ESPECIALLY FOR MANUFACTURING FOOTWEAR TO SIZE

The invention relates a device for making foot imprints, which can be used first of all for the unit production of footwear to size. The invention also relates to a procedure for making three- dimensional foot moulds using the foot imprints produced with the device.

It is known that shoes manufactured and distributed in bulk do not fit customers' individual foot size and foot shape perfectly, wearing them involves smaller or greater inconveniences, and in the majority of the cases it takes relatively long for users to get used to their new shoes and wear them contentedly. For this reason all over the world there is an increasing demand for unique shoes and other footwear manufactured to size, despite them being more expensive than factory-manufactured footwear available in trade.

However, besides high costs there is also another problem that needs to be solved in connection with footwear manufactured to size, namely that measurements need to be taken of the feet of the person having shoes manufactured, so this person either needs to visit the shoemaker or send the shoemaker his/her foot measurements to ^' enable him to make the shoes.

As direct modelling by the shoemaker - which in itself does not necessarily ensure a perfect result - can be realised only in a very few cases, recently proposals have been made to set up modelling locations at certain places, e.g.: in selected shoe shops, and †o manufacture unique shoes on the basis of the measurements taken at such locations. Laser and three- dimensional foot size modelling equipment - foot scanners - has been recommended, and such equipment has been installed and is in use at the stores of certain shoe factories. The disadvantage of such equipment is that oh the one part they are too expensive and information technology skills are needed for their operation, and on other part those who want to have unique footwear manufactured must visit the location in person where such laser equipment is operated, which obviously restricts the applicability of the equipment.

The foot imprint mould described in Korean patent specification no. 2002-0060515 for manufacturing shoes to size is aimed at eliminating the above problem, as due to the small size of this box-shaped device it can be sent to the customer ordering unique shoes, and all the customer needs to do is insert his/her foot in the mould, then remove his/her foot and return the device to the shoemaking company, which then has the shape and measurements of the customer's foot.

This known foot imprint mould consists of box parts for the sole, the top of the foot and the heel, which parts are joined together with a hinge having a horizontal axis, and inside these box parts are lined with a sponge-like shape assuming and retaining extender layer, which material permanently assumes the shape of the foot as a result of ordinary pressure exerted with the foot.

This device is used in such a way that after opening the box part for the top of the foot and the heel, the given person steps on the box part for the sole and exerts pressure with his/her foot onto the extender material layer on it, and the extender material assumes and retains the shape of the sole. In the following the frontal box part for the top of the foot is rotated around a horizontal axis and gradually pressed against the top of the foot, and in this way the top of the foot is indented in the extender material layer lining the box part for the top of the foot inside, and so the extender material assumes the shape and measurements of the top of the foot. Finally, during a similar process, the box part for the heel is pressed against the foot, rotating it around a horizontal axis. According to another version, the box consists of a flat sole part and box-parts connected to its two longitudinal sides with hinges having a horizontal axis, which box-parts are rotated upwards in their entire length on both sides and pressed against the top of the foot set in the extender material of the sole-part, and so the extender layer parts of the above box-parts are aimed at taking the upper external and internal and shape and measurements of the top of the foot.

In the case of both versions of the device described above, the movable box-parts have curved dents indented in the extender material above the ankles, at this part of the lower leg. However, it is doubted that appropriately precise moulds can be made using the above box, first of all because in practise the parts of the foot below and around the ankle cannot be modelled precisely, although it would be essential from the aspect of measuring the width of the heel, the perimeter of the ankle and the height of the ankle.

