Skate Boot Toe Cap with Rear Extensions for Weight Reduction
Find Innovative SolutionsGenerate Solutions
Solution Overview
Problem
Conventional skate boot constructions require additional manufacturing steps and weight-increasing components for affixing the toe cap, which complicates the manufacturing process and adds weight to the boot.
Innovation Solution
The skate boot design incorporates a thermoformable outer shell with medial and lateral side portions that are partially received into hollow spaces of the toe cap's rear extensions, allowing for affixation without additional components or manufacturing steps, using thermoformable materials like EVA foam and a toe cap with rear extensions that define hollow spaces for receiving the shell's end portions.
Engineering Contradictions & Design Principles
Engineering Contradiction Analysis
1Reliability
If conventional skate boot construction with overlays is used, then the toe cap can be affixed to the outer shell, but additional manufacturing steps and weight are added
Solution Approach 1:
The toe cap is integrated directly with the outer shell by forming rear extensions of the toe cap that receive the front end portions of the outer shell, merging two separate components into a unified structure that eliminates the need for separate overlays and their associated manufacturing steps
Solution Approach 2:
The front end portions of the outer shell are nested within the rear extensions of the toe cap, creating a nested configuration where one component is received within another, providing secure affixation without additional fastening elements
2Reliability
If conventional skate boot construction with overlays is used, then the toe cap can be affixed to the outer shell, but additional weight is added to the boot
Solution Approach 1:
By merging the toe cap and outer shell into a single integrated structure through the nested configuration, the weight of separate overlays is eliminated, reducing the overall boot weight while maintaining secure affixation
Solution Approach 2:
The overlays are extracted from the boot construction, removing unnecessary weight-bearing components while preserving the essential function of toe cap affixation through the integrated nested design
3Strength
If overlays are added to protect stitches, then connection between toe cap and boot is strengthened, but manufacturing steps increase
Solution Approach 1:
The integration of the toe cap and outer shell into a unified structure eliminates the need for separate stitching and overlay applications, simplifying the manufacturing process while maintaining connection strength through the nested mechanical interface
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 design simplifies the manufacturing process and reduces weight by eliminating the need for overlays, resulting in a lighter, more efficient skate boot construction that protects the toes effectively.
Implementation Method 1
an outer shell (12) having medial and lateral side portions for facing the medial and lateral sides of the skater's foot
Data Source
AI summary
A skate boot having an outer shell and a toe cap. The outer shell has medial and lateral side portions having front medial and lateral end portions. The toe cap has rear medial and lateral extensions defining medial and lateral hollow spaces. The front medial and lateral side end portions of the outer shell are at least partially received in the medial and lateral hollow spaces of the toe cap for affixing the toe cap to the outer shell.