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Title:
EQUIPMENT FOR THE ACQUISITION OF THE MORPHOLOGY OF THE FOOT
Document Type and Number:
WIPO Patent Application WO/2018/146655
Kind Code:
A1
Abstract:
An apparatus for acquiring the morphology of a foot comprises a support frame (2), a horizontal plate (5) defining an abutment surface for at least the forefoot, a flexible element (8) associated with the support frame (2) above the horizontal plate (5) and suitable to receive and to hold the foot, wherein the flexible element (8) has a front portion (11) and at least a rear portion (12), connecting members (14) of the flexible element (8) to the support frame (2) configured to adjust the relative distance between at least a portion of the flexible element (8) and the horizontal plate (5), a movable support (26) for selectively supporting the rear portion of the foot, wherein the movable support (26) can be moved between a retracted position and an extracted position depending on the point at which the movable support (26) is positioned with respect to the horizontal plate (5).

Inventors:
CAVALLARO MARCO (IT)
MONACO FULVIA (IT)
Application Number:
PCT/IB2018/050884
Publication Date:
August 16, 2018
Filing Date:
February 13, 2018
Export Citation:
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Assignee:
MICHELOTTI ORTHOPEDIC SOLUTIONS S R L (IT)
International Classes:
A43D1/02
Foreign References:
US20100229422A12010-09-16
NL7711073A1979-04-10
US20010030297A12001-10-18
US2017813A1935-10-15
Attorney, Agent or Firm:
LISA, Elisabetta et al. (IT)
Download PDF:
Claims:
CLAIMS

An apparatus for acquiring the morphology of a foot comprising a support frame (2), a horizontal plate (5) connected to said frame (2) and defining an abutment surface for at least a portion of the foot, a flexible element (8) configured to receive and hold the foot, wherein said flexible element (8) is provided above said horizontal plate (5) and is deformable starting from an extended configuration to take under load the morphology imposed by the foot and to allow the abutment of at least a front portion of the foot against said horizontal plate (5), said flexible element (8) having a front portion (11), a rear portion (12) and a central portion (13) connecting said front portion (11) and said rear portion (12), connecting means (14) of a periphery of the flexible element (8) to said support frame (2), wherein said connecting means (14) are movable with respect to said support frame (2) along at least a vertical direction (V) orthogonal to said horizontal plate (5) and configured to adjust the distance of at least a portion of said flexible element (8) with respect to said horizontal plate (5) in order to adjust the distribution of the soft tissue through the action of the flexible element (8) while the foot presses on the horizontal plate (5) and/ or to adjust the medial/ lateral rotation of the foot with respect to a front-rear axis (F-R) of the foot, means for acquiring the morphology of said foot held in said flexible element (8), and a movable support (26) along said vertical direction (V), to selectively support the rear portion of the foot, wherein said movable support (26) is susceptible to be operated between a retracted configuration, in which it does not provide any support for the rear portion of the foot, and an extracted configuration, in which it supports the rear portion of the foot, said operation occurring depending on the point at which said movable support (26) is positioned with respect to said horizontal plate (5).

2. An apparatus for acquiring the morphology of a foot according to claim 1, wherein said movable support (26) comprises an auxiliary frame (28) and a bar- shaped element (29) slidably engaged along said auxiliary frame (28) and protruding in the extracted position from a medial side and from a lateral side of the foot (P), wherein the position of said bar-shaped element (29) with respect to said auxiliary frame (28) determines said retracted configuration and said extracted configuration for said movable support (26).

3. An apparatus for acquiring the morphology of a foot according to claim 1, wherein said auxiliary frame (28) comprises a pair of brackets (30) each equipped with a through slot (31) developing along a direction that is substantially transverse and inclined with respect to the horizontal or curvilinear or a combination thereof, each of said through slots (31) being engaged by a corresponding end of said bar-shaped element (29), and defining a guiding path for moving said bar-shaped element (29) between an extracted position and a retracted position.

4. An apparatus for acquiring the morphology of a foot according to claim 2 or 3, wherein the bar-shaped element (29) is associated with a further flexible element that, in the extracted position, is interposed between the flexible element (8) and the horizontal plate (5) to support the heel with a uniform pressure and deformation.

5. An apparatus for acquiring the morphology of a foot according to claim 1, wherein the flexible element (8) is elastic and returns to the extended position when the load applied by the foot (P) is absent.

6. An apparatus for acquiring the morphology of a foot according to claim 1, comprising guides (17) operatively connected to said connecting means (14) for guiding the movement of said connecting means (14) along said support frame (2).

7. An apparatus for acquiring the morphology of a foot according to claim 1, wherein said flexible element (8) is peripherally linked to at least one stiffening frame (9), of a flexible type.

8. An apparatus for acquiring the morphology of a foot according to the preceding claim, comprising a further frame (10), made of a soft material, interposed between said at least one frame (9) and said flexible element (8), said further frame (10) being configured for distributing the loads between said at least one frame (9) and said flexible element (8).

9. An apparatus for acquiring the morphology of a foot according to claim 1, wherein said central portion (13) of said flexible element (8) is curved, with the concavity in use facing downwards.

