US1971108A - Shoe last - Google Patents

Description

Au .21-, 1934. -.1,971,1os

SHOE LAST Filed Aug. 5, I 1931 Vflhakn RH. Harow IINVENTOR.

" iLmP g n I Patented Aug. 21, 1934 UNITED STATES PATENT OFFICE SHOE LAST Wilhelm F. K. Karow, Jackson, Miss.

Application August 5, 1931, Serial No. 555,189

2 Claims. (01. 12-133) This invention relates to shoe lasts and shoe manufacturing.

One object of the invention is to provide a device of this character which is perfectly form fit- 5 ting to the human foot.

Another object of the invention is to provide a device of this character providing for a shoe sole structure conforming to the exact contour of the sole of the human foot.

Another object of my invention is to provide a device of this character adapted to mold a shoe structure which by its natural embodiment is an arch support.

. Still another further object of the invention is to provide a device of this character which is a form for a perfect shoe heel structure.

A still further object of my invention is to provide a device of this character adapted to mold a shoe forming a perfect fit to the human. foot, and

thereby preventing a misfitting of shoes to the foo Still other objects of the invention will be disclosed upon reading'the specifications in connection with the accompanying drawing.

In the drawing.

Figure 1 is a side view of the device modeled for the right foot.

Figure 2 is a bottom view thereof.

Figure 3 is a front cross sectional view thereof so taken on the line 3-3 in Figure 2.

Figure 4 is a rear view thereof.

Following the drawing, in detail the last 1 is of ordinary structure having a base or sole 2. The last shown is for the right foot, and has the outer contour line of the sole 2 shaped in a straight line 3 from the side of the heel 5 to the point 5a which is at the predetermined position of the little toe of the foot and past'the outer terminus of the usual break line, thus following the exact 0 line of the foot to the little toe, the sole 1 then inclines inward to a natural point shown in Figure 2.

The Figure 2 in the drawing shows the inner contour line of the sole 2 of the last 1 extending 4 ins normal manner from the toe in a rearward direction to the point 841 which indicates the inner terminus of the usual break line of a foot and then extending inwardly approximately along said break line fora distance substantially Wt; the median line of said last 1'. In the drawing,

surface when the foot is flat thereon. It is to be understood, of course, that in the adaptation of my invention to an abnormal foot, the width of the sole 2 at 2a may vary somewhat and may be more than one-third and less than one-half the 50 width of the last. From this point 2a the inner contour line extends rearwardlyin a gradual outward curve to the inner terminus of the breast line of the last. From the breast line rearwardly to the heel end of the last, the inner contour line is extended in a normal manner. The inner side X of the last 1 is cut away to 4, following the natural contour of the human instep to a juncture with the inner edge of the soleof the last. 1

The last 1 follows rearwardly a practically straight line to either side of the heel at 5 and 6, sloping slightly inwardly and then following a straight line up from 6 to 7, to the top 9 of the last and having a decided curve inwardly at 8 from the side 5 to the top of the last 9, thus following the exact contour of the human heel.

It is thus to be seen that the last which I have invented is modeled on the exact contour of the human foot; and, that the sole of a shoe modeled on this last will follow the exact contour of the 90 surface engaging portion of a human foot. It will also be apparent that the portion of the upper of such a shoe which is attached to the inner side of the narrow shank of the sole will snugly embrace the instep and positively support the same, yet allowing freedom of action. It is thus apparent that the use of built in inflexible arch supports, or inflexible arch supports of any kind.is unnecessary in a shoe constructed on my last, as the upper itself provides a flexible support for the arched instep. A shoe constructed on-this last also follows the exact contour of the heel of the foot, and acts as a brace in support for the foot within the shoe. Thus, it is apparent that in fitting a shoe built on this last, to the foot, a perfeet flt must necessarily be accomplished, otherwise the break line of the shoe will not be correctly placed with respect to the foot and the shoe will not be wearable.

It is to be of course understood that while I have l 1 shown and described one form of my invention, various alterations and changes may be made init without departing from the spirit thereof,

7 and that I do not wish to be restricted to the predefined by a usual break line, and an intermediate shank portion, the outer contour line of said heel,

shank, and the rear part of said ball portion being in a substantially straight line, and the inner contour line 01' said shank extending inwardly approximately along said break line for a substantial distance past the median line of the last and then being gradually curved outwardly to the breast line.

WILHELM F. K. KAROW.

Images