US2206902A - Foot corrective device - Google Patents

Description

July 9, 1940. A Kos-|- 2,206,962

FooT coRREoTIvE DEVICE Filed April 29. 1935 4 sheets-sheer 1 July 9, 1940. A. OST 2,206,902

d FOOT CORREGTIVE DEVICE Filed April 29, 1955 4 .Sheets-Sheetl 5 INVENTOR July 9, 1940. A KQST 2,206,902

FOOT CORRECTIVE DEVICE Filed April 29, 1935 4 Sheets-Sheet 4 IN VENT OR gli/140)? OJJ A T TORNE Y Patented July 9, 1940 UNITED STATES PATENT OFFICE 15 Claims. K This invention relates to foot corrective devices and the general object of this -invention isv to provide a device which will manipulate and move the feet and ankles in such a manner as to correct the position of the bones in the feet, relieve pressure on the nerves and blood vessels, overcome unnatural shapes which have been produced by the wearing of tight and improperly constructed shoes and generally restore the feet and ankles to a stronger and more healthy and more normal condition.

Another object is to provide a foot corrective device which will improve the physical condition and posture of the entire body by strengthening and normalizing the feet and ankles.

The feet are the foundation on which the human body is carried and the physical condition of the feet has an eilect on the condition of other parts of the body. Under modern living conditions, people are liable to wear incorrectly shaped, high heeled, tight, ill fitting shoes. Many people walk very little and only on smooth surfaces, as floors and level sidewalks. Walking on these smooth surfaces does not subject all o the muscles and bones of the feet and ankles to the use and movement required to keep them in a strong and healthy condition'. The result is that the foot muscles deteriorate and allow the arches of the foot to ilatten, displacing the tarsal and metatarsal bones and subjecting the blood vessels and nerves in the foot to unnatural prfssures. This tends to obstruct the circulation in the feet, ankles and legs and restricts and irritates the nerves which lead to the feet and ankles. As the nerves which lead to the feetand those which lead to the lower abdominal organs all emanate from the spine at the location of the small of the back. an irritation of the nerves of the. f-et is very liable to cause trouble with the organs of the lower abdomen.

The present foot corrective device provides an easy and eflicient means for obviating, overcoming and correcting the troubles above pointed out by making it relatively easy for a user of the device to subject the feet and ankles, at frequent intervals, to corrective movements which will strengthen the muscles, stimulate the circulafion, restore the bones to normal position and relieve abnormal pressures on the nerves and blood vessels. These movements are, to a certain extent. communicated to the legs and lower portions of the body and are particularly beneficial in reducing swollen ankles and varicose veins in the legs and in bringing about a more healthy condition ofthe lower abdominal organs.

(Cl. 12S-25) Further objects of the invention are to provide a. foot corrective device or machine which is strong and compact in construction, attractive in appearance, efiicient and substantially noiseless in operation, not liable to get out of order, 5

and easy and convenient to use.

Other and more specic objects of the invention will be apparent from the following description in connection with the accompanying drawings.

device constructed in accordance with this in vention.

Fig. 2 is a vertical sectional view of the same substantially on broken line 2 2 of Fig. 1, parts gg being shown in elevation.

Fig. 3 is a view partly in section and partly in elevation substantially on broken line 3 3 of Fig. 2, parts being omitted.

Fig. 4 is a view partly in section and partly in w lan taken substantially on broken line Fig. 5 isa development of a cam embodied in the invention showing the same as it might appear if spread out onto a ilat surface.

i212 Fig. 6 is a plan view on a smaller scale than the preceding gures, illustrating horizontal oscillation of the i'oot plates.

Fig. '7 is a sectional view of a modified form of the invention.

Figs. 8 and 9 are views partly in plan and m partly in section substantially on broken lines 8 8 and 9 9 of Fig. 7, showing two different levers, parts being 'omitted and operative positions of the levers being shown by dot and dash lines.

Fig. 10 is a fragmentary sectional view, with parts in elevation, substantially on broken line |Ii |0 of Fig. 7.

Fig. 11 is a somewhat diagrammatic plan view, w

on a smaller scale than Figs. '7 to 10 showing a variable 'speed driving means.

Fig. 12 is a section of another modified form of the invention.

Like reference numerals designate like parts a common plane. A thrust bearing I3 is provided 55 la Fig. 1 is a perspective view oi.' a foot corrective for each worm wheel. A drive shaft I8 is posilioncd alongside of the worm wheels I6 and I1 and journaled in bearings I9. Two worms 2U and 2l on the shaft I8 mesh with the respective worm wheels I6 and I1. A variable speed electric motor 22 is directly connected with the shaft I8, see Fig. 4. As an alternative of this driving means I may use means including a variable speed friction transmission, as shown in Fig. 11 and hereinafter described.

