US1978244A - Foot adjuster and exerciser - Google Patents

Description

Oct. 23, 1934. .1, 5. EACH FOOT ADJUSTER AND EXERGISER Filed Oct. 13. 1932 Inl entol James n'n bsan Back Patented Oct. 23, 1934 UNITED STATES .FOOT ADJUSTER AND EXERCISER James Simpson Bach, Toronto, Ontario, Canada Application October 13,

4 Claims.

The principal object of this invention is to provide a simple form of device by means of which the foot may be easily manipulated to impart a highly corrective influence to the rimscular and arch structures.

A further object of the invention is to provide a device for this purpose which will not require the services of a specially skilled attendant and which will be readily adjustable to control the corrective eliect on the foot and which may be manufactured at a cost which will encourage its general use. p

The principal feature of the invention consists in the novel construction and arrangement of parts whereby a fulcrum support is presented to the underside of the foot below the arch structure while a secondary spaced contact surface ispresented to the toe portions on the upper side thereof to restrict the fulcrum movement of the foot thereby imparting a stretching influence to the upper dorsal muscles and ligaments and altering the position of the tarsal and metatarsal bones in the arch structure thereby F relieving the unnatural stresses on the articulated joints.

A further and important feature resides in the novel construction of a supporting frame on which the fulcrum support is adjustably mounted with relation to the secondary support to control the resultant action on the foot structure.

In the drawing, Figure l is a perspective view illustrating a device constructed in accordance with the present invention.

V Figure 2 is a mid-sectional elevational view showing the disposition of the parts in relation to a foot structure.

It is well known that when the dorsal or upper muscles are contracted by lifting of the heel and dropping of the arch, the strain of supporting the weight of the body on the plantar or under muscles and ligaments is very greatly increased. Extreme discomfort and fatigue is thus invariably experienced. The lower or plantar muscles and ligaments become unduly stretched permitting the tarsal and metatarsal bones of the arch structure to sag to an unnatural position and permitting the upper dorsal muscles to contract so that a condition is set up in the foot structure favourable to the development of numerous ailments.

The present invention has been devised with a view to Simplifying the corrections of these abnormalities existing in the foot structure and in the form of the invention illustrated I preferably provide a light frame structure 1 which may 1932, Serial No. 637,568

be formed from suitable heavy gauge metal stampings or may be cast from aluminum or other suitable metal.

The frame preferably comprises a pair of side. members 2 and 3 connected at one end by the cross member 4 and being sloped upwardly toward the other end and connected at the upper edge by the cross member 5.

The end extremities adjacent the cross member 5 preferably extend downwardly to engage the floor and the other endsof the side members 2 and 3 and the cross bar 4 are also adapted to engage the floor so that the device will be supported firmly in position with the cross member 5 presenting a curved under surface spaced a suitable distance above the floor surface.

A fulcrum plate 6 is provided of a length to fit snugly between the side members 2 and 3 and preferably presenting a convexed upper surace.

The fulcrum member 6 carries journal lug extensions 7 which project centrally beyond the ends of the member 6 and are adapted to rest in aligned notches 8 formed in the upper edge of the side members 2 and 3 to support the fulcrum member 6 in position.

A plurality of sets of notches 8 are provided as indicated so that an adjustment of the fulcrum member 6 longitudinally of the frame is provided for.

Mounted on the upper surface of the fulcrum member 6 is a pad or cushion member 9 which, as illustrated in Figure 2, is adapted to engage the underside of the foot below the arch structure B and secured to the under surface of the cross member 5 is a second pad member 10 which is adapted to engage the top part of the foot forwardly of the arch and adjacent the toe structure or metatarsal bones.

It will thus be apparent that by placing the foot in the position shown in Figure 2 and then urging the foot in a downward direction about the fulcrum support 6, a highly corrective influence will be imparted to the foot structure.

The lower muscles and ligaments indicated by the letter C will be relieved to a considerable extent of strain and allowed to contract tending to separate the metatarsal and tarsal bones of the arch tending to separate, relieving to a degree the pressure on the nerves and ligaments at this point and the tendency will be to stretch the upper or dorsal muscles and ligaments indicated by the numeral A from their abnormal contracted position enabling the arch to return to a more normal position.

The presence of the pads or cushioning elements prevents discomfort in the use of the device and permits the application of the desired pressure and forces so that a very effective manipulation of the foot is achieved.

It will be seen that by adjusting the fulcrum member 6 toward or away from the secondary pressure contact element 10 a corresponding control on the arch structure is provided for, enabling the localizing of the corrective stresses at predetermined points in the foot structure and further enabling the progressive manipulation thereof.

It is preferable to provide for the folding of the frame into compact form and to this end. the frame is preferably formed of articulated sections hinged together at the points 11.

What I claim as my invention isc 1. A foot adjuster and exerciser, comprising a fulcrum contact for engaging the foot below the arch structure, and a secondary contact spaced from the aforesaid fulcrum contact and acting. to assist the bending movement of the foot about said fulcrum contact, said fulcrum contact comprising a member extending from side to side of the foot to engage the latter in extended transverse pressure-distributing contact and being mounted for free rocking movement only on an axis disposed transversely of the foot.

2. A foot adjuster and exerciser comprising, a fulcrum contact for engaging the foot below the arch structure and around which the foot is to be bent, a secondary pad contact to engage the forward upward part of the foot to assist the bending of the foot about said fulcrum contact, said fulcrum contact comprising a foot engaging member elongated in the transverse direction of the foot for extended contact therewith from side to side and presenting an arched upper side, said foot engaging fulcrum member being pivotally mounted at the ends and adjustable relative to said secondary pad contact.

3. A foot adjuster and exerciser comprising a fulcrum contact pad extending transversely of the foot below the arch structure and around which the foot is to be bent, a secondary and stationary pad contact for engaging the forward upward part of the foot to assist the bending of the foot about said fulcrum contact, said fulcrum contact having a combined pivotal and adjustable mounting at its ends adjacent the respective sides of the foot, to vary its co-operative relation to the foot and to said stationary pad contact.

4. A foot adjuster and exerciser comprising a light metal frame having side members spaced apart and provided with a series of transverselypaired notches in the upper edges disposed in the length thereof, a cross member fitting between said side members and having horizontally projecting end lugs for adjustable engagement in the said paired notches, said cross member having a pad or cushion for fulcrum contact with the foot below the arch structure, and a second cushioning pad supported by the frame in spaced relation to the aforesaid pad for engagement with the upper surface of the foot in the toe region to assist the bending of the foot about said fulcrum pad contact, said horizontally projecting end lugs comprising axially aligned bearing trunnions and said series of paired notches forming journals to rotatably as Well as adjustably receive the bearing trunnions.

JAMES SIMPSON EACH.

Images