A LAST FOR FOOTWEAR MANUFACTURING

Abstract

A last for footwear production. The last includes: a last body and a heel body part. The heel body part is configured to be movable in relation to the last body part. The last further includes a forefoot body part configured to be movable in relation to the last body. The heel body part and/or the forefoot body part is/are configured to be movable in relation to the last body by at least one coupling arrangement. The at least one coupling arrangement is configured such that the heel body part and the forefoot body part are at least partly movable towards each other.

Claims

1. A last for footwear production, wherein the last comprises: a last body, and a heel body part, wherein said heel body part is configured to be movable in relation to the last body, and wherein the last further comprises a forefoot body part, said forefoot body part being configured to be movable in relation to the last body, wherein said heel body part and/or said forefoot body part is/are configured to be movable in relation to the last body by at least one coupling arrangement, wherein said at least one coupling arrangement is configured such that said heel body part and said forefoot body part are at least partly movable towards each other.

2. The last according to claim 1, wherein the last comprises an open position and an operational position.

3. The last according to claim 2, wherein said heel body part in said open position of the last has been moved at least partly towards a toe end of the last and wherein said forefoot body part has been moved at least partly towards a heel end of the last.

4. The last according to claim 1, wherein the last further comprises a lower surface, wherein the lower surface has a toe end and a heel end, wherein the lower surface has a length (TL) between the toe end and the heel end, and wherein a length (TL2) of the lower surface in open position is shorter than the length (TL) of the lower surface in operational position.

5. The last according to claim 4, wherein the length (TL2) of the lower surface in open position is between 2-10% shorter than the length (TL) of the lower surface in operational position.

6. The last according to claim 4, wherein the length (TL2) of the lower surface in open position is at least 4% shorter than the length (TL) of the lower surface in operational position.

7. The last according to claim 4, wherein said forefoot body part in an open position of the last is inclined by an angle (a) in relation to said lower surface, wherein said angle is at least 5?.

8. (canceled)

9. The last according to claim 4, wherein said forefoot body part has a length (TLF) from the toe end and in a direction along the lower surface, which is at least 10% of the length of the lower surface in operational position.

10. The last according to claim 1, wherein said last has a girth measurement at a high instep position (D) that in an open position is less than or equal to the girth measurement at the high instep position (D) in closed position of the last.

11. The last according to claim 1, wherein said last has a girth measurement from back of heel to instep (H) that in an open position is less than the girth measurement from back of heel to instep (H) in closed position of the last.

12. (canceled)

13. The last according to claim 1, wherein the coupling arrangement comprises a linked bar mechanism including: a heel bar and a forefoot bar, which are each pivotably attached to the last body at an intermediate position and mutually linked at one end of the heel bar and the forefoot bar, respectively, and where the other end of the heel bar and the forefoot bar, respectively, is linked to the heel body part and the forefoot body part, respectively.

14.-15. (canceled)

16. The last according to claim 11, wherein said forefoot bar is arranged in an open position of the last to be inclined in an angle (b) in relation to said lower surface, wherein said angle is at least 10?.

17. (canceled)

18. The last according to claim 1, wherein said last is configured for independent movement of said forefoot body part or said heel body part.

19. (canceled)

20. The last according to claim 1, wherein said last comprises a decoupling arrangement for decoupling movements of said heel body part and said forefoot body part.

21. (canceled)

22. A method for manufacturing a footwear, the method comprising steps of: providing a last for footwear production, said last comprising a last body and a heel body part, wherein said heel body part is configured to be movable in relation to the last body, and wherein the last further comprises a forefoot body part, said forefoot body part being configured to be movable in relation to the last body, wherein said heel body part and/or said forefoot body part is/are configured to be movable in relation to the last body by at least one coupling arrangement, wherein said at least one coupling arrangement is configured such that said heel body part and said forefoot body part are at least partly movable towards each other; moving at least one of said heel body part and said forefoot body part in relation to said last body from an operational position of the last, applying a footwear upper to the last, returning said at least one of said heel body part and said forefoot body part to bring the last to an operational position.

