US2918056A - Foot corrective pads - Google Patents

Description

Dec, 22, 1959 Filed Nov. 27, 1957 M. R. LEVITT FOOT CORRECTIVE PADS 2 Sheets-Sheet 1 Dec. 22, 1959 Filed Nov. 27, 1957 M. R. LEVlTT 2,918,056

FOOT CORRECTIVE PADS 2 Sheets-Sheet 2 United States Patent FOOT CORRECTIVE PADS Milton R. Levitt, New Brunswick, N.J., assignor to The Scholl Mfg. Co., Inc, Chicago, IlL, a corporation of New York Application November 27, 1957, Serial No. 699,337

7 Claims. (Cl. 128-80) This invention relates to improvements in foot corrective pads, and more particularly to pressure relieving pads attachable to the foot with the aid of a toe loop rather than the customary adhesive, the pads being highly desirable for relief of various foot afflictions, as will be apparent to one skilled in the art.

In the past, many and various types of foot corrective and pressure alleviating pads have been developed, and some of those pads were provided with toe loops or other types of loops for attaching the devices to the feet of the users. Few, if any, of these formerly known pads, however, were capable of a dual purpose or function, namely the alleviation of more than one affliction at a time. It frequently occurs with feet subject to corns and similar afflictions that corns must be so disposed that the individual treatment of one by a pressure removing appliance will cause aggravation of another. At times, corns disposed on opposite sides of a toe, and particularly when one of those corns is between toes, the use of separate appliances for each corn results in a common aggravation of the corns so as to retard the efiicacy of the pressure relieving devices and materially delays the expected improvement. Sometimes, also, the application of an alleged relieving appliance by way of pressure sensitive adhesive or the like to the foot of the user prevented the particular afiiiction responding to treatment as rapidly as desirable.

With the foregoing in mind, it is an important object of the instant invention to provide a simple form of foot corrective pad or appliance which may be attached to the foot without the use of adhesive material, and which is designed to simultaneously relieve a plurality of affiictions.

Another important object of the instant invention is the provision of a foot corrective appliance or pad held in place by means of a toe loop and which is so shaped as to alleviate a plurality of afilictions in reasonable proximity to each other at the same time.

Another desideratum of the instant invention is the provision of a foot corrective appliance embodying a toe loop, and including a pad portion for alleviating an aflliction on the inner side of a terminal toe, or upon either side of an intermediate toe.

It is also a feature of the instant invention to provide a foot corrective appliance embodying a toe loop which appliance incorporates a padlike portion for disposition between adjacent toes, this portion being so shaped as to intimately fit the web of the foot between the toes, so that the device may be accurately and comfortably positioned and retain that position through long usage.

It is another object of the instant invention to provide a simple form of foot corrective appliance so shaped as to simultaneously alleviate a plurality of aifiictions, and which appliance embodies a toe loop and may be made from one integral blank or pattern.

Still another feature of the instant invention resides in the provision of a simple form of toe loop foot corrective pad highly desirable for the alleviation of a hammer toe, particularly one having a corn onthe top.

Still a further object of the instant inventionresides in the provision of a simple form of toe loop foot corrective appliance capable of alleviating a plurality of afilictions simultaneously, and which may be readily, con-v structed as to size and shape for the alleviation of various different types of afliictions.

While some of the more salient features, characteristics and advantages of theinstant invention-have been above pointed out, others will become apparent from the following disclosures, taken in conjunction with the accompanying drawings, in which Fig. 1 is a diagrammatic illustration of the human foot showing the same provided with two embodiments of the instant invention located in operative position;

Fig. 2 is a plan view of a blank or pattern from which one of the devices of Fig. l isformed;

Fig. 3 is an elevational view of one of the devices of Fig. 1, looking at the inner face of the device as the same is positioned in Fig. 1;

Fig. 4 is a diagrammatic illustration of a human foot provided with two other embodiments of the instant invention showing the same in operative position;

Fig. 5 is a greatly enlarged end elevational view of theappliance shown at the top of Fig. 4;

Fig. 6 is an enlarged vertical sectional view through the structure of Fig. 5, taken substantially as indicated by which the lowermost device as shown in Fig. 4 may be.

made; and

Fig. 9 is a top plan view of the structure of Fig. 8. afterforming.

