Abstract:
Overpronation of a foot is limited and corrected by a footwear article that acts on a foot in motion to act in relation to foot stepping by use of vertical restraints to move the calcaneus bone in a medial direction and shift pressure of the stepping foot and pull the first metatarsal laterally and shifting pressure off the first medial side to its lateral side.

Description:
CROSS REFERENCE TO RELATED APPLICATIONS 
       [0001]    This application is a continuation of my co-pending application Ser. No. 13/949,651 filed 24 Jul. 2013; which is a continuation of Ser. No. 13/355,622 filed 23 Jan. 2013; provisional application Ser. No. 61/1649,373 filed 20 Oct. 2011; and my PCT application Ser. No. PCT/US12/54075 filed 7 Sep. 2012 and also claim priority from my co-pending provisional patent application Ser. No. 61/933,910 filed Feb. 14, 2014. The full contents of all said applications are incorporated by reference as though stated at length herein. Appendix A to this application is a copy of US PTO patent application publication US2014/0059887, i.e. my above cited application Ser. No. 13/949,651 filed Jul. 24, 2013 and Appendix B hereto is a copy of my provisional application 61/939,910, filed Feb. 14, 2014. These are provided for convenience of examining this application. 
     
    
     FIELD AND BACKGROUND OF THE INVENTION 
       [0002]    The present invention relates to footwear with usage in correcting over-pronation difficulties and for other purposes. 
         [0003]    The varieties of human feet have characteristics that often times fall into identifiable groups. People often identify themselves by their assumed deficit. The most common ways to identify people with pronation propensities are as either overpronators or an oversupinators. The more common is the overpronator. A degree of pronation is good for humans. Most people have pronating and that does not cause discomfort. Some people have feet that overpronate. This is a degree of pronation on the medial side at the ankle between foot and the leg bones that is generally assumed to be beyond about 15 degrees of pronation. For those whose feet do cause discomfort from overpronation there are a multitude of devices in the marketplace. The most common are foot orthotics placed inside footwear to diffuse, mitigate and or eliminate the discomfort. Whether over the counter or prescribed by a podiatrist such orthotics do not provide a corrective function for overpronation. Customary prescribed orthotics for overpronation build up material on the medial side, as opposed to the lateral side of an orthotic device. This device is placed inside footwear and can be moved by the user to different footwear. This buildup of material is often called a medial “post”. 
         [0004]    Runners who overpronate often wear motion control running sneakers. Motion control sneakers often have areas of firmer material on the medial side of the foot than on the lateral to make that side of the foot harder to compress. It is thought this type of footwear may retard pronation on the medial side of the foot. Many types of footwear have a stiff plastic material under the medial arch of the foot. The premise of providers is that the connection of the rear of the foot to the forefoot by this stiff plastic may decrease the amount of collapse on the medial side of the shoe by the arch of the foot. However, motion control footwear does not provide a corrective function for the foot. 
         [0005]    Each individual human foot adapts to bipedal walking in its own way. Currently whatever way a foot adapts to walking is unique to the individual. Interventions to correct adaption are limited and only occur when bipedal walking is greatly impeded. As a result there large variety of non-corrective devices for limited foot pain. Relief may be limited as the foot adapts to the orthotic, but may return as these devices are non-corrective. Consumers often try many different ones in hopes of eliminating recurring foot pain. These include a wide variety of over the counter models and those orthotics prescribed by professionals. 
         [0006]    Pronation includes a rocking of the calcaneus as it touches down. A point on the rear of the foot initiates the rocking and the calcaneus with talus bone above in combination bow out. The two leg bones above them are the top part of the bow. If the medial bowing is over 15 degrees it is considered over-pronation. 
         [0007]    This bowing point between the talus bone and the leg bones can be considered a fulcrum point, as in a see-saw. The posting effect of orthotics does not lift the foot at the fulcrum, but lifts by elevating the medial side under the foot. With these orthotics some weight is shifted laterally. This has remarkable results for those who can benefit from this weight shift that may even decrease the angle of pronation. Realignment of the foot for over-pronators by over the counter or prescribed orthotics provides a viable solution for many, but seems to be limited to orthotics with arch support and or posts only. Providing a similar function to the over-pronating that does not benefit from these orthotics is beneficial. 
