(19)
(11) EP 2 769 634 B1

(12) EUROPEAN PATENT SPECIFICATION

(45) Mention of the grant of the patent:
05.07.2017 Bulletin 2017/27

(21) Application number: 13156394.2

(22) Date of filing: 22.02.2013
(51) International Patent Classification (IPC): 
A43B 7/14(2006.01)
A43B 17/02(2006.01)

(54)

Shoe insole

Schuh-Innensohle

Semelle de chaussure


(84) Designated Contracting States:
AL AT BE BG CH CY CZ DE DK EE ES FI FR GB GR HR HU IE IS IT LI LT LU LV MC MK MT NL NO PL PT RO RS SE SI SK SM TR

(43) Date of publication of application:
27.08.2014 Bulletin 2014/35

(73) Proprietor: Kitagawa, Hiroyuki
Sapporo-shi, Hokkaido 001-0908 (JP)

(72) Inventor:
  • Kitagawa, Hiroyuki
    Sapporo-shi, Hokkaido 001-0908 (JP)

(74) Representative: Plougmann Vingtoft a/s 
Rued Langgaards Vej 8
2300 Copenhagen S
2300 Copenhagen S (DK)


(56) References cited: : 
US-A- 2 423 622
US-A- 5 170 572
US-A1- 2013 167 403
US-A- 2 426 735
US-A1- 2007 033 834
   
       
    Note: Within nine months from the publication of the mention of the grant of the European patent, any person may give notice to the European Patent Office of opposition to the European patent granted. Notice of opposition shall be filed in a written reasoned statement. It shall not be deemed to have been filed until the opposition fee has been paid. (Art. 99(1) European Patent Convention).


    Description

    BACKGROUND OF THE INVENTION


    Field of the Invention



    [0001] The present invention relates to a shoe insole. More particularly, the present invention relates to a shoe insole supporting a sole at three points thereof, so that a stable center of gravity and suitable movements are made possible.

    Description of the Related Art



    [0002] Although some shoe insoles are used mainly for deodorizing and comforting purposes, a shoe insole of the present invention is considering of balancing to keep a right position and adjust a center of gravity for functional movements.

    [0003] When foot joints are distorted, skeletal, muscular, and nervous systems may adversely be affected. Skeletal systems are affected, such that when basal foot joints are distorted, differences in heights will be made to the right and left pelvises, which may subsequently cause scoliosis to a backbone. The scoliosis of a backbone may cause a variety of systemic impairments, such as neurological disorders, blood circulation failure, visceral disorders and the like.

    [0004] Muscular systems are affected, such that when foot joints are distorted, standing in a relaxed manner will be impossible, since muscles are overworking to compensate the unbalance. Therefore, muscles are always tensed and thereby lactic acid, which is a fatigue substance, is accumulated to cause fatigue. If such the situation is persisted, muscles are cured, blood circulation failure is occurred, and finally chronic stiff shoulder and headache may be induced.

    [0005] Nervous systems are affected, such that when a backbone is distorted, subsequently nerves are compressed. Such compression may cause disability of neurotransmission, since nerves run from a backbone through a whole body. Moreover, when a backbone is distorted, organs will also be compressed, and thereby visceral disorders may also be induced. If such uncomfortableness is persisted, stresses will be accumulated, and then the chronic stresses will cause an unbalance between sympathetic nerves and parasympathetic nerves, which may affect to hormonal secretion.

    [0006] Fig. 2 illustrates adverse effects caused by distortions of basal foot joints.

    [0007] 

    [Patent Literature 1] Japanese Unexamined Patent Application No. 9-140405

    [Patent Literature 2] Japanese Unexamined Patent Application No. 2000-166604.



    [0008] Document US2423622-A discloses an insole for improving a balance function having convex portions at the first metatarsal sesamoid and the fifth metatarsal tuberosity.

    SUMMARY OF THE INVENTION



    [0009] It is an object of the present invention to provide an insole by which suitable movements and a stable balance are made possible. For this object, an insole of the present invention is completed by considering skeletons, foot joint movements, and a center of gravity when feet are grounded, so that a three point balance in which a first metatarsal sesamoid bone, a tuberosity of fifth metatarsal bone, and a calcaneal tuberosity are used as supporting points is constituted.

    [0010] An object of the insole described in the Patent Literature 1 is to prevent hallux valgus. The insole has concave and convex portions to fix a foot in a shoe without movements, and thereby hallux valgus will be prevented.

    [0011] However, in the insole described in the Patent Literature 1, structures of foot joints are not considered, and the insole is not designed to support particular sites, and allow suitable movements.

    [0012] An object of the insole described in the Patent Literature 2 is to correct flat foot. In the insole, a circular evaluated member is placed in a middle nortion thereof to raise a navicular bone and cuneiform bones to correct flat foot.

