Asymmetric Ankle Goalie Skate Boot Design
Find Innovative SolutionsGenerate Solutions
Solution Overview
Problem
Existing goalie skates cause discomfort and limit movement due to the upper edge of the lateral side of the skate boot digging into the leg when goalies assume an angled position, and they lack an integrated toe portion, making it difficult to adopt a "butterfly" position effectively.
Innovation Solution
A thermoformable material is used to create a goalie skate boot with a unique ankle design where the lateral upper edge is positioned below the medial upper edge, and an integrated toe portion is incorporated, eliminating the traditional toe cap, allowing for improved flexibility and comfort during angled positions.
Engineering Contradictions & Design Principles
Engineering Contradiction Analysis
1Ease of operation
If the goalie skate boot has a traditional symmetric ankle design with equal height lateral and medial upper edges, then the boot provides uniform support, but the lateral upper edge digs into the goalie's leg when the goalie assumes an angled position, causing discomfort and limiting movement
Solution Approach 1:
The patent applies asymmetry by positioning the lateral upper edge of the ankle portion below the medial upper edge. This asymmetric configuration prevents the lateral edge from digging into the goalie's leg when the goalie assumes an angled position with knees together, while the medial edge remains higher to provide necessary support. This directly resolves the technical contradiction by eliminating the harmful digging effect while maintaining comfort and range of motion.
2Adaptability or versatility
If the goalie skate has a traditional separate toe cap design, then the toe area is protected, but the toe portion is not integrally formed with the medial and lateral sides of the boot, making it difficult to adopt a butterfly position effectively
Solution Approach 1:
The patent applies merging by integrating the toe portion with the medial and lateral sides of the boot to form a unified, continuous structure. This integral design eliminates the need for a separate toe cap while providing the necessary protection and flexibility for the goalie to effectively adopt the butterfly position. The merged structure reduces device complexity and improves adaptability simultaneously.
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 design enhances comfort and range of motion for goalies by easing lateral outward flexion and eliminating discomfort from the traditional toe cap, enabling more effective adoption of the "butterfly" position.
Implementation Method 1
a skate boot comprising an outer shell made of a thermoformable material, the outer shell being thermoformed such that it comprises: (i) a sole for facing the plantar surface of the foot; (ii) a heel portion for receiving the heel of the foot; (iii) medial and lateral side portions for facing the medial and lateral sides of the foot respectively; and (iv) an ankle portion for receiving the ankle of the foot
Data Source
AI summary
A goalie skate having a skate boot comprising a thermoformed outer shell with a sole and an ankle portion for receiving the ankle of the foot, the ankle portion comprising medial and lateral sides for facing the medial and lateral malleoli respectively, the medial side comprising an upper edge that is a first distance away from the sole and the lateral side comprising an upper edge that is a second distance away from the sole, the first distance being greater than the second distance. By having a goalie skate boot that has the lateral upper edge located below the medial upper edge, the lateral outward flexion of the foot is eased when the goalie skate is in an angled position. The invention also relates to a goalie skate with a skate boot comprising an outer shell that is thermoformed such that it comprises an integrated toe portion, thereby eliminating the traditional toe cap.