US1901353A - Arch support - Google Patents

Description

March 14, 1933. L Q MV1-CHU.; 1,901,353

ARCH SUPPORT Filed Jan. '7, 1952 Figi 1 I L FEZ. 2'

AT1 ys. 1

' Patented Mar. 14, 1933 UNITEDy sTATEs PATENT OFFICE JEAN G. HITCHIE, OF BOSTON, MASSACHUSETTS, ASSIGNOR TO STEPHENSON LABOBA TOBIES TRUST, OF BOSTON, MASSACHUSETTS, A VOLUNTARY TRUST OF MASSA- CHUSETTS ARCH SUPPORT Application lcd January 7, 1932. Serial No. 585,188.

This invention relates to devices for cori recting the arches of the foot which have assumed abnormal positions and for strengthening and healing the muscles and tendons thereof.

The arches of the human foot have a very definite natural position peculiar to the individual, and when the elements which tie together the bony structure'of the foot lbecome weakened the arches assume a permanent position below their normal disposition and the individual suffers what is commonly, known as' fallen arches. As the bones of the foot articulate in this subnormal position the muscles and ligaments are overtaxed and become weakened. If this condition is not remedied and the person continues to sustain his weight upon his feet, the affect upon his arches is cumulative and in time will cause the individual much suffering. It is the principal object of the present invention to provide means which will support the bones of the foot in their natural positions, and thereby permit the muscles and tendons of the foot to regain their normal strength.

The invention has for a further object to provide an arch support which sustains all portions of the arch in their natural position, and at the same time acts to absorb all excessive pressure over and above that caused by the weight of the body.

The object of the invention is further to provide an arch support which conforms to an accurate impression of the bottom surface of the individual foot and is itself supported at all points by reason of its accurate conformity to the inner face of the inner sole of the shoe.

A further object of the invention is to provide a support capable of being readily 'shaped to correct any maladjustment of any or all of the various arch structures of the i foot or the alignment of the heel.

A further object of the invention is to provide in an arch support means to eliminate irritation of the portions of the foot caused by rubbing contact with the shoe, thereby to pil'event the formation of callouses and the Other objects and features of the invention will more fully appear from the following description in 'connection with the accomvpanying drawings and will be particularly pointed out in the-claims. v

The invention comprises essentially a supporting member which transfers the pressure of the sole of the shoe to the sole of the foot in a manner to correctly support the arches. It is constructed of special material which yields upon the application of excessive pressure, but is sufficiently resistant to retain its original conformation, while sustaining the weight of the body. As will hereinafter more fully appear, the su port is accurately shaped t'o conform to t e foot by a special process. When the support has been given its correct shape in order to give it a suitable finished appearance, its top and bottom face are covered with fabric. of soft leather or any other material of similar character.

The effectiveness of the present invention is more clearly presented by first briefly discussing the structure of the human foot. The skeleton of the foot viewed from one side presents a generally flatv triangular form having its long side at the base of the foot. The two upwardly-extending sides of the triangle are composed of a series of bones which receive the-weight of the body at their apex and which articulate when walking.

This jointed bone structure forms the prinstructure is maintained in its proper position and the various elements thereof are restrained longitudinally and transversely by numerous muscles, tendons and ligaments, the most important of which is the plantar ligament which connects the two lower points of the arch.

When the muscles and tendons of the foot become weakened or diseased, the arch tends to lower` due to the weight of the body, thereby creating an abnormal condition. To correct this condition, the arch must be gently and firmly supported in its natural position and 'maintained in that position in order to permitv the muscles and tendons to regain their former strength. The present vinvention accomplishes this result in a very effective manner. The particular construction ofin such a manner' as to conform thereto the arch support embodying the invention affords a firm support which corrects the maladjustment of the arch, and furthermore has 5 a'surface which will yield at any particular point where an abnormal pressure arises, such for instance, as the .abnormal pressure caused by the bulging of a muscle.

The present invention contemplates the production of a suitable corrective appliance for each 'foot of the particular individual for whose use it is adapted and comprises the production of a reenforcing device for the articulated members of the foot which l5 presents an upper surface conforming to the contour of the undistended normal sole of the foot, and an under surface conforming to the surface of the inner sole of the shoe. with a reenforcement therebetween of material having 'sufiicient .resilience to withstand the normal pressure of the foot and yieldable in any portion in response to abnormal pressure applied to the upper surface thereof.

The term insole is used therein as delining the corrective device which is adapted to be inserted into the shoe which the indi- `vid'ual uses and which rests upon the inner. sole of the shoe. The term inner sole is used herein to define the inner sole portion of the shoe which may be directly secured to the outer sole or which may be indirectly secured thereto by a welt. i

The character of the arch support issuch that a local displacement of the surface of 5" the arch may take place, while the remaining area thereof maintains .the\ bony structure of the foot in its corrected position. It is apparent, therefore, that an even pressure is maintained at all times throughout the entire area of the support, thereby eliminating the possibility of any irritation between the support and the bottom of the foot. The structure of the .support is such that it is capable of sustaining the weight of the body and resists depression caused by anormal stress im ed thereon. When, however, a sudden s ock or an abnormal pressure is applied to the foot,-the support will yield and thereby avoid transmitting such'shock to the tender pliant members of the foot. The

action of the arch support when walking becomes a gentle massage of-the foot permitting the free-play of all muscles and ten'- dons which rapidly restores it to a normal.

f healthy condition.

