Device for measuring a human foot

A device for measuring the human foot comprises: (a) at least one element consisting of a supporting surface for the bottom of the heel and a stop for the back of the heel; and (b) a graduated tape connected to the above element and surrounding the foot in an area passing through the rear end of the heel-bone and through the joint between the ankle bone and the scaphoid bone, the free end of the tape sliding in a passage and emerging from the device so that it can be grasped. This measuring device makes it possible to determine the type of boot best suited to the foot measured.

The present invention relates to a device for obtaining information 
regarding at least one dimension of the human foot, the information being 
used to select a boot of the correct size. 
It is generally known that the size of a person's foot is determined by 
measuring the distance between the back of the heel and the toe which 
projects the farthest, the size thus determined then making it possible to 
select a suitable boot from a predetermined range. 
However, in the case of footwear in which one fundamental characteristic is 
satisfactory foot retention, for example boots for skiing, 
mountain-climbing, and iceskating, there are disadvantages in using length 
as the parameter representing the dimensions of the foot. 
For this reason, and as set forth in application Ser. No. 793,938, filed 
May 5, 1977 under the title "Method for fitting boots and a correlation 
table", it is proposed to use, as a representative parameter in selecting 
a boot, not the length of the foot, but another dimension of the foot 
taken in a plane passing substantially through the rear end of the 
heel-bone and through the area of articulation between the ankle-bone and 
the scaphoid-bone, this dimension being referred to hereinafter, for the 
sake of clarity, as the "short heel perimeter" or "SHP." In other words, 
the SHP is the length of the perimeter, as measured on a foot at rest, of 
the figure defined by an imaginary plane passing through the rear end of 
the heel-bone and through the joint between the ankle-bone and the 
scaphoid-bone, i.e., the connecting line between the leg and the foot. 
FIG. 1 of the drawings attached hereto shows the location of the SHP (line 
X) on the foot, the latter being indicated with a fine line. 
The present invention therefore relates to a device for measuring this SHP 
dimension, and is characterized in that it comprises at least one support 
for the heel of the foot and at least one measuring element connected to 
the support and adapted to pass around the foot in the vicinity of the 
SHP, the measuring element being adapted to provide the information 
relating to the SHP dimension. 
The support may, with advantage, be in the form of a seating surface for 
the underside of the heel, with at least one stop for the back of the 
heel, the stop forming a specific angle with the seating surface. The foot 
may therefore be placed in a specific position in which the leg forms a 
constant angle with the sole of the foot, as soon as the stop and the 
seating surface are connected rigidly together, in accordance with the 
invention. Preferably, and again in accordance with the invention, the 
stop and the seating surface are at right angles, and the stop may be 
either a plane or a dihedron in which the back of the heel may easily be 
placed. 
The measuring element may, with advantage, be in the form of a flexible 
strap (such as a tape, cord, wire, etc.), one end of which is secured to 
the support, more particularly to the stop in the vicinity of the heel, 
while the other end is free and is used to fit the strap to the foot. The 
free end of the strap may, with advantage, be accommodated slidingly in a 
passage within the thickness of the stop. The strap also has reference 
markings in the form of graduations which move, when the strap slides in 
its passage, in front of an indicator fitted to the support. It is thus 
possible to read off the measured length of the SHP. 
Conversely, the strap may carry the indicator, the latter passing in front 
of system of markings arranged on the support and constituting a table of 
boot sizes. 
According to another aspect of the invention, the measurement of the SHP is 
complemented by measuring another dimension of the foot, namely the width 
thereof, i.e., the distance between parallels, one of which passes through 
the two bony projections on the inside of the foot, while the other passes 
through the bony projection on the outside of the foot, as shown at "D" in 
FIG. 2. 
According to still another aspect of the invention, therefore, the device 
is also equipped with means for measuring the width of the foot at the 
same time as it is measuring the SHP. In the case of feet which have the 
same SHP, this makes it possible to take into account variations in width 
from one foot to another, due to the condition of, inter alia, the plantar 
arch. This means for measuring the width of the foot consists, according 
to the invention, of a first supporting element for the inside of the foot 
and a second supporting element for the outside of the foot, the two 
elements being parallel one with the other, and at least one of them being 
movable in relation to the other. The means for measuring the width of the 
foot is also equipped with a system of markings and an index, so that the 
result of the measurement can be read off directly.

