Cushioned Footwear Upper for Ball Control and Impact Attenuation
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Solution Overview
Problem
Conventional articles of footwear lack a ball-control feature designed specifically for controlling a soccer ball during play and do not adequately protect the wearer's foot, focusing primarily on contacting and controlling the ball rather than providing additional support.
Innovation Solution
The upper of the footwear includes a cushioning member with compressible pads and a shroud that allows for improved ball control and protection, featuring a cushioning element with discrete impact attenuation zones and a floating design to enhance flexibility and comfort.
Engineering Contradictions & Design Principles
Engineering Contradiction Analysis
1Ease of operation
If conventional uppers are used that focus on securing and supporting the foot, then foot support is provided, but ball control capability is insufficient
Solution Approach 1:
The cushioning member is designed to perform multiple functions simultaneously: it provides ball control capability through its external surface configuration while also providing foot support and protection through its cushioning properties. This multi-functional element resolves the contradiction by integrating both ball control and foot support functions into a single component rather than requiring separate elements for each function.
Solution Approach 2:
The invention merges the ball control feature and foot support function into a unified cushioning member structure. The external surface of the cushioning member is configured to contact and control the ball, while the internal structure provides cushioning and support for the foot, combining previously separate functions into one integrated component.
2Object-affected harmful factors
If conventional uppers without ball-control features are used, then foot support is maintained, but protection during soccer activities is inadequate
Solution Approach 1:
The cushioning member serves multiple protective and functional roles: it protects the foot during soccer activities through its cushioning properties while also providing ball control capability. This multi-functional approach enhances foot protection without requiring multiple separate protective elements, thereby avoiding excessive structural complexity.
Solution Approach 2:
The cushioning member is positioned and configured to provide protection before impact occurs during soccer activities. Its compressible nature allows it to absorb and attenuate impact forces from ball contact and other soccer-related impacts, providing beforehand cushioning that protects the foot without requiring complex protective structures.
3Object-affected harmful factors
If a cushioning member with compressible pads is introduced, then impact attenuation is improved, but the upper structure becomes more complex
Solution Approach 1:
The cushioning member is divided into multiple compressible pads that are distributed across its structure. This segmentation allows each pad to independently attenuate impact forces in different zones, improving overall impact attenuation effectiveness. The segmented structure also allows for strategic placement of cushioning elements where they are most needed, rather than requiring a uniformly complex structure throughout.
Solution Approach 2:
Different regions of the cushioning member have different cushioning properties and configurations tailored to specific local needs. The compressible pads are positioned and sized to provide appropriate cushioning in specific zones based on the local impact and ball control requirements, rather than applying a uniform complex structure throughout the entire upper.
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 cushioning member provides enhanced ball control and protection by allowing the footwear to conform to the foot's movements, offering improved impact attenuation and flexibility, thereby enhancing the wearer's ability to control a soccer ball while providing additional support and comfort.
Implementation Method 1
The cushioning member includes a plurality of compressible pads
Implementation Method 2
The cushioning member provides enhanced ball control and protection by allowing the footwear to conform to the foot's movements
Data Source
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AI summary
An upper for an article of footwear includes an inner boot having an ankle opening and an instep region formed between the ankle opening and an anterior end of the upper and a cushioning member disposed over the instep region of the inner boot and including a first side fixed to a medial side of the upper and a second side tethered to a lateral side of the upper.