Elastic Foot Securing Areas for Topless Shoe Retention
Find Innovative SolutionsGenerate Solutions
Solution Overview
Problem
Conventional footwear lacks a secure and convenient mechanism for putting on and taking off, especially in 'topless' designs like stick-on sandals, which rely on adhesive or suction that may not be effective under various conditions.
Innovation Solution
A shoe design featuring a concave body with inwardly-biased, elastic foot securing areas along its circumference that protrude inwardly to secure the foot and can be pushed outwardly to accommodate the foot during wear, providing a structurally minimal yet effective means of securing the foot without external straps or structures.
Engineering Contradictions & Design Principles
Engineering Contradiction Analysis
1Reliability
If adhesive or suction elements are used to secure the foot, then foot retention is achieved under relaxed conditions, but reliability deteriorates under various walking conditions
Solution Approach 1:
The shoe employs dynamic foot securing areas that transition from an inwardly-protruding state (when not worn) to an outwardly-pushed state (when foot is inserted). This dynamic transformation allows the same structure to provide both easy entry and secure retention, adapting to different operational phases without requiring multiple components or conditions.
Solution Approach 2:
The invention changes the physical state and position of the foot securing areas through elastic deformation. The areas transition from protruding inward (providing retention) to being pushed outward (allowing easy insertion), utilizing elastic material properties to achieve reversible parameter changes that solve both the retention and adaptability requirements.
2Reliability
If inwardly-protruding foot securing areas are used to secure the foot, then foot retention is improved, but ease of operation deteriorates due to difficulty in inserting the foot
Solution Approach 1:
The foot securing areas are designed to be dynamically transformable between two states: inwardly-protruding (for retention) and outwardly-pushed (for easy insertion). This dynamic behavior, achieved through elastic material properties, allows the structure to adapt to the user's actions during putting on while maintaining secure retention during wear.
Solution Approach 2:
The elastic foot securing areas are pre-configured in an inwardly-protruding state that provides retention, but are designed to yield temporarily when force is applied during insertion. After the foot is inserted, they return to their protruding state to secure the foot, performing the retention function automatically without requiring additional user action.
3Device complexity
If a unitary concave body structure is used, then device complexity is reduced, but ease of manufacture deteriorates due to molding challenges
Solution Approach 1:
The invention segments the foot securing function from the overall shoe structure by creating distinct foot securing areas within the concave body. These areas can be designed as separate moldable zones with specific elastic properties, allowing the unitary structure to be manufactured in practical sections while maintaining overall structural simplicity and integration.
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
Enables easy and secure fitting and removal of the shoe, maintaining foot retention during walking while allowing voluntary removal with sufficient force, and matches the foot's natural curvature for comfort and support.
Implementation Method 1
said one or more foot securing areas have an elasticity which enables said one or more foot securing areas to be pushed outwardly to receive the foot
Data Source
AI summary
A shoe includes a concave body defining sidewalls and a sole of the shoe, and including a first layer received within a second layer. The first layer includes a portion of the sole and upwardly-projecting tabs constituting an inner circumferential wall defining an opening disposed entirely above the sole. The second layer includes a plurality of spaced U-shaped elements each of which includes two walls, forming a portion of an outer circumferential wall, and a bottom, forming a sole-shaped part of the second layer, connecting therebetween. The tabs are characterized by an elasticity that enables them to be pushed outwardly thereby expanding the opening to facilitate receipt of a foot therethrough, and are inwardly-biased thereby being configured to bear upon the foot when received within the cavity, thereby facilitating gripping of the received foot by the shoe.