Abstract:
A covering for a skate incorporates a downwardly-directed LED illumination system. The covering is configured to wrap around and/or cover at least the lower portion of the shoe of the skate and may be formed of a flexible material such as cloth, or may be formed of a rigid or semi-rigid material such as a plastic or the like. The LED illumination system includes a first mount situated on a bottom side of the covering so as to be essentially parallel with a skating surface when the covering is situated on the skate and a second mount situated on another bottom side of the covering so as to be essentially parallel with the skating surface when the covering is situated on the skate. Each mount carries a plurality of LEDs so that the LEDs direct emanating light downward onto the skating surface. Circuitry, including a battery, switch and operating components/circuitry/logic, are carried on the inside of the covering and controls the lighting and/or lighting effects of the LEDs. The LEDs may be white, a single color, multiple colors, or any combination thereof.

Description:
RELATED APPLICATIONS 
       [0001]    This patent application is a continuation of co-pending U.S. patent application Ser. No. 11/517,980 filed Sep. 8, 2006 entitled “Skate Covering With Integral, Downwardly Projecting LED Illumination System”, the entire contents of which is specifically incorporated herein by reference and of which is claimed the benefit of and/or priority thereto. 
     
    
     BACKGROUND OF THE INVENTION 
       [0002]    1. Field of the Invention 
         [0003]    The present invention relates to illumination devices for skates and, more particularly, to a covering for a roller skate that incorporates a downwardly-directed LED illumination system. 
         [0004]    2. Background Information 
         [0005]    From roller skating to in-line skating to even ice skating, skating is a fun and healthful recreation and/or sport for many adults and children. Skating of all types is gaining in popularity especially because of the recognition of the healthful benefits such activity can bring. With popularity comes ingenuity. Some of such ingenuity has been directed towards providing illumination for skates. 
         [0006]    Illumination can provide visual imagery for the skater and for people watching the skater. It can also provide aesthetic enhancement for the skater and/or skate. Moreover, illumination provides a safety factor when used at night. Because of this, various illumination systems have been developed for skates as well as other items such as skateboards, shoes, headbands and gloves. 
         [0007]    However, with respect to skates, there are a number of prior art devices that are designed to provide illumination. For instance, U.S. Patent Publication 2004/0125595 by Salatino shows a skate light assembly that is interposed between a boot and the roller track of the skate. The skate light assembly includes a front light and rear light, with the rear light also being a switch. The front light directs light toward the front of the skate while the rear light directs light toward the rear of the skate. U.S. Pat. No. 6,238,055 issued to Wallace shows a powered lighting device for in-line skates and other sporting equipment wherein a battery case holding batteries is attached around the ankle of the skate. A flexible tube is attached to the battery case at one end and to a socket having a light bulb at the other end. The socket is affixed to the side of the skate shoe with a hook and loop material. The light bulb provides a forward directed light. Furthermore, U.S. Pat. No. 5,588,734 issued to Talamo et al. shows a side light for an in-line roller skate. The side light includes a battery housing that is attached around the ankle of the skate and includes a transparent tube holding a plurality of light elements. The tube is attached the side of the wheel mount and include a front light as well as a plurality of side lights. The plurality of side lights provides side illumination of the skating surface. Moreover, U.S. Pat. No. 5,516,149 issued to Moore shows a skate light apparatus that includes a self-contained, battery powered light assembly and an adjustable bracket or an adjustable strap for connecting the light assembly to the skate. The light assembly includes a housing, battery pack, a light source, and a switch. The light assembly may also include a rotatable reflector and an electric motor for rotating the reflector. 
