US3032880A - Foot measuring device - Google Patents

Description

2 Sheets-Sheet 1 lNVEA/TOR Ross/e M JHAW TTORNEYS May 8, 1962 R. M. SHAW FOOT MEASURING DEVICE Filed Mafch 9, 1960 Tiq.4r.

y 1962 R. M. SHAW 3,032,880

FOOT MEASURING DEVICE Filed March 9, 1960 2 Sheets-Sheet 2 "Li- .1:. A9 I ;i 3% away iii-:1. m 0

f9 62 2a 4a 26 /2 /7 Rae/5R M SHAW United States Patent Office 3,032,880 Patented May 8, 1962 3,032,880 FOOT MEASURING DEVICE Roger M. Shaw, 4771 Dogwood Ave., Fremont, Calif. Filed Mar. 9, 1960, Ser. No. 13,819 8 Claims. (Cl. 33-3) The present invention relates to devices for measuring the dimensions of feet, and is particularly directed to an electrical device for determining with extreme accuracy the size and general characteristics of a shoe which will fit the foot of a prospective purchaser.

Heretofore it has been the general custom in the determination of footwear sizes to use a size-stick that indicates only the over-all length of the foot of a wearer and then to rely upon the measuring accuracy of the shoe fitter to determine the size and general characteristics of footwear that will fit the foot. The accuracy of the fit hence depends in large part upon the ability and judgment of the shoe fitter in this respect, and in many instances doubt is created in the mind of a wearer as to whether the fit is the best possible. Doubt as to the accuracy of the fit is also enhanced because of the little understood existing system of sizing shoes. More particularly in the existing system the actual length of shoes of different Widths but of the same length size may vary from a half to a full size. For example, the length of a wide shoe of one length size may be the same as the length of a narrow shoe of the next larger length size. Moreover, even if a foot is properly fitted relative to length and width, the arch length of the foot may be such as to require a different length size for a proper fit. If the length and width measurements of a foot are indicative of a given length size and the arch length is longer than average, the next larger half or full length size is required to fit the foot despite the length and width measurements. Thus unless all characteristics of the foot of a wearer are accurately and interrelatedly determined, a proper fit cannot be obtained.

Through the use of my foot measuring device, the length, width, and arch length of the foot of the purchaser are accurately and interrelatedly determined and visually indicated by meters to enable not only the fitter of the shoe but also the purchaser of footwear to see the sizes visually indicated in clear View. The customer in this way is assured of the proper sizes in length and widths needed and indicated. Not only is confidence inspired in the purchaser, but in addition the shoe salesman can provide the most properly fitting size of the shoe without undue delay.

it is therefore a primary object of the invention to enable the customer to automatically know the length and width sizes of the shoe required without being told the size by the footwear clerk, thus enabling the customer to determine for himself the length and width sizes of the shoe best suited to his needs.

Another object of this invention is to provide a foot measuring device wherein the length, width, arch length, and the like of a foot are electrically determined and indicated for ready observation upon calibrated meters.

Still another object is the provision of a device of the class described wherein the length, arch length and width measurements are interrelated such that the width decreases proportionately with increases in length and arch commensurate with the standard system of sizing footwear.

A further object of the invention is to provide a foot measuring indicating device that is simply constructed, comprised of a minimum number of parts, and is virtually free from operative and mechanical annoyances.

The invention possesses other objects and features of advantage, some of which, with the foregoing, will be set forth in the following description of the preferred form of the invention which is illustrated in the drawing accompanying and forming part of the specification. It is to be understood, however, that variations in the showing made by the said drawing and description may be adopted within the scope of the invention as set forth in the claims.

FIGURE 1 is a perspective view of the case of the foot measuring device.

FIGURE 2 is a sectional view of the case taken at line 2-2 of FIGURE 1 and illustrating the general nature of the linkages between the movable mechanical components of the device and the electrical system thereof.

