h a l f b a k e r yA riddle wrapped in a mystery inside a rich, flaky crust
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Where I live, lots of people get injured after slipping on icy sidewalks. Various crampon-like devices are available, but they're uncomfortable and damage floors. What we need is short spikes that stay retracted until an accelerometer detects the sudden change in velocity of a foot slipping on ice.
Then piezoelectric actuators extend the "claws" and you stop slipping.
Positraction Shoes
Positraction_20Shoes
Essentially the same idea. [phoenix, Feb 14 2008]
[link]
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but hey ho - thats hb for you & I like the claws thing but there you go... |
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"Positraction shoes" proposed mechanical sensors to sense slipperiness, not actual slipping. I think an accelerometer would be less prone to damage from grit, etc. |
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go for it Ford. I've had several escorts of your variety... |
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mind you I consider phoe's law on anything sacrosanct |
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"As it is written, so let it be baked." |
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Linking is my niche. I can't recall ever having mfd'd an idea. |
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This is a question, I think, not a suggestion for an improvement. Would you consider instead of accelerometers using sensors that would pick up the muscles in the feet and legs reflexively twitch and reacting to the slip? I don't think it'd be an improvement over the original idea, just kind of interesting, a bit more like cat claws. |
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The spikes could be actuated by bi-metallic strips. When the temperature of the sole drops below 3C the spikes extend for extra grip. When it warms up again, they retract. No sensors or power required. |
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