US2790975A - Metatarsal arch support - Google Patents

Description

May 7, 1957 H. G. MCCORMICK METATARSAL ARCH SUPPORT Filed Nov. 8, 1954 INVENTOR. HAZEL G M CORM/CK A TTORNEVS z,7a;,97s'

ME'IATARSAL ARCH SUPPORT Hazel Gunning McCormick, "Palo Alto, Calif.

ApplicationNovember 3, 1954, Serial No.467,300

3 Claims. (c1. 2-239 This invention relates to a metatarsal arch support, and has for one of its objects the provision of a metatarsal arch support that is more comfortable than previous arch supports, and one that is easier to position than heretofore, and that can be positioned more accurately and held more securely than in previous structures intended for the same purpose.

Another object is the provision of a metatarsal arch support that is more easily kept in a clean and sanitary condition than heretofore, and that is more economical for the user.

Heretofore, and as disclosed in United States Letters Patents to Schwartz, No. 1,295,611, of February 25, 1919, and to McCormick, No. 1,898,092, of February 21, 1933, attempts have been made to hold a metatarsal pad in position on a foot and such attempts have taken the form of loops or straps that either extend around the foot transversely of its length, or else encircle one or more of the toes of a foot.

The disadvantages of these attempts are that the straps are uncomfortable where they surround the foot tending to bind the foot and to cut off circulation of the blood, and where elements extend between the toes of a foot, they also are uncomfortable and many times are the cause of local irritation between the toes and another disadvantage is that the pads tend to become displaced, either laterally or rearwardly.

Another disadvantage encountered in the use of com ventional structure for metatarsal arch supporting pads is the ditficulty of obtaining a proper fit. Different sized feet require different length straps or different sized loops for the toes. If elastic straps are used, the binding effect becomes intolerable if the foot is large and the straps are designed for the average size foot. Also the pad will not be held in the right position.

The present invention provides a comfortable means for holding the metatarsal arch supporting pad on the foot so that the pad cannot shift nor become dislodged in walking or in the operation of putting on or removing the stocking, for the reason that, in one form of the invention the stocking or sock itself cooperates to perform the function of holding the pad in position, by carrying the pad, and in all forms of the invention there is a toe receiving element that carries the pad and which element is virtually the toe portion of a sock or stocking and is equally as comfortable.

Also in the present invention the pad may be washed with the sock, stocking or holder, or it may be removed and replaced by a new pad of foam rubber if desired. This makes replacement of the pad much cheaper than where the pad is not replaceable by itself.

Other objects and advantages will appear in the description and in the claims.

In the drawings, Fig. 1 is a side elevational view of a stocking with the metatarsal arch supporting pad there- Fig. 2 is an enlarged fragmentary bottom plan view of States: atent 2,790,975 ll ateinted May 7,

2 the sole portion of the stocking showing a pad carried thereby.

Fig. 3 is a sectional view taken along line 3-3 of Fig. 2.

Fig. 4-is a view similar to that of Fig. 2, but showing the padholder arranged for lateral insertion of a pad into such holder.

Fig. 5 is a sectional view taken along line 5-5 of Fig. 4. 4

Fig. 6 is a perspective view of a toe covering member having a metatarsal arch supporting p'ad therein.

Fig. 7 is a view similar to that of Figs. 2, 4 showing a metatarsal arch supporting pad carried by a modification of the structure shown in said figures.

Fig. 8 is a sectional view taken along line 8-8 of Fig. 7.

Fig. 9 is a reduced size elevational view of a modified form of the invention.

In detail, a ladies stocking is shown in Fig. l, and is generally designated 1. Whether this is a full stocking or a sock is immaterial since the invention is restricted to the foot 2 of such stocking or sock, and which foot has the usual sole 3 that constitutes the bottom of the foot 2. This foot 2 of the stocking conforms to the shape of the foot of the user, having the usual closed toe end 4 that engages and fits over the outer ends of the toes of the users foot, and the heel '5 of the foot of the stocking fits the heel so that the sole will not shift in any direction when the foot 2 encloses the foot of the wearer.