10. An apparatus for acquiring the morphology of a foot according to claim 9, wherein said connecting means (14) comprise at least one first clamp (15) and at least one second clamp (16) both shaped and associated below, respectively, with said rear portion (12) and with said front portion (11) of said flexible element (8), each of said first and second clamps (15, 16) comprising corresponding free ends (15a, 16a) curved downwards to accompany the deformation of the central portion (13).

11. An apparatus for acquiring the morphology of a foot according to the preceding claim, wherein said at least one first clamp (15) and said at least one second clamp (16) are substantially "U"- or "C"-shaped for engaging corresponding peripheral portions of said flexible element (8).

12. An apparatus for acquiring the morphology of a foot according to claim 1, wherein said connecting means (14) comprise at least one first clamp (15') and at least one second clamp (16'), wherein each of said at least one first clamp (15') and said at least one second clamp (16') comprises at least a first portion and at least a second portion, mutually spaced, that can be operated independently of each other moving with respect to said horizontal plate (5).

13. An apparatus for acquiring the morphology of a foot according to any claim 10 to 12, comprising actuating means (21) operatively associated with said connecting means (14), for moving at least one or more portions of said flexible element (8) among them, approaching or departing with respect of said horizontal plate (5).

14. A method for acquiring the morphology of a foot comprising the steps of:

- providing an apparatus for acquiring the morphology of the foot according to any claims 1 to 13;

- defining the point at which the heel has to be supported with respect to said horizontal plate (5);

- positioning said flexible element (8) at a predetermined point with respect to said horizontal plate (5);

- operating said movable support (26) in extracted or retracted configuration depending on said point at which the heel has to be supported; - introducing the foot into said apparatus for acquiring the morphology of the foot;

- placing said foot against said flexible element (8), causing the deformation thereof up to completely support the foot and to impose its own shape;

- adjusting the position of said foot held by said flexible element (8) by moving said connecting means (14);

- acquiring the morphology of said foot.

15. A method for acquiring the morphology of a foot according to claim 14, wherein said step of adjusting the position of said foot comprises a step of moving one or more perimeter portions of said flexible element (8) by moving said connecting means (14) with respect to said horizontal plate (5).

Description:
EQUIPMENT FOR THE ACQUISITION OF THE MORPHOLOGY OF THE FOOT

TECHNICAL FIELD OF THE INVENTION

The present invention relates to an apparatus for acquiring the morphology of a foot, in order to realise an orthosis for a foot or a shoe or a form (so-called "last") or a shoe component or an insole or a similar element.

STATE OF THE ART

For realising an orthosis for a foot or an insole or still for realising a personalized shoe, or simply for acquiring the morphological conformation of the foot, it is known the use of a scanning apparatus comprising a plate made of transparent material onto which laying the foot and optical acquisition means placed below said plate for acquiring, from below, the image of the sole of the foot laying on it.

A limitation of such an apparatus is caused by that the soft tissues of the foot, which are pressed against the plate, are deformed, thus taking a substantially flat configuration that does not correspond to the actual morphology of the foot.

Such an apparatus, therefore, does not allow to effectively acquire the morphology of the foot in a neutral position, which corresponds to the neutral configuration of the foot in terms of subtalar articulation, namely the optimal configuration of the bones with which the foot should support the body weight.

Furthermore, an apparatus of the above-indicated type exclusively allows the acquisition of the image of the foot lying on a horizontal plane. In fact, through such an apparatus it is not possible to acquire the morphology of the foot positioned so as to simulate the posture taken by the foot itself inside a heeled shoe.

Therefore, such an apparatus can not be used for realising an orthosis for the foot to be worn with heeled shoes or, again, for realising shoes with personalized heels. In order to overcome this last drawback, it is known an apparatus for the foot scanning comprising a front platform and a rear platform movably connected to a supporting structure instead of a single laying plate. By varying the relative point between the front platform and the rear one it is possible to make the foot to take a posture with the raised heel, similar to that taken, for example, by the foot inside a heeled shoe. For example, US 2010 / 0229422 shows a supporting surface of the foot such that the relative vertical position between a front portion and a rear portion is adjustable.

However, this apparatus is not able to overcome the inconvenience regarding the deformation of the soft tissues of the foot previously described, since each of the front platform and of the rear platform causes the uncontrolled deformation of the soft tissues of the foot laying thereon. This is due to the fact that the supporting surface is substantially rectilinear in the transverse direction, i.e. in the lateral-medial direction, and the soft tissues adhere on such a surface depending on the position of the foot and on the applied load.

Therefore, the soft tissues are not supported and held in the lateral-medial direction. Moreover, such an apparatus does not allow acquisition from below of the morphology of the foot.

Furthermore, US 2001/0030297 describes a device configured to hold a foot in an unloaded condition and in a flat position, i.e. associated with a non-heeled shoe. There is the need, in the sector, to have an apparatus allowing the acquisition of the actual morphology of the foot in the context of a solution able to overcome the limitations of the apparatuses according to the aforementioned prior art.