USA patent specifications no. 2004/0250359 also relate to a small-weight device, which is practically the same as the one described above, is easy†o pack and can be carried as a box. I† consists of parts lined with so-called rigid plastic foam and joined to each other with rotating hinges having a horizontal axis, and when these parts are closed together, the shape of the foot of the person standing in the box is permanently retained pressed in the foam material. They try to make the measurements more precise by placing a plastic bag in the moulded hollow according to the description, which bag is filled with water, and so the volume of the measured foot - the hollow created in the formable foam - is received, and according to the description if it is larger than the shoes manufactured, then wider shoes are sent to the client. Basically this solution has the same disadvantages relating to the imprecise moulding of the foot below and around the ankles as in the case of the device according to Korean patent specifications no. 2002-0060516.

The task to be solved with the invention is to provide a device for making foot imprints, which device ensures the moulding of the whole foot, including the top of the foot and the lower leg, at a maximum precision both in respect of shape and measurements, has a simple structure, is reliable and has a minimal size and weight needed for solving the given task. Furthermore, the task of the invention is to provide a procedure, with the help of which a low- weight three-dimensional foot mould can be produced using the foot imprint made with the device, which foot mould can be used for the precise manufacturing of footwear to size.

The ^' invention is based on the recognition that in the case of the state-of-the-art devices described above, when moulding the area of the top of the foot around the ankles - when creating the negative mould -, as the shape-retaining extender material, e.g.: formable foam, along the sidewalls rotating around a horizontal axis moves along the protruding ankles, gets pressed against the ankles and then passes the ankles, it leaves behind a cavity - an undercut - below the dents suiting the ankles, therefore at these points the top of the foot is moulded imprecisely, which makes it practically impossible to measure the heel width precisely, which would be essential. In connection with this we also realised that this moulding fault can be perfectly eliminated by using a box structure of a similar construction from the aspect of its structure, if the moulding material suitable for permanent setting, for example rigid plastic, is entered and pressed against the foot from the side, horizontally or at a relatively small angle to the horizontal, which results in a practically perfect replica moulding. We also realised that if the closed moulding space, apart from the opening needed, for removing the foot, that is the negative mould, is filled with an after-hardening material, then after it has hardened the material block used for making the foot imprint and any possible adhered remnants are removed from it, a three-dimensional foot mould of a maximum precision is obtained.

On the basis of the above recognitions the set task was solved with a device suitable for making foot imprints, which has elements for modelling the sole and the upper, lateral and rear parts of the foot that can be closed up into a box-like structure and then opened again, which modelling elements have a solid external casing and moulding material joined to it facing the foot inserted in the box structure, and which device is characterised by that the elements for moulding the upper and lateral parts of the foot are constructed in a way that they can be rotated around a geometrical axis at right angles to the basal face of the element for moulding the sole; or in a way that they can be taken and pressed onto the upper and lateral surfaces of the foot on both sides from a lateral direction parallel to the basal face of the element for moulding the sole. In the case of the appropriate use of the device, when modelling is realised using a box placed on a solid horizontal surface, e.g. the floor, the basal face of the sole element is formed by the lower surface of the casing of the sole element, which rests horizontally on the solid floor during modelling, and in this case the axis of rotation of the heel elements and side elements is vertical, that is the heel elements and side elements are taken onto the lateral surfaces of the foot at right angles or at nearly right angles to these areas.

The favourable embodiments of the device are included in the sub-claims.

The procedure according to the invention for producing a three-dimensional foot mould is realised by using a device described above, in the course of which procedure the device is used for taking an impression of the foot to be moulded - making a negative -, then the sole element of the device, its cover, heel elements and side elements are closed up to form a closed box structure only with a filling opening and they are fixed to each other with releasable connections, and which procedure is characterised by that the internal space of the device containing the negative foot imprint is filled with an after-hardening material; and the three-dimensional foot mould obtained as a result of hardening is removed from the device after releasing and opening the connections of the elements forming the box. It is pointed out that even the client can fill the box with the after-hardening material, and in this case only the three-dimensional mould needs to be returned to the shoemaker, or the shoemaker can fill the box after the box containing the negative imprint is returned by the client for example by post.

