US1945688A - Arch support - Google Patents

Description

Feb. 6, 1934. J c, HOWELL 1,945,688

ARCH SUPPORT Filed May 8, 1933 2 Sheets-Sheet 1 INVENTOR Joseph C. Howe ATTORNEYS Feb. 6, 1934. c. HOWELL 1,945,688

ARCH SUPPORT Filed May 8, 1933 2 Sheets-Sheet 2 INVENTOR Joseph C. Howell ATTORNEYS Patented Feb. 6, 1934 UNlTED ST' was This invention relates to the art of corrective supports for fallen or deformed arches of the human foot.

The invention broadly resides in a corrective support for the several longitudinal and transverse arches and in the provision of means for adjusting the elevation thereof to provide for the individual requirement for each of the several arches of the wearer.

The invention further provides an arch supporting plate arranged in superposed position with relation to the heel and instep portions of the insole and which extends forwardly thereof over the sole portion which underlies the ball of the foot.

More specifically the invention has for an object a longitudinally arched supporting plate which is connected at its edge portions to the sole of the shoe in the region of the instep in such a manner as to prevent longitudinal and lateral displacement thereof but which permits of adjustments of the arched portions to elevate the same with reference to the insole at the points of connection and which further allows the free ends of the plate to move and flex with the bending of the shoe.

The invention further contemplates a flexible arch support of the indicated character including a pair of improved flexible spring leaf structures built into the sole of the shoe, co-operative adjustable elevating and supporting means carried by the plate and the spring leaf structure for adjustably supporting the arched portion of the plate in spaced relation above the insole of the shoe and locking means carried by the said supporting means for securing the plate in set or fixed elevation.

The invention also has in view a support for the metatarsal arch which is adjustable in eleva tion and which is also adjustable longitudinally and transversely on lines parallel to the normal major and minor axes of the support as well as angularly with respect to a medial line extending from the heel to the toe portion of the shoe.

With these and other objects in view the invention also resides in certain novel features of construction and arrangement of parts which will be more fully described and claimed hereinafter.

The invention is illustrated in the accompanying drawings in which Figure 1 is a bottom plan view of a shoe equipped with the arch support embodying the invention.

Figure 2 is a top plan view of the arch sup port in applied position upon the insole of the shoe and with a portion of the arched plate cut away to show a portion of the spring leaf supporting structure.

Figure 3 is a plan view of the arch supporting plate.

Figure 4 is a fragmentary sectional view on line l-4 of Figure 2.

Figure 5 is a fragmentary sectional View on line 5-5 of Figure 4.

Figure 6 is an enlarged fragmentary sectional view on line 6-5 of Figure 2 illustrating the metatarsal arch support and its adjustable connection with the sole of the shoe.

Figure 7 is an enlarged bottom plan View of the metatarsal arch support with a portion of the leather covering removed to show the slotted structure or" the plate forming the foundation of the support.

Figure 8 is an enlarged cross sectional View through the metatarsal support.

Figure 9 is an enlarged detailed perspective view of the several parts which adjustably connect the metatarsal support with the sole of the shoe.

Figure 10 is an enlarged perspective view of the several parts of each of the adjustable supports connecting the longitudinalarch plate with the sole of the shoe.

For the purpose of illustration, the invention is shown in the accompanying drawings in its application to a right shoe. It is not the intention, however, to limit the same to any form or style of boots or shoes as the invention is applicable to footwear generally.

Referring to the drawings by characters of reference, 10 indicates an arch support which is so constructed and arranged on the insole ll of the shoe 12 as to provide a resilient and corrective support for each of the arches of the foot. The support 10 includes a spring metal plate 13 which constitutes the direct support for the arches of the foot. This plate overlies the heel and instep portions of the insole l1 and extends forwardly over the forward sole portion which underlies the ball of the foot. Forwardly of its heel portion, the plate 13 is arched longitudinally and is provided with means for supporting and adjusting the height of the arched portions thereof substantially centrally under each of the arches of the foot.

Two of these supporting and adjusting means indicated generally by the reference characters 14 and 15 are arranged under the side edge portions respectively of the plate 13 on a line extending substantially transversely of the instep portion and substantially centrally under the inner and outer longitudinal arches of the foot respectively.

