US2377141A - Footwear - Google Patents

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US2377141A
US2377141A US361198A US36119840A US2377141A US 2377141 A US2377141 A US 2377141A US 361198 A US361198 A US 361198A US 36119840 A US36119840 A US 36119840A US 2377141 A US2377141 A US 2377141A
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arch
segments
heel
foot
sole
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US361198A
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Geissmann Gladys Whitcomb
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Merry Hull & Co
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Merry Hull & Co
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    • AHUMAN NECESSITIES
    • A43FOOTWEAR
    • A43BCHARACTERISTIC FEATURES OF FOOTWEAR; PARTS OF FOOTWEAR
    • A43B23/00Uppers; Boot legs; Stiffeners; Other single parts of footwear
    • A43B23/22Supports for the shank or arch of the uppers

Definitions

  • This invention relates to improvements in I footwear and relates particularly to improvements in the sole constructions of ladies footwear, such as, for example, oxfords, sandals and pumps, which will be referred to hereinafter, generically, as'shoes.
  • tendons and th joints in the foot and cause disorders which affect the nervous and muscular system of the whole body.
  • shoes which are based, from a structuralstandpoint, upon sound anatomical principles, namely, shoes which correspond closely to the natural shape of the foot and permit the bones, muscles and tendons to move naturally.
  • a shoe sole construction having a flexible arch section which aiiords adequate support to the longitudinal arch of the foot and a firm support for a high heel, if such heels are demanded, but which permits the longitudinal arch of the foot to flex and the foot to shorten and lengthen normally during walking.
  • my flexible arch-construction is formed of a series of articulated segments which are capable of limited relative movement providing for a variation in curvature of the arch but which look together to form a firm support for the foot when the weight is distributed over the foot.
  • Such an articulated arch may be formed of substantially any desired type of material such as, for example, leather, metals, wood, glass or plastics or combinations of these materials.
  • the heel portion of the shoe can be formed as a unit from materials of the type refered to above, thereby eliminating all possibility. of the heel becoming detached from the sole. Moreover, this construction eliminates the expensive operation of heel seating and thelabor involved in this operasurfaces toreceivea pad of resilient shock absorbing material.
  • the wearing portion oithe sole beneath the toes and the ball of the foot may be formed of leather, or other material such as rubbenfor example. Improved comfort is afforded by padding the wear resisting portion of the sole to cushion and ease the shock of walking.
  • the upper may be formed as a unit and attached in any desired way to the sole.
  • the upper is so constructed that it passes entirely beneath the instep and ball of the foot without seams to rest or bear against the sole of the foot. This construction minimizes the labor required to smooth the seams and to flatten and cover the layers of material which terminate at the edge of the sole.
  • Figure 5 is an exploded view in perspective of two of the segments of the arch construction of the shoes disclosed in Figure 4;
  • Figure 6 is a side view of one of the segments of the arch section of the sole
  • Figure '7 is a perspective View of the inner side of another form of heel and arch construction embodying the invention.
  • Figure 8 is a view in elevation of opposite side of the sole and heel construction disclosed in Fi ure 7;
  • Figure 9 is a side view of the sole construction disclosed in Figures 7 and 8, showing the sole in a flexed condition.
  • Figure 10 is a side view of a modified form of means for connecting at the arch segments.
  • Figures 1 and 2 of the drawings illustrate a shoe construction of the type embodying the invention which, is capable of flexing in the manher in which the normal human foot tends to flex when unrestrained.
  • the shoe consists of a sole l0, including a wearing tread portion H, disposed beneath the ball of the foot, an arch portion I2 disposed beneath the longitudinal arch of the foot and a heel portion 13.
  • an upper I4 Connected to the sole, in a manner hereinafter to be described, is an upper I4 which covers the toe and the instep portion of the foot.
  • the'tread portion l l of the shoe sole Ill is formed in plan to correspond to the normal shape of the human foot, that is, the inner edge lB-as viewed in Figures 1 and 3 extends substantially parallel to the axis of the foot.
  • the opposite edge of the tread portion I I is curved rearwardly to the arch portion I2 from the forwardmost end I! to correspond to the line of curvature of the ends of the toes of the foot.
