Patent ID: 6345455
Filing Date: 2002-02-12
Classification: A61F

Abstract:
A foot support orthosis including an arch curvature being self-adjustable during use, the foot support orthosis being fittable underneath the foot and being sized and shaped to be removably placed proximal a foot supporting surface of a shoe, a sandal, and/or a boot covering the foot of a user, the foot support orthosis comprising:an orthosis being sized for support of the foot from underneath about the metatarsal bones of the foot, to underneath about the calcaneus bone of the foot, said orthosis having a first surface being contoured for support of the foot, having a second surface being downwardly faced for contact with the foot supporting surface of the shoe, and having a medial side and a lateral side on opposed sides of a central longitudinal axis of said orthosis; a forefoot portion of said first surface being arcuately shaped to be positionable underneath the metatarsal bones of the foot; a heel portion of said first surface being arcuately shaped to be positionable underneath the calcaneus bone of the foot; and a medial longitudinal arch curve proximate said medial side of said orthosis, said medial longitudinal arch curve being shaped to be positionable underneath the arch of the foot, said medial longitudinal arch curve having an upper surface being curved upwardly between said forefoot portion and said heel portion, said medial longitudinal arch curve including: an anterior slope being inclined from said upper surface of said medial longitudinal arch curve toward said forefoot portion of said orthosis; a posterior slope being inclined from said upper surface of said medial longitudinal arch curve toward said heel portion of said orthosis; and a medial slope being inclined from said upper surface of said medial longitudinal arch curve toward said lateral side of said orthosis; and a plurality of extensions along said medial longitudinal arch curve, said plurality of extensions having sides being separated by a plurality of incisions along said medial longitudinal arch curve, each of said plurality of extensions having interior ends being disposed in an arched curve along a length dimension of said medial side, said plurality of incisions including being originated along said medial side of said medial longitudinal arch curve, said plurality of incisions being extended a pre-selected distance along said medial longitudinal arch curve; whereby said sides of said plurality of extensions being forced together during each foot-strike by force being transferred by the foot of the user from said heel portion and onto said medial longitudinal arch curve of said orthosis, thereby collapsing the height of said medial longitudinal arch curve until said plurality of extensions contact each other, with each of said plurality of extensions flexibly rebounded to the unweighted position by force being transferred by the foot of the user from said medial longitudinal arch curve and onto said forefoot portion of said orthosis during each foot-strike by the user while wearing said orthosis.