Patent Application
20240373972
The present technology relates to footwear sensing systems that may be included in articles of footwear and/or other foot receiving devices. The sensing systems may sense foot motion (e.g., using accelerometer or gyroscopic data), foot contact on a surface, and/or foot contact force on a surface. In at least some examples of this technology, the sensing systems may be fully contained within a sockliner (also called an “insole” component) for an article of footwear. Additional aspects of this technology relate to methods of making and/or using such footwear sensing systems and/or footwear uppers, foot support systems, sole structures, foot-receiving devices and/or articles of footwear that include such footwear sensing systems.
Systems that utilize data collected from athletic activity are known. Such data can be analyzed and presented to a user in a number of different forms and formats, including by indication of athletic performance metrics. However, sensor systems and other hardware for gathering data for such athletic activity present challenges, such as in construction, durability, accuracy, sensitivity, etc. Accordingly, while certain systems for monitoring and detecting athletic activity have a number of advantageous features, they nevertheless have certain limitations. The present invention seeks to overcome certain of these limitations and other drawbacks of the prior art, and to provide new features not heretofore available.
At least some aspects of this technology may be used in systems and/or may include sensors, software, and/or hardware of the types described in U.S. Pat. Nos. 9,297,709 B2, 10,024,740 B2, and 10,314,361 B2 and in U.S. Patent Appln. Publn. No. 2021/0289878 A1, each of which is entirely incorporated herein by reference.
This Summary is provided to introduce some general concepts relating to this technology in a simplified form that are further described below in the Detailed Description. This Summary is not intended to identify key features or essential features of the claimed invention.
Aspects of this technology relate to footwear sensing systems and products containing and/or using such sensing systems. Such footwear sensing systems and/or products containing and/or using them (e.g., sockliners, footwear uppers, foot support systems, articles of footwear, other foot-receiving devices, etc.) may include one or more of: (i) a base component; (ii) a sensor system; (iii) a filler element; (iv) a moderator plate; (v) a cover component; and/or (vi) a processing system. In some examples of this technology, the footwear sensing systems and/or products containing and/or using them (e.g., sockliners, footwear uppers, foot support systems, articles of footwear, other foot-receiving devices, etc.) will “consist of” or “consist essentially of” any combination of two or more of: (i) a base component; (ii) a sensor system; (iii) a filler element; (iv) a moderator plate; (v) a cover component; and/or (vi) a processing system. The moderator plate may overlay (and optionally contact) a portion of the sensor system to moderate the feel of at least a portion of the sensor system (e.g., a hardware connector) against the wearer's foot.
While aspects of this technology are described in terms of footwear sensing systems and products containing such sensors, additional aspects of this technology relate to methods of making such footwear sensing systems, footwear sockliners, footwear uppers, foot support systems, articles of footwear, other foot-receiving devices, etc.; and/or methods of using such footwear sensing systems, footwear sockliners, footwear uppers, foot support systems, articles of footwear, other foot-receiving devices (e.g., for detecting a user's foot motion, foot contact information, foot contact and/or lift force information, foot “air time” information, athletic performance metrics, etc.).
The foregoing Summary, as well as the following Detailed Description, will be better understood when considered in conjunction with the accompanying drawings in which the same reference numerals refer to the same or similar elements in all of the various views in which that reference number appears.
In the following description of various examples of footwear sensing systems and components thereof according to the present technology, reference is made to the accompanying drawings, which form a part hereof, and in which are shown by way of illustration various example structures and environments in which aspects of the present technology may be practiced. It is to be understood that other structures and environments may be utilized and that structural and functional modifications may be made to the specifically described structures and methods without departing from the scope of the present disclosure.
“Footwear,” as that term is used herein, means any type of wearing apparel for the feet, and this term includes, but is not limited to: all types of shoes, boots, sneakers, sandals, thongs, flip-flops, mules, scuffs, slippers, sport-specific shoes (such as golf shoes, tennis shoes, baseball cleats, soccer or football cleats, ski boots, basketball shoes, cross training shoes, dance shoes, etc.), and the like. “Foot-receiving device,” as that term is used herein, means any device into which a user places at least some portion of his or her foot. In addition to all types of “footwear,” “foot-receiving devices” include, but are not limited to: bindings and other devices for securing feet in snow skis, cross country skis, water skis, snowboards, and the like; bindings, clips, or other devices for securing feet in pedals for use with bicycles, exercise equipment, and the like; bindings, clips, or other devices for receiving feet during play of video games or other games; and the like. “Foot-receiving devices” may include one or more “foot-covering members” (e.g., akin to footwear upper components), which help position the foot with respect to other components or structures, and one or more “foot-supporting members” (e.g., akin to footwear sole structure components), which support at least some portion(s) of a plantar surface of a user's foot. “Foot-supporting members” may include components for and/or functioning as insoles, midsoles, and/or outsoles for articles of footwear (or components providing corresponding functions in non-footwear type foot-receiving devices).