       SUMMARY OF THE INVENTION 
       [0008]    An approach for overpronators used in the present invention is to limit the calcaneus from shifting too much laterally during touch down impact. It is possible to hold the rear of the calcaneus from moving laterally with a non-invasive device or even over time move it medially. If this can be done the weight is placed more laterally. If the weight at touch down at the rear of the calcaneus were moved further towards the lateral the result in the rear calcaneus as (this can lessen) the angle of pronation. Further changes are required to augment this shift. The move of the weight of the calcaneus more towards the lateral side can shift it closer to the weight placement of non-pronators. Further, the shift in weight placement to the lateral can shift the fulcrum of the see-saw of the wobbly calcaneus and talus combination further towards the medial and decrease the angle of pronation. 
         [0009]    With the shift of weight to the lateral and the move of the calcaneus more toward the medial side the performance of the calcaneus changes. This new distribution of weight and position of the calcaneus may assume an action similar to orthotic posts prescribed by professionals and orthotics sold over the counter to consumers. As this shift is to the bone of the foot it does not wear out as might an orthotics. 
         [0010]    Further a movement of the calcaneus to the medial side may elevate it medially as well, mimicking the action of the elevated orthotic post. With a medially elevated calcaneus the weight of a footstep of the foot may shift more towards the lateral side. This shift may begin a lessening of pronation in the overpronator. 
         [0011]    The height and angle of this elevation provides a force that effects the bones around it that may have been lower before the elevation. The weight is shifted towards the lateral as with a post. In the correction, when the calcaneus moves to the medial the resulting elevation is not under the foot, as with a post or motion control footwear, it is at the fulcrum of the see-saw. Further as the calcaneus bone lifts it twists the subtalar axis towards the lateral by shifting the position of the talus. The twisting pushes the navicular bone on the medial side laterally and those in front of it; the cuneiform and metatarsals as well. It pushes the cuneiform and metatarsals in different degrees to the lateral and maybe the first metatarsal stays the same, moves laterally or medially. The unpredictability of the movement of the metatarsals indicates the idea of achieving bipedal balance later in the evolutionary process through their interaction with the calcaneus as the action of the foot triangulates. The length of the longest metatarsal, the fifth, on the lateral side possibly makes it the most important for balance. Giving it a stronger position in bipedalism. An early problem with bipedalism was the upper leg and torso pushing the calcaneus towards the lateral. With this device, as with the digging in of the calcaneo-cuboid joint in bipedalism the calcaneus begins to exert more opposability with the subtalar axis and the placement of the talus. When this happens the journey to bipedalism can move forward. If this happens with the device the movement of the calcaneus is far enough towards the medial it shifts weight towards the lateral and it can better bear the weight above it. This may find the rear of the foot in what may be called a neutral position. This can result in a foot correction that is similar to non-corrective solutions already in place for over-pronation. Unlike posting in prescribed orthotics there is a shift in the placement of the bones of the foot, not just a raising of a medial portion or portions of the foot. Similar to posting with the invention the arch area is raised, but from within the bone structure, rather than under the foot. The lifting is at the fulcrum of the see-saw. As the lifting is done with the calcaneus bone it is more permanent that with man-made materials. The lifting brings about favorable changes that may lead to a lessening of pronation in over-pronators. This shifting of the calcaneus towards the medial has consequences and may need further action to the foot in motion to adapt the footstep to this correction. 
         [0012]    Among these consequences is a shift of the remainder of the foot farther towards the lateral side. Similar to a portion at the lateral calcaneus and the medial a portion of the device may be placed beside the first and fifth metatarsals. This may require a further exploration and understanding of human evolution towards bipedalism that developed in a similar way. 
         [0013]    The device can follow a similar track taken by evolution and also begin at the rear of the foot and then move the remainder of the foot laterally. Evolution took over a million years of this approach to achieve the extraordinary result of human bipedalism. A human lifetime is relatively inconsequential in relation to changes occurring in evolutionary time. Evolutionary changes in individual humans do not necessarily manifest at the same time. These differences are often found in the variety of configurations of the human foot. The human foot contains twenty six bones and it must be remembered our ancestors the ape, gorilla and chimpanzee foot often contained the same amount of bones. These same twenty six bones provided them with entirely different functions than us humans. Later on in evolutionary time there were varieties of homo sapiens ancestors including species of australopithecines with the same amount of bones that were unable to make the jump to bipedalism similar to humans. 
