DE202019102940U1 - Electronic clothing accessory - Google Patents

Abstract

An electronic garment accessory (10) for attachment to a garment (S), in particular a shoe (S), comprising:
- A housing (24) having an interior (46), at least one visible light-transmissive wall portion (34) and a mounting portion (14) for attaching the housing (24) on the garment (S),
- An electronic circuit (52) which is arranged in the interior space (46) and at least one electronically controllable light source (45), and
- An electrical energy store (50) disposed in the interior space (46) and which is electrically connected to the electronic circuit (52), wherein the housing (24) includes a housing base (30) and a lid (32) define the interior (46) together, wherein the lid (32) closes one side of the housing base (30) and for the replacement of the electrical energy storage device (50) is removable.

Description

The present invention relates to an electronic clothing accessory for attachment to a garment, in particular a shoe, comprising a housing having an interior, at least one visible light-transmissive wall portion and a mounting portion for attaching the housing to the garment, an electronic circuit, the is arranged in the interior space and has at least one electronically controllable light source, and an electrical energy storage, which is arranged in the interior and which is electrically connected to the electronic circuit.

In some cases, such electronic garment accessories further include a shock sensor for detecting rapid acceleration. Upon detection of such rapid acceleration, the electronic circuit may then drive the light source to emit a flashing pattern.

The clothing accessory is particularly suitable for shoes, in particular for attachment to a shoe lace or a Velcro fastener.

It has been known for some years to integrate a battery powered electronic circuit with light sources such as LEDs in shoes, especially in the area of their sole. An existing there shock sensor activated when appearing with the shoe and due to the shock generated thereby a control device which then drives the LEDs in the sole in a flashing pattern.

The electronic garment accessory described above may produce similar flashing patterns and may be retrofitted to an otherwise conventional shoe.

The document DE 20 2018 003 829 U1 discloses a device consisting of a flexible electronic display mounted on a support. An upper side of the device has an externally visible electronic display. The device can be connected to a shoe. The display includes a controller and an interface for transmitting content / data to be displayed on the display, and a power source.

A support of the device may be provided of any material, but is essentially formed as a planar element.

It is against this background an object of the invention to provide an improved electronic clothing accessory.

This object is achieved by an electronic clothing accessory according to claim 1.

By the measure of defining the housing by a housing base and a lid which define an interior together, it is possible to remove the cover to exchange the electrical energy storage.

As a result, the life of the clothing accessories can be significantly extended, especially with respect to those variants in which the housing encloses the interior of the full extent and can not be opened. If in such clothing accessories, the energy storage level of the energy storage drops below a threshold, the entire clothing accessory is no longer functional and must be disposed of, which is undesirable for environmental protection reasons.

These problems are overcome with the electronic clothing accessory according to claim 1, since an empty energy store can be removed and a full energy store can be used by removing the lid from the housing base.

It is understood that the closure of the lid is preferably such that it is largely waterproof, at least water repellent, so that preferably can be ruled out even in rainy weather that moisture or water enters the interior of the housing.

The housing base and / or the lid are preferably made of a plastic material, in particular in an injection molding process.

The task is thus completely solved.

According to a preferred embodiment, the attachment portion is arranged on the housing base, in particular on a side facing away from the lid of the housing base.

This makes it possible to attach the housing to the garment.

It is particularly preferred if the attachment portion is formed by a bracket which forms an opening for the passage of a lace and / or a Velcro tab on the housing base.

This makes it possible to detachably attach the clothing accessory to the item of clothing, in particular to a shoe.

Of course, the opening is also suitable for making other fasteners, such as a safety pin, so as to be able to attach the garment accessory to outerwear as well.

The translucent wall portion is preferably formed on the lid.

As a result, the light source is clearly visible in plan view of the lid.

Further, it is advantageous if the lid is connected to the housing base via a releasable connection device, such as a latching connection or a screw connection.

In the case of a screw connection, it is preferred if the lid has a preferably axially projecting lid edge portion, which is preferably circular, wherein on the radial inner side of the lid edge portion, an internal thread is formed. The internal thread is preferably formed integrally with the lid.

