Footwear Upper With Interlocking Strand Closure
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Solution Overview
Problem
Conventional footwear uppers require increased complexity in joining panels, providing fit, and incorporating fasteners, leading to manufacturing challenges.
Innovation Solution
The upper features a fixed closure on one side, with parallel first strands extending between attachment points on both sides and looped second strands that pass through intermediate portions of the first strands, creating an adjustable enclosure.
Engineering Contradictions & Design Principles
Engineering Contradiction Analysis
1Reliability
If conventional panels are stitched together to form the upper, then the upper can enclose an interior void and provide structural support, but the manufacturing complexity increases due to the need to join multiple panels
Solution Approach 1:
The patent merges multiple separate panels into a single integrated upper structure formed from a single piece of material. The upper is constructed as one continuous piece that encompasses the entire foot, eliminating the need to stitch together multiple separate panels while still providing the necessary structural support and enclosure for the foot.
Solution Approach 2:
The single-piece upper structure performs multiple functions that would traditionally require separate panels: it provides structural support, encloses the interior void, incorporates fastener routing, and enables fit adjustment all within one integrated component, thereby reducing manufacturing complexity while maintaining reliability.
2Adaptability or versatility
If multiple panels are used to provide different characteristics (breathability, durability), then functional performance is improved, but the complexity of joining panels and accommodating fasteners increases
Solution Approach 1:
The single-piece upper incorporates locally differentiated zones with distinct functional characteristics. Different regions of the upper are designed with varying material properties or structural features to provide breathability in some areas, durability in others, and integrated fastener routing, all while maintaining the simplicity of a single-piece construction.
3Ease of operation
If panels are conformed to foot contours and provided with ventilation features, then fit and comfort are improved, but manufacturing complexity increases
Solution Approach 1:
The upper is pre-formed with integrated fastener routing pathways and ventilation features incorporated into the single-piece structure during manufacturing. This preliminary integration of fit-adjustment mechanisms and ventilation channels into the basic upper construction eliminates the need for additional assembly steps or modifications after the upper is formed.
Data Source
AI summary
An upper for an article of footwear includes a fixed closure disposed on one of a medial side and a lateral side of the upper, a plurality of parallel first strands each extending from a first end attached to the other one of the medial side and the lateral side of the upper to a second end attached the other one of the medial side and the lateral side and including a first intermediate portion formed between the first end and the second end, and a plurality of parallel second strands each extending from a third end attached to the one of the medial side and the lateral side of the upper to a fourth end selectively attachable to the fixed closure. The second strands are looped around the first intermediate portion of respective ones of the first strands.