US1245802A - Shoe. - Google Patents

Description

w. A. ROUNDS.

SHOE. I APPLICATION FILED APR. 29, I 9l6- Patented N 0v. 6, 1917.

ATTV

WILLIAM A. BOUINIDS, 0F CLEVELAND, OHIO.

SHOE.

Specification of Letters Patent. Patented Nov. 6, 1917,,

Application filed April 29, 1916. Serial No. 94,294.

To all whom it may concern:

Be it known that I, wlLLIAM A. RoUNDs,

scription, re erence being had to the accompanying drawings.

This invention relates to shoes having flat soles such as are used for athletic purposes. The avoidance of a heel is particularly necessary where theshoes are used on specially prepared surfaces, such, for example, as gymnasium floors, tennis courts, etc, where heels would be injurious to the surface. Such flat or spring heels as. usually made, cause the wearers foot to assume an uncomfortable position, and frequently result injuriously.

The general object of the invention is to provide a shoe having such a continuous comparatively flat sole and the usual upper, while at the same time bringing the foot of the wearer into the position to which he is accustomed in the wearing ofshoes provided with heels. I accomplish this object by providin a tapered insert between the sole and insole, thus raising the heel of the wearer from the sole. This insert may be comparatively light and so constructed that it may be conveniently and inexpensively secured in position, and may be so incased as to provide a durable shoe having a neat and pleasing appearance;

My invention is hereinafter more fully described in connection with the drawings, and the essential characteristics are summarized in the claims. a I s In the drawings, Figure 1 is a side elevation of a shoe embodying my invention; Fig. 2 is a vertical longitudinal sectlon through the heel portion thereof, showing the insert and manner of securing the same; Fig. 3 is a transverse section through the same, taken substantially 'on the line 33 of Fig. 2. 1

Referring to the drawings by numerals, 5 indicates the usual upper of the shoe, which may be constructed in any desirable manner for freedom of movement and elasticity, as

is desirable in athletic shoes, and which is shown as having the usual laces 6. 8 indicates the sole of the usual heelless or spring-heel form, such as is desirable in athletic shoes, particularly where they are to be used upon specially prepared surfaces.

The portion 8 preferably comprises a single strlp having a comparatively thin connectlng portion 9 under the arch of the shoe "and between the slightly thicker portion 10- forming the low heel and the forward portion under the ball of the foot.

In the usual form of athletic shoes the upper 5 is secured to the flat sole, bringing I the heel of the wearer much nearer the ground than when wearing a shoe provided with heels. Thus the position of the foot is changed, which frequently results in serious discomfort, and sometimes actual injury to the wearer. To obviate this difliculty and yet not interfere with the use of the shoe as an athletic shoe, I have provided a wedge-shaped insert between the upper and the sole at the heel portion, and so shaped that it may fit the foot of the wearer, causing it to assume its natural position and yet not be of sufficient weight to impede the movements of the wearer. 1

In constructing the shoe the forward portion ofthe upper is secured to the sole back to a point adjacent the ball of the foot, and from this point rearwardly the upperis secured to the upper side of the wedge-shaped insert 20, which tapers downwardly to meet the sole substantially at the ball of the foot and which is preferably curved at-22to fit the arch of the wearer. This insert comprises a wedge-shaped portion 24: of light material, preferably somewhat elastic, such for example as cork, slightly narrower than the width of the sole and having its sides curved parallel to the sides of the sole and wardly and secured to a suitable insole, in-

dicated at- 27, which is in turn secured to the inwardly turned portion 28 of the casing 25. This securing of the upper to the wedge is accomplished in substantially the same man- 'ner as the upper is usually secured to the sole of a shoe, except that instead of the stitches extending through the, sole itself,

they extend through the inwardly turned edge 28 of the casing 25. I

At 30 is indicated a counter constructed in the usual manner and surrounding the heel portion, being turned inwardly with the contiguous portions of the upper and secured in position in the usual manner. A filler strip 12 may extend around the outer portion of the sole and inwardly under the Wedge, as indicated in Figs; 2 and 3, which is secured to the inwardly turned portion of the casing'as well as to a lower insole 32, extending along the upper portion of the sole strip 8 throughout its length.

From the foregoing description it will be seen that I have provided an athletic shoe the upper and sole of which are constructed in the usual manner," and I have provided an insert raising the heel of the wearerabove the low heel portion of the sole, into a position to which the wearer is accustomed. I have accomplished this by a construction which does not involve difliculties and which permits such a shoe to be made by existing shoe manufacturing machines. The insert being of light material does not impede the rapid movements of the wearer, and being entirely incased by leather or likematerial, similar to that of the upper, afiords an appearance which is artistic.

messes Having thus described my invention, what ll claim is:

1. In a shoe, the combination of an upper, a continuous substantially flat sole, a wedge of light yielding material between the upper and the sole and tapering forwardly to meet the sole substantially at the ball of the foot, and a flexible casing extending about the sides and rear of the insert and turned" inwardly above and below the same and secured at one edge to the upper and at the other edge to the sole.

2. In an athletic shoe, the combination 0 a substantially flat rubber sole having no heel, an upper of the usual construction secured to the sole at the forward portion, a"

wedge-shaped insert of light material between the upper and the sole having its thicker portion at the heel and tapering forwardly substantially to the ball of the foot and having its upper surface curved to fit the arch of the foot, a flexible casing about the insert having its edges turned inwardly above and below the insert, and means for securing such edges at the lower side to the sole and at the upper side to the upper of the shoe.

In testimony whereof, ll hereunto afiix my signature.

WILLIAM A. ROUNDS.

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