         [0008]    Further examples of lighting systems include U.S. Pat. No. 5,513,080 issued to Magle et al. Magle provides an indirect lighting system for roller skates and skateboards. The lighting system is mounted under the shoe section of the skate or on the underside of the skateboard for directing light down from the bottom of the skate/board onto the skating surface. U.S. Pat. No. 5,484,164 issued to McInerney et al. shows an illumination system for roller skates, roller blades (in-line skates) or the like, that has a battery pack mounted to the back of the skate boot and a plurality of lights mounted along the side of the boot between a front headlight and a rear brake light. The lights are integral with the skate boot. The brake light is operable through the brake pad of the skate. The circuit wires may be embedded in the boot. Lastly, U.S. Pat. No. 4,367,515 issued to Beard shows a roller skate light attachment that is operable to be fitted between the toe stop and the toe stop support. 
         [0009]    A problem with some of these prior art lighting systems is that they are integral with the skate. Therefore, since they are permanently a part of the skate, they cannot be removed in order to transfer the lighting system to another skate if desired. Moreover, this complicates the ability to repair the lighting system if something should go wrong. 
         [0010]    A problem with other skate lighting systems is that they are either attached to the skate in an awkward manner or have components or elements that extend beyond the perimeters of the skate. In both instances, such lighting systems may be easily damaged during normal use. Moreover, such lighting systems can easily become detached from the skate. 
         [0011]    In still other cases, the lighting system is more akin to a headlight on a vehicle rather than being aesthetically pleasing in nature. 
         [0012]    It is therefore evident from the above that there is a need for a skate lighting/illumination system that can be easily removed and/or transferred to another skate. 
         [0013]    It is therefore also evident from the above that there is a need for a skate lighting/illumination system that eliminates or reduces the chance of breakage during use. 
         [0014]    It is therefore further evident from the above that there is a need for a skate lighting/illumination system that provides illumination on the skate in an aesthetically pleasing manner. 
       SUMMARY OF THE INVENTION 
       [0015]    The present invention is a covering for a skate having an integral, downwardly projecting LED illumination system. The covering is configured to wrap around and/or cover the shoe of the skate and may be formed of a flexible material such as cloth, or may be rigid or semi-rigid and formed of a plastic or the like. The LED illumination system includes a first mount situated on a bottom side of the covering so as to be essentially parallel with a skating surface when the covering is situated on the skate and a second mount situated on another bottom side of the covering so as to be essentially parallel with the skating surface when the covering is situated on the skate. Each mount carries a plurality of LEDs so that the LEDs direct emanating light downward onto the skating surface. Circuitry to drive and/or run the LEDs, including a battery and switch, are carried on the inside of the covering and controls the lighting and/or lighting effects of the LEDs. 
         [0016]    In one form, the present invention provides a covering for a skate that includes a body formed to cover a shoe portion of a skate, a first board carried on a first bottom side of the body and parallel to a skating surface when the body is situated onto the skate, a first plurality of LEDs carried on the first board and situated thereon to direct light emanating therefrom downwardly toward the skating surface, a second board carried on a second bottom side of the body and parallel to the skating surface when the body is situated onto the skate, a second plurality of LEDs carried on the second board and situated thereon to direct light emanating therefrom downwardly toward the skating surface, and circuitry connected to the first and second plurality of LEDs and adapted to drive the first and second plurality of LEDs. 
         [0017]    The present invention will be more apparent upon reading the following detailed description in conjunction with the accompanying drawings. 
     
    
     
       BRIEF DESCRIPTION OF THE DRAWINGS 
         [0018]    The above mentioned and other features and objects of this invention, and the manner of attaining them, will become more apparent and the invention itself will be better understood by reference to the following description of embodiments of the invention taken in conjunction with the accompanying drawings, wherein: 
           [0019]      FIG. 1  is a perspective view of a roller skate having an exemplary embodiment of a skate covering with an integral, downwardly projecting LED illumination system fashioned in accordance with the present principles; 
           [0020]      FIG. 2  is a bottom view of the roller skate of  FIG. 1  having the present exemplary skate covering with the integral, downwardly projecting LED illumination system thereon particularly illustrating a manner in which the covering is retained onto the skate; 
           [0021]      FIG. 3  is a rear view of the roller skate of  FIG. 1  having the present exemplary skate covering with the integral, downwardly projecting LED illumination system thereon particularly illustrating a manner in which the covering is retained onto the skate; 
           [0022]      FIG. 4  is a perspective underside view of the present exemplary skate covering with the integral, downwardly projecting LED illumination system; 
           [0023]      FIG. 5  is a perspective underside view of another exemplary skate covering with an integral, downwardly projecting LED illumination system fashioned in accordance with the present principles; 
           [0024]      FIG. 6  is a perspective view of the skate covering with integral, downwardly projection LED illumination system of  FIG. 6  illustrating a manner in which the skate covering is placed on a roller skate; and 
           [0025]      FIG. 7  is a perspective view of an in-line skate having a skate covering with an integral, downwardly projection LED illumination system fashioned in accordance with the present principles. 