Below the invention is described in detail on the basis of the attached drawings containing favourable embodiments of the device. In the drawings

figure 1 shows the perspective view of a first embodiment of the device according to the invention;

figure 2 shows the device as in figure 1 in vertical section, in partly closed position;

figure 3 shows the horizontal section taken along line a - a at the top of the device as in figure 1 , in partly closed position other than in figure

2;

figures 4-6 show a similar embodiment of the device as in figures 1 -3 in perspective view, in vertical section and in horizontal section taken along line b - b shown in figure 5;

figures 7a-7h show the use of the device as in figures 1 -3, the steps of the foot mould making procedure according to the invention in their possible order of sequence, in schematic perspective drawings; figure 8 shows the perspective view of a further favourable embodiment of the device;

figure 9 shows the vertical section of the device as in figure 8, in partly closed position;

figure 10 shows the horizontal section of the device as in figure 8, also in partly closed position;

figures 1 1 -13 show an embodiment of the device with a similar structural construction as in figures 1 -3 in perspective view, in vertical and horizontal section;

figures 14a-14h show the steps of the procedure of making a foot mould with the procedure according to the invention, using the device shown in figures 6-1 1 , in schematic perspective drawings;

figure 15 shows a further favourable embodiment of the device in perspective view;

figure 16 shows the vertical section of the device as in figure 15;

figure 17 shows the horizontal section of the device as in figure 15;

figures 18-20 show a device similar to the one shown in figures 15-17, in perspective view, in vertical and horizontal section; and

figures 21 a-21 h show the steps of the realisation method of the procedure according to the invention, using the device shown in figures 15-17, in schematic perspective drawings; figure 22 shows a further embodiment of the device according to the invention in perspective view;

figures 23a-23g show the steps of the realisation method of the procedure according to the invention, Using the device shown in figure 22, in schematic perspective drawings;

figure 24 shows an embodiment of the device according to the invention similar to the one shown in figure 22, in perspective view;

figure 25 shows another favourable embodiment of the device according to the invention, in a perspective drawing;

figures 26a-26g show the realisation method of the procedure according to the invention using the device as in figure 25 - the steps of the procedure of making the foot mould - in their practical order of sequence, in schematic perspective drawings.

The embodiment of the device according to the invention shown in figures 1 -3 has a rectangular box-like structure consisting of folding elements, with a sole element 1 , or a lower element, a tilting cover 2 and rotating heel elements 3, 4, and the latter elements extend from the internal end of the cover 2 to the end of the box, and their joint width is the same as the width of the box. The width and length of the rectangular body is chosen to suit the dimensions of the human foot, but the height of the heel elements depends on the type of the footwear to be currently manufactured, for example whether we intend to manufacture shoes, ankle boots or high boots. The cover 2 is joined to the hinge 5 having a horizontal geometrical axis 5a marked with a dotted line connected to a short side of the sole element 1 having a rectangular shape in top view, while the heel elements 3, 4 are joined to a hinge 6 having a vertical geometrical axis. As it can be seen in figures 1-3, according to this embodiment the heel elements 3, 4 extend from the internal end of the cover 2 to the opposite narrow side of rectangular box, that is to the vertical plane containing the hinge 6. It is pointed out that the definitions "horizontal" and "vertical" are to be meant relating to the position of the device while making the imprint, when the foot 7 of the person providing the imprint is resting in a static position on or in the device.