  • the archportion l2 of the sole consists of a plurality of segments [8, I9, 20, 2
  • the se ment l8 preferably tapers longitudinally toward the toe of the shoe and is provided with a V- shaped recess 23 in the forward end thereof for receiving the tapered edge 24 of the tread por-- tion H of the sole which may be glued or otherwise secured therein.
  • the segments l9 to 22 inclusive are generally of keystone shape in vertical cross section but are provided with more tapered or more sharply angled lower end portions 25 which permit them to rock slightly about the pivot lines 26 so that their lower ends may be brought together in order to cause the segments l8 to22 to take a more sharply curved relationship.
  • the segments Hi to 22 are normally retained with their upper edge portions in engagement by means of a plurality of tensioned wires 2! which are anchored at opposite ends in the segment [8 and th heel portion l3 although the flexibilityand resiliency of the wires will permit relative movement of the seg ments.
  • the heel portion l3 may, like the segments Hi to 22, be formed of various types of material such as, for example, wood hard rubber, plastics, leather or metal, as may be desired, and preferably is molded or formed as a unit.
  • the form of heel illustrated in Figures 1 and 2 may have a rounded lower surface 28 which forms the continuation of the curve of the lower surface of the segments [8 to 22 and may have a concave upper surface 29 for receiving the heel of the foot.
  • the heel portion has an upwardly extend: ing substantially rigid counter 30 thereon formed of the same material as the remainder of the heel which is connected by means of a strap 3
  • the function of the counter 30 is to prevent the heel from buckling under when the weight is received on the heel before the remainder of the foot comes in contact-with the pavement or the earth during walking;
  • the upper l4 may be, if desired, a sleeve like member suitably shaped to fit closely the ball and instep.
  • the upper l4 preferably has a single seam 32 along the inner edge thereof in order to avoid the disposition of this seam beneath the foot.
  • the portion of the upper I4 which receives the ball and toes of the feet may be secured to the edges of the tread portion II by the seam extending around its outer periphery. It will be understood, of course, that the upper 14 may extend, only under the instep, if desired, but the use of a, sleeve-like upper extending under the instep and the ball of the foot is preferred.
  • the shoe disclosed in Figure 4 is similar to that disclosed in Figures 1 and 2, with the exceptions that a higher heel is provided and a difierent type of segment is used to provide the flexible arch construction.
  • the shoe may consist of a heel portion 35, a flexible arch portion 36 and a tread portion 31 together with an upper 38.
  • the tread portion 31 may be formed of a strip of leather having upwardly curved edges which form a cavity 39 for receiving resilient material.
  • This resilient material may, as illustrated, consist of a pad 40 of sponge or soft rubber. If desired, some other resilient or soft padding material such as glass fiber, sponge latex or the like may be used to pad the sole.
  • the upper 38,.a sleeve-like construction similar to that disclosed in Figures 1 and 2, is joined by a seam 4
  • the rear portion of the upper 38 may be fixed to the heel 35 by means of a strap 42 on the upper which passes through an aperture 43 in the top surface 43a of the heel and is secured, as by gluing, to the rigid counter portion 44 extending upwardly from the heel.
  • the heel 35 differs from the heel I3 of Figures l and 2 in that it is of medium height.
  • the articulated arch section 36 consists of a generally triangular segment 45 and a plurality of cooperating segments 46, 41, 48 and 49 which are of generally similar construction exceptfor their size and the curvature of their upper surfaces which will be described presently.
  • the segments 46 and 49 have keystone shaped upper end the keystone shapedportion and on one side thereof are curved and tapered pivot members 46b,to 4912 which are received in correspondingly shaped but shallowerrecesses 450 to 480 in the next adjacent segment to the left as viewed in Figure 4. By making these recesses shallower than the pivots, relative rocking movement between the segments is permitted. Relative rocking movement of the segments 45 to 49 is limited by means of thehook shaped.
  • the segments 45 to 49 inclusive and the heel 35 may be retained in their proper relative positions by means of tensioned wires 50 and 50a passing through the segments 46 to 49 above and below the pivots 46b to'49b at opposite ends thereof anchored in the segment 45 and the heel 35, as shown in Figure 5.
  • the pivot construction described above prevents twisting of the arch and heel.
  • the upper surface of 9 thevarious segments forming the arch section of the shoe preferably are of such contour as to providean arch supporting construction.
  • One of the segments 4%. illustrating the configuration of the arch, is disclosed in Figure 6.