Two non-rotatable cam drums 23 and 24 are supported by two universal joint devices on the upper ends of the two posts I4 and I5 respectively. The two universal joint devices are simi-- lar and will be understood from the following descriptionapplied to the devices connected with the post I4. An l. shaped member 8 on each cam drum operates in a slot 9 in the cover of the housing preventing rotation of the cam drum to which it is secured. 25 is a ball on the upper end of Vthe post I4. This ball 25 is positioned Wit-hin a socket 26 in the drum 23. A thrust member 21, of sound deadening, material, as leather. is preferably provided in the socket 26 for the ball 25 to engage with. A plate 28 is secured to the lower side of a transverse wa1l 26, which is integral with and supports the socket`26. The plate 28 engages with the lower portion of the ball 25 preventing upward displacement of the cam drum 23 but allowing free universal movement of said camdrum within a limited range.

The non-rotatable cam drums 23 and 24 are respectively provided externally with cam slots 29 and 30. Each of these cam slots is formed on gradually curved lines providing two crest and two trough portions, as more clearly shown in Fig. 5, which shows one of said cam drums as it would appear if flattened out. In the drawings I have shown the two crest portions as diametrically opposite to each other and the two trough portions as diametrically opposite to each other and olset ninety degrees as respects the crest portions. Obviously the shape of these cam slots may be varied to secure different movements of the cam drums.

Two roller supporting arms 3l and 32 are secured to the respective worm wheels I6 and I1 and extend upwardly therefrom alongside of the respective cam drums 23 and 24. A bearing member 33 projects at right angles from the upper end of each arm 3l and 32. A roller 34 is rotatively mounted on each bearing member 33 and projects into the cam slot of the adjacent nonrotatable cam drum. Rotation of the worm wheels I6 and I1 will carry rollers 34 around the non-rotatable cam drums 23 and 24 in a horizontal circular path. These rollers 34 operating in the undulating cam slots 29 and 30 will impart a wabbling motion to each of the cam drums.

A plate 35 is rotatively mounted on each of the socket members 26 and rests on the transverse wall 26'. A collar rigidly mounted on the socket 26 prevents upward displacement of each plate 35. Two upright posts 36 are secured to each plate 35 in spaced apart relation. These posts extend upwardly through suitable holes in the cover of the housing I0.

Two frame bars 31 and 38, Fig. 3, are rigidly connected with the top end portions of the posts 36 of the respective cam drums 23 and 24. Two foot plate members 40 and 4I are respectively secured to the plates 31 and 38. The foot plate members 40 and 4I are preferably cup shaped so as to best receive and support the foot of the user and are preferably lined with padding material 42.

The parts hereinbefore described constitute an operative mechanism for imparting a wabbling or undulating motion to the foot plates 40 and 4I. By this motion the feet of the user are correctively manipulated by imparting to them an oscillating motion in a cycle which tilts them forwardly then to one side, then rearwardly and then to the other side; In addition to these 'vertical tilting movements it is desired, at the same time, to impart to the feet a horizontal twisting motion which moves the toe portions of the feet alternately toward one side and then toward the other side. This movement is diagrammatically indicated in Fig. 6. In the device shown in Figs. 1 to 6 this movement is accomplished by the following described mechanism. Each bar member 31 and 38 has a downwardly extending arm 43, operative through an opening 44 in the cover portion of the housing I9. The lower end of each arm 43 is slidably connected with a member 45 having a ball 46 on the outer end thereof. Each ball 46 is received within a socket 41 on the upper end of a bar member 48. Each bar member 48 extends downwardly and is telescopically connected with another bar member 49. Each bar member 49 has its lower end portion mounted on a pivot 50. Each pair of bar members 48 and 49 constitute a telescopic lever arm by which the foot plate connected therewith is angularly moved horizontally at the same time it is being moved vertically by the cam drum means. Telescoping of the two bar members 48 and 49 permits vertical movement of the arm 43 which is connected therewith, The sliding connections between the arms 43 and members 45 accommodate the arms 43 in moving up and down in a circular path while the bar members 48 move up and down in a vertical plane.

