Footwear Having Sensor System

• US 20120234111A1
• Filed: 02/17/2012
• Published: 09/20/2012
• Est. Priority Date: 06/13/2008
• Status: Active Grant

• Current Assignee: Nike, Inc.
• Original Assignee: Nike, Inc.
• Inventors: Molyneux, James, Weast, Aaron B., Rice, Jordan M., Schrock, Allan M., Amos, Michael S., Owings, Andrew A., Stillman, Martine, Horrell, Joseph B., Knight, Jonathan Bing, Weitmann, Dane R., Hebert, Jeffrey J.
• Granted Patent: US 10,070,680 B2
• Time in Patent Office: Days
• US Class Current: 73/862.541
• CPC Class Codes: A43B 3/00 Footwear characterised by the shape or the use
• CPC Class Codes: A43B 3/0031 provided with a pocket, e.g. for keys or a card
• CPC Class Codes: A43B 3/34 with electrical or electronic arrangements
• CPC Class Codes: A63B 2069/0006 for pitching
• CPC Class Codes: A63B 2071/0638 Displaying moving images of recorded environment, e.g. virtual environment
• CPC Class Codes: A63B 2102/02 Tennis
• CPC Class Codes: A63B 2102/18 Baseball, rounders or similar games
• CPC Class Codes: A63B 2102/182 Softball
• CPC Class Codes: A63B 2102/22 Field hockey
• CPC Class Codes: A63B 2102/32 Golf
• CPC Class Codes: A63B 2220/12 Absolute positions, e.g. by using GPS
• CPC Class Codes: A63B 2220/40 Acceleration
• CPC Class Codes: A63B 2220/53 Force of an impact, e.g. blow or punch
• CPC Class Codes: A63B 2220/836 Sensors arranged on the body of the user
• CPC Class Codes: A63B 2225/50 Wireless data transmission, e.g. by radio transmitters or telemetry
• CPC Class Codes: A63B 2243/0025 Football American football A63B2243/007
• CPC Class Codes: A63B 24/0062 Monitoring athletic performances, e.g. for determining the work of a user on an exercise apparatus, the completed jogging or cycling distance
• CPC Class Codes: A63B 26/003 for improving balance or equilibrium balance beams A63B4/00; apparatus for rope dancing A63B7/08; balancing drums, balancing boards or the like A63B22/16
• CPC Class Codes: A63B 60/46 Measurement devices associated with golf clubs, bats, rackets or the like for measuring physical parameters relating to sporting activity, e.g. baseball bats with impact indicators or bracelets for measuring the golf swing
• CPC Class Codes: A63B 69/00 Training appliances or apparatus for special sports training of parachutists B64D23/00
• CPC Class Codes: A63B 69/0028 : for running, jogging or speed-walking movable endless bands A63B22/02
• CPC Class Codes: A63F 2300/1012 : involving biosensors worn by the player, e.g. for measuring heart beat, limb activity
• CPC Class Codes: A63F 2300/1031 : using a wireless connection, e.g. Bluetooth, infrared connections
• CPC Class Codes: G01C 22/006 : Pedometers
• CPC Class Codes: G01L 1/26 : Auxiliary measures taken, or devices used, in connection with the measurement of force, e.g. for preventing influence of transverse components of force, for preventing overload
• CPC Class Codes: G06F 3/0334 : Foot operated pointing devices

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. The sensor system also includes a port that is configured to receive a module to place the module in communication with the sensors. The port includes a housing with a chamber configured to receive the module and an interface engaged with the housing and having at least one electrical contact exposed to the chamber. Additional retaining structure and interface structure may be included.

Claims

1. A port 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 port comprising:

a housing adapted to be at least partially received within the sole structure of the article of footwear, the housing comprising a plurality of side walls defining a chamber adapted to receive an electronic module therein, the housing further comprising a retaining member; and

an interface engaged with the housing and having at least one electrical contact exposed to the chamber, the interface being adapted to form an electrical connection with the module such that the module engages the at least one electrical contact when the module is received within the chamber,

wherein the retaining member is adapted to exert a downward force on the module to retain the module within the housing.

2. The port of claim 1, wherein the housing has four side walls forming a substantially rectangular chamber.

3. The port of claim 1, wherein the retaining member is a resilient tab located on at least one of the side walls

4. The port of claim 3, wherein the tab is adapted to be received in a notch in the electronic module.

5. The port of claim 1, wherein the housing further comprises a bottom wall defining a bottom of the chamber, with the side walls extending upward from the bottom wall.

