초록 ▼

A sensor for detecting the presence of a force exerted by a persons foot on the ground is provided in a shoe, the sensor interposed between the foot and the ground in the region of the sole of the shoe. The sensor includes a resilient compressible elastomeric middle layer of insulating material disp

A sensor for detecting the presence of a force exerted by a persons foot on the ground is provided in a shoe, the sensor interposed between the foot and the ground in the region of the sole of the shoe. The sensor includes a resilient compressible elastomeric middle layer of insulating material disposed between a lower conductive fabric layer and a plurality of upper conductive fabric layer portions. The resilient elastomeric layer includes a plurality of embedded electrically conductive metal filaments extending from a first surface towards a second surface of the elastomeric layer. In regions of the sensor compressed by force 'F' due to a persons weight the thickness of the elastomeric layer is reduced and so the metal filaments are of sufficient length to provide electrical continuity through the elastomeric layer between the lower and upper conductive fabric. The occurrence of such continuity is monitored and processed by a system to provide data for use in the field of sports training and athlete monitoring applications.

대표청구항 ▼

1. A sensor for detecting the presence of a force exerted by a person's foot on a supporting surface, said sensor arranged to be interposed between the foot and the supporting surface and therefore subjected to the force, in response to which force the sensor exhibits a change in an electrical chara

1. A sensor for detecting the presence of a force exerted by a person's foot on a supporting surface, said sensor arranged to be interposed between the foot and the supporting surface and therefore subjected to the force, in response to which force the sensor exhibits a change in an electrical characteristic, said sensor comprising:a resilient compressible material having a first surface and a second surface and at least partially accommodating one or more integral electrically conductive body or bodies, shaped and orientated within the material such that when the compressible material is in an uncompressed state the separation of the first and second surfaces is sufficient that the conductive body or bodies do not extend to span the first and second surface simultaneously, whereas when the sensor is subject to the force the compressible material adopts a compressed state having reduced separation between the first and second surfaces such that the conductive body or bodies extend to and span the first and second surfaces simultaneously; andsubstantially flat contact portions adjacent each of the first and second surface for making electrical connection with the electrically conductive body or bodies when they extend to the or each first and second surface. 2. A sensor in accordance with claim 1 wherein one or more of the conductive bodies may consist of more than one part each arranged to unite and collectively extend to the first and second surface simultaneously when the material adopts a compressed state. 3. A sensor in accordance with claim 1 wherein one or more of the conductive bodies comprises an electrically conductive element disposed and orientated within the material to extend substantially in a direction from the first surface to the second surface. 4. A sensor in accordance with claim 1, wherein the conductive body or bodies are of metal or metal coated materials. 5. A sensor in accordance with claim 1 wherein at least one of the contact portions is deposited on the first or second surface of the resiliently compressible material. 6. A sensor in accordance with claim 5 wherein at least one of the contact portions is of electrically conductive paint, electrically conductive ink or an electrically conductive polymer. 7. A sensor in accordance with claim 1 wherein at least one of the contact portions comprises conductive textile material. 8. A sensor in accordance with claim 1, said sensor being divided into a plurality of sensor areas and capable of detecting the presence of the force in a said sensor area. 9. A sensor in accordance with claim 1 connectable to processing apparatus for receiving and processing signals from said sensor. 10. A sensor in accordance with claim 9 wherein the sensor is connectable to processing apparatus by wireless communication means. 11. A shoe insole comprising the sensor of claim 1. 12. A shoe comprising the sensor of claim 1. 13. A shoe comprising the insole of claim 11. 14. A shoe comprising the insole of claim 11, wherein the insole is removable. 15. A processing apparatus connectable to the sensor of claim 1 said apparatus configured for receiving and processing signals from said sensor, the apparatus comprising:input means to receive signals from said sensor;means for processing the signals in accordance with processing instructions; andoutput means for providing output data based on the processed signals. 16. The processing apparatus in accordance with claim 15, wherein said output data includes a representation of the force exerted by a persons foot on a supporting surface based on signals received from a said sensor interposed between the foot and the supporting surface. 17. The processing apparatus in accordance with claim 15, wherein said output data includes an indication of distance travelled by a user exerting a force with their foot on a supporting surface, based on signals received from a said sensor interposed between the foot and the supporting surface. 18. The proc essing apparatus of claim 17 wherein said output data includes data derived from the distance travelled. 19. The processing apparatus of claim 15, wherein the output data is in the form of a visual, audible or tactile representation. 20. A system comprising the technical features of the processing apparatus of claim 15 and the sensor for detecting the presence of a force exerted by a persons foot on a supporting surface, said sensor arranged to be interposed between the foot and the supporting surface and therefore subjected to the force, in response to which force the sensor exhibits a change in an electrical characteristic, said sensor comprising:a resilient compressible material exhibiting a first surface and a second surface and at least partially accommodating one or more electrically conductive body shaped and orientated within the material such that when the compressible material is in an uncompressed state the separation of the first and second surfaces is sufficient that the conductive body or bodies do not extend to span the first and second surface simultaneously, whereas when the sensor is subject to the force the compressible material adopts a compressed state having reduced separation between the first and second surfaces such that the conductive body or bodies extend to and span the first and second surfaces simultaneously; andcontact portions adjacent each of the first and second surface for making electrical connection with the electrically conductive body or bodies when they extend to the or each first and second surface.