US2044751A

US2044751A - Adjustable arch

Info

Publication number: US2044751A
Application number: US3353A
Authority: US
Inventors: James A Fikany
Original assignee: Individual
Current assignee: Individual
Priority date: 1935-01-24
Filing date: 1935-01-24
Publication date: 1936-06-16
Anticipated expiration: 1953-06-16

Description

June 1e, 1936. 1A. HKANQ 2,044,751

ADJUSTABLE ARCH Filed Jan. 24, 1935 IN VEN TOR.

EJ- E 415/ @M40/MM,

' 5 yrm ATTORNEYS.

Patented June 16, 1936 UNITv STATES g giunti .AT-NT 19 Claims.

This invention is an adjustable arch support for the foot. One of the important features of the invention is that the arch support supports not only the longitudinal arch or instep of the foot but also supports the metatarsal arch, that is, the arch under the ball of the foot.

Another important feature of the invention is that the arch support is longitudinally adjustable; coupled with the longitudinal adjustment feature, the arch support is variable in height. More specifically, and in the preferred embodiment of the invention, the arch support has a normal or intermediate position and in that position, forms an arch of average height. Then when the arch support is made either longer or shorter it forms an arch support in either position which is a little higher than the arch formed in the normal or intermediate position. In other words, the arch support of this invention provides a support which is of average height and length but which can be contracted to make a shorter and higher arch or can be expanded to make a longer and higher arch, depending upon the particular attributes and foot conditions of the person who is using the arch support.

In the preferred embodiment of the invention the arch support comprises a channeled member and a tongue member which are slidable longitudinally with respect to each other. Suitable means are provided for holding or'securing these two members in any desired adjusted position, depending on the length desired for the arch.

One of the particularly important features of the invention is that one of the above mentioned longitudinal members, such as the tongue member, terminates in a widened bearing member which is curved on top and may be said to be ovular in shape which bearing member ts under the metatarsal arch and supports it.

Another important feature of the invention is that it can be readily built into the shoe when the shoe is made and yet is accessible to the wearer of the shoe at any time for adjusting both the length and height of the arch support. To this end, the inner sole of the shoe may be provided with a ap which may be lifted up and access thus given to the adjusting and locking means for varying the length and height of the arch support. The arch support of this invention is applicable to all types of shoes, for men, women and children. It is preferably made of metal of a character to furnish the necessary strength.

The main features of the invention having been thus outlined reference will now be made to the accompanying drawing illustrating the sev ways of carrying out the invention.

Referring now tothis drawing:

Fig. 1 is a side view of the arch support in itsl normal or intermediatel position;

Fig. 2 is a plan view of the same;

Fig. 3 is a side view similar to Fig. 1 with the arch support in a contracted position;

Fig. 4 is a similar side view with the arch support in an extended position;

Fig. 5 is a cross sectional view 'through a rshoe showing the arch support in place therein;

Fig. 6 is a cross section on an enlarged scale on the line i-t of Fig. 2;

Fig. 7 is a fragmentary detailed view of a A15 modified form of securing means;

Fig. 8 is a sectional view on the line 3--8 of Fig. 7;

Figs. 9 and 10 are plan and longitudinal sectional views of a modification, Fig. 10 being taken on the line iii- HJ of Fig. 9.

Referring now to the drawing in which similar reference characters indicate similar parts, the arch support comprises an arched channeled member 2 having a bottom wall 3, side walls 4 and a plurality of cross pieces t.. The inner or right vhand end of the channeled member is open and the forward edges of the walls d terminate in upwardly inclined cam surfaces da for a purpose that will appear. The channeled member terminates at its outer or left hand end in a nattened portion t.

The othermember of the arch support, which may conveniently be termed a tongue member it, is also suitably arched or curved and is adapted to slide longitudinally within the channeled member 2 in between the bottom wall 3 and the cross pieces 5. The curvature or arch of the tongue it is such as to form with the channeled member 2 an arch support of average height A, 4,0 Fig. 1, and of average length.

