Triple Density Gel Insole

Abstract

A triple density replacement insole which has at least two coextensive layers of different densities which are adjacent one another and extending the length of the insole comprising a first top cloth layer and a second gel layer and a third density layer comprising a stability cradle adjacent the gel layer. In a preferred embodiment, the stability cradle, which extends from the arch area to the heel area and secures to the gel layer, defines a first metatarsal region gap which exposes the gel layer and a second heel region gap which exposes the gel layer. A heel cushion is positioned in the second heel region gap adjacent to the gel layer and is secured to the gel layer exposed in that region. A metatarsal arch support is integrally formed in the first metatarsal region gap area.

1 - 19 . (canceled) 
     
     
         2 . A replacement insole, comprising:
 a gel layer extending the length of the insole and having a top side, a bottom side, a medial side edge and a lateral side edge, said gel layer having a first measure of hardness;   a stability cradle secured to said bottom side of said gel layer and having a central area where a first, second, third and fourth appendage are located, said first appendage extends forward and laterally from the central area to said lateral side edge of said gel layer, said second appendage extends forward and medially from the central area to said medial side edge of said gel layer, said third appendage extends rearward and laterally from the central area to said lateral side edge of said gel layer, and said fourth appendage extends rearward and medially from the central area to said medial side edge of said gel layer, said stability cradle having a second measure of hardness; and   a heel cushion secured to the gel layer in a heel region area, said heel cushion having a wide end toward a rear end of the gel layer and an opposite end that tapers inward toward the stability cradle, said heel cushion having a third measure of hardness.   
     
     
         21 . The insole of claim  1  wherein said first appendage and fourth appendage control pronation and supination on the lateral side of the insole. 
     
     
         22 . The insole of claim  1 , further comprising a top cloth layer coextensive with said gel layer and secured to the top side of said gel layer. 
     
     
         23 . The insole of claim  1  further comprising an advanced cushioning area integrally formed in said gel layer and located in a toe area along said bottom side. 
     
     
         24 . The insole of  claim 23 , wherein said advanced cushioning area is a honeycomb pattern integrally formed in said gel layer. 
     
     
         25 . The insole of  claim 24 , wherein said honeycomb pattern is positioned to lie generally below the ball of a user's foot. 
     
     
         26 . The insole of claim  1 , wherein the third measure of hardness of the heel cushion is softer than said first measure of hardness of the gel layer. 
     
     
         27 . The insole of claim  1 , wherein said heel cushion integrally forms a honeycomb pattern. 
     
     
         28 . The insole of claim  1 , further comprising a metatarsal arch support integrally formed in said gel layer and located in said metatarsal region, said metatarsal arch support extending dimensionally upwardly so that the metatarsal arch support extends out above the top side of said gel layer and forms a cavity in the bottom side of said gel layer. 
     
     
         29 . The insole of  claim 28 , wherein said metatarsal arch support is collapsible. 
     
     
         30 . The insole of claim  1 , wherein said gel layer is selected from thermoplastic polyurethane elastomer (“TPU”) gel and thermoplastic rubber gel (“TPR”) gel. 
     
     
         31 . The insole of claim  1 , wherein said stability cradle comprises a thermoplastic elastomer gel having characteristics which provide rigidity to the area of the insole in which the stability cradle is secured. 
     
     
         32 . A replacement insole, comprising:
 a gel layer extending the length of the insole and having a top side, a bottom side, a medial side edge and a lateral side edge, said gel layer having a first measure of hardness;   a stability cradle secured to said bottom side of said gel layer and having a central area where a first, second, third and fourth appendage are located, said first appendage extends forward and laterally from the central area to said lateral side edge of said gel layer, said second appendage extends forward and medially from the central area to said medial side edge of said gel layer, said third appendage extends rearward and laterally from the central area to said lateral side edge of said gel layer, and said fourth appendage extends rearward and medially from the central area to said medial side edge of said gel layer, said second appendage and third appendage supporting the longitudinal arch area of the foot on the medial side of the insole, said stability cradle having a second measure hardness; and   a heel cushion secured to the gel layer in a heel region area, said heel cushion having a third measure of hardness.   
     
     
         33 . The insole of  claim 32 , wherein said first appendage and fourth appendage control pronation and supination on the lateral side of the insole. 
     
     
         34 . The insole of  claim 32 , further comprising a top cloth layer coextensive with said gel layer and secured to the top side of said gel layer. 
     
     
         35 . The insole of  claim 32 , further comprising advanced cushioning area integrally formed in said gel layer and located in a toe area along said bottom side. 
     
     
         36 . The insole of  claim 35 , wherein said advanced cushioning area is a honeycomb pattern integrally formed in said gel layer. 
     
     
         37 . The insole of  claim 36 , wherein said honeycomb pattern is positioned to lie generally below the ball of a user's foot. 
     
     
         38 . The insole of  claim 32 , wherein the third measure of hardness of the heel cushion is softer than said first measure of hardness of the gel layer. 
     
     
         39 . The insole of  claim 32 , wherein said heel cushion integrally forms a honeycomb pattern. 
     
     
         40 . The insole of  claim 32 , further comprising a metatarsal arch support integrally formed in said gel layer and located in said metatarsal region, said metatarsal arch support extending dimensionally upwardly so that the metatarsal arch support extends out above the top side of said gel layer and forms a cavity in the bottom side of said gel layer. 
     
     
         41 . The insole of  claim 40 , wherein said metatarsal arch support is collapsible. 
     
     
         42 . The insole of  claim 32 , wherein said gel layer is selected from thermoplastic polyurethane elastomer (“TPU”) gel and thermoplastic rubber gel (“TPR”) gel. 
     
     
         43 . The insole of  claim 32 , wherein said stability cradle comprises a thermoplastic elastomer gel having characteristics which provide rigidity to the area of the insole in which the stability cradle is secured.