Abstract:
An orthotic foot support construction having a sole, an orthotic unit for a foot of the wearer, a propulsion component adhered to the sole and located to provide upward propulsion of the forefoot of the foot support wearer in response to forefoot pressure on the component, and a covering for cooperating with the sole to provide a unitary construction. The orthotic foot support construction may be custom-made with the orthotic unit especially prescribed.

Description:
CROSS REFERENCE TO RELATED APPLICATIONS 
     Not applicable. 
     STATEMENT REGARDING FEDERALLY SPONSORED RESEARCH OR DEVELOPMENT 
     Not applicable. 
     REFERENCE TO MICROFICHE APPENDIX 
     Not applicable. 
     BACKGROUND OF THE INVENTION 
     1. Field of the Invention 
     The present invention relates generally to footwear and specifically to custom-made footwear incorporating orthotics and foot orthotics. 
     2. Background Art 
     In the cycle of normal walking, there are two phases, a stance phase and a swing phase. The stance phase occurs when a person is standing on their feet, and the swing phase is when the person brings his/her leg forward to take another step, etc. The stance phase is in three parts—the initial heel contact, the full plantar, and thirdly the propulsion, sending the walker forward. 
     The use of custom made orthotics—inserts for shoes; orthopedic shoes for helping certain foot problems; shoe modifications in the form of heel built-ups; and rocker-type bottoms for shoes; and custom sandals, as examples of solving certain orthopedic problems are well known in this field. Applicant has personally developed and manufactured custom-made orthotics in this field as shown in U.S. Pat. Nos. 5,787,608 and 5,976,100. 
     However, to applicant&#39;s knowledge, no one has addressed the total problem of enhancing the stance phase of personal walking in the specialized field of custom-made orthotic foot support constructions, and in orthotics, sandals, clogs and/or shoes. 
     DISCLOSURE OF THE INVENTION 
     The present invention relates to a custom-made orthotic support assembly which comprises specific orthotic elements, and a propulsion component designed specifically to enhance the propulsion part of the gait cycle of a person during the stance phase, this orthotic support assembly adapted for insertion into or as an integral part of contemporary footwear, including but not limited to all forms of shoes, sandals, clogs and the like. 
     More particularly, the invention comprises a sole having an outline in plan of the foot of the wearer, with a heel portion and a forward portion; a prescribed orthotic unit which may include a plurality of orthotic elements such as arch and heel supports; a propulsion component specifically placed on the forward portion of the sole so as to receive the full plantar of the wearer during the stance phase of the gait cycle; and a covering unit for the orthotic elements and propulsion component whereby to form with the sole a unitary custom-made foot support. 
    
    
     BRIEF DESCRIPTION OF THE SEVERAL VIEWS OF THE DRAWINGS 
     These and other attributes of the invention will become more clear upon a thorough study of the following description of the best mode for carrying out the invention, particularly when reviewed in conjunction with the drawings, wherein: 
     FIG. 1 comprises a perspective view of the custom made orthotic foot support assembly of this invention; 
     FIG. 2 is a vertical sectional view taken along the line  2 — 2  of FIG. 1; 
     FIG. 3 is an exploded view in perspective of the orthotic foot support assembly of FIG. 1; 
     FIG. 4 is a plan view of the assembly of FIG. 1; and 
     FIGS. 5-9 are fragmentary, vertical sectional views taken along their respective lines of FIG.  4 . 
    
