Spring.

Application filed December 5, 1907. Serial No. 405,234.

To all whom it may concern:

Be it known that I, Henry G. Backermann, a citizen of the United States, residing at'Yoakum, in the county of Dewitt and 5 State of Texas, have invented certain new ‘ and useful Improvements in Springs, of which the following is a specification.

This invention relates to springs, and more particularly adapted to foot wear for the pur10 pose of facilitating movements of the body while walking, running or jumping, and has for its object to provide a spring of this character with means whereby it may be easily and conveniently attached to the foot of the 15 wearer.

Other objects and advantages will be apparent from the following description and it will be understood that , changes in the specific structure shown and described may be 20 made within the scope of the claims without departing from the spirit of the invention..

In the drawings forming a portion of this specification, and in which like numerals of reference indicate similar parts in the several 25 views, Figure 1 is a side elevational-view of the present invention showing the same ap. plied to the human foot. Fig. 2 is a vfertical longitudinal sectional view, of a slightly modified form of the invention. Fig. 3 is a top 30 plan view, Fig. 4 is a perspective view of the form of the invention shown in Fig. 2.

Referring · now more particularly, to. the drawings, there is shown a foot engaging plate 5, and this plate is provided with a heel 3'5 plate 6 which is provided with an ankle, strap 7, as shown. The plate 5 is further provided with a toe engaging strap 8. The plate 5 is provided with a deaf spring 9, and this spring is bent to form the portion 10 which is spaced 10 from the ground, and this spring is bent at its forward and rearward ends to form portions 11 anil 12 respectively which are arranged to engage the ground., a - shown. The spring 9 has both of its ends 11 and 12 forked as 45 show’ll at 13 and 14, and arranged upon the prongs 15 of these forked portions there are shown padded feet 16. The feet 16 arc preferably of rubber but it will of course be understood that any suitable material,may be 50 used. .,,,,.

An auxiliary spring 17 is provided, and this spring is disposed beneath the curved portion 10 of the spring 9, as shown, and this spring is secured to the spring 9 by fastening devices 18. A concussion pad 19 is secured 55 beneath the spring 17, and by means of this pad it will be seen that the same will be engaged by the ground if the spring 9 should be forced downward suddenly..

In the form of the invention shown in Fig. 60 1, rubber blocks 20 and' 21 respectively are disposed between the foot plate 5 and the spring 9, and these blocks are thus arranged to assist in the action of the spring 9. The blocks further provide a yielding movement 65 of the plate 5 at the toe and heel portion thereof.

In the form of my invention shown in Figs. 2 and 4, a block 19* having enlarged end portions 20' and 21' respectively is disposed be- 70 tween the plate 5 and the spring 9. ’