EP3720310B1

EP3720310B1 - Footwear structure with electronic light system

Info

Publication number: EP3720310B1
Application number: EP18830939.7A
Authority: EP
Inventors: Mario Moretti Polegato; Massimo ZILIO
Original assignee: Geox SpA
Current assignee: Geox SpA
Priority date: 2017-12-05
Filing date: 2018-12-04
Publication date: 2022-04-20
Anticipated expiration: 2038-12-04
Also published as: CN111683552A; ES2913269T3; WO2019111151A1; EP3720310A1; CN111683552B

Description

Field of the Invention

In its most general aspect, the present invention concerns a footwear structure comprising a footwear unit having a sole and an upper constrained to one another, and in particular, the invention concerns a footwear structure of the aforesaid type, comprising an electronic light system integrated in the footwear unit for displaying personalized light messages.

State of the art

Nowadays, footwear and in general footwear items equipped with light systems, and in particular with light systems comprising lights integrated in the sole or in the upper, or also in both, are known.
The light systems integrated in the footwear items available in the known art are generally activated by a user pressing on a switch, or thanks to motion sensors that detect, for example, the stress transmitted to the sole when touching the ground as an activation pulse.
It is also known to remotely activate light systems of the aforesaid type, for example by means of bluetooth signals.
The light systems integrated in the footwear items can emit one or more light sequences, also of different colors, and generally comprise one or more screens or light panels, of the LED (Light-Emitting Diode) type or of the OLED (Organic Light-Emitting Diode) type, which can display personalized messages of a user following a predetermined light scheme, such as for example, a fixed, scrolling, exploded message, etc.
These light systems can use a battery of the disposable or rechargeable type as a power source, for example by means of a USB port housed in the footwear item, which also acts as a port for the exchange of data, therefore allowing to enter a message to be displayed in a storage device, which is usually provided in the light systems considered herein.
The patent application US 2009/0288317 describes a footwear or clothing item comprising a programmable display having a screen for displaying information selected by the user according to predefined schemes.
In particular, US 2009/0288317 describes a footwear item having a sole and an upper, which also comprises a power source for the screen and a so-called controller that controls the transmission of information on the screen and that controls the light screen on which the information is displayed. Among the light schemes available there are, for example constant, intermittent, exploded and scrolling displays and combinations thereof. The information displayed can be text messages, symbols, images, logos and combinations thereof.
In detail, US 2009/0288317 describes a first embodiment in which, in the programmable display which is substantially rigid, a LED (Light-Emitting Diode) screen, the controller and the power source, as well as command buttons and a so-called data port, for example a USB, used both to recharge the power source and to enter or exchange the information to be displayed, are incorporated.
In this first embodiment, the programmable display is housed inside the footwear item, at the upper or at the sole.
Prearranged bracket-like supports, which can be constrained both inside and outside of the footwear item, which is equipped with a window aligned with the screen for the display, are provided to fasten the programmable display. Alternatively, the programmable display can be arranged outside of the footwear item and, in particular, can be housed in a pocket constrained at the outer surface of the footwear item.
US 2009/0288317 describes a further embodiment of a footwear item in which the screen and the controller are not integrated into the same programmable display but are separated from one another, the controller being of the remote or wireless type, while the screen is of the OLED (Organic Light-Emitting Diode) type.
In this case, the programmable display is flexible and combined with the footwear item on the outside by means of an adhesive at the upper or at the sole, without requiring brackets or a pocket as previously considered, while the power source can be separated from the screen, for example it can be arranged in the sole at the heel of the footwear item, or it can be part of the screen.
Moreover, the power source, which can be a rechargeable battery or a power generator, can be connected with a source of energy of the plug-in type, which can be of any plug-in connector type, for example an electric cable, a cigarette lighter, an adapter or other suitable connector.
Although the solutions suggested by US 2009/0288317 are advantageous, they are not without drawbacks.
In fact, in the aforesaid embodiment comprising a LED screen and in which the programmable display is housed inside of the footwear item, the window that allows to see the screen from the outside of the footwear item must be of a suitable size and precisely at least equal to that of the screen.
Such an extended window makes the footwear item particularly exposed to water and impurities infiltrations from the outside.
Moreover, the solidity of the footwear item is also compromised by a structure having a window of relevant extent, therefore an opening on the sole or on the upper.
In the embodiment comprising a LED screen and in which the programmable display is housed in an appropriate pocket outside of the footwear item, both the power source and the USB port are integrated in the programmable display, being particularly exposed to water and humidity in general, as well as to impurities, the footwear item being itself, by nature, exposed to water, humidity and environmental impurities.
Therefore, consequently and disadvantageously, the correct operations of the programmable display can be accidentally compromised with a certain ease.
In the embodiment in which the programmable display comprises a power source integrated in a OLED screen and in which the programmable display is housed outside of the footwear item, the power source is particularly exposed to water, humidity and environmental impurities and, therefore, as considered above, the correct operations of the programmable display can be accidentally compromised with a certain ease.
Finally, in the embodiment in which the programmable display is housed outside of the footwear item, and in which the power source and the screen are separated from one another, one being arranged in the upper and the other in the sole, an electric connector is required for connecting the screen and the power source with one another, since the manufacturing of the upper occurs separately from the manufacturing of the sole.
The electric connector, which precisely connects the cables going out of the screen arranged outside of the footwear item, with the cables combined with the power source housed inside of the footwear item, is a source of drawbacks.
In fact, the electric connectors are particularly sensitive to water and humidity, therefore also to water infiltrations from the outside and to the sweat of a foot of a user of the footwear item.
Moreover, the high mechanical stresses to which the footwear item can be exposed can compromise the correct operations of the electric connector.
Also, the presence of an electric connector has negative impact on the cost of the programmable display and therefore on that of the footwear item.
Document WO 2013/088096 A1 discloses a footwear comprising an upper, a sole, a control panel with touchscreen capability, a controller under the control panel, a USB port, a battery and an LCD, LED, or OLED flexible display screen located in a cavity of the sole, which is associated with a circuit and which is round the sole.
Document US 2011/308113 A1 discloses an article, e.g. a footwear, with a color change portion and a method of changing color, in which the article includes at least one color change portion capable of changing colors, in which the color change portion can change colors according to one or more performance parameters and in which the article can be connected to a computer and the color change portion can be controlled using the computer.

