Abstract:
This invention pertains to the fabrication of a color changing material that when placed on a pair of sneakers can provide a number of different color options for the consumer. The color of this material can be controlled by means of push pumps discretely located on the upper portion of the inside of each sneaker tongue.

Description:
[0001]     This non-provisional patent application is based on the provisional patent application filed on May 12, 2004, Ser. No. 60/570,658.  
       CROSS-REFERENCE TO RELATED APPLICATIONS  
       [0002]     Not Applicable  
       STATEMENT REGARDING FEDERALLY SPONSORED RESEARCH OR DEVELOPMENT  
       [0003]     Not Applicable  
       REFERENCE TO SEQUENCE LISTING, A TABLE, OR A COMPUTER PROGRAM LISTGING COMPACT DISK APPENDIX  
       [0004]     Not Applicable  
       BACKGROUND OF INVENTION  
       [0005]     This invention pertains to the aesthetic improvement of the sneaker by means of adjusting the color of the logo and/or trimming. Currently the consumer is limited to one color choice for each pair of sneakers. As a result collecting sneakers of similar style but different colors can become quite expensive for the consumer.  
       BRIEF SUMMARY OF THE INVENTION  
       [0006]     The substance of the claimed invention is a material that can change color on demand. This is accomplished by stacking a combination of variable color filters and air pouches. The advantage of this invention is that the consumer can purchase a pair of sneakers in which multiple color schemes for both the shoe logo and trimming are possible. 
     
    
     BRIEF DESCRIPTION OF THE VIEWS OF THE DRAWING  
       [0007]      FIG. 1 : Diagram of the variable color logo and trimming sneaker.  
         [0008]      FIG. 2 : Diagram of fixed and variable color filters.  
         [0009]      FIG. 3 : Side view diagram of inner and outer air pouches.  
         [0010]      FIG. 4 : Front view diagram of outer air pouch.  
         [0011]      FIG. 5 : Diagram of the exploded view of the variable color logo.  
         [0012]      FIG. 6 : Diagram showing alternate exploded view of variable color logo.  
         [0013]      FIG. 7 : Diagram of assembled variable color logo.  
         [0014]      FIG. 8 : Diagram showing the attachment of the variable color logo.  
         [0015]      FIG. 9 : Diagram of the sneaker pump system.  
         [0016]      FIG. 10 : Diagram of the recommended pump mechanism.  
     
    
     DETAILED DESCRIPTION OF THE INVENTION  
       [0017]     This invention is functionally based on the ability to change the color of the sneaker logo and/or trimming as desired.  FIG. 1  depicts a sneaker fitted with a color changing logo and trimming. The color changing logo is represented by the numeral ( 1 ) and the color changing trimming is represented by the numeral ( 2 ). The parts referenced by the numerals ( 4 ) and ( 3 ) represent push buttons one and two respectively. These buttons are used to change the color of the logo and trimming. This color change is accomplished by using the principle of color subtraction. The color subtraction is performed by superimposing a combination of color filters to produce a desired color. As to the composition of this invention, there are two different types of color filters used: the fixed color filter and the variable color filter. These two types of filters are shown in  FIG. 2 . The fixed color filter is represented by the numeral ( 1   b ) and the variable color filter in this figure is represented by the numeral ( 1   c ).  
         [0018]     The fixed color filter is made from a thin colored transparency-like plastic fashioned in the shape of the desired logo and/or trimming, and as the name implies is fixed with respect to which colors it filters. The thickness of the fixed filter should be no greater than 1 mm.  
         [0019]     The variable color filter is made from a thin colorless transparent plastic comparable to the plastic used in food storage bags. Two sheets of this plastic are placed together, one on top of the other. These two sheets are then stamped by a heated element shaped in the form of the desired variable color filter. Thus producing a heat sealed variable color filter. However one end of the variable filter should be left unsealed for the purpose of filling it with the desired liquid dye. Just enough liquid dye should be added so that a thin layer of the dye fills the non-reservoir portion of the variable color filter. The reservoir portion of the variable color filter, shown in  FIG. 2 , is denoted by the hatched area represented by the letter Z. The open end of the variable color filter can then be heat sealed so that the dye is confined within the logo shaped plastic bag. The same process can be used to fabricate the variable color filter of the trimming. The thickness of the variable color filter containing liquid dye should be no greater than 1 mm.  
