Patent Publication Number: US-2016242490-A1

Title: Footwear With LED System

Description:
This application claims the benefit of U.S. provisional application No. 62/049,518 filed on Sep. 12, 2014, the disclosure of which is incorporated herein in its entirety by reference. A petition to restore the benefit of provisional application No. 62/049,518 under 37 CFR 1.78(b) is being filed herewith. 
    
    
     BACKGROUND OF THE INVENTION 
     1. Field of the Invention 
     The present disclosure relates generally to footwear including lighting means disposed in the sole of a shoe. More particularly, the invention is directed to an improved shoe having an outsole including an LED system comprising a plurality of LED light sources individually encased within a resistant housing, the plurality of LED light sources are connected using a flexible LED belt to link the housing of each LED source. The system of the present invention allows a user to control the brightness and color or color combination of the LED light sources and allow a user to synchronize the color of the LED light sources to music. 
     2. Description of the Related Art 
     Footwear with lighting means incorporated therein is known in the art. Footwear including lighting devices is fun and fashionable. Additionally, footwear with lighting devices provides a safety feature by allowing a user to have greater visibility. The prior art teaches footwear having a light source, such as an LED, a portable power supply and a manually operated power switch connected as an electric circuit. The prior art further teaches footwear having a light source wherein the power switch is not manually operated, but rather includes a switching circuit mechanism to switch the light source on or off in association with a motion sensor or other sensing device, such as a sensor that is activated on impact. 
     LED lights incorporated in footwear are often subjected to flexing and pounding motion as the user walks or runs. Thus, it has been found that LED lights in the sole of footwear known the prior art are prone to breakage. 
     It is desirable to have footwear that includes LED light sources in footwear that are resistant to breakage and also allow a user to synchronize the color of the LED lights to stimuli, such as music. 
     SUMMARY OF THE INVENTION 
     In accordance with the present invention, footwear including LED lights is disclosed. The present invention teaches that the LED lights are controlled by a main electronic circuitry positioned within the sole of a shoe, whereby the electronic circuitry is equipped with a standard short-range wireless interconnection, such as for example, Bluetooth technology. A user may thereby manipulate and control the brightness of the LED lights, or change the color or color combination by sending a signal via a computing device, such as a smart phone or tablet. A program that synchronizes the LED lights to alter color, color brightness or even the speed at which the colors change, in response to music may also be included in a software application within the computing device and linked via wireless interconnection to the electronic circuitry embedded within the sole of the shoe. 
     The footwear includes an LED belt or strip for retaining a plurality of LED lights within the LED strip. It is noted herein that the term LED belt and LED strip may be used interchangeably throughout this disclosure. The LED belt includes a plurality of LED lights secured therein. A segment of the LED strip includes LED lights, wherein the LED lights are individually encased within a resistant housing unit to protect against breakage of the LED lights. Each individual LED light is connected to a mini circuit board to form an LED unit, prior to being encased within the resistant housing. Together, the combined LED light and mini circuit board encased within the resistant housing form an LED circuit box. Soldering technology is utilized to connect the combined LED light and circuit board to wiring within the LED belt. Thus, the LED belt comprises a plurality of LED circuit boxes. 
     Each LED circuit box is positioned within a recessed cavity in the sole of the footwear, whereby the recessed cavity is dimensioned to receive an LED circuit box within the cavity in a comfortably snug fit. At least one recessed cavity for receiving at least one LED circuit box is located along an area of the sole proximate to a perimeter of the sole of the footwear. In a preferred embodiment, recessed cavities for receiving the LED belt including LED circuit boxes are positioned along a perimeter of an anterior portion of the shoe or footwear. The LED belt includes wiring that connects the LED circuit boxes. The LED belt is positioned along the perimeter of the sole of the shoe. In a preferred embodiment the LED belt links the LED lights of the LED circuit boxes in series. 
