Footwear Having Sensor System

• US 20180338560A1
• Filed: 07/13/2018
• Published: 11/29/2018
• Est. Priority Date: 06/13/2008
• Status: Active Grant

• Current Assignee: Nike, Inc.
• Original Assignee: Nike, Inc.
• Inventors: Molyneux, James, Weast, Aaron B., Rice, Jordan M., Schrock, Allan M., Amos, Michael S., Owings, Andrew A., Stillman, Martine, Horrell, Joseph B., Knight, Jonathan B., Weitmann, Dane R., Hebert, Jeffrey J.
• Granted Patent: US 11,026,469 B2
• Time in Patent Office: Days
• CPC Class Codes: A43B 3/00 Footwear characterised by the shape or the use
• CPC Class Codes: A43B 3/0031 provided with a pocket, e.g. for keys or a card
• CPC Class Codes: A43B 3/34 with electrical or electronic arrangements
• CPC Class Codes: A63B 2069/0006 for pitching
• CPC Class Codes: A63B 2071/0638 Displaying moving images of recorded environment, e.g. virtual environment
• CPC Class Codes: A63B 2102/02 Tennis
• CPC Class Codes: A63B 2102/18 Baseball, rounders or similar games
• CPC Class Codes: A63B 2102/182 Softball
• CPC Class Codes: A63B 2102/22 Field hockey
• CPC Class Codes: A63B 2102/32 Golf
• CPC Class Codes: A63B 2220/12 Absolute positions, e.g. by using GPS
• CPC Class Codes: A63B 2220/40 Acceleration
• CPC Class Codes: A63B 2220/53 Force of an impact, e.g. blow or punch
• CPC Class Codes: A63B 2220/836 Sensors arranged on the body of the user
• CPC Class Codes: A63B 2225/50 Wireless data transmission, e.g. by radio transmitters or telemetry
• CPC Class Codes: A63B 2243/0025 Football American football A63B2243/007
• CPC Class Codes: A63B 24/0062 Monitoring athletic performances, e.g. for determining the work of a user on an exercise apparatus, the completed jogging or cycling distance
• CPC Class Codes: A63B 26/003 for improving balance or equilibrium balance beams A63B4/00; apparatus for rope dancing A63B7/08; balancing drums, balancing boards or the like A63B22/16
• CPC Class Codes: A63B 60/46 Measurement devices associated with golf clubs, bats, rackets or the like for measuring physical parameters relating to sporting activity, e.g. baseball bats with impact indicators or bracelets for measuring the golf swing
• CPC Class Codes: A63B 69/00 Training appliances or apparatus for special sports training of parachutists B64D23/00
• CPC Class Codes: A63B 69/0028 : for running, jogging or speed-walking movable endless bands A63B22/02
• 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: 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. 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.

Claims

1. A port for use with an article of footwear adapted to engage a foot, the article of footwear having a sole structure, an upper portion connected to the sole structure, and a sensor system connected to the sole structure, the port comprising:

a housing adapted to be connected to the article of footwear, the housing comprising a chamber adapted to removably receive an electronic module therein, wherein the chamber is defined by a circular side wall to form the chamber in a cylindrical shape, wherein the housing has an elongated groove in the side wall that is configured to receive a projection of the electronic module to be moveable within the groove by rotation of the electronic module when the electronic module is received in the housing; and

an interface in communication with the sensor system and having a plurality of electrical contacts exposed within the chamber, such that the interface is configured to form an electrical connection with the electronic module such that the electronic module engages the electrical contacts to place the electronic module in communication with the sensor system when the electronic module is received within the chamber.

2. The port of claim 1, wherein the groove extends downward from a top of the housing, and the groove is configured to receive the projection of the electronic module by insertion downward from the top of the housing.

3. The port of claim 1, wherein the groove is a ramped groove that extends downward from a top of the housing and around the circular sidewall.

4. The port of claim 1, wherein the groove is configured to permit the electronic module to rotate a quarter rotation within the housing.

5. The port of claim 1, wherein the electrical contacts of the interface are annular contact pads.

6. The port of claim 1, further comprising the electronic module, wherein the electronic module has the projection extending outward from the electronic module, and the projection is configured to be received in the groove when the electronic module is received in the housing, and wherein the electronic module is configured to be rotatable between a locked position, where the projection engages the groove to retain the electronic module in the housing, and an unlocked position, where the electronic module is removable from the housing, and the projection is configured to move within the groove between the locked position and the unlocked position.

7. The port of claim 6, wherein the housing has a second elongated groove in the side wall, and the electronic module has a second projection extending outward from the electronic module, wherein the second projection is configured to be received in the second groove when the electronic module is received in the housing, wherein the second projection is configured to engage the second groove to retain the electronic module in the housing in the locked position, and the second projection is configured to move within the second groove between the locked position and the unlocked position.

8. The port of claim 6, wherein the electronic module further comprises an elastomeric structure that is configured to compress against the housing when the electronic module is received in the housing.