Each element of the box-like device has an external casing 8 made of a solid, rigid material, for example wood or plastic plate, and moulding material 9 filling the inside of the individual elements, fixed to - or favourably adhered to - the internal surface of the casing 8, and an essential characteristic feature of the moulding material 9 is that as a result of external pressure it goes through permanent deformation and retains its changed shape. Such a shape assuming and retaining material may be for example the so- called rigid plastic foam known in itself, which is used in everyday life for different purposes and is distributed under the name "oasis floral foam". It can be seen especially in figure 1 that the casing of the sole element 1 is constructed like a tray with a base plate and rims extending upwards to accommodate the moulding material 9 of a flat and free surface extending up to the upper edge of the rims, while the casings 8 of the cover 2 and the heel elements 3, 4 delimit the moulding material 9 inside them on four sides and leave free its two surfaces situated at right angles to each other. Obviously, when the heel elements 3, 4 are turned in - when they are folded onto the foot - there should be some room left in the solid casing 8 for the part of the leg of the person providing the imprint above the ankle, which is ensured by the opening-halves or recesses 12a, 12b ending at the upper edge of the heel elements 3, 4, which recesses are rectangular shaped in the case of the present embodiment, and together they form the opening 12 having the shape of a square with rounded corners as it can be seen in figure 3, which opening 12 - as it will be explained below -, when the person providing the foot imprint folds out the cover 2 and the heel elements 3, 4 into an open position after making the imprint and removes his/her foot and then folds in the cover 2 and the heel elements 3,4 of the box structure again, makes it possible to fill the cavity containing the negative foot imprint with an after- hardening material obviously through the hole remaining at the place of the lower leg (see figures 7f-7h later).

The embodiment shown in figures 4-6 is different from the embodiment of the device shown in figures 1-3 only in that the joint height M of the sole element 1 and the heel elements 3a, 4a shown in figure 5 is greater than the same type of height m of the device shown in figures 1 -3; the latter one is suitable for taking an imprint for manufacturing shoes or ankle boots to size, while the former one is suitable for taking an imprint for manufacturing high boots to size. In figures 4-6 the part of the device already described in connection with figures 1-3 is marked with the same reference numbers used in those figures.

Modelling using the device shown in figures 1 -3 takes place according to the following:

The device marked with reference number 1 1 in figures 1 and 2 is placed on a horizontal solid surface, e.g. the floor, and its cover 2 is turned around horizontal axis 5a to fold it upwards in a vertical position (figure 2, arrow c), and the heel elements 3, 4 are folded outwards in two directions above vertical axis 6a (figure 3, arrow d). Now the person providing the model can place its foot 7 on the sole place 1 so that his/her toes are resting on the side closer to the cover 2; the moment just before the foot 7 is placed on the sole place 1 is shown in figure 1.

Under the weight of the person providing the model the foot 7 gets pressed into the moulding material 9, e.g. formable foam, in the sole element 1 to a depth of Am as shown in figure 2, and so the imprint of the foot is created therein, including the lower and partly lateral surfaces of the toes.

The next step is that the cover 2 is folded bank onto the front part of the foot as shown by arrow c, as a result of which the moulding material 9 inside the cover 2 gets pressed onto this part of the foot and so the imprint of the front of the foot - including the upper and partly exterior parts of the toes - is obtained. Finally, the heel elements 3, 4 are folded inwards around vertical axis 6a as indicated by arrows d in figure 3 until they touch each other, and in this way the moulding material 9 inside them is taken and pressed onto the lateral surfaces of the foot 7 from the side, as a result of which on the parts of the foot below and around the ankles modelled by pressing them into the moulding material 9 only a minimal undercut can occur, which practically cannot represent a hindrance to manufacturing individual shoes of an excellent quality. After opening the device, removing the foot 7 and folding back and closing the cover 2 and the heel elements 3, 4, the person making the model returns the closed box, e.g. by post, to the shoemaker, who can now manufacture the required footwear simply on the basis of the three-dimensional foot imprint - negative mould - inside the device.

The device shown in figures 4-6, as mentioned above, is different from the device shown in figures 1 -3 only in that the height M of the heel elements 3a, 4a also extends to the lower leg of the person providing the model, so with this device an imprint - negative mould - also including the shape of the lower leg can be obtained after realising the procedural steps described in connection with figures 1-3.

