Published Technical Disclosure Archive

AI-Powered Adaptive Footwear Energy Absorption System

Publication ID: 24-11857027_0006_PTD
Published: October 27, 2025
Category:Direct Improvements & Enhancements

Legal Citation

pr1or.art Inc., “AI-Powered Adaptive Footwear Energy Absorption System,” Published Technical Disclosure No. 24-11857027_0006_PTD, Published October 27, 2025, available at https://archive.pr1or.art/24-11857027_0006_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) disclosed an energy absorption and return system for footwear, but it had limitations in terms of adaptability to individual users' gait patterns and techniques. The present invention addresses these limitations by introducing novel, adaptive damping mechanisms and AI-powered sensors that detect and respond to changes in a user's running or walking technique, providing real-time feedback and recommendations for improvement.

Novelty and Inventive Step

The present invention's adaptive damping mechanism, AI-powered sensor, and self-healing material are novel and non-obvious compared to the original patent, providing a significant improvement in athletic performance and user experience.

Alternative Embodiments and Variations

Alternative embodiments of the invention could include different sensor technologies, such as pressure sensors or accelerometers, and various materials and geometries for the multi-layer midsole design. Additionally, the invention could be implemented in different types of athletic shoes, such as running shoes, basketball shoes, or soccer cleats.

Potential Commercial Applications and Market

The adaptive energy absorption and return system has significant commercial potential in the athletic footwear industry, particularly in the high-performance and professional sports markets. The invention could be licensed to major athletic footwear brands or used to develop a new product line, providing a competitive advantage in terms of athletic performance and user experience.

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

Athletic footwear design and energy absorption systems, with expertise in mechanical engineering, materials science, and biomechanical performance optimization

Person of Ordinary Skill (PHOSITA) Profile

A mechanical engineer with 5-7 years of experience in athletic footwear design, familiar with energy absorption technologies, material science, and sensor integration in performance footwear

Obviousness Rationale

A PHOSITA would recognize that the PTD's proposed variations represent predictable extensions of the source patent's core energy absorption technology. The disclosed adaptive damping, AI-powered sensing, and multi-layer material design are logical progressions of existing shoe energy return systems. These variations apply known engineering techniques to incrementally improve the fundamental concept of shoe energy absorption and return mechanisms.

Obvious Combinations & Variations

Source Patent Element
Flexible legs and spring-based energy absorption system from source patent
PTD Variation
AI-powered sensor that dynamically adjusts system stiffness based on user gait
Obviousness Reasoning
Integrating sensor feedback for real-time mechanical adjustment is a known technique in adaptive mechanical systems, representing a predictable application of control theory to the existing energy absorption framework
Source Patent Element
Multiple foot and leg configurations in original patent
PTD Variation
Multi-layer midsole design combining different materials and geometries
Obviousness Reasoning
Material selection and geometric optimization are standard design approaches for improving energy return, representing an obvious variation within the skilled practitioner's design capabilities
Source Patent Element
Energy absorption and return system concept
PTD Variation
Self-healing material that can repair structural damage
Obviousness Reasoning
Advanced composite materials with self-repair capabilities are emerging technologies in materials science, representing a logical progression of existing energy absorption system design principles
Source Patent Element
Flexible leg and spring configurations
PTD Variation
Real-time foot strike pattern measurement and adaptive stiffness
Obviousness Reasoning
Biomechanical sensing and mechanical adaptation are well-established techniques in athletic performance technology, representing a predictable enhancement to existing energy return mechanisms
35 U.S.C. § 103 Summary: Based on the teachings of US Patent 11857027 and the disclosed technical variations, a Person Having Ordinary Skill In The Art would find the proposed shoe energy absorption and return system variations to be obvious modifications of existing technologies. The incremental improvements in sensing, material design, and adaptive mechanics represent predictable extensions of known footwear engineering principles, thereby rendering potential patent claims obvious under 35 U.S.C. Section 103.

Original Patent Information

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