Elastomeric Strobel Shank for Footwear Stability and Flexibility

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Solution Overview

Problem

Existing footwear sole structures face challenges in balancing mobility, flexibility, support, and cushioning, often requiring multiple components that increase stack height and complexity, with traditional strobels being inelastic and lacking integrated stability and comfort features.

Innovation Solution

A strobel incorporating a shank made of elastomeric material, such as thermoplastic polyurethane, integrated with a polymeric bladder, providing stability and comfort by reducing component count and enhancing rigidity and cushioning through adhesive or cement bonding with a foam midsole.

Engineering Contradictions & Design Principles

VSEngineering Contradiction Analysis

1Stability of the object's composition

If traditional inelastic strobel materials are used, then manufacturing simplicity is maintained, but stability and support are insufficient

Engineering Contradiction:

Improvesole structure stabilityVSAvoidstrobel structure complexity

Core Design Contradiction:

Stability of the object's compositionVSDevice complexity

Solution Approach 1:

The patent combines the strobel and shank into a single integrated component called an integrated strobel. The shank is embedded within the strobel material, merging two previously separate components (strobel and shank) into one unified structure that provides both flexibility and stability simultaneously.

Inventive Principle:

Principle #5Merging (Combining)

Solution Approach 2:

The integrated strobel uses composite material construction by embedding a rigid or semi-rigid shank within a flexible strobel material. This composite structure combines the properties of both materials to achieve both stability (from the shank) and flexibility (from the strobel material) in a single component.

Inventive Principle:

Principle #40Composite materials

2Reliability

If multiple separate components are used for stability and comfort, then functional performance is improved, but stack height and manufacturing complexity increase

Engineering Contradiction:

Improvesupport and cushioning performanceVSAvoidcomponent count

Core Design Contradiction:

ReliabilityVSDevice complexity

Solution Approach 1:

The patent merges the functions of multiple separate components (strobel, shank, and potentially cushioning elements) into a single integrated strobel component. This reduces the component count while maintaining the combined functional performance of support, stability, and cushioning that would otherwise require multiple separate parts.

Inventive Principle:

Principle #5Merging (Combining)

Solution Approach 2:

The integrated strobel is designed to perform multiple functions simultaneously: it provides the base structure (traditional strobel function), structural support and stability (shank function), and cushioning (through the embedded shank design). This multi-functional component replaces what would traditionally require multiple separate components.

Inventive Principle:

Principle #6Universality (Multi-functionality)

3Stability of the object's composition

If rigid shank materials are used, then stability is enhanced, but flexibility and mobility are reduced

Engineering Contradiction:

Improvetorsional stabilityVSAvoidfoot flexibility

Core Design Contradiction:

Stability of the object's compositionVSEase of operation

Solution Approach 1:

The patent applies local quality by strategically placing the rigid shank only in specific regions where stability is needed (such as the midfoot area), while allowing other regions of the strobel to remain flexible. This localized placement of rigidity provides torsional stability where required while preserving flexibility in areas that need to accommodate foot movement.

Inventive Principle:

Principle #3Local quality

Solution Approach 2:

Inventive Principle:

Principle #40Composite materials

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 integrated shank and polymeric bladder configuration enhances sole structure stability and comfort, minimizing twisting and providing improved cushioning and energy return without the need for separate components, thus optimizing mobility and flexibility.

Implementation Method 1

adhesive or cement bonding with a foam midsole

Methodology Applied

Scientific EffectAdhesive bonding: Adhesive

Data Source

PatentUS20250311814A1Footwear strobel including a shank, an article of footwear, and a method of manufacturing an article of footwear

Publication Date: 2025.10.09 NIKE INC

AI summary

An article of footwear may include a strobel that has a shank comprised of an elastomeric material. The shank may comprise an exterior surface of the strobel. The strobel may include a polymeric bladder with the shank and the polymeric bladder each be disposed in and partially defining at least one different one of a forefoot region, a midfoot region, and a heel region of the article of footwear. A method of manufacturing an article of footwear may include adhering a shank included in a strobel to a foam midsole component. The shank may comprise an elastomeric material and may at least partially define an exterior surface of the strobel.