Removable Footwear Lining with Through Opening and Appendage
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Solution Overview
Problem
Existing footwear with removable linings face challenges in preventing creases and wrinkles, especially in hard-to-reach areas like the toe region, due to difficulties in laying out the lining properly and securing it to the upper without compromising the shoe's comfort and ease of use.
Innovation Solution
A footwear design featuring a through opening on the upper's front portion and a ring-shaped appendage on the lining that engages the opening, allowing the lining to be easily pulled and laid out, combined with additional fastening means like press studs and laces to secure it, reducing creases and wrinkles.
Engineering Contradictions & Design Principles
Engineering Contradiction Analysis
1Ease of operation
If the removable lining is inserted into the footwear structure without proper laying out, then the insertion process is simple and quick, but creases and wrinkles form making the shoe uncomfortable
Solution Approach 1:
The patent applies preliminary action by providing combining means (through openings and appendages) that are pre-configured on the upper and lining before insertion. These combining means enable the user to immediately secure the lining to the upper at critical points during insertion, preventing creases and wrinkles from forming in the first place, rather than requiring post-insertion adjustments or manual laying out
2Reliability
If tear-off fastening strips are used to fix the lining, then the lining can be securely attached to the upper, but the tongue must be lifted making insertion difficult or impossible
Solution Approach 1:
The patent segments the attachment system into multiple distributed combining means (through openings and appendages) located at different positions on the upper and lining. This segmentation allows the lining to be secured at multiple points simultaneously during insertion, distributing the attachment function across the structure rather than requiring a single lifting action, thereby enabling easy insertion while maintaining secure attachment
Solution Approach 2:
The patent introduces an intermediary mechanism (the appendage engaging with the through opening) that mediates between the lining and the upper. This intermediary allowing the lining to be pulled through and secured without requiring the tongue to be lifted, as the appendage can engage with the through opening from the outside, facilitating insertion while ensuring reliable attachment
3Adaptability or versatility
If press studs or hook and loop strips are used for fastening, then the lining can be removably attached, but additional fastening components increase device complexity
Solution Approach 1:
The patent applies local quality by strategically positioning a limited number of through openings and appendages at specific critical locations on the upper and lining (such as the toe region and other hard-to-reach areas). This localized approach provides effective removable attachment capability where it is most needed, while avoiding the complexity of comprehensive fastening systems across the entire footwear structure
Data Source
AI summary
A footwear structure includes an upper provided with a mouth, a tip end and a front portion that is between the mouth and the tip end, a first lining housed inside the footwear structure, and a first through opening arranged on the front portion of the upper, and a first appendage externally arranged on the first lining at a position substantially corresponding to the first through opening, wherein the first appendage engages the first through opening and wherein the first appendage is accessible from the outside of the footwear structure.