Patent Publication Number: US-11033066-B2

Title: Orthotic insole for a woman&#39;s shoe

Description:
CROSS-REFERENCE TO RELATED APPLICATION 
     This application is a continuation-in-part of copending application Ser. No. 14/553,275, filed on Nov. 25, 2014, titled ORTHOTIC INSOLE FOR A WOMAN&#39;S SHOE, and commonly assigned to the assignee of the present application, the disclosure of which is incorporated by reference in its entirety herein. 
    
    
     FIELD 
     The present disclosure generally relates to an orthotic insole for a woman&#39;s shoe. More particularly, exemplary embodiments of the present disclosure relate to a built-in, orthotic insole for a women&#39;s high heel or elevated shoe. 
     BACKGROUND 
     Women&#39;s shoes, and in particular women&#39;s high-heel shoes, can cause various concerns for a wearer that create or exacerbate physical or medical issues relating to the wearer&#39;s foot and ankle. Extended wear of a high heel can cause a range of ailments, including for example, damage to the ankle, leg tendons, and foot tendons, or issues in the legs and back due to improper distribution of the wearer&#39;s weight. High-heeled shoes tend to put a foot in a plantar-flexed (foot pointed downward) position, shifting the body weight away from the heel to the balls of the foot. When a woman wears high heels, her arch height is increased, which alters her posture and gait. Furthermore, an increased arch height can lead to an unnatural increase in pressure to other areas of the foot, muscle fatigue and foot and ankle injury. High heel shoes also cause a wearer&#39;s foot and ankle to move in a supinated (turned outward) position. Thus, as it is well known, wearing high heel shoes can lead to an increased risk of ankle sprain or falls due to imbalance or instability. 
     SUMMARY 
     The following presents a simplified summary in order to provide a basic understanding of some aspects of various invention embodiments. The summary is not an extensive overview of the invention. It is neither intended to identify key or critical elements of the invention nor to delineate the scope of the invention. The following summary merely presents some concepts of the invention in a simplified form as a prelude to the more detailed description below. 
     In illustrative embodiments, a built-in orthotic insole for a women&#39;s high-heel or elevated shoe is provided that may limit or counteract some of the issues that may be more prevalent for women wearing high heels. The orthotic insole may be configured in a variety of embodiments. 
     In an illustrative embodiment, the orthotic insole may be comprised of three layers of material, with the inner layer including a closed-cell foam material, such as, but not limited to ethylene vinyl acetate. In illustrative embodiments, this material is commercially available as P-Cell® or a similar material that has an approximate durometer of 20. The insole may further comprise an arch fill or arch support. The arch fill may consist of Microcell Puff™ or other similar material that has an approximate durometer of 35, in illustrative embodiments. The arch support may be configured to approximately extend laterally below the base of the forth metatarsal bone of the user of the high-heel shoe. The insole further includes a rear foot post or posting, which in illustrative embodiments may be made of ethylene vinyl acetate with a durometer of approximately 55, that is a 3-degree post. In illustrative embodiments, the insole may be a full-length insole, or may be a sulcus-length insole that extends to approximately the digital sulcus of a user&#39;s foot. The features as described minimize potential slippage of the user&#39;s foot into the toe box and/or reduce ankle instability as it occurs in a high-heeled shoe. 
     In another illustrative embodiment, the orthotic insole may be comprised of three layers of material, a top layer, a middle layer, and a bottom layer. The top layer may be configured to be in contact with a wearer&#39;s foot or a wrap of material, the bottom layer may be configured to be adjacent an outsole of the shoe, and the middle layer may be configured to be positioned therebetween, with all three layers assembled together to form the insole. The top layer is configured to have substantially the same width and length of the entire insole, and may be constructed of one or more materials suitable to support a wearer&#39;s foot, such as flexible material, resistant material, or a combination of materials. The top layer may alternatively be constructed of multiple sublayers of material. The middle layer is shaped as a j-strip which provides a rearfoot posting within the insole and further provides a cupping effect to a wearer&#39;s heel. The middle layer may have a similar overall width as the top layer but may include a shorter length than the top layer such that the middle layer only extends from the heel to approximately the metatarsal phalangeal joint of the fifth metatarsal bone. The bottom layer may be configured to be more rigid than the other two layers to provide stability for the insole, and may further include a rigid plate that provides shaping and/or stiffening to the insole. The insole may further include an arch support integrally formed within one or more of the layers to provide support to a wearer&#39;s arch. 
     In another illustrative embodiment, a shoe with an orthotic insole may further include a cushioning layer positioned on top of a top layer of the insole. The cushioning layer includes a first cushion segment and a second cushion segment, wherein the first cushion segment may be positioned to be below the wearer&#39;s arch and the second cushion segment positioned may be positioned to be below the plantar aspect of the wearer&#39;s foot, sparing the arch. In various embodiments, a gap is formed between the first and second cushion segments. Further, a wrap may partially cover a portion of the first cushion segment, and an optional sock may cover a portion of the second cushion segment. 
     While the insole is configured to be permanently fixed in the high-heel shoe, the shape and size of the insole may be modified based on the shape and size of the shoe. The insole may further be covered in a wrap of leather or other similar material before being inserted into the shoe. Given the cosmetic element desired when wearing high heels, the non-removable insole may be covered in the same fabrics and materials as the upper part of the shoe. In such a manner, the wrapped insole avoids showing unattractive adhesive pads and also eliminates slippage of such removable pads. 
