Footwear insert with foot stop

Abstract

A shoe or footwear insert pad is configured to fit over at least part of the forward portion of the sole, extending under the toes and ball of a wearer's foot. The pad has an upper face, a lower face, a forward edge, a rear edge, and inner and outer edges, with the inner and outer edges conforming to the shape of corresponding inner and outer edges of the sole of the footwear. A foot stop bar or rib on the inner face of the pad extends in a selected, at least partially curved path from the inner edge to the outer edge configured to match the curve of the space at the base of a wearer's toes where the toes meet the remainder of the foot. In one example, the position of the foot stop bar on the pad is adjustable for wearers' having different foot sole topographies.

I claim:  
     
         1 . The apparatus and methods substantially as disclosed herein. 
     
     
         2 . A footwear insert or insole of flexible material configured to fit over at least part of the forward portion of the sole of the footwear, extending under at least part of the toes and ball of the wearer's foot with a rib or stop bar that resists or prevents the foot from sliding forward. 
     
     
         3 . The insert or insole of  claim 2  which permits the adjustment of the position of the rib or stop bar by the wearer of the shoe depending on their foot sole dimensions and topography. 
     
     
         4 . The insert or insole of  claim 2  which is formed from an elastomeric material that has a tendency to stick to other surfaces, such as the sole of a shoe, to keep the rib or stop bar in its desired location. 
     
     
         5 . The insert or insole of  claim 2  which is designed to be worn with open-toed or open-sided shoes without showing outside the periphery of the foot.