Shoe Strap Anchor Embedded in Sole for Stress Distribution
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Solution Overview
Problem
Conventional lightweight shoes made entirely of lightweight materials are not capable of withstanding the stresses from using straps or laces, limiting their design to sandals and slip-on styles.
Innovation Solution
Embedding a strap anchor within the shoe's sole, made of a stronger material than the base material, with attachment points on opposite sides, allowing straps to be securely attached and looped through for strapping the shoe to the foot, thereby distributing stress to the anchor rather than the shoe's main body.
Engineering Contradictions & Design Principles
Engineering Contradiction Analysis
1Weight of moving object
If shoes are made entirely of lightweight materials, then the shoe weight is reduced, but the shoe cannot withstand the stresses from straps or laces
Solution Approach 1:
The shoe is divided into two functional parts: the main body made of lightweight material and the strap anchor made of strong material. This segmentation allows each part to fulfill its specific function - the lightweight body reduces weight while the strong anchor withstands strap stresses.
Solution Approach 2:
The strap anchor is made of strong material specifically at the location where stress from straps is applied, while the rest of the shoe remains lightweight. This local quality approach ensures strength is provided only where needed, maintaining overall lightness.
2Reliability
If a durable strapping system is added to lightweight shoes, then the shoe can be securely fastened, but the stress on the shoe structure increases
Solution Approach 1:
The stress-withstanding function is extracted from the main shoe body and placed into a separate strap anchor component. The anchor is embedded in the sole and designed to bear all straps and laces tensions, isolating this stress from the lightweight upper materials.
Solution Approach 2:
The strap anchor acts as an intermediary between the strap and the shoe sole. It transfers and distributes the stress from the strap into the dense base material of the sole, preventing concentrated stress on the lightweight upper portions of the shoe.
3Device complexity
If straps are attached directly to the shoe body, then the fastening system is simple, but the lightweight materials cannot withstand the stress
Solution Approach 1:
The strap anchor merges multiple functions into one component: it provides attachment points for straps, distributes stress across the sole, and anchors securely to the base material. This consolidation maintains simplicity while providing the necessary strength.
Solution Approach 2:
The strap anchor utilizes composite construction with dense base material in the sole and strong anchor material embedded within. This composite approach combines the lightness of the overall shoe structure with the strength needed at the attachment points.
Data Source
AI summary
Provided are, among other things, shoes, portions of shoes and processes for manufacturing the same. According to one embodiment, a shoe includes: a sole comprised of a base material and a strap anchor, the strap anchor being stronger than the base material, including a number of attachment points on opposite sides of the shoe, and being at least partially embedded within the base material; and a strap that is attached to and/or looped through at least one of the attachment points and that is configured for strapping the shoe to a wearer's foot. According to another embodiment, a shoe includes: a sole comprised of a base material and a strap anchor, the strap anchor including a number of attachment points on opposite sides of the shoe, and the base material having been injection molded around the strap anchor; and a strap that is attached to and/or looped through at least one of the attachment points and that is configured for strapping the shoe to a wearer's foot.