Figures 7a-7h show the most important steps of the procedure according to the invention, and the end product of this procedure is a three-dimensional foot mould. As the procedure is realised using the device shown in figures 1 -3, in figures 7a-7h the same reference numbers are used to mark the same device elements as in figures 1 -3.

The step indicated in figure 7a - stepping on the moulding material of the sole element 1 and exerting pressure on it as shown by arrow p_ - is the same as the position shown in figure 1 . In the step according to figure 7b the heel elements 3,4 are folded inwards from the sides onto the foot 7 resting on the sole element 1 and closed, and in accordance with figure 7c the cover 2 is folded onto the foot 7; it can be seen that the steps shown in figure 7a and figure 7b are in reversed order as compared to figures 2 and 3, it is possible to reverse the order, it has no significance from the aspect of the quality of the mould obtained. Figure 7d shows the closed position of the box, when the elements of the device are in a position fixed to each other. In the phase shown in figure 7e practically the box should be opened in the following order: first the cover 2 is folded upwards from the foot as indicated by arrow c into vertical position, then the lateral heel elements 3,4 are folded outwards from the external-internal ankle (arrows d), and the person providing the model removes his/her foot 7 from the box as indicated by arrow e. Here the imprint of the sole and the front of the foot can be seen pressed into the moulding material 9 - e.g.: formable foam - of the sole element 1 and the cover 2. Figure 7f . shows the position when the elements of the device are folded together and closed; here the sole element 1 , the cover 2 and the heel elements 3, 4 are firmly fixed to each other; at the place of the foot 7 there is an opening 12' protruding inside the three- dimensional foot imprint and situated within the opening 12 of the casing 8 as it has been explained above in connection with figures 1 -3.

The procedural steps according to figures 7a-7f described above - with the different mentioned above - are in compliance with the steps described in connection with figures 1 -3, and in the next step of the procedure according to the invention shown in figure 7g a liquid after-hardening material, e.g. favourably two- component resin forming plastic foam, is filled into the negative mould closed in the box through the opening 12' as indicated by arrow f; such type of material known in itself can be for example some type of polyurethane foam, which is available in trade in numerous known versions for different purposes distributed by numerous companies. This material, after hardening followed by foaming, provides a three-dimensional foot mould 13 reflecting the perfect shape of the foot, as it can be seen in figure 7h together with the device opened out as indicated by arrows c and d, from which the foot mould 13 can be removed as indicated by arrow g. This shaped three-dimensional foot mould, which is practically perfectly precise, can be cleaned from the remnants of the formable foam and sent to the shoemaker, and on the basis of this mould any type of last can be made, the finished foot mould can be sent to any part of the world due to its size and weight, it can be posted, and footwear to size can be manufactured practically with absolute certainty.

Obviously the procedure according to the invention can be realised in the same way using the device shown in figures 4-6.

Figures 8-10 and 1 1 -13 show further embodiments of the device according to the invention, which are the same as the device according to figures 1 -3 and 4-6 in respect of their basic structural construction, therefore the reference numbers and signs used in those figures are also used in figures 8-13 to mark the same elements. The only difference is that the vertical geometrical axis of rotation 6a of the heel elements 3, 4 and 3a, 4a has been shifted eccentrically outwards in the longitudinal geometrical central plane X of the device by a distance marked in figures 10 and 13 with reference letter t as compared to the vertical plane situated opposite the plane containing the hinge 5 of the cover 2 of the device at a distance suiting the length of the box. The lower end of the hinge 6 - obviously its rigid axle - is fixed to the external end of the bracket 16 extending backwards from the sole element 1 , and bearing plates 14, 15 with internal ends opening and closing like scissors are connected to the hinge 6, and the heel elements 3, 4 or 3a, 4a are firmly fixed to the other - external - edge of the bearing plates 14, 15.

