Improvements in Boots, Shoes, Leggings, and Gaiters.
Year: 1898

page_text: Improvements in Boots, Shoes, Leggings, and Gaiters.
I, EDWARD RUDOLF FRANK-BEST, Gentleman, of 2, Colebrooke-row, London, N.,
do hereby declare the nature of this invention to be as follows:-
The object of my invention is to assist the foot and the contigous and other
parts of the body that are under sufferance, when on its feet, at rest or under
weigh, to sustain the natural arch or bridge of the foot and reconstruct it when
flattened by injudicial pressure (lacing) on the dorsum and not securing its various
abutments.
A foot-covering, boot or shoe, with its axis through the posterior and anterior
abutment of the foot to wit: heel and ball. The foot to be held (encircled)
by the leather of the upper itself, lacing or the like, over and across the "5"
meta-tarsal bones, to prevent its slipping forward; any further (higher) encir-
cling to be of a secondary, elastic order to allow expansion of the arch and inclina-
tion of the lower part of the leg.
The lacing-slit to lie over this true axis.
The sole to have the width of the contact of a healthy foot, when weigthed,
with the ground allowing the "5" digiti pedis to lie parallel to each other, to the
true axis of the foot and in the line of progression.
At the waist of the boot, its width must represent the exact diameter of the semi-
circle which the transverse arch of the foot forms or would form if uncrippled.
The boot or shoe, at its posterior end, the heel, is unfettered by stiffenings or
back-straps so that it can enfold the foot.
The last, naturally must be a true copy of the foot, embodying the before
mentioned points. The outer half of the heel (under the boot) to be slightly
larger than the inner to prevent treading over.
Gaiters, over the instep and as high as they reach up, must be elastic to allow
expansion of the arch and inclination of the lower part of the leg, the same as
with boot-uppers, yet in both cases should protection be afforded to the malleoli.
The contrivance to sustain and reconstruct the bridge of the foot consists of
two or more longitudinal and diagonal rows of laminar reaction springs of such
length, width and strength or additional layers, as required per structural
exigency, affixed to a sock to be inserted in the foot-covering or affixed to the
latter direct.
Its resting place is the cavity formed by the posterior and anterior abutment
of the foot and as the springs are shaped according to the structure of the arch
it interferes in no way with the articulation of the foot.
To prevent eyelets from bursting and ensconcing the leather with sharp and
ragged edges, I provide the nipple or cone, hitherto made plain, with a filament,
or channel it with alternate fine ridges and grooves, tapering at the beginning
or not, or other such contrivance ensuring the same purpose, when the material
guided, will curl up without bursting, retaining a smooth surface all round.
Tod this 20th
of Dasomber 180S

page_text: '
I, EDWARD RUDOLF FRANK-BEST, Gentleman, of 2, Colebrooke-row, London, N.,
do hereby declare the nature of this invention and in what manner the same is
to be performed, to be particularly described and ascertained in and by the follow-
ing statement:-
The object of my invention is to assist the foot and the contigous and other
parts of the body that are under sufferance when on its feet, at rest or under
weigh to sustain the natural arch or bridge of the foot or to reconstruct it when
it has been abnormally lengthened by not securing its various abutments or
injudicial pressure by lacing or encircling on the dorsum.
It prevents also unnatural tension of the muscles of foot and leg.
That my inventions and researches may be fully understood I refer to the
accompanying drawings:-
Figure 1 is a dorsal view of the osseous structure of the human foot.
Figure 2 is a plantar view of the same.
Figure 3 & 3 are posterior views,
Figure 3 & 3 are anterior views of Fig. 1.
Figure 4 is a side view of a last.
Figure 5 & 6 are views of a boot or shoe.
Figure 7 & 8 are front views of the osseous structure of the foot's transverse
arch.
Figure 9 is a view of a boot heel.
Figure 10 is the posterior view of a heel, a last and a boot or shoe.
Figure 11 & 11 L are views of an orthopaedic sock.
Figure 12 is an inner lateral view of the osseous structure of the foot.
All foot-coverings have hitherto been constructed without sufficient base for
1 the inner abutment of the transverse arch; for
2 the head of the first meta-tarsal and for
3 the big toe of the human foot.
The dotted, partly circular, partly straight line N.B. (no base) Figs. 1 & 2
shows where such necessary base is denied."
In the circular part, when the centre of the longitudinal and transverse arch
are under weigh and at play:
In the straight part, at all times.
The cross in Figs. 1 & 2 indicates the position assigned to a heel hitherto,
forcing the calcaneum to find its proper base outwards: this endeavour has been
termed the "rolling of the heel."
"
This rolling up to now, has been considered a legitimate function, and
provision is made for it; yet, it is nothing but the natural constantly enforced
endeavour of the calcaneum to find and take its proper base on the true axis of
the foot which is also its line of progression, and runs at the posterior abutment
through the calcaneum at its anterior abutment through the head of the second
meta-tarsal. where they touch the ground.
Figs. 1 & 2 PA-AA shows this axis.
Fig. 3 (posterior) shows the same line perpendicularly; (the head of the
second meta-tarsal is hidden behind the calcaneum).
Fig. 3 (anterior) shows it anteriorly: (the calcaneum is hidden by the head
of the second meta-tarsal).
The afore pilloried malpractices not only tilt the calcaneum and astragalus,
but also the transverse arch, with the disastrous consequence that the fourth and

