DE102023129603A1 - Device for indicating wear of a shoe - Google Patents

Abstract

The invention relates to a device for indicating wear of a shoe, comprising a detection material arranged in the shoe and/or forming at least part of the shoe and a wear indicator arranged on the shoe and/or forming at least part of the shoe.

Description

The invention relates to a device for indicating wear of a shoe.

Shoes are always subject to a certain amount of wear and tear, for example due to aging. For example, the plasticizer can leach from the material over time and/or the adhesives can dissolve. Depending on the intended purpose of the shoe, it may be worn for walking, running, hiking, or climbing. The continuous wear and tear of the shoe can lead to dangerous situations or injuries.

For example, the cushioning of running shoes and/or athletic shoes can deteriorate. Depending on the shoe and manufacturer, the cushioning decreases significantly after, say, 500 km to 1,000 km, which can lead to excessive strain on the joints and thus a risk of injury if the running shoe is used further.

Another example is mountain hiking boots and/or climbing shoes. The sole of these shoes often detaches sooner or later, depending on how frequently the shoe is used and/or how it is stored. If the sole detaches during an alpine hike or climbing tour, for example, it can pose a serious risk of falls. Further hiking or climbing is then no longer possible or only possible with great risk.

To detect wear and tear on running shoes, the wearer must track the shoe's mileage to determine when a shoe should be replaced or renewed. However, this is typically not done continuously and consistently by the wearer.

A visual assessment of the wear and tear of a shoe is difficult for a layperson and often does not lead to reliable results.

Another option is a complex, electronic measurement of shoe wear and tear and displaying it on a smartphone. This requires electronic sensors, radio modules, and complex evaluation electronics. This is very complex and expensive to manufacture. Furthermore, customers often do not want this for data protection reasons.

It is therefore an object of the invention to provide a device for indicating wear of a shoe, a shoe sole, a shoe and a method for indicating wear of a shoe, with which the wear of a shoe can be indicated in a simple and cost-effective manner.

This problem is solved by the subject matter and the method of the independent claims.

The device according to the invention is suitable for indicating wear of a shoe and/or can be used for this purpose.

The wear and tear can be due to, for example, a lack of cushioning and/or a (short-term) detachment of the sole.

The shoe can basically be any shoe, preferably a sports shoe, e.g. a running shoe, hiking shoe, mountain shoe, trekking shoe, approach shoe and/or climbing shoe.

The device for indicating wear of a shoe comprises a detection material arranged in the shoe, preferably in a sole of the shoe, and/or forming at least a part of the shoe, preferably the sole of the shoe.

The detection material is preferably designed to detect wear of the shoe.

Preferably, the sensing material is activated by physical stress and/or a change in the material of the shoe sole, e.g. the release of a plasticizer and/or the dissolution of an adhesive.

The detection material can react in the form of steps, for example, due to pressure or mechanical energy.

For example, the sensing material may be solid, liquid, or gaseous overall, or may contain at least one solid, liquid, or gaseous component. The components may preferably react with each other.

The recording material can change its condition, for example, with increasing mileage covered with the shoe.

Furthermore, the device comprises a wear indicator arranged on the shoe and/or forming at least a part of the shoe, e.g. the shoe sole.

For example, the wear indicator may be designed to indicate the wear detected by the detection material.

The display can, for example, be in the form of a color change, a text display, a symbol display and/or a graphic display.

For example, the display can be visual (e.g. color change and/or lighting), acoustic (e.g. sound) and/or haptic (e.g. tactile pattern that changes).

At least one wear parameter can be displayed and visualized directly on the shoe. Displaying multiple parameters is also conceivable.

Preferably, the wear indicator can be provided at any location on the shoe. Preferably, a location that is easily visible to the user, e.g., on the side or top of the shoe, is chosen.

The wear indicator can preferably be connected to the detection material and/or be operatively connected. For example, the chemical reaction with the detection material can be guided to the wear indicator via an indicator. The detection of wear and the indication of wear can thus, for example, take place at different locations.

For example, the sensing material and the wear indicator may be different components. Alternatively, they may be the same component.

The detection material and the wear indicator are located inside the shoe, for example, in the sole, or form at least part of the shoe or sole. This allows wear to be measured directly on the shoe and displayed there in a simple and cost-effective manner.

