Customized article of footwear and method of conducting retail and internet business

• US 6,601,042 B1
• Filed: 05/17/2000
• Issued: 07/29/2003
• Est. Priority Date: 03/10/2000
• Status: Expired due to Fees

• Current Assignee: Adidas AG
• Original Assignee: Robert M. Lyden
• Inventors: Lyden, Robert M.
• Primary Examiner(s): Coggins, Wynn W.
• Assistant Examiner(s): Garg, Yogesh C.
• Application Number:
  US09/573,121
• Time in Patent Office: 1,168 Days
• Field of Search: 705/26, 705/28, 705/27, 705/1, 36/1, 36/27, 36/38, 36/28, 36/78
• US Class Current: 705/26.5
• CPC Class Codes: A43B 1/0081 made at least partially of hook-and-loop type material hook and loop-type straps for fastening purpose A43C11/1493
• CPC Class Codes: A43B 13/183 Leaf springs
• CPC Class Codes: A43B 13/184 the structure protruding from the outsole
• CPC Class Codes: A43B 13/36 Easily-exchangeable soles protecting-soles A43C13/12
• CPC Class Codes: A43B 3/128 characterised by the sole
• CPC Class Codes: A43B 7/22 with fixed flat-foot insertions, metatarsal supports, ankle flaps or the like
• CPC Class Codes: A43D 11/006 Devices for temporarily fixing or aligning insoles on lasts
• CPC Class Codes: G06Q 10/00 Administration; Management
• CPC Class Codes: G06Q 30/0621 Item configuration or customization

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.

Claims

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

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f) Causing said custom article of footwear to be delivered to a designated address.

2. The method of conducting business including making and selling a custom article of footwear according to claim 1, wherein said selected superior spring element extends substantially completely between said posterior side and said anterior side of said selected upper, and said superior spring element further comprises an anterior spring element and a posterior spring element affixed in functional relation.

3. The method of conducting business including making and selling a custom article of footwear according to claim 2, wherein said selected inferior spring element is substantially positioned within 50 percent of the length between said posterior side and said anterior side of said custom article of footwear, and said selected inferior spring element is affixed in functional relation to said posterior spring element.

4. The method of conducting business including making and selling a custom article of footwear according to claim 2, wherein said selected anterior spring element further comprises two portions that are substantially positioned in an overlapping relationship.

5. The method of conducting business including making and selling a custom article of footwear according to claim 2, wherein said selected anterior spring element is curved and said selected anterior spring element further comprises at least one notch for creating at least one line of flexion.

6. The method of conducting business including making and selling a custom article of footwear according to claim 1, wherein said selected inferior spring element further comprises a flexural axis deviated from said transverse axis.

7. The method of conducting business including making and selling a custom article of footwear according to claim 6, wherein said flexural axis is deviated from said transverse axis in the range between 10 and 50 degrees, and posterior of said flexural axis the posterior to anterior lengths of said selected superior spring element and said selected inferior spring element are less on said medial side than on said lateral side, and the posteriormost position of said flexural axis on said medial side is in the range between 1-3 inches from said posterior side of said upper.

8. The method of conducting business including making and selling a custom article of footwear according to claim 6, wherein said selected inferior spring element comprises greater concavity downwards adjacent said flexural axis on said medial side than on said lateral side.

9. The method of conducting business including making and selling a custom article of footwear according to claim 1, said custom article of footwear further comprising a posterior spacer.

10. The method of conducting business including making and selling a custom article of footwear according to claim 1, wherein said selected spring element comprises a fiber composite material which is capable of storing and returning at least 70 percent of the mechanical energy imparted thereto.

11. The method of conducting business including making and selling a custom article of footwear according to claim 1, wherein said selected superior spring element comprises a thickness in the range between 1.0 and 4.0 mm, and said selected inferior spring element comprises a thickness in the range between 2.0 and 4.0 mm.

12. The method of conducting business including making and selling a custom article of footwear according to claim 1, wherein said selected inferior spring element comprises maximum separation from said selected superior spring element at a position anterior of the posterior side of said selected inferior spring element, and said selected inferior spring element curves upwards between the position of maximum separation and said posterior side of said selected inferior spring element.

13. The method of conducting business including making and selling a custom article of footwear according to claim 1, and providing said selected sole with a backing, an outsole, an anterior outsole element, and a posterior outsole element, and affixing said anterior outsole element in functional relation to said superior spring element, and said posterior outsole element in functional relation to said inferior spring element.

14. The method of conducting business including making and selling a custom article of footwear according to claim 1, wherein said selected superior spring element further comprises a heel counter.

15. The method of conducting business including making and selling a custom article of footwear according to claim 1, further comprising providing said selected upper with a plurality of openings on the inferior side of said upper for selectively adjusting said width and girth dimensions at a plurality of positions.

16. The method of conducting business including making and selling a custom article of footwear according to claim 1, wherein said information and intelligence is provided to said physical location comprising a retail store and thereafter completing the assembly and making of said custom article of footwear within five minutes, and said step of causing delivery of said custom article of footwear comprises delivery directly to said individual.

17. The method of conducting business including making and selling a custom article of footwear according to claim 1, wherein said collecting step comprises transmitting the collected data by electronic means to a remote physical location, and completing steps e and f within a selected number of working days.

18. The method of conducting business including making and selling a custom article of footwear according to claim 17, wherein the transmitting step comprises transmitting the collected data over a global communication network, and steps e and f are completed within one working day.

19. 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 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

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h) Causing said article of footwear to be delivered to a designated address.

20. 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 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