EP1954985A1

EP1954985A1 - Illuminated footwear item and illumination assembly

Info

Publication number: EP1954985A1
Application number: EP06735543A
Authority: EP
Inventors: Jez Marston; Mike Drapluk; William T. Anderson
Original assignee: Jezign LLC
Current assignee: Jezign LLC
Priority date: 2005-11-15
Filing date: 2006-02-21
Publication date: 2008-08-13
Also published as: WO2007058667A1; CN102498341A; JP2009515646A

Abstract

An illumination assembly (10) includes a substrate (15) with a plurality of light sources (20) mounted on the substrate (15) and disposed proximate an edge of the substrate (15). A control circuit is connected to die plurality of light sources (20) to control operational modes of the light sources (20).

Description

ILLUMINATED FOOTWEAR ITEM AND ILLUMINATION ASSEMBLY Technical Field

The present invention relates generally to illuminated footwear. More particularly, the present invention relates to improved footwear illumination assemblies. Background Art

Illuminated footwear is popular with children and adults for its fashion appeal and for safety reasons. Young children are fascinated by lights and colors and are especially pleased when their shoes blink or flash as they walk. Teens and young adults are particularly fashion conscious. Often teens and young adults make sneakers as their casual shoe of choice. Sneakers, skates, shoes, boots, and other footwear items that are adorned with lights gives the wearer a distinct fashion identity.

Known lighted footwear typically includes one or more light sources such as light emitting diodes (LEDs), a power source such as a battery, and a switch to provide power to the LEDs. Often, the LEDs are located in the outsole. A problem that has arisen with known lighted footwear is that the LEDs tend to become inoperative relatively early in the life of the footwear item. It is believed that during the course of normal wear and tear, the connections between the LEDs and the switch are broken. This leads to an unattractive appearance where as the footwear item exhibits either partial or no illumination. Disclosure of the Invention

In accordance with an exemplary embodiment, the invention includes an illumination assembly for a footwear item. The illumination assembly comprises a substrate having a plurality of recesses disposed along an edge of said substrate. A plurality of light sources are mounted to the substrate, where each light source extends from the edge of the substrate by a distance of up to slightly greater than a depth of a corresponding recess. A control circuit is connected to the plurality of light sources to control operational modes of the light sources.

In accordance with another embodiment of the invention, a novel sole assembly for a footwear item includes an illumination assembly comprising a substrate, a plurality of light sources mounted to the substrate where each light source extends from the edge of the substrate by a distance of less than a length of the light source. A control circuit is connected to the plurality of light sources to control operational modes of said light sources. A translucent structural layer is provided and includes a recess into which the illumination assembly is lodged.

In accordance with still another embodiment of the invention, an illuminated footwear item comprises an upper and a sole assembly affixed to the upper. The sole assembly includes an illumination assembly having a substrate and a plurality of light sources mounted to the substrate where each light source extends from the edge of the substrate by a distance of less than a length of the light source. A control circuit is connected to the plurality of light sources to control operational modes of the light sources. A translucent structural layer is provided and includes a recess into which the illumination assembly is lodged.

In accordance with yet another embodiment of the invention, an illumination assembly includes a substrate, a plurality of light sources mounted to the substrate where each light source extends from the edge of the substrate by a distance of less than a length of the light source and a control circuit connected to the plurality of light sources to control operational modes of the light sources.

In accordance with still a further embodiment of the invention a method for constructing a footwear item includes lodging an illumination assembly in a translucent structural layer, affixing an outsole to the structural layer, affixing a midsole to the structural layer such that the structural layer is sandwiched between the midsole and the outsole, and attaching an upper to the midsole.

Brief Description of the Drawings

FIG. 1 depicts an illumination assembly in accordance with a first embodiment of the invention.

FIG. 2A depicts an illumination assembly in accordance with another embodiment of the invention.

FIG. 2B illustrates a recess and LED of the illumination assembly of FIG. 2A.

Figure 3 is an exploded view of a select portion of the illumination assembly of FIG. 2.

FIG. 4 illustrates a protective case in accordance with an embodiment of the invention.

FIG. 5 is a cross sectional view of the protective cover of FIG. 4.

FIG. 6 depicts a footwear item in accordance with an embodiment of the invention.

FIG. 7 illustrates a footwear item in accordance with another embodiment of the invention.

FIG. 8 shows a footwear item in accordance with still another embodiment of the invention.

FIG. 9 shows a structural layer in accordance with an embodiment of the invention.

