Footwear

Abstract

Athletic footwear is equipped with a device for detecting absence of movement of the wearer's foot for a period of time and a device responsive to the detecting device for alerting the wearer of such absence of movement. In a preferred embodiment, the detecting device comprises a device in the sole and/or heel of the footwear for detecting that the wearer is standing flat-footed and for energizing, after a time, an alerting signal, such as vibration or electric shock, for alerting the wearer that he or she is standing flat-footed.

Description

FIELD OF THE INVENTION

The present invention relates to footwear, especially athletic footwear embodying means for detecting that the wearer is standing flat-footed and means for alerting the wearer to that fact.

BACKGROUND OF THE INVENTION

There are many activities, particularly athletic activities such as tennis, where a participant does not want to be caught flat-footed but rather wants to be alert and attentive and ready to respond, for example in tennis, to a serve or a return volley. Unfortunately, many participants have a tendency to relax and unknowingly stand flat-footed and unable to respond in a timely fashion to the activity of their opponent.

SUMMARY OF THE INVENTION

The object of the present invention is to provide a device for alerting a participant in an activity to the fact that he or she is standing flat-footed and to enable them to remedy the situation in time to respond to their opponent's activity.

It is, in particular, an object of the invention to provide footwear, specifically athletic footwear, that embody a device for detecting inactivity e.g., flat-footedness of one or the other or both of the wearer's feet, and a device for alerting the wearer of that fact.

In accordance with the invention, athletic footwear having a sole, heel and upper includes one or more devices, such as a motion detector and/or a pressure sensor, mounted in the sole and/or heel of the footwear for detecting absence of motion of the foot and/or the presence of pressure on the heel of the shoe to signal that the participant is standing flat-footed or is otherwise not in an alert and ready posture, and one or more devices, such as a vibrator or electric shock device, mounted in a foot engaging portion of the footwear, to impart a signal to the foot or feet of the wearer that he or she is standing flat-footed or is otherwise not positioned for play.

Additionally, a time delay device is connected between the detecting device and the alerting device for activating the alerting device only after the detecting device has detected an absence of motion or pressure on the heel for a pre-determined period of time, thereby to prevent bogus alerts due to normal walking, etc. The footwear also preferably includes means for turning the detecting and/or alerting device on and off, and means for adjusting the time delay device for varying the period of time between detection of a condition and the alerting of the wearer to its existence.

The wearer of the footwear is thus aided in not being caught flat-footed and/or otherwise not ready for play.

These and other objects and advantages of the invention will become apparent to those of reasonable skill in the art from the following detailed description as considered in conjunction with the accompanying drawings.

BRIEF DESCRIPTION OF THE DRAWINGS

FIG. 1 is a longitudinal section of an item of athletic footwear embodying in the heel thereof one embodiment of the apparatus of the invention;

FIG. 2 is a rear view of the footwear of FIG. 1 showing an on-off switch and a time delay adjustment knob;

FIG. 3 is a schematic diagram of one embodiment of the circuitry for the apparatus of the invention;

FIG. 4 is a perspective view of an athletic shoe having embodied therein a second embodiment of the apparatus of the invention; and

FIG. 5 is a plan view of the athletic shoe of FIG. 4.

DETAILED DESCRIPTION

The following is a detailed description of certain embodiments of the invention presently contemplated by the inventor to be the best mode of carrying out her invention.

FIGS. 1 and 2 depict an athletic shoe 20 which, as is conventional, comprises an outsole 22, a heel 24, an insole 26 and an upper 28. The upper 28 may cover part or all of the wearer's foot or foot and ankle or may comprise straps for holding the sole to the plantar surface of the wearer's foot.

In the illustrated embodiment, the heel 24 is hollow and defines an apparatus receiving compartment or space 30. The insole 22 includes a trap door or lid 32 accommodating access to the compartment 30. The compartment 30 houses apparatus 34.

As illustrated in FIG. 3, the apparatus 34 suitably comprises a power source 36, such as a rechargeable and/or replaceable battery, an on/off switch 38 for enabling and disabling the apparatus, a device 40, such as a pressure sensor or motion detector for sensing an absence of foot motion or for sensing pressure on the heel indicative of a flat-footed stance, a time delay device 42, and a device 44 for alerting the wearer that he or she is standing flat-footed or is otherwise unprepared for activity.

The device 44 may comprise a vibrator or vibratory device, an electric shock transmitting device, or similar device, or an audible signal in the case of activities where an audible signal would not be obtrusive to the activity or to other participants.

The trap door or lid 32 facilitates installation of the apparatus 34 in the compartment 30 and removal of the apparatus from the compartment for battery replacement and/or repair.

The switch 38 is preferably accessible from the rear or a side surface of the heel 24 to facilitate turning apparatus 34 on and off, i.e., for enabling the apparatus 34 for operation and for disabling the apparatus during times of inactivity i.e., during times of nonparticipation.

The time delay device 42 operates to hold signals from the detecting device 40 for a period of time before transmitting the same to the alerting device 44. This ensures that the wearer's foot is indeed substantially inactive for a period of time, or that the wearer is in fact standing flat-footed for a period of time, before a signal is transmitted to the alerting device 44. This prevents the sending of bogus signals occasioned by the simple acts of walking or other short-lived movements or lack of movement that might otherwise trigger the detecting device but are not indicative of a flat-footed or other inactive stance. Thus, the alerting device is activated only after the detecting device has detected an absence of motion continuing for a predetermined period of time.

