Reprinted from the ACJ - September, 1997
"Hi! Are you the old lady who lives here?"
"Yes I am. You must be the structural engineer I called."
"That's right. The name's Jim. I understand you are interested in a structural integrity and suitability assessment on this dwelling."
"Yes please. This old shoe has been in the family for generations. I can't decide whether to move or just resole, polish, thread new laces, and stay here a couple of more years."
"Well, let me get my shoehorn and instep gauge and let's have a look. You know, most accidents occur in the shoe. There are 10,000 foot injuries each year. Stuff falling, things rolling over the toe box, puncture through the sole, that kind of thing are the most common. Does this shoe have a basement?"
"No, just a small crawl space between the heel and ball section."
ASSESS THE SOLE
Crawling down under, the engineer continued his assessment: "Bad wiring, non-rubber sole, a definite electric shock hazard. That's another common injury. The sole is bit worn and could be a slip hazard. I see several thin spots and a small hole or two. Absorption of moisture and chemicals are a danger in footwear in this condition, especially in an industrial neighborhood. With all these kids running around, it's important to choose the right footwear."
The old lady sighed. "There are so many children I just don't know what to do. Maybe something in a high top."
"That might be the best thing to do," the engineer continued. "Let me give you some pointers on protective footwear purchases. There are some shady shoe realtors out there. Normally these places come in pairs. Did you try on both shoes before you bought?"
"Yes. The left one is our vacation cottage in the Poconos. It's a little smaller than this one."
BUY FOR LARGER FOOT
"Yeah, that's common. You should always buy based on the larger foot or family. You know, sometimes your occupants swell as the day goes on, so always try on housing later in the day. And always with the same socks that you will be decorating with. I notice this shoe has a leather upper, and that's good. Structurally it's sound, and the steel shank will provide excellent support, although I would like to see a little more flexibility in the ball of the foot. An average day of the kids running around can add up to several hundred tons of force. That is a lot of wear and tear for work boots or those nice airy sandals you see along the beach."
Looking a little perplexed, the old lady asked, "But what if we decide to stay?"
METATARSAL CAP
"There are some things we can do to bring this old loafer up to code. I noticed a steel toe, so you are ahead of the game there. I would suggest reinforcing the lace area with a metatarsal cap. That way if something heavy drops out of the sky, nobody's bones get crunched."
"Inside here seems a little steamy, especially over in that little toe room. These hard leather floors don't absorb much impact, but there are hundreds of wall-to-wall insole inserts available that provide cushioning and absorb moisture. That will keep the kids free of that gym shoe smell. Resoling with a non-conductive material should eliminate the shock hazard."
"Now if deep water or corrosive materials are common in this area, you may want to move to a calf high, fully waterproof nitrile rubber or PVC shelter. One drawback to that type of housing is that it doesn't have the floor-to-ceiling pores that this leather job does, allowing a nice flow of air. In that waterproof place, you would have to camp out every once in awhile to allow them to dry out."
INSULATED BOOTS
"Are the winters harsh here? If so, I would suggest insulating. Thinsulate type liners or a new shoe with integral insulation would be a cozy place to spend the cold months. Hey! Is that kid supposed to be climbing up there on the bow?!"
"Oh my! Junior, get out of that eyelet and get down here. Don't jump, take the tongue like a civilized nursery rhyme character. OK, I'm sorry. Please go on."
"No problem. I'm almost done here. Ma'am, living in such cramped quarters, it is important that you train the kids in several areas. It's for their own safety as well as the upkeep of this old boot."
NEED FOR PROTECTION
"First, let them know of the dangers: falls, dropped objects, moisture, chemicals, punctures, and electricity. They should realize the need for protective housing. Although for less hazardous neighborhoods or areas that are dangerous only on occasion, the use of extra equipment such as overshoes or the metatarsal cap we spoke of earlier can be on an `as-needed' basis."
"But kids need discipline, so teach them the limitations of this dwelling. The steel toe over the bedrooms gives you a sense of security, and it should, but it won't be adequate if a 100-pound chunk of metal drops from the sky. So don't expect miracles from your boot."
"Eventually, the family is going to outgrow this split-level or it may just start falling apart. Whenever the sole leaks or the steel toe starts to shift, or perhaps the entire place gets soaked in chemicals, it's time to move. A good many safety footwear companies will bring a truck full of model homes right here for you to try on and assess."
"Remember though, the care and maintenance of a new pair of domiciles is up to the wearer. It's the feet of you and your kids that live here day in and day out. So teach them the ground rules and you won't have to whip them or send them to bed."
Whether you are going to market, or staying home, eating roast beef, or if you have none, at the end of the day we all go wee wee wee all the way home... Oops, I got a case of mixed rhymes there. Give me a foot and I'll take a mile. Must be the shoes.
The above article was written by David M. Brown, Chief Engineer of Johnson Manufacturing Company, Inc. and is published by JOHNSON with the expressed approval of the National Automotive Radiator Service Association and the Automotive Cooling Journal. Other reproduction or distribution of this information is forbidden without the written consent of JOHNSON and NARSA/ACJ. All rights reserved.
JOHNSON MANUFACTURING COMPANY
114 Lost Grove Road / PO Box 96 / Princeton, Iowa 52768-0096
Phone 563-289-5123 or Fax 563-289-3825