US4571857A
Expired / Lapsed
US
⏱️ 0.0 years remaining
Plastic foot support with reinforcing struts
Assignee: Individual
•
Filing: 1984-05-07
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Granted: 1986-02-25
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Expires: 2004-05-07
Abstract
Abstract Foot supports for use in footwear are molded in polypropylene sheet and include a network of longitudinal and transverse reinforcing ribs integrally molded with the support and extending across an arch-supporting area thereof, the ribs resisting stresses on the support during wear and maintaining the shape of the support without adversely affecting its resilience. The supports can be shaped to an individual's foot by heating in boiling water.
Inventors
- 👤 Rigoberto Castellanos
Bibliographic Details
Application Number
—
Jurisdiction
US
Data Source
google_patents
Last Synchronized
2026-11-05 09:31
CPC Classifications
A; A43; A43B; A43B7/00; A43B7/14; A43B7/1405; A43B7/1415; A43B7/142; A43B7/144; A43B7/1445; A43B7/1455; A43B7/146; A43B7/22
Claims Analysis
Total Claims: 6
Claim 1
Independent Claim
118 words
A foot support for use in an article of footwear comprising a sheet of molded polypropylene plastic shaped to fit the foot and having a heel area, a metatarsal area, and an arch area with an elevated arch-supporting section between and merging into the heel and metatarsal area, the support being formed with integral reinforcing ribs extending at least across the arch-supporting section of the arch area, wherein the ribs include longitudinal reinforcing ribs spaced from longitudinal edges of the support, criss-cross reinforcing ribs extending between the longitudinal ribs, and longitudinal series of intersecting semi-circular reinforcing ribs along the longitudinal edges of the support the ends of each semi-circular rib terminating at the respective edge of the support.
Claim 2
Dependent Claim
118 words
A foot support for use in an article of footwear comprising a sheet of molded polypropylene plastic shaped to fit the foot and having a heel area, a metatarsal area, and an arch area with an elevated arch-supporting section between and merging into the heel and metatarsal area, the support being formed with integral reinforcing ribs extending at least across the arch-supporting section of the arch area, wherein the ribs include longitudinal reinforcing ribs spaced from longitudinal edges of the support, criss-cross reinforcing ribs extending between the longitudinal ribs, and longitudinal series of intersecting semi-circular reinforcing ribs along the longitudinal edges of the support the ends of each semi-circular rib terminating at the respective edge of the support.
Claim 3
Dependent Claim
38 words
The invention of claim 1 wherein the heel area of the support has an opening in the molded plastic sheet and the support includes a heel pad secured on the upper surface of the sheet over the opening.
Claim 4
Dependent Claim
15 words
The invention of claim 1 wherein the support has a projection on the metatarsal area.
Claim 5
Dependent Claim
133 words
A lightweight resilient foot-supporting inlay for footwear and the like comprising a polypropylene sheet having a heel area, a metatarsal area, and an arch-supporting area between and merging into the heel area and metatarsal area, the support being formed with a network of reinforcing ribs across the arch-supporting area molded integrally with the polypropylene sheet for resisting stresses imposed on the support during wear and maintaining the shape of the support without adversely affecting the resilience thereof, wherein the ribs include longitudinal reinforcing ribs spaced from longitudinal edges of the support, criss-cross reinforcing ribs extending between the longitudinal ribs, and longitudinal series of intersecting semi-circular reinforcing ribs along the longitudinal edges of the support, and wherein the inlay is molded to fit a user's foot after heating by immersion in a heated liquid.
Claim 6
Dependent Claim
133 words
A lightweight resilient foot-supporting inlay for footwear and the like comprising a polypropylene sheet having a heel area, a metatarsal area, and an arch-supporting area between and merging into the heel area and metatarsal area, the support being formed with a network of reinforcing ribs across the arch-supporting area molded integrally with the polypropylene sheet for resisting stresses imposed on the support during wear and maintaining the shape of the support without adversely affecting the resilience thereof, wherein the ribs include longitudinal reinforcing ribs spaced from longitudinal edges of the support, criss-cross reinforcing ribs extending between the longitudinal ribs, and longitudinal series of intersecting semi-circular reinforcing ribs along the longitudinal edges of the support, and wherein the inlay is molded to fit a user's foot after heating by immersion in a heated liquid.
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USPTO Annuity & Maintenance Windows
| Annuity Stage | Window Opens | Payment Deadline | Surcharge Period Until | Estimated Fee | Status |
|---|---|---|---|---|---|
| 3.5 Years (Year 4) | 1989-02-24 | 1989-08-26 | 1990-02-25 | $2000.00 | Window Closed / Lapsed |
| 7.5 Years (Year 8) | 1993-02-24 | 1993-08-26 | 1994-02-25 | $3760.00 | Window Closed / Lapsed |
| 11.5 Years (Year 12) | 1997-02-24 | 1997-08-26 | 1998-02-25 | $7700.00 | Window Closed / Lapsed |