Segmented Shoe Upper with Movable Tensionable Regions

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Solution Overview

Problem

Conventional shoe configurations fail to conform to the unique shape of a user's foot, leading to discomfort, inadequate support, and slippage during activities like running, which negatively impacts performance.

Innovation Solution

The shoe design incorporates a tension member guided along the tongue between the medial and lateral sides, with movable tensionable regions that become nonlinear upon tensioning, providing a customizable fit and improved support by wrapping around the foot's arch and metatarsal bones, and using a reel-based or motorized closure system to distribute tension evenly.

Engineering Contradictions & Design Principles

VSEngineering Contradiction Analysis

1Adaptability or versatility

If conventional shoe configurations are used, then the shoe structure is simple, but the shoe does not conform to the unique shape of the user's foot, causing discomfort and inadequate support

Engineering Contradiction:

Improveconformance to foot shapeVSAvoidshoe structure complexity

Core Design Contradiction:

Adaptability or versatilityVSDevice complexity

Solution Approach 1:

The shoe upper is divided into multiple tensionable regions with independent movable capabilities, allowing each region to conform to different portions of the foot. The closure system is segmented into multiple tension members that can be independently adjusted to accommodate the unique shape of the user's foot.

Inventive Principle:

Principle #1Segmentation

Solution Approach 2:

The shoe incorporates movable tensionable regions that can dynamically adjust their position and tension to adapt to the foot's shape. The closure system allows for dynamic adjustment during wear, enabling the shoe to conform to the unique contours of the user's foot.

Inventive Principle:

Principle #15Dynamics

2Reliability

If conventional shoe configurations are used, then the shoe is easy to manufacture, but the foot slips or moves within the shoe, negatively impacting performance

Engineering Contradiction:

Improvefoot stabilityVSAvoidmanufacturing complexity

Core Design Contradiction:

ReliabilityVSEase of manufacture

Solution Approach 1:

The closure system is divided into multiple independent tension members and tensionable regions, each capable of providing localized stabilization. This segmentation allows the shoe to secure the foot in multiple zones, preventing slippage and movement while maintaining manufacturability through modular construction.

Inventive Principle:

Principle #1Segmentation

Solution Approach 2:

The shoe employs adjustable tension parameters through the closure system, allowing the tensionable regions to be tightened or loosened to optimize foot stability. This parameter adjustment capability enables the shoe to adapt to different foot shapes and activity requirements without increasing manufacturing complexity.

Inventive Principle:

Principle #35Parameter changes

3Strength

If conventional shoe configurations are used, then the shoe structure is simple, but the shoe does not provide sufficient support for running activities

Engineering Contradiction:

Improvesupport capabilityVSAvoidclosure system complexity

Core Design Contradiction:

StrengthVSDevice complexity

Solution Approach 1:

The support function is distributed across multiple tensionable regions and tension members, with each component contributing to overall support capability. This segmented approach provides sufficient support for running activities while keeping individual components simple and manufacturable.

Inventive Principle:

Principle #1Segmentation

Solution Approach 2:

The closure system serves multiple functions simultaneously: it provides support, prevents slippage, accommodates unique foot shapes, and allows for adjustment. This multi-functionality achieves sufficient support capability without proportionally increasing device complexity.

Inventive Principle:

Principle #6Universality (Multi-functionality)

4Reliability

If conventional shoe configurations are used, then the shoe is comfortable to wear, but the shoe allows the foot to slip or move, impacting performance

Engineering Contradiction:

Improveperformance enhancementVSAvoidcomfort level

Core Design Contradiction:

ReliabilityVSEase of operation

Solution Approach 1:

The shoe incorporates dynamically adjustable tensionable regions that can be modified during wear to optimize both comfort and performance. The movable components allow the user to adjust the fit to eliminate slippage while maintaining comfort, thereby enhancing performance without sacrificing ease of operation.

Inventive Principle:

Principle #15Dynamics

Data Source

PatentUS12127632B2Closure system and/or shoe configurations for enhancing the performance of running shoes

Publication Date: 2024.10.29 BOA TECHNOLOGY INC

AI summary

A shoe may include a sole and an upper. The upper may have a medial side and a lateral side that each have an edge positioned on opposing side of the shoe's tongue. The upper's medial side and/or the upper's lateral side may include stiffened regions and flexible regions with each stiffened region being disposed between two flexible regions so that the stiffened regions are moveable relative to one another upon tensioning of the medial and lateral sides of the upper. The opposing edges of the upper's medial and lateral sides may be substantially linear or straight prior to tensioning of the upper's medial and lateral sides and may be substantially uneven or nonlinear subsequent to tensioning of the upper's medial and lateral sides due to relative movement of the stiffened regions.