Patent Document

CROSS-REFERENCE TO RELATED APPLICATION 
     This application is a Continuation-in-part of U.S. patent application Ser. No. 11/782,157, filed Jul. 24, 2007, which is itself a Continuation-in-part of U.S. patent application Ser. No. 11/761,587, filed Jun. 12, 2007, the disclosure of which is hereby incorporated by reference. 
    
    
     FIELD 
     This invention relates to the field of orthopedic devices for insertion into one&#39;s shoes and more particularly to a platform for accurately placing and holding orthopedic aids. 
     BACKGROUND 
     Many traumatic conditions of the foot are caused by the misalignment of the joints in the foot. Such conditions can be hereditary or can be caused by an accident or repetitive stress. No matter the cause, people who suffer from such ailments are often in pain during normal activities such as walking and exercising. In some cases, the condition is so bad; it causes excruciating pain to the extent a person cannot walk without an orthopedic aid. 
     Often, the solution to the problem is to provide a contoured surface under the patient&#39;s foot, thereby redistributing the force of the wearer&#39;s weight over different areas of the foot or raising a toe to its normal posture, etc. Prior solutions to this problem included providing a shoe with an integrated, prescription form, compensation for the malformed foot. Unfortunately, such a solution is not cost-effective because the prescribed form must be present in all shoes used by the patient. Furthermore, it is often difficult to form the precise lifts in the precise location as needed. Once the shoe is made, if it doesn&#39;t fix the problem, there is no way to adjust lifts within the shoe. 
     A solution to this problem is proposed in U.S. Pat. No. 6,205,685 to Kellerman and is hereby incorporated by reference. This patent has a shoe insert that has an adhesive on its surface where it contacts the shoe&#39;s inner sole. The opposite side is covered with loop material (e.g., Velcro®). Once installed on the inner sole, one or more pads having hook material on their bottom surface are positioned on the loop material. The solution presented in this patent has several problems. First, the described device is permanently installed into the user&#39;s shoe, requiring a device for each shoe the user owns. Finally, for those with severe problems where they cannot walk without the prescribed device, it is extremely difficult to try on new shoes that are absent the prescribed platform. 
     Another solution to this problem is proposed in U.S. Pat. No. 4,316,333 to Rothschild. This too has a pressure-sensitive element with hook or loop material and engaging elements with hook or loop materials that are positioned on the pressure-sensitive element within the shoe. This solution has several problems similar to the prior patent. First, the described device is permanently installed into the user&#39;s shoe, requiring a device for each shoe the user owns. Finally, for those with severe problems where they cannot walk without the prescribed device, it is extremely difficult to try on new shoes that are absent the prescribed platform. 
     Another solution is proposed in U.S. Pat. No. 2,573,363 to Ruddick. This patent proposes a band that wraps around the user&#39;s foot and has toe straps that go between the user&#39;s toes, thereby holding the band in place within the user&#39;s shoe. The engaging elements are directly attached to the band. This solution addresses several of the problems such as being worn on the foot instead of installed in the shoe, therefore, one device can be used with multiple shoes. Still, this patent is not a complete solution. Unfortunately, this device is made with pads in specific locations, making adjustment impossible. 
     What is needed is an adjustable orthopedic solution that provides a platform for securely and accurately affixing one or more orthopedic elements in position beneath the effected bone. 
     SUMMARY 
     In one embodiment, an adjustable orthopedic device is disclosed including a holder configured to be worn on a wearer&#39;s foot. The holder has an elastic cloth band sized to encircle the wearer&#39;s foot at a location between the wearer&#39;s foot&#39;s toes and the wearer&#39;s foot&#39;s ankle. The elastic cloth band has at least one toe strap connecting a lower portion of the elastic cloth band to an upper portion of the elastic cloth band and passing between two toes of the wearer&#39;s foot. The elastic cloth band also has a pocket formed on a bottom surface beneath the wearer&#39;s foot. The adjustable orthopedic device further includes a platform installed in the pocket onto which is installed one or more raised pads that are adhesively affixed to the platform, whereas each of the one or more raised pads is manually repositionable to any X and Y coordinate on the platform. 
