US3085578A - Shoe heel - Google Patents

Description

April 16, 1963 v. B. SILBER 3,085,578

SHOE HEEL Filed May 24, 1961 v 2 Sheets-Sheet 1 c, f INVENTOR. B i 4 More Bap/A 20 6/1436 BY 7 J 7k?" WLWM April 16, 1963 v. B. SILBER 3,085,578

SHOE HEEL Filed May 24, 1961 2 Sheets-Sheet 2 L ii My invention relates to shoe constructions and more particularly to shoes having a ribbed walking surface.

This application is a continuation-in-part of my copending, since abandoned application Serial Number 57,839 filed September 22, 1960.

Normally, the weight should be distributed between the ball and the plantar tubercles of the os calcis of the normal foot. If weight is applied to the bony arch rising forwardly of the plantar tubercles of the os ca cis, the normal foot experiences fatigue and then pain. It is obvious that when barefooted the normal foots arch does not experience any weight application. So also the normal foot when bare will roll back to a plantar address to the terrain if it should be slightly canted when it touches. The soft flesh on the extremes of the sides of the feet will yield and the canted foot will in effect right itself.

When the normal foot is encased in the usual shoe, a considerable amount of shock is transmitted through the solid shoe to the arch, thus causing eventual fatigue and pain. Also very slight canting, which in the normal gait is bound to occur, but which is corrected as above when barefooted, tends to increase to great canting with time. Thus, the slightly canted foot tends to Wear the heel at one side until a fulcrum caused by the wear moved inward and the foot rolls over to a cant even when correctly addressed. This progressive canting changes the gait in compensation and causes fatigue and eventual pain.

The most common abnormality in feet is weak arches. The most common abnormality in gait in excessive cant in addressing the terrain. Thus as to canting the normal foot and the abnormal foot are both aggravated by the usual shoe constructions. But as to weak arches, the abnormal foot requires What the normal foot is healthier without, that is, arch supports. As explained, arch supports tend to transmit shock to a part not intended to receive it, yet the discomfort they cause the normal foot thereby is greatly outweighed by the pain easing support they give the abnormal foot.

Prior art constructions have not been fully satisfactory for the needs of either the normal foot and gait Or for the weak arched foot and canted gait. Even more pronounced has been the lack of a shoe construction suitable for all feet, normal and abnormal. This has led to special shoes for the needs of the wearer, thus greatly increasing costs.

It is, therefore, the primary object of my invention to provide a shoe construction that urges the user to walk properly so as to conform to sound medical health requirements and to experience no excess fatigue or pain in prolonged Walking.

Another object of my invention is to provide a shoe construction that may be used by normal as Well as abnormal feet and that may be adapted to existing shoes, so as to insure widespread use and consequent low cost.

Other objects of my invention will become more apparent from the following description illustrated by the accompanying drawings in which:

FIGURE 1 is a perspective view of one embodiment of the heel of the present invention mounted on a shoe; FIGURE 2 is a plan view of the heel of FIGURE 1;

FIGURE 3 is an elevational section view of the heel of FIGURES 1 and 2 taken along line 3-3 in FIG=- URE 2;

FIGURE 4 is a rear schematic view of the ordinary heel showing a wear pattern;

atent 3,085,578 Patented Apr. 16, 1963 FIGURE 5 is a rear schematic view of a ribbed heel showing a wear pattern;

FIGURE 6 is a perspective view of a second embodiment of the heel of the present invention mounted on a shoe;

FIGURE 7 is a plan view of the heel of FIGURE 6; and

FIGURE 8 is an elevational section view of the heel of FIGURES 6 and 7 taken along line 88 in FIG- URE 7.

Referring now to the drawings, and particularly to FIGURES 1, 2 and 3, a first embodiment of the heel 10 constructed according to the present invention comprises a resilient body portion 11 which is mounted on a shoe 30 so as to extend forwardly from the back of the shoe in the usual manner. The heel 10 may be affixed to the shoe 24) by the usual expedients, that is, by sewing to the welt or by nailing or cementing, as desired.

A pair of longitudinally extending ribs 12 and 13 depend from the body portion 11 and are spaced apart with their outer edges coinciding with the outer edges of the body portion and meet in rear portion 19 so that when the shoe 30 is flush on the terrain the appearance of heel 10 is only slightly different from ordinary heels. Ribs 12 and 13 are relatively narrow compared to the width of heel 10, for a reason to be hereafter explained. The exact width of ribs 12 and 13 will depend inversely upon the wear characteristics of the heel composition employed. I prefer rubber, but other materials may be employed.

