US2097350A - Metatarsal correction indicator - Google Patents

Description

Oct. 26, 1937.

D, R. SLATER METATARSAL CORRECTION INDICATOR Filed Sept. 17, 1956 Patented Oct. 26, 1937 JNEEED STATES accuse PATENT @FFEQE 16 Claims.

The present invention is a bone caliper, more particularly a metatarsal correction indicator which, although designed particularly for use in the preparation of arch supports of the type shown and claimed in my prior patent No. 2,036,- 890 of April 7, 1936, is not limited to such use; and it may be employed for the designing of other types of arch supports, for setting adjustments in shoes or to assist in the construction of shoes for particular feet, although, for reasons that will appear, it has not been devised as a form of shoe fitting machine or shoe sizer.

An object of the invention is to provide a metatarsal correction indicator which is inexpensive to manufacture, yet strong and compact and easy to operate, and which will readily permit the adjustment and setting of means to indicate accurately, for correction purposes, certain loci in the patients foot, notably the joints of the metatarsal arch. Another object is to provide adjustable means having portions or attached members to underlie the particular loci, such as the metatarso-phalangeal joints, of such character that they will be visible for fluoroscopic examination of the foot to show accurately the location of the joints concerned.

The caliper comprises in general a base member over which the foot under consideration may be placed, adjustable abutments at the sides and rear end of the base member for positioning the foot, indicia for foot-size, and means carried by or associated with the base member at its forward end for indicating the precise position of the metatarsal arch or the respective positions of the metatarso-phalangeal joints, and means for setting or securing the last-named indicating means in adjusted position, for guidance in preparing the corrective article.

The device and its operation will be understood clearly by reference to the accompanying drawing, wherein:

Fig. 1 is a plan View of my metatarsal correction indicator.

Fig. 2 is a longitudinal sectional view along the medial line 2-2 of Fig. l, and

Fig. 3 is a perspective view of an arch support in accordance with my earlier patent, in the manufacture whereof the present device is especially, but not exclusively, useful.

The invention, as embodied in the form illustrated in the drawing comprises, in general, a bas -piate in} over which the foot under consideration. may be placed, said base-plate having a metatarso-phalangeal portion and a heel portion; a pair of adjustable side abutments H and [2;

an adjustable heel abutment i3 located at the rear or heel portion of the base-plate, and adjustable members 54 at the front or metatarsal portion of the base-plate provided with means l5 for indicating loci'in the region of the metatarsal arch' of the foot, for example the metatarso-phalangeal joints.

The instrument may be made of metal impervious to X-ray for caliperation by palpation, or it may be made of aluminum, wood or resinous material pervious to X-ray for fluoroscopic setting or caliperation.

The base l0 may be or" plate form, as illustrated, or it may be of skeleton structure; it is necessary merely that a foundation is provided over which the foot to be examined may be placed and with which may be associated the movable parts which cooperate properly to position the foot and to indicate, for correction purposes, the position of the metatarsal or similar joints concerned.

Where the base takes the form of a plate, as shown, the same is provided with an opening it in the forward portion extending across the medial line of the base-plate; also with a longitudinal medial opening ll along the rear or heel portion. The purposes of these openings will appear as the description proceeds.

The side abutments, which are for the purpose of properly centering and positioning the foot on the base-plate and for indicating the width of the foot, may consist of bars or arms II, I2 of sufiicient height to accommodate the sides of a foot, and are adjustable by suitable means toward and away from each other for Various sizes of foot. The arms II and I2 are of such a length that when the fifth metatarsophalangeal joint of a foot placed on the base i0 is disposed opposite the end of one of thearms,the foot will be correctly positioned longitudinally of the base. Preferably the bars forming the side abutments are adjustable simultaneously. This may readily and conveniently be accomplished by vertically pivoting the side abutments, for example, to the top of the base-plate. Onewayinwhich this may be done is illustrated in the drawing at the rear ends of the abutments, the base-plate being formed or provided with upstanding pivot posts I8 formed at their forward ends E9 to receive corresponding portions 26 of the abutment arms to accommodating pivot pins or the like 2|. Preferably, also, the forward ends of the abutments are extensible to reach the joint of the great toe, the device being thereby made adap ab e ior use tor either foot. As s wn, the

block 13 and a pair of forwardly extending arms 21 pivoted to the block at 28, said block and said arms together forming an articulated arcuate heel abutment along the medial line of the base, and serving to properly position the heel over the base. In addition to providing for adjustment of the arms 21 toward and away from each other, the entire heel abutment is slidable longitudinally along the base. The pivot block I3 is, for this purpose, carried on or formed with a bolster plate 29 formed with'or secured to a slide plate 30 lying mainly beneath and against thebaseplate It and held in position, although slidably, by an overlying cross piece 3| secured to the body of the plate 36 at or near the ends 32 thereof. Thus by grasping the pivot block 13 the heel abutment can be slid longitudinally 'backand forth along the center of the rear portion of the base to accommodate the various foot sizes, e. g. h

