Published Technical Disclosure Archive

Smart Athletic Footwear: Performance & Energy Harvesting Tech

Publication ID: 24-11857022_0005_PTD
Published: October 27, 2025
Category:Future Evolutions & Paradigm Shifts

Legal Citation

pr1or.art Inc., “Smart Athletic Footwear: Performance & Energy Harvesting Tech,” Published Technical Disclosure No. 24-11857022_0005_PTD, Published October 27, 2025, available at https://archive.pr1or.art/24-11857022_0005_PTD
This technical disclosure describes improvements that would be readily apparent to a Person Having Ordinary Skill In The Art (PHOSITA) when considered in combination with the foundational architecture disclosed in U.S. Patent No. 11,857,022.

Background and Problem Solved

The original patent disclosed an article of footwear incorporating a knitted component with tensile strands. However, it lacked the ability to monitor athletic performance, provide real-time feedback, or integrate sustainable energy harvesting. The new invention addresses these limitations by introducing a next-generation footwear system that combines advanced technologies to provide a holistic solution for athletes and environmentally conscious consumers.

Novelty and Inventive Step

The new claims introduce novel and non-obvious features such as integrated sensors, advanced 3D knitting, photovoltaic cells, shape-memory materials, and micro-electromechanical systems. These innovations provide a significant improvement over the original patent, enabling a more comprehensive and sustainable footwear system.

Alternative Embodiments and Variations

Alternative embodiments of the invention could include different types of sensors, varying knit patterns, or alternative energy harvesting technologies. Additionally, the modular design could be adapted for various sports or activities, such as running, basketball, or hiking.

Potential Commercial Applications and Market

The next-generation footwear system has significant commercial potential in the athletic footwear market, particularly among professional athletes and environmentally conscious consumers. The integration of advanced technologies and sustainable energy harvesting could disrupt the traditional footwear industry and create new opportunities for NIKE, Inc.

CPC Classifications

SectionClassGroup
A A43 A43B1/04
A A43 A43B1/0063
A A43 A43B23/021
A A43 A43B23/025
A A43 A43B23/0215
A A43 A43B23/0235
A A43 A43B23/0245
A A43 A43B23/0265
A A43 A43B23/0275
A A43 A43B23/042
A A43 A43C1/04
D D04 D04B1/123
D D10 D10B2403/0213
D D10 D10B2403/02411
D D10 D10B2403/032
D D10 D10B2501/043

Field of Art

Athletic and performance footwear design, with a focus on advanced textile engineering, knitted component manufacturing, and integrated sensor technologies for athletic performance monitoring

Person of Ordinary Skill (PHOSITA) Profile

A skilled practitioner with expertise in textile engineering, footwear design, materials science, and wearable technology, typically holding a bachelor's or master's degree in engineering, materials science, or a related field with 3-5 years of industry experience

Obviousness Rationale

A person having ordinary skill in the art would recognize that the source patent's knitted footwear component provides a foundational framework for integrating advanced technological features. The modular and adaptable nature of the knitted construction inherently suggests opportunities for sensor integration, energy harvesting, and dynamic material properties. Given the rapid advancement of wearable technologies and smart textiles, a PHOSITA would find the proposed variations as logical and predictable extensions of existing footwear design principles.

Obvious Combinations & Variations

Source Patent Element
Knitted component with tensile strands and multiple layered surfaces
PTD Variation
Integration of performance monitoring sensors within the knitted layers
Obviousness Reasoning
Known techniques in wearable technology suggest embedding sensors into textile structures is a predictable design choice with finite implementation strategies
Source Patent Element
Unitary knit construction with base and side portions
PTD Variation
Advanced 3D knitting techniques using machine learning for customized fit
Obviousness Reasoning
Computational design optimization is a standard approach in modern textile engineering, representing an obvious improvement to existing manufacturing processes
Source Patent Element
Knitted component with spacer strands connecting overlapping layers
PTD Variation
Incorporation of photovoltaic cells and energy harvesting technologies
Obviousness Reasoning
Integrating energy-generating materials into textile structures is a known technique with predictable results in smart textile development
Source Patent Element
Knitted upper with configurable material properties
PTD Variation
Shape-memory materials that dynamically adapt to foot geometry
Obviousness Reasoning
Material science research demonstrates multiple approaches to creating responsive textile structures, representing an obvious technological progression
Source Patent Element
Knitted component with multiple surface configurations
PTD Variation
Micro-electromechanical systems (MEMS) for real-time sensing and feedback
Obviousness Reasoning
Miniaturization of sensing technologies is a predictable engineering approach with well-established implementation strategies
35 U.S.C. § 103 Summary: Based on the teachings of US Patent 11857022 and the comprehensive technological variations disclosed herein, a person having ordinary skill in the art would find the proposed footwear innovations obvious and lacking non-obvious inventive merit. The disclosed variations represent predictable technological extensions utilizing known techniques in textile engineering, sensor integration, and materials science, thereby rendering potential patent claims obvious and non-patentable.

Original Patent Information

Patent NumberUS 11,857,022
TitleArticle of footwear incorporating a knitted component with tensile strand
Assignee(s)NIKE, Inc.