     In a preferred embodiment, the sole of the footwear includes opposing walls that form a channel therebetween. The channel includes a series of arcuate grooves that project from an area of the sole proximate to the perimeter in a direction towards a center axis of the sole. The opposing walls of the channel alternately form arcuate grooves and recessed cavities. The recessed cavities of the channel are for retaining the LED circuit boxes of the LED belt. The channel includes a plurality of alternating recessed cavities and arcuate grooves that provide a groove for the LED belt to snake through within the channel. Thus, the LED belt comprising the LED circuit boxes weaves through the channel with an LED circuit box secured within each of the recessed channels with remaining portions of the LED belt secured within the arcuate grooves of the channel. The flexibility of the LED belt allows the LED belt to weave in and out of the arcuate grooves and to generally adopt the shape of the grooves. This configuration results in a more secure arrangement of the LED lights and helps prevent breakage of the LED lights. In addition, the weaving of the LED belt between the recessed cavities and arcuate grooves within the channel, secures the LED belt and provides for absorption of the impact that would ordinarily be borne by the LED lights as a result of the flexing of the foot 
     In an alternative embodiment, a portion of the LED belt secured within one or more arcuate grooves may be twisted or bent over to form a spiral curve or loop. The configuration of a spiral curve or loop within the arcuate groove, further twists the LED belt into the groove within the sole in order to further protect the LED belt, the LED circuit boxes and LED lights from breaking. 
     In a preferred embodiment, portions of the LED belt are twisted or bent into a spiral curve or loop in at least four sections of the LED belt. Each of the twisted loop portions of the LED belt are secured within at least four arcuate grooves of the sole, in particular, within two arcuate grooves on each side of the sole, whereby the arcuate grooves are positioned in a region that defines a flexing area of the sole, thus providing greater protection for the LED belt and LED lights from breaking while the wearer&#39;s foot is flexing. 
     The present invention includes the use of a power source that is attached to a circuit board equipped with a standard short-range wireless interconnection, such as for example, Bluetooth technology. In a preferred embodiment, the power source is a 3.7 volt battery, such as for example, the type used in cellular telephones. 
     It is an object of the invention to provide footwear including LED lights, wherein the LED lights are more resistant to breakage. 
     It is another object of the invention to provide footwear that allows a user to moderate and control the brightness of the colors emanating from the LED lights. 
     It is yet another object of the invention to provide footwear that is fun and fashionable and allows a user to synchronize music to the color speed, color combination and/or the color brightness of the LED lights. 
     It is yet another object of the invention to provide footwear with LED lights that can provide an added safety feature to pedestrians, workers in construction, snowboarders, as well as a multitude of other activities. 
     It is another object of the invention to provide footwear with LED lights that are resistant to damage resulting from flexing the outsole while walking. 
     An advantage of the present invention is that it utilizes a standard short-range wireless interconnection to allow a user to control the color speed, color combination and/or the color brightness of the LED lights using a computing device, such as for example a smart phone. 
     Another advantage of the present invention is that the power source may be recharged using a double wire USB cable connected to a cell phone charger via a charging connector. 
     These and other aspects and advantages of the present disclosure will become apparent from the following detailed description of preferred embodiments of the invention considered in conjunction with the accompanying drawings, in which like drawings represent like components. It is to be understood, however, that the drawings are designed solely for purposes of illustration and not as a definition of the limits of the disclosure, for which reference should be made to the appended claims. Moreover, the drawings are not necessarily drawn to scale and that, unless otherwise indicated, they are merely intended to conceptually illustrate the structures and procedures described herein. 
    
    
     
       BRIEF DESCRIPTION OF THE DRAWINGS 
         FIG. 1  is a side view of a shoe incorporating the sole of the present invention and illustrating the LED belt as viewed from a lateral side. 
         FIG. 2  is a bottom view of the underside of the sole incorporating the LED belt within the channel and the battery and main circuit board of the present invention. 
         FIG. 3  is a top view of components of the present invention, in particular the enclosure and LED unit, including an LED light combined with a circuit board. 
