US2059470A - Footwear - Google Patents

Description

Nov. s, me. N, D, MATTQN j 059,471

l A FOOTWEAR Filed March 1e, 1935 s Vsheets-Smm 1 ,gf Z,

NOV. 3, 1936. N Q MATTISQN 2,059,470

' FOOTWEAR Filed March 1e, 1935 s Sheets-sheet s Patented Nov. 3, 1936 UNITED, STATES PATENT oFFicE 4 Claims.

This invention pertains to footwear and more particularly to boots, shoes or the like. Almost countless attempts have been made toA devise boots or shoes of special shape or contour or including pads, shank pieces, heels, insoles or other parts, either incorporated in the shoe structure during manufacture insertable in the com pleted shoe by the user, a l with the avowed object of correcting various degrees of `chronic foot strain resulting or becoming manifest in socalled fallen arches, bunions, or other foot troubles, but few attempts, so far as I am aware, have heretofore been made to devise a boot or shoe designed to inculcate such proper habitsof walking as to prevent such foot ailments or to correct them at their inception.

Modern4 methods of shoe manufacture and selling dictate certain quite definite style patterns which most wearers insist upon, even to the detriment of foot comfort or hygiene, and if any proposed preventive or corrective means vor device necessitate a substantial departure from the established and customary external shape or general appearance of a shoe, an immediate sales resistance is encountered which prevents the manufacture and sale of such "freak shoes on a commercial basis, even though a comparatively small number of so-called "health" shoes are custom made for purchasers to whom looks are not of paramount importance. To be commercially successful, any preventive or corrective factor must bje of such character as not to necessitate substantial modification of the exterior appearance of the shoe. One object of the present invention foot ailments have been based upon the premise a static supporting structure is readily compre- (Cl. Sii-8.5)

hensible from the standpoint of its anatomy, as well as from consideration of the theory of its biological development, and from common experience.

If an articulated skeleton of the human foot 5 be employed for experiment it will be noted that direct downward pressure exerted upon, the astragalus,-such as occurs 'when the foot is subjected to the weight of the body, is substantially all transmitted to the os calcis or heel bone. l If this latter bone `is in balanced position in relation to the ground or to the shoe heel, then the weight of the body issubstantially all transmitted forward through the cuboid, and little, if any, pressure is exerted by the scaphoid upon i the inner or internal cuneiform bone. It is thus clear that the foot structure is not designed to act as a tripod or as a combination of static arches having one point of support at the os calcls and having its other points of support at the distal ends of the inner and outer matatarsal bones, respectively, but that, on the other hand, when standing erect, the weight is concentrated along a`narrow area extending from the heel along the outer side of the foot-that small 2 part of the weight which is transmitted to the inner aspect of the forward part of the foot being distributed thereto through reactions at the scaphoid,the reactive forces thus brought into play, being known as the scaphoid stream.

Unquestionably the ability, and possibly the desire, to rear up into standing position, for any length of time at least, is a comparatively recent development, even in the human race, and by analogy to the mode of procedure of the anthropoid apes when on the ground, it may be assumed that at a comparatively recent date in biological development the ancestors of the human race moved upon all fours, and, at best, erected themselves on the hind legs only at intervals and for short periods of time,-the body being so bent forward when supported on the hind legs as to support the weight almost entirely upon the forward ends of the metatarsal bones. Even now, the erect, military posture while standing still, 45 or even when walking slowly, is relatively far more fatiguing to the feet than when leaning forward, as in rapid Walking or running. It may further be noted that when the body is held perfectly erect, substantially the entire weight is carried by the heel alone, it being easily possible under such circumstances to lift the toes clear of the ground,the real function of the toes, when thus standing fully erect, apparently being merely to prevent forward and rearward sway and having little actual supporting action. 'I'his last-named experiment would seem to indicate that the much talked of longitudinal arch structure of the foot is of comparatively little importance, and, if it be remembered that -the normal foot does not touch the ground at all along its inner part, proximally at the inner heel and distally at the inner ball, which area composes lthe so-called inner arch, then it is clear that -if any transverse arch does exist, it has no fixed abutment at its inner end,-such arch as may exist being movably suspended at its inner end by the foot tendons and the muscles of the lower leg. Thus, both from the theoretical and the practical standpoint it would appear that the foot structure relating to an arch is not primarily designed by nature for supporting the body erect and stationary.

