Patent Description:
An ankle sprain is an injury where sprain occurs on one or more ligaments of the angle. A sprained ankle is also referred to as a twisted ankle or rolled ankle.

Initial treatment of an ankle sprain typically consists of protection, rest, icing, compression and elevation. Depending on the severity grade of the ankle sprain, rehabilitation over a longer period is needed, to regain strength and flexibility of the ligaments and muscles.

It is known to use orthopedic walking boots to stabilize a sprained ankle. One such walking boot is known as the AirCast® AirSelect<NUM> boot. Another type of footwear is known as the AirCast® AirSport+<NUM> which aids in ankle stabilization for moderate to severe ankle sprains and chronic instabilities. <NUM> https://www. eom/products/aircast/airselect-standard
<NUM> https://www. com/sites/default/files/AC18-MKT00-<NUM>-RevA-AirSport%2BBrochure r6.

<CIT> describes an athletic shoe for resisting ankle inversion is disclosed. The shoe includes an inversion resisting device which prevents inversion of the ankle while permitting a full range of motion in the other planes or directions of motion, i.e., eversion, plantar flexion, and dorsi flexion. The inversion resisting device includes a leg engaging strap, a strapping mechanism, a fastening device and an inversion resistance adjusting mechanism. The leg engaging strap surrounds the leg at an adjustable position above the ankle joint. The leg engaging strap is connected to the shoe by the strapping mechanism which is disposed only on the lateral side of the shoe upper. The strapping mechanism is connected to the shoe by a fastening device which permits a full range of movement in all directions other than inversion in an area centered about the axis of motion of the ankle. The amount of inversion resistance is adjustable by the inversion resistance adjusting mechanism which adjustably sets the length of the strapping mechanism.

<CIT> describes a stabilization brace presents a compressive, sock-like body for a compressive fit about the ankle joint and forefoot. A pair of force straps extends from the metatarsal heads and is wound in a preferred manner along opposed regions of the foot and ankle to offer countervailing forces therealong. First and second closure systems secure the body to the foot and offer circumferential support thereto. The brace resists excessive supination and pronation of the foot, ankle joint and underlying structures. Three embodiments of the brace are shown wherein one end of the force straps are attached to a zone adjacent the metatarsals as well as bifurcated ends attached to the metatarsal zone and a second zone spaced therefrom. A third embodiment presents bifurcated ends attached at one zone adjacent the metatarsals and another zone of the rear of the Achilles which presents an enhanced heel locking mechanism.

<CIT> relates to a foot movement damper for damping a foot movement via the ankle joint, comprising a support arrangement for bearing on a lower leg and a holder arrangement for holding a foot, wherein a damping arrangement with at least one damping element is provided for damping a relative movement between the support arrangement and the holder arrangement, wherein the damping arrangement has a support binding for binding to the support arrangement and a holder binding for binding to the holder arrangement; and wherein the support arrangement has at least one bearing region and at least one bearing fixture, wherein the support arrangement can bear with the at least one bearing region over the malleolus of the ankle joint, and wherein the at least one bearing fixture is designed to fix the position of the at least one bearing region in a state when applied to the lower leg. The publication also relates to a shoe for damping a foot movement via the ankle joint, comprising a sole, an upper, and the aforementioned foot movement damper.

<CIT> discloses an orthoses that has been integrated into a sock and includes a tensioning element that is configured to keep the top portion of the sock at or above a user's calf muscle, a rotary tensioning mechanism disposed adjacent to the top portion of the sock, a support cable that is weaved within the body of the sock such that the support cable is maintained in close proximity with a user's leg when tension is applied thereto, and a supporting structure that is coupled to the support cable, the supporting structure being disposed adjacent to a user's toes.

It is also known footwear in the form of socks to prevent ankle injuries. One such sock for preventing ankle injury is described in <CIT>. The sock has an heterogenous compression where it is stated that it prevents ankle injury without affecting the normal movement of the lower limb. In addition, it is stated that these different compression zones also avoid the formation/evolution of edema after injury.

