Multipiece footwear insole

• US 7,210,250 B2
• Filed: 06/07/2005
• Issued: 05/01/2007
• Est. Priority Date: 06/07/2005
• Status: Active Grant

• Current Assignee: Z-Tech Incorporated
• Original Assignee: Alvaro Z. Gallegos
• Inventors: Gallegos, Alvaro Z.
• Primary Examiner(s): KAVANAUGH, JOHN T
• Application Number:
  US11/146,841
• Publication Number:
  US 20060277796A1
• Time in Patent Office: 693 Days
• Field of Search: 36/44, 36/71, 361/40, 36/31, 36/43, 361/41, 361/45, 361/55, 361/59, 36160-163
• US Class Current: 36/44
• CPC Class Codes: A43B 1/0054 provided with magnets, magnetic parts or magnetic substances
• CPC Class Codes: A43B 1/0081 made at least partially of hook-and-loop type material hook and loop-type straps for fastening purpose A43C11/1493
• CPC Class Codes: A43B 13/16 Pieced soles with several layers of different material A43B13/12
• CPC Class Codes: A43B 17/02 wedge-like or resilient
• CPC Class Codes: A43B 3/24 Collapsible or convertible
• CPC Class Codes: A43B 3/246 characterised by the sole
• CPC Class Codes: A43B 7/146 provided with acupressure points or means for foot massage
• CPC Class Codes: A43B 7/1464 with adjustable pads to allow custom fit
• CPC Class Codes: A43B 7/1469 adjustable by selectively fastening or securing into multiple available positions
• CPC Class Codes: A43B 7/147 for sick or disabled persons, e.g. persons having osteoarthritis or diabetes
• CPC Class Codes: A43D 999/00 Subject matter not provided for in other groups of this subclass

Abstract

The invention relates to an insole for use in footwear, and is comprised of a plurality of sections that are removably or securably attachable to a bottom layer. The sections can be made of different materials to provide different types of support, e.g. rigid or shock absorbing. The sections may also have different surface characteristics, which for example grip a portion of the foot or are slick to enable the toes to move. The insole can be used to at least partially abate and/or prevent foot and related ailments commonly suffered by diabetics and others with pathologic or painful foot conditions. A kit for making an insole is also contemplated wherein a variety of insole sections are provided that have different cushioning or support features and/or different surface characteristics. The user can choose the preferred insole sections and assemble the sections onto the bottom layer, thereby constructing a customized insole.

Claims

1. An insole for footwear, comprising:

a bottom insole layer having a top side;

a plurality of insole sections having an underside, wherein the underside of one or more of said insole sections is attachable to the top side of the bottom insole layer,

wherein the plurality of insole sections is formed of different cushioning, hardness, thickness and/or surface characteristics from a variety of materials allowing secured and/or removable attachment to the insole and each of the plurality of insole sections include one or more layers of material to provide a substantially continuous top surface when all of said sections are attached to said bottom layer;

attachment members located on the top side of the bottom layer and on the underside of said sections for attaching the sections to the bottom layer; and

wherein an insole is formed when the insole sections are attached to the top side of said bottom layer.

2. The insole of claim 1, wherein all of said insole sections are removably attached to said bottom layer, and wherein said sections are selected from the group consisting essentially of a longitudinal arch section, a heel section a toe section, a metatarsal section, a base section, or any combination thereof.

3. The insole of claim 2, wherein said attachment members comprise hook components and loop components, wherein the hook components are attached to the top side of the bottom layer and the loop components are attached to the underside of the sections, or wherein the hook components are attached to the underside of the sections and the loop components are attached to the top side of the bottom layer.

4. The insole of claim 3, wherein the hook and loop components form a holding assembly and hold sections and bottom layer together when said hook and loop components are joined together.

5. The insole of claim 1, wherein at least one of said sections is securably attached to said bottom layer, and wherein said sections are selected from the group consisting essentially of a longitudinal arch section, a heel section, a top section, a metatarsal section, a base section, or any combination thereof.

6. The insole of claim 5, having a metatarsal and/or base section made of materials selected from the group consisting essentially of leather, neoprene, EVA foam, or any combination thereof.

7. The insole of claim 5, having a toe section with a top layer selected from the group consisting essentially of moleskin, fur, polyester, satin, silk, or any combination thereof.

8. The insole of claim 5, having a heel section made of materials selected from the group consisting essentially of rubber, neoprene, EVA foam, or any combination thereof.

9. The insole of claim 1, wherein medial edges of said sections fit together similar to puzzle pieces.

10. The insole of claim 1, wherein said sections are selected from the group consisting essentially of a longitudinal arch section, a heel section, a toe section, a metatarsal section, a base section, any combination thereof and wherein each of said sections have at least one medial edge shaped to fit together with the shape of the medial edge of at least one other section in a puzzle-like manner.

11. The insole of claim 10, having sections with medial edges that are irregular in shape.

12. The insole of claim 10, having sections with medial edges that are a curved or straight line.

13. The insole of claim 1, wherein at least one of said sections has a top layer.

14. A shoe having an insole of claim 1.

15. A kit for providing a multipiece insole for footwear, comprising:

a bottom insole layer having a top side;

a plurality of insole sections having an underside, said plurality of insole sections consist essentially of at least one longitudinal arch section, at lease one heel section, at least one toe section, at least one metatarsal section, at least one base section, and wherein at least some of the sections are comprised of material different from the other sections,

and further wherein the plurality of insole sections is formed of different cushioning, hardness, thickness and/or surface characteristics from a variety of materials for secure and/or removable attachment to the insole, and each of the plurality of insole sections include one or more layers of material to provide a substantially continuous top surface when all of said sections are attached to said bottom layer;

attachment members located on the top side of the bottom layer and on the underside of said section for attaching at least one of said plurality of sections to said bottom layer; and

wherein an insole is formed by choosing one of each plurality of insole sections, and attaching the underside of one of each said sections to the top side of said bottom layer.

16. The kit of claim 15, wherein at least one section is comprised of a material that is different from at least one other section.

17. The kit of claim 15, wherein said insole sections are removably attacked in said bottom layer and wherein said attachment members comprise hook components and loop components, wherein the hook components, wherein the hook components are attached to the underside of the removable sections, or wherein the hook components are attached to the underside of the removable sections and the loop components are attached to the top side of the bottom layer.

18. The kit of claim 17, wherein the hook and loop components form a holding assembly and hold the sections and bottom layer together when said hook and loop components are joined.

19. The kit of claim 15, wherein at least some of the plurality of said sections have a top layer.

20. The kit of claim 15, wherein an assembled insole is comprised of a bottom layer a longitudinal arch section, a heel section, a toe section, a metatarsal section, a base section, and wherein the underside of said sections are securably attached to the top side of said bottom layer.