US20190365020A1

US20190365020A1 - Sports shoe, in particular ski boot for exercising ski sports

Info

Publication number: US20190365020A1
Application number: US16/421,708
Authority: US
Inventors: Helmut Holzer; Simon Mayrhofer; Jason Roe; Gerhard Trinkaus
Original assignee: Atomic Austria GmbH
Current assignee: Atomic Austria GmbH
Priority date: 2018-06-05
Filing date: 2019-05-24
Publication date: 2019-12-05
Also published as: EP3578066A1; AT521046A4; AT521046B1; EP3578066B1

Abstract

A sports shoe has a lower boot portion to receive the user's foot and an upper boot portion to receive the user's lower leg. In the process, at least one first sensor in a front foot portion of the sole assembly is connected with at least one second sensor in a heel portion of the sole assembly via a multipolar flexible flat cable having an adjustable length as needed, such that a distance between the at least one first and second sensors can be adjusted to various sole lengths during the manufacturing of the sports shoe. This can be specified correspondingly for at least one third or fourth sensor in the upper boot portion and the at least one first or second sensor on the sole assembly of the sports shoe, such that an adjustment to the upper boot portion with various model-dependent height dimensions is facilitated during manufacturing.

Description

CROSS REFERENCE TO RELATED APPLICATIONS

Applicant claims priority under 35 U.S.C. § 119 of Austrian Application No. A 50448/2018 filed on Jun. 5, 2018, the disclosure of which is incorporated by reference.

BACKGROUND OF THE INVENTION

Field of the Invention

The invention relates to a sports shoe, in particular a ski boot for exercising ski sports.

Description of the Related Art

A generic sports shoe is known from AT517933B1, which traces back to the applicant. Several pressure-sensitive sensors are arranged on and/or in this sports shoe; they are connected via electric cable connections to a shoe-side electronic preparation device for the electrical sensor signals. It is challenging to implement such a sensor system in a manner that facilitates both practical use and serial production.

SUMMARY OF THE INVENTION

The object of the present invention was to overcome the disadvantages of prior art and to provide a sports shoe that would offer comprehensive data technology evaluation opportunities and could nonetheless be manufactured in a manner as cost-optimized and reliable as possible.
This object is solved with a sports shoe according to the invention.
According to the invention, a sports shoe, in particular a ski boot for exercising ski sports, is envisioned. This sports shoe has a lower portion of the boot intended to receive the foot of the user and an upper portion of the boot intended to receive the lower leg of this user, the upper portion of the boot being connected to the lower portion of the boot. A sensor assembly with several distributed pressure-sensitive sensors is thereby connected or can be connected via electric cable connections to an electronic signal processing device. At least two sensors of the sensor assembly are intended to be located on a sole assembly of the sports shoe, wherein at least one first sensor is positioned at the front portion of the sole assembly and at least one second sensor is positioned at the heel portion of the sole assembly. In the process, the at least one first sensor at the front portion of the sole assembly is connected with the at least one second sensor in the heel portion of the sole assembly via a multipolar flexible flat cable. The multipolar flexible flat cable is formed such that the length can be adjusted if necessary, such that a distance between the at least one first sensor and the at least one second sensor can be adjusted to different sole lengths during the manufacturing process of the sports shoe.
According to an alternative embodiment, it is also possible that at least a first or second sensor of the sensor assembly will be placed on a sole assembly of the sports shoe and at least a third or fourth sensor of the sensor assembly will be placed in the upper boot portion of the sports shoe. The at least one third or fourth sensor in the upper boot portion would thereby be connected to the at least one first or second sensor on the sole assembly of the sports shoe via a multipolar flexible flat cable, wherein the multipolar flexible flat cable may be adapted with an adjustable length if necessary. A distance between the at least one third or fourth sensor in the upper boot portion and the at least one first or second sensor in the sole assembly of the sports shoe can be changed as necessary, in particular in the upper boot portion with model-specific various height dimensions when manufacturing the sports shoe.
Sports shoes designed according to the invention have the advantage that they offer an optimized cost to use ratio. In particular with the pressure-sensitive sensors at the indicated positions, comprehensive data technology evaluation of the use and/or implementation circumstances of the sports shoe can be achieved. For example, this facilitates drawing relatively solid conclusions about the balance behavior of the sports shoe's user, which can be of particular importance in connection with alpine ski boots and the practice of skiing. Yet the sports shoes designed according to the invention with the indicated sensor detection devices can be manufactured and/or constructed as cost-effectively as possible. Because there is a multipolar flexible flat cable at least between individual sensors, rational production of the sensor system can be achieved in comparison with individual cable connections and/or cable cores. In particular, this also facilitates cost-effective serial production of generic sports shoes. The length settings and/or length adjustments of the multipolar flexible flat cable especially allow namely a certain type and/or version of the indicated sensor assembly to be used for many differently designed sports shoes or for many different shoe sizes. This also facilitates optimal positioning of the pressure-sensitive sensors, which allows high efficiency and/or greater use of the sensor system to be achieved. In addition, the indicated form is relatively robust and uncritical with regard to undesired disconnections. An added factor is that a corresponding integrated sensor system cannot be felt by the user's foot, meaning that impaired wearing comfort of the sports shoe can be excluded.
The further measures in accordance with an embodiment are also advantageous, as this allows the most cost-effective possible and also relatively extensive adaptability of the pressure recording positions of the respective sensors of the sensor assembly for different sole lengths and/or shoe sizes and/or cuff heights to be achieved. This usability of the most optimal pressure recording positions ensures improved condition monitoring and/or evaluation of the respective force and/or pressure conditions on and/or in the sports shoe.
Through the measures according to another embodiment, extensive alteration and/or adjustment of the distance between two sensors can be performed in an advantageous manner while still ensuring a reliable electrical connection across the distance between the sensors. The corresponding ability to adjust length is also robust and ensures long-term reliability.
The further development according to another embodiment offers quick adjustability and implementation of the sensor assembly in sports shoes with different dimensions. In addition, the correspondingly adjusted overlapping width can be designed to be especially reliable and/or with relatively low likelihood of error.
A particularly robust and especially easily constructed permanent overlapping of the flexible flat cable portions can be achieved through the measures according to a further embodiment. This especially allows the connection and/or bonding process to be implemented more simply and/or significantly more reliably.
Through the measures according to another embodiment, the electric connections in the portion between two sensors can be quickly and reliably adjusted to the respective intended and/or ideal distance between the sensors. In particular, this makes individual reduction and/or extension and electric coupling of cable ends unnecessary. The corresponding electrical connection can thus be created especially quickly and reliably for specific models and/or fits.
An additional embodiment may also be expedient. By altering the Z-shaped fold in the flexible flat cable, an adjustment in length and also direction and/or a change in course between the flexible flat cable portions can be achieved. In particular, this means that flexible flat cable portions with angles and connections with adjusted lengths can be adapted from straight flexible flat cable portions.
The measures in accordance with another embodiment are also advantageous, as they allow the electronic sensor system to be implemented in the sports shoe as cost-effectively and/or suitably in serial production as possible. In addition, this allows the manipulation effort for integration in and/or on a sports shoe to be kept as low as possible. In addition, this also allows an especially thinly structured sensor assembly to be achieved, in particular with a maximum thickness of less than 1 mm, preferably of less than 0.5 mm.
Through the measures according to other embodiments, the sensor-generated recording and evaluation of the force and/or pressure conditions between the foot of a user and the sports shoe and/or a sports device attached to it can be improved still more. In the process, the coupling of these sensors with flexible flat cables offers the production advantages and use-related effects specified above.
The measures in accordance with a further embodiment are also advantageous, as they allow the connector interface for electrical connection of the sensor system to be optimally positioned on an electronic signal processing device on the sports shoe.
Another embodiment is also advantageous in that it allows excessive strain of the flexible flat cable caused by stretching or compression while the sports shoe is used to be avoided, while the pressure-sensitive sensors remain in the optimal pressure recording positions.
Practical embodiments for the implementation of an appropriately functioning adjustment portion are indicated below.
The functional reliability of the adjustment portion for the flexible flat cable can be further increased through the measures in accordance with another embodiment. They especially facilitate the avoidance of increased clamp loads against the adjustment portion of the flexible flat cable.
Through the measures according to a further embodiment, an adjustment portion can be created with relatively extensive compensative capability without the risk of an undesired bend or other damage to the flexible flat cable.
In addition, through the measures according to another embodiment, undesired bends in the flexible flat cable within the adjustment portion can be minimized, and in addition, a compact adjustment portion can be created.
In addition, through measures according to a further embodiment, undesired tensions and/or increased tensile forces on the flexible flat cable can be minimized. This also allows high robustness and long-term reliability of the sports shoe and/or of its sensor system to be achieved.
Through the assembly of the individual sensors, which is linked in a series from a mechanical viewpoint, the production of the sensor assembly and also its implementation in various sports shoes can be simplified and/or made more efficient.
Through the measures according to another embodiment, an essentially straight sensor assembly can be created. In the process, the course of partial portions of the flexible flat cable via the toe portion and the heel portion of the sports shoe facilitates the process of implementation and the resulting build quality of the sports shoe.
Ultimately, the measures according to a further embodiment are also advantageous as they allow the flexible flat cable and/or at least partial portions of the flexible flat cable to be elastically extended and reset, thus achieving an especially robust and reliable implementation in sports shoes.

