Improvements in Extension Shoes.
Year: 1898

page_text: Date of Application, 2nd Dec., 1898-Accepted, 18th Feb., 1899
Improvements in Extension Shoes.
We, ARTHUR IVEY, residing at 170, Bay Street, in the City of Toronto, in the
County of York, and Province of Ontario, Shoe Maker, and EMIL WIENERT,
residing at 50, Russell Street, in the said City of Toronto, Manufacturer, do hereby
declare the nature of this invention and in what manner the same is to be per-
formed, to be particularly described and ascertained in and by the following
statement:
This invention relates to an extension shoe to be worn by a cripple having one
leg shorter than the other. It has been customary for cripples of this nature to
have the deficiency in the length of the legs compensated by providing the shoe
for the foot of the shorter leg with a cork sole or with a stilt, corresponding in
depth to the difference between the length of the legs. This method of com-
pensating for the difference in length between the legs added a considerable
weight to the deformed member, in addition to making the deformity particularly
noticeable.
To provide an extension shoe by means of which a person having one leg shorter
than the other can walk erect and even, and with ease and comfort, with the same
appearance as his more fortunate fellow, and to so arrange the extension shoe
that it can be encased in a boot or shoe corresponding with the boot or shoe of
the more perfect foot is the object of this invention; and the invention consists
essentially of the device hereinafter set forth and more particularly pointed out
in the claims.
In the drawings:
Fig. 1 represents a perspective view of the extension shoe enclosed in an
ordinary walking boot
Fig. 2 is a sectional view through the extension shoe.
Fig. 3 is a perspective view of the extension shoe.
Fig. 4 is a view of a modification.
Like letters of reference refer to like parts throughout the specification and
drawings.
A represents the extension shoe, which consists of an inner sole a, corresponding
in shape and size, with the shape and size of the more perfectly formed foot, and
a covering b for the inner sole a terminating in a legging c projecting above the
top of the inner sole a. The inner sole a consists of a heel-rest or support a¹, the
depth of which corresponds to the deficiency in the length of the shorter leg, and
a rest or support all for the ball of the foot and the toes. The relative position of
the rest or support all will vary according to the height of the heel-rest or
support a and the length of the foot of the cripple; that is to say, the ball-rest
or support all will be nearer the heel rest or support a when the deformity is
considerable, and farther from the heel rest or support a¹ when the deformity is
Fig. 2 is a sectional view through the extension shoe.
Fig. 3 is a perspective view of the extension shoe.
Fig. 4 is a view of a modification.
Like letters of reference refer to like parts throughout the specification and
drawings.
A represents the extension shoe, which consists of an inner sole a, corresponding
in shape and size, with the shape and size of the more perfectly formed foot, and
a covering b for the inner sole a terminating in a legging c projecting above the
top of the inner sole a. The inner sole a consists of a heel-rest or support a', the '
depth of which corresponds to the deficiency in the length of the shorter leg, and
a rest or support a" for the ball of the foot and the toes. The relative position of
the rest or support all will vary according to the height of the heel-rest or
support a and the length of the foot of the cripple; that is to say, the ball-rest
or support all will be nearer the heel rest or support a when the deformity is
considerable, and farther from the heel rest or support a when the deformity is

