A shoe structure arranged to stimulate predetermined foot reflex points

Abstract

 A shoe structure provided with outsole (4), insole (3) and upper (2), at least its upper (2) comprising at least one relief zone (R) on its inner surface designed to stimulate a reflexologic effect of a specific area or organ of the wearer's body.

Description

[0001] The present invention relates to a shoe structure arranged to stimulate predetermined foot reflex points, which correspond to respective zones and/or specific organs of the human body.

[0002] As it is known, reflex point stimulation can be caused by oscillations or variations of weight or load applied to the lower portion of each foot, which stimulation occurs, e.g. during deambulation. If the lower foot abutting surface, and typically the insole or sole are suitably mapped in relief and/or bas-relief according to appropriate reflexologic criteria, predetermined zones of the foot lower surface are massaged, i.e. they are correspondingly stimulated during deambulation (e.g., normal march, running, tracking, etc.), such a stimulation resulting owing to reflex effect in corresponding functionalities being activated and/or in organs or internal zones of the human body being stimulated to grow, in order to increase the comfort of the person.

[0003] To this purpose, insoles with a layered structure have already been proposed, thereby defining a multiplicity of relieves located according to a pre-established reflexologic mapping. Moreover, while being satisfactory in accomplishing their task of stimulating foot sole portions, such insoles are not suitable for taking advantage of full reflexologic potential of the overall foot, which also affects portions of the foot that differ from the foot sole. In addition, known reflexologic soles or insoles are not exhaustive, in the sense that reflexologic mappings have not been proposed yet onto the insole, which instead are of great interest for the wearer's comfort.

[0004] The main object of the present invention is to provide a shoe structure that is arranged to stimulate a multiplicity of reflex effects, e.g. a vascularization effect, draining effect, endogenous stimulation effect of blast cells, collagen fibres and elastin, an affect on the lymphatic system and various other organs, e.g. the diaphragm, knee, hip, genitals.

[0005] Another object of the present invention is to provide a shoe structure with relief portions located according to a specific configuration for causing at least one relatively simple stimulating effect, such a shoe structure being carried out in various sizes.

[0006] These and other objects, that will better appear below, are obtained through a shoe structure having an upper with an inner and outer surface, and being characterized in that said upper comprises at least one relief on its inner surface, which is designed to stimulate a reflexologic effect of a specific zone of the wearer's body.

[0007] Advantageously, said shoe structure has a sole or insole, which at least partly comprises a plurality of distinct relief zones located according to a specific reflexologic stimulation mapping.

[0008] Further features and advantages of the present invention will better result from the following detailed description of a number of presently preferred embodiments of a shoe structure according to the present invention, given by way of non-limiting examples of carrying out the invention, with reference to the accompanying drawings, in which:

Figure 1 shows a diagrammatic (external) side elevation view of a shoe structure according to the present invention, imagined transparent for clarity;

Figure 2 is a top view of an insole according to the present invention, suitable for the shoe structure of Fig. 1;

Figure 3 illustrates a side view of the insole of Fig. 2;

Figure 4 shows a top view of another embodiment of insole according to the present invention;

Figure 5 illustrates a top view of another embodiment of a insole according to the present invention;

Figure 6 illustrates a top view of a further embodiment of a insole according to the present invention;

Figure 7 is a cross-sectional view, taken along line VII-VII of Fig. 6;

Figure 8 shows a top view of a further embodiment of an insole according to the present invention;

Figure 9 illustrates a side view of the insole of Fig. 8;

Figure 10 is a cross-sectional view, taken along line X-X of Fig. 8;

Figure 11 illustrates a top view of a further embodiment of a insole according to the present invention;

Figure 12 shows a top view of a further embodiment of a insole according to the present invention;

Figure 13 is a side view of the insole of Fig. 12;

Figure 14 is a cross-sectional view, taken along line XIV-XIV of Fig. 12;

Figure 15 shows a front view of an inner portion of a female boot upper, designed to abut against the inner portion of the wearer's foot/leg;

Figure 16 is a side view of the inner portion of the upper shown in Fig. 15;

Figure 17 illustrates a front view of an outer portion of a female boot upper designed to abut against the outer portion of the wearer's foot/leg; and

Figure 18 is a side view of the outer portion of the upper shown in Fig. 17.

