Rapid-Entry Footwear With Elastic Opening and Heel Stabilizer
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Solution Overview
Problem
Donning and doffing of shoes, including tying or otherwise securing them, can be inconvenient or difficult for some individuals.
Innovation Solution
Rapid-entry footwear featuring a stabilizer and an elastic element, where the elastic element enlarges or reduces the foot opening through expansion or contraction, and the stabilizer prevents the rear portion from collapsing or pivoting, facilitating easy entry and exit.
Engineering Contradictions & Design Principles
Engineering Contradiction Analysis
1Ease of operation
If the foot opening is made large for easy insertion, then ease of donning is improved, but the shoe cannot provide a secure fit
Solution Approach 1:
The elastic element is configured to dynamically change the foot opening size from a larger state during insertion to a smaller state for secure fit. The elastic element can be deformed to expand the foot opening and then returns to its original shape to contract and secure the foot, providing both easy donning and reliable fit.
Solution Approach 2:
The elastic element changes the physical parameter of the foot opening size through elastic deformation. When force is applied during insertion, the elastic element deforms to allow expansion; when the foot is inserted, it returns to its original configuration to contract and provide a secure fit, effectively changing the opening parameter from large to small.
2Ease of operation
If the shoe structure is made flexible for easy entry, then ease of donning is improved, but structural stability deteriorates
Solution Approach 1:
The shoe structure is segmented into two functional components: the elastic element that provides flexibility for entry and the stabilizer that provides structural stability. The elastic element can deform to facilitate entry while the stabilizer maintains the overall structural integrity, preventing collapse during the entry process.
Solution Approach 2:
The stabilizer acts as an intermediary structural support that works in conjunction with the elastic element. While the elastic element provides the necessary flexibility and deformation for easy entry, the stabilizer mediates by preventing excessive deformation and maintaining structural stability during the entry and wear processes.
3Adaptability or versatility
If the rear portion is made collapsible for compact storage, then storage convenience is improved, but reliability during use deteriorates
Solution Approach 1:
The stabilizer is designed to dynamically provide structural support to the rear portion during use and then allow collapse for storage. During wear, the stabilizer maintains structural integrity and prevents collapse; when not in use, the stabilizer can be collapsed or reconfigured to allow compact storage, providing both reliability during use and storage convenience.
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
Enables quick and convenient donning and doffing of shoes by allowing the foot opening to expand for easy insertion and contract for secure fit, while maintaining structural stability.
Implementation Method 1
expansion or deformation of an elastic element enlarges a foot opening of the rapid-entry shoe, and contraction of an elastic element reduces the foot opening of the rapid-entry shoe
Implementation Method 2
an elastic element is configured to enable the forward portion of the rapid-entry shoe to flex and/or pivot forward relative to the sole portion
Implementation Method 3
a stabilizer is configured to prevent the rear portion of the rapid-entry shoe from one or more of collapsing downward, flexing rearward and pivoting rearward
Data Source
AI summary
A rapid-entry shoe having an elastic element to enlarge a foot opening of the rapid-entry shoe and also having a stabilizer to prevent a rear portion of the rapid-entry shoe from collapsing downward.