US2395936A - Posture correcting device - Google Patents

Description

Mar'ch 5, 1946. l. QLEISKY l 2,395,936

POSTURE `CORRECTING DEVICE Filed Oct. 12, 1944 -2 ShietS-Sheet 2 .22,2 Me/fok ical and medical fact that the feet Patented Mar. 5, 1946 *e UNITED STATES PATENT OFFICE v 2,395,936 v A.

ros'rURE coRREo'rmG DEVICE Isaaore oleisky, chicago, 1li; Application October 12, 1944, Serial No. 558,403

My invention relates to an adjustable and foot correcting device and a method of treatment aiming at the cure of acute, chronic and infectious diseases by a correction of the mechanics of the body, adapted to be used by attachments to th'e human foot-or by merely standing on such devicefor relatively short intervals of time in order to accomplish the benefits hereinafter described.

More particularly my invention is designed and adapted for correcting deformities of the bones, reducing or eliminating abnormal contraction and abnormal stretching of the muscles brought about by improper employment-of heel and sole lifts without due regard or understanding of the mechanics of the body. In treatment, the principle of leverage is employed to fatigue contracted (hypertonic) muscles, thereby causing stretches (hypotonic) muscles to, 4 develop spasm which is the only thing that can draw bones, organs and other tissues closer to their ideal position or state. Methods now practiced or applied increase distortion and deformity. The object of my device is to decrease distortion, deformity and fatigue, and to increase vitality and prolongation of useful life. Such objective keeps in mind the correct employment of heel and sole lifts based on the anatomdationof the body.

Congenital' deformities `normally maintain a part of the muscles in abnormal contraction and another part thereof in abnormal stretch. In many instances, such deformities are further increased and aggravated by gravity alone, gravity coupled with other forces such as overload, fatigue, diet and other external forces -which compel further contraction of the already deformity-set contracted muscles. In some types `of congenital deformities, it is the deformities of the bones which determine what particular muscles should be contracted or stretched in order to bring about partial or full correction. Congenital deformities usually cause certain bones to twist exercising torsion and normally creates a state of abnormal strain upon not only the muscles but all parts of the body and causing' incorrect posture.

Presently known treatments, having astheir purpo-se the correction of these conditions, both medical and manipulative, have been haphazard, and in the relatively limited number of cases where favorable results have been obtained, they have been accidental.

Correct diagnosis is necessary for successful cure and correction. The symptoms which are are the founpresent and which are manifestations of varying degrees of torque caused thereby should be care-` fully analyzed and it should be ascertained what bones have deviated from the ideal positions. After this has been ascertained, it can then be determined what bones have deviated from the ideal position and correct determination can" be made as to the direction of drive that must be imparted to reduce the ltorsion and deformity of the patients body. It is indispensable that correct diagnosis and correct treatmentbe practiced in order successfully to accomplish the elimination of distortion and deformity and so as to avoid any increase thereof. Such practice includes steps which reduce torque and which will move parts of the body in directions opposite to the paths that the parts took in attaining the particular distortion.

In treatment of many types of deformities, itv

feet are the foundation of the body and that the proper treatment will eliminate the deformity which has set the direction of the twist and which treatment will reverse the direction of torque wholly or partly causing deformity.

It is an object of my invention to provide means and devices of the hereinvdescribed class which may be satisfactorily used for the correction of incorrect posture and of congenital deformities,

and which include two or more pivotally connected members adjustable with relation to each other and adapted to be either stood upon at intervals or attached to the feet and walked upon for a relatively short period of time.

4A further object of my invention is the provision of adjustable deformity correcting devices comprising portable units which include two or more block-like members which are separable one from the other and which' may be mounted and connected together in various relative positions,

wherein the upper surface of one of said members will be positioned and inclined in relation with the other, and which units are adapted to support the feet in the desired positions, which positions are necessary for the contraction of some muscles and the stretch of other muscles and for more correct positioning of bones and other parts of the body.

A further object of my invention is the provision of deformity correcting devices of the class described comprising a plurality of block-like members, certain of which are separably connected, and brace members or spacer-parts ad- Y. relation to the lower or base member, and which -when stood upon or walked with will exercise various muscles in such manner as to gradually correct conditions which cause the deformity.

The object of my invention, therefore is to provide a posture and foot corrective device which at one operation will contribute to the reduction and gradual elimination of faulty posture control.

A further object of my invention is to provide an appliance, apparatus or corrective device for the feet, with adjustable parts and functions to correct congenital and other deformities.

