Footwear Cushion

Abstract

The present invention relates to a footwear cushion. The footwear cushion includes a base and a pad protruding from the base. A protrusion is provided for protruding from the pad and for supporting a foot. The pad may support three central rays of the foot and be located between the outer rays of the foot. The protrusion may support a transverse metatarsal arch of the foot.

1 . A footwear cushion comprising:
 a base;   a pad protruding from the base; and   a protrusion for protruding from the pad and for supporting a foot,   wherein the base, the pad and the protrusion engage with and support different regions of the foot.   
     
     
         2 . A footwear cushion as claimed in  claim 1  wherein the pad supports three central rays of the foot. 
     
     
         3 . A footwear cushion as claimed in  claim 1  wherein the pad is located between the outer rays of the foot. 
     
     
         4 . A footwear cushion as claimed in  claim 1  wherein the pad is located behind metatarsal heads of the foot with a front portion of the base located in register with the metatarsal heads. 
     
     
         5 . A footwear cushion as claimed in  claim 1 , wherein the protrusion includes a tear-drop shaped dome. 
     
     
         6 . A footwear cushion as claimed in  claim 1 , wherein the protrusion rearwardly tapers. 
     
     
         7 . A footwear cushion as claimed in  claim 1  wherein the protrusion is located in registry with a fixed end of a central ray of the foot. 
     
     
         8 . A footwear cushion as claimed in  claim 1  wherein the protrusion is located in registry with three central rays of the foot. 
     
     
         9 . A footwear cushion as claimed in  claim 1  wherein the protrusion is located so as to raise the fore-foot in the footwear. 
     
     
         10 . A footwear cushion as claimed in  claim 1  wherein the protrusion supports a transverse metatarsal arch of the foot. 
     
     
         11 . A footwear cushion as claimed in  claim 1 , wherein the base tapers rearwardly to facilitate insertion into high heel footwear. 
     
     
         12 . A footwear cushion as claimed in  claim 1 , wherein the base defines a convex portion to suit flat soled footwear. 
     
     
         13 . A footwear cushion as claimed in  claim 1 , wherein the base includes adhesive for adhering the base to an insole. 
     
     
         14 . A footwear cushion as claimed in  claim 1 , further including pebbles extending from a front portion of the base to facilitate gripping with the foot. 
     
     
         15 . A footwear cushion as claimed in  claim 1 , wherein the cushion is molded and integrally formed from homogeneous resilient material. 
     
     
         16 . A footwear cushion as claimed in  claim 15 , wherein the material is comprised of a plastic or rubber material. 
     
     
         17 . A footwear cushion as claimed in  claim 1 , wherein the protrusion is directly connected to both the base and pad. 
     
     
         18 . A footwear cushion comprising:
 a base underlying three central rays of a foot disposed between a pair of outer rays of the foot;   a sulcus pad carried by the base underlying a plurality of the three central rays of the foot; and   a transverse metatarsal arch support carried by the base extending outwardly of the sulcus pad longitudinally toward a heel of the foot having a portion underlying a fixed end of one of the three central rays of the foot.   
     
     
         19 . A footwear cushion as claimed in  claim 18 , wherein the transverse metatarsal arch support comprises an elongate protrusion that overlies a portion of the sulcus pad. 
     
     
         20 . A footwear cushion comprising:
 a base underlying extending between a pair of outer rays of a foot and underlying three central rays of the foot that are disposed between the pair of outer rays of the foot;   a sulcus pad carried by the base underlying at least a portion of each of the three central rays of the foot; and   a transverse metatarsal arch support carried by the base that is elongate, underlies a plurality of the three central rays of the foot, and has a portion underlying a fixed end of one of the plurality of the three central rays of the foot.