23. The method for manufacturing the footwear according to claim 22, wherein said method further comprises a step of activating at least one coupling arrangement for moving said heel body part and said forefoot body part in relation to said last body from an operational position of the last.

24. The method for manufacturing the footwear according to claim 22, wherein said method further comprises a step of deactivating the at least one coupling arrangement for returning said heel body part and said forefoot body part to bring the last to an operational position.

25. The method for manufacturing the footwear step of activating of the at least one coupling arrangement is mediated via operation of an operator rod.

26.-27. (canceled)

28. The method for manufacturing the footwear according to claim 22, wherein the method further comprises a step of applying a sole to the upper by direct injection process including direct injection process material.

29. (canceled)

30. The method for manufacturing the footwear according to claim 28, wherein the direct injection process material is TPR, PVC, EVA, TPU, or PU.

31.-34. (canceled)

Description

THE FIGURES

[0090] The invention will be explained in further detail below with reference to the figures of which

[0091] FIG. 1 shows a last for footwear production according to the prior art,

[0092] FIG. 2 shows a further last for footwear production according to the prior art,

[0093] FIG. 3 shows a schematically illustrated last according to an embodiment of the invention,

[0094] FIG. 4 shows the last as shown in FIG. 3, comprising a coupling arrangement,

[0095] FIGS. 4a-b show the last as shown in FIG. 4, wherein FIG. 4a shows the scenario where the last is being opened and FIG. 4b shows the scenario where the heel body part and the forefoot body part are being moved to the operational position,

[0096] FIG. 5 shows an example of the last as shown in FIG. 4 wherein an embodiment of a coupling arrangement is exemplified,

[0097] FIG. 6 shows in a perspective view a heel bar and a forefoot bar according to an embodiment of the invention,

[0098] FIGS. 7a-7c show examples of a last body, seen in perspective views from different angles,

[0099] FIG. 8 shows a last body according to an embodiment of the invention, comprising an example of an operator rod and an operator link,

[0100] FIG. 9 shows an open example of the last body as illustrated in FIG. 8,

[0101] FIG. 10a-10c show some of the advantages that may be achieved according to embodiments of the present invention,

[0102] FIGS. 11a-b show further embodiments of the invention, wherein further details are illustrated,

[0103] FIGS. 12a-c show a last essentially corresponding to FIGS. 10a-10c, but illustrating further advantages that may be achieved according to embodiments of the present invention, and

[0104] FIGS. 13a-b show a last according to further embodiments of the invention.

DETAILED DESCRIPTION

[0105] With reference to FIG. 1 a prior art last for footwear production will be elucidated. The last 10 having a heel 12 and a forefoot 14 is shown in a sideview and with the last positioned upside-down, i.e. with the sole of the foot facing generally upwards, corresponding to a position, wherein usually an upper 30 is lasted onto the last 10. Such an upper 30 is shown in a schematic manner in FIG. 1 with the outline of the last 10 within the upper 30 indicated with a dash line. It is noted that a footbed or the like may be attached to the upper 30, when it is being positioned on the last 10. As it will be well-known to a skilled person, placing an upper onto a last may be a demanding job, depending on the type of footwear upper, e.g. positioning the toe part of the upper 30 onto the forefoot 14 of the last and subsequently pulling the upper 30 backwards in order to slide it down onto the heel 12 of the last 10.

[0106] A footbed in the present context, unless otherwise noted, may thus e.g. include both insole (if present), different sole members and/or layers. In particular embodiments of the invention further layers or members may be attached to the footbed or the layers may be included within the footbed. Hereby, several variations of the order of the material of the footbed are possible either as a single material or as sandwich constructions of materials.

