Abstract:
This invention is directed to an article of footwear having both one or more light sources such as LEDs, and a loudspeaker, which are activated either by a manual switch or an inertia switch. Indicia mounted to the shoe, or to the manual switches carried by the shoe, correspond to the sounds produced by the loudspeaker.

Description:
FIELD OF THE INVENTION  
       [0001]     This invention relates to articles of footwear, and, more particularly, to a shoe having an array of light sources such as LEDs and a loudspeaker which are independently activated by an inertia switch and one or more manual switches associated with indicia carried on the shoe or on the manual switches.  
       BACKGROUND OF THE INVENTION  
       [0002]     For a number of years, articles of footwear and various items of clothing have been sold with decorative arrays of light sources such as light emitting diodes (LEDs) and/or a loudspeaker capable of producing a sound. This has been particularly popular in children&#39;s shoes where the LEDs are arranged to complement other design elements of the shoe such as cartoon characters and the like.  
         [0003]     In a typical design of a children&#39;s shoe of the type noted above, a module including a plastic housing is placed in a cavity usually formed in the heel area of the shoe. The module mounts a battery, a switch and, conventionally, an integrated circuit which is connected by wires to LEDs positioned along the outsole, upper or tongue of the shoe. The integrated circuit may also be capable of generating a signal which operates a loudspeaker, typically mounted in the upper or tongue of the shoe in the general area of the LEDs. Systems of this type are shown, for example, in U.S. Pat. Nos. 6,525,487; 6,286,975; 6,012,822; 5,969,479; 5,894,201; 5,812,063 and others.  
         [0004]     The integrated circuits employed in modules for children&#39;s shoes and other applications are activated by one or more switches carried on or otherwise coupled to the module. In some designs, the switch turns on and off in response to the application of an inertial force, pressure or motion. Spring switches such as disclosed in U.S. Pat. Nos. RE37,220 and 5,909,088 are a popular choice for children&#39;s shoes because they are reliable, noiseless and movable from a neutral or off position to a closed or on position in response to walking, running or other motion of the shoe. Pressure switches such as shown in U.S. Pat. Nos. 5,159,768; 5,649,376; 5,855,080 and 5,714,706 are also employed and they operate in response to the application of a weight, e.g. when the shoe makes contact with a surface.  
         [0005]     Another type of switch employed in children&#39;s shoes and similar applications is a manually activated switch such as shown in U.S. Pat. Nos. 5,894,686; 6,278,378 and 5,813,148. Manual switches are used to turn on and off the light source carried by the shoe, to select different modes of operation for the integrated circuit associated with the shoe, e.g. different flashing sequences or other operations, and for other purposes. Some systems, such as disclosed in the U.S. Pat. No. 5,813,148, employ both manual and inertial switches to activate light sources and/or sound sources associated with the shoe. In the &#39;148 system, the manual switch turns on and off a light source, and also causes a controller including an integrated circuit to activate a particular mode of operation. One of the modes of operation enables an inertia or pressure sensitive switch, which then operates to activate the light source in a selected flashing sequence.  
       SUMMARY OF THE INVENTION  
       [0006]     This invention is directed to an article of footwear having both one or more light sources such as LEDs, and a loudspeaker, which are activated either by a manual switch or an inertia switch. Indicia mounted to the shoe, or to the manual switches carried by the shoe, correspond to the sounds produced by the loudspeaker.  
         [0007]     One aspect of this invention is predicated on the concept of providing an interactive shoe for younger children which helps teach them numbers, shapes, colors or other designs. Additionally, an array of LEDs mounted to the upper of the shoe illuminate in a flashing sequence when the child walks thus providing a decorative element to the shoe.  
         [0008]     In each of the presently preferred embodiments, an array of LEDs is mounted in a decorative pattern on the upper of the shoe. An electrical circuit including a controller in the form of an integrated circuit (IC) is operative to illuminate these LEDs in a flashing sequence. The IC is activated by a spring switch which operates in response to the application of an inertial force, created such as when a child walks in the shoe.  
         [0009]     The interactive aspect of the shoe of this invention operates independently of the spring switch. In one embodiment, different indicia, each in the form of a patch of material marked with a number, are mounted to the upper of the shoe over a separate manual switch connected to an IC associated with the controller. This IC may be different from the one which operates the LEDs in a flashing sequence, or one IC which performs both functions may be used. For example, three patches having the numbers one, two and three may be provided, each overlying a separate manual switch in the upper of the shoe. When the child presses on the patch bearing the number “1,” the manual switch underneath that patch sends a signal to the second IC which causes the loudspeaker to produce the sound for the number “1.” The same is true for the other numbers, and there may be essentially any combination of numbers employed on the shoe.  
