U.S. patent number 3,586,003 [Application Number 04/819,726] was granted by the patent office on 1971-06-22 for means for supporting a flat foot.
This patent grant is currently assigned to Duane C. Bowen. Invention is credited to Walter C. Baker.
United States Patent |
3,586,003 |
Baker |
June 22, 1971 |
MEANS FOR SUPPORTING A FLAT FOOT
Abstract
A flat foot is supported by abutment on the inside of the foot
to the first cuneiform bone and to the heel bone by a structure
built into a shoe or inserted into a standard shoe including a
first flange abutting the inside of the foot and a second
horizontal flange underlying the foot arch and supporting the first
flange in upright position, the first flange having a first forward
portion abutting a portion of the first cuneiform bone and a second
rear portion abutting a portion of the heel bone, the upper edge of
the first flange intermediate the first and second portions being
immediately below the level of the navicular bone.
Inventors: |
Baker; Walter C. (Wichita,
KS) |
Assignee: |
Bowen; Duane C. (Wichita,
KS)
|
Family
ID: |
25228884 |
Appl.
No.: |
04/819,726 |
Filed: |
April 28, 1969 |
Current U.S.
Class: |
36/145 |
Current CPC
Class: |
A43B
7/1495 (20130101) |
Current International
Class: |
A43B
7/14 (20060101); A43b 007/14 () |
Field of
Search: |
;128/586,593,607,608,581,610,612,166.5,620,621 ;36/76 |
References Cited
[Referenced By]
U.S. Patent Documents
Foreign Patent Documents
Primary Examiner: Gaudet; Richard A.
Assistant Examiner: Yasko; J.
Claims
I claim:
1. A substantially rigid support member for supporting a flat foot
which is adapted to be inserted in a shoe, said support member
consisting of
a single upright flange which includes
an upper forward portion of a size and shape to abut a portion of
the first cuneiform bone of the foot, and
an upper rear portion of a size and shape to abut a portion of the
heel bone of the foot, the upper edge of said single flange
intermediate said forward and rear portions being below the level
of the forward and rear portions so as to be below the level of the
navicular bone of the foot,
a second generally horizontal flange, having a free edge and
means disposing said upright flange and said horizontal flange in a
substantially rigid relationship with respect to each other so as
to form a one-piece support.
2. The subject matter of claim 1 including a shoe in which said
shoe has an insole and an outsole and said second flange is
disposed between said insole and outsole, and said member is built
into the shoe.
3. The subject matter of claim 2 in which said shoe has upper
portions and upper liner portions and in which said single upright
flange is disposed between said upper and upper liner portions.
4. The subject matter of claim 3 in which said shoe is of Goodyear
Welt type with a welt and an insole depending flange and said welt
and said insole depending flange are removed in the area of said
member to permit said member to permit said member to extend from
between said insole and outsole to between said upper and upper
liner portions.
5. The subject matter of claim 2 in which said second flange is
secured to said insole.
6. The subject matter of claim 1 in which said member includes a
sheetlike element of metal and said element having ridges
longitudinal and transverse for strengthening said element.
7. The subject matter of claim 6 in which said sheetlike element is
of spring steel which is bent to form said ridges, and said element
having a cloth covering to minimize wear of metal edges.
8. The subject matter of claim 1 in which there is a padding on top
of said second flange and generally to conform to the shape of the
underside of the foot arch to assist in locating said member in
place when inserted in a shoe, and a covering of leather or the
like enclosing said member and padding.
Description
BRIEF SUMMARY OF THE INVENTION
My invention relates to a means and method for supporting a flat
foot which works on the side of the foot rather than supporting the
arch from underneath. A removable arch-support type structure, or
the equivalent built into the shoe, abuts the first cuneiform and
heel bones and has an upper edge underlying the navicular bone.
