Footwear, footwear components, and methods of making and using same

Abstract

Lighted footwear having a sole member; an illumination system positioned in the sole; and, an upper member providing an illumination path for receiving the light from the illumination system to illuminate at least a first portion of the upper.

Claims

1. Footwear comprising: A sole member; An original illumination system positioned within the sole member for providing light to a translucent upper; and, A translucent strap type upper defining an internal illumination path passing internally through the upper for receiving the light from the illumination system to internally illuminate the entire upper of the footwear from within the sole of the footwear, the translucent upper positioned to receive light from the illumination system positioned within the sole and allowing the light to travel to and internally illuminate the entire upper of the footwear.

2. The footwear of claim 1, wherein the illumination path is a defined by the upper as a gaseous portion contained within a hollow passage defined by the upper.

3. Footwear comprising: A sole member; An original illumination system positioned in the sole member for providing light; and, A translucent upper comprising an illumination path internally within the upper for receiving the light from the illumination system to internally illuminate the entire upper, the path having a first end positioned to receive light from the illumination system and allowing the light to travel to and illuminate the entire upper.

4. The footwear of claim 3, wherein the illumination path is a defined by the upper as a gaseous portion contained within a hollow passage defined by the upper.

5. Footwear comprising: A sole member; An original illumination system positioned in the sole member for providing light; and, A translucent upper receiving the light from the illumination system to internally illuminate the entire translucent upper, the translucent upper having a first end positioned to receive light from the illumination system allowing the light to travel to and internally illuminate the entire translucent upper.

Description

BRIEF DESCRIPTION OF THE DRAWINGS

(1) The following drawings illustrate some of the many possible embodiments of this disclosure in order to provide a basic understanding of this disclosure. These drawings do not provide an extensive overview of all embodiments of this disclosure. These drawings are not intended to identify key or critical elements of the disclosure or to delineate or otherwise limit the scope of the claims. The following drawings merely present some concepts of the disclosure in a general form. Thus, for a detailed understanding of this disclosure, reference should be made to the following detailed description, taken in conjunction with the accompanying drawings, in which like elements have been given like numerals.

(2) FIG. 1 is an illustration view of footwear 100 having a sole member 102 in which is disposed light system 108, and having an upper member 105.

DETAILED DESCRIPTION OF THE INVENTION

(3) The present invention provides for footwear having an upper portion of the footwear that is internally illuminated by light transmitted from an internal light source disposed in the sole of the footwear. In some non-limiting embodiments, this light source may not be visible or detectable upon inspection. In some non-limiting embodiments, the light source may illuminate a portion, portions, or the entire upper of the footwear from within the sole of the footwear. In some non-limiting embodiments, light may travel from within the sole of the shoe through a passage in the sole of the shoe to the upper portion of the shoe and illuminate the upper portion of the shoe.

(4) Referring now to FIG. 1, there is shown Footwear 100 having a sole member 102 in which is disposed light system 108, and having an upper member 105.

(5) Sole member 102 may be any suitable type of sole member as is known in the footwear art. Certainly, sole member 102 may be of any desired material of construction as is known in to those of skill in the footwear art, and most likely will be influenced by the desired end usage and fashion of the footwear. Also certainly, the shape and construction of sole member 102 may be any as desired according to the desired end usage and fashion of the footwear.

(6) In some non-limiting embodiments of the present invention, light system 108 may be disposed within sole member 102. While some parts or portions of light system 108 may be positioned throughout footwear 100, in some non-limiting embodiments, the light source is positioned within sole member 102. In some non-limiting embodiments, it is envisioned that sole member 102 defines a light system compartment suitable for receiving light system 108. In other non-limiting embodiments, where sole member 102 comprises a moldable material, it is anticipated that light system 108 may be incorporated into sole member 102 during the molding process. It is certainly anticipated that footwear 100 may be manufactured by any suitable process for making footwear.