The main purpose of the prior art above is to stabilize the ankle and to compress the ankle, and hence to protect, rest and compress the ankle. However, the above prior art does not contribute substantially in training or in regaining strength and flexibility of the ankle.

The object of the present invention is to provide a footwear for rehabilitation after an ankle sprain or for preventive training to avoid an ankle sprain. More specifically, the object is to train strength and flexibility of the ankle to prevent an ankle sprain and to help a sprained ankle to regain strength and flexibility.

The present invention relates to a footwear for preventive training to avoid an ankle sprain, wherein the footwear comprises:.

wherein the adjustable tensioning device is connected to the leg strap device; characterized in that:.

In one aspect, the adjustable tensioning device provides adjustable tensioning of the tensioning element with respect to the foot section of the sock body.

It should be noted that the terms lateral/medial and inversion/inversion refers to positions relative to the right-side foot and left-side foot of a user of the footwear. However, as will be apparent from the above, a footwear providing an eversion force when used on a left-side foot will be providing an inversion force when used on a right-side foot and vice versa.

In one aspect, the adjustable tensioning device comprises a wire connected to the second end section of the tensioning element.

In one aspect, the sock body further comprises an ankle section provided between the foot section and the leg section.

In one aspect, the foot section of the sock body is at least partially covering the metatarsal area of the foot. Consequently, the foot section of the sock body is not covering the phalanges area of the foot completely. The toes will therefore protrude out from the foot section of the sock body. Hence, it is not required to manufacture the footwear in several different sizes. Moreover, it is achieved that the footwear can be used on both a right foot and a left foot. A first footwear may be used to provide an adjustable inversion force of a right foot and an adjustable eversion force of a left foot, while a second footwear may be used to provide an adjustable inversion force of a left foot and an adjustable eversion force of a right foot. Consequently, only two versions of the footwear must be manufactured.

In one aspect, the foot section may comprise a toe section. The toe section may be elastic or adjustable, to achieve that the sock body may be used on feet with different sizes.

In one aspect, the second end section of the tensioning element is provided at, or adjacent to the ankle area of the sock body.

In one aspect, the tensioning element is provided outside of the sock body. In one aspect, the leg strap device is connected to the leg section of the sock body.

Preferably, the leg strap device is connected to the upper part of the leg section. The leg strap device may be connected to the leg section by means of a seam, a zipper, a hook and loop fasteners (Velcro), a button etc. Alternatively, the leg strap device is not connected to the leg section, the only connection is provided via the tensioning element.

In one aspect, the footwear comprises a zipper provided in the upper part of the leg section of the sock body.

By means of this zipper, it is easier for a user to put the sock body onto his ankle. In many cases, the ankle is swollen after an ankle sprain, in which case the zipper is helpful. The zipper also renders it possible to use a less elastic fabric than required if the zipper was not present.

In one aspect, the first end section is connected to the lateral side of the foot section and the adjustable tensioning device is connected to the medial side of the leg strap device. This footwear will provide an adjustable eversion force on the foot. This footwear must be made in two different versions, one for the left foot and one for the right foot.

However, in some of the above aspects, the footwear can be used interchangeably on left/right feet. Hence, if the above right foot version is used on the left foot and the above left foot version is used on the right foot, the first end section will be connected to the lateral side of the foot section and the adjustable tensioning device will be connected to the medial side of the leg strap device. Now, the footwear will be configured to provide an adjustable inversion force on the foot.

In one aspect, the footwear further comprises a guide connected to the ankle section of the sock body for positioning the tensioning element in relation to the sock body.

Embodiments of the invention will now be described with reference to the enclosed drawings, where:.

Initially, the anatomy of the ankle region will be described in short with reference to <FIG>. The ankle region AR is the region where the foot F and the leg L meet.

