AU682400B2

AU682400B2 - Adjustable sole beds

Info

Publication number: AU682400B2
Application number: AU77536/94A
Authority: AU
Inventors: Andrew Charles Taylor; Ronald Howard Taylor
Original assignee: MINI OF EMPLOYMENT TRAINING
Current assignee: MINISTER OF EMPLOYMENT TRAINING AND FURTHER EDUCATION
Priority date: 1993-11-02
Filing date: 1994-10-31
Publication date: 1997-10-02
Anticipated expiration: 2014-10-31
Also published as: AU7753694A

Description

42954 AWT:HB P/00/011 Regulation 3.2

AUSTRALIA

Patents Act 1990 COMPLETE SPECIFICATION FOR A STANDARD PATENT

ORIGINAL

Name of Applicant: MINISTER OF EMPLOYMENT, TRAINING AND FURTHER EDUCATION, ANDREW CHARLES TAYLOR and RONALD HOWARD TAYLOR Name of inventors: ANDREW CHARLES TAYLOR and RONALD HOWARD TAYLOR Address for Service: COLLISON CO., 117 King William Street, Adelaide, S.A. 5000 Invention Title: ADJUSTABLE SOLE BEDS Details of Associated Provisional Applications: PM2174 dated 2nd November 1993 The following statement is a full description of this invention, including the best method of performing it known to us: including the best method of performing it known to us: II TECHNICAL FIELD OF THE INVENTION This invention relates to adjustable sole beds and more particularly to adjustable contour weight conformable sole bed for posture controlled examination of feet and lower limbs, and the construction orthoses, lasts, orthopaedic footwear and all other footwear.

The invention relates to being able to examine feet and lower limbs while they are in an anatomically desired position and aither fully or partially weight bearing. This enables a client or patient to give feed back directly to an operator as to how comfortable, supported and supportive the sole of the foot is.

The invention provides a device which can be adjusted to be contour conforming and hence allow analysis of the soles of the feet for the purpose of providing custom footwear which gives support and comfort or provides custom orthoses for insertion into footwear. The device also allows footwear of all kinds to be accurately designed.

BACKGROUND OF THE INVENTION Physical measurement and human judgement can be used to determine the contours of the sole of a foot. This, however, requires skill and is time consuming. An alternative technique is that of moulding feet and soles to 20 determine their contours, Two such techniques are discussed in the French Patent Specification No. 2674731 and Australian Patent Application No. 12283/92. These describe techniques that do not adequately provide contours of the sole of the foot in all conditions such as when feet are under pressure, that is when a person is standing and their weight is on their feet.

An alternative is to use expensive pressure senses such as disclosed in the Soviet Union Patent Specification No. 1701255 and United States Patent Specification No. 8462743. Although the apparatus mentioned in these two Patent Specifications measures the contours of the feet they are both expensive and do not adequately' provide indications of where a persons foot may need extra support.

3 It is the intended object of this invention to alleviate one or more of the above problems or to at least provide the public with a useful alternative.

SUMMARY OF THE INVENTION In one form the invention may be said to reside in a sole contour bed comprising an elastomeric base and a plurality of force application means in an array under the base, each force application means being adapted to provide a force to the underside of the base at a selected point so as to change the contour of the upper surface of the base at that point.

In an alternative form the invention is said to reside in an apparatus adapted to be adjusted to conform the contours of at least one sole of a person's foot the apparatus including an elastic sole contour conforming bed which in an unstressed state is substantially planar and a plurality of vertical adjustment means attached to arid spaced apart under the sole contour conforming bed, the vertical adjustment means being adapted to adjust the contours of the sole contour conforming bed.

9 too# There may be provided a plurality of horizontal adjustment means adapted to provide an adjustable force between respective vertical adjustment means across selected sections of the sole contour conforming bed.

The vertical adjustment means may be attached to iugs moulded into the bed. By this means forces may be applied to push the bed up or pull the bed down.