There is also the need to have an apparatus for acquiring the morphology of the foot positioned with the heel raised with respect to the forefoot, so as to simulate the posture taken by the foot during the use of specific shoes that forces the foot to take a configuration different from that substantially planar, for example a heeled shoe.

BRIEF DESCRIPTION OF THE INVENTION

Therefore, it is the main object of the present invention to improve the state of the art relevant to an apparatus for acquiring the morphology of a foot, without any limitation to alternative techniques such as the acquisition by contact and the consequent definition of the morphology as determined by the apparatus.

Within the scope of this task, an object of the present invention is to provide an apparatus for acquiring the morphology of a foot in the context of a solution able to limit the deformation phenomena of the soft tissues of the foot, typical of traditional apparatuses. Another object of the present invention is to provide an alternative solution of an apparatus for acquiring the morphology of a foot allowing the bones of the foot to take the most suitable configuration for the user, for example the so-called neutral position in the podiatric field or one specific position to compensate and/ or to correct specific problems of the biomechanical type and to hold the foot in such a position during the process of acquisition.

A further object of the present invention is to provide an apparatus for acquiring the morphology of a foot in order to realise orthoses for the foot to be used with heeled shoes or in order to realise a shoe with a personalized heel, in which the morphology of the shoe and the dimensions of the heel, with particular reference to the height thereof, can be optimized according to specific biomechanical or ergonomic needs of a user.

Another object of the present invention is to provide an apparatus for acquiring the morphology of a foot able to make the foot to take the postures taken by it during a race or a walk.

Yet another object of the present invention is to provide an apparatus for acquiring the morphology of a foot easy to use.

According to an aspect of the present invention an apparatus is provided for acquiring the morphology of a foot according to claim 1. In particular, the flexible element is pressed against the plate by the load applied by the foot starting from an extended configuration and, by adjusting the vertical point of the connecting means with respect to the plate, both the compression and the distribution of the soft parts of the foot and the rotation around a front-rear axis of the foot can be adjusted before acquiring the image of the foot, that can be placed in positions distinctive of various types of shoes, in particular of heeled shoes. In particular, the position of the foot can be either flat, as previously mentioned, or with the raised heel to simulate a heeled shoe; for each position of the foot a plurality of configurations of the feet bones are possible, e.g. forefoot/backfoot in eversion or inversion, varus or valgus, pronounced or supinate; and for each position of the foot and configuration of the bones, the action of the flexible element defines a distribution of the soft tissues. According to the present invention, the connecting means can adjust the vertical height of the flexible element with respect to the horizontal plate in one or more peripheral points of the flexible element itself. In this way it is possible to adjust the distribution of the soft tissues and the configuration of the bones in a controlled and particularly precise way. In particular for realising shoes with tailored heels not applying harmful loads to the foot, it is important being able to accurately adjust using a single tool the position of the foot, the configuration of the bones and the distribution of the soft tissues. Such data are usable for producing orthotics or shoes with improved comfort. Preferably, the movable support for supporting and/ or defining an abutment for the heel of the foot with respect to the forefoot is bar-shaped and it is arranged to protrude in the position extracted from a medial side and from a lateral side of the foot for not interfering too much with the image acquisition from the perspective of the sole of the foot. In particular, this is favoured by that a pair of supporting brackets engages, through relative slots, in portions of the end of the bar-shaped support.

Preferably, the bar-shaped element is associated, in a non-illustrated way, with a further flexible element that, in the extracted position, is interposed between the flexible element and the horizontal plate to support the heel with a uniform pressure and deformation.

Preferably, the flexible element comprises a central portion having a concave intermediate portion, with the concavity facing downwards, to connect the rear portion to the front portion of the flexible element and to allow at the same time to exercise an effective action of configuration and distribution on the arch of the foot.

Preferably, the heel is further supported or is abutting against a bar-shaped element.

According to a further aspect of the present invention, a method is provided for acquiring the morphology of a foot through such an acquisition device, according to claim 15.

The dependent claims refer to preferred and advantageous embodiments of the invention.

BRIEF DESCRIPTION OF THE DRAWINGS

Further features and advantages of the present invention will become more evident from the detailed description of a preferred, non-exclusive, embodiment of an apparatus for acquiring the morphology of a foot, shown by way of illustrative, but non-limiting, example in the appended tables of drawings in which:

Figure 1 is a perspective view of the apparatus for acquiring the morphology of a foot according to the invention, in a use configuration;

Figures 2 and 3 are perspective views of the apparatus for acquiring the morphology of a foot according to the invention, in a further use configuration;

Figure 4 is a detailed perspective view of a component of the apparatus for acquiring the morphology of a foot according to the invention;

Figure 5 is a perspective view of a further version of the apparatus for acquiring the morphology of a foot according to the invention.

EMBODIMENTS OF THE INVENTION

With reference to the enclosed figures, an apparatus for acquiring the morphology of a foot P is indicated as a whole by reference number 1.

The acquisition apparatus 1 comprises acquisition means, which may be optical and/ or based on contact without any limitation, for the morphology of foot P.