The two first embodiments of the invention make it possible to measure the 
SHP (FIGS. 3 to 8). The four following embodiments (FIGS. 9 to 19) make it 
possible to measure the SHP and the width of the foot in a single 
operation. 
With these two measurements, the size of the boot may be selected according 
to the SHP measurement, but within this size there can be a plurality of 
widths (wide, medium and narrow, for example). It would also be possible 
to use a completely different principle, based upon the SHP and the width 
of the foot. 
FIGS. 3, 4 and 5 illustrate a first embodiment of the invention, in which 
only the SHP is measured. In this case, the heel of the foot to be 
measured is placed in a reference support consisting of a seating surface 
90 for the bottom of the heel and a V-shaped, or dihedral, stop designed 
to accommodate the back of the heel; the internal surfaces 910 and 911 of 
the V are substantially perpendicular to the base. Seating surface 90 and 
stop 91 may be in one piece or in two pieces rigidly connected one to the 
other. One end of a flexible tape 92 is secured to the support, more 
particularly to the stop, at a point 93 in the vicinity of the heel, the 
attachment being made by any suitable known means. Tape 92 forms a loop 
designed to surround the foot in the SHP area, and it enters slidingly 
into a passage or housing 94 in the support, more particularly in the 
stop, where the heel is going to rest; in the example illustrated, inlet 
95 to passage 94 is close to point 93 where the tape is secured to the 
stop. 
Passage 94 opens out at a point 96, where tape 92 emerges. Located near the 
outlet 96 is a window 97 in stop 91 designed to allow a portion of the 
tape to be seen. This window may be fitted with a transparent plastic 
cover, or with a magnifying glass, and with an indicator 98 (a wire, for 
example), the graduations or numbers marked on the tape passing in front 
of the indicator. In order to measure the SHP, the foot is placed in the 
loop formed by tape 92 and is caused to bear against elements 90,91. The 
operator tightens tape 92 by its free end, which emerges from outlet 94, 
and reads off the SHP measurement on the tape at indicator 98. Care must 
be taken to assure that the tape is long enough for its free end to emerge 
from the device, regardless of the length of the SHP to be measured. The 
graduations on the tape must, of course, allow for the distance between 
points 93 and 95, and for the length of passage 94, so that the exact 
length of the SHP measured can be read off directly. 
The tape may be graduated in millimeters (as in FIG. 4), or it may indicate 
directly the correct size of boot for the foot thus measured. 
The device according to FIGS. 3 to 5 is very light and easily carried, and 
the measurement may be carried out very quickly. However, since the stop 
is not very high, a certain number of precautions must be taken in order 
to position the leg correctly in relation to the sole of the foot, since 
in this embodiment the ankle joint remains free. Therefore, depending upon 
the angle formed between the leg and the sole of the foot, and upon the 
position of the toes, the big-toe extensor muscle projects to a greater or 
lesser degree, and this may produce variations in the SHP measurement. 
These variations may influence the choice of the boot and therefore the 
wearer's comfort and, if they are to be avoided, every effort will be made 
to assure that, while the measurements are being taken, the angle between 
the leg and the sole of the foot is constant, and that the toes are in a 
specific position. This will assure that the measurement is not falsified 
by the state of contraction of the big-toe extensor muscle. 
Illustrated in FIGS. 6, 7 and 8 is a variant of the device which 
establishes these relationship in a simple manner by increasing the height 
of the stop behind the leg and extending the seating surface under the 
toes. 
The concept of this second embodiment is similar to that of the first, but 
seating surface 100 has been extended under the entire sole of the foot, 
and stop 101, for the back of the heel, has been extended almost to the 
bottom of the calf. The lower part of this stop 101 has a V-shaped or 
dihedral recess as in the previous embodiment, for the purpose of 
positioning the heel laterally. As in the preceding example, a graduated 
tape 102 secured to stop 101 surrounds the foot and enters a passage 104 
in the stop, in which it slides in front of a window fitted with an 
indicator 108. 
