Progressively Angled Traction Elements for Footwear Soles
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Solution Overview
Problem
Conventional footwear soles lack effective traction elements that adapt to different regions of the foot for optimal grip and stability during various athletic activities, particularly in speed golf where quick movements and minimal slippage are crucial.
Innovation Solution
The sole structure features an outsole with traction elements that increase in pitch as distance from the central axis increases, arranged in rows and anti-rotation areas, providing tailored traction for forefoot, midfoot, and heel regions, and manufactured using durable materials like thermoplastic rubber or TPU to enhance structural integrity and flexibility.
Engineering Contradictions & Design Principles
Engineering Contradiction Analysis
1Reliability
If conventional footwear soles use uniform traction elements, then manufacturing is simple, but traction effectiveness varies across different foot regions
Solution Approach 1:
The patent applies local quality by configuring different traction element pitches for different regions of the sole. Specifically, the forefoot region has a first pitch, the midfoot region has a second pitch different from the first, and the heel region has a third pitch different from both. This regional differentiation optimizes traction effectiveness for each specific foot region while maintaining a unified sole structure.
2Adaptability or versatility
If traction elements are arranged with varying pitches across regions, then traction is optimized for athletic activities, but manufacturing precision requirements increase
Solution Approach 1:
The patent segments the sole into three distinct regions (forefoot, midfoot, and heel), each with its own traction element pitch configuration. This segmentation allows each region to be optimized independently for specific athletic activities while maintaining overall structural integrity. The segmentation approach makes the complex pitch variation more manageable in terms of design and manufacturing.
3Stability of the object's composition
If traction elements point toward central axis, then stability during quick movements is improved, but design complexity increases
Solution Approach 1:
The patent employs asymmetry by orienting traction elements to point toward the central axis of the sole rather than being uniformly distributed or perpendicular to the sole surface. This asymmetric orientation creates a convergent pattern that enhances stability during quick movements and directional changes, particularly in speed golf applications. The asymmetric design is integrated into the segmented regional structure.
Data Source
AI summary
A sole structure includes an outsole having an outsole body defining an inner body surface and an outer body surface opposite the inner body surface. The outsole has a plurality of traction elements each extending from the outsole body away from the inner body surface. Each of the traction elements includes a base coupled to the outsole body surface. Each of the traction elements includes a tip spaced apart from the outer body surface and has a pitch defined by a vector. The pitch of each of the plurality of traction elements varies as a function of a distance from the central axis to a respective traction element.