STABILIZER FOR A SHOE
United States Patent 3844054
A stabilizer for a shoe comprising a flat base portion adjustably secured to the bottom surface of the sole of the shoe forwardly of the heel thereof. A flat wing portion extends forwardly from the outer end of the base portion adjacent the outer edge of the sole. The stabilizer is reversible so that it may be used on either right or left shoes. Adjustable attachment means secures the base portion to the sole so that the base portion may be selectively tilted relative to horizontal and to the bottom surface of the shoe.
US Patent References:
Walking aid for youngsters
McDermott - November 1955 - 2724193
Body grounding devices
Legge - April 1960 - 2933651
Golf shoe attachment
Stollman et al. - August 1967 - 3337972
Walking aid for youngsters
McDermott - November 1955 - 2724193
Body grounding devices
Legge - April 1960 - 2933651
Golf shoe attachment
Stollman et al. - August 1967 - 3337972
Application Number:
05/434212
Publication Date:
10/29/1974
Filing Date:
01/17/1974
View Patent Images:
Export Citation:
Primary Class:
International Classes:
A43B23/22; A61F5/01; A43B23/00
Field of Search:
36/81,82,71.5,1
Primary Examiner:
Lawson, Patrick D.
Attorney, Agent or Firm:
Zarley, McKee, Thomte & Voorhees
Claims:
I claim
1. In combination with a shoe comprising a sole and a heel having bottom surfaces and inner and outer edges, a flat stabilizer comprising a base portion secured to said sole forwardly of said heel and extending laterally outwardly therefrom outwardly of said outer edge of said sole, said base portion being positioned in substantially the same plane as the bottom surface of said heel and having an outer end portion which is positioned outwardly of said outer edge of said sole for engagement with a supporting surface.
2. In combination with a shoe comprising a sole and a heel having bottom surfaces and inner and outer edges, a flat stabilizer comprising a base portion secured to said sole forwardly of said heel and extending laterally outwardly therefrom outwardly of said outer edge of said sole, said base portion having an outer end portion which is positioned outwardly of said outer edge of said sole for engagement with a supporting surface, and a flat wing portion extending forwardly from the outer end of said base portion.
3. The combination of claim 2 wherein said wing portion is positioned laterally of the outer edge of said sole.
4. The combination of claim 2 wherein said stabilizer is reversible so that said stabilizer may be used on either right or left shoes.
5. In combination with a shoe comprising a sole and a heel having bottom surfaces and inner and outer edges, a flat stabilizer comprising a base portion secured to said sole forwardly of said heel and extending laterally outwardly therefrom outwardly of said outer edge of said sole, said base portion having an outer end portion which is positioned outwardly of said outer edge of said sole for engagement with a supporting surface, and adjustable attachment means securing the inner and outer ends of said base portion to said sole.
6. In combination with a shoe comprising a sole and a heel having bottom surfaces and inner and outer edges,
7. In combination with a shoe comprising a sole and a heel having bottom surfaces and inner and outer edges,
1. In combination with a shoe comprising a sole and a heel having bottom surfaces and inner and outer edges, a flat stabilizer comprising a base portion secured to said sole forwardly of said heel and extending laterally outwardly therefrom outwardly of said outer edge of said sole, said base portion being positioned in substantially the same plane as the bottom surface of said heel and having an outer end portion which is positioned outwardly of said outer edge of said sole for engagement with a supporting surface.
2. In combination with a shoe comprising a sole and a heel having bottom surfaces and inner and outer edges, a flat stabilizer comprising a base portion secured to said sole forwardly of said heel and extending laterally outwardly therefrom outwardly of said outer edge of said sole, said base portion having an outer end portion which is positioned outwardly of said outer edge of said sole for engagement with a supporting surface, and a flat wing portion extending forwardly from the outer end of said base portion.
3. The combination of claim 2 wherein said wing portion is positioned laterally of the outer edge of said sole.
4. The combination of claim 2 wherein said stabilizer is reversible so that said stabilizer may be used on either right or left shoes.
