US2371751A - Shoe - Google Patents

Description

Marsh 2G, i945. R. E. FREEMAN SHOE Filed Oct. `27, 1943 2 Sheets-Sheet 2 Patented Mar. 20, 1.9.45 I

UNITED STATES PATENT GFFICE l `snloa Richard E. Freeman, Beloit, Wis.: assigner to Freeman Shoe Corporation, Beloit, Wis., a corporation of Wisconsin Application october 27, 1943, serial No. 507,855

2 Claims.

v'laly directed to an improved shoe design and structure that will enable a wearer with substantially normal feet to avoid many foot ailments induced by the faulty design and structure of conventional shoes.

Scientific study of the natural walking gait shows that the weight of the foot is first taken on the heel, then in rapidly rolling rotation from the small toe to the large toe along the outside of the foot onto the ball of the foot when the large toe 4shoves the body forward in a leverlike action as the heel is again raised in the walking gait. Dr. Arthur Stelndlenprofessor of orthopedic surgery, University of Iowa, states the foot action as follows: In walking, the foot is placed on the ground heel first: it then rolls over the outer border until` the contact reaches the ball of thefoot."

This usage of the foot is better understood upon considering the problem of balance in walking. It will be appreciated that one foot is taking the support of the body from the time the heel contacts the ground until the large toe leaves the ground, when the weight is shifted to the other foot. in walking motion is best accomplished by the rolling over the outer border of the foot" as fully described and discussed by Dr. Steindler in his treatise Mechanics of Normal and Pathological Locomotion in Man.

When the foot functions in this normal and natural manner, the tendons and musclessupporting the bone structure of the foot are utilized in effective coacting relationship to produce the almost effortless walking gait of the American Indian and other barefoot aborigines. Further it is worthy of note .that such natural foot action induces a slightly toeing in stride so typical of the Indians.l

Much attention/,and'study has been given the intricate bone structure of the foot with its longitudinal and transverse arches. This intricate bone structure is dependent upon interconnected tendons and 4muscles to protect and keep these bones in proper functional relationship. Fallen arches are not due to bone failures per se: the

failure of the tendons and muscles supporting the arches cause the arch to fail. One authority aptly states the case: The integrity and form of the foot is entrusted first to the ligamentous and second to its muscular apparatus.

Moreover, the effectiveness of these ligaments and muscles in their coaction with the bone structure is largely dependent on the proper se This swinging shift of body weight quence of their use, because these tensioning ligaments are built upin an underlying coacting relationship with the bone structure that produces effective mechanical advantage in the foot arches. A study of the under surface of the foot showing continuations of tendons from leg muscles as shown in Toldts Anatomical Atlas, clearly shows that the tendons from the toes overlie eachother with the little toe tendon on the bottom and all intertwined under the inside of the foot. The tensioning of these tendons in the sequence induced by the gradual shifting of the weight from'the little toe to the large toe produces a mechanical advantage to the foot arch that permits the arch to-easily and naturally resist the stresses imposed; Further, when thus used, the foot functions in the natural slightly toed-inmanner: contrarywise, when theweight' is shifted along the inside of the foot, a toed-out gait is induced which puts unnatural stress on the arch of the foot andmay finally result in a series of foot ills ranging from bunions to broken arches.

In my improved shoe design I provide a structure which positively induces the foot to function in the natural manner by mechanically hold- `ing the heel rmly upright while slidably inclining the footoutwardly to carry the weight in the -the heel and sole design of the shoe.

in full appreciation of the important vital funcroll over the outer border manner until it rests onthe ball of the foot. 'I'he structure for accomplishing the above result largely resides in However,

the abby feet of the sedentary cnice-Worker*V to the hard muscled feet of the'professional ball player, all muscular tissue should 'be positioned in the proper relationship to function in this one natural way.' It will be appreciated that soft abby footl muscles will not assume their proper form and functionsin fact they promptly tend to assume misshapen shapes that are ill adapted to their natural function. It is my theory that regardless of muscle tone, the foot. should be molded and held in proper form for natural co acting relationship of the muscles and bone structure. When this is done, the muscles tend to i'unctionl properly andthe ill results of misplaced muscle tissue followed by mislocated bone structo maintain the foot in proper alignment and induce the foot to function in a normal manner.

