Quick-Lacing Rocker Clamp for Automatic Shoelace Locking
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Solution Overview
Problem
Existing shoelace clamping devices are complex, difficult to operate, and do not securely lock in the closed position, requiring manual intervention and leaving one hand free for other tasks.
Innovation Solution
A quick-lacing system with a housing and a movably mounted rocker having a concave inner side and an eccentric jaw, where the rocker's closing section is pushed into a holding position by shoelace tension, locking the system, and the opening section secures the shoelace, allowing for easy operation and secure lacing.
Engineering Contradictions & Design Principles
Engineering Contradiction Analysis
1Reliability
If a manual wedge clamping device is used to secure shoelaces, then the laces can be clamped securely, but the device requires manual intervention to open and hold in the open position, leaving one hand free for other tasks
Solution Approach 1:
The clamping device automatically opens when the shoe is put on by the user's own foot, and automatically locks in the closed position without requiring manual intervention. The system serves itself by using the user's foot insertion action to trigger the opening mechanism and the lacing tension to engage the locking mechanism.
Solution Approach 2:
The device is pre-configured with a trigger mechanism that automatically opens the clamp when the shoe is put on, and a locking mechanism that is pre-positioned to engage automatically when the laces are tightened, eliminating the need for manual operation during use.
2Ease of operation
If a locked open position mechanism is added to prevent accidental clamping, then the lacing system can be opened without manual holding, but the device design becomes complex and considerable force is required to move from open to closed position
Solution Approach 1:
The opening and locking functions are merged into a single integrated mechanism. The same trigger that opens the clamp also engages the locking feature, and the lacing tension that closes the clamp automatically disengages the lock. This combination eliminates the need for separate complex locking components.
Solution Approach 2:
The mechanism transitions dynamically between open and closed states based on the forces applied during shoe insertion and lacing. The system is designed to be easily movable during opening but automatically locks when force is applied during lacing, providing both ease of operation and secure closure without complex controls.
3Reliability
If considerable force is required to move the clamping device from open to closed position, then the laces can be securely clamped, but the operation becomes difficult and inconvenient for the user
Solution Approach 1:
The clamping action occurs in two distinct phases: an initial low-force opening phase triggered by shoe insertion, and a subsequent high-force closing phase triggered by lacing tension. This periodic action allows the system to be easy to open but secure to close, matching the natural lacing process.
Solution Approach 2:
The system uses the user's own lacing tension to automatically engage the locking mechanism and maintain secure clamping. The device requires minimal initial force to activate but automatically provides secure locking through the tension applied during normal lacing, eliminating the need for the user to apply excessive force manually.
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 system allows for easy and intuitive lacing with automatic locking and unlocking, reducing interaction and enabling quick lacing and unlacing with minimal effort, maintaining tension on shoelaces of varying strengths.
Implementation Method 1
the rocker is locked in the holding position by latching and/or snapping
Data Source
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AI summary
The invention relates to a quick lacing system (10) for releasably fixing at least one shoelace (20) to a housing (30), which has a channel (40) for feeding through at least one shoelace (20), wherein the channel (40) is at least partly made of a movably mounted rocker (50) with a substantially concave interior (60), which is oriented in the direction of the channel (40), on a first side and at least partly of an eccentric jaw (70), which interacts with the rocker (50) at least in a closed position of the quick lacing system (10), on a second side substantially opposite the rocker. The invention also relates to a shoe equipped with such a quick lacing system (10).