         [0010]     In an alternative embodiment, the patches of material mounted to the shoe are of a different color, design or shape. When a child presses one of the patches, for example one having a red color, the manual switch underneath that patch sends a signal causing the IC to operate the loudspeaker so that the sound for the color “red” is produced. Similarly, if one of the patches is formed in the shape of a star, for example, the sound for the term “star” would be made by the loudspeaker by depressing the manual switch underlying the star-shaped patch. The interactive aspect of this invention therefore assists the child in learning his or her numbers, colors, shapes or other designs while adding an element of fun to the shoe.  
         [0011]     In a still further embodiment of this invention, a second array of LEDs is provided separate from the first group of LEDs. This second group of LEDs is activated by a manual switch connected to a second IC (or a single IC performing dual functions) which is effective to illuminate the LEDs in different sequences depending upon how many times the manual switch is operated. For example, if the manual switch is pressed a first time the LEDs will illuminate in one sequence, and then when the manual switch is activated again the LEDs operate in a different sequence.  
     
    
     DESCRIPTION OF THE DRAWINGS  
       [0012]     The structure, operation and advantages of the presently preferred embodiment of this invention will become further apparent upon consideration of the following description, taken in conjunction with the accompanying drawings, wherein:  
         [0013]      FIG. 1  is a perspective view of a shoe having a module which is connected to an array of LEDs and to a loudspeaker both mounted to the upper of the shoe;  
         [0014]      FIG. 2  is a plan view of one embodiment of the upper of  FIG. 1  in which indicia bearing a number cover manual switches mounted to the upper;  
         [0015]      FIG. 3  is a plan view similar to  FIG. 2  except where the indicia have a different shape;  
         [0016]      FIG. 4  is a schematic circuit diagram of one embodiment of the electrical circuit associated with the embodiment of  FIGS. 1-3  including one set of LEDs, a loudspeaker and two ICs;  
         [0017]      FIG. 5  is a circuit diagram similar to  FIG. 4  except with only one IC instead of two;  
         [0018]      FIG. 6  is a plan view of an alternative embodiment of this invention which is similar to  FIG. 2  except with two sets of LEDs instead of only one set;  
         [0019]      FIG. 7  is a schematic circuit diagram of an alternative embodiment of the electrical circuit of this invention associated with the shoe of  FIG. 6  including two sets of LEDs and two ICs; and  
         [0020]      FIG. 8  is a view of an electrical circuit similar to  FIG. 7  except with one IC instead of two. 
     
    
     DETAILED DESCRIPTION OF THE INVENTION  
       [0021]     Referring initially to  FIGS. 1-5 , a shoe  10  is shown having an outsole  12  connected to an upper  14  including a tongue  16 . It should be understood that any other article of footwear is considered within the scope of this invention, and the shoe  10  is shown for purposes of illustration. As such, the term “upper” is meant to broadly encompass essentially any shoe element mounted to the outsole of an article of footwear such as the straps of a sandal, etc.  
         [0022]     A module  18  having a housing  19  preferably made of plastic is mounted in the heel  20  of the shoe  10 . A cavity (not shown) is hollowed out of the heel  20  to receive the module  18 , over which the sock liner or insole of the shoe  10  is secured. As schematically illustrated in  FIG. 1 , the module  18  is connected by wires  22  to an array of LEDs  24  mounted to the upper  14  of the shoe  10 , and by a wire  26  to a loudspeaker  28  also carried by the upper  14 . The particular location or arrangement of the LEDs  24  on the shoe  10  is a matter of choice, and it is contemplated they could be placed on the outsole  12 , tongue  16  and in essentially any other position on the shoe  10 . The loudspeaker  28  is preferably mounted to the tongue  16  or some area of the upper  14 , rather than on the outsole  12 .  
         [0023]     Three manually operated, push button switches  30 ,  32  and  34  are mounted to the upper  14  and connected by wires (not shown) to the module  18 . In the embodiment of  FIG. 2 , each switch  30 - 34  is hidden from view by a patch  36 ,  38  and  40 , respectively, having an indicia on its exposed surface. These patches  36 - 40  are formed of a section of material such as cloth, plastic or the like. As shown in  FIG. 2 , an indicia appears on each of the patches  36 - 40  in the form of a number, e.g., the number “1” on patch  36 , the number “2” on patch  38  and the number “3” on patch  40 .  
