KR20120052329A - Footwear sole - Google Patents

Abstract

A human shoe sole, insole, insole, or foot brace for insertion into a human shoe is presented. They have a foot support top surface, wherein the foot support top surface is adapted to support a first area and at least partially the rest of the foot for supporting the first, second, third, and fourth metatarsal heads and optionally the fifth metatarsal heads. And a second area surrounding the first area. The first region provides less resistance to downward movement than the second region and is hollow or concave having a media border portion and a lateral border portion with respect to the remainder of the first region. Contains wealth. The concave portion has a lowest inwardly centered position to cause the valgus of the first metatarsal head when the wearer moves from the midposition to the propeller. Also presented is a shoe sole with a foot support surface having a surface having an area of varying hardness that roughly matches an area of varying hardness of the wearer's underside of the foot.

Description

Shoe sole {FOOTWEAR SOLE}

FIELD OF THE INVENTION The present invention relates generally to shoes, and more particularly to shoe insoles, which are characterized by promoting comfort while the wearer is standing, walking or running.

Shoes have been significant in technology since the development of electrodynograms, in particular allowing researchers to measure the power of human feet in shoes while walking or running, and to better understand biomechanical behavior. Progress has been made. Using this means, many researchers have made technological advances in the mid-sole of shoes. Because the midsole acts primarily as a suspension system of the sole of the foot, and usually provides protective cushioning and a stable platform for the wearer's foot, many prior art methods use a method of landing the foot by varying the midsole spring coefficient to distribute the impact. The focus has been to cushion shocks associated with foot strikes.

In Applicant's previous US Patent 4597195, Applicant described the discovery of a previously misunderstood phenomenon called functional hallux limitus, which was recognized to occur in the majority of humans. In order to treat functional ignorance, the Applicant has developed an improved shoe sole that allows the first metatarsal to achieve better plantarflex with respect to the big toe and the remaining metatarsal head. Invented the design. As described in the aforementioned patent '195, plantar flexion effectively takes into account the expansion of the human big toe during the human gate cycle. More specifically, according to Applicant's previous patent '195, Applicant has devised a human shoe sole with a reduced area of support substantially below only the first metatarsal head of the wearer's foot. As described in Applicant's patent '195, providing an area with reduced support substantially only below the first metatarsal head is the valgus of the first metatarsal head as the weight moves from the heel to the first ray. (eversion) and plantar flexion. Thus, the general function of the foot for plantar flexion and supination is exerted for the beneficial effect of improved gait comfort and shock absorption following heel contact. In order to cause plantar flexion of the first metatarsal head in accordance with the inventors' findings, numerous shoes have been fabricated with a foot bed having a reduced support area substantially below the position of the first metatarsal head of the wearer. come.

It is an object of the present invention to provide an improved insole comprising a zone with reduced support. The reduced support zone includes an asymmetrical depression below the first metatarsal head with the lowest point biased towards the medial side. This unique shape further causes the valgus of the first metatarsal head as the wearer moves from the midstance to the propulsive phase.

Here, the terms "insole" and "inner sole" are used interchangeably. In addition, a "sole" or "insole" may be an element that mounts or forms an integral part of a shoe product, such as an insole board, or is inserted into a shoe product after manufacture, for example It may be a separate element including a sockliner, a detachable insole, an after-market insole mechanism, a custom or prefabricated foot brace. The element may be formed in or inserted into the foot support surface of the shoe.

In one embodiment, the improved shoe of the present invention includes a sole having a forefoot section, the forefoot for supporting the first, second, third and fourth metatarsal heads and optionally the fifth metatarsal head of the foot. A first area, and at least partially a second area surrounding the first area to support the rest of the foot. The first region is designed to provide less support than the portion surrounding the second region. In general, the first region is formed of an elastically deformable material having a lower durometer or resistance to movement than the second region. Also, in order to further generate valgus, any region of the first region that is substantially only located below the first metatarsal head has an asymmetrical recess with respect to the surrounding portion, and the recess has a lowest inwardly centered position. In other words, the recess has a gentle slope on the lateral side. This has the effect of making the first metatarsal head valgus when the wearer moves from the midposition to the propeller. Preferably, the remainder of the first region is flat.

