US2063818A

US2063818A - Orthopedic device

Info

Publication number: US2063818A
Application number: US76055A
Authority: US
Inventors: Mankinen Jacob
Original assignee: Individual
Current assignee: Individual
Priority date: 1936-04-23
Filing date: 1936-04-23
Publication date: 1936-12-08
Anticipated expiration: 1953-12-08

Description

Patented Dec. 8, 1936 UNITED STATES PATENT OFFICE 2,063,818 l oRTHoPEDIc DEVICE Jacob Mankinen, Ashtabula, ohio' Application April 23, 1936, Serial No; 76,055

4 claims. (c1. 12s- 69)V This invention relates to certain new and useful improvements in orthopedic devices.

The primary object of the invention is to provide an orthopedic device in the form of a foot exerciser for the massage and treatment of fallen arches and for the straightening of` hammer toes.

A further object of the invention is to provide an orthopedic device of the foregoing character in the form of a roller having an intermediate slightly bellied portion gradually merging into reduced concaved end necks that terminate in end roller heads with abrupt angles and abutments eliminated, resulting in gradual curved surfaces whereby one or both feet of a person using the orthopedic device may be placed thereon for rolling contact and at positions best suited for the degree of fallen arch or particular curvature of the feet of the user to accomplish the best results, for foot massage and the like.

A further object of the invention is to provide an othopedic device of the foregoing character wherein a cushioned loop frame is detachably engaged with the body portion of the device and is adapted to be engaged with the toes of the user in a manner whereby pressure is exerted on the upper sides of the toes to press the toes downwardly and acting to straighten the toes for the treatment of hammer toes.

With the above and other objects in view that will become apparent as the nature of the invention is better understood, the same consists in the novel form, combination and arrangement of parts hereinafter more fully described, shown in the accompanying drawing and claimed.

In the drawing:-

Figure 1 is a side elevational view of an orthopedic device constructed in accordance with the present invention, the same being in the form of a foot exerciser and of roller-like construction with an attachment for the treatment of hammer toes;

Figure 2 is a longitudinal sectional view showing transversely extending openings in the roller for the removable reception of the ends of the cushioned wire frame for the treatment of hammer toes; and

Figure 3 is an end elevational View.

The orthopedic device is in the form of a roller embodying a central body portion 5 that is substantially cylindrical but slightly bellied and each end of the central body portion 5 carries an annularly reduced concaved neck 6, each of which flares outwardly at its outer end to form a cylindrical head 1, the periphery of which is substantially in the plane of the central body portion 5 to cooperate with and provide rolling contacts vforal iloor or other surface.

The roller comprising the central body portion 5 and the reduced end necks 6 are designed for foot massage purposes and for the correction of fallen arches, it being observed that the central body portion 5 gracefully merges into the reduced end necks 6 so that all abrupt angles and abutment shoulders are eliminated.

As shown more clearly-in Figure 2, a pair of transversely extending openings 1 are formed in the roller respectively adjacent opposite ends of the central body portion 5 and the inner ends of the necks 6 for the removable reception of the side legs 8 of a wire or similar frame 9 that is used for the treatment of hammer toes. The frame 9 is covered by a rubber or similar tube I0 that extends downwardly over portions of the two legs 8 to prevent metal contact of the toe straightening frame with the toes of the user of the device. The frame may be adjusted relative to the roller to accommodate its use to feet of different sizes and the degree of leverage imparted thereto during rolling movement of the roller for causing the frame to engage the toes.

To use the device for the massaging of the feet in the treatment of fallen arches and the like, the frame 9 is removed and the roller placed on a flat surface, such as a rug covered floor and both feet may be simultaneously engaged with the roller and at desired points relative to the central bellied portion 5 and the concaved end necks 6 to accommodate certain curved portions of the roller to particular curvatures of the feet. By moving the feet forwardly and backwardly, the same move over the roller which produces a stimulating massage with corrections of any tendency toward fallen arches. Such treatments may initially begin adjacent the central slightly bellied portion 5 and the feet gradually worked outwardly into the concaved reduced neck portions 6.

When it is desired to treat hammer toes and similar toe ailments, the frame 9 has the legs 8 thereof adjustably positioned in the openings 1 of the roller and the toes of the foot with the exception of the great toe are placed within the looped portion of the frame on the roller portion 5, the latter rolled by the foot until the frame 9 moves downwardly into engagement with the toes sufficiently to exert a pressure thereon, the device being retained in such position until the Vuser senses a tiring sensation of the anterior muscles of the leg. The strain on the anterior muscles of the leg or the stretching thereof operate to correct the tendency of hyperextension of the toes upward and backward and coincidently With this action, the anterior arch of the foot receives a corrective treatment by the upward pressure of the roller thereon.

From the above detailed description of the invention, it is believed that the construction and operation thereof Will at once be apparent and While there is herein shown and described the preferred embodiment of the invention, it is nevertheless to be understood that minor changes may be made therein Without departing from the spirit and scope of the invention as claimed.

I claim:-

1. An orthopedic device including a roller having a central portion with end concaved necks and enlarged roller heads at the outer ends of the necks, a pair of transverse openings in the roller, respectively adjacent the ends of the central portion, a U-shaped Wire frame having the legs thereof removably and adjustably received in the openings and a cushion covering for the exposed portion of the wire frame.

2. An orthopedic device including a roller having a central portion with end concaved necks and enlarged roller heads at the outer ends 0f the necks, having their peripheries substantially in the plane of the central portion, a pair of transverse openings in the roller, respectively adjacent the ends of the central portion, a U-shaped Wire frame having the legs thereof removably and adjustably received in the openings and a cushion covering for the exposed portion of the Wire frame.

3. An orthopedic device including a roller having a central portion with end concaved necks and enlarged roller heads at the outer ends of the necks, the central portion being slightly bellied and merging into the end neck portions in the absence of abrupt angles and abutment shoulders, a pair of transverse openings in the roller, respectively adjacent the ends of the central portion, a U-shaped Wire frame having the legs thereof removably and adjustably received in the openings and a cushion covering for the exposed portion of the Wire frame.

4. An orthopedic device including a roller having a central portion with end concaved necks and enlarged roller heads at the outer ends of the necks, having their peripheries substantially in the plane of the central portion, the central portion being slightly bellied and merging into the end neck portions in the absence of abrupt angles and abutment shoulders, a pair of transverse openings in the roller, respectively adjacent the ends of the central portion, a U-shaped Wire frame having the legs thereof removably and adjustably received in the openings and a cushion covering for the exposed portion of the Wire frame.

JACOB MANKINEN.