US4408402A
Expired / Lapsed
US
⏱️ 0.0 years remaining
Supportive shoe and insert
Assignee: THGKG Partnership
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Filing: 1982-08-05
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Granted: 1983-10-11
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Expires: 2002-08-05
Abstract
Abstract A shoe or shoe insert is described which provides increased support to specific areas of the foot during the first and second trimesters and third trimester of pregnancy to compensate for changes in body weight and center of gravity which occurs as the term of pregnancy advances. A pad, which can be a shoe insole, is provided with these specific areas of support.
Inventors
- 👤 Judy A. Looney
Bibliographic Details
Application Number
—
Jurisdiction
US
Data Source
google_patents
Last Synchronized
2026-10-23 09:33
CPC Classifications
A; A43; A43B; A43B13/00; A43B13/38; A43B13/42
Claims Analysis
Total Claims: 13
Claim 1
Independent Claim
106 words
A shoe insert to provide increased support during the first and second trimesters of pregnancy comprising a flexible pad adapted to extend substantially beneath the entire foot from heel to toe, said pad having integrated therewith foot support means comprising areas of greater rigidity than the rest of said flexible pad, said foot support means comprising a substantial inflexible area of maximum support in the arch and individual areas of moderate flexibility and support (1) in the heel, (2) extending from the arch area of maximum support toward the heel and toes, and (3) extending from the big and little toes under their respective ball areas.
Claim 2
Dependent Claim
106 words
A shoe insert to provide increased support during the first and second trimesters of pregnancy comprising a flexible pad adapted to extend substantially beneath the entire foot from heel to toe, said pad having integrated therewith foot support means comprising areas of greater rigidity than the rest of said flexible pad, said foot support means comprising a substantial inflexible area of maximum support in the arch and individual areas of moderate flexibility and support (1) in the heel, (2) extending from the arch area of maximum support toward the heel and toes, and (3) extending from the big and little toes under their respective ball areas.
Claim 3
Dependent Claim
120 words
A shoe insert to provide increased support during the third trimester of pregnancy comprising a flexible pad adapted to extend substantially beneath the entire foot from heel to toe, said pad including foot support means integral therewith and comprising respective areas of greater rigidity than the rest of said flexible pad, said areas of greater rigidity comprising a substantially inflexible area of maximum support in the heel with continuous areas of gradually diminishing rigidity extending from said heel area to an area of moderate flexibility and support in the arch, an additional area of moderate flexibility and support extending under the little toe and ball, and an area of substantial rigidity and support extending under the big toe and ball.
Claim 4
Dependent Claim
120 words
A shoe insert to provide increased support during the third trimester of pregnancy comprising a flexible pad adapted to extend substantially beneath the entire foot from heel to toe, said pad including foot support means integral therewith and comprising respective areas of greater rigidity than the rest of said flexible pad, said areas of greater rigidity comprising a substantially inflexible area of maximum support in the heel with continuous areas of gradually diminishing rigidity extending from said heel area to an area of moderate flexibility and support in the arch, an additional area of moderate flexibility and support extending under the little toe and ball, and an area of substantial rigidity and support extending under the big toe and ball.
Claim 5
Dependent Claim
21 words
The shoe insert of claim 2 which includes an essentially inflexible counter means enclosing said heel area and providing additional support.
Claim 6
Dependent Claim
24 words
The shoe insert of claim 2 wherein about 35 to 55 percent of the total weight of the insert is in the heel portion.
Claim 7
Dependent Claim
132 words
A shoe for providing increased support during the first and second trimesters of pregnancy comprising an upper attached to a sole portion having a heel, arch and toe areas, said sole being flexible and including foot support means integral therewith and comprising a flexible pad adapted to extend substantially beneath the entire foot from heel to toe, said pad having integrated therewith foot support means comprising areas of greater rigidity than the rest of said flexible pad, said foot support means comprising a substantially inflexible area of maximum support in the arch and individual areas of moderate flexibility and support (1) in the heel, (2) extending from the arch area of maximum support toward the heel and toes, and (3) extending from the big and little toes under their respective ball areas.
