Patent Grant
9265299
The present invention relates generally to a footwear component with an internal illumination system and means of displaying graphics and designs by selectively covering light from the internal illumination system.
Using light as an accessory to footwear is commonly employed and has been for some time. Shoes, sneakers or otherwise, have been given various arrangements of lighting systems to enhance visual appeal of the shoe, especially towards children. Often times the lights are external to the shoe, and serve as an accessory rather than an integral part of the shoe, simply lighting up the outside areas of the shoe. Generally, the lights do not internally illuminate the shoe, instead providing illumination external to the shoe.
While there are examples of footwear with internal lighting systems, current methods of lighting a shoe can still use improvement. Some solutions simply place a few lighting elements inside the shoe, perhaps in a transparent compartment. While certainly internal to the shoe, these lighting elements don't really provide internal illumination. Some products hollow out sections of shoes, where lights are placed. Sometimes these hollowed sections have components inside, which are illuminated by the lights. Other times the sections are empty, showing light along the internal walls. These examples provide some measure of internal illumination, but leave much to be desired. Generally, only small portions of the shoe are illuminated, and even then, the shoe itself is not illuminated so much as are various components and internal surfaces which are located in the illuminated section.
It is therefore an object of the present invention to provide an internally illuminated component for a shoe. It is a further object of the present invention, to provide a method of obstructing the internal illumination, to create visual designs along the external surface, of the internally illuminated component.
All illustrations of the drawings are for the purpose of describing selected versions of the present invention and are not intended to limit the scope of the present invention.
An internally illuminated footwear component comprises a sole section 1, an illumination system 2, and an illumination housing 3, shown in
The translucent midsole 11 and outsole 12 of the sole section 1 are positioned in a midsole area and an outsole area. The translucent midsole 11 is positioned atop the outsole 12 and connected to the outsole 12, the combination of which forms the sole section 1. In one embodiment, the translucent midsole 11 and the outsole 12 are manufactured independent from one another and then later connected to form the sole section 1. For example, if using injection molding the translucent midsole 11 and the outsole 12 are separately molded pieces and require the translucent midsole 11 to be connected to the outsole 12 in order to form the sole section 1. In an alternative embodiment, the translucent midsole 11 and outsole 12 are manufactured as a single piece, being integrally molded to form the sole section 1.
When produced together, the translucent midsole 11 and outsole 12 provide a singularly molded translucent sole section 14 suitable for use in a number of footwear constructions. The sole section 1 in this embodiment is a solid unit as a result of the molding process. One example of said single piece alternative embodiment is a singularly molded translucent footwear 4 or “jelly” type shoe, illustrated in
Another example of an embodiment with a singularly molded translucent sole section 14 is illustrated in
The translucent midsole 11, which includes the illumination housing 3 as illustrated in
The sole section 1 as a whole is essential to the present invention, facilitating the illuminative aspect and the addition of the plurality of outsole design sections 121. The sole section 1 is applicable to various types of footwear designs, providing both the required internal support and external hardiness needed for the common footwear. The light-permeable nature of the translucent midsole 11 allows the translucent midsole 11 to be internally illuminated by the illumination system 2, which is installed in the illumination housing 3 located internally within the translucent midsole 11. As a result of the translucent midsole 11, the light from the illumination system 2 travels throughout the translucent midsole 11 and translucent outsole 12 and provides a visually appealing internally illuminated display.
The illumination housing 3 comprises a power section 31, a plurality of channels 32, and a plurality of illumination sections 33. The illumination housing 3 is aligned so that the illumination system 2 is parallel with the top of the translucent midsole 11, as illustrated in
The illumination system 2 comprises a power source 21, a plurality of electrical wires 22, and a plurality of illumination sources 23, examples of which can be seen in
A wide variety of LEDs are available and can be used to achieve different effects as part of the illumination system 2. In addition to being available in different colors, LEDs can have different brightness values and viewing angles. LEDs with narrower viewing angles can be used to provide more intense beams of light, while larger viewing angles will provide a wider, more diffuse coverage of the translucent midsole 11. LEDs with different colors and brightness can be used together to create colorful and intriguing visual displays. A large amount of combinations are possible given the variety of LEDs in terms of color and other attributes.