    
    
     
       BRIEF DESCRIPTION OF THE DRAWINGS 
       The drawings disclose exemplary embodiments in which like reference characters designate the same or similar parts throughout the figures of which: 
         FIG. 1  is a disassembled view of a women&#39;s right high heel shoe with a full-length orthotic insole according to a first exemplary embodiment; 
         FIG. 2  is the disassembled view of  FIG. 1  further showing a cross-sectional view of the orthotic insole taken along the line  2 - 2  in  FIG. 1 ; 
         FIG. 3  is an exploded view of a full-length orthotic insole according to the exemplary embodiment as illustrated in  FIG. 1 ; 
         FIG. 4  is a disassembled view of a women&#39;s left high heel shoe with a full-length orthotic insole according to a second exemplary embodiment; 
         FIGS. 5A-5C  are bottom perspective, exploded views of three layers of the orthotic insole of  FIG. 4 ; 
         FIG. 6  is an illustrative assembly view of the three layers of the insole as illustrated in  FIGS. 5A-5C  according to one embodiment; 
         FIG. 7  is an assembled view of a middle layer and a bottom layer of the insole of  FIG. 4 ; 
         FIGS. 8A-8B  are side perspective views of the insole of  FIG. 4 . 
         FIG. 9  is a disassembled view of a women&#39;s left high heel shoe with a full-length orthotic insole including an optional cushioning layer, according to a third exemplary embodiment; 
         FIG. 10  is a top perspective view of the insole and cushioning layer of  FIG. 9 ; and 
         FIG. 11  is a top perspective view of the insole of  FIG. 10  after an optional wrap has been applied to a portion of the insole. 
     
    
    
     DETAILED DESCRIPTION 
     Unless otherwise indicated, the drawings are intended to be read (for example, cross-hatching, arrangement of parts, proportion, degree, or the like) together with the specification, and are to be considered a portion of the entire written description. As used herein, the terms “horizontal”, “vertical”, “left”, “right”, “bottom”, “middle”, “top”, “up” and “down”, as well as adjectival and adverbial derivatives thereof (for example, “horizontally”, “rightwardly”, “upwardly”, or the like), simply refer to the orientation of the illustrated structure as the particular drawing figure faces the reader. Furthermore, while exemplary embodiments herein describe a women&#39;s high-heeled shoe, it is intended that the shoe can be adapted as a shoe for use by a man. 
     In an exemplary embodiment, as shown in  FIGS. 1-3 , a women&#39;s shoe  10  generally includes an insole or insert  20  and a shoe base  30 . The women&#39;s shoe  10  is configured to be a heeled or elevated shoe such that the shoe base  30  includes a outsole  32 , a heel  36  coupled on the bottom of the outsole  32 , and an upper portion  38  (which may include a quarter or vamp portion) that extends upward from the outsole  32  away from the heel  36 , as illustrated in  FIG. 1 . The upper portion  38  may include a toe box  24  that surrounds and contains a user&#39;s toes (not shown) when the user is wearing the women&#39;s shoe  10 . The heel  36  may be configured to be similar to heels of other women&#39;s shoes as known in the industry. 
     The insole  20  is configured to be permanently affixed in the shoe base along a top surface  34  of the outsole  32  of the shoe base  30 , as illustrated in  FIG. 1 . The top surface  34  of the outsole  32  comprises an outer perimeter  122  that defines the boundaries of the top surface  34  and outsole  32 . The outer perimeter  122  defines the shape of the top surface  34 , and may be generally shaped similar to the shape of a women&#39;s foot. 
     As illustrated in the exemplary embodiments and described herein, the insole  20  may be generally shaped to conform to a bottom surface of a person&#39;s foot (not shown). It is desirable that the insole  20  is of sufficient thickness and of appropriate durometer to be suitable under the stresses accompanying ordinary use of the women&#39;s shoe  10 . Moreover, the insole  20  should be sufficiently flexible to permit movement during flexing of the foot and to accommodate multiple arch heights in the women&#39;s shoe  10 . The insole  20  may be covered in a wrap  80  that substantially surrounds at least the top of the insole  20  for cosmetic reasons and/or comfort of the user. In illustrative embodiments, the wrap  80  may also surround the sides and/or a portion of the bottom of the insole for cosmetic purposes. In illustrative embodiments, the wrap  80  may be made of leather or other similar material, and may be created to match or coordinate with other portions of the shoe  10 . In alternative embodiments, the wrap  80  may cover only the sides and a portion of the top of the insole  120 , and an optional sock layer  220  may be positioned over the top of the insole  120  in order to cover the remaining portions of the  120 , as is known in the art. 
     The insole  20  may be configured to extend varying lengths of the shoe base  30 . For instance, the insole  20  may extend the full length of the outsole  32 , as shown in  FIGS. 1-3 . Alternatively, the insole  20  may be a sulcus-length insole (not shown), extending from adjacent the user&#39;s heel to a location adjacent to where a user&#39;s digital sulcus may be positioned within the shoe  10 . Other insole lengths that permit incorporation of the features herein described are also envisioned. Further, the present disclosure envisions that the shape, size and type of the insole  20  may be modified based on the shape, size and type of the shoe  10  that it will be incorporated into. 
     In illustrative embodiments, the insole  20  may extend substantially the full length L of the outsole  32  and span the full width W of the outsole  32 ; that is, the insole  20  may be a heel-to-toe and side-to-side insole as illustrated in  FIGS. 1 and 2 . The insole  20  may be configured to fit within, and to extend substantially between, one or more walls  26  of the upper portion  38  of the shoe  10 . Accordingly, in such an embodiment, the insole  20  substantially provides complete separation between the wearer&#39;s foot and the outsole  32 . In alternative embodiments, a sulcus-length insole may extend approximately a length S from the back of the outsole  32  adjacent the heel  36  to a point  28  on the outsole  32 , as illustrated in  FIG. 2 , the point  28  positioned approximately where the user&#39;s digital sulcus may be aligned when the user wears the shoe  10 . 
