Shoe insert device

A shoe insert device relieves pressure on a heel when a shoe is worn. The device includes a panel configured to be positioned in a shoe. A heel alignment pad is U-shaped. The heel alignment pad is positioned on and extends upwardly from an upper surface of the panel wherein the heel alignment pad is configured to extend around and support a heel of the foot positioned in the shoe.

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THE NAMES OF THE PARTIES TO A JOINT RESEARCH AGREEMENT

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BACKGROUND OF THE INVENTION

(1) Field of the Invention

The disclosure and prior art relates to shoe insert devices and more particularly pertains to a new shoe insert device for relieving pressure on a heel when a shoe is worn.

BRIEF SUMMARY OF THE INVENTION

An embodiment of the disclosure meets the needs presented above by generally comprising a panel configured to be positioned in a shoe. A heel alignment pad is U-shaped. The heel alignment pad is positioned on and extends upwardly from an upper surface of the panel wherein the heel alignment pad is configured to extend around and support a heel of the foot positioned in the shoe.

DETAILED DESCRIPTION OF THE INVENTION

As best illustrated inFIGS. 1 through 6 and 12, the shoe insert device10generally comprises a panel12configured to be positioned in a shoe (not shown) of conventional design. The panel12has an upper surface14, a lower surface16, and a perimeter edge18extending around the panel12. The panel12has a heel portion20, a front portion22, and a medial portion24positioned and extending between the heel portion20and the front portion22wherein the panel12is configured to extend fully under a foot positioned in the shoe. A heel alignment pad26is U-shaped. The heel alignment pad26is positioned on and extends upwardly from the upper surface14of the panel12wherein the heel alignment pad26is configured to extend around and support a heel of the foot positioned in the shoe. The heel alignment pad26has a top surface28which may be positioned parallel to the upper surface14of the panel12when uncompressed. The panel12and the heel alignment pad26may each be constructed of a resilient compressible material such as silicone, rubber, or the like. The material may be the same or different for the panel12and the heel alignment pad26.

A heel well30extends into the upper surface14of the panel12. The heel alignment pad26extends around the heel well30. The heel alignment pad26may further extend fully around the heel well30such that a front edge32of the heel well30is inset relative to a straight line extending between opposite ends34of the heel alignment pad26. In one embodiment shown particularly inFIGS. 4 through 6, a rear section36of a peripheral edge38of the heel alignment pad26is inset from the perimeter edge18of the panel12. Alternatively, as shown inFIGS. 1 through 3, the rear section36of the peripheral edge38of the heel alignment pad26is flush with the perimeter edge18of the panel12.

Additional embodiments are contemplated. The following descriptions implement similar reference numbering with an alphabetical reference for elements having structure and/or function consistent with previously described elements of the invention.

In an embodiment shown particularly inFIG. 13, the panel12A has a heel portion42and a forward portion44extending forwardly from the heel portion42. The forward portion44terminates at a curved forward edge46such that the panel12A is configured to extend fully under the heel of the foot and arch of the foot with the curved forward edge46extending across under a middle portion of the foot. As shown inFIG. 11, a panel12B may be provided in which the panel12B is U-shaped. A heel alignment pad26B has a perimeter edge38B extending around the heel alignment pad26B. A full length of the perimeter edge38B of the heel alignment pad26B is inset from the peripheral edge18B of the panel12B.

In yet another embodiment, shown particularly inFIGS. 9 and 10, a panel12C has a forward edge50extending between lateral sides52of the panel12C proximate to opposing ends34C of the heel alignment pad26C. As shown inFIG. 10, this embodiment may include a heel well30C.

In any of the embodiments, and particularly represented inFIGS. 12 and 13, an arch pad56has a first end58and a second end60. The arch pad56is elongated between the first end58and the second end60. The arch pad56is arcuate extending between the first end58and the second end60. The arch pad56is positioned on and extends upwardly from the upper surface14of the panel12wherein the arch pad56is configured to extend along and support an arch of the foot positioned in the shoe. The first end58and second end60of the arch pad56is offset from and facing the perimeter edge18of the panel12along a lateral interior side66of the panel12wherein the arch pad56extends inwardly from the perimeter edge14of the panel12between the first end58and the second end60. A similarly structured arch pad56A is shown with the heel alignment pad26and panel12A inFIG. 13.

It is contemplated, and in view of the above descriptions, believed elements described herein may be incorporated or combined to produce further variations consistent with the disclosure of the invention but not specifically shown in the drawing figures. For example, the heel well30consistent with the showing ofFIG. 1 or 4may be provided with the features of the embodiment specifically shown inFIG. 12.

As shown particularly inFIGS. 7 and 8, each of the heel alignment pad26and the arch pad56may be provided as separate pieces incorporating an adhesive68to allow for some customization of positioning on the upper surface14of the panel12. The arch pad56is similarly constructed of a resiliently compressible material which may or may not be the same as the material used to construct the panel12and heel alignment pad26.

In use, the shoe insert device10is placed within the shoe in the manner of a conventional insole. Insertion of the foot into the shoe provides for the heel alignment pad30to support a peripheral area of the heel of the foot removing some pressure from directly between the upper surface14of the panel12and a center of the heel of the foot. Further pressure alleviation is achieved through the presence of the heel well30which is aligned with the center of the heel of the foot. The varied shape of the panel12as shown in the drawing figures and described above provides for customization of support, or lack of additional support, for the middle and front portions of the foot as may be desired.