US2075942A - Arch support - Google Patents

Description

April 6, 1937. .1.v 'c. HOWELL ARCH SUPPORT Filed Aprils; 1935 ,5 Sheets-Sheet 1 INVENTOR. JOSEPH 6, fiomsu ZIMrW ATTORNEYS April 6, 1937; J. c. HOWELL ARCH SUPPORT Filed April 3, 1935 5 Sheets-Sheet 2 INVENTOR. JOSEPH C. ./70WELL M4 @ft ATTORNEYS 'April 6,' 1937. J. c. HOWELL V 'ARCH SUPPORT Filed April 3, 1955 5 Sheets-Sheet 5 INVENTOR. Jaszp/r C. Hon ELL MA w ATTORNEYS April 6,1937. J. c. HOWELL 2,075,942

ARCH SUPPORT Filed April 5, i935 -s Sheets-Sheet 4 INVENTOR. I JOSEPH C. flan Eu.

ATTORNEY-5 Ap 6, 1937. J. c. HOWELL ARCH SUPPORT Filed April 3, 1955 5 Sheets-Sheet 5 INVENTOR.

w E M r C n j P x 0 W Z ATTORNEYS Patented Apr. 6, 1937 UNITED STATES PATENT OFFICE 12 Claims.

This invention relates to arch supports and has particular reference to an adjustable support for the inner longitudinal arch of the foot.

The invention further comprehends an arch support including means connecting the same with the shoe to permit of longitudinal adjustment in the region of the inner longitudinal arch, angular adjustment about a point located under the inner longitudinal arch and vertical adjustment to various elevations above the sole of the shoe.

The invention more specifically comprehends, in an arch support of the indicated character, a flexible resilient arch plate having its highest point under the inner longitudinal arch, a tension plate underlying the arch plate and connected therewith for efiecting upward arching of the arch plate, means anchored to the sole of the shoe and means of connection between the tension plate and anchoring means for adjusting the arch support longitudinally, transversely and angularly with reference to the sole of the shoe.

The invention also includes, in an arch support of the type specified, means for exerting a stress on the tension plate for effecting a differential upward arching of the arch plate to vary the height of the arch support.

More particularly the invention includes a flexible resilient longitudinally arched supporting plate having its highest point under the inner longitudinal arch and decreasing in elevation laterally towards the outer longitudinal arch with its ends located respectively adjacent the heel and ball portions and bearing upon the upper surface of the sole of the shoe.

The invention further includes a longitudinal arch supporting plate of the indicated character, a tension plate underlying the inner longitudinal r and connected with the arch plate for effecting and maintaining an upward arching thereof and means anchored to the sole of the shoe under the inner longitudinal arch and connected to the tension plate for adjusting the arch support with reference to the sole of the shoe.

The invention further embodies means for effectively retaining the arch plate in selected adjusted position and which means also admits of further adjustment when necessary.

The invention also has in view an improved arch support which is simple in construction and operation, which is capable of economical production, and which is effective for its intended purpose.

With the above recited and other objects in view, reference is made to the following specification and accompanying drawings in which there has been illustrated several embodiments of the invention, while the appended claims cover variations and modifications thereof which fall within the scope of the invention. 5

In the drawings:

Fig. l is a bottom plan view of an arch support embodying the invention, illustrating the same in applied position, with a portion of the shoe shown in dotted lines. 10

Fig. 2 is a fragmentary longitudinal sectional view taken approximately on line 22 of Fig. 1.

Fig. 3 is a fragmentary cross sectional View taken approximately on line 33 of Fig. 1.

Fig. 4 is a collective perspective view of the 15 means for detachably and adjustably connecting the arch support with the shoe sole, the parts being shown in separated juxtaposition.

Fig. 5 is a top plan view of a modified form of the arch support. 20

Fig. 6 is a longitudinal sectional view taken approximately on line 6-6 of Fig. 5.

