Variable Width Shoe Upper With Elastic Locking Band

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Solution Overview

Problem

Conventional methods for manufacturing shoes that adapt to different foot widths are complex and unreliable, often resulting in overstretched elastic materials when trying to fit various foot shapes, compromising the shoe's shape and durability.

Innovation Solution

A method involving a non-elastic locking strap that blocks off the elastic areas of the shoe upper during production, allowing full elasticity only when the shoe is complete, ensuring the elastic areas retain their full stretching range and are optimally adapted to the foot, while maintaining the shoe's usual appearance and shape.

Engineering Contradictions & Design Principles

VSEngineering Contradiction Analysis

1Adaptability or versatility

If the upper is made of elastic material in some areas to adapt to different foot widths, then the adaptability to different foot widths is improved, but the upper can easily be overstretched when pulled over the last, compromising manufacturing reliability

Engineering Contradiction:

Improveadaptability to different foot widthsVSAvoidmanufacturing reliability

Core Design Contradiction:

Adaptability or versatilityVSReliability

Solution Approach 1:

The upper is divided into elastic areas and non-elastic areas. The elastic areas are segmented and only activated after the shoe is completed, while the non-elastic areas maintain structural integrity during manufacturing. This segmentation allows the upper to adapt to different foot widths while preventing overstretching during the manufacturing process.

Inventive Principle:

Principle #1Segmentation

Solution Approach 2:

The non-elastic areas are used to preliminarily form the shoe upper and pull it over the last before the elastic areas are activated. This preliminary action ensures the upper is properly shaped and positioned before the elastic material is introduced, preventing overstretching and compromising manufacturing reliability.

Inventive Principle:

Principle #10Preliminary action

2Adaptability or versatility

If the elastic areas are activated during the pulling over the last process, then the adaptability to different foot widths is improved, but the shoe's shape and durability are compromised due to overstretching

Engineering Contradiction:

Improveadaptability to different foot widthsVSAvoidshoe shape precision

Core Design Contradiction:

Adaptability or versatilityVSManufacturing precision

Solution Approach 1:

Inventive Principle:

Principle #10Preliminary action

Solution Approach 2:

Different areas of the upper have different properties: non-elastic areas provide structural stability and shape precision during manufacturing, while elastic areas provide adaptability to different foot widths after completion. This local differentiation of material properties resolves the contradiction between adaptability and shape precision.

Inventive Principle:

Principle #3Local quality

3Manufacturing precision

If custom-made shoes are produced to achieve accurate length, width and instep height for each foot, then the fit quality is improved, but the production complexity and cost increase significantly

Engineering Contradiction:

Improvefit accuracyVSAvoidproduction system complexity

Core Design Contradiction:

Manufacturing precisionVSDevice complexity

Solution Approach 1:

The shoe upper incorporates dynamic elastic areas that can adapt to different foot widths after the shoe is completed. This dynamic property allows a single shoe model to fit different foot widths, eliminating the need for multiple custom-made shoes and reducing production system complexity while maintaining fit accuracy.

Inventive Principle:

Principle #15Dynamics

Solution Approach 2:

The elastic material properties are changed after the shoe is completed, allowing the upper to stretch and adapt to different foot widths. This parameter change enables a single shoe design to accommodate multiple foot widths, reducing the need for complex production systems that would otherwise be required to produce custom-made shoes for each individual.

Inventive Principle:

Principle #35Parameter changes

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

The method ensures a comfortable fit for feet of varying widths without compromising the shoe's shape or durability, as the elastic areas are only activated after the shoe is fully assembled, providing optimal adaptation and appearance.

Implementation Method 1

Schuh mit veränderlicher Weite und Verfahren zu dessen Herstellung... whose width adapts to feet of different widths... elastic areas of the shoe upper... stretch leather or stretch synthetic material

Methodology Applied

Scientific EffectElasticity: Elasticity

Data Source

PatentEP1952710B1Shoe with variable width and method for its production

Publication Date: 2012.10.03 CAPRICE SCHUHPRODN

Figure 1~4
Figure 5~8

AI summary

The shoe has an outer sole (1), and a shoe shaft (2) that consists of an outer material, a lining, a toe cap and/or a stiffener. The shoe shaft is connected with the outer sole in a fixed manner. The shoe shaft consists of elastic material in an elastic area (3) of inner and outer balls of foot, where the elastic material consists of stretchable-leather or stretchable-synthetic. The elastic area of the shoe shaft is covered from one shaft edge to another shaft edge by a non-elastic locking band. An independent claim is also included for a method for manufacturing a shoe.