Climbing Shoe Transversal Locking Strap Closure
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Solution Overview
Problem
Current climbing shoe closure systems, such as traditional laces and hook-and-loop straps, face issues with laborious tensioning and quick loosening, respectively, leading to discomfort and frequent adjustments during use.
Innovation Solution
A climbing shoe featuring a transversal locking strap with a plate-like head and flexible cord, which uses Velcro surfaces for secure attachment and can be easily adjusted and detached for quick adaptation to the user's foot morphology.
Engineering Contradictions & Design Principles
Engineering Contradiction Analysis
1Adaptability or versatility
If a traditional closing lace is used to tighten the shoe-upper on the instep, then the shoe adapts well to the user's foot morphology, but the tensioning process becomes long and laborious
Solution Approach 1:
The patent replaces the traditional lace mechanical system with a hook-and-loop fastening system. The closing element features a first portion with hook structures and a second portion with loop structures, eliminating the need for threading and knotting operations while maintaining adaptive tightening capability across different foot morphologies.
Solution Approach 2:
The patent changes the operational parameters of the closing system by transitioning from a continuous lace tensioning process to a discrete hook-and-loop engagement system. This allows for rapid adjustment through simple engagement/disengagement actions rather than prolonged manual tensioning, reducing the time parameter while preserving adaptability.
2Ease of operation
If hook-and-loop closing straps are used for simple and quick tensioning, then the tensioning process becomes very simple and quick, but the locking system tends to loosen quickly and requires frequent repositioning
Solution Approach 1:
The patent enhances the hook-and-loop system by adding a three-dimensional elastic element that loops through the closing element. This creates a multi-dimensional locking mechanism where the elastic element provides continuous tensioning force in addition to the hook-and-loop engagement, preventing loosening while maintaining ease of operation through simple engagement and release actions.
3Productivity
If the Velcro locking system is used to hold the closing strap, then the tensioning is extremely simple and quick, but the system requires frequent repositioning due to loosening
Solution Approach 1:
The patent incorporates an elastic element that is pre-stretched and loops through the closing element before final engagement. This preliminary action creates initial tensioning force that maintains the closing strap's position, preventing loosening that would otherwise require frequent repositioning and thereby reducing time loss while preserving quick tensioning capability.
Solution Approach 2:
The elastic element automatically maintains tension on the closing strap through its inherent elasticity, providing self-service functionality that prevents loosening without requiring user intervention. This eliminates the need for frequent repositioning while keeping the original quick tensioning advantage intact.
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 solution provides a secure, adjustable, and comfortable closure system that maintains traction resistance and adapts easily to the user's foot shape, reducing the need for frequent adjustments and enhancing overall climbing performance.
Implementation Method 1
an elastic element, which is made of elastomeric material having high elasticity
Implementation Method 2
a Velcro® (e.g., hook-and-loop fastener/hook-and-loop surface structure) locking system
Data Source
AI summary
A climbing shoe comprising: a shoe-upper shaped so as to accommodate the user's foot; a sole made of a polymeric material, which is attached to the bottom of the shoe-upper so as to cover at least the front part of the bottom of said shoe-upper; and manually-operated closing means that are adapted to tighten the top part of the shoe-upper on the user's foot and include a transversal locking strap that extends like a bridge between the inner side and the outer side of the shoe-upper remaining astride and grazing the top part of the shoe-upper, and is adapted to pull said inner and outer sides of the shoe-upper toward each other; said transversal locking strap comprising: a plate-like head which has, on at least one of the two major faces, a Velcro® surface structure; and a flexible cord that has a substantially unextendible structure.