Nike And Adidas, Who Are More Shoe Black Technology Giants?

1.

According to the world clothing and shoe net, in 1964, Phil Nate, a long-distance runner of University of Oregon, and his coach, Bill, Portman, joined Nike.

Nike the English meaning originally refers to the Greek goddess of victory, the Chinese plation of Nike.

Headquartered in Portland, Oregon, Nike, the company produces all kinds of sporting goods, such as clothing, footwear, sports equipment and so on.

The language of Nike is the sports language.

Nike will always inspire every athlete in the world and offer the best products to him as a glorious task.

The air cushion technology pioneered by Nike has brought a revolution to the sports community. The sports shoes produced by this technology can protect the athletes' body, especially their ankles and knees, prevent them from sprain while doing vigorous exercises, and reduce the impact and wear on the knees.

Sports shoes are popular when they are launched, and ordinary consumers and professional athletes love it.

Nike has a history of 53 years since its establishment in 1964.

The following Nike development time important node introduction, as shown in Figure 1.

Fig. 1 important time nodes in Nike development period

2, Adidas:97 years old

Adidas is a member of Adidas sports AG, a German sporting goods manufacturer.

Adidas, named after its founder Adolf Dassler (Adolf AdiDassler), began manufacturing footwear products in heto, Nuremberg, near AdiDassler in 1920.

In August 18, 1949, it was registered under the name of Adidas AG.

Adidas's clothing and sports shoes design can usually see 3 parallel bars, and it can also be seen on its logo. The 3 strips are the characteristics of Adidas.

Unlike Nike, its products are basically marked by Nike logo (Swoosh).

Adidas owns three major series: sports performance series performance (three stripes), sports traditional series originals (clover) and sports fashion series style (ball LOGO) (three sub brands: Y-3, SLVR, NEO LABEL).

Please see Figure 2, Adidas three big logo.

Fig. 2 three Adidas logo

Adi Dassler, the founder of Adidas, is a German with athlete status and shoemaker skills.

Because he can fully understand the needs of athletes, has exquisite craftsmanship and inventions, so in his life, invented more than 700 sports related patented products, and created Adidas sporting goods kingdom.

The following Adidas important node for evolution and development is introduced in detail, as shown in Figure 3.

Fig. 3 important time nodes for Adidas evolution

3, the road of development: Nike VS Adidas

From the time of its establishment, the two big companies were founded 44 years later than Adidas, but at the early stage of its creation, that is, the 60-70 era of the last century, Nike had clear strategic thinking and focused the strategy on: 1, set up the best overseas production operation mode; 2, explain the new design and style for the OEM manufacturer; 3, maintain the quality level.

Facing the dilemma and trying to make a resurgence: during the period of 80s, Nike suffered fierce competition in the market, and it also established the strategic keynote of the new product R & D in the future.

Climbing the peak: in 90s, star endorsement signed Michael Jordon, Tiger Woods and Brazil football team, and implemented sports marketing strategy.

Compared with the rapid development of Nike, Adidas, a nearly 100 year old enterprise, has been moving slowly and steadily in its early stage. Its real success is in the 1970 Soccer World Cup, and its Telstar football has been designated as a special match ball.

With the increasingly fierce competition market, Adidas concentrates on the development of new technology and vows to win by technology.

Two. On core technology: it seems to be equally important.

1. The structure of shoes

The shoes mainly include Upper, outsole and midsole.

Vamp: support and protection for the foot and appearance of the shoe, while locking the bottom and outsole from the outer layer.

Outsole: provides good wear resistance and grip in sports, and is the outermost support for sports shoes in sports.

Midsole: provides good cushioning and stability for sports shoes.

Mid - bottom is also the core of Nike shoes technology.

Usually, there is a sockliner between the upper and the middle, and the heel (Heel) and the front foot (forefoot) between the middle and the outer bottom.

Specifically, see Figure 4 Nike shoe structure.

Fig. 4 structure diagram of Nike shoes

For different sports events, different sports occasions and different users, Nike has developed different outsole. Specifically, please refer to figure 5 Nike soles.

Graph.