     In illustrative embodiments, the insole  20  comprises at least a top layer  40 , a middle layer  42 , and a bottom layer  44 , as shown in  FIGS. 2-3 . In use, the top layer  40  is configured to be in contact with a wearer&#39;s foot (not shown), or the wrap  80  of material may be positioned between the top layer  40  and the wearer&#39;s foot. The middle layer  42  is positioned between the top layer  40  and the bottom layer  44 , and the bottom layer  44  is configured to be adjacent to the outsole  32  of the shoe  10 . Each of these layers  40 ,  42 , and  44  may be manufactured separately and assembled together to form the insole  20 . Each layer may be contoured to meet the shape and size of a typical underside of a foot, as illustrated in the Figures. 
     While it is envisioned that the layers  40 ,  42 , and  44  may be made of various materials, in illustrative embodiments, the top layer  40  may be constructed of a garment quality leather, or similar durable and resistant material. The middle layer  42  may be constructed of a closed-cell foam material, such as, but not limited to, ethylene vinyl acetate (EVA), commercially available as P-Cell®, or polyethylene, available commercially as Plastazote®. Other foam or cushioned materials may be used in various exemplary embodiments disclosed herein. Such material should provide adequate cushioning and shock absorption, while having a high coefficient of friction to provide a secure grip. A closed-cell material may also prevent irritation to a wearer as it is less abrasive from other materials. The bottom layer  44  may be constructed of a foam material, such as a closed-cell foam material, for example, ethylene vinyl acetate. 
     In illustrative embodiments, the top layer  40  may be configured to have a length L 1  and a width W 1 , the length L 1  being substantially similar to the length L of the insole  20  and the width W 1  being substantially similar to the width W of the insole  20 . 
     In various embodiments, the middle layer  42  may be approximately ⅛ inches thick, and have a durometer measurement of approximately 20. The middle layer  42  may have a length L 2  and a width W 2 . The length L 2  may be substantially similar to the length L of the insole  20  and length L 1  of the top layer  40 , and the width W 2  may be substantially similar to the width W of the insole  20  and the width W 1  of the top layer  40 . The middle layer  42  may be configured to make the insole  20  moldable to each individual&#39;s foot, while the middle layer  42  may still be very light weight. In various embodiments, the middle layer  42  may have varying thickness along the length L 2  of the middle layer  42 . In addition, the middle layer  42  is envisioned to be fairly resistant to deformation, minimally abrasive, deflective of moisture, and a higher tensile strength. 
     The bottom layer  44  may have a length L 3  that is substantially similar to lengths L, L 1 , and L 2  of the insole  20 , top layer  40 , and middle layer  42 , respectively. However, the bottom layer  44  may include a width W 3  that is smaller than the widths W, W 1  and W 2  of the insole  20 , top layer  40 , and middle layer  42 , respectively. As illustrated in  FIGS. 2 and 3 , the width W 3  may be approximately equal to, or less than, half of the width W of the whole insole  20 . In illustrative embodiments, the width W 3  is configured to extend and cover the lateral column of a wearer&#39;s foot (not shown). The bottom layer  44  may be positioned along an outside edge  35  of the insole  20 , the outside edge  35  corresponding to the outside of a wearer&#39;s foot (not shown) and an outer side  37  of the upper portion  38  of the shoe base  30 . 
     The bottom layer  44  may be configured to be a more rigid than the middle layer  42 , and may have a durometer of 55, which may provide more motion control. In illustrative embodiments, the bottom layer  44  may be 1/16 inches thick. 
     In illustrative embodiments, the bottom layer  44  comprises a rearfoot post  48 , as illustrated in  FIG. 3 . In illustrative embodiments, the rearfoot post  48  is a lateral rearfoot post. The rearfoot post  48  is configured to provide balance to the foot and ankle of the wearer, and to further reduce lateral column overload of the foot. In an illustrative embodiment and for purposes of a women&#39;s high-heel shoe  10 , the rearfoot post  48  may be a 3-degree post as known to be determined in the industry. A 3-degree rearfoot post is a biomechanically accepted rearfoot wedge size tolerated by most people to discourage the subtalar and ankle joints from inverting, by directing ground reactive forces laterally. Such a design reduces the tendency to twist or sprain an ankle. This feature is helpful in combination with a high-heel shoe, as the heel causes the arch to elevate naturally. The rearfoot post  48  may be positioned along the outsole  32  and extend the length L of the insole  20  from the heel  36  of the shoe base  30 . The rearfoot post  48  may be configured as a wedge of orthotic material added to control excess rearfoot frontal plane movement. 
     The exemplary insole  20  further includes an arch fill  50 , as illustrated in  FIGS. 1-3 . The arch fill  50  is not the full length of the insole  20 , but rather is only configured to be positioned under a wearer&#39;s arch along an inner edge  39  of the insole  20  and adjacent to an inner side  41  of the upper portion  38  of the shoe base  30 . In illustrative embodiments, the arch fill  50  may be made of Microcell Puff, an ethylene vinyl acetate foam, or other similar material, and may be of variable measurements based on the shoe size. The arch fill  50  may have a durometer measurement of 35. The arch fill  50  may be configured for some flexibility while also providing rigidity and resistance to deformation. 
     In illustrative embodiments, the bottom layer  44  of the insole  20  may partially overlap the arch fill  50  when assembled together in the insole  20 . The bottom layer  44  may extend under the lateral column of the wearer, while the arch fill  50  extends below at least the entire arch of the wearer. In this manner, the bottom layer  44  may extend over a portion of the arch fill  50  by a length of E. 