Various structures and parameters of footwear components (e.g., sockliners, foot support systems, sole structures, and/or articles of footwear) are described herein based on a “longitudinal length” parameter L. Note
The term “rearward” as used herein means at or toward the heel region of the article of footwear (or component thereof), and the term “forward” as used herein means at or toward a forefoot or forward toe region of the article of footwear (or component thereof). Unless otherwise defined, the terms “heel” or “heel region” refer to a region bounded by parallel planes at 0L and 0.33L, the term “midfoot” or “arch” refers to a region bounded by parallel planes at 0.33L and 0.67L, and the term “forefoot” refers to a region bounded by parallel planes at 0.67L and 1.0L. Also, the term “lateral” means the “little toe” side or outside edge of an article of footwear or component thereof (e.g., an upper, a sole structure, etc.), and the term “medial” means the “big toe” side or inside edge of an article of footwear or component thereof (e.g., an upper, a sole structure, etc.). Terms that describe orientation and/or relative orientation of parts (e.g., “top,” “bottom,” “upper,” “lower,” “overlaying,” “underlaying,” etc.) as used herein refer to orientations with the footwear component (e.g., a sockliner structure, a sole structure, and article of footwear) oriented on a horizontal support surface S on its ground-facing surface and/or with the footwear component oriented within a footwear structure for typical use.
The term “sockliner” as used herein includes insole components and/or other similar components placed within the interior, foot-receiving chamber of an article of footwear or an upper for the article of footwear. In some examples of this technology, the “sockliner” may be fixed within the interior chamber. In other examples, however, the “sockliner” may be readily removable from the interior chamber (e.g., and optionally transferred to a different article of footwear, interchanged, etc.).
This application and/or its claims use the terms, e.g., “first,” “second,” “third,” and the like, to identify certain components and/or features relating to this technology. These terms are used merely for convenience, e.g., to assist in maintaining a distinction between components and/or features of a specific structure. Use of these terms should not be construed as requiring a specific order or arrangement of the components and/or features being discussed. Also, use of these specific terms in the specification for a specific structure does not require that the same term be used in the claims to refer to the same part (e.g., a component or feature referred to as the “third” in the specification may correspond to any numerical adjective used for that component or feature in the claims).
As noted above, aspects of this technology relate to footwear sensing systems, components thereof, and/or structures including such footwear sensing systems (e.g., sockliners, footwear uppers, foot support systems, sole structures, articles of footwear, and/or other foot-receiving devices, etc.), e.g., of the types described and/or claimed below and/or of the types illustrated in the appended drawings. Such footwear sensing systems, components thereof, and/or structures including such footwear sensing systems (e.g., sockliners, footwear uppers, foot support systems, sole structures, articles of footwear, and/or other foot-receiving devices, etc.) may include any one or more structures, parts, features, properties, and/or combination(s) of structures, parts, features, and/or properties of the examples described and/or claimed below and/or of the examples illustrated in the appended drawings.
As some more specific examples, aspects of this technology relate to footwear sensing systems and/or sockliners that include (e.g., “comprise,” “consist of,” and/or “consist essentially of”): (i) a base component including a first major surface and a processor mount region; (ii) a sensor system overlaying (and optionally contacting) at least a portion of the first major surface, the sensor system including a first sensor element, a connector component located adjacent the processor mount region, and a first electrical conductor connecting the first sensor element and the connector component; and (iii) a moderator plate partially overlaying (and optionally contacting) the sensor system and the first major surface, the moderator plate at least partially covering the connector component and including a processor mount area (e.g., a first opening) that at least partially overlays the processor mount region. Such footwear sensing systems and/or sockliners may further include (e.g., “comprise,” “consist of,” and/or “consist essentially of”) any one or more of: (a) a filler element located between the moderator plate and the sensor system; (b) a cover member overlaying (and optionally contacting) the first major surface of the base component, the sensor system, and the moderator plate; (c) a charging component (e.g., which may be included with the sensor system); (d) a processing system located in the processor mount region and electrically connected to the connector component of the sensor system; (e) one or more accelerometer sensors; (f) one or more gyroscope sensors; and/or (g) one or more other sensors.
Additionally, the footwear sensing systems and/or sockliners according to aspects of the present technology may be thin over at least 50% of its area. As some more specific examples, the footwear sensing systems and/or sockliners may include a topmost surface and a bottommost surface opposite the topmost surface, wherein a thickness dimension of the sockliner measured directly from the topmost surface to the bottommost surface through at least 75% of a surface area of the topmost surface is less than 10 mm, and in some examples, less than 9 mm, less than 8 mm, less than 7 mm, or even less than 6 mm. Any of these thickness ranges also may be present through over at least 80%, over at least 85%, over at least 90%, over at least 95%, over at least 98%, or even over 100% of the surface area of the sensing system and/or sockliner.
Given the general description of features, aspects, structures, processes, and arrangements according to certain examples of this technology provided above, a more detailed description of specific example footwear sensing systems, sockliners, footwear uppers, foot support systems, sole structures, articles of footwear, and methods in accordance with this technology follows.