:"io There may be two sole contour conforming beds, one for each of a person's feet. Each bed may be separately vertically adjustable and each bed may be adjusted for tilt or twist of each sole bed relative to the other.

Further the two sole beds may be adjusted in distance from one another.

There may be further included non-extensible fibres moulded into the sole bed and extending between adjacent lugs so as to provide support to the sole contour conforming bed between opposed lugs.

II

In an alternative form the invention may be said to reside in a method determining the contours of the sole of at least one foot of a person including the steps of placing the foot onto a sole contour bed such that up to approximately half of the weight of the person is on the bed and adjusting the contours of the bed until the bed is providing appropriate support for the foot, wherein the sole contour bed comprises an elastomeric base and a plurality of force application means, each force application means being adapted to provide a force to the underside of the .base at a selected point so as to change the contours of the upper surface of the base at that point.

0 It would be seen that by this invention there is provided an arrangement 0 whereby the contours of the soles of one or both feet can be accurately reproduced when they are in an anatomically natural or correct position.

The contour of the bed can be set whilst being weight bearing then held in that position during moulding for an orthotic on the bed or alternatively the *o..•production of an orthotic cast or last cast on the bed.

The bed allows adjustment to be made in what may be called a dynamic OQ0000 situation with adjustment being possible with feedback from the patient or S:0 client until the foot is positioned to the satisfaction of the operator and client or patient.

Preferably the bed is constructed from an elastomeric material and may include fibre reinforcing to ensure even support across the bed. The fibres may be used to ensure dimensional stability to the elastomeric material of which the sole contour conforming is manufactured. The fibres may be connected to the vertical adjustment means to give positive gripping and retention of the fibres within the elastomeric material.

Th vertical and horizontal adjustment means may be supported in a frame and together hold the bed onto the frame. In a preferred embodiment there may be two spaced apart beds one for each foot of a person so that the necessary conforming can be done on both feet at once. The beds can be placed at different heights to allow for legs of FA zz different lengths as well as different tilt, twist and width apart to allow for a o full range of foot configurations.

VT 01 Once a foot contour has been determined by the apparatus of the present invention that shape may be used in various ways. In one method there may be a mould for a last formed directly on the bed with the foot in position. Alternatvely there may be an arrangement to scan such as with a low power laser the foot or bed or both to enable a sole contour to be entered into for instance an numerically controlled last manufacturing device. In a further method there may be pressure sensor devices included into the bed to enable podiatrists to determine pressure areas for foot analysis and to check settings on the device.

BRIEF DESCRIPTION OF THE DRAWINGS This then generally describes the invention but for a better understanding of the invention and to the manufacture of lasts using the invention it will now be described with reference to the preferred embodiments in which: FIG 1 shows a stylised first embodiment of the invention; 15 FIG 2 shows one sole contour conforming bed according to an alternative embodiment of the invention; FIG 3 shows a cross sectional view of the embodiment shown in FIG 2; FIG 4 shows the positioning of reinforcement fibres embedded in a sole bed of one embodiment of the invention; FIG 5 shows a side view of an apparatus adapted to be adjusted to conform to the contour of a sole of a person's foot; and FIG 6 shows a method of constructing a cast for a last using a contoured sole bed of one embodiment of the invention.

DETAILED DESCRIPTION OF THE DRAWINGS The embodiment of sole contour bed shown in FIG 1 includes a pair of bases l a and lb which are of a size each to receive the soles of a person's foot as shown by the dotted lines 2 and 3. An array of force 6 application elements 4 underneath the bases l a and 1 b are adapted to provide force to each of the points 5 on the upper surface of the bases la and lb so as to move each of the points 5 up or down relative to the points around it so that the contour of the base can be varied to adjust to the shape of the sole of a person's foot on the respective base.

The spacing between the bases l a and 1 b can be adapted to be varied as shown by the arrows 6, the tilt of each of the bases 1 a and lb can be adapted to be varied independently as shown by the arrows 7, the height of each of the bases 1 a and 1 b can be adapted to be varied independently as shown by the arrows 8 and the twist of each of the bases I a and lb can bc adapted to be varied independently as shown by the arrows 9.