       
    
    
       [0026]    Like reference numerals indicate the same or similar parts throughout the several figures. 
       DETAILED DESCRIPTION OF THE PREFERRED EMBODIMENTS 
       [0027]    Referring to  FIGS. 1-3 , there is depicted a typical roller skate  10  on which is disposed a skate covering with an integral, downwardly projecting LED illumination system, generally designated  12 , fashioned in accordance with the present principles. The skate covering  12  is configured, adapted and/or operable to provide, in addition to other features, aesthetically pleasing illumination emanating from the underside of the skate  10 . Particularly, the skate covering  12  provides downwardly projecting illumination or light of one or more colors, of white light, or a combination thereof as desired from right and left undersides of the skate. 
         [0028]    With additional reference to  FIG. 4 , the covering  12  is defined by a body  14  that, in this embodiment, is fabricated from a flexible material such as cloth. The cloth may also be somewhat stretchable if desired. The body  14  is designed to extend about the shoe portion of the skate  10 . Since there are different sizes of skates, the body  14  may be come in different sizes in order to accommodate different sizes of skates. Because the body  14  is made from a cloth or cloth-like material, the covering  12  may include a toe guard  16  that covers the toe area of the covering  12  and thus the toe area of the shoe of the skate  10 . The toe guard  16  may be fabricated from a relatively hard and/or durable material such as a plastic or similar material. 
         [0029]    The covering  12  is designed to fit over the shoe of the skate  10  in a toe first manner. Particularly, the toe portion of the body  14  is slipped over the toe portion of the skate shoe and then fastened at the rear or heel of the skate shoe. As best seen in  FIG. 2 , the body  14  extends over the end of the toe of the shoe of the skate.  FIGS. 2 and 4  show an optional toe strap  36  that is configured to fit underneath the toe of the shoe of the skate and beyond the toe stop thereof and which aids in retaining the front or toe part of the covering  12  onto the front part or toe of the shoe of the skate.  FIG. 3  illustrates the closing of the rear of the covering  12 . Particularly, the rear of the body  14  includes straps  18   a ,  18   b  that preferably, but not necessarily, each have a portion of a hook and loop material such as Velcro® that allows the straps  18   a ,  18   b  to be releasably attached to one another. The straps  18   a ,  18   b  may be fastened together in other manners. Additionally, the rear of the body  14  may not have straps but incorporate a closure mechanism. In  FIG. 3 , the rear of the covering  12  is shown before closure. In this manner, the covering  12  is retained on the shoe of the skate  10 . 
         [0030]      FIG. 2  depicts the bottom left and right sides of the covering  12  as the covering  12  fits around and onto the left and right bottom sides of the skate  10 . The bottom left side of the covering includes a mount  30   a  that extends between the front and rear skate wheels. The mount  30   a  is rigid and may be fabricated from a plastic, plexi-glass or the like. The mount  30   a  includes a slot  32   a  that retains one end of a bottom strap  34 . The bottom right side of the covering includes a mount  30   b  that extends between the front and rear skate wheels preferably, but not necessarily, in like manner to mount  30   a . The mount  30   b  is rigid and may be fabricated from a plastic, plexi-glass or the like. The mount  30   b  includes a slot  32   b  that is sized, adapted and/or configured to receive the other end of the strap  34  therethrough. The strap  34  has hook and loop material (e.g. Velcro®) thereon that allows the end of the strap  34  to be attached to itself when looped around the slot  32   b  and back towards slot  32   a . In this manner, the bottom sides of the body  14  are held together underneath the skate  10 . 