FIG. 10 shows an exploded view of a sole assembly in accordance with the invention.

FIG. 11 illustrates a footwear item in accordance with yet another embodiment of the invention. Best Modes for Carrying Out the Described Embodiments

The present invention is directed to illuminated footwear items and methods of manufacturing illuminated footwear items. The footwear item of the present invention preferably includes an illumination assembly having a plurality of light sources and circuitry for controlling the plurality of light sources, one or more user actuatable illuminated regions; e.g. the sole, the tongue, the footwear upper, and a power source coupled to the illumination assembly.

Figure 1 illustrates an exemplary illumination assembly in accordance with the invention. Illumination assembly 10 includes a substrate 15, e.g., a printed circuit board (PCB), having a plurality of light emitting diodes (LEDs) 20 mounted thereon and electrically connected thereto. The size and shape of substrate 15 and the number and arrangement of LEDs 20 may be selected according to the desired application. For example, illumination assembly 10 has a lengthwise dimension that substantially corresponds to the distance between the heel and the metatarsus region of the foot. More particularly, in the illustrated embodiment, substrate 15 has a length of between about 15cm to about 20cm. However, substrate 15 may be longer or shorter depending upon the size of the footwear item. In some embodiments, substrate 15 may also include a first region intended for placement under the heel and a second region that extends longitudinally from the first region to the metatarsal portion of the foot.

Substrate 15 may comprise a conventional rigid PCB or a flexible circuit such as the ReelFlex® flexible circuit available from Sheldahl Corporation of Northfield Minnesota, the flexible circuits available from Allflex, Inc. of Northfield, Minnesota, and the flexible circuit available from Rogers Corporation of Chandler, Arizona under the R/flex 1000 tradename. The foregoing is not intended to be restrictive and substrate 15 may comprise other flexible circuits known to those of skill in the art. As illustrated in FIG.1 , LEDs 20 are distributed along the edge or perimeter of substrate 15 and mounted to substrate 15 in such a manner as to slightly protrude from the perimeter of substrate 15. Preferably, LEDs 20 protrude from the edge of substrate 15 by less than the length of the LED. More preferably, LEDs 20 protrude from the edge of substrate 15 by less than one half of the length of LEDs 20. LEDs 20 may be positioned just above, just below or in the same plane as substrate 15.

In another embodiment, as illustrated in FlG. 2A, substrate 15 may be provided with a plurality of recesses 35 along its perimeter. Each LED 20 may be mounted to substrate 15 so as to be positioned just above or just below the plane of the substrate or in the plane of the substrate within a respective recess 35. LEDs 20 may extend from the perimeter of substrate 15 by distance of up to slightly greater than a dept D of recess 35 as illustrated in FIG. 2B. Preferably, LEDs 20 extend from the perimeter of substrate 15 by a distance of less than or equal to the depth D of corresponding recess 35.

To provide power to LEDs 20, a power source 30 is connected to LEDs 20. A suitable power source 30 includes a battery. In accordance with an embodiment of the invention, base 15 may be provided with one or more buses 25 or other connection mechanisms that interconnect LEDs 20 with power source connector 30. Although a simple series connection of LEDs 20 is illustrated in FIG. 1 , in keeping with the invention, two or more LEDs 20 may be variously connected in series or parallel. In an exemplary embodiment of the invention, illumination assembly 10 is designed to be powered by a battery, e.g., a 9-volt battery. Accordingly, substrate 15 may include a cutout 45 for receiving either the battery itself or a cushion upon which the battery can rest. Cutout 45 is preferably positioned in the first region of substrate 15.

In other embodiments, illumination assembly 10 may be powered by alternative power sources. Accordingly, in such embodiments cutout 45 may not be present. Illumination assembly 10 further includes a control circuit 40 for controlling operation of LEDs 20. Control circuit 40 may be disposed on substrate 15, e.g., as part of the a printed circuit board, or may be remotely located from substrate 15 and electrically connected to substrate 15. Control circuit 40 is coupled to a switch and, upon actuation of the switch, drives LEDs 20 in one or more operational or illumination modes.

A variety of desirable visual effects may be created based on the selection of operational mode. Accordingly, control circuit 40 may be configured to drive LEDs 20 in any desired illumination mode. Exemplary illumination modes include a continuous illumination mode, flashing illumination mode where one or more of LEDs 20 flash at regular or irregular intervals, a sequential illumination mode where LEDs 20 are illuminated in a predetermined or random sequence. The details of control circuit 40 are not shown or described herein because control circuits suitable for driving LEDs 20 in various illumination modes are known to persons of ordinary skill in the art. Exemplary illumination circuits are described in United States Patent No. 5,663,614; U.S. Patent No. 5,812,063 and U.S. Patent No. 6,906,472 B2.