A third supporting and adjusting means 16 is arranged substantially centrally of the forward end portion 1'7 of the plate 13 so that it is disposed substantially centrally under the metatarsal arch of the foot.

The supporting and adjusting means 14 and 15 fixedly connects the plate 13 with the sole of the shoe in such a manner as to prevent lateral and longitudinal displacement thereof but permitting of independent adjustments in elevation of each of the side edge portions of the plate. The forward portion 17 is freely supported upon the supporting and adjusting means 16 by virtue of which it is free to flex and bend with the movement of the shoe sole. This portion of the plate 13 has its edge 18 curved to define a substantially semi-circular arc and is provided with alternate long and short inwardly extending slots 19 which divide the same into a series of flexible segments 20.

The supporting and adjusting means 14 and 15 each comprises an interiorly threaded tubular member 21 having a flanged upper end 22 which is riveted as at 23 or otherwise secured to the plate 13, the tubular portion 24 thereof being of a size to slide within a guide sleeve 25. The guide sleeve 25 is disposed in an opening 26 extending through the inner and outer soles of the shoe and has its upper end portion recessed and arranged in an opening 2'7 in a spring leaf assemblage 28 with its extreme end crimped or flanged over upon the upper face of the assemblage thus connecting the sleeve thereto. A screw 29 having a flanged head 30 is arranged against the lower end of the guide sleeve 25 with its threaded shank 31 engaging the threaded opening in the tubular portion 24. This screw is held in position against the guide sleeve by means of a face plate 32 countersunk in a recess in the outer face of the shoe sole and having a central opening 33 therein through which the head of the screw protrudes to permit of turning of the same by any suitable instrument for effecting the independent adjustments of the height of the arch plate 13 at its point of connection with the tubular member 21. When the said plate is adjusted to the elevation desired a locking screw 35 arranged in an opening 36 in the said face plate is adapted to engage either one of the threaded openings 37 in the flange 30 of the screw 29 by virtue of which the screw 29 is locked against further turning movement thus holding the plate 13 in fixed elevation.

The face plate 32 is riveted to the shoe sole by rivets 34 which extend. therethrough and also secure the spring leaf assemblage 28 to the inner sole 11. The rivets 34 also draw the plate 32 tightly against the flange 30 of the screw 29 for providing a water tight connection.

As shown in the drawings the spring leaf assemblage 28 under the inner longitudinal arch consists of three leaves while the assemblage under the outer longitudinal arch consists of two leaves only. It is to be understood. however. that these leaves may be of any desired number to suit the particular requirement. The leaves of these assemblages may taper in thickness from their points of attachment with the guide sleeve 25 to their outer ends, each of the upper leaves thereof being relatively shorter than its adjacent bottom leaf to provide a stepped construction at each end.

Due to the fact that the rear terminal of the spring'leaf assemblage 28 freely contacts with the insole at a point over the forepart of the heel and the forward terminal of the said leaf assemblage freely contacts with the insole at a point where the sole engages with the ground, the resiliency of the sole structure of the shoe is augmented between these points by the said assemblage which indirectly receives the weight of the wearer thrust upon the arched plate 13 in the region of the instep through the medium of the tubular member 21 directly connected to the said arched plate, the screw 29 transmitting such weight to the face plate 32 which in turn pulls the rivets 34 downwardly against the spring leaf structure.

The leaf spring assemblages 23 thus disposed, one on each side portion of the instep of the shoe, receive the weight of the wearer thrust upon the arched portion of the plate 13 in the region of the instep and distribute such weight over a substantial area of the instep portion of the shoe. The rear terminal portion of each assemblage over the heel of the shoe is widened or flared laterally and is bifurcated to provide a pair of rearwardly divergent flexible end furcations, by virtue of which the rear terminal portion of the assemblage will flex or bend freely with the movement of the shoe sole.