A further object of my invention is to have the adjustable parts function in a manner and mode suited to the needs of the congenital de- A the herein described apparatus, appliance or device as a shoe to be worn and adjusted to suit the needs of the deformity corrective 'measures and treatment.

A further object of my invention is to provide corrective device similar to the construction shown in Fig. 4 and including the foot engaging block or member and slidable'adjustable block adapted to forma complete satisfactory corrective device which is adjustable either longituv dinally or transversely.

Referring to Figs. 1 and 4, reference numeral I0 designates a substantially elongated base or base member which may be made of wood, metal or other suitable material, and which terminates on opposite ends M and i2 and whose upper fac is designated by numeral Il.

Reference numeral I4 designates a foot. engaging elongated member made of wood or other suitable material and of length preferably greater than that of the normal human foot. Said foot engaging member or support i6, preferably, has its heel-end beveled or rounded and an optional arcuate guard i5 fastened to said rounded end by suitable fastening means, such as nails or tacks IB, as illustrated in Figs. 1, 2, 4.arid 6.

A suitable hinge composed of a pair of cooperating hinge knuckles, or equivalent pivoting elements and designated as I1 has its upper part secured by suitable fastening means to the heelend face of the foot engaging or sole-support I4 and preferably beneath the intermediate portion of the heel-guard i5. The lower part of hinge i 1, which preferably, though optionally, has its lower edge I1b arcuate and spaced from the lowermost corner of base l0. ls adjustably secured to the end surface of base Ill by screws lla or equivalent releasable fastening means. Said lower part of hinge I1 is preferably provided with a pair of arcuate slots I8 through which the outer screws are mounted, and which screws thread into the heel-end of base lll so .as to provide for optional transverse rocking movement of the footengaging support I 4 through the medium of adan apparatus. appliance 0r device solely as a '60 instable pivoting or said hinge l1, for the purpose mechanical medium employed for the correction of body deformities.

Other and nirther objects of my invention will be apparent from the following descriptions and claims.

My invention is described in the following specications with reference to numerals of reference on the accompanying two drawings.

Fig. 1 is a. side elevational view of my posture an foot correcting device, illustrating certain parts in cross-section.

Fig. 2 is an end elevational view of the right hand end portion of illustration, Fig. l,

Fig. .3 is a cross-sectional view taken on a vertical plane indicated by line 3-3 of Fig. l.

1 spacer-member 20 in relation to fragments of the base illustrated in Fig. 4, but for the same pur poseof being slidably adjustable to achieve the necessary incline of soleor upper-member il of the device. Y

Fig. 8 is a top plan view of the movable brace Y which is illustrated in side elevation in the left portion of Fig. 4, and taken substantially along the line 8-8 of Fig. 4.

Fig. 9 is a side elevational view of the foot o and 7.

Said locking groove i9 forms a guideway and' is adapted to receive the integral tongue or extension 2i of the slidable adjustable'brace, support or bracket 2li, as illustrated in Figs. 3, 5 and '7.

The slidable bracket, support or brace 20 may be made of wood, metal or other suitable material and extends upwardly and terminates in bali, extension or head 22, as illustrated in Figs. 3 and 4. Said ball or head 22 is adapted to slide in slot, groove or channel 23 formed longitudinally in foot-engaging support I4, and which is preferably of narrower breadth at its opening than the breadth of the inner part of said groove or channel 23, as illustrated in Figs. 2 and 3.

" The foot-engaging member or pivotal support edsadiusting or set screw 21 which vthreadingly engages the threaded passage of nut 25m brace 26. Said nut 25 is optionally secured in the enlarged portion of the transverse passage by an optional set screw 28 shown in dotted lines in Fig. 1.

A suitable-flange or collar 29 is mounted upon the adjusting screw 21 adjacent to the inner face 'of the bracket 26. It will be understood that rotation of the screw 21, through means ,of rotating its accessible head, will move the base or bracket 20 longitudinally with respect to said base I0 and said foot support I4 to effect sliding movement between the head 22 and groove 23 and between the downwardly projecting tongue 2I and groove I9, and that counter-movement will move said base or bracket 26 in the opposite direction so as to selectively position and adjust the foot supporting member I4 at the'desired`angle'and incline from end to end.

