Lace Ratcheting Device With Rotating Gate
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Solution Overview
Problem
Existing lace fastening devices are cumbersome, inefficient, and cause significant lace wear due to complex structures and sharp teeth, limiting their use to heavy footwear and requiring manual operation for both hands.
Innovation Solution
A simple, low-cost lace ratcheting device with a diagonally oriented rotating gate and preloaded helical torsion spring that allows easy one-handed operation and minimizes lace wear by using a smooth surface for sliding, enabling self-locking ratchet functionality.
Engineering Contradictions & Design Principles
Engineering Contradiction Analysis
1Reliability
If gearwheel teeth and opposite teeth are used for lace fastening, then lace tightening function is achieved, but severe lace wear occurs
Solution Approach 1:
The patent applies local quality by differentiating the surface characteristics of the gate: one surface is smooth for lace sliding to minimize wear, while the opposite surface has teeth for blocking lace motion. This localized differentiation resolves the contradiction between achieving reliable lace fastening and preventing lace wear.
Solution Approach 2:
Instead of using teeth on both sides of the gate to block lace motion, the patent inverts the approach by placing teeth only on one side while leaving the other side smooth. The smooth side allows lace to slide freely during tightening, eliminating wear, while the toothed side provides the blocking function for securing the lace.
2Reliability
If spring loaded pivoted arms with sharp teeth are used to block lace motion, then lace fastening is achieved, but significant lace wear and complex structure result
Solution Approach 1:
The patent extracts and eliminates the unnecessary spring loaded pivoted arms with sharp teeth from the mechanism. Instead, it uses a simple rotating gate with teeth on only one side, significantly simplifying the device structure while maintaining the lace blocking function through the diagonal orientation of the gate.
Solution Approach 2:
The patent employs a dynamic rotating gate mechanism that can be easily actuated by the user to switch between locked and unlocked states. This dynamic element replaces the complex spring loaded arms, providing the same blocking function with much simpler construction and easier operation.
3Reliability
If diagonal teeth in pipes or channels are used to block reverse lace motion, then ratchet function is achieved, but complex installation and manufacturing are required
Solution Approach 1:
The patent merges the ratchet function into a single integrated rotating gate component rather than requiring separate pipes or channels with diagonal teeth. This consolidation simplifies manufacturing by creating one versatile part that performs both the blocking and releasing functions, eliminating the need for complex multi-component assemblies.
4Device complexity
If lace buckles without ratcheting operation are used, then simple structure is achieved, but manual operation with both hands is required
Solution Approach 1:
The patent implements self-service through the ratcheting mechanism that automatically maintains the lace in the tightened position without requiring continuous manual intervention. Once the lace is pulled through the rotating gate, the gate's diagonal orientation and tooth configuration automatically prevent it from slipping back, allowing one-handed operation and eliminating the need for both hands to maintain fastening.
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
Enables efficient, one-handed lace fastening and release with minimal wear, suitable for regular shoes and various applications, as it self-locks and reduces friction during use.
Implementation Method 1
The gate is rotated by a helical torsion spring, preloaded with a bias towards an active state
Data Source
AI summary
The Lace Ratchet Device (LRD) facilitates lace fastening and release. The LRD has two states: “active” and “inactive”. In the active position the device works as a lace ratchet i.e. allowing the lace to be pulled forwards but restricting any lace motion backwards. After fastening the lace remains fastened until the LRD is switched into inactive state by manually pressing a lever. Each LRD has a turning gate rotatably installed in a channel with front end with sharp edge. A preloaded spring keeps the LRD in active position when the lever is not pressed. The LRD doesn't employ serrated surfaces, which cause accelerated lace wear. Instead, the LRD's smooth front edge side and channel surfaces minimize lace wear. Parallel and triangular configurations of LRD pairs facilitate lace fastening of footwear. Single LRDs can be used for fastening of garments and other objects.