Lasts Patents (Class 12/133R)
  • Patent number: 6092250
    Abstract: Disclosed is a shoe making system and a method of manufacturing a shoe, in which the work of fastening an inner sole to a wooden mold can be done easily and speedily. In the method, metal plates 23 and 24 having a magnetic absorption property are stuck to an inner sole 21 to form a magnetic absorption portion. On the other hand, magnets 33 and 34 are buried at positions corresponding to the metal plates 23 and 24 in a bottom portion of a wooden mold 31. The metal plates 23 and 24 are attached to the magnets 33 and 34 buried in the wooden mold 31, so that the inner sole 21 is fastened to the wooden mold 31. After the inner sole 21 is fastened to the wooden mold 31, the wooden mold 31 is covered with a shoe upper, and the shoe upper and the inner sole are joined by joins.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: November 4, 1998
    Date of Patent: July 25, 2000
    Inventor: Masanobu Furuhashi
  • Patent number: 6000081
    Abstract: A method of manufacturing a last for a first article of footwear. The last comprising a cast shaped and dimensioned to customize, in use, one end of the first article of footwear for one end of an individual's foot, and an end piece adapted to engage, in use, the opposite end of the first article of footwear. The method comprising the steps of customizing the cast and fixing the cast.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: February 18, 1998
    Date of Patent: December 14, 1999
    Inventor: James Sheridan
  • Patent number: 5909719
    Abstract: A shoe last and method for forming a shoe which is particularly constructed to be worn with and matingly interface with a wearer's custom-shaped sock. The shoe last includes a body having a backpart and a forepart connected to the backpart and extending forwardly therefrom. The last has a last bottom portion for abuttingly contacting and interfacing with a sole of a shoe. The last bottom portion has a bottom shape corresponding to the bottom shape of a custom-shaped sock when positioned on the foot of a wearer. The sole of a shoe formed from the last has a custom-contoured shape corresponding to and substantially mating with an overlying custom-shaped sock when positioned therein.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: December 3, 1997
    Date of Patent: June 8, 1999
    Assignee: James L. Throneburg
    Inventors: James L. Throneburg, James G. McLelland, Victor J. Gallenstein, Leon E. Kelley, Douglas H. Richie
  • Patent number: 5881413
    Abstract: A shoe last and method for forming a shoe which is particularly constructed to be worn with and matingly interface with a wearer's custom-shaped sock. The shoe last includes a body having a backpart and a forepart connected to the backpart and extending forwardly therefrom. The last has a last bottom portion for abuttingly contacting and interfacing with a sole of a shoe. The last bottom portion has a bottom shape corresponding to the bottom shape of a custom-shaped sock when positioned on the foot of a wearer. The sole of a shoe formed from the last has a custom-contoured shape corresponding to and substantially mating with an overlying custom-shaped sock when positioned therein.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: June 28, 1996
    Date of Patent: March 16, 1999
    Assignee: James L. Throneburg
    Inventors: James L. Throneburg, James G. McLelland, Victor J. Gallenstein, Leon E. Kelley, Douglas H. Richie
  • Patent number: 5862555
    Abstract: Disclosed is a shoe making system and a method of manufacturing a shoe, in which the work of fastening an inner sole to a wooden mold can be done easily and speedily. In the method, metal plates 23 and 24 having a magnetic absorption property are stuck to an inner sole 21 to form a magnetic absorption portion. On the other hand, magnets 33 and 34 are buried at positions corresponding to the metal plates 23 and 24 in a bottom portion of a wooden mold 31. The metal plates 23 and 24 are attached to the magnets 33 and 34 buried in the wooden mold 31, so that the inner sole 21 is fastened to the wooden mold 31. After the inner sole 21 is fastened to the wooden mold 31, the wooden mold 31 is covered with a shoe upper, and the shoe upper and the inner sole are joined by joins.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: January 30, 1997
    Date of Patent: January 26, 1999
    Inventor: Masanobu Furuhashi
  • Patent number: 5661864
    Abstract: An improved last, and article of footwear derived therefrom, for providing improved function, fit, and comfort for use in various athletic activities, and in particular for running. The last has dimensions defined by a plurality of cross-sectional contours extending from proximate a proximal end of the heel portion to proximate a distal end of the forefoot portion. The last dimensions are in accordance with or proportional to the plurality of cross-sectional contours shown in FIGS. 13-97. The last is characterized by a natural shape to the top of the cone or island and an enlarged toe box.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: March 10, 1995
    Date of Patent: September 2, 1997
    Assignee: Nike, Inc.
