Composite footwear insole

Abstract

A composite footwear insole, and a method for making and assembling the composite footwear insole, includes a plurality of sections either removably or securably attachable to a bottom layer. The sections are made of different materials to provide different types of support, such as rigid or shock absorbing. Each section may also have different surface characteristics. The composite footwear insole may be used to at least partially abate and/or prevent foot and related ailments commonly suffered by diabetics and others with pathologic or painful foot conditions. A kit for making an insole is provided wherein a variety of insole sections are provided that have different cushioning or support features and/or different surface characteristics, allowing a user to choose the preferred insole sections and assemble the sections onto the bottom layer, thereby constructing a composite footwear insole.

1 . A method of making an insole for footwear, comprising: 
 providing a bottom layer having a top side;    providing a plurality of insole sections having an underside, 
 wherein one of the plurality of insole sections includes a medial edge;  
   placing attachment members on the top side of the bottom layer and to the underside of the plurality of insole sections for attaching the bottom layer and one or more of the plurality of insole sections;    selecting one or more of the plurality of insole sections for assembly into an insole;    arranging the one or more of the plurality of insole sections in relationship to the bottom layer for attachment to the bottom layer; and    attaching the one or more of the plurality of insole sections to the top side of the bottom layer to form the insole.    
     
     
         2 . A method of making an insole for footwear as recited in  claim 1 , wherein the step of attaching the one or more of the plurality of insole sections to the top side of the bottom layer includes the substep of removably attaching the one or more of the plurality of insole sections to the top side of the bottom layer.  
     
     
         3 . A method of making an insole for footwear as recited in  claim 1 , wherein the step of attaching the one or more of the plurality of insole sections to the top side of the bottom layer includes the substep of affixing the one or more of the plurality of insole sections to the top side of the bottom layer.  
     
     
         4 . A method of making an insole for footwear as recited in  claim 1 , wherein the step of selecting one or more of the plurality of insole sections includes the substep of selecting the sections from the group consisting of a longitudinal arch section, a heel section, a toe section, a metatarsal section, and/or a base section.  
     
     
         5 . A method of making an insole for footwear as recited in  claim 1 , wherein the step of providing a plurality of insole sections having an underside formed with at least one medial edge includes the substep of forming the at least one medial edge for fitting one or more of the plurality of insole sections to one another.  
     
     
         6 . A method of making an insole for footwear as recited in  claim 1 , further comprising the step of placing attachment members on the top side of the bottom layer and to the underside of the plurality of insole sections includes the substeps of: 
 selecting attachment members that comprise hook components and loop components;    mounting the hook components on the top side of the bottom layer;    mounting the loop components on the underside of the plurality of insole sections intended for removable attachment; or    mounting the hook components on the underside of the bottom layer; and    mounting the loop components on the top surface of insole sections intended for removable attachment.    
     
     
         7 . A method of making an insole for footwear as recited in  claim 1 , wherein the step of providing a plurality of insole sections includes the substep of making the plurality of insole sections from different materials.  
     
     
         8 . A method for making a composite footwear insole, comprising the steps of: 
 selecting one or more materials adapted to make a bottom insole layer having a top side;    choosing one or more materials adapted to make a plurality of insole sections having an underside, 
 further including the substep of choosing materials having different cushioning,  
 hardness, thickness and/or surface characteristics;  
   shaping the plurality of insole sections for engagement with the top side of the bottom insole layer; and    including attachment members mountable on at least one side of the bottom layer and on the underside of the plurality of insole sections adapted to attach the plurality of insole sections with the bottom layer.    
     
     
         9 . A method for making a composite footwear insole as recited in  claim 8 , wherein the step of shaping the plurality of insole sections for engagement with the top side of the bottom insole layer includes the substep of affixing the one or more of the plurality of insole sections to the top side of the bottom layer.  
     
     
         10 . A method for making a composite footwear insole as recited in  claim 8 , wherein the step of shaping the plurality of insole sections for engagement with toe top side of the bottom insole layer includes the substep of providing one or more layers of material to provide a substantially continuous top surface of assembly of the plurality of insole sections on the bottom layer.  
     
     
         11 . A method for making a composite footwear insole as recited in  claim 8 , wherein the step of shaping the plurality of insole sections for removable engagement with the top side of the bottom insole layer includes the substep of shaping the materials to form a longitudinal arch section, a heel section, a toe section, a metatarsal section, a base section, or any combination thereof.  
     
     
         12 . A method for making a composite footwear insole as recited in  claim 8 , wherein the step of shaping the plurality of insole sections for securable engagement with the top side of the bottom insole layer includes the substep of shaping the materials to form a longitudinal arch section, a heel, a top section, a metatarsal section, a base section, or any combination thereof.  
     
     
         13 . A method for making a composite footwear insole as recited in  claim 8 , whereing the step of shaping the plurality of insole sections for securable engagemet with the top side of the bottom insole layer includes the substep of shaping the materials to form a longitudinal arch section, a heel section, a top section, a metatarsal section, a base section, or any combination thereof.  
     
     
         14 . A method for making a composite footwear insole as recited in  claim 8 , wherein the step of including attachment members includes the substep of selecting hook components and loop components for attachment.  
     
     
         15 . A method for making a composite footwear insole as recited in  claim 8 , wherein the step of choosing one or more materials adapted to make a plurality of insole sections includes the substep of choosing the one or more materials from the group consisting of leather, neoprene. EVA foam, or any combination thereof.  
     
     
         16 . A method for making a composite footwear insole as recited in  claim 15 , wherein the step of choosing one or more materials adapted to make plurality of insole sections includes the substep of choosing for a toe section a material for a top layer selected from the group consisting of moleski, fur, polyester, satin, silk, or any combination thereof.  
     
     
         17 . A method for making a composite footwear insole as recited in  claim 15 , wherein the step of choosing one or more materials adapted to make a plurality of insole sections includes the substep of choosing for a heel section a material for a top layer selected from the group consisting of rubber, neoprene, EVA foam, or any combination thereof.  
     
     
         18 . A method for forming components of a kit for assembling a composite footwear insole, comprising the step of: 
 selecting material to form a bottom layer having a top side;    selecting material to form a plurality of insole sections having an underside.    further comprising the substeps of selecting the material to provide different cushioning,    hardness, thickness and/or surface characteristics for either secure or removable attachment to the bottom insole layer;    providing means for attaching the top side of the bottom layer to the underside of the plurality of insole sections; and shaping the plurality of insole section for attachment to the bottom insole layer.    
     
     
         19 . A method for forming components of a kit for assembling a composite footwear insole as recited in  claim 18 , wherein the step of shaping the plurality of insole section for attachment to the bottom insole layer includes the substeps of: 
 providing at least one longitudinal arch section;    providing at least one heel section;    providing at least one toe section;    providing at least one metatarsal section; and/or    providing at least one base section.    
     
     
         20 . A method for forming components of a kit for assembling a composite footwear insole as recited in  claim 19 , wherein the step of providing means for attaching the top side of the bottom layer to the underside of the plurality of insole sections includes the substep of: 
 removably attaching the top side of the bottom layer to the underside of the plurality of insole sections; or    affixedly attaching the top side of the bottom layer to the underside of the plurality of insole sections; or    removably and affixedly attaching selected insole sections of the plurality of insole sections to the top side of the bottom layer.