         [0014]    The journey of the device begins at the calcaneus and the evolutionary shift to bipedalism began with the calcaneus and cuboid hone on the lateral side of the foot. The locking of this joint called the calcaneo-joint began many changes in the primate foot over an evolutionary timeframe of a million years that resulted in human bipedalism. Emulating evolution one can begin at the calcaneo-cuboid joint. Moving the calcaneus to the medial side would require a stiffening of footwear at the lateral side that is greater than the stiffness of the material on the medial of the device opposite the lateral. A stiffening of the material at the lateral side of the foot may bio-mimicry the action of the locking calcaneo-cuboid joint that began human bipedalism. 
         [0015]    As apes, gorillas and chimpanzee became less arboreal the muscles associated with the grasping of the opposable first and second, third metatarsals weakened. Their position weakened further as primates left the trees and the strong muscles needed for grasping with their feet diminished further. The evolutionary locking action of the calcaneo-cuboid joint towards bipedalism occurred through the weakening of the muscles. Diagonally opposite to the grasping of the opposable first and second, third metatarsals of the ape, gorilla, chimpanzee primate foot is the force of the action of the locking calcaneo-cuboid joint that, like the opposable first and second, third metatarsals of the apes dug in, strengthened and eventually determined the outcome of human bipedalism. 
         [0016]    In front of the cuboid bone on the lateral side is the base of the fifth metatarsal. Opposite it on the medial side is the first metatarsal. The shift to human hipedalism required a reconfiguring of the human foot to more of a triangular shape. Through the motion of first and fifth metatarsals to both bear weight and retain balance they led the way to this shift through there interactivity, and with that of the calcaneus and calcaneo-cuboid joint moved toward human bipedalism. 
         [0017]    The three points; the calcaneus, the first and fifth metatarsals make up the triangle of the human foot that resulted in human bipedalism. Evolution then developed three arches in the human foot. Over a million years evolution shifted these three arches upwards and over other bones to deposit weight, force and the need for balance at these three points of the foot. Similar to evolution the managing of the triangulation of these three points may have a positive effect on the anatomy of a human foot that may not have achieved the maximum benefits of evolution&#39;s struggle to human bipedalism. 
         [0018]    Other objects, features and advantages will he apparent from the following detailed description of preferred embodiments taken in conjunction with the accompanying drawings in which: 
     
    
     
       BRIEF DESCRIPTION OF THE DRAWINGS 
         [0019]      FIG. 1  shows a top view of the bone structure of the foot indicating the direction of foot correction; 
           [0020]      FIG. 2  displays a novel footwear structure from the lateral rearfoot to the medial forefoot; 
           [0021]      FIG. 3  display a novel footwear structure from lateral rearfoot to medial midfoot; 
           [0022]      FIG. 4  displays  FIG. 2  with  FIG. 3  over it with adjustments; and 
           [0023]      FIG. 5  displays a novel footwear structure at two areas on the lateral and two on the medial side of the foot; 
       
    
    
     DETAILED DESCRIPTION OF PREFERRED EMBODIMENTS 
       [0024]    Similar to the evolutionary journey to human bipedalism devices of the invention apply compression and tension, push and pill to bring about changes to the overpronator&#39;s foot. Changes and corrections to the foot are achieved over time by footwear of the invention. The invention corrects the overpronator&#39;s foot by moving the rearfoot medially and foot portions forward of it laterally. Shown in  FIG. 1 , is line  282  with arrowhead  282 A pointing the direction of the foot correction. Along  282  is rearfoot arrowhead  283  pointing the medial direction of vector force on the overpronator&#39;s foot. On the lateral side of the foot medial pushing vector force  283  pushes the forefoot  284  laterally with a twisting on or about  285  in the midfoot. The vector force of footwear pushing the rear of the calcaneus to the medial interrupts the usual forward foot gait. The medial vector force also pushes forward along line  282  engaging a twist on or about point  285  not usual to the overpronator&#39;s gait. This forces the talus bone  279  in  FIG. 1  to shift. The twist about point  285  pushes the navicular  280  laterally and then three cuneiform bones  281 , and metatarsals  31 ,  32 ,  36 ,  37 ,  38  laterally and medially. 