    Inventors: Gordon A. Valiant, Stephen Michael Vincent, Perry W. Auger
  • Patent number: 5607756
    Abstract: A foot correction method comprises the steps of raising a plantar arch (15) and applying a pressure on either side of a foot (13) to thereby maintain a configuration of a longitudinal arch and a transversal arch of the foot (13) so as to prevent and correct a spraying phenomenon of the foot (13). A splint (11, 23) for practicing the method comprises shape memory alloy wires preferably in the form of either woven fabric, such as a mesh (17), or a nonwoven fabric plate. The shape memory alloy wires preferably consists of a Ti-Ni series alloy exhibiting superelasticity at a normal or used temperature.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: April 27, 1995
    Date of Patent: March 4, 1997
    Assignee: Tokin Corporation
    Inventors: Kiyoshi Yamauchi, Hiroyuki Yoshida, Atsushi Kita
  • Patent number: 5231723
    Abstract: A last having an outer footwear shaping surface is provided wherein the outer footwear shaping surface is constructed and arranged to have a foot length component corresponding to the length measurement of the foot, a width component corresponding to the width line, and curvature angles corresponding to the curvature angles of the foot. An arch-line component, a heel width component, and a foot volume component may also be provided to correspond with the foot.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: February 24, 1992
    Date of Patent: August 3, 1993
    Assignee: Foot Image Technology, Inc.
    Inventors: Jay P. White, Margaret J. Kolb
  • Patent number: 5228164
    Abstract: A kit for use in preparing a last, i.e., an anatomical model of the human foot for use in the contruction of custom footwear, as well as a method of preparing lasts, the lasts prepared by such a method, and the custom footwear constructed by the use of such lasts. The kit includes a hardenable, shell-forming fabric that can be conformed to the shape of the foot, hardened in its conformed shape, and removed from the foot in a manner that does not substantially destroy its conformed shape. The resultant shell, being sufficiently smooth and being of substantially the same size and shape as the foot, can be used directly as a positive model of the foot.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: August 10, 1990
    Date of Patent: July 20, 1993
    Assignee: Minnesota Mining and Manufacturing Company
    Inventors: Peter M. Graf, Richard M. Stess, Dennis C. Bartizal, Timothy C. Sandvig
  • Patent number: 5152025
    Abstract: A method and injection mold assembly for making open-heeled shoes as disclosed. A lasting string is wrap-stitched around the lower peripheral border of an upper having an open heel, and the wrap-stitching is reinforced. The upper is aligned upon a last and the lasting string is tightened such that the upper fits tightly on the last. Preferably, a teflon edge projects out from the last in a location corresponding to the superior edge of the sole in the open heeled area to protect against leakage during injection molding.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: May 18, 1989
    Date of Patent: October 6, 1992
    Inventor: Sergio Hirmas
  • Patent number: 5054147
    Abstract: A fabrication last (10) for shoe manufacture on a computer-controlled transfer line comprises a toe part (11) and a heel part (12) which are displaceable relative to one another. The two last parts (11, 12) are held together by means of a lock (20). The latter comprises a flat metal part (21), which is fixed in one of the last parts (12) by means of screws (29), and an elongated hole (22) which extends between the two last parts (11, 12) substantially parallel to the sectional area (13). A stepped bore hole (14), in which a fork (23) is guided, is provided in the other last part (11). This fork (23) comprises a fork head (23.1) whose two sides overlap the flat metal part (21). A transverse pin (24) which engages through the elongated hole (22) and in this way holds together the two last parts (11, 12) is supported in the fork head (23.1). A two-piece receiving plate (30.1, 30.2) serves to fix the last (10) at the work stations of the transfer system.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: January 23, 1990
    Date of Patent: October 8, 1991
    Inventor: Gerhard Motsch
  • Patent number: 5018233
    Abstract: The last for making boots and shoes comprises a main body portion (1) and a detachable toe portion (2). The two are held together during lasting by means of a peg (3) engaging in a hole (4) in the toe portion. When the last is to be removed from the shoe, only the main body portion (1) is removed, the toe portion (2) remaining in place. This enables shoes of complex toe shapes to be made.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: June 29, 1989
    Date of Patent: May 28, 1991
    Assignee: Geo. J. Cox Ltd.