1 to 12, and the latter are shown by indicia on the base and on the abutment, as shown in the drawing an arrow being placed at 33 on the abutment and a cooperating scale 34 on the base-plate.

In the embodiment illustrated, the movement of the arms 27 of the arcuate heel abutment toward and from each other about the pivots 28 is accomplished by the provision of a narrow slide 35 having a finger-piece 36 at its rear end and lying within a longitudinal central slot in the larger sliding plate 30 and projectable forwardly beneath the cross piece 3| and between the up standing strips 31 of the plate 30. To the upper sides of this slide strip 35 are pivoted as at 38 the inner arms of two links 39 the outer ends of which are respectively pivoted, as at 40, to the under sides of the arcuate arms 21 of the heel abutment at or near the ends thereof, It will be seen that as the slide 35 is moved back and forth by means of the finger piece 36, the arms 21 will be moved toward and away from each other to accommodate various heel-widths. The heel-width adjustment can thereby be accomplished by simultaneous movement of the arms 27, and independently of the longitudinal adjustment of the heel abutment. The heel-widths may be indicated by providing, for example as shown, an arrow 4| on the cross piece 3| and a scale 42 on the slide, with which it cooperates. At its rear end, the bolster 29 of the plate to which the heel abutment is secured may be coextensive in width with the sliding plate 35 proper which lies beneath it and to which it is connected by the rear portion of the strips 31 of the plate, thus forming a slot or channel serving as a guide for the rear end of the sliding strip 35. 1

Simultaneous adjustment of the side abutment arms H and !2 may be accomplished as follows: A narrow sliding frame 43 operable at its rear end by means of the finger piece 44 is arranged centrally of the base-plate, and at its forward end is pivotally connected as at 45 with a pair of bent links 46 pivoted at their free ends as shown at 41 to the under side of the abutment arms .II and I2, respectively. It will be seen that by sliding the frame43 forwardly and rearwardly along the base-plate, the side abutment arms H and I2 will be moved toward or away from each other to accommodate various foot-widths. The latter may be indicated by an arrow 48 on the sliding frame 43 cooperating with a scale of sizes 49 on the base 10.

The side strips 50 of the sliding frame 63 move longitudinally along the inner vertical walls of thebase-plate I0 afiorded by the cut-out portion H, and to support the forward end of the sliding frame 43 in position in alinement with the baseplate, a cross strip 5|, of length greater than the width of the opening i? may be formed or provided on such end of the frame. At the heel end, the side strips 5!! of the frame are movable through slots or openings beneath the bolster plate 29 of the heel abutment and in the sliding plate 36. To accommodate this construction, the rear assembly as shown in section in Fig. 2 may include,in addition to the bolster 29, the baseplate l0 which is flush with the strips 3'! of the slide plate and with the side strips 50 of the slidable frame 43, and the portion 30 of the sliding heel abutment plate which underlies the baseplate lll,a strengthening cross-rib 52 which is formed with or secured to the under side of the base-plate and slotted at its central portion to accommodate the rearward movement of the sliding plate 36. The lateral edges of the underlying portion 30 of the sliding heel abutment plate extend beyond the side walls of the opening II, as shown at 53, the adjacent edges of the base-plate I6 thereby providing a guideway for the sliding action of the heel abutment which takes place accordingly between the under side of the cross piece 3| and the upper surface of the laterally extending edges 53 of the sliding plate.

