Adjustable Toe Plate for Boot Brace

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Solution Overview

Problem

Existing boot braces for treating inflamed tissues and plantar fascia in the foot do not effectively keep the foot stationary while stretching, leading to inadequate healing.

Innovation Solution

An adjustable boot brace with a plastic outer shell, soft foam padding, hook and loop straps, and a toe plate adjustment mechanism that allows for precise angle adjustment of the toes, incorporating hinges and a tightening mechanism to ensure optimal comfort and support during the healing process.

Engineering Contradictions & Design Principles

VSEngineering Contradiction Analysis

1Productivity

If a boot brace is designed to stretch tissues by pulling toes upward, then tissue stretching capability is improved, but the foot cannot remain stationary leading to improper stretching

Engineering Contradiction:

Improvetissue stretching effectivenessVSAvoidfoot stability

Core Design Contradiction:

ProductivityVSReliability

Solution Approach 1:

The boot brace is divided into distinct functional segments: a stationary foot cradle portion that anchors the foot, and a movable toe plate portion that applies stretching force. This segmentation allows the foot to remain stable while the toe plate independently performs the stretching action, resolving the contradiction between stretching effectiveness and foot stability.

Inventive Principle:

Principle #1Segmentation

2Adaptability or versatility

If a fixed toe plate design is used, then device simplicity is maintained, but the angle of toe stretching cannot be adjusted for optimal comfort and healing

Engineering Contradiction:

Improvetoe angle adjustabilityVSAvoidbrace structure complexity

Core Design Contradiction:

Adaptability or versatilityVSDevice complexity

Solution Approach 1:

The toe plate is designed with rotational freedom around a pivot point, transforming it from a static component to a dynamic one. This allows the toe plate to rotate and adjust to different toe angles while maintaining structural simplicity through the use of a straightforward pivot mechanism rather than complex adjustment systems.

Inventive Principle:

Principle #15Dynamics

3Strength

If the toe plate is made rigid to provide structural support, then support capability is improved, but comfort and adaptability to different positions are reduced

Engineering Contradiction:

Improvetoe plate support capabilityVSAvoidtoe position comfort

Core Design Contradiction:

StrengthVSEase of operation

Solution Approach 1:

The system separates the support function (provided by the rigid toe plate structure) from the positioning function (achieved through rotational adjustment). The rigid toe plate maintains structural integrity and support capability, while its ability to rotate independently allows it to adapt to comfortable positions, resolving the contradiction between strength and ease of operation.

Inventive Principle:

Principle #1Segmentation

Data Source

PatentUS11628082B2Adjustable toe plate for an adjustable boot brace

Publication Date: 2023.04.18 KEEGAN WILLIAM J

AI summary

An adjustable toe plate for an adjustable boot brace adapted to aid in stretching and supporting inflamed tissues and/or an inflamed plantar fascia within a person's foot while healing. The adjustable toe plate includes a toe plate adjustment mechanism to adjust the angle of the toe plate with respect to its foot portion, such that a person can adjust the position and angle of their toes during the healing process.