Shoe Pedometer

[0001] This application claims the benefit of U.S. Provisional Patent Application Ser. No. 60/760,953, filed Jan. 23, 2006, the entire content of which is herein incorporated by reference.

[0002] (Not Applicable)

[0003] The invention relates to a walking/running shoe incorporating a pedometer and, more particularly, to a walking/running shoe including a pedometer that monitors a remaining life of the shoe in addition to conventional pedometer functionality.

[0004] Walking and running are popular exercise activities. It is desirable for walkers or runners to monitor their travel distance, time, etc. Existing pedometers that perform these functions can be burdensome, however, as they are typically required to be attached to the user's hip or wrist and can be difficult to put on, forgotten or lost before starting exercise. It would thus be desirable to provide a walking or running shoe that incorporates a pedometer as a component of the shoe.

[0005] In recent decades, athletic shoe design has advanced to enable shoes to be particularly suited for a specific sport or activity. Walking or running shoes have advanced to provide for better shock absorption and support to protect against skeletal, bone, shin, internal and other user injury. Over time and/or continued use, the ability of a walking/running shoe to adequately absorb shock and perform its intended function is diminished. It would thus also be desirable to incorporate a device in such a shoe that can monitor use and alert the user when a useful life of the shoe is approaching or has reached its end.

[0006] A shoe suited for walking or running includes a pedometer integrated into one of the shoe sole or the shoe upper. In this manner, the users will always have the pedometer accessible to them, and the shoe would prevent users from forgetting or misplacing their pedometer.

[0007] The pedometer preferably includes structure that monitors a remaining useful life of the shoe and alerts a user when the remaining useful life is approaching or has reached an end. In this manner, the shoe indicates when it should be replaced to protect the user against skeletal, bone, shin, internal and other user injury resulting from walking or running on shoes that have diminished shock absorbency.

[0008] In an exemplary embodiment of the invention, a shoe suited for walking or running includes a shoe sole, a shoe upper attached to the shoe sole, and a pedometer integrated into one of the shoe sole and the shoe upper. The pedometer includes structure configured for monitoring a remaining useful life of the shoe, and structure configured to alert a user when the remaining useful life is approaching or has reached an end. In one embodiment, the pedometer has a memory that stores a cumulative mileage of the shoe. In this context, the pedometer includes a processor communicating with the memory, where the processor activates the alerting structure when the remaining useful life of the shoe is approaching or has reached an end.

[0009] Preferably, the pedometer includes a display, which may be affixed to one of the shoe sole and the shoe upper. The display may be affixed to the tongue of the shoe upper. Alternatively, the display may be affixed to the arch. The display may serve as the alerting structure. In this context, the pedometer includes a processor operatively coupled with the display for driving the display, wherein when the remaining useful life of the shoe is approaching or has reached an end, the processor drives the display to one of flash, turn color, or cease to function. The alerting of the user when the remaining useful life is approaching or has reached an end may be based on one of time of use or cumulative mileage.

[0010] In another exemplary embodiment, a shoe suited for walking or running includes a pedometer embedded into a component of the shoe, the pedometer including a power source, a processor communicating with a memory, and a display, the processor monitoring a remaining useful life of the shoe and alerting a user via the display when the remaining useful life is approaching or has reached an end.

[0012] With reference to FIG. 1, a shoe 10 suited for walking or running includes a shoe sole 16 and a shoe upper 18 attached to the shoe sole in a conventional manner. The specific construction of the shoe 10 does not form part of the present invention, and details thereof will thus not be provided.

[0013] A pedometer 1 is integrated into one of the shoe sole 16 and the shoe upper 18. This can be accomplished in any suitable manner, and the invention is not meant to be limited to a manner of manufacturing the shoe. In one example, the pedometer 1 can be fit into the mold of the shoe sole 16 and integrated with the sole material. Alternatively, the pedometer may sewed into the shoe upper 18 at a suitable location. Regardless of placement, the pedometer 1 is sealed from damage due to moisture and other exterior elements.

[0014] Preferably, the pedometer 1 includes a screen 12 visible from the shoe arch, and interior or exterior sidewall, or other noticeable area of the shoe such as the tongue. FIG. 1 shows a non-limiting example of the screen 12 in the shoe arch. An alternative location is shown in phantom with the pedometer 1 in the tongue. Operating buttons 14 enable the user to customize the pedometer functions. The pedometer 1 is powered by a small battery preferably having a lifespan exceeding that of the shoe, and consequently, replacement of the battery becomes unnecessary.

[0015] The pedometer 1 performs conventional functions as a step, pace, mileage and/or time monitor. As is typical, to benefit a walker/runner, all functions can be reset on a per run basis.

[0016] The pedometer 1 is also provided with structure configured for monitoring a remaining useful life of the shoe and including structure configured to alert a user when the remaining useful life is approaching or has reached an end. This functionality cannot be reconfigured or reset by the user and is separate and apart from the conventional pedometer functions. As noted, the conventional pedometer functions are readily reset by the user on a per run or other basis according to user preference without affecting the cumulative pre-set mileage.

[0017] FIG. 1 schematically illustrates basic electronic components of the pedometer. In particular, the pedometer 1 includes a processor and power source 20 communicating with a memory 22 and a user interface 24, which encompasses the operating buttons 14.

[0018] In use, the processor in conjunction with the memory monitors a remaining useful life of the shoe. Typically, the useful life may be calculated by the shoe manufacturer or may alternatively be input by the user. Preferably, input of the useful life is limited to shoe manufacturer. Once the pedometer 1 has reached a predetermined mileage and/or time period (presumably after which the shock absorbing function of the shoe has diminished), the processor 20 activates an alert, e.g., via the display 12, to the user. In one embodiment, the processor 20 may drive the display 12 to flash, turn color, or cease to function. In the latter example, which is preferred, the pedometer 1 cannot be reactivated when the remaining useful life of the shoe has reached its end, which thereby prevents the users from using the pedometer in any manner after the shoe has diminished shock absorbing function. The alert signals the user that it is time to purchase new shoes to maximize protection against skeletal, bone, shin, internal and other user injury.

[0019] The shoe and pedometer described herein provide the benefit of conventional pedometer functionality while also monitoring a remaining useful life of the shoe. By alerting the user when the useful life is approaching or has reached an end, the user can replace the shoes to protect against potential injury resulting from a shoe having diminished shock absorbency. From a manufacturer's standpoint, the pedometer with the described functionality would also serve to increase sales.

[0020] While the invention has been described in connection with what is presently considered to be the most practical and preferred embodiments, it is to be understood that the invention is not to be limited to the disclosed embodiments, but on the contrary, is intended to cover various modifications and equivalent arrangements included within the spirit and scope of the appended claims.