         FIG. 4  is a top view of the LED circuit box of the present invention connected to wiring within the LED belt, of the present invention. 
         FIG. 5  is a bottom view of the LED circuit box of the present invention connected to wiring within the LED belt, of the present invention. 
         FIG. 6  is a perspective bottom view of the underside layer of the sole of footwear illustrating the channel, recessed cavities and arcuate grooves of the present invention. 
         FIG. 7  is a top view of the wire connections emanating from the main circuit board of the present invention. 
         FIG. 8  is a bottom view illustrating an alternative embodiment of the underside layer of the sole of footwear incorporating the LED belt within the channel of the present invention. 
         FIG. 8A  is a close up sectional view of the flexing area of the sole of the footwear illustrating the twisted loop of the LED belt secured within the arcuate grooves of the channel as shown in  FIG. 8 . 
     
    
    
     DETAILED DESCRIPTION OF THE PREFERRED EMBODIMENTS 
     Referring now to  FIGS. 1-8A , there is shown a sole of a shoe  10 , the sole  10  including a first layer  12 , a second layer  14 , a first lateral side  16 A and a second lateral side  16 B, the first and second lateral sides,  16 A,  16 B, located on either side of the sole  10 . 
     The sole  10  further includes an anterior region  18  for supporting an anterior region on the planter side of the foot, and a posterior region  20  for supporting a heel located at a posterior region on the planter side of the foot. 
     The first layer  12  includes a bottom  12 B, the bottom  12 B further including a plurality of recessed cavities  22  for receiving and retaining an LED circuit box  24  within each of the plurality of recessed cavities  22 . Each LED circuit box  24  includes a three primary color LED light  26  connected to a mini circuit board  28  to form an LED unit  30  which is further encased in a thermoplastic enclosure  32 . Each LED unit  30  within the LED circuit box  24  is connected to an LED belt  34 . The LED belt  34  comprises a plurality of LED circuit boxes  24 . The LED belt  34  must be soft and flexible in order to accommodate the flexing movement of the foot while walking or running. In a preferred embodiment, soldering technology is utilized to connect the LED unit  30  to wiring  46  within the LED belt  34 . The wiring  46  comprises a triple wire  46 A,  46 B and  46 C. Once the LED unit  30  is connected to the LED belt  34 , it is encased within the thermoplastic enclosure  32 , to form the LED circuit box  24 . 
     Each LED unit  30  is connected to the LED belt  34  with a triple wire  46 A,  46 B,  46 C. The wires,  46 A,  46 B and  46 C should be soft and flexible and covered with a sleeve  45  in order to prevent the color of the wires from being visible and interfering with the LED lights  26 . 
     The LED belt  34  is preferably composed of thermoplastic material. The LED belt  34  is flexible and at least semi transparent in order to allow the color of the LED light  26  to be perceived. The LED belt  34  is integrated within the bottom side  12 B of the first layer  12 . In particular, the LED belt  34  is secured within a channel  36  formed along a perimeter  37  of the bottom side  12 B of the first layer  12 . 
     The channel  36  of the bottom side  12 B of the first layer  12  includes opposing walls  38 A and  38 B, wherein the opposing walls  38 A and  38 B form a continuous channel along the entire perimeter  37 . In one embodiment, opposing walls  38 A and  38 B emerge at a substantially ninety degree angle relative to a top side  12 A of the first layer  12 . In a preferred embodiment opposing walls  38 A and  38 B, and lateral sides  16 A and  16 B are at least semi transparent so that the LED lights  26  can be seen through lateral sides  16 A and  16 B. 
     Opposing walls  38 A and  38 B of the channel  36  along the posterior portion  20  of the bottom side  12 B form a generally U-shaped channel at the posterior portion  20  of the bottom side  12 B. It is noted that the channel  36  includes a width and height sufficient to accommodate the LED belt  34  in a snug and comfortable fit that secures the LED belt  34  and allows sufficient space so as not to squeeze the LED belt  34  while the wearer is flexing his or her foot thereby rendering the LED belt  34  and portions thereof more susceptible to breakage. In a preferred embodiment, the LED belt  34  is secured within the channel  34  with a plurality of retaining straps  40 . 