         [0025]    The dashed line  57  in  FIG. 2  parallel to  282  also shows twist  285  and uses the same oppositional forces shown in  FIG. 1 , arrows  283 ,  284  in footwear. Footwear of the invention uses oppositional forces across the foot shown in dashed line  57  arrows to provide a correction to the overpronator&#39;s foot. 
         [0026]    In  FIG. 2  shown is footwear of the invention—a sole insert  286  extends diagonally vis-à-vis the foot and having vertical tab extension of that sole insert, i.e. substantially rigid tabs  21  and  59  restraining respectively, medial and lateral movements. At rearfoot impact vertical tab  59  beside the calcaneus and horizontal  286  under the calcaneus move the calcaneus medially and sole portions  285  at midfoot along crossing line  57 . The twist on or about  285  pulls up sole portion  286 . On the medial side of  285  sole portion  286  continues to pull up and move laterally. This continues to vertical tab  21 . Footwear portion  21  beside the first metatarsal is pulled laterally by the vector force along  286 . Vertical tab  21  pushes the first metatarsal  32  laterally and the other metatarsals  38 ,  37 ,  36 ,  31  laterally as well. By moving the foot laterally it moves weight, compressive pressure off the medial and onto lateral side of the foot. 
         [0027]    Taking weight off the medial side of the overpronator&#39;s foot is traditionally done by orthotic posts external to the foot and prescribed by a professional. Posts raise up the medial side of the foot. They tilt the medial side up higher than the lateral. Footwear of the invention shifts weight, compressive pressure off the medial and onto the lateral. Footwear of the invention and orthotic posts both shift weight laterally. The weight is moved laterally in the foot by the action of footwear of the invention. This action can be continued and gradually diminish the overpronation with the corrective footwear and eliminate the need for a device. 
         [0028]    The pull up of sole portion  286  provides support to the medial arch. The pull up of the footwear provides a correction to the overpronator&#39;s foot by lifting the medial arch and forefoot areas inside the foot. The footwear acting on the foot bones provides a correction to the overpronator&#39;s foot by moving portions of it up at the midfoot like an external material medial arch support. Footwear replaces manufactured medial arch supports external to the foot by providing a foot correction inside the foot gradually over time. The footwear engages the whole foot in the correction by utilizing the naturally occurring oppositional force along  57  crosswise across the foot. Wearing the corrective footwear over time allows the continual pushing of the calcaneus medially by footwear  59 ,  286 ,  21  to provide a foot correction. Using a prescribed orthotic may relieve pain, but does not provide a foot correction. 
         [0029]    Footwear of the invention provides a foot correction for overpronators. In  FIG. 2  the corrections include: (1) the pull up of  286  supporting the midfoot, medial forefoot and first metatarsal  32 ; (2) the response of the lateral shift of  286 ,  21  on the midfoot and forefoot is to push them laterally; (3) the response of  286 ,  21  back to  59  beside the calcaneus  30 , lateral  286  is to pull them in tension medially. The upward pull of  286  supporting midfoot, forefoot and first metatarsal is a foot correction of the invention as well. This can occur without  21 . Adjustable portions can be added to  59 ,  286 ,  21  to gradually push and pull the foot laterally. 
         [0030]      FIG. 3 , shows a variant of the invention. At rearfoot impact lateral vertical tab  59  beside the calcaneus moves the calcaneus medially. Horizontal sole portion  287  engages the twist on or about  285  at midfoot along  57 . Footwear portion  287 , responds to the calcaneus&#39; medial movement by pulling up vertically and moving laterally. Relatively vertical footwear portion  288  beside medial midfoot arch pulls up and lateral. The vector force of the footwear on the rearfoot calcaneus moves it to the medial and the opposing vector force of the footwear on the medial midfoot arch pills it up and shifts it to the lateral. The footwear acting on the foot bones provide a correction to the overpronator&#39;s foot. In  FIG. 3  responses of footwear of the invention providing a foot correction by the invention include: (1) the vertical pull up of lateral  287 ,  288  supporting the midfoot and medial arch; (2) the response of the lateral shift of  287 ,  288  on the midfoot arch is to pull it laterally; (3) the response of  287 ,  288  back to  59 ,  287  is to pull them in tension medially. The upward pull of  287  supporting the midfoot arch is a foot correction of the invention as well. This can occur without  288 . Adjustable portions can be added to  59 ,  287 ,  288  to gradually push and pull them laterally. 
