TECHNICAL FIELD

[1] The present invention relates a forefoot and arch cushion for use with heeled shoes.

BACKGROUND

[2] Any references to methods, apparatus or documents of the prior art are not to be taken as constituting any evidence or admission that they formed, or form part of the common general knowledge.

[3] In today’s modern world of fast and high fashion, women wear heeled and high heeled shoes for extended periods of time and in many different situations, including social events but also at work. This is despite heeled shoes (such as high heeled shoes) contributing to the development of foot pain and injuries while also often being uncomfortable to wear.

[4] Pain while wearing heeled shoes (i.e. shoes that raise the heel of a wearer above the forefoot in a midstance or standing position) is caused by the unnatural positioning of the foot in the heeled shoe because it changes the natural foot pitch (or foot angle) and places the heel of the wearer higher than the forefoot. In particular, load is unnaturally shifted from the heel and the midfoot to the forefoot which increases load and peak pressure in the forefoot due to change in pitch/angle of the foot.

[5] The unnatural positioning of the foot in the heeled shoe is thought to be detrimental to foot structure and can lead to forefoot pain caused by metatarsalgia. Other issues caused by heels include Morton’s neuroma, sesamoiditis, stress fractures and capsulitis, among others.

[6] Specifically, a lack of cushioning provided in heeled shoes initiates or exacerbates the condition, and particularly now that the surfaces humans walk on is commonly cement, wood, tiles or other hard materials that can increase peak pressure compared to softer surfaces, such as grass and sand, for example.

[7] Other factors that can contribute to pain include excessive or prolonged pronation, flat arches, injuries to the forefoot, genetics, age and rheumatoid arthritis.

[8] The problem may be further aggravated by extremely high arches which can increase the load that is placed on the forefoot.

[9] One approach to ameliorating pain caused by heels is to make use of a gel or padded insert beneath the forefoot. These devices are sometimes known as Plantar Metatarsal Area Cushions (PMAC) or metatarsal pads that are inserted into the shoe. However, improper placement of a PMAC can cause the condition to worsen. Furthermore, the PMAC only cushions the forefoot and does not support or cushion the midfoot. The PMAC is often thick and when placed under the forefoot causes the shoe to fit more snugly causing discomfort from a tighter fit and can make the shoe uncomfortable which works against the goal of increasing foot comfort.

[10] Another attempt to ameliorate pain involves the use of a cushioned footbed that supports the underside of the foot. However, the bulky nature of a cushioned footbed incorporated in the footwear detracts from the sleek profile of the shoe that many women desire by making the shoe look like an orthopaedic or comfort shoe. A thicker footbed may also increase the weight of the shoe.

[11] It is an object of embodiments of the present invention to provide a forefoot and arch cushion that assists in ameliorating the symptoms and/or causes of pain in the foot experienced while wearing heels or heeled shoes while maintaining the sleek profile of the heeled shoe.

SUMMARY OF INVENTION

[12] In an aspect, the invention provides a forefoot and arch cushion for use with a heeled shoe. The forefoot and arch cushion is particularly suitable for use with a heeled shoe where a wearer’s heel is higher than the wearer’s forefoot at midstance.

[13] Preferably, the forefoot and arch cushion comprises an integrally formed contoured arch support and forefoot cushion.

[14] Preferably, the forefoot and arch cushion is configured to support a longitudinal arch of a foot.

[15] Preferably, the forefoot and arch cushion comprises a medial side and a lateral side. Preferably, a height of the forefoot and arch cushion increases from the lateral side to the medial side (e.g. thicker on the medial side). Thus, the forefoot and arch cushion is substantially wedged to bias cushioning underneath the medial side of the foot.

[16] Preferably, a rate of change of the height between the lateral side and the medial side is uniform. That is, the forefoot and arch cushion is a uniformly tapering wedge from the medial side to the lateral side.

