Footwear Traction Elements with Variable Height Zones
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Solution Overview
Problem
Spikeless golf shoes with aggressive traction elements cause damage to golf greens due to penetration into the ground substratum, compromising surface integrity during play.
Innovation Solution
The footwear features a traction system with traction elements of varying heights, shorter at pivot points and longer away from them, forming parabolic arcs on the outsole to minimize penetration and maximize traction without damaging the surface.
Engineering Contradictions & Design Principles
Engineering Contradiction Analysis
1Strength
If the aggressiveness of traction elements is increased (size, jaggedness, number) to improve traction, then traction performance is improved, but damage to golf greens increases due to penetration into the ground substratum
Solution Approach 1:
The patent applies local quality by varying the height of traction elements based on their specific location on the outsole. Traction elements at pivot points (heel, toe, midfoot) have reduced height to minimize penetration and damage during rotational movements, while traction elements in non-pivot areas maintain full height for optimal traction. This location-specific differentiation resolves the contradiction between achieving high traction and preventing green damage.
Solution Approach 2:
The outsole is segmented into multiple zones based on pivot point locations, with each zone having traction elements of different heights. The patent divides the outsole into pivot point regions (where damage occurs during rotation) and non-pivot regions, applying different traction element specifications to each segment. This segmentation allows the shoe to provide aggressive traction where needed while minimizing damage where rotational stress concentrates.
2Ease of manufacture
If uniform height traction elements are used across the entire outsole, then manufacturing is simplified, but traction effectiveness is reduced at pivot points during walking and running motions
Solution Approach 1:
Rather than using uniform traction elements throughout, the patent applies local quality by specifying different heights for traction elements at pivot points versus non-pivot points. This ensures that pivot point areas have appropriately reduced height elements for rotational movements, while other areas maintain full-height elements for maximum grip, optimizing traction effectiveness across the entire outsole.
3Strength
If longer traction elements are used to increase penetration for better traction, then grip on the surface is improved, but damage to the ground substratum increases during pivot movements
Solution Approach 1:
The patent resolves this contradiction by making traction element height location-dependent. At pivot points where rotational damage occurs, traction elements have reduced height to limit penetration depth during pivoting motions. In non-pivot regions, full-height traction elements provide maximum grip. This local differentiation maintains effective grip while minimizing damage during dynamic movements.
Solution Approach 2:
The patent applies dynamics by considering the dynamic movement patterns of the foot during walking and running. Traction element heights are optimized based on the dynamic stresses experienced at different locations - pivot points undergo rotational stress during movement, so shorter elements prevent damage, while static or stable regions can accommodate longer elements for enhanced grip.
Data Source
AI summary
An article of footwear with a traction system. The traction system includes a plurality of traction elements of various heights on the outsole that undergo rotation within the penetrated substratum while avoiding damage from digging the surface while walking. The plurality of traction elements has a shortened height at pivot points of a foot and a lengthened height away from the pivot points of the foot.