Anterior transverse arch support with phalanges grip

Abstract

A pad for providing anterior transverse arch support and a phlalanges grip for a human foot. The pad has an upper surface contoured or manufactured with specific materials to fit into the valley created by the formation of the anterior, transverse, arch. The pad can be adapted so it can be secured in footwear either temporarily or permanently

1 . A pad for providing anterior, transverse arch support and a phlalanges grip for a human foot, said foot having five toes in articulating relationship with five metatarsal bones, said metatarsal bones having anterior heads defining an anterior, transverse arch with first and fifth metatarsal heads being at opposite ends of said anterior, transverse arch, each of said five toes having a phalanx proximate to one of said metatarsal heads, said metatarsal heads and said phlalanges defining a valley, and said pad comprised of an upper surface contoured to fit into said valley.  
     
     
         2 . The pad of  claim 1 , wherein said body comprises viscoelastic foam.  
     
     
         3 . The pad of  claim 1 , wherein said pad carries an adhesive layer for securement to footwear.  
     
     
         4 . The pad of  claim 1 , said pad being secured to and in combination with a footwear.  
     
     
         5 . The pad of  claim 1 , wherein said pad comprises at least one chemical agent selected from the group consisting of a deodorant, a bacteriostat and a fungistat.  
     
     
         6 . The pad of  claim 1 , wherein said pad has rearward-facing surfaces and forward-facing surfaces, said rearward facing surface being concave and said forward facing surface being convex.  
     
     
         7 . The pad of  claim 1 , wherein said pad has an elevated upper surface defining an elevated, convex curve.  
     
     
         8 . The pad of  claim 1 , wherein said ridge has a rearward facing surface and a forward facing surface, said rearward facing surface being concave and said forward facing surface being concave.  
     
     
         9 . The pad of  claim 1 , wherein said pad has a length and width less than the length and width of an associated foot.  
     
     
         10 . The pad of  claim 1 , wherein said pad has an adhesive layer with a liner film covering said adhesive.  
     
     
         11 . In combination, a shoe and a pad for providing anterior, transverse arch support for a human foot having first through fifth metatarsal bones with respective first through fifth anterior heads and first through fifth toes, each with a plurality of distal phalanges, there being a valley defined by the second, third and fourth anterior heads and the second, third and fourth distal phalanx, said pad having a body with an upper surface contoured to provide a shelf for receiving said heads of said metatarsal bones and a ridge for fitting into said valley.  
     
     
         12 . The combination of  claim 10 , wherein said body comprises foam rubber.  
     
     
         13 . The combination of  claim 10 , wherein said pad has a base adapted to be secured to footwear and a body secured to said base, said body having said contour.  
     
     
         14 . The combination of  claim 10 , wherein said pad has odor resistant, bacteriostatic and fungistatic properties.  
     
     
         15 . The combination of  claim 10 , wherein said ridge has a rearward facing surface and a forward facing surface, said rearward facing surface being concave and said forward facing surface being convex.  
     
     
         16 . The combination of  claim 10 , wherein said ridge defines an upper transverse line which is a convex curve.  
     
     
         17 . The combination of  claim 10 , wherein said ridge has a rearward facing surface and a forward facing surface, said rearward facing surface being concave and said forward facing surface being concave.  
     
     
         18 . The combination of  claim 10 , wherein said pad has a width less that the width of an associated foot.  
     
     
         19 . The combination of  claim 10 , wherein said pad is secured to said footwear with two-sided adhesive tape.  
     
     
         20 . A method of providing footwear with anterior transverse arch support and phlalanges grip for a human foot having metatarsal bones with distal ends and proximal phlalanges with proximal ends, there being a valley between said distal ends and said proximal ends, said method comprising the steps of: 
 (A) providing a pad having a body with an upper surface contoured to provide a shelf for receiving said distal ends of said metatarsal bones and a ridge for fitting into said valley; and    (B) securing said pad to said footwear.