GB2115164A

GB2115164A - Foot measuring board

Info

Publication number: GB2115164A
Application number: GB08204582A
Authority: GB
Inventors: Peter Robert Yates
Original assignee: Marks and Spencer PLC
Current assignee: Marks and Spencer PLC
Priority date: 1982-02-17
Filing date: 1982-02-17
Publication date: 1983-09-01
Also published as: GB2115164B

Abstract

A foot measuring board is provided, in addition to the conventional length lines 4 located in relation to a heel datum 1 and a centre bar 2, with width lines 5 at the normal position of the widest part of a foot of the size indicated. Associated with these width lines 5 are inclined zones (8, 7 and 6) for gauging the width of the foot relative to a standard fitting for which the board is calibrated, eg. to gauge whether a half size larger shoe is required for a wide foot. In order to make the board usable as a "weight off" measurement for infants, means are provided to enable the board to be supported on a users forearm. <IMAGE>

Description

SPECIFICATION Foot measuring board This invention relates to foot measuring boards.

A foot measuring board is used to measure the length and maximum width of a foot so as to assist in selecting the correct size and fitting of footwear. It is particularly important for children's feet which are still growing so that both size and fitting may be quite different from their values on the last occasion of purchase.

A board may be used either horizontal in which case the normal measurement is "weight on", or inclined, in which case the user is seated and the measurement is "weight-off".

The point of maximum width of a foot of given length always occurs at about the same longitudinal position, measured from the heel, and shoes are manufactured accordingly.

Where a shoe is made a different fittings for each size, the maximum width, and the other widths in proportion, will differ for shoes of the same length. Many items of footwear however are manufactured in only one fitting, and so will only accommodate, with the required degree of comfort, feet over a small range of widths. It is usually possible to accommodate wider feet by going up a half size in length.

in accordance with a first aspect of the invention, there is provided a foot measuring board comprising a raised centre bar running perpendicular to a raised heel rest, to provide datum lines for the heel and the inside of each foot, size lines running parallel with the heel rest to indicate the normal footwear size at the end of the longest toe, width line marked in sizes and running parallel with the heel rest at the expected position of the maximum foot width for the size indicated, and inclined zones marked on the board to intersect the width lines to indicate whether a foot having a width on the width line is likely to be fitted by footwear manufactured to a standard for which the board is calibrated or whether it is over or under the width.

The board may be of the type for measuring with the weight off and may comprise a support board solid with the measuring board to support the latter in an inclined position with the heel rest at substantially flow level.

With a weight-off measuring board, there may be difficulty with infants who are to small to be seated with their feet reaching the heel rest, and to meet this problem, the support board may be formed with a saddle portion to fit over a users forearm, and a hand grip may be provided beneath the measuring board.

In accordance with a second aspect of the invention, there is provided a foot measuring board comprising a raised heel rest, a support board solid with the measuring board to support the latter in an inclined position with the heel rest at substantially floor level, a saddle portion in the support board to fit over a users forearm and a hand grip beneath the measuring board to enable the user to stabilize the board when resting on the forearm.

The invention will be further described with reference to the accompanying drawings, in which Figure 1 is an elevational view of a layout of a foot measuring board in accordance with a preferred embodiment of the invention; Figure 2 is a side elevation of a preferred construction of foot measuring board; Figure 3 is a rear elevation of the board of Fig. 2; and Figure 4 illustrates the mode of use of the board; and Figure 5 illustrates the mode of use for infants.

Turning first to Fig. 1, the layout of a board is shown. A heel datum line 1 is formed by an upstanding heel rest which is shown at 2 in Figs. 2 and 4. A datum line for the inside of each foot is formed by a raised centre bar 3 running perpendicular to the heel datum line 1. The board is shown as marked with length measurement lines of which one is indicated by the reference numeral 4, which lines are marked with size indications corresponding to the length of the foot from the heel datum line 1. As illustrated, these range through the infants' size 1 to 1 3 and up to senior childrens' size 10 in half size graduations. There are also a series of width lines 5 on each side.

These lines also run parallel with the heel datum line .1 at distances corresponding with the expected position of the widest portion of the foot for the various length sizes. These lines 5 also run in half size graduations right through the infants' sizes 1 to 1 3 and up to size 10 in the adult senior children's range.

The legands and size numbering of the length and width lines 4 and 5 are shown as suitable to be read by the parent or assistant measuring the subjects foot from behind and above the board, rather than by the subject.

