CN101610692B - Adaptable orthopedic insoles - Google Patents

Abstract

An orthopedic insole consists of a hollow foothold having flexible walls and containing granular filling. The upper surface of the orthopedic insole is typically molded to conform the anatomical features of a regular human foot. The granular filling contained in the lumen of the foothold and a rigid segment of its bottom wall provide for adapting the curvature angles of the top surface of the foothold to a specific pattern of the foot of a user. A user can typically make a selection from a variety of ready-made insoles having standard sizes which suit his needs. The adaptable orthopedic insoles of the invention are accommodated to common shoes and sandals, boots that are suitable for heavy work, walking, running, and or fashionable or mode shoes.

Description

Adaptable orthopedic insoles

technical field

This invention relates generally to orthopedics, and more particularly to orthopedic insoles that are adapted to various types of footwear and to the user's foot.

Background technique

A significant number of people suffer from irregular or abnormal foot shapes typically associated with physical discomfort caused by standing, walking and/or running for prolonged periods of time. In such cases, orthopedic shoes may be provided to relieve physical discomfort. An orthotic insole that fits the user's foot and specific footwear is usually guaranteed to convert normal footwear to orthotics. However, professionals are typically associated with the manufacture of orthopedic insoles. Furthermore, adapting the orthotic insole to the user's foot often requires a revisit to a professional for adjustments and fine-tuning.

The characteristics of a healthy and normal foot change with age, which in turn causes physical discomfort. Accordingly, there is a need for a well-made orthopedic insole that conforms to the user's foot and conforms to the shape of various footwear.

Description of drawings

1 is a perspective view of an orthopedic insole according to a preferred embodiment of the present invention;

Figure 2 is a perspective view of the orthopedic insole shown in Figure 1, showing the bottom surface of the orthopedic insole;

Fig. 3 is a transverse sectional view of the foot support portion of the orthopedic insole shown in Fig. 1;

Fig. 4 is a perspective view of an orthopedic insole according to another embodiment of the present invention;

Figure 5 is a flow chart describing a method for manufacturing an orthopedic insole according to a preferred embodiment of the present invention.

Detailed ways

According to the present invention there is provided an adaptable orthopedic insole. The orthopedic insole according to the invention consists of a hollow foot support having flexible walls and containing a granular filling. The upper surface of the orthopedic insole of the present invention is typically molded to conform to the anatomy of a normal human foot. The granular filler contained in the inner cavity of the foot support and the rigid portion of the bottom wall of the foot support ensure that the angle of curvature of the top surface of the foot support is adapted to the particular type of foot of the user. Users can generally choose from a variety of manufactured insoles having standard sizes to suit their needs. The adaptable orthopedic insole of the present invention accommodates regular shoes and sandals, boots suitable for heavy labor, walking, running, and/or fashion or fashion shoes.

Referring now to FIGS. 1-3, there are shown two perspective views of an adaptable orthotic insole and a cross-sectional view of its foot support, respectively, in accordance with a preferred embodiment of the present invention. The adaptable orthotic insole 10 has an inner surface 12 and an outer end 14 , a tarsal support 16 , an optional upwardly sloped metatarsal support 18 , and a medial arcuate support 20 . The central arcuate support portion 20 is longitudinally inclined towards the outer end 14 . An elongated rigid plate 40 is embedded in the bottom surface 42 of an adaptable orthopedic insole 44 . The front and rear sections of the bottom surface 42 are uncovered by the rigid plate 40, allowing corresponding portions of the adaptable insole 44 to deform with the corresponding rotational movement of the user's tarsal and metatarsal bones.