FIGURE 3 is a partial plan view of the case with portions broken away to illustrate further the general nature of the linkages between the movable mechanical components of the device and the electrical system thereof.

FIGURE 4 is a schematic wiring diagram of the electrical measuring and indicating system of the device.

Referring now to the drawing, FIGURES l and 2 in particular, a foot measuring device in accordance with the present invention is seen to include a flat case 11 the upper surface 12 of which provides a base for foot measurement gaging elements arranged to adjustably contact peripheral portions of the foot of a customer to be fitted with footwear and physically define various important dimensions of the foot. More specifically, right and left heel engaging plates 13 and 14 are provided at one end of the base 12 and upwardly extend therefrom. The heel engaging plates are fixed relative to the base.

When a customer is to be fitted with footwear such as shoes, boots, stockings, and the like, his heels are made to engage the respective plates 13 and 14 and the lengths of the feet of the customer are determined by right and left toe-engaging plates 16 and 17 disposed upon the base 12 in forwardly spaced relation to the heel plates. The toe engaging plates are longitudinally translatable upon the base and are secured to the outer ends of the side arms 18 and 19 that project in opposite lateral di-- rections from centrally disposed longitudinally extending housing 21 secured to the base. The side arms are respectively secured at their inner ends to sleeves 22 and 23 that are concentrically disposed in sliding relationship about sleeves 24 and 26 the purpose of which is subsequently described. The sleeves 24 and 26 are in turn concentrically disposed in sliding relationship about parallel longitudinally extending guide rods 27 and 28 secured to base 12 in slightly elevated position relative, thereto. Hence the inner sleeves 24 and 26 are longitudinally translatable upon guide rods 27 and 28 and the outer sleeves 22, 23 are similarly translatable upon the inner sleeves. To measure the lengths of the feet of a customer, the toe engaging plates 16 and 17 secured to outer sleeves 22 and 23 by means of side arms 18 and 19 are merely translated into contact with the toes. The length dimensions thus defined between the heel engaging plates and corresponding toe engaging plates are converted to proportionate electrical signals by means of an electrical measuring system that is me chanically coupled to the plates as subsequently described herein. The signals are visually displayed in terms of shoe length size upon a calibrated meter 29 mounted in the top of a measuring system housing 31 secured to the base :12 and extending transversely across the front thereof. The right and left signals are both selectively displayed upon the meter 29 by means of right and left toe length selector switches 32 and 33 also mounted upon the top of housing 31.

Arch length measurements are facilitated ina substantially similar manner as the toe length measurements described above. Right and left arch gage blocks 34 and 36 are mounted for manual longitudinal translation along the opposite sides of central housing 21 in equal transversely spaced relation to the axes of right and left heel-engaging plates 13 and 14 and toe engaging plates 16 and 17. The outer sides of the respective arch gage blocks 34 and 36 are contoured to engage the sides of the forward portions of the arches (balls) of the feet of the customer upon appropriate translation of the blocks. Thus with the heel engaging plates 13, 14 abutted by a customers heels, the arch blocks 34, 36 may be moved to positions of engagement with the forward portions of the arches. The distances between such plates and blocks define the customers arch lengths, viz., the distances between the rearward ends of the heels and forward extents of the arches. The blocks are respectively rigidly attached to the outer ends of side arms 37 and 38 that project laterally from the housing 21. The inner ends of side arms 37 and 38 are secured to the inner sleeves 24 and 26 of previous mention which are slidable upon guide rods 27 and 28. The arch blocks 34 and 36 are in addition mechanically coupled to the electrical measuring system in such a manner that sig-.

nals are developed therein in accordance with the positions of the blocks, which signals are therefore indicative of the right and left arch lengths. The arch length signals may be selectively displayed upon meter 29 by actuation of right and left arch length selector switches 39 and 41 mounted in the top of housing 31.

