Sensor for an article of footwear
First Claim
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1. An article of footwear, the article of footwear comprising:
- an upper and a sole structure, the sole structure including a cavity;
a force sensitive resistor including an active portion joined to a tail portion;
the force sensitive resistor including a plurality of layers;
each of the plurality of layers being elongated in a substantially horizontal direction;
the plurality of layers comprising a top substrate layer, a first adhesive layer, and a bottom substrate layer, wherein the first adhesive layer is disposed between the top substrate layer and the bottom substrate layer;
a shaft extending in a substantially vertical direction through at least the bottom substrate layer, the shaft leading to an opening formed in an outermost surface of the bottom substrate layer;
a horizontal passageway extending in a substantially horizontal direction from the active portion to the tail portion, the horizontal passageway being in fluid communication with the shaft;
the horizontal passageway providing a first flowpath through the force sensitive resistor, the shaft providing a second flowpath through the force sensitive resistor;
an elastic membrane being secured over the opening; and
wherein the elastic membrane deforms in response to increased air pressure in the shaft.
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Abstract
An article of footwear or an article of apparel can include provisions for facilitating the use of a sensor device and protecting the sensor device from external particles or fluid. The sensor device can include a conduit for moving air through the sensor device from one portion of the sensor device to another portion of the sensor device. An elastic membrane can be attached to an opening formed in the sensor device. The elastic membrane can deform in response to changes in air pressure within the sensor device.
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Citations
16 Claims
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1. An article of footwear, the article of footwear comprising:
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an upper and a sole structure, the sole structure including a cavity; a force sensitive resistor including an active portion joined to a tail portion; the force sensitive resistor including a plurality of layers;
each of the plurality of layers being elongated in a substantially horizontal direction;the plurality of layers comprising a top substrate layer, a first adhesive layer, and a bottom substrate layer, wherein the first adhesive layer is disposed between the top substrate layer and the bottom substrate layer; a shaft extending in a substantially vertical direction through at least the bottom substrate layer, the shaft leading to an opening formed in an outermost surface of the bottom substrate layer; a horizontal passageway extending in a substantially horizontal direction from the active portion to the tail portion, the horizontal passageway being in fluid communication with the shaft; the horizontal passageway providing a first flowpath through the force sensitive resistor, the shaft providing a second flowpath through the force sensitive resistor; an elastic membrane being secured over the opening; and wherein the elastic membrane deforms in response to increased air pressure in the shaft. - View Dependent Claims (2, 3, 4, 5, 6, 7, 8, 9, 10)
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11. An article of footwear, the article of footwear comprising:
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a sole structure with a cavity formed in the sole structure; a force sensitive resistor including an active portion joined to a tail portion; the force sensitive resistor including a plurality of layers, each of the plurality of layers comprising a substantially two-dimensional material; the plurality of layers comprising a top substrate layer, a first adhesive layer, and a bottom substrate layer, wherein the first adhesive layer is disposed between the top substrate layer and the bottom substrate layer; a shaft extending in a substantially vertical direction through at least two of the plurality of layers in the tail portion, the shaft leading to a first opening formed in an outermost surface of the force sensitive resistor, the first opening being covered by an elastic membrane; a horizontal passageway extending in a substantially horizontal direction from the active portion to the tail portion, the horizontal passageway being in fluid communication with the shaft; the elastic membrane being configured to deform and expand in a direction away from the first adhesive layer and thereby transition from a neutral state to an actuated state; and the elastic membrane including a first surface area in the neutral state and a second surface area in the actuated state, the second surface area being greater than the first surface area. - View Dependent Claims (12, 13, 14, 15, 16)
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Specification