BACKGROUND OF INVENTION AND OBJECTIVES
Reviewing the state of the art before my invention, it can be said
that a satisfactory solution to the relief of flat feet has not
been achieved. The common solution to problems of flat feet has
been the so-called arch support which provides padding and
structure abutting the fleshy underside of the arch. This gives
some relief in certain cases but the conventional arch-support is
basically unsatisfactory due to misalignment of bones (compared to
the normal foot), due to support of too much of the body weight on
the inside of the foot, and due to having no tendency to build
muscles for normal support of the arch (and, in fact, perhaps being
conducive to deterioration of normal foot muscle functions). The
unsatisfactory state of the art before my invention has had several
consequences including inability of the prior arch-support to
adequately support some feet (so that some people with flat feet
cannot engage in certain types of work and activities), including
discomfort of persons with flat feet, and including poor postures
due to misalignment of the skeletal body support which is based on
the foundation of the feet. It is a purpose of my invention to
improve upon these circumstances. Of course, the best foot is the
normal healthy foot, but is is an objective of my invention to
provide a better support or aid to a flat foot than has hitherto
been provided.
A principal purpose of the present invention is to restrain the
ankle bone (the talus) and the navicular bone to their natural
positions, that is to prevent abnormal slipping or inward turn or
roll of these bones, of which the navicular is the most prominent,
by protrusion on the inside of the foot below and forward of the
ankle bone, in a standing or sitting position. Another statement of
the objective is: both in stationary position and in walking action
to keep the weight of the body primarily on the outside of the
feet, as compared with the conventional arch-support which takes
the principal weight sagging on the inside of the feet. The outer
edge of the feet should carry 80 percent of a person's weight. It
is an objective of my invention to substantially hold the foot so
that the talus and the navicular cannot slip into abnormal
positions, to hold the first, second, and third cuneiform bones and
the cuboid in place, and thereby to hold the fifth metatarsal bone
in place, which, in turn, is conducive to the spreading of the toes
in the manner of a healthy foot in standing, sitting and
walking.
It is a further objective of my invention to utilize and strengthen
the muscles of the foot by substantially normal and natural
exercising (including spreading of the toes) with each step. This
action can be illustrated by spreading the toes in which it will be
noted the arch is automatically raised. It is an objective,
compared with the unsupported flat foot or the flat foot supported
by the common arch-support, to take pressure off of bones that are
not designed to carry excess weight and to place the weight on the
bones that are designed, by nature, for the purpose of carrying
weight. Another way of stating this is that the bones of the foot
are maintained under my invention with the most natural, normal
positions, functions and actions feasible.
Further objectives of my invention include: to provide foot support
means which can be built into a shoe (preferably on a mass
production basis) or can be provided in a separate structure which
can be inserted into a standard shoe; in the case of a built-in
support, particularly to adapt a Goodyear Welt shoe for this
purpose; in the case of the built-in support, preferably to avoid
or minimize special fitting so that the support will be provided
basically by purchasing a shoe of proper size; to provide a support
that does not lead to muscle deterioration and instead encourages
normal muscle functioning as in a healthy foot; and to provide the
support in an economical and durable construction which also
minimizes or avoids special forming processes in fitting a support
to a foot.
My invention will be best understood, together with additional
objectives and advantages thereof, from a reading of the following
description, read with reference to the drawings, in which:
FIG. 1 is a side view illustrating the inside of a foot, the bones
of the foot, and the relationship thereto of the support element of
a specific embodiment of my invention.
FIG. 2 is a side view of the inside of a shoe, the shoe upper being
broken away to show a support element built into the shoe according
to my invention.
FIG. 3 is a bottom view of a shoe under construction illustrating
the process of building the support into the shoe, the shoe
manufacture being illustrated at the point after the (partial) welt
has been added to the Goodyear Welt shoe depicted, but before the
filler or outsole have been added.
FIG. 4 is a view partly in cross section taken in the area of the
forward flange portion of support element in a shoe having the
support element built-in, bones particularly metatarsals in the
area of the viewing plane being generally indicated.
FIG. 5 is like FIG. 4 except being a view of a shoe having a
removable support.
FIG. 6 is a perspective view of a support element to be built into
a shoe.
FIGS. 7, 8 and 9 are, respectively side, perspective and top views
of a support element to be used with a removable arch support.
FIG. 10 is a sectional view taken on line 10-10 of FIG. 9.
The situation in the prior art before my invention has been
described above. Observations believed to be fundamental to my
invention include: (a) the foot is constructed in a most complex
way and with most complex functioning in relation to bones, tendons
and muscles, (b) the foot is basic to skeleton support, and (c) in
aid of a flat foot, the more that normal functioning and
relationships of bones, tendons and muscles can be achieved, the
better the results directly in foot functioning and indirectly in
body posture. In fact, the ultimate would be if a completely normal
arch could be restored by exercises or otherwise, but such
restoration has not been achieved to my knowledge as yet, if it is
indeed possible. My approach essentially is to maintain bones
generally in normal position so that bones, tendons and muscles may
have as nearly normal relationships and actions as possible.