Likewise, a variety desired visual effects may be achieved by the arrangement of LEDs 20. Accordingly, LEDs 20 are preferably disposed about the periphery of substrate 15. LEDs 20 may be evenly distributed about the periphery of substrate 15 or arranged in a pattern. LEDs 20 may be of uniform characteristics, e.g., color, shape and intensity, or of different characteristics. Thus, depending upon the visual effect desired, LEDs 20 of like color may be grouped together or LEDs 20 may be arranged to form a color pattern. Likewise, LEDs of like intensity may be grouped together or LEDs 20 may be arranged in a pattern of varying intensities.

Illumination assembly 10 is typically installed in the sole or bottom of a footwear item. To help keep the LEDs from becoming dislodged from substrate 15 due to the impact forces from the weight of the wearer when running, jumping or walking, in some embodiments, substrate 15 may be encapsulated in a protective case 50, as illustrated in FIG. 4. Protective case 50 is preferably constructed from a strong, rigid material such as a hard plastic or a hard rubber. In accordance with an embodiment the invention, protective case 50 may include a container 55, e.g., a box, preferably disposed adjacent the heel region of substrate 15 and having an opening 57 in the bottom that corresponds to opening 45 in substrate 15 for receiving a battery or a cushion upon which the battery may rest. Lodging the battery in container 55 is believed to reduce unintended disconnection of the battery due to impact forces created from normal use of the footwear item.

In addition, to further protect substrate 15, in some embodiments protective cover 50 is provided with a structural reinforcing member. In the embodiment illustrated in FIG. 4, the structural reinforcing member is a molded vein 60 that extends along a lengthwise dimension of protective case 50. Molded vein 60 is preferably integrally formed with protective case 50. Protective case 50 may have a two-piece construction and substrate 15 may be sandwiched between molded vein 60 and one of the upper and lower pieces as illustrated in FIG. 5. In such a construction, protective case 50 may be held together by any suitable closure mechanism 65 such as friction fit, snap fit, screws, etc. An exemplary protective case 50 may be a jewel case.

In some embodiments, the lower portion of protective case 50 may be provided with spacers 62 such that substrate 15 is sandwiched between vein 60 and spacers 62. In still other embodiments, protective case 50 may be molded around substrate 15 such that substrate 15 is embedded in protective case 50. FOOTWEAR ITEM

In keeping with the invention, illumination assembly 10 may be incorporated in the footwear item by installing the illumination assembly in the sole or bottom portion of a footwear item, for example. Exemplary footwear items of the invention include but are not limited to athletic shoes, casual shoes, casual boots, heavy-duty boots such as hiking boots or ski boots, skates both four wheel and in-line, slippers, thongs or flip- flops, etc. Described below is an illustrative embodiment of an athletic shoe and a sole assembly for the athletic shoe in accordance with the invention.

Figure 6 illustrates an exemplary footwear item 100 in accordance with still another embodiment of the invention. Footwear item 100 includes a sole assembly 105 attached to upper 110. Illumination assembly 10 is disposed within sole assembly 105. Sole assembly 105 includes a translucent perimeter surface 115 through which light from illumination assembly 10 is transmitted.

Sole assembly 105 may comprise illumination assembly 10 sandwiched between or disposed within one or more layer members. In one embodiment, as shown in FlG. 9, sole assembly 105 comprises a transparent or translucent structural layer 215 including a recess 217 configured to receive illumination assembly 10. Illumination assembly 10 (not shown in FIG. 9) is seated in the recess 217 and transmits light through structural layer 215 upon activation.

In another embodiment, as depicted in Figure 10, sole assembly 105 includes translucent or transparent structural layer 215 sandwiched between midsole 210 and outsole 220. Illumination assembly 10 (not shown in FIG. 10) is preferably lodged within the recess 217 of structural layer 215. Alternatively, sole assembly 105 may include only outsole 220 and structural layer 215 or only midsole 210 and structural layer 215.

As is customary in the art, midsole 210 may be constructed from one or more of the following materials: EVA (Ethylene Vinyl Acetate) foam, Phylon, Polyurethane, and Phylite. Outsole 220 may be constructed from any combination of one or more of the following materials: BRS 1000 or Carbon Rubber, solid rubber, DRC (durable rubber compound), Duralon or Gum Rubber. Structural layer 215 may comprise a urethane material that typically incorporates one or more air bladders.

