초록 ▼

A custom conformable device that supports and cushions a user's anatomical part, such the foot. The device is self-inflating, conforms to the shape of the user's foot, utilizes an inflatable bladder with a valve, and contains an expandable material such as an open cell foam. When the valve is open t

A custom conformable device that supports and cushions a user's anatomical part, such the foot. The device is self-inflating, conforms to the shape of the user's foot, utilizes an inflatable bladder with a valve, and contains an expandable material such as an open cell foam. When the valve is open the expandable material expands, causing the bladder to inflate and to conform to the shape of the user's anatomical part. Once the desired shape is achieved, the valve is closed, sealing the bladder. Once the bladder is sealed, the expandable material retains the shape of the user's anatomical part. The user may open the valve to adjust the level of support provided by the device by allowing more fluid to enter the bladder, or by forcing fluid to exit the bladder.

대표청구항 ▼

1. A custom conformable device for providing self-adjustable arch support for a user's foot, the device comprising:an inflatable bladder configured to generally conform to fit under an arch of a foot,said inflatable bladder comprising an interior containing an open cellular foam material which subst

1. A custom conformable device for providing self-adjustable arch support for a user's foot, the device comprising:an inflatable bladder configured to generally conform to fit under an arch of a foot,said inflatable bladder comprising an interior containing an open cellular foam material which substantially fills said interior, anda valve means for controlling passage of air into and from the open cellular foam material contained in the interior of the inflatable bladder,said valve means comprising an operable member which is normally closed so that when air is essentially completely expelled from the inflatable bladder the open cellular foam material is substantially compressed so as to create a partial vacuum within the bladder with the operable member in the normally closed position, andthereafter, with the inflatable bladder positioned under the arch of a user's foot while in a non-weight bearing position, said operable member is opened in response to activation by the user so that the inflatable bladder becomes self-inflating with the partial vacuum drawing air into the interior of the inflatable bladder and causing said open cellular material to expand and conform to the user's arch, andthereafter, as the operable member is permitted to return to the normally closed position, the open cellular material retaining a shape, during walking, that conforms to the user's arch as defined by the non-weight bearing position. 2. The device of claim 1, wherein the valve is a finger-activated valve. 3. The device of claim 2, wherein the finger-activated valve is a button valve. 4. The device of claim 1, wherein the valve is a central stem valve. 5. The device of claim 1, wherein the valve is a duck-bill valve. 6. The device of claim 1, wherein the valve is an umbrella valve. 7. The device of claim 1, wherein the open cellular foam material comprises medium-density polyurethane open cell foam. 8. The device of claim 1, wherein the open cellular foam material comprises at least one of open cell foamed polyester, open cell foamed polyether, and combinations thereof. 9. The device of claim 1, wherein the open cellular foam material comprises at least one of open cell glassy carbon foam, a combination of open cell foam and semi-closed foam, a combination of open cell foam and closed cell foam, a composite that includes open cell metal foam, and combinations thereof. 10. The device of claim 1, wherein the valve is a multiple activation valve. 11. The device of claim 1, wherein an insole of a shoe is attached to the self-inflating bladder. 12. The device of claim 1, wherein the bladder is attached to the interior of a shoe. 13. The device of claim 12, wherein the finger-activated valve extends through a portion of the shoe to the outside of the shoe for the multiple activation of the valve. 14. The device of claim 12, wherein the bladder is integrally built into the shoe. 15. The device of claim 1, wherein the open cellular material retains a shape that conforms to the user's arch as defined by the non-weight bearing position during movement of the foot. 16. The device of claim 1, wherein the inflatable bladder is positioned substantially exclusively under the arch. 17. The device of claim 1, wherein the open cellular material retains a shape that conforms to the user's arch as defined by the non-weight bearing position when a compressive force is provided by the foot. 18. The device of claim 1, wherein the open cellular material retains a shape that conforms to the user's arch as defined by the non-weight bearing position when weight is applied to the foot. 19. The device of claim 1, wherein the open cellular material retains a shape that conforms to the user's arch as defined by the non-weight bearing position regardless of a shifting weight applied on the foot. 20. The device of claim 1, wherein the inflatable bladder, prior to inflation, has a volume which is less than a space under the arch.