Cushioning shoe insole with plural, differentiated surface-tension cushioning

Abstract

A shoe insole structure which includes a singular (or plural) acceleration-rate-sensitive, differentiated-softness, bonded viscoelastic cushioning layer(s), joined to the upper surface of which is a low-surface-friction, moisture-wicking fabric overlayer. The overall insole presents to a foot an effective upwardly facing support surface which has an effective surface tension which is lower than (differentiated from) that of the underside of the foot.

We claim:  
     
         1 . A cushioning insole structure for a shoe, which structure presents to a foot an effective support surface having a surface tension which is less than that of the underside of the foot, said insole structure comprising 
 a cushioning layer structure having upward and lower surfaces, and formed of a material which, following deformation, tends to return naturally to an undeformed condition at a rate which is slower than the rate at which it was deformed, and    a low-surface-friction, foot-engaging, moisture-wicking layer joined to the upper surface of said cushioning layer structure,    said cushioning layer structure and said moisture-wicking layer collectively presenting to the underside of a foot a support surface which exhibits effectively a lower surface-tension characteristic then that of the foot underside.    
     
     
         2 . The insole structure of  claim 1 , wherein said cushioning layer structure is formed from a non-springy, acceleration-rate-sensitive, cushioning and shock-absorbing material.  
     
     
         3 . The insole structure of  claim 2 , wherein said acceleration-rate-sensitive material is a viscoelastic material.  
     
     
         4 . The insole structure of  claim 1 , wherein said cushioning layer structure is characterized by a structural deformation cushioning nature which varies from softer toward firmer progressing downwardly through the layer structure from its said upper surface toward its said lower surface.  
     
     
         5 . The insole structure of  claim 4 , wherein said cushioning layer structure is formed by at least a pair of differentiated-softness, structural cushioning materials disposed one (upper) above the other (lower), and bonded to each other, with the upper cushioning material being softer than the lower cushioning material.  
     
     
         6 . The insole structure of  claim 5 , wherein each of said materials within said cushioning layer structure is formed from a non-springy, acceleration-rate-sensitive, cushioning and shock-absorbing material.  
     
     
         7 . The insole structure of  claim 6 , wherein said shock-absorbing material is a viscoelastic material.