Removable Rolling Mechanism for Shoe Soles
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Solution Overview
Problem
Existing shoe designs with integrated rolling mechanisms require tools for removal and installation, limiting convenience and ease of use, especially for children.
Innovation Solution
A shoe outer sole with a removable rolling mechanism featuring a first frame and second frame that can be easily engaged and disengaged manually by pressing on locking members, allowing for conversion between rolling and conventional walking modes without the need for tools.
Engineering Contradictions & Design Principles
Engineering Contradiction Analysis
1Ease of operation
If rolling mechanisms are integrated into the outer sole using traditional methods, then the rolling function is achieved, but the removal and installation require tools which reduces ease of operation
Solution Approach 1:
The outer sole is divided into separate functional components: a base sole structure and a removable rolling mechanism module. The rolling mechanism includes a frame with wheels that can be independently inserted into and removed from the sole through the opening, allowing tool-free assembly and disassembly while maintaining structural integrity during use.
Solution Approach 2:
A ramp structure with engagement portion acts as an intermediary mechanism between the user's manual pressure and the locking system. When pressure is applied to the rear portion of the sole, the ramp translates this force into movement of the locking members, enabling tool-free release of the rolling mechanism through a mechanical advantage system.
2Adaptability or versatility
If the rolling mechanism is made permanently fixed, then stability is improved, but adaptability between rolling and walking modes is reduced
Solution Approach 1:
The system transitions from a static fixed structure to a dynamic reconfigurable system. The locking members can shift between engaged and disengaged states based on applied pressure, allowing the outer sole to adapt its configuration between rolling mode (with mechanism installed) and walking mode (with mechanism removed), while maintaining stability in each state through proper mechanical engagement.
Solution Approach 2:
The outer sole is designed to perform multiple functions through a single integrated system. The same sole structure can accommodate either the rolling mechanism for skating motion or remain open for conventional walking, making it a universal footwear solution that adapts to different mobility needs without requiring separate shoe designs.
3Ease of repair
If the rolling mechanism requires tool-based installation, then reliability of attachment is improved, but ease of maintenance and cleaning is worsened
Solution Approach 1:
The system enables self-service maintenance and cleaning by allowing users to easily remove the rolling mechanism themselves without requiring tools or technical expertise. The manual pressure activation of locking members provides intuitive control, enabling children and adults to independently clean, maintain, or replace the rolling components as needed.
Solution Approach 2:
The rolling mechanism is extracted as a separate removable module rather than being permanently integrated into the sole. This extraction allows the rolling components to be easily taken out for cleaning purposes, while the engagement portion and locking system ensure reliable attachment when installed, resolving the conflict between maintenance ease and attachment reliability.
Data Source
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AI summary
The present invention concerns the field of garments, namely the shoes sector, especially relating to children, although it is likewise applicable to young people and adults. The object of the present invention is an outer sole (1), on which are inserted two structures, a first one enabling one user to slide when he is contacting the ground, moving as if he were on skates, and a second one enabling the user to move in a conventional way. The first structure, which enables a movement in a rolling mode, consists in a frame (2) containing a wheel (3) and, on one end, presents a front locking member (4) and, on another end, a locking member (5) for disengagement of the frame (2) by pressing downwards.