     In contrast to the channel  36  at the posterior portion  20 , the channel  36  at the anterior portion  18  of the first layer  12  includes a plurality of recessed cavities  22  for receiving and retaining at least one LED circuit box  24  within each recessed cavity  22  in a snug and comfortable fit, whereby the recessed cavities  22  are of a shape and size sufficient to accommodate and retain the at least one LED circuit box  24  within each recessed cavity  22  such that there is sufficient space so as not to squeeze the LED belt  34  thereby rendering the LED circuit box  24  within the recessed cavity  22  susceptible to breakage while the wearer flexes his or her foot. The channel  36  further forms a plurality of twisting indentations or arcuate grooves  42  that project from the perimeter  37  of the bottom side  12 B of the first layer  12 , most proximate to lateral sides  16 A and  16 B, in a direction toward a central axis  39  along a length of the sole  10 . 
     The channel  36  alternately forms arcuate grooves  42  between the recessed cavity cavities  22 . Thus, the opposing walls  38 A and  38 B of the channel at the anterior portion  18  form an alternating pattern of recessed cavities  22  for accommodating LED circuit boxes  24 , and arcuate grooves  42  for receiving portions of the LED belt  34  that do not include LED circuit boxes  24 . 
     Thus, since the LED belt  34  is retained in a curved formation in arcuate grooves  42  within the anterior portion  18  of the sole  10 , and the LED circuit boxes  24  are secured in recessed cavities  22 , the tensile force will stay in the LED belt  34  while the foot of the user is flexing, instead of going to a joint point  44  directly at an arcuate groove  42 , thereby rendering the LED lights  26  more resistant to breakage. 
     In one embodiment, a portion of the LED belt  34  is twisted to form a loop or a spiral curve of increasing diameter  35  within the arcuate groove  42  of the channel  36 . The configuration of a spiral curve or loop  35  within the arcuate groove  42 , further relieves the stress to the LED belt  34  within the channel  36  in order to further protect the LED belt  34 , the LED circuit boxes  24 , or a portion thereof from breaking. 
     In a preferred embodiment, portions of the LED belt  34  are twisted into four separate spiral curves  35 , such that each of the loops  35  of the LED belt  34  are individually secured within an arcuate groove  42 . Thus, two arcuate grooves  42  on the first lateral side  16 A and two arcuate grooves  42  on lateral side  16 B each include portions of the LED belt  34  configured in a curved spiral or loop  35 . The arcuate grooves  42  including the LED belt  34  twisted in spiral curve or loop  35  on either side  16 A,  16 B of the sole  10  are positioned in an anterior region  18  that defines the flexing area  41  of the sole  10  during walking, thus providing greater protection for the LED belt  34  or any portion thereof, from breakage while the wearer&#39;s foot is flexing. 
     In a preferred embodiment, the arcuate grooves  42  formed by opposing walls  38 A and  38 B in channel  36  are generally curved in a “C” shape  42 A along the perimeter  37  most proximate to lateral side  16 A. In contrast, the arcuate grooves  42  formed by opposing walls  38 A and  38 B in channel  36  are generally curved in the shape of a reverse “C” groove  42 B along the perimeter  37  most proximate the lateral side  16 B. Grooves  42 A and  42 B within the channel  36  are dimensioned to receive and retain the LED belt  34  in a secure position while allowing sufficient space so as not to squeeze the LED belt  34  while a wearer&#39;s foot flexes, in order to prevent breakage of the LED belt  34 . 
     Thus, the joint mode and positioning of the LED belt  34  includes a plurality of LED circuit boxes  24  positioned within recessed cavities in alternating fashion with the LED belt  34  conforming to the shape of a generally curved “C” in grooves  42 A and the shape of a generally curved reverse “C” in grooves  42 B results in an LED belt  34  having a unique flexing technology, capable to absorbing the force of impact from walking or running, thereby the LED lights  26  within the sole  10  are more resistant to breakage and other damage. 