In a corresponding manner, it is preferred if the housing base has a preferably axially projecting housing edge portion, on the radial outer side of an external thread is formed. The external thread is also preferably formed integrally with the housing base.

It is advantageous in this case if the housing edge portion is offset radially inwardly relative to an outer circumference of the housing base, so that the outer circumference of the housing base and an outer circumference of the lid edge portion are substantially aligned with each other.

This results in a visually appealing appearance.

Further, it is possible that an end face of the lid edge portion rests on an annular edge of the housing base in order to establish a largely waterproof connection in this way, if one tightens the thread sufficiently tight.

Furthermore, it is altogether advantageous if the housing base in the interior defines a printed circuit board compartment which is adapted in the circumferential direction to the outer dimensions of a printed circuit board of the electronic circuit.

The circuit board can thereby be kept well in the interior, even if the clothing accessory is exposed to shocks. Furthermore, an anti-twist device can be provided which, for example, is formed by a radial positioning projection in the interior, which engages in a notch of the printed circuit board.

Furthermore, it is advantageous if a circuit board of the electronic circuit is arranged in the axial direction between the energy store and the translucent wall portion of the lid.

This makes it possible to provide the printed circuit board on a side facing the energy storage with contacts to contact the energy storage. Further, it is possible to provide light sources such as LEDs on the circuit board on a side facing away from the energy storage and facing the translucent wall portion of the lid. Consequently, the at least one electronically controllable light source can be easily recognized through the wall section.

Furthermore, it is advantageous if the interior of the housing base is covered by an at least predominantly transparent pane, which is fixed by means of a releasable fastening device to the housing base.

The disc allows the passage of light from LEDs from the circuit board towards the translucent wall section. On the other hand, it is possible to realize the fastening device so that it can not be easily opened by children, for example. This can for example be realized by a small Phillips screw or the like, or by a relatively strong-acting locking device. As a result, a child unscrewing the lid from the housing base can be prevented from accidentally acquiring and swallowing down portions of the circuit board or a battery.

Furthermore, it is advantageous if the electronic circuit has a control device for controlling the at least one light source and a shock sensor for detecting a rapid acceleration, which is connected to the control device.

This makes it possible to detect shocks and to control the light source as a function of such shock detection.

It is particularly advantageous if the control device is programmed to generate a flashing signal sequence upon detection of a rapid acceleration, which drives the at least one light source to emit a flashing pattern.

Preferably, a plurality of light sources, such as LEDs, can be activated one after the other in a specific sequence. The LEDs can preferably have different colors.

All this contributes to a pleasing appearance.

According to a further preferred embodiment, the electronic circuit has a communication interface for connection to an external device.

This makes it possible, for example, to control the electronic circuit without the exertion of shocks to generate a flashing signal sequence.

The communication interface can in particular be a wireless interface such as a Bluetooth interface or a WLAN interface, via which a corresponding communication module in a portable device such as a mobile phone can be addressed. Consequently, it is, for example, possible to control the clothing accessory via an app stored on the mobile phone.

It is understood that the features mentioned above and those yet to be explained below can be used not only in the particular combination given, but also in other combinations or in isolation, without departing from the scope of the present invention.

• 1 einen Schuh mit einer Ausführungsform eines elektronischen Bekleidungsaccessoires;
• 2 eine perspektivische Ansicht eines elektronischen Bekleidungsaccessoires von schräg oben;
• 3 eine perspektivische Ansicht des Bekleidungsaccessoires der 2 von schräg unten;
• 4 eine schematische Draufsicht auf das Bekleidungsaccessoire der 2 und 3;
• 5 eine Schnittansicht entlang der Linie V-V der 4;
• 6 eine Schnittansicht entlang der Linie VI-VI der 4;
• 7 eine Draufsicht auf die Gehäusebasis, und zwar mit Sicht in den Innenraum hiervon;
• 8 eine Draufsicht auf eine Leiterplatte für eine elektronische Schaltung;
• 9 eine Schnittansicht entlang der Linie IX-IX der 8; und
• 10 eine lichtdurchlässige Scheibe zum Abdecken des Innenraumes der Gehäusebasis.

