Integrated system for foot measurement, last and footwear manufacture

A system for integrated foot measurement and last manufacture comprising:

• a) foot sizing means for determining foot sizing data by empirically measuring a foot;
• b) data processing means logically coupled to the foot sizing means for receiving the foot sizing data from the foot sizing means, the data processing means including style selection means for selection by a footwear user of a desired style of footwear to be manufactured from the foot sizing data, the style selection means permitting selection by the footwear user of the desired style from a plurality of predetermined styles, the data processing means further including means for automatically selecting the plurality of predetermined styles from a larger style database, based upon the foot sizing data, the data processing means further including transmitting means for transmitting the foot sizing data and footwear style data to other system components;
• c) display means for displaying information related to the plurality of predetermined styles to permit selection of the desired style by the footwear user;
• and
• d) computer automated design means for receiving the foot sizing data and the footwear style data from the data processing means, the computer automated design means including means for deriving machine readable data from the received data for subsequent transmission to footwear last production machinery which utilizes the machine readable data in the manufacture of a footwear last.

A method for integrated foot measurement and last manufacture comprising the steps of:

• a) configuring a foot sizing mechanism to measure and size a foot and to provide foot sizing data for enabling proper fit of the measured foot with a predetermined footwear style, the foot sizing mechanism including a reference surface and first means for measuring a bottom of the foot to obtain pressure data corresponding to the amount of pressure exerted against a first plurality of points of the bottom of the foot by the reference surface, the pressure data being at least a portion of the foot sizing data, the foot sizing mechanism further including second means for measuring the bottom of the foot to obtain distance data corresponding to the distance from the reference surface of a second plurality of points of the bottom of the foot not exerting pressure against the reference surface, the distance data being a portion of the foot sizing data;
• b) measuring and sizing a foot with the foot sizing mechanism to obtain the foot sizing data;
• c) transferring electronically the foot sizing data from the foot sizing mechanism to an electronic data processor;
• d) providing the predetermined footwear style data to the electronic data processor;
• e) deriving machine readable footwear last production data for use by footwear last production machinery by processing the foot sizing data and the selected footwear style data with the electronic data processor;
• and
• f) inputting the machine readable footwear last production data into footwear last production machinery to manufacture a last suitable for making footwear for the measured and sized foot.

A custom footwear last manufactured according to the process of:

• a) configuring a foot sizing mechanism to measure and size a foot and to provide foot sizing data for enabling proper fit of the measured foot with a predetermined footwear style, the foot sizing mechanism including a reference surface and first means for measuring a bottom of the foot to obtain pressure data corresponding to the amount of pressure exerted against a first plurality of points of the bottom of the foot by the reference surface, the pressure data being at least a portion of the foot sizing data, the foot sizing means further including second means for measuring the bottom of the foot to obtain distance data corresponding to the distance from the reference surface of a second plurality of points of the bottom of the foot not exerting pressure against the reference surface, the distance data being a portion of the foot sizing data;
• b) measuring and sizing a foot with the foot sizing mechanism to obtain the foot sizing data;
• c) transferring electronically the foot sizing data from the foot sizing mechanism to an electronic data processor;
• d) providing the predetermined footwear style data to the electronic data processor;
• e) deriving machine readable footwear last production data for use by footwear last production machinery by processing the foot sizing data and the selected footwear style data with the electronic data processor;
• and
• f) inputting the machine readable footwear last production data into footwear last production machinery to manufacture a custom last for making custom footwear for the measured and sized foot.

A system for integrated foot measurement and last manufacture comprising:

• a) foot measuring means for measuring a foot and outputting foot sizing data of the foot;
• b) computer foot sizing means for determining a plurality of selected foot sizing parameters from the foot sizing data, wherein the computer foot sizing means includes means for determining:
• i) a foot length parameter;
• ii) a foot width parameter;
• iii) a foot arch-line parameter;
• and
• iv) a foot curvature parameter
• c) style means for inputting footwear style data corresponding to a desired footwear;
• d) computer automated design means for receiving the foot sizing parameters and the footwear style data, the computer automated design means including means for deriving machine readable data from the foot sizing parameters and the footwear style data, the machine readable data being in a form suitable for transmission to footwear last production machinery for manufacture of a footwear last useable to manufacture the desired footwear for the foot having the foot sizing parameters determined by the foot sizing means;
• and
• e) display means for visually displaying the foot sizing parameters.

A system for integrated foot measurement and last manufacture comprising:

• a) foot measuring means for measuring a foot and outputting foot sizing data of the foot, the foot measuring means including a reference surface and first means for measuring the foot to obtain pressure data corresponding to the relative pressures exerted by the foot against the reference surface when the foot is at least partially weighted, the pressure data being at least a portion of the foot sizing data, the foot measuring means including second means for measuring the foot to obtain distance data corresponding to the relative distances of the foot from the reference surface in portions of the foot not exerting pressure against the reference surface, the distance data being a portion of the foot sizing data;
• b) style means for inputting footwear style data corresponding to a desired footwear;
• and
• d) computer automated design means for receiving the foot sizing data and the footwear style data, the computer automated design means including means for deriving machine readable data from the received foot sizing data and the footwear style data, the machine readable data being in a form suitable for transmission to footwear last production machinery for manufacture of a footwear last useable to manufacture the desired footwear.