Customized Cleat Arrangement via Pre-Drilled Outer Plate

Solution Overview

Problem

Existing footwear manufacturing methods do not allow for customizable cleat arrangements, limiting user options for specific traction needs on various surfaces, such as natural and synthetic turf, and do not enable users to design their own cleat configurations.

Innovation Solution

A method involving a graphical interface system for designing customized cleat arrangements, where users can select cleat locations, sizes, and patterns, with automated hole drilling in an outer plate and insertion of receiving members, allowing for personalized cleat placement on footwear.

Engineering Contradictions & Design Principles

VSEngineering Contradiction Analysis

1Adaptability or versatility

If preconfigured cleat designs are used, then manufacturing simplicity is maintained, but user customization options are limited

Engineering Contradiction:

Improvecustomization optionsVSAvoidmanufacturing process

Core Design Contradiction:

Adaptability or versatilityVSDevice complexity

Solution Approach 1:

The system performs preliminary actions by pre-drilling holes in the outer plate at multiple potential cleat locations before the customer places their order. This allows the manufacturing process to be completed in advance, and the customer can then customize their cleat arrangement by simply selecting which pre-drilled holes to use, avoiding complex post-order manufacturing steps.

Inventive Principle:

Principle #10Preliminary action

Solution Approach 2:

The cleat arrangement is segmented into individual selectable options where customers can choose specific cleat locations from pre-drilled holes. This segmentation allows customization without requiring complex manufacturing processes, as each cleat position is independently selectable from the pre-prepared hole pattern.

Inventive Principle:

Principle #1Segmentation

2Ease of operation

If customizable cleat arrangements are enabled, then user preferences are satisfied, but manufacturing complexity increases

Engineering Contradiction:

Improvecustomer design processVSAvoidproduction process

Core Design Contradiction:

Ease of operationVSEase of manufacture

Solution Approach 1:

The system performs preliminary actions by pre-drilling holes in the outer plate at multiple potential cleat locations before the customer places their order. This allows the manufacturing process to be completed in advance, and the customer can then customize their cleat arrangement by simply selecting which pre-drilled holes to use, avoiding complex post-order manufacturing steps.

Inventive Principle:

Principle #10Preliminary action

Solution Approach 2:

The system uses a graphical interface that displays a visual copy or representation of the outer plate with pre-drilled holes. Customers can design their custom cleat arrangement by interacting with this graphical copy, selecting which holes to use for each cleat, without directly affecting the physical manufacturing process until the design is finalized.

Inventive Principle:

Principle #26Copying

3Adaptability or versatility

If fixed cleat patterns are used, then manufacturing efficiency is maintained, but adaptability to different surfaces is reduced

Engineering Contradiction:

Improvesurface compatibilityVSAvoidmanufacturing speed

Core Design Contradiction:

Adaptability or versatilityVSProductivity

Solution Approach 1:

The system performs preliminary actions by pre-drilling holes in the outer plate at multiple potential cleat locations before the customer places their order. This allows the manufacturing process to be completed in advance, and the customer can then customize their cleat arrangement by simply selecting which pre-drilled holes to use, avoiding complex post-order manufacturing steps.

Inventive Principle:

Principle #10Preliminary action

Solution Approach 2:

The system transitions from static, fixed cleat patterns to a dynamic configuration where customers can adjust cleat locations based on their specific needs for different surfaces. The pre-drilled holes provide a framework that enables dynamic reconfiguration without requiring complex manufacturing processes for each variation.

Inventive Principle:

Principle #15Dynamics

Data Source

PatentUS8577751B2Method of customized cleat arrangement

Publication Date: 2013.11.05 NIKE INC

AI summary

A method for producing articles of footwear with customized cleat arrangements is disclosed. The method includes a step of designing a customized cleat arrangement using a graphical interface system; a step of drilling holes into an outer plate according to the designed customized cleat arrangement; a step of inserting receiving members into the holes; a step of attaching the outer plate to an upper; and a step of associating a plurality of cleats with the receiving members.