As already noted, much effort has been expended in attempting to provide shoes which are comfortable for ordinary feet, as well as to make shoes for the correction of foot ailments, all upon the theory that the foot is a static structure. whereas as a matter of fact, the foot acts as a dynamic structure during by far the greater part of the time that a person is in walking position. Most foot ailments, as I believe, are due to incorrect habitsof walking brought about by wearing shoes thus improperly designed, and which prevent the free dynamic action of the foot.

In walking or running, the foot is first lifted and moved forward, this being an interval of rest for the weight-supporting structure of the foot; and then as the body over-balances in its forward lean, the foot comes yinto contact with the ground to sustain the body weight. The heel is rst to strike the ground, and as the pad beneath the posterior process of the os calcis is wide, elastic and yielding, and as the lowest point of this pad beneath the os calcis is nearer to the outside than to the inside of the pad, the irst contact of the unshod foot with the ground distorts the pad along a substantial part of its width, aifording a broad elliptical base disposed slightly nearer the outside of the foot than to the inner side, and this base provides a rocking contact for the foot as the sole of the foot swings toward the ground. In the normal unshod foot,

the contact of the sole with the ground, as the foot rocks downwardly, progresses forward from this area of first contact, the forwardly progressing area of contact being conned as above described, to a narrow strip along the outer margin of the foot. As the heel begins to rise toward the end of the step, this area of contact suddenly widens out until it extends substantially across the foot just beneath the distal ends of the metatarsal bones. Finally as the foot is almost ,Y ready to rise again, the pressure is taken by the toes, which tend to exert a prehensile grip upon shod foot of a small child or that of the uncivilized man, the prepondering weight of the bony structure of the foot at the outside of the foot, that is to say, at the outer side of the true' front-to-rear axis extending from the center of the back of the heel through the second toe, (such axis having long since been recognized and described as a medial axis by Dr. Camper, and being known as the Camper 1ine") tends to cause the foot to contact properly with the ground along its outer edge as it swings about its first point of contact at the heel pad, ,and thus the area of contact progresses properly along the outer edge of the foot where it is anatomically adapted for weight support. However, when the foot is shod, the first contact of the shoe with the ground, in taking a forward step, is at the rearwardly convex hard curved edge of the heel, in effect, a single-point contact, which gives no assistance in directing the progressive forward and downward rocking of the foot, so'that as often as not an initial inward roll of the foot may be set up; and if this initial tendency is not corrected by an effort of the muscles of the leg and foot, the latter may rock forward along its middle or inner edge instead of its outer edge, that is to say, the foot may pronate. This action, if continued for any length of time, may induce a faulty habit of walking which places unir tended strains upon the leg muscles and upon the tendons and cartilages of the foot, and may constrict the blood vessels of the foot so as to interfere with proper circulation. These several `,lowering of the bodily health.

Shoes designed in accordance with usual practice, tight shoes, and shoes which are too short for the wearer, as well as other factors, all constitute predisposing causes to bad habits of walking, with consequent tendency to pronation of the foot and the ill e'ects above described; and after such faulty habits of walking have once been established, it is diillcult to correct them, and no amount of bracing by the employment of pads or so-called arch supports or other crutches" will eradicate such habits or cure the resultant ailments. On the contrary, such make-shift devices tend to encourage the foot to lean against the supporting brace, with resultant accentuation of the original faults.

In accordance with the present invention, I propose to devise a normal shoe, that is to say one which will assist the foot gently and without coercion, but persistently, to acquire normal or natural habits of walking, and which will have a tendency at least to reform acquired incorrect habits, and in particular to induce the foot (as it rocks forward in taking a step) unconsciously to distribute the body weight upon an area which progresses forwardly along its outer margins, until near the completion of the step, and then, in a rapid and sudden transition, to extend this supporting area laterally immediately beneath the distal ends of the metatarsal bone. Preferably. and to prevent premature weight-bearing by the inner ball, I provide the inner sole of the shoe, just beneath the pad of the great toe, with a depression such as to relieve the inner yball of any supporting function until just at the end of the step, at which time this depression affords the great toe a firm grip for the exercise. of its'f'prehensile and propulsive effort as the shoe leaves contact with the ground.

