Stabilizing shoe insert and methods of making and using the same

Abstract

The presently disclosed subject matter is generally directed to a shoe insert sized and shaped to accommodate a user's foot and fit inside a standard shoe (e.g., a golf shoe). The insert is configured with a gradient with a first height on a lateral edge and a second (lesser) height on a medial edge. In this way, the insert does not lay flat on the inside of the user's shoe but provides a gradient that stabilizes the user's weight to the center of the foot. Advantageously, the inserts allow the golfer to automatically assume a proper stance and to properly shift the body weight during a swing. As a result, the insert keeps a golfer from swaying during a golf swing, thereby reducing the incidence of shanking the ball.

What is claimed is: 
     
         1 . A shoe insert comprising:
 a top face and an opposed bottom face;   a lateral edge defined by a first height;   a medial edge defined by a second height that is less than the first height;   wherein the bottom face is about horizontal relative to a support surface; and   wherein the top face is angled from the lateral edge to the medial edge.   
     
     
         2 . The insert of  claim 1 , wherein the first height is about 0.1-2 inches. 
     
     
         3 . The insert of  claim 1 , wherein the second height is about 0.01-2 inches. 
     
     
         4 . The insert of  claim 1 , wherein the second height is about 10-99 percent less than the first height. 
     
     
         5 . The insert of  claim 1 , wherein the angle is about 1-85 degrees. 
     
     
         6 . The insert of  claim 1 , wherein the angle is consistent across an entire length of the insert. 
     
     
         7 . The insert of  claim 1 , further comprising an internal bladder housing one or more fluids. 
     
     
         8 . The insert of  claim 7 , wherein the external surface of the insert comprises a port, valve, plug, aperture, or combinations thereof to add or remove fluid from the bladder. 
     
     
         9 . The insert of  claim 1 , wherein first and second heights can be adjusted as desired by the user. 
     
     
         10 . The insert of  claim 1 , wherein the angle can be adjusted as desired by the user. 
     
     
         11 . The insert of  claim 1 , constructed from aerogel material, Airloy™ material, or combinations thereof. 
     
     
         12 . The insert of  claim 1 , comprising an additive selected from one or more odor treating agents, antibacterial agents, or antifungal agents. 
     
     
         13 . The insert of  claim 1 , comprising a plurality of internal layers. 
     
     
         14 . A shoe comprising the insert of  claim 1 . 
     
     
         15 . A method of stabilizing a user's weight during a golf swing, the method comprising:
 distributing the weight of a user towards a center portion of the user's feet with the insert of  claim 1 , wherein the weight of the user is stabilized compared to when the insert is not configured within the user's shoes.   
     
     
         16 . The method of  claim 15 , wherein the second height is about 10-99 percent less than the first height. 
     
     
         17 . The method of  claim 15 , wherein the angle is about 1-85 degrees. 
     
     
         18 . The method of  claim 15 , constructed from aerogel material, Airloy™ material, or combinations thereof. 
     
     
         19 . The method of  claim 15 , wherein first and second heights can be adjusted as desired by the user. 
     
     
         20 . The method of  claim 15 , wherein the angle can be adjusted as desired by the user.