  • the segment 48 is provided with an upwardly and outwardly directed inner end portion and a concavely curved upper surfaceportion 52 inclined between end portion 5
  • the curvature of the surface -52- is such as to fit closely the corresponding portion of the arch of the human foot.
  • the upper surface portions of the other segments 46, 41 and 49 are likewise shaped to form a smoothly curved surface which will accurately and closely fit the bottom portion of the foot beneath the arch. thus affording anatomically correct support for the longitudinal arch of the foot.
  • the arch construction 60 may consist of the segments El, 62, 63, 64, 65 and 66, the last-mentioned segment being joined to the high heel 61.
  • the segments and the heel are connected by the pivot members 62a to Na and the corresponding sockets Gib to 66b, permitting the arch to flex as shown in Figure 9.
  • to 66 are curved transversely of the arch to conform to the curvature of the arch of the foot.
  • the upper surface portion 68 of the heel 61 is concavel curved and may receive a pad 69 of a resilient shock absorbing material.
  • the segments forming the arch construction may be connected in other ways, if desired.
  • the segments 10, I I, I2 and 13 may be joined by means of wire staples 14 which extend into the adjacent bearing members Hid to 13a.
  • the ends of the staples may be fixed firmly in the segments 10 to 13 so that the mid-portion of the staples must flex to permit separation of the upper end of the segments.
  • the shoe constructions described above are characterized by a flexible foot supporting construction which allows the foot to flex as though the sole were formed of a resilient or flexible material.
  • the arch is so constructed that heels of any desired height may be used therewith.
  • This construction does not bind the foot in a fixed position during walking and permits the feet to be exercised and strengthened during walking. Such exercise strengthens Weak arches and affords-adequate support when the foot is at rest.
  • there may be many other forms of articulated arches provided which vary somewhat from the forms of the arches disclosed in the instant application without departing from the invention and that the heel shapes and the sole constructions may be modified widely all within the concept of this invention. Therefore the form of the invention herein described should be considered as illustrative only and not as'limiting the scope of the following claims.
  • a sole construction for'shoes comprising a tread portiorna heel portion, an arch portion interposed between said heel and said tread portions, said arch portion having a predetermined normal longitudinal curvature corresponding substantially to the curvature of the bottom of a normal human foot, at least apart of said arch portion being formed of a plurality of tapered segments, means connecting said segments for relative pivotal movement about lines spaced from theirupper edges to permit said upper edges to move together to produce said normal curvature and to separate to produce a sharper than normal curvature and means urging said upper edges into engagement and restraining the segments against movement into positions form ing an arch curvature of a longer radius than the radius of said normal curvature.
  • said arch portion comprising a plurality of downwardly tapered segments, means connecting said segments for limited relative rocking movement between normal position in which the upper edges of said segments are in engagement and form said longitudinally curved arch portion and other positions in which said upper edges are spaced apart imparting a sharper curvature to said arch portion, and means urging said upper edges together to resiliently retain said segments in said normal position but permitting the upper edges of said segments to separate to impart said sharper curvature to said arch portion, the last-named means also resisting any tendency of said segments to move into positions imparting a curvature to said arch portion of longer radius than the radius of said normal curvature.
  • the comper portions of said segments are in engagement and form said upwardly convexly curved arch portion and a position in which said upper portions are spaced apart imparting a sharper curvature to said arch portion, and means resiliently position and resisting movement of said segments to positions imparting to said arch portion a curvature of longer radius than imparted by said segments when in said normal position.
  • a tread portion a heel portion, an arch portion
  • said arch portion comprising a plurality of articulated tapered segments having transversely concave and longitudinally convexly curved upper surfaces, together forming a normally curved surface corresponding substantially to the shape of the arch portion of a normal human foot, said segments engaging to form said normally curved surface and movable apart at their upper edges to form a sharper longitudinal curvature, and means for restraining said segments against movement into positions in which the segments form a surface of lesser curvature than said normally curved surface.
  • a heel portion a tread portion, a convexly curved arch portion
  • said arch portion comprising a plurality of segments having interfitting portions adjacent their lower ends permitting limited relative rocking of said segments between a position in which the upper portions of said segments are in abutting relationship imparting a normal curvature to said arch portion and a position in which said upper portions are spaced apart imparting a sharper curvature to said arch portion and means normally urging the upper ends of said segments into engagement and preventing movement of said segments into positions imparting to said arch portion a lesser curvature than said normal curvature.
