Foot Engagement Element Recess Structure for Lateral Flexibility

Resolve Bottlenecks,
Find Innovative SolutionsGenerate Solutions

Solution Overview

Problem

Existing foot engagement elements for flip-flop type footwear lack flexibility in the lateral plane, leading to discomfort, pressure points, abrasion, and the need for multiple inventory sizes to accommodate varying foot shapes and sizes.

Innovation Solution

Incorporation of recesses along the edges of the elongate portions of the foot engagement element allows for flexibility in the lateral plane, providing stress and strain relief, enabling the element to conform to the user's foot shape and reduce buckling.

Engineering Contradictions & Design Principles

VSEngineering Contradiction Analysis

1Stability of the object's composition

If the foot engagement element is made flat and rigid for structural stability, then manufacturing is simplified, but flexibility in the lateral plane is reduced causing discomfort and pressure points

Engineering Contradiction:

Improvestructural stabilityVSAvoidflexibility in lateral plane

Core Design Contradiction:

Stability of the object's compositionVSEase of operation

Solution Approach 1:

The foot engagement element incorporates a plurality of recesses that create a porous-like structure within the flat planar surface. This allows the material to compress and flex in the lateral plane while maintaining overall structural integrity, resolving the contradiction between rigidity and flexibility.

Inventive Principle:

Principle #31Porous materials

Solution Approach 2:

The invention changes the physical parameters of the engagement element by introducing recesses with specific depth, width, and spacing. These parameter modifications enable the element to deform elastically under lateral stress while returning to its original shape, providing both stability and flexibility.

Inventive Principle:

Principle #35Parameter changes

2Ease of manufacture

If the foot engagement element is made uniformly thick for ease of manufacture, then production is simplified, but adaptability to different foot shapes is reduced

Engineering Contradiction:

Improveease of manufactureVSAvoidadaptability to different foot shapes

Core Design Contradiction:

Ease of manufactureVSAdaptability or versatility

Solution Approach 1:

The recesses are strategically positioned and vary in depth, width, and spacing to create zones of different flexibility. This local variation in structure allows the engagement element to adapt to different foot shapes and anatomical features while maintaining a uniform overall thickness that simplifies manufacturing.

Inventive Principle:

Principle #3Local quality

3Device complexity

If the foot engagement element is made without recesses for structural simplicity, then device complexity is reduced, but comfort is reduced due to inability to conform to foot anatomy

Engineering Contradiction:

Improvestructural simplicityVSAvoidcomfort

Core Design Contradiction:

Device complexityVSEase of operation

Solution Approach 1:

The recesses create a porous-like structure that allows the engagement element to conform to the foot's anatomical variations. This simple geometric modification enables the flat element to flex and adapt to different foot shapes without requiring complex multi-layer constructions.

Inventive Principle:

Principle #31Porous materials

4Strength

If the foot engagement element is made rigid for durability, then strength is improved, but flexibility is reduced causing buckling and discomfort

Engineering Contradiction:

ImprovedurabilityVSAvoidflexibility

Core Design Contradiction:

StrengthVSEase of operation

Solution Approach 1:

The recesses are designed with specific dimensional parameters (depth, width, spacing) that allow the engagement element to flex elastically under load while maintaining its overall strength. The parameters are optimized to prevent buckling while enabling necessary flexibility for comfort.

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 comfort by conforming to anatomical variations, reducing discomfort and abrasion, and minimizing the need for multiple inventory sizes.

Implementation Method 1

the elongate portion is sized and arranged in conjunction with said plurality of recesses such that the foot engagement element is substantially flexible and elastic so as to allow for substantial flexion when in use

Methodology Applied

Scientific EffectElasticity: Elasticity

Data Source

PatentUS20260000150A1Elongate foot engagement element for footwear, and footwear article

Publication Date: 2026.01.01 FU DAVID

AI summary

An elongate foot engagement element (100) for a footwear article (200), the foot engagement element (100) comprising two elongate portions (110a, 110b) each having a longitudinal axis (310), a first and a second planar surfaces which are opposes to each other, wherein the elongate portions (110a, 110b) have a first longitudinal edge region and an opposed second longitudinal edge; wherein a plurality of recesses (324, 334) extending along at least a portion of at least one edge of at least one of the elongate portions (110a, 110b) of the foot engagement element (100), and wherein plurality of recesses (324, 334) of the elongate portions (110a, 110b) provides for flexion of that elongate portion (110a, 110b) within the plane of the first and the second planar surfaces, and wherein the elongate portion (110a, 110b) is sized and arranged in conjunction with plurality of recesses (324, 334) such that the foot engagement element (100) is substantially flexible and elastic so as to allow for substantial flexion when in use.