6. The port of claim 5, the chamber further having an open top adapted to permit insertion of the module into the chamber.

7. The port of claim 1, wherein the interface further comprises at least one electrical connector positioned along at least one of the side walls of the chamber, the at least one electrical connector holding the at least one electrical contact so that the at least one electrical contact is exposed to the chamber.

8. The port of claim 7, wherein the housing further comprises a slot adjacent one of the side walls, and the at least one electrical contact has a portion that is received in the slot to mount the at least one electrical contact within the chamber.

9. The port of claim 1, wherein the interface is engaged with at least one of the side walls defining the chamber.

10. A port 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 port comprising:

a housing adapted to be at least partially received within the sole structure of the article of footwear, the housing comprising a chamber adapted to removably receive an electronic module therein; and

an interface engaged with the housing and having a plurality of electrical contacts, the interface further comprising a support structure engaged with the housing and supporting the electrical contacts to position the electrical contacts to be exposed to the chamber, such that the interface is adapted to form an electrical connection with the module such that the module engages electrical contacts when the module is received within the chamber.

11. The port of claim 10, wherein the electrical contacts comprise a plurality of electrical contact pads, the electrical contact pads each having a flat contact surface.

12. The port of claim 10, wherein the electrical contacts comprise a plurality of electrical contact springs, the electrical contact springs each having a contact surface and being adapted to flex in response to pressure on the contact surface.

13. The port of claim 10, wherein the housing comprises a slot, and a mounting portion of the support structure the base is received within the slot to connect the base to the housing.

14. The port of claim 13, wherein the chamber is defined by a plurality of side walls, and wherein the slot is positioned at one end of the chamber and extends across the chamber between two opposed side walls.

15. The port of claim 10, wherein the electrical contacts comprise a plurality of electrical contact pads, the electrical contact pads each having a flat contact surface, wherein the base comprises a plurality of ribs, each rib having one of the contact pads mounted thereon such that the flat contact surface of each contact pad faces toward an interior of the chamber.

16. An article of footwear adapted to engage a foot, comprising:

a sole structure comprising an outsole member and a midsole member supported by the outsole member, the midsole member having a well therein;

an upper portion connected to the sole structure;

a sensor system comprising a force sensor connected to the sole structure and a sensor lead extending away from the force sensor, the force sensor being adapted to sense a force exerted on the sole structure by the foot; and

a port connected to the sole structure and the sensor system, the port comprising;

a housing at least partially received within the well in the midsole member, the housing comprising a plurality of side walls defining a chamber adapted to receive an electronic module; and

an interface engaged with the housing and having at least one electrical contact exposed to the chamber and adapted to be engaged by the module to form an electrical connection, wherein the electrical contact is connected to the sensor lead and thereby in electronic communication with the force sensor.

17. The system of claim 16, further comprising a retaining member connected to the housing, the retaining member adapted to exert a downward force on the module to retain the module within the housing.

18. The system of claim 16, further comprising a support structure engaged with the housing and supporting the electrical contacts to position the electrical contacts to be exposed to the chamber.

19. The system of claim 16, wherein the sensor system further comprises a plurality of force sensors and a plurality of sensor leads extending from the force sensors to the interface of the port, and wherein the interface further comprises a plurality of electrical contacts connected to the sensor leads to place the electrical contacts in communication with the force sensors.

20. The system of claim 19, the interface further comprising a strip binding the sensor leads together proximate the interface.

21. A system for use with article of footwear adapted to engage a foot, comprising:

a sole structure comprising an outsole member and a midsole member supported by the outsole member, the midsole member having a well therein;

an upper portion connected to the sole structure;

a sensor system comprising a plurality of force sensors connected to the sole structure and a plurality of sensor leads extending away from the force sensors, the force sensors each being adapted to sense a force exerted on the sole structure by the foot;

a port connected to the sole structure and the sensor system, the port comprising;

a housing at least partially received within the well in the midsole member, the housing comprising a plurality of side walls defining a chamber and a retaining member connected to at least one of the side walls; and

an interface engaged with the housing and having a plurality of electrical contacts exposed to the chamber, wherein the electrical contacts are connected to the plurality of sensor leads and are thereby in electronic communication with the force sensors; and

an electronic module received in the chamber of the port, wherein the module engages the plurality of electrical contacts of the interface when the module is received within the chamber, forming an electrical connection with the interface,

wherein the module is configured to receive signals from the force sensor through the electrical connection with the interface and store data received from the force sensor, and

wherein the retaining member exerts a force on the module to retain the module within the chamber.