Dynamic Tensioning Footwear Lacing System
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Solution Overview
Problem
Conventional articles of footwear are unable to accommodate varying shapes of feet, limiting comfort and fit for individuals, as they rely on standardized sizes that do not account for shape differences.
Innovation Solution
A dynamic tensioning system is introduced, featuring a guide element and carriage members that allow for adjustable lacing, enabling the shoe to adapt to different foot shapes by sliding along a guide rail, thereby allowing for customizable fit and support.
Engineering Contradictions & Design Principles
Engineering Contradiction Analysis
1Adaptability or versatility
If conventional standardized footwear sizes are used, then manufacturing and inventory management are simplified, but the footwear cannot accommodate varying shapes of feet, reducing comfort and fit
Solution Approach 1:
The patent applies the dynamics principle by making the eyelets movable along guide rails instead of fixed in position. The carriage members can slide to different locations on the guide rails, allowing the lacing system to dynamically adapt to different foot shapes and sizes. This transforms a static footwear structure into a dynamic one that can be reconfigured for various foot geometries.
Solution Approach 2:
The patent segments the traditional fixed eyelet structure into multiple movable carriage members that can independently position themselves along guide rails. Each carriage member acts as an independent unit that can be positioned at different locations, allowing the lacing system to be segmented and reconfigured to match the contours of different foot shapes.
2Adaptability or versatility
If fixed eyelet positions are used, then manufacturing is simpler, but the footwear cannot be adjusted to accommodate different foot shapes
Solution Approach 1:
The guide rail system serves multiple functions: it guides the carriage members, provides a track for movement, and defines the range of adjustment. This universal structure replaces multiple fixed eyelet positions with a single adaptable mechanism that can accommodate various foot shapes, simplifying manufacturing while maintaining versatility.
Solution Approach 2:
The carriage member acts as an intermediary between the fixed guide rail and the movable lacing element. It translates the fixed structural support of the guide rail into adjustable eyelet positions, mediating between the simplicity of fixed manufacturing and the need for adjustable fit.
3Adaptability or versatility
If movable carriage members are introduced, then adaptability to different foot shapes is improved, but the fastening system becomes more complex
Solution Approach 1:
The carriage member contains the lacing element within its structure, nesting the functional component inside a protective and guiding housing. This nesting approach consolidates multiple functions (guiding, protecting, and positioning the lacing element) into a single integrated component, reducing overall system complexity despite the added movability.
Data Source
AI summary
An article of footwear includes a fastening system including a guide element and a carriage member slidably coupled to the guide element. A lacing element is coupled to the carriage member such that the position of the lacing element changes as the carriage member moves along the guide element. In an embodiment, the footwear includes a lateral side rail and a medial side rail, each rail including one or more carriage members selectively movable along the rail for a predetermined distance. The lacing element extends repeatedly from the lateral side to the medial side, being captured by the carriage members. In operation, the carriage members move along the rail, adapting the positioning of the lacing element.