In accomplishing the above results it is necessary to take into considerationthe fact that most wearers desire a heel of substantial height, at its rear end at least, in order that the shoe may appear externally to conform tocustomary usage. For a given style and size of shoe the height of the heel at its rear end is definitely established. For purposes of the present discussion, the normal level may be defined as the areas disposed medially and laterally to a line drawn from the center of the back of a. heel of standard dimensions and passing forwardly to the pad of the second toe, the line following the contour of the upper surface of the heel and of the shank portion of the shoe.

In accordance with the present invention, having determined this normal level" for agiveny style and size of shoe of standard construction, I then proceed to construct the shoe bottom structure in such manner that the outer side of the foot-supporting surface of the shoe bottom is below this normal level. This not only to a certain extent, neutralizes the .eiect of the high heel, but more important, provides a trough-like depression for the `reception of the weight-supporting pad at the outer edge of the foot into which said pad is to a certain extent permitted normally to adjust or adapt itself, and which constitutes guiding and directing means operative to induce the foot to rock toward'the outside and to guide the progressive application of pressure forwardly along a narrow area at the outer part of the foot during the completion of a step. As ordinarily constructed, the inner sole of a shoe makes no provision whereby the elastic pad of tissue, underlying the outer base tread of the foot, may expand or distort other than laterally under pressure,which is the usual reason for shoes mushing over to the outer side. In the present construction', the trough-like depression just described, permits this elastic pad to distort downwardly, rather than laterally. Preferably determined cubic capacity, the lowerin'g of the supporting surface at the outer side of the shoe is compensated for by providing a corresponding elevation above the normal level at the inside, but this elevation is not to be confused with so-called arch-supporting pads or the like, commonly employed and disposed at the inner side of the shoe and which, in most cases, substantially reduce the cubic capacity of the shoe. Preferably to enhance .the tendency of the foot to begin the step correctly, the upper surface heel of the shoe is abnormally depressed at its forward outer corner so that `as the bottom surface of the heel contacts with the ground, there is a distinct tendency to transmit the weight forwardly and outwardly and thus to cause the outer pad of the foot to crowd into the trough-like longitudinal depression at the outer side of the sole and thus properly to assume its weight-bearing function.

One result of the procedure above outlined is to provide a distinct longitudinal division line extending from the heel forwardly through the shank portion of the shoe, defining two distinct levels of shoe bottom. and this line may, in a sense, be considered as a fulcrum or balance point about which the weight tends normally to rock toward the lower level.

In the accompanying drawings certain desirable embodiments of the invention have vbeen illustrated by way of example, and in the draw- DEB.

Fig. 1 is a side elevation of a shoe embodying the invention;

Fig. 2 is alplan view of the sho'e of Fig. l;

Fig. 3 is a diagrammatic side elevation of a shoe illustrative of the meaning of the term normallevel as employed herein;

Fig. 4 is a plan view, to small scale, of a right insole embodyingthe present invention;

Fig. 5 is a plan view of a right last, useful in making shoes embodying the present invention, said last having its longitudinal axis at the socalled Camper line;

Fig. 5a is a bottom view of the last shown in Fig. 5;

Fig. 6 is a plan view of an inner sole for a right shoe, such inner sole being designed in accordance with one specific embodiment of the present invention;

Fig. 7 is a transverse section, to small scale, on the line '|-1 of Fig. 6;

Fig. 8 is a transverse section on the line 8-8 Fig. 11 is a. longitudinal section on the line Ii--ii of Fig. 6;

Fig. 12 is a plan View of an inner sole constructed in accordance with a further and preferred specific embodiment of the invention;

Fig. 13 is a transverse section, to small scale, on the line |3-I3 of Fig. 12;

Fig. 14 is a. transverse section on the line Il-il of Fig. 12;

Fig. 15 is a plan view of a rigid shank piece preferably employed in association with the insole of the type illustrated in Figs. 12 to 14 inclusive;

Fig. 16 is a section on the line IB-IB of Fig. 15;

Fig. 17 is a. section on the line ll-i'l of Fig. 15;

Fig. 18 is a section on the line IIB-i8 of Fig. 15;

Fig. 19 is a longitudinal section on the line.

