Tiltable Forefoot Component via Track and Channel Interface
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Solution Overview
Problem
Conventional footwear technologies lack effective mechanisms for allowing the forefoot portion of the sole structure to slide, rotate, or tilt relative to other components, which can limit the natural motion and stability of the foot during various activities, such as golf swings or sprinting.
Innovation Solution
The design incorporates a sole structure with an arched medial and lateral surface that includes tracks and channels or rollers, allowing the forefoot component to move relative to the midsole and outsole, enabling sliding, tilting, or rotating motions about a horizontal axis, thereby enhancing foot stability and natural motion.
Engineering Contradictions & Design Principles
Engineering Contradiction Analysis
1Stability of the object's composition
If the forefoot component is fixed relative to the midsole and outsole, then the structural stability and simplicity are improved, but the natural foot motion and adaptability during activities are worsened
Solution Approach 1:
The forefoot component is designed to move dynamically relative to the midsole through a controlled mechanical interface. The component can slide, rotate, or tilt about a horizontal longitudinal axis, allowing the footwear to adapt to natural foot motion during various activities while maintaining structural integrity through the defined movement constraints
2Adaptability or versatility
If the forefoot component is allowed to slide, rotate, or tilt relative to the midsole, then the natural motion and adaptability are improved, but the device complexity and manufacturing difficulty are worsened
Solution Approach 1:
The sole structure is divided into separate components: a forefoot component and a midsole, with a defined interface between them. This segmentation allows independent movement of the forefoot component while maintaining the integrity of the overall structure, enabling natural foot motion without requiring a completely flexible construction
Solution Approach 2:
The interface between the forefoot component and midsole is designed to permit controlled dynamic movement. The component can slide, rotate, or tilt about a horizontal longitudinal axis, providing adaptability while the defined movement constraints keep the mechanical interface relatively simple and manufacturable
Data Source
Figure 1A~1B
Figure 1C~1D
Figure 2A~2C
AI summary
Sole structures (104) and articles of footwear (100, 800, 1400) includes a first footwear component (400, 802) including a ground-facing surface (400G, 802G), wherein a forefoot portion of the ground-facing surface (400G, 802G) includes: (a) an arched medial surface (400GM) arching downward from a medial side edge of the sole structure (804) toward a central region (400GC) of the first footwear component (400, 802), and (b) an arched lateral surface (400GL) arching downward from a lateral side edge of the sole structure (104) toward the central region (400GC) of the first footwear component (400, 802). This first footwear component (400, 802) includes one of a first track (402T, 1710T, 2000T) or a first channel (902T, 1710C). The sole structure (104) further includes a second footwear component (500, 1000) including an upper-facing surface (500U). A forefoot portion of this upper-facing surface (500U) includes: (a) an arched medial surface (500UM) arching downward from a medial side edge of the second footwear component (500, 1000) toward a central region (500UC) of the second footwear component (500, 1000) and facing the arched medial surface (400GM) of the first footwear component (400, 802), and (b) an arched lateral surface (500UL) arching downward from a lateral side edge of the second footwear component (500, 1000) toward the central region (500UC) of the second footwear component (500, 1000) and facing the arched lateral surface (400GL) of the first footwear component (400, 802). The second footwear component (500, 1000) includes the other of the first track (1002T) or the first channel (500T, 1810C, 1810X, 2000C). When assembled, the first track (402T, 1710T, 2000T, 1002T) engages the first channel (902T, 1710C, 500T, 1810C, 1810X, 2000C) and the first footwear component (400, 802) is movably engaged with the second footwear component (500, 1000) by movement of the first channel (902T, 1710C, 500T, 1810C, 1810X, 2000C) with respect to the first track (402T, 1710T, 2000T, 1002T).