:The ball members 46 are positioned in lines parallel with the foot plates and passing through the centers of the balls 25 and said ball members 46 constitute a part of the mechanism which causes the arms 43 to swing freely as the foot plates oscillate from side to side. The upright lever arms, each formed of the two bar members 48 and 49, are oscillated sidewise by mechanism which is connected with the worm wheels I6 and I1. This mechanism, for each lever arm, comprises an eccentric 5I secured to or formed integral with the worm wheel of said lever arm. The eccentric 5I is connected by a link 52 with one arm of a bell crank lever 53. 'I'he other arm of the bell crank lever 53 is connected by a link 54 and member 55 with the upright lever arm. Rotation of the eccentric 5| will move the bell crankn lever 53 angularly and oscillate the upright lever member 48--49. This will impart the desired sidewise swinging motion to the foot plate with which the upright lever member is connected. Angular adjustment of the eccentric 5I relative to the worm wheel with which it is connected will vary the time sequence, in the cycle, between the vertical tilting movements and the horizontal twisting movements. Two rigid tubular posts 56 extend upwardly from the housing I0 on opposite sides of the foot plates. Two other post members 51 are telescopically associated with the posts 56 and two hand holds 58 are provided on the upper ends of the post members 51. The post members 51 .are vertically adjustable relative to the posts 56 to suit the convenience of persons of different heighths. Notch and pin means indicated at 59 may be used to hold the post members 51 in adjusted positions relative to the posts 56. A switch 22' is preferably provided in connection with one of the handholds 58 so that the circuit to the motor 22 can be opened and closed at will by the person `using the device. Control wires, not shown, to the motor22 may be placed within the tubular post members 66-51.

In the use of this device the user steps onto the foot plates 40 and 4| and grasps the handholds, 58, preferably while the machine is at rest. After the user is on the machine the switch 22' is closed to start the motor. This rotates the worm wheels and moves the rollers 34 around the non-rotatable drums 23 and 24 imparting a wabbling motion to said drums. The wabbling motion of these drums is communicated to the foot plates tilting said foot plates forwardly, to one side, rearwardly, and to the other side. At the same time a twisting movement is imparted to the foot plates, turning them first to one side and then to the other side as indicated in Fig. 6. This imparts to the feet and ankles substantially every movement that they would be subjected to in walking over rough grounds, helps to put the bones of the feet back into normal shape and, when used from day to day, quickly strengthens the feet and ankles. It also makes the feet and ankles more supple and pliable, and helps to correct the posture of the entire body.

In Figs. 'l to 1l inclusive, I have shown an alternative form of the invention comprising a housing 60 having two upright shafts 6I and 62, see Fig. 1l, rotatably mounted in bearings 63 and 64. Worm wheels 65 and 66 are provided on the respective shaft's 6I and 62. Worms 61 and 68 on a drive shaft 69 engage the respective worm wheels 65 and 66. A friction disc 10 is splined on the shaft 69 and urged by a spring 'H into engagement with a friction wheel 12 which is splined on the shaft 13 of a motor i4. A shifting lever "i6 is connected with the friction Wheel 12 for moving the same transversely of the disc lil to secure different driving speeds for the shaft 69. This lever i5 preferably extends upwardly through the top of housing 66 to any suitable location where it may be grasped and operated by the user of the machine. The provision of the variable speed friction transmission between the motor i6 and the shaft 69 makes it possible to use a constant speed motor. The friction wheel l2 is moved inwardly toward the center of the disc 'i6 to obtain a higher speed ratio and is moved outwardly to obtain a lower speed ratio between the motor shaft and the shaft 69.

The mechanism connected with the shaft 6i is shown in Figs. 7, 8, 9 and 10 andhereinafter described in detail. It will be understood that the mechanism connected with shaft 62 is of duplicate construction.