         [0020]     As the name implies, the variable color filter can be controlled so that the filter operates in one of two states, one in which the filter admits all the colors and the other in which only one color is admitted (this color is determined by the dye color). The variable color filter is controlled by means of an applied force to the non-reservoir area of each variable color filter. This force, as it relates to this invention, is pneumatic in nature and is transmitted to the variable color filter by means of an air-filled pouch fashioned in the shape of the desired logo and/or trimming.  FIG. 4  shows the front view of the air pouches. In this figure the air pouch is denoted by the characters  1   d.    
         [0021]     As for the fabrication of the air pouches, they are fashioned in the shape of the desired logo and/or trimming and are made from two different grades of plastic; one that is comparable to that used in the fabrication of the variable color filters and the other of a higher grade plastic. The same heat seal method used for the fabrication of the variable color filter is used to make the air pouches. The reason for the use of two different grades of plastic in the fabrication of the air pouches is that it is essential that only one side of the air pouch be significantly inflated by the internal air pressure. Therefore the side of the air pouch made from the lower grade plastic will be more responsive to internal pressure changes. It is this side of the air pouch that will be placed in direct contact with the variable color filter so as to isolate the influence of the air pouch to its intended variable color filter. There are two types of air pouches used in this invention, both of which are identical in all aspects except for the side of the air pouch that is allowed to inflate.  FIG. 3  depicts both types of air pouches; the inner air pouch is represented by the characters ( 1   e ) and the outer air pouch is represented by the characters ( 1   d ). The type of air pouch that inflates on the side facing toward the sneaker surface is known as an inner air pouch and the type of air pouch that inflates on the side facing away from the sneaker surface is known as an outer air pouch. Each air pouch should have a thickness no greater than 1 mm and the air lines depicted in  FIG. 3  should be connected to their respective air pouches in a manner that ensures that there will be no pressure leaks. The characters ( 1   j ) represent the air line to the outer air pouch and the characters ( 1   i ) represent the air line to the inner air pouch.  
         [0022]     The operation of the variable color filter in conjunction with its associated air pouch is as follows: if the air pouch is empty, the dye contained in the variable color filter is unperturbed and thus remains in the non-reservoir region of the variable color filter. This represents the non-active condition. However if the air pouch is inflated, the pressure of this inflation forces the dye in the variable color filter into the reservoir portion of the variable color filter; this represents the active condition. Any component layer adjacent to the variable color filter acts as a supporting force which compliments the effect of the air pouches on the filter. Thus, control of the colors filtered has been established.  
         [0023]      FIG. 5  gives an exploded view of the components of the color changing logo material. In this figure we see the presence of two variable color filters represented by the characters ( 1   f ) and ( 1   c ). Each of these two filters is responsible for filtering different wavelengths. Variable color filter ( 1   f ) permits the wavelengths corresponding to cyan to pass while filter ( 1   c ) permits the wavelengths corresponding to yellow to pass. The regions denoted as Y and Z represent the reservoirs of the ( 1   f ) and ( 1   c ) filters respectively. Looking at this figure shows the presence of several additional components that have not yet been mentioned, such as the white backing. The white backing is denoted by the characters ( 1   g ) and is nothing more than a white piece of plastic or paper that is cut in the shape of the desired logo and/or trimming. The functional purpose of the white backing is to reflect all of the incident light back to the observer. The thickness of the white backing should be no greater than 1 mm. An alternative to using this white backing is to paint the rear side of filter ( 1   f ) white. This would eliminate the need for a separate layer to perform the color reflection. This same alternate configuration can be used to eliminate the need for the fixed color filter layer. In order to implement this method the rear side of part ( 1   f ) should be painted the same color as the fixed color filter you wish to replace. A diagram of this alternate configuration is shown in  FIG. 6 .  
         [0024]     The other two components, not previously mentioned, are the back and front sides of the casing represented by the characters ( 1   h ) and ( 1   a ) respectively. As depicted by  FIG. 5 , the active layers of the variable color logo are sandwiched between two pieces of sturdy, high-grade plastic, which act as a protective casing. The front side of this casing, that is the side facing away from the sneaker surface, must be transparent while the transparency of the back side is irrelevant. The perimeter of both the back and front sides of the casing should be greater than the perimeter of the active layers (the active layers are all the components lying between the front and back casings); as a result the two sides of the casing can be attached to one another by stitch or adhesive. The advantage of attaching the two sides of the casing by stitch is that the attachment of the sides of the casing and the attachment of the variable color material to the sneaker can be accomplished simultaneously. The assembled variable color logo is shown in  FIG. 7 .  FIG. 7  shows the stitching of the variable color logo. This stitching is denoted by the letter W. The hatched region labeled by the letter X represents the area of the logo that changes color. The area around the X region should be painted the same color as the sneaker. The composition and fabrication of the color changing trimming material is analogous to the previously mentioned composition and fabrication methods of the color changing logo material.  