To avoid dangerous situations, joint damage, and/or injuries, a direct wear indicator on or in the shoe is advantageous. This allows the wearer to see immediately, for example, without using a smartphone, smartwatch, or fitness watch, when the shoe needs to be replaced or renewed.

The device offers significant added value over conventional shoes, allowing higher selling prices and increased sales.

Furthermore, the device can be installed in such a way that the other properties of the shoe are not significantly affected. The impact on the shoe's weight, cushioning, and appearance is extremely minimal.

Further developments of the invention can also be found in the dependent claims, the description and the accompanying drawings.

According to one embodiment, the detection material and/or the wear indicator reacts chemically, preferably when a limit value is exceeded.

Complex, electronic, wear-and-tear recording is therefore unnecessary. Furthermore, there's no need to transfer the data to a separate device, such as a smartphone, smartwatch, or fitness tracker. This is advantageous from a data protection perspective.

Exactly one chemical reaction can be planned. Alternatively, several chemical reactions are conceivable.

Natural, pollutant-free and/or environmentally friendly materials are preferably used for the chemical reaction.

Preferably, both the detection material and the wear indicator react chemically. Unlike electronic detection or indicators, maintenance requirements are kept to a minimum.

The chemical reaction is preferably defined and/or freely adjustable.

1. 1. chemische Veränderung im Schuh wird definiert erfasst und dann am Schuh definiert angezeigt
2. 2. Erfassungsmaterial verändert sich definiert chemisch und Status (z.B. Schuhverschleiß) wird am Schuh anzeigt
3. 3. Erfassungsmaterial reagiert chemisch mit Verschleißanzeige und Status (z.B. Schuhverschleiß) wird am Schuh anzeigt

For example, there are the following variants:

1. 1. chemical changes in the shoe are recorded and then displayed on the shoe
2. 2. Capture material undergoes a defined chemical change and status (e.g. shoe wear) is displayed on the shoe
3. 3. Detection material reacts chemically with wear indicator and status (e.g. shoe wear) is displayed on the shoe

According to a further embodiment, the detection material and/or the wear indicator operates electronically-free.

For example, no complex electronic wear detection is provided. Preferably, no electronic memory is required.

Because the detection material and/or the wear indicator operate without electronics, there is no need for a power supply, e.g. a battery and/or an accumulator.

When the shoe is disposed of, no electronic waste is generated, so the device has a good environmental balance and is environmentally friendly.

Preferably, neither the detection material nor the wear indicator contain electronics. This helps keep manufacturing costs and/or maintenance requirements low.

Alternatively, electronics can be provided. For example, the sensing material can have a casing. If this casing is damaged by stress over a prolonged period of use, an electrical contact can be established, for example, and the wear can then be indicated, e.g., via at least one LED.

Both the chemical and electronic versions preferably do not require any data input, such as the user's weight or height. The device operates virtually without intelligence. For example, it does not count the number of steps. This parameter is only indirectly taken into account, since wear increases with a higher number.

According to a further embodiment, the detection material comprises a shell and a reactant arranged in the shell.

For example, the shell can be destroyed by stress over a prolonged period of use. The reagent can then react.

The shell can be designed, for example, like a washing pod. This shell, which can be made of any material, can be destroyed and/or dissolved in a defined manner.

For example, the shell can be organic. Inorganic plastic materials are also conceivable.

The reactant may, for example, be solid, liquid or gaseous as a whole or may contain at least one solid, liquid or gaseous component.

According to a further embodiment, the wear indicator has an indicator or is designed as an indicator.

For example, the indicator can react with the reactant.

Preferably, the color and/or consistency of the reactant and/or the indicator may change.

The indicator can be, for example, a solution, a test strip or the like.

Preferably, it is an acid-base indicator, an organic reducing agent, an oxidizing agent, a metal indicator and/or a universal indicator.

According to a further embodiment, the indicator comprises a litmus paper or is designed as a litmus paper.

Litmus paper reacts reliably with a reagent. Furthermore, this is comparatively inexpensive.

It was surprising that a conventional litmus paper, such as that used for pH measurement, could be used.

According to a further embodiment, the wear indicator shows a binary state.

This shows whether the shoe is still in good condition and can continue to be used or whether the shoe is too worn and should therefore be replaced.

