Extendable Cleat Sole Structure for Dynamic Traction
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Solution Overview
Problem
Existing footwear cleats lack the ability to dynamically adjust their penetration into the ground surface to enhance traction and control during various athletic maneuvers, particularly failing to effectively extend when forces are applied off-axis.
Innovation Solution
A sole structure with an extendable cleat assembly featuring a pivot plate and actuating member that transfers force from the foot to an extending cleat portion, allowing the cleat to elongate and provide enhanced traction by pivoting about an angled fulcrum, thereby accommodating off-axis forces and improving stability and control.
Engineering Contradictions & Design Principles
Engineering Contradiction Analysis
1Adaptability or versatility
If a fixed cleat design is used, then the structure is simple and easy to manufacture, but the cleat cannot dynamically adjust to enhance traction during athletic maneuvers
Solution Approach 1:
The cleat is designed with an extending portion that can dynamically change its length from a retracted position to an extended position. This dynamic structure allows the cleat to adapt to different athletic maneuvers by extending further into the ground surface when needed, providing enhanced traction while maintaining a compact form when not in use.
Solution Approach 2:
The cleat is divided into a base portion and an extending portion that can move independently. The extending portion is separated from the base portion and can be actuated to extend or retract, allowing the cleat to adjust its configuration based on the athletic maneuver being performed.
2Reliability
If a traditional cleat design is used, then the manufacturing process is simple, but the cleat fails to effectively extend when forces are applied off-axis
Solution Approach 1:
The actuating assembly incorporates a pivot plate that can rotate or pivot in response to off-axis forces applied to the cleat. This dynamic response mechanism allows the extending portion to effectively extend even when forces are not applied directly along the central axis of the cleat, improving reliability during cutting and changing direction maneuvers.
Solution Approach 2:
The pivot plate acts as an intermediary element between the extending portion and the base portion. It mediates the transfer of forces from the foot to the extending portion, allowing off-axis forces to be effectively converted into extension motion of the cleat.
3Strength
If the cleat extends further into the ground, then traction and control are enhanced, but the risk of injury from excessive penetration increases
Solution Approach 1:
The cleat's extending portion can dynamically adjust its length based on the athletic maneuver being performed. During high-intensity maneuvers requiring maximum traction, the cleat extends further into the ground surface. During normal movement, the cleat remains in a retracted position, reducing the risk of injury from excessive penetration.
Solution Approach 2:
The effective length of the cleat is changed as a variable parameter rather than being fixed. The cleat can transition between a shorter configuration for safety and a longer configuration for maximum traction, allowing the system to optimize performance while minimizing harm.
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 enables the cleat to extend further into the ground surface, enhancing traction and control during athletic maneuvers by dynamically adjusting to applied forces, ensuring better grip and stability even when forces are applied away from the cleat's central axis.
Implementation Method 1
The actuating member is disposed within the extending portion and positioned to transfer force from a foot of the wearer to a second end of the extending portion
Implementation Method 2
The pivot plate assembly is configured to pivot about the second end portion of the pivot plate. The angled portion comprises a fulcrum for the pivot plate
Implementation Method 3
The cleat assembly is configured to transfer force from the first region of the covering member to the actuating member and the cleat assembly is configured to transfer force from the second region of the covering member to the actuating member
Data Source
AI summary
A sole structure including a cleat assembly is disclosed. The cleat assembly includes a covering member, an actuating assembly and a cleat sub-assembly. The cleat sub-assembly includes a cleat member that can extend in length under a force applied by a foot. The actuating assembly directs force applied by a foot at the covering member to the cleat member so that the cleat can extend and penetrate further into a ground surface. The actuating assembly can include a pivot plate that pivots about an angled portion of the cleat sub-assembly.