Skate Boot Foot Wrapping Structure for Dead Space Reduction

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Solution Overview

Problem

Rigid skate boot shells provide impact protection and efficient propulsion but often fail to conform to the anatomy of the foot, leading to undesirable foot movement and reduced comfort due to dead space within the boot.

Innovation Solution

A skate boot design featuring a rigid boot shell with movable foot wrapping members, such as flexible strips or vampings, that adjust the volume of the foot receiving cavity to better fit the wearer's foot, reducing unused space and enhancing stability and responsiveness.

Engineering Contradictions & Design Principles

VSEngineering Contradiction Analysis

1Strength

If a rigid boot shell is used, then impact protection and propulsion efficiency are improved, but comfort and foot conformity deteriorate due to dead space within the boot

Engineering Contradiction:

Improveimpact protectionVSAvoidcomfort

Core Design Contradiction:

StrengthVSEase of operation

Solution Approach 1:

The boot is divided into a rigid boot shell and a separate flexible foot wrapping member. The rigid shell provides structural support and impact protection, while the flexible wrapping member conforms to the foot's anatomy, eliminating dead space and improving comfort. This segmentation allows each component to fulfill its specific function without compromise.

Inventive Principle:

Principle #1Segmentation

Solution Approach 2:

The foot wrapping member is constructed from flexible material that can adapt to the contours of the wearer's foot. This flexible element fills the dead space between the rigid boot shell and the foot, providing comfort and anatomical conformity while the rigid shell maintains its protective function.

Inventive Principle:

Principle #30Flexible shells and thin films

2Force

If a rigid boot shell is used, then propulsion force transmission is improved, but foot stability deteriorates due to undesirable foot movement

Engineering Contradiction:

Improvepropulsion force transmissionVSAvoidfoot stability

Core Design Contradiction:

ForceVSStability of the object's composition

Solution Approach 1:

By separating the boot into a rigid shell and a flexible wrapping member, the system achieves both force transmission and foot stability. The rigid shell transmits propulsion forces efficiently, while the flexible wrapping member stabilizes the foot by eliminating dead space and preventing unwanted movement.

Inventive Principle:

Principle #1Segmentation

Solution Approach 2:

The flexible foot wrapping member conforms to the foot's shape and secures it in place, preventing undesirable movement. This flexible element works in conjunction with the rigid shell to provide both stability and effective force transmission during skating.

Inventive Principle:

Principle #30Flexible shells and thin films

Data Source

PatentUS20250366561A1Skate with foot wrapping system

Publication Date: 2025.12.04 SPORT MASKA

AI summary

A skate boot is disclosed with a rigid boot shell having medial and lateral quarter portions defining a foot receiving cavity in between them having a volume for receiving at least a metatarsal region of a wearer's foot. A tongue extends between the medial and lateral quarter portions above the volume. A lacing system overlies the tongue and links the medial and lateral quarter portions. A foot wrapping member extends from the lateral quarter portion, the foot wrapping member movable relative to the rigid boot shell in a downward direction towards a sole portion of the rigid boot shell so as to vary the volume at least from a lateral side of the foot receiving cavity along the metatarsal region of the wearer's foot.