US1777440A

US1777440A - Arch for shoes

Info

Publication number: US1777440A
Application number: US374431A
Authority: US
Inventors: James E Ludlam
Original assignee: Individual
Current assignee: Individual
Priority date: 1929-06-28
Filing date: 1929-06-28
Publication date: 1930-10-07
Anticipated expiration: 1947-10-07

Description

Oct. 7, 1930. J LUDLAM 1,777,440

ARCH FOR SHOES F iled June 28, 1929 2 Sheets-Sheet 1 INVENTOR.

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,1 T'TORNEY Oct. 7, 1930.

J. E. LUDLAM 1,777,440

ARCH FOR SHOES Filed June 28, 1929 2 Sheets-Shee 2 IN V EN TOR.

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1 1 I I ATTORNE Patented Oct. 7, 1930 PATENT OFFICE JAMES E. LUDLAlYL OF IBELLEVILLE, NEW JERSEY v ARCH roa SHOES Application filed June 28,

My invention relates broadly to shoes and more particularly to the construction of arch support for increasing the comfort of shoes under conditions of continued wear of the shoe.

One of the objects of my invention is to provide a construction of arch support for shoes in which the combined effect of flexibility and rigidity may be obtained throughout the different areas of support in the arch of the foot.

Another object of my invention is to provide a construction of arch support for shoes wherein localized areas of flexibility and lu'rigidity are obtained throughout different portions of the arch support for increasing the comfort of shoes under conditions of continued wear.

Still another object of my invention is to provide a construction of arch support for shoes wherein one portion thereof serves to support the oscalsis, cuboid and external metatarsal bones, while another portion thereof serves to support the astragalus,

scaphoid, middle and internal cuneiform bones and also the inner number one and two metatarsal bones in such manner as to cause a natural spring to the arch while the foot' is in action or repose.

A further object of my invention is to provide an attachment for shoes in the form of a strip of rigid metal positioned beneath the arch to form a solid support throughout one area, and having spring means in the arch support through another area thereof for supporting another portion of the foot.

A still further object of my invention is to provde a construction of arch support for shoes wherein one portion of the arch is sup ported by a solid metal strip, while another portion is supported by a pair of cooperatively slidable strips of metal adapted to slide one with respect to the other for effecting'a massaging of the muscles of the arch for preserving the foot in perfect condition.

Other and further objects of my invention reside in the construction of a combined rigid and flexible arch support as set forth in the specification hereinafter following and by 1929. Serial No. 374,431.

reference to the accompanying drawings, wherein:

Figure 1 is a side elevation of a shoe broken away and showing in cross-section the arch support of my invention and the relation of the bones of the foot which are supported thereby; Fig. 2 is a plan view showing the arch support with the bones of the foot superimposed thereon in dotted lines; F ig. 3 is a perspective view of the arch support of my invention; Fig. 4 is a perspective view of the several parts which I employ in assembling the arch support of my invention; Fig. 5 is a longitudinal cross-sectional view taken through the arch support; and Fig. 6 is a lateral cross-sectional view along line 6-6 of Fig. 1, showing the arch support in position in the shoe.

The arch support of my invention has been developed to meet the severe stresses which are brought about in' the support of the foot when the foot is in action. In analyzing the forces which are efiective under the weight and action of the foot, I have found that in arch supports heretofore available, there exists considerable non-uniformity in the distribution of the supporting forces and failure of positive support beneath the arch of the foot in areas where such positive support is essential.

I have developed the arch support of the present invention having a multiplicity of parts, each of which performs different functions in the support of the foot. In the arch support of my invention, there is an outer or solid part holding the central and outer bones, that is, the oscalsis, cuboid and external metatarsal bones. This solid part of the arch is cut away at opposite ends, and bridged across the ends of the solid part there is an arch composed of relatively movable spring strips extending in a line substantially parallel to the solid part of the arch and providing a support for the astragalus, scaphoid, middle and internal cuneiform and also the inner number one and two metarsal bones. While the solid part of the arch supresiliency causing a natural spring and ease I of movement beneath the arch, imparting a massaging action under movement of the foot while maintaining the muscles and bones of the foot in a natural position. The resilient strips which slide one upon the other in the arch support provide strength and flexibility to the arch avoiding fatigue and assuring the life of the arch to meet all practical requirements.

Where the bones and muscles of the foot are lowered or the arch structure weak, the arch of my invention will support them along the inner side in a flexible manner, causing a spring action and bringing them back to normal, effecting a gradual cure and giving the wearer great comfort while it is taking place. If the foot is in good condition, the arch of my invention will keep it so and prevent it from falling, at the same time absorbing all shocks which would be transmitted through rigid arch supports.

The arch support of my invention performs a double action, that. is, the solid bridge supports the arch of the foot in the outer position where all feet normally touch a horizontal plane, thereby'keeping the arch from falling or breaking down during the normal life of the shoe while the inner or flexible portion of the arch maintains the inner muscles and bones in perfect position, massaging the muscles and preventing the breaking down of the essential and active portion of thefoot.