Fig. 5 design of Nike sole

2 the core of technology Nike shoes included in footwear products is air cushion.

The Air air cushion technology, which first appeared on 1978 Nike Tailwind running shoes, is one of the most proud technological innovations in the development history of sports giant Nike.

After 9 years of continuous improvement, the technology was applied by legendary designer Tinker Hatfield to Nike Air Max 1 in 1987, and the design of the air cushion was also known by more fans.

Specifically, see the development history of Nike Air technology in Figure 6.

Fig. 6 development history of Nike Air Technology

What exactly is Nike Air bringing to you?

Light weight: effortless, effortless and better performance in sports.

Slow vibration protection: protect users' muscles and joints from injury.

Never wear: Air runs through the shoe's whole life.

Multiple choice: different sports forms choose Air with different functions.

According to the classification, Air has the following types. Please refer to the classification of Figure 7 Air.

Fig. 7 classification of Air Technology

The Max Air, developed by Nike in 2003, is designed to increase the visibility of air cushions as well as enhance the durability of the cushioning system and extend the life of sneakers.

On this basis, Nike also upgraded the Max Air technology in 2006 by Max 360, which contained the largest hot forming air cushion bottom, surrounded and supported by the Pebax shell.

The advantage is excellent cushioning, protection and comfort.

Please see Figure 8 running shoes with Air Max 360.

Fig. 8 running shoes with Air Max 360

The core technology of Adidas shoes is outsole technology and midsole technology.

1) outsole Technology

The outboard technology includes Torsion system and adiWare.

Torsion system (twist system): reflects the concept of people returning to nature, like bare feet, so that the feet can be turned freely. The cross thermoplastic torsion system enables the foot arch to be well supported, so as to better control the balance between the body and the feet, and avoid possible injuries.

It is mainly used in Adidas f10 soccer shoes series.

Please see Figure 9, Torsion system applied to the sole of shoes.

Figure 9 Torsion system is applied to shoe sole.

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AdiWare is made of high durability material with reference to severe friction test. It is a kind of high abrasion resistant artificial rubber similar material.

Adidas provides quality assurance for six months for shoes using adiWare technology for outsole materials, which is enough to demonstrate the stability of adiWare technology.

It is mainly used in Adidas f50 soccer shoes series.

Please refer to figure 10, the application of adiWare technology.

Fig. 10 application of adiware Technology

2) midsole (midsole) technology

The midstream technology includes adiPRENE, adiPRENE+, A3 and A3 Structure.

AdiPRENE is a newly developed material made by injecting EVA as a breakthrough point. Its weight is 20% lighter than that of ordinary materials, and it is more durable.

The nested structure of the wasp makes it ideal for elastic and shock absorption.

It can be used as a gasket in the key point.

They are classified into two categories according to their functions: absorbing shock function and rebound function.

It is mainly used in Adidas f10 soccer shoes series.

AdiPRENE+ is a rubber made of two times after the rubber is decomposed by high temperature foaming technology, and the rubber is made of re moulded rubber.

While absorbing the impact force, it can pform it into elastic release faster, and quickly return to the shape of the deformation itself, which can give users the most stable and timely site feedback.

See Figure 11, which is used in classic T-mac4.

Figure 11 T-mac4 basketball shoes

A3 technology is a visible device installed on the bottom of sneakers. It can provide three important functions at the same time: cushioning, guiding and pushing, helping to achieve the best performance of the feet in sports.

At present, A3 has been used in running shoes, tennis shoes and basketball shoes.

Canadian 100 meter flying Green, Russian tennis star Safin and NBA Memphis Grizzlies Mike Miller become the spokesperson of A3.

Please refer to the Figure 12 of the running shoes with A3 technology.

Fig. 12 running shoes with A3 Technology

A3 Structure technology is upgrading in A3 technology.

Please refer to figure 13, which shows basketball shoes with a3Structure technology.

Fig. 13 basketball shoes with a3Structure Technology

In contrast to the footwear products of both sides, Nike focuses on the midsole technology, which means "a road to the black", for the sake of perfection.

