Motorcycle Boot Hinged Coupling for Anatomical Flexion

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Solution Overview

Problem

Conventional motorcycle riding boots restrict anatomical movement, fail to provide adequate tactile feedback, and cause rider fatigue due to their stiffness and bulkiness, especially when navigating off-road terrain.

Innovation Solution

The design incorporates a hinged coupling between the foot-engagement and lower-leg engagement portions to allow anatomically correct flexure, a threaded bushing for secure pivoting movement, and a polyurethane midsole for enhanced flexibility and vibration dampening.

Engineering Contradictions & Design Principles

VSEngineering Contradiction Analysis

1Ease of operation

If conventional hard plastic riding boots are used, then protection and stability are maintained, but anatomical movement is restricted and rider fatigue increases

Engineering Contradiction:

Improveanatomical movementVSAvoidboot stiffness

Core Design Contradiction:

Ease of operationVSStrength

Solution Approach 1:

The boot is divided into multiple segments including a foot engagement portion, lower leg engagement portion, and upper leg engagement portion connected by hinges. This segmentation allows each segment to move independently according to anatomical requirements while maintaining overall structural integrity and protection.

Inventive Principle:

Principle #1Segmentation

Solution Approach 2:

The boot transitions from a static rigid structure to a dynamic multi-hinge system that adapts to natural ankle movement. The hinges enable the boot to flex and extend within anatomical ranges while the lock-out mechanism provides stability when needed, resolving the contradiction between movement and stiffness.

Inventive Principle:

Principle #15Dynamics

2Ease of operation

If conventional hard plastic boots are used, then protection is provided, but tactile feedback is insufficient for safe motorcycle control

Engineering Contradiction:

Improvetactile feedbackVSAvoiddebris protection

Core Design Contradiction:

Ease of operationVSObject-affected harmful factors

Solution Approach 1:

Different portions of the boot have different material properties: the foot engagement portion uses softer material for tactile feedback and lever control, while the upper portions use harder materials for debris protection. This local differentiation allows the boot to provide both tactile sensitivity and protective function simultaneously.

Inventive Principle:

Principle #3Local quality

3Adaptability or versatility

If conventional boots with limited range of motion are used, then structural simplicity is maintained, but rider agility and maneuverability are restricted

Engineering Contradiction:

ImprovemaneuverabilityVSAvoidcoupling mechanism

Core Design Contradiction:

Adaptability or versatilityVSDevice complexity

Solution Approach 1:

Inventive Principle:

Principle #1Segmentation

Solution Approach 2:

Hinged couplings serve as intermediary mechanisms between different boot segments, enabling smooth anatomical movement while transmitting structural integrity. The threaded bushings act as intermediaries within the hinges to facilitate pivoting movement while maintaining secure connection.

Inventive Principle:

Principle #24Intermediary (Mediator)

4Ease of operation

If conventional boots are used, then manufacturing simplicity is maintained, but vibration dampening is insufficient causing rider fatigue

Engineering Contradiction:

Improvevibration dampeningVSAvoidboot construction

Core Design Contradiction:

Ease of operationVSEase of manufacture

Solution Approach 1:

The boot employs composite construction with a polyurethane midsole layer sandwiched between foam layers. This composite structure provides superior vibration dampening compared to conventional single-material boots, while the modular construction actually simplifies manufacturing by allowing separate fabrication and assembly of components.

Inventive Principle:

Principle #40Composite materials

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 reduces rider fatigue, improves control and safety by allowing natural ankle movement and providing better tactile feedback, while maintaining protection and stability during off-road riding.

Implementation Method 1

a polyurethane midsole for enhanced flexibility and vibration dampening

Methodology Applied

Scientific EffectVibration dampening: Damping

Implementation Method 2

a hinged coupling between the foot-engagement portion and the lower-leg engagement portion to allow anatomically correct flexure

Methodology Applied

Scientific EffectMechanical pivoting: Hinge

Data Source

PatentUS10441022B2Motorcycle boot

Publication Date: 2019.10.15 REVELYST ADVENTURE SPORTS LLC

AI summary

Protective footwear, such as a motorcycle or motocross boot, can have a supple, leather boot feel. Disclosed footwear can have a hinged coupling between a foot engagement structure and a lower-leg engagement structure to promote anatomically correct flexion in a wearer's ankle. The lower-leg engagement portion can define a ledge having a lowermost face configured to abut and matingly urge against an uppermost face of a ledge of the foot engagement portion to limit an extent of pivoting of the hinged coupling. The hinged coupling, in some instances, can include a pair of opposed bushings, each defining an internal thread configured to matingly engage a corresponding outer thread on a stud. The stud can retain the lower-leg engagement portion and the foot engagement portion in a pivotable relationship to each other. The opposed bushings can be keyed to matingly engage either a lateral portion of the foot engagement portion or a medial portion of the foot engagement portion.