     In illustrative embodiments, the upper portion  38  of the shoe  10  may further include a heel counter  60 . The heel counter  60  is an upwardly extending support on the back of the upper portion  38  above the heel  36 . The heel counter  60  provides support for the heel of the wearer of the shoe  10  by wrapping around a portion of the wearer&#39;s heel and/or ankle, as illustrated in  FIGS. 1 and 4 . The heel counter  60  is configured to be similar to heel counters known in the industry. 
     The combination of the arch fill  50  and rearfoot post  48  together provide an appropriate support for the foot and ankle of the wearer of the high-heel shoe  10 . Specifically, the addition of the arch fill  50  provides a natural support for a wearer&#39;s arch (both natural and created from the high-heel shoe), which the rearfoot post  48  provides a counter-balance to the forces on the wearer&#39;s ankle and heel that can cause ankle sprains or injuries. These features in combination provide beneficial support for high-heel shoes. 
     In illustrative embodiments, this combination may be enhanced with the heel counter  60 . In combination with a heel counter  60  that restricts movement of the wearer&#39;s foot and ankle in the shoe  10 , the features of the present disclosure provide additional beneficial support for high-heel shoes. 
     In a second exemplary embodiment, as shown in  FIGS. 4-8B , a women&#39;s high-heel shoe  110  generally includes an insole or insert  120  and a shoe base  130 . The women&#39;s shoe  110  is configured to be a heeled or elevated shoe such that the shoe base  130  includes a outsole  132 , a heel  136  coupled on the bottom of the outsole  132 , and an upper portion  138  (which may include a quarter or vamp portion) that extends upward from the outsole  132  away from the heel  136 , as illustrated in  FIG. 4 . The upper portion  138  may include a toe box  124  that surrounds and contains a user&#39;s toes (not shown) when the user is wearing the women&#39;s shoe  110 . Alternatively, the upper portion  138  may include an open-toe feature. The heel  136  may be configured to be similar to heels of other women&#39;s shoes as known in the industry. The insole  120  include a medial or inside edge  139  and a lateral or outside edge  145 . 
     The insole  120  is configured to be permanently affixed in the shoe base along a top surface  134  of the outsole  132  of the shoe base  130 , as illustrated in  FIG. 4 . As illustrated in the exemplary embodiments, the insole  120  may be generally shaped to conform to a bottom surface of a person&#39;s foot (not shown). It is desirable that the insole  120  is of sufficient thickness and of appropriate durometer to be suitable under the stresses accompanying ordinary use of the women&#39;s shoe  10 . Moreover, the insole  120  should be sufficiently flexible to permit movement during flexing of the foot and to accommodate multiple arch heights in the women&#39;s shoe  110 . The insole  120  may be covered in a wrap  180  that substantially surrounds at least the top of the insole  120  for cosmetic reasons and/or comfort of the user. In illustrative embodiments, the wrap  180  may also surround the sides and/or a portion of the bottom of the insole for cosmetic purposes. In illustrative embodiments, the wrap  180  may be made of leather or other similar material, and may be created to match or coordinate with other portions of the shoe  110 . In alternative embodiments, the wrap  180  may cover only the sides and a portion of the top of the insole  120 , and an optional sock layer  220  may be positioned over the top of the insole  120  in order to cover the remaining portions of the  120 , as is known in the art. 
     The insole  120  may be configured to extend varying lengths of the shoe base  130 . For instance, the insole  120  may extend the full length of the outsole  132 , as shown in  FIG. 4 . Alternatively, the insole  120  may be a sulcus-length insole (not shown), extending from adjacent the user&#39;s heel to a location adjacent to where a user&#39;s digital sulcus may be positioned within the shoe  110 . Other insole lengths that permit incorporation of the features herein described are also envisioned. Further, the present disclosure envisions that the shape, size and type of the insole  120  may be modified based on the shape, size and type of the shoe  110  that it will be incorporated into. 
     In illustrative embodiments, the insole  120  may extend substantially the full length L of the outsole  132  and span the full width W of the outsole  132 ; that is, the insole  120  may be a heel-to-toe and side-to-side insole as illustrated in  FIG. 4 . The insole  120  may be configured to fit within, and to extend substantially between, one or more walls  26  of the upper portion  138  of the shoe  110 . Accordingly, in such an embodiment, the insole  120  substantially provides complete separation between the wearer&#39;s foot and the outsole  132 . In alternative embodiments, a sulcus-length insole may extend approximately a length S from the back of the outsole  132  adjacent the heel  136  to a point  128  on the outsole  132 , as illustrated in  FIG. 4 , the point  128  positioned approximately where the user&#39;s digital sulcus may be aligned when the user wears the shoe  110 . 
     The insole  120  may be configured to include an arch support  112  positioned along the medial or inner edge  139  of the insole  120 . The arch support  112  may be configured to be positioned under a wearer&#39;s arch along the inner edge  139  of the insole  120  and adjacent to an inner side  141  of the upper portion  138  of the shoe base  130 . In illustrative embodiments, the arch support  112  and the rest of the insole  120  may be formed as a single unitary structure, or the arch support  112  may be formed as a separate structure and coupled to the rest of the insole  120 . The arch support  112  may accordingly be made of the same material as the rest of the insole  120  or of different material, and may be of variable measurements based on the shoe size. The arch support  112  may be configured for some flexibility while also providing rigidity and resistance to deformation. 