At the metatarso-phalangeal portion of the plate, the means [4 may take the form of a plurality of longitudinally slidable fingers 54. These fingers are supported against the underside of the base, in the embodiment shown, by a crossstrip 55 underlying the base-plate H] and secured thereto or formed therewith, and by independent clips 56. The fingers are movable through openings or slots 51 in the cross strip 55; and the openings are preferably flared forwardly and rearwardly to permit rocking of the arms in the openings for lateral adjustment of the respective rear ends of the fingers. The clips 56 may'obviously be any type of securing means which will accommodate the longitudinally sliding movement of the fingers and also the lateral adjustment by rocking in the slots 51. In the particular embodiment illustrated, clips in the form of set-screw clamps 56 are provided. Each comprises an angle member 58 having a downwardly extending arm 59 slotted to receive loosely therethrough the outer ends of the finger l4, and a rearwardly extending arm 60 provided with a downwardly and forwardly extending portion 6| to embrace and engage the under side of a rearwardly direct-ed lip 62 of a cross piece 63 formed on or secured to the upper side of the base plate I6 along its extreme forward edge. The arm 60 of each clamp is provided with a threaded hole to receive a suitable set screw 54 the inner end of which abuts against the upper surface of the cross piece 63. It will be apparent that by loosening the set screw the respective fingers may be slid longitudinally through the cross strip 55, while by sliding the clamps along the cross piece 63 the inner ends of the fingers can be adjusted to underlie accurately the particular loci or regions of the foot concerned, for example the metatarso-phalangeal joints, and set in adjusted position by means of the screws. To facilitate indication of the loci, the means I may take the form of distinguishing buttons which are formed on or secured to the rear ends of the fingers, and they are preferably of metal impervious to X-rays, so that upon fluoroscopic examination of a foot and the fingers 54 manipulated into adjusted positions, the loci of the joints will be clearly distinguishable.

The indication of the position of the joints by the fingers 5t and specifically by the buttons I5 facilitates the precise positioning of the independent pads 65 on the arch supporter 66 illustrated in Fig. 3, or will serve equally well for enabling the physician to design with accuracy the corrective form of arch support of the usual type, and for the setting of the adjustments in shoes, etc.

The use and operation of the device will be apparent from the foregoing description.

The foot for which an arch supporter is to be made, for example, is placed over the base In with the fifth metatarso-phalangeal joint opposite the end of the outside arm II or I2 depending upon whether a right or left foot is being studied. This will properly position the foot longitudinally of the base plate. The heel abutment is then moved forwardly into engagement with the heel and the arms 21 are closed against the sides of the same by moving the slide 35 rearwardly. The end of respective arm II or I2 on the inner side of the foot is then extended until the end 22 thereof is opposite the first metatarso-phalangeal joint, the arms I I and i2 being closed against the sides of the foot by means of the handle 44. The foot having been thus positioned by the side abutments II and I2 and the heel abutment I3, the fingers 54 are then moved longitudinally, independently, as may be necessary through the slots 51 in the cross strip 55 and laterally along the cross piece 63 for adjustment to such positions respectively that the metal buttons I5 will indicate by sight and palpation of plantar metatarsal region, or by fluoroscopic examination, the exact location where independent adjustment pads are needed to be made upon the support member or in the shoe. When such adjustment has been obtained, the fingers are clamped by tightening the set screws 55 in the clamps 56.

The foot is then removed and the length and width of the body of the foot may be read on the scales 3d and '39 and the heel width on the scale These readings will indicate the correct size or number of the blank which is required for making the support for that particular foot.

The selected blank is then placed in position on the base IE! as determined by the adjusted abutments and is marked through the holes in the buttons 55, thereby indicating on the blank the positions at which the correction pads should be attached.

While I have illustrated one embodiment of my invention, it will be obvious that the construction is susceptible of numerous changes in the details thereof, and it is to be understood that the scope of my invention is not to be limited to such details except as they may be set forth in the appended claims.

I claim:

1. A metatarsal correction indicator comprising a base over which a foot may be placed, abutments carried by said base for positioning the foot, means for adjusting said abutments, and means associated with said base for indicating the respective loci of the metatarso-phalangeal joints with respect to the position of said abutments.

2. A metatarsal correction indicator comprising a base over which a foot may be placed, abutments carried by said base for positioning the foot, means for adjusting said abutments, means carried by said base for indicating the respective loci of the metatarso-phalangeal joints with respect to the position of said abutments, and means for setting said loci indicating means.

3. A metatarsal correction indicator comprising a base over which a foot may be placed, a longitudinal abutment at each side of the base and a heel abutment carried by said base in substantially the medial line thereof, said abutments serving to position the foot over the base, means for adjusting the side abutments toward and away from each other, means for adjusting said heel abutment longitudinally of the base, and means associated with said base for indicating the respective loci of the metatarso-phalangeal joints with respect to the position of said abutment-s.

