Shoe Shaft Segmentation for Flexibility and Protection

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Solution Overview

Problem

Shoes with extended shafts often restrict movement due to lack of flexibility, and previous solutions that enhance flexibility compromise structural integrity and protection.

Innovation Solution

A shoe design featuring a fixed shaft with strategically placed notches and apertures that optimize flexibility and protection, along with protrusions for added protection and ease of use, allowing for varying materials and configurations to suit specific tasks.

Engineering Contradictions & Design Principles

VSEngineering Contradiction Analysis

1Object-affected harmful factors

If a shaft extends over the ankle to provide protection, then protective properties are improved, but flexibility and movement are reduced

Engineering Contradiction:

ImproveprotectionVSAvoidflexibility

Core Design Contradiction:

Object-affected harmful factorsVSEase of operation

Solution Approach 1:

The shaft is divided into multiple sections or panels that can move independently relative to each other, allowing the shaft to bend and flex while maintaining its protective enclosure. This segmentation enables the shaft to adapt to calf movement without compromising its protective function.

Inventive Principle:

Principle #1Segmentation

Solution Approach 2:

The shaft incorporates dynamic elements such as articulated joints, flexible materials, or movable panels that allow it to change shape and accommodate movement. This dynamic design enables the shaft to maintain protection during static conditions while providing flexibility during movement.

Inventive Principle:

Principle #15Dynamics

2Ease of operation

If elements like zippers, laces, or clips are added to increase flexibility, then ease of operation is improved, but structural integrity is reduced

Engineering Contradiction:

ImproveflexibilityVSAvoidstructural integrity

Core Design Contradiction:

Ease of operationVSStrength

Solution Approach 1:

Instead of using discrete fastening elements that create weak points, the shaft is segmented into panels connected by flexible joints or seams that maintain continuous structural support. This segmentation allows movement while preserving overall integrity.

Inventive Principle:

Principle #1Segmentation

Solution Approach 2:

The shaft utilizes flexible materials or thin film structures that inherently provide both the flexibility needed for movement and the structural integrity to maintain protection, eliminating the need for separate fastening elements that would compromise strength.

Inventive Principle:

Principle #30Flexible shells and thin films

3Strength

If the shaft is made as a single fixed piece, then structural integrity is improved, but flexibility and ease of putting on/off are reduced

Engineering Contradiction:

Improvestructural integrityVSAvoidease of putting on and off

Core Design Contradiction:

StrengthVSEase of operation

Solution Approach 1:

The shaft is divided into multiple sections that can move relative to each other, creating natural expansion and contraction zones that facilitate easy putting on and taking off while maintaining the overall structural integrity of the shaft as a protective enclosure.

Inventive Principle:

Principle #1Segmentation

Data Source

PatentUS20240090622A1Upper for a Shoe

Publication Date: 2024.03.21 BOOT ROYALTY

AI summary

A shoe with a sole, upper, and shaft, whose upper and shaft contain a number of modifications to increase flexibility of the shoe but maintain protection for the wearer of the shoe. These modifications fall into the general categories of notch and aperture. The upper also has a number of protrusions into the shaft to increase protection in the protrusion areas. The location, shape, and size of these notches, apertures, and protrusions are important for optimizing the flexibility and protective qualities of the shoe.