RESPONSIVE INSOLES
Disclosed here are insoles with one or more regions responsive to maintain a user's foot in a corrected position in the insole.
1 . An insole, comprising:
a contoured surface selected to maintain a user's foot in a corrected position;
a footbed comprising a footbed material;
a first responsive region defined in the footbed, the first responsive region comprising a first energy dispersive material, different from the footbed material;
wherein the first energy dispersive material is substantially flexible in a first configuration such that the user's foot can move from the corrected position to an uncorrected position, and substantially rigid in a second configuration, such that upon impact by the user's foot, the first energy dispersive material becomes substantially rigid and forces the user's foot to move from the uncorrected position to the corrected position.
2 . The insole of claim 1 , further comprising a second responsive region defined in the footbed, the second responsive region comprising a second energy dispersive material different than the footbed material and the first energy dispersive material.
3 . The insole of claim 1 , wherein the first responsive region is selected from the group consisting of an arch support, a heel cup, a heel pad, a metatarsal support, and combinations of the foregoing.
4 . The insole of claim 2 , wherein the second responsive region is selected from the group consisting of an arch support, a heel cup, a heel pad, a metatarsal support, and combinations of the foregoing.
5 . The insole of claim 1 , wherein the first responsive region further comprises a graduated density.
6 . The insole of claim 2 , wherein the second responsive region further comprises a graduated density.
7 . The insole of claim 1 , wherein the first responsive region further comprises a graduated thickness.
8 . The insole of claim 2 , wherein the second responsive region further comprises a graduated thickness.
9 . The insole of claim 1 , wherein the first energy dispersive material comprises a shear thickening foam.
10 . The insole of claim 2 , wherein the second energy dispersive material comprises a shear thickening foam.
11 . The insole of claim 9 , wherein the shear thickening foam comprises a urethane foam.
12 . The insole of claim 10 , wherein the shear thickening foam comprises a urethane foam.
13 . An insole, comprising:
a contoured surface selected to maintain a user's foot in a corrected position;
a footbed comprising a footbed material;
a first responsive region defined in the footbed, the first responsive region comprising a first energy dispersive material, different from the footbed material;
a second responsive region defined in the footbed, the second responsive region comprising a second energy dispersive material different than the footbed material and the first energy dispersive material;
wherein the second material comprises a first energy dispersive material that is substantially flexible in a first configuration such that the user's foot can move from the corrected position to an uncorrected position, and substantially rigid in a second configuration, such that upon impact by the user's foot, the first responsive region becomes substantially rigid and forces the user's foot to move from the uncorrected position to the corrected position; and
wherein the first and second responsive regions are selected from the group consisting of an arch support, a heel cup, a heel pad, a metatarsal support, and combinations of the foregoing.