Adaptive Footwear Tech: Multi-Industry Innovation Platform

Publication ID: 24-11857026_0002_PTD

Published: October 27, 2025

Category:New Applications & Use Cases

Legal Citation

pr1or.art Inc., “Adaptive Footwear Tech: Multi-Industry Innovation Platform,” Published Technical Disclosure No. 24-11857026_0002_PTD, Published October 27, 2025, available at https://archive.pr1or.art/24-11857026_0002_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. 11,857,026.

Background and Problem Solved

The original patent focused on improving the sole structure of athletic footwear. However, the core technology's potential extends beyond sports. This invention addresses the limitations of the original patent by applying the adaptive footwear technology to new industries, solving problems such as noise pollution, accessibility barriers, and energy harvesting inefficiencies.

Novelty and Inventive Step

The new claims introduce novel applications and use cases that depart from the original patent's athletic focus. The inventive step lies in recognizing the potential of the adaptive footwear technology to address diverse problems across various industries, and in designing specific implementations to tackle these challenges.

Alternative Embodiments and Variations

Alternative embodiments of the invention could include modifications to the sole structure's angle, material, or geometry to suit specific industry requirements. Variations might involve integrating sensors, actuators, or energy harvesting components to enhance the footwear's functionality.

Potential Commercial Applications and Market

This invention has far-reaching commercial potential in industries such as urban planning, public transportation, sports medicine, elderly care, and wearable technology. The adaptive footwear technology can be licensed to companies operating in these spaces, or developed into proprietary products for Pr1or.

CPC Classifications

Section	Class	Group
A	A43	A43B13/14

Section 103 Obviousness Analysis (PHOSITA)

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Field of Art

Footwear design and biomechanical engineering, focusing on sole structures and ergonomic performance, with expertise in materials, geometric configurations, and functional adaptations

Person of Ordinary Skill (PHOSITA) Profile

A professional with advanced engineering or biomechanical design background, familiar with athletic and orthopedic footwear technologies, capable of understanding complex geometric sole configurations and their functional implications

Obviousness Rationale

A PHOSITA would recognize that the source patent's fundamental sole angle and structural principles can be readily adapted to diverse application contexts by systematically modifying geometric parameters and integrating additional functional elements. The core technological framework established in the source patent provides a flexible template for solving problems across multiple domains through predictable engineering modifications. The disclosed variations represent logical extensions of the original technological concept by applying known biomechanical principles to different use cases.

Obvious Combinations & Variations

Source Patent Element

Sole structure with specific angle configurations between ground contact surfaces

PTD Variation

Applying sole angle configurations to noise reduction in urban environments

Obviousness Reasoning

Modifying sole geometry to attenuate impact forces is a predictable design adaptation for controlling mechanical energy transfer, which would be an obvious approach for a PHOSITA seeking to mitigate footstep-generated noise

Source Patent Element

Sole contact surface geometry in longitudinal cross-section

PTD Variation

Optimizing contact point positioning for improved mobility in public transportation

Obviousness Reasoning

Adjusting sole contact geometry to facilitate movement is a standard engineering approach for enhancing user interaction, representing a routine design optimization within the known technological framework

Source Patent Element

Sole structure with defined angular relationships

PTD Variation

Integrating sensor technologies for athletic movement monitoring

Obviousness Reasoning

Augmenting the existing sole structure with sensor capabilities is a predictable technological enhancement that leverages the established geometric foundation for additional functional purposes

Source Patent Element

Multilayered sole construction with insole, midsole, and outsole

PTD Variation

Energy harvesting implementation through footstep-generated mechanical energy

Obviousness Reasoning

Converting mechanical deformation into electrical energy through strategic material and structural modifications represents a known technique for smart material applications, which would be obvious to a skilled practitioner

Source Patent Element

Sole geometry designed for performance optimization

PTD Variation

Adapting sole structure for enhanced stability in elderly mobility

Obviousness Reasoning

Tailoring sole geometric parameters to address specific biomechanical requirements is a standard design approach for addressing different user needs within the established technological framework

35 U.S.C. § 103 Summary: Based on the technological teachings of US Patent 11857026, the disclosed variations represent obvious extensions of the fundamental footwear sole structure, demonstrating that a person having ordinary skill in the art would recognize the potential for systematic adaptation across diverse application domains through predictable geometric and functional modifications.

Original Patent Information

Patent Number	US 11,857,026
Title	Footwear