The display of a binary state is very easy for the user to understand and they can see at a glance whether the shoe can still be used safely.

Alternatively, the wear indicator can display multiple states. For example, the color of the wear indicator can change over time, e.g., from blue or green to yellow and orange to red. This allows the user to always see the state of wear on the shoe.

The invention relates to a shoe sole with a device according to the invention for indicating wear of a shoe.

New shoe soles may already be equipped with the indicator device. Alternatively, existing shoe soles can be retrofitted with an indicator device.

Furthermore, the invention relates to a shoe with a shoe sole according to the invention.

New shoes may already be equipped with the shoe sole. Alternatively, existing shoes can be retrofitted with a shoe sole, such as an insole.

Finally, the invention relates to a method for indicating wear of a shoe with an indicating device according to the invention, a shoe sole according to the invention or a shoe according to the invention.

The detection material detects wear and the wear indicator shows the wear.

Possible reactions and variants are listed below as examples.

• - Mit steigender Laufleistung kristallisiert das Reaktionsmittel in der Hülle, diese Hülle wird durch das Kristallisieren definiert aufgerieben.
• - Mit steigender Laufleistung wird das Reaktionsmittel thermisch so verändert, dass die Hülle, in der sich das Reaktionsmittel befindet, nach einer definierten Laufleistung aufgeschmolzen bzw. zerstört wird.
• - Mit steigender Laufleistung wird die Hülle, in der sich das Reaktionsmittel befindet, durch mechanische Energie nach einer definierten Laufleistung zerstört.
• - Mit steigender Laufleistung wird die Hülle, in der sich das Reaktionsmittel befindet, durch einen elektrochemischen Prozess (z.B. mit Hilfe von Energy Harvesting) aufgelöst bzw. zerstört.
• - Mit steigender Laufleistung wird die Hülle nicht zerstört, sondern nach einer definierten Laufleistung durchlässig.

Liquid capture material, whereby the shell is destroyed or permeable:

• - With increasing mileage, the reactant crystallizes in the shell, and this shell is rubbed down in a defined manner by the crystallization.
• - With increasing mileage, the reactant is thermally modified in such a way that the shell in which the reactant is located is melted or destroyed after a defined mileage.
• - With increasing mileage, the shell containing the reactant is destroyed by mechanical energy after a defined mileage.
• - As the mileage increases, the shell containing the reactant is dissolved or destroyed by an electrochemical process (e.g. with the help of energy harvesting).
• - With increasing mileage, the casing is not destroyed, but becomes permeable after a defined mileage.

Subsequently, if the casing is damaged or becomes permeable, the liquid reactant comes into contact with an indicator. This reacts chemically, resulting in an indication of the wear on the shoe.

• - Nach einer definierten Laufleistung weist das Reaktionsmittel thermische Eigenschaften auf, die eine chemische Reaktion an einem Indikator auslösen und in Folge dessen eine Anzeige am Schuh auslöst/aktiviert.
• - Nach einer definierte Laufleistung weist das Reaktionsmittel elektrochemische Eigenschaften auf, die eine chemische Reaktion an einem Indikator auslösen und in Folge dessen eine Anzeige am Schuh auslöst/aktiviert.

The liquid reactant can also trigger a chemical reaction after a defined mileage or time without destroying the shell. Examples of possible solutions include:

• - After a defined mileage, the reactant exhibits thermal properties that trigger a chemical reaction on an indicator and consequently triggers/activates a display on the shoe.
• - After a defined mileage, the reactant exhibits electrochemical properties that trigger a chemical reaction on an indicator and consequently triggers/activates a display on the shoe.