Inclined both to the heel datum line 1 and the centre bar 3 on each side, there are three width indicating zones marked. These zones have been given the reference numerals 6, 7 and 8. Intermediate zone 7 illustrates, where it is aligned with a particular width line 5, the range of foot widths for which a standard fitting item of footwear is suitable, while the zone 6 indicates a range of foot widths for which a half size larger may well be suitable.

The zone 8 indicates a range of possible foot widths which may be too narrow for comfort in the standard length. In the preferred form of the invention, the zone 7 is provided with an associated area 7a in which the legend "try size indicated" is given as an instruction to the customer. The zone 6a will for instance have the legend "try half size larger", and the zone 8 will be provided with an instruction area 8a with the legend "ask sales assistant".

This is because in certain circumstances it may be possible for the assistant to give some helpful advice to a propective purchaser.

As iilustrated particularly in Figs. 2 and 3, the foot measuring board is intended to be used with the potential wearer of the shoes in a seated position and with the seat resting on the foot measuring board which is held in an inclined position by means of a support board 11 formed integrally with the foot measuring board and the heel rest 2.

Where a child is too small to be seated on a standard size chair with its feet reaching to floor level, then an alternative mode of use of the measuring mode is to rest it over the arm of an assistant or an adult. For this purpose, the support board 11 is provided with a cut out 1 2 which acts as a saddle over the arm of the adult, and a hand grip 1 3 is provided to stabilize the board in the required position.

This mode of use is illutrated in Fig. 5.

In use, both feet are placed in the position shown in Fig. 4 with both heels resting on the heel rest 2 and the insides of the feet touching the raised centre bar 3 at two locations.

The measurement of the size of shoe to be tried has to be taken from the longer foot, using the size lines 4. The maximum width of the foot should then lie on or near the correspondingly numbered width line 5, and the position of the lateral extremity of the foot in relation to the zones 6, 7 and 8 is an indication as to whether the foot is to be regarded as wide, standard or narrow for the range of footwear for which the board was calibrated.

Various modifications may be made within the scope of the invention.

Claims

1. A foot measuring board comprising a raised centre bar running perpendicular to a raised heel rest to provide datum lines of the heel and the inside of each foot, size lines running parallel with the heel rest to indicate the normal footwear size at the end of the longest toe, width lines marked in sizes and running parallel with the heel rest at the expected position of the maximum foot width for the size indicated, and inclined zones marked on the board to intersect the wdith lines to indicate whether a foot having a width on the width line is likely to be fitted by footwear manufactured to a standard for which the board is calibrated and whether it is over or under the width.

2. A foot measuring board as claimed in claim 1, of the kind for measuring with the weight off, comprising a support board solid with the measuring board to support the latter in an inclined position with the heel rest at substantially floor level.

3. A foot measuring board as claimed in claim 2, in which the support board is formed with a saddle portion to fit over a users forearm, and a hand grip is provided beneath the measuring board to enable the board to be used for infants.

4. A foot measuring board substantially as hereinbefore described with reference to the accompanying drawings.

4. A foot measuring board comprising a raised heel rest, a support board solid with the measuring board to support the latter in an inclined position with the heel rest at substantially floor level, a saddle portion in the support board to fit over a users forearm and a hand grip beneath the measuring board to enable the user to stabilize the board when resting on the forearm.

5. A foot measuring board as claimed in claim 2, 3 or 4, in which the support board is integrally moulded with the measuring board.

6. A foot measuring board substantially as hereinbefore described with reference to the accompanying drawings.

CLAIMS (18 Apr 1983)

1. A foot measuring board comprising a raised heel rest, a support board solid with the measuring board to support the latter in an inclined position with the heel rest at substantially floor level, a saddle portion in the support board to fit over a users forearm and a hand grip beneath the measuring board to enable the user to stabilize the board when resting on the forearm.

2. A foot measuring board as claimed in claim 1, in which the support board is integrally moulded with the measuring board.

3. A foot measuring board as claimed in claim 1 or 2, comprising a raised centre bar running perpendicular to the raised heel rest to provide datum lines for the heel and the inside of each foot, size lines running parallel with the heel rest to indicate the normal footwear size at the end of the longest toe, width lines marked in sizes and running parallel with the heel rest at the expected position of the maximum foot width for the size indicated, and inclined zones marked on the board to intersect the width lines to indicate whether a foot having a width on the width line is likely to be fitted by footwear manufactured to a standard for which the board is calibrated and whether it is over or under the width.