System and method for analyzing athletic activity
First Claim
Patent Images
1. A sensor system comprising:
- a molded sole member configured to form part of a sole structure of an article of footwear;
a flexible insert member comprising a flexible sheet of polymer webbing formed of a different material than the sole member, wherein the sole member is molded around the flexible insert member and the flexible insert member is integrally sealed within the sole member such that an outer periphery of the sole member completely encloses an outer periphery of the flexible insert member;
a plurality of sensors connected to the insert member, wherein the sensors are positioned at separate locations on the insert member and the polymer webbing extends between the sensors and interconnects all the sensors, each sensor comprising a first layer and a second layer, with a first contact located on the first layer and a second contact located on the second layer, the second contact being generally aligned with the first contact, wherein the sensors are each configured such that pressure on the sensor changes a resistance of the sensor, wherein each sensor is connected to an outer surface of the insert member by a bonding material, and the sensors are integrally sealed within the sole member along with the flexible insert member;
a port connected to the plurality of sensors and configured for communication with an electronic module; and
a plurality of conductive leads connected to the insert member, the leads electrically connecting the sensors to the port.
1 Assignment
0 Petitions
Accused Products
Abstract
Various sensor systems are described herein, including inserts having sensors thereon, which are configured to be received in an article of footwear. The inserts may be connected to a sole member of the footwear, or may function as a sole member. The sensors may be bonded to an outer surface of the insert in some configurations. The system may also include an electronic module that is overmolded into the sole structure and includes a connector for external access.
354 Citations
30 Claims
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1. A sensor system comprising:
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a molded sole member configured to form part of a sole structure of an article of footwear; a flexible insert member comprising a flexible sheet of polymer webbing formed of a different material than the sole member, wherein the sole member is molded around the flexible insert member and the flexible insert member is integrally sealed within the sole member such that an outer periphery of the sole member completely encloses an outer periphery of the flexible insert member; a plurality of sensors connected to the insert member, wherein the sensors are positioned at separate locations on the insert member and the polymer webbing extends between the sensors and interconnects all the sensors, each sensor comprising a first layer and a second layer, with a first contact located on the first layer and a second contact located on the second layer, the second contact being generally aligned with the first contact, wherein the sensors are each configured such that pressure on the sensor changes a resistance of the sensor, wherein each sensor is connected to an outer surface of the insert member by a bonding material, and the sensors are integrally sealed within the sole member along with the flexible insert member; a port connected to the plurality of sensors and configured for communication with an electronic module; and a plurality of conductive leads connected to the insert member, the leads electrically connecting the sensors to the port. - View Dependent Claims (2, 3, 4, 5, 6, 7)
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8. A sensor system comprising:
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a molded sole member configured to form part of a sole structure of an article of footwear; a flexible insert member contained within the sole member, the flexible insert member comprising a flexible sheet of polymer webbing formed of a different material than the sole member, wherein the sole member is molded around the insert member such that the insert member is integrally sealed within the sole member and an outer periphery of the sole member completely encloses an outer periphery of the flexible insert member; an electronic module connected to a port, wherein the electronic module is overmolded within the sole member and completely enclosed by the sole member, and wherein the electronic module is configured for communication with an external device; a plurality of sensors connected to the insert member, wherein the sensors are positioned at separate locations on the insert member and the polymer webbing extends between the sensors and interconnects all the sensors, each sensor configured such that pressure on the sensor changes a resistance of the sensor, wherein the sensors are integrally sealed within the sole member along with the flexible insert member; the port connected to the plurality of sensors and configured for communication with the electronic module; and a plurality of conductive leads connected to the insert member, the leads electrically connecting the sensors to the port. - View Dependent Claims (9, 10, 11, 12, 13, 14, 15)
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16. An article of footwear comprising:
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an upper member at least partially defining a foot-receiving chamber; a sole structure engaged with the upper member, the sole structure comprising a molded sole member; a flexible insert member comprising a flexible sheet of polymer webbing formed of a different material than the sole member, wherein the sole member is molded around the flexible insert member and the flexible insert member is integrally sealed within the sole member such that an outer periphery of the sole member completely encloses an outer periphery of the flexible insert member; and a sensor system comprising; a plurality of sensors connected to the insert member, wherein the sensors are positioned at separate locations on the insert member and the polymer webbing extends between the sensors and interconnects all the sensors, each sensor comprising a first layer and a second layer, with a first contact located on the first layer and a second contact located on the second layer, the second contact being generally aligned with the first contact, wherein the sensors are each configured such that pressure on the sensor changes a resistance of the sensor, wherein each sensor is connected to an outer surface of the insert member by a bonding material, and the sensors are integrally sealed within the sole member along with the flexible insert member; a port connected to the plurality of sensors and configured for communication with an electronic module; and a plurality of conductive leads connected to the insert member, the leads electrically connecting the sensors to the port. - View Dependent Claims (17, 18, 19, 20, 21, 22)
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23. An article of footwear comprising:
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an upper member at least partially defining a foot-receiving chamber; a sole structure engaged with the upper member, the sole structure comprising a molded sole member; a flexible insert member contained within the sole member, the flexible insert member comprising a flexible sheet of polymer webbing formed of a different material than the sole member, wherein the sole member is molded around the insert member such that the insert member is integrally sealed within the sole member and an outer periphery of the sole member completely encloses an outer periphery of the flexible insert member; and a sensor system comprising; an electronic module connected to a port, wherein the electronic module is overmolded within the sole member and completely enclosed by the sole member, and wherein the electronic module is configured for communication with an external device; a plurality of sensors connected to the insert member, wherein the sensors are positioned at separate locations on the insert member and the polymer webbing extends between the sensors and interconnects all the sensors, each sensor configured such that pressure on the sensor changes a resistance of the sensor, wherein the sensors are integrally sealed within the sole member along with the flexible insert member; the port connected to the plurality of sensors and configured for communication with the electronic module; and a plurality of conductive leads connected to the insert member, the leads electrically connecting the sensors to the port. - View Dependent Claims (24, 25, 26, 27, 28, 29, 30)
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Specification