US2308895A - Insole and shank stiffener therefor - Google Patents

Description

Jan. 19, 1943.

N. ROSENTHAL INSOLE AND SHANK STIFFENER THEREFOR Filed March 6, 1941 vm n Patented Jan. 19, 1943 UNITED STATES PATENT OFFICE INSOLE AND SHANK STIFFENER THEREFOR Nathan Roscnthal, Roxbury, Mass.

Application March 6, 1941, Serial No. 382,083

1 Claim. (01. 36-71) My present invention relates to boots and shoes, and more particularly to the insole and shank stiffeners utilized in the manufacture of boots and shoes.

Heretofore, various devices have been made to reinforce and stiffen the shank parts of boots and shoes, usually such shank stiffeners comprising thin metallic members which were either applied to the heel and shank portion of the shoe after lasting, or, in some instances, were secured to the insole before the insole was applied to the shoe.

Such prior constructions have been unsatisfactory because too great rigidity was usually imparted to the shoe structure by the metal shank stiffener, particularly if the shank stiffener was secured at each end to the insole; and, if only secured at one end, the opposite end portion would work and wear in the material of the insole.

Furthermore, such prior shank stiffeners, whether of metal Or of other material, were expensive and involved considerable difficulty in proper positioning for the results desired.

In my present invention, I have devised a novel form of shank stiffener which can be secured at each end of the stiffener directly to the insole and yet presents and preserves a yielding or flexible rigidity which will give the desired stiffness between the heel and shank of the shoe structure, and yet will also permit some yielding and bending, thereby increasing the flexibility of the shoe and give increased comfort to the foot of the wearer during walking.

A further important feature of my present invention consists in the facililty with which my improved shank stiffener and insole structure can be combined and utilized as a reinforcing or supporting member to the present well known type of so-called cookie insole.

A still further important and desirable feature is that my combined insole and shank stiffener is preferably united before the insole is attached to the last during shoe manufacture, and thus the insole is fitted with the shank stiffening element or with the combined shank stifiener and cookie supporting structure as a complete prepared insole, and with both ends of the stiffening element secured to the insole at exactly the proper points for the most beneficial effects.

A still further novel and important feature consists in the arrangement and construction of my combined insole with the shank stiffening element, permitting the stiffening element to extend along one side, preferably the arch side of the shoe, and necessarily on the arch side where a cookie insole construction is employed; and then with the projecting arm extending from the side of the insole into the approximate center at a desired position in the shank where it is secured thereto.

In the manufacture of McKay shoes, this arrangement presents no difficulty; and even in welt shoes, I cut a short slot underneath the sewing rib and fit the forward portion or arm of the shank stiffener under the sewing rib where it is secured to the shank of the insole, thus enabling a Welt shoe structure to be manufactured without interruption in the inseaming portion by standard methods.

In carrying out my invention, I provide a stiffening element somewhat in the form of an elongated U with the extending arms constituting the insole-engaging and fastening portions, and with the connecting body portion of the stifiener along the edge part of the insole. Thus, when the arms are secured to the insole, rigidity is obtained while permitting a certain Y yielding or flexibility.

Furthermore, I am enabled to make my improved stiffener construction by stamping the same inexpensively out of thin metal and by simple attaching means, such as rivets or the like.

Where a cookie support is desired, the connecting body portion of the shank stiffening element is formed with a suitable extension curved upwardly to fit under and support the cookie extension, as will be readily understood.

Referring to the drawing illustrating preferred embodiments of the present invention:

Fig. l is a view in perspective of my shank stiffening element with the cookie supporting extension;

Fig. 2 is a similar view in perspective of the shank stiffener for McKay, Littleway, or welt shoe use without the cookie support;

Fig. 3 is a plan view of an insole with the shank stiffener of Fig. 1 attached;

Fig. 4 is a plan view of an insole with the shank stiffener of Fig. 2 attached;

Fig. 5 is a cross-sectional view on the line 55 of Fi 3, and

Fig. 6 is a cross-sectional view on the line 66 of Fig. 3.