BRIEF DESCRIPTION OF THE DRAWINGS

For the purpose of better understanding of the invention, it will be elucidated in more detail by means of the figures below.

These show in a respectively very simplified schematic representation:

FIG. 1 shows an embodiment of a sports shoe executed as an alpine ski boot, side view;

FIG. 2 shows a removable liner for an alpine ski boot with an exterior shell made of comparatively hard plastic;

FIGS. 3A and 3B show a two-part sensor system with four pressure-sensitive sensors, with flexible flat cables arranged between them and a contact-based coupling point;

FIG. 4 shows a sports shoe, in particular a liner of a ski boot with a sensor assembly installed on it;

FIG. 5 shows an embodiment of an adjustment portion for the flexible flat cable of the sensor assembly;

FIG. 6 shows an additional embodiment of an adjustment portion for the flexible flat cable of the sensor assembly;

FIG. 7 shows a user with a pair of sports shoes according to the invention in combination with an electronic control and/or evaluation system.

DETAILED DESCRIPTION OF PREFERRED EMBODIMENTS

First of all, it is to be noted that in the different embodiments described, given parts are provided with given reference numbers and/or given component designations, wherein the disclosures contained in the entire description may be analogously transferred to given parts with the same reference numbers and/or same component designations. Moreover, the specifications of location, such as at the top, at the bottom, at the side, chosen in the description refer to the directly described and depicted figure and in case of a change of position, these specifications of location are to be analogously transferred to the new position.
FIG. 1 shows a side view of an exemplary sports shoe 1, which is executed as a ski boot in this case.
Instead of the ski boot depicted here as an example, the corresponding sports shoe 1 could also be designed as a cross-country ski boot, a snowboard boot, or other similar footwear. In particular, every shoe that comprises an exterior, comparatively stiff shell 2 and/or at least one relatively stiff cuff and shaft portion and a comparatively soft and flexible liner 3 set inside it and is intended for exercising ski sports should be seen as a generic sports shoe 1.
The depicted ski boot essentially consists of an exterior, relatively stable shell 2 and a comparatively flexible liner 3. It is preferred for the liner 3 to consist of foamed polymers and textile materials to offer the user the greatest possible wearing comfort when the user's foot is received by sports shoe 1, in particular liner 3. The liner 3 can preferably be carried out such that it can be removed from shell 2 or such that it is exchangeable, as is shown in FIG. 2, or such that it is permanently connected with shell 2, in particularly through glue or sewing. In accordance with a possible embodiment, the sports shoe 1 can be designed as a touring ski boot, wherein liner 3 can also be made adjustable with laces. In accordance with an especially functional version, sports shoe 1 can be designed as an alpine ski boot, wherein the liner 3 generally would not have its own means of closure and/or of fixture.
The exterior shell 2, formed of cast plastic as an example, can also have multiple openings and thus form a barred and/or cage-like structure for the liner 3. The exterior shell 2 around the liner 3 serves to transfer forces between the user's foot and the respective sporting device to which the ski boots is attached and/or arranged as efficiently and/or quickly as possible.
In both embodiment variants, whether as an alpine ski boot or as a touring ski boot, the liner 3 is received by the shell 2 and a foot received by the liner 3 can be held in the liner 3 through decreasing the volume of shell 2. Deceasing the volume of the shell 2 occurs through at least one tension device 4, typically buckles, wherein a different number of tension devices 4 can be arranged on the shell 2 on one ski boot according to the respective model.
It is preferred for the shell 2 to comprise a front foot shell 7 to receive the user's foot and a cuff 6 connected to the front foot shell 7, which at least partially surrounds and/or receives the lower leg of the user. The cuff 6—also known as the shoe shaft—should preferably be constructed as an independent element and should be connected to the front foot shell 7 with two pivot bearing devices 5. The pivot bearing devices 5 positioned on the opposing side surfaces of the sports shoe 1 therefore form a hinge joint between the cuff 6 and the front foot shell 7, which facilitates bending between the front foot shell 7 and the cuff 6. This jointed connection can of course also comprise connections that facilitate combined translational and rotational coupling.
As shown in FIG. 1, two tension devices 4 can be placed both on the front foot shell 7 and on the cuff 6. However, embodiments with a total of two or three tension devices 4 per sports shoe 1 are also possible. A band-shaped clamping device 8 can also be installed on the cuff 6 of the sports shoe 1, through which a foot received by the sports shoe 1, especially the lower leg of a user, can be additionally stabilized. The band-shaped clamping device 8 for the cuff 6 extends, as is visible in the example of FIG. 1, preferably throughout, especially in the form of a ring, across the extent of the upper end portion of the sports shoe 1.
A sports shoe 1 made according to the invention comprises at least one pressure-sensitive sensor 9 a-d for electrotechnical and/or electronic collection of mechanical pressure or forces in or on the sports shoe 1. In particular, at least one sensor 9 a-d is specified in or on sports the shoe 1, which can convert mechanical loads, in particular pressures and/or forces between the user's foot and the sports shoe 1 into corresponding electrical signals and/or can provide such signals. The at least one electronic sensor 9 a-d can be carried out as an active or passive pressure and/or force sensor. Expediently, the at least one sensor 9 a-d is carried out as a pressure-sensitive resistor element and/or as a working detector according to the resistive and/or ohmic operating principle. In the process, various pressures that affect sensor 9 a-d will be depicted as various electrical resistance values that can then be differentiated and/or detected by electrical signals. In accordance with an advantageous embodiment, at least one of the pressure-sensitive sensors 9 a-d of the sports shoe 1, in particular on its liner 3, would take the form of a textile pressure sensor that has a relatively high flexibility and/or adaptability with regard to the three dimensional form of a liner 3 and/or with regard to the contours of the shape of a foot. Such pressure-sensitive sensors 9 a-d are also known as “textile sensors” and are well suited for placement on and/or for integration in soft elastic or textile objects, especially with regard to the liner 3 of the generic sports shoe 1. However, it is also possible that at least one of the sensors 9 a-d could be supplied by a pressure sensor that works under the piezoelectric operating principle.
FIG. 2 depicts pressure-sensitive sensors 9 a-d at ideal positions on a liner 3.
In accordance with a practical execution, at least one sensor 9 a can be positioned in the frontal portion of the sole of liner 3, this frontal portion being closest to the balls of the toes and/or the front portion of a user's foot when the sports shoe 1 is being used and/or utilized.
In addition, at least one pressure-sensitive sensor 9 b can be positioned in the rear sole portion of the liner 3, which is arranged and/or can be arranged closest to the heel bone of the user.