  • a shoe comprising a tread portion, an arch portion capable of limited flexing movement, a heel portion pivotally connected to said arch por tion, a toe and instep covering portion connected to said tread portion and said heel portion, a counter substantially rigidly connected to said heel portion and means connected to said counter and said toe and instep covering portion for limiting the rocking movement of said heel portion in wardly toward said arch portion.
  • a shoe comprising a tread portion, an arch portion capable of limited flexing movement, a heel portion connected to said arch portion for limited rocking movement relatively thereto, a substantially tubular upper having a portion extending continuously across the top of said tread urging said segments into said first mentioned and arch portions and secured to said tread portion, and means securing said upper to said heel portion for resisting relative rocking movement of said heel inwardly toward said arch portion.
  • a shoe comprising a tread portion, an archsupporting portion formed of a plurality of segments connected for limited relative rocking movement, a heel portion connected to one of said segments, a tubular toe and/or instep covering portion overlying said tread and arch portions, said covering portion being joined to said tread portion and free from connection with said shank portion, and means for securing the toe and/ or instep covering portions and the heel portion to the foot.
  • a wearing tread portion comprising a plurality of downwardly tapered segments each having an upper surface, a lower surface and downwardly converging lateral surfaces, means connecting said segments for relative pivotal movement about axes spaced from said upper surfaces, and for urging said lateral surfaces together to form an arch portion having a normal convex curvature corresponding to the curvature of the arch of a normal human foot, said means also permitting pivotal movement of said tapered segments about said axes to increase the curvature of said arch portion and preventing flattening of said arch portion to less than said normal curvature.
  • a wearing tread portion a heel portion and an arch portion
  • said arch portion com prising a plurality of segments each having an upper end, a lower end and lateral surfaces, and means adjacent the lower ends of said segments pivotally connecting said segments for relative movement into a position in which said lateral surfaces are in engagement and said segments form a curved arch having an upper surface substantially complemental to the curvature of the arch of a normal human foot, and into a position in which the lateral surfaces and upper ends of said segments are spaced apart and said segments form a curved arch of shorter radius
  • said means pivotally connecting said segments also preventing separation of the lower ends of said segments when said lateral surfaces ar in engagement.

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  • Footwear And Its Accessory, Manufacturing Method And Apparatuses (AREA)

Description

y 1945 G. w. GEISSMANN 2,377,141
FOOTWEAR Filed Oct. 15, 1940 2 Sheets-Sheet 1 XNVENTOR. G/adys w/riicamb 6661mm ATTORNEY.
y w. GIEISSMANN 2,377,141
FOOTWEAR Filed 001:. 15, 1940 2 Sheets- Sheet 2 INVENTOR. 67 6/4495 'whifcomb 6e/3Jmann BY y -MW.
ATTORNEY.
Patented May 29, 1945 FOOTWEAR Gladys Whitcomb Geissmann, New York, N. Y.,
assignor to Merry Hull & Company, New York,
a co-partnership comprising Gladys Whitcomb Geissmann and Robert Glenn Geissmann ApplicationOctober 15, 1940, Serial No. 361,198
10 Cains.
This invention relates to improvements in I footwear and relates particularly to improvements in the sole constructions of ladies footwear, such as, for example, oxfords, sandals and pumps, which will be referred to hereinafter, generically, as'shoes.
It has been recognized for many years that the design and construction of ladies shoes are the cause of foot trouble and of other physical disorders. High heels are, in part, responsible for such disorders, for the reason that shoes must be constructed to offset the structural defects introduced by such heels. High heels maintain thefoot' in a position of constant strain and force the foot forward into the toe portion of the shoes. Inasmuch as toe portions of ladies shoes usually are of symmetrical shape, whereas the human foot is not, the toes are cramped or squeezed together thus preventing their free pivotal movement.
'The free and natural movement of the foot is further restricted by the shank and instep construction of such shoes. It is necessary to provide a solid support for high heels in order to prevent them from twisting and breaking oil. The shanksof such shoes, therefore, usually are rigidified by means of a rigid steel strip.
The inclination of the sole tends to causethe foot to slide forward toward the toe of the shoe.
