Composite Midsole Golf Shoe Structure for Flex-Stability Tradeoff

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Solution Overview

Problem

Conventional golf shoes often sacrifice flexibility for stability and traction, leading to a rigid platform that does not allow for the necessary foot movements and comfort during golf swings and walking on varied terrain.

Innovation Solution

A golf shoe design featuring a midsole composed of two foam materials with different hardness levels and a fiber-reinforced composite plate, combined with criss-crossing traction tracks and stability ridges, providing enhanced stability, traction, and flexibility.

Engineering Contradictions & Design Principles

VSEngineering Contradiction Analysis

1Stability of the object's composition

If a rigid midsole structure is used to provide stability and traction, then stability is improved, but flexibility deteriorates

Engineering Contradiction:

ImprovestabilityVSAvoidflexibility

Core Design Contradiction:

Stability of the object's compositionVSEase of operation

Solution Approach 1:

The midsole is divided into multiple layers with different material properties: a first midsole layer providing cushioning and flexibility, and a second midsole layer providing stability and traction. This segmentation allows each layer to perform its specific function independently, resolving the contradiction between flexibility and stability.

Inventive Principle:

Principle #1Segmentation

Solution Approach 2:

The shoe employs composite construction by combining different foam materials with distinct mechanical properties in the midsole. The first midsole layer uses a softer, more compliant foam for flexibility and cushioning, while the second midsole layer uses a firmer foam for stability and traction, creating a composite structure that achieves both conflicting requirements simultaneously.

Inventive Principle:

Principle #40Composite materials

2Ease of manufacture

If a single uniform midsole material is used, then manufacturing is simplified, but the ability to provide both flexibility and stability deteriorates

Engineering Contradiction:

Improvemanufacturing simplicityVSAvoiddual functionality

Core Design Contradiction:

Ease of manufactureVSAdaptability or versatility

Solution Approach 1:

The midsole is segmented into distinct functional layers that can be manufactured separately and then assembled. This segmentation allows each layer to be optimized for its specific function while maintaining overall manufacturing feasibility through modular construction processes.

Inventive Principle:

Principle #1Segmentation

Solution Approach 2:

The invention uses composite material construction with a first midsole layer and a second midsole layer having different material properties. This composite approach enables the shoe to provide both flexibility and stability simultaneously, overcoming the limitations of single-material designs.

Inventive Principle:

Principle #40Composite materials

Data Source

PatentUS12501963B2Golf shoe having composite plate in midsole for providing flex and stability

Publication Date: 2025.12.23 ACUSHNET CO

AI summary

Golf shoes having improved constructions are provided. The golf shoes include upper, midsole, and outsole sections. The upper may be made of a soft, breathable leather material. The midsole includes an upper region formed from a first material such as a foamed ethylene vinyl acetate (EVA); and a lower region formed from a second material such as a foamed ethylene vinyl acetate (EVA), wherein the materials have different hardness levels. A fiber-reinforced composite plate such as, for example, a carbon fiber plate is disposed in the midsole. The outsole contains different traction members arranged in a precise geometric structure that helps provide improved stability and traction.