Retractable Shoe Sole Anchoring Joint to Prevent Detachment

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Solution Overview

Problem

Existing non-slip devices for shoe soles face issues with inconvenient replacement due to detachment of fixing components during manual extraction, leading to increased production times and costs, and complex assembly processes.

Innovation Solution

A single-body joint is formed with the non-slip member and the sole-anchoring member through overmolding, using materials with different melting points to ensure integral connection without adhesion, allowing for 180° and 90° rotations, eliminating the need for separate assembly and mushroom couplings.

Engineering Contradictions & Design Principles

VSEngineering Contradiction Analysis

1Reliability

If separate mushroom couplings are used to anchor the non-slip member to the sole, then the member can be fixed securely, but the components can detach during extraction requiring manual removal of cubes from the sole

Engineering Contradiction:
Improvefixing reliabilityVSAvoidextraction convenience
Core Design Contradiction:
ReliabilityVSEase of operation

Solution Approach 1:

The patent merges the mushroom coupling and the cube into a single integral component. The mushroom coupling is no longer a separate piece but is formed as one body with the cube structure, eliminating the risk of detachment between these components during extraction operations.

Inventive Principle:
Principle #5Merging (Combining)

Solution Approach 2:

The patent segments the non-slip member system into distinct functional zones: the grooved sole surface for insertion, the integrated mushroom-cube structure for anchoring, and the non-slip element. This segmentation allows each component to perform its function optimally while the integral design prevents separation issues.

Inventive Principle:
Principle #1Segmentation

2Adaptability or versatility

If multiple separate components (joint, pin, mushroom coupling) are assembled to form the non-slip member, then the structure can achieve required movements, but the assembly process becomes complex and time-consuming

Engineering Contradiction:
Improvemovement capabilityVSAvoidassembly complexity
Core Design Contradiction:
Adaptability or versatilityVSDevice complexity

Solution Approach 1:

The patent combines multiple previously separate components (joint, pin, mushroom coupling) into a single molded piece. The hinge joint and anchoring features are integrated into one component that is directly formed in the grooved sole, eliminating the need for separate assembly steps while preserving all required movement capabilities.

Inventive Principle:
Principle #5Merging (Combining)

Solution Approach 2:

The integrated component performs multiple functions simultaneously: it provides the hinge joint for rotation, the anchoring mechanism for secure attachment, and the structural support for the non-slip element. This multi-functionality reduces the number of parts needed while maintaining full operational capability.

Inventive Principle:
Principle #6Universality (Multi-functionality)

3Ease of manufacture

If separate mushroom couplings are used with the non-slip member, then the member can be anchored to the sole, but replacement time increases due to need to manually extract cubes from the sole

Engineering Contradiction:
Improveproduction efficiencyVSAvoidreplacement time
Core Design Contradiction:
Ease of manufactureVSLoss of time

Solution Approach 1:

By merging the mushroom coupling and cube into one integral component, the patent enables the entire anchoring assembly to be removed as a single unit during replacement. This eliminates the time-consuming manual extraction of separate cube components from the sole, significantly reducing replacement time.

Inventive Principle:
Principle #5Merging (Combining)

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 simplifies production, reduces costs, and prevents accidental detachment of components, ensuring smooth extraction and rotation of the non-slip member without additional assembly steps.

Implementation Method 1

A single-body joint is formed with the non-slip member and the sole-anchoring member through overmolding, using materials with different melting points to ensure integral connection without adhesion

Methodology Applied
Scientific EffectOvermolding:

Implementation Method 2

using materials with different melting points to ensure integral connection without adhesion

Methodology Applied
Scientific EffectThermal properties of materials:

Data Source

PatentEP4566478B1Improvement to the anchoring of the non-slip member to a sole provided with retractable non-slip means
Publication Date: 2025.12.24 ALPI SRL
  • EP4566478B1 patent drawingFigure 1~2
  • EP4566478B1 patent drawingFigure 3
  • EP4566478B1 patent drawingFigure 4

AI summary

An improved non-slip device for a shoe sole of the type in which non-slip or skid-proof means such as nails or grappling hooks (12) are provided, such non-slip or skid-proof means (12) being not fixed directly to the sole but to at least one non-slip member (10) that can be folded away into grooves provided in the sole, said non-slip member (10) is provided of one anchoring member (24) to the sole, which is provided with snap fastening means (25) obtained in one piece with the anchoring member (24), the non-slip member (10) and the anchoring member (24) being connected to each other in a non-disassembled way by a joint (14) provided with a pin (15) integral in use with the non-slip member (10) having a protruding end forming the axis of rotation about which the non-slip member is rotatable through 180°, said joint (14) being provided with a protruding attachment (16) allowing a 90° rotation center of an axle (26) of said member element (24) anchored to the sole, perpendicularly to said pin (15), in which said anchoring member (24) cannot be separated from said non-slip member (10) even if an elastic force necessary for the separation from the latter is applied to the sole.