In keeping with the invention, the footwear item may be provided with a user actuatable switch 125 that is connected to and activates and deactivates illumination assembly 10. User actuatable switch 125 may be associated with upper 110, i.e., either concealed within the material of upper 110 or exposed on an outer surface of upper 110. In addition, user actuatable switch 125 may be located anywhere on the footwear item. FIG. 6 depicts user actuatable switch 125 disposed on and protruding from a rear portion of upper 110 proximate the Achilles heel. However, in other embodiments, user actuatable switch 125 may be located on a side portion of upper 110, for example, and concealed within the material of upper 110 as illustrated in FIG. 7. In still other embodiments, user actuatable switch 125 may be disposed within the tongue 130 as shown in FIG. 8

Various kinds of user actuatable switches are suitable for the footwear item of the present invention. Accordingly, user actuatable switch 125 may be a push-button switch, a toggle switch, a sliding switch, a pressure sensitive switch, etc. For ease of mode selection, a push button switch may be preferred in embodiments in which the illumination assembly operates in a plurality of modes.

Footwear items in accordance with the invention may be constructed by forming sole assembly 105 and connecting sole assembly 105 to a shoe upper. An exemplary sole assembly 105 such as the one depicted in FIG. 6 may be formed by lodging illumination assembly 10 in structural layer 215, affixing outsole 220 to structural layer 215 and affixing midsole 210 to the combination of structural layer 215 and outsole 220 such that structural layer 215 is sandwiched therebetween. As is evident to those of skill in the art, if desired, one or both of midsole 210 and outsole 220 may be eliminated from sole assembly 105. The battery or power source for illumination assembly 10 may be disposed in sole assembly 105, in tongue 130 or elsewhere in the footwear item. To accommodate the battery in sole assembly 105, structural layer 215 may include a battery cushion 230 that extends through cutout 45 and through the opening 57 in the bottom of container 55 thereby snugly lodging the battery in container 55. It is believed that enclosing the battery in container 55 and placing the battery on battery cushion 230 helps reduce unwanted battery disconnections that sometimes occur during normal use of the footwear item.

To further reduce unwanted battery disconnections, in one embodiment, the battery is disposed in tongue 130 of the footwear item. For example, tongue 130 may be provided with a pouch of sufficient size to house the battery. In this embodiment, control circuit 40 may be encapsulated and disposed in sole assembly 105, for example in the heel portion of midsole 220 and connected to the battery and to LEDs 20.

In connection with an aspect of the invention, to maximize desirable visual effects, sole assembly 105 may be entirely translucent or may include translucent regions 140 variously shaped and arranged. For example, FIG. 6 shows translucent regions 140 separated by generally opaque barriers 142. In some applications, translucent regions 140 may be in the shape of alphanumeric characters arranged to display a message, i.e., a word, phrase or a numeric phrase. See FIG. 11. Exemplary messages include but are not limited to the shoe manufactures' name, the wearer's name, and in the case of an athlete, the team name or school name and the athlete's number.

The translucent regions 140 may be illuminated according to a number of different patterns. In keeping with one aspect of the invention, the translucent regions may be illuminated substantially uniformly or different regions may be illuminated to different intensity levels. In accordance with still another aspect of the invention, the translucent regions may be illuminated synchronously, sequentially or according to any desired pattern.

Although the invention has been described with reference to specific embodiments, this description is not meant to be construed in a limiting sense. Various modifications of the disclosed embodiments, as well as alternative embodiments, will be apparent to persons skilled in the art. It is, therefore, contemplated that the appended claims will cover all modifications that fall within the true scope of the invention.

Claims

What is Claimed Is:

1. An illumination assembly for a footwear item comprising: a substrate having a plurality of recesses disposed along an edge of said substrate; a plurality of light sources mounted to the substrate, each light source extending from the edge of the substrate by a distance of up to slightly greater than a depth of a corresponding recess; and a control circuit connected to said plurality of light sources to control operational modes of said light sources.

2. The illumination assembly as claimed in claim 1 wherein one or more of said plurality of light sources is disposed just above a plane of said substrate.

3. The illumination assembly as claimed in claim 1 wherein one or more of said plurality of light sources is disposed just below a plane of said substrate.

4. The illumination assembly of claim 1 wherein one or more of said plurality of light sources is disposed in the plane of said substrate.