Secured to the underside of the sole 3 is a member or patch-6 (Fig. '2) that may be of the same material as that of the stockingand which member is secured to the said sole along itsedges so "as to cooperate with the portion of the sole that is covered thereby to form a pocket.

, This pocket is open at one side. In Fig. 2 it is shown as being open at its rea-rwardly directed side or the side that is directed toward the heel 5, as indicated at 7. The linear contour of theedges of the member 6 may be such as to substantially conform to the linear contour .of a pad 8 of foam rubber or the like, and which pad is adapted to be inserted into the pocket through the Opening 7, and it can be just as readily removed from said pocket. By making the opening 7 slightly smaller than the width of the pad, the pad will be held in the pocket against accidental removal, but by slightly doubling the pad on itself, or squeezing it together, it can readily be removed through said opening.

In Fig. 3 this pad 8 is indicated as being convex on one side, and which side normally faces the sole of the foot, and is fiat on the other side, or the side that 'is against the sole of the shoe. The actual result of the pad being secured against the lower side of the sole is that the pad will cause the portion of the sole at said pad to project into the stocking, but the inside of the sole will be free from any projection such as might be caused by the edges of member 6. Hence, the foot of the user will slide freely into the stocking and over the pad and the latter will automatically be positioned in exactly the right place for maximum support when the foot of the user is enclosed in the foot 2 of the stocking. The toe end of the stocking will extend over and in engagement with the toes of the foot, hence the pad cannot slip rearwardly and the heel end of foot 2 of the stocking precludes any possibility of forward shifting of the pad, while the sides of the stocking foot will engage the sides of the foot of the user to prevent lateral shifting.

In Fig. 4 a member 9 is secured to the bottom or sole of the stocking foot in the same place as the member 6 is positioned, only in Fig. 4 the pocket that is formed has a laterally directed opening 10. v

This form is preferred in most instances since the pad 11 that is in the pocket is held by the closed ends of the pocket against any likelihood of shifting endwise when the stocking is put on or withdrawn from the foot of the user. It should be noted that the opening is smaller than the maximum width of the pad so that said pad 11 will be held in the pocket until purposely removed as described for the pad 8.

While the pads 8 and 11 are shown as being ovoid in outline, and as being flat on one side and convex on the other, it is obvious that the pad may be circular and similar to the pad shown in Figs. 7, 8 or it may be of any other desired outline or cross sectional contour. It may be the same in outline as in Figs. 2, 4 but positioned crosswise relative to the longitudinal axis of the foot.

In Fig. 6 only the toe covering part 15 is shown, but this part has a portion 16 that extends below the metatarsal arch of the foot of the wearer and secured to this portion is a number 17 forming the bottom wall of a pocket similar to the pocket shown in Figs. 2, 4 except that thepocket is crosswise relative to the length of the foot on which the toe covering is to be secured. A pad 19 is in said pocket and the latter has a sideopening 18 similar to the opening 9 in Fig. 4.

The toe covering 15 is preferably one in which the upper side or wall that extends over the upper sides of the toes, is formed by providing the sole portion 16 with two extensions 20, 21 respectively at the opposite lateral edges 22 .of said sole portion and these extensions are then oppositely swung over the toe end of the sole portion in lapping relation and sewed to said sole portion along edges 22, as well as at the toe end of the sole portion. This form of toe covering is used where the user does not wear socks or stockings, although it can be as readily used under or over stockings or socks.

The upper side of the toe covering is open as between the edges 25 of the flaps, which relieves any likelihood of tension in the foot covering on the top of the foot of the wearer.

Where the side opening is used, it will be apparent that there is no tendency for the free edge 26 of member 9 i (Fig. 4) or the free edge 27 of member 17 (Fig. 6) to curl in pulling the foot covering onto the foot or from the foot or in walking, as there might be where the free, edge is directed forwardly or rearwardly. Such a rolled edge in some instances would cause discomfort.