• - Mit steigender Laufleistung wird das Reaktionsmittel durch mechanische Energie so bearbeitet, dass dieses nach einer gewissen definierten Laufleistung eine gewisse feine Körnung erreicht hat. Dieses feine Material kann dann durch eine perforierte Hülle rieseln und eine chemische Reaktion mit einem Indikator auslösen.
• - Mit steigender Laufleistung bearbeitet das Reaktionsmittel seine Hülle mechanisch immer weiter, bis diese aufgerieben bzw. zerstört wird und das Reaktionsmittel mit einem Indikator in Berührung kommt und chemisch reagiert.
• - Mit steigender Laufleistung wird das Reaktionsmittel so verändert, dass es nach einer definierten Laufleistung eine chemische Reaktion hervorruft und über einen Indikator eine Anzeige am Schuh auslöst/aktiviert.
• - Nach einer definierten Laufleistung weist das Reaktionsmittel thermische Eigenschaften auf, die eine chemische Reaktion an einem Indikator auslösen und in Folge dessen eine Anzeige am Schuh auslöst/aktiviert.
• - Nach einer definierten Laufleistung weist das Reaktionsmittel elektrochemische Eigenschaften auf, die eine chemische Reaktion an einem Indikator auslösen und in Folge dessen eine Anzeige am Schuh auslöst/aktiviert.

Fixed recording material:

• - As the mileage increases, the reactant is processed by mechanical energy so that after a certain defined mileage, it reaches a certain fine grain size. This fine material can then trickle through a perforated casing and trigger a chemical reaction with an indicator.
• - As the mileage increases, the reactant continues to mechanically work on its shell until it is worn down or destroyed and the reactant comes into contact with an indicator and reacts chemically.
• - As the mileage increases, the reactant is changed so that after a defined mileage it causes a chemical reaction and triggers/activates a display on the shoe via an indicator.
• - After a defined mileage, the reactant exhibits thermal properties that trigger a chemical reaction on an indicator and consequently triggers/activates a display on the shoe.
• - After a defined mileage, the reactant exhibits electrochemical properties that trigger a chemical reaction on an indicator and consequently triggers/activates a display on the shoe.

• - Mit steigender Laufleistung wird das gasförmige Reaktionsmittel durch mechanische Energie (z.B. Schritte) so verändert, dass es über eine chemische Reaktion eine Anzeige über einen Indikator am Schuh auslöst.
• - Ein oder mehrere gasförmige Stoffe reagieren nach einer definierten Laufleistung oder Zeit miteinander und lösen so eine definierte chemische Reaktion aus, die dann eine Anzeige über einen Indikator am Schuh auslöst.

Gaseous detection material:

• - As the mileage increases, the gaseous reactant is changed by mechanical energy (e.g. steps) in such a way that it triggers a chemical reaction via an indicator on the shoe.
• - One or more gaseous substances react with each other after a defined mileage or time, thus triggering a defined chemical reaction, which then triggers a display via an indicator on the shoe.

• - Mit steigender Laufleistung kristallisiert das Reaktionsmittel, dieses befindet sich in einer Hülle, die durch das Kristallisieren definiert aufgerieben wird.
• - Mit steigender Laufleistung wird das Reaktionsmittel thermisch so verändert, dass die Hülle, in der sich das Reaktionsmittel befindet, nach einer definierten Laufleistung aufgeschmolzen bzw. zerstört wird.
• - Mit steigender Laufleistung wird die Hülle, in der sich das Reaktionsmittel befindet, durch mechanische Energie nach einer definierten Laufleistung zerstört.
• - Mit steigender Laufleistung wird die Hülle, in der sich das Reaktionsmittel befindet, durch einen elektrochemischen Prozess (z.B. mit Hilfe von Energy Harvesting) aufgelöst bzw. zerstört.
• - Mit steigender Laufleistung wird die Hülle nicht zerstört sondern nach einer definierten Laufleistung durchlässig.

Shell is destroyed or permeable:

• - With increasing mileage, the reactant crystallizes; this is located in a shell that is rubbed down in a defined manner by the crystallization.
• - With increasing mileage, the reactant is thermally modified in such a way that the shell in which the reactant is located is melted or destroyed after a defined mileage.
• - With increasing mileage, the shell containing the reactant is destroyed by mechanical energy after a defined mileage.
• - As the mileage increases, the shell containing the reactant is dissolved or destroyed by an electrochemical process (e.g. with the help of energy harvesting).
• - With increasing mileage, the casing is not destroyed but becomes permeable after a defined mileage.

Subsequently, if the casing is damaged or becomes permeable, the gaseous reactant comes into contact with an indicator. This reacts chemically, resulting in an indication of the wear on the shoe.