     In another embodiment, an adjustable orthopedic device is disclosed including a holder configured to be worn on a wearer&#39;s foot. The holder has a pocket on a bottom surface corresponding to a location beneath the wearer&#39;s foot and the holder has at least one toe strap. The adjustable orthopedic device has a platform onto which a means for applying pressure to one or more bones of the wearer&#39;s foot is installed. The means for applying pressure is removably affixed to the platform, whereas any of the means for applying pressure are manually repositionable to any X and Y coordinate on the platform. After the means for applying pressure is positioned and affixed to the platform, the platform is inserted into the pocket and worn on the wearer&#39;s foot. 
     In another embodiment, a method of making an adjustable orthopedic device is disclosed including cutting a sheet of material to have a bottom base, two side wings, a pocket wing and a top wing. The top wing has a toe opening bounded on each side by toe straps. Next, wrapping the pocket wing over onto the bottom base and affixing side edges of the pocket wing to the bottom base, thereby forming a pocket between the pocket wing and the bottom base and wrapping the top wing and affixing edges of each of the side wings to corresponding side edges of the top wing. At least one pad is position on and affixed to a platform and the platform is inserted into the pocket. 
    
    
     
       BRIEF DESCRIPTION OF THE DRAWINGS 
       The invention can be best understood by those having ordinary skill in the art by reference to the following detailed description when considered in conjunction with the accompanying drawings in which: 
         FIG. 1A  illustrates a side schematic view of a system of a first embodiment. 
         FIG. 1B  illustrates a top schematic view of a system of the first embodiment. 
         FIG. 2  illustrates a plan view of the first embodiment. 
         FIG. 2A  illustrates a plan view of an alternate design of the first embodiment. 
         FIG. 3  illustrates a plan view of a second embodiment. 
         FIG. 4  illustrates a plan view of a third embodiment. 
         FIG. 5  illustrates a top plan view of the first and second embodiments. 
         FIG. 6  illustrates a side the present invention. 
         FIG. 7  illustrates a top plan view of the first and second embodiments. 
         FIG. 8  illustrates a side plan view of the first and second embodiments. 
         FIG. 9  illustrates a top plan view of the first and second embodiments. 
         FIG. 10  illustrates a side plan view of the first and second embodiments. 
         FIG. 11  illustrates a side plan view of the third embodiment. 
         FIG. 12  illustrates a side plan view of the third embodiment. 
         FIG. 13  illustrates a top plan view of the third embodiment of the present invention. 
         FIG. 14  illustrates an isometric view of the first embodiment. 
         FIG. 15  illustrates a plan view of an alternate design of a fourth embodiment. 
         FIG. 16  illustrates a plan view of the fourth embodiment. 
         FIG. 17  illustrates a plan view of the fourth embodiment. 
         FIG. 18  illustrates a cut-away view of a pad of the fourth embodiment. 
         FIG. 19  illustrates a side plan view of the fifth embodiment. 
         FIG. 20  illustrates a side plan view of the sixth embodiment. 
         FIG. 21  illustrates a top perspective view of a seventh embodiment. 
         FIG. 22  illustrates a bottom perspective view of the seventh embodiment. 
         FIG. 23  illustrates a bottom plan view of the seventh embodiment. 
         FIG. 24  illustrates a top plan view of the seventh embodiment. 
         FIG. 25  illustrates a method of making the seventh embodiment. 
         FIG. 26  illustrates a perspective view of the seventh embodiment showing installation of a pad. 
     
    
    
     DETAILED DESCRIPTION 
     Reference will now be made in detail to the presently preferred embodiments of the invention, examples of which are illustrated in the accompanying drawings. Throughout the following detailed description, the same reference numerals refer to the same elements in all figures. 
     Referring to  FIG. 1A , a side schematic view of a system of a first embodiment of the present invention will be described. Often, to combat orthopedic problems, a doctor recommends or prescribes a remedy that includes placing pads or raised areas beneath affected areas of the foot. Past solutions included prescription shoes with such raised areas integrated into the curvature of the inner sole of the shoe. Unfortunately, such a solution requires the prescription to be replicated across all shoes the wearer owns. Furthermore, once manufactured, it is difficult to make any fine adjustments. 
