Moldable arch support for footwear

Abstract

A molded insert, and methods for forming same, for an arch cavity of a boot, such as, but not limited to ice skating boots, or an arch cavity of a shoe, such as, but not limited to exercise, therapeutic, or physiological footwear, is described. The molded insert can be formed of any moldable material that is substantially firm, yet comfortable, when cured or dried. The moldable material can be used to fill in the arch cavity to form a substantially firm, yet comfortable, surface to support the arch of the wearer's foot, especially in the area corresponding from the beginning of the heel portion of the foot to the beginning of the ball of the foot (e.g., the mid-foot) and includes a vertically extending side portion along the side of the foot's arch, thus providing adequate support for the foot's arch during typical ice skating maneuvers.

1 . A method for forming an insert for an arch cavity defined as an area between an interior surface of a piece of footwear and an arch portion of a foot, comprising:
 placing an amount of moldable material in proximity to the arch cavity;   causing the moldable material to substantially fill the volume of the arch cavity; and   allowing the moldable material to cure or harden.   
     
     
         2 . The invention according to  claim 1 , wherein the piece of footwear is selected from the group consisting of shoes, boots, and combinations thereof. 
     
     
         3 . The invention according to  claim 1 , wherein the piece of footwear is selected from the group consisting of figure skating boots, hockey boots, and combinations thereof. 
     
     
         4 . The invention according to  claim 1 , wherein the arch cavity extends along an area proximate to an internal side portion or a foot bed portion of the piece of footwear. 
     
     
         5 . The invention according to  claim 1 , wherein the arch cavity extends along an area proximate to a mid-foot area or a foot bed portion of the piece of footwear. 
     
     
         6 . The invention according to  claim 1 , wherein the arch cavity extends from between about the heel portion to about the fore-foot portion of the piece of footwear. 
     
     
         7 . The invention according to  claim 1 , wherein the moldable material is manipulated so as to substantially fill the volume of the arch cavity. 
     
     
         9 . The invention according to  claim 1 , wherein the insert extends along the mid-foot area of the piece of footwear. 
     
     
         10 . The invention according to  claim 1 , wherein the insert extends from between about the heel portion to about the fore-foot portion of the foot bed. 
     
     
         11 . The invention according to  claim 1 , wherein the insert substantially fills the entire volume of the arch cavity. 
     
     
         12 . The invention according to  claim 1 , wherein the insert includes a substantially planar top surface portion. 
     
     
         13 . The invention according to  claim 1 , wherein the insert includes a curved bottom surface. 
     
     
         14 . The invention according to  claim 1 , wherein the insert includes at least one lip portion extending along a side surface thereof. 
     
     
         15 . The invention according to  claim 1 , wherein the insert includes two spaced and opposed lip portions extending along side surfaces thereof. 
     
     
         16 . A method for forming an insert for an area defining an arch cavity formed in a piece of footwear, wherein the arch cavity extends along an area proximate to an internal side portion or a foot bed portion of the piece of footwear, comprising:
 placing an amount of moldable material in proximity to the arch cavity;   causing the moldable material to substantially fill the volume of the arch cavity by inserting a foot into the piece of footwear such that the foot contacts and presses against the moldable material; and   allowing the moldable material to cure or harden.   
     
     
         17 . The invention according to  claim 16 , wherein the insert includes at least one lip portion extending along a side surface thereof, wherein the at least one lip portion substantially fills the volume of the arch cavity. 
     
     
         18 . An insert for filling in an area defining an arch cavity formed in a piece of footwear, wherein the arch cavity extends along an area proximate to an internal side portion or a foot bed portion of the piece of footwear, wherein the piece of footwear is selected from the group consisting of shoes, boots, and combinations thereof. 
     
     
         19 . The invention according to  claim 17 , wherein the insert substantially fills the entire volume of the arch cavity 
     
     
         20 . The invention according to  claim 18 , wherein the insert includes a substantially planar top surface portion, a curved bottom surface, or at least one lip portion extending along a side surface thereof.