Strap-Guided Lacing Lockdown for Stable Shoe Upper Fit
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Solution Overview
Problem
Existing lacing systems for sports shoes primarily tighten the throat openings, neglecting the quarter sections, leading to loose fitting and requiring rearrangement upon untightening, which is inconvenient during sports activities.
Innovation Solution
A lacing system with at least one strap and guiding elements attached to the tongue and sole areas of the shoe upper, allowing the strap to pull the tongue portion and throat area towards the foot, customizable to individual foot shape, and incorporating an elastic element for maintaining fit even when untightened.
Engineering Contradictions & Design Principles
Engineering Contradiction Analysis
1Reliability
If a conventional lacing system is used to tighten the throat openings, then the throat area is secured, but the quarter sections remain loose and the tongue requires rearrangement upon untightening
Solution Approach 1:
The lacing system is divided into multiple independent lacing paths: a first lacing path for the throat area and a second lacing path for the quarter sections. Each path has its own eyelets and lacing pattern, allowing independent tightening of different shoe regions without affecting others, thus maintaining fit stability while eliminating the need for readjustment
Solution Approach 2:
The tongue is pre-positioned and secured within the throat area using the first lacing path before the second lacing path is tightened. This preliminary action ensures the tongue remains in place during subsequent tightening operations, preventing the need for rearrangement when the shoe is untightened and retightened
2Strength
If the lacing system only moves opposing throat openings together, then the throat area is tightened, but the quarter sections and overall shoe upper remain loose
Solution Approach 1:
The lacing system separates the tightening function into distinct segments: the first lacing path (with eyelets 12, 14) targets the throat openings and tongue area, while the second lacing path (with eyelets 16, 18) targets the quarter sections. This segmentation allows each region to be optimized independently for its specific fit requirements
Solution Approach 2:
The lacing system extends the tightening action from the traditional single plane of the throat area into additional spatial dimensions by incorporating the second lacing path that wraps around the quarter sections. This multi-dimensional approach ensures comprehensive tightening across the entire shoe upper, improving overall shoe fit rather than just local throat area tightness
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
Enhances shoe fit customization, improves comfort and reduces the need for readjusting the laces, and reduces the need for manual rearrangement, enhancing stability and comfort, and improves the fit even when the shoelace is untightened.
Implementation Method 1
incorporating an elastic element for maintaining fit even when untightened
Data Source
AI summary
The present invention relates to a lacing system for tightening a shoe upper, comprising: at least one strap, and a first and a second guiding element for coupling the strap to the shoe upper, wherein a first end of the strap is attached to a tongue portion of the shoe upper and a second end of the strap is configured to receive a portion of a shoelace, and wherein the first guiding element is arranged in a throat area of the shoe upper and the second guiding element is arranged in a sole area of the shoe upper opposite to the throat area.