As shown in the drawings:

With reference now to Figs. 1, 2 and 3, it will be seen that the first embodiment of the instant invention is shown in two different sizes, although the structure is the same for each size. In this instance, the devices are applied to a human foot 1, and one of the devices generally indicated by'numeral 2 is of a size to extend along the inner side of.

the foot and alleviate or remove pressure from a bunion adjacent the first metatarsal head, while at the same time eliminating pressure from a corn between the first and second toes. The other size of the device generally indicated by a numeral 3' is disposed to extend along the outer side of thefoot, removing pressure from a tailors bunion, and at the same time alleviating a corn between the fourth and fifth toes.

As stated above, the only difference between the appliances 2 and 3 is mere size, and now with reference to Fig. 2, it will be seen that an entire device may be made from a single blank or pattern of material. Preferably the material used is a relatively thick sheet of foam ma terial, whichmay be foam latex, polyurethane foam, polyvinyl chloride foam, or an equivalent substance that is light in weight, highly resilient, and possesses long-lasting restorative qualities. Preferably, also, the foam material has intercommunicating cells throughout so that it may breathe under relatively light pressure during use, and provide adequate air contact with the afflicted parts and adjacent flesh. As pointed out later herein, however, the device may suitably be made of felt or equivalent cushioning fabric material, if so desired.

The pattern may satisfactorily be made up of a sheet of cushioning material 4 covered with a thinner and preferably smooth surfaced sheet 5, which may be a plastic film, or a sheet of smooth surfaced fabric, which is pref erably provided with numerous perforations, as indicated at 6.

The pattern itself comprises a pair oflike body parts 7 and 8 and, since the particular device-illustrated is for a bunion, these body parts are generally oval in shape.

Each of the body parts 7 and 8 is also preferably pro:

vided with an opening or aperture 9 for the reception of at least the major portion of the bunion.- The body parts are connected adjacent one end thereof by an integral and substantially straight and relatively narrow neck 10 and in an intermediate location the neckcarries an integral secondary pad portion or body 11, also provided with an aperture 12. This part 11 extends across the neck 10, and on the inner side of the neck is provided with a curvate somewhat V-shaped notch 13 in the end, which notch efifectively fits the web of the foot between adjacent toes when the device is applied as seen in Fig. 1. In shaping the pattern into the finished device, one of the body members is rotated throughout a complete revolution and placed in overlapping or superposed relationship with the other body member. In the illustrated instance, looking at Fig. 2, the body member 8 would be turned under and rotated until the, fabric surface 5 thereof contacted the cushioning surface 4 of the body member 7 whereupon the two body members are secured together by a suitable cementitious material, or by stitching, as will later appear herein. Thus, a composite body part for the pad is formed which is of double thickness relatively to the secondary pad portion 11, which remains of single thickness. The neck 10 will thereupon form a toe loop, and the secondary pad part 11 will be circumferentially spaced away from the composite body 7-8. When the secondary pad is central of the neck 10, as illustrat'ed, it will be located on the opposite side of the toe loop from the main body portion.

When placed in position upon the foot, the composite body part 78 will extend along the side of the foot with a bunion adjacent the terminal metatarsal head received in the opening resulting from the apertures 9. At the same time, the secondary or auxiliary pad 11 may be positioned between the terminal toe and the next adjacent toe with a corn on either of those toes disposed in the opening '12, so that pressure is alleviated from that corn. It is to be especially noted that the entire device snugly fits the foot, with the notch 13 on the auxiliary pad intimately. engaging the web of the foot between the adjacent toes. The provision of this notch permits the entire device to be drawn down to the base of the toe in'proper and sustaining location, so there will be no unintentional shifting of the device during use. Preferably, the slick fabric cover 5 is disposed externally so as not to drag against hosiery when the same is donned or taken off, and the foam cushioning material 4 provides a gentle clinging action against the foot itself. 1

In Figs. 4, 5 and 6, I have illustrated another form of the instant invention and in this instance, there is an appliance generally indicated by a numeral 14, which is particularly suitable for the alleviation of 'a corn on the external surface :or side of a terminal toe, as well as the alleviation of a corn disposed between that toe and the next adjacent toe. Obviously, while this pad is illustrated for the alleviation of a corn on the outer side of the fifth toe and a corn between the fourth and fifth toes, if made in a larger size it could equally as well be utilized on the first toe in substantially identically the same manner.

