Seamless Knit Toe Shoe Structure for Barefoot-Like Stability

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Solution Overview

Problem

Existing shoes, particularly sports shoes, lack the natural feeling of walking barefoot while providing adequate stability, cushioning, and protection, with seams between toe portions causing discomfort and potential abrasions.

Innovation Solution

A shoe upper comprising independently movable knitwear portions for each toe, manufactured without seams through techniques like weft-knitting or warp-knitting, allowing for a natural walking experience and enhanced stability.

Engineering Contradictions & Design Principles

VSEngineering Contradiction Analysis

1Ease of operation

If shoes comprise individual portions for receiving toes that are sewn or glued together, then each toe can move independently and contact the ground individually, but thick seams between toes cause discomfort and abrasions

Engineering Contradiction:

ImproveToe movement freedomVSAvoidSeam discomfort and abrasions

Core Design Contradiction:

Ease of operationVSObject-affected harmful factors

Solution Approach 1:

The patent uses a sock-like upper that is seamless and made of flexible material, allowing toes to move independently without thick seams. The upper is formed as a single piece that surrounds individual toe areas, providing freedom of movement while eliminating seam-related discomfort and abrasions.

Inventive Principle:

Principle #30Flexible shells and thin films

2Reliability

If shoes provide a complete upper surrounding the foot for stability and protection, then the foot is fixed tightly and protected from injuries, but toes cannot move freely and contact the ground individually

Engineering Contradiction:

ImproveFoot stability and protectionVSAvoidToe movement freedom

Core Design Contradiction:

ReliabilityVSEase of operation

Solution Approach 1:

The patent divides the upper into regions that accommodate individual toes, allowing each toe to move independently while still being surrounded by the upper for stability and protection. The sock-like structure provides complete coverage but with segmented space for toe movement.

Inventive Principle:

Principle #1Segmentation

3Strength

If shoes use traditional manufacturing methods with seams, then structural integrity is maintained, but seams are clearly perceptible and cause discomfort between toes

Engineering Contradiction:

ImproveUpper structural integrityVSAvoidComfort between toes

Core Design Contradiction:

StrengthVSEase of operation

Solution Approach 1:

The patent merges the entire upper into a single seamless sock-like structure that surrounds the foot. This eliminates the need for separate pieces joined by seams, maintaining structural integrity while removing perceptible seams that cause discomfort between toes.

Inventive Principle:

Principle #5Merging (Combining)

Data Source

PatentEP3593664B1Shoe adapted to the shape of the foot

Publication Date: 2025.11.26 ADIDAS AG

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AI summary

The present invention relates to a shoe (111), in particular a sports shoe, comprising shoe upper (51), wherein the shoe upper comprises a plurality of first portions (91) for receiving at least one toe of a foot; the first portions (91) being moveable essentially independently of each other; and the first portions (91) comprising knitwear. The shoe (111) further comprises a sole (61) which comprises second portions (112) which correspond to the first portions (91) of the shoe upper (51) and are connected to them, wherein at least a subsection of the sole (61) together with the upper (51) is formed as one-piece knitwear.