U.S. patent application number 12/165654 was filed with the patent office on 2010-01-07 for insole for an item of footwear and an item of footwear comprising the same.
Invention is credited to Noel James Akers, Andrew Neil Brodie, Tariq Mirza.
Application Number | 20100000121 12/165654 |
Document ID | / |
Family ID | 41463248 |
Filed Date | 2010-01-07 |
United States Patent
Application |
20100000121 |
Kind Code |
A1 |
Brodie; Andrew Neil ; et
al. |
January 7, 2010 |
Insole for an Item of Footwear and an Item of Footwear Comprising
the Same
Abstract
A shoe has a sole, at least a portion of the sole of the shoe
comprising a compressible material, the material being such that
the application of a pressure above a threshold pressure causes the
electrical conductivity of the material to change. There is also
provided a shoe comprising a sole; a display means operable by the
wearer of the shoe to provide a display on the exterior surface of
the shoe; wherein the sole of the shoe comprises a compressible
material, the material being such that the application of pressure
causes the electrical conductivity of the material to change,
whereby the display means may be controlled by the application of
pressure to the compressible material in the sole of the shoe. An
insole for use in a shoe is also disclosed, the insole comprising a
compressible material, the material being such that the application
of a pressure above a threshold pressure causes the electrical
conductivity of the material to change.
Inventors: |
Brodie; Andrew Neil; (Hull,
GB) ; Mirza; Tariq; (London, GB) ; Akers; Noel
James; (Truro, GB) |
Correspondence
Address: |
Kimberly A. Chasteen
PO Box 1243
Yorktown
VA
23692
US
|
Family ID: |
41463248 |
Appl. No.: |
12/165654 |
Filed: |
July 1, 2008 |
Current U.S.
Class: |
36/28 |
Current CPC
Class: |
A43B 7/145 20130101;
A43B 3/0005 20130101; A43B 7/144 20130101; A43B 17/00 20130101 |
Class at
Publication: |
36/28 |
International
Class: |
A43B 13/18 20060101
A43B013/18 |
Claims
1. A shoe having a sole, at least a portion of the sole of the shoe
comprising a compressible material, the material being such that
the application of a pressure above a threshold pressure causes the
electrical conductivity of the material to change.
2. A shoe comprising: a sole; a display means operable by the
wearer of the shoe to provide a display on the exterior surface of
the shoe; wherein the sole of the shoe comprises a compressible
material, the material being such that the application of pressure
causes the electrical conductivity of the material to change,
whereby the display means may be controlled by the application of
pressure to the compressible material in the sole of the shoe.
3. The shoe according to either of claims 1 or 2, wherein the
compressible material is non-conducting in the quiescent position
and is caused to conduct electricity upon the application of
pressure to the compressible material.
4. The shoe according to claim 3, wherein the compressible material
becomes an electrical conductor above a threshold applied
pressure.
5. The shoe according to any preceding claim, wherein the
compressible material is a quantum tunneling composite (QTC).
6. The shoe according to any preceding claim, wherein the
compressible material comprises a filler of conductive particles in
a polymer matrix.
7. The shoe according to claim 6, wherein the filler comprises
nickel, titanium, zirconium, copper or a mixture thereof.
8. The shoe according to either of claims 6 or 7, wherein the
filler comprises a powder of a conductive element or material.
9. The shoe according to any of claims 6 to 8, wherein the filler
comprises a layer of a conductive element or material on a carrier
of powder, grains, fibres or other shaped forms.
10. The shoe according to any of claims 6 to 9, wherein the filler
comprises granules of a conductive element or material.
11. The shoe according to any of claims 6 to 10, wherein the
granules have a diameter of up to 2 mm, more preferably up to 1 mm,
especially 0.04 to 0.2 mm.
12. The shoe according to any of claims 6 to 11, wherein the
particles of conductive element or material are dendritic,
filamentous or spiked in form.
13. The shoe according to any of claims 6 to 12, wherein the filler
comprises granules of a conductive element or material coated in a
polymer, in particular an elastomer.
14. The shoe according to any of claims 6 to 13, wherein the
polymer matrix comprises an elastomer, in particular a silicone
elastomer.
