Patent Publication Number: US-2021161246-A1

Title: Bunion Correction Footwear Device

Description:
CROSS REFERENCE TO RELATED APPLICATIONS 
     This application claims the benefit of U.S. Provisional Application No. 62/942,509 filed on Dec. 2, 2019. The above identified patent application is herein incorporated by reference in its entirety to provide continuity of disclosure. 
    
    
     BACKGROUND OF THE INVENTION 
     The present invention relates to a bunion correction footwear device. More specifically, the present invention provides an implementable footwear device and system for assisting in the treatment and relief of the pain associated with bunions. 
     Bunions are a deformity of the metatarsophalangeal (MTP) joint that manifests as a bony projection that extends, or juts, laterally from a patient&#39;s foot from the big toe. These types of projections cause the big toe to be oriented such that it points towards the other toes. This condition may be caused by an individual wearing tight shoes or traumatic situations that otherwise create foot stress. Additionally, arthritis or other pre-existing conditions may contribute to the onset of bunions. The onset of bunions may be characterized not only by the bone deformity itself, but also acute and chronic pain and stiffness. Even a mild case of bunions may result in a significant amount of pain for the patient. 
     Currently, bunions are treated by attempting to address the underlying cause. For example, a patient may be advised to change the type of shoe that they wear. Additionally, the patient may be provided with padding or inserts to provide comfort to the foot that is affected with bunions. Pain medications may be provided to address symptoms. In some cases, invasive surgery may be required to remove particularly painful or severe bunions. 
     Current methods and devices for treating bunions range from merely treating existing symptoms to being in convenient for the patient. Pain medications are generally not intended for long-term use and the padding and inserts used to address the bunions may not be comfortable for the patient. Therefore, there is a defined need amongst the known prior art references for a bunion footwear correction device that not only provides relief from the pain and discomfort associated with bunions, but is also easy and effective for the patient to wear and use. Ideally, the bunion footwear correction device will further assist the patient in engaging in physical and athletic activities by supplying additional strength and balance to the big toe affected by bunions. 
     SUMMARY OF THE INVENTION 
     In view of the foregoing disadvantages inherent in the known types of bunion correction methods and systems now present in the prior art, the present invention provides a bunion correction footwear device wherein the same can be utilized for providing convenience for the user when treating or relieving pain or discomfort caused by bunions. 
     The present system comprises a primary bladder. The primary bladder is defined by at least one primary bladder member defining a primary cavity therebetween. The primary cavity is in operable connection with a primary pump via a primary tubing. Moreover, the primary pump comprises a primary actuator. The primary actuator is configured to provide air to the primary cavity when the primary actuator is engaged. 
    
    
     
       BRIEF DESCRIPTION OF THE DRAWINGS 
       Although the characteristic features of this invention will be particularly pointed out in the claims, the invention itself and manner in which it may be made and used may be better understood after a review of the following description, taken in connection with the accompanying drawings wherein like numeral annotations are provided throughout. 
         FIG. 1  shows a top down view of an embodiment of the bunion correction footwear device. 
         FIG. 2  shows a perspective view of an embodiment of the bunion correction footwear device. 
         FIG. 3  shows a perspective view of an embodiment of the bunion correction footwear device in use. 
     
    
    