    [0013] However, as with the Patent Literature 1, in the insole described in the Patent Literature 2, structures of foot joints are not considered, and it is not designed to support particular sites, and does not allow suitable movements.

    [0014] The present invention provides a shoe insole according to claim 1.

    [0015] An insole of the present invention has a planar contour shape whose outer edge is fitted along with an edge of the inside of a shoe, so that the insole can be on a certain position when placed into the shoe. A three-dimensional shape of the insole has convex portions on particular positions. The convex portions are located on positions that support a first metatarsal sesamoid bone, a tuberosity of fifth metatarsal bone, and a calcaneal tuberosity from a sole side. This three point balance is most preferable, since it is the most stable manner of support as shown by tripod stands. According to the present invention, sequential disabilities caused by distortions of basal foot joints can be eliminated.

    [0016] According to the present invention, a shoe insole, which supports a sole at three points thereof, so that a stable center of gravity and suitable movements are made possible can be provided.

    [0017] In particular, the shoe insole can improve functional movements as it supports a sole at appropriate positions for three point balancing, which stabilizes a center of gravity and keeps a right position. In addition, an insole of the present invention can eliminate sequential disabilities caused by distortions of basal foot joints.

    BRIEF DESCRIPTION OF THE DRAWINGS



    [0018] 

    Fig. 1 is a plan view illustrating bones of a right sole.

    Fig. 2 is a schematic drawing illustrating adverse effects caused by distortions of foot joints.

    Fig. 3 is a backside view comparing positions of convex portions on a right insole and positions of bones of a right sole.

    Fig. 4 is a cross sectional view illustrating a lateral face and a three-dimensional shape of a right insol.

    Fig. 5 is a plan view which is layered a plan view of right insole and a plan view of bones of a right sole.

    Fig. 6 is a plan view illustrating a right insole.

    Fig. 7 is a side view illustrating a right insole.

    Fig. 8 is a cross-section view of Fig. 7 along the line H-H.


    DETAILED DESCRIPTION OF THE PREFERRED EMBODIMENTS



    [0019] Hereinafter, an embodiment of an insole according to the present invention will be explained by reference to the figures.

    [0020] Although Figures 1 and 3 show bones of a right sole and an insole for a right sole, bones of a left sole and an insole for a left sole are mirror image objects.

    [0021] A shoe insole of the present invention is to improve functional movements by improving a standing position and adjusting a center of gravity, and thus the insole is suitable not only for shoes routinely used, but also for functional shoes used on sports and the like.

    [0022] Firstly, a skeletal structure of a foot will be explained to subsequently explain an embodiment of an insole of the present invention, regarding a structure, a function, and an action of the insole. Fig. 1 is a plan view illustrating a skeletal structure of a sole. This drawing is viewed from a bottom side.

    [0023] Fig. 3 shows the shoe insole 10 having characteristic portions to stabilize a center of gravity by a three point balance. In the insole 10, the first metatarsal sesamoid bone contacting portion (convex portion) 21 contacts with the first metatarsal sesamoid bone 11; the tuberosity of fifth metatarsal bone contacting portion (convex portion) 22 contacts with the tuberosity of fifth metatarsal bone 12; and the calcaneal tuberosity contacting portion (convex portion) 23 contacts with the calcaneal tuberosity 13, respectively.

    [0024] The insole 10 has a laminated structure consisting of the three layers, that is, the surface material layer 31, which is on a side with which a foot contacts; the middle base member layer 32; and the posting member layer 33, which is on a side with which a shoe contacts. Because shapes of feet are varied depending on individuals who use the insole, a thickness of each of portions can be made different each other, by changing a thickness of each of portions in the posting member layer 33.

    [0025] For a general-purpose, several kinds of the insole 10 can be prepared in advance corresponding to common foot shapes. Also, to make unevenness on a surface material, attachable and detachable separated convex members can be fitted on a surface of a flat insole that is prepared in advance, or convex members can be fitted on a middle layer in a plurality of layers.

    [0026] As particularly shown in Figures 3 and 4, the insole 10 itself can easily be deformed to make it movable, and also it has a characteristic uneven structure in which the convex portions 21, 22, and 23 are formed on particular sites. The convex portions 21, 22, and 23 located on particular sites may be formed by separated convex members.

    [0027] The present invention provides an insole that is restrained from moving and fitted on inside of a shoe to support a sole, in which a surface or a rear surface of the insole has convex portions to keep a three point balance when the insole is restrained from moving in the shoe. The convex portions support three points so that a center of gravity can be stabilized.

    [0028] The present invention provides an insole that is restrained from moving and fitted on the inside of a shoe to support a sole, and the insole has a shape in which a surface of the insole functions to keep a three point balance on a sole when the insole is restrained from moving in the shoe, and thereby gives a functional stress to a sole, and in which each of which three points corresponds to a first metatarsal sesamoid bone, a tuberosity of fifth metatarsal bone, and a calcaneal tuberosity respectively.