[0009] In the accompanying drawings the same or similar parts or components have been indicated with the same reference numerals.

[0010] With reference first to Figure 1, it will be noted that a shoe structure 1 according to the present invention comprises, as conventional in the art, an upper 2, a sole or insole 3, and an outsole 4. Insole 3 can be either fixed to the outsole 4 or removable, e.g. in order to be insertable in a sock or stocking before wearing shoe 1. Upper 2 or insole 3, or both, each comprises, on the inner surface thereof in (direct or indirect) contact with the wearer's foot, one or more relief zones R₁, R₂,..., R_n, each designed to generate massages, during deambulation, of pre-determined points or zones of the upper portion of the foot and/or the foot sole, which, owing to a reflex effect, generate a stimulation at a specific organ area of the wearer's body.

[0011] More particularly, with reference to the embodiment illustrated in Fig. 1, an upper 2 (for male shoe) is provided on the outer side thereof, but at its inner surface, with, e. g., five relief zones, that is:

• a side tapered metatarsal zone R₁, typically projecting about 2 mm from the surface of the upper 2, located close to the insole 3, and acting as a stimulating means for the respective wearer's left shoulder;
• a strip zone R₂ extending on a large portion of the foot neck, typically projecting about 2 mm from the inner surface of the upper, and acting as a stimulating means for wearer's diaphragm, throat lymphatic system, and upper limbs;
• a narrow zone R₃ with a curved upper rim, laterally extending between the rowlock and about the middle of the calcaneal zone, typically projecting about 2 mm from the inner surface of the upper, and acting as a stimulating means for the respective wearer's knee;
• a relatively wide zone R₄, which extends backwards and upwards from the rear portion of the zone R₃ laterally to the calcaneal bone with two thickness, i.e. projecting about 3 mm at the lower portion thereof adjacent to the zone R₃, and about 4 mm at its residual upper portion, and acting as a stimulating means for the genitals; and
• an half-moon zone R₅ at the malleolus, typically projecting about 4 mm from the inner surface of the upper, and acting as a stimulating means for a plurality of reflex zones of the wearer's body, i.e. the inguinal lymphatic system and the hip.

[0012] Figures 2 and 3 illustrate an embodiment of a left female sole or insole 3 comprising a plurality of relief zones, which include a multiplicity of metatarsal zones R_m, e.g. about 2 mm high, and a multiplicity of zones R_p at the plantar arch which are higher than the metatarsal zones, e.g. 3 or 4 mm high.

[0013] Zones R_m comprise a drop-shaped narrow zone R_m1 at the big-toe area, acting as a stimulating means for hypophysis, zones R_m2, R_m3, R_m4, R_m5 spaced from one another along an arched line and acting as a stimulating means for thyroid and lymphatic system, with an opening of the thoracic cistern especially at the zone between R_m3 and R_m4. Zone R_m5 also acts as a stimulating means for thyroid and stomach.

[0014] Zones R_p include a zone R_p1 designed to stimulate, owing to reflex effect, digestive apparatus organs and intestine and a zone Rp₂ designed to stimulate liver and spleen. In particular, zones R_p3, R_p4, and R_p5 are designed to stimulate, respectively, the kidney, ureter, and bladder, or better to stimulate the cortical portion of the adrenal gland, resulting in an inner self-stimulation, which through urea causes corticosteroids, growth hormones, and toxins to be drained. A zone R_p6 for left foot is arranged to stimulate pancreas, whereas for right foot it acts as a stimulating means for stomach and duodenum.

[0015] Zones R_p7 and R_p8 along the inner edge of the insole act as a stimulating means for vertebral column, thereby stimulating bony-cartilaginous- muscular apparatus to grow and develop.

[0016] The insole shown in Fig. 4 is suitable for a football shoe, where the zone R_m1 is designed to stimulate the hypophysis and zones from R_m2 to R_m5 are provided to stimulate the circulatory system, whereas zones of the inner R_pi, central R_pc, and outer R_pe plantar arch act as a stimulating means for pancreas in the left foot or for intestine in the right foot, the drainage of the kidney-ureter-bladder system, and digestive apparatus, respectively.

[0017] Figures 5 to 7 further illustrate two embodiments of an insole 3 for a male shoe, with the mapping of the relief zones being provided for stimulating various organs or functions.