         [0031]      FIG. 4  shows footwear of the invention with  FIG. 2  structure above  FIG. 3 . It is understood  FIG. 3  can be above  FIG. 2  structure. Footwear features of  FIG. 2  and  FIG. 3  mentioned above are applicable to  FIG. 4 . Footwear is along crossing line  57 . Vertical tab  59  beside the lateral calcaneus pushes it medially. Relatively horizontal sole inserts  286 ,  287  move forward under the foot with a twisting action on or about axis  285 . Footwear portion  286  moves forward of  287  and under the first metatarsal and to  21  beside it.  FIG. 3 , footwear portion  287  moves to medial midfoot portion  287  under the medial arch and to  288  beside it. The combination of  FIG. 2  above and FIG,  3  under increases the thickness of the material in the rearfoot where  FIG. 2  covers  FIG. 3 . This addition of material may improve the ability of the lateral footwear  59 ,  286 ,  287  to move the rearfoot medially. The lesser material in comparison at the midfoot arch and first metatarsal may provide more tension, flexibility at the medial midfoot and forefoot.  FIG. 4  footwear shows adjustable portions  289 ,  290 . Footwear shows two plugs  289  protruding upward from  287  in  FIG. 3 . Two of the eight holes  290  in  286  in  FIG. 2  contain the plugs.  FIG. 4  is adjustable allowing the wearer to move it farther forward, backward and to the lateral side. It is understood rearfoot lateral  59  can be part of one or the other of  FIG. 2  or  FIG. 3 . It is understood footwear can have adjustable portions along line  57  at the calcaneus  30 , medial arch and  21  at the first metatarsal  32 .  FIG. 2  can be combined with  FIG. 3  into a single piece device with and or without an adjustable portion. It is understood there are many ways to make footwear of the invention adjustable. 
         [0032]    The material used in footwear of the invention i.e. horizontal sole inserts with vertical tab extension thereof integral therewith, the tabs extending from about 0.5 to 2 inches from the horizontal sole portion and in any event sized and sufficiently rigid to perform the patent functions and is generally a hard material. The combined oppositional forces of the invention push bones in compression and absorb shock to the foot pulling in tension. The material must be able to direct bones of the foot with compression, absorb shock and respond in tension. Commonly available Carboplast brand and other brands of carboplastic sheets (thermoformable fiber reinforced plastic sheets) are examples of suitable material. The material thickness can be in a range from approximately 1.5 mm to approximately 4 mm. The layering of material in  FIG. 4  appropriately increases the thickness at lateral rearfoot impact where direction and control of compressive force is needed. At the medial arch and forefoot the single layers of material there appropriately provide more flexibility to absorb shock and respond in tension. Thickness of material, flexibility and rigidity can be determined according to the compressive vector forces on the footwear required to impart a correction to the overpronator&#39;s foot while allowing the material to respond in tension. The structural design and light weight thin material usage of the footwear in the present invention is in contrast to footwear materials that provide cushioning. 
         [0033]    Unlike the parent application all footwear of the present invention including  FIGS. 2 ,  3 ,  4 ,  5  utilize the vector force of rearfoot impact on rearfoot lateral footwear portions to activate a footwear correction for the foot. 
         [0034]      FIGS. 2 ,  3  are different from my parent applications cited above at paragraph [0001] as there only two features are placed diagonally across the foot along crossing line  57  in different zones;  FIG. 2  in rearfoot and forefoot,  FIG. 3  in rearfoot and midfoot.  FIG. 4  is different from the parent application as there three features are placed diagonally across the foot along crossing line  57  in different rearfoot, midfoot and forefoot. The parent application with two features are in the forefoot zone only. The parent application has no footwear portions at the midfoot medial. 
         [0035]    Using only two diagonal features allows this invention to apply impact force to the rearfoot feature along crossing line  57  to exert control on the opposite sides, across the foot to shift the foot hones. The impact force redirects foot portions along crossing line  57  to provide a gradual correction over time to the overpronator&#39;s foot. In the parent application there two features are only in the forefoot. 