Implicit in the above discussion is the observation that the normal
so-called arch-support is unnatural in supporting weight too much
on the inner lower surface of the arch and in interference with or
substitution for normal bone, tendon and muscle relationships,
functions and actions. My purpose is to restrain, by abutment from
the inside, the slipping of the ankle, first cuneiform and
navicular bones too far out of their normal positions, so in this
way to try to preserve normal relationships and functionings of
bones, tendons and muscles, as compared to the unsupported flat
foot or the flat foot with the common so-called arch-support.
Restraint of movement of the first cuneiform bone is fundamental to
my method.
I will first describe the (substantially) rigid element 10 of my
support and its relationship to the foot, and then I will describe
its incorporation in a separable arch support that can be inserted
in a standard shoe, and finally I will describe the building in of
the rigid element into a shoe during its manufacture. The
expression "flat foot" is a matter of degree. In the worst cases,
perhaps in a deterioration starting in early childhood, the foot
may be rather hopelessly distorted and crippled, so I am referring
to the normal range of flat feet. The adaptability of the invention
to mass production (at reasonable prices) in shoe manufacture
suggests the feasibility of my structure being sold in shoes in the
market for those constantly on their feet during work (such as some
policemen, retail clerks or nurses) which shoes have one or another
feature or aid for foot comfort or support as against tired feet,
whether or not the feet would be termed being flat, having weak
arches or ankles, or being "normal" but overused in standing or
walking.
Rigid element 10 normally will be formed from flat metal stock,
such as a type of spring steel, although it could be formed, cast
or molded from other relatively rigid material such as certain
plastics. Of course some springing in element 10 is permissible but
it should be substantially rigid. When built into a shoe, it would
even be possible to build up a sufficient body of leather to act as
a relatively rigid element, particularly because there is support
of the element to some extent at the rear by the strength of the
heel shoe structure and at the front by the strength of the upper
structure (sometimes tied) which is stretched around the front of
the foot, but the leather would have to be too thick for
appearance, economy, etc., to support a moderately flat foot and
normally a metal element will be most applicable.
Rather than otherwise to use a thicker piece of metal, it is
preferable to form element 10 with ribs (i.e., forming ribs on the
inside and grooves on the outside) following the well known
principle that such forming adds rigidity to a structure. In the
FIG. 6 built-in construction, it will be seen that the ribs of
element 10a include central transverse rib 12, one or more
longitudinal ribs 14, and ribs 16 which start longitudinally and
then curve transversely. In the FIGS. 7--10 structure adapted for a
separable, slip-in arch support, element 10b is shown with two
longitudinal ribs 14, one transverse rib 12, and two partly
transverse, partly longitudinal ribs 16. It will be understood
elements 10 can be formed from flat stock by punching out flat
blanks and then bending the blanks in a die by hammering, heating
and/or pressing (followed by heat-treat particularly if heating is
involved).
Rigid elements 10a, 10b have first flanges 20a, 20b abutting the
inside of the foot and second horizontal flanges 22a, 22b having
free edges supporting the first flange 20 in upright position.
Second horizontal flange 22 having a free edge holds first flange
20 upright by pressure from the foot in the case of the removable
support of FIGS. 5 and 7--10 and by being secured fixedly in the
shoe in the case of the built-in support of FIGS. 2--4 and 6. The
first flanges have a first forward portion 24 abutting a portion of
the first cuneiform bone 26 and have a second rear portion 28
abutting the heel bone 30. The concave upper edge 34 of first
flange 20 intermediate first portion 24 and second portion 28 is
immediately below the level of the navicular bone 36. In movement
of the foot the navicular bone 36 has the greatest sidewise
movement so it is not feasible to provide a rigid abutment although
the pressure of edge 34 on the flesh one-eighth or one-fourth inch
below the level of the navicular bone could have minimal
restraining force. The principal restraint is on the first
cuneiform bone 26 which is restrained by portion 24 of first flange
20 from moving far from its position in a normal foot. Rear portion
28 of first flange 20 applies some restraint on heel bone 30 and
further stabilizes the first flange relative to the heel bone.