Fig. 7 is a perspective view of the metatarsal arch support which may be optionally employed with the present invention, as illustrated in 25 Fig. 5.

Fig. 8 is a bottom plan view of a modified form of the invention.

Fig. 9 is a longitudinal sectional view therethrough taken approximately on the line 9-9 30 of Fig. 8.

Fig. 10 is a bottom plan View of a further modification.

Fig. 11 is atop plan view of a still further modification of the invention. 5

Fig. 12 is a longitudinal sectional view therethro'ugh taken on the line l2-I2 of Fig. 11.

Fig. 13 is a transverse sectional view taken on a plane indicated by the line [3-43 of Fig. 12.

Fig. 14 is a bottom plan View of a modified 40 form of the invention showing the outline of the shoe sole in dotted lines.

Fig. 15 is a longitudinal sectional view therethrough taken approximately on a plane indicated by the line l5l5 of Fig. 14. 45

Fig. 16 is a collective perspective view of the means for detachably and adjustably connecting the arch support to the shoe sole, the parts being shown in separated juxtaposition.

Referring to the drawings by characters of 50 reference and more particularly to the form of the invention illustrated in Figs. 1 to 4 inclusive,

A designates generally the arch support which includes a thin spring metal or equivalent longitudinal arch plate III which plate overlies a 55 portion of the heel of the shoe B, extends forwardly therefrom under the inner longitudinal arch to a point adjacent to and at one side of the metatarsal arch and laterally from the medial portion of the inner longitudinal arch to a point adjacent the outer longitudinal arch. The plate l0 has its highest point disposed under the inner longitudinal arch and decreases in height therefrom laterally towards the outer longitudinal arch with its forward end ll, rear end I2 and intermediate laterally projecting curved edge portion i3 bearing upon the upper surface of the sole of the shoe. In order to increase the flexi bility of the curved edge portion l3, the plate Ill may be provided with radially disposed slits l4 extending inwardly from the marginal edge thereof. The inner side edge of the arch plate ID may be formed with an upwardly curve-d extension or lip 15 which supports the side of the foot adjacent the inner longitudinal arch.

An auxiliary leaf or spring metal ply l6 underlies the extension 55 and extends inwardly under the body of the plate to reenforce the same under the inner longitudinal arch. The leaf tr ply I6 is welded or otherwise secured medially'thereof to the plate l0 and with its ends free or unsecured and terminating at points spaced from the ends H and I2 so that thesam'e may flex or bend independently of the arch'plate Ill.

The arch support A also includes 'a tension plate l! which underlies the arch plate In in the region of the inner longitudinal arch and which has its opposite ends welded or otherwise secured to the arch plate I6 adjacent the ends II and I2 thereof. The tension plate I! is formed with a generally longitudinally extending slot l8 having longitudinally spaced laterally extending notches I 9 and 2B in itsopposite side edges disposed in transverse alignment.

For the purpose of detachably connecting the arch plate A to the sole of the, shoe B, an anchoring device is employed which includes a threaded shank 22 depending from a flathead2 which engages against the upper surface of the stress plate 1'! with the shank 22 projecting downwardly through the slot l8, The head 2,3 is provided with one or more depending key pins which extend through the slot It and are 'anchor ed in preformed key sock ets 25.in the sole of the shoe. An internally threaded sleeve 26 is rotatably mounted in an opening 21in the shoe, sole and is designed to receive the threaded shank 2 2 which depends through an opening, 2g in thejuppersurfaceof the shoe sole and communicating with the opening 21. The sleeve 26 is provided with a kerfed head 29 which is exposed at the bottom of the shoe for turning the sleeve so as to draw the shank 22 and thes'tress plate l1.doWnwardly against the upper surface of the shoe sole, the key pins 24 engaging the key sockets 25 so as to retain the shank 22 againstturning movement.

