Shoe Cleat Receiver Clip for Secure Retention and Quick Release
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Solution Overview
Problem
Existing shoe securing systems for activities like rowing fail to provide a stable and secure attachment while allowing easy release when needed, often leading to unintentional dislodgment or cumbersome detachment.
Innovation Solution
A releasable fastening device comprising a cleat on the shoe and a receiver on the support, with a biased clip mechanism that securely retains the shoe during use and allows easy release through lateral rotation, utilizing polymer components and additive manufacturing for durability.
Engineering Contradictions & Design Principles
Engineering Contradiction Analysis
1Reliability
If a secure attachment mechanism is used to prevent unintentional dislodgment, then reliability is improved, but ease of operation deteriorates due to cumbersome detachment
Solution Approach 1:
The clip is designed to be movable between a retained position (where it secures the cleat) and a released position (where it allows removal). This dynamic mechanism enables the system to switch between secure attachment and easy release states, resolving the contradiction between reliability and ease of operation.
Solution Approach 2:
The biased clip automatically engages with the cleat to provide secure attachment without requiring additional fastening actions. The biasing force ensures the clip remains engaged during normal use, while allowing intentional release when needed, making the system self-securing.
2Ease of operation
If a simple release mechanism is used for easy detachment, then ease of operation is improved, but reliability deteriorates due to unintentional dislodgment
Solution Approach 1:
The biased clip is pre-configured to exert a retaining force on the cleat, establishing secure attachment before any release action is taken. This preliminary securing action ensures reliability during normal use, while the mechanical design allows intentional release through lateral rotation.
Solution Approach 2:
The engagement geometry between the clip and cleat is asymmetric, allowing easy release in one direction (lateral rotation) while maintaining strong retention in the opposing direction. This asymmetric design enables easy detachment without compromising attachment stability during use.
3Reliability
If a robust retention mechanism is used to ensure stable platform, then reliability is improved, but device complexity increases
Solution Approach 1:
The receiver integrates multiple functions into a single structure: it houses the biased clip mechanism, provides the retention geometry, and forms part of the support structure. This merging reduces overall device complexity while maintaining the stable platform function through the unified receiver-cleat-clip assembly.
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
The device ensures robust and secure shoe attachment during activities like rowing, while enabling quick and confident release when desired, with interchangeable use for left or right shoes and suitable for various supports.
Implementation Method 1
a biased clip mechanism that securely retains the shoe during use and allows easy release through lateral rotation
Data Source
AI summary
A device includes a cleat and a receiver. The cleat is mountable to a shoe and includes a front portion and a rear footing. The receiver is mountable to a support of an external device. The receiver includes a frame including a front portion and a rear portion, with the rear portion configured to removably slidably receive the rear footing of the cleat. The front portion of the receiver includes a catch element, which is pivotally movable relative to the frame while under a rotational biasing force in a first orientation, to permit slidable entry of, and retention of, the front portion of the cleat relative to the frame of the receiver.