Summary of the Invention

The technical problem underlying the present invention has been to provide a footwear item having structural and functional characteristics such as to overcome one or more of the aforesaid drawbacks of the known prior art.
According to the invention, the aforesaid problem is solved by a footwear structure according to claim 1
In practice, according to the invention, the aforesaid first section and the aforesaid second section are not parallel to one another, the aforesaid through opening having a straight or rotated T shape, or a straight or rotated X shape, or a straight or rotated L shape, or a straight or rotated cross shape to allow the passage of the aforesaid programmable light screen and the passage or anyhow the housing of at least one first portion of the aforesaid first connecting means that is proximal to the aforesaid programmable light screen.
Preferably, the aforesaid programmable light screen comprises a casing, a printed circuit equipped with LED (Light-Emitting Diode) or OLED (Organic Light-Emitting Diode) and a digital signal processor all housed in the aforesaid casing.
Preferably, the aforesaid first section of the aforesaid through opening has a height smaller than the height of the aforesaid first portion of the aforesaid first connecting means, wherein the aforesaid first portion extends from a perimetrical edge of the aforesaid casing in a way substantially coplanar with respect to the programmable light screen.
Preferably, the aforesaid through opening has a height, at the maximum point, equal to or slightly greater than the height of the aforesaid first portion of the first connecting means proximal to the aforesaid programmable light screen.
Preferably, the aforesaid casing is made of a semi-transparent plastic material.
Preferably, the aforesaid casing is made of a flexible material.
Preferably, the aforesaid casing is made of thermoplastic polyurethane (TPU) or of polyvinyl chloride (PVC).
Preferably, the aforesaid printed circuit is flexible.
Preferably, the aforesaid upper comprises a collar and/or a tongue, and preferably the aforesaid connecting port is arranged at the aforesaid collar or at the aforesaid tongue.
Preferably, the aforesaid connecting port is a port of known type, for example, but not exclusively, a USB port adapted to supply and recharge the aforesaid power source, and possibly adapted to enter the data in the aforesaid electronic light system.
Preferably, the aforesaid second connecting means comprise second cables with no interruptions for continuously and directly connecting the aforesaid power source to the aforesaid connecting port.
Preferably, the aforesaid second section of the aforesaid through opening is delimited by opposing walls intercepting the aforesaid first section, wherein at least one of the aforesaid opposing walls lies on a first plane forming a non-zero θ angle with a second plane containing the other of the aforesaid opposing walls.
Preferably, the aforesaid first plane and the aforesaid second plane, therefore the aforesaid opposing walls, converge between one another towards the outside of the aforesaid footwear unit. The aforesaid θ angle is preferably from 10° to 45°, more preferably from 20° to 45°, still more preferably form 30° to 45°.
Alternatively, the aforesaid second section of the aforesaid through opening can be delimited by opposing walls parallel to one another and intercepting the aforesaid first section, wherein the aforesaid second section has an inlet and an outlet misaligned with respect to one another.
Preferably, the aforesaid footwear structure comprises a housing seat arranged in the aforesaid footwear unit and obtained in the aforesaid sole, wherein the aforesaid housing seat is engaged by the aforesaid power source.
Preferably, the aforesaid footwear structure comprises a plurality of first stiffening zones arranged in the aforesaid footwear unit, wherein the aforesaid first stiffening zones comprise blind holes or reliefs made in one piece with the aforesaid sole and spread at least partially around the aforesaid housing seat.
