Skate Boot Molding for Weight and Comfort
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Solution Overview
Problem
Conventional skate boots are often heavy, uncomfortable, lack protection in certain areas, and have a poor fit, while being expensive to manufacture, due to their construction methods.
Innovation Solution
The skate boot is constructed using a molding process that integrates multiple layers of different materials, such as foams, through injection molding or casting, to create a lightweight, comfortable, and protective fit, while reducing manufacturing costs.
Engineering Contradictions & Design Principles
Engineering Contradiction Analysis
1Weight of moving object
If conventional skate boots are constructed using traditional assembly methods with multiple components, then protection and structural integrity are provided, but the skate boot becomes heavy and expensive to manufacture
Solution Approach 1:
The patent merges multiple separate components (shell, toe cap, tongue, tendon guard, etc.) into a single integrated skate boot structure formed by molding. This consolidation eliminates the need for assembling multiple parts, reducing overall weight and manufacturing complexity while maintaining protective functions.
Solution Approach 2:
The patent employs composite materials in the molded skate boot construction, combining different materials with complementary properties to achieve both lightweight structure and adequate protection. The molded construction allows integration of materials with varying densities and strengths in different regions of the boot.
2Ease of operation
If conventional skate boots are constructed using traditional assembly methods, then structural protection is provided, but the fit and comfort are poor
Solution Approach 1:
The molded construction allows different regions of the skate boot to have locally optimized properties. The boot can be designed with varying material densities, thicknesses, and flexibilities in different areas (toe, heel, ankle, etc.) to simultaneously provide protection where needed and comfort where flexibility is required.
Solution Approach 2:
By merging the shell, toe cap, tongue, and tendon guard into a single molded structure, the patent creates seamless transitions between components that eliminate gaps and pressure points, improving overall fit and comfort while maintaining protective coverage.
3Object-affected harmful factors
If conventional skate boots use multiple assembled components, then protection in certain areas is provided, but the overall structure becomes overly heavy
Solution Approach 1:
The molded construction enables precise localization of protective features only where required. The boot can incorporate enhanced protection in high-impact areas (toe, heel, ankle) while using lighter materials in areas requiring flexibility or minimal protection, optimizing the weight-protection balance.
Solution Approach 2:
The integration of protective elements (toe cap, tendon guard, shell) into a single molded structure eliminates redundant materials and overlapping components, reducing total weight while ensuring continuous protective coverage across all critical areas.
4Ease of manufacture
If conventional skate boots are manufactured using traditional methods, then adequate protection is achieved, but manufacturing costs are high
Solution Approach 1:
The single-step molding process that combines multiple components into one integrated structure simplifies manufacturing operations, reduces assembly labor, and minimizes quality control steps, thereby lowering production costs while ensuring consistent protective performance.
Solution Approach 2:
The use of composite materials in molded construction allows for cost-effective material selection, utilizing materials that provide adequate protection at lower costs while maintaining the required performance characteristics through optimized material distribution in the molded structure.
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
The solution results in a skate boot that is lighter, provides better fit and comfort, and is more cost-effectively manufactured, addressing the issues of weight, comfort, and protection in skate boots.
Implementation Method 1
the body comprises a plurality of layers comprising a plurality of materials that are different and molded by flowing
Data Source
AI summary
A skate (e.g., an ice skate) for a skater (e.g., a hockey player). The skate comprises a skate boot for receiving a foot of the skater and a skating device (e.g., a blade and 5 a blade holder) disposed beneath the skate boot to engage a skating surface (e.g., ice). At least part of the skate boot and optionally at least part of one or more other components (e.g., the skating device) may be constructed from one or more materials (e.g., foams) molded by flowing in molding equipment during a molding process (e.g., injection molding or casting). This may allow the skate (or other 0 footwear) to have useful performance characteristics (e.g., reduced weight, proper fit and comfort, etc.) while being more cost-effectively manufactured. Other articles of footwear are also provided.