    Inventors: Adam P. M. Waterfield, Norman R. Waterfield, David A. Chapman, Thomas K. Andrews, Brian Humphrey
  • Patent number: 4817305
    Abstract: The last for a shoe shaft includes a groove which, in cross section, has a generally T-shaped configuration, a profile band mounted in the groove and which, in cross section, also has a generally T-shaped configuration, and a plurality of springs for biasing the profile band such that a stem part thereof is biased towards the mouth of the groove where the inlet portion thereof opens onto the surface of said last, the stem part contacting the shoe shaft opposite where the sealing edges of cooperable lateral mold parts will contact the shoe shaft when molding a sole to the shoe shaft. As a result, sole material is prevented from extruding past the sealing edges of the lateral mold parts onto the upper part of the shoe shaft.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: November 27, 1987
    Date of Patent: April 4, 1989
    Assignee: Klockner Ferromatik Desma GmbH
    Inventor: Walter Wetzel
  • Patent number: 4741062
    Abstract: A last has an insert shaped to fit within a shoe during its manufacture and a stem fixed on the insert, projecting along an axis from the insert, and formed with radially oppositely projecting front and rear protrusions. A gripper has front and rear jaws formed with respective recesses complementarily engageable with the protrusions so it can accurately hold and position the shoe and last. The protrusions and recesses are formed substantially entirely of planar surfaces, although they can be complementarily rounded, for instance part-spherical. The stem has a radially directed flat provided with indicia and the gripper is provided with a scanner juxtaposable with the flat for reading the indicia. A stationary card on the flat carries the indicia.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: October 10, 1986
    Date of Patent: May 3, 1988
    Inventors: Roger Blanc, Jean Kessler
  • Patent number: 4601078
    Abstract: A machine is disclosed for assembling box sole footwear semiautomatically. The machine provides for carrying out a number of operations through a completely new method of footwear assembly, thus affording significant labor savings and low investment costs. Specifically, this machine for semiautomatically assembling footwear having so-called box soles comprises, in essence, a former provided, at the sides, with a plurality of perforations connected to a suction pump and mounted on an arm adapted for pivotal movement about a horizontal axis. The machine further comprises a rubber plate and members cooperating with it which are adapted to press the sole edge against the sides of the former.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: April 19, 1984
    Date of Patent: July 22, 1986
    Inventor: Costantino Bertolaja
  • Patent number: 4523346
    Abstract: The disclosure relates to the manufacture of footwear with direct molded elastomeric soles wherein the last is built up in the center region to provide a sole which appears thick externally, yet is thin and relatively lightweight in its center region. The last includes grooves over the region of the stitches securing the upper to the welt to seal and waterproof the footwear in the region of the stitches by permitting the sole material, when molding takes place, to flow over the stitches.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: August 11, 1983
    Date of Patent: June 18, 1985
    Assignee: Ro-Search, Incorporated (Ro-Search)
    Inventors: Horace Auberry, Anton Liebscher, Sven Oberg
  • Patent number: 4523345
    Abstract: A last structure includes a main body portion and a plurality of toe portions selectively joinable thereto. A plurality of interchangeable intermediate members are adapted to be selectively connected between the main body portion and a selected toe portion, thereby to adjust the last structure to various heel heights of shoes to be formed thereon. Each intermediate member has a rear surface to abut a complementary forward surface of the main body portion and a forward surface to abut a complementary rear surface of the selected toe portion. The rear and forward surfaces of each intermediate member extend at a relative orientation different from that of other intermediate members. A respective intermediate member is connected between the main body portion and the selected toe portion by a structure to accommodate changes of orientation.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: October 7, 1983
    Date of Patent: June 18, 1985
    Assignee: Ingenieria del Calzado, S.A. (I.C.A.S.A.)
    Inventor: Fernando Orea Mateo
  • Patent number: 4412364
    Abstract: A process for the normalized manufacture of shoes includes defining the measurements of the sole of a last, to determine the transverse contour thereof, by defining an axis transverse to the length of the sole at a position spaced one third of the length from the sole front. Four zones determined by three transverse lines equally spaced at a distance of 1/12 the length are defined forwardly of the transverse axis. The contour of the sole is determined along such lines to be flat at the line nearest to the front, to have an arch height of 1/120 the length at the following line and to have an arch height of 1/96 the length of the last line. Seven transverse lines, equally spaced at a distance 1/12 the length are defined rearwardly of the transverse axis. The contour of the sole is determined by the most forward such line to have an arch height of 1/96 the length, and to have at the remaining such lines arch heights of 1/60 the length.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: March 10, 1981
    Date of Patent: November 1, 1983
    Inventor: Fernando Orea Mateo
  • Patent number: 4286348
    Abstract: A conventional shoe last is provided with an adapter assembly to facilitate lasting of boots and/or other ankle-covering malleoli circumventing footwear. The assembly includes an upward extension that has medially, laterally adjustable medial and lateral portions, each preferably with an adjustable cup-forming member, and each with a skirt for filling in around the thinner top backpart of the conventional shoe last. The V-notch of the conventional shoe last is provided with an adjustable cone portion that at least partially covers the cone portion of the shoe last in order to provide the close fit needed for active wear boots.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: September 5, 1979
    Date of Patent: September 1, 1981
    Inventor: Thomas P. White, Sr.
  • Patent number: 3983204
    Abstract: A recessed last, and a method of using same in lasting an upper and insole and molding a sole thereto, including inserting an insole in the recess of the last and retaining the insole in position during molding by the edges of the lasted upper.The foregoing abstract is not to be taken either as a complete exposition or as a limitation of the present invention, and in order to understand the full nature and extent of the technical disclosure of this application, reference must be had to the following detailed description and the accompanying drawings as well as to the claims.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: July 14, 1971
    Date of Patent: September 28, 1976
    Assignee: Uniroyal, Inc.
    Inventors: Jerome L. Opinsky, Ralph D. Stewart