By the array of force application elements 4 and the spacing, tilt and height of each bed, each base can be adjusted to fully conform to the position and shape of the sole of a foot.

It will be realised that this illustration is stylised only and some method of application of the force and retention of the applied force while the contour is used will also be necessary.

An alternative embodiment of sole contour bed particularly adapted for determining the contours of the sole of one foot is shown in FIGS 2, 3 and C. 4.

t ooo The device comprises a bed 10 with a number of lugs 11 embedded in it in two rows, one down each side of the bed. A plurality of fibres 12 extend between the lugs 11. As can be particularly seen in FIG 4 the fibres 12 are wound around the lugs 11 in a zigzag configuration from side to side and along the length of the bed sO that considerable support is provided to the material of the bed. Preferably the fibres are substantially nonextendible.

I II 6a Mounted by means of a ball joint 13 into the lug 11 is a vertical adjustment means 14.

T

he vertical adjustment means 14 passes through a universal nut 15 mounted in a base frame 16. The vertical adjustment means 14 has a continuous screw thread down its length and by rotating it by means of the nut 17, the position of the attaching lug 11 with respect to the base frame 10 can be varied thereby altering the contour of the bed 10 in 7 9 4 4 9 oo oate RA s the region of the lug 11.

Horizontal adjustment of the spacing between opposite attaching lugs made by means of a camber adjuster 18. The camber adjuster 18 is screw threaded at end 19 where it passes through a universal assembly 20 and also passes through another universal assembly 21. By rotation of the nut 22 the opposed lugs can be moved closer together or moved apart to change the contour of the bed 10 between the lugs 11.

As can be seen particularly in FIG 2 and FIG 4 there is a plurality of apertures 25 in a line down each side of the sole bed. These are used for the placement of location pins used during the construction of a cast for a last to ensure that the foot is at exactly the correct position during the last mould formation process.

FIG 5 shows one side of an assembly for determination of the contours of the soles of a person's foot. In this embodiment the contour bed and adjustor is of a type shown in FIGS 2, 3 and 4 and the same reference numerals will be used for the same components. The base frame 16 is supported on a transverse axis 30 mounted on a moving frame 31 and by means of screw adjuster 32 the tilt of the base frame 16 and hence the bed 10 can be adjusted. Screw adjuster 35 can be used to adjust the 20 elevation of the moving frame 31 with respect to the head frame 38 and the base 36. Twist of the sole bed 10 with respect to the base 36 may be provided by means of the head frame 37 rotating about pivot point 38.

It will be noted that the pivot point 38 and the transverse axis 30 are in g:oes* substantially the same vertical line as the notional point of placement of a 25 person's heel 39 as this means that with adjustment of the tilt and twist of the sole bed change in the position of the person's foot is not necessary.

FIG 6 shows an arrangement where a person's foot has been cast using the sole bed of the present invention.

In this embodiment a rubber overlay 40 has been placed over the sole bed. A first layer of plaster is laid down and locating pins 41 are inserted into the apertures 25 shown in FIGS 2 and 4. A person's foot is then put onto the first layer of plaster and further layers of plaster are laid around 8 the foot with a divider 42 enabling separation of the two side halves of the plaster cast. Finally further location pins 43 are placed into the upper part of the cast so that they can be rejoined after removal of the foot.

After the plaster has dried the location pins are removed and the plaster cast separated into three pieces. A first piece is the base and the two other pieces are the two side pieces. Once the foot has been removed the mould of the foot can be removed and after suitable preparation a further casting material can be poured into the mould to form a last of a person's foot.

It will be realised that other forms of manufacture of custom footwear and orthoses, once the contour of a foot has been determined, can be done such as by direct moulding of an orthosis onto the contour bed and the like.