In order to measure foot width, there are also provided upon base 12, right and left width gage plates 42 and 43 disposed laterally outward from arch gage blocks 34 and 36 and arranged for manual translation transversely of the base. More specifically, width gage plates 42 and 43 are secured to the ends of rigid longitudinal arms 44- and 46 projecting rearwardly from housing 31. The opposite ends of arms 44 and 46 are secured to sleeves 47 (only one sleeve illustrated in the drawings) that are concentrically disposed in sliding relation about transverse guide rods 48. These guide rods are mounted within housing 31 in slightly elevated relation to base 12 to facilitate the ready translation of sleeves 47 thereon. The width gage plates 42 and 43 are mechanically coupled to the electrical measuring circuit of previous mention which develops right and left width signals indicative of the distances between the width plates and arch gaging blocks 34 and 36. The signals are visually selectively displayed upon a calibrated width meter 49 mounted upon the top of housing 31 in response to actuation of either the right toe length or arch length switches 32 and 39 or left toe length or arch length switches 33 and 41.

Considering now the manner in which the various gaging elements are connected to the electrical measuring system such that the manual displacements of the elements into contact with the feet of a customer function to develop proportional electrical signals, it is first to be noted that all of the mechanical connecting linkages are similar. Accordingly, only the linkages for the left foot gaging elements are detailed herein and illustrated in the drawings, it being understood that the right foot gaging elements are linked in similar fashion to the measuring system. More particularly, with reference to FIGURES 2 and 3, a support plate 51 is mounted within housing 31 in vertically spaced relation to base 12. Upon the upper surface of plate. 51 are journalled for rotation left toe length, arch length, and width pulleys 52, 53, and 54. Such pulleys are coupled by means of separate belt or string drive systems to the toe length plate '17, arch gage block 36 and width plate 43. Each drive system preferably includes a string 56 having its ends secured together by means of a tensioning spring 57 to form a closed loop. The loop is passed around the particular pulley, e.g., toe length pulley 52, and around a plurality of guide pulleys 58 appropriately disposed to direct the string along a path substantially parallel to the direction of translation of the particular gaging element and in close proximity therewith. In the case of the toe length plate 17, the string loop is guided longitudinally within housing 21. The gaging elements are then coupled to the corresponding strings as for example in the instance of the toe length plate 17 by direct connection of the side arm 19 to the string. Thus as the gaging elements are translated, the drive strings 56 coupled thereto correspondingly rotate the respective pulleys 52, 53, and 54 through a proportionate angle of rotation. The diameters of the pulleys are selected such that they are rotated through a predetermined angle of rotation, e.g., 360 in response to displacements of the corresponding gaging elements between their opposite limits of translation.

The pulleys 52, 53, and 54 are in turn rotatably connected to the hubs of left toe length, arch length and width variable resistors 59, 61, and 62 of the electrical system and mounted upon the underside of support plate 51. Hence upon rotation of the pulleys in response to displacements of the gaging elements, the resistances of the respective variable resistors are changed by amounts proportionate to the displacements. It is to be noted that various alternatives to the rotary variable resistors and drive systems employed in the preferred embodiment are possible within the skill of the art and same are not to be taken as limiting upon the invention.

As regards the manner in which the changes in resistance value of the variable resistors are employed in the electrical measuring system mentioned previously to develop signals indicative of foot dimensions for display upon meters 29 and 49, a schematic wiring diagram of the electrical system is depicted in FIGURE 4. As shown therein, there are provided in addition to left toe length, arch length, and width variable resistors 59, 61, and 62; right foot counterpart variable resistors 63, 64 and 66 each mechanically coupled through rotary drive linkages similar to those described to the respective manually translatable gaging elements. Each of the left and right toe length and arch length resistors 59, 61, 63, and 64 are connected at one side to one terminal of a battery 67 or equivalent source of potential. The other sides of the resistors 59, 61, 63, and 64 are commonly connected to a variable balancing resistor 68 which is in turn commonly connected to fixed contacts 69, 71, 72, and 73 of switches 32, 33, 39, and 41 respectively. The foregoing switches are respectively provided with movable contacts 74, 76, 77, and 78 that are manually engageable with contacts 69, 71, 72, and 73 upon, for example, depression of an actuating plunger of each switch. The movable contacts are commonly connected through a voltage regulating variable resistor 79 to the other terminal of battery 67. Thus the battery current is fed through the variable resistors upon actuation of any of the switches 32, 33, 39, and 41.

