US1219331A - Arch-support. - Google Patents

Description

J. J. KEYS.

ARCH SUPPORT,

APPLICATION FILED -MAYI6.1916.

1,219,331.. Patented Mar.13,1917.

JAMES J. KEYS, or BROOKLYN, NEW YORK.

ARCH-SUPPORT.

Specification of Letters Patent. Patented Blar, 13, 1917.

Application filed May 16, 1916. Serial No. 97,901.

' To all whom it may concern This invention relates to arch supports adapted to be applied to shoes and it consists in the novel features hereinafter described and claimed.

The arch of the human foot is, or should be, supported by the shank of the shoe. and

the shank as usually formed is sufficient where the arch is normal. But when the wearer develops symptoms of a broken arch, the average shoe shank needs the reinforcement of ametallic stiffener or support in order to successfully resist the extra strain thrown upon it. This strain comes between the heel of the foot which is supported by the heel of the shoe. and the ball of the foot which .is supported by the shoe sole resting on the ground; and, while it is usually distributed throughout the length of the shank, it does not always fall with equal effect across the width of the shank. That is to say, if we assume that a. line is drawn along the arch of the foot substantially midway between its outer and inner sides, that half of the arch on the outer side of such line is substantially flat transversely, whereas the other half on the inner side of such line is curved upward or arched transversely, while both halves are curved upward or arched longitudinally as is made clear above. It follows that when the arch begins to break down under weakness of parts or increase of the load thrown upon it, an efiicient mechanical support which braces the shank and causes the latter in turn to support the arch, must conform with the configuration of the foot both longitudinally and transversely and in great detail, whereas such conformation is not necessary, and indeed the support itself may be omitted if the foot be normal. p In devices of this kind hitherto made, as far as I am aware, either the support was inserted within the shank of the shoe, or if secured to the lower face thereof, it conformed with the longitudinal curvature quite accurately whereas it conformed with the transverse configuration with less accuracy. An object of the present invention is to give such shape to the metallic support that it will sustain the shoe shank throughout both its width and length, and cause such shank to sup )ort the arch in a natural manner and therefore prevent its falling or restore it if it has fallen.

An object of the' invention is to provide a support of the character indicated which wvheu applied will efficiently and effectually support the arch of the human foot in a manner to prevent the falling or flattening of the arch and troubles incident thereto.-

'ith this object in view the support comprises a plate adapted to be applied to the shank of the shoe immediately in advance of the forward wall of the heel. The said plate is provided with a medial longitudinally located rib and the portion of the. plate at one side of the rib is curved longitudinally to correspond with the longitudinal curvature of the arch of the foot. The portion of the plate at the opposite side of the said medial rib is curved longitudinally and transversely. The longitudinal curve of the last mentioned portion corresponds approximately with the longitudinal curvature of the foot while the transverse curvature of the said portion corresponds approximately with the transverse curvature of the arch of the foot. Consequently it will be seen that when the support is applied the longitudinalv and transverse arches of the foot are supported and falling or flattening of the arch of the foot is prevented.

In the accompanying drawing Figure l is a. fragmentary view of a shoe showing the arch support applied.

Fig. 2 is a bottom plan view of a shoe adapted to be worn upon the left foot showing the support applied.

Fig. 3 is a similar view of a shoe adapted to be worn upon the right foot.

Fig. 4c isa transverse sectional view of the shoe and the supportcut on the line llof Fig. 1.

Fig. 5 is a perspective view of the arch support.

The arch support, comprises a metallic plate 1 adapted to be secured byscrews 2 which is rather deepjor pronounced,"while its ends fade out short of'the ends-of the plate. This rib is preferably formed in the plate by pressing or stamping; and it separates and definestwo leaves. That num-. bered 4 which is located at the outer side.v

the arch of the foot, while the transverse curvature of this 'leaf corresponds approX1- mately with the transverse curvature along the inner sideof the arch of the foot.

Thus it will be seen that when the plate '1is applied to the shank of a shoethe outer longer'than the outer -edge,=that is tosay, the

leaf 4 extends approximately parallel with the longitudinal arch of the foot while the inner leaf 5 extends under the transverse v rarch of the foot and supports this edge of theshank of the shoe upagainst the trans- ."verse arch of the foot as best indicated in Fig.1 l of the drawingq v "The inner edge of, he :platehisfslightly edge the plate 1 which is located under thetransverse .arch of the foot when the shoe-"is applied is slightly longer than that edge of the plate which is beneath the longi tudinal arch of the foot.

From the above description taken in conunct1on with the accompanying drawing it will be seen that an arch support of simple and durable structureis provided and that the same willefliciently and effectually support the longitudinal and transverse arches of thefootwhen the support is applied to a shank of the shoe as described.

Having described the invention what is claimed is The herein described arch support adapt- 4 ed for application to, the lower face of a shoe shank, the same comprising a metal plate arched throughout its length to conform with the longitudinal curvature of said shank, provided between its edges with i a depressed longitudinal rib which ispro- .nounced at its midlength and runs out at its extremities near the ends of the plate, the rib defining two leaves whereof that at the inner side of the support is transversely arched throughout its Width and that at the outer side 'is transversely flat, and means for holding the plate in place.

' 'In testimony whereof I aflix my signature.

' JAMES J. KEYS.

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