When a human foot (not shown) is properly situated in shoe 30, the ball of the foot is situated in the vicinity of 31, the shoe being left footed, while the plantar tubercles of the os calcis are situated in the vicinity of 32 and terminates in the vicinity of 33. The rearward heel portion of the foot is nested in the vicinity of 35.

Thus example heel 10, being a left heel adapted to fit left shoe 30, has short partial gaps 14 and 15 in ribs 12 and 13 respectively at a point disposed forwardly from the back portion 18 of heel 11 a distance sufiicient to lie under the forwardmost portion of the plantar tubercules of the os calcis when heel 10 is affixed to occupied shoe 30. That is, gaps 14 and 15 lie under vicinity 33.

One rib, for example rib 13 in the example of left footed heel 10, extends forwardly a relatively short distance beyond gap 15, while rib 12 extends forwardly of gap 14 a distance sufficient so as to underlie the bony arch extending forwardly of the plantar tubercles of the os calcis. That is, example rib 12 extends under vicinity 34.

A built up portion 16 extends between ribs 12 and 13 so as to substantially fill in the area between them at the back of the heel as shown at 17, and grades forwardly therefrom into coincidence with the surface of body portion 11 between ribs 12 and 13 and slightly rearward of gaps 14 and 15. Built up portion 16 is separated from ribs 12 and 13 by a groove 18 extending into built up portion 16 along the intersection with ribs 12 and 13 and back portion 19 therebetweenr Groove 18 preferably extends into built up portion 16 a major portion of the depending height of ribs 12 and 13 from 'body portion 11.

By such a construction of heel 10, ribs 12 and 13 are adapted to support a shoe wearers foot from the rearmost portion of the heel at 35 to the plantar tubercles of the 0s calcis at 32 and to the bony arch extending forwardly therefrom at 34. Moreover it is apparent that heel 10 has maximum flexibility at gaps 14 and 15, which lie under the forwardmost portions of the plantar tubercles of the os calcis, that is at vicinity 33. Relatively high and uniform flexibility exists in ribs 12 and 13 forwardly of gaps 14 and 15, that is under the bony arch at vicinity 34. The built up portion 16 gives the portion of heel 10 rearward of gaps 14 and 15, that is, rearward of the forwardmost portion of the plantar tubercles of the os calcis, an increasing rigidity toward rear portion 19 from a rigidity equal to that forward of gaps 14 and 15 and ranging upward therefrom to a maximum at rear portion 19 of heel 10.

Thus the distribution of flexibility is such as is medically proper to assure maximum comfort. Flexible portions of ribs 12 and 13 forwardly of gaps 14 and 15 support the weak arched foot but do not transmit painful shock to the normal arch. Gaps 14 and 15 assure maximum flexibility where it is needed, that is at the forwardmost portion of the plantar tubercles of the os calcis so that both normal and abnormal feet apply the portions forwardly under vicinity 34 in a motion pivoted or rolled from gaps 14 and 15, and not in a slapping motion pivoted from rear portion 18. Moreover gaps 14 and 15 prevent binding of the plantar tubercles of the os calcis within the shoe.

Also, the increasing rigidity toward rear portion 19 gives increasing support to that part of the heel that can take weight and shock without fatigue. The increased material at 16 and 17 allows less depression under the rear of the wearers foot when his heel hits the terrain. But the groove 18 adds appreciably to the flexibility of the rearward portion of heel 10 without losing the compression strength mentioned.

The other function toward good foot health and comfort performed by the present construction is illustrated in FIGURES 4 and 5. In FIGURE 4 is shown at A the rear view of a conventional heel. When such a heel is walked in so that the heel addresses the terrain in a canted fashion, wear proceeds along a direction indicated by arrow B. A fulcrum is thus formed at C, and this fulcrum moves inwardly along a direction shown by arrow D when the shoe heel A is further worn along direction B. The result of fulcrum C moving inward is a greater and greater turning couple so that the wearers own tendency to cant his foot is urged further by the wear of the shoe. The closer fulcrum C wears to the center of heel A the greater the outward turning couple becomes.

On the other hand, FIGURE 5 shows a schematic of the rear of a heel A having ribs 12 and 13 similar to the ribs disclosed in FIGURES 1 through 3. When wear proceeds due to a canted gait, along the direction shown by arrow B, there is no possibility of the fulcrum formed thereby moving further inward than C. Thus while the shoe will cant slowly because of the wearing away of rib 12, there will be no turning couple produced and no increase in what canting there is inherent in the walker.