page_text: fifth metatarsal are forced to relinquish their sustaining position under the third
and fourth respectively; and now, instead of forming a continuation of the
transverse arch, both lie crippled alongside it.
The extension of such dislocation is gauged by the incubus given to the width
of the sole on the outside. Either tilting or disclocation occasions the hitherto
unremedied evil of "treading over."
The line PA-AA in Fig. 2 (plantar view) is the antipode of the same line
in Fig. 1 (dorsal view) and over it between the two arrows: Fig. 1 L-L (lacing
limit) see also Fig. 6 the foot must be held firmly
23
over and across the five
meta-tarsals, to prevent "slipping forward and bobbing." Any higher encircling
must be of a secondary stage, elastic enough to follow the expansion of the arch
and permit the inclination of the leg, without compressing or chafing the malleoli.
The encircling at L-L Figs. 1 & 6 is produced either by a sufficient tightness
of the upper Fig. 5 by lacing or the like. The secondary (elastic) stage higher
up the leg, is provided front, back and side, or either: in neither case must
there be any injurious pressure on the dorsum or malleoli, especially the latter
must be unfettered all round from any hard unyielding material.
Further protection is given by affixing shields, or the like of aluminium or
other light material, of suitable form and material to the yielding substance,
which enclose the projecting parts of both ankles, principally the outer: Fig. 6
SH. For gaiters and leggings the same elastic and protecting principles apply
as to boot-uppers. My foot-covering at its posterior end, the heel, Figs. 5, 6 & 10
is unfettered by stiffnings or back straps, or at least they do not reach above
the dotted line Figs. 5 & 10 therefore it enfolds the calcaneum like a glove, while
the front is firmly held across the meta-tarsals and thus both abutments, posterior
and anterior are secured.
I now turn my attention to the lateral abutment of the transverse arch:
The waist of the foot."
Its width must represent the exact diameter of the quasi semi-circle at its
base; Fig. 7.
The natural base narrowed, denied or misplaced, the crown would be crippled,
forced upwards and made elliptic; Fig. 8.
The sole under the boot-waist must be just of sufficient thickness to connect the
two abutments and keep them together and so flexible as to follow, as if by
suction the upwards extension of the arch and its covering.
The boot last must be a true copy of the foot embodying the before mentioned
points and also the undulating line up to where any stiffning may be allowed
without interference with the various natural movements of the foot. That line
is unmistakably indicated by the dotted line that runs at various height along
or round the foot; Figs. 5 & 10.
The width of the outer sole on either side of the true axis is given by the
heads of the outer meta-tarsals and phalanges when, both arches unbroken-they
lie parallel to the true axis and in the line of progression.
The shaping of the outer sole will always remain a question of aesthetic, fancied
pointedness at the expense of shortness.
A rational foot-covering requires no lining except that already provided by
the sock or stocking. Any additional lining would be superfluous and obnoxious;
moisture must accumulate between it and the leather, and more or less stay there
without a chance of being got rid of always keeping the covering damp and
eventually rot the lining and crack the upper.
The position of the centre of the boot-heel is exactly under the calcaneum, its
rational height three quarters of an inch, (half an inch cork, quarter of an inch
leather, to lessen the dead weight carried). Fig. 10.
25
Calling the point of the calcaneum where it touches the ground, argumenta-
tively, a pivot nothing must obstruct its pivotting. Figs. 3P 78 & 12. To
enable such pivotting” both lateral fronts must be rounded off in a similar style

