A measurement device that allows all users to conveniently and discreetly determine appropriate general footwear measurements at any age is disclosed. The device may include a housing having a contact edge configured to receive the heel or a first side edge of the user's foot, a retractable tape configured to extend outwardly from the housing, and a toe flange proximate the distal end of the retractable tape that is configured to receive the toe or a second side edge of the user's foot. The retractable tape may have indicia of barleycorn units of measurement that can be easily be used to determine footwear sizes (length and width) in English speaking countries.

A measurement device that allows all users to conveniently and discreetly determine appropriate general footwear measurements at any age is disclosed. The device may include a housing having a contact edge configured to receive the heel or a first side edge of the user's foot, a retractable tape configured to extend outwardly from the housing, and a toe flange proximate the distal end of the retractable tape that is configured to receive the toe or a second side edge of the user's foot. The retractable tape may have indicia of barleycorn units of measurement that can be easily be used to determine footwear sizes (length and width) in English speaking countries.

A method of method of manufacturing customized inserts for a boot, such as a skate boot, that is at least partially thermoformable includes receiving numerical data corresponding to a tridimensional shape of a wearer’s foot, and manufacturing a medial side insert and a lateral side insert based on the tridimensional shape of the wearer’s foot. The medial side insert and the lateral side insert are shaped to be insertable into the boot with a core that is dimensioned to generally correspond to a foot size of the boot, with a medial internal surface of the medial side insert and a lateral internal surface of the lateral side insert abutting respective outer surfaces of the core.

An apparatus comprised of a plurality of engagement structures independently movable along a longitudinal axis to initially engage a mid-foot region of a foot is described. A center structure or a first set of engagement structures engage the foot in a mid-foot region, and one or more peripheral engagement structures engage the plantar surface in regions surrounding the mid-foot region independent from the structure(s) engaging the mid-foot region. Positional information about the engagement structures is obtained, and a surface map from the positional information is constructed, to determine a profile or contour for an orthotic device in which the foot is in a restored bone state.

An apparatus comprised of a plurality of engagement structures independently movable along a longitudinal axis to initially engage a mid-foot region of a foot is described. A center structure or a first set of engagement structures engage the foot in a mid-foot region, and one or more peripheral engagement structures engage the plantar surface in regions surrounding the mid-foot region independent from the structure(s) engaging the mid-foot region. Positional information about the engagement structures is obtained, and a surface map from the positional information is constructed, to determine a profile or contour for an orthotic device in which the foot is in a restored bone state.

Various articles, such as footwear, apparel, athletic equipment, watchbands, and the like, and methods of forming those articles are presented. The articles are generally formed, in whole or in part, using rapid manufacturing techniques, such as laser sintering, stereolithography, solid deposition modeling, and the like. The use of rapid manufacturing allows for relatively economical and time efficient manufacture of customized articles. The articles may include one or more reinforcements configured to provide added durability to various regions of the articles. In addition, the articles may be formed from two or more materials in a single rapid manufacturing process. The rapid manufacturing additive fabrication technique may also include using of varying intensities of the laser to fuse material to form the articles.

The invention relates to devices and methods for designing and manufacturing customized footwear, and components thereof. An example method includes a method of designing at least a portion of a sole of an article of footwear customized for a user. The method includes the steps of determining at least one input parameter related to a user, analyzing the at least one input parameter to determine at least one performance metric of a foot of the user, and determining at least one customized structural characteristic of at least a portion of a sole of an article of footwear for the user based on the performance metric.

The invention relates to devices and methods for designing and manufacturing customized footwear, and components thereof. An example method includes a method of designing at least a portion of a sole of an article of footwear customized for a user. The method includes the steps of determining at least one input parameter related to a user, analyzing the at least one input parameter to determine at least one performance metric of a foot of the user, and determining at least one customized structural characteristic of at least a portion of a sole of an article of footwear for the user based on the performance metric.

A method and corresponding apparatus is disclosed for generating a digital last for the manufacture of a shoe for a person. The method comprises obtaining a predefined digital last, the predefined digital last comprising an axis relating to the shape of the last; obtaining data of a foot of the person; and modifying the obtained predefined digital last based on the obtained data, wherein modifying comprises at least one of translation and rotation of the axis.

A method and corresponding apparatus is disclosed for generating a digital last for the manufacture of a shoe for a person. The method comprises obtaining a predefined digital last, the predefined digital last comprising an axis relating to the shape of the last; obtaining data of a foot of the person; and modifying the obtained predefined digital last based on the obtained data, wherein modifying comprises at least one of translation and rotation of the axis.