Forefoot valgus compensated footwear

• US 4,620,376 A
• Filed: 01/22/1985
• Issued: 11/04/1986
• Est. Priority Date: 01/22/1985
• Status: Expired due to Fees

• Current Assignee: Biomechanical Engineering & Shoe Research Laboratory Incorporated
• Original Assignee: LOUIS C TALARICO, II
• Inventors: Talarico, Louis C. II
• Primary Examiner(s): Schroeder, Werner H.
• Assistant Examiner(s): Meyers, Steven N.
• Application Number:
  US06/693,558
• Time in Patent Office: 651 Days
• Field of Search: 36/103, 36/25, 36/88, 36/43, 36/114, 36/93, 36/127, 36/113, 128/584, 128/585
• US Class Current: 36/103
• CPC Class Codes: A43B 13/14 characterised by the constructive form
• CPC Class Codes: A43B 7/14 with foot-supporting parts
• CPC Class Codes: A43B 7/1415 characterised by the location under the foot
• CPC Class Codes: A43B 7/1425 situated under the ball of the foot, i.e. the joint between the first metatarsal and first phalange
• CPC Class Codes: A43B 7/144 situated under the heel, i.e. the calcaneus bone

Abstract

In an article of footwear for use with a foot wherein the article has an upper portion and a sole. The sole has a forefoot and a rearfoot portion with the sole forefoot portion having a medial aspect and a lateral aspect. The sole forefoot portion is of varying thickness across the width thereof such that the sole slopes at an angle upwardly from the medial aspect to the lateral aspect to provide an inclined surface of greater thickness at the lateral aspect than at said medial aspect. This compensates the forefoot in its naturally everted angulation in those individuals who are recognized to have a forefoot valgus foot type and maintains the normal alignment, position, motion and function of the entire foot during use of said article of footwear.

Claims

1. In an article of footwear having a forefoot valgus compensation, for use with a foot, said article having an upper portion and a sole, said sole having a forefoot and a rearfoot portion, said sole forefoot portion having a medial aspect and a lateral aspect, said sole forefoot portion being of varying thickness across the width thereof such that said sole slopes at an angle upwardly from said medial aspect to said lateral aspect to provide an inclined surface of greater thickness at said lateral aspect than at said medial aspect to compensate said forefoot in its valgus oriented angulation and to maintain normal alignment, position, motion and function of the entire foot during use of said article of footwear, and wherein said inclined surface compensates the forefoot beneath the medial aspect of the navicular bone, the internal (medial) cuneiform bone, the first metatarsal bone and the shafts of the lesser metatarsal bones diagonally, the metatarsal-phalangeal joints (the ball of the foot), and the toes giving the area beneath the fifth metatarsal-phalangeal joint (the little toe joint) the greatest elevation, and wherein said sole rearfoot portion is of constant thickness across the width thereof, such that the rear portion of the foot is allowed to act as an effective shock absorber when coming into contact with the ground, and wherein said inclined surface has a slope at a maximum angle of 8 degrees plus or minus amounts up to 6 degrees.

2. The sole of claim 1 wherein said inclined surface has a preferred slope at a maximum angle of 4 degrees to 8 degrees.

3. The sole of claim 1 wherein said inclined surface slopes at a maximum angle of no less than 2 degrees.

4. The sole of claim 1 wherein said inclined surface slopes at a maximum angle of no more than 14 degrees.

5. The sole of claim 1 wherein the thickness of said sole forefoot portion is preferrably at a height of 1/4 inch to 3/8 inch greater at the lateral aspect than at the medial aspect.

6. The sole of claim 1 wherein the thickness of said sole forefoot portion is 3/8 inch plus or minus amounts up to 5/16 inch greater at the lateral aspect than at the medial aspect.

7. The sole of claim 1 wherein the thickness of said sole forefoot portion is no less than 1/16 inch greater at the lateral aspect than at the medial aspect.

8. The sole of claim 1 wherein the thickness of said sole forefoot portion is no more than 11/16 inch greater at the lateral aspect than at the medial aspect.