Foot-stabilizing shoe inserts

Abstract

An article useful as an insert in a shoe for preventing undesirable motion of the foot of a human subject within the shoe. In one embodiment the article comprises a substantially-planar base portion having a length dimension, a width dimension, a thickness dimension, a toe end, a heel end, a top surface, a bottom surface, and a circumferential edge. A first elevated portion is provided comprising at least one edge and having a top surface, an overall length dimension, a width dimension, and a thickness dimension, with the first elevated portion being disposed on the top surface of the base portion sufficiently to have a closest edge that is closest to the toe end of the base portion. A second elevated portion is present having a top surface, an overall length dimension, a width dimension, and a thickness dimension, with the second elevated portion being disposed on the top surface of the first elevated portion.

1 ) An article useful as an insert in a shoe for preventing undesirable motion of the foot of a human subject within the shoe, which article comprises:
 a) a substantially planar base portion having a length dimension, a width dimension, a thickness dimension, a toe end, a heel end, a top surface, a bottom surface and a circumferential edge;   b) a first elevated portion comprising at least one edge and having a top surface, an overall length dimension, a width dimension, and a thickness dimension, said first elevated portion being disposed on the top surface of said base portion sufficiently to have a closest edge that is closest to said toe end of said base portion;   c) a second elevated portion having a top surface, an overall length dimension, a width dimension, and a thickness dimension, said second elevated portion being disposed on the top surface of said first elevated portion;   d) an optional covering disposed on the top surface of said base portion, said optional covering being selected from the group consisting of: fabrics and polymeric materials,   
     wherein the first elevated portion is of sufficient length dimension that it extends across the base portion in an amount that is at least about 70% of the width dimension of said base portion 
   
   
       2 ) An article according to  claim 1  wherein said second elevated portion is disposed substantially centrally upon the top surface of said first elevated portion. 
   
   
       3 ) An article according to  claim 1  wherein said first elevated portion is disposed on said top surface of said base portion such that the closest edge of said first elevated portion is disposed at a distance from the toe end of said base portion that is about equal to the width of said first elevated portion. 
   
   
       4 ) An article according to  claim 1  wherein said first elevated portion is disposed on said top surface of said base portion such that the closest edge of said first elevated portion is disposed at a distance from the toe end of said base portion that is at least one millimeter greater than the width of said first elevated portion. 
   
   
       5 ) An article according to  claim 1  wherein said first elevated portion and said second elevated portion are shaped substantially as trapezoids having two relatively short sides and two relatively long sides, wherein one of the relatively long sides is concave and the other of the long sides is convex on both the first elevated portion and said second elevated portion. 
   
   
       6 ) An article according to  claim 1  wherein said circumferential edge is beveled. 
   
   
       7 ) An article according to  claim 1  wherein the combined thickness of said base portion, said first elevated portion, and said second elevated portion is any thickness in the range of between about three millimeters and about fifteen millimeters, including all thicknesses and ranges of thicknesses therebetween. 
   
   
       8 ) An article according to  claim 1  wherein said top surface of said first elevated portion is substantially flat. 
   
   
       9 ) An article according to  claim 1  wherein said top surface of said second elevated portion is substantially flat. 
   
   
       10 ) An article according to  claim 1  wherein at least one of said top surface and said bottom surface of said base portion includes a feature selected from the group consisting of: an adhesive and a surface roughening. 
   
   
       11 ) An article useful as an insert in a shoe for preventing undesirable motion of the foot of a human subject within the shoe, which article comprises:
 a) a substantially planar base portion having a length dimension, a width dimension, a thickness dimension, a toe end, a heel end, a top surface, a bottom surface and a circumferential edge;   b) a first elevated portion comprising at least one edge and having a top surface, an overall length dimension, a width dimension, and a thickness dimension, said first elevated portion being disposed on the top surface of said base portion sufficiently to have an edge that is closest to said toe end of said base portion;   c) a second elevated portion having a top surface, an overall length dimension, a width dimension, and a thickness dimension, said second elevated portion being disposed on the top surface of said first elevated portion,   
     wherein said second elevated portion is not disposed substantially centrally upon the top surface of said first elevated portion. 
   
   
       12 ) An article according to  claim 11  wherein said first elevated portion is disposed on said top surface of said base portion such that the closest edge of said first elevated portion is disposed at a distance from the toe end of said base portion that is about equal to the width of said first elevated portion. 
   
   
       13 ) An article according to  claim 11  wherein said first elevated portion is disposed on said top surface of said base portion such that the closest edge of said first elevated portion is disposed at a distance from the toe end of said base portion that is at least one millimeter greater than the width of said first elevated portion. 
   
   
       14 ) An article according to  claim 11  wherein said first elevated portion and said second elevated portion are shaped substantially as trapezoids having two relatively short sides and two relatively long sides, wherein one of the relatively long sides is concave and the other of the long sides is convex on both the first elevated portion and said second elevated portion. 
   
   
       15 ) An article according to  claim 11  wherein said circumferential edge is beveled. 
   
   
       16 ) An article according to  claim 11  wherein the combined thickness of said base portion, said first elevated portion, and said second elevated portion is any thickness in the range of between about three millimeters and about fifteen millimeters, including all thicknesses and ranges of thicknesses therebetween. 
   
   
       17 ) An article according to  claim 11  wherein said top surface of said first elevated portion is substantially flat. 
   
   
       18 ) An article according to  claim 11  wherein said top surface of said second elevated portion is substantially flat. 
   
   
       19 ) An article according to  claim 11  wherein at least one of said top surface and said bottom surface of said base portion includes a feature selected from the group consisting of: an adhesive and a surface roughening. 
   
   
       20 ) An article useful as an insert in a shoe for preventing undesirable motion of the foot of a human subject when disposed within the shoe, which article comprises a substantially-planar base portion having a top surface having a ridge disposed thereon, said ridge comprising a first elevated portion and a second elevated portion, with the second elevated portion being disposed upon the first elevated portion, sufficient to provide at least two plateau areas of different height with respect to the top surface of the base portion, as viewed from a side perspective.