Cleat Force Mitigation Assembly for Impact Absorption
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Solution Overview
Problem
Conventional athletic footwear fails to effectively mitigate the transfer of forces during sudden direction changes in sports, leading to increased injury risk due to direct force transmission to the foot and ankle, exacerbated by protrusions like cleats.
Innovation Solution
Integration of a force mitigation assembly within the shoe sole featuring an elastic field and an inclined surface that compresses to absorb forces, distributing them over a distance and reducing peak impact through a constant force spring mechanism.
Engineering Contradictions & Design Principles
Engineering Contradiction Analysis
1Stability of the object's composition
If protruding cleats are used on the bottom of shoes to increase load transfer from athletes to the playing surface, then traction and stability are improved, but peak impact forces and injury risk are increased
Solution Approach 1:
The patent applies beforehand cushioning by incorporating a force mitigation assembly with a resilient element and dampening material within the shoe sole, positioned to absorb impact forces before they reach the foot. The resilient element compresses upon impact to reduce peak forces transmitted to anatomical structures, while the dampening material dissipates energy. This pre-positioned cushioning system addresses the harmful peak impact forces generated by cleat contact with the playing surface.
2Object-affected harmful factors
If forces are absorbed and distributed over a distance by compressing an elastic field, then peak impact force is reduced, but device complexity is increased
Solution Approach 1:
The patent merges multiple functions into a single integrated force mitigation assembly within the shoe sole. The assembly combines a resilient element (such as a spring or elastomeric component), a dampening material, and structural integration with the cleat system. This unified design absorbs and distributes impact forces over a distance through compression of the elastic field, reducing peak forces while avoiding the complexity of separate, distributed cushioning systems throughout the shoe.
3Object-affected harmful factors
If a force mitigation assembly with resilient material is integrated into the shoe sole, then force absorption is improved, but weight of the footwear is increased
Solution Approach 1:
The patent applies local quality by positioning the force mitigation assembly specifically at strategic locations within the shoe sole where impact forces are transmitted to the foot, rather than distributing cushioning material throughout the entire shoe. The resilient element and dampening material are concentrated in regions of high stress (such as near the heel and forefoot), providing effective force absorption while minimizing the total weight of protective materials required.
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 solution significantly reduces the peak force transferred to anatomical structures, minimizing injury risk while maintaining athletic control and allowing for quick recovery of the cleat to its original position.
Implementation Method 1
an elastic field of a resilient, compressible material... the inclined surface compresses the elastic field as it moves across... the elastic field exerts a counterforce against the ground interface member
Implementation Method 2
the inclined surface compresses the elastic field in response to a lateral displacement across the field
Implementation Method 3
the resilience of the elastic field allows the cleat to return to a normal rest or undeformed position shortly following mitigation of the force
Data Source
AI summary
A force absorbing device for a footwear appliance includes a shoe sole having a planar sole surface, such that the shoe sole is adapted to be disposed against a ground surface such as turf, grass or dirt. A ground interface member having a general appearance of a footwear cleat extends from the planar sole surface. Within the sole, the ground interface member couples to a force mitigation assembly for absorbing forces against the cleat. The force mitigation assembly includes an elastic field of a resilient, compressible material, and an inclined surface is disposed against the elastic field and oriented to compress the elastic field. A linkage or connecting surface transmits a displacement force for disposing the inclined surface across the elastic field, where the inclined surface compresses the elastic field as it moves across. In response, the elastic field exerts a counterforce against the ground interface member.