Under this arrangement, the shank, 22 may be loosened and the arch support A adjusted longie tudinally, laterally or angularlyj with reference to the shank 22, the shank beingselectively engaged in any one of the notches l 9.or 20,. After the arch support has been set, in the relative position desired, the sleeve 26 is tightened on the shank 22 so as to draw the stress plate I'Ldownwardly against the upper surface of the soleof the shoe thereby securing the arch. supp rt, in adjusted relation.

In the form of the invention illustrated in Figs.

5 to '7 inclusive, the arch support designated generally by the reference character C includes a longitudinally arched sheet metal or equivalent flexible resilient stress plate 38 which has its highest point under the inner longitudinal arch and which decreases in elevation laterally towards the outer longitudinal arch. The stress plate is supported at its forward end 3! upon the inner surface of the sole of the shoe D in the region adjacent one side of the metatarsal arch and its rear terminal 32 is supported by and upon the heel portion of the shoe D while the intermediate laterally projecting curved edge portion 33 rests upon and is supported by the shank portion of the shoe. The laterally extending curved edge portion 33 is preferably provided with radially disposed slits 36 extending inwardly from the marginal edge thereof so as to increase the flexibility of this portion of the stress plate.

The arch support C also includes a longitudinallyarchedsheet metal or equivalent flexible resilient arch supporting plate 35 which overlies the stress plate 39 and has its highest elevation adjacent the side edge under the inner longitudinal arch. The said plate 35 decreases in height laterally to the curved side edge 36' where it merges with the upper surface of the stress plate and is welded or otherwise secured thereto adjacent the said curved edge and at the ends 31 and 38 which overlie the ends 3| and 32 respectively of the plate 30. The arch supporting plate is preferably provided with an upwardly curved extension or lip 38 which supports the side of the foot adjacent the inner longitudinal arch.

The arch support C is detachably connected to the sole of the shoe D by an anchoring device similar in construction to the anchoring device illustrated in Figs. l to 4 inclusive, and which includes a threaded shank 40 depending from a fiat head 41, which headoverlies the upper surface of the stress plate 36 beneath the arch supporting plate 35 with the shank 40 projecting downwardly through a generally longitudinally disposed slot 42 in the stress plate 30 which slot is provided with longitudinally spaced laterally extending notches '33 disposed in transversealignment in the opposite side edges thereof.

The anchoring device also includes an internally threaded, sleeve 53 which is rotatably mounted in an opening formed. in the sole of the shoe D and is designed to receive'the threaded shank 40. The sleeve 53 is provided with a kerfed head which is exposed at the bottom of the shoe for turning the sleeve so as to draw the shank 40, and the stress plate 30 downwardly to secure the arch support in position. The head 41 is provided with one or more depending keys. 5 4 which extend through the slot 42in the stress .plate and engage in preformed key sockets in. the upper surfaceof the sole of the shoe when. the stress plate is drawn downwardly by the tightening of the sleeve 53 on the shank 49.

If desired,a metatarsal arch support may be usedin conjunction with the arch'support C, the metatarsal arch support 44' including a base 45, of generally oval; formation, constructed of leather, rubber or any analogous flexible material. The base 45 is provided at-the rear adjacent one side thereof with longitudinally spaced laterally disposed slots 46,; which are designed to underlie the slot 42 in the stress plate and align. with the notches 43.- thereof. The arch support 44 also includes a pad element 41' which is of lesser area than the base 45 and has its marginal edge spaced from the marginal edge of the base and which pad is formed with a flat lower surface and a convex upper surface, the

highest point thereof being substantially centrally under the metatarsal arch and inclining towards the marginal edge thereof. The pad element 47 is cemented or otherwise secured upon the upper surface of the base 45 and may be constructed of rubber, felt or any equivalent yieldable elastic cushion material.

