Footwear Sole Plate and Heel Support for Running-Lifting Stability

Solution Overview

Problem

Existing athletic footwear designed for specific activities, such as running or weightlifting, often fail to provide adequate support and stability for combined activities like cross-fit, requiring athletes to switch between multiple pairs or compromise performance.

Innovation Solution

A sole design featuring a carbon fiber plate with prongs and a dome-shaped heel support, combined with a resilient insert, provides both vertical stability for weightlifting and flexibility for running by accommodating shear forces and energy return.

Engineering Contradictions & Design Principles

VSEngineering Contradiction Analysis

1Ease of operation

If a shoe is designed for running with cushioning and flexibility, then running performance is improved, but support and stability during weightlifting deteriorates

Engineering Contradiction:

Improverunning comfort and flexibilityVSAvoidvertical stability during weightlifting

Core Design Contradiction:

Ease of operationVSStability of the object's composition

Solution Approach 1:

The midsole is segmented into multiple functional layers: a foam midsole layer for cushioning and flexibility, a carbon fiber plate layer for rigidity and energy return, and a heel support portion with insert for vertical stability. This segmentation allows each layer to perform its specific function independently, resolving the contradiction between running comfort and weightlifting stability.

Inventive Principle:

Principle #1Segmentation

Solution Approach 2:

The sole uses composite materials including foam for cushioning, carbon fiber for rigidity, and resilient insert materials. The carbon fiber plate provides structural rigidity for weightlifting while the foam provides flexibility for running, creating a composite structure that satisfies both opposing requirements simultaneously.

Inventive Principle:

Principle #40Composite materials

2Stability of the object's composition

If a shoe is designed for weightlifting with support and stability, then vertical stability is improved, but flexibility and energy return during running deteriorates

Engineering Contradiction:

Improvevertical stability during weightliftingVSAvoidrunning flexibility and energy return

Core Design Contradiction:

Stability of the object's compositionVSEase of operation

Solution Approach 1:

The midsole is segmented into multiple functional layers: a foam midsole layer for cushioning and flexibility, a carbon fiber plate layer for rigidity and energy return, and a heel support portion with insert for vertical stability. This segmentation allows each layer to perform its specific function independently, resolving the contradiction between running comfort and weightlifting stability.

Inventive Principle:

Principle #1Segmentation

Solution Approach 2:

The sole uses composite materials including foam for cushioning, carbon fiber for rigidity, and resilient insert materials. The carbon fiber plate provides structural rigidity for weightlifting while the foam provides flexibility for running, creating a composite structure that satisfies both opposing requirements simultaneously.

Inventive Principle:

Principle #40Composite materials

3Adaptability or versatility

If traditional shoes are used for cross-fit activities requiring multiple functions, then versatility is improved, but performance in each specific activity deteriorates

Engineering Contradiction:

Improvemulti-activity capabilityVSAvoidperformance in each activity

Core Design Contradiction:

Adaptability or versatilityVSReliability

Solution Approach 1:

The shoe is designed with universal multi-functionality through its composite sole structure that simultaneously supports running, weightlifting, and cross-fit activities. The carbon fiber plate, foam midsole, and heel support portion work together to provide both the flexibility needed for running and the stability needed for weightlifting, eliminating the need for multiple specialized shoes.

Inventive Principle:

Principle #6Universality (Multi-functionality)

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

The sole design enhances comfort and performance across various activities by offering vertical support during weightlifting and flexibility during running, reducing fatigue and improving energy return.

Implementation Method 1

a plate comprising having prongs in a forefoot portion of the sole and a dome-shaped heel support portion in a heel portion of the sole

Methodology Applied

Scientific EffectElasticity: Elasticity

Implementation Method 2

an insert disposed within a cavity formed on a bottom surface of the heel support portion

Methodology Applied

Scientific EffectViscoelasticity: Viscoelasticity

Data Source

PatentUS12543823B2Article of footwear with plate and heel support

Publication Date: 2026.02.10 REEBOK INTERNATIONAL LIMITED

AI summary

A sole for an article of footwear includes a midsole, a plate having longitudinal prongs in a forefoot portion of the sole and a dome-shaped heel support portion in a heel portion of the sole, an insert disposed within a cavity of the heel support portion, a heel rim securing the insert to the plate and the plate to the midsole; and an outsole.