[0107] With reference to FIG. 2 a further prior art last 10 for footwear production will be elucidated, which prior art last 10 may be of a type as disclosed in DE 10319593 A1. The last 10 as shown in FIG. 2 essentially corresponds to the prior art last as shown in FIG. 1, but a heel body part 18 may be configured to be moved upwards (as viewed in FIG. 2) and slightly towards the forefoot 14 as indicated by the arrow in FIG. 2. Hereby, the positioning of the upper 30 may be facilitated, since the distance from toe to heel is slightly reduced by this prior art last, when the heel body part 18 is moved upwards. When the upper 30 thus has been positioned with the rear part of the upper placed on the heel body part 18, the heel body part 18 is returned to its initial position, i.e. in the opposite direction of the arrow, and the subsequent steps in the footwear production may commence.

[0108] An embodiment of a last 10 according to the invention for footwear production is illustrated in FIG. 3, seen from the side and with the last positioned upside-down, i.e. with the sole of the foot facing generally upwards, corresponding to a position, wherein an upper may be lasted. The last 10 comprises a last body 16, a heel body part 18 arranged at the heel 12 and a forefoot body part 20 arranged at the forefoot 14 of the last. The heel body part 18 as well as the forefoot body part 20 are configured to be movable in relation to the last body 16 such as indicated with the curved double-arrows shown in FIG. 3. Thus, one or both of the heel body part 18 and the forefoot body part 20 may be moved upwards and into a horizontal position, where the heel body part 18 has been moved closer to the toe of last and correspondingly the forefoot body part 20 has been moved closer to the heel of the last as it will be exemplified in further detail later. The course of these movements may be facilitated by a coupling arrangement as will be exemplified in the following and/or the shape of the heel body part 18 and the forefoot body part 20 in relation to the shape of part(s) of the last body 16, with which the heel body part 18 and/or the forefoot body part 20 interact(s).

[0109] In FIG. 4 an embodiment of a last 10 corresponding essentially to the last that has been illustrated in and explained in connection with FIG. 3 is illustrated. In FIG. 4 it is further shown that the last 10 may comprise a coupling arrangement 22, which is indicated in a schematic manner, and whereby the heel body part 18 and the forefoot body part 20 may be coupled in any suitable manner to be moved in relation to the last body 16. For example, they may be moved simultaneously, or the movements may be staggered, e.g. with the heel body part 18 being moved initially and the forefoot body part 20 being moved when the heel body part 18 has been moved to some extent or vice versa. Also, it is noted that the heel body part 18 may be connected to operating means (not shown) that may move the heel body part 18 in the directions as indicated with the double-arrow and that the movements are transferred to the forefoot body part 20 by means of the coupling arrangement 22. Further, it is noted that the opposite may be the case, e.g. that the forefoot body part is connected to operating means (not shown) and that the movements are transferred to the heel body part 18 by means of the coupling arrangement 22.

[0110] In FIG. 4a an embodiment of a last 10 corresponding essentially to the last that has been illustrated in and explained in connection with FIG. 4, i.e. comprising a schematically illustrated coupling arrangement 22, is illustrated. However, FIG. 4a shows the scenario where the last 10 is being opened, which is indicated in a schematic manner, and whereby the heel body part 18 and the forefoot body part 20 may be coupled in any suitable manner to be moved in relation to the last body 16 as discussed in connection with FIG. 4. Thus, they may be moved simultaneously or the movements may be staggered, etc. Further, the heel body part 18 may be connected to operating means (not shown) that may move the heel body part 18 and the movements may be transferred to the forefoot body part 20 by means of the coupling arrangement 22. Further, it is noted that the opposite may be the case, e.g. that the forefoot body part is connected to operating means (not shown) and that the movements are transferred to the heel body part 18 by means of the coupling arrangement 22. In FIG. 4a it is illustrated that when the last is being opened, the heel body part 18 is moved upwards in the scenario in FIG. 4a as illustrated with the arrow A1 and the forefoot body part 20 is moved upwards as well as illustrated with the arrow B1. Hereby, the movement of both the heel body part and the forefoot body part will contribute in reducing the distance between e.g. heel and toe of the last, since both parts will move towards each other in the longitudinal direction of the last due e.g. to the curved movement of the heel body part and the forefoot body part, controlled by the coupling arrangement 22 and the shape of the cooperating surfaces of the heel body part 18, the forefoot body part 20 and the last body 16.

