Foot corrective device

July 9, 1940. _{A KOST} 2,206,902

FOOT CORRECTIVE DEVICE

Filed April 29, 1935 4 Sheets-Sheet 1

<img file="US2206902A_D0001.tif" />

<img file="US2206902A_D0002.tif" />

INVENTOR

ATTORNEY

July 9, 1940.

a. kost 2,206,902

FOOT CORRECTIVE DEVICE

Filed April 29. 1935 4 Sheets-Sheet 2

<img file="US2206902A_D0003.tif" />

<img file="US2206902A_D0004.tif" />

July 9, 1940.

2,206,902

A. KOST

FOOT CORRECTIVE DEVICE

Filed April 29, 1935 4 Sheets—Sheet 3

<img file="US2206902A_D0005.tif" />

<img file="US2206902A_D0006.tif" />

<img file="US2206902A_D0007.tif" />

<img file="US2206902A_D0008.tif" />

INVENTOR

BY

<img file="US2206902A_D0009.tif" />

July 9, 1940.

A. KOST

FOOT CORRECTIVE DEVICE

Filed April 29, 1935

2,206,902

Sheets-Sheet 4

<img file="US2206902A_D0010.tif" />

222//2 222//>222>22//// /2 /7/ , .INVENTOR

BY_

Patented July 9, 1940

2,206,902

UNITED STATES PATENT OFFICE

2,206,902

FOOT CORRECTIVE DEVICE

Alwin Kost, Portland, Oreg.

Application April 29, 1935, Serial No. 18,867

Claims.

This invention relates to foot corrective devices and the general object of this invention is to provide a device which will manipulate and move the feet and ankles in such a manner as to 5 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 10 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 15 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 effect on the condition of other parts of the body. Under modern living 20 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 of 25 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 flatten, displacing the tar30 sal and metatarsal bones and subjecting the blood vessels and nerves in the foot to unnatural pressures. This tends to obstruct the circulation in the feet, ankles and legs and restricts and irritates the nerves which lead to the feet and 85 ankles. As the nerves which lead to the feet and 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 40 orsans of the lower abdomen.

The present foot corrective device provides an easy and efficient means for obviating, overcoming and correcting the troubles above pointed out by making it relatively easy for a user of the de45 vice to subject the feet and ankles, at frequent intervals, to corrective movements which will strengthen the muscles, stimulate the circulation, restore the bones to normal position and relieve abnormal pressures on the nerves and blood 50 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 of the lower abdominal organs.

(CI. 128—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, efficient and substantially noiseless in operation, not liable to get out of order and easy and convenient to use.

Other and more specific objects of the invention will be apparent from the following descripings I** ^connec^^on ^h the accompanying drawFig. 1 is a perspective view of a foot corrective device constructed in accordance with this inFig. 2 is a vertical sectional view of the same substantially on broken line 2—2 of Fig. 1, parts being shown in elevation.

, F^·, 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 plan taken substantially on broken line 4__4 of

Fig. 5 is a development of a cam embodied in the invention showing the same as it might appear if spread out onto a flat surface.

Fig. 6 is a plan view on a smaller scale than the preceding figures, illustrating horizontal oscillation of the foot plates.

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

Figs. 8 and 9 are views partly in plan and partly in section substantially ori 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

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

Fig. 11 is a somewhat diagrammatic plan view 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 .. throughout the several views. ⁴⁸

Considering first the device shown in Figs. 1 to 6 inclusive, 10 is a rectangular housing having two spaced apart sockets secured to the bottom thereof. These sockets, numbered 11 and 12, _Kftserve as supports for two upright posts or shafts “ 14 and 15 respectively. Two worm wheels 16 and 17 are rotatably mounted on the respective posts 14 and 15 and preferably positioned in a common plane. A thrust bearing 13 is provided .. oo

IS

2,206,902 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 41. By this motion the feet of the user are corrective- o ly 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 10 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 37 and 38 has a downwardly extending arm 43, operative through an opening 44 in the cover portion of the housing 10. 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 47 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 40 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 45 lever arms, each formed of the two bar members 48 and 49, are oscillated sidewise by mechanism which is connected with the worm wheels 16 and Π. This mechanism, for each lever arm, comprises an eccentric 5f secured to or formed in- 50 tegral with the worm wheel of said lever arm. The eccentric 51 is connected by a link 52 with one arm of a bell crank lever 53. The other arm of the bell crank lever 53 is connected by a link 54 and member 55 with the upright lever arm. 55 Rotation of the eccentric 51 will move the bell crank 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 connect- 60 ed. Angular adjustment of the eccentric 51 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 10 on opposite sides of the foot plates. Two other post members 57 are telescopically associated with the posts 56 and two hand holds 58 are provided on the upper ; ends of the post members 57. The post members 1 57 are vertically adjustable relative to the posts to suit the convenience of persons of different heighths. Notch and pin means indicated at 59 may be used to hold the post members 57 in adjusted positions relative to the posts 56. A switch for each worm wheel. A drive shaft 18 is posi- &lt; tioned alongside of the worm wheels 16 and IT and journaled in bearings 19. Two worms 20 i and 21 on the shaft 18 mesh with the respective i worm wheels 16 and 17. A variable speed electric motor 22 is directly connected with the shaft 18, 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 me supported by two universal joint devices on the upper ends of the two posts 14 and 15 respectively. The two universal joint devices are similar and will be understood from the following description applied to the devices connected with the post 14. 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 the post 14. This ball 25 is positioned within a socket 26 in the drum 23. A thrust member 27, 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 wall 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 cam drum 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 offset 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 31 and 32 are secured to the respective worm wheels 16 and 11 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 31 and 32. A roller 34 is rotatively mounted on each bearing member 33 and projects into the cam slot of the adjacent non55 rotatable cam drum. Rotation of the worm wheels 16 and 17 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 10.

