Footwear Upper Unitary Support Frame Shape Maintenance
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Solution Overview
Problem
Footwear uppers without a unitary support frame tend to collapse inward when empty, failing to maintain the desired shape and ankle opening width, which compromises comfort and functionality.
Innovation Solution
A unitary support frame is attached to the exterior surface of the footwear upper, providing structural support by extending from the sole structure at the heel region over the foot-receiving cavity to the lateral side, with segments and a base that maintain the body's shape and prevent collapse, while padding is strategically used to enhance support and ease foot entry.
Engineering Contradictions & Design Principles
Engineering Contradiction Analysis
1Ease of operation
If a thin and flexible body is used for the footwear upper, then comfort and flexibility are improved, but the body collapses inward when empty and fails to maintain desired shape
Solution Approach 1:
The support frame is divided into multiple segments including a base segment, first medial segment, first lateral segment, and second medial segment, each serving specific structural functions to maintain different regions of the footwear upper
Solution Approach 2:
The footwear upper combines a flexible body material with a rigid unitary support frame structure, creating a composite construction that provides both flexibility and shape maintenance capabilities
2Device complexity
If no unitary support frame is used, then device complexity is reduced, but the ankle opening fails to maintain full width and comfort is compromised
Solution Approach 1:
The unitary support frame performs multiple functions simultaneously: it maintains the ankle opening width, supports the flexible body, prevents inward collapse, and provides structural integrity throughout the footwear upper
Solution Approach 2:
The support frame extends vertically upwardly at multiple segments to provide three-dimensional structural support, creating peaks and elevation points that maintain the footwear shape in multiple spatial dimensions
3Shape
If padding is extended throughout the entire body, then support and shape maintenance are improved, but weight increases and flexibility is reduced
Solution Approach 1:
Padding is strategically placed only in specific regions where additional support is needed, such as the heel region and areas requiring cushioning, rather than being applied uniformly throughout the entire footwear upper
Solution Approach 2:
The unitary support frame acts as an intermediary structural element that provides the primary shape maintenance function, allowing the body to remain thin and flexible without requiring extensive padding
Data Source
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AI summary
An article of footwear (10) has an upper (14) including a body (16) and a unitary support frame (18) attached to the body (16). A sole structure (12) may be attached to and underlie the upper (14). The unitary support frame (18) may support the body (16) over the sole structure (12), and the body (16) may define a foot-receiving cavity (26) over the sole structure (12) and an ankle opening (46) in communication with the foot-receiving cavity (26). The unitary support frame (18) may define a medial peak (60) at a medial side (28) of the article of footwear (10) and a lateral peak (68) at a lateral side (30) of the article of footwear (10) and may extend forwardly and downwardly from the medial peak (60) and the lateral peak (68).