page_text: as the back, but in bad cases of "treading over" the outer front is slightly elon-
gated one, two or more stages: Fig. 9 the inner, "N.E.V.E.R." Fig. 9.
Furthermore the lateral sides at their base when required, are built obliquely
outside. Fig. 10.
The sides of the boot-heel must lie parallel with the true axis of the foot and
in the line of progression; Fig. 9 & 10 not transversing and obstructing this line.
To support and in due course, actually reconstruct the arch of the foot I make
a sock of leather or the like material to which are fastened longitudinally and
diagonally, (either way) two or more laminar reaction springs of such width,
length and strength Fig. 11 and shape: Fig. 11 L as required by structural
exigencies.
:
Width of springs of an inch more or less, as per purpose: men, women or
children's.
Length, leaving the part under the calcaneum free Figs. 11 & 11 L to ball of
foot, is fixed by the length of each foot.
"
The contrivance may be covered with suitable material. Placed in any foot-
covering it will slip automatically in its proper place and embed itself in the
cavity posterior to the foot-ball, Fig. 12, where it is securely held at all times by
the calcaneum without interfering with the longitudinal or lateral abutments.
It now forms part and parcel of the longitudinal and transverse arch of which,
indeed, it is a replica" and responds to every one of their movements, longi-
tudinally and transversely without interference whatever with the natural com-
plicated functions of articulation or nourishment and, but for its sustaining
assistance its presence is imperceptible. It underpins powerfully, separately and
jointly the combined bridges, and renders every part of the formation ever fit
and ready when required, to receive, carry and recoil the weight of the body
without jar to the system.
The undulating of the sock also ensures complete ventilation as the sock forms
a natural air-chamber, Fig. 11 L which is alternately exhausted and repleted
circulating the air round the foot.
The invention may be permanently fixed to and in all and every of the various
foot-coverings, but as a sock it can be transferred to other coverings, even to
slippers.
:
The nipple or cone which presses the open end of the evelet down to curb and
clinch the material in which an eyelet is to be fixed is hitherto made plain, in
consequence the eyelet bursts and sharp and ragged edges form, which ent the
lace, injure socks, stockings and the foot itself.
The nipple provided with a filament or channelled with alternate fine ridges
or grooves, tapering at the beginning or not, the material guided, expands and
curls evenly and ensconces the leather or other material without bursting and with
an even, smooth clench.
Having now particularly described and ascertained the nature of my said in-
vention, and in what manner the same are to be performed, I declare that what I
claim is
1. A boot, shoe or the like that affords sufficient base to the human foot, at
a. the inner abutment of the transverse arch,
, the head of the first meta-tarsal and
C. the big toe, with:
d. An axis which lies through the centre of its posterior and anterior
abutment;
e. a lacing-slit that lies over this axis,
f. encircles the foot over and across the meta-tarsals to prevent slipping
forward and bobbing:
g. holds, unfettered by stiffnings and back straps, the foot-covering over
and across the heel, enfolding it and riding securely on it,

page_text: h. An upper which prevents pressure on dorsum and malleoli yet, providing
proper protection for the latter;
i. without lining.
k. A heel which lies on the true axis of the foot;
1. rounded off in front:
m. or fanged and obliquely shaped on the outside as a further protection
against treading over.
2. A gaiter & leggings, built on the same principles as the above uppers.
3. A boot or master last, embodying the above points on which foot-coverings
as above, can be made.
4. A contrivance to support the arch of the foot and reconstruct it, used as:
a. a sock, or
b. fixed to and in foot-covering with
c. springs shaped according to the osseous structure of the foot, and
d. ventilating foot and covering.
5. A cone or nipple, for eyelet-clinchers, provided with a filament or channelled
groove to prevent the bursting of the open end that curls down ensconces and
clinches the material in which it embeds.
I also claim the combination of parts of my invention of which the principle,
novelty and main features have been substantially described, whether as illustrated
or subject to the requirements or exigencies and contingencies resulting there-
from, also substantially described and explained.
Dated this Fourteenth day of February 1899.
D