In another embodiment, the present invention provides additional improvements to shoe insoles that are used alone or in conjunction with Applicant's prior patent '195 and the recesses below the metatarsal bone as described above. More specifically, we provide additional comfort and biomechanical efficiency by providing a foot support upper surface having an area of varying hardness that matches approximately that of the wearer's foot. Found out that it can be obtained. Appropriate use of this results in a mechanical impedance matching between the surface of the wearer's foot and the surface of the insole, minimizing the speed difference between the two surfaces.

According to the present invention, there is provided an improved insole comprising a zone with reduced support, wherein the zone with reduced support is provided with a first asymmetrical depression having a lowest point biased towards the medial side. Include under the metatarsal head. This unique shape causes the valgus of the first metatarsal head as the wearer moves from the midstance to the propulsive phase. Thus, improved comfort can be obtained between walks and the shock following the contact of the heel can be absorbed.

Further comfort and biomechanical efficiency may be gained by providing an upper surface of the foot having an area of varying hardness that is approximately matched to an area of varying hardness of the wearer's underside of the foot. Appropriate use of this results in a mechanical impedance matching between the surface of the wearer's foot and the surface of the insole, minimizing the speed difference between the two surfaces.

Additional features and advantages of the invention will be described in detail below in conjunction with the accompanying drawings.

1 is a plan view of a sole comprising an insert according to a first embodiment of the present invention for the right foot;
Figure 1a is a plan view detailing the insert element according to the first embodiment of the present invention with contours overlapping 0.3 cm.
2A-2C are cross-sectional views taken along the IIA-IIC line of FIG. 1.
FIG. 2D is a cross-sectional view along the IID line of FIG. 1.
3 and 4 are plan and transparent perspective views, detailing portions of a second embodiment of the insert element of the invention in contours superimposed on 0.3 cm.
5 is a cross-sectional view according to a third embodiment of the present invention.
6 is a perspective view of the sole according to the fourth embodiment of the present invention.

1, 1A and 2A-D, a shoe made in accordance with the present invention has a heel portion 12, an arch portion 14, a forefoot portion 16, and a toe portion that coincide with each portion of the wearer's foot. A sole 10 having 18. In use, the heel portion 12 is located below the heel of the wearer's foot and includes medial and lateral regions 20 and 22 that correspond to the medial and lateral sides of the foot, respectively. Similarly, arch 14, located in front of heel 12, is located under the arch of the wearer's foot and includes medial and lateral regions 24, 26. The forefoot 16 is located in front of the arch 14 and comprises a so-called ball of foot that includes the first, second, third, fourth and fifth metatarsal bones M1-M5. The ball of the foot includes first, second, third, fourth, and fifth metatarsal heads (N1-N5) associated with the first, second, third, fourth, and fifth metatarsal heads, respectively; And first, second, third, fourth, and fifth proximal phalanges (PP1-PP5) located in front of the fifth metatarsal head, and the first, second, third, fourth, and fifth metatarsal located between the metatarsal head and the phalanx bone. Metatarsal phalangeal joints (not shown). Forefoot portion 16 is divided into first and second regions 28 and 30, respectively. The first region 28 is partially located below the first, second, third, and fourth metatarsal heads and optionally the fifth metatarsal head, and the second region 30 is at least partially below the fractured bone PP1-PP5. Located in The toe portion 18 of the sole is spaced forward of the forefoot 16 and at least below the middle phalange (MP2-MP5) and the distal phalange (DP1-DP5) of the toe of the wearer's foot.

