Transparent Footwear Heel with Visible Support Columns
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Solution Overview
Problem
Existing footwear designs lack full visibility of spring-like shock absorbing systems and additional indicia associated with these systems through the heel region, with only small windows providing limited visibility.
Innovation Solution
A sole system with a transparent heel portion featuring a support member comprising multiple support columns and a webbing member, where an indicia recess is integrated into the webbing member, allowing the indicia member to be visible through the transparent heel portion, enhancing both aesthetic appeal and visibility of the shock absorbing mechanisms.
Engineering Contradictions & Design Principles
Engineering Contradiction Analysis
1Loss of information
If a transparent heel portion is used to provide full visibility of support members, then visibility and aesthetic appeal are improved, but structural stability and support function may be compromised
Solution Approach 1:
The heel portion is segmented into multiple functional zones: a transparent heel counter region for visibility, an opaque midsole region for structural support, and a heel cup region for cushioning. This segmentation allows each zone to fulfill its specific function without compromising overall performance.
Solution Approach 2:
The footwear employs composite construction combining transparent materials (for the heel counter) with opaque materials (for the midsole and upper). This composite approach enables simultaneous achievement of aesthetic transparency and structural opacity where needed.
2Stability of the object's composition
If small windows are used in the heel to view support members, then structural integrity is maintained, but visibility of the shock absorbing systems is limited
Solution Approach 1:
The patent extracts the transparency requirement from a limited window location and applies it to the entire heel counter region. By removing the constraint of small viewing areas, the design achieves comprehensive visibility of the support members while the heel cup and midsole maintain structural integrity.
3Loss of information
If indicia members are added to enhance branding and aesthetics, then visual appeal is improved, but device complexity and manufacturing difficulty increase
Solution Approach 1:
The indicia member is merged with the webbing member, integrating the branding element directly into the existing structural component. This combination eliminates the need for separate indicia attachment processes and reduces overall assembly complexity.
Solution Approach 2:
The webbing member serves multiple functions: it provides structural connection between support columns and simultaneously serves as the carrier for the indicia member. This multi-functionality reduces the total number of components and simplifies manufacturing.
Data Source
AI summary
An article of footwear with a sole system including a transparent heel portion is disclosed. The transparent heel portion includes a cavity configured to receive a support member comprising a plurality of support columns and an indicia member associated with the support member. The indicia and the support member are both visible along a bottom surface of the heel portion.