Fig. 20 is a vertical section substantially in the plane of the breast of theshoe heel, looking rearwardly, and illustrating the construction of a shoe embodying an insole of the type shown in Fig. 12;

Fig. 2l is a side elevation o f a shoe heel (for a womans shoe) illustrating a construction useful in association with an insole of the type of kind shown in Fig. 4 taken in the plane of the longitudinal axis of the last;

Fig. 24 is a vertical section on the line 24--24 of Fig. 23;

Fig. 25 is a section on the line 2S-25 of Fig. 23;

Fig. 26 is a plan view of a last having its longitudlnal axis at -the so-called Meyer line; and

- Fig. 27 is a perspective view illustrating a metallic shank piece of modified form.

In the commercial manufacture of footwear certain standards of measurement are generally recognized. For example, length and width (size); height of heel and thickness of outer and inner sole (in irons); and cubic capacity with reference to given size and style; and while each of these factors may vary by recognized gradations, any ordinary commercial shoe embodying such denite measurements may be considered as a standard type of shoe. For example,

in a welt shoe whose heel, sole and insole are each of a selected number of lrons" in thickness, the upper or foot-supporting surface oi.' the insole will be at a definite and predeterminable distance from the ground at each, respectively, of a series of points extending from heel to toe. Thus if in such a shoe a line were to be drawn upon the upper or foot-supporting surface of the insole, extending from about the center of the heel forwardly approximately to the region of the pad of the second toe, such a line, lying in the vertical plane of the longitudinal axis of the shoe, will be the locus of such a series of points disposed at standard distances from the ground. For ease and description such a line is hereinafter referred to as the "normal level and the height from the ground of the various portions or areas of the foot-supporting surface of the shoe bottom structure are convenientlyvindicated by reference to this normal level line.

While herein reference is made to the vertical plane of the longitudinal axis of the shoe as extending from' the center of the heel through the pad of the second toe (that is to say, the Camper line" axis) which is believed to represent the best practice in shoe making, it is to be understood that the invention is not necessarily limited in its broader aspects atleast, to embodiment in -a shoe whose longitudinal axis is located at this particular place.

With the above understanding of the terms to be employed, reference may be had to the drawings wherein in Figs. 1 and 2 there is illustrated a shoe which externally is of substantially usual appearance, the shoe being of commercial style, size and cubic capacity, and made in accordance with usual manufacturing methods and diifering only from ordinary shoes in the particular features about to be explained.

'Ihe shoe shown in Figs. l and 2 isa mans shoe for the left foot and comprises the upper I which may be of any desirable material or combination' of materials. 'Ihe shoe specifically illustrated is a welt shoe (although the invention is not limited to use in shoes made by the welt system) and comprises a bottom structure including the outer sole 2, the heel l, and an insole of the novel construction hereinafter described.

Referring to Fig. 3, which is a diagrammatic side elevation of ls, shoe oi commercial style, size and cubic capacity, having the .upper I' and a bottom structure including the sole member 2 and the heel l. the numeral l designates the foot-supporting surface of the bottom structure and in this view the broken line N-L, which lies in and extends longitudinally of the foot-supporting surface, indicates what has hereinabove been referred to as the normal level". In Fig. 4 the approximate position of this normal level line N-L transversely of the shoe. is shown with reference to the insole l.

In accordance with one specific embodiment of the invention. the insole Y, illustrated in Figs. 6 to 9 inclusive, comprises the body portion l (or insole proper) which may be of leather or other suitable material and which is provided with the marginal sewing lip 1 at its under side (if the insole is to be used in a welt shoe construction).

The foot-supporting surface i of the insole memsunung the support of an undue proportion of the weight. and insuring a substantially uniform distribution of weight transversely of the shoe at the region of the distal ends of the metatarsal bones.

At the heel and in the shank portion of the insole, the foot-supporting surface Il of the latter, is disposed below the normal level N--L (Fig. 9) the depressed area extending along the outer side of the insole and preferably being' slightly' concave downwardly and, with the upper material at that kside of the shoe, forming a shallow trough adapted to receive the pad of muscular and elastic tissue, which lies along the outer margin of the foot and which is designed by nature to support the weight during `the forward rocking movement of the foot in taking a step. 'I'his de- Ipression in the insole surface extends from the heel forwardly to the ball portion of the foot, where it emerges smoothly' with the forepart surface l of the insole, the latter preferably being substantially at the normal level.

