# US 11,026,469 B2 · Footwear having sensor system

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- Number: US 11,026,469 B2
- Document ID: US11026469B2
- Status: Granted
- Kind: B2
- Application number: 16/035,099
- Filed: 2018-07-13
- Published: 2018-11-29
- Granted: 2021-06-08
- Earliest claimed: 2008-06-13
- Assignees: NIKE, Inc.
- Applicants: NIKE, Inc.
- Inventors: James Molyneux; Aaron B. Weast; Jordan M. Rice; Allan M. Schrock; Michael S. Amos; Andrew A. Owings; Martine Stillman; Joseph B. Horrell; Jonathan B. Knight; Dane R. Weitmann; Jeffrey J. Hebert
- Web page: https://patentgrep.com/patent/US11026469B2

## CPC

- A43B 3/00: Footwear characterised by the shape or the use
- A43B 3/0031: {provided with a pocket, e.g. for keys or a card}
- A43B 3/34: with electrical or electronic arrangements
- A43B 3/44: with sensors, e.g. for detecting contact or position
- A63B 24/0062: {Monitoring athletic performances, e.g. for determining the work of a user on an exercise apparatus, the completed jogging or cycling distance}
- A63B 60/46: Measurement devices associated with golf clubs, bats, rackets or the like for measuring physical parameters relating to sporting activity, e.g. baseball bats with impact indicators or bracelets for measuring the golf swing
- A63B 69/00: Training appliances or apparatus for special sports (training of parachutists B64D23/00)
- A63B 69/0028: {for running, jogging or speed-walking (movable endless bands A63B22/02)}
- G01C 22/006: {Pedometers}
- G01L 1/26: Auxiliary measures taken, or devices used, in connection with the measurement of force, e.g. for preventing influence of transverse components of force, for preventing overload
- G06F 3/0334: {Foot operated pointing devices}
- A63B 26/003: {for improving balance or equilibrium (balance beams A63B4/00; apparatus for rope dancing A63B7/08; balancing drums, balancing boards or the like A63B22/16)}
- A63B 2069/0006: {for pitching}
- A63B 2071/0638: {Displaying moving images of recorded environment, e.g. virtual environment}
- A63B 2102/02: Tennis
- A63B 2102/18: Baseball, rounders or similar games
- A63B 2102/182: {Softball}
- A63B 2102/22: {Field} hockey
- A63B 2102/32: Golf
- A63B 2220/12: Absolute positions, e.g. by using GPS
- A63B 2220/40: Acceleration
- A63B 2220/53: Force of an impact, e.g. blow or punch
- A63B 2220/836: Sensors arranged on the body of the user
- A63B 2225/50: Wireless data transmission, e.g. by radio transmitters or telemetry
- A63B 2243/0025: Football
- A63F 2300/1012: involving biosensors worn by the player, e.g. for measuring heart beat, limb activity
- A63F 2300/1031: using a wireless connection, e.g. Bluetooth®, infrared connections
- A43B: CHARACTERISTIC FEATURES OF FOOTWEAR; PARTS OF FOOTWEAR
- A63B: APPARATUS FOR PHYSICAL TRAINING, GYMNASTICS, SWIMMING, CLIMBING, OR FENCING; BALL GAMES; TRAINING EQUIPMENT (apparatus for passive exercising, massage A61H)
- G01C: MEASURING DISTANCES, LEVELS OR BEARINGS; SURVEYING; NAVIGATION; GYROSCOPIC INSTRUMENTS; PHOTOGRAMMETRY OR VIDEOGRAMMETRY (measuring liquid level G01F; radio navigation, determining distance or velocity by use of propagation effects, e.g. Doppler effects, propagation time, of radio waves, analogous arrangements using other waves G01S)
- G01L: MEASURING FORCE, STRESS, TORQUE, WORK, MECHANICAL POWER, MECHANICAL EFFICIENCY, OR FLUID PRESSURE (weighing G01G)
- G06F: ELECTRIC DIGITAL DATA PROCESSING (computer systems based on specific computational models G06N)
- A63F: CARD, BOARD, OR ROULETTE GAMES; INDOOR GAMES USING SMALL MOVING PLAYING BODIES; VIDEO GAMES; GAMES NOT OTHERWISE PROVIDED FOR

## Abstract

An article of footwear includes an upper member and a sole structure, with a sensor system connected to the sole structure. The sensor system includes a plurality of sensors that are configured for detecting forces exerted by a user's foot on the sensor. The sensor system also includes a port that is configured to receive a module to place the module in communication with the sensors. The port includes a housing with a chamber configured to receive the module and an interface engaged with the housing and having at least one electrical contact exposed to the chamber. Additional retaining structure and interface structure may be included.

