Foot support assembly for lateral and medial stability of foot

Abstract

A foot support assembly provides medial and lateral support to the foot with multiple bands that traverse a dorsal region of the foot, passing through multiple channels in between the midsole and outer sole of a shoe. A fastening mechanism enables length adjustment of the bands, such that shear forces and strain on the foot are reduced. Three spaced-apart bands include a pair of free ends and a longitudinal axis that is sufficient to wrap around the dorsal region of foot. The bands create a taut pressure medially, wrapping laterally across the dorsal region of the foot to help prevent stress fractures and cracks on the foot. A D-ring closure enables length adjustment of the bands. The assembly supports the plantar aspect of the foot, whereby the foot is sandwiched between bands, and the midsole and outer sole of shoe. An alignment tape aligns the foot with the bands.

What I claim is: 
     
         1 . A support assembly for medial and lateral support of the foot, the assembly comprising:
 a plurality of bands, the plurality of bands defined by a longitudinal axis and a pair of free ends, the plurality of bands arranged in a spaced-apart, parallel relationship;   a plurality of fastening straps, the plurality of fastening straps comprising a fastening mechanism configured to detachably attach to one of the free ends of the plurality of bands; and   at least one closure, the at least one closure configured to join one of the free ends of the plurality of bands with the plurality of fastening straps, the at least one closure further configured to enable passage of the plurality of fastening straps,   whereby displacement of the plurality of fastening straps through the at least one closure enables independent length adjustment of each of the plurality of bands.   
     
     
         2 . The assembly of  claim 1 , further including an alignment tape. 
     
     
         3 . The assembly of  claim 2 , wherein the alignment tape is disposed generally perpendicular to the plurality of bands, the alignment tape configured to help align the plurality of bands. 
     
     
         4 . The assembly of  claim 1 , wherein the plurality of bands comprises multiple spaced-apart, parallel bands. 
     
     
         5 . The assembly of  claim 1 , wherein the plurality of bands comprises three parallel bands. 
     
     
         6 . The assembly of  claim 1 , wherein the plurality of bands are resilient. 
     
     
         7 . The assembly of  claim 1 , wherein the plurality of fastening straps are disposed along the length of the longitudinal axis of the plurality of bands. 
     
     
         8 . The assembly of  claim 1 , wherein the fastening mechanism comprises a hook and loop fastener. 
     
     
         9 . The assembly of  claim 1 , wherein the at least one closure comprises a D-ring closure. 
     
     
         10 . The assembly of  claim 1 , further including a shoe defined by an outer sole, an upper, and a slot. 
     
     
         11 . The assembly of  claim 10 , wherein the outer sole comprises a plurality of channels, the plurality of channels sized and dimensioned to receive the plurality of bands and the plurality of fastening straps. 
     
     
         12 . A support assembly for medial and lateral support of the foot, the assembly comprising:
 a plurality of bands, the plurality of bands defined by a longitudinal axis and a pair of free ends, the plurality of bands arranged in a spaced-apart, parallel relationship, the plurality of bands configured to enable traversing a dorsal region of a foot at least in a medial and lateral orientation, the plurality of bands further configured to at least partially conform to the dorsal region of the foot;   a plurality of fastening straps, the plurality of fastening straps comprising a fastening mechanism configured to detachably attach to one of the free ends of the plurality of bands;   at least one closure, the at least one closure configured to join one of the free ends of the plurality of bands with the plurality of fastening straps, the at least one closure further configured to enable passage of the plurality of fastening straps,   whereby displacement of the plurality of fastening straps through the at least one closure independent length adjustment of each of the plurality of bands; and   an alignment tape, the alignment tape disposed generally perpendicular to the plurality of bands, the alignment tape configured to help align the foot with the plurality of bands.   
     
     
         13 . The assembly of  claim 12 , wherein the plurality of bands comprises multiple spaced-apart, parallel bands. 
     
     
         14 . The assembly of  claim 12 , wherein the plurality of bands comprises three parallel bands. 
     
     
         15 . The assembly of  claim 12 , wherein the plurality of fastening straps are disposed along the length of the longitudinal axis of the plurality of bands. 
     
     
         16 . The assembly of  claim 12 , wherein the fastening mechanism comprises a hook and loop fastener. 
     
     
         17 . The assembly of  claim 12 , wherein the at least one closure comprises a D-ring closure. 
     
     
         18 . The assembly of  claim 1 , further including a shoe defined by an outer sole, an upper, and a slot. 
     
     
         19 . The assembly of  claim 18 , wherein the outer sole comprises a plurality of channels, the plurality of channels sized and dimensioned to receive the plurality of bands and the plurality of fastening straps. 
     
     
         20 . A support assembly for medial and lateral support of the foot, the assembly comprising:
 a plurality of bands, the plurality of bands defined by a longitudinal axis and a pair of free ends, the plurality of bands arranged in a spaced-apart, parallel relationship, the plurality of bands configured to enable traversing a dorsal region of a foot at least in a medial and lateral orientation, the plurality of bands further configured to at least partially conform to the dorsal region of the foot;   a plurality of fastening straps, the plurality of fastening straps comprising a fastening mechanism configured to detachably attach to one of the free ends of the plurality of bands;   an alignment tape, the alignment tape disposed generally perpendicular to the plurality of bands, the alignment tape configured to help align the foot with the plurality of bands;   at least one closure, the at least one closure configured to join one of the free ends of the plurality of bands with the plurality of fastening straps, the at least one closure further configured to enable passage of the plurality of fastening straps,   whereby displacement of the plurality of fastening straps through the at least one closure enables independent length adjustment of each of the plurality of bands;   an alignment tape, the alignment tape disposed generally perpendicular to the plurality of bands, the alignment tape configured to help align the foot with the plurality of bands; and   a shoe defined by an outer sole, an upper, and a slot, the outer sole comprising a plurality of channels disposed to extend cross length of the outer sole, the plurality of channels sized and dimensioned to receive the plurality of bands and the plurality of fastening straps.