Pocketed Ankle Protector for Malleolus Pressure Relief
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Solution Overview
Problem
Existing protective garments, such as ice skate boots, cause discomfort due to the protrusion of the medial and lateral malleolus, which are not adequately cushioned and can rub against the boot, and do not accommodate varying wearer anatomy, leading to issues with loose braces and pressure from ankle pads.
Innovation Solution
A toeless sock-like ankle protector with resilient woven body and foam pads positioned to cushion the malleolus, featuring a gap to accommodate varying anatomies, reducing boot pressure on the ankle.
Engineering Contradictions & Design Principles
Engineering Contradiction Analysis
1Object-affected harmful factors
If padding is secured to the boot as an integral portion, then the malleolus is cushioned, but the padding cannot be easily laundered or replaced and does not accommodate varying wearer anatomy
Solution Approach 1:
The ankle protector is designed as a separable garment that can be removed from the boot, allowing it to be laundered and replaced independently. The protector includes separate pockets for receiving custom-molded pads, enabling the wearer to exchange pads tailored to their specific anatomy without replacing the entire boot or protector structure.
Solution Approach 2:
The ankle protector acts as an intermediary element between the boot and the wearer's ankle. It provides a interface that can accommodate varying anatomies through custom-molded pads while still providing the protective function against the boot's upper margin.
2Adaptability or versatility
If loose insertable braces are used, then the anatomy can be accommodated, but the braces are prone to displacement from their position
Solution Approach 1:
The ankle protector is nested within the boot structure, with the protector's tubular body fitting inside the boot's upper margin. This nesting arrangement ensures the protector remains in the correct position while allowing for anatomical accommodation through the pocketed pad system.
3Object-affected harmful factors
If ankle pads are worn as an element of a sock garment, then the pad is positioned directly over the malleolus, but pressure is exerted on protruding portions in an uncomfortable manner
Solution Approach 1:
The ankle protector features localized cushioning through separate pockets that receive custom-molded pads positioned specifically for the lateral and medial malleolus. The upper margin of the protector provides additional localized cushioning at the interface with the boot top, while the gap between tabs avoids pressure on protruding bone structures.
4Ease of manufacture
If a single garment design is used, then manufacturing is simplified, but it cannot effectively serve wearers of differing anatomy
Solution Approach 1:
The ankle protector is designed as a standardized tubular body with separable, pocketed pads that can be custom-molded to fit individual anatomies. This segmentation allows the main garment structure to be manufactured simply while the removable pads provide anatomical customization.
Solution Approach 2:
The ankle protector serves multiple functions: it provides a standardized interface with the boot, accommodates varying anatomies through custom pads, allows for easy laundering and replacement, and maintains proper positioning within the boot structure.
Applied Scientific Principles
This section explains which scientific principles are used to turn an abstract innovation direction into a practical engineering solution.
Function Achieved in This Case
The ankle protector alleviates discomfort by cushioning the malleolus and accommodating different anatomies, providing comfort and flexibility for wearers of varying sizes and bone structures.
Implementation Method 1
supports foam pads on the wearer's ankles to reduce the bearing of the surrounding boot
Implementation Method 2
Each pad has an upper segment positioned to cushion the engagement of the wearer's lower leg with the upper margin of the boot
Implementation Method 3
The garment has a resilient woven toeless tubular body extending from an upper cuff to a lower cuff
Data Source
AI summary
An ankle protector garment for surrounding the ankle of a wearer of a boot has a resilient woven toeless tubular body extending from an upper cuff to a lower cuff. Pockets on either side of the body receive foam pads. Each pad has an upper segment with downwardly extending forward and rear tabs which are spaced on either side of a gap, with the rear tab being shorter than the forward tab. The body positions the tabs of each pad about the lateral and medial malleolus of a wearer, to thereby lessen the bearing of the boot on the protruding portions of a wearer's ankle. The gap is open downwardly, accommodating a range of wearer malleolus positions. The pads further extend above the upper margin of the boot to alleviate the bearing of the boot on the wearer's lower leg.