The acquisition apparatus 1 presents a support frame 2 configured to delimit a central box shaped recess 3 for housing foot P and acquiring the relevant morphology.

According to an embodiment of the present invention, support frame 2 may comprise at least a further resting plate 2' set in a lateral position on a side of central box shaped recess 3 and where the user may rest the other foot from that for acquisition, so as to facilitate the suitable weight distribution and a correct positioning of the feet supported by acquisition apparatus 1.

In the attached figures it is shown, as a not limiting example, an acquisition apparatus 1 comprising two further resting plates 2' provided symmetrically on the sides of central box shaped recess 3. It is understood that an acquisition apparatus 1 may comprise only one of such a further resting plate 2' or does not comprise such plate without departing from the scope of protection of the present invention.

Support frame 2 comprises a horizontal plate 5 to define two reciprocally superimposed portions along central box shaped recess 3: an upper portion or recess 6 and a lower portion or recess 7.

Upper portion 6 is suitable for housing foot P whose morphology it is intended to acquire and is downwardly limited by horizontal plate 5.

Horizontal plate 5 defines an abutment surface for at least a portion of foot P as will be better described later.

Horizontal plate 5 is optically transparent to provide, if needed, morphologic acquisition of an image of foot P from below through horizontal plate 5 itself.

Acquisition apparatus 1 comprises a flexible element, indicated as a whole by reference number 8, operatingly connected to support frame 2 in an upper position with respect to horizontal plate 5.

Flexible element 8 is suitable for receiving and holding foot P inside the central box shaped recess 3 of the acquisition apparatus 1.

In greater detail, flexible element 8 is configured to or configurable to control the deformation of soft tissue of foot P in addition to providing the correct positioning of the forefoot and heel in inversion and eversion with respect to a sagittal symmetry plane of human body, and the appropriate posture between forefoot and heel with respect to the horizontal plane parallel to horizontal plate 5, as will be better described later.

According to an embodiment of the present invention, flexible element 8 may be configured as a flexible membrane deforming under the action of foot P applied on it. According to a further embodiment of the present invention, flexible element 8 may be made as a woven fabric or as a non-woven fabric.

Furthermore, according to a further embodiment of the present invention, not shown in the attached figures, flexible element 8 may be configured as an element having a web structure.

According to such an embodiment, the mesh size throughout the structure of flexible element 8 may be homogeneous or differentiated on the basis of specific use requirements. Furthermore, such a web structure may comprise yarns with a differentiated tension to differentiate flexibility and compliance of the web structure itself on the basis of specific use requirements without being limiting. In the attached figures, flexible element 8 is shown, without any limitation, as a membrane, although it is meant that the element may have any of the configurations described above.

Flexible element 8 is, practically, deformable in such a way to adhere to the morphology of the foot pressing on it.

According to an embodiment of the present invention, flexible element 8 is coupled to at least a frame 9.

In greater detail, the at least one frame 9 is peripherally linked to flexible element 8. The at least one frame 9 provides a support and a peripheral strengthening to flexible element 8 and allows to keep the latter in a distended configuration for as long as the foot whose morphology it is intended to acquire is not introduced in the central box shaped recess 3 and pressed on flexible element 8.

The at least one frame 9 may have a substantially rectangular configuration. It is however possible further configurations of the at least one frame 9, for example hexagonal, elliptical or the like without departing from the scope of protection of the present invention.

The at least one frame 9, albeit providing peripheral strengthening to flexible element 8, is made of a elastically deformable material for the purposes that will be described later.

According to an embodiment of the present invention, the at least one frame 9 may comprise a further frame 10 for distributing and equalizing loads between the at least one frame 9 and flexible element 8 (see figure 4). Further frame 10 is provided in an intermediate position between the at least one frame 9 and flexible element 8.

Further frame 10 may be made of a soft material such as EVA or the like, for providing a compliant support.

Furthermore, further frame 10 is shaped so as to be superimposable to the at least one frame 9 and so as to avoid obstacles to deformation of flexible element 8 in use.

The at least one frame 9 and further frame 10 may have the same or different stiffness one another depending on specific use requirements.

Flexible element 8 has a front portion 11, a rear portion 12 and a central portion 13 to connect front portion 11 to rear portion 12, which are configured to house and hold respective portions of foot P.

According to an embodiment of the present invention, flexible element 8 may have substantially planar front portion 11 and rear portion 12 and a curved central portion 13.

Curved central portion 13 provides the suitable elongation of flexible element 8 in addition to help the adhesion of the latter to the central portion of foot P and an optimal distribution of the tension applied on such portion by the foot.

In case, the curved shape of central portion 13 is adapted to the specific needs of the user.

Acquisition apparatus 1 comprises means, indicated as a whole with reference number 14, to operatively connect flexible element 8 to support frame 2.

In particular, connecting means 14 is configured to provide the adjustment of tension applied by flexible element 8 around a number of foot portions, as better described later.

In this respect, it is noted that connecting means 14 is movingly coupled to support frame 2, within central box shaped recess 3, along a vertical direction V.

