Arch Support

Abstract

An adjustable arch support for a shoe is provided. The adjustable arch support forms a loop within the shoe, surrounding the arch. An end of a band forming the loop within the shoe can be drawn tight, thereby providing additional support for the arch. The end can then be loosened to release the foot or to provide less support.

What is claimed is: 
     
         1 . A shoe comprising:
 a body;   a sole connected to a bottom of the body, wherein the body and the sole define a cavity into which a foot of a user may fit;   an arch support positioned within the cavity, the arch support comprising:
 a band having a first end and a second opposite end, the first end of the band positioned securely adjacent to a lateral side of the shoe, the band extending towards an opposite medial side of the shoe, and then looping back towards the lateral side, forming a loop through which a foot may pass; 
 wherein the second end passes through an opening defined by the body in the lateral side of the shoe, the band slideable through the opening adjacent to its second end, the sliding of the band through the opening controlling a size of the loop formed by the band; 
 wherein the second end is connectable to the body of the shoe in a plurality of different adjustment positions. 
   
     
     
         2 . The shoe of  claim 1  wherein the band is formed of an elastic material. 
     
     
         3 . The shoe of  claim 1  wherein the first end of the band is attached to an insole of the shoe. 
     
     
         4 . The shoe of  claim 1  wherein the band splits into two second ends. 
     
     
         5 . The shoe of  claim 4  wherein the body forms two openings in the lateral side, and wherein one of the two second ends passes through one of two openings. 
     
     
         6 . The shoe of  claim 1  wherein the band comprises two separate bands, each of the two separate bands having a first end attached to the shoe, and a second opposite end passing through an opening formed by the body on the lateral side. 
     
     
         7 . The shoe of  claim 1  wherein the second end is connectable to the body by a hook and loop connector. 
     
     
         8 . The shoe of  claim 1  wherein the second end is connectable to the body by a strap. 
     
     
         9 . The shoe of  claim 1  wherein the second end is connectable to the body by a lace passed through an eye formed by the second end. 
     
     
         10 . The shoe of  claim 1  wherein the band passes under a tongue of the shoe. 
     
     
         11 . The shoe of  claim 1  wherein the opening in the lateral side of the body is a slit. 
     
     
         12 . A shoe comprising:
 a body;   a sole connected to a bottom of the body, wherein the body and the sole define a cavity into which a foot of a user may fit;   an arch support positioned within the cavity, the arch support comprising:
 a plurality of bands, each band of the plurality of bands having a first end and a second opposite end, the first end of each of the plurality of bands positioned securely adjacent to a lateral side of the shoe, the plurality of bands extending towards an opposite medial side of the shoe, and then looping back towards the lateral side, each of the plurality of bands forming a loop through which a foot may pass; 
 wherein the second end of each of the plurality of bands passes through an opening defined by the body in the lateral side of the shoe, each of the plurality of bands slideable through the opening adjacent to the second end, the sliding of each of the plurality of second ends through the opening controlling a size of the loop formed by each of the plurality of bands; 
 wherein each of the plurality of second ends is connectable to the body of the shoe in a plurality of different adjustment positions. 
   
     
     
         13 . The shoe of  claim 12  wherein at least one of the plurality of bands is formed of an elastic material. 
     
     
         14 . The shoe of  claim 12  wherein the first end of each of the plurality of bands is attached to an insole of the shoe. 
     
     
         15 . The shoe of  claim 12  further comprising a plurality of openings defined by the body on the lateral side of the shoe, wherein one of the plurality of second ends passes through one of the plurality of openings. 
     
     
         16 . The shoe of  claim 12  wherein the second end of each of the plurality of bands is connectable to the body by a hook and loop connector. 
     
     
         17 . The shoe of  claim 1  wherein the second end of each of the plurality of bands is connectable to the body by a strap. 
     
     
         18 . The shoe of  claim 1  wherein the second end of each of the plurality of bands is connectable to the body by a lace passed through an eye formed by the second end. 
     
     
         19 . A method of supporting an arch of a foot using the shoe of  claim 1  comprising the steps of:
 placing a foot within the cavity of the body, the step of placing the foot into the cavity comprising passing the foot through the loop formed by the arch support; 
 tightening the arch support by drawing the band through the opening in the lateral side of the shoe by a pulling of the band adjacent to the second end; 
 connecting the second end to the body of the shoe after the tightening step. 
 
     
     
         20 . The method of supporting an arch of a foot using the shoe of  claim 19  further comprising the step of further tightening the arch support by drawing an additional second end through the opening; and
 connecting the additional second end to the body of the shoe after the further tightening step.