Claim 8
Dependent Claim
132 words
A shoe for providing increased support during the first and second trimesters of pregnancy comprising an upper attached to a sole portion having a heel, arch and toe areas, said sole being flexible and including foot support means integral therewith and comprising a flexible pad adapted to extend substantially beneath the entire foot from heel to toe, said pad having integrated therewith foot support means comprising areas of greater rigidity than the rest of said flexible pad, said foot support means comprising a substantially inflexible area of maximum support in the arch and individual areas of moderate flexibility and support (1) in the heel, (2) extending from the arch area of maximum support toward the heel and toes, and (3) extending from the big and little toes under their respective ball areas.
Claim 9
Dependent Claim
145 words
A shoe for providing increased support during the third trimester of pregnancy comprising an upper attached to a sole portion having heel, arch and toe areas, said sole being flexible and including foot support means integral therewith and comprising a flexible pad adapted to extend substantially beneath the entire foot from heel to toe, said pad including foot support means integral therewith and comprising respective areas of greater rigidity than the rest of said flexible pad, said areas of greater rigidity comprising a substantially inflexible area of maximum support in the heel with continuous areas of gradually diminishing rigidity extending from said heel area to an area of moderate flexibility and support in the arch, an additional area of moderate flexibility and support extending under the little toe and ball, and an area of substantial rigidity and support extending under the big toe and ball.
Claim 10
Dependent Claim
145 words
A shoe for providing increased support during the third trimester of pregnancy comprising an upper attached to a sole portion having heel, arch and toe areas, said sole being flexible and including foot support means integral therewith and comprising a flexible pad adapted to extend substantially beneath the entire foot from heel to toe, said pad including foot support means integral therewith and comprising respective areas of greater rigidity than the rest of said flexible pad, said areas of greater rigidity comprising a substantially inflexible area of maximum support in the heel with continuous areas of gradually diminishing rigidity extending from said heel area to an area of moderate flexibility and support in the arch, an additional area of moderate flexibility and support extending under the little toe and ball, and an area of substantial rigidity and support extending under the big toe and ball.
Claim 11
Dependent Claim
20 words
The shoe method of claim 6 including an essentially inflexible counter means enclosing said heel area and providing additional support.
Claim 12
Independent Claim
133 words
A method for providing increased foot support during pregnancy which comprises providing during the first and second trimesters of pregnancy a pad or insole for a shoe having maximum support and rigidity in the arch and moderate rigidity and support in the heel, the areas of the big and little toes and their respective balls, and extending from the arch toward the toes and heel; and during the third trimester of pregnancy providing a pad or insole for a shoe having maximum support and rigidity in the area of the big toe and ball and in the heel extending to an area of moderate support and rigidity in the arch, and an area of moderate rigidity and support under the little toe and ball, with substantially inflexible counter means provided around the heel.
Claim 13
Independent Claim
133 words
A method for providing increased foot support during pregnancy which comprises providing during the first and second trimesters of pregnancy a pad or insole for a shoe having maximum support and rigidity in the arch and moderate rigidity and support in the heel, the areas of the big and little toes and their respective balls, and extending from the arch toward the toes and heel; and during the third trimester of pregnancy providing a pad or insole for a shoe having maximum support and rigidity in the area of the big toe and ball and in the heel extending to an area of moderate support and rigidity in the arch, and an area of moderate rigidity and support under the little toe and ball, with substantially inflexible counter means provided around the heel.
References Cited (Backward Citations)
USPTO Annuity & Maintenance Windows
| Annuity Stage | Window Opens | Payment Deadline | Surcharge Period Until | Estimated Fee | Status |
|---|---|---|---|---|---|
| 3.5 Years (Year 4) | 1986-10-10 | 1987-04-11 | 1987-10-11 | $2000.00 | Window Closed / Lapsed |
| 7.5 Years (Year 8) | 1990-10-10 | 1991-04-11 | 1991-10-11 | $3760.00 | Window Closed / Lapsed |
| 11.5 Years (Year 12) | 1994-10-10 | 1995-04-11 | 1995-10-11 | $7700.00 | Window Closed / Lapsed |