Connecting means 14 is thus movable to approach and depart from horizontal plate 5 and consequently drag respective peripheral portions of flexible element 8 attached to it.

Actually, the distance where connecting means 14 is placed with respect to horizontal plate 5 determines the tension that flexible element 8 applies around the foot held within.

By changing the tension level of flexible element 8, it is possible to control the deformation of soft tissue of the foot, in addition to controlling and adjusting the positioning of each foot portion, so as the latter take the desired positioning, on the basis of the specific use requirements. Connecting means 14 is configured to provide a relative motion at least between front portion 11 and rear portion 12 of flexible element 8.

For such a purpose, connecting means 14 may comprise at least a first clamp 15, couplable to front portion 11 of flexible element 8, and at least a second clamp 16, couplable to rear portion 12 of flexible element 8.

The at least first clamp 15 and the at least second clamp 16 may be configured as a substantially 'U' or Ό shape or the like for connection of respective portions 11, 12 of flexible element 8 so as to avoid obstacles to deformation in use.

As already said, connecting means 14 is movably coupled to support frame 2 so as to change one another the relative position of at least two portions 11, 12 of flexible element 8, by approaching or departing with respect to horizontal plate 5.

Actually, by changing the distance between a portion of flexible element 8 and horizontal plate 5, it is changed the tension that flexible element 8 can apply around the foot. Referring, for example, to the forefoot portion, the latter, after introduction in central box shaped recess 3, contacts flexible element 8 to deform the latter and push it on horizontal plate 5. By lifting first clamp 15, and thus front portion 11 of flexible element 8, from horizontal plate 5, an increased tension around the forefoot is determined.

Vice versa, by approaching the at least first clamp 15, and thus front portion 11 of flexible element 8, to horizontal plate 5, tension applicable around the forefoot is decreased.

Similarly, connecting means 14 may be configured to change the tension applied by flexible element 8 around the central portion of the foot and/ or to the heel.

According to an embodiment of the present invention, the at least first clamp 15 is slidingly connected to support frame 2, along a direction V that is substantially orthogonal to horizontal plate 5.

Horizontal plate 5, therefore, provides a reference plane to adjust the position of flexible element 8 in addition to the position of the heel, as better described later.

According to a further embodiment of the present invention, the at least first clamp 15 and the at least second clamp 16 are both slidingly connected to the support frame 2 along direction V that is orthogonal to horizontal plate 5.

For such a purpose, acquisition apparatus 1 comprises guides 17 operatively connected to connecting means 14 to guide the motion of the latter along support frame 2. Guides 17 may be configured for translation and/ or rotation of connecting means 14 with respect to horizontal plate 5.

As an example, guides 17 may be configured as columnar elements 18 linked to support frame 2 and oriented along direction V, slidingly couplable to connecting means 14.

For example connecting means 14 may have through openings 19 couplable with respective columnar elements 16. Optionally, connecting means 14 may comprise a sleeve 20 for each through opening 19 to help connecting means 14 to slide along guides 17 and avoid sticking.

It is intended that guides 17 may be differently configured, albeit falling within the same scope of protection of the present invention.

For example, according to a further version of the present invention not shown in the attached figures, guides 17 may be configured as grooves provided along vertical features of the support frame 2, aligned with vertical direction V and couplable with respective appendices projecting from connecting means 14.

Acquisition apparatus 1 comprises actuating means, indicates as a whole by reference number 21, to drive the motion of connecting means 14 with respect to horizontal plate 5, along vertical direction V.

Where connecting means 14 are configured for the relative movement at least of front portion 11 and rear portion 12 of flexible element 8, and comprise therefore at least a first clamp 15 and at least a second clamp 16, actuating means 21 may comprise at least a first drive 22 and at least a second drive 23, provided for the respective movement of front portion 11 (or of the at least first clamp 15) and of the rear portion 12 (or of the at least second clamp 16) of flexible element 8.

More generally, actuating means 21 comprises at least a control element 24 for moving a respective at least one driven element 25, the latter being coupled to a respective portion of flexible element 8.

Actuating means 21 may be of the screwed spindle and nut type, rack and pinion type or equivalent, without limiting the scope of protection of the present invention.

For example, where actuating means 21 are of the screwed spindle and nut type, first drive 22 may comprise a control element 24 configured as a threaded bar 24', aligned substantially parallel to direction V, and a driven element configured as a threaded seat 25' coupled to the at least first clamp 15 and to threaded bar 24'.

Driving in rotation threaded bar 24' determines the motion of the at least first clamp 15 approaching or departing from horizontal plate 5 and, consequently, of front portion 11 of flexible element 8 coupled to it.

Control element 24 may by actuated in motion either manually or automatically via proper motor means, such as an electric motor for example.

According to a further embodiment of the present invention not shown in the attached figures, connecting means 14 is configured to provide relative motion between front portion 11 and rear portion 12 of flexible element 8 along vertical direction V, and the rotation of front portion 11 and/ or of rear portion 12 about a longitudinal front-rear direction F-R of flexible element 8 (figure 1).