[17] Preferably, the height of the forefoot and arch cushion changes uniformly (or at a uniform rate of change) between the medial side and the lateral side

[18] Preferably, a maximum height of the forefoot and arch cushion at the medial side is between approximately 6mm and 11 mm. Preferably, a maximum height of the forefoot and arch cushion at the medial side is between approximately 6mm and 10mm. Preferably, a maximum height of the forefoot and arch cushion at the medial side is between approximately 6.5mm and 9.5mm. Preferably, a minimum height of the forefoot and arch cushion at the lateral side is between approximately 0.5mm and 1 ,5mm.

[19] Preferably, the maximum height of the forefoot and arch cushion is located under an arch of a user to provide contact between the arch and the forefoot with the forefoot and arch cushion.

[20] Preferably, the forefoot and arch cushion is configured to bias cushioning of the 1 ^st metatarsal head relative to one or more of the 2 ^nd , 3 ^rd , 4 ^th and 5 ^th metatarsal heads. More specifically, the forefoot and arch cushion is configured to bias cushioning of the 1 ^st metatarsal head relative to the 2 ^nd metatarsal head, the forefoot and arch cushion is configured to bias cushioning of the 2 ^nd metatarsal head relative to the 3 ^rd metatarsal head, the forefoot and arch cushion is configured to bias cushioning of the 3 ^rd metatarsal head relative to the 4 ^th metatarsal head, and the forefoot and arch cushion is configured to bias cushioning of the 4 ^th metatarsal head relative to the 5 ^th metatarsal head.

[21 ] Preferably, the forefoot and arch cushion is configured to only extend or support under the metatarsal head area. That is, the forefoot and arch cushion does not extend beyond the metatarsal head area in the direction of the phalanges.

[22] Preferably, the forefoot and arch cushion is configured to only support the midfoot area. That is, the forefoot and arch cushion does extend beyond the midfoot area toward the heel region.

[23] Preferably, the forefoot and arch cushion comprises a forefoot end and a heel-adjacent end. Preferably, the medial side tapers at the forefoot end and the heel-adjacent end. [24] Preferably, the forefoot and arch cushion is integrally formed with a bottom construction of the shoe, wherein the bottom construction refers to any part of the shoe (including the footbed, sole, insole, insole board and the sock liner) between the foot and the ground. Preferably, the forefoot and arch cushion is integrally formed with a footbed, sole, insole, insole board or a sock liner of the shoe. Alternatively, the forefoot and arch cushion is for use with a bottom construction of the shoe, wherein the forefoot and arch cushion is removably connected to the shoe and/or the bottom construction of the shoe. Preferably, the forefoot and arch cushion does not extend across the entirety of the footbed in a transverse direction. Furthermore, the forefoot and arch cushion does not extend along the entirety of the footbed in a longitudinal direction. Preferably, the medial side of the forefoot and arch cushion is aligned with a medial side of the footbed and/or the heeled shoe. Preferably, the integrally formed forefoot and arch cushion and footbed are connected to a sole, insole or insole board of a heeled shoe, wherein the medial side is located on a medial side of the heeled shoe.

[25] In another aspect, the invention provides a foot support system for heeled shoes, the foot support system comprising a pair of heeled shoes and a pair of forefoot and arch cushions (as described above), each adapted to be used with one of the pair of heeled shoes.

BRIEF DESCRIPTION OF THE DRAWINGS

[26] Preferred features, embodiments and variations of the invention may be discerned from the following Detailed Description which provides sufficient information for those skilled in the art to perform the invention. The Detailed Description is not to be regarded as limiting the scope of the preceding Summary of the Invention in any way. The Detailed Description will make reference to a number of drawings as follows:

Figure 1 is a perspective view of a forefoot and arch cushion for use with heeled shoes according to an embodiment of the present invention;

Figures 2 and 3 illustrate a front view of the forefoot and arch cushion in use;

Figure 4 illustrates a top view of the forefoot and arch cushion formed with a footbed;

Figure 5 illustrates a longitudinal cross-section of the forefoot and arch cushion;

Figure 6 illustrates transverse cross-sections of the forefoot and arch cushion at points indicated in Figure 4;

Figure 7 illustrates a side view of the forefoot and arch cushion in use;

Figure 8 illustrates a comparison of the forefoot and arch cushion in use with a high heeled shoe alongside a regular high heeled shoe and a high heeled shoe having an orthotic footbed; and

Figures 9 and 10 shown an overhead view and medial side view of the forefoot and arch cushion on the footbed.

