US2740401A - Foot corrective pad - Google Patents

Description

April 1956 c. F. CRAWFORD 2,740,401

FOOT CORRECTIVE PAD Filed Jan. 14, 1954 :15 mi QF CZaad F Fran 0rd United States Patent FOOT CORRECTIVE PAD Claud F. Crawford, Pasadena, Calif., assignor to The Seholl Mfg. Co., Inc., Chicago, 11]., a corporation of New York Application January 14, 1954, Serial No. 404,057

2 Claims. (Cl. 128153) This invention relates to improvements in a foot corrective pad, and more particularly for the alleviation of pain and discomfort resulting from corns, callouses, and the like, and very specifically for the alleviation of afflictions usuallyaccompanying a hammertoe, enlarged joint, or the like, although the invention may have other uses and purposes as will be apparent to one skilled in the art.

For purposes of clarity, the instant invention will be herein described in connection with its use on a hammertoe, although other uses and purposes of the invention will be quite apparent. Hammertoe is a persistent flexion of a toe, frequently of the second toe, and in some cases he first phalanx is dorsifiexed and extended. The particular toe is usually compressed between adjacent toes and its extremity, instead of extending forwardly like the other toes, is turned down and flattened out against the insole of the shoe into a club or hammer shape. On the dorsal surface of the flexed joint, which is pressed upon by the footwear from above, there is usually a sensitive com, callous, adventitious bursa, or a similar painful afiliction. The discomfort of the hammertoe is caused by the pressure of the shoe upon the affliction above and upon the enlarged extremity of the toe below, in some cases the nail being ingrown. A patient has extreme dilficulty in acquiring relief without the aid of an artificial appliance on the order of the instant invention. This is because toe motion is much restricted by virtue of contraction of the lateral and glenoid ligaments of the toe, as well as contraction of the tendons of the extensor and fiexor muscles.

With an affliction of that character it is highly desirable, if not essential, that the corrective appliance be firmly attached in exactly the proper position without discomfort to the user, and so the appliance will not shift position during use. At the same time, particularly for use by women, the device must not be bulky and unsightly.

In the past, difiiculty has been experienced in providing pads of this character that would properly fit a toe, and stay in place on the foot in the correct location regardless of the activity of the user. In some cases, pads of this character have been provided with no means for maintaining them in place except the hosiery of the wearer, and that would be unsatisfactory. In other cases, the pads were provided with straps in the form of circumscribing elastic bands, which were to encircle the toe, but most frequently were either too tight so as to be extremely uncomfortable, or too loose so that the pad would not stay in the correct location. Furthermore, formerly known devices of this character were unsightly, and particularly so if some attaching means on the order of the commonly known adhesive tape had to be used, and did not conform to the contour of the toe to the extent desired.

With the foregoing in mind, it is an important object of the instant invention to provide a foot corrective pad highly desirable for use on the dorsal surface of a toe, and which is shaped to conform to the toe and relieve pressure from a flexed joint, corn, callous, or other afl'liction by transferring that pressure in a gradual and easy manner to adjacent parts.

Still another object of the instant invention is the provision of a foot corrective pad of the character set forth herein, equipped with toe encirling means adjustable to a comfortable fit at the time of application of the pad.

It is also an object of this invention to provide a corrective pad of the character set forth herein, embodying a cushioning body part having a relatively thin, slick, non-drag cover thereover, with attaching means adjustable at the time of attachment, carried by the cover only.

A further feature of the invention resides in the provision of a foot corrective pad of the character described herein, embodying a cushioning part with a thin smooth cover thereover, and which cover extends slightly beyond the body part entirely therearound so as to provide a gentle tapering border contact of the device with the foot, and eliminate any abrupt edge contact.

Another object of the invention is the provision of a surgical corrective pad of the character set forth herein which is extremely economical to manufacture, highly effective in operation, plied by theuser without the skill of a specialist in foot treatment.

