US2518033A

US2518033A - Foot corrective appliance

Info

Publication number: US2518033A
Application number: US745197A
Authority: US
Inventors: Lucas Wilbert
Original assignee: Individual
Current assignee: Individual
Priority date: 1947-05-01
Filing date: 1947-05-01
Publication date: 1950-08-08
Anticipated expiration: 1967-08-08

Description

Aug. 8, 1950 w. LUCAS FOOT CORRECTIVE APPLIANCE 2 Sheets-Sheet 1 Filed May 1, 1947 W. LUCAS FOOT CORRECTIVE APPLIANCE Aug. 8, 1950 2 Sheets-Sheet 2 Filed May 1, 1947 Patented Aug. 8, 1950 UNITED STATES PATENT OFFICE 2,518,033 roo'r oonnnc'rrvrz APPLIANCE Wilbert Lucas,Detroit, Mich.

Application May I, 1947, SerialNo. 745,197

2 Ulaims.

- The present invention relates to foot supports and foot corrective devices, and has particular reference to an improved construction for an adjustable arch support.

The principal object of the'invention is to providean arch support which is adjustable to the foot for providing proper support to the main longitudinal arch.

Another object of the invention is to provide the arch support with an adjustable support for the transvers metatarsal arch.

A further object of the invention is to'provide an adjustable corrective arch support of simple and economical construction.

With these and other objects and advantageous features in view, the invention consists of a novel arrangement of parts more fully disclosed in the detailed description following, in conjunction with the accompanying drawings, and more specifically defined in the claims appended thereto.

In the drawings:

Fig. 1 is a perspective view of the novel arch support;

Fig. 2 is a top plan view thereof;

Fig. 3 is a bottom plan View thereof;

Fig. 4 is a sectional view on the line 4-4 of Fig. 3;

Fig. 5 is a sectional view on the line 5-5 of Fig. 3;

Fig. 6 is a sectional view on the line 6-6 of Fig. 3;

Fig. 7 is a perspective view of the transverse metatarsal support element;

Fig. 8 is a bottom plan view of the laminated longitudinal arch support element; and

Fig. 9 is a perspective view of the cushion heel element.

It has been found advisable to provide an improved resilient arch support and corrective device which may be adapted to fit any one of a number of foot sizes and which may be adjusted to compensate for abnormal and functional foot conditions, and may be readily altered from time to time for maximum foot comfort. To this end, I utilize a laminated spring element which may be built up to fit the contour of the longitudinal arch and uphold the arch in its natural position, and I provide a molded element which is inserted in a pocket in the arch support to provide proper support for the metatarsal arch. I preferably form the molded metatarsal support element and the heel element of the arch support with knurled rubber bases, and the upper surface of the arch support with leather, covered with a soft surfacing such as chamois skin or lambskin, and I preferably ventilate the metatarsal end and the heel end with perforations, whereby a very comfortable foot fitting support results.

Referring to the drawings, the improved arch support 26 includes a body portion 2| which has a forward metatarsal support section 22, an intermediate longitudinal arch support section 23, and a heel section 24. The upper surface of the body portion is provided with a shapedleather top 25, and the lowersurface has a canvas or fabric covering 26, cut as hereinafter described. The metatarsal support section has an additional layer of chamois or lambs wool 21, and the intermediate section also has a similar additional layer 28, to add height and yielding. resilience to these areas. I

The metatarsal support section '22 includes a resilient rubber insert 29 of selected height,

shaped as illustrated, which is inserted in a re-.

cess 30 in the lower surface and is held in place over a, cross flap or section 3| of the lower surface covering 26 by means of a snap fastener 32 which releasably engages a cooperating snap socket 33 in the recess 30, see Fig. 4. The bottom of the rubber insert 29 is knurled as indicated at 34, see Fig. 3, and cooperates with a circular heel pad 35 which is cemented in a recess 36 in the lower portion of the heel section 24, the cloth covering 26 covering its edges, and the under surface being scored as indicated by the reference numeral 31, whereby the two inserts provide gripping elements which hold the arch support in place in the shoe. The heel pad is preferably provided with an extension 38, see Fig. 3, which is seated in a suitable recess 39 in the heel section and extends forwardly along the outer edge to the intermediate section to provide a firm support for the rear outer portion of the foot.

The intermediate longitudinal arch support section 23 is provided with a laminated support element 40, which is formed of a selected number of generally similar resilient metal plates 4| each having a narrow base 42 slightly flared and an enlarged, outwardly flaring curved head 43. The plates 4| are graduated in size, as illustrated, the bases being of the same size and the heads being of progressively larger size, whereby the number of plates and their size may be selected to obtain a desired longitudinal and tarsus arch lift.

verse slots 45 which receive a rivet 46 secured in the intermediate section 23, whereby comfort and resilience are increased, and

ventilation perforations

49, 50 are respectively provided at the metatarsal section 22 and the heel section 24 to provide comfort and coolness.

It is thus clear that a simple arch support is provided, which resiliently and comfortably supports the foot, and which is adjustable to exactly conform to the requirements of the individual wearer. Although I have described a specific embodiment of the invention, changes in the size, shape, material and arrangement of the parts may be made to obtain different supporting and corrective efiects, without departing from the spirit and the scope of the invention as defined in the appended claims.

, I claim:

1. An arch support comprising a metatarsal support section, a heel section and an intermediate longitudinal arch support section, said intermediate section having a laminated resilient support element secured thereto, said support element including a plurality of metal plates each having a base portion locked to the intermediate outer section edge, and a head portion extending toward and overlying the intermediate section inner edge, said head portions being progressively graduated in size and having aligned transverse slots, and a lock element secured to the intermediate section and extending through the aligned slots, whereby the metal plates have limited lateral movement as the pressure on the arch support changes.

2. An arch support comprising a metatarsal support section, a heel section and an intermediate longitudinal arch support section, said intermediate section having a laminated resilient support element secured thereto, said support element including a plurality of metal plates each having a base portion locked to the intermediate outer section edge, and a head portion extending toward and overlying the intermediate section inner edge, said head portions being progressively graduated in size, and said head portions and said intermediate section having cooperating parts locking the head portions against longitudinal movement but permitting limited lateral movement with respect to the intermediate section.

WILBERT LUCAS.

REFERENCES CITED The following references are of record in the file of this patent:

UNITED STATES PATENTS Great Britain June 2, 1927