The sole 10 is configured as above, so that the zone with reduced resistance to load or movement to support or downward is located in the first area 28 of the forefoot 16. The first region 28 is made of a material that is elastically deformable and is more resistant to movement downward than the region surrounding the first region (eg, the second region 30, and the toe region 18). Provides low resistance The first region 28 may be made of a material having a lower durometer than the surrounding regions 30 and 18. Preferably, the first region 28 will have a Shore A hardness in the range of 30-35, which closely matches the hardness of the fat pad of a typical human foot. Optionally, the first region 28 can be made thinner to at least partially descend below the surface of the second region 30 and the toe 18. The first region 28 may be a separate element, for example a plug or insert 40, which is mounted or inserted into the sole 10, or may be formed by molding or machining. It may also be a recess formed in the upper or lower surface. The first region 28 may be covered by a flexible liner (not shown).

In addition, any region in the first region 28 substantially below the wearer's first metatarsal head includes a hollow or recessed portion 42 that is asymmetrical with respect to the rest of the first region 28, The lowest point of the hollow or recess is biased toward the inner side of the center. That is, as can be seen in FIG. 1A, the hollow or recess 42 has a gentle slope on the outside thereof.

In practice, the recess 42 is designed to be somewhat rounded or nearly rounded, and the corresponding inner and outer walls 44, 46 are also rounded or curved. Thus, as used herein, "tilt" is an imaginary line or cord that connects between the top edge of the sidewall and the point where the sidewall extends to the bottom of the recess. This is illustrated in the phantom line 43 (FIG. 4), which is a virtual cross-sectional line passing through the midpoint of the insert 40. This unique geometry has the effect of making the first metatarsal head valgus when the wearer moves from the midposition to the propeller.

In view of the dimensions, the hollow recess 42 should be designed at least partially large enough to accommodate the first metatarsal head. In an exemplary embodiment, the recess 42 is substantially circular and preferably has a diameter of about 2.54 cm to about 3.81 cm depending on the size of the foot. The recess may be elliptical or egg-shaped and may extend. And the recess should have a nominal depth, the depth of which is preferably about 2-3mm when measuring from the top edge of the side wall to the lowest point of the recess. Despite this relatively small value, it has a very large effect on allowing the first metatarsal head to be valgus when the wearer moves from the intermediate stance to the propeller. In another variant, the recess 42A extends somewhat and slightly wider at its end, for example, as shown in FIGS. 3-4.

The insole described above can be used with street and sports shoes, including sandals. As described above, the insole may be included in an insole board at the time of manufacture and is a sockliner positioned in the shoe by the wearer, an aftermarket insole mechanism, a custom or prefabricated foot brace (purchased without prescription). It can be formed as.

6 illustrates a shoe sole 110 according to a preferred embodiment of the present invention. The orthotic device 110 includes a hybrid insole having a footbed 112, a lateral arch area 114, a medial arch area 116 and a heel area 118. The foot bed 112 and the outer arch area 114 have a first hardness value. The inner arch area 116 has a second hardness value that is lighter than the first hardness value. Heel region 118 has a third hardness value that is harder than the first hardness value.

In use, the heel area 118 is located below the heel of the wearer's foot. Likewise, the outer arch area 114 and the medial arch area 116 are located under the arch of the wearer's foot. The footbed 112 includes first, second, third, fourth and fifth metatarsal bones from the middle portion between the outer arch area 114 and the inner arch area 116 and is located below the ball of foot of the wearer's foot. Extends to the foot aid 110. The varying durometer of the foot assist device 110 is selected to approximately match the area of change in hardness at the bottom of the wearer's foot. Although the shape and size of the feet vary significantly from person to person, anthropology shows that the hardness of the "fat pad" of the bottom of the average human foot does not change significantly. Thus, shoes can be made more comfortable for a general wearer and improved biomechanical efficiency can be achieved by varying the hardness of the insole to roughly match the area of varying hardness at the base of the wearer's foot. . In essence, in the context of the present invention, Applicants mechanically match the insole to the underside of the foot so that the amount of insole moved by a given force is essentially the same as the movement of the padding of the underside of the foot. In this way, the insole is a natural extension of the padding of the underside of the foot. For example, the first hardness value can be approximately 20 to 60 Shore C, preferably 40 Shore C. The second hardness value may be approximately 15 to 55 Shore C, preferably 35 Shore C, and the third hardness value may be approximately 30 to 70 Shore C, preferably 50 Shore C. Shore C is one of the durometer scales accredited by the American Society for Testing and Materials. Under Shore A, another durometer scale accredited by the American Material Testing Association, the preferred values are 20 Shore A, 15 Shore A, and 30 Shore A, respectively.

