Patent Document

CROSS REFERENCE TO RELATED APPLICATIONS 
       [0001]    The is a Continuation of application Ser. No. 11/801,310 issued as U.S. Pat. No. 7,788,828 on Sep. 7, 2010 which was based on provisional patent application No. 60/799,236 titled “Methods and apparatus for an active shoe cleat system” filed on May 10, 2006, which is hereby incorporated by reference as if fully set forth herein. 
     
    
     STATEMENT REGARDING FEDERALLY SPONSORED RESEARCH OR DEVELOPMENT 
       [0002]    Not Applicable 
       DESCRIPTION OF ATTACHED APPENDIX 
       [0003]    Not Applicable 
       BACKGROUND OF THE INVENTION 
       [0004]    This invention relates generally to the field of athletic shoes and more specifically to system for active and controlled shoe cleats. 
         [0005]    There are a variety of prior art systems for extending cleats from a shoe but none have used the innovative combination of active electronic sensing and active drive control of the present invention. There are a number of patents that disclose a variety of retractable and extendable cleats, including U.S. Pat. No. 5,740,619 entitled “Retractable Stud”; U.S. Pat. No. 5,313,718 entitled “Athletic Shoe With Bendable Traction Projections”; and U.S. Pat. No. 4,873,774 entitled “Shoe Sole With Retractable Cleats.” None of these patents shows the innovative combination of the present invention and its use of ambient sensors and active systems for deploying traction enhancing elements on the shoe. Other patents such as U.S. Pat. No. 6,182,381 entitled “Sole of baseball spiked shoe and method of measuring shearing stress distribution of baseball spiked shoe” discuss means for measuring stresses on shoes using accelerometers and other sensors to provide information that can be used in enhancing shoe design but do not show the innovative combination of the present invention. The use of accelerometers and other sensors in ambient conditions has been disclosed in U.S. Pat. No. 5,456,027 to Tecchio et al. entitled “Athletic Shoe With A Detachable Sole Having An Electronic Breakaway System” but does not disclose an active cleat system whose purpose is to actively enhance traction of the shoe according the present invention. These types of sensors and control circuitry may be employed in a new and different application according to the present invention by activating cleats or other surface traction devices based on readings provided by the sensors and other circuitry. 
         [0006]    In accordance with a preferred embodiment of the invention, there is shown an active shoe cleat system with a shoe having a sole portion for supporting the wearer&#39;s foot, at least one chamber provided in the sole portion, a processor in the chamber operably connected to a plurality of cleats on the bottom of the shoe, at least one sensor in the shoe that measures at least one parameter pertaining to movement of the shoe, a projection within the cleat that is deployed in response to a control signal from the processor, the control signal is generated in response to data processed by the processor from information provided in part by the sensor and means for urging the projection outward from within the cleat. 
         [0007]    In accordance with a preferred embodiment of the invention, there is also shown an active shoe cleat system with a shoe having a sole portion for supporting the wearer&#39;s foot, at least one chamber provided in the sole portion, a processor in the chamber operably connected to a generator of fluid pressure that engages at least one cleat on the bottom of the shoe, at least one sensor in the shoe that measures at least one parameter pertaining to the movement of the shoe, a projection within the cleat that is deployed in response to fluid pressure from the generator in response to a control signal from the processor where the control signal is generated in response to data processed by the processor from information provided in part by the sensor. 
         [0008]    In accordance with a preferred embodiment of the invention, there is shown an athletic shoe for increasing traction as well as speed and efficiency of manuverability with a sole member having a plurality of ground-contacting cleats, the cleats operably connected to a central processing unit, the cleat being movable between an extended position and a retracted position in response to sensing means, means for holding the cleats in the extended position and means for releasing the members to the retracted position, control means for releasing the holding means and for allowing the release means to move the cleat to the release position when a force exceeds a preset level in response to sensing means, and sensing means for sensing the force applied to the lower sole member and for signaling the control means for moving the cleats to the extended position. 
       BRIEF SUMMARY OF THE INVENTION 
       [0009]    The primary advantage of the invention is to provide improved tractions as well as speed and efficiency of maneuverability through an active cleat system. 
         [0010]    Another advantage of the invention is to provide cleats that are activated depending on ambient user conditions. 
         [0011]    Another advantage of the invention is to provide a cleat system that projects the cleats outward from the shoe based on a function whose inputs include but are not limited to acceleration, force, weight, temperature etc. 
         [0012]    Another advantage of the invention is to provide an active system for widening the shoe bottom surface area in real time to enhance traction. 
         [0013]    Another advantage of the invention is that it makes use of various microelectronics to achieve full implementation of the system. 
         [0014]    Other objects and advantages of the present invention will become apparent from the following descriptions, taken in connection with the accompanying drawings, wherein, by way of illustration and example, an embodiment of the present invention is disclosed. 
     