15. The shoe according to any of claims 6 to 14, wherein the
compressible material further comprises a modifier to improve the
elastic response of the material, in particular fumed silica.
16. The shoe according to any preceding claim, wherein the
compressible material is in a layer having a thickness of from 0.5
to 3 mm, more preferably from 1 to 2 mm.
17. The shoe according to any preceding, wherein the sole comprises
a plurality of discrete portions of compressible material.
18. The shoe according to claim 17, wherein each of the discrete
portions has a different composition and/or property, to tailor the
portion to its location with respect to the foot of the wearer of
the shoe.
19. An insole for use in a shoe, the insole comprising a
compressible material, the material being such that the application
of a pressure above a threshold pressure causes the electrical
conductivity of the material to change.
20. The insole according to claim 19, further comprising a
connection to a display device.
21. The insole according to claim 20, wherein the display device is
mounted on an insole extension extending from the insole such that,
when the insole is in position in a shoe, the display device
provides a display on the exterior of the shoe.
22. The insole according to any of claims 19 to 21, wherein the
compressible material is non-conducting in the quiescent position
and is caused to conduct electricity upon the application of
pressure to the compressible material.
23. The insole according to claim 22, wherein the compressible
material becomes an electrical conductor above a threshold applied
pressure.
24. The insole according to any of claims 19 to 23, wherein the
compressible material is a quantum tunneling composite (QTC).
25. The insole according to any of claims 19 to 24, wherein the
compressible material comprises a filler of conductive particles in
a polymer matrix.
26. The insole according to claim 25, wherein the filler comprises
nickel, titanium, zirconium, copper or a mixture thereof.
27. The insole according to either of claims 25 or 26, wherein the
filler comprises a powder of a conductive element or material.
28. The insole according to any of claims 25 to 27, wherein the
filler comprises a layer of a conductive element or material on a
carrier of powder, grains, fibres or other shaped forms.
29. The insole according to any of claims 25 to 28, wherein the
filler comprises granules of a conductive element or material.
30. The insole according to any of claims 25 to 29, wherein the
granules have a diameter of up to 2 mm, more preferably up to 1 mm,
especially 0.04 to 0.2 mm.
31. The insole according to any of claims 25 to 30, wherein the
particles of conductive element or material are dendritic,
filamentous or spiked in form.
32. The insole according to any of claims 25 to 31, wherein the
filler comprises granules of a conductive element or material
coated in a polymer, in particular an elastomer.
33. The insole according to any of claims 25 to 32 wherein the
polymer matrix comprises an elastomer, in particular a silicone
elastomer.
34. The insole according to any of claims 25 to 33, wherein the
compressible material further comprises a modifier to improve the
elastic response of the material, in particular fumed silica.
35. The insole according to any of claims 19 to 34, wherein the
compressible material is in a layer having a thickness of from 0.5
to 3 mm, more preferably from 1 to 2 mm.
36. The insole according to any of claims 19 to 35, wherein the
sole comprises a plurality of discrete portions of compressible
material.
37. The insole according to claim 36, wherein each of the discrete
portions has a different composition and/or property, to tailor the
portion to its location with respect to the foot of the wearer of
the shoe.
Description
BACKGROUND OF THE INVENTION
[0001] The present invention relates to an insole and sole
construction for an item of footwear and to an item of footwear
comprising the same.
[0002] It is established practice to adorn the exterior of shoes
with patterns and markings. The present specification will refer to
`shoe` or `shoes` in relation to the invention. However, this is to
be understood as embracing all forms of footwear, including but not
limited to shoes, training shoes, sports shoes, such as running
shoes and soccer boots, golf shoes, sandals, boots, plimsolls,
slippers and the like. Other items of footwear embraced by these
terms including roller skates, ice skates, ski and snowboard boots
and other sporting footwear. The terms `shoe` and `shoes` are used
herein as a reference to this generic group of footwear items,
unless otherwise specified.
[0003] For some time considerable time, shoes, in particular those
for infants and young children, have been provided with displays on
their exterior incorporating lights, caused to flash on and off by
the wearer of the shoe. The displays generally operate by way of a
motion sensor, such that movement of the foot of the wearer
triggers the lights to flash on and off in a prescribed pattern.
