Footwear having sensor system

• US 9,622,537 B2
• Filed: 07/27/2015
• Issued: 04/18/2017
• Est. Priority Date: 06/13/2008
• Status: Active Grant

• Current Assignee: Nike, Inc.
• Original Assignee: Nike, Inc.
• Inventors: Amos, Michael S., Owings, Andrew A., Schrock, Allan M., Dean, Anthony C.
• Primary Examiner(s): BAYS, MARIE D
• Application Number:
  US14/809,954
• Publication Number:
  US 20160081418A1
• Time in Patent Office: 631 Days
• Field of Search: 36 1, 36114, 36136, 36137, 36138
• CPC Class Codes: A43B 13/38 Built-in insoles joined to uppers during the manufacturing process, e.g. structural insoles; Insoles glued to shoes during the manufacturing process
• CPC Class Codes: A43B 17/006 multilayered
• CPC Class Codes: A43B 3/00 Footwear characterised by the shape or the use
• CPC Class Codes: A43B 3/34 with electrical or electronic arrangements
• CPC Class Codes: A61B 2562/0252 Load cells
• CPC Class Codes: A61B 2562/0266 Optical strain gauges
• CPC Class Codes: A61B 2562/046 in a matrix array
• CPC Class Codes: A61B 5/103 Detecting, measuring or recording devices for testing the shape, pattern, colour, size or movement of the body or parts thereof, for diagnostic purposes A61B5/08 takes precedence; measuring aids for tailors A41H1/00; measuring instruments specially adapted for dentistry A61C19/04
• CPC Class Codes: A61B 5/1036 Measuring load distribution, e.g. podologic studies
• CPC Class Codes: A61B 5/1038 Measuring plantar pressure during gait
• CPC Class Codes: A61B 5/11 Measuring movement of the entire body or parts thereof, e.g. head or hand tremor, mobility of a limb for measuring pulse A61B5/02 ;A61B5/1038 takes precedence; motion detection to correct for motion artifacts in physiological signals A61B5/721
• CPC Class Codes: A61B 5/6807 Footwear
• CPC Class Codes: A63B 2220/00 Measuring of physical parameters relating to sporting activity
• CPC Class Codes: A63B 2220/51 Force
• CPC Class Codes: A63B 2220/836 Sensors arranged on the body of the user
• CPC Class Codes: A63B 69/00 Training appliances or apparatus for special sports training of parachutists B64D23/00
• 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: F04C 2270/041 Controlled or regulated
• 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. Each sensor includes two electrodes that are in communication with a force sensitive resistive material. The electrodes and the force sensitive resistive material may have multi-lobed shapes. Additionally, the sensor system may be provided on an insert that may form a sole member of the article of footwear. The insert may have slits therethrough, and may have a defined peripheral shape.

Claims

1. An insert 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 insert comprising:

an insert member adapted to be placed in contact with the sole structure of the article of footwear, the insert member comprising an arch portion adapted to engage an arch region of the foot and a forefoot portion connected to a front of the arch portion and adapted to engage a forefoot area of the foot, the insert member having a peripheral edge defining a periphery of the insert member, and wherein the peripheral edge comprises a medial edge adapted to be located on a medial side of the foot and a lateral edge opposite the medial edge and adapted to be located on a lateral side of the foot,

wherein the arch portion has a first width measured between the medial and lateral edges and the forefoot portion has a second width measured between the medial and lateral edges, wherein the second width is greater than the first width,

wherein the medial edge includes a medial concave edge segment located between the arch portion and the forefoot portion, and the lateral edge includes a lateral concave edge segment located between the arch portion and the forefoot portion, wherein the medial and lateral concave edge segments extend outwardly from the arch portion to the forefoot portion to create the second width of the forefoot portion that is greater than the first width of the arch portion; and

a sensor system comprising a plurality of force sensors connected to the insert member and a port adapted for communication with an electronic device, wherein the port is positioned on the arch portion of the insert member, and wherein at least one of the force sensors is positioned on the forefoot portion,

wherein the forefoot portion and the arch portion form a central portion of the insert member, and wherein the insert member further comprises a first phalange portion extending from a front of the forefoot portion and adapted to be engaged by a first phalange of the foot, and a heel portion extending from a rear of the arch portion and adapted to be engaged by a heel of the foot.

2. The insert of claim 1, wherein the plurality of force sensors further includes a first phalange sensor located on the first phalange portion and a heel sensor located on the heel portion.

3. The insert of claim 2, wherein the sensor system comprises at least four force sensors, including the first phalange sensor, the heel sensor, and a first metatarsal sensor and a fifth metatarsal sensor positioned on the forefoot portion of the insert member.

