Footwear having sensor system

Patent metadata

Field	Value
Publication number	US-9763489-B2
Application number	US-201514946050-A
Country	US
Kind code	B2
Filing date	Nov 19, 2015
Priority date	Feb 22, 2012
Publication date	Sep 19, 2017
Grant date	Sep 19, 2017

Abstract

A sensor system is adapted for use with an article of footwear and includes an insert member including a first layer and a second layer, a port connected to the insert and configured for communication with an electronic module, a plurality of force and/or pressure sensors on the insert member, and a plurality of leads connecting the sensors to the port.

First claim

What is claimed is:

1. A sensor system comprising:
an insert member configured to be inserted into a foot-receiving chamber of an article of footwear, the insert member comprising a first layer, a second layer, and a spacer layer located between the first and second layers;
a port connected to the insert member and configured for communication with an electronic module;
a first sensor formed on the insert member, the first sensor comprising a first contact located on the first layer and a second contact located on the second layer, wherein the first sensor is configured such that pressure on the insert member causes increased engagement between the first and second contacts to change a resistance of the first sensor; and
one or more leads located on the first layer and the second layer, the leads connecting the first and second contacts to the port,
wherein the spacer layer includes a first hole aligned with the first sensor to permit at least partial engagement between the first and second contacts of the first sensor through the spacer layer, and further includes a first channel extending from the first hole to a first vent in the insert member, wherein the first channel permits air to flow between the first and second layers from the first sensor to an exterior of the insert member, through the first vent, and
wherein the first layer is positioned above the second layer, and the second layer defines a bottom surface of the insert member, and wherein the first vent comprises an opening in a bottom surface of the insert member, extending through the second layer.

2. A sensor system comprising:
an insert member configured to be inserted into a foot-receiving chamber of an article of footwear, the insert member comprising a first layer, a second layer, and a spacer layer located between the first and second layers;
a port connected to the insert member and configured for communication with an electronic module;
a first sensor formed on the insert member, the first sensor comprising a first contact located on the first layer and a second contact located on the second layer, wherein the first sensor is configured such that pressure on the insert member causes increased engagement between the first and second contacts to change a resistance of the first sensor; and
a second sensor formed on the insert member, the second sensor comprising a third contact located on the first layer and a fourth contact located on the second layer, wherein the second sensor is configured such that pressure on the insert member causes increased engagement between the third and fourth contacts to change a resistance of the second sensor; and
one or more leads located on the first layer and the second layer, the leads connecting the first and second contacts to the port, wherein the one or more leads further connect the third and fourth contacts to the port,
wherein the spacer layer includes a first hole aligned with the first sensor to permit at least partial engagement between the first and second contacts of the first sensor through the spacer layer, and further includes a first channel extending from the first hole to a first vent in the insert member, wherein the first channel permits air to flow between the first and second layers from the first sensor to an exterior of the insert member, through the first vent, and
wherein the spacer layer includes a second hole aligned with the second sensor to permit at least partial engagement between the third and fourth contacts of the second sensor through the spacer layer, and further includes a second channel extending from the second hole to the first vent, wherein the second channel permits air to flow between the first and second layers from the second sensor to the exterior of the insert member, through the first vent.

3. The sensor system of claim 2 , wherein the second channel is connected to the first hole, wherein the second channel permits air to flow between the first and second layers from the second sensor to the first sensor and through the first channel to an exterior of the insert member, through the first vent.

4. The sensor system of claim 2 , further comprising:
a first selectively permeable closure covering the first vent, the first closure permitting inward and outward flow of air, while resisting inward flow of moisture and particles.

5. The sensor system of claim 2 , further comprising:
a third sensor formed on the insert member, the third sensor comprising a fifth contact located on the first layer and a sixth contact located on the second layer, wherein the third sensor is configured such that pressure on the insert member causes increased engagement between the fifth and sixth contacts to change a resistance of the third sensor, wherein the one or more leads connect the fifth and sixth contacts to the port,
wherein the spacer layer includes a third hole aligned with the third sensor to permit at least partial engagement between the fifth and sixth contacts of the third sensor through the spacer layer, and further includes a third channel extending from the third hole to a second vent in the insert member, wherein the third channel permits air to flow between the first and second layers from the third sensor to the exterior of the insert member, through the second vent.

6. The sensor system of claim 5 , further comprising:
a second selectively permeable closure covering the second vent, the second closure permitting inward and outward flow of air, while resisting inward flow of moisture and particles.

7. The sensor system of claim 6 , wherein the second closure also permits outward flow of moisture.

8. The sensor system of claim 5 , further comprising:
a fourth sensor formed on the insert member, the fourth sensor comprising a seventh contact located on the first layer and an eighth contact located on the second layer, wherein the fourth sensor is configured such that pressure on the insert member causes increased engagement between the seventh and eighth contacts to change a resistance of the fourth sensor, wherein the one or more leads further connect the seventh and eighth contacts to the port,
wherein the spacer layer includes a fourth hole aligned with the fourth sensor to permit at least partial engagement between the seventh and eighth contacts of the fourth sensor through the spacer layer, and further includes a fourth channel extending from the fourth hole to the second vent, wherein the fourth channel permits air to flow between the first and second layers from the fourth sensor to the exterior of the insert member, through the second vent.

9. The sensor system of claim 8 , wherein the first sensor is located in a first metatarsal area of the insert member, the second sensor is located in a first phalangeal area of the insert member, the third sensor is located in a fifth metatarsal area of the insert member, and the fourth sensor is located in a heel area of the insert member.

10. A sensor system comprising:
an insert member configured to be inserted into a foot-receiving chamber of an article of footwear, the insert member comprising a first layer, a second layer, and a spacer layer located between the first and second layers;
a port connected to the insert member and configured for communication with an electronic module;
a first sensor formed on the insert member, the first sensor comprising a first contact located on the first layer and a second contact located on the second layer, wherein the first sensor is configured such that pressure on the insert member causes increased engagement between the first and second contacts to change a resistance of the first sensor;
a second sensor formed on the insert member, the second sensor comprising a

Assignees

• Nike Inc

Inventors

• Amos Michael S
• Owings Andrew A
• Rice Jordan M
• Schrock Allan M
• Walker Steven H
• Hebert Jeffrey J
• Stillman Martine W
• Tempel Mark A
• Weitmann Dane R
• Atang Ndikum Protus
• Steier Andreas Heinrich

Classifications

• A43B5/00

  Footwear for sporting purposes (non-skid devices, e.g. ice-spurs or studs for football shoes, A43C15/00) · CPC title

• G06F3/011

  Arrangements for interaction with the human body, e.g. for user immersion in virtual reality (blind teaching G09B21/00) · CPC title

• A43B13/12

  Soles with several layers of different materials · CPC title

• A63F13/24

  Constructional details thereof, e.g. game controllers with detachable joystick handles · CPC title

• G01L5/0038

  applying a pushing force · CPC title