Footwear Upper Biasing Chamber for Easier Entry and Tightening
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Solution Overview
Problem
Conventional footwear uppers and sole structures face challenges in providing ease of entry and tightening for individuals with limited or impaired mobility, with a focus on improving overall performance and user experience.
Innovation Solution
Incorporation of a fluid-filled chamber and flange in the upper structure, which provides a biasing force to facilitate easier entry and adjustment of the upper around the foot, utilizing thermoplastic polyurethane (TPU) for the flange and transparent or opaque barrier layers to enhance visibility and functionality.
Engineering Contradictions & Design Principles
Engineering Contradiction Analysis
1Ease of operation
If conventional uppers and sole structures are used, then the footwear provides basic cushioning and support, but it is difficult for persons with limited or impaired mobility to enter and tighten the upper
Solution Approach 1:
The patent applies pneumatic principles by incorporating an inflatable chamber within the upper structure. This chamber can be inflated to expand the upper, creating more space for easier foot entry, and then deflated to tighten and secure the foot in place. This pneumatic mechanism directly addresses the contradiction by providing ease of operation for persons with limited mobility while maintaining a relatively simple overall structure.
Solution Approach 2:
The upper structure transitions from a static configuration to a dynamic one through the inflatable chamber. The chamber allows the upper to change its volume and shape dynamically - expanding during entry and contracting during tightening. This dynamic capability enables the upper to adapt to different operational states, resolving the contradiction between ease of entry and secure fit.
2Ease of operation
If the upper is made from conventional materials and structures, then it provides basic support, but it lacks enhanced comfort and ease of use for persons with limited mobility
Solution Approach 1:
The inflatable chamber is nested within the upper structure, integrating the complex pneumatic mechanism inside the existing upper framework. This nesting approach allows the enhanced functionality to be incorporated without completely redesigning the upper, thereby improving ease of use while limiting the increase in manufacturing complexity.
Solution Approach 2:
The inflatable chamber serves multiple functions: it facilitates easy entry by expanding the upper, provides cushioning and comfort through controlled inflation, and enables tightening by deflating to secure the foot. This multi-functionality addresses the ease of use requirement while avoiding the need for multiple separate components that would increase manufacturing complexity.
Applied Scientific Principles
This section explains which scientific principles are used to turn an abstract innovation direction into a practical engineering solution.
Function Achieved in This Case
Enhances ease of use by allowing for easier foot entry and adjustment of the upper, providing improved comfort and support through the fluid-filled chamber's biasing force and transparent graphics, while maintaining durability and wear-resistance.
Implementation Method 1
a first biasing member (i) disposed at the outer surface of the upper, (ii) attached to the first material, and (iii) spaced apart from the first edge and the second edge, the first biasing member operable to exert a biasing force on the first material
Data Source
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AI summary
An upper for an article of footwear includes a first material defining a void operable to selectively receive a foot. The first material includes an outer surface. The upper also includes a first edge at least partially circumscribing the void at an uppermost extremity of the upper and a second edge disposed at a lowermost extremity of the upper. The upper further includes a first biasing member (i) disposed at the outer surface of the upper, (ii) attached to the first material, and (iii) spaced apart from the first edge and the second edge. The first biasing member is operable to exert a biasing force on the first material to bias the first edge away from the second edge.