Footwear Upper Articulation with Loop Handle for Easy Entry
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Solution Overview
Problem
Traditional footwear designs require manual dexterity to stretch the ankle opening and secure the foot with laces, making it difficult for users with limited hand mobility to easily insert and secure their feet.
Innovation Solution
The design features an upper section that articulates between an access position for easy foot entry and a use position, with a strap having a looped handle for easy manipulation, allowing for hands-free or reduced manual dexterity securement and release, using a strap with a looped handle that extends across the upper section and secures via fasteners.
Engineering Contradictions & Design Principles
Engineering Contradiction Analysis
1Ease of operation
If traditional lacing systems are used, then the footwear can be securely fastened, but manual dexterity is required to stretch the ankle opening and tie the laces
Solution Approach 1:
A looped handle is introduced as an intermediary element attached to the strap. The looped handle serves as a mediator between the user's hand and the strap, allowing users to grip and manipulate the strap through the looped handle rather than directly gripping the strap edges. This intermediary structure enables easier foot insertion and securement while reducing the manual dexterity required.
2Stability of the object's composition
If the upper section is rigid, then structural stability is maintained, but foot insertion becomes difficult
Solution Approach 1:
The upper section is designed with dynamic characteristics, allowing it to transition between a rigid state during normal use (providing stability) and a flexible state during foot insertion (allowing easy entry). The strap and upper material can be manipulated to create temporary flexibility when needed, then return to their rigid, stable configuration once the foot is inserted and secured.
3Device complexity
If the strap is made narrow, then device complexity is reduced, but grip difficulty increases for users with limited hand mobility
Solution Approach 1:
The looped handle acts as an intermediary that extends the effective grip area. Instead of requiring the user to grip the narrow strap directly, the looped handle provides a larger, easier-to-grab surface area. This intermediary structure maintains the simplicity of the strap itself while significantly improving ease of manipulation for users with limited hand mobility.
Solution Approach 2:
The looped handle adds a dimensional element to the strap system. By creating a loop structure that extends outward from the strap, it provides an additional gripping dimension. Users can insert their fingers through the loop and grip from multiple angles, transforming a one-dimensional narrow strap into a multi-dimensional handling structure that is easier to manipulate.
Data Source
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AI summary
An article of footwear includes a sole structure and an upper. The upper may include a first and a second section and partially define a foot-receiving cavity over the sole structure. The first section may be fixed to the sole structure and the second section may articulate between an access position and a use position. The foot-receiving cavity may be more exposed in the access position to allow easier foot entry. A strap may extend from one of the first and the second section. A looped handle may extend from the strap and may at least partially form a loop. The strap may extend across the second section of the upper when the second section is in the use position. The strap may have a distal portion configured to releasably secure to one of the first section or the second section with the looped handle exposed.