Footwear Eyelet System Decoupled From Upper
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Solution Overview
Problem
Conventional eyelets in footwear prevent the upper from properly contouring to the shape of the foot, reducing comfort and are prone to stress-induced damage, especially when made from knit materials.
Innovation Solution
An eyelet system comprising a base structure with looped strand portions that can be coupled to the sole or upper of the footwear, allowing the eyelets to conform to the foot's shape without straining the upper material, and can be positioned optimally during construction.
Engineering Contradictions & Design Principles
Engineering Contradiction Analysis
1Device complexity
If conventional eyelets are formed within the upper proximate to the tongue, then the upper can be simplified in structure, but the upper cannot properly contour and conform to the shape of the foot, reducing comfort
Solution Approach 1:
The eyelet system is separated from the upper material and attached to the sole structure instead. This segmentation allows the eyelet system to function independently without constraining the upper's ability to contour to the foot shape, while still providing the necessary fastening function.
Solution Approach 2:
The eyelet system acts as an intermediary component between the fastening element and the sole structure. By positioning it at the sole rather than in the upper, it mediates the fastening function while allowing the upper to maintain its contouring ability to the foot.
2Device complexity
If eyelets are openings formed in an upper constructed from knit material, then the upper can be simplified, but the eyelets are subjected to stress that causes the upper to rip
Solution Approach 1:
The eyelet system is extracted from the upper material and repositioned to the sole structure. This removes the stress concentration points from the knit upper material, eliminating the ripping issue while maintaining the fastening function through the separate eyelet system.
Solution Approach 2:
The eyelet system serves as an intermediary that transfers the fastening loads away from the upper material to the sole structure. This protects the knit upper from stress-induced ripping while still enabling the fastening element to secure the footwear.
3Ease of manufacture
If eyelets are fixed in position within the upper, then manufacturing is simplified, but the eyelets cannot adapt to optimize comfort and support for different foot shapes
Solution Approach 1:
The eyelet system is designed with flexibility to move and adapt its position. The strands can shift and the eyelet system can reposition itself to optimize the fit for different foot shapes and sizes, providing dynamic adaptability rather than fixed positioning.
Solution Approach 2:
The eyelet system can change its configuration parameters such as position, orientation, and spacing to adapt to different foot topographies. This allows optimization of comfort and support while maintaining relatively simple manufacturing processes.
Data Source
AI summary
The present invention is directed toward an article of footwear with an improved eyelet system independent of the upper. The article of footwear includes an upper and a sole structure, where the sole structure includes a top surface, a bottom surface, a lateral side and a medial side. The article of footwear further includes an eyelet system coupled to the top surface of the sole structure. The eyelet system includes a base structure and a plurality of looped strand portions coupled to the base structure. The base structure is coupled to the top surface of the sole structure such that the plurality of looped strand portions extend outwardly from the sole structure, enabling the looped strand portions to receive a fastening element.