Patent Publication Number: US-2013232816-A1

Title: Footwear Cushion

Description:
TECHNICAL FIELD 
     The present invention relates to a footwear cushion. 
     BACKGROUND 
     The reference to any prior art in this specification is not, and should not be taken as an acknowledgement or any form of suggestion that the prior art forms part of the common general knowledge. 
     Sore feet is a common problem which affects most people at one time or another. Known footwear cushions or inserts may alleviate foot pain to some extent, but do not target specific problem areas of the foot. 
     Embodiments of the present invention provide a footwear cushion that supports the foot in these problem areas to alleviate pain. 
     SUMMARY OF THE INVENTION 
     According to one aspect of the present invention, there is provided a footwear cushion including:
         a base;   a pad protruding from the base; and   a protrusion for protruding from the pad and for supporting a foot.       

     The protrusion may include a tear-drop shaped dome. The protrusion may rearwardly taper. The protrusion may be located in register with a fixed end of a central ray of the foot. In one embodiment, the protrusion may be located in register with three central rays of the foot. The protrusion may be located so as to raise the fore-foot in the footwear. The protrusion may support a transverse metatarsal arch of the foot. 
     The pad may support three central rays of the foot. The pad may be located between the outer rays of the foot. The pad may be located behind the metatarsal heads with a front portion of the base located in register with the metatarsal heads. 
     The base may taper rearwardly to facilitate insertion into high heel footwear. The base may define a convex portion to suit flat soled footwear. 
     The base may include adhesive for adhering the base to the insole. 
     The cushion may further includes pebbles extending from a front portion of the base to facilitate gripping with the foot. 
     The cushion may be molded and integrally formed from homogeneous resilient material. The material may be plastics or rubber material. 
    
    
     
       BRIEF DESCRIPTION OF THE DRAWINGS 
       Preferred features, embodiments and variations of the invention may be discerned from the following Detailed Description which provides sufficient information for those skilled in the art to perform the invention. The Detailed Description is not to be regarded as limiting the scope of the preceding Summary of the Invention in any way. The Detailed Description will make reference to a number of drawings as follows: 
         FIG. 1   a  is a plan view of a footwear cushion in accordance with an embodiment of the present invention, 
         FIG. 1   b  is a side view of the footwear cushion of  FIG. 1   a;    
         FIG. 2   a  is a plan view showing a footwear cushion, in accordance with an embodiment of the present invention, aligned with a foot within footwear; 
         FIG. 2   b  is a side view showing the footwear cushion of  FIG. 2   a  aligned with a foot; 
         FIG. 3  is a plan view of a footwear cushion in accordance with an embodiment of the present invention; and 
         FIG. 4  is a plan view of a dimensioned footwear cushion in accordance with an embodiment of the present invention. 
     
    
    
     DETAILED DESCRIPTION OF PREFERRED EMBODIMENTS 
     According to an embodiment of the present invention, there is provided a footwear cushion  2  as shown in  FIG. 1 . The cushion  2  includes a base  4  for locating over an insole of footwear and a protrusion  6  protruding from the base  4 . The protrusion  6  supports a transverse metatarsal arch of a foot  12  as shown in  FIG. 2 . The footwear cushion  2  is described in detail below. 
     Returning to  FIG. 1   a , the protrusion  6  is in the form of a tear-drop shaped dome, and rearwardly tapers to an apex  8 . As can best be seen in  FIG. 2   a , the protrusion  6  is located in register with a fixed end of a central ray  10   c  of the foot  12 . Furthermore, the protrusion  6  is located in register with ray  10   d  of the foot  12  and raises the fore-foot in the footwear. 
     Returning to  FIG. 1   a , the cushion  2  further includes a sulcus pad  14  protruding from the base  4  and from which the protrusion  6  protrudes. As can best be seen in  FIG. 2 , the pad  14  supports the three central rays  10   b,    10   c ,  10   d  of the foot  12 , and is located between the outer rays  10   a,    10   e  of the foot  12  which are instead able to move more freely. The pad  14  is located behind the metatarsal heads  16  with a front portion of the base  4  located in register with the metatarsal heads  16 . 
     As can best be seen in  FIG. 1   a , the base  4  defines a convex portion  18  proximal its rear apex to suit cushion insertion into flat soled footwear. In contrast,  FIG. 3  shows a base  4  which tapers rearwardly to facilitate insertion into high heel footwear and which defines a concave portion  20  proximal its rear apex. The cushion  2  of  FIG. 3  does not include a sulcus pad  14 . 
     The base  4  includes adhesive for adhering the base  4  to the insole of the footwear. As can best be seen in  FIGS. 1   b  and  4 , the cushion  2  further includes rows of pebbles  22  extending from a front portion of the base  4  to facilitate gripping with the foot  12 . The cushion  2  is molded and integrally formed from homogeneous resilient material such as plastics or rubber material. 
     The foregoing preferred embodiments of the present invention provide a footwear cushion  2  that supports the foot  12  in problem areas to alleviate pain. 
     A person skilled in the art will appreciate that many embodiments and variations can be made without departing from the ambit of the present invention. 
     In one embodiment, the protrusion  6  is located in register with the three central rays  10   b,    10   c,    10   d  of the foot  12 . 
     The dimensions shown in  FIG. 4  are in millimeters, and are by way of example only. 
     In compliance with the statute, the invention has been described in language more or less specific to structural or methodical features. It is to be understood that the invention is not limited to specific features shown or described since the means herein described comprises preferred forms of putting the invention into effect. The invention is, therefore, claimed in any of its forms or modifications within the proper scope of the appended claims appropriately interpreted by those skilled in the art.