    
     
       BRIEF DESCRIPTION OF THE DRAWINGS 
         [0015]    The drawings constitute a part of this specification and include exemplary embodiments to the invention, which may be embodied in various forms. It is to be understood that in some instances various aspects of the invention may be shown exaggerated or enlarged to facilitate an understanding of the invention. 
           [0016]      FIG. 1  shows an exploded cross sectional view of a preferred embodiment of a portion of a shoe according to a preferred embodiment of the invention. 
           [0017]      FIG. 2  shows a block diagram of a control unit according to a preferred embodiment of the invention. 
           [0018]      FIG. 3  shows a schematic perspective view of a control apparatus according to a preferred embodiment of the invention. 
           [0019]      FIG. 4  shows a plan view of a shoe and cleat system according to a preferred embodiment of the invention. 
           [0020]      FIG. 5  shows a side cross sectional view of a cleat system according to a preferred embodiment of the invention. 
           [0021]      FIG. 6  shows a side cross sectional view of a cleat system according to a preferred embodiment of the invention. 
           [0022]      FIG. 7  shows a side cross sectional view of a cleat system according to a preferred embodiment of the invention. 
           [0023]      FIGS. 8A and 8B  show side cross sectional views of a cleat system employing hydraulic action according to a preferred embodiment of the invention. 
           [0024]      FIG. 9  shows a side cross sectional view of a cleat system according to a preferred embodiment of the invention. 
           [0025]      FIGS. 10A ,  10 B and  10 C show side cross sectional views of a cleat system according to a preferred embodiment of the invention. 
       
    
    