5. In combination with a shoe comprising a sole and a heel having bottom surfaces and inner and outer edges, a flat stabilizer comprising a base portion secured to said sole forwardly of said heel and extending laterally outwardly therefrom outwardly of said outer edge of said sole, said base portion having an outer end portion which is positioned outwardly of said outer edge of said sole for engagement with a supporting surface, and adjustable attachment means securing the inner and outer ends of said base portion to said sole.
6. In combination with a shoe comprising a sole and a heel having bottom surfaces and inner and outer edges,
7. In combination with a shoe comprising a sole and a heel having bottom surfaces and inner and outer edges,
Description:
BACKGROUND OF THE INVENTION
This invention relates to a stabilizer and more particularly to a stabilizer which may be selectively adjustably mounted on a shoe for those persons experiencing difficulty in walking due to a stroke or the like.
Persons who have experienced a stroke or the like ordinarily have great difficulty in walking during the rehabilitation process. The person not only experiences difficulty in maintaining forward stability when walking but also experiences lateral stability when attempting to walk or stand.
Therefore, it is a principal object of the invention to provide a stabilizer for a shoe.
A further object of the invention is to provide a stabilizer for a shoe or the like for those persons who have suffered a stroke or the like.
A further object of the invention is to provide a stabilizer for a shoe which is reversible so that it may be used on either the right or left shoes.
A further object of the invention is to provide a stabilizer for a shoe which provides forward and lateral stability.
A further object of the invention is to provide a stabilizer for a shoe which gives the proper support to the person's foot.
A further object of the invention is to provide a stabilizer for a shoe which is adjustably secured to the shoe to enable the base portion of the stabilizer to be tilted relative to horizontal and to enable the base portion to be selectively vertically adjusted relative to the shoe.
A further object of the invention is to provide a stabilizer for a shoe which is economical of manufacture, durable in use and refined in appearance.
These and other objects will be apparent to those skilled in the art.
BRIEF DESCRIPTION OF THE DRAWINGS
This invention consists in the construction, arrangements and combination of the various parts of the device, whereby the objects contemplated are attained as hereinafter more fully set forth, specifically pointed out in the claims, and illustrated in the accompanying drawings, in which:
FIG. 1 is a perspective view of the stabilizer of this invention:
FIG. 2 is a top view of the stabilizer mounted on a shoe:
FIG. 3 is a bottom view of the stabilizer mounted on a shoe:
FIG. 4 is a sectional view seen on lines 4 -- 4 of FIG. 3; and
FIG. 5 is a side view of the stabilizer mounted on the shoe.
DESCRIPTION OF THE PREFERRED EMBODIMENT
The stabilizer of this invention is referred to generally by the reference numeral 10 which is adapted to be mounted on either a right or left shoe 12 as will be described in more detail hereinafter. Stabilizer 10 generally comprises a base portion 14 having an inner end 16 and an outer end 18. Wing portion 20 extends forwardly from the outer end of base portion 14 and is progressively tapered from its rearward end to its forward end so as to have a narrow width at the forward end thereof.
Base portion 14 is provided with at least a pair of spaced apart threaded openings 22 and 24 formed therein adapted to receive screws 26 and 28 therein respectively. As seen in FIG. 4, screws 26 and 28 extend downwardly from the interior of the shoe through the sole. The lower ends of the screws are threadably received by the openings 22 and 24. A plurality of washers 30 are mounted on each of the screws as seen in FIG. 4. The washers permit the base portion to be selectively vertically adjusted with respect to the sole and permit the base portion to be tilted relative to horizontal and to the sole if so desired. In other words, only three washers could be used on one of the screws with five washers being used on the other of the screws so that the stabilizer would be tilted relative to the shoe.
The stabilizer is reversible to enable it to be used on either right or left shoes by simply turning the stabilizer over. If it is desired to move the wing portion 20 outwardly with respect to the shoe, it is simply necessary to drill another pair of spaced apart openings for attachment to the screws 26 and 28. The fact that the wing portion closely conforms to the outside edge of the sole prevents the wing portion from "catching" on some obstruction which could cause serious injury to the person utilizing the same. The device could be designed so as to eliminate the wing portion which would essentially provide only lateral stability for the shoe. The provision of the wing portion provides the required forward stability for the person which greatly assists the person in walking. The design of the stabilizer not only provides lateral stability and forward stability but also provides the necessary support for the foot itself.
