Heel Stabilizer Gripping Medial Lateral Surfaces to Reduce Slippage
Find Innovative SolutionsGenerate Solutions
Solution Overview
Problem
Existing footwear solutions fail to effectively prevent heel slippage and rubbing, leading to discomfort and performance issues, as they primarily focus on the top part of the heel rather than addressing the movement of the bottom portion, which causes friction and pain.
Innovation Solution
A heel stabilizer that grips the medial and lateral surfaces of the heel, particularly above the widest part, reducing overall heel movement by using protruding portions with convex tops and concave bottoms, and optionally including a notch for the sural nerve, made from varying materials and potentially integrated into the footwear or as a separate insert with adhesive for secure positioning.
Engineering Contradictions & Design Principles
Engineering Contradiction Analysis
1Object-affected harmful factors
If existing heel stabilizer products are used that focus on the top part of the heel, then they attempt to prevent rubbing against the Achilles tendon, but they fail to effectively reduce heel movement and may cause more rubbing and discomfort
Solution Approach 1:
Instead of focusing the stabilizer on the top part of the heel near the Achilles tendon as conventional products do, this invention inverts the approach by positioning the stabilizer to contact the bottom portion of the heel. The stabilizer is configured with a first contact surface that contacts the bottom of the heel and a second contact surface that contacts the heel counter, effectively addressing the actual source of heel movement rather than the symptomatic area.
Solution Approach 2:
The stabilizer is designed with differentiated contact surfaces tailored to specific local areas of the heel. The first contact surface is shaped to match the contour of the bottom heel portion, while the second contact surface interfaces with the heel counter. This localized adaptation ensures optimal fit and stabilization at each specific contact point, improving overall effectiveness.
2Reliability
If thickened pads are used across the entire back of the heel or pads at the tongue, then they prevent slippage by making footwear smaller in length, but they cause additional discomfort and pain for the wearer
Solution Approach 1:
This invention extracts only the essential functional elements needed for heel stabilization, eliminating unnecessary material. Rather than using thickened pads that cover the entire heel or tongue area, the stabilizer is configured as a targeted insert with specific contact surfaces that engage only where needed - the bottom heel and heel counter - thereby preventing slippage without adding unnecessary bulk or discomfort.
Solution Approach 2:
The stabilizer changes the key parameter of contact location from the top/tongue area to the bottom heel area. By altering where the stabilization force is applied - specifically at the bottom heel contact surface and heel counter interface - the invention achieves effective slippage prevention while maintaining comfort, as the stabilizer does not interfere with the top of the heel or tongue where discomfort typically occurs.
3Ease of operation
If footwear is designed to accommodate heel movement, then comfort is improved, but heel slippage and loss of control occur during athletic activities
Solution Approach 1:
The stabilizer is designed with dynamic characteristics that adapt to different activity levels. The material and structure allow for controlled movement during low-intensity activities like standing and walking, maintaining comfort. During high-intensity athletic activities, the stabilizer provides increased stabilization by engaging the heel counter more firmly, preventing slippage and maintaining control. This dynamic response resolves the contradiction between comfort and performance.
Data Source
AI summary
A heel stabilizer for use with human footwear that reduces or eliminates upward movement of the heel within footwear is disclosed herein. The heel stabilizer preferably includes two gripping portions or parts that grip the heel on the medial and lateral surfaces of the foot, preferably above the widest part of the heel. The heel stabilizer may be integrated directly into footwear. Alternatively, the heel stabilizer may be a separate insert that can be inserted into footwear.