     In illustrative embodiments, the insole  120  comprises at least a top layer  140 , a middle layer  142 , and a bottom layer  144  as shown in  FIGS. 5A-6 . In use, the top layer  140  is configured to be in contact with a wearer&#39;s foot (not shown), or the wrap  180  of material may be positioned between the top layer  140  and the wearer&#39;s foot. The middle layer  142  is positioned between the top layer  140  and the bottom layer  144 , and the bottom layer  144  is configured to be adjacent to the outsole  132  of the shoe  110 . Each of these layers  140 ,  142 , and  144  may be manufactured separately and assembled together to form the insole  120 . Each layer may be contoured to meet the shape and size of a typical underside of a foot, as illustrated in the Figures. It is envisioned that the layers  140 ,  142 , and  144  may be made of the same material or different materials. 
     In illustrative embodiments, the top layer  140  includes a first end  131 , a second end  133 , a medial or in inner edge  135 , and a lateral or outer edge  137 , as illustrated in  FIG. 5C . The first end  131  of the top layer  140  is generally configured to be positioned adjacent to or below a wearer&#39;s heel, the second end  133  is generally configured to be positioned adjacent to or below a wearer&#39;s toes, the inner edge  135  is generally configured to be positioned adjacent to or below the medial or inside edge of a wearer&#39;s foot, and the outer edge  137  is generally configured to be positioned adjacent to or below the lateral or outside edge of a wearer&#39;s foot. The top layer  140  may be configured to have a length L 1  and a width W 1 , the length L 1  being substantially similar to the length L of the insole  120  and the width W 1  being substantially similar to the width W of the insole  120 . The top layer  140  comprises an outer perimeter  146  that defines the boundaries of the top layer  140  and spans across the first end  131 , second end  133 , inner edge  135 , and outer edge  137 . The outer perimeter  146  defines the shape of the top layer  140 , and may be generally configured to be similar in shape to the outer perimeter  122  of the top surface  34  of the outsole  32 . In various embodiments, the top layer  140  includes a slight protrusion  114  positioned on the inner edge  135  that corresponds with the arch support  112  of the insole  120 , as illustrated in  FIG. 5C . 
     In illustrative embodiments, the top layer  140  may be constructed of one or more materials suitable to support a wearer&#39;s foot. For instance, the top layer  140  may be constructed of a garment quality leather, or similar durable and resistant material. The top layer  140  may alternatively be constructed of a rubber or other flexible material. The top layer  140  may further be constructed of a cardboard or other similar stiffing material. In illustrative embodiments, and as illustrated in  FIG. 5C , the top layer  140  may be constructed of a first sublayer of material  140   a  and a second sublayer of material  140   b . The first sublayer  140   a  may be positioned on top of the second sublayer  140   b , adjacent to the wearer&#39;s foot when the insole  120  is positioned in the shoe  110 . The second sublayer  140   b  may be positioned adjacent to the middle layer  142  when the insole  120  is assembled. In various embodiments, the first sublayer  140   a  may be made of a flexible rubber or cushioning material, and the second sublayer  140   b  may be constructed from a stiffer material such as cardboard or the like. In alternative embodiments, the first sublayer  140   a  may comprise a first portion  141  and a second portion  143 , as illustrated in  FIGS. 4 and 5C . The first portion  141  and second portion  143  may be joined together to form sublayer  140   a  such that first portion  141  and second portion  143  each have lengths that are less than the length L 1  of the top layer  140 . In various embodiments, the first portion  141  may be constructed of a flexible foam material or rubber material, while the second portion  143  may be constructed of a stiffer material such as cardboard or the like. Other embodiments of sublayers  140   a  and  140   b  are envisioned herein. 
     In illustrative embodiments, the middle layer  142  of the insole  120  comprises one or more pieces of material that form a j-strip  150 . The j-strip  150  comprises a first straight portion  152 , a curved portion  154 , and an optional second straight portion  126 , as illustrated in  FIG. 5B . In illustrative embodiments, the j-strip  150  may be formed of a single piece of material that is shaped as described herein. Alternatively, the j-strip  150  may be formed of multiple pieces of material that combine to form the shape as described herein. The description and drawings of a single piece j-strip  150  are applicable to a j-strip  150  formed of multiple pieces. 
     In illustrative embodiments, the first straight portion  152  is joined with the curved portion  154  and the second straight portion  126  to form the j-strip  150 . The first straight portion  152  includes a first end  156  and a connecting edge  157  that is spaced apart from the first end  156 . The second straight portion includes a connecting edge  159  and a second end  158  that is spaced apart from the connecting edge  159 . The curved portion  154  is coupled to the connecting edges  157  and  159  to connect the first straight portion  152  and the second straight portion  126 . The first straight portion  152 , curved portion  154  and second straight portion  126  are configured to be coupled together to form the j-strip  150 . 
     In various embodiments, the first straight portion  152 , the curved portion  154 , and the second straight portion  126  form a continuous j-strip  150  of a single material. In other embodiments, these components may be formed separately and connected together, or the components may be formed separately and positioned adjacent to each other to form the j-strip  150 . The first end  156  of the first straight portion  152  and the second end  158  of the second straight portion  126  form the ends of the j-strip  150 . In illustrative embodiments, the first end  156  and the second end  158  of the middle layer  142  may taper to a thin edge, as illustrated in  FIG. 5B , in order to minimize the transition from the middle layer  142  in order to provide comfort for the wearer. 