FIGS. 9, 10 and 11 illustrate a third embodiment, making it possible to 
measure the SHP and the width of the foot in a single operation. In this 
case, the device consists of: 
1. a seating surface 1 supporting the sole of the foot; 
2. a stop 2 for the back of the heel which, in the example illustrated, has 
a flat inside wall 2'; this heel stop preferably extends upwardly (to the 
bottom of the calf) so that when the leg bears against it, the angle 
between the leg and the sole of the foot is accurately determined, as in 
the second embodiment; and 
3. a support element, for example a plate 3 integral with the seating 
surface and at right angles thereto. The bony projections on the inside 
edge of the foot bear against this plate. 
The foot is thus held correctly in place within a three-dimensional 
reference system. 
A flexible tape 4 is secured at 4' to the inside wall of heel stop 2 in the 
contact area thereof; the tape forms a loop surrounding the foot in the 
SHP area and then enters a passage 5 in the stop. This tape passes over a 
deflector 6 (for example a curved guide as in FIG. 9 or a pulley) and is 
secured to a cursor 7 running on a slide or guide 8 parallel with support 
plate 3, the ends of the guide being attached to slides 10,10' which are 
integral with seating surface 1 and extend at right angles to plate 3. 
Cursor 7 comprises a transparent part 12, made of glass or plexiglass, for 
example, upon which is engraved an indicator 11, for example a cross; the 
cursor also has a projecting part 13 whereby the operator can move it 
along slide 8. 
A mobile guide 9 runs in slides 10,10' at right angles to support plate 3. 
This guide has a vertical member 14 designed to bear against the bony 
projection on the outside edge of the foot, the vertical member also being 
used to move the guide. Guide 9 may be fitted with an axis parallel with 
support plate 3, graduated as a function of the SHP, and with a vertical 
axis graduated as a function of foot widths; this arrangement, in 
conjunction with an indicator 11 and a cartesian reference system, 
indicates the width of the foot (along the abscissae) and the SHP (along 
the ordinates). 
Preferably, however, and as shown in FIG. 9, guide 9 is designed to 
indicate directly the model of boot suitable for the foot measured. As may 
be seen in the drawing, guide 9 is graduated in three boot widths for 
medium SHP's, two boot widths for small and large SHP's, and a single boot 
width for extreme SHP's. 
In order to measure a foot, cursor 7 is moved in the direction of arrow F 
in order to loosen the loop in tape 4; the foot is then introduced into 
the loop and is positioned in relation to the three reference planes 
1,2,3. Cursor 7 is then moved in the direction opposite to that of arrow F 
to tighten tape 4 around the foot. 
Part 14 of guide 9 is then applied to the bony projection on the outside 
edge of the foot, after which the two measurements may be read off the 
apparatus. 
In the example illustrated in FIG. 9, guide 9 has reference markings in the 
form of a table T with 24 boxes C each containing two letters. The first 
letter indicates SHP sizes (increasing from A to O), while the second 
letter indicates the widths available in each SHP size. In the example 
illustrated, three widths are available, namely average (M), wide (L), and 
narrow (N). It is thus possible with this device to determine immediately 
the model of boot best suited to the user, based upon his SHP and foot 
width. 
It will be noted that this apparatus is highly flexible in use, since one, 
two or three widths can be provided for a given SHP. Obviously the number 
of widths for a given SHP may vary, depending upon what the customers 
want. Furthermore, it is quite easy to alter the number of widths for a 
given SHP, or to alter the SHP and foot-widths ranges for a given boot, 
merely by substituting a different guide 9, or by using any other sizing 
system based upon measuring the SHP and foot width. 
As may be gathered from FIG. 9, the type of boot suitable for a particular 
foot will be given by box C in front of which will be located indicator 11 
carried by cursor 7. In the case illustrated in FIG. 9, therefore, EM will 
be the correct boot for the foot measured, i.e., a boot for an SHP length 
E and a medium width. 
Where guide 9 is graduated in millimeters (not shown) along two axes of 
cartesian coordinates, the operator reads the SHP on one of the axes (the 
one with the ordinates) and the foot width on the other axis (the one with 
the abscissae). He may then select the correct boot from a chart which 
correlates these dimensions with a boot model. It will be understood that, 
instead of being permanently secured at 4' to stop 2, tape 4 could be 
secured detachably at that point, in order to facilitate the positioning 
of the foot. 