Alternatively, the display may be activated by a device, such as a
piezoelectric device, installed in the sole of the shoe and
activated by the pressure of the sole of the foot of the wearer, as
the shoe is being worn and the wearer walks or runs.
[0004] A significant advance in the technology of providing a
visible and/or audible display on the exterior surface of a shoe is
disclosed in WO 2005/020734. This document discloses, in one
embodiment, an insole for a shoe having an extension member
extending from the insole and a display device mounted to the
extension member, such that when the insole is installed in a shoe
the display device is supported on the exterior of the shoe
providing a visible or audible display. The display device may be a
self-contained device, providing a predetermined display according
to a preset programme. In a preferred embodiment, the display
device is controlled by a switch mounted in the insole and
activated by the foot of the wearer while the shoe is being worn.
WO 2005/020734 discloses using one or more arrays of pressure
activated switches to control the display device.
[0005] Suitable pressure activated switches for use in the device
of WO 2005/020734 are known. Typically, the switch comprises two
contact members, one of which may be fixed and the second moveable,
such that the application of pressure to the second contact member
causes it to move into contact with the first contact member, thus
completing an electrical circuit. The second contact member is
typically biased to a position in which it does not contact the
first contact member to hold the switch open, the pressure applied
to the switch assembly acting against the biasing means to close
the switch. While such switches have proven suitable for known
display systems for shoes, the devices disclosed in WO 2005/020734
have been found to require an alternative design of switch, in
order to realize the full potential of the concepts disclosed.
[0006] Accordingly, there is a need for an improved design of
switch assembly for use in the soles of shoes and in insoles, such
as those disclosed in WO 2005/020734.
SUMMARY OF THE INVENTION
[0007] In a first aspect, the present invention provides a shoe
having a sole, at least a portion of the sole of the shoe
comprising a compressible material, the material being such that
the application of pressure causes the electrical conductivity of
the material to change.
[0008] The compressible material is provided in at least a portion
of the sole provides a pressure activated switch, operable by the
wearer of the shoe by applying pressure with the appropriate part
of their foot to the sole of the shoe. The switch may be employed
to activate and/or otherwise control a range of devices, including
a pedometer or the like. The shoe of this aspect of the present
invention is particularly suitable for providing the control of a
display means to provide a visible and/or audible display on the
exterior of the shoe.
[0009] Accordingly, in a further aspect, the present invention
provides a shoe comprising:
[0010] a sole;
[0011] a display means operable by the wearer of the shoe to
provide a display on the exterior surface of the shoe;
[0012] wherein the sole of the shoe comprises a compressible
material, the material being such that the application of pressure
causes the electrical conductivity of the material to change,
whereby the display means may be controlled by the application of
pressure to the compressible material in the sole of the shoe.
[0013] The sole may have a single portion comprising the
compressible material. Alternatively, the sole may have a plurality
of discrete portions comprising the compressible material, thereby
providing a plurality of discrete switch means within the sole. The
plurality of discrete portions may be arranged to allow different
parts of the wearer's foot to activate different functions. For
example the wearer may be able to use one or more toes to activate
or control a particular first function of the shoe, and the heel to
control or activate a second function of the shoe. Further portions
may be provided, for example to be activated by the instep, the
ball of the foot, and the like. In a simple embodiment, the sole
comprises a layer of compressible material across substantially its
entire surface, such that pressure applied by the foot of the
wearer to any significant portion of the sole will cause it to
begin to conduct.
[0014] Suitable materials for use in the sole of the shoe of the
present invention are known in the art. In one embodiment, the
application of pressure to the material causes its electrical
conductivity to change, for example increase. This increase in
conductivity may used to control a device within the shoe, in
particular the display devices mentioned hereinbefore. In an
alternative embodiment, the material is one that is non-conducting
in its rest state, that is without the application of pressure to
the material. Once pressure above a certain threshold pressure is
applied, the material becomes electrically conducting. In this way,
the material may be used as a simple on/off switch, or by employing
the changes in conductivity, in a more complex control system, in
which variations in the pressure applied to the sole may be used as
the mechanism for controlling the devices within the shoe.