9. An insert configured for use in an article of footwear, comprising:

an insert member adapted to be placed in contact with a sole structure of the article of footwear, the insert member being formed of a flexible polymer material;

a plurality of force sensors connected to the insert member, the force sensors being adapted to sense a force exerted on the insert member;

a plurality of sensor leads extending away from the force sensors; and

a port comprising;

a housing connected to the insert member, the housing comprising a chamber adapted to removably receive an electronic module therein, wherein the chamber is defined by a circular side wall to form the chamber in a cylindrical shape, wherein the housing has an elongated groove in the side wall that is configured to receive a projection of the electronic module, such that rotation of the electronic module moves the projection within the groove to lock or unlock the electronic module within the housing; and

an interface in communication with the sensor leads and having a plurality of electrical contacts exposed within the chamber, such that the interface is configured to form an electrical connection with the electronic module such that the electronic module engages the electrical contacts to place the electronic module in communication with the sensor leads and the force sensors when the electronic module is received within the chamber.

10. The insert of claim 9, wherein the sensor leads are connected to the electrical contacts of the interface.

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

a sole structure;

an upper portion connected to the sole structure;

a sensor system comprising a flexible insert connected to the sole structure, a plurality of force sensors connected to the insert and a plurality of sensor leads extending away from the force sensors, the force sensors being adapted to sense a force exerted on the sole structure by the foot; and

a port comprising;

a housing connected to the article of footwear, the housing comprising a chamber adapted to removably receive an electronic module therein, wherein the chamber is defined by a circular side wall to form the chamber in a cylindrical shape, wherein the housing has an elongated groove in the side wall that is configured to receive a projection of the electronic module, such that rotation of the electronic module moves the projection within the groove to lock or unlock the electronic module within the housing; and

an interface in communication with the sensor system and having a plurality of electrical contacts exposed within the chamber, such that the interface is configured to form an electrical connection with the electronic module such that the electronic module engages the electrical contacts to place the electronic module in communication with the sensor system when the electronic module is received within the chamber.

12. The article of footwear of claim 11, wherein the housing of the port is received within the sole structure of the article of footwear.

13. A system for use with an article of footwear adapted to engage a foot, the article of footwear having a sole structure, an upper portion connected to the sole structure, and a sensor system connected to the sole structure, the system comprising:

an electronic module configured for data storage; and

a port comprising;

a housing adapted to be connected to the article of footwear, the housing comprising a chamber adapted to removably receive the electronic module therein, wherein the chamber is defined by a circular side wall to form the chamber in a cylindrical shape; and

an interface in communication with the sensor system and having a plurality of electrical contacts exposed within the chamber, such that the interface is configured to form an electrical connection with the electronic module such that the electronic module engages the electrical contacts to place the electronic module in communication with the sensor system when the electronic module is received within the chamber.

wherein the electronic module and the housing have complementary engaging structures configured to retain the electronic module in the housing by rotation of the electronic module within the housing between a locked position, where the complementary engaging structures are configured to retain the electronic module in the housing, and an unlocked position, where the electronic module can be removed from the housing.

14. The system of claim 13, wherein the electronic module has a projection that engages the housing to lock the electronic module in the housing when the electronic module is in the locked position.

15. The system of claim 14, wherein the housing has an elongated groove, and wherein the projection is received in the groove such that rotation of the electronic module within the housing moves the projection within the groove.

16. The system of claim 14, wherein the electronic module further has a second projection that engages the housing to lock the electronic module in the housing when the electronic module is in the locked position, and wherein the housing has a pair of elongated grooves configured to receive the projection and the second projection, such that rotation of the electronic module within the housing moves the projection and the second projection within the grooves.

17. The system of claim 13, wherein the complementary engaging structure is configured to permit the electronic module to be locked or unlocked with a quarter rotation.

18. The system of claim 13, wherein the electrical contacts of the interface are annular contact pads.

19. The system of claim 13, wherein the electronic module further comprises an elastomeric structure that is configured to compress against the housing when the electronic module is received in the housing.

20. The system of claim 13, further comprising the sensor system, wherein the sensor system comprises:

an insert member adapted to be placed in contact with the sole structure of the article of footwear, the insert member being formed of a flexible polymer material, wherein the port is connected to the insert member;

a plurality of force sensors connected to the insert member, the force sensors being adapted to sense a force exerted on the insert member;

a plurality of sensor leads connected to the force sensors and extending from the force sensors to the port, wherein the sensor leads are connected to the electrical contacts of the interface.

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

a sole structure;

an upper portion connected to the sole structure;

a sensor system connected to the sole structure;

an electronic module configured for data storage; and

a port comprising;

a housing adapted to be connected to the sole structure, the housing comprising a chamber adapted to removably receive the electronic module therein, wherein the chamber is defined by a circular side wall to form the chamber in a cylindrical shape; and

an interface in communication with the sensor system and having a plurality of electrical contacts exposed within the chamber, such that the interface is configured to form an electrical connection with the electronic module such that the electronic module engages the electrical contacts to place the electronic module in communication with the sensor system when the electronic module is received within the chamber.

wherein the electronic module and the housing have complementary engaging structures configured to retain the electronic module in the housing by rotation of the electronic module within the housing between a locked position, where the complementary engaging structures are configured to retain the electronic module in the housing, and an unlocked position, where the electronic module can be removed from the housing.

22. The article of footwear of claim 21, wherein the sensor system comprises:

an insert member adapted to be placed in contact with the sole structure of the article of footwear, the insert member being formed of a flexible polymer material, wherein the port is connected to the insert member;

a plurality of force sensors connected to the insert member, the force sensors being adapted to sense a force exerted on the insert member;

a plurality of sensor leads connected to the force sensors and extending from the force sensors to the port, wherein the sensor leads are connected to the electrical contacts of the interface.