Adaptive footware apparatus for accommodating ankle-foot orthosis

Abstract

An adaptive footwear apparatus for accommodating an Ankle-Foot Orthosis, wherein the adaptive footwear apparatus includes a shoe body configured to receive an Ankle-Foot Orthosis (AFO), wherein the shoe body comprises an upper portion adapted to envelop at least a foot and ankle of a user, wherein the shoe body comprises an adjustable opening mechanism positioned along at least a portion of the shoe body, wherein the adjustable opening mechanism comprises one or more straps comprising one or more fasteners, and one or more handles, and an internal dimension adjustment mechanism located within the shoe body, wherein the internal dimension adjustment mechanism is configured to adjust one or more internal dimensions of the shoe body, and a shoe sole in contact with a base portion of the shoe body.

2 . The adaptive footwear apparatus of claim  1 , further comprising a reinforcement element, wherein the reinforcement element wraps around the upper portion of the shoe body and comprises one or more fasteners. 
     
     
         3 . The adaptive footwear apparatus of  claim 2 , wherein the reinforcement element comprises a rubberized fabric. 
     
     
         4 . The adaptive footwear apparatus of  claim 2 , wherein the reinforcement element comprises neoprene. 
     
     
         5 . The adaptive footwear apparatus of claim  1 , wherein the shoe body comprises a plurality of support elements positioned within the shoe body to provide additional support and alignment for the AFO and the ankle of a user. 
     
     
         6 . The adaptive footwear apparatus of claim  1 , further comprising an inner lining comprising a contoured cushioning material. 
     
     
         7 . The adaptive footwear apparatus of claim  1 , wherein the one or more fasteners comprise fasteners that are configured to be fastened and unfastened using less than 20 kPa of force. 
     
     
         8 . The adaptive footwear apparatus of claim  1 , wherein the adaptive footwear apparatus weighs less than 453.6 grams. 
     
     
         9 . The adaptive footwear apparatus of claim  1 , wherein the shoe sole comprises a non-slip stable rocker sole. 
     
     
         10 . The adaptive footwear apparatus of claim  1 , further comprising a vamp point strap comprising the one or more fasteners and located on the shoe body. 
     
     
         11 . The adaptive footwear apparatus of claim  1 , wherein the shoe body further comprises a mailbox back, wherein the mailbox back is configured to fold open when the one or more fasteners are unfastened. 
     
     
         12 . The adaptive footwear apparatus of  claim 11 , wherein the mailbox back comprises a plurality of panels. 
     
     
         13 . The adaptive footwear apparatus of  claim 11 , wherein the mailbox back comprises one panel. 
     
     
         14 . The adaptive footwear apparatus of  claim 11 , wherein at least a handle of the one or more handles is located at a proximal end of the mailbox back. 
     
     
         15 . The adaptive footwear apparatus of  claim 11 , wherein the mailbox back comprises:
 a mailbox flap;   connecting fabric, wherein the connecting fabric connects the mailbox flap to the shoe body; and   a seam, wherein the seam is configured to act as a folding point for the connecting fabric, enabling the mailbox flap to lie flush with the shoe body.   
     
     
         16 . The adaptive footwear apparatus of  claim 11 , wherein:
 the sole comprises an outsole;   the mailbox back connects to the shoe body above the outsole; and   the mailbox back is configured to fold open up to at least 180 degrees.   
     
     
         17 . The adaptive footwear apparatus of claim  1 , wherein the one or more straps are positioned to overlap one another such that a first strap of the one or more straps is located beneath a second strap of the one or more straps, when the one or more straps are in a fastened position. 
     
     
         18 . The adaptive footwear apparatus of claim  1 , wherein the one or more straps comprise:
 a first set of straps, wherein the first set of straps comprises:
 a first strap; and 
 a second strap located opposite of the first strap. 
   
     
     
         19 . The adaptive footwear apparatus of claim  1 , wherein the one or more fasteners comprises one or more of a hook and loop closure, one or more magnets, laces, or a buckle system. 
     
     
         20 . The adaptive footwear apparatus of claim  1 , further comprising a leg portion attached to the shoe body, wherein the leg portion:
 comprises flexible material; and   is configured to conform to a user's leg.