Although the footbed 112 and the outer arch area 114 have been described as having a first hardness value, these two areas may have slightly different hardness values within the scope of the present invention. More precisely, these areas are described together because they have roughly similar hardness values compared to the heel area 118 and medial arch area 116.

In one preferred embodiment of the present invention, footbed 112 is described in U.S. Patent 4597195, Applicant's U.S. Patent Application Serial No. 12/534741, supra, as described above in FIGS. It may have a recess or hollow 120 located below the first metatarsal head of the foot. As described above with the applicant's' 741 application, the hollow or recess 120 causes the valgus of the first metatarsal head when the wearer moves from the intermediate stance to the propeller. This hollow or recess 120 should have approximately the same hardness as the footbed 112 and the outer arch area 114, but may vary depending on the manufacturing method.

The various regions of the instrument 110 may be integrally fabricated, or may be integrally formed using extrusion techniques, interconnections, adhesive bonds, chemical bonds, mechanical bonds, or conventional techniques known in the art. The shoe sole mechanism can be used in men's, women's, children's street and sports footwear, including sandals. The shoe sole may be included in the insole board at the time of manufacture and may be formed by a wearer with an insole located in the shoe, an aftermarket insole mechanism, a foot brace that is customizable or pre-made without a prescription. When formed in an insole, insole board or other similar related product, the various areas of the shoe sole 10 may not be coupled to each other and may simply be fixed by the related product.

Various changes may be made without departing from the scope of the present invention. For example, an asymmetric hollow with tapered sidewalls inwardly in the center may be formed to extend downward from the bottom of the insole board or insole, and may be positioned substantially only below the first metatarsal head. . In addition, as shown in FIG. 5, the mechanism may have recesses formed essentially left and right in the middle thereof as necessary, such that the apparatus may be turned upside down and used for left or right shoes.

The above description or the accompanying drawings are to be regarded as illustrative in nature, and should not be construed as limiting.

Claims (92)

