Published Technical Disclosure Archive

Advanced Adaptive Footwear: Extreme Environment Design

Publication ID: 24-11857022_0009_PTD
Published: October 27, 2025
Category:Specialized Variations & Niche Solutions

Legal Citation

pr1or.art Inc., “Advanced Adaptive Footwear: Extreme Environment Design,” Published Technical Disclosure No. 24-11857022_0009_PTD, Published October 27, 2025, available at https://archive.pr1or.art/24-11857022_0009_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 an integrally knit contoured portion. While effective for general use, this design may not be suitable for extreme environments or specialized applications. The present invention addresses these limitations by incorporating thermal insulation, moisture-wicking, reinforced materials, waterproof membranes, hidden compartments, and other features tailored to specific niches.

Novelty and Inventive Step

The new claims introduce novel adaptations of the original knitted component footwear, including thermal insulation, moisture-wicking, reinforced materials, waterproof membranes, hidden compartments, and other features tailored to specific niches. These adaptations provide a non-obvious solution to the limitations of the original patent, enabling the invention to operate effectively in extreme environments and specialized applications.

Alternative Embodiments and Variations

Alternative embodiments of the invention could include variations in material selection, component integration, and feature combinations to further expand the range of specialized applications. For example, the knitted component could be integrated with advanced materials, such as shape-memory alloys or phase-change materials, to enhance its adaptability to extreme environments.

Potential Commercial Applications and Market

The invention has significant commercial potential in various industries, including outdoor gear, emergency response, military, and law enforcement. The adaptive footwear could be marketed as a premium product for extreme environments and specialized applications, offering a unique value proposition to customers seeking high-performance footwear solutions.

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

Footwear design and manufacturing, specifically focusing on knitted textile components for athletic and specialized footwear, with expertise in material engineering, textile construction, and functional performance enhancement

Person of Ordinary Skill (PHOSITA) Profile

A professional with advanced degree in textile engineering or materials science, 5-10 years of experience in footwear design, familiar with advanced textile manufacturing techniques, performance material integration, and adaptive material technologies

Obviousness Rationale

A person skilled in the art would recognize that the source patent's knitted component provides a fundamental structural framework that can be readily adapted to specialized environments by integrating known performance-enhancing materials and technologies. The modular nature of the knitted component inherently suggests potential variations for specific use cases. The disclosed variations represent predictable extensions of existing textile and footwear engineering principles applied to the base knitted component design.

Obvious Combinations & Variations

Source Patent Element
Unitary knit construction with base and side portions using multiple knit layers
PTD Variation
Integrating thermal insulation layer and moisture-wicking exterior surface
Obviousness Reasoning
Layered textile construction is a known technique for modifying material performance, and adding thermal and moisture management layers would be a predictable design optimization for specialized environments
Source Patent Element
Knitted component with spacer strands connecting overlapping layers
PTD Variation
Adding waterproof and breathable membrane between knit layers
Obviousness Reasoning
The existing multi-layer construction provides a clear pathway for integrating additional functional membranes, representing a standard approach to enhancing material performance
Source Patent Element
Knitted component with configurable interior and exterior surfaces
PTD Variation
Incorporating hidden compartments and GPS tracking devices
Obviousness Reasoning
The flexible structural design of the knitted component naturally allows for integrated electronic and storage features, which are well-known modifications in advanced textile engineering
Source Patent Element
Monofilament material used in knit construction
PTD Variation
Adding reflective or self-cleaning exterior surfaces
Obviousness Reasoning
Surface modification techniques for textile materials are standard practice, and applying known surface treatments to the existing knit structure represents an obvious design variation
Source Patent Element
Configurable knitted upper with multiple structural layers
PTD Variation
Reinforced toe cap and tamper-evident closure mechanisms
Obviousness Reasoning
Structural reinforcement and security features are predictable extensions of the base knitted component design, representing standard approaches to specialized footwear engineering
35 U.S.C. § 103 Summary: Based on US Patent 11857022's disclosure of a knitted footwear component with modular, multi-layered construction, the present publication demonstrates that variations incorporating performance-enhancing materials, environmental adaptations, and specialized functional features would be obvious to a person having ordinary skill in footwear textile engineering, thereby establishing prior art that anticipates potential claims to similar technical implementations.

Original Patent Information

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