Footwear Heel Spring Device for Hands-Free Entry
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Solution Overview
Problem
Traditional footwear designs require the use of one or both hands to stretch the ankle opening and hold the rear portion during foot insertion, especially in soft uppers without a heel counter, making it difficult to put on shoes independently.
Innovation Solution
A heel spring device with a control bar, medial and lateral side arms, and a base that allows for hands-free foot entry by using elastic deformation to widen the ankle opening, allowing the foot to slide in without manual adjustment, featuring a center segment connected to the upper and extending toward the control bar, which limits downward movement and returns to its original position after loading.
Engineering Contradictions & Design Principles
Engineering Contradiction Analysis
1Ease of operation
If traditional footwear design is used without a heel spring device, then the structure is simple, but manual assistance is required to stretch the ankle opening during foot insertion
Solution Approach 1:
The heel spring device incorporates a control bar with elastic deformation capability that dynamically adjusts the ankle opening width. The control bar bends elastically when pressed by the foot, automatically widening the opening to facilitate foot insertion, then returns to its original position to maintain the opening's original size, providing adaptive assistance without manual intervention.
Solution Approach 2:
The heel spring device enables self-service foot insertion by allowing the foot itself to activate the mechanism. When the foot presses down on the control bar, the elastic deformation automatically widens the ankle opening, eliminating the need for external manual assistance to stretch or hold the opening during insertion.
2Ease of operation
If the control bar is allowed to deform freely, then foot entry is easier, but plastic deformation may occur reducing device lifespan
Solution Approach 1:
The extension is pre-positioned to contact the control bar at a specific point during its downward movement. This preliminary positioning ensures that the control bar's elastic deformation is limited to a safe range before the extension engages, preventing excessive deformation that could cause plastic deformation or material failure.
Solution Approach 2:
The extension acts as a protective element that engages before the control bar can deform beyond its elastic limit. By providing this preliminary constraint, the extension cushions against over-deformation and prevents plastic deformation, thereby protecting the device's reliability and extending its lifespan.
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
Enables easy, hands-free foot entry into footwear by using elastic deformation to widen the ankle opening, facilitating the insertion process and preventing plastic deformation, thus prolonging the device's lifespan.
Implementation Method 1
At least a portion of the control bar is elastically deformable under an applied downward force depressing the control bar toward the extension
Implementation Method 2
The extension may limit downward movement of the control bar
Data Source
AI summary
A device configured to surround a portion of a foot-receiving cavity at a heel region of an article of footwear includes a control bar having a center segment, a medial side arm extending from the center segment, and a lateral side arm spaced from the medial side arm and extending from the center segment. The device may include an extension extending toward the control bar. At least a portion of the control bar may be elastically deformable under an applied force depressing the control bar toward the extension, and the extension may limit movement of the control bar. The control bar may be adapted to return to an unloaded position upon removal of the applied force.