Abstract:
A shoe or footwear with an insole or base configured for relieving pressure on the metatarsal region of the foot and help relieve the effects of metatarsalgia. The insole comprises a cavity or cut out in the area of the metatarsal region of the foot and is configured to receive at least a portion of the metatarsal region and alleviate or eliminate direct pressure from the insole against the metatarsal region.

Description:
FIELD OF THE INVENTION 
       [0001]    This invention relates to shoes, and more particularly to an insole and a shoe design for relieving pressure on the metatarsal region of the foot. 
       BACKGROUND OF THE INVENTION 
       [0002]    Metatarsalgia is a common foot ailment suffered by many. Metatarsalgia is a condition where the muscle or tissue in the metatarsal region of the foot begins to break down and the condition can make walking, running or even standing very uncomfortable and painful. To compensate for the pain and discomfort, a person may alter their gait or posture which can lead to further complications, other joint ailments and maladies. 
         [0003]    Known methods of relieving the pain associated with metatarsalgia typically comprise using padding in the forefoot area of the shoe to cushion the ball of foot. Such approaches attempt to replace the internal tissue loss with external padding. While they may be effective for certain people, the pressure of the padding against the ball of the foot can still cause discomfort and pain to sufferers of metatarsalgia. 
         [0004]    Accordingly, there remains a need for improvements in the art. 
       BRIEF SUMMARY OF THE INVENTION 
       [0005]    The present invention is directed to an insole insert, a shoe and/or an insole/sole configuration for a shoe or footwear that relieves pressure from the metatarsal region or other areas of the foot. 
         [0006]    According to one embodiment, the present invention comprises an insole for a shoe configured for relieving pressure from a metatarsal region of a foot, the insole comprising a base configured for fitting inside the shoe, a cut out formed in said base, the cut out forming a void area underneath the metatarsal region of the foot, wherein the void area allows the metatarsal region to avoid substantial contact with the insole of the shoe. 
         [0007]    According to another embodiment, the present invention comprises a shoe suitable for relieving symptoms associated with metatarsalgia arising from pressure on the metatarsal region of a wearer&#39;s foot, the shoe comprising, a shoe upper, a sole and an insole, the shoe upper being joined to the sole, and the insole being configured to fit inside the shoe upper and rest on the sole, and the insole includes an open cavity formed in the area corresponding to the metatarsal region of the foot, wherein said open cavity provides a non-contactive region for the metatarsal region of the foot so as to relieve pressure or contact against the metatarsal region. 
         [0008]    According to another embodiment, the present invention comprises an insole for a shoe configured for relieving pressure from a metatarsal region of a foot, the insole comprising a base configured for fitting inside the shoe, a cavity formed in the base, the cavity forming a void area underneath the metatarsal region of the foot and having a peripheral edge, the peripheral edge providing support to region of the foot adjacent to the metatarsal region of the foot so as to relieve direct pressure against the metatarsal region of the foot. 
         [0009]    Other aspects and features of the present invention will become apparent to those ordinarily skilled in the art upon review of the following exemplary embodiments of the invention in conjunction with the accompanying figures. 
     
    
     
       BRIEF DESCRIPTION OF THE DRAWINGS 
         [0010]    Reference will now be made to the accompanying drawings, which show by way of example, embodiments according to the present invention, and in which: 
           [0011]      FIG. 1  shows a shoe with an insole/sole configuration for relieving pressure against the metatarsal region of a foot according to an embodiment of the present invention; 
           [0012]      FIG. 2  is a cut-away or section view of the shoe of  FIG. 1  taken along the line A-A and showing a foot inserted inside the shoe; 
           [0013]      FIG. 3  is a top view of an insole with a metatarsal cavity or cut-out according to an embodiment of the present invention; 
           [0014]      FIG. 4  is a perspective side view of a sole assembly with a metatarsal cavity according to an embodiment of the present invention; 
           [0015]      FIG. 5(   a ) is front sectional view of the sole assembly of  FIG. 4  taken along line B-B; 
           [0016]      FIG. 5(   b ) is back sectional view of the sole assembly of  FIG. 4  taken along line B-B; 
           [0017]      FIG. 6(   a ) is a left side sectional view of the sole assembly of  FIG. 4  taken along line C-C; and 
           [0018]      FIG. 6(   b ) is a right side sectional view of the sole assembly of  FIG. 4  taken along line C-C. 
       
