Abstract:
Lighted articles of clothing may have lighting in a removal liner. An outer shell may be translucent, transparent, or may have openings which allows the lighting to be visible from outside the article. The removable liner may be easily removable to enable washing of the article or reconfiguration of lighting characteristics including, but not limited to, change of color, pattern, type of lighting source, or quantity of lights.

Description:
FIELD 
       [0001]    This disclosure relates generally to lighted clothing. 
       BACKGROUND 
       [0002]    A person may wear articles of clothing for protection from the elements. For example, a jacket may protect its wearer from cold or wind. Reflective material may add an extra factor for safety, allowing a wearer to be more visible if headlights shine on the material. 
       SUMMARY 
       [0003]    The following presents a simplified summary of the disclosure to provide a basic understanding to the reader. This summary is not an extensive overview of the disclosure, nor does it identify key or critical elements of the claimed subject matter or define its scope. Its&#39; sole purpose is to present some concepts disclosed in a simplified form as a precursor to the more detailed description that is later presented. 
         [0004]    The present disclosure relates to an article of clothing in which lighting disposed inside the article may be visible outside the article by passing through the article. The lighting may be easily removable to enable washing of the article or reconfiguration of lighting characteristics including, but not limited to, change of color, pattern, type of lighting source, or quantity of lights. Another embodiment of the present invention may allow adding the features of the first embodiment to an existing article of clothing. 
     
    
     
       BRIEF DESCRIPTION OF THE DRAWINGS 
         [0005]    Following is a brief description of the drawings that will be used to describe the advantages and features of the present invention. 
           [0006]      FIG. 1  shows a removable lining partially removed from a lighted jacket to display both a front side and a reverse side, according to one embodiment. 
           [0007]      FIG. 2  shows a front side of a lighted jacket liner, according to one embodiment. 
           [0008]      FIG. 3  displays a reverse view of a lighted jacket liner, according to one embodiment. 
           [0009]      FIG. 4  displays a reverse view of a lighted jacket, according to one embodiment. 
       
    
    