     The middle layer  142  comprises an outer edge  160  that defines the outer boundaries of the middle layer  142 . The outer edge  160  extends from the first end  156  to the second end  158  of the j-strip  150 , and extends along the straight portions  152 ,  126  and curved portion  154  of the j-strip  150 . The outer edge  160  defines the outer perimeter of the j-strip  150 , and may be generally shaped to conform in shape and size to a portion of the outer perimeter  146  of the top layer  140 , as illustrated in  FIGS. 6-8B , as well as the outer perimeter  122  of the top surface  34  of the outsole  32 . The middle layer  142  further includes an inner edge  162  that extends from the first end  156  to the second end  158  of the j-strip  150 , as illustrated in  FIG. 5B . The inner edge  162  comprises a curved edge  164  that corresponds with the curved portion  154  of the j-strip  150 . The curved portion  154  of the j-strip is configured to be positioned below the heel of a wearer&#39;s foot and provides approximately 180 degrees of curvature for the j-strip  150 . Accordingly, the j-strip  150 , and in particular the curved edge  164  of the inner edge  162 , provides a cupping effect to the user&#39;s heel to maintain the heel in a pre-determined position within the shoe. 
     The middle layer  142  may have a length L 2  and an overall width W 2 , as illustrated in  FIG. 5B , wherein the length L 2  is smaller than the length L 1  of the top layer  140  while the overall width W 2  may be similar is size as the width W 1  of the top layer  140 . The overall width W 2  may be defined relative to the outer edge  160  of the j-strip  150 . The length L 2  is the distance from the first end  156  to a bottom point  151  of the j-strip  150  along the curved portion  154 . The length L 2  may be determined by the distance from the heel of a wearer to approximately the joint of the fifth metatarsal bone (e.g. sulcus-length). 
     As illustrated in  FIG. 5B , the length of the first straight portion  152  is configured to be larger than the length of the second straight portion  126  such that the first end  156  is not aligned with the second end  158 . Accordingly, the first straight portion  152  extends generally along a substantial portion of the lateral edge of a wearer&#39;s foot, while the second straight portion  126  does not extend along a substantial portion of the medial edge of the wearer&#39;s foot. Thus, when assembled in the insole  120 , the middle layer  142  causes a variance in thickness across the width of the insole  120 —i.e. the lateral edge  145  of the insole  120  may be thicker than the medial edge  139  of the insole  120 . This causes a posting or raised effect for the wearer&#39;s foot on the lateral edge of the wearer&#39;s foot as compared to the medial edge of the wearer&#39;s foot when the wearer&#39;s foot is in the shoe. The j-strip shape of the j-strip  150  effectively promotes such an effect on only one side, namely, the lateral side, of the insole  120 . 
     In various embodiments, the j-strip  150  provides for increased stability for a wearer of the shoe in light of the variance in thickness of the insole  120  between the medial edge  139  and the lateral edge  145 . Specifically, the difference between the thickness of the insole  120  along the lateral edge  145  verses the thickness of the insole  120  along the medial edge  139  creates a rearfoot posting effect for the wearer of the shoe. For example, in illustrative embodiments, the first straight portion  152  of the middle layer  142  comprises a lateral rearfoot post  148 . The rearfoot post  148  is configured to provide balance to the foot and ankle of the wearer, and to further reduce lateral column overload of the foot. In an illustrative embodiment and for purposes of a women&#39;s high-heel shoe  10 , the rearfoot post  148  may be a 3-degree post as known to be determined in the industry. A 3-degree rearfoot post is a biomechanically accepted rearfoot wedge size tolerated by most people to discourage the subtalar and ankle joints from inverting, by directing ground reactive forces laterally. Such a design reduces the tendency to twist or sprain an ankle. This feature is helpful in combination with a high-heel shoe, as the heel causes the arch to elevate naturally. The rearfoot post  148  may be configured as a wedge of orthotic material added to control excess rearfoot frontal plane movement. 
     In illustrative embodiments, the first straight portion  152  and second straight portion  126  are configured to extend to specific points along a standard wearer&#39;s foot. Specifically, the first straight portion  152  is configured to be aligned along the outside edge  137  of the insole  120 , which corresponds to an outside edge of a wearer&#39;s foot. The first straight portion  152  may be configured to extend to approximately below the joint of the fifth metatarsal bone of a typical women&#39;s foot along the outside edge  137  of the insole  120 . The second straight portion  126  is configured to be aligned along the inside edge  139  of the insole  120 , which corresponds to an inside edge of the wearer&#39;s foot. The second straight portion  126  may be configured to extend to at or just before the arch support  112  of the insole  120  (and accordingly the arch of the wearer&#39;s foot). As illustrated in  FIGS. 5A-5B , the second straight portion  126  may extend a distance L 4  that is less than a length L 5  from the heel of the insole  120  to the beginning of the arch support  112 . 
     The first straight portion  152  may include a width W 4  that is smaller than the widths W of the insole  120  or W 2  of the middle layer  142 , respectively. As illustrated in  FIGS. 5B and 6 , the width W 4  may be less than half of the width W 2  of the middle layer  142 . In illustrative embodiments, the width W 4  is configured to extend across a portion of the lateral column of a wearer&#39;s foot (not shown). The straight portion  152  is configured to be positioned along an outside edge  35  of the insole  120 , the outside edge  35  corresponding to the outside of a wearer&#39;s foot (not shown) and the outer side  137  of the upper portion  138  of the shoe base  130 . 
     The bottom layer  144  of the insole  120  may be configured to be a more rigid than the middle layer  142 , and may have a durometer of 55, which may provide more motion control. In illustrative embodiments, the bottom layer  144  may be 1/16 inches thick. In various embodiments, the bottom layer includes a slight protrusion  116  that corresponds with the arch support  112  of the insole  120 , as illustrated in  FIG. 5A . 