This sliding movement is restrained by fitting the'upper of th shoe tightly to. the instep portion of the foot. Such a tight fitting instep portion binds the longitudinal arch ofthe foot to the rigid shank of the shoe and thereby prevents normal flexing of the arch. Thus ladies shoes tend to restrict the movements of and the changes in the shape of the foot which normally occur during walking and cramp the muscles,
. tendons and th joints in the foot and cause disorders which affect the nervous and muscular system of the whole body.
Substantially all of these disadvantages of the present types of footwear-could be overcome by shoes which are based, from a structuralstandpoint, upon sound anatomical principles, namely, shoes which correspond closely to the natural shape of the foot and permit the bones, muscles and tendons to move naturally.
I have found that when an individual rises upon the toes and steps forward, as in walking,
the longitudinal arch of th foot curves more sharply and the foot becomes correspondingly shorter than when the weight is distributed over the entire foot. Obviously, and as pointed out above, if the foot is restrained against such flexing and shortening, a severe strain upon the muscles and tendons.
In accordance with the present invention, I have provided a shoe sole construction having a flexible arch section which aiiords adequate support to the longitudinal arch of the foot and a firm support for a high heel, if such heels are demanded, but which permits the longitudinal arch of the foot to flex and the foot to shorten and lengthen normally during walking. Preferably, my flexible arch-construction is formed of a series of articulated segments which are capable of limited relative movement providing for a variation in curvature of the arch but which look together to form a firm support for the foot when the weight is distributed over the foot. Such an articulated arch may be formed of substantially any desired type of material such as, for example, leather, metals, wood, glass or plastics or combinations of these materials.
Inasmuch as the arch portion of the sole is made up of a series of sections, the heel portion of the shoe can be formed as a unit from materials of the type refered to above, thereby eliminating all possibility. of the heel becoming detached from the sole. Moreover, this construction eliminates the expensive operation of heel seating and thelabor involved in this operasurfaces toreceivea pad of resilient shock absorbing material.
When the arch section of the sole is formed of material other than leather, the wearing portion oithe sole beneath the toes and the ball of the foot may be formed of leather, or other material such as rubbenfor example. Improved comfort is afforded by padding the wear resisting portion of the sole to cushion and ease the shock of walking.
Another feature of my shoe constructions which is advantageous is that the upper may be formed as a unit and attached in any desired way to the sole. Preferably, the upper is so constructed that it passes entirely beneath the instep and ball of the foot without seams to rest or bear against the sole of the foot. This construction minimizes the labor required to smooth the seams and to flatten and cover the layers of material which terminate at the edge of the sole.
For a better understanding of the present inis placed of the shoe illustrating a modified form of the arch construction;
Figure 5 is an exploded view in perspective of two of the segments of the arch construction of the shoes disclosed in Figure 4;
Figure 6 is a side view of one of the segments of the arch section of the sole;
Figure '7 is a perspective View of the inner side of another form of heel and arch construction embodying the invention;
Figure 8 is a view in elevation of opposite side of the sole and heel construction disclosed in Fi ure 7;
\ Figure 9 is a side view of the sole construction disclosed in Figures 7 and 8, showing the sole in a flexed condition; and
Figure 10 is a side view of a modified form of means for connecting at the arch segments.
Figures 1 and 2 of the drawings illustrate a shoe construction of the type embodying the invention which, is capable of flexing in the manher in which the normal human foot tends to flex when unrestrained. The shoe consists of a sole l0, including a wearing tread portion H, disposed beneath the ball of the foot, an arch portion I2 disposed beneath the longitudinal arch of the foot and a heel portion 13. Connected to the sole, in a manner hereinafter to be described, is an upper I4 which covers the toe and the instep portion of the foot.
Preferably, the'tread portion l l of the shoe sole Ill is formed in plan to correspond to the normal shape of the human foot, that is, the inner edge lB-as viewed in Figures 1 and 3 extends substantially parallel to the axis of the foot. The opposite edge of the tread portion I I is curved rearwardly to the arch portion I2 from the forwardmost end I! to correspond to the line of curvature of the ends of the toes of the foot.
The archportion l2 of the sole consists of a plurality of segments [8, I9, 20, 2| and 22, as illustrated, although a greater or lesser number maybe provided, depending upon the length of the shoe and the size of the segments. The se ment l8 preferably tapers longitudinally toward the toe of the shoe and is provided with a V- shaped recess 23 in the forward end thereof for receiving the tapered edge 24 of the tread por-- tion H of the sole which may be glued or otherwise secured therein.