Among them, the Air air cushion is a model of midsole technology, which has been improved and innovating again and again.

And in the outsole technology and midsole technology, Adidas hopes to be able to integrate the two technologies with strong technical background, and go farther and farther in these two technical directions.

It can be seen that although both of the two are concerned about the improvement of the midsole technology, Nike is able to achieve visual effects and effective cushioning and protection by increasing the air cushion. Adidas is more focused on improving the cushioning effect through the improvement of the midsole material.

Three, on patent technology: the fact is a bit amazing!

The first patent of Nike was filed in Germany in July 26, 1968, which is only 4 years since the establishment of Nike. This is enough to show that Nike has a strong sense of patent protection and long-term vision.

Coincidentally, the first patent of Adidas filed in France in February 15th 1968, which was 20 years behind the official registration of Adidas.

The patents of Nike and Adidas were retrieved. Since the duration of invention patents is 20 years, the retrieval conditions are set as follows: from 20 to 1997 years, the legal status is authorized, verified and published in 2016.

Results: the total number of invention patents applied by the global Nike Company amounted to 2323, of which 1337 were Footwear, and the total number of invention patents was 272. The total number of invention patents applied by the global Adidas company was 272. Among them, Footwear was the key word, and there were 95 invention patents. The data showed the difference between the two on the protection of intellectual property rights.

1, Nike:20 has been increasing steadily year by year.

Fig. 14 the effective patent change trend chart of Nike company in the past 20 years

Figure 15 Nike company's effective patent change trend chart for footwear in recent 20 years

As shown in Figure 14, from 1997 to 2016, the number of patents increased gradually year by year, with 2004 as the time node. After the first time the total profit of the year was $12 billion 300 million, Nike increased the number of patent applications in order to occupy a larger market share.

As shown in Figure 15, although the total number of patent applications has been reduced since 2014, the number of patent applications for footwear (footwear) has been maintained at a relatively high level, showing the Nike's expectation and control over the footwear market.

Among them, it can be found that from 2003 to 2006, Nike company made full preparations for launching the Air air cushion technology in the same year.

2, Adidas:2013 year after year, a sharp increase year by year.

As shown in figures 16 and 17, the total number of valid patent applications in the past 20 years is far less than that of Nike company. From 1997 to 2005, the number of patent applications is slow. The reason may be that Adidas's experience is different. It has been focused on athletes, ignoring the importance of patent protection and product synchronization. In the same year, after the advent of Nike Air Max technology, Adidas's total number of applications increased significantly in 2006, especially after 2013, the number of applications increased sharply every year.

Similarly, there is a similar trend in patent applications for footwear (footwear).

Fig. 16Adidas the effective patent change trend chart of the company in the past 20 years

Fig. 17Adidas nearly 20 years' effective patent change trend chart of footwear

How to distribute 3Nike&Adidas footwear patent technology?

As shown in Figure 18, the ranking of IPC for 1997~2016 Nike and Adidas footwear is A43B, which refers to the characteristics of footwear and the components of footwear. A43B13/14 is characterized by structural shape, A43B13/20 as inflatable sole, A43B13/18 as elastic sole and A43B13/12 as multi-storey material.

Among them, take the IPC classification number A43B13/18 as an example, the total number of applications made by Nike company in recent 20 years is 311, while the total number of applications of Adidas company in the past 20 years is 58.

Figure 18 IPC classification ranking of Nike and Adidas footwear applications in 1997~2016

Four. Take elastic soles as an example. What patents are high in the two companies?

Taking IPC classification A43B13/18 as an example, the total number of applications made by Nike company in recent 20 years is 311. The screening criteria are the total number of patent patents and the number of patents cited, and 32 patents are screened out.

Please refer to figure 19 for sorting by application day.

Fig. 19 the first 32 patents cited by Nike company in the past 20 years.

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Among them, take the sole technology with Bladder structure as an example, there are 11 patents, and the application span is nearly 20 years.

See Figure 20 for details.

As shown in Figure 20, we can see the development of Bladder soles technology of Nike company.