As shown in the drawing, my shank stiffener, preferably of thin metal and of spring steel or the like, or any suitable alloy, comprises a main or body portion I, extending arms 2 and 3 perpendicular to the body portion I, and with openings or recesses 4-4 in the outer portions of the arms 2 and 3 to receive the tacks, rivets, or at taching means when united to the insole.

In the form shown in Fig. 1, a cookie supporting extension 5 is illustrated of suitable curvature to correspond with the type and style of insole to which the stiffener is to be attached. I may prefer tolighten the extension 5 by cut-outs G'6, although these are, of course, entirely optional but they can be made at the same time the shank stiffener is stamped out.

As shown in Fig. 3, an insole I0 with sewing rib 12 of usual type and construction for welt shoe work is provided with a cookie extension l4, and my novel shank stiffener is illustrated as fitted to this type of insole before the insole is applied to the last. For the purpose of combining the shank stiffener and insole, I cut a short slot at an appropriate position, as shown at I5, Figs. 3 and 5, underneath the sewing rib l2 thru which slot the arm of the shank stiffening element is fitted so that the body portion l is snugly in contact with the outer surface of the sewing rib i2. Rivets or other fastening means l6|6 are fitted thru the openings 4-4 in each arm and pass thru the body of the insole, as shown in Fig. 5, thus securing the arms 2 and 3 to the insole, where rivets are employed. These must be fitted before the insole is applied to the last, but if the stiffener is fitted after assembling on the last, then tacks can be utilized.

Referring to the form shown in Figs. 2 and 4, where no cookie extension is present, the body portion of my improved shank stiffener has arms 2| and 22 similar to those already described, with suitable openings thru the ends, as shown at 23-23, to receive the rivets 24 and attach the stiffener to the insole 25, as shown in Fig. 4. The insole of Fig. 4 is shown of the welt type and, therefore, with a sewing rib 26 and a slotted portion 21 underneath the rib for the forward arm 22 of the shank stiffener.

It will thus be appreciated that my novel type of shank stiffener and novel insole and stiffener attached thereto present, what I term, a yielding rigidity, because a shank stiffening feature is imparted by the U shaped type of stiffening element, and yet with the extending arms and with the interconnected body portion sufiicient yield is secured. Furthermore, I can obtain the advantages incident to permanently attaching each end of the shank stiffener, one at the heel portion, and the other at any predetermined part of the shank portion which may be deemed most advisable for the particular type, size, and style of shoe for which the insole is fitted to secure the best results. Thus, the stiffener can be shifted considerably, particularly where the type shown in Figs. 2 and 4 is employed, thus giving a range of adjustment for the stiffening action imparted by the riveting of the forward arm 22 to the point in the shank of the insole from which the yielding rigidity may be most effective.

The stiffener and combined insole and stiffener are easily, quickly, and economically made and attached and are particularly valuable and important as a cookie supporting element where such type of insole is used. 7

While I prefer to utilize thin metal, which can be readily and economically stamped from sheet material, I may also employ synthetic plastic or other proper stiffening material to carry out my invention.

I claim:

As an article of manufacture, a welt insole having a raised sewing rib extending along the marginal portion of the forepart and shank for- Wardly of the line of the heel breast, a metallic shank stiffening element rigidly secured to said insole at spaced positions in the longitudinal middle line of said insole, one position being in the middle portion of the heel seat rearwardly of the line of the heel breast, and the other secured position being at the forward part and longitudinal middle of the shank portion, said shank stiffening element being in substantial U-shaped form, having the ends of the arms of each U constituting the rigidly secured portions to the insole, the rearward arm secured to the heel seat part of the insole being rearwardly of the sewing rib and the forward arm extending thru one slot only under that part of the sewing rib adjacent the forward secured position, the remaining portion of the sewing rib being uncut, whereby a rigid shank stiffener is provided from the heel seat to the forward part of the shank portion of the insole independently of any other shank stiffening ele ment.

NATHAN ROSENTHAL.

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