Customized article of footwear and method of conducting retail and internet business
DCFirst Claim
1. A method of conducting business including making and selling a custom article of footwear comprising the steps of:
- a) Collecting data relating to an individual'"'"'s preferences and the anatomical features and measurements of said individual'"'"'s foot;
b) Creating from said collected data information and intelligence for making said article of footwear for said individual;
c) Providing said information and intelligence to a physical location at which said article of footwear can be made;
Selecting from multiple footwear components sufficient components for making said custom article of footwear having an anterior side, a posterior side, a superior side, an inferior side, a medial side, a lateral side, a longitudinal axis, and a transverse axis, the components comprising an upper, a sole, at least one mechanical fastener, a superior spring element, and an inferior spring element, said superior spring element components each being capable of extending substantially between a posterior side and an anterior side of a selected upper and capable of being substantially positioned within said upper to secure said upper to a selected superior spring element, a selected inferior spring element being capable of being substantially positioned inferiorly and externally with respect to said selected upper, said selected inferior spring element being capable of being affixed in functional relation to said selected superior spring element and projecting rearward and downward therefrom forming a V-shape, said selected superior spring element, said selected inferior spring element, said selected upper, and said selected sole being capable of being removably secured in functional relation by said at least one selected mechanical fastener to assemble and make said custom article of footwear based upon said information and intelligence;
e) Placing said selected superior spring element within said selected upper and removably securing said selected superior spring element, said selected upper, said selected inferior spring element, and said selected sole in functional relation with said at least one selected mechanical fastener, and thereby completing the assembly and making of said custom article of footwear; and
, f) Causing said custom article of footwear to be delivered to a designated address.
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Abstract
The present application teaches a device and method for adjusting the width, girth, and foot shape of an article of footwear. Lasting boards having different configurations and alternate positions for selectively affixing various portions of an upper can be used to adjust and customize the fit of an article of footwear for an individual wearer. The lasting board can also comprise a spring element which can provide improved cushioning, stability, running economy, and a long service life. Unlike the conventional foam materials presently being used by the footwear industry, the spring element is not substantially subject to compression set degradation and can provide a relatively long service life. The components of the article of footwear including the upper, insole, lasting board and/or spring element, and sole including possible midsole and outsole portions can be selected from a range of options, and can be easily removed and replaced, as desired. Further, the relative configuration and functional relationship as between the forefoot, midfoot and rearfoot areas of the article of footwear can be readily modified and adjusted. Accordingly, the article of footwear can be customized by a wearer or specially configured for a select target population in order to optimize desired performance criteria. Moreover, the present invention teaches a novel method of manufacturing an article of footwear, and also, a novel way of doing both retail and Internet business.
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Citations
20 Claims
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1. A method of conducting business including making and selling a custom article of footwear comprising the steps of:
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a) Collecting data relating to an individual'"'"'s preferences and the anatomical features and measurements of said individual'"'"'s foot;
b) Creating from said collected data information and intelligence for making said article of footwear for said individual;
c) Providing said information and intelligence to a physical location at which said article of footwear can be made;
Selecting from multiple footwear components sufficient components for making said custom article of footwear having an anterior side, a posterior side, a superior side, an inferior side, a medial side, a lateral side, a longitudinal axis, and a transverse axis, the components comprising an upper, a sole, at least one mechanical fastener, a superior spring element, and an inferior spring element, said superior spring element components each being capable of extending substantially between a posterior side and an anterior side of a selected upper and capable of being substantially positioned within said upper to secure said upper to a selected superior spring element, a selected inferior spring element being capable of being substantially positioned inferiorly and externally with respect to said selected upper, said selected inferior spring element being capable of being affixed in functional relation to said selected superior spring element and projecting rearward and downward therefrom forming a V-shape, said selected superior spring element, said selected inferior spring element, said selected upper, and said selected sole being capable of being removably secured in functional relation by said at least one selected mechanical fastener to assemble and make said custom article of footwear based upon said information and intelligence;
e) Placing said selected superior spring element within said selected upper and removably securing said selected superior spring element, said selected upper, said selected inferior spring element, and said selected sole in functional relation with said at least one selected mechanical fastener, and thereby completing the assembly and making of said custom article of footwear; and
,f) Causing said custom article of footwear to be delivered to a designated address. - View Dependent Claims (2, 3, 4, 5, 6, 7, 8, 9, 10, 11, 12, 13, 14, 15, 16, 17, 18)
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19. A method of conducting business including making and selling a custom article of footwear comprising the steps of:
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a) Collecting data relating to an individual'"'"'s preferences and the anatomical features and measurements of said individual'"'"'s foot;
b) Creating information and intelligence for making said article of footwear for said individual;
c) Providing said information and intelligence to a physical location at which said article of footwear can be made;
d) Selecting a foot length size;
e) Selecting a three dimensional foot shape including width and girth dimensions;
f) Selecting a plurality of footwear components including an upper including closure means, an insole, a spring element, at least one mechanical fastener, and a sole including an anterior outsole element and a posterior outsole element which can be selectively removed and replaced using mechanical engagement means including said at least one mechanical fastener for assembling and making said article of footwear;
g) Removably securing said plurality of footwear components including said upper including closure means, said insole, said spring element, said at least one mechanical fastener, and said sole including said anterior outsole element and said posterior outsole element in functional relation with said mechanical engagement means including said at least one mechanical fastener, and completing the assembly and making of said article of footwear; and
,h) Causing said article of footwear to be delivered to a designated address.
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20. A method of conducting business including making and selling a custom article of footwear comprising the steps of:
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a) Collecting data relating to an individual'"'"'s preferences and the anatomical features and measurements of said individual'"'"'s foot;
b) Creating information and intelligence for making said article of footwear for said individual;
c) Providing said information and intelligence to a physical location at which said article of footwear can be made;
d) Providing a plurality of footwear components, and a plurality of variations of each footwear component, said footwear components comprising footwear uppers, footwear spring elements, at least one mechanical fastener and footwear soles which are capable of being assembled to form said custom article of footwear using said at least one mechanical fastener, and each of the components being selectively interchangeable and being removable and replaceable;
e) Selecting a plurality of footwear components from the provided sources including at least an upper, a spring element, at least one mechanical fastener, and a sole which can be selectively removed and replaced;
f) Removably securing said plurality of footwear components including said upper, said spring element, and said sole in functional relation with the at least one selected mechanical fastener, thereby making said custom article of footwear; and
g) Causing said custom article of footwear to be delivered
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Specification