[0015] The compressible material may comprise an insulating polymer
matrix, in which is dispersed an electrically conducting filler,
such as carbon or metal powders, including powders of nickel,
copper, silver, aluminium and iron. Suitable carbon fillers include
carbon nanotubes, carbon fibres, graphite, pyrolitic carbons and
carbon blacks. A review of such materials suitable for inclusion in
the sole of the shoe of the present invention is provided by Bloor,
D. et al., `A metal-polymer composite with unusual properties`, J.
Phys. D: Appl. Phys. 38 (2205) pages 2851 to 2860.
[0016] In one embodiment, the compressible material is a polymer
composition that is elastically deformable from a quiescent state
and comprising at least one electrically conductive filler
dispersed within and encapsulated by a non-conductive elastomer.
The nature and concentration of the filler is such that the
electrical resistivity of the composition varies in response to an
applied pressure. Such a compressible material is disclosed in WO
98/33193, the disclosure of which is incorporated herein by
reference.
[0017] The compressible material used in the present invention may
be of the type that an electrical current flows through the
material, when under compression, by conduction through conductor
particles brought into contact with one another. Alternatively, the
compressible material may be a so-called quantum tunneling
composite (QTC), in which the passage of electrons is believed to
occur by means of tunneling between closely spaced conductor
particles. Suitable QTC materials are known in the art and
available commercially.
[0018] The conductive component of the filler is preferably
selected from powder-form metallic elements and alloys,
electrically conductive oxides of such elements and alloys, and
mixtures thereof. Suitable electrically conductive materials for
use as the fillers are metals, including titanium, tantalum,
zirconium, vanadium, niobium, hafnium, aluminium, silicon, tin,
chromium, molybdenum, tungsten, lead, manganese, beryllium, iron,
cobalt, nickel, platinum, palladium, osmium, iridium, rhenium,
technetium, rhodium, ruthenium, gold, silver, cadmium, copper,
zinc, germanium, arsenic, antimony, bismuth, boron, scandium, as
well as metals of the lanthanide and actinide series of the
Periodic Table of the Elements. Preferred metals are nickel,
titanium, zirconium and copper.
[0019] The conductive filler may be present as particles or powder
of the conductive element or material. Alternatively, the filler
may be in the form of a layer of the conducting element or material
on a carrier core of powder, grains, fibres or other shaped forms.
Alternatively, the conductive filler may be in the form of granules
of the conductive element of material. In such a case, the granules
are preferably in a size range of up to 2 mm, more preferably up to
1 mm in diameter, with a preferred size range being from 0.04 to
0.2 mm in diameter.
[0020] It is preferred that the conductive filler comprises
particles of conductive material that are dendritic, filamentous or
spiked in form, as these provide a compressible material with a
greater sensitivity to the applied pressure. Preferably, the
conductive filler particles have a spiky and/or dendritic surface
texture, or a filamentary structure, with a three-dimensional
chain-like network of spiky beads, with the chains having a
cross-section of from 2 to 4 microns and from 15 to 20 or greater
microns in length.
[0021] The conductive filler may comprise granules formed from
particles of the conductive element or material, as hereinbefore
described, coated with a suitable polymer, most preferably an
elastomer, such as silicone. Such granules and a compressible
material comprising such granules, together with its method of
preparation are disclosed in WO 99/38173, the disclosure of which
is incorporated herein by reference.
[0022] The conductive filler is dispersed within a polymeric
matrix, to form the compressible material. Any suitable polymer may
be used to form the matrix, provided it meets the requirements of
flexibility, strength, compressibility and resilience in order to
function in the present invention.
[0023] The polymer preferably has the following general properties:
[0024] i) a low surface energy, preferably in -the range of from 15
to 50 dyne/cm, more preferably from 22 to 30 dyne/cm; [0025] ii) a
surface energy of wetting for hardened polymer higher than its
uncured liquid; [0026] iii) a low energy of rotation, to provide a
high degree of flexibility, preferably an energy of rotation close
to zero; [0027] iv) a high pressure sensitive tack to the filler
particles and electrical contacts to which the material may be
attached; [0028] v) a position as a positive charge carrier high on
the triboelectric series, that is a low conductivity of negative
charge carriers on its surface; [0029] vi) chemically inert, to
provide a barrier to the ingress of oxygen and water or water
vapour.
