Foot adjuster and exerciser

Oct 23, 1934

1,978,244

J. S. BACH

FOOT ADJUSTER AND EXERCISER

Filed Oct. 13, 1932

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^Patented Oct. 23, 1934

1,978,244

UNITED STATES PATENT OFFICE

1,978,244

FOOT ADJUSTER AND EXERCISER James Simpson Bach, Toronto, Ontario, Canada Application October 13, 1932, Serial No. 637,568 4 Claims. (Cl. 128—69)

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 mus® cular 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 ¹⁰ corrective effect on the foot and which may be manufactured at a cost which will encourage its general use.

The principal feature of the invention consists in the novel construction and arrangement of ¹⁵ parts whereby a fulcrum support is presented to. the underside of the foot below the arch structure while a secondary spaced contact surface is presented to the toe portions on the upper side thereof to restrict the fulcrum movement ²⁰ 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 relieving the unnatural stresses on the articu²⁵ lated 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 con³⁰ trol the resultant action on the foot structure.

In the drawing, Figure 1 is a perspective view illustrating a device constructed in accordance with the present invention.

Figure 2 is a mid-sectional elevational view ³⁵ 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 ⁴⁰ 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 permit⁴⁵ ting 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 ail⁵⁰ ments.

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 prefer⁵⁵ ably provide a light frame structure 1 which may 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 60 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 65 the floor and the other ends of 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 70 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 surface. 75

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 ful- 80 crum 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. 85

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 go 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 95 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 100 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 105 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. no

1,978,244

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 ma5 nipulation 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, ena10 bling 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 13 the frame into compact form and to this end. the frame is preferably formed of articulated sections hinged together at the points 11.