In this instance, the appliance 14 is made from a pattern or blank generally similar to the pattern seen in Fig. 2, and above described, and it may'also be made of the same material. The pattern is somewhat differently shaped from thatshown in Fig. 2, and embodies a pair of substantially circular body portions 15 and 16 connected by a neck :17 which joins the respective body portions substantiallycentrally thereof. In an intermediate location, the neck .17 carries an auxiliary pad .18

which is of the same general configuration as the auxiliary 4 pad 11 above described, and which is provided with a web-engaging notch 19 at its rear edge, and an aperture 20 in its forward portion. Each of the body parts 15 and 16 is preferably provided with a suitable affiiction-recciving aperture 21, as seen clearly in Fig. 6, which apertures are in register.

When the appliance is formed from the blank, and the body parts 15 and 16 are brought into superposition and secured together, the neck 17 defines a toe loop and, since the auxiliary pad 18 is substantially centrally disposed on the neck, it will appear diametrally opposite to the composite body parts 15--16. In this instance, an additional thickness of material 22 of the same size and shape as the auxiliary pad 18 has been secured to the pad 18, as seen clearly in Figs. 5 and 6, to thereby make the auxiliary pad of the same thickness, or of a greater thickness than a single ply, to better correspond with the thickness of the joined body parts 15 and 16.

This appliance, therefore, provides adequate spacing between adjacent toes forthe proper relief of pressure and alleviation of a corn between those toes, and it makes little if any difference which toe may bear the corn. As seen in Fig. 4, the composite body portion will effectively relieve pressure from a corn on the outside of the toe, while the auxiliary pad thickened by the additional ply 22 provides proper spacing between the terminal toe and the next adjacent toe to effectively alleviate a corn in that region. It will be noted that the notch 19 in the edge of the auxiliary pad intimately fits the web of the foot between the toes so that the device is comfortably and snugly retained in position.

In Fig. 7, I have illustrated in plan a pad or appliance having the same general shape as that of Figs. 5 and 6, but in this instance the appliance is made of a different material, namely a fabric such as felt, and the body parts of which the visible one is designated 15a, are secured together in superposed relationship by means of stitching as indicated at 23. Likewise, the additional lamination added to the auxiliary pad 18a may be secured thereto by stitching 24. This figure of the drawings is indicative of the fact that all forms of the instant invention illustrated may be made of a fabric such as felt with the overlapping portions stitched together, if so desired.

In Figs. 8 and 9, I have illustrated another form of the instant invention which is particularly desirable for use with an afiliction such as hammer toe, and in Fig. 4 this appliance is shown in operative position on the second toe of the foot 1. In the case of hammer toe, there is frequently a corn developed on the top or highest point of the toe, and in order to lend corrective aid to the hammer toe, it is desirable to-give some support beneath the forward end of the toe, so as to aid the toe in straightening, if the same is possible, and in order to cushion the toe at the same time.

In this instance, the same general type of blank or pattern is utilized as shown in Fig. 8, and it comprises a pair of spaced body portions 25 and 26, each apertured as indicated at 27, and these body portions are connected by an integral neck 28, which ultimately forms a toe loop when the body portions are superposed and secured together in the manner above described. Projecting from one side of the neck is 'an auxiliary pad 29 which, in this instance, is not apertured, but which is preferably provided with a V-notch 30 at the rear end thereof and this notch is in etfect a cut away portion of the neck 28.