The bones of the foot area F are divided into three groups. The posterior foot is formed by the seven tarsal bones, the area of these tarsal bones is shown as the tarsals area TA. The mid-foot has the five metatarsal bones, the area of these metatarsal bones is shown as the metatarsals area MTA. The toes contain the phalanges, the area of these phalanges is shown as the phalanges area PA.

Also the heel H, ball B, sole S of the foot is indicated in <FIG>, together with the longitudinal center axis S <NUM> of the sole.

In the description below, the naming shown in <FIG> is used, where an ankle region AR is shown to comprise a foot area F, a leg area L and an ankle area A between the foot area F and the leg area L. The foot area F roughly corresponds to the metatarsals area MTA of <FIG>. In addition, a toe area T is shown in <FIG>. In addition, the instep and arch of the foot area is indicated with arrows in <FIG>. The instep is commonly known as the middle part of the foot, where it curves upwards. The arch of the foot is commonly known as the curve under the foot, between the heel and balls.

Two other terms will be used in the description below. The term "medial side" is referring to the inner side of the foot or the side being closest to the other foot. The term "lateral side" is referring to the outer side of the foot or the side being furthest away from the other foot.

It is now referred to <FIG> and <FIG>, where a first embodiment of a footwear <NUM> is shown. The footwear <NUM> comprises a sock body <NUM> comprising a foot section <NUM> for surrounding the foot area F, a leg section <NUM> for surrounding the leg area L and an ankle section <NUM> between the foot section F and the leg section L for surrounding the ankle area A. Parts of the underside of the foot section <NUM> is indicated as an arch section 11a. This is also shown in <FIG>. In <FIG>, it is also shown that the sock body <NUM> is not surrounding the toe region T.

When comparing <FIG> with <FIG>, the foot section <NUM> of the sock body <NUM> is at least partially covering the metatarsal area MTA. Consequently, the foot section <NUM> of the sock body <NUM> is not covering the phalanges area PA.

The footwear <NUM> comprises a zipper <NUM> provided in the upper part of the leg section <NUM> of the sock body <NUM>. By means of this zipper <NUM>, it is easier for a user to put the sock body <NUM> on. In many cases, the ankle is swollen after an ankle sprain, in which case the zipper <NUM> is helpful. The zipper <NUM> also renders it possible to use a less elastic fabric than required if the zipper <NUM> was not present.

The footwear <NUM> further comprises a leg strap device <NUM>. The leg strap device <NUM> comprises a band which can be tightened around the leg area L. The leg strap device <NUM> may comprise an elastic band or a non-elastic band. The leg strap device <NUM> may be fastened to the leg area L by means of a hook-and-loop fastener (Velcro®), or by a reel-based tensioning mechanism (Boa® Fit System). The leg strap device <NUM> may also comprise a friction increasing inner lining or coating, to prevent or reduce the risk of the leg strap device <NUM> sliding down along the leg of the user.

The footwear <NUM> further comprises an adjustable tensioning device <NUM> connected to the leg strap device <NUM>. Preferably, the adjustable tensioning device <NUM> is connected on one of the sides of the leg strap device <NUM>, i.e. a medial side (indicated as MS in <FIG>) or lateral side (indicated as LS in <FIG>), and not front or rear side.

It should be noted that from the shape of the sock body <NUM>, the embodiment of the footwear <NUM> in <FIG> is shown worn on the left foot of a user. Hence, the adjustable tensioning device <NUM> is here connected the medial side MS of the leg strap device <NUM>. This will be discussed further in detail below.

The footwear <NUM> further comprises a tensioning element <NUM> having a first end section <NUM>, a second end section <NUM> and an intermediate section <NUM> between the first and second end sections <NUM>, <NUM>.

The first end section <NUM> of the tensioning element <NUM> is connected to the foot section <NUM> of the sock body <NUM>. The second end section <NUM> is connected to the adjustable tensioning device <NUM>. The intermediate section <NUM> is provided below an arch section <NUM>1a of the foot section <NUM>.