Through combined evaluation of the pressure signals initiating from and/or provided by the sensors 9 a and 9 b, sensor-generated conclusions can be drawn especially about the weight distribution and/or the so-called balance of the user. The sensor-generated collection of the user's weight distribution with regard to the forefoot and/or the heel bone is particularly important and relevant in connection with ski boots for practicing alpine skiing, as it allows the respective weight distribution and/or the dynamic shifts in weight of the user to be detected.
In accordance with an additional alternative or combined design, at least one pressure-sensitive sensor 9 c can be located in and/or on the liner 3, which records pressure forces and/or loads that act on the lower leg and/or shinbone portion of a user. Expediently, this sensor 9 c, as schematically depicted in FIG. 1, is positioned in a portion of the sports shoe 1 closest to the front portion of the cuff 6. For example, the at least one sensor 9 c is shown directly in or on the tongue 10 of liner 3, as depicted with the dotted lines in FIGS. 1, 2. This can be practically detected especially through the so-called forward stance and/or shift forwards of the center of gravity of the user.
In accordance with an advantageous measure, it can also be provided for that at least one pressure-sensitive sensor 9 d in the rear portion of the shaft of the liner 3 is provided, as shown in FIGS. 1, 2 with dotted lines. The rear portion of the liner shaft is essentially arranged and/or can be arranged closest to the fibula of a user. This can be practically detected especially through the so-called rear stance and/or shift backwards of the center of gravity of the user.
The description in accordance with FIG. 2 represents images of sensors 9 a-d in the interior structure of the liner 3. In the process, the sensors 9 a-d are particularly embedded at least partially in the construction material, particularly in the plastic material of the liner 3. As an alternative, it is of course also possible to have at least one of the sensors 9 a-d placed on the exterior surface of the liner 3 and/or on the interior side of the liner 3 closest to the foot of the user, such that they are in relatively direct contact with the foot and/or the sock of the user of the sports shoe 1.
The respective pressures between the foot of the user and the sports shoe 1 or between the sports shoe 1 and/or the lower surface, such as a sporting device coupled with the sports shoe 1, can thus be recorded electronically and/or with sensors through at least one sensor 9 a-d and evaluated and/or monitored through one of the evaluation electronics systems described below.
To be able to optimally accomplish this data technology evaluation and/or assessment, it is expedient for the sports shoe 1 to have at least one radio transmission communication interface 11. This radio-equipped communication interface 11 is specified for wireless transmission of pressure signals and/or pressure related data collected by the at least one pressure-sensitive sensor 9 a-d. In this respect, the radio-equipped communication interface 11 is equipped for close range signal and/or data transmission, which means for a maximum transmission distance of up to 100 m, ideally of up to 3 m. In the process, it is expedient for the radio-equipped communication interface 11 of the sports shoe 1 to be equipped for signal or data transmission under the Bluetooth, ZigBee, NFC, or WiFi standard. RFID communication systems are also possible in this context. The significant element is that this radio-equipped communication interface 11 of the sports shoe 1 is compatible with a standardized radio-equipped communication interface 12 on at least one standardized electronic evaluation device 13. The communication interface 11 on the sports shoe 1 is particularly designed for data technology communication with a corresponding communication interface 12 on an external, preferably mobile, electronic evaluation device 13. The signal and/or data transmission can thus occur unidirectionally from the communication interface 11 in the direction of communication interface 12 of evaluation device 13. However, there would preferably be bidirectional data communication between the shoe-side communication interface 11 and the external, evaluation-side communication interface 12, as indicated in FIG. 1 with a double arrow. The electronic evaluation device 13 serves at least the evaluation of the pressure conditions collected by the at least one pressure-sensitive sensor 9 a-d and/or of the electric pressure signals derived from it. In particular, the electric pressure signals of the at least one sensor 9 a-d will be transmitted via the shoe-side communication interface 11 to the electronic evaluation devices 13 in data technological form and will be processed and/or evaluated by the latter and showed in a practical form for the user of evaluation device 13, in particular at least visualized.
The electronic, preferably mobile evaluation device 13 is preferably realized by a standard commercial mobile computing unit 14, in particular defined by a smartphone 15, as depicted in FIG. 5. In the alternative or in combination with a smartphone 15, it is also possible to use a standard tablet computer or a wearable computer, such as in the form of a smartwatch. In the process, the standard radio-equipped communication interface 12 of these electronic units named above is compatible with the radio-equipped communication interface 11 found on the sports shoe 1. In particular, the radio-equipped communication interface 11 on sports shoe 1 is designed such that it can have a data technology communication connection with at least one radio-equipped communication interface 12 of the mobile computing units 14 named above, in particular with a radio-equipped communication interface 12 of a smartphone 15. The mobile computing unit 14, in particular the smartphone 15 of the user—FIG. 5—has a data technological connection with each of the communication interfaces 11 on each of the two sports shoes 1 of the user in the process. This means that a data technology connection is developed and/or can be created between the mobile computing unit 14, in particular the smartphone 15 of the user and the two sports shoes 1 worn by this user. A two-channel, radio-equipped connection between the pair of sports shoes 1 worn by the user and their smartphone 15 is thus specified.
In the process, it can be expedient if the radio-equipped communication interface 11 of the respective sports shoe 1 is defined by a Bluetooth communication interface, which is compatible with the corresponding standardly implemented Bluetooth communication interface 12 of a standard commercial mobile computing unit 14, in particular to a smartphone 15, to a tablet computer, or to a wearable computer, such as a smartwatch.
As can best be seen in FIG. 1, the at least one pressure-sensitive sensor 9 a-d of sports shoe 1 can be connected and/or is connected with an electronic signal processing device 16, in particular with wires. This electronic signal processing device 16 is ideally arranged and/or positionable on sports shoe 1 and serves purposes including the conditioning and/or preparation of the electric pressure signal provided by the at least one pressure-sensitive sensor 9 a-d. In the process, the sensors 9 a-d are connected and/or can be connected with a microcontroller 18 or a comparable electronic evaluation circuit within signal processing device 16 via electric cables 17 a-d.
It is also possible for the signal processing device 16 to have at least one temperature and/or moisture sensor 19 (FIG. 1), which transfers the respective prevalent temperature and/or moisture conditions through corresponding electric signals through at least one wire to the microcontroller 18 for processing and/or evaluation. As schematically shown in FIG. 1, such a temperature and/or moisture sensor 19 is preferably positioned in the toe and/or middle portion of the sports shoe 1. The signal processing device 16 is thus specified for wireless transmission of the respective temperature and/or humidity data to mobile computing unit 14, in particular to smartphone 15, through which visualization, monitoring, and/or recording of the respective temperature and/or humidity values in sports shoe 1 can be performed.
