Supportive shoe and insert

A shoe insert to provide increased support during the third trimester of pregnancy comprising a flexible pad adapted to extend substantially beneath the entire foot from heel to toe, said pad including foot support means integral therewith and comprising respective areas of greater rigidity than the rest of said flexible pad, said areas of greater rigidity comprising a substantially inflexible area of maximum support in the heel with continuous areas of gradually diminishing rigidity extending from said heel area to an area of moderate flexibility and support in the arch, an additional area of moderate flexibility and support extending under the little toe and ball, and an area of substantial rigidity and support extending under the big toe and ball.

A shoe for providing increased support during the first and second trimesters of pregnancy comprising an upper attached to a sole portion having a heel, arch and toe areas, said sole being flexible and including foot support means integral therewith and comprising a flexible pad adapted to extend substantially beneath the entire foot from heel to toe, said pad having integrated therewith foot support means comprising areas of greater rigidity than the rest of said flexible pad, said foot support means comprising a substantially inflexible area of maximum support in the arch and individual areas of moderate flexibility and support (1) in the heel, (2) extending from the arch area of maximum support toward the heel and toes, and (3) extending from the big and little toes under their respective ball areas.

A shoe for providing increased support during the third trimester of pregnancy comprising an upper attached to a sole portion having heel, arch and toe areas, said sole being flexible and including foot support means integral therewith and comprising a flexible pad adapted to extend substantially beneath the entire foot from heel to toe, said pad including foot support means integral therewith and comprising respective areas of greater rigidity than the rest of said flexible pad, said areas of greater rigidity comprising a substantially inflexible area of maximum support in the heel with continuous areas of gradually diminishing rigidity extending from said heel area to an area of moderate flexibility and support in the arch, an additional area of moderate flexibility and support extending under the little toe and ball, and an area of substantial rigidity and support extending under the big toe and ball.

A method for providing increased foot support during pregnancy which comprises providing during the first and second trimesters of pregnancy a pad or insole for a shoe having maximum support and rigidity in the arch and moderate rigidity and support in the heel, the areas of the big and little toes and their respective balls, and extending from the arch toward the toes and heel;

• and during the third trimester of pregnancy providing a pad or insole for a shoe having maximum support and rigidity in the area of the big toe and ball and in the heel extending to an area of moderate support and rigidity in the arch, and an area of moderate rigidity and support under the little toe and ball, with substantially inflexible counter means provided around the heel.