Patent ID: 8069589

Claim:
An article of footwear, comprising: an outsole; an upper connected to said outsole, said upper being formed with a toe portion, a heel portion, an interior and an opening into said interior, said opening being defined by a first side portion of said upper and a second side portion of said upper which is spaced from said first side portion, said opening having a first end at said toe portion and a second end spaced from said first end in a direction toward said heel portion; at least one sleeve having a first end, a second end and a hollow interior, said first end of said at least one sleeve being permanently fixed to said first side portion of said upper and said second end of said at least one sleeve being permanently fixed to said second side portion of said upper so that said at least one sleeve extends across said opening, said at least one sleeve being located proximate to said first end of said opening; at least one light source mounted within said hollow interior of said at least one sleeve; a light module mounted to one of said outsole and said upper; at least one wire electrically connecting said light module to said at least one light source, said light module being effective to illuminate said at least one light source; a connecting device separate from said at least one sleeve, said connecting device being located between said at least one sleeve and said second end of said opening, said connecting device being releasably coupled to at least one of said first and second side portions of said upper in position to span said opening, said connecting device being adapted to releasably secure the foot of a wearer of the article of footwear within said interior of said upper.