Since the depression of the outer portion of the insole would increase the internal capacity of the shoe beyond that which is standard for a shoe of the same size andstyle, it is desirable, in order to insure a good fit and proper foot comfort, to build up the surface ofthe insole at the inner side of the shoe (where the foot does not ordinarily contact the insole) so as to compensate for the increase in cubic capacity due to the depression of the outer part of the insole. To

this end a compensating member I (for con- I venience referred to as a pad) is permanently secured to the upper surface of the insole proper, preferably before lasting. This part I0 may be of leather or other appropriate material, preferably substantially rigid and hard, and may be cemented, sewed, stapled or otherwise secured to the member 8, it being obvious, that if practical, the part III might be made as an integral portion of the member 6. This part I0 is of such dimensions that the completed shoe will be of substantially standard cubic capacity. The upper surface II of the part I0 may be substantially flat, although as a practical matter it will, in most cases, be somewhat curved. The surfaces I. and I I preferably merge at a distinct, longitudinally extendingstep or shoulder I2, while, at the forward end of the member Il, the surface I I merges at I3 with the surface l of the insole member l. In making a shoe embodying an insole such as above described, it is preferable to employ a last Il such, for example, as is illustrated in Figs. 5. 23, 24 and 25. It has been well said that "the waist of the foot underneath is very hollow on the inside but practically fiat on the outside, and the lastjshould be a' faithful copy of the foot in these details." 'I'he present invention is based on a recognition ofthe above truth, and accordingly the last II- is designed with these requirements in view.l The last chosen for illustration has its longitudinal axis at the Camper line C-L (Figs. 5 and 5*) ,l and may be in all particulars similar to usual lasts except that its bottom is shaped to accommodate an insole such as that of Fig. 6. Thus, at the forepart of the last, its under surface Il may be substantially at, in accordance with usual practice, except that it preferably has a boss or projection Il designed to t within the depression l in the forepart of the insole above described. At the shank portion of the last, the latter has the substantially flat (or slightly convex) longitudinally extending surface I5* disposed below the normal level N-L and adapted to fit into the depression Il of the insole, while u 2,059,470 at its inner Lside the under surface lib of the lastis abnormally elevated so as to accommodate the elevated part l of the insole. This last may have the usual spindle hole I1 and the metallic heel plate 8 (Figs. 5a and 23) it being noted that `In Figs. 12 to 22 inclusive a preferred form of bottom construction is illustrated, wherein the insole 20 (Fig. 12) consists of a piece of leather or other appropriate material or materials having the marginal sewing lip 20, and so moulded, preferably prior to lasting, that its foot-supporting surface comprises an area 2| at its outer margin located below the normal level N--L, and the high area 22 above such normal level, said areas corresponding in location and function to the areas li and respectively, (Fig.'9) of the insole 6. As in the insole 6, the forepart of the insole 20 (Fig. 12) is substantially fiat transversely, except for the depression 9a for the reception of the pad of the-great. toe, while thesurfaces 2| and 22 merge at the longitudinally extending step or shoulder 23. Since such a moulded insole might not preserve its desired shape indefinitely unlesssupported from beneath,l the invention contemplates the use with this insole of a moulded shank piece 2| (Fig. 15)l designed to underlie the moulded insole as illustrated in Figs. 20 and 22.I This shank piece (Fig. 15) may be of metal or other suitable material and is preferably quite stiff .and rigid to form a cantilever-like connection between the heel 3 and the sole member. As illustrated, the shank piece has'a substantially flat land narrow tongue 26 at,

