Interchangeable Footwear Heel Locking Mechanism

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Solution Overview

Problem

Existing footwear designs do not adequately address the need for versatility in shoe styles and comfort across different activities, often requiring multiple pairs of shoes for various occasions, leading to discomfort and impracticality.

Innovation Solution

An article of footwear with a locking mechanism and tab system that allows for interchangeable heels, enabling users to select from a group of heels tailored to specific activities and looks, with a heel receiving surface and protruding members for secure attachment and detachment.

Engineering Contradictions & Design Principles

VSEngineering Contradiction Analysis

1Adaptability or versatility

If multiple pairs of shoes are carried for different activities, then versatility and appropriateness for different occasions are improved, but convenience and portability deteriorate

Engineering Contradiction:

ImproveversatilityVSAvoidconvenience

Core Design Contradiction:

Adaptability or versatilityVSEase of operation

Solution Approach 1:

The footwear upper is designed to be universal and can accommodate multiple different heels (stiletto, block, wedge, flat) through a standardized receiving surface and locking mechanism, allowing one shoe to serve multiple functions for different activities and occasions

Inventive Principle:

Principle #6Universality (Multi-functionality)

2Adaptability or versatility

If interchangeable heels are implemented, then versatility is improved, but device complexity increases

Engineering Contradiction:

ImproveversatilityVSAvoidcomplexity

Core Design Contradiction:

Adaptability or versatilityVSDevice complexity

Solution Approach 1:

The footwear is divided into separate functional components: a universal upper with heel receiving surface, interchangeable heels with slots, and a locking mechanism, allowing users to swap only the heel portion while keeping the upper intact

Inventive Principle:

Principle #1Segmentation

Solution Approach 2:

A locking mechanism acts as an intermediary between the heel and upper, providing a simple yet effective connection system that enables easy attachment and detachment of different heels without requiring complex fastening systems

Inventive Principle:

Principle #24Intermediary (Mediator)

3Reliability

If a locking mechanism is added to retain heels, then reliability is improved, but device complexity increases

Engineering Contradiction:

ImprovereliabilityVSAvoidcomplexity

Core Design Contradiction:

ReliabilityVSDevice complexity

Solution Approach 1:

The locking mechanism is designed to be manually operated by the user without requiring additional tools or complex systems, allowing easy engagement and disengagement of the heel through simple user action

Inventive Principle:

Principle #25Self-service

Data Source

PatentUS8112906B2Article of footwear with interchangeable heels

Publication Date: 2012.02.14 NIKE INC

AI summary

An article of footwear includes a group of interchangeable heels. Each heel in the group may be removably associated with the article of footwear. A finger-operable locking mechanism prevents a heel that has been secured to the article of footwear from unintentionally moving toward a toe region. Similarly, a tab positioned at the rear of the article of footwear inhibits a heel that has been secured to the article of footwear from unintentionally moving away from the toe region.