Wellness shoe and method

Abstract

A shoe body including an upper operably connected with an outsole. The shoe body has a front portion and a back portion. An insole is disposed inside the shoe upper and has a substantially inelastic heel portion and a substantially elastic toe portion. A substantially rigid pressure plate is adjacent to the substantially elastic toe portion.

1 . An article of footwear comprising:
 a shoe body including an upper operably connected with an outsole, the shoe body including a front portion and a back portion;   an insole disposed inside the upper and having a substantially inelastic heel portion and a substantially elastic toe portion; and   a substantially rigid pressure plate adjacent the substantially elastic toe portion.   
     
     
         2 . The article of footwear of  claim 1 , further comprising:
 an elastic absorption pad disposed between the inelastic heel portion and the outsole.   
     
     
         3 . The article of footwear of  claim 1 , further comprising:
 a midsole disposed between the insole and the outsole.   
     
     
         4 . The article of footwear of  claim 1 , wherein the thickness of the substantially inelastic heel is approximately twice that of the substantially elastic toe portion. 
     
     
         5 . The article of footwear of  claim 1 , wherein the pressure plate includes a convex portion substantially aligned with the metatarsals of a user. 
     
     
         6 . The article of footwear of  claim 1 , further comprising:
 a moderating layer disposed over the insole.   
     
     
         7 . The article of footwear of  claim 6 , wherein the moderating layer includes a rear portion constructed from a substantially inelastic material and a forward portion constructed of a substantially elastic material. 
     
     
         8 . The article of footwear of  claim 1 , further comprising:
 a lever defined between the substantially inelastic heel portion and the substantially elastic toe portion that translates downward energy from the back portion forward to the front portion.   
     
     
         9 . An insert for an article of footwear comprising:
 an insole having a substantially inelastic heel portion and a substantially elastic toe portion;   an elastic absorption pad disposed below the inelastic heel portion; and   a substantially rigid pressure plate adjacent to the substantially elastic toe portion.   
     
     
         10 . The insert of  claim 9 , further comprising:
 a midsole disposed between the insole and the outsole.   
     
     
         11 . The insert of  claim 9 , wherein the thickness of the substantially inelastic heel is approximately twice that of the substantially elastic toe portion. 
     
     
         12 . The insert of  claim 9 , wherein the substantially rigid pressure plate includes a convex portion substantially aligned with the metatarsals of a user. 
     
     
         13 . The insert of  claim 9 , further comprising:
 a moderating layer disposed over the insole.   
     
     
         14 . The insert of  claim 14 , wherein the moderating layer includes a rear portion constructed from a substantially inelastic material and a forward portion constructed of a substantially elastic material. 
     
     
         15 . The insert of  claim 9 , further comprising:
 a lever defined between the substantially inelastic heel portion and the substantially elastic toe portion that translates downward energy from the back portion forward to the front portion.   
     
     
         16 . A method of modifying the gate of an individual, the method comprising:
 providing a shoe having an upper operably coupled with an outsole;   inserting an insole into the shoe;   forming a substantially elastic toe portion on the insole;   forming a substantially inelastic heel portion on the insole that is elevated above the substantially elastic toe portion;   connecting an elastic absorption pad below the substantially inelastic heel portion;   placing the shoe on the foot of a user, thereby promoting a natural gait cycle during walking.   
     
     
         17 . The method of  claim 16 , further comprising:
 providing a substantially rigid pressure plate adjacent the substantially elastic toe portion of the insole.   
     
     
         18 . The method of  claim 17 , wherein the step of providing a substantially rigid pressure plate further comprises: integrally forming the insole with the substantially rigid pressure plate 
     
     
         19 . The method of  claim 16 , further comprising:
 positioning a dual material top cover over the insole.   
     
     
         20 . The method of  claim 16 , further comprising:
 positioning a midsole between the insole and the outsole.