MEANS FOR SUPPORTING A FLAT FOOT

• US 3,586,003 A
• Filed: 04/28/1969
• Issued: 06/22/1971
• Est. Priority Date: 04/28/1969
• Status: Expired due to Term

• Current Assignee: Walter C. Baker
• Original Assignee: Walter C. Baker
• Inventors: Baker, Walter C.
• Application Number:
  US04/819,726
• Time in Patent Office: 785 Days
• US Class Current: 36/145
• CPC Class Codes: A43B 7/1495 with arch-supports of the bracelet type

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.

Claims

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.