The switches 32, 33, 39, and 41 further include a second set of fixed contacts 81, 82, 83, 34 that are respectively connected to the variable resistance taps of resistors 63, 59, 64, and 61 respectively. In addition a second set of movable contacts 86, 87, 88, 89 are provided in the switches for respective engagement with fixed contacts 81, 82, 83, and 84 upon actuation of the respective switches. These movable contacts are commonly connected to one side of length meter 29, the other side of which is coupled through a meter resistor 91 to the terminal of battery 67 connected to resistors 59, 61, 63, and 64. Hence upon actuation of each switch the voltage developed at the variable tap of the corresponding foot dimension resistor is impressed across the length meter 29 and indicated thereon.

A third set of fixed contacts 92, 93, 94, and 96 are provided in switches 32, 33, 39, and 41 respectively and such contacts are commonly connected to one side of the width meter 49. The other side ofthe width meter is coupled through a meter resistor 97 to the movable contacts 86, 87, S8, and 89 of the switches. A third set of movable contacts 98, 99, 101, and 102 are respectively provided in the switches for engagement with the corresponding contacts 92, 93, 94, and 96. The movable contacts 98 and 101 of right foot switches 32 and 39 are commonly connected to the variable resistance tap of right width resistor 66. Similarly the movable contacts 99 and 102 of left foot switches 33 and 41 are commonly connected to the variable resistance tap of left width resistor 62. Both the width resistors 62 and 66 are connected between the fixed contacts 69, 71, 72, and 73 of the switches and the terminal of battery 67 connected to the length and arch length resistors to complete the circuit.

By the foregoing connection of the circuit elements of the electrical measuring system, it is to be noted that the variable resistors may be selectively placed in circuit with the battery 67 and meters 29 and 49. For example, upon actuating right toe length switch 32, the battery is connected in series with the right foot width resistor 66 and the right toe length resistors 63. At the same time, the length and width meters 29 and 49 are placed in circuit with the variable taps of the right foot toe length and width resistors to read voltage drops thereacross determined by the resistance values corresponding to their particular settings and therefore the foot dimension defining positions of the movable gage elements. The meters are readily calibrated in terms of the standard full length sizes of shoes and 5 full width sizes thereof such that upon positioning the movable gaging elements in contact with the feet of a customer, the meters indicate shoe size directly commensurate with the measured dimensions.

It is particularly important to note that provision is made in the electrical measuring system of the present invention for the variations in actual toe and arch lengths with width of shoes of the same length size in accordance with the existing system of sizing shoes. More specifically, shoes are proportioned substantially uniformly in that for widths wider or narrower than the average or C width the toe and arch lengths are respectively shorter or longer than the average actual lengths of the particular length size. Hence the actual width dimension of the foot must be correlated to the actual toe length and arch length in order that the proper width size relative to the length size is obtained. In the measuring system hereinbefore described, the length and arch length dimensions of the feet are not affected by the width dimensions but the width dimensions are affected by the toe length and arch length dimensions. The length meter reads the voltage between the dimension positioned variable resistance taps of either the length or arch length resistors and the battery. The widthmeter, however, reads the voltage between the taps of the toe length or arch length resistors and width resistor. Thus the width size depicted by the width meter is dependent on both the width and toe length or arch length and thus for a given fixed setting of the width resistor the width size reading of the width meter is progressively decreased if the setting of the toe length or arch length resistors is increased. Provision of the proper proportions to this end is accomplished by appropriate selection of ratios of the diameter of the width pulleys to those of the toe length and arch length pulleys of the resistor drive systems.

