Adjustable Footwear Lacing Layout for Variable Foot Width Fit
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Solution Overview
Problem
Conventional shoe sizing systems fail to accommodate various foot sizes due to standardized heel-to-toe length and foot girth dimensions, leading to issues with fit and comfort, particularly in articles of footwear with textile uppers that prioritize lightweight, breathable, and durable materials.
Innovation Solution
An adaptable and adjustable lacing system with fastener engaging elements on the medial and lateral sides of the upper, allowing for selective engagement of a fastener structure to adjust the fit around the foot's width, combined with an instep cover that can extend within the cavity of the upper for enhanced adjustability.
Engineering Contradictions & Design Principles
Engineering Contradiction Analysis
1Adaptability or versatility
If conventional standardized shoe sizing is used, then manufacturing simplicity is maintained, but fit adaptability for various foot sizes deteriorates
Solution Approach 1:
The lacing system is segmented into multiple sets of fastener engaging elements positioned at different locations on the upper, allowing independent adjustment at each location. This segmentation enables customized fit adaptation without requiring a completely complex new system, as each segment can be adjusted separately based on foot shape variations.
Solution Approach 2:
The patent introduces adjustment capability in the transverse dimension by positioning sets of fastener engaging elements at different transverse locations across the upper. This adds a new dimension of adjustability beyond the traditional single-dimensional lacing, allowing adaptation to various foot widths and shapes while maintaining reasonable system complexity.
2Strength
If durable materials like leather and rubber are incorporated into the upper, then strength and durability are improved, but air permeability deteriorates causing moisture trapping
Solution Approach 1:
The upper incorporates different materials with different properties at different locations. Durable materials like leather and rubber are used in areas requiring strength and protection, while more breathable materials are used in areas where air permeability is prioritized. This local differentiation allows the upper to simultaneously achieve durability and moisture management without compromising either property throughout the entire structure.
3Adaptability or versatility
If multiple sets of fastener engaging elements are positioned at different transverse locations, then fit adjustability is improved, but manufacturing complexity increases
Solution Approach 1:
Multiple sets of fastener engaging elements are merged into a unified lacing system design that can be manufactured as an integrated structure. By combining the adjustment mechanisms into a cohesive system rather than separate components, the patent achieves high fit customization capability while maintaining ease of manufacture through standardized production processes for the integrated upper structure.
Data Source
AI summary
An article of footwear includes an upper and an adjustable lacing system. The adjustable lacing system includes a plurality of fastener engaging elements located at the medial and lateral sides of the upper, where at least one of the medial side and the lateral side includes sets of fastener engaging elements. Each set of fastener engaging elements is distanced from another set in a direction transverse a lengthwise direction of the upper, and the fastener engaging elements are configured to engage with and retain a fastener structure that extends between the medial and lateral sides of the upper such that the fastener structure can be selectively engaged with different sets of fastener engaging elements to adjust a fit of the upper around a width of the foot disposed within the cavity.