Interchangeable Footwear Cleat System with Threaded Fasteners
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Solution Overview
Problem
Current footwear sole systems lack versatility in traction customization, as they often feature fixed cleat configurations that do not adapt well to varying ground surfaces or user preferences, limiting performance across different activities and terrains.
Innovation Solution
An outer sole member with interchangeable cleat systems, comprising fixed and removable cleat members of varying heights and geometries, allowing users to customize traction properties by swapping cleat sets for specific activities, with a kit of parts including different sets of removable cleat members that can be easily attached and detached using threaded fasteners.
Engineering Contradictions & Design Principles
Engineering Contradiction Analysis
1Ease of manufacture
If fixed cleat configurations are used in footwear sole structures, then manufacturing simplicity and structural stability are improved, but adaptability to varying ground surfaces and traction customization are worsened
Solution Approach 1:
The cleat system is divided into fixed cleat members and removable cleat members that can be independently configured. The removable cleat members are segmented into multiple sets with different heights and geometries, allowing users to select and attach specific cleats based on ground surface conditions, thereby achieving adaptability while maintaining a simple fixed base structure
Solution Approach 2:
The cleat system transitions from a static fixed configuration to a dynamic interchangeable configuration. The removable cleat members can be attached and detached from the sole structure, enabling the footwear to adapt dynamically to varying ground surfaces and user preferences, resolving the contradiction between structural stability and adaptability
2Adaptability or versatility
If interchangeable removable cleat members are added to the sole structure, then adaptability and traction customization are improved, but device complexity and manufacturing difficulty are worsened
Solution Approach 1:
The sole structure incorporates universal receiving portions that can accommodate multiple types of removable cleat members with different heights and geometries. This universal interface design allows a single base structure to support various cleat configurations, achieving traction customization without proportionally increasing structural complexity
Solution Approach 2:
The invention enables parameter changes in the cleat system by providing removable cleat members with varying heights and geometries. Users can change the physical parameters of the cleats (height, shape) by simply replacing components, achieving customization without complex adjustment mechanisms, thus improving adaptability while controlling device complexity
3Adaptability or versatility
If multiple sets of removable cleat members with different heights are provided, then performance on diverse surfaces is improved, but loss of time for cleat replacement and system complexity are worsened
Solution Approach 1:
Multiple sets of removable cleat members with different heights and geometries are provided in advance, configured for specific activity types or ground surfaces. Users can select the appropriate pre-configured set based on their needs, reducing the time required for replacement compared to selecting and configuring individual cleats, thus improving adaptability while minimizing time loss
Data Source
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AI summary
An interchangeable cleat system for an article of footwear includes an outer sole member with a plurality of fixed cleat members and a plurality of removable cleat members. The spacing between the removable cleat members and the fixed cleat members may be approximately constant in at least one portion of the article of footwear. The differences in height between the removable cleat members and the fixed cleat members may be approximately constant within a portion of the outer sole member. The cleat system can include at least three sets of cleat members that can be interchanged over different portions of the outer sole member.