A sole of a human shoe having a foot support top surface,
The foot support top surface includes a first region for supporting the first, second, third and fourth metatarsal heads and optionally the fifth metatarsal head of the foot; And
A second region at least partially surrounding the first region to support the remainder of the foot;
Including,
The first region provides a lower resistance to downward movement than the second region, the first region comprising a hollow or recess having an inner edge and an outer edge with respect to the remainder of the first region; And wherein the recess has a lowest point inwardly centered to cause the valgus of the first metatarsal head when the wearer moves from the intermediate stance to the propeller. The method of claim 1,
The first shoe sole has a lower durometer than the second shoe sole. The method of claim 2,
And wherein said first region has a Shore A hardness of 30-35. 4. The method according to any one of claims 1 to 3,
The first shoe sole of the human shoe, characterized in that formed by a plug made of a material surrounded by the second area. 4. The method according to any one of claims 1 to 3,
And wherein the recess includes an opening formed in the sole and extending from the top surface. 4. The method according to any one of claims 1 to 3,
The concave portion of the human shoe sole, characterized in that it comprises a hollow formed below the upper surface of the sole. The method according to any one of claims 1 to 6,
The concave portion of the human shoe sole, characterized in that it has a nominal depth of 2-3mm measured from the top edge of the side wall to the lowest point of the concave portion. The method according to any one of claims 1 to 7,
The sole of a human shoe, wherein the recess is designed to be substantially circular. The method according to any one of claims 1 to 7,
Sole of the human shoe, characterized in that the recess is designed to be oval or egg-shaped. 10. The method of claim 9,
And wherein said recess extends at its end and is slightly wider. An insole inserted into a human shoe and having a foot support top surface,
The foot support top surface includes: a first region for supporting the first, second, third, and fourth metatarsal heads and optionally the fifth metatarsal heads of the foot; And
A second region at least partially surrounding the first region to support the remainder of the foot; of
Including,
The first region includes a hollow or recess having an inner edge and an outer edge relative to the rest of the first region, the recess causing the valgus of the first metatarsal head when the wearer moves from the intermediate stance to the propeller. Insole characterized in that it has a lowest point biased inward of the center. The method of claim 11,
The insole of claim 1, wherein the first region has a lower durometer than the second region. The method of claim 12,
And wherein said first region has a Shore A hardness of 30-35. 14. The method according to any one of claims 11 to 13,
The insole of claim 1, wherein the first region is formed of a plug formed of a material surrounded by the second region. 14. The method according to any one of claims 11 to 13,
The insole is formed in the sole and comprises an opening extending from the top surface of the sole. 14. The method according to any one of claims 11 to 13,
The insole is characterized in that it comprises a hollow formed below the upper surface of the insole. The method according to any one of claims 11 to 16,
And wherein the recess has a nominal depth of 2-3 mm as measured from the top edge of the side wall to the lowest point of the recess. The method according to any one of claims 11 to 17,
Insole, characterized in that the recess is designed to be substantially circular. The method according to any one of claims 11 to 17,
The insole is characterized in that the recess is designed in the shape of an oval or egg. 20. The method of claim 19,
The insole extends at its end and is slightly wider. An insole inserted into a human shoe and having a foot support top surface,
The foot support top surface includes: a first region for supporting the first, second, third, and fourth metatarsal heads and optionally the fifth metatarsal heads of the foot; And
A second region at least partially surrounding the first region to support the remainder of the foot; of
Including,
The first region includes a hollow or recess having an inner edge and an outer edge relative to the rest of the first region, the recess causing the valgus of the first metatarsal head when the wearer moves from the intermediate stance to the propeller. Insole, characterized in that it has a lowest point biased inward of the center. The method of claim 21,
And said first region has a lower durometer than said second region. The method of claim 22,
The insole is characterized in that it has a Shore A hardness of 30-35. 24. The method according to any one of claims 21 to 23,
The insole of claim 1, wherein the first region is formed of a plug formed of a material surrounded by the second region. 24. The method according to any one of claims 21 to 23,
And the recess includes an opening formed in the sole and extending from the top surface. 24. The method according to any one of claims 21 to 23,
The insole is characterized in that it comprises a hollow formed under the upper surface of the insole. The method according to any one of claims 21 to 26,
