CA2124100A1

CA2124100A1 - Illuminated athletic shoe

Info

Publication number: CA2124100A1
Application number: CA002124100A
Authority: CA
Inventors: Ben Waxman
Original assignee: T.W. FASHION SALES LTD.
Current assignee: Tw Fashion Sales Ltd
Priority date: 1994-05-20
Filing date: 1994-05-20
Publication date: 1995-11-21

Abstract

Illuminated footwear comprising a light source contained within a cavity in a transparent or translucent insert within the sole of the footwear is described which provides intermittent light when the person wearing the footwear is walking or running and continuous light while that person is stationary, in response to downward pressure exerted on the sole of the footwear. Channels along the periphery of the cavity direct light coming from the light source toward the back of the heel and the lateral edges of the heel of the footwear. A person behind or to the side of the wearer of such footwear would be alerted to the light coming from the heel and the outside edges of such footwear when the wearer's feet were in contact with the ground.

Description

.~12~00 -ILLU~T~D FOOTWEAR

FIELD OF THE INVENTION

The present invention relates to illuminated footwear and, more particularly to footwear where the illumination is activated when the wearer applies pressure to the sole of the footwear when stepping.

BACKGROUND OF THE INVENTION

Illuminated footwear of the type described herein generally include an electrical circuit encapsulated within the heel portion of the footwear. The electrical circuit comprises a light source, a power source, a switch mechanism, and circuitry. Light emitted from the light source may be observed outside the shoe as the heel portion of the shoe has transparent side andlor bottom portions. In this type of footwear there have been three types of switch mechanisms which have been used to activate the light source; manual, pressure sensitive, and motion detection. Pressure sensitive and motion responsive switches are preferred over manual switches since they offer intermittent lighting, which in turn reduces the draw of power from the power source.

Aside from its decorative effects, illuminating shoes also act as a safety feature when walking or running in dark or dimly-lit areas. Light coming from the shoe will alert drivers of the wearer's presence, thereby preventing possible injury to the wearer.

Generally, this valuable safety feature has been found In the prior art for some time. However, certain disadvantages may be seen in how illuminated footwear has been 2l.24lao designed and constructed in the past. In the case of Canadian Patent No. l,253,832 and United States Patent No. 5,188,447, piezoelectric and motion responsive means were deployed to restrict duration of the light pulses in order to conserve battery power. This solution may be disadvantageous in situations where the wearer desires to remain stationary and yet be seen. Older devices seen in the prior art, while capable of providing illumination in a stationary position, are nevertheless cumbersome in construction. Bulky sheet metals occupying large heel areas restrict the use of these designs to mainly high heel shoes. More modern designs which use a pressure sensitive mechanism have taken advantage of the miniaturisation of electronic components and new materials used in the construction of soles of shoes. However, there r~i ns a need to provide an illuminating shoe that is simple and compact in design, economical to manufacture, and capable of sustaining illumination in a stationary position while maximizing the amount of light which is transmitted to the outside of the shoe.

SUMMARY OF THE INVENTION

It is an object of the present invention to provide an illuminating footwear capable of sustained illumination in a stationary position.

It is a further object of the present invention to provide an such illuminating footwear that is simple and compact in design, economical to produce, and adaptable to different types of footwear which utilizes a small light source and which transmits a m~xim~l amount of light to the outside of the shoe.

21~4100 According to the present invention, there is provided illuminated footwear comprising a transparent or translucent sole insert with a central cavity and a light circuit contained within said central cavity, said light circuit being operably switchable between an illuminated state, when downward pressure is being exerted on the sole of the shoe and a non illuminated state when downward pressure is not being exerted on the sole of the shoe.
BRIEF DESCRIPTION OF THE DRAWINGS

Embodiments of the invention will now be described in greater detail, and will be better understood when read in conjunction with the following drawings in which:

Figure 1 is a side elevational view of a shoe incorporating one embodiment of the invention;

Figure 2 is a top plan view, partially cut away, of the insert included in shoe shown in Figure l; and Figure 3 is a wiring diagram for the circuit of Figure 2.
DETAILED DESCRIPTION OF THE PREFERRED EMBODIMENTS

With reference to Figure 1, there is shown one embodiment of the invention incorporating a typical shoe assembly lO with a transparent or translucent insert 11 disposed on the sole portion 12 of the shoe assembly. The term translucent will be used in the remainder of this document as being inclusive of transparent and translucent materials since it is the light transmitting property of the ~I ~ J~1~0 material which is important for the purposes of the present invention. The insert may be formed from suitable materials such as epoxy derivatives. While Figure 1 illustrates an insert contained within a shoe, it will be understood that such an insert may be contained in any form of footwear, such as boots, overshoes, or slippers.

