Interchangeable Shoe Baseplate for Lightweight Traction Support

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Solution Overview

Problem

Existing shoes, particularly sports shoes, lack an adaptable tread and are often too heavy, compromising foot support and traction on various ground conditions.

Innovation Solution

A removably insertable baseplate for shoes, comprising a stiff and rigid body with protruding tread elements, adaptable to different ground conditions, and a shoe upper with elastic regions to secure the baseplate, allowing for interchangeable tread configurations.

Engineering Contradictions & Design Principles

VSEngineering Contradiction Analysis

1Adaptability or versatility

If conventional shoes use fixed treads, then manufacturing is simple, but adaptability to different ground conditions is poor

Engineering Contradiction:

Improveadaptability to ground conditionsVSAvoidtread configuration complexity

Core Design Contradiction:

Adaptability or versatilityVSDevice complexity

Solution Approach 1:

The tread system is segmented into individual tread elements that can be independently positioned and configured on the baseplate. Each tread element can be separately adjusted, allowing the shoe to adapt to different ground conditions without redesigning the entire tread structure.

Inventive Principle:

Principle #1Segmentation

Solution Approach 2:

The tread configuration is made dynamic and adjustable rather than fixed. The baseplate allows tread elements to be repositioned or reconfigured based on the specific ground conditions, enabling the shoe to adapt dynamically to various surfaces.

Inventive Principle:

Principle #15Dynamics

2Strength

If shoes use heavy sole structures for support, then foot support is improved, but overall weight increases

Engineering Contradiction:

Improvefoot supportVSAvoidshoe weight

Core Design Contradiction:

StrengthVSWeight of moving object

Solution Approach 1:

Instead of uniformly reinforcing the entire sole structure, the baseplate provides localized support precisely where needed under the foot. This targeted approach delivers adequate foot support while minimizing unnecessary weight addition across the entire shoe.

Inventive Principle:

Principle #3Local quality

Solution Approach 2:

The baseplate appears to be constructed from composite materials that provide high strength-to-weight ratio, enabling sufficient foot support with minimal weight. The composite structure combines materials that offer both structural integrity and weight efficiency.

Inventive Principle:

Principle #40Composite materials

3Weight of moving object

If shoes use lightweight materials, then shoe weight is reduced, but foot support and stability deteriorate

Engineering Contradiction:

Improveshoe weightVSAvoidfoot support stability

Core Design Contradiction:

Weight of moving objectVSStability of the object's composition

Solution Approach 1:

The baseplate is pre-configured with an optimized structural design that provides inherent stability and foot support. This preliminary structural preparation ensures that even with lightweight materials, the shoe maintains adequate stability and support characteristics.

Inventive Principle:

Principle #10Preliminary action

Data Source

PatentUS12495868B2Baseplate for a shoe

Publication Date: 2025.12.16 ADIDAS AG

AI summary

Baseplates for shoes, wherein the baseplate is removably insertable into a shoe upper, and wherein the baseplate includes a substantially planar body, which is configured to provide stability to the shoe upper, and a plurality of tread elements, which are configured to protrude through a respective opening of a plurality of openings in a bottom portion of the shoe upper when the baseplate is removably inserted into the shoe upper, wherein the plurality of tread elements are unitarily formed with the body.