FIGS. 12, 13 and 14 illustrate a fourth embodiment of the invention. In 
this case, the device according to the invention has the same reference 
supports for the foot: a supporting surface 20, a stop 21 for the back of 
the heel, and an element 22 against which the inside edge of the foot 
bears, each of these elements being perpendicular to the other two. 
As before, the device has a tape 23 surrounding the foot to be measured. 
One end 23' of tape 23 is secured to stop 21, while the other end, after 
passing through a passage 32 in the stop, and over a deflector 33 provided 
by rounding off the stop, is secured at 32' to a movable plate 24 mounted 
in slides 25,25' secured to supporting surface 20 and parallel with 
support element 22. Plate 24 has a vertical projection 26 which allows it 
to be moved along slides 25,25' in the direction of double arrow G. This 
plate is graduated similarly to guide 9 mentioned above, i.e., it has a 
table T of boot sizes. It will be noted, however, that Table T in FIG. 12 
is inverted as compared with that in FIG. 9, due to the fact that the 
plate is movably connected with tape 23. 
A guide 27 runs between slides 28,28' parallel with stop 21 and is secured 
transversely to slides 25,25'. Guide 27 has a projection 29 by means of 
which it may be moved in the direction of double arrow H, and is designed 
to bear against the outside edge of the foot. The guide also has an 
aperture 30, with a glass or plastic cover, upon which is engraved an 
indicator, for example a cross 31 in the example illustrated. Aperture 30 
thus makes it possible to see the table on plate 24 and to read off the 
reference for the correct type of boot, or the SHP and foot-width values, 
from the box in Table T selected by indicator 31. The measuring procedure 
is identical with that in the preceding embodiment. 
FIGS. 15 and 16 illustrate a fifth embodiment of the measuring device. As 
before, the apparatus consists of a support surface 40, a stop 41 for the 
back of the heel, and an element 42 bearing against the inside edge of the 
foot, these parts being integral and perpendicular two by two. In this 
design, the reference table is not engraved on a part moving transversely 
in relation to the foot (FIGS. 9 to 11) or longitudinally, but directly 
upon the supporting surface 40 which is stationary. 
As may be seen in FIG. 15, a guide 43 runs in slides 44,44' which are 
parallel with stop 41 and are secured to supporting surface 40; the guide 
has a vertical part 45 by means of which it can be manipulated and which 
bears against the outside edge of the foot. The guide is preferably 
transparent, at least in the vicinity of an indicator 46 which is engraved 
thereon and which, in the example illustrated is in the form of a straight 
line parallel with element 42. 
A plate 47 runs in slides 48,48' parallel with element 42 and secured to 
slides 44,44'; this plate has a vertical part 49 by means of which it may 
be manipulated, and an indicator 50, for example a straight line parallel 
with surface 40. 
A tape 51, similar to tapes 4,23,92,102, surrounds the foot to be measured 
in the vicinity of the SHP, the tape being secured to plate 47 in such a 
manner that the displacement thereof indicates the SHP measurement. 
Plate 47 is also made of a transparent material, so that the correct size 
reference for the foot can be read off surface 40. 
The procedure for measuring the foot is similar to the procedures used in 
the preceding examples, the correct type of boot for the foot measured 
appearing at the intersection of indicators 46 and 50. 
Another embodiment of the measuring device is shown in FIGS. 17, 18 and 19. 
In this case, reference table T" is arranged on a drum which is caused to 
rotate by a tape surrounding the foot to be measured. 
As in the preceding embodiments, the device supports the foot in three 
reference planes, namely a surface 61 for the sole of the foot, a stop 62 
for the back of the heel, and an element 63 bearing against the inside 
edge of the foot, these planes of reference being perpendicular two by two 
and being in the form of a bent sheet secured to a base 64 by means of 
screws 65", or any other suitable means. 
As before, the three reference planes 61,62,63 constitute a reference 
system for the foot to be measured. Surface 61 is shaped to form guides 
66,66' parallel with stop 62 and at right angles to surface 61. These 
guides, separated by a slot 68', form a slide for an element 67 sliding 
along an axis parallel with stop 62. Element 67 has a stamped rib 67', the 
upper surface of which has an oblong slot 61' traversed by a screw 68, the 
threaded part 68a of which is engaged in a hole drilled in base 64. 