In the use of the measuring device it will be appreciated that a given measured toe length dimension may produce a shoe length size reading on the calibrated length meter which, in the case of a foot of average proportions, is the same as the length size reading produced by the measured arch length dimension. The particular width size readings in this case as affected by either of the measured toe length and arch length dimensions are the same. However, where the proportions of the foot differ sufficiently from the average, the toe length and arch length measurereading produced by the toe length measurement is greater than that produced by the arch length measurement, this greater length size and the width size reading correspondingly affected thereby are indicative of the proper fit shoe. However, if the shoe length size reading produced by the arch length measurement is greater than that produced by the toe length measurement (indicating a longer than average arch length) this greater shoe length size is necessary to properly fit the foot, as was noted previously herein. The shoe width size reading as affected by the arch length measurements is then also indicative of the proper fit shoe.

What is claimed is:

1. A foot measuring device comprising a plurality of dimension gaging elements including foot length and foot width gaging elements mounted upon a base for manual respective longitudinal and transverse translation into contact with a foot, a plurality of variable resistance elements coupled to said gaging elements and varying in resistance in proportion to the positions of said gaging elements whereby the resistances corresponding to contacting positions of the gaging elements with the foot are indicative of the dimensions of the foot, a potential source connected in energizing relation to said resistance elements, metering means coupled to said resistance elements to meter the voltage drops across the variable resistances thereof as an indication of length and width shoe size corresponding to the dimensions of the foot, and means coupled between said resistance elements and metering means to change the metered voltage drop indicative of width size in progressively inverse relation to changes in the metered voltage drops indicative of length size.

2. A foot measuring device comprising a base member, gaging elements including at least toe length, arch length, and width dimension gaging elements mounted upon said base member for translation relative to fixed reference points into contact with a foot, a plurality of variable resistors mechanically coupled to said gaging elements and variable in resistance in direct proportion to displacement of said gaging elements from the reference points, said resistors thereby having resistance values when the gaging elements are contacting the foot proportional to the dimensions of the foot, a potential source coupled in energizing relation to said variable resistors, and metering means calibrated in terms of shoe size coupled to the variable resistance taps of said resistors to meter voltage drops thereacross varying in response to displacements of the gaging elements from the reference points, movement of said width gaging element only effecting the resistance value of the resistor coupled thereto.

3. A foot measuring device according to claim. 2, further defined by means coupled between said resistors and metering means decreasing the metered voltage drop corresponding to the dimension between the width gaging element and its reference point in progressively inverse relation to increases in the metered voltage drops corresponding to the dimensions between aid toe length and arch length gaging elements and their reference points.

4. A foot measuring device comprising a base member, gaging elements including toe length, arch length and width dimension gaging elements mounted upon said base member for translation relative to fixed reference points into contact with a foot, a plurality of variable resistors mechanically coupled to said gaging elements and thereby variable in resistance in direct proportion to displacement of said gaging elements from the reference points, said resistors thereby having resistance values when the gaging elements are contacting the foot proportional to the dimensions of the foot, a potential source coupled in energizing relation to said resistors, metering means coupled between the variable resistance taps of the resistors coupled to said toe length and arch length gaging elements and ends of the resistors to meter the voltage drops therebetween as indications of shoe length size, and

d metering means coupled between the variable resistance tap of the resistor coupled to said Width gaging element and the variable resistance taps of the resistors coupled to said toe length and arch length gaging elements to meter the voltage drops therebetween as indications of shoe Width size.