As it can be seen in figures 8-13 and figures 14a-14h, these devices are used in the same way as the devices shown in figures l -7h. However, due to the presence of the bearing plates 14, 15, on the one part when the heel elements 3, 4 or 3a, 4a are closed together (see arrows d in figures 10, 13 and 14c), the moulding material 9 of these heel elements is pressed to the foot part accommodating the ankles more from the front, at a relatively small angle with respect to the horizontal level, than in the case of the first embodiment of the device according to figures l -7h, and it reduces the extent of undercut around the ankles even more; on the other part, the eccentric position of the axis 6a results in a greater leverage, which makes it easier for the person providing the model to close up the heel elements 3, 4; or 3a, 4a.

The order of sequence of the steps of the procedure according to the invention shown in figures 14a-14h is exactly the same as in figures 7a-7h, with the difference that in this case, instead of a bracket 16, the lower end of the hinge having a vertical axis 6a is fixed eccentrically with a triangular bearing plate 16a starting from the rear end of the sole element 1 , and the axis of the vertical hinge is attached to the external end of this bearing plate 16a. Figures 15-17 and 18-20, and figures 21 a-21 h show an embodiment of the device according to the invention, where the heel elements 3, 4 or 3a, 4a are not rotated around a vertical axis and pressed onto the rear end part of the foot accommodating the ankles, but they are folded up from the two sides, horizontally, as a result of which even the very slight undercuts that may occur in the case of the embodiments above can be eliminated around the ankles. The principle and realisation of modelling, and the process of producing the foot mould is the same as described above, therefore the structural elements already described are marked with the reference numbers already used.

As it can be seen in figure 15, a guide rail 18 is attached to the casing, to the external edge of the cover 2, which guide rail 18 is folded down onto the foot around horizontal axis 5a as shown by arrow c, and it is positioned in such a way that it is in the same line as the internal upper edges 19 of the heel elements, so that when these heel elements are shifted inwards, towards each other from their position shown in figure 17, as shown by arrows i, these edges 19 move below the guide rail 18, driven by it horizontally. The guide rails 20 running along the upper edges of the external side of the heel elements 3, 4 fit into an external fixed guide rail 21 running along the upper edge of a plate 22 extending upwards and fixed to the casing of the sole element 1 , and when the heel elements 3, 4 are moved inwards, their guide rails 20 are driven and shifted horizontally. There is a guide rail 20a also along the lower external edge of each heel element 3, 4, and these guide rails 20a fit into the guide rail 21 a running inside in the lower range of the plate 22, slightly extending over its two sides. As a result of this, while the heel elements 3, 4 are moved forwards and backwards (closed and opened), they are driven appropriately and very accurately on their external sides, at the bottom and at the top too.

The heel elements 3, 4 can also be pushed into their internal final position manually, but more favourably they should be moved using the moving mechanism marked with reference number 23 as a whole in figure 15, which mechanism has a base plate 26 fixed to the lower casing of the sole element 1 and extending from it to the side, a front plate 24 extending upwards from the external edge of the base plate 26 - e.g.: folded up from the material of the base plate - and a threaded carrier rod 25 driven through the threaded hole 24a created in the front plate 24, and the internal end of the carrier rod 25 is connected to and lies against the external lateral surface of the heel element 3 for example by inserting a plate 27. This structural construction can be seen especially well in figures 21 d, 21 f and 21 g. It is pointed out here that in the interest of better comprehensibility only a few of figures 21 a-21 h contain all the reference number used earlier. Obviously movement can take place using other mechanisms or even manually.

The only difference between figure 18 and figure 15 is that the height M of the heel elements 3a, 4a is determined for high boots, so the guide rails 18, 20, 21 and the moving mechanism 23 are situated at the bottom rather than along the upper edge of the heel elements; a rail, not shown in figure 18, is allocated to the guide rail 18, fitting to it, on the lateral surfaces of the heel elements 3a, 4a.