While some of the more salient features, characteristics and advantages of the instant invention have been above pointed out, others will become apparent from the following disclosures, takenin conjunction with the accompanying drawing, in WhlCh Figure 1 is a-pict0rial illustration of a corrective pad embodying principles of the instant invention shown in operative position on the human foot;

Figure 2 is an enlarged bottom plan view of the corrective pad itself; and

Figure 3 is a central vertical sectional View through the pad taken substantially asindicatedby the line Ill-lll of Fig. 2, looking in the direction of the arrows.

As shown on the drawings:

By way of illustrating a preferred use of the instant invention, in Fig. 1 the corrective pad is shown associated with a human foot 1 having a hammertoe 2, and the pad generally indicated by numeral 3 is shown in proper position over the flexed joint of the hammertoe, the pad being positioned to relieve pressure on the dorsal surface of the toe.

With reference now to Figs. 2 and 3 it will be seen that the pad itself as exemplified in the illustrated embodiment, includes a cushioning body part 4 having a forward abrupt ended extension 5, a longer and tapering rearward extension 6, and opposed short lateral extensions 7-7. In an intermediate location, the body portion is provided with an aperture 8 which part of the flexed joint, or any aflliction such as a corn or callous occurring at that point.

This body portion may be made of any suitable cushioning material, but is preferably made of foam latex which is extremely light in weight, highly resilient, possesses great restorative powers, is readily launderable, and has an exceedingly soft and comfortable feel to the skin of a user. This material also provides a soft clinging'contact to the skin which aids in maintaining the pad in the cor rect location.

Extending over and bonded to the upper face of the body part 4 is a smooth surfaced cover 9 of any suitable and which may accurately be ap-' aperture receives the upper 0 a 11-11 one of which carries a small spread of pressure sensitive adhesive 12 adjacent the end thereof so that the two strap sections may be secured into a loop around the toe of the wearer. The strap portions 11-11 extend over the side extensions 77 of the body part so that these side extensions are swung laterally over the sidegof the toe and this arrangement together with the exposed margin 16 of the cover provides an easy, intimate, and soft fit of the pad over the toe without any abrupt edge contact with the toe. Further, it will be noted that the forward extension 5 relieves pressure over the broad portion of the toe beyond the flexed joint or affliction, and rear tapering extension 6 gradually conveys pressure of the shoe or the like in a gentle manner over the healthy tissue in the rear part of the toe. Thus, by virtue of the affliction being within the aperture 8, which also extends through the cover 9, pressure is effectively transferred away from that afiiiction.

' It is a very simple expedient for-anyone to apply the pad to the foot, it being simply necessary to place the body portion 4 in proper position to effect the greatest aid, and then encircle the toe with the strap portions 11-11, locking these portions together comfortably and intimately around the toe with the adhesive 12. That operation which may be accomplished by anyone without expert assistance anchors the pad in the exact and proper location against accidental dislodgement with a comfortable and precise fit on the toe. 1

From the foregoing, it is apparent that I have provided an economical readily fitted pad, having a concavo-convex shape both laterally and longitudinally, 'andwhich conforms intimately to the toe in a comfortable pressure relieving manner. 7 The pad may beremoved and replaced whenever desired, the adhesive 12 preferably being of a waterproof character, whereby the pad may be readily laundered when necessary.

It will be understood that modifications and variations may be etfected without departing from the scope of the novel concepts of the present invention.

I claim as my invention:

l. A foot corrective pad, including a body part of cushioning material having an opening in an intermediate location, said body part having anabruptly ended forward extension and a longer tapering rearward extension and being concave-convex with the concave side inward, said body part also having a pair of opposed lateral extensions, a cover over said body part, and strap portions extending from opposite sides of said cover over said lateral extensions of the body part.

2. A foot corrective pad, including a body part of foam latex having an opening in an intermediate location, said body part having an abruptly. ended forward extension and a longer tapering rearward extension and being concavo-convcx with the concave side inward, said body part also having a pair of short lateral extensions, a thin rub ber covering over said body part and extending slightly thcrebeyond in all directions, and a pair of strap portions integral with said cover and extending from opposite sides over said lateral extensions of the body partto jointly encircle the-toe of a user.

References Cited in the tile of this patent UNITED STATES PATENTS Salander Oct. l9, 1943 Scholl July 28, 1953

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