Embodiments of the invention are illustrated in the drawings and are explained in more detail in the following description. Show it:

• 1 a shoe with an embodiment of an electronic clothing accessory;
• 2 a perspective view of an electronic clothing accessories obliquely from above;
• 3 a perspective view of the clothing accessories of 2 from diagonally below;
• 4 a schematic plan view of the clothing accessory of 2 and 3 ;
• 5 a sectional view along the line VV the 4 ;
• 6 a sectional view along the line VI-VI the 4 ;
• 7 a plan view of the housing base, with a view into the interior thereof;
• 8th a plan view of a printed circuit board for an electronic circuit;
• 9 a sectional view along the line IX-IX the 8th ; and
• 10 a translucent disc for covering the interior of the housing base.

In 1 is a shoe in a schematic form S pictured on which a clothing accessory 10 is appropriate.

The clothing accessory 10 has a mounting portion 12 in the form of a temple 14 through, through which a laces 16 of the shoe S is led to the clothing accessory 10 detachable on the shoe S to fix.

The clothing accessory 10 is designed to withstand the occurrence of a shock or rapid acceleration, as in 1 schematically at 18 by an impact force on a sole 20 when the shoe appears S is indicated, a flashing pattern 26 radiate.

The clothing accessory 10 has a housing 24 on, with a housing base 30 at the attachment section 12 is formed, and a lid 32 That works in conjunction with the housing base 30 one in 1 Interior not shown defined. The cover is removable to replace an electrical energy storage.

As it is in the 2 and 3 is shown, the housing has 32 a translucent wall section 34 on, which is preferably formed substantially circular. Furthermore, the lid includes 32 a lid edge portion 36 , on the outer periphery of a plurality of facets 38 is trained.

The case base 30 has an annular wall 40 on whose outer circumference a corrugation 42 having.

The ring wall 40 is at its outer periphery substantially aligned in the outer periphery of the lid edge portion 36 about.

As it is in 3 is shown, the housing base 30 a bottom wall 44 on that together with the hanger 14 an opening, not shown, for passing a lace or the like forms.

It is in 4 shown that through the translucent wall section 34 through a plurality of light sources 45 can be seen in the form of LEDs, such that a lighting of these light sources through the wall portion 34 can be seen through.

As it is in the sectional views of the 5 and 6 is shown, define the lid 32 and the case base 30 an interior 46 , the one PCB slot 48 having. The PCB compartment 48 is adjacent to the bottom wall 44 arranged and used to hold a battery 50 , for example a button cell, and a circuit board 54 an electronic circuit 52 ,

The battery can be loose in the battery compartment 48 be inserted.

In the interior 46 is also the electronic circuit 52 with the circuit board 54 arranged.

The circuit board 54 is approximately parallel to the bottom wall 44 aligned. The circuit board 54 is in the axial direction between the battery 50 and the wall section 34 arranged. On their top, the wall section 34 faces, has the circuit board 54 preferably the light sources 45 like the LEDs on. On its back side shows the PCB 54 preferably contacts for contacting the battery 50 on how it is in 6 indicated by "+".

The circuit board 54 can on her the lid 32 side also define a compartment in which the battery laterally, so in a direction parallel to the circuit board, can be inserted, although this in the 5 and 6 not shown.

The lid 32 and the case base 30 are via a connection device 56 detachably connected to each other. The connection device 56 is presently formed by a screw connection.

For this purpose, the lid edge portion 36 on its inside an internal thread 58 on.

The ring wall 40 the housing base 30 has a concentric with the lid edge portion 36 trained housing edge section 60 on, on the outer circumference of an external thread 62 is trained.

The casing edge section 60 extends in the axial direction and is opposite to an outer circumference of the annular wall 40 set back radially, such that when screwing the lid edge portion 36 on the housing edge section 60 an outer periphery of the lid edge portion 36 essentially with an outer circumference of the annular wall 40 flees.

In the area of the screw connection can be a seal 64 be inserted. The connection device 56 is preferably waterproof.