In FIG. 3 , a cross-sectional view along line AA of the foot support portion of the adaptable orthopedic insole shown in FIG. 2 is shown. The top surface 60 of the foot support portion 62 of the orthotic insole slopes downwardly from the inner wall 64 towards the outer wall 66 . The rigid plate 68 is embedded in the outer surface of the bottom wall 70 of the foot support 62 . The foot support portion of the adaptable orthopedic insole of the present invention is made of a flexible material. The foot supports are manufactured in standard sizes and shapes using PVC, polyethylene or other plastic resins, such as by blow molding. Rigid plates are also manufactured to standard sizes and are typically manufactured from a metal such as aluminum. The rigid plate is typically attached to a conformal recess on the outer surface of the bottom surface of the foot support. The foot support is typically further covered with eg fabric, leather, neoprene, nylon or similar plastic resin. The inner cavity of the foot support of the adaptable orthotic insole of the present invention is typically filled with a granular material, such as polyethylene, through dedicated injection holes, typically located in the sides. The fill volume is typically several percent smaller than the hollow foot support volume. The filler is then enclosed within the insole cavity, for example by bonding a conformal cover to the connection over the injection hole. Vent holes, sized smaller than the filler particle size and positioned across side walls such as inner wall 64 and outer end 66, allow for the slow equalization of inner air pressure and environment as the insole is squeezed by the weight of the user, thereby providing cushioning.

The adaptable orthopedic insole of the present invention conforms to any shoe or sandal that surrounds a significant portion of the user's foot. However, in footwear that is open near the toe and/or ankle joint, a very shallow recess at the insole of the footwear that conforms to the bottom surface of the insole must first be provided. Such recesses ensure that the adaptable orthotic insole remains in place during use.

In another embodiment of the invention, the insole is short and covers only a portion of the footwear as shown in Figure 4 to which reference is now made. An elongated rigid plate 74 is embedded in the bottom surface of the adaptable orthopedic insole. In the case of the orthopedic insole shown in FIG. 2 , where the front section of the orthopedic insole has been removed (in this case) by a transverse cut 80, the rear section of the bottom surface of the adaptable orthopedic insole is not covered by the rigid plate 74, as in another embodiment That, thereby allowing corresponding portions of the adaptable insole to deform with corresponding rotational movements of the tarsal and metatarsal portions of the wearer.

FIG. 5, to which reference is now made, depicts a flow chart describing a method for manufacturing an orthopedic insole according to a preferred embodiment of the present invention. At step 90, a model of a standard shape for an orthopedic insole is provided. At step 92, a moldable material such as PVC, polyethylene or any other suitable plastic resin is injected into the mold. At step 94, a blow molding (BM) process is provided wherein the injected plastic resin is blown. At step 96, the hollow insole formed during the molding process is removed from the mold. Subsequently, at step 98, the hollow insole is filled with granular material, and at step 99, the injection area is sealed. At step 100, the foot support is covered, for example, with fabric, leather, neoprene, nylon, or similar plastic resin. At step 102, a rigid plate is attached to the bottom surface of the orthopedic insole.

It should be noted that some steps of the processes described above may be combined, repeated, omitted, and/or rearranged.

Claims (6)

1. adaptable orthopedic insoles that is used for footwear comprises:

Hollow foot support portion, this foot support portion has medial arc support, shank support portion, diapire and sidewall;

Embed the rigid plate in the said diapire part;

Be arranged in the granular implant in the inner chamber of said foot support portion,

And wherein; At least one wall of said foot support portion is flexible, and wherein, and at least one hole is positioned at the side-walls of said hollow foot support portion; And wherein, the size in said at least one hole is slightly less than any one the particulate size in the said granular implant.

2. adaptable orthopedic insoles as claimed in claim 1, wherein, said foot support portion is capped.

3. adaptable orthopedic insoles as claimed in claim 1, wherein, said foot support portion manufactures standard size and shape.

4. adaptable orthopedic insoles as claimed in claim 1, wherein, the length of said shoe pad is less than the length of said footwear.

5. method that is used to make adaptable orthopedic insoles comprises:

Be provided for the model of standard orthopedic insoles;

Moldable material is injected said model;

The material that blowing is injected;

The blowing injection material is taken out from said model;

The blowing injection material is filled with bulk material;

The sealing injection zone;

The material that utilization is selected from fabric, leather, neoprene, nylon or its combination in any cover the blowing injection material end face and

Rigid plate is connected in the bottom surface of blowing injection material.

6. the method that is used to make adaptable orthopedic insoles as claimed in claim 5 also comprises the sidewall location air vent of the foot support portion of crossing orthopedic insoles, and said air vent is less than the granule along the localized implant of sidewall of blowing injection material.

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