Measuring and testing – Specimen stress or strain – or testing by stress or strain... – By loading of specimen
Reexamination Certificate
2002-09-18
2004-05-25
Lefkowitz, Edward (Department: 2855)
Measuring and testing
Specimen stress or strain, or testing by stress or strain...
By loading of specimen
C073S794000, C073S847000
Reexamination Certificate
active
06739200
ABSTRACT:
BACKGROUND OF THE INVENTION
1. Field of the Invention
The present invention relates generally to testing shoes, such as athletic shoes. The present invention relates to testing athletic shoes by first establishing a baseline of the shoe's resistance to rotational forces at a first temperature, and then by establishing a functional norm of the shoe's resistance to rotational forces at a second temperature at which it would be worn. These results would be quantified and grouped by the amount of resistance offered at the different conditions. Additional tests would subject the shoe to stress: i.e. a higher than normal temperature, or to wear the shoe for a set time or distance and then to again compare the resistance to axial torque in relation to both the baseline and functional norm. Based on these results, it would permit a consumer or advocate to determine what shoe is proper for the athlete or customer who will wear it.
2. Description of the Prior Art
As noted above, applicant's previous U.S. Pat. No. 6,289,743 is incorporated by reference and is directed towards a shoe testing apparatus. This apparatus allows for the person using it to determine the amount of resistance to an axial twisting motion subjected to an athletic shoe. This resistance is measured in inch-pounds. Any units of measurement for torque may be used, in both english and metric units.
This is important in that incorrect shoe selection and fitting can result in injury to the wearer. Particularly, a user whose foot exhibits a large amount of pronation is susceptible to such conditions as shin splints, plantar fascitis, posterior tibialis tendonitis and general knee pain. A pronated foot is characterized by a navicular drop of over 11 mm. The navicular bone is located in the medial midfoot and is the bone located distal to the talus and proximal the medial cuneform. Excessive pronantion may be caused by a habitual gait that rotates the tibia and femur in an inappropriate manner and may also be exacerbated by the weight of the runner or walker. The gait of the person in question is examined to estimate the amount the amount of pronation caused by the stance in the contact, midstance, and propulsion phases of walking, running, hiking, etc. Applicant's previous patent allows for various shoes to be tested in regards to axial rotation. The present invention improves on this technique by allowing various models of shoes to be tested after they have been subject to various real life stresses.
Athletic shoes of the type commonly purchased today have varying amounts of support. This support is affected by the material of the uppers, the boarded lasts of the shoe, and the materials used in the midsole, such as polyurethane, plastic, and EVA (Ethyl Vinyl Acetate). The present invention allows the user of applicant's apparatus (the '743 patent) to determine the amount of axial rotation that various brands of shoes allow after being subject to stress. Shoes “out of the bog” a resistance value (measured in inch-pounds) that may be markedly different at a higher temperature or after repetitive motion The present invention measures (first) a baseline value at, for example, 66 degrees Fahrenheit, then a functional value after being maintained at, for example 88 degrees Farenheit for a time period of, for example, 72 hours or so. Second, the present invention allows for the user to test the loss of resistance after a set period of activity, for example a 10 km run. In both cases, a fatigue factor, represented as a percentage loss of resistance to axial rotation may be determined from a number of shoes of Various models and brands.
SUMMARY OF THE INVENTION
The present invention provides a method of testing and comparing various types of athletic shoes under stress. Resistance to axial rotation is measured in inch-pounds at a baseline temperature. Then the shoe is subject to either environmental (temperature) stress or kinetic (repetitive motion) stress. After a set period of time at a certain temperature or after a set amount of physical activity while the shoes are being worn, the shoe is then again subjected to axial rotation and the resistance in inch-pounds is again measured. The percentage difference is registered as a fatigue factor and allows the user to determine the brand of shoe that would or would not be advantageous to a certain customer's or athlete's gait.
Other comparison tests may be performed. The shoes may be stressed by immersion in water, mud, bicycling, running, cross-country running and the like.
It is an object of the invention to provide a method of stress testing footwear wherein a baseline of resistance to axial rotation in an athletic shoe may be determined.
It is another object of the invention to provide a method of stress testing footwear wherein the user may determine an optimal shoe type or brand for a customer or athlete depending on an analysis of the various subphases of the stance during movement.
Yet another object of the invention is to provide a method of stress testing footwear wherein the user may determine the fatigue factor in the shoe represented by a percentage loss of resistance in inch-pounds after the shoe has undergone a predetermined amount of stress.
Yet another object of the invention is to provide a method of stress testing footwear wherein the fatigue factor is determined after the shoe has been maintained at a specific temperature for a specific period of time.
Still yet another object of the invention is to provide a method of stress testing footwear wherein the fatigue factor is determined after the shoe has been worn during a predetermined amount of exercise: i.e. running or walking a set distance, or participating in an athletic event for a certain period of time.
Yet another object of the invention is to provide a method of stress testing footwear wherein a large collection of data points may be determined for a specific brand of shoe so that the temperature of kinetic breakdown of the shoe support may be determined over time.
Still yet another object of the invention is to provide a method of stress testing footwear wherein a large collection of data points may be determined for various brands and models of shoes under the same type of predetermined stress and thus the user may determine which brand is optimal for a specific gait in an event or an environment.
These together with still other objects of the invention, along with the various features of novelty which characterize the invention, are pointed out with particularity in the claims annexed to and forming a part of this,disclosure. For a better understanding of the invention, its operating advantages and the specific objects attained by its uses, reference should be made to the accompanying drawings and descriptive matter in which there are illustrated preferred embodiments of the invention.
REFERENCES:
patent: 6289743 (2001-09-01), Norton
Hamill Jr. Tom
Lefkowitz Edward
Martir Lilybett
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