     The solution of the present invention includes a platform  10  and one or more raised pads  30  that stick to the platform  10  and are easily adjusted by swapping with other raised pads  30  or by manually repositioning the raised pads along the X and Y axis upon the platform  10 . In one embodiment, the raised pads  30  are held to the platform  10  by magnetic force, either having a magnet integrated into the bottom of the raised pads  30  and using a ferromagnetic material such as iron or steel for the platform  10 ; having a magnetic material integrated into the bottom of the raised pads  30  and using a ferromagnetic material for the platform  10 ; or using a magnetic material for both the bottom of the raised pads  30  and the platform  10 . In some embodiments, the magnet is a solid magnet. In other embodiments, the magnet is flexible, made from powdered iron as known in the industry. In some embodiments, the platform  10  is covered on the bottom by a plastic coating or plastic sheet to prevent tearing and wear on the shoe. In some embodiments, the platform  10  is coated with a sticky or tacky surface to reduce movement within the wearer&#39;s shoe. In other embodiments, the surface of the platform  10  is textured to create surface friction, thereby reducing movement within the wearer&#39;s shoe. In another embodiment, the surface of the platform  10  has parallel ridges that mate with similar parallel ridges on the bottom surface of the raised pads  30 , thereby reducing movement within the wearer&#39;s shoe. 
     In the preferred embodiment, the platform  10  is held within an anchor strap  16  of a holder that is worn like a sock around the wearer&#39;s foot  22 . The holder includes a stretch strap or cloth elastic band  12  that is worn around the wearer&#39;s foot between the toes and the ankle. In the preferred embodiment, one or more toe straps  14  connect between top forward edges of the strap  12 , pass between the wearer&#39;s toes and connect to the bottom forward edges of the strap  12 . The toe straps  14  keep the holder from rotating around the wearer&#39;s foot  22  and keep it from sliding back within the wearer&#39;s shoe  20  while walking. The platform  10  slides into the holding strap  16  and is kept from moving forward by making notches  11  as shown in  FIGS. 1B and 2 . The platform  10  is sandwiched between the bottom of the wearer&#39;s foot  22  and the sole  21  of the shoe  20 . Being that the holding strap  12  secures the holder to the wearer&#39;s foot  22 , the wearer can change between shoes, try on new shoes, etc. without needing additional devices. 
     Referring to  FIG. 1B , a top schematic view of a system of the first embodiment of the present invention will be described. The platform  10  is held within an anchor strap  16  of a holder that is worn like a sock around the wearer&#39;s foot. The holder includes a stretch strap  12  that is worn around the wearer&#39;s foot at a location between the toes and the ankle. In the preferred embodiment, one or more toe straps  14  connect between top forward edges of the strap  12 , pass between the wearer&#39;s toes and connect to the bottom forward edges of the strap  12 . The toe straps  14  keep the holder from rotating around the wearer&#39;s foot  22  and keep it from sliding back within the wearer&#39;s shoe  20  while walking. The platform  10  slides into the holding strap  16  and is kept from moving forward by making the holding strap  16  smaller than the larger width of the platform  10  at a notch or inflection point  11 . Being that the holding strap  12  secures the holder to the wearer&#39;s foot  22 , the wearer can change between shoes, try on new shoes, etc. without needing additional devices. One or more raised pads  30  are held to the platform  10  and are easily adjusted by swapping with other raised pads  30  or by manually repositioning the raised pads along the X and Y axis upon the platform  10 . In one embodiment, the raised pads  30  are held to the platform  10  by magnetic force, either having a magnet integrated into the bottom of the raised pads  30  and using a ferromagnetic material for the platform  10 ; having a magnetic material integrated into the bottom of the raised pads  30  and using a ferromagnetic material for the platform  10 ; or using a magnetic material for both the bottom of the raised pads  30  and the platform  10 . 