         [0024]      FIG. 3  illustrates an alternative embodiment of this invention which is similar to that of  FIG. 2 , except it includes patches  42 ,  44  and  46  having indicia other than numbers. Such indicia may be a different color for each patch  42 - 46 , e.g. red, green and yellow, or it may be a different shape such as a star, square, circle, triangle etc. For purposes of illustration, the patches  42 ,  44  and  46  are shown having indicia in the shape of a circle, star and triangle, respectively. It should be understood that other shapes, designs and selected colors may be employed as indicia on the patches  36 - 40  or  42 - 46 , and are considered within the scope of this invention.  
         [0025]     Referring now to  FIG. 4 , an electrical circuit  48  is schematically depicted which includes a battery  50 , a spring switch  52 , a lighting integrated circuit (IC)  54  (IC  1 ), a sound integrated circuit  56  (IC  2 ), the LEDs  24 , loudspeaker  28  and the manual, push button switches  30 - 34 . For purposes of the present discussion, the two ICs  54  and  56  are considered a “controller.” The battery  50 , ICs  54 ,  56  and spring switch  52  are preferably mounted on the module  18 . The wire  26  connects the sound IC  56  to the loudspeaker  28 , wires  35  connect the push button switches  30 - 34  to the sound IC  56  and the wires  22  connect the lighting IC  54  to the LEDs  24 .  
         [0026]     In one presently preferred embodiment, the spring switch  52  is connected by a line  58  to the lighting IC  54 , which, in turn, is connected by line  60  to the battery  50 . As noted above, wires  22  connect the lighting IC  54  with the LEDs  24 , which, in turn, are connected via line  62  to the battery  50 . Each of the push button switches  28 - 32  is connected by a line  64  to one terminal of the battery  50  and the sound IC  56  is connected by a line  66  to the opposite terminal of the battery  60 .  
         [0027]      FIG. 5  depicts an alternative electrical circuit  67  employed with the embodiments of  FIGS. 1-3  which is similar to the circuit of  FIG. 4  except only one integrated circuit or controller is used instead of two. The same reference numbers are used to identify circuit elements common to  FIGS. 4 and 5 . The spring switch  52  and push button switches  30 - 34  are connected by lines  68  to an IC  70  which controls the operation of the LEDs  24  and the loudspeaker  28 . The switches  52  and  30 - 34  are connected by a line  72  to one terminal of battery  50 , and the IC  70  is connected by a line  74  to the opposite terminal of battery  50 .  
         [0028]     The detailed construction of the spring switch  52 , lighting IC  54 , sound IC  56  and IC  70  forms no part of this invention and is therefore not discussed herein. Each of these elements is known in the art and commercially available. One type of spring switch  52  suitable for use in the module  18  is disclosed in U.S. Pat. No. 5,408,764. The sound IC  56  is available under part number 66391, and the lighting IC  52  is available under part number 6608, both from Cheerine Development (Hong Kong) Ltd., having a place of business at Room 1217, North Tower, Concordia Plaza, No. 1 Science Museum Road, Tsim Sha Tsui East, Kowloon, Hong Kong.  
         [0000]     Operation of  FIGS. 1-5   
         [0029]     The shoe  10  shown in  FIGS. 1-5  operates as follows. The spring switch  52  is connected between one terminal of the battery  50  and the lighting IC  54 , which, in turn, connects to the other battery terminal through line  60 . In response to the application of an inertial force or motion to the spring switch  52 , it operates to electrically connect the battery  50  with the lighting IC  54 . This activates the lighting IC  54  which is effective to illuminate the LEDs  24  connected thereto in a particular flashing or other lighting sequence.  
         [0030]     The manual, push button switches  30 ,  32  and  34  operate independently of the spring switch  52 . As noted above, the switches  30 - 34  are mounted to the upper  14  of the shoe  10  beneath patches  36 - 40  or patches  42 - 46 , respectively. In the embodiment of  FIG. 2 , the patches  36 - 40  bear an indicia in the form of numbers, e.g. “1,” “2” and “3,” while in the embodiment of  FIG. 3  the patches  42 - 46  are formed of different shapes or other indicia. The sound IC  56  is operative to receive a signal from one of the switches  30 - 34 , and cause the loudspeaker  28  to produce a sound corresponding to the indicia on one of the patches  36 - 40  or  42 - 46  which overlies that switch. For example, if a child depresses the push button switch  30  beneath the patch  36  marked with the number “1,” the sound IC  56  is operative to cause the loudspeaker to make the sound for the number “1.” Similarly, if a child depresses the push button switch  30  beneath the patch  44  in  FIG. 3 , the loudspeaker  28  is operated by the sound IC  56  to sound the word “star” corresponding to the shape of the patch  44 .  