Thus it can be seen that an improved stabilizer for a shoe has been provided which accomplishes at least all of its stated objectives.
This invention relates to a stabilizer and more particularly to a stabilizer which may be selectively adjustably mounted on a shoe for those persons experiencing difficulty in walking due to a stroke or the like.
Persons who have experienced a stroke or the like ordinarily have great difficulty in walking during the rehabilitation process. The person not only experiences difficulty in maintaining forward stability when walking but also experiences lateral stability when attempting to walk or stand.
Therefore, it is a principal object of the invention to provide a stabilizer for a shoe.
A further object of the invention is to provide a stabilizer for a shoe or the like for those persons who have suffered a stroke or the like.
A further object of the invention is to provide a stabilizer for a shoe which is reversible so that it may be used on either the right or left shoes.
A further object of the invention is to provide a stabilizer for a shoe which provides forward and lateral stability.
A further object of the invention is to provide a stabilizer for a shoe which gives the proper support to the person's foot.
A further object of the invention is to provide a stabilizer for a shoe which is adjustably secured to the shoe to enable the base portion of the stabilizer to be tilted relative to horizontal and to enable the base portion to be selectively vertically adjusted relative to the shoe.
A further object of the invention is to provide a stabilizer for a shoe which is economical of manufacture, durable in use and refined in appearance.
These and other objects will be apparent to those skilled in the art.
BRIEF DESCRIPTION OF THE DRAWINGS
This invention consists in the construction, arrangements and combination of the various parts of the device, whereby the objects contemplated are attained as hereinafter more fully set forth, specifically pointed out in the claims, and illustrated in the accompanying drawings, in which:
FIG. 1 is a perspective view of the stabilizer of this invention:
FIG. 2 is a top view of the stabilizer mounted on a shoe:
FIG. 3 is a bottom view of the stabilizer mounted on a shoe:
FIG. 4 is a sectional view seen on lines 4 -- 4 of FIG. 3; and
FIG. 5 is a side view of the stabilizer mounted on the shoe.
DESCRIPTION OF THE PREFERRED EMBODIMENT
The stabilizer of this invention is referred to generally by the reference numeral 10 which is adapted to be mounted on either a right or left shoe 12 as will be described in more detail hereinafter. Stabilizer 10 generally comprises a base portion 14 having an inner end 16 and an outer end 18. Wing portion 20 extends forwardly from the outer end of base portion 14 and is progressively tapered from its rearward end to its forward end so as to have a narrow width at the forward end thereof.
Base portion 14 is provided with at least a pair of spaced apart threaded openings 22 and 24 formed therein adapted to receive screws 26 and 28 therein respectively. As seen in FIG. 4, screws 26 and 28 extend downwardly from the interior of the shoe through the sole. The lower ends of the screws are threadably received by the openings 22 and 24. A plurality of washers 30 are mounted on each of the screws as seen in FIG. 4. The washers permit the base portion to be selectively vertically adjusted with respect to the sole and permit the base portion to be tilted relative to horizontal and to the sole if so desired. In other words, only three washers could be used on one of the screws with five washers being used on the other of the screws so that the stabilizer would be tilted relative to the shoe.
The stabilizer is reversible to enable it to be used on either right or left shoes by simply turning the stabilizer over. If it is desired to move the wing portion 20 outwardly with respect to the shoe, it is simply necessary to drill another pair of spaced apart openings for attachment to the screws 26 and 28. The fact that the wing portion closely conforms to the outside edge of the sole prevents the wing portion from "catching" on some obstruction which could cause serious injury to the person utilizing the same. The device could be designed so as to eliminate the wing portion which would essentially provide only lateral stability for the shoe. The provision of the wing portion provides the required forward stability for the person which greatly assists the person in walking. The design of the stabilizer not only provides lateral stability and forward stability but also provides the necessary support for the foot itself.
Thus it can be seen that an improved stabilizer for a shoe has been provided which accomplishes at least all of its stated objectives.