US2128402A - Arch support for shoes - Google Patents

Description

Aug. 30, 1938. w. CHELMO ARCH SUPPORT FOR'SHOES Filed Feb. 28, 1936 Inventor A [for ne y Patented Aug. 30, 1938 UNlTED STATES PATENT OFFlCE 1 Claim.

This invention relates to boots and shoes and it has particular reference to a structure attached to the innersole and its principal object resides in the provision of a built in arch sup porting medium relieving the strain imposed upon that part of the foot known as the metatarsus and especially at the point where the metatarsal bones join the tarsus and correct an improper posture of the foot when bearing the weight of the individual.

Another object of the invention is manifest in the provision of a structure adapted to suit the requirements of the individual wearer which can be incorporated into the shoe when manufactured or subsequently fitted thereto and formed to afford a comfortably contoured surface against which the sole of the foot may repose while supporting the body.

Still another object of the invention resides in the provision of an arch support embodying elements especially adapted to any type of shoe or foot and providing a natural means of straightening or correcting the foot and strengthening the muscles and tendons therein.

Broadly, the invention seeks to comprehend the provision of a means whereby the arch of the foot can be properly retained in position laterally, as well as vertically, and thus prevent straining the plantar arch and ligaments yet allowing the unrestrained action of all of the numerous cooperative elements of the foot.

While the foregoing objects are paramount, other and lesser objects will become manifest as the description proceeds taken in connection with the appended drawing wherein:

Figure 1 is a plan view of the invention stitched to an innersole.

Figure 2 is a fragmentary perspective view of the same.

Figure 3 is a side elevational view of a shoe showing a portion cut away from the inner side illustrating the improved arch support positioned therein.

Figure 4 is a cross-sectional view of the invention taken on lines 44 of Figure 3.

Figure 5 is a plan view of the support showing the preferred form, and

Figure 6 is a perspective illustration of a skived leather laminating strip for building up the support.

The tarsal and metatarsal bones of the foot are normally support-ed between the heel bone and the phalangeal joints of balls of the toes only by the elastic ligaments or cartilage which become fatigued under stress and yield, producing a defect which is commonly termed flat foot. The corrective value of the arch support herein described is thus appreciated.

The invention consists primarily of a saddle I, cut from leather, or similar material, and shaped to substantially conform to the outline of the heel portion a of an innersole 2, as shown in Figures 1 and 5, and having a flap, or extended portion b which normally curves upwardly and reposes against the side of the shoe 3 on the inside of the foot and provides a comfortable surface conforming to the contours of the sole thereof, as shown in Figures 3 and 4.

The saddle l is preferably stitched at c to the outer edge of the innersole 2 opposite the up turned portion b, as illustrated in Figure 1, anchoring the same to the innersole 2 and allowing the saddle l to hinge upwardly 'at that point and thus permit the insertion of skived or wedgeshaped pieces of leather 4 thereunder to elevate L the upwardly turned side b of the saddle I, in the manner illustrated in Figure 4, in order that the saddle I may slope toward the outer edge of the innersole 2 away from the upturned portion 2) providing a suitable support for the inner side of the foot beneath the plantar arch and relieving ihe normal strain imposed upon the tarsal and metatarsal bones and ligaments intermediate the heel and the ph'alangeal joints or balls of the toes.

An object of the invention is to provide a suitably adjustable arch supporting medium for different types of feet, requiring varying corrective measures, depending upon the condition of the muscles of that portion of the foot called the arch. It is not infrequent that the so-called Y ligament or astragalus, and the muscle known as the posterior'tibial, which together provide the sole support for the weight of the body across the plantar arch, become weakened and yield under stress and must therefore be assisted or reenforced to avoid flattening of the sole of the foot resulting in painful fatigue.

The saddle l is especially designed to comfort- Obviously the structural design of the saddle especially fitted to the shoe which is the choice of I is especially adapted to retain the foot in an upright position and, when necessary, over-correct the defect. The peculiar structure of the human foot defines a lateral semi-arch which springs from the cuboid on the outside to the inner cuneiform on the inside of the foot across the anterior portion of the instep and thus accounts for the so-called hollow of the foot which frequently requires support.

In the conventional manufacture of boots and shoes the nails retaining the heels are clinched or bradded inside the shoe and covered with a relatively thin piece of leather which is often insufficient protection against these elements irritating the flesh and the saddle I is capable of adequately insulating the oifensive'nails from the heel.

It will be noted, by reference to Figures 3 and 4,

that the skived members 4 may also be sewed at d to the innersole 2 to retain them in place and prevent their being displaced once these elements are properly positioned. Contrary to the manner in which the conventional removable arch support is placed in the shoe, wherein the actual supporting medium, or arch, is. loosely arranged therein and allowed to find its own position beneath the foot of the wearer, the herein described elements are secured to the innersole 2 the wearer.

The innersole 2 may be removable or fixed in the shoe as desired and, although it is preferable to build the assembly into the shoe at the time of its manufacture, it is of such character as to enable its adaptation to several pairs of shoes when provided in sizes and shapes conforming to standard or special lasts.

Although the invention has been described with great particularity, it is obvious that certain changes and modifications may be resorted to from time to time by those skilled in the art and posite edge thereof rearwardly from the vicinity i of the ball line of the said shoe to a point near the breast line.

LEVI W. CHELMO.

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