Referring to the figures and following discussion, various examples of footwear sensing systems, components thereof, and/or structures including and/or using such footwear sensing systems in accordance with aspects of this technology are described.
As shown in
As shown in
Sockliners 100 and/or sensing systems in accordance with examples of this technology may constitute any combination of two or more of the component parts shown in
At least the base component 200, the sensor system 300, the filler element 500 (if present), the moderator plate 700, and the cover component 900 may be fixed together in a permanent manner, e.g., by adhesives. When the layers are properly arranged and stacked, in at least some examples of this technology, heat and/or pressure may be applied to the stacked arrangement to activate the adhesive and fix the parts together. Also, in at least some examples of this technology, the heat and/or pressure applying step(s) to the stacked arrangement may take place in a mold in order to shape the final sockliner 100 (e.g., to shape the sockliner 100's upper-facing surface 100U to conform to the shape of a wearer's foot and/or to shape the sockliner 100's ground-facing surface 100G to conform to the shape of a wearer's foot and/or to the shape of the footwear part in which it will be received (such as the base surface of a footwear upper 1202)). Alternatively, one or more components of the sockliner 100 (or a portion thereof) may be removably engaged with one or more of the other components, e.g., by friction fit, by a mechanical connector or fastener, by gravity, etc. As a more specific example, if desired, at least a heel region of the cover component 900 may be releasable from the moderator plate 700, e.g., to allow access to the processor mount area from the top of the sockliner 100.
In at least some examples of this technology, the processing system 1000 will be releasably engaged with the sensor system 300, as will be described in more detail below. Alternatively, if desired, however, the processing system 1000 could be permanently fixed with the sensor system 300.
More detailed descriptions of the individual parts of sockliners 100 and footwear sensing systems in accordance with examples this technology are provided below with additional reference to
In addition to the views shown in
In this illustrated example, the top major surface of the base component 200 additionally is formed in part by an exposed portion of the top major surface 210T of the bottom base layer 210. The two parts of the base component 200—the bottom base layer 210 and the top layer 220—may be fixed together in any desired manner, e.g., by an adhesive, by a laminated construction, etc. Further, the top major surface of the base component 200 of this example defines a recess 222. In this illustrated example, the recess 222 constitutes a through hole cut through or a cutout formed in the top layer 220. Thus, a portion of the top major surface 210T of the bottom base layer 210 is exposed in the recess 222. The through hole or cut out (and thus the recess 222) may be formed in the top layer 220 before the top layer 220 is engaged with the bottom base layer 210, or the through hole or cut out (and thus the recess 222) may be formed after the layers 210, 220 are engaged together (e.g., by laser cutting, by peeling away a portion of the top layer 220, etc.). For reasons that will become more apparent from the discussion below, in the specifically illustrated example, the recess 222 defines a gap 222G in the medial side 220M of the top layer 220.
As also shown in
The processor mount region 230 of this example also is offset toward the lateral side of the center of the sockliner 100 and bottom base component 200. As a more specific example (and as evident from
The base component 200 may be made of any desired material or materials. In this illustrated example, each of the bottom base layer 210 and the top layer 220 may be made from an ethylvinylacetate (“EVA”) foam material, which are known and used in the footwear arts (e.g., commercially available from Dah Sheng). Each of the bottom base layer 210 and the top layer 220 may be between 0.5 mm and 3 mm thick (each is about 2 mm thick in the illustrated example). Either or both of the bottom base layer 210 and/or the top layer 220: (a) may have a hardness between 20 to 80 Shore C (and in some examples between 30 to 70 Shore C, and/or between 40 and 65 Shore C), and/or (b) may be capable of being thermoformed (e.g., maintaining a desired shape after molding under heat and/or pressure).
Other materials may be used for the base component 200 (or, when present, its bottom base layer 210 and/or top layer 220) without departing from this technology. For example, the base component 200 may be made, at least in part, from other foam materials, such as polyurethane foams; rubbers or other elastomeric materials; etc. As other examples, if desired, the base component 200 may be made, at least in part (e.g., the bottom base layer 210 or the entire base component 200), from a fluid-filled bladder component, such as a thin bladder component, as are known and used in the footwear arts. As still other examples, at least one portion of the base component 200 (e.g., bottom base layer 210) may be made from a relatively hard or stiff material, e.g., to provide a relatively stiff support base for the sensors described in more detail below.
This example sensor system 300 includes four sensor elements (although one or more sensor elements may be provided)—a heel area sensor element 302H, a fifth metatarsal head area sensor element 302A, a first metatarsal head area sensor element 302B, and a forward toe area sensor element 302C. The sensor element(s) (e.g., one or more of 302A, 302B, 302C, 302H) may sense foot force (e.g., contact force between the foot and another object, such as a contact surface) and/or foot motion at the location of the sensor. The sensor(s) may be located in any desired locations, e.g., in one or more of a heel support region of the sockliner 100, a midfoot support region of the sockliner 100, a forefoot support region of the sockliner 100, etc. In this illustrated example: (i) heel area sensor element 302H is located in a heel support region of the sensor system 300 (and also the base component 200) and senses foot force and/or motion at the heel area; (ii) sensor element 302A is located in a fifth metatarsal head support region of the sensor system 300 (and also the base component 200) and senses foot force and/or motion at the fifth metatarsal area; (iii) sensor element 302B is located in a first metatarsal head support region of the sensor system 300 (and also the base component 200) and senses foot force and/or motion at the first metatarsal area; and (iv) sensor element 302C is located in a forward toe support region of the sensor system 300 (and also the base component 200) and senses foot force and/or motion at the forward toe area.
