Footwear Having Sensor System
First Claim
Patent Images
1. A sensor system comprising:
- an insert member configured to be inserted into a foot-receiving chamber of an article of footwear;
a port connected to the insert and configured for communication with an electronic module;
a plurality of sensors formed on the insert member, each sensor configured for detecting pressure applied to the sensor;
a plurality of leads located on the insert and connecting the sensors to the port, the leads having ends that are consolidated at the port to form an interface; and
a housing connected to the insert member and defining a well configured to receive the electronic module therein,wherein the insert member comprises an extension extending into the well and consolidating the ends of the leads to form the interface, the extension having a strip of reinforcing material extending across the ends of the leads, andwherein the extension has a bend area where the extension bends downwardly at a peripheral edge of the housing and a depending portion that extends downwardly from the bend area into the well, wherein the interface located on the depending portion within the well, and wherein the strip extends transversely across the bend area.
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Accused Products
Abstract
A sensor system is adapted for use with an article of footwear and includes an insert member including a first layer and a second layer, a port connected to the insert and configured for communication with an electronic module, a plurality of force and/or pressure sensors on the insert member, and a plurality of leads connecting the sensors to the port.
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Citations
32 Claims
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1. A sensor system comprising:
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an insert member configured to be inserted into a foot-receiving chamber of an article of footwear; a port connected to the insert and configured for communication with an electronic module; a plurality of sensors formed on the insert member, each sensor configured for detecting pressure applied to the sensor; a plurality of leads located on the insert and connecting the sensors to the port, the leads having ends that are consolidated at the port to form an interface; and a housing connected to the insert member and defining a well configured to receive the electronic module therein, wherein the insert member comprises an extension extending into the well and consolidating the ends of the leads to form the interface, the extension having a strip of reinforcing material extending across the ends of the leads, and wherein the extension has a bend area where the extension bends downwardly at a peripheral edge of the housing and a depending portion that extends downwardly from the bend area into the well, wherein the interface located on the depending portion within the well, and wherein the strip extends transversely across the bend area. - View Dependent Claims (2, 3, 4, 5, 6, 7, 8, 9, 10)
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11. A sensor system comprising:
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an insert member configured to be inserted into a foot-receiving chamber of an article of footwear, the insert member comprising a first layer, a second layer, and a spacer layer located between the first and second layers; a port connected to the insert and configured for communication with an electronic module; a sensor formed on the insert member, the sensor comprising a first contact located on the first layer and a second contact located on the second layer, the second contact being generally aligned with the first contact, wherein the second sensor is configured such that pressure on the insert causes increased engagement between the first and second contacts to change a resistance of the sensor, wherein the spacer layer includes a hole aligned with the sensor to permit at least partial engagement between the first and second contacts of the sensor through the spacer layer; one or more leads located on the first layer and the second layer, the leads connecting the first and second contacts to the port; a channel defined by the spacer layer and extending from the hole to permit air flow away from the sensor between the first and second layers; and a patch of dielectric material connected to one of the first and second layers and extending across the channel, the patch of dielectric material positioned between the first and second layers and resisting shorting of one or more conductive members between the first and second layers through the channel. - View Dependent Claims (12, 13, 14, 15, 16)
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17. A sensor system comprising:
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an insert member configured to be inserted into a foot-receiving chamber of an article of footwear below a foot of a user, the insert having a forefoot portion configured to be positioned under a forefoot of the user'"'"'s foot, a midfoot portion configured to be positioned under a midfoot of the user'"'"'s foot, and a heel portion extending rearwardly from the midfoot portion and configured to be positioned under the user'"'"'s heel; a port connected to the insert and configured for communication with an electronic module; a plurality of sensors formed on the insert member, each sensor configured for detecting pressure applied to the sensor by the user'"'"'s foot, wherein the plurality of sensors includes first and second sensors located on the forefoot portion of the insert and a third sensor located on the heel portion of the insert; and a housing connected to the insert and configured to hold the electronic module, the insert having a hole in the midfoot portion configured to receive the housing, wherein the insert includes a first cut-out on a medial edge of the insert member and a second cut-out on a lateral edge of the insert member, proximate a juncture between the forefoot portion and the midfoot portion, wherein a width of the insert defined between the medial and lateral edges is larger in the midfoot portion than the width measured between the first and second cut-outs and the width measured at the heel portion, and wherein the hole makes up less than half the width of the midfoot portion. - View Dependent Claims (18, 19, 20, 21, 22, 23, 24, 25, 26)
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27. A sensor system comprising:
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an insert member configured to be inserted into a foot-receiving chamber of an article of footwear below a foot of a user, the insert having a forefoot portion configured to be positioned under a forefoot of the user'"'"'s foot, a midfoot portion configured to be positioned under a midfoot of the user'"'"'s foot, and a heel portion extending rearwardly from the midfoot portion and configured to be positioned under the user'"'"'s heel; a port connected to the insert and configured for communication with an electronic module; a plurality of sensors formed on the insert member, each sensor configured for detecting pressure applied to the sensor by the user'"'"'s foot, wherein the plurality of sensors includes first and second sensors located on the forefoot portion of the insert and a third sensor located on the heel portion of the insert; and a housing connected to the insert and configured to hold the electronic module, the insert having a hole in the midfoot portion configured to receive the housing, wherein the insert includes three cut-outs, each of the cut-outs being at least partially defined by a concave curvilinear edge defining an arc of at least 120°
. - View Dependent Claims (28, 29, 30, 31, 32)
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Specification