Shoe wear indicator
First Claim
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1. An athletic shoe comprising:
- an upper portion of said shoe and a lower portion, said lower portion being flexible and providing cushioning to a wearer of said shoe, said lower portion comprising a sole, said sole comprising an outer sole, a midsole and an inner sole;
sensing means disposed in said sole to detect progressive loss of flexibility and cushioning of said sole based upon the number of times it has been actuated;
means to collect data from said sensing means and transmit said data to an indicia bearing means to display progressive loss of flexibility and cushioning of said sole and means to provide power to said means to detect progressive loss of flexibility and cushioning in said sole and said indicia bearing means;
means electrically connecting said detection means, display means and said means to provide power.
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Abstract
The invention provides a shoe having a built-in, electronic wear indicator device capable of signaling (a) extent of shoe sole wear, (b) loss of ability to cushion and absorb shock, and (c) a need to replace the shoe. The wear indicator device comprises (a) a sensor and microprocessor which can measure and report the use history of the shoe, (b) a wear indicator display which shows the consumer the current point in the shoe'"'"'s life cycle and (c) a power source. The wear indicator device is installed between the midsole and outsole during the manufacturing process and is therefore, built-in and unobtrusive to the user.
70 Citations
9 Claims
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1. An athletic shoe comprising:
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an upper portion of said shoe and a lower portion, said lower portion being flexible and providing cushioning to a wearer of said shoe, said lower portion comprising a sole, said sole comprising an outer sole, a midsole and an inner sole;
sensing means disposed in said sole to detect progressive loss of flexibility and cushioning of said sole based upon the number of times it has been actuated;
means to collect data from said sensing means and transmit said data to an indicia bearing means to display progressive loss of flexibility and cushioning of said sole and means to provide power to said means to detect progressive loss of flexibility and cushioning in said sole and said indicia bearing means;
means electrically connecting said detection means, display means and said means to provide power. - View Dependent Claims (2, 3, 4, 5, 6, 7, 8)
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9. An athletic shoe comprising:
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an upper portion of said shoe and a lower portion, said lower portion being flexible and providing cushioning to a wearer of said shoe, said lower portion comprising a sole, said sole comprising an outer sole, a midsole and an inner sole and at least one fluid containing bladder in the sole;
means to detect cycles of changes in pressure in said bladder;
means to collect data from said sensing means and transmit said data to an indicia bearing means to display progressive number of cycles; and
means to provide power to said data collection and display means;
means electrically connecting said detection means, display means and said means to provide power.
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Specification