4. The insert of claim 1, wherein the medial edge comprises a front medial edge extending from the forefoot portion to the first phalange portion, and the lateral edge comprises a front lateral edge extending from the forefoot portion to the first phalange portion, and wherein the front medial edge has an outwardly-curved shape and the front lateral edge has an inwardly-curved shape.

5. The insert of claim 1, wherein the medial edge comprises a rear medial edge extending from the arch portion to the heel portion, and the lateral edge comprises a rear lateral edge extending from the arch portion to the heel portion, and wherein the rear medial edge and the rear lateral edge each have at least one inwardly-curved edge.

6. The insert of claim 1, wherein the sensor system further comprises a plurality of leads extending from the port to each of the plurality of force sensors.

7. The insert of claim 1, wherein the plurality of force sensors are force sensitive resistor sensors comprising two electrodes and a force sensitive resistive material positioned between the electrodes.

8. The insert of claim 1, wherein the insert member comprises a first layer and a second layer of flexible polymer webbing, wherein the first and second layers are superimposed, and the force sensors are located between the first and second layers.

9. The insert of claim 1, wherein the port further comprises a housing connected to the arch portion of the insert member and configured to receive the electronic device therein.

10. An insert 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 insert comprising:

an insert member formed of first and second layers of flexible polymer material positioned in a superimposed manner, the insert member adapted to be placed in contact with the sole structure of the article of footwear, the insert member comprising;

a central portion comprising an arch portion adapted to engage an arch region of the foot and a forefoot portion connected to a front of the arch portion and adapted to engage a forefoot area of the foot;

a first phalange portion extending from a front of the forefoot portion and adapted to be engaged by a first phalange of the foot; and

a heel portion extending from a rear of the arch portion and adapted to be engaged by a heel of the foot,

wherein the insert member has a peripheral edge defining a periphery of the insert member, and wherein the peripheral edge comprises a medial edge adapted to be located on a medial side of the foot and a lateral edge opposite the medial edge and adapted to be located on a lateral side of the foot,

wherein the arch portion has a first width measured between the medial and lateral edges and the forefoot portion has a second width measured between the medial and lateral edges, wherein the second width is greater than the first width,

wherein the medial edge includes a medial edge segment located between the arch portion and the forefoot portion, and the lateral edge includes a lateral edge segment located between the arch portion and the forefoot portion, wherein the medial and lateral edge segments are inwardly curved and extend outwardly from the arch portion to the forefoot portion to create the second width of the forefoot portion that is greater than the first width of the arch portion; and

a sensor system comprising a plurality of force sensors connected to the insert member, a port adapted for communication with an electronic device, and a plurality of leads extending from the force sensors to the port, wherein the port is positioned on the arch portion of the insert member, wherein the force sensors and leads are located between the first and second layers of the insert member, and wherein the plurality of force sensors includes at least a first phalange sensor located on the first phalange portion, a heel sensor located on the heel portion, and a first metatarsal sensor and a fifth metatarsal sensor located on the forefoot portion of the insert member.

11. The insert of claim 10, wherein the medial edge comprises a front medial edge extending from the forefoot portion to the first phalange portion, and the lateral edge comprises a front lateral edge extending from the forefoot portion to the first phalange portion, and wherein the front medial edge has an outwardly-curved shape and the front lateral edge has an inwardly-curved shape.

12. The insert of claim 10, wherein the medial edge comprises a rear medial edge extending from the arch portion to the heel portion, and the lateral edge comprises a rear lateral edge extending from the arch portion to the heel portion, and wherein the rear medial edge and the rear lateral edge each have at least one inwardly-curved edge.

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

a sole structure;

an upper portion connected to the sole structure;

an insert member in contact with the sole structure, the insert member comprising;

an arch portion adapted to engage an arch region of the foot;

a forefoot portion connected to a front of the arch portion and adapted to engage a forefoot area of the foot;

a peripheral edge defining a periphery of the insert member, wherein the peripheral edge comprises a medial edge adapted to be located on a medial side of the foot and a lateral edge opposite the medial edge and adapted to be located on a lateral side of the foot,

wherein the arch portion has a first width measured between the medial and lateral edges and the forefoot portion has a second width measured between the medial and lateral edges, wherein the second width is greater than the first width,

wherein the medial edge includes a medial concave edge segment located between the arch portion and the forefoot portion, and the lateral edge includes a lateral concave edge segment located between the arch portion and the forefoot portion, wherein the medial and lateral concave edge segments extend outwardly from the arch portion to the forefoot portion to create the second width of the forefoot portion that is greater than the first width of the arch portion, and

wherein the forefoot portion and the arch portion form a central portion of the insert member, and wherein the insert member further comprises a first phalange portion extending from a front of the forefoot portion and adapted to be engaged by a first phalange of the foot, and a heel portion extending from a rear of the arch portion and adapted to be engaged by a heel of the foot; and

a sensor system comprising a plurality of force sensors connected to the insert member and a port adapted for communication with an electronic device, wherein the port is positioned on the arch portion of the insert member, and wherein at least one of the force sensors is positioned on the forefoot portion.