         [0025]     Another point of interest is the choice of variable filter colors. In  FIG. 5 , there is a color combination of magenta, yellow and cyan. This color combination provides four possible color options for the logo and/or trimming material: pink, red, blue and black. These color options were determined by use of color perception theory. For example, the combination of magenta (pink) and yellow equals red; the combination of pink and cyan equals blue; the combination of pink, yellow and cyan add to give black; and finally the absence of yellow and cyan leaves pink. The filter color combination can be set arbitrarily so as to provide the desired logo and/or trimming color options.  
         [0026]     After the variable color logo has been assembled it can then be attached to the sneaker.  FIG. 8  gives a graphic depiction of this attachment. The leather flap represented by the numeral ( 5 ) is lifted as shown in the figure. Next the variable color logo ( 1 ) is attached to the sneaker and the leather flap ( 5 ) is lowered back into place. Finally the leather flap is either stitched or glued to the sneaker.  
         [0027]     The air pouches are inflated by the simple pump system shown in  FIG. 9 . This system includes the air pouches, air lines and the pump mechanism. The air lines ( 1   i ) and ( 1   j ) correspond to the logo air pouches ( 1   e ) and ( 1   d ) respectively, while the air lines ( 2   i ) and ( 2   j ) correspond to their respective air pouches in the color changing trimming. The air lines should be placed so as to provide minimum intrusion. It is recommended that these lines be placed within the shoe lining.  FIG. 10  shows the recommended pump. The pump mechanism shown in this figure is composed of three basic parts: the pump bulb ( 4   a ), the release valve ( 4   b ) and the air line ( 1   i ). The pump mechanism should be fabricated to be as small as possible and placed on the inner side of the shoe tongue so as to be relatively non-intrusive. The exact specifications for the pump mechanism are left to the discretion of the manufacturer. The only stipulation for the pump is that it be discrete, non-bulky and for the pressure release valve to be placed on or near the pump bulb.  
         [0028]     The number of pumps needed is dependent on the desired number of distinct logo and/or trimming colors. For example, in order to produce four distinct colors you need two pumps, one for each of the two variable color filters; the other two colors are a result of the fixed color filter and the combined effect of both the fixed color filter and the variable color filters. Therefore, it is obvious that an increase in color options coincides proportionately with an increase in system complexity, thus introducing a trade-off between functionality and cost.  
         [0029]     Now that the components of this invention and their functionality have been discussed, we now address the operation of the system as a whole. Referring once again to  FIG. 1  we see the two air pumps labeled ( 3 ) and ( 4 ). As previously mentioned, if there are two pumps we can independently operate two variable color filters and thus achieve four distinct colors for the logo and trimming of the sneaker. We first assume that both air pouches within the logo and trimming are not inflated; this is our initial condition. The apparent color of the logo and trimming under this condition is approximately black. The next possible state of this system occurs when the pump labeled ( 4 ) is activated. This causes the inflation of the air pouch labeled ( 1   e ) which in turn forces the dye in the variable color filter labeled ( 1   f ) into the reservoir labeled Y, thus leaving the non-reservoir portion of the ( 1   f ) filter empty. As a result, the ( 1   f ) filter no longer acts as a color filter, but instead, allows all colors to pass. Therefore only two filters remain; the ( 1   c ) variable color filter and the ( 1   b ) fixed filter. The combination of these two filters causes the color of the logo and trimming to appear red. The third possible state for this system occurs when the pressure of the first pump ( 4 ) is released and the second pump ( 3 ) is activated. The release of the pressure of the first pump ( 4 ) causes the air pouch ( 1   e ) to deflate, which returns the ( 1   f ) filter to its original state (the cyan colored dye leaves the reservoir (Y) and returns to the non-reservoir area of the ( 1   f ) filter). The activation of the second pump ( 3 ) inflates the air pouch ( 1   d ); as a result the yellow dye in the ( 1   c ) variable color filter is forced into its reservoir (Z) leaving the non-reservoir area of the filter empty. Thus, the remaining two filters (the ( 1   f ) variable color filter and the ( 1   b ) fixed filter) add to give the logo and trimming a blue color. The fourth and final state of this system occurs when both pumps ( 3 ) and ( 4 ) are activated; as a result, the dye in both variable color filters ( 1   f ) and ( 1   c ) are contained in their respective reservoirs and the non-reservoir areas of both variable color filters are left empty. This condition gives the logo and trimming a pink color. As previously mentioned, these color combinations are only one of many possible color combinations. Using different color filters will result in a separate set of color options for the logo and trimming.