U.S. patent application number 11/625890 was filed with the patent office on 2007-07-26 for shoe pedometer.
Invention is credited to Steven N. Gordon.
Application Number | 20070169381 11/625890 |
Document ID | / |
Family ID | 38284159 |
Filed Date | 2007-07-26 |
United States Patent
Application |
20070169381 |
Kind Code |
A1 |
Gordon; Steven N. |
July 26, 2007 |
Shoe Pedometer
Abstract
A shoe suited for walking or running includes a shoe sole, a
shoe upper attached to the shoe sole, and a pedometer integrated
into one of the shoe sole and the shoe upper. The pedometer
includes structure configured for monitoring a remaining useful
life of the shoe, and structure configured to alert a user when the
remaining useful life is approaching or has reached an end. The
shoe indicates when it should be replaced to protect against
skeletal, bone, shin, internal and other user injury resulting from
running/walking on shoes that have diminished shock absorbency.
Inventors: |
Gordon; Steven N.; (New
York, NY) |
Correspondence
Address: |
NIXON & VANDERHYE, PC
901 NORTH GLEBE ROAD, 11TH FLOOR
ARLINGTON
VA
22203
US
|
Family ID: |
38284159 |
Appl. No.: |
11/625890 |
Filed: |
January 23, 2007 |
Related U.S. Patent Documents
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Application
Number |
Filing Date |
Patent Number |
|
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60760953 |
Jan 23, 2006 |
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Current U.S.
Class: |
36/132 |
Current CPC
Class: |
A43B 3/0078 20130101;
A43B 3/00 20130101; A43B 3/0005 20130101; A43B 23/24 20130101 |
Class at
Publication: |
36/132 |
International
Class: |
A43B 5/00 20060101
A43B005/00 |
Claims
1. A shoe suited for walking or running comprising: a shoe sole; a
shoe upper attached to the shoe sole; and a pedometer integrated
into one of the shoe sole and the shoe upper, the pedometer
including structure configured for monitoring a remaining useful
life of the shoe and including structure configured to alert a user
when the remaining useful life is approaching or has reached an
end.
2. A shoe according to claim 1, wherein the pedometer comprises a
memory that stores a cumulative mileage of the shoe.
3. A shoe according to claim 2, wherein the pedometer comprises a
processor communicating with the memory, the processor activating
the alerting structure when the remaining useful life of the shoe
is approaching or has reached an end.
4. A shoe according to claim 1, wherein the pedometer comprises a
display.
5. A shoe according to claim 4, wherein the display is affixed to
one of the shoe sole and the shoe upper.
6. A shoe according to claim 5, wherein the shoe upper comprises a
tongue, and wherein the display is affixed to the tongue.
7. A shoe according to claim 5, wherein the shoe sole comprises an
arch, and wherein the display is affixed to the arch.
8. A shoe according to clam 4, wherein the display serves as the
alerting structure.
9. A shoe according to claim 8, wherein the pedometer comprises a
processor operatively coupled with the display for driving the
display, and wherein when the remaining useful life of the shoe is
approaching or has reached an end, the processor drives the display
to one of flash, turn color, or cease to function.
10. A shoe according to claim 1, wherein the alerting structure
alerts the user when the remaining useful life is approaching or
has reached an end based on one of time of use or cumulative
mileage.
11. A shoe according to claim 1, wherein the alerting structure
disables operation of the pedometer when the remaining useful life
is approaching or has reached an end.
12. A shoe suited for walking or running comprising a pedometer
embedded into a component of the shoe, the pedometer including a
power source, a processor communicating with a memory, and a
display, the processor monitoring a remaining useful life of the
shoe, alerting a user via the display when the remaining useful
life is approaching or has reached an end.
13. A shoe according to claim 12, wherein when the remaining useful
life of the shoe is approaching or has reached an end, the
processor drives the display to one of flash, turn color, or cease
to function.
