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  InsoleUSPTO Application #: 20060026865Title: Insole Abstract: A removable full length insole for insertion into open style footwear, includes a forefoot portion, a heel portion and a mid-foot portion connecting together the forefoot portion and the heel portion; a uniform thickness cushioning layer of a resilient material extending through the forefoot portion, heel portion and mid-foot portion; a substantially dome shaped pillow extending down from the cushioning layer at the forefoot portion and heel portion; and an arrangement for maintaining the insole in position in the footwear during a gait. (end of abstract) Agent: Schering-plough Corporation Patent Department (k-6-1, 1990) - Kenilworth, NJ, US Inventors: Bernard F. Grisoni, Richard T. Avent, Philip C. Yang USPTO Applicaton #: 20060026865 - Class: 036043000 (USPTO) Related Patent Categories: Boots, Shoes, And Leggings, Insoles The Patent Description & Claims data below is from USPTO Patent Application 20060026865. Brief Patent Description - Full Patent Description - Patent Application Claims
BACKGROUND OF THE INVENTION [0001] The present invention relates generally to shoe insoles or inserts, and more particularly, to insoles particularly adapted to be used with open style footwear. [0002] Various types of insoles are known which fit within shoes in order to correct various foot problems, alleviate pain and otherwise provide more comfort to the wearer. Examples of such insoles are those sold by the assignee of the present invention under the trademark Dr. SCHOLL'S.RTM.. [0003] However, when wearing open style footwear where the perimeter of the footwear is exposed, such as sandals, clogs, slides, slingbacks and the like, the boundary of the footwear is not sufficient to hold the insole in position during a normal gait. As a result, such insoles cannot be used with open style footwear. [0004] Further, with conventional shoes, the wearer's foot is restricted by the upper which is connected to the outer and/or inner sole. As a result, any insole placed therein is also limited by the same upper. This means that the edges of the insole can be relatively thick, since the wearer will not notice such thickness at the edges. However, this is not true with open style footwear in which the wearer's foot is given greater freedom of movement. As a result, the wearer may notice a step between the relatively thick edge of the insole and the inner sole of the footwear, causing discomfort to the wearer. SUMMARY OF THE INVENTION [0005] Accordingly, it is an object of the present invention to provide an insole that overcomes the problems with the aforementioned prior art. [0006] It is another object of the present invention to provide an insole that can be worn with open style footwear. [0007] It is still another object of the present invention to provide an insole that remains in place in the open style footwear during use. [0008] It is yet another object of the present invention to provide an insole that provides cushioning at the forefoot and heel areas. [0009] It is a further object of the present invention to provide an insole that tapers in thickness toward the peripheral edges thereof. [0010] It is a yet further object of the present invention to provide an insole that is easy and economical to make and use. [0011] In accordance with an aspect of the present invention, an insole for insertion into footwear, includes at least one of a forefoot portion and a heel portion; at least one of the forefoot portion and heel portion being formed by a cushioning layer of a resilient material which provides a cushioning function, and a substantially dome shaped pillow extending down from the cushioning layer; and an arrangement for maintaining the insole in position in the footwear during a gait. [0012] Preferably, the insole is a full length insole formed from the forefoot portion, the heel portion and a mid-foot portion connecting together the forefoot portion and the heel portion. More preferably, the cushioning layer extends through the forefoot portion, heel portion and mid-foot portion, and each of the forefoot portion and heel portion includes a substantially dome shaped pillow extending down from the cushioning layer thereat. [0013] The cushioning layer and the pillow are formed from the same material as a unitary, one-piece structure. [0014] In one embodiment, the cushioning layer and pillow are formed from a foam material. In such case, the arrangement for maintaining the insole in position can include either an adhesive at a lower surface of the insole, or for example, a non-permanent adhesive that permits removal of the insole from the footwear and repositioning the insole in the footwear, or alternatively, a high friction lower surface of the insole. [0015] In another embodiment, the cushioning layer and pillow are formed from a viscoelastic gel material. In such case, the arrangement for maintaining the insole in position includes either a non-permanent adhesive at the lower surface, or a tackifier added to the gel material. Preferably, the gel material under the dome shaped pillow is formed by a plurality of spaced apart spring walls formed from the viscoelastic gel, the spring walls extending from a lower surface of the cushioning layer. The spring walls each have a height which is greatest at a center of the pillow and which tapers in height toward edges of the pillow. Preferably, each of the spring walls is formed in a generally sinusoidal wave shape. [0016] Preferably, the cushioning layer has a substantially uniform thickness of about 2 mm and the pillow has a height less than about 3 mm above the uniform layer, and the cushioning layer tapers in thickness toward a periphery of the insole. [0017] A top cover can also be secured to an upper surface of the cushioning layer. [0018] The above and other features of the invention will become readily apparent from the following detailed description thereof which is to be read in connection with the accompanying drawings. BRIEF DESCRIPTION OF THE DRAWINGS [0019] FIG. 1 is a perspective view of a left insole according to a first embodiment of the present invention; [0020] FIG. 2 is a top plan view of the left insole; [0021] FIG. 3 is a bottom plan view of the left insole according to one embodiment; Continue reading... Full patent description for Insole Brief Patent Description - Full Patent Description - Patent Application Claims Click on the above for other options relating to this Insole 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. 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