The resent invention not onlylincludes an insel; of the character above described, but the method of producing the same which may be broadly described as the process of roducing an insole for reenforcing articulilted members of the foot which comprises producing from plastic material a model conforming to the undistended sole of the normal foot smoothly applying a thin sheet of bmus material to the lsole portie-n mode] undistended condition.

throughout its entire surface, detachably securing said sheet thereto, -cementing upon the vsheet of fibrous material a layer of suitable resilient material, then fashioning the upper surfacev thereof to conform to the surface contour of -the inner sole of the shoe, and preferably cementing upon the surface thus formed a cover of pliable material permitting the inner sole thus formed to set firmly and finally removing the insole from the model. The insole thus formed is adapted when inserted in the shoe, therefore, to conform upon its under side to the contour of the inner sole of the shoe and its upper surface will conform strictly to the contour of the sole of the individuals foot in its normal By reason, therefore, of the flexibility of the sole of the shoe and of the resilient reenforcing member, the articulation of the foot will at all times be properly maintained whether the wearer of the shoe is sitting, standing or walking.

In the drawing:

Fig. lis a cross sectional view throu h the arch supporting insole in vprocess o construction while applied to a model ofthe individual foot.

Fig. '2 is a cross sectional view of the arch supporting insole in the position it is worn within the shoe.

Fig. 3 is a top plan vievsr of the support before it has received its finishing covers.

Fig. 4 is a section on line 4 4 Fig. 3. Fig. 5 is a section on line 5 5 Fig. 3.

The drawing illustrates the several steps of the method above described for producing an individual insole having the characteristics above defined. Since the proper function of the device depends upon its accurate conformation to the contour of the soleof thel foot when the elements of the foot are in their normal position, an impression or matrix of the foot is first taken. The matrix may be made in any suitable material which readily receives an impression. The matrix is then used to casta model 1 of plaster of Paris or any other similar material suitable for the purpose. The finished model then bearsv the shape of the foot of the patient and is trimmed along its periphery to the desired dimensions of the finished support. For convenience a model 1 is inverted as shown in Fig. 1 and a. sheet of fabric 2, such as cheese cloth or material of similar nature is applied tothe surface of the model by drawing its edges down over the sides thereof and ceinenting them thereto. The cloth then is given one or more coats of waterproof cement which is allowed to harden. The body portion 3 of the support is then cemented to the fabric 2. The material out of which the body portion is made must have the 'characteristics above specified. A sheet of cork in lits natural form or a sheet of agglomerated of apertures 6.

resilient granulated material such as granulated cork has been found to be a satisfactory material. A portion 3 of the sheet then is cut to a generally triangular shape and of a length to extend throughout substantially the distance between the points of support of the arch. The triangular body portion then is skived or filed roughly to the proper shape to fill the depression of the main or plantar arch with one of its faces fitting the inner surface of the sole of the shoe, and its other face. conforming to the The body portion 3 then is applied to the fabric sheet 2 which has been previously secured to the model, and which has been coated with another layer of cement. Suliicient pressure then is applied to cause the portion 3 to assume the exact form of the model.

If it is necessary to correct other portions of the foot besides the plantar arch, for instance, the transverse ormetatarsal arch, or to correct the alignment of the heel, additional supporting members may be provided. The support shown in Fig. 1 is provided with a pad or rise 4 adapted to correct the alignment of the heel and in addition a pad or rise 5 is cut and shaped to till the depression of the metatarsal arch. The pad or rise 4 acting upon the heel preferably is made of the same material as the section 3 and is skived to proper dimensions and cemented to the section 3 in position to form a smooth curved contour therewith. The pad or rise 5 is of similar material and shaped to correct the metatarsal arch and cemented to the forepart of the section 3 in correct position to sustain the arch in its natural position.

The assembled arch support having the pads 4 and 5 attached thereto is then applied to the model and cemented to the fabric 2rthereon under pressure in the manner above set forth in connection with the body portion 3 when used without the additional rises. The cement is then allowed to harden -and the arch support is stripped from' the cutting or tearing the fabric 2 atA model'by the upper peripheral edge of the model.

The arch support then is inverted and placed in position within the shoe to determine whether its bottom face conforms to the inner surface of the shoe sole. If the fit-is not proper, the support is filed and skived until its whole area bears evenly upon the inner sole of the shoe. Before putting on the Afinishing top and bottom layers of fabric the support may be perforated throughout its area as by means of the series These apertures may be formed in the support before it is applied to the model if desired. The perforations provide beneficial ventilation within the shoe which aids in the normal respiration through the pores of the skin and they also serve to provide a more eifective resilient characface of the model;

ter to the material of the'body portion of the device.

