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being rupturable at a different predetermined impact
ATHLETIC SHOE WITH IMPACT SENSING force acting thereupon.
MEANS Further and still other objects of this invention will
be more readily apparent from the following descrip
BACKGROUND OF THE INVENTION 5 tion when taken in conjunction with the accompanying
In U.S. Pat. No. 4,776,331 entitled "Bandage," dated drawinSs
Oct. 11,1988, there has been disclosed a bandage which BRIEF DESCRIPTION OF THE DRAWINGS
includes pressure responsive means for providing an plG j u g yiew gt a ^ &Medc sh
indication when the bandage applied to a part of a lQ mG 2 is a ... view showi the impac{ cush.
human body is too tight, causing pain. The pressure ioning material and impac£ sfinsing means;
responsive means composes a medium in sheet or strip FIG 3 is a plan view of an impact sensing means
from having encapsulated fluid, liquid or gas. The me- comprising a strip with encapsulated dye;
dium ruptures when a predetermined pressure is ex- FIG 4 is an elevational view of the strip with encap
ceeded, thereby releasing the fluid. When the fluid com- 15 su]ated dye;
prises a liquid dye, the staining of the bandage provides FIG. 5 is a sectional view of an alternative embodia visual indication that a condition of excessive pressure ment of the inventionis present. FIG. 6 is a plan view of a plurality of strips, each It is now disclosed to use substantially the same pres- having encapsulated dye, but each strip being ruptursure responsive means in connection with athletic shoes 20 able at a respectively different pressure, and to indicate when the condition of excessive impact force FIG. 7 depicts a further alternative embodiment, is experienced by the wearer of the shoe. It is well known that runners and joggers experience very high
impact forces on their feet and that such condition can Referring no to the figures and FIG. 1 in particular,
lead to severe, sometimes permanent, bodily injury. In 25 there is shown a typical athletic show 10 as may be used
order to avoid this condition, athletic shoes include for jogging, running, etc. The shoe has an inner sole, not
significant cushioning material between the inner sole visible in FIG. 1, engaged normally by the foot of the
and the outer sole for reducing the impact shock. Such wearer, and an outer sole 12 normally contacting the
cushioning material may comprise several layers of road.
rubberized material, air cushions, gel material, etc. 30 As seen in FIG- 2>the inner surface or sole 14 and the The present invention discloses an arrangement oute'r sole 12 are separated by suitable impact cushionwherein a strip of a rupturable medium containing dye in8 material 16. The cushioning material may comprise in an encapsulated form is disposed in contact with the varlous materials, such as rubberized foam, air cushions, cushioning material, for instance at the location of the «el' etc- and combinations thereof. A pocket 18 is proheel. When the impact force effective upon the ruptur- 35 vlded ln the cushioning material near the inner sole 14 able medium exceeds a predetermined value, the me- and the pocket is provided with an impact sensing dium ruptures and the escaping dye will stain the inner TMeans 20'In the Pres,ent e^odiTMent' lhe sens„lnS meaf sole or, for instance, the sock of the person wearing the 2° comprises a TMdmm 22 FIGS. 3 and 4, suitable shoe. Therefore, a jogger or runner can be warned that An P,ast£ sh^etm«' hav,n« loc/hzed ar5as of encapsulated
the shoe has insufficient cushioning material, or that the 40 dye 24 ln or drV f°rm- feets °f thls
... , . «• 1. • type are well known, see patent supra, and may be cut
cushioning material no longer is effective, having Z1' . . .' . r, ... . , f. ,
1. A .if J e •* f ir; .„. . ~ to strip form. The plastic sheeting is of such thickness
reached the end of its useful life. It will be apparent that . s , .r. , 0 ,„
, . ^ , • r- . u r< and character as to rupture when a predetermined 1m
a shoe construction of this type has significant benefits . & ^ ■ J J
J" ° r pact pressure effective thereupon is exceeded, causing
to joggers, runners, and sprinters, warning them of ^ ^hen the encapsulated dye to become released from one
potential harm pnor to actual and permanent injury. Qf more of the areas Qf encapsuiation.
One of the principal objects of this invention, there- As seen in FIQ 2> if thg foot of thfi weafer im
fore, is the provision of a new and improved athletic upon {he strfp with encapsulated dye with a pressure
shoe construction. ... sufficient to cause rupture thereof, the encapsulated dye
Another important object of this invention is the 5Q is released to stain the inner sole, the cushioning mateprovision of an athletic shoe construction having an rial and/or the sock of the wearer of the shoe xhuSi a impact sensing means m contact with the cushioning warning is provided that the impact pressure is greater material normally provided in the shoe. than desired or considered safe for the runner. Since the
Another important object of this invention is the impact pressure generally is greatest at the heel area, it
provision of an athletic shoe construction having an 55 js considered good practice to place the rupturable
impact sensing means disposed in the shoe, the sensing medium 22 at or near the heel area of the shoe,
means comprising a rupturable medium containing dye piG. 5 shows an alternative embodiment. The inner
in an encapsulated form, said dye being released when a soie 14 at the area of the pocket or recess 20 is provided
predetermined pressure acting thereupon is exceeded. with a transparent cover 26 so that the dye, when re
A further and important object of this invention is the 60 leased, is confined to the pocket, but is visible through
provision of an athletic shoe having an impact sensing the cover '26. Alternatively, the cover 26 may be made
means comprising liquid dye in an encapsulated form, from a material which is readily stained by the dye, or
the dye being released when a predetermined pressure the inner sole which normally is dyed, can be left with
acting upon the sensing means is exceeded. out dye at the area which covers the rupturable me
A still further object of this invention is the provision 65 dium.
of an athletic shoe construction having impact sensing In a further alternative embodiment seen in FIG. 6, a
means in the form of strips of a rupturable medium, each plurality of strips 22A, 22B and 22C are provided in the
strip containing dye of a different color and each strip shoe. Each of the strips is made to rupture at a different
5,040,313
