| Adjustable insole for custom forefoot and rearfoot shoe fitment -> Monitor Keywords |
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  Adjustable insole for custom forefoot and rearfoot shoe fitmentRelated Patent Categories: Boots, Shoes, And Leggings, InsolesThe Patent Description & Claims data below is from USPTO Patent Application 20050198864. Brief Patent Description - Full Patent Description - Patent Application Claims
PRIOR APPLICATION DATA [0001] This application is based on provisional application number 60/539,474 filed on Jan. 26, 2004. BACKGROUND OF THE INVENTION [0002] The present invention relates generally to a shoe insole, and more specifically to an insole or insert structured to fit within the footbed of a shoe and provide adjustable fitment of the shoe. [0003] Shoes generally include an outsole, midsole, insole and upper. The insole is disposed in the shoe and typically is the surface upon which the wearer's foot rests when the shoe is worn. [0004] Insoles generally--and insoles for athletic shoes in particular--are of laminar construction, with a fabric or other soft, durable material on the footward side and coupled to an energy-absorbing insole body. The typical insole may also have a cupped shape at the periphery of the heel in the rearfoot area. [0005] Shoe sizes and widths are standardized. As well, each standard size/width (e.g., 10D) presents a standardized forefoot width and rearfoot width. Nevertheless, shoe sizing varies by manufacturer, according to foot last shapes and markets. Foot shapes also vary from one person to the next, making it unlikely that two shoes of different origin will fit a particular individual or that the individual will fit any one manufacturer's shoe model(s). [0006] Individuals are frequently outside this forefoot-rearfoot width standard. A person with a narrower than average heel therefore will encounter difficulty in finding a properly fitted shoe. Further, persons desiring a tighter or looser fit in one region or the other must presently search for a manufacturer using a last of acceptable dimensions. [0007] In response, insoles have been introduced of various thickness. In this manner, an individual may exchange the stock insole for one that is thicker, reducing volume in the shoe and providing a tighter fit. This practice is particularly common with athletes; for example, a long-distance runner may replace the stock insole in a training shoe with a more cushioned insole for better shock absorption, and that same runner may also replace the insole in racing shoes with thinner insoles to reduce weight. [0008] These practices do nothing to solve the problem of a forefoot-rearfoot fitment imbalance. To address this issue, wearers have altered the stock insole (e.g., cutting or partial removal) or inserted used heel cups, moleskin, paper, or other materials to take up volume and provide a snugger fit. These modifications are short-term (due to durability), overly complicated, and/or cannot be transferred from shoe to shoe. BRIEF DESCRIPTION OF THE DRAWINGS [0009] FIG. 1 is a top view of a first embodiment insole constructed according to the present disclosure. [0010] FIG. 2 is a bottom view of a first embodiment insole constructed according to the present disclosure, with a forefoot pad fastened thereto. [0011] FIG. 3 is a bottom view of the embodiment of FIG. 2, with the forefoot pad removed. [0012] FIG. 4 is a bottom view of the forefoot pad shown in FIG. 2. [0013] FIG. 5 is a top view of the forefoot pad shown in FIG. 4. DETAILED DESCRIPTION OF PREFERRED EMBODIMENT(S) [0014] Turning to FIG. 1, a first embodiment of the insole includes an insole body having an overall silhouette commonly be found in a shoe insole. The rearfoot region of the insole preferably is rounded to provide a heel cup or heel cradle, but such feature is not necessary for the advantages of the present invention. [0015] A top pad is shown affixed to the footward surface of the insole body in the heel and arch regions. This pad similarly is not necessary for the advantages of the present invention. However, it may be added to the insole body on the footward surface to provide a more comfortable surface, greater cushioning, or other benefit to the wearer. [0016] An underside of the shoe insole is shown in FIGS. 2-3. The soleward surface of the insole body has affixed thereon a fastening material. In this embodiment, the fastening material is the hook portion of a hook-and-loop fastening mechanism disposed in the forefoot region. [0017] A forefoot sizing pad according to this embodiment (FIGS. 4-5) has a top surface comprising a fastening mechanism, and a bottom or sole surface. The fastening material in this embodiment is the loop portion of the hook-and-loop mechanism. [0018] In operation, the insole may be placed into a shoe in a conventional manner. The insole occupies volume within the shoe and, in combination with the shoe itself, determines a particular fit in the rearfoot and forefoot regions thereof. [0019] In one embodiment, the insole is structured to have a "standard" size with the forefoot pad fastened to the bottom surface of the insole body. In this configuration, the forefoot is structured to occupy a specific volume and provide thereby the standard fit of the shoe. A shoe wearer alternatively may unfasten the forefoot pad and remove it, providing a looser fit in that region of the shoe. The rearfoot portion of the insole occupies its normal volume in both cases. [0020] In another example, an insole is structured to have a "standard" size without a the forefoot pad fastened to the bottom surface of the insole body. In this configuration, the insole in toto again may be is structured to occupy a specific volume and provide thereby the standard fit of the shoe. A shoe wearer alternatively may fasten a forefoot pad, providing a snugger fit in the forefoot region of the shoe. The rearfoot portion of the insole occupies its normal volume in this case as well. Continue reading... Full patent description for Adjustable insole for custom forefoot and rearfoot shoe fitment Brief Patent Description - Full Patent Description - Patent Application Claims Click on the above for other options relating to this Adjustable insole for custom forefoot and rearfoot shoe fitment patent application. ###  How KEYWORD MONITOR works... a FREE service from FreshPatents1. Sign up (takes 30 seconds). 2. Fill in the keywords to be monitored. 3. Each week you receive an email with patent applications related to your keywords. Start now! - Receive info on patent apps like Adjustable insole for custom forefoot and rearfoot shoe fitment or other areas of interest. ### Previous Patent Application: Athletic shoe frame Next Patent Application: Footwear with improved insole Industry Class: Boots, shoes, and leggings ### FreshPatents.com Support Thank you for viewing the Adjustable insole for custom forefoot and rearfoot shoe fitment patent info. 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