Preferably, the aforesaid footwear structure comprises a recess obtained in the aforesaid sole inside the aforesaid footwear unit, and extended between the aforesaid housing seat and a perimetrical inner edge of the aforesaid sole, possibly extended between the aforesaid housing seat and the aforesaid through opening to accommodate the aforesaid first connecting means.
Preferably, the aforesaid footwear structure comprises a plurality of second stiffening zones arranged in the aforesaid footwear unit, wherein the aforesaid second stiffening zones comprise blind holes or reliefs made in one piece with the aforesaid sole or with the aforesaid upper, and wherein the aforesaid blind holes or reliefs are spread at least partially around the aforesaid through opening.
Preferably, the aforesaid footwear structure comprises a controller removably combinable with the aforesaid footwear unit, wherein the aforesaid controller comprises a first plug adapted to connect the aforesaid controller with an electronic processor, and a second pug complementary to and combinable with the aforesaid connecting port of the aforesaid electronic light system.
Preferably, the aforesaid controller comprises a third plug complementary to the aforesaid connecting port.
Preferably, the aforesaid footwear structure comprises a motion sensor and/or a command button of said electronic light system, wherein the aforesaid motion sensor and/or the aforesaid command button are housed in the aforesaid footwear unit.
Preferably, the aforesaid footwear structure comprises a wireless module for managing the aforesaid electronic light system by means of an electronic device.
According to the above and to the common meaning of the footwear item sector, "upper" means the set of materials forming the upper surface of a footwear, therefore of the aforesaid footwear unit, which are constrained to the sole and intended to cover at least partially the upper back portion of a foot of a user; and "sole" means the lower part of a footwear constrained to the upper, therefore of the aforesaid footwear unit, at least partially intended to come into direct, or indirect, contact with the ground.
The aforesaid footwear unit can therefore be, for example, but not only, a shoe, a boot, a sandal, a slipper, a flip flop, a clog, a ski boot, a bootie for roller skates, a footwear for motorcycles or bicycles.

Brief description of the figures

Further characteristics and advantages of the invention will be better highlighted by the review of the following detailed description of some preferred, but not exclusive, embodiments illustrated by way of example and without limitations, with the aid of the attached drawings, in which:

figure 1 schematically shows a perspective view of a footwear structure comprising a footwear unit and a controller removably combinable with the aforesaid footwear unit, wherein the aforesaid footwear unit comprises a sole, an upper and an integrated electronic light system having a programmable light screen according to the present invention;
figure 2 schematically shows a perspective view from above of the footwear unit of the footwear structure of figure 1;
figure 3 shows a perspective view of the electronic light system of the footwear structure of figure 1, separated from the aforesaid footwear unit;
figure 4 shows a plan view of a particular of the electronic light system of figure 3, along a direction of the thickness of the aforesaid programmable light screen;
figure 5 shows a plan view of a particular of the electronic light system of figure 3, along a direction of the height of the aforesaid programmable light screen;
figure 6 shows a view from above of the sole of the footwear unit of the footwear structure of figure 1;
figure 7 is a side view of a particular of the sole of figure 6;
figure 8 shows a cross sectional view along the arrows A-A' of figure 7 of a further particular of the sole of figure 6;
figure 9 shows a particular of figure 8 according to an embodiment variant of the invention.