The sensor element(s) 302A, 302B, 302C, 302H may be mounted on a base member 304, e.g., made from a flexible plastic material, a fabric material (e.g., a synthetic leather), etc. Base member 304 includes sensor mount regions 304A, 304B, 304C, and 304H corresponding to the locations of the respective sensor elements 302A, 302B, 302C, 302H (see
The base member 304 of this example includes a processor mount area 308 (which constitutes a through hole opening in this illustrate example). The connector component 310 is located adjacent the processor mount area 308. Electrical conductors 306 from the sensor element(s) 302A, 302B, 302C, 302H and/or other electrical components of the sensor system 300 extend to, converge on, and/or are in electrical communication with the connector component 310. In some more specific examples of this technology, one or more of the sensor element(s) 302A, 302B, 302C, 302H and/or the electrical conductors(s) 306 may be printed onto a substrate base member 304, e.g., as conductive ink tracing or other conductive print media material. The connector component 310 may constitute a conventional electrical hardware connector system, such as a portion of a USB-C port or plug, other USB port or plug (e.g., USB-A, USB-B, USB-B Mini, USB-B Micro, lightning, etc.), or other electrical connector plug, hardware, or system. As evident from
The sensor system 300 of this example further includes a charging component 320. The charging component 320 of this example is engaged with the base member 304 and may be used to charge batteries provided for operating one or more of the sensor element(s) 302A, 302B, 302C, 302H; the processing system 1000 (and/or any additional sensors provided with the processing system 1000 module); and/or other electrical components incorporated into the article of footwear 1200. While other arrangements are possible, in this illustrated example, the charging component 320 is included on an extended arm 312 portion of the base member 304.
As also shown in
The arm 312, when present, may be provided at any desired location along the perimeter of the sockliner 100 and/or base component 200 structure. In this illustrated example, as shown in
In some examples of this technology, the sensor system 300 may not completely fill the recess 222 provided in the top surface of the base component 200. Thus, a small step may be provided between the top major surface 220T of the base component 200 and the top surface of the base member 304 of the sensor system 300. If necessary or desired, a filler element 500 may be provided in the recess 222, e.g., overlaying (and optionally contacting) the sensor system 300.
The filler element 500 may be made of any desired material, such as a lightweight and/or flexible sheet material like a fabric material, a felt material (e.g., a hard felt or other non-woven material), a foam element, a plastic sheet material, etc. The bottom surface 500B of the filler element 500 (opposite the major top surface 500T) may include an adhesive material, e.g., an adhesive backing, that allows the filler element 500 to be fixed with the top surface of the sensor system 300. As shown in
A main purpose of the moderator plate 700 of this technology is to moderate the feel of the connector component 310 (and especially the feel of the hard forward edge of connector device 310A) against the wearer's foot when the sockliner 100 is located in the interior chamber of an article of footwear 1200. Due to its relative hardness, the moderator plate 700 helps spread the force applied to the wearer's foot by the connector component 310 (and especially the force applied by the hard forward edge of connector device 310A) over a larger surface area to moderate the feel of the connector component 310 against the wearer's foot.
Further, as shown in these figures and particularly
As shown in
Also, as shown in the example of
As shown in
The moderator plate 700 of this illustrated example further includes a second opening 710 defined through it. This second opening 710 is positioned to overlay (e.g., align with) one of the sensor elements (specifically, the heel area sensor element 302H in this illustrated example, as best shown in
While
The cover component 900 of this example includes two layers: a foam material layer 910 (as the bottom layer) and a fabric layer 920 (as the top layer). The foam material layer 910 provides a soft, comfortable support for the foot and helps moderate the feel of the underlaying equipment in the sockliner 100. Any desired type of foam material may be used, such as EVA foam, polyurethane foam, rubber materials, other elastomeric materials, etc., including ORTHOLITE® brand products (a trademark of 02 Partners LLC). As some more specific examples, the foam material layer may be from 1.5 to 5 mm thick (and in some examples, from 2 to 4 mm thick), have a density less than 0.2 g/cm3, and a hardness in the range of 15 to 40 Asker C. This illustrated example foam material layer 910 has a thickness of about 3 mm, a density of about 0.13 g/cm3, and a hardness of 25±4 Asker C. The exposed surface of the foam material layer 910 may include an adhesive (for securing to the other underlying layers of the sockliner 100).
