Foot alleviator

• US 6,558,339 B1
• Filed: 11/19/1999
• Issued: 05/06/2003
• Est. Priority Date: 11/19/1999
• Status: Expired due to Fees

• Current Assignee: Michael E. Graham
• Original Assignee: Michael E. Graham
• Inventors: Graham, Michael E.
• Primary Examiner(s): Pothier, Denise M.
• Application Number:
  US09/443,326
• Time in Patent Office: 1,264 Days
• Field of Search: 602/5-6, 602/23, 602/27, 602/60-62, 602/65-66, 602/75, 128/882, 128/889, 128/892-894, 361/45, 361/54, 361/66, 361/73, 361/74
• US Class Current: 602/66
• CPC Class Codes: A61F 5/0113 Drop-foot appliances

Abstract

The present invention is a removable semi-elastic brace which may alleviate heel and arch pain. The present invention provides support to the heel and arch of the foot to aid in the treatment of plantar fasciitis, heel spur syndrome, calcaneal apophysitis, and Achilles tendinitis and tibialis posterior dysfunction. The device is adjustable to accommodate small changes in foot size. The device may also be used in conjunction with other treatment modalities including night or rest splints and custom-molded orthotics.

Claims

1. A foot device, comprising:

a semi-elastic bandage comprising a medial arch pad and a heel pad, attached to said bandage, the medial arch pad being separate and spaced from the heel pad along the bandage,

wherein said heel pad is shaped so that the portion of said heel pad that is located under the inner portion of the user'"'"'s foot during use is shorter than the portion of said heel pad that is located under the outer portion of the user'"'"'s foot during use,

such that, when the user is standing upright, the user'"'"'s weight does not bear on the user'"'"'s heel bone at the point of insertion of the user'"'"'s plantar fascia inner band into the user'"'"'s heel bone, and

wherein said bandage further comprises,

an upper left portion and an upper right portion which rests upon the top of the user'"'"'s foot during use; and

a securing means for securing said upper left portion and said upper right portion together.

2. The device as defined in claim 1, wherein the securing means comprises:

a hook and loop fastener attached to the upper left portion of said bandage;

a hook and loop fastener attached to the upper right portion of said bandage, and

wherein said hook and loop fastener attached to the upper left portion of said bandage attaches to said hook and loop fastener attached to the upper right portion of said bandage to secure the bandage to the user'"'"'s foot.

3. The device as defined in claim 1, wherein said bandage further comprises:

a back heel cup sized and configured to hold and surround the user'"'"'s heel.

4. The device as defined in claim 1, wherein said bandage further comprises:

a left back heel portion and a right back heel portion sized and configured to enclose the back of the users heel, and

a securing means for securing said left back heel portion and said right back heel portion together.

5. The device as in claim 4, wherein the securing means comprises:

a hook and loop fastener attached to the left back heel portion of said brace;

a hook and loop fastener attached to the right back heel portion of said brace, and

wherein said hook and loop fastener attached to the left back heel portion of said brace attaches to said hook and loop fastener attached to the right back heel portion of said brace to secure the brace to the users foot.

6. The device as in claim 4, wherein the securing means comprises thread to sew the left back heel portion of said bandage to the right back heel portion of said bandage.

7. The device as in claim 1, wherein said bandage is toeless.