Abstract:
A light module, including a battery, which is connected to one or two electrically conductive springs which support an LED at their outer end. The LED, when moved and lighted, provides an attractive moving light. Such module is useful in shoes where the movement of the walker moves the LED. The LED is especially effective when energized by a motion sensitive switch.

Description:
BACKGROUND OF THE INVENTION 
     The field of the invention is lighted articles and the invention relates more particularly to devices which include footwear, toys and novelty items having a battery and a switch held by the device and which intermittently, either by motion or by an electric circuit, cause the light in the device to blink on and off or to stay on. Such devices have enjoyed widespread commercial success in footwear. One of the earlier designs is shown in applicant&#39;s U.S. Pat. No. 5,732,486. Other lighted footwear is shown in U.S. Pat. Nos. 4,848,009; 5,408,764; 5,419,061; 5,430,621; 5,490,338; 5,644,858; and 5,477,435. 
     The most popular lighted shoes utilize one or more LEDs turned on and off by a motion sensitive switch. Typically, such LEDs are mounted behind a transparent or translucent window in the sole or upper portion of the shoe, and there is always a desire to provide a more spectacular and attention-getting lighting system. 
     BRIEF SUMMARY OF THE INVENTION 
     It is an object of the present invention to provide a light module useful in toys, clothing or footwear which light moves as the object in which it is mounted moves. 
     The present invention is for a light module having a battery. At least one electrically conductive spring is electrically connected to one terminal of the battery and LED or other light source is electrically connected to the other end of the spring. The second terminal of the light and the second terminal of the battery are connected by a second flexible conductor which is preferably a second electrically conductive spring. Alternatively, a light is mechanically connected to a spring which is not electrically conductive and the light is ngaged by a pair of highly flexible wires. Preferably, a motion sensitive switch is added to the circuit so that when the assembly is placed in the heel of a shoe or in the body of a toy and the wearer is walking or the toy is being moved, the light is not only blinking on and off from the motion sensitive switch, but the lamp is also moving. 
    
    
     BRIEF DESCRIPTION OF THE DRAWINGS 
     FIG. 1 is a side view of a shoe containing the module of the present invention in the sole thereof. 
     FIG. 2 is a side view partly in cross-section of the module of the present invention. 
     FIG. 3 is a top view of the module of FIG.  2 . 
     FIG. 4 is a side view of a faceted lens placed in front of the LED of FIG.  2 . 
     FIG. 5 is a side view of a toy motor vehicle containing the module of the present invention. 
    
    
     DESCRIPTION OF THE PREFERRED EMBODIMENTS 
     A shoe is shown in FIG.  1  and indicated generally by reference character  10 . Shoe  10  has an upper  11  and a sole  12 . A hollow cavity is formed in sole  12  similar to that shown in U.S. Pat. No. 5,732,486, which is incorporated by reference herein for background purposes. A clear window  13 , which is preferably clear polyvinyl chloride, is sealed in the sole of the shoe and behind this is indicated a moving LED  14 . While LED  14  is shown in the sole of the shoe, it can, of course, be positioned in a pocket in the upper portion of the shoe and it can, of course, be at the toe, the heel, or any place around the sole. It can, of course, alternatively be positioned in another device such as a toy or a novelty item. 
     The module itself is shown in side view in FIG. 2 where a waterproof box  15  contains a battery  16 . A motion sensitive switch is generally indicated by reference character  17 . A first conductor  18  is connected through motion sensitive switch  17  to LED  14 . A pair of helical springs  19  and  20  hold the LED  14  in a cantilevered manner. Springs  19  and  20  are electrically conductive and are soldered or otherwise electrically connected to leads  21  and  22  of LED  14 . LED  14  might be a surface mount LED to minimize size and weight. 
     As the result of the mounting of LED  14  at the end of two flexible helical springs, and including a motion sensitive switch in the circuit, when a wearer of the shoe walks, the circuit is completed intermittently as the result of switch  17 , while at the same time, the LED is moving up/down and backwards/forward. The effect is very surprising and attention-getting. 
     The module of FIG. 2 is shown in top view in FIG. 3 where the motion sensitive switch can be seen to have a spring  23  with a weight  24  at its end. An electrical contact  25  is located intermediate between a spring support  26  and weight  24 . 
     While two helical springs are shown in FIGS. 1 and 2, it is also contemplated that LED  14  be supported by a single helical spring on one of the leads, such as lead  21 , and a flexible conductor, such as a small diameter wire, be used in place of helical spring  20 . Alternatively, in place of a helical spring, a thin conductive whisker could be used in place of the helical springs. A further option is the suporting of the LED or other lamp on a con-conducting spring and providing highly flexible wires to the lamp so that the wires do not restrict movement of the lamp. 
     It has also been found that an exceptionally spectacular appearance results when an optically distorted lens such as a faceted lens is used for the clear window  13 . The movement and the blinking on and off of the LED behind the faceted lens provides a very attractive appearance. While one LED is shown in the drawings, it is, of course, possible that two or more lamps can be spring supported by box  15 . It is also preferable, although not essential, that two springs be used, with one spring being mounted above the other when the LED is mounted in an elongated window, such as that shown in FIG. 1 of the drawings. In this way, the motion of the switch along the window is enhanced and the up and down motion, while still present, is lessened. 
     A toy truck  28  is shown in FIG. 5 supporting the module of FIGS. 2 and 3 therein. A faceted dome  27  is mounted on top of the truck  28 . A moveable LED  14  is supported within faceted dome  27 . As the truck  28  is moved, the LED  14  blinks on and off and moved back and forth under dome  27 . The module may also be supported in other novelty items such as balls, yo-yos and the like. 
     The present embodiments of this invention are thus to be considered in all respects as illustrative and not restrictive; the scope of the invention being indicated by the appended claims rather than by the foregoing description. All changes which come within the meaning and range of equivalency of the claims are intended to be embraced therein.