US20040098884A1

US20040098884A1 - Shoe night light

Info

Publication number: US20040098884A1
Application number: US10/303,934
Authority: US
Inventors: Steven Swan
Original assignee: Individual
Current assignee: Individual
Priority date: 2002-11-26
Filing date: 2002-11-26
Publication date: 2004-05-27

Abstract

The shoe night light apparatus includes a shoe or slipper body having an exterior surface defining an open area for receiving a foot of a wearer. The shoe night light is a device to provide illumination when the shoe is placed on the foot. The shoe night light has a sensor/switch in the sole of the shoe designed to turn on and off the light when the shoe is placed on and taken off the foot. The shoe night light has batteries or replaceable batteries inside the material of the shoe to provide power to the light. The shoe night light has a light source such as light emitting diodes or light bulb to provide illumination. The shoe night light can also have a photo sensor to detect darkness and turn on the light when in a darkened area.

Description

BACKGROUND OF THE INVENTION

This invention relates generally to the field of footwear. More specifically to lighted shoes or slippers containing a lighting assembly.

Injuries due to tripping or falls in a poorly lighted area are a major problem. Night-lights and battery-powered lights are commonly used to provide light in dimly lit areas. This invention is intended to be worn on and provide illumination directly in front of the wearer's feet to aid in avoidance of obstacles in the path of travel.

Footwear equipped with lighting elements and power sources have been proposed in prior art;

Waits, U.S. Pat. No. 6,293,032 provides a lighted slipper where the slipper provides an electrical circuit including a switch, power source and light positioned on the exterior surface of the slipper body. Said lighted slipper provides a second light source and a radially rotated plurality of colored lenses, intended for use with children. A problem with Waits is that the hardware is mounted on the exterior of the shoe and is bulky. Another problem is that it does not provide for automatic on/off switching when the slipper is placed on and taken off the foot.

Stone, U.S. Pat. No. 5,821,858 provides a lighted shoe apparatus with a plurality of outwardly visible light emitting elements for lighting in a sequence. Said lighted slipper provides an electrical circuit including a switch, power source, multiple light sources, clock and logic circuits. A problem with Stone is that the complex flashing sequences do not provide continuous light and may cause a distraction to the wearer.

Okko, et al., U.S. Pat. No. 5,738,432 provides an illumination device and a method. Said device provides an electrical circuit including a switch, power source and a light. A problem with Okko is that said device is externally mounted to the shoe and intended for outdoor use.

Other references include Anteby, U.S. Pat. No. 6,354,712 provides an internal switch for lighted footwear. Said switch provides a motion responsive source for creating an attractive pattern.

It is thus the general object of this invention to provide illumination in front of the wearer.

It is another object of this invention that the general use be but not limited to house slippers.

It is another object that the shoe night light be a lightweight comfortable shoe.

It is another object that the shoe night light have replaceable batteries and light source to provide an extended life span of the object.

It is another object of the shoe night light to provide a shoe with internal lighting assembly, which is durable, reliable and inexpensive to manufacture.

SUMMARY OF THE INVENTION

The shoe night light according to the preferred embodiment of the current invention includes a shoe or slipper body having an exterior surface and an opening to receive a foot of the wearer. The shoe night light is intended to provide continuous illumination for the wearer as long as the device is on the foot. The shoe night light is intended for all ages and can be sized from infant through all standard shoe sizes The shoe night light is intended to provide the wearer comfort and added security through added illumination in darkened areas. The light source is mounted in the front of the shoe or slipper and only the bulb extends outside the material of the shoe or slipper. The electrical circuitry is concealed internally in the shoe or slipper with a replaceable power source. The shoe night light is described in the singular but is intended to be manufactured and sold in pairs, where the left shoe is a mirror image of the right.