     Referring to  FIG. 2 , a plan view of the platform  10   a  of the first embodiment of the present invention will be described. In this embodiment, the platform  10   a  is sized to accommodate both metatarsal pads and toe crest (or buttress) pads. The platform  10   a  has a narrow area (the area forward of the notch  11 ) that fits within the holding strap  16  (see  FIG. 1 ) while the wider area (the area rear of the notch  11 ) keeps the platform  10   a  from pushing forward as the wearer walks. In some embodiments, a cut line  31  is provided to guide the user in cutting unneeded sections of the platform  10   a . If the user needs only a toe crest pad, the back area of the platform  10   a  is cut along the cut line  31  and removed. 
     Referring to  FIG. 2A , a plan view of the platform  100  of an alternate design of the first embodiment of the present invention will be described. In this embodiment, the platform  100  is sized to accommodate both metatarsal pads and toe crest (or buttress) pads. The platform  100  has a narrow area (the area between the notches  11 ) that fits within the holding strap  16  which keeps the platform  100  from pushing forward, pushing rearward or twisting as the wearer walks. In some embodiments, a cut line  31  is provided to guide the user in cutting unneeded sections of the platform  100 . If the user needs only a toe crest pad, the back area of the platform  100  is cut along the cut line  31  and removed. 
     Referring to  FIG. 3 , a plan view of a platform  10   b  of the second embodiment of the present invention will be described. In this embodiment, the platform  10   b  is sized to accommodate only toe crest (or buttress) pads. The platform  10   b  has a narrow area (the area forward of the notch  11 ) that fits within the holding strap  16  (see  FIG. 1 ) while the wider area (the area rear of the notch  11 ) keeps the platform  10   b  from pushing forward as the wearer walks. 
     Referring to  FIG. 4 , a plan view of the platform  10   c  of the third embodiment of the present invention will be described. In this embodiment, the platform  10   c  is sized to fit snuggly within a predetermined shoe such as a insole would fit. It is anticipated that several different sizes of the platform  10   c  will be provided for different shoe sizes or a larger platform  10   c  will be provided with cut lines provided to guide the user or doctor in trimming the platform  10   c  to the desired shoe size. The platform  10   c  is designed to accommodate any combination of metatarsal pads, toe crest (or buttress) pads and/or arch support pads. 
       FIGS. 5-10  show different combinations of metatarsal pads  30 / 32 / 34  and toe crest (or buttress) pads  40 / 42 / 44 , each pad sized and shaped to remedy a particular bone problem of the user&#39;s foot. It is anticipated that many different metatarsal pads and toe crest (or buttress) pads will be provided with varying degrees of height and contour and the orthopedic doctor will determine the right pad for the particular ailment. The platform  10  provides for the ability to uniquely and adjustably position the selected pad(s) at any location to remedy the unique ailment of the individual patients. For reference, the metatarsal bones and phalanges are numbered, the bones of the big toe  80  being numbered one (1) and the bones of the little toe  82  being numbered five (5). 
     Referring to  FIGS. 5 and 6 , a top and side plan view of the first and second embodiments of the present invention will be described. The platform  10  is installed in the holding strap  16  and held to the wearer&#39;s foot  22  by the elastic cloth band  12  (shown in  FIG. 6 ). The toe straps  14  limit the amount of rotation and front/back movement of the elastic cloth band, thereby holding the platform  10  in a relatively stable position with respect to the wearer&#39;s foot  22 . In the example shown in  FIG. 5 , a metatarsal pad  40  is in place on the platform  10  to compensate for a problem with the fourth metatarsal bone and a toe crest pad  30  is in place on the platform  10  to compensate for a problem with the second phalange bone. 
     Referring to  FIGS. 7 and 8 , another top and side plan view of the first and second embodiments of the present invention will be described. As previously described, the platform  10  is installed in the holding strap  16  and held to the wearer&#39;s foot  22  by the elastic cloth band  12  (shown in  FIG. 8 ). The toe straps  14  limit the amount of rotation and front/back movement of the elastic cloth band, thereby holding the platform  10  in a relatively stable position with respect to the wearer&#39;s foot  22 . In the example shown in  FIGS. 7  and  8 , a metatarsal pad  42  is in place on the platform  10  to compensate for a problem with the third metatarsal bone and a toe crest pad  32  is in place on the platform  10  to compensate for a problem with the third phalange bone. 