The circuit board 54 can in the interior 46 be loosely inserted. Preferably, the circuit board 54 by means of a cover 66 covered the interior 46 the housing base 30 covers.

In the present case, the cover 66 for example, a disc 68 have that over a screw 70 at the housing base 30 is screwed.

Alternatively, the circuit board itself via a screw 70 be attached to the housing base.

In 4 is also schematically a diameter D of the clothing accessories 10 shown. This is, for example, in a range of 1.5 cm to 5 cm.

The electronic circuit 52 has a control device for driving the light sources (of the LEDs) 45 on. The electronic circuit 52 further includes a shock sensor for detecting a rapid acceleration, which is connected to the control device.

The control device is programmed to generate a flashing signal sequence upon detection of a rapid acceleration, the at least one light source 45 to do so, a flashing pattern 26 radiate.

The flashing pattern or the flashing signal sequence can, for example, automatically end after 1 s or after 3 s. In this way, the control device can be put back into a sleep mode, so that no or only a small amount of energy consumption can be realized in the idle state.

Preferably, the circuit board has no display that can display alphanumeric characters.

Instead of a screw connection, the connecting device 56 also be formed by a latching connection.

In the 7 to 10 is another embodiment of a clothing accessory 10 ' represented in terms of structure and operation generally the garment accessory of the 2 to 6 equivalent. The same elements are therefore identified by the same reference numerals. Essentially differences are explained below.

7 shows a plan view of the housing base 30 , more precisely in the interior 46 the housing base 30 , It can be seen that in the interior 46 a projection is provided which extends radially inwardly from the housing edge portion 60 extends. At the projection is a screw hole 72 for the screw 70 (please refer 6 ) intended.

It can also be seen that a further positioning projection 74 radially inward of the Housing rim section 60 protrudes. This serves to form a rotation.

In the 8th shown circuit board 54 has in a corresponding manner generally a circular shape, the outer periphery of the inner periphery of the housing edge portion 60 is adjusted. Around the screw hole 72 to uncover is from the circuit board 54 a circle chord segment cut off. In the area of the positioning projection, the printed circuit board 54 a notch 76 in which the positioning projection 74 can take to prevent rotation.

The circuit board 54 also carries a component 78 For example, a cylindrical component whose outer circumference is an electrical pole of the electronic circuit 52 forms, in particular a "-" - pole. We in it 9 is shown, is the component 78 in an opening in the circuit board 54 embedded, in particular potted, such that the component 78 at the bottom of the circuit board 54 protrudes. The component 78 thus forms for one below the circuit board 54 arranged battery 50 a first battery contact.

In the 8th and 9 It can also be seen that the circuit board 54 with a battery holder 80 is connected, in particular soldered. The battery holder 80 is designed in the manner of a U-holder, which is located below the circuit board 54 extends and two holder legs 82 has, extending through holes in the circuit board 54 extend and at this point with the circuit board 54 are firmly connected. The underside of the circuit board 54 and the battery holder 80 thus form a drawer into which the battery 50 can be inserted laterally. The battery holder 80 is made of a metallic material, in particular of a spring plate, so that the insertion is possible. With the insertion of the battery 50 In the battery holder, the battery contacts on its one axial side of the component 78 , On the other hand, the battery contacts 50 About unspecified projections the battery holder 80 , which is therefore the "+" pole of the electronic circuit 52 forms.

In the 10 illustrated disc 68 has a disk hole in the area of its outer periphery 86 through, through the screw 70 can be performed. The disc 68 is sized to fit the interior 46 the housing base 30 completely cover. Preferably, the outer diameter of the circular disc 68 substantially equal to the inner diameter of the housing edge portion 60 ,

In the axial direction, the dimensions are all chosen so that with the screwing on the lid 32 (please refer 5 ) on the housing base 30 the translucent wall section 34 preferably axially from above onto the disk 68 pushes, in turn, the circuit board 54 with the battery holder 80 against the bottom wall 44 presses to ensure reliable contacting of the "Minus" and "Plus" contacts.

