Magnetic Footwear Upper for Hands-Free Entry
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Solution Overview
Problem
Traditional footwear designs require manual dexterity to stretch the ankle opening and secure the foot with laces, making it difficult to easily insert and secure the foot without using hands.
Innovation Solution
The use of a magnetic coupling system that holds open a section of the footwear upper during foot insertion, allowing for hands-free entry and securement, with a first coupling member on the upper and a second coupling member on the sole structure, enabling easy foot entry and automatic return to the secure position.
Engineering Contradictions & Design Principles
Engineering Contradiction Analysis
1Ease of operation
If a traditional lacing system is used, then the foot can be secured to the sole structure, but manual dexterity is required to stretch the ankle opening and tie laces
Solution Approach 1:
The patent replaces the traditional mechanical lacing system with a magnetic coupling system. The magnetic coupling members automatically engage to hold the second section in the access position during foot insertion, eliminating the need for manual stretching and tying of laces. This substitution of mechanical fastening with magnetic attraction directly improves ease of operation while reducing the complexity of user interaction.
Solution Approach 2:
The magnetic coupling system provides self-service functionality by automatically holding the upper section open during foot insertion and then automatically returning it to the secure position after insertion. The system serves itself through the magnetic attraction and repulsion forces without requiring manual intervention to stretch, hold, or tie, thereby improving ease of operation.
2Ease of operation
If the ankle opening is stretched manually to receive the foot, then foot insertion is enabled, but hand usage is required
Solution Approach 1:
The magnetic coupling members are pre-positioned on the first and second sections respectively, so that when the second section is in the access position, the magnetic attraction automatically holds it open. This preliminary positioning of the magnetic components enables automatic foot insertion without requiring manual stretching or holding actions.
Solution Approach 2:
The patent replaces the manual mechanical action of stretching and holding the ankle opening with an automated magnetic field-based system. The magnetic coupling members create an automated holding mechanism that maintains the access position during foot insertion and automatically returns to the secure position, eliminating the need for hand usage and increasing automation.
3Reliability
If the upper is tightened with laces after foot insertion, then the foot is secured, but additional manual steps are required
Solution Approach 1:
The magnetic coupling system provides self-service securement by automatically returning the second section to the use position after foot insertion. The magnetic attraction between the coupling members automatically tightens and secures the foot without requiring additional manual steps for tying laces, thereby reducing the time required for the fastening operation while maintaining reliability of foot securement.
Solution Approach 2:
The magnetic coupling maintains continuous useful action by holding the second section in the access position during foot insertion and then continuously returning it to the use position to secure the foot. This continuous magnetic action eliminates the discontinuous manual steps of stretching, inserting, and then separately tying laces, reducing total fastening time while ensuring reliable foot securement.
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 quick and easy foot insertion and securement with reduced manual dexterity, allowing for hands-free operation and improved convenience in putting on footwear.
Implementation Method 1
a magnetic coupling including a first coupling member and a second coupling member, one of which is a magnet and the other of which comprises either of a magnet or a ferromagnetic material; wherein the first coupling member is operatively secured to the second section of the upper and the second coupling member is operatively secured to the sole structure and positioned so that the first coupling member couples with the second coupling member when the second section is in the access position
Data Source
AI summary
An article of footwear may include a sole structure and an upper. The upper may include a first section and a second section and may define a foot-receiving cavity over the sole structure. The first section may be fixed to the sole structure, and the second section may articulate relative to the first section between an access position and a use position, the foot-receiving cavity being more exposed when the second section is in the access position. A magnetic coupling includes a first coupling member that may be operatively secured to the second section of the upper and a second coupling member may be operatively secured to the sole structure and positioned so that the first coupling member couples with the second coupling member by magnetic force when the second section is in the access position.