Movable Support Plate in Footwear Midsole for Adjustable Stability
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Solution Overview
Problem
Current athletic shoes often require multiple types for different athletic activities due to varying stability needs, lacking a single shoe that can provide enhanced stability across various exercises.
Innovation Solution
A sole structure with a movable support plate and rail system within the midsole, allowing adjustable stability by sliding the support plate along the rail, which can be locked at different positions to suit specific activities, combined with a midsole insert for enhanced support and flexibility.
Engineering Contradictions & Design Principles
Engineering Contradiction Analysis
1Adaptability or versatility
If a single shoe design is used for multiple athletic activities, then versatility is improved, but stability performance deteriorates
Solution Approach 1:
The patent implements a movable support plate that can be repositioned along the midsole to dynamically adjust stability characteristics. The support plate moves between a first position for heel stability and a second position for midfoot stability, allowing the single shoe design to adapt to different athletic activities while maintaining optimal stability performance for each activity type
2Reliability
If multiple shoe types are used for different athletic activities, then stability performance is improved, but device complexity deteriorates
Solution Approach 1:
The patent creates a universal shoe design where a single midsole structure with a reconfigurable support plate can provide multiple stability configurations. The support plate's ability to move between positions allows one shoe to perform the functions of multiple specialized shoes, reducing the number of different shoe types needed while maintaining stability performance across various athletic activities
Data Source
AI summary
A sole structure for an article of footwear includes a midsole, where the midsole includes a cut-out section extending from a top surface of the midsole to a depth within the midsole. A support structure is disposed within the cut-out section, the support structure including a rail structure and a support plate that is movable in a sliding manner along the rail structure in a lengthwise direction of the sole structure. An insert is disposed within the cut-out section above the support structure.