Abstract: An article of footwear includes an electrical circuit having a battery, one or more integrated circuits connected to an array of LEDs and to a loudspeaker, and, a number of switches which are operative to activate the integrated circuit(s) in response to motion of the footwear and/or the application of a magnetic field from a permanent magnet located externally of the article of footwear.

Abstract: This invention is directed to an article of footwear or other article of clothing in which designs containing phosphors are located on the article is the path of ultraviolet radiation emitted from one or more black light LEDs causing the designs to glow.

Abstract: A system for producing sound and light includes a shoe or other article of footwear having multiple sources of light and at least one loudspeaker, and a unit located remotely from the shoe which is operative to transmit an RF signal to a receiver within the shoe causing the loudspeaker to sound.

Abstract: A display case comprises a first section having a top wall, a bottom wall and a back wall connected between the top and bottom walls, and, a second section having opposed side walls with a front wall connected between them. The second section slides into engagement with the first section to form a closed interior. The bottom wall of the first section is integrally formed with a bracket which includes first and second arms connected in an inverse, L-shape, with one of the arms oriented parallel to and spaced from the bottom wall to form a space within which a shelf is received. A thumb screw or other mounting device extends through the bracket arm to engage the shelf and secure the display case thereto.

Abstract: An article of footwear such as a shoe having an array of light sources and at least one loudspeaker is provided in combination with a separate device having a recording unit which records sound and a transmitter which transmits an RF signal representative of the sound recording to the shoe where a circuit operates the loudspeaker in the shoe to reproduce the recorded sound.

Abstract: An article of clothing includes an electrical circuit having a battery, one or more integrated circuits connected to a signal device such as an array of LEDs and/or a loudspeaker, and, at least one switch which is operative to activate the integrated circuit(s) in response to the application of a magnetic field to the switch from a permanent magnet located externally of the article of clothing.

Abstract: An article of footwear includes an outsole connected to an upper having a toe portion, a heel portion, a foot insertion opening and a tongue which defines two, opposed sides of the upper extending between the heel and toe portions. One end of each of a number of straps is fixed to one side of the upper, and the free end of each strap is formed with a tab having a unique indicia such as a different shape, number and/or color. A series of patches are mounted to the other side of the upper, opposite the straps, and each patch includes a matching indicia corresponding to one of the tabs on the straps. The tabs and patches have cooperating hook and loop fastening material or other fasteners to connect them together and secure the straps on the article of footwear.

Abstract: A switch according to this invention is particularly intended for use with articles of footwear as part of a light module which also includes one or more batteries, an integrated circuit and wire connections to LEDs or other sources of light mounted to the outsole or upper of the article of footwear. The switch is formed with a housing having a hollow interior within which a pair of spaced contacts are mounted, at least one of which is connected to the battery. A cover plate is mounted to the housing such that an electrically conductive pivot arm carried by the cover plate is positioned between the spaced contacts. In response to the application of an inertial force to the switch, the pivot arm is movable in the manner of a pendulum into engagement with either one or both of the contacts thus completing the circuit between the battery and integrated circuit allowing it to activate the LEDs.

Abstract: A method and apparatus is provided which comprises a console including on/off push buttons and a liquid crystal display for providing messages to the user, a receiver unit, a transmitter unit and a circuit capable of calculating the speeds of the user during use as well as operate LEDs which display the status of the apparatus and flash in response to movement of the user wearing the device while he or she is running or walking.

Abstract: A shoe is provided which is convertible between a walking shoe and roller skate comprising a shoe upper connected to an outsole formed with an internal bore at both the heel area and arch area, each of which receive a hollow sleeve carrying a rod whose opposite ends protrude from the sides of the outsole. A first end of each rod mounts a wheel which is retained thereon by a fixed end cap, and the opposite, second end of each rod has opposed, radially outwardly extending locking pins which are received within bores formed in a locking cap operative to retain a second wheel on the second end of each rod.