LIST OF REFERENCE NUMBERS

10

Clothing accessories

12

attachment section

14

hanger

16

shoelace

18

sole

20

shock

24

casing

26

visible flashing pattern

30

housing base

32

cover

34

translucent wall section

36

Peripheral lid portion

38

facets

40

ring wall

42

knurl

44

bottom wall

45

LEDs

46

inner space

48

PCB specialist

50

battery

52

electronic switch

54

circuit board

56

connecting device

58

inner thread

60

Housing rim section

62

external thread

64

poetry

66

cover

68

disc

70

screw

72

screw hole

74

positioning

76

score

78

component

80

battery holder

82

holder legs

84

tendons edge

86

disc hole

D

diameter

S

shoe

QUOTES INCLUDE IN THE DESCRIPTION

This list of the documents listed by the applicant has been generated automatically and is included solely for the better information of the reader. The list is not part of the German patent or utility model application. The DPMA assumes no liability for any errors or omissions.

Cited patent literature

• DE 202018003829 U1 [0006]

Claims (15)

An electronic garment accessory (10) for attachment to a garment (S), in particular a shoe (S), comprising: - A housing (24) having an interior (46), at least one visible light-transmissive wall portion (34) and a mounting portion (14) for attaching the housing (24) on the garment (S), - An electronic circuit (52) which is arranged in the interior space (46) and at least one electronically controllable light source (45), and - An electrical energy store (50) disposed in the interior space (46) and which is electrically connected to the electronic circuit (52), wherein the housing (24) includes a housing base (30) and a lid (32) define the interior (46) together, wherein the lid (32) closes one side of the housing base (30) and for the replacement of the electrical energy storage device (50) is removable. Electronic clothing accessory after Claim 1 wherein the mounting portion (14) is disposed on the housing base (30). Electronic clothing accessory after Claim 2 wherein the attachment portion (14) is disposed on a side of the housing base (30) remote from the cover (32). Electronic clothing accessory after one of the Claims 1 - 3 wherein the mounting portion (14) is formed by a bracket forming on the housing base (30) an opening for passing a lace (16) and / or a Velcro tab. Electronic clothing accessory after one of the Claims 1 - 4 wherein the translucent wall portion (34) is formed on the lid (32). Electronic clothing accessory after one of the Claims 1 - 5 wherein the lid (32) is connected to the housing base (30) via a releasable connection means (56), such as a snap-in connection or a threaded connection. Electronic clothing accessory after Claim 6 wherein the lid (32) has a lid edge portion (36), on the radial inner side of an internal thread (58) is formed. Electronic clothing accessory after Claim 7 wherein the housing base (30) has a housing edge portion (60) on the radial outer side of an external thread (62) is formed. Electronic clothing accessory after Claim 8 wherein the housing edge portion (60) is offset radially inwardly from an outer periphery of the housing base (30) so that the outer periphery of the housing base (30) and an outer periphery of the lid edge portion (36) are substantially aligned with each other. Electronic clothing accessory after one of the Claims 1 - 9 in that the housing base (30) in the interior space (46) defines a printed circuit board compartment (48) which is adapted in the circumferential direction to the outer dimensions of a printed circuit board (55) of the electronic circuit (52). Electronic clothing accessory after one of the Claims 1 - 10 , wherein a circuit board (54) of the electronic circuit (52) is arranged in the axial direction between the energy store (50) and the translucent wall portion (34) of the lid. Electronic clothing accessory after one of the Claims 1 - 11 wherein the interior (46) of the housing base (30) is covered by an at least predominantly transparent disc (68) fixed to the housing base (30) by means of a releasable attachment means (70). Electronic clothing accessory after one of the Claims 1 - 12 wherein the electronic circuit (52) comprises a control device for driving the at least one light source (45) and a shock sensor for detecting a rapid acceleration, which is connected to the control device. Electronic clothing accessory after Claim 13 wherein the control means is programmed to generate, upon detection of a rapid acceleration, a flashing signal sequence which causes the at least one light source (45) to emit a flashing pattern (26). Electronic clothing accessory after one of the Claims 1 - 14 wherein the electronic circuit (52) has a communication interface for connection to an external device.

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