Orthotic insert and method or making of the same
AssigneeNorthwest Podiatric Laboratories, Inc.
InventorDennis N. Brown
Life of this patent
Estimating the term…
Abstract
An orthotic appliance adapted to be placed in an article of footwear which includes; a first upper, relatively flexible blank portion and an underlying rigid cap portion. The cap portion has upwardly extending side walls along the side portions of the orthotic. A relatively resilient and flexible pad portion and a moldable insert are positioned intermediate the blank and cap portions. The orthotic being characterized in that the orthotic restrains outward expansion of side portions of the foot while cushioning impact upon initial ground contact, and with the foot terminating ground contact, resiliency of the insert aids departure of the foot from ground contact.
Claims20
A substantially unitary orthotic adapted to be placed in an article of footwear, said orthotic having a longitudinal center axis parallel to a lengthwise portion of a foot for which the orthotic is used, a transverse axis, a front portion, a rear portion and two side portions, said orthotic comprising:
- a. a first upper relatively flexible blank portion extending laterally across a plantar area of said foot and extending longitudinally from a heel portion of the foot to at least a metatarsal head of said foot;
- b. a second lower relatively rigid cap portion positioned below said first blank portion and extending from the heel portion of the foot to a location rearwardly of a metatarsal joint of said foot, and also extending laterally across the plantar area, said cap portion having upwardly extending side walls along at least the side portions of the orthotic;
- c. a moldable insert positioned intermediate said blank portion and said cup portion and comprising at least a rear heel portion positioned at a rear portion of the heel of the foot, and at least one side portion positioned at an inside side portion of the orthotic;
- d. a relatively flexible and resilient pad portion having a rear heel portion underlying a middle heel portion of the foot, and a forward portion underlying a forward portion of the foot located rearwardly of the metatarsal joint;
- e. said orthotic being characterized in that said insert is molded to conform to contours of the foot;
- f. said orthotic being characterized in that the orthotic is relatively flexible along said longitudinal center axis in that the side portions of the orthotic can deflect moderately outwardly, and also deflect upwardly and inwardly to cradle the person's foot when weight is being taken off the foot;
- whereby upon initial ground contact the side portions of the orthotic restrain outward expansion of side portions of the foot, while the orthotic cushions initial impact, and with the foot terminating ground contact, resiliency of the insert aids departure of the foot from ground contact.
Dependencies are inferred from the claim text.