[0111] FIG. 4b shows the last as shown in FIG. 4a, but wherein FIG. 4b shows the scenario where the heel body part and the forefoot body part are being moved to the operational position (cf. e.g. FIG. 5). In FIG. 4b it is illustrated that when moving to the operational position, the heel body part 18 is moved downwards as illustrated with the arrow A2 and the forefoot body part 20 is moved downwards as well as illustrated with the arrow B2.

[0112] FIG. 5 illustrates an example of a last 10 as shown in FIG. 4 and wherein an embodiment of a coupling arrangement 20 is exemplified. This example of a coupling arrangement comprises a linked bar mechanism 40 comprising a heel bar 42 and a forefoot bar 44. Both of these are arranged to be pivotable in relation to a respective last body pin 46, i.e. two last body pins 46 arranged on the last body 16. Furthermore, the heel bar 42 and the forefoot bar 44 are configured to be connected at their ends that meet each other with a linkage pin 48 that may be fixed to one of the bars and may be configured to slide in a linkage slot 50 arranged in the end of the other bar as shown in FIG. 5. Thus, the heel bar 42 and the forefoot bar 44 may pivot around the last body pins 46 in such a manner that when e.g. the heel bar 42 is pivoted a certain angle, the forefoot bar 44 will be controlled to pivot correspondingly, e.g. a smaller, a larger or the same angle, depending on the actual configuration.

[0113] Even further, the heel bar 42 and the forefoot bar 44 are at their other ends designed for being connected with the heel body part 18 and the forefoot body part 20, respectively. Thus, the heel bar 42 is configured with a heel bar slot 56, which cooperates with a heel body pin 52 that is fixed to the heel body part 18. In a corresponding manner, the forefoot bar 44 is configured with a forefoot bar slot 58, which cooperates with a forefoot body pin 54 that is fixed to the forefoot body part 20. Thus, in case the heel body part 18 is moved upwards in the scenario shown in FIG. 5, the forefoot body part 20 will simultaneously be moved upwards by the forefoot bar 44. It is noted that the heel body part 18 and the forefoot body part 20 may be guided by interfaces to the last body and possibly further guiding structures such as the guiding structure 60 that has been indicated in FIG. 5.

[0114] The heel bar 42 and the forefoot bar 44 are furthermore shown in FIG. 6 in a perspective view. Here, the heel bar slot 56 of the heel bar 42 is shown as well as the forefoot bar slot 58 of the forefoot bar 44. Further, the linkage slot 50 is shown as well as a pin bore 62 in each of the bars, which bores serve to accommodate the last body pins 46 (that are shown in FIG. 5).

[0115] It should be noted that this linked bar mechanism 40 may be configured in various manners in order to achieve specific movements of the heel body part 18 and the forefoot body part 20. For example, the length of the heel bar 42 and the forefoot bar 44 may be varied and the position of the pin bores of each of the heel bar 42 and the forefoot bar 44 may be varied, e.g. to achieve different lengths of the bar arms from the pivot point (last body pin 46) meeting each other at the linkage pin 48. Thus, a gearing of the movements may be achieved, e.g. with a relatively small angular movement of the heel bar 42 resulting in a relatively large angular movement of the forefoot bar 44 and thus also the forefoot body part 20 or vice versa. Also, it will be understood that the arrangement may be such that the heel bar 42 and the forefoot bar 44 may move essentially identical angles.

[0116] It should be noted that other linkages or mechanisms than a linked bar mechanism may be utilized for transforming movement between the heel body part and the forefoot body part. For example, toothed mechanisms may be used, mechanisms using gear wheel or gear segments, where e.g. a gear segment is coupled to an axle with an operating arm or coupled directly to an operating arm may be utilized. When using such mechanisms, gearings between the movements of the heel body part and the forefoot body part may be arranged, similar to what was explained above in connection with the linked bar mechanism 40.