And the recess has a nominal depth of 2-3 mm as measured from the top edge of the side wall to the lowest point of the recess. The method according to any one of claims 21 to 27,
The insole, characterized in that the recess is designed to be substantially circular. The method according to any one of claims 21 to 27,
Insole is characterized in that the recess is designed in the shape of an oval or egg. The method of claim 29,
The insole extends at its end and is slightly wider. A foot brace inserted into a human shoe sole and having a foot support top surface,
The foot support top surface includes: a first region for supporting the first, second, third, and fourth metatarsal heads and optionally the fifth metatarsal heads of the foot; And
A second region at least partially surrounding the first region to support the remainder of the foot; of
Including,
The first region includes a hollow or recess having an inner edge and an outer edge relative to the rest of the first region, the recess causing the valgus of the first metatarsal head when the wearer moves from the intermediate stance to the propeller. Foot brace characterized in that it has a lowest point biased inward of the center. 32. The method of claim 31,
And wherein the first region has a lower durometer than the second region. 33. The method of claim 32,
And wherein said first region has a Shore A hardness of 30-35. The method according to any one of claims 31 to 33, wherein
And wherein the first region is formed of a plug made of a material surrounded by the second region. The method according to any one of claims 31 to 33, wherein
Wherein said recess includes an opening formed in said sole and extending from said top surface. The method according to any one of claims 31 to 33, wherein
And wherein the recess includes a hollow formed below an upper surface of the insole. The method according to any one of claims 31 to 36,
And wherein the recess has a nominal depth of 2-3 mm as measured from the top edge of the side wall to the lowest point of the recess. The method according to any one of claims 31 to 37,
Foot recess characterized in that the recess is designed in a substantially circular shape. The method according to any one of claims 31 to 37,
Foot recess characterized in that the concave portion is designed in the shape of an oval or egg. The method of claim 39,
And said recess extends at its end and is slightly wider. 32. The method of claim 31,
The foot brace is characterized in that the custom (custom). 32. The method of claim 31,
The foot assisting device is characterized in that the pre-fabricated. A human shoe sole having a top of a foot support having an area of varying hardness that roughly matches an area of varying hardness of a wearer's underside. The method of claim 43,
Footbeds;
Medial arch area;
Outer arch area; And
Heel area;
Including,
The foot bed and the outer arch area have a first hardness value, the inner arch area has a second hardness value that is lighter than the first hardness value, and the heel area has a third hardness value that is harder than the first and second hardness values. Shoe sole characterized by having. The method of claim 44,
And the outer arch area has a Shore C hardness of 20 to 60. The method of claim 44,
And the outer arch area has a Shore C hardness of about 40. The method of claim 44,
Wherein the medial arch region has a Shore C hardness of about 15 to 55. The method of claim 44,
Wherein the medial arch region has a Shore C hardness of about 35. The method of claim 44,
And the heel region has a Shore C hardness of about 30 to 70. The method of claim 44,
The heel area of claim 1, wherein the heel region has a Shore C hardness of about 50. The method according to any one of claims 44 to 50,
The footbed includes a front region comprising a hollow or recess below the wearer's first metatarsal head. The method of any one of claims 44-51,
The medial arch area has a second hardness value that is at least 5 Shore C less than the first hardness value but less than 10 Shore C, and the heel area is at least 10 Shore C harder than the first hardness value but 20 A shoe sole characterized by having a third hardness value that is not as tight as Shore C. An insole having a foot support upper piece having an area of varying hardness that roughly matches an area of varying hardness of the wearer's underside. 54. The method of claim 53,
Footbeds;
Medial arch area;
Outer arch area; And
Heel area;
Including,
The foot bed and the outer arch area have a first hardness value, the inner arch area has a second hardness value that is lighter than the first hardness value, and the heel area has a third hardness value that is harder than the first and second hardness values. Insole characterized by having. 55. The method of claim 54,
The insole, wherein the outer arch area has a Shore C hardness of 20 to 60. 55. The method of claim 54,
The insole, wherein the outer arch area has a Shore C hardness of about 40. 55. The method of claim 54,
The insole, wherein the medial arch region has a Shore C hardness of about 15 to 55. 55. The method of claim 54,
The insole, wherein the medial arch region has a Shore C hardness of about 35. 55. The method of claim 54,
Wherein the heel region has a Shore C hardness of about 30 to 70. 55. The method of claim 54,
