US2509821A

US2509821A - Half shoe for plaster casts

Info

Publication number: US2509821A
Application number: US35221A
Authority: US
Inventors: Holstrom Reuben Arthur
Original assignee: Individual
Current assignee: Individual
Priority date: 1948-06-25
Filing date: 1948-06-25
Publication date: 1950-05-30
Anticipated expiration: 1967-05-30

Description

R. A. HQLSTRGM ,$091,821

HALF-SHQE FOR PLASTER CASTS Filed mue 25, '19138 Patented May 30,v 1950 rem' orrrc HALF SHOE FOR PLASTER CASTS Reuben Arthur Holstrom, Silverton, Oreg.

Application June 25, 1948, Serial No. 35,221

(C1. ISG-8.5)

2 Claims. l

This invention relates to coverings adapted to be worn over plaster casts by persons suffering from foot or leg injuries.

An important object of my invention is to provide a half-shoe comprising a united vamp section of flexible material and heel section of resilient material adapted to be held on the cast by lacings or other fastening means so as to protect and strengthen the ankle portion of the cast as well as to retain the foot in a more normal, heel-elevated position when the patient is engaged in the act of walking.

Another object of my invention is to provide a half-shoe of the above character which includes cushioning means for the heel portion of the cast so as to relieve the foot of shocks and strains and to permit the patient to move about more freely and with the least amount of discomfort.

Still another obiect of my invention is to provide a half-shoe of the above character adapted to enclose only the ankle, instep and heel portions oi the plaster cast, the construction and arrangement being such as to render the halfshoe flexibly adjustable to t different sizes and shapes of casts.

The invention will be more clearly understood from the following detailed description of a preferred embodiment of the invention, reference being had to the annexed drawing in which:

Figure l is a perspective view showing the manner in which the half-shoe is adapted to be worn over a plaster cast;

Figure 2 is a side view of the half-shoe;

Figure 3 is a vertical cross-sectional view through the half-shoe taken on the line 3-3 of Figure 2; and

Figure 4 is a transverse cross-sectional view through the half-shoe taken on the line 4--4 of Figure 2.

In Figure 1 of the drawing is illustrated the leg oi a patient having a rigid plaster cast I applied thereto and showing how my half-shoe S is arranged to be worn thereon so as to cover only the ankle, instep and heel portions of the cast, leaving the other (toe) end of the cast projecting outwardly beyond the half-shoe.

The half-shoe comprises a vamp 2 made of flexible material, such as leather, adapted to encircle the cast and this vamp extends upwardly substantially above the ankle portion. The vamp passes around the rear part of the cast, where it is reinforced by a leather strip 3, and the two forward end flaps 2a of the vamp fold toward each other over the instep portion of the cast. These 2 ilaps, which are marginally reinforced by narrow leather strips 3a, are held together by laces 4 threaded through longitudinal rows of eyelets 5 provided therein.

The lower edges of the vamp are stitched to a sole shank 6, and overlying and cemented to the sole shank is an inner sole 1. A rubber heel 8 is attached to the sole shank by nails 9 and embedded in this rubber heel is a series of fabric cords or plugs III for the purpose of reducing Wear upon the heel Inside the half-shoe above the heel 8 is inserted a cushion II of resilient material, such as rubber, for absorbing the pressure between the cast and insole. Encircling the heel portion of the vamp inside the shoe is a counter IIa for stiffening the vamp and. causing it to yieldingly engage the plaster cast.

In order that the half-shoe may adapt itself to different sizes and shapes of plaster casts, and to changes resulting from expansion and construction of the cast itself, the sides of the vamp are formed with cut-outs I2 of substantial area located in the zone between the heel and ankle portions of the cast. The two sides of the Vamp are cut away on a forwardly-extending arc, as indicated at I3, from a point adjacent the inner end of the heel 8 so that the ilaps 2al at their lower ends terminate in a pair of narrow tongues The half-shoe just described with the laces 4 removed and the flaps 2a spread apart, allows the cast to be inserted therein with the heel portion of the cast resting upon the cushion II and the stiiiiy-flexible counter snugly engaging its sides. The flaps are then laced together over the instep so as to firmly secure the half-shoe to the cast. Because of the cut-outs I2, the exible sides of the vamp are free to adjust themselves to irregularities in the shape of the cast.

In walking, the heel end of the cast is held in a natural, elevated position by the heel 8 by reason of which the leg is relieved of strain such as occurs when the cast flatly engages the floor. Also the shocks and jars which would normally be transmitted through the heavy, rigid plaster cast to the injured member encased within the cast, are effectively absorbed by the rubber heel 8 and the even more resilient cushion I I. Thus, the patient is able to freely move about with a minimum amount of inconvenience or discomfort.

The vamp 2 may be made in two sections, instead of one, and may be composed of a tough fabric, such as canvas or duck, or of' a plastic material, instead of leather. In View of the excessive strains imposed upon the half-shoe by the heavy plaster cast, it is advisable to avoid seams, so far as possible, which are apt to pull apart under tension. Also the resilient cushion Il may be permanently affixed to the inside of the half-shoe; however, I prefer to make the cushion removable in order that cushions of different thicknesses may be substituted to take care of casts of different sizes when worn with the same half-shoe.

It is to be understood that various changes and modifications in construction and design of the half-shoe described above may be made without departing from the spirit of the invention as defined by the following claims.

I claim:

1. A half-shoe adapted to be worn over plaster casts comprising a vamp of exible material for encircling the ankle portion and including a pair of elongated forwardly-projecting flaps adapted to overlie the instep portion of the cast, fastening means on said flaps for drawing the naps together to secure the vamp onto the cast, a heel of substantial elevation attached to the vamp and located to correspond to the heel portion of REFERENCES CITED The following references are of record in the le of this patent:

UNITED STATES PATENTS Number Name Date 425,093 Cooper Apr. 8, 1890 FOREIGN PATENTS Number Country Date 24,157 Great Britain Oct. 20, 1894 of 1893