Patent US2466963A successfully refreshed from Google Patents.
US4175446A
Expired / Lapsed
US
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Step counting device and method
Assignee: University of Iowa Research Foundation
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Filing: 1978-04-26
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Granted: 1979-11-27
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Expires: 1998-04-26
Abstract
Abstract The number of steps taken while walking are counted by straining a fatigue life gauge to change its electrical resistance each time the device is stepped on by a subject. The change in resistance of the fatigue life gauge is measured to ascertain the approximate number of steps taken.
Inventors
- 👤 Roy D. Crowninshield
- 👤 Andrew J. Branch
Bibliographic Details
Application Number
—
Jurisdiction
US
Data Source
google_patents
Last Synchronized
2026-10-23 21:05
CPC Classifications
A; A43; A43B; A43B3/00; A43B3/34; G; G01; G01C; G01C22/00; G01C22/006
Claims Analysis
Total Claims: 14
Claim 1
Independent Claim
94 words
Apparatus for counting the steps taken by a subject wearing said device comprising: (a) a shoe, (b) a support member mounted on said shoe, at a location which is subjected to compressive forces while walking, (c) a fatigue life gauge bonded to an area of the support member which is normally relaxed and is strained in response to steps taken on the device by the subject, whereby said fatigue life gauge is strained and the number of steps taken by said subject may be ascertained by measuring the properties of said fatigue life gauge.
Claim 2
Dependent Claim
94 words
Apparatus for counting the steps taken by a subject wearing said device comprising: (a) a shoe, (b) a support member mounted on said shoe, at a location which is subjected to compressive forces while walking, (c) a fatigue life gauge bonded to an area of the support member which is normally relaxed and is strained in response to steps taken on the device by the subject, whereby said fatigue life gauge is strained and the number of steps taken by said subject may be ascertained by measuring the properties of said fatigue life gauge.
Claim 3
Dependent Claim
14 words
Apparatus as claimed in claim 1 wherein said support member is a concavo-convex plate.
Claim 4
Dependent Claim
28 words
Apparatus as claimed in claim 1 having stop means for limiting the deformation of the support member when a step is taken on the device by a subject.
Claim 5
Dependent Claim
32 words
Apparatus as claimed in claim 1 wherein the support member is resilient and has a concavo-convex portion causing it to snap over-center when changing from its relaxed state to its strained state.
Claim 6
Dependent Claim
28 words
Apparatus as claimed in claim 4 having stop means for limiting the deformation of the support member when a step is taken on the device by a subject.
Claim 7
Independent Claim
99 words
A device for counting the steps taken by a subject wearing said device comprising: (a) a support member, (b) a fatigue life gauge bonded to an area of the support member which is normally relaxed and is strained in response to steps taken on the device by the subject, whereby said fatigue life gauge is strained and the number of steps taken by the subject may be ascertained by measuring the properties of said fatigue life gauge, (c) stop means for limiting the deformation of the support member when a step is taken on the device by a subject.
Claim 8
Independent Claim
99 words
A device for counting the steps taken by a subject wearing said device comprising: (a) a support member, (b) a fatigue life gauge bonded to an area of the support member which is normally relaxed and is strained in response to steps taken on the device by the subject, whereby said fatigue life gauge is strained and the number of steps taken by the subject may be ascertained by measuring the properties of said fatigue life gauge, (c) stop means for limiting the deformation of the support member when a step is taken on the device by a subject.
Claim 9
Dependent Claim
33 words
A device as claimed in claim 6 wherein the support member is resilient and has a concavo-convex portion causing it to snap over-center when changing from its relaxed state to its strained state.
Claim 10
Dependent Claim
33 words
A device as claimed in claim 6 wherein the support member is resilient and has a concavo-convex portion causing it to snap over-center when changing from its relaxed state to its strained state.
Claim 11
Independent Claim
118 words
A device for counting the steps taken by a subject wearing said device comprising: (a) a support member, (b) a fatigue life gauge bonded to an area of the support member which is normally relaxed and is strained in response to steps taken on the device by the subject, whereby said fatigue life gauge is strained and the number of steps taken by said subject may be ascertained by measuring the properties of said fatigue life gauge, (c) a housing enclosing said support member, said housing including oppositely facing first and second cups, each of said cups having a circular base and a cylindrical sidewall, said sidewalls being telescopically related to permit relative linear movement between said bases.
Claim 12
Independent Claim
118 words
A device for counting the steps taken by a subject wearing said device comprising: (a) a support member, (b) a fatigue life gauge bonded to an area of the support member which is normally relaxed and is strained in response to steps taken on the device by the subject, whereby said fatigue life gauge is strained and the number of steps taken by said subject may be ascertained by measuring the properties of said fatigue life gauge, (c) a housing enclosing said support member, said housing including oppositely facing first and second cups, each of said cups having a circular base and a cylindrical sidewall, said sidewalls being telescopically related to permit relative linear movement between said bases.
Claim 13
Independent Claim
42 words
A method for counting steps taken by a subject comprising, (a) subjecting a fatigue life gauge to strains when said subject takes a step, and (b) measuring changes in properties of said fatigue life gauge to ascertain the number of steps taken.
Claim 14
Independent Claim
42 words
A method for counting steps taken by a subject comprising, (a) subjecting a fatigue life gauge to strains when said subject takes a step, and (b) measuring changes in properties of said fatigue life gauge to ascertain the number of steps taken.
References Cited (Backward Citations)
USPTO Annuity & Maintenance Windows
| Annuity Stage | Window Opens | Payment Deadline | Surcharge Period Until | Estimated Fee | Status |
|---|---|---|---|---|---|
| 3.5 Years (Year 4) | 1982-11-26 | 1983-05-28 | 1983-11-27 | $2000.00 | Window Closed / Lapsed |
| 7.5 Years (Year 8) | 1986-11-26 | 1987-05-28 | 1987-11-27 | $3760.00 | Window Closed / Lapsed |
| 11.5 Years (Year 12) | 1990-11-26 | 1991-05-28 | 1991-11-27 | $7700.00 | Window Closed / Lapsed |