The tensioning element <NUM> of the adjustable tensioning device <NUM> is at least partially elastic. In the present embodiment, the entire tensioning element <NUM> is made of an elastic band having a width indicated in <FIG> as D40. The width D40 may be between <NUM>,<NUM> - <NUM>, preferably between <NUM>-<NUM>. However, it is possible that only the intermediate section <NUM> is made of an elastic band having such a width, while the first and second end sections <NUM>, <NUM> are made of a non-elastic material.

It should be noted that the elastic band has a certain width as described above to increase comfort for the user. If the width is too narrow or to wide, the intermediate section <NUM> may be uncomfortable to use, in particular when the footwear <NUM> is to be used inside a shoe.

In the present embodiment, the adjustable tensioning device <NUM> comprises a wire <NUM> connected to the second end section <NUM> of the tensioning element <NUM>. The adjustable tensioning device <NUM> may be a reel-based tensioning device (for example the Boa® Fit System). Some of these reel-based tensioning devices are adjustable in one direction only, i.e. the tensioning adjusted continuous or stepwise, but to loosen the tensioning, the wire <NUM> must be fully released by pulling the reel. Preferably, the reel-based tensioning device is adjustable in both directions, i.e. the wire <NUM> can be tensioned and released in a continuous manner or stepwise manner by rotating the wheel in opposite directions. The wire <NUM> is preferably non-elastic.

As shown in the drawings, the entire tensioning element <NUM> is provided outside of the sock body <NUM>, where the first end section <NUM> is adhered to the outside of the sock body <NUM>. Alternatively, the intermediate section <NUM> may be integrated as part of the arch section <NUM>1a of the foot section <NUM> of the sock body <NUM>. Also the connection of the first end section <NUM> to the foot section <NUM> of the sock body <NUM> may be done by incorporating the first end section <NUM> into the sock body <NUM>.

In this embodiment, the leg strap device <NUM> is connected to the leg section <NUM> of the sock body <NUM> by means of a seam. Alternatively, an adhesive or other type of fasteners may be used. In yet an alternative, leg strap device <NUM> only connected to the sock body <NUM> by means of the tensioning element <NUM>.

In the embodiment of <FIG>, the second end section <NUM> of the tensioning element <NUM> is provided at, or adjacent to the ankle section <NUM> of the sock body <NUM>. In this embodiment, there is a distance between the second end section <NUM> and the leg strap device <NUM> due to the wire <NUM> of the adjustable tensioning device <NUM>.

In <FIG> and <FIG> it is shown that the footwear <NUM> further comprises a guide <NUM> connected to the ankle section <NUM> of the sock body <NUM> for positioning the tensioning element <NUM> in relation to the sock body <NUM>.

The technical function of the footwear <NUM> will now be described.

Initially, it should be noted that the main purpose of the leg strap device <NUM> is to hold the adjustable tensioning device <NUM> stationary with respect to the leg area L. Moreover, one important purpose with the sock body <NUM> is to keep the first end section <NUM> of the tensioning element <NUM>, i.e. the area where the first end section <NUM> is connected to the sock body <NUM>, stationary with respect to the foot area F.

As described above, the adjustable tensioning device <NUM> provides adjustable tensioning of the tensioning element <NUM> with respect to the foot section <NUM> of the sock body <NUM>. As the adjustable tensioning device <NUM> is stationary or fixed in position with respect to the leg strap device <NUM>, the adjustable tensioning device <NUM> provides adjustable tensioning of the tensioning element <NUM> between the foot section <NUM> of the sock body <NUM> and the leg strap device <NUM>.

It is now referred to fig. 6a and 6b, where the technical effect of the footwear <NUM> is illustrated. The sock body <NUM> is here removed, while other parts of the footwear <NUM> is indicated schematically. It should be noted that parts of the tensioning element <NUM> are indicated with dashed lines - this is done to illustrate that these parts of the tensioning element <NUM> are provided below the foot and would normally not be visible in a front view such as fig.

