Shoe last extension

Abstract

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.

What is claimed is: 
     
         1 . A system for manufacturing articles of footwear, comprising:
 a last, comprising:
 a bottom surface, and 
 a top surface with a plurality of cavities; and 
   a last extension, comprising:
 an upper surface, 
 a lower surface that is configured for attachment to the top surface of the last, 
 a side surface extending between the upper surface and the lower surface, 
 a dimensional pattern located on the side surface, wherein the dimensional pattern defines an origin, and 
 a mounting mechanism for mating the last extension to the last in a fixed position, the mounting mechanism comprising a plurality of protrusions extending from the lower surface of the last extension, the plurality of protrusions joinable to the corresponding plurality of cavities on the top surface of the last. 
   
     
     
         2 . The system of  claim 1 , wherein the plurality of protrusions comprise a pair of spaced-apart protrusions, and wherein the plurality of cavities comprise a pair of spaced-apart cavities that are alignable with the pair of spaced-apart protrusions. 
     
     
         3 . The system of  claim 1 , wherein the dimensional pattern comprises at least a line and a point off of the line. 
     
     
         4 . The system of  claim 1 , further comprising multiple mechanisms configured to manipulate the last extension based on identification of the origin. 
     
     
         5 . The system of  claim 1 , wherein the dimensional pattern comprises a pair of intersecting lines. 
     
     
         6 . The system of  claim 1 , further comprising a vision system configured to detect the origin. 
     
     
         7 . The system of  claim 1 , further comprising a laser scanning system configured to detect the origin. 
     
     
         8 . The system of  claim 1 , further comprising:
 a clamp, or   a gripper,   configured to engage the last extension based on a location of the origin.   
     
     
         9 . The system of  claim 1 , wherein the last extension comprises a body formed from a rigid material. 
     
     
         10 . A system for manufacturing articles of footwear, comprising:
 a last, comprising:
 a bottom surface, and 
 a top surface with a plurality of cavities; and 
   a last extension, comprising:
 an upper surface, 
 a lower surface that is configured for attachment to the top surface of the last, 
 a side surface extending between the upper surface and the lower surface, 
 a dimensional pattern located on the side surface, wherein the dimensional pattern comprises a plurality of grooves that define an origin, and 
 a mounting mechanism for mating the last extension to the last in a fixed position, the mounting mechanism comprising a plurality of protrusions extending from the lower surface of the last extension, the plurality of protrusions joinable to the corresponding plurality of cavities on the top surface of the last. 
   
     
     
         11 . The system of  claim 10 , wherein the plurality of protrusions comprise a pair of spaced-apart protrusions, and wherein the plurality of cavities comprise a pair of spaced-apart cavities that are alignable with the pair of spaced-apart protrusions. 
     
     
         12 . The system of  claim 10 , wherein the plurality of grooves comprises intersecting grooves. 
     
     
         13 . The system of  claim 10 , further comprising multiple mechanisms configured to manipulate the last extension based on identification of the origin. 
     
     
         14 . The system of  claim 10 , further comprising a vision system configured to detect the origin. 
     
     
         15 . The system of  claim 10 , further comprising a laser scanning system configured to detect the origin. 
     
     
         16 . The system of  claim 10 , further comprising:
 a clamp, or   a gripper,   configured to engage the last extension based on a location of the origin.   
     
     
         17 . A system for manufacturing articles of footwear, comprising:
 a last, comprising: 
 a bottom surface, and 
 a top surface with a plurality of cavities; and 
   a last extension, comprising:
 an upper surface, 
 a lower surface that is configured for attachment to the top surface of the last, 
 a side surface extending between the upper surface and the lower surface, 
 a dimensional pattern located on the side surface, wherein the dimensional pattern comprises a plurality of points that define an origin, and 
 a mounting mechanism for mating the last extension to the last in a fixed position, the mounting mechanism comprising a plurality of protrusions extending from the lower surface of the last extension, the plurality of protrusions joinable to the corresponding plurality of cavities on the top surface of the last. 
   
     
     
         18 . The system of  claim 17 , wherein the plurality of protrusions comprise a pair of spaced-apart protrusions, and wherein the plurality of cavities comprise a pair of spaced-apart cavities that are alignable with the pair of spaced-apart protrusions. 
     
     
         19 . The system of  claim 17 , further comprising a vision system configured to detect the origin. 
     
     
         20 . The system of  claim 17 , further comprising multiple mechanisms configured to manipulate the last extension based on identification of the origin.