Detailed description of the invention

With reference to the aforesaid figures, 1 generally denotes a preferred, but not exclusive, embodiment of a footwear structure according to the present invention.
The footwear structure 1 essentially comprises a footwear unit 2 having an upper 3 and a sole 4 constrained to one another, an electronic light system integrated in the footwear unit 2 and denoted as a whole with numeral 5, and a controller 6 separated from the footwear unit 2 and removably combinable with it for connecting with an electronic processor and for managing the electronic light system 5, as will become clearer hereunder.
According to the invention, the electronic light system 5 comprises a power source 7, for example a rechargeable battery, a programmable light screen 8, a connecting port 9, first connecting means 10 extended between the programmable light screen 8 and the power source 7, and second connecting means 11 extended between the power source 7 and the connecting port 9.
According to the examples of the figures, the footwear unit 2 is equipped with a through opening 12 extended on the sole 4, without however excluding the possibility of providing such a through opening on the upper of the footwear unit, this embodiment not being shown in the figures.
According to the invention, the through opening 12, which is in particular obtained on a side wall 13 of the sole 4, includes a first section 14 and a second section 15, wherein the second section 15 branches from the first section 14.
In practice, the first section 14 and the second section 15 communicate with one another and are not therefore parallel, and according to the examples of the figures they confer a rotated cross shape to the through opening 12, without however excluding the possibility of providing a straight cross shape, or a straight or rotated T shape, or a straight or rotated X shape, or still a straight or rotated L shape depending on particular constructive requirements.
According to the invention, the dimensions of the through opening 12 and of the first and second sections composing it are predefined and calculated on the basis of the dimensions of the first connecting means 10 and particularly of a first portion 16 of the first connecting means 10 proximal to the programmable light screen 8, and to the dimensions of the programmable light screen itself 8, as will become clearer hereunder.
In detail, the programmable light screen 8 overlaps the through opening 12 from an outer side of the footwear unit 2, particularly on the side walls 13 of the sole 4, to which it is combined by means of an adhesive of the permanent type.
This way, a first side 17 of the programmable light screen 8 is displayed during the normal use of the footwear unit 2.
Still as far as the programmable light screen 8 is concerned, it should be said that it comprises a casing 18, a printed circuit 19 equipped with light sources and housed in the casing 18, and a digital signal processor 20 of the known type, also housed in the casing 18, connected with the printed circuit 19 and to which the first connecting means 10 are connected and particularly welded.
According to the examples of the figures, the light sources are LEDs (Light-Emitting Diode), however the possibility of providing light sources of the OLED (Organic Light-Emitting Diode) type is not to be excluded.
The programmable light screen 8, therefore the casing 18 constituting the outer body, is substantially flattened having a length l and a height a sensibly greater than the thickness s, while the first portion 16 of the connecting means 10, which as said is proximal to the programmable light screen 8 and precisely integral with the casing 18, extending from a perimetrical edge thereof in a substantially coplanar way with respect to the programmable light screen 8, has a height d greater than the aforesaid thickness s.
It should be specified that the height d of the first portion 16 substantially corresponds to the size of the first connecting means 10 in proximity of the programmable light screen 8.
According to the invention, the first section 14 of the through opening 12 has a length l' equal to or slightly greater than the height a of the programmable light screen 8, and furthermore the first section 14 has a height a' equal to or slightly greater than the thickness s of the programmable light screen 8.
Still according to the invention, the height a' of the first section 14 of the through opening 12 is lower than the height d of the first portion 16 of the first connecting means 10, while the through opening 12, in its maximum value, has a height equal to or slightly greater than the height of the first portion 16 of the first connecting means 10 proximal to the programmable light screen 8.
This way, according to the invention, in the through opening 12 and precisely in the first section 14, during the implementation of the present footwear structure, the passage of the programmable light screen 8 is allowed, therefore of the casing 18, in particular along the direction of its length, while the second section 15, which is conveniently provided with reduced dimensions with respect to the first section 14 and which intercepts the first section 14 itself, allows the passage of the first connecting means 10 or anyhow the passage and housing of the first portion 16 of the first connecting means 10 more proximal to the casing 18, when the programmable light screen 8 overlaps the through opening 12 for being combined to the outer side of the footwear unit 2.
According to that which is described above, it is therefore possible to implement the upper 3 and the sole 4 with independent manufacturing, as is normal doing in the sector of footwear items and then, according to the invention, it is advantageously possible to implement the first connecting means 10 for connecting the programmable light screen 8 and the power source 7 with one another without using an electric connector.
