Instep support for footwear

• US 4,550,511 A
• Filed: 04/22/1983
• Issued: 11/05/1985
• Est. Priority Date: 01/14/1983
• Status: Expired due to Fees

• Current Assignee: ASCO Limited
• Original Assignee: Kangaroos USA, Inc.
• Inventors: Gamm, Robert J.
• Primary Examiner(s): Schroeder, Werner H.
• Assistant Examiner(s): Ellis, Mary A.
• Application Number:
  US06/487,881
• Time in Patent Office: 928 Days
• Field of Search: 36/50, 36/91, 36/119, 36/120, 36/114
• US Class Current: 36/50.1
• CPC Class Codes: A43B 7/1495 with arch-supports of the bracelet type
• CPC Class Codes: A43C 11/1493 Strap fastenings having hook and loop-type fastening elements

Abstract

In an instep support for footwear, as for example in athletic shoes, strap or band member(s) extend upwardly and angularly forwardly from the insole, or the insole insert, for the shoe, and incorporate a fastening device at the band ends, so that they can be either secured together over the instep of the foot, or applied and held in place by connecting with the surface of a component of the shoe; the band members may also extend upwardly from an approximate central location for the insole, so that not only will the instep portion of the foot be embraced by the support, but the lateral portions of the arch will likewise be snugly retained by the elastic band members to assure full arch support in addition to a firm embracing of the instep of the foot as contained within the constructed shoe. In addition, a harness integrally connects with the band members and extends rearwardly therefrom for extending around the heel of the foot in order to enhance the support of the foot during application of the shoe.

Claims

1. In an instep support for footwear, and being a shoe of the type having an upper incorporating a vamp, quarter and heel portions, all securing together and being integrally connected with the shoe sole, a gusset provided within the shoe upper, an insole applied upon the shoe sole, the improvement which comprises, a support system provided within the shoe and useful for furnishing of support for the instep, arch, and associated components of the foot of the wearer, said support system including band means extending upwardly from the insole and arranged for overlying substantially the entire instep for the foot and being snugly secured therewith for bracing the foot within the applied shoe, said band means operatively associated with the insole means for the shoe and extending upwardly therefrom for also embracing the lateral arch portions of the foot in conjunction with the application of bracing to its instep, said band means incorporating a pair of band members, at least one of said band members extending upwardly from the insole means substantially inwardly from its lateral edge to also embrace the arch portion of the contiguous foot of the shoe wearer, said insole means having a central portion, said central portion of the insole means having a pair of slots formed therethrough, the band means inserting through said pair of slots for underlying the central portion of the insole means intermediate said pair of slots, said band means projecting upwardly through said slots and extending upwardly along the lateral portions of the arch and around the instep of the foot of the shoe wearer.

2. The invention of claim 1 and wherein said footwear comprises an athletic shoe.

3. The invention of claim 1 and wherein said band means having a dimension along the length of the shoe to overlie and embrace the metatarsal cunieform, and navicular bones of the foot.

4. The invention of claim 1 and including a heel harness integrally connecting with and extending rearwardly from the band means and also embracing the heel of the foot during shoe usage.

5. The invention of claim 1 and wherein said band means being of unitized construction.

6. The invention of claim 1 and wherein said band means comprises a pair of band members, each band member securing with one of the shoe sole and insole, and each extending upwardly therefrom for embracing the instep of the foot of the shoe wearer.

7. The invention of claim 1 and wherein said band means in its upward extension angulates forwardly within the structure of the shoe.

8. The invention of claim 1 and wherein said band means extends upwardly as a pair of band members contiguously along the inner sides of the shoe structure, one of said band members having retention means provided proximate its end, the other band member extending over the instep of the foot and including retention means proximate its end and dispose for securing with the retention means of the first said band member.

9. The invention of claim 1 and wherein said band members secure together under the shoe gusset.

10. The invention of claim 1 and wherein said band members secure together overlying the shoe gusset.

11. The invention of claim 1 and wherein said band members are formed of elastic material.

12. The invention of claim 1, and wherein said central portion of the insole means intermediate the pair of slots having formed edges thereat, and said edges being skived for minimizing any discomfort to the shoe wearer at the location where the band means projects through the formed slots of the insole means proximate its central portion.

13. The invention of claim 8 and wherein said retention means comprises hook and pile retention means.