Footwear orthotic with insert

Abstract

A footwear orthotic is disclosed having a plurality of removable inserts. The removable inserts are preferably provided in the metatarsal region and/or in the heel region. The inserts are designed to gradually train the user's feet to become comfortably accustomed to orthotic support. Each insert preferably has a different profile than the others. The user can select the insert with the most appropriate profile and securely position the insert in the footwear orthotic for use.

1 . An orthotic system, comprising: 
 a footwear orthotic having a cavity therein;    a plurality of removable inserts, each insert dimensioned to be received into the orthotic cavity, wherein the plurality of removable inserts comprises a first insert and a second insert, and wherein the first insert has a different cross-sectional height than the second insert.    
     
     
         2 . The orthotic system of  claim 1  wherein the first insert has a different degree of hardness than that of the second insert.  
     
     
         3 . The orthotic system of  claim 1  wherein the plurality of removable inserts comprises at least three inserts.  
     
     
         4 . The orthotic system of  claim 1  wherein each of the plurality of removable inserts is configured to be press-fitted into the orthotic cavity.  
     
     
         5 . The orthotic system of  claim 1  wherein each of the plurality of removable inserts comprises a lip extending therefrom, and the lip is dimensioned to be received by a guide in the footwear orthotic.  
     
     
         6 . The orthotic system of  claim 1  wherein each of the plurality of removable inserts has a first side and second side opposite the first side, wherein the first side comprises a first lip extending therefrom and the second side comprises a second lip extending therefrom.  
     
     
         7 . The orthotic system of  claim 6  wherein the footwear orthotic includes a first guide and a second guide dimensioned to receive the first and second lip, respectively.  
     
     
         8 . The orthotic system of  claim 1  wherein the orthotic cavity is positioned in a metatarsal region.  
     
     
         9 . The orthotic system of  claim 1  wherein the orthotic cavity is positioned in a heel region.  
     
     
         10 . A method of customizing orthotic footwear, comprising the steps of: 
 providing an orthotic configured to receive a removable insert;    providing a plurality of removable inserts, each insert having a cross-sectional height different than the other;    positioning a selected one of the plurality of inserts in the orthotic.    
     
     
         11 . The method of  claim 10  wherein the plurality of removable inserts comprises a first insert, a second insert and a third insert, wherein the cross-sectional height of the first insert is 0-25% of the cross-sectional height of the third insert, and wherein the cross-sectional height of the second insert is 26-50% of the cross-sectional height of the third insert.  
     
     
         12 . (canceled)  
     
     
         13 . (canceled)  
     
     
         14 . A footwear orthotic, comprising: 
 a rigid base having a cavity therein;    a removable insert configured to be received in the cavity of the rigid base, wherein the removable insert has a first lip extending from a first side thereof and a second lip extending from a second side thereof;    wherein the rigid base comprises a first guide dimensioned to securely receive the first lip of the removable insert and a second guide dimensioned to securely receive the second lip of the removable insert.    
     
     
         15 . The footwear orthotic of  claim 14  wherein the rigid base comprises plastic.  
     
     
         16 . The footwear orthotic of  claim 15  wherein the removable insert comprises plastic.  
     
     
         17 . The footwear orthotic of  claim 16  wherein the removable insert comprises a material more pliable than the rigid base.