After the support has received its final conformation a layer of fabric 7, such as khaki or material of similar character is cemented to the bottom face thereof and trimmed neatly to the edge. The upper surface desirably is provided with a layer 8 of soft leather such as calfskin or suede. After trimming the layer of leatheron the top surface the completed support again is applied to the model where it is allowed to arden thoroughly. When the completed arch-supporting insole is inserted in the l shoe 9, its upper face presents a surface accurately conforming to the sole of the normal foot and acting to apply exactly the proper corrective pressure to the deformed portions of the foot.

One of the important features of the invention is the fact that every portion of the foot is supported in its correct position and maintained in that position since there is present at every point throughout the area thereof exactly the right amount of filling between the foot and all portions of the shoe. This feature has the effect of restoring the arch by supporting the weakened elements of the foot in a natural and gentle manner, which results in time in restoring the elements of the foot to their normal con-dition'.

By securing to the rear end portion of the material for reenforcing the arch a pad of suitable material fashioned to raise the p0rtion of a heel which has been displaced from its normal position, the -alignment of the heel can be corrected, thereby further aiding and restoring the arch to its normal position.

In instances where a misplacement of the anterior or metatarsal archhas occurred, a pad of suitable material fashioned to restore the displaced arch to normal position not only aids the muscles and tendons in restoring the arch to its normal position, but it also so corrects the skeleton structure of the foot as to prevent undue displacement of the joints and consequent friction with the upper of the shoe which would result in callouses or corns, inasmuch as the formation of callouses is caused the portion of the shoe which is not properly adjusted to the foot. Where cornsy or bunions are found upon the bottom of the foot, the pad is correctly positioned to press gently but firmly upon the corn or bunion which will reduce the friction between the skin and the insole to a sufficient extent not only to prevent increase upon the thickness of the corn or bunion, but eventually to restore the skin to normal condition.

Such a method is the most effective method to restore arches of the foot which have lowered or to correct misalignment of any of the bony structures thereof. Much ofthe pracby rubbing contact with massaging action sole of tices heretofore in evidence have been based upon entirely different principles involving the use of a ready made or stock arch support made of metal or other rigid material. One of the chief objections to using such an arch support is the practical impossibility of shaping the support to accurately lit the individual foot- An arch supportinginsole constructed under the principles of the present invent-ion is exceedingly comfortable to Wear owing to its yielding character as above described, and produces a very beneficial Whil-e Walking.

Having thus described the invention, what is claimed as new, and desired to be secured by Letters Patent, is:

l. The process of producing an insole for reenforcing articulated members of the foot which comprises producing from plastic material a model conforming to the undistended sole of an individualsnormal foot, smoothly applying light fabric to the sole portion of said model throughout its entire area and de tichably securing margins of the same to sai terial to said fabric, fashioning the upper surface thereof While secured to the model to conform to the surface contour of the inner sole of the shoe, cementing a covering of pliable material to said resilient material permitting the cement to harden while the insole is secured to said model, and detaching the insole thus formed from the model.

2. The process for producing an insole for reenforcing articulated members of the foot which comprises terial a model conforming to the undistended sole of an individuals normal foot, smoothly applying a light fabric to the sole portion of said model throughout its entire area and detachably securing the margin of the same to said model, cementing a body of resilient reenforcing material to said fabric, fashioning the upper surface thereof While secured to the model to conform to the contour of the inner sole of the shoe, skiving the heel portion of said body and cementing model, cementing a sheet of resilient maproducing from plastic mainner sole of the shoe, applying to the front end portions of said body a pad fashioned to compensate for a misplaced anterior or metatarsal arch, cementing the covering of pliable material to said reenforcing members, permitting the cement to harden While the fabricated insole is secured to said model and detaching the insole thus formed from the model, and applying to the upper surface thereof a covering of soft pliable material.

4. The process of producing an insolefor reenforcing articulated members of the foot which comprises producing from plastic material a model conforming to the undistended sole of an individuals normal foot, smoothly applying a light fabric to the sole portion of the model throughout its entire area, detachably securing the margins of the same to said model, cementing a sheet of granulated cork composition to said fabric, skiving the upper surface thereof while secured to the model to conform to the surface contour 0f the inner sole of the shoe, cementing a covering of pliable material to the upper surface of the fashioned cork composition, permitting the cement to harden While the insole is secured to the model, and inally'detaching the insole thus formed from the model.

In testimony whereof, I have signed my name to this specification.

JEAN G. MITCHIE.

misalignment of the heel and cementing al covering of pliable material to said body and pad, permitting cement to harden While the insole is applied to the model, and detaching the insole from the model.

3. The process for producing an insole for reenforcing articulated members of the foot Which comprises producing from plastic material a model conforming to the undistended an individuals normal foot, smoothly applying a light fabric to the sole portion of said model throughout its entire area andV detachably securing the margin of the same to said model, cementing a body of resilient reenforcing material to said fabric, fashioning the upper surface thereof while secured to the model to con form to the contour of the

Images