page_text: slight. The heel-rest or support a¹ is so shaped as to form a firm support and bed
for the heel of the foot, whilst the ball-rest or support a" is shaped to form a firm
and comfortable seat for the ball of the foot and the toes.
The part of the inner sole between the rests or supports a¹, a" is shaped to
correspond to the instep of the foot.
The inner sole a in addition to forming the rest or supports for the heel and ball
of the foot is shaped to conform to the shape of the perfect or other foot of the
wearer.
The covering is divided from the front of the rest or support all to the top
of the legging c, and is provided with eyelets d and lacings e to permit of the
entry or withdrawal of the foot. That part of the covering bencasing the form
of the inner sole a fits the form snugly so that the inner sole can be. inserted in
an ordinary walking boot B.
The back of the legging at the top of the heel-rest or support a¹ is cut away
to allow of the heel of the foot protruding therethrough, in order that the leg
can retain its free ankle motion.
C represents a brace, which consists of two opposite sides C₁, C¹, connected to
the sides of the heel-rest or support a', and a curved back C formed at the top
of the sides C', C, above the top of the opening in the back of the legging C. The
back C of the brace conforms to the shape of the leg of the wearer, and the
purpose of the brace is to firmly retain the foot on its rests, and to strengthen
and support the leg whilst in use, whilst the opening which the heel protrudes
through provides a means of ventilating the extension shoe.
The inner sole is made preferably of a covering D of leather, canvas, or other
suitable material of the requisite size, shape, and strength, and an inflatable tube
or back E contained within the covering D.
The tube or back E is provided with a check-valve F to which can be attached
an air-pump or other inflating apparatus. The air pressure in the tube E can be
increased or diminished at will to cause a slight variation in the height of the
supports a¹, a to meet the requirements of the user.
A cripple when using a cork sole, stilt, or other lift is accustomed to walk flat-
footed, and when using an extension shoe is obliged to walk on the ball and heel
of the foot with the foot in a more or less perpendicular position, this being the
most natural and comfortable position for the cripple, and it sometimes happens
that when a cripple has been accustomed to the former style of shoe and is making
a change to the extension shoe he will suffer a slight fatigue from the difference
in the position of the foot, and to obviate this fatigue it is found advisable to
increase or diminish the air pressure in the inflatable tube to vary the height to
produce the greatest comfort. The inner sole when constructed on this principle
has practically the same flexibility and action as the foot, so that when the exten-
sion shoe is encased in an ordinary walking boot or shoe it is practically impossible
to detect the deformity.
more
An advantage of considerable importance to be derived from the use of the
extension shoe is the ability of the wearer to buy an ordinary pair of store shoes
and use them on both feet, instead of being obliged to have a shoe made especially
for the crippled member; thus saving a large item of expense. Another advan-
tage is that the wearer of an extension shoe can purchase a pair of ordinary store
rubbers for his boots and use them in the same manner as his
fortunate fellow; thus rendering it possible for him in slippery or icy weather to
walk with the same confidence and degree of safety as the remainder of the public.
It is possible to make the inner sole of wood or other suitable material instead
of having it inflatable, and in this case the toe F of the inner sole is made separate
from the body G and hinged thereto by leather or other suitable hinges H.
Interposed between the body and the toe are springs I to hold the toe elastically
in its normal position. By this construction the inner sole when made of wood
will have sufficient flexibility to provide the walking shoe, with the same appearance
as the shoe on the more perfect foot.

page_text: Having now particularly described and ascertained the nature of our said
invention and in what manner the same is to be performed, we declare that what
we claim is: -
1. An extension shoe for cripples embracing in its construction an inner sole
having an upward projection forming a rest or support for the heel, and a seat
forming a rest or support for the ball of the foot and toes between the upward
projection and toe of the inner sole, substantially as specified.
2. An extension shoe for cripples embracing in its construction an inner sole
having an upward projection forming a rest or support for the heel, and a seat
forming a rest or support for the ball of the foot and toes between the upward
projection and toe of the inner sole, and a covering for the inner sole having a
legging projecting above the top of the upward projection to embrace the ankle
and leg, substantially as specified.
3. An extension shoe for cripples embracing in its construction an inner sole
having an upward projection forming a rest or support for the heel, a seat forming
a rest or support for the ball of the foot and toes between the upward projection
and toe of the inner sole, a covering for the inner sole having a legging projecting
above the top of the upward projection to embrace the ankle and leg, an opening
in the back of the legging, and a brace connected to the sides of the upward
projection having a cross piece at the back curved to correspond to the leg, sub-
stantially as specified.
4. The extension shoe hereinbefore described and illustrated in Fig. 2 of the
accompanying drawings.
5. The extension shoe and brace herein before described and illustrated in Fig. 3
of the accompanying drawings.
6. The extension shoe herein before described and illustrated in Fig. 4 of the
accompanying drawings.
Dated this Int den of Dreambar ATY 1908
ARTHUR IVEY,
EMIL WIENERT,
By George Barker,
Fellow of The Chartered Institute of Patent Agents,
Agent for Applicants,
77, Colmore Row, Birmingham.