Apparatus for printing a foot shape

Abstract: A method and an apparatus for printing a foot shape are disclosed in which a thermoplastic film (14) is disposed on a plurality of bar-like measuring elements (8) which are supported, adjacent to each other, in an individually vertically movable condition. Said thermoplastic film is plasticized by applying heat thereto. By stepping on said film and said measuring elements therebeneath a print of the shape of the stepping foot is formed in said film which is subse­ quently cooled so as to harden same.

Description: The present invention refers to an apparatus for printing a foot shape. In order to make a shoe that fits one's foot, it is desirable to use a last having quite an identical shape with the foot. Therefore, shoes were conventionally made by measuring major parts of a foot and, based on the measurement, making a last or choosing the most fitting one from many lasts available. Although a last corresponds to a foot in the major parts thereof, every foot is of such an individual shape that it is impossible to make a precise last by merely measuring such major parts of the foot and, therefore, some measures for making shoes that are comfortable to wear have been demanded. From US-A-4,470,782, an apparatus for producing custom orthotics is known, including a boundary wall encompassing a substrate pad and an overlying elastic skin to form an expandable interior chamber into which high density molding material is injected. A matrix of axially movable drive pins project through the pad and are urged upwardly into contact with the arch of the individual's foot to maintain the foot in a properly aligned position during fabrication of the orthotic, the drive pins carrying a support bridge driven into conforming contact against the arch of the foot. When using this apparatus, it is possible to bring the drive pins into predetermined positions and affix them therein which may, in some instances, possibly be higher than that attained by simply stepping onto the pins, i.e., the foot arch may be brought into a corrected position by the pins so as to correct foot defects such as fallen arches. From WO 84/02304, an apparatus for producing a corrected mold for a foot having a rear portion and a forefoot portion is known, consisting of a resilient cushion having a rear section with a first thickness and a front section with a second, smaller thickness for supporting the foot such that the foot is positioned on the resilient cushion with its forefoot portion being positioned lower than its rear portion thereof and being relatively immobile with respect to its rear portion thereof. The position of the rear portion of the foot on the resilient cushion is adjusted so that the resilient cushion adopts a corrected contour of the foot and then a molding device or material is positioned between the foot and the resilient cushion for producing the corrected mold. The apparatus makes use of a foil which is in a preheated condition when the foot is placed thereon for making a footprint. Cooling of the foil after having printed the foot cures the foil. DE-C-596 762 discloses an apparatus for reproducing the shape of a human body part, particularly a foot, for orthopedic purposes, comprising a plurality of spring loaded pins projecting through a perforated plate. At the lower ends of the pins wedge-shaped blades are affixed that pierce into a paper foil when a foot steps onto said pins. The lengths of the incisions created by the blades within the paper foil is a measure of the shape of the foot sole. It is the object of the invention to provide an apparatus for printing a foot shape precisely that is simple in construction and low in cost. This object is attained by the features of Claim 1. Preferred embodiments of the invention are subject matter of the dependent claims. According to the apparatus embodying the invention, when stepping on the film, which is plasticized by heating and covers the upper end surfaces of the measuring elements facing the opening, the measuring elements accompanied by the film are lowered in accordance with the indentation in the sole of the foot and the film is printed with a foot shape and subsequently cooled. After removal of the film, the lowered measuring elements are lifted up to their original height positions, i.e., to the same elevation with the top plate surface so as to make them ready for another operation. When the heating means comprises a heating chamber facing said opening, the film plasticized by heating same can be immediately set over the opening and the apparatus can be integrated, thereby improving the efficiency in printing foot shapes. The invention will now be further explained with reference to the accompanying drawings. Figure 1 is a perspective view showing one embodiment of the whole apparatus for printing the foot shape according to the present invention; Figure 2 is a vertical sectional view showing a portion of a top plate; Fig. 3 is a sectional view taken on line III-III of Fig. 2; Fig. 4 is a diagrammatic side view of a heating means housed in a heating chamber; Fig. 5 is a view showing the printing condition of the foot shape; and Fig. 6 is a perspective view of an insole made according to the present invention. Detailed Description of the Invention In the drawings, there are shown a square printing box 1, and a cover 2 openably mounted thereto and having a top plate 3 where an opening of a predetermined area is provided, and a heating chamber 5 is adjacent to one end of the printing box 1. The cover 2 has therein a pair of fixed, upper and lower, holding plates 6 having a plurality of holes 7 aligned vertically. Bar-like measuring elements 8 are supported in the holes 7 so that they are individually vertically movable, the upper end of each measuring element 8 facing the opening 4. To support the measuring elements 8 individually, a tape 9 napped on both surfaces such as combined-weave velveteen is inserted in a space defined by rows of measuring elements 8 and the upper and lower holding plates 6, as shown in Figs. 2 and 3. The mechanism for supporting the measuring elements is not limited to the embodiment shown. A heating means 10 is housed in the heating chamber 5 and, as shown in Fig. 4, comprises a drum 12 mounted rotatable by a stay 11 within the heating chamber 5, and a heater 13 mounted in the center of the drum 12. When the heater 13 is electrically heated by an order from a control box, not shown, the radiant heat from the heater 13 heats the drum 12 and a film 14 attached therearound which is made of a thermoplastic resin. Reference numeral 15 indicates an aperture for pulling out the film 14. Reference numeral 16 indicates a drawer for storing the film 14 provided at the bottom of the printing box 1. Reference numerals 17 indicate locks for the cover 2, and reference numeral 18 indicating a cover for the heating chamber 5. In order to print a foot shape with the above-constructed apparatus, the cover 18 of the heating chamber 5 is opened to attach the film 14 on the surface of the drum 12 and a heat switch in the control box is turned on. Thereupon, the control box emits the order for electrically heating the heater 13, from which the radiant heat heats the drum equally and raises the ambient temperature in the heating chamber 5. Consequently, when a certain period of time passes after turning on the heat switch, the film 14 on the drum 12 is heated equally and plasticized. After the film 14 is heated enough, it is pulled out from the pull-out aperture 15 and covered on the upper end surfaces of the measuring elements 8 facing the opening 4, whereupon a foot steps on the upper surface of the film to press it down. Among the measuring elements 8, only those under the film contacting with the sole of the foot are lowered while the remaining measuring elements keep their original positions, and that the lowered measuring elements are pressed down in accordance with the indentation in the sole of the foot. When stepping on the film 14 which is being plasticized, it is pressed between the sole of the foot and the upper end surfaces of the measuring elements 8, therefore the foot shape is printed on the film 14. If it is necessary to heat the film to a degree hot to the foot, the film 14 may be covered with a suitable cloth and so on when stepping thereon. When the film is exposed to the air and lowers in temperature, it loses its plasticity and is hardened. With use of a last based on the printed foot shape or with use of this foot shape, a shoe that fits the foot can be made. By choosing such material for the film that shows a proper elasticity after losing plasticity, the film printed with the foot shape can be cut along the outline of the foot to make an insole material 20. Thus obtained insole material 20 may be lined on its upper surface or both surfaces with a flexible or elastic covering 21 to make an insole 22 which provides a sufficient comfortableness. Upon completion of the above printing operation, the cover 2 of the printing box 1 is opened and the measuring elements are lifted up to their original elevation to make them ready for another operation. In lifting these measuring elements 8, they may be pushed up at their lower ends with a plate, not shown, until they are aligned with the bottom surface of the lower holding plates 6. In case of inserting the two-face napped tape 9 between adjacent rows of the measuring elements 8, as shown in the embodiment, each measuring element 8 can have necessary and sufficient resistance to ascending and descending movements while retaining its independency, so that it will not be inadvertently accompanied with the adjacent measuring element 8.

