US2724382A - Toe pads - Google Patents

Description

Nov. 22, 1955 H. A. BURGIO 2,724,382

TOE PADS Original Filed June 30, 1951 IN VENTOR ATTORNEY United States Patent 234,630,June 30, 1951. This application March 27, 1952, Serial No. 278,917

3 Claims. (Cl. 12881) The present invention relates to improvements in toe pads, this application being a continuation in part of the application filed June 30, 1951, Serial No. 234,630, now abandoned, for Foot Pads, one object of the present invention being the provision of a toe pad carried upon a base, and in which the pad is semi-teardrop shaped, so that the larger end will fit adjacent the large toe adjacent the joints of the second, third and fourth toe, tapering from the inner to the outer portion of the foot and between the stocking, hose or sock and the bottom of the foot, thus placing the toe-pad directly in contact with the bare portion of the foot.

Another object of the present invention is the provision of a pad in which the portion adjacent the foot is absorbent, including the teardrop-shaped pad, which is preferably made of uncovered foam or sponge rubber, thus lending porosity to these parts and taking care of any undue perspiration at the underside of the foot and the joints of the toes with their respective metatarsal bones.

The main feature of this toe pad, the result of considerable study and experimenting, resides in the semi-tear drop or curved triangular shaped projection carried upon the upper portion of the fiat carrying surface. This semitear drop has been scientifically designed and calculated in size to fit under the arch formed by the first, second and third phalanges of the second, third and fourth toes, so that the semi-tear drop acts as a buttress at these points against the concomitant heads of the second, third and fourth metatarsal bones of the fore-foot. Thus this action tends to absorb foot and body shock and thus assists in improving posture and gait of the wearer.

Also the stocking or hose, or in fact any removable toe or fore foot covering is necessary to hold this toe pad in place, as it is no part of the shoe proper, and is never carried by the shoe. Thus this toe pad is inserted into the toe of the stocking or hose, and the latter properly placed on the foot, so that the stocking or hose holds the toe pad with the semi-tear drop in the proper place under the toes.

In order that the invention may be fully understood and the advantages thereof fully appreciated, attention is invited to the accompanying drawings, in which:

Figure l is a top view of toe pad used upon the left foot and Figure 2 is a similar view of the pad for the right foot.

Figure 3 is a section on line 3-3 of Fig. 1.

Figure 4 is a section on line 4--4 of Fig. 2.

Figure 5 is a section on line 5-5 of Fig. 1.

Referring to the drawings, the numeral 1 designates a semi-tear drop shaped resilient absorbent, preferably foam rubber, pad, which has the enlarged domed portion 2, the lower inwardly curved portion 3, and reduced end 4, and the long outwardly curved portion 5, the underside being fiat to rest upon and be adhesively attached to fiat supporting sheet 8 of impervious material. In Fig. 3, it will be noted the curved upper surface 6, which leads from the reduced end 4 to the dome 2, and forms the exposed surface of the pad, while the pads base is fiat and rests upon and is attached to the upper edge of sheet 8.

.To providea foot engaging absorbent portion for the toe pad, 8. sheet 9 of a porous fabric is attached adhesively to the upper face at the outer edge of the sheet 8, as at 10, while at the portion where the pad 1 projects, an openingis formed in the sheet 9, with the upstanding edge or rim 11, adhesively attached to the abutting portion of the pad 1, the edge 5 of the pad and the rim portion thereat being substantially parallel with the toe end of the sheets 8 and 9. It will be noted that the main pad at the portion 10, and particularly the two sheets taper outwardly, so that no sharp cutting edges that might injure the underside of the toes or the sole of the foot are present.

In use this complete pad is preferably inserted in the toe of the hose or stocking, with a pad 1 positioned so that when the hose or stocking is placed upon the foot, the pad 1 will fit directly below the joints of the second, third and fourth toe, with the larger end of the semi-tear drop shaped pad nearer the large toe, and with the supporting sheets within the hose or stocking with the absorbent sheet 9 against the underside or sole of the foot.

The sheet 9, being made of a slightly stretchable material, has a limited movement back and forth and away from the sheet 8, so that any moisture from the foot is absorbed and there is no adhering of the two sheets, and as the sheet 8 is made of an impervious, substantially nonstretchable material as rubber or rubber and fabric, the complete pad holds its shape, and can be washed when necessary to provide the desired sanitary toe-pad.

It is also within the scope of this invention to dispense with the non-absorbent sheet 8, and mold the member 1 and the sheet 9 as one, when made entirely of foam or sponge rubber. In this instance the exposed surfaces of the member 1 and the sheet 9 are porous and therefore absorbent, and can be washed when necessary to be sanitary. In this instance the rim 11 is dispensed with.

From the foregoing, it is evident that a toe pad has been so designed as to be readily put in position by slipping it into the toe of the foot covering, as a. stocking, and thereby provide a buttress at the toe joints against the concomitant heads of the second, third, and fourth metatarsal bones, and in such a position as to absorb foot and body shock on weight bearing, thus improving the posture and gait of the person wearing the same.

Also the semi-tear drop has been scientifically designed so that its length is a minimum of 1 inch to a maximum of 2 inches, its width a minimum of inch to a maximum of 1% inches, while its height is from inch to 1 inch. This calculation being such that when used it fits under the arch formed by the first, second and third phalanges of the second, third and fourth toes, to act as a buttress as above set forth.

What is claimed is:

1. A stocking insert comprising a pad member, including a molded article made of foam rubber and in which such article comprises a supporting sheet having a curved forward edge, a semi-tear drop shaped member attached to the supporting member, and the forward out line of which is adjacent to and parallels substantially a greater portion of the curved forward edge of the supporting sheet, whereby the semi-tear drop shaped member acts as a buttress under the second, third and fourth metatarsal joints against the concomitant heads of such joints.

2. A stocking insert comprising a pad member, including a support, and a semi-tear drop shaped projection attached to and carried upon one face of the support and transversely of the forward end thereof, the entire pad member being so constructed as to present the semi-tear drop shaped projection directly below the arch formed by the first, second and third phalanges of the: second, third and fourth toes to act as a buttress at this point against the concomitant heads of the second, third and fourth metatarsal bones of the fore-foot.

, 3. A stocking insert comprising a pad member, consisting of a flat member, and a semi-tear drop shaped cushion attached to and carried upon one face of said member near the forward endthereof; the tapered-end of said semi-tear drop shaped cushion being adjacent the outer side of the flat member, whereby when a stocking is upon the foot, the cushion fits and is held by the stocking below the arch formed by the first, second and third phalanges of the second, third and fourth toes, and whereby said semi-tear drop shaped cushion forms a buttress at this location against the concomitant heads of v the second, third and fourth metatarsal-bones of the forefoot.

References Cited in the file of this patent UNITED STATES PATENTS 1,730,466 Mallott Oct. 8, 1929 2,381,846 Thomas Aug. 7, 1945 FOREIGN PATENTS 336,694 Italy Feb. 20, 1936 394,230 Great Britain June 22, 1933 664,800 Great Britain Jan. 9, 1952

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