14. A shoe according to claim 12, wherein when the remaining useful
life is approaching or has reached an end, the processor disables
operation of the pedometer.
Description
CROSS-REFERENCES TO RELATED APPLICATIONS
[0001] This application claims the benefit of U.S. Provisional
Patent Application Ser. No. 60/760,953, filed Jan. 23, 2006, the
entire content of which is herein incorporated by reference.
STATEMENT REGARDING FEDERALLY SPONSORED RESEARCH OR DEVELOPMENT
[0002] (Not Applicable)
BACKGROUND OF THE INVENTION
[0003] The invention relates to a walking/running shoe
incorporating a pedometer and, more particularly, to a
walking/running shoe including a pedometer that monitors a
remaining life of the shoe in addition to conventional pedometer
functionality.
[0004] Walking and running are popular exercise activities. It is
desirable for walkers or runners to monitor their travel distance,
time, etc. Existing pedometers that perform these functions can be
burdensome, however, as they are typically required to be attached
to the user's hip or wrist and can be difficult to put on,
forgotten or lost before starting exercise. It would thus be
desirable to provide a walking or running shoe that incorporates a
pedometer as a component of the shoe.
[0005] In recent decades, athletic shoe design has advanced to
enable shoes to be particularly suited for a specific sport or
activity. Walking or running shoes have advanced to provide for
better shock absorption and support to protect against skeletal,
bone, shin, internal and other user injury. Over time and/or
continued use, the ability of a walking/running shoe to adequately
absorb shock and perform its intended function is diminished. It
would thus also be desirable to incorporate a device in such a shoe
that can monitor use and alert the user when a useful life of the
shoe is approaching or has reached its end.
BRIEF SUMMARY OF THE INVENTION
[0006] A shoe suited for walking or running includes a pedometer
integrated into one of the shoe sole or the shoe upper. In this
manner, the users will always have the pedometer accessible to
them, and the shoe would prevent users from forgetting or
misplacing their pedometer.
[0007] The pedometer preferably includes structure that monitors a
remaining useful life of the shoe and alerts a user when the
remaining useful life is approaching or has reached an end. In this
manner, the shoe indicates when it should be replaced to protect
the user against skeletal, bone, shin, internal and other user
injury resulting from walking or running on shoes that have
diminished shock absorbency.
[0008] In an exemplary embodiment of the invention, a shoe suited
for walking or running includes a shoe sole, a shoe upper attached
to the shoe sole, and a pedometer integrated into one of the shoe
sole and the shoe upper. The pedometer includes structure
configured for monitoring a remaining useful life of the shoe, and
structure configured to alert a user when the remaining useful life
is approaching or has reached an end. In one embodiment, the
pedometer has a memory that stores a cumulative mileage of the
shoe. In this context, the pedometer includes a processor
communicating with the memory, where the processor activates the
alerting structure when the remaining useful life of the shoe is
approaching or has reached an end.
[0009] Preferably, the pedometer includes a display, which may be
affixed to one of the shoe sole and the shoe upper. The display may
be affixed to the tongue of the shoe upper. Alternatively, the
display may be affixed to the arch. The display may serve as the
alerting structure. In this context, the pedometer includes a
processor operatively coupled with the display for driving the
display, wherein when the remaining useful life of the shoe is
approaching or has reached an end, the processor drives the display
to one of flash, turn color, or cease to function. The alerting of
the user when the remaining useful life is approaching or has
reached an end may be based on one of time of use or cumulative
mileage.
[0010] In another exemplary embodiment, a shoe suited for walking
or running includes a pedometer embedded into a component of the
shoe, the pedometer including a power source, a processor
communicating with a memory, and a display, the processor
monitoring a remaining useful life of the shoe and alerting a user
via the display when the remaining useful life is approaching or
has reached an end.