5. A foot measuring device comprising a base, right and left heel engaging plates rigidly secured to said base, right and left toe engaging plates mounted for translation longitudinally of the base in opposition to said heel engaging plates, right and left arch gaging blocks mounted for translation longitudinally of the base centrally of the translation axes of said toe engaging plates, right and left width engaging plates mounted for translation transversely of the base in opposition to said arch gaging blocks, a plurality of variable resistors carried upon said base and respectively mechanically coupled in driven relation to said toe engaging plates and arch gaging blocks and width gaging plates, a width indicating meter carried by said base, a length indicating meter carried by said base, a potential source carried by said base, and switch means carried by said base for selectively connecting said battery in series with said resistors, said length meter between the variable resistance tap and an end of said resistors mechanically coupled to said toe engaging plates and said arch gaging blocks, and said width meter between the variable resistance tap of the resistors mechanically coupled to said width gaging plates and the variable resistance tap of the resistors mechanically coupled to said toe on gaging plates and arch gaging blocks.

6. A foot measuring device according to claim 5, further defined said toe engaging plates and arch gaging blocks and width gaging plates being coupled to said resistors in such a manner that the resistance variations effected in the resistors upon translation of the gaging elements are in direct proportion to corresponding changes in shoe size.

7. A foot measuring device comprising a base, right and left heel engaging plates rigidly secured to said base, right and left toe engaging plates mounted for translation longitudinally of the base in opposition to said heel engaging plates, right and left arch gaging blocks mounted for translation longitudinally of the base centrally of the translation axes of said toe engaging plates, right and left width engaging plates mounted for translation transversely of the base in opposition to said arch gaging blocks, a plurality of variable resistors carried upon said base and respectively mechanically coupled in driven relation to said toe engaging plates and arch gaging blocks and width gaging plates, a width indicating meter carried by said base and calibrated in terms of foot Width size, a length indicating meter carried by said base and calibrated in terms of foot length size, right and left arch length selector switches carried by said base and each having first, second, and third movable contacts simultaneously selectively engageable with first, second, and third fixed contacts, right and left toe length selector switches carried by said base and each having first, second, and third movable contacts simultaneously selectively engageable with the first, second and third fixed contacts, a battery having one terminal commonly connected to one side of said resistors and the other terminal commonly connected to the first movable contacts of said right and left arch length and toe length selector switches respectively, means commonly coupling the first fixed contacts of said switches to the other sides of said resistors, means commonly connecting the variable resistance tap of the resistor corresponding to the right width gaging plate to the second movable contacts of said right toe length and arch length selector switches, means commonly connecting the variable resistance tap of the resistor corresponding to the left width gaging plate to the second movable contacts of said left toe length and arch length selector switches, means commonly connecting the second fixed contacts of said switches to one side of said width indicating meter, means commonly coupling the other side of said Width indicating meter to the third movable contacts of said switches and to one side of said length indicating meter, means respectively connecting the third fixed contacts of said right and left arch length selector switches and said right and left toe length selector switches to the variable taps of said resistors corresponding to said right and left arch gaging blocks and said right and left toe engaging plates, and means commonly coupling the other side of said length indicating meter to the first sides of said resistors corresponding to said arch gaging blocks and toe engaging plates.

8. A foot measuring device according to claim 7, further defined by a pair of longitudinal guide rods mounted in spaced relation upon said base, an inner sleeve slidably disposed about each of said guide rods, an outer sleeve slidably disposed about each of said inner sleeves, means securing said arch gage blocks to said inner sleeves, means securing said toe engaging plates to said outer sleeves, a pair of transverse guide rods mounted upon said base on opposite sides of said longitudinal guide rods, a sleeve slidably disposed about each of said transverse guide rods, means securing said width gaging plates to said latter sleeves, a pulley rotatably connected to each of said resistors, and pulley drive loops engaging said pulleys and respectively guided along paths parallel to the translation axes of said toe engaging plates and arch gaging blocks and width gaging plates and secured thereto.

References Cited in the file of this patent UNITED STATES PATENTS 2,331,177 Del Pesco Oct. 5, 1943 2,618,066 Bowen Nov. 18, 1952 2,696,051 Perman Dec. 7, 1954 2,782,504 Del Pesco Feb. 26, 1957

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