[0117] Other mechanisms may be arranged for performing the function of the coupling arrangement 22, e.g. moving the heel body part 18 and the forefoot body part 20 simultaneously or possibly staggered, when one of these is being moved upwards and subsequently downwards again, for example actuated by an operator rod.

[0118] It is noted that the heel body part 18 and the forefoot body part 20 may be further guided in relation to the last body 16, e.g. by guiding structures 60 on the last body and corresponding guiding structures arranged in connection with heel body part 18 and the forefoot body part 20, which serve to guide the parts in a desired manner to achieve the function that the heel body part 18 and the forefoot body part 20 move upwards (as seen when the last is positioned as shown in e.g. FIGS. 3 and 5) and such that they move closer to each other.

[0119] It is further noted that the linkage mechanisms, pins, gears, etc. and other parts used in connection with the coupling arrangement 22 due to the strain and wear induced may be made from metal, e.g. steel. However, other materials may be used instead, such as synthetic materials, polymers, etc.

[0120] As regards parts such as the last body 16, the heel body part 18 and/or the forefoot body part 20, it is noted that these may be made from metal, e.g. aluminium, but that other materials may be used as well, such as synthetic materials, polymers, 3D printed materials, etc.

[0121] FIGS. 7a to 7c show examples of a last body 16, seen in perspective views from different angles, wherein it is shown that a linked bar mechanism has been installed, e.g. ready for a heel body part and a forefoot body part to be coupled to the mechanism as well.

[0122] Thus, FIG. 7a shows the last body 16, seen essentially in an angle from the heel end, and where it is seen that the end of the heel bar 42 with the heel bar slot 56 protrudes from the last body part, e.g. in an angle of around 45? to horizontal.

[0123] FIG. 7b shows the last body 16, seen essentially in an angle from the forefoot end, and where it is seen that the end of the forefoot bar 44 with the forefoot bar slot 58 protrudes from the last body part, e.g. in an angle of around 45? to horizontal, and where furthermore the guiding structure 60 for guiding the forefoot body part can be seen.

[0124] FIG. 7c shows the last body 16, seen essentially in an angle from the side. Here, it is seen that the heel bar 42 with the heel bar slot 56 protrudes to the right and that the end of the forefoot bar 44 with the forefoot bar slot 58 protrudes to the left. Further, the guiding structure 60 can be seen here. It will be understood that a guiding structure may be arranged at the heel bar end as well.

[0125] It will be understood that the heel bar 42 and the forefoot bar 44 may be fixed within the last body 16, e.g. with the last body pins as described above, ready for being coupled to a heel body part and a forefoot body part.

[0126] FIG. 8 and FIG. 9 show a last 10 as has been described e.g. in connection with FIGS. 3-5, where FIG. 8 shows the last in an operational position, i.e. a position wherein an upper may have been lasted and where the last plus upper may proceed in a production process, e.g. by being turned 180? and being entered into e.g. a DIP moulding apparatus, and where FIG. 9 shows the last in an opened position, which in the following will denote a last with both the heel body part 18 and the forefoot body part 20 being moved upwards and towards each other as shown in FIG. 9. The mechanism of the last going from an operational position to an open position or the opposite may be mediated by an operator rod 70 and an operator link 72, linking the operator rod 70 to the heel body part 18. Other arrangements may be used. However, when using an operator rod 70 as schematically shown, no or only little modifications may be needed to a prior art last holder.

[0127] FIGS. 10a-10c illustrate some of the advantages that may be achieved according to embodiments of the present invention. FIG. 10a illustrates a last 10 as has been described e.g. in connection with FIG. 5, but where the movable heel body part as well as the movable forefoot body part have not been opened but are in an operational position. Thus, in this scenario the last 10 may be comparable with a last without any movable body parts. The distance, e.g. the horizontal distance of the last lower surface 24 from toe end 26 to heel end 28, which will be denoted TL, may be measured on this last to provide a measure for how difficult it would be to last a shoe upper on such a last.