The shaft 6i, Fig. 7, extends upwardly through the bearing 613 in the cover of the housing 66 and is provided, above said cover, with a hub 76. An inclined crank portion il projects upwardly from the hub 76. The crank portion il and hub 'i6 are preferably integral with the shaft 6I. A tubular bearing sleeve or hub i8 ts over the crank portion il. ber 19 is rigidly connected withthe upper end of the bearing hub 19. A foot plate 89 is adjustably secured to the member i9, as by bolt means 8l operative in slots 82 in the member 79. A collar 83 threaded onto the top end ofthe crank member 'il and seated in a counterbore 94 in the upper end of the bearing hub 7B prevents upward movement of said bearing hub i8 and the foot plate connected therewith. Any suitable A foot plate receiving mem? thrust. bearing means, as a ball 86 interposed beneath the top end of the crank member 'i1 and a plug 88 in the bearing hub 'i8 may be provided. At the lower end the bearing hub 18 is i provided with means which serves the double purpose of preventing the foot plate `8|) from rotating with the crank member 'Il and controlling the angular movement of said footplate in horizontal directions. The means illustrated in the drawings for performing these functions is in the nature of two prong members 87 projecting down through slots 88 in a lever plate 89. The lever plate 89 rests on top of the cover of the ,receptacle 60 and is pivotally mounted on the hub 16. An arm 99 on the plate 89 extends down through a slot 9| in the housing B0 and is connected with a lever 92. 'I'he lever 92 is fulcrumed at 93 and is adapted to be moved angularly on its fulcrum 93 by an eccentric member 94 secured to the shaft 6i and operating between a forked or slotted end portion 95 of said lever 92, see Fig. 9. As the shaft 6l rotates the eccentric 94 will move the lever 92 angularly on its pivot, as indicated by dot and dash lines in Fig. 9. This vwill angularly move the lever plate 89 about the hub 16 as indicated by dot and dash lines and will impart a similar angular movement to the foot plate 80. As the shaft 6| is rotated the inclined crank member 11 will be moved in a conical path and a wabbling movement will be imparted to the foot plate 88 similar to the wabbling movement imparted to the foot plates hereinbefore described, tilting said foot plates forward, to one side, rearward, and to the other side.

In Fig. 12 I have shown another modified form of my invention in which an upright rotating shaft is provided on its upper end with swash plate means of adjustable angle. This swash plate means embodies a plate li rigid with 4tlie shaft ill, a plate m2 rigidly but adjustably'secured to the plate Wi by bolts 93, only one of which is shown, and a wedge 09. By loosening the bolts E93 and adjusting the position of the wedge H94 the angle of the plate 02 may be adjusted to vary the throw or incline of foot plates supported thereon. A non-rotatable plate E95 is supported on the plate E62 'by ball bearings I @6. A bar lill? is secured to the upper side of the plate i655. Foot plate means 899, of a form hereinbefore described is secured to the bar im. A centrally positioned screw member 699 secures the two plates m and E92 together and yet leaves said plates f ree for relative rotation. Rotation of the foot plate means with the swash `plate means is prevented by connection of the forward or toe end of the bar i'l with the upper end of an oscillating lever formed of two telescopic sections iiil and Hi. These lever sections are substantially identical with the telescopic lever sections 48 and @9 hereinbefore described and are oscillated by lever and eccentric connections with the shaft Hill similar to the parts 5l to 55 inelusive shown in Figs. 2 and 4 and hereinbefore described. In the operation of the device shown in Fig. 12, rotation of the swash plate means IUI-E92 will impart a wabbling motion to the foot plate means 98 substantially the same as described in connection with the other embodiments of this invention. By adjusting the position of the wedge H66 of Figure l2 toward or away from center the incline of the plate E92 may be varied to secure a greater or less -tilting movement of the foot plate.

The specification and drawings disclose preferred embodiments of my invention but it will be understood that changes in the same may be made within the scope and spirit of the following claims.

I claim: v

l. In a foot corrective device, a cam drum; means supporting said cam drum for universal tilting movement; a cam slot in said cam drum; driven means operative in said cam slot imparting a universal tilting movement to said cam drum; means preventing rotation of said cam drum; support means extending upwardly from said cam drum; and a foot plate mounted on said support means.

2. In a foot corrective device, a cam drum; means supporting said cam drum`for universal tilting movement; a cam slot in said cam drum; roller means movable in a circular path around said cam drum and operative in said cam slot imparting a universal tilting movement to said cam drum; means preventing rotation of said cam drum; support means extending upwardly from said cam drum; and a foot plate mounted on said support means.

3. In a foot corrective device, a cam drum; means supporting said cam drum -for universal tilting movement; an endless undulating cam slot in the exterior. of said cam drum; a. driven cam roller operative in said cam slot and movable in a circular path in a substantially horizontalplane around said cam drum imparting a universal tilting v`movement to said cam drum; means preventing rotation of said cam drum; support means extending upwardly from said cam drum; and a foot plate mounted on said support means.

4. In a foot corrective device, a housing; an upright post in said housing; a ball on the upper end of said post; a cam drum supported for universal tilting movement on saidball; an endless undulating cam slot in the exterior of said cam drum; a wheel rotatively mounted on said upright post; an arm carried by said wheel extending upwardly alongside of said cam drum;` a roller mounted on said arm 'operatively positioned in said cam slot and movable in a circular path by rotation of said wheel; means prevent-.