In figures 16, 17 and 19, 20 the method of using the device is shown only in outline, in compliance with the same type of figures relating - to embodiments described above. The realisation of the procedure according to the invention using the device shown in figures 15-1 7 is illustrated in figures 21 a-21 h. In this case too the first step of the procedure is to place the foot in the open device as shown in figure 21 a (arrow p_), which is followed by folding down the cover 2 first (figure 21 b), and then by closing together the heel elements 3, 4 in accordance with figure 21 c, by moving them as shown by arrows i and pressing them onto the rear part of the foot 7. Movement is realised by moving the carrier rods 25 in the right direction, in the course of which the lower surface of the heel elements 3, 4 moves along the lower plane of the base plate 26, which becomes free and visible in the closed position of the device as shown in figure 21 d. When completely closed, the negative foot mould is created inside the box, then it can be opened, and after the foot 7 is removed (figure 21 e), it can be closed again (figure 2 I f). At this point, through the hole 12' an after-hardening material can be filled in the hollow inside the box as shown in figure 21 g (arrow f), and when hardened it forms the three-dimensional foot mould 13, which can be removed after opening the device - box - as shown in figure 21 h, and after cleaning it as necessary, it can be used for making shoes.

Obviously, by realising the steps shown in figures 21 a-21 h using the device shown in figures 18-20, a foot imprint or foot mould for high boots can also be produced.

Figures 22-22g show further embodiments of the invention, which operate on a similar principle and are also structurally similar to the embodiments described above in detail, so in these figures too the same reference numbers and signs are used as the ones used above†o mark the same or corresponding structural units and procedural steps. The difference is that in this case there is no cover 2 like in the case of the earlier soluilons, but a lateral element 28, 29 running along the entire length of the sole element 1 on both sides is used for modelling the entire upper and lateral part of the foot - for making this part of the foot imprint -, which elements, in this case too, can be rotated around a vertical geometrical axis όα via a hinge 6 extending upwards, the lower end of which is fixed to the sole element in the middle of one of the short sides of the sole element 1 , which is rectangular in top view - in the vertical geometrical central plane of the sole element 1 -, and they can be pressed from the two sides onto the part of the foot containing the ankles, the heel and the toes, while in this case too, the sole and side surfaces are modelled using the sole element 1 onto which the person providing the model steps as shown by arrow p_. In figure 22 a locking catch marked with reference number 30 is also shown, with the help of which the side element 28, after folding it in, can be attached to the side element 29, after it has been folded in too, with a releasable connection.

The procedural steps of the procedure according to the invention realised using the device shown in figure 22 are basically the same as the ones shown in figures 7a-7h, in the following order of sequence: figure 23a: stepping on the sole element 1 ; figure 23b: closing side elements 28, 29 and fixing them together with the locking catch 30; figure 23c: closed position of the box with the foot of the person providing the model inside; figure 23d: opening the box, removing the foot, at this point the foot imprint is already available deepened into the moulding material 9 of the box parts as a negative mould; figure 23e: the box after its moulding elements have been closed again and fixed to each other; figure 23f: filling the after-hardening material through the openings 12, 12' into the hollow foot mould; figure 23g: opening the device and removing the set foot mould 13.

The only difference between the embodiment of the device shown in figure 24 and the one shown in figure 22 is that in the former figure the vertical geometrical axis of rotation 6a and the axis of the hinge 6 - similarly to the solution shown in figures 8 and 1 1 - is shifted outwards in the longitudinal geometrical central plane x of the device, in such a way that bearing plates 31 , 32 opening and closing like scissors are attached to the hinge 6 with their internal ends, and the side elements 28, 29 are attached to the other - external 9 edge of the bearing plates 31 , 32 in a fixed position. The lower end of the axis of the hinge 6 is fixed in the corner area of the triangular bearing plate 33.

It is pointed out here that by choosing the right height of the side elements 28, 29, the devices described above can be used for making foot imprints and foot moulds for manufacturing shoes, ankle boots, high boots, etc.