That is, the construction of FIGURE 5 will tend to right the foot of the canted walker, just as nature does when he is barefooted, and what canted wear there is will produce no turning couple. The example heel of FIGURES 1 through 3 operates by ribs 12 and 13 on this principle of self-righting of canted gait.

In operation, heel is affixed to shoe 3t) and walked in. Suflicient flexibility exists at rear portion 19 because of the action of groove 18 so as to cause healthful rolling and flexing of that portion as it first addresses the ground. But sufiicient non-compressibility exists there because of built up portion 16 to absorb the shock of hitting the ground without excessive give of the heel. As the foot rolls or pivots forwardly flexure occurs at gaps 14 and 15, thus properly pressuring the forward portion of the plantar tubercles of the os calcis. Also the increased flexibility under the plantar tubercles of the 0s calcis allows give there so as to cushion it against shock.

As the foot is further brought down, pivoting takes place from gaps 14 and because of their flexibility, and the forward portions of ribs 12 and 13 lying under the bony arch are brought down in a rolling or pivoting motion of a shorter radius than if the heel 1t) pivoted at rear portion 19 all the way through. This shorter radius rolling motion applies the arch supporting rib portions smoothly to the terrain without excessive shock. Weak arches are thus supported but normal arches are not fatigued by walking shock. At the same time canting of the walkers gait is compensated for by ribs 12 and 13 as described. Thus comfortable feet and gait are encouraged both for normal and abnormal feet.

FIGURES 6, 7 and 8 illustrate a second embodiment of a heel constructed according to the present invention. Therein is shown a heel 10a having a resilient body portion 11a mounted on a shoe 30.

Heel 10a has side ribs 12:: and 13a which perform the same functions as ribs 12 and 13 of heel 10 described above. In addition, as is best shown in FIGURE 8, gaps or notches 14a and 15a differ from gaps 14 and 15 in heel 10, in that in heel 10a the gaps are continued backwardly to the rear of the heel until graded into the heels bottom. In effect, then, side ribs 13a and 12a are graded upwardly and forwardly from back portion 19a to merge with the deepest portion of gaps 14a and 151;.

As best shown in FIGURE 6, gasp 14a and 15a are most advantageously situated under region 33 of shoe 3!), that is under the forwardmost portion of the plantar tubercles of the os calcis. Rib portions 12b and 13b will then extend forwardly somewhat under the bony arch extending forwardly of the plantar tubercles of the os calcis. This arrangement is the same as that for heel 10.

The proper distribution of flexibility that is attained in heel 11) by means of inclined portion 16 best shown in FIGURE 3. Sculpted portion 16:: is cut deepest and widest at the forwardmost portion of heel 10a, and gradually becomes shallower and narrower toward the rear of heel 10a so as to decrease the flexibility of the heel toward the rear portion.

Rib portions 12b and 13b extend forwardly from gaps 14a and 15a as explained above. As shown in FIGURE 6, they preferably do not extend all the way under the bony arch from region 33 to region 34, but rather extend only a portion of the way. The reason for this will be explained hereinafter.

When a foot (not shown) is in shoe 30 with heel 10a, and the individual is standing flatly, portions 12b and 13b will be compressed until inclined or graded portions 13a and 12a are pressed into contact with the surface upon which the individual is standing. This is a healthy standing condition, unlike the usual heel configuration wherein the back of the heel is raised slightly when flatly standing. However during walking, the rear of the heel will often be applied first, and the foot will pivot the weight upon portions 12b and 1312. They will compress upon this application of pressure, and will aid the springy lifting of the foot to take the next step. Thus the arrangement of portions 13b and 1212 with gaps 14a and 15a and with inclined ribs 13a and 12a aids proper standing and also gives a springier and less fatiguing walk.

The springiness inherent in portions 12b and 13b will depend upon their composition and their length and width, as well as their height above the bottoms of gaps 14a and 15a. Whle portions 12b and 13b may be extended fully forwardly under the bony arch and up to region 34, it is preferred that they extend only partly under the arch, that is, only partly from region 33 to region 34. This is because it has been found that when the portions just forward of the termination of the plantar tubercles of the 0s calcis at 33 are given the extra pressure inherent when the portions 12b and 13b thereunder are compressed more than the rest of ribs 13a and 13b, that it is not necessary to support more of the bony arch. An additional advantage resides in the resultant more normal appearance of heel 10a because of its shortened length. This is also enhanced by the fact that in standing gaps 15a and 14a are compressed so that heel 10a has the normal solid-sided appearance of the ordinary heel.

