Rapid-Entry Footwear With Split Heel Counter for Easy Donning
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Solution Overview
Problem
Donning and doffing of shoes, including tying or securing them, can be inconvenient or difficult for some individuals.
Innovation Solution
A rapid-entry shoe design featuring a heel counter with a vertical slit that allows for downward deflection of the rear upper portion, enabling a transition between uncollapsed and collapsed configurations for easy entry and removal.
Engineering Contradictions & Design Principles
Engineering Contradiction Analysis
1Ease of operation
If the shoe has a traditional closed heel counter structure, then the shoe provides structural support and stability during wear, but the shoe is difficult to don and doff
Solution Approach 1:
The heel counter is divided into two separate halves that can move independently relative to each other. This segmentation allows the heel counter to open wide for easy shoe entry and then close to provide structural support during wear, resolving the contradiction between ease of operation and reliability.
Solution Approach 2:
The heel counter transitions from a static closed structure to a dynamic structure that can change its configuration. The movable heel counter halves can shift position based on whether the shoe is being donned/doffed or worn, allowing the structure to adapt between providing ease of operation and structural support as needed.
2Ease of operation
If the heel counter is made rigid to maintain shoe shape, then the shoe structure is stable, but the rear upper portion cannot deflect downward for rapid entry
Solution Approach 1:
Dividing the heel counter into movable halves enables the rear upper to deflect downward during entry by creating gaps between the segments, while still maintaining overall structural stability when closed during wear.
Solution Approach 2:
The heel counter's structural parameters change based on state: during entry, the segments separate to allow deformation; during wear, the segments close to provide rigidity. This dynamic parameter change resolves the contradiction between flexibility for entry and stability for wear.
3Ease of operation
If the shoe opening is made small for a secure fit, then the shoe provides good foot retention, but the shoe is difficult to put on and take off
Solution Approach 1:
The shoe opening dynamically changes size: wide open during donning/doffing for easy access, then closes to a smaller secure fit during wear. This dynamic adaptation allows the shoe to provide both ease of operation and proper foot retention at different times.
Solution Approach 2:
The segmented heel counter allows the opening to expand significantly when needed for entry, then contract to maintain secure fit during wear, providing adaptability between these two opposing requirements.
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
Facilitates easy donning and doffing of shoes by allowing the heel counter to bias the shoe towards an uncollapsed configuration for secure wear and a collapsed configuration for ease of entry and exit.
Implementation Method 1
The heel counter can be configured to prevent inward deflection of a rear portion of the upper
Implementation Method 2
the heel counter comprises a vertical slit configured to permit downward deflection of the rear portion of the upper
Implementation Method 3
the rapid-entry shoe is biased by the heel counter toward the uncollapsed configuration
Data Source
AI summary
A rapid-entry shoe having a heel counter to prevent inward deflection of a rear portion of the upper, but the heel counter having a vertical slit to permit downward deflection of the rear portion of the upper, so as to expand a perimeter of an opening of the shoe to receive a foot and thereby facilitate donning and doffing of the rapid-entry shoe.