Element 67 is thus obliged to move in the plane of surface 61 without 
lifting. 
Element 67 has a part 69 which is bent at right angles, which runs parallel 
with supporting element 63, which is used to manipulate it, and which 
bears against the outside edge of the foot. Element 67 also has a curved 
cylindrical part 70 partly surrounding a drum 71 which will be described 
hereinafter. Part 70 has an opening 72 covered with glass or plastic upon 
which is engraved an indicator 73, for example a cross, by means of which 
the correct boot for the foot measured may be read off table T" as it 
passes under opening 72. 
Drum 71 rotates freely upon an axis 74 which is stationary in relation to 
surface 61, being secured to a tongue 75 integral with surface 61 and 
parallel therewith. The axis is thus parallel both with surface 61 and 
with stop 62. An expansion at the free end of axis 74 holds the drum in 
the axial direction. The drum has a circular groove 76 in which a tape 77 
is rolled, one end of the tape being secured to drum 71. 
A spiral spring 78, one end of which is integral with axis 74 while the 
other end is integral with drum 71, urges the drum in the direction of 
arrow F in FIG. 19, thus rolling up tape 77. The tape runs in a passage 79 
in base 64, passes over a curve 84 in base 64 which deflects it as it 
emerges from passage 79, slides behind heel-stop 62, and passes through a 
passage 80 in the stop, so that it can surround the foot in the vicinity 
of the SHP. In the example illustrated, the end of tape 77 has an eye 81 
which can be secured detachably to a hook 82 secured at 82' to heel-stop 
62. Beyond eye 81, tape 77 also has a protruding end 83 which allows the 
tape to be grasped and manipulated. 
Attaching tape 77 detachably to hook 82 makes the device easier to handle, 
but it will be understood that a tape similar to those in the preceding 
embodiments may be used. Similarly, the devices previously described may 
have the hooking system shown in FIG. 17. In a manner similar to the 
preceding embodiments, the periphery of drum 71 carries a boot-size 
reference table which may be engraved on the drum or printed on a sheet 
fitted thereto. 
When the tape is not in use, end 83 thereof is released from hook 82 and is 
rolled onto the drum by the action of helical spring 78. However, it must 
still be possible for end 83 of the tape to be grasped by the operator. 
This may be achieved by means of a tape-stopping system arranged in passage 
80, to prevent the tape from passing through the passage. For instance, as 
shown in dotted lines in FIG. 17, passage 80 may contain a section 
scarcely any larger than the tape and the tape may be made thicker at 79", 
near its end, than the constriction in passage 80. This makes it 
impossible for the tape to pass through the passage under the action of 
spring 78. 
In order to measure the foot, the operator first of all unwinds enough tape 
to allow the foot to be placed in position conveniently. He then fits the 
tape around the foot in the vicinity of the SHP, securing free end 83 
thereof to hook 82 by means of eye 81, the tape being held to the foot by 
the helical spring acting upon the tape. 
The operator then moves guide 67 into contact with the foot, whereupon he 
may read off the correct boot model from the box in table T" facing 
indicator 73. 
This apparatus has the advantage of eliminating handling errors, since the 
tension of the tape on the foot is always the same for a given SHP. The 
same result may be obtained in the preceding embodiments by subjecting 
parts 7,24 and 47 to the action of a spring. 
It would also be possible to spring-load parts 9,27,67 and 47 to obtain 
more accurate foot-width measurements, but since this arrangement is 
within the capabilities of a technician, it will not be described in 
detail. 
It will be noted that in the last four embodiments described, the stop for 
the back of the heel may be V-shaped, as in the two first embodiments. 
Moreover, in the first two embodiments the graduations are on the tape and 
the indicator is on the apparatus, but the indicator may be on the tape 
and the graduations on the apparatus, without departing from the scope of 
the invention. 
It is obvious that the devices described above will preferably stand on the 
floor if the person whose foot is to be measured is standing up. If the 
person is sitting down, the device should be placed upon a sloping 
surface. 
It should be noted that the measuring devices described above are designed 
mainly for measuring the right foot, and that a symmetrical device would 
naturally make it possible to measure the left foot. Furthermore, the edge 
of the foot used as the reference is the inside edge, although it would 
also have been possible to use the outside edge of the foot for this 
purpose.