. The member Il) is provided at its outer end with a widened, ovular bearing member i2,` rounded on top. Member i2 is provided with inclined cam shoulders or surfaces It for engage- 45 ment by and with the cam surfaces fila on the channeled member.

As mentioned, Fig. 1 shows the arch support in normal position with the arch support of height A. In order to form a shorter and higher so arch support the channeled and tongue members are moved toward each other a fraction of an inch, which will cause the cam surfaces ea to slide up the inclined shoulders I4, to form a higher and shorter arch support as shown in t5 Fig. 3, having a height B which is a little higher than heightA.

In order to form a longer and higher arch support than in Fig. 1, the channeled and tongue members aremoved to the extended position shown in Fig. 4 and the curvature of the tongue I0 is such when the two members are moved to this extended position, there is formed an arch of the height C, which is greater than the height A.

The arch support is therefore capable of .assuming extended or contracted positions, which are respectively longer and shorter than the normal average position; the height of the arch in the extended or contracted position is a little greater than the height in the normal or intermediate position.

One of the important features of the invention is the ovular thickened portion I2, which is adapted to fit under the ball of the foot and to support the metatarsal arch. The arch support being capable of assuming at least three different longitudinal positions, it will be apparent that by' suitable adjustment the member I2 can be placed in just the right position for proper support of the metatarsal arch. Member I2 is rounded or concave on top, so as to fit comfortably under the ball of the foot, and to support the metatarsal arch at just the right place. This member I2 is of substantial thickness vertically so that it will iit under and give a denite support to. the metatarsal arch.

Suitable means are provided f`or locking or securing the two arch forming members in various adjusted longitudinal positions. While three different longitudinal positions have been described above, it will be apparent that any suitable number of different longitudinal positions can be provided for by the longitudinal adjustments which will nowl be described. By virtue of the longitudinal adjustment with consequent change of the height of the arch, the arch support of this invention can be used for all types of feet.

The longitudinal adjustment and locking of the Y two arch forming members can be effected in various ways. One way is shown in Figs. 2 and 8, where the inner or left hand end of the tongue member I0 is provided on its under surface with transverse corrugations or serrations I6 which are adapted to engage and interlock with similar transverse cooperating serrations or corrugations I6 on the top side of the bottom wall 3. A set screw I8 is threaded into the bottom wall 3 and passes through Aa longitudinal slot I9 in the tongue I0. 'I'he set screw I8 is provided with a head 20 which bears down on the top of member I0. The head 20 may be provided with a usual slot 2| and also with a pivoted wire or bail member 22 which may be lifted to the -vertical position for turning the set screw and then laid back horizontally when not in use. It will be apparent that when the set screw I 8 is loosened the serrations I6 and I 6 can be disengaged and the member I il may be moved longitudinally with respect to the channeled member to al, suitable adjusted position. Then the set screw'iis tightcned up causing the serrations to lock and therefore to hold the members in the adjusted position.

Another type of longitudinal adjustment is shown in Figs. 7 and 8, where the left hand end Ib of the member I 0a is provided with a plurality of holes 24, while the bottom wall 3a of the channeled member 2a may be provided with one or more holes 25. Channeled member 2a is provided with side walls 4b and an end portion foot, with the ovular bearing member I2 in position for supporting the metatarsal arch. The arch support is under the inner'sole 32 and the inner sole is cut through as shown in the dotted lines 34, Fig. 2, for example, for forming a flap, l5'

closure or cover 34a which can be lifted up and giving access to the longitudinal adjusting device.

That is to say, theuser can at any time lift up the ap, vary the length and also the height of the arch by moving the two members 2 and I0 longitudinally and locking them in their new position, as described.

