Published Technical Disclosure Archive

Advanced Adaptive Footwear Energy Absorption System

Publication ID: 24-11857027_0001_PTD
Published: October 27, 2025
Category:Direct Improvements & Enhancements

Legal Citation

pr1or.art Inc., “Advanced Adaptive Footwear Energy Absorption System,” Published Technical Disclosure No. 24-11857027_0001_PTD, Published October 27, 2025, available at https://archive.pr1or.art/24-11857027_0001_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. 11,857,027.

Background and Problem Solved

The original patent (U.S. Pat. No. 10,085,514) introduced an innovative energy absorption and return system for footwear, but had limitations in terms of adaptability, customization, and real-time feedback. The present invention addresses these limitations by introducing advanced features such as adaptive arch support, customizable energy storage, and integrated impact sensors.

Novelty and Inventive Step

The new claims introduce novel and non-obvious features, including adaptive arch support, customizable energy storage, integrated impact sensors, and modular shoe design, which significantly improve upon the original patent's limitations.

Alternative Embodiments and Variations

Alternative embodiments of the invention could include varying materials and geometries for the flexible insert, different sensor types and configurations for the adaptive arch support, and various algorithms for analyzing impact sensor data. Additionally, the modular shoe design could be adapted for different sports or activities, such as hiking or basketball.

Potential Commercial Applications and Market

The invention has significant commercial potential in the athletic footwear industry, particularly in the high-performance and specialty shoe segments. The advanced features and customization options could appeal to professional athletes, serious runners, and fitness enthusiasts, as well as individuals with specific foot or ankle issues.

CPC Classifications

SectionClassGroup
A A43 A43B13/181
F F16 F16F1/368
F F16 F16F3/10
F F16 F16F2224/0241
F F16 F16F2238/022

Field of Art

Footwear design and biomechanical engineering, focusing on energy absorption, shoe inserts, and adaptive support systems. Requires expertise in materials science, mechanical engineering, and ergonomic design of athletic and performance footwear

Person of Ordinary Skill (PHOSITA) Profile

A mechanical engineer or footwear design professional with advanced degree, 3-5 years experience in shoe technology, familiar with materials like viscoelastic polymers, sensor integration, and biomechanical performance optimization

Obviousness Rationale

A PHOSITA would recognize that the PTD's variations represent predictable extensions of the source patent's core energy absorption and shoe insert technologies. The disclosed modifications leverage known techniques in materials science, sensor integration, and modular design that are standard problem-solving approaches in footwear engineering. The variations represent incremental improvements using standard design methodologies within the established technological framework of the source patent.

Obvious Combinations & Variations

Source Patent Element
Flexible legs and spring-based energy absorption system in shoe device
PTD Variation
Viscoelastic material-based flexible insert with improved shock absorption properties
Obviousness Reasoning
Substituting known shock-absorbing materials is a predictable design variation that a PHOSITA would find obvious for enhancing energy return characteristics
Source Patent Element
Multiple foot and leg configurations in original shoe device
PTD Variation
Modular shoe design with interchangeable midsole modules
Obviousness Reasoning
Modular design is a standard engineering approach for customization, representing a known technique for adapting footwear performance
Source Patent Element
Spring-based energy transfer mechanisms
PTD Variation
Integrated impact sensors and real-time performance analysis system
Obviousness Reasoning
Adding sensor technology to mechanical systems is a predictable enhancement using standard instrumentation techniques in biomechanical engineering
Source Patent Element
Curved flexible legs in original shoe device
PTD Variation
Adaptive arch support system with mechanical linkage and pronation detection
Obviousness Reasoning
Implementing dynamic support mechanisms is an obvious extension of existing shoe biomechanical design principles
Source Patent Element
Multiple foot and leg configurations
PTD Variation
Customizable energy return characteristics based on individual user gait
Obviousness Reasoning
Personalizing mechanical performance through user-specific configuration is a standard design optimization approach
35 U.S.C. § 103 Summary: Based on US Patent 11857027, the present published technical disclosure demonstrates that the claimed variations in shoe design, energy absorption, and adaptive support systems would have been obvious to a person having ordinary skill in the art at the time of invention. The disclosed modifications represent predictable combinations of known techniques in footwear engineering, utilizing standard design methodologies and materials science principles to incrementally improve existing shoe technologies.

Original Patent Information

Patent NumberUS 11,857,027
TitleShoes, devices for shoes, and methods of using shoes
Assignee(s)Athletic Propulsion Labs LLC