Further objects and benefits will be disclosed in the following' description and drawings in which: f

Fig. 1 is a 'perspective view of my improved shoe last with cross sectional outlines thereon and further showing the shapes and outlines of my formed inner sole and counter as will later be explained:

Figs. 2, 3, 4 and 5 are elevational views of the cross sections of my improved last at sections 2 2, 3 3, 4 4, and 5 5 respectively;

Fig. 6 is a broken perspective view of my improved shoe as provided by forming over the last shown in Fig. 1, to show the relationship of my formed inner sole and counter as will further be explained; and

line 1 1 corresponding to the section 2 2. on the last of Fig. l. It will be observed that the shape oi the shoe at'the center of the heel is generally pear-shaped and closely follows the shape o! the heel of a normal foot when supporting its weight.

It will be observed that the major portion of the Figs. 7, 8, 9 and 10 are elevational cross sections of the shoe as they would appear von the section lines 'I l, 8 8, 9 9 and III II) respectively.

I desire to explain and teach that the fundamentalconcept of my impro ed shoe design is to provide a solid cupped sock t for the heel to iit its natural shape as it supports its normal weight. I form these heel sockets in my improved shoe to provide a strong solid heel support that will hold heel section is on the outside of the center line I2 I2 and that the heel I5 is hollcwed out in order to accommodate my formed counter IB and inner sole I'l in the natural pear-shape of the normal human heel as it supports its weight in wet sand. I desire to point out and teach that this structure Aprovides strong mechanical means to hold the heellin its natural weight-bearing shape and is a decided improvement over conventional square cornered heel structures which are illadapted to resist the stresses imposed. The formed -inner sole I1 supports the weight directly on the heel I3 and protects the formed counter 'I8 from sidewise leverage movements by reinforcing the counter well above its contact with the heel I5. This is a far better mechanical structure for resisting sidewise stresses than a ilat bottomed heel because counter I8 is well supported above its bottom contact with the heel I5 and lthus presents a much shorter leverage for sidewise stresses. It will be well understood that I form my inner sole I 1 from heavy leather formed and stiiiened to provide a smooth curved side wall support for the bottom of the foot.

Now'referring to Fig. 8 it will be observed that as thegreater area of the cross section is again car- With the heel thus ilrmly and naturally supported, I fasten the balance of the shoe in firm natural relationship to the heel. It is my concept that this natural relationshipwill provide for a "rolling over the outer border of the foot action and when the foot is permitted to function in this manner, most of thefoot ailments are avoided. I therefore provide shoe structure which definitely induces the weight to be borne in this natural manner and further provide structure to support the stresses thus induced in order to maintain the shoe in proper shape. Again, I 'reject any idea of cushioning; the structure I provide being ilrm and strong to operate as effective` mechanical means to attain this result.

Now referring to Figs..1 to 5 inclusive, and at the outset particularly to Fig. l; I designate the center lineof the last by the line II II which is actually the center line of support, but not the geometric center line of the shoe. It is the line drawn from the center of the rear of the heel of the last to the center of the toe of the last. I designate the vertical plane from the center line Il I I by the center lines I2 I2. The various my strong inner sole structure.

ried to the outside of the center line I2 I2 of the shoe and that the inner side of the formed inner sole I1 is supported by strong leather section I6 aflixed to the sole I4. This structure mechanically throws the weight to the outside of the shoe because the smooth formed inner sole I1 being tilted toward the outside would naturally slide the weight to the outside where it is supported by It will be observed that the upper I9 in relation to the inner sole I'I and its support I6 is protected against the stresses imposed on this structure by the support of the sturdy inner sole I1 which assists the upper I9 at the point where weight is applied by a naturally curved section at that point.