6a and 6b, the right foot is disclosed in two different positions. 6a, the adjustable tensioning device <NUM> is provided on the medial side MS and the first end section <NUM> is connected on the opposite side, i.e. the lateral side. When tensioning the adjustable tensioning device <NUM>, the foot area F is applied with a so-called inversion force IF. This inversion force IF forces the foot section to the position of fig. Muscles in the ankle region AR must be actively used to counteract this inversion force IF to hold the foot in a "normal" position.

6b, the adjustable tensioning device <NUM> is provided on the lateral side LS and the first end section <NUM> is connected on the opposite side, i.e. the medial side. When tensioning the adjustable tensioning device <NUM>, the foot area F is applied with a so-called eversion force EF. This eversion force EF forces the foot area to the position of fig. Muscles in the ankle region AR must be actively used to counteract this eversion force EF to hold the foot in a "normal" position.

A "normal" position is here referring to a position between the positions of fig. 6a and 6b, and/or positions used by the user during walking, standing etc..

As described above, the sock body <NUM> is not surrounding the toe area T. Hence, the footwear <NUM> used on a right foot in fig. 6a to provide an inversion force IF, may be used to provide an eversion force EF on a left foot as shown in fig. I similar way, the footwear <NUM> used on a right foot in fig. 6b to provide an eversion force IF, may be used to provide an inversion force IF on a left foot as shown in fig.

Some alternative embodiments will be described below.

First, it is now referred to <FIG>. Here it is shown an alternative embodiment where the foot section <NUM> may comprise a toe section <NUM>. The toe section <NUM> may be elastic or adjustable, to achieve that the sock body <NUM> may be used on feet with different sizes.

It is now referred to <FIG>. Here it is shown an alternative embodiment not in accordance with the claimed invention, where the adjustable tensioning device <NUM> comprises a hook-and-loop (Velcro®) type of fastener, where hooks are provided outside of the leg strap device <NUM> and loops are provided on the inside of the second end section <NUM> or vice versa. Here, the second end section <NUM> is provided in the leg area L, i.e. above the ankle area A.

In yet an alternative (not shown) the adjustable tensioning device <NUM> may be a buckle, a strap adjuster etc..

According to the above, the footwear <NUM> may be used for preventive training to avoid an ankle sprain by compensating for or counteracting the eversion force and inversion force.

Claim 1:
Footwear (<NUM>) for preventive training to avoid an ankle sprain, wherein the footwear (<NUM>) comprises:
- a sock body (<NUM>) comprising a foot section (<NUM>), a leg section (<NUM>) and an ankle section (<NUM>) between the foot section (<NUM>) and the leg section (<NUM>); the foot section (<NUM>) comprising an arch section (11a);
- a leg strap device (<NUM>);
- an adjustable tensioning device (<NUM>) connected to the leg strap device (<NUM>);
- a tensioning element (<NUM>) having a first end section (<NUM>), a second end section (<NUM>) and an intermediate section (<NUM>) between the first and second end sections (<NUM>, <NUM>), where:
- the first end section (<NUM>) is connected to the foot section (<NUM>);
- the second end section (<NUM>) is connected to the adjustable tensioning device (<NUM>);
- the intermediate section (<NUM>) is provided below, or integrated as part of, the arch section (11a);
wherein the adjustable tensioning device (<NUM>) is connected on a medial side of the leg strap device (<NUM>);
characterized in that:
- the tensioning element (<NUM>) is elastic;
- the adjustable tensioning device (<NUM>) comprises a reel-based tensioning mechanism;
- the first end section (<NUM>) is connected to the foot section (<NUM>) on the opposite side of the adjustable tensioning device (<NUM>), resulting in an adjustable inversion force by adjustment of the adjustable tensioning device (<NUM>); and
- the footwear (<NUM>) is arranged such that, when the footwear is worn on a foot of a user, the user must actively counteract the adjustable inversion force by using muscles in an ankle region (AR) to hold the foot in a normal position.