US4771394A
Expired / Lapsed
US
⏱️ 0.0 years remaining
Computer shoe system and shoe for use therewith
Assignee: Puma SE
•
Filing: 1986-02-03
•
Granted: 1988-09-13
•
Expires: 2006-02-03
Abstract
Abstract A pair of running shoes provided with a housing at the heel thereof, into one of which an electronic device is removably mounted. The electronic device comprises a normally open inertia switch for producing a footstrike count, an oscillator crystal for providing a stopwatch function, a sound generating device, a battery power source and a gate array for counting time and footstrikes. The electronic device together with a computer and a cable for enabling communication between the computer and the electronic device in the shoe form a computer shoe system for enabling accurate information to be obtained with respect to a period of usage of the shoes of one or more users as well as enabling a running log to be maintained. The computer shoe system is capable of producing more accurate data related to distance and speed of travel than simple pedometer arrangements because, instead of utilizing a stride length constant, the system converts running time and footstrike data into distance and running speed information as a function of stride time. In a preferred form, the housing for each shoe wraps around the heel thereof so as to form an external heel counter.
Inventors
- 👤 Peter R. Cavanagh
Bibliographic Details
Application Number
—
Jurisdiction
US
Data Source
google_patents
Last Synchronized
2026-10-23 21:46
CPC Classifications
A; A43; A43B; A43B5/00; A43B5/06; A43B3/00; A43B3/34; A61; A61B; A61B5/00; A61B5/0002; G; G01; G01C; G01C22/00; G01C22/006; Y; Y10; Y10S; Y10S482/00; Y10S482/901
Claims Analysis
Total Claims: 9
Claim 1
Independent Claim
235 words
A computer shoe system comprising a pair of running shoes, an electronic device that is mountable to at least one of the running shoes and operable to store running time and footstrike count data pertaining to a use of the running shoes by a wearer, and means for enabling communication of said running time and footstrike count data to a separate and independent computer after completion of a usage of the running shoes; wherein said electronic device comprises an inertia switch for producing footstrike indicating signals, a time signal generating means, and a gate array having a respective divider for counting each signal produced by the inertia switch and the time signal generating means; wherein said electronic device, as a whole, is removably mounted within a housing carried by at least one shoe of said pair of shoes; wherein said electronic device comprises cover means for sealing said housing upon mounting of the electronic device therein, wherein operating controls and a connector for a computer connector cable are accessible from an exterior side of said cover, wherein said gate array, inertia switch, time signal generating means and a power source therefor are carried by an interior side thereof; and wherein said housing is configured to form an external heel counter for providing rear foot stability; and a like configured housing and a closure therefor are provided on the other shoe of said pair of shoes.
Claim 2
Dependent Claim
235 words
A computer shoe system comprising a pair of running shoes, an electronic device that is mountable to at least one of the running shoes and operable to store running time and footstrike count data pertaining to a use of the running shoes by a wearer, and means for enabling communication of said running time and footstrike count data to a separate and independent computer after completion of a usage of the running shoes; wherein said electronic device comprises an inertia switch for producing footstrike indicating signals, a time signal generating means, and a gate array having a respective divider for counting each signal produced by the inertia switch and the time signal generating means; wherein said electronic device, as a whole, is removably mounted within a housing carried by at least one shoe of said pair of shoes; wherein said electronic device comprises cover means for sealing said housing upon mounting of the electronic device therein, wherein operating controls and a connector for a computer connector cable are accessible from an exterior side of said cover, wherein said gate array, inertia switch, time signal generating means and a power source therefor are carried by an interior side thereof; and wherein said housing is configured to form an external heel counter for providing rear foot stability; and a like configured housing and a closure therefor are provided on the other shoe of said pair of shoes.
Claim 3
Dependent Claim
132 words
A computer shoe system comprising a pair of running shoes, an electronic device that is mountable to at least one of the running shoes and operable to store running time and footstrike count data pertaining to a use of the running shoes by a wearer, and means for enabling communication of said runner time and footstrike count data to a separate and independent computer after completion of a usage of the running shoes; wherein said electronic device, as a whole, is removably mounted within a housing carried by one shoe of said pair of shoes; wherein said housing is configured to form an external heel counter for providing rear foot stability; and wherein a like configured housing and a closure therefor are provided on the other shoe of said pair of shoes.
Claim 4
Dependent Claim
132 words
A computer shoe system comprising a pair of running shoes, an electronic device that is mountable to at least one of the running shoes and operable to store running time and footstrike count data pertaining to a use of the running shoes by a wearer, and means for enabling communication of said runner time and footstrike count data to a separate and independent computer after completion of a usage of the running shoes; wherein said electronic device, as a whole, is removably mounted within a housing carried by one shoe of said pair of shoes; wherein said housing is configured to form an external heel counter for providing rear foot stability; and wherein a like configured housing and a closure therefor are provided on the other shoe of said pair of shoes.
Claim 5
Dependent Claim
69 words
A running shoe for use in a computer shoe system comprising an upper, a shock-absorbing midsole and a wear resistant outer sole, wherein a housing is affixed to a heel of the shoe in a manner forming an external rearfoot stabilizing counter wrapped around the upper from one side of the heel to an opposite side thereof, said housing having a chamber for receiving an electronic data accumulating device.
Claim 6
Dependent Claim
69 words
A running shoe for use in a computer shoe system comprising an upper, a shock-absorbing midsole and a wear resistant outer sole, wherein a housing is affixed to a heel of the shoe in a manner forming an external rearfoot stabilizing counter wrapped around the upper from one side of the heel to an opposite side thereof, said housing having a chamber for receiving an electronic data accumulating device.
Claim 7
Dependent Claim
33 words
A running shoe according to claim 3, wherein a removable cover plate is provided for closing an opening of said housing through which the electronic data accumulating device is insertable into said chamber.
Claim 8
Dependent Claim
21 words
A running shoe according to claim 4, wherein said cover plate is provided as part of said electronic data accumulating device.
Claim 9
Dependent Claim
73 words
A running shoe according to claim 5, wherein said electronic data accumulating device comprises an inertia switch for producing footstrike indicating signals, a time signal generating means, and a gate array having a respective divider for counting each signal produced by the inertia switch and the time signal generating means and is formed as a unit that is removable, as whole, from said housing for reuse in another shoe having a like-constructed housing.
References Cited (Backward Citations)
US3780272A
Cited
US4466204A
Cited
DE3308431A1
Cited
US4578769A
Cited
US4703445A
Cited
US4649552A
Cited
USPTO Annuity & Maintenance Windows
| Annuity Stage | Window Opens | Payment Deadline | Surcharge Period Until | Estimated Fee | Status |
|---|---|---|---|---|---|
| 3.5 Years (Year 4) | 1991-09-13 | 1992-03-14 | 1992-09-13 | $2000.00 | Window Closed / Lapsed |
| 7.5 Years (Year 8) | 1995-09-13 | 1996-03-14 | 1996-09-13 | $3760.00 | Window Closed / Lapsed |
| 11.5 Years (Year 12) | 1999-09-13 | 2000-03-14 | 2000-09-13 | $7700.00 | Window Closed / Lapsed |