its rear end, perforated for the `reception of tacks, by means of which it is secured to the lnsole at the central portion of the heel. Forwardly of the attaching tongue 25 the shank piece increases in width and is mouldeddto provide the low, outer marginal portion 26 and the relatively higher inner marginal portion 21. The parts 26 and 21 are preferably slightly curved in transverse section and disposed in different planes and are adapted to underlie and to support the low and high areas 2| and 22 respectively, of the insole 20. At its forward end 28 the shank piece is further widened and preferably flattened and provided with holes for the reception of fastener elements. In `Fig. 27, there is shown a modified shank piece 21B generally similar to shank piece 21 of Fig. l5, but having a pad 21h at its forward end such as shown in the patent-to Brown, N o. 1,656,556. If desired. a shank piece provided with a pad 21b could be substituted for the shank piece In order .that the improved insole may have its outer margin below the normal level in the nnished shoe, it is desirable to provide a special heel for use in a shoe embodying such an insole, so shaped as` to accommodate the low portion of the insole. Thus while the heel may be of any stand-I ard height measured at its rear end, or at the inner comer of the breast, its upper surface at its forward outer corner is cut away orotherwise reduced in height so that the low portion of the insole, overlying this part of the heel. may be supported below 'the normal level. as illustrated in Fig. 20, for example. In order more clearly to illustrate this desired shaping of the heel, a high heel 3b for use in a womans shoe, is illustrated in Fig. 21. This heel may be of standard height at its rear end 29 and also at its forward inner corner 30, but at its outer forward corner 3| it is of less than standard height so that the top edge 32 of the breast surface slopes downwardly from its inner toward its outer end. Obviously this relative lowering of the forward outer corner of the heel may be accomplished by the use of wedges at the high side or, for example, by gouging out or otherwise removing material from the upper surface of the heel at the low side, but in any case such lowering of this part of the heel permits the sole members at this point to drop beneath the normal level and thus'the desired depression of the foot-supporting surface of the inner sole at the heel and shank portion along the outer side of the shoe becomes a permanent feature of the shoe construction.

Since the purpose of the invention has previously been discussed and the mode in which the improved shoe assists the foot in rocking forward in a. normal and natural manner while taking a step, it is unnecessary to describe in further detail the way in which the improved shoe functions'.

It is contemplated that the present invention may be embodied in shoes of other specific types, whether such shoes be for'mens, womens, or childrens wear, and regardless of the height of the heel or thickness of sole which may be employed, and all such modifications of the specific construction here illustrated, including variations in the relative sizes and shapes of the several parts, and the materials employed are to be rea plantar surfaces of the heel, forepart and the outer longitudinal arch when the foot is in a balanced position, said surface being provided with a trough-like depression along its outer side for receiving and supporting the entire plantar area ofthe muscular pad which extends from the heel forwardly along the outer edge of the foot to the b all portion thereof, said surface also including an approximately level portion for supporting the entire ball of the foot, the forward part of said depression merging smoothly into said level portion and being on the same level therewith, and the heel supporting portion of said structure including an approximately level surface for supporting the greater part of the plantar surface of the heel.

2. A shoe including a bottom structure having an upper surfacey to engage and, support the plantar surfaces of the heel, forepart and the outer longitudinal arch when the foot is in a balanced position. said surface being provided with a trough-like depression along its outer side for receiving and supporting the l entire plantar area of the muscular pad which extends from the heel forwardly along the outer edge of the foot to the ball portion thereof, said surface also including an approximately level portion for supporting the entire ball ofthe foot, the forward part of said depression merging smoothly into said level portion and being on the same level therewith, the heel supporting portion of said structure including an approximately level surface for supporting the greater part of the plantar surface of the heel, and said depression extending rearwardly into the forward part of said heel supporting surface but terminating at the side thereof considerably forward of the rear end of said surface.

3. A shoe including a bottom structure comprlsing a sole member and a heel. the foot supporting surface of the sole member being provided with a trough-like depression extending forwardly from the heel to the forepart along the outer side thereof and of a width less than half that of the sole member, said surface also including an approximately at forepart at substantially the same level with the forward part of said depression and into which the depression merges,

said at forepart surface extending across the entire ball area of the sole member and forwardly therefrom to support, on substantially the same plane, the pressures of the distal ends of all of the metatarsal bones, said sole member being provided forward of the ball rtion with a depression to receive the pad of e great toe itself.

4. A shoe including a bottom structure comprising a sole member and a heel. the foot supporting surface of the sole member between the heel and the forepart being lower at the outer side than at thev inner side of a line extending from substantially the center of the heel to the area which supports the pad of the second toe, that part of the sole supporting surface throughout the forepart of the shoe being at approximately the same level as said lower area where it approaches the forepart and merging smoothly into it, said forepart surface, however, having a depression for the reception of the pad of the big toe. and the part of said surface at theinner side of said line being too low to support the arch of a normal NORMAN D. MATTISON.

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