US-20260123710-A1 - FOREFOOT AND ARCH CUSHION

US20260123710A1US 20260123710 A1US20260123710 A1US 20260123710A1US-20260123710-A1

Abstract

A forefoot and arch cushion for use with a high heeled shoe, the forefoot and arch cushion comprising an integrally formed contoured arch support and forefoot cushion configured to support a forefoot and a longitudinal arch of a foot.

Inventors

Caroline Rose Haire

Assignees

Frankie4 IP 1 Pty Ltd

Dates

Publication Date: 20260507
Application Date: 20231017
Priority Date: 20221017

Claims (20)

1 .- 20 . (canceled)
21 . A forefoot and arch cushion for use with a heeled shoe, the forefoot and arch cushion comprising: an integrally formed contoured arch support and forefoot cushion configured to support a forefoot and a longitudinal arch of a foot, wherein the forefoot and arch cushion comprises a medial side and a lateral side, and wherein a height of the forefoot and arch cushion increases from the lateral side to the medial side such that the forefoot and arch cushion is substantially wedged to bias cushioning underneath the medial side of the foot, wherein the forefoot and arch cushion is configured to bias cushioning of a 1st metatarsal head of the foot relative to one or more of a 2nd metatarsal head, a 3rd metatarsal head, a 4th metatarsal head, and a 5th metatarsal head of the foot, and wherein the medial side of the forefoot and arch cushion is configured to compress, such that the forefoot and arch cushion maintains an even and flat underfoot feel in use and mitigates any wedging effect on the forefoot.
22 . The forefoot and arch cushion of claim 21 , adapted for use with the heeled shoe, where the forefoot and arch cushion is at least partially hidden in use from the lateral side, and where a wearer's heel is higher than the wearer's forefoot at midstance.
23 . The forefoot and arch cushion of claim 21 , wherein the height of the forefoot and arch cushion changes uniformly between the medial side and the lateral side.
24 . The forefoot and arch cushion of claim 21 , wherein a maximum height of the forefoot and arch cushion at the medial side is between: a. approximately 6 mm and 11 mm; or b. approximately 6 mm and 10 mm; or c. approximately 6.5 mm and 9.5 mm.
25 . The forefoot and arch cushion of claim 21 , wherein a minimum height of the forefoot and arch cushion at the lateral side is between approximately 0.5 mm and 1.5 mm.
26 . The forefoot and arch cushion of claim 24 , wherein the maximum height of the forefoot and arch cushion is located under an arch of a user, and wherein the forefoot and arch cushion contacts the arch and the forefoot.
27 . The forefoot and arch cushion of claim 21 , wherein the forefoot and arch cushion is configured to bias cushioning of the 1st metatarsal head relative to the 2nd metatarsal head, the forefoot and arch cushion is configured to bias cushioning of the 2nd metatarsal head relative to the 3rd metatarsal head, the forefoot and arch cushion is configured to bias cushioning of the 3rd metatarsal head relative to the 4th metatarsal head, and the forefoot and arch cushion is configured to bias cushioning of the 4th metatarsal head relative to the 5th metatarsal head.
28 . The forefoot and arch cushion of claim 21 , wherein the forefoot and arch cushion is configured to only extend or support under a metatarsal head area and does not extend beyond the metatarsal head area in a direction of phalanges of the foot.
29 . The forefoot and arch cushion of claim 21 , wherein the forefoot and arch cushion is configured to only support a midfoot area such that the forefoot and arch cushion does not extend beyond the midfoot area toward a heel region.
30 . The forefoot and arch cushion of claim 21 , wherein the forefoot and arch cushion comprises a forefoot end and a heel-adjacent end.
31 . The forefoot and arch cushion of claim 30 , wherein the medial side tapers at the forefoot end and the heel-adjacent end.
32 . The forefoot and arch cushion of claim 21 , wherein the forefoot and arch cushion is integrally formed with a bottom construction of the heeled shoe, wherein the bottom construction refers to any part of the heeled shoe between the foot and the ground.
33 . The forefoot and arch cushion of claim 21 , wherein the forefoot and arch cushion is integrally formed with a footbed, sole, insole, insole board or a sock liner of the heeled shoe.
34 . The forefoot and arch cushion of claim 21 , wherein the forefoot and arch cushion is for use with a bottom construction of the heeled shoe, and wherein the forefoot and arch cushion is removably connected to the heeled shoe and/or the bottom construction of the heeled shoe.
35 . The forefoot and arch cushion of claim 21 , wherein the forefoot and arch cushion does not extend across an entirety of a footbed of the heeled shoe in a transverse direction.
36 . The forefoot and arch cushion of claim 21 , wherein the forefoot and arch cushion does not extend along an entirety of a footbed of the heeled shoe in a longitudinal direction.
37 . The forefoot and arch cushion of claim 21 , wherein in use the medial side of the forefoot and arch cushion is aligned with a medial side of a footbed of the heeled shoe and/or a medial side of the heeled shoe.
38 . The forefoot and arch cushion of claim 33 , wherein the forefoot and arch cushion is integrally formed with the footbed and the footbed is connected to the sole, the insole or the insole board of the heeled shoe, and wherein the medial side of the forefoot and arch cushion is located on a medial side of the heeled shoe.
39 . 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 according to claim 21 , each adapted to be used with one heeled shoe of the pair of heeled shoes.

Description

CROSS REFERENCE TO RELATED APPLICATIONS The present application is a U.S. National Phase of International Application No. PCT/AU2023/051024 entitled “FOREFOOT AND ARCH CUSHION,” and filed on Oct. 17, 2023. International Application No. PCT/AU 2023/051024 claims priority to Australian Patent Application No. 2022903047 filed on Oct. 17, 2022, and to Australian Patent Application No. 2023901814 filed on Jun. 8, 2023. The entire contents of each of the above-listed applications are hereby incorporated by reference for all purposes. TECHNICAL FIELD The present invention relates a forefoot and arch cushion for use with heeled shoes. BACKGROUND 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. 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. 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. 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. 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. Other factors that can contribute to pain include excessive or prolonged pronation, flat arches, injuries to the forefoot, genetics, age and rheumatoid arthritis. The problem may be further aggravated by extremely high arches which can increase the load that is placed on the forefoot. 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. 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. 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 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. Preferably, the forefoot and arch cushion comprises an integrally formed contoured arch support and forefoot cushion. Preferably, the forefoot and arch cushion is configured to support a longitudinal arch of a foot. 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. 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. Preferably, the height of the forefoot and arch cushion changes uniformly (or at a uniform rate of