In embodiments where the translucent midsole 11 is molded separate from the outsole 12, the illumination housing 3 could alternatively be cut into the bottom of the translucent midsole 11, rather than the top. In this configuration, the illumination system 2 is held in place by both friction and the outsole 12. Prior to connecting the outsole 12 to the translucent midsole 11, the illumination system 2 must be placed in the illumination housing 3. After the outsole 12 is connected to the translucent midsole 11 the illumination system 2 will no longer be accessible.
In other embodiments the translucent midsole 11 may be built with a skeleton design 114 instead of being built with a solid design. The term “solid design” is used to refer to any footwear in which the sole section 1 is an unbroken component, without any walls or similar independent structure supporting members. Examples of a solid design include a sole section 1 with a 100% solid PVC construction, a singularly molded footwear (e.g. the earlier referenced jelly shoe and rain boot), or a combination thereof. These examples are not intended to be limiting as there are additional possible embodiments which may be defined as having a solid design. The skeleton midsole has open interior sections 111 formed by a plurality of internal walls 112 and a plurality of external walls 113, which can be produced in various arrangements such as those shown in
When employing a skeleton midsole variations are possible in the configuration of the illumination system 2, translucent midsole 11, and outsole 12. In a first variation, the illumination system 2 is installed in the bottom of the translucent midsole 11, with the outsole design sections 121 being positioned to overlap with the plurality of illumination sources 23. In a second variation, the illumination system 2 is again installed in the bottom of the translucent midsole 11, but the outsole design sections 121 do not overlap the plurality of illumination sources 23. Examples of a bottom mounted illumination system 2 are shown in
In the first variation, the outsole 12 (
The present invention is not limited to solid or skeleton designs for the translucent midsole 11. Other translucent midsole 11 designs can be utilized with the present invention. Combinations are also possible, such as a partial skeleton design as shown in
In one potential embodiment the outsole 12 of the sole section 1 is translucent. In this potential embodiment the entire sole section 1 is illuminated, as both the translucent midsole 11 and outsole 12 are light-permeable. The illumination sources 23 that internally illuminate the translucent midsole 11 also illuminate the outsole 12. The illumination of the outsole 12 results from light originating from the illumination sources 23 crossing a boundary between the translucent midsole 11 and the outsole 12. If the translucent midsole 11 and the outsole 12 have the same index of refraction, then no bending of light occurs between the translucent midsole 11 and the outsole 12. In such a scenario the outsole 12, along with the translucent midsole 11, is effectively internally illuminated by the illumination sources 23. It is noted that if the translucent midsole 11 and the outsole 12 are integrally molded to form the sole section 1 (e.g. a shoe jelly 4) then both the translucent midsole 11 and the outsole 12 are internally illuminated by the plurality of illumination sources 23. In this embodiment with a outsole 12 being translucent, the plurality of outsole design sections 121 is a plurality of opaque sections 122 with the plurality of opaque sections 122 traversing through the outsole 12. The plurality of opaque sections 122 create “negative space” with regards to the light from the illumination sources 23. Since the opaque sections 122 block light, the opaque sections 122 contrast with the translucent and illuminated outsole 12. The outsole design sections 121 are seen as dark areas rather than lit areas, hence the term “negative space”. As previously mentioned, the outsole design sections 121 can be configured such that they form the tread pattern 15 of the outsole 12.
