Nike patents shoe insert with sensors and a plug-in electronic module
This patent describes a shoe insert made of foam that holds multiple sensors to detect the force of your foot steps. It features a built-in port where you can insert a small electronic module to connect with those sensors.
In the filing’s own words
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.
What exactly they claim (claim 1)
1. A system comprising: an insert configured to be received in a foot-receiving chamber of an article of footwear and configured to be in contact with a sole structure of the article of footwear, wherein the insert is formed at least partially from a foam material; a port connected to the insert and comprising a flexible material overmolded with the insert to define a capsule, the capsule configured for receiving an electronic module by insertion through an opening defined in the flexible material, such that the flexible material is configured to engage the electronic module to retain the electronic module in the capsule, wherein the port further comprises electronic connections configured for connection to the electronic module within the capsule; and a sensor system comprising a plurality of force sensors connected to the insert and a plurality of leads connected to the insert and extending from the force sensors to the electronic connections of the port to place the force sensors in communication with the port.
Facts
- Company
- Nike (NIKE, Inc.)
- Official title
- Footwear having sensor system
- Patent number
- US12757968B2
- Application number
- 18660343
- Filed
- May 10, 2024
- Granted
- Oct 13, 2026
- Inventors
- 11
- Claims
- 20
Classified under
A43B 3/00 Human necessitiesA43B 3/0031 Human necessitiesA43B 3/34 Human necessitiesA63B 24/0062 Human necessitiesA63B 60/46 Human necessitiesA63B 69/00 Human necessitiesMore from Nike in Wearables
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Summaries are simplified from the filing’s own abstract and first claim. A patent filing is not a product announcement.
Patent data and drawings: U.S. Patent and Trademark Office (USPTO). Nebula is not affiliated with or endorsed by the USPTO.