## Claims

### Claim 1

An insert configured for use in an article of footwear, comprising:
an insert member adapted to be placed in contact with a sole structure of the article of footwear, the insert member being formed of a flexible polymer material;
a plurality of force sensors connected to the insert member, the force sensors being adapted to sense a force exerted on the insert member;
a plurality of sensor leads extending away from the force sensors; and
a port comprising:
a housing connected to the insert member, the housing comprising a chamber adapted to removably receive an electronic module therein, wherein the chamber is defined by a circular side wall to form the chamber in a cylindrical shape, wherein the housing has an elongated groove in the side wall that is configured to receive a projection of the electronic module, such that rotation of the electronic module moves the projection within the groove to lock or unlock the electronic module within the housing; and
an interface having a plurality of electrical contacts exposed within the chamber, wherein the interface is configured to form an electrical connection with the electronic module such that the electrical contacts are configured to engage complementary electrical contacts on the electronic module, wherein the sensor leads extend from the force sensors to the interface and are electrically connected to the electrical contacts, such that the engagement of the electrical contacts and the complementary electrical contacts is configured to place the electronic module in communication with the sensor leads and the force sensors when the electronic module is received within the chamber, to thereby permit the electronic module to receive force data from the force sensors, and wherein the port is configured such that rotation of the electronic module within the housing is configured to bring the electrical contacts of the interface into contact with the complementary electrical contacts of the electronic module by engagement of the projection with the groove.

### Claim 2 (depends on 1)

The insert of claim 1, wherein the groove extends downward from a top of the housing, and the groove is configured to receive the projection of the electronic module by insertion downward from the top of the housing.

### Claim 3 (depends on 1)

The insert of claim 1, wherein the groove is a ramped groove that extends downward from a top of the housing and around the circular sidewall.

### Claim 4 (depends on 1)

The insert of claim 1, wherein the groove is configured to permit the electronic module to rotate a quarter rotation within the housing.

### Claim 5 (depends on 1)

The insert of claim 1, wherein the electrical contacts of the interface are annular contact pads.

### Claim 6 (depends on 1)

The insert of claim 1, comprising the electronic module, wherein the electronic module has the projection extending outward from the electronic module, and the projection is configured to be received in the groove when the electronic module is received in the housing, and wherein the electronic module is configured to be rotatable between a locked position, where the projection engages the groove to retain the electronic module in the housing, and an unlocked position, where the electronic module is removable from the housing, and the projection is configured to move within the groove between the locked position and the unlocked position.

### Claim 7 (depends on 6)

The insert of claim 6, wherein the housing has a second elongated groove in the side wall, and the electronic module has a second projection extending outward from the electronic module, wherein the second projection is configured to be received in the second groove when the electronic module is received in the housing, wherein the second projection is configured to engage the second groove to retain the electronic module in the housing in the locked position, and the second projection is configured to move within the second groove between the locked position and the unlocked position.

### Claim 8 (depends on 6)

The insert of claim 6, wherein the electronic module further comprises an elastomeric structure that is configured to compress against the housing when the electronic module is received in the housing.

### Claim 9 (depends on 1)

The insert of claim 1, wherein the sensor leads are individually connected to the electrical contacts of the interface such that each electrical contact is electrically connected to one of the plurality of force sensors via the respective individually connected sensor lead.

### Claim 10

An article of footwear adapted to engage a foot, comprising:
a sole structure;
an upper portion connected to the sole structure;
a sensor system comprising a flexible insert connected to the sole structure, a plurality of force sensors connected to the insert and a plurality of sensor leads extending away from the force sensors, the force sensors being adapted to sense a force exerted on the sole structure by the foot; and
a port comprising:
a housing connected to the article of footwear, the housing comprising a chamber adapted to removably receive an electronic module therein, wherein the chamber is defined by a circular side wall to form the chamber in a cylindrical shape, wherein the housing has an elongated groove in the side wall that is configured to receive a projection of the electronic module, such that rotation of the electronic module moves the projection within the groove to lock or unlock the electronic module within the housing; and
an interface having a plurality of electrical contacts exposed within the chamber, wherein the interface is configured to form an electrical connection with the electronic module such that the electrical contacts are configured to engage complementary electrical contacts of the electronic module, wherein the sensor leads extend from the force sensors to the interface and are electrically connected to the electrical contacts, such that the engagement of the electrical contacts and the complementary electrical contacts is configured to place the electronic module in communication with the sensor system when the electronic module is received within the chamber, to thereby permit the electronic module to receive force data from the force sensors, and wherein the port is configured such that rotation of the electronic module within the housing is configured to bring the electrical contacts of the interface into contact with the complementary electrical contacts of the electronic module by engagement of the projection with the groove.

### Claim 11 (depends on 10)

The article of footwear of claim 10, wherein the housing of the port is received within the sole structure of the article of footwear.

### Claim 12 (depends on 10)

The article of footwear of claim 10, wherein the sensor leads are individually connected to the electrical contacts of the interface, such that each electrical contact is electrically connected to one of the plurality of force sensors via the respective individually connected sensor lead.

