Ergonomic systems and methods providing intelligent adaptive surfaces and temperature control

• US 6,865,825 B2
• Filed: 05/10/2001
• Issued: 03/15/2005
• Est. Priority Date: 04/14/1994
• Status: Expired due to Fees

• Current Assignee: Promdx Technology Incorporated
• Original Assignee: Promdx Technology Incorporated
• Inventors: Hoffberg, Steven M., Bailey, Richard F. Sr., Fisher, Ronald A.
• Primary Examiner(s): PATTERSON, MARIE D
• Application Number:
  US09/853,097
• Publication Number:
  US 20010045104A1
• Time in Patent Office: 1,405 Days
• Field of Search: 36/28, 36/29, 36/88, 36/93, 36/3.R
• US Class Current: 36/88
• CPC Class Codes: A43B 1/0054 provided with magnets, magnetic parts or magnetic substances
• CPC Class Codes: A43B 13/14 characterised by the constructive form
• CPC Class Codes: A43B 13/181 Resiliency achieved by the structure of the sole
• CPC Class Codes: A43B 13/189 filled with a non-compressible fluid, e.g. gel, water
• CPC Class Codes: A43B 13/203 provided with a pump or valve
• CPC Class Codes: A43B 13/206 provided with tubes or pipes or tubular shaped cushioning members
• CPC Class Codes: A43B 3/0026 for use in minefields; protecting from landmine blast; preventing landmines from being triggered
• CPC Class Codes: A43B 3/34 with electrical or electronic arrangements
• CPC Class Codes: A43B 3/35 with electric heating arrangements
• CPC Class Codes: A43B 3/38 with power sources
• CPC Class Codes: A43B 7/02 with heating arrangements with electric heating arrangements A43B3/35
• CPC Class Codes: A43B 7/06 ventilated
• CPC Class Codes: A43B 7/14 with foot-supporting parts
• CPC Class Codes: A43B 7/1415 characterised by the location under the foot
• CPC Class Codes: A61F 2007/0002 Head or parts thereof
• CPC Class Codes: A61F 2007/0027 Lower part of back
• CPC Class Codes: A61F 2007/0029 Arm or parts thereof
• CPC Class Codes: A61F 2007/0039 Leg or parts thereof
• CPC Class Codes: A61F 2007/0058 evaporating on or near the spot to be cooled
• CPC Class Codes: A61F 2007/0076 remote from the spot to be heated or cooled
• CPC Class Codes: A61F 2007/0225 : connected to the body or a part thereof
• CPC Class Codes: A61F 2007/0233 : connected to or incorporated in clothing or garments A61F2007/023 takes precedence
• CPC Class Codes: A61F 2007/0295 : for heating or cooling or use at more than one temperature
• CPC Class Codes: A61F 7/02 : Compresses or poultices for effecting heating or cooling
• CPC Class Codes: A61F 7/10 : Cooling bags, e.g. ice-bags
• CPC Class Codes: B60N 2/5621 : by air
• CPC Class Codes: B60N 2/5685 : Resistance
• CPC Class Codes: B60N 2/5692 : Refrigerating means
• CPC Class Codes: F28D 20/02 : using latent heat
• CPC Class Codes: F28D 2021/0071 : Evaporators for vehicles F28D2021/0085, for compression systems F25B39/02
• CPC Class Codes: F28F 3/12 : Elements constructed in the shape of a hollow panel, e.g. with channels F28D1/02, F28D1/03 take precedence

Abstract

Ergonomic systems which provide medical therapy, comfort and enhanced function are provided. Surfaces are provided with adjustable contour, transient force damping and temperature. The technologies are applied to footwear, seating surfaces an cryotherapy devices. The cooling and cryotherapy system employ an evaporator in close proximity to skin, and therefore employ methods to reduce risk of frostbite. Advanced control and power supply options are disclosed.

Claims

1. An article of footwear, comprising a bladder having a pressurized fluid therein, a dynamic response chamber, and a control for controlling a dynamic flow of pressurized fluid between said bladder and said dynamic response chamber caused by transient forces, wherein said flow of pressurized fluid is dependent on a state of said dynamic response chamber.

2. The article according to claim 1, wherein said control comprises an electrically controllable valve.

3. The article according to claim 1, wherein said dynamic response chamber is embedded within the sole.

4. The article according to claim 1, wherein said article of footwear further comprises an upper having an inelastic portion, wherein said pressurized fluid in said bladder is internal to said inelastic portion and pressurize fluid in said dynamic response chamber is external said inelastic portion.

5. The article according to claim 1, wherein said bladder is controllably pressurized.

6. The article according to claim 5, wherein a source of compressed fluid for said bladder comprises a gait operated compressor.

7. The article according to claim 1, further comprising a pressure sensor for sensing a pressure within said bladder.

8. The article according to claim 7, wherein said control is responsive to said pressure sensor.

9. The article according to claim 1, wherein said control is adaptive to conditions of operation.

10. The article according to claim 1, wherein said bladder is formed of a polymer film having a modulus of greater than about 400 kpsi per ASTM D882.

11. The article according to claim 1, further comprising a heat exchanger for altering a temperature of at least a portion of the article.

12. The article according to claim 11, wherein said heat exchanger selectively cools a portion of a foot within the article of footwear.

13. A dynamically controlled footwear system, comprising:

(a) an enclosed space having a wall, said wall communicating forces with a wearer'"'"'s foot; and

(b) a control system for separately controlling a static and dynamic characteristic of said enclosed space.