The arch support 44 is adjustably connected with the arch support C by means of the stud 40 engaging through any one of the slots 46 in the base 45, the upper surface of the base 45 being disposed against the lower surface of the stress plate 30 with the unsecured rear portion 48 of the pad element 41 extending over the upper surface of the forward portion of the stress plate and the arch supporting plate 35. When the metatarsal arch support 44 is employed in conjunction with the arch support C, a rigid washer 49, preferably of metal, is applied against the underside of the base 45, the washer being provided with a central opening 50 for receiving the shank and eccentric openings 5! through which the key pins 54 project. A look nut 52 is threadedly engaged on the shank 40 for tightening the washer to clamp the base 30 against the undersurface of the tension plate 30.

In the form of the invention disclosed in Figs. 8 and 9 of the drawings, the arch plate E, which is of the same general shape as that disclosed in the previous forms, is provided with an extension 55 extending forwardly from its rear end and provided with a longitudinal slot 55 having communicating longitudinally spaced notches 5'! in its opposite side edges. The arch plate E 40 is also provided with a tension strap 58 connected to the forward end thereof and extending rearwardly therefrom, said tension strap being formed at its rear portion with a longitudinal slot 59 which registers with and underlies the slotted and notched portions 56 and 51 of the extension 55. The rear end of the tension strap has journaled therein on lateral trunnions 60 a nut 6| which is threadedly engaged by an adjusting screw 62 extending rearwardly through the heel portion of the shoe with a kerfed head 63 at its rear end countersunk in the rear of the heel and exposed for the purpose of turning said screw. An anchoring element including a p fiat head 64 with a depending threaded shank 65 is engaged through the slot of the extension 55 and through a washer 65a lying within the slot 59 of the tension strap 58, with a nut 65B engaged over the shank B5 and adapted to clamp the extension 55 to the anchoring element. The

lower end of the shank extends through an opening 66 in the sole of the shoe where it is engaged by a threaded sleeve 61 rotatably mounted in an opening in the shoe sole with a countersunk kerfed head 68 for turning the sleeve. The G3 anchoring element is also provided with depending key pins 69 extending through openings in the washer 65a and adapted to enter preformed key sockets provided in the upper surface of the sole of the shoe to hold the shank 65 against rotation.

In use, after the shank 55 and extension 55 of the arch plate E have been adjusted relative to each other to locate the arch support in the desired longitudinal position in the shoe, the nut 65B is tightened to retain the adjustment of these parts. The shank 65 is then inserted in the threaded sleeve 61 and the set screw 62 is then turned to adjust the arch plate to vary the curvature of the arch plate E so as to obtain the desired elevation. After this adjustment is made, the sleeve 6'! is turned to draw the shank '55 downwardly and thereby lock the arch plate in the elevation set.

In the form of the invention shown in Fig. 10 of the drawings, the arch plate F is of similar construction and is provided with forwardly and rearwardly extending tension straps l6 and H each of which is provided at its free end with a nut 12 journaled by means of laterally projecting trunnions 13 on a horizontal axis. A turn buckle '14 having oppositely projecting oppositely threaded shanks i5 engaging the nuts 12 is provided for the purpose of adjusting the tension on the arch plate to vary the elevation of the arch plate. The forwardly extending tension strap- 10 is formed with a longitudinal slot 15 having longitudinally spaced laterally projecting notches ll adapted to cooperate with an anchoring device of the type set forth in Figs. 8 and 9 for adjustably anchoring the arch plate to the shoe.