Some faulty foot conditions and incorrect posture, especially those which are caused by incorrect and improper muscle actions, require for their partial or full correction that the user exercise those muscles which actually hold the foot in faulty position, and some of these conditions require standing upon the corrective device with the toes towards the lower part and while'the users weight or a part thereof i-s supported upon the foot- These faulty foot and posture conditions are those which require a stretching of the muscles surrounding the forward portion of theankle and the contraction ofthe muscles adjacent the heel. In these types of instances, the user will` place his foot upon the corrective device with the toes adjacent and at least partially against the foot retaining member or counter at the lower Where nut 25 is mounted as stated, it threadingly engagesA after` analysis and determination of the exercises to VYbe given to each respective toot and to the body, two separate corrective devices of the general type described may easily be adjusted to entirely different and often opposite positions to be used by the patient by standing thereon for desired periods of time at daily or similar intervals, orby walking therewith after attaching the same with the aid of strap or similar means (asfragmentarily illustrated in Fig. 4 Vat numeral 30).

Referring to Fig. 4, the base block I0 has se-f cured to its heel-end, substantially as indicated at I2, one portion of'a hinge, and the uppei` block I4 is hingeably or pivotally connected with said hinge by screws or the like in the usual manner as shown in Figs. 4 and 6. The end portion of the upper or sole-support block I4 has secured thereon a flexible counter or retaining member I5 by a plurality of nails as indicated for the purpose herein described.

In the modified form of Figs. 4 and 6, the externally threaded adjusting or set screw '21, in stead of being journalled in bracket 26 of Fig. 1, is journalled in a hole in the lower section of hinge I1 (see Figs. 5 and 6), and is held by collar or thrust member 29 secured on screw 21 adjacent hinge I1, as illustrated in Fig. 4.

As illustrated in Figs, 4, 5 and 8, and Fig. '7, the base block I0 has an upwardly opening dove-tail groove I9 therein extending substantially but not entirely along its length. The spaced member or block 20, which maybe made of wood, metal or other suitable material, has a downwardly extending dove-tail integral tongue or projection 2'I' (Fig. 7) which fits into and slidably engages the groove I9; the lower faces of side portions of the base surface of said spacer member 2U sliding along the upper surface of block III. The upper periods as a corrective sandal, it being only necessary to utilize straps .or uppers capable of being attached about the foot.

Referring te Fig. 4, reference numeral 30 designates a strip of leather or other material fastened at or near the toe end of the foot-engaging elongated member by screws 3 I.

The degree of the fault of the particular ffoot, or degree of the incorrect posture as analyzed by an experienced advisor, will determine the positions the foot of the user should be in during corrective treatments, and devices of the construction I describe and illustrate readily permit the change and adjustment of the corrective device to meet the corrective requirements of the Vfoot conditions and incorrect postures.

For example, in Some individuals having incorrect posture, a definite fault and conditions are I6 or sole-supporting block or member I4 has formed therein a longitudinally extending opening or groove 32 which is of a width sulcierit to receive the bolt or screw-head 35 of a bolt 36, and said groove 32 extends from the toe-end of block `I4 to a substantial distance beyond the mid-point of said block I4.

It will be understood from the foregoing that the brace member 20 is slidably mounted withI respect to said base block I0 and upper block I4 and that/movement of the brace or spacer member or block vin either direction will respectively increase or decrease the incline of upper block I4.

I provide an easily adjustable means for holding the slidably mounted brace member 20, whether by means as illustrated in Figs. l and 3, or asv illustrated in Figs. 4, 5 and '7, in desired position, or by adjusting to the desired position the angle of the upper block I4 as illustrated in Figs. 4, 5 and '7.

A headed bolt 36, which preferably has a washer 31 thereon. is i'lrst inserted through the channel or groove 32 and then into the upper openings or slot 4I formed in the metal bracket or brace 2Il-a as. shown in Figs. 4, 5 and 9. Said slot or opening in the saddle-like brace 2li-a is preferably a cross in shape as illustrated in Fig. 8, and

a portion of which slot or opening 4I is shown in Fig. 4. The saddle-like `brace 26-a is preferably formed ofone strip of metal which is bent as found in one foot as compared to the other. and

Thel upper portion of said metal brace 2li-a ls preferably rounded, both in a longitudinal direction with respect to the long axis of the device, as well as transversely, it being understood that when the foot-engaging member I4 is adjusted to tilt or incline in a transverse direction, the under face of the forward portion of the foot-engaging member I4 will nevertheless rest upon some portion of the upper `ounded face of the metal brace 2Il-a, and re ardless of what adjusted transverse or longitudinal incline is attained by manually adjusted movement, the bolt 36 will be in a position to project through some portion of said cross-shaped slot 4I so as to eiciently provide for the releasable mounting on the flower threaded end'of said bolt 36 of a winged nut 34 as well as a optional washer 34-a above said wing nut 34.