The pressure-sensitive sensors 9 a-d can be carried out as a pressure and/or voltage transformer, while an optional temperature and/or humidity sensor 19 can also be understood as a corresponding converter and/or transformer.
The electronic signal processing device 16 on the sports shoe 1 of a user is also coupled with the signal of the radio-equipped communication interface 11 explained above and/or comprises the electronic signal processing device 16 of this radio-equipped communication interface 11. In accordance with a typical embodiment, as depicted in FIG. 1, the microcontroller 18 is connected via at least one data and/or signal cable 20 with the typically modular radio-equipped communication interface 11. To provide the electronic signal processing device 16 with electrical energy, in particular to provide energy to the various sensors and the microcontroller 18, at least one electrical energy source 21, in particular at least one battery or electrochemical accumulator, is specified on or in the signal processing device 16.
The signal processing device 16 also comprises at least one storage device for system data and/or operating conditions. The storage of such data can occur alternatively or in combination on the user, in particular by means of their mobile computing device 14, such as in their smartphone 15, and/or through a storage device accessed through a data network (cloud storage).
The electronic and/or electrotechnical components of the signal processing device 16 are ideally housed in a housing 22. In contrast, in particular the pressure-sensitive sensors 9 a-d are externally positioned with regard to the housing 22 and are line-connected and/or can be connected via the electrical cable connections 17 a-d named above—see FIG. 2—either directly, or preferably via a connector interface 23 that can be activated and deactivated as needed, with the electronic signal processing device 16. In accordance with an expedient embodiment, the housing 22 of the electronic signal processing device 16 is arranged and/or can be positioned in the cuff portion of the sports shoe 1, in particular on the rear of the cuff 6, as can be seen in an example in FIG. 1. In the process, a holding device 24, such as a mounting bracket 25, is specified, through which the housing 22 can be attached close to the top of the cuff 6 such that it can be removed as needed. Ideally, the electronic signal processing device 16, in particular its housing 22, can be housed and/or mounted on and/or in the sports shoe 1 such that it can be removed as needed. This facilitates features such as practical charging and/or regeneration of the energy source 21 and simple maintenance of the electronic signal processing device 16. The shoe-side electronic signal processing device 16 and/or the communication interface 11 and the peripherally arranged electronic evaluation device 13 and/or the corresponding mobile computing unit 14 thus form an electronic evaluation and/or monitoring system 26—FIGS. 1, 5—for the user of the sports shoe 1 and/or for authorized third parties. However, the corresponding monitoring system 26 also provides a useful tool for increasing customer satisfaction for sales and/or service companies of such sports shoe 1.
In accordance with a practical embodiment, a sports shoe 1, in particular a ski boot is specified, which sports shoe 1 comprises a lower boot portion 27 to receive the foot of a user and an upper boot portion 28 to receive the lower leg of the user. The upper boot portion 28 is connected with the lower boot portion 27, such as with a joint, as is depicted in FIG. 1. A generic sports shoe 1 is thus embodied as a boot and/or extends significantly past the ankle of a user.
The depicted sports shoe 1 accordingly comprises a sensor assembly 29, which comprises several distributed pressure-sensitive sensors 9 a-d. The sensors 9 a-d are each permanently connected or can be connected as needed via at least single-pole, but ideally via two-pole or multipolar cables 17 a-d with the electronic signal processing device 16, which is and/or can be fastened directly to the sports shoe 1.
At least two sensors 9 a, 9 b of sensor assembly 29 are thereby specified in and/or on a sole assembly 30 placed closest to the sole of the user in sports shoe 1. At least one first sensor 9 a is thereby positioned in the front foot portion 31 of the sole assembly 30 of the sports shoe 1 and at least one second sensor 9 b is positioned in the heel portion 32 of the sole assembly 30. With respect to a sole length axis 33, the front foot portion 31 can take up approximately one third of the length of the sole, while the heel portion 32 likewise takes up approximately one third of the length of the sole.
It can be expedient, if one single first sensor 9 a is specified, for it to be arranged primarily or entirely off center to the sole length axis 33, in particular closer to the inside of the sports shoe 1, as can be seen in FIG. 2. This allows relatively clear force and/or pressure measurements to be performed and means that strong conclusions can be drawn in a relatively efficient way about the edging and/or guide behavior of the user with regard to skis that are to be used as a pair.
It can also be expedient for the sole assembly 30 to only have a single second sensor 9 b in the heel portion 32, which should be positioned as centrally as possible with regard to the sole length axis 33, as is schematically depicted in FIG. 2. This allows relatively good recording and/or evaluation results despite the lowest possible construction and/or hardware costs.
The individual sensors 9 a-d are connected and/or can be electrically connected with the signal processing device 16 via single-pole or multipolar cables 17 a-d. This electrical connection is either permanent or can be connected and removed as needed. In the process, it is preferred for the collected signals of the individual sensors 9 a-d to be connected to the shoe-side signal processing device 16 through separate electrical signal cables, to allow specific evaluation of the respective pressure and/or forces ratios in the areas of the sensors 9 a-d to be performed.
In the process, the at least one first sensor 9 a at the front portion 31 of the sole assembly 30 is connected with the at least one second sensor 9 b in the heel portion 32 of the sole assembly 30 via a multipolar flexible flat cable 34 a. This means that the cable 17 a, b between the first sensor 9 a and the second sensor 9 b of sole assembly 30 is embodied and/or implemented by means of a multipolar flexible flat cable 34 a. In the process, the essential element is that the multipolar flexible flat cable 34 a is carried out with an adjustable length, in particular can be changed as needed with regard to its length inside certain limits, such that the multipolar flexible flat cable 34 a is adjustable to the optimal distance for recording technology 35 between the at least one first sensor 9 a and the at least one second sensor 9 b, and in particular can be adjusted to different sole lengths 36. This adaptability to various sole lengths 36 is only expedient and/or necessary preferentially during the manufacturing process of the sports shoe 1 and/or the liner 3. After the sensors 9 a, 9 b are attached in the area of the sole assembly 30, alteration of distance 35 between sensors 9 a and 9 b is fundamentally no longer necessary and/or desired. Through these measures, an adjustment and/or optimization of sensor assembly 29 can be efficiently and advantageously achieved in sole assembly 30 with regard to various shoe sizes and/or within defined shoe size fields. This thus facilitates optimal sensor recording conditions and simultaneously supports cost-optimized construction, according to which such a certain, pre-constructed sensor assembly 29 can be used and/or applied for many different sports shoes 1 with various shoe lengths 36.
