Footwear Sole Structure With Flush Inserts and Visible Fluid Bladder
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Solution Overview
Problem
Existing sole structures for footwear lack transparency and visibility into the fluid-filled bladders, which can hinder the aesthetic appeal and user interaction with the internal components.
Innovation Solution
Incorporating a strobel made of translucent or transparent materials, allowing visibility through the upper of the footwear, and a fluid-filled chamber that can be seen through openings or perforations, along with a transparent or translucent insole, providing a clear view of the underlying components.
Engineering Contradictions & Design Principles
Engineering Contradiction Analysis
1Ease of manufacture
If traditional opaque materials are used for the strobel and insole, then the structural integrity and durability are maintained, but the aesthetic appeal and user interaction with internal components are reduced
Solution Approach 1:
The strobel and insole materials are changed from opaque to translucent or transparent, altering the optical parameter of the materials to enable visibility into the fluid-filled bladder while maintaining structural integrity and durability
Solution Approach 2:
The patent applies color/transparency changes by using translucent or transparent materials for the strobel and insole, allowing the internal fluid-filled bladder to be visible through these components, thereby enhancing aesthetic appeal and user interaction
2Reliability
If the strobel and insole are made opaque for durability, then protection is provided, but visibility into the fluid-filled bladder is blocked
Solution Approach 1:
The optical parameter of the strobel and insole materials is changed from opaque to translucent/transparent, enabling light transmission while maintaining the protective function of these components
Solution Approach 2:
By changing the color/transparency characteristic of the strobel and insole materials to translucent or transparent versions, the patent enables visibility into the fluid-filled bladder while preserving the protective function of these layers
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
Enhances the aesthetic appeal and user interaction by allowing visibility into the internal components, while maintaining the functionality of the fluid-filled bladder for cushioning and support.
Implementation Method 1
a strobel (104) attached to the upper and formed from one of a translucent material and a transparent material
Implementation Method 2
The fluid-filled bladders are pressurized with a fluid such as air, and may incorporate tensile members within the bladder to retain the shape of the bladder when compressed resiliently under applied loads
Implementation Method 3
The fluid-filled bladders are pressurized with a fluid such as air
Data Source
Figure 1
Figure 2
Figure 3A~3B
AI summary
A sole structure for an article of footwear includes a bladder and at least one insert. The bladder includes an upper surface having a first portion defining a chamber and a second portion defining at least one recess adjacent to the chamber. The at least one insert is disposed within the at least one recess and has a top surface that is substantially flush with the first portion of the upper surface of the bladder. The first portion of the upper surface is exposed to the at least one insert.