4. A metatarsal correction indicator comprising a base over which a foot may be placed, a longitudinal abutment at each side of the base, each of said abutments being pivoted opposite the heel end of the base, means for moving the free ends of said abutments toward and away from each other, a heel abutment carried by said base in substantially the medial line thereof, means for adjusting said heel abutment longitudinally of the base, said side and heel abutments serving to position the foot over the base, and means associated with said base for indicating the respective loci of the metatarso-phalangeal joints with respect to the position of said abutments.

5. A metatarsal correction indicator comprising a base over which a foot may be placed, a longitudinal abutment at each side of the base, means for adjusting said abutments toward and away from each other, an arcuate heel abutment carried by said base in substantially the medial line thereof, means for adjusting said arcuate heel abutment longitudinally of the base, means for adjusting the arms of said arcuate heel abutment toward and away from each other, said side and heel abutments serving to position the foot over the base, and means associated with said base for indicating the respective loci of the metatarsophalangeal joints with respect to the position of said abutments.

6. A metatarsal correction indicator comprising a base over which a foot may be placed, a longitudinal abutment at each side of the base, each of said abutments being pivoted opposite the heel end of the base, means for moving the free ends of said abutments toward and away from each other, an arcuate heel abutment carried by said base in substantially the medial line thereof, means for adjusting said heel abutment longitudinally of the base, means for adjusting the arms of said arcuate heel abutment toward and away from each other, said side and heel abutments serving to position the foot over the base, and means associated with said base for indicating loci of the metatarso-phalangeal joints with respect to the position of said abutments.

7. A metatarsal correction indicator comprising a base over which a foot may be placed, a longitudinal abutment at each side of the base and a heel abutment carried by said base in substantially the medial line thereof, said abutments serving to position the foot over the base, means for simultaneously adjusting the side abutments toward and away from each other, means for sliding said h el abutment longitudinally of the base, means at the end of the base opposite the heel abutment end for indicating the respective loci of the metatarso-phalangeal joints with respect to the position of said abutments, and means for setting said loci indicating means.

8. A metatarsal correction indicator comprising a base over which a foot may be placed, a longitudinal abutment at each side of the base, each of said abutments being pivoted opposite the heel end of the base, and an arcuate heel abutment carried by said base in substantially the medial line thereof, said abutments serving to position the foot over the base, means for simultaneously adjusting the side abutments toward and away from each other, means for sliding said heel abutment longitudinally of the base, means for simultaneously adjusting the arms of said arcuate heel abutment toward and away from each other, means at the metatarsal end of the base for indicating the respective loci of the metatarsophalangeal joints with respect to the position of said abutments, and means for setting said loci indicating means.

9. A metatarsal correction indicator comprising a base-plate on which a foot may be placed and having a heel portion and a metatarsal portion, a smaller plate arranged for sliding engagement with said base-plate substantially along the longitudinal center thereof, a pivot block mounted on said sliding plate, a heel abutment comprising said pivot block and arcuate arms extending forwardly from said block and pivoted thereto, means for adjusting said sliding plate and its block along said base plate to accommodate various lengths of foot, and means for simultaneously adjusting the said arcuate arms toward and away from each other to accommodate various widths of heel; a-

pivot post on said base plate on each side of its heel portion, longitudinal foot abutment arms pivoted vertically in said pivot posts, and means for simultaneously adjusting the free ends of said pivoted abutment arms toward and away from each other to accommodate various widths of foot; means at the metatarsal end of said base plate having sliding and pivotal movements with respect thereto for indicating for correction loci in the region of the metatarsal arch of the foot with respect to the position of said abutments, and means for setting said loci indicating means.

10. A metatarsal correction indicator comprising a base-plate on which a foot may be placed and having a heel portion and a metatarsal portion, a longitudinal abutment at each side of the base-plate and a heel abutment carried by said base-plate on substantially the medial line thereof, said abutments serving to position the foot on the base-plate; means for adjusting the side abutments toward and away from each other to accommodate various widths of foot said means comprising a longitudinally movable member positioned substantially on the longitudinal center of the base-plate and slidable along the latter, a pair of arms pivoted to said sliding member at its forward end and connected respectively to said side abutments, and a rearwardly extending portion adapted for engagement by the hand of the operator for adjustment; cooperating foot-width indicia on said base-plate and said sliding member; means for adjustingsaid heel abutment longitudinally of the base-plate, and means at the metatarsal end of said base-plate for indicating for correction loci in the region of the metatarsal arch of the foot with respect to the position of said abutments.

