Shoe Closure Zipper Lacing Stability
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Solution Overview
Problem
Shoes with higher upper sections, such as ankle boots, face difficulties in fitting and ease of use due to the lack of adjustable closure systems, as zippers provide uniform narrowing but lack zone-by-zone adjustment, and combining zippers with lacing can lead to instability and premature wear.
Innovation Solution
The lacing in the transition area between the instep and shaft is designed with a denser arrangement of deflection means on the zipper side to stabilize the zipper and allow for zone-by-zone tension adjustment, using a triangular group of deflection means to prevent bulging and distribute tension evenly.
Engineering Contradictions & Design Principles
Engineering Contradiction Analysis
1Ease of operation
If a zipper is used to close the opening or widening section, then the closure can be quickly and easily operated, but the degree of tightness cannot be individually adjusted or varied by zone
Solution Approach 1:
The closure system is divided into two independent functional segments: a zipper component for overall closure and a lacing system with multiple lacing sections for zone-by-zone adjustment. Each lacing section can be independently tightened or loosened through its own lacing ends, allowing different tightness levels in different zones while maintaining easy operation through the zipper's snap-action mechanism.
Solution Approach 2:
The patent combines a zipper and a lacing system into a unified closure mechanism where the lacing system is integrated with the zipper structure. The lacing ends are threaded through the zipper teeth, creating a hybrid system that merges the easy operation of zippers with the adjustable tightness of lacing systems, enabling both quick closure and zone-specific tension control.
2Adaptability or versatility
If lacing is added to a zipper system to enable zone-by-zone adjustment, then tightness control is improved, but the zipper may become unstable and wear prematurely
Solution Approach 1:
The lacing system is designed with local quality variations: the lacing ends are positioned at specific locations along the zipper, and the lacing sections are distributed at different intervals. This localized arrangement ensures that tension is applied at optimal points to stabilize the zipper teeth without creating excessive wear in any single area, maintaining reliability while enabling zone-by-zone adjustment.
Solution Approach 2:
The zipper teeth serve as an intermediary element that mediates between the lacing system and the upper material. The lacing ends thread through the zipper teeth, which act as a intermediary structure to distribute and transmit tension uniformly across the zipper length, preventing direct stress concentration on any single point and thereby reducing premature wear while maintaining stability.
3Reliability
If the upper section is made higher to extend over the ankles or instep, then the shoe can provide better support and fit, but the shoe becomes more difficult to put on and take off
Solution Approach 1:
The zipper is positioned to extend across the instep area, allowing the user to open the zipper before inserting the foot into the shoe. This preliminary opening action creates a wide entrance that facilitates easy entry, and the zipper can be quickly closed after foot insertion to secure the higher upper section, maintaining both ease of operation and reliable fit.
Solution Approach 2:
The closure system is designed to be dynamic and adaptable: the zipper provides a quick-opening mechanism for easy entry, while the lacing system allows for dynamic adjustment of tightness after the shoe is on. This dynamic design enables the shoe to transition from an open state for easy entry to a securely fastened state for reliable fit, addressing both requirements.
Data Source
Figure 1
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AI summary
The present invention relates to a shoe, particularly in boot form, with at least one opening and/or widening section to facilitate entry and exit, extending over an instep area. This opening and/or widening section is equipped with a zipper and lacing. The lacing extends on at least one side of the zipper and bridges a shoe wall slit between the zipper and an adjacent shoe wall section. The lacing is threaded back and forth through guides provided on both sides of the shoe wall slit. According to the invention, in the transition area between the instep and the shaft, the number of guides is increased and the distance between adjacent guides is reduced on the zipper side, compared to the shaft and instep areas above and below.