The arch support may be placed between the inner and outer soles of a welt process shoe or the arch support may be placed on the inside top portion of the insole of a shoe of any process or the arch support may be made as an insertable unit to be placed inside a shoe, and separate therefrom.

Referring to the drawings in detail, reference character 1 designates a shoe which encloses the foot which I have represented by illustrating the disposition of the several bones of the foot. Ifiaference character 2 designates the oscalsis, 3 the astragalus, 4 the tibia, 5 the scaphoid, 6 the internal cuneiform, 7 the metatarsal, and 8 one of the phalanx bones. I have illustrated the insole of the shoe at 9, and in order to set forth one of the applications of my invention, I have shown the arch support secured to the insole, but it will be understood, that the arch support. may be placed between the inner and outer soles of a welt process shoe or may be in the form of an inside attachment, or a separate unit to be placed inside of a shoe.

The arch support comprises strip member 10 having opposite portions which are enlarged, one-of the end portions extending substantially beneath the oscalsis' and theother end portion extending substantially be-.

neath the metatarsals. The arch support is cut away at one side as shown at

edges

12, 14 and 15, thereby providing a semi-rigid arch support adjacent one side of the foot. The opposite ends of the arch support are secured to the insole or between the inner and outer soles by means of rivets 11 which pass through aperture 11 in the arch support 10. Between the ends of the arch support I arran e a flexible bridge member comprising

resi ient strips

16 and 20. Strip 16 is anchored to one end of the arch support 10 by rivet 17 passing through aperture 17 in strip 16' and through aperture 17 b in arch support 10. Strip 20 is secured to the opposite end of the arch support 10 by rivet 21 passing through aperture 21 in strip 20 and through aperture 21 in arch support 10. The

strips

16 and 20 slide longitudinally one with respect to the other, where rivet 19 secured in aperture 19 of strip 20 is adapted to slide longitudinally in aperture 19 and strip 16.

Rivet 18 in strip 16 passes through aperture 18 in strip 16 and through slot 18 in strip 20 in which it is confined in a manner by which bridge-

like strips

16 and 20 may slide longitudinally with respect to each other but remain in the same plane superimposed one above the other. The

rivets

18 and 19 have heads provided thereon which confine the movement of the resilient strips to the same plane, preventing lateral dlsplacement of the strips.

Under conditions of the action of the foot the arch support operates to support the bones of the foot and massage the muscles in a manner by which the muscles and bones are maintained in their natural position and benefited instead of fatigued lending to the comfort and the wearing pro erties of shoes.

The solid portion of the exible support 10 supports the oscalsis, cuboid and external metatarsal bones, while the bridge of greater astragalus, scaphoid, middle and internal" cuneiform bones and also the inner number one and two metatarsal bones. The conjoint supporting effect by the different portions of the arch support results in a high degree of comfort to the wearer.

The arch support of my invention has been found to be extremely practical in manufacture and production, capable of being readily formed into a shoe and my arch support has proven successful in its use, and while I have described one of the preferred embodiments of my invention, I desire that it be understood that modifications may made and that no limitations upon my invention are intended other than those imposed by the scope of the appended claims.

iso

rigid metallic member having enlarged ends interconnected by an integral intermediate metallic portion adjacent one side of said enlarged ends for supporting a predetermined portion of a foot, a flexible member interconnecting the ends of said strip and extending in a line substantially offset from the center line of the intermediate metallic portion of said rigid metallic member, said flexible metallic member'having a plurality of portions each slidable one with respect to the other for effecting a flexible support to other portions of the foot and arranged to effect a massaging action with respect to the muscles of the foot.

2. In an arch support for shoes, a multiplicity of substantially parallel extending strip members positioned substantially side by side for supporting different portions of the arch of a foot, one of said strip members being substantially solid throughout its length and the other of said strip members beingsupportedbysaidsolidstripmemberand having a plurality of parts arranged to slide one with respect to the other for effecting a massaging action with respect to the muscles ofthe foot remote from the portions of the foot supported by said solid strip member.

3. In an arch support for shoes, a metallic arch connected to an insole, one side of said arch being cut away and aplurality of flexible metallic strip members each centered at opposite ends of said first mentioned strip member in a position bridging the gap between the ends of the cut away portion of said first mentioned strip member.

4. In an arch support for shoes, a semirigid metallic member extending beneath the arch adjacent the insole of a shoe, said semirigid metallic member having one side thereof cut away, and means extending between the ends of said semi-rigid member and within the cut away portion thereof comprising a multiplicity of flexible strips slidable with respect to each other and each serving to flexibly support bones not supported by said semi-rigid member.

5. In an arch support for shoes, means extending beneath the bones of a foot adjacent the arch thereof, said means comprising a multiplicity-of strip-like members, one of said strip-like members having greater rigidity than the other of said strip-like members and being cut away adjacent one side thereof, the other of said strip-like members having relatively great flexibility and bridging the gap in the cut away portion of said first mentioned strip-like member, said strip-like members cooperating to support the bones adjacent the arch of a foot and serving to impart a massaging efl'ect to the muscles of a foot when the foot is in action.

In testimony whereof I aflix my signature.

JAMES E. LUDLAM.