BRIEF DESCRIPTION OF THE DRAWINGS

FIG. 1 is a view of the basic electrical circuit. [0014]
FIG. 2 is a view of the basic electrical circuit with photo sensor. [0015]
FIG. 3 is an example of the placement of electrical components in the shoe. [0016]
FIG. 4 is a side view example of the probable placement of electrical components in a shoe.[0017]

DESCRIPTION OF THE PREFERRED EMBODIMENT

The shoe night light, detailed embodiments of the present invention will now be described with reference to FIGS. 1 through 4 of the accompanying drawings. It should be understood that while the present invention includes a pair of night light shoes, the drawing and description below are directed to a single night light shoe, the second being constructed in a substantially similar manner. [0018]
The night light shoe as seen in FIG. 4, includes a [0019] shoe body 1 constructed of a soft flexible material, a sole 2 and insole 3 defining an area 4 which is intended for the foot.
The [0020] light bulb 5, FIGS. 1 through 4, being either an LED or incandescent bulb is placed at the toe of the night light shoe. The wiring portion of the light bulb 5 is concealed within the materials of the shoe with only a small portion of the bulb exposed.
The sensor/[0021] switch 6, FIGS. 1 through 4, is mounted between the sole 2 and insole 3 of the night light shoe. This sensor/switch is a simple pressure sensitive contact switch that provides electrical current to the bulb 5 when the shoe night light is placed on the wearer's foot and pressure is applied.
The [0022] battery 7, FIGS. 1 through 4, is concealed in the material of the shoe. Shown in FIG. 4 in the shoe upper but could be placed anywhere within the materials of the shoe body. The battery 7, FIGS. 1 through 4, will be placed in an area of the shoe body that provides access to replace batteries as usage requires.
The [0023] optional photo sensor 8, FIG. 2, is shown in the electrical schematic only but would also be placed with the exposed sensor to the outside of the shoe with the electrical wiring components concealed within the materials of the shoe body.
While the invention has been illustrated and described as shoe night light, it is not intended to be limited to the details shown, since various modifications can be made without departing in any way from the spirit of the present invention. [0024]
Without further analysis, the foregoing will so fully reveal the gist of the present invention that others can, by applying current knowledge, readily adapt it for various applications without omitting or adding features that, from the standpoint of prior art, fairly constitute essential characteristics of the generic or specific aspects of this invention and, therefore, such adaptations should and are intended to be comprehended within the meaning and range of equivalence of the following claims:[0025]

Claims

What is claimed as new and desired to be protected by Letters Patent is set forth in the appended claims:

1. A shoe night light comprising:

A shoe having an exterior body defining an opening for receiving a foot of the wearer, the term shoe is used to describe any type of object placed on the foot to provide the wearer comfort or protection such as a shoe, slipper, sandal or boot;

A forward facing light source imbedded in the front of the shoe;

A power source concealed in the material of the shoe;

A sensor/switch imbedded in the sole of the shoe to provide on/off functionality;

A photo sensor may be added to additionally switch the shoe night light on/off in a darkened area.

2. A shoe night light as in claim 1 having said light source consisting of a light emitting diode or incandescent light, imbedded in and protruding through the front of the shoe.

3. A shoe night light as in claim 1 having said power source consisting of a replaceable battery or batteries.

4. A shoe night light as in claim 1 having said sensor/switch consisting of a pressure activated switch in the sole of the shoe that is activated when foot is placed in the shoe and deactivated when the foot is removed from the shoe.

5. A shoe night light as in claim 1 having an electrical circuit comprises of a light source, power source, sensor/switch and optional photo sensor, wherein power source, sensor/switch and electrical connections are concealed within the shoe material.

6. The electrical circuit as in claim 5 is comprised of readily available generally inexpensive parts, including a simple contact switch, power source and light source such as a light emitting diode or incandescent light.

7. A shoe night light as in claim 1 can be sized from infant through all adult sizes.

8. The Shoe night light as in claim 1 has the electrical circuitry concealed in the interior materials of the shoe where the components can be covered by stitching, padding or other materials normally used in the manufacturing of shoes.