Figure 2 displays a typical arrangement of light circuit 13 disposed inside a cavity 20 within insert 14.
Light circuit 13 comprises wires 15 connecting a battery 16, a contact switch 17, and two light sources 18.
Advantageously, battery 16 contained within light circuit 13 will be a lithium battery, but any lightweight, powerful battery will suffice. Similarly, light sources 18 will advantageously be light emitting diodes, but any lightweight, compact light source would be suitable so long as it is sturdy enough to withstand the repeated concussions that the sole of a shoe is exposed to. Contact switch 17 contains contact pad 22 such that when pressure is applied to contact pad 22, contact switch 17 is closed and circuit 13 is activated.
Light sources 18 will remain illuminated so long as contact switch 17 is closed.

Cavity 20 is shaped such that circuit 13 will be held therein in a fixed position with contact pad 22 facing either upwards towards the insole of shoe 10, or downwards towards the sole of shoe 10. A layer of felt padding, or other similar material, can be placed between contact pad 22 and either the sole of shoe 10 or the insole of shoe 10, depending on whether contact pad 22 faces downward or upward, respectively. The felt pad assists in transmitting the downward force exerted when the person wearing shoe 10 takes a step to contact pad 22, thereby closing switch 17.

2,~ n ~

Cavity 20 is additionally shaped such that it contains a plurality of peripheral channels 34 directed towards outer edge 40 of shoe 10. Channels 34 are arranged to receive light sources 18 in a manner that will allow light sources 18 to come close to the outer edge 40 of shoe 10, while the structural rigidity of the sole 12 of shoe 10 is maximised by the regions of the insert 11 between the channels 34. While insert 11 is made of a translucent material, it is advantageous to have light sources 18 disposed as close as possible to edge 40 of shoe 10 since the intensity of light that is transmitted through towards the edge 40 will decrease as the thickness of material between the end of each channel 36 and the edge 40 increases.
Channels 34 are arranged along the periphery of cavity 20 such that light is directed towards the rear of shoe 10 and the lateral side of shoe 10. With such an arrangement, light emitted from the shoe may be viewed from the rear and to both sides of a person wearing a pair of such shoes 10.
Figure 2 would therefore correspond to a heel insert 11 of a right shoe with channels 34 directed toward the rear of the shoe and towards the right side of the heel.

The heel insert 11 of Figure 2 also illustrates that the number of light sources 18 does not necessarily correspond to the number of channels 34. While optimal illumination occurs when a light source 18 is located within or in close proximity to a channel 34, light is still transmitted from a remote light source through a channel more easily than it is through the translucent material of surrounding insert 11.
While Figure 2 displays two light sources 18 and three channels 34, the precise number of each is a matter of design ~1241 D O

choice, and can be changed to suit different circumstances depending on the optimal weight of the shoe and how strong the area around cavity 20 is required to be.

A detailed circuit diagram of the circuit 13 shown in Figure 2 is illustrated in Figure 3. Positive terminal 50 of battery 16 is connected to one terminal of the contact switch 17. The second terminal of contact switch 17 is connected in parallel, to one terminal of the two light emitting diodes 18a. The second terminal of the two light emitting diodes 18a are then connected to the negative terminal 52 of battery 16 to complete the circuit 13.

In operation, when a person is wearing shoe 10 equipped with insert 11 located in the heel, during the course of walking or running, foot pressure concentrates and shifts between the ball and the heel of the foot. At times when foot pressure concentrates on the ball of the foot, contact switch 17 remains open, and no electricity passes through circuit 13.
When pressure shifts to the heel of the foot, it causes contact switch 17 to close, thereby causing light emitting diodes 18a to illuminate. Consequently, in the normal course of walking or running, intermittent light pulses can be observed from the illuminating shoe.

When the wearer is in a stationary position, there remains sufficient heel pressure to activate contact switch 17. A continuous light will be observed until such time as when there is insufficient pressure to activate the switch.
It is also possible for contact switch 17 to be located in an area of the sole of the shoe other than the heel, so long as pressure is exerted on contact switch 17 when the shoe's wearer's foot strikes the ground.

Claims

1. Illuminated footwear comprising a translucent sole insert with a central cavity and a light circuit contained within said central cavity, said light circuit being operably switchable between an illuminated state, when downward pressure is being exerted on the sole of the shoe and a non illuminated state when downward pressure is not being exerted on the sole of the shoe.

2. The illuminated footwear of claim 1 wherein said central cavity is shaped such that it contains a plurality of peripheral channels directed towards outer edge of the footwear.

3. The illuminated footwear of claim 2 wherein said channels are arranged such that light is directed towards the rear of said footwear and the lateral side of said footwear.

4. The illuminated footwear of claim 3 wherein said light circuit contains a number of light sources, at least one of which light sources is disposed in close proximity to one of said plurality of channels.

5. The illuminated footwear of claim 4 wherein the number of light sources and the number of channels is equal.

6. The illuminated footwear of claim 1, 2, 3, 4, or 5 wherein said insert is contained within the heel of the footwear.