    
    
       [0019]    Like reference numerals indicate like elements or components in the drawings. 
       DETAILED DESCRIPTION OF THE EMBODIMENTS 
       [0020]    Reference is first made to  FIG. 1 , which shows a piece of footwear or shoe configured with a metatarsal pressure cavity or cut out according to an embodiment of the present invention. The shoe is indicated generally by reference  100  and comprises a shoe upper  110 , a shoe or under sole  120  and an insole  130 . As will be described in more detail below, the insole  130  can be formed integrally with the sole  120  or comprise a separate piece that is inserted into the shoe  100  and can be permanently affixed or press fit for removal or replacement. It will also be appreciated that while embodiments of the present invention are described in the context of a piece of footwear such as a shoe, the embodiments find wider applicable to other types of shoes and specialty footwear, such as sandals, hiking boots, ski boots, ice skates, inline skates, skin diving fins, etc. 
         [0021]    As shown in  FIG. 1 , the insole  130  includes a cut out or a cavity section indicated generally by reference  140 . The cavity  140  is located in a section of the insole  130  that substantially corresponds to the metatarsal region of the foot, which is typically around the ball of the foot (for example,  FIG. 2  shows a foot indicated by reference  2  with a metatarsal region indicated by reference  4 ). According to an embodiment, the cavity or cut out  140  is formed or cut through the insole  130 . According to another aspect, the cut out  140  comprises a side edge  142  extending around the cut out. As shown in  FIG. 2  and also  FIG. 3 , the side edge  142  can be formed with relief, e.g. on an angle or with a rounded profile. According to another aspect, the side edge  142  can comprise a substantially vertical cut or edge. As shown in  FIG. 2 , the cavity  140  is open at the top, i.e. at the surface of the insole  130 , and as such provide an open void or recess into which the metatarsal region  4  of the foot  2  can extend without any substantial contact with the insole  130 . This has the effect of alleviating or lessening pain in the metatarsal region  4  by eliminating or substantially reducing direct contact with the insole  130  and the metatarsal region  4 . It has been found that by providing a void or cavity below the metatarsal region  4  no other padding or cushioning is required in the area of the metatarsal region  4  and the lack of any direct contact or pressure on the metatarsal region  4  provides comfort to the wearer of the shoe  100 . It will be appreciated that the size of the cavity or cut out  140 , e.g. diameter for a generally round or oval shaped cut-out, or width and length for a generally rectangular or oblong shaped cut-out, will depend on the size of the foot, the size of metatarsal region or the size of the effected metatarsal region, and/or the size of the shoe or the insole. In most cases, the cut out  140  will be sized to avoid substantial contact or direct contact with the metatarsal region or an area of the metatarsal region which may be sensitive to pressure or affected by pressure or contact. As such, the size and/or shape of the cut-out  140  can be customized or varied based on such factors or parameters. 
         [0022]    According to another embodiment, the insole  130  can include a support surface or support structure as shown in  FIG. 4  and  FIGS. 6(   a ) and  6 ( b ), and indicated generally by reference  144 . The support surface  144  extends substantially around the perimeter of the cut out  140 . According to an embodiment, the support surface  144  is configured to reinforce the perimeter around the cut out along the top surface of the insole  130 . According to another embodiment, the support surface  144  is configured to provide a cushioning strip or area for contacting the perimeter of the metatarsal region  4  ( FIG. 2)  of the foot  2  ( FIG. 2 ). According to an embodiment, the support surface  144  slopes away from the cut out  140 , for example, so as not to provide a pressure point. According to another aspect, the support surface  144  is formed from a material that has a cushioning characteristic, for example, a gel strip, that is co-molded with the insole or otherwise attached or affixed to the periphery of the cavity  140 . 
         [0023]    According to another embodiment, the insole  130  comprises a separate component or insert as depicted in  FIG. 3 . According to this embodiment, the insole  130  is inserted into the shoe  100  during assembly or manufacturing, or comprises an after-market insole that is used to replace the existing insole, with the metatarsal relief configured insole  130  as described herein. According to another embodiment as shown in  FIG. 4 , the insole  130  is formed as integral component of the sole  120 . According to another embodiment, the insole  130  is glued or otherwise affixed to the sole  120 . According to an embodiment, the cavity  140  can be configured to extend through the insole  130  and the sole  120  in order to achieve the required depth or clearance for the foot shape of the wearer, and the dimensions/depth of the cavity  140  will depend on the thickness of the insole  130  and/or the thickness of the sole  120 . It will be appreciated that the insole  130  and the sole  120  can be configured according to known shoe manufacturing techniques as will be understood by one skilled in the shoe making art. 
         [0024]    Reference is next made to  FIGS. 5(   a ) and  5 ( b ), which show respective front and back sectional views of the insole  130  and sole  120  arrangement according to an embodiment of the present invention. The sectional views are taken through the line B-B in  FIG. 4 . As shown, the cut out or cavity  140  extends substantially across the width of the insole  130  or sole  120 . As also shown, the insole  130  includes an arch support or instep section indicated generally by reference  132 . 
         [0025]    In summary and according to an embodiment, the shoe with metatarsal relief comprises an insole with a cavity or cut out in an area corresponding substantially to the metatarsal region of the foot. The cavity is open and provides an open-air void for receiving at least a portion of the metatarsal region and thereby alleviates or prevents pressure or contact either direct or indirect from the insole or sole pressing against the metatarsal region of the foot. 
         [0026]    The present invention may be embodied in other specific forms without departing from its spirit or essential characteristics. The embodiments described and disclosed are to be considered in all aspects only as illustrative and not restrictive. The scope of the invention is, therefore, indicated by the appended claims rather that by the foregoing description. All changes which come within the meaning and range of equivalency of the claims are to be embraced within their scope.