Separable Sole and Upper Shoe Unit for Dance Shoes
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Solution Overview
Problem
Dance shoes, particularly pointe dance shoes, are expensive due to handcrafted methods, require frequent replacement, and pose high footload leading to permanent damage, with existing solutions failing to address manufacturing efficiency and user adaptability effectively.
Innovation Solution
Designing a dance shoe with a separable sole and upper shoe unit, where the upper shoe features a foot section with recesses and elongated connecting elements that attach to the sole's incisions for a secure yet detachable connection, allowing for simplified manufacturing and anatomical adaptation, and incorporating a dimensionally stable toe box with a cap and optional toe protection insert.
Engineering Contradictions & Design Principles
Engineering Contradiction Analysis
1Adaptability or versatility
If dance shoes are individually crafted using traditional methods, then the shoes can be customized to fit the dancer's needs, but the manufacturing cost increases and productivity decreases
Solution Approach 1:
The dance shoe is divided into separate components: a reusable upper shoe and a replaceable sole unit. This segmentation allows the upper shoe to be manufactured once and reused multiple times with different soles, significantly improving productivity while maintaining customization capabilities through interchangeable components
Solution Approach 2:
The patent enables parameter changes by allowing dancers to swap between different sole units with varying characteristics (flexibility, grip, thickness) while keeping the same upper shoe. This provides customization without requiring complete handcrafting of each shoe, resolving the contradiction between adaptability and manufacturing efficiency
2Strength
If the upper shoe and sole are permanently joined, then the structural integrity is maintained, but the shoe cannot be repaired or adapted when the sole wears out
Solution Approach 1:
The connection between the upper shoe and sole transitions from static (permanent) to dynamic (changeable). The elastic material allows the upper shoe to flex and reconnect with the sole unit during movement, providing structural integrity during use while enabling easy separation and replacement when needed
Solution Approach 2:
The patent implements a system where the wearable sole unit can be discarded after use and replaced with a new one, while the expensive upper shoe is recovered and reused. This resolves the contradiction by maintaining strength during the wearing phase while enabling easy repair through component replacement
3Ease of operation
If the sole is made highly flexible to reduce foot strain, then dancer comfort improves, but the connection strength between sole and upper shoe decreases
Solution Approach 1:
The patent uses composite materials combining elastic material for flexibility with connecting elements for strength. The elastic material provides comfort and flexibility to reduce foot strain, while the integrated connecting elements maintain sufficient connection strength between the sole and upper shoe during movement
Solution Approach 2:
Different parts of the sole have different properties: the main body uses elastic material for flexibility and comfort, while specific areas contain connecting elements with higher strength for secure attachment. This local differentiation resolves the contradiction between overall flexibility and localized connection strength
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 design simplifies manufacturing, extends the life of the upper shoe by allowing sole replacement, provides better grip and reduced footload through anatomical adaptation, and enhances durability and comfort for dancers.
Implementation Method 1
The upper shoe is preferably made of an elastic material, at least in sections
Data Source
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AI summary
A dancing shoe (5) is described. The latter has a sole (12) with an inner side and an outer side, which sole (12) extends in a longitudinal direction from a rear end to a front end. The outer side of the sole (12) has a plurality of incisions (17a-g). Moreover, an upper shoe (20) is provided, which is connected to the sole (12) and has a foot section (22). To connect the upper shoe (20) to the sole (12), the foot section (22) of the upper shoe has, on its underside, at least one recess (24) through which elongate connection elements (26a-f) extend which, in the state when the dancing shoe (5) is being worn, are received at least in some regions in incisions (17a-f) of the outer side of the sole (12).