Figs. 9 and 10 show a modification in which similar primed reference characters indicate corresponding parts. This form of invention diiers 25 from the others in that the bottom of the channeled member is struck inwardly to provide openings 35 through which the member I0' passes and to provide a bridge member 36 extending transversely across between the walls I' and against 30 which the upper surface of the member I0 bears. Integral with the bridge member 36 is a pair of spring elements 38, formed from the metal struck from the bottom Wall, which springs are adapted to bear against the upper surface of the tongue member I 0 for providing a frictional contact so that the two members will not slide too easily. 'I'he two members may be locked in adjusted longitudinal position by any suitable means, for example, as shown in Figs. 6, 7 or 8.

While the invention has been described in some detail, it should be understood that the invention is not limited to the precise details here shown but may be carried out in other ways as falling within the scope o1 the claims.

I claim as my invention: y

1. In combination with a shoe, an adjustable arch support built into the shoe, said support comprising in combination an arched channeled member, an arched tongue member longitudinally slidable within said channeled member, said members normally forming an arch of average-height, said members being cooperatively curved so that when they are moved away from each other to make a longer arch they also form an arch higher than said arch of average height, and means for holding said members in diierent adjusted longitudinal positions, the insole of the shoe being provided with closure means for permitting access to and manual operation of said holding means.

2. An adjustable arch support for the foot, comprising in combination two arched and telescopically slidable members, said members being provided with means for increasing the height of the arch when said members are moved toward each other longitudinally, and means for holding the two said members in one of several adjusted longitudinal positions.

3. An adjustable arch support for the foot, comprising in combination two arch-forming members slidable longitudinally with respect to each other, said members being provided with cooperating elements for varying the height of the arch as the two members are moved longitudinally.

4. An adjustable arch support for the toot.

comprising in combination two arch-forming members slidable longitudinally with respect to each other, said membersbeing provided with cooperating elements'ior varying the height of the arch as `the two members are moved longitudinally, and means for holding the two said members in a desired adjusted longitudinal position.

5. An adjustable arch support for the foot, coinprising :in combination two arch-forming mem.- bers slidable longitudinally with respect to each other, and forming when in an intermediate position, anlarch support of average height, and cooperating means carried by the two said members for forming an arch of a diierentheight from the saidaverage height arch, when'the two archforming members are moved longitudinally in either direction.

6. An adjustable arch support for the foot, comprising in combination two arch-fo o lf. members slidable longitudinally with respect o each other, and forming, when in an intermediate position, an arch support of average height, and cooperating means carried by the two said members for forming an arch of a dierent height from the said average height arch, when the two archforming members are moved longitudinally in either direction, and means for holding the two arch-forming members in a plurality of positions.

1. An adjustable arch support for the foot, comprising in combination two arch-forming members slidable longitudinally with respect to each other, and forming when in an intermediate position, an archsupport oi average height and cooperating cam means, carried by said arch-forming members, for raising said members when said members aramoved closer together to iorm an arch higher than the arch formed in the intermediate position. v

8. ln combination with a shoe, an adiustable arch support built into the shoe, said support comprising in combination an arched channeled member, an arched tongue member longitudinally slidable in the channeled member, means for holding said two members in a plurality of @liderent longitudinal positions, said arched members being curved so that they form arch supports ci diiierent heights when in ditierent longitudinal positions, the shoe ybeing provided with cover means for permitting access to and manual operation of said holding means.

9. in adjustable arch support for the loot, comprising in combination an arched channeled member, an arched tongue member longitudinally slidable in the channeled member, and cooperating cam means carried by said members ior causing said arched members to form arch supports oi diherent heights, depending upon the relative longitudinal position of the two said arched members.

10. an adjustable arch support for the loot, comprising in combination an arched channeled membenan arched tongue member lotudinally slidable in the channeled member, cocperat cam means carried by said members for camine said arched member to form arch supports oi diderent heights, depending upon the relative longitudinal position ol the two `said arched members, and means for securing the two said members in the desired adjusted position.

