Forefoot Secondary Wedge Studs for Lateral Stability
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Solution Overview
Problem
Athletic footwear lacks sufficient traction and stability for quick directional changes on various playing surfaces, particularly in soccer, where players need to rapidly change direction while moving at high speeds.
Innovation Solution
The design incorporates wedge-shaped studs and elongated cleats on the perimeter of the forefoot region of the sole, providing friction and leverage for improved traction and stability, allowing for easier and quicker lateral and medial cuts.
Engineering Contradictions & Design Principles
Engineering Contradiction Analysis
1Reliability
If traditional studs are provided on the sole of athletic footwear, then friction between the ground and the player's foot is improved, but the footwear lacks sufficient traction and stability for quick directional changes on various playing surfaces
Solution Approach 1:
The stud configuration is segmented into multiple functional zones: forefoot studs for propulsion, midfoot studs for lateral stability, and heel studs for braking. This segmentation allows each zone to be optimized for specific movements, improving overall traction reliability while adapting to various playing surfaces through zone-specific performance characteristics.
Solution Approach 2:
Different stud designs are applied to different regions of the sole. The forefoot features conical studs for penetration and propulsion, the midfoot has blade-shaped studs for lateral stability, and the heel has spherical studs for braking. This local differentiation of stud quality provides superior adaptability to diverse playing surfaces while maintaining reliable traction in each functional zone.
2Speed
If studs are located on the forefoot region of the sole to provide necessary friction, then the player can change directions while moving at high rates of speed, but the footwear lacks sufficient traction for lateral and medial cuts
Solution Approach 1:
The stud design incorporates three-dimensional blade-shaped studs with varying orientations. These studs extend not only vertically for penetration but also laterally with angled surfaces that provide stability during lateral and medial cuts. This dimensional enhancement allows the same stud structure to deliver both speed for directional changes and reliability for lateral stability.
Solution Approach 2:
The blade-shaped studs feature asymmetric geometry with different surface angles on opposite sides. This asymmetry allows the studs to provide optimized performance for both lateral and medial cuts, enabling reliable stability in multiple directions while maintaining the speed necessary for rapid directional changes.
3Stability of the object's composition
If wedge-shaped studs extending from the side surfaces of the sole structure are provided, then lateral stability is improved, but the footwear lacks sufficient traction for quick directional changes
Solution Approach 1:
The blade-shaped studs are designed with dynamic characteristics that allow them to flex and adapt during movement. The blades can bend slightly under load, providing lateral stability during cuts, then quickly recover to provide propulsion during directional changes. This dynamic behavior enables the studs to deliver both lateral stability and speed for rapid directional changes.
Solution Approach 2:
The design merges the lateral stability function of wedge-shaped studs with the propulsion function of traditional conical studs. The blade-shaped studs combine features of both designs, providing lateral support through their width and angle while maintaining penetration capability through their pointed tips, thus achieving both lateral stability and quick directional changes.
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 traction and stability, enabling players to make rapid directional changes with improved balance and speed, effectively addressing the need for enhanced footwear performance on diverse playing surfaces.
Implementation Method 1
The studs may provide a sufficient amount of friction between the ground and the player's foot in order to provide the player with the stability needed to keep their balance while changing directions
Data Source
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AI summary
The article of footwear comprises a sole structure (100) having a forefoot region (10) and a heel region (14). The sole structure (100) has a medial side (16) and a lateral side (18). The outermost surface of the medial side (16) forms an outer medial peripheral edge (20) and the outermost surface of the lateral side (18) forms an outer lateral peripheral edge (22). At least one first wedge-shaped stud (30, 32) extends beyond the outer medial peripheral edge (20) of the forefoot region (10) of the sole structure (100) and has a height and a length extending from the medial side (16) of the forefoot region (10). At least one second wedge-shaped stud (34, 36) extends beyond the outer lateral peripheral edge (22) of the forefoot region (10) of the sole structure (100) and has a height and a length extending from the lateral side (18) of the forefoot region (10).