The fabric layer 920 of this example provides a moisture wicking surface, e.g., to provide a comfortable feel under the wearer's foot. Any desired type of fabric layer may be used, such as polyesters, cottons, etc. In some examples of this technology, the fabric layer 920 may be formed from a material that helps provide grip to the wearer's foot (e.g., in a sock) to help prevent the foot from moving with respect to the fabric layer 920 during physical activity. This illustrated example includes a merry mesh fabric (e.g., with 32% recycled polyester) as the fabric layer 920. The fabric layer 920 may be engaged with the foam material layer 910 in any desired manner, e.g., by adhesive, by sewing, a laminated connection, etc.
Other materials may be used for the cover component 900 without departing from this technology. For example, the foam material layer 910 may be made, at least in part, from other foam materials, such as polyurethane foams; rubbers or other elastomeric materials; etc. As other examples, if desired, the cover component 900 (e.g., its bottom layer) may be made, at least in part, from a fluid-filled bladder component, such as a thin bladder component, as are known and used in the footwear arts.
When the layers of the sockliner 100 are stacked together (e.g., as shown in
The stacked layers of
The processing system 1000 may include one or more of: (i) one or more microprocessors 1002 (e.g., for processing data from the sensor element(s) 302A-302C, 302H) and producing an output); (ii) a memory 1004; (iii) a battery 1006; and/or (iv) a wireless or other input/output system 1008 (e.g., a transceiver, BLUETOOTH® type wireless technology (“BLUETOOTH” is a registered trademark of Bluetooth Special Interest Group, Inc.), etc.). Additionally, if desired, the processing system 1000 may include additional sensors, such as one or more accelerometer sensors 1012 and/or one or more gyroscope sensors 1014. Alternatively, if desired, any one or more of the memory 1004, the battery 1006, the input/output system 1008, the accelerometer(s) 1012, and/or the gyroscope sensor(s) 1014 may be provided on other components of the sockliner 100 (e.g., with the sensor system 300) and/or on other parts of the article of footwear 1200, its upper 1202, and/or its sole structure 1204.
The sensor element(s) 302A-302C, 302H, 1012, and/or 1014 may provide foot force data (in various different areas of the foot), foot contact data (in various different areas of the foot), and/or foot motion data that may be used by the processing system to provide athletic performance data and metrics and/or other information regarding foot motion, foot contact force, and the like. The processing system 1000 components are shown schematically in
As shown in
Once the processing system 1000 is mounted in the processor mount compartment 100A of the sockliner 100, that sensing system combination may be placed into the interior chamber of an article of footwear 1200, e.g., as shown by arrow A of
In accordance with at least some aspects of this technology, the sensing system may be formed as a sockliner 100 (e.g., completely embodied in a sockliner structure as discussed above in conjunction with
Many alternatives to the specifically disclosed structures and components parts are possible without departing from this technology. For example, if desired, two or more of the component parts (e.g., two or more of the base component 200, the sensor system 300, the filler element 500, the moderator plate 700, and/or the top cover component 900) may be formed as parts of a single component in accordance with some examples of this technology. As a more specific example, two or more of the base component 200, the sensor system 300, and/or the cover component 900 may be formed as parts of a single component, such as by 3D printing techniques. In such structures, the filler element 500 may be omitted (and any recesses or spaces (like recess 222) in one component can be filled or avoided by the 3D printing process).
As another example, the sensor system 300 may be provided in (e.g., sealed within) the interior of a fluid-filled bladder (e.g., formed on or engaged with a surface of a thermoplastic sheet of material used to form the fluid-filled bladder before the bladder is sealed and/or inflated). In such a structure, the bottom surface of the thermoplastic sheet forming the fluid-filled bladder may constitute the “base component” 200 with which the sensor system 300 is engaged and/or integrally formed, and the fluid-filled bladder may be constructed with a seam between top and bottom layers of the bladder at the processor mount area. A through hole then could be cut through the seam, if desired, at this processor mount area. As yet another example, the base component 200 may constitute a thin fluid-filled bladder and the sensor system 300 may be mounted on the top surface of this fluid-filled bladder.
The present technology is disclosed above and in the accompanying drawings with reference to a variety of embodiments. The purpose served by the disclosure, however, is to provide an example of the various features and concepts related to this technology, not to limit the scope of the claimed invention. One skilled in the relevant art will recognize that numerous variations and modifications may be made to the embodiments described above without departing from the scope of the presently claimed invention, as defined by the appended claims.
For the avoidance of doubt, the present application includes at least the subject matter described in the following numbered Clauses:
Clause 1. A sockliner, comprising:
Clause 2. The sockliner according to Clause 1, wherein the moderator plate further includes a second opening that overlays (e.g., aligns with) the first sensor element.
Clause 3. The sockliner according to Clause 2, wherein the first sensor element is a heel sensor.
Clause 4. The sockliner according to any one of Clauses 1 to 3, wherein a forwardmost edge of the moderator plate is located in a midfoot region of the sockliner.
Clause 5. The sockliner according to any one of Clauses 1 to 4, wherein the first major surface of the base component has a recess defined in it, wherein the sensor system includes a base member on which the first sensor element and the first electrical conductor are mounted, and wherein the base member of the sensor system is received in the recess.