[0018] More particularly, with the insole of Fig. 5 in the zone R_m1, and at the zone underneath adjacent to R_m5 the hypophysis is stimulated, whereas the thyroid, and the lymphatic system at zones from R_m2 to R_m5 are particularly stimulated.

[0019] In relief zones of the plantar arch stimulation of intestine at zone R_p1 is obtained, stimulation of kidney-ureter-bladder at the zone R_p5, stimulation of duodenum at the zone R_p6, and the stimulation of the vertebral column at the edge zone R_p8.

[0020] Similarly, the insole shown Figs. 6 to 14 comprises relief metatarsal zones from R_m1 to R_m5 and plantar arch zones from R_p1 to R_p8 having a different configuration and positioning, although exerting functions similar to those of the zones of the insole in Fig. 2.

[0021] Figures 15 and 16 illustrate an inner portion 20i of a female boot upper, designed to abut, in use, against the inner portion of the wearer's foot/leg, whereas Figures 17 and 18 show an outer portion 20e of a female boot upper, designed to abut against the outer portion of the wearer's foot/leg.

[0022] More particularly, the inner portion 20i is provided with a plurality of relief zones, that is:

• a zone R_10i, typically projecting about 3 mm from the inner surface of the upper, and acting as a stimulating means for the wearer's bladder;
• a zone R_20i typically projecting about 2 mm from the inner surface of the upper, and acting as a stimulating means for the wearer's genitals;
• a zone R_30i typically projecting about 3 mm from the inner surface of the upper, and acting as a stimulating means for the wearer's ovary;
• three zones R_40i typically projecting about 1,5 mm from the inner surface of the upper, and acting as a stimulating means for the wearer's uterus;
• a zone R_50i typically projecting about 4 mm from the inner surface of the upper, and acting as a stimulating means for the wearer's hip joint, lymphatic system and inguen;
• a zone R_60i typically projecting about 2 mm from the inner surface of the upper, and acting as a stimulating means for the abdomen tension; and
• two zones R_70i typically projecting about 2 mm from the inner surface of the upper, and acting as a stimulating means for the wearer's lymphatic circulation, meridians and sciatic nerve.

[0023] The outer portion 20e is provided with a plurality of relief zones, that is:

• a zone R_10e, typically projecting about 2 mm from the inner surface of the upper, and acting as a stimulating means respectively for the wearer's knee joint (lower part), genitals (middle part) and ovary (upper part);
• three zones R_40e typically projecting about 1,5 mm from the inner surface of the upper, and acting, like zones R_40i of Figures 15 and 16, as a stimulating means for the wearer's uterus;
• a zone R_50e typically projecting about 4 mm from the inner surface of the upper, and acting, like zone R_50i of Figures 15 and 16, as a stimulating means for the wearer's hip joint, lymphatic system and inguen;
• a zone R_60e typically projecting about 2 mm from the inner surface of the upper, and acting, like zone R_60i of Figures 15 and 16, as a stimulating means for the abdomen tension; and
• two zones R_70e typically projecting about 2 mm from the inner surface of the upper, and acting, like zones R_70i of Figures 15 and 16, as a stimulating means for the wearer's lymphatic circulation, meridians and sciatic nerve.

[0024] As mentioned above, various relief zones both metatarsal and plantar arch onto the insole 3, as well as zones provided onto the outsole 2 correspond to a respective organ or projected area in the foot by a reflex effect, thereby determining at each step of the shoe wearer a stimulation or active massage of the various relief zones, which stimulates, by reflex effect, the function of a respective organ or area, e.g. from the energetic, circulatory, relaxing, lymphodraining, etc. viewpoint, thereby ontributing to generate a sense of comfort and relax in the wearer.

[0025] The present invention as described above is susceptible to numerous modifications and variations within the scope as defined by the appending claims.

Claims

1. A shoe structure having an outsole (4), an insole (3) and an upper (2) characterized in that at least its upper (2) comprises at least one relief zone (R) on its inner surface designed to stimulate a reflexologic effect of a specific area or organ of the wearer's body.

2. A shoe structure as claimed in claim 1, characterized in that said upper (2) comprises a first side relief metatarsal zone (R₁) located close to said insole (3), a second relief strip zone (R₂) extending on a relatively large portion at a foot knee portion of said upper (2), a third narrow zone (R₃) laterally extending close to a calcaneal zone of said upper (2), a fourth zone (R₄), which extends backwards and upwards in said calcaneal zone from a rear portion of said narrow zone (R₃), and a fifth zone (R₅) at the malleolus.

