An insole structure for footwear comprised of upper and lower surfaces which form one or more internal cavities within the body of the structure, the cavities so formed containing a fluid such as water, air or a gel, providing thereby a durable and comfortable means for cushioning and supporting the feet inside footwear such as shoes, sandals, slippers and/or boots. The present invention may find embodiment in (i) a flexible contoured insole designed for insertion into conventional footwear or (ii) in footwear having the invented insole structure built into and made and integral part thereof. The shape, location, height, etc., of the cavities can be designed to achieve particular therapeutic objectives such as the support of weak arches.
An apparatus and method of making it is provided whereby a liquid-filled shoe insole is produced. The insole comprises discreet internal liquid-filled ampules which are strategically placed between upper and lower laminae and sealed in place to provide separate support for various parts of the foot.
An innersole for shoes formed of a plastic material having an interior fluid tight main chamber, a quantity of liquid to be placed within the main chamber with the innersole being permanently sealed to prevent leakage of the liquid exteriorly of the innersole, the innersole having a sealed peripheral edge to contain the liquid, the innersole including totally enclosed liquid containing second chambers, the second chambers having a sealed periphery within said main chamber.
In an insole for use in, or actually defining the sole of, footwear, an envelope generally shaped like a foot or a portion of a foot and preferably made of a plastics material such as polyurethane or polyvinylchloride, and having a perimeter which is adapted to remain of stable configuration under the weight of the wearer, has at least one region containing a liquid having a viscosity at 37.degree.C which is substantially equal to that of glycerine at that temperature. The said region may be bounded at the front by a transverse line in the vicinity of the metatarsal head of the toes, by arcuate zones (concave in plan view) in the vicinity of the instep and a substantially semi-circular end zone in the vicinity of the heel of the foot.
A therapeutic shoe is disclosed wherein a sole member contains a plurality of differently sized air-tight compartments of differing compressibility so that the weight of the foot in the metatarsal and lateral regions compresses so as to form a supportive arch in the medial position. This therapeutic shoe provides supportive therapeutic aspects combined with cushioning aspects for comfort to the user. Suitable applications include the broad range of athletic uses including jogging shoes, and walking shoes as well.
A therapeutic shoe is disclosed wherein a sole member contains a plurality of differently sized air-tight compartments of differing compressibility so that the weight of the foot in the metatarsal and lateral regions compresses so as to form a supportive arch in the medial position. This therapeutic shoe provides supportive therapeutic aspects combined with cushioning aspects for comfort to the user. Suitable applications include the broad range of athletic uses including jogging shoes, and walking shoes as well.