[0128] In FIG. 10b the same last 10 is illustrated with the linked bar mechanism disconnected (for clarity reasons), whereby the movable heel body part 18 can be moved without moving the forefoot body part 20. Thus, in this scenario the last 10 may be comparable with e.g. a prior art last having a movable heel body part, and the distance from toe to heel TL1 may be measured on this last to provide a measure for the relief achieved for lasting a shoe upper on such a last as compared with a last without any movable body parts.

[0129] According to an example, the distance from toe to heel may have been reduced by around e.g. 3.7%, e.g. the reduction from TL to TL1.

[0130] However, when utilizing the last 10 as illustrated in FIG. 10c, i.e. performing an opening of both the heel body part 18 and the forefoot body part 20, whereby the distance toe end to heel end TL2 is reduced even further, the distance toe end 26 to heel end 28 may for example be reduced from TL1 with an additional measure that is around 2.7%, e.g. representing one footwear size down. It will thus be understood that the job of lasting a footwear upper is further relieved due to this embodiment of the invention.

[0131] FIG. 11a illustrates a last 10 as has been described e.g. in connection with FIG. 10a and wherein the movable heel body part as well as the movable forefoot body part have not been opened but are in an operational position. In FIG. 11a, it is illustrated that the forefoot body part has a length TLF that may be a considerable part of the distance TL from toe end 26 to heel end 28. For example, the forefoot body part 18 may have a length TLF in a direction along the lower surface 24, which is at least 10%, alternatively at least 20% or alternatively at least 30% of the length of the lower surface 24 in the operational position. The length TLF may even be at least 40% or at least 50%, whereby the total length on the open position may be reduced considerably.

[0132] Furthermore, it is illustrated in FIG. 11b, that the forefoot body part in the open position may be inclined an angle a, which may facilitate the application on an upper, e.g. in connection with ballerina uppers, pumps, slip-on shoes and/or boots.

[0133] The angle a formed by said forefoot body part 18 in relation to said lower surface 24 may be at least 10?, such as at least 15?, such as at least 20? or such as at least 25?.

[0134] Further, it is illustrated that the forefoot bar 44 may in an embodiment be arranged such that in an open position of the last it may be inclined in an angle b in relation to said lower surface 24, wherein said angle is at least 10?, such as least 20?, such as at least 30?, such as at least 40? or such as at least 45?. Hereby, suitable inclination angles a of the forefoot body part 20 may be achieved.

[0135] FIGS. 12a-12c show a last 10 essentially corresponding to last shown in FIGS. 10a-10c, but wherein further advantages that may be achieved according to embodiments of the present invention are illustrated. As shown in FIG. 12a, a couple of measurements that are used within last metrology are illustrated, in this example the D point measurement (illustrated with short dash line) and the H point measurement (illustrated with long dash line).

[0136] Thus, the D point measurement is the girth at high instep of the last and the H point measurement is the girth from back of heel to instep of the last 10 as illustrated in the figures. As it will be understood, these measurements are indicative of the volume of the last at the respective points. The respective measurements may for example be made using e.g. a flexible measuring tape in order to measure the girth at the respective points, along the surface of the last and following the lines as indicated in FIGS. 12a-12c.

[0137] It will be clear that the D point measurements and the H point measurements will depend on the modes of the last, e.g. whether the last is in the operational position (closed last) as shown in FIG. 12a, whether the heel body part 18 has been moved to its open position as shown in FIG. 12b (and corresponding to the above-mentioned prior art last) or whether the heel body part 18 as well as the forefoot body part 20 have been moved to open position as shown in FIG. 12c.

[0138] In Table 1 below, measurements have been made on a last designed for a US size 4% (European size 37).

