US3739501A
Expired / Lapsed
US
⏱️ 0.0 years remaining
Footwear article and method for facilitating walking
Assignee: Individual
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Filing: 1972-06-23
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Granted: 1973-06-19
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Expires: 1992-06-23
Abstract
Abstract Rheumatoid arthritic patients and others are enabled to walk by means of an article of footwear which has an un-bendable platform provided on its upper surface with padding material and provided on its lower surface with a tread having heel and sole portions. The tread surface assumes a stable non-rocking condition when at rest on a flat ground surface. The heel portion has the entirety of its ground-contacting surface located forwardly of the anatomical rear edge of the patient''s foot to reduce impact loading of the forefoot at the foot flat portion of gait; and, the sole portion is inclined forwardly and upwardly to reduce the shear forces on the patient''s foot during the push-off portion of gait.
Inventors
- 👤 J Barrett
Bibliographic Details
Application Number
—
Jurisdiction
US
Data Source
google_patents
Last Synchronized
2026-10-26 07:28
CPC Classifications
A; A43; A43B; A43B3/00; A43B3/12; A43B3/128
Claims Analysis
Total Claims: 16
Claim 1
Independent Claim
153 words
An article of footwear for patients who have functionally foreshortened feet, comprising, a ground-contacting base including a tread surface which has a sole portion and a heel portion which are relatively immovable with respect to each other, said sole portion being inclined forwardly upward to reduce the shear forces on a patient''s foot during push off, said heel portion having its rearwardmost ground-contacting portion located forwardly of the anatomical rear portion of the patient''s foot to reduce impact loading of the forefoot at the foot flat portion of gait, a foot-supporting means above the base for conforming to the shape of the patient''s foot, and, a forefoot retaining means constructed to allow maximum midtarsal motion, heel retaining means for laterally positioning the patient''s heel on the foot-supporting means while permitting at least a one-half inch displacement of the patient''s heel from the foot supporting means during the push-off portion of the patient''s gait.
Claim 2
Dependent Claim
153 words
An article of footwear for patients who have functionally foreshortened feet, comprising, a ground-contacting base including a tread surface which has a sole portion and a heel portion which are relatively immovable with respect to each other, said sole portion being inclined forwardly upward to reduce the shear forces on a patient''s foot during push off, said heel portion having its rearwardmost ground-contacting portion located forwardly of the anatomical rear portion of the patient''s foot to reduce impact loading of the forefoot at the foot flat portion of gait, a foot-supporting means above the base for conforming to the shape of the patient''s foot, and, a forefoot retaining means constructed to allow maximum midtarsal motion, heel retaining means for laterally positioning the patient''s heel on the foot-supporting means while permitting at least a one-half inch displacement of the patient''s heel from the foot supporting means during the push-off portion of the patient''s gait.
Claim 3
Dependent Claim
35 words
An article of footwear according to claim 1 wherein the heel retaining means includes a generally horizontal loop for encircling the patient''s foot above the instep and means for connecting said loop to said base.
Claim 4
Dependent Claim
20 words
An article of footwear according to claim 2 wherein the means for connecting said loop to said base is elastic.
Claim 5
Dependent Claim
39 words
An article of footwear according to claim 1 wherein the foot supporting means is a permanently deformable pad means which extends laterally beyond a patient''s foot to provide a ridge which surrounds the foot and prevents lateral shifting thereof.
Claim 6
Dependent Claim
17 words
An article of footwear according to claim 4 wherein the deformable pad means is of foam material.
Claim 7
Dependent Claim
41 words
An article of footwear according to claim 1 wherein the tread surface has portions which are longitudinally spaced apart and are positioned to simultaneously contact a flat ground surface, thereby assuming a stable non-rocking position when a patient is standing still.
Claim 8
Dependent Claim
54 words
An article of footwear according to claim 1 wherein the forefoot retaining means includes strap means located to overlie a patient''s foot exclusively rearwardly of the toes to avoid discomfort to the foot during that portion of the gait when the foot is raised and the article of footwear is supported by the foot.
Claim 9
Dependent Claim
51 words
An article of footwear according to claim 7 wherein the opposite ends of the strap are spaced transversely from the patient''s foot to avoid lateral constriction of the foot and to maximize the distribution of pressure on the underside of the foot during the push-off portion of stance phase of gait.
Claim 10
Independent Claim
137 words
A method of facilitating walking by patients with highly sensitive or functionally foreshortened feet, said method being performed by attaching to the foot an article of footwear which has a substantially unbendable platform provided on its upper surface with a layer of padding material and provided on its lower surface with a tread surface which has a sole portion and a heel portion, said tread surface assuming a stable non-rocking condition when at rest on a flat ground surface, said sole portion being inclined forwardly and upwardly to reduce the shear forces on a patient''s foot during the toe-off portion of gait, said heel portion having the entirety of its ground-contacting surface located forwardly of the anatomical rear portion of the patient''s foot to reduce impact loading of the forefoot at the foot flat portion of gait.
Claim 11
Independent Claim
137 words
A method of facilitating walking by patients with highly sensitive or functionally foreshortened feet, said method being performed by attaching to the foot an article of footwear which has a substantially unbendable platform provided on its upper surface with a layer of padding material and provided on its lower surface with a tread surface which has a sole portion and a heel portion, said tread surface assuming a stable non-rocking condition when at rest on a flat ground surface, said sole portion being inclined forwardly and upwardly to reduce the shear forces on a patient''s foot during the toe-off portion of gait, said heel portion having the entirety of its ground-contacting surface located forwardly of the anatomical rear portion of the patient''s foot to reduce impact loading of the forefoot at the foot flat portion of gait.
Claim 12
Dependent Claim
49 words
The method of claim 9 wherein the article of footwear is attached to the forepart of the foot by passing a strap over the forepart of the foot rearwardly of the toes without laterally constricting the foot, thereby providing for maximum midtarsal motion during the toe-off portion of gait.
Claim 13
Dependent Claim
27 words
The method of claim 1 wherein the foot is laterally confined by that portion of the padding material which is uncompressed and lies laterally of the foot.
Claim 14
Dependent Claim
62 words
The method of claim 1 wherein the article of footwear is attached to the foot by forming a loop around the foot in the vicinity of the ankle, and resiliently biasing the loop toward the platform with a force having a magnitude such that the heel will lift off the upper surface of the platform only during the toe-off portion of gait.
Claim 15
Dependent Claim
49 words
The method of claim 12 wherein the article of footwear is attached to the forepart of the foot by passing a strap over the forepart of the foot rearwardly of the toes without laterally constricting the foot, thereby providing for maximum midtarsal motion during the toe-off portion of gait.
Claim 16
Dependent Claim
27 words
The method of claim 13 wherein the foot is laterally confined by that portion of the padding material which is uncompressed and lies laterally of the foot.
References Cited (Backward Citations)
USPTO Annuity & Maintenance Windows
| Annuity Stage | Window Opens | Payment Deadline | Surcharge Period Until | Estimated Fee | Status |
|---|---|---|---|---|---|
| 3.5 Years (Year 4) | 1976-06-18 | 1976-12-18 | 1977-06-19 | $2000.00 | Window Closed / Lapsed |
| 7.5 Years (Year 8) | 1980-06-18 | 1980-12-18 | 1981-06-19 | $3760.00 | Window Closed / Lapsed |
| 11.5 Years (Year 12) | 1984-06-18 | 1984-12-18 | 1985-06-19 | $7700.00 | Window Closed / Lapsed |