14. The system according to claim 13, further comprising a sensor, for sensing a wearer activity.

15. The system according to claim 13, wherein said static characteristic corresponds to a tension of the enclosed space wall and said dynamic characteristic corresponds to an effective damping of forces in the wall of the enclosed space.

16. The system according to claim 13, wherein the control adjusts a pressure of a working fluid.

17. The system according to claim 13, wherein the enclosed space is filled with a working fluid which changes phase within a range of normal operating conditions.

18. The system according to claim 13, wherein the control comprises a hydraulic fluid.

19. The system according to claim 13, wherein the control is an active control which operates from pedal energy.

20. The system according to claim 13, wherein a static fit of the footwear tightens with increased levels if user activity.

21. The system according to claim 13, wherein said wall has low mechanical compliance, said control acting to control a perceived compliance of said enclosed space.

22. The system according to claim 13, further comprising at least one additional enclosed space having a wall, said wall communicating forces with a wearer'"'"'s foot, and being controlled by said control system to separately control a static and dynamic characteristic of said additional enclosed space.

23. The system according to claim 13, wherein said control comprises a selectively operable valve for adjustably controlling a dynamic flow of a working fluid within said enclosed space in response to a transient force.

24. The system according to claim 13, further comprising means for determining an activity type, said control system being dependent on said determined activity type.

25. An article of footwear, comprising a bladder having a pressurized fluid therein, a dynamic response chamber, and a control for controlling a dynamic flow of pressurized fluid between said bladder and said dynamic response chamber caused by transient forces, wherein said flow of pressurized fluid is dependent on a state of said dynamic response chamber, wherein said bladder is formed of a polymer film having a modulus of greater than about 400 kpsi per ASTM D882.

26. The article according to claim 25, wherein said control comprises an electrically controllable valve.

27. The article according to claim 25, wherein said dynamic response chamber is embedded within the sole.

28. The article according to claim 25, wherein said article of footwear further comprises an upper having an inelastic portion, wherein said pressurized fluid in said bladder is internal to said inelastic portion and pressurized fluid in said dynamic response chamber is external said inelastic portion.

29. The article according to claim 25, wherein said bladder is controllably pressurized.

30. The article according to claim 29, wherein a source of compressed fluid for said bladder comprises a gait operated compressor.

31. The article according to claim 25, further comprising a pressure sensor for sensing a pressure within said bladder.

32. The article according to claim 31, wherein said control is responsive to said pressure sensor.

33. The article according to claim 25, wherein said control is adaptive to conditions of operation.

34. The article according to claim 25, further comprising a heat exchanger for altering a temperature of at least a portion of the article.

35. The article according to claim 34, wherein said heat exchanger selectively cools a portion of a foot within the article of footwear.

36. An article of footwear, comprising a bladder having a pressurized fluid therein, a dynamic response chamber, and control for controlling a dynamic flow of pressurized fluid between said bladder and said dynamic response chamber caused by transient forces, herein said flow of pressurized fluid is dependent on a state of said dynamic response chamber, wherein said bladder is controllably pressurized, and a source of compressed fluid for said bladder comprises a gait operated compressor.

37. The article according to claim 36, wherein said control comprises an electrically controllable valve.

38. The article according to claim 36, wherein said dynamic response chamber is embedded within the sole.

39. The article according to claim 36, wherein said article of footwear further comprises an upper having an inelastic portion, wherein said pressurized fluid in said bladder is internal to said inelastic portion and pressurized fluid in said dynamic response chamber is external said inelastic portion.

40. The article according to claim 36, further comprising a pressure sensor for sensing a pressure within said bladder.

41. The article according to claim 40, wherein said control is responsive to said pressure sensor.

42. The article according to claim 36, wherein said control is adaptive to conditions of operation.

43. The article according to claim 36, wherein said bladder is formed of a polymer film having a modulus of greater than about 400 kpsi per ASTM D882.

44. The article according to claim 36, further comprising a heat exchanger for altering a temperature of at least a portion of the article.

45. The article according to claim 44, wherein said heat exchanger selectively cools a portion of a foot within the article of footwear.

50. The system according to claim 40, wherein the enclosed space is filled with a working fluid which changes phase within a range of normal operating conditions.

51. The system according to claim 40, wherein the control comprises a hydraulic fluid.

52. The system according to claim 40, wherein the control is an active control which operates from pedal energy.

53. The system according to claim 40, wherein a static fit of the footwear tightens with increased levels if user activity.

54. The system according to claim 40, further comprising at least one additional enclosed space having a wall, said wall communicating forces with a wearer'"'"'s foot, and being controlled by said control system to separately control a static and dynamic characteristic of said additional enclosed space.

55. The system according to claim 40, wherein said control comprises a selectively operable valve for adjustably controlling a dynamic flow of a working fluid within said enclosed space in response to a transient force.

56. The system according to claim 40, further comprising means for determining an activity type, said control system being dependent on said determined activity type.

46. A dynamically controlled footwear system, comprising:

(a) an enclosed space having a wall, said wall communicating forces with a wearer'"'"'s foot, wherein said wall has low mechanical compliance, said control acting to control a perceived compliance of said enclosed space; and

(b) a control system for separately controlling a static and dynamic characteristic of said enclosed space.

47. The system according to claim 46, further comprising a sensor, for sensing a wearer activity.

48. The system according to claim 46, wherein said static characteristic corresponds to a tension of the enclose space wall and said dynamic characteristic corresponds to an effective damping of forces in the wall of the enclosed space.

49. The system according to claim 46, wherein the control adjusts a pressure of a working fluid.