Adjustable Symmetric Retention Strap Foot Plate Assembly
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Solution Overview
Problem
Existing foot attachment mechanisms in stilt devices lack flexibility, adjustability, and user comfort, making it difficult to rapidly and securely affix a user's foot in a balanced position, which is crucial for stable operation.
Innovation Solution
A foot plate assembly with symmetric retention straps and slideably adjustable support members, along with a toe guide assembly, allows for easy foot insertion and secure positioning by maintaining the strap in a semi-circular arc, accommodating different foot widths and shapes, and utilizing various fastening mechanisms for adjustability.
Engineering Contradictions & Design Principles
Engineering Contradiction Analysis
1Adaptability or versatility
If a fixed foot attachment mechanism is used, then the structure is simple, but the adaptability to different foot sizes and shapes is poor
Solution Approach 1:
The foot plate assembly employs slideably adjustable support members that can move along the plate, allowing the attachment mechanism to dynamically adapt to different foot widths and shapes while maintaining a relatively simple overall structure
Solution Approach 2:
The invention changes the positional parameters of the support members and retention straps, allowing them to be adjusted to different locations on the foot plate to accommodate various foot sizes and shapes without requiring multiple different attachment mechanisms
2Ease of operation
If a non-adjustable retention strap is used, then the device complexity is reduced, but the ease of operation for rapid and repeated foot positioning is worsened
Solution Approach 1:
The support members are pre-positioned at multiple locations on the foot plate, and the retention straps are pre-attached to these support members, allowing the user to rapidly adjust and reposition their foot without having to assemble or modify the attachment mechanism each time
Solution Approach 2:
The retention strap system is divided into multiple independent components (support members, straps, buckles) that can be independently adjusted and repositioned, enabling rapid foot positioning while keeping each individual component relatively simple
3Reliability
If the foot attachment mechanism lacks adjustability, then the device complexity is lower, but the user comfort and balanced operation are compromised
Solution Approach 1:
The foot plate assembly provides different adjustment capabilities at different locations - the support members can be positioned at multiple locations along the plate, and the retention straps can be adjusted independently, allowing each part to be optimized for its specific function while contributing to overall balance and stability
Data Source
AI summary
An apparatus attachable to a foot of a user, such as in a leg extension mechanism (stilt device). First and second support members extend from opposing sides of a foot support surface adapted to support the foot. A retention strap has opposing first and second ends each removeably attachable to the support members by the user, preferably by an opposing pair of buckle assemblies. The strap, the support members and the foot support surface maintain the strap in a semi-circular arc nominally symmetric about a centerline of the surface, with the arc having a width greater than a width of the foot support surface to facilitate insertion of the foot between the surface and the strap along the centerline. The support members are preferably slideably adjustable to accommodate different foot widths. A toe guide is also preferably slideably adjustable to align the toes of the foot along the centerline.