The supporting and adjusting means 16 provides a construction by virtue of which the forward portion of the plate 13 may be elevated to the height desired above the insole as hereinbefore described. This means includes an ovate shaped spring metal plate 40 upon which is disposed a pad 41 composed of rubber, felt or similar soft material and having a convex upper surface which pad forms a cushion for the portion of the plate 13 under the metatarsal arch of the foot. The plate 40 and pad 41 are enclosed by two leather or other flexible coverings 42 and 43 glued or otherwise secured together at their edges to form a sheath which extends beyond the periphery of the plate 40. .Extending inwardly from the front and side edges of the plate 40 are slots 44 of varying lengths which divide the plate into a series of peripheral segments which lend a high degree of flexibility to the marginal edge of the plate. Underlying the leather covering 43 and connected to the plate 40 by rivets 45 is a plate 46 which is provided with longitudinally disposed parallel rows of equally spaced threaded openings 4"]. This plate is selectively connected to the flanged end of an interiorly threaded tubular member 48, the flange of which is provided with similarly disposed rows of openings 49, the plate 46 being shiftable laterally to either side or longitudinally upon the said flange to selectively align the openings 4'? and 49 after which screws 50 are employed to engage with and secure the plate and tubular member in selected relation. The outer surface of the tubular portion of the member 48 and the bore of the sleeve 51 are formed with slidably engageable longitudinally extending ribs and grooves 52 and 53. This permits of the telescopic engagement of the tubular portion of the member 48 with the bore of the sleeve 51 so that the member 48 may be disposed in the sleeve 51 with the plate 40 at any desired angle with respect to the longitudinal medial line of the shoe. The flanged head 54 of the screw 55 similar to the screw 28 is disposed against the lower end of the sleeve 51 with its threaded shank 56 engaging the threaded opening in the tubular member 48. This screw is held in position for swivel turning movement against the lower end of the said sleeve by a face plate 57 similar to the face plate 32. The plate 57 is countersunk in a recess in the outer shoe sole and secured by rivets 58 which also secure the flange 59 of the sleeve 51 in a countersunk recess in the inner sole. The head of the screw projects through an opening 59 in the plate 57 to permit of turning of the same by a proper tool for effecting a raising or lowering of the plate 40 and pad 4:1 with a consequent raising or lowering of the forward ends of the plate 13. When the said 1 plate is adjusted to the elevation desired a looking screw secures the screw 55 against further turning movement, thus securing the forwar end of the plate 13 in fixed elevation.

T e rivets 58 secure the sleeve 51 in a position in the opening 39 in the shoe sole and retain the face plate 57 in position against the head of the screw 55 providing a water tight connection and preventing the entrance of moisture into the shoe sole through the opening 39.

The plate 13 is preferably arched to conform to the arch of the foot in the region of the instep and has its side edges and heel portion shaped to the contour of the last of the shoe.

From the foregoing it is apparent that there is provided an arch supporting plate substantially co-extensive with the heel and instep portions of the shoe and which contacts with the insole portion over the heel of the shoe and at its forwardend and between these portions is arched longitudinally and is provided with means for selectively elevating the portions thereof under the several arches of the foot.

ihe arch supporting and adjusting means 16 may constitute an independent support for the metatarsal arch, it being understood that the plate 40 may be selectively positioned with any one of the ribs 52 on the tubular member 48 in engagement with any one of the grooves 53 in the sleeve 51.

What is claimed is:

1-. The combination with a shoe, of a longitudinally arched plate, a spring leaf assemblage arranged upon a side edge portion of the insole of the shoe with its rear portion flared laterally and bifurcate to provide a pair of rearwardly divergent flexible end furcations, means connected to the arched plate and to the said as- Semblage supporting the arch of the plate in spaced relation upon the assemblage, said assemblage receiving the weight of the wearer thrust upon a side portion of the said plate in the region of the instep and distributing the same over a substantial area of the instep of the shoe and said flexible end furcations providing means by virtue of which the rear end portion of the vWardly divergent flexible end furcations means connecting the plate to the spring leaf assemblage, said assemblage receiving a portion of the weight of the wearer thrust upon the said plate in the region of the instep and distributing the same over i a.- substantial area of the shoe sole and said flexible end furcations providing means by virtue of which the rear end portion of the assemblage will flex or bend with the movement of the shoe sole.

3. The combination with a shoe, of an arch support including an arched plate, said plate overlying the heel of the shoe and extending forwardly over the instep portion thereof, a plurality of spring leaf assemblages arranged in superimposed position on the insole of the shoe, said assemblages each having its rear portion flared laterally and bifurcated to provide a pair of rearwardly divergent flexible end furcations, and means connected to the arched plate and to the'said assemblages supporting the arch of the plate in spaced relation above the assemblages, said assemblages receiving the weight of the wearer thrust upon the said arch plate in the region of the instep and distributing the same over a substantial area of the instep of the shoe.