### Claim 13

A system for use with an article of footwear adapted to engage a foot, the article of footwear having a sole structure and an upper portion connected to the sole structure, the system comprising:
a sensor system comprising a plurality of force sensors configured to be connected to the sole structure and a plurality of sensor leads extending away from the force sensors, the force sensors being adapted to sense a force exerted on the sole structure by the foot;
an electronic module configured for data storage; and
a port comprising:
a housing adapted to be connected to the article of footwear, the housing comprising a chamber adapted to removably receive the electronic module therein, wherein the chamber is defined by a circular side wall to form the chamber in a cylindrical shape; and
an interface configured to be in communication with the sensor system and having a plurality of electrical contacts exposed within the chamber, wherein the interface is configured to form an electrical connection with the electronic module such that the electrical contacts engage complementary electrical contacts of the electronic module, wherein the sensor leads extend from the force sensors to the interface and are electrically connected to the electrical contacts, such that the engagement of the electrical contacts and the complementary electrical contacts is configured to place the electronic module in communication with the sensor system when the electronic module is received within the chamber,
wherein the electronic module is configured to receive force data from the force sensors, through the sensor leads, via the electrical connection with the interface,
wherein the electronic module and the housing have complementary engaging structures configured to retain the electronic module in the housing by rotation of the electronic module within the housing between a locked position, where the complementary engaging structures are configured to retain the electronic module in the housing, and an unlocked position, where the electronic module can be removed from the housing, and
wherein the port is configured such that rotation of the electronic module within the housing brings the electrical contacts of the interface into contact with the complementary electrical contacts of the electronic module by engagement of the complementary engaging structures.

### Claim 14 (depends on 13)

The system of claim 13, wherein the engaging structure of the electronic module includes a projection that engages the housing to lock the electronic module in the housing when the electronic module is in the locked position.

### Claim 15 (depends on 14)

The system of claim 14, wherein the engaging structure of the housing includes an elongated groove, and wherein the projection is received in the groove such that rotation of the electronic module within the housing moves the projection within the groove.

### Claim 16 (depends on 14)

The system of claim 14, wherein the engaging structure of the electronic module further includes a second projection that engages the housing to lock the electronic module in the housing when the electronic module is in the locked position, and wherein the housing has a pair of elongated grooves configured to receive the projection and the second projection, such that rotation of the electronic module within the housing moves the projection and the second projection within the grooves.

### Claim 17 (depends on 13)

The system of claim 13, wherein the complementary engaging structures are configured to permit the electronic module to be locked or unlocked with a quarter rotation.

### Claim 18 (depends on 13)

The system of claim 13, wherein the electrical contacts of the interface and the complementary electrical contacts of the electronic module are annular contact pads.

### Claim 19 (depends on 13)

The system of claim 13, wherein the electronic module further comprises an elastomeric structure that is configured to compress against the housing when the electronic module is received in the housing.

### Claim 20 (depends on 13)

The system of claim 13, wherein the sensor system comprises:
an insert member adapted to be placed in contact with the sole structure of the article of footwear, the insert member being formed of a flexible polymer material, wherein the port is connected to the insert member,
wherein the plurality of force sensors are connected to the insert member.

### Claim 21 (depends on 13)

The system of claim 13, wherein the sensor leads are individually connected to the electrical contacts of the interface, such that each electrical contact is electrically connected to one of the plurality of force sensors via the respective individually connected sensor lead.

### Claim 22

An article of footwear adapted to engage a foot, comprising:
a sole structure;
an upper portion connected to the sole structure;
a sensor system connected to the sole structure, the sensor system comprising a plurality of force sensors connected to the sole structure and a plurality of sensor leads extending away from the force sensors, the force sensors being adapted to sense a force exerted on the sole structure by the foot;
an electronic module configured for data storage; and
a port comprising:
a housing adapted to be connected to the sole structure, the housing comprising a chamber adapted to removably receive the electronic module therein, wherein the chamber is defined by a circular side wall to form the chamber in a cylindrical shape; and
an interface in communication with the sensor system and having a plurality of electrical contacts exposed within the chamber, wherein the interface is configured to form an electrical connection with the electronic module such that the electrical contacts engage complementary electrical contacts on the electronic module, wherein the sensor leads extend from the force sensors to the interface and are electrically-connected to the electrical contacts, such that the engagement of the electrical contacts and the complementary electrical contacts is configured to place the electronic module in communication with the sensor system when the electronic module is received within the chamber,
wherein the electronic module is configured to receive force data from the force sensors, through the sensor leads, via the electrical connection with the interface,
wherein the electronic module and the housing have complementary engaging structures configured to retain the electronic module in the housing by rotation of the electronic module within the housing between a locked position, where the complementary engaging structures are configured to retain the electronic module in the housing, and an unlocked position, where the electronic module can be removed from the housing, and
wherein the port is configured such that rotation of the electronic module within the housing is configured to bring the electrical contacts of the interface into contact with the complementary electrical contacts of the electronic module by engagement of the complementary engaging structures.

### Claim 23 (depends on 22)

The article of footwear of claim 22, wherein the sensor system comprises:
an insert member adapted to be placed in contact with the sole structure of the article of footwear, the insert member being formed of a flexible polymer material, wherein the port is connected to the insert member,
wherein the plurality of force sensors are connected to the insert member.

### Claim 24 (depends on 22)

The article of footwear of claim 22, wherein the sensor leads are individually connected to the electrical contacts of the interface, such that each electrical contact is electrically connected to one of the plurality of force sensors via the respective individually connected sensor lead.