• - Nach einer definierten Laufleistung weist das Reaktionsmittel thermische Eigenschaften auf, die eine chemische Reaktion an einem Indikator auslösen und in Folge dessen eine Anzeige am Schuh auslöst/aktiviert.
• - Nach einer definierte Laufleistung weist das Reaktionsmittel elektrochemische Eigenschaften auf, die eine chemische Reaktion an einem Indikator auslösen und in Folge dessen eine Anzeige am Schuh auslöst/aktiviert.

The gaseous reactant can also trigger a chemical reaction after a defined mileage or time without destroying the shell. Examples of possible solutions include:

• - After a defined mileage, the reactant exhibits thermal properties that trigger a chemical reaction on an indicator and consequently triggers/activates a display on the shoe.
• - After a defined mileage, the reactant exhibits electrochemical properties that trigger a chemical reaction on an indicator and consequently triggers/activates a display on the shoe.

• - Ein oder mehrere Reaktionsmittel können miteinander über die Laufleistung definiert reagieren und dann direkt oder über einen Indikator eine Anzeige (Verschleißanzeige) am Schuh aktivieren.
• - Über eine Änderung des oder der Aggregatszustände des oder der Reaktionsmittel kann eine definierte chemische Reaktion ausgelöst werden, die mit oder über einen Indikator am Schuh angezeigt wird.
• - Die Anzeige (Verschleißanzeige) am Schuh muss nicht schlagartig über eine definierte chemische Reaktion ausgelöst werden, sondern kann auch über eine stetige Veränderung des oder der Reaktionsmittel angezeigt werden (z.B. über eine Farbskala, die sich fortlaufend ändert, Farbübergänge, verschiedene Texte, Symbole, die über verschiede Reaktionsstadien des oder der Reaktionsmittel ausgelöst werden).

In general, the following applies to all reactants, whether solid, liquid or gaseous:

• - One or more reactants can react with each other in a defined manner over the running performance and then activate a display (wear indicator) on the shoe directly or via an indicator.
• - A defined chemical reaction can be triggered by a change in the state(s) of the reactant(s), which is displayed with or via an indicator on the shoe.
• - The indication (wear indicator) on the shoe does not have to be triggered suddenly by a defined chemical reaction, but can also be indicated by a continuous change in the reactant(s) (e.g. via a color scale that changes continuously, color transitions, different texts, symbols that are triggered by different reaction stages of the reactant(s).

• - Das oder die Reaktionsmittel, die für die chemische Reaktion im Schuh bzw. in der Sohle eingesetzt werden, können zusätzlich als normales Schuhmaterial dienen, das z.B. für die Dämpfung des Laufschuhs verantwortlich ist.
• - Das oder die Reaktionsmittel für die Verschleißanzeige können nicht nur in der Sohle des Schuhs, sondern überall in und am Schuh verbaut sein. So können unterschiedliche Arten des Verschleißes erfasst werden, z.B. der Austritt von Weichmachern, das Ablösen der Schuhsohle und/oder der Verlust der Dämpfungseigenschaften.

Example: at 200 km mileage the display shows green or “shoe OK”, at 500 km mileage the display on the shoe shows yellow or “shoe heavily used” and from 700 km mileage the shoe shows red or “replace shoe”.

• - The reactant(s) used for the chemical reaction in the shoe or sole can also serve as normal shoe material, which is responsible, for example, for the cushioning of the running shoe.
• - The wear indicator can be installed not only in the sole of the shoe, but anywhere in and on the shoe. This allows different types of wear to be detected, such as the release of plasticizers, the detachment of the shoe sole, and/or the loss of cushioning properties.

All embodiments and components of the devices described here are preferably designed to be operated according to the method described here. Furthermore, all embodiments of the devices described here and all embodiments of the method described here can be combined with one another, preferably also independently of the specific embodiment in whose context they are mentioned.

• 1 eine Perspektivansicht einer ersten Ausführungsform eines erfindungsgemäßen Schuhs,
• 2 eine Perspektivansicht einer zweiten Ausführungsform eines erfindungsgemäßen Schuhs, und
• 3 eine Perspektivansicht einer dritten Ausführungsform eines erfindungsgemäßen Schuhs.

The invention is described below by way of example with reference to the drawings.

• 1 a perspective view of a first embodiment of a shoe according to the invention,
• 2 a perspective view of a second embodiment of a shoe according to the invention, and
• 3 a perspective view of a third embodiment of a shoe according to the invention.

