Footwear apparatus for improving gait biomechanics

Abstract

The present invention is for a footwear apparatus for improved gait bio mechanics. In accordance with an embodiment of the invention, the footwear apparatus may comprise a heel cup that provides a valgus tilt to a user's good and provides a deep heel cup to adequately support the user's heel. It may also be comprised of a medial arch support member and a midfoot lateral support member, wherein the heel cup, the medial arch, and the midfoot lateral support member stabilize the user's foot in a lateral direction to minimize pronation and heel inversion.

What is claimed is: 
     
         1 . A footwear apparatus for improved gait bio mechanics, the footwear apparatus comprising:
 a heel cup providing a valgus tilt to a user's foot and providing a deep heel cup to adequately support a user's heel;   a medial arch support member; and   midfoot lateral support member;   wherein the heel cup, the medial arch, and the midfoot lateral support member stabilize a user's foot in a lateral direction to minimize pronation and heel inversion.   
     
     
         2 . The footwear apparatus of  claim 1 , wherein the midfoot lateral support member provides lateral support to the midfoot via a forefoot valgus tilt. 
     
     
         3 . The footwear apparatus of  claim 1  further comprised to provide a two degree valgus tilt to the user's forefoot. 
     
     
         4 . The footwear apparatus of  claim 1 , wherein the heel cup provides a four degree valgus tilt to the user's rear foot. 
     
     
         5 . The footwear apparatus of  claim 1 , wherein the apparatus is comprised of hard, molded plastic. 
     
     
         6 . The footwear apparatus of  claim 1 , wherein the apparatus is comprised of a semi-flexible molded plastic that minimally flexes when weight is applied to it. 
     
     
         7 . The footwear apparatus of  claim 1 , wherein the medial arch support member creates a raised portion, the raised portion accommodating and supporting a user's medial arch. 
     
     
         8 . The footwear apparatus of  claim 1 , wherein the depression extends three inches within the insole apparatus. 
     
     
         9 . The footwear apparatus of  claim 1 , wherein the heel cup is comprised of a depression that is contoured to the shape of a user's heel. 
     
     
         10 . The footwear apparatus of  claim 1 , wherein the depression extends two inches within the footwear apparatus. 
     
     
         11 . The footwear apparatus of  claim 1  that prevents the user's foot from pronating more than a few degrees in either lateral direction. 
     
     
         12 . The footwear apparatus of  claim 1  that prevents pronation or supination of a user's foot. 
     
     
         13 . The footwear apparatus of  claim 10 , wherein the apparatus ensures that the user's foot remains in a neutral position. 
     
     
         14 . The footwear apparatus of  claim 1 , wherein the apparatus is comprised of an contoured insole apparatus that may be placed within an article of footwear. 
     
     
         15 . The footwear apparatus of  claim 1 , wherein the apparatus is comprised of an article of footwear.