Systems for measurement and analysis of forces exerted during human locomotion
First Claim
1. A human foot force sensor assembly for mounting adjacent to plantar surfaces of a human foot to provide electrical signals indicating force experienced at at least one sensor location on the assembly when worn by human subject, comprising:
- backup plate mans adapted to extend over portions of a plantar surface of a human foot;
said backup plate means including at least one sensor mounting section which is connected to at least one adjacent remaining portion of said backup plate means using a flexion joint connecting said sensor mounting section to the adjacent remaining portion of said backup plate means; and
at least one piezoelectric sensor means adapted for connection to said backup plate means at said at least one sensor mounting section.
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Accused Products
Abstract
Systems including piezoelectric sensor elements advantageously mounted between supporting hard plastic material of various types or other mechanically similar materials. The sensor can further be supported by backup plate structures. Some backup plates show full shoe coverage and others show partial sole coverage. Detachable mounting formed by mechanically interengaging parts allow transducer inserts to be made in a modular manner for use in different sensor shoes or sensor insole pads, thus allowing many more patients to be analyzed and treated through use of the invention. Also disclosed is a digital charge signal integrator circuit.
489 Citations
55 Claims
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1. A human foot force sensor assembly for mounting adjacent to plantar surfaces of a human foot to provide electrical signals indicating force experienced at at least one sensor location on the assembly when worn by human subject, comprising:
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backup plate mans adapted to extend over portions of a plantar surface of a human foot;
said backup plate means including at least one sensor mounting section which is connected to at least one adjacent remaining portion of said backup plate means using a flexion joint connecting said sensor mounting section to the adjacent remaining portion of said backup plate means; andat least one piezoelectric sensor means adapted for connection to said backup plate means at said at least one sensor mounting section. - 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, 28)
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29. A human foot force sensor shoe assembly for being worn on a human foot to provide electrical signals indicating force experienced at at least one sensor location thereon, comprising:
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a shoe means; at least one backup plate means adapted for connection to the shoe means to receive force from plantar surfaces of a human foot;
said backup plate means including at least one sensor mounting section which is connected to at least one adjacent remaining portion of said backup plate means using a flexion joint connecting said sensor mounting section to the adjacent remaining portion of said backup plate means; andat least one piezoelectric sensor means adapted for connection to said backup plate means at said at least one sensor mounting section. - View Dependent Claims (30, 31, 32, 33, 34, 35, 36)
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37. A backup plate means adapted for mounting adjacent to plantar surfaces of a human foot to support and position at least one piezoelectric sensor means, comprising at least one sensor mounting section which is connected to at least one adjacent remaining portion of said backup plate means using a flexion joint connecting said sensor mounting section to the adjacent remaining portion;
- said sensor mounting section being substantially rigid at least adjacent to a sensor mount which is adapted to mount a piezoelectric sensor thereto and provide support thereof and distribute forces mroe equally over the sensor means.
- View Dependent Claims (38, 39, 40, 41, 42, 43, 44)
- 45. A human foot force sensor insole adapted to mount within a shoe means along plantar portions of a human foot comprising a flexible mat of elastic material adapted to receive at least one piezoelectric transducer in a detachable retaining interrelationship, and means for supporting and distributing force over the piezoelectric transducer to provide relatively uniform stress thereover.
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51. A piezoelectric sensor insert for use in human foot force sensor assemblies, comprising:
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at least one piezoelectric sensor element having poled faces for receiving applied forces therethrough; means for supporting and distributing force over the piezoelectric transducer to provide relatively uniform stress thereover;
said means for supporting and distributing force being relatively more resilient than said piezoelectric sensor element;an insert piece laterally supporting the piezoelectric sensor element;
said insert piece being relatively more resilient than said means for supporting and distributing force. - View Dependent Claims (52, 53, 54, 55)
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Specification