BRIEF DESCRIPTION OF THE DRAWINGS
[0011] These and other aspects and advantages of the present
invention will be described in detail with reference to the
accompanying drawing, in which FIG. 1 is a schematic illustration
of a shoe incorporating a pedometer.
DETAILED DESCRIPTION OF THE INVENTION
[0012] With reference to FIG. 1, a shoe 10 suited for walking or
running includes a shoe sole 16 and a shoe upper 18 attached to the
shoe sole in a conventional manner. The specific construction of
the shoe 10 does not form part of the present invention, and
details thereof will thus not be provided.
[0013] A pedometer 1 is integrated into one of the shoe sole 16 and
the shoe upper 18. This can be accomplished in any suitable manner,
and the invention is not meant to be limited to a manner of
manufacturing the shoe. In one example, the pedometer 1 can be fit
into the mold of the shoe sole 16 and integrated with the sole
material. Alternatively, the pedometer may sewed into the shoe
upper 18 at a suitable location. Regardless of placement, the
pedometer 1 is sealed from damage due to moisture and other
exterior elements.
[0014] Preferably, the pedometer 1 includes a screen 12 visible
from the shoe arch, and interior or exterior sidewall, or other
noticeable area of the shoe such as the tongue. FIG. 1 shows a
non-limiting example of the screen 12 in the shoe arch. An
alternative location is shown in phantom with the pedometer 1 in
the tongue. Operating buttons 14 enable the user to customize the
pedometer functions. The pedometer 1 is powered by a small battery
preferably having a lifespan exceeding that of the shoe, and
consequently, replacement of the battery becomes unnecessary.
[0015] The pedometer 1 performs conventional functions as a step,
pace, mileage and/or time monitor. As is typical, to benefit a
walker/runner, all functions can be reset on a per run basis.
[0016] The pedometer 1 is also provided with structure configured
for monitoring a remaining useful life of the shoe and including
structure configured to alert a user when the remaining useful life
is approaching or has reached an end. This functionality cannot be
reconfigured or reset by the user and is separate and apart from
the conventional pedometer functions. As noted, the conventional
pedometer functions are readily reset by the user on a per run or
other basis according to user preference without affecting the
cumulative pre-set mileage.
[0017] FIG. 1 schematically illustrates basic electronic components
of the pedometer. In particular, the pedometer 1 includes a
processor and power source 20 communicating with a memory 22 and a
user interface 24, which encompasses the operating buttons 14.
[0018] In use, the processor in conjunction with the memory
monitors a remaining useful life of the shoe. Typically, the useful
life may be calculated by the shoe manufacturer or may
alternatively be input by the user. Preferably, input of the useful
life is limited to shoe manufacturer. Once the pedometer 1 has
reached a predetermined mileage and/or time period (presumably
after which the shock absorbing function of the shoe has
diminished), the processor 20 activates an alert, e.g., via the
display 12, to the user. In one embodiment, the processor 20 may
drive the display 12 to flash, turn color, or cease to function. In
the latter example, which is preferred, the pedometer 1 cannot be
reactivated when the remaining useful life of the shoe has reached
its end, which thereby prevents the users from using the pedometer
in any manner after the shoe has diminished shock absorbing
function. The alert signals the user that it is time to purchase
new shoes to maximize protection against skeletal, bone, shin,
internal and other user injury.
[0019] The shoe and pedometer described herein provide the benefit
of conventional pedometer functionality while also monitoring a
remaining useful life of the shoe. By alerting the user when the
useful life is approaching or has reached an end, the user can
replace the shoes to protect against potential injury resulting
from a shoe having diminished shock absorbency. From a
manufacturer's standpoint, the pedometer with the described
functionality would also serve to increase sales.
[0020] While the invention has been described in connection with
what is presently considered to be the most practical and preferred
embodiments, it is to be understood that the invention is not to be
limited to the disclosed embodiments, but on the contrary, is
intended to cover various modifications and equivalent arrangements
included within the spirit and scope of the appended claims.
* * * * *