Protective Boot Layered Construction for Water Sports

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Solution Overview

Problem

Conventional protective boots for water sports are heavy, stiff, and uncomfortable due to solid polycarbonate and plastic sheets, providing less than 100% protection, with 90% of injuries occurring to the lower third of the foot, which remains vulnerable.

Innovation Solution

A protective boot with a layered construction comprising an inner synthetic rubber layer, a middle woven textile layer, and an outer irregular surfaced material layer, optionally with additional layers and a hard rubber sole, designed to deflect and absorb puncturing objects, while being lightweight and comfortable.

Engineering Contradictions & Design Principles

VSEngineering Contradiction Analysis

1Reliability

If solid polycarbonate and plastic sheets are used for protection, then protection reliability is improved, but weight and stiffness increase making the boot cumbersome

Engineering Contradiction:

Improveprotection reliabilityVSAvoidboot weight

Core Design Contradiction:

ReliabilityVSWeight of moving object

Solution Approach 1:

The patent uses a composite material structure consisting of multiple layers: an inner flexible layer (spandex, nylon, or rubber), a middle puncture-resistant layer (Kevlar, Dyneema, or other high-strength fibers), and an outer protective layer. This composite structure provides comprehensive protection against punctures and stings while maintaining flexibility and reducing weight compared to solid polycarbonate boots.

Inventive Principle:

Principle #40Composite materials

Solution Approach 2:

The boot is divided into multiple functional layers, each serving a specific protective purpose. The inner layer provides flexibility and comfort, the middle layer resists punctures from sharp objects, and the outer layer protects against stings and abrasions. This segmentation allows each layer to be optimized for its specific function while working together to provide overall protection.

Inventive Principle:

Principle #1Segmentation

2Reliability

If solid polycarbonate and plastic sheets are used for protection, then protection reliability is improved, but comfort and flexibility deteriorate

Engineering Contradiction:

Improveprotection reliabilityVSAvoidcomfort and flexibility

Core Design Contradiction:

ReliabilityVSEase of operation

Solution Approach 1:

The combination of flexible materials (spandex, nylon, rubber) with puncture-resistant materials (Kevlar, Dyneema) creates a boot that is both comfortable and protective. The flexible inner layer allows natural foot movement and comfort, while the middle layer provides puncture resistance without significantly compromising flexibility.

Inventive Principle:

Principle #40Composite materials

Solution Approach 2:

Different parts of the boot use different material compositions tailored to specific protection needs. High-puncture areas use thicker middle layers, while areas needing flexibility use more elastic inner materials. This localized optimization ensures protection where needed while maintaining comfort and flexibility where movement is required.

Inventive Principle:

Principle #3Local quality

3Ease of manufacture

If conventional boot designs are used, then manufacturing simplicity is maintained, but coverage completeness deteriorates leaving parts of the foot exposed

Engineering Contradiction:

Improvemanufacturing simplicityVSAvoidcoverage completeness

Core Design Contradiction:

Ease of manufactureVSReliability

Solution Approach 1:

The boot design includes separate protective components for different foot areas: toe caps, heel protection, ankle support, and footbeds with embedded protective elements. This segmentation allows comprehensive coverage of all vulnerable foot areas while keeping each component relatively simple to manufacture and assemble.

Inventive Principle:

Principle #1Segmentation

Solution Approach 2:

The layered material structure serves multiple protective functions simultaneously: puncture resistance, sting protection, abrasion resistance, and impact protection. This multi-functionality is achieved through the combination of different material layers rather than adding separate protective devices for each hazard type.

Inventive Principle:

Principle #6Universality (Multi-functionality)

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 boot provides comprehensive protection against marine animal stings and other underwater hazards while being comfortable and lightweight, ensuring the entire foot is covered, reducing the risk of injury.

Implementation Method 1

designed to deflect and absorb puncturing objects

Methodology Applied

Scientific EffectDeflection:

Implementation Method 2

designed to deflect and absorb puncturing objects

Methodology Applied

Scientific EffectEnergy absorption:

Data Source

PatentUS11406158B1Protective garment

Publication Date: 2022.08.09 REID RYAN BARTLETT

AI summary

A protective garment for preventing or lessening injury from an external source to a user may include a layered construction made of an inner layer made of a synthetic rubber, the inner layer designed to be positioned against a user's body; a middle layer made of a woven textile; and an outer layer made of an irregular surfaced material. The garment may be a boot, wherein the layered construction makes the boot body. The boot may also include a closure and a sole attached to the boot body.