     Referring to  FIGS. 9 and 10 , another top and side plan view of the first and second embodiments of the present invention will be described. As previously described, the platform  10  is installed in the holding strap  16  and held to the wearer&#39;s foot  22  by the elastic cloth band  12  (shown in  FIG. 10 ). The toe straps  14  limit the amount of rotation and front/back movement of the elastic cloth band, thereby holding the platform  10  in a relatively stable position with respect to the wearer&#39;s foot  22 . In the example shown in  FIGS. 9 and 10 , a metatarsal pad  44  is in place on the platform  10  to compensate for a problem with the second metatarsal bone and a toe crest pad  34  is in place on the platform  10  to compensate for a problem with the fourth phalange bone. 
     Referring to  FIG. 11 , a side plan view of the second embodiment of the present invention will be described. In this example, the platform  10  is installed in the holding strap  16  and held to the wearer&#39;s foot  22  by the elastic cloth band  12  and extends at least partially beneath the arch of the wearer&#39;s foot  22 . The toe straps  14  limit the amount of rotation and front/back movement of the elastic cloth band  12 , thereby holding the platform  10  in a relatively stable position with respect to the wearer&#39;s foot  22 . In the example shown, an arch support pad  50  is in place on the platform  10  to compensate for a problem with the wearer&#39;s arches. 
     Referring to  FIGS. 12 and 13 , a side and top plan view of the third embodiment of the present invention will be described. In this embodiment, the platform  10  covers a substantial area of the inner sole of the user&#39;s shoe and is thereby held steady in relation to the shoe. Since the wearer&#39;s foot  22  is normally held steady within their shoe, this platform also holds the pads  30 / 40 / 50  in position with respect to the wearer&#39;s foot  22 . In this example, a toe crest pad  30  is in place on the platform  10  for compensating for an abnormality of the second phalange bone; a metatarsal pad  40  is in place on the platform  10  to compensate for a problem with the fourth metatarsal bone; and an arch support pad  50  is in place on the platform  10  to compensate for a problem with the user&#39;s arch. 
     Referring to  FIG. 14 , an isometric view of the first and second embodiments of the present invention will be described. The platform  10  is attached to the elastic cloth band  12  by means known in the industry including, but not limited to sewing and gluing welding. In some embodiments, the elastic cloth band  12  completely encircles the wearer&#39;s foot while in other embodiments, the elastic cloth band  12  ends where it is affixed to the edges of the platform  10 . The toe straps  14  are affixed to the upper front edge of the elastic cloth band  12  by means known in the industry including, but not limited to sewing, gluing and welding. In embodiments where the elastic cloth band  12  completely encircles the wearer&#39;s foot, the toe straps  14  are affixed to the lower front edge of the elastic cloth band  12  by means known in the industry including, but not limited to, sewing, gluing and welding. In embodiments where the elastic cloth band  12  the elastic cloth band  12  ends where it is affixed to the edges of the platform  10 , the toe straps  14  are affixed to the upper surface of the platform  10  by means known in the industry including, but not limited to sewing, gluing and welding. In this example, a toe crest pad  30  and a metatarsal pad  40  are shown installed upon the platform  10 . 
     Referring to  FIG. 15 , a plan view of the platform  200  of an alternate design of a fourth embodiment of the present invention will be described. In this embodiment, the platform  200  is sized to accommodate both metatarsal pads and toe crest (or buttress) pads. The platform  200  has a narrow area (the area between the notches  11 ) that fits within the holding strap  16  which keeps the platform  200  from pushing forward, pushing rearward or twisting as the wearer walks. In some embodiments, a cut line  31  is provided to guide the user in cutting unneeded sections of the platform  200 . If the user needs only a toe crest pad, the back area of the platform  200  is cut along the cut line  31  and removed. The platform  200  is substantially or partially covered with either hook or loop material, preferably loop material. This accommodates removable attachment of pads  330  (see  FIG. 18 ) which have mating hook or loop material on their bottom surface. 