By tightening the released nut 34 after either f the desired incline while the wing nut 34 is released, the` screws I'I/-a of said hinge V.may be tightened.

Referring to the form of Figs, 4, 5 and 8, the

manner the unit may be satisfactorily used in the aforesaid manner without any base connected thereto.

I desire to point out that the foot engaging block-like member I4, such as illustrated in Fig. 4 may have one end thereof, for example the heel end, positioned directly upon the floor or other supporting surface, and that the movabiy mounted spacer member, such as 20 or 20-a having a fiat bottomv surface, may be likewise positioned directly upon a floor or other supporting surface and adjustably positioned to the desirable point so as to support the foot engaging block member I4 at the desired incline. I have illustrated in Fig. 9 this construction which can be satisfactorily used to accomplish the novel Vadyantages and use 4which I have hereinbefore recited. In such construction wherein the base block may be entirely omitted, the desired position of the brace 20 or 2lia may be attained by loosening the wing nut 34 and bolt 36 and rebrace 20--a has formed in the upwardly extending portion thereof nearest the hinge II a threaded aperture 24-a which is threadingly engaged by the elongated metal adjusting screw 2'I which is journalled in an aperture formed in the upper portion of the lower strap of the hinge I'I, and\which adjusting mounted screw 21 also hasl secured thereon the thrust and retaining collar 2S as stated'.

Referring to Fig. 7, I show therein a slightly modified shape and form of slidable brace 2li-b, which has its integral dove-tailed tongue r extension 2I-b slidably engaging the dove-tailed groove I 9 in the base I0, only a fragment of which` is therein illustrated. As shown in this Fig. 7, the block 20b may be of wood, plastic or other suitable material, and the same has formed therein a transversely extending slot 43 which extends downwardly a short distance and merges with a slot 44 which preferably opens the forward face of said brace 2li-b.

In said Fig. 7, I illustrate a broken side intermediate segment of a foot engaging member I4-b having a central longitudinally extending slot 32-b therein, which is preferably bevelled and `substantially of V-shaped cross section. A bolt SI5-lb, preferably having a bevelled washer 34-b thereon, is Apositioned so that the bevelled surface of said washer 34-b will frictionally engage the under surface partially defining the slot 32-b. A nut 31 is adapted to be releasably secured on the lower end portion of the said bol-t 36-b, as partially illustrated in Fig. 7.

The upper face of the brace 2li-b is preferably tying the same after movement of braces 20 or 2lia to the desired positions.

Inasmuch as many foot deformities and incorrect posture conditions require correction treatment in transverse or side to side direction, my device and particularly the adjusting means including 4the adjustable typically mounted hinge permit the us'er to adjust the transversely extending plane of the foot support I4 to the desired degree by releasing the screws 3I of the lower butt-of hinge II`and pivoting said hinge and thereupon re-tightening said 4screws 3I to thereby position and hold the foot supporting member I4 ln any desired inclined plane which is within the limits of and which would be needed rounded or bevelled and the same is designated as 20--c so that when the foot engaging member I4--b is inclined transversely it will nevertheless rest upon a substantial portion of the said rounded surface 2li-c of said brace 2li-b.

In Fig. 9 I illustrate the lower parts of brace 20-A as resting directly on the iioor or other supporting surface, and with the bottom face of the brace engaging such supporting surface. In this for foot corrective purposes.

I am aware that various changes may be made in the embodiment of the invention herein specifically described without departing from or sacricing any of the advantages of the invention or any features thereof.

I claim as my invention:

' 1. In an adjustable foot exercising device; a pair of upper and lower elongated grooved blocks having adjacent ends removably andpivotally connected together at said adjacent ends, the lower block providing a base, said lower block having an upwardly opening longitudinal groove; a pivoting member connecting one adjacent end of each said blocks; a spacer-member having a slidable connection with the base block groove, and having a slidable connection with the upper block whereby longitudinal movement of said spacer-block or member will pivot upwardly one end portion of said upper block and adjust the incline thereof to the desired position.

2. In an adjustable posturecorrecting device; a pair of upper and lower elongated blocks; having one end thereof adjacent to each other; a pivoting member pivotally connecting said blocks together at one adjacent` end; the blocks being substantially fiat; a movable spacer-member between and normally engaging said blocks; and screw means rotatably connected with respect to one of said blocks and threadingly engaging said spacer-member so that ro.ation of said screw will move said spacer-member longitudinally with respect to said blocks to thereby position said upper block in the desired inclined position.