And the heel region has a Shore C hardness of about 50. 61. The method of any of claims 53-60,
The footbed includes an anterior area including a hollow or recess below the wearer's first metatarsal head. 55. The method of claim 54,
The medial arch area has a second hardness value that is at least 5 Shore C less than the first hardness value but less than 10 Shore C, and the heel area is at least 10 Shore C harder than the first hardness value but 20 An insole having a third hardness value that is not as tight as Shore C. An insole having a foot support upper piece having an area of varying hardness that roughly matches an area of varying hardness of the wearer's underside. The method of claim 63, wherein
Footbeds;
Medial arch area;
Outer arch area; And
Heel area;
Including,
The foot bed and the outer arch area have a first hardness value, the inner arch area has a second hardness value that is lighter than the first hardness value, and the heel area has a third hardness value that is harder than the first and second hardness values. Insole characterized by having. 65. The method of claim 64,
And the outer arch area has a Shore C hardness of 20 to 60. 65. The method of claim 64,
The insole area is characterized in that it has a Shore C hardness of about 40. 65. The method of claim 64,
The insole area is characterized in that it has a Shore C hardness of about 15 to 55. 65. The method of claim 64,
And the medial arch area has a Shore C hardness of about 35. 65. The method of claim 64,
The insole region is characterized in that it has a Shore C hardness of about 30 to 70. 65. The method of claim 64,
And the heel region has a Shore C hardness of about 50. The method of any one of claims 62 to 70,
And the footbed includes a front region comprising a hollow or recess below the wearer's first metatarsal head. The method of claim 64, wherein
The medial arch area has a second hardness value that is at least 5 Shore C less than the first hardness value but less than 10 Shore C, and the heel area is at least 10 Shore C harder than the first hardness value but 20 An insole having a third hardness value that is no harder than Shore C. A foot brace having a foot support upper piece having an area of varying hardness that roughly matches an area of varying hardness of the underside of the wearer's foot. The method of claim 73,
Footbeds;
Medial arch area;
Outer arch area; And
Heel area;
Including,
The foot bed and the outer arch area have a first hardness value, the inner arch area has a second hardness value that is lighter than the first hardness value, and the heel area has a third hardness value that is harder than the first and second hardness values. Foot brace characterized by having. The method of claim 74, wherein
Wherein the lateral arch area has a Shore C hardness of 20 to 60. The method of claim 74, wherein
Wherein the lateral arch area has a Shore C hardness of about 40. The method of claim 74, wherein
The medial arch area has a Shore C hardness of about 15 to 55. The method of claim 74, wherein
Wherein the medial arch region has a Shore C hardness of about 35. The method of claim 74, wherein
Wherein the heel region has a Shore C hardness of about 30 to 70. 65. The method of claim 64,
Wherein the heel region has a Shore C hardness of about 50. 81. The method of any of claims 72-80,
And the footbed includes a front region comprising a hollow or recess below the wearer's first metatarsal head. The method of claim 74, wherein
The medial arch area has a second hardness value that is at least 5 Shore C less than the first hardness value but less than 10 Shore C, and the heel area is at least 10 Shore C harder than the first hardness value but 20 A foot brace having a third hardness value that is no harder than Shore C. An insole board having a foot support upper piece having an area of varying hardness that roughly matches an area of varying hardness of the underside of the wearer's foot. 85. The method of claim 83,
Footbeds;
Medial arch area;
Outer arch area; And
Heel area;
Including,
The foot bed and the outer arch area have a first hardness value, the inner arch area has a second hardness value that is lighter than the first hardness value, and the heel area has a third hardness value that is harder than the first and second hardness values. Insole board characterized by having. 85. The method of claim 84,
And wherein the outer arch area has a Shore C hardness of 20 to 60. 83. The method of claim 82,
And the outer arch area has a Shore C hardness of about 40. 83. The method of claim 82,
And wherein said inner arch region has a Shore C hardness of about 15 to 55. 83. The method of claim 82,
And the inner arch area has a Shore C hardness of about 35. 83. The method of claim 82,
And the heel region has a Shore C hardness of about 30 to 70. 83. The method of claim 82,
And the heel region has a Shore C hardness of about 50. 91. The method of any of claims 82-90,
And the footbed includes a front region comprising a hollow or recess below the wearer's first metatarsal head. 83. The method of claim 82,
The medial arch area has a second hardness value that is at least 5 Shore C less than the first hardness value but less than 10 Shore C, and the heel area is at least 10 Shore C harder than the first hardness value but 20 An insole board, having a third hardness value that is not harder than Shore C.

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