(7) In FIG. 1, box 107 is a schematic representation which may include one or more of a source of energy 112, a processor/electronics 119, ports 122, switches 115, wireless communication device, speaker, clock/timer, GPS, data gathering device (for gathering environmental data and/or performance data). In some embodiments, box 107 may comprise one or more cases for holding such batteries 112, processor/electronics 119, ports, switches and devices. Certainly, any component of schematic box 107 may be positioned throughout footwear 100 with or without any such case.

(8) Light system 108 may be activated/controlled by any number of suitable means. In the non-limiting embodiment as shown, light system 108 may be provided with a switch 115 that may be positioned on the side of sole member 102 to be hand activated as shown. Of course, switch 115 may be located on any suitable position throughout footwear 100. As another non-limiting example, light system 108 may be adapted to receive instructions, as non-limiting examples, wireless signals or instructions from any suitable controller. These signals or instructions may include simple on/off instructions or may be instructions for simple or complex lighting patterns, or instructions for blinking out a certain running pace with the blinking setting a pace for which a foot should be hitting the ground. As another non-limiting example, light system 108 may be provided with a port or connector 122 to allow physical connection to any other device, as non-limiting examples, a device that will provide signals and/or instructions, or a device to download information from light system 108. As another non-limiting example, light system 108 may be provided with a switch that is in a position to be activated by activity (i.e., moving, walking, running, jumping, hoping skipping, dancing, etc.).

(9) As another example, light system 108 may further comprise a sensor which will detect for example, light, heat, sound, odor, chemicals, particles, smoke, radiation, humidity, or any other as desired, and activate light system 108 as desired. As specific non-limiting examples, light system 108 may be made to pulse to a detected music beat, blink a warning for smoke, chemicals, radiation, and/or heat, or turn on in low light.

(10) In the present invention, light system 108 may also include an illumination source 109. This illumination source 109 may be any suitable light producing means, including but not limited to traditional bulbs or LEDs. In some non-limiting embodiments of the present invention, this illumination source 109 is not visible or detectable upon inspection, that is, it is hidden within sole member 102.

(11) Upper 105 will define an illumination path allowing for travel of light from light source 109 to travel through upper 105. As non-limiting examples, this illumination path may defined by upper 105 as a hollow passage allowing light to pass through the empty space within the passage, or may be optical fibers positioned within a passage of upper 105, or optical fibers incorporated into a solid portion of upper 105. In the non-limiting example as shown, the illumination path is the gaseous portion contained within hollow upper 105. In some embodiments, the illumination path is a solid path, such as when optical fibers are utilized.

(12) Light is provided from light source 109 to upper 105 by travel from the sole member 102 into hollow upper member 105, rather than from a light source being positioned in upper member 105. In the non-limiting embodiment as shown, light from internal illumination source 109 travels though the space of passage 130 defined by sole member 102 and into hollow upper member 105 thereby illuminating hollow upper member 105. Passage 130 may be of any suitable size and shape. In some embodiments, this indirect manner provides a softer and more pleasing source of light. Were the light source visible in upper 105, a much more harsh direct light would be provided. Illumination source 109 may illuminate a portion, portions, or the entire upper of the footwear from within.

(13) According to the present invention, light system 108 may include a power source 112 that provides power to light source 109. Non-limiting examples of suitable power sources include a non-replaceable battery, a replaceable battery, a rechargeable battery, solar panel, or a motion activated electrical generating source. The rechargeable batteries may be removed and recharged, or may be recharged insitu though a port such as port 122. Such batteries include common commercially available batteries, especially such small batteries as are found in watches.

(14) Light system 108 may also include a processor/electronics 119 for controlling the light output. This processor/electronics 119 may comprise one or more of a simple circuit, a complex processor, or anything in between. This processor/electronics 119 may comprise preloaded instructions, or may be provided instructions either through wireless communication and/or through a port such as port 122.

