Spool Lace Securement Mechanism for Footwear
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Solution Overview
Problem
Conventional shoe lace securement mechanisms are difficult for children and individuals with disabilities to use, often result in uneven or aesthetically unappealing knots, and require complex or expensive mechanical components, increasing production and maintenance costs.
Innovation Solution
A modular shoe lace securement mechanism comprising a spool with radially located protrusions, a threading piece with a locking mechanism, and an ornamental casing with LEDs, allowing for easy installation and customizable aesthetic appeal, maintaining tension without mechanical complexity or high production costs.
Engineering Contradictions & Design Principles
Engineering Contradiction Analysis
1Ease of operation
If traditional knot-tying methods are used, then shoe laces can be secured, but it is difficult for children and individuals with disabilities to use effectively and consistently
Solution Approach 1:
The spool mechanism allows the lace to feed itself automatically as the user pulls, eliminating the need for manual knot-tying skills. The ratchet mechanism provides self-locking functionality, maintaining tension without requiring the user to tie complex knots.
Solution Approach 2:
The invention replaces the manual knot-tying mechanical system with a spool-and-ratchet mechanical system. The spool rotates to pay out lace while the ratchet prevents reverse rotation, providing a more reliable and easier-to-operate mechanism than traditional knots.
2Reliability
If traditional bow/knot securement is used, then lace tension can be maintained, but the bows/loops can come undone or catch on objects causing tripping
Solution Approach 1:
The invention replaces the bow/knot mechanical system with a spool-and-ratchet system. The ratchet mechanism provides one-way locking that maintains tension reliably without creating external loops or bows that could catch on objects.
Solution Approach 2:
The invention extracts the problematic external bow/loop structure from the lacing system and replaces it with a compact spool mechanism that maintains tension internally, eliminating the tripping hazard while preserving tension maintenance.
3Reliability
If traditional knot-tying is used, then lace securement is achieved, but the appearance is aesthetically unappealing and uneven
Solution Approach 1:
The invention replaces the visually variable knot structure with a uniform spool mechanism. The lace winds neatly around the spool in consistent layers, and the ratchet provides a clean, uniform locking appearance that is aesthetically pleasing and consistent.
Solution Approach 2:
The spool mechanism concentrates the securement function in a localized, uniform structure rather than distributing it through variable knot configurations. This creates a consistent, clean appearance at the lace termination point.
4Force
If complex mechanical tightening devices are used, then lace tension can be increased, but the device complexity and production cost increase greatly
Solution Approach 1:
The invention segments the tensioning function into two simple, separate components: the spool for lace storage and the ratchet for tension maintenance. This segmentation allows each component to be simple in design while collectively providing effective tension control.
Solution Approach 2:
The invention replaces complex mechanical tightening devices with a simple spool-and-ratchet system. The spool rotates freely to pay out lace, and the ratchet provides one-way locking, creating a low-complexity mechanism that effectively maintains high lace tension.
Data Source
AI summary
A shoe lace securement mechanism including a spool, a threading and locking mechanism, a cap, and an ornamental casing. The mechanism is designed to maintain shoe lace tension without the need for a bow or knot and modularly applicable to a wide variety of footware.