During weight application on the foot or during walking, body
weight applied to the arch through the ankle bone or talus 40 is
directed substantially according to a normal arch because first
flange 20 prevents excess slipping of the arch to the inside of the
foot and down which means that if the bones are held substantially
in the position of the normal arch, and the body weight is carried
about 80 percent on the outside of the arch. It may also be
observed that when the foot is led to have substantially normal
functioning, the toes spread in walking which is a normal foot
action and interrelates with the other foot bones through the
metatarsal bones to hold the arch up in place, whereas with the
normal flat foot the arch has slipped into the inside and the toes
have little tendency to spread to help the holding of the arch up
in normal position.
I will first describe the removable support of FIGS. 5 and 7--10.
This has somewhat the appearance of conventional removable arch
support, although the function of my support is not to hold the
arch by abutment from beneath. On occasion, removable arch supports
have been molded entirely from plastic, but the form of removable
arch support I have illustrated and will describe is of the type
with a metal structural element 10 and a covering of leather or the
like. The contour of my support generally conforms to the rear
contour of the inside of the shoe to assist in locating the support
in place. My removable arch support has an upper and lower leather
covering 50 with edges (which define the overall contour in plan
view) which may be sewn or glued together. The rigid element 10b is
preferably covered with linen cloth 52 to minimize wear of sharp
edges on the leather. A padding 54 in the central portion of the
support generally conforming to the shape of the foot arch, has a
tendency to center the structure under the foot arch but is not
adapted for support of the foot. It will be understood my removable
support can be used in any number of conventional shoes. In FIG. 5
the conventional Goodyear Welt shoe is illustrated which will be
reviewed so that the modification as FIG. 4 will be understood.
This conventional Goodyear Welt shoe in FIG. 5 has uppers 60, upper
liner 62, insole 64, welts 66, outsole 68, and a filler 70. The
shoe has sewing 72 through the depending flanges 74 of insole 64,
upper 60, upper liner 62 and welt 66, and has stitching 76 through
welt 66 and outsole 68.
Turning to the built-in structure particularly shown in FIG. 2--4,
the rigid element 10a is disposed between upper 60 and upper liner
62 and between insole 64 and outsole 68. It is given a cloth cover
52 as in the case of the removable support. FIGS. 2--4 shows a
modified Goodyear Welt shoe in which the welt 66 on the inside of
the shoe is stopped forward of the area of the arch support. As
shown particularly in FIGS. 3 and 6, in forming the shoe the flange
22a has openings 80 and is tacked to the insole 64 before the
outsole 68 is secured in place. In the area 82 where the welt is
absent, the outsole 68 is tacked or cemented in place. Note that
the insole 64 has only one flange 74 on the outside in the area of
the support, the other flange being cut away to permit insertion of
elements 10a in the area where otherwise an inner flange 74 would
be positioned. Of course the filler 70 is also less extensive in
the area of this support.
It will be understood by those working in the art how the rigid
element may be built into other types of shoes, but the
illustration of the Goodyear Welt shoe has been used because it is
the most common type of shoe manufactured, and poses the problems
of insertion of the metal piece in the area of the welt and insole
flange.
The shape of first flange 20 (together with any inside covering
such as upper liner 62 in FIG. 4 or covering 50 in FIG. 5, which
covering will usually conform closely to the contour of flange 20
as it is of substantially uniform thickness and in complete
abutment) should conform to the shape of the user's foot in the
condition without much weight on the foot, such as in sitting. The
shoe of FIG. 4 with the built-in support 10a is preferably a
mass-produced product, rather than being made to fit a particular
foot. However, a suitable fit is generally obtained if support
element 10a is made to fit the last upon which the shoe is made,
i.e., the foot resembles the last of the shoe which properly fits
the foot.
The removable arch support of FIG. 5 can either be a mass produced
item or may be individually fitted to the foot. In the
off-the-shelf market, a fit depends on shoe size, much the same as
the relationship between shoe size, shoe last, and foot in the
built-in support shoe. Note, however, that the element 10b and its
covering take room in a shoe, so that a person needs to purchase a
shoe for use with an arch support in a wider size than he otherwise
would use.
