Adjustable Toe Spacer With Wedge Inserts for Comfortable Alignment
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Solution Overview
Problem
Existing toe spacers are rigid, uncomfortable, and lack easy adjustment capabilities, failing to address toe crowding and related disorders effectively.
Innovation Solution
An adjustable toe spacer made of SEBS or silicone gel with integrally connected spacer elements and base walls, featuring slots for removable wedge inserts to customize spacing, allowing easy adjustment without tools.
Engineering Contradictions & Design Principles
Engineering Contradiction Analysis
1Reliability
If existing toe spacers are made firm and restrictive to provide effective toe separation, then toe crowding is addressed, but comfort in use deteriorates
Solution Approach 1:
The patent applies parameter changes by making the toe spacer material soft and flexible rather than firm and restrictive. This parameter change allows the spacer to conform to the foot while maintaining effectiveness in separating toes, thereby resolving the contradiction between effectiveness and comfort.
Solution Approach 2:
The patent uses composite materials by combining a soft flexible base material with an adjustable mechanism. This composite structure provides both comfort through the soft material and effectiveness through the adjustable spacing capability, resolving the contradiction between comfort and effectiveness.
2Adaptability or versatility
If toe spacers are made adjustable to fit different foot sizes, then adaptability improves, but device complexity increases
Solution Approach 1:
The patent applies segmentation by dividing the toe spacer into modular components with adjustable elements. This segmentation allows for easy adjustment of foot size without requiring a complex overall structure, as each segment can be independently adjusted using simple mechanisms.
Solution Approach 2:
The patent applies dynamics by incorporating adjustable elements that allow the toe spacer to adapt to different foot sizes dynamically. The adjustable mechanism enables users to modify the spacer configuration based on their foot dimensions, improving adaptability while keeping the mechanism simple through dynamic rather than static design.
3Stability of the object's composition
If existing toe spacers use restrictive materials to maintain structure, then structural stability is improved, but comfort and ease of cleaning deteriorate
Solution Approach 1:
The patent applies flexible shells and thin films by using a soft flexible material as the base structure. This flexible material maintains structural stability through its ability to conform and return to shape, while simultaneously providing comfort and ease of cleaning, thereby resolving the contradiction between structural stability and comfort.
Data Source
AI summary
The present disclosure relates to an adjustable toe spacer that helps restore the natural shape of the foot during use by a user. The adjustable toe spacer includes a pair of base walls and multiple spacer elements. The spacer elements and the pair of base walls are connected to define holes that are dimensioned to receive the toes of the user. The shape and the material of the adjustable toe spacer provide a comfortable fit for the toes of the user. Further, the adjustable toe spacer provides an option of removably inserting accessories such as wedge insert(s) in respective slots of the adjustable toe spacer to enable easy and quick size adjustment of the adjustable toe spacer.