According to such an embodiment, flexible element 8 may approach or depart with respect to horizontal plate 5 and may rotate about such a front-rear direction F-R.

In this way, it is possible to differentiate the tension of flexible element 8 acting on the foot, in addition to determining a controlled rotation of foot P for the purpose of adjusting the position of the medial and lateral portion of the foot with respect to horizontal plate 5.

According to such an embodiment, not shown in the attached figures, connecting means 14 may comprise at least a first clamp 15' and at least a second clamp 16' each of which comprising at least two mobile portions as will be better described below. The at least one first clamp 15' may comprise at least a first portion and at least a second portion, reciprocally spaced, which may be independently actuated one another in motion with respect to horizontal plate 5.

Similarly, the at least one second clamp 16' may comprise at least a first portion and at least a second portion spaced one another.

As a consequence, according to such an embodiment, actuating means 21 may comprise at least four drives, not shown in the attached figures, each of which provides the motion of a respective portion of first clamp 15' and of second clamp 16' of connecting means 14'.

It is intended that the acquisition apparatus 1 according to the present invention may comprise connecting means 14 comprising in turn a larger number of clamps connected to flexible element 8, each of which is couplable to a respective actuating means 21, thus increasing the freedom of motion of each peripheral portion of flexible element 8 and, therefore, the possibility to differentiate the tension applicable by the latter on specific portions of the foot.

For example, acquisition apparatus 1 may comprise connecting means operatively connected to front portion 11, to rear portion 12 and to central portion 13 of flexible element 8, such to change the position and/ or the inclination of such portions of flexible element 8 with respect to horizontal plate 5, independently one from the other. Referring to the embodiment shown as an example in the attached figures, connecting means 14 comprises a first clamp 15 and a second clamp 16 for the relative motion of front portion 11 and second portion 12 of flexible element 8.

As mentioned, the at least one first clamp and the at least one second clamp 16 may have a substantially 'U' or 'C shape, whose free end portions, 15a and 16a respectively, may be curved to help the deformation of central portion 13 of flexible element 8. Such curved free ends 15a, 16a avoid the formation of lumped forces along flexible element 8, preserving its functionality.

Acquisition apparatus 1 according to the present invention is configured to support the foot the morphology of which it is intended to acquire, being the heel raised with respect to the forefoot.

In particular, acquisition apparatus 1 provides the acquisition of the morphology of the foot held by flexible element 8, being the forefoot abutting on horizontal plate 5 and the heel supported in a raised position with respect to horizontal plate 5, to reproduce the foot posture while using a heeled footwear or simulating the foot posture during walking or running.

According to such an aspect of the present invention, acquisition apparatus 1 may be used in the manufacturing process of orthosis for heeled footwear in addition to manufacturing personalized heeled footwear, optionally corrective, on the basis of specific requirements or in addition to manufacture a general footwear or a shape (so called 'last') or a footwear component or an insole or the like without whatsoever limitation.

Acquisition apparatus 1 comprises a mobile support 26 to selectively support the heel. Mobile support 26 is such to be actuated between a retracted configuration, wherein there is no support for the heel, and an extracted configuration wherein it supports the heel.

Mobile support 26 may be selectively positioned between horizontal plate 5 and flexible element 8, to function as a support of the heel, the latter being raised with respect to horizontal plate 5.

Mobile support 26, when in the extracted configuration, has a portion extending below flexible element 8 to provide an abutment for the heel.

Mobile support 26, furthermore, is movable to approach or depart from horizontal plate 5.

In particular, mobile support 26 is set in a retracted configuration when the heel is held by flexible element 8 abutting on horizontal plate 5 and, therefore, there is no need of an additional support. When, however, it is intended to acquire the morphology of the foot with a raised heel with respect to the forefoot (to simulate e.g. the posture when the foot wears a heeled footwear), it is necessary to support the heel and, therefore, mobile support 26 is driven in the extracted configuration.

Mobile support 26 defines a mobile reference with respect to the absolute reference provided by horizontal plate 5. In this way it is possible to provide, in a precise manner, a support for the heel set at a defined vertical distance from horizontal plate 5 and, therefore, from the forefoot contacting the latter.

According to a preferred embodiment, mobile support 26 is set below flexible element 8. In greater detail, mobile support 26 may be operatively connected below rear portion 12 of flexible element 8, in such a way that the motion of rear portion 12 with respect to horizontal plate 5 may determine, in turn, the motion of mobile support 26 with respect to the latter.

Acquisition apparatus 1 comprises control means, indicated as a whole by reference number 27, to control the motion of mobile support 26 between the retracted and the extracted position and vice versa.

Control means 27 is configured to determine the actuation of mobile support 26 between the retracted and the extracted configuration based on the distance of rear portion 12 of flexible element 8 from horizontal plate 5.

Mobile support 26 may comprise an auxiliary frame 28 to which a bar element 29 is slidingly coupled, movable between two end positions, i.e. a starting or retracted position and a final or extracted position.

