Balance stabilizing foot orthotic

Abstract

A foot orthotic ( 10 ) that more effectively supports and stabilizes a person's foot ( 14 ) and improves the person's balance so as to reduce tripping and falling. The orthotic device ( 10 ) includes several layers of material that are bonded together to cooperatively provide the optimum amount of support and stabilization for different areas of the wearer's foot ( 14 ). The orthotic ( 10 ) includes a bottom layer ( 16 ) that extends substantially the entire length of the wearer's foot ( 14 ) and that is placed over the insole of the wearer's footwear; a top layer ( 20 ) that also extends substantially the length of the wearer's foot and that receives and supports the plantar portion of the foot; and an intermediate layer ( 18 ) that is bonded between the bottom layer and the top layer. The orthotic ( 10 ) is configured to elevate the toes of the wearer and thereby enhance balance stabilization.

1 . A foot orthotic for placement in a shoe or other footwear for supporting and stabilizing a wearer's foot, the foot orthotic comprising: 
 a bottom layer configured to extend substantially the entire length of the wearer's foot;    a top layer configured to extend substantially the entire length of the wearer's foot; and    an intermediate layer bonded between the bottom layer and the top layer and configured to extend between the wearer's heel and arch for supporting the arch and metatarsal area of the wearer's foot.    
     
     
         2 . The foot orthotic as set forth in  claim 1 , wherein the bottom layer is formed of polyurethane material having a uniform thickness along the entire length thereof.  
     
     
         3 . The foot orthotic as set forth in  claim 2 , the bottom layer having a thickness of approximately {fraction (3/32)} inches.  
     
     
         4 . The foot orthotic as set forth in  claim 1 , wherein the intermediate layer is formed of styrene butodene rubber material.  
     
     
         5 . The foot orthotic as set forth in  claim 4 , wherein the intermediate layer includes a rear, concave cup-like seat for supporting and stabilizing the wearer's heel and a front convex arch support configured to support and stabilize the wearer's arch.  
     
     
         6 . The foot orthotic as set forth in  claim 5 , wherein the rear, concave cup-like seat has a minimum thickness of ⅛ inch and the front convex arch support has a maximum thickness of ⅜ inch.  
     
     
         7 . The foot orthotic as set forth in  claim 1 , wherein the top layer is formed of plastazote polyethylene foam material.  
     
     
         8 . The foot orthotic as set forth in  claim 7 , wherein the top layer includes a frontal portion configured to elevate the wearer's toes.  
     
     
         9 . The foot orthotic as set forth in  claim 8 , wherein the top layer is configured to compress and conform to and therefore better support and stabilize the wearer's foot.  
     
     
         10 . The foot orthotic as set forth in  claim 1 , the bottom layer, the top layer, and the intermediate layer cooperatively defining an arch extension configured to extend under and support the wearer's arch.  
     
     
         11 . A foot orthotic for placement in a shoe or other footwear for supporting and stabilizing a wearer's foot, the orthotic comprising: 
 inner and outer lateral sides that substantially align with inner and outer sides of the wearer's foot;    a rear end portion for supporting the wearer's heel;    an intermediate portion for supporting the wearer's arch and metatarsal area; and    a front end portion for supporting a front portion of the wearer's foot, the front portion being configured to elevate the wearer's toes to improve the wearer's balance and reduce tripping and falling.    
     
     
         12 . The foot orthotic as set forth in  claim 11 , wherein the foot orthotic is formed of a bottom layer, a top layer and an intermediate layer bonded together.  
     
     
         13 . The foot orthotic as set forth in  claim 12 , wherein the bottom layer is formed of polyurethane material having a uniform thickness along the entire length thereof.  
     
     
         14 . The foot orthotic as set forth in  claim 12 , wherein the intermediate layer is formed of styrene butodene rubber material.  
     
     
         15 . The foot orthotic as set forth in  claim 12 , wherein the top layer is formed of plastazote polyethylene foam material.  
     
     
         16 . The foot orthotic as set forth in  claim 12 , wherein the top layer includes a frontal portion configured to elevate the wearer's toes.  
     
     
         17 . The foot orthotic as set forth in  claim 8 , wherein the top layer is configured to compress and conform to and therefore better support and stabilize the wearer's foot.  
     
     
         18 . A foot orthotic for placement in a shoe or other footwear for supporting and stabilizing a wearer's foot, the foot orthotic comprising: 
 a bottom layer configured to extend substantially the entire length of the wearer's foot, wherein the bottom layer is formed of polyurethane material having a uniform thickness along the entire length thereof;    a top layer configured to extend substantially the entire length of the wearer's foot, wherein the top layer is formed of plastazote polyethylene foam material and includes a frontal portion configured to elevate the wearer's toes; and    an intermediate layer bonded between the bottom layer and the top layer and configured to extend between the wearer's heel and arch for supporting the arch and metatarsal area of the wearer's foot, wherein the intermediate layer is formed of styrene butodene rubber material.    
     
     
         19 . The foot orthotic as set forth in  claim 18 , wherein the top layer is configured to compress and conform to and therefore better support and stabilize the wearer's foot.  
     
     
         20 . The foot orthotic as set forth in  claim 18 , the bottom layer, the top layer, and the intermediate layer cooperatively defining an arch extension configured to extend under and support the wearer's arch.