[0030] The polymer is preferably an elastomer, most preferably a
silicone elastomer. A particularly suitable elastomer is one based
on polydimethysiloxane, with leaving groups, cross-linking agents
and cure systems based on one of the following systems:
TABLE-US-00001 LEAVING GROUP CROSS-LINKING AGENT CURE SYSTEM
HOC(O)CH.sub.3 CH.sub.3Si[OC(O)CH.sub.3].sub.3 Acetic acid
HOCH.sub.3 CH.sub.3Si(OCH.sub.3).sub.3 Alcohol
HONC(CH.sub.3)(C.sub.2H.sub.5)
CH.sub.3Si[ONC(CH.sub.3)C.sub.2H.sub.5].sub.3 Oxime
NH(CH.sub.3)C(O)C.sub.6H.sub.5
CH.sub.3Si[N(CH.sub.3)C(O)C.sub.6H.sub.5].sub.3 Benzamide
[0031] The elastomer may be a mixture comprising cured elastomers
selected from one, two or three component silicones, one, two or
more-component polygermanes and polyphosphazines.
[0032] The polymer may comprise one or more modifiers, to modify
the physical and/or electrical properties of the polymer
composition. Suitable modifiers include alkyl and
hydroxyalkylcellulose, carboxymethylcellulose,
hydroxyethylcellulose, hydroxypropylcellulose, polyacrylamide,
polyethylene glycol, poly(ethylene oxide), polyvinyl alcohol,
polyvinylpyrrolidine, starch and its modifications, calcium
carbonate, fumed silica, silica gel and silicone analogues.
[0033] The compressible material should be sufficiently resilient,
so as to return to the relaxed or quiescent state when the applied
pressure is released. The polymer composition preferably comprises
a modifier, which is selected to provide the required resilient
properties and accelerate the elastic return of the composition to
the relaxed or quiescent state. A most suitable modifier for
improving the elastic return of the material is fumed silica, which
may be included in an amount of from 0.01 to 20% by weight of the
polymer composition.
[0034] The conductive filler is present in the compressible
material in a sufficient quantity to provide the required
electrical conductivity properties under the pressure to be applied
by the foot of the wearer of the shoe. The compressible material
may comprise the filler and elastomer in a ratio of from 1:1 to
3:1, more preferably about 7:4.
[0035] The compressible material is typically present as a layer
extending across the whole or a portion of the sole of the shoe.
The thickness of the layer is selected in order to provide the
desired electrical response of the compressible material to the
pressure applied by the wearer of the shoe during use. This may
vary according to the function to be performed by the shoe.
Typically, the compressible material will be present in a layer
having a thickness of from 0.5 to 3 mm, more preferably from 1 to 2
mm.
[0036] If the sole of the shoe comprises a plurality of discrete
portions of compressible material, to provide a plurality of
separate electrical controls, the composition and properties of the
different portions, such as thickness of the layer, may vary
according to their location in the shoe, in order to tailor the
operation of a given portion to its position, the pressure to be
applied by the respective part of the wearer's foot, and the
function to be performed.
[0037] If a variable level of conductance is required, as opposed
to a simple on/off function, the compressible material may be
provided with a means to stress the material over a cross-sectional
are proportional to the level of conductance required. The
techniques to achieve this are described in WO 00179546, the
disclosure of which is incorporated herein by reference.
[0038] The sole of the shoe will typically comprise the
compressible material as a layer within the otherwise conventional
construction of the shoe sole. The compressible material is at or
sufficiently close-to the surface of the sole to be contacted by
the foot of the wearer so as to apply sufficient pressure to the
compressible material.
[0039] Electrical contacts may be provided to the compressible
material in a conventional manner known in the art, in order to
electrically connect the compressible material with the other means
and devices within the shoe, such as one or more display devices to
provide a display on the exterior of the shoe.
[0040] In another aspect, the present invention provides an insole
for use in a shoe, the insole comprising a compressible material,
the material being such that the application of a pressure above a
threshold pressure causes the electrical conductivity of the
material to change.
[0041] The insole may be used to provide a means for controlling
the function of one or more electrical devices that may be
incorporated into the shoe or may be integral with or mounted on
the insole itself.