Auxiliary frame 28 is movably coupled to support frame 2 along vertical direction V, approaching or departing from horizontal plate 5, to provide the motion of mobile support 26 along such a direction.

It is worth noting that auxiliary frame 28 is configured so as to avoid interference, in use, with the deformation of flexible element 8.

According to a preferred embodiment, auxiliary frame 28 comprises a couple of substantially vertical brackets 30.

Each bracket 30 has a through slot 31 extending along a substantially transversal direction, linear or curved or a combination thereof, and defining the path along which bar element 29 is movable between the extracted and the retracted position (see figures 2 and 3).

In greater detail, each through slot 31 is inclined with respect to horizontal plate 5 or has a curved path in such a way to help the positioning by gravity of bar element 29 in the extracted position.

Bar element 29 functions as a clamp to support the foot's heel.

As said, control means 27 determine the actuation of mobile support 26 between the extracted configuration, wherein bar element 29 is in the extracted position, and the retracted one, wherein bar element 29 is in the retracted position, and vice versa. According to an embodiment of the present invention, control means 27 may be of the cam-cam follower kind.

In greater detail, control means 27 configured according to the above may comprise shaped guides 32, linked to support structure 2 and couplable, at opposite ends, to bar element 29 to selectively control the motion between the retracted position and the extracted one based on the position of mobile support 26 with respect to horizontal plate 5.

In particular, shaped guides 32 may comprise at least a vertical feature 33 followed by a horizontally inclined feature 34.

Referring to the embodiment in figures 1-3, shaped guides 32 have at least an intial vertical feature 33, suitable to keep bar element 29 in the retracted configuration during the lift of mobile support 26 with respect to horizontal plate 5, followed by a horizontally inclined feature 34 suitable to determine the motion of bar element 29 from the retracted to the extracted position.

Shaped guides 32 are configured to cooperate with slots 31 manufactured along auxiliary frame 28 so as to control the motion of bar element 29 along auxiliary frame 28 and, consequently, the motion of mobile support 26 between the retracted and the extracted configuration and vice versa.

It is noted that horizontally inclined feature 34 has an inclination contrary to that of slots 31.

It is intended that control means 27 to actuate bar element 29 may differ from what described above without departing from the inventive concept of the present invention.

As an example, figure 5 shows a further embodiment of acquisition apparatus 1, wherein control means 27' has a different configuration without departing from the inventive concept described above. In such a figure, components corresponding to those described above are indicated with the same reference numbers.

Similarly to the description of the previous embodiment, control means 27' has a vertical feature 33', followed by a horizontal feature 34' and by a further vertical feature 33".

As an example, a further configuration of control means 27 for bar element 29 not shown in the attached figures, may comprise a linear guide with a motorized slide to determine the motion of bar element 29 along auxiliary frame 28 and, therefore, to control the motion between the retracted and the extracted position according to specific use requirements.

It is noted that mobile support 26 may comprise a further flexible element, not shown in the attached figures, to improve the support of the heel.

In greater detail, bar element 29 may be coupled to a further flexible element in such a way that the motion of bar element 29 from the retracted position to the extracted one determines the actuation of a second mechanism to provide the extraction of such a flexible element, interposed between flexible element 8 and horizontal plate 5. The further flexible element, actually, is configured to support with a uniform pressure and deformation the heel raised with respect to the horizontal plane defined by horizontal plate 5.

According to such a version of the present invention, the surface of the bottom of the foot will be loaded by a decreased localized pressure applied by bar element 29. Therefore, it is possible to provide a more uniform distribution of soft tissue adjacent to the relevant portion of the foot, such as the heel, and on the basis of the desired height.

The particular conformation of mobile support 26, therefore, provides a support for the rear portion of the foot such to avoid interference during the acquisition process of the foot morphology.

According to an embodiment of the present invention, the acquisition of the foot morphology is operated via an optical acquisition process, although it is intended that, as said, the acquisition may be operated via a contact type process, providing for example contour following means or a deformable plastic material (e.g. phenolic foam for a footprint) or both optical and contact means without any limitation whatsoever.

Referring to an optical acquisition process, acquisition apparatus 1 for the morphology of the foot may comprise one or more optical acquisition means, indicated as a whole by reference number 35, suitable to acquire the morphology of the foot held by flexible element 8.

Acquisition means 35 comprises optical sensors 36.

According to a version of the present invention, optical acquisition means 35 may comprise at least an optical sensor 36 located below horizontal plate 5 to provide the acquisition of a bottom image of the foot held by flexible element 8.

Scanning apparatus 1 may comprise a reflecting surface 37, e.g. a mirror, connected to support frame 2 below horizontal plate 5 to deviate the visible image through horizontal plate 5 towards the at least one optical sensor 36 (see figure 1).

For example, reflecting surface may be housed in a lower recess 7 of support frame 2. Actually, reflecting surface 37 provides the reduction of the overall vertical dimension of acquisition apparatus 1.

Optical acquisition means 35 may comprise further optical sensors 38 above horizontal plate 5 to provide a foot acquisition from above and from the sides.

