Instep Weighting Accessory With Secure Fastening for Cleated Shoes
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Solution Overview
Problem
Existing instep weighting devices for sports shoes with studs or cleats are not securely fastened, causing discomfort, interfering with ball play, and risking detachment during impact, and require cumbersome lace-tying for weight alternation.
Innovation Solution
A releasable instep weighting training accessory with a flexible strip and hook-and-loop fastening system, snugly enclosing a weight in a sheath, which is adapted to fit around the instep, ensuring secure attachment and comfortable movement, and allowing easy weight alternation without lace-tying.
Engineering Contradictions & Design Principles
Engineering Contradiction Analysis
1Reliability
If known instep weighting devices are used on shoes with studs or cleats, then the weight can be placed on the instep, but the device cannot be securely fastened and may become unintentionally detached
Solution Approach 1:
The patent uses a flexible strip made of elastic material that can be wrapped around the instep and conform to the shoe's surface, including areas with studs or cleats. The flexibility allows the strip to adapt to various shoe configurations while maintaining secure fastening through elasticity and friction.
Solution Approach 2:
The fastening system is divided into separate modular components including a first end with fastening means and a second end with corresponding engagement features. This segmentation allows the strip to be independently adjusted and secured at different positions around the instep, providing reliable fastening regardless of shoe stud configuration.
2Reliability
If known instep weighting devices are used, then the weight can be added for training, but the device may interfere with ball play or cause discomfort during impact
Solution Approach 1:
The patent incorporates a padding layer between the weight and the instep that cushions against impact forces before they reach the foot. This pre-positioned cushioning prevents discomfort and protects against injury when the ball impacts the instep during football activities, while the flexible strip ensures the weight remains securely in place.
Solution Approach 2:
The flexible strip with elastic material allows the weighting device to move slightly with natural foot movements and ball impacts, preventing rigid interference with ball play while maintaining secure attachment. The flexibility ensures the device adapts to dynamic movements without causing discomfort or detaching.
3Productivity
If known instep weighting devices are used, then the weight can be applied, but the device requires repeatedly tying and untying shoelaces to alternate weight training
Solution Approach 1:
The fastening system is designed as a self-contained module with integrated fastening means at the ends of the strip, separate from the shoe's lacing system. This allows the weighting device to be independently fastened and unfastened without affecting the shoe laces, enabling quick alternation between weighted and unweighted training sets.
Solution Approach 2:
The releasable fastening system allows dynamic adjustment of the weighting device during training sessions. The fastening means can be quickly engaged and disengaged, enabling athletes to alternate between weighted and unweighted exercises without the time-consuming process of tying and untying shoelaces, thus improving training efficiency.
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
Enhances sports performance by preventing weight detachment and discomfort, maintaining ball trajectory, and enabling quick weight changes for muscle balance during training sessions.
Implementation Method 1
The strip may be made of an elastic material, for example of polyvinyl chloride (PVC)
Implementation Method 2
The training accessory comprises a fastening system for releasably fastening the training accessory around the instep of a shoe
Data Source
Figure 1
Figure 2~3a
Figure 3b~3c
AI summary
In a first aspect, an instep weighting training accessory to be releasably fastened around the instep of a shoe having studs or cleats on its sole is provided. The accessory comprises a strip, a weight and a layer of padding material. The strip comprises an inner layer intended to be in contact the shoe and a sheath to be arranged on the instep of the shoe. The weight is enclosed inside the sheath and the padding material is located between the weight and the inner layer of the strip. In a second aspect an instep weighting training set comprising a plurality of training accessories is provided.