Segmented Elastic Foot Pads for Dance Shoe Traction and Flexibility

Solution Overview

Problem

Traditional dance shoes lack flexibility and tactile awareness, often causing foot injuries and discomfort due to restricted movement and inadequate floor sensation, especially in complex dance forms like modern dance.

Innovation Solution

A foot covering with an elastic fabric and protective pads that stretch between opposing edges, allowing natural foot movement and expansion, while providing adjustable traction and comfort through materials like leather, suede, and rubber.

Engineering Contradictions & Design Principles

VSEngineering Contradiction Analysis

1Object-affected harmful factors

If a continuous sole structure is used in dance shoes, then foot protection from the floor is improved, but flexibility and tactile awareness of the floor surface deteriorate

Engineering Contradiction:

Improvefoot protectionVSAvoidflexibility

Core Design Contradiction:

Object-affected harmful factorsVSEase of operation

Solution Approach 1:

The continuous sole is divided into multiple separate pads (heel pad, ball pad, toe pad) that are spaced apart rather than forming a continuous layer. This segmentation allows each pad to independently conform to foot pressure points while maintaining gaps that provide flexibility and tactile feedback from the floor surface.

Inventive Principle:

Principle #1Segmentation

Solution Approach 2:

Protective padding is applied only at specific locations where pressure and impact occur (heel, ball, and toe areas) rather than covering the entire sole. This localized approach provides protection where needed while leaving other areas open for flexibility and floor sensation.

Inventive Principle:

Principle #3Local quality

2Object-affected harmful factors

If a continuous sole structure is used in dance shoes, then foot protection from the floor is improved, but tactile awareness of the floor surface deteriorates

Engineering Contradiction:

Improvefoot protectionVSAvoidtactile awareness

Core Design Contradiction:

Object-affected harmful factorsVSLoss of information

Solution Approach 1:

The continuous sole is divided into multiple separate pads (heel pad, ball pad, toe pad) that are spaced apart rather than forming a continuous layer. This segmentation allows each pad to independently conform to foot pressure points while maintaining gaps that provide flexibility and tactile feedback from the floor surface.

Inventive Principle:

Principle #1Segmentation

Solution Approach 2:

Protective padding is applied only at specific locations where pressure and impact occur (heel, ball, and toe areas) rather than covering the entire sole. This localized approach provides protection where needed while leaving other areas open for flexibility and floor sensation.

Inventive Principle:

Principle #3Local quality

3Object-affected harmful factors

If a non-elastic protective pad is used to cover the ball of the foot, then protection is provided, but the foot cannot expand and stretch during dance maneuvers

Engineering Contradiction:

ImproveprotectionVSAvoidfoot expansion capability

Core Design Contradiction:

Object-affected harmful factorsVSAdaptability or versatility

Solution Approach 1:

The protective pads are made from elastic material that can dynamically stretch and expand to accommodate foot movement and pressure changes during dance maneuvers, rather than using rigid or non-elastic materials that would restrict natural foot function.

Inventive Principle:

Principle #15Dynamics

Solution Approach 2:

The physical properties of the protective pads are changed by using elastic materials that can alter their shape, volume, and density in response to applied pressure and foot movement, allowing the pads to adapt to varying dance positions and maintain both protection and flexibility.

Inventive Principle:

Principle #35Parameter changes

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

Enhances foot protection, flexibility, and tactile awareness, reducing the risk of injury and discomfort by allowing natural foot movement and adjusting traction as needed during dance maneuvers.

Implementation Method 1

The elastic fabric is adapted to stretch between the opposing edges of the first and second protective pads

Methodology Applied

Scientific EffectElasticity: Elasticity

Implementation Method 2

At least one of the protective pads has a first region and a second region having a tackier surface than the first region

Methodology Applied

Scientific EffectFriction: Friction

Data Source

PatentUS7673396B2Protective foot covering and dance shoes incorporating same

Publication Date: 2010.03.09 BMI TARGET LLC

AI summary

A protective foot cover for use in dance, exercise, or athletic applications using strategically placed thicker protective pieces in ball and toe areas of the foot in connection with an elastic material in the sole structure to allow the foot to move freely and provide less of a barrier between the foot and floor such that a dancer can better sense the floor upon which they dance. The foot cover incorporates strategically placed protective patches that provide support, protection, and comfort to the ball and toe portions of the foot. The patches are spaced from one another so that the footwear is able to move more naturally with the expansion of the foot as pressure is applied to the foot. The foot cover may be used alone, whereby the toe and heel portions of the foot are exposed, or in combination with a dance shoe providing a stretchable sole running from the arch portion to the toe portion of the foot.