     Referring to  FIG. 16 , a plan view of a platform  200   b  of the fourth embodiment of the present invention will be described. In this embodiment, the platform  200   b  is sized to accommodate only toe crest (or buttress) pads. The platform  200   b  has a narrow area (the area forward of the notch  11 ) that fits within the holding strap  16  (see  FIG. 1 ) while the wider area (the area rear of the notch  11 ) keeps the platform  200   b  from pushing forward as the wearer walks. The platform  200   b  is substantially or partially covered with either hook or loop material, preferably loop material. This accommodates removable attachment of pads  330  (see  FIG. 18 ) which have mating hook or loop material on their bottom surface. 
     Referring to  FIG. 17 , a plan view of the platform  200   c  of the fourth embodiment of the present invention will be described. In this embodiment, the platform  200   c  is sized to fit snuggly within a predetermined shoe such as a insole would fit. It is anticipated that several different sizes of the platform  200   c  will be provided for different shoe sizes or a larger platform  200   c  will be provided with cut lines provided to guide the user or doctor in trimming the platform  1200   c  0c to the desired shoe size. The platform  200   c  is designed to accommodate any combination of metatarsal pads, toe crest (or buttress) pads and/or arch support pads. The platform  200   c  is substantially or partially covered with either hook or loop material, preferably loop material. This accommodates removable attachment of pads  330  (see  FIG. 18 ) which have mating hook or loop material on their bottom surface. 
     Referring to  FIG. 18 , a cut-away view of pad  330  of the fourth embodiment of the present invention will be described. The toe pad  330  is similar to the previous toe pads  30 / 40 / 50 , except it is held in place with hook and loop material instead of magnetic force. It is preferred that the hook material  332  be on the bottom surface of the pad  330  and the loop material be on the platform  200 / 200   b / 200   c , but it is acceptable to have the loop material  332  be on the bottom surface of the pad  330  and the hook material be on the platform  200 / 200   b / 200   c . The hook and loop material covers any desired area of the bottom surface of the pad  330  and the top surface of the platform  200 / 200   b / 200   c.    
     Referring to  FIG. 19 , a side plan view of the fifth embodiment of the present invention will be described. In this embodiment, the platform  10  is held to the elastic cloth band  12  by hook and loop material  7 / 9  (e.g., Velcro®). The bottom surface of the platform  10  has hook or loop material  9  affixed by means known in the industry such as adhesive, sewing, etc. The top surface of the elastic cloth band  12  has mating hook or loop material  7  affixed by means known in the industry such as adhesive, sewing, etc. The hook and loop material  7 / 9  holds the platform  10  to the elastic cloth band  12 . Any amount of hook and loop material  7 / 9  is anticipated varying from covering a small area between the platform  10  and the elastic cloth band  12  to covering the entire area between the platform  10  and the elastic cloth band  12 . The elastic cloth band  12  holds the platform  10  in position beneath the wearer&#39;s foot  222 . The toe straps  14  limit the amount of rotation and front/back movement of the elastic cloth band, thereby holding the platform  10  in a relatively stable position with respect to the wearer&#39;s foot  22 . In the example shown in  FIG. 19 , a metatarsal pad  40  is in place on the platform  10  to compensate for a problem with a metatarsal bone and a toe crest pad  30  is in place on the platform  10  to compensate for a problem with a phalange bone. 