From the early (97 and 98 years) resilient bladder (elastic cavity structure) and perherally-disposed cushioning bladder (external buffer chamber structure), the a bladder with support element (supporting bladder structure) and framework framework (stent type cavity structure) in the middle (2000 and 2001) were first put forward in the same year (2001).

Since then, Nike has taken fluid-filled bladder as the main research and development direction, and has been optimized and derived on the basis of the first generation structure, which includes flexible fluid chamber structure, enhanced fluid chamber structure and multi connected fluid chamber structure.

Figure 20Nike the first 32 patents cited by the company in the past 20 years.

Among them, the public number is US20160095385A1, the invention name is Article of footwear with one or more auxetic bladders, the application date is the invention patent of October 1, 2014, the same is the technology of the sole structure of the Bladder structure, the total number of patents of the same clan patent is as high as 394 pieces.

The patent numbers corresponding to their patented counterparts are TW201625151A, TW201613500A, TWI536919B, US20160095385A1 and WO2016053443A1. It can be seen that Nike has carried out the global layout dominated by China Taiwan and the United States. It is enough to see the importance of the patent. At present, the legal status of the patent is actually a trial stage.

At the same time, Nike has two important patents on flexible film.

The public numbers are US6082025 and US6127026 respectively. The names of the inventions are Flexible membranes (flexible membrane), and the application days are July 8, 1999 and March 16, 2000 respectively.

The total number of patented patents and the total number of patents cited in these two patents are 475, indicating its importance in the field of technology.

With the approaching of patent effective years, Nike company should look for new research directions to fill the gap that will arise soon. I will continue to pay attention to it.

Taking IPC classification A43B13/18 as an example, the total number of applications made by Adidas company in recent 20 years is 58. The screening criteria are the total number of patent patents and the number of patents cited, and 29 patents are screened out.

Please refer to figure 21 for the day of application.

Figure 21Adidas the first 29 patents cited by the company in the past 20 years.

Among them, cushioning system (sole buffer system) as an example, there are 7 patents.

The application dates are 2016-04-29, 2016-02-05, 2015-12-21, 2015-08-11, 2014-02-13, 2014-02-13 and 2010-12-14 respectively. The application time is that Adidas has been developed in recent years, and is also a counterattack to the patent layout of Nike company. It was also the outbreak time of the patent application of Adidas company from 2010 to 2016.

See Figure 22 for details.

Fig. 22 evolution chart of Cushioning System Technology

It is noted again that Adidas has 3 patents with a large number of patents cited. The number of patents cited is 292, the public number is US6516540, the name of the invention is Ground contacting systems having 3D deformation elements for use use, the number of cited patents is 248, the public number is the name, the name of the invention is "Ground", and the number of patents cited is 244, the public number is, and the name of the invention is "Wei".

Five, summary

Nike focuses on the technology of midsole. It can be said that "one road goes to the black" is for perfection.

Among them, the Air air cushion is a model of midsole technology, which has been improved and innovating again and again.

And in the outsole technology and midsole technology, Adidas hopes to be able to integrate the two technologies with strong technical background, and go farther and farther in these two technical directions.

In terms of patent protection, both sides have their own advantages and different emphasis. For example, they also provide users with better comfort with shoes. Nike uses Bladder soles technology, which is also applied to different products of Nike, such as Air Max product line.

Adidas company relies on Cushioning System soles technology, focusing on the combination of outsole structure and material.

Especially in the beginning of 2017 this year, Adidas company used 3D printing technology to use soles technology. Soon, the shoes made by 3D printing technology will be put on the shelves, and it can greatly shorten the manufacturing time of shoes.

Nike and Adidas are two sporting goods companies with a long history. They are taking steps to catch up with their competitors.

In the future, the battleground between the two sides should be in the competition of patents, and who can stand the first opportunity to laugh until the end.

Although Nike has been pressing Adidas companies for the number of patent applications, the situation has been gradually reversed as Adidas has invested in patent applications in recent years.

If you ask Adidas if you have the confidence to catch up with Nike, Ta will say "impossible is nothing", and if you ask Nike to keep the current good state, Ta's answer is "I can".

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