3. A shoe structure as claimed in claim 1 or 2, characterized in that said insole (3) comprises a plurality of relief metatarsal zones (R_m) and a multiplicity of intermediate zones (R_p) at a zone corresponding to the plantar arch of wearer's foot.

4. A structure as claimed in claim 3, characterized in that said relief metatarsal zones (R_m) comprise a first relief zone (R_m1) at big toe area, and a plurality of relief zones (R_m2, R_m3, R_m4, R_m5) located spaced apart from one another along an arched line.

5. A structure as claimed in claim 3 or 4, characterized in that said intermediate relief zones comprise at least one first side zone (R_p1) designed to stimulate owing to reflex effect digestive apparatus organs and intestine, an intermediate zone (R_p5) designed to stimulate kidneys, ureter, and bladder, and a second side zone (R_p6) arranged to stimulate pancreas, for a left foot, whereas for a right foot it acts to stimulate stomach and/or duodenum.

6. A shoe structure as claimed in claim 5, characterized in that it further comprises at least one further intermediate zone (R_p3, R_p4) adjacent to said intermediate zone (R_p5), arranged to stimulate a cortical portion of adrenal gland.

7. A shoe structure as claimed in claim 5 or 6, characterized in that it comprises relief intermediate zones (R_p7, R_p8) along an inner edge of said insole, adapted to stimulate vertebral column.

8. A shoe upper characterized in that it comprises a plurality of relief zones projecting from an inner surface thereof and acting as a reflexologic stimulating means for the wearer's foot.

9. An upper as claimed in claim 8, characterized in that it comprises a first relief side metatarsal zone (R₁) located close to said insole (3), a second relief strip zone (R₂) extending on a portion of the area corresponding to foot knee, a third narrow zone (R₃) laterally extending close to the calcaneal zone, a fourth zone (R₄) which extends backwards and upwards from the rear position of said zone (R₃) in said calcaneal zone, and a fifth zone (R₅) at a malleolus area.

10. An upper as claimed in claim 8, characterized in that it comprises an inner portion (20i) and an outer portion (20e) arranged to abut, respectively, against inner and outer portions of wearer's foot/leg.

11. An upper as claimed in claim 10, characterized in that said inner portion (20i) comprises at least one zone (R_10i) arranged to stimulate the wearer's bladder, at least one zone (R_20i) arranged to stimulate the wearer's genitals, at least one zone (R_30i) arranged to stimulate the wearer's ovary, at least one zone (R_40i) arranged to stimulate the wearer's uterus, at least one zone (R_50i) arranged to stimulate the wearer's hip joint, lymphatic system and inguen, at least one zone (R_60i) arranged to stimulate the abdomen tension, and at least one zone (R_70i) arranged to stimulate the wearer's lymphatic circulation, meridians and the sciatic nerve.

12. An upper as claimed in claim 10, characterized in that said outer portion (20e) comprises at least one zone (R_10e) arranged to stimulate the wearer's knee joint, genitals and ovary, at least one zone (R_40e) arranged to stimulate the wearer's uterus, at least one zone (R_50i) arranged to stimulate the wearer's hip joint, lymphatic system and inguen, at least one zone (R_60i) arranged to stimulate the abdomen tension, and at least one zone (R_70i) arranged to stimulate the wearer's lymphatic circulation, meridians and the sciatic nerve.

13. A shoe insole characterized in that it comprises relief intermediate zones corresponding to the plantar arch, which include at least a first side zone (R_p1) designed to stimulate, by a reflex effect, digestive apparatus organs and intestine, an intermediate zone (R_p5) designed to stimulate kidney, ureter, and bladder, and a second side zone (R_p6) provided to stimulate pancreas, for a left foot, and to stimulate stomach and/or duodenum, for a right foot.

14. An insole as claimed in claim 13, characterized in that it further comprises at least one intermediate zone (R_p3, R_p4) adjacent to said intermediate zone (R_p5) arranged to stimulate the cortical portion of adrenal gland.

15. An insole as claimed in claim 13 or 14, characterized in that it comprises intermediate relief zones (R_p7, R_p8) along an inner edge thereof, arranged to stimulate the vertebral column.

Drawing