TABLE-US-00001 TABLE 1 Open position Closed last Heel opened of last D point measurement 333 mm 350 mm 333 mm H point measurement 360 mm 365 mm 350 mm

[0139] As it will be seen, both D point measurements and H point measurements increase, when the heel is opened, e.g. as is the case with the above-mentioned prior art last, thereby indicating that the job of lasting a footwear upper on such a last with opened heel will be more difficult due to the increased girth (or volume) of the last at the D point and the H point.

[0140] However, as it furthermore will be seen from the measurements of Table 1, when the heel as well as the forefoot body part have been opened, bringing the last according to the present invention to its open position, the D point measurement will in this position be the same as in the closed position, meaning that the volume at the D point has not been increased. Furthermore, it is noted that H point measurement in the open position has actually been reduced as compared to the closed position, meaning that the volume at the H point has been reduced, which will make it easier to perform a lasting of an upper on a last according to the present invention. All in all, since the D point measurement is not increased and since the H point measurement is reduced as compared with a closed last, it will be understood that the lasting of a footwear upper will be made less complicated and may be made with less effort, e.g. if performed manually. Furthermore, it will be understood that even further advantages may be achieved when compared to the above-mentioned prior art last with movable heel, for which the D point measurement as well as the H point measurement are increased.

[0141] Hence, it will be seen that by the invention length reductions as well as volume reductions may be achieved, whereby lasting may be performed easier and with less effort.

[0142] FIGS. 13a-b show a last 10 according to further embodiments of the invention, wherein the forefoot body part 20 and the heel body part 18 are movable in relation to the last body 16.

[0143] As shown in FIG. 13a, a linked bar mechanism 40 may be arranged, which, however, may be decoupled, thereby allowing the forefoot body part 20 to be moved for example manually and irrespective of, whether the heel body part 18 is being moved or not as shown with the double-arrow in FIG. 13b.

[0144] It will be understood that the heel body part 18 may also be moved independently as indicated by the short dash double-arrow in FIG. 13b.

[0145] As mentioned above, the last 10 may comprise a linked bar mechanism 40, which may be decoupled in case it is desired to move e.g. the forefoot body part 20 manually. A decoupling may be done in various manners, e.g. by disconnecting the heel bar 42 and the forefoot bar 44 (FIG. 13b) or in other manners. Also, it is noted that in general a coupling arrangement 22 (FIG. 4) may be comprised by the last 10, which may be configured in numerous manners and not necessarily as a linked bar mechanism, and which may be configured for being decoupled to allow e.g. the forefoot body part 20 to be moved independently, for example manually.

[0146] In the above description, various aspects and embodiments of the invention have been described with reference to the drawings, but it is apparent for a person skilled within the art that the invention can be carried out in an infinite number of ways, using e.g. the examples disclosed in the description in various combinations, and within a wide range of variations within the scope of the appended claims.

LIST OF REFERENCES

[0147] 10 Last [0148] 12 Heel [0149] 14 Forefoot [0150] 16 Last body [0151] 18 Heel body part [0152] 20 Forefoot body part [0153] 22 Coupling arrangement [0154] 24 Last lower surface [0155] 26 Toe end [0156] 28 Heel end [0157] 30 Upper [0158] 40 Linked bar mechanism [0159] 42 Heel bar [0160] 44 Forefoot bar [0161] 46 Last body pin [0162] 48 Linkage pin [0163] 50 Linkage slot [0164] 52 Heel body pin [0165] 54 Forefoot body pin [0166] 56 Heel bar slot [0167] 58 Forefoot bar slot [0168] 60 Guiding structure [0169] 62 Pin bore [0170] 70 Operator rod [0171] 72 Operator link [0172] A1 Movement of heel body part to open position [0173] A2 Movement of heel body part to operational position [0174] B1 Movement of forefoot body part to open position [0175] B2 Movement of forefoot body part to operational position [0176] D Girth at high instep [0177] H Girth from back of heel to instep [0178] TL Distance toe end to heel endlast without movable part [0179] TL1 Distance toe end to heel endlast with a movable heel only [0180] TL2 Distance toe end to heel endlast according to a present embodiment [0181] TLF Length of forefoot body part