That is to say, according to the invention, the first connecting means 10 comprise first cables with no interruptions for continuously and directly connecting the programmable light screen 8 and the power source 7, which, according to the examples of the figures, is housed in the sole 4 of the footwear unit 2, as will become clearer hereinafter.
Furthermore, according to the above, the utmost contact surface between the programmable light screen 8 and the side wall 13 of the sole 4 is advantageously ensured.
The first section 14 and the second section 15 intersecting one another in fact allow to reduce the extent of the through opening 12 to a minimum, therefore without substantially reducing the surface supporting the programmable light screen 8.
This way, the utmost solidity of the sole 4, therefore of the footwear unit 2, is ensured as wells as the utmost sealing against water infiltration and impurities from the outside towards the inside of the footwear unit 2, and the utmost sealing of the adhesive constraint between the programmable light screen 8 and the side wall 13 of the sole 4 is also ensured.
According to the examples of the figures, the first section 14 and the second section 15 of the through opening 12 are shown with a substantially polygonal shape, specifically quadrangular, without however excluding the possibility of providing a first and a second section with different geometry, for example ellipsoidal, depending on particular manufacturing requirements of the sole, for example of the mold with which it is obtained.
Still according to the examples of the figures, it should be said that the first section 14 of the through opening 12 is substantially parallel to a lower portion of the sole 4, specifically the portion intended to touch the ground while using the present footwear structure, while the second section 15 is substantially perpendicular to the first section 14, without however excluding the possibility of providing a first section and a second section of the through opening having a different arrangement.
Moreover, always as far as the through opening 12 is concerned, it should be said that the second section 15 is delimited by opposing walls 21, 22 intercepting the first section 14 in a substantially parallel way with respect to the normals n1 and n2 at the side wall 13 of the sole 4, wherein the normals n1 and n2 at the side wall 13 are calculated in the intersection points between the opposing walls 21, 22 and the side wall 13 itself, as shown in the sectional view of the example of figure 8.
Alternatively, at least one of the opposing walls 21, 22 of the second section 15 intersecting the first section 14, forms a non-zero θ angle with the normal n1 and/or the normal n2 at the side wall 13, wherein, like above, the normals n1 and n2 are calculated in the intersection points between the opposing walls 21, 22 and the side wall 13 itself. In particular, in the sectional view of the example of figure 9, the wall 21 delimits this angle θ, which, according to the invention, is preferably from 10° to 45°, more preferably form 20° to 45°, still more preferably from 30° to 45°.
The embodiment shown in the example of figure 9 is particularly advantageous as it allows to determine a lip 23 allowing a better coverage of the first connecting means 10, therefore of the first cables with no interruptions, thus limiting the surface exposed to the risk of water infiltrations or other impurities from the outside and making them less visible from the outside with also a consequent aesthetic improvement of the present footwear structure.
In any case, it should be said that the side wall 13 of the sole 4 is obtained inwardly with respect to the remaining outer side portion of the sole 4, in a so-called hindfoot zone, in particular by means of a step 24 delimiting the edges, and which has a height substantially corresponding to the thickness s of the programmable light screen 8, so that to integrate in the space of the sole, possibly also in a zone different from the hindfoot, the space of the programmable light screen.
As previously anticipated, it should be said that according to the examples of the figures, the power source 7 is housed in the sole 4.
For the purpose, the footwear structure according to the present invention has a housing seat 25 obtained in the sole 4, inside the footwear unit 2 and particularly engaged by the power source 7.
A recess 26 extended between the housing seat 25 and the through opening 12, to accommodate the first connecting means 10, is also obtained in the sole 4.
According to the present invention, the footwear structure 1 also comprises a plurality of first stiffening zones arranged in the footwear unit 2 and which, according to the examples of the figures, comprise blind holes 27 spread at least partially around the housing seat 25 and recess 26.
The first stiffening zones can also consist in or comprise reliefs made in one piece with the sole and always spread at least partially around the housing seat and recess, this embodiment not being shown in the figures.
Moreover, the footwear structure according to the present invention can also comprise a plurality of second stiffening zones arranged in the footwear unit and comprising blind holes or reliefs made in one piece with the sole or with the upper, and wherein the blind holes or reliefs are spread at least partially around the aforesaid through opening, this embodiment not being shown in the figures.
The first stiffening zones and the second stiffening zones allow to locally stiffen the footwear unit, for example the sole, therefore limiting the risk of crushing the power source and the programmable light screen under the weight of the user.