The embodiment shown in figure 25 is similar to the one shown in figure 15, with the difference that in this case again there is no cover 2, the two side elements 28, 29 fill the function of moulding the whole foot - except for the sole - without a cover. As shown by double arrow B, via the upper lateral guide rails 20, 21 fitting into each other and sliding in each other and the lower lateral guide rails 20a, 21 a sliding in each other (in figure 25, on the left only the plate 22 holding rails 21 , 21 a and the upper guide rail 21 attached to it can be seen) the side elements 28, 29 can be moved inwards and outwards, and so their moulding layer 9 can be pressed onto the foot - including its upper surface too - from the two sides, and after modelling they can be pulled apart, and so the negative imprint, that is the foot imprint is available on the internal lateral surfaces of the side elements 28, 29 and on the upper surface of the sole element 1. In theory the side elements 28, 29 can be moved manually, but favourably a moving mechanism 23 described in detail above in connection with figures 15-2Ί h should be used for moving them, and in this case too the main elements of this moving mechanism 23 are the base plate 26, the front plate 24, the carrier rod 25 taken through the threaded hole 24a and the supporting plate 27, and below its operation is described in the course of describing the realisation of the procedure according to the invention using the device shown in figure 25, as illustrated in figures 26a-26g. According to this, after stepping onto the sole element as shown in figure 26a (arrow p_), the side elements 28, 29 driven by the pairs of guide rails are closed onto the foot 7 from the two sides as shown in figure 26b (arrows i) by moving the threaded carrier rod 25 of the moving mechanism 23, and in the phase shown in figure 26c - where the freed sole plates can be seen - the side elements 28, 29 are closed and fixed to each other on the foot 7; at this point the foot imprint - negative mould - has been created inside the device as described above, and in the step shown in figure 26d the side elements 28, 29 can be pulled apart by rotating the carrier rod 25 in the opposite direction as before, as indicated by arrows j; The person providing the model removes his/her foot 7 (arrow k) from the device, which is closed again as shown in figure 26e, in the same way as described in connection with figure 26b. At this point the foot imprint is available inside the closed box. The closed hollow containing the negative mould is filled with an after-hardening material through the opening 1 2' as indicated by arrow f in figure 26f, which material fills the mould completely and when it sets, it forms the three-dimensional foot mould 13, which is removed from the device (arrow k) opened again (arrows jj as shown in figure 26g, and after cleaning it as necessary, it can be used for making shoes.

Obviously, by choosing the right height of the side elements 28, 29, foot imprints or foot moulds can be produced for making high boots or ankle boots too, using the procedure shown in figures 26a-26g.

The advantages of the invention can be summarised as below:

the main advantage of the invention is that three- dimensional negative foot moulds of a higher precision can be produced with this device than with all known earlier devices, and even as a result of the modelling performed in this way unique footwear of excellent quality can be manufactured. Modelling can be realised by people not in the profession, the use of the device is not restricted to certain locations, the device can be sent even to foreign clients, and after modelling performed with maximum precision it can be returned to the shoemaker, who can manufacture the shoes on the basis of it. The three-dimensional foot mould made with the procedure according to the invention provides a more precise and more useful model, it contains the most precise data possible about the height, width and posiYion of the external-internal ankle and about the so-called heel-width, which data is essential for manufacturing shoes and boots to size. With the help of the precisely modelled shape of the foot - the three-dimensional foot mould - checking measurements can be performed at any time during manufacturing the shoes using the foot mould, and the special features of the individual foot shapes can also be taken into consideration to a maximum extent. The device has a simple structure, the modelling cost is low. With the help of the invention practically any type of footwear, such as shoes, ankle boots, walking boots, long riding boots, etc., can be manufactured in excellent quality for all age groups, including the manufacturing of orthopaedic footwear.

Obviously the invention is not restricted to the embodiments of the device described in detail above or to the realisation methods of the procedure described and illustrated, but it can be realised in several different ways within the scope of protection defined in the claims.