In the preferred embodiment, the time-delay device 42 is adjustable by means of a stem or knob 46 extending through a rear or sidewall of the footwear heel for varying the duration of the aforesaid predetermined period of time.

Using micro-mini components, the apparatus of the invention is readily accommodated in the compartment 30 and/or other parts of the footwear. Also, if the sensor 40 is a motion detector, it may be located anywhere in the footwear, as may the alerting device 44.

While it may in some cases suffice to provide an apparatus 34 in just one of a pair of shoes, sandals or the like, it is preferable to have an apparatus 34 in both shoes or sandals of the pair.

Referring to FIGS. 4 and 5, and employing the same reference numerals as above with the added suffix “a”, a second embodiment of the invention incorporates the components of apparatus 34a directly into a shoe 20a, for example, by molding the components into the shoe during manufacture of the shoe. As is customary, athletic footwear 20a includes a sole 22a having a heel portion 24a and an upper 28a.

Molded into the heel portion 24a, or other appropriate portion of the shoe are a plurality of sensors 40a arrayed, for example, in a triangle to sense lack of motion or pressure at the left, right and center of the heel. A battery or other power source 36a maybe molded into the shoe, for example, in the heel portion of the upper 28a.

A combined on/off switch and time delay device 38a/42a (similar to a rheostat or dimmer switch) may be incorporated in a sidewall of the sole, heel or upper in a location where it is easily accessible by the wearer to turn the apparatus on and off and to adjust the duration of the time delay.

A vibrator, electric shock device or other device 44a capable of alerting the wearer may be located at any suitable site in the shoe where it is likely to be most effective, for example, in the toe box portion of the upper 28a and/or the sole 22a, as illustrated for the embodiment of the invention shown in FIGS. 4 and 5.

The invention thus provide a means for alerting a participant in an activity that he or she is standing flat-footed or is otherwise unprepared to participate in the activity, and does so in a convenient, economical, practical and facile manner.

While preferred embodiments of the invention have been herein illustrated and described, it is to be appreciated that various changes, rearrangements and modifications may be made therein without departing from the scope of the invention as defined by the appended claims.

Claims

1. In an item of footwear, the improvement comprising means for detecting that the wearer is standing flat-footed and means for alerting the wearer of that fact.

2. The improvement of claim 1 wherein the means for detecting that the wearer is standing flat-footed comprises a pressure sensor.

3. The improvement of claim 1 wherein the means for detecting that the wearer is standing flat-footed comprises a motion detector for detecting an absence of motion.

4. The improvement of claim 1 wherein the means for alerting the wearer comprises a vibrator.

5. The improvement of claim 1 wherein the means for alerting the wearer comprises means for transmitting an electrical shock.

6. The improvement of claim 1 wherein the means for alerting the wearer comprises an audible signal.

7. The improvement of claim 1 including time delay means between the detecting means and the alerting means for activating the alerting means only after the detecting means has detected that the wearer has been standing flat-footed for a period of time.

8. The improvement of claim 7 including means for adjusting the time delay means for varying said period of time.

9. The improvement of claim 1 including a power source coupled to said detecting means and said alerting means for energizing the same and means for uncoupling said power source from said detecting means and/or said alerting means for disabling the same.

10. An item of footwear having a sole, heel and upper and including means for detecting an absence of motion of the wearer's foot and means activated by said detecting means for alerting the wearer of such absence of motion.

11. An item of footwear as set forth in claim 10 wherein said detecting means comprises a motion detector for sensing an absence of motion.

12. An item of footwear as set forth in clam 10 wherein said detecting means comprises one or more pressure sensors mounted within the sole and/or heel of the footwear.

13. An item of footwear as set forth in claim 10 wherein said alerting means comprises one or more vibrators mounted within a foot contacting part of the footwear.

14. An item of footwear as set forth in claim 10 wherein said alerting means comprises one or more electric shock transmitting means mounted within a foot contacting part of the footwear.

15. An item of footwear as set forth in claim 10 including time delay means between the detecting means and the alerting means for activating the alerting means only after the detecting means has detected an absence of motion for a period of time.

16. An item of footwear as set forth in claim 15 including means for adjusting the time delay means for varying said period of time.

17. An item of footwear as set forth in claim 10 including a power source coupled to said detecting means and said alerting means for energizing the same and means for uncoupling said power source from said detecting means and/or alerting means for disabling the same.

18. An item of athletic footwear having a sole, heel and upper and comprising

means in the sole, heel and/or upper for detecting an absence of motion of the wearer's foot,

means in a foot-engaging portion of the sole, heel and/or upper activated by said detecting means for alerting the wearer of the absence of motion,

time delay means between said detecting means and said alerting means for activating said alerting means only after said detecting means has detected an absence of motion for a period of time,

a power source coupled to said detecting means, said time delay means and said alerting means for energizing the same, and

switch means for uncoupling said power source from said detecting means and/or alerting means for disabling the same.

19. Footwear as set forth in claim 18 including means for adjusting the time delay means for varying the duration of said period of time.

20. Footwear as set forth in claim 19 wherein said switch means and said adjusting means are combined in a single unit.