Footwear having sensor system
First Claim
1. An insert for use with an article of footwear adapted to engage a foot, the article of footwear having a sole structure and an upper portion connected to the sole structure, the insert comprising:
- an insert member adapted to be placed in contact with the sole structure of the article of footwear, the insert member comprising an arch portion adapted to engage an arch region of the foot and a forefoot portion connected to a front of the arch portion and adapted to engage a forefoot area of the foot, the insert member having a peripheral edge defining a periphery of the insert member, and wherein the peripheral edge comprises a medial edge adapted to be located on a medial side of the foot and a lateral edge opposite the medial edge and adapted to be located on a lateral side of the foot, the insert member further having a first phalange portion extending from a front of the forefoot portion and adapted to be engaged by a first phalange of the foot,wherein the peripheral edge includes a front edge on the forefoot portion extending in a lateral-to-medial direction from the lateral edge to a lateral side of the first phalange portion, wherein the front edge extends a majority of a width of the forefoot portion, and wherein the front edge forms an acute angle with the lateral side of the first phalange portion; and
a sensor system comprising a plurality of force sensors connected to the insert member, a port adapted for communication with an electronic device, and a plurality of leads extending from the force sensors to the port, wherein the plurality of force sensors includes a first phalange sensor positioned on the first phalange portion.
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Accused Products
Abstract
An article of footwear includes an upper member and a sole structure, with a sensor system connected to the sole structure. The sensor system includes a plurality of sensors that are configured for detecting forces exerted by a user'"'"'s foot on the sensor. Each sensor includes two electrodes that are in communication with a force sensitive resistive material. The electrodes and the force sensitive resistive material may have multi-lobed shapes. Additionally, the sensor system may be provided on an insert that may form a sole member of the article of footwear. The insert may have slits therethrough, and may have a defined peripheral shape.
128 Citations
30 Claims
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1. An insert for use with an article of footwear adapted to engage a foot, the article of footwear having a sole structure and an upper portion connected to the sole structure, the insert comprising:
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an insert member adapted to be placed in contact with the sole structure of the article of footwear, the insert member comprising an arch portion adapted to engage an arch region of the foot and a forefoot portion connected to a front of the arch portion and adapted to engage a forefoot area of the foot, the insert member having a peripheral edge defining a periphery of the insert member, and wherein the peripheral edge comprises a medial edge adapted to be located on a medial side of the foot and a lateral edge opposite the medial edge and adapted to be located on a lateral side of the foot, the insert member further having a first phalange portion extending from a front of the forefoot portion and adapted to be engaged by a first phalange of the foot, wherein the peripheral edge includes a front edge on the forefoot portion extending in a lateral-to-medial direction from the lateral edge to a lateral side of the first phalange portion, wherein the front edge extends a majority of a width of the forefoot portion, and wherein the front edge forms an acute angle with the lateral side of the first phalange portion; and a sensor system comprising a plurality of force sensors connected to the insert member, a port adapted for communication with an electronic device, and a plurality of leads extending from the force sensors to the port, wherein the plurality of force sensors includes a first phalange sensor positioned on the first phalange portion. - View Dependent Claims (2, 3, 4, 5, 6, 7, 8)
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9. An insert for use with an article of footwear adapted to engage a foot, the article of footwear having a sole structure and an upper portion connected to the sole structure, the insert comprising:
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an insert member formed of first and second layers of flexible polymer material positioned in a superimposed manner, the insert member adapted to be placed in contact with the sole structure of the article of footwear, the insert member comprising; a central portion comprising an arch portion adapted to engage an arch region of the foot and a forefoot portion connected to a front of the arch portion and adapted to engage a forefoot area of the foot; a first phalange portion extending from a front of the forefoot portion and adapted to be engaged by a first phalange of the foot; and wherein the insert member has a peripheral edge defining a periphery of the insert member, and wherein the peripheral edge comprises a medial edge adapted to be located on a medial side of the foot and a lateral edge opposite the medial edge and adapted to be located on a lateral side of the foot, and wherein the peripheral edge includes a front edge on the forefoot portion extending in a lateral-to-medial direction from the lateral edge to a lateral side of the first phalange portion, wherein the front edge extends a majority of a width of the forefoot portion, and wherein the front edge forms an acute angle with the lateral side of the first phalange portion; and a sensor system comprising a plurality of force sensors connected to the insert member, a port adapted for communication with an electronic device, and a plurality of leads extending from the force sensors to the port, wherein the port is positioned on the arch portion of the insert member, wherein the force sensors and leads are located between the first and second layers of the insert member, and wherein the plurality of force sensors includes at least a first phalange sensor located on the first phalange portion, and a first metatarsal sensor and a fifth metatarsal sensor located on the forefoot portion of the insert member. - View Dependent Claims (10, 11, 12, 13)
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14. An article of footwear adapted to engage a foot, comprising:
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a sole structure; an upper portion connected to the sole structure; an insert member in contact with the sole structure, the insert member comprising; a central portion comprising an arch portion adapted to engage an arch region of the foot and a forefoot portion connected to a front of the arch portion and adapted to engage a forefoot area of the foot; a first phalange portion extending from a front of the forefoot portion and adapted to be engaged by a first phalange of the foot; and wherein the insert member has a peripheral edge defining a periphery of the insert member, and wherein the peripheral edge comprises a medial edge adapted to be located on a medial side of the foot and a lateral edge opposite the medial edge and adapted to be located on a lateral side of the foot, and wherein the peripheral edge includes a front edge on the forefoot portion extending in a lateral-to-medial direction from the lateral edge to a lateral side of the first phalange portion, wherein the front edge extends a majority of a width of the forefoot portion, and wherein the front edge forms an acute angle with the lateral side of the first phalange portion; and a sensor system comprising a plurality of force sensors connected to the insert member, a port adapted for communication with an electronic device, and a plurality of leads extending from the force sensors to the port, wherein the plurality of force sensors includes a first phalange sensor positioned on the first phalange portion. - View Dependent Claims (15, 16, 17, 18, 19, 20, 21, 22, 23)
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24. An insert for use with an article of footwear adapted to engage a foot, the article of footwear having a sole structure and an upper portion connected to the sole structure, the insert comprising:
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an insert member adapted to be placed in contact with the sole structure of the article of footwear, wherein the insert member comprises first and second layers of flexible polymer material positioned in a superimposed manner, and a graphic layer comprising a sheet of material connected to a surface of the insert member in a layered configuration with the first and second layers, the sheet of material having a graphic design thereon; and a sensor system comprising a plurality of force sensors connected to the insert member between the first and second layers, a port adapted for communication with an electronic device, and a plurality of sensor leads extending between the first and second layers from the force sensors to the port. - View Dependent Claims (25, 26, 27, 28, 29)
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30. An article of footwear adapted to engage a foot, comprising:
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a sole structure; an upper portion connected to the sole structure; an insert member in contact with the sole structure, the insert member comprising first and second layers of flexible polymer material positioned in a superimposed manner, and a graphic layer comprising a sheet of material connected to a surface of the insert member in a layered configuration with the first and second layers, the sheet of material having a graphic design thereon; and a sensor system comprising a plurality of force sensors connected to the insert member between the first and second layers, a port adapted for communication with an electronic device, and a plurality of sensor leads extending between the first and second layers from the force sensors to the port, wherein the plurality of force sensors are force sensitive resistor sensors comprising two electrodes and a force sensitive resistive material positioned between the electrodes.
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Specification