Insole assembly

Abstract

An insole assembly is provided comprising an insole having an upper surface upon which an underside of a foot may contact and be supported. The insole assembly has at least one protrusion which projects away from the upper surface of the insole. At least one of the protrusions is detachably connected to the insole. The protrusions may be interchanged to customize an insole assembly to provide enhanced cutaneous stimulation of targeted regions of a foot.

1 . An insole assembly comprising:
 an insole having an upper surface for supporting and contacting an underside of a foot, and   at least one protrusion projecting away from the upper surface,   wherein at least one protrusion is detachably connected to the insole.   
     
     
         2 . An insole assembly as claimed in  claim 1 , wherein the one or more protrusions comprises a projecting part which projects from the surface and a connecting part which extends away from the projecting part and into the insole. 
     
     
         3 . An insole assembly as claimed in  claim 2 , wherein the projecting part of one or more protrusions comprises a first part and a second part and wherein the first part has a different rigidity from the second part. 
     
     
         4 . An insole assembly as claimed in  claim 3 , wherein the second part at least partially surrounds the first part. 
     
     
         5 . An insole assembly as claimed in  claim 4 , wherein the second part is relatively less rigid than the first part. 
     
     
         6 . An insole assembly as claimed in  claim 1 , wherein one or more protrusions comprises a compressible material. 
     
     
         7 . An insole assembly as claimed in  claim 1 , wherein one or more protrusions comprises an elastomeric material. 
     
     
         8 . An insole assembly as claimed in  claim 1 , wherein one or more protrusions comprises silicone material. 
     
     
         9 . An insole assembly as claimed in  claim 1 , wherein one or more protrusions are detachably connected to the insole by a friction fit. 
     
     
         10 . An insole assembly as claimed in  claim 1 , wherein one or more protrusions are detachably connected to the insole by a threaded connection. 
     
     
         11 . An insole assembly as claimed in  claim 1 , comprising more than one protrusion and wherein at least two protrusions are different sizes. 
     
     
         12 . An insole assembly as claimed in  claim 1 , comprising more than one protrusion and wherein at least two protrusions are different shapes. 
     
     
         13 . An insole assembly as claimed in  claim 2 , comprising more than one protrusion and wherein the connecting part of two or more protrusions are substantially the same. 
     
     
         14 . An insole assembly as claimed in  claim 1 , wherein the insole comprises a first layer and a second layer, wherein the first layer comprises the surface upon which an underside of a foot may be supported and wherein the one or more protrusions is detachably connected to the second layer and extends through the first layer. 
     
     
         15 . An insole assembly as claimed in  claim 14 , wherein the first layer comprises one or more apertures and wherein one or more protrusions each extend through a corresponding aperture. 
     
     
         16 . An insole assembly as claimed in  claim 15 , further comprising an arch support arranged between the first layer and the second layer. 
     
     
         17 . An insole assembly as claimed in  claim 16 , wherein the arch support is made from composite material. 
     
     
         18 . An insole assembly as claimed in  claim 1 , wherein one or more protrusions are arranged to project from the surface at or around a heel contacting portion of the surface. 
     
     
         19 . An insole assembly as claimed in  claim 1 , wherein one or more protrusions are arranged to project from the surface at or around a metatarsal head contacting portion of the surface. 
     
     
         20 . An insole assembly as claimed in  claim 1 , further comprising a shock absorbing material at or around a heel contacting portion of the surface. 
     
     
         21 . An insole assembly as claimed in  claim 1 , further comprising a shock absorbing material at or around a metatarsal head contacting portion of the surface. 
     
     
         22 . An insole assembly as claimed in  claim 1 , wherein at least part of one or more protrusions is frusto-conical in shape. 
     
     
         23 . A sole member comprising an insole assembly of  claim 1 , a midsole and an outsole. 
     
     
         24 . A footwear item comprising the insole assembly of  claim 1 . 
     
     
         25 . A method of assembling an insole assembly comprising:
 providing an insole,   selecting one or more protrusions from a group of protrusions of different sizes, and   attaching the selected one or more protrusions to the insole.   
     
     
         26 . A method as claimed in  claim 25 , further comprising:
 selecting an arch support from a group of arch supports of different rigidities, and   incorporating the selected arch support into the insole.   
     
     
         27 . A kit for assembling an insole assembly comprising:
 an insole having an upper surface for supporting and contacting an underside of a foot, the insole having at least one connecting part for receiving a protrusion, and   a plurality of protrusions connectable to respective connecting parts of the insole such that at least one protrusion projects away from the upper surface.