1l. In combination with a. shoe, an adjustable arch support built into the shoe, said support comprising in combination an arched channeled member, an arched .tongue member lotudinally slidable in the channeled member, said two members forming an arch for supporting the longitudinal arch or instep of the foot, said two arched members normally forming, in an intermediate position, an arch of 4average height for supporting the longitudinal arch or instep of the foot; said arched members being cooperatively curved so that' when they are moved apart longitudinally they form an arch higher than the said intermediate arch of average height, the insole oi. the shoe being provided with closure means for permitting access to and manual movement of one of said arched members.

l2. An adjustable arch support for the foot,

comprising in combination an archedchanneled member, an arched tongue member longitudinally slidable in the channeled member, said two members forming an arch for supporting the longitudinal arch or instep oi the foot, said two arched members normally forming, an arch of average height for supporting the longitudinal arch or instep of the foot; cooperating means carried by said arched members and operable when the two arched members are moved toward one another, to form an arch higher than the said arch oi average height, and shorter than said arch of average height, and means for holding said arched members in a plurality of adjusted longitudinal positions.

i3. An adjustable arch support for the foot, comprising in combination an arched channeled member and an arched tongue member longitudinally slidable in the channeled member, said two members being provided with cooperating elements for forming arches of diderent heights when in different longitudinal positions for supporting the longitudinal arch or instep of the foot; the outer end oi one ci said members terminating in a widened ovular bearing which is oi substantial thickness vertically and is placed under and supports the metatarsal arch.

ldhn adjustable arch support i'or the toot, comprising in combination an arched channeled member, an arched tongue member longitudif.

nelly slidable in the channeled member, said two members being provided with cooperating elements for forming arches oi diherent heights when in different longitudinal positions for supporting the longitudinal arch or 'instep ot the loot; the outer end oi one of said members terminating in a widened ovuler bearing which is oi' substantial thickness vertically and is placed under and supports the metatarsal arch, and means tor securing said two arched members in a desired 'adjusted position.

lli. in combination with ar shoe, an adjustable arch support built into the shoe, said support comprising in combination an arched channeled member and an arched tongue member longitually slidable in the channeled member, said two members forming an arch for supporting the longitudinal arch or instep ci the ioot, said two arched members normally forming, in an intermediate position, an arch oi average height for supporting the longitudinal arch or instep ot the loot; said arched members being cooper atively .curved so that when they are moved apart longitudinally they form an arch higher than the said arch of average height, and longer than said intermediate arch of average height, the outer end ofthe tongue member terminating in a widened ovular bearing which is placed unthe insole oi theshoe provided with closure means for permitting 'access to and manual adjustment of the height of the arch.

16. In combination with a shoe, an adjustable arch support built into the shoe and comprising longitudinally adjustable arch forming and arch supporting members for forming an arch support variable in length, said arch forming and arch supporting members being provided with cooperating elements for causing the height of the arch to vary in accord with the relative longitudinal placement of the arch forming members.

17. In combination with a shoe, an adjustable arch support built into the shoe and comprising longitudinally adjustable arch forming and arch supporting members for forming an arch support variable in length, said arch forming and arch supporting members being-provided with cooperating elements for causing the height of the arch to vary in accord with the relative longitudinal placement of the arch forming members, the insole of the shoe being provided with a means for giving access to the arch support for adjusting it.

18. In combination with a shoe, an adjustable arch support built into the shoe and comprising longitudinally adjustable arch ri'orming and arch supporting members for forming an arch support variable in length, said arch forming and arch supporting members being provided with cooperating elements for causing the height of the arch to vary in accord with the relative longitudinal placement of the arch forming members, one of said arch forming and arch supporting members terminating, at its forward and outer end, in a widened ovular bearing adapted to be placed under and to support the metatarsal arch of the foot.

19. In combination with a shoe, an adjustable arch support built into the shoe and comprising relatively slidable '.arch-forming members for forming arches of different heights, one of said members being provided with a widened ovular bearing of substantial thickness vertically which rests under and supports the metatarsal arch of the foot, said members being provided with cooperating adjusting means for holding them in diierent adjusted longitudinal positions, the insole of the shoe being provided with flap means to permit access to said adjusting means.

JAMES A. FIKANY.