         [0031]     The electrical circuit  67  depicted in  FIG. 5  operates in the same manner as circuit  48  of  FIG. 3 , except it employs a single IC  70  or controller which performs the combined functions of the lighting IC  54  and sound IC  56  described above. The LEDs  24  are operated in response to opening and closing of the spring switch  52 , and the loudspeaker  28  is activated by depressing one of the push button switches  30 - 34  to produce a sound corresponding to the indicia on the patches  36 - 40  or  42 - 46 .  
         [0032]     In each of the embodiments of  FIGS. 1-5 , using either the circuit  48  or  67 , the shoe  10  of this invention combines a decorative array of LEDs  24  with an educational aspect which is fun for a child wearing the shoe  10 . By causing a sound to be produced corresponding to the indicia on the patches  36 - 40  or  42 - 46 , the child is assisted in learning number, shapes, colors and the like. The LEDs  24  illuminate in a flashing or other lighting sequence when the child walks, and the shoe  10  “talks to” the child in an interactive manner when he or she depresses one of the push buttons  30 - 34  as described above.  
       Embodiment of FIGS.  6 - 8   
       [0033]     Referring now to  FIGS. 6-8 , an alternative embodiment of the shoe  10  of this invention is shown wherein the loudspeaker  28  is eliminated and two sets of LEDs  24  and  24 ′ are employed instead of one as in  FIGS. 1-5 . Structure which is common to  FIGS. 1-5  and  6 - 8  is given the same reference numbers in all views.  
         [0034]     The shoe  10  of  FIGS. 6-8  includes an array of LEDs  24  mounted to the upper  14  which are activated by a spring switch  52 , and a second array of LEDs  24 ′ which are activated by single manual, push button switch  76  operative independently of the spring switch  52 . Preferably, the push button switch  76  is covered by a decorative patch  78  mounted to the upper  14  of the shoe  10 .  
         [0035]     One embodiment of an electrical circuit  80  which causes the LEDs  24  to illuminate is schematically depicted in  FIG. 7 . The same lighting IC  54  used in the embodiment of  FIG. 4  is employed in the circuit of  FIG. 7 . The lighting IC  54  is connected to the battery  50 , spring switch  52  and the array LEDs  24  in the same manner as shown in  FIG. 4  and described above. This portion of the circuit  80  operates in the same way as the corresponding part of  FIG. 4  to illuminate the LEDs  24  in a flashing or other lighting sequence in response to the application of an inertial force, motion or the like to the shoe  10 , and, hence, the spring switch  52 .  
         [0036]     A second lighting IC  82  is connected by a line  84  to the manual push button switch  76 , and to each of the LEDs  24 ′ in the second array via lines  86 . The second lighting IC  82  is connected by line  88  to the opposite terminal of battery  50 . The lighting IC  54  and lighting IC  82  are collectively considered a controller in that they operate the arrays of LEDs  24  and  24 ′.  
         [0037]     In response to depressing the manual switch  76 , the second lighting IC  82  operates to illuminate the second array  75  of LEDs  24  in a predetermined sequence, depending on how many times the switch  76  is pushed. For example, in one sequence of operation, pushing the switch  76  once causes one LED  24 ′ in the second array to flash three times, two LEDs  24 ′ flash three times when the switch  76  is pressed again, and all three LEDs  24 ′ flash three times when the switch  76  is pressed for the third time. Essentially any other combination of lighting sequences of the LEDs  24 ′ could be employed so long as they operate in response to manual activation of the push button switch  76 .  
         [0038]      FIG. 8  depicts a circuit  90  which operates in the same fashion as the circuit  80  of  FIG. 7  as described above, except it employs a single IC  92  instead of two separate ICs  54  and  82 . The first array of LEDs  24  are illuminated by the IC  86  in response to operation of the spring switch  52 , whereas the IC  86  causes the second array of LEDs  24 ′ to illuminate as described above upon receipt of a signal from the manual switch  76 .  
         [0039]     While the invention has been described with reference to a preferred embodiment, it should be understood by those skilled in the art that various changes may be made and equivalents substituted for elements thereof without departing from the scope of the invention. In addition, many modifications may be made to adapt a particular situation or material to the teachings of the invention without departing from the essential scope thereof.  
         [0040]     For example, each of the embodiments shown in  FIGS. 1-5  depict switches  30 ,  32  and  34  mounted to the upper  14  of the shoe  10  beneath a patch  36 - 40  or  42 - 46  bearing an indicia. Alternatively, the switches  30 - 34  may be provided with an exposed surface bearing an indicia, thus eliminating the need for a patch.  
         [0041]     Therefore, it is intended that the invention not be limited to the particular embodiment disclosed as the best mode contemplated for carrying out this invention, but that the invention will include all embodiments falling within the scope of the appended claims.