US2213770A - Arch support - Google Patents

Description

Sept. 3, 1940. J. SAJDAK ARCH SUPPORT Filed June 20, 19:58

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The invention relates to arch supports and has as one of its objects the provision of an improved arch support which will be light in Weight and will have sufiicient strength for the purposes 5 intended with sufiicient flexibility so that it may be Worn with comfort.

Another object of the invention is to provide an improved arch support which may be adjusted or modified readily to accommodate it to the needs of the user.

Still another object of the invention is to provide an improved arch support which can be built up to suit the needs of the user.

Other objects and advantages of the invention will become apparent as the following detailed description progresses, reference being had to the accompanying drawing wherein Fig. 1 is a top plan view of an arch supporting insole which embodies one form of the invention;

Fig. 2 is a section taken on line 2-2 of Fig. 1;

and i Fig. 3 is a bottom plan view of the combined arch support and insole shown in Fig. 1.

In the drawing, an insole'is designated generally by the reference character 20 and comprises a heel portion 2|, an intermediate arch support 22, a metatarsal supporting portion 23, and a toe portion 24. It will be readily understood that if it is so desired, the toe portion 24 may be omitted. The insole 2B is preferably made of a suitable plastic compound, such as cellulose acetate or other cellulosic product and may be molded in a variety of sizes. The arch support 22 is provided with ribs 2t which extend longitudinally of the support on its bottom face, being preferably formed integrally with the support. These ribs give the central supporting portion 22 strength and permit such supporting portion to be made relatively thin. The insole 20 is also provided with perforations 25 for permitting the circulation of air through the insole.

The insole 29 is preferably molded in two sections which are designated by the reference characters 28 and 29, the two parts being joined by a flexible hinge member 363 which is partly embedded in both of the parts 28 and 29. The hinge 30 may be made of any suitable flexible material such as relatively thin sheet metal or a suitable plastic compound.

Secured by adhesive to the metatarsal portion 23 is a metatarsal support 32 which is preferably molded separately and is fitted to the needs of 6 the user. It will be readily understood that the metatarsal support 32 may be molded in a variety of sizes and shapes and that when the insole is being fitted to the foot of the prospective user,

a metatarsal support 32 of the proper size and 10 shape may be selected and then secured by adhesive to the metatarsal portion 23. The adhesive may be any suitable plastic compound or mechanical means may be provided for securing the metatarsal support 32 to the portion 23.- 15

When my improved insole is being prepared for use, the arch can be lowered if desired by scraping material from its upper face. The ribs 24' can also be scraped so as to make the insole more flexible. With the ins'olemade in several differ- 20 ent sizes, an operator is enabled to select a suitable device and very quickly and easily fit it to the requirements of a user.

I claim:

In an arch supporting insole; a structure of 25 rigid moldable material of a size to extend from heel to toe of the wearer, having a substantially uniform, unbroken upper surface; said structure longitudinally arched and thickest at the instep supporting portion, gradually tapering in thick- 30 mess to both the heel and toe supporting extrem ities; and comprising a pair of plates substantially flush with each other at both the upper and lower surfaces; said plates joined in the metatarsal area by a transverse hinge member 35 inserted into the material of each plate between said upper and lower surfaces; a plurality, greater than two, of longitudinal, transversely spaced ribs on the lower surface of the structure under the said instep supporting portion; said struc- 40 ture formed with longitudinal series of ventilating perforations at each side of each of said ribs; and with perforations in the heel and metatarsal areas; and a metatarsal arch supporting eminence adhered in adjusted position upon the forward one of said plates adjacent said hinge.

JOSEPH SAJDAK.

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