As shown, particularly in Figure 2, the segments l9 to 22 inclusive are generally of keystone shape in vertical cross section but are provided with more tapered or more sharply angled lower end portions 25 which permit them to rock slightly about the pivot lines 26 so that their lower ends may be brought together in order to cause the segments l8 to22 to take a more sharply curved relationship. The segments Hi to 22 are normally retained with their upper edge portions in engagement by means of a plurality of tensioned wires 2! which are anchored at opposite ends in the segment [8 and th heel portion l3 although the flexibilityand resiliency of the wires will permit relative movement of the seg ments.
The heel portion l3 may, like the segments Hi to 22, be formed of various types of material such as, for example, wood hard rubber, plastics, leather or metal, as may be desired, and preferably is molded or formed as a unit. The form of heel illustrated in Figures 1 and 2 may have a rounded lower surface 28 which forms the continuation of the curve of the lower surface of the segments [8 to 22 and may have a concave upper surface 29 for receiving the heel of the foot. The heel portion has an upwardly extend: ing substantially rigid counter 30 thereon formed of the same material as the remainder of the heel which is connected by means of a strap 3| to the upper l4. If desired, a heel covering may be used instead of the strap 31. The function of the counter 30 is to prevent the heel from buckling under when the weight is received on the heel before the remainder of the foot comes in contact-with the pavement or the earth during walking;
The upper l4 may be, if desired, a sleeve like member suitably shaped to fit closely the ball and instep. The upper l4 preferably has a single seam 32 along the inner edge thereof in order to avoid the disposition of this seam beneath the foot. The portion of the upper I4 which receives the ball and toes of the feet may be secured to the edges of the tread portion II by the seam extending around its outer periphery. It will be understood, of course, that the upper 14 may extend, only under the instep, if desired, but the use of a, sleeve-like upper extending under the instep and the ball of the foot is preferred.
The connection between the remainder of the upperand sole will be described hereinafter, in connection with the description of the shoe disclosed in Figure 4.
The form of the shoe disclosed in Figure 4 is similar to that disclosed in Figures 1 and 2, with the exceptions that a higher heel is provided and a difierent type of segment is used to provide the flexible arch construction. As shown in Figure 4, the shoe may consist of a heel portion 35, a flexible arch portion 36 and a tread portion 31 together with an upper 38. As shown, particularly in this figure, the tread portion 31 may be formed of a strip of leather having upwardly curved edges which form a cavity 39 for receiving resilient material. This resilient material may, as illustrated, consist of a pad 40 of sponge or soft rubber. If desired, some other resilient or soft padding material such as glass fiber, sponge latex or the like may be used to pad the sole. 7 The upper 38,.a sleeve-like construction similar to that disclosed in Figures 1 and 2, is joined by a seam 4| to the edges of the tread portion 3'! and encloses the padding material within the sole.
The rear portion of the upper 38 may be fixed to the heel 35 by means of a strap 42 on the upper which passes through an aperture 43 in the top surface 43a of the heel and is secured, as by gluing, to the rigid counter portion 44 extending upwardly from the heel.
The heel 35 differs from the heel I3 of Figures l and 2 in that it is of medium height.
The articulated arch section 36 consists of a generally triangular segment 45 and a plurality of cooperating segments 46, 41, 48 and 49 which are of generally similar construction exceptfor their size and the curvature of their upper surfaces which will be described presently. The segments 46 and 49 have keystone shaped upper end the keystone shapedportion and on one side thereof are curved and tapered pivot members 46b,to 4912 which are received in correspondingly shaped but shallowerrecesses 450 to 480 in the next adjacent segment to the left as viewed in Figure 4. By making these recesses shallower than the pivots, relative rocking movement between the segments is permitted. Relative rocking movement of the segments 45 to 49 is limited by means of thehook shaped. portions 45d to 49d which comeinto engagement when th segments have reached the limit of their movement. The recess 49c ofthe segment 49 receives a frusto-conical bearing element 35b onthe heel 35 thus permitting the heel to rock relatively to the segment49. v
The segments 45 to 49 inclusive and the heel 35 may be retained in their proper relative positions by means of tensioned wires 50 and 50a passing through the segments 46 to 49 above and below the pivots 46b to'49b at opposite ends thereof anchored in the segment 45 and the heel 35, as shown in Figure 5. The pivot construction described above prevents twisting of the arch and heel.
