Visual wear indicator for footwear

• US 20070125295A1
• Filed: 12/06/2005
• Published: 06/07/2007
• Est. Priority Date: 12/06/2005
• Status: Active Grant

• Current Assignee: Cheri Sanguinetti
• Original Assignee: Cheri Sanguinetti
• Inventors: Sanguinetti, Cheri
• Granted Patent: US 7,353,770 B2
• Time in Patent Office: Days
• US Class Current: 116/200
• CPC Class Codes: A43B 1/0027 made at least partially from a material having special colours
• CPC Class Codes: A43B 13/026 Composites, e.g. carbon fibre or aramid fibre; the sole, one or more sole layers or sole part being made of a composite
• CPC Class Codes: A43B 13/12 Soles with several layers of different materials
• CPC Class Codes: A43B 13/188 Differential cushioning regions
• CPC Class Codes: A43B 13/189 filled with a non-compressible fluid, e.g. gel, water
• CPC Class Codes: G01D 7/005 Indication of measured value by colour change

Abstract

A visual wear indicator is disclosed capable of giving a visual indication of the degree of wear on an athletic or other type of shoe. In general, the visual wear indicator may operate by having two different colored regions, each having a viscosity which varies a function of pressure. Before pressure is applied, the boundary between the two regions is clear. However, over time, as the midsole and/or outer sole of the shoe wear away, the pressure exerted on the visual wear indicator increases during activity. As the pressure increases, the viscosity of the regions eventually decreases. When the viscosity decreases, the regions bleed together, and the boundary between the regions becomes less clear. The degree of mixture between the regions may be calibrated to give a clear visual indication of when the shoe has worn down to the point where the shoe is unable to provide a desired level of support and stress absorption.

Claims

1. A visual wear indicator for indicating wear on a shoe, comprising:

a first region having a first viscosity capable of changing with a change in stress on the shoe; and

a second region sharing a boundary with the first region, the first region capable of at least partially blending with the second region upon a change in viscosity of the first region.

2. A visual wear indicator for indicating wear on a shoe as recited in claim 1, the second region having a second viscosity capable of changing with a change in shear on the shoe.

3. A visual wear indicator for indicating wear on a shoe as recited in claim 1, wherein the first region is formed of a non-Newtonian liquid.

4. A visual wear indicator for indicating wear on a shoe as recited in claim 1, wherein the first region is formed of a Newtonian liquid.

5. A visual wear indicator for indicating wear on a shoe as recited in claim 1, wherein the first region is formed of a viscoplastic liquid.

6. A visual wear indicator for indicating wear on a shoe as recited in claim 1, wherein the first region is formed of a shear-thinning liquid.

7. A visual wear indicator for indicating wear on a shoe as recited in claim 1, wherein the first and second regions have different visual appearances.

8. A visual wear indicator for indicating wear on a shoe as recited in claim 1, wherein wear of the shoe is shown by the degree of blending of the first and second regions.

9. A visual wear indicator for indicating wear on a shoe, comprising:

a first region having a first viscosity capable of changing with a change in stress on the shoe; and

a second region sharing a boundary with the first region,

wherein a viscosity of the first region decreases with wear on the shoe, the first region at least partially blending with the second region upon the decrease in viscosity of the first region, the at least partial blending visually indicating a degree of wear of the shoe.

10. A visual wear indicator for indicating wear on a shoe as recited in claim 9, the second region having a second viscosity capable of changing with a change in shear on the shoe.

11. A visual wear indicator for indicating wear on a shoe as recited in claim 9, wherein the first region is formed of a non-Newtonian liquid.

12. A visual wear indicator for indicating wear on a shoe as recited in claim 9, wherein the first region is formed of a viscoplastic liquid.

13. A visual wear indicator for indicating wear on a shoe as recited in claim 9, wherein the first and second regions have different visual appearances.

14. A method of visually indicating wear on a shoe with a visual wear indicator including first and second regions sharing a boundary, comprising steps of:

(a) changing a viscosity of the first region upon a change in stress on the shoe;

(b) at least partially blending the first region into the second region due to the change in viscosity in said step (a); and

(c) indicating a degree of wear based on the amount of blending in said step (b).

15. A method of visually indicating wear on a shoe as recited in claim 14, further comprising the step of changing a viscosity of the second region upon a change in stress on the shoe.

16. A method of visually indicating wear on a shoe as recited in claim 14, wherein the viscosity of the first region changes upon a change in stress on the shoe due to the first region being formed of a non-Newtonian liquid.

17. A method of visually indicating wear on a shoe as recited in claim 14, wherein the viscosity of the first region changes upon a change in stress on the shoe due to the first region being formed of a Newtonian liquid.

18. A method of visually indicating wear on a shoe as recited in claim 14, wherein the viscosity of the first region changes upon a change in stress on the shoe due to the first region being formed of a viscoplastic liquid.

19. A method of visually indicating wear on a shoe as recited in claim 14, wherein the viscosity of the first region changes upon a change in stress on the shoe due to the first region being formed of a shear-thinning liquid.

20. A method of visually indicating wear on a shoe as recited in claim 14, wherein the step (c) of indicating a degree of wear based on the amount of blending comprises the step of the first and second regions being different colors.