Accordingly, the sensor assembly 29 in and/or on sports shoe 1 can apply for the additional sensors 9 c and/or 9 d. In particular, it can be specified that at least one third or fourth sensor 9 c, 9 d in the upper boot portion 28 can be connected with the at least one first or second sensor 9 a, 9 b on sole assembly 30 of sports shoe 1 via a multipolar flexible flat cable 34 b and/or 34 c. At least one of these multipolar flexible flat cables 34 b, 34 c between the upper boot portion 28 and the lower boot portion 27 can have adjustable lengths as needed. Through this adaptability in length, it is ensured that a distance 35 b and/or 35 c between the at least one third or fourth sensor 9 c, 9 d in the upper boot portion 28 and the at least one first or second sensor 9 a, 9 b in the sole assembly 30 of the sports shoe 1 can be changed as needed, in particular in the upper boot portion 28 to different height dimensions 37 of different models. Accordingly, optimal sensor collection of the force and/or pressure effects occurring in and/or on the sports shoe 1 can be ensured. This also ensures the most cost-effective implementation of the corresponding sensor system in many different, model and/or shoe-size variations of the sports shoe 1. The manufacturing process of sports shoes 1 with the indicated sensor system 29 can thus be implemented cost-efficiently and reliably.
In accordance with an expedient embodiment, as schematically depicted in FIG. 2, it can be specified that the flexible flat cable 34 a, b, c connecting at least two sequential and/or serial sensors 9 a, b, c, d is formed by flexible flat cable portions 38′, 38″, which flexible flat cable portions 38′, 38″ can be changed with regard to their overlapping width 39 a, b, c as needed and/or specifically, such that sequential sensors 9 a, b, c, d can be adjusted with regard to their distance 35 a, b, c to each other. In particular, it can be specified that flexible flat cable 34 a, b, c comprises a first flexible flat cable portion 38′ in structurally permanent and/or fixed connection with the at least one first, second, third, and/or fourth sensor 9 a, b, c, d and at least one second flexible flat cable portion 38″ in a structurally permanent and/or fixed connection with the at least one first or second sensor 9 a, b. In this context, it is especially practical that a variable and/or adjustable as necessary overlapping width 39 a, 39 b, 39 c between the first flexible flat cable portion 38′ and the subsequent flexible flat cable portion 38″ is available. In particular, it is thus made possible for the positions of the respective sensors 9 a, b, c, d to be optimally adjusted to the respective sole lengths 36 and/or to the respective height dimension 37 of the sports shoe 1 and thus to be sufficient with the smallest possible plurality of variations and/or designs of ideally printed sensors systems and/or sensor assemblies 29. Thus, sensor collection advantages and economic advantages can be combined. In particular, this allows at least one of the distances 35 a, b, c to be optimally adjusted to the respective dimensions of the sports shoe 1 in which the sensor system is to be implemented. In particular, this allows a correspondingly composed and/or assembled flexible flat cable 34 a, b, c to be adjusted as needed to many different sole lengths 36 and/or to various height dimensions 37 of upper boot portions 28.
In FIG. 3A, an embodiment of a sensor assembly 29, which is intended for implementation in and/or on a sports shoe, is shown. In FIGS. 3A and 3B, the front and rear sides of a sensor assembly 29, comprising a total of four pressure-sensitive sensors 9 a-d are depicted.
In accordance with the embodiment according to FIGS. 3A and 3B, a two-part sensor assembly 29 is specified, which can be combined with and/or added to a single piece sensor assembly 29 as needed. As can best be seen through viewing FIG. 2 and FIGS. 3A and 3B together, it is expedient in the process for an end portion 40′ of the first flexible flat cable portion 38′ and an end portion 40″ of the second flexible flat cable portion 38″ to be arranged one above the other with length adjustable overlapping width portion 39 a—FIG. 2—and that in the process, in the respective overlapping portion 41 a, b, c, for at least one electrical connection to be developed and/or created between the first and/or third sensor 9 a, c and the second or fourth sensor 9 b, d.
As can best be seen in FIGS. 3A, 3B, at least one adhesive surface 42, which ideally comprises self-sticking adhesive, is specified in at least one overlapping portion 41 a in accordance with an expedient embodiment. The at least one adhesive surface 42 can be on at least one adhesive flap 43 as needed, which at least one adhesive flap 43 can be on the first and/or second flexible flat cable portion 38′, 38″. In the process, the at least one adhesive flap 43 can be folded and/or is correspondingly folded in the implementation condition relative to the first and/or second flexible flat cable portion 38′, 38″, such that a stable, strong connection can be ensured between the two flexible flat cable portions 38′ and 38″.
As can be seen through viewing FIGS. 3A and 3B together, electrical contact points 44′, 44″ are found in end portion 40′ of the first flexible flat cable portion 38′ and in end portion 40″ of the two flexible flat cable portions 38″. In a stacked and/or overlapping position, there is thus at least one electrical connection and/or there are thus several electrical signal paths between the first flexible flat cable portion 38′ and the second flexible flat cable portion 38″.
As can best be viewed in FIG. 3B, it is expedient if the multipolar flexible flat cable 34 a, b, c at least comprises a carrier film 45 made of flexible plastic in the portions between sensors 9 a-d, on which carrier film 45 conductor tracks 46 are printed. Ideally, pressure-sensitive sensors 9 a-d can also be imprinted on this carrier film 45. It is particularly advantageous in accordance with an expedient embodiment for at least a first or second sensor 9 a, b to be installed, an in particular to be imprinted, on this carrier film 45.
The depicted embodiment of the sensor assembly 29 also comprises a flexible flat cable 34 c, which constitutes a third flexible flat cable portion. This flexible flat cable 34 c and/or the corresponding third flexible flat cable portion extends between the at least one first sensor 9 a and the at least one third sensor 9 c. This third sensor 9 c is ideally positioned in a tongue portion 47 of tongue 10 of the sports shoe 1 placed close to the user's shin.
The depicted embodiment of sensor assembly 29 comprises one more flexible flat cable 34 b, which defines a fourth flexible flat cable portion, which extends between the at least one second sensor 9 b and the at least one fourth sensor 9 d. In the implementation condition of sensor system 29, this fourth sensor 9 d is positioned in a calf portion 48 of the sports shoe 1 placed close to the user's calf.
Sensor assembly 29 can also comprise a flexible flat cable 34 d, which defines a fifth flexible flat cable portion, which extends between the at least one fourth sensor 9 d and the central connector interface 23 of the sports shoe. In the process, it is advantageous for connector interface 23 to be per se formed by flexible flat cable 34 d and to therefore have several electrical contact points 49 in its end portion for this purpose, an example of which can be seen in FIG. 3A.