In the form of the invention shown in Figs. 11, 12 and 13, the arch support includes an upper ply of leather which extends from a point medially of the heel of the shoe to a point at the ball of the shoe and following generally the contour of the last of the shoe in this region. A lower ply of leather 8| is connected by stitching 82 to the cover ply 80 and provides therebetween a pocket for the reception of a yieldable elastic pad 83 which is inserted therein at the unstitched portions of the ply lying at the inner side of the shoe. Between the top of the sole of the shoe G and the lower ply of leather 8|, a metallic unit composed of a plurality of spring leaves 84, 85 and 86 is arranged, the leaves and the lower leather ply 8| being provided with aligned longitudinally extending slots 81 having longitudinally spaced notches at the opposite longitudinal edges thereof. The spring leaves are provided with upturned lips or extensions 89 lying alongside of the pad 83 and covered by an extension of the cover ply 80. The arch support is attached to the shoe by an anchoring device including a fiat head 9! overlying the lower leather ply 8i and having a threaded shank 92 extending downwardly through the aligned slots 81. The head 95 of the anchoring device is also provided with depending key pins 94 and a washer 95, apertured to receive the shank 92 and the key pins, is fitted thereover and the assemblage locked in place by a lock nut 95. The threaded shank extends downwardly through an opening in the shoe and is engaged by an interiorly threaded sleeve 5'! having a kerfed head 98 rotatably mounted in an opening in the sole of the shoe for locking the arch support in position while permitting of longitudinal adjustment thereof.

In the form of the invention disclosed in Figs. 14 to 16 inclusive, the arch support which is designated generally by the reference character H includes an arch plate I58 for supporting the inner longitudinal arch and which conforms substantially to that of the previous forms. The arch support also includes a tension plate Kill which is permanently attached at its forward and rear ends I02 and H13 to the underside of the forward and rear ends of the arch plate. In this instance, the tension plate IOI is formed with a longitudinally extending slot I04 and has a series of notches Hi5 communicating with the marginal edge of the plate which forms the slot I04, the notches along the longitudinal edges being staggered with reference to each other.

The device for detachably and adjustably connecting the arch support H with the sole of the shoe I includes a tubular interiorly threaded stud I96 which is provided with an enlarged head ID! at its upper end, exterior threads I08 immediately below the head and longitudinal external splines I89 extending downwardly from the threaded portion I08 of the stud to the lower end thereof. The head I 57 is located over the tension plate I9I with the stud I06 protruding downwardly through the slot 104. The disc-like lock nut lIIl is threadedly engaged over the threaded portion I 08 of the stud I06 and cooperates with the head IU'I to clamp the tension plate in adjusted set position with reference to the stud I06, it being apparent that the arch member H may be set at longitudinally or angularly adjusted relations to the stud after which the lock nut serves to retain the adjustment. The detachable and adjustable means of connection between the arch support H and the sole of the shoe I further includes an anchoring member which consists of a tubular bushing II I having a flange H2 at its upper end and formed with internal longitudinally extending splines H3 with which the external splines I09 of the stud I06 are adapted to engage to permit of the setting of the stud therein at various angular positions and to permit of relative vertical movement between the stud and the bushing for preventing rotation of said parts with reference to each other. The bushing is arranged in an opening formed in the sole of the shoe I with the flange H2 countersunk in the upper surface of the sole. Vertical adjustment of the stud I06 in the bushing is effected by means of a screw I I4 which cooperates with internal threads of the stud, the screw being formed at its lower end with a flange H5 which is located between the lower end of the bushing I II and a bottom plate I it) which is countersunkin the lower surface of the sole of the shoe I. The screw is provided with a kerfed head H? which is exposed through a central opening in the bottom plate whereby the screw is swivelly mounted and is adapted to be turned from the outside of the shoe by means of an implement engaged with its kerfed head. The screw, in addition to serving as a means for connecting the stud and arch support H in place, is employed for the purpose of adjusting the elevation and curvature of the arch plate IIlI. In order to lock the screw H4 in vertically adjusted position, a lock screw H8 is adapted for selective threaded engagement in the threaded openings H9 formed in the flange H5.

In this form of the invention, one or more spring leaves I28 is arranged upon the upper surface of the sole of the shoe I with the apertured central portion overlying the flange H2 of the bushing. Rivets I2! extend through the sole of the shoe, through the bottom plate H6, the flange H2 and the spring leaves I20, to attach these parts together in assembled relation with the shoe sole. The spring leaves function to reenforce the arch of the shoe in the region of the arch support H.