What I claim is:

1. A shoe heel including a resilient body portion adapted to be affixed to a shoe and to extend forwardly from the back of the shoe in the usual manner, said portion having integrally depending, longitudinally extending ribs spaced apart from each other with their outer edges coinciding with the outer edge of said body portion, said body portion and said ribs forming a hollow between the inner edges of said ribs so that the heel of the wearer of the shoe is supported at least mainly by said ribs when the shoe heel initially engages the ground while walking, use of said heel in a canted fashion causing wear loss of one of said ribs to proceed laterally to form an inwardly shifting fulcrum on the ground tending to promote further canting to a degree increasing with the extent of said wear loss, the width of said rib throughout a substantial portion of its extent upwardly from its bottom being substantially less than that which permits said fulcrum to shift to the same extent as a heel having a flat bottom and, at least one of said ribs being shaped to form a gap extending forwardly from the back of the said rib to a location adjacent to its forward end.

2. A shoe heel including a resilient body portion adaped to be aifixed to a shoe and to extend forwardly from the back of the shoe in the usual manner, said por tion having integrally depending, longitudinally extending ribs spaced apart from each other with their outer edges coinciding with the outer edge of said body portion, said body portion and said ribs forming a hollow between the inner edges of said ribs so that the heel of the wearer of the shoe is supported at least mainly by said ribs when the shoe heel initially engages the ground while walking, use of said heel in a canted fashion causing wear loss of one of said ribs to proceed laterally to form an inwardly shifting fulcrum on the ground tending to promote further canting to a degree increasing with the extent of said wear loss, the width of said rib throughout a substantial portion of its extent upwardly from its bottom being substantially less than that which permits said fulcrum to shift to the same extent as a heel having a fiat bottom, said body portion being vertically thick at its back portion so as to approach the bottom edges of said ribs and tapering upwardly forwardly thereof so as to gradually recede from said bottom edges, and at least one of said ribs being shaped to form a gap extending forwardly from the back of the said rib to a location adjacent to its forward end.

References Cited in the file of this patent UNITED STATES PATENTS 1,753,284 Cropp Apr. 8, 1930 1,809,405 Ehrenfried June 9, 1931 2,016,215 Pietzuch Oct. 1, 1935 2,414,445 Cahill Jan. 21, 1947 2,629,189 Stein Feb. 24, 1953 2,760,279 Jones Aug. 28, 1956

Claims (1)

1. A SHOE HEEL INCLUDING A RESILIENT BODY PORTION ADAPTED TO BE AFFIXED TO A SHOE AND TO EXTEND FORWARDLY FROM THE BACK OF THE SHOE IN THE USUAL MANNER, SAID PORTION HAVING INTEGRALLY DEPENDING, LONGITUDINALLY EXTENDING RIBS SPACED APART FROM EACH OTHER WITH THEIR OUTER EDGES COINCIDING WITH THE OUTER EDGE OF SAID BODY PORTION, SAID BODY PORTION AND SAID RIBS FORMING A HOLLOW BETWEEN THE INNER EDGES OF SAID RIBS SO THAT THE HEEL OF THE WEARER OF THE SHOE IS SUPPORTED AT LEAST MAINLY BY SAID RIBS WHEN THE SHOE HEEL INITIALLY ENGAGES THE GROUND WHILE WALKING, USE OF SAID HEEL IN A CANTED FASHION CAUSING WEAR LOSS OF ONE OF SAID RIBS TO PROCEED LATERALLY TO FORM AN INWARDLY SHIFTING FULCRUM ON THE GROUND TENDING TO PROMOTE FURTHER CANTING TO A DEGREE INCREASING WITH THE EXTEND OF SAID WEAR LOSS, THE WIDTH OF SAID RIB THROUGHOUT A SUBSTANTIAL PORTION OF ITS EXTENT UPWARDLY FROM ITS BOTTOM BEING SUBSTANTIALLY LESS THAN THAT WHICH PERMITS SAID FULCRUM TO SHIFT TO THE SAME EXTENT AS A HEEL HAVING A FLAT BOTTOM AND, AT LEAST ONE OF SAID RIBS BEING SHAPED TO FORM A GAP EXTENDING FORWARDLY FROM THE BACK OF THE SAID RIB TO A LOCATION ADJACENT TO ITS FORWARD END.

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