The upper surface of 9 thevarious segments forming the arch section of the shoe preferably are of such contour as to providean arch supporting construction. One of the segments 4%. illustrating the configuration of the arch, is disclosed in Figure 6. The segment 48 is provided with an upwardly and outwardly directed inner end portion and a concavely curved upper surfaceportion 52 inclined between end portion 5| and the narrow end 53 adjacent the outer portion of the foot. The curvature of the surface -52-is such as to fit closely the corresponding portion of the arch of the human foot. The upper surface portions of the other segments 46, 41 and 49 are likewise shaped to form a smoothly curved surface which will accurately and closely fit the bottom portion of the foot beneath the arch. thus affording anatomically correct support for the longitudinal arch of the foot.
As shown in Figures '7, 8 and 9, a similar flexible arch construction can be applied to the sole of a high heel shoe. In thisform of sole, the arch construction 60 may consist of the segments El, 62, 63, 64, 65 and 66, the last-mentioned segment being joined to the high heel 61. The segments and the heel are connected by the pivot members 62a to Na and the corresponding sockets Gib to 66b, permitting the arch to flex as shown in Figure 9.
The upper surfaces of the segments 6| to 66 are curved transversely of the arch to conform to the curvature of the arch of the foot.
As shown in particular in Figures 7 and 8, the upper surface portion 68 of the heel 61 is concavel curved and may receive a pad 69 of a resilient shock absorbing material.
The segments forming the arch construction may be connected in other ways, if desired. For example, as shown in Figure 10. the segments 10, I I, I2 and 13 may be joined by means of wire staples 14 which extend into the adjacent bearing members Hid to 13a. The ends of the staples may be fixed firmly in the segments 10 to 13 so that the mid-portion of the staples must flex to permit separation of the upper end of the segments.
The shoe constructions described above are characterized by a flexible foot supporting construction which allows the foot to flex as though the sole were formed of a resilient or flexible material. However, the arch is so constructed that heels of any desired height may be used therewith. This construction does not bind the foot in a fixed position during walking and permits the feet to be exercised and strengthened during walking. Such exercise strengthens Weak arches and affords-adequate support when the foot is at rest. It will be evident that there may be many other forms of articulated arches provided which vary somewhat from the forms of the arches disclosed in the instant application without departing from the invention and that the heel shapes and the sole constructions may be modified widely all within the concept of this invention. Therefore the form of the invention herein described should be considered as illustrative only and not as'limiting the scope of the following claims.
I claim:
l. A sole construction for'shoes comprising a tread portiorna heel portion, an arch portion interposed between said heel and said tread portions, said arch portion having a predetermined normal longitudinal curvature corresponding substantially to the curvature of the bottom of a normal human foot, at least apart of said arch portion being formed of a plurality of tapered segments, means connecting said segments for relative pivotal movement about lines spaced from theirupper edges to permit said upper edges to move together to produce said normal curvature and to separate to produce a sharper than normal curvature and means urging said upper edges into engagement and restraining the segments against movement into positions form ing an arch curvature of a longer radius than the radius of said normal curvature.
2. In a sole construction for shoes, the combination of a tread portion, a heel portion, a
longitudinally curved arch portion of predetermined shape interposed between said tread and heel portions, said arch portion comprising a plurality of downwardly tapered segments, means connecting said segments for limited relative rocking movement between normal position in which the upper edges of said segments are in engagement and form said longitudinally curved arch portion and other positions in which said upper edges are spaced apart imparting a sharper curvature to said arch portion, and means urging said upper edges together to resiliently retain said segments in said normal position but permitting the upper edges of said segments to separate to impart said sharper curvature to said arch portion, the last-named means also resisting any tendency of said segments to move into positions imparting a curvature to said arch portion of longer radius than the radius of said normal curvature.
3. In a sole construction for shoes, the comper portions of said segments are in engagement and form said upwardly convexly curved arch portion and a position in which said upper portions are spaced apart imparting a sharper curvature to said arch portion, and means resiliently position and resisting movement of said segments to positions imparting to said arch portion a curvature of longer radius than imparted by said segments when in said normal position.