In accordance with an expedient embodiment depicted in FIG. 2, it is specified that the multipolar flexible flat cable 34 a, b, c, serially connects and/or couples the at least one third sensor 9 c in tongue portion 47 of sports shoe 1, the at least one first sensor 9 a in front foot portion 31 of sole assembly 30, the at least one second sensor 9 b in heel portion 32 of sole assembly 30, and the at least one fourth sensor 9 d in calf portion 48 of sports shoe 1 in a mechanical sense. In a mechanical sense, the individual sensors 9 a-d are serially threaded together via the multipolar flexible flat cable 34 a and combined into a single unit of sensors.
In FIG. 4, an additional example embodiment of a sports shoe 1 realized according to the invention, in particular a liner 3 for a ski boot, is schematically depicted.
In the process, the at least one pressure and/or force- sensitive sensor 9 a, 9 b in the front foot portion 31 and in the heel portion 32 are specified. There also is at least one force and/or pressure-sensitive sensor 9 d in the calf portion 48 of the sports shoe 1. The sensors 9 a, b, and d are serially connected and/or coupled with each other in a sequence via flexible flat cable 34 a. Between the sensors 9 a, b, flexible flat cable portions 38′ and 38″ are specified, which can be adjusted to the positions respectively viewed as optimal for sensors 9 a, b through its overlapping width 39 a.
In contrast, a flexible flat cable 34 b is specified in the area between sensors 9 b and 9 d, which compensates for changing lengths and/or deformations while sports shoe 1 is being used. In particular, it is specified that at least one of the sensors 9 a-d is permanently connected, specifically adhered to the sports shoe 1. Within the respective connected flexible flat cables 34 a, b, at least one adjustment portion 50 is specified. As an example, the adjustment portion 50 is formed between the two sensors 9 b and 9 d fixedly and/or permanently connected to the sports shoe 1. In the process, the at least one adjustment portion 50 within flexible flat cable 34 b also serves to compensate for and/or take up changes in distance between at least two sensors 9 a-d, in particular between sensors 9 b and 9 d, in the course of use and the resulting elastic deformation of sports shoe 1 caused by the forces exerted. In one example, this adjustment portion 50 would facilitate a variation in distance when the user of the sports shoe 1 shifts their stance, allowing overstraining and/or disproportionate tensile loads on the flexible flat cable 34 b to be avoided.
In accordance with the embodiment in FIG. 4, this adjustment portion 50 can be represented by an S-shaped, curved and/or meandering shaped partial portion of the flexible flat cable 34 b. In analog way to this, U-shaped or Z-shaped courses of at least one flexible flat cable 34 a are also possible, such that at least one adjustment portion 50 can compensate for changes in length caused by deformation during the use of the sports shoe 1.
As can best be seen from viewing FIGS. 4 to 6 together, it can be expedient if the at least one adjustment portion 50 for the flexible flat cable 34 a is arranged at least partially in a cavity 51 and/or a hole in sports shoe 1. A corresponding adjustment portion 50 can particularly be implemented inside the sole assembly 30 and/or within another boundary wall 52 of the sports shoe 1. In the process, the corresponding adjustment portions 50 are sufficient to largely compensate for the changes in length that occur during the elastic deformations of sports shoe 1 in the flexible flat cables 34 a, b caused by use, without critical tensile strains and/or overstress of flexible flat cables 34 a. b occurring.
As can best be viewed in FIG. 5, a comb- or lattice-like support element 53 can also be specified within the adjustment portion 50. This support element 53 can be structurally independent or carried out as an integral component of the sports shoe 1. The comb- or lattice-like support element 53 serves to define the support of a zigzagged or wave-shaped partial portion of the flexible flat cable 34 b. In particular, the comb- or lattice-like support element 53 can create relatively extensive adjustment portions and thus prevent excessive overloading and/or bending of the flexible flat cable 34 b.
As can best be seen in FIG. 6, it can also be specified in accordance with an embodiment that there can be at least one distancing element 54 in at least one turning portion of an S-shaped partial portion of the flexible flat cable 34 a. This allows a sufficiently extensive adjustment portion 50 to be created without causing excessive bending and/or folding of the flexible flat cable portion 34 a.
As can also be seen from viewing FIGS. 4 to 6 together, it is expedient for the flexible flat cable 34 a, b to be permanently adhered or sewn with regard to its length within spaced attachment portions with the sports shoe 1 and for the intervening portions to be loosely affixed to sports shoe 1. This also causes adjustment behavior, which is advantageous in preventing excessive strain on and/or disproportionate stretching of the flexible flat cable 34 a, b while the sports shoe 1 is being used.
As can best be seen in FIG. 2, it can be advantageously specified that the multipolar flexible flat cables 34 a, b, c run from the at least one third sensor 9 c in the tongue portion 47 of the sports shoe 1 over the instep portion 55 and ideally over the toe portion 56 of the sports shoe 1 to the at least one first sensor 9 a in the front foot portion 31 of sole assembly 30, further via the midsole area of sole assembly 30 to the at least one second sensor 9 b in the heel portion 32 of the sole assembly 30, and further via the heel ball portion 57 of sports shoe 1 to the at least one fourth portion 9 b in the calf portion 48 of the sports shoe 1.
In accordance with an expedient design, it is specified that at least one of the flexible flat cables 34 a, b, c comprises a carrier film 45 made of a polyurethane-elastomer or a silicon material. The electric track 46 positioned, specifically printed, on it can be created with a printing ink that contains particles of silver or carbon. This allows at least one of the flexible flat cables 34 a, b, c to carried out in such a way that it can elastically extend and contract along its length. In particularly, this can achieve elasticity of up to 10%, in particular of up to 25% with regard to the initial length and/or with regard to the rest state of a correspondingly designed flexible flat cable 34 a, b, c. This means that a quasi integral adjustment portion 50 can be created simply and easily in sensor assembly 29 for the relatively marginal changes in position of sensors 9 a-d that occur during the use of sports shoe 1.
The exemplary embodiments show possible embodiment variants, wherein it should be noted in this respect that the invention is not restricted to these particular illustrated embodiment variants of it, but that rather also various combinations of the individual embodiment variants are possible and that this possibility of variation owing to the teaching for technical action provided by the present invention lies within the ability of a person skilled in the art in this technical field.
The scope of protection is determined by the claims. However, the description and the drawings are to be adduced for construing the claims. Individual features or feature combinations from the different exemplary embodiments shown and described may represent independent inventive solutions. The object underlying the independent inventive solutions may be gathered from the description.
Finally, as a matter of form, it should be noted that for ease of understanding of the structure, elements are partially not depicted to scale and/or are enlarged and/or are reduced in size.