14. The article of footwear of claim 13, wherein the plurality of force sensors further includes a first phalange sensor located on each of the first phalange portion and a heel sensor located on the heel portion.

15. The article of footwear of claim 14, wherein the sensor system comprises at least four force sensors, including the first phalange sensor, the heel sensor, and a first metatarsal sensor and a fifth metatarsal sensor positioned on the forefoot portion of the insert member.

16. The article of footwear of claim 13, wherein the medial edge comprises a front medial edge extending from the forefoot portion to the first phalange portion, and the lateral edge comprises a front lateral edge extending from the forefoot portion to the first phalange portion, and wherein the front medial edge has an outwardly-curved shape and the front lateral edge has an inwardly-curved shape.

17. The article of footwear of claim 13, wherein the medial edge comprises a rear medial edge extending from the arch portion to the heel portion, and the lateral edge comprises a rear lateral edge extending from the arch portion to the heel portion, and wherein the rear medial edge and the rear lateral edge each have at least one inwardly-curved edge.

18. The article of footwear of claim 13, wherein the sensor system further comprises a plurality of leads extending from the port to each of the plurality of force sensors.

19. The article of footwear of claim 13, wherein the plurality of force sensors are force sensitive resistor sensors comprising two electrodes and a force sensitive resistive material positioned between the electrodes.

20. The article of footwear of claim 13, wherein the insert member comprises a first layer and a second layer of flexible polymer webbing, wherein the first and second layers are superimposed, and the force sensors are located between the first and second layers.

21. The article of footwear of claim 13, wherein the port further comprises a housing connected to the arch portion of the insert member and configured to receive the electronic device therein.

22. The article of footwear of claim 21, wherein sole structure further includes a well located below the arch portion of the insert member, and wherein the housing is at least partially received within the well.

23. The article of footwear of claim 13, wherein sole structure further comprises a foot contacting member configured to directly engage the foot when the foot is engaged by the article of footwear, and wherein the insert member is positioned beneath the foot contacting member.

24. An insert 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 insert comprising:

an insert member adapted to be placed in contact with the sole structure of the article of footwear, the insert member comprising an arch portion adapted to engage an arch region of the foot and a forefoot portion connected to a front of the arch portion and adapted to engage a forefoot area of the foot, the insert member having a peripheral edge defining a periphery of the insert member, and wherein the peripheral edge comprises a medial edge adapted to be located on a medial side of the foot and a lateral edge opposite the medial edge and adapted to be located on a lateral side of the foot,

wherein the arch portion has a first width measured between the medial and lateral edges and the forefoot portion has a second width measured between the medial and lateral edges, wherein the second width is greater than the first width,

wherein the medial edge includes a medial concave edge segment located between the arch portion and the forefoot portion, and the lateral edge includes a lateral concave edge segment located between the arch portion and the forefoot portion, wherein the medial and lateral concave edge segments extend outwardly from the arch portion to the forefoot portion to create the second width of the forefoot portion that is greater than the first width of the arch portion; and

a sensor system comprising a plurality of force sensors connected to the insert member and a port adapted for communication with an electronic device, wherein the port is positioned on the arch portion of the insert member, and wherein at least one of the force sensors is positioned on the forefoot portion,

wherein the plurality of force sensors are force sensitive resistor sensors comprising two electrodes and a force sensitive resistive material positioned between the electrodes.

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

a sole structure;

an upper portion connected to the sole structure;

an insert member in contact with the sole structure, the insert member comprising;

an arch portion adapted to engage an arch region of the foot;

a forefoot portion connected to a front of the arch portion and adapted to engage a forefoot area of the foot;

a peripheral edge defining a periphery of the insert member, wherein the peripheral edge comprises a medial edge adapted to be located on a medial side of the foot and a lateral edge opposite the medial edge and adapted to be located on a lateral side of the foot,

wherein the arch portion has a first width measured between the medial and lateral edges and the forefoot portion has a second width measured between the medial and lateral edges, wherein the second width is greater than the first width,

wherein the medial edge includes a medial concave edge segment located between the arch portion and the forefoot portion, and the lateral edge includes a lateral concave edge segment located between the arch portion and the forefoot portion, wherein the medial and lateral concave edge segments extend outwardly from the arch portion to the forefoot portion to create the second width of the forefoot portion that is greater than the first width of the arch portion; and

a sensor system comprising a plurality of force sensors connected to the insert member and a port adapted for communication with an electronic device, wherein the port is positioned on the arch portion of the insert member, and wherein at least one of the force sensors is positioned on the forefoot portion,

wherein the plurality of force sensors are force sensitive resistor sensors comprising two electrodes and a force sensitive resistive material positioned between the electrodes.