Performance Stilts: Spring-Loaded Toe and Pivoting Leg Band
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Solution Overview
Problem
Existing stilts lack the ability to provide a natural range of motion and comfort due to restrictive designs, particularly in the toe and leg areas, which leads to wearer fatigue and limited mobility.
Innovation Solution
The design incorporates a spring-loaded articulating toe and pivoting leg band, allowing the toe to pivot and the leg band to adjust, creating a parallelogram configuration that mimics natural foot movement and reduces restrictions, with adjustable height settings for optimal fit and mobility.
Engineering Contradictions & Design Principles
Engineering Contradiction Analysis
1Stability of the object's composition
If a rigid flat-footed design is used, then structural stability is improved, but natural range of motion is restricted and wearer fatigue increases
Solution Approach 1:
The patent applies the dynamics principle by replacing the rigid flat-footed design with a spring-loaded articulating toe assembly that can dynamically pivot and adapt to the wearer's natural foot movement. The spring mechanism allows the toe to flex and return to position, providing both stability and natural range of motion.
Solution Approach 2:
The patent segments the footplate into multiple functional components: a rigid main body for structural stability and a separate articulating toe assembly for natural motion. This segmentation allows each part to perform its specialized function independently, resolving the contradiction between stability and range of motion.
2Reliability
If a fixed leg band design is used, then attachment security is improved, but mobility and comfort are restricted
Solution Approach 1:
The patent applies dynamics by replacing the fixed leg band with a pivoting leg band assembly that can rotate and adjust to the wearer's calf movements. The pivot mechanism maintains secure attachment while allowing natural mobility and deeper ranges of motion such as squats and lunges.
3Weight of moving object
If a lightweight two-column design is used, then weight reduction is achieved, but toe articulation support is insufficient
Solution Approach 1:
The patent segments the support function by having the first and second vertical supports primarily bear the wearer's weight, while the spring-loaded toe assembly provides dedicated articulation support. This segmentation allows weight reduction in the main structure while maintaining reliable toe articulation support through the specialized spring mechanism.
4Adaptability or versatility
If adjustable height settings are added, then fit optimization is improved, but device complexity increases
Solution Approach 1:
The patent adds adjustability in the vertical dimension through telescoping side poles with multiple height settings, allowing the stilt to be customized for different wearers and performance needs. This dimensional adjustment provides fit optimization without significantly increasing overall device complexity.
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
This configuration enhances user comfort and mobility, reducing fatigue by allowing more natural strides and deeper ranges of motion, such as squats or lunges, while maintaining a lightweight and secure attachment.
Implementation Method 1
A spring biases the toe assembly downwardly
Data Source
AI summary
A stilt comprises a floor platform, a shoe platform, a first substantially vertical support, a second substantially vertical support, and a toe assembly. The shoe platform is superposed above the floor platform. The first substantially vertical support connects a front portion of the floor platform with a front portion of the shoe platform. The second substantially vertical support connects a back portion of the floor platform with a back portion of the shoe platform. The first and second substantially vertical supports connect the shoe platform and the floor platform in a parallelogram configuration. The toe assembly is hingedly connected to a front end portion of the floor platform. A spring biases the toe assembly into alignment with the floor platform. A leg support extends upwardly from the second vertical support. A calf brace is pivotally connected to an upper end portion of the leg support.