In particular, in case of first and second stiffening zones in the form of blind holes, it should be said that they are advantageously made during the manufacturing, for example of the sole, by patterns such as pivots or pins around whose surface an excess of polymeric material accumulates, specifically the polymeric material with which the sole is made, during the molding process of the sole itself, with the local formation around the pivot or pins of zones of greater density, therefore of zones that oppose greater resistance to crushing.
Returning to the aforesaid electronic light system 5, it should be said that the connecting port 9 is a port of known type, for example, but not exclusively, a USB port adapted to supply and recharge the power source 7, and preferably also adapted to the entering of data in the electronic light system 5.
In particular, the electronic light system 5, therefore the programmable light screen 8, can be set to transmit personalized messages displayed according to predetermined light schemes, for example according to a fixed, flashing, scrolling, exploding, rotating, bouncing, fading and random scheme or to a combination thereof.
As far as the second connecting means 11 are concerned, it should be said that they comprise second cables and possibly an electric connector.
In particular, second connecting means also comprising, in addition to the aforesaid second cables, an electric connector 28 inserted between the power source 7 and the connecting port 9 are shown in the examples of the figures, without however excluding the possibility of providing second connecting means, therefore second cables, with no interruptions for continuously and directly connecting the power source and the connecting port, this embodiment variant not being shown in the figures.
In any case, as far as the connecting port 9 is concerned, it should be said that it is preferably arranged far away from the sole 4, in order to limit both the risk of accidental blows or anyway of excessive mechanical stresses due to the use of the present footwear structure and to limit the risk of being damaged by water and environmental impurities, which can more easily be at the level of the sole, i.e. for example at the ground level.
In this regard, the upper 3 comprises a collar 29 and a tongue 30, and the connecting port 9 is arranged at the collar or, as shown in the examples of the figures, at the tongue 30.
Moreover and advantageously, the tongue 30 comprises a mobile and flippable portion 31, which covers and protects the connecting port 9 when there is no need to access it and which can be moved thus uncovering the connecting port 9 when it must be accessed.
The second connecting means 11 extended between the power source 7 and the connecting port 9 are advantageously integrated in the footwear unit 2, and are particularly arranged between the upper and a lining inside the footwear unit combined with the upper, not shown in the examples of the figures. This way, the exposure of the second connecting means 11 to the sweat generated by the foot of a user inside the footwear unit 2 is limited, and moreover the second connecting means 11 are sheltered from any unwanted friction caused by contact with the foot and which could cause them to break.
If necessary, the second connecting means can also extend for a limited section along the sole, particularly between the housing seat for the power source and a perimetrical edge inside the sole itself.
Further preferred characteristics of the present invention concern the programmable light screen 8, and in particular the casing 18, which is advantageously obtained in a semi-transparent plastic material, advantageously in a flexible material, preferably in thermoplastic polyurethane (TPU) or in polyvinyl chloride (PVC).
Furthermore, it should be said that the programmable light screen 8, similarly to the through opening 12, can be arranged in any zone or portion of the sole 4, for example the median zone of the foot or the forefoot zone, where the size of the sole is adapted to host the programmable light screen.
Further preferred characteristics of the present invention also concern the printed circuit 19, which is advantageously flexible.
Still, it should be said that the footwear structure according to the present invention preferably comprises a command button 32 active on the electronic light system 5, and/or a motion sensor, the latter of the known type and not shown in the examples of the figures.
The command button 32 is advantageously housed at the mobile and flippable portion 31 of the tongue 30, and can advantageously be used to select the light scheme stored to be displayed, as well as to also turn on and off the electronic light system 5, of course.
The motion sensor can be housed in the sole 4 of the footwear unit 2, and can advantageously be activated and deactivated by the user by means of a prearranged button, not shown in the example of the figures. When activated, the motion sensor can be set to turn off the programmable light screen after a certain period of inactivity.
As far as the controller 6 of the footwear structure according to the present invention is concerned, it should be said that it is advantageously outside of, and separated from, the footwear unit 2, and that it advantageously comprises a first plug 33 adapted to connect the controller 6 with an electronic processor, and at least one second plug 34 complementary to and removably combinable with the connecting port 9 of the electronic light system 5.
Herein, electronic processor means a PC, laptop, tablet, smartphone, smartwatch, wearable device and the like.
According to the examples of the figures, the controller 6 also comprises a third plug 35 still complementary to and removably combinable with the connecting port 9.
The second plug 34 and the third plug 35 are connected with the first plug 33 of the controller 6 by respective prearranged cables 36.
Advantageously in this way, the controller can be simultaneously connected with a first footwear unit 2 and with a second footwear unit equal to, or different from, the footwear unit 2, for the simultaneous recharging of two power sources and for the simultaneous setting of two programmable light screens of two respective footwear units.
