Movable Heel Footwear Entry System with Interlocking Stability
Solution Overview
Problem
Existing footwear designs require manual manipulation for donning and doffing, which can be tedious and challenging for wearers with compromised dexterity, and previous solutions like collapsible heels or folding designs are often complicated and prone to malfunction.
Innovation Solution
A footwear construction featuring a selectively movable upper heel part and outsole components that transition between closed and open modes, utilizing interlocking shanks, wings, and heel locks to facilitate easy entry and exit, with audible feedback for secure closure.
Engineering Contradictions & Design Principles
Engineering Contradiction Analysis
1Ease of operation
If traditional closures (lacing, zipper, strap) are used to secure footwear to the foot, then the footwear can be firmly attached, but manual manipulation is required for donning and doffing which is tedious and difficult for wearers with compromised dexterity
Solution Approach 1:
The heel part is designed to be movable relative to the forefoot part, transitioning between a closed position (for secure wear) and an open position (for easy entry). This dynamic structure eliminates the need for manual closure manipulation while maintaining secure attachment during use.
Solution Approach 2:
The footwear is divided into separate functional segments: a fixed forefoot part and a movable heel part. This segmentation allows the heel to independently move between closed and open positions, enabling easy donning and doffing without affecting the forefoot structure.
2Ease of operation
If collapsible heel or folding designs are used to enable easy donning and doffing, then entry becomes simpler, but the construction becomes overly complicated and prone to malfunction, alignment issues and premature failure
Solution Approach 1:
The heel part is designed to be movable relative to the forefoot part, transitioning between a closed position (for secure wear) and an open position (for easy entry). This dynamic structure eliminates the need for manual closure manipulation while maintaining secure attachment during use.
Solution Approach 2:
The movable heel structure integrates the entry mechanism directly into the heel construction itself, eliminating the need for separate complex folding or collapsing components. The heel part combines both structural support and entry functionality in a unified design.
3Ease of operation
If the upper heel part is made movable to enable easy entry, then donning and doffing becomes easier, but the secure fit and stability may be compromised
Solution Approach 1:
The heel part is designed to be movable relative to the forefoot part, transitioning between a closed position (for secure wear) and an open position (for easy entry). This dynamic structure eliminates the need for manual closure manipulation while maintaining secure attachment during use.
Solution Approach 2:
The interlocking mechanism between the heel part and forefoot part provides mechanical feedback through engagement features (ridges, grooves, or snap-fit elements) that confirm when the heel is properly secured in the closed position, ensuring reliable fit during wear.
Data Source
AI summary
Footwear can include an upper forefoot part, an upper heel part, an outsole including a forward part joined with the forefoot part and a rearward part joined with the heel part. The rearward part can be selectively moveable in unison with the heel part from a closed mode secured to a wearer's foot, to an open mode to don or doff the footwear. The footwear can include a first shank defining a recess and a second shank including an engagement rim, the second shank tiltable to the open mode, with the engagement rim registered in the recess to stabilize the footwear in the open mode. The upper forefoot part can include one or more pockets, and the heel part can include wings that slidably fit therein. The wings can cooperate to secure the footwear in the closed mode and/or impair overextension in an open mode.