11. A metatarsal correction indicator comprising a base-plate on which a foot may be placed and having a heel portion and a metatarsal portion, longitudinal side abutments and a heel abutment carried by said base-plate, said abutments serving to position the foot on the baseplate, means for adjusting said side abutments toward and away from each other to accommodate various foot-widths, a smaller plate slidably mounted on said base-plate substantially centrally thereof and carrying said heel abutment for longitudinal adjustment thereof for various lengths of foot, cooperating foot-length indicia on the base-plate and the sliding heel abutment plate, and means at the metatarsal end of said base-plate for indicating for correction loci in the region of the metatarsal arch of the foot with respect to the position of said abutments.

12. A metatarsal correction indicator comprising a base-plate on which a foot may be placed and having a heel portion and a metatarsal portion, longitudinal side abutments and an articulated arcuate heel abutment carried by said baseplate, said abutments serving to position the foot on the base-plate, means for adjusting said side abutments toward and away from each other to accommodate various foot-widths, a longitudinally slidable member lying substantially along the center of the base-plate adapted to be engaged by the hand of the operator at an outer end for adjustment and provided with levers pivot ally connecting the arms of said arcuate heel abutment to move said arms toward and away from each other to accommodate various heelwidths, cooperating heel-width indicia on the base-plate and said sliding plate; and means at the metatarsal end of said base-plate for indicating loci in the region of the metatarsal arch of the foot with respect to the position of said abutments.

13. A metatarsal correction indicator comprising a base-plate on which a foot may be placed and having a heel portion and a metatarsal portion, longitudinal side abutments and an articulated arcuate heel abutment carried by said baseplate, said abutments serving to position the foot on the base-plate; means for adjusting the side abutments toward and away from each other to accommodate various widths of foot, said means comprising a longitudinally movable member positioned substantially along the longitudinal center of the base-plate and slidable along the latter, a pair of arms pivoted to said sliding member at its forward end and connected respectively to said side abutments, and a rearwardly extending portion adapted for engagement by the hand of the operator for adjustment; cooperating footwidth indicia on said base-plate and said sliding member; a smaller plate slidably mounted on said base-plate substantially centrally thereof and carrying said heel abutment for longitudinal adjustment thereof for various lengths of foot, cooperating foot-length indicia on the base-plate and the sliding heel abutment plate; a third longitudinally slidable member lying substantially along the longitudinal center of the baseplate, adapted to be engaged by the hand of the operator at an outer rear end for adjustment and provided with levers pivotally connecting the arms of said arcuate heel abutment to move said arms toward and away from each other to accommodate various heel-widths; cooperating heel-width indicia on the base-plate and said third slidable member; and independently adjustable means at the metatarsal portion of said base-plate for indicating loci of metatarso-phalangeal joints with respect to the position of said abutments.

14. A metatarsal correction indicator comprising a base-plate on which a foot may be placed and having a heel portion and a metatarsal portion, means serving to position the foot on the base-plate, said means being adjustable to accommodate various foot-sizes, means at the metatarsal portion of the base plate longitudinally slidable and laterally movable for adjustment, and means on said sliding means for indicating loci in the region of the metatarsal arch of the foot with respect to the position of said foot-size adjustable means.

15. A metatarsal correction indicator comprising a base-plate on which a foot may be placed and having a heel portion and a metatarsal portion, means serving to position the foot on the base-plate, said means being adjustable to accommodate various foot-sizes, fingers underlying said metatarsal portion, a transverse member on the underside of the base-plate having openings adjacent the latter in which said fingers may be moved longitudinally and turned laterally for adjustment of the fingers, means for securing the fingers in adjusted position, and means on the inner ends of said fingers for indicating loci of metatarso-phalangeal joints with respect to the position of said foot size adjustable means.

16. A metatarsal correction indicator comprising a base-plate on which a foot may be placed and having a heel portion and a metatarsal portion, means serving to position the foot on the base-plate, said means being adjustable to accommodate various foot-sizes, fingers underlying said metatarsal portion, means supporting said fingers permitting longitudinal and lateral adjustment of the inner ends thereof in an opening in said base-plate, means for securing the fingers in adjusted position, and means on said inner ends of the fingers for indicating loci of metatarso-phalangeal joints with respect to the position of said foot-size adjustable means, said indicating means being impervious to X-rays.

DAVID RALPH SLATER.

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