US4222182A
Expired / Lapsed
US
⏱️ 0.0 years remaining
Shoe insole
Assignee: Individual
•
Filing: 1979-02-21
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Granted: 1980-09-16
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Expires: 1999-02-21
Abstract
Abstract A shoe insole that will allow plantar flexion of the wearer's foot in an upward direction but will inhibit such flexion in a downward direction past a normal horizontal condition. The insole includes a rigid first member that extends from a toe end to a rear edge situated midway between the heel and toe of the wearer's foot. A flexible second member overlies the first rigid member and is hinged thereto at a transverse edge located between the toe and rear edge of the first plate. The second plate will flex upwardly in response to plantar flexion of the wearer's foot but will engage the first rigid member and resist further downward movement as the foot flexes downwardly beyond a normal horizontal extended condition. The members are positioned within the shoe by a sole-shaped pad.
Inventors
- 👤 David G. Sears
Bibliographic Details
Application Number
—
Jurisdiction
US
Data Source
google_patents
Last Synchronized
2026-11-08 07:39
CPC Classifications
A; A43; A43B; A43B5/00; A43B5/14; A43B13/00; A43B13/38; A43B13/41
Claims Analysis
Total Claims: 13
Claim 1
Independent Claim
186 words
In a shoe insole: an elongated plate extending from a toe end to a heel end and having transverse hinge means positioned between its toe end and heel end for allowing plantar flexion of the plate in one direction about a transverse hinge axis and for limiting the angular amount of such flexion in the opposite direction; said plate comprising: a first member extending from the toe end of the plate to a back edge formed across the first member at a location between said transverse hinge means and the heel end of the plate; and a second member overlying the first member, said second member extending from the toe end to the heel end of the plate and being fixed relative to the first member at a location between the toe end of the plate and the hinge axis; whereby the heel end of the second member is free to pivot apart from the back edge of the first member in one direction about the hinge axis, while its pivotal movement in the opposite direction is angularly limited by abutting engagement of the first member.
Claim 2
Dependent Claim
186 words
In a shoe insole: an elongated plate extending from a toe end to a heel end and having transverse hinge means positioned between its toe end and heel end for allowing plantar flexion of the plate in one direction about a transverse hinge axis and for limiting the angular amount of such flexion in the opposite direction; said plate comprising: a first member extending from the toe end of the plate to a back edge formed across the first member at a location between said transverse hinge means and the heel end of the plate; and a second member overlying the first member, said second member extending from the toe end to the heel end of the plate and being fixed relative to the first member at a location between the toe end of the plate and the hinge axis; whereby the heel end of the second member is free to pivot apart from the back edge of the first member in one direction about the hinge axis, while its pivotal movement in the opposite direction is angularly limited by abutting engagement of the first member.
Claim 3
Dependent Claim
24 words
The apparatus set out in claim 1, further comprising: means mounted to the plate for locating it along the inner sole of a shoe.
Claim 4
Dependent Claim
38 words
The apparatus as set out in claim 1 wherein the second member is more flexible than the first member whereby it is enabled to bend in said one direction relative to the first member across the transverse axis.
Claim 5
Dependent Claim
62 words
The apparatus as set out in claim 1 wherein the second member is more flexible than the first member and is secured in surface-to-surface engagement with the first member from the location of the hinge axis to the toe end of the plate, whereby it is enabled to bend in said one direction relative to the first member across the transverse axis.
Claim 6
Dependent Claim
31 words
The apparatus as set out in claim 1 further comprising: a pad means fixed to and overlying said second member for locating the plate along the inner sole of a shoe.
Claim 7
Dependent Claim
54 words
The apparatus as set out in claim 1 further comprising: a pad means fixed to and overlying said second member for locating the plate along the inner sole of a shoe, said pad means being a sheet of resilient shock absorbent material having a peripheral shape complementary to the shape of the inner sole.
Claim 8
Dependent Claim
90 words
The apparatus as set out in claim 1 further comprising: a pad means fixed to and overlying said second member for locating the plate along the inner sole of a shoe, said pad means being a sheet of resilient shock absorbent material having a peripheral shape complementary to the shape of the inner sole and having a toe end and heel end at opposite ends thereof; the toe and heel end of said plate being spaced longitudinally inward from the respective toe end and heel end of said pad means.
Claim 9
Dependent Claim
170 words
An insole for a shoe having a flexible inner sole extending from a toe end to a heel end, comprising: a first flat relatively rigid plate member extending from a toe end to a transverse back edge; a second flat relatively flexible plate member overlying said first member and extending from a toe end to a heel end; said second member being located on said first member with their respective toe ends coincident, and with the heel end of said second member extended beyond the back edge of said first member; said first and second members being secured to one another in surface-to-surface engagement about an area extending from their toe ends to a transverse line located between the ends of the second member; whereby the second member is free to flex apart from the back edge of the first member between said transverse line and its heel end in one direction, while its ability to flex in the opposite direction is limited by abutting engagement of the first member.
Claim 10
Dependent Claim
170 words
An insole for a shoe having a flexible inner sole extending from a toe end to a heel end, comprising: a first flat relatively rigid plate member extending from a toe end to a transverse back edge; a second flat relatively flexible plate member overlying said first member and extending from a toe end to a heel end; said second member being located on said first member with their respective toe ends coincident, and with the heel end of said second member extended beyond the back edge of said first member; said first and second members being secured to one another in surface-to-surface engagement about an area extending from their toe ends to a transverse line located between the ends of the second member; whereby the second member is free to flex apart from the back edge of the first member between said transverse line and its heel end in one direction, while its ability to flex in the opposite direction is limited by abutting engagement of the first member.
Claim 11
Dependent Claim
28 words
An insole as set out in claim 8, further comprising: means mounted to said first and second members for locating them along the inner sole of a shoe.
Claim 12
Dependent Claim
43 words
An insole as set out in claim 8, further comprising: a pad fixed to and overlying the second member, said pad having a toe end and a heel end extending outward beyond the respective toe end and heel end of said second member.
Claim 13
Dependent Claim
17 words
An insole as set out in claim 8 wherein the second member is formed of spring steel.
References Cited (Backward Citations)
USPTO Annuity & Maintenance Windows
| Annuity Stage | Window Opens | Payment Deadline | Surcharge Period Until | Estimated Fee | Status |
|---|---|---|---|---|---|
| 3.5 Years (Year 4) | 1983-09-16 | 1984-03-17 | 1984-09-16 | $2000.00 | Window Closed / Lapsed |
| 7.5 Years (Year 8) | 1987-09-16 | 1988-03-17 | 1988-09-16 | $3760.00 | Window Closed / Lapsed |
| 11.5 Years (Year 12) | 1991-09-16 | 1992-03-17 | 1992-09-16 | $7700.00 | Window Closed / Lapsed |