First, it should be noted that the embodiments presented are purely exemplary in nature. Individual features can be implemented not only in the combination shown, but also individually or in other technically feasible combinations. For example, the features of one embodiment can be combined arbitrarily with features of another embodiment.

If a figure contains a reference symbol that is not explained in the immediately corresponding description text, reference is made to the corresponding preceding or following explanations in the figure description. Thus, the same reference symbols are used for identical or comparable components in the figures and these are not explained again.

1 to 3 each show a shoe 10, e.g. a running shoe, with a device for indicating wear 12 of the shoe 10. The device 12 has a detection material 16 arranged in a shoe sole 14.

Furthermore, the device 12 has a wear indicator 18 arranged on the shoe 10.

There are various ways in which the detection material 16 and/or the wear indicator 18 can be designed.

In the embodiment shown in 1 As shown, the detection material 16 comprises a shell 20 and a reactant 22 disposed within the shell 20.

The wear indicator 18 has an indicator 24, e.g. a litmus paper.

If the shoe 10 is worn several times, the cover 20 wears out over time. The reactant 22 can now come into contact with the indicator 24 and react with it.

The wear indicator 18 then shows that the shoe 10 is no longer in good condition.

The material of the cover 20 can be selected such that it wears like the cushioning material of the shoe sole 14.

If the cover 20 is therefore no longer intact, the cushioning material of the shoe sole 14 is also no longer intact and the shoe 10 must be replaced.

In the embodiment shown in 2 As shown, no separate sheath 20 is provided.

The detection material 16 can, for example, already be present in the shoe sole 14 or be integrated into an existing shoe sole 14. For example, it can be the cushioning material. Due to prolonged stress, e.g., after a certain mileage, the chemical and/or physical properties change. A specially designed indicator 24 detects this change and triggers a defined display of the shoe status on the shoe 10 or displays the status. This principle can be applied accordingly to new types of fabrics or shoe materials.

In the embodiment shown in 3 As shown, no separate wear indicator 18 is provided. The detection material 16 and the wear indicator 18 form a unit, so to speak. For example, the entire shoe sole 14 can consist of this unit.

The shoe sole 14 can undergo continuous chemical changes due to the total mileage covered by the shoe 10.

For example, the color of the shoe sole 14 itself can change. An indicator 24 is not necessary.

If the wear of the shoe sole 14 exceeds a limit, the entire shoe sole 14 can discolor and thus serve as a wear indicator 18.

Multiple thresholds are also conceivable. For example, shoe sole 14 might turn yellow after a mileage of 500 km and red after 800 km. When it turns red, the runner knows that shoe 10 needs to be replaced due to wear.

List of reference symbols

10

shoe

12

Device for indicating wear

14

shoe sole

16

Recording material

18

Wear indicator

20

Covering

22

Reactant

24

indicator

Claims (10)

Device for indicating wear (12) of a shoe (10), comprising a detection material (16) arranged in the shoe (10), preferably in a shoe sole (14) of the shoe (10), and/or forming at least part of the shoe (10), preferably the shoe sole (14), and a wear indicator (18) arranged on the shoe (10) and/or forming at least part of the shoe (10). Device according to Claim 1 , characterized in that the detection material (16) and/or the wear indicator (18), preferably reacts chemically, for example when a limit value is exceeded. Device according to Claim 1 or 2 , characterized in that the detection material (16) and/or the wear indicator (18) operates electronically free. Device according to one of the preceding claims, characterized in that the detection material (16) has a casing (20) and a reaction agent (22) arranged in the casing (20). Device according to one of the preceding claims, characterized in that the wear indicator (18) has an indicator (24) or is designed as an indicator (24). Device according to Claim 5 , characterized in that the indicator (24) comprises a litmus paper or is designed as litmus paper. Device according to one of the preceding claims, characterized in that the wear indicator (18) indicates a binary state. Shoe sole (14) with a display device (12) according to one of the preceding claims. Shoe (10) with a shoe sole (14) according to Claim 8 . Method for indicating wear (12) of a shoe (10) with a device for indicating (12) according to one of the Claims 1 until 7 , a shoe sole (14) according to Claim 8 or a shoe (10) after Claim 9 in which the detection material (16) detects wear and the wear indicator (18) indicates the wear.

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