4. In an arch support in combination with a shoe, a plate, a sleeve secured in an opening in the shoe sole, a tubular member connected with said plate, the cylindrical outer surface of said member and the bore of the sleeve being provided with engageable longitudinally'extending ribs and grooves permitting of selective telescopic engagement of the said member and said sleeve with the said plate arranged at any desired angle with respect to the longitudinal medial line of the shoe.

5. In an arch support in combination with a shoe, an arched plate, a support under the forward end of said plate, said support including an ovate shaped plate, a pad arranged upon said plate and having a longitudinal and transverse convex upper surface, a sleeve secured in an opening in the shoe sole, and a tubular member connected with the said ovate shaped plate, the cylindrical outer surface of said member and the bore of the sleeve being provided with engageable longitudinally extending ribs and grooves permitting of selective telescopic engagement of said member and said sleeve with the said ovate shaped plate and pad arranged under the said arched plate at any desired angle with respect to the longitudinal medial line of the shoe.

6. In an arch support in combination with a shoe, an arched plate, a support under the forward end of said plate, said support including a flexible spring metal plate, a pad arranged upon said last mentioned plate, said pad having a longitudinal and transverse convex upper surface. a sleeve secured in an opening in the shoe sole, and a tubular member connected with the said flexible spring metal plate, the cylindrical outer surface of said member and the bore of the sleeve being provided with engageable longitudinally extending ribs and grooves permitting of selective telescopic engagement of the said memher and said sleeve with the said flexible spring metal plate and pad arranged under the said arched plate at any desired angle with respect to the longitudinal medial line of the shoe.

7. In an arch support in combination with a shoe, an arched plate, a support under the forward end of the said arched plate, said support including a flexible metal plate, a sleeve secured in an opening in the shoe sole, a plate secured to the under side of said flexible plate and having longitudinally extending rows of equally spaced threaded openings, and a tubular member having a flanged upper end provided with correspondingly arranged openings, said last mentioned plate being shiftable laterally and longitudinally upon the said flanged end to selectively align the openings therein, screws arranged in said openings securing said plate and said tubular member in adjusted assembled relation, the cylindrical outer surface of the said tubular member and the bore of said sleeve being provided with engageable longitudinally extending ribs and grooves permitting of selective telescopic engagement of said tubular member and said sleeve with the said flexible metal plate disposed under said arched plate at any desired angle with respect to the longitudinal medial line of the shoe.

8. In an arch support in combination with a shoe, a flexible metal plate, a sleeve secured in an opening in the shoe sole, a plate connected with the said flexible plate, a tubular member arranged in said sleeve and having a flanged upper end, said last mentioned plate and the flange of said tubular member being provided with corresponding longitudinally extending rows of equally spaced openings, said last mentioned plate being shiftable laterally and longitudinally upon said flanged end with the openings therein selectively aligning for adjusting the said flexible metal plate laterally and longitudinally under the arch of the wearer, and means arranged in said openings in the said plate and flange for securing the said plates and tubular member in adjusted assembled relation.

9. In an arch support in combination with a shoe, a plate, a sleeve secured in an openingin the shoe sole, and a tubular member connected with said plate, the cylindrical outer surface of said member and the bore of the sleeve being provided with engageable longitudinally extending ribs and grooves permitting of selective telescopic engagement of said member and said sleeve with any one of the ribs on the tubular member in engagement with any one of the grooves in the sleeve whereby the said plate may be arranged under an arch of the wearer in various fixed adjusted positions.

10. In an arch support in combination with a shoe, a plate, a pad disposed upon said plate having a longitudinal and transverse convex upper surface, a sleeve secured in an opening in the shoe sole, and a tubular member connected with said plate, the entire cylindrical outer surface of said member and the entire bore of the sleeve bei'ng provided with engageable longitudinally extending ribs and grooves permitting of selective tele scopic engagement of the said member and said sleeve with any one of the ribs on the tubular member in engagement with any one of the grooves in the sleeve whereby the said plate and pad may be selectively disposed in circumferential adjusted fixed position with respect to the sleeve and sole of the shoe.

JOSEPH C. HOWELL.

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