At least part of the use of my support may be accomplished or
prescribed by podiatrists, in which process particularly a
removable arch support is built to the patient's foot, or to a
plaster cast of the foot. In this case an element 10b can be made
from a basic material and shaped to the foot, or the element 10b
can be selected from a centrally manufactured range of sizes which
are preshaped or are provided as flat blanks of the right
dimensions but requiring shaping, etc.
As mentioned before, the action of front flange portion 24 on the
first cuneiform bone is of fundamental importance. The ankle bone,
abutted by rear flange portion 28, needs less restraint. Note,
also, that the laced or buckled shoe, particularly common for men,
closes and tenses at the front of the shoe, in the area of the
first cuneiform bone, so particularly front flange portion 24 has a
wraparound action relative to the first cuneiform bone. It is
important, therefore, not to have front flange portion 24 extend
too far forward or upward, as viewed in horizontal, vertical or
slanted sectional planes, and particularly with a low arched foot,
because element 10 will have too much tendency to dig into the skin
or bone in a bending process in being tensed around the first
cuneiform bone. One way or another the patient's foot must be
generally fit. Too much deviation between the contour of the inside
of the foot and the contour of upper flange 20, or if medial upper
edge 34 is too high relative especially to the navicular bone, or
if forward flange portion 24 extends too far forward or too high,
will result in foot discomfort, or will result in abrasion of the
skin or pressure on the bones to the extent that the patient has to
get out of the shoe or get rid of the support. Experience has
proven that skin abrasion or excessive bone pressure does not occur
if the support is properly fit. The standard for fit is generally
that the closer the contour of first flange 20 is to the contour of
the foot, the better, and difficulty can be avoided or rectified by
closer simulation of these contours. A secondary standard on fit
has been related above, that edge 34 can be too high or flange
portion 24 can extend too high or too far forward, in which case
the cure is to not extend these edges so far.
Most arch supports will fit better or give more complete support in
a laced or buckled shoe, but particularly women may want to have
arch support in slip-on shoes without lacing or buckling because of
appearance and style. My arch support applies to such slip-on
shoes, although some sacrifice of effectiveness is usually involved
because the foot is not fit as closely in the areas of navicular
and first cuneiform bones because of the extra room needed for
slipping on, i.e., note a laced shoe is loosened for putting on and
taking off. As abutment to the side of the foot is important in my
invention, the extra room involved in a slip-on shoe involves some
lesser effectiveness of the arch support, although this is merely a
generalization as there are many kinds of shoes and methods of shoe
construction, and there are various ways to install the basic foot
support element 10, i.e., in a slip-on shoe elastically tensed
horizontally around the foot at the upper edge of the shoe, one has
to deal with the method of integration of element 10 rather than
with any lack of shoe snugness, etc.
My foot or arch support has worked out very well in practice. A
warning should be given to new users of my arch support,
particularly those with "lazy feet" due to the use of conventional
arch supports which are in the nature of "crutches." My arch
support tends to restore normal action of bones, tendons and
muscles. This means that the muscles of such new user will be given
additional exercise (of the type normal to a normal foot) and he
will have a feeling of foot tiredness due to this increased
exercise of muscles until such time as something like normal
muscular tone is restored. The time taken (often a period of weeks)
to get over the feeling of tiredness will depend partly on the
person, his foot, and the amount and kind of foot usage. The
warning is given so that the person will have the reaction, "The
arch support is working because my muscle tiredness tells me that
muscular tone is being restored," rather than the reaction, "The
arch support doesn't work because my feet are tireder." With my
support, as compared with a conventional arch support, the user
should become conscious of better tactile feeling for the ground,
partly due to more spreading of the toes. The user can help in the
restoration process by trying to consciously spread the toes, to
get increased exercise, etc. In the long run, most users will find
their feet to be more comfortable with my foot support, i.e., the
user may engage in some feet-involved activities he has not engaged
in before (such as certain sports), or he may be able to withstand
increased activity involving the foot, or he may have less sense of
tiredness after the initial process of restoring muscular tone, or
he may have better foot usage, i.e., nimbleness, better feeling of
the ground (with spread toes and otherwise), etc.
From the foregoing, the nature of my invention and some modes of
application of my invention will be understood. Further
modifications may occur to those working in the art, within their
expected skill, after learning of my invention, and I do not wish
to be limited to the exact details of the disclosed embodiments,
but instead to cover such modifications within the proper scope of
my invention.
* * * * *