US 2026/0223981 A1Published application

Support surface and/or footwear configured to improve alignment of a foot, and method of forming same

AssigneeProtalus LLC

InventorsChristopher BUCK, Calvin M. BUCK, IV

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Abstract

A support surface configured to improve alignment of a foot can be at least a portion of a combined and unitary insole, midsole, and outsole of footwear. A sidewall can extend upwardly from a central portion of the support surface. A medial portion of the sidewall can be configured to support the medial side of the foot. A lateral portion of the sidewall can be configured to support the lateral side of the foot. A highest point of the medial portion of the sidewall, as measured along a straight line extending perpendicularly to the longitudinal axis, can be greater than a highest point of the lateral portion of the sidewall, as measured along a straight line extending perpendicularly to the longitudinal axis. The support surface can be configured to reduce movement along a roll axis of the foot.

Claims23

Dependent claims

A support surface configured to improve alignment of a foot relative to subtalar neutral position, the foot having a medial side, a lateral side, a sustentaculum tali, a lateral calcaneus, a heel at a hindfoot, a midfoot, and a forefoot, the support surface being at least a portion of a combined and unitary insole, midsole, and outsole of footwear, the support surface comprising:

a support surface having at least a hindfoot section, a midfoot section, and a forefoot section configured to support and control the hindfoot, the midfoot, and the forefoot of the foot, respectively, the support surface having a first end proximate the heel of the foot and an opposing second end proximate the forefoot of the foot, a longitudinal axis of the support surface extending from the first end to the opposing second end and extending through a lateral midpoint of the support surface, the support surface being configured to receive at least a portion of the hindfoot and the midfoot of the foot;
and
a sidewall extending upwardly from a central portion of the support surface, a medial portion of the sidewall being configured to support the medial side of the foot, a lateral portion of the sidewall being configured to support the lateral side of the foot, wherein a highest point of the medial portion of the sidewall, as measured along a straight line extending perpendicularly to the longitudinal axis, is greater than a highest point of the lateral portion of the sidewall, as measured along the straight line extending perpendicularly to the longitudinal axis, and
wherein the support surface is configured to align and control the hindfoot into a sub-talar neutral alignment and reduce range of motion about the longitudinal axis of the foot.

1 more element

Footwear configured to improve alignment of a foot, the foot having a medial side, a lateral side, a sustentaculum tali, a lateral calcaneus, a heel at a hindfoot, a midfoot, and a forefoot, the footwear comprising:

a combined and unitary insole, midsole, and outsole, a bottom surface of the combined and unitary insole, midsole, and outsole being configured to contact a ground surface;
a top surface of the combined and unitary insole, midsole, and outsole being configured to contact the foot,
the top surface of the combined and unitary insole, midsole, and outsole having at least a hindfoot section, a midfoot section, and a forefoot section configured to support the hindfoot, the midfoot, and the forefoot of the foot, respectively, the top surface of the combined and unitary insole, midsole, and outsole having a first end proximate the heel of the foot and an opposing second end proximate the forefoot of the foot, a longitudinal axis of the of the combined and unitary insole, midsole, and outsole extending from the first end to the opposing second end and extending through a lateral midpoint of the combined and unitary insole, midsole, and outsole, the top surface of the combined and unitary insole, midsole, and outsole being configured to receive at least a portion of the hindfoot, the midfoot, and the forefoot of the foot;
and
a sidewall extending upwardly from the top surface of the combined and unitary insole, midsole, and outsole, a medial portion of the sidewall being configured to support the medial side of the foot, a lateral portion of the sidewall being configured to support the lateral side of the foot,
wherein a highest point of the medial portion of the sidewall, as measured along a straight line extending perpendicularly to the longitudinal axis, is greater than a highest point of the lateral portion of the sidewall, as measured along the straight line extending perpendicularly to the longitudinal axis, and
wherein the combined and unitary insole, midsole, and outsole is configured to reduce movement along a roll axis of the foot.

4 more elements

Dependencies are inferred from the claim text.

Facts

Application: 19/149,378Filed 22 Jan 2024
Priority: 20 Jan 2023
Published: 6 Aug 2026
Term ends: Not estimatedThe source records don’t support an estimate.

Classification8 codes

A43B 7/24
With foot-supporting parts: insertions or other supports preventing the foot canting to one side , preventing supination or pronation
A43B 3/12
Footwear characterised by the shape or the use: sandals; Strap guides thereon
A43B 5/06
Footwear for sporting purposes: running shoes; Track shoes
A43B 7/143
Characterised by the location under the foot: situated under the lateral arch, i.e. the cuboid bone