Clause 6. The sockliner according to Clause 5, further comprising a filler element included in the recess, wherein the filler element extends between the moderator plate and the sensor system.
Clause 7. The sockliner according to Clause 6, wherein the filler element further covers the first sensor element and the first electrical conductor.
Clause 8. The sockliner according to Clause 6 or 7, wherein the filler element includes a felt material, a fabric material, a foam element, or a plastic sheet material.
Clause 9. The sockliner according to any one of Clauses 5 to 8, wherein the sensor system further includes a charging component engaged with the base member.
Clause 10. The sockliner according to Clause 9, wherein a portion of the base member on which at least a portion of the charging component is provided includes an arm that extends beyond a perimeter edge of the base component.
Clause 11. The sockliner according to Clause 9, wherein a portion of the base member on which at least a portion of the charging component is provided includes an arm that extends beyond a medial side perimeter edge of the base component.
Clause 12. The sockliner according to any one of Clauses 1 to 11, further comprising a cover member overlaying the first major surface of the base component, the sensor system, and the moderator plate.
Clause 13. The sockliner according to Clause 12, wherein the cover member comprises a foam material.
Clause 14. The sockliner according to Clause 12, wherein the cover member includes a foam layer and a fabric layer overlaying the foam layer.
Clause 15. The sockliner according to any one of Clauses 12 to 14, wherein the cover member extends continuously to provide a forefoot support region, a midfoot support region, and a heel support region.
Clause 16. The sockliner according to any one of Clauses 1 to 4 or 12 to 15, wherein the sensor system further includes a charging component.
Clause 17. The sockliner according to Clause 16, wherein the sensor system includes a base member on which the first sensor element and the first electrical conductor are mounted, wherein at least a portion of the charging component is provided on the base member.
Clause 18. The sockliner according to Clause 17, wherein a portion of the base member on which at least the portion of the charging component is provided includes an arm that extends beyond a perimeter edge of the base component.
Clause 19. The sockliner according to Clause 17, wherein a portion of the base member on which at least the portion of the charging component is provided includes an arm that extends beyond a medial side perimeter edge of the base component.
Clause 20. The sockliner according to any one of Clauses 1 to 19, wherein the sensor system defines a through hole opening positioned adjacent the connector component and at least partially aligning with the processor mount region and the first opening of the moderator plate.
Clause 21. The sockliner according to Clause 20, wherein the connector component includes a connector device exposed in the through hole opening of the sensor system and in the first opening of the moderator plate.
Clause 22. The sockliner according to any one of Clauses 1 to 21, wherein the base component extends continuously to provide a forefoot support region, a midfoot support region, and a heel support region.
Clause 23. The sockliner according to any one of Clauses 1 to 22, further comprising a processing system located in the processor mount region and electrically connected to the connector component of the sensor system.
Clause 24. The sockliner according to Clause 23, wherein the processing system further includes at least one of an accelerometer or gyroscope sensor.
Clause 25. The sockliner according to Clause 23 or 24, wherein the processing system includes an electronic module having a connector that engages with the connector component of the sensing system.
Clause 26. The sockliner according to Clause 25, wherein the base component includes a second major surface opposite the first major surface, the second major surface providing access to the processor mount region.
Clause 27. The sockliner according to Clause 26, wherein a surface of the electronic module is exposed at the second major surface of the base component.
Clause 28. The sockliner according to any one of Clauses 1 to 27, wherein the sockliner includes a topmost surface and a bottommost surface opposite the topmost surface, and wherein a thickness dimension of the sockliner measured directly from the topmost surface to the bottommost surface through at least 75% of a surface area of the topmost surface is less than 10 mm.
Clause 29. The sockliner according to any one of Clauses 1 to 27, wherein the sockliner includes a topmost surface and a bottommost surface opposite the topmost surface, and wherein a thickness dimension of the sockliner measured directly from the topmost surface to the bottommost surface through at least 75% of a surface area of the topmost surface is less than 8 mm.
Clause 30. The sockliner according to any one of Clauses 1 to 27, wherein the sockliner includes a topmost surface and a bottommost surface opposite the topmost surface, and wherein a thickness dimension of the sockliner measured directly from the topmost surface to the bottommost surface through at least 90% of a surface area of the topmost surface is less than 10 mm.
Clause 31. The sockliner according to any one of Clauses 1 to 27, wherein the sockliner includes a topmost surface and a bottommost surface opposite the topmost surface, and wherein a thickness dimension of the sockliner measured directly from the topmost surface to the bottommost surface through at least 90% of a surface area of the topmost surface is less than 8 mm.
Clause 32. A footwear upper, comprising:
Clause 33. An article of footwear, comprising:
Clause 34. The article of footwear according to Clause 33, wherein the bottom component of the upper member completely separates the sockliner from the sole structure.
Clause 35. A sensing system for sensing at least one of foot motion or foot force on a surface, the sensing system comprising:
Clause 36. The sensing system according to Clause 35, wherein the moderator plate further includes a second opening that overlays (e.g., aligns with) the first sensor element.