When the body parts 25 and 26 are superposed and secured together, the auxiliary pad 29 projects forwardly of the "composite body pad and the V-not'ch is provided to eliminate pressure from a corn or callus that may be on the "underside of the hammer toe. As seen in Fig. 4, the composite body part 25- 26 re ieves pressure from the .hump of the hammer toe, whi e the corn that may be on top of the toe is received injthe apertures 27. At the same time, the auxiliary pad 29 underlies the forepart of the toe, and if a callus, corn, or the like is on the underside of the toe, the notch 30 may be properly positioned to relieve pressure from that affliction. Of course, this particular appliance may be applied to any toe of the foot, and should occasion warrant, the appliance might be mounted in reverse position if it would more suitably alleviate another type of affliction.

From the foregoing, it is apparent that I have provided simple and economical foot corrective pads or appliances, each of which is designed to simultaneously alleviate a plurality of afiiictions, and to be secured in proper position upon the foot without the use of any adhesive material or the equivalent. In general, each of the appliances comprises a single intergral and unitary pattern or blank from which the finished appliance is shaped, and the appliances may be made from substantially any desired material.

It will be understood that modifications and variations may be effected without departing from the scope of the novel concepts of the present invention.

I claim as my invention:

1. A foot corrective pad, including a pair of like body parts of cushioning material, an integral neck connecting said body parts, a secondary pad carried by said neck intermediate said body parts, and said body parts being superposed and secured together with said neck forming a toe loop. said secondary pad being spaced circumferentially from the superposed body parts, and said superposed body parts extending farther from one side of said toe loop than the other While said secondary pad extends farther from the other side of the toe loop.

2. A foot corrective pad, including a pair of like body parts of cushioning material, an integral neck connecting said body parts adjacent like end portions of the body parts, a secondary pad carried by said neck intermediate said body parts, and said body parts being superposed and secured together with said neck forming a toe loop, said secondary pad extending from said neck farther in the opposite direction from said body parts than in the direction toward them.

3. A foot corrective pad, including a blank of uniform thickness throughout and shaped to define a pair of like body parts with a relatively narrow neck connecting said body parts and a secondary pad body carried by said neck intermediate the ends thereof, said body parts being superposed and secured together with said neck forming a toe loop and said secondary pad body being spaced circumferentially on said loop from the superposed body parts.

4. A foot corrective pad, including a blank of uniform thickness shaped to define a pair of like body parts with a relatively narrow neck connecting said body parts and a secondary pad body carried by said neck intermediate the ends thereof, said body parts being superposed and secured together with said neck forming a toe loop and said secondary pad body being spaced circumferentially on said loop from the superposed body parts, and an extra thickness of material secured to said secondary pad body to increase the total thickness of the same to approximate the thickness of the superposed body parts.

5. A foot corrective pad, including a pair of like body parts, a relatively narrow neck connecting said body parts, and a secondary pad body carried by said neck intermediate the ends thereof, said body parts being superposed and secured together with said neck forming a toe loop and said secondary pad body being spaced circumferentially on said loop from the superposed body parts, said secondary pad body having a curvate notch in an end thereof to fit the Web between adjacent toes of the foot.

6. A foot corrective pad, including a pair of like body parts, a relatively narrow neck connecting said body parts adjacent like ends thereof, and a secondary pad body carried by said neck intermediate the ends thereof, said body parts being superposed and secured together with said neck forming a toe loop and said secondary pad body being spaced circumferentially on said loop from the superposed body parts, said body parts being elongated with rounded ends for disposition on the top of a hammer toe and extending mainly to the rear of the toe loop, and said secondary pad body extending forwardly of the toe loop to underlie the hammer toe.

7. A foot corrective pad, including a pair of like body parts, a relatively narrow neck connecting said body parts, and a secondary pad body carried by said neck intermediate the ends thereof, said body parts being superposed and secured together with said neck forming a toe loop and said secondary pad body being spaced circumferentially on said loop from the superposed body parts, said body parts being made of fabric and marginally stitched together and projecting farther to one side of the toe loop than the other.

References Cited in the file of this patent UNiTED STATES PATENTS 895,145 Bauer Aug. 4, 1908 2,416,823 Day Mar. 4, 1947 2,585,629 Crawford Feb. 12, 1952 2,797,686 Crawford July 2, 1957

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