In another potential embodiment the outsole 12 of the sole section 1 is opaque. In the embodiment with an opaque outsole 12 there are a number of variations for how the plurality of outsole design sections 121 are implemented. In one variation of this opaque outsole 12 embodiment the plurality of outsole design sections 121 is a plurality of cavities 123 in the outsole 12. The plurality of cavities 123 traverse through the outsole 12, causing the translucent midsole 11 to be visible through the plurality of cavities 123. As the outsole 12 is opaque it effectively causes a “blackout” of light from the illumination sources 23 in the translucent midsole 11, with the exception of the plurality of cavities 123 which allow the internally illuminated translucent midsole 11 to be seen. Since the internally illuminated translucent midsole 11 is visible through the plurality of cavities 123, the formed logos, designs, treads and other illustrations appear to be illuminated. The outsole 12 acts as an outline for the plurality of cavities 123, with the light passing through the plurality of cavities 123 contrasting with the surrounding unlit and opaque outsole 12. In this embodiment, and indeed all embodiments that combine an opaque outsole 12 with the translucent midsole 11, light from the translucent midsole 11 passes through the outsole design sections 121 such that the outsole design sections 121 appear to be illuminated without requiring individual sources of light to form each part of the intended design. There are different ways of implementing the outsole design sections 121 with the outsole 12, with the possible methods being later explained in more detail. An example of an opaque outsole 12 is shown in
In one variation of the embodiment with an opaque outsole 12, the plurality of cavities 123 is filled by a plurality of design inserts 132. Sub-variations are possible, including one in which the translucent midsole 11 comprises the plurality of design inserts 132 and another where each of the plurality of design inserts 132 are separate pieces.
In the sub-variant where the translucent midsole 11 comprises the plurality of design inserts 132, the translucent midsole 11 also comprises a main body 131. The main body 131 is connected onto and across the outsole 12, similar to the configuration of the translucent midsole 11 in other embodiments. Formed as part of the translucent midsole 11, the plurality of design inserts 132 traverse from the main body 131 into the plurality of cavities 123. The length of the plurality of design inserts 132 can be varied such that the design inserts 132 are recessed compared to the outsole 12, flush with the outsole 12, or protruded past the outsole 12. In the recessed example, the plurality of design inserts 132 traverse into plurality of cavities 123 but terminate before reaching the bottom surface 13 of the outsole 12; the plurality of design inserts 132 is thus shorter than the plurality of cavities 123. In the flush example, the plurality of design inserts 132 traverse into the plurality of cavities 123 and terminate at the bottom surface 13 of the outsole 12; the plurality of design inserts 132 is the same length as the plurality of cavities 123 and is flush with the bottom surface 13 of the outsole 12. In the protruded example, the plurality of design inserts 132 traverse out of the plurality of cavities 123, terminating outside the outsole 12; the plurality of design inserts 132 is thus longer than the plurality of cavities 123. In this latter case the plurality of design inserts 132 function as treads (as part of a treat pattern of the outsole 12) or spikes and help to provide better traction. It is noted that in this sub-variant the plurality of design inserts 132 is translucent as it is an extension of the translucent midsole 11.
In the sub-variant where each of the plurality of design inserts 132 are separate pieces, the plurality of design inserts 132 is connected to the translucent midsole 11 and traverses into the plurality of cavities 123, similar to its configuration when part of the translucent midsole 11 as formerly described. As with the other sub-variant, the length of the plurality of design inserts 132 can be varied such that the design inserts 132 are recessed compared to the outsole 12, flush with the outsole 12, or protruded past the outsole 12. When the plurality of design inserts 132 is recessed, it is defined as traversing from the translucent midsole 11 into the plurality of cavities 123, with the plurality of design inserts 132 being shorter than the plurality of cavities 123. When the plurality of design inserts 132 is flush, it is defined as traversing from the translucent midsole 11 into the plurality of cavities 123, with the plurality of design inserts 132 being equal in length to the plurality of cavities 123 and flush with the bottom surface 13 of the outsole 12. When the plurality of design inserts 132 is protruded, it is defined as traversing from the translucent midsole 11 out of the plurality of cavities 123, with the plurality of design inserts 132 being longer than the plurality of cavities 123, potentially forming treads or cleats. These configurations for the plurality of design inserts 132 mirror those described in the sub-variant in which the translucent midsole 11 comprises the plurality of design inserts 132.
