Internal Metatarsal Guard for Flexible Footwear
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Solution Overview
Problem
Existing footwear with metatarsal guards face issues of reduced flexibility, cumbersome design, and difficulty in visual verification, as well as pressure points and decreased foot fitting volume due to both external and internal guard configurations.
Innovation Solution
The development of an internal metatarsal guard integrated into the footwear, positioned under the outer layer with a raised portion in the vamp, utilizing a molded metatarsal protector that maintains flexibility and does not impinge on foot volume, featuring a resilient material like foam or gel, and an anatomically shaped design for comfort and protection.
Engineering Contradictions & Design Principles
Engineering Contradiction Analysis
1Strength
If external metatarsal guards are used, then protection is provided, but flexibility of the footwear is reduced and the design becomes cumbersome
Solution Approach 1:
The metatarsal guard is nested within the footwear structure, specifically positioned between the vamp and the insole, allowing protection to be integrated without adding external bulk. This nesting approach maintains footwear flexibility while providing metatarsal protection.
Solution Approach 2:
The metatarsal guard is combined with the footwear construction by integrating it into the vamp assembly. The guard becomes part of the footwear structure rather than a separate attachment, eliminating the need for external connections and maintaining flexibility.
2Ease of operation
If internal metatarsal guards are used, then flexibility is maintained, but visual verification of their existence becomes difficult
Solution Approach 1:
The metatarsal guard incorporates visual indicators such as color coding or contrasting materials that allow it to be detected through the vamp material. This enables visual verification of the guard's presence and proper installation without compromising the internal positioning that maintains flexibility.
3Ease of operation
If internal metatarsal guards are used, then flexibility is maintained, but foot fitting volume is decreased and pressure points are created
Solution Approach 1:
The metatarsal guard is designed with varying thickness and density in different zones - thicker and more protective over the metatarsal bones, and thinner or more compliant in areas that contact the foot directly. This localized quality distribution provides protection while minimizing impact on foot fitting volume and preventing pressure points.
Solution Approach 2:
The guard utilizes materials with specific mechanical properties that allow it to compress under foot pressure, changing its volume and shape dynamically. This parameter change enables the guard to adapt to the foot's presence, maintaining protection while accommodating foot fitting volume requirements.
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
The solution provides enhanced protection without compromising footwear flexibility or fit, allowing for effective absorption and transfer of impact forces while being visually detectable from the outside, thus addressing the limitations of previous designs.
Implementation Method 1
the metatarsal guard does not impinge into the foot volume of the footwear, and the metatarsal protection also is arranged and configured to maintain a high degree of flexibility in the footwear
Implementation Method 2
utilizing a molded metatarsal protector that maintains flexibility and does not impinge on foot volume, featuring a resilient material like foam or gel
Data Source
AI summary
The present disclosure provides footwear with an internal metatarsal guard and a related manufacturing method. In the depicted embodiment, the metatarsal guard is internal in that it is located under the outer layer of the footwear. In the depicted embodiment, the existence of the metatarsal guard can be visually detected from the outside of the footwear being that the metatarsal guard is located in a raised area in vamp of the footwear. The footwear is constructed such that the metatarsal guard does not impinge into the foot volume of the footwear, and the metatarsal protection also is arranged and configured to maintain a high degree of flexibility in the footwear.