Tongueless Shoe Upper Lacing System
Find Innovative SolutionsGenerate Solutions
Solution Overview
Problem
Existing shoe lacing systems do not provide a seamless and secure integration with the knitted upper, leading to potential discomfort and instability during wear.
Innovation Solution
A shoe lacing system featuring a medial and lateral eyestay with strategically placed eyelets that allow a single shoelace to pass through without penetrating the knitted upper, providing a U-shaped panel stitched to the knitted element for enhanced stability and comfort.
Engineering Contradictions & Design Principles
Engineering Contradiction Analysis
1Reliability
If traditional lacing systems penetrate the knitted upper, then lacing function is achieved, but the integrity and comfort of the knitted upper is compromised
Solution Approach 1:
The lacing system is segmented into separate components: eyestays are attached to the knitted upper at specific locations, creating discrete lacing points without penetrating the knitted fabric. This segmentation allows the lacing function to be achieved while preserving the integrity of the knitted upper material.
Solution Approach 2:
Eyestays serve as intermediary elements between the lacing system and the knitted upper. These eyestays are attached to the upper and provide attachment points for the lace, acting as a mediator that enables lacing functionality without requiring penetration of the knitted fabric itself.
2Ease of operation
If a single shoelace is used with eyestays, then lacing simplicity is improved, but secure integration with the upper may be compromised
Solution Approach 1:
The medial and lateral eyestays are merged into a single integrated lacing system that works together with one continuous shoelace. This merging of components simplifies the lacing operation while maintaining secure integration through the coordinated arrangement of eyestays and single lace.
Data Source
Figure 1
Figure 2
Figure 3
AI summary
A knitted shoe upper includes a unitary one-piece knitted element with an integrated tongue. The upper also includes a lacing system including a medial side eyestay and a lateral side eyestay. The medial side eyestay includes a plurality of medial side eyelets, and the lateral side eyestay includes a plurality of lateral side eyelets. The medial and lateral eyestays are configured such that a single shoelace can be placed through each of the plurality of lateral and medial side eyelets without extending through the knitted element.