Skate Boot Lace Member Flexibility Adjustment
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Solution Overview
Problem
Conventional skate boots lack adjustability in flexibility, which can lead to discomfort and inadequate fit for skaters with different skating styles or preferences, as they are typically manufactured with a pre-defined design that does not accommodate varying flexibility needs.
Innovation Solution
The skate boot features medial and lateral lace members with adjustable inserts that allow for different flexion modes, enabling skaters to customize the boot's flexibility by inserting various hardness levels of protrusions into openings within the lace members, thereby modifying the boot's resilience and fit.
Engineering Contradictions & Design Principles
Engineering Contradiction Analysis
1Productivity
If skate boots are manufactured with a pre-defined design in bulk, then manufacturing efficiency and cost are improved, but flexibility adjustability and fit comfort for different skaters deteriorate
Solution Approach 1:
The lace member is segmented into multiple functional zones including at least one opening that can receive different inserts. This segmentation allows the boot to maintain a standardized bulk manufacturing structure while providing customizable flexibility through interchangeable insert components, thereby resolving the contradiction between manufacturing efficiency and adaptability.
Solution Approach 2:
The invention enables parameter changes in the flexibility of the lace member by allowing skaters to insert different inserts with varying hardness levels or flexibility characteristics into the opening of the lace member. This maintains standardized manufacturing while providing customized flexibility parameters for different skating styles and preferences.
2Device complexity
If skate boots are manufactured with a pre-defined design, then manufacturing complexity is reduced, but the ability to accommodate different skating styles and preferences deteriorates
Solution Approach 1:
The lace member opening is designed as a universal interface that can accommodate multiple types of inserts with different flexibility characteristics. This multi-functional design allows a single standardized lace member structure to serve multiple skating style requirements, reducing manufacturing complexity while enhancing adaptability to different skating preferences.
3Adaptability or versatility
If inserts are added to the lace member opening, then flexibility customization is improved, but device complexity increases
Solution Approach 1:
The flexibility adjustment function is extracted from the main boot structure and placed into separate removable inserts that fit into the lace member opening. This extraction allows the boot to maintain a simple standardized structure while providing flexibility customization through interchangeable components, thereby minimizing the increase in overall device complexity.
Applied Scientific Principles
This section explains which scientific principles are used to turn an abstract innovation direction into a practical engineering solution.
Function Achieved in This Case
This solution allows for customizable flexibility, enhancing the fit and comfort of the skate boot by accommodating different skating styles and preferences, ensuring a secure and comfortable fit regardless of the skater's ankle position during various maneuvers.
Implementation Method 1
The lace member has a first flexion mode when no insert is received in the at least one opening and a second flexion mode when the insert is received in the at least one opening. The second flexion mode is different from the first flexion mode.
Data Source
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AI summary
A skate boot (10) comprising an outer shell (12) including medial and lateral side portions (50; 60) for facing the medial and lateral sides of the foot. Each of the medial and lateral side portions has an upper edge (51; 61). The skate boot also comprises a lace member (80) mounted to either of the upper edges of the medial and lateral side portions. The lace member has at least one opening (90) for receiving an insert (100). The lace member has a first flexion mode when no insert is received in the at least one opening and a second flexion mode when the insert is received in the at least one opening. The second flexion mode is different from the first flexion mode.