     In illustrative embodiments, the bottom layer  144  includes a base  170  and a rigid plate  172  fixedly secured to the base  170 , as illustrated in  FIG. 5A . The base  170  includes a top surface  174 , a bottom surface  176 , a first end  178 , a second end  181 , an inner edge  171 , and an outer edge  173 . The first end  178  of the bottom layer  144  is generally configured to be positioned below a wearer&#39;s heel, the second end  181  is generally configured to be positioned below and inward of a wearer&#39;s toes, the inner edge  171  is generally configured to be positioned below the inside portion of a wearer&#39;s foot, and the outer edge  193  is generally configured to be positioned below the outside portion of a wearer&#39;s foot. The top surface  174  is configured to be positioned adjacent to the middle layer  142 , while the bottom surface  176  is configured to be positioned adjacent to the outsole of the shoe  110 . 
     In illustrative embodiments, the second end  181  of the base  170  may taper to a thin edge  182 , as illustrated in  FIG. 5A , in order to minimize the transition from the bottom layer  144  in order to provide comfort for the wearer. In various embodiments, the base includes the protrusion  116  along the inner edge  171  that corresponds with the arch support  112 , and is configured to align with the protrusion  114  of the top layer  140  when the insole  120  is assembled. The first end  178  may be shaped to correspond to the first end  131  of the top layer  140 , the inner edge  171  may be shaped to partially correspond to the inner edge  135  of the top layer  140 , and the outer edge  173  may be shaped to partially correspond to the outer edge  137  of the top layer  140 . 
     The rigid plate  172  is coupled to the top surface  174  of the base  170 . The rigid plate  172  may be configured to extend away from the top surface  174  in the middle of the rigid plate  172  when the ends of the rigid plate  172  are coupled to the top surface  174 , as illustrated in  FIG. 5A . In various embodiments, the rigid plate  172  is an elongated and slightly curved member that is secured to the top surface  174  of the base  170  via rivets or similar connecting members  175 . As illustrated in  FIG. 7 , the rigid plate  172  may be positioned on the base  170  such that the rigid plate  172  aligns with a cavity  184  formed in the j-strip  150  between the first straight portion  152  and the second straight portion  126 . As is known in the industry, the rigid plate  172  may provide additional resistance and stability to the shoe, or further provide means for shaping and/or flexing of the insole  120  to a desired shape and height of the shoe, as well as means for providing a spring or bias force to the wearer&#39;s foot from the insole  120  during use. 
     The base  170  may have a shape that conforms in part to the shape of a portion of the top layer  140 , and may generally have a width W 3  that is substantially similar to the width W 1  of the top layer  140 . The base  170  may have a length L 3  that is less than the length L 1  of the top layer  140 , but is equal to or greater than the length L 2  of the middle layer  142 . Other alternatives for the length and width of the bottom later  144  are envisioned herein. In various embodiments, the base  170  may have a length L 3  that extends from the heel of the wearer to generally just past the pivot point of the joint of the fifth metatarsal bone. In alternative embodiments, the base  170  may have a length L 3  that is sulcus length. 
     An exemplary embodiment of a method of making the insole  120  of the second embodiment for a women&#39;s high-heel shoe  110  includes positioning the middle layer  142  between the bottom layer  144  and the top layer  140 , as illustrated in  FIG. 6 , and assembling the layers  140 ,  142  and  144  together to form a single insole  120 , as illustrated in  FIGS. 8A-8B . The middle layer  142  is configured to include a rearfoot posting  148  that provides, for example, a 3-degree wedge to diminish or prevent lateral column loading to the wearer&#39;s foot. The middle layer  142  may include a first straight portion  152  configured to have a smaller width W 4  than the rest of the insole  20  such that the first straight portion  152  only extends to cover the width of a wearer&#39;s lateral column, while the width W of the insole  120  may extend the entire width W of a wearer&#39;s foot. The insole  120  may be combined with a shoe base  130  that includes a heel counter  161  along the back of the shoe base  130 , the heel counter  60  restraining movement of the wearer&#39;s heel while the wearer&#39;s foot is in the shoe  110 . 
     In a third exemplary embodiment, as shown in  FIGS. 9-11 , the high-heel shoe  110  may optionally include a cushioning layer  200  that is positioned adjacent to or above the insole  120  described herein. In illustrative embodiments, the cushioning layer  200  may be positioned on top of the top layer  140 . The cushioning layer  200  may be constructed of a closed-cell foam material, such as, but not limited to, ethylene vinyl acetate (EVA), commercially available as P-Cell®, or polyethylene, available commercially as Plastazote®. Other foam or cushioned materials may be used in various exemplary embodiments disclosed herein. Such material should provide adequate cushioning and shock absorption, while having a high coefficient of friction to provide a secure grip. A closed-cell material may also prevent irritation to a wearer as it is less abrasive from other materials. 
     As illustrated in  FIGS. 10-11 , the cushioning layer  200  may be comprised of one or more separate pads of material that have a shape that is partially dependent on the shape or size of the insole  120 . The cushioning layer  200  may be configured to extend varying lengths of the insole  120 . For instance, the cushioning layer  200  may extend the full length of the insole  120 , or may extend less than the full length of the insole  120 . The cushioning layer  200  may have a width W 5  that is slightly smaller than the width W 1  of the insole  120 , and may have a length L 5  that is slightly smaller than the length L 1  of the insole  120 . Accordingly, a gap  202  may be formed between a medial edge  204  of the cushioning layer  200  and the medial edge  135  of the top layer  140  of the insole  120 , and a gap  203  may be formed between a lateral edge  206  of the cushioning layer  200  and the lateral edge  137  of the top layer  140 , as illustrated in  FIG. 10 . Alternatively, cushioning layer  200  may extend the full width between edges  135  and  137 , and the full length between the ends  131  and  133  of the top layer  140 . 