     DETAILED DESCRIPTION OF THE INVENTION 
     Reference is made herein to the attached drawings. Like reference numerals are used throughout the drawings to depict like or similar elements of the bunion correction footwear device. The figures are intended for representative purposes only and should not be considered to be limiting in any respect. 
     Referring now to  FIG. 1 , there is shown a top down view of an embodiment of the bunion correction footwear device. The footwear correction device  10  comprises a primary bladder  11 . The primary bladder  11  is defined by at least one primary bladder member. The primary bladder member, or primary bladder members, define a primary cavity between themselves. The primary bladder  11  is made of a non-porous, air-tight material, such that air may be secured in the primary bladder  11 . 
     The primary bladder  11  is in operable connection with a primary pump  12 . The primary bladder  11  is connected to the primary pump  12  via a primary tubing  13 . As such, air can pass from the primary pump  12  to the primary bladder  11  through the primary tubing  13 . The primary pump  12  is in operable connection with a primary actuator  14 . The primary pump  12  is configured to provide air to the primary cavity of the primary bladder  11  when the primary actuator  14  is engaged by the user. 
     In the demonstrated embodiment, the primary bladder  11  is secured to a divider  101 . The divider  101  is secured to the bottom surface of the primary pump  12  as well as to the top surface of the primary pump  12 . The divider comprises a divider base  103  disposed oppositely a divider top (not shown), with a divider median  104  disposed therebetween. The divider base  103  and the divider top are identical in shape and size. The divider base  103  is configured to anchor the divider  101  to the base of the footwear device while the divider top is configured to secure the divider  101  to the top surface of the footwear device. The divider  101  is configured to prevent the primary bladder  11  from displacing the index toe of the user. As such, when the primary bladder  11  is inflated, only the big toe of the wearer will be manipulated by the primary bladder  11 . 
     Furthermore, in the demonstrated embodiment, the bunion correction footwear device  10  further comprises a secondary bladder  15 . The secondary bladder  15  is defined by at least one secondary bladder member. The secondary bladder member, or secondary bladder members, define a secondary cavity between themselves. The secondary bladder  15  is made of a non-porous, air-tight material, such that air may be secured in the secondary bladder  15 . 
     The secondary bladder  15  is in operable connection with a secondary pump  16 . The secondary bladder  15  is connected to the secondary pump  16  via a secondary tubing  17 . As such, air can pass from the secondary pump  16  to the secondary bladder  15  through the secondary tubing  17 . The secondary pump  16  is in operable connection with a secondary actuator  18 . The secondary pump  16  is configured to provide air to the secondary cavity of the secondary bladder  15  when the secondary actuator  18  is engaged by the user. 
     In some embodiments, the primary bladder  11  is in operable connection with a purge valve  19 . The purge valve  19  is configured to release air from the primary bladder  11  when the purge valve  19  is engaged by the wearer. Structurally, the purge valve is of any suitable construction or configuration for allowing the release of air from the primary bladder  11 . For example, the purge valve  19  may comprise an actuatable aperture, such that when the wearer causes the aperture to be opened, air will exit the primary bladder  11 . Furthermore, in other embodiments, the secondary bladder  15  may similarly comprise a purge valve  19 . In the shown embodiment, the purge valve  19  is placed proximately to either the primary actuator  14  or the secondary actuator  18 , depending on which of the primary bladder  11  or the secondary bladder  15  that the purge valve  19  corresponds to. 
     Referring now to  FIG. 2 , there is shown a perspective view of an embodiment of the bunion correction footwear device. In the illustrated embodiment, the primary bladder  11  is disposed on a sole  21  of a footwear device (shown in  FIG. 3 ). Alternatively, the primary bladder  11  may be mounted upon an insert  21  that is dimensioned to be inserted into a footwear device (similarly shown in  FIG. 3 ). Specifically, as shown, the primary bladder  11  is disposed between the big toe  22  portion and the index toe  23  portion of the sole  21 . As such, when air is supplied to the primary bladder  11  (as shown in  FIG. 3 ), the big toe  22  of the wearer to laterally displaced, easing the pain and discomfort associated with a bunion  24 . The primary tubing  13  in the illustrated embodiment, extends upward from the primary bladder  11  along the portion of the footwear device corresponding to the top of the foot of the wearer. As such, the presence of the primary tubing  13  will not provide discomfort to the wearer. 
     In the illustrated embodiment, the secondary bladder  15  is defined in a secondary location of the footwear device. The secondary location of the footwear device is defined at any position apart from the position of the primary bladder  11 . In the demonstrated embodiment, the secondary bladder  15  is disposed on the arch  25  portion of the sole  21 . As such, the bunion correction footwear device may further be utilized to provide additional arch support to the wearer. This is particularly useful as bunions are commonly accompanied by a need for arch support. Furthermore, in the illustrated embodiment, the secondary tubing  17  extends upward from the portion of the footwear device corresponding to the inside curve of the foot of the wearer. As such, the presence of the secondary tubing will not provide discomfort to the user. 
     Referring now to  FIG. 3 , there is shown a perspective view of an embodiment of the bunion correction footwear device in use. In the demonstrated embodiment, the bunion footwear correction device is implemented upon a footwear device  31 . The primary bladder  11  is secured to the sole  21  of the footwear device  31 , as well as being secured to the top portion of the footwear device  31 . Additionally, as shown, the primary pump  12  is disposed within the tongue  32  of the footwear device  31 . In such an embodiment, the primary actuator  14  is externally placed on the tongue  32  of the footwear device  31  to allow for the wearer to engage the primary pump  12  while wearing the footwear device  31 . The secondary actuator  18 , in the demonstrated embodiment, is placed proximate to the primary actuator  14 . This allows for the wearer to engage the secondary pump  16  easily and effectively while wearing the footwear device  31 . 
     In use, the footwear device  31  is placed onto the foot of the wearer. Once placed, the wearer may engage the primary actuator  14  to inflate the primary bladder  11 . When inflated, in the shown embodiment, the primary bladder  11  is of a semicircular shape comprising a pointed side  111  and a broad side  112 . The broad side  112  experiences a greater degree of expansion when the primary pump  12  is engaged, applying pressure to an interior side of the big toe  22  of the wearer. When pressure is applied to the interior side of the big toe  22  of the wearer, the pressure applied by the bunion ( FIG. 2, 24 ) is offset by the pressure applied by the primary bladder  11 . Additionally, should the wearer wish to provide himself or herself with additional arch support, the wearer may engage the secondary actuator  18  to inflate the secondary bladder  15 . 
     By manipulating the position of the wearer&#39;s big toe  22 , not only is the pain caused by the bunion relieved, but there are additional benefits provided. For example, when the big toe  22  is straightened out by the primary bladder  11 , the wearer will have increased balance and control over his or her affected foot. Furthermore, when the big toe  22  is straightened out by the primary bladder  11 , the wearer will be able to more easily and effectively push off of the affected foot because of the increased strength provided to the big toe  22 . Because of the increased strength and balance provided by the primary bladder  11  to the big toe  22 , the bunion correction footwear device can greatly improve the quality of life and ease of mobility for the wearer. Providing increased strength and balance can also allow for the wearer to engage in athletic activities more effectively. 
     It is therefore submitted that the instant invention has been shown and described in various embodiments. It is recognized, however, that departures may be made within the scope of the invention and that obvious modifications will occur to a person skilled in the art. With respect to the above description then, it is to be realized that the optimum dimensional relationships for the parts of the invention, to include variations in size, materials, shape, form, function and manner of operation, assembly and use, are deemed readily apparent and obvious to one skilled in the art, and all equivalent relationships to those illustrated in the drawings and described in the specification are intended to be encompassed by the present invention. 
     Therefore, the foregoing is considered as illustrative only of the principles of the invention. Further, since numerous modifications and changes will readily occur to those skilled in the art, it is not desired to limit the invention to the exact construction and operation shown and described, and accordingly, all suitable modifications and equivalents may be resorted to, falling within the scope of the invention.