As an alternative to the plurality of cavities 123, the plurality of outsole design sections 121 may instead be a plurality of translucent sections 124 in the outsole 12. The plurality of outsole design sections 121 traverses through the midsole to allow the translucent midsole 11 to be visible through the plurality of outsole design sections 121. Similar to plurality of cavities 123, the plurality of translucent sections 124 allows light from the plurality of illumination sources 23 to pass through the plurality of translucent sections 124 in order to create a desired composite illuminated design.
By implementing the outsole design sections 121 as the previously described cavities 123, design inserts 132, translucent sections 124, or a combination thereof, a number of methods for displaying designs are made possible. These methods are referred to as “blackout” methods. The outsole design sections 121, which allow the passage of light, can be configured to form designs, logos, treads and other embellishments with the present invention. Individual outsole design sections 121 can take numerous forms, depending on the intended overall design. A common and simple design is a word across the sole of the footwear, such as the name of the product or the brand. In this instance, the outsole design sections 121 are simply the letters that form the product name.
In a first blackout method, shown in
In a second blackout method, shown in
In a third blackout method shown in
In a sixth blackout method, shown in
In a seventh blackout method, the plurality of cavities 123 are made in a stencil style, as seen in
The various blackout methods can be applied anywhere along the sole section 1. It is even possible to blackout illumination from the side of the translucent midsole 11 or sole section 1, whether through a multicolor mold or by extending the opaque outsole 12 to cover parts or all of the side of the translucent midsole 11. Resultantly, designs, logos, and other arrangements could be incorporated across the sides of the sole section 1 and translucent midsole 11, an example of which can be seen in
In addition to the mentioned embodiments there are a multitude of slight variations that could be made to the present invention. In another example, the outsole 12 does not need to completely cover the translucent midsole 11. Parts of the translucent midsole 11 could be incorporated as part of the sole, where sections of the translucent midsole 11 protrude from the rest of the midsole and form a flush bottom surface 13 with the outsole 12. Examples of this are visible in
Potentially, the translucent midsole 11 could be hollowed out and designed to fill with water, providing an alternative visual experience. However, this would require sealing the translucent midsole 11 from the illumination housing 3, as well as providing a way to fill the translucent midsole 11 with water. A simpler change is placing a dispersive prism facing the illumination source, refracting the light and further enhancing the visual experience.
Revisiting and recapping the earlier described jelly embodiment, the jelly footwear 4 can be integrally molded from a translucent midsole 11, a translucent outsole 12, and a translucent upper 41. The translucent midsole 11 and the translucent outsole 12 combine to serve as a translucent sole section 1 of the footwear. An illumination system 2 is installed in illumination housing 3 of the translucent sole section 1. The primary difference between the jelly footwear 4 embodiment and other embodiments is the aforementioned integral molding of sole section 1 components and translucent upper 41, as well as the entire jelly footwear 4 being translucent. As a result, the full jelly footwear 4 is internally illuminated, as compared to some of the other embodiments which have opaque (and thus non-illuminated) outsoles 12, uppers 41, or both. Additionally, the jelly footwear 4 embodiment can incorporate a tread pattern 15 into a bottom surface 13 of the sole section 1 (whether only the translucent outsole 12 or a combination of the translucent outsole 12 and translucent midsole 11). This jelly footwear 4 is illustrated in
Although the invention has been explained in relation to its preferred embodiment, it is to be understood that many other possible modifications and variations can be made without departing from the spirit and scope of the invention as hereinafter claimed.
The current application is a continuation of U.S. Utility patent application Ser. No. 14/268,789 filed on May 2, 2014 which is a division of the U.S. Utility patent application Ser. No. 13/688,745 filed on Nov. 29, 2012.
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| Number | Date | Country | |
|---|---|---|---|
| 20150181973 A1 | Jul 2015 | US |
| Number | Date | Country | |
|---|---|---|---|
| Parent | 13688745 | Nov 2012 | US |
| Child | 14268789 | US |
| Number | Date | Country | |
|---|---|---|---|
| Parent | 14268789 | May 2014 | US |
| Child | 14639821 | US |
