Patent ID: 6807869
Filing Date: 2004-10-26
Classification: A43B,A61B,G01C

Abstract:
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; and substantially 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.