Shoe with sensors, controller and active-response elements and method for use thereof
First Claim
1. A shoe comprising:
- an upper, at least one active-response element, a sole coupled to the upper to define a chamber for receiving a wearer'"'"'s foot, at least one sensor, and a controller operatively connected to said sensor and said active-response element, wherein said controller determines whether the wearer is walking or swinging and when the wearer is swinging, said controller sends an output current to said active-response element and said active-response element changes said shoe from an initial state where the shoe exhibits a first set of characteristics to a transitory state where the shoe exhibits a second set of characteristics different from said first set of characteristics.
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0 Petitions
Accused Products
Abstract
Active-response golf shoes are disclosed. The golf shoes include at least one sensor, a controller, and at least one active-response element. The sensor and controller operate to rapidly determine if a golfer is walking or swinging a golf club. Once this determination is made the controller and active-response element rapidly change the shoe'"'"'s characteristics. If the controller determines that the golfer is walking, the shoe provides a soft and flexible walking platform. If the controller determines that the golfer is swinging, the shoe morphs or changes automatically to provide a stable hitting platform. The controller senses various predetermined conditions such as pressure under the ball of the user'"'"'s foot to determine whether the golfer is walking or swinging. The active-response elements may be a sole adjuster, a lace adjuster, and/or an upper adjuster. Methods of determining the golfer'"'"'s type of movement are also disclosed.
121 Citations
38 Claims
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1. A shoe comprising:
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an upper, at least one active-response element, a sole coupled to the upper to define a chamber for receiving a wearer'"'"'s foot, at least one sensor, and a controller operatively connected to said sensor and said active-response element, wherein said controller determines whether the wearer is walking or swinging and when the wearer is swinging, said controller sends an output current to said active-response element and said active-response element changes said shoe from an initial state where the shoe exhibits a first set of characteristics to a transitory state where the shoe exhibits a second set of characteristics different from said first set of characteristics. - View Dependent Claims (2, 3, 4, 5, 6, 7, 8, 9, 10, 11, 12, 13, 14, 15, 16, 17, 18, 19, 20, 21, 22, 23, 24, 25, 26, 27)
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- 28. A shoe comprising an upper and a sole coupled to the upper to define a chamber for receiving a wearer'"'"'s foot, wherein said shoe distinguishes whether the wearer is walking or swinging.
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29. A method of providing an active-response shoe comprising:
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providing a shoe with at least one sensor for sensing whether a wearer is walking or swinging;
providing said shoe with a controller operatively associated with said sensor;
providing said shoe with at least one active-response element;
determining a first state when said sensor senses a pressure greater than a preset swing pressure within a time interval threshold and a second state when the sensed pressure is less than the present swing pressure or not within a time interval threshold; and
in the first state directing an output current to said active-response element to change the shoe from an initial state where the shoe exhibits a first set of characteristics to a transitory state where the shoe exhibits a different second set of characteristics. - View Dependent Claims (30, 31, 33, 36, 38)
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37. A method of providing an active-response shoe comprising:
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providing a shoe with at least two sensors for sensing whether a wearer is walking or swinging;
positioning the at least two sensors proximately under any two metatarsal bones;
providing said shoe with a controller operatively associated with said sensors;
providing said shoe with at least one active-response element;
determining a first state when said sensors sense pressures substantially at the same time and a second state when said sensors sense pressure sequentially;
in the second state directing an output current to said active-response element to change the shoe from an initial state where the shoe exhibits a first set of characteristics to a transitory state where the shoe exhibits a different second set of characteristics.
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Specification