5. The illumination assembly of claim 1 wherein said substrate includes a first section adapted to placement adjacent a heel of the footwear item and a second section extending from said first section to a point adjacent a metatarsal region of the footwear item, the first section including an aperture adapted to receive a structural member.

6. The illumination assembly of claim 1 further comprising a switch coupled to said control circuit.

7. The illumination assembly of any of claims 1 -6, further comprising a protective case encapsulating substrate and said plurality of light sources.

8. The illumination assembly of claim 7 wherein said protective case includes a container having an opening in bottom, the container being disposed adjacent a heel portion of said substrate.

9. The illumination assembly of claim 7 wherein said protective case includes a top portion and a bottom portion, said assembly further comprising a structural reinforcing member depending from one of the top portion and the bottom portion and wherein said substrate is sandwiched between said structural reinforcing member and the other of the top portion and the bottom portion.

10. The illumination assembly of claim 9 further comprising footers attached to one of the top portion and the bottom portion such that said substrate is sandwiched between said structural reinforcing member and said footers.

11. The illumination assembly of claim 10 wherein said structural reinforcing member includes a vein that extends along a lengthwise dimension of said protective case.

12. A sole assembly for a footwear item comprising: an illumination assembly comprising: a substrate; a plurality of light sources mounted to the substrate, each light source extending from the edge of the substrate by a distance of less than a length of the light source; a control circuit connected to said plurality of light sources to control operational modes of said light sources; and a translucent structural layer including a recess, said illumination assembly being disposed in the recess.

13. The sole assembly of claim 12 further comprising a midsole and an outsole wherein said translucent structural layer is sandwiched between the midsole and the outsole.

14. The sole assembly of claim 13 wherein said substrate includes a first section adapted to placement adjacent a heel of the footwear item and a second section extending from said first section to a point adjacent a metatarsal region of the footwear item, the first section including an aperture and wherein said translucent structural layer includes a cushion that extends through said aperture.

15. The sole assembly of claim 14 wherein said illumination assembly includes a protective case encapsulating the substrate, said protective case includes a container having an opening in bottom, the open bottom being aligned with the aperture of said substrate.

16. A illuminated footwear item comprising: an upper; a sole assembly affixed to said upper, the sole assembly including an illumination assembly comprising: a substrate; a plurality of light sources mounted to the substrate, each light source extending from the edge of the substrate by a distance of less than a length of the light source; a control circuit connected to said plurality of light sources to control operational modes of said light sources; and a translucent structural layer including a recess, said illumination assembly being disposed in the recess.

17. The footwear item of claim 16 further comprising a midsole and an outsole wherein said translucent structural layer is sandwiched between the midsole and the outsole.

18. The footwear item of claim 17 wherein said substrate includes a first section adapted to placement adjacent a heel of the footwear item and a second section extending from said first section to a point adjacent a metatarsal region of the footwear item, the first section including an aperture and wherein said translucent structural layer includes a cushion that extends through said aperture.

19. The footwear item of claim 18 wherein said illumination assembly includes a protective case encapsulating the substrate, said protective case includes a container having an opening in bottom, the open bottom being aligned with the aperture of said substrate.

20. The footwear item of claim 19 further comprising a switch associated with said upper and electrically connected to said control circuit.

21. The footwear item of claim 16 further comprising a tongue including a pouch adapted to house a battery.

22. An illumination assembly comprising: a substrate; a plurality of light sources mounted to the substrate, each light source extending from the edge of the substrate by a distance of less than a length of the light source; a control circuit connected to said plurality of light sources to control operational modes of said light sources.

23. The illumination assembly as claimed in claim 22 wherein one or more of said plurality of light sources is disposed just above a plane of said substrate.

24. The illumination assembly as claimed in claim 22 wherein one or more of said plurality of light sources is disposed just below a plane of said substrate.

25. The illumination assembly of claim 22 wherein one or more of said plurality of light sources is disposed in the plane of said substrate.

26. The illumination assembly of claim 22 wherein said substrate includes a first section adapted to placement adjacent a heel of the footwear item and a second section extending from said first section to a point adjacent a metatarsal region of the footwear item, the first section including an aperture adapted to receive a structural member.

27. The illumination assembly of claim 22 further comprising a protective case encapsulating said substrate and said light sources.

28. A method for constructing a footwear item comprising: lodging the illumination assembly of claim 22 in a translucent structural layer; affixing an outsole to the structural layer; affixing a midsole to the structural layer such that the structural layer is sandwiched between the midsole and the outsole; and attaching an upper to the midsole.