US1981998A

US1981998A - Arch support

Info

Publication number: US1981998A
Application number: US618527A
Authority: US
Inventors: Frei Elisabeth
Original assignee: Individual
Current assignee: Individual
Priority date: 1932-06-21
Filing date: 1932-06-21
Publication date: 1934-11-27
Anticipated expiration: 1951-11-27

Description

NOV. 27, 1934. E, E 1,981,998

ARCH SUPPORT Filed June 21, 1932 2 Sheets-Sheet l E. FREI ARCH SUPPORT Nov. 27, 1934.

Filed June 21, 1932 2 Sheets-Sheet 2 IIIIIIIIIIII,/,,

Patented Nov. 27, 1934 resists UNITED STATES PAT'ENT OFFICE ARCH SUPPORT Elisabeth Frei, Zurich, Switzerland Application June 21, 1932, Serial No. 618,527

1 Claim.

My invention has for its object to provide an arch support for insertion in a shoe, the support having pockets with openings, through which pads, inserts or fillers may be inserted to correct 5 the position of the foot and thereby relieve the foot from abnormal strains and assist in remedying ailments.

The main object of the invention is to provide an arch support adapted to be accommodated to a heel defect of the person.

Another object of my invention is to provide means to allow the heel support and a rigid support to be adjusted each independently of the other, the part uniting said two supports being flexible to allow a twisting of one part relative to the other.

Other objects and practical advantages of the invention will be fully understood from the fol- I lowing description and claim, when the same are read in connection with the accompanying drawings forming part of this specification in which Fig. 1 is a plan of a support. Fig. 2 is a side elevation thereof.

Fig. 3 is a detail plan of a pad for use in adjusting the heel.

Fig. 4 is a plan of a modified form of my improved arch support.

Fig. 5 is a side elevation of the same.

Fig. 6 is an inverted plan of another modified form of the same.

Fig. 7 is a vertical longitudinal sectional view of the same.

Fig. 8 is a transverse sectional view of the heel portion of the same.

Fig. 9 is an inverted plan of another modified form of my improved arch support.

Fig. 10 is a vertical longitudinal sectional view 40 of the same.

Fig. 11 is a transverse sectional view of the same.

Fig. 12 is an inverted plan of another modified form of my improved arch support.

Fig. 13 is a similar View of another modified form of my improved arch support.

By referring to the drawings Figs. 1 to 3 it will be seen that there is an upper sole 1 of leather, which extends under the foot at the heel and the 50 instep, the upper sole extending if desired forwardly to the toes of the foot. To the sole 1 a lower sole 2 of soft leather is connected by stitching 3 and 4. Two pockets 5 and 6 are formed by said soles. In the pocket 6 an insert '7 of stiff 55.n1aterial for instance metal is inserted, adapted first example of the arch of the foot. The insert, '7 has end which projects into the pocket 5 below a pad 9 adapted to support'the metatarsals. The lateral contraction of the toe end of the insert 7 forming the head permits flex 69:1 ing of said insert '7, when walking. The heel portion consists of the hind ends of the soles 1 and 2, the latter are flexible and allow the adjustment of the heel portion without interfering with the instep or arch portion. Between the heel portions of the soles 1 and 2 a pad 12 '(or two as shown in broken lines in Fig.13) may be inserted to support parts of the heel. I Itwill be'understood that the pads and inserts may be made of any desired shape and any desired number may be used. 3

to support the arch a head 8 at its toe The position of the pads in the pockets may be change'das the case may require, but if the pads 12 are readjusted the position of the insert 7 will not be interfered with and vice-versa.

The device shown in Figs. 4 and 5 is very similar to that described in Fig. 1. It shows an arch support comprising an upper sole 15 and a lower sole 16. Both parts are united by stitchings 1'7. Both

parts

15 and 16 have lugs 15', 16, projecting upwardly, by which the arch support may be handled. Between the

parts

15, 16 pockets 21, 22 are formed by

intermediate walls

23, 24. In said walls the supporting pads 21, 22 23 may be inserted. At the toe end the pad to support the metatarsals may be inserted by means of a slot 851 in the well known manner. The heel end of the arch support extends below the heel of the wearer and this part forms a pocket 18, into which the heel supporting pads of suitable material may be inserted.

