IP Library › Granted Patent US 10,251,601
Granted Patent B2
US 10,251,601 · App. 15/676,491 · Granted Apr 9, 2019

Athletic or other performance sensing systems

Inventors: William E. Berner, Jr. (Portland, OR); Albert Shum (Portland, OR); Charles W. Case (Lake Oswego, OR); Allan M. Schrock (Portland, OR); James A. Niegowski (Portland, OR); William F. Rauchholz (Portland, OR)
Assignee: NIKE, Inc.
A61B5/6807A43B3/0005A43B3/0031A43B13/00A61B5/1112G01C22/006G06F19/00
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Quick Facts
Patent No.
US 10,251,601
App. No.
15/676,491
Granted
Apr 9, 2019
Kind
B2
Abstract

Articles of footwear and other devices include modules, e.g., for sensing physical and/or physiological characteristics associated with use of the footwear or other devices. Such devices may include an authentication or activation system for providing power or otherwise determining the connection of a sensor in the article of footwear.

Claims (13)

1. An article of footwear, comprising:

an upper member at least partially defining a foot-receiving chamber;

a sole structure engaged with the upper member;

a housing for receiving an electronic module, wherein the housing defines an electronic module receiving chamber formed in or on at least one of the upper member or sole structure;

an electronic module received in the electronic module receiving chamber; and

an activation system for activating an electronic module with the chamber, wherein the activation system includes a member extending from a sock liner or insole element for extending into an opening, recess, or groove defined in the electronic module.

2. The article of footwear according to claim 1 , wherein the member extends into the opening, recess, or groove to activate an ON/OFF switch.

3. The article of footwear according to claim 1 , wherein the member includes a first electrical conductor that makes electrical contact with a second electrical conductor provided in the opening, recess, or groove.

4. The article of footwear according to claim 1 , wherein engagement of the member with the opening, recess, or groove at least in part enables electrical connection between the electronic module and a power source located external to the electronic module.

5. The article of footwear according to claim 1 , wherein the housing is engaged with at least one of the upper member or the sole structure.

6. The article of footwear according to claim 1 , wherein the sock liner or the insole element at least partially covers the housing.

7. The article of footwear according to claim 1 , wherein an opening of the housing is located at the sock liner or the insole element.

8. The article of footwear according to claim 1 , wherein an opening of the housing is located at a top surface of the sock liner or the insole element.

Assignments (1)
ASSIGNMENT OF ASSIGNOR'S INTEREST Recorded Oct 11, 2019
From: BERNER, WILLIAM E., JR.; SHUM, ALBERT; CASE, CHARLES W., JR.; SCHROCK, ALLAN M.; NIEGOWSKI, JAMES A.; RAUCHHOLZ, WILLIAM F.
To: NIKE, INC.
Reel/Frame 050685/0733 →
Continuity (6)
Continuation 14491376 · Sep 19, 2014
Continuation 13958545 · Aug 3, 2013
Continuation 13229967 · Sep 12, 2011
Continuation 12605811 · Oct 26, 2009
Continuation 11416458 · May 3, 2006
Related Publication 20170340277A1 · Nov 30, 2017