January 21, 2016

Today, we redesigned the hinges. They now have a thinner profile and and longer pegs. Also, instead of connecting completely together, the pegs will be inserted through the other side and will be secured with a rubber end cap. The CAD Model for the new design can be seen below.
*We still need to figure out how to design the elasticity adjuster to lift the user's toes up as well as a way to secure the bottom foot sole section to the shoe. (A possible idea is to use attachments on either side of the calf section and connected to both of these will be "strong rubber bands" with a Velcro band at the end for adjustment, attached to both, that can be secured around the shoe and foot sole section. This design, however, will require this brace to exist on the exterior. Other options are possible as well with further exploration.)

We will order these rubber end caps which have an outer diameter of 11 mm or 0.4 inches. The outside "lip" will keep the attachments secure. The design can be adjusted to fit these caps if they need to be used in the final design.