3. In a foot exercising and posture correcting device of the described class, an elongated base; an elongated upper foot-engaging member removably connected to one end of said base; said base having an upwardly opening longitudinal aseaeso extension slidably engaging the guideway of said -base block and having an upper portion engaging said upper block; a threaded adjusting bolt mounted in and engaging said spacer-member;

the rotation of the bolt being adapted to slide said spacer-member longitudinally with respect to said blocks to thereby adjust'the position oi said footengaging member.

4. In a i'oot exercising and posture correcting device of the described class; an elongated base an elongated upper toot-engaging member removably connected to one end oi said base; said base and said-upper foot-engaging member having a longitudinal guideway therein; a spacermember having an extension slidably engaging the guideway of said base block; said spacermember having an upper extension and a cross pin in said extension, said extension and pin slidably engaging the longitudinal guideway oi said `upper block; a journalled adjusting bolt threadwith the base block groove whereby longitudinal movement of said brace will pivot the upper block and adjust the longitudinal incline thereof to the v desired position, said hinge being releasable from said blocks to provide for adjusting the transverse incline of said upper block. l

8. In a posture correcting device an elongated foot supporthaving a central longitudinal slot therein forming a guideway; a brace member having an upper reduced extension mounted in and slidably engaging said guideway, the lower portion of said brace being adapted to engage a supporting surface; a longitudinally extending adjusting bolt operatively connected to one end of said foot support and having a threaded con- Inection with said brace whereby the said bolt,

ingly engaging said spacer-member; the rotation of the bolt being adapted to slide said spacermember longitudinally to adjust the relative positions of said blocks to thereby move said base.

5. In a foot exercising and posture correcting device; a base block; an upper elongated blocklike member providing a ioot support and separably connected to said base block and adapted to be-engaged by the users i'oot; a spacing and brace member having a slidable. connection with said upper block-like member, whereby said base block is slidable longitudinally to move said block and said member toward or away from each other; and manually adjustable means for sliding said brace member in either direction to thereby adjust the relative positions ot said block-like member and said base block.

In a ioot exercising and posture correcting device; a base block; an upper elongated blocklike foot-engaging vmember separably connected to said base block and adapted to be engaged by the users foot; a brace member lhaving a slidable connection with said base block and having a slidable connection'with said upper block-like member whereby said base block is slidable longitudinally to move said block and said member toward or away` from eachother; manually adjustabiev means for sliding said brace member in either direction to thereby adjust the relative positions of said block-like memberl and said base block; and a foot-engaging member connected to upon rotating, will move said brace in either direction to adjust the inclination of said toot support. l

9. In a posture correcting device, an elongated centrally slotted foot engaging member; a downwardly extending slotted plate secured to one end of said foot support; releasable screws securingl said plate to said foot support, said plate being adjustable so as to selectively adjust the transverse incline oi said foot support; a downwardly extending brace having Iits upper portion in sliding engagement with said foot support slot, a releasable screw connecting said foot support and said brace, the longitudinal movement of said brace being adapted to increase or decrease the longitudinal incline ot said foot support.

10. In a posture correcting device, an elongated centrally slotted foot support; a downwardly extending slotted plate secured to one end of sai foot support; releasable screws securing said plate to said foot support, said plate being adjustable v c so as to selectively adjust the transverse incline said upper block adapted to aid in retaining the users foot in position on said upper block.

7. In an adjustable foot exercising device; a pair cf upper and lower adjacent elongated 'grooved blocks; an adjustable hinge removably and pivotally connecting said blocks together at one adjacent end, said hinge having slots thereon: screws securing said hinge to said blocks, said lower block having an upwardly opening longitudinal groove; a brace having a slidable connection member and engaging said brace and adapted, on

of said foot support; a downwardly extending brace having a ball joint on its upper end in l sliding engagement with said foot support slot,

a releasable adjusting screw connecting said plate and said brace, the longitudinal movement yoi' said brace being adapted to increase ordecrease the longitudinal incline of said foot support.

11. In a posture correcting device, an elongated centrally slotted i'oot engaging member; an yelongated base; a pivotal connecting element connecting one end oi' said base and of said toot engaging member; a brace having upper reduced portion slidable in the slot oi said foot engasins member and the lower end of said base being slidable on said base; said. pivotally connecting element being adjustable to selectively set said foot engaging member in varied transversely inclined positions; andan adjusting screw. oper- .y

atively connected to said pivotally connecting rotation, to move said brace longitudinally to selectively adjust the longitudinal incline of said foot engaging member.

ISADORE OLEISKY'.`

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