCT/IT2007/000909 2007-01-04 2007-12-21 Cushioned insole for shoes WO2008087680A1 (en)

Applications Claiming Priority (2)

Application Number Priority Date Filing Date Title
ITPD20070003 ITPD20070003A1 (en) 2007-01-04 2007-01-04 SHOULDED INSOLE FOR FOOTWEAR
ITPD2007000003 2007-01-04

Publications (1)

Publication Number Publication Date
WO2008087680A1 true WO2008087680A1 (en) 2008-07-24

Family

ID=39415063

Family Applications (1)

Application Number Title Priority Date Filing Date
PCT/IT2007/000909 WO2008087680A1 (en) 2007-01-04 2007-12-21 Cushioned insole for shoes

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IT (1) ITPD20070003A1 (en)
WO (1) WO2008087680A1 (en)

Cited By (4)

* Cited by examiner, † Cited by third party
Publication number Priority date Publication date Assignee Title
RU2540880C1 (en) * 2013-08-07 2015-02-10 Федеральное государственное унитарное предприятие "Реутовский экспериментальный завод средств протезирования" Министерства труда и социальной защиты Российской Федерации Corrective insole
CN105768359A (en) * 2015-01-14 2016-07-20 速博菲特环球股份有限公司 Insoles for footwear
JP2016129553A (en) * 2015-01-13 2016-07-21 株式会社ダイマツ Insole for shoe sole
GB2602960A (en) * 2020-11-27 2022-07-27 Reckitt Benckiser Health Ltd Insole

Citations (5)

* Cited by examiner, † Cited by third party
Publication number Priority date Publication date Assignee Title
AT200963B (en) * 1955-11-19 1958-12-10 Adolf Dr Schuetz Shoe insert
EP0803208A1 (en) * 1996-04-23 1997-10-29 Japan Health Supply, Inc. Insole
US5950332A (en) * 1997-08-28 1999-09-14 Lain; Cheng Kung Fluid circulating cushioned insole
US6138382A (en) * 1993-04-15 2000-10-31 Schoesler; Henning R. Fluid filled insole
US20040211087A1 (en) * 2003-04-24 2004-10-28 Kohar Scott Shoe having improved impact cushioning and shock absorption

Patent Citations (5)

* Cited by examiner, † Cited by third party
Publication number Priority date Publication date Assignee Title
AT200963B (en) * 1955-11-19 1958-12-10 Adolf Dr Schuetz Shoe insert
US6138382A (en) * 1993-04-15 2000-10-31 Schoesler; Henning R. Fluid filled insole
EP0803208A1 (en) * 1996-04-23 1997-10-29 Japan Health Supply, Inc. Insole
US5950332A (en) * 1997-08-28 1999-09-14 Lain; Cheng Kung Fluid circulating cushioned insole
US20040211087A1 (en) * 2003-04-24 2004-10-28 Kohar Scott Shoe having improved impact cushioning and shock absorption

Cited By (6)

* Cited by examiner, † Cited by third party
Publication number Priority date Publication date Assignee Title
RU2540880C1 (en) * 2013-08-07 2015-02-10 Федеральное государственное унитарное предприятие "Реутовский экспериментальный завод средств протезирования" Министерства труда и социальной защиты Российской Федерации Corrective insole
JP2016129553A (en) * 2015-01-13 2016-07-21 株式会社ダイマツ Insole for shoe sole
CN105768359A (en) * 2015-01-14 2016-07-20 速博菲特环球股份有限公司 Insoles for footwear
CN105768359B (en) * 2015-01-14 2021-02-02 速博菲特环球股份有限公司 Insole for footwear
GB2602960A (en) * 2020-11-27 2022-07-27 Reckitt Benckiser Health Ltd Insole
GB2602960B (en) * 2020-11-27 2023-10-25 Scholls Wellness Company Ltd Insole

Also Published As

Publication number Publication date
ITPD20070003A1 (en) 2008-07-05

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