     A void space  48  for receiving a main circuit board  50  is located in the bottom of the first layer  12 B. In a preferred embodiment, the void space is located at a relative midpoint  52  of the anterior portion  18  of the bottom of the first layer  12 B. 
     In a preferred embodiment, the main circuit board  50  is equipped with a standard short-range wireless interconnection, for example, Bluetooth technology for receiving commands remotely, from a smart phone or other computing device. Thus, the brightness, color combination and speed of the LED lights  26  may be controlled by a software application installed on a smart phone or other computing device that is enabled to communicate via short-range wireless interconnection with the main circuit board  50 . In a preferred embodiment, the brightness, color combination and speed of the LED lights  26  may also be synchronized to a music or song. The main circuit board  50  may also serve to adjust and stabilize the electronic power voltage. 
     An aperture  54  positioned in the posterior portion  20  of the bottom of the first layer  12 B accommodates a power source  56 . The power source  56  is connected to the main circuit board  50  and is used to power the LED lights  26 . In a preferred embodiment, the power source  56  is a standard 3.7 volt cellular telephone battery. 
     In an alternative embodiment, a double wire USB cable connected to a battery charger  60  via a charging connector may be used to recharge the battery  56 . 
     Referring now in particular to the drawings,  FIG. 1  is side view of footwear, including a sole  10  incorporating the present invention. 
     Referring now to  FIGS. 1-2  there is shown the shoe sole  10  with LED lights  26 , the shoe sole  10  comprising the first lateral side  16 A and the second lateral side  16 B wherein the second lateral side  16 B is positioned opposite to the first lateral side  16 A of the sole  10  for accommodating a planter side of a foot. 
     The shoe sole  10  further includes first layer  12  having top side  12 A and a bottom  12 B, the first layer  12  is disposed on top of the second layer  14 , the second layer  14  includes the top side  14 A and bottom side  14 B wherein top side  14 A is positioned below bottom side  12 B and the bottom side  14 B is for contacting a surface while in use. 
     First wall  38 A and second wall  38 B positioned along the perimeter  37  on the first bottom side  12 B of the first layer  12 , wherein the first wall  38 A and second wall  38 B form a channel  36  therebetween. The channel  36  further including a plurality of recessed cavities  22  and a plurality of arcuate grooves  42 , wherein the plurality of arcuate grooves  42  are positioned in an alternating pattern with the plurality of recessed cavities  22 . The arcuate grooves  42  form a generally “C” shape groove  42 A along the perimeter  37  proximate to the first lateral side  16 A and a generally reverse “C” shape groove  42 B along the perimeter  37  proximate to the second lateral side  16 B. 
     The sole  10  further includes a main circuit board  50  and the power source  56 . The main circuit board  50  is connected to the power source  56 , LED belt  34  and the charger  60  (shown in  FIG. 1 ) for charging the power source  56 . In a preferred embodiment, the main circuit board  50  is in electrical communication with the power source  56 , LED belt  34  and the charger  60  for charging the power source  56  via electrical wiring. 
       FIG. 3  is a top view of components of the present invention, in particular the enclosure  32  and LED unit  30  including an LED light  26  combined with a mini circuit board  28 . Thus, by connecting each of the mini circuit boards  28  to each of the LED lights  26 , it is possible to display an individual or unique color, color combination and brightness of each LED light  26  within each of the LED units  30  of the LED belt  34 . It is appreciated that the mini circuit boards  28  are dimensioned to fit with an individual LED light  26  within the LED unit  30  and LED belt  34 . The LED circuit box  24  includes a combined LED light  26  and mini circuit board  28  encased within the enclosure  32 . 
       FIG. 4  is a top view of the LED circuit box  24  connected to a triple wire  46 A,  46 B,  46 C within the LED belt  34 . 