         [0031]    In accordance with the principles of the present invention, the covering  12  includes a first circuit board  20   a  that is carried on the mount  30   a  on the bottom left side of the body  14  and a second circuit board  20   b  carried on the mount  30   b  on the bottom right side of the body  14 . The circuit board  20   a  has a plurality of LEDs  22   a  situated along its length. While five (5) LEDs are shown, it should be appreciated that the number of LEDs may vary. In like manner, the circuit board  20   b  has a plurality of LEDs  22   b  situated along its length. Again, while five (5) LEDs are shown, it should be appreciated that the number of LEDs may vary. Also, the number of LEDs may be the same on each circuit board or may be different. The LEDs  22   a ,  22   b  may emit white light, a single color of light, or any combination of white and/or colored light. The LEDs  22   a ,  22   b  may also be multi-colored LEDs such as are known in the art. The circuit boards  20   a ,  20   b  have the necessary electrical components, circuitry, logic or the like to drive the LEDs. It should be appreciated that the LEDs  22   a ,  22   b  may be mounted onto something other than a circuit board or rigid mount. For instance, the LEDs may be mounted directly onto the material of the body of the covering. 
         [0032]    As best seen in  FIG. 4 , a battery  42  retained in a battery clip  40  is used as a source of electricity and is disposed on the inside of the body  14 . The battery  42  is shown as a typical nine (9) volt battery. It should be appreciated that other types, styles and/or voltages of batteries and/or more than one battery may be used to power the LEDs. The circuitry for the LEDs is adapted to utilize the chosen battery or batteries. The LEDs  22   a ,  22   b  are thus driven by DC voltage. A switch  46  is provided in the circuitry to turn the LEDs on and off. Wires  48  emanate from the circuitry/circuit board  20   a  and extend around the body  14  to connect to the circuitry/circuit board  20   b . Preferably, and as shown, the wires  48  are sewn into or are provided within an inside covering of the body  14  in order to hide and/or protect the wires  48 . 
         [0033]    In one form, the circuitry/logic that drives the LEDs  22   a ,  22   b  functions to continuously light all of the LEDs  22   a ,  22   b  once turned on. Alternatively or additionally, the circuitry/logic may provide various modes of lighting of the LEDs  22   a ,  22   b . Such modes of lighting may provide for continuous flashing of all or certain ones of the LEDs such as by color and/or position. Another mode may be a running or sequence mode whereby a first to last LED is turned on then off, and then repeats itself. Other modes may be derived from a combination of the above as well as other sequences as desired. Other modes are contemplated. Any one or all of these modes may be done for each bank of LEDs  22   a  and  22   b  at the same time or alternately. 
         [0034]      FIG. 3  depicts an optional cover  25   a  that is situated over the LEDs  22   a . The cover  25   a  is formed of a translucent or semi-translucent material in order to allow the light from the LEDs  22   a  to be seen there the cover  25   a . The cover  25   a  extends from and along the mount  30   a . Likewise, an optional cover  25   b  is depicted that is situated over the LEDs  22   b . The cover  25   b  is formed of a translucent or semi-translucent material in order to allow the light from the LEDs  22   b  to be seen there the cover  25   b . The cover  25   b  extends from and along the mount  30   b . The covers  25   a ,  256   b  are not shown in  FIG. 4  for clarity. 