Now referring to Fig. 9 it will be observed that the inner sole I1 is again carried on its inner side by supporting structure and the weight is again shifted to the outside of the foot by the natural curve formed thereby. As a detail, it will be observed that there is a slight arch at the center line I2, which conforms to the shape of the normal foot structure.

Now referring to Fig. 10 it will be observed that at this section, the formed inner sole I'I is slightly concave to provide a relatively fiat concaved section for the toe section of the shoe.

I again repeat and emphasize that my formed inner sole I1 is made of strong stiff leather of substantial thickness formed under heat and pressure to provide a strong rounded side wall support for the bottom of the foot and that it is mounted rmly and securely on the' sole of the shoe to provide an effective coacting member which protects the counter and upper from excessive stresses imposed by carrying the weight of the wearer on the outside of the foot. Although I have described a. preferred form of inner sole made of leather, it will be understood that any other material such as phenolic condensation assaut a shoe last in a wide variety of sizes and shapes which experience has taught will fit a high percentage of all human feet. The large. reputable manufacturers of lasts regularly list twenty-six sizes of`men's shoes in eleven widths. or a total almost exactly to the shape produced by a normal human foot imbedded in sand and molded to the shape of the foot when carrying its normal weight on the outside of the foot in accordance with my 4 shoes constructedin accordance with my theory of two hundred eighty-six sizes. The circumferential measurements of these lasts are given for the ball. waist and instep and they are given in inches and eighth inches. For instance, size '7,

width A-ball 8, waist' 7%, instep 8%: size'A- ball 8%. waist 8%. instep 8%; size '1D-ball 8%. waist 8%, instep 9%: size iiD-ball 9. waist 8%, instep 9%.

I have found that in order to properly fit shoes having my improved outwardly inclined inner sole, which carries the weight of the wearer on the outside of the foot, I must maintain the cross sectional sizes for proper nt bycompensating for the rounded bottom inner sole and sidewise positioning ofthe foot. I therefore must add to the upper last such areas as are removed from standard lasts by my concaved formed inner sole. I do this in exact proporticnto-the displacement of the last material by adding such displacement to the upper side of the last in smoothly flowing contours. I have found that this provides the necessary space for the normal foot tissues when carrying weight on its outside and further that this provision induces the foot into proper shape for functioning in the desired natural manner.

As an example, if one would take a standard flat bottom last and remove the bottom material to provide the rounded cradle heel and high rounded shank. in accordance with my teaching,

substantially all the material removed should be zor and teaching, do function in the manner described, and wearers are greatly benefited by my improved shoe design and structure.

Having thus described my invention. I now claim aa new:

1. A shoe comprising a heel and sole structure. an insole. a counter. and an upper. said heeland sole structure and said insole providing a foot supporting surface comprising a raised untilted cupped heel portion shaped to conform to thc contour of the heel oi' a normal foot and `having substantially uniformly curved side and rear portions with the' curvature at the outside of the shoe from a point within and near the front end of said heel portion gradually lowering toward. in and through the shank portion at a greater slope than the curvature at the inside' of the shoe to provide an outwardly tilting surface with curved sides at the front of said heel portion and in said shank portion, said curved sides then gradually diminishing in curvature and gradually leveling to provide a substantially atuntilted surface at vature at the sides continuing forwardly and gradually lowering'from a point within and near the front en'd of the heel surface toward. in and through the shank portion with the curvature at the outside of the last lowering at a greater slope than at the inside to provide an outwardly tilting surface with curved sides in the front part of said heel surface and in said shank portion, said curved sides then gradually diminishing in curvature and gradually leveling relative to each other to proyide a substantially nat untilted surface at the ball portion of the last, said last with its curved sides being shaped to conform to and having sufficient cross-sectional area throughout its length to fit the contour of a normal foot.

v RICHARD E. FREEMAN.

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