Providing the controller 6 physically separated from the footwear unit 2 allows to be able to reuse a relatively costly component such as the controller, also after the lifetime of a footwear unit, allowing to reuse it on a new footwear unit with similar characteristics.
Alternatively or in addition to the controller 6, the footwear structure according to the present invention can comprise a wireless module of known type, not shown in the examples of the figures, for managing the electronic light system 5, therefore for setting the aforesaid light schemes by means of an electronic processor and for transmitting personalized light messages.
An advantageous wireless module is of the bluetooth type, preferably low consumption (BLE). A preferred bluetooth module comprises a radio chip and a micro-controller and advantageously a signal amplifier.
According to an embodiment variant of the present invention, as mentioned above, it should be reminded that the aforesaid second connecting means, as the aforesaid first connecting means, can be without electric connectors. In this embodiment variant, for which the above description being referred to is substantially valid, during the manufacturing of the footwear unit of the present footwear structure, it is possible to insert the connecting port and the second cables, which in practice constitute the second connecting means, in the upper, during the manufacturing process thereof, thus allowing the power source, the first cables and the programmable light screen to come out of the upper, ready to be inserted in the sole as described above. This way, the second cables and the first cables with no interruptions and electric connectors are sheltered from the corrosive action of sweat, which can be generated by the body of the user and which can condense inside the footwear unit. This solution allows to further save on the cost of the electronic light system in favor of market competitiveness.
In a further embodiment variant of the invention not shown in the examples of the figures, but substantially similar to the embodiment of the example of figure 9, in which, however, the through opening is provided on the upper instead of on the sole of the footwear unit, with reference to the through opening, it can be said that at least one of the opposing walls of the second section intercepting the first section lies on a first plane forming a non-zero θ angle with a second plane containing the other of the opposing walls, wherein the aforesaid first plane and the aforesaid second plane, therefore the aforesaid opposing walls, converge between one another towards the outside of the footwear unit, and wherein the angle θ is from 10° to 45°, preferably from 20° to 45°, more preferably from 30° to 45°.
Alternatively, regardless of the position of the through opening on the sole or the upper, the aforesaid second section can be delimited by opposing walls parallel to one another and intercepting the aforesaid first section, wherein the aforesaid second section has an inlet and an outlet misaligned with respect to one another.
In substance, whether the through opening is provided on the sole or provided on the upper, the second section of the through opening can form, in the upper or in the sole, a straight linear passage, an oblique linear passage or a flared passage on one or both sides.
Still with reference to the aforesaid embodiment, which provides the through opening obtained on the upper and for which the above description being referred to is substantially valid, it can be added that a recess, obtained in the sole inside the footwear unit, extended between the housing seat and a perimetrical inner edge of the sole to accommodate the first connecting means, can always be provided, first connecting means that are then advantageously arranged between the upper and an inner lining of the footwear unit combined with the upper.
In this case, during the manufacturing of the footwear unit of the present footwear structure, it is possible to insert the programmable light screen and the first cables through the through opening, so that the programmable light screen is outside of the upper.
Moreover, alternatively or in addition to the adhesive of the permanent type for combining the programmable light screen with the upper, the footwear structure can comprise a pocket outerly combined with the footwear unit at the upper for containing the programmable light screen. In this case, the pocket must be sufficiently transparent to make the programmable light screen slightly visible from the outside.
The advantages of the present invention already clear in the above description can be summarized by remarking that a footwear structure comprising a footwear unit having an electronic light system integrated in the footwear unit is provided, and that thanks to the structure both the footwear unit and the electronic light system are particularly solid and robust, durable and substantially impervious to water infiltrations and other external agents.
Moreover, the footwear unit of the present footwear structure can advantageously be obtained with the means and techniques known in the sector of footwear items, advantageously at a low cost, also for the reduced number of electric and electronic components composing the electronic light system.
Furthermore, and advantageously, the present footwear structure allows a high level of customization, since it is possible to select and therefore store, through dedicated software, personalized electronic light messages to be displayed in the system.
In order to meet incidental and specific requirements, several variations and modifications could be made by a field technician to the illustrated and described embodiments of present invention, provided that all are included in the scope of protection of the invention as defined by the following claims.