4. In a sole construction for shoes, the combination of a tread portion, a heel portion, an arch portion, said arch portion comprising a plurality of articulated tapered segments having transversely concave and longitudinally convexly curved upper surfaces, together forming a normally curved surface corresponding substantially to the shape of the arch portion of a normal human foot, said segments engaging to form said normally curved surface and movable apart at their upper edges to form a sharper longitudinal curvature, and means for restraining said segments against movement into positions in which the segments form a surface of lesser curvature than said normally curved surface.
5. In a sole construction for shoes, the combination of a heel portion, a tread portion, a convexly curved arch portion, said arch portion comprising a plurality of segments having interfitting portions adjacent their lower ends permitting limited relative rocking of said segments between a position in which the upper portions of said segments are in abutting relationship imparting a normal curvature to said arch portion and a position in which said upper portions are spaced apart imparting a sharper curvature to said arch portion and means normally urging the upper ends of said segments into engagement and preventing movement of said segments into positions imparting to said arch portion a lesser curvature than said normal curvature.
6. A shoe comprising a tread portion, an arch portion capable of limited flexing movement, a heel portion pivotally connected to said arch por tion, a toe and instep covering portion connected to said tread portion and said heel portion, a counter substantially rigidly connected to said heel portion and means connected to said counter and said toe and instep covering portion for limiting the rocking movement of said heel portion in wardly toward said arch portion.
7. A shoe comprising a tread portion, an arch portion capable of limited flexing movement, a heel portion connected to said arch portion for limited rocking movement relatively thereto, a substantially tubular upper having a portion extending continuously across the top of said tread urging said segments into said first mentioned and arch portions and secured to said tread portion, and means securing said upper to said heel portion for resisting relative rocking movement of said heel inwardly toward said arch portion.
8. A shoe comprising a tread portion, an archsupporting portion formed of a plurality of segments connected for limited relative rocking movement, a heel portion connected to one of said segments, a tubular toe and/or instep covering portion overlying said tread and arch portions, said covering portion being joined to said tread portion and free from connection with said shank portion, and means for securing the toe and/ or instep covering portions and the heel portion to the foot.
9. In a sole construction for shoes, the combination of a wearing tread portion, a heel portion and an arch portion, said arch portion comprising a plurality of downwardly tapered segments each having an upper surface, a lower surface and downwardly converging lateral surfaces, means connecting said segments for relative pivotal movement about axes spaced from said upper surfaces, and for urging said lateral surfaces together to form an arch portion having a normal convex curvature corresponding to the curvature of the arch of a normal human foot, said means also permitting pivotal movement of said tapered segments about said axes to increase the curvature of said arch portion and preventing flattening of said arch portion to less than said normal curvature. I
10. In a sole construction for shoes, the combination of a wearing tread portion, a heel portion and an arch portion, said arch portion com prising a plurality of segments each having an upper end, a lower end and lateral surfaces, and means adjacent the lower ends of said segments pivotally connecting said segments for relative movement into a position in which said lateral surfaces are in engagement and said segments form a curved arch having an upper surface substantially complemental to the curvature of the arch of a normal human foot, and into a position in which the lateral surfaces and upper ends of said segments are spaced apart and said segments form a curved arch of shorter radius, said means pivotally connecting said segments also preventing separation of the lower ends of said segments when said lateral surfaces ar in engagement.
GLADYS WHI'I COMB GEISSMANN.
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Cited By (3)

* Cited by examiner, † Cited by third party
Publication number Priority date Publication date Assignee Title
US2478664A (en) * 1946-12-27 1949-08-09 Fred E Morrow Sandal
USD268221S (en) 1981-02-05 1983-03-15 Cherokee Shoe Company, Inc. Shoe sole
USD268299S (en) 1981-10-09 1983-03-22 Cherokee Shoe Company, Inc. Shoe sole

Cited By (3)

* Cited by examiner, † Cited by third party
Publication number Priority date Publication date Assignee Title
US2478664A (en) * 1946-12-27 1949-08-09 Fred E Morrow Sandal
USD268221S (en) 1981-02-05 1983-03-15 Cherokee Shoe Company, Inc. Shoe sole
USD268299S (en) 1981-10-09 1983-03-22 Cherokee Shoe Company, Inc. Shoe sole

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