5. In a foot corrective device, a cam drum;

means supporting said cam drum for universal tilting movement; a cam slot in said cam drum; roller means movable around said cam drum and operative in said cam slot imparting a universal tilting movement to said cam drum; means supporting said cam drum against rotation; a plate rotatably connected with said cam drum; supporting means secured to said plate and extending upwardly from said drum; a foot plate secured to said supporting means and having a universal tilting movement corresponding to the tilting movement of said cam drum; and oscillating means operatively connected with said foot plate oscillating said foot plate from side to side simultaneously with the tilting movement thereof.

6. In a foot corrective device, a rotatably mounted upright shaft; a crank member rigid with the upper end of said shaft inclined as respects the shaft; driving means connected with the shaft; a foot plate rotatably mounted as respectssaid crank member; a lever member angularly movable about the axis of said shaft and positioned substantially in the plane of inter- 'of said foot plates.

section of the axis of said shaft and the axis of said crank member, said lever member having slots therein; pins connected with said foot plate adjacent the location of said crank member, said pins extending through said slots in said lever member controlling rotary movement of said foot plate; another lever connected with said first named lever, and lever-moving means on said upright shaft connected with said last named lever.

7. In a foot corrective device, an upright driven shaft; swash plate means on the upper end of said shaft having an inclined surface rotatable with said shaft; devices for adjusting the angle of the inclined surface of said swash plate means a foot plate member parallel with said inclined surface; means preventing rotation of said foot plate member; and ball bearing means interposed between said foot plate member and said inclined surface.

8. In a foot corrective device, an upright driven shaft; a plate member rigid with the upper end of said shaft; another plate member positioned in an inclined plane above said rst mentioned plate member; adjustable means rigidly securing said inclined plate member to said first mentioned plate member and providing for the angular adjustment of said inclined plate member; a foot plate member supported on said inclined plate member; and means preventing rotation of said foot plate member, whereby a wabbling .movement will be imparted to said foot plate member by rotation of said inclined plate member. 9. In a foot corrective device, a foot plate;

means supporting said foot plate for universal lpositioned side by side for the reception of both feet of a user; means preventing rotation of said foot plates; means supporting said foot plates for universal tilting movement; actuating means operatively connected with said foot plate supporting means; and means oscillating said foot plates from side to side angularly about the axis of said foot plates providing a toe-in and toe-out movement synchronously with the tilting movement of said foot plates.

ll. In a foot corrective device, two foot plates, mounting means supporting said foot plates for universal tilting movement whereby a wabbling motion is provided for-saidfoot plates as respects their vertical axes; pivot means for said foot plates embodied in said mounting means; means preventing rotation of'said foot plates; actuating means operatively connected with. said mounting means; and oscillating means operatively connected with said foot`plates oscillating said foot plates from side to side angularly about the axis of said foot plates simultaneously with the tilting 12. In a foot corrective device, a rotatably mounted upright shaft; a crank member on the upper end of said shaft inclined as respects the shaft; driving means connected with said shaft; a foot plate having a bearing wherein said crank member is rotatably mounted; means preventing rotation of said foot plate whereby a universal tilting movement will be imparted to said foot plate by rotary movement of said crank member;

and means oscillating said foot plate from side to side angularly about the axis of said foot plate providing a toe-in and toe-out movement synchronously with said tilting movement when the foot corrective device is in operation.

13. In a foot corrective device, a rotatable shaft; an inclined swash plate member on an end portion of said shaft; driving means connected with said shaft; a foot plate member supported on said inclined swash plate; means preventing rotation of said foot plate whereby a wabbling movement will be imparted to said foot plate by rotation of said swash plate member; and foot plate oscillating means connected with said foot plate for oscillating the same from side to side angularly about the axis of said foot plate synchronously with the wabbling movement of said foot plate.

14. In a foot corrective device, a driven shaft; swash plate means on an end of said shaft having an inclined surface rotatable with said shaft;

devices for adjusting the angle of the inclined surface of said swash plate means; a foot plate member parallel with said inclined surface; means preventing rotation of said foot plate member; and ball bearing means interposed between saidfoot plate member and said inclined surface.

15. In a foot corrective device, a rotatable shaft; an inclined swash plate member on an end portion of said shaft; driving means connectedwith said shaft; a foot plate member supported on said inclined swash plate; means preventing rotation of n said foot plate whereby a wabbling movement will be imparted to said foot plate by rotation of said swash plate member; and foot plate oscillating means connected with said foot plate for oscillating the same from side to side angularly about the axis of said foot plate synchronously with the wabbling movement of said foot plate.

ALWIN KOST.

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