Footwear having sensor system
First Claim
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 bottom wall and a plurality of side walls extending upward from the bottom wall, the bottom wall and the side walls defining a chamber adapted to receive an electronic module therein, the bottom wall further comprising a biasing member adapted to engage the module and exert an upward biasing force on the module when the module is received in the chamber, wherein the housing further comprises a retaining member adapted to exert a downward force on the module opposite the biasing force of the biasing member to retain the module within the chamber, wherein the retaining member is adapted to retain the electronic module within the chamber in a removable configuration; 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 to enable electronic data transmission to and from the module through the interface, such that the module engages the at least one electrical contact when the module is received within the chamber.
3 Assignments
0 Petitions
Accused Products
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.
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Citations
34 Claims
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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:
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a housing adapted to be at least partially received within the sole structure of the article of footwear, the housing comprising a bottom wall and a plurality of side walls extending upward from the bottom wall, the bottom wall and the side walls defining a chamber adapted to receive an electronic module therein, the bottom wall further comprising a biasing member adapted to engage the module and exert an upward biasing force on the module when the module is received in the chamber, wherein the housing further comprises a retaining member adapted to exert a downward force on the module opposite the biasing force of the biasing member to retain the module within the chamber, wherein the retaining member is adapted to retain the electronic module within the chamber in a removable configuration; 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 to enable electronic data transmission to and from the module through the interface, such that the module engages the at least one electrical contact when the module is received within the chamber. - View Dependent Claims (2, 3, 4, 5, 6, 7, 8, 9)
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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:
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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, the housing further having a retaining tab; and an interface engaged with the housing and having a plurality of electrical contacts, the interface further comprising a base engaged with the housing and positioned at least partially within the chamber, the base having a retaining tab that engages the retaining tab of the housing to retain the base at least partially within the chamber, wherein the base supports the electrical contacts to position the electrical contacts to be exposed to the chamber, and wherein the interface is adapted to form an electrical connection with the module to enable electronic data transmission to and from the module through the interface, such that the module engages the electrical contacts when the module is received within the chamber. - View Dependent Claims (11, 12, 13, 14, 15, 16)
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17. 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:
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a housing adapted to be at least partially received within the sole structure of the article of footwear, the housing comprising a bottom wall and a plurality of side walls extending upward from the bottom wall, the bottom wall and the side walls defining a chamber adapted to receive an electronic module therein, wherein the housing further comprises a retaining member that is moveable between a first position, where the retaining member is adapted to exert a downward force on the module to retain the module within the chamber, and a second position, wherein the retaining member is adapted to permit the module to be inserted into or removed from the chamber; 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. - View Dependent Claims (18, 19, 20, 21, 22)
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23. An article of footwear adapted to engage a foot, comprising:
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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 bottom wall and a plurality of side walls extending upward from the bottom wall, the bottom wall and the side walls defining a chamber adapted to receive an electronic module therein, the bottom wall further comprising a biasing member adapted to engage the module and exert an upward biasing force on the module when the module is received in the chamber, wherein the housing further comprises a retaining member adapted to exert a downward force on the module opposite the biasing force of the biasing member to retain the module within the chamber; 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.
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24. A system for use with article of footwear adapted to engage a foot, comprising:
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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 is moveable between a first position, where the retaining member exerts a downward force on the module to retain the module within the chamber, and a second position, wherein the retaining member permits the module to be inserted into or removed from the chamber. - View Dependent Claims (25, 26, 27, 28, 29)
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30. 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:
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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, the housing further having a retaining tab; and an interface engaged with the housing and having a plurality of electrical contacts, the interface further comprising a base engaged with the housing and positioned at least partially within the chamber, the base having a retaining tab that engages the retaining tab of the housing to retain the base at least partially within the chamber, wherein the base supports the electrical contacts to position the electrical contacts to be exposed to the chamber, and wherein the interface is adapted to form an electrical connection with the module such that the module engages the electrical contacts when the module is received within the chamber, 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.
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31. 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:
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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, the housing further having a retaining tab; and an interface engaged with the housing and having a plurality of electrical contacts, the interface further comprising a base engaged with the housing and positioned at least partially within the chamber, the base having a retaining tab that engages the retaining tab of the housing to retain the base at least partially within the chamber, wherein the base supports the electrical contacts to position the electrical contacts to be exposed to the chamber, and wherein the interface is adapted to form an electrical connection with the module such that the module engages the electrical contacts when the module is received within the chamber, wherein the electrical contacts comprise a plurality of electrical contact pads, the electrical contact pads each having a flat contact surface, and 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.
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32. 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:
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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, the housing further having a retaining tab; and an interface engaged with the housing and having a plurality of electrical contacts, the interface further comprising a base engaged with the housing and positioned at least partially within the chamber, the base having a retaining tab that engages the retaining tab of the housing to retain the base at least partially within the chamber, wherein the base supports the electrical contacts to position the electrical contacts to be exposed to the chamber, and wherein the interface is adapted to form an electrical connection with the module such that the module engages the electrical contacts when the module is received within the chamber, wherein the electrical contacts comprise a plurality of electrical contact springs, the electrical contact springs each having a contact surface, the base having at least one internal cavity receiving the contact springs such that the contact surface of each of the contact springs is exposed to the chamber, and wherein each of the contact springs is adapted to flex farther into the internal cavity in response to pressure on the contact surface.
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33. 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:
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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, the housing further having a retaining tab; and an interface engaged with the housing and having a plurality of electrical contacts, the interface further comprising a base engaged with the housing and positioned at least partially within the chamber, the base having a retaining tab that engages the retaining tab of the housing to retain the base at least partially within the chamber, wherein the base supports the electrical contacts to position the electrical contacts to be exposed to the chamber, and wherein the interface is adapted to form an electrical connection with the module such that the module engages the electrical contacts when the module is received within the chamber, wherein the electrical contacts comprise a plurality of electrical pins each having a contact surface, the base having a plurality of apertures, each of the contact pins being received in one of the apertures such that the contact surface of each of the contact pins is exposed to the chamber. - View Dependent Claims (34)
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Specification