Shoe and last

• US 6,698,050 B1
• Filed: 10/13/2000
• Issued: 03/02/2004
• Est. Priority Date: 01/30/1995
• Status: Expired due to Fees

• Current Assignee: Nancy C. Frye
• Original Assignee: Nancy C. Frye
• Inventors: Frye, Nancy C.
• Primary Examiner(s): PATTERSON, MARIE D
• Application Number:
  US09/688,308
• Time in Patent Office: 1,236 Days
• Field of Search: 36/88, 36/93, 121/28.R, 121/33.R, 121/35.R, 121/33.B, 121/28.E, 121/42.N, 121/42.RS
• US Class Current: 12/133.00R
• CPC Class Codes: A43B 13/143 provided with wedged, concave or convex end portions, e.g. for improving roll-off of the foot
• CPC Class Codes: A43B 13/148 Wedged end portions
• CPC Class Codes: A43B 3/163 specially adapted for health or hygienic purposes, e.g. comprising electrically conductive material allowing the discharge of electrostatic charges
• CPC Class Codes: A43B 3/18 Devices for holding overshoes in position
• CPC Class Codes: A43B 3/20 Heel-less overshoes
• CPC Class Codes: A43B 7/1425 situated under the ball of the foot, i.e. the joint between the first metatarsal and first phalange
• CPC Class Codes: A43B 7/1435 situated under the joint between the fifth phalange and the fifth metatarsal bone
• CPC Class Codes: A43B 7/1445 situated under the midfoot, i.e. the second, third or fourth metatarsal
• CPC Class Codes: A43B 7/145 situated under the toes, i.e. the phalanges
• CPC Class Codes: A43D 3/021 for orthopaedic footwear

Abstract

A footwear exercising device for use by a wearer in improving various aspects of the wearer'"'"'s physical condition, health and overall appearance. The footwear exercising device of the present invention includes a reverse wedge for wear below the sole of a wearer'"'"'s foot, and may be worn with a wide variety of fashion. Prolonged use of the device of the present invention has been shown to improve the tone of the muscle groups of a wearer'"'"'s body which have to do with the wearer'"'"'s posture. Prolonged use of the instant invention has also been shown to improve the blood circulation in a wearer'"'"'s legs and to strengthen significantly the muscles supporting a wearer'"'"'s knees. The design of the device is such that prolonged wear of the invention is neither strenuous nor taxing.

Claims

1. A last for defining a shape of a shoe, comprising:

a forefoot portion;

a cone portion rearward of the forefoot portion;

a heel portion rearward of the cone portion;

wherein the heel portion, the cone portion, and the forefoot portion place the last in a dorsiflexion position.

2. The last of claim 1, wherein an acute angle is formed between the forefoot portion and a plane extending orthogonally from the heel portion.

3. The last of claim 1, wherein the forefoot portion, the cone portion, and the heel portion are made of a material selected from the group consisting of plastic and wood.