US2362824A - Ankle support for boots - Google Patents

Description

NOV. 14, 1944. .M GLHUESTQN 2,362,824

ANKLE SUPPORT FOR-BOOTS Filed Feb. 24, 1944 the leg opening of the upper.

*Patented Nev. 14, 1944 UNITED sTAT Eps My invention relates to improvements in ankle supports and has for its primary object the vnovel construction and arrangement of a stiffener exteriorly applied to the back of a boot for supporting or bracing thewearers ankle. The

invention is primarily intended for a skate-boot but might be employed as a surgical brace if so desired.

lA further object of the invention is to provide an ankle support for a skate-boot Iwhich can be readily applied, and whichwill serve as a stiffener for thev back portion of thev upper in a manner to support. orrbrace the wearers ankle and preclude it unduly bending sidewise as is the natural 'tendency when thev skaters ankles are notI strong. .f

A still further object is to furnish an ankle support which will notv prohibit movement ofthe ankle as is required in skating, and one which can be manufactured at low cost. .f v

The invention is illustrated in the accompanying drawing, in which:

Figure l is a perspective view of a skate and boot showing the preferred form of the invention in applied position.

Fig. 1, laid outflat.

Fig. 3 is a similar view to that of Fig. 1 but depicting a modified form of the invention.`

Fig. 4 is an aspect of the modification spread out flat.

. Fig. 5 is a perspective view of afurther modied form of the invention.

. `21s Fig. 2 is an aspect of the invention, shown in LikeA numerals of reference indicate corre- The strip is attached to the 'back of the upper y 'by lines of stitching I4 located medially. of the width of the strip, which leaves the sides I5 `thereof freely extending outwardly. The strip is sufliciently pliant to conform to the contour of the back of the upper throughout its length, and only contacts the yupper at the. portion medially of its width.

In practice I have found that a strip of leather of the grade used for outsoles answers the -purpose satisfactorily, buty other materials may vbe employed, such as metal, plastic or fibre. In lieu of the vstitching I4 rivets or other approved fastening means may be resorted to without departing from the scope of the invention.

It will be apparent from the preceding description that' due to the cross-section 'of 4the strip it will'strongly resist a force tendingto bend it edgewise of its length, and by reason of its attachmentmedially'of itsr width to the backof the `'boot itwill twist sufciently to accommodate the necessary ankle movement required in skating. i -In the modiiicationj depicted in Figs. 3 and 4 the construction presents an ankle *support which is particularly suited for a person 'whose ankles require a very rm bracing. It comprises a member I6 having arms or wings I'I extending laterally from its upper end. This forms a'T- shaped member which is made of stiff material but capable of being bent to a desired degree. The member I6`is a strip similar to the strip I0 aforesaid and is likewise disposed at the back of the upper and secured along its medial longitudinal extent by the stitching rI'I or comparable fastening means.v

The arms or wings I'I are curved forwardly about the upper edge I3 of the upper and secured thereto as by stitching I8. By this arrangement they function to considerably enhance the bracing effect of the ankle support, andare contiguously engaged with the upper whereas the member I6 has its side portions free of attachment.

In the rvariant shownin Fig. 5 there is illustrated a strip I9 which may be employed in place of the strip III aforesaid, and which is constructed with embedded stiffening ribs 20 of metal or other suitable material. The ribs extend longitudinally ofthe strip and are spacedfrom each other. The strip member may be fashioned of two thicknesses of thin flat material secured together as by' adhesive or .other fastening means and devised to encase the ribs and to be attached to the back of the upper along the medial 1ongitudinal extentas by stitching or comparable means. It will be manifest that the modication shown in Figs'. 3 and 4 could be reinforced by ribs without departing from the spirit and scope of the invention.

From the preceding description of my invention it Will be evident that it provides a servicepensive to manufacture.

What I claim is:

l. In an ankle support for a boot having an I' upper for tting about the ankle of a lfoot, said ankle support comprising a. stiiening member exteriorly applied to the upper and extending upwardly from the back of the heel portion to a point above the ankle portion, the portion of 5 the stiffening member medially of its width being secured to the upper along its length and the sides of the stiffening member extending freely outwardly.

2. In an ankle support for a boot having an extending upwardly from the heel `portion to a point above the ankle portion, the portion of said strip medially of its width being secured to the upper along its length leaving the side portions free.

3. In an ankle support for a boot having an upper for fitting about the ankle of a foot, said ankle support consisting of a strip of stiff material of a cross section having a substantially greater width than thickness, the strip being placed exteriorly of the back of the upper and being extended upwardly from the heel portion to the portion that fits about the ankle, and fastening means securing the strip along its length medially of its Width.

4. In an ankle support for a boot having an upper for fitting about the ankle of a foot, said ankle support consisting of a strip of stiff material of a Cross section having a substantially greater width than thickness, the strip being placed exteriorly of the back of the upper and 3,5

being extended upwardly from the heel portion to the portion that ts about the ankle, said strip being sewn to the upper by a longitudinal line of stitching medially of its width leaving the sides freely extending outwardly.

5. An ankle support as set forth in claim 1 and in which the stiffening member includes a stilfening agent.

6. An ankle support for a boot comprising a stiiT member having a substantially flat elon- -gated part of a greater width than thickness adapted to be exteriorly secured medially of its width to the back of the boot upper and to extend upwardly from the heel portion thereof to the upper edge of the leg opening, and arms-o1' wings extending outwardly from the said part for attachment to said upper above the ankle portion thereof.

'7. An ankle support as set forth'in claim 6 and in which the structure includes an encased stiffening agent.

8. In an ankle support for a boot having an upper for tting about the ankle of a foot, said ankle support consisting of a strip of stiff material of a cross section having av substantially greater width than thickness, the stripv being placed exteriorly of the back of the upper and being extended upwardly from the heel portion to the portion that fits about the ankle, said strip being sewn to the upper by a longitudinal line of stitching medially of its width, and arms forwardly extending from the top portion of said strip and sewn to said upper.

MELVILLE G. HUESTON.

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