Energy return orthotic systems
OwnerBarry A. Butlerinventor
Life of this patent
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Abstract
A plurality of orthotic systems are provided. One bi-layer system is constructed from a single sheet of fabric that is molded into two layers. One tri-layer system includes a base layer; a mid-layer; and an upper layer. The upper layer is joined to the mid-layer and the mid-layer is joined to the base layer. The coupling of the base layer, the mid-layer and the upper layer create a rear spring section, a mid-spring section and a front spring section in which the upper layer is suspended over the mid-layer and the heel portion is suspended on the proximal heel end of the base layer.
Claims14
A tri-layer orthotic system constructed of a resilient material, the tri-layer orthotic system comprising:
- a base layer having a distal toe end and a proximal heel end;
- a resin;
- a mid-layer having a distal toe portion, a mid-portion and a proximal heel portion, said distal toe portion of the mid-layer integrally fused to the distal toe end of the base layer by said resin to form a forefoot portion, said proximal heel portion including an opening cut into the mid-layer proximal heel portion that conforms to a heel of an individual;
- and
- an upper layer having a front upper layer portion, an arch upper layer portion and a heel upper layer portion, said heel upper layer portion integrally fused to the proximal heel portion of the mid-layer by said resin to form an open heel portion, said upper layer including a plurality of segmented digit rays cut into the front upper layer portion, said arch upper layer portion is cut into the upper layer and is configured to be deformed upwardly above said upper layer or downwardly below said upper layer;
- wherein the upper layer is suspended over the mid-layer and the heel portion is suspended over the proximal heel end of the base layer, wherein the suspension in combination with the resilient material creates a rear spring section, a mid-spring section and a front spring section.
Dependencies are inferred from the claim text.