DETAILED DESCRIPTION OF PREFERRED EMBODIMENTS

[27] Figure 1 illustrates a view of the top of a forefoot and arch cushion 10 for use with a heeled shoe according to an embodiment of the present invention. [28] In the context of the present specification, a heeled shoe is considered to be a shoe with a heel that raises the heel of a wearer above the forefoot in a midstance or standing position.

[29] The forefoot and arch cushion 10 is a single piece (e.g. integrally formed) device that provides contoured arch support along the medial longitudinal arch and tapered/progressively decreasing forefoot cushioning under the transverse arch from the medial side to the lateral side to reduce peak pressure and redistribute load that is placed on the forefoot when wearing and walking in heeled shoes.

[30] The forefoot and arch cushion 10 includes a medial side 100 and a lateral side 104. The forefoot and arch cushion 10 also includes a forefoot end 108, a heel- adjacent end 112, a top surface 114 that engages the foot and a bottom surface 116 that engages the heeled shoe and/or the bottom construction of the shoe. It will be understood that in the present specification, the bottom construction of the shoe refers to any part of the shoe (including the footbed, sole, insole, insole board and the sock liner) between the foot and the ground

[31] The bottom surface 116 may include an adhesive or fastener assembly for connecting the forefoot and arch cushion 10 to the footbed or shoe.

[32] A height (or thickness) of the forefoot and arch cushion 10, between the top surface and the bottom surface, increases from the lateral side 104 to the medial side 100 giving the forefoot and arch cushion 10 a wedge-like shape/profile.

[33] The height of the forefoot and arch cushion changes substantially uniformly (or at a uniform rate of change - i.e. gradient) between the medial side and the lateral side at the forefoot end 108 of the forefoot and arch cushion which supports the metatarsal heads in use. Thus, a rate of change of the height between the lateral side and the medial side at the forefoot end 108 is uniform. That is, the forefoot and arch cushion is a uniformly tapering wedge from the medial side to the lateral side at the forefoot end 108.

[34] Uniform tapering advantageously provides even and consistent support underneath the foot.

[35] At the midfoot region and the heel-adjacent end 1 12, the height of the forefoot and arch cushion may change substantially uniformly between the medial side and the lateral side, or the top surface may be convex.

[36] An end or edge of the forefoot and arch cushion at the forefoot end 108 is substantially arced. That is, the end or edge is defined by a curve having an arc that is substantially constant from the medial side to the lateral side.

[37] The increased thickness/height on the medial side 100 provides support to the medial longitudinal arch of the foot in use. As peak pressure is observed, primarily, underneath the 1 ^st and 2 ^nd metatarsal heads of the foot, the tapered, less thick lateral side 104 (relative to the medial side 100) serves two purposes: (1 ) in use, the medial side 100 of the forefoot and arch cushion 10 is compressed so that the wearer feels even or flat under-forefoot in the heel (an example can be seen in Figures 2 and 3 where in Figure 2 no pressure has been applied to the forefoot and arch cushion 10 and then downward pressure has been applied in Figure 3 to compress the forefoot and arch cushion 10); and (2) the undesirable “chunky” orthotic footbed appearance is mitigated as the forefoot and arch cushion 10 is hidden from view on the lateral side which most people view in social situations. The high pressure area under the ball of the foot (underneath the 1 ^st and 2 ^nd metatarsal heads) compresses the material of the forefoot and arch cushion more than the portion of the forefoot and arch cushion under the 3rd, 4 ^th and 5 ^th metatarsal heads which mitigates any true wedging effect on the forefoot that would result in the wearer feeling their forefoot is tilted or wedged, as would be the case with a forefoot varus wedge.