         [0036]      FIG. 5  in the present invention uses rearfoot impact along crossing lines  57 ,  58  to, in part spread the foot laterally and push it laterally rather than contain, hold and sustain the foot as the parent application does. The use of three or more features in the parent application relies on sustaining the footwear rather than correcting with vector force. 
         [0037]    Reference is made to the footwear invention described in this application may be considered and compared in relation to the footwear described in my prior U.S. patent applications, Ser. No. 13/949,651 filed 24 Jul. 2013; Ser. No. 13/355,622 filed 23 Jan. 2013; provisional application Ser. No. 61/649,373 filed 20 Oct. 2011; and my PCT application Ser. No. PCT/US12/54075 filed 7 Sep. 2012 and provisional application 61/939,910 filed Feb. 14, 2014, the content of all of which are incorporated by reference as though stated at length herein. See Appendix A and Appendix B hereto. 
         [0038]      FIG. 5  shows what may be called a “cross” or “X” shape of diagonal dashed lines  57 ,  58 . The “cross” or “X” shape  57 ,  58  with two headed arrows indicates countering diagonal forces across the foot. Footwear portions along crossing line  57  are  59 ,  293 ,  21  and are under footwear portions  60 ,  294 ,  50  along crossing line  58 . It is understood  57  can be above  58 . On or about  285  in  FIGS. 2 ,  3 ,  4  under the foot in  FIG. 5  is placed adjustable portions  291 ,  292 , Footwear portions  58  octagonal polygon hole  292  is placed over  57  octagonal polygon plug  291  as an adjustable to place footwear at different angles to provide a foot correction for the overpronator. It is understood there are many ways to provide an adjustment to footwear of the invention. The dashed lines  57 ,  58  are in opposition to each other. Their opposing forces are used to advantage to work together in  FIG. 5  to provide a foot correction to the overpronator&#39;s foot. Along crossing line  57  lateral rearfoot vertical footwear  59  at the calcaneus pushes medially and along  293  forcing forefoot vertical footwear  21  to push laterally. Along crossing line  58  medial rearfoot vertical footwear  60  at the calcaneus pushes medially to accommodate the medial push of  59 . Footwear portion  294 &#39;s medial push along  58  forces forefoot vertical footwear  50  to push laterally accommodating the lateral push of  21 . Crossing line  57  provides the compressive force to move the foot laterally and crossing line  58  accommodates  57  in the rearfoot  60  and forefoot  50 . Crossing line  57  requires relatively greater strength of material than  58 . 
         [0039]    As the foot correction begins and continues adjustments can be made to the lateral side of the footwear as the forefoot moves laterally. The fifth metatarsal  31  with the cuboid  40  adjusts balance and acts in tension, milling the rest of the forefoot laterally. In the invention, lateral portion  50  in  FIG. 5  of the footwear can push the fifth metatarsal  31  in  FIG. 1  towards the lateral. The fifth metatarsal  31  then pulls the remainder of the metatarsals laterally. During the foot correction footwear accommodations are made at the fifth metatarsal  31  and overpronators achieve a new balance. Forward lateral footwear portion of  50  in  FIG. 1  by the base of the fifth metatarsal  31  is twisted and shifted toward the lateral. This increases the angle of portion  50  to accommodate the movement of the metatarsals laterally and the increased foot action at this triangulation point as the foot correction continues. The rearward part of  50  is not twisted and shifted as much at the base of the fifth metatarsal  31 . When in use rearward portion of  50  at the base of fifth metatarsal  31  pushes the base of the fifth metatarsal  31  at a wider vector force angle that assists the shaft and the head of the fifth metatarsal  31  to pull out to the lateral. This lateral push at the base of the fifth  31  by the rearward footwear portion of  50  forces the fifth metatarsal  31  to pull with it in tension the other metatarsals laterally to achieve a new balance for the overpronator&#39;s foot. 
         [0040]    It will now be apparent to those skilled in the art that other embodiments, improvements, details, and uses can be made consistent with the letter and spirit of the foregoing disclosure and within the scope of this patent, which is limited only by the following claims, construed in accordance with the patent law, including the doctrine of equivalents.