Expandable Boot Shaft for Easy Entry and Exit
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Solution Overview
Problem
Footwear with standard or narrow shaft diameters is difficult to put on and take off, especially due to challenges in maneuvering the foot through the turn between the shaft and the shell, and existing solutions like zippers compromise aesthetics and increase manufacturing costs.
Innovation Solution
An expandable entry and exit system in the boot shaft, featuring a stretchable material sewn over vertical lanes in the rear shaft section, allowing the shaft to expand and facilitate heel entry and exit while maintaining aesthetics and reducing manufacturing expenses.
Engineering Contradictions & Design Principles
Engineering Contradiction Analysis
1Ease of operation
If the shaft has a large diameter, then it is easier to get in and out of the boot, but the shaft becomes so large that it is difficult to have a pant leg fit over the shaft
Solution Approach 1:
The shaft incorporates an expandable portion with stretchable material that can dynamically change its diameter. When the boot needs to be put on or taken off, the expandable portion stretches to increase the diameter, facilitating easy entry and exit. When the boot is worn, the material returns to its original state, maintaining the desired shaft diameter for pant fit.
2Shape
If the shaft has a narrower diameter, then a pant leg can fit over the shaft, but it is difficult to put the boot on and take it off
Solution Approach 1:
The expandable portion with stretchable material allows the shaft to dynamically adjust its diameter. During normal wear, the shaft maintains a narrow diameter for aesthetic purposes and pant compatibility. When entry or exit is needed, the stretchable material expands to increase the diameter, making the process easier.
Solution Approach 2:
The shaft's diameter parameter is made variable through the use of stretchable material in the expandable portion. The material can change its physical dimensions (diameter) in response to mechanical stress during entry/exit maneuvers, then return to its original state, effectively changing the shaft's parameter as needed.
3Ease of operation
If zippers and other features are added to facilitate entry and exit, then ease of operation is improved, but aesthetics are compromised and manufacturing expenses increase
Solution Approach 1:
The invention extracts the entry/exit facilitation function from complex mechanical features like zippers and integrates it directly into the shaft structure through the expandable portion. This eliminates the need for separate fastening mechanisms, maintaining aesthetics while reducing manufacturing complexity.
Solution Approach 2:
The stretchable material in the expandable portion provides the entry/exit function through its inherent elastic properties without requiring external mechanical components. The material itself serves the dual purpose of maintaining shaft structure and facilitating entry/exit when stretched, eliminating the need for zippers or other added features.
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 expandable system simplifies the entry and exit process without compromising aesthetics or increasing manufacturing costs, providing ease of use and flexibility while maintaining structural support and protection for the foot.
Implementation Method 1
a stretchable material is sewn over at least one vertical lane formed within the rear shaft section
Data Source
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AI summary
Footwear includes a shaft and a shell connected to the shaft. The shaft includes an expandable portion adapted to expand to facilitate ease of entry and exit of a heel of a foot into and out of the shell. The expandable portion is surrounded by a material forming the shaft.