An Improved Device for Supporting the Ankles.
Year: 1893

page_text: Date of Application, 1st Feb., 1893
Complete Specification Left, 1st Dec., 1893-Accepted, 6th Jan., 1894
PROVISIONAL SPECIFICATION.
An Improved Device for Supporting the Ankles.
1, PERCY WILLIS, of 56 Chancery Lane, in the County of London, Consulting
Engineer, (a communication to me from abroad by John Gibbs Pugsley, of South
Norwalk, Connecticut, U.S.A., Inventor) do hereby declaro the nature of this
invention to be as follows:―
This my invention has reference to a device for supporting the ankles. The
invention comprises a piece of leather or other suitable material which is shaped
to the sole of the foot, and has upwardly-extending side-pieces which are made to
conform to the ankle. If desired, the sides may be stiffened by a sheet of metal
placed between two thicknesses of loather, or the whole support may be made of
0 metal. When the support is in place upon the foot, a band is placed around the
ankle & the side-pieces to retain them close to the leg of the wearer.
Dated this 31st day of January 1893.
PERCY WILLIS.
COMPLETE SPECIFICATION.
An Improved Device for Supporting the Ankles.
I, PEROY WILLIS, of 55 Chancery Lano, in the County of London, Consulting
Engineer, do hereby declare the nature of this invention (a communication to me
from abroad by John Gibbs Pugsley, of 35 Lowe Street, South Norwalk,
Connecticut, U.S.A., Inventor,) and in what manner the same is to be
O performed, to be particularly described and ascertained in and by the following
statement:-
Ankle supporters have heretofore been made out of leather or similar material
such ankle supporters have been of a character adapted to be introduced into an
ordinary shoe, and to act to strengthen or sustain the ankle, in order that the
5 ankle may not bond inwardly or outwardly under the weight of the person, and
this device is especially adapted to children with weak ankles, but it may also be
used for supporting ankles in those more advanced in life.
In the ankle supporters heretofore constructed the side portions have been
united to a greater or less extent at the back of the heel, and in consequence
thereof several difficulties have been encountered. It is advantageous to cut out
these ankle supporters from one piece of leather, and when the supporter extends
across at the back of the heel, it has been necessary to bend the material at the
sides of the sole portion to extend up at the sides of the ankle and then the material
is united behind the heel, or else the piece of leather is cut out and bent around at
5 the heel and the lower portions bent and lapped one, upon the other and connected
together at the sole. In both instances it has been necessary to make a joint in
the leather that is liable to come apart or to become rough and uncomfortable and
in addition to this where the ankle-supporter is closed to a greater or less extent
at the heel tho closure interferes with the free movement of the ankle in a
backward direction.
Tho object of the present invention is to provide a reliable support for the ankle
without scam or join, and to allow freedom of movement to the ankle-joint in a
forward and backward direction. To accomplish this object, I make use of a sole

page_text: the side extending up to the ankle and molded to shape for fitting the same, and
the supporter being entirely open at the rear, so as to accommodate different
widths of heels and ankles and not to interfore with the forward and backward
movement of the parts upon the ankle-joint, substantially as set forth.
2. An ankle-supporter having a sole and two side pieces of one piece of material
molded to shape for fitting the ankle and stiffened and extending up at each side of
the ankle, the supporter being open at the rear to accommodate differences in
widths of heel and ankle and not to interfere with the forward and backward
movement of the parts upon the ankle-joint, substantially as set forth.
3. An ankle supporter having a sole and side of one piece of material molded to
shape for fitting the ankle and stiffened by a plate permanently connected with the
material and extending up at the side of the ankle, the supporter being open at the
rear to accommodate differences in widths of heels and ankle and not to interfere
with the forward and backward movement of the parts upon the ankle-joint
substantially as set forth.
Dated this Wirst dex of December 1803
PERCY WILLIS,
Applicant.