Clause 37. The sensing system according to Clause 36, wherein the first sensor element is a heel force or motion sensor.
Clause 38. The sensing system according to any one of Clauses 35 to 37, wherein a forwardmost edge of the moderator plate is located in a midfoot region of the base component.
Clause 39. The sensing system according to any one of Clauses 35 to 38, wherein the first major surface of the base component has a recess defined in it, wherein the sensor system includes a base member on which the first sensor element and the first electrical conductor are mounted, and wherein the base member of the sensor system is received in the recess.
Clause 40. The sensing system according to Clause 39, further comprising a filler element included in the recess, wherein the filler element extends between the moderator plate and the sensor system.
Clause 41. The sensing system according to Clause 40, wherein the filler element further covers the first sensor element and the first electrical conductor.
Clause 42. The sensing system according to Clause 40 or 41, wherein the filler element includes a felt material, a fabric material, a foam material, or a plastic sheet material.
Clause 43. The sensing system according to any one of Clauses 39 to 42, wherein the sensor system further includes a charging component engaged with the base member.
Clause 44. The sensing system according to Clause 43, wherein a portion of the base member on which at least a portion of the charging component is provided includes an arm that extends beyond a perimeter edge of the base component.
Clause 45. The sensing system according to Clause 43, wherein a portion of the base member on which at least a portion of the charging component is provided includes an arm that extends beyond a medial side perimeter edge of the base component.
Clause 46. The sensing system according to any one of Clauses 35 to 45, further comprising a cover member overlaying the first major surface of the base component, the sensor system, and the moderator plate.
Clause 47. The sensing system according to Clause 46, wherein the cover member comprises a foam material.
Clause 48. The sensing system according to Clause 46, wherein the cover member includes a foam layer and a fabric layer overlaying the foam layer.
Clause 49. The sensing system according to any one of Clauses 46 to 48, wherein the cover member extends continuously to provide a forefoot support region, a midfoot support region, and a heel support region.
Clause 50. The sensing system according to any one of Clauses 35 to 38 or 46 to 49, wherein the sensor system further includes a charging component.
Clause 51. The sensing system according to Clause 50, wherein the sensor system includes a base member on which the first sensor element and the first electrical conductor are mounted, wherein at least a portion of the charging component is provided on the base member.
Clause 52. The sensing system according to Clause 51, wherein a portion of the base member on which at least the portion of the charging component is provided includes an arm that extends beyond a perimeter edge of the base component.
Clause 53. The sensing system according to Clause 51, wherein a portion of the base member on which at least the portion of the charging component is provided includes an arm that extends beyond a medial side perimeter edge of the base component.
Clause 54. The sensing system according to any one of Clauses 35 to 53, wherein the sensor system defines a through hole opening positioned adjacent the connector component and at least partially aligning with the processor mount region and the first opening of the moderator plate.
Clause 55. The sensing system according to Clause 54, wherein the connector component includes a connector device exposed in the through hole opening of the sensor system and in the first opening of the moderator plate.
Clause 56. The sensing system according to any one of Clauses 35 to 55, wherein the base component extends continuously to provide a forefoot support region, a midfoot support region, and a heel support region.
Clause 57. The sensing system according to any one of Clauses 35 to 56, further comprising a processing system located in the processor mount region and electrically connected to the connector component of the sensor system.
Clause 58. The sensing system according to Clause 57, wherein the processing system further includes at least one of an accelerometer or gyroscope sensor.
Clause 59. The sensing system according to Clause 57 or 58, wherein the processing system includes an electronic module having a connector that engages with the connector component of the sensing system.
Clause 60. The sensing system according to Clause 59, wherein the base component includes a second major surface opposite the first major surface, the second major surface providing access to the processor mount region.
Clause 61. The sensing system according to Clause 60, wherein a surface of the electronic module is exposed at the second major surface of the base component.
Clause 62. The sensing system according to any one of Clauses 35 to 61, wherein the first sensor element senses foot force or motion at a first location, and wherein the sensing system further includes a second sensor element and a second electrical conductor connecting the second sensor element and the connector component, the second sensor element sensing foot force or motion at a second location different from the first location.
Clause 63. The sensing system according to Clause 62, wherein the first sensor element is located in a heel support region of the base component, and the second sensor element is located in a forefoot support region of the base component.
Clause 64. The sensing system according to Clause 62, wherein the sensing system further includes a third sensor element and a third electrical conductor connecting the third sensor element and the connector component, the third sensor element sensing foot force or motion at a third location different from the first location and different from the second location.
Clause 65. The sensing system according to Clause 64, wherein the first sensor element is located in a heel support region of the base component, and the second sensor element and the third sensor element are located in a forefoot support region of the base component.
Clause 66. The sensing system according to Clause 64, wherein the sensing system further includes a fourth sensor element and a fourth electrical conductor connecting the fourth sensor element and the connector component, the fourth sensor element sensing foot force or motion at a fourth location different from the first location, the second location, and the third location.