Referring to the embodiment of the present invention shown in figure 5, optical acquisition means 35 are shown comprising further four sensors 38, set above horizontal plate 5. For example, further optical sensors 38 may be provided adjacent to vertices of structure 2.

It is intended that further configurations are possible of the optical acquisition means 35 comprising a larger or smaller number of optical sensors 36, 38 possibly set in a different manner than that described above without departing form the scope pf protection of the present invention.

Below it is provided a brief description to explain the functioning of acquisition apparatus 1 according to the present invention.

To acquire the image of foot P, the process provides setting the position of flexible element 8 with respect to horizontal plate 5, i.e. by positioning front portion 11, rear portion 12 and central portion 13 to respective predetermined vertical positions with respect to horizontal plate 5.

Thus, it is introduced within support frame 2 in box shaped recess 3 through opening 4 foot P whose morphology it is intended to acquire, until the foot contacts flexible element 8. Afterwards, foot P is pressed downwards to deform flexible element 8 to bring the forefoot in contact with horizontal plate 5 and the heel on horizontal plate 5, if mobile support 26 is in the retracted configuration or on mobile support 26 if the latter is in the extracted configuration.

Flexible element 8, after deformation applied by foot P, wraps the latter below and around thus acquiring the morphology thereof and determining the compression of the soft tissue of foot P. If it is necessary to increase or decrease the tension applied by flexible element 8 on foot P it is possible the move connecting means 14 of flexible element 8 departing or approaching horizontal plate 5.

In particular, flexible element 8 is elastic so as to have an unloaded configuration (figure 4) wherein flexible element 8 is spaced from and does not contact horizontal plate 5; and a loaded configuration (figures 1, 2, 3) wherein foot P deforms downwards flexible element 8, which has at least a portion contacting horizontal plate 5. In the transient from the unloaded configuration to the loaded configuration, flexible element deforms and compresses the soft tissue of foot P. When foot P detaches from flexible element 8, the latter returns in the unloaded and extended configuration. In particular, via connecting means 14, it is possible to selectively move a single portion of flexible element 8, not only to change the tension of the latter on the tissue of foot P but also to adjust the position of the foot, defined as the rotation of the latter about the front-rear axis F-R (medial and lateral positioning).

Afterwards, optical and/ or contact means are activated to acquire the morphology of the foot held by flexible element 8.

It is worth noting that, in particular, to acquire the morphology of the foot with a raised heel with respect to the forefoot, before introducing the foot within acquisition apparatus 1, rear portion 12 of flexible element 8 is raised until a predefined vertical position is reached.

When a predefined vertical position is reached, control means 27 determine the motion of mobile support 26 in the extracted position.

When the preferred vertical position is reached, mobile support 26 is blocked and provides a support for the heel.

Afterwards, foot P is introduced within acquisition apparatus 1.

Possibly, where the position of the foot or of at least a portion of the foot must be adjusted, it is possible to selectively move connecting means 14 of flexible element 8 along vertical direction V, thus causing a motion of flexible element 8 and of the foot held therein. It is worth noting that acquisition apparatus 1 according to the present invention is able to achieve the wanted purposes.

In particular, the use of a flexible element 8, suitable to wrap and hold the foot whose morphology it is desired to acquire, provides a controlled deformation of the soft tissue of foot P. Furthermore, it is possible to move at least one or more peripheral portions of flexible element 8 to change the tension that the latter applies to the foot and to position, in an automatized manner, the foot to take a desired posture.

Acquisition apparatus 1 according to the present invention provides the effective acquisition of the foot positioned against horizontal plate 5 or with the heel raised with respect to the forefoot.

Acquisition apparatus 1, indeed, provides the positioning and stably holding of the foot in a position with a heel raised with respect to the forefoot, and the acquisition of the morphology of the foot in such a posture. The data thus acquired may be used to manufacture orthoses for heeled shoes or the structure of the sole of a custom made footwear or a shoe or a form (so called 'last') or a footwear component or an insole or the like.

In particular, on the basis of the data acquired via acquisition machine 1, it is possible to define by the inch the length of a heel to be used in custom made footwear on the basis of the specific needs of each user.

Acquisition apparatus 1 described above is easy to use and can be completely automatized.

In this respect, it is worth noting that the motion of connecting means 14 of flexible element 8 with respect to support frame 2 may be managed by a control unit not shown in the figures and connected to the connecting means.

Furthermore, according to an embodiment of the invention, the actuation of mobile support 26 between the retracted configuration and the extracted one and vice versa, may be caused by the actuation of rear portion 12 of flexible element 8 with a simple and easy-to-use solution.

Acquisition apparatus 1 is very flexible to use providing the acquisition of the real morphology in substantially any posture of the foot, and in particular in that wherein the heel is raised with respect to the forefoot, thus overcoming the drawbacks of the traditional apparatuses.

According to a further aspect, it is worth noting that support frame 2 may be configured in such a way to house all mechanical and/ or electronic devices needed for the functioning of acquisition apparatus 1.

Optical acquisition scanning apparatus 1 for a foot described above may be modified with many modifications and variants within the scope of protection of the following claims.