    
     DETAILED DESCRIPTION OF THE INVENTION 
     Referring now to FIGS. 1-4, the embodiment of the invention depicted includes a custom-made orthotic foot support assembly ( 10 ) for placement into or on to any type of footwear or as an integral part thereof, and comprises generally a sole ( 12 ) of a thin layer of leather or the like having an outline of the foot of the wearer so as to support the entire foot, and of a thickness as predetermined for its use, the sole ( 12 ) having a heel portion ( 14 ) and a portion ( 16 ) forward of the heel portion ( 14 ). 
     The assembly ( 10 ) comprises further an orthotic unit ( 18 ) adhered to the sole ( 12 ) and prescribed to the wearer&#39;s foot, and comprises further a propulsion component ( 20 ) placed on and adhered to the forward portion ( 16 ) of the sole ( 12 ). A covering unit ( 22 ) cooperates with the sole ( 12 ), the orthotic unit ( 18 ) and the propulsion component ( 20 ) to form the unitary foot support ( 10 ). 
     More particularly, the orthotic unit ( 18 ) includes a lower, semi-flexible thin element ( 24 ) of fiber board-type material and having generally an outline similar to that of the heel portion ( 14 ) of the sole ( 12 ) and adhered thereover in a mating relationship as best seen in FIG. 4; a heel inset ( 26 ) of a polyurethane foam providing a high degree of shock absorption, and of a curved shape and thin thickness to fit over and be adhered to the rear portion ( 28 ) of the lower element ( 24 ) (FIG.  4 ), so as to mate therewith. Sponge rubber-type arch support elements ( 30 ), ( 32 ), ( 34 ) (FIG. 3) formed according to prescribed arch support needs of the individual for whom the support assembly ( 10 ) is custom made, are adhered to the upper surfaces of the lower element ( 24 ) and the propulsion component ( 20 ) (FIG. 3) at prescribed locations. The arch support elements ( 32 ) and ( 34 ) may be perforated for special requirements. 
     A cup-shaped counter ( 35 ) of any type of resilient shock absorbing supportive material of a certain density, formed to fit over and be adhered to the rear, semi-circular portion of the heel insert ( 26 ) and possibly peripheral portions of the lower element ( 24 ) is also provided. 
     Preparation of the orthotic unit ( 18 ) may comprise use by a chiropractor, or other health care person skilled in this field and licensed to prescribe orthotics, of a casting kit as described in U.S. Pat. No. 3,320,347 entitled Method of Making an Arch Support by Measuring an Impression of a Foot, issued May 16, 1967 to M. H. Greenawalt, which patent is incorporated herein by reference. Preparation of the orthotic unit ( 18 ) may also comprise the use of an electronic casting machine that is capable of sending three dimensional data of the foot to the laboratory for manufacturing purposes. The results of the casting or foot impression mold are then analyzed and a prescription is generated. Other methods of preparation may be utilized, and the invention is not to be limited thereby. These elements ( 30 )-( 34 ) support the three arches of the foot: the inner-longitudinal arch (navicular), the outer-longitudinal arch (cuboid), and the anterior transverse arch. The heel inset ( 26 ) is placed into the heel zone of the orthotic unit ( 18 ) to absorb shock during the first phase (heel strike) of the gait cycle. Rear foot posting for pronation or supination is built into the orthotic design to achieve proper foot posture and balance. Heel spur accommodations as well as a heel lift for an anatomical short leg can be built into the orthotic based on the individual&#39;s specific needs. 
     The propulsion component ( 20 ) is a micro-cellular polyurethane material that retains its shape, thickness and resiliency for at least the life of the orthotic foot support assembly ( 10 ). It is breathable and has a high vapor transmission quality. Referring to FIGS. 3,  4  and  6 , it is seen to have a thickness comparable to or less than the sole ( 12 ), with a shape and outline similar to that of the sole ( 12 ) at the forward portion ( 16 ) thereof, except for a cutout portion indicated by the edges ( 36 ), ( 38 ) (FIG. 3) which may be provided. Material other than the micro-cellular polyurethane of the component ( 20 ) may be utilized, the only requirement being that it have a comparable rebounding characteristic. 
     In the context of the conventional gait cycle of a person, consisting of a stance phase and a swing phase, the latter when a leg is moving forward, the stance phase is broken down into three parts, the initial heel part or strike, the full planar of the foot, or midstance, and the propulsion part, or “toe off.” The present invention provides a custom-made orthotic foot support assembly ( 10 ) which provides the heel insert ( 26 ), and counter ( 35 ) as a heel pad for absorbing the heel strike shock; the midstance variable firmness and flexibility provided by the lower element ( 24 ) and the arch supports ( 30 )-( 34 ); and now a boost or propulsion component ( 20 ) for the “toe off” propulsion part of the stance phase. Thus, the assembly ( 10 ) provides a comprehensive structure for the shock absorption, corrective support and propulsive “boost” for complete support and comfort throughout the entire gait cycle. 
     The covering unit ( 22 ) includes a thin layered pad ( 40 ) (FIG. 5) of polyurethane and a thinner layer ( 42 ) of leather or the like disposed above the pad ( 40 ). Both pad ( 40 ) and layer ( 42 ) have an outline similar to that of the sole ( 12 ), with the pad ( 40 ) and layer ( 42 ) bonded together and adhered in any conventional manner with the remaining elements to form the unitary foot support assembly ( 10 ). Further, both pad ( 40 ) and layer ( 42 ) may be perforated, as desired. 
     Thus, from this description, it may readily be seen that the custom made orthotic foot support assembly ( 10 ) of this invention provides not only the corrective support of orthotics, but also the support and comfort for the entire gait cycle, and more particularly the propulsion part of the stance part thereof.