Variably adjustable shoe inserts

Abstract

An insert for a shoe, boot, or the like which is capable of plural adjustments so as to adapt the insert to the unique physical conformation of the wearer's foot, to hold the foot in a neutral axis position substantially at all times, to return a foot into the neutral axis mode automatically, and to provide a wide range of support, resiliency, and angulation based on the needs of the user. The device as set forth lends itself to modification for various sports where lateral motion is of primary importance, shock absorption and longitudinal extension of the foot is of paramount importance, or for geriatric patients whereby a single insert and the modifying devices associated therewith address the vast spectrum of orthotic needs.

What is claimed is: 
     
       1. An orthotic appliance adapted to be placed as an insert within or form a part of a boot, shoe, or the like comprising in combination: an initial blank having an upper surface that generally follows the contour of the plantar surface of a foot,   a bottom surface of said blank having a zone of disparate resiliency relative to areas adjacent said zone,   cap means underlying said bottom surface,   and means for interfitting said cap to said blank wherein said interfitting means comprises a peripheral wall extending up from said cap engaging side walls of said blank, said side walls including a stepped in shelf portion complemental to the thickness of said peripheral wall so that the outer side edges of said appliance is substantially smooth.   
     
     
       2. An orthotic appliance adapted to be placed as an insert within or form a part of a boot, shoe, or the like comprising in combination: an initial blank having an upper surface that generally follows the contour of the plantar surface of a foot,   a bottom surface of said blank having a zone of disparate resiliency relative to areas adjacent said zone,   cap means underlying said bottom surface,   and means for interfitting said cap to said blank wherein said interfitting means comprises protuberances extending down from said bottom surface of said blank and aligned to register with openings in said cap wherein said interfitting means further comprises a peripheral wall extending up from said cap engaging side walls of said blank, said side walls including a stepped in shelf portion complemental to the thickness of said peripheral wall so that the outer side edges of said appliance is substantially smooth.   
     
     
       3. The device of claim 1 or 2 wherein said peripheral wall has an undulating top edge and said shelf has a contour complemental thereto. 
     
     
       4. The device of claim 1 or 2 wherein said cap terminates adjacent a metatarsal area of the foot and a leading edge thereof includes means for reducing pressure along the metatarsal aspect including longitudinally extending slot means. 
     
     
       5. The device of claim 1 or 2 wherein a cork-resin layer is interposed between said cap and said blank, said layer provided with a further zone of disparate resiliency and means for deforming said layer to bond said cap to said blank under controlled deformation of said layer. 
     
     
       6. The device of claim 1 or 2 including resilient fingers adapted to reside in apertures on said cap to alter the contour of said appliance. 
     
     
       7. The device of claim 1 or 2 including plugs of shock absorbant material attached to a bottom of the insert to vary the resilience thereof. .Iadd. 
     
     
       8.  An orthotic insert having a lengthwise axis and adapted to be positioned in a boot, shoe or the like, comprising: a. a blank made from a relatively resilient and yielding material, and having an upper surface shaped to conform to a plantar surface of a foot and a bottom surface, said blank having upwardly extending side portions to engage at least lower side portions of a rear portion of the foot;   b. a cap made of a relatively rigid material and positioned below said blank, said cap having upwardly extending side portions to be positioned adjacent to, and laterally outwardly of, the side portions of the blank;   c. said blank and said cap having interengaging means arranged to limit relative movement between said cap and said blank so as to maintain said cap and said blank in proper alignment; and   d. said blank having adjacent to its lower surface a lower recess extending along said lengthwise axis at least at a rear portion of the blank, with lower side portions of the rear portion of the blank engaging the cap, said recess being arranged in a manner that a downward force exerted by the rear of the foot centrally on the rear portion of the blank causes the side portions of the blank to move inwardly to grip the lower side portions of the rear portion of the foot in a manner to provide controlled support for the rear portion of the foot as weight is transferred from the rear portion of the foot and through a mid-foot portion of the foot. .Iaddend. .Iadd.   
     
     
       9.  The device of claim 8 wherein said cap terminates adjacent a metatarsal area of the foot and a leading edge thereof includes means for reducing pressure along the metatarsal aspect including longitudinally extending slot means. .Iaddend. .Iadd.10. The device of claim 8 wherein a cork-resin layer is interposed between said cap and said blank, said layer being provided with means for deforming said layer to bond said cap to said blank under controlled deformation of said layer. .Iaddend. .Iadd.11. The device of claim 8 including resilient fingers adapted to reside in apertures on said cap to alter the contour of said appliance. .Iaddend. 
     
     
        .Iadd.12.  The device of claim 8 including plugs of shock absorbant material attached to a bottom of the insert to vary the resilience thereof. .Iaddend.