Rocker shoes for prescribed ankle motion

Abstract

A method is provided for providing a shoe sole profile shape for an individual who has a prescribed ankle angular motion for at least a partial heel-to-toe foot motion of the individual. A shoe sole geometry is determined that provides a substantially invariant roll-over shape for level ground walking that accommodates the prescribed ankle angular motion of the individual. The shoe sole geometry then is imparted to a shoe sole by machining, molding or other shaping operation.

1 . A method of providing a shoe sole profile shape for an individual, comprising determining a shoe sole geometry that provides a roll-over shape for level ground walking that accommodates a prescribed ankle angular motion of the individual and imparting the shoe sole geometry to a shoe sole. 
     
     
         2 . The method of  claim 1  including determining respective radial distances between a reference shoe sole surface when the ankle is rotated to respective angles during at least partial heel-to-toe motion and an invariant roll-over shape arc. 
     
     
         3 . The method of  claim 2  including shaping the shoe sole profile using said radial distances. 
     
     
         4 . The method of  claim 3  including machining or molding the shoe sole profile. 
     
     
         5 . A shoe having a sole profile determined by the method of  claim 1 .