Insole for footwear

Abstract

An insole for footwear includes at least one flexible base member for forming a foot supporting surface. The at least one flexible base member has a circumferential outline that corresponds to a predefined footprint. The insole further includes a stabilizing member that coextends along the at least one flexible base member for substantially a full length of the predefined footprint. According to a further aspect of the invention the at least one flexible base member defines a forefoot region and a heel region and preferably the stabilizing member extends between the forefoot region and the heel region. Thereby the stabilizer member preferably extends from an area for the big toe of the forefoot region. Stabilizer members with such features enhance pressure distribution and stability during walking for the users of footwear. In particular support along the longitudinal axis of a foot is important for running and walking.

1 . Insole for footwear, including:
 at least one flexible base member for forming a foot supporting surface and having a circumferential outline corresponding to a predefined footprint; and   a stabilizing member coextending along the at least one flexible base member for substantially a full length of the predefined footprint.   
     
     
         2 . Insole according to  claim 1 , wherein the at least one flexible base member defines a forefoot region and a heel region. 
     
     
         3 . Insole according to  claim 2 , wherein the stabilizing member extends between the forefoot region and the heel region. 
     
     
         4 . Insole according to  claim 2 , wherein the stabilizer member extends from an area for the big toe of the forefoot region. 
     
     
         5 . Insole according to  claim 1 , wherein a waist region is defined between the forefoot region and the heel region and wherein a portion of the stabilizing member coextensive with the waist region has minimal torsional stiffness. 
     
     
         6 . Insole according to  claim 1 , wherein the at least one flexible base member is a first substrate. 
     
     
         7 . Insole according to  claim 1 , wherein the stabilizing member is substantially elongate. 
     
     
         8 . Insole according to  claim 7 , wherein the stabilizing member includes a plurality of longitudinally extending individual elements. 
     
     
         9 . Insole according to  claim 8 , wherein the longitudinally extending individual elements are joined together. 
     
     
         10 . Insole according to  claim 9 , wherein the plurality of joined individual elements are interlocked. 
     
     
         11 . Insole according to  claim 9 , wherein the plurality of joined individual elements are interconnected. 
     
     
         12 . Insole according to  claim 9 , wherein the jointed individual elements are disconnectable. 
     
     
         13 . Insole according to  claim 1 , wherein the stabilizing member includes transversely extending elements. 
     
     
         14 . Insole according to  claim 13 , wherein at least some of the individual elements comprise the transversely extending elements. 
     
     
         15 . Insole according to  claim 13 , wherein at least some of the individual elements have any one of a T-shape, a +-shape, an X, a Y-shape and an O-shape, in a plane coextensive with the foot supporting surface. 
     
     
         16 . Insole according to  claim 13 , wherein at least some of the longitudinally and transversely extending elements are interconnected, so as to perimetrally support a surface area of the at least one flexible base member. 
     
     
         17 . Insole according to  claim 16 , wherein the longitudinally and transversely extending elements intersect to define a plurality of nodal points. 
     
     
         18 . Insole according to  claim 17 , wherein the nodal points are distributed along a longitudinal extent and a transverse extent of the stabilizing member. 
     
     
         19 . Insole according to  claim 17 , wherein rings are formed between the plurality of nodal points. 
     
     
         20 . Insole according to  claim 19 , wherein the rings have a honeycomb shape. 
     
     
         21 . Insole according to  claim 1 , wherein the first substrate is relatively flexible. 
     
     
         22 . Insole according to  claim 1 , wherein the stabilizing member is relatively inflexible. 
     
     
         23 . Insole according to  claim 1 , wherein the stabilizing member is relatively rigid. 
     
     
         24 . Insole according to  claim 1 , wherein the stabilizing member is flexible in at least one direction transverse to its length. 
     
     
         25 . Insole according to  claim 1 , wherein the stabilizing member is elastically resilient. 
     
     
         26 . Insole according to  claim 6 , wherein the insole further includes a second substrate that is substantially coextensive with the first substrate. 
     
     
         27 . Insole according to  claim 26 , wherein the stabilizing member is accommodated between the first substrate and the second substrate. 
     
     
         28 . Insole according to  claim 26 , wherein one of the first and second substrates is formed with a cavity adapted to receive the stabilizing member. 
     
     
         29 . Insole according to  claim 26 , wherein both the first and second substrate are formed with a cavity for accommodating a portion of the stabilizer member. 
     
     
         30 . Insole according to  claim 28 , wherein the cavity is adapted to anchor the stabilizing member. 
     
     
         31 . Insole according to  claim 26 , wherein the stabilizing member is embedded in one of the first and second substrates. 
     
     
         32 . Insole according to  claim 26 , wherein the stabilizing member is integrally formed with one of the first and second substrates. 
     
     
         33 . Insole according to  claim 1 , wherein the at least one flexible base member forming the foot supporting surface includes an open mesh material. 
     
     
         34 . Insole according to  claim 1 , wherein the stabilizing member is of relatively hard plate material. 
     
     
         35 . Insole according to  claim 26 , wherein the stabilizing member is formed as an inlay around which one of the first and second substrates is at least partially molded. 
     
     
         36 . Insole according to  claim 1 , wherein the stabilizing member stiffens the heel region more than the forefoot region. 
     
     
         37 . Insole according to  claim 2 , wherein the stabilizing member has a cross section that gradually decreases from the heel region towards the forefoot region. 
     
     
         38 . Insole according to  claim 2 , wherein the stabilizing member has a thickness that gradually decreases from the heel region towards the forefoot region. 
     
     
         39 . Insole according to  claim 26 , wherein the stabilizing member is exposed on an exterior surface of one of the first and second substrates. 
     
     
         40 . Insole according to  claim 26 , wherein the second substrate has a varying thickness throughout its longitudinal and transverse extent. 
     
     
         41 . Insole according to  claim 1 , wherein the stabilizing member includes a conduit for transporting and/or distributing an active agent. 
     
     
         42 . Insole according to  claim 41 , wherein the active agent is selected from a group including odor neutralizers, fragrances, deodorants and medical compounds. 
     
     
         43 . Insole according to  claim 1 , wherein a longitudinal flexibility and dimensions of the at least one flexible base member, and/or a longitudinal stiffness and dimensions of the stabilizing member, are arranged for allowing resiliently rolling the insole. 
     
     
         44 . Insole according to  claim 8  further comprising a folding region that extends in a direction transverse to a longitudinal direction of the stabilizing member. 
     
     
         45 . Insole according to  claim 44 , wherein the folding region extends in between two neighboring longitudinally extending individual elements. 
     
     
         46 . Assembly of an insole according to  claim 1 , further comprising, further comprising a package that includes the insole in a, preferably elastically, deformed, for example rolled or folded, state.