Banking Midsole with Embedded Curved Plate for Lateral Stability
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Solution Overview
Problem
Footwear midsoles provide uniform cushioning and support for walking and running but fail to adequately address the need for increased stability and reduced cushioning during side-to-side movements common in athletic activities like football, basketball, and tennis.
Innovation Solution
Incorporating a curved plate with a polymer foam midsole and a rubber outsole, where the plate has a concave downward and upward curvature, embedded within the midsole to modify flexibility and support properties, allowing for localized compression and enhanced support during lateral movements.
Engineering Contradictions & Design Principles
Engineering Contradiction Analysis
1Stability of the object's composition
If a uniform foamed polymer midsole is used, then cushioning is provided for walking and running, but stability and support during side-to-side movements are insufficient
Solution Approach 1:
The patent applies local quality by incorporating a curved plate with specific concave and convex regions into the midsole. The concave region faces downward while the convex region faces upward, creating localized structural variations that provide enhanced stability during banking movements while maintaining overall cushioning properties through the surrounding foamed polymer material.
Solution Approach 2:
The patent utilizes curvature by embedding a plate with a specific curved configuration into the midsole. The plate features a concave surface facing downward and a convex surface facing upward, which creates mechanical advantages for stability during side-to-side movements while preserving the cushioning function of the midsole.
2Ease of operation
If cushioning is increased for walking and running, then comfort is improved, but support and stability during banking movements are reduced
Solution Approach 1:
The patent implements local quality by strategically placing a curved plate with concave and convex surfaces within the midsole structure. This localized reinforcement provides enhanced support and stability during banking movements while the surrounding foamed polymer material maintains adequate cushioning for comfortable walking and running.
Solution Approach 2:
The patent employs composite materials by combining a rigid plate structure with a compliant foamed polymer material. The plate provides structural support and stability during banking movements, while the foamed polymer material provides cushioning and comfort during walking and running, creating a multi-functional midsole system.
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 curved plate configuration enhances support and stability during side-to-side movements by compressing vertically and displacing outwardly, providing additional support and optimizing cushioning properties for athletes during banking maneuvers.
Implementation Method 1
The curved plate has a first concavity facing downward and a second concavity facing upward. The second concavity is positioned between the first concavity and either a lateral edge of the midsole or a medial edge of the midsole.
Implementation Method 2
When a plate embedded in a midsole has a curved or otherwise arcuate configuration, some portions of the plate may react differently to various forces than other portions. For example, if a plate is formed to include portion having a curvature that is concave or opening in a downward direction, a downward force on that portion may at least partially translate into both a downward displacement of that portion of the plate and an outward or sideways displacement of adjacent portions of the plate.
Data Source
AI summary
An article of footwear may include an upper and a sole structure secured to the upper. The sole structure includes a midsole, an outsole secured to the midsole, and one or more plates positioned within the midsole. Each of the plates has a downwardly-facing concave side and an upwardly-facing concave side. The downwardly-concave side may be positioned on a medial side (or a lateral side) of the footwear, and the upwardly-concave side may be positioned on the lateral side (or the medial side) of the footwear. The undulating medio-lateral configuration of each plate may increase the overall support provided to a wearer's foot during a side-to-side or “banking” movement.