Footwear Upper With Folded Knit Cuff for Ankle Protection
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Solution Overview
Problem
Existing upper structures in articles of footwear lack improvements in comfort and debris protection, particularly around the ankle area, while maintaining support and adjustability.
Innovation Solution
A cuff member formed from a knit material, with elastic properties, is integrated into the upper structure, featuring a fold that defines an ankle opening and an ankle-receiving void, along with pull tabs for easy entry and removal, and a strobel for enhanced fit and protection.
Engineering Contradictions & Design Principles
Engineering Contradiction Analysis
1Object-affected harmful factors
If a traditional upper structure is used, then the footwear provides basic support and security, but it lacks comfort and debris protection around the ankle area
Solution Approach 1:
The upper structure is divided into separate components: an exterior upper member, an interior upper member, and a cuff member. This segmentation allows each component to serve specific functions - the cuff member provides debris protection while the interior member provides comfort, resolving the contradiction between protection and comfort.
Solution Approach 2:
The cuff member acts as an intermediary element between the exterior and interior upper members, specifically addressing the ankle area. It provides debris protection while maintaining comfort through its knit material construction and folded configuration that creates an ankle-receiving void.
2Object-affected harmful factors
If the upper structure is made more complex to improve comfort and protection, then debris protection and comfort are enhanced, but the structure becomes more complex
Solution Approach 1:
The cuff member serves multiple functions simultaneously: it provides debris protection, enhances comfort, defines the ankle opening, and creates an ankle-receiving void. This multi-functionality allows a single component to address multiple requirements without proportionally increasing overall structure complexity.
Solution Approach 2:
The cuff member is constructed from knit material that forms a flexible shell. This flexible construction provides protection and comfort while maintaining simplicity, as the knit material inherently conforms to the ankle shape without requiring complex rigid structures.
3Reliability
If a secure fit is achieved through traditional uppers, then support is maintained, but ease of entry and removal is reduced
Solution Approach 1:
The cuff member incorporates elastic material that dynamically adapts to the ankle during entry and provides secure fit during wear. The elastic properties allow easy entry when relaxed and maintain secure fit when stretched, resolving the contradiction between ease of entry and secure fit.
Solution Approach 2:
The cuff member's elastic material changes its physical parameters - it is more compliant during entry and maintains tension during wear. This parameter change allows the same component to facilitate easy entry and provide secure fit at different times in the footwear usage cycle.
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 improved comfort and debris protection for the ankle area, while maintaining support and adjustability, allowing for a secure fit and easy entry and removal of the foot, suitable for various athletic activities.
Implementation Method 1
The cuff member is formed at least in part from a first elastic material
Data Source
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AI summary
An upper structure of an article of footwear includes an upper and a cuff member. The upper at least partially defines a foot-receiving void and is formed at least in part from an inelastic material. The cuff member is formed at least in part from a first elastic material and includes a first end coupled to the upper, a second end coupled to the upper, and a fold disposed between the first end and the second end. The fold is offset from the upper and at least partially defines an ankle opening in communication with the foot-receiving void.