In Fig. 7 the pocket for the foam rubber pad or the like, is merely a pair of strips 30, 31 secured at their ends to the sole 32 of a stocking or sock.

These strips are preferably crossed, but they could extend longitudinally of the foot of the stocking without crossing, except that in' some cases the pad '34 might not be held as securely as where the strips are crossed.

In this instance, it is seen that two side openings are provided for the pocket, and the pad is circular and of uniform thickness. Obviously a single wide band the width of the space between the ends of strips 30, 31 could be used instead of a pair of straps, in which case the band would extend longitudinally of the longitudinal axis of the stocking. In the form of invention asseen in Fig. 9 the metatarsal arch supporting pad 35 is generally circular but is formed with a pair of opposedly outwardly opening forwardly and rearwardly directed recesses 36 along two of its opposite. edges.

The sole 37 of the stocking is formed with a band 38 that is adapted to extend between the ends of said recesses 36 and over the central portion of the pad while the marginal portions 39 of the pad at the ends of said recesses are in lapping relation to the sole of the stocking at opposite sides of the band 38.

The stocking is preferably woven so as to leave this band 38 unsecured to the sole at its longitudinally extending edges and integral with the stocking sole at its ends. Thus the central portion of the pad will actually engage the sole of the wearers foot, but the band 38 will engage the inner surface of the sole of the shoe that encloses the foot. The pad 35 cannot be dislodged or ac- 4 cidentally shifted in any direction and will afiord the desired support. Also, it can be easily and quickly removed from the stocking.

In all forms of the invention the stockings or socks can be washed with the pad in place or the pad can be just removed, if desired. In any event, preferably, the pad can be cleaned and replaced with case so as to prevent any undesirable unsanitary condition developing. Obviously the form of invention shown in Fig. 9 can be used in a toe covering such as shown in Fig. 6, if desired, as well as in a seek or stocking.

It is, of course, obvious that the band 38 of Fig. 9 could be on the side of the pad that faces into the foot receiving portion of the stocking, or it could be the side facing outwardly. In any event the edges of the band would extend longitudinally of the foot, hence would not be rolled when the stocking is put on or received or when the stocking covered foot were put into a shoe, and the same is true of the edges of the sole portion that extend parallel with and adjacent to the edges of said band. i Y

I claim:

1. A support for the metatarsal arch of a foot comprising: a toe covering for the toes of a foot provided with a sole covering portion adapted to extend below the metatarsal arch of such foot when the toe covering is on the foot, said portion including a band secured at its ends to said sole portion and a pad of relatively soft resilient material held between said band and the said sole portion, means on said pad in releasable engagement with said band for preventing lateral shifting of said pad relative to said band, said means being the sides of a pair of recesses formed along opposite edges of said pad in which" recesses the end portions of said band are received.

2. A holder for a metatarsal arch support comprising: a thin, flexible, woven sole portion adapted to extend below the sole of a foot from the toe to the heel of the latter, a toe portion and a heel portion integral with said sole portion at the toe and heel ends thereof and adapted to extend over the toes and behind the heel of said foot for holding said sole portion against shifting longitudinally of the foot when said holder is on the latter, a

' band below said sole extending below the part of the latter adapted to be below the metatarsal arch of said foot, said band being connected at its ends with said sole portion, a soft pad between said sole portion and said band and recessed along two opposite edges, said band extending at its ends into said recesses for holding said pad against shifting laterally of said band and said pad being substantially symmetrical at opposite sides of said band.

3. A stocking including a thin, woven flexible foot covering portion that includes a sole portion adapted to extend below the metatarsal arch of a foot when the stocking is on the wearer, a relatively thin, relatively flat flexible pad of foam rubber secured to said sole portion and covering substantially only that portion of the latter that is adapted to extend below said metatarsal arch, said pad being inside said foot portion and means for securing the same against said sole portion and holding the edges of said pad against said sole portion whereby said pad will be carried directly to and held in a position under and against the metatarsal arch of the foot of the wearer upon such wearer drawing the stocking onto the foot.

References Cited in the file of this patent UNITED STATES PATENTS

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