Dynamic support for an article of foot wear

Abstract

A support for an article of foot wear including a dynamic support that is capable of molding to a portion of a plantar surface of a foot. The dynamic support includes a plurality of independently movable particles.

What is claimed is: 
     
         1 . A support for an article of foot wear comprising
 a dynamic support that is capable of molding to a portion of a plantar surface of a foot, wherein said dynamic support comprises a plurality of independently movable particles.   
     
     
         2 . The support according to  claim 1 , wherein said plurality of independent movable particles are suspended in at least one material selected from the group consisting of: fluid materials, lubricity enhancers, and catalysable polymers. 
     
     
         3 . The support according to  claim 1 , wherein said plurality of independently movable particles are selected from the group consisting of: seeds, air spheres, polyurethane particles, polypropylene particles, polyvinylchloride particles, polyethylene particles, resilient rubber particles, solid particles, granules, fibers and strands. 
     
     
         4 . The support according to  claim 2 , wherein said fluid material is a highly viscous fluid material comprising silicone. 
     
     
         5 . The support according to  claim 2 , wherein said lubricity enhancer is at least one material selected from the group consisting of: polytetrafluoroethylene (PTFE) and grease. 
     
     
         6 . The support according to  claim 1 , wherein said dynamic support exhibits a shape selected from the group consisting of: a substantially U-shaped member, a substantially torus-shaped member and a substantially ovoid shaped member. 
     
     
         7 . The support according  claim 1 , further comprising:
 a base support shell having a heel portion, wherein said dynamic support is disposed on and supported by said base support shell.   
     
     
         8 . The support according to  claim 7 , wherein said base support shell is a molded member comprising a flat portion, a curved wall that surrounds said flat portion to form said heel portion, and two or more contoured portions disposed on opposite sides of said flat portion. 
     
     
         9 . The support according to  claim 8 , wherein said contoured portions comprise a medial arch support portion disposed on one side of said flat portion and a lateral arch support portion disposed on an opposite side of said flat portion. 
     
     
         10 . The support according to  claim 7 , wherein said base support shell is a flexible component that supports said dynamic support. 
     
     
         11 . The support of  claim 7 , wherein said base support shell is a moldable member that comprises a thermoplastic polymer. 
     
     
         12 . The support of  claim 11 , wherein said thermoplastic polymer is selected from the group consisting of: polyvinylchloride (PVC), polyurethane, polypropylene, polyethylene or plastic. 
     
     
         13 . The support according to  claim 1 , further comprising:
 a built-in portion of a shoe; and   liner that covers said built-in portion of a shoe;   wherein said dynamic support is disposed between said built-in portion of the shoe and said liner that conforms to a portion of said built-in portion of a shoe and to the plantar surface of the foot of a wearer to support at least one arch of the foot of the wearer during wear.   
     
     
         14 . The support of  claim 13 , wherein said liner comprises a compliant medium. 
     
     
         15 . The support according to  claim 1 , further comprising a permeable medium disposed about said independently movable particles. 
     
     
         16 . The support according to  claim 7 , further comprising a resilient spacer disposed between said base support shell and said dynamic support in said heel portion. 
     
     
         17 . The support according to  claim 13 , further comprising a resilient spacer disposed between said built-in portion of the shoe and said dynamic support. 
     
     
         18 . A support for an article of foot wear comprising:
 a dynamic support that is capable of molding a portion of a plantar surface of a foot, wherein said dynamic support comprises a substantially U-shaped member and either a gas or a fluid disposed therein.