Hidden Braid Footwear Accessory Mounting
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Solution Overview
Problem
Existing footwear designs fail to allow multiple mountings and dismountings of accessories without causing premature wear, and existing solutions are unsightly or poorly secured, risking accessory disassembly during use.
Innovation Solution
The design features a hidden braid between the upper and lining, with self-adhesive properties and holes for male press-stud elements, where each element has a spherical head and connecting body, and a masked base to enhance aesthetics and resistance to tearing, and a rounded outer edge to prevent wear.
Engineering Contradictions & Design Principles
Engineering Contradiction Analysis
1Adaptability or versatility
If male press-stud elements are housed directly in a bore of an accessory by passing through the upper, then the accessory can be mounted and dismounted, but the upper suffers premature wear and tearing at the hole location
Solution Approach 1:
The patent introduces a braid as an intermediary element positioned between the upper and the accessory. The braid contains the holes through which male press-stud elements pass, thereby mediating the mechanical stress and preventing direct contact between the accessory and the upper. This intermediary structure absorbs the wear and tearing forces, preserving the upper's integrity while still enabling accessory mounting and dismounting.
Solution Approach 2:
The patent segments the structure by introducing a braid layer that is separate from both the upper and the accessory. This segmentation creates distinct functional zones: the upper provides structural support, the braid provides a protected pathway for fasteners, and the accessory provides the removable component. By dividing the system into these segments, the wear and tearing are isolated to the braid rather than affecting the upper directly.
2Adaptability or versatility
If male press-stud elements are made with considerable bulk to enable direct mounting in accessory bores, then mounting is possible, but the aesthetics of the footwear are harmed
Solution Approach 1:
The braid acts as a mediator that allows the use of smaller, more aesthetically pleasing male press-stud elements. By providing a dedicated pathway with pre-formed holes, the braid eliminates the need for bulky mounting structures that would be required if fasteners were inserted directly into the upper. The intermediary braid absorbs the functional requirements, enabling the use of compact, visually appealing fastener elements.
3Ease of manufacture
If male press-stud elements are inserted through the upper directly, then mounting is simple, but the fixing quality is mediocre and accessories may disassemble during operation
Solution Approach 1:
The braid serves as a stable intermediary base that provides consistent support for male press-stud elements. The holes in the braid are precisely formed, ensuring proper alignment and secure fitting of the fasteners. This intermediary structure prevents the mediocre fixing quality that occurs when fasteners are inserted directly into the upper, as the braid provides a dedicated, reinforced pathway that maintains fixing integrity during accessory mounting and dismounting operations.
4Adaptability or versatility
If holes are made in the upper for male press-stud elements, then accessory mounting is enabled, but the upper is susceptible to tearing during accessory separation
Solution Approach 1:
The braid functions as a protective intermediary that bears the mechanical stress of accessory attachment and detachment. The holes are formed in the braid rather than the upper, creating a dedicated stress pathway that isolates the upper from tearing forces. During accessory separation, the braid absorbs and distributes the tensile and shear forces, preventing these forces from concentrating on the upper material and causing tears.
Solution Approach 2:
The braid provides beforehand cushioning by being positioned in advance between the upper and the accessory. This pre-positioned protective layer is designed to absorb and dissipate the mechanical impacts and stresses that occur during accessory mounting and removal. The braid's material properties and structural design enable it to cushion the upper against tearing forces before these forces can reach the upper material.
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
This design enables multiple accessory mountings and dismountings while minimizing upper wear, maintaining aesthetics, and increasing resistance to tearing, thus preventing untimely loss of the accessory.
Implementation Method 1
the so-called outer face of the braid is fixed by gluing to the upper
Data Source
Figure 1~2
Figure 3
Figure 4
AI summary
Footwear item (1) comprising • - an upper (2) provided with a foot opening (3), • - an inner lining (5) of the upper (2), • - tape arranged around said opening (3), • - at least one male element (7) of a press stud, each male element (7) being able to engage with at least one female press stud element fitted to an accessory (14) of said footwear item (1), the tape is a hidden tape arranged between the upper (2) and the lining (5), and is adhesively bonded with its outer face to the upper (2), the tape and the upper (2) are provided with holes (11), each male press stud element (7) passes through the tape and the upper (2) at a hole (11) and each male element (7) comprises, in one piece, a base (8), a generally spherical head (9) and a body connecting the head (9) to the base, said base being a hidden base positioned flat against the internal face of the tape and the head (9) of the male element (7) extending proud of the outer face (23) of the upper (2), the base of this head (9) being provided with a setback.