     DETAILED DESCRIPTION 
       [0010]    Reference is now made in detail to the description of the embodiments as illustrated in the drawings. In the following detailed description, reference is made to the accompanying drawings which form a part hereof wherein like numerals designate like parts throughout, and in which are shown, by way of illustration, specific embodiments in which the disclosure may be practiced. Various aspects of the illustrative embodiments will be described using terms commonly employed by those skilled in the art to convey the substance of their work to others skilled in the art. However, the embodiments described herein may be practiced with only some of the described aspects. For purposes of explanation, specific numbers, materials, and configurations may be set forth to provide a thorough understanding of the illustrative embodiments. However, the embodiments described herein may be practiced without the specific details. In other instances, well-known features are omitted or simplified in order not to obscure the illustrative embodiments. Further, various operations may be described as multiple discrete operations, in turn, in a manner that may be helpful in understanding the embodiments described herein; however, the order of description should not be construed as to imply that these operations are necessarily order-dependent. In particular, these operations need not be performed in the order of presentation. 
         [0011]      FIG. 1  shows Removable Liner  110  partially removed from Jacket  100  to display both a front side and a reverse side, according to one embodiment. 
         [0012]    Removable Liner  110  is shown here partially removed in order to illustrate Reverse Side  120 , which may have a plurality of channels, loops, hooks, webbings, or pockets, which may be configured to hold lighting or other electronic devices. Jacket  100  may be made of transparent or translucent material, or may have transparent or translucent sections, or may have holes, which may allow lighting disposed into Removable Liner  110  to be seen while Jacket  100  is worn by a user. Light sources, such as light-emitting diode strings, fiber optics, electroluminescent wire, fiber optics, or other light sources, may be installed, removed or reconfigured, which may allow for cleaning of the garment, replacement of non-functioning light sources, or changing the lighting characteristics such as color, intensity or pattern. Other types of electronics may also be disposed in Removable Liner  110 , and may share a common power supply, charging system, or wiring bus, for example. One having ordinary skill in the art will recognize there may be many uses for Removable Liner  110  configured to hold electronic devices. Shell  130  may be of a color, thickness, and design to allow transmission of light through it from Removable Liner  110 . 
         [0013]    Removable Liner  110  may be removed from the Shell  130  to allow Shell  130  to be washed, which may allow the configuration of lighting or other electronics to remain in Removable Liner  110 . Removable Liner  110  may be attached by Zipper  140 . Other means of attachment may include, buttons, snaps or hook and loop fastener strips, for example, Velcro®. 
         [0014]      FIG. 2  shows a front side of Removable Liner  110 , according to one embodiment. In one embodiment, Removable Liner  110  may be attached to another garment, for example, a jacket, by means of Zipper  140 . Removable Liner  110  may have Pocket  220 , positioned to allow easy access to Device  220 , which may be, for example, a lighting power supply or a controller, which may allow the wearer to activate, deactivate, replace batteries, or otherwise control the characteristics of electronics. For example, Device  220  may include a dimer, a switch to control a lighting chase sequence, or a simple switch. One having skill in the art will recognize that Device  220  may control many different types of electronics in many different ways. 
         [0015]      FIG. 3  shows a reverse side of Removable Liner  110 . The reverse side of Removable Liner  110  may be composed of multiple layers. One embodiment may have Inner Layer  310 , made of a reflective material in order to direct the light out through Jacket  100 . Outer Layer  320  may be made from transparent or translucent material to allow transmission of light through Jacket  100 . Outer Layer  320  may be attached to Inner Layer  310  to create Channels or Pockets  330 , which may be open on the top, center or bottom. Outer Layer  320  may be Stitched  340 , glued, or otherwise attached, to Inner Layer  310 , which may impart a zigzag pattern to Channels or Pockets  330 . A light source, for example, light emitting diode strings, fiber optics, or electroluminescent wire, may be inserted into Channels or Pockets  330 . One or more holes may be provided in Inner Layer  310  to allow, for example, electrical power leads to pass through from the Inner Liner  310 , which may allow a power supply or light controller disposed in Channels or Pockets  330  to connect to a linear light source. 
         [0016]    In another embodiment, Lighted Clothing may provide a liner with a means to attach to an existing garment. Attachment methods may include, for example, buttons, snaps, or hook and loop fasteners. This may provide a removable lighted liner into which linear light sources such as light-emitting diode strings, fiber optics, or electroluminescent wire may be installed, removed or reconfigured to allow for cleaning of the garment, replacement of non-functioning light sources or changing the lighting characteristics such as color, intensity or pattern. This may allow an existing garment to be used while allowing lights to enhance safety or aesthetics. 
         [0017]    In yet another embodiment, similar enhancements may be applied to other garments or apparel, for example pants, hats, sweatshirts, shoes, socks, lingerie, ski masks, vests, scarfs, gloves and underwear. 
         [0018]    In yet another embodiment, Lighted Clothing may include energy harvesting and/or storage devices, for example, an integrated solar generating device. An energy storage device may be attached directly to lighting device or may allow for other components or accessories to be connected providing continuous power, or an ability to connect power to charge a battery, for example. In yet another embodiment, controls may be accessible in an integrated manner on the exterior of Lighted Clothing. 
         [0019]      FIG. 4  displays a reverse view of a jacket  100 , according to one embodiment. Lights  410  may be disposed in Removable Liner  110  inside Jacket  100 . Lights  410  may, for example, be light-emitting diode strings, fiber optics, or electroluminescent wire. Lights  410  may show as points or short lengths of light, or may be continuous along Channels or Pockets  330  in Removable Liner  110 . 
         [0020]    The foregoing description of various embodiments of the invention has been presented for the purposes of illustration and description. It is not intended to be exhaustive or to limit the invention to the precise form disclosed. It is intended that the scope of the invention be limited not by this detailed description, but rather by the claims appended hereto. The above specification, examples and data provide a complete description of the manufacture and use of the invention. Since many embodiments of the invention can be made without departing from the spirit and scope of the invention, the invention resides in the claims hereinafter appended.