Adjustable Shoe Sling for Foot Swelling and Fit
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Solution Overview
Problem
Conventional footwear often causes discomfort and skin irritation due to improper fit, swelling, and rubbing, leading to blisters and injuries, especially as foot shape changes throughout the day.
Innovation Solution
An adjustable anti-slippage shoe sling is affixed to the inside of the shoe, featuring a heel strap with adjustable length, anchored at the heel and mid-section, to maintain proper foot placement, reduce rubbing, and prevent slipping.
Engineering Contradictions & Design Principles
Engineering Contradiction Analysis
1Productivity
If conventional footwear is worn throughout the day, then productivity is maintained, but foot comfort deteriorates due to swelling and improper fit
Solution Approach 1:
The shoe sling incorporates an adjustable heel strap with an adjuster mechanism that allows dynamic length adjustment. This enables the sling to adapt to foot swelling and size changes throughout the day, maintaining proper fit and comfort while allowing continuous wear during productive activities
2Adaptability or versatility
If foot size changes due to swelling, then comfort deteriorates, but the shoe structure remains fixed
Solution Approach 1:
The adjustable heel strap with adjuster mechanism provides dynamic adaptation to foot size changes. The sling can be adjusted to accommodate swelling and size variations without requiring complex redesign of the entire shoe structure, maintaining simplicity while achieving adaptability
3Manufacturing precision
If heel strap length is fixed, then manufacturing is simple, but fit precision deteriorates
Solution Approach 1:
The adjustable heel strap incorporates an adjuster mechanism that allows length adjustment during use. This provides precise fit accommodation for different foot sizes and swelling levels while maintaining relatively simple manufacturing processes compared to custom-fitted solutions
4Ease of operation
If shoe insert is added to improve fit, then comfort improves, but device complexity increases
Solution Approach 1:
The shoe sling is designed as a separate, removable component that can be added to existing shoes. This segmentation allows the sling to function as an independent comfort enhancement without requiring complex integration with the shoe structure, maintaining ease of operation while limiting complexity increase
Data Source
AI summary
One example embodiment in this disclosure provides an apparatus including a retainer, anchored at a heel position within a shoe. The apparatus also includes a heel strap having a first and second end and a mid-section, wherein the first and second end of the heel strap is anchored on a sole of a shoe, and wherein the mid-section of the heel strap is attached to the retainer. The apparatus also includes an adjuster associated with the heel strap configured to adjust length of the heel strap.