List of Reference Numbers

1	sports shoe
2	shell
3	liner
4	tension device
5	pivot bearing device
6	cuff
7	front foot shell
8	clamping device
9a, 9b	sensor
9c, 9d	sensor
10	tongue
11	communication interface
12	communication interface
13	evaluation device
14	mobile computing unit
15	smartphone
16	signal processing device
17a, 17b	cables
17c, 17d	cables
18	microcontroller
19	temperature and/or humidity
	sensor

20	data and/or signal cable
21	energy source
22	housing
23	connector interface (first)
24	holding device
25	mounting bracket
26	monitoring system
27	boot portion (lower)
28	boot portion (upper)
29	sensor assembly
30	sole assembly
31	front foot portion
32	heel portion
33	sole length axis
34a, 34b	flexible flat cable
34c, 34d	flexible flat cable
35a, 35b	distance
35c, 35d	distance
36	sole length
37	height dimension
38′, 38″	flexible flat cable portions
39a, b, c	overlapping width
40′, 40″	end portion
41a, b, c	overlapping portion
42	adhesive surface
43	adhesive flap
44′, 44″	electric contact points
45	carrier film
46	electric conducting track
47	tongue portion
48	calf portion
49	electric contact points
50	adjustment portion
51	depression
52	boundary wall
53	support element
54	distancing element
55	instep portion
56	toe portion
57	heel ball portion

Claims

1. A sports shoe (1), in particular a ski boot for exercising ski sports, with a lower boot portion (27) intended to receive the user's foot and an upper boot portion (28) intended to receive the lower leg of this user, the upper portion of the boot (28) being connected to the lower portion of the boot (27), a sensor assembly (29) comprising several distributed pressure-sensitive sensors (9 ad), which are connected or can be connected with electrical cables (17 a-d) to an electronic signal processing device (16)

wherein at least two sensors (9 a, 9 b) of the sensor assembly (29) are specified in the sole assembly (30) of sports shoe (1), and

wherein at least one first sensor (9 a) is positioned in a front foot portion (31) of the sole assembly (30) and at least one second sensor (9 b) is positioned in a heel portion (32) of the sole assembly (30),

wherein

the at least one first sensor (9 a) in a front foot portion (31) of the sole assembly (30) is connected with the at least one second sensor (9 b) in the heel portion (32) of the sole assembly (30) via a multipolar flexible flat cable (34 a),

wherein the multipolar flexible flat cable (34 a) can be designed with an adjustable length as necessary, such that

a distance (35 a) between the at least one first sensor (9 a) and the at least one second sensor (9 b) can be adjusted to various sole lengths (36) during the course of manufacturing of the sports shoe (1).

2. The sports shoe (1), in particular a ski boot for exercising ski sports, with a lower boot portion (27) intended to receive the user's foot and an upper boot portion (28) intended to receive the lower leg of this user, the upper portion of the boot (28) being connected to the lower portion of the boot (27), a sensor assembly (29) comprising several distributed pressure-sensitive sensors (9 ad), which are connected or can be connected with electrical cables (17 a-d) to an electronic signal processing device (16)

wherein at least one first or second sensor (9 a, 9 b) of the sensor assembly (29) are specified in the sole assembly (30) of sports shoe (1), and at least one third or fourth sensor (9 c, 9 d) of the sensor assembly (29) is specified in the upper boot portion (28) of the sports shoe (1),

wherein

the at least one third or fourth sensor (9 c, 9 d) in the upper boot portion (28) is connected with the at least one first or second sensor (9 a, 9 b) in the sole assembly (30) of the sports shoe (1) via a multipolar flexible flat cable (34 b, c) wherein the multipolar flexible flat cable (34 b, c) can have an adjustable length as necessary, such that

c) between the at least one third or fourth sensor (9 c, 9 d) in the upper boot portion (28) and the at least one first or second sensor (9 a, 9 b) in the sole assembly (30) of the sports shoe (1) can be changed as necessary, in particular in the upper boot portion (28) with model-dependent various heights (37) during the manufacturing of the sports shoe (1).