What is claimed is:

1. An arch support for shoes including a longitudinally arched plate adapted to be arranged with its highest point under the inner longitudinal arch of the foot, said plate decreasing in height laterally towards the outer longitudinal arch of the foot with its ends adapted to be located adjacent the heel and ball portions thereof respectively and with its lateral edge portion adjacent the outer longitudinal arch and its ends adapted to be supported by the upper surface of the sole of the shoe, a tension plate underlying the arched plate and connected thereto adjacent its ends, means adapted to be anchored to the sole of the shoe, and means of connection between the anchoring means and the tension plate for adjusting the arch support with reference to. the sole of the shoe.

2. An arch support for shoes including a Iongitudinally arched plate adapted to be arranged with its highest point under the inner longitudinal arch of the foot, said plate decreasing in height laterally towards the outer longitudinal arch of the foot with its ends adapted to be located adjacent the heel and ball portions thereof respectively and with its lateral edge portion adjacent the outer longitudinal arch and its ends adapted to be supported upon the upper surface of the sole of the shoe, a plate underlying and connected to the arched plate and having a longitudinally extending slot therein, means adapted to be anchored to the sole of the shoe, and means of connection between the said anchoring means and said last named plate extending through the said slot for adjusting the arch support with reference to the sole of the shoe.

3. An arch support for shoes including a longitudinally arched plate adapted to be arranged with its highest point under the inner longitudinal arch of the foot, said plate decreasing in height laterally towards the outer longitudinal arch of the foot with its ends adapted to be located adjacent the heel and ball portions thereof respectively and with its lateral edge portion adjacent the outer longitudinal arch and its ends adapted tobe supported upon the upper surface of the sole of the shoe, a plate underlying and connected to the arched plate and having a longitudinally extending slot therein, anchoring means adapted to extend through the sole of the shoe, and means of connection between said anchoring means and the last named plate extending through the slot therein for adjusting the arch support with reference to the sole of the shoe, said anchoring means including a screw rotatable from the exterior of the shoe for drawing the last named plate tightly against the inner surface of the sole of the shoe.

4. An arch support for shoes including a longitudinally arched plate, a plate underlying and connected to the arched plate and having a longitudinally extending slot therein, means adapted to be anchored to the sole of the shoe, and means of connection between the said anchoring means and said last named plate extending through the said slot for adjusting the arch support longitudinally and rotatably with reference to the sole of the shoe.

5. An. arch support for shoes including a longitudinally arched plate, a plate underlying and connected to the arched plate and having a longitudinally extending slot therein, anchoring means adapted to extend through the sole of the shoe, and means of connection between said anchoring means and the last named plate extending through the slot therein for adjusting the arch support longitudinally and rotatably with reference to the sole of the shoe, said anchoring means including a screw rotatable from the exterior of the shoe for drawing the last named plate tightly against the inner surface of the sole of the shoe.

6. An arch support for shoes including a flexible resilient longitudinally arched member, a flexible resilient plate underlying and secured to said arched member, said plate having a longitudinally extending slot therein, anchoring means adapted to extend through the sole of the shoe, and means of connection between said anchoring means and said plate extending through the slot therein for adjusting the arch support longitudinally and rotatably with reference to the sole of the shoe, said anchoring means including a screw rotatable from the exterior of the shoe for drawing the same downward into looking engagement with the sole of the shoe.

7. An arch support for shoes including a longitudinally arched plate adapted to be arranged with its highest point under the inner longitudinal arch of the foot, said plate decreasing in height laterally towards the outer longitudinal arch of the foot with its ends adapted to be located adjacent the heel and ball portions thereof respectively and with its lateral edge portion adjacent the outer longitudinal arch and its ends adapted to be supported by the upper surface of the sole of the shoe, a tension plate underlying the arched plate and connected thereto adjacent its ends, means for Varying the tension on said tension plate for producing a difierential upward arching of the arch plate, means adapted to be anchored to the sole of the shoe, and means of connection between the anchoring means and the tension plate for adjusting the arch support with reference to the sole of the shoe.