The metallic insert 19 projects up to said pocket 18. By inserting the pads in said pocket 18, the position of the metallic insert 19 and of all other adjustable pads is not interfered with. The heel portion being of flexible material adjusts itselfindependently of any adjustment of the insert 19.

The device shown in Figs. 6 and '7 and 8 comprises an upper sole 26 of leather and a metallic plate 25, the two parts being shaped to sustain the arch of the foot. The two parts are united by rivets 2'7. The upper sole 26 projects beyond the metallic plate 25 up to the heel. At the toe end a piece of soft leather 29 is fixed, which is attached to the upper sole and which forms a pocket with said upper sole to receive the pad 29 of the metatarsals. To support the heel an insert 30 is arranged, which being of flexible material does not stiffen the heel portion. The latter may retain its position, if the metallic plate is reshaped, or if inserts or 25,26 are inserted.

Another device is shown in Figs. 9 to 11. To

fillers between thev parts an upper sole 32 of leather a lower sole 38 of soft material is united by stitchings 36 as shown in Fig. 9. The

parts

32, 38 form a pocket to receive a metallic insert 34, which is shaped to conform to the arch of the foot. To said metallic plate 34 a flap 35 is attached by rivets 33. The flap, up to the heel consists of pliable, flexible material, for instance of India rubber. Between said flap 35 and the heel portion of the sole 32, inserts or the like may be placed. The toe end of the metallic plate 34 restsontheprotectingstrip 39 of vulcanized fibre. The pad 37 is provided to support the metatarsals. The heel support may be shaped in any convenient manner.

In Fig. 1 2 a further, modified construction is shown. To the metallic arch support a heel portion is aflixed by means of rivets 41. The

part 42 is of .fiexible material, for instance of India rubber, leather or vulcanized fibre, and supporting pieces may be aflixed thereto by any means, preferably by adhesives. 1 A front portion of the metallic arch support is covered by the cap 43, consisting of two parts of leather united by stitchings, and forms with said plate 40 the pocket to receive pads, the pad 45 which may .be inserted and adjusted by the slot 46. To attach the cap to the plate 40 a lug 44 is provided at one wall of the cap 43 After the insertion of the plate 40 in said pocket, the lug 44 is foldedover and afiixed to the other wallof the pocket.

In Fig. 13 a further simplified construction is shown in plan view. The metallic plate 48 is afllxed by rivets 49 tothe sole 50 of leather or thelike .The sole 50 projects below the heel of the wearer. Between the sole 50 and the metallic plate 48. supporting

pads

51, 52, 53 may be inserted.

In all constructions shown the edges of the, metallic plate are rounded and slightly bent on at the toe end, to prevent any damage and wear of the inner sole of the boot.

In all constructions shownit is taken, that the metallic plate does not project beyond the heel and in all constructions the projections below the heel may consist of India rubber and be shaped to give the heel a good elastic bearing. The metallic plate itself may be shaped in any convenient manner to suit the foot. The support itself does not interfere with the normal walking.

I have specifically described the preferred embodiment of the invention in order to impart an exact understanding of said embodiment. I do not desire, however, to be understood as confining myself to the construction disclosed inasmuch as the scope of my invention is defined by my appended claim within which changes or modifications may be made without departure from my invention. 7 I

Having described my invention, what I claim and desire to secure by Letters Patent is:

In an arch support, a body member for disposal under the arch of the foot, and comprising an upper sole of leathena lower sole of soft ma terial, united at opposite sides by stitchings to said upper sole, so that a pocket is formed between them, a metallic insert in said pocket, adapted to supportthe arch of the foot, and a flexible heel portion united to said metallic insert and extending rearwardly therefrom and un der the heel portion of the upper sole.

ELISABETH FREI.