(15) If there is to be access to light system 108, for example to change power source 112 or light source 109, an access panel 120 may be provided. Such a panel may be designed to sufficiently seal light system 108 against any elements as desired. Light system 108 may be removable from footwear 100, as non-limiting examples, for replacement by another system, or for placement into different footwear. Light system 108 may be removably attached, that is, as non-limiting examples, it may be friction fit, snapped, connected, twisted, locked, screwed into place, and then later easily removed. This light system 108 may be a cartridge or modular unit, and may be easily replaced, or removed and then placed into different footwear. Any part of or all of light system 108 may be removable from footwear 100. The present invention anticipates one or more extra light systems 108 for replacement of light system 108 currently residing in footwear 100.

(16) Light system 108 may optionally includes fiber optic strands positioned within upper 105 having one end positioned adjacent light source 109 for transmitting light to the upper 105.

(17) In certain non-limiting embodiments of the present invention, fiber optic strands may be a conventional type manufactured flexible tubular plastic material that is capable of transmitting light that is emitted into one end of each of the strands. It is noted that typically, fiber optic strands transmit light from one end to the other end without any light escaping through the outer surface of the strand along the entire length of each strand, a process known as total internal reflection. In the some non-limiting embodiments of the present invention however, it is desired that at least a portion of the transmitted light escape laterally from the strand.

(18) Generally, a fiber optic strand will consist of a core surrounded by a cladding layer that serves to confine the optical signal in the core. As a non-limiting examples, light may be allowed to escape from the fiber optic stand by modifying the cladding layer, either during manufacture or post manufacture. In some non-limiting embodiments of the present invention, this may be achieved by abrading the outer surfaces of fiber optic strands. This abrading allows light to escape through the exposed outer surfaces to allow the strands to have the appearance of glowing. As design options, some of the other strands have outer surfaces which have not been modified or abraded. Additionally, it is also possible to abrade a portion or portions of the length of each of the strands to provide certain light effects or to produce decorative designs. One non-limiting method of abrading the outer surfaces of fiber optic stands is to sand the outer surfaces.

(19) In the practice of the present invention, upper 105 may comprise any suitable design. It is not intended that the present invention be limited to strap type uppers as shown in FIG. 1, but rather include any type of upper known or that might be designed. Upper 105 may be any suitable type of upper member as is known in the footwear art. Certainly, upper 105 may be made of any desired material of construction as is known in to those of skill in the footwear art. Also certainly, the shape and construction of upper member 105 may be any as desired according to the desired end usage of the footwear. Any suitable illumination passage may be defined by an upper of any desired shape and fashion.

(20) At least a portion of the upper 105 will comprise a glowing portion that will provide a light travel path to allow light from light source 109 positioned in sole member 102 to illuminate at least a portion of upper 105. This may be accomplished by providing at least a portion of upper 105 that is transparent or translucent positioned suitable to receive light from light source 109.

(21) In the non-limiting embodiment as shown, upper 105 comprise hollow straps defining a space serving as a light travel path. At least a portion of hollow straps 105 is translucent or transparent, and these straps may optionally be tinted to further provide variation and color combinations. These hollow straps 105 may be any suitable regular or irregular geometric cross sectional shape including circular, square, rectangular, oval, flat or some combination thereof.

(22) The present invention also anticipates methods of using the footwear of the present invention, which methods may include one or more steps of removing the illumination system, exchanging the illumination system with another illumination system, accessing the illumination system, opening/closing the access panel to the illumination system, changing the batteries of the illumination system, charging the batteries of the illumination system, communicating with the illumination system, providing instructions to the illumination system, receiving instructions with the illumination system, changing the illumination source of the illumination system, operating the illumination system, operating the switch of the illumination system, sending and/or receiving wireless or connected communications to/with the illumination system, moving the footwear to operate the illumination system, and/or moving the footwear by relating the movement to the light from the illumination system, gathering data with the footwear, as well as any other methods and/or method steps as disclosed, shown or suggested herein.

(23) The present disclosure is to be taken as illustrative rather than as limiting the scope or nature of the claims below. Numerous modifications and variations will become apparent to those skilled in the art after studying the disclosure, including use of equivalent functional and/or structural substitutes for elements described herein, use of equivalent functional couplings for couplings described herein, and/or use of equivalent functional actions for actions described herein. Any insubstantial variations are to be considered within the scope of the claims below.