     DETAILED DESCRIPTION OF THE PREFERRED EMBODIMENTS 
       [0026]    Detailed descriptions of the preferred embodiment are provided herein. It is to be understood, however, that the present invention may be embodied in various forms. Therefore, specific details disclosed herein are not to be interpreted as limiting, but rather as a basis for the claims and as a representative basis for teaching one skilled in the art to employ the present invention in virtually any appropriately detailed system, structure or manner. 
         [0027]    Turning now to  FIG. 1 , there is shown a cross section of a cleated shoe sole  10  with layers  12 ,  14   16  and  20  that form the sole of the shoe. Arch  24  contains space under the arch to facilitate locating a central processing unit (CPU)  18  in the sole. With sensors  28  located along a bottom surface inside the shoe, CPU  18  is preferably located in the arch and various motors, transmission gears, and drive shafts or cables (not shown) are located at strategic locations about the active cleats  22  for controlled responsive activation of the cleats. The sensors may be of any of a variety including piezoelectric crystals, magnetics, temperature, force, weight and solid state accelerometers or other device that could sense an external effect and convert said effect into a usable signal for the CPU to give a control output in the shoe. The drive mechanism may be through a mechanical shaft or cable, hydraulic pressure based on a function of different factors including but not limited to speed, weight, terrain, acceleration, lateral acceleration and vertical acceleration as more fully described herein. 
         [0028]      FIG. 2  shows a block diagram  50  of the potential sensors and their relation to the CPU and motor. Sensors  52 ,  54 ,  56  and  58  are shown including impact sensor  52  which may be magnetic, weight, temperature, piezoelectric crystals or solid state accelerometers, and/or a three dimensional accelerometers as shown in the X, Y and Z orientations as accelerometers  54 ,  56  and  58  respectively. CPU  60  preferably has a sampling rate of several thousands of samples per second but may be of any a variety of rates to achieve the desired goals. Motor  62  which may one or a series of motors controlled by CPU  60  in response to sensor data electronically fed into CPU  60  by sensors  52 ,  54 ,  56  and  58 . As data is collected from the sensors, CPU  60  processes the data and based on either pre-determined criteria or other algorithm or program, activates the motor or motors to in turn activate cable tension, shaft work, hydraulics or other electronics to power the motors on the various cleat locations based on a function of the three one dimensional accelerometers or single three dimensional accelerometor, or based on other factors such as weight, velocity, temperature, force and other factors. 
         [0029]      FIG. 3  shows a schematic diagram of control  30  where CPU  44  is connected via ribbon conductor  46  to input sensors, including Y axis accelerometer  42 , Z axis accelerometer  40  and X axis accelerometer  34  maintained in housing  49 . Also included in housing  49  operatively connected to CPU  44  is impact sensor  32  and power generator and supply  38 . Housing  49  also includes a mechanical connection between the motor and transmission  48  to the active elements in the shoe cleat to activate the cleat according to a preferred embodiment of the invention. Control  30  is designed to be housed in the sole portion of a shoe or boot but in other embodiments may be in other portions of the shoe. Alternatively, the user may have access to a control to change the sensing parameters or control the cleats according to desired specifications while in use. 
         [0030]      FIG. 4  shows a bottom view of cleat system  70  with engine  76  in the arch portion of the shoe having a motor, transmission, and control with drive cables  77  or shaft  79  and gear boxes  74  and  75  (for example) for activation of each individual cleats  78 . Each cleat may be individually controlled by cables  79  or be activated through gear box  75  as shown with cleat  73 . The mechanical system for engaging the ground may include extendable flaps, spikes, stubs, frictional coefficient enhancers and surface area enhancers all controlled by the CPU and responsive to the various inputs from the sensors as more fully described herein. 
         [0031]      FIG. 5  shows a side cross sectional view of cleat system  80  with sensor  84  connected to CPU  82  that in turn drives cleat activation. Each cleat has its own actuator  92  that drives the projections  90  outward from cleat  89  when activated. In this embodiment, each individual cleat is connected through wire  85  that received control signals from CPU  82  to activate each individual cleat according to cleat specific torque conditions and other factors all operating independently from the other cleats. Cleat  88  is shown in a non-deployed state whereas cleat  89  has been engaged and projections  90  are deployed to engage the ground and increase traction. As the system is operating, each individual cleat engages the ground as controlled by the CPU. The projections are deployed and retracted depending on the control signals from the CPU to best increase traction in a real time basis. Deployment may be of any of a variety of extensions since each projection may be individually controlled and may be fully or partially extended. 
         [0032]      FIG. 6  shoes an embodiment of retractable spikes  104  that are driven by elemental shaft  102  that is engaged in each of the cleats by telescoping outward from the cleat upon a signal from the control circuit. Upon activation, element shaft  102  is pushed downward by action of the gearbox  103  on spike  104  which is in turn pushed downward and projects beyond the outer periphery of the cleat. The deployed cleat is shown as deployed spike  106  with elemental shaft  105  pushed downward. Each cleat is separately controllable through the main CPU and drive transmission or electrical signals to gearboxes  103 . 
         [0033]      FIG. 7  shows another embodiment using a hydraulic drive  112  that is connected via tubes  113  to activate individual cleats  115  by engaging projection  116  and pushing it outward in response to a control signal that deploys as shown in projection  118 . 
         [0034]      FIG. 8A and 8B  show another surface area enhancer  120  whereby the individual cleat is a three part mechanism driven by a gearbox  121  that upon actuation from a signal from the control circuit, expands the cleat by spreading legs  125  outward against biasing springs  126  and projecting center leg  127  downward. As the cleat is engaged, the three components of the cleat push outward creating greater surface area and hence a greater degree of traction. In an alternative embodiment, one could employ radio frequency wireless or infra red wireless or other electromagnetic frequency for control and actuation for cleat command in conjunction with feedback from the sensors and actuation system working in unison. This would allow for a smaller profile and permit systems to be placed in various positions throughout the shoe. The wireless system could also be adapted to transmit data regarding ambient conditions and permit a third party to adjust or control the reaction profile of the shoe system while in use. 
         [0035]      FIG. 9  shows another embodiment using a hydraulic drive system  130  to deploy any of a number of traction enhancers  134  already discussed. By using standard hydraulics of a piston and worm gear and master cylinder arrangement, hydraulic fluid can be used to actively drive the various cleat enhancers in real time in response to the sensors and calculation of the CPU.  FIG. 9  shows a retractable spike system with individual control and gearboxes that activate the active element for extending and retracting the element. 
         [0036]      FIG. 10A  shows a reservoir  140  operably connected through tube  141  to a motor (not shown) or other drive mechanism for activation through hydraulic tube  142 . Reservoir  140  may also be gas or air filled and be operably connected to a pneumatic drive system using pressure to engage individual cleats as discussed herein.  FIG. 10B  shows an alternative cleat mechanism with a circumferential extension  152  placed about cleat  150  that is engaged through any of a number of mechanisms for control of the cleat activation such as hydraulics, pneumatics, mechanical pulley or shaft and spring operations, or eletromechanical devices. Extension  152  is spring biased by spring  156  in the upward or non-deployed position. Upon activation as heretofore described, drive bellow  155  is compressed against spring  156  which in turn pushes drive shaft  158  downward which is connected to extension  152  thereby deploying the active cleat element. The extension  152  creates greater surface area for the individual cleat and in turn increases traction. Each cleat may be separately operated as described herein to increase traction as needed. Alternatively, the various cleat systems described herein may deploy a plurality of cleats at the same time to reduce processing and control demands. It is well known in the art of control how to manage a number of deployments based on sensor data and achieve the optimal combination of deployment for the particular circumstance. 
         [0037]    While the invention has been described in connection with several preferred embodiments, it is not intended to limit the scope of the invention to the particular form set forth, but on the contrary, it is intended to cover such alternatives, modifications, and equivalents as may be included within the spirit and scope of the invention as defined by the following claims.

Technology Category: 1