Visual wear indicator for footwear
View Patent ↗A visual wear indicator is disclosed capable of giving a visual indication of the degree of wear on an athletic or other type of shoe. In general, the visual wear indicator may operate by having two different colored regions, each having a viscosity which varies a function of pressure. Before pressure is applied, the boundary between the two regions is clear. However, over time, as the midsole and/or outer sole of the shoe wear away, the pressure exerted on the visual wear indicator increases during activity. As the pressure increases, the viscosity of the regions eventually decreases. When the viscosity decreases, the regions bleed together, and the boundary between the regions becomes less clear. The degree of mixture between the regions may be calibrated to give a clear visual indication of when the shoe has worn down to the point where the shoe is unable to provide a desired level of support and stress absorption.
1. A visual wear indicator for indicating wear on a shoe, comprising:
a first region having a first viscosity capable of changing with a change in stress on the shoe; and
a second region sharing a boundary with the first region, the first region capable of at least partially blending with the second region to indicate wear on the shoe upon a change in viscosity of the first region.
2. A visual wear indicator for indicating wear on a shoe as recited in claim 1 , the second region having a second viscosity capable of changing with a change in shear on the shoe.
3. A visual wear indicator for indicating wear on a shoe as recited in claim 1 , wherein the first region is formed of a non-Newtonian liquid.
4. A visual wear indicator for indicating wear on a shoe as recited in claim 1 , wherein the first region is formed of a viscoplastic liquid.
5. A visual wear indicator for indicating wear on a shoe as recited in claim 1 , wherein the first region is formed of a shear-thinning liquid.
6. A visual wear indicator for indicating wear on a shoe as recited in claim 1 , wherein the first and second regions have different visual appearances.
7. A visual wear indicator for indicating wear on a shoe as recited in claim 1 , wherein wear of the shoe is shown by the degree of blending of the first and second regions.
8. A visual wear indicator for indicating wear on a shoe, comprising:
a first region having a first viscosity capable of changing with a change in stress on the shoe; and
a second region sharing a boundary with the first region,
wherein a viscosity of the first region decreases with wear on the shoe, the first region at least partially blending with the second region along a boundary between the first and second regions upon the decrease in viscosity of the first region, the at least partial blending visually indicating a degree of wear of the shoe.
9. A visual wear indicator for indicating wear on a shoe as recited in claim 8 , the second region having a second viscosity capable of changing with a change in stress on the shoe.
10. A visual wear indicator for indicating wear on a shoe as recited in claim 8 , wherein the first region is formed of a non-Newtonian liquid.
11. A visual wear indicator for indicating wear on a shoe as recited in claim 8 , wherein the first region is formed of a viscoplastic liquid.
12. A visual wear indicator for indicating wear on a shoe as recited in claim 8 , wherein the first and second regions have different visual appearances.
13. A method of visually indicating wear on a shoe with a visual wear indicator including first and second regions sharing a boundary, comprising steps of:
(a) changing a viscosity of the first region upon a change in stress on the shoe;
(b) changing a viscosity of the second region upon a change in stress on the shoe;
(c) at least partially blending the first region into the second region due to the change in viscosity in said step (a); and
(d) indicating a degree of wear based on the amount of blending in said step (c).
14. A method of visually indicating wear on a shoe as recited in claim 13 , wherein the viscosity of the first region changes upon a change in stress on the shoe due to the first region being formed of a non-Newtonian liquid.
15. A method of visually indicating wear on a shoe as recited in claim 13 , wherein the viscosity of the first region changes upon a change in stress on the shoe due to the first region being formed of a viscoplastic liquid.
16. A method of visually indicating wear on a shoe as recited in claim 13 , wherein the viscosity of the first region changes upon a change in stress on the shoe due to the first region being formed of a shear-thinning liquid.
17. A method of visually indicating wear on a shoe as recited in claim 13 , wherein the step (d) of indicating a degree of wear based on the amount of blending comprises the step of the first and second regions being different colors.
18. An article including a visual wear indicator, comprising:
a support structure of the article for absorbing a pressure exerted thereon; and
first and second regions of the visual wear indicator, the first and second regions coming together at a boundary, the first and second regions formed of materials having a first viscosity under a first pressure, and having a second viscosity lower than the first viscosity under a second pressure higher than the first pressure, the first and second regions remaining distinct from each other at the first viscosity and the first and second regions blending with each other at the boundary at the second viscosity;
wherein pressure exerted on the support structure wears down the support structure over time to move the first and second regions from the first viscosity to the second viscosity; and
wherein the degree to which the support structure wears down over time is indicated by the degree of blending at the boundary of the first and second regions.
19. An article including a visual wear indicator as recited in claim 18 , wherein the article is footwear.
20. An article including a visual wear indicator as recited in claim 18 , wherein the article is a bicycle saddle.
21. An article including a visual wear indicator as recited in claim 18 , wherein the article is a helmet.
22. An article including a visual wear indicator as recited in claim 18 , wherein the first and second regions are formed of a non-Newtonian liquid.
23. An article including a visual wear indicator as recited in claim 18 , wherein the first and second regions are formed of a viscoplastic liquid.
24. An article including a visual wear indicator as recited in claim 18 , wherein the first and second regions are formed of a shear-thinning liquid.
25. An article including a visual wear indicator as recited in claim 18 , wherein the first and second regions have different visual appearances.