Two frame bars 37 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 41 are respectively secured to the plates 37 and 38. The foot plate members 40 and 41 are preferably cup shaped so as to best receive and support the foot of the user

2,206,902

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 motor 22 may be placed within the tubular post members 56—57.

In the use of this device the user steps onto the foot plates 40 and 41 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 mo¹⁸ tion 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 ^w 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 ^igs. 7 to 11 inclusive, I have shown an alW ternative form of the invention comprising a housing 60 having two upright shafts 61 and 62, see Fig. 11, rotatably mounted in bearings 63 and 64. Worm wheels 65 and 66 are provided on the respective shafts 61 and 62. Worms 67 and 68 on a drive shaft 69 engage the respective worm wheels 65 and 66. A friction disc 70 Is splined on the shaft 69 and urged by a spring 71 into engagement with a friction wheel 72 which is splined on the shaft 73 of a motor 74. A shifting lever 4® 75 is connected with the friction wheel 72 for moving the same transversely of the disc 70 to secure different driving speeds for the shaft 69. This lever 75 preferably extends upwardly through the top of housing 60 to any suitable location 4g where it may be grasped and operated by the user of the machine. The provision of the variable speed friction transmission between the motor 74 and the shaft 69 makes it possible to use a constant speed motor. The friction wheel 72 is g® moved inwardly toward the center of the disc 70 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 6! SS is shown in Figs. 7, 8, 9 and 10 and hereinafter described in detail. It will be understood that the mechanism connected with shaft 62 is of duplicate construction.

The shaft 6 ί, Fig. 7, extends upwardly through the bearing 64 in the cover of the housing 60 and is provided, above said cover, with a hub 76. An inclined crank portion 77 projects upwardly from the hub 76. The crank portion 77 and hub 76 are preferably integral with the shaft 61. A 05 tubular bearing sleeve or hub 78 fits over the crank portion 77. A foot plate receiving member 79 is rigidly connected with the upper end of the bearing hub 78. A foot plate 8® is adjustably secured to the member 79, as by bolt means 81 operative in slots 82 in the member 79. A collar 83 threaded onto the top end of the crank member 77 and seated in a counterbore 84 in the upper end of the bearing hub 78 prevents upward movement of said bearing hub 78 and the 75 foot plate connected therewith. Any suitable thrust bearing means, as a ball 85 interposed beneath the top end of the crank member 77 and a plug 86 in the bearing hub 78 may be provided. At the lower end the bearing hub 78 is provided with means which serves the double 5 purpose of preventing the foot plate 80 from rotating with the crank member 77 and controlling the angular movement of said foot plate in horizontal directions. The means illustrated in the drawings for performing these functions 10 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 76. An arm 90 on the plate 89 extends W down through a slot 91 in the housing 60 and is connected with a lever 92. The 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 6! and operating between a forked or slotted end portion 95 of said lever 92, see Fig. 9. As the shaft 68 rotates the eccentric 94 will move the lever 92 angularly on its pivot, as indicated by dot and dash lines in Fig. 9. This u’¹! ®”^gu,arly move the lever plate 09 about the 25 hub 76 as indicated by dot and dash lines and will impart a similar angular movement to the foot plate 80. As the shaft 6ί is rotated the inclined crank member 77 will be moved in a conical path and a wabbling movement will be 30 imparted to the foot plate 80 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. _3g

In Fig. 12 I have shown another modified form «^yJPy^{ention ln which an u}P^right rotating shaft 100 is provided on its upper end with swash Plate means of adjustable angle. This swash ?»^e»^{ans embodies a} Plate iOS rigid with the 40 shaft 100, a plate (02 rigidly but adjustably secured to the plate 10! by bolts 803, only one of which is shown, and a wedge 104. By loosening the bolts 103 and adjusting the position of the wedge ¢04 the angle of the plate i®2 may be as adjusted to vary the throw or incline of foot Plates supported thereon. A non-rotatable plate ¹⁸⁵ is supported on the plate 102 by ball bearings 106. A bar 107 is secured to the upper side of the plate ¢06. Foot plate means ¢08, of a form go hereinbefore described is secured to the bar 107. A centrally positioned screw member 109 secures the two plates 106 and ¢02 together and yet leaves said plates free for relative rotation. Rotation of the foot plate means with the swash -plate 88 means is prevented by connection of the forward or toe end of the bar !07 with the upper end of an oscillating lever formed of two telescopic sections tIG arid Hi. These lever sections are substantially identical with the telescopic lever sec- eo tions 48 and 49 hereinbefore described arid are oscillated by lever and eccentric connections with the shaft ¢00 similar to the parts 5! to 56 inclusive shown in Mgs. 2 and 4 and hereinbefore described. In the operation of the device shown 65 . rotation of the swash plate means 101—802 will impart a wabbling motion to the foot plate means !08 substantially the same as described in connection with the other embodiments of this invention. By adjusting the posi- 70 tion of the wedge !04 of Figure 12 toward or away from center the incline of the plate 102 may be varied to secure a greater or less tilting movement of the foot plate.

The specification and drawings disclose pre- ®g

2,206,902 ferred 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.