Removable Foot Support Insert with Protrusion Indentation
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Solution Overview
Problem
Conventional athletic footwear designs face issues when additional elements like arch supports or orthotic inserts are added, as they displace volume within the shoe and can elevate the foot, potentially increasing ankle joint stress during use.
Innovation Solution
A removable foot-supporting insert system is integrated into the footwear, utilizing a protrusion and indentation mechanism to secure the insert within the shoe, allowing for customization and orthotic functionality without significantly reducing foot space or altering the foot's position.
Engineering Contradictions & Design Principles
Engineering Contradiction Analysis
1Adaptability or versatility
If additional elements like arch supports or orthotic inserts are added to the footwear void, then foot support and orthotic functionality are improved, but the volume available for the foot is reduced and the foot may be elevated relative to the ground
Solution Approach 1:
The foot-supporting insert is nested within the void formed by the upper, with the insert being receiveable in the void and having a lower surface that contacts the upper. This nesting approach allows the insert to provide support functionality while being integrated into the existing footwear structure, minimizing displacement of foot volume.
Solution Approach 2:
The invention extracts the foot-supporting function from separate aftermarket elements (arch supports, orthotic inserts) and integrates it into a purpose-designed insert that is specifically configured to fit within the void without significantly reducing foot space. The insert is taken out as a distinct removable component that can be easily installed and removed.
2Adaptability or versatility
If additional elements like arch supports or orthotic inserts are added to the footwear void, then foot support and orthotic functionality are improved, but the foot is elevated relative to the ground which may increase inversion or eversion moment at the ankle joint
Solution Approach 1:
The insert is designed with specific geometric parameters including a lower surface that contacts the upper and side surfaces that contact the upper, configured to provide support while maintaining proper foot positioning. The shape and dimensions of the insert are optimized to provide orthotic functionality without elevating the foot relative to the ground, thereby controlling ankle joint stress.
3Adaptability or versatility
If a removable foot-supporting insert is integrated into the footwear with a protrusion and indentation mechanism, then customization and orthotic functionality are enabled, but the device complexity increases
Solution Approach 1:
The insert is designed as a segmented component with distinct features including a lower surface for contacting the upper, side surfaces for contacting the upper, and an indentation for receiving a protrusion. This segmentation allows each feature to perform its specific function while maintaining overall simplicity of the insert structure.
Solution Approach 2:
The protrusion and indentation mechanism merges the securing function with the insert structure itself, rather than requiring separate fastening components. The indentation in the insert receives the protrusion from the footwear, creating a unified securing system that is integrated into the insert design.
Data Source
AI summary
An article of footwear is disclosed that includes an upper that defines an interior void, a sole structure secured to the upper, and a foot-supporting insert that is positionable within a lower area of the void and removable from the void. A system having a protrusion and an indentation may be utilized to, for example, secure the insert within the void. As an example, a protrusion may extend outward from a surface of the void, and the insert may define an indentation in a corresponding location and with a corresponding shape. When the insert is positioned within the void, the protrusion will extend into the indentation. The locations, shapes, numbers and overall configuration of the protrusion and indentation may vary significantly.