Claims: An apparatus for printing a foot shape, comprising a printing box (1) with a top plate (3) having therein an opening (4) of a predetermined area, a plurality of bar-like measuring elements (8) adjacent to each other and supported in an individually vertically movable condition within said opening (4), a thermoplastic film (14) to be disposed on the upper end surfaces of said measuring elements (8) embedded in said opening so as to cover the same, and heating means (5) for plasticizing said film (14) by heating the same, said measuring elements (8) being guided in aligned holes (7) provided in two holding plates (6) extending parallel to each other in said printing box (1) and defining a space therebetween in which velveteen tapes (9) for frictionally individually engaging said measuring elements (8) are secured. An apparatus as set forth in claim 1, wherein said heating means comprises a heating chamber (5) facing said opening (4), for heating said film (14) in said heating chamber (5) to impart plasticity thereto before disposing said film (14) on the upper end surfaces of said measuring elements. An apparatus as set forth in claim 2, wherein said heating chamber (5) comprises a heating drum (10) for temporarily supporting said film (14).

Inventors: SUZUKI KAZUTOYO, SUZUKI, KAZUTOYO
Applicants: SUZUKI KAZUTOYO, SUZUKI, KAZUTOYO
Application year: 1988
Main classification: A61B5
IPC codes: A61B5, A43D1