    [0029] The insole 10 has a flat surface portion that contacts with a shoe on which the insole 10 is fitted, and the flat surface portion is located on a surface opposite to where the convex portions are provided, and the flat surface portion is allowed to be deformed by the convex portions.

    [0030] Meanwhile, as described in Figs. 6, 7, and 8, circular concave portions 21a, 22a, and 23a may be shaped in center of convex portions 21, 22, and 23.

    [0031] As detailed above, a shoe insole of the present invention can improve functional movements as it supports a sole at appropriate positions for three point balancing, which stabilizes a center of gravity and keeps a right position. In particular, an insole of the present invention can eliminate sequential disabilities caused by distortions of basal foot joints.

    [0032] Although the particular structures have shown to explain the present invention in the embodiments described above, it is clear that partial modifications and the like can be made to the present invention.

    [Reference Signs List]



    [0033] 
    10.
    Insole
    11.
    First metatarsal sesamoid bone
    12.
    Tuberosity of fifth metatarsal bone
    13.
    Calcaneal tuberosity
    21.
    First metatarsal sesamoid bone contacting portion (convex portion)
    22.
    Tuberosity of fifth metatarsal bone contacting portion (convex portion)
    23.
    Calcaneal tuberosity contacting portion (convex portion)
    21a, 22a, 23a.
    concave portions



    Claims

    1. An insole (10) suitable to be fitted and restrained from moving inside a shoe as an inner sole to support the sole of a person wearing the shoe, which insole (10) comprises a shape enabling that a surface of the insole functions to keep a three support point balance of said person's sole and thereby gives a functional stress to said sole, wherein each of which three points corresponds to a first metatarsal sesamoid bone, a tuberosity of fifth metatarsal bone, and a calcaneal tuberosity respectively, wherein said three points being a convex portion contacting with the first metatarsal sesamoid bone (21); a convex portion contacting with the tuberosity of fifth metatarsal bone (22); and a convex portion contacting with the calcaneal tuberosity (23).
     
    2. The insole according to Claim 1 wherein concave portions are shaped in the center of the convex portions.
     


    Ansprüche

    1. Brandsohle (10), die geeignet ist, als Innensohle zur Unterstützung der Fußsohle einer den Schuh tragenden Person in das Innere eines Schuhs eingelegt und daran gehindert zu werden, sich darin zu bewegen, wobei die Brandsohle (10) eine Form umfasst, die es ermöglicht, dass eine Fläche der Brandsohle dazu dient, eine Dreipunkt-Unterstützung der Fußsohle der Personen aufrechtzuerhalten und so der Fußsohle einen funktionalen Druck zu vermitteln, wobei jeder der drei Punkte einem Sesambein des Metatarsale I, einer Tuberositas des Metatarsale V bzw. einer Tuberositas des Fersenbeins entspricht,
    wobei die drei Punkte einen konvexen Abschnitt, der mit dem Sesambein des Metatarsale I (21) in Berührung ist, einen konvexen Abschnitt, der mit der Tuberositas des Metatarsale V (22) in Berührung ist, und einen konvexen Abschnitt, der mit der Tuberositas des Fersenbeins (23) in Berührung ist, darstellen.
     
    2. Brandsohle nach Abschnitt 1, wobei die konkaven Abschnitte im Zentrum der konvexen Abschnitte ausgebildet sind.
     


    Revendications

    1. Semelle intérieure (10) appropriée pour être adaptée et immobilisée à l'intérieur d'une chaussure en tant que semelle intérieure pour soutenir la plante de pied d'une personne portant la chaussure, ladite semelle intérieure (10) comprenant une forme permettant qu'une surface de la semelle intérieure fonctionne de manière à maintenir un équilibre sur trois points de support de la plante de pied de ladite personne et applique ainsi une contrainte fonctionnelle sur ladite plante de pied, dans laquelle chacun des trois points correspond respectivement à un os sésamoïde du premier métatarsien, une tubérosité du cinquième métatarsien et une tubérosité du calcanéum,
    dans laquelle lesdits trois points sont une portion convexe en contact avec l'os sésamoïde du premier métatarsien (21) ; une portion convexe en contact avec la tubérosité du cinquième métatarsien (22) ; et une portion convexe en contact avec la tubérosité du calcanéum (23).
     
    2. La semelle intérieure selon la revendication 1, dans laquelle des portions concaves sont formées dans le centre des portions convexes.
     




    Drawing


























    Cited references

    REFERENCES CITED IN THE DESCRIPTION



    This list of references cited by the applicant is for the reader's convenience only. It does not form part of the European patent document. Even though great care has been taken in compiling the references, errors or omissions cannot be excluded and the EPO disclaims all liability in this regard.

    Patent documents cited in the description