Device for supporting the physiological foot characteristics during movement and in static conditions

Abstract

A device for supporting the human foot is provided. The device includes: a first layer comprising an arch at a central region; a second layer coupled to the first layer at a first end at a heel region and at a second end at a forefoot region; and a rigid deflection element disposed between the first and second ends and at least partially between the first and second layers, a spacing between the first and second layers at the location of the deflection element is defined by the deflection element; the first and second layers have a first spacing between the first end and the deflection element and have a second spacing between the deflection element and the second end, the arch is based on the first spacing, and the first spacing is configured to increase from a first height to a second height when the second spacing decreases.

What is claimed is: 
     
         1 . A device for supporting the human foot, wherein the device comprises:  
       a first layer comprising an arch at a central region of the device;  
       a second layer disposed under the first layer and coupled to the first layer at a first end at a heel region of the device and at a second end at a forefoot region of the device; and 
       at least one rigid deflection element disposed between the first end and the second end and disposed at least partially between the first layer and the second layer wherein a spacing between the first layer and the second layer at the location of the at least one deflection element is defined by the at least one deflection element; 
       wherein the first layer and the second layer have a first spacing between the first end and the at least one deflection element and the first layer and the second layer have a second spacing between the at least one deflection element and the second end,  
       wherein the arch is based on the first spacing, and  
       wherein the first spacing is configured to increase from a first height to a second height when the second spacing decreases. 
     
     
         2 . The device of  claim 1 , wherein the second layer is tensioned between the first end and the second end via the at least one deflection element, and 
       wherein tension in the second layer in the second end, during flexion of the device, is transmitted, via the at least one deflection element, to the first layer in the first end in such a way that the flexion leads to an increase of the first spacing from the first arch height to the second arch height. 
     
     
         3 . The device of  claim 1 , wherein the at least one rigid deflection element is disposed at a transition region of the device which is disposed between the forefoot region and the central region of the device, and 
       wherein a peak of the at least one deflection element is disposed in the transition region. 
     
     
         4 . The device of  claim 1 , wherein the first layer and the second layer are movable relative to each other, and wherein the second layer is fixedly coupled to or integrally formed with the first layer at the first end and at the second end. 
     
     
         5 . The device of  claim 1 , wherein the at least one deflection element is fixedly coupled to or integrally formed with one of the first layer or the second layer. 
     
     
         6 . The device of  claim 1 , wherein the first layer is configured to contact the second layer between the first end and the at least one deflection element. 
     
     
         7 . The device of  claim 1 , wherein the first spacing is generally greater than a second spacing. 
     
     
         8 . The device of  claim 1 , wherein the first spacing is configured to decrease from the second height to the first height when the second spacing increases. 
     
     
         9 . The device of  claim 1 , further comprising a plurality of support elements, wherein the plurality of support elements, at least in the central region, are arranged next to each other and in contact with each other along a length-wise direction of the device. 
     
     
         10 . The device of  claim 9 , wherein the plurality of support elements are rigidly connected to each other. 
     
     
         11 . The device of  claim 9 , whereinthe plurality of supports elements are substantially tubular and elastic. 
     
     
         12 . The device of  claim 1 , wherein a material of the second layer has an equal or greater tensile strength than a material of the first layer. 
     
     
         13 . The device of  claim 1 , wherein the at least one deflection element is an elongate element with a longitudinal axis oriented substantially in a direction of a width of the device. 
     
     
         14 . The device of  claim 13 , wherein the at least one deflection comprises two elongate elements disposed separately along the width of the device, wherein the two elongate elements are of different sizes. 
     
     
         15 . The device of  claim 14 , wherein the two elongate elements are disposed at different points along a length of the device. 
     
     
         16 . The device of  claim 1 , wherein the first layer includes a material thickening at the peak of the at least one deflection element.  
     
     
         17 . The device of  claim 1 , wherein the arch of the first layer is highest towards the heel region along a longitudinal axis of the device. 
     
     
         18 . The device of  claim 1 , wherein the at least one deflection element comprises a sesamoid element. 
     
     
         19 . The device of  claim 1 , wherein the device is an insole. 
     
     
         20 . A shoe comprising the device as claimed in  claim 1 .