US1851778A - Footpad - Google Patents

Description

March 29, 1932. Q L. SKILLEN 1,851,778

FOOTPAD Filed July 9, 1950 Patented Mar. 29, 19.32

UNITED STATES,

GEORGE L. SKILLEN, F MUKWONAGO, WISCONSIN FOOTPAD Application led J'uly 9, 1930. Serial No. 466,847.

This invention relates to an improved foot pad, and seeks among other objects to provide a device ofthis character which may be worn under the sole of the shoe or which may be worn as a sandal in lieu of the shoe.

Another object of the invention is to provide a foot pad employing a reinforcing plate which will cause the pad to retain its shape.

A further object of the invention is to pro- 1e vide a foot pad wherein the reinforcing means will serve to anchor the straps employed.

Other and incidental objects of the invention not mentioned'in the foregoing will ap pear during the course of the following description.

Il have illustrated the invention in the accompanying drawings, wherein,

Figure lis a perspective view of the device,

Fig. 2 is a horizontal sectional view of the device, and

Fig. 3 is a transverse vertical sectional view taken on the line 3-8 of Figure l looking in the direction indicated by the arrows.

The improved foot pad comprising the subject matter of the present invention includes a thick preferably sponge rubber sole 1 which is of a shape to substantially conform to the shape of the human foot, or, if preferred, the sole of a shoe. It is to be understood, of course,

that the sole may be manufactured in various sizes and is preferably of uniform thickness throughout. Extending longitudinally of said sole is a preferably resilient metal reinforcing plate 2V of skeleton construction,

which plate is embedded in the sole and is disposed near the top surface of said sole, thereby disposing the greater portion of the thickness of the sole below said plate. The plate 2 is shaped to substantially conform to .40 the shape of the sole and is of an overall width and length slightly less than the width and length of the sole so that the outer edge of the plate will be disposed inwardly of the edge of said sole in uniform spaced relation thereto. As best seen in Fig. 2 of the drawings, the sole and heel portions of the plate 2 are cut away centrally to define a strip 3 of uniform width throughout. The side portions of the strip are joined at the instep of 5 the sole by a relatively wide web 4 which is,

of course, of the same thickness as the strip. It is pointed out that the plate 2 may, if desired, be inserted in a slit formed in the sole or, the sole may be formed of plies of sponge rubber and the plate disposed between said plies, after which the plies are vulcanized together for firmly securing the plate in position between the said plies. The rubber will, of course, embrace the strip of the plate so that creeping of said plate within the sole at consequent mutilation of the sponge rub# ber comprising the sole will be effectually prevented.

Riveted or otherwise secured to the toe of the plate 2 is a transversely extending strap 5 which is formed of fabric or other suitable material. The strap is of a width substantially equal to that of the strip 3 and is of a length great enough to surround the toe of a shoe or the forward portion of the foot.

The strap will, of course, project from veach side'of'tlie toe of the shoe, and appropriately secured to one end of said strap 5 are suitable anchoring means, a conventional buckle 6 being shown in the drawings. Carried at the heel of thel sole is an upstanding counter 7 which is secured at its free lower margin to the heel of the sole by an adhesive or in any suitable manner. Extending transversely of the heel portion of the plate 2 and riveted 0r otherwise secured to the strip 3 thereof is a strap 8 which is formed preferably of fabric and is of a width substantially equal to that of said strip. The strap extends from the opposite sides of the heel of the sole when it is turned upwardly and is preferably sewed to the free end margins ofthe counter 7. The strap 8 is of a length great enough to surround the ankle and, like the strap 5,' is provided at one end with suitable anchoring means,y a buckle being shown.

In use the improved food pad is preferably placed on the bottom of the shoe sole, when the straps 5 and 8 are brought up to surround the toe of the shoe and the ankle n It is to be noted that the reinforcing plate 2 serves a dual function in that it not only provides a reinforcement, but also provides anchoring means for the straps. It is to be further noted that the plate will tend to support the arch of the foot and thereby largely prevent fallen arches which might otherwise be caused if the reinforcing plate was omitted. Inasinuch as the central portions of the toe and heel of the sole are cut away or removed, the rubber willbe permitted to funcftion in its full cushioning capacity.

Attention is directed to the fact that the foot pad may be used as a sandal in lieu of a shoe, if desired.

Having thus described the invention, I claimt:

The device of the class described including a sole having a toe and a heel, an oblong reenforcing plate embedded within the sole andA provided with a toe and a. heel, said plate being out away at the Sole and heel to define astrip joined at the instep by a relatively wide web, a strap secured to the toe of the plate and. projecting from the toe of the-sole at each side thereof for engagement with the toe of. a shoe, a counter upstanding from the heel of the sole and having its lower margin secured to said .hee-l, and a transversely extending strap secured to the heel of the plate to extend from each side ofthe heel of the. sole and having portions secured to the free end margins of the counter forreenforcing said counter, said second mentioned strap pulling the counter into close engagement with, the counter of a shoe and cooperating with said first mentioned strap fory securing the device in an operative position.

In testimony whereof I affix my. signature;

GEORGE L. SKILLEN. [11. S.]

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