[38] The forefoot and arch cushion is configured to not extend beyond the metatarsal heads of the foot and not beyond the midfoot region such that the forefoot and arch cushion is confined to supporting only the area between the metatarsal heads and the midfoot region.

[39] In some embodiments, the forefoot and arch cushion is configured to only extend or support under the metatarsal heads. That is, the forefoot and arch cushion does not extend beyond the metatarsal heads in the direction of the phalanges.

[40] In some embodiments, the forefoot and arch cushion is configured to only support the midfoot area. That is, the forefoot and arch cushion does extend beyond the midfoot region toward the heel region.

[41] Viewed from the side, the medial side 100 also tapers at the forefoot end 108 and the heel-adjacent end 112 to provide surface area contact between the longitudinal arch and the forefoot and arch cushion 10 (see Figures 5 and 7) whilst maintaining the sleek profile of the shoe and to provide a smooth transition for the foot from the surface of the forefoot and arch cushion 10 to the surface of the footbed of the heeled shoe.

[42] The configuration of the forefoot and arch cushion is such that the forefoot and arch cushion is raised along the medial side between the forefoot end and the heel-adjacent end, and substantially flat along the lateral side between the forefoot end and the heel-adjacent end, wherein the height (i.e. distance between top surface and bottom surface) of the forefoot and arch cushion decreases gradually from the farthest edge of the medial side to the farthest edge of the lateral side. [43] In some embodiments, a maximum height of the forefoot and arch cushion 10 (i.e. the height between the top surface and the bottom surface) at the medial side 100 is between approximately 6mm and 11 mm.

[44] In some embodiments, a maximum height of the forefoot and arch cushion 10 at the medial side 100 is between approximately 6mm and 10mm.

[45] In some other embodiments, a maximum height of the forefoot and arch cushion 10 at the medial side 100 is between approximately 6.5mm and 9.5mm.

[46] In the illustrated embodiment, the maximum height of the forefoot and arch cushion 10 is approximately 8mm at the medial side 10.

[47] In some embodiments, a minimum height of the forefoot and arch cushion 10 at the lateral side 104 is between approximately 0.5mm and 1.5mm.

[48] In the illustrated embodiment, the minimum height of the forefoot and arch cushion 10 at the lateral side 104 is approximately 1 mm or less.

[49] The maximum height (i.e. the highest part) of the forefoot and arch cushion 10 is located under an arch of a user to provide contact between the longitudinal arch and the forefoot and arch cushion whilst maintaining the sleek profile of the heeled shoe. By increasing contact area between the longitudinal arch, and the forefoot and arch cushion when wearing heeled shoes, the forefoot and arch cushion assists with redistributing load and reducing peak pressure and load on the forefoot area.

[50] In some embodiments, a portion of the forefoot and arch cushion configured to cushion underneath the navicular bone may have a thickness or height less than a portion of the forefoot and arch cushion configured to cushion underneath the cuneiform bone. [51 ] As described above, the forefoot and arch cushion 10 provides tapered/progressively decreasing forefoot cushioning under the transverse arch from the medial side 100 to the lateral side 104.

[52] As noted above, the tapered/progressively decreasing forefoot cushioning under the transverse arch from the medial side 100 to the lateral side 104 serves to maintain an elegant, sleek or slimline appearance desirable in heeled shoes, particularly from the outer side while also minimising additional weight/bulk added to the shoe. A comparison of the forefoot and arch cushion 10 applied to a standard high heeled shoe 15 (middle) alongside a standard high heeled shoe 15 with no support (left) and a high heeled shoe 15 with a standard supportive footbed 16 (right) can be seen in Figure 8. This is advantageous as the outer (i.e. lateral) side is the side most often seen by others and the side typically displayed on shelves in stores. With reference to Figures 9 and 10, the supportive (i.e. thicker) nature of the forefoot and arch cushion in use with the high heeled shoe 15 can be seen.

