FIELD OF THE INVENTION

This invention relates to footwear incorporating a sole that supports the three arches of the foot and in particular to loose fitting footwear.

BACKGROUND OF THE INVENTION

The foot has three arches, the medial longitudinal arch is the highest arch of the foot that runs along the interior edge of the foot, the lateral longitudinal arch runs along the lateral edge of the foot and has much less curvature than the media! arch. Therefore, the curvature changes from the medial to the lateral borders of the foot creating the transverse arch which is found under the metatarsal heads H-IV. These arches are designed to act as shock absorbers and are imperative to the stability of the foot. All three arches working together are needed to achieve correct foot function during activities such as walking.

Normal gait has two main phases, the swing phase and the stance phase. Swing phase is when the leg is brought forward to take a step. Stance phase is when the foot is touching the ground and comprises three sub stages. The first part of the stance phase is the heel strike, where the heel of the foot strikes the ground first. The foot then progresses to midstance where the whole foot contacts the ground and the majority of the body's weight is taken on the foot. The final phase ' is known as toe off or terminal stance where the weight of the body moves forwards in preparation for propulsion from the toes.

Normally, the ligaments and muscles in the foot support the three arches ensuring the even distribution and transfer of weight during walking and other physical activity. With age or injury these supportive muscles and ligaments can be weakened or damaged causing uneven distribution of weight and pain resulting in significant discomfort to the person. As indicated through various studies, by the age of 20 nearly 80% of us have some kind of foot problem, and by 40 nearly all of us do. These foot problems not only affect the feet but also the stability of the whole body when we are standing or walking.

Shoe inserts have been used for many years to provide support to the arches of the feet to treat or prevent foot, ankle, knee, hip and even back pain. Commonly these shoe inserts have been custom made for the individual. One such insert is disclosed in CA2339446 (A1) which is comprised of a heel pad for absorbing heel strike shock, a propulsion component to provide upward motion of the forefoot and custom orthotic elements according to the arch support needs of the individual. Such inserts are designed to insert into closed footwear such as boots or lace-up shoes and cannot be used in loose footwear.

Similar custom made shoe inserts have been disclosed in US20D6123663 (A1) and WO9825494 (A1) which are also designed to support ali three arches of the foot. These custom made arch support shoe inserts are expensive and have no ability to be secured in place inside the shoe potentially moving during activity and causing irritation to the wearer.

Velcro has been used to secure such removable arch support shoe inserts inside the shoe as disclosed in US4694590 (A). This method has shown to be useful in women's dress shoes or shoes with a raised heel to prevent the insert from moving within the shoe. As all shoes are different in their dimensions, if the insert is not exactly matched to the shape of the shoe, the rigid edges of the inserts may cause irritation to the wearer. , An arch support that wraps around or straps onto the foot avoids this downfall of the typical rigid arch support insert. JP2005305085 (A) teaches an arch support device that attaches between the toes and is held in place with a strap around the heel while a moulded cushion supports the arches of the foot. Such devices are cumbersome and would be difficult and uncomfortable to wear in any type of footwear. Therefore, incorporating the arch supports into the sole of the shoe can be advantageous. JP2004181202 (A) discloses a shoe insert which may also be incorporated into a slip on shoe featuring a strap that wraps over the middle of the foot. However, despite securing the shoe onto the foot, this particular design provides no means to ensure that the foot assumes the correct position on the arch supports during movement.

OBJECT OF THE INVENTION

It is therefore an object of the present invention to provide arch support footwear which overcomes the disadvantages and limitations of prior art supports or at least to provide a useful alternative.

STATEMENT OF THE INVENTION

According to the present invention arch support footwear comprises a sole that incorporates supports for the medial, lateral and anterior arches of the foot, a heel cradle that aligns the calcaneus, and thereby the foot, into the correct position during gait as well as a ridge to support and provide traction to the metatarsophalangeal joints.

Preferable the sole is adapted to align' the foot correctly without additional supporting structures and therefore is capable of use in both closed and loose footwear.

Preferably the sole is of a durable material designed to allow for some movement in the foot so as to absorb shock whilst still providing firm support for the arches and which has the ability to mould to the wearers foot shape over time.

According to an alternative form of the invention a footwear for supporting a foot and encouraging correct alignment of the foot comprises an integral sole which incorporates supports for the medial, lateral and anterior arches of the foot, a heel cradle which aligns the calcaneus into the correct position during gait and a propulsion ridge to support and provide traction for the metatarsophalangeal joints.

Preferably the length and width of a standard shoe size can be applied to said footwear to allow mass production of said footwear

Preferably the interior and posterior edge of the heel cradle are of equal height.

Preferably the posterior edge of the heel cradle is lower than the interior edge of the heel cradle and provides support for calcaneus varus.