     Referring to  FIG. 20 , a side plan view of the sixth embodiment of the present invention will be described. In this example, the platform  10  is held to the elastic cloth band  12  by hook and loop material  7 / 9  (e.g., Velcro®). The bottom surface of the platform  10  has hook or loop material  9  affixed by means known in the industry such as adhesive, sewing, etc. The top surface of the elastic cloth band  12  has mating hook or loop material  7  affixed by means known in the industry such as adhesive, sewing, etc. The hook and loop material  7 / 9  holds the platform  10  to the elastic cloth band  12 . Any amount of hook and loop material  7 / 9  is anticipated varying from covering a small area between the platform  10  and the elastic cloth band  12  to covering the entire area between the platform  10  and the elastic cloth band  12 . The platform  10  extends at least partially beneath the arch of the wearer&#39;s foot  22 . The toe straps  14  limit the amount of rotation and front/back movement of the elastic cloth band  12 , thereby holding the platform  10  in a relatively stable position with respect to the wearer&#39;s foot  22 . In the example shown, an arch support pad  50  is in place on the platform  10  to compensate for a problem with the wearer&#39;s arches. 
     Referring to  FIG. 21 , a top perspective view of a seventh embodiment is shown. In this, the stretch strap or cloth elastic band  112  that is worn around the wearer&#39;s foot at a location between the toes and the ankle is formed from a continuous sheet of material (see  FIG. 23-25 ) that also forms the toe straps  14  (e.g., the toe straps are a continuation of the same material of the rest of the band  112 ). Additional material  114  is folded and affixed to the body of the band  112  forming a pocket into which the platform  10  is inserted and held during use. The stretch strap or cloth elastic band  112  is assembled from a cut-out sheet (see  FIG. 23-25 ) by affixing edges to other surface of the material as known in the industry including, but not limited to, stitching, adhesives, ultrasonic welding, etc. 
     Referring to  FIG. 22 , a bottom perspective view of the seventh embodiment is shown. In this view, the platform  10  is shown installed into the material  114  that forms a pocket. Note, for comfort, in this preferred embodiment, the platform  10  curves upward between the ball of the foot  22  and the toes. In other embodiments, the platform  10  does not curve upward. 
     Referring to  FIG. 23 , a bottom plan view of the seventh embodiment is shown before assembly. In this view, the pocket  114  has been formed and the platform  10  is ready for insertion into the pocket  114 . 
     Referring to  FIG. 24 , a top plan view of the seventh embodiment is shown before assembly. In this view, the pocket  114  is only partially visible. 
     Referring to  FIG. 25 , a method of making the seventh embodiment is shown. The seventh embodiment is preferably fabricated from one cut-out sheet of material shaped similar to that shown in  FIG. 25 . The pocket wing  114  is folded (as shown by arrows) and affixed to the base of the material using stitches, adhesives or any other known method. Likewise the left and right wings and front wing are bent as shown with arrow and edges of the left and right wings are affixed to corresponding edges of the front wing in the same or a different manner (e.g. stitching), forming the stretch strap or cloth elastic band  112  as shown in  FIG. 21  and  FIG. 22 . 
     Referring to  FIG. 26 , a perspective view of the seventh embodiment showing installation of a pad  40  onto the platform  10  is described. In this embodiment, the pad  40  has an adhesive backing  142 . In a preferred embodiment, though not required, the adhesive backing  142  is covered by a removable protective layer  140  that is removed before the pad  40  is affixed to the proper location of the platform  10 . It is preferred, though not required, that the adhesive backing  142  provide sufficient adhesion such that the pad  40  does not come loose or move laterally during wearing by the user, but the pad  40  is removable from the platform  10  for adjusting the position of the pad  40  on the platform  10 . In some embodiments, the adhesive backing  142  is such that the pad  40  is not removable from the platform  10 . The platform  10  is preferably made from a stiff material such as plastic or metal to provide proper support for the pad  40  and proper adhesion with the adhesive backing  142 . 
     Equivalent elements can be substituted for the ones set forth above such that they perform in substantially the same manner in substantially the same way for achieving substantially the same result. 
     It is believed that the system and method of the present invention and many of its attendant advantages will be understood by the foregoing description. It is also believed that it will be apparent that various changes may be made in the form, construction and arrangement of the components thereof without departing from the scope and spirit of the invention or without sacrificing all of its material advantages. The form herein before described being merely exemplary and explanatory embodiment thereof. It is the intention of the following claims to encompass and include such changes.

Technology Category: a