     In various embodiments, cushioning layer  200  may be comprised of a first cushion segment  210  and a second cushion segment  212 , as illustrated in  FIG. 10 . The first cushion segment  210  may be positioned to be above the arch support  112  of insole  120  along a medial side of the insole  120  corresponding with the inner edge  139  of the insole  120 . The first cushion segment may further include a slight protrusion  214  that corresponds to the shape of the slight protrusion  114  of the top layer  140 . The first cushion segment  210  may be shaped to conform generally with the arch of a wearer&#39;s foot. The first cushion segment  210  may have a width W 6  that is less than the width W 5  of the cushion segment  210  and a length L 6  that is less than the length L 5  of the cushion segment  210 . In various embodiments, the first cushion segment  210  may be thicker than the second cushion segment  212 . 
     The second cushion segment  212  may be positioned to be below the plantar aspect of the foot sparing the arch, as illustrated in  FIG. 10 , and may be shaped to generally correspond with the plantar aspect of the foot (minus the arch). In various embodiments, the second cushion segment  212  and first cushion segment  210  are configured to be generally in the same plane of alignment with each other so that the first cushion segment  210  and second cushion segment  212  form cushioning layer  200  on top of top layer  140 . First cushion segment  210  and second cushion segment  212  may be spaced apart from each other such that a gap  208  is formed between first cushion segment  210  and second cushion segment  212 . Alternatively, first cushion segment  210  may overlap a portion of second cushion segment  212 , or second cushion segment  212  may overlay a portion of first cushion segment  210 , on top of top layer  140 . 
     In various embodiments, cushioning layer  200  may include multiple segments that are positioned on top of top layer  140 . For instance, first or second cushioning segments  210  or  212  may be comprised of two or more separate segments of material such that cushioning layer  200  is formed of three or more segments of material. Alternatively, cushioning layer  200  may be comprised of a single layer of cushion material. 
     Cushioning layer  200  may be applied to insole  120  of shoe  110  in a variety of methods. Cushioning layer  200  may be applied before or after insole  120  is affixed to other components of shoe  110 , such as the heel  136  and the upper portion  138 . Cushioning layer  200  may alternatively be applied to the top layer  140  before the top layer  140  is coupled to the middle layer  142  and the bottom layer  144  of the insole  120 . Other methods of applying cushioning layer  200  to the insole  120  are envisioned herein. 
     In one illustrative method of preparing the shoe  110 , first cushioning segment  210  may be coupled to the top layer  140  of the insole  120  above the arch support in a first step, and then a wrap  180  of material may be applied over a portion of the first cushioning segment  210  and the sides of insole  120 , as illustrated in  FIG. 11 . The wrap  180  may be formed of a leather or leather like material, and may extend around the full circumference of the insole  120 . Alternatively, the wrap  180  may only extend around a portion of the circumference of the insole  120 . The wrap  180  may provide a finished surface for the wearer&#39;s foot to rest upon when wearing the shoe  110 . In a second step, the insole  120  (with the first cushioning segment  210 ) may then be fixedly secured to other components of the shoe  110 , such as the heel  136  and upper portion  138 . After the insole  120  is affixed to other portions of the shoe  110 , the second cushioning segment  212  may be affixed to the plantar aspect of the foot sparing the arch in a third step. The second cushioning segment  212  may be applied directly to the top layer  140 , or may partially lay over the first cushioning segment and/or the wrap  180 . An optional sock layer  220  may be applied over the second cushioning segment  212  in a last step and may further overlap a portion of the wrap  180  and/or second cushioning segment  212 . 
     Although only a few exemplary embodiments of this invention have been described in detail above, those skilled in the art will readily appreciate that many modifications are possible in the exemplary embodiments without materially departing from the novel teachings and advantages of this invention. Accordingly, all such modifications are intended to be included within the scope of this invention as defined in the following claims. It is intended that the specification and examples be considered as exemplary only, with a true scope and spirit being indicated by the following inventive concepts. 
     Unless otherwise expressly stated, it is in no way intended that any method set forth herein be construed as requiring that its steps be performed in a specific order. Accordingly, where a method claim does not actually recite an order to be followed by its steps or it is not otherwise specifically stated in the claims or descriptions that the steps are to be limited to a specific order, it is no way intended that an order be inferred, in any respect. 
     As used in the specification and the appended claims, the singular forms “a,” “an” and “the” include plural referents unless the context clearly dictates otherwise. Ranges may be expressed herein as from “about” one particular value, and/or to “about” another particular value. When such a range is expressed, another embodiment includes from the one particular value and/or to the other particular value. Similarly, when values are expressed as approximations, by use of the antecedent “about,” it will be understood that the particular value forms another embodiment. It will be further understood that the endpoints of each of the ranges are significant both in relation to the other endpoint, and independently of the other endpoint. 
     “Optional” or “optionally” means that the subsequently described event or circumstance may or may not occur, and that the description includes instances where said event or circumstance occurs and instances where it does not. 
     The headings of various sections are used for convenience only and are not intended to limit the scope of the present disclosure. 
     Throughout the description and claims of this specification, the word “comprise” and variations of the word, such as “comprising” and “comprises,” means “including but not limited to,” and is not intended to exclude, for example, other additives, components, integers or steps. “Exemplary” or “illustrative” means “an example of” and is not intended to convey an indication of a preferred or ideal embodiment. “Such as” is not used in a restrictive sense, but for explanatory purposes. 
     It should further be noted that any patents, applications and publications referred to herein are incorporated by reference in their entirety.