Shoe Fastening Assembly with Elastomeric Bands
Find Innovative SolutionsGenerate Solutions
Solution Overview
Problem
Existing shoe fastening systems, such as traditional laces, often fail to distribute force evenly and can lead to reduced durability and comfort, especially in sports shoes where secure and flexible closure is essential.
Innovation Solution
A fastening assembly featuring an elongated rigid planar member with horn cleats and a continuous elastomeric band that spans the shoe's split vamp, allowing for adjustable tension and even force distribution through apertures and necks, utilizing a latex core wrapped in a woven polyester or nylon sheath for enhanced stretchability and comfort.
Engineering Contradictions & Design Principles
Engineering Contradiction Analysis
1Reliability
If traditional laces are used for shoe fastening, then the shoe can be closed, but the force is not evenly distributed leading to reduced durability and comfort
Solution Approach 1:
The fastening system is segmented into multiple rigid members distributed across the shoe vamp, with each member having horn cleats at its ends. This segmentation allows force to be distributed across multiple discrete points rather than concentrated at single locations, improving both durability and comfort.
Solution Approach 2:
The system combines rigid members (providing structural strength and force distribution) with elastomeric bands (providing flexibility and comfort). This composite approach allows the fastening system to simultaneously achieve durability through the rigid components and comfort through the elastic components.
2Reliability
If rigid members with apertures are used to replace traditional laces, then force distribution is improved, but the device complexity increases
Solution Approach 1:
The rigid members serve multiple functions: they distribute force across the vamp, provide attachment points for elastomeric bands via horn cleats, and maintain the structural integrity of the fastening system. This multi-functionality reduces the need for additional separate components, thereby limiting the increase in device complexity.
3Adaptability or versatility
If elastomeric bands with loop ends are used, then adjustability and comfort are improved, but the ease of manufacture decreases
Solution Approach 1:
The elastomeric bands with loop ends are designed to self-engage with the horn cleats through a snap-fit mechanism. The loops pass over the horns and snap into place using the elastic recovery of the material, eliminating the need for complex fastening operations or additional fasteners during assembly, thereby improving ease of manufacture despite the adjustability feature.
4Reliability
If the elastomeric band cross-sectional dimension is greater than aperture size, then the band is retained in the aperture, but the band cannot pass through during assembly
Solution Approach 1:
The elastomeric bands are pre-stretched during assembly to temporarily reduce their cross-sectional dimension below that of the aperture, allowing them to pass through. Once positioned, the bands relax and expand to a larger dimension that provides retention in the aperture. This preliminary stretching action enables both easy assembly and reliable retention.
Solution Approach 2:
The cross-sectional dimension of the elastomeric band is changed by applying tensile force during assembly, temporarily reducing it to pass through the aperture. After assembly, the band returns to its original larger dimension, providing retention. This parameter change enables the band to satisfy both assembly ease and retention requirements.
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 solution provides a secure, comfortable, and durable fastening system that evenly distributes forces across the shoe, enhancing the useful life of the fastening components and allowing for customizable tension, thereby addressing the limitations of traditional laces.
Implementation Method 1
the elastic member is stretched to reduce its diameter to pass through the neck and retracts to fill up and snaps into the aperture
Implementation Method 2
a latex core wrapped in a woven polyester or nylon sheath that is stretchable as the core is stretched
Data Source
AI summary
Shoe fastening assembly for a split vamp shoe having at least a pair of opposed eyelets on either side of the split and includes an elongated rigid member with an arcuate curved lower surface and a pair of spaced apertures at each end of the member and a throat extending outwardly from each aperture, and a continuous elongated elastomeric band located in each aperture and passing beneath the member and lying on the tongue of the shoe. The band cross-section at rest is larger than each aperture and when stretched readily passes through each throat. A plurality of members and bands are provided for additional pairs of eyelets on the shoe and methods of fastening a shoe are herein included.