         [0035]    Referring now to  FIG. 5 , there is shown another embodiment of a covering  60  fashioned in accordance with the present principles. The covering  60  includes a rigid or semi-rigid body  62  that is shaped as a skate shoe. The body  62  may be thus formed of a flexible or rigid material such as plastic or the like. A toe strap  78  may be provided to help hold the body  62  onto the skate shoe. The body  62  has a left circuit board/mount  66   a  that extends transversely from a bottom left side of the body  62 , and a right circuit board/mount  66   b  that extends transversely from a bottom right side of the body  62 . The mounts  66   a  and  66   b  may be formed of the same material as the body  62  or may be formed of another material if desired. The back or heel of the body  62  is open to form a left end flap  82   a  and a right end flap  82   b . The left and right end flaps  82   a ,  82   b  preferably, but not necessarily, include a closure mechanism to hold the flaps  82   a ,  82   b  together and retain the covering  60  onto the skate  10 . 
         [0036]    The mount  66   a  carries a plurality of LEDs  68   a  and an on/off switch  70 . The mount  66   b  carries a plurality of LEDs  68   b . While four (4) LEDs are shown on mount  66   a , it should be appreciated that the number of LEDs may vary. The mount  66   b  has five (5) LEDs which is different in number than the number of LEDs  66   a  carried on the mount  66   a . It should be appreciated that the number of LEDs may vary. The LEDs  66   a ,  66   b  may emit white light, a single color of light, or any combination of white and/or colored light. The LEDs  66   a ,  66   b  may also be multi-colored LEDs such as are known in the art. The circuit boards  60   a ,  60   b  have the necessary electrical components, circuitry, logic or the like to drive the LEDs. Moreover, while not shown in the embodiment of  FIG. 5 , covers like the covers  25   a ,  25   b  for the covering  12 , may be situated over the LEDs  68   a ,  68   b . Alternatively, the LEDs  68   a ,  68   b  may be recessed mounted in the mounts  66   a ,  66   b  with or without a cover for protection thereof. This may also apply to covering  12 . 
         [0037]    The underside of the body  62  carries a battery  72  retained in a battery clip  72  that is used as a source of electricity. The battery  72  is shown as a typical nine (9) volt battery. It should again be appreciated that other types, styles and/or voltages of batteries and/or more than one battery may be used to power the LEDs. The circuitry for the LEDs is adapted to utilize the chosen battery or batteries. The LEDs  66   a ,  66   b  are thus driven by DC voltage. Wires  76  emanate from the circuitry/circuit board/mount  60   a  and extend around the body  62  to connect to the circuitry/circuit board/mount  60   b . Preferably, and as shown, the wires  48  are formed into or are provided within an inside covering of the body  62  in order to hide and/or protect the wires  76 . 
         [0038]    In one form, the circuitry/logic that drives the LEDs  66   a ,  66   b  functions to continuously light all of the LEDs  66   a ,  66   b  once turned on. Alternatively or additionally, the circuitry/logic may provide various modes of lighting of the LEDs  66   a ,  66   b . Such modes of lighting may provide for continuous flashing of all or certain ones of the LEDs such as by color and/or position. Another mode may be a running or sequence mode whereby a first to last LED is turned on then off, and then repeats itself. Other modes may be derived from a combination of the above as well as other sequences as desired. Other modes are contemplated. Any one or all of these modes may be done for each bank of LEDs  66   a  and  66   b  at the same time or alternately. 
         [0039]      FIG. 6  depicts the manner in which the covering  60  is placed or received onto the skate  10 . Because the covering  60  is rigid or at least semi-rigid, it fits down over the skate shoe. The toe of the body  62  is received over the toe of the shoe of the skate  10  while the back of the body  62  is closed around the heel of the skate  10 . 
         [0040]    It should be appreciated that while not shown, the present LED skate covering may be used on other types of skates such as in-line skates, ice skates or the like. For example,  FIG. 7  depicts the skate covering  12  on an in-line skate. The covering  12  is also shown without a protective toe piece or cover. 
         [0041]    While the invention has been illustrated and described in detail in the drawings and foregoing description, the same is to be considered as illustrative and not restrictive in character, it being understood that only preferred embodiments have been shown and described and that all changes and modifications that come within the spirit of the invention are desired to be protected.