Clause 67. The sensing system according to Clause 66, wherein the first sensor element is located in a heel support region of the base component, the second sensor element is located in a fifth metatarsal head support region of the base component, the third sensor element is located in a first metatarsal head support region of the base component, and the fourth sensor element is located forward of the third sensor element.
Clause 68. The sensing system according to any one of Clauses 35 to 67, wherein the sensing system includes a topmost surface and a bottommost surface opposite the topmost surface, and wherein a thickness dimension of the sensing system measured directly from the topmost surface to the bottommost surface through at least 75% of a surface area of the topmost surface is less than 10 mm.
Clause 69. The sensing system according to any one of Clauses 35 to 67, wherein the sensing system includes a topmost surface and a bottommost surface opposite the topmost surface, and wherein a thickness dimension of the sensing system measured directly from the topmost surface to the bottommost surface through at least 75% of a surface area of the topmost surface is less than 8 mm.
Clause 70. The sensing system according to any one of Clauses 35 to 67, wherein the sensing system includes a topmost surface and a bottommost surface opposite the topmost surface, and wherein a thickness dimension of the sensing system measured directly from the topmost surface to the bottommost surface through at least 90% of a surface area of the topmost surface is less than 10 mm.
Clause 71. The sensing system according to any one of Clauses 35 to 67, wherein the sensing system includes a topmost surface and a bottommost surface opposite the topmost surface, and wherein a thickness dimension of the sensing system measured directly from the topmost surface to the bottommost surface through at least 90% of a surface area of the topmost surface is less than 8 mm.
Clause 72. A sensing system for sensing at least one of foot motion or foot force on a surface, the sensing system consisting essentially of:
Clause 73. A sensing system for sensing at least one of foot motion or foot force on a surface, the sensing system consisting essentially of:
Clause 74. A sensing system for sensing at least one of foot motion or foot force on a surface, the sensing system consisting essentially of:
Clause 75. A sensing system for sensing at least one of foot motion or foot force on a surface, the sensing system consisting essentially of:
Clause 76. The sensing system according to any one of Clauses 35 to 75, wherein the sensing system includes a topmost surface and a bottommost surface opposite the topmost surface, and wherein a thickness dimension of the sensing system measured directly from the topmost surface to the bottommost surface through at least 75% of a surface area of the topmost surface is less than 10 mm.
Clause 77. The sensing system according to any one of Clauses 35 to 75, wherein the sensing system includes a topmost surface and a bottommost surface opposite the topmost surface, and wherein a thickness dimension of the sensing system measured directly from the topmost surface to the bottommost surface through at least 75% of a surface area of the topmost surface is less than 8 mm.
Clause 78. The sensing system according to any one of Clauses 35 to 75, wherein the sensing system includes a topmost surface and a bottommost surface opposite the topmost surface, and wherein a thickness dimension of the sensing system measured directly from the topmost surface to the bottommost surface through at least 90% of a surface area of the topmost surface is less than 10 mm.
Clause 79. The sensing system according to any one of Clauses 35 to 75, wherein the sensing system includes a topmost surface and a bottommost surface opposite the topmost surface, and wherein a thickness dimension of the sensing system measured directly from the topmost surface to the bottommost surface through at least 90% of a surface area of the topmost surface is less than 8 mm.
Clause 80. The sensing system according to any one of Clauses 35 to 79, wherein the sensing system is incorporated into a sockliner structure.
Clause 81. A footwear upper, comprising: (A) an upper component including one or more parts forming an interior chamber having a bottom member; and (B) a sensing system according to any one of Clauses 35 to 80 received in the interior chamber and supported by the bottom member of the upper component.
Clause 82. An article of footwear, comprising: (A) an upper component including one or more parts forming an interior chamber having a bottom member, the bottom member having a top surface and a bottom surface opposite the top surface; (B) a sole structure engaged with the bottom surface of the upper component; and (C) a sensing system according to any one of Clauses 35 to 80 received in the interior chamber and supported by the top surface of the upper component.
Clause 83. The article of footwear according to Clause 82, wherein the bottom member of the upper component completely separates the sensing system from the sole structure.
This application claims priority benefits and is a U.S. Non-Provisional Patent Application based on (a) U.S. Provisional Patent Appln. No. 63/465,969 entitled “Footwear Liner with Electronics Tab” filed May 12, 2023, (b) U.S. Provisional Patent Appln. No. 63/465,980 entitled “Article of Footwear with Liner Having External Ground Plane” filed May 12, 2023, and (c) U.S. Provisional Patent Appln. No. 63/502,223 entitled “Footwear Sensing Systems Formed as a Sockliner or Insole Component” filed May 15, 2023. Each of U.S. Provisional Patent Appln. No. 63/465,969, U.S. Provisional Patent Appln. No. 63/465,980, and U.S. Provisional Patent Appln. No. 63/502,223 is entirely incorporated herein by reference.
| Number | Date | Country | |
|---|---|---|---|
| 63502223 | May 2023 | US | |
| 63465969 | May 2023 | US | |
| 63465980 | May 2023 | US |