[53] The tapered configuration is such that the greatest support/cushioning (i.e. the thickest part of the forefoot and arch cushion) is provided under the 1 ^st metatarsal head with the 2 ^nd , 3 ^rd , 4 ^th , and 5 ^th metatarsal heads each having progressively less cushioning underneath. This gradual reduction in cushioning/thickness can be seen in Figure 6. In this regard, the forefoot and arch cushion is configured to bias cushioning of the 1 ^st metatarsal head relative to one or more of the 2 ^nd , 3 ^rd , 4 ^th and 5 ^th metatarsal head. More specifically, the forefoot and arch cushion is configured to bias cushioning of the 1 ^st metatarsal head relative to the 2 ^nd metatarsal head, the forefoot and arch cushion is configured to bias cushioning of the 2 ^nd metatarsal head relative to the 3 ^rd metatarsal head, the forefoot and arch cushion is configured to bias cushioning of the 3 ^rd metatarsal head relative to the 4 ^th metatarsal head, and the forefoot and arch cushion is configured to bias cushioning of the 4 ^th metatarsal head relative to the 5 ^th metatarsal head.

[54] In some embodiments, the forefoot and arch cushion is integrally formed with a footbed, as shown in Figure 4, where the forefoot and arch cushion is shown in a different colour to the footbed.

[55] Alternatively, the forefoot and arch cushion is for use with a footed, wherein the forefoot and arch cushion is removably connected to the shoe and/or bottom construction of the shoe, which may include the footbed, sole, insole, insole board or sock liner of the shoe.

[56] In some embodiments, an additional cushioning layer (preferably latex) is applied to the top of the forefoot and arch cushion for additional comfort cushioning and support. This additional cushioning layer is particularly useful for heeled and high heeled shoes with a heel above 45mm.

[57] As can be seen in Figure 4, the forefoot and arch cushion 10 does not extend across the entirety of the footbed in a transverse direction. Furthermore, the forefoot and arch cushion 10 does not extend along the entirety of the footbed in a longitudinal direction. Instead, the forefoot and arch cushion only covers the forefoot and midfoot (i.e. arch) regions. In use, the medial side 100 of the forefoot and arch cushion 10 is aligned (or is coextensive) with a medial side 200 of the footbed 20 and/or the heeled shoe such that the forefoot and arch cushion 10 and footbed 20 are connected to a sole of a heeled shoe, wherein the medial side 100 of the forefoot and arch cushion 10 is located on a medial side of the heeled shoe.

[58] In another form, the invention provides a foot support system for heeled shoes, the foot support system comprising a pair of heeled shoes and a pair of forefoot and arch cushions (as described above), each adapted to be used with one of the pair of heeled shoes.

[59] Embodiments of the forefoot and arch cushion described herein may be made of a resilient cushioning material, such as polyurethane.

[60] Embodiments of the invention described herein advantageously provide a forefoot and arch cushion that both provides for additional support in both the forefoot and arch regions of the foot while wearing heeled shoes or high heels while also combining with the shoe to maintain a slim profile on the lateral side and provide a fashionable looking appearance.

[61] In compliance with the statute, the invention has been described in language more or less specific to structural or methodical features. The term “comprises” and its variations, such as “comprising” and “comprised of” is used throughout in an inclusive sense and not to the exclusion of any additional features.

[62] It is to be understood that the invention is not limited to specific features shown or described since the means herein described comprises preferred forms of putting the invention into effect.

[63] The invention is, therefore, claimed in any of its forms or modifications within the proper scope of the appended claims appropriately interpreted by those skilled in the art.