US4823799A
Expired / Lapsed
US
⏱️ 0.0 years remaining
Biofeedback interface for sensory enhancement of the plantar surface of the foot
Assignee: Individual
•
Filing: 1988-03-14
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Granted: 1989-04-25
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Expires: 2008-03-14
Abstract
Abstract The present invention relates to a method and a device for preventing injuries resulting from overloading the plantar surface of an individual during an intense physical activity such as locomotion, jumping or the like. More specifically, the invention relates to a biofeedback interface to be interposed between the plantar surface and the ground surface. The biofeedback interface functions to substantially enhance the specific unpleasant sensations perceived by the individual during heavy plantar surface loading (locomotion and jumping) which are required to produce an enhanced protective behavioral response; the behavior avoids the unpleasant sensation, which in turn, decreases the loading with a reduction in the risk of physical injury.
Inventors
- 👤 Stevens E. Robbins
Bibliographic Details
Application Number
—
Jurisdiction
US
Data Source
google_patents
Last Synchronized
2026-11-02 11:19
CPC Classifications
A; A43; A43B; A43B7/00; A43B7/14; A43B7/1405; A43B7/1455; A43B7/146; A43B17/00; A43B17/14; A61; A61F; A61F13/00; A61F13/06; A61F13/064; A61H; A61H7/00; A61H7/001; A61H2201/00; A61H2201/12; A61H2201/1253; A61H2201/1261; A61H2201/1284
Claims Analysis
Total Claims: 10
Claim 1
Independent Claim
122 words
A biofeedback interface adapted to be interposed between an integument of a foot of an individual and a sole of a footwear, a relatively high level of loading being exerted between said foot and said sole, said biofeedback interface comprising sensation enhancement means for substantially enhancing the sensation perceived by said individual, potentially up to pain level, the sensation enhancement inducing a feedback reaction by said individual tending to adopt a posture for reducing the level of sensation perceived by said individual resulting in a moderation of the loading of said foot, said biofeedback interface including a plurality of compartments, each compartment receiving a loose relatively hard sensation enhancement member substantially smaller than said compartment for moving therein with respect said foot.
Claim 2
Dependent Claim
122 words
A biofeedback interface adapted to be interposed between an integument of a foot of an individual and a sole of a footwear, a relatively high level of loading being exerted between said foot and said sole, said biofeedback interface comprising sensation enhancement means for substantially enhancing the sensation perceived by said individual, potentially up to pain level, the sensation enhancement inducing a feedback reaction by said individual tending to adopt a posture for reducing the level of sensation perceived by said individual resulting in a moderation of the loading of said foot, said biofeedback interface including a plurality of compartments, each compartment receiving a loose relatively hard sensation enhancement member substantially smaller than said compartment for moving therein with respect said foot.
Claim 3
Dependent Claim
60 words
A biofeedback interface as defined in claim 1, wherein said biofeedback interface includes a layer of compressible and resilient material provided with a plurality of openings which define said compartments, said layer being also provided with a pair of additional thin layers mounted on top and bottom respectively on said layer of compressible and resilient material to close said openings.
Claim 4
Dependent Claim
22 words
A biofeedback interface as defined in claim 1, wherein said compartments are distributed under substantially the entire plantar surface of said foot.
Claim 5
Dependent Claim
32 words
A biofeedback interface as defined in claim 1, wherein said compartments are distributed over substantially an entire zone of the plantar surface of said foot encompassing the metatarsal-phalangeal joints of said foot.
Claim 6
Dependent Claim
107 words
An athletic shoe adapted to receive a foot of an individual and comprising insole means on which said foot rests, said insole means comprising sensation enhancement means for substantially enhancing the sensation perceived by said individual, potentially up to pain level, the sensation enhancement inducing a feedback reaction by said individual tending to adopt a posture for reducing the level of sensation perceived by said individual resulting in a moderation of the loading of said foot, said insole means including a plurality of compartments, each compartment receiving a loose relatively hard sensation enhancement member substantially smaller than said compartment for moving therein with respect to said foot.
Claim 7
Dependent Claim
107 words
An athletic shoe adapted to receive a foot of an individual and comprising insole means on which said foot rests, said insole means comprising sensation enhancement means for substantially enhancing the sensation perceived by said individual, potentially up to pain level, the sensation enhancement inducing a feedback reaction by said individual tending to adopt a posture for reducing the level of sensation perceived by said individual resulting in a moderation of the loading of said foot, said insole means including a plurality of compartments, each compartment receiving a loose relatively hard sensation enhancement member substantially smaller than said compartment for moving therein with respect to said foot.
Claim 8
Dependent Claim
60 words
An athletic shoe as defined in claim 5, wherein said insole means includes a layer of compressible and resilient material provided with a plurality of openings which define said compartments, said layer being also provided with a pair of additional thin layers mounted on top and bottom respectively on said layer of compressible and resilient material to close said openings.
Claim 9
Dependent Claim
22 words
An athletic shoe as defined in claim 5, wherein said compartments are distributed under substantially the entire plantar surface of said foot.
Claim 10
Dependent Claim
32 words
An athletic shoe, as defined in claim 5, wherein said compartments are distributed over substantially an entire zone of the plantar surface of said foot encompassing the metatarsal-phalangeal joints of said foot.
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USPTO Annuity & Maintenance Windows
| Annuity Stage | Window Opens | Payment Deadline | Surcharge Period Until | Estimated Fee | Status |
|---|---|---|---|---|---|
| 3.5 Years (Year 4) | 1992-04-24 | 1992-10-24 | 1993-04-25 | $2000.00 | Window Closed / Lapsed |
| 7.5 Years (Year 8) | 1996-04-24 | 1996-10-24 | 1997-04-25 | $3760.00 | Window Closed / Lapsed |
| 11.5 Years (Year 12) | 2000-04-24 | 2000-10-24 | 2001-04-25 | $7700.00 | Window Closed / Lapsed |