       FIG. 5  is a bottom view of the LED circuit box  24  connected to a triple wire  46 A,  46 B,  46 C within the LED belt  34 . 
       FIG. 6  is a bottom view of the underside layer of the sole  10  of the footwear illustrating the channel  36 , including the recessed cavities  22  and arcuate grooves  42 . First wall  38 A and second wall  38 B are positioned along the perimeter  37  on the first bottom side  12 B of the first layer  12 , wherein the first wall  38 A and the second wall  38 B form a channel  36  therebetween. The channel  36  further includes a plurality of recessed cavities  22  and a plurality of arcuate grooves  42 , wherein the plurality of arcuate grooves  42  are positioned in an alternating pattern with the plurality of recessed cavities  22 . The arcuate grooves  42  further form a generally “C” shape groove  42 A along the perimeter  37  proximate to the first lateral side  16 A and a generally reverse “C” shape groove  42 B along the perimeter  37  proximate to the second lateral side  16 B. The posterior  20  and anterior  18  portions of the sole  10  support the planter side of the user&#39;s foot. 
     The aperture  54  positioned in the posterior portion  20  of the bottom of the first layer  12 B accommodates a power source  56  (shown in  FIG. 2 ). A void space  48  for receiving a main circuit board  50  (shown in  FIG. 2 ) is located in the bottom side of the first layer  12 B. In a preferred embodiment, the void space is located at a relative midpoint  52  of the anterior portion  18  of the first layer  12 B. 
       FIG. 7  is a top view of wire connections emanating from the main circuit board  50  to the power source  56 , the LED belt  34  and the battery charger  60 . The main circuit board  50  connects to the LED belt  34  via a connection point  34 ′, the battery  56  via a connection at  56 ′ and the charger  60  (shown in  FIG. 1 ) via a connection at  60 ′. Thus, the main circuit board  50  connects to the battery charger  60  the LED belt  34  and battery  56  in order to receive a signal from a wireless communication device, such as a smart phone to control the LED lights  26 , to synchronize with music and/or modify the color, speed or brightness of the LED lights  26 . 
       FIG. 8  is a bottom view illustrating an alternative embodiment of the bottom layer of the underside  12 B of the sole  10 . In this embodiment portions of the LED belt  34  are twisted in a curved spiral or loop  25  within each of four arcuate grooves  42  within the channel  36 . The configuration of the twisted loop  35  within the arcuate groove  42 , further relieves the stress to the LED belt  34  in order to further protect the LED belt  34 , the LED lights  26  and LED circuit boxes  24 , or a portion thereof from breaking. Two arcuate grooves  42 A on the first lateral side  16 A and two arcuate grooves  42 B on lateral side  16 B each include portions of the LED belt  34  configured in a spiral curve or twisted loop  35 . The arcuate grooves  42 A,  42 B including the twisted loop  35  on either side  16 A,  16 B of the sole  10  are positioned in the region that defines the flexing area  41  of the sole  10 , thus providing greater protection for the LED belt  34  or any portion thereof, from breakage while the wearer&#39;s foot is flexing.  FIG. 8A  is a close up view of the spiral curve or twisted loops  35  within the arcuate grooves  42 A,  42 B of the flexing area  41  of the sole  10  of the footwear as shown in  FIG. 8 . 
     Thus, while there has been shown and described, fundamental novel features of the disclosure as applied to various specific embodiments thereof, it will be understood that various omissions and substitutions and changes in the form and details of the apparatus illustrated, and in their operation, may be made by those skilled in the art without departing from the spirit of the disclosure. For example, it is expressly intended that all combinations of those elements and/or method steps which perform substantially the same function, in substantially the same way, to achieve the same results, are within the scope of the invention. Moreover, it should be recognized that structures and/or elements and/or method steps shown and/or described in connection with any disclosed form or embodiment of the invention may be incorporated in any other disclosed or described or suggested form or embodiment as a general matter of design choice. It is the intention, therefore, to be limited only as indicated by the scope of the claims appended hereto.