Insole

Abstract

There is described an insole comprising a flexible base and a reinforcing member arranged within the base. The insole may be an orthotic insole. The insole can be used for treating fallen arches, flat feet, plantar fasciitis and pronation problems.

1 . An insole comprising a flexible base and a reinforcement member arranged within the base. 
     
     
         2 . An insole according to  claim 1 , wherein the insole is a cut-to-size insole, and comprises at least one cutting guide line. 
     
     
         3 . An insole according to  claim 1 , wherein the thickness of the base of the insole tapers from a greatest thickness at the heel end to a smallest thickness at the toe end. 
     
     
         4 . An insole according to  claim 1 , wherein the thickness of the base of the insole at the heel portion of the insole is at least 30% more than the thickness of the base at the ball portion of the insole. 
     
     
         5 . An insole according to  claim 1 , wherein the base is formed of silicone. 
     
     
         6 . An insole according to  claim 1 , wherein the reinforcement member is a porous sheet. 
     
     
         7 . An insole according to  claim 1 , wherein the reinforcement member is flexible. 
     
     
         8 . An insole according to  claim 1 , wherein the reinforcement member comprises a plurality of apertures having a largest lateral dimension of ≤5 mm. 
     
     
         9 . An insole according to  claim 1 , wherein the ratio of the thickness of the base to the thickness of the reinforcement member is at least 3:1. 
     
     
         10 . An insole according to  claim 1 , wherein the base material penetrates through the reinforcement member. 
     
     
         11 . An insole according to  claim 1 , wherein the insole comprises one or more support portions. 
     
     
         12 . An insole according to  claim 1 , wherein the insole comprises one or more shock absorption portions. 
     
     
         13 . An insole according to  claim 11 , wherein the support portion is formed of material that is less deformable than the material of the base of the insole and the material of the shock absorption portions formed of less deformable silicone. 
     
     
         14 . An insole according to  claim 13 , wherein insole comprises a ball support portion and a medial arch support portion. 
     
     
         15 . An insole according to  claim 12 , wherein the shock absorption portion is formed of more deformable material than the material of the base of the insole and the material of the support portions, formed of more deformable silicone. 
     
     
         16 . An insole according to  claim 12 , wherein the shock absorption portion comprises one or more channels extending through the shock absorption portion. 
     
     
         17 . An insole according to  claim 12 , wherein the insole comprises a forefoot shock absorption portion and a heel shock absorption portion. 
     
     
         18 . An insole according to  claim 11 , wherein the density of the silicone of the support portions is higher than the density of the silicone of the shock absorption portions and the silicone of the base. 
     
     
         19 . An insole according to  claim 11 , wherein the density of the silicone of the shock absorption portions is lower than the density of the silicone of the support portions and the silicone of the base. 
     
     
         20 . An insole according to  claim 19 , wherein the silicone of the base has a density that is in-between the density of the silicone of the support portions and the density of the silicone of the shock absorption portions. 
     
     
         21 . An insole according to  claim 20 , wherein the silicone of the support portions has a density that is at least 10% higher than the density of the silicone of the base. 
     
     
         22 . An insole according to  claim 1 , wherein the insole further comprises gripping members operable to improve the roughness of the upper face of the insole. 
     
     
         23 . An insole according to  claim 22 , wherein the gripping members are integrally formed in the base. 
     
     
         24 . An insole according to  claim 1 , wherein the insole comprises a ball support portion and a medial arch support portion, with a forefoot shock absorption portion and a heel shock absorption portion. 
     
     
         25 . A method of producing an insole according to  claim 1 , comprising the steps of:
 a. moulding one or more support portions and one or more shock absorption portions;   b. moulding a base having a reinforcement member arranged within the base; and   c. attaching the support portion(s) and shock absorption portion(s) to the base.