8. An arch support for shoes including a longitudinally arched plate adapted to be arranged with its highest point under the inner longitudinal arch of the foot, said plate decreasing in height laterally towards the outer longitudinal arch of the foot with its ends adapted to be located adjacent the heel and ball portions thereof respectively and with its lateral edge portion adjacent the outer longitudinal arch and its ends adapted to be supported by the upper surface of the sole of the shoe, a resilient arch supporting plate having its highest point under the inner longitudinal arch and decreasing in height laterally towards the outer longitudinal arch, said arch supporting member being mounted upon and secured at its ends and along one side edge to the longitudinally arched plate, said longitudinally arched plate having a longitudinally extending slot therein, means adapted to be anchored to the sole of the shoe, and means of connection between the said anchoring means and said longitudinally arched plate extending through the slot therein for adjusting the arch support longitudinally with reference to the sole of the shoe.

9. An arch support for shoes including a longitudinally arched plate adapted to be arranged with its highest point under the inner longitudinal arch of the foot, said plate decreasing in height laterally towards the outer longitudinal arch of the foot with its ends adapted to be located adjacent the heel and ball portions thereof respectively and with its lateral edge portion adjacent the outer longitudinal arch and its ends adapted to be supported upon the upper surface of the sole of the shoe, rearwardly and forwardly extending plates secured in overlapping relation to the opposite ends respectively of the longitudinally arched plate, said last mentioned plates having longitudinally extending registering slots therein, an anchoring device adapted to be fixedly secured to the sole of the shoe, means of connection between the anchoring device and said last named plates extending through the said slots therein for mounting the arch support for relative adjustment with reference to the sole of the shoe, and means connected to the rearwardly extending plate for varying the curvature of the longitudinally arched plate.

10. An arch support for shoes including a resilient arch supporting member, a flexible sheath having upper and lower plies secured together throughout the major portion of the margin of one of the plies, the remaining unsecured portion defining a mouth for the insertion and removal of the resilient arch supporting member, an anchoring device therefor adapted to be fixedly secured to the shoe sole, means of connection between the sheath and the anchoring device for mounting the same and the arch sup porting member for relative longitudinal, lateral and rotatable adjustments with reference to the shoe sole, and a resilient metallic plate underlying the sheath and including a plurality of plies connected with the anchoring device for corresponding relative longitudinal, lateral and rotatable adjustments with reference to the sole of the shoe.

11. An arch support for shoes including a longitudinally arched plate, rearwardly and forwardly extending plates secured in overlapping relation to the opposite ends respectively of the longitudinally arched plate, said last mentioned plates having longitudinally extending registering slots therein, means adapted to be anchored to the sole of the shoe, means of connection between the said means and said last named plates extending through the slots therein for mounting the arch support for relative adjustment with reference to the sole of the shoe, and means engaging said means of connection for locking the forwardly and rearwardly extending plates in relative adjusted position for varying the curvature of the arch plate.

12. An arch support for shoes including a flexible resilient member for supporting the inner longitudinal arch, a flexible resilient plate underlying and supporting said arch member, said plate having a longitudinally extending slot therein, a metatarsal arch support including a flexible resilient pad and a flexible base therefor having a rearwardly extending portion formed with a longitudinal seriesof openings, means adapted to be anchored to the sole of the shoe, and a common means for connecting the base of the metatarsal arch support to the underlying plate of the longitudinal arch support, extending through the slot therein and through the apertures of the base of the metatarsal arch support to permit of relative adjustment of the longitudinal arch support and the metatarsal arch support with reference to each other and with reference to the sole of the shoe.

JOSEPH C. HOWELL.

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