The patent badge is an abbreviated version of the USPTO patent document. The patent badge does contain a link to the full patent document.
The patent badge is an abbreviated version of the USPTO patent document. The patent badge covers the following: Patent number, Date patent was issued, Date patent was filed, Title of the patent, Applicant, Inventor, Assignee, Attorney firm, Primary examiner, Assistant examiner, CPCs, and Abstract. The patent badge does contain a link to the full patent document (in Adobe Acrobat format, aka pdf). To download or print any patent click here.
Patent No.:
Date of Patent:
Mar. 27, 2012
Filed:
Jun. 26, 2009
Douglas K. Robinson, Mansfield, MA (US);
John J. Erickson, Brockton, MA (US);
Gordon B. Taylor, Berlin, MA (US);
Steven E. Beard, Berlin, MA (US);
Derek S. Weber, Clifton Park, NY (US);
Jared Moisan, Irvine, CA (US);
Douglas K. Robinson, Mansfield, MA (US);
John J. Erickson, Brockton, MA (US);
Gordon B. Taylor, Berlin, MA (US);
Steven E. Beard, Berlin, MA (US);
Derek S. Weber, Clifton Park, NY (US);
Jared Moisan, Irvine, CA (US);
Acushnet Company, Fairhaven, MA (US);
Abstract
Active-response golf shoes are disclosed. The golf shoes include a plurality of sensors, a controller, and at least one active-response element. The sensor and controller operate to rapidly determine if a golfer is walking or swinging a golf club. Once this determination is made the controller and active-response element rapidly change the shoe's characteristics. If the controller determines that the golfer is walking, the shoe provides a soft and flexible walking platform. If the controller determines that the golfer is swinging, the shoe morphs or changes automatically to provide a stable hitting platform. The controller senses various predetermined conditions such as pressure of the user's foot to determine whether the golfer is walking or swinging. The active-response element is a lateral adjuster having an upper bracket located in the laces area and a lower bracket affixed to the side of the sole, brackets supporting a plurality of electrostrictive polymer bands.