Preferably the posterior edge of the heel cradfe is higher than the interior edge of the heel cradle and provides support for calcaneus valgus.

Preferably the sole is moulded from a cushioning material to allow for some movement in the foot to absorb shock whilst still providing firm support for the arches.

Preferably the sole is moulded from a material which has the ability to deform to the wearer's foot shape over time.

According to another alternative form of the invention a thong comprises an integral solθ which incorporates supports forthe medial, lateral and anterior arches of the foot, a heel cradle which aligns the calcaneus into the correct position during gait and a propulsion ridge to support and provide traction for the metatarsophalangeal joints.

According to further alternative form of the invention a footwear incorporates supports for the medial, lateral and anterior arches of the foot, a heel cradle which aligns the calcaneus into the correct position during gait and a propulsion ridge to support and provide traction for the metatarsophalangeal joints BRIEF DESCRIPTION OF THE DRAWINGS

An embodiment of the invention is now described by way of example only with reference to the accompanying drawings in which: Fig 1 is a side elevation of the wearer's left foot resting on the sole of the footwear

Fig 2 is a rear elevation of both feet resting on the soles of the footwear

Fig 3 shows the left foot of the .wearer resting on the sole of the footwear

Fig 4 is a perspective view of a thong incorporating a sole according to an embodiment of the present invention

Fig 5 shows a clog with exposed sole according to an embodiment of the present invention

Fig 6 shows a boot incorporating a sole according to an embodiment of the present invention Fig 7 shows a shoe incorporating a sole according to an embodiment of the present invention

Fig 8 shows a cut away jogger incorporating a sole according to an embodiment of the present invention

Fig 9 shows another cut away jogger incorporating a sole according to an embodiment of the present invention and

Fig 10 shows a sandal incorporating a sole according to an embodiment of the present inventfon

DETAILED DESCRIPTION OF THE INVENTION

In Figs 1 and 2 sole 1 of the footwear is shown fitting the length and width of the wearer's foot and is produced in different standard sizes similar to normal footwear. In Fig 3 the following five supporting features of sole 1 are illustrated in relation to the wearer's foot. Heel cradle 2 is designed to absorb the shock from the heel strike as the calcaneus impacts the ground and also cradles the calcaneus thereby aligning the foot correctly for movement into midstance. Fig 3 also shows pads 3, 4 and 5 which are designed to support the three arches of the foot as it moves into mrdstance. Pad 3 provides support for the medial longitudinal arch found under the navicular bone of the foot, while pad 4 supports the lateral longitudinal arch under the cuboid bone and pad 5 supports the anterior transverse arch under the metatarsal bones M-IV. In order to achieve correct foot function, all three arches must work together to absorb shock and stabilise the foot.

The metatarsophalangeal joints are crucial pivot points for the generation of power during terminal stance. The metatarsophalangeal joints generate this power by gripping onto the surface under the foot. Accordingly propulsion ridge 6 provides a platform from which the metatarsophalangeal joints can create traction which aids the propulsion of the foot into the swing phase of the gait cycle and reduces the stress involved in this repetitive movement. Propulsion ridge 6 also provides support for the metatarsophalangeal joints.

The combination of heel cradle 2 and propulsion ridge 6 promotes the correct alignment of the foot on arch support pads 3, 4 and '5 during a normal gait. This removes the need for securing the foot on the sole by means of uppers, or straps and allows for the sole to be incorporated in loose footwear such as thongs, clogs and sandals. Fig 4 shows a thong with sole 1 shaped in accordance with the present invention and Figs 5 to 10 show respectively a clog, a boot, a shoe, a jogger, a second jogger and a sandal with soles 1 also shaped accordingly.

Measurement A in Fig 2 is the height of the interior edge of heel support 2 while B is the height of the posterior edge of the heel support. The height of B of can be altered to suit various foot conditions. A neutral heel support position is v achieved when the height of B is equal to the height of A. Decreasing B provides relief for calcaneus varus where the calcaneus inverts while increasing B provides relief for calcaneus valgus where the calcaneus everts. Soles 1 are moulded from a resilient material which allows for some movement in the foot so as to absorb shock whilst still providing firm support for the arches. The soles also have the ability to adapt to the individual shape of the wearer's foot over time. This is an essential element as the footwear is not custom made 5 but mass produced and needs to be capable of providing support for different foot shapes.

VARIATIONS 0 It will be realized that the foregoing has been given by way of illustrative example only and that ail other modifications and variations as would be apparent to persons skilled in the art are deemed to fall within the broad scope and ambit of the invention as herein set forth. Throughout lhe description and claims of this specification the words "comprise" and variations of that word such as 5 "comprises" and "comprising" are not intended to exclude other additives components integers or steps.

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