Abstract: Active-response golf shoes are disclosed. The golf shoes include at least one sensor, a controller, and at least one active-response element. The sensor and controller operate to rapidly determine if a golfer is walking or swinging a golf club. Once this determination is made the controller and active-response element rapidly change the shoe's characteristics. If the controller determines that the golfer is walking, the shoe provides a soft and flexible walking platform. If the controller determines that the golfer is swinging, the shoe morphs or changes automatically to provide a stable hitting platform. The controller senses various predetermined conditions such as pressure under the ball of the user's foot to determine whether the golfer is walking or swinging. The active-response elements may be a sole adjuster, a lace adjuster, and/or an upper adjuster. Methods of determining the golfer's type of movement are also disclosed.

Abstract: Active-response golf shoes are disclosed. The golf shoes include at least one sensor, a controller, and at least one active-response element. The sensor and controller operate to rapidly determine if a golfer is walking or swinging a golf club. Once this determination is made the controller and active-response element rapidly change the shoe's characteristics. If the controller determines that the golfer is walking, the shoe provides a soft and flexible walking platform. If the controller determines that the golfer is swinging, the shoe morphs or changes automatically to provide a stable hitting platform. The controller senses various predetermined conditions such as pressure under the ball of the user's foot to determine whether the golfer is walking or swinging. The active-response elements may be a sole adjuster, a lace adjuster, and/or an upper adjuster. Methods of determining the golfer's type of movement are also disclosed.

Abstract: A swimmer's lap counter for registering the number of laps traversed by a swimmer in a pool. The counter includes a waterproof housing containing a control and display unit, which floats in a pool and is anchored to the pool edge. A piezoelectric touch pad descends therefrom and extends below the water line. Deformation of the touch pad increments the counting circuit, the current numerical state of which is displayed from the housing in a manner easily readable by the swimmer. A variety of alternative anchoring fixtures for retaining the housing at or near the edge of the pool are disclosed. In a first embodiment, the housing is coupled, preferably via an adjustable tether, to a conformable bracket that the user accommodates to the pool edge or coping such that the housing (and the touch pad coupled thereto) rest flush against the pool wall.