3. The sports shoe in accordance with claim 1, wherein the flexible flat cable (34 a, b, c) comprises a first flexible flat cable portion (38′) in conjunction with the at least one second, third, or fourth sensor (9 b, 9 c, 9 d) and a second flexible flat cable portion (38″) in conjunction with the at least one first or second sensor (9 a, 9 b), and wherein an overlapping width (39 a, b, c) between the first flexible flat cable portion (38′) and the second flexible flat cable portion (38″) can be adjusted such as a correspondingly manifested flexible flat cable (34 a, b, c) can be adjusted to various sole lengths (36) and/or to various height dimensions (37) of the upper boot portion (28) as needed.

4. The sports shoe in accordance with claim 3, wherein an end portion (40′) of the first flexible flat cable portion (38′) and an end portion (40″) of the second flexible flat cable portion (38″) with an overlapping width (39 a, b, c) that can be installed as needed are arranged above each other and thereby continue or develop at least one electric cable in their overlapping portion (41 a, b, c) between at least two sensors (9 a-d) of the sensor assembly (29).

5. The sports shoe in accordance with claim 4, wherein there is at least one adhesive surface (42) with a self-adhesive substance in the overlapping portion (41 a, b, c).

6. The sports shoe in accordance with claim 5, wherein the adhesive surface (42) is located on at least one adhesive flap (43) on the first and/or second flexible flat cable portion (38′, 38″), this at least one adhesive flap (43) is or can be folded relatively to the first and/or second flexible flat cable portion (38′, 38″).

7. The sports shoe in accordance with claim 3, wherein in the end portion (40′) of the first flexible flat cable portion (38′) and in the end portion (40″) of the second flexible flat cable portion (38″), there are electric contact points (44′, 44″), which are positioned to overlap, such that at least one of the electric connections between the first flexible flat cable portion (38′) and the second flexible flat cable portion (38″) is created.

8. The sports shoe in accordance with claim 1, wherein the flexible flat cable (34 a, b, c) at least between several individual sensors (9 a-d) of the sensor assembly (29) is structured as a single piece and has a Z-shaped fold, said Z-shaped fold creating an adjustable distance (35 a, b, c) between at least individual sensors (9 a-d) of the sensor assembly (29) to various sole lengths (36) and/or to different height dimensions of various models (37) of a sports shoe (1).

9. The sports shoe in accordance with one claim 1, wherein the flexible flat cable (34 a, b, c) comprises a carrier film (45) made of plastic, on which carrier film (45) electric conducting tracks (46) are printed and at least the first or second sensor (9 a, b) is printed.

10. The sports shoe in accordance with claim 1, wherein the flexible flat cable (34 c) defines a third flexible flat cable portion that extends between the at least one first sensor (9 a) and the at least one third sensor (9 c), which third sensor (9 c) is positioned in a tongue portion (47) of a tongue (10) of the sports shoe (1) positioned close to the shin of a user.

11. The sports shoe in accordance with claim 1, wherein the flexible flat cable (34 b) defines a fourth flexible flat cable portion that extends between the at least one second sensor (9 b) and the at least one fourth sensor (9 d), which fourth sensor (9 d) is positioned in a calf portion (48) of the sports shoe (1) positioned nearest to the calf of a user.

12. The sports shoe in accordance with claim 1, wherein the flexible flat cable (34 d) defines a fifth flexible flat cable portion, which extends between the at least one fourth sensor (9 d) and a connector interface (23) with several electrical contact points (49).

13. The sports shoe in accordance with claim 1, wherein at least one of the sensors (9 a-d) is permanently connected to the sports shoe (1), in particular is glued, and there is at least one adjustment portion (50) in the flexible flat cable (34 a-d) for compensation for or absorption of changes in distance between at least two of the sensors (9 a-d) during use and the resulting elastic deformation of the sports shoe (1) caused by load.

14. The sports shoe in accordance with claim 13, wherein the adjustment portion (50) is formed with a U-shaped, Z-shaped, S-shaped, arched, or meandering partial portion of the flexible flat cable (34 a-d).

15. The sports shoe in accordance with claim 13, wherein the adjustment portion (50) of the flexible flat cable (34 a-d) is at least partially located in a cavity or gap in the material of the sports shoe (1).

16. The sports shoe in accordance with claim 13, wherein there is a comb- or lattice-like support element (53) in the adjustment portion (50) to define or support a zigzag or wave-shaped partial portion of the flexible flat cable (34 a-d).

17. The sports shoe in accordance with claim 14, wherein there is at least one distancing element (54) in at least one redirection portion of a U-shaped or S-shaped partial portion of the flexible flat cable (34 a-d).

18. The sports shoe in accordance with wherein the flexible flat cable (34 a-d) is glued or sewed to the sports shoe (1) along its length within distanced attachment portions and wherein intervening partial portions are loosely attached to the sports shoe (1).

19. The sports shoe in accordance with claim 1, wherein the flexible flat cable (34 ac) serially connects the at least one third sensor (9 c) in the tongue portion (47) of the sports shoe (1), the at least one sensor (9 a) in the front foot portion (31) of the sole assembly (30), the at least one second sensor (9 b) in the heel portion (32) of the sole assembly (30) and the at least one fourth sensor (9 d) in the calf portion (48) of the sports shoe (1) in a mechanical sense.

20. The sports shoe in accordance with claim 19, wherein the flexible flat cable (34 a-c) runs from the at least one third sensor (9 c) in the tongue portion (47) of the sports shoe (1) past the instep portion (55) and ideally past the toe portion (56) of the sports shoe (1) to the at least one first sensor (9 a) in the front foot portion (31) of the sole assembly (30), on via the mid-sole areas of the sole assembly (30) to the at least one second sensor (9 b) in the heel portion (32) of the sole assembly (30) and on via the heel ball portion (57) of the sports shoe (1) to the at least one fourth sensor (9 d) in the calf portion (48) of the sports shoe (1).

21. The sports shoe in accordance with claim 1, wherein at least one of the flexible flat cables (34 a, b, c) comprises a carrier film (45) made of a polyurethane elastomer or a silicone material and an electric conductor track (46) made of printing ink that contains silver or carbon particles on it, such that at least one of the flexible flat cables (34 a, b, c) is made to elastically extend and contract with respect to its length.