US 12,004,598 B2
Energy return orthotic systems
Barry A. Butler, Owatonna, MN (US)
Assigned to SubioMed, Inc., Bloomington, MN (US)
Filed by SubioMed, Inc., Bloomington, MN (US)
Filed on Dec. 19, 2022, as Appl. No. 18/084,322.
Application 18/084,322 is a continuation of application No. 16/606,326, filed on Oct. 18, 2019, granted, now 11,528,956.
Application 16/606,326 is a continuation of application No. 16/656,810, filed on Oct. 18, 2019, granted, now 11,528,957.
Application 16/656,810 is a continuation of application No. 15/914,596, filed on Mar. 7, 2018, granted, now 10,477,917.
Application 16/606,326 is a continuation of application No. 15/914,596, filed on Mar. 7, 2018, granted, now 10,477,917.
Application 15/914,596 is a continuation of application No. 15/494,755, filed on Apr. 24, 2017, granted, now 9,943,133.
Application 15/494,755 is a continuation in part of application No. 14/742,208, filed on Jun. 17, 2015, abandoned.
Application 14/742,208 is a continuation of application No. 13/827,949, filed on Mar. 14, 2013, granted, now 9,066,559.
Claims priority of provisional application 61/707,344, filed on Sep. 28, 2012.
Claims priority of provisional application 61/665,097, filed on Jun. 27, 2012.
Prior Publication US 2023/0119718 A1, Apr. 20, 2023
This patent is subject to a terminal disclaimer.
Int. Cl. A43B 13/18 (2006.01); A43B 7/14 (2022.01); A43B 7/1405 (2022.01); A43B 7/142 (2022.01); A43B 7/143 (2022.01); A43B 7/1445 (2022.01); A43B 7/1455 (2022.01); A43B 7/149 (2022.01); A43B 7/24 (2006.01); A43B 7/28 (2006.01); A43B 13/38 (2006.01); A43B 17/00 (2006.01)
CPC A43B 7/28 (2013.01) [A43B 7/14 (2013.01); A43B 7/141 (2013.01); A43B 7/142 (2013.01); A43B 7/143 (2013.01); A43B 7/1445 (2013.01); A43B 7/146 (2013.01); A43B 7/149 (2013.01); A43B 7/24 (2013.01); A43B 13/181 (2013.01); A43B 13/183 (2013.01); A43B 13/184 (2013.01); A43B 13/386 (2013.01); A43B 17/006 (2013.01)] 20 Claims
OG exemplary drawing
 
1. A tri-layer orthotic system having a heel portion and a forefoot portion, the tri-layer orthotic system comprising
a base layer having a distal toe end and a proximal heel end;
a mid-layer having a distal toe portion, a mid-portion, and a proximal heel portion, the distal toe portion of the mid-layer coupled to the distal toe end of the base layer to form the forefoot portion of the tri-layer orthotic system; and
an upper layer having a front upper layer portion, an arch upper layer portion, and a heel upper layer portion, the heel upper layer portion coupled to the proximal heel portion of the mid-layer to form the heel portion of the tri-layer orthotic system,
wherein the coupling of the distal toe portion of the mid-layer to the distal toe end of the base layer and the heel upper layer portion to the proximal heel portion of the mid-layer is configured such that the upper layer is suspended over the mid-layer and the heel portion is suspended over the proximal heel end of the base layer to create a rear spring section, a mid-spring section, and a front spring section,
wherein the heel portion of the tri-layer orthotic system and the forefoot portion of the tri-layer orthotic system are configured to support respective heel and forefoot portions of a foot through at least a portion of a gait cycle.