Claims

Footwear structure (1) comprising a footwear unit (2) having an upper (3) and a sole (4), and an electronic light system (5) integrated in said footwear unit (2),
wherein said upper (3) and said sole (4) are constrained to one another and wherein said electronic light system (5) comprises

a power source (7),

a programmable light screen (8),

a connecting port (9),

first connecting means (10) extended between said programmable light screen (8) and said power source (7), wherein said first connecting means (10) comprise first cables with no interruptions for continuously and directly connecting said programmable light screen (8) and said power source (7), and

second connecting means (11) extended between said power source (7) and said connecting port (9),

wherein said footwear unit (2) is equipped with a through opening (12) extended on said upper or on said sole, wherein said programmable light screen (8) overlaps said through opening (12) from an outer side of said footwear unit (2),

characterized in that

said through opening (12) includes a first section (14) and a second section (15) wherein said second section (15) branches from said first section (14),

wherein said first section (14) of said through opening (12) has length (I') equal to or greater than the height (a) of said programmable light screen (8),

wherein said first section (14) of said through opening has a height (a') equal to or greater than the thickness (s) of said programmable light screen (8), the opening being suitable for, during the implementation of the footwear structure (1), the passage of the programmable light screen (8) in the first section (14), and the passage of the first connecting means (10) in the second section (15), when the programmable light screen (8) overlaps the through opening (12) for being combined to the outer side of the footwear unit (2).
Footwear structure according to claim 1, wherein said through opening (12) has straight or rotated T shape, or straight or rotated X shape, or straight or rotated L shape, or straight or rotated cross shape.
Footwear structure according to any one of the preceding claims, wherein said first connecting means (10) comprise a first portion (16) proximal to said programmable light screen (8), wherein said first section (14) of said through opening has height (a') smaller than the height (d) of said first portion (16) of said first connecting means (10).
Footwear structure according to claim 3, wherein the maximum height of said through opening is equal to or greater than the height (d) of said first portion (16) of said first connecting means (10).
Footwear structure according to any one of the preceding claims, wherein said programmable light screen (8) is an OLED screen or a LED screen, said programmable light screen (8) comprising a casing (18), a printed circuit (19) equipped with OLED or LED and a digital processor (20) all housed in said casing (18).
Footwear structure according to claim 5, wherein said casing (18) is made of semi-transparent and preferably flexible plastics, and wherein preferably said printed circuit (19) is flexible.
Footwear structure according to any one of the preceding claims, wherein said upper (3) comprises a collar (29) and/or a tongue (30), wherein said connecting port (9) is arranged at said collar (29) or said tongue (30).
Footwear structure according to any one of the preceding claims, wherein said second connecting means (11) comprise second cables with no interruptions for continuously and directly connecting said power source (7) and said connecting port (9).
Footwear structure according to any one of the preceding claims, wherein said second section (15) of said through opening (12) is delimited by opposing walls (21, 22) intercepting said first section (14), wherein at least one of said opposing walls (21, 22) lies on a first plane forming a non-zero θ angle with a second plane containing the other of said opposing walls, wherein said θ angle is preferably from 10° to 45°, more preferably from 20° to 45°, still more preferably from 30° to 45°.
Footwear structure according to any one of the preceding claims, comprising a housing seat (25) obtained in said sole (4) and engaged with said power source (7) and preferably further comprising a plurality of first stiffening zones to stiffen said sole (4), wherein said first stiffening zones comprise blind holes (27) or reliefs made in one piece with said sole (4) and spread at least partially around said housing seat (25).
Footwear structure according to claim 10, comprising a recess (26) obtained in said sole (4) and extended between said housing seat (25) and said through opening (12), to accommodate said first connecting means (10).
Footwear structure according to any one of the preceding claims, comprising a controller (6) removably combinable with said footwear unit (2), wherein said controller comprises a first plug (33) adapted to connect said controller (6) with an electronic processor, and a second plug (34) complementary to said connecting port (9) of said electronic light system (5), and preferably further comprises a third plug (35) complementary to said connecting port (9).
Footwear structure according to any one of the preceding claims, comprising a wireless module for managing said electronic light system (5) and/or a movement sensor and/or a command button (32) which operates on said electronic light system (5), wherein said movement sensor and/or said command button (32) are housed in said footwear unit (2).