Alternating Flexible and Rigid Shoe Cleat Traction
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Solution Overview
Problem
Existing shoe cleats with flexible traction elements can damage golf course greens by penetrating the turf, and they struggle to provide effective traction on short grass due to the reduced effectiveness of dynamic traction elements when grass blades are too short to be trapped.
Innovation Solution
A shoe cleat design featuring an annular array of alternating highly flexible dynamic and relatively inflexible static traction elements, where the dynamic elements provide initial traction by spreading radially and trapping grass, while the static elements enhance traction on short grass and extend the cleat's lifespan by bearing load, with the dynamic and static elements made from different polymer materials to enhance friction.
Engineering Contradictions & Design Principles
Engineering Contradiction Analysis
1Reliability
If flexible traction elements are used to provide dynamic traction by trapping grass, then traction on long grass is improved, but the elements penetrate and damage the turf
Solution Approach 1:
The cleat is segmented into two distinct types of traction elements: dynamic elements for trapping grass and static elements for short grass contact. This segmentation allows each element type to perform its specific function without the harmful side effects of the other, resolving the contradiction between effective grass trapping and turf damage prevention.
Solution Approach 2:
Different regions of the cleat have different element properties - dynamic elements with specific flexibility and length are positioned to contact turf first and trap grass, while static elements with different properties are positioned to contact later and provide support on short grass. This local differentiation of properties resolves the contradiction by assigning appropriate characteristics to specific locations.
2Reliability
If dynamic traction elements are used to trap grass blades, then traction is improved on long grass, but effectiveness is reduced on short grass
Solution Approach 1:
The cleat design incorporates multiple element types that collectively provide universal traction capability across different grass conditions. Dynamic elements handle long grass scenarios while static elements handle short grass scenarios, making the overall cleat system universally effective across varying turf conditions rather than specialized for one condition.
Solution Approach 2:
The cleat employs dynamic elements that can flex and adapt their behavior based on contact conditions. These elements dynamically adjust their engagement with the turf - flexing to trap grass when conditions allow, and the static elements provide consistent contact when grass is short. This dynamic adaptation resolves the contradiction between specialized performance and universal adaptability.
3Reliability
If static elements are added to bear load on short grass, then traction on short grass is improved, but the complexity of the cleat design increases
Solution Approach 1:
The dynamic and static elements are merged into a single integrated cleat structure, manufactured as one unified component. This merging approach provides the benefits of multiple element types for improved short grass traction while avoiding the complexity of separate assemblies, fasteners, or adjustment mechanisms. The combination is achieved through integrated manufacturing, resolving the contradiction between enhanced functionality and design simplicity.
Solution Approach 2:
The cleat utilizes composite construction with different material properties for dynamic and static elements within the same component. This composite approach allows optimization of each element type for its specific function while maintaining a unified structure, achieving improved short grass traction without proportionally increasing overall design complexity.
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 cleat design offers improved traction on both long and short grass without damaging the turf, extending the cleat's lifespan and providing enhanced lateral traction through a 'shearing' effect between dynamic and static elements, while the static elements ensure effective grip on short grass where dynamic elements are less effective.
Implementation Method 1
The dynamic elements are sufficiently soft and resiliently flexible to trap grass against the shoe sole or an extended cleat hub when fully flexed to provide dynamic traction
Implementation Method 2
The static elements are harder and substantially inflexible and serve to enhance traction by bearing on turf with short grass
Implementation Method 3
the dynamic and static elements made from different polymer materials to enhance friction
Data Source
AI summary
A cleat for a shoe has an annular array of different types of angularly spaced traction elements disposed about and depending from a hub periphery. The array includes plural types of flexible traction elements and plural types inflexible traction elements interleaved within the array. The dynamic elements are longer than the static elements and are of two different lengths. The static elements have two different configurations. The flexible elements are sufficiently close to adjacent inflexible elements to permit grass to be trapped therebetween when the flexible elements are flexed.