[0042] In a preferred embodiment, the insole comprises an extension
member, such that, when installed in a shoe, the extension member
extends from the sole of the shoe to the exterior of the shoe. The
extension member thus provides a platform for mounting a wide range
of electrical devices, such as a pedometer or a wide range of
display devices.
[0043] The insole may consist of a single layer of the compressible
material. Alternatively, the insole may comprise a layer of
compressible material disposed between one or more other layers.
For example, the compressible material may be incorporated into a
laminar structure comprising layers of material to provide such
properties as strength and impermeability to water, water vapour or
the like to the insole.
[0044] The composition and properties of the compressible material
included in the insole are as hereinbefore described.
BRIEF DESCRIPTION OF THE DRAWINGS
[0045] Embodiments of the present invention will now be described,
by way of example only, having reference to the accompanying
drawings, in which:
[0046] FIG. 1 is a cross-sectional representation of a portion of
the sole or a shoe or an insole according to a first embodiment of
the present invention;
[0047] FIG. 2 is a plan view of an insole according to a second
embodiment of the present invention; and
[0048] FIG. 3 is a plan view of an insole according to a:third
embodiment of the present invention.
DETAILED DESCRIPTION OF THE PREFERRED EMBODIMENT
[0049] Referring to FIG. 1, there is shown a portion of the sole of
a shoe or an insole for use in a shoe, generally indicated as 2.
The sole comprises a firm and substantially incompressible support
layer 4, on which is disposed a layer of compressible QTC (ex
Peratech Limited) 6. An optional protective barrier layer 8 to
prevent the ingress of moisture from a wearers foot is also
shown.
[0050] The layer of QTC is connected at either side by conventional
wires 10 and 12 to form an electric circuit with a display device
14. In operation, pressure applied to the sole 2, indicated by
arrows A, causes the resistivity of the QTC layer 6 to reduce so
that the electrical circuit is completed. In this way, the sole 2
responds to pressure applied by the foot of a wearer to activate
and/or control the function of the display device.
[0051] Referring to FIG. 2, there is shown an insole for a shoe,
generally indicated as 102. The insole comprises a heel portion
104, having a disc 106 of QTC (ex Peratech Limited). The insole 102
further comprises an insole extension 108 extending from the heel
portion 104 of the insole. A display device 110 is mounted to the
free end of the insole extension 108. The insole extension 108 is
of sufficient length that the display device 110 is disposed on the
exterior surface of the shoe when the insole is properly installed
in the shoe. Wires 112 and 114 extend from the disc 106 of QTC
along the insole extension 108 to the display device 110. Pressure
applied to the disc 106 of QTC is used to activate and control the
function of the display device 110, as described hereinbefore with
reference to FIG. 1.
[0052] An alternative insole arrangement is shown in FIG. 3, which
shows an insole for a shoe, generally indicated as 202. The insole
comprises a heel portion 204 and a toe portion 206. An insole
extension 208 extends from the heel portion 204 of the insole, to
the free end of which is mounted a display device 210. The insole
extension 208 is of sufficient length that the display device 210
is disposed on the exterior surface of the shoe when the insole is
properly installed in the shoe.
[0053] A disc 212 of QTC (ex. Peratech Limited) is disposed in the
heel portion 204 of the insole 202. A similar disc 214 of QTC is
disposed in the insole in a position corresponding to the ball of
the foot of the user. Five smaller discs 216a to 216e are disposed
in the toe portion 206 of the insole. A network of wires 218
extends from the discs 212, 214 and 216 to the display device 210.
In operation, each of the discs 212, 214 and 216 may be used to
control a function of the display device 210, for example to switch
the display on or off, to operate the display or to program the
display device with a new display routine. It will be appreciated
that the arrangement of discs 212 to 216 in the insole 202 provides
a means for activating and controlling a complex display routine on
the display device, simply by the application of pressure by the
appropriate portion of the users foot within the shoe being
worn.
[0054] The embodiments shown in the accompanying figures have been
described with reference to the use of a compressible material to
control a display device mounted on the exterior of the shoe. It
will be appreciated that the arrangement of one or more portions of
compressible material, such as QTC, within the insole or within the
sole of a shoe, may be used to control a wide variety of devices,
not limited to display devices, but including devices to provide
information about the movement and position of a users foot within
their shoe, the number of steps being taken, etc.
* * * * *