Adjustable arch support assembly

Abstract

An adjustable arch support assembly having a position fixing member configured to be fixed to a shoe insole, the position fixing member having a plurality of retaining features positioned at different locations along the position fixing member. Also included is a movable arch support having a main body configured to support an arch region of a foot, and a coupling member provided on the main body and configured to couple the main body to the position fixing member. The coupling member has at least one engagement feature configured to engage different ones of the retaining features such that the movable arch support is fixed in different positions relative to the position fixing member based on the retaining feature engaged by the engagement feature.

1 . An adjustable arch support assembly, comprising:
 a position fixing member configured to be fixed to a shoe insole, said position fixing member having a plurality of retaining features positioned at different locations along the position fixing member; and   a movable arch support comprising:
 a main body configured to support an arch region of a foot, and 
 a coupling member provided on the main body and configured to couple the main body to the position fixing member, the coupling member having at least one engagement feature configured to engage different ones of said retaining features such that the movable arch support is fixed in different positions relative to the position fixing member based on the retaining feature engaged by the engagement feature. 
   
   
   
       2 . The assembly of  claim 1 , wherein:
 said position fixing member comprises a base configured to be fixed to the shoe insole and a protrusion extending from the base, said protrusion having the plurality of retaining features positioned along a length of the protrusion, and   said coupling member comprises a slot having a length greater than the length of the protrusion such that the protrusion can be inserted into the slot and can be at different positions along the slot.   
   
   
       3 . The assembly of  claim 2 , wherein said plurality of retaining features each comprise a recess having a predetermined shape, and said at least one engagement feature comprises a mating tab shaped to mate with said recess having a predetermined shape. 
   
   
       4 . The assembly of  claim 3 , wherein said protrusion comprises a retaining flange configured to retain the movable arch support movably coupled thereto. 
   
   
       5 . The assembly of  claim 4 , wherein the movable arch support further comprises a relief slot formed in the main body adjacent to the engagement feature and configured to permit the engagement feature to resiliently move into and out of engagement with the plurality of recesses. 
   
   
       6 . The assembly of  claim 1 , wherein said protrusion and coupling feature are each curved along a length thereof. 
   
   
       7 . The assembly of  claim 1 , wherein said movable arch support comprises thermoplastic polyurethane (TPU). 
   
   
       8 . An adjustable insole assembly comprising:
 an insole have a first side configured to be in contact with a wearer's foot, and a second side having an arch support region recessed therein;   a position fixing member fixed to the arch support region, said position fixing member having a plurality of retaining features positioned at different locations along the position fixing member; and   a movable arch support comprising:
 a main body configured to support an arch region of a foot, and 
 a coupling member provided on the main body and configured to couple the main body to the position fixing member, the coupling member having at least one engagement feature configured to engage different ones of said retaining features such that the movable arch support is fixed in different positions relative to the position fixing member based on the retaining feature engaged by the engagement feature. 
   
   
   
       9 . The assembly of  claim 8 , wherein:
 said position fixing member comprises a base configured to be fixed to the shoe insole and a protrusion extending from the base, said protrusion having the plurality of retaining features positioned along a length of the protrusion, and   said coupling member comprises a slot having a length greater than the length of the protrusion such that the protrusion can be inserted into the slot and can be at different positions along the slot.   
   
   
       10 . The assembly of  claim 9 , wherein said plurality of retaining features each comprise a recess having a predetermined shape, and said at least one engagement feature comprises a mating tab shaped to mate with said recess having a predetermined shape. 
   
   
       11 . The assembly of  claim 10 , wherein said protrusion comprises a retaining flange configured to retain the movable arch support movably coupled thereto. 
   
   
       12 . The assembly of  claim 11 , wherein the movable arch support further comprises a relief slot formed in the main body adjacent to the engagement feature and configured to permit the engagement feature to resiliently move into and out of engagement with the plurality of recesses. 
   
   
       13 . The assembly of  claim 8 , wherein said protrusion and coupling feature are each curved along a length thereof. 
   
   
       14 . The assembly of  claim 8 , wherein said movable arch support extends substantially the entire width of the insole. 
   
   
       15 . The assembly of  claim 8 , wherein said movable arch support extends substantially less that the entire width of the insole. 
   
   
       16 . The assembly of  claim 8 , wherein said position fixing member comprises a recess within the insole, and said coupling member comprises a protrusion extending from said main body. 
   
   
       17 . The assembly of  claim 8 , wherein said movable arch support comprises thermoplastic polyurethane (TPU). 
   
   
       18 . The assembly of  claim 8 , further comprising a shoe cavity having an expandable sole assembly, wherein said insole assembly is configured to be inserted into said shoe cavity and provide an outward force for expanding said shoe cavity. 
   
   
       19 . The assembly of  claim 8 , wherein said movable arch support is provided as one of a plurality of interchangeable arch supports each having different physical attributes. 
   
   
       20 . An adjustable arch support assembly, comprising:
 a position fixing member configured to be fixed to a shoe insole;   a movable arch support; and   means for coupling the movable arch support to the position fixing member such that the movable arch support can be moved to discrete positions relative to the position fixing member.