Abstract: A method and apparatus for calculating, presenting, recalling and recording the maximum running speed of a user over a prescribed distance in miles per hour or meters per second. The result is shown in digital and iconic form on a liquid crystal display (LCD). The apparatus incorporates a micro-controller, a LCD, a motion sensor, press switches and, light emitting diodes. The motion sensor is used to generate a signal, in response to external motion, which is input to the micro-controller for use in a calculating the speed in accordance with a prescribed formula. Upon completion of running over a fixed time period or distance, a message is displayed on the LCD to indicated the maximum speed achieved by the user during an interval of the fixed time and over the prescribed distance. The apparatus may be adapted for use on shoes, a user's wrists, or the like, for the purpose of encouraging the user to run as fast as possible, and to ensure safety of the user at night.

Abstract: A shoe is provided which is convertible between a walking shoe and roller skate comprising a shoe upper connected to an outsole formed with an internal bore at both the heel area and arch area, each of which receive a hollow sleeve carrying a rod whose opposite ends protrude from the sides of the outsole. A first end of each rod mounts a wheel which is retained thereon by a fixed end cap, and the opposite, second end of each rod has opposed, radially outwardly extending locking pins which are received within bores formed in a locking cap operative to retain a second wheel on the second end of each rod.

Abstract: A method and apparatus for calculating, presenting, recalling and recording the maximum running speed of a user over a prescribed distance in miles per hour or meters per second. The result is shown in digital and iconic form on a liquid crystal display (LCD). The apparatus incorporates a micro-controller, a LCD, a motion sensor, a sound generator, press switches, and light emitting diodes. The motion sensor is used to generate a signal, in response to external motion, which is input to the micro-controller for use in calculating the speed in accordance with a prescribed formula. Upon completion of running over a fixed time period or distance, a message is displayed on the LCD to indicated the maximum speed achieved by the user during an interval of the fixed time and over the prescribed distance. The apparatus may be adapted for use on shoes, a user's wrists, or the like, for the purpose of encouraging the user to run as fast as possible, and to ensure safety of the user at night.

Abstract: The invention advantageously provides enhanced support of the foot wearing a shoe according to the invention, while eliminating unnecessary manufacturing steps. According to the invention, an upper, an insole, and an outsole are provided to manufacture a shoe. The outsole comprises a heel, an arch, and a plantar region. A cavity is formed in one or more of the heel, arch and plantar regions of the outsole. A cushioning pad is permanently affixed in the cavity. The upper, insole and outsole are then assembled to make the shoe according to the invention. The pad functions integrally with the outsole in cushioning shock to a given area of the foot wearing the shoe. A midsole and the manufacturing process for making the same are no longer needed as a result.

Abstract: A method and apparatus is provided which comprises a console including on/off push buttons and a liquid crystal display for providing messages to the user, a receiver unit, a transmitter unit and a circuit capable of calculating the speeds of the user during use as well as operate LEDs which display the status of the apparatus and flash in response to movement of the user wearing the device while he or she is running or walking.

Abstract: A method and apparatus for calculating, presenting, recalling and recording the maximum running speed of a user over a prescribed distance in miles per hour or meters per second. The result is shown in digital and iconic form on a liquid crystal display (LCD). The apparatus incorporates a micro-controller, a LCD, a motion sensor, a sound generator, press switches, and light emitting diodes. The motion sensor is used to generate a signal, in response to external motion, which is input to the micro-controller for use in calculating the speed in accordance with a prescribed formula. Upon completion of running over a fixed time period or distance, a message is displayed on the LCD to indicated the maximum speed achieved by the user during an interval of the fixed time and over the prescribed distance. The apparatus may be adapted for use on shoes, a user's wrists, or the like, for the purpose of encouraging the user to run as fast as possible, and to ensure safety of the user at night.

Abstract: A shoe box is provided having a bottom, a front, a back and lateral sides, the box having an open top wherein the front and lateral sides have partial internal flaps folded over their top edges forming an internal border. The back side has an internal panel that is folded over, presenting a display with printed product information. The shoe box may separately or further be provided with a flip tag, i.e, a figurine having an outwardly facing display is secured to an internal surface of the front. The figurine can be folded downwardly and inwardly when in a stowed position and upwardly and outwardly when in a displayed position visible to a prospective purchaser.