Shoe last extension
A last extension for a shoe last provides a pattern defining an origin location. The origin location on the last extension can be used to identify locations or points on a last or a shoe component on a last for control of location-critical manufacturing operations, including decorative and functional operations.
1. A last extension for manufacturing an article of footwear, the last extension comprising a body, the body comprising:
an upper surface and a lower surface, the lower surface configured to be joined to a top of a last;
a first surface and a second surface, the first surface and the second surface extending between the upper surface and the lower surface;
a dimensional pattern on at least the first surface, the dimensional pattern comprising grooves having a width and depth in a shape of at least a line and a point off the line, wherein the line and the point off the line reside on the same surface of the body; and
a mounting mechanism including one or more protrusions extending down from the lower surface to align the last extension in a fixed position to the last with the lower surface proximal to the last relative to the upper surface, the mounting mechanism including a cavity within the body, wherein the cavity opens to an exterior of the body along the lower surface and the upper surface.
2. The last extension of claim 1 , wherein the dimensional pattern comprises two intersecting lines.
3. The last extension of claim 2 , wherein the two intersecting lines are orthogonal to one another.
4. The last extension of claim 3 , wherein the two intersecting lines are continuous grooves across at least a portion of the first surface.
5. The last extension of claim 3 , wherein the two intersecting lines are formed of discrete elements.
6. The last extension of claim 5 , wherein the discrete elements are circular or oval.
7. The last extension of claim 4 , wherein the grooves extend from the first surface into the body, and a width of the groove at the first surface of the body is greater than a width of the groove within the body.
8. The last extension of claim 1 , wherein the mounting mechanism includes a magnetic component for maintaining the fixed position of the last extension with respect to the last.
9. The last extension of claim 1 , wherein the cavity within the body comprises two discrete cavities that open along the lower surface and the upper surface.
10. The last extension of claim 1 , wherein the mounting mechanism includes at least two protrusions that are independent from one another.
11. The last extension of claim 1 , wherein a cavity opening along the upper surface of the body is configured to receive a fastener to join the last extension to the last.