Throughout this specification and the claims that follow unless the context requires otherwise, the words 'comprise' and 'include' and variations such as 'comprising' and 'including' will be understood to imply the inclusion of a stated integer or group of integers but not the exclusion of any other integer or group of integers.

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Claims

1. A sole contour bed comprising an elastomeric base having a surface contour of its upper surface and a plurality of force application means in an array under the base, each force application means being adapted to provide a force to the underside of the base at a selected point so as to move the base to change the surface contour at that point.

2. A sole contour bed as in claim 1 wherein each force application means includes a rod terminating in a pressure pad on the underside of the base and means to adjust the amount of force applied by the rod.

3. A sole contour bed as in claim 1 wherein the base is adapted to conform with the shape of the sole of a foot of a person.

4. A sole contour bed as in claim 1 wherein the base is adapted to conform with the shape of the soles of two feet of a person.

5. An apparatus adapted to conform to the contours of at least one S: sole of a person's foot, the apparatus including; an elastic sole contour conforming bed which in an unstressed state is substantially planar and a plurality of vertical adjustment means *.•attached to and spaced apart under the sole contour conforming bed, the vertical adjustment means being adapted to change surface contours of the sole contour conforming bed.

6. An apparatus as in Claim 5 further including a plurality of horizontal adjustment means adapted to provide force between respective vertical adjustment means across selected sections of the sole contour conforming bed.

7. An apparatus as in Claim 5 wherein the vertical adjustment means are attached to lugs moulded into the bed.

8. An apparatus as in claim 5 having two elastic sole contour conforming beds, one for each of a person's feet.

9. An apparatus as in claim 8 wherein each sole bed is separately vertically adjustable.

An apparatus as in claim 8 including means to adjust tilt and twist of each sole bed relative to the other.

11. An apparatus as in Clam 7 further including non-extensible fibres moulded into the sole bed and extending across the sole bed.

12. An apparatus adapted to enable the replication of the contours of the soles of the feet of a person comprising two sole contour beds as defined in any one of claims 1 to 4.

13. An apparatus as in claim 12 further including non-extensible fibres embedded into the sole bed extending between respective pressure pads to provide support for the elastomeric base between the pressure points.

14. A method of determining the contours of the sole of at least one foot of a person including the steps of placing the foot onto an adjustable surface of a sole contour bed such that up to approximately half of the weight of the person is on the surface and adjusting the contours of the 20 adjustable surface until the surface is providing even support for the foot, l wherein the sole contour bed comprises an elastomeric base having the adjustable surface and a plurality of force application means, each force application means being adapted to provide a force to the underside of the base at a selected point so as to change the contour of the adjustable surface of the base at that point. An apparatus adapted to conform to the contours of at least one sole of a person's foot substantially as hereinbefore described with reference to and as illustrated in the accompanying drawings.

IYL A71 'rO I I I- I 11

16. A method of determining the contours of the sole of at least one foot of a person substantially as hereinbefore described with reference to and as illustrated in the accompanying drawings. Dated this 31st day of October 1994 MINISTER OF EMPLOYMENT,TRAINING AND FURTHER EDUCATION, ANDREW CHARLES TAYLOR and RONALD HOWARD TAYLOR By their Patent Attorneys COLLISON CO 0 :00 o 0 *o*oi I- Y SI I ABSTRACT A method and an apparatus for determining the contours of the sole of a foot of a person for posture controlled examination of feet and lower limbs, and the construction orthoses, lasts, orthopaedic footwear and all other footwear. The apparatus has a sole bed which is movable in tilt, twist and height and the upper surface of which can be contoured by devices such as adjustment screws to conform to the shape of a foot or to provide the correct support to the foot. There may be two sole beds side by side to enable both feet to be examined at once. The method of use includes the steps of placing the foot onto the sole contour bed such that up to approximately half of the weight of the person is on the bed and adjusting position and the contours of the bed until the bed is providing even support for the foot. •000 0 *00S 0O 0005 *0 ,I