Wrap-around Wire Support for Shoe Stability

Resolve Bottlenecks,
Find Innovative Solutions
Generate Solutions

Solution Overview

Problem

Shoes used in sporting activities, such as golf, lack sufficient support and torsional control to effectively manage the complex forces and movements involved in these activities, leading to instability and reduced performance.

Innovation Solution

The design incorporates a reel-based lacing system with a wrap-around saddle assembly that tightens around the lateral and medial sides of the shoe, providing enhanced arch support, stability, and customizable fit, along with a sole structure featuring separate front and heel sole portions and traction elements for improved traction and flexibility.

Engineering Contradictions & Design Principles

VSEngineering Contradiction Analysis

1Stability of the object's composition

If traditional lacing systems are used, then the shoe structure remains simple, but the shoe lacks sufficient arch support and stability during complex footwork movements

Engineering Contradiction:
Improveshoe stabilityVSAvoidshoe structure complexity
Core Design Contradiction:
Stability of the object's compositionVSDevice complexity

Solution Approach 1:

The lacing system is segmented into multiple independent wire laces (first wire lace, second wire lace) that can be adjusted separately to provide targeted support to different regions of the foot, enhancing overall shoe stability without requiring complete structural redesign

Inventive Principle:
Principle #1Segmentation

Solution Approach 2:

The wire laces extend in multiple dimensions throughout the shoe structure, with the first wire lace extending from the toe region toward the heel and the second wire lace extending across the midfoot region, creating a three-dimensional support network that stabilizes the shoe during complex movements

Inventive Principle:
Principle #17Another dimension (Dimensionality change)

2Stability of the object's composition

If the closure is tightened to improve fit and support, then arch support and stability increase, but the shoe may become too restrictive and reduce flexibility

Engineering Contradiction:
Improvearch supportVSAvoidshoe flexibility
Core Design Contradiction:
Stability of the object's compositionVSAdaptability or versatility

Solution Approach 1:

The wire laces are made of flexible material that allows dynamic adjustment - when tightened they provide rigid arch support and stability, but when loosened they allow the shoe to flex and adapt to natural foot movements, maintaining both support and flexibility across different usage conditions

Inventive Principle:
Principle #15Dynamics

Solution Approach 2:

The lacing system applies localized tension through specifically positioned wire laces - the first wire lace targets the toe and heel regions while the second wire lace targets the midfoot region, providing arch support exactly where needed without uniformly restricting the entire shoe structure

Inventive Principle:
Principle #3Local quality

Data Source

PatentEP3420838B1Wrap-around wire support for shoe
Publication Date: 2023.10.18 ADIDAS AG
  • EP3420838B1 patent drawingFigure 1~2
  • EP3420838B1 patent drawingFigure 3~4
  • EP3420838B1 patent drawingFigure 5~6

AI summary

A shoe, comprising: an upper comprising a closure and a tongue configured to cover a top portion of the foot; a front sole portion comprising a front midsole made from a first material, a front outsole made from a second material that is more rigid than the first material, and a front midsole reinforcement structure made from a third material that is more rigid than the first material; a heel sole portion comprising a heel midsole made from the first material, a heel outsole made from the second material, and a heel midsole reinforcement structure made from the third material; and a torsion control bridge connecting the front and heel sole portions, wherein a window is formed between the torsion control bridge and a portion of the bottom surface of the upper located between the front and heel sole portions. Further, a golf shoe is disclosed.