Shoelace Retainer Channels for Knot Stability

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Solution Overview

Problem

Shoelaces often untie inadvertently due to the nature of bow knots, which can be a nuisance and require frequent re-tightening, especially when the loose ends drag on the ground.

Innovation Solution

A shoelace retainer device that couples to the shoe via a base and body with channels to secure the shoelace ends, preventing them from coming undone by positioning the bow knot within the retainer's channels, thus inhibiting unintended untying and dragging.

Engineering Contradictions & Design Principles

VSEngineering Contradiction Analysis

1Reliability

If shoelaces are tied in bow knots, then the shoes can be secured to the feet, but the shoelaces often untie inadvertently and require frequent re-tightening

Engineering Contradiction:

Improveknot stabilityVSAvoidtime for re-tightening

Core Design Contradiction:

ReliabilityVSLoss of time

Solution Approach 1:

The retainer is pre-installed on the shoe with channels positioned to receive the shoelace ends. By preparing the retention structure in advance and positioning the shoelace ends into the channels after tying, the system prevents untying before it occurs, eliminating the need for frequent re-tightening and resolving the reliability-time loss contradiction

Inventive Principle:

Principle #10Preliminary action

Solution Approach 2:

The retainer acts as an intermediary device between the bow knot and the shoe. It provides a mechanical interface that holds the shoelace ends in place, preventing them from loosening while maintaining the simplicity of the bow knot tying method, thus improving knot stability without adding complexity to the tying process

Inventive Principle:

Principle #24Intermediary (Mediator)

2Ease of operation

If the shoelace ends are allowed to hang loose, then the bow knot can be easily formed, but the loose ends drag on the ground and cause the shoelaces to untie

Engineering Contradiction:

Improveease of knot tyingVSAvoidground contact and dragging

Core Design Contradiction:

Ease of operationVSObject-affected harmful factors

Solution Approach 1:

The retainer extracts and isolates the shoelace ends from the harmful environment (ground contact). By providing dedicated channels that hold the ends elevated above the ground, the system eliminates the harmful effect of dragging while maintaining the ease of bow knot formation, as the ends can still be freely manipulated during tying

Inventive Principle:

Principle #2Taking out (Extraction)

Solution Approach 2:

The shoelace ends are nested within the channels of the retainer structure. This nesting arrangement protects the ends from ground contact and external interference while keeping them accessible for tying operations, thus resolving the contradiction between ease of operation and protection from harmful factors

Inventive Principle:

Principle #7Nested doll (Nesting)

Data Source

PatentUS11696621B2Shoelace retainers for shoes, and related methods

Publication Date: 2023.07.11 SMITH JEREMY

AI summary

A shoelace retainer is provided for use with a shoe. The shoelace retainer generally includes a base defining at least one channel for receiving a first portion of a shoelace therein while the shoelace is coupled to a shoe, thereby coupling the shoelace retainer to the shoe, and a cap associated with the base and defining at least one receptacle relative to the base where the at least one receptacle is configured to receive a second portion of the shoelace when the base is coupled to the shoe.