Digitigrade Foot Support

[rollerboi]

Hey, guys.

I'm currently tossing around an idea for a costume that requires one foot to walk digitigrade (ie., on toes). In order to accomplish this, I need to figure out how to create a device to support my foot.

The idea is like a high-heeleed shoe without the heel support coming down.

I'm tossing around ideas such as a curved metal sole that braces under the toe, but not entirely sure how to make such. If any of you have seen anything similiar, or know of a good technique, I'd appreciate a tip. Or even just tossing around ideas of your own will help inspire me to find a solution.

Thanks so much.

 

[Phayze]

<div class='quotetop'>QUOTE(rollerboi @ Dec 18 2006, 11:48 AM) [snapback]1380388[/snapback]</div>

Hey, guys.

I'm currently tossing around an idea for a costume that requires one foot to walk digitigrade (ie., on toes)
[/b]

Not that this is terribly constructive, but that sounds like an ergomic nightmare. :eek

More to the point, though, do you mean something like those weird stilt-things used for satyr-type costumes? I can think of what they're called, but they simulate walking on hooved feet.

 

[Mxlplx]

Do a search for an item called a strength shoe, it should be close to what you are looking for.
It's a shoe with a platform under the forward part of your foot, and no heel. But take note, your calves are going to ache for days after you use these, so keep that in mind.

 

[rollerboi]

<div class='quotetop'>QUOTE(Phayze @ Dec 18 2006)</div>

Not that this is terribly constructive, but that sounds like an ergomic nightmare.
More to the point, though, do you mean something like those weird stilt-things used for satyr-type costumes? I can think of what they're called, but they simulate walking on hooved feet.
[/b]

Ergonomic nightmare? Most assuredly so, yes.

Do you mean drywall stilts? The problem I've got is that my other foot needs to be on the ground, and I can only raise that so much with platforms without ruining the look.

<div class='quotetop'>QUOTE(Mxlplx @ Dec 18 2006, 06:23 PM) [snapback]1380444[/snapback]</div>

Do a search for an item called a strength shoe, it should be close to what you are looking for.
It's a shoe with a platform under the forward part of your foot, and no heel. But take note, your calves are going to ache for days after you use these, so keep that in mind.
[/b]

Hmm, that's not quite it. The idea of shifting weight to the front of the foot is correct; however, with Strength Shoes, the foot remains horizontal.

For my project, I'm looking at bending my knee and pointing my foot as vertically as possible, to support my weight as I limp on that toe when I walk.

The best way to explain is probably just to show you what I'd like to do. I'm thinking to do the CGI character of Davy Jones, from Pirates. His one foot appears to be a crab leg that comes down into a point.

The only other thing I can thing of would be to lash my leg together and attach a prosthetic frame to the knee, but I fear that would be even less comfortable and de-stabilize me, putting my costume more at risk of injury.

Ideas?

 

[Mxlplx]

There was a guy named Pete on this board a while back, who did some incredible stuff. He did an alien out of plastic garbage cans, plastic this and that. He modified some ski boots that made him walk on nothing but a pole, it seemed like. I had pics of it somewhere in time, lord knows where they are now. I think it was Kre8fx or something. Pete could show us all a thing or 2, his stuff was amazing. The contraption he made was similar to your idea, I think. Hope this jars someones memory.

 

[quadmasta]

You could make something possibly out of acrylic or fiberglass that goes up the back of your calf and straps onto your lower leg and keeps your foot in that position. That way your calf wouldn't be ridiculously tired from walking on your toes since your leg would be supported in that shape.

 

[dropshipbob]

Perhaps something like this for a base?

My Webpage

 

[dkwd]

<div class='quotetop'>QUOTE(dropshipbob @ Dec 19 2006, 12:17 PM) [snapback]1381001[/snapback]</div>

Perhaps something like this for a base?

My Webpage
[/b]

I was thinking about those - but wouldn't that be too tall for his one leg?

David

 

[rollerboi]

<div class='quotetop'>QUOTE(dkwd @ Dec 20 2006, 12:01 AM) [snapback]1381193[/snapback]</div>

<div class='quotetop'>QUOTE(dropshipbob @ Dec 19 2006, 12:17 PM) [snapback]1381001[/snapback]

Perhaps something like this for a base?

My Webpage
[/b]

I was thinking about those - but wouldn't that be too tall for his one leg?

David
[/b][/quote]

Thanks, guys - this puts me on a good track. I can adapt the mechanics of the Poweriser and quite possibly get the effect I need.

 

[jackdoud]

I've been researching options for digitgrade legs off and on for a while now in hopes of pulling it off in a future costume. Here's the links I have at the moment:

These guys have made their own full-digitgrade leg harness but I don't think they sell them:
Lords of the Hoof

Depending on how big you're willing to go this site could work:
Springwalker

here's how to fake it with foam:
Foam Digitgrade

And then a few pic of how the pros have done it:

MIB's Mikey:

Farscape's Namtar:

 

[Phayze]

<div class='quotetop'>QUOTE(jackdoud @ Dec 20 2006, 05:40 PM) [snapback]1381815[/snapback]</div>

These guys have made their own full-digitgrade leg harness but I don't think they sell them:
Lords of the Hoof[/b]

That's what I was thinking of.. I remembered seeing something like that a long time ago, but couldn't remember where.

 

[jackdoud]

A friend of mine just sent this to me:

Digitgrade Leg Musculature

It's a page with fairly detailed drawings of what a digitgrade musculature could look like. It may give you some ideas on the stresses involved.